Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymicrobial Keratitis After a Collagen Cross-Linking Procedure With Postoperative Use of a Contact Lens: A Case Report

Purpose: To report a case of polymicrobial keratitis caused by Streptococcus salivarius, Streptococcus oralis, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. in a patient who underwent collagen cross-linking for keratoconus. Method: Case report. Result: A 32-year-old male presented with a 1-day history of a painful red eye, occurring 3 days after he had undergone a collagen cross-linking with riboflavin and UV-A on his left eye for keratoconus. He admitted to removing his bandage contact lens and cleaning it in his mouth before reapplying it in his eye. On presentation, a severe keratitis with an 8-mm epithelial defect and 360-degree ring infiltrate was found. Culture results from his contact lens were positive for S. salivarius and S. oralis, and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. were grown from his corneal scrapings. Conclusions: Collagen cross-linking is a promising procedure for the treatment of progressive keratoconus with minimal reported side effects. However, the possibility of a secondary infection after the procedure exists because the patient is subjected to epithelial debridement and the application of a soft contact lens. The role of the UV light on the immune mechanisms of the cornea and its effect on corneal wound healing warrant further investigation.
Metamodel of the two-dimensional magnet-rail relationship based on a BP neural network

A finite-element simulation that solves the electromagnetic force of a maglev train when the magnetically permeable medium is saturated is very time-consuming. The existing analytical formula for the two-dimensional magnet-rail relationship assumes that the magnetic medium operates in the linear regime of the B-H curve, which does not apply in the case of magnetic saturation. To address these shortcomings, this study combines the uniform design method and BP neural-network modeling to obtain a metamodel that applies even when the magnetically permeable medium is saturated. The data fitting and prediction accuracy of the model are then assessed. The results show that the prediction accuracy of this model meets the requirements for system simulation and research on the dynamic characteristics of maglev trains.
A CONNECTIONIST MODEL OF SPONTANEOUS TRAIT INFERENCE AND SPONTANEOUS TRAIT TRANSFERENCE: DO THEY HAVE THE SAME UNDERLYING PROCESSES?

Spontaneous trait inference (STI) and trait transference (STT) refer to the inference of personality traits from behaviors. in STI the inferred trait is attached to the actor, and in STT it is attached to a communicator. Two different explanations are currently discussed in the literature regarding their underlying processes. one claims that a single associative process is responsible for both, and the second postulates an associative process for STT and an attributional process for STI. Here we propose that a dual-processing model is not necessary to account for the empirical data regarding STI and STT. Through a simple connectionist model, based on associative learning, we simulated the four major findings that distinguish STI from STT. Suggestions are made about what kind of evidence would be necessary to consider a dualistic view, and a broader use of this approach applied to dualistic versus single processing disputes is also discussed.
Toward a comprehensive neurobiology of IGF‐I

Insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) belongs to an ancient family of hormones already present in early invertebrates. The insulin family is well characterized in mammals, although new members have been described recently. Since its characterization over 50 years ago, IGF‐I has been considered a peptide mostly involved in the control of body growth and tissue remodeling. Currently, its most prominent recognized role is as a quasi‐universal cytoprotectant. This role connects IGF‐I with regulation of lifespan and with cancer, two areas of very active research in relation to this peptide. In the brain, IGF‐I was formerly considered a neurotrophic factor involved in brain growth, as many other neurotrophic factors. Other aspects of the neurobiology of IGF‐I are gradually emerging and suggest that this growth factor has a prominent role in brain function as a whole. During development IGF‐I is abundantly expressed in many areas, whereas once the brain is formed its expression is restricted to a few regions and in very low quantities. However, the adult brain appears to have an external input from serum IGF‐I, where this anabolic peptide is abundant. Thus, serum IGF‐I has been proven to be an important modulator of brain activity, including higher functions such as cognition. Many of these functions can be ascribed to its tissue‐remodeling activity as IGF‐I modulates adult neurogenesis and angiogenesis. Other activities are cytoprotective; indeed, IGF‐I can be considered a key neuroprotective peptide. Still others pertain to the functional characteristics of brain cells, such as cell excitability. Through modulation of membrane channels and neurotransmission, IGF‐I impinges directly on neuronal plasticity, the cellular substrate of cognition. However, to fully understand the role of IGF‐I in the brain, we have to sum the actions of locally produced IGF‐I to those of serum IGF‐I, and this is still pending. Thus, an integrated view of the role played by IGF‐I in the brain is not yet possible. An operational approach to overcome this limitation would be to consider IGF‐I as a signal coupling environmental influences on body metabolism with brain function. Or in a more colloquial way, we may say that IGF‐I links body “fitness” with brain fitness, providing a mechanism to the roman saying “mens sana in corpore sano. ” © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 2010
Characterization Tests and analysis of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) used in high voltage cables insulation under thermal constraint

High voltage cables are permanently subjected to electrical and thermal operating constraints, leading to their progressive degradation and deterioration. The control and the identification of the thermal aging parameters of high voltage insulation require the use of several characterization techniques. In this work we have presented some results carried out from the use of different characterization techniques to study the mechanical and dielectric behaviors under thermal aging of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) used as insulation of high voltage cables. The evolution of XPE morphology under thermal aging was quantified with several physic-chemical characterization techniques such as FTIR, DSC and X-ray. The effect of thermal aging on the trapping and conduction mechanisms of XLPE under electron beam irradiation was also studied in the last part of this paper using SEM. The carried out thermal aging experiments consist to perform XLPE samples to elevate temperatures arranged from 80°C to 140°C until 5000h.
Antiserum to the 33,000-dalton periplasmic-flagellum protein of "Treponema phagedenis" reacts with other treponemes and Spirochaeta aurantia

"Treponema phagedenis" periplasmic flagella (PF) have two major protein bands at molecular weights of 33,000 and 39,800 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (R. J. Limberger and N. W. Charon, J. Bacteriol. 166:105-112, 1986). By use of Western blotting and a polyclonal antiserum directed toward the 33,000-molecular-weight PF protein, cell lysates of 12 species of spirochetes were surveyed for reactivity. Eight species of Treponema as well as Spirochaeta aurantia were positive. The results suggest that epitopes residing on the 33,000-molecular-weight PF protein of "T. phagedenis" are evolutionarily well conserved among the spirochetes.
The Fallacy of the Simultaneous Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Twins

The likelihood of twin infants dying suddenly and simultaneously of SIDS, a natural disorder, defies credibility. However, injuries associated with environmental hazards provide possible mechanisms of sudden death. A search for hazards in the homes of 13 pairs of healthy twins who died together of no apparent cause formed the basis of this study. Ten of the 13 sets were certified by medical examiners as simultaneous twin SIDS. The findings in this study suggest that all 13 sets died from injuries, either unintentional or otherwise, and that these deaths could have been prevented
Substrate-regulated morphology of graphene

We delineate a general theoretical framework to determine the substrate-regulated graphene morphology through energy minimization. We then apply such a framework to study the graphene morphology on a substrate with periodic surface grooves. Depending on the substrate surface roughness and the graphene–substrate interfacial bonding energy, the equilibrium morphology of graphene ranges from (1) closely conforming to the substrate, to (2) remaining flat on the substrate. Interestingly, in certain cases, the graphene morphology snaps between the above two limiting states. Our quantitative results envision a promising strategy to precisely control the graphene morphology over large areas. The rich features of the substrate-regulated graphene morphology (e.g. the snap-through instability) can potentially lead to new design concepts of functional graphene device components.
Estudio clínico-fisioterapéutico comparativo, mediante tres modalidades de electroterapia, en el tratamiento de la hiperhidrosis

Entre los tratamientos propuestos para el problema de la hiperhidrosis, consideramos a la iontoforesis como un metodo conservador de esta patologia de aplicacion facil y seguimiento programable en cada caso. Para ello se establecieron 6 subgrupos de estudio de pacientes afectos a los que se les comparo con un grupo control de pacientes normales. Tras la elaboracion de historia clinica y exploracion de los pacientes mediante tecnicas especificas se administraron distintos tipos de corrientes en la modalidad de apliccion con iontoforesis mas agua corriente asi como protocolos diferentes en relacion a secuencia y amplitud. Seguidamente se hizo un estudio clinico comparativo entr ellos, acompanado de estudio histoquimico pre y postratamiento. Los resultados obtenidos aportan perspectivas esperanzadoras para este tipo de afeccion.
Body posture and trunk muscle activity in women following treatment of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Treatment of breast cancer can lead to abnormally shaped anteroposterior spinal curvatures, which consequently leads to functional disturbances of trunk muscles. The aim of the paper was to investigate the correlation between trunk muscle function and type of body posture in women receiving treatment for breast cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty women following treatment of breast cancer were included in the study. The average age of the women was 61 years (± 8.67), average body height was 157.5 cm (± 5.49) and average body weight was 74 kg (± 13.10). 84% of the women underwent a modified radical mastectomy, while 16% underwent a breast-sparing procedure. The average time since surgery was 6.4 years (± 5.15). Additionally 90% of women were subjected to adjuvant treatment. The force and velocity parameters of the flexor and extensor muscles of trunk were assessed in all participants at angular velocities of 60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s in an isokinetic examination unit. A photogrammetric evaluation of the anteroposterior curvatures of the spine was also carried out. On the basis of the value of a compensation index (μ), the participants were divided into three body posture subgroups: kyphotic (K), lordotic (L) and balanced (R. RESULTS 40% of the women (20 patients) demonstrated a balanced body posture with equal thoracic and lumbar curvatures, 30% (15 patients) demonstrated a kyphotic body posture with a dominance of the kyphotic curvature over the lordotic one, and another 30% (15 patients) demonstrated a dominance of the lordotic over kyphotic curvature. Women with a lordotic body posture had the highest correlation between the activity of trunk muscles at loads of 60 degrees/s and 120 degrees/s and body posture in the sagittal plane. Minimal correlation, in turn, was observed in the women with a balanced body posture. CONCLUSIONS 1. The most marked involvement of trunk muscles was observed in women with a lordotic body posture. 2. Women with a balanced posture did not show any correlation between muscle activity and the parameters characterizing this posture.
Refractive index sensitivity of fibre optic long period gratings with SiO2 nanoparticle based mesoporous coatings

A fibre optic long period grating (LPG) with an nano-assembled mesoporous coating of alternate layers of poly (allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and SiO2 nanospheres was used for the development of a fibre-optic refractometer. PAH/SiO2 films of different thickness have been deposited onto an LPG in order to study the effect of the film thickness on sensor performance. The device showed a sensitivity of 1927 nm/RIU over a RI range of 1.3233-1.4906.
Properties of Escherichia coli Mutants Deficient in Enzymes of Glycolysis

Physiological properties of mutants of Escherichia coli defective in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, glycerate 3-phosphate kinase, or enolase are described. Introduction of a lesion in any one of the reversible steps catalyzed by these enzymes impaired both the glycolytic and gluconeogenic capabilities of the cell and generated an obligatory requirement for a source of carbon above the block (gluconeogenic) and one below (oxidative). A mixture of glycerol and succinate supported the growth of these mutants. Mutants lacking glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycerate 3-phosphate kinase could grow also on glycerol and glyceric acid, and enolase mutants could grow on glycerate and succinate, whereas double mutants lacking the kinase and enolase required l-serine in addition to glycerol and succinate. Titration of cell yield with limiting amounts of glycerol with Casamino Acids in excess, or vice versa, showed the gluconeogenic requirement of a growing culture of E. coli to be one-twentieth of its total catabolic and anabolic needs. Sugars and their derivatives inhibited growth of these mutants on otherwise permissive media. The mutants accumulated glycolytic intermediates above the blocked enzyme on addition of glucose or glycerol to resting cultures. Glucose inhibited growth and induced lysis. These effects could be substantially overcome by increasing the osmotic strength of the growth medium and, in addition, including 5 mM cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate therein. This substance countered to a large extent the severe repression of β-galactosidase synthesis that glucose caused in these mutants.
Ca2+ sensitivity of the maxi chloride channel in interstitial cells of Cajal

Background Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) associated with the myenteric plexus of the small intestine express maxi chloride channels. Our aim was to investigate whether or not these channels would be activated by increases in intracellular Ca2+, as that would strengthen evidence for their potential role in ICC pacemaking. A further aim was to examine whether inwardly and outwardly rectifying maxi chloride currents signify different channels.
Traumatic brain injury in children between 7–12 years of age

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the amount of traumatic brain injuries among children in the western part of Sweden. Methods: Based on a randomized controlled study, a retrospective analysis was conducted of data for children of 257 children 7–12 years of age. The journals were collected from 1997–2000. Results: The results showed that the most common causes were play and sports and that the accidents occurred in the school environment in the afternoon, whilst the least amount of accidents took place in the home. Nearly half of all the children were admitted to the hospital. Most accidents occurred in March and the least number of accidents occurred during the summer months. Conclusion: Prevention strategies are needed, especially for play and sport activities in recreation centres and playgrounds. These places are a high risk in causing a TBI for children after a day at school.
Impact of imipenem resistance on mortality in patients with Acinetobacter bacteraemia.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the impact of imipenem resistance on the mortality rate among patients with Acinetobacter bacteraemia. METHODS A retrospective, pairwise-matched (1:1), risk-adjusted (age, Pitt bacteraemia score) cohort study was performed at three tertiary care hospitals in Korea from January 2000 to June 2005. RESULTS Forty patients with imipenem non-susceptible Acinetobacter bacteraemia (INAB group) and 40 matched subjects (1:1 ratio) with imipenem-susceptible Acinetobacter bacteraemia (ISAB group) were included. Both groups had similar clinical features related to the severity of illness. The 30 day mortality rate was higher in the INAB group (57.5%) than the ISAB group (27.5%) (P = 0.007). The rate of discordant antimicrobial therapy was higher in the INAB group (65.0%) than the ISAB group (20.0%) (P < 0.001). The 30 day mortality rate was higher in the patients with discordant antimicrobial therapy (67.6%) than concordant antimicrobial therapy (23.9%) (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age, the Pitt bacteraemia score, immunosuppressive status, and discordant antimicrobial therapy were independent risk factors for 30 day mortality among patients with Acinetobacter bacteraemia (P < 0.05). When discordant antimicrobial therapy was excluded in the multivariate analysis, the imipenem resistance was associated with 30 day mortality (P = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS Imipenem resistance has a significant impact on the mortality rate among patients with Acinetobacter bacteraemia, and this is mainly attributable to the higher rate of discordant antimicrobial therapy.
Soluble markers of inflammation and coagulation but not T-cell activation predict non-AIDS-defining morbid events during suppressive antiretroviral treatment.

BACKGROUND Defining the association of non-AIDS-defining events with inflammation and immune activation among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons with antiretroviral therapy (ART)-associated virological suppression is critical to identifying interventions to decrease the occurrence of these events. METHODS We conducted a case-control study of HIV-infected subjects who had achieved virological suppression within 1 year after ART initiation. Cases were patients who experienced non-AIDS-defining events, defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, non-AIDS-defining cancer, non-AIDS-defining serious bacterial infection, or death. Controls were matched to cases on the basis of age, sex, pre-ART CD4(+) T-cell count, and ART regimen. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells and plasma specimens obtained at the visit before ART initiation (hereafter, baseline), the visit approximately 1 year after ART initiation (hereafter, year 1), and the visit immediately preceding the non-AIDS-defining event (hereafter, pre-event) were analyzed for activated CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, plasma interleukin 6 (IL-6) level, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I (sTNFR-I) level, sTNFR-II level, soluble CD14 level, kynurenine-to-tryptophan (KT) ratio, and D-dimer level. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to study the association between biomarkers and outcomes, with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS Higher IL-6 level, sTNFR-I level, sTNFR-II level, KT ratio, and D-dimer level at year 1 were associated with the occurrence of a non-AIDS-defining event. Significant associations were also seen between non-AIDS-defining events and values of these biomarkers in specimens obtained at baseline and the pre-event time points. Effects remained significant after control for confounders. T-cell activation was not significantly related to outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Interventional trials to decrease the incidence of non-AIDS-defining events among HIV-infected persons with virological suppression should consider targeting the pathways represented by these soluble markers. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT00001137.
Risk assessment for pesticides' MRL non-compliances in Poland in the years 2011-2015.

BACKGROUND Human exposure to trace levels of pesticide residues present in food of plant origin is inevitable as long as pesticides continue to be applied in agriculture. Since Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) are not toxicological endpoint values, their violation is not by default equivalent to health risk for consumers. However, its essential to provide a health- based risk assessment for each case of MRL non-compliance reported during monitoring and official control of foodstuffs. OBJECTIVE To assess the potential short-term risk associated with consumption of food products of plant origin containing pesticide residues above MRL values based on notifications forwarded by the National Contact Point for RASFF in Poland during 2011-2015. MATERIAL AND METHODS 115 notifications including 127 analytical results non-compliant with respective MRL values were forwarded to provide risk assessment. An internationally accepted deterministic approach based on conservative model assumptions for short-term exposure assessment was applied. The risk was characterized by comparing an estimated dietary intake with respective acute reference dose (ARfD). RESULTS Black currant, tea, lettuce, Chinese cabbage and carrot were among the most frequently notified products in years 2011-2015. Among pesticides exceeding respective MRL values, over 90% belonged to fungicides and insecticides/acaricides such as acetamiprid, chlorpyrifos, dimethoate, imidacloprid, dithiocarbamates and procymidone. For 15 and 6 results noncompliant with respective MRL value, a predicted short-term intake exceeded ARfD for children and adults, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Residue levels that could potentially pose a health threat are found incidentally. The science-based and transparent risk assessment process with regard to the data, methods and assumptions that are applied is essential to risk management authorities. KEY WORDS risk assessment, pesticide residues, MRL, dietary intake, RASFF, food safety.
The Presentation of Personalities in Plastic Surgery

This research was of 133 plastic surgery patients over a 1.5-year period. Data compilation and assessment began with the initial consultation and continued through the postoperative period of care. Patients were categorized according to their similarity to the personality disorder descriptions found within the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, third edition revised, of the American Psychiatric Association. In addition, each patient was evaluated on 13 separate psychological and social factors. It was found that many of the factors that precede a favorable plastic surgery experience, for both patients and physician, are the same characteristics disproportionately represented in various personality types. Objective assessments of surgical outcome were not found to be necessarily predictive of a patient's ultimate satisfaction. This research identified those personality types most likely to be dissatisfied, along with those personalities who tended to withhold their approval of an excellent surgical result. This research provided both statistical and qualitative analysis of the impact of personality, as well as several psychological and social variables, on plastic surgery. Numerous suggestions have been offered for successful patient care as derivative of personality type. The impact of patient and physician personality upon medical malpractice was explored. Reference summaries have been provided that describe and categorize patient behavior according to personality