Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Astrocytes Express Insulin-like Growth Factor-I (IGF-I) and Its Binding Protein, IGFBP-2, during Demyelination Induced by Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

To assess the distribution of insulin-like growth-factor-related proteins during autoimmune CNS demyelination and remyelination, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was produced by injecting Lewis rats with an emulsion containing guinea pig spinal cord and complete Freund's adjuvant. Tail weakness appeared at 10-12 days and was followed by hind and forelimb weakness. Paraplegia and incontinence were observed in some animals. From 8-40 days postinoculation (dpi), spinal cord sections were used to correlate lesion location and severity with mRNA distributions of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), IGF-binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2), IGF-I-receptor (IGFR-I), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and myelin basic protein (MBP). These were determined semiquantitatively by in situ hybridization. Fourteen dpi, there were inflammatory infiltrates and demyelination in both white matter (WM) and grey matter (GM). IGF-I and GFAP mRNAs were increased in these lesions and transcripts encoding myelin basic protein (MBP) were greatly reduced. Large lesions with extensive demyelination were evident in both WM and GM when mRNA levels of GFAP and IGF-I peaked 26 dpi. MBP mRNA levels began increasing 21 dpi and peaked 26 dpi, when a few thin regenerating myelin sheaths were found morphologically. Astrocytes, identified by their morphology and GFAP immunoreactivity, expressed very low levels of IGFBP-2 mRNA and peptide in normal controls; their levels were significantly higher 14 dpi, peaked 26 dpi, and then gradually decreased. Some neurons, as well as oligodendroglia in areas undergoing remyelination, expressed IGFR-I. Although levels of IGF-I, IGFBP-2, and GFAP mRNAs were highest in lesion areas, levels were also elevated around lesions and in some normal-appearing areas of WM and GM 14-40 dpi. The gene expression of both IGF-I and IGFBP-2 by hypertrophic GFAP-positive astrocytes was demonstrated 14-40 dpi by combined in situ hybridization and immunocytochemistry as well as by double immunostaining. Coexpression of IGF-I and IGFBP-2 in the same astrocyte was a frequent finding. Relative increases in both IGF-I, GFAP, IGFBP-2, IGFR-I, and MBP mRNAs peaked at about the same time. This suggests that during lesion progression and recovery, astrocytic expression of IGF-I-related peptides may reduce immune-mediated myelin injury. We also suggest that astrocytic IGFBP-2 in lesions may help target IGF-I to IGFR-I-expressing oligodendrocytes and promote remyelination of demyelinated axons.
Symptoms, care needs and diagnosis in palliative cancer patients in acute care hospitals: A 5-year follow-up survey

Abstract Introduction. Palliative cancer care in acute hospitals is scarcely studied. We therefore described and compared symptoms, care needs and types of cancer sites in 2002 compared to 2007 and analysed the relationships between these factors. Methods. The study was population-based with a cross-sectional design and was carried out in medical, surgical and oncology wards in two acute care hospitals with no advanced palliative home care service. In 2002, 82 one-day-inventories were done (1 352 patients) compared to 142 one-day-inventories in 2007 (2 972 patients). Symptoms, care needs and cancer site were registered according to a questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression models were used to analyse associations between symptoms, care needs and cancer site. Results. The proportion of palliative cancer patients had decreased during a five year period (14% vs. 11%, p<0.01). The patients were older in 2007 (74 vs. 70 years, p<0.001) and had more symptoms and care needs per patient (2.6 vs. 1.6, p<0.001). The most common symptoms were pain and deterioration and the most common cancer sites were prostate and colorectal cancer in both samples. Associations between symptoms, care needs and cancer site were mostly weak. Deterioration was associated with colorectal cancer, whereas pain was not associated with any specific cancer site. In haematological malignancies there was a high occurrence of infections and a high need of blood transfusions and infusions. Stomach/oesophagus cancers were significantly associated with nausea, nutritional problems and need of infusions while unknown primary malignancies were associated with abdominal surgery and infusions. Discussion. Although we do not know all the causes for hospitalization, this study indicates that more focus should be on the symptoms instead of the specific cancer diagnosis. The findings also indicate that many palliative cancer patients’ problems would be suitable for advanced palliative home care instead of acute hospital care.
Low-cost WDM fronthaul enabled by partitioned asymmetric AWGR with simultaneous flexible transceiver assignment and chirp management

The explosion of mobile traffic requires fronthaul networks to provide huge data capacity. One straightforward solution is to use wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) technologies with a sufficient number of transceivers, but the massive deployment of fronthaul networks inevitably adds transceiver cost. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate a low-cost scheme using a partitioned asymmetric arrayed waveguide grating router (AWGR) and distributed feedback Bragg (DFB) directly modulated lasers (DMLs) for WDM fronthaul. First, the centralization feature of a cloud radio access network (C-RAN) puts the transceivers together by nature, offering the potential to reduce the number of deployed transceivers based on optical switching fabric. We design what we believe is a novel asymmetric N × M AWGR-based switching fabric featuring a "partitioned cyclic routing" property that (i) enables flexible contention-free transceiver assignment; (ii) relaxes the requirement of tuning range, which allows the use of DFB lasers with moderate tuning range; and (iii) changes the diversity of the tuning range from N types to N∕M types. We also investigate the scalability of the scheme and show its rearrangeable contention-free assignment feature. Second, to adopt cost-effective DMLs, the intrinsic Gaussian-shape AWGR's edge filtering is employed to manage the frequency chirp of DFB DMLs, avoiding additional optical or electrical processing modules. Experiments are conducted to demonstrate the robustness of this scheme. In particular, we report that the allowable optical signal's frequency deviation ranges from −7.5 GHz to 7 GHz, and the induced additional crosstalk to AWGR’s adjacent port due to a deliberate frequency offset is far below the system design limit. In addition, the scheme is compatible with common 50 GHz, 100 GHz, and 200 GHz channel spacing AWGRs
HLA‐DR2, A MARKER FOR CLASS I ANTIGEN SENSITIZATION

After analysis of 423 hemodialysis patients in a transfusion program and 461 cadaver-donor renal transplants, we found that HLA-DR2 frequency was significantly higher in the responder (36%) than in the non-responder patient group (19%), according to the percentage of PRA (panel reactive antibodies). Among DR2+ patients, the percentage of hypersensitized patients was twice that of DR2- patients. Graft survival curves in cadaver-donor renal transplants indicated a significantly lower survival when recipients were DR2+, even in recipient-donor pairs identical for class II antigens but mismatched for class I antigens. The prognostic probability of low response to transfusions by a stepwise logistic regression analysis showed the influence of sex and DR2 phenotype. By multivariant discriminant analysis, we found that the DR2 phenotype was one of the most influential transfusion sensitization risk factors. Our preliminary conclusion is that DR2 can be related to immune responsiveness to class I antigens.
Unscheduled bleeding during initiation of continuous combined hormone replacement therapy: a direct comparison of two combinations of norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol to medroxyprogesterone acetate and conjugated equine estrogens

ObjectiveTo determine whether there are differences between continuous combined hormone replacement therapies on bleeding control. DesignNine hundred and forty-five postmenopausal women were randomized to one of seven double-blind treatment groups (placebo, 0.25 mg norethindrone acetate (NA)/5 &mgr;g ethinyl estradiol (EE), 1 mg NA/5 &mgr;g EE, 0.5 mg NA/10 &mgr;g EE, 1 mg NA/10 &mgr;g EE, 5 &mgr;g EE, and 10 &mgr; EE) or unmasked 0.625 mg conjugated equine estrogens (CEE)/2.5 mg medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Treatment was for 12 months; subjects kept daily diaries recording whether they had bleeding and/or spotting. ResultsThe results focused on currently commercially available hormone replacement therapy products (femhrt [1 mg NA/5 &mgr;g EE] and Prempro [0.625 mg CEE/2.5 mg MPA]) as well as a high-dose NA/EE dose combination (1/10) over the first 6 months of use, the most critical period in establishing treatment adherence. At the end of month 6 there was a greater incidence of amenorrhea with both NA/EE dose combinations compared with CEE/MPA (p = 0.009 for 1 mg NA/5 &mgr;g EE and p = 0.006 for 1 mg NA/10 &mgr;g EE). Statistically significantly more women were amenorrheic at every month based on cumulative amenorrhea for 1 mg NA/5 &mgr;g (p < 0.05) compared with CEE/MPA; at months 3 and 6 more women were amenorrheic on 1 mg NA/10 &mgr;g EE compared with CEE/MPA using the cumulative amenorrhea parameter. ConclusionsThe results indicate that statistically significantly more women attained amenorrhea based on various parameters when administered continuous combined NA/EE compared with CEE/MPA. The potential for long-term treatment compliance based on better bleeding control may optimize the opportunity to prevent osteoporosis as well as other associated health benefits.
Knowledge and practices of, and attitudes towards, the use of hair dyes among females visiting a teaching hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background and Objectives: Use of hair dye is extremely common worldwide. However, our literature search failed to find studies concerning the knowledge and attitudes of the public with regard to hair dyes. We sought to explore the knowledge and practices of, and attitudes towards, the use of hair dye among females. Design and Setting: A cross-sectional survey conducted on females who attended various outpatient clinics at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a tertiary referral hospital open to the general public. Patients and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire about the use of hair dyes was distributed randomly among females attending the outpatient clinics at a university hospital in 2008. Results : The response rate was 87.2%, with completion of 567 of the 650 distributed questionnaires. The mean (SD) age of respondents was 32.0 (10.2) years. Among respondents, 82.6% (464/562) had at some point dyed their hair. Furthermore, 69.3% (334/482) had dyed their hair in the past 12 months. The mean (SD) age of the participants when they first dyed their hair was 22.2 (7.1) years (range, 7-50). Of the participants, 76.8% (354/461) used permanent dyes, and about the same percentage of participants believed such dyes were the safest hair dye type. However, 52.4% (278/531) of the participants believed that hair dyes are harmful, and 36% (191/531) believed that hair dyes could cause cancer. Younger females tend to dye their hair less frequently (P<.001), whereas those with less education tend to dye their hair more frequently (P=.013). Conclusion : Use of hair dye is very common among females. Because the practice starts at a very young age, we conclude that hair dyes are overused and misused. The public should be informed about the risks associated with excessive hair dye use.
Serum microRNA expression signatures identified from genome‐wide microRNA profiling serve as novel noninvasive biomarkers for diagnosis and recurrence of bladder cancer

Recent advantages of serum microRNAs (miRNAs) open a new realm of possibilities for noninvasive diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer (BC). The aim of our study was to identify serum miRNA expression signatures in patients with BC and establish new models for the diagnosis of BC and recurrence prediction. We performed genome‐wide serum miRNA analysis by Miseq sequencing followed by evaluations in the training and validation sets with reverse transcription quantitative real‐time PCR assays from serum samples of 250 patients with BC and 240 controls. A six‐miRNA panel (miR‐152, miR‐148b‐3p, miR‐3187‐3p, miR‐15b‐5p, miR‐27a‐3p and miR‐30a‐5p) for the diagnosis of BC was finally developed by multivariate logistic regression model with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.899. The corresponding sensitivities of this panel for Ta, T1 and T2–T4 were 90.00, 84.85 and 89.36%, significantly higher than those of urine cytology, which were 13.33, 30.30 and 44.68%, respectively (all at p < 0.001). In addition, Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients with nonmuscle‐invasive BC (NMIBC) with high miR‐152 level and low miR‐3187‐3p level had worse recurrence‐free survival (p = 0.023 and 0.043, respectively). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, miR‐152 was independently associated with tumor recurrence of NMIBC (p = 0.028). Our results suggested that a serum miRNA signature may have considerable clinical value in diagnosing BC. Furthermore, expression level of serum miR‐152 could provide information on the recurrence risk of NMIBC.
PERCEPTION AND EXPERIENCE AND OF NIGERIAN PAEDIATRICIANS TO DENTAL REFERRAL FOR CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES.

BACKGROUND Interdisciplinary collaboration in the management of patients offers several advantages especially for children with chronic illnesses who are often at risk for other health conditions. Diseases in other parts of the body can be detected by a physician and lead to subsequent referral to the appropriate managing team. This study assessed the perception and experience of dental referral among Nigerian paediatricians as well as factors that may influence their decision to refer to a dentist. METHODS Self administered questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic data, history of exposure to dental teachings as well as experience with dental referral. Two hundred and sixty nine paediatricians and paediatric practitioners were involved in the study. Descriptive statistics and measures of central tendencies generated. Associations were tested with Chi Squares and Statistical significance was set at P <0.05. RESULTS A total of 269 respondents participated in the study out of whom 142(52.8%) trained at institutions where there was a sister dental school, but 243(90.3%) of them had no official dentistry postings. Majority of the respondents 259(96.3%) were in favour of routine professional oral check-up for children but only 83(30.9%) endorsed the recommended bi annual oral checks. A referral rate of 0.76-1.9% was obtained. CONCLUSION Although paediatricians are a known source of dental referral for children globally, a lot needs to be done to equip the physicians with the necessary knowledge and skill that will enable them participate more actively in the promotion of oral health for Nigerian children.
Length of hospital stay and management of facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin in children.

PURPOSE This study's purpose was to assess characteristics of pediatric patients with odontogenic-based facial cellulitis, treatment strategies, and their relationship to length of stay (LOS). METHODS This retrospective study was performed on individuals younger than 18 years old who were hospitalized for facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin (FCOO). Medical records were reviewed for all patients with a discharge diagnosis of FCOO or buccal cellulitis. Patients' clinical characteristics were evaluated and assessed for their relationship to LOS. RESULTS A total of 106 children were diagnosed with FCOO. LOS was significantly shorter in patients who had a tooth extracted within 48 hours versus patients who had a tooth extracted at 48 hours or longer (P=.007). LOS was significantly shorter in patients with upper face and left face infections than lower face infections (P=.01) and right face infections (P=.01), respectively. Patients with a primary first molar infection had the shortest LOS; patients with a white blood cell count less than 10,000 cells/mm3 had shorter LOS. CONCLUSIONS Early tooth extraction may decrease the length of stay in management of pediatric facial cellulitis of odontogenic origin. The type of tooth involved and white blood cell count at admission have a significant impact on length of stay.
Detection of Giardia lamblia,Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, andCryptosporidium parvum Antigens in Human Fecal Specimens Using the Triage Parasite Panel Enzyme Immunoassay

ABSTRACT The Triage parasite panel (BIOSITE Diagnostics, San Diego, Calif.) is a new qualitative enzyme immunoassay (EIA) panel for the detection of Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica/E. dispar, and Cryptosporidium parvum in fresh or fresh, frozen, unfixed human fecal specimens. By using specific antibodies, antigens specific for these organisms are captured and immobilized on a membrane. Panel performance was evaluated with known positive and negative stool specimens (a total of 444 specimens) that were tested by the standard ova and parasite (O&P) examination as the “gold standard,” including staining with both trichrome and modified acid-fast stains. Specimens with discrepant results between the reference and Triage methods were retested by a different method, either EIA or immunofluorescence. A number of samples with discrepant results with the Triage device were confirmed to be true positives. After resolution of discrepant results, the number of positive specimens and the sensitivity and specificity results were as follows: for G. lamblia, 170, 95.9%, and 97.4%, respectively; for E. histolytica/E. dispar, 99, 96.0%, and 99.1%, respectively; and for C. parvum, 60, 98.3%, and 99.7%, respectively. There was no cross-reactivity with other parasites found in stool specimens, including eight different protozoa (128 challenges) and three different helminths (83 challenges). The ability to perform the complete O&P examination should remain an option for those patients with negative parasite panel results but who are still symptomatic.
Motor Impairment and Recovery in the Upper Limb After Stroke: Behavioral and Neuroanatomical Correlates

Background and Purpose— Motor recovery after stroke is associated with cerebral reorganization. However, few studies have investigated the relationship directly, and findings are equivocal. We therefore aimed to characterize the relationship between motor impairment, motor recovery, and task-related changes in regional cerebral blood flow (&Dgr;rCBF) longitudinally. Methods— We obtained a profile of motor impairment and recovery in the upper limb and conducted positron emission tomography motor activation studies using a simple finger-tapping task in 9 stroke patients 2 to 7 weeks after stroke and 6 months later. For correlation analysis, mean images of task-related &Dgr;rCBF for each individual were linearly regressed with motor impairment scores. Motor recovery was correlated with longitudinal &Dgr;rCBF images. Results— Patients (7 males; 72.0±9.8 years) demonstrated a wide range of impairment severity and variable recovery. Upper-limb motor function was linearly correlated with task-related &Dgr;rCBF. Importantly, sites of correlated &Dgr;rCBF differed over time. Subacutely correlated &Dgr;rCBF was observed in supplementary motor area (SMA), bilateral cingulate, and contralesional insula with a small area in ipsilesional primary sensorimotor cortex (SM1). Conversely, at the 6-month study, correlated &Dgr;rCBF was primarily in ipsilesional SM1, extending to the cingulate gyrus. Better motor recovery was correlated with reduction in contralesional activity and increase in ipsilesional SM1. Conclusions— Upper-limb motor function and recovery are correlated with &Dgr;rCBF in SMA, cingulate, insula, and SM1, highlighting the role of these areas in the recovery process. The dynamic nature of the relationship suggests ongoing adaptation within motor networks.
Development and evaluation of a sublingual film of the antiemetic granisetron hydrochloride

The objective of this study was to develop an oral transmucosal formulation of an antiemetic drug that can not only serve in the active form but also provide a controlled release proﬁle. In this study, sublingual films based on the biodegradable and water-soluble polymers, that is HPMCK-4M and PVPK-30, were developed by the solvent casting method, and were loaded with the antiemetic drug granisetron hydrochloride (granisetron HCl). The entrapment efficiency of the developed formulation was found to be 86%. The in vitro profile showed an instant release of the drug from the sublingual film, in a pattern following the first order kinetics array. The in vivo studies showed that granisetron HCl was delivered in its active state and showed effective results, as compared to its activity in the marketed formulation.
Root shortening in patients treated with two-step and en masse space closure procedures with sliding mechanics.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the comparative amount of root shortening between two-step and en masse space closure procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-two patients were selected from a pool of patients satisfying the following inclusion criteria: no evidence of resorption on the pretreatment panoramic radiographs; no dental trauma; no dilacerations of incisor roots, anodontia, or impacted canines; complete root formation at the start of treatment; intact and caries-free incisors; no endodontically treated incisors; Angle Class I or II malocclusion; extraction of four first premolars; and space closure with moderate anchorage. Patients received treatment with either a two-step or an en masse procedure to close the extraction spaces after alignment and leveling with the same preadjusted appliances. Root shortening of the maxillary and mandibular incisors was evaluated on panoramic radiographs, taken before and after space closure, and measured in millimeters. Distortion of measurements caused by panoramic radiographs was corrected by using special metal rods ligated to brackets. Statistical comparisons of root shortening between space closure procedures were investigated with the two-sample t test. RESULTS No difference was found in the amount of root shortening between space closure procedures. The average root shortening of maxillary central and lateral incisors was 0.43 +/- 0.12 mm and 0.58 +/- 0.10 mm, respectively, and that of mandibular central and lateral incisors was 0.23 +/- 0.07 mm and 0.22 +/- 0.06 mm, respectively. CONCLUSION No difference should be expected in root resorption between two-step and en masse space closure procedure.