Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thromboembolic events associated with endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms

Objective To evaluate the rate of peri-procedural thromboembolic events after the endovascular treatment of cerebral aneurysms. The rate of diffusion-positive lesions was assessed in relation to selected procedural and technical factors. Methods 184 patients treated with coil embolization (198 total procedures) between July 2004 and February 2007 were included. In 65, the procedure was coiling alone; in 55, coiling with balloon remodeling; in 48, coiling with Neuroform stenting; and in 30, coiling, Neuroform stenting and balloon remodeling. All patients underwent a routine diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) within the 72 h after the intervention for the detection of ischemic complications. Results Regardless of the technique used, thromboembolic complications were more common (p<0.0001) in patients with ruptured aneurysms (33/65, 51%) than in those with unruptured aneurysms (40/133, 30%). Balloon remodeling tended to be associated with a lower rate of DWI positivity than the other techniques. Younger patients (≤60) with unruptured aneurysms had the lowest rates of DWI lesions regardless of the technique used. Conclusion In this study, peri-procedural DWI-positive lesions occurred in approximately one-third of all cases. These were threefold more common in the setting of ruptured aneurysms. Adjunctive devices did not increase the rate of ischemic events. On the contrary, there was a trend toward fewer DWI abnormalities in the procedures in which balloon remodeling was employed. This may, in part, be related to the application of the conglomerate coil mass technique of balloon remodeling.
Triggered drug delivery from biomaterials

Importance of the field: Conventional dosing methods are frequently unable to deliver the clinical requirement of the patient. The ability to control the delivery of drugs from implanted materials is difficult to achieve, but offers promise in diverse areas such as infection-resistant medical devices and responsive implants for diabetics. Areas covered in this review: This review gives a broad overview of recent progress in the use of triggers that can be used to achieve modulation of drug release rates from implantable biomaterials. In particular, these can be classified as being responsive to one or more of the following stimuli: a chemical species, light, heat, magnetism, ultrasound and mechanical force. What the reader will gain: An overview of the potential for triggered drug delivery to give methods for tailoring the dose, location and time of release of a wide range of drugs where traditional dosing methods are not suitable. Particular emphasis is given to recently reported systems, and important historical reports are included. Take home message: The use of externally or internally applied triggers of drug delivery to biomaterials has significant potential for improved delivery modalities and infection resistance.
Effects of ocean-acidification-induced morphological changes on larval swimming and feeding

SUMMARY Reduction in global ocean pH due to the uptake of increased atmospheric CO2 is expected to negatively affect calcifying organisms, including the planktonic larval stages of many marine invertebrates. Planktonic larvae play crucial roles in the benthic–pelagic life cycle of marine organisms by connecting and sustaining existing populations and colonizing new habitats. Calcified larvae are typically denser than seawater and rely on swimming to navigate vertically structured water columns. Larval sand dollars Dendraster excentricus have calcified skeletal rods supporting their bodies, and propel themselves with ciliated bands looped around projections called arms. Ciliated bands are also used in food capture, and filtration rate is correlated with band length. As a result, swimming and feeding performance are highly sensitive to morphological changes. When reared at an elevated PCO2 level (1000 ppm), larval sand dollars developed significantly narrower bodies at fourand six-arm stages. Morphological changes also varied between four observed maternal lineages, suggesting within-population variation in sensitivity to changes in PCO2 level. Despite these morphological changes, PCO2 concentration alone had no significant effect on swimming speeds. However, acidified larvae had significantly smaller larval stomachs and bodies, suggesting reduced feeding performance. Adjustments to larval morphologies in response to ocean acidification may prioritize swimming over feeding, implying that negative consequences of ocean acidification are carried over to later developmental stages.
Allometry of visceral organs in living amniotes and its implications for sauropod dinosaurs

Allometric equations are often used to extrapolate traits in animals for which only body mass estimates are known, such as dinosaurs. One important decision can be whether these equations should be based on mammal, bird or reptile data. To address whether this choice will have a relevant influence on reconstructions, we compared allometric equations for birds and mammals from the literature to those for reptiles derived from both published and hitherto unpublished data. Organs studied included the heart, kidneys, liver and gut, as well as gut contents. While the available data indicate that gut content mass does not differ between the clades, the organ masses for reptiles are generally lower than those for mammals and birds. In particular, gut tissue mass is significantly lower in reptiles. When applying the results in the reconstruction of a sauropod dinosaur, the estimated volume of the coelomic cavity greatly exceeds the estimated volume of the combined organ masses, irrespective of the allometric equation used. Therefore, substantial deviation of sauropod organ allometry from that of the extant vertebrates can be allowed conceptually. Extrapolations of retention times from estimated gut contents mass and food intake do not suggest digestive constraints on sauropod dinosaur body size.
David I reimplantation procedure for aortic root replacement in Marfan patients: medium-term outcome.

OBJECTIVES Technical variations of the David reimplantation valve-sparing aortic root replacement (V-SARR) procedure have been proposed to be advantageous in patients with connective tissue disease, such as the Marfan syndrome (MFS). We report results of a Marfan cohort treated exclusively with the non-modified David I procedure. METHODS Forty-eight Marfan patients (25 males, mean age 33 ± 12 years, range 15-62 years) underwent the original variant of the David V-SARR (David I) between 1997 and 2013. Forty-two operations (88%) were performed as elective procedures for aortic root aneurysms and six for acute dissections (12%). Seventeen had aortic regurgitation (AR) grades ≥2+ preoperatively, and 3 had AR >2+. No patients with severe AR (4+) were selected for V-SARR. Three full or hemi-arch replacements were performed. Patients who were operated on using a variation of the David I or David II procedure were excluded. RESULTS Mean prosthesis size was 28 ± 3 mm (18-30 mm). Mean clinical and echocardiographic follow-up (98% complete) was 3.8 ± 3.7 years with a cumulative follow-up of 178 patient-years. The early mortality rate was 2% (one hospital death). The survival rate was 98% (95% confidence 84-99%) at 4 years and 90% (57-98%) at 8 years with 5 patients at risk at 10 years. The rate of freedom from root or valve reoperation was 97% (79-99%) and 97% (79-99%) at 4 and 8 years, respectively. Only one patient required mechanical aortic valve replacement for progression of AR. CONCLUSIONS Despite potential theoretical drawbacks of the David I V-SARR technique without neo-sinuses or a neo-sinotubular junction, it results in a favourable mid-term outcome in Marfan patients and compares well with reported results of different modifications of David V-SARR.
Children's Color Trails Test 1 & 2: Test–Retest Reliability and Factorial Validity

This investigation examined the test–retest reliability and the factorial validity of the Children's Color Trails Test 1 & 2 (CCTT) using two distinct and independent studies and their respective research samples. The reliability of the CCTT was evaluated in a study with 6–12-year-old children (n = 54) strictly selected and diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder from an interventional protocol using test–retest coefficients at 8- and 16-week time intervals. Factorial validity was investigated using groups of children with traumatic brain injury (TBI) (n = 137), children with other types of trauma than brain or head injury (Other Injury) (n = 132), and healthy controls (n = 114) from a protocol assessing the neuropsychological sequelae of traumatic brain injury. The results revealed completion time test–retest reliability in the moderate range, which may be considered modest (rtt =.46–.68) in this sample of children with ADHD. Interference reliability coefficients were greater and in the moderate-high range (rtt =.75–.78). Factorial analytic results revealed a three-factor structure solution for all three groups (TBI, Other Injury, and controls). As a result of CCTT's factorial loadings, Factor 1 was labeled speed of perceptual tracking and susceptibility to interference, Factor 2 was labeled inattention and impulsivity, and Factor 3 was labeled simple inattention. Relative limitations and strengths associated with this investigation including practice effects associated with repeated CCTT administrations also were addressed within the context of the extant findings and existing trail-making test literature.
Plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein is predominantly derived from Kupffer cells

The role of Kupffer cells (KCs) in the pathophysiology of the liver has been firmly established. Nevertheless, KCs have been underexplored as a target for diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases owing to the lack of noninvasive diagnostic tests. We addressed the hypothesis that cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is mainly derived from KCs and may predict KC content. Microarray analysis of liver and adipose tissue biopsies, obtained from 93 obese subjects who underwent elective bariatric surgery, showed that expression of CETP is markedly higher in liver than adipose tissue. Hepatic expression of CETP correlated strongly with that of KC markers, and CETP messenger RNA and protein colocalized specifically with KCs in human liver sections. Hepatic KC content as well as hepatic CETP expression correlated strongly with plasma CETP concentration. Mechanistic and intervention studies on the role of KCs in determining the plasma CETP concentration were performed in a transgenic (Tg) mouse model expressing human CETP. Selective elimination of KCs from the liver in CETP Tg mice virtually abolished hepatic CETP expression and largely reduced plasma CETP concentration, consequently improving the lipoprotein profile. Conversely, augmentation of KCs after Bacille‐Calemette‐Guérin vaccination largely increased hepatic CETP expression and plasma CETP. Also, lipid‐lowering drugs fenofibrate and niacin reduced liver KC content, accompanied by reduced plasma CETP concentration. Conclusions: Plasma CETP is predominantly derived from KCs, and plasma CETP level predicts hepatic KC content in humans. (Hepatology 2015;62:1710–1722)
Combination treatments in Alzheimer’s disease: risks and benefits

Currently approved medications to treat cognitive deficits in Alzheimer’s disease are targeting relatively late neurotransmission alterations and, thus, new approaches are needed to improve the observed modest efficacy. Employing various combinations of existing drugs is one way to achieve this aim. We can attempt to boost the clinical effects by adding drugs with different modes of action, or by adding a compound that is not neurotransmitter-based and not directly symptomatic, which may result in achieving disease progression modification. Recent studies with add-on therapies in Alzheimer’s disease, apart from expanding our clinical knowledge, have also provided some new insights to guide future studies and therapeutic approaches. One such lesson is the critical necessity for precise characterization of subjects recruited to the studies, preferably with the use of biomarkers. Currently, even the best studied combination (memantine with a cholinesterase inhibitor) still requires further detailed trials to elucidate its usefulness at different disease stages, in patients with comorbidities, with or without the use of other concomitant medications.
Measurements of density and viscosity of one- and two-phase fluids with torsional waveguides

The continuing need for in-situ measurements of physical properties of wastes contained within many high level radioactive waste tanks within the Hanford Site has initiated experimental and theoretical investigations of candidate measurement methods. This paper describes experiments performed with acoustic waveguide sensors. This technology has potential application at the Hanford Site for in-situ measurements of density, viscosity, and temperature of liquid wastes. Waveguides of both circular and rectangular geometry were used in these studies for determination of the densities and viscosities of various fluids. The flight time of a torsional pulse through the sensing region of the waveguide forms the measured quantity. The flight time depends on the velocity of the wave through the sensing region of the waveguide, and this velocity in turn depends upon the properties of the fluid in contact with the waveguide. We performed experiments with 15 different fluids, most of which were single-phase Newtonian fluids. However, three of the fluids were particle-liquid mixtures, and one of these Newtonian in behavior. Most of the wastes held in Hanford tanks contain high solids content. The results of our experiments showed that acoustic waveguides were well suited for measurements in most Newtonian fluids, in agreement with earlier research presented in the literature. However, results for two-phase Newtonian fluids containing particles indicate that, in our case, the waveguides responded primarily to the background fluid rather than the mixture. Very poor results were obtained with the non-Newtonian fluid. In addition, there was a class of fluids, which serve the community as viscosity standards, for which viscosities determined with torsional waveguides were in disagreement with viscosities obtained with standard viscometers.
Integrated multi-electrode fluidic nitric-oxide sensor and VLSI potentiostat array

Nitric oxide (NO) serves as an important intercellular messenger in the human body, and is mechanistically involved in vascular disease, stroke, chronic hear failure, and epilepsy. We present a multi-electrode NO measurement sensor with integrated microfluidics. An array of carbon-based electrodes detect the spatial and temporal diffusion profile of NO in a PDMS laminar fluidic channel. The array interfaces to a multichannel potentiostatic VLSI system recording the amperometric output in real time, with five orders of magnitude in dynamic range over four scales down to hundreds of picoamperes. The integrated sensor-fluidic-VLSI system is expected to serve as a powerful tool to study the diffusion mechanism of NO under different fluid flow paradigms.
Diagnostic testing of different stages of avian tuberculosis in naturally infected hens (Gallus domesticus) by the tuberculin skin and rapid agglutination tests, faecal and egg examinations

Avian tuberculosis (ATBC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in birds in zoos and breeding establishments. The primary sources of Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) of serotypes 1, 2 and 3 are infected animals (esp. birds), who shed MAA in different ways and thus contaminate the environment. The first aim of this work was to compare the efficiency of the diagnostic methods that are routinely used for the diagnosis of ATBC (skin test, serology and culture of faeces and eggs) in naturally infected hens with different levels of infection. The second aim was to determine the excretion rate of MAA in faeces and eggs. The tuberculin skin test gave a positive result in nine (42.9%) infected hens of which four (57.1%) and one (14.3%) were heavily and slightly infected hens, respectively. A positive serological response to MAA-b antigen (water bird isolate of serotype 1) was observed in five (23.8%) and to MAA-p antigen (pig isolate serotype 2) in seven (33.3%) hens. No correlation between serological and skin-test data was found. The results show that both techniques, serological and skin-test data are inadequate for the diagnosis of ATBC. In consecutively euthanized hens, with heavy infec - tion and tuberculous lesions, serological positivity was significant ( P < 0.05) in comparison with slightly infected hens lacking tuberculous lesions. Faecal culture detected MAA in 50 (29.8%) of 168 samples collected for eight days before euthanasia. MAA excretion in faeces was intermittent, but significantly ( P < 0.01) higher in heavily infected hens. No mycobacteria were detected in any of the 43 examined eggs, which implies that the shedding of MAA and/or transmission of ATBC through eggs may not be frequent events.
DEMPSTER’S RULE AS SEEN BY LITTLE COLORED BALLS

Dempster’s rule is traditionally interpreted as an operator for fusing belief functions. While there are different types of belief fusion, there has been considerable confusion regarding the exact type of operation that Dempster’s rule performs. Many alternative operators for belief fusion have been proposed, where some are based on the same fundamental principle as Dempster’s rule, and others have a totally different basis, such as the cumulative and averaging fusion operators. In this article, we analyze Dempster’s rule from a statistical and frequentist perspective and compare it with cumulative and averaging belief fusion. We prove, and illustrate by examples on colored balls, that Dempster’s rule in fact represents a method for serial combination of stochastic constraints. Consequently, Dempster’s rule is not a method for cumulative fusion of belief functions under the assumption that subjective beliefs are an extension of frequentist beliefs. Having identified the true nature of Dempster’s rule, appropriate applications of Dempster’s rule of combination are described such as the multiplication of orthogonal belief functions, and the combination of preferences dictated by different parties.
Venous Thromboembolism in the Cosmetic Patient: Analysis of 129,007 Patients

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the most feared postoperative complications in cosmetic surgery. The true rate of VTE in this patient population remains largely unknown with current American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) prophylaxis recommendations partially extrapolated from other surgical specialties. Objectives This study analyzed the risk factors for VTE in cosmetic surgical procedures. Methods A prospective cohort of patients who underwent aesthetic surgery between 2008 and 2013 was identified from the CosmetAssure database. Primary outcome was occurrence of a clinically significant VTE within 30 days of surgery. Risk factors analyzed included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, diabetes, type of surgical facility, procedure by body region, and combined procedures. Results A total of 129,007 patients were identified, of which 116 (0.09%) had a confirmed VTE. Combined procedures had a significantly higher overall rate of VTE compared to solitary procedures (0.20% vs 0.04%, P < .01). On multivariate logistic regression, significant risk factors for VTE (P < .05) included body procedures (RR 13.47), combined procedures (RR 2.4), increasing BMI (RR 1.06), and age (RR 1.02). Gender, smoking, diabetes, and type of surgical facility were not found to be significant risk factors. Face procedures (0.01%) and breast procedures (0.01%) had the lowest VTE rates, followed by combined face/body (0.16%), body procedures (0.21%), and combined body/breast procedures (0.28%). Conclusions The incidence of VTE after cosmetic procedures is relatively low. However, the risk increases with combined procedures as well as with particular body areas, most notably trunk and extremities. Equally, significant patient risk factors exist, including BMI and age.
Detection of functional networks in the resting brain

Recently, increasing attention has focused on exploring brain activity during rest. A current challenge is to ascertain activity patterns without using an external reference. In this paper, we propose a model-free approach based on regional homogeneity (ReHo) to identify specific network of brain regions during rest. In the context of the ReHo, it seems to be reasonable to assume that the voxels within a functional cluster have higher temporal coherence than that within a general cluster. Using this technique, a large distributed network during rest was identified and compared with previous meta-analysis studies. The proposed method shows an extensive ability in analyzing resting state data.
The Efficacy and Safety of Heparin in Patients With Sepsis: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of heparin in patients with sepsis, septic shock, or disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with infection. Design:Systematic review and metaanalysis. Data Sources:Randomized controlled trials from MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Global Health, Scopus, Web of Science, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (inception to April 2014), conference proceedings, and reference lists of relevant articles. Study Selection and Data Extraction:Two reviewers independently identified and extracted trial-level data from randomized trials investigating unfractionated or low molecular heparin administered to patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, septic shock, or disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with infection. Internal validity was assessed in duplicate using the Risk of Bias tool. The strength of evidence was assessed in duplicate using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation methodology. Our primary outcome was mortality. Safety outcomes included hemorrhage, transfusion, and thrombocytopenia. Measurements and Main Results:We included nine trials enrolling 2,637 patients. Eight trials were of unclear risk of bias and one was classified as having low risk of bias. In trials comparing heparin to placebo or usual care, the risk ratio for death associated with heparin was 0.88 (95% CI, 0.77–1.00; I2 = 0%; 2,477 patients; six trials; moderate strength of evidence). In trials comparing heparin to other anticoagulants, the risk ratio for death was 1.30 (95% CI, 0.78–2.18; I2 = 0%; 160 patients; three trials; low strength of evidence). In trials comparing heparin to placebo or usual care, major hemorrhage was not statistically significantly increased (risk ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.53–1.17; I2 = 0%; 2,392 patients; three trials). In one small trial of heparin compared with other anticoagulants, the risk of major hemorrhage was significantly increased (2.14; 95% CI, 1.07–4.30; 48 patients). Important secondary and safety outcomes, including minor bleeding, were sparsely reported. Conclusions:Heparin in patients with sepsis, septic shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation associated with infection may be associated with decreased mortality; however, the overall impact remains uncertain. Safety outcomes have been underreported and require further study. Increased major bleeding with heparin administration cannot be excluded. Large rigorous randomized trials are needed to evaluate more carefully the efficacy and safety of heparin in patients with sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock.