Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intraocular pressure lowering effect of dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination in patients with glaucoma who were unresponsive to prostaglandin analogs/prostamides*

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the intraocular pressure lowering effect of the dorzolamide/timolol fixed combination (DTFC) in non-responder glaucoma patients to prostaglandin analogs/prostamides (prostas). Patients and methods: All glaucoma patients treated with DTFC, between June 2003 and December 2005, who were unresponsive to prostaglandin analogs/prostamides, were identified through a retrospective medical records review. A non-responder was defined as an intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect less than 15% compared with baseline measurement. Two 12‑hour IOP diurnal curves, measured between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. (8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.), were obtained retrospectively from the records of 31 patients, the first while on prostaglandin analogs/prostamides (baseline IOP) and the second while receiving DTFC (DTFC IOP). The study outcomes were the change in mean diurnal IOP and the reduction in IOP fluctuation as a result of receiving DTFC in patients unresponsive to prostas. The IOP was evaluated by intragroup comparisons with a two-tailed paired Student's t‑test. A chi-square test was adopted for analysis of categorical variables. Results: 31 patients were included in this retrospective study. DTFC significantly reduced IOP in the patients overall, from 25.4 (3.5) to 20.2 (1.0) mmHg, p < 0.0001. The majority of patients were diagnosed with pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEX) (58%; 18/31). DTFC reduced the mean IOP fluctuations over 12 hours (highest minus lowest IOP reading within the 12‑hours pressure curve) from 8.6 (3.2) to 4.3 (1.4) mmHg, p < 0.0001. The most common adverse events were ocular burning (16%) and taste perversion (13%). There were no serious treatment-related adverse events. Conclusion: DTFC significantly reduced the IOP in patients with glaucoma who did not respond to prostaglandin analogs/prostamides. Further research is needed to confirm these results.
Outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome and bloody diarrhoea due to Escherichia coli O104:H4, south-west France, June 2011.

As of 12:00 28 June 2011, 15 cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) or bloody diarrhoea have been identified in the Gironde, south-west France. Investigations suggest the vehicle of transmission was sprouts, served at an event in Begles on 8 June 2011. A strain of shiga toxin- producing Escherichia coli O104:H4 has been isolated from five cases. This strain is genetically related to the strain identified in the recent E. coli O104:H4 outbreak in Germany, and shares the same virulence and antimicrobial resistance characteristics.
DC impedance of human blood using EIS: An appraoch to non-invasive blood glucose measurement

This paper presents DC impedance characterization of glucose concentrations in human blood using Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Results are investigated also through two solutions other than human blood: 1) 0.9% NaCl, 2) Saline (NaCl 1.3gm, KCl 0.75gm, Na3C6H5O7 1.45gm, D-glucose 6.75gm in 500mL) for every 25mg/dl change of glucose in total 150ml solution. A rectangular current pulse of 1.5s duration with 1mA peak is applied to the sample and corresponding voltage is acquired with Agilent InfiniiVision 7000B Series oscilloscope and Matlab R2011a Instrument Control Toolbox. The circuit proposed for current injection and voltage acquisition requires only two electrodes would reduce electrode polarization and skin irritation greatly which is a major concern in many previous works use generally four electrodes. From voltage and current pulse, electrical impedance spectroscopy is formed using DFT in Matlab R2011a and then DC impedance are found getting the limiting value of EIS when ω = 0. Experimental results show linear variation in DC impedance with blood glucose concentration proves the feasibility of non-invasive blood glucose measurement using EIS.
Volume 16 Number 12 December 2010 Review of home phototherapy

BACKGROUND: Outpatient phototherapy is a safe, effective, and low-cost treatment modality for moderate to severe psoriasis. Barriers to outpatient phototherapy including patient inconvenience, patient co-pays, decreased physician compensation, and insurance disincentive structures have led to decreased use and underutilization of phototherapy. Home phototherapy can potentially overcome many of the barriers associated with outpatient treatment but is not widely used because of concerns over safety and efficacy, lack of resident and physician education, and lack of insurance coverage. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to review the use of phototherapy with emphasis on the safety, efficacy, and practical use of home phototherapy. METHODS: A comprehensive Pubmed literature search was done using the keywords NB-UVB, narrowband UVB, BB-UVB, broadband UVB, PUVA, psoralen and UVA, UVA, history of phototherapy, mechanism of phototherapy, phototherapy in dermatology, home phototherapy, and phototherapy for psoriasis. All relevant articles were reviewed. CONCLUSIONS: Home NB-UVB phototherapy can be as safe, effective, and cost-effective as outpatient phototherapy. Further, home UVB is more convenient for patients, has higher patient satisfaction, and a lower treatment burden compared to outpatient phototherapy. Home NB-UVB should be considered as a treatment option for patients eligible for phototherapy.
NEAT1/hsa‐mir‐98‐5p/MAPK6 axis is involved in non–small‐cell lung cancer development

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) or microRNAs belong to the two most important noncoding RNAs and they are involved in a lot of cancers, including non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, currently, we focused on the biological and clinical significance of lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p in NSCLC. It was observed that NEAT1 was upregulated while hsa‐mir‐98‐5p was downregulated respectively in NSCLC cell lines compared to human normal lung epithelial BES‐2B cells. Inhibition of NEAT1 can suppress the progression of NSCLC cells and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p can reverse this phenomenon. Bioinformatics search was used to elucidate the correlation between NEAT1 and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p. Additionally, a novel messenger RNA target of hsa‐mir‐98‐5p, mitogen‐activated protein kinase 6 (MAPK6), was predicted. Overexpression and knockdown studies were conducted to verify whether NEAT1 exhibits its biological functions through regulating hsa‐mir‐98‐5p and MAPK6 in vitro. NEAT1 was able to increase MAPK6 expression and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p mimics can inhibit MAPK6 via downregulating NEAT1 levels. We speculated that NEAT1 may act as a competing endogenous lncRNA to upregulate MAPK6 by attaching hsa‐mir‐98‐5p in lung cancers. Taken these together, NEAT1/hsa‐mir‐98‐5p/MAPK6 is involved in the development and progress in NSCLC. NEAT1 could be recommended as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic indicator in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment.
Arbuscular mycorrhiza in cupuaçu and peach palm cultivated in agroforestry and monoculture systems in the Central Amazon region

The objective of this work was to evaluate the arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth) and cupuaçu (Theobroma grandiflorum (Willd ex Spring) K. Schum), in agroforestry systems and monoculture in the Central Amazon region, and to identify anatomic characteristics of mycorrhizal colonization in these species. Soil and root samples were collected in the field, in the dry and rainy season. Mycorrhizal root colonization of cupuaçu and peach palm is affected by the management systems, with higher colonization rates in the monoculture system. Total spore density of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi under cupuaçu is not affected by management systems or season, but under peach palm this variation is season dependent. Mycorrhizal colonization of Arum and Paris types occur in peach palm, and only Arum type occurs in cupuaçu.
Treatment of Essential Palatal Myoclonus in a 10-Year-Old Girl with Botulinum Neurotoxin

Abstract Palatal myoclonus (PM) is a rare neurotological disorder but is being reported with increasing frequency. Two forms, symptomatic and essential PM, have been identified as separate clinical entities and probably also have separate etiologies. In essential PM, brain imaging is unremarkable and a clicking noise caused by peritubal muscle contractions and often audible by the examiner usually is the patients' chief complaint. The treatment of essential PM with systemic application of anticonvulsants and related substances as well as by destructive surgical means has yielded unsatisfactory results. Recently, the use of botulinum neurotoxin has emerged as a new treatment option that seems particularly attractive due to its safety, complete reversibility, very few side effects, and minimal invasiveness. We report the case of essential PM in a 10-year-old girl who was successfully treated with botulinum toxin injections under eletromyographic guidance and we review the literature on the use of botulinum toxin in PM.
A novel 80-kD cell surface structure identifies human circulating lymphocytes with natural killer activity

Human lymphocytes with natural killer (NK) activity, including most activated gamma/delta+ T lymphocytes, recognize and lyse tumor target cells without requiring recognition of major histocompatibility complex antigen. However, unlike gamma/delta+ T lymphocytes, NK cells do not express CD3/T cell receptor (TCR) molecules, and the receptors involved in cell-mediated cytotoxicity are unknown. To further delineate circulating NK cells, we developed monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against the human NK leukemia YT2C2. We report the isolation of a mAb termed BY55, recognizing at the cell surface a novel 80-kD protein with restricted expression. In addition to the immunizing cell line, this mAb binds to circulating NK cells, gamma/delta+ cells, and a minor subset of alpha/beta+ T lymphocytes. Expression of the BY55 mAb- reactive epitope/molecule is regulated by activation, as short-term culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) with phorbol ester induced its downmodulation. Furthermore, BY55 mAb reactivity was found neither with the NK nor with the TCR alpha/beta+ gamma/delta+ clones tested. Biochemical studies as well as phenotypic analysis revealed that this structure is different from all previously identified molecules on the lymphocyte cell surface. Interestingly, we found that BY55+ cells exert most NK activity obtained with fresh circulating lymphocytes. We report that within fresh E rosette-positive PBL only a subset of the CD16+, CD56+, and CD57+ cells coexpressed BY55 molecule, indicating that BY55 mAb defines a unique subset mediating NK activity of circulating PBL.
Design Guidelines of Spread Spectrum Clock for Suppression of Radiation and Interference from High-speed Interconnection Line

In the modern digital systems, the most amount of the radiation from the system is caused by the high-speed clock signal. As a method to reduce the radiated emission from the system clock, the spread spectrum clock technique that modulates the system clock frequency had been introduced. In this paper, we introduce the design guidelines of the spread spectrum clock for the suppression of electromagnetic radiation and interference from the high-speed digital interconnection line. We propose some formulas for the attenuation of maximum spectrum at odd harmonics of the spread spectrum clock with the triangular modulation profile using FFT algorithm. The formulas include jitter and peak deviation as well as fundamental and modulation frequencies. We expect that these formulas are helpful to designers who adopt the spread spectrum clock technique to suppress the electromagnetic radiation and interference from the highspeed digital interconnection line.
PET studies of the influences of nicotine on neural systems in cigarette smokers.

OBJECTIVE The effects of acute nicotine administration and smoking on brain function were investigated in two studies, with the primary goal of identifying neural systems that mediate these effects. METHOD In study 1, 18 healthy volunteer cigarette smokers were exposed to three conditions in a single session: 1) smoking a nicotine-containing cigarette, 2) smoking a denicotinized cigarette, or 3) receiving intravenous nicotine injections in conjunction with smoking a denicotinized cigarette. In study 2, 16 subjects smoked a nicotine-containing and denicotinized cigarette in each of two sessions 2 hours after receiving the nicotinic antagonist mecamylamine (10 mg) or placebo orally. Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was assessed by using the bolus (15)O-labeled water method and positron emission tomography. Subjective measures of smoking withdrawal symptoms were also collected. RESULTS A principal-components analysis of rCBF data pooled from the two studies identified three factors consisting of frontal, striatal, and reticular systems. The amygdala was considered as a separate region of interest. Nicotine increased normalized rCBF in the left frontal region and decreased rCBF in the left amygdala. The rCBF in the right hemisphere reticular system was related to nicotine dose in an inverted-U-shaped pattern and was strongly related to self-reported craving for cigarettes and to the addiction scale of a smoking motivation questionnaire. The effects of mecamylamine on rCBF were generally opposite to those of nicotine. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that nicotine influences brain regions involved in arousal and reward and suggest specific functional systems that may be linked to motivationally significant aspects of tobacco dependence.
Development, testing, and application of metallic TIMs for harsh environments and non-flat surfaces

Important determinants of semiconductor device reliability are operating temperature and proper temperature control within a given operating environment. Maintaining a semiconductor device at or below the maximum rated junction temperature (Tj) is accomplished through careful thermal design, including selection of well-performing thermal interface materials (TIM) that minimize efficiency losses in packaging and between the semiconductor package and a heat dissipating component. Minimizing thermal resistances through the material stack is an important aspect of maintaining required operating temperatures. Selection of a TIM increasingly requires examining differences in requirements, as improvements in package design have reduced internal resistance and the TIM has become a correspondingly greater percentage of total losses. Heat dissipation has become more critical across an increasingly wide array of different types of semiconductor packages. While many packaging and system engineers look for a single proven TIM that can be applied uniformly across different requirements, simplifying testing requirements and streamlining assembly, the increasing diversity in demanding applications has led recently to development of even more varied and specialized TIM types. An example is TIM selection for application between the semiconductor package and the heat sink for an RF semiconductor, where poor electrical conductivity may impact electrical signal performance. A highly thermally and electrically conductive TIM will provide uniform electrical and heat transfer mechanism between the contacting surfaces. Transition to gallium nitride for RF devices has increased the need for TIMs capable of handling higher heat flux and higher power output in smaller footprints. While a desirable goal is a minimized TIM thickness between two surfaces, this is often not possible when dealing with such application requirements as relatively large contact surface areas; increasingly high power IGBT power semiconductors with significant potential mechanical movement of a baseplate due to rapid temperature change during operation; and highly specialized burn-in and test applications where non-coplanar surfaces are encountered due to use of gimbaled test heads. Each of these is an example of why new forms of metallic TIM preforms have recently been developed and implemented for integrated circuits, power semiconductor, and RF semiconductors. Defining differences in requirements and selection of appropriate TIM types will assist in meeting system design requirements and these differences and a family of new metallic TIMs will be described.
Mutation of conserved cysteines in the Ly6 domain of GPIHBP1 in familial chylomicronemia

We investigated a family from northern Sweden in which three of four siblings have congenital chylomicronemia. LPL activity and mass in pre- and postheparin plasma were low, and LPL release into plasma after heparin injection was delayed. LPL activity and mass in adipose tissue biopsies appeared normal. [35S]Methionine incorporation studies on adipose tissue showed that newly synthesized LPL was normal in size and normally glycosylated. Breast milk from the affected female subjects contained normal to elevated LPL mass and activity levels. The milk had a lower than normal milk lipid content, and the fatty acid composition was compatible with the milk lipids being derived from de novo lipogenesis, rather than from the plasma lipoproteins. Given the delayed release of LPL into the plasma after heparin, we suspected that the chylomicronemia might be caused by mutations in GPIHBP1. Indeed, all three affected siblings were compound heterozygotes for missense mutations involving highly conserved cysteines in the Ly6 domain of GPIHBP1 (C65S and C68G). The mutant GPIHBP1 proteins reached the surface of transfected Chinese hamster ovary cells but were defective in their ability to bind LPL (as judged by both cell-based and cell-free LPL binding assays). Thus, the conserved cysteines in the Ly6 domain are crucial for GPIHBP1 function.
A pilot study of drug-induced hypertension for treatment of acute stroke

The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether the use of induced hypertension in acute stroke is feasible and associated with neurologic improvement. Phenylephrine was used to raise the systolic blood pressure in patients with acute stroke by 20%, not to exceed 200 mmHg. Of 13 patients treated, 7 improved by 2 points on the NIH Stroke Scale. No systemic or neurologic complications were seen. The authors conclude that induced hypertension in acute stroke is feasible and likely safe and can improve the neurologic examination in some patients.
Assent in paediatric research: theoretical and practical considerations

Guidelines around the world require children to provide assent for their participation in most research studies. Yet, little further guidance is provided on how review committees should implement this requirement, including which children are capable of providing assent and when the requirement for assent may be waived on the grounds that the research offers participating children the potential for important clinical benefit. The present paper argues that the assent requirement is supported by the importance of allowing children who are capable to make their own decisions. This suggests children are capable of assent when they become able to understand the research in question. While development varies across individual children, existing data suggest most children develop this ability by approximately age 14. Until instruments are developed to assess the assent capacity of individual children, this age should be used as the threshold for assent. In addition, the importance of protecting children from harm suggests that the sustained dissent of all children, including those who are unable to provide assent, should be respected. While the assent requirement may be waived when research participation offers the potential for important medical benefit that is unavailable outside the research context, analysis suggests that children’s sustained dissent should be respected in all cases.
En quel sens les objets physiques sont-ils réels?

La notion d'objet physique est au cceur de la problématique métaphysique du réalisme: réalistes et antiréalistes construisent habituellement leurs positions sur la base de différentes conceptions de cette notion. De façon générale, les réalistes prétendent que les objets physiques existent et possè-dent des propriétés intrinsèques les définissant indépendamment de nos facultés de perception et de conceptualisation. Par rapport à cette caractérisation, qui nous accompagnera tout au long du texte, nous nous plaçons dans le clan des antiréalistes. Toutefois, notre but présent n'est pas tant de critiquer la conception réaliste de l'objet physique que de proposer les grandes lignes d'une forme d'antiréalisme cohérente. Pour nous situer dans le débat contemporain nous contrasterons nos idées avec le réalisme interne de Putnam et le phénoménalisme, deux positions qui se rapprochent de la nôtre par leur réjet de la notion réaliste d'objet physique. Cependant, le réalisme interne et le phénoménalisme, nous le verrons, prennent souvent la forme de thèses portant sur le langage, ce que nous voudrons éviter de faire. II est à notre avis avantageux, pour répondre à la question qui sert de titre à ce texte, de ramener le débat en deçà des questions de langage, au niveau de la perception non épistémique, oùl'on peut encore, selon les termes de Dretske, voir sans croire.
Computação em Nuvens: Contribuição para a Sustentabilidade Econômica e Ecológica

Este trabalho aborda os conceitos da tecnologia de computacao em nuvens e apresenta os modelos de servicos nos quais sao divididos seus recursos de computacao. A principal contribuicao do trabalho em questao e fazer uma analise das formas como a computacao em nuvens pode contribuir para a sustentabilidade economica e ecologica, aplicadas as praticas de TI verde. A computacao em nuvem apresenta-se como um desafio para que empresas e organizacoes possam se beneficiar ao mesmo tempo em que contribui para a harmonia com a natureza. Por ser um tema atual e foco de varios estudos atualmente, este artigo aborda de forma clara e objetiva de que forma essa tecnologia pode ser usada em favor da sustentabilidade.
Effect of Core Competence on Competitive Advantage and Organizational Performance

In highly competitiveness market core competence has emerged as a central concept for competitive strategy. Core competence is the knowledge set that distinguishes a firm and provides a competitive advantage over others. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between core competence, competitive advantage and organizational performance. Core competence was measured through three dimensions: shared vision, cooperation and empowerment. Competitive advantage was also measured through flexibility and responsiveness. The proposed model was tested in the context of Paint Industry in the UAE. The survey was administered electronically to a total of 77 managers. Results indicate that it appears to be consistent and reliable scales. Finding indicates that, while core competence has a strong and positive impact on competitive advantage and organizational performance, competitive advantage has also significant impact on organizational performance. Results confirm the varying importance of core competence dimensions on competitive advantage and organizational performance. It has also been found that flexibility have higher impact on organizational performance than responsiveness. To remain competitive and obtain competitive advantages, managers can try to increase organizational performance by managing each dimension of core competence i.e. shared vision; cooperation and empowerment.