Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long-term survival in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with DTIC or temozolomide.

BACKGROUND Patients with metastatic melanoma typically have a poor outcome; however, a small proportion of patients achieve long-term survival (LTS). It is unclear how often LTS is related to sensitivity to chemotherapy. METHODS All patients with metastatic melanoma treated with either dacarbazine (DTIC) or temozolomide (TMZ) at the British Columbia Cancer Agency (BCCA) from January 1, 1988 to February 1, 2006 were identified through the BCCA pharmacy electronic database, which was then linked to the surveillance and outcomes unit to identify patients with LTS, defined as survival > or =18 months following chemotherapy. RESULTS In total, 397 patients were treated with either DTIC (n = 349) or TMZ (n = 48) and 43 patients (10.8%) were identified with LTS. Two additional patients with LTS were added prior to 1988 for a total of 45 patients. The 5-year overall and progression-free survival rates for patients with LTS were 33% and 16%, respectively. In total, 16% had a complete response (CR) to chemotherapy, which was the only factor identified that correlated with survival in the multivariate analysis. However, most patients with LTS had an incomplete response to chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS LTS occurs in select patients who achieve a CR to chemotherapy. However, this occurs in only a minority of patients and, in most cases, the longer survival is likely the result of indolent disease biology or host factors.
Lightweight Self-Adapting Linear Prediction Algorithms for Wireless Sensor Networks

In wireless sensor networks, data prediction is an efficient technique to reduce the number of redundant data transmissions for applications that require sensor nodes to regularly report their readings. This paper proposes a series of novel self-adapting linear prediction algorithms for the sensor nodes to report their readings to the sink or to the cluster head when clustering technology is used. We propose a dynamical extraction algorithm to select a suitable training set from the history time series data; we propose an information criterion-based searching algorithm to find a better training set if the chosen training set is not valid for the training of the new predictors; and we propose an exception detection scheme to determine whether the linear predictors are efficient for data prediction. Experimental results based on the practical temperature time series data demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms, and our prediction algorithms show a significant improvement of the performance in reducing the number of data transmissions and the transmission energy cost.
Quantitation of Cryptosporidium parvum Infection in Cell Culture Using a Colorimetric In Situ Hybridization Assay

Abstract A quantitative colorimetric in situ hybridization assay was developed for detecting Cryptosporidium parvum infection in cell cultures using a digoxigenin-labeled probe targeting 18S rRNA. Intra-cellular developmental stages of C. parvum such as trophozoites and meronts were clearly discerned by light microscopy as localized areas of dark purple/black precipitate against a colorless background. Infections developed focally and the term infectious focus was applied to each cluster of developmental stages. There were no significant differences in the number of infectious foci following 24 h or 48 h incubation. However, 24 h and 48 h dose response curves were significantly different when infectivity was measured as the number of developmental stages per monolayer, with an average of 5.3-fold more stages following 48 h incubation. When infectivity was expressed as the number of infectious foci per inoculum oocyst converted to a percentage, it was demonstrated that the rate of infection decreased with increasing oocyst age. Oocysts of the Iowa isolate that were 7–10 days old demonstrated 7.8 ± 2.4% infectivity (mean ± standard deviation) compared to 4.2 ± 0.8% for 21–28 day-old oocysts and 1.4 ± 1.3% for 42–70 day-old oocysts. The assay also detected infection with other genotype 2 oocysts and a genoptye 1 isolate. This assay provides a direct quantitative approach for measuring C. parvum infectivity in cell culture.
Compact Expressions for Efficiency and Bandwidth of Patch Antennas Over Lossy Magneto-Dielectric Materials

Closed-form formulas for calculating the radiation efficiency and bandwidth of patch antennas over lossy magneto-dielectric materials are proposed by using the cavity model. These expressions agree well with simulations. It is well known that the bandwidth of microstrip antennas is enhanced when the dielectric substrate is replaced by a magnetic one. Here, we confirm more generally that not only the bandwidth, but also the radiation efficiency, can be improved when the permeability (μr) is greater than the permittivity (εr).
Diffusion of efficacious interventions for children and adolescents with mental health problems.

BACKGROUND Child and adolescent mental health problems are prevalent and require adequate interventions. Despite several evidence-based interventions for these problems described in the literature, few studies addressed strategies to diffuse efficacious interventions for child mental disorders especially in developing countries. METHODS An extensive but not systematic review of the literature was performed aiming to identify evidence-based interventions for children and adolescents with mental disorders, professionals to target in disseminating these interventions, and the available strategies to diffuse information. RESULTS Substantial evidence-based information is available to guide preventive, psychosocial and psychopharmacological interventions. The effectiveness of treatments in real-world settings and the cost-effectiveness of interventions are rarely tested. Professionals at different levels (teachers, school counselors, social workers, general practitioners, pediatricians, child psychologists and psychiatrists) should be targeted in diffusing efficacious interventions for child mental health problems worldwide. Telepsychiatry and the internet seem to be the most promising strategies to diffuse knowledge with lower costs. CONCLUSIONS Medical and allied professionals must incorporate child and adolescent mental health issues in their under- and postgraduate curricula, and be better prepared to critically evaluate available information. Professionals need to disseminate evidence-based programs to guide parents and teachers in developing countries to deal with child and adolescent difficulties. Countries need to explore internet solutions for dissemination of medical information.
A first proposal of Pedagogic Conversational Agents to develop Computational Thinking in children

Pedagogic Conversational Agents are interactive systems that teach by talking to the students. They have been used in several domains to develop competences such as storytelling or negotiation from University to Pre-Primary Education. However, in the literature, no cases of using agents for teaching programming to develop computational thinking in children have been found. In the last decades, there is a growing interest in developing computational thinking in children. According to some authors, if children develop computational thinking, they will be able to solve not only computer problems but their daily life problems in a better way. It is under research which educational technologies and methodologies can be more adequate depending on the context to achieve this goal. In this paper, it is proposed, for the first time, the use of Pedagogic Conversational Agents to develop computational thinking in children. Given the complexity of designing this new type of agent, and as it has been done in previous occasions when trying to design a new agent, the MEDIE methodology will be followed to eventually integrate the agent into the classrooms.
Prostaglandin E1 in the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Benefit for pulmonary hypertension and cost for pulmonary gas exchange.

Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been reported to improve survival in patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the effects of this pulmonary vasodilating compound on gas exchange have been little documented. We therefore measured hemodynamics, blood gases, and the distributions of ventilation-perfusion ratios (VA/Q), using the multiple inert gas elimination technique, at baseline and during infusion of PGE1 0.02 to 0.04 microgram.kg-1.min-1 in six patients with pulmonary hypertension secondary to ARDS ventilated with 10 cm H2O positive end-expiratory pressure. PGE1 decreased systemic arterial mean pressure (-16%) and pulmonary arterial mean pressure (-15%) and increased cardiac index (+20%) and heart rate (+11%). Arterial PO2 decreased from 99 +/- 6 to 77 +/- 8 mm Hg (p less than 0.01, mean +/- SEM) with no change in mixed venous PO2 and in O2 consumption. PGE1 increased true shunt from 21 +/- 4 to 32 +/- 5% of total blood flow (p less than 0.01) with no significant modification in the pattern of VA/Q distribution. Thus, in ARDS, pulmonary hypertension is reduced by PGE1 at the price of a deterioration in pulmonary gas exchange. The clinical relevance of these findings remains to be evaluated.
Spectroscopic imaging of glutamate C4 turnover in human brain

One‐dimensional spectroscopic imaging of 13C‐4‐glutamate turnover is performed in the human brain with a 6 cc nominal voxel resolution at 4T. Data were acquired with an indirect detection approach using a short spin echo single quantum 1H‐13C heteronuclear editing method and a 7 cm surface coil with quadrature 13C decoupling coils. To analyze the data as a function of tissue type, T1‐based image segmentation through the surface coil was performed to determine the gray and white matter contributions to each voxel. The tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle rate in gray and white matter was then determined using a two‐compartment model with the tissue fractionation derived from the image segmentation. The mean values for the TCA cycle rate for occipital gray and white matter from three volunteers was 0.88 ± 0.12 and 0.28 ± 0.13 respectively, in agreement with literature data. Magn Reson Med 44:673–679, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Changes in seizure activity following anticonvulsant drug withdrawal

We retrospectively studied the effects of changing antiepileptic drug levels on patterns of seizure discharge in 8 patients investigated with intracerebral electrodes during presurgical evaluation. We compared seizures recorded at high levels of medication to seizures recorded at low levels for changes in seizure duration, duration from unilateral onset to contralateral spread, inter- and intrahemispheric coherence, and morphology of EEG discharges. Seizures were more frequent with low medication, as was secondary generalization. Reduction in medication did not affect the morphology of discharges at onset, duration to contralateral spread, and coherence between EEG discharges. Seizures of similar type (eg, complex partial seizures without secondary generalization) were not longer with low than with high medication. Whereas medication clearly affects seizure frequency and generalization, it has little effect on the pattern of early parts of seizures. In particular, we found no evidence that seizure discharges become bilateral or generalized more quickly when medication is reduced.
Decreased BMD and Limb Deformities in Mice Carrying Mutations in Both Lrp5 and Lrp6

Humans and mice lacking Lrp5 have low BMD. To evaluate whether Lrp5 and Lrp6 interact genetically to control bone or skeletal development, we created mice carrying mutations in both Lrp5 and the related gene Lrp6. We found that compound mutants had dose‐dependent deficits in BMD and limb formation, suggesting functional redundancy between these two genes in bone and limb development.
The distribution of the product of independent Rayleigh random variables

We derive the exact probability density functions (pdf) and distribution functions (cdf) of a product of n independent Rayleigh distributed random variables. The case n=1 is the classical Rayleigh distribution, while n/spl ges/2 is the n-Rayleigh distribution that has recently attracted interest in wireless propagation research. The distribution functions are derived by using an inverse Mellin transform technique from statistics, and are given in terms of a special function of mathematical physics, the Meijer G-function. Series forms of the distribution function are also provided for n=3, 4, 5. We also derive a computationally simple moment-based estimator for the parameter occurring in the distribution, and evaluate its variance.
Nosocomial Infections and Antimicrobial Treatment in Coiled Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND Nosocomial infections are common in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to determine the incidence of infections during SAH and to evaluate the course of inflammation parameters and its implications for long term outcome. OBJECTIVE Ninety-nine consecutive coiled SAH patients were included. Laboratory and clinical parameters as well as culture positive infections were followed over the disease course. Long-term outcome was assessed at 6-month by the Glasgow Outcome score (GOS) and dichotomized in favorable (GOS>3) and unfavorable outcome (GOS≤3). RESULTS The most frequent infections were pulmonary (30.3%) urinary tract (25.3%), blood stream infections (20.2%) and ventriculitis (5.1%). The incidence of infections did not significantly differ between outcome groups. In contrast, patients with unfavorable outcome had a higher incidence of sepsis (46.7% versus 24.6%). C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytes were significantly higher in patients with unfavorable outcome. A CRP increase of 6 mg/dl or more in the first 3 days after SAH was independently associated with unfavorable outcome (OR 7.19 CI 1.7-30.52; p=0.008). Patients with an early CRP increase were more frequently treated with antimicrobial therapy in the first 3 days after admission which led to a significantly lower incidence of culture positive infections in the later course. CONCLUSION A sharp CRP-increase in the acute phase of SAH could potentially aid the intensivist in the early identification of patients at high risk for neurological morbidity. Early antimicrobial treatment reduces the rate of patients showing culture positive infections in the course of the disease.
Goeckerman therapy for the treatment of eczema: a practical guide and review of efficacy

Abstract The Goeckerman regimen, consisting of the application of crude coal tar combined with exposure to ultraviolet radiation, was formulated in 1925 for the treatment of psoriasis. While some centers have adapted the Goeckerman regimen for the treatment of eczema, there are no published reports of its efficacy in this condition. Here, we explain how the Goeckerman regimen has been modified for use in an eczema population at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). We reviewed the treatment records of eczema patients treated with the modified Goeckerman regimen over a 6-year period at UCSF. We found that the Goeckerman regimen was effective in treating patients with severe baseline disease, inducing a mean remission period of 7.2 months. The treatment was tolerated well with mild folliculitis and occasional ultraviolet B phototoxicity noted as the only adverse reactions. Since the use of Goeckerman as a treatment for severe eczema is both effective and safe, it should be considered an excellent alternative or adjunct to the systemic therapies currently being used.
[Adaptation of Acidianus hospitalis W1 to oligotrophic and acidic hot spring environments].

OBJECTIVE To study the adaptation of A. hospitalis W1 to oligotrophic and acidic hot spring environments at the whole genome level. METHODS We annotated the gene functions and constructed metabolic pathways of strain W1 by using different databases, such as NCBI non-redundant database (NRDB), UniProt, Sulfolobus protein database and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). The metabolic pathways were polished according to the results of comparative genomics. RESULTS Strain W1 grew autotrophically by fixing CO2 as carbon source through 3-hydroxypropionate/4-hydroxybutyrate or dicarboxylate-4-hydroxybutyrate cycle, and gained energy for growth by oxidation of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds (RISCs). Strain W1 differenced from A. ambivalens because its genome did not possess sulfur-metabolizing genes encoding sulfite: acceptor oxidoreductase, adenosine phosphosulfate reductase, sulfate adenylyl transferase and phosphoadenosine phosphosulfate reductase. Glucose was metabolized by strain W1 through non- phosphorylated Entner-Doudoroff pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle. In addition, the sugar and amino acids transporters, as well as related hydrolysis enzymes were identified in the genome. These results suggest that strain W1 could also grow facultative autotrophically. Strain W1 cannot use H2 as electron donor due to lack of hydrogenase encoding genes. CONCLUSION The versatile metabolic patterns afforded A. hospitalis W1 the ability to adapt to oligotrophic and acidic hot spring environments. Furthermore, the unique metabolic features of strain W1 will help to better understand the metabolic diversities of Acidianus.
Breast feeding practices in different residential, economic and educational groups.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 4475 mothers in Agra India and surrounding villages. Information concerning breastfeeding was obtained from this group of mothers of infants and toddlers between the age of 3 months and 3 years. Of the mothers interviewed 3245 resided in urban and 1230 in rural areas. Almost all of the rural mothers put their infant to the breast on the 3rd day. In urban areas 72% of the mothers did likewise. The remaining 28% started breastfeeding between 0-48 hours. A variety of preparations are offered to the neonate before lactation is established (prelacteal feeds). This practice is almost universal (85% urban and 90% in rural areas). The mothers mostly did not follow any strict schedule for feeding their babies. Feeding was mostly on demand i.e. whenever the infant cried. Scheduled regimen was practically unknown in the rural areas and all the mothers fed their infants on demand. 12% of urban mothers gave a scheduled breastfeeding and half of these mothers were educated above the graduate level. At birth all the mothers tried to breastfeed their infants. Thereafter the duration of breastfeeding varied according to the residential background mothers educational level and socioeconomic status of the family. The number of mothers who breastfed their infants until at least 12 months was 52% in urban and 74% in rural areas. Rural mothers had a tendency to feed their babies beyond 2 years. None of the mothers from urban areas breastfed after 2 years. Mothers who had less education and belonged to a poorer socioeconomic group fed their infants for a longer period. Reasons why mothers wanted to breastfeed varied. 90% considered it the natural thing to do and 44.7% breastfed because they felt it was pure and clean. Mothers of a lower socioeconomic status considered breast milk as a free source of baby food. Reasons for stopping breastfeeding before the age of 6 months or failure to sustain it beyond this included the following: "insufficiency" of milk; no longer necessary; "unsuitable" milk; infants sickness; maternal illness; maternal employment; advised by elders relatives or friends; advised by general practitioners and obstetricians; embarrassment or refusal of breast; breast complications; subsequent pregnancy; and death of mother. Attempts that have been made thus far to promote breastfeeding in India have been more symbolic than effective and specific promotional measures are recommended.
Differences in contraceptive use between Spanish female healthcare providers and Spanish women in the general population aged 23 to 49 years: the HABITS Study

Abstract Objective To compare the contraceptive modalities used in the general female population with those of female healthcare providers (HCPs) in Spain. Methods A nationwide survey of a representative sample of Spanish women and female Spanish HCPs aged 23 to 49 years (total sample size: 3200). Results The condom was the most widely used contraceptive method in both groups (30% and 23% in the general population and among HCPs, respectively). The reasons cited for relying on this method were ease of use (19% and 13%, respectively; p = 0.2), effectiveness (16% and 22%, respectively; p = 0.2), absence of side effects (14% and 22%, respectively; p = 0.1), and fear of side effects associated with oral contraception (13% and 2%, respectively; p < 0.0001). After the condom, oral contraceptives, the intrauterine device and the vaginal ring were the most widely used methods among HCPs (13% each). Conclusions The spectrum of contraceptive methods used by female HCPs differs from that of women in the general Spanish population. HCPs opt more often for long-acting reversible contraceptives because of their effectiveness and safety whereas women in the general population rely more frequently on the condom and surgical methods.
Measurement of renal function in patients with Fabry disease

Appropriate measurement of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is important for the assessment of renal function. This paper reviews the methods used to assess GFR in clinical trials of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) in patients with Fabry disease, which include inulin clearance, 24‐hour creatinine clearance, chromium ethylene diamine tetraacetate (51Cr‐EDTA) clearance and cystatin C concentrations. GFR has also been estimated using calculations based on creatinine clearance (the Cockcroft–Gault formula) and the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. Analysis of the results of these studies shows that there are striking discrepancies between estimated and measured GFR. For example, the MDRD equation overestimates GFR in patients with Fabry disease who have normal renal function. In addition, cystatin C has been shown to be of limited use for measuring renal function during ERT, because it is influenced by other factors such as age, gender and weight.
Requirement for myeloid growth factors in the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia

It is well known that the differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) cells by all‐trans‐retinoic acid (ATRA) may be enhanced by myeloid growth factors, but the requirement for growth factors in this process is unclear. Our previous studies in multiple myeloma and non‐APL acute myeloid leukaemia demonstrated that lineage‐specific growth factors are required for the maximal activity of many pharmacologic differentiating agents in vitro. Thus, we studied whether the differentiation of APL is similarly dependent on growth factors. We found that the myeloid growth factors granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor or granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor markedly increased the differentiation of NB4 cells or APL blasts from clinical samples treated with ATRA, arsenic trioxide (ATO), or bryostatin‐1 as evidenced by the enhanced expression of myeloid surface antigens and the inhibition of clonogenic growth. Furthermore, myeloid growth factors were necessary for the differentiation of APL cells since the activity of each pharmacologic agent could be blocked by specific growth factor‐neutralizing antibodies. Each differentiating agent was active only at concentrations that inhibited cell cycling, suggesting that this property is also required for differentiation. These data demonstrate that both pharmacologic differentiating agents and myeloid growth factors are required, but neither sufficient, for the differentiation of APL cells. The combined use of pharmacologic differentiating agents and growth factors may improve the clinical efficacy of differentiation therapy in APL.