Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcomes following rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage.

OBJECTIVE To describe the aesthetic and clinical outcomes following rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage, which is considered the best graft material for rhinoplasty requiring major reconstruction. Few studies have examined outcomes following rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage. METHODS A retrospective review of the data from 108 patients who underwent rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage between April 2006 to May 2011. The study population consisted of 81 male and 27 female patients (mean age, 33.0 years). Each patient self-assessed their aesthetic outcomes for subjective satisfaction, and 2 independent surgeons assessed aesthetic outcomes from photographs. Associated complications were also analyzed. RESULTS The patient self-assessment showed that 73 patients were satisfied; 16 patients stated that they felt better than they did preoperatively; and 19 patients were dissatisfied. The independent surgeons judged that 43 patients had excellent outcomes, 37 patients had good outcomes, 24 patients had fair outcomes, and 4 patients had poor outcomes. There were 13 donor site complications: 9 seromas, 1 pneumothorax, 2 keloid formations, and 1 persistent pain. There were 19 recipient site complications: 9 infections, 5 resorptions, 2 visible graft contours, 2 graft fractures, and 1 warping. CONCLUSIONS The use of autologous costal cartilage in rhinoplasty was found to be associated with a relatively high complication rate and relatively poor aesthetic outcomes. Considering our results, autologous costal cartilage should be used with the possibility of complications in mind.
Epidemiology of diabetes among Arab Americans.

OBJECTIVE To examine the prevalence of diabetes and glucose intolerance by age and sex in the Arab-American community of Dearborn, Michigan. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Participants were randomly selected adult Arab Americans, 20-75 years of age, from randomly selected households in Dearborn, Michigan. Demographic and anthropometric data were recorded. Glucose tolerance was assessed with 2-h 75-g oral glucose tolerance tests and classified according to 1997 American Diabetes Association and 1998 World Health Organization criteria. RESULTS A total of 626 eligible adults were selected, and 542 participated (87% response rate). Because prevalence increases with age and the overall response rate for women (328/352; 93%) was higher than that for men (214/274; 78%), prevalence rates were adjusted for age and sex. The overall prevalence of diabetes was 15.5% (95% CI 12.2-18.7%) in women and 20.1% (15.0-25.2%) in men (P = 0.13). The prevalence of previously diagnosed diabetes was similar to that of undiagnosed diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and/or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) were present in 16.8% (12.8-20.8%) of women and 29.7% (23.4-35.9%) of men (P = 0.0007). The combined rates of glucose intolerance (diabetes, IGT, and IFG) were 32.3% (27.8-36.7%) for women and 49.8% (43.1-56.4%) for men (P < 0.0001). Among younger adults, the prevalence in men was higher than that in women. As expected, subjects with diabetes or IGT/IFG were older and had greater BMI and waist-to-hip ratios than subjects with normal glucose tolerance. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of diabetes and glucose intolerance is extremely high among adult Arab Americans in Michigan and represents a major clinical and public health problem. Community-based intervention programs to prevent and treat diabetes are urgently needed.
CD4+CD25+ T Cells Facilitate the Induction of T Cell Anergy

T cell anergy is characterized by the inability of the T cell to produce IL-2 and proliferate. It is reversible by the addition of exogenous IL-2. A similar state of unresponsiveness is observed when the proliferative response of murine CD4+CD25− T cells is suppressed in vitro by coactivated CD4+CD25+ T cells. We have developed a suppression system that uses beads coated with anti-CD3 and anti-CD28 Abs as surrogate APCs to study the interaction of CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25− T cells in vitro. CD4+CD25+ T cell-induced suppression, in this model, was not abrogated by blocking the B7-CTLA-4 pathway. When the CD4+CD25− T cells were separated from the CD4+CD25+ suppressor cells after 24 h of coactivation by the Ab-coated beads, the CD4+CD25− T cells were unable to proliferate or to produce IL-2 upon restimulation. The induction of this anergic phenotype in the CD4+CD25− T cells correlated with the up-regulated expression of the gene related to anergy in lymphocytes (GRAIL), a novel anergy-related gene that acts as a negative regulator of IL-2 transcription. This system constitutes a novel mechanism of anergy induction in the presence of costimulation.
Intensive Exercise Training Improves Cardiac Electrical Stability in Myocardial‐Infarcted Rats

Background Moderate exercise training has been shown to decrease sudden cardiac death post myocardial infarction. However, the effects of intensive exercise are still controversial. Methods and Results Fourteen myocardial‐infarcted rats were divided into sedentary (n=8) and intensive training groups (n=6) and 18 sham control rats to sedentary (n=10) and intensive training groups (n=8). Heart rate variability was obtained at weeks 1 and 8. The inducibility of ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation was assessed in a Langendorff system. Fast Fourier transforms were applied on the recorded ventricular tachycardia/fibrillations. Training reduces low to high frequency ratio of heart rate variability at week 8 compared with that at week 1 (P<0.05). In isolated hearts, the probability for ventricular tachycardia/fibrillation was decreased from 4.5±0.8% in sedentary controls to 1.56±0.2% in intensive training controls (P<0.05) and from 13.5±2.1% in the sedentary group to 5.4±1.2% in the intensive training group (P<0.01). Moreover, the pacing current required for ventricular fibrillation induction in the trained groups was increased following exercise (P<0.05). Fast Fourier transform analysis of ECG findings revealed an exercise‐induced ventricular fibrillation transition from a narrow, single‐peak spectrum at 17 Hz in sedentary controls to a broader range of peaks ranging from 13 to 22 Hz in the intensive training controls. Conclusions Intensive exercise in infarcted rats leads to reduced ventricular fibrillation propensity and is associated with normalization of refractoriness and intrinsic spatiotemporal electrical variations.
MASS MORTALITY IN CULTURED COHO SALMON (ONCORHYNCHUS KISUTCH) DUE TO SAPROLEGNIA PARASITICA COKER

Epizootics of saprolegniasis occurred in 20 to 60 g freshwater-cultured coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Cotton-like mycelia occurred on the body surface of infected fish, especially around the head, the adipose fin and the caudal fin, and aseptate hyphae occurred in the lesions. The hyphae also penetrated into the muscle and blood vessels. The isolated fungus was identified by asexual morphological characteristics as Saprolegnia parasitica (syn. S. diclina Type 1), a known salmonid fish pathogen.
Feasibility and efficacy of progressive resistance training and dietary supplements in radiotherapy treated head and neck cancer patients – the DAHANCA 25A study

Abstract Background. Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often lose a considerable amount of muscle mass following the disease and treatment. This is an independent mortality predictor, lowering muscle strength and functional performance. Progressive resistance training (PRT) increases muscle mass among healthy individuals and groups of cancer patients, but it has not been investigated in HNSCC patients. Furthermore, studies in healthy subjects show an additive effect of protein and creatine supplementation following PRT. Objectives. Firstly, to investigate the feasibility of 12 weeks of PRT ± protein and creatine supplementation among HNSCC patients. Secondly, to investigate group changes over time and group differences regarding lean body mass (LBM), muscle strength and functional performance following PRT ± dietary supplementation. Material and methods. Thirty patients were randomized into two groups: a PROCR group undergoing a seven-day pre-trial creatine loading protocol followed by 12 weeks of PRT with creatine and protein supplementation and a PLA group undergoing a seven-day pre-trial placebo ingestion protocol followed by an identical PRT protocol with placebo supplementation. Before the pre-trial and pre- and post-PRT evaluation of LBM, maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength and functional performance were performed. Results. Seventy percent of the patients completed the intervention and the PRT adherence rate was 97%. No significant group differences were found in any endpoints. From pre- to post-PRT, LBM increased significantly in the PROCR group by 2.6 ± 2.2 kg (p < 0.0001) and increased in the PLA group (1.3 ± 1.1 kg, p = 0.07). Maximal isometric and isokinetic muscle strength as well as functional performance increased significantly in both groups. Conclusion. PRT is feasible in radiotherapy treated HNSCC patients. Following PRT, lean body mass, muscle strength and functional performance increased significantly in both groups (LBM only borderline significant in PLA group) with no significant group difference in any endpoint.
Chemokine polymorphisms and lymphoma: a pooled analysis

Polymorphisms in chemokine genes have been associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) but are understudied in non-HIV-related NHL. Associations of NHL and NHL subtypes with polymorphisms and haplotypes in CCR5, CCR2, CCL5, CXCL12, and CX3CR1 were explored in a pooled analysis of three case–control studies (San Francisco Bay Area, California; United Kingdom; total: cases N = 1610, controls N = 1992). Adjusted unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate relative risks among HIV-negative non-Hispanic Caucasians. The CCR5 Δ32 deletion reduced the risk of NHL (odds ratio = 0.56, 95% confidence interval = 0.38–0.83) in men but not women with similar effects observed for diffuse large-cell and follicular lymphoma (FL). NHL risk also was reduced in men with the CCR2/CCR5 haplotype characterized by the CCR5 Δ32 deletion. The CCL5 -403A allele conferred reduced risks of FL and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma. Results should be interpreted conservatively. Continued investigation is warranted to confirm these findings.
Localization of the Epileptogenic Foci in Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Pediatric Case Report

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare disorder of tissue growth and differentiation, characterized by benign hamartomas in the brain and other organs. Up to 90% of TSC patients develop epilepsy and 50% become medically intractable requiring resective surgery. The surgical outcome of TSC patients depends on the accurate identification of the epileptogenic zone consisting of tubers and the surrounding epileptogenic tissue. There is conflicting evidence whether the epileptogenic zone is in the tuber itself or in abnormally developed surrounding cortex. Here, we report the localization of the epileptiform activity among the many cortical tubers in a 4-year-old patient with TSC-related refractory epilepsy undergoing magnetoencephalography (MEG), electroencephalography (EEG), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). For MEG, we used a prototype system that offers higher spatial resolution and sensitivity compared to the conventional adult systems. The generators of interictal activity were localized using both EEG and MEG with equivalent current dipole (ECD) and minimum norm estimation (MNE) methods according to the current clinical standards. For DTI, we calculated four diffusion scalar parameters for the fibers passing through four ROIs defined: (i) at a large cortical tuber identified at the right quadrant, (ii) at the normal appearing tissue contralateral to the tuber, (iii) at the cluster formed by ECDs fitted at the peak of interictal spikes, and (iv) at the normal appearing tissue contralateral to the cluster. ECDs were consistently clustered at the vicinity of the large calcified cortical tuber. MNE and ECDs indicated epileptiform activity in the same areas. DTI analysis showed differences between the scalar values of the tracks passing through the tuber and the ECD cluster. In this illustrative case, we provide evidence from different neuroimaging modalities, which support the view that epileptiform activity may derive from abnormally developed tissue surrounding the tuber rather than the tuber itself.
Regulation and Resistance: Negotiation of Premarital Sexuality in the Context of Migrant and Refugee Women

Constructions of normative sexuality shape the sexual scripts that women are permitted to adopt and the manner in which such sexuality can be expressed. We explored experiences and constructions of premarital sexuality among migrant and refugee women recently resettled in Sydney, Australia, and Vancouver, Canada. A total of 78 semistructured individual interviews and 15 focus groups composed of 82 participants were undertaken with women who had migrated from Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Sri Lanka, and South America. We analyzed the data using thematic decomposition. Across all cultural groups, women’s premarital sexuality was regulated through cultural and religious discourse and material practice. Such regulation occurred across three main facets of women’s lives, shaping the themes presented in this article: (1) regulating premarital sex—the virginity imperative; (2) regulation of relationships with men; and (3) regulation of the sexual body. These themes capture women’s reproduction of dominant discourses of premarital sexuality, as well as women’s resistance and negotiation of such discourses, both prior to and following migration. Identifying migrant and refugee women’s experiences and constructions of premarital sexuality is essential for culturally safe sexual health practice, health promotion, and health education.
Question 3 What is the effect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation at birth on survival and neurodevelopmental outcome of extremely preterm infants?

A 24-week gestation infant is born with no respiratory effort, no detectable heart beat and absent tone. Despite intubation, surfactant and ventilatory support, the heart beat remains undetectable. The infant receives chest compressions and a dose of epinephrine after which a heart beat is detected. The heart rate increases and the baby is admitted to the neonatal unit. The attending neonatal registrar would like to know what effect cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at birth has on survival and risk of disability in infants born extremely prematurely. In extremely preterm infants [population], what is the effect of cardiopulmonary resuscitation at delivery [intervention] on survival and neurodevelopmental outcome [outcome]? Under “disorders related to short gestation”, the ICD-10/WHO defines “extreme immaturity” as “less than 28 completed weeks of gestation”. 1 The Nuffield Council on Bioethics defines “extremely premature” as “birth before 27 weeks gestation” and states “the approximate equivalent of extreme prematurity is a birth weight of less than 1000 g”. 2 The British Association of Perinatal Medicine framework for practice on the management of babies born extremely preterm discusses care for babies born at less than 26 weeks gestation.3 As there was no MeSH term for ‘extremely preterm infant’, ‘premature infant’ was applied in searching. To enable inclusion of results from studies indexed by birth weight, ‘low birthweight’ was also applied. Studies retrieved have gestational ages and outcomes according to birth weight stipulated to enable interpretation of results. A search of the Cochrane Library using ‘premature or low birthweight infant’ and ‘CPR’ yielded one relevant …
CHARACTERIZING CONTAMINANT SOURCE AND METEOROLOGICAL FORCING USING DATA ASSIMILATION WITH A GENETIC ALGORITHM

The release of harmful contaminants is a potentially devastating threat to homeland security. Accurate identification of the source strength and location is essential to minimize the impact. Insufficient spatial and temporal resolution as well as inherent uncertainty in wind field data makes characterizing the source and predicting subsequent transport and dispersion extremely difficult. The solution requires a robust technique such as a genetic algorithm (GA) in order to precisely characterize the source and obtain the required wind information. The method uses a GA to find the combination of source location, source strength, and surface wind direction that best matches the monitored receptor data with the forecast pollutant dispersion model output. The approach is validated with an identical twin experiment that generates the observation data using the same model embedded in the solution method (Daley 1991). Such an experiment allows the validation of the solution methodology in a controlled environment. Researchers have characterized the source of a release using a Bayesian probability density algorithm to determine the mass of material released to within an order of magnitude as well as the location, type, and time of release (Robins, et al. 2005a). Robins, et al. (2005b) use a probabilistic dispersion model to better simulate the small scale effects of a meandering plume. In the current study, we use the Gaussian puff equation as the dispersion model and add wind direction to the list of parameters sought.
T-2 toxin metabolism by ruminal bacteria and its effect on their growth

The effect of T-2 toxin on the growth rates of different bacteria was used as a measure of its toxicity. Toxin levels of 10 micrograms/ml did not decrease the growth rate of Selenomonas ruminantium and Anaerovibrio lipolytica, whereas the growth rate of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens was uninhibited at toxin levels as high as 1 mg/ml. There was, however, a noticeable increase in the growth rate of B. fibrisolvens CE46 and CE51 and S. ruminantium in the presence of low concentrations (10 micrograms/ml) of T-2 toxin, which may indicate the assimilation of the toxin as an energy source by these bacteria. Three tributyrin-hydrolyzing bacterial isolates did not grow at all in the presence of T-2 toxin (10 micrograms/ml). The growth rate of a fourth tributyrin-hydrolyzing bacterial isolate was unaffected. B. fibrisolvens CE51 degraded T-2 toxin to HT-2 toxin (22%), T-2 triol (3%), and neosolaniol (10%), whereas A. lipolytica and S. ruminantium degraded the toxin to HT-2 toxin (22 and 18%, respectively) and T-2 triol (7 and 10%, respectively) only. These results have been explained in terms of the presence of two different toxin-hydrolyzing enzyme systems. Studies with B. fibrisolvens showed the presence of a T-2 toxin-degrading enzyme fraction in a bacterial membrane preparation. This fraction had an approximate molecular weight of 65,000 and showed esterase activity (395.6 mumol of p-nitrophenol formed per min per mg of protein with p-nitrophenylacetate as the substrate.
Assessment of iron deficiency in pregnant women by determining iron status.

BACKGROUND Pregnant women constitute a high risk group for iron deficiency. Maternal iron deficiency and particularly iron deficiency anaemia may be associated with detrimental effects on maternal and infant function and particularly with a higher risk of preterm delivery and delivery of low birth weight neonates. Objective of this study was to assess and compare the iron status of normal healthy non-pregnant women with that of pregnant women of Hazara Division. METHODS This study was conducted at Faculty of Health Sciences, Hazara University, and Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad from 1st March to 31st August 2006. Altogether 120 women, 90 pregnant at various stages of pregnancy and 30 non-pregnant women as control group were included in this study by convenience sampling. Their iron status was assessed by determination of haemoglobin (Hb), Serum ferritin, Serum-iron, Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC), Unsaturated Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC), and Percentage saturation of transferrin. Data generated on these variables were subjected to ANOVA and correlation analysis. RESULTS The salient finding of this study is a significant decrease in Hb, Serum ferritin, Serum iron, percentage saturation of transferrin and a significant increase in values of TIBC and a pronounced increase in UIBC in 2nd and 3rd trimester compared to 1st trimester in iron deficient pregnant women. The mean values of Hb, SF, and Fe/TIBC% were significantly lower in the cases than in the control and significantly higher values of TIBC and UIBC were observed in the cases compared to controls. Significant correlations were observed for TIBC, UIBC and Fe/TIBC% against serum iron in different trimesters of pregnancy. CONCLUSION A high percentage of the pregnant women are iron deficient due to factors such as high parity, poor dietary habits and socioeconomic status.
Distant Metastasis and Survival Outcomes after Computed Tomography-Guided Needle Biopsy in Resected Stage I-III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background and objective Several reports describe the needle-tract implantation after percutaneous needle lung biopsy. The present study evaluated whether preoperative computed tomography-guided needle biopsy (CTNB) affected the distant metastasis and overall survival in patients with early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods A total of 1667 patients with pathological stage I-III NSCLC were assimilated. Of these, 168 patients received preoperative CTNB, whereas 1499 patients were not subjected to any biopsy before surgical resection. Propensity score matching method was adopted to balance the observed covariates between the two groups. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier estimations were used for survival analysis. Subset analysis was performed in the p-stage ≤ II cases. Results The distant metastasis and mortality were not significantly increased for all patients with preoperative CTNB (P = 0.142 and P = 0.125, respectively). The subset analysis of p-stage ≤ II cases showed that CTNB increased the risk of distant metastasis (P = 0.032) while not increasing the risk of mortality (P = 0.086). Conclusion CTNB can increase the risk of distant metastasis in the p-stage ≤ II patients.