Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mycophenolate Mofetil for Myasthenia Gravis A Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Pilot Study

Abstract: Mycophenolate mofetil (MM) is an immunosuppressive agent developed and originally used to prevent acute rejection of solid‐organ transplantation. There have been preliminary reports of its successful use in the treatment of autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG). We conducted a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot trial of MM in the treatment of suboptimally controlled, stable MG. Results of this pilot study are promising and suggestive of greater improvement in the patients who received MM compared to placebo.
Predictability of gastroesophageal caustic injury from clinical findings: is endoscopy mandatory in children?

Introduction The aim of this study was to present our patients with corrosive ingestion retrospectively, to analyze the validity of clinical signs as predictors of outcome, and to emphasize the necessity of esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Materials and methods Data were evaluated from the medical records of patients admitted at the Mother and Child Health Care Institute, Serbia over a 10-year period. Results A total of 176 children, mean age 36.2±18.1 months (range 9 months to 18 years), with corrosive ingestion were evaluated. The ingested substances were alkali in 96 cases (54.5%), acid in 41 (23.3%), and others in 39 cases (22.1%). In all, 116 patients (65.9%) were symptom free on admission. Positive clinical findings were observed in 60 (34.1%) patients. Upper endoscopy was performed in all children within the first 48 h. Ninety-five patients (54%) had normal endoscopic evaluation, 54 (30.6%) had mild lesions, and 27 (15.3%) had severe corrosive injuries. The validity of clinical findings in predicting the severity of esophageal and gastric injury was as follows: sensitivity – 74 and 75% and specificity – 73 and 68%, retrospectively. Eighteen patients (10.2%) developed esophageal stricture. Conclusion Endoscopy is a mandatory technique in children with gastroesophageal caustic injuries, and should be performed to prevent unnecessary hospitalization and to plan future treatment. This study emphasizes that clinical signs and symptoms are not predictors of esophageal and gastric injury and that the absence of any clinical findings does not rule out a severe esophageal or gastric injury.
Morphological alterations and G0/G1 cell cycle arrest induced by curcumin in human SK-MEL-37 melanoma cells

The aim of this work was to study the effect of cur cumin on cell cycle in the human SK-MEL-37 melanoma cell line. In addition, morphological and structural analyses were also performed. Flow cytometric analysis showe d a G0/G1 arrest at 5 µM after 24 h exposure and a concentrat ion-dependent increase in the proportion of sub-G0 hypodiploid cells. Typical apoptotic events were al so observed by the fluorescence microscopy, transmi ssion and scanning electronic microscopy. Loss of mitochondri al membrane potential was not detected. Results su ggested that curcumin could arrest human melanoma cells at G0/G1 phase and induce a mitochondrial-independent apoptotic pathway .
Cardiovascular variability during treatment with haloperidol, olanzapine or risperidone in recent-onset schizophrenia

Abstract This study aimed to investigate the effects of treatment with haloperidol, olanzapine and risperidone on cardiovascular variability in patients with recent-onset schizophrenia by means of spectral analysis. Unmedicated patients (n = 18) had a higher mean heart rate and a tendency for a lower high-frequency power of heart rate variability than healthy control subjects (n = 57), indicating a decreased cardiac vagal control in unmedicated patients with schizophrenia. Patients treated with haloperidol (n = 10) showed significantly lower low-frequency power of heart rate and systolic blood pressure variability compared with olanzapine-treated patients, suggesting that haloperidol attenuated sympathetic functioning. On the contrary, olanzapine-treated patients (n = 10) showed the highest power in the low-frequency range of heart rate and systolic blood pressure variability, suggesting an increased sympathetic cardiac functioning. No significant effects of risperidone (n = 13) were found. None of the antipsychotic agents differed in their parasympathetic cardiovascular effects. We conclude that young, unmedicated patients with schizophrenia differed from controls in their parasympathetic functioning, but the antipsychotic agents haloperidol, risperidone and olanzapine induced only minor cardiovascular side effects.
THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA BASED BRAND COMMUNITIES ON BRAND COMMUNITY MARKERS AND VALUE CREATION PRACTICES IN AN APPLE (IPHONE) MOBILE

A social media based brand community is composed of two concepts; social media and brand community that we briefly discuss. In this article, we explore whether brand communities based on social media have positive effects on the main community elements and value creation practices in the communities.For this purpose, the users of Apple (Iphone) cell phones in Shiraz, Iran are considered as the statistical society which due to the unlimited statistical society and lack of access to all of them, samples included 196 people have been selected randomly and studied in the fall 2012 by using the standard questionnaire of the researcher Laroch et al., (2012). On the other hand, in order to discuss the relationship between the research variables the Pierson Correlation and for the test of research hypotheses the path analysis are used to evaluate the structure of the recommended framework. In order to do so SPSS AMOS 16.0 software is used. This research has about fifteen hypotheses with the reliability of %95. All of the hypotheses were accepted.
Detection of Yersinia enterocolitica in Pigs and Pork Products

Introduction Yersinia enterocolitica is a zoonotic organism affecting both humans and livestock. In humans, Y. enterocolitica infection can result in severe abdominal pain, which mimics appendicitis. Swine have been implicated as the principal animal reservoir for human pathogenic Y. enterocolitica. Infections in pigs may localize in the tonsils (3). Several outbreaks of yersiniosis have involved consumption of pork (6, 9). Because swine are a source of pathogenic Yersinia (3, 5), rapid methods are needed to determine its prevalence in surveys of pork or of market weight hogs. Three enrichments have been described in the literature. Irgasan, ticarcillin, and potassium chlorate (ITC) (11), modified trypticase soy broth (MTSB) (1), and Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (12). However, the sensitivity of these methods has not been compared. The sequence of the ail gene, which is present only in virulent strains of Y. enterocolitica, has been previously reported (7). The PCR primers amplifying the ail gene sequence have been described (4), and PCR detection of the ail gene has been used to confirm typical bulls-eye colonies grown on cefsulodin-irgasan-novobiocin (CIN) agar after enrichment (1). A PCR ELISA has been described for the field diagnosis of filarial infections (8). The PCR ELISA is based on immobilization of PCR products to streptavidin-coated wells of a microtiter plate. The PCR product is visualized using a biotin-labeled internal oligonucleotide probe specific to the amplicon, an enzyme-conjugated antibody, and a substratebased colorimetric detection system (8). We have adapted this format to the detection of Y. enterocolitica (10). The present study made use of digoxigenin labeled PCR products providing good sensitivity and a streamlined detection procedure. The purpose of this study was to optimize the PCR ELISA assay that targets the amplification of the ail gene. Secondly, we wished to compare ITC, MTSB, and PBS enrichments for the detection of Y. enterocolitica in pigs and pork products (Figure 1).
Lipid and C-reactive Protein Levels as Risk Factors for Hearing Loss in Older Adults

Objective To determine the role of cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers, lipids and C-reactive protein, in age-related hearing loss over time. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Research laboratories at an academic medical center. Subjects and Methods In total, 837 older adults (mean age 67.5 years) were included. Primary dependent variables were pure-tone thresholds (pure-tone average [PTA]), including “narrow” PTA (0.5, 1, 2, 4 kHz), “broad” PTA (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 kHz), low-frequency PTA (0.25, 0.5, 1 kHz), and high-frequency PTA (2, 3, 4, 6, 8 kHz). Repeated-measures mixed regression modeling was used to assess the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) and lipid levels with PTAs over time. Results In a cross-sectional sample of 837 subjects, modest associations were found between triglycerides and all PTAs. Weak associations were observed between the ratio of total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein and narrow PTA, broad PTA, and high-frequency PTA. However, when assessing changes in hearing and lipids over time in a longitudinal analysis, no significant associations between hearing and lipids remained. PTAs and CRP were not statistically associated when controlling for age and sex. Conclusion Associations between hearing and blood lipids have been the focus of scientific inquiry for more than 50 years. The current results suggest that the association is either spurious or too small to be of consequence in the assessment and treatment of hearing loss in older adults. Inquiry into other potential risk factors for age-related hearing loss and associations with CVD may prove more fruitful.
Validation in Information Systems Research: A State-of-the-Art Assessment

Over 10 years ago, the issue of whether IS researchers were rigorously validating their quantitative, positivist instruments was raised (Straub 1989). In the years that have passed since that time, the profession has undergone many changes. Novel technologies and management trends have come and gone. New professional societies have been formed and grown in prominence and new demands have been placed on the field's research and teaching obligations. But the issue of rigor in IS research has persisted throughout all such changes. Without solid validation of the instruments that are used to gather data upon which findings and interpretations are based, the very scientific basis of positivist, quantitative research is threatened. As a retrospective on the Straub article, this research seeks to determine if and how the field has advanced in instrument validation. As evidence of the change, we coded positivist, quantitative research articles in five major journals over a recent three year period for use of validation techniques. Findings suggest that the field has advanced in many areas, but, overall, it appears that a majority of published studies are still not sufficiently validating their instruments. Based on these findings, approaches are suggested for reinvigorating the quest for validation in IS research via content/construct validity, reliability, and manipulation validity.
Studying meiosis: a review of FISH and M-FISH techniques used in the analysis of meiotic processes in humans

It is well known that chromosome in situ hybridization allows the unequivocal identification of targeted human somatic chromosomes. Different fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques have been developed throughout the years and, following the mitotic studies, meiotic analyses have been performed using these different techniques. The introduction of M-FISH techniques to the analysis of meiotic cells has allowed the study of meiotic processes for every individual human chromosome. In this paper, we review the different FISH and M-FISH techniques that have been used on human meiotic cells in both men and women.
Characterization of V642I‐AβPP‐induced cytotoxicity in primary neurons

Amyloid precursor protein (AβPP), a precursor of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide, is one of the molecules involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Specific mutations in AβPP have been found in patients inheriting familial AD (FAD). These mutant AβPP proteins cause cell death in neuronal cell lines in vitro, but the molecular mechanism of cytotoxicity has not yet been clarified completely. We analyzed the cytotoxic mechanisms of the London‐type AβPP mutant, V642I‐AβPP, in primary cortical neurons utilizing an adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer system. Expression of V642I‐AβPP protein induced degeneration of the primary neurons. This cytotoxicity was blocked by pertussis toxin, a specific inhibitor for heterotrimeric G proteins, Go/i, and was suppressed by an inhibitor of caspase‐3/7 and an antioxidant, glutathione ethyl ester. A specific inhibitor for NADPH oxidase, apocynin, but not a xanthine oxidase inhibitor or a nitric oxide inhibitor, blocked V642I‐AβPP‐induced cytotoxicity. Among mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) family proteins, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and p38MAPK, but not extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), were involved in this cytotoxic pathway. The V642I‐AβPP‐induced cytotoxicity was not suppressed by two secretase inhibitors, suggesting that Aβ does not play a major role in this cytotoxicity. Two neuroprotective factors, insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) and Humanin, protected these primary neurons from V642I‐AβPP‐induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, interleukin‐6 and ‐11 also attenuated this cytotoxicity. This study demonstrated that the signaling pathway activated by mutated AβPP in the primary neurons is the same as that by the other artificial insults such as antibody binding to AβPP and the artificial dimerization of cytoplasmic domain of AβPP. The potential of neurotrophic factors and cytokines in AD therapy is also indicated. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Peroxisomal lipid degradation via beta- and alpha-oxidation in mammals.

Peroxisomal beta-oxidation is involved in the degradation of long chain and very long chain fatty acyl-(coenzyme A)CoAs, long chain dicarboxylyl-CoAs, the CoA esters of eicosanoids, 2-methyl-branched fatty acyl-CoAs (e.g. pristanoyl-CoA), and the CoA esters of the bile acid intermediates di- and trihydroxycoprostanic acids (side chain of cholesterol). In the rat, straight chain acyl-CoAs (including the CoA esters of dicarboxylic fatty acids and eicosanoids) are beta-oxidized via palmitoyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional protein-1 (which displays 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and L-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities) and peroxisomal thiolase. 2-Methyl-branched acyl-CoAs are degraded via pristanoyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional protein-2 (MFP-2) (which displays 2-enoyl-CoA hydratase and D-3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase activities) and sterol carrier protein-X (SCPX; displaying 2-methyl-3-oxoacyl-CoA thiolase activity). The side chain of the bile acid intermediates is shortened via one cycle of beta-oxidation catalyzed by trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase, MFP-2 and SCPX. In the human, straight chain acyl-CoAs are oxidized via palmitoyl-CoA oxidase, multifunctional protein-1, and peroxisomal thiolase, as is the case in the rat. The CoA esters of 2-methyl-branched acyl-CoAs and the bile acid intermediates, which also possess a 2-methyl substitution in their side chain, are shortened via branched chain acyl-CoA oxidase (which is the human homolog of trihydroxycoprostanoyl-CoA oxidase), multifunctional protein-2, and SCPX. The rat and the human enzymes have been purified, cloned, and kinetically and stereochemically characterized. 3-Methyl-branched fatty acids such as phytanic acid are not directly beta-oxidizable because of the position of the methyl-branch. They are first shortened by one carbon atom through the a-oxidation process to a 2-methyl-branched fatty acid (pristanic acid in the case of phytanic acid), which is then degraded via peroxisomal beta-oxidation. In the human and the rat, alpha-oxidation is catalyzed by an acyl-CoA synthetase (producing a 3-methylacyl-CoA), a 3-methylacyl-CoA 2-hydroxylase (resulting in a 2-hydroxy-3-methylacyl-CoA), and a 2-hydroxy-3-methylacyl-CoA lyase that cleaves the 2-hydroxy-3-methylacyl-CoA into a 2-methyl-branched fatty aldehyde and formyl-CoA. The fatty aldehyde is dehydrogenated by an aldehyde dehydrogenase to a 2-methyl-branched fatty acid while formyl-CoA is hydrolyzed to formate, which is then converted to CO2. The activation, hydroxylation and cleavage reactions, and the hydrolysis of formyl-CoA are performed by peroxisomal enzymes; the aldehyde dehydrogenation remains to be localized whereas the conversion of formate to CO2 occurs mainly in the cytosol.
Relation between Characteristic Modes and Complex Natural Resonances

In this paper Complex Natural Resonances of an infinite dielectric circular cylinder based on the PMCHWT formulation are presented. The relation between them and the Characteristic Mode resonances are explained. In addition, the reasons for different characteristic modes using different integral equations are explained. A connection between the resonances of series solution and integral formulations are carried out.
Reinforcing effects of d-amphetamine: influence of novel ratios on a progressive-ratio schedule

Progressive-ratio schedules are useful for studying the reinforcing effects of drugs. Earlier human laboratory studies showed that d-amphetamine significantly increased break points relative to placebo. However, the magnitude of the increase was modest, which may be attributable to rather high levels of placebo responding. We used novel response requirements in a modified progressive-ratio procedure and hypothesized that the altered range of response requirements would decrease responding for placebo and increase responding for d-amphetamine. Eight participants completed the study. The participants first sampled oral doses of d-amphetamine (0, 8, 16, and 24 mg). In subsequent sessions, the participants were offered the opportunity to work for the sampled dose on a modified progressive-ratio procedure with response requirements ranging from 400 to 1800 mouse clicks. A battery of participant-rated drug-effect questionnaires, a performance measure, and cardiovascular measures were included to more fully characterize the effects of d-amphetamine. Placebo maintained low levels of responding. The intermediate dose of d-amphetamine increased responding significantly above placebo levels. d-Amphetamine produced prototypical subject-rated effects that were an orderly function of dose. These data suggest that the modified response requirements resulted in lower levels of placebo taking and a larger separation between the number of placebo and d-amphetamine capsules earned.
Optical Transition Levels Related to Oxygen Vacancies in ZnO

Oxygen vacancies are frequently invoked to explain the experimental phenomena observed in ZnO, such as the visible emission, photoconduction, and magnetism. The levels induced by oxygen vacancies play a crucial role in reasonable interpretation on experimental data. Optical transition levels related to oxygen vacancies in ZnO have been reported in several recent papers. For the level positions relative to the band edges, there exists difference between different groups due to various methods adopted, even between the results from the same group. Original data related to oxygen vacancies in ZnO in the literatures are reviewed here. We found that the center of photoluminescence caused by VO depends on the initial states of EM, and 2.6 eV is minimum excitation energy (hνexc) for the PL centered at 530 nm. The following conclusions are drawn. Oxygen vacancies are neutral states, and the transition energy ε (0/+) lies in the lower half of the band gap. The first ionization energy is 3.03 eV.
Prognostic factors in surgery for pulmonary metastases in children.

BACKGROUND A retrospective analysis was performed of the results of surgical excision of lung metastases in children to identify prognostic factors. METHODS From 1970 to 1992, 139 thoracotomies were performed in 91 patients between 1 and 19 years of age with metastases of osteogenic sarcoma (40 patients), nephroblastoma (24 patients), Ewing sarcoma (12 patients), and various other tumors (15 patients). RESULTS There were no perioperative deaths and only one serious complication, chylothorax necessitating reoperation. Twenty-three patients (25%) are currently alive, two with residual disease. Twelve patients (50%) with nephroblastoma are alive; 7 patients (18%) with osteogenic sarcoma and 4 (27%) with other tumors are alive. Negative prognostic factors were incomplete excision, primary tumor not controlled, or metastases developing during treatment. The number of metastases, the disease-free interval, unilateral versus bilateral metastases, preoperative and postoperative adjuvant treatment, and the number of thoracotomies performed were not of significant influence on outcome. CONCLUSIONS The most important prognostic factor is the type of primary tumor. Excision of lung metastases in children with Ewing or soft tissue sarcoma is not warranted. All other patients who are able to withstand a major operation should not be denied the chance because the surgical risks appear minimal and the outcome cannot be predicted beforehand.
Deformation of Homotopy into Isotopy in Oriented 3-Manifolds

We will show that deformation quantization in skein theory of oriented 3-manifolds is induced from a topological deformation quantization of the fundamental 2-groupoid of the space of immersions of circles in M. The structure of skein module and its relations with string topology homomor- phisms appear through representations of the groupoid structure into the set the objects. The deformation of the fundamental 2-groupoid is defined by the singularity stratification, the quantization by passage to isotopy classes. Sev- eral explicit properties and computations of skein modules are proved. It will be shown that local systems on the space of immersions are important for the understanding of HOMFLY oriented and framed skein theory. The passage from Conway to Jones skein theory is described on the categorical level. 1. Introduction and summary of results In this paper we will develop categorical tools to study the stratified topology of mapping spaces. It will be shown how the structures of skein modules and string topology naturally are induced from the categorical level. This gives both a theoretical understanding and new tools in the computation of skein modules of links in oriented 3-manifolds.