Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Monitoring of Breast Tumor Response to Local Chemotherapeutic Agent Delivered by Biodegradable Fibers

Abstract : For the third year of the project, we have investigated the radiotherapy effects on rat breast tumor hemodynamics and also analyzed our previous data obtained from chemotherapy study with our mathematical model, which showed very good correlations between the hemodynamic parameters and tumor responses to the therapy. For experiments, we have applied single dose of radiation (30 Gy) to two groups of rats bearing syngeneic 13762NF mammary adenocarcinomas: one group received a radiation therapy during air inhalation and the other group was treated by irradiation during oxygen inhalation. Acute effects were not observed during irradiation, but significant changes in vascular hemodynamic response to oxygen inhalation were observed from both groups at day 1 after irradiation. The preliminary results suggest that tumor oxygenation during radiation therapy may play a great role in treating the tumor. We have further analyzed our previous data from tumors treated by chemotherapy using our bi-exponential model. In cyclophosphamide study, maximum changes of oxyhemoglobin and amplitude of fast component from the fitting after cyclophosphamide treatment showed a good correlation with the tumor volume regression. From combretastatin A4 phosphate (CA4P) study, the changes of fitted parameters before, during, and post administration of CA4P treatment showed very similar results from previous studies. All the results again strongly support that near infrared spectroscopy with our model can be used to monitor the therapeutic responses of tumors after treatments. This will also be a great help for physicians to decide the direction of each patient's treatment, which will enhance the survival rate and reduce side effects.
A factorial randomised controlled trial of a health literacy modified children's fever education program for parents attending emergency

Parents frequently present to the emergency department (ED) concerned about their child’s fever. Fever management education programs have been found to improve parents’ knowledge of managing fever, although no education program was identified that specifically considered parents with lower functional health literacy. This article describes the development of an easily understood children’s fever management education program for parents with varying levels of health literacy. A review of existing literature and guidelines was conducted. Pictorial images and written material constrained to fifth-grade level of readability were used. Academics and ED experts confirmed the content of this evidence-based program. The education program, a combination of Digital Video Disc (DVD) and a brochure in relation to child fever management, is currently being trailed at an ED in Sydney and is appropriate for EDs or primary care settings. Tailoring education programs with plain and simple language is potentially beneficial to all parents (or caregivers) presenting to the ED with children experiencing fever. This program will provide nurses with a simple and clear fever management brochure or DVD to give to parents or caregivers with varying levels of health literacy. We envisage that this program will be continuously televised within local EDs and available for parents or caregivers to view online.
Evaluation of Diazepam-Ketamine-Pentazocine Anaesthesia in Rabbits

Selected anaesthetic indices of the intramuscular administration of diazepam 5mg/kg followed 10 min later by ketamine 60mg/kg, with pentazocine 10mg/kg (D-K-P) or without pentazocine (D-K) as control, were evaluated in five healthy rabbits that were not undergoing any clinical procedure. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) of the anaesthetized rabbits were also determined over the initial 60-min period.Time to loss of the righting reflex with the D-K-P (1.9 ± 0.6 min) was similar to the control value of 2.0 ± 0.0 min. Whereas D-K lacked analgesic activity, the onset and duration of analgesia with the D-K-P were respectively 3.6 ± 1.4 min and 95.0 ± 10.6 min. Recumbency time with the D-K-P (128.6 ± 9.3 min) was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter than the control value of 184 ± 3.3 min. Time to standing with the D-K-P (17.4 ± 1.6 min ) was also significantly shorter than the control value of 42.0 ± 1.4 min. Mean HR with the D-K-P ranged between 140.8 ± 16.1 and 166.4 ± 19.9 beats/ min and were below the control range of 188.6 ± 6.4 and 201.0 ± 3.1 beats/min. Range of mean RR with the D-K-P (34.4 ± 3.1 to 68.0 ± 10.7) breaths/ min was below the control range of 71.4 ± 6.9 and 121.2 ± 12.6 breaths/min. Mean RT with the D-K-P ranged between 38.0 ± 0.4 and 39.9 ± 0.50C and were similar to the control range of 39.9 ± 0.10 C.It was concluded that the intramuscular administration of D-K-P at the dose rates employed in this study provided satisfactory immobility, analgesia and muscle relaxation of long duration, albeit with some clinically insignificant degree of cardiorespiratory depression, in healthy rabbits. Key Words: diazepam, ketamine, pentazocine, rabbit.
The Early Fall in Levels of S-100 β in Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract Protein S-100 β has been suggested as a prognostic marker in traumatic brain injury. However, little is known of its behaviour in the immediate post-injury period. With Ethics Committee approval, we recruited 30 patients with a history of head injury presenting to our Accident and Emergency Department. Blood was taken on arrival and at four hours post-injury. Serum S-100 β was estimated using an immunoluminometric assay. Levels of S-100 β were seen to fall rapidly with time. Half-time was distributed non-parametrically with a median of 198 minutes. Using the Mann–Whitney U test we found a statistically significant difference between non-desirable (Glasgow Outcome Score 1–3) and desirable (Glasgow Outcome Score 4–5) outcome on admission (p = 0.0155) but not at four hours (p = 0.1336). Levels of S-100 β fell rapidly after its release following traumatic brain injury. Time after injury is therefore critical in assessing the significance of levels of S-100 β, and sampling should be as early as possible to gain maximum information. If S-100 β is to be assessed as a monitor of ongoing brain injury in the intensive therapy unit sampling must be frequent (e.g. every 4 hours) to be able to detect rises in serum levels before they have decayed to baseline.
RISK OF FATAL AND NEAR-FATAL ASTHMA IN RELATION TO INHALED CORTICOSTEROID USE

Purpose of the Study. To examine the relationship between patterns of use of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate (50 µg/puff) and the risk of fatal and near-fatal asthma. Study Population. A cohort of 12 301 individuals aged 5 to 54 years was identified from the residents of Saskatchewan, Canada. These were asthma patients dispensed ten or more prescriptions for drugs in common use for asthma treatment from 1978 to 1987. Methods. A case control analysis was performed. Cases were defined as persons within the cohort who met predetermined criteria for having fatal or near-fatal asthma. These were matched with 655 controls within the cohort who had asthma, but no fatality or near-fatality. The subjects were then stratified as to their use of inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate for the 12 months prior to the fatal or near-fatal event, or index date for controls. Each person's use of inhaled beclomethasone was divided into three groups: no medication in the prior 12 months, less than 12 units in the previous 12 months, or greater than 12 units over the previous 12 months. Findings. Of the 784 cases and controls, 269 had been dispensed inhaled beclomethasone in the prior 12 months. Of these, 232 had been dispensed less than 12 units, and only 37 had been dispensed 12 or more units. Matched odds ratio adjusted for use of other medications and number of hospitalizations for asthma showed a 1.6 times increased risk of fatal and near-fatal asthma in the group using less than 12 units of beclomethasone per year as compared to the group using none, but this did not meet statistical significance.
Chronic anal fissures- association with sentinel skin tag

ABSTRACT Objective To compare characteristics of the chronic fissures which healed with pharmacological agents with those which ultimately required sphincterotomy. Methods This cross sectional comparative study was performed on 180 patients who presented with chronic anal fissure. Out of them, 31 patients underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) due to non-healing or recurrence despite at least 6 weeks therapy of 0.2% Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) ointment. The frequency of multiplicity and any association with skin tags or hemorrhoids was noted in two groups using chi-square test for statistical analysis. Results Out of 180 patients, 149(82.8%) healed with GTN ointment, 31(17.2%) underwent LIS. 39(21.7%) patients had associated skin tag, 23(12.8%) had hemorrhoids and 12(6.7%) had multiple fissures. There was significant association of skin tags with fissures undergoing LIS (p < 0.001). Conclusion Association with a sentinel skin tag is a predictor of failure of medical treatment for chronic anal fissure. (Rawal Med J 2010;35: ). Key words Chronic anal fissure, sentinel skin tag, lateral internal sphincterotomy. INTRODUCTION Chronic anal fissure is a linear tear in anal mucosa which persists for more than 6 weeks.1-3 It is an extremely painful condition with an incidence of about 10% in general surgical practice.1 It causes significant functional and psychosocial impairment.4 Several treatment options are available and lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) was considered as “gold standard” until the successful use of topical agents including nitric oxide donors, calcium channel blockers and botulinum toxin . 1,2,5-8 Since surgery is associated with a small but definite risk of permanent incontinence, initial treatment now usually comprises of the topical agents.2,5,8-10 Surgery in most cases is reserved for persistent chronic anal fissures which are resistant to chemical treatment.1,10,11 The chemical treatment although effective has its drawbacks in the form of the need for multiple applications, side effects especially headache, tachyphylaxis, noncompliance and up to 60% recurrence.1-3,10,12,13 It also takes longer time to produce symptomatic relief as compared to the lateral sphincterotomy.1 There are a very few studies in literature regarding any morphological features which can identify the fissures which will prove to be resistant to healing with topical pharmacological agents.8,14 Identification of such features can lead to early operative management reducing the time needed for an unsuccessful trial of chemical treatment.14 Thus, considerable shortening in the duration of treatment can be achieved ultimately improving the quality of life in these patients. The aim of this study was to determine any significant clinical features associated with the chronic anal fissures resistant to “chemical sphincterotomy”. METHODS From January 2008 to December 2010, 230 female patients with chronic anal
A Study of Men in Non-traditional Male Occupations

that they are more likely to describe themselves in terms of action, leadership, ambition and success. Females scored significantly higher on Interpersonal Orientation. This suggests that they are more likely to describe themselves in terms of sensitivity, etiquette, tolerance and compassion. Females also scored significantly higher on Emotional Orientation. This suggests that they are more likely to describe themselves in terms of fluctuating moods, guilt and stress. No significant differences were found in the way males and females describe themselves in relation either to intellectuality, aesthetics, imagination and responding to change (Cognitive Orientation) on the one hand, or to thoroughness, social morality, persistence and will to achievement (Task Orientation). For the Favourable Impression no significant differences were found in the level of social desirability with which males and females describe themselves. Fu1ther details of the sample and other analyses carried out are presented in Pryor and Taylor Cl994a).
A Practice of Thoracic Surgery

A Practice of Thoracic Surgery. By A. L. d'Abreu, O.B. E. , Ch.M. , F.R. C.S. ; 1953. London: Edward Arnold and Company. 10“ × 7½“, pp. 600, with 345 illustrations. Price: 80s.
The Use of Real-Time Ultrasound to Predict Live Feedlot Cattle Carcass Value

Introduction Substantial structural changes have occurred and will continue to occur in the beef industry in the next ten years. Analysis of national beef production and marketing systems has indicated that to prevent further erosion of market basket share, the beef industry must make the improvement of quality and consistency for consumers its priority. Iowa has a future role to play in achieving this priority of quality, consistent beef for both domestic and foreign markets. Identification and utilization of superior genetics for endproducts needs to be linked with Iowa-based production resources and branded beef marketing principles. By combining Iowa’s resources--conscientious producers, feed, land, and cattle--with the new available technologies, Iowa’s beef industry could be propelled into the leadership position in the production of high-quality and value-added branded beef products, sold on a value based system. For this system to be effective, a producer with a feedlot operation must know what they have for sale. Real-time ultrasound technology has been developed at Iowa State University, (ISU) to determine ribeye area, subcutaneous fat cover, and percent intramuscular fat (marbling) on live beef cattle. ISU animal science researchers have tested this technology primarily on breeding cattle, yearling bulls, and replacement heifers. These measurements are collected by highly trained technicians across the U.S., processed centrally at ISU and used in the development of carcass EPD’s by the breed associations. More recently, researchers have serially scanned feedlot cattle involved in research projects. Can this technology be transferred to the feedlot industry to help feedlot operators make marketing decisions? Three objectives must be evaluated to test the transfer of this technology: 1. Determine whether ultrasound measures, fat cover and percent intramuscular fat can be collected and processed accurately and expediently enough for chuteside application. 2. Determine if these measurements can be implemented into a marketing model for decision making at harvest time. 3. Determine whether ultrasound images collected and processed 100 days prior to harvest time (at the time of re-implanting) can be used to develop a marketing model to project specific cattle outcome groups and marketing dates.
Influence of Teaching Practice Exercise on Accidental Teacher Education Candidates

This paper examines the influence of practice teaching on the attitude and opinion of accidental would-be teachers. It examined how the exercise can improve their attitude and opinion about lesson preparation and delivery as well as general interest in teaching after exposure to the exercise. One hundred and thirty students in this category who have not experienced any formal teaching were purposively selected and made to respond to a questionnaire before and after the exercise. It was found out that the exercise improved the students’ attitude to lesson preparation, changed their opinion of lesson delivery for the better but did not improve their general interest in teaching. The study concludes that teaching practice exercise is a necessary component of teacher education programme that can assist accidental would-be teachers.
Effects of Community of Practice and Knowledge Translation Strategies on Nurse Practitioners' Knowledge and Practice Behavior

ix Chapter 1: Introduction 1 Purpose 3 Background 3 Summary 9 Chapter 2: Review of the Evidence 11 Literature Search Methods 11 Effects of Continuing Education on Practice Behavior and Patient Outcomes 12 Effectiveness of Specific Continuing Education Modalities 15 Effectiveness of Computer-based and Internet Continuing Medical Education 16 Sustainability of Knowledge and Behavior Changes as a Result of Continuing Education 21 Effectiveness of Interactivity in Continuing Education 22 Effects of Knowledge Translation and Social Networking Communities on Learning 25 Discussion 30
The Use of Intracoronary Optical Coherence Tomography in Interventional Cardiology: Safety, Feasibility and Clinical Applications

textabstractInterventional cardiology has witnessed tremendous change since 1977 when Andreas Gruentzig successfully performed the first balloon angioplasty. Whereas initial concerns revolved around maintaining vessel patency with issues of recoil and restenosis, the introduction of stents changed the landscape forever. Inherent with their use, stents, and, more specifically, drugeluting stents (DES), have become central to improved patient outcomes but, at some cost. Catastrophic, yet fortunately still rare complications such as stent thrombosis have re-ignited an intense need for greater scrutiny when developing and, subsequently implanting DES into our patients. The demand for detailed information regarding coronary artery disease has seen intravascular imaging become pivotal at delineating atherosclerosis and tissue responses following stent implantation. In fact, the strategy that relied on angiography alone is evolving to include better confirmation of disease severity and stenting technique. With this, optical coherence tomography (OCT) has grown exponentially with a broad diffusion amongst catheterisation laboratories worldwide. Optical coherence tomography is a procedurally demanding technique. Individual experience is often frustrated initially with disappointing images as a result of inadequate blood clearance. With perseverance and adequate proctorship however, one cannot help but be impressed by the clarity and resolution afforded by this imaging modality. It is these images that have attracted considerable attention at cardiology conferences internationally and have helped instil OCT as the most sensitive intravascular imaging technique available today. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the role of OCT in contemporary coronary intervention. Part 1 embraces the principles of the technique and the physical properties of OCT (chapter 2) and gives an insight into where OCT is placed compared to other intravascular imaging modalities (chapter 3). Despite the adoption of OCT in more and more catheterisation laboratories, little has been documented as to its safety, so, in chapter 4, we review the procedural safety of intracoronary OCT in a large group of patients across six leading European centres.
Vancomycin MIC trend and association with outcomes

Background: Over the past decade, an increasing trend in vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels for methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus has been reported. The phenomenon has been a topic of great interest in light of limited new and novel antimicrobial therapy in recent years. The goals of this study were to examine the relationship between high vs. low vancomycin MIC and patient outcomes, to assess the usage of vancomycin over time, and to determine whether an increase in vancomycin MIC had occurred among MRSA clinical isolates over time.Methods and Findings: A retrospective study was conducted from January 1, 1998 through December 31, 2008. Using the electronic medical record database, patients with blood, wound, or intravenous catheter tip cultures positive for MRSA during the study period were identified and reviewed. Variables abstracted from the electronic medical record for these patients included age, sex, site of culture, vancomycin MIC value, duration of vancomycin therapy, additional antibiotics prescribed,and co-morbidities including diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), malignancy, and liver disease. The DDD/100 days was calculated for the years 2002 through 2009. Two hundred andforty one (n=241) MRSA cultures were identified and used in the study. We identified a statistically significant upward trend in high vs. low vancomycin MICs from 1998 to 2008 (p<0.001). Past medical history of diabetes (RR=0.77, 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.02) was associated with Low vancomycin MIC compared to a high MIC, but did not reach statistical significance (p=0.07). History of liver disease (RR=0.40; 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.96)was associated with low MIC compared to a high MIC but did not reach statistical significance (P= 0.083). There was no statistically significant association between high and low MIC and 30 day mortality (p=0.21). There was a significant difference in mean vancomycin duration between those who died and those who survived (P= 0.0001), 8 vs. 18 days respectively. There was no statistically significant association between length of stay and high and low MIC (p=0.5). There was an increasing trend in vancomycin DDD/100 days from 2002 through 2009. Limitations of this study include the retrospective design and the almost exclusive male population (97%, 233/241). Conclusions: A significant upward trend in vancomycin MIC values over an 11-year period was identified at our institution. This trend was not associated with increased 30-day mortality or increased length of stay. An overall increase in the use of vancomycin (DDD/100 days) over the last eight years of the study period was also noted (range 2.4 to 4.3), suggesting a possible driving force for the increase in MIC. Larger,prospective, randomized studies would be helpful in substantiating these findings.
Effectiveness of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Pregnant Women With Diabetes : Randomized Clinical Trial

Near optimal control of glucose levels during early pregnancy has not reduced the risk of macrosomia among infants of women with type 1 or 2 diabetes. Observational data suggest a strong correlation in the third trimester between maternal postprandial glucose levels and increased risk of macrosomia. The effectiveness of long-term glycemic control in reducing diabetes related morbidity in pregnant women is unclear. This prospective, open label randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of antenatal continuous glucose monitoring on maternal glycemic control and risk of macrosomia in patients with type 1 and 2 diabetes at 2 diabetic antenatal clinics between 2003 and 2006. A total of 71 pregnant women aged 16 to 45 with type 1 (n = 46) or type 2 diabetes (n = 25) were allocated to either antenatal care using intermittent monitoring of capillary blood glucose supplemented with continuous glucose monitoring (n = 38) or to standard antenatal care using intermittent self monitoring of glucose levels (n = 33). Continuous glucose monitoring was provided for up to 7 days at intervals of 4 to 6 weeks from 8 to 32 weeks of gestation. There were no other differences in antenatal care of the 2 study groups. Compared with women randomized to standard antenatal care (control group), women randomized to continuous glucose monitoring (intervention group) had lower mean HbAlc levels at 32 to 36 weeks' gestation: 6.4% (SD, 0.7) versus 5.8% (SD, 0.6), respectively, P = 0.007. The mean birth weight standard deviation scores of singletons of women in the intervention group were lower than those of healthy singletons of women in the control group (0.9 vs. 1.6; effect size 0.7 SD, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0-1.3; P = 0.05). The median birth weight centiles were significantly lower: 69% in the intervention group compared with 93% in the control group (P = 0.02). Thirty-five percent of the infants in the intervention group were macrosomic compared to 60% in the control group (odds ratio, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.13-0.98; P = 0.05). These findings suggest that supplementary continuous glucose monitoring during routine antenatal care can improve glycemic control in pregnant women with diabetes and reduce the risk of macrosomia among their infants.