Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Quality Improvement in Hospitalization for Bronchiolitis: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis causes nearly 20% of all acute care hospitalizations for young children in the United States. Unnecessary testing and medication for infants with bronchiolitis contribute to cost without improving outcomes. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to systematically review the quality improvement (QI) literature on inpatient bronchiolitis and to propose benchmarks for reducing unnecessary care. METHODS: Assisted by a medical librarian, we searched Medline, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Library. Studies describing any active QI intervention versus usual care in hospitalized children <2 years of age were included. Data were extracted and confirmed by multiple investigators and pooled by using a random effects model. Benchmarks were calculated by using achievable benchmarks of care methods. RESULTS: Fourteen studies involving >12 000 infants were reviewed. QI interventions resulted in 16 fewer patients exposed to repeated doses of bronchodilators per 100 hospitalized (7 studies) (risk difference: 0.16 [95% confidence interval: 0.11–0.21]) and resulted in 5.3 fewer doses of bronchodilator given per patient (95% confidence interval: 2.1–8.4). Interventions resulted in fewer hospitalized children exposed to steroids (5 per 100), chest radiography (9 per 100), and antibiotics (4 per 100). No significant harms were reported. Benchmarks derived from the reported data are: repeated bronchodilator use, 16%; steroid use, 1%; chest radiography use, 42%; and antibiotic use, 17%. The study’s heterogeneity limited the ability to classify specific characteristics of effective QI interventions. CONCLUSIONS: QI strategies have been demonstrated to achieve lower rates of unnecessary care in children hospitalized with viral bronchiolitis than are the norm.
Mismatch Uracil Glycosylase from Escherichia coli

The gene for the mismatch-specific uracil glycosylase (MUG) was identified in the Escherichia coli genome as a sequence homolog of the mammalian thymine DNA glycosylase, with activity against uracil in U·G mismatches. Subsequently, 3,N4-ethenocytosine (ϵC), thymine, 5-hydroxymethyluracil, and 8-(hydroxymethyl)-3,N4-ethenocytosine have been proposed as possible substrates for this enzyme. The evaluation of various DNA adducts as substrates is complicated by the biphasic nature of the kinetics of this enzyme. Our results demonstrate that product release by the enzyme is very slow and hence comparing the “steady-state” parameters of the enzyme for different substrates is of limited use. Consequently, the ability of the enzyme to excise a variety of damage products of purines and pyrimidines was studied under single turnover conditions. Although the enzyme excised both ϵC and U from DNA, the former adduct was significantly better as a substrate in terms of binding and hydrolysis. Some products of oxidative and alkylation damage are also moderately good substrates for the enzyme, but thymine is a poor substrate. This comparison of different substrates under single turnover conditions provides a rational basis for comparing substrates of MUG and we relate these conclusions to the known crystal structures of the enzyme and its catalytic mechanism.
Impact of donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies on graft failure and survival after reduced intensity conditioning-unrelated cord blood transplantation: a Eurocord, Société Francophone d’Histocompatibilité et d’Immunogénétique (SFHI) and Société Française de Greffe de Moelle et de Thérapie Cellulaire (

Graft failure is a major complication after unrelated cord blood transplantation. Presence of HLA-antibodies before cord blood transplantation may impact graft failure. To analyze the effect of anti-HLA antibodies on unrelated cord blood transplantation outcomes, we analyzed 294 unrelated cord blood transplant recipients after reduced intensity conditioning regimen. The majority of the patients (82%) were transplanted for malignancies, 60% with double-unrelated cord blood transplant, 63% were HLA mismatched. Retrospectively, pre-unrelated cord blood transplant serum was tested for HLA-Ab using Luminex™ platform. Results were interpreted as mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) against donor-specific mismatch. Among 62 recipients (23%) who had anti-HLA antibodies before unrelated cord blood transplant, 14 patients had donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (DSA) (7 were donor-specific anti-HLA antibodies for single unrelated cord blood transplant and 7 for double unrelated cord blood transplant). Donor specific anti-HLA antibodies threshold ranged from 1620–17629 of mean fluorescence intensity (MFI). Cumulative incidence of Day-60 neutrophil engraftment was 76%: 44% for recipients with donor specific anti-HLA antibodies and 81% in those without donor specific anti-HLA antibodies (P=0.006). The cumulative incidence of 1-year transplant related mortality was 46% in patients with donor specific anti-HLA antibodies and 32% in those without antibodies (P=0.06). The presence of donor specific anti-HLA antibodies was associated with a trend for decreased survival rate (42% vs. 29%; P=0.07). Donor specific anti-HLA antibody in recipients of unrelated cord blood transplant is associated with graft failure and decreased survival. Patient’s screening for donor specific anti-HLA antibodies before unrelated cord blood transplantation is recommended before choosing an HLA mismatched cord blood unit. Whenever possible it is important to avoid selecting a unit for which the patient has donor specific anti-HLA antibodies.
The Acquisition of Social Work Interviewing Skills in a Web-based and Classroom Instructional Environment: Preliminary Findings

Little is known regarding the learning of social work practice skills in a Web-based online environment, most especially, social work interviewing skills. This article presents a review of the research methodology used to initiate a study to explore the similarities and differences of two groups of students who were taught interviewing skills in a classroom-based teaching environment with those taught in a Web-based instructional environment during the same 15-week period. Students’ background characteristics and their perceptions of their learning experience and skill acquisition are reported as preliminary findings.
The yin and yang of memory consolidation : hippocampal and neocortical

Non-destructive 3D micro-computed tomography (microCT) based finite element (microFE) models are used to estimate bone mechanical properties at tissue level. However, their validation remains challenging. Recent improvements in the quantification of displacements in bone tissue biopsies subjected to staged compression, using refined Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) techniques, now provide a full field displacement information accurate enough to be used for microFE validation. In this study, three specimens (two humans and one bovine) were tested with two different experimental set-ups, and the resulting data processed with the same DVC algorithm. The resulting displacement vector field was compared to that predicted by microFE models solved with three different boundary conditions (BC): nominal force resultant, nominal displacement resultant, distributed displacement. The first two conditions were obtained directly from the measurements provided by the experimental jigs, whereas in the third case the displacement field measured by the DVC in the top and bottom layer of the specimen was applied. Results show excellent relationship between the numerical predictions (x) and the experiments (y) when using BC derived from the DVC measurements (UX: y=1.07x−0.002, RMSE: 0.001 mm; UY: y=1.03x−0.001, RMSE: 0.001 mm; UZ: y=x+0.0002, RMSE: 0.001 mm for bovine specimen), whereas only poor correlation was found using BCs according to experiment set-ups. In conclusion, microFE models were found to predict accurately the vectorial displacement field using interpolated displacement boundary condition from DVC measurement.
Quantitative proteome profiling informs on phenotypic traits that adapt Leishmania donovani for axenic and intracellular proliferation

Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania are important human pathogens that differentiate inside host macrophages into an amastigote life cycle stage. Although this stage causes the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis, only few proteins have been implicated in amastigote intracellular survival. Here we compare morphology, infectivity and protein expression of L. donovani LD1S grown in host free (axenic) culture, or exclusively propagated in infected hamsters, with the aim to reveal parasite traits absent in axenic but selected for in hamster‐derived amastigotes through leishmanicidal host activities. Axenic and splenic amastigotes showed a striking difference in virulence and the ability to cause experimental hepato‐splenomegaly in infected hamsters. 2D‐DIGE analysis revealed statistically significant differences in abundance for 152 spots, with 14 spots showing fivefold or higher abundance in splenic amastigotes. Proteins identified by MS analysis include the anti‐oxidant enzyme tryparedoxin peroxidase, and enzymes implicated in protein and amino acid metabolism. Analysis of parasite growth in vitro in minimal medium demonstrated increased survival of hamster‐derived compared with axenic parasites under conditions that mimic the nutrient poor, cytotoxic phagolysosome. Thus, our comparative proteomics analysis sheds important new light on the biochemistry of bona fide amastigotes and informs on survival factors relevant for intracellular L. donovani infection.
Influence of body position, emotions, placebo and cognitive modulation on pain experience and pain-related somatosensory ERPs

The present work contributed to our understanding of the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying pain modulation through sensory, attentional, emotional and cognitive processes. We used subjective, behavioral, and electrophysiological indexes to reveal the effects of body position, emotions, placebo expectations and cognitive reappraisal on subjective pain experience and pain-related somatosensory potentials. Four studies were conducted to investigate different forms of pain modulation. Study 1 tested the hypothesis that the horizontal body position reduces pain perception and cortical pain processing. We demonstrated that the supine vs. sitting body position was associated with dampened perception of non-painful stimuli and inhibited cortical late processing (300-600 ms) of non-painful and painful stimuli, related to neural activity within frontal right regions (anterior cingulate cortex and superior frontal gyrus). Study 2 investigated gender differences in the emotional modulation of pain. Although males and females did not differ at the behavioral level and reported reduced pain ratings only during the visual perception of erotic pictures, striking gender differences emerged in the N2 and P2 potentials, elicited by painful stimuli. Males showed inhibited cortical processing of pain stimuli when viewing erotic pictures only, whereas females showed a differentiated cortical pain modulation for each emotional content took into consideration (erotic vs. sport/adventure vs. neutral vs. fear/threat vs. mutilation pictures), in particular for N2 potentials. In Study 3, we examine the role of individual beliefs on the effectiveness of a traditional and a homeopathic analgesic treatment. We utilized a deceptive paradigm, i.e., neither the participants nor the experimenters were aware that the administered treatment was an inert substance. We found that only the participants who took a treatment that was coherent with their beliefs showed a reduced cortical pain processing, indicated by dampened P2 amplitudes. Finally, Study 4 demonstrated that healthy participants are able to modify their pain experience using an imaginary-based reappraisal strategy. Perceived pain intensity and unpleasantness were either reduced or enhanced with respect to a neutral condition, and an effective pain inhibition was associated with increased N2 and decreased P2 amplitudes
The value of telephone support groups among ethnically diverse caregivers of persons with dementia.

PURPOSE Dementia caregiving is a rapidly growing public health problem. Logistical problems prevent many caregivers from utilizing available interventions. This article provides a demonstration of the usefulness of technology for conducting telephone-based support groups in ethnically diverse dementia caregivers. DESIGN AND METHODS Participants were 41 White American and Cuban American dementia caregivers participating at the Miami site of the Resources for Enhancing Alzheimer's Caregiver Health (known as REACH) program. Support groups were conducted over the telephone in English and Spanish as appropriate. RESULTS Eighty-one percent of the participants found the group "valuable," largely because of the social and emotional support and useful information obtained from other group members. The majority of caregivers also reported that their participation had increased their knowledge and skills as caregivers. IMPLICATIONS The findings demonstrate that telecommunications technology can overcome the often formidable logistical problems faced by both English- and Spanish-speaking caregivers, and it can provide benefits similar to those obtained in face-to-face support groups.
Effects of dietary microencapsulated sodium butyrate on growth, intestinal mucosal morphology, immune response and adhesive bacteria in juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio) pre-fed with or without oxidised oil

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of different dietary sustained-release microencapsulated sodium butyrate (MSB) products (0 (non-supplement), 1·5 and 3·0 h) for a control or oxidised soyabean oil (SBO) diet on fish production, intestinal mucosal condition, immunity and intestinal bacteria in juvenile common carp (Cyprinus carpio). Dietary MSB increased weight gain and reduced the feed conversion ratio within the control and oxidised SBO groups. Gut mucosa was damaged in the oxidised SBO group fed without MSB, in contrast to a normal appearance found in fish fed the MSB1·5 and MSB3·0 diets in the oxidised SBO group. Microvillus density increased in fish fed the MSB1·5 and MSB3·0 diets in the oxidised SBO group (P< 0·001); however, microvillus density was affected by the different pre-fed diets in the midgut (P< 0·001) and by the different sustained-release times of MSB in the distal gut (DG) (P= 0·003). The interaction between the pre-fed diets and the sustained-release times of dietary MSB was significant for the relative gene expression levels of gut heat shock protein-70 (HSP70), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (transforming growth factor-β) within each gut segment, except for HSP70 in the DG and IL-1β in the foregut. Modulation of adherent bacterial communities within each gut segment investigated was not obvious when the common carp were fed the diets with MSB, as similarity coefficients of >0·79 were observed. These results indicated that MSB can be used as a dietary supplement to repair or prevent intestinal damage in carp fed oxidised SBO.
Extraction and Antioxidative Activity of Essential Oil From Star Anise (Illicium verum)

Star anise (Illiciumverum) essential oil was extracted using solvent extraction method. The extraction yields and antioxidant activities of essential oils at different extraction times (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 days) and temperatures (30, 40, 50, 60, 70 °C) were studied. The results showed that the highest yield of essential oil was 8.56 % by extracting star anise at 60 p C for 7 days.The antioxidant activities of the extracted star anise essential oils were investigated using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay on Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) plates and DPPH radical scavenging method. The results showed that at least two different bands with antioxidant activity with different polarity were appeared on the TLC plates after spraying with DPPH and incubated for 30 minutes. The highest antioxidant activity of star anise essential oil was obtained when the sample was extracted at 60 p C for 1 day (EC 50 value = 0.089±0.05 mg/ml). HPLC analysis showed that the concentration (%) of trans-Anethole present in the essential oils extracted at varied extraction times and temperatures was ranged from 77.29 % to 91.87 %. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was also done on a sample of star anise essential oil and a distinctive peak at retention time 13.84 minutes with peak area 100% was found to be Estragole compound. Anethole compound was also found to be present at two peaks.
Temporal Relationship between Diet-Induced Steatosis and Onset of Insulin/Leptin Resistance in Male Wistar Rats

Rats fed with high-fat-high-sucrose (HFHS) diet are known to manifest metabolic syndrome including hyperinsulinemia, hyperleptinemia, hyperglycemia, diabetic dyslipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. The aim of the current study is to determine the temporal relationships between the development of hepatic steatosis and the onset of insulin and leptin resistance in hypothalamus and liver in male Wistar rats (six weeks of age) fed chow or HFHS diet for up to 8 weeks. Fasting plasma glucose, lipids/lipoproteins, insulin and leptin levels were quantified, histopathologic score of hepatic steatosis and inflammation were assessed, and the responses of common checkpoints of insulin and leptin signalling responsible for lipogenesis and gluconeogenesis were analyzed. In addition, acute insulin or leptin administration was performed at different stages of HFHS dieting to determine the responsiveness of the respective signalling pathways. Hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and increased homeostasis model assessment of basal insulin resistance occurred 1-week after HFHS dieting, coinciding with upregulation of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 in both hypothalamus and liver. However, hepatosteatosis, accompanied with increased expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, did not manifest until 4- to 8-week after HFHS dieting. Lowered insulin sensitivity (shown by decreased insulin receptor substrate 1 and protein kinase B phosphorylation) occurred approximately 2 weeks prior to leptin resistance (shown by impaired signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation) in both the liver and hypothalamus. Acute insulin/leptin administration also demonstrated the impaired insulin or leptin signalling transduction. These data suggest that lowered insulin sensitivity and leptin resistance occurred at least 2–3 weeks earlier than the manifestation of hepatosteatosis in rats fed HFHS diet.
Hybrid simulation using SAHISim framework: a hybrid distributed simulation framework using waveform relaxation method implemented over the HLA and the functional mock-up interface

Hybrid systems such as Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) are becoming more important with time. Apart from CPS there are many hybrid systems in nature. To perform a simulation based analysis of a hybrid system, a simulation framework is presented, named SAHISim. It is based on the most popular simulation interoperability standards, i.e. High Level Architecture (HLA) and Functional Mock-up Interface (FMI). Being a distributed architecture it is able to execute on cluster, cloud and other distributed topologies. Moreover, as it is based on standards so it allows many different simulation packages to interoperate, making it a flexible and robust solution for simulation based analysis. The underlying algorithm which enables the synchronization of different simulation components is discussed in detail. A test example is presented, whose results are compared to a monolithic simulation of the same model for verification of results.
Reperfusion Therapies of Acute Ischemic Stroke: Potentials and Failures

Over the past 20 years, clinical research has focused on the development of reperfusion therapies for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which include the use of systemic intravenous thrombolytics (alteplase, desmoteplase, or tenecteplase), the augmentation of systemic intravenous recanalization with ultrasound, the bridging of intravenous with intra-arterial thrombolysis, the use of multi-modal approaches to reperfusion including thrombectomy and thromboaspiration with different available retrievers. Clinical trials testing these acute reperfusion therapies provided novel insight regarding the comparative safety and efficacy, but also raised new questions and further uncertainty on the field. Intravenous alteplase (tPA) remains the fastest and easiest way to initiate acute stroke reperfusion treatment, and should continue to be the first-line treatment for patients with AIS within 4.5 h from onset. The use of tenecteplase instead of tPA and the augmentation of systemic thrombolysis with ultrasound are both novel therapeutical modalities that may emerge as significant options in AIS treatment. Endovascular treatments for AIS are rapidly evolving due to technological advances in catheter-based interventions and are currently emphasizing speed in order to result in timely restoration of perfusion of still-salvageable, infarcted brain tissue, since delayed recanalization of proximal intracranial occlusions has not been associated with improved clinical outcomes. Comprehensive imaging protocols in AIS may enable better patient selection for endovascular interventions and for testing multi-modal combinatory strategies.
Metabolic influences on hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian function in the pig.

A relationship between nutrition and reproduction hag been known to exist for a considerable time, aIthough the physiological mechanisms mediating these effects are only beginning to be elucidated. Body weight, fatness or body composition have all been suggested to play an important role in the long-term control of reproductive function. However, there is now evidence to indicate that nutritional modulation of the reproductive axis can occur in the absence of any change in body weight or composition and that factors regulating the metabolic status of an animal may provide a link between nutrition and reproduction. These physiological signals appear to involve metabolit hormones and substrates. This review will briefly describe the influence of nutrition on plasma substrate concentrations, metabolic hormones and neurotransmitter activity and the mechanisms by which these physiological signals affect the activity of the hypothalamo—hypophysial—ovarian axis. Subsequently, this paper will review experiments in pigs and other species which have directly investigated the mechanisms by which manipulation of nutrition or metabolic status influence reproductive function during the prepubertal period, in sexually mature animals and also during the post-partum period.