Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparative efficacy of b-irradiation and mitomycin-C in primary and recurrent pterygium.

PURPOSE To determine the efficacy and safety of mitomycin-C as adjunctive treatment and to compare this drug with beta irradiation with strontium-90 after surgical excision of primary and recurrent pterygia. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study group consisted of 193 patients with primary and recurrent pterygia who underwent surgical excision with the bare sclera technique. They were divided into two groups according to the type of adjunctive treatment. In group I, 130 patients (141 eyes, 67.8%) were treated with beta irradiation with Sr-90 doses of 1000-7000 cGy. In group II 63 patients (67 eyes, 32.2%) received topical mitomycin-C at a concentration of 0.02% four times daily for one week postoperatively. Recurrence rates, complications and efficacy of these treatments were compared with the chi-square of Fishers exact test. RESULTS The recurrence rates were 6.4% in group I after a mean postoperative follow-up of 89 months and 17.9% in group II after a mean follow-up of 14.9 months. Recurrence rates and complications were higher in group II and the difference was significant (p<0.05, p<0.001). Life-table analysis showed a success rate of 93.6% for Sr-90 and 81.9% for the mitomycin-C, the difference being significant (p<0.005). CONCLUSIONS Beta irradiation with Sr-90 after surgical excision was more effective than topical mitomycin-C in patients with primary and recurrent pterygium in terms of recurrence rates, and safer in terms of complications. (Eur J Ophthalmol 2001; 11: 126-32).
The efficacy of intratumoural 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of equine sarcoids.

OBJECTIVE To document the efficacy of intratumoural injections of 5-fluorouracil for the treatment of equine sarcoids. DESIGN A prospective study that included 13 horses and one donkey. PROCEDURE Sarcoids were confirmed by histological examination and treated with intratumoural 5-fluorouracil every 2 weeks. If the sarcoids did not resolve after seven treatments, treatment was considered a failure. All cases were re-examined 6 months after treatment commenced and owners were telephoned 3 years after commencement of treatment to report on tumour recurrence. Outcome comparisons were performed to determine the effect of previous treatment, tumour size and tumour location on sarcoid resolution. The efficacy of intratumoural 5-fluorouracil was compared with other previously documented treatments of equine sarcoids. RESULTS Sarcoids smaller than 13.5 cm3 were significantly (P = 0.032) more likely to resolve with treatment than larger sarcoids. Sarcoids that were not responsive to previous therapies were significantly (P = 0.007) more likely to recur after 3 years than sarcoids that had not been treated prior to this study. In this study, there were similar rates of resolution in cases with mutiple tumours (66.6%) when compared to cases with single tumours (60%). The numbers in this study were too small to properly evaluate the effect of tumour location on the success of treatment. Intratumoural 5-fluorouracil appeared to have resolved sarcoids in 9 of 13 cases (61.5%) as determined by follow up conversation with the owners 3 years after the initial treatment. CONCLUSION The use of intratumoural 5-fluorouracil compares favourably with other treatment modalities for sarcoids, with a long term successful resolution rate of 61.5%. Owners should be warned that resistant sarcoids and sarcoids larger than 13.5 cm3 have a poorer prognosis for resolution and more aggressive therapeutic options should be considered.
Primary childhood aphasia and childhood autism: clinical, biological, and conceptual observations.

Abstract Congenital, developmental, and idiopathic acquired aphasia form a spectrum of primary childhood aphasias characterized by profound disturbances in expressive language, relatively much better language comprehension; by the capacity for inner language, imaginative play, gesture, mime, and warm social relations; and by a variety of associated behavioral and cognitive difficulties (dependency, immaturity, hyperactivity, encoding and decoding problems). The presence of paroxysmal electroencephalographic abnormalities suggests cortical dysfunction. In contrast to this spectrum, the childhood autism syndrome appears earlier in life (during a prelinguistic developmental phase) and is characterized by an impoverishment of inner language; paucity of mime, gesture, and imitation; and much greater disturbance in social attachment and regulation of anxiety. Midbrain and brainstem dysfunctions involving catecholamine pathways may underlie some aspects of this syndrome. Because of complex, reciprocal effects between various neurological systems in the central nervous system, there may be mixed aphasic-autistic syndromes and familial clustering of both types of disorders. Intensive language training starting in the preschool years and possibly introduction of systematic sign language may be useful for both groups and especially valuable for aphasic children with more intact language competence.
Advances in Testing Techniques for Digital Microfluidic Biochips

With the advancement of digital microfluidics technology, applications such as on-chip DNA analysis, point of care diagnosis and automated drug discovery are common nowadays. The use of Digital Microfluidics Biochips (DMFBs) in disease assessment and recognition of target molecules had become popular during the past few years. The reliability of these DMFBs is crucial when they are used in various medical applications. Errors found in these biochips are mainly due to the defects developed during droplet manipulation, chip degradation and inaccuracies in the bio-assay experiments. The recently proposed Micro-electrode-dot Array (MEDA)-based DMFBs involve both fluidic and electronic domains in the micro-electrode cell. Thus, the testing techniques for these biochips should be revised in order to ensure proper functionality. This paper describes recent advances in the testing technologies for digital microfluidics biochips, which would serve as a useful platform for developing revised/new testing techniques for MEDA-based biochips. Therefore, the relevancy of these techniques with respect to testing of MEDA-based biochips is analyzed in order to exploit the full potential of these biochips.
Catabolite repression in Escherichia coli– a comparison of modelling approaches

The phosphotransferase system in Escherichia coli is a transport and sensory system and, in this function, is one of the key players of catabolite repression. Mathematical modelling of signal transduction and gene expression of the enzymes involved in the transport of carbohydrates is a promising approach in biotechnology, as it offers the possibility to achieve higher production rates of desired components. In this article, the relevance of methods and approaches concerning mathematical modelling in systems biology is discussed by assessing and comparing two comprehensive mathematical models that describe catabolite repression. The focus is thereby on modular modelling with the relevant input in the central modules, the impact of quantitative model validation, the identification of control structures and the comparison of model predictions with respect to the available experimental data.
Institutional Money, Sector and Dollar Effects on the Dutch Aex Index

The Amsterdam Exchanges Index (AEX), the main index of Euronext Amsterdam, produced a tremendous performance in the period 1988-1998 relative to the MSCI World Index. However, coinciding remarkably neatly with the introduction of the euro, this outperformance abruptly came to an end in 1999. In this paper we examine the factors that could explain the relative performance of the AEX from its inception in 1983 up until 2002. Our results suggest that the sector mix, the US dollar and the general market climate play a role, but that the relationship with institutional money flows is hard to prove, possibly due to a lack of data. Movements in bond yields apparently have had little effect.
Sensitization of Slow Pressor Angiotensin II (Ang II)–Initiated Hypertension: Induction of Sensitization by Prior Ang II Treatment

Sensitization involving the central nervous system has been studied in many conditions but has received little attention in investigation of the pathogenesis of hypertension. Our experiments were initiated to determine whether angiotensin II (Ang II)–induced hypertension can be sensitized by prior Ang II treatment and the role of the brain renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in this process. To demonstrate Ang II–induced sensitization, we used an experimental design of induction-delay-expression. Male rats were implanted for telemetered blood pressure (BP) recording. During induction (I), low doses of subcutaneous or intracerebroventricular Ang II were delivered for 1 week, and then the rats were rested for 1 week (delay [D]) to ensure that any exogenous Ang II was metabolized. After this, a second higher dose of Ang II was given subcutaneously for 2 weeks (expression [E]). During I and D, the low doses of Ang II had no sustained effects on BP. However, during E, the Ang II–induced BP increase was greater in the groups that had received low doses of Ang II during I in comparison to the group receiving saline during I. Central angiotensin type 1 receptor antagonist delivery blocked this sensitization. Brain tissue collected at the end of D and E showed increased mRNA expression of several RAAS components in key forebrain regions of sensitized rats. Fos-related antigen–like immunoreactivity was also increased at the end of E in the sensitized forebrain. These results indicate that subpressor doses of Ang II act on the brain to sensitize the hypertensive response to subsequent Ang II and that sensitization is associated with altered expression of RAAS components in forebrain cardiovascular control structures.
Development of microwave tomography for functional cardiac imaging

We are conducting a research study in development of microwave tomography for functional cardiac imaging. This includes the dielectric spectroscopy of myocardial tissue and imaging experiments. Our findings of dependencies of myocardial dielectric properties from coronary blood flow, ischemia, infarction and hypoxia set up a strong basis for microwave cardiac function imaging in terms of tissue differentiation. The developed three-dimensional (3D) microwave tomographic (MWT) system together with image reconstruction algorithms was used in imaging experiments on excised normal and infarcted canine hearts and intact canines and pigs. Reconstructed images of excised infarcted canine hearts clearly reveal infarcted areas consistent with anatomical slices. Experimental protocols for imaging of intact static canine and swine are underway. Reconstructed images of canine and pig torso were also obtained, indicating the chest cavity with the heart and ventricular chambers.
Stable and specific association between the yeast recombination and DNA repair proteins RAD1 and RAD10 in vitro

The RAD1 and RAD10 genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are two of at least seven genes which are known to be required for damage-specific recognition and/or damage-specific incision of DNA during nucleotide excision repair. RAD1 and RAD10 are also involved in a specialized mitotic recombination pathway. We have previously reported the purification of the RAD10 protein to homogeneity (L. Bardwell, H. Burtscher, W. A. Weiss, C. M. Nicolet, and E. C. Friedberg, Biochemistry 29:3119-3126, 1990). In the present studies we show that the RAD1 protein, produced by in vitro transcription and translation of the cloned gene, specifically coimmunoprecipitates with the RAD10 protein translated in vitro or purified from yeast. Conversely, in vitro-translated RAD10 protein specifically coimmunoprecipitates with the RAD1 protein. The sites of this stable and specific interaction have been mapped to the C-terminal regions of both polypeptides. This portion of RAD10 protein is evolutionarily conserved. These results are the first biochemical evidence of a specific association between any eukaryotic proteins genetically identified as belonging to a recombination or DNA repair pathway and suggest that the RAD1 and RAD10 proteins act at the same or consecutive biochemical steps in both nucleotide excision repair and mitotic recombination.
Applicability of Item Mapping in Rating the Severity of Pathological Personality Traits

The aim of this study was to investigate the combined use of two pathological personality tests, the Dimensional Clinical Personality Inventory (IDCP) and the Personality Inventory for DSM-5 (PID-5), within the context of incremental validity in order to verify the increasing severity of the constructs used. We generated item maps for sets of items based on three dimensions of IDCP and five facets of PID-5, selected according to the possibility of pairing between scales. The study included 642 individuals, predominantly women aged over 18, divided into three groups according to the dimensions and facets. There was an increase in the level of severity, typically related to the different personality disorders, in addition to the complementation between instruments, providing incremental validity. The use of item mapping helped us understand the increasing severity of the traits, and allowed the verification of the clinical relevance of the constructs.
Asenapine, Blonanserin, Iloperidone, Lurasidone, and Sertindole: Distinctive Clinical Characteristics of 5 Novel Atypical Antipsychotics

AbstractSchizophrenia is a serious, chronic, and devastating mental illness with a substantial impact on psychological, physical, social, and economical areas of an individual and society. To treat such critical mental illness, a number of first-generation (typical) and second-generation (atypical) antipsychotics are currently available in the market. Despite such treatment options, most of patients with schizophrenia have a poor treatment outcome and become treatment resistant, causing continual deterioration on positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms, resulting in impairment of socio-occupational functioning. Hence, additional novel antipsychotics with better efficacy, safety, and tolerability profiles are needed to enable clinicians to diversify treatment options to improve treatment of schizophrenia. Recently, the 3 antipsychotics, including iloperidone (2009), asenapine (2009), and lurasidone (2010), have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Two other atypical antipsychotics, including sertindole and blonanserin, are approved and used outside the United States for treatment of schizophrenia. Sertindole, after it has been voluntarily suspended by the manufacturer in 1998 due to its potential risk in causing cardiovascular-related death, was relaunched to the European market in 2005. More recently, blonanserin was approved in Japan (2008) and in Korea (2009) for the management of schizophrenia. Individual antipsychotic may have differential pros and cons compared with other antipsychotic in terms of efficacy, safety, tolerability, restoration of functional capacity, and economic aspect reflecting relapse prevention. The purpose of this review was to provide distinctive clinical characteristics and up-to-date of clinical trial data of the 5 novel atypical antipsychotics for the management of schizophrenia, which may deliver clinicians better understanding in the use of such atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of schizophrenia in clinical practice.
Effects of a 4‐Month Season on Glenohumeral Joint Rotational Strength and Range of Motion in Female Collegiate Tennis Players

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 4-month season of collegiate tennis on glenohumeral joint internal and external rotation strength and range of motion in female collegiate tennis players. Eleven female collegiate tennis players were isokinetically tested to assess glenohumeral joint internal and external rotation strength with 90° of abduction on a Cybex 6000 isokinetic dynamometer. Subjects were also measured for internal and external rotation range of motion using a universal goniometer with 90° of abduction. Measurements were taken before and immediately after a 4-month season of competitive collegiate tennis play. A repeated-measures analysis of variance showed no significant difference in internal or external rotation strength or range of motion between pre- and postseason measures. Results from this study show that, despite 4 months of competitive tennis play, changes in rotational strength and range of motion did not occur. These data have implications for clinicians as well as strength and conditioning professionals designing rehabilitation and preventative conditioning programs for athletes in this population.
Multicenter Study of the Burden of Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in the Etiology of Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Background Infected diabetic foot ulcer (IDFU) is a public health issue and a leading cause of non-traumatic limb amputation. Very few published data on IDFU is available in most West African countries. The objective of this study was to investigate the etiological agents of IDFU and the challenge of antibacterial drug resistance in the management of infections. Methods This was a prospective cross-sectional hospital-based study involving three tertiary healthcare facilities. Consecutive eligible patients presenting in the facilities were recruited. Tissue biopsies and/or aspirates were collected and cultured on a set of selective and non-selective media and incubated in appropriate atmospheric conditions for 24 to 72 hours. Isolates were identified by established standard methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Specific resistance determinants were investigated by polymerase chain reaction-based protocols. Data analysis was done with SPSS version 20. Results Ninety patients with clinical diagnosis of DFI were studied between July 2016 and April 2017. A total of 218 microorganisms were isolated, comprising 129 (59.2%) Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), 59 (27.1%) Gram-positive cocci (GPC) and 29 (13.2%) anaerobic bacteria. The top five facultative/aerobic bacteria encountered were: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Citrobacter spp. representing 41 (18.8%), 23 (10.5%), 20 (9.2%), 19 (8.7%) and 19 (8.7%) isolates, in that order, respectively. The commonest anaerobes were Bacteroides spp. , and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius which accounted for 7 (24.1%) and 6 (20.7%), respectively. Of the 93 IDFU cases, 74 (80%) were infected by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria predominantly methicillin-resistant S. aureus, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing GNB, mainly of the CTX-M variety. Only 4 (3.1%) GNB were carbapenemase-producers encoded by blaVIM. Factors associated with presence of MDR bacteria were peripheral neuropathy (r= 4.05, P= 0.042) and duration of foot infection >1 month(r= 7.63, P= 0.015). Conclusions MDR facultative/aerobic bacteria are overrepresented amongst agents causing IDFU. A relatively low proportion of the etiological agents were anaerobic bacteria. This finding should help formulate empirical therapeutic options for managing IDFU. Furthermore, drastic reduction in inappropriate use of cocktail of antibiotics for IDFUs is advocated to combat infection by MDR bacteria in these patients.
Serum mesothelin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma: a new screening marker and prognostic factor.

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between mesothelin and clinical pathological characteristics and whether mesothelin can be used as a biomarker for the detection and prognosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma, or not. PATIENTS AND METHODS Pre-operative mesothelin and CA125 levels from normal populations, patients with benign ovarian tumors and patients with ovarian carcinomas were measured. The histopathological characteristics and serum meosthelin, and CA125 levels influencing clinical outcome were evaluated comparatively. RESULTS Mesothelin levels were higher in cancer patients than in those with benign ovarian tumors or in normal populations. Mesothelin, also significantly increased from early to advanced stages. Elevated mesothelin before therapy and advanced stage, revealed poorer overall survival (OS) for cancer patients. Elevated mesothelin before therapy also revealed poorer OS in cancer patients with optimal debulking surgery and in advanced-stage cancer patients. CONCLUSION Mesothelin might be a new tumor marker for the differential diagnosis of epithelial ovarian carcinoma and a prognostic factorfor the outcome of epithelial ovarian carcinoma patients.
Open Data Policy

• municipalities across Canada have an opportunity to lower their costs by collectively sharing and supporting software they use and create; • the total value of public data is maximized when provided for free or where necessary only a minimal cost of distribution; • when data is shared freely, citizens are enabled to use and re-purpose it to help create a more economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable city; and Hamilton needs to look for opportunities for creating economic activity and partnership with the creative sectors; • the adoption of open standards improves transparency, access to city information by citizens and businesses and improved coordination and efficiencies across municipal boundaries and with federal and provincial partners; • digital innovation can enhance citizen communications, support the brand of the city as creative and innovative, improve service delivery, support citizens to self-organize and solve their own problems and create a stronger sense of civic engagement, community and pride;
Government Spending and Economic Growth in a Context of Market Imperfections

This paper identifies a key feature of the structure of government spending as a determinant of economic growth: the public goods/ private goods expenditure ratio, where public goods are broadly defined as expenditures that mitigate market failure. The paper develops a theoretical and empirical analysis which corroborates the hypothesis that shifting government expenditures from private goods to public goods, promotes economic efficiency and growth. The empirical analysis using data for 87 countries from 1980-2004, shows that increasing the share of public goods by one half of a standard deviation induces a one percentage point increase in the annual per capita growth rate of GDP for the average country in the sample. This result is robust to stringent sensitivity checks.
Stable isotope dietary analysis of the Tianyuan 1 early modern human

We report here on the isotopic analysis of the diet of one of the oldest modern humans found in Eurasia, the Tianyuan 1 early modern human dating to ≈40,000 calendar years ago from Tianyuan Cave (Tianyuandong) in the Zhoukoudian region of China. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of the human and associated faunal remains indicate a diet high in animal protein, and the high nitrogen isotope values suggest the consumption of freshwater fish. To confirm this inference, we measured the sulfur isotope values of terrestrial and freshwater animals around the Zhoukoudian area and of the Tianyuan 1 human, which also support the interpretation of a substantial portion of the diet from freshwater fish. This analysis provides the direct evidence for the consumption of aquatic resources by early modern humans in China and has implications for early modern human subsistence and demography.