Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A systems approach to the reduction of medication error on the hospital ward.

AIMS To discuss a potentially powerful approach to safer medication administration on the hospital ward, based on principles of safety developed in other high-risk industries, and consistent with recent national reports on safety in health care released in the United Kingdom (UK) and United States of America (USA). To discuss why punitive approaches to safety on the hospital ward and in the nursing literature do not work. BACKGROUND Drug administration error on the hospital ward is an ever-present problem and its occurrence is too frequent. Administering medication is probably the highest-risk task a nurse can perform, and accidents can lead to devastating consequences for the patient and for the nurse's career. Drug errors in nursing are often dealt with by unsystematic, punitive, and ineffective means, with little knowledge of the factors influencing error generation. Typically, individual nurses are simply blamed for their carelessness. By focusing on the individual, the complete set of contributing factors cannot be known. Instead, vain attempts will be made to change human behaviour - one of the most change-resistant aspects of any system. A punitive, person-centred approach therefore, severely hampers effective improvements in safety. By contrast, in other high-risk industries, such as aviation and nuclear power, the systems-centred approach to error reduction is routine. CONCLUSIONS Accidents or errors are only the tip of the incident iceberg. Through effective, nonpunitive incident reporting, which includes reports of near-misses and system problems in addition to actual accidents, the systems-approach allows the complete set of contributing factors underlying an accident to be understood and addressed. Feedback to participants and targeted improvement in the workplace is also important to demonstrate that incident data are being used appropriately, and to maintain high levels of on-going reporting and enthusiasm for the scheme. Drug administration error is a serious problem, which warrants a well-reasoned approach to its improvement.
Differences in Virological Response to Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin between Hepatitis C Virus (Hcv)-Monoinfected and HCV–Hiv-Coinfected Patients

Background Suboptimal doses of ribavirin have been suggested to explain the diminished efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) plus ribavirin in hepatitis C virus (HCV)–HIV-coinfected patients. Methods A cohort of 104 coinfected patients and an age-, sex- and genotype-matched cohort of HCV-monoinfected patients (n=104) were compared. All patients received PEG-IFN-α2a 180 μg/week plus ribavirin 800–1,200 mg daily (HCV genotype 2/3 patients received 800 mg daily and those with genotype 1/4 received 1,000–1,200 mg daily) for 48 weeks (24 weeks for monoinfected patients with genotypes 2/3). HCV RNA levels were determined qualitatively at weeks 4, 12, 24, 48 and 72 and quantified monthly until week 12. Results The coinfected cohort had more advanced liver disease and lower body weight. HCV genotype 1 patients coinfected with HIV showed higher levels of HCV RNA than monoinfected patients. A significantly higher proportion of coinfected patients interrupted the prescribed treatment period prematurely (84% versus 98%). During the first 12 weeks, smaller decreases in HCV RNA levels were observed in coinfected patients. Among patients with HCV genotype 1, coinfected patients achieved lower rates of early virological response (64% versus 87%), end-of-treatment response (47.3% versus 80%) and sustained virological response (SVR; 27.3% versus 56.4%), but not rapid virological response (RVR). HCV–HIV-coinfected patients with HCV genotype 2/3 achieved significantly lower rates of RVR (52% versus 88%). Multivariate analysis identified RVR, gender and liver fibrosis as independent predictors of SVR. Conclusions Differences in efficacy of PEG-IFN-α2a plus ribavirin treatment between HCV–HIV-coinfected and HCV-monoinfected patients were maintained despite optimized ribavirin dose.
RBC alloimmunization in blood transfusion‐dependent β‐thalassemia patients in southern Iran

β‐thalassemia is considered a severe, progressive anemia, which needs regular transfusions for life expectancy. One of the most important complications of regular blood transfusions may be alloimmunization, which increases the need for transfusion. This study was performed to investigate the production of red cell alloantibodies in β‐thalassemia patients in Shiraz, southern Iran. Blood sampling was performed among 711 β‐thalassemia patients in Dastgheib hospital in 2002–2004. Direct and indirect coombs tests were performed to check the auto and alloantibodies and a panel test was conducted to detect the type of alloantibodies. Auto and alloantibodies were observed among 1.7% and 5.3% of patients, respectively. The most common alloantibodies were Anti‐kell (50%) > Anti‐Rh (D) (15.8%) > Anti‐Rh (E) (10.5%). All the patients who had developed alloantibody were in the age group of 6 years or more. So for decreasing the rate of alloantibody synthesis, we should crossmatched the packed cells for minor blood groups especially for kell and Rh(E) in addition to major blood groups from the start of transfusion.
Sensory conduction from digit to palm and from palm to wrist in the carpal tunnel syndrome

In normal subjects the maximum and minimum conduction velocity along sensory nerve was the same from digit to palm and from palm to wrist. Severe slowing from palm to wrist in patients with the carpal tunnel syndrome was often associated with only slight slowing from digit to palm. The distal slowing is attributed to a reversible constriction of nerve fibres, an assumption supported by the recovery in distal conduction velocity as early as two and a half months after decompression. The sensory velocity from wrist to elbow was normal or supernormal, whereas the motor velocity was often slightly decreased. The exclusion of the normal segment of the median nerve distal to the flexor retinaculum made it possible to demonstrate abnormalities across the flexor retinaculum in patients with clinical signs of carpal tunnel syndrome in whom distal motor latency and sensory conduction from digit to wrist were normal.
Abbreviation Expansion in Swedish Clinical Text : Using Distributional Semantic Models and Levenshtein Distance Normalization

In the medical domain, especially in clinical texts, non-standard abbreviations are prevalent, which impairs readability for patients. To ease the understanding of the physicians' notes, abbreviations need to be identified and expanded into their original forms. This thesis presents a distributional semantic approach to find candidates of the original form of the abbreviation, which is combined with Levenshtein distance to choose the correct candidate among the semantically related words. The method is applied to radiology reports and medical journal texts, and a comparison is made to general Swedish. The results show that the correct expansion of the abbreviation can be found in 40% of the cases, an improvement by 24 percentage points compared to the baseline (0.16), and an increase by 22 percentage points compared to using word space models alone (0.18).
Alphavirus budding is dependent on the interaction between the nucleocapsid and hydrophobic amino acids on the cytoplasmic domain of the E2 envelope glycoprotein.

The interaction between the nucleocapsid core and the glycoprotein spikes is a critical component in the budding process of alphaviruses. A molecular model was previously proposed which suggested that this interaction was mediated by the binding of the cytoplasmic domain of glycoprotein E2 into a hydrophobic pocket found on the surface of the nucleocapsid protein [S. Lee, K. E. Owen, H. -K. Choi, H. Lee, G. Lu, G. Wengler, D. T. Brown, M. G. Rossmann, and R. J. Kuhn (1996) Structure 4, 531-541; U. Skoging, M. Vihinen, L. Nilsson, and P. Liljeström (1996) Structure 4, 519-529]. Two hydrophobic amino acids in the cytoplasmic domain of E2 were predicted to be important in the contact between the proteins. One of the residues, Y400 (Sindbis virus numbering), had previously been shown by mutational studies to be important in the budding of Semliki Forest virus [H. Zhao, B. Lindqvist, H. Garoff, C. H. von Bonsdorf, and P. Liljeström (1994) EMBO J. 13, 4204-4211]. The role of the second residue, L402, had not been examined. By creating a panel of amino acid substitutions at this residue, followed by phenotypic analysis of rescued mutant viruses, we now show that L402 is critical for the production of Sindbis virus. Substitutions at this amino acid inhibit budding, and the data suggest the L402 plays an important role in the interaction, between the glycoprotein and the nucleocapsid core. These data support the model and suggest that the proposed molecular interactions are important for the budding of alphaviruses from the cell.
Vascular endothelial growth factor enhances venous thrombus recanalisation and organisation

Summary Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a regulator of physiological and pathological angiogenesis and is found in naturally resolving experimental venous thrombi, where it may also regulate recanalisation. In this study VEGF protein was injected into venous thrombi to determine if this enhanced recanalisation and organisation. A rat model of inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis was used. Thrombi were formed in 3 groups (n = 3 per group). 10 μl 125I-VEGF was directly injected into thrombus thirty minutes after induction. Three hours, 1 day and 6 days later thrombus, IVC, and other tissues were harvested. 125I-VEGF was mostly distributed in the thrombus and the IVC, with smaller amounts in other tissues. Thrombi were formed in a further 4 groups (n = 6 per group). Thirty minutes after induction control solution or 1 ng, 10 ng or 100 ng recombinant human VEGF165 was injected directly into the thrombus. Lumen recanalisation, thrombus organisation and monocyte content were measured on digitised sections by image analysis. In animals treated with 10 ng of VEGF there was a greater area of lumen recanalisation [mean 5492 pixels, standard error of mean (sem) 922] compared to controls (mean 2974, sem 385) (P = 0.005). There was a significant increase in the organisation score in all treated animals (1 ng: mean 70, sem 1.7, P = 0.0025; 10 ng: mean 70, sem 2.0, P = 0.0042; 100 ng: mean 72, sem 1.9, P = 0.0003) compared to controls (mean 63, sem 1.7). The monocyte content was lower in the animals treated with 1 ng VEGF (mean 3.8% of thrombus area, sem 0.3%) compared to controls (mean 5.5%, sem 0.4%) (P = 0.0008). The proportion of monocytes migrating to the centre of the thrombus increased in a dose-related manner. VEGF may prove to be of use in the treatment of venous thrombosis.
Fusing Functional MRI and Diffusion Tensor Imaging Measures of Brain Function and Structure to Predict Working Memory and Processing Speed Performance among Inter-episode Bipolar Patients

Abstract Evidence for abnormal brain function as measured with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and cognitive dysfunction have been observed in inter-episode bipolar disorder (BD) patients. We aimed to create a joint statistical model of white matter integrity and functional response measures in explaining differences in working memory and processing speed among BD patients. Medicated inter-episode BD (n=26; age=45.2±10.1 years) and healthy comparison (HC; n=36; age=46.3±11.5 years) participants completed 51-direction DTI and fMRI while performing a working memory task. Participants also completed a processing speed test. Tract-based spatial statistics identified common white matter tracts where fractional anisotropy was calculated from atlas-defined regions of interest. Brain responses within regions of interest activation clusters were also calculated. Least angle regression was used to fuse fMRI and DTI data to select the best joint neuroimaging predictors of cognitive performance for each group. While there was overlap between groups in which regions were most related to cognitive performance, some relationships differed between groups. For working memory accuracy, BD-specific predictors included bilateral dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from fMRI, splenium of the corpus callosum, left uncinate fasciculus, and bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculi from DTI. For processing speed, the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum and right superior longitudinal fasciculus from DTI were significant predictors of cognitive performance selectively for BD patients. BD patients demonstrated unique brain-cognition relationships compared to HC. These findings are a first step in discovering how interactions of structural and functional brain abnormalities contribute to cognitive impairments in BD. (JINS, 2015, 21, 330–341)
Adhesion testing with the microtensile method: effects of dental substrate and adhesive system on bond strength measurements.

PURPOSE To evaluate the bond strength of a self-etching primer (SE, Clearfil SE Bond) and a one-bottle adhesive system (EX, Excite) on enamel and dentin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-eight sound human molars were used. The teeth were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7): SE applied to enamel (SE-E); SE applied to dentin (SE-D); EX applied to enamel (EX-E); EX applied to dentin (EX-D). A resin (Tetric Ceram) block of approximately 5 x 5 x 5 mm was built up on the tooth and cured for 40 s. After 24 h, samples were obtained by cutting along the x and y axis of the tooth. Stick-shaped samples of approximately 0.8 mm2 cross-sectional area were obtained. The sticks underwent microtensile testing. RESULTS The tensile bond strength (MPa) values of the test groups were: SE-E, 38.9 (+/- 4.8); SE-D, 44.5 (+/- 7.7); EX-E, 45.8 (+/- 4.7); EX-D, 42.9 (+/- 7.1). These values were not statistically significantly different. CONCLUSION The null hypothesis was accepted that there is no difference between the self-etching primer and the one-bottle adhesive tested here. In addition, the bonding conditions provided by either bonding material on enamel were not significantly more favorable than on dentin. The majority of the specimens failed adhesively under load.
Motivators, concerns, and barriers to adoption of preexposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among gay and bisexual men in HIV-serodiscordant male relationships

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify factors that may facilitate or impede future adoption of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention among gay and bisexual men in HIV−serodiscordant relationships. This qualitative study utilized semistructured interviews conducted with a multiracial/-ethnic sample of 25 gay and bisexual HIV−serodiscordant male couples (n=50 individuals) recruited from community settings in Los Angeles, CA. A modified grounded theory approach was employed to identify major themes relating to future adoption of PrEP for HIV prevention. Motivators for adoption included protection against HIV infection, less concern and fear regarding HIV transmission, the opportunity to engage in unprotected sex, and endorsements of PrEP's effectiveness. Concerns and barriers to adoption included the cost of PrEP, short- and long-term side effects, adverse effects of intermittent use or discontinuing PrEP, and accessibility of PrEP. The findings suggest the need for a carefully planned implementation program along with educational and counseling interventions in the dissemination of an effective PrEP agent.
The best linear approximation of nonlinear systems operating in feedback

In the literature the best linear approximation (BLA) has been defined and studied for nonlinear systems operating in open loop. The difficulty of the closed loop configuration is that the nonlinear distortions also perturb the input via the feedback loop. These input distortions bias the estimate of the BLA. To handle this problem we introduce a generalized definition of the BLA that is valid for nonlinear systems operating in feedback. The classical definition for open loop systems follows as a special case. A measurement procedure is proposed and illustrated on open loop gain measurements of an operational amplifier.
Colesevelam HCl: a non-systemic lipidaltering drug

Colesevelam HCl (WelChol®, Sankyo Pharmaceuticals Inc.) is a bile acid sequestrant polymer, which has been shown to significantly lower low density lipoprotein cholesterol and favourably affect high-density lipoprotein cholesterol blood levels in monotherapy and in combination with statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors). Although it is similar to other bile acid sequestrants in that it binds bile acids and is non-systemic, colesevelam HCl differs in that it has a unique polymer structure that allows for greater tolerability with less potential drug interactions than with resins. Currently, statins are the most commonly prescribed lipid-altering drugs. However, it is not uncommon that patients demonstrate true or perceived intolerances to statin therapy, that are often dose-related and may include elevations in liver or muscle enzyme blood levels, or myalgias or muscle weakness without muscle enzyme elevation. In rare circumstances, myopathy and even rhabdomyolysis can occur with statins. In addition, many statins also have important potential drug interactions. Finally, statin monotherapy is often not sufficient in achieving lipid treatment goals in many severely dyslipidaemic patients and the availability of colesevelam HCl provides a lipid-altering treatment addition to other lipid-altering drugs. From a clinical perspective, such combination therapy is often required to achieve treatment goals [1] in patients with more complicated or severe dyslipidaemia. Colesevelam HCl may also be an alternative in monotherapy for many patients with mild-to-moderate hypercholesterolaemia, as well as in some patients at potential risk from systemic exposure to alternative lipid-altering drugs (such as young children and fertile women).
Vibrational and rotational CARS measurements of nitrogen in afterglow of streamer discharge in atmospheric pressure fuel/air mixtures

The use of nonequilibrium plasma generated by nanosecond discharges to ignite fuel/air mixtures, known as transient plasma ignition (TPI), has been shown to effectively reduce ignition delay and improve engine performance relative to spark ignition for combustion engines. While this method is potentially useful for many engine applications, at present the underlying physics are poorly understood. This work uses coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) to measure the rotational and vibrational excitation of nitrogen molecules in the discharge afterglow in a variety of fuel/air mixtures outside the limits of combustion in order to elucidate the thermal behaviour of TPI. The time evolution of relative populations of vibrationally excited states of nitrogen in the electronic ground state are reported for each gas mixture; it is shown that generation of these vibrationally excited states is inefficient during the discharge in air but that generation occurs at a high rate roughly 5 µs following the discharge; with the addition of fuels vibrationally excited states are observed during the discharge but an increase in population is still seen at 5 µs. Possible mechanisms for this behaviour are discussed. In addition, rotational temperature increases of at least 500 K are reported for all gas mixtures. The effect of this temperature increase on ignition, reaction rates, and thermal energy pathways are discussed.
EFFECTS OF ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT IRRADIATION ON THE ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES OF DNA MOLECULAR WIRES

OF THE THESIS Effects of Ultraviolet Light Irradiation on the Electrical Properties of DNA Molecular Wires by James Chi Masters of Science in Bioengineering: Biomechanics San Diego State University, 2014 Fabrication process for nanotechnology is approaching the barriers set by the fundamental laws of physics. Alternative technologies for implementing long term molecular wires in electronics such as deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) continue to be pursued. Specifically, this thesis recorded the electrical properties of double-stranded λ-DNA during exposure of ultraviolet (UV) light. Various researches have confirmed that DNA undergoes a biochemical change when exposed to UV light. Further insight showed that the primarily damages occurred by the creation of cyclobutane pyridimine dimers (CPDs). This will likely induce a change in the electrical conductivity of the system. In this research, DNA is suspended between two 3dimensional microelectrodes, separated by a 10 micron gap, fabricated using negative lithography. Afterwards, separate samples were either exposed to UV-C (254 nm) or UV-B (365 nm) light at 0.6 Joules/cm 2 intervals. Experimental results showed that electrical conductivity decreased dependent on the amount of UV irradiation absorbed by the DNA. Also, UV-C light produced a quicker response than UV-B light. Additionally, oversaturation of UV light energy will eventually cause the DNA wire to dissociate. The nature of molecular charge transport mechanisms in DNA postulates multiple responses from various researchers. However, the specificity of UV light damage on the structure of DNA provided a unique experiment that helped test certain postulations. This thesis will mainly discuss charge hopping and tunneling mechanism and its application after UV light radiation.
Isolated Limb Perfusion for Local Gene Delivery: Efficient and Targeted Adenovirus-Mediated Gene Transfer Into Soft Tissue Sarcomas

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential of isolated limb perfusion (ILP) for efficient and tumor-specific adenovirus-mediated gene transfer in sarcoma-bearing rats. Summary Background DataA major concern in adenovirus-mediated gene therapy in cancer is the transfer of genes to organs other than the tumor, especially organs with a rapid cell turnover. Adjustment of the vector delivery route might be an option creating tumor specificity in therapeutic gene expression. MethodsRat hind limb sarcomas (5–10 mm) were transfected with recombinant adenoviruses. Intratumoral luciferase expression after ILP was compared with systemic administration, regional infusion, or intratumoral injection using a similar dose of adenoviruses carrying the luciferase marker gene. Localization studies using lacZ as a marker gene were performed to evaluate the intratumoral distribution of transfected cells after both ILP and intratumoral injection. ResultsIntratumoral luciferase activity after ILP or intratumoral administration was significantly higher compared with regional infusion or systemic administration. After ILP, luciferase gene expression was minimal in extratumoral organs, whether outside or inside the isolated circuit. Localization studies demonstrated that transfection was confined to tumor cells lying along the needle track after intratumoral injection, whereas after ILP, lacZ expression was found in viable tumor cells and in the tumor-associated vasculature. ConclusionsUsing ILP, efficient and tumor-specific gene transfection can be achieved. The ILP technique might be useful for the delivery of recombinant adenoviruses carrying therapeutic gene constructs to enhance tumor control.