Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on left ventricular function assessed by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome.

AIMS In this study, we aimed to assess left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) and to investigate the effects of 6 month continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on LV systolic and diastolic functions. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 28 new diagnosed moderate and severe OSAS patients (apnoea-hypopnoea index >15) and 18 control group. Exclusion criteria were the presence of structural heart disease, pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidaemia, alcoholism, neuromuscular disease, renal failure, or malignancy. They were not previously considered or treated for OSA and were all free of drugs. Left ventricular lateral and septal wall early myocardial peak velocity (Em), late myocardial peak velocity (Am), Em to Am ratio, myocardial relaxation time (RTm), myocardial systolic wave (Sm) velocity, isovolumic acceleration (IVA), myocardial pre-contraction time (PCTm), contraction time (CTm), and PCTm to CTm ratio were measured. All echocardiographic parameters were calculated 6 months after CPAP therapy. No statistically significant difference was detected between the groups according to age, gender, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, fasting blood glucose, and serum lipid parameters. Left ventricular systolic parameters, such as LV septal and lateral wall IVA, CTm, and PCTm to CTm ratio, were significantly lower and Sm was similar in patients with the OSAS group compared with the controls. Left ventricular diastolic parameters, such as LV septal and lateral wall Em velocity and Em to Am ratio, were significantly lower; RTm was significantly prolonged; and Am velocity was similar in patients with OSAS compared with the controls. At the end of the treatment, 20 of 28 patients were compliant with CPAP therapy. Left ventricular septal and lateral wall Em velocity, Em to Am ratio, IVA and CTm, and PCTm to CTm increased significantly, PCTm, PCTm to CTm ratio, and RTm decreased significantly after the therapy, whereas Sm velocity and Am velocity did not change after CPAP therapy in compliant patients. CONCLUSION Left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunctions were determined in patients with OSAS, and it was demonstrated that LV systolic and diastolic dysfunctions improved with 6 month CPAP therapy.
Current concepts in radiation enteritis and implications for future clinical trials

Radiation enteritis is one of the most feared complications of abdominal and pelvic radiation. Once its occurs, the process is relentless and may result in the patient's death. Available treatment is only supportive. Recent progress in molecular biology has shed some light on the pathogenesis of radiation enteritis and other diseases that are characterized by excessive fibrosis. New treatment modalities may be devised to improve the outcome of patients who are affected with this complication.
Empirical evidence of regional population concentration in Europe, 1870–2000

This paper presents empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that, over time, Europe's population has undergone progressive regional concentration. Using data at the regional level from the first (1870) until the most recent (2000) available censuses, it is shown that the most densely populated areas in 1870 have continued to absorb subsequent population increase, and that as a result, territorial inequalities with respect to population have been exacerbated. Our main contribution consists of measuring this phenomenon and studying the spatial distribution of population in Europe from a historical perspective. For example, a high correlation (0.83) was found between the population density patterns for 1870 and 2000. These results allow a better understanding of the organisation of European society and more specifically of the phenomenon of counter-urbanisation, which has traditionally been observed at the local level but not at the regional one. To make this possible, we have built a new and comprehensive database on the distribution of population in Central and Western Europe between 1870 and 2000. In this paper we explain the methodology followed, which involves the combination of historical information from a variety of sources, to produce a homogeneous, regional-scale database that considers changes in European administrative borders within recent history. This database has been produced to trace the evolution of regional population throughout this period and to provide an insight into the most important long-term trends and spatial patterns affecting European population. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanism for levitated superconductor experiment

A mechanism for a levitated superconductor experiment has been proposed and is being developed with the final target of defining the kilogram in terms of fundamental constants. Improving the stability of the levitated object by means of introducing a superconducting linear bearing is the aim of the work reported in this paper. The strategy of this development, results of the preparatory experiments, and further prospects are discussed.
The diagnosis of GI stromal tumors with EUS-guided fine needle aspiration with immunohistochemical analysis.

BACKGROUND With the advent of immunohistochemical analysis, the term "gastrointestinal stromal tumor" (GIST) was proposed to designate the largest category of primary nonepithelial neoplasms. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) is useful for diagnosis of GISTs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phenotyping of GISTs and diagnosis of malignant GISTs by using EUS-FNA with immunohistochemical analysis. METHODS A diagnosis of GIST was made in 23 patients by using EUS-FNA with immunohistochemical analysis. The accuracy of EUS-FNA diagnosis compared with the EUS imaging alone was analyzed. Additionally, immunophenotyping of specimens obtained by EUS-FNA and surgical resection specimens was compared. Factors that were diagnostic for malignant GISTs were also analyzed. RESULTS The overall accuracy for the diagnosis of malignant GIST was 78% (18/23) by EUS imaging alone and 91% (21/23) by histopathologic evaluation (H&E staining) of specimens obtained by EUS-FNA. In 21 of 23 cases (91%) the immunohistochemical expressions of c-kit, CD34, muscle actin, and S-100 coincided for the FNA and surgical specimens. The presence of mitotic cells (p = 0.011) and the Ki-67 labeling index (p < 0.0001) with respect to the FNA specimens were significant predictive factors for malignant GIST. For the diagnosis of malignant GIST, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of EUS-FNA with the addition of Ki-67 immunohistochemical staining were 100%. CONCLUSIONS EUS-FNA with immunohistochemical analysis is useful in the preoperative diagnosis of GIST. It provides abundant information on immunohistochemical subtyping and on the capacity of the tumor for cellular progression.
The Elderly's Fear of Crime

Research on fear of crime reveals that the pervasiveness and intensity of fear in the United States is substantially higher among the elderly than younger persons. The relationship between age and fear of crime is seemingly paradoxical because the elderly tend to be least often victimized. This article critically assesses much of the research on fear of crime among the elderly. Our analysis shows that (1) several of the standard fear of crime measures are poorly operationalized and (2) estimates of the extent of fear of crime are highly dependent on the type and quality of operationalization. We conclude that the amount of fear experienced in the everyday lives of most older persons has been overstated. Implications for policy and suggestions for further research are offered.
EAAT1 and EAAT2 immunoreactivity in transgenic mice with a G93A mutant SOD1 gene

Immunocytochemical and quantitative analyses were used to correlate the localisation of excitatory amino acid transporter proteins EAAT1, EAAT2 with time in spinal motoneurones of presymptomatic and symptomatic mice with the G93A mutant SOD1 gene. Specimens from age-matched non-transgenic wild-type mice served as controls. EAAT1 and EAAT2 immunoreactivity was well-preserved in the gray matter in both controls and transgenic mice at all ages, and there was no difference in the expression of EAAT1 and EAAT2 immunoreactivity between controls and transgenic mice. These findings suggest that EAAT1 and EAAT2 may not play a pivotal role in the degeneration of motoneurons in this animal model.
Platinum Nanoparticles at Mica Surfaces

We report a systematic study of factors that influence the incidence of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles produced by the standard method of cutting mica sheets into shapes using a hot platinum wire. Related findings in prior literature are confirmed. Characterization by AFM (atomic force microscopy) shows that fewer particles were produced the thinner the Pt wire and that the density and size of particles were substantially less when using Pt wire not previously used to cut mica. In optimal cases, using 0.0125 in. diameter wire, we obtained ∼0.1% surface coverage; the mean particle height of particles was ∼2.3 nm, and the mean diameter, 15 nm. After detachment from a backing sheet, the particle abundance was reduced by a factor of roughly 2. For Pt wires of the same diameter, the abundance of particles as a function of mica thickness and location relative to the wire was studied. The identification of these particles as Pt was confirmed using a combination of TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and Rutherfo.
Relationship between Fork Progression and Initiation of Chromosome Replication in E. coli

Ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase (RNR) of Escherichia coli is the prototype of the class I reductases common to most prokaryotes and eukaryotes from viruses to man. It is the only specific enzyme required, under aerobic growth, for the enzymatic formation of deoxyribonucleotides, the precursors for DNA synthesis. DNA replication requires a balanced supply of the four dNTPs, which explains the complex allosteric control of the enzyme (reviewed in Nordlund & Reichard, 2006). The active enzyme is a 1:1 complex of two subunits called proteins R1 and R2, each consisting of two polypeptide chains, coded by the genes nrdA and nrdB, respectively (Hanke & Fuchs, 1983). Although about 3000 nucleotides have to be consumed per second when a bacterium replicates its chromosome with two replication forks, only a very small pool of dNTP is accumulated in the cells. This pool would permit replication for no longer than half a minute (Werner, 1971; Pato, 1979). Channeling of the biosynthesis and compartmentation of the precursors has been proposed as explanations of how this shortage may be circumvented (Mathews, 1993; Kim et al., 2005) To satisfy the changing demand for the four deoxynucleotides, RNR must be closely associated with the replication machinery. In the aforementioned studies, Mathews et al., found evidence for the association of this enzyme with others related to the precursor biosynthesis, and coined the term dNTP-synthesizing complex (Mathews, 1993). The best-known defective RNR mutant in E. coli contains a thermolabile R1 subunit, coded by the nrdA101 allele. This allele carries a missense mutation, causing a change in amino acid 89 (L89P) (Odsbu et al., 2009). This leucine-to-proline substitution is close to the ATP cone domain that is located in the N-terminal region of the R1 protein and is, according to the holoenzyme model, located close to the R1-R2 interaction surface (Uhlin & Eklund, 1994), although no structural analysis of the mutant protein has been performed.
Letter: persistence of anti‐infliximab antibodies after discontinuation of infliximab in patients with IBD

ness (more frequent inpatients receivingadalimumab). In addition, the way biologics were used in this series contradict the assumption that this experience represents their ‘real use’ in Crohn’s disease. Firstly, cotreatment with immunosuppressors was given in just 16% of cases in the infliximab group. 6 Secondly, and surprisingly, only 77% of the infliximab-treated patients were able to complete the induction treatment, mainly due to severe adverse events in eight (18%) patients; this is not generally seen in clinical series. 3 Thirdly, the definition of loss of response considered the same interval of time (2 weeks) for both drugs, ignoring their different biological behaviour. Finally, in the adalimumab group, 16 patients dropped out before the scheduled 54 weeks for clinical worsening or loss of response (n = 8), in spite of which therapy was never intensified. 6 All these considerations prevent us to accept the conclusion that ‘the efficacy of infliximab and adalimumab is comparable. ’As the authors correctly state, ‘future prospective double-blind studies in patients matched for clinical variables are required to further assess the efficacy and safety of different anti-TNFs in CD. ’ Until such data are made available, it is probably premature to judge these drugs according to the data presented by Zorzi et al. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Declaration of personal and funding interests: None.
Gender Difference in Internet Use and Internet Problems among Quebec High School Students

Objectives: There are presently no data available concerning Internet addiction (IA) problems among adolescents in Canada and the province of Quebec. The goal of this study is thus to document and compare the influence of gender on Internet use and addiction. Method: The study data were collected from a larger research project on gambling among adolescents. Activities conducted online (applications used and time spent) as well as answers to the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) were collected from 3938 adolescents from grades 9 to 11. The two most often employed cut-off points for the IAT in the literature were documented: (40-69 and 70+) and (50+). Results: Boys spent significantly more time on the Internet than did girls. A greater proportion of the girls made intense use of social networks, whereas a greater proportion of the boys made intense use of massively multiplayer online role-playing games, online games, and adult sites. The proportion of adolescents with a potential IA problem varied according to the cut-off employed. When the cut-off was set at 70+, 1.3% of the adolescents were considered to have an IA, while 41.7% were seen to be at risk. At a 50+ cut-off, 18% of the adolescents were considered to have a problem. There was no significant difference between the genders concerning the proportion of adolescents considered to be at risk or presenting IA problems. Finally, analysis of the percentile ranks would seem to show that a cut-off of 50+ better describes the category of young people at risk. Conclusions: The results of this study make it possible to document Internet use and IA in a large number of Quebec adolescents.
Synthesis of novel 6-substituted-3(2H)-pyridazinone-2-acetyl-2-(substituted/-nonsubstituted benzal)hydrazone derivatives and acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities in vitro

Abstract In this study thirteen 6-substituted-3(2H)-pyridazinone-2-acetyl-2-(substituted/-nonsubstituted benzal)hydrazone V derivatives were synthesized as acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitors. Ten of the synthesized compounds were synthesized for the first time in this study and the rest of them had been synthesized in a previous study. The structures of compounds V were elucidated by IR, 1H-NMR and MASS spectra. The acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChe) inhibitory activities of V derivatives were measured using Ellman's method. While some of the 6-substituted-3(2H)-pyridazinone-2-propyl-3-(substituted/-nonsubstituted benzal)hydrazone V derivatives exhibited significant AChE inhibitory activity, none of the compounds showed BChE inhibitory activity. These results indicate that V derivatives were AChE inhibitors with AChE/BChE selectivity.
Changes in Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Presenting to the Pediatric Emergency Department: Comparing 2003 to 2008

Objectives This study aimed to compare the differences in the type and location of skin infections, organisms cultured, and antibiotic resistance patterns presenting to the same pediatric emergency department from 2003 to 2008 with specific focus on community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) infections. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of children younger than 18 years who presented to the pediatric emergency department with a skin or soft tissue infection from January 1 to December 31, 2008, and compared these data to a similar data set collected at the same institution from January 1 to December 31, 2003. Results From 2003 to 2008, the proportion of abscesses among all skin or soft tissue infections increased from 14% (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.4%–21.2%) to 65% (95% CI, 58.4%–70.6%). Cultures positive for MRSA increased from 21% (95% CI, 14.3%–29.0%) in 2003 to 42% (95% CI, 35.2%–47.8%) in 2008 (z score = −3.98, P < 0.001). Similar to 2003, all MRSA culture-positive abscesses were sensitive to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and vancomycin in 2008. The most common anatomic location for MRSA abscesses in 2003 and 2008 was the buttocks, with a wider variation of anatomic sites in 2008 to include head/neck, trunk, and extremities. Conclusions The prevalence of CA-MRSA skin infections, specifically abscesses, has significantly increased at our institution from 2003 to 2008. The antibiotic resistance patterns have not significantly changed. The most common anatomic location for CA-MRSA abscesses continues to be the buttocks, but more children are presenting with multiple abscesses in a wider variety of anatomic locations.
Trends in educational differences in adolescent daily smoking across Europe, 2002-10.

BACKGROUND Across Europe, tobacco use is more prevalent among secondary school students attending vocational tracks compared with students attending academic tracks. The purpose of the present study is to describe trends in social inequality in daily smoking among adolescents between 2002 and 2010 by addressing both absolute social inequality (prevalence difference between vocational and academic tracks) and relative social inequality (prevalence ratio) in seven European countries. METHODS Analyses were based on data from 15-year-olds who participated in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study in 2002, 2006 and 2010 in Belgium, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy and The Netherlands (total N = 32 867). RESULTS Overall, daily smoking decreased between 2002 and 2010 in Belgium, France, Germany and The Netherlands, increased in Croatia and remained stable in Hungary and Italy. Considerable differences in daily smoking according to educational track existed in all countries. Absolute educational inequalities increased dramatically in Croatia and Italy, while relative inequalities showed a tendency to increase in all countries (significant in Belgium and The Netherlands). CONCLUSIONS Conclusions on social inequality in adolescent smoking may appear differently when described by absolute and relative measures. Especially the large increase in absolute educational inequalities in daily smoking in Croatia and Italy are worrisome and warrant attention from the public health domain. The findings underline the need for appropriate smoking policies and interventions in vocational schools across Europe.
Lipids' peroxidation markers in Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia

Aim: Although a large body of evidence supports a role of oxidative stress in the etiopathogenesis of dementia, there is still a substantial lack of data regarding the biomarkers of oxidative stress characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as opposed to different types of dementia. In this study, the level of various oxidative stress parameters were measured in AD, vascular dementia (VaD), and age‐ and sex‐matched control patients. The AD and VaD patients all had similar levels of cognitive impairment as measured by the Mini‐Mental State Examination.
Analysis of 100 Cases of Paget's Disease of the Breast

Of 100 cases of Paget's disease of the breast admitted to the National Cancer Institute of Milan from 1940 to 1974, 91 were statistically evaluated. They were divided in two groups according to presence or absence of a palpable nodule. The results of surgical treatment in terms of 5 and 10 year survival rates were 59 and 44 %, respectively, with a median survival of 9 years. For the two separate subgroups, those with a palpable nodule were 38 and 22 % for 5 and 10 years, respectively, while those without a palpable nodule were 92 and 82 % for 5 and 10 years, respectively. For the two groups the median survival was 3.6 and 16.4 years, respectively. The extent of surgery should be dependent on the presence or absence of palpable nodules under the nipple. For the two groups (with and without) extended radical mastectomy and the Patey-Dawson mastectomy are recommended.
Self-induced growth of vertical free-standing InAs nanowires on Si(111) by molecular beam epitaxy

We report self-induced growth of vertically aligned (i.e. along the [111] direction), free-standing InAs nanowires on Si(111) substrates by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy. Implementation of an ultrathin amorphous SiOx mask on Si(111) facilitated epitaxial InAs nanowire growth, as confirmed by high-resolution x-ray diffraction 2θ–ω scans and transmission electron microscopy. Depending on growth temperature (in the range of 400–520 °C) substantial size variation of both nanowire length and diameter was found under preservation of uniform, non-tapered hexagon-shaped geometries. The majority of InAs nanowires exhibited phase-pure zinc blende crystal structure with few defective regions consisting of stacking faults. Photoluminescence spectroscopy at 20 K revealed peak emission of the InAs nanowires at 0.445 eV, which is ∼ 30 meV blueshifted with respect to the emission of the bulk InAs reference due to radial quantum confinement effects. These results show a promising route towards integration of well-aligned, high structural quality InAs-based nanowires with the desired aspect ratio and tailored emission wavelengths on an Si platform.
Teacher Gender and Student Performance In Mathematics. Evidence from Catalonia

This paper analyses the impact of teacher gender towards students’ test results in a blinded Math test administered to students in Catalonia (Spain). The data for this analysis are drawn from a sample of secondary school students who participated in an international blind-test known as the “Mathematical Kangaroo” in 2008. The estimation considers a two-stage procedure since participation on the test leads to the presence of sample selection. Results show a correlation between female teacher gender and student results. Moreover, students with female teachers have a higher probability of participating in the “Kangaroo” test (in this case, the effect being more marked among male students).