Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computerized Analysis of Acoustic Characteristics of Patients with Internal Nasal Valve Collapse Before and After Functional Rhinoplasty

Acoustic analysis of sounds produced during speech provides significant information about the physiology of larynx and vocal tract. The analysis of voice power spectrum is a fundamental sensitive method of acoustic assessment that provides valuable information about the voice source and characteristics of vocal tract resonance cavities. The changes in long-term average spectrum (LTAS) spectral tilt and harmony to noise ratio (HNR) were analyzed to assess the voice quality before and after functional rhinoplasty in patients with internal nasal valve collapse. Before and 3 months after functional rhinoplasty, 12 participants were evaluated and HNR and LTAS spectral tilt in /a/ and /i/ vowels were estimated. It was seen that an increase in HNR and a decrease in LTAS spectral tilt existed after surgery. Mean LTAS spectral tilt in vowel /a/ decreased from 2.37 ± 1.04 to 2.28 ± 1.17 (P = 0.388), and it was decreased from 4.16 ± 1.65 to 2.73 ± 0.69 in vowel /i/ (P = 0.008). Mean HNR in the vowel /a/ increased from 20.71 ± 3.93 to 25.06 ± 2.67 (P = 0.002), and it was increased from 21.28 ± 4.11 to 25.26 ± 3.94 in vowel /i/ (P = 0.002). Modification of the vocal tract caused the vocal cords to close sufficiently, and this showed that although rhinoplasty did not affect the larynx directly, it changes the structure of the vocal tract and consequently the resonance of voice production. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in voice parameters after functional rhinoplasty in patients with internal nasal valve collapse by computerized analysis of acoustic characteristics.
Randomized Controlled Comparison of Ofloxacin, Azithromycin, and an Ofloxacin-Azithromycin Combination for Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant and Nalidixic Acid-Resistant Typhoid Fever

ABSTRACT Isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi that are multidrug resistant (MDR, resistant to chloramphenicol, ampicillin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole) and have reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (nalidixic acid resistant, Nar) are common in Asia. The optimum treatment for infections caused by such isolates is not established. This study compared different antimicrobial regimens for the treatment of MDR/Nar typhoid fever. Vietnamese children and adults with uncomplicated typhoid fever were entered into an open randomized controlled trial. Ofloxacin (20 mg/kg of body weight/day for 7 days), azithromycin (10 mg/kg/day for 7 days), and ofloxacin (15 mg/kg/day for 7 days) combined with azithromycin (10 mg/kg/day for the first 3 days) were compared. Of the 241 enrolled patients, 187 were eligible for analysis (186 S. enterica serovar Typhi, 1 Salmonella enterica serovar Paratyphi A). Eighty-seven percent (163/187) of the patients were children; of the S. enterica serovar Typhi isolates, 88% (165/187) were MDR and 93% (173/187) were Nar. The clinical cure rate was 64% (40/63) with ofloxacin, 76% (47/62) with ofloxacin-azithromycin, and 82% (51/62) with azithromycin (P = 0.053). The mean (95% confidence interval [CI]) fever clearance time for patients treated with azithromycin (5.8 days [5.1 to 6.5 days]) was shorter than that for patients treated with ofloxacin-azithromycin (7.1 days [6.2 to 8.1 days]) and ofloxacin (8.2 days [7.2 to 9.2 days]) (P < 0.001). Positive fecal carriage immediately posttreatment was detected in 19.4% (12/62) of patients treated with ofloxacin, 6.5% (4/62) of those treated with the combination, and 1.6% (1/62) of those treated with azithromycin (P = 0.006). Both antibiotics were well tolerated. Uncomplicated typhoid fever due to isolates of MDR S. enterica serovar Typhi with reduced susceptibility to fluoroquinolones (Nar) can be successfully treated with a 7-day course of azithromycin.
First-line chemotherapy with paclitaxel and platinum for advanced and recurrent cancer of the cervix--a phase II study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the role of first-line chemotherapy with paclitaxel and platinum in the treatment of advanced or recurrent cervix cancer. METHODS Twenty patients with advanced or recurrent cancer of the cervix with no prior chemotherapy and measurable disease were entered in a phase II trial from September 1995 to September 1998. Seventeen patients were treated with paclitaxel at 135 mg/m(2) over 24 h followed by cisplatin at 75 mg/m(2) every 4 weeks. Three patients with impaired renal function were treated with paclitaxel at 135 mg/m(2) over 3 h with carboplatin at 300 mg/m(2). RESULTS A clinical response rate of 45% was noted (two complete responses and seven partial responses) with a median duration of 6 months (range: 1.5-9). The median progression-free interval and overall survival in patients with a clinical response was 10.5 and 13 months, respectively, compared to 4 (P = 0.015) and 6 months in the nonresponders (P = 0. 14). Seven of nine patients (77.8%) with a clinical response are alive. Patients with recurrences outside the radiation field had twice the response rate (60%) than that of those within the radiated field. The chemotherapy was well tolerated; the most significant toxicity was grade 3/4 neutropenia (55%). No patient had discontinuation of chemotherapy due to toxicity. CONCLUSIONS First-line chemotherapy with paclitaxel and platinum for advanced and recurrent cervix cancer is promising and deserves consideration for large phase III trials.
Clinical experience of galantamine in dementia: a series of case reports

SUMMARY Objective: To use case studies to add the benefit of personal experience with galantamine to published literature and to demonstrate the type of patients that may benefit from this treatment. Methods: We describe eleven patients, aged 57–90 years, fulfilling the consensus diagnostic criteria for probable Alzheimer's disease, mixed dementia, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia or Parkinson's dementia. All patients were treated with galantamine that may enhance cholinergic function in the brain by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase and potentiating the effects of acetylcholine at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Clinical features were rated according to eight assessment scales in old age psychiatry and additional information was obtained from family and other carers. In some cases caregiver distress was measured. Results: All patients described showed a general improvement in cognition and neuropsychiatric symptoms, although observed improvements and effects were not always reflected by the results of formal assessments. Several patients became more independent, particularly in their activities of daily living, and treatment was felt to have helped maintain independence in their home environment, either alone or with their family or carers. One man continued in employment. Adverse events included nausea and vomiting. Conclusions: Outcomes in this case series indicate that galantamine is well tolerated and highlight aspects of the different side-effect profiles of the anticholinesterase inhibitors. Subjective benefits were not always apparent from objective measures. These case studies demonstrate the type of patients that may benefit from galantamine.
An Atlas of Soybean Small RNAs Identifies Phased siRNAs from Hundreds of Coding Genes[W]

An extensive analysis of small RNAs in soybean identified many miRNAs and phased, secondary siRNA (phasiRNA) loci; some of these miRNAs were the triggers of the phasiRNA loci. Small RNAs are ubiquitous, versatile repressors and include (1) microRNAs (miRNAs), processed from mRNA forming stem-loops; and (2) small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), the latter derived in plants by a process typically requiring an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. We constructed and analyzed an expression atlas of soybean (Glycine max) small RNAs, identifying over 500 loci generating 21-nucleotide phased siRNAs (phasiRNAs; from PHAS loci), of which 483 overlapped annotated protein-coding genes. Via the integration of miRNAs with parallel analysis of RNA end (PARE) data, 20 miRNA triggers of 127 PHAS loci were detected. The primary class of PHAS loci (208 or 41% of the total) corresponded to NB-LRR genes; some of these small RNAs preferentially accumulate in nodules. Among the PHAS loci, novel representatives of TAS3 and noncanonical phasing patterns were also observed. A noncoding PHAS locus, triggered by miR4392, accumulated preferentially in anthers; the phasiRNAs are predicted to target transposable elements, with their peak abundance during soybean reproductive development. Thus, phasiRNAs show tremendous diversity in dicots. We identified novel miRNAs and assessed the veracity of soybean miRNAs registered in miRBase, substantially improving the soybean miRNA annotation, facilitating an improvement of miRBase annotations and identifying at high stringency novel miRNAs and their targets.
Synaptic Plasticity and AMPA Receptor Trafficking

Abstract: Alterations in neuronal activity can elicit long‐lasting changes in the strength of synaptic transmission at excitatory synapses and, as a consequence, may underlie many forms of experience‐dependent plasticity, including learning and memory. The best‐characterized forms of such synaptic plasticity are the long‐term depression (LTD) and long‐term potentiation (LTP) observed at excitatory synapses in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. It is now well accepted that the trafficking of AMPA receptors to and away from the synaptic plasma membrane plays an essential role in both LTP and LTD, respectively. Here we review current models of AMPA receptor trafficking and how this trafficking may be regulated at the molecular level in order to produce the observed changes in synaptic strength. We also review recent work from our lab suggesting that synaptic plasticity in the mesolimbic dopamine system may contribute importantly to the neural adaptations elicited by drugs of abuse.
Application of a hydrodynamic model to microencapsulation by coacervation

The role of the hydrodynamic conditions in determining the characteristics of microcapsules made by coacervation was investigated in this study. The model proposed by Armenante and Kirwan, regarding the mass transfer to microcapsules in a turbulent agitated system, was applied. The working hypothesis was that the microcapsules are formed in microeddies generated by the agitation source. The dimensions of the microeddies, calculated in the vicinity of the agitation source according to Armenante and Kirwan, depend on the physical properties of the liquid medium and are inversely proportional to the power exchanged from the agitation source of the system. The power was determined according to the hydrodynamic rules developed by Rushton et al. The experimental results confirmed the hypothesis of the model. Indeed, a good relationship was found between the calculated size of the microeddies and the measured diameter of the microcapsules. Moreover, the distribution error (the standard deviation of the microcapsule size frequency distribution curve) was found to be proportional to the mean diameter value of the microcapsules and microeddies. This can be explained considering that the microeddies diameter increases by moving away from the agitation source and, consequently, a distribution of microeddies of difference sizes is present in the medium. The distribution error, which represents the difference between the smaller and the larger diameters, is inversely proportional to the exchanged power and, consequently, proportional to the mean diameter.
New Surgical Approach for Superior Conjunctivochalasis

Purpose: To show poor adhesion between the conjunctiva and the sclera in eyes with superior conjunctivochalasis (CCh) and to introduce a new surgical approach by reinforcing adhesion between the conjunctiva and the sclera for correcting this deficiency. Methods: After conjunctival peritomy and removal of the loose Tenon remnants, “Tenon reinforcement” for conjunctival adhesion to the underlying sclera was achieved by transplantation of cryopreserved amniotic membrane with fibrin glue (group A, 9 eyes of 6 patients) or 10-0 nylon sutures (group B, 8 eyes of 6 patients) in 17 eyes of 12 patients with refractory superior CCh. Results: The mean age of patients was 68.2 ± 9.8 years (range, 54-80 years). Superior CCh was associated with a superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis (SLK)-like clinical feature before surgery and found to exhibit dissolved Tenon capsule during surgery in all patients. During a mean follow-up of 3.7 ± 1.9 months after surgery, all eyes achieved smooth conjunctival surface without any sign of CCh. Complete resolution of symptoms was seen in 9 eyes (52.9%) and significant resolution in 8 eyes (47.1%). There was no significant difference between groups A and B in improvement of symptoms and signs. No complications related to surgery were noted during follow-up. Conclusions: We propose that loose and dissolved Tenon tissue is correlated with the development of superior CCh, which may result in an SLK-like appearance by blink-related microtrauma. Reinforcement of conjunctival adhesion onto the sclera by amniotic membrane with either fibrin glue or sutures is effective in alleviating symptoms and signs in eyes with superior CCh.
A Clinical Report on Receptive Vocabulary Skills in Cochlear Implant Users

Objective The aim was to measure the rate of vocabulary acquisition for cochlear implant users and compare the pre- and postoperative rates with published data for other groups with normal or impaired hearing. The hypothesis was that the postoperative rate would be greater than the preoperative rate. Design The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) was administered to 32 children, adolescents, and prelinguistically deafened adults implanted with the 22-electrode cochlear implant. Age at implantation ranged from 2 yr 6 mo to 20 yr and implant use ranged from 6 mo to 7 yr 8 mo. Results The group mean postoperative performance at various postoperative intervals was significantly higher than mean preoperative performance. Single-subject data indicated statistically significant gains over time on this test for 13 of the subjects. The mean postoperative rate of vocabulary acquisition of 1.06 times the rate for normally hearing children was significantly greater than the mean preoperative rate of 0.43. Conclusions These rates of improvement were in accord with previous reports on smaller numbers of implant users, but could not be attributed unambiguously to use of the implant because no control group was used for this clinical work. Variables such as age at implantation, duration of profound deafness, communication mode, and speech perception skill failed to significantly predict rate of improvement on the PPVT.
Perspectives on endoscopic surveillance of dysplasia in inflammatory bowel disease: a survey of academic gastroenterologists

Abstract Background and study aims Dye-based chromoendoscopy (DBC) is the preferred method for endoscopic dysplasia surveillance in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). We sought to examine the uptake of, and perception toward DBC among academic gastroenterologists. Methods We conducted an online survey of academic members of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology to assess their current dysplasia surveillance practice, uptake of DBC, and perceived barriers to adoption of DBC. Results Of the 150 physicians contacted, 49 (32.7 %) responded to the survey. The majority of respondents reported subspecialty training in IBD (71.4 %), and the median number of years in practice was 12. White-light endoscopy with random colonic biopsies was the preferred dysplasia screening method (73.5 %). Only 26.5 % of respondents routinely used DBC, despite institutional availability of over 60 %. The major barriers to adoption of DBC were concerns about procedure duration (46.9 %), concerns about cost (44.9 %), and inadequate training (40.8 %). Conclusion There is low uptake of DBC for dysplasia surveillance in IBD patients among academic gastroenterologists practicing in Canada. Additional studies should be completed to determine how to improve the uptake of DBC.
Significance of summer fog and overcast for drought stress and ecological functioning of coastal California endemic plant species

Aim Fog drip is a crucial water source for plants in many ecosystems, including a number of global biodiversity hotspots. In California, dozens of rare, drought‐sensitive plant species are endemic to coastal areas where the dominant summer moisture source is fog. Low clouds that provide water to these semi‐arid ecosystems through fog drip can also sharply reduce evaporative water losses by providing shade. We quantified the relative hydrological importance of cloud shading vs. fog drip. We then examined how both factors influence the range dynamics of an apparently fog‐dependent plant species spanning a small‐scale cloud gradient.
Consumer attitudes toward personal health records in a beacon community.

OBJECTIVE To characterize consumers' attitudes about personal health records (PHRs), electronic tools that enable consumers to securely access, manage, and share their health information, in a community participating in health information technology initiatives. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS A random-digit-dial telephone survey about PHRs was conducted among adult residents of New York State's greater Buffalo region. Multivariate regression analyses identified factors associated with potential PHR use. RESULTS We obtained a 79% (n = 200) response rate. Many respondents (70%) would potentially use PHRs. Consumers wanted PHRs to incorporate an array of information, including immunization records (89%) and providers visited (88%). They expressed interest in several online activities, including accessing their family members' healthcare information (71%). Potential PHR use was associated with perceptions that PHRs would improve privacy and security of medical information (odds ratio [OR] 4.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 20.1), understanding regarding health (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.3, 11.1), and overall quality of care (OR 3.6; 95% CI 1.2, 10.6). Potential PHR use was associated with annual household income of more than $30,000 (OR 3.9; 95% CI 1.3, 11.9) and experience looking up health information online (OR 3.0; 95% CI 1.1, 8.1). CONCLUSIONS Consumers expressed great interest in using PHRs and wanted comprehensive PHRs. However, the "digital divide" between those with varying levels of Internet experience and concerns about PHRs’ effect on privacy and security of medical information may limit use. Designing PHRs that incorporate consumer preferences and developing policies that address these barriers may increase consumers' PHR use.
Laser mode locking using a saturable absorber incorporating carbon nanotubes

This paper describes a new class of saturable absorber device based on single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT)-the saturable absorber incorporating nano tube (SAINT). The device possesses ultrafast optical properties comparable to that of the industrial standard semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM). Passively mode-locked picosecond fiber lasers in different configurations are demonstrated using SAINTs as mode lockers. This is the first demonstration of optical pulsed lasers based on the carbon nanotube technology, and the first practical application of carbon nanotubes in the field of applied optics.
Protease inhibitor-containing antiretroviral treatment and tuberculosis: can rifabutin fill the breach? [Review article].

OBJECTIVE To assess how to best manage co-administration of rifabutin (RFB) and human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) protease inhibitor (PI) containing antiretroviral treatment (ART). Recommended for initial anti-tuberculosis treatment, rifampicin (RMP) lowers PI concentrations below therapeutic levels, posing significant challenges for ART. As RFB has little effect on PI concentrations, it could be an alternative to RMP. METHODS A review of the scientific literature on the safety and efficacy of RFB for adult tuberculosis (TB) treatment was conducted, focusing on ART-TB co-therapy. A cost comparison was performed between treatment regimens, and estimates of the burden of TB disease in patients on ART were used to model RFB demand in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). RESULTS Eleven clinical studies were identified, comprising 1543 TB patients treated with RFB; 980 (64%) were living with HIV. RFB was as safe and effective as RMP, including in 313 patients receiving co-administered ART (unboosted PIs included indinavir, nelfinavir or saquinavir; a minority received ritonavir [RTV] boosted amprenavir or saquinavir). The total cost for 6 months of all HIV and TB treatment containing RTV-boosted lopinavir (LPV) and RFB is US$410, compared to US$455 if RMP is used with LPV super-boosted with RTV. Our model suggests that demand for RFB in LMICs could be between 10 000 and 18 000 courses by 2012. CONCLUSION RFB is effective and safe in combination with the PIs studied, cost-saving for co-therapy with currently recommended boosted PIs, and may have a pivotal role in the roll-out of ART. Further research into a daily dose of RFB to simplify dosing regimens and developing fixed-dose combinations can enhance the public sector roll-out of ART.
Preclinical validation of salivary biomarkers for primary Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a systemic autoimmune disease with a variety of presenting symptoms that may delay its diagnosis. We previously discovered a number of candidate salivary biomarkers for primary SS using both mass spectrometry and expression microarray analysis. In the current study, we aimed to verify these candidate biomarkers in independent patient populations and to evaluate their predictive values for primary SS detection.
Surface Modification of DLC Film Due to Oxygen-Plasma Exposure, Observed by IR Absorption Spectroscopy in Multiple-Internal-Reflection Geometry

We investigated the surface modification of diamond-like carbon film during its exposure to oxygen plasma, at different substrate temperatures. Observation of infrared spectral changes reveals that, during plasma exposure, OH groups are formed in the film. With increasing substrate temperature, OH formation suppresses, and hydrogen content decreases. Thus, we speculate that, with increasing temperature during the exposure, insertion of oxygen into C-H bonds decreases, and hydrogen abstraction from the film increases.