Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tolerability of the combination of ginger (Zingiber officinalis), gentian (Gentiana lutea) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) in patients with cancer-associated anorexia

Abstract Background: Anorexia is a common symptom for patients with advanced cancer. Gentian, ginger, and turmeric have traditionally been used to stimulate appetite. We tested these agents in combination, in a pilot study to assess tolerability in patients indicating 4/10 or worse anorexia on the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System, and who were not currently on chemotherapy. We collected exploratory data on the patient’s appetite using a visual analogue scale. Methods: Between 2009 and 2012, 17 patients were enrolled in arm 1 (turmeric 1 g and ginger 1 g orally twice daily, and gentiana lutea tincture 1 mL three times a day, for 14 days). The three patients enrolled in arm 2 received the same doses of ginger and turmeric but no gentian. All patients completed a daily appetite diary and a weekly symptom assessment. Results: In arm 1, seven patients (41%) completed treatment. Seven patients (41%) stopped early because of unacceptable toxicity or patient-initiated discontinuation, and 3 stopped because of other reasons. All patients in arm 2 stopped taking the study medication within few days of starting the treatment, leading the study committee to recommend stopping the trial. The most common adverse effects attributed to study drugs were nausea (6 patients), vomiting (3), fatigue (3), diarrhea (2) and bloating (2). There was no statistically significant effect seen on appetite. Conclusions: At the doses used in this study, the combination of ginger, turmeric, and gentian is not tolerated well in cancer patients. Future studies should use fewer agents or lower doses.
The drug-based pipeline against restenosis

More than 1 million percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) are performed yearly worldwide. Restenosis is the recurrent narrowing that can occur within 6 months following an initially successful PCI. Although drug-eluting stents have accomplished remarkable success, restenosis has not been eliminated and optimisation of both the polymers and drugs associated with them is desirable. This article reviews the presently available and potential preventive approaches against restenosis, including the sirolimus and pa-clitaxel drug-eluting stents.
Hrvatski zavod za javno zdravstvo u 2004. godini

Prikazan je rad Hrvatskog zavoda za javno zdravstvo tijekom 2004. godine. Zavod je izvrsio sve svoje aktivnosti predviđene Programom rada za koje su osigurani planirani resursi. Aktivnosti su bile znacajno usmjerene ka razvoju Zavoda. Provedena je reorganizacija Zavoda kojom su ustrojene nove službe i to za epidemiologiju zaraznih bolesti, epidemiologiju masovnih kronicnih nezaraznih bolesti, promicanje zdravlja, skolsku medicinu i prevenciju ovisnosti. U skladu s tim, zapoceto je zaposljavanje i skolovanje potrebnih strucnjaka. U posebnim prilozima dat je prikaz projekata, publikacija, sudjelovanja na strucnim i znanstvenim skupovima te kampanja koje su provedene u 2004. godini.
Design of viscosity-matched optical fibers

An optical fiber with a homogeneously viscous cross section can be designed for an arbitrary index profile by utilizing two kinds of dopant which have different effects on host material viscosity. Examples of designs are shown for silica-based fibers when GeO/sub 2/ and F are used as the dopants. <<ETX>>
Technology for health: A qualitative study on barriers to using the iPad for diet change

Emergence of tablet computers has led to interest in their use to impact health-related behaviors of users. However, little is known regarding which devices are most effective for changing these behaviors, and whether or not these devices or accompanying applications (apps) are feasible or desired vehicles for behavior change. Four focus groups were conducted with students from a Western university who were given iPads to download diet-related apps. Participants were asked questions about preferences regarding iPad functionality, app functionality, and the likelihood of using apps and iPads for facilitating diet-related behavior change in the future. Two key themes emerged from focus group discussions on diet-related apps for iPads and their usefulness to facilitate behavior change. The first theme, lack of iPad practicality, contained three subthemes: inconvenient mid-way technology, internet access barriers, and smart-phone preference. The second theme that emerged was attitudes towards apps in general. Three subthemes were identified under the second theme: too intensive; positive functions not specific to iPads; and lack of reliable/trustworthy information. This paper is the first, to this author’s knowledge, to report the use of qualitative methods to study the practicality of using apps and iPads in changing dietrelated behaviors. Early generations of iPads may not be effective devices for facilitating behavior change among college students; and diet-related apps seem to have poor functionality that lead to cessation of use.
Dendritic and axonal targeting of the vesicular acetylcholine transporter to membranous cytoplasmic organelles in laterodorsal and pedunculopontine tegmental nuclei

Autoregulation of cholinergic neurons in the laterodorsal tegmental (LDT) and pedunculopontine (PPT) nuclei has been implicated in many functions, most importantly in drug reinforcement and in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. This autoregulation is attributed to the release of acetylcholine, but neither the storage or release sites are known. To determine these sites, we used electron microscopy for the immunocytochemical localization of antipeptide antiserum raised against the vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAchT) that is responsible for the uptake of acetylcholine into storage vesicles. The cellular and subcellular distribution of VAchT was remarkably similar in the two regions by by using each of two methods, immunogold and immunoperoxidase. In both PPT and LDT nuclei, VAchT labeling was seen mainly on membranous organelles including the trans‐Golgi network in many somata. VAchT‐immunoreactive tubulovesicles resembling saccules of smooth endoplasmic reticulum were often seen near the plasma membrane in dendrites. The VAchT‐containing dendrites comprised almost 50% of the labeled profiles (1027/2129) in PPT and LDT nuclei. The remaining VAchT‐immunoreactive profiles were primarily small unmyelinated axons and axon terminals. In axon terminals, VAchT was densely localized to membranes of small synaptic vesicles. The VAchT‐immunoreactive axon terminals formed either symmetric or asymmetric synapses. The postsynaptic targets of these axon terminals included dendrites that were with (36/110) or without (74/110) VAchT immunoreactivity. Our results suggest that dendrites, as well as axon terminals, have the potential for storage and release of acetylcholine in the LDT and PPT nuclei. The released acetylcholine is likely to play a major role in autoregulation of mesopontine cholinergic neurons. J. Comp. Neurol. 419:32–48, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Neisseria meningitidis type C capsular polysaccharide inhibits lipooligosaccharide‐induced cell activation by binding to CD14

Encapsulated Neisseria meningitidis can invade mucosal barriers and cause systemic diseases. Activation of the innate immune system by conserved meningococcal molecules such as lipooligosaccharides (LOS) is essential for the generation of an effective host immune response. Here we show that the type C capsular polysaccharide of N. meningitidis (MCPS) inhibited LOS‐induced interleukin‐6 and TNF‐α secretion from monocytes, and blocked the maturation of dendritic cells induced by LOS, while the capsular polysaccharide from group B streptococcus type III and t(4‐hydroxy‐3‐nitrophenyl) acetyl (NP)‐Ficoll had no such effect. MCPS also inhibited the LOS‐induced NF‐κB activation and phosphorylation of signalling molecules such as ERK1/2, p38 and Jun N‐terminal kinase. In a direct binding assay, MCPS manifested a concentration‐dependent binding to recombinant lipoprotein binding protein and CD14, the two members of the LOS receptor complex. In addition, the binding of LOS to CD14 and lipopolysaccharide binding protein was inhibited by MCPS. We established that MCPS binding to CD14 is responsible for the inhibition of LOS‐mediated cell activation because MCPS inhibition of LOS was reversed when access amounts of CD14 were added to culture media of HEK293 cells expressing TLR4 and MD‐2, and the magnitude of recovery in LOS stimulation correlated with the increase in CD14 concentration. These results suggest a new virulence property of meningococcal capsular polysaccharides.
Research on the Consensus Mechanisms of Blockchain Technology

As the underlying technology in Bitcoin, the blockchain technology has gained wide attention. Blockchain is a kind of feasible method to solve the consistency problem of distributed system. Consensus mechanism is the core of the blockchain technology. Delicate consensus mechanism can improve system performance and promote the application of blockchain in many fields. Based on the consensus mechanisms in existing design of blockchain, this paper summarizes the basic consensus mechanisms including proof of work, proof of stake and Byzantine consistency agreement, and evaluates them from various aspects such as security, scalability, performance, etc. The future research on the blockchain consensus mechanism will be based on the different characteristics of the consensus mechanisms, and design should be carried out around the combination of different consensus mechanisms.
The hemostatic activity of cryopreserved platelets is mediated by phosphatidylserine‐expressing platelets and platelet microparticles

Cryopreservation of platelets (PLTs) at −80°C with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can extend the shelf life from 5 days to 2 years. Cryopreserved PLTs are reported to have a greater in vivo hemostatic effect than liquid‐stored PLTs. As such, the aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms responsible for the hemostatic potential of cryopreserved PLTs and the contribution of the reconstitution solution to this activity.
Efficacy and current limitations of intravascular stents for intracranial internal carotid, vertebral, and basilar artery aneurysms.

OBJECT Results of previous in vitro and in vivo experimental studies have suggested that placement of a porous stent within the parent artery across the aneurysm neck may hemodynamically uncouple the aneurysm from the parent vessel, leading to thrombosis of the aneurysm. For complex wide-necked aneurysms, a stent may also aid packing of the aneurysm with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs) by acting as a rigid scaffold that prevents coil herniation into the parent vessel. Recently, improved stent system delivery technology has allowed access to the tortuous vascular segments of the intracranial system. The authors report here on the use of intracranial stents to treat aneurysms involving different segments of the internal carotid artery (ICA), the vertebral artery (VA), and the basilar artery (BA). METHODS Ten patients with intracranial aneurysms located at ICA segments (one petrous, two cavernous, and three paraclinoid aneurysms), the VA proximal to the posterior inferior cerebellar artery origin (one aneurysm), or the BA trunk (three aneurysms) were treated since January 1998. In eight patients, stent placement across the aneurysm neck was followed (immediately in four patients and at a separate procedure in the remaining four) by coil placement in the aneurysm, accomplished via a microcatheter through the stent mesh. In two patients, wide-necked aneurysms (one partially thrombosed BA trunk aneurysm and one paraclinoid segment aneurysm) were treated solely by stent placement; coil placement may follow later if necessary. No permanent periprocedural complications occurred and, at follow-up examination, no patient was found to have suffered symptoms referable to aneurysm growth or thromboembolic complications. Greater than 90% aneurysm occlusion was achieved in the eight patients treated by stent and coil placement as demonstrated on immediate postprocedural angiograms. Follow-up angiographic studies performed in six patients at least 3 months later (range 3-14 months) revealed only one incident of in-stent stenosis. In the four patients originally treated solely by stent placement, no evidence of aneurysm thrombosis was observed either immediately postprocedure or on follow-up angiographic studies performed 24 hours (two patients), 48 hours, and 3 months later, respectively. CONCLUSIONS A new generation of flexible stents can be used to treat complex aneurysms in difficult-to-access areas such as the proximal intracranial segments of the ICA, the VA, or the BA trunk. The stent allows tight coil packing even in the presence of a wide-necked, irregularly shaped aneurysm and may provide an endoluminal matrix for endothelial growth. Although convincing experimental evidence suggests that stent placement across the aneurysm neck may by itself promote intraluminal thrombosis, the role of this phenomenon in clinical practice may be limited at present by the high porosity of currently available stents.
Learning in Rare Risks and Asset Price Implications

The impact of rare risks such as natural disasters, terrorism and epidemics are an increasing force in society. Unlike the case of common risks, our inexperience in rare risks creates di ering views on the level of risk and the optimal form of risk management. Nonetheless, in both cases, the transfer of the nancial risk can play a role in risk management. This paper illustrates how risk class impacts the price of risk transfer. In each risk class, two kinds of risk transfer assets are considered: an aggregate transfer (a share in an insurance company) and a disaggregated transfer speci c to a particular risk (a catastrophe bond). Learning is harnessed to underline the di erences between the risk classes and examine the change in prices over time. Results demonstrate persistent pricing bene ts through disaggregation in rare risks. In contrast, these bene ts are not maintained in common risks.
Gamma Knife surgery in patients harboring orbital cavernous hemangiomas that were diagnosed on the basis of imaging findings.

OBJECT This study was undertaken to evaluate clinical outcomes and tumor control in patients harboring orbital cavernous hemangiomas (OCHs) that had been diagnosed based on findings of imaging studies and treated by Gamma Knife surgery (GKS). METHODS Between 1995 and 2008, 23 patients harboring OCHs that had been diagnosed on the basis of imaging findings were treated using GKS; complete follow-up data are available in all cases. The median treatment volume was 1.5 cm³ (range 0.15-10.10 cm³), the median tumor margin dose was 15 Gy (range 12-20 Gy), and the median follow-up period was 12 months (range 6-120 months). RESULTS A decrease in tumor size was found in 20 patients, and no tumor progression was observed after GKS. Eleven of 14 patients whose visual function had been adversely affected prior to treatment had improved visual acuity at the last assessment. Side effects of the procedure included orbital pain in 3 patients and chemosis in 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS In this preliminary experience, GKS proved to be an effective treatment for OCHs diagnosed on the basis of imaging findings. Additional follow-up is necessary, and the long-term side effects of the procedure still need to be determined.
Terahertz semiconductor-heterostructure lasers

Injection lasers based on interminiband transitions in GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures are operated in the THz range. Single-mode emission is achieved at 4.4THz, with output powers of 2.5mW and thresholds of few hundred A/cm/sup 2/ up to 50K.
Identification of microRNAs expressed highly in pancreatic islet‐like cell clusters differentiated from human embryonic stem cells

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune destruction of pancreatic islet beta cell disease, making it important to find a new alternative source of the islet beta cells to replace the damaged cells. hES (human embryonic stem) cells possess unlimited self‐renewal and pluripotency and thus have the potential to provide an unlimited supply of different cell types for tissue replacement. The hES‐T3 cells with normal female karyotype were first differentiated into EBs (embryoid bodies) and then induced to generate the T3pi (pancreatic islet‐like cell clusters derived from T3 cells), which expressed pancreatic islet cell‐specific markers of insulin, glucagon and somatostatin. The expression profiles of microRNAs and mRNAs from the T3pi were analysed and compared with those of undifferentiated hES‐T3 cells and differentiated EBs. MicroRNAs negatively regulate the expression of protein‐coding mRNAs. The T3pi showed very high expression of microRNAs, miR‐186, miR‐199a and miR‐339, which down‐regulated the expression of LIN28, PRDM1, CALB1, GCNT2, RBM47, PLEKHH1, RBPMS2 and PAK6. Therefore, these microRNAs and their target genes are very likely to play important regulatory roles in the development of pancreas and/or differentiation of islet cells, and they may be manipulated to increase the proportion of beta cells and insulin synthesis in the differentiated T3pi for cell therapy of type I diabetics.
THE EVALUATION OF MENTAL ABILITIES OF ATHLETES IN DIFFERENT BRANCHES

This paper aims to evaluate the levels of mental ability of licensed athletes who are actively engaged in sports at branch level in Turkey. A total of 340 athletes, including 116 women and 224 men, from various regions of Turkey who are actively engaged in sports at elite level in different branches voluntarily participated in the survey which evaluates their levels and techniques of mental training. It was considered important that athletes participated in the survey should be licensed and importance of the study was emphasized to them. The survey model was used in this study. Current information related to research problem was systematically given by scanning of relevant literature, so a theoretical framework on the subject was created. First of all, a twelve-question personal information form developed by researcher was applied. Ottawa Mental Skills Assessment tool (OMSAT-3) which is developed by Durand-Bush, Salmela and Green-Demers (2001) and adapted to Turkish language by Erhan, Guler, Agduman and Gerek was applied to evaluate the levels of athletes’ mental ability. In the adaptation phase, the scale was applied to 220 athletes and internal consistency value was found to be 0.94. The scale consists of 48 items and 12 subscales and these subscales are evenly divided into four items. The scale consists of a total of 48 items and constructed on a 7-point Likert-type. The scoring was formed from 1 to 7 according to the statements, “Strongly disagree”, “Disagree”, “Slightly disagree”, “Neither agree nor disagree”, “Agree”, “Slightly agree” and “Strongly agree”. Frequency Analysis was applied to determine the demographic characteristics of participants and Shapiro-Wilk Test was applied in order to decide whether the questionnaires are suitable to normal distribution and Mann-Whitney U test was applied in order to determine the dimensions according to parameters such as gender, marital status, and type of sports, level of contact and level of sport. Kruskal-Wallis H test was applied for analysis of the dimensions in terms of age, sports age and educational level. Finally, correlation analysis of Spearman was used in order to determine the relation between sub-dimensions of total satisfaction score. The significance level (p<0.05) was accepted in analysis. As a result, there is a significant difference in mental ability dimensions of active athletes in different branches according to their mental ability levels and variables such as age, type of sports, sports level and sports age. Therefore, it is observed that mental ability levels of athletes in different branches vary according to these variables. Article visualizations:
Hirschsprung Disease and Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract (CAKUT): A Novel Syndromic Association

Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) can be associated with Hirschsprung disease (HSCR). Based on the common genetic background of enteric nervous system and kidney development, the reported association of CAKUT and HSCR seems underestimated. Therefore, we designed a prospective study aimed at determining the prevalence of CAKUT in HSCR patients and at identifying RET, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and GDNF family receptor &agr;1 (GFR&agr;1) mutations or haplotypes associated with this subset of HSCR patients. Eighty-four HSCR patients consecutively admitted to our department between July 2006 and July 2007 underwent interviews, notes review, ultrasound screening (further investigation according to detected anomaly), urinalysis, and DNA extraction for molecular genetics study. Another 27 patients with isolated CAKUT were included as a control group for the molecular genetics study. Twenty-one patients (25%) with HSCR had associated CAKUT, with hydronephrosis and hypoplasia being the most frequent diagnoses. Nine of 21 CAKUT were symptomatic. Six additional patients had other non-CAKUT anomalies (for example, stones, Barter syndrome) that were excluded from association and molecular genetics analysis to avoid bias of inclusion criteria. RET mutations were found in 5 patients (4 HSCR, 1 HSCR + CAKUT, 0 CAKUT) and GDNF mutations in 3 (2 HSCR, 1 CAKUT, 0 HSCR + CAKUT). No GFR&agr;1 mutations were found. Finally, the HSCR-predisposing T haplotype of RET proto-oncogene was found in 64% of HSCR, 50% of HSCR + CAKUT, and in 24% of CAKUT patients. The incidence of CAKUT in HSCR patients is 4- to 6-fold higher than expected. Therefore, a patient with HSCR has a 3- to 18-fold higher risk of developing a CAKUT, particularly hydronephrosis or hypoplasia. If we consider that the proportion of predisposing haplotype in HSCR + CAKUT patients resembles that of other syndromic HSCR, we can conclude that HSCR + CAKUT has to be considered a novel syndromic association. These results need to be confirmed in a larger series. At present, we strongly suggest considering ultrasound screening of the urinary tract in every patient with a diagnosis of HSCR. Abbreviations: CAKUT = congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, GDNF = glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, GFR&agr;1 = glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor &agr;1 gene, HSCR = Hirschsprung disease, HSCR + CAKUT = association of Hirschsprung disease and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract, L-HSCR = long form of Hirschsprung disease, S-HSCR = short or classic form of Hirschsprung disease, SNP = single nucleotide polymorphism.