Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is Chlamydia pneumoniae infection a risk factor for age related macular degeneration?

The association between a pathogen and AMD is worth further investigation because a new approach might treat this incurable vision threatening disease Age related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of decreased central vision in older people throughout the world. The pathogenesis of AMD is very complex and has still not been determined. In addition to some genetic and environmental factors, several kinds of risk factors have been proposed; sunlight exposure,1 smoking,2 and low levels of nutritional components such as antioxidants.3 Hypertension,4 hyperlipidaemia,4 and atherosclerosis,5,6 which may lead to cardiovascular diseases, are also considered to be risk factors. Chronic inflammatory events have recently been identified as plausible causes of atherosclerosis. In particular, much interest has been focused on infections by Chlamydia pneumoniae , which was previously known as the TWAR strain. This strain is one of the chlamydial species that has been recognised as a causal mediator of respiratory infections such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and upper respiratory tract infections.7 Chlamydia can multiply in various host cells including macrophages and endothelial cells.8 C pneumoniae is like a parasite and consumes energy that is needed by the host cells and, in the end, destroys them and then infects nearby cells. Thus, the pathogens tend to cause a chronic infection. The first study showing a positive interaction between systemic vascular disease and infection with C pneumoniae was made by Saikku et al in 1988.9 They reported increased immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibody titres against C pneumoniae in male patients with myocardial infarction or chronic coronary heart disease. Since then, attention has been focused on its association with atherosclerotic diseases.10 A strong piece of evidence indicating a close interaction between C pneumoniae …
“Ecological” and Highly Demanding Executive Tasks Detect Real-Life Deficits in High-Functioning Adult ADHD Patients

Objective: Many adult ADHD patients with a convincing history of real-life executive deficits perform entirely within normal limits or with minimally impaired performance in classical executive tests. The authors assessed a group of high cognitive functioning adult ADHD participants on “ecological” and “highly demanding” executive tasks. Method: A total of 117 adult ADHD participants were classified as showing either a high-functioning (Hi-ADHD) or a low-functioning (Lo-ADHD) neuropsychological profile based on standard assessment. Their performance was compared with healthy controls (n = 21) on an ecological task of executive function (the hotel task) and computerized tasks of high cognitive demand. Results: Lo-ADHD significantly differed from controls on multiple standard neuropsychological variables as well as on the experimental tasks. Hi-ADHD and healthy controls did not differ significantly on any of the standard neuropsychological variables, but a significant difference was found between the groups on measures of the experimental tasks. Conclusion: Real-life executive dysfunction of patients with ADHD who perform within normal range on standard assessment can be detected with the use of more ecological and highly demanding tasks.
Differences in Student Outcomes between Block, Semester, and Trimester Schedules.

Despite the popularity of schedule modifications as a cost-effective reform to improve student outcomes, little empirical research on the consequences of alternative schedules has been conducted. The literature has been dominated by anecdotal reports. Even when empirical evidence is examined, causal comparisons of school outcomes between schedules must be interpreted with caution, due to the number of confounding variables. A review of the literature shows positive and negative outcomes that depend on how teachers make use of schedule changes. The study described in this report compared the outcomes of achievement attained by high school students educated in block, semester, and trimester schedules in 1 urban district during 4 years. The study examined student annual grade-point averages, scores on the Stanford Achievement Test 9, credits attempted and earned, and absentee rates. Descriptive and inferential statistics were utilized. Analysis of covariance was the primary tool to test for mean differences between student outcomes. The study controlled for race or ethnicity, limited English proficiency, free or reduced lunch, gender, and special education. Students in a semester schedule had higher grade-point averages (adjusted mean 2.35) than those in block schedules (2.29) or trimester (2.22). Although the differences in this study were significant, questions regarding their practical significance should be raised. Weick's social-psychological model of organizing suggests that a school's normative structure is only loosely coupled with its behavioral structure. In short, structure may change without affecting behavior, and vice versa. This study reaffirms the importance of educators' thinking beyond structural changes. While structural changes may be necessary for student improvements, they are not sufficient. Educators must also consider the necessity of curriculum and policy alignment, professional development, changes in power relationships, and normative changes regarding schooling. (Contains 41 references.) (Author/RKJ) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Differences in Student Outcomes between Block, Semester, and Trimester Schedules
Power Effects on Instrumental Learning: Evidence From the Brain and Behavior

We investigated whether high power facilitates instrumental learning relative to low power—an effect that would support power effects on goal-pursuit and decision-making. Because power is known to increase instrumentality in action, we expected that high power would enhance instrumental learning involving both approach and avoidance responses, relative to low power. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that manipulated power modulated instrumental learning, such that relative to low power, high power facilitated the learning of approach and avoidance responses through reinforcement. Furthermore, Study 2 revealed stronger neural processing of valid versus invalid feedback, indexed by the feedback-related negativity (FRN) component of the event-related potential (ERP), among high-power participants, but not low-power or control participants. These results suggest higher power engaged more strategic processing of goal-relevant feedback—a finding that illuminates the links between power, goal pursuit, and social behavior.
Radiographic assessment of congenitally missing teeth in orthodontic patients.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of congenitally missing teeth (CMT) in patients evaluated for orthodontic care. A sample of 668 panoramic radiographs from Mexican population was reviewed from orthodontic healthy patients, 9-20 years old. METHOD Statistical tests were used to compare maxillary and mandibular hypodontia in right and left quadrants between males and females. RESULTS Prevalence was 27% when all teeth were included, and was 2.7% when third molars were excluded. A significant difference was found between maxillary and mandibular symmetrical CMT in third maxillary molars, lateral incisors and second premolars (P < 0.001), and in mandibular third molars and central incisors (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS We confirmed that occurrence of CMT in the permanent dentition of a Mexican population most often affects third molars, followed by maxillary lateral incisors and then mandibular second premolars.
Endothelial cells in alkali-burned corneas. Ultrastructural alterations.

Two types of alkali-burned corneas were prepared and studied by electron microscopy at various intervals. In small central burns, the endothelial cells degenerated and were replaced from the periphery. After a few days, fibroblast-like cells covered the Descemet membrane, which was not destroyed. These gradually reached the center of the burn and formed a cellular retrocorneal membrane with many collagenous fibers between them. A new endothelium and Descemet membrane formed on the posterior surface of the retrocorneal membrane. When the entire cornea was burned, all endothelial cells were destroyed. A few days later, fibroblasts, present in the angle tissue, produced a connective tissue retrocorneal membrane. This did not form a new endothelium or Descemet membrane. It is concluded that there are two sources of retrocorneal membranes, which result in dissimilar end results.
Evidence for the effectiveness of the Early Literacy Support programme.

BACKGROUND It is widely recognized that effective interventions for poor reading involve training in phoneme awareness and letter-sound knowledge, linked in the context of reading books. From the applied perspective, it is important to gather data on the effectiveness of different forms of implementation of literacy support within this framework. AIM We evaluate the effectiveness of the UK Early Literacy Support (ELS) programme (Department for Education and Skills [DfES], 2001) relative to a programme of Reading Intervention based on 'sound linkage' (Hatcher, Hulme, & Ellis, 1994). SAMPLE The sample comprised 128 6-year-old children, from 16 primary schools in a Local Education Authority (LEA) in the north of England. METHOD The children were nominated as in need of special help by their class teachers and allocated to one of the two programmes. RESULTS After controlling for a difference in spelling ability at the start of the intervention, it was found that both groups of children made equivalent and significant gains in reading and spelling that were maintained at follow-up. The standardized scores were in the average range. Regression analyses confirmed the importance of initial reading ability as well as letter identification, phoneme manipulation, and sound linkage in predicting progress in learning to read and to spell. CONCLUSION The ELS programme provides a cost effective method of boosting 6-year-old children's reading to an average level.
THE REST-FRAME ULTRAVIOLET STRUCTURE OF 0.5 < z < 1.5 GALAXIES

We present the rest-frame UV wavelength dependence of the Petrosian-like half-light radius (r50), and the concentration parameter for a sample of 198 star-forming galaxies at 0.5 < z < 1.5. We find a ∼5% decrease in r50 from 1500 Å to 3000 Å, with half-light radii at 3000 Å ranging from 0.6 kpc to 6 kpc. We also find a decrease in concentration of ∼0.07 (1.9 < C3000 < 3.9). The lack of a strong relationship between r50 and wavelength is consistent with a model in which clumpy star formation is distributed over length scales comparable to the galaxy's rest-frame optical light. While the wavelength dependence of r50 is independent of size at all redshifts, concentration decreases more sharply in the far-UV (∼1500 Å) for large galaxies at z ∼ 1. This decrease in concentration is caused by a flattening of the inner ∼20% of the light profile in disk-like galaxies, indicating that the central regions have different UV colors than the rest of the galaxy. We interpret this as a bulge component with older stellar populations and/or more dust. The size-dependent decrease in concentration is less dramatic at z ∼ 2, suggesting that bulges are less dusty, younger, and/or less massive than the rest of the galaxy at higher redshifts.
Effects of low ambient calcium levels on whole-body Ca2+ flux rates and internal calcium pools in the freshwater cichlid teleost, Oreochromis mossambicus

Calcium fluxes and internal calcium pools were measured in fed, rapidly growing, male tilapia, Oreochromis mossambicus , acclimated to 0.8 mmol l −1 (FW) and 0.2mmoll −1 (LFW) Ca 2+ . Plasma calcium levels were slightly and significantly higher in the LFW tilapia, but muscle calcium concentrations were independent of ambient Ca 2+ . At the time of the experiments, the LFW fish were growing and accumulated calcium, although the calcium content of their hard tissues was reduced. The LFW fish had higher Ca 2+ influx and efflux rates than the FW fish. The increase in the influx of Ca 2+ in LFW fish was, however, substantially greater than the increase in the efflux of Ca 2+ , giving these fish a more than four-fold increase in net Ca 2+ influx from the water: for a 20-g tilapia net uptake rates of Ca 2+ from the water were 390 and 1620 nmol Ca 2+ h −1 for FW- and LFW-adapted fish, respectively. These values were calculated to represent at least 69% of the total calcium accumulated by these growing fish. This indicates that even in low-calcium water, tilapia absorb a significant amount of their calcium requirement directly from the water. The pool of readily exchangeable calcium in the bone of FW fish was estimated to be about 7 % of the total hard tissue calcium. In the fish acclimated to LFW, this percentage increased to about 15 % as total hard tissue mineralization decreased. This may indicate that tilapia can increase the mobility of their hard tissue calcium during periods of low calcium stress.
Effects of a problem-solving intervention (COPE) on quality of life for patients with advanced cancer on clinical trials and their caregivers: simultaneous care educational intervention (SCEI): linking palliation and clinical trials.

CONTEXT Patients on investigational clinical trials and their caregivers experience poor quality of life (QOL), which declines as the disease progresses. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of a standardized cognitive-behavioral problem-solving educational intervention on the QOL of patients enrolled on investigational clinical trials and their caregivers. DESIGN Prospective, multi-institution, randomized trial. QOL was measured repeatedly over 6 months. PARTICIPANTS Patients were simultaneously enrolled onto phase 1, 2, or 3 Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved cancer clinical trials. INTERVENTION Intervention arm dyads participated in three conjoint educational sessions during the first month, learning the COPE problem solving model. Nonintervention arm dyads received usual care. OUTCOME MEASURES Global QOL was measured by the City of Hope Quality of Life Instruments for Patients or Caregivers; problem solving skills were measured by the Social Problem Solving Inventory-Revised. RESULTS The results are reported using the CONSORT statement. The analytic data set included 476 dyads including 1596 patient data points and 1576 care giver data points. Patient QOL showed no significant difference in the rate of change between the intervention and usual care arms (p = 0.70). Caregiver QOL scores in the intervention arm declined, but at less than half the rate in the control arm (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS The COPE intervention enabled the average caregiver to come much closer to stable QOL over the 6-month follow-up. Future studies should enroll subjects much earlier in the cancer illness trajectory, a common patient/caregiver theme. The maximum effect was seen in caregivers who completed the 6-month follow-up, suggesting that the impact may increase over time.
Comparison of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic field treatments on OPG and RANKL expression in human osteoblast-like cells.

OBJECTIVE To compare two clinically applied treatments to stimulate bone healing-low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF)-for their effects on RANKL and OPG expression in osteoblast-like cells in vitro. MATERIALS AND METHODS LIPUS or PEMF was applied to Saos-2 cells for 10 minutes or 3 hours. RANKL and OPG expressions were analyzed at 0, 4, 8, or 12 hours after treatment with real-time PCR. Secreted protein levels in culture supernatant were analyzed at the same posttreatment time points using specific ELISA assays. RESULTS Neither LIPUS nor PEMF had an effect on RANKL protein expression. OPG protein was significantly increased by LIPUS after 0 and 4 hours (brief short-term effect) and was increased almost 2.5-fold by PEMF after 8 hours. The mRNA levels of OPG and RANKL were hardly affected by LIPUS treatment at any time point. PEMF induced a fivefold increase in RANKL mRNA expression at t = 0. A brief PEMF treatment of 10 minutes resulted in downregulation of RANKL expression after 0 and 4 hours and upregulation at 12 hours. OPG mRNA was downregulated after 8 hours. CONCLUSION The effects of LIPUS or PEMF expression on OPG and RANKL are limited. From our experiments, it seems that LIPUS treatment resulted in a quick protein response, while the response of cells to PEMF (3 hours) was delayed. The increase in OPG protein at 8 hours post PEMF treatment is indicative of reduction of osteolysis.
Implementing a geriatric assessment in cooperative group clinical cancer trials: CALGB 360401.

PURPOSE Factors captured in a geriatric assessment can predict morbidity and mortality in older adults, but are not routinely measured in cancer clinical trials. This study evaluated the implementation of a geriatric assessment tool in the cooperative group setting. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients age ≥ 65 with cancer, who enrolled on cooperative group cancer trials, were eligible to enroll on Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 360401. They completed a geriatric assessment tool before initiation of protocol therapy, consisting of valid and reliable geriatric assessment measures which are primarily self-administered and require minimal resources and time by healthcare providers. The assessment measures functional status, comorbidity, cognitive function, psychological state, social support, and nutritional status. The protocol specified criteria for incorporation of the tool in future cooperative group trials was based on the time to completion and percent of patients who could complete their portion without assistance. Patient satisfaction with the tool was captured. RESULTS Of the 93 patients who enrolled in this study, five (5%) met criteria for cognitive impairment and three did not complete the cognitive screen, leaving 85 assessable patients (median age, 72 years). The median time to complete the geriatric assessment tool was 22 minutes, 87% of patients (n = 74) completed their portion without assistance, 92% (n = 78) were satisfied with the questionnaire length, 95% (n = 81) reported no difficult questions, and 96% (n = 82) reported no upsetting questions. One hundred percent of health care professionals completed their portion. CONCLUSION This brief, primarily self-administered geriatric assessment tool met the protocol specified criteria for inclusion in future cooperative group clinical trials.
The representation of homophones: Evidence from anomia

Current models of word production provide different accounts of the representations of homophones--words that sound the same but have different meanings (e.g., muscle/mussel; (a) walk/(to) walk). A point of disagreement concerns frequency: While some models assume that homophone processing varies as a function of the frequency of the individual homophonic forms, other models predict that the combined frequency of the homophonic forms (e.g., the frequency of muscle+mussel) determines how homophones are processed. These contrasting views were tested in a series of experiments with AW, an English-speaking brain-damaged woman who showed anomia, a deficit of word phonology retrieval in speech production. AW's semantic processing was intact. In oral naming, we observed a frequency effect: AW was significantly more successful in producing high- as opposed to low-frequency words. Our results consistently demonstrated that AW's successful naming reflected the frequency of the individual homophonic forms, rather than the combined frequency of the homophonic forms. Our results provide support for models of speech production that identify the frequency of the individual homophones as the critical factor in homophone naming.
Parenteral estrogen versus combined androgen deprivation in the treatment of metastatic prostatic cancer: Part 2. Final evaluation of the Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group (SPCG) Study No. 5

Objective. To compare parenteral estrogen therapy in the form of high-dose polyestradiol phosphate (PEP; Estradurin®) with combined androgen deprivation (CAD) in the treatment of prostate cancer patients with skeletal metastases. The aim of the study was to compare anticancer efficacy and adverse events, especially cardiovascular events. Material and methods. In total, 910 eligible patients with T0–4, NX, M1, G1–3 prostate cancer with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0–2 were randomized to treatment with either PEP 240mg i.m. twice a month for 2months and thereafter monthly, or flutamide (Eulexin®) 250mg t.i. d. per os in combination with either triptorelin (Decapeptyl®) 3.75mg i.m. per month or on an optional basis bilateral orchidectomy. Results. At this final evaluation of the trial 855 of the 910 patients were dead. There was no difference between the treatment groups in terms of biochemical or clinical progression-free survival or in overall or disease-specific survival. There was no difference in cardiovascular mortality, but a significant increase in non-fatal cardiovascular events in the PEP arm (p<0.05) predominantly caused by an increase in ischemic heart and heart decompensation events. There were 18 grave skeletal events in the CAD group but none in the PEP group (p=0.001). Conclusions. PEP has an anticancer efficacy equal to CAD and does not increase cardiovascular mortality in metastasized patients, but carries a significant risk of non-fatal cardiovascular events, which should be balanced against the skeletal complications in the CAD group. It is feasible to use Estradurin in the primary or secondary endocrine treatment of metastasized patients without prominent cardiac risk factors and especially those with osteoporosis.
The efficacy of the Self-Adjusting File versus WaveOne in removal of root filling residue that remains in oval canals after the use of ProTaper retreatment files: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Aim: The current ex vivo study compared the efficacy of removing root fillings using ProTaper retreatment files followed by either WaveOne reciprocating file or the Self-Adjusting File (SAF). Materials and Methods: Forty maxillary canines with single oval root canal were selected and sectioned to obtain 18-mm root segments. The root canals were instrumented with WaveOne primary files, followed by obturation using warm lateral compaction, and the sealer was allowed to fully set. The teeth were then divided into two equal groups (N = 20). Initial removal of the bulk of root filling material was performed with ProTaper retreatment files, followed by either WaveOne files (Group 1) or SAF (Group 2). Endosolv R was used as a gutta-percha softener. Preoperative and postoperative high-resolution cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to measure the volume of the root filling residue that was left after the procedure. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test. Results: The mean volume of root filling residue in Group 1 was 9.4 (±0.5) mm 3 , whereas in Group 2 the residue volume was 2.6 (±0.4) mm 3 , (P < 0.001; t-test). Conclusions: When SAF was used after ProTaper retreatment files, significantly less root filling residue was left in the canals compared to when WaveOne was used.
On dimensionality of the DASH

Dear Sir, We read with interest the paper by Cano et al. regarding the psychometric analysis of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure (DASH) in people with multiple sclerosis. We agree with their conclusions stressing that traditional psychometric methods provide weak scale evaluation and can mislead clinicians as to the reliability and validity of outcome measures. Few days after the acceptance of their paper (which stated ‘it would be important to repeat these analyses. . . to uncover the extent to which our findings are generalizable’) we published a comprehensive psychometric analysis of DASH in people with musculoskeletal disorders. The study was performed using both classical test theory and Rasch analysis and the main similarities between the findings of the two papers were as follows: