Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Use of an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Anticoagulation Laboratory Protocol Is Associated With Decreased Blood Product Use, Decreased Hemorrhagic Complications, and Increased Circuit Life*

Objectives: To determine if a comprehensive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation anticoagulation monitoring protocol results in fewer hemorrhagic complications, reduced blood product usage, and increased circuit life. Design: In September 2011, we augmented our standard extracorporeal membrane oxygenation laboratory protocol to include anti-factor Xa assays, thromboelastography, and antithrombin measurements. We performed a retrospective chart review to determine outcomes for patients placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation prior to and after the initiation of our anticoagulation laboratory protocol. Setting: Tertiary care, academic children’s hospital. Patients: All patients who were placed on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation at our institution from January 1, 2007, to September 30, 2013. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: There were 261 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs before the initiation of the protocol and 105 extracorporeal membrane oxygenation runs after the initiation of the protocol. There were no major changes to our extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit or changes to our transfusion threshold during the study period. The indication for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, age, and severity of illness of the patients were similar before and after protocol initiation. Median blood product usage for packed RBCs, fresh frozen plasma, platelets, and cryoprecipitate decreased significantly after protocol initiation. The occurrence of cannula site bleeding decreased from 22% to 12% (p = 0.04), and surgical site bleeding decreased from 38% to 25% (p = 0.02). Median extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuit life increased from 3.6 to 4.3 days (p = 0.02). A trend toward increased patient survival was noted, but it did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: We demonstrate an association between an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation anticoagulation laboratory protocol using anti-factor Xa assays, thromboelastography, and antithrombin measurements and a decrease in blood product transfusion, a decrease in hemorrhagic complications, and an increase in circuit life. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate clinical benefit associated with the use of these laboratory values for patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Audience effects in chimpanzee copulation calls

Audience effects arise when the signaling behavior of animals is affected by the presence of others. Whilst this phenomenon has been documented in numerous animal species, very little research has addressed what effect the listening audience has in the mating context. In this article we discuss our recent findings that the production of chimpanzee copulation calls is effected by the presence of potentially eavesdropping females and males. We relate these results to understanding the function of primate copulation calls in addition to what more they can tell us about the cognitive processes underlying primate call production.
Sarcoid Uveitis: A Look Beyond The Eyes.

BACKGROUND Bilateral acute uveitis can cause significant morbidity, and a complete workup is often warranted. This report illustrates a case of sarcoid uveitis definitively diagnosed by skin biopsy in a patient with red tattoo ink. CASE REPORT A 40-year-old African American male presented with bilateral photophobia and intraocular pressures of 26 mmHg in both eyes, 1+ grade cell and flare in both eyes, and granulomatous (mutton fat) keratic precipitates in both eyes. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme level was elevated at 146 U/mL (normal value <40 U/mL), and computed tomography imaging revealed mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. Multifocal induration and elevation in the areas of red pigment of a tattoo were also present and on punch biopsy revealed noncaseating granulomas, confirming the diagnosis of sarcoid uveitis. CONCLUSION Our case suggests that a complete physical examination and inquiry about the presence of any tattoos should be conducted as part of the workup of uveitis.
Cuffed vs. uncuffed tracheal tubes in children: a randomised controlled trial comparing leak, tidal volume and complications

Cuffed tracheal tubes are increasingly used in paediatric anaesthetic practice. This study compared tidal volume and leakage around cuffed and uncuffed tracheal tubes in children who required standardised mechanical ventilation of their lungs in the operating theatre. Children (0–16 years) undergoing elective surgery requiring tracheal intubation were randomly assigned to receive either a cuffed or an uncuffed tracheal tube. Assessments were made at five different time‐points: during volume‐controlled ventilation 6 ml.kg−1, PEEP 5 cmH2O and during pressure‐controlled ventilation 10 cmH2O / PEEP 5 cmH2O. The pressure‐controlled ventilation measurement time‐points were: just before a standardised recruitment manoeuvre; just after recruitment manoeuvre; 10 min; and 30 min after the recruitment manoeuvre. Problems and complications were recorded. During volume‐controlled ventilation, leakage was significantly less with cuffed tracheal tubes than with uncuffed tracheal tubes; in ml.kg−1, median (IQR [range]) 0.20 (0.13–0.39 [0.04–0.60]) vs. 0.82 (0.58–1.38 [0.24–4.85]), respectively, p < 0.001. With pressure‐controlled ventilation, leakage was less with cuffed tracheal tubes and stayed unchanged over a 30‐min period, whereas with uncuffed tracheal tubes, leakage was higher and increased further over the 30‐min period. Tidal volumes were higher in the cuffed group and increased over time, but in the uncuffed group were lower and decreased over time. Both groups showed an increase in tidal volumes following recruitment manoeuvres. There were more short‐term complications with uncuffed tracheal tubes, but no major complications were recorded in either group at long‐term follow‐up. With standardised ventilator settings, cuffed tracheal tubes produced better ventilation characteristics compared with uncuffed tracheal tubes during general anaesthesia for routine elective surgery.
The computer simulation of the processes of the nanoscale film's growth and annealing during magnetron sputtering

The processes of growth and annealing of thin films during magnetron sputtering at atomic and molecular level in different conditions are considered and simulated. It is shown how and what influences on the quality of the films. During interleaved mode, the process of growth and annealing of thin films is simulated by Monte-Carlo method with a choice of numbers of particles and quasi-Newton method of lattice, with the definition of the direction of particle's motion. The process of fractal growth in different conditions is analyzed. The possibility of effective control of the process of growth of thin films is discussed.
Extracellular Signals Regulate Rapid Coactivator Recruitment at AP-1 Sites by Altered Phosphorylation of both CREB Binding Protein and c-jun

ABSTRACT Retinoic acid (RA) inhibits matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression due to AP-1 inhibition resulting from retinoic acid receptors (RARs) competing for limiting amounts of coactivator proteins. However, given the rapid kinetics of MMP-9 transcription, it seems unlikely that these interactions can be explained passively. Our previous studies indicated that coactivator and transcription factor phosphorylation may allow for rapid regulation of MMP-9 expression. In the present study we tested this hypothesis directly. CREB binding protein (CBP) and p300/CBP-associated factor (PCAF) were displaced from transcription factor binding sites on the MMP-9 promoter within minutes of RA treatment. The RAR interaction domains of CBP and PCAF were not required for this displacement. RA and epidermal growth factor had opposing effects on phosphorylation of CBP by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 that correlated with altered CBP occupancy of AP-1 sites and differential MMP-9 promoter activation. We identified a novel phosphorylation site in the CBP carboxyl terminus that mediated association with AP-1 sites in the MMP-9 promoter. Inhibition of c-jun phosphorylation displaced PCAF from AP-1 sites and reduced promoter activity. Phosphorylation deficient c-jun was less able to recruit PCAF to AP-1 sites. We also demonstrated novel interactions between coactivators and AP-1 proteins. We propose that extracellular signal-mediated coactivator exchange at AP-1 sites is mediated via protein kinase pathways.
External Fixation as a Bridge to Intramedullary Nailing for Patients with Multiple Injuries and with Femur Fractures: Damage Control Orthopedics

BACKGROUND The advantages of early fracture fixation in patients with multiple injuries have been challenged recently, particularly in patients with head injury. External fixation (EF) has been used to stabilize pelvic fractures after multiple injury. It potentially offers similar benefits to intramedullary nail (IMN) in long-bone fractures and may obviate some of the risks. We report on the use of EF as a temporary fracture fixation in a group of patients with multiple injuries and with femoral shaft fractures. METHODS Retrospective review of charts and registry data of patients admitted to our Level 1 trauma center July of 1995 to June of 1998. Forty-three patients initially treated with EF of the femur were compared to 284 patients treated with primary IMN of the femur. RESULTS Patients treated with EF had more severe injuries with significantly higher Injury Severity Scores (26.8 vs. 16.8) and required significantly more fluid (11.9 vs. 6.2 liters) and blood (1.5 vs. 1.0 liters) in the initial 24 hours. Glasgow Coma Scale score was lower (p < 0.01) in those treated with EF (11 vs. 14.2). Twelve patients (28%) had head injuries severe enough to require intracranial pressure monitoring. All 12 required therapy for intracranial pressure control with mannitol (100%), barbiturates (75%), and/or hyperventilation (75%). Most patients had more than one contraindication to IMN, including head injury in 46% of cases, hemodynamic instability in 65%, thoracoabdominal injuries in 51%, and/or other serious injuries in 46%, most often multiple orthopedic injuries. Median operating room time for EF was 35 minutes with estimated blood loss of 90 mL. IMN was performed in 35 of 43 patients at a mean of 4.8 days after EF. Median operating room time for IMN was 135 minutes with an estimated blood loss of 400 mL. One patient died before IMN. One other patient with a mangled extremity was treated with amputation after EF. There was one complication of EF, i.e., bleeding around a pin site, which was self-limited. Four patients in the EF group died, three from head injuries and one from acute organ failure. No death was secondary to the fracture treatment selected. One patient who had EF followed by IMN had bone infection and another had acute hardware failure. CONCLUSION EF is a viable alternative to attain temporary rigid stabilization in patients with multiple injuries. It is rapid, causes negligible blood loss, and can be followed by IMN when the patient is stabilized. There were minimal orthopedic complications.
Local Density Functional Electronic Structures of Three Stable Icosahedral Fullerenes

Local density functional (LDF) electronic structures of icosahedral C,, Cleo, and C240 are compared. These molecules are remarkably similar, and nothing is found to suggest that the two larger molecules are less stable than Cso. Ionization potentials are calculated by using both the transition-state approximation and differences between self-consistent-field calculations. Comparing these with one-electron eigenvalues supports the interpretation of photoelectron line shapes using theoretical cross sections calculated from LDF one-electron states of these large, highly symmetric molecules.
The inhibitory effect of caffeine on hormone‐induced rat breast cancer

Studies have associated coffee and/or caffeine with human fibrocystic breast disease. Two animal studies have implicated caffeine as a promoter in rat mammary cancer. The current investigation examines the effect of two caffeine doses in ACI rats with and without diethylstilbestrol (DES). Without DES, cancer did not develop in any of the rats receiving either of the two caffeine dosages. With DES, increasing caffeine dosage lengthened the time to first cancer, decreased the number of rats that developed cancers, and decreased the number of cancers overall. The presence or amount of caffeine did not cause detectable histologic differences in the breast cancers. The presence or amount of caffeine did not influence animal weight or mortality, although the rats without DES weighed more and survived better into old age. The presence or amount of caffeine did not influence pituitary weights and prolactin levels, although values of the DES groups were three times higher than the values for the group without DES (P < 0.05). In conclusion, chronic caffeine ingestion inhibits rat breast cancer, neither by interfering with the high prolactin levels—a necessary step in murine tumor development—nor by causing hypocaloric intake. Cancer 56: 1977‐1981, 1985.
Abetimus sodium for renal flare in systemic lupus erythematosus: results of a randomized, controlled phase III trial.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether treatment with abetimus delays renal flare in patients with lupus nephritis. Secondary objectives included evaluation of the effect of abetimus on C3 levels, anti-double-stranded DNA (anti-dsDNA) antibody levels, use of high-dose corticosteroids and/or cyclophosphamide, and major systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) flare. METHODS We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled study of treatment with abetimus at 100 mg/week for up to 22 months in SLE patients. Three hundred seventeen patients with a history of renal flare and anti-dsDNA levels >15 IU/ml were randomized to a treatment group (158 abetimus, 159 placebo); 298 (94%) were enrolled in the intent-to-treat (ITT) population (145 abetimus, 153 placebo), based on the presence of high-affinity antibodies for the oligonucleotide epitope of abetimus at baseline screening. RESULTS Abetimus did not significantly prolong time to renal flare, time to initiation of high-dose corticosteroid and/or cyclophosphamide treatment, or time to major SLE flare. However, there were 25% fewer renal flares in the abetimus group compared with the placebo group (17 of 145 abetimus-treated patients [12%] versus 24 of 153 placebo-treated patients [16%]). Abetimus treatment decreased anti-dsDNA antibody levels (P < 0.0001), and reductions in anti-dsDNA levels were associated with increases in C3 levels (P < 0.0001). More patients in the abetimus group experienced > or =50% reductions in proteinuria at 1 year, compared with the placebo group (nominal P = 0.047). Trends toward reduced rates of renal flare and major SLE flare were noted in patients treated with abetimus who had impaired renal function at baseline. Treatment with abetimus for up to 22 months was well tolerated. CONCLUSION Abetimus at 100 mg/week significantly reduced anti-dsDNA antibody levels but did not significantly prolong time to renal flare when compared with placebo. Multiple positive trends in renal end points were observed in the abetimus treatment group.
Locus of control in women with eating pathology

Synopsis Locus of control scales have been used to measure ‘effectiveness’ or personal control in patients with eating disorders. A locus of control of behaviour scale was used in a community sample of women with a spectrum of eating pathology from bulimia nervosa to chronic dieting as well as in a comparison group of non-dieters. This scale appeared to add nothing over and above general measures of psychopathology as assessed by the Clinical Interview Schedule and the Symptom Rating Test, or more specific measures such as the Eating Attitudes Test.
Pomphorhynchus heronensis and restricted movement of Lutjanus carponotatus on the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract Samples of Lutjanus carponotatus(Lutjanidae) from reef flat (shallow) and reef slope (deep) sites around Heron and Wistari reefs on the southern Great Barrier Reef were examined for Pomphorhynchus heronensis(Acanthocephala). Individual fish from the reef slope had 0–9 (2.6) worms as compared with 1–122 (39.6) worms for individuals from the reef flat (P < 0.0001). Other variables (year, season, size of fish) made little contribution to the variation. Reef flat and reef slope sites were separated by as little as 300 m. These results imply both that the fish have very limited local movement and that transmission of the parasite is concentrated locally.
Evolution of regulatory elements producing a conserved gene expression pattern in Caenorhabditis

Summary Natural selection acts at the level of function, not at the logistical level of how organisms achieve a particular function. Consequently, significant DNA sequence and regulatory differences can achieve the same function, such as a particular gene expression pattern. To investigate how regulatory features underlying a conserved function can evolve, we compared the regulation of a conserved gene expression pattern in the related species Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae. We find that both C. elegans and C. briggsae express the ovo‐related zinc finger gene lin‐48 in the same pattern in hindgut cells. However, the regulation of this gene by the Pax‐2/5/8 protein EGL‐38 differs in two important ways. First, specific differences in the regulatory sequences of lin‐48 result in the presence of two redundant EGL‐38 response elements in C. elegans, whereas the redundancy is absent in C. briggsae. Second, there is a single egl‐38 gene in C. briggsae. In contrast, the gene is duplicated in C. elegans, with only one copy retaining the ability to regulate lin‐48 in vivo. These results illustrate molecular changes that can occur despite maintenance of conserved gene function in different species.
Statistical shape and appearance models without one-to-one correspondences

One-to-one correspondences are fundamental for the creation of classical statistical shape and appearance models. At the same time, the identification of these correspondences is the weak point of such model-based methods. Hufnagel et al.1 proposed an alternative method using correspondence probabilities instead of exact one-to- one correspondences for a statistical shape model. In this work, we extended the approach by incorporating appearance information into the model. For this purpose, we introduce a point-based representation of image data combining position and appearance information. Then, we pursue the concept of probabilistic correspondences and use a maximum a-posteriori (MAP) approach to derive a statistical shape and appearance model. The model generation as well as the model fitting can be expressed as a single global optimization criterion with respect to model parameters. In a first evaluation, we show the feasibility of the proposed approach and evaluate the model generation and model-based segmentation using 2D lung CT slices.
Alopecia areata and Coeliac Disease: No Effect of a Gluten-Free Diet on Hair Growth

Background: An association between alopecia areata (AA) and coeliac disease has recently been reported. Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the possible effect of a gluten-free diet (GFD) on the new growth of hair in 5 alopecic patients with CD. Methods: CD was diagnosed in 5 patients with AA (universalis in 3 cases and patchy in 2 cases). The diagnosis of CD was based on serological and histological standard criteria. Results: In all patients the GFD resolved CD clinically, serologically and histologically but had no effect on the course of alopecia. Conclusion: AA and CD, when associated, present different responses to a GFD and have an independent course.
Studies on the effect of cement-kiln dust on vegetation.

Most of the recent work on the effects of cement-kiln dust has been confined to Germany and results differ considerably. There appears to be little doubt that naturally deposited dust from certain cement plants is responsible for leaf injury to deciduous and coniferous species and occasionally for death of the latter. Injury results from the combination of a relatively thick crust deposit and the toxicity of alkaline solutions formed when dusts are deposited in the presence of free moisture. The results of several hand-dusted field experiments, however, are not so conclusive; dusts are reported as either harmful, harmless, or even indirectly beneficial. In the present laboratory investigation, the comparison of CO2 exchange in the leaf between dusted and nondusted leaves, as well as occurrence of obvious tissue damage, were used as the criteria of dust effects in short term experiments. The results demonstrated that the finer particles of certain cement-kiln dusts collected from electrostatic precipitator.
Evaluation of the auto‐refraction function of the Nidek OPD‐Scan III

The aim was to evaluate the validity and repeatability of the auto‐refraction function of the Nidek OPD‐Scan III (Nidek Technologies, Gamagori, Japan) compared with non‐cycloplegic subjective refraction. The Nidek OPD‐Scan III is a new aberrometer/corneal topographer workstation based on the skiascopy principle. It combines a wavefront aberrometer, topographer, autorefractor, auto keratometer and pupillometer/pupillographer.
Fast dissolve operations for MPEG video contents

Although NLE (nonlinear editing) becomes widely used for multimedia contents creation, its deployment for MPEG has not been exploited much due to the inter-frame coding structure of MPEG. We propose two fast algorithms in order to realize dissolve operation of MPEG coded data. One is based on the baseband method (BBM) where dissolving is performed in the pixel domain. The other uses the transformed domain method (TDM). Since motion estimation is altered due to the transition and its re-calculation process greatly increases the computational complexity, we use texture information to determine dominant motion during dissolving and avoid the motion estimation calculation. In the experiment, it is observed that fast dissolve processing using BBM can be achieved at less than half of the conventional BBM with at most 1 dB penalty. As for TDM, although it achieves the same processing speed of that of the proposed BBM, larger degradation is found due to the restricted motion accuracy.
Commercial coated conductor fabrication based on inclined substrate deposition

Due to the complex layered architecture the fabrication of coated conductors consists of a multitude of processing steps. We present a viable and economic route to produce second generation HTS tape from the initial substrate preparation to the final metal coating. The most important and technically challenging steps are the deposition of an oriented buffer layer and the superconductor film in a reel to reel configuration. New evaporation techniques have been developed to enable reliable, high rate tape coating. Highly oriented MgO-buffer layers are realized by inclined substrate deposition (ISD) yielding an in-plane orientation of 7/spl deg/-8/spl deg/ FWHM and critical current densities up to 2.5 MA/cm/sup 2/. Buffered tape has been fabricated up to 40 m length. The subsequent HTS deposition has been performed up to 12 m and reaches current levels of 200 A/cm. High resolution critical current scans help to reveal defects and to track problems in the manufacturing process.
Nodular melanoma. No longer as simple as ABC.

BACKGROUND Malignant melanoma is the fourth most commonly diagnosed malignancy in Australia. Nodular melanoma (NM) comprise less than 15% of all melanoma but account for up to 70% of those thicker than 3 mm. OBJECTIVE This article describes the clinical features of NM, its prognosis and management. DISCUSSION Nodular melanoma presents very differently from superficial spreading melanoma, and does not meet the 'ABCD' criteria used to alert doctors and patients to the possibility of this diagnosis. Due to their rapidly developing depth of invasion, urgent referral and wide excision are advised.