Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The treatment of brain metastasis from breast cancer, role of blood-brain barrier disruption and early experience with trastuzumab

Background: Therapeutic approaches in the treatment of metastatic systemic brain tumors from breast cancer have improved. As patients live longer, the potential for CNS sanctuary disease increases. Metastases to the brain are diagnosed in breast cancer patients at a rate of 10 to 20%. Median survival is only 3 to 12 months with current standard therapies of whole-brain radiotherapy, surgery and stereotactic radiosurgery, and can vary with the type of treatment given. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy using trastuzumab may be more effective against brain metastases if delivery to the tumor can be improved. Results: The treatment was well tolerated with acceptable bone marrow toxicity. Median overall survival was 45.4 weeks and the majority of patients achieved symptomatic relief with reduction of steroids. Methods & objectives: We evaluated the use of osmotic blood–brain barrier disruption chemotherapy, with or without monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of brain metastases from breast cancer. We are interested in the prospective evaluation of the combination of a monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab, with enhanced delivery of carboplatin and methotrexate chemotherapy. Discussion: The use of carboplatin and methotrexate with blood–brain barrier disruption showed efficacy in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer to the CNS. This is comparable to other modalities, and without cognitive loss. Quality of life is improved with the withdrawal of steroids. Conclusion: The long-term goal is to use combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy with radiosurgery to increase survival and avoid complications from other treatments.
Opioid Use is Associated with Decreased Quality of Life in Patients with Crohn's Disease

Background/Aims: Quality of life is an important consideration in the management of patients with Crohn's disease. Previous studies suggest that Crohn's disease patients using opioids may have decreased quality of life and increased risk of mortality. Our aim was to determine the association between health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and opioid use in patients with Crohn's disease while controlling for disease severity. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study recruiting Crohn's disease patients at our center. Disease activity was measured using the Harvey-Bradshaw Index (HBI), and HRQoL was measured using the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Results: We enrolled 38 Crohn's disease patients using opioids and 62 patients not using opioids. Patients using opioids had an increased duration of disease (median 18.5 vs. 9 years, P = 0.005), increased surgeries related to Crohn's disease (median 3 vs. 0, P < 0.001), and increased prednisone use (29% vs. 11.3%, P = 0.03). Patients using opioids had increased disease activity (median HBI score 9.0 vs. 3.0, P < 0.001). Quality of life was lower in patients using opioids (mean IBDQ score 109.3 vs. 162.9, P < 0.001). This finding was significant when controlling for HBI scores, number of previous surgeries, and prednisone use (P = 0.003). Conclusions: Opioid use in Crohn's disease patients appears to be associated with disease activity and severity. HRQoL is markedly decreased in patients using opioids and this association is significant even when controlling for variables reflecting disease severity. Our findings suggest that Crohn's disease patients using opioids are likely to be significantly impacted by their disease.
On the Craig-Lyndon interpolation theorem

In his paper [3] Henkin proved for a first order language with identity symbol but without operation symbols the following version of the Craig-Lyndon interpolation theorem: Theorem 1. If Γ╞Δ then there is a formula θ such that Γ ├Δand (i) any relation symbol with a positive (negative) occurrence in θ has a positive (negative) occurrence in some formula of Γ.
Comparison of Systemic Effects of Midazolam, Ketamine, and Isoflurane Anaesthesia in Rabbits

Abstract Introduction: Clinical doses of anaesthetic agents were administered to rabbits and effects on the brain, heart, and liver were investigated biochemically and histopathologically. Material and Methods: The rabbits were randomly divided into three main groups (16 rabbits each) and each group into study (n = 8) and control (n = 8) groups. All study group rabbits received 3 mg/kg of midazolam (M) intramuscularly. Group 1.1 (M) received nothing further, group 2.1 (MK) also received 25 mg/kg of ketamine, and group 3.1 (MKI) besides ketamine was also given 2% isoflurane to induce anaesthesia for 30 min. NaCl solution in the same volume as midazolam and ketamine was injected into the controls. Results: In clinical evaluation significant differences were detected in respiratory and heart rates. In blood gas analysis the PO2 and PCO2 values showed statistical differences in anaesthesia intervals. Significant biochemical value changes were recorded in creatine kinase-Mb, glucose, and total protein. Histopathological liver examinations revealed higher total apoptotic and normal cell numbers in the MK than in the M and MKI groups. Apoptotic cell numbers were statistically significant in M and MK groups. Conclusion: Anaesthetic agents may increase programmed apoptosis. The MKI anaesthetics combination was found to cause less cell destruction in general than the other study groups. It was indicated that MKI was the safer anaesthetic combination in rabbits.
The Role of Revenge, Denial, and Terrorism Distress in Restoring Just World Beliefs: The Impact of the 2008 Mumbai Attacks on British and Indian Students

ABSTRACT Just world beliefs for students (N = 413) from India and the United Kingdom were measured. The participants then read a scenario about the 2008 terrorist attacks on Mumbai. The participants were then assessed for terrorism distress and offered multiple strategies (revenge and denial) to restore their just world beliefs. The findings indicate that students resident in India along with those who hold strong just world beliefs felt more distress, held a greater desire for revenge, and demonstrated more denial than the British students and those who had weak beliefs in a just world. These results indicate the important role just world beliefs play in responding to the threat created by mass casualty terrorist attacks. The implications for just world theory are also discussed.
Visual Hallucination and Pattern of Brain Degeneration in Parkinson's Disease

Background and Objectives: The incidence of visual hallucination (VH) increases with Parkinson's disease (PD) progression, and its development is thought to be related to a specific neurodegenerative process in PD. This study aimed to reveal brain degeneration related to VH in PD by analyzing neuroimaging data obtained from patients in their different stages of PD. Methods: Data from 48 PD patients - 21 nondemented without VH (PNV group), 10 nondemented with VH (PV group), and 17 demented with VH (PVD group) - and 30 age-matched healthy controls (HC group) were analyzed. Voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics were conducted. Previous magnetic resonance volumetric studies on VH in PD were collectively reviewed. Results: The PV group showed gray matter atrophy in the right inferior parietal lobule and supramarginal gyrus compared with the HC and PNV groups. The PVD group showed a wider range of gray matter atrophies in the temporo-parieto-occipital regions than those in the PV group. White matter changes seemed to be an earlier event than gray matter changes. Fractional anisotropy values diffusely decreased in all three PD subgroups compared with the HC group without significant differences between the PD subgroups. Mean diffusivity was not different between the PNV and HC groups but increased in the parieto-temporal region in the PV group and increased diffusely in the PVD group, additionally including the fronto-occipital regions. A review of previous studies supported our observations. Conclusions: Gray matter degenerations from the parieto-temporal junction to the parieto-occipital and temporo-occipital regions may be responsible for VH on the typical timeline of PD progression.
A novel association between resident tissue macrophages and nerves in the peripheral stroma of the murine cornea.

PURPOSE To characterize the interactions between resident macrophage populations and nerves in naïve and injured corneas of the mouse eye. METHODS Corneas from wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J, BALB/cJ, and transgenic Cx3cr1-eGFP mice were subjected to a 1-mm central epithelial debridement injury. The eyes were fixed and immunostained as flat mounts with a range of antibodies to identify macrophages, neurons, and Schwann cells. Interactions between nerves and immune cells were analyzed and quantitated using three-dimensional reconstructions of confocal microscopy images. Naïve eyes acted as controls. RESULTS A distinctive association between resident immune cells and corneal nerves was noted in the peripheral or perilimbal stromal nerve trunks. These epineurial cells were mostly Cx3cr1(+) Iba-1(+) major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II(+) F4/80(+) CD11b(+) macrophages. The number of nerve-associated macrophages was greater in WT BALB/c mice than in C57BL/6J mice. There were no qualitative or quantitative differences in the circumferential distribution of nerve-associated macrophages in the cornea. Sterile corneal epithelial debridement led to a dissociation of macrophages from peripheral nerve trunks as early as 2 hours postinjury, with numbers returning to baseline after 72 hours. This dissociation was Cx3cr1 dependent. CONCLUSIONS This study is the first to highlight a direct physical association between nerves and resident immune cells in the murine cornea. Furthermore, we reveal that this association in normal eyes is responsive to central corneal epithelial injury and is partly mediated by Cx3cr1 signaling. This association may serve as an indicator of malfunctioning neuroimmune communication in disease states such as neurotrophic keratitis and peripheral neuropathy.
The Therapy Process Observational Coding System for Child Psychotherapy Strategies Scale

Most everyday child and adolescent psychotherapy does not follow manuals that document the procedures. Consequently, usual clinical care has remained poorly understood and rarely studied. The Therapy Process Observational Coding System for Child Psychotherapy–Strategies scale (TPOCS–S) is an observational measure of youth psychotherapy procedures designed to support the study of usual clinical care by providing a means of characterizing it. Coders independently rated usual care therapy sessions conducted with 43 children (aged 8–15 years) diagnosed with anxiety and depressive disorders. The TPOCS–S showed good interrater reliability, its 5 subscales (e.g., Behavioral, Cognitive, Psychodynamic, Client-Centered, Family) showed good internal consistency, and analyses supported TPOCS–S validity.
CD4+ T-Cell–Mediated Mechanisms of Corneal Allograft Rejection: Role of Fas-Induced Apoptosis

Background. The role of CD4+ T cells as effector cells in corneal allograft rejection is poorly understood. We investigated the role of CD4+ T cells as helper cells in the generation of allospecific effector macrophages in corneal graft rejection and the role of CD4+ T cells as apoptosis-inducing effector cells. Methods. Corneal allografts were transplanted to CD4 knockout, FasL-deficient, and macrophage-depleted hosts. An Annexin-V binding assay was used to evaluate the susceptibility of corneal cells to both Fas-dependent and CD4+ T-cell–mediated apoptosis in vitro. Results. Macrophages were essential for graft rejection, but not as effector cells. Anti-BALB/c CD4+ T cells from immunized C57BL/6 mice induced apoptosis of BALB/c corneal epithelial and endothelial cells. However, anti-BALB/c CD4+ T cells from FasL-deficient gld/gld mice did not induce apoptosis of BALB/c corneal endothelial cells. Moreover, gld/gld mice had a reduced capacity to reject BALB/c corneal allografts. Although the initial results suggested a role for Fas-induced apoptosis in corneal graft rejection, additional experiments indicated otherwise. The incidence and tempo of immune rejection of Fas-deficient lpr/lpr corneal allografts were no different than those for corneal grafts from Fas-bearing C57BL/6 donors. Moreover, CD4+ T-cell–mediated apoptosis of corneal cells could not be blocked with either Fas-Fc fusion protein or anti-FasL blocking antibody. Conclusions. The results suggest that CD4+ T cells function directly as effector cells and not as helper cells in the rejection of corneal allografts. Although the corneal endothelium is highly susceptible to Fas-induced apoptosis, this is apparently not the primary mechanism of CD4+ T-cell–dependent rejection.
Complications and causes of death in spinal cord injury patients in Nigeria.

Background: There have been many reports on the problems of spinal cord injury (SCI) in Nigeria but few have reported on the complications and causes of death in spinal cord injured patients. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the complications, causes of death and associated risk factors in patients with SCI within six months post injury. Methods: Patients were retrospectively identified from the hospital trauma database from January 1997 to December 2007. Complications and cause of death within the first six months of SCI were determined along with associated risk factors. Results: Five hundred and eighty-two patients were eligible for analyses and data were obtained for 422 (72.5%) patients with a mean age of 37.2 (±14.2) years at six months follow-up. Muscle spasms 417 (98.8%) and neurogenic pain 382 (94.5%) were the main complications noted. The mortality during the review period was 144 (34.1%). Respiratory failure (44.4%) was the commonest cause of death. The independent predictors of mortality were mainly age, GCS<9, Frankel Type A at presentation and cervical spine injury (CSI) and while CSI and Frankel Type A injury were the main predictors of complications. Conclusion: Most common complication and cause of death following SCI are muscle spasm and respiratory failure respectively. The risk factors associated with mortality are age, GCS<9, cervical spinal injury, and complete neurologic injury and those for complications were cervical spinal injury and Frankel Type A injury.
Statistical analysis of retention behavior and lifetime prediction of HfOBxB-based RRAM

In this paper, statistical measurements on the retention behavior of the stable HfOBx-based RRAM under various thermal/voltage/cycling stresses are investigated. Testing results show that, data retention of high resistance state (HRS) of a RRAM is insensitive to temperature and cycling-aging. An empirical equation involving the voltage/thermal/cycling-stress acceleration is given for lifetime prediction. 10 years lifetime can be obtained with a constant read voltage of 0.2 V even at 160 °C. Also the set time of the RRAM extrapolated by the empirical equation coincides with the experiment value. In addition, the shallow Weibull slope of the retention time can be improved when the variations of the initial resistance is well controlled.
Strategic Timing of Pro Forma Earnings Announcements

Prior research suggests that managers are strategic in reporting pro forma earnings. However, empirical evidence is mixed on whether managers’ strategic decisions reflect opportunistic or altruistic motives. We extend this research by examining the strategic timing of earnings announcements containing pro forma earnings information. Our results indicate that managers accelerate the timing of earnings announcements (relative to the expected announcement date) in quarters in which they disclose pro forma measures relative to quarters in which they do not. We also find that the acceleration of pro forma announcements increases with the level of (potentially opportunistic) manager exclusions of recurring items. Finally, we find that investors’ response to news reported early decreases with the level of manager exclusions of recurring items. This result suggests that in the presence of strategic timing behavior, investors view these exclusions as opportunistic as opposed to conveying value-relevant “core” information. Additional results suggest that this decreased response is more pronounced following the regulation of pro forma reporting. Taken together, our results suggest that, while managers strategically accelerate the timing of pro forma earnings releases to influence investors’ perceptions of firm performance, investors are not misled by this practice.
Effect of Guided Imagery on Depression in Male Inmates

The study was a Quasi experimental two group pre-and post- experimental design. It involved 32 samples at both experimental and control groups. This research was conducted to examine the effect of Guided Imagery on depression among male inmates. Subjects in the experimental group were asked to practice Guided Imagery in group for 10 sessions three times a week over 4 weeks of treatment period. Subjects from the control group participated in daily activities. Due to ethical consideration, following the completion of this study, however, the subjects in the control group were given Guided Imagery exercises as to reduce their depression signs and symptoms. The data were collected from the prisoners at Correctional Institution Sukamiskin Bandung Indonesia, from August to September 2014. Guided Imagery demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in depression ( p=0.041) on the experimental group compared with the control group. Guided Imagery is a powerful, simple and economic intervention to reduce depression symptoms. The study found that the experimental group experience less depression than the control group. This study can be applied to other correctional institutions to reduce depression among prison inmates. Further studies are recommended to explore the effectiveness of guided imagery on depression among male inmates.
Role of hemoglobin/heme scavenger protein hemopexin in atherosclerosis and inflammatory diseases

Purpose of review Hemoglobin and its scavenger proteins haptoglobin and hemopexin (Hx) associate with HDL and influence the inflammatory properties of HDL. Moreover, HDL from Hx-null mice is proinflammatory. In addition, Hx deficiency is implicated in a number of other inflammatory diseases such as septic shock and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. This article highlights studies that demonstrate novel insights into the physiological protective role of Hx in inflammatory diseases. Recent findings Recent studies demonstrate that Hx-dependent uptake of extracellular heme leads to the deactivation of Bach1 repression leading to the transcriptional activation of antioxidant heme oxygenase-1 gene. Levels of circulating Hx have been implicated in the prognosis for patients with septic shock. In addition, Hx therapy has been shown to be beneficial in cardiovascular disease, cerebral ischemic injury, and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Summary These studies suggest that heme scavenging is a major mechanism by which Hx defends against oxidative stress and related inflammatory disorders. Hx therapy may provide a novel protective role against heme and oxidative stress-mediated inflammatory conditions including atherosclerosis.
The Histamine H4 Receptor Antagonist, JNJ 39758979, Is Effective in Reducing Histamine-Induced Pruritus in a Randomized Clinical Study in Healthy Subjects

The Commentary associated with this article can be found on page 2. The histamine H4 receptor (H4R) is a promising target for the treatment of pruritus. A clinical study was conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the H4R antagonist, JNJ 39758979 [(R)-4-(3-amino-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-6-isopropyl-pyrimidin-2-ylamine], on histamine-induced pruritus in healthy subjects. A single oral dose of 600 mg JNJ 39758979, 10 mg cetirizine, or placebo was administered in a randomized, three-period, double-blind, crossover study. Treatment periods were separated by 22-day washout periods. A histamine challenge was administered on day −1 and at 2 and 6 hours postdose on day 1 of each treatment period. The primary efficacy endpoint was the area under the curve (AUC) of pruritus score 0–10 minutes after the histamine challenge. Secondary efficacy endpoints included wheal and flare areas assessed 10 minutes after the histamine challenge. Safety was assessed for all subjects. Of the 24 enrolled subjects, 23 individuals completed the study. One subject withdrew after completing two treatment periods. Due to a carryover effect of JNJ 39758979, only treatment period 1 was used for pruritus-related evaluations. Compared with placebo, the reduction of the AUC of pruritus score was significant for JNJ 39758979 at 2 hours (P = 0.0248) and 6 hours (P = 0.0060), and for cetirizine at 6 hours (P = 0.0417). In all treatment periods, JNJ 39758979 did not demonstrate a significant decrease in wheal or flare at either time point, although a significant reduction was achieved with cetirizine at 2 and 6 hours (P < 0.0001). Adverse eventss reported in >1 patient with JNJ 39758979 were headache (9%) and nausea (13%). In conclusion, JNJ 39758979 was effective in inhibiting histamine-induced pruritus in healthy subjects.
Structure of the cooperative Xis–DNA complex reveals a micronucleoprotein filament that regulates phage lambda intasome assembly

The DNA architectural protein Xis regulates the construction of higher-order nucleoprotein intasomes that integrate and excise the genome of phage lambda from the Escherichia coli chromosome. Xis modulates the directionality of site-specific recombination by stimulating phage excision 106-fold, while simultaneously inhibiting phage reintegration. Control is exerted by cooperatively assembling onto a ≈35-bp DNA regulatory element, which it distorts to preferentially stabilize an excisive intasome. Here, we report the 2.6-Å crystal structure of the complex between three cooperatively bound Xis proteins and a 33-bp DNA containing the regulatory element. Xis binds DNA in a head-to-tail orientation to generate a micronucleoprotein filament. Although each protomer is anchored to the duplex by a similar set of nonbase specific contacts, malleable protein–DNA interactions enable binding to sites that differ in nucleotide sequence. Proteins at the ends of the duplex sequence specifically recognize similar binding sites and participate in cooperative binding via protein–protein interactions with a bridging Xis protomer that is bound in a less specific manner. Formation of this polymer introduces ≈72° of curvature into the DNA with slight positive writhe, which functions to connect disparate segments of DNA bridged by integrase within the excisive intasome.
MODELING OF DECOMPOSITION CHARACTERISITICS OF ESTROGENIC CHEMICALS DURING OZONATION

Abstract The purposes of this study were to develop a refined model for simulation of ozonation of estrogenic chemicals under different conditions and to investigate the behaviors of estrogenic by‐products using the model. In the cases of ozonation of 17‐estradiol (E2), bisphenol‐A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) in aqueous solution, it can be concluded that the liquid film resistances are larger than bulk resistances, and thus most of the reaction occurs in liquid bulk. E2, BPA and NP are easily decomposed producing by‐products of ozonation, but the estrogenicity of these chemicals and the by‐products reduced with increase in ozonation time. Through this research, ozonation was shown to be a promising method to decompose E2, BPA and NP and to reduce the estrogenicity of these chemicals.