Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subungual Melanoma: A Review of 93 Cases With Identification of Prognostic Variables

From 1970 to 1996, 93 patients received diagnoses of subungual melanoma. Followup data were complete on all patients and reviewed with a median duration of followup of 5.2 years. This study identifies significant clinicopathologic variables that affect survival and provides the orthopaedic surgeon assistance in the early diagnosis and treatment of this lesion. Eight-three percent of patients presented with Stage I disease, whereas 17% had nodal or distant disease. Fifty-three percent had locally advanced disease at presentation. Twelve percent of the patients were African-American. Fifty-five percent of the lesions arose on the hands with thumb involvement predominating in more than half of these cases. Operative therapy consisted of amputation. Elective lymph node dissection was performed in 34 patients (37%) for Stage I tumors of intermediate thickness. Therapeutic node dissection was required in 16 patients (17%) for positive nodes. Five-year survival was 74% for patients with Stage I disease and 40% for patients with Stage II disease. Statistical analysis identified stage at diagnosis, Clark and Wihm's level, the patient's race, and the presence of ulceration as prognostic variables affecting survival. The diagnosis of subungual melanoma carries a grave prognosis and often is misdiagnosed in the early stages. The treatment of choice is amputation at the appropriate level.
Anti-TSH antibodies in Graves' disease and their failure to interact with TSH receptor antibodies.

The occasional occurrence in sera of patients with Graves' disease of negative values in the assay for TSH receptor antibodies led to the discovery of endogenous antibodies to TSH. We examined the sera of approximately 2500 patients with Graves' disease. Eight positive sera were found. The IgG in all 8 sera showed higher binding with both bTSH and porcine TSH (pTSH) than with human TSH (hTSH). This means that autoantibodies to TSH in sera from patients with Graves' disease are rare and often directed towards heterologous bovine and porcine TSH. When hTSH levels were determined in sera of hyperthyroid patients with positive antibodies to hTSH, discrepancies in serum hTSH levels were observed when using different assay methods, i.e. hTSH levels were higher with the double-antibody technique, and lower with immunoradiometric assays. Antibodies in these sera showed higher binding to pTSH-alpha subunit than to -beta subunit. The binding of the two pTSH subunits with antibodies could be displaced by intact bTSH. Neither stimulation in Graves' disease nor blocking in primary hypothyroidism of TSH receptor antibodies interfered with the binding of the anti-TSH antibodies to 125I-labelled pTSH, pTSH-alpha, and pTSH-beta. Consequently, using this type of autoantibodies to TSH we were unable to obtain evidence that the TSH receptor antibodies of patients with Graves' disease was an anti-idiotype antibody against anti-TSH antibodies.
Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of the Normal Kidney

Aim Ultrasound tissue characterization (USTC) is a precursor of ultrasound virtual histology (USVH), already applied to B-mode images of coronary, carotid, and peripheral arteries, as well as venous thrombosis. Elevated echogenicity has been described for a rejected transplanted kidney. We analyzed data from healthy young adults as reference for further renal USTC. Methods Ultrasound kidney images of 10 volunteers were analyzed. Pixel brightness in the 0-to-255 range was rescaled to zero for black and 200 for fascia brightness before automatic classification into 14 ranges, including “blood-like” (0–4), “fat-like” (8–26), “hypoechoic muscle-like” (41–60), “hyperechoic muscle-like” (61–76), 4 ranges of “fiber-like” (112–196), “calcium-like” (211–255) and intermediary intervals. Nomenclature was readapted using nonechoic, hypoechoic I to IV, echoic I to IV, hyperechoic I to IV, and saturated echoes to avoid inference to actual kidney tissue. Descriptive and comparative statistics were based on percentages of pixels in specific brightness ranges. Sample Population Eight women and 2 men, 26 ± 4 years (range, 22–34 years) old, were studied. Kidney length was 10.5 ± 0.9 cm (9.0–12.0 cm). Doppler US resistivity index was 0.67 ± 0.03 (0.62–0.71). Results Original fascia brightness converted to 200 value had a mean ± SD of 206 ± 16 (range, 181–236). Kidney grayscale median averaged 37 ± 6 (27–48). Most pixels were hypoechoic II to IV (8–60), averaging 78% ± 6% (66%–87%). Percentages for fat-like, intermediary fat/muscle-like, and hypoechoic muscle-like intervals averaged 25%, 28%, and 25%, respectively. Conclusions A reference database for USTC/USVH of normal young kidneys was created for future comparisons with transplanted and abnormal kidneys. Normal renal echoes have low brightness. Hyperechoic pixels may represent abnormalities.
Competency-Based Learning Program in System Analysis and Design for Health Professionals

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a competency-based learning (CBL) approach to an e-learning course on systems analysis and design (SAD). The competency of 18 students who registered for an SAD course was measured at different 3 times during the semester with the use of a competency diary. The changes in the competency scores through the semester were analyzed by a Friedman test, and the factors affecting learning effectiveness were identified by multiple regression. The competency scores increased as the semester progressed. The factors that had a significant effect on learning effectiveness were course management and learning materials. The authors found that the CBL approach worked well for this particular e-learning course on SAD and that nontechnical aspects of the instruction, such as course management and lecture materials, were more important than the technical aspects even in this Internet environment.
Development and Validation of a Dissolution Test for 6 mg Deflazacort Tablets

The aim of this study was to develop and validate a dissolution test for the quality control of deflazacort (DEF) tablets, a drug mainly used for the prevention of organ transplantation rejection, labeled as containing 6 mg of active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), using an RP-HPLC method. After testing sink conditions and stability at 37°C, DEF was found to be unstable, and decomposed as a function of the dissolution media. However, in water the decomposition was not significant enough to interfere with the determination of dissolution for DEF. The best conditions to carry out the dissolution test were paddle at 50 rpm, with 500 mL of deaerated water at 37°C. Under these conditions, the in vitro release profiles of 6 mg DEF tablets produced by two different laboratories, representing all approved products in the national market, shown to be dissimilar. A correlation between disintegration and in vitro dissolution was found for the two investigated formulations. The developed dissolution test was adequate for its purpose and can be applied for the quality control of 6 mg DEF tablets.
High-density lipoprotein from hypercholesterolemic animals has peroxidized lipids and oligomeric apolipoprotein A-I: its putative role in atherogenesis.

Oxidized lipoproteins have been involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic lesions contain oxidized low density lipoprotein. Conversely, the presence of oxidized high density lipoprotein (HDL) in vivo has not been clearly established. Oxidation of HDL in vitro models produces an increase in peroxidized lipids and the appearance of apolipoprotein A-I (apo A-I) oligomers. We investigated the oxidative status of HDL in an in vivo model: the hypercholesterolemic chicken. The HDLs from control and hyperlipemic animals were analyzed for the content of lipid peroxides employing spectroscopic and fluorescence techniques, for the level of apo A-I oligomerization, and for susceptibility to in vitro oxidation. HDL from hypercholesterolemic chickens was more peroxidized (as detected by fluorescence), had higher amount of oligomeric apo A-I, and was oxidized to a greater extent by uv irradiation than that of control animals. We speculate that apo A-I oligomerization could be a key step in the atheroma formation.
The development and evaluation of a distance learning system in ophthalmology

INTRODUCTION: Web-based e-learning is a teaching tool increasingly used in many medical schools and specialist fields, including ophthalmology. AIMS: this pilot study aimed to develop internet-based course-based clinical cases and to evaluate the effectiveness of this method within a graduate medical education group. METHODS: this was an interventional randomized study. First, a website was built using a distance learning platform. Sixteen first-year ophthalmology residents were then divided into two randomized groups: one experimental group, which was submitted to the intervention (use of the e-learning site) and another control group, which was not submitted to the intervention. The students answered a printed clinical case and their scores were compared. RESULTS: there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. CONCLUSION: We were able to successfully develop the e-learning site and the respective clinical cases. Despite the fact that there was no statistically significant difference between the access and the non access group, the study was a pioneer in our department, since a clinical case online program had never previously been developed.
Influence of a Fusarium culmorum inoculation of wheat on the progression of mycotoxin accumulation, ingredient concentrations and ruminal in sacco dry matter degradation of wheat residues

Abstract The Fusarium head blight (FHB)-susceptible winter wheat cv. Ritmo was inoculated with spores of Fusarium culmorum at the beginning of full blossom. Samples of whole wheat plants were taken once weekly from anthesis until harvest and subsequently fractionated into straw, glumes and spindles, which were examined for deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZON). Additionally, the content of crude protein (CP) and non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) was scrutinized. Synthesis of the Fusarium toxins DON and ZON generally differed in terms of date of formation and concentration. Final mean DON concentrations of 37.5, 28.1 and 5.0 mg/kg DM were measured in glumes, spindles and straw, respectively, at the time of harvest. At this time, maximal mean ZON concentrations of 587, 396 and 275 μg/kg DM in spindles, glumes and straw, respectively, were determined. Moreover, Fusarium infected wheat residues contained higher CP but lower NSP contents at the last three sampling dates. In addition, collective samples of wheat straw and chaff were taken to investigate the effect of the Fusarium contamination on their in sacco DM degradation in dairy cows. Samples were analysed for mycotoxins and selected quality parameters. The dried and milled collective samples of straw and chaff were weighed into nylon bags and subjected to ruminal incubation for 4, 8, 16, 24, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h in two dairy cows equipped with a permanent rumen cannula. Marked differences in level of mycotoxin contamination as well as in ingredient composition between the variants of straw and chaff were detected. Moreover, after 120 h rumen incubation the in sacco DM degradation of inoculated straw and chaff were lower compared to the accordant controls. The soluble fraction was increased in inoculated samples, whereas a diminishment in the potentially degradable but insoluble fraction was more pronounced. Thereby, a decrease in the potential degradability was obtained for inoculated straw and even if less pronounced for chaff compared to the non inoculated corresponding controls. In conclusion, infection with F. culmorum of wheat involves an increased risk of mycotoxin contamination in straw. Also, a Fusarium infection may have an impact on chemical composition and may result in Fusarium growth-related modifications of host cell wall components.
Conditions for success in guided bone regeneration: retrospective study on 376 implant sites.

BACKGROUND Used alone or in association with bone, guided bone regeneration is a clinically accepted method to increase the volume of bone during implant placement. Concerns about appropriate surgical techniques and the predictability of the results questions still exist. The aim of this study was to assess the conditions for success. METHODS Three-hundred-seventy-six implants were placed in association with 214 non-resorbable membranes. In 109 implants, the membrane was secured on a blood clot; for 213 implants, membrane was placed with autogenous bone; and for 54 implants it was placed with allogenic bone. The surgical procedure, the primary closure, the timing of re-entry, and the density of regenerated tissue were studied. RESULTS In 19 membranes, barrier exposure occurred before 3 months in these instances, the regenerated tissue was removed; another 7 membranes were exposed between 3 and 6 months. The 188 non-exposed membranes were removed between 6 and 12 months. In cases of exposure before 3 months, the regenerated tissue was soft and then removed. After closure for 6 months or more, the regenerated tissue was dense and resistant to probe pressure. The best results were obtained when the membranes were placed with autogenous bone. CONCLUSIONS If all the clinical steps are appropriately followed, guided bone regeneration using an autogenous bone graft and implant placement is a predictable technique for increasing bone volume.
Algorithms for Fast Back- and Re-Projection in Computed Tomography

While the computation time for reconstructing images in C.T. is not a problem in commercial systems, there are many experimental and developmental applications where resources are limited and image reconstruction places a heavy burden on the computer system. This paper describes a very efficient back-projection algorithm which results in large time savings when implemented in machine code. Also described is a minor modification to this algorithm which converts it to a re-projection procedure with comparable efficiency.
Isolation, characterization and the multi‐lineage differentiation potential of rabbit bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are recognized by their plastic adherent ability, fibroblastic‐like appearance, expression of specific surface protein markers, and are defined by their ability to undergo multi‐lineage differentiation. Although rabbit bone marrow‐derived MSCs (rbMSCs) have been used extensively in previous studies especially in translational research, these cells have neither been defined morphologically and ultrastructurally, nor been compared with their counterparts in humans in their multi‐lineage differentiation ability. A study was therefore conducted to define the morphology, surface marker proteins, ultrastructure and multi‐lineage differentiation ability of rbMSCs. Herein, the primary rbMSC cultures of three adult New Zealand white rabbits (at least 4 months old) were used for three independent experiments. rbMSCs were isolated using the gradient‐centrifugation method, an established technique for human MSCs (hMSCs) isolation. Cells were characterized by phase contrast microscopy observation, transmission electron microscopy analysis, reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, immunocytochemistry staining, flow cytometry, alamarBlue® assay, histological staining and quantitative (q)PCR analysis. The isolated plastic adherent cells were in fibroblastic spindle‐shape and possessed eccentric, irregular‐shaped nuclei as well as rich inner cytoplasmic zones similar to that of hMSCs. The rbMSCs expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, CD81, CD90 and CD166, but were negative (or dim positive) for CD34, CD45, CD117 and HLD‐DR. Despite having similar morphology and phenotypic expression, rbMSCs possessed significantly larger cell size but had a lower proliferation rate as compared with hMSCs. Using established protocols to differentiate hMSCs, rbMSCs underwent osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Interestingly, differentiated rbMSCs demonstrated higher levels of osteogenic (Runx2) and chondrogenic (Sox9) gene expressions than that of hMSCs (P < 0.05). There was, however, no difference in the adipogenic (Pparγ) expressions between these cell types (P > 0.05). rbMSCs possess similar morphological characteristics to hMSCs, but have a higher potential for osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation, despite having a lower cell proliferation rate than hMSCs. The characteristics reported here may be used as a comprehensive set of criteria to define or characterize rbMSCs.
A Good Riddance? Spin-Offs and the Technological Performance of Parent Firms

How do spin-offs---new ventures created by former employees of an incumbent firm---affect the technological performance of their parents? Conventional wisdom holds that spin-offs hurt parent firms: the parent loses key staff, routines are disrupted, and performance declines. Although having some basis in fact, we think the negative effects are overstated. We argue that spin-offs can enable parent firms to realign with their environment, thereby avoiding the oncoming obsolescence arising from the combination of organizational inertia and environmental drift. Using data from the hard disk drive industry, we find evidence that although the main effect of having a spin-off on a parent firm's technological performance is positive, the overall impact of a spin-off depends upon the technological sophistication of the spin-off and the time since the spin-off occurred. Indeed, parent firms of technologically sophisticated (successful) spin-offs initially suffer poorer technological performance, but over time they outperform firms that had no spin-offs. Both effects are amplified to the extent that the spin-off is more successful, which we attribute to both increased environmental realignment and the positive signal that successful spin-offs transmit to the broader labor market about the parent organization's reputation as an incubator of entrepreneurs and a desirable place to work.
Stress related to family change among Vietnamese refugees.

Because life changes have been known to have consequences for emotional and physical well-being, this study demonstrates the need for community health nurses (CHNs) to assess structural and functional changes in Vietnamese refugee spousal relations as possible sources of stress following resettlement. The purpose of this study was to identify changes in the structural and functional dimensions of family life and assess their impact on spousal relations. The major variables considered in effecting change in spousal interactions were relocation, exposure to more liberal attitudes toward gender equality in the United States, and wife employment. Spousal power differentials and affectivity were used as measures of change. Intensive interviews, using a semistructured interview guide, were conducted with 30 Vietnamese refugee women; the sample was nonrandom and cross-sectional. Information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics and pre- and postresettlement spousal relations. Wife employment, associated with proficiency in English and longer length of residence in the U.S., was found to promote more egalitarian spousal relations and greater spousal affectivity. When wives were not employed, they tended to describe an increase in affectivity without an appreciable decrease in spousal power differentials. This effect was enhanced by isolation within the host society as a result of limited English skills, unemployment, and a shorter length of residence.
Self-Recognized Image Protection Technique that Resists Large-Scale Cropping

Brought up by the crucial issue of copyright, digital watermarking plays a key role in protecting integrity and providing authorization for multimedia. Efficient watermarking techniques require visual imperceptibility and robustness against various attacks. In this new approach, the authors propose a feature-based watermarking algorithm to embed a binary image as a watermark in the DCT domain to guarantee visual efficiency. In particular, the technique embeds marker bits to locate the original block of a cropped image and thereby resist synchronous damage to images. As simulation results show, compared to related methods, the proposed approach better resists several major image attacks, including cropping, shifting, blurring, noise, sharpening, and JPEG lossy compression. Moreover, this watermarking method can achieve blind extraction, in which the original image isn't required for watermark extraction and the embedded image can be restored with high visual efficiency.
Anti‐biofilm Effects of Honey Against Wound Pathogens Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter cloacae

Biofilm growth and its persistence within wounds have recently been suggested as contributing factors to impaired healing. The goal of this study was to investigate the anti‐biofilm effects of several honey samples of different botanical origin, including manuka honey against Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter cloacae wound isolates.
Cardiac injury in the aged mouse: comparative ultrastructural effects of fission spectrum neutrons and gamma rays.

Late ultrastructural changes in the myocardium and myocardial microvasculature in the ${\rm B}6{\rm CF}_{1}$ mouse have been compared through 24 months following total-body exposure to fission spectrum neutrons or ${}^{60}{\rm Co}\text{-}\gamma $ rays. Radiation treatment, initiated when the mice were 4 months old, included single doses of 788 γ rad, or 80 or 240 neutron rad, and fractionated doses of 823 or 2690 total γ rad or 20, 80, or 240 total neutron rad (24 fractions given in 23 weeks). Early damage to myofibers and capillaries of the heart were previously described to be most severe at 30 to 90 days after a single exposure. Ultrastructural findings at later times after initiation of irradiation are compared here with the effects of normal aging. At 18 and 24 months into the experiment (mice 22 and 28 months of age), only minor aging changes were noted. Extracellular areas showed minimal increases in proteoglycan matrix and collagen fibers, while myocytes h.
DNA From an Extinct Human

ANTHROPOLOGYIn a technical tour de force, scientists from Germany and the United States for the first time extracted and analyzed DNA from a Neandertal. The mitochondrial DNA sequence they found offers a new kind of evidence for the view that Neandertals were not our ancestors, but an evolutionary dead end.
Ghosts in the Machine

Publication of pharmaceutical company-sponsored research in medical journals, and its presentation at conferences and meetings, is mostly governed by `publication plans' that extract the maximum amount of scientific and commercial value out of data and analyses through carefully constructed and placed papers. Clinical research is typically performed by contract research organizations, analyzed by company statisticians, written up by independent medical writers, approved and edited by academic researchers who then serve as authors, and the whole process organized and shepherded through to journal publication by publication planners. This paper reports on a conference of an international association of publication planners. It describes and analyzes their work in an ecological framework that relates it to marketing departments of pharmaceutical companies, medical journals and publishers, academic authors, and potential audiences. The medical research described here forms a new kind of corporate science, designed to look like traditional academic work, but performed largely to market products.