Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Retinoic acid and arsenic trioxide for acute promyelocytic leukemia.

BACKGROUND All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) with chemotherapy is the standard of care for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), resulting in cure rates exceeding 80%. Pilot studies of treatment with arsenic trioxide with or without ATRA have shown high efficacy and reduced hematologic toxicity. METHODS We conducted a phase 3, multicenter trial comparing ATRA plus chemotherapy with ATRA plus arsenic trioxide in patients with APL classified as low-to-intermediate risk (white-cell count, ≤10×10(9) per liter). Patients were randomly assigned to receive either ATRA plus arsenic trioxide for induction and consolidation therapy or standard ATRA-idarubicin induction therapy followed by three cycles of consolidation therapy with ATRA plus chemotherapy and maintenance therapy with low-dose chemotherapy and ATRA. The study was designed as a noninferiority trial to show that the difference between the rates of event-free survival at 2 years in the two groups was not greater than 5%. RESULTS Complete remission was achieved in all 77 patients in the ATRA-arsenic trioxide group who could be evaluated (100%) and in 75 of 79 patients in the ATRA-chemotherapy group (95%) (P=0.12). The median follow-up was 34.4 months. Two-year event-free survival rates were 97% in the ATRA-arsenic trioxide group and 86% in the ATRA-chemotherapy group (95% confidence interval for the difference, 2 to 22 percentage points; P<0.001 for noninferiority and P=0.02 for superiority of ATRA-arsenic trioxide). Overall survival was also better with ATRA-arsenic trioxide (P=0.02). As compared with ATRA-chemotherapy, ATRA-arsenic trioxide was associated with less hematologic toxicity and fewer infections but with more hepatic toxicity. CONCLUSIONS ATRA plus arsenic trioxide is at least not inferior and may be superior to ATRA plus chemotherapy in the treatment of patients with low-to-intermediate-risk APL. (Funded by Associazione Italiana contro le Leucemie and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00482833.).
Management of adnexal masses: role and risk of laparoscopy.

Laparoscopic surgery has become the gold standard in the treatment of benign adnexal masses, whereas laparotomy remains the standard for the treatment of malignant tumors. The laparoscopic management of adnexal masses remains controversial because of the potential risks of cancer dissemination suggested by many case reports and national surveys. Experimental data show potential advantages and disadvantages for the laparoscopic treatment of gynecologic cancer. Since the risk of dissemination appears high when a large number of malignant cells are present, adnexal tumors with external growths and bulky lymph nodes may be considered contra-indications to CO(2) laparoscopy. Surgical diagnosis is the key to adequate management of adnexal masses. In our experience, laparoscopic diagnosis of malignancy is reliable after a careful pre-operative evaluation has been performed. Moreover, national surveys have revealed that despite suspicious laparoscopic findings, many malignant masses were considered benign at the outset. Using strict guidelines, laparoscopic diagnosis can be proposed for both non-suspicious and complex masses, thus avoiding many unnecessary laparotomies for benign masses suspicious at ultrasound. The more controversial limits of laparoscopic treatment are discussed. If a laparotomy was performed for all masses suspicious at surgery, 80% of the cases would be treated by laparoscopy. The role of laparoscopy for restaging and second-look operations for ovarian cancer requires further evaluation.
A DELAY-DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION MODEL OF HIV INFECTION OF CD4 + T-CELLS

In this paper, we introduce a discrete time to the model to describe the time between infection of a CD4 + T-cells, and the emission of viral particles on a cellular level. We study the efiect of the time delay on the stability of the endemically infected equi- librium, criteria are given to ensure that the infected equilibrium is asymptotically stable for all delay. We also obtain the condition for existence of an orbitally asymptotically stable periodic solution. Mathematical modelling has proven to be valuable in understand- ing the dynamics of HIV-1 infection. By direct application of models to data obtained from experiments in which antiretroviral drugs were given to perturb the dynamical state of infection in HIV-1 infected pa- tients, minimal estimates of the death rate of productively infected cells, the rate of viral clearance and the viral production rate have been ob- tained (1{6). Those models gave so accurate depiction of the virus load which are almost consistent with the actual data. The research of math- ematical models is very helpful for the clinical treatment. Especially, the models of combination therapy provide very important meaning for the cure of HIV. However, infection by HIV-1 and HCV has many puzzling quantitative features. For example, there is an average 10 years between infection with the virus and the AIDS in adults. The reason for this time lag remains largely unknown, although it seems tied to changes in the number of circulating CD4 + T cells. The major target of HIV infection
Soluble ST2 Blocks Interleukin-33 Signaling in Allergic Airway Inflammation*

The ST2 gene produces a soluble secreted form and a transmembrane form, referred to as soluble ST2 and ST2L, respectively. A recent study has reported that interleukin (IL)-33 is a specific ligand of ST2L and induces production of T helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines. Although soluble ST2 is highly produced in sera of asthmatic patients and plays a critical role for production of Th2 cytokines, the function of soluble ST2 in relation to IL-33 signaling remains unclear. Here we show antagonistic effects of soluble ST2 on IL-33 signaling using a murine thymoma EL-4 cells stably expressing ST2L and a murine model of asthma. Soluble ST2 directly bound to IL-33 and suppressed activation of NF-κB in EL-4 cells stably expressing ST2L, suggesting that the complex of soluble ST2 and IL-33 fails to bind to ST2L. In a murine model of asthma, pretreatment with soluble ST2 reduced production of IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 from IL-33-stimulated splenocytes. These results indicate that soluble ST2 acts as a negative regulator of Th2 cytokine production by the IL-33 signaling. Our study provides a molecular mechanism wherein soluble ST2 modulates the biological activity of IL-33 in allergic airway inflammation.
Pleasant memories: remembering immune protection while forgetting about graft-versus-host disease.

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality following conventional allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A study in mice (see related article on pages 101–108) demonstrates that the selective administration of donor memory CD4+ T cells results in immune reconstitution without GVHD, a result that, if translatable to humans, has important clinical implications for HSCT.
L-propionyl carnitine protects erythrocytes and low density lipoproteins against peroxidation.

The effects of peroxidation on the erythrocytes of rats orally treated with L-propionyl carnitine for 15 days (50 mg/kg/day) were investigated. Peroxidation was produced by incubating the cells in the presence of the cytotoxic system: lactoperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide and iodide ions. Lysis of erythrocytes was evaluated by measuring the turbidity following the decrease in absorbance at 600 nm. The 50% of erythrocyte lysis of untreated animals was observed after 16 min and in about 30 min all the cells were lysed. With L-propionyl carnitine-treated rat erythrocytes the time at which 50% of lysis was observed increased to 23 min. L-propionyl carnitine also exerted its protective effect in vitro when incubated with untreated rat erythrocytes or human erythrocytes in the presence of the cytolytic system. The presence of L-propionyl carnitine in the incubation mixture markedly decreased the malonaldehyde formation. The protection was concentration-dependent. To establish if L-propionyl carnitine protects from oxygen reactive species or is able to stabilize the damaged membranes, a latent damage was produced by incubating the erythrocytes with the cytolytic system for a few minutes. The cells were then removed and suspended in buffered saline in the absence or in the presence of different L-propionyl carnitine concentrations. L-propionyl carnitine decreased the velocity of lysis of damaged erythrocytes. These data suggest that L-propionyl carnitine protects erythrocytes from oxygen reactive species and also stabilizes the damaged membrane probably by specific binding with protein and/or phospholipid domains. Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) from human blood were peroxidized by exposure to Cu2+ ions in the presence of various L-propionyl carnitine concentrations. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chronic Insomnia and Cognitive Functioning Among Older Adults

Chronic insomnia and cognitive impairment are both common complaints among older adults. This study explores the association between chronic insomnia and changes in cognitive functioning among older adults. The study population comprised two groups: 64 older adults without insomnia and 35 older adult insomniacs. The cognitive capacity of each participant was tested at the participant's home using the computerized “MindFit” test (CogniFit, Inc.). In five categories of cognitive functioning, older adult insomniacs displayed impaired performance compared to older adult good sleepers. Specifically, significant differences were found between insomniacs and good sleepers on memory span, allocating attention to a target, time estimation, executive functioning, and integration of two dimensions (visual and semantic) tests. The findings imply that insomnia may have detrimental effects on some cognitive functions in healthy older adults.
Trans Fatty Acids: Properties, Benefits and Risks

Trans fatty acids have several beneficial aspects for processed foods owing to their characteristic structures. These very characteristic structures, in turn, have been suspected to be associated with the possibility that trans fatty acids affect the development of several health problems, including coronary heart disease, and fetal and infant neurodevelopment and growth, and childhood allergies.
Movement of fumigants in soil, dosage responses, and differential effects.

In this review we discuss some of the recent research on usage of fumigants and the application and expansion of the various principles involved, with emphasis on the quantitative aspects. Compounds that act systemically in controlling disease in plants, or those that do not act as gases in the soil are not included. This review is not comprehensive, since a number of reviews provide auxilliary material: Goring has (25-27) reviewed the physical and biological factors involved in soil fumigation, and Wilhelm et al (78) re­ cently prepared an interesting and readable review on mixtures of fumi­ gants. The books on herbicide research edited by Audus (6, 7) are outstanding, particularly the chapters by Hartley in both editions (30, 31) and by Kaufman & Kearney (34), Crosby (18), and Grossbard (29) in the 1976 edition. Rodriguez-Kabana, Backman & Curl (69) emphasized mate­ rial not found in other reviews. Finally, reviews that reflect our views and interest are also included (57, 75).
A review of signal processing techniques for heart sound analysis in clinical diagnosis

This paper presents an overview of approaches to analysis of heart sound signals. The paper reviews the milestones in the development of phonocardiogram (PCG) signal analysis. It describes the various stages involved in the analysis of heart sounds and discrete wavelet transform as a preferred method for bio-signal processing. In addition, the gaps that still exist between contemporary methods of signal analysis of heart sounds and their applications for clinical diagnosis is reviewed. A lot of progress has been made but crucial gaps still exist. The findings of this review paper are as follows: there is a lack of consensus in research outputs; inter-patient adaptability of signal processing algorithm is still problematic; the process of clinical validation of analysis techniques was not sufficiently rigorous in most of the reviewed literature; and as such data integrity and measurement are still in doubt, which most of the time led to inaccurate interpretation of results. In addition, the existing diagnostic systems are too complex and expensive. The paper concluded that the ability to correctly acquire, analyse and interpret heart sound signals for improved clinical diagnostic processes has become a priority.
Epidural morphine provides greater pain relief than patient-controlled intravenous morphine following cholecystectomy.

The management of postoperative pain today increasingly involves use of either epidural narcotics or intravenous (IV) patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) (1,2). Neither technique is without risk or undesirable side effects, such as pruritus, nausea, and urinary retention. Whereas epidural morphine requires vigilance to detect occasional respiratory depression (2), IV PCA requires expensive delivery systems subject to mechanical failure or human error (3). The few studies that have compared epidural to IV PCA morphine for the management of postoperative pain are limited because only a single dose of epidural narcotic was administered (4-6). Following lower extremity surgery, we found that epidural morphine provided greater patient comfort both at rest and with ambulation (7). Epidural morphine may thus be particularly advantageous to facilitate early joint mobilization. Postoperative pain following upper abdominal surgery is often increased with coughing. This effect may cause splinting and a reluctance to breathe deeply (8). The purpose of this report is to evaluate both the quality of analgesia and the incidence of side effects resulting from the management of postoperative pain with either epidural or IV PCA morphine in patients following cholecystectomy.
Energy band offsets of dielectrics on InGaZnO4

Thin-film transistors (TFTs) with channels made of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) are used extensively in the display industry. Amorphous silicon continues to dominate large-format display technology, but a-Si:H has a low electron mobility, μ ∼ 1 cm2/V s. Transparent, conducting metal-oxide materials such as Indium-Gallium-Zinc Oxide (IGZO) have demonstrated electron mobilities of 10–50 cm2/V s and are candidates to replace a-Si:H for TFT backplane technologies. The device performance depends strongly on the type of band alignment of the gate dielectric with the semiconductor channel material and on the band offsets. The factors that determine the conduction and valence band offsets for a given material system are not well understood. Predictions based on various models have historically been unreliable and band offset values must be determined experimentally. This paper provides experimental band offset values for a number of gate dielectrics on IGZO for nex.
Studies in saxifragaceae-II. Saxifraga sect. trachyphyllum in North America

the habi ta t on conifer wood and the non-truncate spores with the narrow germ pore all suppor t this conclusion. The species of agarics which appear to be most closely related to Nivatogastrium are Pleuroflammulc~ fulvidula Singer (Lilloa 25: 390. 1952) and Kuehneromyces carbonicola Smith (Sydowia, Beih. 1; 531. 1957). A th i rd but as yet unpublished species with somewhat similar spores, in which the hymenopodium is gelatinous as in many species of Pholiota, and which has large cystidia of the Pholiota spumosa type, occurs in the Western United States. I t is almost the exact replica of Nivatogastrium but it appears to be an agar ic ; to date only dried material has been examined. Some may suggest a relationship of Nivatogastrium to the Bolbitiaceae because of the color of the spores, the narrow germ pore and the pseudoparaphyses, but we believe that presence of a gelatinous hymenopodium in the hymenophoral t r ama and a lack of a cellular epicutis over the per idium deny this connection.
User experiences in the Official WikiLeaks Forum

Computer-mediated communication may facilitate political and social participation through "the maintenance of dispersed face-to-face networks", the development of cultural and "socio-spatial enclaves", and the technical support to interest group activity [Calhoun, 1998, pp.383-385], its contribution to the creation of new types of communities, and to the spread of new democratic practices based on principles of consultation, is far from clear. The aim of the study is to observe the social user experiences and users sharing own content of Official WikiLeaks Forum member's type of ethnographic data. WikiLeaks mention that their most important activities are to publish original source material alongside their news that readers and historians alike can see evidence of the truth WikiLeaks, 2011. We can regard social movements as networks of relationships, which connect informally, without formal organisational bindings a multiplicity of individuals and networks, who share own data and collectively create new data as events interact around conflict issues Diani, 1999. Conclusions presented the central six drivers computer-mediated communication of social user experience in online social activity, which passed on empirical findings.
Emerging concepts and approaches for chemokine-receptor drug discovery

Importance of the field: Chemokine receptors are most noted for their role in cell migration. However, inappropriate utilization or regulation of these receptors is implicated in many inflammatory diseases, cancer and HIV, making them important drug targets. Areas covered in this review: Allostery, oligomerization and ligand bias are presented as they pertain to chemokine receptors and their associated pathologies. Specific examples of each are described from the recent literature and their implications are discussed in terms of drug discovery efforts targeting chemokine receptors. What the reader will gain: Insight into the expanding view of the multitude of pharmacological variables that need to be considered or that may be exploited in chemokine receptor drug discovery. Take home message: Since 2007, two drugs targeting chemokine receptors have been approved by the FDA, Maraviroc for preventing HIV infection and Mozobil™ for hematopoietic stem cell mobilization. While these successes permit optimism for chemokine receptors as drug targets, only recently has the complexity of this system begun to be appreciated. The concepts of allosteric inhibitors, biased ligands and functional selectivity raise the possibility that drugs with precisely-defined properties can be developed. Other complexities such as receptor oligomerization and tissue-specific functional states of receptors also offer opportunities for increased target and response specificity, although it will be more challenging to translate these ideas into approved therapeutics compared to traditional approaches.
Output tracking control for a velocity-sensorless VTOL aircraft with measurement delays

In this paper, we develop a non-linear controller to achieve output tracking for a velocity-sensorless vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft in the presence of measurement delays. By applying the Pade approximation technique, the original controlled system is transformed into an augmented dimension system without any time delay. After constructing full-order observers, error coordinate transformation, and system decomposition, the tracking problem of the newly transformed system is changed into the stabilisation problem of two non-minimum phase subsystems and one minimum phase subsystem. The resulting controller not only forces the VTOL aircraft to asymptotically track the desired trajectories, but also drives the unstable internal dynamics, which stands for the non-minimum property of VTOL aircraft, to follow the causal ideal internal dynamics (IID) solved via the stable system centre (SSC) method. Numerical simulation results illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller.
Battery-free sensor tag for IoT applications

Internet of Things (IoT) applications requiring the installation of a large number of sensors face power supply limitations. This paper presents a solution which powers sensing devices without the use of batteries or power lines. The proposed solution is tested using temperature, humidity and gas sensors, using BLE for wireless transmission and MUC for signal processing. Experimental results show that sufficient power is obtained, and point towards future improvements.
Relationship between carotid intima-media thickness and symptomatic and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease. The Edinburgh Artery Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Ultrasonic evaluation of intimamedia thickness (IMT) is one method of assessing the development of early atherosclerosis. This report describes the distribution of IMT within the general population and is one of the first to investigate its association with noninvasively assessed symptomatic and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease. METHODS Ultrasonic evaluation of IMT was included in the 5-year follow-up examination of participants of the Edinburgh Artery Study. Valid readings of IMT were recorded in 1106 subjects aged 60 to 80 years, and the maximum from the right and left sides of the neck was used in the analysis. Existing symptomatic and asymptomatic peripheral arterial disease and coronary heart disease were also assessed at follow-up using previously validated noninvasive techniques. RESULTS IMT increased continuously with age (P < or = .01), and its distribution was positively skewed in both sexes. The results suggest that levels of atherosclerotic development in the common carotid artery are 5 to 10 years more advanced in men than in women. In this population, the overall prevalence of moderate to severe disease was very low (only 1.2% of study participants had IMT values > 2 mm). The presence of symptomatic (intermittent claudication) or asymptomatic (ankle brachial pressure index < or = 0.9) peripheral arterial disease was significantly associated with increased IMT (P < or = .05). CONCLUSIONS Although the prevalence of advanced atherosclerosis was very low, small changes in IMT were associated with clinically significant development of atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries. However, further longitudinal studies are needed that standardize measurement techniques and would allow accurate comparisons across studies.