Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intracorneal asymmetrical rings for keratoconus: where should the thicker segment be implanted?

PURPOSE To report a 20-year-old man who presented with monocular diplopia in the right eye with uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) of 0.3 and best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) of 1.0 with -0.50 -3.00 x 45 degrees. METHODS Clinical examination and corneal topography revealed grade I keratoconus in the right eye. Intracorneal ring segments (INTACS; Addition Technology, Des Plaines, III) were implanted in May 2004 without surgical complications at 415 microm (70% of the corneal thickness), with the 450-microm segment implanted superiorly and the 250-microm segment inferiorly. RESULTS For 2 months postoperatively, BSCVA remained at 0.4 with +1.50 -4.50 x 25 degrees. The segments were reversed, implanting the 450-microm (thick) segment inferiorly and the 250-microm (thin) segment superiorly. One week later, UCVA was 1.0 and remained stable for 3 months after reimplantation. CONCLUSIONS This report shows that implanting the thicker segment inferiorly provides better visual results.
PHENOTYPIC CORRELATIONS BETWEEN LIVE BODY WEIGHT AND CARCASS TRAITS IN ARBOR ACRE BREED OF BROILER CHICKEN

This study was aimed at determining the relationship between live body weight and carcass traits in Arbor Acre broiler chicken. Fifty day -old broiler chicks were purchased and raised on deep litter system until 56 days of age. At maturity, ten birds were randomly selected for carcass evaluation. The analyzed data showed that live weight has statistically significant (P<0.01) positive phenotypic correlation wi th dressing weight, eviscerated weight, carcass weight, breast muscle weight, back weight, thigh weight and drumstick weight. There was also statistically significant (P<0.01) positive regression coefficient between live weight and all the carcass traits. In addition, significant (P<0.01) positive phenotypic correlations among the various carcass traits were indicated in this study. The obtained results showed that all the carcass traits measured were good indicators of live weight, and that anyone of them could be used to predict its value. There is a gene linkage effect operating on these traits. Therefore, in a situation whereby the live weights of birds are not measured before slaughter, the weight of any of the component parts could be used to determine the live weight since there was strong association between live weight and all the carcass traits.
Transcranial direct current stimulation for hyperactivity and noncompliance in autistic disorder

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of inhibitory transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for the treatment of behavioural abnormalities of autistic patients. Methods. Twelve young adult patients with autistic disorder were enrolled. All subjects presented intellectual disability and most of them had speech impairment. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) was administered as the primary outcome measure before and after a 2-week tDCS course. All subjects received 10 daily applications of 20 min/1.5 mA/cathodal (inhibitory) tDCS over the left dorso-lateral pre-frontal cortex. Results. Eight out of 10 study completers improved in their abnormal behaviours, reaching an average reduction of 26.7% of the total ABC score. The remaining two patients showed no changes. In the whole group of completers, among the five subscales contributing to the significant reduction of the total score, the most remarkable and statistically significant change was seen in the subscale assessing hyperactivity and non-compliance (–35.9%, P = 0.002). No adverse effects were reported. Conclusions. Inhibitory tDCS improved the ABC rating scores for autistic behaviours. Owing to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness and the limited availability of specific treatment strategies, tDCS might be a valid therapeutic option to be tested in autistic patients.
Normal vertebral dimensions and normal variation in serial measurements of vertebrae

A total of 568 lateral spine radiographs of 191 generally healthy white perimenopausal women were used to determine the limits of normal for shape and dimensions of the vertebral bodies most often involved in osteoporotic fracture. Anterior and posterior vertebral heights for T7–L4 were used to compute wedge shape, relative posterior height, and relative serial change. Wedge shape was defined as anterior height minus posterior height divided by posterior height. Relative posterior height was defined as the posterior height of a vertebra minus the posterior height of the vertebra superior divided by the posterior height of the vertebra superior.
Critical Issues That Need to Be Addressed to Improve Outcomes for Patients With Carotid Stenosis

Significant improvement in outcomes for patients with carotid stenosis requires liberation from the historic fixation with randomization and a procedurally based, late-stage, reactive approach to medical care. We require a multipronged and multidisciplinary approach that includes all of the following: (i) removal of overreliance on, and biased use of, randomized trial data; (ii) using accurate ways to rank evidence quality and relevance; (iii) improved research reporting standards; (iv) building quality assurance and other research capability into routine practice; (v) producing evidence-true rather than evidence-based guidelines; (vi) bringing current optimal medical treatment to the community and measuring its effectiveness; (vii) funding only interventions known to help patients when and where they are treated and use the savings to fund vital research, including quality assurance in routine practice; and (viii) recognize that making the indication for carotid procedures obsolete is a good thing.
Seasonal patterns of LH, testosterone and semen quality in the Northern pintail duck (Anas acuta).

This study characterized seasonal changes in circulating LH and testosterone and in semen production and quality in the Northern pintail duck. Plasma LH and testosterone were measured in blood samples collected weekly throughout the year from eight males exposed to natural fluctuations in day length and temperature. Semen quality was evaluated weekly in these same males from April-June, the months when spermatozoa were produced. Semen quality (based on sperm concentration and normal morphology) peaked 0-2 weeks after sperm production onset and decreased sharply before sperm production cessation in late June. Nadir LH concentrations were measured in July and August with peak LH observed in May and November. There were clear seasonal patterns in circulating testosterone with July-September values being less (P<0.05) than October-December which, in turn, were less (P<0.05) than January-March. Maximal circulating testosterone (P<0.05) occurred during April-June, coincident with semen production. Weekly circulating LH during the breeding season was directly related to testosterone concentrations (P<0.01), but was not correlated to any specific semen or sperm trait (P>0.05). Testosterone concentrations throughout the breeding season were correlated (P<0.05) to total numbers of spermatozoa produced (volume x cell concentration) and percent normal sperm morphology. In summary, the Northern pintail experiences seasonal hormone fluctuations, with maximum circulating testosterone coinciding with peak ejaculate quality reflected by the production of high numbers of morphologically normal spermatozoa.
Increased prevalence of human papillomaviruses in the lower genital tract of pregnant women

In order to evaluate the influence of pregnancy on the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the lower female genital tract, cervical smears of 92 pregnant and 96 non‐pregnant women, matched by age, were examined for the presence of HPV‐DNA by means of Southern blot hybridization. All patients had negative PAP smears. Twenty‐six (28%) of the pregnant women and 12 (12.5%) of the non‐pregnant women were positive for HPV. HPV 16 accounted for 42% of all positive pregnant cases and only 25% of the positive non‐pregnant cases. Smears of pregnant patients contained more than 10 pg viral DNA in 45% of the cases against 20% in the non‐pregnant group. HPV 16 showed the most active replication in both groups. This study demonstrates an increased prevalence of HPV (preferentially of HPV 16) and a higher replication rate of viral DNA during pregnancy.
Epidemic spread of Shigella sonnei shigellosis and evidence for development of immunity among children attending day-care centers in a communal settlement (Kibbutz)

An investigation of two Shigella sonnei shigellosis outbreaks that occurred in a communal settlement indicated that the transmission of the pathogen was restricted to day-care classes and secondary infection of family members was minimal. Development of serotype-specific immunity following S. sonnei infection was observed among infected children.
Factors Influencing Maternal Mental Health after the Birth of a Child with a Cleft in Benin and in Switzerland

Objective The main objective of the study is to identify practical and cultural factors influencing the mental health of mothers of children with an orofacial cleft in Benin and to compare it with a sample of Swiss mothers in the same conditions. Method Thirty-six mothers of children with an orofacial cleft in Benin and 40 mothers of children with an orofacial cleft in Switzerland were interviewed about practical and emotional aspects concerning their child and their own lives. Then, they completed the Perinatal Postraumatic Stress Questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory. Results Mothers in Benin had significantly higher posttraumatic stress and depression symptoms compared with mothers in Switzerland. Depression symptoms were higher in Beninese mothers coming from urban areas, in Beninese mothers with few or no other children, and in Beninese mothers whose child was operated on at a more advanced age. Discussion This study stressed the importance of cultural differences in perceptions of orofacial clefts in order to provide appropriate care to patients and their families. In particular, wide campaigns of information should help parents to understand the cleft origin and the medical staff in small dispensaries to provide adequate support and care. This may diminish anxiety concerning the child's short- and long-term prognosis. Creation of a Beninese parental support group for children with clefts and their families could be another way to provide information and support where multidisciplinary care is not available.
Neuronal Differentiation in the Rat Hippocampus Involves a Stage‐specific Reorganization of Subnuclear Structure both In Vivo and In Vitro

Pyramidal neurons from the hippocampus undergo a well characterized programme of differentiation in vitro involving five distinct stages (1–5). While some important aspects of the dynamic organization of cell cytoplasmic structure that underlie neuronal polarization have been elucidated, little is known about corresponding changes in nuclear organization. Here we identify major changes affecting nuclear structure and gene expression during late stages of differentiation. At stage 4 a sustained increase in global transcriptional activity occurs. This is followed at stage 5 by proliferation of coiled bodies, i.e. subnuclear organelles containing splicing factors, which form a novel domain around the nucleolus that we refer to as the rosette. Both the morphology and timing of rosette formation are identical in neurons in vitro and in situ in the developing hippocampus in rat brain. Long‐term synaptic inhibition in vitro or growth at low density does not prevent either nuclear reorganization, enhanced transcriptional activity or the formation of pre‐synaptic specializations. These data indicate that stage‐specific changes in nuclear structure and function, similar to distinct rearrangements of cytoplasmic components, are pre‐programmed aspects of the neuronal differentiation pathway in the hippocampus.
MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF THE MOST PREVALENT MUTATION OF GLUCOSE-6- PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE (G6PD) GENE IN DEFICIENT PATIENTS IN GILAN PROVINCE

Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) is a cytosolic enzyme which its main function is to produce NADPH in the red blood cells by controlling the step from Glucose-6-Phosphate to 6-Phospho gluconate in the pentose phosphate pathway. G6PD deficiency is the most common X-chromosome linked hereditary enzymopathy in the world, that result in reduced enzyme activity and more than 125 different mutations causing it have been identified. In the present study we analyzed peripheral blood samples of 103 unrelated patients with G6PD deficiency in Gilan Province in the north of Iran. DNA samples from these subjects were analyzed for the presence of certain known G6PD mutations by the appropriate restriction enzyme digestion of fragments, amplified by PCR. In this way, it revealed that Mediterranean mutation (C563T, Ser 188 Phe) is predominant in this area and 89 samples out of 103 (86.4%) have this mutation, indicating a higher prevalence of this mutation, in Gilan in Comparison to Mazandaran (66.2%). Among other patients, 10 samples (9.71%) have Chatham mutation (G1003A, Ala 335 Thr), but none of the samples was found to have Cosenza mutation (G1367, Arg 459 Pro).
Body size and risk of colon and rectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).

BACKGROUND Body weight and body mass index (BMI) are positively related to risk of colon cancer in men, whereas weak or no associations exist in women. This discrepancy may be related to differences in fat distribution between sexes or to the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women. METHODS We used multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to examine the association between anthropometric measures and risks of colon and rectal cancer among 368 277 men and women who were free of cancer at baseline from nine countries of the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS During 6.1 years of follow-up, we identified 984 and 586 patients with colon and rectal cancer, respectively. Body weight and BMI were statistically significantly associated with colon cancer risk in men (highest versus lowest quintile of BMI, relative risk [RR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12 to 2.15; P(trend) = . 006) but not in women. In contrast, comparisons of the highest to the lowest quintile showed that several anthropometric measures, including waist circumference (men, RR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.93; P(trend) = . 001; women, RR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.08 to 2.03; P(trend) = . 008), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; men, RR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.15; P(trend) = . 006; women, RR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.05; P(trend) = . 002), and height (men, RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.98; P(trend) = . 04; women, RR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.30 to 2.46; P(trend)<. 001) were related to colon cancer risk in both sexes. The estimated absolute risk of developing colon cancer within 5 years was 203 and 131 cases per 100,000 men and 129 and 86 cases per 100,000 women in the highest and lowest quintiles of WHR, respectively. Upon further stratification, no association of waist circumference and WHR with risk of colon cancer was observed among postmenopausal women who used HRT. None of the anthropometric measures was statistically significantly related to rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS Waist circumference and WHR, indicators of abdominal obesity, were strongly associated with colon cancer risk in men and women in this population. The association of abdominal obesity with colon cancer risk may vary depending on HRT use in postmenopausal women; however, these findings require confirmation in future studies.
A non‐pathogenic pseudoautosomal region 1 (PAR1) copy number variant downstream of SHOX

A Non-Pathogenic Pseudoautosomal Region 1 (PAR1) Copy Number Variant Downstream of SHOX Orit Reish,* C eline Huber, Gheona Altarescu, Daphne Chapman-Shimshoni, Ephrat Levy-Lahad, Paul Renbaum, Maya Mashevich, Arnold Munnich, and Val erie Cormier-Daire Genetics Institute, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin, Israel Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel INSERM U781 and D epartement de G en etique, Universit e Paris Descartes, Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris, France Medical Genetics Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel Hebrew University Hadassah School of Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel
So , you want to use next-generation sequencing in marine systems ? Insight from the Pan-Pacific Advanced

—The emerging field of next-generation sequencing (NGs) is rapidly expanding capabilities for cutting edge genomic research, with applications that can help meet marine conservation challenges of food security, biodiversity loss, and climate change. Navigating the use of these tools, however, is complex at best. Furthermore, applications of marine genomic questions are limited in developing nations where both marine biodiversity and threats to marine biodiversity are most concentrated. This is particularly true in southeast Asia. The first Pan-Pacific Advanced studies Institute (PacAsI) entitled “Genomic Applications to Marine science and resource Management in southeast Asia” was held in July 2012 in Dumaguete, Philippines, with the intent to draw together leading scientists from both sides of the Pacific Ocean to understand the potential of NGs in helping address the aforementioned challenges. Here we synthesize discussions held during the PacAsI to provide perspectives and guidance to help scientists new to NGs choose among the variety of available advanced genomic methodologies specifically for marine science questions. In July 2012, the first Pan-Pacific Advanced studies Institute (PacAsI), funded by the United states National science Foundation, was held in Dumaguete, Philippines (http://sci.odu.edu/impa/pacasi/index.html). Entitled “Genomic Applications to Marine science and resource Management in southeast Asia,” the 2-wk workshop 1 Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, 2141 Terasaki Life Science Building, 610 Charles E Young Drive South, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles,
Changes in Respiratory Pattern Affect Dead Space/Tidal Volume Ratio during Spontaneous but not during Controlled Ventilation: A Study in Pediatric Patients

It is assumed in many gas exchange equations that dead space (VD) is a constant fraction of tidal volume (VT) during anesthesia despite variations in respiratory pattern. We tested this assumption by measuring VD/VT ratios, using samples of mixed expired gas and arterial blood in 20 healthy anesthetized children (aged 1 to 17 years), divided into three groups. Group 1 was intubated; ventilation was controlled; total minute ventilation was held constant; and frequency (f) varied from 10 to 30/minute. Group 2 was intubated; breathing was spontaneous; and pattern was altered from fast and shallow to slow and deep. Group 3 was given mask anesthesia; breathing was spontaneous; and VD/VT was measured at fast frequency only. The inter-relationships of dead space to tidal volume varied with the type of ventilation. In group 1 VD increased in direct proportion to VT (mean slope 0.25 ± 0.05; p < 0.001). In group 2, VD was smaller and remained constant despite alterations in tidal volume (mean slope 0.09 ± 0.09; p > 0.05). Although VD/VT at the fast frequency was similar in the two groups, i.e., 0.35 in group 1 (f = 30) and 0.36 in group 2 (f = 35.6), differences became evident at slower frequencies. For a 50% reduction in frequency, VD/VT decreased only 15% during controlled ventilation, but 41% during spontaneous respiration. During mask anesthesia (group 3) VD/VT at a mean frequency at 29.4 was 0.55. For group 2 VD per kilogram was related to age by the equation VD/kg = 1.72–0.06 (age in years) ml at the fast frequency of 35.6 (n = 7; r = 0.73). The equation at a slower frequency of 23.2 was not significantly different. During mechanical ventilation the dead space volume was always larger than during spontaneous breathing and in addition was rate dependent. At f = 30, VD/kg = 2.78–0.10 (age in years) ml (n = 7, r = 0.80); at f = 10, VD/kg = 6.74–0.25 (age in years) ml (n = 7; r = 0.83). These measurements demonstrate that in children with spontaneous respiration, increases in tidal volume are distributed to perfused lung regions with a net decrease in VD/VT ratio. In contrast, with controlled ventilation wasted ventilation increases as VT is increased with no net change in VD/VT ratio.
Dynamic Code Sharing Algorithms for IP Quality of Service in Wideband CDMA 3G Wireless Networks

This research investigated the efficient utilization of wireless bandwidth in Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)systems that support multiple data rates with Orthogonal Variable Spreading Factor (OVSF)codes. The specific problem being addressed was that currently proposed public-domain algorithms for assigning OVSF codes make inefficient use of wireless bandwidth for bursty data traffic sources with different Quality of Service (QoS) requirements. The purpose of this research was to develop an algorithm for the assignment of OVSF spreading codes in a Third-Generation (3G)Wideband CDMA (WCDMA)system. The goal of this algorithm was to efficiently utilize limited, wireless resources for bursty data traffic sources with different QoS requirements. The key contribution of this research was the implementation and testing of two code sharing techniques which are not implemented in existing OVSF code assignment algorithms. These techniques were termed statistical multiplexing and dynamic code sharing. The statistical multiplexing technique used a shared channel to support multiple bursty traffic sources. The dynamic code sharing technique supported multiple data users by temporarily granting access to dedicated channels. These techniques differed in terms of both complexity and performance guarantees.
Organizational Learning, Innovation and Performance: A Study of Malaysian Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

This empirical study attempts to investigate the effect of organizational learning on innovation as well as the impact of innovation on company performance. Based on the literature review, two hypotheses are proposed to guide the study: the positive impact of organizational learning on innovation and the positive relationship between innovation and performance. Data was collected via electronic survey from 102 small and medium enterprises operating in the ICT industry in Malaysia. Findings from the study support both the two hypotheses thus providing further evidence that organizational learning contributes to innovation capability, and that innovation is positively related to performance. Several guidelines and practical implications from the study are also discussed.
Interrupted actions affect output monitoring and event-related potentials (ERPs)

Memory for performed and interrupted actions was measured on source recognition and source recall tests in order to investigate output monitoring (i.e., memory for actions). Event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded during the source recognition test to provide insight into the neural basis of output monitoring (OM). Source identification and recall of performed actions was greater than interrupted actions, thereby replicating the enactment effect. Examination of memory errors revealed that interrupted actions were more often mistaken as performed actions. The ERP data indicated that brain activity elicited by performed actions differed from interrupted and new actions. A clear difference in temporal onset of two ERP effects (i.e., a central-parietal and a frontal ERP difference) was observed, and it supports the previous hypothesis that two distinct processes support OM and source monitoring judgements. The pattern of frontal ERP differences suggested that interrupted actions prompted people to use more systematic decision processes overall to make OM judgements. Central-parietal ERP effects suggested that sensori-motor information was not recollected for interrupted actions—rather OM judgements were based on cognitive operations in this case.