Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleep Quality of Patients Hospitalized in the Coron ary Intensive Care Unit and the Affecting Factors

Backgrounds: Intensive care units have many factors that cause s leep disorders in patients. Most of the times, due to the environment and the conditions, patints have to remain with less sleep. Objective: The aim of this descriptive study was the quality of sleep and the affecting factors in patients hospitalized in Coronary Intensive Care Unit (CICU). Methods: Nine questions were included in the data collectin g form about the socio-demographic and disease characteristics of the patients. To determine the s leep quality and the affecting factors of the patie nts a 1-10 point scale was used (Freedman et al 1999). Results: The mean age of the 100 patients was 55.5 ±16.59 (r ange:21-93) years old. The patients were hospitalized for miyocardial infarction (35%), cong estive heart failure (29%) and they were hospitaliz ed with an mean of 4.7±1.16 days. While the patient sleep qual ity mean score at home was in average 7.39 ±1.87 it has been determined that the first night after the hospitali zation the mean score reaching the lowest level was 5.42±2.39 and that the mean of the CICU was 6.83 ±2.15 and that after the transfer to the clinic the score was r eaching (7.39±2.18) the same score as the sleep quality at home. While the change in sleep quality related to the diagnostic of the patients was not considered as st atistically significant(p<0.05). Conclusion: While the sleep quality of patients hospitalized i n CICU was showing a slight decrease during the first night of hospitalization in CICU, after the t ransfer to the clinic it was reaching the same slee p quality existing at home. It has been in the opinion that t his situation was generated by important factors wh ich affect the sleep quality of patients such as light, noise existing in the CICU and as well as by the nursing activities.
Sampled and continuous time passivity and stability of virtual environments

We propose new time domain passivity observer (PO) and passivity controller (PC) which removes the constant velocity assumption during one sample time, which was used in our previous PO/PC approach. A new sampled time definition of passivity is introduced, and this new definition is compared with the previous sampled time definition of passivity. Through this comparison, we propose the more accurate PO/PC approach. The proposed new PO/PC approach is applied to "Excalibur" haptic interface system with very high stiffness (K = 120 KN/m) virtual environment (VE), and stable contact is demonstrated.
Functional and phenotypic analysis of T lymphocytes cloned from the skin of patients with systemic sclerosis

Activated T lymphocytes often accumulate in the‘ower dermis of patients with systemic selerosis (seleroderma) any may play a role in the development of dermal libresis. We propagated and cloned these cells directly from skin biopsies in four of eight cases of early, antreated systemic selerosis with diffuse seleroderma. The cloning frequency estimates were f – 0.20 and f – 0.48 for T cells derived from the skin of two patients versus f ‐ 0.68 and f ‐ 0.96 for autologous blood T lymphocytes, All but one of 24 skin‐derived selerederma clones were CD4+. Clonal analyses performed with CD4+ clones from patients and normal controls showed that all but one skin‐derived clones synthesized either laterferon‐gamma (60%), glycosantinolgycan‐stimulatory factor (26%) or both (9%) when induced in vitro by a nitrogen, concanavalin A, but not by antologous dermal fibroblasts. In contrast, blood‐derived clones had a different functional phenotype. All skin‐derived clones produced tumour accrosis factor‐alpha. Our results demonstrate that T lymphecytes obtained from the skin of patients with systemic selerois synthesized cytokoines which could modulale functions of human dermal fibroblasts.
Health status and health services utilization among US Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, and other Asian/Pacific Islander Children.

OBJECTIVE This study examines the health status and health services access and utilization characteristics of US Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, other Asian/Pacific Islander (API), and non-Hispanic white children by using nationally representative data. METHODS We analyzed the aggregated data file from the National Health Interview Survey from 1997 to 2000 including 334 Chinese, 287 Asian Indian, 292 Filipino, 696 "other API," and 29,016 non-Hispanic white children <18 years old. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between Asian ethnicities and dependent variables including components of health status, health services access, and utilization. RESULTS Logistic regression reveals that all Asian American children were less likely to miss school because of illness or injury or have learning disabilities compared with non-Hispanic whites. Other APIs were less likely to be taking prescription medication for at least 3 months, and Asian Indian children were half as likely to have chronic conditions. Chinese, Filipino, and other API children were more likely to be without contact with a health professional within the past 12 months. Citizenship/nativity status, maternal education attainment, and poverty status were all significant independent risk factors for health care access and utilization. CONCLUSIONS Asian ethnicities and being foreign-born are generally associated with more favorable health status measures such as school absence, learning disability, use of prescription medications, and chronic conditions. However, these attributes are negatively associated with health care access and utilization, suggesting the need for outreach to Asian immigrant populations to educate them on accessing the US health care system.
Detection of CD 34 / CXCR 4 + Stem Cells in Peripheral Blood of Patients Following Acute Myocardial Infarction

Bone marrow harbors a population of tissue-committed stem cells that are CD34+/CXCR4+. These potential cardiac progenitors which express cardiac and endothelial markers may contribute to cardiac regeneration. The ability of injured myocardium to recruit extracardiac stem cells after injury would be beneficial to aid in myocardial repair and regeneration. The aim of this study was to answer the question whether acute myocardial infarction (AMI) related stress may trigger the increase of CD34/CXCR4+ stem cells number in peripheral blood in response to myocardial ischemic injury which might be accompanied with increased release of this population of stem cells in peripheral blood as well as to correlate this phenomenon with other clinical and laboratory parameters such as diabetes, chest pain, smoking, streptokinase administration and elevated cardiac enzymes. The study was conducted on 25 newly diagnosed AMI patients who attended the emergency department of National Heart Institute. They were compared to a control group of 25 apparently healthy sex and age matched individuals. The percentage of CD34+ cells as well as percentage of cells coexpressing CD34/CXCR4 + and their expression intensity were assessed by Flowcytometery. These parameters were correlated to other laboratory and clinical data. The absolute CD34 + as well as the CD34/CXCR4 + cell counts were significantly higher in patients upon admission in comparison to control group (P<0.01). While CD34 expression was significantly higher in patients compared to control group, CXCR4 expression on CD34 + cells was significantly lower in patients than control group (P< 0.05). Diabetes, duration of chest pain and streptokinase administration had no significant effect on CD34/CXCR4 + number or the expression intensity of both markers (p>0.05). Otherwise, CXCR4 intensity was lower in non-smoker than smoker patients (P < 0.05). Patients admitted with normal cardiac enzymes, including Creatine Kinase (CK) and Creatine Kinase MB fraction (CK-MB) activity, showed no significant difference in CD34/CXCR4 + number or the expression intensity of CD34 marker in comparison to those admitted with high levels of enzymes (P>0.05). However, the expression intensity of CXCR4 was significantly low in patients admitted with elevated cardiac enzymes (P < 0.05). In conclusion, there is a pool of CD34/CXCR4 + stem cells circulating in large number in peripheral blood of AMI patients post infarction together with low CXCR4 expression on these cells which are likely to contribute to myocardial repair following the acute ischemic injury.
Optimizing Outcomes of Postmastectomy Breast Reconstruction With Acellular Dermal Matrix: A Review of Recent Clinical Data

Background: This article reports on the current use of acellular dermal matrix in breast reconstruction. Methods: A literature review of articles on acellular dermal matrix in breast reconstruction from January 1, 2010, through December 20, 2016, was performed and analyzed for trends in acellular dermal matrix use and differences between commonly used acellular dermal matrixes. Findings: Clinical findings varied but include improved cosmesis and more 1-stage reconstructions using acellular dermal matrix. Superiority of sterile versus aseptic acellular dermal matrixes was noted, and the increased incidence of red breast syndrome with AlloDerm was significant. The cost-effectiveness of acellular dermal matrix use despite increased upfront costs was also highlighted. Finally, the article emphasizes the importance of well-vascularized mastectomy flaps and the use of indocyanine green angiography as an adjunct in immediate reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix.
Projections of the marginal nuclei in the spinal cord of the pigeon

In the avian spinal cord, there are several groups of neurons lying outside the central gray substance. The most conspicuous ones lie at the very margin of the ventrolateral cord. In the lumbosacral spinal cord, these marginal nuclei protrude into the vertebral canal to form accessory lobes. The projections of these marginal nuclei were studied in the pigeon by neuroanatomical tracing methods. Anterograde transport of tracer injected into the lumbosacral accessory lobes showed that these neurons project to the contralateral medial ventral gray and to paragriseal cells located in the contralateral ventral and lateral white matter of lumbosacral segments. Double‐labeling experiments disclosed that lumbosacral paragriseal cells projecting to the cerebellum are contacted by accessory lobe axon terminals. The projection of cervical marginal was studied with retrograde transport of tracers applied to the spinal tracts in the lateral funiculus. Retrogradely labeled cells were found in contralateral marginal nuclei of both rostral and caudal segments. All marginal nuclei have an ascending and a descending projection spanning about five segments each. The possible role of marginal nuclei in sensorimotor circuits is discussed.J. Comp. Neurol. 377:95‐104, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Assessing Pre-service English as a Foreign Language Teachers’ Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge

The present research aimed to assess pre-service English as a foreign language teachers’ technological pedagogical content knowledge. A total of 76 undergraduate students enrolled in an English language teaching (ELT) program at a major state university in Turkey were recruited in the study and were asked to anonymously complete the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Scale and answered some open-ended questions. The findings revealed a highly developed knowledge of TPACK (Mean > 3.5; 81%). Gender differences were found to be significant with respect to Technological Knowledge (TK) and Pedagogical Knowledge (PK) dimensions with females proportionally having higher TPACK development. The findings of qualitative data analysis also revealed that compared with cooperating teachers, faculty members in the department used more TPACK in a classroom lesson. Thus, these findings contribute to understanding the nature and development of TPACK based instruction among pre-service English teachers, suggesting that the integration of content, pedagogy and technological knowledge into the existing teacher education paradigm and fostering technologically-rich environment for language learners will contribute to quality learning and teaching.
Z-transform implementation of the perfectly matched layer for truncating FDTD domains

A simple algorithm for implementing the perfectly matched layer (PML) is presented for truncating finite difference time domain (FDTD) computational domains. The algorithm is based on incorporating the Z-transform method into the PML FDTD implementation. The main advantage of the algorithm is its simplicity as it allows direct FDTD implementation of Maxwell's equations in the PML region. In addition, the formulations are independent of the material properties of the FDTD computational domain. Numerical examples are included to demonstrate the effectiveness of these formulations.
Continuous versus intermittent administration of ceftazidime in experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in normal and leukopenic rats

Experimental Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia was used to study the influence of cyclophosphamide-induced leukopenia on the relative therapeutic efficacy of continuous and intermittent (6-h intervals) administration of ceftazidime. The antimicrobial response was evaluated with respect to the calculated daily dose that protected 50% of the animals from death (PD50) until 16 days after the termination of a 4-day treatment. When ceftazidime was administered intermittently to leukopenic rats, the PD50 was 24.37 mg/kg per day, 70 times (P less than 0.001) the PD50 of 0.35 mg/kg per day for normal rats. Continuous administration of ceftazidime to leukopenic rats resulted in a PD50 of 1.52 mg/kg per day, four times (P less than 0.001) the PD50 of 0.36 mg/kg per day for normal rats. Continuous administration of ceftazidime in daily doses that protected 100% of normal and leukopenic rats from death resulted in serum levels of 0.06 and 0.38 micrograms/ml, respectively, whereas the MIC for the infecting K. pneumoniae strain was 0.2 micrograms of ceftazidime per ml. The effect of the duration of ceftazidime treatment by continuous infusion on the therapeutic efficacy in relation to the persistence of leukopenia was then investigated in leukopenic rats. The administration of 3.75 mg of ceftazidime/kg per day for 4 days protected all leukopenic rats from death, provided the circulating leukocytes returned at the end of antibiotic treatment. When leukopenia persisted for 8 days this ceftazidime treatment schedule resulted in the mortality of rats (P less than 0.05). However, when ceftazidime treatment was continued for 8 days, until the return of the leukocytes, there was no significant mortality (P greater than 0.05).
18F‐dopa PET evidence that tolcapone acts as a central COMT inhibitor in Parkinson's disease

Tolcapone is a potent, selective, and reversible inhibitor of cathecol‐O‐methyl‐transferase (COMT). This enzyme plays a crucial role in the extraneural inactivation of catecholamine neurotransmitters. Tolcapone's ability to inhibit central COMT in humans at therapeutic concentrations is not yet clear. The aim was to determine the effect of tolcapone on central COMT activity in Parkinson's disease (PD) using 18F‐dopa positron emission tomography (PET). The study was a randomized two‐way crossover study. Twelve PD patients were recruited. On the treatment days patients were given either tolcapone (200 mg) or placebo together with levodopa/carbidopa (100/125 mg) 1 h before the injection of 18F‐dopa. Data were acquired in 25 frames over 94 min for the first PET scan period. At the end of this period the patients were removed from the scanner for 90 min and subsequently repositioned and data acquired in six 10‐min time frames over 60 min. Influx constants (Ki) were computed using a graphical approach with a plasma input function. Mean 18F‐dopa putamen Ki's for the first 30–90 min, primarily reflecting central dopa decarboxylase (DDC) activity, were similar in PD patients whether tolcapone was present (0.0078 ± 0.0031 min−1) or absent (0.0078 ± 0.0030 min−1). Mean putamen Ki values calculated 180–240 min after injection of 18F‐dopa, reflecting both central DDC and COMT activity, were unchanged from 30–90′ values in the presence of tolcapone (0.0079 ± 0.0030), implying blockade of central COMT, but were significantly reduced (0.0059 ± 0.0028) in the absence of this drug. These findings are compatible with clinical doses of tolcapone having a significant blocking effect on peripheral and central COMT but not DDC activity in PD. Synapse 43:201–207, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A low blood lymphocyte count is associated with an expansion of activated cytotoxic lymphocytes in patients with B‐cell chronic lymphocytic leukaemia

Abstract: In order to determine the relationships between CD2+ lymphocyte subpopulations and tumour mass, the immunophenotype of natural killer (NK) cells and T lymphocyte subsets was studied in 56 B‐chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (B‐CLL) patients and 38 healthy subjects. The patients were classified according to their blood lymphocyte count (BLC). Forty patients had BLC<30×109/l (low BLC, less tumour mass) and 16 patients had BLC>30×109/l (high BLC, larger tumour mass). The percentage of CD3– CD56+ cells, as well as of CD8+, CD8+CD45RO+ and CD3+CD57+ T subsets in low BLC patients, were higher than those found in high BLC patients. Conversely, the percentages of CD3+HLA DR+, CD4+ and CD4+CD45RO+ lymphocytes were higher in high BLC patients than in low BLC patients. The CD4/CD8 ratio was decreased in low BLC patients while it was increased in high BLC patients and a significant positive correlation was found between their CD4/CD8 ratio and their BLC. We conclude that in low BLC B‐CLL patients there is a decreased percentage of activated helper lymphocytes and an increased percentage of NK cells and activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes. These results suggest a role for NK cells, and helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes in the control of tumour burden in B‐CLL patients.
Growth performances and slaughter traits of a local Kabylian population of rabbits reared in Algeria: effects of sex and rearing season.

Growth performances of 189 rabbits (102 females and 87 males) from the local Kabylian population were studied from 4 to 11 weeks and for 90 of them until 15 weeks. The average growth rate was 27.7 ± 6.3 g/d between 4 and 8 weeks, and was reduced to 22.2 ± 5.4 g/d during the 3 following weeks, and to only 18.0 ± 6.3 g/d between 11 and 15 weeks. At 15 weeks, the rabbits have reached 2.29 kg which are 81% of the adult weight. Feed intake was maximum at 73 g/kg LW 0.75 during the 7 th week and then decreased regularly down to the 56 g/kg 0.75 observed during the 14 th week. Growth rate and feed intake were similar for both sexes. Growth rate was reduced by 13% in summer time (weanings of June-July) when compared to spring (weanings of February). Most of the slaughter traits were similar in males and females sacrificed at 15 weeks. Slaughter rate was the highest for rabbits slaughtered in August (compared to June and September) in relation with a significant reduction of the full digestive tract (11.2% vs 12.4-12.6% of body weight).
Compact Rotating-Sample Magnetometer for Relaxation Phenomenon Measurement Using HTS-SQUID

A compact magnetometer that uses a high-temperature superconductor superconducting quantum interference device (HTS-SQUID) that can measure relaxation phenomena was developed, and its characteristics were evaluated. For measuring magnetic relaxation, a pick-up coil was designed to be fixed at any position in the circle described by a rotating-sample. The pick-up coil was directly connected to an input coil, which is inductively connected to the HTS-SQUID, and the secondary induced magnetic field from the sample was detected with time delay after magnetization. Using the developed system, magnetic signals with time delay from pure water were detected, and the magnetic signal intensity decreased with increasing time delay. This magnetic signal with time delay was not caused by the sample case and the magnetization due to the leaked magnetic field distribution of the permanent magnet used for sample magnetization. Thus, the developed system could detect magnetic signals during the magnetic relaxation process.
Dexmedetomidine Decreases Perioperative Myocardial Lactate Release in Dogs

The sympatholytic effect of the &agr;2-adrenergic agonist dexmedetomidine may decrease emergence-related myocardial ischemic load in patients. However, a direct measure of myocardial ischemia, such as myocardial lactate release, is difficult to obtain in patients. Therefore, we studied mongrel dogs and measured myocardial lactate release, myocardial oxygen supply, hemodynamic variables, and neurohumoral indices of the stress response. After the induction of a standardized degree of borderline myocardial ischemia, either dexmedetomidine (dexmed group, n = 9) or normal saline (control group, n = 9) was infused. Measurements were repeated at the end of the anesthetic period and every 10 min during the 90-min emergence period. In the dexmed group, the cumulative emergence-related lactate release was 46% less than in the control group (95% confidence interval, 20%–80%;P = 0.02). Simultaneously, dexmedetomidine increased the endo-/epicardial blood flow ratio by 35% (control group, 0.4 ± 0.1; dexmed group, 0.6 ± 0.1;P = 0.03). These antiischemic effects of dexmedetomidine were accompanied by reduced plasma concentrations of norepinephrine (126 versus 577 pg/mL) and epinephrine (158 versus 1909 pg/mL) and a slower heart rate (123 ± 6 versus 160 ± 10 bpm, dexmed versus control). The antiischemic effect of dexmedetomidine started before emergence, as evidenced by a decreased prevalence of myocardial lactate release at that time (zero of eight dogs in the dexmed group and four of seven dogs in the control group had lactate release before emergence;P = 0.03).
Seroprevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia in Zaria metropolis

Background of the study: Since Helicobacter pylori was first cultured by Warren and Marshall in 1983, much has been learned about its clinical aspects and its epidemiology. Knowledge of the epidemiology of this infection comes mainly from prevalence studies. In this research work, the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection was studied among patients with non-ulcer dyspepsia in the Out-Patients Department of four selected hospitals in Zaria, Kaduna State, to assess the risk factors associated with the infection. A total of two-hundred and fifty (250) blood samples were collected from consenting patients. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to test for the IgM and IgG antibodies to Helicobacter pylori in the patients’ serum samples. Statistical package for social science (SPSS) version 21 was used to test for the associated risk factors for the infection. The result obtained showed an overall prevalence of 73.6% (184/250), and 39.2% (98/250) for H. pylori IgG and IgM antibodies respectively. There was a significant association between H. pylori-IgM seropositivity and Household crowding (χ2=8.185, p=0.017), washing of hands with soap (χ2=13.705, p=0.000), Educational status (χ 2=10.919, p=0.012) and Socioeconomic Status (χ 2=7.568, p=0.006). Only hand washing with soap showed a significant association with H. pylori-IgG seropositivity (χ2=44.206, p=0.000). We concluded that the overall prevalence H. pylori infection among dyspeptic patients in this study strongly correlates with congested household crowding, poor hand hygiene, low level of education and socioeconomic status.