Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Presentation, Incidence, Etiology, and Treatment of Surgical Site Infections After Spinal Surgery

Study Design. Descriptive, retrospective cohort analysis. Objective. To evaluate the presentation, etiology, and treatment of surgical site infections (SSI) after spinal surgery. Summary of Background Data. SSI after spine surgery is frequently seen. Small case control studies have been published reporting the results of treatment options of SSI. We performed this study to indentify the most common clinical and laboratory presentation of a SSI, the most frequently seen infective organism, and evaluate the effectiveness of current treatment. Methods. All patients who underwent spinal surgery at our institution for diagnosis other than infection between June 1996 and December 2005 (N = 3174) were reviewed. All cases of SSI were identified. Patient and operative characteristics were reviewed. Infection type (deep or superficial), treatment course, laboratory and culture results were abstracted. Results. A total of 132 cases of SSI (84 deep and 48 superficial) were identified. About 72.7% of the SSI were detected as outpatients an average 28.7 days (deep, 29.9; superficial, 25.2) after the index procedure. Wound drainage was the most common complaint (68.2%). C-reactive protein level was elevated in 98.0%, erythrocyte sedimentation rate was elevated in 94.4%, but only 48.6% had elevated white blood cell count. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 72.6% of deep and 85.7% of superficial positive cultures. Seventy-six percent of deep SSI could be treated with a single debridement to clear the SSI. Instrumentation was retained or primarily exchanged if loose in all cases. Around 72.9% of superficial SSI were treated without formal debridement in the operating room. Antibiotic treatment was longer in deep SSI (40.8 vs. 19.6 days). Conclusion. Deep SSI following spinal surgery was effectively treated with single stage debridement and intravenous antibiotics. Superficial SSI could be treated effectively with local wound care and oral antibiotic therapy.
The Drosophila Hox gene Ultrabithorax acts in both muscles and motoneurons to orchestrate formation of specific neuromuscular connections

Hox genes are known to specify motoneuron pools in the developing vertebrate spinal cord and to control motoneuronal targeting in several species. However, the mechanisms controlling axial diversification of muscle innervation patterns are still largely unknown. We present data showing that the Drosophila Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx) acts in the late embryo to establish target specificity of ventrally projecting RP motoneurons. In abdominal segments A2 to A7, RP motoneurons innervate the ventrolateral muscles VL1-4, with VL1 and VL2 being innervated in a Wnt4-dependent manner. In Ubx mutants, these motoneurons fail to make correct contacts with muscle VL1, a phenotype partially resembling that of the Wnt4 mutant. We show that Ubx regulates expression of Wnt4 in muscle VL2 and that it interacts with the Wnt4 response pathway in the respective motoneurons. Ubx thus orchestrates the interaction between two cell types, muscles and motoneurons, to regulate establishment of the ventrolateral neuromuscular network. Summary: Ultrabithorax controls correct innervation of ventrolateral muscles by coordinating Wnt4 ligand expression in muscles with the signalling pathway response in motoneurons.
Exploiting human walking speed transitions using a dynamic bipedal walking robot with controllable stiffness and limb coordination

In this paper, we employ a two-dimensional dynamic bipedal walking robot to investigate the effects of controllable stiffness and limb coordination on speed transition of bipedal walking. The robot is equipped with a variable stiffness actuator at each joint. We proposed a central pattern generatorbased control method to implement limb coordination and realize independent control of torque and stiffness for the robot. Then we carry out human motion experiments on speed transitions. The comparison of hip joint kinematics and ground reaction forces between human and the robot during speed transitions shows that variable stiffness and limb coordination are important for adaptive human walking and can improve the performance of bipedal walking robot. The results may be used to exploit possible principles of complex human gaits.
Effects of Low‐Dose Pravastatin on Plasma Levels of Lipids and Apolipoproteins in Japanese Type II Hyperlipoproteinemic Subjects with Apolipoprotein E Phenotype E3/2, E3/3, and E4/3

Effects of 12 weeks of treatment with pravastatin at a dose of 20 mg/day were compared in subjects with type II hyperlipoproteinemia with apo+(lipoprotein) E phenotype E3/2, E3/3, and E4/3. There were no differences in age, body mass index, smoking status, complications, or plasma levels of lipids and apoproteins, except the higher levels of apo E in E3/2 subjects (n = 11) than in E3/3 subjects (n = 84) and E4/3 subjects (n = 28). Plasma levels of low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) were reduced by 47% ± 8% (mean ± SD) in E3/2 subjects, 36% ± 10% in E3/3 subjects, and 26% ± 12% in E4/3 subjects after 12 weeks of treatment with pravastatin (all p < 0.0001). Plasma levels of apo B were decreased by 40% ± 12% in E3/2 subjects, 27% ± 10% in E3/3 subjects, and 18% ± 14% in E4/3 subjects after 12 weeks of treatment with pravastatin (all p < 0.0001). The reduction in plasma levels of LDL‐C and apo B was most marked in E3/2 subjects, next in E3/3 subjects, and smallest in E4/3 subjects. The authors conclude that treatment with pravastatin at a dose of 20 mg/day in Japanese subjects is equally effective as 40 mg/day in Western subjects, and apo E polymorphism is a factor to determine the efficacy of pravastatin in Japanese subjects.
Assessment of difference in dimensions of sexual orientation: implications for substance use research in a college-age population.

OBJECTIVE The present research examines the associations between three distinct dimensions of sexual orientation and substance use in a random sample of undergraduate students. METHOD A Web-based survey was administered to students attending a large, midwestern research university in the spring of 2003. The sample consisted of 9,161 undergraduate students: 56% female, 68% white, 13% Asian, 6% black, 4% Hispanic and 9% other racial categories. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, several measures of alcohol and other drug use were compared across three dimensions of sexual orientation: sexual identity, sexual attraction and sexual behavior. RESULTS All three dimensions of sexual orientation were associated with substance use, including heavy episodic drinking, cigarette smoking and illicit drug use. Consistent with results of several other recent studies, "nonheterosexual" identity, attraction or behavior was associated with a more pronounced and consistent risk of substance use in women than in men. CONCLUSIONS Study findings suggest substantial variability in substance use across the three dimensions of sexual orientation and reinforce the importance of stratifying by gender and using multiple measures to assess sexual orientation. Study results have implications for future research and for interventions aimed at reducing substance use among college students.
The nociferous influence of interictal discharges on memory.

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Ab initio Electron Mobility and Polar Phonon Scattering in GaAs

In polar semiconductors and oxides, the long-range nature of the electron-phonon (e−ph) interaction is a bottleneck to compute charge transport from first principles. Here, we develop an efficient ab initio scheme to compute and converge the e−ph relaxation times (RTs) and electron mobility in polar materials. We apply our approach to GaAs, where by using the Boltzmann equation with state-dependent RTs, we compute mobilities in excellent agreement with experiment at 250–500K. The e−ph RTs and the phonon contributions to intravalley and intervalley e−ph scattering are also analyzed. Our work enables efficient ab initio computations of transport and carrier dynamics in polar materials.
Children's contributions to pediatric outpatient encounters.

OBJECTIVE Generally, increasing attention is being paid to the quality of doctor-patient communication. However, children's contributions have been, until now, primarily ignored in communication research, although there are indications that considering their views increases satisfaction and compliance. In the present study, we examined how children contributed to communication during outpatient pediatric encounters and what factors were associated with children's contributions. PATIENTS Twenty-one consulting pediatricians videotaped a total of 302 consecutive outpatient encounters. DESIGN Multilevel analysis was used to take into account the similarity among encounters with the same pediatrician. RESULTS Children's contributions to the outpatient encounters were limited to 4%. Pediatricians directed one out of every four statements to the child. Although pediatricians asked children a lot of medical questions (26%), only a small part of the medical information (13%) was directed at the children. Apart from social talk and laughter, the amount of pediatrician-child communication increased with children's age. Communication with children suffering from disorders of the nervous system seemed to differ from that with children suffering from other diseases. Allowing children more room in the medical visit did not seem to increase the duration of the visit. CONCLUSIONS Although recent legislation requires children to be adequately informed, in pediatric outpatient encounters information still tends to be directed primarily at the parents. Children do get the opportunity to talk about social and psychosocial issues. Pediatricians may need to acquire similar communication skills to discuss medical-technical issues with the children.
A simplified dynamic simulation model (prototype) for a stand-alone Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack

The ever increasing demand for electrical energy and the rise in the electricity prices due to the recent instability of the oil prices in addition to the degrading of the air quality resulting from the emissions of the existing energy conversion devices has intensified research into alternative renewable sources of electrical energy. In this paper a dynamic electrochemical model is developed to simulate a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system to allow the development and improvement of electrical energy generation systems using this new promising technology. Although other models have been produced but most of these capture the fuel cell (FC) steady state behaviour by estimating its voltage for a particular set of operating conditions. The proposed model allows the incorporation of effects of different dynamic conditions in load current, pressure of input reactant gases, fuel cell operating temperature as well as the mass/heat transfer transient features in the fuel cell body. Its capability of predicting transient dynamics will also prove useful when attempting to develop a control strategy. The proposed model strength is modularizing the fundamental thermal- physical behaviour of a fuel cell and developing a modular block that can be used as a part of any other schematic solution required for fuel cells' study. The developed modular block (prototype) exhibits most of the basic fuel cell properties and incorporates essential physical and electrochemical processes that happen along its operation, allowing its' easy moderation for modelling other fuel cells with different cell parameters and allow investigation of their behaviour for any operating or design configuration. The prototype can be useful in future in studying the integration of fuel cells into distribution power systems. The proposed modular block is implemented in SIMULINK and is verified by generating model results and comparing this to benchmark results for a Ballard NEXAtrade Power module. The proposed model was also compared to another simplified model; sample results for a Ballard V PEMFC were generated for both models indicating that the developed model is more accurate in simulating the fuel cell especially at high operating current densities.
New parenteral anticoagulants in development

The therapeutic armamentarium of parenteral anticoagulants available to clinicians is mainly composed by unfractionated heparin (UFH), low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), fondaparinux, recombinant hirudins (i.e. bivalirudin, desirudin, lepirudin) and argatroban. These drugs are effective and safe for prevention and/or treatment of thromboembolic diseases but they have some drawbacks. Among other inconveniences, UFH requires regular anticoagulant monitoring as a result of variability in the anticoagulant response and there is a risk of serious heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT). LMWH, fondaparinux and recombinant hirudins are mainly cleared through the kidneys and their use in patients with severe renal insufficiency may be problematic. LMWH is only partially neutralized by protamine while fondaparinux and recombinant hirudins have no specific antidote. Novel anticoagulants in development for parenteral administration include new indirect activated factor Xa (FXa) inhibitors (idrabiotaparinux, ultra-low-molecular-weight heparins [semuloparin, RO-14], new LMWH [M118]), direct FXa inhibitors (otamixaban), direct FIIa inhibitors (flovagatran sodium, pegmusirudin, NU172, HD1-22), direct FXIa inhibitors (BMS-262084, antisense oligonucleotides targeting FXIa, clavatadine), direct FIXa inhibitors (RB-006), FVIIIa inhibitors (TB-402), FVIIa/tissue factor inhibitors (tifacogin, NAPc2, PCI-27483, BMS-593214), FVa inhibitors (drotrecogin alpha activated, ART-123) and dual thrombin/FXa inhibitors (EP217609, tanogitran). These new compounds have the potential to complement established parenteral anticoagulants. In the present review, we discuss the pharmacology of new parenteral anticoagulants, the results of clinical studies, the newly planned or ongoing clinical trials with these compounds, and their potential advantages and drawbacks over existing therapies.
Is a two‐week trial of oral prednisolone predictive of target lung function in pediatric asthma?

We used a 2‐week trial of prednisolone to determine “target” lung function for subsequent asthma therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether some children exceed their “target” forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1) on subsequent visits in the following year, and whether this is associated with particular clinical or pathological features. Children (aged 6–16 years) with difficult asthma underwent spirometry and exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) measurements before and after 2 weeks of prednisolone 40 mg/day. At the end of the course, subepithelial eosinophils and reticular basement membrane thickness were assessed. The highest FEV1 obtained in a 1‐year follow‐up was compared with the poststeroid postbronchodilator (“target”) FEV1. Four of 22 children (18%) demonstrated an increase of >9% above their “target” FEV1 during follow‐up. None of these children had been prescribed additional asthma medications. Three of 7 children with persistent airflow limitation (PAL; poststeroid postbronchodilator FEV1 <80% predicted) recorded an FEV1 >80% predicted during follow‐up. The median (interquartile range) number of subepithelial eosinophils was significantly higher in children who exceeded their target FEV1 than in children who did not (12.4 (8.5–39.9) vs. 1.4 (0.0–4.8) cells/mm2, P = 0.018). In conclusion, a 2‐week course of prednisolone is not necessarily predictive of “target” lung function. Definitions such as PAL should be regularly reviewed on individual basis. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Insight in schizophrenia: its relationship to measures of executive functions.

Lack of awareness of specific symptoms among persons with schizophrenia has not been adequately studied in the context of neuropsychological function. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether poor insight as measured by the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder is empirically related to performance measures having a known association with executive functions in a group of individuals with chronic schizophrenia. The results showed that unawareness and misattribution of negative symptoms are significantly associated with deficits in some aspects of executive functioning even after a test of general intelligence had been partialed from the analyses. We conclude that unawareness of negative symptoms is associated with executive functioning in individuals with chronic schizophrenia. Unawareness of other symptoms (i.e., positive symptoms) may reflect dysfunction in other types of neuropsychological processes, or it may reflect motivation to deceive oneself or others.
Work Environment Facilitators to the Availability of Complementary and Alternative Therapies in Perinatal Hospices

Increasingly, patients and clinicians are considering palliative care interventions during pregnancy for the maternal-fetal dyad when a life-limiting diagnosis is confirmed. Nurses are at the forefront of providing hospice and palliative care that includes planning interventions for infants nearing the end of life. However, little is known about the work environment facilitators to the availability of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies. Using a national database of perinatal hospice and palliative care providers, we describe the types of CAM therapies available and explore the influence of the nurse work environment on the availability of CAM therapies with multivariate regression analysis. This study shows that having an education environment where clinicians are trained, along with a highly educated registered nurse support staff, and a bachelor of science in nursing–educated staff was critical to the availability of CAM therapies. The clinical implications for hospice and palliative nurses caring for infants and their families are discussed.
The Pathogenesis of Trypanosoma congolense Infection in Calves. II. Anemia and Erythroid Response

The anemia caused by Trypanosoma conogolense TREU 112 in Holstein calves was of moderate severity and normochromic, macrocytic in the acute phase changing to normochromic, normocytic with chronicity. The anemia was hemolytic and responsive as shown by sharply decreased myeloid:erythroid ratio and increased mean corpuscular volume. 51Cr red cell labelling studies showed that red cell lifespan was halved in the acute phase and there was an increase in plasma volume. Surface organ counting of liver showed it to be the major site of red cell destruction. The anemia was partly dilutional as a result of the increased plasma volume and primarily hemolytic likely of a non-specific immune (innocent bystander) pathogenesis.
Toxicity of copper (11) tetraoxo sulphate to African catfish (clarias gariepinus) fingerlings

This study was carried out to determine the toxicity of copper sulphate to African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus). The range – finding test was conducted twice in order to get reliable values that could be used for the definitive test. The toxicant (copper sulphate) was introduced at varying concentrations of 10g/l, 20g/l, 30g/l and 40g/l in the first rangefinding test, while it was introduced at concentrations of 2g/l, 4g/l, 6g/l and 8g/l in the second rangefinding test. However, in the definitive test, the toxicant was introduced at varying concentrations of 0.1g/l, 0.125g/l, 0.15g/l, and 0.175g/l. From the definitive test, the Median Lethal Concentration of copper sulphate to Clarias gariepinus was found to be 0.175g/l. The study showed that Clarias gariepinus fingerling exhibited initial erratic movement, rapid opercular movement, skin discoloration and loss of reflex. Also, histopathological alterations such as the degeneration of gill and liver tissues were observed in the fish that were exposed to the toxicant. The water quality data were analyzed by subjecting them to one – way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Thus, the study indicates that copper sulphate is toxic to Clarias gariepinus fingerlings.
Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis: a prospective analysis of the incidence in patients with heart and cerebrovascular diseases

Heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis (HITT) are serious complications of heparin treatment. The incidence, as previously reported, varies widely and, in consequence, is not precisely known. Moreover, most reports only concern clinically defined heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia. Therefore we carried out a prospective study of the incidence of serologically confirmed HITT.
Prostate cancer detection with 3 T MRI: Comparison of diffusion‐weighted imaging and dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in combination with T2‐weighted imaging

To evaluate the diagnostic ability of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging (DCEI) in combination with T2‐weighted imaging (T2WI) for the detection of prostate cancer using 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with a phased‐array body coil.
Incremental contribution of reported previous head injury to the prediction of diagnosis and cognitive functioning in older adults

Background: Severe brain injuries may be a risk factor for the development of dementia in later life. Less severe incidents with relatively short or even no loss of consciousness may not carry the same prognosis. Objectives: This study used data from the first two waves of the Canadian Study of Health and Ageing (CSHA-1 and CSHA-2) to investigate two questions. (1) Does a history of head injury improve the prediction of the diagnosis of dementia? This analysis was based on the 921 elderly individuals who underwent a clinical assessment in CSHA-2 and, 5 years earlier, had reported whether or not they had had a head injury. (2) Does adding information about a history of head injury improve the prediction of neuropsychological test scores? This second analysis included 585 elderly people who underwent neuropsychological assessment in both waves and who also reported whether or not they had had a history of mild or moderate-to-severe head injury. Results: Results showed that the inclusion of head injury information did not improve the prediction of diagnostic outcome of dementia. Age and overall cognitive status were associated with most neuropsychological test scores, more so than the more limited influence of chronic health problems, which was associated with about half of the neuropsychological measures.