Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Cyclosporine-Based Dry Eye Therapy When Used With Marketed Artificial Tears as Supportive Therapy in Dry Eye

Purpose. To evaluate the efficacy of marketed artificial tears in relieving the signs and symptoms of dry eye when used as supportive therapy to a cyclosporine-based ophthalmic emulsion. Methods. Sixty-one patients were enrolled in this randomized, investigator-masked, parallel study of 6 months' duration. Eligible patients needed a Schirmer I score without anesthesia of 7 mm or less at day –7 and to answer that they needed artificial tears at least “some of the time. ” Corneal staining of 3 or more (National Eye Institute grid, 15 points) at day –7 and day 0 in the same eye was also required. Patients were randomized to one of three regimens: Restasis (0.05% cyclosporine) twice per day with Systane used a minimum of once per day (Restasis + Systane); Restasis twice per day with Refresh Tears used a minimum of once per day (Restasis + Refresh); and Systane alone used four times per day. Signs and symptoms were measured at days –7, 0, 7, 14, 28, 42, 120, and 180. Results. A statistical difference was seen in favor of Restasis + Systane versus Restasis + Refresh for corneal staining (P=0.0048) change from baseline and a trend (P=0.0725) for increased tear film breakup time at 6 months. There were no differences between treatment groups for Schirmer score, conjunctival staining, or conjunctival injection. Significant differences were seen in favor of Restasis + Systane versus Restasis + Refresh for less ocular burning (P=0.0210), stinging (P=0.0314), grittiness (P=0.0128), and dryness (P=0.0132). Systane was better than Restasis + Refresh for less burning (P=0.0288), dryness (P=0.0480), and scratchiness (P=0.0294). Conclusions. Results indicate that the choice of concomitant therapy used with Restasis has significant effects on outcome measures. Both supportive therapies were compatible with Restasis.
Inducible Mouse Models for Inherited Skin Diseases: Implications for Skin Gene Therapy

Stem cells are crucial for the formation and maintenance of tissues and organs. To understand the role of stem cells in the pathogenesis of mosaic skin disorders, we generated inducible mouse models for two autosomal dominant keratin disorders, epidermolytic hyperkeratosis (EHK) and epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), that enable activation of the respective mutation in epidermal stem cells in a spatially and temporally controlled manner using a ligand-inducible Cre recombinase. Whereas mosaic forms have been reported for EHK, which is caused by mutations in the suprabasal keratins K1 or K10, this has never been reported for EBS, which is due to mutations in the basal keratins K5 or K14. When we induced the phenotype in these models by topical application of the inducer, we found phenotypic areas in the EHK model that persisted for the life of the mouse. On the contrary, the induced blisters in the EBS model healed within a few weeks by migration of surrounding non-phenotypic stem cells into the wound bed. Our results indicate that lack of selective pressure against certain mutations in epidermal stem cells could explain why mosaic forms exist for EHK, but not for EBS. These findings have important implications for the development of new strategies for somatic gene therapy of dominant genodermatoses, and we are currently using these inducible mouse models to test gene therapy approaches.
Entry and Competition in Takeover Auctions

We estimate the degree of uncertainty faced by potential bidders in takeover auctions and quantify how it affects prices in auctions and negotiations. The high degree of uncertainty revealed by our structural estimation encourages entry in auctions but reduces a target’s bargaining power in negotiations. In the aggregate, auctions and negotiations produce similar prices, even though auctions are preferred in takeover markets with high uncertainty, while the reverse is true for negotiations. Firm characteristics predict pre-entry uncertainty and thus are informative about the relative performance of auctions and negotiations for individual targets.
Association between polymorphisms of APE1 and OGG1 and risk of colorectal cancer in Taiwan.

AIM To evaluate the effects of OGG1 (Ser326Cys, 11657A/G, and Arg154His) and APE1 (Asp148Glu, and T-656G) polymorphisms on colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. METHODS We enrolled 727 cases newly diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma and 736 age- and sex-matched healthy controls from a medical center in Taiwan. Genomic DNA isolated from the buffy coat was used for genotyping through polymerase chain reaction. Unconditional logistic regressions were used for calculating ORs and 95%CIs to determine the association between the genetic polymorphisms and CRC risk. Haplotype frequencies were estimated using PHASE software. Moreover, stratification analyses on the basis of sex, age at diagnosis, and tumor subsite and stage were performed. RESULTS The CRC risk was higher in patients with the OGG1 326Ser/Cys + Cys/Cys genotype (OR = 1.38, 95%CI: 1.03-1.85, P = 0.030), particularly high in patients with stage III + IV cancer (OR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.03-2.13) compared with patients with the Ser/Ser genotype. In addition, OGG1 11657G allele carriers had a 41% reduced CRC risk among stage 0-II patients (OR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.35-0.98). The CRC risk was significantly higher among females with the APE1 Glu allele (OR = 1.41, 95%CI: 1.02-1.96). The APE1 148Glu/-656G haplotype was also associated with a significant CRC risk in females (OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.03-1.78). CONCLUSION OGG1 and APE1 polymorphisms are associated with stage- and sex-specific risk of CRC in the Taiwanese population.
Satisfaction rates amongst elderly amputees provided with a static prosthetic foot

Aim. Persons in Israel losing a lower limb owing to disease and have an ambulatory potential are provided with an artificial limb financed by the Ministry of Health. The choice of foot provided depends upon the physicians' assessment of the amputees' ambulatory potential. The present study investigates the patients' satisfaction with the provided limb. Method. A telephone survey was carried out and patients were asked to reply to a number of relevant questions. Results. The less disabled patients', who received their prosthesis early, were the most satisfied. Increasing patient disability correlated with less prosthetic usage and hence greater dis-satisfaction. Conclusions. Solid ankle cushion heel (SACH) feet, which are cheap, are adequate for amputees with limited walking ability. Just over 10%% of the patients who received an artificial limb could not continue using it and further studies should be conducted to investigate whether any predictive features can be found in order to minimise the financial waste.
User-separating demodulation for code-division multiple-access systems

A user-separating (US) demodulator for a multiple-access system with digital transmission is defined to be a demodulator that, without knowledge of the channel codes of the various users, provides the decoder for each user with a scalar-valued output for each symbol period that permits maximum-likelihood decoding of that user's data. It is shown that such a US demodulator exists in general only for approximations to the true statistics of the modulator-input sequences of the interfering users. It is argued that approximating the interfering modulator-input sequences as independent, white Gaussian processes is the practical compromise between accuracy and simplicity in code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems. The US demodulator for this approximation is shown to consist of a kind of matrix whitening fitter followed by a kind of matched-filter for the user in question. It is further shown that this US demodulator can often be well approximated as the symbol-by-symbol demodulator that makes the linear minimum mean-squared error estimate of each modulator-input symbol for the user in question. Simulation results are presented to confirm the theory of US demodulation and to illustrate its practical utility. >
Laparoscopic partial cholecystectomy: A way of getting out of trouble

Aims: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is currently the standard treatment for symptomatic gallstones. In the presence of moderate to severe inflammation when dissection of the cholecystohepatic triangle cannot be safely achieved, laparoscopic partial cholecystectomy (LPC) has been proposed as an alternative to open conversion to prevent bile duct injuries. The aim of this study is to review our experience of the technique. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of all patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy under the upper gastrointestinal surgical unit at Westmead Hospital was undertaken. The study included all emergency and elective cases during a period from February 2012 to February 2014. Demographic, clinical, operative and postoperative characteristics including operative technique, placement of a drain, complications, length of hospital stay and histopathology were collected. Results: A total of 404 patients underwent LC during the two year study period of which 23 were LPC's. Patients who underwent LPC tended to be older and more likely of the male gender. These patients were also more likely to be an emergency operation and have a higher ASA grade compared to the LC group. Length of stay and operative time tended to be longer. There were five (22%) bile leaks postoperatively and all were successfully managed with postoperative ERCP and stenting. The major complication rate was 35% (8/23) with no bile duct injury or perioperative mortality. Conclusion: This current case series adds further evidence to suggest that LPC is a viable alternative to conversion in cases of difficult LC.
Análisis y Comparación de Metodologías para Determinar Experimentalmente la Ganancia de Antenas de RF y Microondas

RESUMEN En este trabajo, se presentan diversas metodologias para determinar la ganancia de antenas planares. Se describen los metodos de medicion que emplean dos antenas, tres antenas y el propuesto que utiliza cuatro antenas, permitiendo determinar la ganancia de cada antena y mejorar la exactitud. Se incluyen las ecuaciones desarrolladas y se efectua una comparacion de resultados, determinando los errores en la exactitud de las mediciones efectuadas con cada metodo. Se midieron cuatro antenas planares de microcinta mediante un sintetizador de senales, un analizador de espectro y un analizador de redes vectorial que opera en la banda de 0.045 a 50 GHz.
Protease inhibitors modulate apoptosis in mesangial cells derived from a mouse model of HIVAN.

BACKGROUND Oxidative stress as well as opiate addiction has been shown to play a role in the development of complications associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. METHODS We studied the occurrence of apoptosis in mesangial cells derived from control (NTrMC) mice and mice transgenic for HIV-1 genes (HTrMC) under basal and morphine-stimulated states (MSS). We evaluated the effect of free radical scavengers and antioxidants on HTrMC apoptosis and production of superoxide under basal and MSS. In addition, we examined the effect of protease inhibitors (PI) on apoptosis of NTrMCs/HTrMCs as well as morphine-induced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (reduced form) (NADPH) oxidase activation. RESULTS HTrMCs showed greater apoptosis when compared with NTrMCs. Morphine triggered (P < 0.001) apoptosis of both NTrMCs and HTrMCs. Both antioxidants and free radical scavengers inhibited apoptosis of NTrMCs and HTrMCs under both basal and MSS. Morphine stimulated the production of superoxide by NTrMCs as well as by HTrMCs. Nevertheless, HTrMCs produced a greater (P < 0.001) amount of superoxide when compared with NTrMCs both under basal and MSS. PIs such as saquinavir and Indinavir inhibited HTrMC apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. Saquinavir also protected HTrMCs against the proapoptotic effect of morphine. Moreover, saquinavir inhibited the production of superoxide by HTrMCs under both basal and MSS. Saquinavir also attenuated the morphine-induced expression of SOD and NADPH oxidase (Gp91phox) by HTrMCs. Interestingly, hemin exacerbated morphine-triggered HTrMC apoptosis. CONCLUSION Oxidative stress seems to play a role in the accelerated rate of HTrMC apoptosis both under basal and MSS. Saquinavir may be inhibiting HTrMC apoptosis by mitigating oxidative stress.
HYBRID POPULATIONS SELECTIVELY FILTER GENE INTROGRESSION BETWEEN SPECIES

Abstract Hybrids have long been recognized as a potential pathway for gene flow between species that can have important consequences for evolution and conservation biology. However, few studies have demonstrated that genes from one species can introgress or invade another species over a broad geographic area. Using 35 genetically mapped restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers of two species of cottonwoods (Populus fremontii x P. angustifolia) and their hybrids (n = 550 trees), we showed that the majority of the genome is prohibited from introgressing from one species into the other. However, this barrier was not absolute; Fremont cpDNA and mtDNA were found throughout the geographic range of narrowleaf cottonwood, and 20% of the nuclear markers of Fremont cottonwood introgressed varying distances (some over 100 km) into the recipient species' range. Rates of nuclear introgression were variable, but two nuclear markers introgressed as fast as the haploid, cytoplasmically inherited chloroplast and mitochondrial markers. Our genome-wide analysis provides evidence for positive, negative, and neutral effects of introgression. For example, we predict that DNA fragments that introgress through several generations of backcrossing will be small, because small fragments are less likely to contain deleterious genes. These results argue that recombination will be important, that introgression can be very selective, and that evolutionary forces within the hybrid population to effectively “filter” gene flow between species. A strong filter may make introgression adaptive, prevent genetic assimilation, lead to relaxed isolating mechanisms, and contribute to the stability of hybrid zones. Thus, rather than hybridization being a negative factor as is commonly argued, natural hybridization between native species may provide important genetic variation that impacts both ecological and evolutionary processes. Finally, we propose two hypotheses that contrast the likelihood of contemporary versus ancient introgression in this system. Corresponding Editor: S. Tonsor
Simultaneous genotyping of the three lactose tolerance-linked polymorphisms LCT –13907C>G, LCT –13910C>T and LCT –13915T>G with Pyrosequencing™ technology

Abstract Background: We required a new genotyping method for the diagnosis of adult hypolactasia, which would allow the simultaneous genotyping of three known polymorphic loci linked to lactose tolerance (LCT –13907C>G, LCT –13910C>T and LCT –13915T>G) in a single PCR/pyrosequencing test run. Method: We utilized Pyrosequencing™ technology, a DNA-sequence-by-synthesis technique. Results: The developed Pyrosequencing™ method allowed genotyping of the three loci LCT –13907C>G, LCT –13910C>T and LCT –13915T>G in a single PCR/pyrosequencing test run. A separate Pyrosequencing™ assay was developed for genotyping of the LCT –14010G>C mutation. The methods were evaluated in 116 clinical samples from patients of non-European descent, sent to the laboratory for diagnosis of adult hypolactasia. The “African” mutations LCT –13907C>G and LCT –13915T>G were found in subjects originating not only from Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea but also in Arabs and Iranians. Several compound heterozygotes LCT –13907CG/–13915TG were found among Ethiopian, Eritrean and Somalian subjects. No subject with the LCT –14010G>C mutation was found among the studied subjects. Advantages compared to the other genotyping methods are less staff hands-on time than, e.g., restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses, avoiding radioactivity as in the originally described isotope-minisequencing and in addition, Pyrosequencing™ is a direct DNA sequencing technique which gives unambiguous genotyping results as well as some redundant sequence information beyond the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) position, which serves as a valuable internal control obtained for each sample. Conclusions: Pyrosequencing™ is a robust genotyping modality suitable for clinical genotyping of patients not only of European, but also of African or Middle Eastern descent, who may harbor any combination of the three LCT mutations, LCT –13907C>G, LCT –13910C>T, LCT –13915T>G. Clin Chem Lab Med 2008;46:80–4.
Metamaterial inspired planar broadband antenna

An electrically small metamaterial-inspired antenna is presented and discussed. The antenna requires a small foot print of λ/5 × λ/10 where λ is the wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency, when printed on a substrate of dielectric constant 4.4 and thickness 1.6mm. The antenna offers a 2:1 VSWR from 750MHz-1.4GHz which covers CDMA, GSM and ISM bands. A top loaded monopole with a meandered element ground plane constitutes the antenna structure.
Vipp1 Is Essential for the Biogenesis of Photosystem I but Not Thylakoid Membranes in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002*

Background: Vipp1 was previously thought to be essential for viability and biogenesis of thylakoid membranes. Results: A vipp1 null mutant of cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 is viable and assembles thylakoid membranes but lacks Photosystem I. Conclusion: Vipp1 is not essential but is required for biogenesis of Photosystem I. Significance: Normal thylakoid biogenesis and structure requires Photosystem I but not Vipp1. The biogenesis of thylakoid membranes in cyanobacteria is presently not well understood, but the vipp1 gene product has been suggested to play an important role in this process. Previous studies in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 reported that vipp1 (sll0617) was essential. By constructing a fully segregated null mutant in vipp1 (SynPCC7002_A0294) in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002, we show that Vipp1 is not essential. Spectroscopic studies revealed that Photosystem I (PS I) was below detection limits in the vipp1 mutant, but Photosystem II (PS II) was still assembled and was active. Thylakoid membranes were still observed in vipp1 mutant cells and resembled those in a psaAB mutant that completely lacks PS I. When the vipp1 mutation was complemented with the orthologous vipp1 gene from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 that was expressed from the strong PcpcBA promoter, PS I content and activities were restored to normal levels, and cells again produced thylakoids that were indistinguishable from those of wild type. Transcription profiling showed that psaAB transcripts were lower in abundance in the vipp1 mutant. However, when the yfp gene was expressed from the PpsaAB promoter in the presence and the absence of Vipp1, no difference in YFP expression was observed, which shows that Vipp1 is not a transcription factor for the psaAB genes. This study shows that thylakoids are still produced in the absence of Vipp1 and that normal thylakoid biogenesis in Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 requires expression and biogenesis of PS I, which in turn requires Vipp1.
Quasiparticle electronic and optical properties of the Si–Sn system

The Si1−xSnx material system is an interesting candidate for an optically active material compatible with Si. Based on density functional theory with quasiparticle corrections we calculate the electronic band structure of zinc-blende SiSn under both compressive and tensile strain. At 2.2% tensile strain the band gap becomes direct with a magnitude of 0.85 eV. We develop an accurate tight-binding parameterization of the electronic structure and calculate the optical properties of SiSn. Furthermore, the silicide SiSn2 is investigated and found to have metallic character.
Recognition of circle form using fuzzy sequential system

An application of the synchronous fuzzy sequential system to pattern recognition in which fuzzy propositions are used to represent various sizes of circles is presented. The advantages of the proposed system include the small amount of required memory elements as well as a fast recognition speed caused by the sequential procedure. Furthermore, an easy realization of the system with electronic devices can be expected because of the simplicity of the fuzzy set operations. The simulation results for some examples are shown. <<ETX>>
Application du développement en X, l'exemple du régulateur de pression revisité

La methode de developpement en X tient compte du fait que les elements de tout systeme technique sont issus de ressources puisees dans l'environnement. En appliquant cette methode l'article revisite le cas d'ecole du regulateur de pression et explique comment le materiau constitutif du corps principal du regulateur peut etre selectionne des la premiere interpretation du cahier des charges, avant toute recherche de solution ou definition geometrique des composants. Pour cela le probleme est enonce dans son contexte en tant que " supersysteme ", puis la theorie de la similitude et l'analyse dimensionnelle sont utilisees afin de retrouver des indices de performance d'Ashby permettant un choix raisonne
Randomized Trial of Distributed Constraint-Induced Therapy Versus Bilateral Arm Training for the Rehabilitation of Upper-Limb Motor Control and Function After Stroke

Background and Objective. This study compared the efficacy of distributed constraint-induced therapy (dCIT), bilateral arm training (BAT), and control treatment (CT) on motor control and functional performance of the upper limb in stroke patients. Methods. A total of 66 patients with mean stroke onset of 16.20 months and mild to moderate motor impairment were randomized to dCIT, BAT, or CT groups. Each group received treatment for 2 h/d and 5 d/wk for 3 weeks. Pretreatment and posttreatment measures included reaching kinematic variables in unilateral and bilateral tasks, the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), and the Motor Activity Log (MAL). Results. The dCIT and BAT groups had smoother reaching trajectories in the unilateral and bilateral tasks than the CT group. The BAT group, but not the dCIT group, generated greater force at movement initiation than the CT group during the unilateral and bilateral tasks. The dCIT patients had decreased WMFT time and higher functional ability scores than the CT patients. MAL results pointed to better performance in the amount and quality of use of the affected arm than BAT and CT patients. Conclusions. BAT and dCIT exhibited similar beneficial effects on movement smoothness but differential effects on force at movement initiation and functional performance. Therefore, BAT is a better option if improvement of force generation is the treatment goal, and dCIT is more appropriate for improving functional ability and use of the affected arm in daily life. These findings may assist in the planning of individually tailored rehabilitation therapies.