Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vocal fold paresis: etiology, clinical diagnosis and clinical management

Purpose of reviewRecent papers on incidence of unilateral paresis in general and for specific causes; techniques to assist clinical diagnosis; computer and animal modeling leading to new assessment tools; and studies on the effectiveness of clinical management. Recent findingsThere is much interest in being able to assess unilateral paresis in patients both pre and post-thyroidectomy. Because the gold standard for defining the presence of paresis is by laryngeal electromyography, which is not routinely available, much interest has been placed in finding other measures that correlate with electromyographic findings, including use of ultrasound imaging and high-speed videoendoscopy. Paresis is also being seen as an underlying factor in other voice disorders, such as reflux and presence of granulomas. Animal modeling is providing insights into the mechanisms that will help our understanding of vocal fold asymmetry. The development of trial injections to determine if more permanent interventions will provide good outcomes is an important step in good patient care. SummaryRandomized clinical trials need to be completed to provide level 1 evidence for the efficacy of treatments. Centers that have access to laryngeal electromyography need to lead the way in developing assessment tools and treatment trials for patients with paresis.
Effects of JAK3 Inhibition with CP-690,550 on Immune Cell Populations and Their Functions in Nonhuman Primate Recipients of Kidney Allografts

Background. Janus Kinase (JAK) 3 is a tyrosine kinase essential for proper signal transduction downstream of selected cytokine receptors and for robust T-cell and natural killer cells activation and function. JAK3 inhibition with CP-690,550 prevents acute allograft rejection. To provide further insight into the mechanisms of efficacy, we investigated the immunomodulatory effects of CP-690,550 in vitro and in vivo in nonhuman primates. Methods. Pharmacodynamic assessments of lymphocyte activation, function, proliferation and phenotype were performed in three settings: in vitro in whole blood isolated from untransplanted cynomolgus monkeys (cynos), in vivo in blood from untransplanted cynos dosed with CP-690,550 for 8 days, and in vivo in blood from transplanted cynos immunosuppressed with CP-690,550. Cell surface activation markers expression, IL-2- enhanced IFN-γ production, lymphocyte proliferation and immune cell phenotype analyzes were performed with multiparametric flow cytometry. Results. In vitro exposure to CP-690,550 resulted in significant reduction of IL-2-enhanced IFN-γ production by T-cells (maximum inhibition of 55-63%), T-cell surface expression of CD25 (50% inhibitory concentration (IC50); 0.18 &mgr;M) and CD71 (IC50; 1.6 &mgr;M), and T-cell proliferative capacities measured by proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression (IC50; 0.87 &mgr;M). Similar results were observed in animals dosed with CP-690,550. In addition, transplanted animals displayed significant reduction of NK cell (90% from baseline) and T-cell numbers whereas CD8+ effector memory T-cell populations were unaffected. Conclusions. Potent in vitro and in vivo immunomodulatory effects of the JAK3 inhibitor CP-690,550 likely contribute to its efficacy in the prevention of organ allograft rejection.
Comparing the Leverage Effect of Different Frequencies of Stock Returns in an Emerging Market: A Case Study of Pakistan

This study compares the volatility behavior and variance structure of high (daily) and low (weekly, monthly) frequencies of data. The study used seventeen years data from 1991 to 2008 of KSE-100 index. By employing Exponential GARCH (EGARCH) model (asymmetric type GARCH model), the study finds evidence that there are significant asymmetric shocks (leverage effect) to volatility in the three series but the intensity of the shocks are not equal for all the series. The results show that the variance structure of high frequencies data is dissimilar from the low frequencies data.
Proteomics Characterization of Abundant Golgi Membrane Proteins*

A mass spectrometric analysis of proteins partitioning into Triton X-114 from purified hepatic Golgi apparatus (84% purity by morphometry, 122-fold enrichment over the homogenate for the Golgi marker galactosyl transferase) led to the unambiguous identification of 81 proteins including a novel Golgi-associated protein of 34 kDa (GPP34). The membrane protein complement was resolved by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and subjected to a hierarchical approach using delayed extraction matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry characterization by peptide mass fingerprinting, tandem mass spectrometry to generate sequence tags, and Edman sequencing of proteins. Major membrane proteins corresponded to known Golgi residents, a Golgi lectin, anterograde cargo, and an abundance of trafficking proteins including KDEL receptors, p24 family members, SNAREs, Rabs, a single ARF-guanine nucleotide exchange factor, and two SCAMPs. Analytical fractionation and gold immunolabeling of proteins in the purified Golgi fraction were used to assess the intra-Golgi and total cellular distribution of GPP34, two SNAREs, SCAMPs, and the trafficking proteins GBF1, BAP31, and α2P24 identified by the proteomics approach as well as the endoplasmic reticulum contaminant calnexin. Although GPP34 has never previously been identified as a protein, the localization of GPP34 to the Golgi complex, the conservation of GPP34 from yeast to humans, and the cytosolically exposed location of GPP34 predict a role for a novel coat protein in Golgi trafficking.
Do common genetic variants in endotoxin signaling pathway contribute to predisposition to alcoholic liver cirrhosis?

Abstract Background: Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), produced by endotoxin-activated Kupffer cells, play a key role in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver cirrhosis (ALC). Alleles TNFA –238A, IL1B –31T and variant IL1RN*2 of repeat polymorphism in the gene encoding the IL-1 receptor antagonist increase production of TNF-α and IL-1β, respectively. Alleles CD14 –159T, TLR4 c.896G and TLR4 c.1196T modify activation of Kupffer cells by endotoxin. We confirmed the published associations between these common variants and genetic predisposition to ALC by means of a large case-control association study conducted on two Central European populations. Methods: The study population comprised a Czech sample of 198 ALC patients and 370 controls (MONICA project), and a German sample of 173 ALC patients and 331 controls (KORA-Augsburg), and 109 heavy drinkers without liver disease. Results: Single locus analysis revealed no significant difference between patients and controls in all tested loci. Diplotype [IL1RN*2/*2; IL1B –31T+] was associated with increased risk of ALC in the pilot study, but not in the validation samples. Conclusions: Although cytokine mediated immune reactions play a role in the pathogenesis of ALC, hereditary susceptibility caused by variants in the corresponding genes is low in Central European populations. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:398–404.
The Frequency of Type I Heterozygous Protein S and Protein C Deficiency in 141 Unrelated Young Patients with Venous Thrombosis

Summary The frequency of heterozygous protein C and protein S deficiency, detected by measuring total plasma antigen, in a group (n = 141) of young unrelated patients (<45 years old) with venous thrombotic disease was studied and compared to that of antithrombin III, fibrinogen, and plasminogen deficiencies. Among 91 patients not receiving oral anticoagulants, six had low protein S antigen levels and one had a low protein C antigen level. Among 50 patients receiving oral anticoagulant therapy, abnormally low ratios of protein S or C to other vitamin K-dependent factors were presented by one patient for protein S and five for protein C. Thus, heterozygous Type I protein S deficiency appeared in seven of 141 patients (5%) and heterozygous Type I protein C deficiency in six of 141 patients (4%). Eleven of thirteen deficient patients had recurrent venous thrombosis. In this group of 141 patients, 1% had an identifiable fibrinogen abnormality, 2% a plasminogen abnormality, and 3% an antithrombin III deficiency. Thus, among the known plasma protein deficiencies associated with venous thrombosis, protein S and protein C. deficiencies (9%) emerge as the leading identifiable associated abnormalities.
Response to aspirin in healthy individuals

Summary Variable biological effect of aspirin is suggested to be related to pharmacological resistance. The incidence of this so-called “resistant” state varies with the study population and the assay used. We determined performance features of five assays used to assess aspirin effects in non-smoking healthy volunteers not taking any drug known to interfere with platelet function. Blood and urine samples were obtained immediately before and after 8–10 days of aspirin 80 mg intake. Forty-five participants 19–59 years old were enrolled. The sensitivity (SE), specificity (SP), and optimal cut-off (CO) value to detect the effect of aspirin were: light transmission aggregometry (LTA) with 1.6 mM arachidonic acid (AA) – SE 100%,SP 95.9%,CO 20%;LTA with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) 10 µM – SE 84.4%, SP 77.8%, CO 70%; Ver-
Progression of alcohol consumption across the drinking career in alcoholics and social drinkers.

OBJECTIVE To document and compare the changes in alcohol intake over the drinking career in alcoholic (n = 273) and social (n = 152) drinkers and to relate the changes to age and to the prevalence of morning drinking. METHOD Lifetime alcohol intake was assessed in face-to-face interviews by asking subjects to report drinking patterns during different "phases" of their drinking careers, beginning with the onset of regular drinking and continuing up to the present. RESULTS Alcohol consumption began at higher quantities and higher frequencies in alcoholics (prealcoholics) and rapidly escalated within a few years to values well out of the range of moderation. The alcohol intake of social drinkers at the beginning phase was only about 70% that of alcoholics. In contrast to alcoholics, the alcohol intake of social drinkers remained relatively constant across subsequent drinking phases at about three to four drinks per drinking occasion, with only a slight increase in the frequency of drinking over sequential drinking phases. The relationship of total alcohol consumption to age in alcoholics was described best by a curvilinear function, with alcohol consumption peaking near age 40. CONCLUSIONS Gender differences in consumption were decreased with adjustment for body water content. The higher initial alcohol intakes in alcoholics may reflect a lower sensitivity to the intoxicating effects of alcohol, or, alternatively, a greater ability of alcoholics to develop tolerance. The high prevalence of morning drinking in alcoholics compared to social drinkers reinforces the usefulness of morning drinking as a diagnostic tool, particularly for female alcoholism.
Nonlinear Pass-Through of Exchange Rate Shocks on Inflation: A Bayesian Smooth Transition VAR Approach

Determining the exchange rate pass-through on inflation is a necessity for central banks as well as for firms and households. This is an apparently easy and intuitive task, but it faces high complexity and uncertainty. This paper examines the short and long-term impact of an exchange rate shock on inflation along the distribution chain in the presence of endogeneity, nonlinearity and asymmetry. The econometric model is a smooth transition autoregressive vector estimated by Bayesian methods. This incorporates a model of pricing and the endogenous nature of the exchange rate pass-through (PT). The paper uses monthly data from Colombia for the period 2002 to 2015. The main findings are that PT is incomplete (as predicted and found by most of the recent literature) endogenous and then changes over time, nonlinear and asymmetric in the short and long terms to the state of the economy (i.e., PT is nonlinear state-dependent) and to exchange rate shocks. Historically, findings have showed that the accumulated PT on inflation of import prices rises from 20% in the first month of the exchange rate shock to a maximum of around 66% in the first year. The equivalent figures on the inflation of producer goods go from 13% to 52%; on the inflation of imported consumer goods from 6% to 48%, and on the CPI inflation from 4% to 30%. At four years, the respective figures for accumulated PT are 98%, 84%, 94% and 80%, but uncertainty about these estimates increases rapidly over time.
Systematic Review: Audiovisual Interventions for Reducing Preoperative Anxiety in Children Undergoing Elective Surgery.

OBJECTIVE To examine the effectiveness of Audiovisual (AV) interventions at reducing preoperative anxiety and its associated outcomes in children undergoing elective surgery. METHODS A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and nonrandomized studies where the primary outcome was children's preoperative anxiety was conducted. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain, behavioral changes, recovery, induction compliance, satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. The risk of bias of each study was assessed. RESULTS In all, 18 studies were identified. A meta-analytic approach and narrative synthesis of findings were used to summarize the results of the studies. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review suggests that AV interventions can be effective in reducing children's preoperative anxiety. Videos, multi-faceted programs, and interactive games appear to be most effective, whereas music therapy and Internet programs are less effective. While AV interventions appear potentially useful, adequately powered RCTs are required to conclusively pinpoint the components and mechanisms of the most effective AV interventions and guide practice.
A Randomised Controlled Trial of Ultrasound-Assisted Spinal Anaesthesia

Pre-procedural ultrasound scanning has been used to facilitate spinal anaesthesia in patients with difficult anatomical landmarks and shown to improve first-attempt success rates in some studies. We studied whether pre-procedural ultrasound scanning improved first-attempt success rate and decreased time taken for the procedure in the general adult population. In this prospective, randomised controlled trial, 170 American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status 1 to 3 patients aged between 21 and 80 years were recruited. Informed consent was obtained. Patients were randomised into two groups, ultrasound-guided identification of landmarks (Ultrasound Group) and manual palpation of landmarks (Manual Palpation Group). The primary outcome was first-attempt success rate and secondary outcomes were time taken to perform procedure, number of needle redirections, patient satisfaction and complications. The first-attempt success rate was 64% in the Ultrasound Group and 52% in the Manual Palpation Group (P=0.16). Time taken for procedure was shorter in the Ultrasound Group compared to the Manual Palpation Group (2.9±3.6 minutes versus 3.9±3.7 minutes, P= 0.007). Patient satisfaction was higher in the Ultrasound Group. There were no differences in complications. As there was no statistically significant difference in first-attempt success rates between the two groups, existing evidence for routine pre-procedural scanning for all patients is inadequate. The current use of pre-procedural ultrasound scanning will probably be limited to selected patients where spinal anaesthesia may be technically challenging with conventional methods.
Biochars as Potential Adsorbers of CH4, CO2 and H2S

Methane gas, as one of the major biogases, is a potential source of renewable energy for power production. Biochar can be readily used to purify biogas contaminants such as H 2 S and CO 2 . This study assessed the adsorption of CH 4 , H 2 S, and CO 2 onto four different types of biochars. The adsorption dynamics of biochars were investigated in a fixed-bed column, by determining the breakthrough curves and adsorption capacities of biochars. The physicochemical properties of biochars were considered to justify the adsorption performance. The results showed that CH 4 was not adsorbed well by the subjected biochars whereas CO 2 and H 2 S were successfully captured. The H 2 S and CO 2 breakthrough capacity were related to both the surface adsorption and chemical reaction. The adsorption capacity was in the following order: perilla > soybean stover > Korean oak > Japanese oak biochars. The simultaneous adsorption also leads to a competition of sorption sites. Biochars are a promising material for the biogas purification industry.
Temporal and Spatial Variability in Culturable Pathogenic Vibrio spp. in Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

ABSTRACT We investigated the abundance, distribution, and virulence gene content of Vibrio cholerae, V. parahaemolyticus, and V. vulnificus in the waters of southern Lake Pontchartrain in Louisiana on four occasions from October 2005 to September 2006, using selective cultivation and molecular assays. The three targeted pathogenic vibrios were generally below the detection level in January 2006, when the water was cold (13°C), and most abundant in September 2006, when the lake water was warmest (30°C). The maximum values for these species were higher than reported previously for the lake by severalfold to orders of magnitude. The only variable consistently correlated with total vibrio abundance within a single sampling was distance from shore (P = 0.000). Multiple linear regression of the entire data set revealed that distance from shore, temperature, and turbidity together explained 82.1% of the variability in total vibrio CFU. The log-transformed mean abundance of V. vulnificus CFU in the lake was significantly correlated with temperature (P = 0.014), but not salinity (P = 0.625). Virulence-associated genes of V. cholerae (ctx) and V. parahaemolyticus (trh and tdh) were not detected in any isolates of these species (n = 128 and n = 20, respectively). In contrast, 16S rRNA typing of V. vulnificus (n = 298) revealed the presence of both environmental (type A) and clinical (type B) strains. The percentage of the B-type V. vulnificus was significantly higher in the lake in October 2005 (35.8% of the total) than at other sampling times (P ≤ 0.004), consistent with the view that these strains represent distinct ecotypes.
Diffusion tensor imaging of normal prostate at 3 T: effect of number of diffusion-encoding directions on quantitation and image quality.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate differences of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) using a different number of diffusion-encoding directions and to evaluate the feasibility of tractography in healthy prostate at 3 T. METHOD 12 healthy volunteers underwent DTI with single-shot echo-planar imaging at 3 T using a phased-array coil. Diffusion gradients of each DTI were applied in 6 (Group 1), 15 (Group 2) and 32 (Group 3) non-collinear directions. For each group, the mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), fractional anisotrophy (FA) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were measured in the peripheral zone (PZ) and central gland (CG). The quality of diffusion-weighted and tractographic images were also evaluated. RESULTS In all three groups, the mean ADC value of the CG was statistically lower than that of the PZ (p<0.01) and the mean FA value of the CG was statistically greater than that of the PZ (p<0.01). For the mean FA value of the CG, no statistical difference was seen among the three groups (p=0.052). However, the mean FA value of the PZ showed a statistical difference among the three groups (p=0.035). No significant difference in SNR values was seen among the three groups (p>0.05). Imaging quality of diffusion-weighted tractographic images was rated as satisfactory or better in all three groups and was similar among the three groups. CONCLUSION In conclusion, prostate DTI at 3 T was feasible with different numbers of diffusion-encoding directions. The number of diffusion-encoding directions did not have a significant effect on imaging quality.
Formulary availability and regulatory barriers to accessibility of opioids for cancer pain in Europe: a report from the ESMO/EAPC Opioid Policy Initiative.

BACKGROUND Many patients in Europe do not receive adequate relief of pain because of excessive regulatory restrictions on the availability and accessibility of opioids. This is a major public health problem. The aim of the study is to evaluate and report on opioid availability and the legal and regulatory barriers to accessibility across the countries of Europe. METHODS European Society for Medical Oncology and European Association for Palliative Care national representatives reported data regarding survey of opioid availability and accessibility. Formulary adequacy is evaluated relative to the World Health Organization (WHO) essential drugs list and the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care list of essential medicines for palliative care. Overregulation is evaluated according to the guidelines for assessment of national opioid regulations of the WHO. RESULTS Data were reported on the availability and accessibility of opioids for the management of cancer pain in 21 Eastern European countries and 20 Western European countries. Results are presented describing the availability and cost of opioids for cancer pain in each surveyed country and nine forms of regulatory restrictions. CONCLUSIONS Using standards derived from the WHO and International Narcotics Control Board, this survey has exposed formulary deficiencies and excessive regulatory barriers that interfere with appropriate patient care in many European countries. There is an ethical and public health imperative to address these issues.
Phytobezoar: A Rare Cause of Intestinal Obstruction

Phytobezoar is a well-known although uncommon cause of mechanical alimentary tract obstruction, mainly in patients who have undergone previous gastric operation. Between January 1988 and March 1995, we operated on 14 patients with gastrointestinal obstruction due to phytobezoar. Eleven patients (78.6%) had undergone previous gastric operation and in all of them the diagnosis was made at the time of surgery. All admissions were during winter: supposedly because of the seasonal increase in intake of citrus fruits and persimmons. During the 7-year study period, we observed an unexpected increase in the incidence of this disorder. During the first 4 years we treated 2 patients (14.3%), an average of 0.5 patients a year, whereas during the last 3 years we operated on 12 patients (87.7%), an average of 4 patients a year. The recent increase in small-bowel obstruction secondary to phytobezoars may at least in part be explained by a major immigration wave from the former USSR. These immigrants have become exposed to an abundance of cheap fruits such as citrus and persimmons that were not available in their home country. The large consumption and the failure of information regarding the risks of consuming these fruits in association with previous gastric surgery may have played a major role in the recent increase of the incidence. Since phytobezoars may play increasingly an important role in the future due to the ingestion of great quantities of different fruits containing great amounts of cellulose, these findings call for restriction of citrus fruit and persimmons in patients who have undergone gastric surgery.