Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation Between COPD And Echocardiographic Features With Severity Of Disease.

Background & Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the most common cause of secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH). PH secondary to COPD is associated with a worse prognosis of the disease, a low quality of life, as well as with a higher exacerbation frequency, and consequently with an increase in the healthcare cost of COPD patients. Objective is to assess the cardiac changes secondary to COPD by echocardiography and to find out the correlation between echocardiographic findings and severity of COPD, if there is any Methodology: A total 100 of patients of COPD were selected and staged by pulmonary function test (PFT) and evaluated by echocardiography. Results: On echocardiographic evaluation of COPD, 55% cases had normal echocardiographic parameters. Measurable tricuspid regurgitation (TR) was observed in 24/35 cases (67.5%). Pulmonary hypertension (PH), which is defined as systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP)> 30 mmHg was observed in 15/25 (63%) cases in which prevalence of mild, moderate, and severe PH were 10/17 (58.82%), 3/16 (23.53%), and 3/17 (17.65%), respectively. The frequencies of PH in mild, moderate, severe, and very severe COPD were 16.67%, 54.55%, 60.00%, and 83.33%, respectively. Right atrial pressure was 10 mmHg in 82.5% cases and 15 mmHg in 17.5% cases. Cor pulmonale was observed in 7/17 (41.17%) cases; 7.50% cases had left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction and 47.5% cases had evidence of LV diastolic dysfunction defined as A ≥ E (peak mitral flow velocity of the early rapid filling wave (E), peak velocity of the late filling wave caused by atrial contraction (A) on mitral valve tracing) Left ventricle hypertrophy was found in 22.5% cases. Conclusion: Prevalence of PH has a linear relationship with severity of COPD and severe PH is almost associated with cor pulmonale. Echocardiography helps in early detection of cardiac complications in COPD cases giving time for early interventions. [Gupta R NJIRM 2016; 7(1):26-30]
New On-Chip Nanomechanical Testing Laboratory - Applications to Aluminum and Polysilicon Thin Films

The measurement of the mechanical properties of materials with submicrometer dimensions is extremely challenging, from the preparation and manipulation of specimens to the application of small loads and extraction of accurate stresses and strains. A new on-chip nanomechanical testing concept has been developed in order to measure the mechanical properties of submicrometer freestanding thin films allowing various loading configurations and specimen geometries. The basic idea is to use internal stress present in one film to provide the actuation for deforming another film attached to the first film on one side and to the substrate on the other side. The measurement of the displacement resulting from the release of both films gives access to the stress and the strain applied to the test specimen provided the Young's modulus and mismatch strain of the actuator film are known. Classical microelectromechanical-systems-based microfabrication procedures are used to pattern the test structures and release the films from the substrate. The design procedures, data reduction scheme, and a generic fabrication strategy are described in details and implemented in order to build a suite of test structures with various combinations of dimensions. These structures allow the characterization of different materials and mechanical properties and enable high throughputs of data while avoiding any electrical signal or external actuation. Results obtained on ductile aluminum and brittle polysilicon films demonstrate the potential of the method to determine the Young's modulus, yield stress or fracture stress, fracture strain, and strain hardening in ductile materials.
Gestational age-specific reference intervals for serum thyroid hormone levels in a multi-ethnic population

Abstract Background: Thyroid disorders are common during pregnancy. To date, a limited number of studies have reported differences in serum thyroid hormone concentrations between different ethnic groups. We sought to establish gestational age-specific reference intervals for serum levels of thyroid hormones in a multi-ethnic population and investigate whether separate reference intervals should be used for different ethnic groups. Methods: A total of 926 pregnant women from multiple ethnic groups attended four separate study visits spanning the three trimesters. Venous blood samples were taken at 9 to 14 weeks, 18 to 22 weeks, 28 to 32 weeks, and 34 to 39 weeks of gestation. Serum concentrations of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (T4), free triiodothyronine (T3), total T4, total T3, thyroid peroxidase antibody and thyroglobulin antibody were measured using Abbott Architect immunoassays. A total of 562 women with singleton pregnancies were found to be negative for both thyroid autoantibodies at all four study visits and thus included in the reference sample group for the establishment of reference intervals (2.5th to 97.5th percentiles). Results: Reference intervals for serum thyroid hormones at 9–14 weeks of gestation derived from the combined group of pregnant women are as follows: TSH, 0.01–2.39 mIU/L; free T4, 11.4–19.5 pmol/L; free T3, 4.23–6.69 pmol/L; total T4, 77.8–182.4 nmol/L; total T3, 1.39–2.97 nmol/L. No differences in the five thyroid parameters’ reference intervals are detectable among the ethnic groups except that at study visit 3 (28–32 weeks of gestation), the upper reference limit of total T3 in Malays (3.20 nmol/L; 90% CI, 2.99–3.76 nmol/L) is slightly higher than that in Chinese (2.86 nmol/L; 90% CI, 2.70–2.98 nmol/L). Conclusions: The findings from this study on a multi-ethnic cohort highlight the importance of establishing locally derived and gestational age-specific reference intervals for the five thyroid hormone parameters.
Association of tobacco products use and diabetes mellitus-results of a national survey among adults in saudi arabia.

OBJECTIVE To compare the tobacco products use patterns of known diabetics and non diabetics. MATERIAL AND METHODS A community-based cross-sectional study using STEPwise approach among adults using a multistage, stratified, cluster random sample. Data was collected using a questionnaire which included sociodemographics; tobacco products use habits, history of diabetes, biochemical and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS Of the total of 4654 subjects who participated in the study, 1016 (21.8%) were ever smoked tobacco products users and 65 (1.4%) were ever smokeless tobacco products users. Known Diabetes prevalence was 15.3% (712 known diabetics). There were no significant differences in diabetic status and smokeless tobacco products use for both ever and current use. For smoked products diabetics are fewer in current smokers and more in ex smokers. Diabetics started smoking significantly older, smoked for longer duration and higher intensity than non diabetics. CONCLUSION Diabetes appears to be associated with smoked but not smokeless tobacco products use.
Dynamics of brain natriuretic peptide in critically ill patients with severe sepsis and septic shock

Purpose: Changes of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) in sepsis and its utility in predicting intensive care unit outcomes remains a conflicting issue. To investigate the changes in plasma levels of BNP in patients with severe sepsis/septic shock and to study the association of BNP levels with the severity of the disease and prognosis of those patients. Methods: Thirty patients with severe sepsis or septic shock were enrolled in our study. BNP measurements and echocardiography were carried out on admission and on 4th and 7th days. Blood concentrations of BNP were measured by commercially available assays (Abbott methods). In-hospital mortality and length of stay were recorded multivariate analyses adjusted for acute physiology and chronic health evaluation score II (APACHE II score) was used for mortality prediction. Results: Twenty patients admitted with the diagnosis of severe sepsis and 10 patients with septic shock. The in-hospital mortality was 23.3% (7 patients). Admission BNP was significantly higher in the non-survivors 1123±236.08 versus 592.7±347.1 (P<0.001). By doing multivariate logestic regression, the predicatable variables for mortality was APACHE II score, BNP, and then EF. Conclusion: BNP concentrations were increased in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and poor outcome was associated with high BNP levels; thus, it may serve as a useful laboratory marker to predict survival in these patients.
All-trans retinoic acid induces oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondria biogenesis in adipocytes Running title : ATRA impacts mitochondrial function

1 INRA, UMR 1260, F-13385, Marseille, France. 2 INSERM, UMR 1062, « Nutrition, Obésité et Risque Thrombotique », F-13385, Marseille, France. 3 Aix-Marseille Université, Faculté de Médecine, F-13385, Marseille, France 4 Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, CHU La Timone, F-13385, Marseille, France 5 Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Nutrition and Biotechnology/Nutrigenomics-group, Universitat de les
Single vs weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids for women at risk of preterm delivery: A randomized controlled trial

CONTEXT The practice of administering weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids to pregnant women at risk of preterm delivery is widespread, but no randomized trial has established the efficacy or safety of this practice. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy of weekly administration of antenatal corticosteroids compared with a single course in reducing the incidence of neonatal morbidity and to evaluate potential complications of weekly treatment. DESIGN AND SETTING Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled intention-to-treat trial conducted in 13 academic centers in the United States from February 1996 through April 2000. PARTICIPANTS A total of 502 pregnant women between 24 and 32 completed weeks' gestation who were at high risk of preterm delivery. INTERVENTION All patients received a complete single course of antenatal corticosteroids (either betamethasone, 12 mg intramuscularly repeated once in 24 hours for 2 doses, or dexamethasone, 6 mg intramuscularly repeated every 12 hours for 4 doses). Participants who had not delivered 1 week after receipt of the single course were randomly assigned to receive either betamethasone, 12 mg intramuscularly repeated once in 24 hours for 2 doses every week until 34 weeks' gestation or delivery, whichever came first (n = 256), or a similarly administered placebo (n = 246). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Composite neonatal morbidity (including severe respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, severe intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, proven sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, or perinatal death). RESULTS Composite morbidity occurred in 22.5% of the weekly-course group vs 28.0% of the single-course group (unadjusted relative risk, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.10). Neither group assignment nor the number of treatment courses was associated with a reduction in composite morbidity. CONCLUSIONS Weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids did not reduce composite neonatal morbidity compared with a single course of treatment. Weekly courses of antenatal corticosteroids should not be routinely prescribed for women at risk of preterm delivery.
Usefulness of indocyanine green‐fluorescence imaging during laparoscopic hepatectomy to visualize subcapsular hard‐to‐identify hepatic malignancy

Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) has advantages including pneumoperitonium and magnified hepatic view over open hepatectomy (OH), and facilitates surgical procedures during LH. However, it lacks hepatic overview and manual palpation, and thus such disadvantages may hinder tumor staging in LH. Recently, fluorescence imaging technique using indocyanine green (ICG) has been clinically applied to open hepatobiliary surgery. This technique enables intraoperative visualization of liver cancers [1,2], bile [3–5], hepatic arterial/portal blood flow [4,6] as well as evaluation of regional portal uptake in the liver [7,8]. Application of this technique is expected to be useful during LH. However, there are a limited number of studieswhich focused on this technique for laparoscopic hepatobiliary surgery. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the usefulness of ICG-fluorescence imaging during LH for visualization of the liver cancerswhichwerenot identifiedwith intraoperativevisual inspection and intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS).
Pit and fissure sealants in the prevention of dental caries in children and adolescents: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the evidence for sealants as a means to prevent caries in children and adolescents and, in the presence of suitable supporting evidence, to develop a protocol for the application of sealants. METHODS Previous systematic reviews on this topic were used as the basis for the current review. Ovid MEDLINE, CINAHL and several other relevant bibliographic databases were searched for English-language articles, with human subjects, published from 2000 to 2007. RESULTS A total of 303 articles were identified by the literature search; relevance was determined by examining the title and abstract of the articles. Thirty-eight original research studies met the inclusion criteria. These articles were read in full and scored independently by 2 reviewers, and evidence was extracted for development of recommendations. RECOMMENDATIONS The following recommendations are based on the evidence gathered in this review: 1. Sealants should be placed on all permanent teeth without cavitation (i.e., teeth that are free of caries, teeth that have deep pit and fissure morphology, teeth with "sticky" fissures or teeth with stained grooves) as soon after eruption as isolation can be achieved. 2. Sealants should not be placed on partially erupted teeth or teeth with cavitation or caries of the dentin. 3. Sealants should be placed on the primary molars of children who are susceptible to caries (i.e., those with a history of caries). 4. Sealants should be placed on first and second molars within 4 years after eruption. 5. Resin-based sealants should be preferred, until such time as glass ionomer cements with better retention capacity are developed. 6. Sealants should be placed as part of an overall prevention strategy based on assessment of caries risk.
An intraovarian inhibitory action of estrogen on androgen production in vivo.

Subcutaneous administration of estradiol-17$ (I mg) to intact, immature female rats for 3 days significantly decreased ovarian androgen levels from 34 ± 7 pg/mg in oil treated control rats to 13± 2 pg/mg ovarian tissue. It inhibited ovarian responsiveness to LH, as measured by ovarian androgen, but not as measured by ovarian progesterone concentrations. In oil treated control animals, LH caused an approximately 5-fold increase in ovarian androgen levels, whereaa ovarian androgen levels were not stimulated at all by LH in the estrogen treated rats. This inhibitory effect on ovarian androgen response was also demonstrable after 6 h of estrogen treatment. Administration of estradiol-l7$ to hypophysectomized immature rats for 3 consecutive days suppressed both ovarian androgen and progesterone levels in response to LH. The cause of the discrepency in the progesterone response between intact and hypophyaectomized rats is not clear. However, with regard to the androgen response, it is unlikely that the inhibitory action of estrogen is indirectly mediated by a suppression of endogenous gonadotropin release, since concomitant administration of exogenous gonadotropins failed to alter the estrogen effect. Instead, a direct action on the ovary is suggested by the demonstration that unilateral ovarian estrogen implants exert an inhibitory effect on LH-induced androgen levels in the ipsilateral. but not contralateral, ovary in vivo. These results suggest that in the ovary there exists a local negative feedback loop for the control of testosterone production, in which elevated ovarian estrogen levels suppress ovarian responsiveness to LH stimulation, thereby lowering testosterone production and subsequently decreasing estrogen biosynthesis.
Epidemiology of pharyngeal carriage of Fusobacterium necrophorum.

Fusobacterium necrophorum is the cause of Lemierre’s disease, a life-threatening septicaemia secondary to a septic thrombophlebitis of the internal jugular vein preceded by acute sore throat (Hagelskjær et al., 1998). Despite its importance as an invasive pathogen, uncertainty surrounds its carriage, significance as a primary cause of sore throat and its mode of acquisition. We have sought to shed light on these issues in a study involving two different groups: university students and patients presenting to local general practitioners (GPs) with a sore throat.
Effects of Subinhibitory Concentrations of Antibiotics on Colonization Factor Expression by Moxifloxacin-Susceptible and Moxifloxacin-Resistant Clostridium difficile Strains

ABSTRACT Recent outbreaks of Clostridium difficile infection have been related to the emergence of the NAP1/027 epidemic strain. This strain demonstrates increased virulence and resistance to the C-8-methoxyfluoroquinolones gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin. These antibiotics have been implicated as major C. difficile infection-inducing agents. We investigated by real-time reverse transcription-PCR the impact of subinhibitory concentrations of ampicillin, clindamycin, ofloxacin, and moxifloxacin on the expression of genes encoding three colonization factors, the protease Cwp84, the high-molecular-weight S-layer protein, and the fibronectin-binding protein Fbp68. We have previously shown in six non-NAP1/027 moxifloxacin-susceptible strains that the presence of ampicillin or clindamycin induced an upregulation of these genes, whereas the presence of fluoroquinolones did not. The objective of this study was to analyze the expression of these genes under the same conditions in four NAP1/027 strains, one moxifloxacin susceptible and three moxifloxacin resistant. Two in vitro-selected moxifloxacin-resistant mutants were also analyzed. Moxifloxacin resistance was associated with the Thr82→Ile substitution in GyrA in all but one of the moxifloxacin-resistant strains. The expression of cwp84 and slpA was strongly increased after culture with ampicillin or clindamycin in NAP1/027 strains. Interestingly, after culture with fluoroquinolones, the expression of cwp84 and slpA was only increased in four moxifloxacin-resistant strains, including the NAP1/027 strains and one of the in vitro-selected mutants. The overexpression of cwp84 was correlated with increased production of the protease Cwp84. The historical NAP1/027 moxifloxacin-susceptible strain and its mutant appear to be differently regulated by fluoroquinolones. Overall, fluoroquinolones appear to favor the expression of some colonization factor-encoding genes in resistant C. difficile strains. The fluoroquinolone resistance of the NAP1/027 epidemic strains could be considered an ecological advantage. This could also increase their colonization fitness and promote the infection.
Long‐term spontaneous regression of malignant melanoma with visceral metastases Report of a case with immunologic profile

A case of a 58–year‐old woman with viscerally metastatic malignant melanoma is presented 12 years after spontaneous and complete regression of disease. Diagnosis of primary and metastatic lesions was confirmed by review of tissue sections. The presence and subsequent absence of visceral metastases were documented by open liver biopsies. Sections of metastatic lesions revealed extensive necrosis of tumor and infiltration by lymphocytes and plasma cells. Skin testing showed a strongly positive delayed hypersensitivity response to dinitro‐chlorobenzene (DNCB), to a standard battery of bacterial and fungal antigens, and to two of four preparations of allogeneic melanoma antigens. Values for cell‐ and serum‐mediated cytotoxicity against melanoma cells and the response of the patient's lymphocytes to phytohemagglutinin were slightly above the normal range. A review of the literature reveals 13 other cases of long‐term spontaneous regression of melanoma. None of these, however, had biopsy evidence of visceral disease. In each of the 13 cases, regression was associated with an event that might be inferred to have altered the patient's hormonal or immune status. This patient also provides evidence of a complete, spontaneous, and long‐term remission of metastatic disease associated with the spontaneous development of host immunity.
Upregulated IL-23 and IL-17 in Behçet patients with active uveitis.

PURPOSE Behçet disease (BD) is a systemic inflammatory disease presumably caused by an autoimmune response. The interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 pathway has been demonstrated to be involved in the development and maintenance of certain inflammatory diseases. This study was designed to investigate the role of IL-23 and IL-17 in BD. METHODS IL-23p19 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was examined using RT-PCR. The levels of IL-23, IL-17, and IFN-gamma in sera or PBMCs were detected by ELISA. Flow cytometry was used to evaluate the frequencies of IL-17-producing and IFN-gamma-producing T cells and the expression of CD45RO. RESULTS Results showed that the expression of IL-23p19 mRNA, IL-23, IL-17, and IFN-gamma was markedly elevated in BD patients with active uveitis. The frequencies of IL-17-producing and IFN-gamma-producing T cells from PBMCs were significantly upregulated in BD patients with active uveitis. The increased IL-17 (3.10% +/- 0.53%) in BD patients with active uveitis was primarily produced by CD45RO(+) memory T cells. Recombinant (r) IL-23 could upregulate IL-17 production by polyclonally stimulated PBMCs, whereas interferon (IFN)-gamma downregulated IL-17 production. CONCLUSIONS These findings reveal that the levels of IL-23, IL-17, and IFN-gamma are elevated in BD patients with active uveitis, and they suggest that the IL-23/IL-17 pathway together with IFN-gamma is associated with the active intraocular inflammation in BD patients.
A 260-mW Ku-Band FMCW Transceiver for Synthetic Aperture Radar Sensor With 1.48-GHz Bandwidth in 65-nm CMOS Technology

Monolithic integration of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) transceiver with small size, lightweight, and low power consumption is suitable for uploading to a compact unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for SAR imaging. This paper presents a monolithic frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) SAR transceiver that works at Ku-band and centers at 15 GHz. Techniques to address the special requirements of UAV SAR are proposed. A digital-tunable mixed-signal-mode FMCW chirp synthesizer is designed to be power efficient, to provide a tunable chirp rate, and to enable digital minimization of the root-mean-square (RMS) frequency errors. A saturated driver-amplifier-power-amplifier chain and an input-load peak-staggering low-noise amplifier are implemented to nullify the ripple effects so that the degradations of imaging performances can be prevented. Moreover, a 12th order active-RC bandpass filter is used to suppress the intermediate frequency interferences of both ground reflections and antenna leakage. A binary-weighted programmable gain amplifier and a successive approximation analog-to-digital converter are also integrated into the chip. Fabricated using a 65-nm complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor technology, the prototype demonstrates 1.48-GHz chirp bandwidth and <186-kHz rms frequency errors in a programmable modulation period from 1.18 to 10 ms. The transmitter and receiver RF front end attains 1.1- and 0.51-dB ripples, respectively. The function of the FMCW SAR transceiver is validated through the delay line and near-field ranging tests. The SAR imaging experiment with a distance of around 110 m is successfully carried out using the chip prototype and a range migration algorithm. At 1.2-V supply, the transceiver chip consumes 259.4 mW.