Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator therapy: ten years experience in a medical center.

BACKGROUND An implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is the therapy of choice for survivors of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias or sudden cardiac death. To date there is little data concerning the clinical features and outcome of ICD therapy among Taiwanese. This study identifies factors related to the outcome of ICD therapy over a ten-year period at this institution. METHODS Forty-nine ICDs were implanted in 46 patients between August 1996 and January 2006. The mean follow-up duration was 32 +/- 21 months. Patient data, primary cardiac diagnosis, presenting cardiac arrhythmia, echocardiographic parameters, hemodynamic indexes, electrophysiologic findings, and follow-up observations were analyzed. The findings were compared to those of the Taiwan ICD Multicenter Registry (TIMR) Study and major secondary prevention ICD trials in the literature. RESULTS The patients in this study were comparable to those of TIMR but were younger and had better left ventricular ejection fractions (LVEF) than those in Western countries. Furthermore, higher mortality on follow-up was observed in patients with any of the following: LVEF < 35%, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV, a left atrial dimension > or = 55 mm, a left ventricular end diastolic dimension > or = 75 mm, an end systolic dimension > or = 60 mm, triple vessel disease, a prior anterior myocardial infarction, and amiodarone or diuretic therapy. Patients with structural heart disease other than ischemic heart disease or dilated cardiomyopathy had higher event recurrence rates. CONCLUSION Left ventricular function is a major determinant affecting the outcome in ICD recipients. Aggressive treatment for heart failure is warranted in these patients.
Assessing the Relationship Between Hazard Mitigation Plan Quality and Rural Status in A Cohort of 57 Counties from 3 States in the Southeastern U.S.

Rural counties face unique challenges with regard to disaster vulnerability and resilience. We compared the quality of hazard mitigation plans (HMPs) completed in accordance with provisions of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 from 21 urban and 36 rural counties in three southeastern states. HMPs were content analyzed to calculate a score for six principles of plan quality. Generalized linear models were used to assess how the mean number of items within each of the six principles was related to urban status, adjusting for total county population and state-level differences. Adjusted mean ratios were higher in urban areas for goals, fact base, policies and participation. Rural areas performed better than urban counterparts in both implementation and monitoring and inter-organizational coordination. Our results suggest that there are important differences in hazard mitigation plan quality between urban and rural counties. Future research should explore characteristics of urban and rural counties that explain the observed differences, and whether such differences can help explain the inequalities in response and recovery to disasters between urban and rural counties.
Detection and Classification of a Moving Object in a Video Stream

In this paper we present a new method for detecting and classifying moving objects into humans and vehicles from a video surveillance scene. In this approach, the moving objects are firstly detected from the background using a background subtraction technique. Background subtraction algorithms are implemented in a MATLAB environment. A comparison for all the algorithms was made to determine which background subtraction algorithm performs better with the proposed classifying algorithm. The algorithms were then tested using more than a video and many frames of the video was tested. Secondly, edge detection of moving objects was performed using Canny or Prewitt operations, while bounding boxes were implemented over the moving objects. Edge detection and bounding boxes were used before the classification step to simplify the classification. Finally, classifying the moving object into humans and vehicles was accomplished by finding the height-width ratio of the bounding box around the moving object in each frame and estimating the speed of the moving object from two consecutive frames in the video stream. The results found were fairly good and the wrong classification was due to the bounding boxes not correctly covering the moving objects. The background subtraction step and the classification step were tested using different video sequences. A comparison was made between the combination of each background subtraction technique and the classification algorithm; the false classification results are given. Although the proposed classification algorithm in this paper is simple and easy to be implemented, the results obtained are very satisfactory and the accuracy is very good
Young Children's Imitative and Innovative Behaviour on the Floating Object Task.

Past research has shown that children will copy the actions of adults with high fidelity, even actions that are obviously causally irrelevant to the modelled outcome. However, this phenomenon has always been documented in cases where a clear functional outcome has been brought about (e.g. getting a box open to retrieve a toy). Here, we demonstrate how young children will continue to adopt the precise actions shown to them by an adult even if the goal of the actions is not realized during modelling. A group of 4-year-old participants were presented with a toy lying at the bottom of a Perspex tube. Despite the availability of a bottle of water, and unlike the responses of a group of adults, few children spontaneously identified the solution of pouring the water into the tube to raise the toy up the tube where it could be reached. The majority did so, however, after seeing an adult demonstrate this approach. Critically, children copied the specific method of the adult, even when this involved the unnecessary steps of pouring from the bottle into a cup before pouring from the cup into the tube. These results highlight the value of overimitation to children growing up in a world filled with objects whose operating mechanisms are often hidden or unclear.
Therapy of cutaneous lupus erythematosus

ABSTRACT: Patients with cutaneous lesions of lupus erythematosus (LE) can generally be managed with standard therapies. The patient should have a firmly established diagnosis. Evaluation will allow the treating physician to assign a prognosis. Patients with discoid LE and subacute cutaneous LE are generally photosensitive and therefore sunscreens, protective clothing, and behavioral alteration should be discussed with all patients. Topical corticosteroids are a standard form of therapy, but “newer” agents such as retinoids, calcipotriene, and tacrolimus might be effective. Antimalarial agents are generally effective. Attempts to reduce or stop smoking may aid in the control of cutaneous LE (CLE). The choice of alternative therapy is personal and discussions of the risks and benefits should be carefully documented. Successful therapy for CLE is possible in almost all well‐motivated, cooperative patients.
Effect of pharmacist-led patient education on glycemic control of type 2 diabetics: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of a clinical pharmacist-led patient education program for type 2 diabetic patients at Isfahan Endocrine & Metabolism Research Center (IEMRC) from April 2008 to January 2009. METHODS: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, a total of 172 patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes were selected and randomly allocated into control and intervention groups. After taking informed written consent, the intervention group received an educational program about oral anti-hyperglycemic medications, adherence, diabetes dairy log and pill box usage. Patient's glycemic control in the intervention group was followed for three months through either telephone or face to face interviews with the pharmacist. Fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were measured at the start and end of the pharmacistled drug education program for both intervention and control groups. RESULTS: After a three months follow-up, mean fasting blood glucose and HbA1c of the patients in the intervention group decreased significantly compared to control group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an improvement in diabetes management of type 2 diabetics by involving a pharmacist in the multidisciplinary teams in the outpatient clinics. The results suggest the benefits of adding adherence education to the diabetic education programs.
Is mitral E/E' ratio a reliable predictor of left ventricular diastolic pressures in patients without heart failure?

UNLABELLED Aim Conflicting evidence exists as to whether the mitral E/E' ratio can be a reliable predictor of the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP). Our aim was to assess the value of the mitral E/E' ratio for the estimation of left ventricular diastolic pressures (LVDP) in patients without heart failure (HF). METHODS AND RESULTS Echo-Doppler examination and left heart catheterization were carried out in 100 consecutive patients to assess the correlation between echo-Doppler parameters and the LVDP. The E/A ratio showed the best correlation with the pre-a LVDP and the LVEDP, whereas septal and mean E/E' ratios were significantly correlated with pre-a LVDP but not with the LVEDP. No difference in the echo-Doppler parameters was found between patients with normal and elevated LVEDP. Mitral E/E' ratio was significantly higher in patients with an ejection fraction (EF) <50% compared with those with the EF ≥ 50% and in patients with a dilated left ventricular (LV) compared with those with a normal LV. No significant difference in mean LVEDP was found among the three groups with E/E' ratios of <8, 8-15, and >15. The best cut-off values identified by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for septal, lateral, and mean E/E' had sensitivities of 53, 68, and 54% and specificities of 66, 51, and 69% for identifying a >15 mmHg LVEDP. CONCLUSION In patients without HF mitral E/E' ratio is influenced by EF and LV volumes and is better correlated with the pre-a LVDP than with the LVEDP. The suboptimal sensitivity and specificity of E/E' for predicting increased LVDP suggest that the mitral E/E' ratio is of limited clinical value in patients without HF.
CONSECUENCIAS DE LA EXPOSICIÓN A UN ESTRESANTE SOBRE EL COMPORTAMIENTO DE POLLOS PRESELECCIONADOS EN UN LABERINTO EN T CONSEQUENCES OF A PRIOR STRESSOR EXPOSURE ON THE BEHAVIOUR OF T-MAZE CLASSIFIED CHICKS

Se seleccionaron pollitos de 2 días de edad en función de su habilidad para escapar de un laberinto en T y se catalogaron como rápidos (R), medianos (M) y lentos (L). Estos grupos se mantuvieron hasta los 15 días de edad, momento en el que fueron sometidos a un estrés por inmersión parcial en agua durante 15 minutos. Veinticuatro horas después del estrés, se evaluaron los comportamientos cinéticos y de reactividad en un campo abierto y en la prueba de inmovilidad tónica. Los resultados indican que: 1) Los pollos L previamente estresados presentaron una mayor latencia de ambulación (intervalo de tiempo hasta que empiezan a caminar) y un menor número de cuadros recorridos en el campo abierto que los L no estresados. No se observaron diferencias entre los pollos R estresados y R no estresados, esto sugiere que el estresante afecta diferencialmente la forma en que las aves seleccionadas responden ante una nueva situación de conflicto, siendo los pollos lentos en el laberinto los más susceptibles al estrés. 2) En la prueba de inmovilidad tónica (IT) realizada 24 horas después de la exposición al estrés no se observaron diferencias entre los pollos R y L sometidos a estrés en relación a sus respectivos controles sin estrés, esto sugiere que la preexposición al estrés por inmersión parcial en agua no afecta a la reacción de IT, al menos luego de un intervalo de 24 h. En suma, puede sugerirse que al menos bajo las presentes condiciones, la prueba de campo abierto fue más sensible que la prueba de IT para determinar las consecuencias de la preexposición a una situación de estrés sobre la conducta subsecuente.
Short Communication: Powerless and Jobless? Comparing the Effects of Powerless Speech and Speech Disorders on an Applicant’s Employability

The present study examines the impact of a speech disorder (a lateral lisp) and powerless speech on an applicant’s hireability. College students (N = 113) reviewed an applicant’s resume, as well as a description of two occupations/job openings that varied in regard to necessitating speech. Participants listened to one of three interviews (speech disorder vs. powerless speech vs. control), indicated their willingness to hire the applicant, and then completed hireability and employability scales for both positions, as well as an impressions ratings form. Contrary to the hypotheses, few differences between the “employers” responses to the control and speech disorder applicants were found. The speech disorder applicant was discriminated against only when the job required speech. Powerless speech negatively affected the participants’ impressions. Compared to the other applicants, the powerless speech applicant was perceived to be the least hirable and was perceived least favorably on the majority of the impression ratings. KeywordsDiscrimination;Speech Disorders;Powerless Speech Impression Formation;Attribution
Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse as a Life-long Process: Implications for Health Professionals

One of the aims of this research project was to develop a fuller understanding of the process of disclosure of child sexual abuse. Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 22 men and women aged 25 to 70 years old, who had an early sexual experience at the age of 15 or under with someone of 18 or over. Narrative inquiry methodology was used and data was analysed using Rosenthal and Fischer-Rosenthal's (2004) process of data analysis. Disclosure can be conceptualised as a complex and life-long process, and most participants did not make a selective disclosure until adulthood. The findings extend Alaggia's (2004) model of disclosure to include the life stage and the person to whom the disclosure is being made. The main barriers to disclosure and possible gender differences are discussed. Family therapists need to manage the challenges inherent in disclosure of child sexual abuse at any age.
Entrainment and bending in a major hydrothermal plume, Main Endeavour Field, Juan de Fuca Ridge

We measure expansion rate and bending in a 23‐hour time series of acoustic images of the lower 25 m section of a buoyant hydrothermal plume rising from Grotto vent in the Main Endeavour Field, Juan de Fuca Ridge. We then calculate entrainment coefficient, the constant of proportionality relating mean inflow velocity at the plume edge to maximum mean upward velocity within the plume. The plume section alternately bends southwest at relatively high inclinations (37°) and northeast at lower inclinations at irregular intervals twice during this time period, apparently driven by current reversals in the mixed semi‐diurnal tidal cycle. The measured expansion rates (0.11–0.25 m/m) and calculated entrainment coefficients (0.07–0.18) are directly proportional to the degree of bending (R2 = 0.75). The loss of buoyancy flux related to enhanced mixing in a stratified environment during bending may contribute to reduction of potential rise height consistent with predicted (∼400 m) and measured (300–350 m) plume tops.
Thalidomide plus dexamethasone as a maintenance therapy after autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation improves progression‐free survival in multiple myeloma

Despite the good response of stem cell transplant (SCT) in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), most patients relapse or do not achieve complete remission, suggesting that additional treatment is needed. We assessed the impact of thalidomide in maintenance after SCT in untreated patients with MM. A hundred and eight patients (<70 years old) were randomized to receive maintenance with dexamethasone (arm A; n = 52) or dexamethasone with thalidomide (arm B; n = 56; 200 mg daily) for 12 months or until disease progression. After a median follow‐up of 27 months, an intention to treat analysis showed a 2‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) of 30% in arm A (95% CI 22–38) and 64% in arm B (95% CI 57–71; P = 0.002), with median PFS of 19 months and 36 months, respectively. In patients who did not achieve at least a very good partial response, the PFS at 2 years was significantly higher when in use of thalidomide (19 vs. 59%; P = 0.002). Overall survival at 2 years was not significantly improved (70 vs. 85% in arm A and arm B, respectively; P = 0.27). The addition of thalidomide to dexamethasone as maintenance improved the PFS mainly in patients who did not respond to treatment after SCT. Am. J. Hematol. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outcomes of gestational diabetes in Sweden depending on country of birth

Objective. To analyze maternal and neonatal outcomes for women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in Sweden, depending on country of birth (Nordic vs. non‐Nordic women). Design. Population‐based cohort study using the Swedish Medical Birth register. Setting. Data on pregnant women in Sweden with diagnosed GDM. Population. All singleton births to women with GDM between 1998 and 2007 (n = 8560). Methods. Logistic regression in an adjusted model to assess the risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Chi‐squared tests or Student's unpaired t‐tests were used to analyze differences between maternal and fetal characteristics. Main outcome measures. Maternal and neonatal complications. Results. GDM incidence was higher at 2.0% among non‐Nordic women, compared with 0.7% in the Nordic group. The non‐Nordic women were older, had less chronic hypertensive disease, smoked less, and had lower BMI and shorter height. Preeclampsia was significantly lower in the non‐Nordic group. The mean birthweight (3561 vs. 3698 g, p < 0.001) and the large‐for‐gestational age rate (11.7 vs. 17.5%, p < 0.001) were significantly lower in the non‐Nordic group. Large‐for‐gestational age was dependent on maternal height [crude odds ratio 0.6 (0.5–0.7) and adjusted odds ratio 0.8 (0.6–0.9)]. Conclusions. Non‐Nordic women with GDM in Sweden have better obstetrical and neonatal outcomes than Nordic women. These results do not support the idea of inequality of health care. Large‐for‐gestational age as a diagnosis is highly dependent on maternal height, which raises the question of the need for individualized growth curves.
Human Papillomavirus Infections Among Couples in New Sexual Relationships

Background: No studies have examined human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among couples early in their sexual relationships when transmission is most likely. Our objective was to describe the distribution of HPV infections among recently formed couples, using the partnership as the unit of analysis. Methods: Women aged 18–24 years attending a university or junior college in Montreal enrolled in a longitudinal study with their new male partners. Self-collected vaginal swabs and clinician-collected swabs from the penis and scrotum were tested for 36 HPV genotypes. Participants self-reported sexual behavior in computerized questionnaires. We analyzed patterns of genital HPV infection in 263 couples using data obtained at enrollment. Results: Couples had engaged in vaginal sex for a median of 3.9 months. HPV was detected in 64% (169/263) of couples. In 41% (109/263), both partners harbored the same HPV type—nearly 4 times more than expected if HPV status of partners were uncorrelated. There were 583 type-specific HPV infections among 169 couples for whom at least one partner was infected. Of these, 42% were of the same type for both partners (95% confidence interval = 36%–47%). This rose from 25% among those engaging in vaginal sex for less than 2 months to 68% among those at 5 to 6 months. Conclusions: Although HPV is common, detection of the same type in persons initiating a sex relationship would be rare given type-specific prevalence rates. The high degree of concordance we found suggests a high probability of transmission.
The long noncoding RNA TUG1 regulates blood-tumor barrier permeability by targeting miR-144

Blood-tumor barrier (BTB) limits the delivery of chemotherapeutic agent to brain tumor tissues. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been shown to play critical regulatory roles in various biologic processes of tumors. However, the role of lncRNAs in BTB permeability is unclear. LncRNA TUG1 (taurine upregulated gene 1) was highly expressed in glioma vascular endothelial cells from glioma tissues. It also upregulated in glioma co-cultured endothelial cells (GEC) from BTB model in vitro. Knockdown of TUG1 increased BTB permeability, and meanwhile down-regulated the expression of the tight junction proteins ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5. Both bioinformatics and luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that TUG1 influenced BTB permeability via binding to miR-144. Furthermore, Knockdown of TUG1 also down-regulated Heat shock transcription factor 2 (HSF2), a transcription factor of the heat shock transcription factor family, which was defined as a direct and functional downstream target of miR-144. HSF2 up-regulated the promoter activities and interacted with the promoters of ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-5 in GECs. In conclusion, our results indicate that knockdown of TUG1 increased BTB permeability via binding to miR-144 and then reducing EC tight junction protein expression by targeting HSF2. Thus, TUG1 may represent a useful future therapeutic target for enhancing BTB permeability.
Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on mood and emotional information processing in recovered depressed individuals

Beneficial effects of omega-3 fatty acids have been reported for several psychiatric disorders, particularly for depression. Association studies show a relationship between omega-3 intake and depression risk. Meta-analyses of clinical trials have shown a moderate effect of supplementation on depressive symptoms, but not on normal mood states. Few studies have investigated effects on cognition. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of omega-3 supplements on cognition and mood of recovered depressed individuals. Seventy-one participants were randomized to receive either omega-3 or placebo for four weeks in a randomized double-blind design. Results showed small effects of omega-3 supplementation on aspects of emotional decision-making and on self-reported states of depression and tension. Some of the effects were confounded by learning effects. No significant effects were observed on memory, attention, cognitive reactivity and depressive symptoms. While inconclusive, the present findings may indicate that omega-3 supplementation has selective effects on emotional cognition and mood in recovered depressed participants.