Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CHARACTERIZATION OF THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MEDIEVAL GLASS FINDS FROM SOUTH BULGARIA

PIXE and PIGE were used for determination of 23 elements in 50 glass samples excavated in Zlatna Livada – South Bulgaria (dated 11 th -12 th century AD). Elemental concentrations show that the analyzed fragments belong to soda-lime-silica glasses. Cluster analysis and bivariate plots indicate the use of natron, plant ash and mixed alkalis as well as production according Near East and Roman-province recipes. The metal oxides responsible for coloration were also investigated. The blue and blue-green colors are due either to CoO or to high concentration of FeO (blue: 3.3-6.3%, blue-green: 1.23-2.83%), melted in reducing atmosphere. The melting under oxidizing environment determined the higher oxidation state of iron oxide and the green color of some of the glasses (0.73.4% Fe2O3). Different shades of brown color are due to the high concentration of Fe2O3 (2.4-4.9%) and Mn2O3 (0.3-0.7%) melted in oxidizing atmosphere. Discoloration of the glasses is achieved by the presence of high amount of MnO (0.6-2%). A comparison to other medieval Bulgarian glasses was performed.
Trauma mortality in mature trauma systems: are we doing better? An analysis of trauma mortality patterns, 1997-2008.

BACKGROUND Advances in care such as damage control surgery, hemostatic resuscitation, protocol-driven cerebral perfusion management, and lung-protective ventilation have promised to improve survival after major trauma. We examined injury severity, mortality, and preventability in a mature trauma system during a 12-year period to assess the overall benefits of these and other improvements. METHODS Using the institutional trauma registry and the quality management database, we analyzed the outcome and the cause of death for all primary trauma admissions from July 1, 1996, to June 30, 2008, and linked these data with patient demographics, hospital length of stay, time to death, predicted probability of survival, and peer review of in-hospital deaths. RESULTS Through fiscal year (FY) 2007, primary trauma admissions increased in number, injury severity, and age. Performance benchmarked against predicted probability of survival improved. Mortality through this era ranged from 3% to 3.7% and worsened slightly overall (p = 0.04). However, among those patients admitted with Injury Severity Score 17-25, survival improved significantly (p = 0.0003). Traumatic brain injury (TBI) accounted for 51.6% of deaths; acute hemorrhage, 30%; and multiple organ failure, 10.5%. Median time to death for uncontrollable hemorrhage, TBI, multiple organ failure was 2 hours, 24 hours, and 15 days, respectively. These patterns did not change significantly over time. CONCLUSION Survival after severe trauma and survival benchmarked against predicted risk improved significantly at our center during the past 12 years despite generally increasing age and worsening injuries. Advances in trauma care have kept pace with an aging population and greater severity of injury, but overall survival has not improved.
Short-term trial of etanercept in Behçet's disease: a double blind, placebo controlled study.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of the tumor necrosis factor-alpha blocker etanercept on the pathergy and monosodium urate (MSU) status and on the mucocutaneous and articular manifestations of patients with Behçet's disease (BD). METHODS Forty male patients with BD, all with positive pathergy and MSU tests and mucocutaneous disease and/or arthritis, were randomized (20 patients to each study arm) to receive either etanercept 25 mg twice a week or placebo for 4 weeks. The pathergy and MSU responses and the frequencies of mucocutaneous and articular manifestations were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS There were no decreases in the pathergy and MSU responses in the etanercept group compared to the placebo group at any time. The mean numbers of oral ulcers, nodular lesions, and papulopustular lesions were less in the etanercept group compared to the placebo group at all weekly evaluations, except for the second week for papulopustular lesions. The probability of being free of oral ulcers and nodular lesions was also significantly higher in the former group (log-rank chi-square = 9.83, p = 0.0017; log-rank chi-square = 14.17, p = 0.0002, respectively). CONCLUSION Etanercept did not affect the pathergy reaction and the cutaneous response to MSU crystals. However, the drug was effective in suppressing most of the mucocutaneous manifestations of BD.
Multicenter randomized trial for stage IIIB/IV non-small-cell lung cancer using every-3-week versus weekly paclitaxel/carboplatin.

PURPOSE The combination of paclitaxel with carboplatin is effective in advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This phase III study was designed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of a weekly versus an every-3-week schedule in the first-line treatment of advanced-stage NSCLC. PATIENTS AND METHODS Chemotherapy-naive patients were randomized to receive paclitaxel 100 mg/m2 and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 2 once weekly for 6-8 weeks (arm A) or paclitaxel 200 mg/m2 and carboplatin at an area under the curve of 6 on day 1 every 21 days (arm B). RESULTS A total of 883 patients received >or= 1 chemotherapy cycle and were included in the results. The objective response rates observed (complete response plus partial response) were 38% for arm A and 33% for arm B. Median times to progression and median survival times were 6.1 months and 8.9 months in arm A and 7.2 months and 9.5 months in arm B, respectively. There were no significant differences between treatment arms. The chemotherapy was well tolerated in both schedules. However, grade 3/4 sensory neuropathy occurred more frequently with the every-3-week schedule (9.1% vs. 4.4%), whereas grade 3/4 diarrhea occurred more frequently with the weekly schedule (4.2% vs. 1.1%). CONCLUSION In terms of response and survival, paclitaxel/carboplatin administered once weekly is comparable with the every-3-week schedule. Toxicity differences should be considered when choosing the appropriate schedule for the individual.
Acute hair loss on the limbs in frontal fibrosing alopecia: a clinicopathological study of two cases

1 Gazerani P, Pedersen NS, Drewes AM, Arendt-Nielsen L. Botulinum toxin type A reduces histamine-induced itch and vasomotor responses in human skin. Br J Dermatol 2009; 161:737–45. 2 Wallengren J. Neuroanatomy and neurophysiology of itch. Dermatol Ther 2005; 18:292–303. 3 Koshi EB, Short CA. Placebo theory and its implications for research and clinical practice: a review of the recent literature. Pain Pract 2007; 7:4–20. 4 Weinfeld PK. Successful treatment of notalgia paresthetica with botulinum toxin type A. Arch Dermatol 2007; 143:980–2. 5 Heckmann M, Heyer G, Brunner B, Plewig G. Botulinum toxin type A injection in the treatment of lichen simplex: an open pilot study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2002; 46:617–19. 6 Sotiriou E, Apalla Z, Panagiotidou D, Ioannidis D. Severe post-herpetic neuralgia successfully treated with botulinum toxin A: three case reports. Acta Derm Venereol (Stockh) 2009; 89:214–15. 7 Yuan RY, Sheu JJ, Yu JM et al. Botulinum toxin for diabetic neuropathic pain: a randomized double-blind crossover trial. Neurology 2009; 72:1473–8. 8 Krämer HH, Angerer C, Erbguth F et al. Botulinum toxin A reduces neurogenic flare but has almost no effect on pain and hyperalgesia in human skin. J Neurol 2003; 250:188–93. 9 Tugnoli V, Capone JG, Eleopra R et al. Botulinum toxin type A reduces capsaicin-evoked pain and neurogenic vasodilatation in human skin. Pain 2007; 130:76–83. 10 Gazerani P, Pedersen NS, Staahl C et al. Subcutaneous botulinum toxin type A reduces capsaicin-induced trigeminal pain and vasomotor reactions in human skin. Pain 2009; 141:60–9. 11 Wallengren J, Sundler F. Cutaneous field stimulation (CFS) in treatment of severe localized itch. Arch Dermatol 2001; 137:1323–5.
Dynamic Sampling Allocation and Design Selection

We formulate the statistical selection problem in a general dynamic framework comprising fully sequential sampling allocation and optimal design selection. Because the traditional probability of correct selection measure is not sufficient to capture both aspects in this more general framework, we introduce the integrated probability of correct selection to better characterize the objective. As a result, the usual selection policy of choosing the design with the largest sample mean as the estimate of the best is no longer necessarily optimal. Rather, the optimal selection policy is to choose the design that maximizes the posterior integrated probability of correct selection, which is a function of the posterior mean and the correlation structure induced by the posterior variance. Because determining the optimal selection policy is generally intractable, we also devise an approximation scheme to efficiently approximate the optimal selection policy. For the allocation policy, we study an asymptotic policy ca.
Streptomycin in bone and joint tuberculosis.

1. Streptomycin has tremedously influenced and improved the treatment of bone anol joint tuberculosis. 2. Surgery for stabilization of damaged joints, excision of sequestra, and drainage of abscesses, seems to be still demanded as in the days before the use of streptomycin, but it is safer and much more efficient. 3. Complications arising from the use of streptomycin are fairly innocuous anol thoroughly acceptable, in view of the disasters which occur without its employment.
Initial cancer genetic counseling consultation: Change in counselees' cognitions and anxiety, and association with addressing their needs and preferences

The fulfillment of counselees' expectations in cancer genetic counseling and how this affects the outcome of counseling have received little attention so far. This study investigates how the initial consultation influences counselees' cognitions and anxiety, whether counselors address counselees' prior needs and preferences during the visit, and whether addressing needs is associated with a more positive outcome of the visit. One hundred twenty‐eight affected and unaffected counselees from families with no known mutation, who were seen by one of fourteen counselors, participated. Pre‐ and post‐visit questionnaires assessed correct knowledge about hereditary breast or colon cancer, perceived personal control (PPC), anxiety (STAI), risk perceptions, and (fulfillment of) needs (QUOTE‐geneca). Results demonstrated a pre‐ to post‐visit significant increase in correct knowledge and PPC, and a significant decrease in STAI and risk perceptions. However, marked overestimation of risks persisted. Decrease in STAI and risk perceptions was significantly less pronounced in affected versus unaffected counselees. The majority of counselees were (very) satisfied about the extent to which their needs were addressed, albeit about one‐fifth were not regarding emotional matters and explanations about their own cancer risk. Finally, the better counselees perceived their needs to be fulfilled, the significantly higher their PPC and the significantly lower their STAi scores were. Findings suggest that both unaffected and affected counselees should be counseled carefully. Also, a more effective service may be attained if counselors pay more attention to counselees' emotional needs and detail more inheritance and penetrance of mutated genes in relation to counselees' family history. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Passivity-based-control for double-pendulum-type overhead cranes

The overhead crane exhibits double-pendulum dynamics because of the large-mass hook. The nonlinear dynamic model of the double-pendulum-type overhead crane is built with Lagrangian method. Several properties of the system model such as the underactuated property, the passivity and its two nature frequencies are analyzed. A passivity-based control method is proposed for double-pendulum-type overhead crane. The method can greatly reduce the number of system states that need measured. Simulation results illustrate the complex system dynamics of the double-pendulum-type overhead crane and validity of the proposed control algorithm.
Conservative Treatment of Acute and Chronic Nonspecific Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials of the Most Common Interventions

Study Design. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Objectives. To assess the effectiveness of the most common conservative types of treatment for patients with acute and chronic nonspecific low back pain. Summary of Background Data. Many treatment options for acute and chronic low back pain are available, but little is known about the optimal treatment strategy. Methods. A rating system was used to assess the strength of the evidence, based on the methodologic quality of the randomized controlled trials, the relevance of the outcome measures, and the consistency of the results. Results. The number of randomized controlled trials identified varied widely with regard to the interventions involved. The scores ranged from 20 to 79 points for acute low back pain and from 19 to 79 points for chronic low back pain on a 100‐point scale, indicating the overall poor quality of the trials. Overall, only 28 (35%) randomized controlled trials on acute low back pain and 20 (25%) on chronic low back pain had a methodologic score of 50 or more points, and were considered to be of high quality. Various methodologic flaws were identified. Strong evidence was found for the effectiveness of muscle relaxants and nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and the ineffectiveness of exercise therapy for acute low back pain; strong evidence also was found for the effectiveness of manipulation, back schools, and exercise therapy for chronic low back pain, especially for short‐term effects. Conclusions. The quality of the design, execution, and reporting of randomized controlled trials should be improved, to establish strong evidence for the effectiveness of the various therapeutic interventions for acute and chronic low back pain.
Long-lasting neurotrophin-induced enhancement of synaptic transmission in the adult hippocampus

The neurotrophins are signaling factors important for the differentiation and survival of distinct neuronal populations during development. To test whether the neurotrophins also function in the mature nervous system, the effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), and neurotrophic factor 3 (NT-3) on the strength of synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices were determined. Application of BDNF or NT-3 produced a dramatic and sustained (2 to 3 hours) enhancement of synaptic strength at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses; NGF was without significant effect. The enhancement was blocked by K252a, an inhibitor of receptor tyrosine kinases. BDNF and NT-3 decreased paired-pulse facilitation, which is consistent with a possible presynaptic modification. Long-term potentiation could still be elicited in slices previously potentiated by exposure to the neurotrophic factors, which implies that these two forms of plasticity may use at least partially independent cellular mechanisms.
Temporal pattern of odor administration alters hemispheric processing in humans

Evidence from a variety of sensory modalities has suggested that the left hemisphere may be ‘tuned’ to process more rapidly changing stimuli than the right and some have suggested that this difference forms the foundation of the functional dichotomy often drawn between the two hemispheres. Odors may be thought to engage these same temporally dependent processes as portions of an odor mixture may come to be transduced into a phasic series of neural events. Using brain electrical activity, we show that the temporal sequence of the odor alters the pattern of brain electrical activity. Estimates of the source localization for this activity indicate that rapidly changing odors, like sounds, visual and tactile stimuli, show increased activity in the left hemisphere.
The influence of anatomical variations of the cystic artery inside Calot’s triangle on the surgical procedure in patients with carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum

Introduction: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is one of the most frequently performed procedures in surgical wards. Proper anatomical identification of structures within the triangle of Calot is essential for the procedure safety. Aim: To evaluate demographic, clinical and anatomical characteristics of 84 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomies. Material and methods: Anatomical characteristics of Calot's triangle were correlated with body mass index, gender and age of patients as well as with time of the surgery, type of vascular ligation, presence of adhesions, postopera- tive bleeding, bile leakage and use of a harmonic scalpel. Additionally, patients' demographic data were analysed and compared with data from other patients from Lublin's state. Results: Obtained anatomical relations of the cystic artery were classified into 2 groups. Group one had typical posi- tion of the cystic artery within Calot's triangle. Variants were included in group two. Variants of cystic artery were observed more frequently in females. Conclusions: We found that the classification of Skandalakis et al. was very detailed, but too complex to be imple- mented in everyday practice. Therefore we propose a simplified classification which could be used as a practical tool to determine the type of anatomical variation and preserve the safety of the procedure.
Myocardial Mononuclear Cell Infiltrates Are Not Associated with Increased Serum Cardiac Troponin I in Cynomolgus Monkeys

Myocardial mononuclear cell infiltrate is a spontaneous cardiac finding commonly identified in laboratory cynomolgus monkeys. The infiltrates are predominantly composed of macrophages with lesser lymphocytes and are not typically associated with histologically detectable cardiomyocyte degeneration. These infiltrates are of concern because they confound interpretation of test article–related histopathology findings in nonclinical safety toxicology studies. The interpretation of safety studies would be simplified by a biomarker that could identify myocardial infiltrates prior to animal placement on study. We hypothesized that monkeys with myocardial mononuclear cell infiltrates could be identified before necropsy using an ultrasensitive immunoassay for cardiac troponin I (cTnI). Serum cTnI concentrations in monkeys with myocardial infiltrates were not higher than those in monkeys without infiltrates at any of the sampling times before and on the day of necropsy. Increased serum cTnI levels are not suitable for screening monkeys with myocardial mononuclear cell infiltrates before placement in the study.
Renoprevention: A New Concept for Reengineering Nephrology Care—An Economic Impact and Patient Outcome Analysis of Two Hypothetical Patient Management Paradigms in the CCU

Background: The impact of acute kidney injury (AKI) on chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression remains uncertain; the common belief is that AKI in CKD is short-lived with subsequent full recovery. However 25.2% of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) Medicare patients all experienced antecedent AKI. We recently described a new syndrome of ESRD following AKI, the syndrome of rapid-onset end-stage renal disease (SORO-ESRD). Renoprevention, which we described in 2009, is the application of preventative measures to reduce AKI incidence. Methods: This is a descriptive study based on real clinical experience. Two hypothetical 69-year-old Caucasian male patients, A and B, with symptomatic coronary artery disease (CAD) presented for elective cardiac catheterization and subsequent coronary artery bypass graft procedures; renoprevention was applied in patient A but not in B. Results: Aggressive fluid repletion, withholding Lisinopril 40 mg once daily (QD) 1 week before hospitalization (hydralazine substituted) in A—earlier discharge after 6 days, transient minimal change in serum creatinine. Patient B continued on Lisinopril 40 mg QD, experienced prolonged hypotension needing pressors—severe oliguric AKI, volume overload, daily RRT for 6 days, recovered kidney function, was discharged after 20 days. Hospital charges were $68,580 (A) versus $154,650 (B). If patient B had developed ESRD (SORO-ESRD), the savings would be humongous. Conclusion: A more forceful and pragmatic application of renoprevention strategies in the coronary care unit (CCU)—preemptive withholding of nephrotoxics including renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) blockers, aggressive prevention of perioperative hypotension, avoiding nephrotoxic exposure as contrast, and antibiotics–leads to less AKI, potentially less SORO-ESRD, better patient outcomes, and massive dollar savings. Such paradigm shifts would constitute major rethinking in current nephrology practice, a form of nephrology practice reengineering.
Dual Infection of Infants by Human Metapneumovirus and Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Is Strongly Associated with Severe Bronchiolitis

Abstract The association between severe bronchiolitis and dual infection by human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) was investigated in ! 2-year-old infants with bronchiolitis who were admitted to the hospital during the 2001–2002 winter season. hMPV in nasopharyngeal aspirate and/or cells and fluid collected by nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). hRSV was detected in nasopharyngeal aspirate and/or cells and fluid collected by nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage by enzyme immunoassay, tissue culture, and RT-PCR. Dual infection with hMPV and hRSV confers a 10-fold increase in relative risk (RR) of admission to a pediatric intensive-care unit for mechanical ventilation (RR, 10.99 [95% confidence interval, 5.0–24.12]; P < .001, by Fisher exact test). Dual infection by hMPV and hRSV is associated with severe bronchiolitis.
The Hemodynamic and Metabolic Interrelationships in the Activity of Epinephrine, Norepinephrine and the Thyroid Hormones

The hemodynamic and metabolic effects of a total sympathetic block and of the infusion of l-epinephrine or l-norepinephrine were studied in 27 euthyroid dogs and in 31 thyroid-fed dogs. The physiologic changes produced by increased concentrations of the thyroid hormones were abolished by preventing the reflex release of epinephrine and norepinephrine with a total sympathetic block. The inotropic, chronotropic and calorigenic effects of l-epinephrine and of l-norepinephrine were found to be increased by thyroid feeding. It is concluded that there is a dynamic interrelationship between the thyroid hormones and those of the adrenal medulla and sympathetic nerve endings. The hemodynamic and metabolic changes of thyrotoxicosis are not the result of the isolated activity of the thyroid hormones, but rather are due to the physiologic effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine, as augmented by the thyroid hormones. Studies indicate that l-norepinephrine is the predominant mediator of the changes produced by thyroid feeding.
Problematic but Possible: Online Teaching and Learning in Post-registration Programmes

This article identifies the main challenges experienced by the authors, both nurse educators, in the delivery of a module on evidence based practice exclusively through the use of an e-learning platform. The module has been running for the past five years as part of an entirely online post registration programme for qualified health professionals seeking a baccalaureate qualification, and makes use of asynchronous online discussions coupled with traditional written assignments as assessment methods. The authors’ efforts to address the identified challenges are discussed, in view of flagging the measures which may need to be put in place by educators embarking on similar teaching initiatives. Problematic but Possible: Online Teaching and Learning in Post-registration Programmes