Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Familial hypercholesterolemia in the danish general population: prevalence, coronary artery disease, and cholesterol-lowering medication.

CONTEXT The diagnosis of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can be made using the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network criteria. This employs the personal and family history of premature coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia and the presence of a pathogenic mutation in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and apolipoprotein B (APOB) genes. OBJECTIVE We employed this tool to investigate the prevalence of FH and the associations between FH and coronary artery disease and cholesterol-lowering medication in the Copenhagen General Population Study. SETTING The study was of an unselected, community-based population comprising 69,016 participants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES FH (definite/probable) was defined as a Dutch Lipid Clinic Network score higher than 5. Coronary artery disease was myocardial infarction or angina pectoris. RESULTS The prevalence of FH was 0.73% (one in 137). Of participants with FH, 20% had an LDLR or APOB mutation. The prevalence of coronary artery disease among FH participants was 33%. Only 48% of subjects with FH admitted to taking cholesterol-lowering medication. The odds ratio for coronary artery disease off cholesterol-lowering medication was 13.2 (10.0-17.4) in definite/probable FH compared with non-FH subjects, after adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, hypertension, metabolic syndrome and diabetes, and smoking. The corresponding adjusted odds ratio for coronary artery disease in FH subjects on cholesterol-lowering medication was 10.3 (7.8-13.8). CONCLUSION The prevalence of FH appears to be higher than commonly perceived in a general population of white Danish individuals, with at least half of affected subjects not receiving cholesterol-lowering medication. The very high risk of coronary artery disease irrespective of use of medication reflects the extent of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of FH in the community and primary care.
Analyzing the Dynamic Relationship between Tumor Growth and Angiogenesis in a Two Dimensional Finite Element Model

Employing a novel two-dimensional computational model we have simulated the feedback between angiogenesis and tumor growth dynamics. Analyzing vessel formation and elongation towards the concentration gradient of the tumor-derived angiogenetic basic fibroblast growth factor, bFGF, we assumed that prior to the blood vessels reaching the tumor surface, the resulting pattern of tumor growth is symmetric, circular with a common center point. However, after the vessels reach the tumor surface, we assumed that the growth rate of that particular cancer region is accelerated compared to the tumor surface section that lacks neo-vascularization. Therefore, the resulting asymmetric tumor growth pattern is biased towards the site of the nourishing vessels. The simulation results show over time an increase in vessel density, a decrease in vessel branching length, and an increase in fracticality of the vascular branching architecture. Interestingly, over time the fractal dimension displayed a sigmoidal pattern with a reduced rate increase at earlier and later tumor growth stages due to distinct characteristics in vessel length and density. The finding that, at later stages, higher vascular fracticality resulted in a marked increase of tumor slice volume provides further in silico evidence for a functional impact of vascular patterns on cancer growth.
Signatures of breast cancer metastasis at a glance

ABSTRACT Gene expression profiling has yielded expression signatures from which prognostic tests can be derived to facilitate clinical decision making in breast cancer patients. Some of these signatures are based on profiling of whole tumor tissue (tissue signatures), which includes all tumor and stromal cells. Prognostic markers have also been derived from the profiling of metastasizing tumor cells, including circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and migratory–disseminating tumor cells within the primary tumor. The metastasis signatures based on CTCs and migratory–disseminating tumor cells have greater potential for unraveling cell biology insights and mechanistic underpinnings of tumor cell dissemination and metastasis. Of clinical interest is the promise that stratification of patients into high or low metastatic risk, as well as assessing the need for cytotoxic therapy, might be improved if prognostics derived from these two types of signatures are used in a combined way. The aim of this Cell Science at a Glance article and accompanying poster is to navigate through both types of signatures and their derived prognostics, as well as to highlight biological insights and clinical applications that could be derived from them, especially when they are used in combination. Summary: Prognostic assays based on proliferation (e.g. Oncotype DX, MammaPrint DX) combined with a prognostic derived from a signature of dissemination (e.g. TMEM score) could provide a complementary and more personalized prognostic information for breast cancer patients.
Intelligent Monitoring of Critical Pathological Events during Anesthesia

Expert algorithms in the field of intelligent patient monitoring have rapidly revolutionized patient care thereby improving patient safety. Patient monitoring during anesthesia requires cautious attention by anesthetists who are monitoring many modalities, diagnosing clinically critical events and performing patient management tasks simultaneously. The mishaps that occur during day-to-day anesthesia causing disastrous errors in anesthesia administration were classified and studied by Reason [1]. Human errors in anesthesia account for 82% of the preventable mishaps [2]. The aim of this paper is to develop a clinically useful diagnostic alarm system for detecting critical events during anesthesia administration. The development of an expert diagnostic alarm system called 'RT- SAAM' for detecting critical pathological events in the operating theatre is presented. This system provides decision support to the anesthetist by presenting the diagnostic results on an integrative, ergonomic display and thus enhancing patient safety. The performance of the system was validated through a series of offline and real-time testing in the operation theatre. When detecting absolute hypovolemia (AHV), moderate level of agreement was observed between RT-SAAM and the human expert (anesthetist) during surgical procedures. RT-SAAM is a clinically useful diagnostic tool which can be easily modified for diagnosing additional critical pathological events like relative hypovolemia, fall in cardiac output, sympathetic response and malignant hyperpyrexia during surgical procedures. RT-SAAM is currently being tested at the Auckland City Hospital with ethical approval from the local ethics committees.
A kernel-based architecture for safe cooperative vehicular functions

Future vehicular systems will be able to cooperate in order to perform many functions in a more effective and efficient way. However, achieving predictable and safe coordination of vehicles that autonomously cooperate in open and uncertain environments is a challenging task. Traditional solutions for achieving safety either impose restrictions on performance or require costly resources to deal with the worst case situations. In this paper, we describe a generic architectural pattern that addresses this problem. We consider that cooperative functions can be executed with multiple levels of service, and we rely on a safety kernel to manage the service level in run-time. A set of safety rules defined in design-time determine conditions under which the cooperative function can be performed safely in each level of service. The paper provides details of our implementation of this safety kernel, covering both hardware and software aspects. It also presents an example application of the proposed solutions in the development of a demonstrator using scaled vehicles.
Morphological and Functional Assessment of Oesophageal Mucosa Integrity in Children With Cystic Fibrosis

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate morphological and functional characteristics of oesophageal epithelial barrier in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) with or without gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) in comparison to healthy controls. Methods: Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy with oesophageal biopsies and combined oesophageal multichannel intraluminal impedance-pH monitoring was performed in 17 children with CF (CFtot) with (CFgord) or without GORD (CFnorm). Histological combined severity score was calculated and widths of spaces between epithelial cells were measured. Basal impedance value was used to assess functional integrity of epithelial barrier. Results of each investigation were compared with a group of children without oesophageal disease. Results: CFtot, but also CFnorm, had more severe pathohistological changes included in the compound severity score than controls (0.75 ± 0.32 and 0.75 ± 0.20 vs 0.27 ± 0.25; P < 0.001 and P = 0.001, respectively). They also had more dilated intercellular spaces (2.6 &mgr;m ± 0.6 and 2.7 &mgr;m ± 0.5 vs 1.9 &mgr;m ± 0.2; P = 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). Baseline impedance values between proximal and distal pairs of electrodes were significantly lower in CFtot (2876 &OHgr; ± 484, 2590 &OHgr; ± 1013) and also in CFnorm (2922 &OHgr; ± 363, 2844 &OHgr; ± 457) than in controls (3703 &OHgr; ± 859, 3753 &OHgr; ± 1070) (P = 0.012 and P = 0.002; and P = 0.027 and P = 0.005, respectively). The treatment of CFgord with proton pump inhibitor increased, but did not normalise the baseline impedance values (2860 &OHgr; ± 560 to 3355 &OHgr; ± 750 and 2178 &OHgr; ± 1564 to 3057 &OHgr; ± 594). Conclusions: Children with CF had morphological and functional changes of oesophageal mucosal integrity even in the absence of GORD.
The Morbidity of Reoperative Surgery for Recurrent Benign Nodular Goitre: Impact of Previous Unilateral Thyroid Lobectomy versus Subtotal Thyroidectomy

Background. Subtotal thyroidectomy (STT) was previously considered the gold standard in the surgical management of multinodular goitre despite its propensity for recurrence. Our aim was to assess whether prior STT or unilateral lobectomy was associated with increased reoperative morbidity. Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted extracting data from our endocrine surgical database for the period from January 1991 to June 2006. Two patient groups were defined: Group 1 consisted of patients with previous unilateral thyroid lobectomy; Group 2 had undergone previous STT. Specific outcomes investigated were transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury and hypoparathyroidism. Results. 494 reoperative cases were performed which consisted of 259 patients with previous unilateral lobectomy (Group 1) and 235 patients with previous subtotal thyroidectomy (Group 2). A statistically significant increase relating to previous STT was demonstrated in both permanent RLN injury (0.77% versus 3.4%, RR 4.38, P = 0.038) and permanent hypoparathyroidism (1.5% versus 5.1%, RR 3.14, P = 0.041). Transient nerve injury and hypocalcaemia incidence was comparable. Conclusions. Reoperative surgery following subtotal thyroidectomy is associated with a significantly increased risk of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and hypoparathyroidism when compared with previous unilateral thyroidectomy. Subtotal thyroidectomy should therefore no longer be recommended in the management of multinodular goitre.
Effect of hormone replacement therapy, tibolone and raloxifene on serum lipids, apolipoprotein A1, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) in Greek postmenopausal women

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of estrogen, two regimens of continuous combined hormone replacement therapy (HRT), tibolone and raloxifene on serum lipid, apolipoprotein A1 and B and lipoprotein(a) levels in Greek postmenopausal women. A total of 350 postmenopausal women were studied in a prospective open design. Women were assigned to one of the following regimens depending on the presence of risk factors for osteoporosis, climacteric symptoms and an intact uterus: conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg (CEE, n=34), continuous combined CEE 0.625 mg plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) 5 mg, (n=80), continuous combined 17β-estradiol 2 mg plus norethisterone acetate (NETA) 1 mg (n=58), tibolone 2.5 mg (n=83) and raloxifene HCl 60 mg (n=50). Forty-five postmenopausal women with no indications for HRT served as controls. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholestrol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1), apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) levels were assessed in each subject at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months of therapy. All therapy regimens lowered TC levels compared to baseline (4.2-8.0% decrease). This effect was more prominent in the subgoup of women with high baseline TC levels (9.1-20.4% decrease). LDL cholesterol decreased significantly in CEE, CEE/MPA and raloxifene groups (−11.2%, −11.9% and −11.0%, respectively). Hypercholesterolemic women exhibited a steeper decrease in LDL cholesterol (10.6-27.8% in all therapy groups). TG levels increased significantly in the CEE and CEE/MPA groups (23.7% and 21.8%, respectively), while estradiol/NETA had no effect on TG levels. Tibolone decreased TG levels markedly, by 20.6%, while raloxifene had no TG-lowering effect. HDL cholesterol and ApoA1 were increased by CEE and CEE/MPA (HDL cholesterol, 7.4% and 11.8%, respectively; ApoA1, 17.8% and 7.9%, respectively) and decreased by tibolone (HDL cholesterol, −13.6%; and ApoA1, −9.9%). All therapy regimens except raloxifene lowered Lp(a) levels, with tibolone having the more pronounced effect (−13.2 to −29.0%). In conclusion, each therapy regimen had a different effect on lipid-lipoprotein levels, exerting favorable and unfavorable modifications. Hypercholesterolemic women seemed to benefit more from the cholesterol-lowering effect of estrogen replacement therapy/HRT. The choice for a particular regimen should be based on individual needs, indications and lipid-lipoprotein profile.
Autonomous Operation of Hybrid Microgrid With AC and DC Subgrids

This paper investigates on power-sharing issues of an autonomous hybrid microgrid. Unlike existing microgrids which are purely ac, the hybrid microgrid studied here comprises dc and ac subgrids interconnected by power electronic interfaces. The main challenge here is to manage power flows among all sources distributed throughout the two types of subgrids, which is certainly tougher than previous efforts developed for only ac or dc microgrid. This wider scope of control has not yet been investigated, and would certainly rely on the coordinated operation of dc sources, ac sources, and interlinking converters. Suitable control and normalization schemes are now developed for controlling them with the overall hybrid microgrid performance already verified in simulation and experiment.
Enhancing General Practitioners Participation in a Virtual Community of Practice for Continuing Medical Education: An Exploratory Study

As sources of medical information grow online, Virtual Communities of Practice (VCoPs) have evolved into a potential tool that allows General Practitioners (GPs) to interact through the sharing of their experience and knowledge. However, literature reports that GPs are reluctant to participate in VCoPs especially for their continuing medical education (CME). Currently, no study has explored the design and structural aspects of VCoPs that may lead to enhancing GPs' participation in such online communities. Hence, this paper explores how GPs envisage the use of a VCoP for their CME and how to enhance their participation by conducting an exploratory qualitative study of two focus groups with 10 GPs in each group, accompanied by a specialist and a nurse. Our empirical findings identified two key contributions: i) seven themes that need to be incorporated in the VCoP to enable and support GP's CME through the use of a VCoP; ii) three recommendations to take into consideration for researchers when evaluating VCoPs for CME.
A Venue-Based Survey of Malaria, Anemia and Mobility Patterns among Migrant Farm Workers in Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Background Mobile populations present unique challenges to malaria control and elimination efforts. Each year, a large number of individuals travel to northwest Amhara Region, Ethiopia to seek seasonal employment on large-scale farms. Agricultural areas typically report the heaviest malaria burden within Amhara thereby placing migrants at high risk of infection. Yet little is known about these seasonal migrants and their malaria-related risk factors. Methods and Findings In July 2013, a venue-based survey of 605 migrant laborers 18 years or older was conducted in two districts of North Gondar zone, Amhara. The study population was predominantly male (97.7%) and young (mean age 22.8 years). Plasmodium prevalence by rapid diagnostic test (RDT) was 12.0%; One quarter (28.3%) of individuals were anemic (hemoglobin <13 g/dl). Nearly all participants (95.6%) originated from within Amhara Region, with half (51.6%) coming from within North Gondar zone. Around half (51.2%) slept in temporary shelters, while 20.5% regularly slept outside. Only 11.9% of participants had access to a long lasting insecticidal net (LLIN). Reported net use the previous night was 8.8% overall but 74.6% among those with LLIN access. Nearly one-third (30.1%) reported having fever within the past two weeks, of whom 31.3% sought care. Cost and distance were the main reported barriers to seeking care. LLIN access (odds ratio [OR] = 0.30, P = 0.04) and malaria knowledge (OR = 0.50, P = 0.02) were significantly associated with reduced Plasmodium infection among migrants, with a similar but non-significant trend observed for reported net use the previous night (OR = 0.16, P = 0.14). Conclusions High prevalence of malaria and anemia were observed among a young population that originated from relatively proximate areas. Low access to care and low IRS and LLIN coverage likely place migrant workers at significant risk of malaria in this area and their return home may facilitate parasite transport to other areas. Strategies specifically tailored to migrant farm workers are needed to support malaria control and elimination activities in Ethiopia.
Analisa Pengarush Stres Kerja, Kepuasan Kerja, Budaya Organisasi, Dan Komitmen Organisasi Terhadap Turnover Intention Karyawan Kantor Konsultan Pajak Di Surabaya

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui apakah stres kerja, kepuasan kerja, budaya organisasi, dan komitmen organisasi mempunyai pengaruh yang signifikan terhadap turnover intention karyawan kantor konsultan pajak di Surabaya baik secara parsial maupun secara simultan. Data diperoleh dari kuesioner yang disebar ke 100 responden yang merupakan karyawan kantor konsultan pajak di Surabaya pada bulan Mei 2014. Sebanyak 100 kuesioner kembali dengan keadaan yang lengkap dan dapat diolah. Dengan menggunakan teknik analisa regresi berganda, hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa terdapat hubungan positif signifikan antara stres kerja dengan turnover intention. Di mana jika stres kerja yang dirasakan karyawan menurun, maka tingkat turnover intention juga bisa jadi akan menurun. Selain itu terdapat hubungan negatif signifikan antara variabel kepuasan kerja, budaya organisasi, dan komitmen organisasi terhadap turnover intention. Semakin tinggi tingkat yang dirasakan karyawan atas kepuasan kerja, budaya organisasi dan keinginan untuk berkomitmen di tempatnya bekerja, maka semakin rendah tingat turnover intention karyawan yang akan terjadi.
Influence of Cardiac Decentralization on Cardioprotection

The role of cardiac nerves on development of myocardial tissue injury after acute coronary occlusion remains controversial. We investigated whether acute cardiac decentralization (surgical) modulates coronary flow reserve and myocardial protection in preconditioned dogs subject to ischemia-reperfusion. Experiments were conducted on four groups of anesthetised, open-chest dogs (n = 32): 1- controls (CTR, intact cardiac nerves), 2- ischemic preconditioning (PC; 4 cycles of 5-min IR), 3- cardiac decentralization (CD) and 4- CD+PC; all dogs underwent 60-min coronary occlusion and 180-min reperfusion. Coronary blood flow and reactive hyperemic responses were assessed using a blood volume flow probe. Infarct size (tetrazolium staining) was related to anatomic area at risk and coronary collateral blood flow (microspheres) in the anatomic area at risk. Post-ischemic reactive hyperemia and repayment-to-debt ratio responses were significantly reduced for all experimental groups; however, arterial perfusion pressure was not affected. Infarct size was reduced in CD dogs (18.6±4.3; p = 0.001, data are mean±1SD) compared to 25.2±5.5% in CTR dogs and was less in PC dogs as expected (13.5±3.2 vs. 25.2±5.5%; p = 0.001); after acute CD, PC protection was conserved (11.6±3.4 vs. 18.6±4.3%; p = 0.02). In conclusion, our findings provide strong evidence that myocardial protection against ischemic injury can be preserved independent of extrinsic cardiac nerve inputs.
E-theses and Indian academia: A case study of nine ETD digital libraries and formulation of policies for a national service

This paper examines the developments in ETD repositories, in particular PhD thesis repositories, in India. The purpose is to perform a preliminary study and explore the possibilities for creating a national repository for the deposit, discovery, use and long-term care of research theses in an open access environment. The author looks at the current state of deployment of ETD repositories in the academic sector and discusses the subject coverage, number of items, access policy, browse/search option, and value added services. This study raises questions about policies and strategies that national higher education, research funding and policy-making bodies, as well as individual institutional communities within the higher education sector will want to consider. In spite of the great interest in e-theses development and the fact that the majority of doctoral theses in India are being produced electronically, no wide scale activity has been initiated by the government in terms of the storage and dissemination of these materials. Adoption of national level policies on institutional repository development is also lacking in India. To date, very few institutes request students to electronically submit their theses and dissertations. This article proposes the construction of a reservoir of extensive doctoral research and an Indian portal to enable preserving of scientific and technological research materials in the country and a global view of Indian institutional research assets. A few national level institutes such as the Indian Institute of Science and the Indian Institute of Technologies have established ETD repositories and a few are currently in the planning stage. The survey reveals that digital preservation of theses and dissertations is already in progress, though some of them are still in a preliminary stage. The major problems and concerns reported by respondents are summarized and findings are discussed.