Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Role of Immuno-Endocrine Interactions in Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious and airborne disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) in human beings. Commonly, the host immune response (IR) controls Mtb replication, which ultimately depends on a fine balance between the pathogen persistence and the specific IR. Cell-mediated immunity plays a major role against TB infection. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are also relevant in IR and varies throughout the course of TB treatment and its relationship with immuno-endocrine mediators dealing with disease immunopathology. This chronic infection accompanied by prolonged cytokine production, which might affect the immuno-endocrine communication and favor the establishment of an adverse state. Cytokines released by activated immune cells subsequently lead to hormonal secretion from the hypothalamic pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) or the hypothalamic pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, which regulates immune response against the pathogen and the control of the chronic inflammation induced during infection. If the immune response fails to eradicate the pathogen, a chronic state of inflammation is established. Generally, in TB infection, immuno-endocrine alterations changes the interleukin-6, cortisol, estradiol, prolactin and thyroid hormone concentrations in plasma. Moreover, it also changes the interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) production by lymphoid cells. The present review focuses on the immuno-endocrine interactions that play a detrimental role during TB infection which might affect the control of tissue damage and the protective immune responses.
Reconciling mass functions with the star-forming main sequence via mergers

We combine star formation along the ‘main sequence’, quiescence and clustering and merging to produce an empirical model for the evolution of individual galaxies. Main-sequence star formation alone would significantly steepen the stellar mass function towards low redshift, in sharp conflict with observation. However, a combination of star formation and merging produces a consistent result for correct choice of the merger rate function. As a result, we are motivated to propose a model in which hierarchical merging is disconnected from environmentally independent star formation. This model can be tested via correlation functions and would produce new constraints on clustering and merging.
Promising Early Local Control of Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Following Postoperative Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) to the Chest

PURPOSEMalignant pleural mesothelioma often recurs locally in spite of aggressive resection by extrapleural pneumonectomy and conventional radiotherapy. This may be due to failure to recognize the extent of clinical target volume (CTV) or suboptimal dose delivery to a target that abuts the heart, esophagus, liver, lung, kidney, and spinal cord. We report how these geometric/dosimetric constraints were overcome by exploiting intensity-modulated radiotherapy in the first cohort patient. MATERIALS AND METHODSTwenty-eight patients who had undergone extrapleural pneumonectomy were treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy. The CTV included the surgically violated inner chest wall, insertion of diaphragm, pleural reflections, and deep margin of the incision. CTV delineation was facilitated by intraoperative radio-opaque marking. Motion was assessed. CTV doses were 45–50 Gy with boosts taken to 60 Gy. RESULTSDespite the large, irregular CTV (median, 4151 cc; range, 2667–7286 cc), an average of 97% of the CTV was covered to the target dose (range, 92%–100%). Respiratory motion was minimal because of immobility of the prosthetic diaphragm. Normal tissue dose constraints were met. The commonest effects were nausea/vomiting (89%) and dyspnea (80%). Esophagitis was absent (59% of patients) or mild (34% grade 1/2). At median follow-up of 9 months (range, 5–27 months), local control within the contoured target was 100%. One-year survival, disease-specific survival, and disease-free survival are 65%, 91%, and 88%, respectively. CONCLUSIONSIntensity-modulated radiotherapy after extrapleural pneumonectomy is tolerable and seems effective, at least at this early point. As local control improves, systemic metastases become more common, and it may be appropriate to add novel agents to further improve the therapeutic ratio.
Inmate Violence and Correctional Staff Burnout: The Role of Sense of Security, Gender, and Job Characteristics

Violence in the workplace has serious consequences for employees and organizations. Based on a survey in early 2012 among employees from all work areas of 89 of the total 112 correctional facilities in Switzerland resulting in a sample of 2,045 employees (response rate 48.5%), this study (a) analyzed whether victimization has an impact on correctional staff burnout, (b) tested the hypothetical mediating role of sense of security in the relationship between victimization and burnout, and (c) included gender and job characteristics because work experiences and exposure to violence of staff differ strongly with gender and work tasks. Two different forms of violence were considered: (a) experienced violence (inmates-on-staff) and (b) observed violence (inmate-on-inmate). Analysis was carried out using structural equation modeling. Results show that victimization and witnessing violence between inmates negatively affect the personal sense of security and increase correctional staff burnout. In addition, the sense of security mediated the effect from experienced and observed violence on burnout. Gender and job characteristics also proved to be important. This is especially true for staff working as correctional officers and for employees working with young inmates and with inmates awaiting trial who reported a greater exposure to violence and a lower sense of security. The study adds to the knowledge on violence and its outcomes in corrections and contributes to the literature on the consequences of workplace violence in general and, specifically, in social service occupations.
Self-report questionnaire scores in rheumatoid arthritis compared with traditional physical, radiographic, and laboratory measures.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To assess whether scores on a simple self-report questionnaire to depict the clinical status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis are correlated with traditional measures of physical, radiographic, laboratory, functional, and global status. DESIGN The self-report questionnaire was administered at the same time the following variables were assessed: American Rheumatism Association functional class, joint count, hand radiograph, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, rheumatoid factor titer, walking time, grip strength, button test, and global self-assessment. SETTING University rheumatology clinic, the rheumatology clinic of a Veterans Administration hospital, and a private rheumatology practice. PATIENTS The study included 259 patients who met the criteria of the American Rheumatism Association for a diagnosis of definite or classic rheumatoid arthritis. INTERVENTIONS Standard rheumatologic care for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Self-report questionnaire scores were significantly correlated with the joint count, radiographic score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, grip strength, button test, walking time, American Rheumatism Association functional class, and global self-assessment. Patients were categorized into five questionnaire score categories of 1.00, indicating no dysfunction, and 1.01 to 1.50, 1.51 to 2.00, 2.01 to 3.00, and 3.01 to 4.00, indicating progressive dysfunction. In these five categories, more than ten involved joints were seen in 11%, 37%, 67%, 79%, and 100% of patients, respectively, and erythrocyte sedimentation rates greater than 20 mm/h in 29%, 49%, 64%, 74%, and 85% of patients, respectively. Similar results were seen for other physical and radiographic measures. The questionnaire score was as effective in explaining other measures of clinical status as was any other available measure. CONCLUSIONS A simple self-report questionnaire provides information similar to many traditional measures in rheumatoid arthritis and appears to be an attractive, cost-effective approach to assessing and monitoring quantitatively the status of an individual patient.
PROPULSION ANALYSIS OF A CARANGIFORM FISH ROBOT

At this paper is presented a study of the carangiform robot fish propulsion. A review of recent papers is presented at the introduction. Several works all around the world are devoted to this research subject. At this paper the well-known sinusoidal gait is implemented at the hardware through a numerical algorithm. Some solutions for the gait control to define trajectories in a plane are discussed. The mechanical structure of the biomimetic robot is inspired on the class of carangiform fishes, like the tuna. The attitude measurement and control and the electronic circuits needed to control the robot and to supervise the whole system are presented. The sensors needed to obtain autonomous movement control and power supply are also analyzed. At the end of the work it is presented the future steps of this research, where the forces acting at the tail will be considered at the propulsion algorithm.
Fetal Catecholamine Release in Response to Labor and Delivery

Umbilical arterial plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine weie measured using a sensitive, specific radioenzymatic assay. Plasma catecholamines were correlated with umbilical arterial blood gases, durations of the first and second stages of labor, duration of rupture of the membranes, fetal heart rate tracings, and fetal sex. Significant correlations were observed for plasma norepinephrine versus fetal pH and P02 and plasma epinephrine versus pH but not Po2. The majority of the fetal heart rate tracings demonstrated either a normal baseline or mild variable decelerations. The plasma catecholamines and blood gases were similar in these 2 groups. Significant elevations of both plasma catecholamines were observed with those tracings commonly associated with fetal distress; however, the number of infants was small. No sex differences were observed in plasma norepinephrine or epinephrine or in responsiveness. The results suggest that the human fetus at term responds to acidosis and hypoxia with a graded catecholamine release. This may be an important adaptive mechanism.
Retinal microvascular diameters: normative data and their use in clinical hypertension.

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Theoretical examination of behavioural feedback in the application of teledietetics to weight reduction

Introduction Behavioural feedback can be attained through electronic self-monitoring with teledietetics. This study examined the theoretical framework of the theory of planned behaviour, which suggests that behavioural feedback contributes to the intention to initiate and maintain weight loss. Methods A quasi-experiment involving adults aged 20–50 years with a body mass index greater than 23 kg/m2 was conducted. The experimental group (EG) comprised 25 participants who used electronic dietary records for self-monitoring. The control group (CG) comprised 25 participants who used paper-format dietary records for self-monitoring. Data pertaining to the theory of planned behaviour were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. After an initial measurement, each participant’s body weight was measured again at Week 12 and at Week 24, following a 12-week observation period. Hierarchical regression analyses of planned behaviour components were conducted for each power to predict the participants’ intentions to lose 10% of their body weight. Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the odds ratio of intention, perceived behavioural control (PBC) and the group effect (CG vs EG) for predicting the initiation and maintenance of 10% weight loss. Results At Week 12, the odds ratios for intention, the PBC and the group effect were 2.154, 0.330 and 0.654, respectively, and those at Week 24 were 3.255, 0.499 and 24.592, respectively. The group effect contributed significantly to weight-loss maintenance at Week 24. Discussion Behavioural feedback through electronic self-monitoring improved the intention to achieve weight-loss maintenance, which may indicate the importance of behaviour reflection in weight-loss maintenance.
Randomized phase II study of the anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibody cetuximab with cisplatin versus cisplatin alone in patients with metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

PURPOSE Epidermal growth factor receptor is overexpressed in metastatic triple-negative breast cancers (mTNBCs), an aggressive subtype of breast cancer. Our randomized phase II study investigated cisplatin with or without cetuximab in this setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who had received no more than one previous chemotherapy regimen were randomly assigned on a 2:1 schedule to receive no more than six cycles of cisplatin plus cetuximab or cisplatin alone. Patients receiving cisplatin alone could switch to cisplatin plus cetuximab or cetuximab alone on disease progression. The primary end point was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary end points studied included progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety profiles. Analyses included a significance level of α = . 10 with no adjustments for multiplicity. RESULTS The full analysis set comprised 115 patients receiving cisplatin plus cetuximab and 58 receiving cisplatin alone; 31 patients whose disease progressed on cisplatin alone switched to cetuximab-containing therapy. The ORR was 20% (95% CI, 13 to 29) with cisplatin plus cetuximab and 10% (95% CI, 4 to 21) with cisplatin alone (odds ratio, 2.13; 95% CI, 0.81 to 5.59; P = .11). Cisplatin plus cetuximab resulted in longer PFS compared with cisplatin alone (median, 3.7 v 1.5 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.67; 95% CI, 0.47 to 0.97; P = .032). Corresponding median OS was 12.9 versus 9.4 months (HR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.56 to 1.20; P = .31). Common grade 3/4 adverse events included acne-like rash, neutropenia, and fatigue. CONCLUSION While the primary study end point was not met, adding cetuximab to cisplatin doubled the ORR and appeared to prolong PFS and OS, warranting further investigation in mTNBC.
Prolapse of the uterine tube after subtotal hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is one of the most frequently performed operations in gynaecology. Subtotal hysterectomy may lead to complete relief of symptoms while sexual and bladder function may be less affected, compared with total hysterectomy. Many comparative studies have been published, as well as a decision analysis. According to the latest reports, the earlier proposed benefits of subtotal hysterectomy have not been substantiated, and complications following both procedures seem to be more or less comparable. In this case report, we present a complication which, to our knowledge, never before occurred following subtotal hysterectomy but is known as a rare complication of both vaginal and abdominal hysterectomy. A 49 year old woman visited the outpatient department of our hospital with menorrhagia resulting in anaemia. She had a history of angina pectoris, severe abuse of alcohol and psychiatric problems. Transvaginal sonography showed uterine fibroids. She was initially treated with lynestrenol, which failed to relieve her symptoms. She then received goserelin, also without success. A subtotal hysterectomy was performed without complication. A reversed conal biopsy, as suggested in literature in order to prevent persistent menstruation, was not performed. The woman went home one week later. Two weeks after discharge she attended the outpatient department complaining of abdominal discomfort and vaginal discharge and bleeding. Transvaginal sonography showed an echodense mass measuring 6 5 8 cm, thought to be an abscess or an organising haematoma, situated at the top of the cervix. Amoxycillin was started, after which her fever decreased. The pelvic mass also decreased, and drainage was not performed. Two weeks later, her fever and abdominal discomfort had fully disappeared. On speculum examination, a polyp protruded from the external os of the cervix. On close inspection, this structure seemed to be the fimbrial part of a uterine tube. Pulling of the structure resulted in pain on the left side of the lower abdomen. Under regional anaesthesia, the uterine tube was resected transvaginally as proximally as possible, 5 cm from the fimbrial end (Fig. 1). The proximal part of the uterine tube retracted via the cervical canal into the abdomen. Finally, the external os was securely closed. The woman recovered from this operation without any problems and was discharged later that day. Pathological examination of the excised tissue confirmed that it was a uterine tube. One year later she has had no complaints.
Beliefs about learning, self-regulated strategies and text comprehension among Chinese children.

BACKGROUND Most studies have investigated college and high school students' epistemological beliefs in Western contexts, with few studies examining how beliefs about learning are related to children's strategies and comprehension in the Chinese cultural context. AIMS The present study investigated Chinese elementary school children's beliefs about learning and examined their relations with self-regulated learning strategies and text comprehension. SAMPLE The participants were 417 Grade 5 (mean age=10.8 years) and 420 Grade 6 (mean age=11.9 years) elementary school children in Hong Kong. METHODS A questionnaire assessing children's beliefs about learning was constructed; children were also asked to complete the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire and several text comprehension tasks assessing deep understanding. RESULTS Factor analysis indicated two contrasting factors of constructivist and reproductive beliefs about learning. High achievers outperformed low achievers on beliefs, strategy and comprehension scores. Multiple regression indicated that constructivist beliefs contributed to text comprehension over and above the effects of grade and strategy. CONCLUSIONS This study corroborates current research on the roles of beliefs and strategies in text comprehension and suggests that meta-cognitive beliefs and strategies examined in English reading can also be identified among Chinese children in text comprehension.
A study of compressibility effects in the high-speed turbulent shear layer using direct simulation

Direct simulations of the turbulent shear layer are performed for subsonic to supersonic Mach numbers. Fully developed turbulence is achieved with profiles of mean velocity and turbulence intensities that agree well with laboratory experiments. The thickness growth rate of the shear layer exhibits a large reduction with increasing values of the convective Mach number, Mc. In agreement with previous investigations, it is found that the normalized pressure–strain term decreases with increasing Mc, which leads to inhibited energy transfer from the streamwise to cross-stream fluctuations, to the reduced turbulence production observed in DNS, and, finally, to reduced turbulence levels as well as reduced growth rate of the shear layer. An analysis, based on the wave equation for pressure, with supporting DNS is performed with the result that the pressure–strain term decreases monotonically with increasing Mach number. The gradient Mach number, which is the ratio of the acoustic time scale to the flow distortion time scale, is shown explicitly by the analysis to be the key quantity that determines the reduction of the pressure–strain term in compressible shear flows. The physical explanation is that the finite speed of sound in compressible flow introduces a finite time delay in the transmission of pressure signals from one point to an adjacent point and the resultant increase in decorrelation leads to a reduction in the pressure–strain correlation. The dependence of turbulence intensities on the convective Mach number is investigated. It is found that all components decrease with increasing Mc and so does the shear stress. DNS is also used to study the effect of different free-stream densities parameterized by the density ratio, s = ρ2/ρ1, in the high-speed case. It is found that changes in the temporal growth rate of the vorticity thickness are smaller than the changes observed in momentum thickness growth rate. The momentum thickness growth rate decreases substantially with increasing departure from the reference case, s = 1. The peak value of the shear stress, uv, shows only small changes as a function of s. The dividing streamline of the shear layer is observed to move into the low-density stream. An analysis is performed to explain this shift and the consequent reduction in momentum thickness growth rate.
Treatment of plantar fasciitis with dexamethasone with lidocaine hydrochloride

Background: Plantar heel pain is a commonly occurring foot complaint. Various electrotherapy modalities are frequently utilized as a treatment. Objective: To determine the effects of a combination of dexamethasone with lidocaine hydrochloride for the treatment of patients with plantar fasciitis (PF). Materials and Methods: A total of 40 patients suffering from PF were divided into two groups; Group A received iontophoresis with distilled water along with 4 mg/mL dexamethasone and 2 cm3 of lidocaine hydrochloride (4% lidocaine hydrochloride), and Group B received iontophoresis with distilled water. Both groups received stretching of plantar fascia and calf muscles, followed by ultrasound for 5 min. Treatment for each patient was for a period of 2 weeks with 3 sessions per week. Result: Group A showed significant decrease in symptoms of PF posttreatment. Conclusion: Iontophoresis with lidocaine hydrochloride showed better results in decreasing symptoms of PF as compared to iontophoresis with distilled water only.
Parametric randomization‐based methods for correcting for treatment changes in the assessment of the causal effect of treatment

We develop parametric maximum likelihood methods to adjust for treatment changes during follow‐up in order to assess the causal effect of treatment in clinical trials with time‐to‐event outcomes. The accelerated failure time model of Robins and Tsiatis relates each observed event time to the underlying event time that would have been observed if the control treatment had been given throughout the trial. We introduce a bivariate parametric frailty model for time to treatment change and time to trial endpoint. Estimating equations which respect the randomization are constructed and compared to maximum likelihood methods in a simulation study. The Concorde trial of immediate versus deferred zidovudine in HIV infection is used as a motivating example and illustration of the methods. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.