Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association between compensation status and outcome after surgery: a meta-analysis.

CONTEXT Compensation, whether through workers' compensation or through litigation, has been associated with poor outcome after surgery; however, this association has not been examined by meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between compensation status and outcome after surgery. DATA SOURCES We searched MEDLINE (1966-2003), EMBASE (1980-2003), CINAHL, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, and reference lists of retrieved articles and textbooks, and we contacted experts in the field. STUDY SELECTION The review included any trial of surgical intervention in which compensation status was reported and results were compared according to that status. No restrictions were placed on study design, language, or publication date. Studies were selected by 2 unblinded independent reviewers. DATA EXTRACTION Two reviewers independently extracted data on study type, study quality, surgical procedure, outcome, country of origin, length and completeness of follow-up, and compensation type. DATA SYNTHESIS Two hundred eleven studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Of these, 175 stated that the presence of compensation (workers' compensation with or without litigation) was associated with a worse outcome, 35 found no difference or did not describe a difference, and 1 described a benefit associated with compensation. A meta-analysis of 129 studies with available data (n = 20,498 patients) revealed the summary odds ratio for an unsatisfactory outcome in compensated patients to be 3.79 (95% confidence interval, 3.28-4.37 by random-effects model). Grouping studies by country, procedure, length of follow-up, completeness of follow-up, study type, and type of compensation showed the association to be consistent for all subgroups. CONCLUSIONS Compensation status is associated with poor outcome after surgery. This effect is significant, clinically important, and consistent. Because data were obtained from observational studies and were not homogeneous, the summary effect should be interpreted with caution. Compensation status should be considered a potential confounder in all studies of surgical intervention. Determination of the mechanism for this association requires further study.
Reversing expectations during discourse comprehension

In two event-related potential experiments, we asked whether comprehenders used the concessive connective, even so, to predict upcoming events. Participants read coherent and incoherent scenarios, with and without even so, e.g. ‘Elizabeth had a history exam on Monday. She took the test and aced/failed it. (Even so), she went home and celebrated wildly’, as they rated coherence (Experiment 1) or simply answered intermittent comprehension questions (Experiment 2). The semantic function of even so was used to reverse real-world knowledge predictions, leading to an attenuated N400 to coherent versus incoherent target words (‘celebrated’). Moreover, its pragmatic communicative function enhanced predictive processing, leading to more N400 attenuation to coherent targets in scenarios with than without even so. This benefit however, did not come for free: the detection of failed event predictions triggered a later posterior positivity and/or an anterior negativity effect, and costs of maintaining alternative likelihood relations manifest as a sustained negativity effect on sentence-final words.
Real-World Outcome of Treatment with Single-Agent Ibrutinib in Italian Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Final Results of the EVIdeNCE Study

Simple Summary In clinical trials, ibrutinib was found to be effective and well-tolerated in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). To confirm these findings, data on unselected patients treated in clinical practice are necessary. The aim of our observational, prospective Italian cohort study was to describe the real-world persistence rate, patterns of use, and clinical outcomes in patients with CLL treated with single-agent ibrutinib across various treatment lines. We found that, despite the high burden of patient comorbidities and unfavorable genetic features, the majority of patients (217/309, 70%), especially those treated in first line (75%), continued ibrutinib treatment for ≥2 years. The most common reasons for treatment discontinuation were adverse events, primarily infections. We reported positive clinical and survival outcomes, especially in the first-line cohort, and a safety profile consistent with clinical trial data. Our data suggest that ibrutinib is a valuable option for both treatment-naïve and previously treated patients with CLL. Abstract Real-world data in clinical practice are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety that ibrutinib has demonstrated in clinical trials of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We described the real-world persistence rate, patterns of use, and clinical outcomes in 309 patients with CLL receiving single-agent ibrutinib in first line (1L, n = 118), 2L (n = 127) and ≥3L (n = 64) in the prospective, real-world, Italian EVIdeNCE study. After a median follow-up of 23.9 months, 29.8% of patients discontinued ibrutinib (1L: 24.6%, 2L: 29.9%, ≥3L: 39.1%), mainly owing to adverse events (AEs)/toxicity (14.2%). The most common AEs leading to discontinuation were infections (1L, ≥3L) and cardiac events (2L). The 2-year retention rate was 70.2% in the whole cohort (1L: 75.4%, 2L: 70.1%, ≥3L: 60.9%). The 2-year PFS and OS were, respectively, 85.4% and 91.7% in 1L, 80.0% and 86.2% in 2L, and 70.1% and 80.0% in ≥3L. Cardiovascular conditions did not impact patients’ clinical outcomes. The most common AEs were infections (30.7%), bleeding (12.9%), fatigue (10.0%), and neutropenia (9.7%), while grade 3–4 atrial fibrillation occurred in 3.9% of patients. No new safety signals were detected. These results strongly support ibrutinib as a valuable treatment option for CLL.
The role of horse keeping in transforming peri-urban landscapes: A case study from metropolitan Stockholm, Sweden

ABSTRACT The authors analyze sustainable cultural landscapes through the lens of ecosystem services. Their case study focuses on transformation of the peri-urban landscape of the Stockholm region, Sweden. Peri-urban landscapes are characterized by diversified and fragmented land uses that are strongly related to urban lifestyles. The rapidly increasing trend for recreational horse keeping is replacing traditional agriculture. Horse keepers’ and local government perspectives on horse keeping are examined, as well as the related demand for ecosystem services, which affects the landscape. The article is based on government documents, interviews with local government officials, and field visits to 16 horse-keeping facilities in two municipalities. Horse keeping was found important for sustaining cultural ecosystem services related to a rural cultural landscape and for maintaining traditional agriculture that provides provisioning ecosystem services. However, several differences between traditional agriculture and horse keeping that affect the demand for ecosystem services related to land use were found to shift the focus from provisioning services to recreational services. The authors conclude that horse keeping, as an emerging crosscutting issue in peri-urban landscapes, needs new more integrative planning processes that account for the full range of ecosystem services and links between cultural services and ecosystem functioning.
A Loss Tolerant Rate Controller for Reliable Multicast

This paper describes the design, specification, and performance of a Loss Tolerant Rate Controller (LTRC) for use in controlling reliable multicast senders. The purpose of this rate controller is not to adapt to congestion (or loss) on a per loss report basis (such as per received negative acknowledgment), but instead to use loss report information and perceived state to decide more prudent courses of action for both the short and long term. The goal of this controller is to be responsive to congestion, but not overly reactive to spurious independent loss. Performance of the controller is verified through simulation results.
Deposition of Fractal-Like Aerosol Aggregates in a Model of Human Nasal Cavity

Toxicity of diesel exhaust is related to the inhalation of nano-sized fractal-like aerosol aggregates. Their complex behavior (in comparison to spherical particles) should be taken into account in deposition modeling. The deposition of aerosol fractal-like aggregates in the model of a human nose was studied numerically for the flow rate corresponding to breathing conditions. The simplified geometry of the human nasal replica was implemented in the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code (FLUENT) used for calculation of the three-dimensional airflow structure. A Brownian dynamic (BD) algorithm was applied for determination of the aggregates deposition in the nasal cavity during inhalation. These calculations were carried out for several populations of aggregates. The values of parameters used in the BD simulations for characterization of fractal-like aggregates, that is, fractal dimension (Df) and the radius of gyration (Rg), were in the range of 1.7–2.1 and 0.24–0.36 μm, respectively. These are the representative values for soot aggregates emitted from diesel engines. The results of computation show approximately 20% penetration of submicrometer aggregates through the nose and a weak dependence of deposition efficiency on Df and Rg values. The proposed methodology may lead to a more realistic description of deposition of nonspherical aerosol particles in the respiratory system. A more sophisticated approach for description of fractal-like aggregates dynamics is suggested for future studies.
Immunophenotyping of Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in Sudan

Introduction Non-Hodgkin′s lymphomas (NHLs) are heterogeneous group of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. Study objectives This was a retrospective study aimed to classify NHLs into B cell and T cell types; in addition to demonstrate the histological patterns and correlate it with gender, age and site of the biopsy. Methods The study was conducted in Histopathology Department, National Heath Laboratory, during the period 2007-2010. Formalin fixed paraffin wax embedded tissue blocks which were diagnosed as NHLs by routine Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain during the period 2000-2008 were used. Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain were done. Immunohistochemistry stains performed according to Dako cytomation protocol 2007. Lymphoid markers which were used in this study are CD45 (LCA), CD20 (B cell marker), CD3 (T cell marker), CD15 and CD 30. Epithelial marker which was used is CK MNF116. The total number of samples collected was 66; two of them were excluded because of poor processing. Another two specimens were excluded because they are non-reactive with lymphoid markers. The remaining 62 specimens were confirmed to be NHLs and classified into B cell and T cell types. Results The study showed that B cell NHLs represented 87.1% while T cell NHLs were 12.9%. The Male: Female ratio was 1.6:1. The major affected age group was (47-67) years (38.1% of all specimens). The most frequent histological grade was intermediate grade NHLs (27% of all specimens). The most common site of NHLs in this study is the lymph node (40% of all specimens) followed by stomach (19.4%). Conclusion Extranodal locations are the most common sites affected with T cell NHLs. In conclusion; this study confirmed the fundamental role of immunohistochemistry in diagnosis and classification of NHLs.
Prevalence of dry socket following extraction of permanent teeth at Kathmandu University Teaching Hospital (KUTH), Dhulikhel, Kavre,Nepal: a study.

BACKGROUND One of the most common postoperative complications following the extraction of permanent teeth is a condition known as dry socket. Although the aetiology of dry socket is debated, it is probably multifactoral, and its pathogenesis remains unknown. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to evaluate incidence of dry socket following extraction of permanent teeth at dental out-patient department (OPD) of Dhulikhel hospital, Kathmandu university teaching hospital (KUTH), Kavre, Nepal. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective reviews of records of total 1860 no of patients were studied who underwent extraction of permanent teeth for various reasons since January 2007 to December 2008 period. There were 873(47%) male patients and 987 (53%) female patients. Information regarding indications for extraction, extracted tooth status, onset of symptoms, relevant findings of the examining clinician, interval between presentation, management given, and its outcome were retrieved and analysed. RESULTS A total 1860 no of patients were studied who underwent extraction of total 2640 number of permanent teeth for various reasons. A total of 103 (3.9%) extractions were complicated by dry socket in patients aged 11 to 80 years with female predominance (54.4%). CONCLUSION The etiology of dry socket is multifactorial and ultimately it is the host's healing potential which determines the severity and duration of the condition. The incidence of dry socket was found as 3.9% in this study. The incidence was higher in female patients (54.4%) and in mandibular teeth extraction cases (68.93%).
Alternatives to the double vena cava method in partial liver transplantation

Minimizing graft congestion in partial liver transplantation is important, especially when the graft weight is marginal for the recipient metabolic demand. We prefer the double vena cava technique for reconstructing middle hepatic vein tributaries with thick, short hepatic veins because the technique can reduce the warm ischemic time of the graft and make a wide anastomosis. This technique requires a cryopreserved superior or inferior vena cava. We devised an alternative double vena cava method using iliac or femoral vein grafts and applied it to two right liver transplantation patients. There was no postoperative hepatic venous outflow block in either patient. In conclusion, application of this technique, even in the absence of a suitable vena cava, can help to minimize graft congestion. (Liver Transpl 2005;11:101–103.)
Inactivation of Prions by Acidic Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

ABSTRACT Prompted by the discovery that prions become protease-sensitive after exposure to branched polyamine dendrimers in acetic acid (AcOH) (S. Supattapone, H. Wille, L. Uyechi, J. Safar, P. Tremblay, F. C. Szoka, F. E. Cohen, S. B. Prusiner, and M. R. Scott, J. Virol. 75:3453-3461, 2001), we investigated the inactivation of prions by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in weak acid. As judged by sensitivity to proteolytic digestion, the disease-causing prion protein (PrPSc) was denatured at room temperature by SDS at pH values of ≤4.5 or ≥10. Exposure of Sc237 prions in Syrian hamster brain homogenates to 1% SDS and 0.5% AcOH at room temperature resulted in a reduction of prion titer by a factor of ca. 107; however, all of the bioassay hamsters eventually developed prion disease. When various concentrations of SDS and AcOH were tested, the duration and temperature of exposure acted synergistically to inactivate both hamster Sc237 prions and human sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) prions. The inactivation of prions in brain homogenates and those bound to stainless steel wires was evaluated by using bioassays in transgenic mice. sCJD prions were more than 100,000 times more resistant to inactivation than Sc237 prions, demonstrating that inactivation procedures validated on rodent prions cannot be extrapolated to inactivation of human prions. Some procedures that significantly reduced prion titers in brain homogenates had a limited effect on prions bound to the surface of stainless steel wires. Using acidic SDS combined with autoclaving for 15 min, human sCJD prions bound to stainless steel wires were eliminated. Our findings form the basis for a noncorrosive system that is suitable for inactivating prions on surgical instruments, as well as on other medical and dental equipment.
Chromosome instability as an indicator of malignant progression in laryngeal mucosa.

PURPOSE Routine histologic examination cannot predict whether premalignant laryngeal lesions will progress toward invasive growth. The acquisition of changes in chromosome constitution has been suggested to be essential for driving tumor progression by enhancing mutagenic mechanisms. The aim of the present study was to determine whether chromosomal changes occur in the subsequent stages of early laryngeal carcinogenesis and, if so, whether these changes can be of prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS Numerical aberrations for chromosomes 1 and 7 were detected in tissue sections from archival material using an improved in situ hybridization protocol. In total, eight benign laryngeal lesions, 37 premalignant laryngeal lesions, and 16 specimens containing histologically normal epithelia adjacent to laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas were studied. Both the histologic and the cytogenetic classifications were correlated with progression to laryngeal cancer. RESULTS No evidence for chromosome alterations was obtained in the control group, nor in histologically normal epithelia adjacent to laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas, nor in all but one hyperplastic lesion (n = 11). In contrast, 14 of 15 dysplastic lesions and nine of 11 carcinomas-in-situ contained numerical chromosomal aberrations. Tetrasomy was present in the majority of the dysplastic lesions. An unstable chromosome content (indicated by the presence of chromosome imbalances and/or polyploidization) in the premalignant lesion strongly predicted its malignant progression. CONCLUSION Our results show that laryngeal tumor development involves chromosome tetraploidization. The further change from a stable to an unstable chromosome constitution is of importance for malignant progression.
Genetic regulation of extracellular serotonin by 5-hydroxytryptamine(1A) and 5-hydroxytryptamine(1B) autoreceptors in different brain regions of the mouse.

The regulation of extracellular levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) (5-HT) in the striatum and ventral hippocampus was studied using in vivo microdialysis in awake, unrestrained wild-type 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) receptor knockout mice. Systemic administration of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor fluoxetine evoked a significant dose-dependent increase in extracellular 5-HT in both the striatum and hippocampus at both 2.5 mg/kg (i.p.) and 20 mg/kg (i.p.) in wild-type mice. In 5-HT(1A) receptor knockout mice, the response to 2.5 mg/kg fluoxetine was significantly augmented in the striatum but not the hippocampus, whereas the response to 20 mg/kg fluoxetine was significantly greater in both brain regions. In 5-HT(1B) receptor knockout mice, the increase of extracellular 5-HT was augmented in the hippocampus but not the striatum at both doses of fluoxetine. The response pattern to fluoxetine alone in 5-HT receptor mutant mice corresponded with the effects of fluoxetine given with either the 5-HT(1A) receptor antagonist WAY 100635 (0.1 mg/kg i.p.) or the 5-HT(1B/1D) receptor antagonist GR 127935 (0.056 mg/kg) in wild-type mice. These results indicate common topographical regulation of 5-HT release in different brain regions by genetic mutation and pharmacological challenges. The 5-HT(1A) autoreceptor plays a larger role in regulating 5-HT release in the striatum and possibly other brain regions innervated by the dorsal raphe nucleus, whereas the role of the 5-HT(1B) receptor is relatively greater in the hippocampus and possibly other brain regions innervated by the median raphe nucleus.
A Combination of Activation and Repression by a Colinear Hox Code Controls Forelimb-Restricted Expression of Tbx5 and Reveals Hox Protein Specificity

Tight control over gene expression is essential for precision in embryonic development and acquisition of the regulatory elements responsible is the predominant driver for evolution of new structures. Tbx5 and Tbx4, two genes expressed in forelimb and hindlimb-forming regions respectively, play crucial roles in the initiation of limb outgrowth. Evolution of regulatory elements that activate Tbx5 in rostral LPM was essential for the acquisition of forelimbs in vertebrates. We identified such a regulatory element for Tbx5 and demonstrated Hox genes are essential, direct regulators. While the importance of Hox genes in regulating embryonic development is clear, Hox targets and the ways in which each protein executes its specific function are not known. We reveal how nested Hox expression along the rostro-caudal axis restricts Tbx5 expression to forelimb. We demonstrate that Hoxc9, which is expressed in caudal LPM where Tbx5 is not expressed, can form a repressive complex on the Tbx5 forelimb regulatory element. This repressive capacity is limited to Hox proteins expressed in caudal LPM and carried out by two separate protein domains in Hoxc9. Forelimb-restricted expression of Tbx5 and ultimately forelimb formation is therefore achieved through co-option of two characteristics of Hox genes; their colinear expression along the body axis and the functional specificity of different paralogs. Active complexes can be formed by Hox PG proteins present throughout the rostral-caudal LPM while restriction of Tbx5 expression is achieved by superimposing a dominant repressive (Hoxc9) complex that determines the caudal boundary of Tbx5 expression. Our results reveal the regulatory mechanism that ensures emergence of the forelimbs at the correct position along the body. Acquisition of this regulatory element would have been critical for the evolution of limbs in vertebrates and modulation of the factors we have identified can be molecular drivers of the diversity in limb morphology.
Intent to breast-feed: the impact of attitudes, norms, parity, and experience.

OBJECTIVE To examine the influence of breast-feeding attitudes, social norms, and prior experience on predicting breast-feeding intention utilizing the theories of reasoned action and planned behavior. METHODS Low-income pregnant women (n = 963) completed a theory-based questionnaire. RESULTS Attitudes were more predictive of breast-feeding intention than were norms, regardless of parity or prior behavior. Among multiparous women, amount of prior breast-feeding experience contributed independently to predicting breast-feeding intention and rendered norms insignificant. CONCLUSION Results support the theories. Breast-feeding promotions targeting low-income women should emphasize enhancing women's personal breast-feeding attitudes, and, among primiparous women, promoting positive breast-feeding attitudes among their significant others.