Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fifty years of multicentric Castleman's disease

Benjamin Castleman first described multicentric Castleman's disease (MCD) in a series of cases in 1954. Interest in MCD has grown in recent years following an association with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Castleman's disease is separated into localized disease and MCD. The latter is characterized by polylymphadenopathy and multiorgan involvement. Histologically, Castleman's disease is divided into the hyalinized vascular form and a plasma cell variant, the former being more common in localized disease and the latter more common in MCD. MCD is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV) infection, which is alternatively termed human herpesvirus 8 (HHV8). This virus encodes a homologue of interleukin 6 (vIL 6), which may mediate some systemic features of MCD. The diagnosis of Castleman's disease is established by biopsy and treatment is often based on published case reports only, as there are no randomized trials of therapy. Surgery has less of a role in MCD than in localized disease, but debulking by splenectomy may be useful to alleviate haematological sequelae. Systemic treatments for MCD have included chemotherapy, anti-herpesvirus treatments to reduce the KSHV viral load, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) to reduce HIV viraemia and latterly monoclonal antibodies against both IL 6 and CD20. The introduction of HAART has altered the natural history of HIV infection; however, its impact on MCD is difficult to ascertain. Optimization and consensus in treatment of these patients remains a target for the future.
Post-orthodontic position of lower incisors and gingival recession: A retrospective study

Background To evaluate if changes in lower incisor position following orthodontic treatment are correlated with development of gingival recessions. Material and Methods Pre- and post-treatment digital models and lateral cephalograms of 22 subjects were collected retrospectively. The clinical crown length, gingival scallop, and papilla height of the central lower incisor were measured along with the cephalometric incisor’s inclination, the distance from the mandibular plane, and the distance between the Infradentale and Menton points. Statistical correlations between gingival and cephalometric variables were studied. In addition, two groups were defined based on the post-treatment incisor inclination value (‘normal’ or ‘proclined’) and compared. Results The incisor inclination was correlated with the change in gingival scallop and papilla height. Moreover, there was a statistically significant difference in clinical crown height and gingival scallop between the ‘normal’ group and the ‘proclined’ group. Conclusions Changes in lower incisor position, especially an excessive proclination, after orthodontic treatment may play a role in the development of gingival recession. Key words:Orthodontic treatment, Incisor inclination, IMPA, Gingival recession, Alveolar bone.
The ketogenic diet in pharmacoresistant childhood epilepsy

Available pharmacologic treatments for seizures are limited in their efficacy. For a patient with seizures, pharmacologic treatment with available anticonvulsant medications leads to seizure control in <70% of patients. Surgical resection can lead to control in a select subset of patients but still leaves a significant number of patients with uncontrolled seizures. The ketogenic diet and related diets have proven to be useful in pharmacoresistant childhood epilepsy.
Bioactivation of Phytoestrogens: Intestinal Bacteria and Health

ABSTRACT Phytoestrogens are polyphenols similar to human estrogens found in plants or derived from plant precursors. Phytoestrogens are found in high concentration in soya, flaxseed and other seeds, fruits, vegetables, cereals, tea, chocolate, etc. They comprise several classes of chemical compounds (stilbenes, coumestans, isoflavones, ellagitannins, and lignans) which are structurally similar to endogenous estrogens but which can have both estrogenic and antiestrogenic effects. Although epidemiological and experimental evidence indicates that intake of phytoestrogens in foods may be protective against certain chronic diseases, discrepancies have been observed between in vivo and in vitro experiments. The microbial transformations have not been reported so far in stilbenes and coumestans. However, isoflavones, ellagitanins, and lignans are metabolized by intestinal bacteria to produce equol, urolithins, and enterolignans, respectively. Equol, urolithin, and enterolignans are more bioavailable, and have more estrogenic/antiestrogenic and antioxidant activity than their precursors. Moreover, equol, urolithins and enterolignans have anti-inflammatory effects and induce antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activities. The transformation of isoflavones, ellagitanins, and lignans by intestinal microbiota is essential to be protective against certain chronic diseases, as cancer, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and menopausal symptoms. Bioavailability, bioactivity, and health effects of dietary phytoestrogens are strongly determined by the intestinal bacteria of each individual.
Hippocampal‐thalamic wiring in medial temporal lobe epilepsy: Enhanced connectivity per hippocampal voxel

Medial temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with hippocampal sclerosis is often accompanied by widespread changes in ipsilateral and contralateral white matter connectivity. Recent studies have proposed that patients may show pathologically enhanced wiring of the limbic circuits. To better address this issue, we specifically probed connection patterns between hippocampus and thalamus and examined their impact on cognitive function.
Social media as a risk communication tool following Typhoon Haiyan.

PROBLEM In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative Office in the Philippines had no social media presence to share timely, relevant public health information. CONTEXT Risk communication is essential to emergency management for public health message dissemination. As social media sites, such as Facebook, are popular in the Philippines, these were adopted for risk communication during the response to Haiyan. ACTION AND OUTCOME The WHO Representative Office in the Philippines established Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Thirty days after these social medial channels were established, a gradual increase in followers was observed. Facebook saw the largest increase in followers which occurred as posted content gradually evolved from general public health information to more pro-active public health intervention and preparedness messaging. This included information on key health interventions encouraging followers to adopt protective behaviours to mitigate public health threats that frequently occur after a disaster. LESSONS LEARNT During the response to Haiyan, creating a social media presence, raising a follower base and developing meaningful messages and content was possible. This event underscored the importance of building a social media strategy in non-emergency times and supported the value of developing public health messages and content that both educates and interests the general public.
Bordetella pertussis surveillance in England and Wales: 1995–7

Available data sources on disease due to Bordetella pertussis, including notifications, hospital admissions, deaths, and an enhanced laboratory-based surveillance system commenced in January 1994, were reviewed for the period 1995–7. Pertussis notifications continued their approximately 3-year cycle although at historically reduced levels. A slight seasonal increase in late summer/early autumn existed over and above a relatively constant background rate. Over time, the proportion of pertussis cases in younger, unvaccinated children, and to a lesser extent, adolescents and young adults, is increasing. There is a continuing significant and under- reported mortality associated with pertussis in the very young age group. Disease due to serotype 1,2 is on the increase despite persistent high vaccination levels and this serotype causes more severe disease. The provision of preventative antibiotics prior to disease onset reduced the severity of the disease but its use remains uncommon in England and Wales. While overall levels of pertussis notifications have declined in recent times, vaccination efficacy wanes with increasing age, and pertussis remains a significant cause of mortality and severe morbidity in the very young. This could be reduced by timely booster vaccination and increased recognition of mild disease in older cases followed by early antibiotic therapy for the very young household contacts.
Environmental Impacts from Pesticide Use: A Case Study of Soil Fumigation in Florida Tomato Production

The search for alternative fumigants has been ongoing since the 1992 Parties of the Montreal Protocol classified methyl bromide as a Class I controlled substance with an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0.7 and destined it for phase-out. This paper focuses on the hazards from fumigants proposed as alternatives for pre-plant soil fumigation in tomato production. We use the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) developed by Kovach et al. to estimate the hazards from methyl bromide and the proposed alternative fumigants to workers, consumers, beneficial arthropods, birds, fish, and bees. Our findings indicate that iodomethane 98/2 has the lowest EIQ index value and field use rating, and is the alternative with the lowest relative risk. Among environmental categories, workers and beneficial arthropods experience the highest relative risks from the proposed tomato fumigants, and fish and consumers the least risks.
Aluminum-Based Mechanical and Electrical Laser Interconnection Process for Module Integration of Silicon Solar Cells

In this paper, an interconnection method for the module integration of silicon solar cells by laser microwelding of the Al-metalized rear side of the solar cell to a metalized substrate is introduced. This laser microwelding process forms a direct mechanical and electrical connection between two Al-layers without the need for any soldering, conductive adhesives, or Ag-pastes. With a tensile tester, we measure tear-off stresses of up to 303 kPa for our laser weld spots. Furthermore, carrier lifetime measurements show that no defects are induced into the Si-crystal by the laser process over a wide range of laser pulse energies and number of laser pulses. In order to demonstrate the applicability of this laser-based interconnection method, we present a proof-of-concept module consisting of five n-type back-junction back-contact solar cells with a conversion efficiency of 20.0%.
Vasoactive intestinal peptide, whose receptor‐mediated signalling may be defective in alopecia areata, provides protection from hair follicle immune privilege collapse

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder whose pathogenesis involves the collapse of the relative immune privilege (IP) of the hair follicle (HF). Given that vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is an immunoinhibitory neuropeptide released by perifollicular sensory nerve fibres, which play a role in IP maintenance, it may modulate human HF‐IP and thus be therapeutically relevant for AA.
Pilot study comparing the diffusion of two formulations of botulinum toxin type A in patients with forehead hyperhidrosis.

BACKGROUND Different formulations of botulinum toxin type A (BoNTA) may have different diffusion characteristics. OBJECTIVE The objective was to compare the diffusion characteristics of two formulations of BoNTA. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 20 patients with forehead hyperhidrosis received four injections of BoNTA in their forehead (one medial and lateral injection of one formulation randomly assigned to one forehead side, one medial and lateral injection of the other formulation to the other forehead side). Patients received 3 U/injection of BoNTA(1) (BOTOX, Allergan, Inc.) and were randomly assigned to receive BoNTA(2) (Dysport, Ipsen Ltd.) at a dose ratio of 1:2.5, 1:3, or 1:4. The area of anhidrosis was highlighted using iodine and starch and determined by software from standardized photography. RESULTS During the 6 months after treatment, the area of anhidrosis was larger with BoNTA(2) in 93% (195/210) of medial-medial or lateral-lateral comparisons of the two products and at all dose ratios. The smaller area of anhidrosis with BoNTA(1) did not compromise its efficacy in inhibiting contraction of frontalis muscle. CONCLUSION BoNTA(2) has a greater area of diffusion in the forehead than BoNTA(1), even with identical injection volumes. This may hinder accurate localization of clinical effect, thereby increasing the potential for adverse effects.
Mitochondrial injury, oxidative stress, and antioxidant gene expression are induced by hepatitis C virus core protein.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The mechanisms of liver injury in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are poorly understood. Indirect evidence suggests that oxidative stress and mitochondrial injury play a role. The aim of this study was to determine if the HCV core protein itself alters mitochondrial function and contributes to oxidative stress. METHODS HCV core protein was expressed in 3 different cell lines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation products were measured. RESULTS Core expression uniformly increased ROS. In 2 inducible expression systems, core protein also increased lipid peroxidation products and induced antioxidant gene expression as well. A mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor prevented the core-induced increase in ROS. A fraction of the expressed core protein localized to the mitochondria and was associated with redistribution of cytochrome c from mitochondrial to cytosolic fractions. Sensitivity to oxidative stress was also seen in HCV transgenic mice in which increased intrahepatic lipid peroxidation products occurred in response to carbon tetrachloride. CONCLUSIONS Oxidative injury occurs as a direct result of HCV core protein expression both in vitro and in vivo and may involve a direct effect of core protein on mitochondria. These results provide new insight into the pathogenesis of hepatitis C and provide an experimental rationale for investigation of antioxidant therapy.
Low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for CPAP acceptance among adult OSAS patients requiring treatment.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To evaluate whether socioeconomic status (SES) has a role in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) patients' decision to accept continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment. DESIGN Cross-sectional study; patients were recruited between March 2007 and December 2007. SETTING University-affiliated sleep laboratory. PATIENTS 162 consecutive newly diagnosed (polysomnographically) adult OSAS patients who required CPAP underwent attendant titration and a 2-week adaptation period. RESULTS 40% (n = 65) of patients who required CPAP therapy accepted this treatment. Patients accepting CPAP were older, had higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and higher income level, and were more likely to sleep in a separate room than patients declining CPAP treatment. More patients who accepted treatment also reported receiving positive information about CPAP treatment from family or friends. Multiple logistic regression (after adjusting for age, body mass index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and AHI) revealed that CPAP purchase is determined by: each increased income level category (OR, 95% CI) (2.4; 1.2-4.6), age + 1 year (1.07; 1.01-1.1), AHI ( > or = 35 vs. < 35 events/hr) (4.2, 1.4-12.0), family and/or friends with positive experience of CPAP (2.9, 1.1-7.5), and partner sleeps separately (4.3, 1.4-13.3). CONCLUSIONS In addition to the already known determinants of CPAP acceptance, patients with low SES are less receptive to CPAP treatment than groups with higher SES. CPAP support and patient education programs should be better tailored for low SES people in order to increase patient treatment initiation and adherence.
Stereo Vision Methods: From Development to the Evaluation of Disparity Maps

The challenge in building disparity maps is to determine the best method to calculate consistency among points and use it to approximate the differences between the views. Fortunately, the number of methods to construct disparity maps have increased in the last years. On the other hand, a lot of work needs to be done to evaluate these methods by using different arguments. Besides, it is not clear enough how to build stereo vision algorithms with concepts as reuse and scalability. Thus, we propose a software design architecture to be applied in stereo vision systems. Furthermore, we have implemented disparity methods to perform an evaluation which objective was to determine what cost function better fits in each method analyzed. We conclude that MLMH method with SSD cost function is a good choice to be applied in the scenes we have selected, according to the statistical analysis performed.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATING MICROCYSTINS PRODUCTION TO MICROCYSTIS AERUGINOSA IN A RESERVOIR OF THAILAND

ABSTRACT Three heptapeptide toxins, microcystin-RR, microcystin-RY and microcystin-LR, which can cause health problems in animals and humans were monitored in Bang Phra Reservoir, Thailand using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography. The concentrations of the three toxins in the reservoir varied greatly depending on location and time water samples were collected. Water quality parameters such as light intensity, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, suspended solid, chemical oxygen demand, dissolved organic carbon, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate, phosphate, total dissolved nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus and chlorophyll-a were also measured in parallel with microcystin determinations. Relationships among water quality parameters, toxins and chlorophyll-a were established. Toxin concentration increased in proportion to increases in total phosphorus, fraction of dissolved phosphorus, but was inversely correlated with water pH and total suspended solids. The other measured parameters in the study showed no correlations to toxin level in reservoir water. Significant correlations between chlorophyll-a and suspended solids, phosphate, nitrate and ammonia were observed suggesting that nitrogen and phosphorus are the two major nutrients governing growth of algae in the reservoir. This relationship suggests that algal production as well as toxin concentration are dependant on nutrient levels in the water body, since both measured light intensity and temperature level was favorable for algal growth. A small algal bloom observed in the rainy season of each year (lasting for only a couple of months) paralleled measured increases in toxin concentration, chlorophyll-a, TP and TN in the water column. Toxin level in the water column remain detectable for 3--4 months period following the initiation of algal bloom. Results indicate that major blooms are likely to occur following the raining season which usually occurs near the end of October when runoff would increase nutrient level entering the reservoir. This study also demonstrated that an ongoing field-monitoring program is needed in these lakes and reservoirs for predicting toxic level of microcystin production for use in risk assessment and for alerting the public to potential health hazards. Concentration of toxin in the reservoir can perhaps be controlled by reducing non point source nutrient input within the watershed.
Tax Setting in a Federal System: The Case of Personal Income Taxation in Canada ∗

In a decentralised tax system, the effects of tax policies enacted by one government are not confined to its own jurisdiction. First, if both the regional and the federal levels of government co-occupy the same fields of taxation, tax rate increases by one layer of government will reduce taxes collected by the other. Second, if the tax base is mobile, tax rate increases by one regional government will raise the amount of taxes collected by other regional governments. These sources of fiscal interdependence are called in the literature vertical and horizontal tax externalities, respectively. Third, as Smart (1998) shows, if equalisation transfers are present, an increase in the standard equalisation tax rate provides incentives to raise taxes to the receiving provinces. A way to check the empirical relevance of these hypotheses is to test for the existence of interactions between the regional tax rate, on the one hand, and the federal tax rate, the tax rate set by competing regions, and the standard equalisation tax rate, on the other hand. Following this approach, this paper estimates provincial tax setting functions with data on Canadian personal income taxation for the period 1982‐1996. We find a significant positive response of provincial tax rates to changes in the federal income tax rate, the tax rates of competing provinces, and the standard equalisation rate (only for receiving provinces). We also find that the reaction to horizontal competition is stronger in the provinces that do not receive equalisation transfers.
To engage or not to engage with host governments: Corporate political activity and host country political risk

We analyze how a host market’s institutional context can influence an MNE’s senior management’s choice and deployment of corporate political activity (CPA). First, we argue that a non-engaged approach to CPA is likely to be chosen when senior management perceives high host-country political risk, arising not only from host-country political institutions, but also from the distance between home and host-government relations. Second, we propose that the deployment of this approach can require active adaptation through four political strategies: low-visibility, ensuring a minimal degree of general attention from other actors; rapid-compliance, entailing high speed actions to obey the rules; reconfiguration, involving re-arranging the MNE’s structure and processes for competitiveness; and anticipation, implying the prediction of public policy and analysis of interest groups to anticipate responses.
Attitudes and use of rubber dam by Irish general dental practitioners.

AIM To investigate the attitudes towards and use of rubber dam by Irish general dental practitioners. METHODOLOGY A pre-piloted questionnaire was distributed amongst a group of 600 dentists randomly selected from the Irish Register of Dentists. Replies from dentists working in specialist practice or the hospital dental service were excluded. Dentists were surveyed in relation to their use of rubber dam during a variety of operative and root canal treatments, as well as their attitudes to the use of rubber dam in dental practice. RESULTS A total of 300 replies were considered from a total of 324 that were received. Seventy-seven per cent of respondents (n=231) worked in general dental practice and 23% (n=69) worked in the Irish Health Board/Community Dental Service. Rubber dam was 'never' used by 77% of respondents (n=228) when placing amalgam restorations in posterior teeth, 52% (n=147) when placing composite restorations in posterior teeth, and 59% (n=177) when placing composite restorations in anterior teeth. Rubber dam was 'never' used by 39% of respondents (n=114) when performing root canal treatment on anterior teeth; 32% (n = 84) when performing root canal treatment on premolar teeth; and 26% (n=51) when performing root canal treatment on molar teeth. Fifty-seven per cent (n=171) considered rubber dam 'cumbersome and difficult to apply', and 41% (n=123) considered throat pack 'as good a prevention against inhalation of endodontic instruments as rubber dam'. CONCLUSIONS Whilst rubber dam is used more frequently for root canal treatment than operative treatment, its use is limited. This presents quality issues, as well as medico-legal and safety concerns for both the profession and patients.