Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clofarabine-Based Regimen as Useful Bridge Therapy for Allogeneic Transplantation in Myeloid Blast Crisis of Philadelphia-Positive Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Resistant to Imatinib and Dasatinib

side analogue (after ara-C) with efficacy against adult AML. Conventional treatment of BP-CML is notoriously unsatisfactory resulting in only transient responses and in marginal prolongations of survival once a BP has been diagnosed. Better results are achieved for the few patients who return to chronic phase and are successfully transplanted. Response to treatment is the single most important prognostic factor for survival in BP. If BP evolves under imatinib treatment, a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI; dasatinib or nilotinib) should be tried [6] . A recent update of the European LeukemiaNet provides provisional guidelines for second-generation TKI and defines suboptimal and failure response at different time points [6] . In case of failure also for secondgeneration TKI, conventional approaches remain an option, such as AML induction protocols with anthracyclines and ara-C in myeloid BP. We hereby report a case of a CML patient who suddenly progressed to myeloid BP during imatinib, failed dasatinib treatment and was successfully treated with a clofarabine-containing regimen prior to undergoing an allogeneic HSCT. Clofarabine, a 2-chloro-2 -fluoro-deoxy-9 D -arabinofuranosyl-adenosine, has been approved for third-line treatment of relapsed or refractory acute lymphoblastic leukemia [1, 2] . It has also proved promising in pediatric patients with refractory or relapsed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and in patients allowing them to proceed to an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) [3] . Moreover, the drug exhibits efficacy in adult AML and myelodysplastic syndrome. In both phase I and II investigations on clofarabine as a single agent, impressive clinical activity without neurotoxicity has been observed in patients with acute leukemias. In a phase II study, among 62 heavily pretreated patients, 20 (32%) responded to treatment with clofarabine [4] ; objective responses were also seen in blastic phase chronic myeloid leukemia (BP-CML; 7 out of 11 patients treated) [4] . Clofarabine effectiveness was also tested in association with other drugs, such as cytarabine (ara-C) and/or idarubicin, in relapsed or refractory acute leukemias, and showed, in an initial phase I–II study, an overall response rate of 38%. Response rates reached 87% in AML patients with longer first remission durations (12 months), suggesting a significant activity of clofarabine in this category of patients [5] . Hence, clofarabine appears to be the second nucleoReceived: June 2, 2010 Accepted after revision: July 21, 2010 Published online: October 11, 2010
Optic neuritis and distribution of genetic markers of the HLA system

Thirty patients with optic neuritis (ON), in which neither multiple sclerosis (MS) nor any other etiology could be discriminated, were reexamined after a mean observeation period of 5 years. Eleven patients revealed oligoclonal IgG in the CSF and in five of them a measles virus antibody response within the CNS was demonstrable. the remaining 19 patients did not display oligoclonal CSF IgG and no local antibody production was detectable.
Small UHF RFID Tag Antenna with Improved Bandwidth

A minified UHF Tag antenna with two meander dipoles and a match network is proposed and simulated. The antenna is printed with thin copper on a polyimide substrate of 50 um thickness. The dimensions of the antenna are 65 mm in width and 48 mm in length. The simulation results show that the impedance bandwidth is 66 MHz and the radiation efficiency within the bandwidth is over 80%, and the antenna directivity is higher than 2 dBi in the band of interest. To verify the S- parameter given by the EM simulator, the impedance of the antenna is used to calculate the actual S-parameter directly. And the comparison shows that the simulating result is quite reliable. A method of measurement is also proposed in this article.
Dynamic pricing and area-time specific marginal capacity cost for distribution investment deferment

Electricity deregulation makes it more feasible to apply differential rates across customers. Dynamic prices can be used to reflect the changes in marginal energy costs of a power system. Some dynamic pricing pilot projects reveal that dynamic prices can actually reduce or shift electricity usage. However, system-load peaks and local-area load peaks could occur at different times. When both peaks are coincident, two objectives can be achieved simultaneously by applying dynamic pricing: total system demand and local demand reduction. However, when these peaks are non-coincident, local demand requires investment. We propose and extended dynamic pricing scheme by taking area- and time-specific marginal distribution capacity costs into account for addressing locational investment deferral. Elasticity model which uses actual test data from pilot projects is adopted to estimate load reduction due to dynamic pricing.
Myasthenia gravis, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and autoimmune hemolytic anemia. "A spectrum of thymic abnormalities?

IT HAS been proposed recently that defects in proliferation of the lymphoid system may be associated with both immunologic deficiency and lymphoreticular malignancy and that the immunologic deficiency may predispose to such neoplasia.1There is also increasing evidence that the thymus may have a central role in the development of the immune system and perhaps as well as in the control of lymphocytopoeisis.2-3It is, therefore, of importance to note the occurrence of concomitant lymphoreticular malignancy and diseases of altered immunity in patients as further evidence of relationship. The development of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), complicated by autoimmune hemolytic anemia in a patient with myasthenia gravis (MG), a disease of presumed altered immunity4-6and often associated with thymic abnormalities, forms the basis of this report. Report of a Case A white man was in good health until 1930 when, at age 28, he developed diplopia, dysarthria and
Structural Reorganization of the Toll-Like Receptor 8 Dimer Induced by Agonistic Ligands

Dissecting TLR8 Interactions Toll-like receptors (TLRs) activate the innate immune system in response to invading pathogens. TLR7 and TLR8 recognize single-stranded RNA from viruses and also contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Tanji et al. (p. 1426) now report the crystal structure of the unliganded TLR8 ectodomain and the TLR8 ectodomain bound to three different small-molecule agonists. Ligand binding to preformed TLR8 dimers induced conformational changes that brought the C-terminal domains closer together, presumably initiating downstream signaling. The crystal structure of unbound and ligand-bound Toll-like receptor 8 reveals ligand-induced conformational changes. Toll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) and TLR8 recognize single-stranded RNA and initiate innate immune responses. Several synthetic agonists of TLR7-TLR8 display novel therapeutic potential; however, the molecular basis for ligand recognition and activation of signaling by TLR7 or TLR8 is largely unknown. In this study, the crystal structures of unliganded and ligand-induced activated human TLR8 dimers were elucidated. Ligand recognition was mediated by a dimerization interface formed by two protomers. Upon ligand stimulation, the TLR8 dimer was reorganized such that the two C termini were brought into proximity. The loop between leucine-rich repeat 14 (LRR14) and LRR15 was cleaved; however, the N- and C-terminal halves remained associated and contributed to ligand recognition and dimerization. Thus, ligand binding induces reorganization of the TLR8 dimer, which enables downstream signaling processes.
Response of alcoholics to clinic treatment.

Treatment services for alcohol addicts are seriously lacking. The regional hospital boards have been urged repeatedly to provide facilities (Ministry of Health, 1962 ; Scottish Home and Health Department, 1966). The Nuffield Provincial Hospitals Trust sponsored the opening in October 1963 of the Unit for Treatment of Alcoholism at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. This service is part of the Professorial Unit of the Edinburgh University Department of Psychiatry, and is organized to treat alcoholic patients, to promote research into alcoholism, and to provide experience for professional staff wanting to work in this field. The first public clinics for treatment of alcoholism were established in Hartford and New Haven in 1944 (McCarthy, 1946). purposely located within the communities they were intended to serve. A survey (Straus and Bacon, 1951) of over 2,000 patients treated in such public clinics disclosed that the great majority were well integrated socially and working responsibly, and were still united with their families. These patients, who came forward voluntarily, did not resemble the stereotyped impression of an alcoholic then current. They realized spontaneously that their addiction required treatment, and availed themselves of services when acceptable clinics were provided. International emphasis was given to the recommendation that alcoholics should be treated in psychiatric services only if these dealt with acute and recoverable conditions (W.H.O., 1951). General practitioners were shown to be aware of only a small proportion of alcoholics in their practices (Parr, 1957). At the same time as the ineffectiveness of the meagre existing services was emphasized and the extent of undiagnosed alcoholism became evident, the promising treatment-value of group psychotherapy became known (Gliedman, 1958), as did the need for planned aftercare of abstinent alcoholics following initial hospital treatment (Walton, 1961 ; Wolff and Holland, 1964). In the defective state of present knowledge, therapeutic services can be regarded as adequate only when provision has also been made to evaluate the outcome of treatment of alcoholics, to determine the effectiveness of different methods, and to investigate which personal factors affect prognosis.
Ébranlement et consolidation des fondements des francs CFA

Cet article examine les fondements analytiques des francs CFA -parite fixe, convertibilite, unions monetaires -compte tenu du choc qu'a constitue leur devaluation en janvier 1994. Si ces fondements ont paru ebranles par le debat qui a precede la devaluation, ils se trouvent plutot renforces par les developpements recents de la theorie macro-economique. D'autre part si les mesures de la surevaluation, fragiles et discutables, qui ont precede et pour une part suscite la devaluation ne pouvaient determiner le choix de la nouvelle parite, celui-ci repond bien a la logique du regime des changes de la zone franc.
SCORE STUDY REPORT 12: Development of Venous Collaterals in the Score Study

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of venous collaterals after branch and central retinal vein occlusion, assess the association of venous collaterals with other clinical features (including visual acuity), and determine if treatment with intravitreal corticosteroids influences the development of new venous collaterals. Methods: Review of data from two multicenter randomized clinical trials in the Standard of Care versus COrticosteroid for REtinal Vein Occlusion (SCORE) Study. Results: Statistically significant associations of venous collaterals and visual acuity at baseline or at follow-up were not found. Treatment with intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide did not appear to influence the development of venous collaterals. Conclusion: In contrast to some previous reports, development of venous collaterals did not demonstrate an independent association with visual acuity in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion or central retinal vein occlusion in the SCORE Study. Intravitreal steroid effects do not appear to influence the development of venous collaterals.
Fractal Analysis Tools for Characterizing the Colorimetric Organization of Digital Images - Case Study using Natural and Synthetic Images

The colorimetric organization of RGB color images is analyzed through the computation of algorithms which can characterize fractal organizations in the support and population of their three-dimensional color histogram. These algorithms have shown that complex organizations across scales exist in the colorimetric domain for natural images with often non-integer fractal dimension over a certain range of scale. In this paper, we apply this method of colorimetric characterization to synthetic images produced by rendering techniques of increas- ing sophistication. We show that the fractal or scale invariant signatures are more pronounced when the realism of the synthetic images increases. Such results could have interesting applications to improve the colorimetric realism of synthetic images. This also may contribute to progress in classification and vision, in using fractal colorimetric properties to differentiate natural and synthetic images.
Algorithm for evaluation of pulsatile tinnitus

Conclusions. Pulsatile tinnitus requires a careful physical examination and evaluation with selected imaging techniques to identify the origin of the symptoms. Objective. To evaluate the incidence of identifiable anomalies in patients with pulsatile tinnitus. Subjects and methods. This was a retrospective chart review undertaken in a tertiary care center. Patients seen in the outpatient otolaryngology clinic with the chief complaint of pulsatile tinnitus were evaluated by physical examination and imaging including CT angiography. The outcome measure was the incidence of identifiable abnormalities on imaging studies. Results. Fifty-four patients were seen between January 2002 and June 2007 with the chief complaint of constant pulsatile tinnitus, excluding those with chemodectomas. On the basis of physical examination and imaging, 14 were considered arterial, 23 venous, and 15 were indeterminate in origin. Among patients with venous tinnitus, sigmoid sinus diverticulum was the most common finding. Among patients with arterial tinnitus, carotid atherosclerotic disease was the most common. One patient had erosion of the cochlea by the carotid artery. Non-vascular entities identified include superior semicircular canal dehiscence and benign intracranial hypertension.
Three dimensional structure of the soybean agglutinin Gal/GalNAc complexes by homology modeling.

Complexes of soybean agglutinin (SBA) with galactose (Gal) and N-acetyl galactosamine (GalNAc) have been modeled based on its homology to erythrina corallodendron (EcorL) lectin. The three dimensional structure of SBA-Gal modeled with homology techniques agrees well with SBA-(beta-LacNAc)2Gal-R complex determined by X-ray crystallographic techniques at the beta-sheet regions and the regions where Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions bind. However, significant deviations have been observed between the modeled and the X-ray structures, particularly at the loop regions where the polypeptide chain could not be unequivocally traced in the X-ray structure. The hydrogen bonding scheme, predicted from the homology model, shows that the invariant residues i.e. Asp, Gly, Asn, and aromatic residues (Phe) found in all other legume lectins, bind Gal, slightly in a different way than reported in X-ray structure of SBA-pentasaccharide complex. The higher binding affinity of GalNAc over Gal to SBA is due to additional hydrophobic interactions with Tyr107 rather than a hydrogen bond between N-acetamide group of the sugar and the side chain of Asp88 as suggested from X-ray crystal structure studies. Our modeling also suggest that the variation in the length of the loop D observed among galactose binding legume lectins may not have any effect on the binding of sugar at the monosaccharide specific site of the lectins. Soybean agglutinin (SBA) is a member of the leguminous family of lectins. They generally possess a single carbohydrate binding site, besides the tightly bound Ca2+ and Mn2+ ions which are required for their carbohydrate binding activity. They possess a high degree of sequence homology and about 50% of the amino acid residues are invariant. Some of these invariant amino acid residues are involved in the binding of sugar moieties and in metal ion coordination. X-ray crystallographic studies showed that their three-dimensional structures are very similar, though they differ in their carbohydrate binding specificity (1-6). Three of the invariant residues Asp, Gly, and Asn, besides an aromatic residue (Phe or Tyr), are involved in carbohydrate binding. Independent of their sugar specificity, these four residues in legume lectins provide the basic frame for the sugar to bind.
Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency as a Manifestation of Antley-Bixler Syndrome: A Case Report

We report a case of the Antley-Bixler syndrome in an 11-year-old girl. She presented with bilateral proximal femoral focal deficiency, right clubfoot, left radiohumeral synostosis, bilateral ear hypoplasia, cleft palate, tongue tie, missing teeth, congenital heart disease, a pelvic kidney with hydronephrosis, and mental retardation. Proximal femoral focal deficiency has never been reported before as a manifestation of Antley-Bixler syndrome. Her mother was exposed to radiation during an intravenous urogram done in the first trimester of pregnancy. Exposure to radiation has not been implicated as a cause of Antley-Bixler syndrome.
Treatment of Cervical Spine Injuries with Anterior Plating: Indications, Techniques, and Results

This study analyzed 86 patients who sustained a cervical spine injury and who had 93 anterior surgical interventions of the cervical spine. The average age of the patients was 39 years, the mean follow-up 40 months. Twenty-two patients had predominantly vertebral body fractures (burst or tear-drop fractures) and were treated by bisegmental anterior bone grafting and plating. Sixty-four patients had predominantly posterior lesions, either discoligamentous or osteoligamentous, and were treated by unisegmental bone grafting and plating. Forty-three patients were neurologically intact. There were no relevant complications except in one patient, who needed reoperation because of a secondary redislocation due to a technically insufficient osteosynthesis. The technique of anterior bone grafting and plating is shown to be straight-forward, atraumatic, and reliable for predominantly anterior lesions as well as for posterior injuries when performed properly. This clinical experience does not support experimental data and earlier clinical work, which advocate posterior surgery over anterior surgery and assert that anterior surgery should not be done in predominantly posterior lesions.
A Fast Transient Response Low Drop-Out Voltage Regulator

A fast transient response low drop out voltage regulator (LDO) is presented. The requirement of fast transient response is completely application specific and is governed by the loading conditions. If load current changes too quicker, then a fast transient response is a definite requirement. The LDO is implemented in 0.18um generic CMOS technology; it generates fixed 1.6V from a 3.6V supply which on discharging goes to 1.9V. The buffer stage used is wide band OTA capable of providing rail-to-rail swing and full current to charge and discharge the large driver transistor capacitance, enabling fast slewing. Simulation result shows that the proposed circuit provides full load transient response of less than 44ns settling time and less than 30mV undershoot.
Expectations towards two robots with different interactive abilities

Latest research in robotics is driven by a desire to develop systems that would allow humans to interact with robots in natural and intuitive ways. In this paper we investigate peoples' initial believes, expectations and ascribed mental capabilities of a robot when they encounter it for the first time and how these change after interacting with the robot. The differences between two robots, which differ in morphology and behavior, are compared.
Nasal Cytology: Description of a Hyperchromatic Supranuclear Stria as a Possible Marker for the Anatomical and Functional Integrity of the Ciliated Cell

Background The aim of this study was to describe a particular intracellular hyperchromatic formation located over the nucleus of normal nasal ciliated cells. This finding, never described in literature, very rarely occurs in pathological conditions. Methods A nasal cytological test and mucociliary transport test were performed in a group of 24 subjects with rhinologic diseases and in a control group of 10 healthy subjects. Results The “hyperchromatic supranuclear stria” (SNS) was observed in a high percentage of normal cells (90.3%); SNS was present in very few pathological subjects (in only 6.26% of pathologic cells). Conclusion We interpreted SNS as a specific marker for the anatomic and functional integrity of the ciliated cell. Therefore, the absence of SNS is considered an abnormal finding in the nasal mucosa and therefore could be useful as a “prognostic sign” of the disorders themselves and as an indication of the “therapeutic efficacy” of pharmacologic treatments, both topical and systemic.
Characterization of the dynamic shear properties of hyaline cartilage using high‐frequency dynamic MR elastography

This work evaluated the feasibility of dynamic MR Elastography (MRE) to quantify structural changes in bovine hyaline cartilage induced by selective enzymatic degradation. The ability of the technique to quantify the frequency‐dependent response of normal cartilage to shear in the kilohertz range was also explored. Bovine cartilage plugs of 8 mm in diameter were used for this study. The shear stiffness (μs) of each cartilage plug was measured before and after 16 hr of enzymatic treatments by dynamic MRE at 5000 Hz of shear excitation. Collagenase and trypsin were used to selectively affect the collagen and proteoglycans contents of the matrix. Additionally, normal cartilage plugs were tested by dynamic MRE at shear‐excitations of 3000–7000 Hz. Measured μs of cartilage plugs showed a significant decrease (−37%, P < 0.05) after collagenase treatment and a significant decrease (−28%, P < 0.05) after trypsin treatment. Furthermore, a near‐linear increase (R2 = 0.9141) in the speed of shear wave propagation with shear‐excitation frequency was observed in cartilage, indicating that wave speed is dominated by viscoelastic effects. These experiments suggest that dynamic MRE can provide a sensitive quantitative tool to characterize the degradation process and viscoelastic behavior of cartilage. Magn Reson Med 59:356–364, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Characterization of a Unique Class C Acid Phosphatase from Clostridium perfringens

ABSTRACT Clostridium perfringens is a gram-positive anaerobe and a pathogen of medical importance. The detection of acid phosphatase activity is a powerful diagnostic indicator of the presence of C. perfringens among anaerobic isolates; however, characterization of the enzyme has not previously been reported. Provided here are details of the characterization of a soluble recombinant form of this cell-associated enzyme. The denatured enzyme was ∼31 kDa and a homodimer in solution. It catalyzed the hydrolysis of several substrates, including para-nitrophenyl phosphate, 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate, and 3′ and 5′ nucleoside monophosphates at pH 6. Calculated Kms ranged from 0.2 to 0.6 mM with maximum velocity ranging from 0.8 to 1.6 μmol of Pi/s/mg. Activity was enhanced in the presence of some divalent cations but diminished in the presence of others. Wild-type enzyme was detected in all clinical C. perfringens isolates tested and found to be cell associated. The described enzyme belongs to nonspecific acid phosphatase class C but is devoid of lipid modification commonly attributed to this class.