Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modified Veress needle decompression of tension pneumothorax: A randomized crossover animal study

BACKGROUND The current prehospital standard of care using a large bore intravenous catheter for tension pneumothorax (tPTX) decompression is associated with a high failure rate. We developed a modified Veress needle (mVN) for this condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the mVN as compared with a 14-gauge needle thoracostomy (NT) in a swine tPTX model. METHODS tPTX was created in 16 adult swine via thoracic CO2 insufflation to 15 mm Hg. After tension physiology was achieved, defined as a 50% reduction of cardiac output, the swine were randomized to undergo either mVN or NT decompression. Failure to restore 80% baseline systolic blood pressure within 5 minutes resulted in crossover to the alternate device. The success rate of each device, death, and need for crossover were analyzed using &khgr;2. RESULTS Forty-three tension events were created in 16 swine (24 mVN, 19 NT) at 15 mm Hg of intrathoracic pressure with a mean CO2 volume of 3.8 L. tPTX resulted in a 48% decline of systolic blood pressure from baseline and 73% decline of cardiac output, and 42% had equalization of central venous pressure with pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. All tension events randomized to mVN were successfully rescued within a mean (SD) of 70 (86) seconds. NT resulted in four successful decompressions (21%) within a mean (SD) of 157 (96) seconds. Four swine (21%) died within 5 minutes of NT decompression. The persistent tension events where the swine survived past 5 minutes (11 of 19 NTs) underwent crossover mVN decompression, yielding 100% rescue. Neither the mVN nor the NT was associated with inadvertent injuries to the viscera. CONCLUSION Thoracic insufflation produced a reliable and highly reproducible model of tPTX. The mVN is vastly superior to NT for effective and safe tPTX decompression and physiologic recovery. Further research should be invested in the mVN for device refinement and replacement of NT in the field.
Effects of short-term detraining on measures of obesity and glucose tolerance in elite athletes

Abstract Athletes frequently adjust their training volume in line with their athletic competition schedule, onset of sport injury, and retirement. Whether maintenance of partial training activity during the detraining period can preserve optimal body composition and insulin sensitivity is currently unknown. Sixteen elite kayak athletes (mean [Vdot]O2max: 58.5 ml · kg−1· min−1, s = 1.77) were randomly assigned to a totally detrained group (age: 20.8 years, s = 0.7; body mass index: 23.74, s = 0.54) or partially detrained group (age: 21.8 years, s = 0.7; body mass index: 23.20, s = 1.02), whereby totally detrained participants terminated their training routine completely and the partially detrained participants preserved ∼50% of their previous training duration with equivalent intensity for one month. Body mass, waist circumference, oral glucose tolerance test, insulin, leptin, cortisol, and testosterone were measured during the trained state and after detraining. Waist circumferences for both the partially detrained and totally detrained groups were significantly elevated after detraining, with no group difference. However, body mass was reduced in both groups. Significant elevations in the area under the curve for insulin and fasted leptin with detraining were observed. These changes were greater in the totally detrained participants. In conclusion, the present results show that maintaining partial training activity cannot prevent an increase in waist circumference. During the detraining period, the magnitude of increase in plasma insulin and leptin concentrations was regulated in an activity-dependent manner.
[Validation of the stroke-specific quality of life scale (ECVI-38)].

INTRODUCTION The stroke-specific quality of life scale (ECVI-38) is the first Spanish-language instrument for evaluating the quality of life in individuals who have survived a stroke. AIM To evaluate the psychometric properties of the third version of the ECVI-38. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 243 stroke survivors were interviewed 2 months-2 years after the event; 61 of them were surveyed again 7-14 days later and 74 others were interviewed on beginning and ending a two-month period of rehabilitation. Gold standard methods for this type of research were used to evaluate the psychometric properties (acceptability, reliability, validity and sensitivity to change). RESULTS. The ECVI was acceptable, with means close to the medians, a high degree of variability of the sample and a ceiling/floor effect below 20%, except for the odd exception. It displayed good reliability with internal consistence, with a Cronbach's alpha value of between 0.79 and 0.95, and a test-retest with intraclass correlation coefficients between 0.81 and 0.96. It satisfied the validity criteria both in analyses within the scale and in analyses against external criteria: it distinguishes well between different degrees of neurological, emotional and cognitive compromise. Sensitivity to change, at eight weeks after rehabilitation, was between moderate and high in most domains: there were significant differences between the scores for the domains, and the size of the effect was above 0.5. CONCLUSIONS The ECVI-38 is acceptable, valid and reliable for evaluating the spectrum of consequences and recovery from a stroke, and its result changes in proportion to recovery.
Innovation and Attention to Detail in the Quality Improvement Paradigm

This study asserted that quality improvement (QI) requires the coexistence of two cultural values of innovation and attention to detail and proposed that their coexistence depends on the implementation of multiple QI practices. A longitudinal QI intervention, with five phases, consisting of multiple QI practices--ISO 9000, QI teams, quality goals, and coaching and communication by top management--was implemented.Participants were 425 employees working in 18 departments of four manufacturing plants. The QI practices were implemented in a different order in each one of the plants. Measures were assessed five times, at the end of each implementation phase. We used hierarchical linear models (HLM) to account for the nested structure of departments within the plants and the five repeated measures.Findings demonstrated that the above-mentioned QI practices had differential effects on innovation and attention to detail: ISO 9000 positively affected attention to detail but negatively affected innovation. Both QI teams and quality goals positively affected innovation. Thus, the multiple QI initiative enabled the coexistence of the two aforementioned cultural values. Both cultural values had a positive impact on performance quality and productivity and partially mediated the effects of ISO 9000 on productivity.
Deuterium as a food source tracer: Sensitivity to environmental water, lipid content, and hydrogen exchange

Hydrogen stable isotopes (δ2H) are used for quantifying resources supporting food webs. However, application of δ2H in mixing models requires; (1) correction for environmental water (ω) in consumer tissues, (2) consideration of differential fractionation among biochemical constituents, and (3) consideration of differential H‐exchange among samples and standards. We present data and sensitivity analyses addressing each of these issues and provide recommendations for future isotope food web studies. First, we determined from field data that maximum ω for aquatic consumers averaged 0.23 ± 0.03, similar to the median ω from a survey of published values (0.22 ± 0.02). Resource use estimates based solely on δ2H data were sensitive to the selected ω value. Second, to quantify the potential bias in bulk tissue analysis from differential tissue fractionation, we calculated the change in whole organism δ2H before and after lipid extraction for 61 aquatic samples. The average change in consumers' δ2H after lipid extraction was a positive shift of 11.8‰ relative to the pre‐extraction value. This shift resulted in a minor change in resource use estimates when correcting for lipids. Finally, we evaluated the impact of correcting for H‐exchange in samples using standards with dissimilar H‐exchange portions. The impact of the correction factor for H‐exchange on resource use estimates could be large if suitable standards are not used for comparison. From these analyses we conclude that despite these complicating factors, analysis of resource use is possible using whole organisms' δ2H, especially in combination with cautionary sensitivity analysis.
Performance Limits of Solutions to Network Utility Maximization Problems

We study performance limits of solutions to utility maximization problems (e.g., max-min problems) in wireless networks as a function of the power budget $\bar{p}$ available to transmitters. Special focus is devoted to the utility and the transmit energy efficiency (i.e., utility over transmit power) of the solution. Briefly, we show tight bounds for the general class of network utility optimization problems that can be solved by computing conditional eigenvalues of standard interference mappings. The proposed bounds, which are based on the concept of asymptotic functions, are simple to compute, provide us with good estimates of the performance of networks for any value of $\bar{p}$ in many real-world applications, and enable us to determine points in which networks move from a noise limited regime to an interference limited regime. Furthermore, they also show that the utility and the transmit energy efficiency scales as $\Theta(1)$ and $\Theta(1/\bar{p})$, respectively, as $\bar{p}\to\infty$.
Re‐detection vs. new acquisition of high‐risk human papillomavirus in mid‐adult women

To understand high‐risk (hr) human papillomavirus (HPV) epidemiology in mid‐adulthood, we assessed whether associations between incident detection of hrHPV DNA and recent sexual behavior differed according to whether or not there was serologic evidence of prior infection. From 2011 to 2012, we enrolled 409 women aged 30–50 years into a 6‐month longitudinal study. We collected health and sexual behavior histories, enrollment sera for HPV antibody testing, and monthly self‐collected vaginal swabs for HPV DNA genotyping. Generalized estimating equations logistic regression identified risk factors for type‐specific incident hrHPV DNA, stratified by type‐specific hrHPV serostatus at enrollment. Population attributable risks of hrHPV due to prior and recent exposure were estimated. When type‐specific hrHPV serology was negative, recent sexual risk behavior was positively associated with incident hrHPV DNA (odds ratio in women reporting ≥3 recent sexual risk behaviors [e.g., new or multiple partners] vs. no recent sexual activity = 9.8, 95% CI: 2.4–40.6). No associations with recent sexual behavior were observed with positive type‐specific hrHPV serology. Thirty percent of incident hrHPV DNA detection was attributable to prior infection (with positive serology) and 40% was attributable to recent sexual risk behavior (with negative serology). The proportion of incident hrHPV DNA detection attributable to recent sexual risk behavior decreased with increasing age. Among women with serologic evidence of prior infection, re‐detection of the same hrHPV type is likely due to reactivation or intermittent detection of persistent infection. Without serologic evidence of prior infection, new detection is likely due to new acquisition or to intermittent detection of persisting infection.
Functional Role of Neuroendocrine-Specific Protein-Like 1 in Membrane Translocation of GLUT4

OBJECTIVE In skeletal muscles, dantrolene inhibits the exercise-induced membrane translocation of GLUT4. It has been postulated that the inhibitory action of dantrolene on Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) causes inhibition of exercise-induced glucose uptake; however, the precise mechanism has not been adequately studied. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We discovered that dantrolene can bind to skeletal-type neuroendocrine-specific protein-like 1 (sk-NSPl1) with photoreactive dantrolene derivatives. In sk-NSPl1–deficient muscles, we examined the change in glucose uptake and the membrane translocation of GLUT4. In addition, we examined the change in blood glucose and also measured the glycogen level in both isolated and in situ skeletal muscles after electrical stimulation using our mutant mouse. RESULTS In sk-NSPl1–deficient muscles, exercise-induced glucose uptake was totally abolished with no change in insulin-induced glucose uptake. The Ca2+ release mechanism and its inhibition by dantrolene were completely preserved in these muscles. The expression of GLUT4 in the mutant muscles also appeared unchanged. Confocal imaging and results using the membrane isolation method showed that exercise/contraction did not enhance GLUT4 translocation in these sk-NSPl1–deficient muscles under conditions of adequate muscle glycogen consumption. The blood glucose level in normal mice was reduced by electrical stimulation of the hind limbs, but that in mutant mice was unchanged. CONCLUSIONS sk-NSPl1 is a novel dantrolene receptor that plays an important role in membrane translocation of GLUT4 induced by contraction/exercise. The 23-kDa sk-NSPl1 may also be involved in the regulation of glucose levels in the whole body.
A formal analysis of cultural evolution by replacement

Social psychologists have used the replacement method to simulate cultural evolution in the laboratory, studying what happens when a group of people performing a task are gradually replaced by new members. We provide a formal analysis of the dynamics of cultural evolution by replacement under the assumption that the people involved are Bayesian agents. We use a connection to a statistical inference algorithm – Gibbs sampling – to characterize the outcome of this process, and show that this analysis can account for both laboratory data and population-level trends resulting from cultural transmission.
BCL-2, BAX and P53 expression profiles in endometrial carcinoma as studied by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry.

BACKGROUND Apoptotic genes regulate apoptosis by the action of their pro- and antiapoptotic products. Among the most important proteins are p53 and Bcl-x family proteins. PATIENTS AND METHODS The differential expression of these apoptotic genes were analyzed in relation to clinicopathological criteria in women with endometrial carcinoma. Thirty-three fresh tissues and 191 paraffin-embedded tissues were analyzed by real-time PCR for bcl-2/bax ratio and immunohistochemistry for p53, bcl-2 and bax proteins. RESULTS Bcl-2/bax ratio tended to increase in grade 3 samples compared to grade 1 tumors. Mutated p53 was frequently observed in serous-papillary endometrial carcinomas (p=0.018). Low (<10%) and moderate (10-50%) expression of mutated p53 was observed in tumors with high expression of bax protein (>0.7). CONCLUSION The Bcl-2/bax ratio is increased in grade 3 tumors. Bax protein shows a strong tendency for expression in the third group of clinical staging (stage IIb, III and IV). Poorly differentiated tumors highly expressed mutated p53.
Education resources of the National Center for Biotechnology Information

The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) hosts 39 literature and molecular biology databases containing almost half a billion records. As the complexity of these data and associated resources and tools continues to expand, so does the need for educational resources to help investigators, clinicians, information specialists and the general public make use of the wealth of public data available at the NCBI. This review describes the educational resources available at NCBI via the NCBI Education page (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Education/). These resources include materials designed for new users, such as About NCBI and the NCBI Guide, as well as documentation, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and writings on the NCBI Bookshelf such as the NCBI Help Manual and the NCBI Handbook. NCBI also provides teaching materials such as tutorials, problem sets and educational tools such as the Amino Acid Explorer, PSSM Viewer and Ebot. NCBI also offers training programs including the Discovery Workshops, webinars and tutorials at conferences. To help users keep up-to-date, NCBI produces the online NCBI News and offers RSS feeds and mailing lists, along with a presence on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
Impact of a malaria-control project in Benin that included the integrated management of childhood illness strategy.

OBJECTIVES To estimate the impact of the Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) strategy on early-childhood mortality, we evaluated a malaria-control project in Benin that implemented IMCI and promoted insecticide-treated nets (ITNs). METHODS We conducted a before-and-after intervention study that included a nonrandomized comparison group. We used the preceding birth technique to measure early-childhood mortality (risk of dying before age 30 months), and we used health facility surveys and household surveys to measure process indicators. RESULTS Most process indicators improved in the area covered by the intervention. Notably, because ITNs were also promoted in the comparison area children's ITN use increased by about 20 percentage points in both areas. Regarding early-childhood mortality, the trend from baseline (1999-2001) to follow-up (2002-2004) for the intervention area (13.0% decrease; P < .001) was 14.1% (P < .001) lower than was the trend for the comparison area (1.3% increase; P = .46). CONCLUSIONS Mortality decreased in the intervention area after IMCI and ITN promotion. ITN use increased similarly in both study areas, so the mortality impact of ITNs in the 2 areas might have canceled each other out. Thus, the mortality reduction could have been primarily attributable to IMCI's effect on health care quality and care-seeking.
Treatment of ocular toxocariasis with albendazole.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of combined albendazole and steroid treatment for uveitis caused by Toxocara canis in immunocompetent patients. Five patients (7 eyes) with ocular larva migrans syndrome (OLM) were used in this study. Toxocariasis was suspected based on clinical manifestations and confirmed by anti-toxocara IgG and Western blot analysis. Systemic albendazole (adults: 800 mg b.i.d.; children: 400 mg b.i.d.) was given in conjunction with steroids. Visual acuity before and after therapy, inflammatory response, side effects and toxicity were evaluated. Treatment resulted in an improved visual acuity in all patients. Mean initial Snellen visual acuity was 20/40, and mean final acuity was 20/20. There were no recurrences of uveitis throughout the observation period (average: 13.8 months; range: 3 days to 24 months). These findings suggest that albendazole, in combination with systemic steroids, is a useful regimen to treat ocular larva migrans syndrome.
Effects of Calreticulin on Viral Cell-to-Cell Movement1

Cell-to-cell tobacco mosaic virus movement protein (TMV MP) mediates viral spread between the host cells through plasmodesmata. Although several host factors have been shown to interact with TMV MP, none of them coresides with TMV MP within plasmodesmata. We used affinity purification to isolate a tobacco protein that binds TMV MP and identified it as calreticulin. The interaction between TMV MP and calreticulin was confirmed in vivo and in vitro, and both proteins were shown to share a similar pattern of subcellular localization to plasmodesmata. Elevation of the intracellular levels of calreticulin severely interfered with plasmodesmal targeting of TMV MP, which, instead, was redirected to the microtubular network. Furthermore, in TMV-infected plant tissues overexpressing calreticulin, the inability of TMV MP to reach plasmodesmata substantially impaired cell-to-cell movement of the virus. Collectively, these observations suggest a functional relationship between calreticulin, TMV MP, and viral cell-to-cell movement.
A Flow Cytometry-Based FRET Assay to Identify and Analyse Protein-Protein Interactions in Living Cells

Background Försters resonance energy transfer (FRET) microscopy is widely used for the analysis of protein interactions in intact cells. However, FRET microscopy is technically challenging and does not allow assessing interactions in large cell numbers. To overcome these limitations we developed a flow cytometry-based FRET assay and analysed interactions of human and simian immunodeficiency virus (HIV and SIV) Nef and Vpu proteins with cellular factors, as well as HIV Rev multimer-formation. Results Amongst others, we characterize the interaction of Vpu with CD317 (also termed Bst-2 or tetherin), a host restriction factor that inhibits HIV release from infected cells and demonstrate that the direct binding of both is mediated by the Vpu membrane-spanning region. Furthermore, we adapted our assay to allow the identification of novel protein interaction partners in a high-throughput format. Conclusion The presented combination of FRET and FACS offers the precious possibility to discover and define protein interactions in living cells and is expected to contribute to the identification of novel therapeutic targets for treatment of human diseases.
Decentralized compression and predistribution via randomized gossiping

Developing energy efficient strategies for the extraction, transmission, and dissemination of information is a core theme in wireless sensor network research. In this paper we present a novel system for decentralized data compression and predistribution. The system simultaneously computes random projections of the sensor data and disseminates them throughout the network using a simple gossiping algorithm. These summary statistics are stored in an efficient manner and can be extracted from a small subset of nodes anywhere in the network. From these measurements one can reconstruct an accurate approximation of the data at all nodes in the network, provided the original data is compressible in a certain sense which need not be known to the nodes ahead of time. The system provides a practical and universal approach to decentralized compression and content distribution in wireless sensor networks. Two example applications, network health monitoring and field estimation, demonstrate the utility of our method
Word learning from baby videos.

OBJECTIVE To examine whether children between 12 and 25 months of age learn words from an infant-directed DVD designed for that purpose. DESIGN Half of the children received a DVD to watch in their home over the course of 6 weeks. SETTING All participants returned to a laboratory for testing on vocabulary acquisition every 2 weeks. PARTICIPANTS Ninety-six 12- to 24-month-old children. MAIN EXPOSURE Baby videos. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Parent report and observational measures of vocabulary acquisition related to words highlighted in the DVD; parent report of general language development; and parent report of children's media use. RESULTS The age at first viewing of baby DVDs was related to children's general language development. There was no evidence of learning words highlighted in the infant-directed DVD independent of parental intervention. CONCLUSIONS Researchers should continue to examine whether infant-directed media are effective in teaching infants and toddlers content and consider the cognitive factors related to whether very young viewers should be expected to learn from a DVD.