Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Loteprednol Etabonate in Ocular Inflammation

members, healthcare plans, ophthalmic clinics, and workplace productivity due to health-related absenteeism. The cost of prescription medicines for ocular allergy was estimated at over $200 million in the US in 2002, with a projected rise of 25% per year as prescription medicines continue to improve and show benefit over less efficacious over-the-counter products. Ocular inflammatory conditions such as seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), atopic keratoconjunctivitis (AKC), uveitis, dry eye, and routine post-operative inflammation are often treated with corticosteroids. For decades, topical corticosteroids have been used successfully to reduce the signs and symptoms of intraocular and ocular surface inflammation, providing maximal drug delivery to the local target site.
Effects of Poloxamer 188 on red blood cell membrane properties in sickle cell anaemia

Vaso‐occlusive crisis (VOC) is the main acute complication in sickle cell anaemia (SS) and several clinical trials are investigating different drugs to improve the clinical severity of SS patients. A phase III study is currently exploring the profit of Velopoloxamer in SS during VOCs. We analysed, in‐vitro, the effect of poloxamer (P188) on red blood cell (RBC) properties by investigating haemorheology, mechanical and adhesion functions using ektacytometry, microfluidics and dynamic adhesion approaches, respectively. We show that poloxamer significantly reduces blood viscosity, RBC aggregation and adhesion to endothelial cells, supporting the beneficial use of this molecule in SS therapy.
Portage rhinopharyngé de Streptococcus pneumoniae chez les enfants

Le rhinopharynx de l'enfant a une flore bacterienne residante. C'est un ecosysteme complexe, comportant de nombreuses especes bacteriennes qui, d'une part, protegent en partie contre l'implantation de bacteries etrangeres, et d'autre part, constituent le reservoir des bacteries impliquees dans les principales infections respiratoires, notamment les otites moyennes aigues (OMA), et d’infections graves comme les bacteriemies et les meningites. La majorite des enfants sont porteurs de Streptococcus pneumoniae a un moment ou autre de leur vie, mais ce dernier est plus important a l’âge prescolaire. L’objectif de ce travail est de faire la mise au point concernant S. pneumoniae a savoir le portage rhinopharynge chez les enfants âges de moins de deux ans, la prevalence, les facteurs de risque et l’impact du vaccin conjugue anti-pneumococcique sur l’incidence des infections invasives et sur la transmission et la dissemination des souches resistantes. Mots cles : Streptococcus pneumoniae , portage, resistance, vaccin anti-pneumococcique
Heavy-ion tumor therapy: Physical and radiobiological benefits

High-energy beams of charged nuclear particles (protons and heavier ions) offer significant advantages for the treatment of deep-seated local tumors in comparison to conventional megavolt photon therapy. Their physical depth-dose distribution in tissue is characterized by a small entrance dose and a distinct maximum (Bragg peak) near the end of range with a sharp fall-off at the distal edge. Taking full advantage of the well-defined range and the small lateral beam spread, modern scanning beam systems allow delivery of the dose with millimeter precision. In addition, projectiles heavier than protons such as carbon ions exhibit an enhanced biological effectiveness in the Bragg peak region caused by the dense ionization of individual particle tracks resulting in reduced cellular repair. This makes them particularly attractive for the treatment of radio-resistant tumors localized near organs at risk. While tumor therapy with protons is a well-established treatment modality with more than 60 000 patients treated worldwide, the application of heavy ions is so far restricted to a few facilities only. Nevertheless, results of clinical phase I-II trials provide evidence that carbon-ion radiotherapy might be beneficial in several tumor entities. This article reviews the progress in heavy-ion therapy, including physical and technical developments, radiobiological studiesmore » and models, as well as radiooncological studies. As a result of the promising clinical results obtained with carbon-ion beams in the past ten years at the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator facility (Japan) and in a pilot project at GSI Darmstadt (Germany), the plans for new clinical centers for heavy-ion or combined proton and heavy-ion therapy have recently received a substantial boost. « less
Trigeminal transition zone/rostral ventromedial medulla connections and facilitation of orofacial hyperalgesia after masseter inflammation in rats

Recent studies have implicated a role for the trigeminal interpolaris/caudalis (Vi/Vc) transition zone in response to orofacial injury. Using combined neuronal tracing and Fos protein immunocytochemistry, we investigated functional connections between the Vi/Vc transition zone and rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM), a key structure in descending pain modulation. Rats were injected with a retrograde tracer, FluoroGold, into the RVM 7 days before injection of an inflammatory agent, complete Freund's adjuvant, into the masseter muscle and perfused at 2 hours postinflammation. A population of neurons in the ventral Vi/Vc overlapping with caudal ventrolateral medulla, and lamina V of the trigeminal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), exhibited FluoroGold/Fos double staining, suggesting the activation of the trigeminal‐RVM pathway after inflammation. No double‐labeled neurons were found in the dorsal Vi/Vc and laminae I–IV of Vc. Injection of an anterograde tracer, Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin, into the RVM resulted in labeling profiles overlapped with the region that showed FluoroGold/Fos double labeling, suggesting reciprocal connections between RVM and Vi/Vc. Lesions of Vc with a soma‐selective neurotoxin, ibotenic acid, significantly reduced inflammation‐induced Fos expression as well as the number of FluoroGold/Fos double‐labeled neurons in the ventral Vi/Vc (P < 0.05). Compared with control rats, lesions of the RVM (n = 6) or Vi/Vc (n = 6) with ibotenic acid led to the elimination or attenuation of masseter hyperalgesia/allodynia developed after masseter inflammation (P < 0.05–0.01). The present study demonstrates reciprocal connections between the ventral Vi/Vc transition zone and RVM. The Vi/Vc‐RVM pathway is activated after orofacial deep tissue injury and plays a critical role in facilitating orofacial hyperalgesia. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:510–523, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bordetella parapertussis from lambs.

Abstract Extract Madam:—An organism identified as Bordetella parapertussis has been isolated in significant numbers from nasal swabs, bronchial washings and the lungs of 6–10 month old lambs showing signs of pneumonia. It has also been isolated from normal lambs but attempts to recover it from adult sheep have so far been unsuccessful (Table I).
Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy: Physician Experience and Enhanced Adherence to Prescription Refill

Objective To identify patient and physician characteristics that may act as determinants of adherence to prescription refill of triple combination antiretroviral therapy. Methods A population-based analysis of antiretroviral therapy-naive HIV-positive men and women in British Columbia, Canada, who initiated triple combination therapy between August 1 1996 and October 31 1998. Study participants were considered adherent if they were actually dispensed antiretrovirals ≥95% over the first year of therapy. Log-binomial regression was used to identify patient and physician characteristics associated with adherence to prescription refill. Results Of the 886 individuals eligible for analysis, 495 (56%) were ≥95% adherent to prescription refill. In multivariate analysis, adherence was positively associated with increased age [adjusted relative rate (ARR) 1.19; 95% CI: 1.07–1.32], having a diagnosis of AIDS (ARR 1.66; 95% CI: 1.29–2.15), being male (ARR 1.79; 95% CI: 1.27–2.53), and with greater experience of the treating physician (ARR 1.27; 95% CI: 1.13–1.42). History of injection drug use was negatively associated with adherence to prescription refill (ARR 0.65; 95% CI: 0.51–0.83), as was increased pill burden (per pill daily) (ARR 0.95; 95% CI: 0.92–0.99). A sub-analysis of 316 patients who provided additional data regarding psychosocial characteristics indicated that adherence was positively associated with physician experience (ARR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09–1.51) and being employed (ARR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.14–2.21), and negatively associated with a history of injection drug use (ARR: 0.61; 95% CI: 0.43–0.85). Conclusion While patient disease stage and personal characteristics may play an important role in patient adherence to prescription refill of complex therapeutic regimens, our findings indicate that HIV-experienced physicians may have greater success in maintaining patients on prescribed therapy.
Engineering Herbicide Metabolism in Tobacco and Arabidopsis with CYP76B1, a Cytochrome P450 Enzyme from Jerusalem Artichoke1

The Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) xenobiotic inducible cytochrome P450, CYP76B1, catalyzes rapid oxidative dealkylation of various phenylurea herbicides to yield nonphytotoxic metabolites. We have found that increased herbicide metabolism and tolerance can be achieved by ectopic constitutive expression of CYP76B1 in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) and Arabidopsis. Transformation with CYP76B1 conferred on tobacco and Arabidopsis a 20-fold increase in tolerance to linuron, a compound detoxified by a single dealkylation, and a 10-fold increase in tolerance to isoproturon or chlortoluron, which need successive catalytic steps for detoxification. Two constructs for expression of translational fusions of CYP76B1 with P450 reductase were prepared to test if they would yield even greater herbicide tolerance. Plants expressing these constructs had lower herbicide tolerance than CYP76B1 alone, which is apparently a consequence of reduced stability of the fusion proteins. In all cases, increased herbicide tolerance results from more extensive metabolism, as demonstrated with exogenously fed phenylurea. Beside increased herbicide tolerance, expression of CYP76B1 has no other visible phenotype in the transgenic plants. Our data indicate that CYP76B1 can function as a selectable marker for plant transformation, allowing efficient selection in vitro and in soil-grown plants. Plants expressing CYP76B1 may also be a potential tool for phytoremediation of contaminated sites.
Analysis and future trend of short-circuit power

A closed-form expression for short-circuit power dissipation of CMOS gates is presented which takes short-channel effects into consideration. The calculation results show good agreement with the SPICE simulation results over wide range of load capacitance and channel length. The change in the short-circuit power, P/sub S/, caused by the scaling in relation to the charging and discharging power, P/sub D/, is discussed and it is shown that basically power ratio, P/sub S//(P/sub D/+P/sub S/), will not change with scaling if V/sub TH//V/sub DD/ is kept constant. This paper also handles the short-circuit power of series-connected MOSFET structures which appear in NAND and other complex gates.
Gonadotropin-regulated Testicular RNA Helicase (GRTH/Ddx25) Is a Transport Protein Involved in Gene-specific mRNA Export and Protein Translation during Spermatogenesis*

Gonadotropin-regulated testicular RNA helicase (GRTH/Ddx25), a member of the DEAD-box protein family, is essential for completion of spermatogenesis. GRTH is present in the cytoplasm and nucleus of meiotic spermatocytes and round spermatids and functions as a component of mRNP particles, implicating its post-transcriptional regulatory roles in germ cells. In this study, GRTH antibodies specific to N- or C-terminal sequences showed differential subcellular expression of GRTH 56- and 61-kDa species in nucleus and cytoplasm, respectively, of rodent testis and transfected COS1 cells. The 56-kDa nuclear species interacted with CRM1 and participated in mRNA transport. The phosphorylated cytoplasmic 61-kDa species was associated with polyribosomes. Confocal studies on COS-1 cells showed that GRTH-GFP was retained in the nucleus by treatment with a RNA polymerase inhibitor or the nuclear protein export inhibitor. This indicated that GRTH is a shuttling protein associated with RNA export. The N-terminal leucine-rich region (61-74 amino acids) was identified as the nuclear export signal that participated in CRM1-dependent nuclear export pathway. Deletion analysis identified a 14-amino acid GRTH sequence (100-114 amino acids) as a nuclear localization signal. GRTH selectively regulated the translation of specific genes including histone 4 and HMG2 in germ cells. In addition, GRTH participated in the nuclear export of RNA messages (PGK2, tACE, and TP2) in a gene-specific manner. These studies strongly indicate that the mammalian GRTH/Ddx25 gene is a multifunctional RNA helicase that is an essential regulator of sperm maturation.
Arctic ocean acidification : pelagic ecosystem and biogeochemical responses during a mesocosm study ”

U. Riebesell 1, J.-P. Gattuso2,3, T. F. Thingstad4, and J. J. Middelburg5 1GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany 2INSU-CNRS, Laboratoire d’Oć eanographie de Villefranche, Villefranche sur Mer, France 3Universit́e Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, Observatoire Oc éanologie de Villefranche, Villefranche sur Mer, France 4Department of Biology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway 5Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Class AB two stage and folded cascode OpAmps based on a squaring circuit

This paper presents a novel adaptive bias technique based on the use of squaring circuits. Here, the tail current of an operational amplifier (OpAmp) is controlled using an auxiliary circuit. By design, it generates a well-controlled tail current which - to a first order approximation - is independent of the OpAmp's common-mode input voltage. As a result, parameters like common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR) and power supply rejection ratio (PSRR) are enhanced. However, when a differential input signal is applied, it generates a tail current proportional to the square of the OpAmp's differential input voltage. In this way, the currents of the OpAmp's input pairs are boosted, thus improving slew rate. Experimental results in 0.5 μm CMOS technology verify current and slew rate enhancement factors between 10 and 15 with less than 20% static current increase.
Rhoticité et dérhoticisation en anglais écossais d’Ayrshire (Rhoticity and derhoticisation in Ayrshire Scottish English) [in French]

RESUME ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ L’anglais écossais est typiquement décrit comme une variété rhotique, dont les variantes rhotiques typiques sont des taps [ɾ] et des approximantes [ɹ] (Wells, 1982 : 411). En position non-prévocalique, les études récentes indiquent non seulement que /r/ est extrêmement variable, mais aussi qu’un processus de dérhoticisation semble en cours dans cet accent, conduisant à la vocalisation voire la perte de /r/ en coda (Romaine, 1978 ; Stuart-Smith, 2007 ; Stuart-Smith et al., 2007 ; Lawson et al., 2008 ; Llamas, 2010 ; Pukli & Jauriberry, 2011). L’analyse acoustique de huit locuteurs d’Ayrshire a montré d’une part une grande variation dans la réalisation de /r/, en relation avec différents facteurs internes et externes (notamment l’âge). D’autre part, l’analyse en temps apparent indique deux changements, apparemment menés par les jeunes femmes : la lénition du tap [ɾ] vers l’approximante [ɹ], et la vocalisation voire la perte de /r/ nonprévocalique.
Toward more realism and robustness in global illumination. (Vers plus de réalisme et de robustesse en simulation de l'éclairage global)

One of the main goal in computer graphics is to generate an image that matches the user intent. To do that, the user has to go through several steps. The first step, named « Rendering engine », aims to precisely simulate light interactions with the objects of a 3D scene. At the end of this step, an image is generated. This image is represented by photometric values. Then, the user moves on to the second step, named « Post-production », where she/he applies several transformations to the computer generated images. To make the final image be in line with her/his expectations, the user can modify the 3D scene or change parameter values used throughout the different steps. Two main research avenues are investigated: acceleration of the generation of computer generated images and the development of user assistance tools allowing to satisfy the user's intent. First, we have developed computer graphics algorithms that generate high quality images. These techniques often rely on a stochastic process. They randomly construct light paths. However, in some particular setup, it turns out that these algorithms are inefficient. This is the case when rendering participating media for which a huge amount of light interactions is needed. These interactions entail a costly computing time. In order to reduce the rendering time, we have proposed a new discrete approach that runs on the GPU. However, there exist several limitations with this type of technique. To overcome these limitations, we have developed a second approach based on progressive photon mapping. Furthermore, in complex scenes, it is difficult to find valid light paths. This is why, our algorithm is based on Metropolis-Hasting. This type of technique allows to explore locally the path space but still have several drawbacks. The main drawback is that the algorithm does not distribute evenly the error over the image space. We have proposed a novel approach to address this issue. In the second part of this PhD, we are interested in the "post-production" step. A new technique has been developed to estimate the main illuminant in a scene. Knowing this main illuminant is crucial for color transformations. Moreover, we have developed a technique that optimizes automatically the lighting setup in a 3D scene to meet the user's expectations.
Analyzing Health Outcomes Through International Comparisons

There is increasing interest in the conduct of international studies that compare health care outcomes. This paper draws from the literature in sociology, anthropology, and psychology to examine the problems that can be encountered when collecting primary data for comparative purposes. Issues of study design, selection, development, and adaptation of instruments, problems encountered in collecting primary data, and techniques for analyzing comparative data are discussed. The paper is intended as a primer for health services researchers conducting comparative outcomes research in international settings.
Detection of coronary occlusions using autoregressive modeling of diastolic heart sounds

Recordings of diastolic heart sound segments were modeled by autoregressive (AR) methods including the adaptive recursive least-squares lattice (RLSL) and the gradient lattice predictor (GAL). Application of the Akaike criterion demonstrated that between 5 and 15 AR coefficients are required to describe a diastolic segment completely. The reflection coefficients, prediction coefficients, zeros of the polynomial of the inverse filter, and AR spectrum were determined over a number (N=20-30) of diastolic segments. Preliminary results indicate that the averaged AR spectrum and the zeros of the inverse filter polynomial can be used to distinguish between normal patients and those with coronary artery disease. <<ETX>>
NuMA: A nuclear protein involved in mitotic centrosome function

Nuclear mitotic apparatus protein, NuMA, is an abundant 240 kDa protein with microtubule (MT) binding capacity via its carboxyl terminal region. Structurally, it has been shown to be a double‐strand coiled‐coil that has a high potential to form filamentous polymers. During interphase, NuMA locates within the nucleus but rapidly redistributes to the separating centrosomes during early mitosis. Xenopus NuMA associates with MT minus end‐directed motor cytoplasmic dynein and its motility‐activating complex dynactin at mitotic centrosomal regions. This NuMA‐motor complex binds the free ends of MTs, converging and tethering spindle MT ends to the poles. A similar scenario appears to be true in higher vertebrates as well. As a mitotic centrosomal component, NuMA is essential for the organization and stabilization of spindle poles from early mitosis until at least the onset of anaphase. The cell cycle‐dependent distribution and function of NuMA is regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation, and p34/CDC2 activity is important to the mitotic role of NuMA. This review summarizes data about the structural features and mitotic function of NuMA with particular emphasis on the newly discovered NuMA‐motor complex in spindle organization. Furthermore, NuMA may represent a large group of proteins whose mitotic function is sequestered in the nucleus during interphase. Microsc. Res. Tech. 49:467–477, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Immunohistochemical Profile of Breast Cancer Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital in New Delhi, India.

BACKGROUND To assess the immunohistochemical expression of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR) and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) neu receptor in breast cancer and their associations with various clinicopathological characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of women who presented with primary, unilateral breast cancer in the Department of Medical Oncology at Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Delhi, India during the period from January 2008 to December 2011. Data were retrieved from the medical records of the hospital including both early and locally advanced cancer cases. ER, PgR and HER2neu expression in these patients was assessed and triple negative patients were identified. Associations of triple negative and non-triple negative groups with clinicopathological characteristics were also evaluated. RESULTS A total of 1,284 women (mean age 52.1 years, 41.9% premenopausal) were included in the analysis. Hormone receptor positivity (ER and/or PgR) was seen in 63.4% patients, while 23.8% of tumors were triple negative. Only 23.0% were HER2 positive. Around 10.0% of tumors were both ER and HER2 positive. ER and PgR positivity was significantly associated with negative HER2 status (p-value<0.0001). Younger age, premenopausal status, higher tumor grade, lymph node negativity, advanced cancer stage, and type of tumor were strongly associated with triple negativity. Significantly, a smaller proportion of women had ductal carcinoma in situ in the triple negative group compared with the non-triple negative group (35.6% versus 60.8%, p-value<0.01). CONCLUSIONS The present analysis is one of the largest studies from India. The majority of the Indian breast cancer patients seen in our hospital present with ER and PgR positive tumors. The triple negative patients tended to be younger, premenopausal, and were associated with higher tumor grades, negative lymph nodes status and lower frequency of ductal carcinoma in situ.