Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in copper and zinc plasma concentrations during the normal menstrual cycle in women

Objective. To investigate whether there is a fluctuation of the copper and zinc plasma levels during the menstrual cycle and if this correlates to the physiological fluctuations of estradiol and progesterone plasma concentrations in eumenorrhoic women. Methods. We studied 14 eumenorrhoic women. Copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), estradiol (E2) and progesterone (Prg) plasma concentrations, during time of menstruation (time 1), midfollicular phase (time 2), time of ovulation (time 3) and midluteal phase (time 4) were determined. Results. We observed significant changes in both copper plasma concentrations and zinc plasma concentrations during the four times studied (p < 0.05). The changes of Cu during the various phases correlated negatively with the changes in E2 (r > 0.5, p < 0.05), whereas the changes of Zn correlated positively with those of E2 (r > 0.8, p < 0.05). We were unable to demonstrate any statistically significant correlation between Cu and Prg or Zn and Prg. Conclusions. This study indicates that there is a cyclic fluctuation of Cu and Zn concentrations in plasma during the menstrual cycle, in healthy eumenorrhoic women. This cyclic fluctuation might be due to the cyclic fluctuation of plasma levels of E2.
Molecular interactions in self-assembly monolayers on gold-coated microcantilever electrodes

An electrochemical microcantilever (EMC) was used to study the intermolecular interaction of self-assembly monolayers (SAMs) with different n-alkanethiols chain lengths (n = 0, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16) on a Au-coated microcantilever surface. Comparing potential cycling and steps in NaClO4 solution within the same potential range, the deflection rate of bare microcantilevers is much smaller for the former which revealed that potential excitation, i.e. the surface charge, played the dominant role in driving the instant and large deflection of the bare microcantilever, while the smaller deflection amplitude of the former implied that adsorption of ClO4 − had an adverse effect on the potential-induced stress. Upon adsorption of SAMs, the deflection amplitude of the microcantilever under the potential step was much smaller than that of a bare microcantilever, and linearly decreased with the chain length increasing for n ≤ 8 (the linear correlation coefficient and the slope are 0.98 and about − 10.4 nm per CH2 unit, respectively), following a transition (8 ≤ n ≤ 12) to a stable state (n ≥ 12). The decrease of deflection amplitude and faster decay of deflection rate of the SAMs modified microcantilever under the potential step implyed increasing compactness of the SAMs with longer chains.
Circulating Endothelial Cells in Venous Blood as a Marker of Endothelial Damage in Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Improvement with Venoruton

Damage to endothelial cells is common in vascular disorders and in reactions associated with transplantation. An elevated number of circulating endothelial cells indicates the extent of endothelial damage in a variety of disorders. In chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), the number of endothelial cells is abnormally increased, and this can be considered an important indication of endothelial damage. A group of 23 subjects with two levels of CVI (severe and very severe with previous ulcerations) with an increased endothelial cell count (seen by microscopy) was studied and treated for 4 weeks with oral Venoruton (0-[beta-hydroxyethyl]-rutosides) (1 g/day) to evaluate the effects of treatment on the circulating endothelial cells in blood taken from a peripheral leg vein. The controls comprised two groups with comparable age and sex distribution, one of healthy individuals and one of CVI subjects. After 4 weeks, a significant decrease was noted in endothelial cells both in subjects with CVI and in those with very severe CVI with previous ulcerations. This study suggests that endothelial cells may play a significant role in venous disease, being both an indication of severe disease and a further problem in itself. The use of Venoruton appears to decrease the number of circulating endothelial cells. This suggests an important role of this compound in protecting the endothelium and offers new potentially important therapeutic options that are not limited only to venous disease.
Risk of tuberculosis among contacts of isoniazid-resistant and isoniazid-susceptible cases.

OBJECTIVE To compare the risk to household contacts of isoniazid (INH) susceptible and INH-resistant cases of tuberculosis (TB) in a rural community in South India. METHODS In all, 5562 contacts of INH-susceptible and 779 contacts of INH-resistant patients and 246,845 persons with no TB case in the home were followed for 15 years, with surveys every 2.5 years comprising radiographic and sputum examination, selective follow-up of high-risk individuals and passive surveillance. If a new case developed, the household members were assigned to the 'INH-susceptible' (n = 7088) or 'INH-resistant' series (n = 526), whichever appropriate. Logistic regression and Cox's proportional hazards model were employed. RESULTS The baseline prevalence of tuberculous infection was respectively 70% and 56% in contacts of INH-resistant and INH-susceptible patients (P < 0.001), compared to 46% in non-contacts. The incidence of culture-positive TB was respectively 295 and 311 per 100,000, compared to 162/100,000 in non-contacts. The adjusted hazard ratios were 2.4 and 2.0 for contacts of INH-resistant and INH-susceptible patients. CONCLUSION The baseline prevalence of tuberculous infection was substantially higher in contacts of INH-resistant than INH-susceptible patients, but the incidence of tuberculous disease over a 15-year follow-up was similar in the two series, and twice as high as in non-contacts.
The C6-7 syndrome--clinical features and treatment response.

OBJECTIVES (1) To confirm association of marked tenderness at the coracoid tip, lateral pectoral and medial elbow sites, with tenderness at the C6-7 level in the cervical spine. This had been observed in subjects with prior neck pain, who lost tenderness at C5-6 and standard upper body sites with neck support during sleep, but remained symptomatic; (2) to document apparent risk and prognostic factors; (3) to observe the effects of a modified treatment strategy. METHODS A protocol including possible risk and prognostic factors was developed, and a case series assembled. Findings on entry tested the hypothesized pattern of linked tender sites. Subjects consenting to followup became a cohort in which outcomes were studied. RESULTS In 151 subjects, there were associations among the tenderness scores (mean r value of 0.59, p < 0.001) of points in the 6-7 group on the same side, an intermediate level of association with contralateral but homologous points (mean r value of 0.31), but weak associations (mean r value 0.07) with contralateral and different points. During followup, 47% obtained marked or complete relief at their first followup visit, and a final followup (median 18 months), 84% of those without previous fibromyalgia (FM) achieved this satisfactory outcome, and 63% of those with prior FM. CONCLUSION This experience supports the hypothesis that mechanical factors determine patterns of symptoms and tenderness in many subjects with regional and general pain syndromes, and points to new strategies of diagnosis and treatment which may be critical for success.
Polymicrobial Keratomycosis in a Three-Year-Old Child

Purpose: To describe a previously unreported case of polymicrobial mycotic keratitis caused by an association between Candida lusitaniae, C. parapsilosis, and Geotrichum candidum. Methods: A three-year-old child with an antecedent trauma with vegetable matter and a prolonged use of corticosteroid eyedrops developed fungal keratitis. Results: The isolates of the corneal scraping using Sabaraud dextrose agar grew C. lusitaniae, C. parapsilosis, and G. candidum. After topical 0.2% and systemic fluconazole treatment, the corneal lesion resolved with no recurrence. Conclusions: Corneal trauma with vegetables and the indiscriminate use of corticosteroids are important risk factors for mycotic keratitis. A combination of topical 0.2% and systemic fluconazole therapy was effective in the treatment of this mycotic association. This is the first report of fungal keratitis caused by C. lusitaniae and G. candidum.
Political power beyond the State: problematics of government. 1992.

This paper sets out an approach to the analysis of political power in terms of problematics of government. It argues against an overvaluation of the 'problem of the State' in political debate and social theory. A number of conceptual tools are suggested for the analysis of the many and varied alliances between political and other authorities that seek to govern economic activity, social life and individual conduct. Modern political rationalities and governmental technologies are shown to be intrinsically linked to developments in knowledge and to the powers of expertise. The characteristics of liberal problematics of government are investigated, and it is argued that they are dependent upon technologies for 'governing at a distance', seeking to create locales, entities and persons able to operate a regulated autonomy. The analysis is exemplified through an investigation of welfarism as a mode of 'social' government. The paper concludes with a brief consideration of neo-liberalism which demonstrates that the analytical language structured by the philosophical opposition of state and civil society is unable to comprehend contemporary transformations in modes of exercise of political power. (1).
The rate of checking urine microalbumin and aspirin primary prevention in type 2 DM.

BACKGROUND The American Diabetic Association recommends type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM) to take aspirin therapy as a primary preventive way. It should be implemented in cases that are aged over 40 with at least one additional risk such as hypertension, obesity, dyslipidemia. Urine microalbumin now also ranks as a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. OBJECTIVES The authors aimed to evaluate the rate of urine microalbumin determination and the use of such preventative aspirin therapy at Srinagarind Hospital. MATERIAL AND METHOD The authors randomly selected the charts of type 2 diabetics treated for at least one year at the hospital a outpatient department by a block of four techniques. The inclusion criteria were aged more than 40 years old and never had any atherosclerotic events. Cases were excluded if they had a history of aspirin allergy or active upper gastrointestinal bleeding. By the end of July, 2004, 109 patients were enrolled (44 males). RESULTS The mean age and duration of diagnosed diabetes mellitus was 60.8 and 7.4 years, respectively. Forty-four cases (40.4%) were checked for urine microalbumin. Eight cases had microalbuminuria and four cases had macroalbuminuria. Every case was treated with aspirin because they had at least one additional atherosclerotic risk factor, mostly more than two. But aspirin therapy was used in only 35 cases (32.1%) with the appropriate dose in only six cases (17.1%). CONCLUSION Physicians should consider more about checking urine microalbumin and aspirin as primary prevention in type 2 DM.
Charge Trapping and TDDB Characteristics of Ultrathin MOCVD  $\hbox{HfO}_{2}$ Gate Dielectric on Nitrided Germanium

In this letter, we investigate the long-term reliability characteristics of ultrathin HfO2 dielectrics on nitrided germanium for the first time. Stress-polarity dependence in charge trapping and time-dependent dielectric-breakdown (TDDB) characteristics has been observed in germanium nand p-type devices. The p-MOS devices exhibit severe charge trapping under stress, while no significant charge trapping and stress-induced leakage current were found in the n-MOS devices. In terms of operation-voltage projection for a ten-year lifetime, Vg=2.8 and -2.1 V is projected for the germanium p- and n-MOS devices, respectively, with an equivalent oxide thickness of 11 Aring. Compared to Si control samples, germanium devices show a comparable projected operation voltage, indicating that the TDDB for high-kappa dielectrics on nitrided germanium is not a concern. The stress-polarity dependence in germanium devices is believed to result from the asymmetrical band structure and the significant difference of the electric field strength across the gate dielectric between the positive and negative stress conditions
Combination of vatalanib and a 20-HETE synthesis inhibitor results in decreased tumor growth in an animal model of human glioma

Background Due to the hypervascular nature of glioblastoma (GBM), antiangiogenic treatments, such as vatalanib, have been added as an adjuvant to control angiogenesis and tumor growth. However, evidence of progressive tumor growth and resistance to antiangiogenic treatment has been observed. To counter the unwanted effect of vatalanib on GBM growth, we have added a new agent known as N-hydroxy-N′-(4-butyl-2 methylphenyl)formamidine (HET0016), which is a selective inhibitor of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) synthesis. The aims of the studies were to determine 1) whether the addition of HET0016 can attenuate the unwanted effect of vatalanib on tumor growth and 2) whether the treatment schedule would have a crucial impact on controlling GBM. Methods U251 human glioma cells (4×105) were implanted orthotopically. Two different treatment schedules were investigated. Treatment starting on day 8 (8–21 days treatment) of the tumor implantation was to mimic treatment following detection of tumor, where tumor would have hypoxic microenvironment and well-developed neovascularization. Drug treatment starting on the same day of tumor implantation (0–21 days treatment) was to mimic cases following radiation therapy or surgery. There were four different treatment groups: vehicle, vatalanib (oral treatment 50 mg/kg/d), HET0016 (intraperitoneal treatment 10 mg/kg/d), and combined (vatalanib and HET0016). Following scheduled treatments, all animals underwent magnetic resonance imaging on day 22, followed by euthanasia. Brain specimens were equally divided for immunohistochemistry and protein array analysis. Results Our results demonstrated a trend that HET0016, alone or in combination with vatalanib, is capable of controlling the tumor growth compared with that of vatalanib alone, indicating attenuation of the unwanted effect of vatalanib. When both vatalanib and HET0016 were administered together on the day of the tumor implantation (0–21 days treatment), tumor volume, tumor blood volume, permeability, extravascular and extracellular space volume, tumor cell proliferation, and cell migration were decreased compared with that of the vehicle-treated group. Conclusion HET0016 is capable of controlling tumor growth and migration, but these effects are dependent on the timing of drug administration. The addition of HET0016 to vatalanib may attenuate the unwanted effect of vatalanib.
Equine laminitis: glucose deprivation and MMP activation induce dermo-epidermal separation in vitro.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Acute laminitis is characterised by hoof lamellar dermal-epidermal separation at the basement membrane (BM) zone. Hoof lamellar explants cultured in vitro can also be made to separate at the basement membrane zone and investigating how this occurs may give insight into the poorly understood pathophysiology of laminitis. OBJECTIVES To investigate why glucose deprivation and metalloproteinase (MMP) activation in cultured lamellar explants leads to dermo-epidermal separation. METHODS Explants, cultured without glucose or with the MMP activator p-amino-phenol-mercuric acetate (APMA), were subjected to tension and processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS Without glucose, or with APMA, explants under tension separated at the dermo-epidermal junction. This in vitro separation occurred via 2 different ultrastructural processes. Lack of glucose reduced hemidesmosomes (HDs) numbers until they disappeared and the basal cell cytoskeleton collapsed. Anchoring filaments (AFs), connecting the basal cell plasmalemma to the BM, were unaffected although they failed under tension. APMA activation of constituent lamellar MMPs did not affect HDs but caused AFs to disappear, also leading to dermo-epidermal separation under tension. CONCLUSIONS Natural laminitis may occur in situations where glucose uptake by lamellar basal cells is compromised (e.g. equine Cushing's disease, obesity, hyperlipaemia, ischaemia and septicaemia) or when lamellar MMPs are activated (alimentary carbohydrate overload). POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Therapies designed to facilitate peripheral glucose uptake and inhibit lamellar MMP activation may prevent or ameliorate laminitis.
Imaging spectrum of spinal dysraphism on magnetic resonance: A pictorial review

Congenital malformations of spine and spinal cord are collectively termed as spinal dysraphism. It includes a heterogeneous group of anomalies which result from faulty closure of midline structures during development. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now considered the imaging modality of choice for diagnosing these conditions. The purpose of this article is to review the normal development of spinal cord and spine and reviewing the MRI features of spinal dysraphism. Although imaging of spinal dysraphism is complicated, a systematic approach and correlation between neuro-radiological, clinical and developmental data helps in making the correct diagnosis.
Psychosocial assessment prior to pediatric transplantation: A review and summary of key considerations

Annunziato RA, Fisher MK, Jerson B, Bochkanova A, Shaw RJ. Psychosocial assessment prior to pediatric transplantation: A review and summary of key considerations. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14: 565–574. © 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.
Risperidone and Venlafaxine Metabolic Ratios Strongly Predict a CYP2D6 Poor Metabolizing Genotype

Purpose: To investigate the predictive value of the risperidone and venlafaxine metabolic ratios and CYP2D6 genotype. Methods: The determination of risperidone, 9-hydroxyrisperidone, and venlafaxine, O-desmethylvenlafaxine, N-desmethylvenlafaxine and CYP2D6 genotype was performed in 425 and 491 patients, respectively. The receiver operator characteristic method and the area under the receiver operator characteristic curve were used to illustrate the predictive value of risperidone metabolic ratio for the individual CYP2D6 genotype. To evaluate the proposed cutoff levels of >1 to identify individuals with a poor CYP2D6 genotype, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values, and negative predictive values were calculated. Results: Area under the receiver operator characteristic curve to predict poor metabolizers for risperidone/9-hydroxyrisperidone and N-desmethylvenlafaxine/O-desmethylvenlafaxine ratios was 93% and 99%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value (confidence interval) of a risperidone/9-hydroxyrisperidone ratio >1 to predict a CYP2D6 poor metabolizer genotype were 91% (76%–97%), 86% (83%–89%), 35% (26%–46%), and 99% (97%–100%), respectively. The corresponding measures for N-desmethylvenlafaxine/O-desmethylvenlafaxine were 93% (76%–97%), 87% (83%–89%), 40% (32%–51%), and 99% (98%–100%). Conclusions: Risperidone/9-hydroxyrisperidone and N-desmethylvenlafaxine/O-desmethylvenlafaxine metabolic ratios >1 strongly predict individuals with poor metabolizer genotype, which could guide psychotropic drug treatment to avoid adverse drug reactions and to increase their therapeutic efficacy in patients prescribed these drugs.
Transistor-level monolithic 3D standard cell layout optimization for full-chip static power integrity

Existing transistor-level monolithic 3D (T-M3D) standard cell layouts are based on the folding scheme, in which the pull-down network is simply folded and placed on top of the pull-up network. In this paper, we propose a new layout method, the stitching scheme, targeted towards improved cell performance and power integrity. We perform extensive analysis on each layout scheme and evaluate the timing/power benefits of the stitching scheme. Since the ground and power rails overlap in the T-M3D layouts with the folding scheme, we also present a design methodology for the power delivery network of folding T-M3D ICs to evaluate the impact of the T-M3D cell layout scheme on static power integrity. Compared to 2D ICs at iso-performance, stitching T-M3D ICs show a maximum of 6% power savings, 44% area savings with only 1% more static IR-drop in the 14nm technology node while folding T-M3D ICs undergo serious degradation in static power integrity, causing a reliability issue.
Cerebral autoregulation in awake versus isoflurane-anesthetized rats.

We evaluated regional cerebral and spinal cord blood flow in rats during isoflurane anesthesia. Tissue blood flow was measured in cerebral cortex, subcortex, midbrain, and spinal cord using radioactive microspheres. Blood flow autoregulation was measured within the following arterial blood pressure ranges (mm Hg): 1 = less than 50, 2 = 50-90, 3 = 90-130, 4 = 130-170, 5 = greater than 170. Arterial blood pressure was increased using phenylephrine infusion and decreased with ganglionic blockade and hemorrhage. Three treatment groups were studied: 1 = awake control, 2 = 1.0 minimum alveolar anesthetic concentration (MAC) isoflurane, 3 = 2.0 MAC isoflurane. Autoregulation was seen in awake rats from 50 to 170 mm Hg in all tissues. The autoregulatory coefficient (change in blood flow/change in blood pressure) was increased in midbrain and spinal cord during 1.0 MAC isoflurane and in all tissues during 2.0 MAC isoflurane (P less than 0.05). Within the arterial blood pressure range of 90-130 mm Hg, isoflurane produced the following changes in tissue blood flow (percent of awake control): 1.0 MAC isoflurane: cortex = 87% +/- 8% (P greater than 0.30), subcortex = 124% +/- 11% (P greater than 0.05), midbrain = 263% +/- 20% (P less than 0.001), spinal cord = 278% +/- 19% (P less than 0.001); 2.0 MAC isoflurane: cortex = 137% +/- 13% (P less than 0.05), subcortex = 272% +/- 24% (P less than 0.001), midbrain = 510% +/- 53% (P less than 0.001), spinal cord = 535% +/- 50% (P less than 0.001). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)