Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Economic outcomes of percutaneous coronary intervention with drug‐eluting stents versus bypass surgery for patients with left main or three‐vessel coronary artery disease: One‐year results from the SYNTAX trial

Objectives: To evaluate the cost‐effectiveness of alternative approaches to revascularization for patients with three‐vessel or left main coronary artery disease (CAD). Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that, despite higher initial costs, long‐term costs with bypass surgery (CABG) in multivessel CAD are similar to those for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The impact of drug‐eluting stents (DES) on these results is unknown. Methods: The SYNTAX trial randomized 1,800 patients with left main or three‐vessel CAD to either CABG (n = 897) or PCI using paclitaxel‐eluting stents (n = 903). Resource utilization data were collected prospectively for all patients, and cumulative 1‐year costs were assessed from the perspective of the U.S. healthcare system. Results: Total costs for the initial hospitalization were $5,693/patient higher with CABG, whereas follow‐up costs were $2,282/patient higher with PCI due mainly to more frequent revascularization procedures and higher outpatient medication costs. Total 1‐year costs were thus $3,590/patient higher with CABG, while quality‐adjusted life expectancy was slightly higher with PCI. Although PCI was an economically dominant strategy for the overall population, cost‐effectiveness varied considerably according to angiographic complexity. For patients with high angiographic complexity (SYNTAX score > 32), total 1‐year costs were similar for CABG and PCI, and the incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio for CABG was $43,486 per quality‐adjusted life‐year gained. Conclusions: Among patients with three‐vessel or left main CAD, PCI is an economically attractive strategy over the first year for patients with low and moderate angiographic complexity, while CABG is favored among patients with high angiographic complexity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multivalued logics: a uniform approach to reasoning in artificial intelligence

This paper describes a uniform formalization of much of the current work in artificial intelligence on inference systems. We show that many of these systems, including first‐order theorem provers, assumption‐based truth maintenance systems (atmss), and unimplemented formal systems such as default logic or circumscription, can be subsumed under a single general framework.
Early Prognostic Value of Monitoring Serum Free Light Chain in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation

ABSTRACT We hypothesized the levels of free light chains obtained before and after autologous stem cell transplantation can be useful in predicting transplantation outcome. We analyzed 70 multiple myeloma patients. Abnormal free light chain ratios before stem cell transplantation were found to be associated early progression, although without any impact on overall survival. At day +30, the normalization of levels of involved free light chain related with early progression. According to these results almost one-third reduction of free light chain levels can predict favorable prognosis after autologous stem cell transplantation.
Impact of mothers' oral hygiene knowledge and practice on oral hygiene status of their 12-year-old children: A cross-sectional study

Introduction: Ignorance regarding oral diseases and oral health can be a major cause for a high prevalence of oral diseases. Parents' attitudes have a significant positive influence on the children's oral hygiene and oral health. Objectives: To assess the mothers' oral hygiene knowledge and practice and its impact on oral hygiene status of their 12-year-old children. Materials and Methods: A total of 900 children, 12 years old and their mothers were selected by random sampling from 10 administrative wards of Mathura city. The general information and data regarding mothers' oral hygiene knowledge and practice were obtained by personal interview using a pretested questionnaire. Clinical examination of the subjects was done using oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S) for both children and mothers. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences), version 11.5 for windows. One-way ANOVA and independent t -test were used to find out the impact of mothers' oral hygiene knowledge and practice on oral hygiene status of their 12-year-old children. Results: Mothers' oral hygiene knowledge was found to have a significant impact on oral hygiene status of their 12-year-old children. There was a significant difference in mean OHI-S score of children with mothers who had poor oral hygiene knowledge (1.1650), fair oral hygiene knowledge (0.8947) and good oral hygiene knowledge (0.6431). Mothers' oral hygiene practices also had a significant impact on the oral hygiene status of their 12-year-old children. Conclusion: Mothers' oral hygiene knowledge and practice had an impact on oral hygiene status of their 12-year-old children in Mathura city.
THE TREATMENT OF PNEUMOCOCCIC PYARTHROSIS

Our purpose in writing this paper is to present in summary the records of an unusual number of patients with pneumococcic pyarthrosis treated conservatively rather than by conventional surgical methods. The patients, 11 in number, were all seen in the Cincinnati General Hospital and studied in the pneumonia laboratory of the department of medicine. INCIDENCE Purulent arthritis is generally regarded as "a rare and grave complication of pneumonia. " 1 It was found by Fabyan 2 in 1910 once among 195 cases of lobar pneumonia at autopsy. Bulkley 3 in 1914 collected from the foreign and American literature records of incidence of about 0.1 per cent in pneumonia. Cecil 4 at Bellevue Hospital recorded from 1926 to 1932 an incidence of 0.6 per cent among typed pneumonia cases. Schiff 5 reported from the Cincinnati General Hospital an incidence of 0.5 per cent in the years 1924 to 1929 among 629 cases.
Potential Reversibility of Hemiparetic Dyskinesias in Adults: Surgical Methods of Amelioration in the Lower Limb

Pre-operatively, it is frequently difficult to differentiate between the various types of abnormal tone in hemiparetic patients. In a series of four hundred patients suffering from hemiparesis secondary to cerebrovascular disease and traumatic encephalopathy, the possibility of using surgery under local anesthesia to augment the pre-operative evaluation was explored. The use of local anesthesia permitted a continuing intra-operative neurological evaluation of residual reflex and motor function after each overactive tendon was lengthened. The value of such examination was further augmented by careful observation of the patient's ability to activate the paretic agonists after each procedure. It became apparent that the individual abnormal components of spasticity, focal or unilateral dystonia, mixed spasticity/dystonia, and rigidity could be more readily identified by this kinetic approach, thus providing a more appropriate surgical means of correction. Clearly, this method produced a better functional outcome in these patients than had been reported in our earlier patients whose surgery had been performed under general anesthesia, and based solely on pre-operative evaluation. Diagnostic methods found to be most reliable in prognosis before and during surgery were those of careful grading of reflexes and the use of associated movements to augment "occult" active power in paretic agonists after selective tendon lengthening.
Stem Cells for Epidermal Melanocytes-A Challenge for Students of Dermatopathology

Many obstacles to belief in stem cells for melanocytes arise in the routine practice of cutaneous histopathology. However, the fundamental principle of stem cell theory says that normal stem cells arise during development, are present in adult organs as tissue-determined stem cells, and are little changed, if at all, from their embryonic counterparts. This paradox can be resolved by focusing on the process of epidermal melanocyte development in utero. Stem cells for melanocytes originate in the neural crest. Although much remains to be learned, this author proposes that these stem cells then take a small step to the paraspinal ganglia and then follow the axonal signposts to the skin provided in the course of normal cutaneous innervation. The epidermis may then induce these stem cells in the nerve sheath to give rise to immature dermal melanocytes, which migrate up into the epidermis. It is proposed that these melanocyte stem cells also persist after birth in the superficial nerve sheath and give rise to transient, immature, inconspicuous dermal migratory melanocytes when replacements for epidermal melanocytes are needed in postnatal skin.
Help-seeking behaviour and the Internet: An investigation among Australian adolescents

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a brief school-based intervention on help-seeking behaviour among Australian adolescents. The aim of the intervention was to encourage adolescents to seek help, focusing on the use of the Reach Out! website (www.reachout.com.au) as a help-seeking source. Male and female adolescents were compared. The evaluation involved 243 students from ten government and non-government schools across rural and regional Victoria. They received a presentation that contained information on Reach Out! , what to do if they or a friend was going through a tough time, and help-seeking options. Questionnaires assessing help-seeking knowledge, intentions, behaviour, and use of Reach Out! to seek help were administered six months following the presentations. The majority of participants, with more females than males, knew where to go for help and who they could talk to. Almost half of the participants had been to the Reach Out! website following the presentation, and approximately two-thirds reported that they would use Reach Out! to seek help if they were going through a tough time. There were no significant gender differences in visiting Reach Out! or in intending to visit it. The results demonstrate that young people in Australia are likely to use the Internet, and especially Reach Out! , to seek help when they are going through tough times.
Consumers Responses to Coupons in Direct-to-Consumer Advertising of Prescription Drugs

A study was conducted to understand the influence of coupons and consumers' level of involvement in direct-to-consumer advertising. Consumers exposed to prescription drug advertising with a coupon had significantly more favorable ad and brand-related attitudes, and intention to inquire about the drug to their doctor. However, there was no significant difference in perceived product risk between consumers exposed to the ad with a coupon and consumers exposed to the ad without a coupon. Highly involved consumers had significantly more favorable ad, brand, and coupon-related attitudes, drug inquiry intention, and perceptions about the risks associated with the drug.
Immediate postoperative thrombocytopenia following elective abdominal aortic anuerysm repair and aortic vascular surgery for occlusive disease

Ischaemia and reperfusion injury is a major problem in modern day vascular surgery. There is increased platelet adhesiveness and aggregation following aortic vascular surgery. Mortality and morbidity following aortic surgery particularly after ruptured AAA is associated with development of coagulopathy. Platelet count, white cell count, prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were monitored pre- and post-operatively in 38 patients undergoing elective aortic surgery. All patients had a fall in platelet count and all but 4 patients had a rise in white cell count. Twenty patients (38%) developed thrombocytopenia (platelet count <130×109/L, normal range in our lab 130−140×109/L). The range of changes in platelet count was not significantly related to the type of operation (p=0.3102), type of graft used (p=0.5626) or to blood transfusion (p=0.778). Six patients (16%) had systemic inflammatory response syndrome, of whom three died and two developed chest infections needing prolonged ITU care and antibiotics. These patients had a significant fall in platelet count (p=0.0243). The extent of change in platelet count and white cell count may have a prognostic value.
Long‐term results of cephalad arteries percutanoeus transluminal angioplasty with stent implantation (The CAPTAS registry)

Introduction: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has become an alternative to carotid endarterectomy. Moreover, percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) allows other cephalad arteries revascularization. The aim of this study was to evaluate late outcomes of cephalad arteries PTA. Methods: This is an international multicenter registry of 434 consecutive patients in which 497 PTAs were performed. Patients with symptomatic >50% stenosis or asymptomatic >70% stenosis were enrolled. Stenting of 577 internal carotid arteries (ICA) and 13 common carotid arteries was performed, 20.7% procedures were complex in which bilateral carotid stenoses or carotid and vertebral arteries stenoses were revascularized at one stage. In 15.9% patients, one‐stage coronary intervention was carried out. Distal protection devices were used in 69.6% of cases. PTAs were divided into high (n = 330) and low (n = 167) risk of major adverse coronary and cerebral events (MACCE). Results: At 30 days, there were 15 (3.5%) cases of MACCE [0.9% deaths, 2.1% strokes, and 0.9% myocardial infarction (MI)]. TIAs were observed in 15 (3.9%) patients. There was no significant difference in stroke incidence between procedures with or without neuroprotection (1.8 vs. 3%; P = 0.66) as well as in MACCE occurrence between high and low‐risk groups (4.3 vs. 2%; P = 0.34). Bilateral stenoses increased while hypertension decreased the risk of MACCE. Left ICA lesions increased the risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVA). At 4 years (1–11 years), the mortality rate was 11.5%, 6% of patients had stroke, and 3% MIs. Restenosis occurred in 3%. There was a trend toward higher mortality rate (13.3 vs. 6.9%; P = 0.07) and MACCE risk in high‐risk group (23.5 vs.14.7% P = 0.06). Age > 65 y.o. and stent length < 24 mm increased, while the statin therapy on admission decreased the risk of long‐term death. Structural valve disease and stent length <30 mm increased the risk of MACCE, while implantation of Acculink stent decreased the risk of CVA. Conclusions: CAS is safe and successful procedure with low early and long‐term adverse events. Special attention should be put on patients with bilateral and left ICA stenoses. If possible, longer stents should be applied. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ROBUSTNESS INSTEAD OF ACCURACY SHOULD BE THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE FOR SUBJECTIVE PATTERN RECOGNITION RESEARCH: STABILITY ANALYSIS ON MULTICANDIDATE ELECTORAL COLLEGE VERSUS DIRECT POPULAR VOTE

Subjective pattern recognition is a class of pattern recognition problems, where we not only merely know a few, if any, the strategies our brains employ in making decisions in daily life but also have only limited ideas on the standards our brains use in determining the equality/inequality among the objects. Face recognition is a typical example of such problems.
Percutaneous coronary intervention with rotational atherectomy for severely calcified unprotected left main: Immediate and two‐years follow‐up results

Introduction: According to current practice guidelines, coronary bypass surgery is the standard care option for unprotected left main (ULM) stenosis. However, a group of high surgical risk patients who are not eligible for coronary bypass surgery could benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Severe calcification hampers PCI in this setting, and rotational atherectomy (RA) could be of great help. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 40 patients with severely calcified ULM stenosis, not eligible for coronary artery bypass grafting, who underwent RA in our center. Results: Forty patients (mean age, 73 ± 8 years; 26 males) with ULM stenosis were treated with RA. Twenty‐seven (67%) had distal stenosis. The mean number of treated vessels was 2.38 ± 0.74, with a mean lesion length of 30 ± 18 mm. Abciximab was used in 12 (30%) cases and an intra‐aortic balloon pump in three cases. One patient died during the procedure and another two patients died in the first 24 hr after the procedure. The major events registered after the procedure included one significant branch loss, and two minor and one major case of bleeding (the latter requiring transfusion) at the puncture point. After a median of 24.7 (IQR 19.6–34.3) months of follow‐up, 12 cardiac deaths were recorded. Survival free of cardiac death was 71 ± 7% and clinical guided target vessel revascularization 19.3 ± 7% at 2 years. Conclusion: In a group of high surgical risk patients, RA on severely calcified left main stenosis is feasible and, in spite of high mortality rates, could pose the only possible effective treatment. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine by Chinese Individuals Living with Cancer in British Columbia

Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widely used around the world for cancer. Preliminary research indicates that cultural factors influence cancer patients decisions to use, with significant associations seen between ethnicity and prevalence and type of CAM use. To enhance a culturally-appropriate understanding of CAM use in Chinese cancer patients in BC, this study explored a sample of Chinese cancer patients to gain: (1) the general conceptualization of CAM use; (2) the meaning of CAM use in relation to cancer; (3) the patterns of CAM use prior to and after cancer diagnosis; (4) the reasons for CAM use; and (5) the socio-cultural process in making decision about CAM use. A naturalistic, descriptive study design was used that incorporated semi-structural ethnographic interviewing and qualitative data analysis. The results of this study provide insights about the pattern, reasons, meaning, as well as cultural and socioeconomic factors underpinning the use of CAM. The CAM decision-making (DM) process was found to be nonlinear and comprised of four distinct phases: fitting with the cultural belief framework/lifestyle, seeking information and clarification, evaluating the effectiveness of CAM use, and balancing the cost and benefits of CAM use.
Mental health problems in Thai immigrants in Toronto, Canada

This study presents preliminary results on the level of mental health problems in a small community of immigrants from Thailand. Data for the study were derived from a pilot survey of adult Thai immigrants living in the Greater Toronto Area in Canada. Survey data were collected from a non-probability sample of 145 adults between January and May 2009. Using a threshold of 5/6 for GHQ-28, about 14% of the sample was considered at risk for psychiatric disorder or mental health problems. Acculturative stress significantly increased risk of psychiatric disorder, whereas social support and mastery significantly lowered risk of psychiatric disorder. Participants working multiple jobs and renting an accommodation also had an increased risk of psychiatric disorder. Community-based intervention programmes that focus on developing social support and personal mastery among Thai immigrants are recommended.
Selling Health to the Distracted: Consumer Responses to Source Credibility and Ad Appeal Type in a Direct-to-Consumer Advertisement

Since 1997, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first allowed prescription drug companies to release ads directly targeting the public, direct-to-consumer (DTC) advertising has become an integral part of the pharmaceutical industry marketing toolkit, reaching over $4 billion in 2005. In an experiment where cognitive load, a task that requires the investment of a subject's memory in an unrelated task; source credibility; and advertising appeal type (affective or cognitive) were manipulated, attitude toward the ad was measured for a print DTC meningitis vaccine ad. Main effect results for source credibility and advertising appeal type on attitude toward the ad were found, and interactions between manipulated variables were apparent when the individual difference variables related to a specific illness (vaccination history, living in a dorm, family members or friends who had suffered the illness) were taken into account.
Helping With All Your Heart: Realistic Heart Stimulus and Compliance With an Organ Donation Request

Pictures and images are important aspects in fundraising advertising and could generate more donations. In two experimental studies, we examined the effect of various pictures of hearts on compliance with a request for organ donations. The solicitor wore a white tee shirt where various forms of hearts were printed: symbolic versus realistic (first experiment), none versus symbolic versus realistic (second experiment). Results showed that more compliance was found in the realistic heart experimental condition whereas the symbolic heart form had no significant effect.
Infectious diseases of the fetus and newborn infant, 6th edn

Edited by Jack S Remington, Jerome O Klein, Christopher B Wilson, Carol J Baker. Published by Elsevier, Amsterdam, 2006, £184.00 (hardback), pp 1313. ISBN 0-7216-0537-0 ! [Graphic][1] Reducing perinatal and neonatal mortality and later morbidity is one of the main aims of both obstetricians and neonatologists. In the developed world, public health initiatives such as childhood vaccination have helped to reduce the effect of infectious disease on both fetal and neonatal death and long-term morbidity. However, worldwide infectious disease still takes a major toll on pregnant women, their fetuses and children. Indeed, it has been estimated that 30–40% of neonatal deaths worldwide (totalling … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Long‐term effects on vascular healing of bare metal stents delivered via paclitaxel‐coated balloons in the porcine model of restenosis

Clinical trials have consistently demonstrated benefits of Paclitaxel‐coated balloons (PCB) in particular clinical situations such as in‐stent restenosis and peripheral vascular interventions. However, the long‐term vascular effects of bare metal stents (BMS) delivered via PCB (PCB+BMS) are still unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the long‐term effects of PCB+BMS on vascular healing and neointimal formation (NF).