Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgical Timing in Orbital Fracture Treatment: Experience with 108 Consecutive Cases

Orbital fractures can lead to esthetic deformities and functional impairments, and adequate surgical timing is considered important in obtaining good results from surgery. By means of chart review, a retrospective analysis was carried out in 108 consecutive cases of pure orbital fractures to investigate the differences in surgical timing and the correlations with patient age and clinical and radiographic findings. In this analysis, surgical timing of pure orbital fractures was strongly related to the combination of parameters such as anatomical location of the fracture, eventual exposure of the fracture, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage or penetrating wounds, age of patients, eventual functional impairments or muscle entrapment, and serious conditions of compression or ischemia. As the data confirmed, an urgent approach was considered indispensable in severe orbital apex fractures and in orbital fractures with CSF leakage, penetrating objects, or exposure. Early surgery was necessary within 3 days in children with diplopia (type IIIb) and mainly within 7 days in adults with double vision (type IIIa). Delayed surgery, within 12 days in all cases, was performed orbital wall fractures with no impairments (type II) or in orbital rim fractures (type I). Data from this retrospective analysis confirm the need for an aggressive approach to all orbital fractures. In our experience, surgery was performed within 12 days and most orbital fractures were treated during the first week after trauma, which is earlier than previously reported.
Commentary: Gene-environment interplay in the context of genetics, epigenetics, and gene expression.

OBJECTIVE To comment on the article in this issue of the Journal by Professor Michael Rutter, "Environmentally Mediated Risks for Psychopathology: Research Strategies and Findings," in the context of current research findings on gene-environment interaction, epigenetics, and gene expression. METHOD Animal and human studies are reviewed that differentiate the role of gene expression in developmental biology and psychopathology as well as studies that begin to specify the biological mechanisms involved in determining how genotype is translated into phenotype. RESULTS Genetic instructions are not translated directly into phenotypic traits but are modified potentially at two levels: the transcription process wherein messenger RNA is produced, and translation when protein synthesis occurs. Interplay of genetic and environmental factors determines the final product of gene expression as measured by the when, where, and amount of protein synthesized. Epigenetic processes may operate at the level of messenger RNA to control gene expression. CONCLUSIONS The field of developmental psychopathology is providing the theoretical and research framework to explore the conceptual space between the genome and the environment. Natural selection has provided mechanisms that operate within that space to facilitate adaptation to the environment. These mechanisms are more robust than genetics alone in determining the phenotype of each individual organism.
Phase II study of imatinib in patients with recurrent gliomas of various histologies: a European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Brain Tumor Group Study.

PURPOSE To evaluate the safety and the efficacy of imatinib in recurrent malignant gliomas. PATIENTS AND METHODS This was a single-arm, phase II study. Eligible patients had recurrent glioma after prior radiotherapy with an enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging. Three different histologic groups were studied: glioblastomas (GBM), pure/mixed (anaplastic) oligodendrogliomas (OD), and low-grade or anaplastic astrocytomas (A). Imatinib was started at a dose of 600 mg/d with dose escalation to 800 mg in case of no toxicity; during the trial this dose was increased to 800 mg/d with escalation to 1,000 mg/d. Trial design was one-stage Fleming; both an objective response and 6 months of progression-free survival (PFS) were considered a successful outcome to treatment. RESULTS A total of 112 patients (51 patients with GBM, 25 patients with A, and 36 patients with OD) were enrolled. Imatinib was in general well tolerated. The median number of cycles was 2.0 (range, 1 to 43 cycles). Five patients had an objective partial response, including three patients with GBM; all had 6 months of PFS. The 6-month PFS rate was 16% (95% CI, 8.0% to 34.0%) in GBM, 4.0% (95% CI, 0.3% to 15.0%) in OD, and 9% (95% CI, 2.0% to 25.0%) in A. The exposure to imatinib was significantly lower in patients using enzyme-inducing antiepileptic drugs. The presence of ABCG2 point mutations were not correlated with pharmacokinetic findings. No somatic activating mutations of KIT or platelet-derived growth factor receptor-A or -B were found. CONCLUSION In the dose range of 600 to 1,000 mg/d, single-agent imatinib is well tolerated but has limited antitumor activity in patients with recurrent gliomas.
Population and Economic Growth Under Different Growth Engines

Abstract Using a growth model with physical capital accumulation, human capital investment and horizontal R&D activity, this paper proposes an alternative channel through which an increase in the population growth rate may yield a non-uniform (i.e., a positive, negative, or neutral) impact on the long-run growth rate of per-capita GDP, as available empirical evidence seems mostly to suggest. The proposed mechanism relies on the nature of the process of economic growth (whether it is fully or semi-endogenous), and the peculiar engine(s) driving economic growth (human capital investment, R&D activity, or both). The model also explains why in the long term the association between population growth and productivity growth may ultimately be negative when R&D is an engine of economic growth.
Integrated optical sensing of dissolved oxygen in microtiter plates: A novel tool for microbial cultivation

Microtiter plates with integrated optical sensing of dissolved oxygen were developed by immobilization of two fluorophores at the bottom of 96‐well polystyrene microtiter plates. The oxygen‐sensitive fluorophore responded to dissolved oxygen concentration, whereas the oxygen‐insensitive one served as an internal reference. The sensor measured dissolved oxygen accurately in optically well‐defined media. Oxygen transfer coefficients, kLa, were determined by a dynamic method in a commercial microtiter plate reader with an integrated shaker. For this purpose, the dissolved oxygen was initially depleted by the addition of sodium dithionite and, by oxygen transfer from air, it increased again after complete oxidation of dithionite. kLa values in one commercial reader were about 10 to 40 h−1. kLa values were inversely proportional to the filling volume and increased with increasing shaking intensity. Dissolved oxygen was monitored during cultivation of Corynebacterium glutamicum in another reader that allowed much higher shaking intensity. Growth rates determined from optical density measurement were identical to those observed in shaking flasks and in a stirred fermentor. Oxygen uptake rates measured in the stirred fermentor and dissolved oxygen concentrations measured during cultivation in the microtiter plate were used to estimate kLa values in a 96‐well microtiter plate. The resulting values were about 130 h−1, which is in the lower range of typical stirred fermentors. The resulting maximum oxygen transfer rate was 26 mM h−1. Simulations showed that the errors caused by the intermittent measurement method were insignificant under the prevailing conditions. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 81: 829–836, 2003.
Stimulus specificity of a steady-state visual-evoked potential-based brain–computer interface

The mechanisms of neural excitation and inhibition when given a visual stimulus are well studied. It has been established that changing stimulus specificity such as luminance contrast or spatial frequency can alter the neuronal activity and thus modulate the visual-evoked response. In this paper, we study the effect that stimulus specificity has on the classification performance of a steady-state visual-evoked potential-based brain–computer interface (SSVEP-BCI). For example, we investigate how closely two visual stimuli can be placed before they compete for neural representation in the cortex and thus influence BCI classification accuracy. We characterize stimulus specificity using the four stimulus parameters commonly encountered in SSVEP-BCI design: temporal frequency, spatial size, number of simultaneously displayed stimuli and their spatial proximity. By varying these quantities and measuring the SSVEP-BCI classification accuracy, we are able to determine the parameters that provide optimal performance. Our results show that superior SSVEP-BCI accuracy is attained when stimuli are placed spatially more than 5° apart, with size that subtends at least 2° of visual angle, when using a tagging frequency of between high alpha and beta band. These findings may assist in deciding the stimulus parameters for optimal SSVEP-BCI design.
Ovarian reserve after fibroid embolization in premenopausal women

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effect of uterine artery embolization (UAE) for fibroids on ovarian pool of premenopausal women. Study design: Prospective case control study. Material and methods: One-hundred and twenty premenopausal women, aged between 40 and 50 years, who underwent UAE for symptomatic uterine fibroids and the same number of women, aged between 40 and 50 years, with symptomatic uterine fibroids, who were not offered treatment were recruited for this study. Hormonal status and ovarian reserve were evaluated by means of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) pre-procedural, three months, six months and 12 months after UAE. Results: No statistically significant decrease was noted in AMH values 12 months post procedure and no statistical significant alterations in AMH values between the two groups. Conclusions: Even though the study results may not be able to confirm the preservation of ovarian reserve and normal menstruation after UAE in premenopausal women, it should be considered as a friendly to normal menstruation treatment option of symptomatic fibroids.
Younger age of dementia diagnosis in a Hispanic population in southern California

Prior studies of US Hispanics, largely performed on the East Coast, have found a younger age of dementia onset than in White non‐Hispanics. We performed a cross‐sectional study to examine clinical and sociodemographic variables associated with age of dementia diagnosis in older Hispanics and White, non‐Hispanics in southern California.
Expression of IMPDH1 and IMPDH2 After Transplantation and Initiation of Immunosuppression

Background. Mycophenolic acid (MPA) mediates immunosuppressive effects by inhibiting inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase (IMPDH). Induction of IMPDH activity has been observed in whole blood and erythrocyte samples during immunosuppressive therapy. Information concerning the mechanisms for increased IMPDH activity is limited and the potential implications of induction have been debated. Methods. Whole blood, CD4+ cell, and reticulocyte samples were collected from 30 renal transplant patients pre- and posttransplantation. The expressions of two IMPDH isoforms, type 1 and 2, were analyzed by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and quantified using a housekeeping gene index. The IMPDH activity was determined by ultraviolet high-performance liquid chromatography. Results. Transplantation and the initiation of immunosuppressive therapy was associated with increased IMPDH1 (50–88%, P<0.0005) and decreased IMPDH2 (42–56%, P<0.0005) expression. In CD4+ cells, however, IMPDH2 increased (15%, P=0.009). These changes are probably related to glucocorticoid effects. Two weeks posttransplant, MPA-treated patients displayed elevated IMPDH 1 and 2 in reticulocytes, suggesting enzyme induction in these cells during prolonged MPA therapy. Patients with acute rejection during follow-up demonstrated higher IMPDH2 expression in CD4+ cells pretransplant than nonrejecting patients (median expression 1.26 vs. 0.87 respectively, P=0.017). Conclusions. Knowledge of changes in IMPDH 1 and 2 expression after transplantation and initiation of immunosuppression is important considering the action of MPA on IMPDH and the potential for pharmacodynamic monitoring of MPA by measuring IMPDH activity. The expression of IMPDH2 in CD4+ cells pretransplant may be an indicator of immune activation.
Antizyme Affects Cell Proliferation and Viability Solely through Regulating Cellular Polyamines*

Background: Antizyme is a regulator of cell proliferation, inhibiting this process when overexpressed. Results: Antizyme overexpression does not attenuate cell proliferation and viability in cells whose polyamine supply is secured. Conclusion: Antizyme affects cell proliferation and viability only by modulating polyamine metabolism. Significance: This result emphasizes the functional relationship of antizyme to cellular polyamine metabolism. Antizymes are key regulators of cellular polyamine metabolism that negatively regulate cell proliferation and are therefore regarded as tumor suppressors. Although the regulation of antizyme (Az) synthesis by polyamines and the ability of Az to regulate cellular polyamine levels suggest the centrality of polyamine metabolism to its antiproliferative function, recent studies have suggested that antizymes might also regulate cell proliferation by targeting to degradation proteins that do not belong to the cellular polyamine metabolic pathway. Using a co-degradation assay, we show here that, although they efficiently stimulated the degradation of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), Az1 and Az2 did not affect or had a negligible effect on the degradation of cyclin D1, Aurora-A, and a p73 variant lacking the N-terminal transactivation domain whose degradation was reported recently to be stimulated by Az1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that, although Az1 and Az2 could not be constitutively expressed in transfected cells, they could be stably expressed in cells that express trypanosome ODC, a form of ODC that does not bind Az and therefore maintains a constant level of cellular polyamines. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that Az1 and Az2 affect cell proliferation and viability solely by modulating cellular polyamine metabolism.
Characteristics of low-vision rehabilitation services in the United States.

OBJECTIVES To describe characteristics of services, providers, and patients in low-vision rehabilitation entities serving adults in the United States. METHODS Entities (excluding Veterans Affairs clinics) were identified through professional associations, Web searches, and a telephone survey to retina practices. A census obtained information on entity types, provider types, rehabilitation services available, and clientele. Surveys were administered by telephone, fax, e-mail, or mail, whichever was preferred by the respondent. RESULTS A total of 1228 low-vision rehabilitation service entities were identified, with 608 surveyed (49.5% response rate). Almost half (42.7%) were private optometry practices. State agencies had the highest number of clients per week (45.0 clients per week) whereas private optometry practices had the lowest (4.1 clients per week). Most (> or =88.0%) established rehabilitation goals, fit optical aids with basic training, and conducted eye examinations. Scanning, eccentric viewing, orientation and mobility, and advanced device training were less commonly offered (25%-50% of entities). Central vision impairment was the most common deficit (74.1% of clients), with age-related macular degeneration being the most common cause (67.1%). Among the clients, 85.9% had problems reading and 67.7% had problems driving; 44.9% had adjustment disorders. Almost 1 in 3 clients was aged 80 years or older. CONCLUSION This census for the first time characterizes usual-care low-vision rehabilitation services in the United States for nonveteran adults.
A Review of Minimally Invasive Procedures for the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity

Study Design. Literature review. Objective. To review the literature evaluating the role of minimally invasive (MIS) techniques in the operative treatment of adult spinal deformity (ASD). Summary of Background Data. MIS techniques have become important tools in the armamentarium of spinal deformity surgeons as a means of achieving coronal and sagittal plane correction, while minimizing the complications of open deformity surgery. The literature suggests that MIS techniques are associated with certain limitations, and to date, determining which patients are candidates for MIS deformity correction is largely based on surgeon experience. Methods. A systematic literature review was performed using the PubMed-National Library of Medicine/National Institute of Health databases. All studies describing the use of MIS techniques in ASD surgery were included for review. Results. A total of 39 articles were included in the review. All studies were specifically designed to demonstrate radiographic and clinical outcomes of MIS techniques. Thirty articles were specific to MIS techniques as they relate to ASD surgery, whereas six articles were designed to describe details of various MIS techniques, and three articles were related to general principles of corrective surgery for ASD. Conclusion. The literature has demonstrated that MIS techniques are effective in achieving radiographic correction after surgery for ASD, while reducing complications compared with traditional open surgery. However, MIS techniques have limitations and may not be as effective as open surgery for severe and/or fixed sagittal and coronal plane deformity. Therefore, selecting patients for stand-alone MIS versus circumferential (cMIS) versus hybrid MIS (hybMIS) is critically important. The MIS spinal deformity surgery algorithm was designed to address this topic. Further studies are required to better elucidate the role and limitations of MIS techniques in patient undergoing corrective surgery for ASD. Level of Evidence: N/A
Emerging drugs in Tourette syndrome

Proper education of the patient is the first step in the treatment of Tourette syndrome (TS). Before deciding how to treat the patient, it is important to decide whether to treat the TS-related symptoms. Counselling and behavioural modification may be sufficient for those with mild symptoms. Medications, however, may be considered when symptoms begin to interfere with peer relationships, social interactions, academic or job performance, or with activities of daily living. Therapy must be individualised and the most troublesome symptoms should be targeted first. Antidopaminergic agents are clearly the most effective drugs in the treatment of tics. Although haloperidol and pimozide are the only drugs currently approved by the FDA for the treatment of TS, other dopamine receptor-blocking drugs and tetrabenazine, a dopamine depleting drug, as well as botulinum toxin injections, have been used to treat tics associated with TS. Carefully designed, comparative, longitudinal trials assessing the efficacy and adverse-effect profiles of these drugs, including tardive dyskinesia, are lacking. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors are recommended for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive behaviour: a common comorbidity. Psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate, are the treatment of choice for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Even though these drugs may transiently increase tics, this does not necessarily constitute a definite contraindication to the use of these drugs in patients with TS. Here, existing and emerging medical treatments in patients with tics and comorbid behavioural disorders associated with TS are reviewed.
Flow distribution analysis by helical scanning in polysulfone hemodialyzers: Effects of fiber structure and design on flow patterns and solute clearances

The efficiency of a hemodialyzer is largely dependent on its ability to facilitate diffusion, as this is the main mechanism by which small solutes are removed. The diffusion process can be impaired if there is a mismatch between blood and dialysate flow distribution in the dialyzer. The objective of the paper was to study the impact of different fiber bundle configurations on blood and dialysate flow distribution and urea clearances. The Optiflux 200 NR hemodialyzer was studied and the standard F 80 A hemodialyzer was used as a control for the study. Six dialyzers of each type were studied in vitro in the radiology department utilizing a new generation of helical computed tomography (CT) scan following contrast medium injection into the blood and dialysate compartment. Dynamic sequential imaging of longitudinal sections of the dialyzer was undertaken to detect flow distribution, average and peak velocities, and calculate wall shear rates. Six patients were dialyzed with 2 different dialyzers in random consecutive sequence. In these patients, 2 consecutive dialyses were carried out with identical operational parameters (Qb=300 mL/min, Qd=500 mL/min). In each session, blood and dialysate side urea clearances were measured at 30 and 150 min of treatment. Macroscopic and densitometrical analysis revealed that flow distribution was most homogeneous in the dialyzer with a new bundle configuration. Significantly increased urea clearances (p<0.001) were seen with the Optiflux dialyzer compared with the standard dialyzer. In conclusion, more homogeneous dialysate blood and dialysate flow distribution and improved small solute clearances can be achieved by modifying the configuration of the filter bundle. These effects are achieved probably as a result of reduced blood to dialysate mismatch with reduction of flow channeling. The used radiological technique allows detailed flow distribution analysis and has the potential for testing future modifications to dialyzer design.
Verbal memory in first-episode schizophrenia: Heterogeneity in performance?

It is unclear if the commonly observed “subcortical” verbal memory profile in schizophrenic patients is present at the onset of the disease. Therefore, the performance of 43 first-episode patients with schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorder on the Dutch version of the California Verbal Learning Test (VLGT) was compared to that of 43 normal comparison participants. We hypothesized that the first-episode patients would exhibit a “subcortical” memory profile, that is, they would show a primary retrieval deficit. This hypothesis was not confirmed: the patients displayed a profile suggestive of a prominent storage deficit, that is, a “cortical” memory profile. Subsequently, patients' VLGT performance was cluster analyzed to determine whether subgroups could be identified exhibiting a cortical, subcortical, and normal profile, respectively. Two subgroups (N = 22; N = 13) exhibited memory impairments, while one subgroup (N = 8) was unimpaired. The memory profiles of the two impaired subgroups differed both qualitatively and quantitatively, but did not conform neatly to a cortical and a subcortical profile. Demographic and verbal fluency data provided limited validation of the subgroup classification. Our results may suggest that combining the verbal memory performance of first-episode patients obscures meaningful heterogeneity. Alternatively, the cluster solution could merely reflect a continuum of severity. (JINS, 2005, 11, 152–162.)
Involvement of HGF/SF–Met signaling in prostate adenocarcinoma cells: Evidence for alternative mechanisms leading to a metastatic phenotype in Pr‐14c

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) facilitates intercellular communication between the epithelial carcinoma and its surrounding stromal tissue during metastatic invasion through interaction with its proto‐oncogenic receptor, Met, found on carcinoma cells. This study utilizes the C3(1)/Tag transgenic mouse prostate cancer cell line model in an attempt to characterize the interaction between HGF/SF and Met on the metastatic potential of prostate cancer.