Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Polymyalgia rheumatica without significantly increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate. A more benign syndrome.

BACKGROUND An erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) of at least 40 mm/h is considered an important requisite for the diagnosis of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). However, the relative frequency and clinical features of PMR in patients without a significantly increased ESR are unclear. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of patients diagnosed as having PMR at the rheumatology divisions of 3 teaching hospitals. The diagnosis of PMR was established, regardless of the ESR, in 201 consecutive patients fulfilling the following criteria: (1) age 50 years or older, (2) severe proximal pain for more than 1 month in at least 2 of 3 areas: neck, shoulder, and/or pelvic girdles, and (3) rapid resolution of the syndrome while taking low-dose prednisone. Patients with giant cell arteritis were previously excluded from the study. The frequency and clinical features of patients with PMR and an ESR lower than 40 mm/h were analyzed. A comparative study between these patients and those with high ESRs was performed. RESULTS An ESR lower than 40 mm/h was found in 41 patients (20.4%). These patients were younger (P = .02), were more frequently men (P = .006), and experienced a lower frequency of fever (P = .003) and weight loss (P = .07). Furthermore, these patients were characterized by an absence of anemia (P = .002) and a lower frequency of abnormal protein electrophoresis results (P < .001). Otherwise, their clinical syndrome, response to therapy, and frequency of relapses were similar to those of patients with classic PMR. In the entire population of 201 patients, the ESR was related to the length of treatment, number of areas involved, presence of fever, weight loss, and laboratory test result abnormalities, but it was unrelated to the duration of the illness prior to diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS It is not uncommon to find a patient with PMR with an ESR lower than 40 mm/h. This syndrome is more frequent in men and it is clinically less severe than the classic form of PMR. Its recognition will allow these patients to benefit from an effective treatment with low-dose corticosteroids.
100 years of mortality due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Australia: the role of tobacco consumption.

BACKGROUND Global studies of the long-term association between tobacco consumption and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have relied upon descriptions of trends. OBJECTIVES To statistically analyse the relationship of tobacco consumption with data on mortality due to COPD over the past 100 years in Australia. METHODS Tobacco consumption was reconstructed back to 1887. Log-linear Poisson regression models were used to analyse cumulative cohort and lagged time-specific smoking data and its relationship with COPD mortality. RESULTS Age-standardised COPD mortality, although likely misclassified with other diseases, decreased for males and females from 1907 until the start of the Second World War in contrast to steadily rising tobacco consumption. Thereafter, COPD mortality rose sharply in line with trends in smoking, peaking in the early 1970s for males and over 20 years later for females, before falling again. Regression models revealed both cumulative and time-specific tobacco consumption to be strongly predictive of COPD mortality, with a time lag of 15 years for males and 20 years for females. CONCLUSIONS Sharp falls in COPD mortality before the Second World War were unrelated to tobacco consumption. Smoking was the primary driver of post-War trends, and the success of anti-smoking campaigns has sharply reduced COPD mortality levels.
User-defined template for identifying document type and extracting information from documents

An automatic document entry system is described that identifies the type of document and extracts textual information, such as titles or authors, from semi-formatted document images. The system registers documents, offers easy retrieval of documents used in a daily workflow analyzes the layout structure of documents by using document specific models, and assumes that each type of document is known in advance. In this paper we focus on a method for identifying the type of document.
Alterations in Tocopherol Cyclase Activity in Transgenic and Mutant Plants of Arabidopsis Affect Tocopherol Content, Tocopherol Composition, and Oxidative Stress1

Tocopherol belongs to the Vitamin E class of lipid soluble antioxidants that are essential for human nutrition. In plants, tocopherol is synthesized in plastids where it protects membranes from oxidative degradation by reactive oxygen species. Tocopherol cyclase (VTE1) catalyzes the penultimate step of tocopherol synthesis, and an Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutant deficient in VTE1 (vte1) is totally devoid of tocopherol. Overexpression of VTE1 resulted in an increase in total tocopherol of at least 7-fold in leaves, and a dramatic shift from α-tocopherol to γ-tocopherol. Expression studies demonstrated that indeed VTE1 is a major limiting factor of tocopherol synthesis in leaves. Tocopherol deficiency in vte1 resulted in the increase in ascorbate and glutathione, whereas accumulation of tocopherol in VTE1 overexpressing plants led to a decrease in ascorbate and glutathione. Deficiency in one antioxidant in vte1, vtc1 (ascorbate deficient), or cad2 (glutathione deficient) led to increased oxidative stress and to the concomitant increase in alternative antioxidants. Double mutants of vte1 were generated with vtc1 and cad2. Whereas growth, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic quantum yield were very similar to wild type in vte1, vtc1, cad2, or vte1vtc1, they were reduced in vte1cad2, indicating that the simultaneous loss of tocopherol and glutathione results in moderate oxidative stress that affects the stability and the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus.
Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptides, PACAP‐27 and PACAP‐38: stimulators of electrogenic ion secretion in the rat small intestine

1 The effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP)‐27 and PACAP‐38 were investigated and compared with vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) responses in voltage clamped preparations of rat jejunum. Under these conditions electrogenic ion secretion was continuously recorded. 2 PACAP‐27 is the most potent secretagogue described thus far, exhibiting a concentration‐dependent dual secretory action. At low concentrations it stimulated rapid, transient secretory responses (not seen with either PACAP‐38 or VIP) and these were inhibited by tetrodotoxin (TTX). At higher nm concentrations of PACAP‐27 more prolonged secretory responses predominated which were insensitive to TTX. 3 In the presence of TTX, the concentration‐response curve to PACAP‐27 gave an EC50 value of 29.4 ± 5.4 nm (n = 4) compared with 0.8 ± 0.1 nm (n = 9) for PACAP‐27 alone and 30.6 ± 5.6 nm (n = 5) for PACAP‐38. C‐terminal fragments of PACAP‐38 were not significantly effective. 4 Blockade of muscarinic and nicotinic receptors partially inhibited the low concentration effects of PACAP‐27. Substance P densensitization and capsaicin pretreatment were effective at inhibiting the transient secretory PACAP‐27 responses. Evidence is presented for selective, high affinity PACAP‐27 receptors on submucous neurones innervating the mucosal region of the rat jejunum.
Healing Process for Cerebral Dissecting Aneurysms Presenting with Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVEThis was a pathological study to investigate the healing process for cerebral dissecting aneurysms presenting with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). METHODSThirteen dissecting aneurysms that presented with SAH were obtained from 13 patients. Nine aneurysms arose from the vertebral artery, two arose from the anterior cerebral artery, one arose from the internal carotid artery, and one arose from the superior cerebellar artery. Eight aneurysm specimens were collected during autopsy and five were resected during surgery (trapping with or without bypass). The period between the onset of SAH and the time of specimen collection ranged from 6 hours to 35 days. All 13 aneurysms were pathologically examined with immunohistochemical staining, with a focus on the chronological healing process after SAH. RESULTSAll dissecting aneurysms were generated with sudden widespread disruption of the internal elastic lamina and media. The healing process occurred with neointimal proliferation. The neointima, consisting mainly of newly synthesized smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers, extended from the disrupted ends of the media proper forward to the ruptured portion. CONCLUSIONIt is assumed that the healing process, with neointimal proliferation, begins after 1 week and may not be complete even after 1 month, depending on the extent of the wall injury.
The aging stomach: implications for NSAID gastropathy

Over 30 million people worldwide use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) daily, and nearly 50% of these NSAID users are elderly.1 2 Numerous human studies have shown that the use of NSAIDs is associated with various gastroduodenal mucosal lesions,2-4 sometimes collectively referred to as NSAID gastropathy,4 and that NSAID gastropathy and its life-threatening complications occur primarily in elderly patients.5 6 Overall, the use of NSAIDs increases the risk of peptic ulcer disease, ulcer complications (haemorrhage and/or perforation), and death from ulcer by a factor of between 2 and 4.3 5 7 In the United States alone, medical costs attributable to NSAID gastropathy and its complications exceed $4 (£2.4) billion a year.2 Although increased NSAID use among the elderly is an obvious risk factor, epidemiological data suggest that aging is an independent risk factor for the development of NSAID gastropathy and its complications.5 6 8 The aim of this article is to review recent developments in the area of age related changes in gastric physiology that may predispose the elderly to NSAID gastropathy. A better understanding of the age related changes in gastric mucosal functions will help us to develop novel interventions for the treatment and prevention of NSAID induced gastrointestinal injury in susceptible elderly people. The mechanisms by which aspirin and other NSAIDs produce acute and chronic gastroduodenal mucosal injury are incompletely understood. In general, gastric mucosal injury is thought to result when aggressive luminal factors (such as acid and pepsin) overwhelm local mucosal protective factors (such as mucus and bicarbonate). 8 9Results from animal studies suggest that the production of mucosal lesions by aspirin is a result of two independent mechanisms: ( a ) cyclooxygenase inhibition by …
Heat-related deaths during the July 1995 heat wave in Chicago.

BACKGROUND During a record-setting heat wave in Chicago in July 1995, there were at least 700 excess deaths, most of which were classified as heat-related. We sought to determine who was at greatest risk for heat-related death. METHODS We conducted a case-control study in Chicago to identify risk factors associated with heat-related death and death from cardiovascular causes from July 14 through July 17, 1995. Beginning on July 21, we interviewed 339 relatives, neighbors, or friends of those who died and 339 controls matched to the case subjects according to neighborhood and age. RESULTS The risk of heat-related death was increased for people with known medical problems who were confined to bed (odds ratio as compared with those who were not confined to bed, 5.5) or who were unable to care for themselves (odds ratio, 4.1). Also at increased risk were those who did not leave home each day (odds ratio, 6.7), who lived alone (odds ratio, 2.3), or who lived on the top floor of a building (odds ratio, 4.7). Having social contacts such as group activities or friends in the area was protective. In a multivariate analysis, the strongest risk factors for heat-related death were being confined to bed (odds ratio, 8.2) and living alone (odds ratio, 2.3); the risk of death was reduced for people with working air conditioners (odds ratio, 0.3) and those with access to transportation (odds ratio, 0.3). Deaths classified as due to cardiovascular causes had risk factors similar to those for heat-related death. CONCLUSIONS In this study of the 1995 Chicago heat wave, those at greatest risk of dying from the heat were people with medical illnesses who were socially isolated and did not have access to air conditioning. In future heat emergencies, interventions directed to such persons should reduce deaths related to the heat.
Polyimide and FEP charging behavior under multienergetic electron-beam irradiation

Surface and internal charging of dielectric materials is a potential cause of surface discharges and satellite anomalies, due to the fluctuating irradiation levels induced by space environment. Understanding conduction mechanisms and reducing charging levels are therefore important industrial issues for satellite designers and manufacturers. Surface potential measurements under irradiation and after charging (potential decay) are the most significant laboratory tests to qualify and understand the charging and discharging behavior of insulating materials. We present here experimental results obtained using the SIRENE facility at ONERA. Kapton and Teflon FEP films respond differently when subjected to a 20 keV charging electron beam combined with a 400keV ionizing electron beam. The physics underlying these experimental results is discussed. A simple numerical model has been developed. It is shown that different combinations of mobility, trapping and recombination may explain the results on both materials. The complex behavior observed on Teflon FEP may be attributed to the progressive deep trapping of the negative charge, enhancing holes recombination.
Efficacy of Voriconazole in a Guinea Pig Model of Disseminated Invasive Aspergillosis

ABSTRACT Voriconazole (VRC) was evaluated in an immunosuppressed-guinea pig model of invasive aspergillosis. VRC was more effective than amphotericin B or similar doses of itraconazole in the clearance ofAspergillus from tissues. VRC treatment regimens improved survival and significantly reduced tissue colony counts compared with those of controls.
Pourquoi ne pas les épouser

Pourquoi les descendants de « roturiers » (olompotsy) du sud des Hautes Terres centrales de Madagascar refusent-ils systematiquement de se marier avec des descendants d’« esclaves » (andevo) ? Pour tenter de repondre a cette question, l’auteur s’interesse a des descendants d’esclaves de cette region, appeles les Berosaina, qui possedent des terres et des tombes ancestrales et qui menent une existence assez comparable a celle des olompotsy sauf quand il s’agit de former des alliances matrimoniales. Il suggere que, contrairement a ce qui a ete avance precedemment, les descendants d’esclaves ne manquent pas de tombes. La determination de leur statut se fonde sur deux pratiques culturelles bien ancrees – les tetihara (ou discours prononces lors des funerailles) et l’enquete maritale – qui entretiennent la memoire sociale des « origines ». Par consequent, pour expliquer cet evitement du mariage, plusieurs niveaux d’analyse sont necessaires.
Vitamin D and hypertension: an update and review

Purpose of reviewVitamin D deficiency and hypertension are highly prevalent. This review will discuss the association between vitamin D deficiency and blood pressure. Recent findingsDuring the past several years multiple prospective cohorts and randomized studies have been published. Recent studies have focused mostly on 25-hydroxy vitamin D, but a small number of trials used active vitamin D analog compounds. SummaryData from cross-sectional studies report that low 25-hydroxy vitamin D is associated with higher systolic blood pressure and higher incidence of hypertension. Large observational studies show a weaker, yet similar association, but they have not largely accounted for the change in vitamin D levels over time. Randomized control trials conflict with observational data probably due to differences in populations studied, doses of vitamin D used, and unmeasured confounders. Further research is needed before clinical practice recommends vitamin D prescription as treatment for hypertension in the general population.
The role of dexamethasone in the treatment of bacterial meningitis – a systematic review

Corticosteroids are used as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of bacterial meningitis in an attempt to attenuate the intrathecal inflammatory response and thereby reduce mortality and morbidity. The purpose of the present paper is to provide a review of clinical studies of corticosteroids in the treatment of bacterial meningitis. Relevant literature was found in PubMed, the Cochrane databases, and references in studies. Forty‐four publications of relevance were identified, comprising 29 publications of randomised studies, 10 publications reporting either non‐ or quasi‐randomised studies, and five reporting retrospective studies, and nine meta‐analyses. Taken together, dexamethasone treatment may be associated with a lower mortality in adults and fewer neurological and auditory sequelae in adults and children from high‐income countries, in particular in adults suffering from pneumococcal meningitis. In contrast, studies conducted in developing countries have yielded less favourable results.
Theory of Mind in Young People with Down's Syndrome

The ability to describe, assign and attribute certain mental states is referred to as Theory of Mind. This topic has been extensively studied in the field of autism, where deficits in social interaction skills that characterize this disorder are thought to be due to a lack of a Theory of Mind. However, there is also evidence that children with developmental disabilities have difficulties in solving tasks concerning the attribution of mental states. In this paper, we present two studies that have been conducted with young people with Down's Syndrome and developmental delay with a task in which they should report the preferences of a character who is unknown to them in different situations. The results in the first study are variable, and it was difficult for participants to accurately report the preferred options of the character, even after watching that person choosing. However, all the participants in the second study were able to put themselves in the place of the character and accurately report on his/her preferences. The difference between the results in the two studies is analyzed in terms of the subject's experience with the character and the prompts that ensure discrimination of the most relevant elements in the task.
Dynamical Visualization of Nested Correspondences

Introduction Computer-aided translation systems based on translation memories have spread rapidly in the translation industry over the last 15 years or so. A key reason for their success is that they require no language-specific resources. One of their main drawbacks is that they do not allow translators to reuse translation of micro-examples that are abundant in the memories. Indeed, in the classical use of translation memories, a fuzzy match will only be presented to the translator if it broadly corresponds to the segment to be translated. This granularity is far from optimal to take advantage of minor correspondences that will remain ignored by the system. These issues have been repeatedly addressed in the literature; see for example [7], [13], [20], [25], [26] and [27].
Measurement of cremophor EL following taxol: plasma levels sufficient to reverse drug exclusion mediated by the multidrug-resistant phenotype.

BACKGROUND Paclitaxel (Taxol) is the first of a new class of cytotoxic agents with activity against tumors resistant to other drugs. For clinical use, paclitaxel is currently formulated in a vehicle of 50% ethanol and 50% polyethoxylated surfactant Cremophor EL (Cremophor). We have previously shown that Cremophor will block the P-glycoprotein drug efflux pump responsible for the multidrug-resistant phenotype. Overexpression of P-glycoprotein is one mechanism of in vitro resistance to a number of currently used cytotoxic agents including paclitaxel. PURPOSE Our aim was to develop a bioassay to measure plasma levels of Cremophor and to determine whether or not plasma levels of Cremophor achieved during paclitaxel therapy are sufficient to inhibit the activity of the P-glycoprotein. METHODS All patients studied had histologically proven, advanced ovarian carcinoma with measurable or evaluable disease and had received at least one prior platinum-containing regimen. The bioassay used flow cytometry to measure the increase in equilibrium intracellular daunorubicin levels in multidrug-resistant human T-cell leukemia cells (CEM/VLB100) in the presence of a series of concentrations of Cremophor. Levels of Cremophor were measured in plasma from 21 patients after a 3-hour infusion of 135 or 175 mg/m2 paclitaxel. Both dose levels were given following premedication with oral dexamethasone, intravenous promethazine hydrochloride, and intravenous cimetidine. The Cremophor bioassay involved incubation of CEM/VLB100 cells (5 x 10(5)) for 1 hour with 2 micrograms/mL daunorubicin in 0.5 mL HL-1 medium plus 0.5 mL plasma prior to flow cytometric analysis. Pretreatment plasma was used to derive a standard curve for the effect of Cremophor on equilibrium daunorubicin levels. All measurements were done in triplicate. RESULTS In vitro experiments indicated that, for maximal inhibition of P-glycoprotein activity, concentrations of Cremophor of 0.1% (vol/vol) were required. At the end of a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel, plasma levels of Cremophor in 19 of 21 patients were 0.1% or higher and 0.09% in the remaining two. Concentrations of 5-20 microM paclitaxel dissolved in ethanol without Cremophor did not inhibit P-glycoprotein in this assay. CONCLUSION The concentrations of Cremophor measured in plasma drawn from patients after a 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel at 135 or 175 mg/m2 were found to be sufficient to inhibit P-glycoprotein activity in vitro. IMPLICATIONS The efficacy of paclitaxel against some tumors may be aided by its administration in a vehicle solution containing Cremophor in quantities that reach concentrations in the plasma sufficient to reverse multidrug resistance of neoplastic cells.
Tranexamic acid given intraoperatively reduces blood loss after total knee replacement: a randomized, controlled study

Background: Extensive blood loss in total knee replacement (TKR) surgery is well known and is associated with a high transfusion rate of allogenic blood. Tranexamic acid (TXA) has been shown to reduce blood loss by 50% in this patient group, but only in cases with a perioperative loss of 1400–1800 ml. This study was performed to see if TXA offers any advantages in knee replacement surgery with blood loss at 800 ml.