Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Intravitreal Dexamethasone Implant in Patients with Cataract and Macular Edema Undergoing Phacoemulsification

Purpose To study the safety and efficacy of intravitreal dexamethasone implant in patients with cataract and macular edema undergoing phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods Twenty-four eyes with macular edema secondary to diabetic retinopathy (diabetic macular edema [DME]) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) were retrospectively reviewed. These eyes underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation and intravitreal dexamethasone implant 0.7 mg at the same setting between September 2012 and September 2013. Demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), intraocular pressure (IOP), surgical time, and complications were recorded. Results Twelve eyes had DME and 12 eyes had RVO (10 central RVO and 2 branch RVO). Median baseline logMAR BCVA was 1.0 (Snellen 20/200) and mean baseline CMT was 530.2 ± 218.9 µm. Median follow-up duration was 13 months. At last follow-up, median visual acuity improved significantly to 0.523 (Snellen 20/66) (p = 0.003) and CMT decreased to 300.7 ± 78.1 µm (p = 0.000). Median surgical time was 23 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. In 12 eyes, macular edema recurred, requiring further treatment, and median time to recurrences was 21 weeks. One eye had raised IOP after second dexamethasone implant for recurrent macular edema. No major complication such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, or endophthalmitis occurred. Conclusions Combined cataract surgery with intravitreal dexamethasone implant seems to be safe and effective in treating patients with cataract and macular edema in this small case series. A larger prospective study with longer follow-up is necessary to demonstrate the long-term benefit of this combined procedure.
Parental perspectives of children using cochlear implant.

PURPOSE To evaluate the parents' perspective with regard to evolution of their child with cochlear implant (CI). METHODS This was a cross-sectional prospective study conducted at the Centro de Pesquisas Audiológicas of Hospital de Reabilitação de Anomalias Craniofaciais of Universidade de São Paulo. The selection of the sample was performed from the spontaneous demand, among the months from July to December 2011. The final sample comprised 50 parents or guardians of children using CI, with minimum 1 year and maximum of 3 years of device use. The translated and adapted to Brazilian Portuguese version of the questionnaire "Perspectives of parents of children with cochlear implants" was applied. This instrument consists of 74 questions and allows quantification of the parents' perspective on subscales that illustrate the situation of the child and family. Each question has five options scored from one to five responses. The Spearman test for comparison of results between the subscales was applied. RESULTS The social relationships, self-sufficiency, and communication subscales showed the highest mean score, whereas the worst score was for child support subscale, reflecting the independence and autonomy of the patients. The correlation between the child subscales was realized, and the results showed themselves significant and positive for communication subscale of communication with all others subscales. The family subscales also had a positive correlation with the communication, education, and self-sufficiency. CONCLUSION These results demonstrate that parents have good expectations regarding communication, independence, and social participation of children after CI surgery, and this questionnaire is a useful tool for use in clinical practice.
Favorable response to rituximab in a patient with anti‐VGCC‐positive Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome and cerebellar dysfunction

Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by impaired transmission across the neuromuscular junction due to autoantibodies directed against the presynaptic voltage‐gated calcium channels (VGCC‐ab). Clinical symptoms are usually characterized by proximal muscle weakness and mild dysautonomia. In some patients there are signs of cerebellar dysfunction as well, usually associated with cancer. Here we report the long‐term follow‐up of a patient with VGCC‐ab‐positive LEMS and a severe cerebellar syndrome but without evidence of cancer over 5 years. While conventional immunosuppressive therapy (steroids, azathioprine) failed, he improved with plasma exchange and consecutive treatment with rituximab. Muscle Nerve 40: 305–308, 2009
Telmisartan/Hydrochlorothiazide Combination Therapy for the Treatment of Hypertension: A Pooled Analysis in Older and Younger Patients

Older patients frequently receive angiotensin II receptor blocker/diuretic combinations to control blood pressure (BP), although there have been relatively few trials specifically examining this patient population. A pooled analysis was performed of data from 7 randomized trials of telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide combinations or telmisartan monotherapy in older (65 years and older) and younger (younger than 65 years) patients to better understand the response of older patients to a telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination. Telmisartan doses were 40 mg and 80 mg (T40 and T80). Hydrochlorothiazide doses were 12.5 mg and 25 mg (H12.5 and H25). A total of 3654 patients were included and the mean treatment duration was approximately 8 weeks. BP reductions with telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide combinations were broadly similar in older and younger patients. In older patients, mean BP reductions from baseline were −30.1/−19.0 mm Hg with the T80/H25 combination and −21.7/−13.0 mm Hg with T80 monotherapy. Tolerability was similar regardless of age, and the incidence of adverse events in both older and younger patients was similar to placebo. The telmisartan/hydrochlorothiazide combination, particularly high‐dose T80/H25, is effective and well tolerated in patients 65 years and older as well as in younger patients.
Preparation and evaluation of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) microparticles as a carrier for pulmonary delivery of recombinant human interleukin-2: II. In vitro studies on aerodynamic properties of dry powder inhaler formulations

Objective: The aim of this study was the preparation and evaluation of dry powder formulations of recombinant human interleukin-2 (rhIL-2)-loaded microparticles to be administered to the lung by inhalation. Methods: As indicated in our previous study, the microparticles were prepared by modified water-in-oil-in-water (w1/o/w3) double emulsion solvent extraction method using poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) polymers. The dry powder formulations were prepared with blending of microparticles and mannitol as a coarse carrier. The actual aerodynamic characteristics of the microparticles alone and prepared mixtures with mannitol are evaluated by using the eight-stage Andersen cascade impactor. Results: Due to the low tapped density of microparticles (<0.4 g/cm3), the theoretical aerodynamic diameter (MMADt) values were calculated (<5 μm) on the basis of the geometrical particle diameter and tapped density values. The lowest tapped density value (0.17 g/cm3) belongs to the cyclodextrin-containing formulation. According to the results obtained using the cascade impactor, the emitted doses for all microparticle formulations were found to be rather high and during the aerosolization for all the formulations except F3 and F5, >90% of the capsule content was determined to be released. However, the actual aerodynamic diameter (MMADa) values were seen to be higher than the MMADt values. The blending of the microparticles with mannitol allowed their aerodynamic diameters to decrease and their fine particle fraction values to increase. Conclusion: The obtained results have shown that the mixing of rhIL-2-loaded microparticles with mannitol possess suitable aerodynamic characteristics to be administered to the lungs by inhalation.
Transforaminal Posterolateral Endoscopic Discectomy With or Without the Combination of a Low-Dose Chymopapain: A Prospective Randomized Study in 280 Consecutive Cases

Study Design. A prospective randomized study involving 280 consecutive cases of lumbar disc herniation managed either by an endoscopic discectomy alone or an endoscopic discectomy combined with an intradiscal injection of a low dose (1000 U) of chymopapain. Objective. To compare outcome, complications, and reherniations of both techniques. Summary of Background Data. Despite a low complication rate, posterolateral endoscopic nucleotomy has made a lengthy evolution because of an assumed limited indication. Chemonucleolysis, however, proven to be safe and effective, has not continued to be accepted by the majority in the spinal community as microdiscectomy is considered to be more reliable. Method. A total of 280 consecutive patients with a primary herniated, including sequestrated, lumbar disc with predominant leg pain, was randomized. A clinical follow-up was performed at 3 months, and at 1 and 2 years after the index operation with an extensive questionnaire, including the visual analog scale for pain and the MacNab criteria. The cohort integrity at 3 months was 100%, at 1 year 96%, and at 2 years 92%. Results. At the 3-month evaluation, only minor complications were registered. At 1-year postoperatively, group 1 (endoscopy alone) had a recurrence rate of 6.9% compared to group 2 (the combination therapy), with a recurrence rate of 1.6%, which was a statistically significant difference in favor of the combination therapy (P = 0045). At the 2-year follow-up, group 1 reported that 85.4% had an excellent or good result, 6.9% a fair result, and 7.7% were not satisfied. At the 2-year follow-up, group 2 reported that 93.3% had an excellent or good result, 2.5% a fair result, and 4.2% were not satisfied. This outcome was statistically significant in favor of the group including chymopapain. There were no infections or patients with any form of permanent iatrogenic nerve damage, and no patients had a major complication. Conclusions. A high percentage of patient satisfaction could be obtained with a posterior lateral endoscopic discectomy for lumbar disc herniation, and a statistically significant improvement of the results was obtained when an intradiscal injection of 1000 U of chymopapain was added. There was a low recurrence rate with no major complications. The method can be applied in any type of lumbar disc herniation, including the L5−S1 level.
Prevalence, awareness, treatment, control and risk factors of hypertension in Korea: the Ansan study

Objectives To determine prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, and its risk factors in an urban Korean population. Design and setting A cross-sectional survey in Ansan-city, Korea. Subjects and methods Population-based samples of people aged 18–92 years in Ansan-city, Korea, were selected, yielding 2278 men and 1948 women, and their blood pressures were measured using a highly standardized protocol. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ⩾ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ⩾ 90 mmHg or reported treatment with antihypertensive medications, and subclassified according to 1999 WHO-ISH guidelines. Isolated systolic hypertension (ISH) defined as a systolic BP ⩾140 mmHg and diastolic BP < 90 mmHg was also examined. Data were stratified by age and sex. Results The overall prevalence of hypertension in this study was 33.7%. Among these, 64.9% had Grade 1 hypertension, 22.5% Grade 2, and 12.5% Grade 3. Age-specific prevalence of hypertension increased progressively with age, from 14.19% in 18 to 24 year-olds to 71.39% in those 75 years or older. Hypertension prevalence was significantly higher in men (41.5%) than in women (24.5%) (P < 0.001). Isolated systolic hypertension had significantly lower prevalence (4.33%) within the population, although in the elderly aged 55 years or more it rose by 11.13%. Overall, 24.6% of hypertensive individuals were aware that they had high blood pressure, as much as 78.6% were being treated with antihypertensive medications, and 24.3% were under control. Hypertension awareness as well as treatment and control rates varied by sex, with women higher in all three rates. Multivariate analysis revealed that age, body mass index and abdomen circumference were significantly associated with prevalence of hypertension both in men and women. Conclusions Hypertension is highly prevalent in Korea. Despite the high rate of treatment, the rates of awareness and control are relatively low, suggesting the nationwide demand for preventing and controlling high blood pressure in Korea in order to avert an epidemic of cardiovascular disease.
Cloning the cDNA for a New Human Zinc Finger Protein Defines a Group of Closely Related Krüppel-like Transcription Factors*

We have identified a novel zinc finger protein that has been named ubiquitous Krüppel-like factor (UKLF) based on structural considerations and the pattern of gene expression. UKLF was isolated by the polymerase chain reaction approach using degenerate oligonucleotides corresponding to the DNA-binding domain of erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) and cDNA prepared from human vascular endothelial cells. The carboxyl-terminal portion of UKLF contains three zinc fingers of the Cys2-His2 type and binds in vitro to the CACCC motif of the β-globin promoter and to the Sp1 recognition sequence. The amino-terminal portion of UKLF consists of a hydrophobic region rich in serines and a negatively charged segment with several glutamic acid residues. The first 47 amino acids of the acidic region are nearly identical to the amino-terminal portion of another Krüppel-like factor, the so-called core promoter-binding protein (CPBP) or Zf9. Like CPBP/Zf9, UKLF can function as a transcription activator in co-transfection assays. However, this activity is lost when the highly conserved amino-terminal segment is deleted. These findings indicate that UKLF and CPBP/Zf9 represent a distinct subgroup of closely related Krüppel-like activators of transcription. Mapping of the UKLF gene to chromosome 2 suggested that UKLF and CPBP/Zf9 translocated to different chromosomes following duplication from an ancestral gene.
Copper, zinc, and cadmium in various fractions of soil and fungi in a Swedish forest

Ectomycorrhizal fungi profoundly affect forest ecosystems through mediating nutrient uptake and maintaining forest food webs. The accumulation of metals in each transfer step from bulk soil to fungal sporocarps is not well known. The accumulation of three metals copper (Cu), zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) in bulk soil, rhizosphere, soil-root interface, fungal mycelium and sporocarps of mycorrhizal fungi in a Swedish forest were compared. Concentrations of all three metals increased in the order: bulk soil < soil-root interface (or rhizosphere) < fungal mycelium < fungal sporocarps. The uptake of Cu, Zn and Cd during the entire transfer process in natural conditions between soil and sporocarps occurred against a concentration gradient. In fungal mycelium, the concentration of all three metals was about three times higher than in bulk soil, and the concentration in sporocarps was about two times higher than in mycelium. In terms of accumulation, fungi (mycelium and sporocarps) preferred Cd to Zn and Cu. Zinc concentration in sporocarps and to a lesser extent in mycelium depended on the concentration in soil, whereas, the uptake of Cu and Cd by both sporocarps and mycelium did not correlate with metal concentration in soil. Heavy metal accumulation within the fungal mycelium biomass in the top forest soil layer (0–5 cm) might account for ca. 5–9% of the total amount of Cu, 5–11% of Zn, and 16–32% of Cd. As the uptake of zinc and copper by fungi may be balanced, this implied similarities in the uptake mechanism.
Autoradiographic delineation of skeletal muscle alpha 1-adrenergic receptor distribution.

We used light microscopic autoradiography to quantify the distribution of alpha 1-adrenergic receptors in vessels and muscle fibers of slow-twitch (type I), fast-twitch (types IIa and IIb), and mixed fiber muscles of the rat hindquarter. Frozen cross sections of soleus, vastus lateralis, and gastrocnemius muscles were incubated under equilibrium binding conditions with 10-200 pM [3H]prazosin with or without 10(-5) M phentolamine. Because of the low concentration of bound radioligand, specific binding could not be detected with scintillation spectrometry in whole tissue sections scraped from slides. However, quantitative autoradiographic analysis after extended intervals of emulsion exposure revealed a low but significant level of specific binding in muscle fibers. No difference in alpha 1-receptor density was observed among types I, IIa, and IIb fibers. Small blood vessels had a much greater alpha 1-receptor density than muscle fibers. Resistance arterioles (20-100 microns diam) and small arteries (100-500 microns diam) contained 5.8 +/- 0.9 and 31.6 +/- 7.6 (+/- SE) times more binding sites per unit section area, respectively, than did surrounding muscle fibers (both P less than 0.001). Ratios of specific grain densities in fibers and blood vessels did not vary with radioligand concentration, indicating that observed grain densities reflected differences in receptor concentration rather than radioligand affinity by fiber and vessel receptors. The densities of vascular alpha 1-receptors did not vary in slow- and fast-twitch muscles, but resistance arterioles were six and eight times more numerous in soleus than in gastrocnemius and vastus muscles, respectively (both P less than 0.001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Global Perspectives on Democracy and Public Stadium Finance

Abstract Arenas, ballparks, and stadiums built for professional sports teams or mega-events all around the world often come with large public costs. In democratic states, citizens are assumed to have a role in public policymaking, but previous research suggests the strength of this role can vary case-to-case. To examine the incidence of public stadium finance and public participation across the geopolitical landscape, a collective case study was employed and organized into regime type (i.e., full democracies, flawed democracies, hybrid regimes, authoritarian regimes). The results of the study show clear contrasts in the financing mechanisms within and between regime types. Additionally, each case-study grouping contained examples of citizen-led public participation, though the efficacy of these democratic actions is questionable. This review complements the growing literature on public policy and stadium finance by assessing public engagement in current stadium-subsidy debates around the world.
Effect of physical training on the capacity to secrete epinephrine.

Epinephrine responses to hypoglycemia and to identical relative work loads have been shown to be higher in endurance-trained athletes than in untrained subjects. To test the hypothesis that training increases the adrenal medullary secretory capacity, we studied the effects of glucagon (1 mg/70 kg iv), acute hypercapnia (inspired O2 fraction = 7%), and acute hypobaric hypoxia (inspired Po2 = 87 Torr), respectively, on the epinephrine concentration in arterialized hand vein blood in eight endurance-trained athletes [T, O2 uptake = 66 (62-70) ml.min-1.kg-1] and seven sedentary males [C, O2 uptake = 46 (41-50)]. In response to identical increments in glucagon concentrations, plasma epinephrine increased more in T than in C subjects [0.87 +/- 0.11 vs. 0.38 +/- 0.14 (SE) nmol/l, P less than 0.05]. In response to hypercapnia [arterial PCO2 = 56 +/- 0.7 Torr (T) and 55 +/- 0.4 (C), P greater than 0.05], the increment in epinephrine was significant in T (0.38 +/- 0.11 nmol/l) but not (P less than 0.1) in C subjects (0.22 +/- 0.11). Hypoxia [arterial PO2 = 42 +/- 2 Torr (T) and 41 +/- 2 (C), P greater than 0.05] increased epinephrine in T (0.22 +/- 0.10 nmol/l, P less than 0.05) but not in C subjects (0.01 +/- 0.07). The plasma norepinephrine concentration never changed, whereas heart rate always increased, the increase being higher (P less than 0.05) in T than in C subjects only during hypercapnia. The results indicate that training increases the capacity to secrete epinephrine.
Synaptic innervation of neurons in the internal pallidal segment by the subthalamic nucleus and the external pallidum in monkeys

In order to better understand the way by which the subthalamic nucleus interacts with the globus pallidus to control the output of the basal ganglia, we carried out a series of experiments to investigate the pattern of synaptic innervation of the pallidal neurons by the subthalamic terminals in the squirrel monkey. To address this problem we used the anterograde transport of biocytin.
Liver adenomatosis: clinical, histopathologic, and imaging findings in 15 patients.

PURPOSE To report and correlate the clinical, histopathologic, and imaging findings in 15 patients with liver adenomatosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifteen adult patients had more than 10 hepatic adenomas each and no history of glycogen storage disease or anabolic steroid use. Ten of them underwent bolus-enhanced dynamic computed tomography (CT) with or without magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, ultrasonography, and/or angiography. RESULTS Clinical abnormalities included abdominal pain in 11 (73%) and hepatomegaly in 10 (67%) patients, and abnormal liver function in 10 (91%) of 11 patients. The number of adenomas in each patient was 10-50 at imaging, but many more lesions were found in the resected specimens. Hemorrhage was commonly found within adenomas at histopathologic analysis, but only four patients had clinical and imaging evidence of substantial hemorrhage. In all patients, the adenomas increased over time, and two patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma. CT and MR features of the adenomas included evidence of hypervascularity (63%), intratumoral fat (50% of patients at CT, 80% at MR), and decreased conspicuity at portal venous and delayed-phase imaging. Fifty percent of patients had congenital or acquired hepatic vascular abnormalities. CONCLUSION The imaging and histopathologic features of individual adenomatous lesions are similar to those reported in young women who are taking oral contraceptives. However, the lesions in liver adenomatosis are not steroid dependent but rather multiple, progressive, and symptomatic, and they are more likely to lead to impaired liver function, hemorrhage, and perhaps malignant degeneration.
Modelling space charge in a cable geometry

Fluid models including charge generation and transport function of time and space need to be further developed, especially when the object under study is a HVDC cable. In the present paper, we propose an evolution of a 1D fluid bipolar charge transport model, taking into account the cylindrical geometry, and its associated effects, i.e. a non-homogeneity of the field and the temperature within the dielectric. Simulations are performed using this one-dimensional cylindrical model, featuring charge injection, transport, trapping, detrapping and recombination, in order to highlight the effects of the cylindrical geometry, i.e. a temperature and a field gradient, on the space charge profiles. A long term simulation is performed until stationary state, to study the capabilities of the model in describing the behaviour of space charge in a MV cable, and the future improvements that need to be performed.