Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Beam instrumentation in the AGS Booster

The AGS Booster was designed to accelerate low intensity (2 {times} 10{sup 10}) polarized protons, high intensity (1.5{times}10{sup 13}) protons and heavy ions through Au{sup +33}. Coping with this wide range of beams, the 3 {times} 10{sup {minus}11} Torr vacuum and the radiation environment presented challenges for the beam monitors. Some of the more interesting instrumentation design and performance during the recent Booster proton commissioning will be described.
The use of marine reserves in evaluating the dive fishery for the warty sea cucumber (Parastichopus parvimensis) in California, U.S.A.

Management of sustainable fisheries depends upon reliable estimates of stock assessment. Assessment of many stocks is based entirely on fishery-dependent data (e.g., catch per unit effort), which can be problematic. Here we use fishery-independent data on stock size, collected within and outside of no-take reserves before and after the onset of fishing, to evaluate the status of the dive fishery for warty sea cucumbers, Parastichopus parvimensis, in southern California. Long-term monitoring data showed that abundance decreased throughout the Channel Islands within 36 years after the onset of fishing. No significant changes in the abundance of P. parvimensis were observed at the two non-fished reserve sites, although densities tended to increase following onset of the fishery. Beforeafter, controlimpact (BACI) analyses of seven fished and two non-fished sites implicated fishing mortality as the cause of 3383% stock declines. In sharp contrast, stock assessment based on CPUE data showed no declines and .
Vegetation dynamics in north-western Mediterranean regions: Instability of the Mediterranean bioclimate

Abstract Pollen and plant macrofossil records from a selection of sites in Spain, France and Italy are used to explore the origin and the development of the Mediterranean vegetation. The role of evergreen and summergreen taxa is discussed. The expansion of sclerophyllous trees during the Pleistocene interglacials is well correlated with the orbital forcing. During the Holocene, the large number of data illustrates latitudinal and longitudinal differences in vegetation dynamics. Multidisciplinary studies identify short terms climatic fluctuations. The debate is still open between those who attribute an increase of sclerophyllous forests during the late Holocene to a trend toward aridity and those who consider this dynamic as human-induced.
Volumetric Differences in the Suprafascial and Subfascial Compartments of Patients with Secondary Unilateral Lower Limb Lymphedema

Background: The subfascial compartment (deep to the deep fascia) in extremity lymphedema has not been evaluated. This study investigated the volumetric differences between the suprafascial and subfascial compartments of patients with unilateral lower extremity lymphedema. Methods: Thirty-two female patients with unilateral lower extremity lymphedema were enrolled, with eight patients in each of Cheng lymphedema grades I to IV. The volumes of the suprafascial and subfascial compartments were calculated after manually drawing the region of interest on computed tomographic images. The volumetric differences and their ratios in the suprafascial and subfascial compartments between each patient’s bilateral limbs were compared. Results: The volume of the lymphedematous limbs (9647 ml) was significantly greater than the volume of unaffected limbs (6906 ml), with a median volumetric difference of 2097 ml (30.6 percent) (p < 0.01). The median suprafascial compartment volumetric difference was 1887 ml (56.6 percent) and the subfascial compartment volumetric difference was 208 ml (4.7 percent) (p < 0.01). The median volumetric difference ratio of the thigh and lower leg was 24.6 percent and 40.6 percent, respectively. The median volumetric differences in Cheng lymphedema grades I to IV were 1012, 1787, 2434, and 4107 ml, respectively, which were statistically significant among the four Cheng lymphedema grades using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The volumetric differences in the lymphedematous limb were statistically significantly greater than in the unaffected limb, including both suprafascial and subfascial compartments. The volumetric differences are consistent with the Cheng lymphedema grading system as a reliable indicator of unilateral extremity lymphedema. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, IV.
Genetic Epidemiology?Science and Ethics on Familial Cancers,

Genetic epidemiology provides data on cancer etiology, familial risks and genotype-specific risks. These data are useful for clinical counselling and gene identification. The studies require large, unbiased sample sizes and collaboration between research teams, nationally and internationally. A recent study on Nordic twins suggests that in colorectal, breast and prostate cancer, the inherited component ranges between 27 and 42%, far in excess of the known susceptibility genes. The data from the Swedish Family-Cancer Database, particularly on second cancers, also suggest that a main genetic component in cancer is polygenic. The results have implications for design of genetic studies and for clinical counselling.
Effect of Conscious Sedation on Cardiac Autonomic Regulation during Colonoscopy

Background: Colonoscopy is associated with cardiovascular events including hypotension, hypertension, and myocardial ischemia. The pathogenetic mechanisms of these cardiovascular events are unknown, but there is evidence that the autonomic nervous system may play a role. Conscious sedation is often used to relieve the inconvenience caused by the procedure. In this study, we evaluated the effects of sedation on cardiac autonomic regulation during colonoscopy. Methods: One hundred and eighty patients undergoing elective colonoscopy were prospectively randomized into three groups: (i) sedation with intravenous midazolam (midazolam group); (ii) sedation with intravenous saline (placebo group); and (iii) no intravenous cannula (control group). Continuous electrocardiogram was recorded prior to, during, and after the colonoscopic procedure. Heart rate variability (HRV) was assessed by means of the power spectral analysis; the powers of low-frequency (LF 0.04-0.15 Hz) and high-frequency (HF 0.15-0.40 Hz) components were calculated. Results: Intubation of the colonoscope increased the LF component of HRV and decreased HF power in all study groups compared to baseline recording. Furthermore, compared to baseline, the LF/HF ratio-a marker of cardiac sympathetic regulation-increased during intubation in the midazolam (P < 0.001) and placebo (P < 0.05) groups, with no change in the control group. During intubation the midazolam group presented with higher LF and lower HF power than placebo (P < 0.001) and control groups (P < 0.01). Accordingly, the LF/HF ratio was higher in the midazolam group than in the placebo (P < 0.05) or control groups (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Midazolam potentiates the dominance of the sympathetic nervous system induced by colonoscopy. Therefore, conscious sedation with midazolam may contribute to the occurrence of cardiovascular events during colonoscopy.
Endoscopic Doppler Ultrasound for Measurement of Azygos Blood Flow: Validation against Thermodilution and Assessment of Pharmacological Effects of Terlipressin in Portal Hypertension

Background: Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) is a new modality allowing real-time flow measurements by means of the Doppler technique. The aim of the study was to evaluate azygos blood flow measurements by endoscopic ultrasound. Methods: Measurements of azygos blood flow by EUS and by the thermodilution technique were compared in 20 patients with portal hypertension. The ability of EUS flowmetry to detect changes in the azygos and portal venous flow after an intravenous dose of 2 mg of terlipressin was evaluated in 13 of the patients in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, cross-over design. Results: The EUS Doppler and thermodilution measurements correlated significantly (R = 0.81, P < 0.001). The azygos blood flow was found to be 14% higher by the EUS method than by thermodilution. The coefficient of variation of the EUS Doppler measurements of the azygos blood flow was 14.8%. After administration of terlipressin, the azygos blood flow, as measured by EUS Doppler, decreased significantly by 23% from 915 to 704 ml/min (P = 0.014) and the portal venous flow decreased by 28% from 1170 to 789 ml/min (P = 0.03). No effects of placebo were detected. Conclusions: These results show that EUS measurement of the azygos blood flow correlate strongly to the measurements by the thermodilution technique, and EUS is moreover well tolerated by the patients. The method is applicable for monitoring pharmacological effects on the superior porto-systemic collateral circulation and portal venous flow in patients with portal hypertension.
Effect of Antiviral Therapy on Markers of Fibrogenesis in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C

Background: The possible markers of liver fibrosis (plasma YKL-40, PIIINP, MMP-2 and TIMP-1) were measured at the start (t0) and end of treatment (t12) with ! -interferon and ribavirin and repeated at6-months follow-up (t18) in 51 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: We evaluated 1) whether treatment response is reflected by a decrease in these markers during antiviral therapy; 2) whether these markers reflect the activity of the disease; and 3) whether these markers could be used as predictors of the treatment response. Results: Baseline plasma YKL-40, MMP-2, PIIINP and TIMP-1 were significantly increased in patients compared to normal controls. In responders ( n r = r 30), plasma YKL-40 ( P r < r 0.05), MMP-2 ( P r < r 0.05) and TIMP-1 ( P r < r 0.001) decreased significantly at t18, and no changes were observed at t12. Plasma PIIINP was unchanged in responders. In non-responders ( n r = r 19), plasma MMP-2 ( P r < r 0.01) and TIMP-1 ( P r < r 0.01) decreased significantly at t18, whereas plasma YKL-40 and PIIINP were unchanged. The markers were significantly correlated at baseline ( P r < r 0.001). Plasma PIIINP at baseline could predict treatment response ( P r = r 0.01). Conclusions: Response to antiviral treatment is associated with a decrease in the fibrogenetic markers, but the markers do not reflect the biochemical disease activity during treatment. Baseline plasma PIIINP was the only marker predicting treatment response.
PHYLOGENETIC RELATIONSHIPS OF SPECIES OF UNCERTAIN TAXONOMIC POSITION WITHIN THE ACROCHAETIALES‐PALMARIALES COMPLEX (RHODOPHYTA): INFERENCES FROM PHENOTYPIC AND 18S rDNA SEQUENCE DATA1

Nucleotide sequences of the small‐subunit ribosomal RNA gene (18S rDNA)were newly determined for four members of the related rhodophyte orders Palmariales and Acrochaetiales and were compared by neighbor‐joining and parsimony analyses with four previously published sequences from these orders. A published rDNA sequence from Nemalion helminthoides (Velley in Withering) Batters (Nemaliales)and a gene sequence determined herein for Nothocladus nodosus Skuja (Batrachospermales) were used as outgroups. Sequences were very similar within the Palmariales with a maximum difference of 13 nucleotides out of 1772 between members of the families Palmariaceae and Rhodophysemataceae. Despite similarities in life history, the acrochaetioid algae Rhodo‐chorton purpureum (Lightfoot) Rosenvinge and Rhodothamniella floridula (Dillwyn)J. Feldmann in Christensen were phylogenetically separated with R. purpureum affiliated weakly with Acrochaetiales, and R. floridula forming a sister branch unequivocally to palmarialean algae of the families Rhodophysemataceae and Palmariaceae. Rhodothamniella floridula is postulated on both molecular and phenotypic grounds (encompassing biochemical and anatomical characters, and life history features)to represent an early lineage, Rhodothamniellaceae fam. nov., in the Palmariales. The family Rhodophysemataceae appeared paraphyletic in the sequence analyses, but a monophyletic Rhodophysemataceae could not be rejected by Templeton‐Felsenstein or Kishino‐Husegawa tests, and the family was clearly monophyletic in analysis of the phenotypic data. The earlier tentative placement of Rhodophysemataceae in the Palmariales rather than Acrochaetiales was confirmed.
Abdominal Symptoms and Anorectal Function in Health and Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Background: It is unclear how the quality and quantity of abdominal symptoms and anorectal function differ between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients and healthy controls, and whether different anorectal function in patients is associated with abdominal symptoms in IBS. Methods: Fifty-two outpatients with IBS and 12 healthy controls kept daily symptom records over 1 week. At the end of the week, anorectal function was assessed by manovolumetry before and after a standard fatty meal. Patients were divided into symptom and manovolumetric subgroups using a cluster analysis and also into those below (hypersensitive) and those within (normosensitive) the 95% confidence interval of the controls' mean for maximal tolerable distension (MTD). Results: Regardless of subgroup, the patients were distinguished from the controls by pain, bloating, straining and incomplete evacuation. Compared with controls, MTD was lower in the pain/bloating subgroup characterized by considerable pain and the bowel habit subgroup characterized by hard stools, variable stool consistency and heavily disturbed stool passage. Preprandial rectal hypersensitivity was highly prevalent in this bowel habit subgroup. No similar association with the pain/bloating subgroup was found. Patients and controls showed a significant and similar postprandial decrease in MTD. Conclusions: IBS is distinguished from health by pain, bloating, straining and a feeling of incomplete evcuation. Baseline rectal hypersensitivity is associated with constipation-like bowel habit. Increased rectal sensitivity after a meal and/or preceding distension is a normal reaction unimportant in the genesis of symptoms in IBS.
Population dynamics of Yellowstone grizzly bears

Data on the population of grizzly bears in the environs of Yellowstone National Park suggest that the population has not recovered from the reductions following closure of garbage dumps in 1970 and 1971, and may continue to decline. A computer simulation model indicates that the risk of extirpation over the next 30 yr is small, if the present population parameters continue to prevail. A review and further analysis of the available data brings out the importance of enhancing adult female survival if the population is to recover, and assesses various research needs. In particular, a reliable index of population trend is needed to augment available data on the population.
A Systematic Overview of Chemotherapy Effects in Ovarian Cancer

A systematic review of chemotherapy trials in several tumour types was performed by The Swedish Council of Technology Assessment in Health Care (SBU). The procedures for the evaluation of the scienti c literature are described separately (Acta Oncol 2001; 40: 155–65). This overview on chemotherapy for epithelial ovarian cancer is based on a total of 176 scienti c reports. Five meta-analyses including 17291 patients, 33 prospective randomised studies including 12340 patients, 36 prospective studies including 3593 patients and one retrospective study including 421 patients. The studies include approximately 33642 patients. The conclusions reached can be summarized into the following points:
Electrogenic Ion Transport in Duodenum, an Aid in Cystic Fibrosis Diagnosis

Background: Abnormality in chloride transport across epithelial tissues is a basic defect in cystic fibrosis (CF). Our aim was to compare the induced chloride secretion in duodenum in CF patients with different mutations.Methods: Duodenal biopsies from 9 patients were investigated in a modified Ussing chamber and the secretory response to prostaglandin E 2 (PGE2) and acetylcholine (ACh) were measured. Results: PGE2 and ACh induced no changes in chloride secretion in the DF508 homozygotes. In heterozygotes the induced change in chloride secretion corresponded to the severity of the known mutations. Conclusion: The secretory response in duodenum in CF is influenced by the patients genotype and mainly related to sweat chloride secretion.
A Feasibility Study Using Three-dimensional Conformal Boost Technique in Locally Advanced Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of dose escalation using three-dimensional (3-D) conformal boost technique, 21 patients with stage III or IV nasopharyngeal cancer were enrolled in a prospective protocol. All patients with node metastases initially received external radiotherapy by conventional technique up to 70.2 Gy, followed by 3-D conformal radiotherapy (3-D CRT) to the boost part up to 79.2 Gy with 9 Gy increments (daily fraction of 1.8 Gy for 5 days). A modified technique with the same dose escalation of 9 Gy using 3-D CRT was applied to 7 patients without node metastases, who were treated by conventional technique up to 54 Gy, followed by 3-D CRT to boost up to a basic dose of 70.2 Gy, and then finally with dose escalation of 9 Gy. The protocol was relatively well tolerated by the majority of patients. Acute complications during the dose escalation schedule was low, with rare occurrences of grade 3 or 4 toxicity. Although late radiation-induced complications also appeared limited, 1 patient developed a temporal lobe necrosis and 2 patients suffered from sensory-neural hearing loss. There were no radiation-induced fatal complications. At a median follow-up of 48 months, only 3 patients experienced local failure and 2 patients developed distant metastases. The 5-year overall actuarial survival rate and recurrencefree survival rate for all patients were 68% and 85%, respectively. On the basis of acceptable morbidity and encouraging treatment results, we conclude that the dose escalation in 9 Gy increments using a 3-D conformal boost technique is relatively safe and efficacious, enough to be used routinely for locally advanced nasopharyngeal cancers.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome–Trigger Points

Readers who are seriously interested in the promising potential of electromyographic detection of endplate noise as a gold standard for identifying TrPs and its likely limitations should be sure to consider the comments on and compare the papers by Couppe et al. and by Kuan et al. that are reviewed in this column. Those interested in writing a first-class paper on clinical research on TrPs should be sure to ruminate on the paper by Fernandez et al. For an example of outstanding research with immediate clinical applications, consider the paper by Saggini et al. about differentiatingtwotypesofheelpain.Several review articles, a case study, epidemiology studies, and a study of a new superficial dry needling approach complete this review. Contributions originated in a wide variety of countries, including Brazil, China, Denmark, Italy, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, and the Unites States. As usual, each article review indicates whether it is prepared by Dommerholt [JD] or Simons [DGS].
A Population Study on Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Mental Health

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is commonly thought to be associated with psychologic distress. However, in some studies only persons who had sought medical care for IBS (IBS patients) showed an increased frequency of psychiatric symptoms, and nonpatients did not differ significantly from normal subjects. Our aims were 1) to estimate the prevalence of IBS in the population aged 18-45 years, 2) to find the proportion seeking medical care for IBS, and 3) to compare IBS subjects with normals, and IBS patients with IBS nonpatients with regard to mental health. Methods: Questionnaires on IBS symptoms and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) were mailed to 5000 randomly sampled persons aged 18-45 years. The response rate was 58%. Results: IBS was found in 7.4% of the men and 13.3% of the women. Those who had sought medical attention had more severe symptoms. The Likert mean score on the GHQ was 4.7 (95% confidence interval, 4.4-5.0) points higher for the IBS group than for normals (P < 0.001). There was no difference in GHQ scores between IBS patients and nonpatients. Conclusions: The results indicate that IBS per se is associated with more psychiatric distress, regardless of medical care-seeking. Seeking medical care is associated with more severe IBS symptoms.
Economic Aspects of Chemotherapy

Several international studies and one Swedish study addressed the cost-effectiveness of different chemotherapeutic regimens. The quality of the studies is generally low and comparability is rather limited. Some of the studies compared cytostatic treatment with no cytostatic treatment. Most studies, however, compared two or more treatments. The costs were then compared with potential differences in treatment outcome. Outcomes are mostly measured as the cost per life-year gained. The results from these studies vary by treatment and indication. In some cases, after all relevant costs are taken into account, chemotherapy shows cost savings. In most studies, chemotherapy is associated both with higher costs and improved treatment results, often measured in terms of survival. Studies of rather high quality show that the cost per life-year gained (quality-adjusted) for most chemotherapeutic regimens with relatively limited effects ranges between 100000 and 250000 Swedish kronor (SEK). Estimates of cost-effectiveness for more effective chemotherapy has not been reported in the literature. The estimated costs are in parity with the costs of ‘established’ treatments for other diseases. There is uncertainty about what treatments can be considered cost-effective; there is no consensus concerning what costs are ‘reasonable’ per life-year gained in health care. The estimates of cost-effectiveness in most studies are highly uncertain and must be interpreted with caution. Improved assessment would require more studies in Sweden. For various reasons it is dif cult to apply the results from the international studies to Sweden. SYSTEMATIC OVERVIEW ARTICLE
THE GELDANAMYCIN DERIVATIVE 17-AAG DECREASES VEGF SECRETION AND LEUKEMIA GROWTH SUPPORT BY TRISOMY 8 MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROME BONE MARROW STROMAL CELLS

Stromal cells from a child with constitutional trisomy 8 who developed myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) were found to produce abnormal levels of various cytokines, including VEGF, and supported the growth of leukemic cells in co-culture assays. This study shows that the geldanamycin derivative 17-AAG effectively reduces the VEGF expression by MDS stromal cells. In co-culture experiments this agent also blocks the ability of the MDS stromal cells to stimulate the growth of leukemic cells. These data provide important initial evidence for the effect of 17-AAG on the marrow microenvironment and its potential use in the treatment of MDS and leukemia.