Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Effects of glucocorticoid on tissue remodeling of nasal mucosa of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis after endoscopic surgery].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of glucocorticoid on tissue remodeling of nasal mucosa from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) after endoscopic surgery. METHODS Nasal mucosa obtained from 30 cases of CRSwNP during nasal endoscopic surgery were considered as preoperation group. These patients were equally divided into two groups after surgery, ie. glucocorticoid group and contrast group. Uncinate process mucosa samples from 6 patients during septoplasty were considered as normal control group. Epithelial damage and expressions of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and collagen III were studied by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS In nasal mucosa samples of preoperation group, epithelial damage showed 90% (27/30) of stage 3 and 10% (3/30) of stage 2; TGF-beta1 positive cells and collagen III positive basement membrane with more than 20 microm were seen in 87% (26/30) and 97% (29/30) of samples, respectively. No significant difference was observed in morphology of nasal mucosa and expressions of TGF-beta1 and collagen III between glucocorticoid group and contrast group at 1th month after surgery. At 3th month after surgery, epithelial damage displayed 53% (8/15) of stage 3, 33% (5/15) of stage 2 and 14% (2/15) of stage 1 in contrast group; however, 93% (14/15) of stage 0 and 7% (1/15) of stage 1 in glucocorticoid group. The difference of epithelial damage between two groups was significant (Uc = 4.481, P < 0.05). The amount of TGF-beta1 positive cell was markedly higher in contrast group than in glucocorticoid group (t = 2.32, P < 0.05). The thickness of basement membrane was above 20 microm in 67% of contrast group (10 cases) and 27% of glucocorticoid group (4 cases); the difference between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Tissue remodeling is present in nasal mucosa of CRSwNP after endoscopic surgery. Early and appropriate administration of glucocorticoid plays an important role in inhibition of tissue remodeling and prevention of relapse. Postoperative follow-up should not be less than 3 month.
Is Mycosis fungoides Associated with HTLV‐I?

The causal relationship between mycosis fungoides (MF), and human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) has remained controversial. Serological studies on European patients showed that 15% were HTLV-I seropositive [l]. A study among American patients with mycosis fungoides showed that about two thirds appeared to be infected with HTLV-I or HTLV-I1 when analyzed by PCR [ 2 ] . Partially deleted HTLV-I provirus has been found in cutaneous lesions of patients with MF [3,4]. We have analyzed genomic DNA taken from lesional skin biopsies of 31 patients diagnosed with MF, 1 case of SCzary syndrome and 1 case of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) were also studied in 5 of the above. Furthermore, 3 samples of DNA from PBLs taken from other MF patients were also studied. The diagnosis of MF was done according to clinical and histological features. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done in the pol (SKllO/SKlIl) and tadrex (SK431SK44) regions also used by others. These sets of primers are common in both HTLV-I and HTLV-11. Other two regions, LTR and env, were amplified in a nested-PCR procedure. This method consists on a first round of amplification which amplifies both viruses and a second round that uses specific primers for each virus. DNA of prototypic HTLV-I and HTLV-I1 cell lines, MT-2 and MOT, respectively, was used as positive control. DNA of donor PBLs was used as negative control. PCR and Southern blot were performed as previously described [ 5 ] . We did not find HTLV-related sequences in the samples studied, even under low-stringency conditions of PCR and Southern blot hybridization, whereas the p-globin gene could be amplified in all of them. These data agree with those described by Bazarbachi et al. [6], who did not find HTLV-I infection markers in 24 French and Portuguese patients with MF and Sezary syndrome. The geographical origin ofthe patients may be important, as previously suggested. Spain is not an endemic area for HTLV-I.
DISKS IN THE ARCHES CLUSTER—SURVIVAL IN A STARBURST ENVIRONMENT

Deep Keck/NIRC2 HK′L′ observations of the Arches cluster near the Galactic center reveal a significant population of near-infrared excess sources. We combine the L′-band excess observations with K′-band proper motions, which allow us to confirm cluster membership of excess sources in a starburst cluster for the first time. The robust removal of field contamination provides a reliable disk fraction down to our completeness limit of H = 19 mag, or ∼5 M☉ at the distance of the Arches. Of the 24 identified sources with K′ − L′>2.0 mag, 21 have reliable proper motion measurements, all of which are proper motion members of the Arches cluster. VLT/SINFONI K′-band spectroscopy of 3 excess sources reveals strong CO bandhead emission, which we interpret as the signature of dense circumstellar disks. The detection of strong disk emission from the Arches stars is surprising in view of the high mass of the B-type main sequence host stars of the disks and the intense starburst environment. We find a disk fraction of 6% ± 2% among B-type stars in the Arches cluster. A radial increase in the disk fraction from 3% to 10% suggests rapid disk destruction in the immediate vicinity of numerous O-type stars in the cluster core. A comparison between the Arches and other high- and low-mass star-forming regions provides strong indication that disk depletion is significantly more rapid in compact starburst clusters than in moderate star-forming environments.
Audit Firm Industry Specialization as a Differentiation Strategy: Evidence from Fees Charged to Firms Going Public

This paper examines IPO audit fees to assess the use of industry specialization as a differentiation strategy by audit firms. We extend existing theory on the impact of industry specialization on audit fees by incorporating Porter's (1985) theory of competition and differentiation. We suggest that market share enables audit firms to gain competitive advantages in terms of cost and service. However, the impact of such advantages on fees depends on whether the audit firm has successfully differentiated itself from competitors within client industries. Our results indicate that as audit firm industry market share increases without a differentiation in market share, the audit fee charged for a given IPO decreases. In the context of Porter (1985), this result suggests that the client is able to bargain for a portion of the auditor's cost savings because the audit firm has not successfully differentiated itself from competitors. In contrast, we show that audit firms that possess significantly higher market shar.
Peginterferon Alfa-2a, lamivudine, and the combination for HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B.

BACKGROUND Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B are suboptimal. In the search for improved therapies, we compared the efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon alfa plus lamivudine, pegylated interferon alfa without lamivudine, and lamivudine alone for the treatment of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive chronic hepatitis B. METHODS A total of 814 patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B received either peginterferon alfa-2a (180 microg once weekly) plus oral placebo, peginterferon alfa-2a plus lamivudine (100 mg daily), or lamivudine alone. The majority of patients in the study were Asian (87 percent). Most patients were infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype B or C. Patients were treated for 48 weeks and followed for an additional 24 weeks. RESULTS After 24 weeks of follow-up, significantly more patients who received peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy or peginterferon alfa-2a plus lamivudine than those who received lamivudine monotherapy had HBeAg seroconversion (32 percent vs. 19 percent [P<0.001] and 27 percent vs. 19 percent [P=0.02], respectively) or HBV DNA levels below 100,000 copies per milliliter (32 percent vs. 22 percent [P=0.01] and 34 percent vs. 22 percent [P=0.003], respectively). Sixteen patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a (alone or in combination) had hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroconversion, as compared with 0 in the group receiving lamivudine alone (P=0.001). The most common adverse events were those known to occur with therapies based on interferon alfa. Serious adverse events occurred in 4 percent, 6 percent, and 2 percent of patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a monotherapy, combination therapy, and lamivudine monotherapy, respectively. Two patients receiving lamivudine monotherapy had irreversible liver failure after the cessation of treatment--one underwent liver transplantation, and the other died. CONCLUSIONS In patients with HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B, peginterferon alfa-2a offers superior efficacy over lamivudine, on the basis of HBeAg seroconversion, HBV DNA suppression, and HBsAg seroconversion.
Heterogeneity of L-type calcium current density in coronary smooth muscle.

Heterogeneity of vascular responses to physiological and pharmacological stimuli has been demonstrated throughout the coronary circulation. Typically, this heterogeneity is based on vessel size. Although the cellular mechanisms for this heterogeneity are unknown, one plausible factor may be heterogeneous distribution of ion channels important in regulation of vascular tone. Because of the importance of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels in regulation of vascular tone, we hypothesized that these channels would be unequally distributed throughout the coronary arterial bed. To test this hypothesis, voltage-gated Ca2+ current was measured in smooth muscle from conduit arteries (>1.0 mm), small arteries (200-250 microm), and large arterioles (75-125 microm) of miniature swine using whole cell voltage-clamp techniques. With 2 mM Ca2+ or 10 mM Ba2+ as charge carrier, voltage-gated Ca2+ current density was inversely related to arterial diameter, i.e., large arterioles > small arteries > conduit. Peak inward currents (10 mM Ba2+) were increased approximately 2.5- and approximately 1.5-fold in large arterioles and small arteries, respectively, compared with conduit arteries (-5.58 +/- 0.53, -3.54 +/- 0.34, and -2.26 +/- 0.31 pA/pF, respectively). In physiological Ca2+ (2 mM), small arteries demonstrated increased inward current at membrane potentials within the physiological range for vascular smooth muscle (as negative as -40 mV) compared with conduit arteries. In addition, cells from large arterioles showed a negative shift in the membrane potential for half-maximal activation compared with small and conduit arteries (-13.23 +/- 0.88, -6.22 +/- 1.35, and -8.62 +/- 0.81 mV, respectively; P < 0.05). Voltage characteristics and dihydropyridine sensitivity identified this Ca2+ current as predominantly L-type current in all arterial sizes. We conclude that L-type Ca2+ current density is inversely related to arterial diameter within the coronary arterial vasculature. This heterogeneity of Ca2+ current density may provide, in part, the basis for functional heterogeneity within the coronary circulation.
Peritoneal Sodium Mass Removal in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis and Automated Peritoneal Dialysis: Influence on Blood Pressure Control

Background/Aim: Sodium and water retention is common in peritoneal dialysis patients and contributes to cardiovascular disease. As peritoneal sodium removal depends partly on dwell time, and automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) often uses short dwell time exchanges, the aim of this study was to compare the 24-hour peritoneal sodium removal in APD and standard continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients and to analyze its possible influence on blood pressure control. Methods: A total of 53 sodium balance studies (30 in APD and 23 in CAPD) were performed in 36 stable peritoneal dialysis patients. The 24-hour net removal of sodium was calculated as follows: M = ViCi – VdCd, where Vd is the 24-hour drained volume, Cd is the solute sodium concentration in Vd, Vi is the amount of solution used during a 24-hour period, and Ci is the sodium concentration in Vi. Peritoneal sodium removal was compared between APD and CAPD patients. Residual renal function, serum sodium concentration, daily urinary sodium losses, weekly peritoneal Kt/V and creatinine clearance, 4-hour dialysate/plasma creatinine ratio, proportion of hypertonic solutions, net ultrafiltration, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and need for antihypertensive therapy were also compared between the groups. Results: Peritoneal sodium removal was higher (p < 0.001) in CAPD than in APD patients. There were no significant differences in residual renal function, serum sodium concentration, urinary sodium losses, peritoneal urea or creatinine clearances, 4-hour dialysate/plasma creatinine ratio, or proportion of hypertonic solutions between groups. The net ultrafiltration was higher in CAPD patients and correlated strongly (r = 0.82; p < 0.001) with peritoneal sodium removal. In APD patients, peritoneal sodium removal increased significantly only in those patients with a second daytime exchange. The systolic blood pressure was higher (p < 0.05) in APD patients, and the proportion of patients with antihypertensive therapy was also higher in APD patients, although no significant relationship between blood pressure values and amount of peritoneal sodium removal was found. Conclusions: The 24-hour sodium removal is higher in CAPD than in APD patients, and there is a trend towards better hypertension control in CAPD patients. As hypertension control and volume status are important indices of peritoneal dialysis adequacy, our results have to be considered in the choice of the peritoneal dialysis modality.
Evaluation of oxidative stress and paraoxonase phenotypes in pseudoexfoliation syndrome and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma.

BACKGROUND Our purpose was to determine whether total oxidant and antioxidant status, total thiol levels and activities of serum paraoxonase 1, an HDL-associated antioxidant enzyme, are related with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PG). METHODS Serum samples from 32 PEX, 30 PG, and 32 control subjects were collected at the Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara. Basal paraoxonase (PON1), salt stimulated paraoxonase (stPON1), arylesterase (ARE), and total thiol levels were measured spectrophotometrically. Total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were determined on an autoanalyzer. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated using the TAS and TOS values. PON1 phenotypes were calculated from the ratio of stPON1 to ARE. Continuous variables were compared by independent samples t-test and one-way ANOVA, except for age which was compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were compared using Fisher's exact test (PON1 phenotypes) or chi-square test (gender). RESULTS TAS levels were significantly lower in PEX and PG patients compared to controls. TOS, OSI and total thiol levels did not differ significantly among the study groups, although there was a trend towards lower TOS and total thiol levels in patients compared to controls. PON1 activities were significantly higher in PEX patients (131.37 +/- 81.20 U/L) compared to controls (95.53 +/- 55.65 U/L; p = 0.046). The PON1 phenotype which is known to have high activity towards the substrate paraoxon, but low antioxidant activity (BB phenotype) was observed significantly more in PEX patients compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS PON1 phenotypes and lack of antioxidants might play an important role in the development of PEX/ PG.
Endovascular vs medical management of acute ischemic stroke

Objective: To compare the outcomes between endovascular and medical management of acute ischemic stroke in recent randomized controlled trials (RCT). Methods: A systematic literature review was performed, and multicenter, prospective RCTs published from January 1, 2013, to May 1, 2015, directly comparing endovascular therapy to medical management for patients with acute ischemic stroke were included. Meta-analyses of modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and mortality at 90 days and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) for endovascular therapy and medical management were performed. Results: Eight multicenter, prospective RCTs (Interventional Management of Stroke [IMS] III, Local Versus Systemic Thrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke [SYNTHESIS] Expansion, Mechanical Retrieval and Recanalization of Stroke Clots Using Embolectomy [MR RESCUE], Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands [MR CLEAN], Evaluation Study of Congestive Heart Failure and Pulmonary Artery Catheterization Effectiveness [ESCAPE], Extending the Time for Thrombolysis in Emergency Neurological Deficits–Intra-Arterial [EXTEND-IA], Solitaire With the Intention For Thrombectomy as Primary Endovascular Treatment [SWIFT PRIME], and Endovascular Revascularization With Solitaire Device Versus Best Medical Therapy in Anterior Circulation Stroke Within 8 Hours [REVASCAT]) comprising 2,423 patients were included. Meta-analysis of pooled data demonstrated functional independence (mRS 0–2) at 90 days in favor of endovascular therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 1.71; p = 0.005). Subgroup analysis of the 6 trials with large vessel occlusion (LVO) criteria also demonstrated functional independence at 90 days in favor of endovascular therapy (OR = 2.23; p < 0.00001). Subgroup analysis of the 5 trials that primarily utilized stent retriever devices (≥70%) in the intervention arm demonstrated functional independence at 90 days in favor of endovascular therapy (OR = 2.39; p < 0.00001). No difference was found for mortality at 90 days and sICH between endovascular therapy and medical management in all analyses and subgroup analyses. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides strong evidence that endovascular intervention combined with medical management, including IV tissue plasminogen activator for eligible patients, improves the outcomes of appropriately selected patients with acute ischemic stroke in the setting of LVO.
Chemical Speciation and Mobility of Some Heavy Metals in Soils around Automobile Waste Dumpsites in Northern Part of Niger Delta, South Central Nigeria

The mobility of some heavy metals (Fe, Co, Ni and Mn) in soils around automobile waste dumpsites in Northern part of Niger Delta was assessed using Tessier et al. five syteps sequential chemical extraction procedure. The results showed that majority of iron and manganese were associated with the residual fraction with the average levels of 29.2% and 24.43% respectively. The exchangeable fraction was the most important fraction for cobalt with the average level of 39.53%, while the organic fraction contained the predominant species of nickel with an average level of 22.97%. For the total concentrations of the metals, iron ranging from (mgkg -1 ) 768.30 to 2897.00 was the highest followed by manganese ranging from 1.78 to 19.92 and then cobalt and nickel which ranged from 0.28 to 2.42 and 0.084 to 0.512 respectively. The mobility factors for the metals in all the sites ranged from 20.37 to 90.90 for cobalt, 15.83 to 62.07 for nickel, 25.50 to 60.43 for manganese and 16.49 to 32.13 for iron following the order Co>Ni>Mn>Fe. The relatively high mobility factors observed for cobalt in some sites coupled with its comparatively high concentration in the exchangeable fraction, indicates high mobility, lability and bioavailability for cobalt in the soils studied. The other metals (Fe, Ni and Mn) which are strongly bound to soil matrix are not readily availably for introduction into the food chain. The results suggest that there is no serious contamination hazard with the metals studied, considering the geochemical phases in which Fe, Ni and Mn were associated with, and the low total metal concentration of Co, even with its relatively high mobility. @JASEM J. Appl. Sci. Environ. Manage . December, 2010, Vol. 14 (4) 123 - 130
THE EFFECT OF USING A FACEBOOK GROUP AS A LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Facebook is commonly used in the daily lives of higher-education students. Facebook groups are considered educational tools that can be used as learning management system (LMS) substitutes or supplements. However, the effect of using Facebook groups on learning in the computer engineering field has not been adequately compared with that of using other types of LMS and must be explored. The results of this study indicated that the participants in a Facebook group academically outperformed those using iCas and Moodle did. Moreover, users of the Facebook group held a more positive attitude toward learning than did users of the other two types of LMS, a more positive attitude toward interaction than did Moodle users, and higher technological self-efficacy and willingness to use LMSs as well as higher learning motivation compared with users of iCas. The participants’ experience of adopting LMSs in their learning as well as constraints are described and discussed. The results are valuable for instructors seeking to adopt a Facebook group as their LMS.
The Use of Proxy Respondents in Studies of Older Adults: Lessons, Challenges, and Opportunities

OBJECTIVE: Proxies play a critical role as sources of health information for older persons with cognitive impairment and other chronic debilitating conditions. This paper reviews the validity of proxy responses for people older than age 60 in the following areas: functioning, physical and mental health, cognition, medical care utilization, and preferences for types of care and health states.
Human parechovirus 1 infections in young children—no association with type 1 diabetes

The epidemiology, transmission and clinical symptoms of human parechoviruses [HPeV, classified earlier as enteroviruses; echovirus 22 (HPeV1) and echovirus 23 (HPeV2)] remain poorly characterized. Enteroviruses and one parechovirus species, the Ljungan virus, have been associated with type 1 diabetes in humans and rodents. The occurrence of human parechovirus 1 (HPeV1) infections in young children and their possible association with type 1 diabetes was evaluated. The prospective birth cohort study comprised 221 Finnish children carrying genetic type 1 diabetes susceptibility and who were observed from birth. Thirty‐four children developed multiple diabetes‐associated autoantibodies, and 18 children progressed to clinical type 1 diabetes during the follow‐up. HPeV1 infections were diagnosed by measuring neutralizing antibodies from the follow‐up sera taken every 3–12 months. In addition, viral RNA was analysed by RT‐PCR from stool samples taken every month from six of the participants. HPeV1 infections were found to occur early in childhood. The median age of infection was 18 months and 20% of the children had had an infection by the age of 1 year. The number of infections started to increase from the age of 6 months and most children had their first infection by 36 months. Nearly all (99%) mothers were HPeV1 antibody positive. No difference was found in infection frequency between boys and girls, nor between prediabetic, diabetic and control subjects. Most infections (87%) occurred during autumn, winter and spring. J. Med. Virol. 79:457–462, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.