Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cleft lip and palate in context: Learning from, and adding to, the sociological literature on long-term conditions

Cleft lip and palate is a common congenital anomaly affecting males and females. While there is psychological research on cleft lip and palate, there is relatively little research exploring the social context of cleft lip and palate and the experiences of living with the condition on a daily basis. Drawing on common themes emerging from sociological work which have explored the experiences of people living with long-term conditions (uncertainty, social relations, self-esteem and self-image and biomedical concerns), we argue that these themes can be used to help elucidate the experiences of people living with cleft lip and palate. Within this framework, the findings of a qualitative study exploring the experiences of people living with cleft lip and palate are presented. The results suggest that all four themes can be found within the accounts of people living with cleft lip and palate, and there are many commonalities between the experiences of these people and those living with other long-term conditions. Conversely there are interesting areas of divergence. Unlike most long-term conditions, cleft lip and palate is not degenerative and treatment means symptoms will reduce over time. This is reflected in narratives around ‘normality’ as the endpoint of the care pathway. In addition, prenatal diagnosis means that the vast majority of participants within this study were born into, and grew up within, the care pathway. This has implications for the way in which cleft lip and palate is understood and the provision of information, relationships with members of the care team over time and the temporal and contextualised impact of cleft lip and palate on social relations and the self.
Novel corner rounding process for shallow trench isolation utilizing MSTS (Micro-Structure Transformation of Silicon)

A new STI (Shallow Trench Isolation) corner rounding technique with MSTS (Micro-Structure Transformation of Silicon) which utilizes Si-migration phenomenon with hydrogen ambient annealing is proposed and applied to 0.15 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. Highly controlled corner rounding radius is achieved without high temperature oxidation process. Thus it is free from defect generation and undesirable impurity diffusion in the Si substrate. Subthreshold current due to parasitic corner transistors of the STI structure is effectively suppressed and the reverse narrow channel effect is controlled down to 0.2 /spl mu/m channel width.
Mitral valvar anomalies and discrete subaortic stenosis

On the basis of our clinical experience, we hypothesized that the role of mitral valvar anomalies in the development and recurrence of discrete subaortic stenosis might be underestimated. From January 1994 to October 2000, the anatomy of the mitral valve and its relationship to the other components of the left ventricular outflow tract were studied by echocardiography in a series of 73 consecutive patients referred to our institution for surgical correction of discrete subaortic stenosis. In all patients for whom it was considered advisable, surgical correction of the mitral anomaly was performed, together with resection of the fibro-muscular subaortic stenosis. One or more mitral valvar anomalies were found in 35 patients (48%). They could be grouped into five categories: insertion of a papillary muscle into the aortic leaflet, insertion of a papillary muscle into the ventricular wall, “muscularization” of the subaortic portion of the aortic leaflet, anomalous insertion of the valvar tissue into the ventricular wall, and accessory valvar tissue. In all cases with anomalous mitral valvar anatomy, surgical correction was feasible. It consisted of transection of the anomalous papillary muscle or its attachment, resection of accessory valvar tissue, and/or patch enlargement of the aortic leaflet. The incidence of mitral valvar anomalies associated with subaortic stenosis is probably underestimated. Our data suggest that they should be systematically searched for during the evaluation of all cases of subaortic stenosis. Their surgical correction is generally feasible, and might improve the mid and long term results.
Operative versus non-operative treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit.

BACKGROUND Spinal burst fractures result from the failure of both the anterior and the middle columns of the spine under axial compression loads. Conservative management is through bed rest, and immobilization with a brace once the acute symptoms have settled. Surgical treatment involves either anterior or posterior stabilization of the fracture with screws, often with decompression, an operation to remove bone fragments which have intruded into the vertebral canal. OBJECTIVES To compare operative with non-operative treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma Group Specialized Register (May 2005), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (January 1966 to April 2005), EMBASE (January 1988 to April 2005), and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM) available at http://cbm.imicams. ac.cn (January 1978 to April 2005). We also searched reference lists of articles, handsearched journals and conference proceedings, and contacted authors where necessary. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing operative with non-operative treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two review authors assessed trial quality and extracted data independently. Pooling of data was not carried out as only one small, poor quality trial was included. MAIN RESULTS We included one trial comparing operative with non-operative treatment (53 participants). There was no statistically significant difference in pain and function-related outcomes, rates of return to work, radiographic findings or average length of hospitalization at final follow up. The rate of complications was higher for the patients treated operatively. The degree of kyphosis or the percentage of correction lost did not correlate with any clinical symptoms at the time of the final follow up. Average costs related to hospitalization and treatment in the operative group appeared to be more than in the non-operative group. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There was no statistically significant difference on the functional outcome two years or more after therapy between operative and non-operative treatment for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurological deficit. However, this review was able to include only one randomized controlled trial with a small sample size and poor quality, which precluded firm conclusions. More research with high quality trials is needed.
Interventions to reduce sexual risk for human immunodeficiency virus in adolescents: a meta-analysis of trials, 1985-2008.

OBJECTIVE To provide an updated review of the efficacy of behavioral interventions to reduce sexual risk of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among adolescents. DESIGN We searched electronic databases, leading public health journals, and the document depository held by the Synthesis of HIV/AIDS Risk Reduction Project. Studies that fulfilled the selection criteria and were available as of December 31, 2008, were included. SETTING Studies that investigated any behavioral intervention advocating sexual risk reduction for HIV prevention, sampled adolescents (age range, 11-19 years), measured a behavioral outcome relevant to sexual risk, and provided sufficient information to calculate effect sizes. PARTICIPANTS Data from 98 interventions (51,240 participants) were derived from 67 studies, dividing for qualitatively different interventions and gender when reports permitted it. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Condom use, sexual frequency, condom use skills, interpersonal communication skills, condom acquisition, and incident sexually transmitted infections (STIs). RESULTS Relative to controls, interventions succeeded at reducing incident STIs, increasing condom use, reducing or delaying penetrative sex, and increasing skills to negotiate safer sex and to acquire prophylactic protection. Initial risk reduction varied depending on sample and intervention characteristics but did not decay over time. CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive behavioral interventions reduce risky sexual behavior and prevent transmission of STIs. Interventions are most successful to the extent that they deliver intensive content.
Protective effects of green tea extracts (polyphenon E and EGCG) on human cervical lesions

We investigated clinical efficacy of green tea extracts (polyphenon E; poly E and (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate [EGCG]) delivered in a form of ointment or capsule in patients with human papilloma virus (HPV) infected cervical lesions. Fifty-one patients with cervical lesions (chronic cervicitis, mild dysplasia, moderate dysplasia and severe dysplasia) were divided into four groups, as compared with 39 untreated patients as a control. Poly E ointment was applied locally to 27 patients twice a week. For oral delivery, a 200 mg of poly E or EGCG capsule was taken orally every day for eight to 12 weeks. In the study, 20 out of 27 patients (74%) under poly E ointment therapy showed a response. Six out of eight patients under poly E ointment plus poly E capsule therapy (75%) showed a response, and three out of six patients (50%) under poly E capsule therapy showed a response. Six out of 10 patients (60%) under EGCG capsule therapy showed a response. Overall, a 69% response rate (35/51) was noted for treatment with green tea extracts, as compared with a 10% response rate (4/39) in untreated controls (P<0.05). Thus, the data collected here demonstrated that green tea extracts in a form of ointment and capsule are effective for treating cervical lesions, suggesting that green tea extracts can be a potential therapy regimen for patients with HPV infected cervical lesions.
Hospital volume and mortality for mechanical ventilation of medical and surgical patients: A population-based analysis using administrative data*

Objective:In an effort to improve efficiency and quality of care, regionalization of adult critical care services, similar to trauma and neonatal intensive care, has been suggested. However, there is little research to understand if hospitals with higher patient volumes have better outcomes. Our objective is to determine whether hospital volume is associated with improved survival for medical or surgical patients receiving mechanical ventilation. Design:Population-based retrospective cohort study. Setting:Province of Ontario, Canada. Patients:A total of 13,846 medical and 6,373 surgical patients receiving mechanical ventilation for greater than two consecutive days between 1998 and 2000. Interventions:None. Measurements:Odds ratio for death within 30 days of initiation of mechanical ventilation was calculated in relation to hospital volume of ventilation. Estimates were adjusted for patient demographics, diagnoses, and urgency status; hospital region and rural location; and accounted for clustering within hospitals. Main Results:There was no effect of volume on mortality for surgical patients. After adjustment for clustering, among medical patients, the lowest-volume category (<100 episodes/yr) had a nonsignificant increase in mortality, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.13 (0.87–1.47) compared with the highest-volume category (≥700 episodes/yr). A post hoc analysis revealed that within the lowest-volume category, the proportion of patients transferred to larger hospitals was 81% for hospitals with <20 episodes/yr and only 32% for hospitals with 20–99 episodes/yr, with odds ratios (95% confidence interval) for mortality of 0.74 (0.49–1.12) and 1.18 (0.90–1.54), respectively, compared with the highest-volume category. Conclusions:For surgical patients requiring mechanical ventilation for >2 days, hospital volume had no effect on mortality. For medical patients, higher mortality may occur in a subgroup of low-volume hospitals that do not routinely transfer their patients to larger-volume facilities. This finding needs further investigation in a larger-sized study.
Potassium transport by medullary collecting tubule of rabbit: effects of variation in K intake.

These studies examine the effect of dietary K content on the rate efflux coefficient (KK) assessed both isotopically (42K) and by net K flux in segments dissected from the inner stripe of the outer medullary collecting tubule (MCT). Female New Zealand White rabbits were given either a K-replete diet (KCl diet) or one of two K-restricted diets with similar (142 meq K/kg diet) K content [basic (Na-deplete) diet or NaCl (Na-replete) diet]. After 7 days, renal K excretion (mmol/24 h) varied with K intake: KCl diet, 13.8 +/- 3.0; basic diet, 4.36 +/- 0.12; NaCl diet, 4.13 +/- 0.48. To determine whether alterations in KK of MCT could contribute to these changes in urinary K excretion, the MCT from the three groups of rabbits was perfused in vitro and volume reabsorption and KK were measured. The KK of tubules from the K-replete control group (KCl diet) was 82 +/- 14 nm/s but was significantly greater in tubules from either K-restricted group: 224 +/- 49 nm/s (basic diet group) or 193 +/- 34 nm/s (NaCl diet group). Net K flux in the presence of a 15 mM lumen-to-bath K gradient confirmed a significantly greater K reabsorptive flux and net rate coefficient in either K-restricted group (KNetK = 179 +/- 77 nm/s for the NaCl diet, KNetK = 170 +/- 27 nm/s for the basic diet) than the K-replete control group (KNetK = 12.0 +/- 18 nm/s for the KCl diet). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
miR-99a-5p acts as tumor suppressor via targeting to mTOR and enhances RAD001-induced apoptosis in human urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma cells

Introduction miR-99a-5p, known to play an important role in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) regulation, is downregulated in human bladder cancer. The study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of miR-99a-5p and the possible mechanism associated with mTOR in bladder cancer cells. Materials and methods Vectors expressing miR-99a-5p were transfected into human urinary bladder urothelial carcinoma (5637 and T24) cells. The level of miR-99a-5p was monitored by microRNA (miRNA) quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). Luciferase reporter assays were performed to verify the direct binding of miR-99a-5p to mTOR transcripts. The mTOR transcripts and protein levels were measured by QPCR and Western blot, respectively. Cell viability of miR-99a-5p-transfected cells was detected by tetrazolium salt (WST-1). Inhibition of mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2) signaling was detected by the phosphorylation of mTOR and AKT using Western blot. The ability of miR-99a-5p to enhance RAD001-induced apoptosis was determined as the expression of cleaved caspase 3 and levels of DNA fragmentation. Results Transfection of miR-99a-5p-expressing vector elevated the expression level of miR-99a-5p up to sixfold compared to vector-only controls. The results from luciferase assay verified that miR-99a-5p directly binds to the predicted sequence in the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of mTOR. The levels of mTOR RNA and protein were decreased in miR-99a-5p-transfected cells. Dual inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2 by miR-99a-5p was confirmed by the decreased phosphorylation of mTOR (at Ser2448 and Ser2481), phospho-rpS6 and phospho-4EBP1. The phosphorylation of AKT was significantly inhibited in miR-99a-5p-transfected cells upon RAD001 treatment. Enforced expression of miR-99a-5p potentiated RAD001-induced apoptosis in these cells. Conclusion This is the first study showing that miR-99a-5p markedly inhibits the growth of bladder cancer cells via dual inhibition of mTORC1 and mTORC2. Our data demonstrated that forced expression of miR-99a-5p inhibits the feedback of AKT survival pathway and enhances the induction of apoptosis in RAD001-treated bladder cancer cells.
Der »vollständig automatisiert erlassene« Verwaltungsakt – Zur Begriffsbildung und rechtlichen Einhegung von »E-Government«

DVBl 7 · 2017 409 aber (wohl in Überschreitung ihrer in Abs. 7 geregelten Ermächtigung) über dieses Erfordernis hinweg und schuf in Anlage 3 der Anzeigeund Erlaubnisverordnung (AbfAEV) ein Formblatt zur Beantragung der Erlaubnis, das lediglich nach Inhaber und Leitungsbzw. Beaufsichtigungspersonal fragt. Anderenfalls hätte jeder Personalwechsel eine neue Erlaubnis erforderlich gemacht, da die der Gestattung zugrunde liegenden Voraussetzungen nicht mehr als gegeben anzusehen gewesen wären. Stattdessen ist eine Neubeantragung nun lediglich bei einem Wechsel des Leitpersonals erforderlich.67 Klarstellend sei ergänzt, dass das Leitpersonal beim Verlassen des Unternehmens die Erlaubnis nicht mitnimmt, da die Erteilung zwar von dessen höchstpersönlichen Eigenschaften abhängig gemacht wurde, das Verlassen des Unternehmens aber keinen Übergangstatbestand auslöst. Die Erlaubnis verbleibt vielmehr beim Betrieb und erlischt.
Interleukin‐6 production in human subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue: the effect of exercise

The interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) output from subcutaneous, abdominal adipose tissue was studied in nine healthy subjects before, during and for 3 h after 1 h two‐legged bicycle exercise at 60 % maximal oxygen consumption. Seven subjects were studied in control experiments without exercise. The adipose tissue IL‐6 output was measured by direct Fick technique. An artery and a subcutaneous vein on the anterior abdominal wall were catheterized. Adipose tissue blood flow was measured using the 133Xe‐washout method. In both studies there was a significant IL‐6 output in the basal state and no significant change was observed during exercise. Post‐exercise the IL‐6 output began to increase after 30 min. Three hours post‐exercise it was 58.6 ± 22.2 pg (100 g)−1 min−1. In the control experiments the IL‐6 output also increased, but it only reached a level of 3.5 ± 0.8 pg (100 g)−1 min−1. The temporal profile of the post‐exercise change in the IL‐6 output closely resembles the changes in the outputs of glycerol and fatty acids, which we have described previously in the same adipose tissue depot. The difference is that it begins to increase ≈30 min before the glycerol and fatty acid outputs begin to increase. Thus, we suggest that the enhanced IL‐6 production post‐exercise in abdominal, subcutaneous adipose tissue may act locally via autocrine/paracrine mechanisms influencing lipolysis and fatty acid mobilization rate from this lipid depot.
High sensitivity C-reactive protein and immunoglobulin G against Chlamydia pneumoniae and chlamydial heat shock protein-60 in ischemic heart disease.

BACKGROUND Inflammation and infectious agents such as Chlamydia pneumoniae have been associated with cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and antibodies against Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydial heat shock protein-60 (Cp-HSP-60) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). METHODS 62 patients with IHD having either acute myocardial infarction (AMI; n=31) or unstable angina (UA; n=31) and 31 sex- and age- matched healthy subjects as a control group were enrolled in this study. Serum samples of participants were tested for the presence of hs-CRP and antibodies against C. pneumoniae and Cp-HSP-60 using ELISA method. RESULTS The seroprevalence of anti-C. pneumoniae antibody in AMI group (93.5%) or UA group (90.3%) was significantly higher than the control group (61.3%; p<0.001). The seroprevalence of anti-Cp-HSP60 IgG was 22.6% in healthy subjects with mean end titer of 43.1+/-6.32. The seropositive rates of anti-Cp-HSP60 were 48.4%, 54.8% and 51.6% in AMI, UA and the overall IHD groups with mean end titers of 94+/-22.86, 113.8+/-24.25 and 103.9+/-16.57, respectively. Both the seroprevalence and the mean titer of anti-Cp-HSP60 in patients groups were significantly higher than those observed in the control group (p<0.04 and p<0.03, respectively). Moreover, the mean serum hs-CRP levels was significantly higher in the IHD group as compared to the control group (21.6 microg/ml+/-3.73 vs 2.5 microg/ml+/-0.52; p<0.00001). The mean serum hs-CRP levels of AMI (30.3 microg/ml+/-6.07) or UA (12.9 microg/ml+/-3.85) groups were also significantly higher than those observed in the control group (p<0.00001 and p<0.001, respectively). Furthermore, the difference of the mean serum hs-CRP levels between AMI and UA groups was also significant (p<0.02). CONCLUSIONS These results showed that the seroprevalence of antibodies against C. pneumoniae and Cp-HSP-60 and the serum levels of hs-CRP and anti-Cp-HSP60 IgG were higher in patients with IHD.
Variability of competitive performance of distance runners.

PURPOSE The typical variation in an athlete's performance from race to race sets a benchmark for assessing the utility of performance tests and the magnitude of factors affecting medal prospects. We report here the typical variation in competitive performance of endurance runners. METHODS Repeated-measures analysis of log-transformed official race times provided the typical within-athlete variation in performance as coefficients of variation (CV). The types of race were cross-country runs (4 races over 9 wk), summer road runs (5 races over 4 wk), winter road runs (4 races over 9 wk), half marathons (3 races over 13 wk and 2 races over 22 wk), and marathons (2 races over 22 wk). RESULTS Typical variation of times for the fastest quartile of male runners was 1.2-1.9% in the cross-country and road runs, 2.7% and 4.2% in half marathons, and 2.6% in marathons. Times for the slower half of runners in most events were more variable than those of the faster half (ratio of slower/faster CV, 1.0-2.3). Times of younger adult runners were more variable than times of older runners (ratio of younger/older CV, 1.1-1.8). Times of male runners were generally more variable than those of female runners (ratio of male/female CV, 0.9-1.7). CONCLUSION Tests of endurance power suitable for assessing the smallest worthwhile changes in running performance for top runners need CV < or = 2.5% and < or = 1.5% for tests simulating half or full marathons and shorter running races, respectively. Most of the differences in variability of race times between types of race, ability groups, age groups, and sexes probably arise from differences in competitive experience and attitude toward competing.