Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Wait Time for Curative Intent Radio Frequency Ablation is Associated with Increased Mortality in Patients with Early Stage Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a recommended curative intent treatment option for patients with early stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We investigated if wait times for RFA were associated with residual tumor, tumor recurrence, need for liver transplantation, or death. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with HCC between January 2010 and December 2013 presenting to University Health Network (UHN) in Toronto, Canada. All patients receiving curative intent RFA for HCC were included. Multivariable Cox regression was used to determine if wait times were associated with clinical outcomes. RESULTS 219 patients were included in the study. 72.6% were male and the median age was 62.7 years (IQR 55.6-71). Median tumor size at diagnosis was 21.5 mm (IQR 17-26); median MELD was 8.7 (IQR 7.2-11.4) and 57.1% were Barcelona stage 0. The cause of liver disease was viral hepatitis in 73.5% (Hepatitis B and C). The median time from HCC diagnosis to RFA treatment was 96 days (IQR 75-139). In multivariate analysis, wait time was not associated with requiring liver transplant or tumor recurrence, however, each incremental 30-day wait time was associated with an increased risk of residual tumor (HR = 1.09; 95% CI 1.01-1.19; p = 0.033) as well as death (HR = 1.23; 95% CI 1.11-1.36; p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION Incremental 30-day wait times are associated with a 9% increased risk of residual tumor and a 23% increased risk of death. We have identified system gaps where quality improvement measures can be implemented to reduce wait times and allocate resources for future RFA treatment, which may improve both quality and efficiency of HCC care.
Kohn-Sham potentials in exact density-functional theory at noninteger electron numbers

Within exact electron density-functional theory, we investigate Kohn-Sham (KS) potentials, orbital energies, and noninteracting kinetic energies of the fractional ions of Li, C and F. We use quantum Monte Carlo densities as input, which are then fitted, interpolated at noninteger electron numbers N, and inverted to produce accurate KS potentials v_s^N(r). We study the dependence of the KS potential on N, and in particular we numerically reproduce the theoretically predicted spatially constant discontinuity of v_s^N(r) as N passes through an integer. We further show that, for all the cases considered, the inner orbital energies and the noninteracting kinetic energy are nearly piecewise linear functions of N. This leads us to propose a simple approximation of the KS potential v_s^N (r) at any fractional electron number N which uses only quantities of the systems with the adjacent integer electron numbers.
Differentiated instruction in primary schools : implementation and challenges in Indonesia

The paper identifies the level and nature of differentiated instruction (DI) implementation in Indonesian primary schools. Teachers reported their level of DI adoption and reacted to five vignettes reflecting key dimensions of DI. Research data revealed overall DI implementation is significantly below the mastery learning benchmark (80%). Nevertheless, teachers feel they are able to cope with student diversity and have basic ideas about DI implementation. Research implications point at educational policies to invest in initial teacher training and professional development, next to a need for parent involvement. Future research could centre on studying actual teacher behavior in classrooms, next to experimenting with particular DI-strategies.
Finding a large submatrix of a Gaussian random matrix

We consider the problem of finding a $k\times k$ submatrix of an $n\times n$ matrix with i.i. d. standard Gaussian entries, which has a large average entry. It was shown earlier by Bhamidi et al. that the largest average value of such a matrix is $2\sqrt{\log n/k}$ with high probability. In the same paper an evidence was provided that a natural greedy algorithm called Largest Average Submatrix ($\LAS$) should produce a matrix with average entry approximately $\sqrt{2}$ smaller. In this paper we show that the matrix produced by the $\LAS$ algorithm is indeed $\sqrt{2\log n/k}$ w.h. p. Then by drawing an analogy with the problem of finding cliques in random graphs, we propose a simple greedy algorithm which produces a $k\times k$ matrix with asymptotically the same average value. Since the greedy algorithm is the best known algorithm for finding cliques in random graphs, it is tempting to believe that beating the factor $\sqrt{2}$ performance gap suffered by both algorithms might be very challenging. Surprisingly, we show the existence of a very simple algorithm which produces a matrix with average value $(4/3)\sqrt{2\log n/k}$. To get an insight into the algorithmic hardness of this problem, and motivated by methods originating in the theory of spin glasses, we conduct the so-called expected overlap analysis of matrices with average value asymptotically $\alpha\sqrt{2\log n/k}$. The overlap corresponds to the number of common rows and common columns for pairs of matrices achieving this value. We discover numerically an intriguing phase transition at $\alpha^*\approx 1.3608. $: when $\alpha \alpha^*$. We conjecture that $\alpha>\alpha^*$ marks the onset of the algorithmic hardness.
Standardized Terminology for Aesthetic Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery

Purpose: To determine whether existing Systemized Nomenclature of Medicine (SNOMED) terminology adequately describes aesthetic concepts commonly encountered in the oculoplastic and facial plastic surgery setting. Methods: This was a noncomparative case series. A panel of three oculoplastic surgeons compiled a list of unique concepts describing specialized aesthetic terminology commonly encountered in the oculoplastic and facial plastic surgery setting, with a specific focus on anatomic structures and descriptive findings. A standard electronic browser was used to manually search for the existence of equivalent matching concepts in SNOMED. A quality of match score from 1 to 3 was used with values of (1) no match, (2) partial match, and (3) equivalent match. Results: An assessment of the existing aesthetic terminology revealed that a majority of concepts were not represented. Of 62 total concepts, 68% had no match, 13% had a partial match, and 19% had a complete match. Conclusions: SNOMED coverage of aesthetic terminology was less than in previous studies examining content representation for other medical topics. Such findings underscore a need for further development and refinement of aesthetic content.
Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strain carrying genes encoding carbapenemases NDM-1 and OXA-23 imported to the Czech Republic

Multirezistentní kmen Acinetobacter baumannii nesoucí gen pro metalo-ß-laktamázu NDM-1 byl letos v červenci zachycen u pacienta hospitalizovaného na oddělení intenzivní péče v Ústí nad Labem. Kmen byl importován z Egypta a je in vitro rezistentní k ß-laktamům a ostatním klinicky relevantním antibiotikům kromě kolistinu, tobramycinu, netilmicinu, doxycyklinu a tigecyklinu. Nese též gen pro karbapemázu OXA-23 (v České republice dosud nedoložený) a řadu dalších genetických determinant rezistence.
Field testing of ICHD-3 beta criteria of periictal headaches in patients with focal epilepsy – a prospective diary study

Background To date we are lacking prospective data for field testing of ICHD-3 beta criteria for periictal headache (PIH). Methods Patients with focal epilepsy diagnosed by means of prolonged video-EEG monitoring completed a paper-pencil diary for three months and recorded seizures and headaches on a daily basis. According to ICHD-3 beta, we classified PIH, defined as headache present on a day with at least one seizure, as “7.6 headache related to epileptic seizure”, “7.6. 1 hemicrania epileptica” or “7.6. 2 postictal headache”. In addition, we compared the ICHD-3 beta diagnoses to the diagnoses according to ICHD-2. Results Thirty two patients completed the diary. Data analysis included 2,668 patient days, 300 seizures and 37 episodes of PIH. Two of these episodes (5.4%) were classified as headache related to seizure, three (8.1%) fulfilled both the criteria of headache related to seizure and hemicrania epileptica and four (10.8%) were postictal headaches. Twenty eight episodes (75.7%) did not fulfil any of the ICHD-3 beta criteria of seizure-related headaches, mostly because headache onset was before seizure onset. Applying ICHD-2 criteria allowed only one single episode of PIH to be classified as postictal headache. Discussion Our study is the first to present prospective field testing data of the ICHD-3 beta criteria for three types of seizure-related headaches. The majority of PIH episodes do not fulfil any of these criteria. One quarter can be classified according to ICHD-3 beta, whereas purely clinical diagnosis of PIH is markedly restricted in ICHD-2 because of mandatory electroencephalographic evidence.
3D Bioprinting Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Constructs for In Situ Cell Proliferation and Successive Multilineage Differentiation

The ability to create 3D tissues from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) is poised to revolutionize stem cell research and regenerative medicine, including individualized, patient‐specific stem cell‐based treatments. There are, however, few examples of tissue engineering using iPSCs. Their culture and differentiation is predominantly planar for monolayer cell support or induction of self‐organizing embryoids (EBs) and organoids. Bioprinting iPSCs with advanced biomaterials promises to augment efforts to develop 3D tissues, ideally comprising direct‐write printing of cells for encapsulation, proliferation, and differentiation. Here, such a method, employing a clinically amenable polysaccharide‐based bioink, is described as the first example of bioprinting human iPSCs for in situ expansion and sequential differentiation. Specifically, we have extrusion printed the bioink including iPSCs, alginate (Al; 5% weight/volume [w/v]), carboxymethyl‐chitosan (5% w/v), and agarose (Ag; 1.5% w/v), crosslinked the bioink in calcium chloride for a stable and porous construct, proliferated the iPSCs within the construct and differentiated the same iPSCs into either EBs comprising cells of three germ lineages—endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm, or more homogeneous neural tissues containing functional migrating neurons and neuroglia. This defined, scalable, and versatile platform is envisaged being useful in iPSC research and translation for pharmaceuticals development and regenerative medicine.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of HDL in Mice With Rheumatoid Arthritis Induced by Collagen

Objective To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in mice with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) induced by collagen. Methods Male DBA/1 mice (8-week-old) were divided into three groups: control (treated with saline), collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), and CIA + HDL. CIA was induced with bovine type II collagen, and after the injection of bovine type II collagen, the CIA + HDL group received an injection of HDL on day 28 followed by HDL injections four times every 3 days. Mice were weighed, the paws were scored, and paw thickness was measured beginning on day 21. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and IL-6 were measured by ELISA kits, tissue sections of paws were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and the inflammatory signaling pathway was analyzed by western blotting. Results We found that the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in mice which received HDL decreased 45.14 and 35.02%, respectively. And we also found that HDL could significantly decrease the level of anti-type-II-collagen IgG2a and inhibit the neutrophil infiltration and cell proliferation and protect the ankle joint from type II collage-induced injury. Western blot analysis indicated that HDL could also inhibit the activation of the NF-κB, MAPK, and ERK signaling pathways in RA mice. Conclusion HDL can inhibit the inflammation induced by bovine type II collagen and the development of RA.
Oral health‐related quality of life changes after placement of immediately loaded single implants in healed alveolar ridges or extraction sockets: a 5‐year prospective follow‐up study

OBJECTIVES The impact of single implants on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is scarcely investigated, especially when combined with immediate placement and loading in extraction sockets. The aim was to describe prospectively the changes of OHRQoL with single implants placed in the esthetic zone in healed ridges or in extraction sockets after 5 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS Ninety-six patients, enrolled at three clinical centers, received 102 single implants placed in a healed ridge (n = 54 implants/50 patients) or in extraction sockets (n = 48 implants/46 patients). Implants were immediately provisionalized, and permanent crowns were cemented after 12 weeks. Oral health impact profile questionnaires (OHIP-14) were completed before surgery, after 1 (provisional crown), 6 (permanent crown), 12 and 60 months, respectively. The overall OHIP-14 score pertains to seven domains with two items each and was assessed on a Likert scale of 0-4 (0 = never and 4 = very often). The evolution of the total OHIP-14 score and changes within all OHIP domains over time and between groups were assessed with a linear mixed-effect model analysis. RESULTS After 5 years, overall implant survival was 98%. The total OHIP-14 score for both groups combined decreased from 0.50 at baseline to 0.17 at 6 months (P < 0.001), indicative of improvement. For both groups, this remained stable up to 5 years (P = 0.41). However, after 5 years, the total OHIP-14 score revealed a statistically significantly higher improvement in the healed group compared with the extraction group (P = 0.027). CONCLUSION Missing a single tooth in the maxillary esthetic zone leads to limited OHRQoL problems as reflected by a low overall OHIP score. However, OHRQoL improves less in the extraction group, reflecting that replacing a missing tooth is perceived as more beneficial than replacing a present tooth.
The effect of different adhesive systems on the retention strength of bonded amalgam restorations.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the bond strength of bonded amalgam to dentin when unfilled and filled adhesive systems are employed using different application modes and to compare the adhesives with a cavity varnish and unlined restorations. METHODS AND MATERIALS One hundred and twenty sound third human molar teeth were used in the study. A cylindrical cavity 3.3 mm in diameter was prepared in a cross section of dentin approximately 3.0 mm in thickness. The specimens were divided into six experimental groups (n=20) according to the cavity liner used in the prepared cylindrical cavity: One Coat Bond (O), Scotchbond Multi-Purpose(S) , Panavia 21 (Pa), PQ1 (P), Copalite (C), and the unlined (U) group which served as the control group. Cavity surfaces were treated with the assigned adhesive/liner according to manufacturer's instructions then restored with amalgam. After storage in saline solution for seven days at 37 degrees C, the specimens were subjected to a push-out test at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The mode of failure was assessed by microscopic analysis of the fracture sites. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Duncan Multiple range tests (a=0.05). RESULTS No significant difference in amalgam-dentin bond strength was found among O (23.47 MPa), S (21.02 MPa), and Pa (20.06 MPa) adhesive groups, but there was a significant difference between each of these groups and the P and C groups. The U group exhibited significantly lower retention than the other groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Different bond strengths were observed with the different types of dentin bonding agents and liners employed. The lowest bond strength was seen in the U group. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE A statistically significant difference in bond strength was observed with O, S, and Pa compared to P, but this finding is not sufficient to rely on the bonding of amalgam to dentin, particularly in complex amalgam restorations.
Effect of Narrative Reports about Vaccine Adverse Events and Bias-Awareness Disclaimers on Vaccine Decisions

Background. As the number of individuals who search for health information in interactive online environments is increasing, patient networks deserve more scientific attention. Objective. To quantitatively examine if and how reading statistical and/or narrative information as typically displayed in patient networks (e.g., patientslikeme.com) affects decisions for pharmaceuticals. Previous work suggests that narrative information (e.g., about vaccine adverse events, VAE) affects risk perceptions and intentions. The authors compare the effect of narrative and statistical information about VAE on vaccination decisions and examine if a disclaimer reduces the narrative bias as well as if low numeracy leads to increased use of the narratives. Method and Design. In an online experiment, 458 participants were randomly assigned to a 3 (relative frequency of vaccine adverse events in 1, 7, or 17 of 20 cases) × 3 (type of information: narratives, summary statistics, or both) × 2 (bias awareness v. control disclaimer) between-subjects design. Measurements. Perceived risk, vaccination intention, and subjective numeracy. Results. A higher relative frequency of cases reporting VAE decreased the intention to get vaccinated. This relation was mediated by increased risk perception. The type of information moderated the contents’ impact: Summary statistics had the smallest impact, whereas narrative information was more influential, and the presence of both types of information had the greatest impact on risk perception. Individuals who received the bias-awareness disclaimer were less influenced by the patient network. Highly numerate individuals were generally more sensitive to the provided information independent of its format. Conclusions. Patient networks can influence vaccination decisions by delivering risk-related information. Disclaimers may help to reduce the influence if desired.
Genetic Testing for Myeloid Neoplasms and Leukemia Effective : April 1 , 2018

PLEASE NOTE: Contracts exclude from coverage, among other things, services or procedures that are considered investigational or cosmetic. Providers may bill members for services or procedures that are considered investigational or cosmetic. Providers are encouraged to inform members before rendering such services that the members are likely to be financially responsible for the cost of these services.
Cognitive-functional approaches to the study of Japanese as a second language

This innovative and original volume brings together studies that apply cognitive and functional linguistics to the study of the L2 acquisition of Japanese. With each article grounded on the usage-based model and/or conceptual notions such as foregrounding and subjectivity, the volume sheds light on how cognitive and functional linguistics can help us understand aspects of Japanese acquisition that have been neglected by traditionalists.
Prognostic value of systemic immune-inflammation index in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.

AIM We aimed to investigate the association between systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and the clinical outcomes in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. MATERIALS & METHODS The SII was calculated as platelet (P) × neutrophil (N)/lymphocyte (L), and the data were obtained within 1 week before treatment. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the prognostic value of SII. RESULTS Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that the higher SII group was associated with poorer progression-free survival (p < 0.001) and poorer overall survival (p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox analysis further revealed SII as an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (p = 0.010) and progression-free survival (p = 0.001). CONCLUSION SII can serve as a useful biomarker to predict recurrence and death for patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer.
Non-Synonymous Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Physical Activity Interactions on Adiposity Parameters in Malaysian Adolescents

Background Several non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (nsSNPs) have been shown to be associated with obesity. Little is known about their associations and interactions with physical activity (PA) in relation to adiposity parameters among adolescents in Malaysia. Methods We examined whether (a) PA and (b) selected nsSNPs are associated with adiposity parameters and whether PA interacts with these nsSNPs on these outcomes in adolescents from the Malaysian Health and Adolescents Longitudinal Research Team study (n = 1,151). Body mass indices, waist–hip ratio, and percentage body fat (% BF) were obtained. PA was assessed using Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). Five nsSNPs were included: beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3) rs4994, FABP2 rs1799883, GHRL rs696217, MC3R rs3827103, and vitamin D receptor rs2228570, individually and as combined genetic risk score (GRS). Associations and interactions between nsSNPs and PAQ-C scores were examined using generalized linear model. Results PAQ-C scores were associated with % BF (β = −0.44 [95% confidence interval −0.72, −0.16], p = 0.002). The CC genotype of ADRB3 rs4994 (β = −0.16 [−0.28, −0.05], corrected p = 0.01) and AA genotype of MC3R rs3827103 (β = −0.06 [−0.12, −0.00], p = 0.02) were significantly associated with % BF compared to TT and GG genotypes, respectively. Significant interactions with PA were found between ADRB3 rs4994 (β = −0.05 [−0.10, −0.01], p = 0.02) and combined GRS (β = −0.03 [−0.04, −0.01], p = 0.01) for % BF. Conclusion Higher PA score was associated with reduced % BF in Malaysian adolescents. Of the nsSNPs, ADRB3 rs4994 and MC3R rs3827103 were associated with % BF. Significant interactions with PA were found for ADRB3 rs4994 and combined GRS on % BF but not on measurements of weight or circumferences. Targeting body fat represent prospects for molecular studies and lifestyle intervention in this population.