Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevention of Hemolysis in Rapidly Frozen Erythrocytes by Using a Laser Pulse

ABSTRACT: This paper reports on the successful recovery of rapidly frozen unprotected erythrocytes by vitrification of the intracellular solution with a laser pulse prior to thawing. Erythrocytes that were frozen at 10,000 °C/min exhibited 100% hemolysis when thawed unless they were first irradiated by a 7 ns. laser pulse that selectively targeted the intracellular ice so that it was melted and resolidified into a glass phase. Up to 80% of the cells treated in this way remained intact after thawing. Wright's staining confirmed a healthy cell morphology and the retention of hemoglobin in the laser treated cells. While it is well known that small amounts of intracellular ice can be tolerated by cells, the findings of this study are the first to indicate that intracellular ice may be innocuous even when formed in substantial quantities provided that crystal growth and coalescence can somehow be avoided during warming.
A Riskless Society Is "Unattainable and Infinitely Expensive"

Private vices will always thrive. Greed, envy, lust, pride, and my favorite, sloth (I can’t help thinking of the two-toed, upside-down mammal) will continue to drive human action as they always have. Some argue that greed is good. They have a point. Greed certainly makes the engine of the economy hum. Like Adam Smith, I would rather get my dinner from a merchant acting in his own interest than from one pretending to act in mine. Through the processes described by Smith, private vices are channeled in such a way as to produce public benefits.2 This transformation is well known to students of economics and is seeping through to the general public.3 But it does not work perfectly all the time. Private vices are restrained by what Smith called “enlightened self-interest. ” If you are too greedy, you stand a chance of losing money. Regarding lust, as Danny O’Keefe sang in “Goodtime Charlie’s Got the Blues”: “you play around, you lose your wife; you play too long, you lose your life. ” But private vices with no corresponding public benefits are encouraged when individuals are protected—or think they are protected—from any negative consequences that might arise while getting to keep the rewards. This chain of cause and
Determination of Colchicine Content in Colchicum Hierosolymitanum and Colchicum Tunicatum Under Cultivation

Corms of Colchicum hierosolymitanum and Colchicum tunicatum were collected, identified and planted under field condition. We report here and for the first time the presence of colchicine in an appreciable amount in both species. The effect of different NPK fertilizer levels on colchicine content of the two Colchicum species at different growth stages were evaluated by HPLC. Results indicated that increasing NPK fertilizer levels significantly improve colchicine content in different plant parts and stages. The highest colchicine content observed in corms was at maturity stage 0.766 mg/g and 0.688 mg/g dry weight with C. hierosolimitanum and C. tunicatum , respectively.
Psychometric properties of self-reported questionnaires for the evaluation of symptoms and functional limitations in individuals with rotator cuff disorders: a systematic review

Abstract Purpose: To conduct a systematic review of the psychometric properties (reliability, validity and responsiveness) of self-report questionnaires used to assess symptoms and functional limitations of individuals with rotator cuff (RC) disorders. Methods: A systematic search in three databases (Cinahl, Medline and Embase) was conducted. Data extraction and critical methodological appraisal were performed independently by three raters using structured tools, and agreement was achieved by consensus. A descriptive synthesis was performed. Results: One-hundred and twenty articles reporting on 11 questionnaires were included. All questionnaires were highly reliable and responsive to change, and showed construct validity; seven questionnaires also shown known-group validity. The minimal detectable change ranged from 6.4% to 20.8% of total score; only two questionnaires (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon questionnaire [ASES] and Upper Limb Functional Index [ULFI]) had a measurement error below 10% of global score. Minimal clinically important differences were established for eight questionnaires, and ranged from 8% to 20% of total score. Conclusion: Overall, included questionnaires showed acceptable psychometric properties for individuals with RC disorders. The ASES and ULFI have the smallest absolute error of measurement, while the Western Ontario RC Index is one of the most responsive questionnaires for individuals suffering from RC disorders. Implications for Rehabilitation All included questionnaires are reliable, valid and responsive for the evaluation of individuals with RC disorders. As all included questionnaires showed good psychometric properties for the targeted population, the choice should be made according to the purpose of the evaluation and to the construct being evaluated by the questionnaire. The WORC, a RC-specific questionnaire, appeared to be more responsive. It should therefore be used to evaluate change in time. If the evaluation is time-limited, shorter questionnaires or short versions should be considered (such as Quick DASH or SST).
Use of a bioabsorbable anterior cervical plate in the treatment of cervical degenerative and traumatic disc disruption.

OBJECT Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a widely accepted treatment for anterior degenerative or traumatic instability of the cervical spine. To reduce or eliminate complications such as implant migration and failure, imaging degradation, and fusion stress shielding that are occasionally associated with spinal instrumentation, attention has been given to the use of bioresorbable anterior cervical plate (ACP) devices. This paper is a preliminary report of a retrospective series in which a resorbable mesh and screw system was used for graft containment in single-level ACDF. METHODS A review of patient charts and imaging studies was conducted to determine functional outcome, fusion success, and potential soft-tissue reaction to implant resorption. Nine patients with a cervical degenerative disc disease or traumatic disc disruption were treated between October 2001 and March 2002. Follow up averaged 206 days. Eight patients were found to have an excellent result, one patient had a good result, and no patients had a satisfactory or poor result. At the time of follow-up examination, 77% of patients were found to have a radiographically solid fusion. The two patients without a solid fusion were examined only an average 8 months postoperatively and manifested no symptoms related to fusion nonhealing. No significant soft-tissue reaction was noted clinically or radiographically in any of the patients. CONCLUSIONS The results of this preliminary study indicate that bioresorbable ACP systems for single-level ACDF are both safe and effective.
Influence of RecA on in vivo virulence and Shiga toxin 2 production in Escherichia coli pathogens.

The enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 strains 933 and 86-24 as well as the uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain 536 were compared with their isogenic rec A mutants and rec A trans -complemented strains in intravenous lethality and lung toxicity assays in mice. While the wild-type EHEC strains were fully virulent, the virulence of the rec A mutants was strongly reduced. Complementation of the EHEC rec A mutants with the cloned E. coli recA gene restored their virulence capacity. The stx2EHEC mutant TUV86-2 as well as its isogenic rec A mutant were completely avirulent in both assays. In contrast, RecA had no influence on the virulence of UPEC strain 536. We conclude that the lethality observed with EHEC is presumably mainly due to Shiga toxin, which is severely down-regulated in the rec A mutants as a result of lacking spontaneous phage induction. Therefore, the EHEC rec A+strains 933 and 86-24 were compared for their Shiga toxin 2 (Stx2) production with the respective rec A-counterparts. The rec A mutants of the EHEC strains were significantly reduced in toxin synthesis and were devoid of Stx2 specific phage production. Complementation of the EHEC rec A mutants with the cloned rec A gene enabled the rec A mutants to restore toxin and phage production. These results suggest that the higher level of Stx2 synthesis in the EHEC strains is the result of a higher level of spontaneous Stx2 specific phage induction, which is controlled by RecA.
Role of TGF-β1 in production of fibronectin in vascular smooth muscle cells cultured under high-phosphate conditions.

BACKGROUND Hyperphosphatemia is associated with up-regulation of the extracellular matrix formation in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. In the present study, the role of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in the production of fibronectin (FN) in vascular smooth muscle cells in high-phosphate environments was evaluated. METHODS Rat VSMCs were stimulated by high levels of phosphate or TGF-β1 in vitro. Levels of FN, TGF-β1, and TGF-β1 type I receptor (TβRI) proteins were measured by Western blot and immunostaining. Levels of active TGF-β1 in the supernatant of the culture medium were detected by ELISA. RESULTS Production of FN was increased after VSMCs were incubated under high-phosphate conditions (2.5 mmol/L) for 12 hours. TGF-β1 (1 ng/mL) increased FN levels in cells as early as 3 hours after the start of treatment. Both TGF-β1 and TβRI were significantly up-regulated after 3-6 hours of stimulation with high phosphate. When VSMCs were pretreated with TGF-β1 neutralization antibody (10 µg/mL) for 30 minutes, induction of FN stimulated by high levels of phosphate was largely attenuated. CONCLUSION TGF-β1 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of high-phosphate-induced FN production in VSMCs in vitro.
Functional disability predicts total costs in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE To describe the composition and distribution of total costs of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and to identify predictors of high total costs among patients with AS. METHODS In a prospective longitudinal study, 241 patients with AS reported information on health status, health care utilization, treatments, and work limitations on biannually mailed questionnaires. Annual direct costs were estimated on the basis of reported ambulatory care visits, hospitalizations, diagnostic tests, medications, assistive devices, nonallopathic treatments, travel to visits, and paid household help. Indirect costs were estimated from the number of work days missed or, for retirees and homemakers, the number of days of activity limitation. A similar analysis was performed for cumulative costs over 5 years in a subset of 111 patients. RESULTS Annual total costs averaged $6,720 (in 1999 US dollars; median $1,495). Indirect costs comprised 73.6% and direct costs comprised 26.4% of total costs, although only 95 patients (39%) contributed to the indirect costs. Functional disability was the most important predictor of high total costs. The likelihood of having high (>$10,000) total costs increased by a factor of 3 with each 1-point increase in the Health Assessment Questionnaire disability index modified for the spondylarthropathies (HAQ-S; range 0-3). Results were similar in the subgroup of 111 patients who were followed up for 5 years, among whom the likelihood of high cumulative total costs (>$50,000 over 5 years) increased by >6 times with each 1-point increase in the HAQ-S. CONCLUSION Functional disability is the most important predictor of total costs in patients with AS. Interventions that maintain or improve patients' functional ability will likely have the greatest potential to decrease the costs of AS.
Entecavir treatment for up to 5 years in patients with hepatitis B e antigen–positive chronic hepatitis B

Sustained virologic suppression is a primary goal of therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). In study entecavir (ETV)‐022, 48 weeks of entecavir 0.5 mg was superior to lamivudine for virologic suppression for hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive CHB. A total of 183 entecavir‐treated patients from ETV‐022 subsequently enrolled in study ETV‐901. We present the results after up to 5 years (240 weeks) of continuous entecavir therapy. The entecavir long‐term cohort consists of patients who received ≥1 year of entecavir 0.5 mg in ETV‐022 and then entered ETV‐901 with a treatment gap ≤35 days. In ETV‐901 the entecavir dose was 1.0 mg daily. For patients with samples available at Year 5, proportions with hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <300 copies/mL, normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, HBeAg loss, and HBeAg seroconversion were determined. In all, 146 patients met criteria for inclusion in the entecavir long‐term cohort. At Year 5, 94% (88/94) had HBV DNA <300 copies/mL and 80% (78/98) had normal ALT levels. In addition to patients who achieved serologic responses during study ETV‐022, 23% (33/141) achieved HBeAg seroconversion and 1.4% (2/145) lost hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) during study ETV‐901. Through 5 years, entecavir resistance emerged in one patient. The safety profile of entecavir was consistent with previous reports. Conclusion: Extended therapy with entecavir through 5 years maintained or increased rates of HBV DNA suppression and ALT normalization. Additional patients also achieved HBeAg loss and seroconversion. Entecavir provides sustained viral suppression with minimal resistance during long‐term treatment of HBeAg‐positive CHB. (HEPATOLOGY 2010.)
Lactate Dehydrogenase and Severity of Pain in Children with Sickle Cell Disease

Objectives: This prospective study was carried out to assess lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) as a biochemical marker during acute painful episode and steady state in children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Design and Methods: A prospective descriptive study has been carried out on children and adolescents with SCD and pain during a vaso-occlusive episode. A total of 76 patients aged 1–18 years were included. Assessment of pain was done using the suitable pain assessment tool (visual analogue scales, Oucher scale) for school and preschool children. Complete blood count, liver function tests, LDH and C-reactive protein assay were performed on all patients during acute painful episode and steady state. Results: LDH has been found to increase significantly during acute painful episode compared with steady state (p < 0.01). There is also a significant positive correlation between LDH level and severity of pain (p < 0.05). In addition, C-reactive protein level was found to be significantly elevated during acute painful episode (p < 0.01) and its level correlates significantly with severity of pain (p = 0.01). Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that LDH is a significant biochemical marker for the severity of pain during a vaso-occlusive episode in SCD.
THE MATERNAL PLACENTAL BLOOD FLOW IN NORMOTENSIVE AND HYPERTENSIVE WOMEN

KNOWLEDGE of the haemodynamics of the human placenta, though it has progressed much, is still far from complete. Kellar (1950) and his co-workers have recently filled some of the gaps in regard to the circulation generally, but the dual blood system of the placenta has remained an enigma, largely because of the difficulties encountered in its study in vivo. Barcroft (1946) and his collaborators have made a series of observations on the foetal placental blood flow in the sheep, but the data thus obtained gave only indirect information as to the maternal blood flow, and the deductions made in this way are open to criticism. In addition there is considerable doubt as to whether pregnancy toxaemia in sheep is analogous to the human condition. A direct study of the human maternal blood flow has therefore become an urgent necessity, especially in view of the recent concentration of ideas (Bastiaanse and Mastboom, 1949; Beker 1948, etc.) involving a supposed placental ischaemia as the trigger in the initiation of preeclamptic toxaemia. These recent concepts, however, are not far removed from the “red infarct ” theory of Young (1914). With the purpose of demonstrating the presence (or absence) of such a placental ischaemia, a method has been evolved whereby the relative rates of maternal placental blood flow in normal and hypertensive women can be studied, the results being presented below. The method depends on the use of radio-active sodium, NaZ4, as a tracer substance.
Performance Analysis and Optimization of Multi-User Differential Chaos-Shift Keying Communication Systems

Bit-error rate (BER) performance of a generalized multi-user differential chaos-shift-keying (DCSK) digital communication system is analyzed and optimized in this paper using baseband models. The generalized version of DSCK involves use of multiple nonrepeating chaotic spreading segments and energy adjustments and allows considerable system optimization. Theoretical BER analysis of correlation decoders based on a mathematical two-stage exact conditional approach is given as the foundation of subsequent performance studies. The consequent fully theoretical BER result gives an odd-symmetric spreading map condition for the BER to be unaffected by the mix of transmitted bits. The basis of the theoretical result is used to improve on the traditional simple Gaussian approximation (SGA) approach to the calculation of BER; this is inaccurate because it does not recognise the chaotic dynamics of DCSK. To overcome this drawback, a dynamically improved Gaussian approximation (DIGA) is developed. The DIGA approach is compared with the SGA approach, with simulation results demonstrating its accuracy and efficiency, certainly for more than five to ten users. Not only does the DIGA approach provide a more accurate BER than the SGA approach, its simple form also makes optimization of the DCSK system practically possible. The BER lower bound for the multi-user DCSK system is deduced from the DIGA approach. It is shown how the parameters and structure of the multi-user DCSK communication system can be optimized to achieve this lower bound. The work gives an exact theoretical basis of DCSK and covers several aspects which have not been treated in earlier research or have been inexactly treated
A study on real-coded genetic algorithm for process optimization using ranking selection, direction-based crossover and dynamic mutation

In this paper, a novel and efficient real-coded genetic algorithm (RCGA) for process optimization is developed. The proposed RCGA is equipped with Ranking Selection (RS), Direction-Based Crossover (DBX) and Dynamic Random Mutation (DRM) operators. The RS operator is used to eliminate the bad solutions and reproduce good solutions, making the whole population to achieve a better average fitness. The DBX operator uses relative fitness information to direct the crossover toward a direction that significantly improves the objective fitness. The DRM operator prevents the premature convergence of RCGA and at the same time increases the precision of the searched solution. The effectiveness and application of the proposed RCGA are demonstrated through a variety of single-objective optimization benchmark problems. For comparative study, other existing RCGAs with different evolution operators are also performed to the same problem set. Extensive experiment results reveal that the proposed RCGA provides a significantly faster convergence speed and much better search performance than comparative methods.
Betel quid not containing tobacco and oral cancer: A report on a case–control study in Papua New Guinea and a meta‐analysis of current evidence

Smoking and betel quid chewing are associated with increased risk of oral cancer but few studies have reported on associations in populations where betel quid does not contain tobacco. We conducted a case–control study in Papua New Guinea and a systematic review. Our case–control study recruited 143 cases with oral cancer and 477 controls. We collected information on smoking and betel quid chewing. Current smoking was associated with an increased risk of oral cancer with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) for daily smokers of 2.63 (95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.32, 5.22) and amongst heaviest smokers of 4.63 (95% CI 2.07, 10.36) compared to never‐smokers. Betel chewing was associated with increased risk of oral cancer with an adjusted OR for current chewers of 2.03 (95% CI 1.01, 4.09) and in the heaviest chewers of 2.47 (95% CI 1.13, 5.40) compared to nonchewers. The OR in those who both smoked tobacco and chewed betel quid was 4.85 (95% 1.10, 22.25), relative to those who neither smoked nor chewed. The systematic review identified 10 previous studies that examined risk of oral cancer associated with betel quid chewing that controlled for smoking in populations where betel quid did not contain tobacco. In studies that reported results for non‐smokers the combined OR was 2.14 (95% CI 1.06, 4.32) in betel quid chewers and in studies that adjusted for smoking the combined OR was 3.50 (95% CI 2.16, 5.65) in betel quid chewers. Preventive efforts should discourage betel quid chewing as well as smoking. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Normal reference ranges for left and right atrial volume indexes and ejection fractions obtained with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography.

AIMS The aim of this study was to obtain normal reference ranges and intra-observer reproducibility for left (L) and right (R) atrial (A) volume indexes (VI, corrected for body surface area) and ejection fractions (EF) with real-time three-dimensional echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS One hundred and sixty-six participants, 79 males and 87 females, aged 29-79 years considered free from clinical and subclinical cardiovascular disease, were included. Normal ranges are defined as 95% reference values for atrial dimensions and reproducibility as coefficients of variations (CVs) for repeated measurements. Upper normal reference values were 41 mL/m(2) for maximum (max) LAVI and 19 mL/m(2) for minimum (min) LAVI. The lower normal reference value was 45% for LAEF. The respective values for RA were 47 mL/m(2), 20 mL/m(2), and 46%. The only relevant gender difference was a higher upper normal max RAVI among males vs. females. The CVs for repeated measurements were 9% for max LAVI, 8% for max RAVI, 13% for LAEF, and 14% for RAEF. CONCLUSION The present study provides normal ranges for atrial dimensions and contractility with a new, fast, and reproducible technique that can be used bedside without offline analysis.