Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Central Corneal Thickness Measurement in Sub-Saharan Africa: Review

The aim of this study is to evaluate the central corneal thickness (CCT) for non-glaucomatous and glaucomatous subjects in Sub-Saharan Africans (SSA). This is a review of literature for corneal thickness measurement in Sub-Saharan Africa. We conducted an electronic search from the following databases: Pubmed, Google, Embase websites for the articles of original studies on central corneal thickness conducted in Africa. 1637 non-glaucomatous patients had drawn from 5 SSA countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia) and 705 glaucomatous patients from 5 SSA countries (Ghana, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast). The patient’s ages were range of 5 to 90 years for non-glaucomatous and 7 to 90 years for glaucomatous patients. The outcome of the central corneal thickness (CCT) was ranged of 440μm 670μm and its mean value varied from 512 μm to 550 μm for non glaucomatous subjects. The thicker and thinner mean values were found in Nigeria and South Africa respectively. The type of glaucoma founded was primary openangle glaucoma (POAG), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX), and the mean IOP was range of 11.55mmHg to 32.72mmHg. The mean value of CCT for glaucomatous subjects varied from 508. 07μm 538μm. The thicker and thinner mean values were found in Nigeria and Ethiopia respectively. The CCT is naturally thin for the SSA, it is for non-glaucomatous such as glaucomatous subjects, but it is thicker for younger than older age. This finding is comparable to the North African people, African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans but for African Americans and Afro-Caribbeans is always included in the normal value.
Effect of diet energy concentration and of age of Holstein-Friesian bull calves on growth rate, urea space and fat deposition, and ruminal volume.

Holstein-Friesian bull calves were fed diets of three metabolizable energy concentrations: 11.7, 10.9, and 10.0 MJ/kg of DM, and the same content of CP, 145 g/kg. Two trials were carried out. Initial weights were 195 and 180 kg and final weights were 490 and 600 kg for Trials 1 and 2, respectively. The live weight gains (kg/d) were . 93, 1.06, and 1.16 in Trial 1 and . 98, 1.11, and 1.16 in Trial 2 on the low-, medium-, and high-energy diet, respectively. In Trial 2, measurements were made of ruminal fluid volume and urea space, which expresses the protein mass in the body. Ruminal fluid volume of young calves was high, exceeding 250 mL/kg live weight. Proportional to live weight, it tends to decrease from the age of 213 d to slaughter. It was higher on the lower-energy diet (P < .01). Rate of fat deposition between 250 and 600 kg body weight did not increase even on the diet with 11.7 MJ/kg, although these calves were fatter (P < .05) at slaughter than those on the low-energy diets. The ratios of depot fats (g of fat/kg of hot carcass) in both trials were close for each energy level, in spite of a 100-kg difference in live weight at slaughter. It was 24.0, 29.8, and 40.7 for calves fed low-, medium-, and high-energy diets, respectively, in Trial 1 and 27.7, 37.1, and 40.4, respectively, in Trial 2. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Phenytoin Penetration into Brain After Administration of Phenytoin or Fosphenytoin

Summary: Purpose: This study was designed to measure the brain penetration of phenytoin (PHT) after intravenous (i.v.) administration of either standard PHT or fosphenytoin (FPHT), a PHT prodrug. The study was formulated to answer the question whether the time required for FPHT to be converted to PHT in the bloodstream would delay the accumulation of PHT in brain.
Comparison of the postoperative analgesic efficacy of an ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block versus 3 in 1 block in hip prosthesis surgery.

OBJECTIVES In this study, we aimed to compare the postoperative analgesic efficiency of an ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block and a 3 in 1 block in patients who underwent hip prosthesis surgery as a result of hip fracture. METHODS With approval from the local ethics committee, 70 patients, aged 20 to 80, undergoing hip prosthesis surgery under elective conditions were included in this randomized, prospective, controlled study. They were informed of the patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) device and visual analog scale (VAS). All patients were separated randomly into three groups. Anaesthesia induction was standardized for all groups. An ultrasound guidance fascia iliaca compartment block (FICB) was applied to the first group before anaesthesia induction. For the second group, a 3 in 1 block was applied, while for the control group no block was applied. After incision on all patients, 20 mg tenoxicam and 1 mg/kg tramadol were injected intravenously. Following surgery, IV tramadol PCA was begun on all patients routinely. In our study, the presence of cortisol and ACTH levels, hemodinamical parameters, nausea and sedation were determined. RESULTS We observed a decrease in VAS values and opioid consumption, no adverse effects on nausea and sedation, and a suppression of stress hormones in both the ultrasound-guided FICB and 3 in 1 block groups. CONCLUSION We believe that the safe and efficient application of the ultrasound-guided 3 in 1 block and the FICB is necessary in multimodal analgesic treatment in order to enable postoperative analgesia in hip prosthesis surgery.
Stage specific lymph node metastasis mapping in radical cystectomy specimens.

PURPOSE We provide an accurate map of lymph node (LN) metastasis in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection. MATERIALS AND METHODS We analyzed data on 176 consecutive patients operated on by the same surgeon. The extent of node dissection included presacral, bilateral common iliac and pelvic, and perivesical. The number of LNs removed from each site and the number of metastases bearing nodes were recorded separately. Stage specific maps were constructed. RESULTS The median number of LNs removed was 25 (range 2 to 80). Metastases were found in the lymph nodes of 43 patients (24.4%) and the median number of positive nodes was 3 (range 1 to 63). Of these patients 22 (51%) had lymph node involvement at more than 1 site. The mean number of positive/total LNs sampled +/- SD in LN positive cases was 26% +/- 28% and the median was 13% (range 1.9 to 100%). Only 1 of the patients with pT1 (3.6%) had LN metastases, which was in the pelvic region. Only 2 of the patients with pT2 (3%) had LN metastases outside of the true pelvis and perivesical sites. Of patients with pT3 or pT4 16% had LN metastases outside the common boundaries for standard LN dissection, namely the common iliac artery and at or above aortic bifurcation. CONCLUSIONS We present a detailed map of regional LN involvement in patients treated with radical cystectomy and lymph node dissection for transitional cell cancer of the bladder. Extensive LN dissection is essential for the complete removal of disease and accurate staging.
Vitamin D-binding protein and its polymorphisms as a predictor for metabolic syndrome.

AIM To investigate the relationship of vitamin D-binding protein (GC) and genetic variation of GC (rs4588, rs7041 and rs2282679) with metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Thai population. MATERIALS & METHODS GC-globulin concentrations were measured by quantitative western blot analysis in 401 adults. All participants were genotyped using TaqMan allelic discrimination assays. RESULTS GC-globulin levels were significatly lower in MetS subjects than in control subjects, in which significant negative correlations of GC-globulin levels with systolic blood pressure, glucose and age were found. Male participants who carried the GT genotype for rs4588 showed an increased risk of MetS compared with the GG wild-type (odds ratio: 3.25; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION GC-globulin concentrations and variation in GC rs4588 were supported as a risk factor for MetS in Thais.
Continuous glucose monitoring reveals associations of glucose levels with QT interval length.

BACKGROUND QTc interval lengthening during hypoglycemia is discussed as a mechanism linked to sudden death in diabetes patients and the so-called "dead in bed syndrome. " Previous research reported a high interindividual variability in the glucose-QTc association. The present study aimed at deriving parameters for direction and strength of the glucose-QTc association on the patient level using combined Holter electrocardiogram (ECG) and continuous glucose monitoring. METHODS Twenty type 1 diabetes patients were studied: mean (SD, range) age, 43.6 (10.8, 22-65) years; gender male (n [%]), 10 (50.0%); mean (SD) hemoglobin A1C, 8.5% (1.0%); and impaired hypoglycemia awareness (n [%]), six (30.0%). Continuous interstitial glucose monitoring and Holter ECG monitoring were performed for 48 h. Hierarchical (mixed) regression modeling was used to account for the structure of the data. RESULTS Glucose levels during nighttime were negatively associated with QTc interval length if the data structure was accounted for (b [SE] = -0.76 [0.17], P = 0.000). Exploratory regression analysis revealed hypoglycemia awareness as the only predictor of the individual strength of the glucose-QTc association, with the impaired awareness group showing less evidence for an association of low glucose with QTc lengthening. CONCLUSIONS Mixed regression allows for deriving parameters for the glucose-QTc association on the patient level. Consistent with previous studies, we found a large interindividual variability in the glucose-QTc association. The finding on impaired hypoglycemia awareness patients has to be interpreted with caution but provides some support for the role of sympathetic activation for the QTc-glucose link.
Sulfide, the first inorganic substrate for human cells

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is produced inside the intestine and is known as a poison that inhibits cellular respiration at the level of cytochrome oxidase. However, sulfide is used as an energetic substrate by many photo‐ and chemoautotrophic bacteria and by animals such as the lugworm Arenicola marina. The concentrations of sulfide present in their habitats are comparable with those present in the human colon. Using permeabilized colonic cells to which sulfide was added by an infusion pump we show that the maximal respiratory rate of colonocyte mitochondria in presence of sulfide compares with that obtained with succinate or L‐alpha‐glycerophosphate. This oxidation is accompanied by mitochondrial energization. In contrast, other cell types not naturally exposed to high concentration of sulfide showed much lower oxidation rates. Mitochondria showed a very high affinity for sulfide that permits its use as an energetic substrate at low micromolar concentrations, hence, below the toxic level. However, if the supply of sulfide exceeds the oxidation rate, poisoning renders mitochondria inefficient and our data suggest that an anaerobic mechanism involving partial reversion of Krebs cycle already known in invertebrates takes place. In conclusion, this work provides additional and compelling evidence that sulfide is not only a toxic compound. According to our study, sulfide appears to be the first inorganic substrate for mammalian cells characterized thus far. —Goubern, M. , Andriamihaja, M. , Nübel, T. , Blachier, F. , Bouil‐laud, F. Sulfide, the first inorganic substrate for human cells. FASEB J. 21, 1699–1706 (2007)
Language Intervention and AAE-Speaking Children: Issues and Preliminary Data

Purpose: Facilitating language development in children with specific language impairment (SLI) who are learning African American English (AAE) as their first dialect requires clinicians to consider grammatical, lexical, and cultural differences. The purpose of this article is to examine 2 intervention methods that have an extensive history of validation for general American English—imitation using discrete trials and conversational recast—for use with children who speak AAE. Methods: Participants in the preliminary study were 4 pre–school-aged AAE-speaking children, who were at-risk for language delays and who used AAE forms. A within-participants design was employed. Results: Both interventions were associated with growth in contrastive and noncontrastive target structure use. All children increased production of specific language targets that were not observed in baseline samples in AAE or general American English forms, and language scores on posttreatment assessments increased in all participants. Discussion: Considerations include individualizing interventions on the basis of level of support and understanding the relationship between language learning and culture.
Preservation of Motor Neuron Ca2+ Channel Sensitivity to Insulin‐Like Growth Factor‐1 in Brain Motor Cortex from Senescent Rat

Despite the multiple effects on mammals during development, the effectiveness of the insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) to sustain cell function and structure in the brain of senescent mammals is almost completely unknown. To address this issue, we investigated whether the effects of IGF‐1 on specific targets are preserved at later stages of life. Voltage‐gated Ca2+ channels (VGCC) are well‐characterized targets of IGF‐1. VGCC regulate membrane excitability and gene transcription along with other functions that have been found to be impaired in the brain of senescent rodents. As the voluntary control of movement has been reported to be altered in the elderly, we investigated the expression, function and responsiveness of high (HVA)‐ and low‐voltage‐activated (LVA) Ca2+ channels to IGF‐1, using the whole‐cell configuration of the patch‐clamp and RT‐PCR in the specific region of the rat motor cortex that controls hindlimb muscle movement. We detected the expression of α1A, α1B and α1E genes encoding the HVA Ca2+ channels P/Q, N and R, respectively, but not α1C, α1D, α1S encoding the L‐type Ca2+ channel in this region of the brain cortex. IGF‐1 enhanced Ca2+ channel currents through P/Q‐ and N‐type channels but not significantly through the R‐type or LVA channels. IGF‐1 enhanced the amplitude but did not modify the voltage dependence of Ca2+ channel currents in young (2‐ to 4‐week‐old), young adult (7‐month‐old) and senescent (28‐ to 29‐month‐old) rats. These results support the concept that despite the reported decrease in circulating (liver) and local (central nervous system) production of IGF‐1 with ageing, key neuronal targets such as the VGCC remain responsive to the growth factor throughout life.
The prevalence of respiratory symptoms and asthma among school children in three different areas of Norway

The role of exposure to ambient air pollution has been a topic of interest as a potential risk factor for respiratory symptoms and asthma. We expected that the prevalence rates would vary in Norway between the capital, Oslo, the mountainous area Hallingdal and the industrial area Odda. Surveys were conducted in school children, aged 6‐16 years, in; Oslo (n=2577), Hallingdal (n=1177) and Odda (n=831). The parent‐reported prevalence of wheeze in past year was almost similar in Oslo (13. 1 (95% CI 11. 7‐14. 5)) and Upper Hallingdal (14. 2 (13. 1–15. 3)), but lower in Odda (9. 0 (7. 0–11. 0)). The findings for severe respiratory symptoms were almost equal. The age patters within each area differed. The risk of wheeze ever (p < 0.001) and wheeze in past year (p=0.04) decreased with increasing age in Odda, while there was an increase in the risk of exercise induced wheeze in Oslo (p=0.02) and Hallingdal (p < 0.001). The lifetime prevalence of asthma was lowest in Odda (5. 4 (3. 8–7. 0)) compared to Oslo (9. 4 (8. 2–10. 6)) and Hallingdal (8. 5 (6. 8–10. 2)). There was a positive association between physical activity and wheeze in past year. The results do not support the hypothesis that respiratory morbidity is more common in urban than rural areas, age and physical activity can influence the prevalence rates of respiratory symptoms in school children.
Numerical Solution of the Riemann Problem for Two-Dimensional Gas Dynamics

The Riemann problem for two-dimensional gas dynamics with isentropic or polytropic gas is considered. The initial data is constant in each quadrant and chosen so that only a rarefaction wave, shock wave, or slip line connects two neighboring constant initial states. With this restriction sixteen (respectively, fifteen) genuinely different wave combinations for isentropic (respectively, polytropic) gas exist. For each configuration the numerical solution is analyzed and illustrated by contour plots. Additionally, the required relations for the initial data and the symmetry properties of the solutions are given. The chosen calculations correspond closely to the cases studied by T. Zhang and Y. Zheng [SIAM J. Math. Anal. , 21 (1990), pp. 593–630], so that the analytical theory can be directly compared to our numerical study.
High Concentration of Insulin Promotes Apoptosis of Primary Cultured Rat Ovarian Granulosa Cells Via Its Increase in Extracellular HMGB1

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. Insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia is a prevalent finding in women with PCOS, which indicates that insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia may be an important player in the pathogenesis of the PCOS. However, the underlying mechanism of insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia on the pathogenesis of the PCOS remains elusive. In this study, we found an increased high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) in the serum from women with PCOS having insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia. Furthermore, we discovered that high concentration of insulin, which mimics insulin resistance model, promoted apoptosis in primary cultured rat ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) via its effect on the increase in extracellular HMGB1. Our data presented the first evidence that increased HMGB1 induced by insulin resistance/hyperinsulinemia promoted apoptosis of ovarian GCs, which provided new molecular basis for the PCOS pathogenesis.
Acyclovir, Ganciclovir, and Zidovudine Transfer into Rat Milk

ABSTRACT Treatment with antiviral agents that accumulate in breast milk may offer a novel approach to reduce the rates of vertical transmission of important viruses and the risk of clinical illness in suckling neonates. The present study evaluated the extent and mechanism of transfer of three antiviral nucleoside analogues into milk in a lactating rat model system. Acyclovir (0.26 mg/h), ganciclovir (0.13 mg/h), and zidovudine (0.5 mg/h) were each infused to steady-state concentrations in six rats 15 to 16 days postpartum. The observed ratios of the concentrations in milk to the concentrations in serum (observed milk-to-serum ratio), calculated from the ratio of the steady-state concentration in serum to the steady-state concentration in milk, determined the extent of drug transfer into milk. To identify the mechanism of transfer into milk, the observed milk-to-serum ratio was compared to a predicted milk-to-serum ratio estimated from an in vitro passive diffusion model of transfer of each drug into milk. High-pressure liquid chromatography methods determined milk and serum drug concentrations. Mean ± standard deviation observed milk-to-serum ratios for acyclovir, ganciclovir, and zidovudine were 5.1 ± 1.4, 1.6 ± 0.33, and 1.0 ± 0.29, respectively, compared with their corresponding predicted ratios of 1.1, 0.85, and 0.71. These results suggest that acyclovir accumulates in milk due to active transport mechanisms, while passive diffusion processes govern the transfer of both ganciclovir and zidovudine into milk. The presence of all three antiviral drugs in milk and the potential for active drug transfer into milk warrants further investigation of the accumulation of other antiviral drugs in milk and their therapeutic benefits in reducing the vertical transmission of viruses and clinical sequelae in the breast-feeding infant.
Virtual synchronous machine

Demands in the area of electrical energy generation and distribution, as a result of energy policies, are leading to far reaching changes in the structure of the energy supply, which is characterised, on the one hand, by the substitution of conventional power stations by renewable energy generation, a decision which has already been made, and, on the other hand, by the changeover from centralised to decentralised energy generation. From an electrical engineering point of view, a new situation will arise for consumers concerning security of supply and power quality, which calls for further technical measures by the grid operators to ensure that the increasingly stringent supply criteria can be met. This article describes a new power electronics based approach which allows a grid compatible integration of predominantly renewable electricity generators even in weak grids making them appear to be electromechanical synchronous machines. As a consequence, all the proven properties of this type of machine which have so far defined the grid continue to do so, even when integrating photovoltaic or wind energy. These properties include, for instance, interaction between grid and generator as in a remote power dispatch, reaction to transients as well as the full electrical effects of a rotating mass. In addition, this new development can be operated in such a way that it provides primary reserve allowing, from a grid point of view, electricity generators such as wind and PV to be regarded as conventional power stations.
Privacy in Bargaining: The Case of Endogenous Entry

I study the role of privacy in bargaining. A seller makes offers every instant, without commitment, to a privately informed buyer. There are potential competing buyers (entrants) who observe something about the negotiation and can choose to interrupt it by triggering a bidding war. As entrants learn about ongoing disagreement, they update their beliefs about the type of the buyer. The seller’s lack of commitment reverses the seemingly intuitive effects of publicity. If learning that the buyer’s type is lower encourages entrants, so that the seller “should” want to make publicly observable offers that lure in entrants against the incumbent buyer, then in equilibrium the seller typically prefers private bargaining. If learning that the buyer’s type is lower discourages entrants, so that the seller “should” want to hide her offers to avoid frightening away entrants, then in equilibrium the seller prefers public bargaining. ∗Uncountably many thanks to my advisors, Andy Skrzypacz, Matt Jackson, and Kyle Bagwell, for their guidance and encouragement. I would also like to thank Gabriel Carroll, Ilya Segal, Al Roth, Mohammad Akbarpour, Omer Ali, Alex Bloedel, Shota Ichihashi, Giorgio Martini, Guido Martirena, Pavel Zryumov, and participants at the Stanford Theory Lunch and the 2017 IO Theory Conference at Duke for helpful comments. I gratefully acknowledge support from the Kapnick Foundation Fellowship, granted through the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research. †Kellogg School of Management, Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences Department, Northwestern University. isaias.chaves@kellogg.northwestern. edu