LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Long-term inhaled corticosteroids in preschool children at high risk for asthma.

BACKGROUND
It is unknown whether inhaled corticosteroids can modify the subsequent development of asthma in preschool children at high risk for asthma.


METHODS
We randomly assigned 285 participants two or three years of age with a positive asthma predictive index to treatment with fluticasone propionate (at a dose of 88 mug twice daily) or masked placebo for two years, followed by a one-year period without study medication. The primary outcome was the proportion of episode-free days during the observation year.


RESULTS
During the observation year, no significant differences were seen between the two groups in the proportion of episode-free days, the number of exacerbations, or lung function. During the treatment period, as compared with placebo use, use of the inhaled corticosteroid was associated with a greater proportion of episode-free days (P=0.006) and a lower rate of exacerbations (P<0.001) and of supplementary use of controller medication (P<0.001). In the inhaled-corticosteroid group, as compared with the placebo group, the mean increase in height was 1.1 cm less at 24 months (P<0.001), but by the end of the trial, the height increase was 0.7 cm less (P=0.008). During treatment, the inhaled corticosteroid reduced symptoms and exacerbations but slowed growth, albeit temporarily and not progressively.


CONCLUSIONS
In preschool children at high risk for asthma, two years of inhaled-corticosteroid therapy did not change the development of asthma symptoms or lung function during a third, treatment-free year. These findings do not provide support for a subsequent disease-modifying effect of inhaled corticosteroids after the treatment is discontinued. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00272441.).
Coiling of very large and giant basilar tip aneurysms: midterm clinical and angiographic results.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to report the midterm clinical and angiographic results of coiling of very large (>15 mm) and giant basilar tip aneurysms.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between January 1995 and October 2005, 44 very large and giant basilar tip aneurysms in 44 patients were coiled. There were 13 men (30%) and 31 women (70%) with a mean age of 51.4 years (median, 51 years; range, 34-72 years). Mean aneurysm size was 19.6 mm (range, 15-30 mm). Of 44 aneurysms, 33 (75%) had ruptured. Of 11 unruptured basilar tip aneurysms, 7 were incidentally discovered, 1 was additional to another ruptured aneurysm, and 3 were symptomatic by mass effect.


RESULTS
Procedural mortality was 2/44 (4.6%, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.4%-16%) and morbidity 1/44 (2.3%, 95% CI, 0.01%-13%). Of 33 patients with ruptured aneurysms, mean clinical follow-up was 5.2 years (range, 0.5-11.5 years). Two patients had a rebleeding from the coiled basilar tip aneurysm leading to death in 1 patient and to dependency in the other patient (annual rebleeding rate, 1.1%) One other patient died 2 years later of progressive brain stem compression. Mean angiographic follow-up in 41 of 42 surviving patients was 3.1 years. Nineteen aneurysms reopened and were coiled for a second time. Of these, 9 repeatedly reopened with time and were repeatedly coiled up to 6 times. Additional treatments were without complications.


CONCLUSION
Coiling of very large and giant basilar tip aneurysms is associated with reasonably low morbidity. Although additional treatment during follow-up is frequently necessary, rebleeding is uncommon.
Design of CVT-Based Hybrid Passenger Cars

In this paper, the hybridization of a small passenger car equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) is investigated. Designing a hybrid drive train is a multiobjective design problem. The main design objectives are fuel consumption, emissions, and performance. However, it is difficult to find a global optimal integral design solution due to the interdependence of design choices (parameters) regarding the drive-train topology, component sizes, component technologies, and control strategy, as well as the unknown sensitivity of the design objectives to the design parameters. In this paper, a parametric optimization procedure is presented to solve the design problem, where the main design objective is fuel consumption. The effects of parameter variation on fuel consumption have been investigated. Furthermore, a reduced hybrid drive-train model is introduced, with which the effects of design parameter variation is very quickly studied with an average error of less than 1.6%.
Progression of osteoarthritis after double- and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND
No consensus has been reached on the advantages of double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) over the single-bundle (SB) technique, particularly with respect to the prevention of osteoarthritis (OA) after ACLR.


PURPOSE
To evaluate whether DB ACLR has any advantages in the prevention of OA or provides better stability and function after ACLR compared with the SB technique.


STUDY DESIGN
Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.


METHODS
A total of 130 patients with an ACL injury in one knee were prospectively randomized into a DB group (n = 65) or an SB group (n = 65). For the radiologic evaluation, we determined the degree of OA based on the Kellgren-Lawrence grade before the operation and at the time of the final follow-up and determined the number of patients with progression of OA more than one grade from pre- to postoperation. We evaluated the stability results using the Lachman and pivot-shift tests and stress radiography. We also compared the functional outcomes based on the Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scale.


RESULTS
Six patients (4 in the DB group and 2 in the SB group) suffered graft failure during the follow-up and had ACL revision surgery (P = .06). A total of 112 patients were observed for a minimum of 4 years (DB group, n = 52; SB group, n = 60). Five patients (9.6%) in the DB group and 6 patients (10%) in the SB group had more advanced OA at the final follow-up (P = .75). All patients recovered full range of motion within 6 months from surgery. Stability results of the Lachman test, pivot-shift test, and the radiographic stability test failed to reveal any significant intergroup differences (P = .37, .27, and .67, respectively). In the pivot-shift result, the DB group had 4 patients with grade 2 and the SB group had 3 patients with grade 2 (P = .27). Clinical outcomes, including Lysholm knee and Tegner activity scores, were similar in the 2 groups. Statistical significance was achieved only for the IKDC subjective scale (78.2 in DB group vs 73.1 in SB group; P = .03).


CONCLUSION
The DB technique, compared with SB, was not more effective in preventing OA and did not have a more favorable failure rate. Although the DB ACLR technique produced a better IKDC subjective scale result than did the SB ACLR technique, the 2 modalities were similar in terms of clinical outcomes and stability after a minimum 4 years of follow-up.
Effects of tofacitinib monotherapy on patient-reported outcomes in a randomized phase 3 study of patients with active rheumatoid arthritis and inadequate responses to DMARDs.

INTRODUCTION
Tofacitinib is an oral Janus kinase inhibitor for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.


METHOD
In this 6-month, phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 611 patients with inadequate response to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARD-IR) were randomized 4:4:1:1 to receive: tofacitinib 5 mg BID or tofacitinib 10 mg BID for the duration of the study, or placebo for 3 months followed by tofacitinib 5 mg BID or tofacitinib 10 mg BID. Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) included: Patient Global Assessment of Disease Activity (PtGA); Patient Assessment of Pain (Pain); Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index (HAQ-DI); Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS) Short Form-36 (SF-36); Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F); and MOS Sleep Scale. Time-to-event data (PtGA and Pain) were collected using an interactive voice response system daily diary (baseline through day 14).


RESULTS
At month 3, tofacitinib 5 and 10 mg BID demonstrated statistically significant improvements versus placebo in PtGA (both p < 0.0001), Pain (both p < 0.0001), HAQ-DI (both p < 0.0001), SF-36 Physical (p < 0.0001) and Mental (p < 0.05 [5 mg BID] and p < 0.0001 [10 mg BID]), Component Summary scores and all domain scores (p < 0.05-p < 0.0001) and FACIT-F (both p < 0.0001). Statistically significant changes from baseline in MOS Sleep Scale were reported for 10 mg BID (p < 0.05). Benefits of tofacitinib treatment were rapid in onset and significant improvements were reported at week 2 for PtGA, Pain and HAQ-DI, and differentiation from baseline was seen as early as 3 days after treatment initiation for interactive voice response system (IVRS) PtGA and IVRS Pain. The numbers needed to treat for patients to report changes greater than or equal to the minimum clinically important difference in PtGA, Pain, HAQ-DI, SF-36 Physical Component Summary score and FACIT-F ranged between 4.0-6.1 (5 mg BID) and 3.2-5.0 (10 mg BID).


CONCLUSION
Tofacitinib monotherapy in DMARD-IR patients resulted in statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in multiple PROs versus placebo at month 3, with sustained improvements over 6 months.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Clinicaltrials.gov registration NCT00814307 , registered 22 December 2008.
Lipid production and molecular dynamics simulation for regulation of accD gene in cyanobacteria under different N and P regimes

BACKGROUND
Microalgae grown under different nutrient deficient conditions present a good source of natural lipids with applications for several types of biofuels. The expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase gene can further provide an insight to the mechanisms leading to enhanced lipid production under such stresses. In this study, two nutrients viz. nitrogen and phosphorus were modulated to see its effect on lipid productivity in selected cyanobacteria and its correlation with Accase followed by molecular dynamics simulation.


RESULTS
Selected cyanobacteria viz. Oscillatoria sp. (SP8), Anabaena sp. (SP12), Anabaena sp. (SP13), Microcoleus sp. (SP18), and Nostoc sp. (SP20) varied in their ability to accumulate lipids which ranged from a lowest of 0.13% in Anabaena sp. (SP13) to the maximum of 7.24% in Microcoleus sp. (SP18). Microcoleus sp. (SP18) also recorded highest lipid accumulation at both N (6 mM NaNO3) and P (0.20 mM K2HPO4) limiting conditions. The overall expression of accD was found to be upregulated in both Oscillatoria sp. (SP8) and Microcoleus sp. (SP18) for all nitrogen concentrations but was differentially regulated with both positive and negative induction under phosphorus stress conditions. Maximum induction was observed in Microcoleus sp. (SP18) at 0.20 mM K2HPO4. The obtained 3D structure of SP8 protein (21.8 kDa) showed six alpha helices, while SP18 protein (16.7 kDa) exhibited four alpha helices and four beta sheets. The phi (ϕ)/psi(ψ) angles of the amino acid residues observed in Ramachandran plot analysis showed that both SP8 and SP18 proteins were highly stable with more than 90% amino acids in allowed regions. The molecular dynamics simulation results also indicated the stability of ligand-bound protein complexes.


CONCLUSION
It has been demonstrated that cyanobacterial isolates are affected differently by nutrient limitation leading to variation in their lipid productivity. The same has been revealed by the behavior of accD gene expression which was regulated more by nutrients concentrations rather than the organism. However, the ligand-bound protein complexes were stable throughout MD simulations.
Multiband 60-GHz Wireless Over Fiber Access System With High Dispersion Tolerance Using Frequency Tripling Technique

A new optical millimeter-wave generation scheme to triple the beating frequency based on subcarrier multiplexing in combination with single sideband technique is proposed, capable of high tolerance of fiber chromatic dispersion. The proposed scheme can be applied to two types of multiband 60-GHz wireless over fiber access systems: one with widely separated bands including millimeter-wave, microwave and baseband and the other one with multiple 60-GHz sub-bands. Experimental verification of the proposed system with widely separated bands is presented with the generation and error-free transmission of 2.1-Gb/s data on the 63-GHz mm-wave and 21-GHz microwave carriers over 50-km single-mode fiber (SMF-28) without dispersion compensation. The power penalties caused by 50-km fiber transmission for both signals are both less than 1.0 dB at BER of 10-9 Meanwhile, simultaneous generation and transmission of multiple services at 60-GHz sub-bands are also introduced. The experimental results demonstrate the successful delivery of the 1-Gbps data carried by 60-GHz millimeter-wave both over 50-km SMF-28 and wireless distance of 6-m without any dispersion compensation. The optical receiver sensitivity of the transmission with two sub-bands degrades by 2 dB compared with the single band 60-GHz signal, and the power penalty from 50-km SMF-28 transmission is 0.8 dB at BER of 10-9. From the theoretical analysis and experimental demonstrations of the two multiband systems, it is concluded that the proposed millimeter-wave generation scheme indeed increase the transmission distance for the system with 60-GHz signal, which normally having SMF transmission distance of few tens of kilometers, by utilizing optical and electrical components with low-bandwidth requirements.
Human-Robot Dialogues for Explaining Activities

The paper focuses on issues related to dialogue modelling that allows communication between users and social robots, on topics that concern experience and knowledge of people in service industries. We discuss dialogue models based on goal-directed ontologies, as well as architectural aspects of a dialogue system that enables humans to communicate with the robot partner and engage in interactions concerning tasks and activities related to elder-care services.
A drug use survey among clients of harm reduction sites across British Columbia, Canada, 2012

BACKGROUND
In British Columbia (BC), understanding of high-risk drug use trends is largely based on survey and cohort study data from two major cities, which may not be representative of persons who use drugs in other regions. Harm reduction stakeholders, representing each of the five geographic health regions in BC, identified a need for data on drug use to inform local and regional harm reduction activities across the province. The aims of this project were to (1) develop a drug use survey that could be feasibly administered at harm reduction (HR) sites across all health regions and (2) assess the data for differences in reported drug use frequencies by region.


METHODS
A pilot survey focusing on current drug use was developed with stakeholders and administered among clients at 28 HR supply distribution sites across the province by existing staff and peers. Data were collated and analysed using univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics to assess differences in reported drug use frequencies by geography. A post-survey evaluation was conducted to assess acceptability and feasibility of the survey process for participating sites.


RESULTS
Crack cocaine, heroin, and morphine were the most frequently reported drugs with notable regional differences. Polysubstance use was common among respondents (70%) with one region having 81% polysubstance use. Respondents surveyed in or near their region's major centre were more likely to report having used crack cocaine (p < 0.0001) and heroin (p < 0.0001) in the past week as compared to those residing >50 km from the major centre. Participants accessing services >50 km from the regional centre were more likely to have used morphine (p < 0.0001). There was no difference in powder cocaine use by client/site proximity to the regional centre. Participating sites found the survey process acceptable, feasible to administer annually, and useful for responding to client needs.


CONCLUSIONS
The survey was a feasible way for harm reduction sites across BC to obtain drug use data from clients who actively use drugs. Drug use frequencies differed substantially by region and community proximity to the regional centre, underlining the need for locally collected data to inform service planning.
MINIATURE X-RAY TUBES UTILIZING CARBON NANOTUBE-BASED COLD CATHODES

The electron field-emission properties of carbon nanotubes enable the fabrication of cold cathodes for a variety of vacuum device applications. The utilization of these cathodes is an attractive alternative for the replacement of thermionic or hot cathodes for generating x-rays.[1] Miniature X-ray tubes [2,3,4] have been fabricated using a triode-style carbon nanotube-based cathodes.[5] In this paper, we report the results of characterization studies, such as beam current dependence on the control gate voltage. Also, results on focal spot measurements and electron-beam modeling will be presented. It is shown that the new x-ray tubes exhibit superior lifetime, stable focus spot, and are capable of pulsed operation. The miniature tube has also been integrated with a high-voltage power supply for operation in a constant anode-current mode, providing a stable platform for x-ray analysis applications. [1] “Generation of Continuous and Pulse Diagnostic Imaging X-Ray Radiation Using a Carbon-Nanotube-Based Field Emission Cathode”, G. Z. Yue, Q. Qiu, Bo Gao, Y. Cheng, J. Zhang, H. Shimoda, S. Chang, J. P. Lu, and O. Zhou, Appl. Phys. Lett. 81, 355357 (2002). [2] “Characterization Techniques for Miniature Low-Power X-Ray Tubes”, A. ReyesMena, Melany Moras, Charles Jensen, Steven D. Liddiard, and D. Clark Turner, Advance In X-ray Analysis 47, 2003. [3] “Improvements in Low-Power, End-Window, Transmission-Target X-Ray Tubes”, Charles Jensen, Stephen M. Elliott, Steven D. Liddiard, A. Reyes-Mena, Melany Moras, and D. Clark Turner, Advance In X-ray Analysis 47, 2003. [4] “Mobile Miniature X-Ray Source”, D. Clark Turner, Arturo Reyes, Hans K. Pew, Mark W. Lund, Michael Lines, Paul Moody, and Sergei Voronov, US Patent 6661876. [5] “X-Ray Generating Mechanism Using Electron Field Emission Cathode”, Otto Zhou and J. Lu, US Patent 6,553,096.
Breast Reinnervation: DIEP Neurotization Using the Third Anterior Intercostal Nerve

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this article is to evaluate a new method of DIEP flap neurotization using a reliably located recipient nerve. We hypothesize that neurotization by this method (with either nerve conduit or direct nerve coaptation) will have a positive effect on sensory recovery.


METHODS
Fifty-seven deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flaps were performed on 35 patients. Neurotizations were performed to the third anterior intercostal nerve by directly coapting the flap donor nerve or coapting with a nerve conduit. Nine nonneurotized DIEP flaps served as controls and received no attempted neurotization. All patients were tested for breast sensibility in 9 areas of the flap skin-island and adjacent postmastectomy skin. Testing occurred at an average of 111 weeks (23-309) postoperatively.


RESULTS
At a mean of 111 weeks after breast reconstruction, neurotization of the DIEP flap resulted in recovery of sensibility that was statistically significantly better (lower threshold) in the flap skin (P < 0.01) and statistically significantly better than in the native mastectomy skin into which the DIEP flap was inserted (P < 0.01). Sensibility recovered in DIEP flaps neurotized using the nerve conduit was significantly better (lower threshold) than that in the corresponding areas of the DIEP flaps neurotized by direct coaptation (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSION
DIEP flap neurotization using the third anterior intercostal nerve is an effective technique to provide a significant increase in sensory recovery for breast reconstruction patients, while adding minimal surgical time. Additionally, the use of a nerve conduit produces increased sensory recovery when compared direct coaptation.
MorphoSys: An Integrated Reconfigurable System for Data-Parallel and Computation-Intensive Applications

Hartej Singh, Ming-Hau Lee, Guangming Lu, Fadi J. Kurdahi, Nader Bagherzadeh, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697 and Eliseu M. C. Filho, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Abstract: This paper introduces MorphoSys, a reconfigurable computing system developed to investigate the effectiveness of combining reconfigurable hardware with general-purpose processors for word-level, computation-intensive applications. MorphoSys is a coarse-grain, integrated reconfigurable system-on-chip targeted at high-throughput and data-parallel applications. It comprises of a reconfigurable array of processing cells, a modified RISC processor core and an efficient memory interface unit. This paper describes the MorphoSys architecture, including the reconfigurable processing array, the control processor and data and configuration memories. The suitability of MorphoSys for the target application domain is then illustrated with examples such as video compression, data encryption and target recognition. Performance evaluation of these applications indicates improvements of up to an order of magnitude on MorphoSys in comparison with other systems.
A study of the utility and equivalency of 2 methods of wound measurement: digitized tracing versus digital photography.

OBJECTIVE
To examine agreement between digitized tracing and digital photography methods in measuring wound area and healing rate, and to compare and contrast the 2 methods on feasibility and utility in patient care and research settings.


SETTING
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.


PARTICIPANTS
A total of 20 subjects aged 18 years or older with a spinal cord injury and pressure ulcers that were Stage II or higher, and who had received in- or outpatient wound care at the hospital for at least 3 consecutive weeks.


METHODS
Wound area was measured at weekly intervals. One assessor calculated wound area from a digitized tracing. A second assessor calculated wound area using a wound photograph. Both assessors used Image-J software. The 2 methods were compared for differences in weekly wound area and weekly healing rate.


RESULTS
Methods were different for wound area (P < .0001), whereas there was no difference between methods in weekly healing rate (P = .9429).


CONCLUSIONS
The 2 methods are in agreement on the important parameter of healing rate. Both methods are feasible in clinical settings. Wound photography may be more useful than digitized tracings because it simultaneously captures wound appearance.
Stabilizing periodontally compromised teeth with glass fiber-reinforced composite resin – case report

Introduction: The tooth mobility due to periodontal bone loss can cause masticatory discomfort, mainly in protrusive movements in the region of the mandibular anterior teeth. Thus, the splinting is a viable alternative to keep them in function satisfactorily. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate, through a clinical case with medium-term following-up, the clinical application of splinting with glass fiber-reinforced composite resin. Case report: Female patient, 73 years old, complained about masticatory discomfort related to the right mandibular lateral incisor. Clinical and radiographic evaluation showed grade 2 dental mobility, bone loss and increased periodontal ligament space. The proposed treatment was splinting with glass fiber-reinforced composite resin from the right mandibular canine to left mandibular canine. Results: Four-year follow-up showed favorable clinical and radiographic results with respect to periodontal health and maintenance of functional aspects. Conclusion: The splinting with glass fiber-reinforced composite resin is a viable technique and stable over time for the treatment of tooth mobility.