Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiologic malpractice litigation risk in Italy: an observational study over a 14-year period.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to assess the risk of medical malpractice litigation for Italian radiologists, compared with the corresponding data in the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS The insurance claims of Italian radiologists over the 1993-2006 period were anonymously assessed and classified according to the cause of the claim. RESULTS A total of 1,424 claims were filed during the examined period, with most claims being filed at a considerable time interval after the event (up to 10 years). The resulting incidence may be estimated as 44.2 cases per 1,000, meaning that 44% of Italian radiologists have received, or will receive, summons regarding their professional activity during the past 10 years. CONCLUSION The risk of medical malpractice litigation for Italian radiologists is by now comparable to that for American radiologists. Comparison with previous data concerning the same study population shows that the diagnostic errors category has surpassed all other error categories (nondiagnostic errors) and that, within the diagnostic errors category, claims for allegedly missed cancer have surpassed claims for allegedly missed bone abnormalities. Among missed diagnosis claims, the maximum increase concerned mammograms. Strict adherence to radiologic standards and radiotherapy protocols may be a means of reducing the risk of legal action and obviating litigation.
Health-Related Quality of Life and Utility in Patients with Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Prospective Cross-Sectional Patient Survey in a Real-World Setting

Background: Non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has a significant impact on patients’ health-related quality of life (HRQOL). This study aimed to measure health state utility values representing the individual’s preferences for specific health-related outcomes in advanced NSCLC patients and to assess predictive parameters. Methods: We conducted a prospective quality-of-life survey on advanced NSCLC patients in 25 hospitals in Europe, Canada, Australia, and Turkey. HRQOL was assessed using the EuroQol (EQ-5D) questionnaire and EQ-5D utility and EQ-visual analog (EQ-VAS) scores were estimated. Results: Three hundred nineteen patients were recruited of which 263 had evaluable data. Mean utility for progression-free (PF) patients on first-, second-, and third-/fourth-line treatment was 0.71 (SD = 0.24), 0.74 (SD = 0.18), and 0.62 (SD = 0.29), respectively. Mean utility for patients with progressive disease (PD) while on first-, second- and third-/fourth-line treatment was 0.67 (SD = 0.2), 0.59 (SD = 0.34), and 0.46 (SD = 0.38), respectively. Overall, patients with PD had lower mean utility scores than PF patients (0.58 versus 0.70). The results of the EQ-VAS showed that the score decreased with later treatment lines. Patients with PD had a 10-point decrease in VAS scores compared with PF patients (53.7 versus 66.6). The regression analysis revealed that stage IV disease, higher lines of treatment, and health state were significant predictors of utility at the 10% level. Conclusion: The results presented indicate a substantial impact of lung cancer on patients’ HRQOL, with stage IV disease, line of treatment, and PD, resulting in considerable deterioration of utility. The values obtained here will inform evaluations of cost-utility for NSCLC therapies.
A Classification and Prediction Model for Student's Performance in University Level

Educational Data Mining is a new discipline, focusing on studying the methods and creating models to utilize educational data, using those methods to better understand students and their performance. We implemented two different techniques on our dataset; classification used to build a prediction model and association rules were used to find interesting hidden information in the student's records. This study will help the student's to determine their direction and improve when necessary to cope up with their studies. It also provide a great tool to predict and evaluate those students who need attention and correction actions and find out any deviation before it happen and become a decrease in performance and reduce failure rate.
Deposited in DRO : 30 October 2014 Version of attached le : Accepted Version Peer-review status of attached

Installed capacities of distributed generation are projected to increase substantially in Great Britain and many other power systems. This paper will discuss the definition of capacity value of DG arising from its ability to support additional demand without the need for new network capacity, in analogy with the definition of Effective Load Carrying Capability (ELCC) at transmission level. This calculated ELCC depends on the precise detail of its definition; in particular in a demand group fed by a pair of circuits where the double outage state dominates the calculated reliability index, the ELCC will be very small unless the generator can run in islanded mode. Finally, requirements for use in practical planning studies and development of formal planning standards will be discussed.
Phenotypic impact of HIV reverse transcriptase M184I/V mutations in combination with single thymidine analog mutations on nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor resistance

Objectives: To analyse the impact of the M184I/V mutation and individual thymidine-associated mutations (TAM) on nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) phenotypic susceptibility and compare these results with those obtained using commercial and public algorithms. Design: An HIV genotypic/phenotypic database with over 27 000 samples was used to obtain the median fold change (5–95th percentile) in NRTI phenotypic susceptibility for viruses from patients containing individual TAM with or without the M184I or V mutation and for wild-type patient viruses. Results: The resulting data indicated that in vitro, individual TAM do not have an equivalent impact on NRTI resistance, with some individual TAM having little or no impact on NRTI resistance (e.g. M41L or K219Q/E/H/R). In the presence of the M184I/V mutation, re-sensitization to some drugs, including zidovudine, stavudine and tenofovir was observed despite the presence of a TAM. For didanosine and abacavir, the presence of the M184V mutation and a single TAM did not result in a fold-change increase associated with decreased drug susceptibility. Analysis of public and commercial algorithms revealed a lack of concordance regarding the impact of these mutations, and with the observed phenotypic data. Conclusion: These analyses should assist in the creation of rules for genotypic drug resistance algorithms for a better reflection of the impact of individual TAM and also the impact of M184I/V on resistance. These data provide additional evidence that retaining lamivudine in those treatment regimens in which TAM can be selected may provide some therapeutic benefit by maintaining the M184V mutation.
Crystallized nano-sized alpha-tricalcium phosphate from amorphous calcium phosphate: microstructure, cementation and cell response

New insight on the conversion of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) to nano-sized alpha tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) provides a faster pathway to calcium phosphate bone cements. In this work, synthesized ACP powders were treated with either water or ethanol, dried, crystallized between 700 and 800 °C, and then cooled at different cooling rates. Particle size was measured in a scanning electron microscope, but crystallite size calculated by Rietveld analysis. Phase composition and bonding in the crystallized powder was assessed by x-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that 50 nm sized α-TCP formed after crystallization of lyophilized powders. Water treated ACP retained an unstable state that may allow ordering to nanoapatite, and further transition to β-TCP after crystallization and subsequent decomposition. Powders treated with ethanol, favoured the formation of pure α-TCP. Faster cooling limited the growth of β-TCP. Both the initial contact with water and the cooling rate after crystallization dictated β-TCP formation. Nano-sized α-TCP reacted faster with water to an apatite bone cement than conventionally prepared α-TCP. Water treated and freeze-dried powders showed faster apatite cement formation compared to ethanol treated powders. Good biocompatibility was found in pure α-TCP nanoparticles made from ethanol treatment and with a larger crystallite size. This is the first report of pure α-TCP nanoparticles with a reactivity that has not required additional milling to cause cementation.
State long term care ombudsman programs: factors associated with perceived effectiveness.

PURPOSE This article reports findings from a nationwide study on factors associated with the perceived effectiveness of state Long Term Care Ombudsman Programs (LTCOPs). DESIGN AND METHODS Researchers conducted telephone interviews with ombudsmen from the 50 state programs as well as from Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico. Data from the National Ombudsman Reporting System were incorporated into the study, and statistical tests analyze associations between self-rated program effectiveness and adequacy of resources, organizational placement-autonomy, interorganizational relationships, and other variables. RESULTS Several factors limit the perceived effectiveness of state LTCOPs, including insufficient funding and insufficient LTCOP autonomy caused by organizational placement. Despite these problem areas, state ombudsmen report that their programs meet statutorily mandated requirements with varying degrees of effectiveness. Findings show significant positive associations between program funding and paid and volunteer staff levels and between the ratio of long-term care beds per ombudsman and the percentage of nursing facilities visited. Sufficient funding is positively associated with perceived effectiveness of work with nursing facilities. IMPLICATIONS Sufficient resources, sufficient organizational autonomy, and a supportive political and social environment are key elements in achieving varying types of perceived effectiveness in the state LTCOPs. Research is needed to extend this work to local ombudsman programs and to compare self-rated effectiveness with other outcome measures.
Relationship of plasma volume to sympathetic tone in nulliparous women.

OBJECTIVE We sought to determine whether resting supine plasma volume is related to sympathetic tone in healthy young nulligravid normotensive women. STUDY DESIGN Forty women were examined in the midfollicular phase. Alpha-adrenergic tone was estimated by an examination of the late phase II blood pressure response to the Valsalva maneuver. Resting heart rate was examined to evaluate the balance of sympathetic and parasympathetic input. Plasma catecholamines were measured during supine rest. Plasma volume was estimated by Evans blue dilution. RESULTS Plasma volume corrected for body surface area was correlated inversely to late phase II blood pressure response to the Valsalva maneuver (r = -0.31, P <.05) and was correlated directly to the cardiac R-R interval (r = 0.41, P <.01). There was no relationship of plasma volume corrected for body surface area to mean arterial pressure (r = -0.13, P not significant). We found no significant relationship of plasma epinephrine concentration (r = -0.05, P =.76) or plasma norepinephrine (r = -0.09, P =.60) with plasma volume corrected for body surface area. CONCLUSION We conclude that plasma volume is related inversely to both an estimate of alpha-adrenergic activation and heart rate. These findings are consistent with an adaptive physiologic response that is aimed at the maintenance of blood pressure in the face of reduced plasma volume.
Cytomegalovirus colitis mimicking a colonic neoplasm or ischemic colitis 4 years after heart transplantation.

BACKGROUND Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis is a polymorphous disease presenting in immunodepressed patients in a variety of clinical forms that can delay diagnosis and therapy. We report the case of a patient who presented with abdominal pain 4 years after heart transplantation; clinical and x-ray findings were suggestive of a neoplastic or ischemic stenosis, and histopathological examination likewise initially suggested an ischemic etiology. METHODS Tissue samples were fixed in 10% formaldehyde, embedded in paraffin, cut, and stained with hematoxylin/eosin and periodic acid-Schiff-Alcian Blue. Immunohistochemistry with monoclonal antibodies was performed using an indirect immunoperoxidase method. RESULTS CMV colitis was eventually diagnosed and resolved with surgery and specific anti-CMV therapy. CONCLUSIONS CMV colitis should be suspected in any heart transplant patient with signs or symptoms of abdominal pathology, even without classical signs or symptoms of CMV infection. If stenotic lesions are present, surgery may be required not only to remove the obstruction but also to rule out malignancy.
Primary muscle lymphoma: clinical and imaging findings.

PURPOSE To assess the clinical and imaging findings in primary muscle lymphoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seven patients with biopsy-proved primary muscle lymphoma without evidence of systemic disease underwent imaging with plain radiography or computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Four underwent bone scintigraphy, and two underwent gallium scintigraphy and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) before and after therapy. RESULTS Plain radiographs at initial examination (n = 5) showed no bone abnormalities. Soft-tissue masses and bone marrow involvement showed isoattenuation at CT (n = 3), but at MR imaging (n = 7), all masses demonstrated increased signal intensity on T2-weighted images that involved multiple muscle compartments and typically spanned a long segment of the extremity. Adjacent bone disease was less extensive than muscle disease, and, in most cases, subcutaneous stranding or extension was observed adjacent to the masses. Good size correlation was observed between findings at MR imaging, gallium scintigraphy, and FDG PET. Two patients developed recurrent multifocal muscle lymphoma several years after initial examination. CONCLUSION The presence of an extensive soft-tissue mass with infiltration of adjacent subcutaneous fat and minimal or no extension into the bone marrow cavity at MR imaging and normal plain radiographic findings may suggest primary muscle lymphoma.
The usefulness of a daily pain management diary for outpatients with cancer-related pain.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To describe the usefulness of daily pain management diaries to outpatients with cancer who participated in a randomized clinical trial of the PRO-SELF Pain Control Program. DESIGN Randomized clinical trial in which a daily pain management diary was used for data collection in the control group and for data collection and nurse coaching regarding the pain management program in the intervention group. SETTING Seven outpatient oncology settings. SAMPLE 155 patients with pain from bone metastases and 90 family caregivers. METHODS Content and statistical analysis of audiotaped answers to a semistructured questionnaire. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Patients' and family caregivers' perceptions of the usefulness of a daily pain management diary; specific ways in which the diary was used. FINDINGS Patients in both the intervention (75%) and control groups (73%) found the diary useful. The diary was used to heighten awareness of pain, guide pain management behavior, enhance a sense of control, and facilitate communication. Family caregivers in both groups also reported that the diary was useful. CONCLUSIONS The completion of a daily pain management diary is useful to patients and family caregivers and may function as an intervention for self-care. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Research-based evidence supports the importance of using a daily pain management diary in clinical practice.
Increased IL‐17A secretion in response to Candida albicans in autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 and its animal model

Autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type 1 (APS‐1) is a multiorgan autoimmune disease caused by mutations in the autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene. Chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, hypoparathyroidism and adrenal failure are hallmarks of the disease. The critical mechanisms causing chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis in APS‐1 patients have not been identified although autoantibodies to cytokines are implicated in the pathogenesis. To investigate whether the Th reactivity to Candida albicans (C. albicans) and other stimuli was altered, we isolated PBMC from APS‐1 patients and matched healthy controls. The Th17 pathway was upregulated in response to C. albicans in APS‐1 patients, whereas the IL‐22 secretion was reduced. Autoantibodies against IL‐22, IL‐17A and IL‐17F were detected in sera from APS‐1 patients by immunoprecipitation. In addition, Aire‐deficient (Aire0/0) mice were much more susceptible than Aire+/+ mice to mucosal candidiasis and C. albicans‐induced Th17‐ and Th1‐cell responses were increased in Aire0/0 mice. Thus an excessive IL‐17A reactivity towards C. albicans was observed in APS‐1 patients and Aire0/0 mice.
Arterial oxygen saturation during general anaesthesia for paediatric dental extractions

Arterial oxygen saturation (Sao2) was measured in 50 healthy children undergoing dental extractions under general anaesthesia. An inhalational anaesthetic technique was employed, with an inspired oxygen concentration of 33%. There were decreases in Sao2 of greater than 5% of the baseline value in 70% of patients, and greater than 10% in 26% of patients. The majority of these decreases were associated with teeth extractions or during placement of dental prop and pack. Non‐Caucasion children showed a significantly (p < 0.05) greater maximum decrease in Sao, from baseline value compared to Caucasian children. The maximum decreases in Sao2 from baseline value in children anaesthetised by supervised dental students, and in children whose extractions were performed by dental students, were significantly (p < 0.05) greater than in children whose anaesthetic and surgery were performed by members of staff.
The sulphonylurea receptor SUR1 regulates ATP‐sensitive mouse Kir6.2 K+ channels linked to the green fluorescent protein in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293)

1 Using a chimeric protein comprising the green fluorescent protein (GFP) linked to the C‐terminus of the K+ channel protein mouse Kir6.2 (Kir6.2‐C‐GFP), the interactions between the sulphonylurea receptor SUR1 and Kir6.2 were investigated in transfected human embryonic kidney cells (HEK 293) by combined imaging and patch clamp techniques. 2 HEK 293 cells transfected with mouse Kir6.2‐C‐GFP and wild‐type Kir6.2 exhibited functional K+ channels independently of SUR1. These channels were inhibited by ATP (IC50= 150 μM), but were not responsive to stimulation by ADP or inhibition by sulphonylureas. Typically, 15 ± 7 active channels were found in an excised patch. 3 The distribution of Kir6.2‐C‐GFP protein was investigated by imaging of GFP fluorescence. There was a lamellar pattern of fluorescence labelling inside the cytoplasm (presumably associated with the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus) and intense punctate labelling near the cell membrane, but little fluorescence was associated with the plasma membrane. 4 In contrast, cells co‐transfected with Kir6.2‐C‐GFP and SUR1 exhibited intense uniform plasma membrane labelling, and the lamellar and punctate labelling seen without SUR1 was no longer prominent. 5 In cells co‐transfected with Kir6.2‐C‐GFP and SUR1, strong membrane labelling was associated with very high channel activity, with 484 ± 311 active channels per excised patch. These K+ channels were sensitive to inhibition by ATP (IC50= 17 μM), stimulated by ADP and inhibited by sulphonylureas. 6 We conclude that co‐expression of SUR1 and Kir6.2 generates channels with the properties of native KATP channels. In addition, SUR1 promotes uniform insertion of Kir6.2‐C‐GFP into the plasma membrane and a 35‐fold increase in channel activity, suggesting that SUR1 facilitates protein trafficking of Kir6.2 into the plasma membrane.
Livestock greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation potential in Europe

The livestock sector contributes considerably to global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Here, for the year 2007 we examined GHG emissions in the EU27 livestock sector and estimated GHG emissions from production and consumption of livestock products; including imports, exports and wastage. We also reviewed available mitigation options and estimated their potential. The focus of this review is on the beef and dairy sector since these contribute 60% of all livestock production emissions. Particular attention is paid to the role of land use and land use change (LULUC) and carbon sequestration in grasslands. GHG emissions of all livestock products amount to between 630 and 863 Mt CO2e, or 12–17% of total EU27 GHG emissions in 2007. The highest emissions aside from production, originate from LULUC, followed by emissions from wasted food. The total GHG mitigation potential from the livestock sector in Europe is between 101 and 377 Mt CO2e equivalent to between 12 and 61% of total EU27 livestock sector emissions in 2007. A reduction in food waste and consumption of livestock products linked with reduced production, are the most effective mitigation options, and if encouraged, would also deliver environmental and human health benefits. Production of beef and dairy on grassland, as opposed to intensive grain fed production, can be associated with a reduction in GHG emissions depending on actual LULUC emissions. This could be promoted on rough grazing land where appropriate.
Measurement of antibodies to herpesvirus types 1 and 2 in human sera.

When varying dilutions of human sera were mixed with constant amounts of the two types of herpesvirus, it was observed that either type 1 virus was neutralized at a greater serum dilution than type 2, type 2 was neutralized at a greater serum dilution than type 1, or the two types were neutralized equally well. The relative antibody titer of type 2 virus to type 1 virus was found to correlate with the location of herpetic lesions experienced by the patients. When the ratio was expressed as an index (II/I index), sera from persons with oral herpesvirus type 1 infections, for the most part, yielded values of less than 85 whereas sera from persons with genital herpesvirus type 2 infections yielded values of 85 or greater. The same relationship was demonstrated using either the plaque-reduction or the microneutralization test. The plaque-reduction test, microneutralization test and neutralization kinetics test were compared by analyzing a group of sera for herpesvirus type 2 antibodies by all three methods. There was agreement between the three methods in 83% to 89% of the determinations. Thus antibodies to the two herpesviruses can be quantitated in the same serum by neutralization techniques employing varying serum dilutions and a constant amount of virus, and the same antibody activity is measured as in the neutralization kinetics test.