Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute kidney injury: outcomes and quality of care.

BACKGROUND Deficiencies in management have been highlighted as contributory factors in the death of many patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). However, there is little evidence addressing the quality of care provided to patients with milder AKI. AIM The aim of this study is to evaluate the quality of care provided to a non-select cohort of patients with AKI and evaluate discrepancies in causation, recognition and management. DESIGN Retrospective inception cohort study. METHODS Demographic data were collected for all 1577 patients admitted to a University Teaching Hospital during a 1-month period. Baseline, admission and peak creatinine were correlated with mortality and length of hospital admission. AKI was classified according to Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes criteria. A retrospective case note review of all patients with AKI was carried out to evaluate quality of documentation and clinical management of AKI. Multivariate analysis was undertaken to determine risk factors for AKI. RESULTS Incidence of AKI on admission was 4.6%. A further 10.3% developed AKI while in hospital. All cause mortality was 4-fold higher among patients with AKI compared with those without (19 vs. 3.8%; P < 0.001). Mortality was significantly higher in those patients who developed AKI while an in-patient compared with those with AKI on admission (27.3 vs. 11.8%; P < 0.001). Diabetes, clinician perception of frailty, age and treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor prior to admission were found to be independent risk factors for AKI. AKI was unrecognized in 23.5% of patients, two-thirds of whom were discharged without resolution of renal function. Significant weaknesses in management were poorly kept fluid balance charts (48.2%), failure to withhold nephrotoxic drugs (38.8%) and failure to act upon abnormal biochemistry (41%) in a timely fashion. CONCLUSION AKI is common in hospitalized patients and associated with a significant increase in hospital stay and mortality. AKI is often found in conjunction with other organ failure and in many cases is not preventable. Nevertheless clinicians need to be more vigilant of small creatinine rises to permit early intervention particularly among elderly and frail patients.
Genome-wide scans provide evidence for positive selection of genes implicated in Lassa fever

Rapidly evolving viruses and other pathogens can have an immense impact on human evolution as natural selection acts to increase the prevalence of genetic variants providing resistance to disease. With the emergence of large datasets of human genetic variation, we can search for signatures of natural selection in the human genome driven by such disease-causing microorganisms. Based on this approach, we have previously hypothesized that Lassa virus (LASV) may have been a driver of natural selection in West African populations where Lassa haemorrhagic fever is endemic. In this study, we provide further evidence for this notion. By applying tests for selection to genome-wide data from the International Haplotype Map Consortium and the 1000 Genomes Consortium, we demonstrate evidence for positive selection in LARGE and interleukin 21 (IL21), two genes implicated in LASV infectivity and immunity. We further localized the signals of selection, using the recently developed composite of multiple signals method, to introns and putative regulatory regions of those genes. Our results suggest that natural selection may have targeted variants giving rise to alternative splicing or differential gene expression of LARGE and IL21. Overall, our study supports the hypothesis that selective pressures imposed by LASV may have led to the emergence of particular alleles conferring resistance to Lassa fever, and opens up new avenues of research pursuit.
An Opportunistic Routing Mechanism Combined with Long-Term and Short-Term Metrics for WMN

WMN (wireless mesh network) is a useful wireless multihop network with tremendous research value. The routing strategy decides the performance of network and the quality of transmission. A good routing algorithm will use the whole bandwidth of network and assure the quality of service of traffic. Since the routing metric ETX (expected transmission count) does not assure good quality of wireless links, to improve the routing performance, an opportunistic routing mechanism combined with long-term and short-term metrics for WMN based on OLSR (optimized link state routing) and ETX is proposed in this paper. This mechanism always chooses the highest throughput links to improve the performance of routing over WMN and then reduces the energy consumption of mesh routers. The simulations and analyses show that the opportunistic routing mechanism is better than the mechanism with the metric of ETX.
Early hemicraniectomy in patients with complete middle cerebral artery infarction.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Malignant, space-occupying supratentorial ischemic stroke is characterized by a mortality rate of up to 80%. Several reports indicate a beneficial effect of hemicraniectomy in this situation. However, whether and when decompressive surgery is indicated in these patients is still a matter of debate. METHODS In an open, prospective trial we performed hemicraniectomy in 63 patients with acute complete middle cerebral artery infarction. Initial clinical presentation was assessed by the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) and the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS). All survivors were reexamined 3 months after surgical decompression, with the clinical evaluation graded according to the Rankin Scale (RS) and Barthel Index (BI). We analyzed the influence of early decompressive surgery (<24 hours after symptom onset, based on clinical status at admission and initial CT findings) versus late surgery (>24 hours after first reversible signs of herniation) on mortality, functional outcome, and the length of time of critical care therapy was needed. RESULTS In total, 46 patients (73%) survived. Despite complete hemispheric infarction, no survivor suffered from complete hemiplegia or was permanently wheelchair bound. In patients with speech-dominant hemispheric infarction (n=11), only mild to moderate aphasia was present. The mean BI score was 65, and RS score revealed severe handicap in 13% of the patients. In 31 patients with early decompressive surgery, mortality was 16% and BI score 68.8. Early hemicraniectomy led to a significant reduction in the length of time critical care therapy was needed (7.4 versus 13.3 days, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In general, the outcome of patients treated with craniectomy in severe ischemic hemispheric infarction was surprisingly good. In addition, early decompressive surgery may further improve outcome in these patients.
Enhancing Repair of the Mammalian Heart

The injured mammalian heart is particularly susceptible to tissue deterioration, scarring, and loss of contractile function in response to trauma or sustained disease. We tested the ability of a locally acting insulin-like growth factor-1 isoform (mIGF-1) to recover heart functionality, expressing the transgene in the mouse myocardium to exclude endocrine effects on other tissues. supplemental mIGF-1 expression did not perturb normal cardiac growth and physiology. Restoration of cardiac function in post-infarct mIGF-1 transgenic mice was facilitated by modulation of the inflammatory response and increased antiapoptotic signaling. mIGF-1 ventricular tissue exhibited increased proliferative activity several weeks after injury. The canonical signaling pathway involving Akt, mTOR, and p70S6 kinase was not induced in mIGF-1 hearts, which instead activated alternate PDK1 and SGK1 signaling intermediates. The robust response achieved with the mIGF-1 isoform provides a mechanistic basis for clinically feasible therapeutic strategies for improving the outcome of heart disease.
The effects of the DASH diet education program with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on metabolic syndrome parameters in elderly women with abdominal obesity

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to investigate the overall effects of a tailored Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) nutritional intervention program which included omega-3 fatty acids supplementation, on dietary self-efficacy, dietary knowledge, and dietary behaviors in Korean elderly women with abdominal obesity. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of the program on metabolic syndrome parameters including the antioxidant capacities in these subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS A randomized, controlled trial was conducted for 8 weeks. The experimental group (n = 21) received a weekly tailored nutritional program for 8 weeks and the control group (n = 18) received only one educational session. The clinical survey was conducted before and after the intervention period. RESULTS After the intervention, dietary self-efficacy (P = 0.023), frequency of fruit intake (P = 0.019), and dietary fiber intake (P = 0.044) were higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The oxidative stress (P < 0.001) was lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Moreover, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (P = 0.023) had significantly decreased in the experimental group but not in the control group after the intervention. CONCLUSIONS The intervention program including omega-3 fatty acid supplementation had a positive effect on dietary self-efficacy, dietary behaviors, and oxidative stress among aged women with abdominal obesity.
Towards geographies of cyberspace

This article uses two cyberspatial technologies, namely, the Internet (the global network of connected computers), and its close cousins, intranets (closed, private corporate telematic networks), to illustrate the ways in which geographers have engaged, and could engage, with studies of cyberspace. Virtual reality technologies are not discussed explicitly as, in the main, they are still at an exploratory and experimental stage. The article has three central aims: first, to introduce cyberspace and its implications to a wider geographical audience; secondly, to provide a critical review of current empirical and theoretical work relating to cyberspatial technologies by geographers; and, thirdly, to introduce geographers to the current debates and empirical research of scholars from other disciplines and suggest how geographers can build upon and advance these studies. An agenda for future research is outlined and an approach in which to ground future studies is forwarded. It is argued that spatiality is central to understanding cyberspace.
Genetic polymorphisms of DAT1 and COMT differentially associate with actigraphy-derived sleep–wake cycles in young adults

Accumulating evidence suggests that dopamine plays a key role in sleep–wake regulation. Cerebral dopamine levels are regulated primarily by the dopamine transporter (DAT) in the striatum and by catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) in the prefrontal cortex. We hypothesized that the variable-number-tandem-repeat (VNTR) polymorphism in the 3′-untranslated region of the gene encoding DAT (DAT1, SLC6A3; rs28363170) and the Val158Met polymorphism of COMT (rs4680) differently affect actigraphy-derived rest-activity cycles and sleep estimates in healthy adults (65 men; 45 women; age range: 19–35 years). Daytime sleepiness, continuous rest-actigraphy and sleep diary data during roughly 4-weeks were analyzed. Nine-repeat (9R) allele carriers of DAT1 (n = 48) more often reported elevated sleepiness (Epworth sleepiness score ≥10) than 10-repeat (10R) allele homozygotes (n = 62, p < 0.02). Moreover, male 9R allele carriers showed higher wrist activity, whereas this difference was not present in women (“DAT1 genotype” × “gender” interaction: p < 0.005). Rest-activity patterns did not differ among COMT genotypes. Nevertheless, a significant “COMT genotype” × “type of day” (workdays vs. rest days) interaction for sleep duration was observed (p = 0.04). The Val/Val (n = 36) and Met/Met (n = 24) homozygotes habitually prolonged sleep on rest days compared to workdays by more than 30 min, while Val/Met heterozygotes (n = 50) did not significantly extend their sleep (mean difference: 7 min). Moreover, whereas the proportion of women among the genotype groups did not differ, COMT genotype affected body-mass-index (BMI), such that Val/Met individuals had lower BMI than the homozygous genotypes (p < 0.04). While awaiting independent replication and confirmation, our data support an association of genetically-determined differences in cerebral dopaminergic neurotransmission with daytime sleepiness and individual rest-activity profiles, as well as other sleep-associated health characteristics such as the regulation of BMI. The differential associations of DAT1 and COMT polymorphisms may reflect the distinct local expression of the encoded proteins in the brain.
Hierarchical Carbon Fibers with ZnO Nanowires for Volatile Sensing in Composite Curing (Postprint)

Abstract : Volatile management is critical to quality and consistent processing of polyimide composites. It remains difficult to measure and quantify volatiles evolved during curing, hampered by a dearth of small sensors and poor high temperature performance. Embedded sensors should be minimally parasitic and embedded within the composite in order to use for feedback during processing. For this work, we report on the foundational study needed to demonstrate the use of Zinc Oxide (ZnO) nanowire coated carbon fibers as a volatile sensor. ZnO nanowires are demonstrated to function as an ethanol sensor within a controlled environment. Growth of ZnO nanowires is shown, as well as the appropriate circuit to measure resistance. Results indicate that ZnO is a promising candidate and that relevant volatile concentrations can be measured.
Comparison of Fractal Dimension Algorithms for the Computation of EEG Biomarkers for Dementia

Analysis of the Fractal Dimension of the EEG appears to be a good approach for the computation of biomarkers for dementia. Several Fractal Dimension algorithms have been used in the EEG analysis of cognitive and sleep disorders. The aim of this paper is to find an accurate Fractal Dimension algorithm that can be applied to the EEG for computing reliable biomarkers, specifically, for the assessment of dementia. To achieve this, some of the common methods for estimating the Fractal Dimension of the EEG are reviewed and compared using serial EEG recordings of normal and subjects with dementia. Biomarkers computed from the Fractal Dimensions are assessed according to their ability to perform early detection, differential diagnosis of dementia and in identifying effects of channel variations in subjects with dementia. The initial findings have shown that not all Fractal Dimension algorithms are suitable for computation of EEG biomarkers for dementia. Typically, biomarkers obtained from the Zero Set and the Adapted Box algorithms have shown good discriminating power in the early detection and differential diagnosis of dementia. Two channels, namely P3 and PZ have also been singled out as the most affected channels in dementing subjects. This bodes well with recent neuroimaging findings which indicate that the posterior cortex is one of the main sites of cortical atrophy in early Alzheimer's Disease.
Time-Dependent Nerve Growth Factor Signaling Changes in the Rat Retina During Optic Nerve Crush-Induced Degeneration of Retinal Ganglion Cells

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is suggested to be neuroprotective after nerve injury; however, retinal ganglion cells (RGC) degenerate following optic-nerve crush (ONC), even in the presence of increased levels of endogenous NGF. To further investigate this apparently paradoxical condition, a time-course study was performed to evaluate the effects of unilateral ONC on NGF expression and signaling in the adult retina. Visually evoked potential and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess axonal damage and RGC loss. The levels of NGF, proNGF, p75NTR, TrkA and GFAP and the activation of several intracellular pathways were analyzed at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after crush (dac) by ELISA/Western Blot and PathScan intracellular signaling array. The progressive RGC loss and nerve impairment featured an early and sustained activation of apoptotic pathways; and GFAP and p75NTR enhancement. In contrast, ONC-induced reduction of TrkA, and increased proNGF were observed only at 7 and 14 dac. We propose that proNGF and p75NTR contribute to exacerbate retinal degeneration by further stimulating apoptosis during the second week after injury, and thus hamper the neuroprotective effect of the endogenous NGF. These findings might aid in identifying effective treatment windows for NGF-based strategies to counteract retinal and/or optic-nerve degeneration.
A transgenic insertion causing cryptorchidism in mice

Summary: A distinctive feature of gonadal maturation in mammals is the movement to an extraabdominal location. Testicular descent is a complex, multistage process whereby the embryonic gonads migrate from their initial abdominal position to the scrotum. Failure in this process results in cryptorchidism, a frequent congenital birth defect in humans. We report here a new mouse transgenic insertional mutation, cryptorchidism with white spotting (crsp). Males homozygous for crsp exhibit a high intraabdominal position of the testes, associated with complete sterility. Heterozygous males have a wild‐type phenotype, and homozygous females are fertile. Surgically descended testes in crsp/crsp males show normal spermatogenesis. Using FISH and genetic analyses, the transgenic insert causing the crsp mutation has been mapped to the distal part of mouse chromosome 5. Transgene integration resulted in a 550‐kb deletion located upstream of the Brca2 gene. A candidate gene encoding a novel G protein‐coupled receptor (Great) with an expression pattern suggesting involvement in testicular descent has been identified. genesis 30:26–35, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Reflections on a Decade of SOX 404(b) Audit Production and Alternatives

SYNOPSIS: Since passage of the quickly finalized Sarbanes-Oxley Act during July 2002, audit production in the U.S. has been substantially expanded by mandated internal control audits. The control audit mandate is unique to the U.S. and costly to apply, yet little is known about the conduct of control audits or the efficacy of lower-cost alternatives. This paper reflects our overall knowledge about control audit production and observation of a consistent message across public and limited non-public archival data, analytical studies, and numerous personal experiences of audit practitioners. Our primary observation is that, absent any financial misstatement, auditors find it difficult to identify material weaknesses in control design. Conversely, when auditors know about misstatements they can, and do, detect related material weaknesses and thereby identify most public companies found by mandated control audits to have ineffective controls. Thus, it appears possible to exploit this observation to identify an.
Empathy and Emotional Responsiveness in Delinquent and Non-Delinquent Adolescents.

Two groups of male adolescents, incarcerated young offenders (N = 64, mean age = 16.3 years) and a comparison group of community youth (N = 60; mean age = 16.6 years), were administered the Empathy Continuum (measuring cognitiveaffective responses to persons in emotionally evocative videotaped vignettes) and questionnaire measures of empathy, emotional responsiveness, guilt, shame, and antisocial attitudes and behaviors. Although both groups endorsed general statements of empathy, young offenders responded with empathy less often to particular persons in particular situations, and reasoned regarding their empathic responses in more selfreferencing ways.They also described their emotional responses to stimulus persons as less intense. In addition to the expected group differences, responsive empathy was a stronger predictor of delinquency than self-reported antisocial behavior, and correctly classified 69 percent of young offenders and comparison youths. Although guilt was consistently related to lower self-reported antisocial attitudes and behaviors, guilt (and shame) only weakly differentiated the two groups, limiting the usefulness of the TOSCA-A as a predictor of delinquency.
Time-dependent approach for single trial classification of covert visuospatial attention

Recently, several studies have started to explore covert visuospatial attention as a control signal for brain–computer interfaces (BCIs). Covert visuospatial attention represents the ability to change the focus of attention from one point in the space without overt eye movements. Nevertheless, the full potential and possible applications of this paradigm remain relatively unexplored. Voluntary covert visuospatial attention might allow a more natural and intuitive interaction with real environments as neither stimulation nor gazing is required. In order to identify brain correlates of covert visuospatial attention, classical approaches usually rely on the whole α-band over long time intervals. In this work, we propose a more detailed analysis in the frequency and time domains to enhance classification performance. In particular, we investigate the contribution of α sub-bands and the role of time intervals in carrying information about visual attention. Previous neurophysiological studies have already highlighted the role of temporal dynamics in attention mechanisms. However, these important aspects are not yet exploited in BCI. In this work, we studied different methods that explicitly cope with the natural brain dynamics during visuospatial attention tasks in order to enhance BCI robustness and classification performances. Results with ten healthy subjects demonstrate that our approach identifies spectro-temporal patterns that outperform the state-of-the-art classification method. On average, our time-dependent classification reaches 0.74 ± 0.03 of the area under the ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve (AUC) value with an increase of 12.3% with respect to standard methods (0.65 ± 0.4). In addition, the proposed approach allows faster classification (<1 instead of 3 s), without compromising performances. Finally, our analysis highlights the fact that discriminant patterns are not stable for the whole trial period but are changing over short time intervals. These results support the hypothesis that visual attention information is actually indexed by subject-specific α sub-bands and is time dependent.