Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of the Clinical and Molecular Diagnosis of Herpes Simplex Keratitis

Purpose: To compare the clinical and molecular diagnoses of Herpes Simplex Keratitis (HSK). Materials and Methods: Conjunctival swabs (after fluorescein and anaesthetic wash out) and detailed questionnaire data were obtained from 146 participants. Corneal rims and conjunctival epithelial cells were infected with Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 or HSV2 and supernatant collected. HSV1; HSV2; Varicella Zoster Virus (VZV) and Adenovirus (ADV) DNA was assessed using two real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) methods. Results: Of the 146 participants recruited, 54 were clinically diagnosed with typical epithelial lesions and 38 with atypical epithelial lesions, 17 with old inactive HSK and 37 healthy volunteers. HSV1 DNA was detected in 28 (30%) of the 92 participants with clinically suspect HSK. Patients who presented with typical epithelial lesions had a higher positive rate (46%) than those who presented with atypical type lesions (8%), when using primers against the Glycoprotein (Gp) G region of the virus. When the same samples were retested with primers against the GpB region, the positive rate for the typical and atypical cases increased to 52% and 11% respectively. Antiviral use at the time of sampling reduced the rate of PCR positivity by 20% (p in vitro control investigations of HSV1 and 2 infected corneal rims and conjunctival epithelial cells were 100% positive for infected and 100% negative for uninfected samples when assessed using both PCR methods. Conclusions: Clinical diagnosis of typical HSK is not always confirmed by PCR. Concomitant use of an antiviral reduces levels of PCR positivity. Given this and the findings that other ocular surface pathogens may mimic HSK pathology, and that choice of gene amplification region can also affect accurate detection of HSV1 by PCR, we propose the use of a multiplex assay. This would perform PCR using primers spanning a number of different regions within one gene and would also target a number of different viral genes to ensure potentially different HSV1 viral strains or other viruses do not affect the test and lead to disagreements between the clinical and molecular diagnosis of HSK. From these findings, this paper proposes a clinical supportive algorithmic guide to manage such disagreements.
SPICE Model of a Single Twisted-Wire Pair Illuminated by a Plane Wave in Free Space

A SPICE model for the twisted-wire pair with uniform twists in free space is proposed in this paper, which is capable of calculating the transient terminal response of the twisted-wire pair terminated with nonlinear loads in the presence of a transient plane wave illumination. The model differs from its counterpart for a straight-wire pair in that an extra convolution is included in the source terms, which can be calculated efficiently by the recursive convolution method. For the sake of convenience, the derivation of the model is made in the frequency domain on the basis of the transmission-line theory. The resultant expressions are compared with the outcome of the method of moments, showing that the transmission-line model can be applied to the twisted-wire pair with loose twists. Furthermore, the low-frequency coupling properties and resonant peak of the twisted-wire pairs are investigated according to the derived approximate formulae. Based on the frequency-domain results, a SPICE model for the twisted-wire pair is proposed in the time domain before it is verified and applied to the twisted-wire pair terminated with nonlinear loads.
Activity of a Novel Anti-folate (PDX, 10-propargyl 10-deazaaminopterin) against Human Lymphoma is Superior to Methotrexate and Correlates with Tumor RFC-1 Gene Expression

PDX (10-propargyl-10-deazaaminopterin) is a novel anti-folate with improved membrane transport and polyglutamylation in tumor cells. In prior studies, PDX exhibited enhanced efficacy over methotrexate (MTX) in lung and breast carcinoma xenografts. Because MTX is active in the treatment of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), we compared the efficacy of PDX and MTX against five lymphoma cell lines: RL (transformed follicular lymphoma), HT, SKI-DLBCL-1 (diffuse large B cell), Raji (Burkitt's), and Hs445 (Hodgkin's disease). After 5-day continuous in vitro exposure, PDX demonstrated >10-fold greater cytotoxicity than MTX in all cell lines (IC 50 PDX =3-5 nM, IC 50 MTX =30-50 nM ). We then compared the in vivo effects of anti-folates against three established human NHL xenografts in NOD/SCID mice. Tumor bearing animals were treated with saline (control) or the maximum tolerated doses of MTX (40 mg/kg) or PDX (60 mg/kg) via an intraperitoneal route twice weekly for 2 weeks. Almost 90% of HT lymphomas treated with PDX completely regressed, whereas, those treated with MTX treatment had only modest growth delays. In two other xenografts, tumor bearing mice had complete regression rates of 56% (RL) and 30% (SKI-DLBCL-1) after PDX therapy. No regressions and only minor growth inhibition was noted after MTX therapy. RT-PCR analysis for the expression of genes involved in folate metabolism demonstrated that increased sensitivity to PDX correlated with higher RFC-1 gene expression with no difference in FPGS or FPGH levels, suggesting that measurement of tumor RFC-1 gene expression level may be a predictor of response to PDX. These results demonstrate that the PDX has markedly greater potential activity against human NHL than MTX and warrants further preclinical and clinical evaluation.
PAC Algorithms for the Infinitely-Many Armed Problem with Multiple Pools

We consider a multi-pool version of the infinitely-many armed bandit problem, where a learning agent is faced with several large pools of items, and interested in finding the best item overall. At each time step the agent chooses a pool, and obtains a random item whose value is precisely revealed. The obtained values within each pool are assumed to be i.i. d. , with an unknown probability distribution that generally differs among the pools. Under the PAC framework, we provide lower bounds on the sample complexity of any ( , δ)-correct algorithm, and propose an algorithm that attains this bound up to logarithmic factors. We compare the performance of this multi-pool algorithm to the variant in which the pools are not distinguishable by the agent and are chosen randomly at each stage. Interestingly, when the maximal values of the pools happen to be similar, the latter approach may provide better performance.
Prenatal diagnosis of epidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma caused by c.T470C (p.M157T) of the keratin 9 gene in a Chinese kindred

X. -L. Chen1†, C. -M. Xu2†, S. -R. Cai3†, C. -Y. Chen1 and X. -N. Zhang1* 1Institute of Cell Biology and Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Education Base for Basic Medical Sciences, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China 2Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China 3Institute of Cancer Research, Zhejiang University, Zhejiang, China
Prevalence of Sleep Disorders in Childhood and Adolescence with Headache

Although a relationship between headache and sleep disturbances has been reported in adults, only few data have been available in children. Accordingly, we performed a survey to determine the prevalence of sleep disturbances in children with migraine and tension-type headache. A questionnaire of history and clinical data and of sleep disturbances was given to parents of 283 headache subjects (164 with migraine and 119 with tension-type headache). Results were compared to a normative group comparable for age and sex of 893 normal healthy subjects. Migraine subjects showed a higher prevalence of sleep disturbances during infancy as well as 3-month colic. In both headache groups, more parents had sleep disturbances and there was a higher occurrence of co-sleeping and napping. A high frequency of sleep disturbances involving sleep quality, night awakening, nocturnal symptoms and daytime sleepiness was reported in headache children. No statistical differences were found in the prevalence of sleep disturbances between migraine and tension-type headache. However, the migraine group tended to have “disturbed sleep” more often with increased prevalence of nocturnal symptoms such as sleep breathing disorders and parasomnias. Our results give further support to an association between sleep and migraine that may have a common intrinsic origin.
Use of Health Care Services by Women Who Use Crack Cocaine

ABSTRACT Chronic drug users demonstrate a need for access to health care due to both acute health problems related directly to substance use and to other existing medical problems. This study attempts to examine how women differ from men in their utilization of health services. Also, it analyzes how crack use affects men and women differentially. The study population is a community-based sample of 624, comprised equally of men and women, as well as crack users and non-users of crack. Results indicate that women utilized health care more than men; however, crack use among women appears to be an inhibitory factor in the utilization of health services by women.
Identification of S-genotypes of sweet cherry cultivars from Central and Eastern Europe

Sweet cherry is a species that is characterized by self-incompatibility, which causes difficulties in obtaining high yields of sweet cherry fruit. Determination of the composition of the S‑alleles of sweet cherry cultivars is useful both to growers producing the fruit and breeders when selecting cultivars for cross-fertilizations. In this work, S-alleles have been identified for 47 sweet cherry cultivars from Central and Eastern Europe, mostly from Ukraine and the Czech Republic, with S‑genotypes of 43 cultivars identified for the first time. To identify the S-alleles, PCR-based methods were used. In each cultivar, two of the following eight S-alleles were identified: S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , S 4 , S 5 , S 6 , S 9 and S 13 . In the cultivars from the Czech Republic, the most frequently occurring were the alleles S 3 , S 1 and S 4 . In the cultivars originating in Ukraine, the most frequently found were the alleles S 5 and S 9 , which makes them differ considerably from the sweet cherry cultivars from other regions of Europe. The tested sweet cherry cultivars were assigned to 20 of the existing incompatibility groups.
Verbal and Visual Instruction in Motor Skill Acquisition for Persons with and Without Down Syndrome

This study examined motor learning in persons with Down syndrome (DS), persons with undifferentiated developmental disabilities (UnDD), and persons without disabilities (ND). Participants were instructed (either by verbal instruction or visual demonstration) to move a cursor to three items displayed on a computer screen. Results indicated that the ND group had superior performances to the other two groups for both instruction conditions. Participants with DS performed the task with both longer response and movement times when instructed verbally. In a transfer condition, results revealed the UnDD group displayed poor transfer, while participants with DS showed positive transfer from visual to verbal protocols. These results provide some evidence that persons with DS may be able to consolidate visual information to facilitate verbal-motor learning.
A Protease-resistant Prion Protein Isoform Is Present in Urine of Animals and Humans Affected with Prion Diseases*

Prion protein (PrP)Sc, the only known component of the prion, is present mostly in the brains of animals and humans affected with prion diseases. We now show that a protease-resistant PrP isoform can also be detected in the urine of hamsters, cattle, and humans suffering from transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Most important, this PrP isoform (UPrPSc) was also found in the urine of hamsters inoculated with prions long before the appearance of clinical signs. Interestingly, intracerebrally inoculation of hamsters with UPrPSc did not cause clinical signs of prion disease even after 270 days, suggesting it differs in its pathogenic properties from brain PrPSc. We propose that the detection of UPrPSc can be used to diagnose humans and animals incubating prion diseases, as well as to increase our understanding on the metabolism of PrPSc in vivo.
DNA adducts in relation to lung tumour outcome are not markers of susceptibility following a single dose treatment of SWR, BALB/c and C57BL/6J mice with N-nitrosodiethylamine

The formation of DNA adducts by the covalent binding of genotoxic chemicals to DNA represents a valuable marker for assessing exposure to carcinogens but as yet the role of DNA adducts as a biomarker of carcinogenic susceptibility still needs to be clearly ascertained. To address this question an animal study was instigated using mice (SWR (high), BALB/c (intermediate) and C57BL/6J (low)) varying in their susceptibility to lung carcinogenesis. Groups of animals from each strain were dosed with a single intraperitoneal injection of saline or N -nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) at 15 or 90 mg kg-1 body weight. Lung and liver tissues were removed at different time points following dosing. Further groups of mice dosed with the same regime had urine samples collected 24 h post dosing and were then left up to 18 months to allow for the development of tumours. Immunoslot-blot analysis was used for the determination of N-7 ethylguanine (N-7EtG) and O6 ethylguanine (O6EtG) adduct levels in the DNA from the tissues and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to determine N-3 ethyladenine (N-3EtA) adduct levels in the urine samples. Levels of alkyltransferase (ATase) were also determined in the tissues. The results showed that the DNA adduct levels and persistence were similar across the three strains of mice following dosing with 15 and 90 mg kg-1 NDEA. High levels of adducts were observed in the urine of the BALB/c strain, implying an increased metabolic or repair capacity in this strain. However there were no differences in the levels of ATase in the lung and liver of the three strains of mice following dosing with 15 mg kg-1 NDEA. The incidence of tumours in C57BL/6J mice was lower compared with the other two strains and showed a dose dependent increase. The results from this study show that the differences in susceptibility to lung carcinogenesis between the three strains of mice do not appear to be linked to the formation of the two adducts detected. These results imply that dosing with NDEA resulted in toxicity which may have led to cell death and induction of tumours by compensatory cell proliferation. Although these results do not allow decisive conclusions to be drawn concerning the relationship between total levels of DNA adducts and differences in carcinogenic susceptibility for the three strains of mice it is clear that the increased presence of a DNA adduct in the target tissue increases the likelihood of tumour development.
Dysmyelination Revealed through MRI as Increased Radial (but Unchanged Axial) Diffusion of Water

Myelin loss and axonal damage are both observed in white matter injuries. Each may have significant impact on the long-term disability of patients. Currently, there does not exist a noninvasive biological marker that enables differentiation between myelin and axonal injury. We describe herein the use of magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to quantify the effect of dysmyelination on water directional diffusivities in brains of shiverer mice in vivo. The principal diffusion eigenvalues of eight axonal fiber tracts that can be identified with certainty on DTI maps were measured. The water diffusivity perpendicular to axonal fiber tracts, lambda(perpendicular), was significantly higher in shiverer mice compared with age-matched controls, reflecting the lack of myelin and the increased freedom of cross-fiber diffusion in white matter. The water diffusivity parallel to axonal fiber tracts, lambda(parallel), was not different, which is consistent with the presence of intact axons. It is clear that dysmyelination alone does not impact lambda(parallel). The presence of intact axons in the setting of incomplete myelination was confirmed by electron microscopy. Although further validation is still needed, our finding suggests that changes in lambda(perpendicular) and lambda(parallel) may potentially be used to differentiate myelin loss versus axonal injury.
Sickle cell disease in California: Sociodemographic predictors of emergency department utilization

Patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) visit emergency departments (EDs) in rates leading to a significant health system burden. However, limited comprehensive evaluations of utilization patterns have been published using data connecting visits to patients across facilities. This study aims to examine sociodemographic predictors of ED utilization in SCD.
Serum levels of insulin‐like growth factor I and insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein 1 correlate with serum free testosterone and sex hormone binding globulin levels in healthy young and middle‐aged men

OBJECTIVE Administration of testosterone has been reported to increase serum levels of IGF‐I in men with isolated hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism. An inverse relation between serum IGF‐I and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) is seen in GH deficient children. The biological action of IGF‐I is thought to be influenced by binding proteins, one of which is insulin‐like growth factor‐binding protein‐1 (IGFBP‐1), which is not only a carrier protein but also actively regulates the cellular actions of IGF‐I. These observations suggest associations between IGF‐I, IGFBP‐1, testosterone and SHBG in serum. The aim of the present study was to investigate these associations in normal healthy men.
Glass Microspheres 90Y Selective Internal Radiation Therapy and Chemotherapy as First-Line Treatment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose of the Report Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma's incidence is increasing. We studied the efficacy of 90Y selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT) as first-line treatment, with chemotherapy, and compared with the results of chemotherapy alone. Patients and Methods We retrospectively studied data from patients treated at our institution with glass microspheres SIRT for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma as part of first-line treatment in combination with chemotherapy. We compared results with those of similar patients treated in the ABC-02 study (a study in advanced biliary tract cancer that defined the current standard chemotherapy), assessed as not progressing after the first evaluation. We assessed progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results Twenty-four patients were treated with SIRT. Chemotherapy was given concomitantly in 10 (42%), as induction before SIRT in 13 (54%) or after SIRT in 1 (4%). Grade 3 adverse events were reported in 1 (4%). Median PFS after SIRT was 10.3 months. Longer PFS was observed when chemotherapy was given concomitantly than when chemotherapy was given before SIRT, with respective median of 20.0 versus 8.8 months (P = 0.001). Median OS after SIRT was not reached. Eleven patients went to surgery (46%). Thirty-three patients in ABC-02 had locally advanced nonextrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, not progressing after first evaluation. From the start of any treatment, the median PFS was 16.0 months in our cohort versus 11.3 months in ABC-02 (P = 0.25), whereas the median OS was significantly higher in our cohort, not reached versus 17.9 months, respectively (P = 0.026). Conclusions Selective internal radiation therapy combined with concomitant chemotherapy seems a promising strategy as first-line treatment for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.
A fully integrated 40-Gbit/s clock and data recovery circuit using InP/InGaAs HBTs

An integrated clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit is a key element for optical communication systems at 40 Gbit/s. We present a fully integrated 40-Gbit CDR circuit fabricated using InP/InGaAs HBTs. The circuit contains a linear-type phase detector and a full-data-rate voltage-controlled oscillator. Error-free operation and wide eye opening were obtained for 40-Gbit/s pseudorandom bit sequence (PRBS) with a length of 2/sup 23/-1. The fabricated IC dissipates 1.71 W at a supply voltage of -4.5 V.
Routinely Assessed Biochemical Markers Tested on Admission as Predictors of Adverse Outcomes in Hospitalized Elderly Patients

Abstract Aim: To explore whether routinely assessed biochemical markers tested on admission will predict 3 predefined adverse outcomes for hospitalized elderly patients: discharge to a long-term care facility, in-hospital mortality, and prolonged hospital length of stay (> 14 days). Methods: A prospective observational study of elderly patients (aged ≥ 75 years) admitted to an acute-care geriatric ward over a 6-month period. Patients were assessed on admission and baseline characteristics were collected. Activities of daily living were assessed by the Barthel Index and cognitive function by the abbreviated mental test. Results from biochemical markers tested on admission were downloaded from the pathology laboratory database using patient details. Patients were folio wed-up with until discharge or in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 392 patients formed the study population. Mean (standard deviation) age was 83.2 (± 5.5) years and 283 (72%) patients were men. Thirty-eight (10%) patients were discharged to a long-term care facility, 134 (34%) had a prolonged hospital length of stay, and 33 (8%) died in the hospital. Results from testing 5 biochemical markers independently predicted in-hospital mortality: hypoalbuminemia (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% CI, 0.9–6.7; P = 0.04), low total cholesterol level (adjusted OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.3–6.3; P = 0.01), hyperglycemia (adjusted OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2–7.4; P = 0.02), high C-reactive protein level (adjusted OR, 4.2; 95% CI, 1.3–13.4; P = 0.01), and renal impairment (adjusted OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.7–8.7; P = 0.002). High C-reactive protein level independently predicted prolonged hospital length of stay (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1–2.9; P = 0.03). Hypoalbuminemia predicted discharge to a long-term care facility independent of confounding factors except for physical dysfunction (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1–5.1; P = 0.03). Significance was reduced after adjustment for Barthel Index score (OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 0.9–4.1; P = 0.08). Conclusion: Testing of routinely assessed biochemical markers on admission predicted adverse hospital outcomes for elderly patients. Their inclusion in a standardized prediction tool may help to create interventions to improve such outcomes.