Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Randomized Study of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer: Is Chemotherapy Useful after Complete Remission?

Objective. The aim of this study is to verify whether consolidation chemotherapy with Cisplatin improves disease-free survival and/or overall survival in patients affected by epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods. A multicenter study examined 122 randomized patients in complete remission as judged by laparoscopy or laparotomy following first-line chemotherapy consisting of ACy (Adriamycin + Cyclophosphamide), PCy (Cisplatin + Cyclophosphamide), or Mitoxantrone + Carboplatin. Sixty-one of these patients were treated with 3 cycles of 5-Fluorouracil (FU) 500 mg/m2 for 5 days followed by Cisplatin at 100 mg/m2 on the 6th or 7th day every 28 days; the other 61 received no further treatment (nihil group). Results. Sixty patients in the Cisplatin arm were evaluable. There were 36 relapses in the FU+Cisplatin arm and 30 in the nihil arm. Peritoneal relapses were 25% for Cisplatin treatment vs. 16.4 % for nihil. There were 29 deaths in the Cisplatin arm vs. 27 for nihil. Median overall survival time (95 months with Cisplatin vs. 96 months in the nihil group) and median disease-free survival (66 months with Cisplatin vs. 73 in the nihil group) were similar in both arms (p=0.66 and p=0.41, respectively). There were no significant differences in tumor stage and grade between the two arms. Seven patients presented a second neoplasm during follow-up: six in the nihil arm, but only one patient in the Cisplatin arm. Death in these patients was due to the second neoplasm and not to progression of ovarian cancer. Conclusion. Three courses of additional platinum+FU treatment after five cycles of first-line chemotherapy without FU produced no increase in overall survival or disease-free survival.
C-reactive protein levels are raised in stable Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients independent of smoking behavior and biomass exposure.

BACKGROUND The aim of this case control study is to assess the relationship between serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and well-known clinical parameters in Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) considering the impact of smoking behavior, biomass exposure and accompanying clinical entities, namely pulmonary hypertension, systemic hypertension and diabetes mellitus. METHODS Spirometry, echocardiography, arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) measurements, BODE scores and serum CRP levels were investigated in stable COPD patients. Associations between CRP levels and clinical parameters were evaluated. RESULTS CRP levels are significantly higher in COPD patients than in healthy controls. CRP levels were not significantly different between COPD patients treated with inhaled corticosteroids and those not treated. CRP levels significantly correlated with age, FEV1% predicted, FVC% predicted, SpO2, MMRC, 6 minute walk distance, BODE scores and haemoglobin levels. In multivariate analysis BODE scores and concomitant systemic hypertension manifested the strongest association with CRP levels. CRP levels in COPD patients with and without pulmonary hypertension were significantly different. CRP levels did not differ significantly according to smoking status or biomass exposure, moreover COPD cases due to biomass exposure who never smoked also had higher CRP levels compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS Systemic inflammation is inherent to COPD independent of ever-smoking status and correlates with disease severity, concomitant systemic hypertension and pulmonary hypertension.
Exogenous reinfection as a cause of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis in rural South Africa.

BACKGROUND Multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) are now major threats in areas of South Africa with a high prevalence of TB and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The role of exogenous reinfection as a cause of MDR and XDR TB in these settings has not been determined. METHODS We reviewed data from patients with culture-positive TB who later developed MDR or XDR TB in Tugela Ferry, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa during 2005-2006. We performed spoligotyping on initial isolates (obtained at the time of treatment initiation) and follow-up isolates obtained from these patients. RESULTS We identified 23 patients who developed MDR or XDR TB after being treated for less resistant TB between June 2005 and June 2006. Both initial and follow-up isolates were available for spoligotyping for 17 of these patients. In all cases, the follow-up isolates' spoligotypes differed from those of the initial isolate, indicating exogenous reinfection. Two genotypes (shared type [ST] 34 and ST 60, associated with MDR and XDR TB, respectively) were responsible for 85% of reinfections. All 17 patients had been hospitalized; all 15 whose HIV infection status was known were HIV-infected. CONCLUSIONS Exogenous reinfection is an important mechanism for the development of MDR and XDR TB. In addition to strengthening TB treatment programs, effective infection control strategies are urgently needed to reduce the transmission of MDR and XDR TB.
Preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with traditional Chinese medicine by high-pressure homogenization.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) loaded with traditional Chinese medicines by high-pressure homogenization, and study the physicochemical characteristics of the particles produced by this method. METHODS The model traditional Chinese medicines, silibinin (SIL) and tetrandrine (TET), were incorporated into SLN separately by high-pressure homogenization. Transmission electron microscope was employed to study the shape of the particles. Particle characterization system and zeta potential analyzer were used to study the diameter and zeta potential of SLN in the suspension. The entrapment efficiency and drug loading were determined with the sephadex gel chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The stability of SLN was also studied. RESULTS The SIL-SLNs prepared by high-pressure homogenization were spherical and regular. The mean diameter and zeta potential of SIL-SLN in distilled water were 157+/-8 nm and -35.36+/-2.68 mV, respectively. The entrapment efficiency was 95.64%, and the drug loading was 4.63%. The TET-SLN was platelet-shaped, irregular and smaller. The mean diameter and zeta potential of TET-SLN were 47+/-3 nm and -32.99+/-2.54 mV, respectively, with drug loading of 4.76%, and up to 97.82% of TET was incorporated. SIL-SLN and TET-SLN had good stability. CONCLUSION High-pressure homogenization is feasible for preparing SLN loaded with traditional Chinese medicines.
Staphylococcus Aureus: an overview for Methicillin-resistant

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for several difficult-to-treat infections in humans. MRSA is any strain of Staphylococcus aureus that has developed, through the process of natural selection, resistance to betalactam antibiotics . The appearance of (MRSA) strains has created serious therapeutical problems. In this article, we present an overview of the biochemical and genetic mechanisms of pathogenicity of S. aureus strains. Virulence factors, organization of the genome and regulation of expression of genes involved in virulence, and mechanisms leading to methicilin resistance are presented. This review describe the management of severe healthcare-associated infections due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), including the limitations of current therapy, potential alternative agents, new therapeutic options.
The Inoculation Method Affects Colonization and Performance of Bacterial Inoculant Strains in the Phytoremediation of Soil Contaminated with Diesel Oil

Plants in combination with microorganisms can remediate soils, which are contaminated with organic pollutants such as petroleum hydrocarbons. Inoculation of plants with degrading bacteria is one approach to improve remediation processes, but is often not successful due to the competition with resident microorganisms. It is therefore of high importance to address the persistence and colonization behavior of inoculant strains. The objective of this study was to determine whether the inoculation method (seed imbibement and soil inoculation) influences bacterial colonization, plant growth promotion and hydrocarbon degradation. Italian ryegrass was grown in non-sterilized soil polluted with diesel and inoculated with different alkane-degrading strains Pantoea sp. ITSI10, Pantoea sp. BTRH79 and Pseudomonas sp. MixRI75 individually as well as in combination. Inoculation generally had a beneficial effect on plant biomass production and hydrocarbon degradation, however, strains inoculated in soil performed better than applied by seed imbibement. Performance correlated with the colonization efficiency of the inoculated strains. The highest hydrocarbon degradation was observed in the treatment, in which all three strains were inoculated in combination into soil. Our study revealed that besides the degradation potential and competitive ability of inoculant strains the inoculation method plays an important role in determining the success of microbial inoculation.
An experimental study on the effects of ethanol and folic acid deficiency, alone or in combination, on pregnant Swiss mice

Introduction: Ethanol is teratogenic, interferes with folic acid and is extensively used by young women. Our objective was to determine the effects of ethanol and/or folate deficiency on mouse fetuses. Method: In Experiment 1, pregnant mice receiving a commercial diet were divided into three groups: control (C), low ethanol dose (LE, 0.4 g/kg), and high ethanol dose (HE, 4.0 g/kg). In Experiment 2, pregnant mice receiving a folate‐free diet (FFD) were divided into three groups: folate deficiency (FD), folate deficiency plus a low ethanol dose (FDLE), and folate deficiency plus a high ethanol dose (FDHE). Groups C and FD received saline and the remaining groups received ethanol administered i.p. from the 7th to the 9th gestational day (GD) and were sacrificed on the 18th GD. Results: In Experiment 1, Group HE presented congenital anomalies, late fetal death (LFD), lower fetal length and weight and placental weight and diameter than Groups C and LE. In Experiment 2, there was a smaller number of live fetuses, a larger number of reabsorptions and LFD, a smaller length and lower fetal weight, placental weight and diameter in Groups FDLE and FDHE than in Group FD. Conclusion: In animals receiving a commercial diet, a high ethanol dose is deleterious to the pregnancy, inducing congenital anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction, reduction of the placenta and increased LFD, events that did not occur with the low dose. However, with a folate free diet, a low ethanol dose is as deleterious as a high dose.
Low-Intensity Smoking Cessation Intervention among African-American Women Cigarette Smokers: A Pilot Study

Relatively little research has been done to test quitsmoking interventions in African-American populations? Cigarette smoking is integral to higher rates of cancer and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for AfricanAmericans compared with their non-African-American counterparts in the United States. 2 African-American women smokers, in particular, may experience increased health risks related to cigarette smoking because they are reported to have higher average levels of cotinine, a nicotine metabolite, than other race or gender groups? Homogeneity in economic, cultural, and social characteristics between client and provider has been identified as important in increasing the likelihood of success in quitsmoking programs. 2 Because of this, efforts to recruit and train facilitators from the African-American community could improve intervention effectiveness? The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effect of a behavior-change smoking-cessation intervention mailed in four weekly segments supplemented with weekly telephone support calls from an African-American woman ex-smoker, and to compare the effects to an advice-only intervention.
Membrane‐potential effects on an inhibitory post‐synaptic conductance in Aplysia buccal ganglia.

1. Inhibitory post‐synaptic currents (i.p.s.c.s) were recorded under voltage clamp using two electrodes placed in neuronal somas of the buccal ganglia of Aplysia, in order to study the effects of membrane potential (Vm) on decay time constant (tau). 2. From ‐175 to ‐40 mV, tau did not vary with Vm. At Vm more depolarized than ‐40 mV, tau decreased. Also at depolarized Vm, cell input resistance (Rin) decreased and many cells showed non‐exponential i.p.s.c. decay, including undershoot. These results suggest that the apparently faster tau is an artifact of remote membrane poorly clamped at the low Rin of depolarized levels, rather than a Vm‐dependent i.p.s.c. relaxation. 3. Injected current pulses produced voltage relaxations which decayed faster including undershoot, when Vm was depolarized beyond ‐40 mV. 4. Step commands across the reversal potential were delivered during i.p.s.c. s. Currents reversed direction, relaxing consistent with the new Vm, thus showing that recorded current decay repressants the true time course of i.p.s.c. relaxation, rather than uncontrolled slow axonal charging from a fast remote synaptic current. 5. I conclude that clamp control is poor at depolarized Vm, due to decreased Rin, and the faster, non‐exponential decay seen includes a superimposed nonsynaptic current. Tetraethylammonium injected into the presynaptic neurone produces only slight effect on the i.p.s.c. decay time constant, suggesting that the non‐synaptic current is unlikely to be due to a voltage‐dependent K conductance.
Phosphatidylethanol in Blood as a Marker of Chronic Alcohol Use: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

The present paper aims at a systematic review of the current knowledge on phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in blood as a direct marker of chronic alcohol use and abuse. In March 2012, the search through “MeSH” and “free-text” protocols in the databases Medline/PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and Ovid/Embase, combining the terms phosphatidylethanol and alcohol, provided 444 records, 58 of which fulfilled the inclusion criteria and were used to summarize the current evidence on the formation, distribution and degradation of PEth in human blood: (1), the presence and distribution of different PEth molecular species (2), the most diffused analytical methods devoted to PEth identification and quantization (3), the clinical efficiency of total PEth quantification as a marker of chronic excessive drinking (4), and the potential utility of this marker for identifying binge drinking behaviors (5). Twelve papers were included in the meta-analysis and the mean (M) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of total PEth concentrations in social drinkers (DAI ≤ 60 g/die; M = 0.288 μM; CI 0.208–0.367 μM) and heavy drinkers (DAI > 60 g/die; M = 3.897 μM; CI 2.404–5.391 μM) were calculated. The present analysis demonstrates a good clinical efficiency of PEth for detecting chronic heavy drinking.
Intermittent access to 20% ethanol induces high ethanol consumption in Long-Evans and Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND There has been some difficulty getting standard laboratory rats to voluntarily consume large amounts of ethanol without the use of initiation procedures. It has previously been shown that standard laboratory rats will voluntarily consume high levels of ethanol if given intermittent-access to 20% ethanol in a 2-bottle-choice setting [Wise, Psychopharmacologia 29 (1973), 203]. In this study, we have further characterized this drinking model. METHODS Ethanol-naïve Long-Evans rats were given intermittent-access to 20% ethanol (three 24-hour sessions per week). No sucrose fading was needed and water was always available ad libitum. Ethanol consumption, preference, and long-term drinking behaviors were investigated. Furthermore, to pharmacologically validate the intermittent-access 20% ethanol drinking paradigm, the efficacy of acamprosate and naltrexone in decreasing ethanol consumption were compared with those of groups given continuous-access to 10 or 20% ethanol, respectively. Additionally, ethanol consumption was investigated in Wistar and out-bred alcohol preferring (P) rats following intermittent-access to 20% ethanol. RESULTS The intermittent-access 20% ethanol 2-bottle-choice drinking paradigm led standard laboratory rats to escalate their ethanol intake over the first 5 to 6 drinking sessions, reaching stable baseline consumption of high amounts of ethanol (Long-Evans: 5.1 +/- 0.6; Wistar: 5.8 +/- 0.8 g/kg/24 h, respectively). Furthermore, the cycles of excessive drinking and abstinence led to an increase in ethanol preference and increased efficacy of both acamprosate and naltrexone in Long-Evans rats. P-rats initiate drinking at a higher level than both Long-Evans and Wistar rats using the intermittent-access 20% ethanol paradigm and showed a trend toward a further escalation in ethanol intake over time (mean ethanol intake: 6.3 +/- 0.8 g/kg/24 h). CONCLUSION Standard laboratory rats will voluntarily consume ethanol using the intermittent-access 20% ethanol drinking paradigm without the use of any initiation procedures. This model promises to be a valuable tool in the alcohol research field.
Protection against group B meningococcal disease: evaluation of serotype 2 protein vaccines in a mouse bacteremia model

A mouse bacteremia model was used to evaluate the immunogenicity and protection against challenge provided by five different meningococcal serotype 2 vaccines. Mice vaccinated with serotype 2 protein vaccines had levels of bacteremia reduced by at least 100-fold after challenge with group B serotype 2 miningococci. Mice vaccinated with serotype 2 protein vaccine and challenged with group C serotype 2 meningococci showed 10-fold or less reduction in bacteremia. Vaccines were primarily serotype specific since no increase in protection was observed after challenge with either group B serotype 4 or group C nontypable meningococci. Serotype 2 antibody levels, measured by the bactericidal assay and the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay 3 weeks after immunization, demonstrated a graded dose-response which correlated with protection up to 40 weeks after vaccination with a single 10- or 25-micrograms dose of serotype 2 protein vaccine. A 1-microgram booster dose of serotype 2 vaccine, given 2 weeks after primary immunization, significantly increased both bactericidal (P less than 0.01) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (P less than 0.02) titers. The data obtained from the mouse bacteremia model indicate that serotype 2 protein vaccines are stable and immunogenic, and protect mice against challenge with group B serotype 2 meningococci.
Suicidal communication of persons attempting suicide and responses of significant others

Forty consecutively admitted suicide attempt patients in an intensive care unit, their therapists, and 70 significant others of 37 of the patients, were investigated by means of 300 semi‐structured interviews. The patients belonged to three diagnostic groups: neurosis, alcohol and drug abuse, and prepsychosis/psychosis. Thirty‐seven of the patients had communicated their suicidal intentions to people around them. All patients used protracted indirect verbal communication. Immediately before the suicide attempt, most of the neurotics continued often to use indirect verbal communication, amplified by demanding behaviour. Drug and alcohol abusers, moreover, also employed direct verbal communication, and prepsychosis/psychosis patients indirect non‐verbal communication. The majority of significant others understood the patients' suicidal communication and responded with near‐total silence. Ambivalence about continuing the relationship characterised most partners of patients in all diagnostic groups, and also persons other than partners in the abuse group. Ambivalence about helping the patient, and aggression expressed by significant others were most prevalent in the abuse group.
Interference management scheme for network-assisted multi-hop D2D communications

In a cellular network it's very difficult to make spectrum resource more efficiently. Device-to-Device (D2D) technology enables new service opportunities, provides high throughput and reliable communication while reducing the base station load. For better total performance, short-range D2D links and cellular links share the same radio resource and the management of interference becomes a crucial task. We propose a radio resource allocation for multi-hop D 2D routes based on interference avoidance approach. Our analysis and numerical results indicate that even with Channel State Information (CSI) knowledge, we are able to improve the system performance in terms of throughput by allowing coexisting D2D communications while satisfying the cellular user's constraints.
Conformation–activity relationship of peptide T and new pseudocyclic hexapeptide analogs

Peptide T (ASTTTNYT), a segment corresponding to residues 185–192 of gp120, the coat protein of HIV, has several important biological properties in vitro that have stimulated the search for simpler and possibly more active analogs. We have previously shown that pseudocyclic hexapeptide analogs containing the central residues of peptide T retain considerable chemotactic activity. We have now extended the design of this type of analogs to peptides containing different aromatic residues and/or Ser in lieu of Thr. The complex conformation‐activity relationship of these analogs called for a reexamination of the basic conformational tendencies of peptide T itself. Here, we present an exhaustive NMR conformational study of peptide T in different media. Peptide T assumes a γ‐turn in aqueous mixtures of ethylene glycol, a type‐IV β‐turn conformation in aqueous mixtures of DMF, and a type‐II β‐turn conformation in aqueous mixtures of DMSO. The preferred conformations for the analogs were derived from modeling, starting from the preferred conformations of peptide T. The best models derived from the γ‐turn conformation of peptide T are those of peptides XII (DSNYSR), XIII (ETNYTK) and XVI (ESNYSR). The best models derived from the type‐IV β‐turn conformation of peptide T are those of peptides XIV (KTTNYE) and XV (DSSNYR). No low‐energy models could be derived starting from the type‐II β‐turn conformation of peptide T. The analogs with the most favored conformations are also the most active in the chemotactic test. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Three-Dimensional Development of the Facial Nerve Path through the Ear Region in Human Embryos

The goal was to determine how the facial nerve path forms normally through the ear region. Five three-dimensional computer reconstructions and eight wax plate—graphic, two-dimensional reconstructions were made from a group of 47 serially sectioned human embryos that were in the blastemal period of ear development, when most of the definitive arrangement is established. The size, shape, and positional changes of the facial nerve relative to the external ear and notochord were studied in both lateral and frontal views. The vertical (dorsoventral) position of the external ear region remains constant but shifts caudally. After formation, the geniculate ganglion assumes a position that gradually becomes rostrodorsal to the external ear. Facial nerve branches form and grow into regions expanding peripherally. The superficial petrosal branch appears to hold the ganglion in position as the horizontal segment of the facial nerve forms when the external ear shifts caudally. Possible growth movements explaining abnormal nerve paths are discussed.