Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Peripheral tuberculous lymphadenopathy: A review of 67 cases

Peripheral tuberculous lymphadenopathy is the commonest form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Sixty‐seven patients with peripheral tuberculous lymphadenopathy who presented to general surgeons and underwent lymph node biopsy between 1979 and 1989 are reviewed. Fifty‐four patients (81 per cent) were of Indian subcontinent ethnic origin and 13 (19 per cent) were of white ethnic origin. The sites most commonly afected were the cervical lymph nodes. Biopsy specimens obtained by open operation were sent for microbiological examination in all but 13 cases, of whom seven were patients of white ethnic origin. Tuberculous lymphadenopathy remains an important differential diagnosis of cervical lymphadenopathy and it is essential that peripheral lymph node biopsies are examined both histologically and microbiologically.
Noninvasive monitoring of blood pressure in the critically ill: Reliability according to the cuff site (arm, thigh, or ankle)

Objective:In the critically ill, blood pressure measurements mostly rely on automated oscillometric devices pending the intra-arterial catheter insertion or after its removal. If the arms are inaccessible, the cuff is placed at the ankle or the thigh, but this common practice has never been assessed. We evaluated the reliability of noninvasive blood pressure readings at these anatomic sites. Design:Prospective observational study. Setting:Medical–surgical intensive care unit. Patients:Patients carrying an arterial line with no severe occlusive arterial disease. Intervention:Each patient underwent a set of three pairs of noninvasive and intra-arterial measurements at each site (arm, ankle, thigh [if Ramsay sedation scale >4]) and, in case of circulatory failure, a second set of measurements after a cardiovascular intervention (volume expansion, change in catecholamine dosage). Measurements and Main Results:In 150 patients, whatever the cuff site, the agreement between invasive and noninvasive readings was markedly higher for mean arterial pressure than for systolic or diastolic pressure. For mean arterial pressure measurement, arm noninvasive blood pressure was reliable (mean bias of 3.4 ± 5.0 mm Hg, lower/upper limit of agreement of –6.3/13.1 mm Hg) contrary to ankle or thigh noninvasive blood pressure (mean bias of 3.1 ± 7.7 mm Hg and 5.7 ± 6.8 mm Hg and lower/upper limits of agreement of –12.1/18.3 mm Hg and –7.7/19.2 mm Hg, respectively). During acute circulatory failure (n = 83), arm noninvasive blood pressure but also ankle and thigh noninvasive blood pressure allowed a reliable detection of 1) invasive mean arterial pressure <65 mm Hg (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.98 [0.92–1], 0.93 [0.85–0.97], and 0.93 [0.85–0.98] for arm, ankle, and thigh noninvasive blood pressure, respectively); and 2) a significant (>10%) increase in invasive mean arterial pressure after a cardiovascular intervention (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.99 [0.92–1], 0.90 [0.80–0.97], and 0.96 [0.87–0.99], respectively). Conclusion:In our population, arm noninvasive mean arterial pressure readings were accurate. Either the ankle or the thigh may be reliable alternatives, only to detect hypotensive and therapy-responding patients. (Crit Care Med 2012; 40:–1213)
Schizophrenia patients lack normal positive correlation between age and brain response during verbal learning.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the differences in the relationship of age to brain function among individuals with schizophrenia and a healthy comparison group. The authors hypothesized that the correlation with age would be more strongly negative among schizophrenia patients, particularly in the frontal cortex. DESIGN Cross-sectional measures of functional MRI (fMRI) brain response were correlated with age in both groups. SETTING Participants came to university research facilities for testing. PARTICIPANTS The authors analyzed data from 30 patients with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder ranging in age from 25 to 68 years and 14 healthy comparison participants ranging in age from 21 to 70 years. MEASUREMENTS Brain response during word pair learning was measured with fMRI in each voxel of the brain. This measure was correlated with age within each group and the correlations were compared across groups in regions of interest determined a priori and based on a whole-brain analysis. In exploratory analyses, the authors examined the interaction of task performance with age and study group. RESULTS The correlations between age and brain response were more positive in the healthy group than in the schizophrenia group in several regions, including right lateral prefrontal cortex and clusters in midline precuneus and right superior temporal gyrus. Interactions with task performance suggest that age effects on brain function relate differently to cognitive output in patients and comparison participants. CONCLUSIONS There is no strong evidence that functional brain response during learning changes significantly with age among schizophrenia patients, in contrast to findings of positive associations with age among healthy individuals.
Women smoking and testicular cancer: One epidemic causing another?

In many countries the incidence of testicular cancer has increased epidemically, but the aetiology remains obscure. Maternal smoking during pregnancy has been suggested to be a cause, but a satisfactorily valid assessment of the hypothesis is still lacking. To evaluate the epidemiological relevance, we assessed the ecological correlation between female smoking habits and testicular cancer incidence in the Nordic countries. Data on smoking prevalence among women in 5‐year birth cohorts 1910–1940, at 25–29 years of age, were obtained through past studies of smoking habits in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland. Testicular cancer incidence in the presumed offspring birth cohorts 1938–1968, was calculated using data from the respective cancer registries. For comparison, a similar analysis of male smoking and testicular cancer in the presumed offspring cohorts was carried out. The Pearson correlation coefficient between female smoking prevalence and testicular cancer incidence in the generation of the presumed offspring was 0.9 (p < 0.0001) for all countries combined. With the exception of Finland, the country‐specific correlations were of the same magnitude. In multivariate analysis, there was no correlation with male smoking. The strong geographical and temporal correlations between female smoking and testicular cancer indicate that if smoking during pregnancy is a cause of testicular cancer in the offspring, part of the increasing trends could be explained, and more importantly: avoided, by primary prevention. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Field efficacy of novaluron for control of Colorado potato beetle ( Coleoptera : Chrysomelidae ) on potato

Field trials were conducted in 2003 and 2004 to assess the effectiveness of novaluron (Rimon 10EC), a benzoylphenyl urea chitin synthesis inhibitor, for Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say), management on potato. Foliar applications of novaluron did not significantly reduce numbers of L. decemlineata adults, egg masses, or first instar larvae, but second–fourth instars were greatly suppressed. Although an application rate of 12.5 gAI ha 1 provided unsatisfactory protection, rates of 25 and 50 gAI ha 1 proved effective when applied 2 days after second instars were first observed on plants. These rates were much less effective when applied 2 days after observance of egg masses. At 50 gAI ha , novaluron provided excellent, prolonged protection, whether applied twice a season, or once in alternation with imidacloprid. Defoliation was minimized, resulting in yields 3.8–5.2 times greater than those harvested from control plots. The results suggest that novaluron could be a valuable tool in future L. decemlineata management programs. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
MaLT – Combined Motor and Language Therapy Tool for Brain Injury Patients Using Kinect

Summary Background: The functional connectivity and structural proximity of elements of the language and motor systems result in frequent co-morbidity post brain injury. Although rehabilitation services are becoming increasingly multidisciplinary and “integrated”, treatment for language and motor functions often occurs in isolation. Thus, behavioural therapies which promote neural reorganisation do not reflect the high inter-system connectivity of the neurologically intact brain. As such, there is a pressing need for rehabilitation tools which better reflect and target the impaired cognitive networks. Objectives: The objective of this research is to develop a combined high dosage therapy tool for language and motor rehabilitation. The rehabilitation therapy tool developed, MaLT (Motor and Language Therapy), comprises a suite of computer games targeting both language and motor therapy that use the Kinect sensor as an interaction device. The games developed are intended for use in the home environment over prolonged periods of time. In order to track patients’ engagement with the games and their rehabilitation progress, the game records patient performance data for the therapist to interrogate. Methods: MaLT incorporates Kinect-based games, a database of objects and language parameters, and a reporting tool for therapists. Games have been developed that target four major language therapy tasks involving single word comprehension, initial phoneme identification, rhyme identification and a naming task. These tasks have 8 levels each increasing in difficulty. A database of 750 objects is used to programmatically generate appropriate questions for the game, providing both targeted therapy and unique game-play every time. The design of the games has been informed by therapists and by discussions with a Public Patient Involvement (PPI) group. Results: Pilot MaLT trials have been conducted with three stroke survivors for the duration of 6 to 8 weeks. Patients’ performance is monitored through MaLT’s reporting facility presented as graphs plotted from patient game data. Performance indicators include reaction time, accuracy, number of incorrect responses and hand use. The resultant games have also been tested by the PPI with a positive response and further suggestions for future modifications made. Conclusion: MaLT provides a tool that innovatively combines motor and language therapy for high dosage rehabilitation in the home. It has demonstrated that motion sensor technology can be successfully combined with a language therapy task to target both upper limb and linguistic impairment in patients following brain injury. The initial studies on stroke survivors have demonstrated that the combined therapy approach is viable and the outputs of this study will inform planned larger scale future trials.
Leptin is Associated with Local Stiffness of the Carotid Artery in Overweight Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: Besides its major role in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure, leptin is involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-associated atherosclerosis. However, the clinical association between leptin and arterial stiffness, a surrogate marker for cardiovascular disease, has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the association between the plasma leptin level and arterial stiffness in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Three hundred eighteen patients with type 2 diabetes, of which 155 were overweight (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2), were included in this study. Fasting plasma leptin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Stiffness of the common carotid artery was evaluated by ultrasonography using Peterson’s elastic modulus (Ep) and arterial compliance (AC). Aortic stiffness was assessed by measuring the pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the heart-femoral segment. Results: The mean age, duration of diabetes, and body mass index of the subjects were 60 years, 6 years, and 25.4 kg/m2, respectively. Plasma leptin levels were higher in the overweight group than in the lean group (median, 5.8 vs. 2.4 ng/mL). Multiple regression analyses adjusted by age, sex, body mass index, and other cardiovascular risk factors revealed that the plasma leptin level was independently associated with carotid Ep and AC in the overweight group, but not in the lean group. The plasma leptin level was not independently associated with aortic PWV in either group. Conclusion: The plasma leptin level is associated with carotid arterial stiffness in overweight type 2 diabetes patients, independently of obesity and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. This study indicates an unfavorable effect of leptin on carotid arterial stiffness in diabetes with obesity.
Do Tax Havens Really Flourish? Accounting for Endogeneity in Growth Regressions

That tax haven policies contribute to favorable economic growth in tax haven countries is commonly accepted. There is, however, minimal empirical evidence to substantiate this assertation and empirical investigations are subject to endogeneity bias. Using a sample of 155 countries from 1982 to 2003, we find that the standard tax haven variable is endogenous to the error term in a typical growth regression. We offer land area measures as valid instruments for tax haven status. Results based on two-stage least squares estimation with heteroskedastic standard errors and controls for initial conditions provide support for the claim that tax havens “flourish” compared with non-tax haven countries. The sensitivity of the estimates to the treatment of endogeneity is salient for a variety of related research, including the current dialogue concerning the impact of tax haven policies on non-tax haven countries.
AN RF-CMOS LNA AND MIXER MERGED DESIGN STRATEGY

Low Noise Amplifier and Mixer design considerations for 2.45 GHz Bluetooth applications have been studied. A detailed noise analysis is presented. A design strategy for an inductively degenerated common-source LNA with cascode transistor and current-commutating Mixer is proposed, considering the tradeoffs between noise, linearity, power consumption and matching of impedances. Additionally, this work presents a new expression to estimate the LNA noise figure considering the noise introduced by the transconductance stage and the cascode device. A 2.45 GHz LNA-Mixer has been designed and simulated in a0. 35μm 4M2P CMOS technology to validate the proposed strategy. Some performance results obtained through simulations are: NF=7.9dB, Voltage Gain=27dB, PIIP3=−14.4dBm, IF = 1MHz and power consumption of 15.6mW at 3.3V power supply.
Subfunctionalization of Cellulose Synthases in Seed Coat Epidermal Cells Mediates Secondary Radial Wall Synthesis and Mucilage Attachment1[C][W][OA]

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) epidermal seed coat cells follow a complex developmental program where, following fertilization, cells of the ovule outer integument differentiate into a unique cell type. Two hallmarks of these cells are the production of a doughnut-shaped apoplastic pocket filled with pectinaceous mucilage and the columella, a thick secondary cell wall. Cellulose is thought to be a key component of both these secondary cell wall processes. Here, we investigated the role of cellulose synthase (CESA) subunits CESA2, CESA5, and CESA9 in the seed coat epidermis. We characterized the roles of these CESA proteins in the seed coat by analyzing cell wall composition and morphology in cesa mutant lines. Mutations in any one of these three genes resulted in lower cellulose content, a loss of cell shape uniformity, and reduced radial wall integrity. In addition, we found that attachment of the mucilage halo to the parent seed following extrusion is maintained by cellulose-based connections requiring CESA5. Hence, we show that cellulose fulfills an adhesion role between the extracellular mucilage matrix and the parent cell in seed coat epidermal cells. We propose that mucilage remains attached to the seed coat through interactions between components in the seed mucilage and cellulose. Our data suggest that CESA2 and CESA9 serve in radial wall reinforcement, as does CESA5, but CESA5 also functions in mucilage biosynthesis. These data suggest unique roles for different CESA subunits in one cell type and illustrate a complex role for cellulose biosynthesis in plant developmental biology.
Algunas claves organizativas del estado de las autonomías español y sus consecuencias

El analisis institucional aqui realizado permite afirmar que la nueva organizacion territorial del Estado implantada en Espana tras la Constitucion de 1978 ha sido una de las piezas claves del desarrollo economico y social alcanzado desde entonces. Aunque los nuevos gobiernos autonomicos realizan ya casi tantas y tan importantes tareas politicas como sus homologos en los estados federales, la organizacion existente en Espana resulta ciertamente singular. Ademas de explicar cuales son esas claves organizativas diferenciadoras, y de mostrar los efectos positivos que las mismas han tenido durante el periodo analizado, en el trabajo se aportan tambien diversas estadisticas a fin de ofrecer una vision cuantitativa y comparada de la descentralizacion lograda, tanto en materia de responsabilidades de gasto como en lo relativo a la descentralizacion del poder fiscal. El exito de estos primeros anos, sin embargo, no garantiza que esas claves organizativas puedan seguir produciendo similares efectos positivos sobre el bienestar economico de los espanoles en el futuro. Como se enfatiza en la conclusion, algunos de los nuevos y trascendentales hechos ocurridos en Espana ya desde finales de los anos 90 exigen una reflexion sobre las posibles vias de reforma de ese modelo de organizacion territorial del Estado.
Enhancement of Bacterial Infections in Mice by Newcastle Disease Virus

This report describes an attempt to define the factors which incite secondary bacterial pneumonias. Groups of mice were given bacteria intraperitoneally and, at various intervals, Newcastle disease virus intravenously. There was an increase in the number of deaths and in the rates of death in these groups, when compared with a control group which was given only bacteria. These results were obtained with Streptococcus pneumoniae (Diplococcus pneumoniae), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella enteritidis ser. typhimurium. Newcastle disease virus increased the mortality rate of mice with bacterial infections when the two agents were given within 24 hr.
Thermostable Alkaline Protease Production via Solid State Fermentation in a Tray Bioreactor using Bacillus licheniformis ATCC 21424

Production of thermostable alkaline protease in tray bioreactor for solid state fermentation is a unique process which may lead to an economical approach for production of enzyme from agricultural waste or low cost substrate. In solid state fermentation using tray bioreactor, several agricultural residues such as rice bran, sugarcane bagasse, wheat bran, barely bran, corn meal and corn husk were used as substrates. Among them, wheat bran was found to be the most suitable substrate with high activity of 798.83 and 776.91 U/gds for top and middle trays, respectively. Process parameters such as incubation time (48 hours), cabin temperature (35 ˚C) and cabin humidity (90%) were optimized. It was found that the desired carbon and nitrogen supplementary sources were rice bran (1%) and corn meal (2%), respectively. The protease was stable in broad temperature range (30-75 ˚C) and pH values (7-13), with maximum activity was defined at 65 ˚C and pH value of 8.
Antigenic Pattern of Strains of Influenza A and B

Summary Influenza A viruses, as revealed by agglutination-inhibition tests with rooster antisera, comprised a graded series of antigenic forms in which precise subgrouping was not possible by the present method. The B strains examined fell into 3 subgroups. The reappearance from time to time of strains closely related to an earlier prototype, necessitates the selection of a group of strains for a polyvalent vaccine which possess broad immunogenic activity. Certain possible deficiencies in the present formula vaccine were mentioned. The recent outbreak of influenza among Eskimos in remote Victoria Island, Canada, in which there was mortality and morbidity approaching the pandemic form of disease, was apparently caused by 2 different viruses which resembled the well-studied PR8 and FM1 strains of influenza A.
CT assessment of tumour response to treatment: comparison of linear, cross-sectional and volumetric measures of tumour size.

Changes in cross-sectional area are currently used to assess tumour response to treatment. The aims of this study were to validate a helical CT technique for volume determination using a series of phantoms and to compare tumour responses indicated by one-, two- and three-dimensional measures of tumour size change in patients treated for germ cell cancer or lymphoma. All studies were performed on an IGE HiSpeed Advantage helical CT scanner with an Advantage Windows workstation. Phantom volumes were calculated using volume reconstruction software and compared with reference volumes determined by water displacement. 20 lymph node masses were studied on serial CT scans in 16 patients treated with chemotherapy for germ cell cancer or lymphoma. For each lesion the maximum diameter, maximum cross-sectional area and volume were determined before and after treatment. Tumour response was assessed using the standard World Health Organisation criteria (i.e. changes in cross-sectional area) and the newly proposed unidimensional response evaluation criteria in solid tumour (RECIST). The CT volume measurement error was 1.0-5.1% for regularly shaped phantoms larger than 35 cm3. In the assessment of treatment response there was 90% agreement between one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) measurements and 100% agreement between 2D and three-dimensional (3D) measurements. CT volume measurements are accurate and reproducible, particularly for larger structures. Assessment of tumour response using 1D, 2D and 3D measures had limited influence on the classification of treatment response. However, the impact of CT assessment of tumour response using 1D, 2D and 3D measurements on clinical decisions and patient outcome remains to be determined.
Efficacy of nefazodone in the treatment of neuroleptic induced extrapyramidal side effects: a double‐blind randomised parallel group placebo‐controlled trial

Many atypical antipsychotics show antagonism at both serotonergic and dopaminergic neurones and show fewer extrapyramidal side effects (EPS). Nefazodone blocks postsynaptic 5HT2A receptors and weakly inhibits serotonin reuptake. This study aimed to elucidate the role of nefazodone in the treatment of antipsychotic‐induced EPS. The trial was a double‐blind, randomised, placebo‐controlled trial of patients requiring antipsychotic treatment with haloperidol 10 mg daily; from which a subgroup of patients who developed EPS were selected for the study. Patients were randomised to add‐on therapy with either placebo (n = 24) or nefazodone (n = 25) 100 mg bd. EPS were measured on days 0, 3 and 7 using the Simpson Angus, Barnes akathisia, abnormal involuntary movement and Chouinard scales. Nefazodone significantly reduced EPS as measured by both the Simpson Angus scale and CGI (p = 0.007 and 0.0247, respectively). Akathisia and tardive dyskinesia did not differ between the two groups (p = 0.601; p = 0.507, respectively). These results suggest the role of 5HT2 antagonism in the mechanism of action of atypical antipsychotics with respect to lowering rates of drug‐induced EPS. In addition, a therapeutic role for nefazodone is suggested in the treatment of antipsychotic‐induced EPS. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.