Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aligned silane-treated MWCNT/liquid crystal polymer films

We report on a method to preferentially align multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in a liquid crystalline matrix to form stable composite thin films. The liquid crystalline monomeric chains can be crosslinked to form acrylate bridges, thereby retaining the nanotube alignment. Further post-treatment by ozone etching of the composite films leads to an increase in bulk conductivity, leading to higher emission currents when examined under conducting scanning probe microscopy. The described methodology may facilitate device manufacture where electron emission from nanosized tips is important in the creation of new display devices.
Posttherapeutic Cure Criteria in Chagas' Disease: Conventional Serology followed by Supplementary Serological, Parasitological, and Molecular Tests

ABSTRACT We performed a critical study of conventional serology, followed by supplementary serological, parasitological, and molecular tests, to assess the response to etiologic treatment of Chagas' disease. A group of 94 Chagas' disease patients treated with benznidazole at least 10 years earlier were evaluated from the laboratory and clinical points of view. When conventional serology (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA], indirect immunofluorescence [IIF], and indirect hemagglutination [IHA]) and classic criteria (consistent results with any two of the three tests) or more rigorous criteria (consistent results from the three tests) were used, 10.6% and 8.5% of patients were considered treated and cured (TC) by classic and rigorous criteria, respectively. Patients were then evaluated using supplementary (recombinant ELISA and Trypanosoma cruzi excreted-secreted antigen blotting [TESA-blot]), parasitological (hemoculture), and molecular (PCR) tests. The results of recombinant ELISA were similar to those with the rigorous criterion (three consistent test results). The TESA-blot group showed a higher percentage (21.3%) of negative results than the groups defined by either cure criterion. Hemoculture and PCR gave negative results for all treated and cured (TC) patients, regardless of the criterion used. Recombinant ELISA and TESA-blot tests showed negative results for 70% and 87.5% of the patients categorized as TC by the classic and three-test criteria, respectively. For patients with discordant conventional serology, the supplementary serological and molecular tests were the decisive factor in determining therapeutic failure. Clinical evaluation showed that 62.5% of TC patients presented with the indeterminate form of the disease. Additionally, treated patients with negative TESA-blot results should be reevaluated later with all methodologies used here to verify whether TESA-blot is a reliable way to determine early parasitological cure of Chagas' disease.
The importance of obstructive sleep apnoea management in peri‐operative medicine

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is associated with increased adverse peri-operative outcomes [1–8]. Studies of several large populationbased databases, including millions of patients and two meta-analyses, have shown that patients with OSA have an increased risk of postoperative complications [1–7]. Many adverse postoperative events will be resolved by a longer stay in recovery, but some can be profound and result in mortality (dead-in-bed), as well as life-threatening situations requiring admission to a high dependency (HDU) or intensive care unit (ICU) [9]. The anaesthetist’s role is to identify potential risks, where possible to initiate treatment to minimise those risks, and to plan for post-operative care in a safe environment where any residual risks can be dealt with. Anaesthetists who are concerned that patients with OSA are at higher risk often request the patient be monitored in HDU, a limited and expensive resource. If an HDU bed is not available, surgery may be cancelled, causing distress for the patient and wasting funded operating time. Using the HDU bed for the OSA patient may deprive other patients of that resource. So, are we ‘crying wolf’? A review of the medicolegal and closed claims literature would suggest not [10–15]. Morbidity and mortality in adult and paediatric patients with OSA is well-documented and poor postoperative surveillance features in many of these tragic cases. A failure to recognise the potential problems means that anaesthetic and postoperative management is not adjusted to take account of the increased risk from OSA.
Remote sensing studies of the terrain northwest of Humorum Basin

We have used near-infrared reflectance spectra and Earth-based radar data to investigate the composition and origin of the various geologic units northwest of Humorum basin as well as the stratigraphy of the Humorum pre-impact target site. The results of our spectral analysis indicate that at least a portion of the inner, mare-bounding ring is composed of pure anorthosite. Other highlands units in the region are dominated by noritic anorthosite. The anorthosites on the inner ring may have been derived from a layer of anorthosite that exists at depth beneath a more pyroxene-rich unit. Both Gassendi G and F craters expose mare material from beneath a highlands-rich surface unit that was emplaced as a result of the Letronne, Gassendi, and other impact events. This ancient basalt unit was emplaced after the formation of Humorum basin but prior to the Orientale impact.
Current Practice Patterns in the Treatment of Charcot Foot

Treatment of Charcot foot osteoarthropathy has emerged as a major component of the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Diabetes 2000 Initiative. A two-part survey described treatment patterns and current footwear use of patients with Charcot osteoarthropathy of the foot and ankle. In the first part, 94 consecutive patients with a history of Charcot foot and ankle presenting for care were questioned on their foot-specific treatment and current footwear use. A history of diabetic foot ulcer was given by 39 (41%) patients, and an infection had been present in a foot of 20 (21%) patients. The initial treatment of the Charcot foot and ankle had been a total contact cast in 46 (49%) patients, and a pre-fabricated walking boot in 19 (20%). Charcot related surgery had consisted of 76 procedures in 46 (49%) patients. Sixty-three (67%) patients were currently using accommodative footwear (depth-inlay shoes in 46 [49%], custom shoes in 10 [11%], and CROW in 7 [7%] patients), and 72 (77%) were currently using custom accommodative foot orthoses. The second part of this study consisted of a questionnaire completed by 37 orthopaedic surgeons (members of AOFAS) interested in forming a Charcot Study Group. They treated an average of 11.8 patients having Charcot foot or ankle per month. Thirty (81%) used the Semmes-Weinstein 5.07 monofilament as a screening tool for peripheral neuropathy. For treatment of Eichenholtz Stage I, 29 (78%) used a total contact cast and 15 (41%) allowed weightbearing; for Stage II, 30 (81%) physicians used a total contact cast and 18 (49%) allowed weightbearing. Although the literature contains uniform recommendations for immobilization and non-weightbearing as treatment for the initial phases of Charcot arthropathy, the results of this benchmarking study reveal that current treatment is varied.
In vivo stereological assessment of human cerebellar volume: effects of gender and age.

Intermediate T2-weighted MR images and a systematic sampling stereological method were used in 37 normal volunteers, 24 to 79 years old, to assess the effects of age and sex on cerebellar volume. Female subjects (n = 21) had significantly smaller cerebellar volumes compared with males (n = 16) of similar age (t = -3.9, p less than .0008, two-tail t test). Using straight-line, univariate regression, we determined that age was not a significant predictor of cerebellar volume (R2 = 0.07, t = -1.66, p = 0.11), whereas gender did appear to account for a significant amount of variability in cerebellar volume (R2 = 0.33, t = -4.13, p = .0002). The mean absolute cerebellar volume in this study was 112 ml (SD +/- 16) for all subjects, 104 ml (SD +/- 10) for females, and 122 ml (SD +/- 16) for males. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using MR images along with a systematic stereological method to assess in vivo human cerebellar volume, thereby providing a research tool to correlate cerebellar morphology with cognitive and neuromotor function.
Burden of Stroke in Singapore

Stroke is Singapore's fourth leading cause of death, with a crude death rate of 40·4/100 000 in 2006, a prevalence of 3·65% and an incidence of 1·8/1000, and is among the top 10 causes of hospitalization. Approximately one-quarter of strokes are hemorrhagic. Hospital care for acute stroke costs about US$5000. Subsidized healthcare is widely available for primary level and hospital care, as are rehabilitative services. A national stroke support group has been established. With our rapidly aging population, coupled with the high prevalence of stroke risk factors in the community, the burden of stroke is expected to increase dramatically in the years to come, posing challenges to the healthcare system and society. A national disease management plan incorporating high-quality clinical care coupled with research would be essential.
Photodynamic therapy‐generated tumor cell lysates with CpG‐oligodeoxynucleotide enhance immunotherapy efficacy in human papillomavirus 16 (E6/E7) immortalized tumor cells

Immunotherapy with photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers great promise as a new alternative for cancer treatment; however, its use remains experimental. In this study, we examined the immunotherapeutic significance of human papillomavirus (HPV)‐immortalized tumor cell lysates induced by PDT with CpG‐oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN). PDT‐cell lysates were generated by irradiating Radachlorin (5 µg/mL) preloaded TC‐1 cells carrying HPV 16 E7. PDT‐cell lysates plus ODN coinjection for protection against E7‐expressing tumors as well as specific immune responses were evaluated with the following tests: heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, in vitro and in vivo tumor growth inhibition, interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) assay, cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte assay, and fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis. PDT‐cell lysates plus ODN coinjection showed a significant suppression of tumor growth at both prophylactic and therapeutic levels, compared to PDT (or F/T)‐cell lysates or ODN alone. In addition, we evaluated the level of the immune response with the coinjection. HSP70, an important regulator of inflammatory and immune response, was observed in abundance in the PDT‐cell lysates. IFN‐γ production and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) responses were induced by PDT‐cell lysates plus ODN injection. The coinjection resulted in PDT‐cell lysate‐specific antibodies (IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, and IgG3) and T‐helper cell responses significantly higher than PDT‐cell lysates alone. Moreover, IFN‐γ production and CTL responses were significantly induced in the PDT‐cell lysate plus ODN immunized groups. These enhanced immune responses appeared to be mediated by CD8+ T cells only. These data suggest that PDT‐cell lysates plus ODN injection may be an effective approach to induce CTL immune responses as a possible immunotherapeutic strategy for cancer therapy. (Cancer Sci 2007; 98: 747–752)
Pyogenic liver abscess: recent trends in etiology and mortality.

BACKGROUND Pyogenic liver abscess, a potentially life-threatening disease, has undergone significant changes in epidemiology, management, and mortality over the past several decades. METHODS We reviewed the data for patients admitted to Bellevue Hospital and New York University Downtown Hospital (New York, New York) over a 10-year period. RESULTS Of 79 cases reviewed, 43% occurred in patients with underlying biliary disease. The most common symptoms were fever, chills, and right upper quadrant pain or tenderness. The most common laboratory abnormalities were an elevated white blood cell count (in 68% of cases), temperature >or=38.1 degrees C (90%), a low albumin level (70.2%), and an elevated alkaline phosphatase level (67%). Seventy percent of the abscesses were in the right lobe, and 77% were solitary. Klebsiella pneumoniae was identified in 41% of cases in which a pathogen was recovered. Eighteen (50%) of 36 Asian patients had K. pneumoniae isolated, in contrast to 6 (27.3%) of 22 non-Asian patients (not statistically significant). Fifty-six percent of cases involved treatment with percutaneous drainage. Although prior reports noted mortality of 11%-31%, we observed only 2 deaths (mortality, 2.5%). CONCLUSIONS The data suggest that K. pneumoniae has become the predominant etiology of pyogenic liver abscess and that mortality from this disease has decreased substantially.
Gating kinetics of ShakerK+ channels are differentially modified by general anesthetics.

The ShakerB K+ channel was used as a model voltage-gated channel to probe the interaction of volatile general anesthetics with gating mechanisms. The effects of three anesthetics, chloroform (CHCl3), isoflurane, and halothane, were studied using recombinant native and mutant Shaker channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Gating currents and macroscopic ionic currents were recorded with the cut-open oocyte voltage-clamp technique. The effects of CHCl3 and isoflurane on gating kinetics of noninactivating mutants were opposite, whereas halothane had no effect. The effects on ionic currents were also agent dependent: CHCl3 and halothane produced a reduction of the macroscopic conductance, whereas isoflurane increased it. The results indicate that the gating machinery of the channel is mostly insensitive to the anesthetics during activation until near the open state. The effects on the conductance are mainly due to changes in the transitions in and out of the open state. The data give support to direct protein-anesthetic interactions. The magnitude and nature of the effects invite reconsideration of Shaker-like K+ channels as important sites of action of general anesthetics.
Identification of the keratin-associated protein 13-3 (KAP13-3) gene in sheep

Keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are a major stru- ctural component of hair and wool fibres, and play a critical role in determining the properties of the fibre. To date, forty functional high sulphur KAP genes from fourteen families have been identified in hu- mans, but only seven functional high sulphur KAP genes have been identified in sheep. This led us to search for the ovine KAP13-3 gene, a gene encoding a high sulphur KAP. In this study, the notional KAP13- 3 gene (KRTAP13-3) was amplified using primers designed based on a reported bovine KRTAP13-3 se- quence. PCR-single stranded conformational poly- morphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis was used to screen amplicons derived from the gene in one hundred and forty seven New Zealand Romney cross-bred sheep. Five unique banding patterns were revealed. Either one PCR-SSCP pattern (homozygous) or a combina- tion of two patterns (heterozygous) was observed for each sheep. Sequencing of PCR amplicons represent- tative of different SSCP patterns revealed five dif- ferent DNA sequences. The sequences derived from the amplicons showed a low homology to other known ovine KRTAPs, but had a high homology with previous reported KRTAP13-n sequences from hu- man and cattle, with the closest homology being with bovine KRTAP13-3, suggesting the sequences repre- sent the ovine KRTAP13-3 locus. Among the five allele sequences, four nucleotide substitutions were identi- fied within the coding region. Of these substitutions, three were non-synonymous and would result in amino acid changes (p.Arg79Cys, p.Arg81Gln and p.Tyr130His). This variation in the KAP13-3 gene may affect gene expression, the structure and assem- bly of the protein, and consequently influence wool traits, if KAP13-3 is of importance to wool fibre structure.
Role of color Doppler in differentiation of Graves' disease and thyroiditis in thyrotoxicosis.

AIM To evaluate the role of thyroid blood flow assessment by color-flow Doppler ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis and compare it to technetium pertechnetate thyroid scanning. METHODS Twenty-six patients with thyrotoxicosis were included in the study. Clinical history was taken and physical examination and thyroid function tests were performed for all patients. Thyroid autoantibodies were measured. The thyroid glands of all patients were evaluated by gray scale ultrasonography for size, shape and echotexture. Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography of the thyroid tissue was performed and spectral flow analysis of both inferior thyroid arteries was assessed. Technetium99 pertechnetate scanning of the thyroid gland was done for all patients. According to thyroid scintigraphy, the patients were divided into two groups: 18 cases with Graves' disease and 8 cases with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. All patients had suppressed thyrotropin. The diagnosis of Graves' disease and Hashimoto's thyroiditis was supported by the clinical picture and follow up of patients. RESULTS Peak systolic velocities of the inferior thyroid arteries were significantly higher in patients with Graves' disease than in patients with thyroiditis (P = 0.004 in the right inferior thyroid artery and P = 0.001 in left inferior thyroid artery). Color-flow Doppler ultrasonography parameters demonstrated a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 87.5% in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis. CONCLUSION Color Doppler flow of the inferior thyroid artery can be used in the differential diagnosis of thyrotoxicosis, especially when there is a contraindication of thyroid scintigraphy by radioactive material in some patients.
Fluctuation limits & scaling opportunities for CMOS SRAM cells

Fundamental limitations on scaling CMOS SRAM cell transistor dimensions and operating voltages are demonstrated by measuring the local stochastic distributions of read, write and retention DC margins of 65nm PDSOI CMOS SRAM cells. DC measurements show, for the first time, the write operation to be more fluctuation limited. Measurements also reveal fundamental insights into terminal voltage dependencies of the fluctuations of cell storage node voltages - observations that are engaged to increase cell immunity to fluctuations by several orders of magnitude by biasing the cell terminal voltages appropriately
Review of 103 Cases of Laparoscopic Repeat Liver Resection for Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic repeat liver resection (LRLR) has been shown in small retrospective studies to be a safe and effective treatment for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (rHCC) in selected patients. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of the current literature to determine the safety, feasibility, and oncologic integrity of LRLR for rHCC. METHODS A computerized search of the PubMed database was performed for all English language studies evaluating LRLR for HCC from January 1, 2005 to March 31, 2016. RESULTS Ten studies reporting on 103 patients were included in this review. 30/51 (58.5%) patients had liver cirrhosis. In 66/95 (69.5%) patients, the index surgery was an open resection and this was a major hepatectomy in 8/49 (16.3%) patients. In 17/72 (23.6%) patients, LRLR was performed for tumors in the posterosuperior segments and in 21/60 (35%) for ipsilateral HCC recurrence. The median tumor size of rHCC ranged from 17-40 mm and 8/69 (11.6%) LRLR were for multifocal rHCC. In 100/103 (97%) patients LRLR was attempted via pure laparoscopy and 2 (1.9%) required open conversion. Median operation time of LRLR ranged from 73-343 minutes and the median blood loss ranged from 50 to 297 mL. The reported postoperative morbidity was 24/97 (24.7%) and there was no postoperative mortality. The median postoperative length of stay ranged from 3.5 to 11 days. Three studies compared the outcomes of LRLR versus open resection for rHCC and all three demonstrated a significant decrease in blood loss in favor of LRLR. CONCLUSION In highly selected patients; LRLR for rHCC is feasible and safe. LRLR can be performed for patients with previous open LR, previous major hepatectomy, two previous LR, multiple tumors, liver cirrhosis, ipsilateral HCC recurrence, and cancers located in the difficult posterosuperior segments. Comparative studies have demonstrated that LRLR is superior to open repeat liver resection in terms of perioperative outcomes such as decreased blood loss and length of stay.
3D culture models of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells

3D culture models of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells; Lee et al. 3D culture models of normal and malignant breast epithelial cells Genee Y. Lee, Paraic A. Kenny, Eva H. Lee & Mina J. Bissell Life Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA 94720 For correspondence: mjbissell@lbl.gov
Altered Cell Adhesion Activity by Pervanadate Due to the Dissociation of α-Catenin from the E-Cadherin·Catenin Complex*

Leukemia cells (K562) that grow as non-adhesive single cells and have no endogenous cadherin were transfected with an E-cadherin expression vector, and cell clones stably expressing E-cadherin on their surface were established. The expression of E-cadherin induced the up-regulation of catenins, and E-cadherin became associated with catenins. The transfected cells grew as floating aggregates. Cell aggregation was Ca2+-dependent and was inhibited by E-cadherin antibodies. The aggregates dissociated into single cells on the addition of pervanadate. Pervanadate caused a dramatic augmentation of the phosphorylation of E-cadherin, β-catenin, and γ-catenin (plakoglobin), but α-catenin was not detectably phosphorylated. After pervanadate treatment, β-catenin and γ-catenin migrated more slowly on gel electrophoresis, suggesting changes in their conformations due to eventual changes in their phosphorylation levels. In the treated cells, a significant amount of α-catenin was dissociated from the E-cadherin·catenin complex. Aggregates of cells expressing an E-cadherin chimeric molecule covalently linked with α-catenin were not dissociated on pervanadate treatment, supporting the idea that the dissociation of α-catenin from the complex underlies the observed E-cadherin dysfunction.
Pattern of Cancers Treated with Radiotherapy in Uduth Sokoto: A New Center Experience.

BACKGROUND Cancer is a leading public health problem worldwide. In many developing countries, cancer tends to present in predominantly advanced stages, to a certain extent due to lack of comprehensive screening and poor access to efficient management. This study was carried out to describe the pattern of cancers managed in the Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, North-western Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving patients with malignancies that attended the new Oncology Department of the Usman Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto, North-West Nigeria for the period of one year (June 2013 - May 2014). The data was analyzed using SPSS (versions 20). RESULT A total of 210 patients with complete records met the criteria for the study. Majority 162 (77.1%) were females with a mean age of 45.68±12.4 years. The male patients were 48 (22.9%) with mean age 46.27±16.5. The spectrum of malignant lesions observed were cancer of the cervix 77 (36.67%), breast cancer 74 (35.24%), nasopharyngeal cancer 20 (9.52%), cancer of the larynx 18 (8.57%) and rectal cancer 14 (6.67%). Late presentation was most common with 6 (3%), 101 (49.8%) and 58 (28.6%) patients presenting at stage I, III and IV, respectively. CONCLUSION The study demonstrates that Cancer of the cervix is the leading malignancy in the study population.