Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment Plasma D-Dimer, Fibrinogen, and Platelet Levels Significantly Impact Prognosis in Patients With Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Independently of Venous Thromboembolism

Objective The study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of pretreatment plasma dimerized plasmin fragment D (D-dimer), fibrinogen, and platelet levels in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) after adjusting for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and to screen out the patients with the greatest risk for poor prognosis. Methods The study comprised 190 patients with EOC. The plasma D-dimer, fibrinogen, and platelet levels were examined before treatment and analyzed with patient clinicopathological parameters, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS). The survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and prognostic factors were assessed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results The incidences of elevated plasma D-dimer levels, hyperfibrinogenemia, and thrombocytosis were 40%, 42.11%, and 45.26%, respectively. Elevated plasma D-dimer level, hyperfibrinogenemia, and thrombocytosis were associated with advanced tumor stage (P < 0.001, P = 0.013, P < 0.001). In addition, the elevated plasma D-dimer levels were associated with macroscopic postoperative residual disease (P = 0.002) and VTE events (P = 0.006). In multivariate Cox regression model, plasma D-dimer, fibrinogen, and platelet levels were identified as independent prognostic factors for OS (P = 0.039, P = 0.002, and P = 0.049). However, plasma fibrinogen and platelet levels, but not D-dimer levels, had independent prognostic value for PFS (P = 0.012 and P = 0.022). Patients with at least any 2 abnormalities of plasma D-dimer, fibrinogen, and platelet levels showed shorter PFS and OS than did patients with at most 1 abnormality of 3 parameters (P < 0.001). Conclusions Pretreatment plasma D-dimer, fibrinogen, and platelet levels, which impact prognosis independently of VTE, were demonstrated to be potential markers to predict disease progression and surgery outcome in patients with EOC. The combined use of plasma D-dimer, fibrinogen, and platelet levels may help to identify the high-risk populations for treatment decisions.
The CNS as a target for peptides and peptide-based drugs

Peptides hold great potential as CNS drugs, but their delivery to the CNS is problematic. However, actual roadblocks to peptide delivery are different from those often perceived. Many peptides cross the blood–brain barrier by saturable and non-saturable mechanisms, and accumulate in brain in amounts sufficient to produce physiological effects. Peripheral factors (e.g., short half-life in blood) can be dominant factors limiting therapeutic use. Production of therapeutics that are enzymatically resistant and have long circulation times, even when the blood–brain barrier penetration is low, can result in substances with significant CNS accumulation. Surprisingly low amounts of peptide in brain can result in CNS effects, and so the dose needed for brain delivery is generally much smaller than for peripheral tissues. Brain-to-blood transporters can greatly limit CNS accumulation of a potential therapeutic. Finally, intranasal and intrathecal routes may be especially useful for substances that are rapidly degraded in blood or are large and hydrophobic, respectively.
A 60% higher write speed, 4.2gbps, 24-channel 3D-Solid State Drive (SSD) with NAND flash channel number detector and intelligent program-voltage booster

The fastest ever 4.2Gbps 3D-Solid State Drive (SSD) with multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memories is proposed. The proposed NAND channel number detector automatically detects the number of channels, that is, the number of NAND chips written at the same time. Based on the number of channels, the intelligent program-voltage booster adaptively optimizes the switching clock. As a result, the proposed 3D-SSD realizes both the fastest write and the lowest energy consumption. In the random write with a small data size, the booster operates in an energy saving mode and decreases the energy consumption of the booster by 32%. In the sequential write with a large data size, up to 24 channels are activated. The booster operates in a high-speed mode to accelerate the pumping. The SSD write speed increases by 60%.
Size dependence of the mechanical properties of ZnO nanobelts

The Young's modulus of ZnO nanobelts was measured using an atomic force microscope following the modulated nanoindentation method. The nanobelts have a rectangular cross-section, with width-to-thickness ratios ranging 1–10 and lengths up to a few millimetres. The Young's modulus of two nanobelts with width-to-thickness ratio of 2.2 and 1.3 was measured at 55 and 108 GPa, respectively, indicating a size dependence of the elastic properties of the nanobelts.
Intramedullary Nailing of the Lower Extremity: Biomechanics and Biology

Abstract The intramedullary nail or rod is commonly used for long‐bone fracture fixation and has become the standard treatment of most long‐bone diaphyseal and selected metaphyseal fractures. To best understand use of the intramedullary nail, a general knowledge of nail biomechanics and biology is helpful. These implants are introduced into the bone remote to the fracture site and share compressive, bending, and torsional loads with the surrounding osseous structures. Intramedullary nails function as internal splints that allow for secondary fracture healing. Like other metallic fracture fixation implants, a nail is subject to fatigue and can eventually break if bone healing does not occur. Intrinsic characteristics that affect nail biomechanics include its material properties, cross‐sectional shape, anterior bow, and diameter. Extrinsic factors, such as reaming of the medullary canal, fracture stability (comminution), and the use and location of locking bolts also affect fixation biomechanics. Although reaming and the insertion of intramedullary nails can have early deleterious effects on endosteal and cortical blood flow, canal reaming appears to have several positive effects on the fracture site, such as increasing extraosseous circulation, which is important for bone healing.
The caloric costs of running and walking one mile for men and women.

ABSTRACT.Our purpose was to resolve the disagreement as to the number of calories expended per unit distance for walking and running. The caloric costs of walking and running one mile on a treadmill were calculated for eight men and eight women. The subjects walked at a speed of 82 ± 3 m/min (X ± SD
Evidence for photoreceptor changes in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE To determine whether the rod and cone photoreceptors are affected in patients with diabetic retinopathy. METHODS Twelve patients with diabetes and varying levels of retinopathy and nine age-similar control observers participated in this study. Two-color (500 versus 650 nm) dark-adapted thresholds were measured as a function of retinal eccentricity. Full-field flash electroretinograms were obtained using brief, high-intensity flashes. Dark-adapted rod-isolated (Wratten 47B filter) and light-adapted cone-isolated (Wratten 26 filter) electroretinographic responses were measured as a function of flash intensity. The a-wave data were fitted with a model based on photopigment transduction to obtain values for the parameters of Rmax (the maximal response) and log S (sensitivity). Standard clinical 30-Hz flicker electroretinographic responses were also measured. RESULTS Psychophysically measured dark-adapted thresholds were elevated primarily at eccentricities of 5 degrees and 10 degrees from the fovea. Analysis of rod and cone a-wave data showed that Rmax was normal in most of the patients, but log S was reduced. Analysis of b-wave and oscillatory potential parameters showed rod and cone postreceptoral abnormalities, including changes in the rod-isolated semisaturation constant (log k), cone-mediated 30-Hz flicker, and cone-isolated oscillatory potentials. The electrophysiological results were not significantly correlated with blood glucose or glycosylated hemoglobin level. CONCLUSIONS The results provide evidence for rod and cone receptoral and postreceptoral deficits in patients with diabetic retinopathy. The photoreceptor changes are primarily in the log S (sensitivity) parameter and are attributed to transduction abnormalities.
Benign tumors of the cerebral dural sinuses.

✓ During an anatomical study of 295 cerebral dural sinuses obtained from cadavers, polypoid nodules were found in the superior sagittal sinus in two specimens. In 23 additional specimens, similar but smaller nodules were encountered in the transverse sinuses. The polyps in the superior sagittal sinuses were of sufficient size to cause a dilatation of the sinuses at the level of the masses. The histological evidence indicates their origin to be Pacchionian granulations.
Occurrence of Stromal Derived Factor-1 Polymorphism In Kenyan Population

Genetic polymorphism in chemokine receptors and coreceptor genes influences susceptibility to HIV-1 infection and disease progression. The mutated Stromal Derived Factor-1 3A`/3A` (SDF-1 3’A) competes with the virus for the coreceptor site Cystein-X-cystein receptor 4 (CXCR4) on the CD4+ T-cells therefore down-regulating evolution of non-syncytial to syncytial induction during HIV-1 progression. Two hundred whole blood samples were collected from eight provinces of Kenya and analysed at the Kenya Medical Research Institute in Nairobi. Detection of SDF-1 gene polymorphism was done by extraction of proviral DNA from whole blood and the SDF-1 target gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using gene-specific primers. The different SDF-1 gene polymorphisms were detected by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism and gel electrophoresis. Chi-square test was used to test for the significance in the distributions of these polymorphism. The relationship between the frequency of SDF-1 mutation and HIV prevalence was analysed using Pearson’s product moment of correlation coefficient (r). This study showed the presence of the stromal derived factor-1 polymorphism in Kenyan population with an average of 6.6% for the double mutant, 20.7% for heterozygous and 73.7% for the wild type. There was no correlation between the HIV-1 prevalence and the SDF-1 distribution in Kenya. These results will form a foundation for further research in Kenya given that double mutants had been found to resist HIV-1 infection or show good response to anti-retroviral drugs. The researchers can therefore incorporate genetics in the treatment of HIV-1.
Accelerated chemical stability data of O / W fluid emulsions containing the extract of Trichilia catigua Adr . Juss ( and ) Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham

Development of topical dosage forms requires physical, physicochemical and chemical assays that provide, as soon as possible, the formulation with the best stability profiles. This study evaluated the stability of O/W fluid emulsions, by total flavonoids determination, expressed in rutin, containing the standardized extract of Trichilia catigua Adr. Juss (and) Ptychopetalum olacoides Bentham. Samples were evaluated for 90 days stored at 24.0 ± 2.0 oC, 5.0 ± 0.5 oC and 40.0 ± 0.5 oC, following a protocol for the assessment of accelerated chemical stability assay, also known as Normal Stability Test. A sensitive UV-spectrophotometric method at 361.0 nm was previously validated for the determination of the active substance. By Normal Stability Test, the O/W fluid emulsions presented acceptable chemical stability, for at least 90 days, when the samples were stored at 24.0 ± 2.0 oC and 5.0 ± 0.5 oC. The storage condition at 40.0 ± 0.5 oC has accelerated the degradation process of the total flavonoids, consequently, those O/W emulsions containing this kind of natural active substance or a similar preparation must not be stored at elevated temperatures. *Correspondence:
Improved Hepatic Gene Transfer by Using an Adeno-Associated Virus Serotype 5 Vector

ABSTRACT Adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors have been shown to direct stable gene transfer and expression in hepatocytes, which makes them attractive tools for treatment of inherited disorders such as hemophilia B. While substantial levels of coagulation factor IX (F.IX) have been achieved using AAV serotype 2 vectors, use of a serotype 5 vector further improves transduction efficiency and levels of F.IX transgene expression by 3- to 10-fold. In addition, the AAV-5 vector transduces a higher proportion of hepatocytes (∼15%). The subpopulations of hepatocytes transduced with either vector widely overlap, with the AAV-5 vector transducing additional hepatocytes and showing a wider area of transgene expression throughout the liver parenchyma.
Correction of hypozincemia following liver transplantation in children is associated with reduced urinary zinc loss

Zinc deficiency is a relatively common problem in children with chronic liver disease. We have previously shown inappropriate urinary zinc excretion in children with chronic liver disease and hypozincemia. This study was designed to determine if zinc deficiency and inappropriate urinary zinc losses are corrected in children with liver disease by liver transplantation. Thirty‐three patients (age 1‐19 years) underwent 35 liver transplants for acute and chronic liver disease. At the time of transplant, 17 patients had low plasma zinc (hypozincemic) (plasma zinc, 45.4 ± 1.8 μg/dL), whereas 18 had normal plasma zinc (75.7 ± 3.8). Before transplant, patients with zinc deficiency had higher urinary zinc to creatinine ratio compared with those with normal zinc status (6.6 ± 1.9 vs. 2.2 ± 0.6; P = .03) and lower serum albumin concentrations (low: 2.8 ± 0.1 vs. normal: 3.3 ± 0.2; P = .02). After transplant, there was a significant reduction in urinary zinc losses in the hypozincemic group followed by normalization of plasma zinc levels by 7 days posttransplant. These data suggest that the abnormal renal zinc homeostasis that is present in approximately 50% of pediatric patients undergoing liver transplant is rapidly improved and biochemical zinc deficiency is reversed after liver transplantation.
Control and Analysis of the Modular Multilevel Cascade Converter Based on Double-Star Chopper-Cells (MMCC-DSCC)

This paper presents the modular multilevel cascade converter based on double-star chopper-cells, which is intended for grid connection to medium-voltage power systems without using line-frequency transformers. The converter is characterized by a modular arm structure consisting of cascade connection of multiple bidirectional pulsewidth modulation chopper-cells with floating dc capacitors. This arm structure requires voltage-balancing control of all the dc capacitors. However, the voltage control combining an averaging control with an individual-balancing control imposes certain limitations on operating conditions. This paper proposes an arm-balancing control to achieve voltage balancing under all the operating conditions. The validity of the arm-balancing control as well as the theory developed in this paper is confirmed by computer simulation and experiment.
SUSTAINED RELEASE CYCLOSPORINE THERAPY FOR BILATERAL KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS SICCA IN A RED WOLF (CANIS RUFUS)

Abstract A 12-yr-old intact male red wolf (Canis rufus) diagnosed with bilateral idiopathic dry eye was treated with subconjunctival drug delivery implants designed to release therapeutic levels of cyclosporine from 12–24 mo. Normal tear production and corneal health has been maintained, alleviating the need for daily handling of the animal for topical medication.
Partial discharge characteristics of XLPE cable joint and interfacial phenomena with artificial defects

This paper deals with partial discharge (PD) causing degradation of XLPE cable joint and interfacial phenomena of XLPE/EPR interface due to artificial defects such as metal particles, needle-like void and fiber soaked with water. We measured aging time dependence of phase-resolved PD (phi-q-n) patterns and PD statistic parameters when such kinds of defects were placed at XLPE/EPR interface. As a result, phi-q-n patterns were found to depend upon the defect type varying with aging time. In order to grasp the degradation mechanisms, we compared a practical XLPE cable joint with a model sample to simulate the real one. Moreover, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) was also carried out to interpret the degradation mechanism.
Embedding as a Tool for Language Comparison

This paper addresses the problem of defining a formal tool to compare the expressive power of different concurrent constraint languages. We refine the notion of embedding by adding some "reasonable" conditions, suitable for concurrent frameworks. The new notion, called modular embedding, is used to define a preorder among these languages, representing different degrees of expressiveness. We show that this preorder is not trivial (i.e., it does not collapse into one equivalence class) by proving that Flat CP cannot be embedded into Flat GHC, and that Flat GHC cannot be embedded into a language without communication primitives in the guards, while the converses hold.
Regulation of the urea active transporter gene (DUR3) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The DUR3 gene, which encodes a component required for active transport of urea in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been isolated, and its sequence has been determined. The deduced DUR3 protein profile possesses alternating hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions characteristics of integral membrane proteins. Strong negative complementation observed during genetic analysis of the DUR3 locus suggests that the DUR3 product may polymerize to carry out its physiological function. Expression of DUR3 is regulated in a manner similar to that of other genes in the allantoin pathway. High-level expression is inducer dependent, requiring functional DAL81 and DAL82 genes. Maintenance of DUR3 mRNA at uninduced, nonrepressed basal levels requires the negatively acting DAL80 gene product. DUR3 expression is highly sensitive to nitrogen catabolite repression and also has a partial requirement for the GLN3 product.
Protective effect of daidzin against d‐galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide‐induced hepatic failure in mice

This study examined the effects of daidzin, a major isoflavone from Puerariae Radix, on d‐galactosamine (d‐GalN) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced liver failure. Mice were given an intraperitoneal injection of daidzin (25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) 1 h before receiving an injection of d‐GalN (700 mg/kg)/LPS (10 µg/kg). Daidzin markedly reduced the elevated serum aminotransferase activity and the levels of lipid peroxidation and tumor necrosis factor‐α. The glutathione content was lower in the d‐GalN/LPS group, which was attenuated by daidzin. The daidzin pretreatment attenuated the swollen mitochondria observed in the d‐GalN/LPS group. Daidzin attenuated the apoptosis of hepatocytes, which was confirmed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end‐labeling method and a caspase‐3 assay. Overall, these results suggest that the liver protection of daidzin is due to reduced oxidative stress and its antiapoptotic activity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Does size matter in aged care facilities? A literature review of the relationship between the number of facility beds and quality

Background: Theory suggests that structural factors such as aged care facility size (bed numbers) will influence service quality. There have been no recent published studies in support of this theory, and consequently, the available literature has not been useful in assisting decision makers with investment decisions on facility size. Purpose: The study aimed to address that deficit by reviewing the international literature on the relationships between the size of residential aged care facilities, measured by number of beds, and service quality. Methods: A systematic review identified 30 studies that reported a relationship between facility size and quality and provided sufficient details to enable comparison. There are three groups of studies based on measurement of quality—those measuring only resident outcomes, those measuring care and resident outcomes using composite tools, and those focused on regulatory compliance. Findings: The overall findings support the posited theory to a large extent, that size is a factor in quality and smaller facilities yield the most favorable results. Studies using multiple indicators of service quality produced more consistent results in favor of smaller facilities, as did most studies of regulatory compliance. Discussion: The theory that aged care facility size (bed numbers) will influence service quality was supported by 26 of the 30 studies reviewed. Practice Implications: The review findings indicate that aged care facility size (number of beds) may be one important factor related to service quality. Smaller facilities are more likely to result in higher quality and better outcomes for residents than larger facilities. This has implications for those who make investment decisions concerning aged care facilities. The findings also raise implications for funders and policy makers to ensure that regulations and policies do not encourage the building of facilities inconsistent with these findings.