Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
B 12 in multiple sclerosis . Cyanide metabolism and vitamin

In the course of an investigation of vitamin B12 concentrations in body fluids in multiple sclerosis (Basil, Brown, and Matthews, 1965), it was noted that the proportion of total B12 extractable from serum in the absence of added cyanide was higher in cases of multiple sclerosis than in a group of patients with other neurological disorders. This finding might mean that the serum in multiple sclerosis contained an excess of cyanide, or might represent a disturbance in the normal proportions of cyanocobalamin and hydroxocobalamin in the blood (Matthews, 1961, 1962, 1964; Smith, 1961; Anderson, 1964; Basil et al., 1965), and thus suggested the possibility of some disturbance in cyanide metabolism. Chronic exposure to cyanide can produce lesions of the central nervous system, and possibly demyelination, in animals (e.g., Hurst, 1942; Lumsden, 1950; Smith, Duckett, and Waters, 1963; Wilson, 1965), and it has been suggested that cyanide is the toxic factor in tobacco amblyopia, producing hydroxocobalamin deficiency by converting this substance to the cyanoform (Smith, 1961). Clinical and laboratory studies indicate that there is an abnormality in conversion of cyanide to thiocyanate in Leber's hereditary optic atrophy (Wilson, 1965). The present investigation was undertaken to see whether any abnormality of cyanide metabolism could be detected in multiple sclerosis, and whether there was any disturbance in the relationship between cyanide and vitamin B12 in this condition.
Impact of response to treatment on survival in multiple myeloma: results in a series of 243 patients

Summary. Two hundred and forty‐three patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) in a single institution over a 22‐year period and treated with standard chemotherapy were analysed in an attempt to determine the impact of response to therapy on survival. The overall response rate in 229 evaluable patients was 50.1% (34.9% objective response plus 15.2% partial response). Median survivals of patients with objective and partial response were 43.4 and 42.8 months, respectively, versus 19 months for nonresponders. Median survival of 14 patients who achieved a complete remission was 42 months, whereas in 21 rapid responders (≤ 2 months) median survival was 43.3 months. A significant correlation between response and survival was observed with the landmark (P = 0.0169), the Mantel & Byar (P = 0.0001) and the Cox regression model (P < 0.0001) methods. These results indicate that, in responding patients, neither the degree of response nor the response kinetics has a significant influence on survival. However, the response to therapy is associated with a significantly longer survival in MM patients.
Fractal dimension (df ) as a new structural biomarker of clot microstructure in different stages of lung cancer

Summary Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in cancer patients, and is the second commonest cause of death associated with the disease. Patients with chronic inflammation, such as cancer, have been shown to have pathological clot structures with modulated mechanical properties. Fractal dimension (df) is a new technique which has been shown to act as a marker of the microstructure and mechanical properties of blood clots, and can be performed more readily than current methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We measured df in 87 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed lung cancer prior to treatment and 47 matched-controls. Mean group values were compared for all patients with lung cancer vs controls and for limited disease vs extensive disease. Results were compared with conventional markers of coagulation, fibrinolysis and SEM images. Significantly higher values of df were observed in lung cancer patients compared with controls and patients with extensive disease had higher values than those with limited disease (p< 0.05), whilst conventional markers failed to distinguish between these groups. The relationship between df of the incipient clot and mature clot microstructure was confirmed by SEM and computational modelling: higher df was associated with highly dense clots formed of smaller fibrin fibres in lung cancer patients compared to controls. This study demonstrates that df is a sensitive technique which quantifies the structure and mechanical properties of blood clots in patients with lung cancer. Our data suggests that df has the potential to identify patients with an abnormal clot micro-structure and greatest VTE risk.
Observations on the Normal Histology and Histochemistry of the Fat Body of the Locust (Schistocerca Gregaria)

The fat body of the locust Schistocerca gregaria is composed of both fat cells and oenocytes. The cells increase in number by mitotic division. Glycogen, proteins and phospholipids are present in all cells but are most abundant in the oenocytes; the amounts of these substances are less in the adult than in the immature forms, whereas uric acid is more abundant in the adult. Small mitochondria-like structures (as judged by their staining reactions to Janus Green B and acid-fuchsin-methyl green) have been observed in the cytoplasm of the fat cells, the oenocytes, the Malpighian tubules and the follicular cells of the ovary. No micro-organisms have been observed.
Swine vesicular disease, studies on pathogenesis, diagnosis, and epizootiology: A review

Summary Swine vesicular disease (SVD) is a contagious viral disease of swine. It causes vesicular lesions indistinguishable from those observed of foot‐and‐mouth disease. Infection with SVD virus (SVDV) can lead to viraemia within 1 day and can produce clinical signs 2 days after a pig has come into contact with infected pigs or a virus‐contaminated environment. Virus can be detected 3.5 hours after infection using immunohistochemistry. In these in vitro studies, this technique was superior to in‐situ hybridization. In SVDV‐infected tissues, however, more infected cells were positive using in‐situ hybridization, and these were already seen 4.5 hours after infection. For serological diagnosis of SVD several new enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA's) have been developed. The newest ELISAs, based on monoclonal antibodies, are superior to the previous tests. The new tests produce fewer less false‐negative results and enable large‐scale serological screening. In screening programmes a small percentage of false positive reactors have been detected. The cause of these false‐positive reactions has not been identified, though infections with human Coxsackie B5 virus can be excluded.
Actions for the Restoration of the Biodiversity of Forest Ecosystems in Cuba

Human will and interests have used landscapes without limits for different purposes, usually for the economic benefit of a minority [1]. Nowadays, the Earth is threatened daily by the degradation of its ecosystems due to fragmentation. One of the main consequences is biodi‐ versity loss. Despite the economic progress and conservation actions carried out in many countries, the planet is losing genuine tropical forest, which is distributed mainly in the “low and middle income countries”. The reasons are diverse: inappropriate use of extractive practices in forestry related to wood and non-wood products, land use change when clearing the forest for agriculture and cattle ranching, tourism development, and others. These reasons have facilitated the introduction of new species that then behave as invasive species [2], which usually produce strong competition with local species, reducing biomass and the forest’s productivity.
Potential Bone Replacement Materials Prepared by Two Methods

Natural and synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) scaffolds for potential load-bearing bone implants were fabricated by two methods. The natural scaffolds were formed by heating bovine cancellous bone at 1325°C, which removed the organic and sintered the HA. The synthetic scaffolds were prepared by freeze-casting HA powders, using different solid loadings (20–35 vol.%) and cooling rates (1–10°C/min). Both types of scaffolds were infiltrated with polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA). The porosity, pore size, and compressive mechanical properties of the natural and synthetic scaffolds were investigated and compared to that of natural cortical and cancellous bone. Prior to infiltration, the sintered cancellous scaffolds exhibited pore sizes of 100 – 300 μm, a strength of 0.4 – 9.7 MPa, and a Young’s modulus of 0.1 – 1.2 GPa. The freeze-casted scaffolds had pore sizes of 10 – 50 μm, strengths of 0.7 – 95.1 MPa, and Young’s moduli of 0.1 –19.2 GPa. When infiltrated with PMMA, the cancellous bone- PMMA composite showed a strength of 55 MPa and a Young’s modulus of 4.5 GPa. Preliminary data for the synthetic HA-PMMA composite showed a strength of 42 MPa and a modulus of 0.8 GPa.
Confocal Microscopy Used as the Definitive, Early Diagnostic Method in Chandler Syndrome

Purpose: To report the early, rapid diagnosis of the Chandler variant of the iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome using confocal light microscopy. Methods: A 62-year-old man with a long history of unilateral glaucoma reported progressively blurred vision in his right eye. Examination of both eyes included visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, pneumotonometry, visual field, gonioscopy, and confocal microscopy. Results: On examination, visual acuity was 20/80 and 20/20 and the IOPs were 26 and 12. The anterior segment OD revealed 1+ inferior and axial corneal edema, while the OS was normal to biomicroscopy and posterior segment. Chandler syndrome or Fuchs endothelial dystrophy was suspected. In the affected eye, confocal light microscopy clearly showed an “epithelium-like” transformation of the corneal endothelium with irregularly shaped cells and hyperreflective nuclei, establishing the diagnosis of Chandler syndrome. Conclusions: In the presence of corneal edema or haze, corneal endothelium can be clearly visualized by confocal microscopy. “Epithelium-like” endothelial cells with highly reflective nuclei characteristic of Chandler syndrome were easily identified by confocal light microscopy to establish the diagnosis, despite the presence of corneal edema. Thus, confocal microscopy is a sensitive tool for the rapid, early diagnosis of ICE syndrome and may help distinguish among its variants.
Telemedicine: Opportunities and Developments in Member States: Report on the Second Global Survey on eHealth 2009 (Global Observatory for eHealth Series, Volume 2)

(ICTs) gave us new and innovative wave of communication life such as living in cyber space, instant messaging, and communications with whom anyone in anywhere. These are changing not only life-style, but also mode of business in every industry. Health care service industry is resource-intensive, processoriented, and doing business traditionally by method of confrontation between medical professionals and patients. ICTs have great potential to address some of the challenges faced by both developed and developing countries in providing accessible, cost-effective, high-quality health care services. Telemedicine uses ICTs to overcome geographical barriers, and increase access to health care services. These are particularly beneficial for rural and underserved communities in developing countries groups that traditionally suffered from lack of access to health care. In light of this potential, the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global Observatory for eHealth (GOe) to review the benefits that ICTs can bring to health care and patients’ wellbeing. The Observatory is charged with determining the status of eHealth solutions, including telemedicine, at the national, regional, and global levels, and providing WHO’s Member States with reliable information and guidance on best practices, policies, and standards in eHealth. In 2005, following the formation of WHO’s eHealth strategy, the Observatory conducted a global eHealth survey to obtain general information about the state of eHealth among Telemedicine: Opportunities and Developments in Member States: Report on the Second Global Survey on eHealth 2009 (Global Observatory for eHealth Series, Volume 2)
Measurement of Resting Cytosolic Ca2+ Concentrations and Ca2+ Store Size in HEK-293 Cells Transfected with Malignant Hyperthermia or Central Core Disease Mutant Ca2+ Release Channels*

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) and central core disease (CCD) mutations were introduced into full-length rabbit Ca2+ release channel (RYR1) cDNA, which was then expressed transiently in HEK-293 cells. Resting Ca2+ concentrations were higher in HEK-293 cells expressing homotetrameric CCD mutant RyR1 than in cells expressing homotetrameric MH mutant RyR1. Cells expressing homotetrameric CCD or MH mutant RyR1 exhibited lower maximal peak amplitudes of caffeine-induced Ca2+ release than cells expressing wild type RyR1, suggesting that MH and CCD mutants might be “leaky. ” In cells expressing homotetrameric wild type or mutant RyR1, the amplitude of 10 mm caffeine-induced Ca2+ release was correlated significantly with the amplitude of carbachol- or thapsigargin-induced Ca2+ release, indicating that maximal drug-induced Ca2+ release depends on the size of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ store. The content of endogenous sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase isoform 2b (SERCA2b), measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay,45Ca2+ uptake, and confocal microscopy, was increased in HEK-293 cells expressing wild type or mutant RyR1, supporting the view that endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ storage capacity is increased as a compensatory response to an enhanced Ca2+ leak. When heterotetrameric (1:1) combinations of MH/CCD mutant and wild type RyR1 were expressed together with SERCA1 to enhance Ca2+ reuptake, the amplitude of Ca2+release in response to low concentrations of caffeine and halothane was higher than that observed in cells expressing wild type RyR1 and SERCA1. In Ca2+-free medium, MH/CCD mutants were more sensitive to caffeine than wild type RyR1, indicating that caffeine hypersensitivity observed with a variety of MH/CCD mutant RyR1 proteins is not dependent on extracellular Ca2+ concentration.
Strengthening the case that elevated levels of programmed death ligand 1 predict poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Immunotherapy targeting programmed death receptor 1 and programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) has shown impressive antitumor efficacy in several solid cancers, including advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Since response rates of various cancers to such immunotherapy appear to correlate with PD-L1 expression levels, several studies have examined whether PD-L1 expression correlates with HCC pathology and patient prognosis. In this paper, we analyzed the strength and limitations of a recent meta-analysis of associations of PD-L1 with HCC characteristics and patient prognosis.
Dialectical behavior therapy compared with general psychiatric management for borderline personality disorder: clinical outcomes and functioning over a 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVE The authors conducted a 2-year prospective naturalistic follow-up study to evaluate posttreatment clinical outcomes in outpatients who were randomly selected to receive 1 year of either dialectical behavior therapy or general psychiatric management for borderline personality disorder. METHOD Patients were assessed by blind raters 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after treatment. The clinical effectiveness of treatment was assessed on measures of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors, health care utilization, general symptom distress, depression, anger, quality of life, social adjustment, borderline psychopathology, and diagnostic status. The authors conducted between-group comparisons using generalized estimating equation, mixed-effects models, or chi-square statistics, depending on the distribution and nature of the data. RESULTS Both treatment groups showed similar and statistically significant improvements on the majority of outcomes 2 years after discharge. The original effects of treatment did not diminish for any outcome domain, including suicidal and nonsuicidal self-injurious behaviors. Further improvements were seen on measures of depression, interpersonal functioning, and anger. However, even though two-thirds of the participants achieved diagnostic remission and significant increases in quality of life, 53% were neither employed nor in school, and 39% were receiving psychiatric disability support after 36 months. CONCLUSIONS One year of either dialectical behavior therapy or general psychiatric management was associated with long-lasting positive effects across a broad range of outcomes. Despite the benefits of these specific treatments, one important finding that replicates previous research is that participants continued to exhibit high levels of functional impairment. The effectiveness of adjunctive rehabilitation strategies to improve general functioning deserves additional study.
Medical X-ray Image Classification Using Gabor-Based CS-Local Binary Patterns

— As intensity of medical x-ray images varies considerably and texture characteristics of them are very similar, feature extraction based on characteristic of these images and providing a set of capable features is a difficult task. To overcome this difficulty, many researches focusing on feature extraction schemes for this type of images. In this paper, a novel set of features is proposed that are extracted from transform domain. The proposed scheme involves three stages: In the first stage, we extract edges and shape information from original images. In order to obtain local features, each image is partitioned in to 25 overlapping subimages in the second stage. Then Gabor transform of each subimage is computed to extract centre symmetric local binary patterns. In order to evaluate our proposed scheme for radiography image classification, two various SVM classifiers are used. The proposed scheme is implemented on a subset of IRMA dataset from 15 different categories. Experimental results Shows that proposed method provide an efficient performance.
Influence of orthodontic treatment with first premolar extraction on the angulation of the mandibular third molar.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the influence of orthodontic treatment that involved first premolars extraction on the angulation of the developing mandibular third molars, and whether this will result in an improvement in it's path of eruption during tooth development. METHODS A cross-sectional radiographic study was conducted using 80 panoramic radiographs of 40 orthodontic patients previously treated at the College of Dentistry, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The sample consisted of 2 groups, extraction and non-extraction orthodontic therapy group with equal number of patients in each group. The orthodontic treatment of the extraction group involved the extraction of first premolars, whilst non-extraction group had received orthodontic therapy without teeth extraction. The angulation of the right and left third mandibular molars was measured in each patient separately, and the data was analyzed using the non-parametric Mann-Whitney Test. RESULTS The present data has shown significant improvement in the third molars angulation in the extraction orthodontic therapy group compared to non-extraction group, Although this finding was significant in both genders, females tend to show better response in the improvement of third molar angulation to extraction therapy than males (p=0.001, p=0.006). CONCLUSION Orthodontic treatment with first premolars extraction has improved the third molars angulation during their course of eruptions and consequently supports the decision of the orthodontic extraction therapy approach in borderline cases.
Adult Follow-Up of the Acquired Aphasia-Epilepsy Syndrome in Childhood. Report of 7 Cases*

The authors report at adult age 7 patients (6 men, one woman) with the syndrome of "acquired aphasia-epilepsy", 6 of which had been previously studied as children. The results of the language, neuropsychological and socio-educational evaluation detailed many years after the onset of the aphasia are the subject of this report. One man has recovered completely, one has a normal oral language but is severely dyslexic, one has recovered normal comprehension but has severe expressive language problems. Four have absent language comprehension and lack of expressive speech, and only one of them has learned and is using sign language with some efficiency. None has developed functional written language. Attempts to offer a substitutive language to children with prolonged inability to understand and use oral language appears important but is fraught with problems. Although there are no conclusive data about the role of the continuous paroxysmal EEG discharges and the effect of their suppression with drug treatment on the prognosis of the aphasia, the definite fluctuations of the aphasia in some cases, the isolated recent case reports of definitive improvement with drug treatment justify further trials in this potentially severe and chronic condition.
Clinical presentation of Mycoplasma genitalium Infection versus Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection among women with pelvic inflammatory disease.

BACKGROUND Women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) often present with a spectrum of symptoms. The characteristics of nongonococcal, nonchlamydial PID have not been well described. Our objective was to examine the characteristics of Mycoplasma genitalium infection among women with clinically suspected PID. METHODS We evaluated 722 women who were enrolled in the PID Evaluation and Clinical Health study. Women with M. genitalium monoinfection were compared with women with Neisseria gonorrhoeae monoinfection or Chlamydia trachomatis monoinfection. RESULTS Compared with women with gonococcal PID, women with M. genitalium infection were less likely to have elevated systemic inflammatory markers, including an erythrocyte sedimentation rate >15 mm/h (5 [22.7%] of 22 patients vs. 45 [60.8%] of 74 patients; P = .002), a white blood cell count >10,000 cells/mL (4 [28.6%] of 14 patients vs. 42 [64.6%] of 65 patients; (P = .018), and an oral temperature > or =38.3 degrees C (0 [0.0%] of 22 patients vs. 10 [13.9%] of 72 patients; (P = .001). In addition, they were less likely to present with mucopurulent cervicitis (9 [47.4%] of 19 patients vs. 60 [83.3%] of 72 patients; P = .001), elevated vaginal pH (P = .018), and high pelvic pain score (P = .014). In contrast, women with chlamydial PID had signs and symptoms that were similar to those in women with M. genitalium infection. CONCLUSIONS Because symptoms might be mild, women with M. genitalium infection might not seek PID treatment. Further studies are needed to assess the potential reproductive tract sequelae of M. genitalium infection of the upper genital tract.
Protease Inhibitor Use in 233 Pregnancies

Background:In the United States, as most highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens used during pregnancy in HIV-infected women include a protease inhibitor (PI), it is important to determine the effects of PIs specifically rather than all HAART regimens. Prospective trials employing HAART during pregnancy are ongoing. Objective:To better understand the effects of PI use during pregnancy on prematurity, maternal and infant adverse events, and infant outcomes. Results:A total of 233 pregnancies in which PIs were used were reported, including 5 sets of twins and 1 set of triplets. Perinatal transmission is documented in 2 of 221 infants for a rate of 0.9% (95% CI, 0%-2.2%). Both HIV-positive infants were delivered by cesarean section (one elective at 37 1/7 weeks and one unscheduled at 32 6/7 weeks). The prematurity rate (<37 weeks' gestation) was 22.0% (95% CI, 16.9%-28.0%) including 3 twin and 1 triplet pregnancies. In multiple regression analysis no association was noted for individual PIs or the week of gestation that PIs were initiated. Adverse maternal, obstetric, and infant events possibly related to PIs were uncommon. Conclusions:In this series, PIs during pregnancy appeared generally safe for mothers and infants. Perinatal transmission was low and the prematurity rate is similar to prior data in HIV-positive women not on PIs.