Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cochlear Nerve Aplasia with Detectable Olivocochlear Efferent Function: A Distinct Presentation of Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum Disorder

Background: Cochlear nerve aplasia (CNA) may present with features of auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), having detectable otoacoustic emissions (OAE) but profound hearing loss. We propose that some children with CNA have a distinct form of afferent ANSD in which efferent cochlear nerve function can be detected using contralateral suppression of OAE. Methods: Children were prospectively enrolled with MRI and auditory brainstem response evidence of unilateral CNA, a normal contralateral ear, and detectable OAE bilaterally. Distortion product OAE (DPOAE) levels were recorded in real time with default primary tone settings: frequency (f)2 = 4.5 kHz and f2/f1 = 1.22 kHz, with level (L)1 = 65 dB SPL and L2 = 55 dB SPL. Recordings were made over 2 min with simultaneous application of an intermittent contralateral broadband noise (CBBN) stimulus at 60 dB SPL. Results: Three girls, aged 4.5, 7, and 8 years, participated. Suppression of DPOAE of 0.15–1.3 dB was detected in all 3 ears with CNA in response to CBBN stimulation. No response was detected in the normal ears. Conclusions: Children with unilateral ANSD can have normal efferent cochlear nerve function despite MRI evidence of ipsilateral CNA. The importance of these findings for newborn hearing screening and cochlear implantation is discussed.
Phase I/II study of the combination of panobinostat and carfilzomib in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma

The purpose of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of the combination of panobinostat and carfilzomib in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Patients with multiple myeloma who had relapsed after at least one prior treatment were eligible to participate. In the dose escalation part of the study a standard 3+3 design was used to determine the maximum tolerated dose of four planned dose levels of the combination of carfilzomib and panobinostat. Panobinostat was administered on days 1, 3, 5, 15, 17, and 19. Carfilzomib was administered on days 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, and 16 of each 28-day cycle. Treatment was continued until progression or intolerable toxicity. Forty-four patients were accrued into the trial, 13 in the phase I part and 31 in the phase II part of the study. The median age of the patients was 66 years and the median number of prior therapies was five. The expansion dose was established as 30 mg panobinostat, 20/45 mg/m2 carfilzomib. The overall response rate was 67% for all patients, 67% for patients refractory to prior proteasome inhibitor treatment and 75% for patients refractory to prior immune modulating drug treatment. At a median follow up of 17 months, median progression-free survival was 7.7 months, median time to progression was 7.7 months, and median overall survival had not been reached. The regimen was well tolerated, although there were several panobinostat dose reductions. In conclusion, the combination of panobinostat and carfilzomib is feasible and effective in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. (Trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01496118)
Clinical and Laboratory Evaluations of Non‐Surgical Periodontal Treatment in Subjects With Diabetes Mellitus

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and laboratory changes 3 months after full-mouth scaling and root planing in subjects with and without diabetes mellitus.Methods: This study was performed using 10 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus who required insulin therapy (DM) and 10 healthy adult control subjects (NDM) with generalized chronic periodontal disease. Both groups were treated with full-mouth scaling and root planing and given oral hygiene instructions. Clinical parameters, including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and clinical attachment level (CAL), were measured at four sites per tooth. Subgingival plaque samples were obtained from sites with the deepest PD (≥5 mm) and with furcations in each subject. Samples were also tested for the presence of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (previously Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans), Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Tannerella forsythia (previously T. forsythensis) by p.
Patient Specific 3D Image-Based Radiation Dose Estimates for 90Y Microsphere Hepatic Radioembolization in Metastatic Tumors

Introduction: Hepatic brachytherapy using either resin or glass 90Y microspheres is an established therapy for unresectable primary and metastatic tumors. Unlike conventional brachytherapy, microsphere brachytherapy has no software currently available for pretreatment evaluation and radiation planning. A non-MIRD radiation dose calculation approach is desired to accurately utilize spatial relationships in the liver and tumor distribution. Materials and methods: A newly developed software tool employing the technetium-99m macro aggregated albumin (99mTc-MAA) SPECT 3-D dataset and CT scan was used to estimate the likely absorbed dose in normal liver and tumor tissue from 90Y microsphere brachytherapy (radioembolization). Monte Carlo algorithms were utilized to maximize true 3D dose estimates for each patient's unique liver and tumor geometry. Clinical correlation was completed regarding toxicity, imaging response, and complications as an independent measure of the software's usefulness in predicting radiation effects. Comparisons were made to MIRD, Body Surface Area method, and physician prescription for 90Y activity. Results: The software performed accurately in estimating absorbed dose in phantom testing. Patient data from 50 consecutive patients with metastatic tumors (26 colon, 24 neuroendocrine) to the liver receiving 59 radioembolization treatments were studied. The software estimate of median normal liver and tumor absorbed doses were 27.6 Gy and 41.2 Gy, respectively. Conclusions: The use of pretreatment 99mTc-MAA SPECT co-registered to a CT scan provides useful and unique data for a newly developed non-MIRD, Monte Carlo-based radiation dosimetry software program in 90Y microsphere brachytherapy. Software estimates of radiation dose preserving critical spatial information in the liver and tumors appeared reasonable based on clinical outcomes. Further testing and refinement of the software interface is ongoing with plans to distribute it to research organizations.
Pseudoscience : a case study of a South African lifestyle magazine, and a survey of its usage

Across the globe scientists are taking issue with pseudoscience, as well as the role of the media in promoting it. Articles based on pseudoscience, especially those relating to Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) that fall outside the realms of orthodox medicine, are common in all forms of media, but especially in women’s health and lifestyle magazines. Scientists are quite vociferous in their condemnation of CAM for both ethical and safety reasons, since neither the therapies nor the remedies associated with CAM practices have been proven to be efficacious, or even safe. In fact, some of the therapies and advice offered by CAM practitioners are dangerous and, in some instances, may even be life threatening. Nevertheless, the media continue to promote CAM, and the public continues to support it – despite the warnings and denunciation by scientists. This is an exploratory study to determine the prevalence of pseudoscience, generally, in South African women’s health and lifestyle magazines, and to uncover the reasons the public supports it. The magazine Longevity is used as an example of this type of publication, and a content analysis is used to illustrate the prevalence of pseudoscience articles and adverts in South African media, while field research, in the form of personal interviews, attempts to determine the reasons people support CAM in spite of its denunciation, as well as the media’s role in fostering this support. Both mainstream science and pseudoscience are described, while a literature review reveals the scientific perspective of CAM, provides examples of the more popular forms of CAM and the dangers inherent in them, as well as the ways in which science and pseudoscience in general, are handled by the media. Using the hypodermic needle theory, plus the results of the content analysis and field research, this study shows that media promote pseudoscience because it pays; the public support CAM because they believe it works; and that that belief is primarily the result of public disillusionment with the practice of orthodox medicine, rather than the result of media’s promotion of CAM, as scientists contend. Stellenbosch University http://scholar.sun.ac.za
Evaluation of genotoxic effects of sodium propionate , calcium propionate and potassium propionate on the root meristem cells of Allium cepa S

The effects of different treatments with food preservatives, sodium propionate (SP), calcium propionate (CP) and potassium propionate (PP), on the cytology and DNA content of Allium cepa were investigated. Five concentrations of these additives – 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500, and 3000 ppm – were applied for 24, 48, and 72 h. All concentrations of these chemicals showed an inhibitory effect on cell division in root-tips of A. cepa and caused a decrease in mitotic index values. Additionally, all treatments changed the frequency of mitotic phases when compared with the control groups. These compounds increased chromosome abnormalities in test material. Among these abnormalities were C-mitosis, anaphase bridges, micronuclei, binucleated cells, stickiness, laggards, and chromosome breaks. The nuclear DNA contents decreased when compared with control groups. 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Direct referrals from social services to community teams for older people with mental illness

AIMS AND METHOD The aim of the study was to evaluate the open referral system from social services to a community mental health team (CMHT) for older people. Referral letters from social services to the specialist team were reviewed, as were the case notes. RESULTS Of the 40 referrals, 95% ( n =38) were accepted by the CMHT. Only 15% ( n =6) fulfilled the team’s existing referral criteria. The majority of referrals ( n =36, 90%) had details of the patient’s mental health problems. None of the referrals with memory problems had a cognitive assessment. Of the 38 referrals accepted by the CMHT, 36 were found to be suffering from a mental illness. The open referral system from social services did not increase the total number of annual referrals. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Social services play an important role in identifying and referring older people with mental illness and ensure a potentially rapid referral route bypassing primary care. The practice of accepting direct referrals from social services should be encouraged and made an integral part of the referral system.
Prediction of Sexual Assault Experiences in College Women Based on Rape Scripts : A Prospective Analysis

Although script theory has been applied to sexual assault (e.g., H. Frith & C. Kitzinger, 2001; A. S. Kahn, V. A. Andreoli Mathie, & C. Torgler, 1994), women’s scripts of rape have not been examined in relation to predicting sexual victimization experiences. The purpose of the current study was to examine how elements of women’s sexual assault scripts predicted their sexual assault experiences over a follow-up period. The authors used data from a baseline and follow-up session for 339 undergraduate women. The results suggest that women who constructed narratives containing certain elements were more likely to report a sexual assault over the academic quarter. Specifically, narratives containing the woman utilizing nonforceful resistance, the woman having less control over the outcome of the situation, the assault happening outdoors, the assault being more severe, and the woman having known the perpetrator less time were predictive of reported sexual victimization over the 8-week follow-up period. Additionally, having a history of adolescent sexual victimization was also predictive of reported sexual victimization over the quarter. These findings have important implications in sexual assault risk-reduction programming, which are discussed.
Effects of a Statewide Protocol for the Management of Peritoneal Dialysis-Related Peritonitis on Microbial Profiles and Antimicrobial Susceptibilities: A Retrospective Five-Year Review

♦ Background: Peritonitis is a major complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Early empirical antibiotic therapy is recommended, with the choice of agents guided by local resistance patterns. As routine use of specific antimicrobial agents can drive resistance, regular assessment of causative organisms and their susceptibility to empirical therapy is essential. ♦ Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of all PD peritonitis cases and positive PD fluid cultures obtained over a 5-year period in Western Australia following the introduction of a statewide protocol for the initial management of PD peritonitis with intraperitoneal vancomycin and gentamicin. ♦ Results: The incidence of PD peritonitis decreased from 1 in 16 patient months (0.75/year at risk) to 1 in 29 patient months (0.41/year at risk) over the 5 years. There were 1,319 culture-positive samples and 1,069 unique isolates identified. Gram-positive bacteria accounted for 69.9% of positive cultures, with vancomycin resistance averaging 2% over the study period. Gram-negative bacteria accounted for 25.4% of positive cultures, with gentamicin resistance identified in an average of 8% of organisms. No increase in antimicrobial resistance to vancomycin or gentamicin occurred over the 5 years and there was no change in the proportion of gram-positive (69.9%), gram-negative (25.4%) or fungal (4.4%) organisms causing PD peritonitis. ♦ Conclusions: Over time, the peritonitis rates have dramatically improved although the profile of causative organisms remains similar. Empirical treatment of PD peritonitis with intraperitoneal vancomycin and gentamicin remains efficacious, with high levels of susceptibility and no evidence that the introduction of this statewide empirical PD peritonitis treatment protocol is driving resistance to these agents.
Efficient Attack Graph Analysis through Approximate Inference

Attack graphs provide compact representations of the attack paths an attacker can follow to compromise network resources from the analysis of network vulnerabilities and topology. These representations are a powerful tool for security risk assessment. Bayesian inference on attack graphs enables the estimation of the risk of compromise to the system’s components given their vulnerabilities and interconnections and accounts for multi-step attacks spreading through the system. While static analysis considers the risk posture at rest, dynamic analysis also accounts for evidence of compromise, for example, from Security Information and Event Management software or forensic investigation. However, in this context, exact Bayesian inference techniques do not scale well. In this article, we show how Loopy Belief Propagation—an approximate inference technique—can be applied to attack graphs and that it scales linearly in the number of nodes for both static and dynamic analysis, making such analyses viable for larger networks. We experiment with different topologies and network clustering on synthetic Bayesian attack graphs with thousands of nodes to show that the algorithm’s accuracy is acceptable and that it converges to a stable solution. We compare sequential and parallel versions of Loopy Belief Propagation with exact inference techniques for both static and dynamic analysis, showing the advantages and gains of approximate inference techniques when scaling to larger attack graphs.
Psychosocial predictors of fruit and vegetable consumption among elementary school children

A self-efficacy questionnaire for fruit and vegetable (FV 'breakfast and lunch FV 'independent shopping for FV and 'assisted shopping for FV they accounted for 43.8% of the total variance. Subscale test-re-test reliabilities and internal consistencies were acceptable. Criterion validities against FV however, the models accounted for less than 13% of the variance. Nutrition education programs which target preferences may be more effective in increasing Georgia Prevention Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-3710, 'Office or Biostatistics, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-4900, 'Department or Behavioral Science, University of Texas MJXAnderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030 and ^Section of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medidne, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912-3102, USA F&V consumption among elementary school children than programs which target selfefficacy and outcome expectations. However, since preferences accounted for only small proportions of the variances, further research should consider other issues such as availability.
How Close Are We to Understanding V1?

A wide variety of papers have reviewed what is known about the function of primary visual cortex. In this review, rather than stating what is known, we attempt to estimate how much is still unknown about V1 function. In particular, we identify five problems with the current view of V1 that stem largely from experimental and theoretical biases, in addition to the contributions of nonlinearities in the cortex that are not well understood. Our purpose is to open the door to new theories, a number of which we describe, along with some proposals for testing them.
2013 European Thyroid Association Guidelines for Cervical Ultrasound Scan and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques in the Postoperative Management of Patients with Thyroid Cancer

Cervical ultrasound scanning (US) is considered a key examination, by all major thyroid and endocrine specialist societies for the postoperative follow-up of thyroid cancer patients to assess the risk of recurrence. Neck US imaging is readily available, non-invasive, relatively easy to perform, cost-effective, and can guide diagnostic and therapeutic procedures with low complication rates. Its main shortcoming is its operator-dependency. Because of the pivotal role of US in the care of thyroid cancer patients, the European Thyroid Association convened a panel of international experts to review technical aspects, indications, results, and limitations of cervical US in the initial staging and follow-up of thyroid cancer patients. The main aim is to establish guidelines for both a cervical US scanning protocol and US-guided diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in patients with thyroid cancer. This report presents (1) standardization of the US scanning procedure, techniques of US-guided fine-needle aspiration, and reporting of findings; (2) definition of criteria for classification of malignancy risk based on cervical US imaging characteristics of neck masses and lymph nodes; (3) indications for US-guided fine-needle aspiration and for biological in situ assessments; (4) proposal of an algorithm for the follow-up of thyroid cancer patients based on risk stratification following histopathological and cervical US findings, and (5) discussion of the potential use of US-guided localization and ablation techniques for locoregional thyroid metastases.
Strategies and Methods for Implementing a Community-Based Diabetes Primary Prevention Program in Sweden

SUMMARY Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) is the most common type of diabetes with a prevalence of at least 4% in Sweden. There is convincing evidence that, besides a genetic predisposition, exogenous factors such as poor dietary habits (high fat, low fibre content), low physical activity and obesity are serious risk factors for NIDDM. Steps have been taken to develop a primary prevention program for NIDDM in Stockholm, Sweden. The program aims to reduce the incidence of NIDDM by 25% over a 10-year period, by influencing the risk factors in the populations of three intervention municipalities. The intervention will be developed through two approaches: ‘community intervention’, and ‘intervention within community’. Evaluation of the program will be performed by monitoring the prevalence and incidence of diabetes in the target population and by assessing the effects of strategies designed to increase physical exercise and improve diet. Furthermore, changes in awareness, knowledge, attitudes and practices related to prevention of diabetes, will be investigated. For this purpose, a baseline study is carried out in the three intervention municipalities and two selected control municipalities. The baseline study includes a sample of about 3200 men and the same number of women, aged 35‐54 years, from intervention and control populations. A follow-up study after 5 and 10 years will be made.
Effects of a Transitional Care Program on Premature Infants and their Mothers

บทคดยอ การศกษาครงนมวตถประสงคเพอทดสอบผลของโปรแกรมการดแลในระยะเปลยนผาน สำหรบมารดาของทารกเกดกอนกำหนดตอการเปลยนผานของมารดา ความเจบปวยทางกาย การเจรญเตบโต และพฒนาการของทารก กลมตวอยางเปนมารดาจำนวน 72 ราย และทารกเกดกอนกำหนดจำนวน 81 ราย สมตวอยางเขากลมทดลอง และกลมควบคม กลมทดลองไดรบโปรแกรม การดแลในระยะเปลยนผานซงประกอบดวย การเตรยมมารดา การเตรยมผชวยมารดา การเตรยมเจาหนาทในหนวยบรการสขภาพระดบปฐมภมเพอเปนแหลงประโยชนใหกบมารดาภายหลงจำหนายทารกออกจากโรงพยาบาล และการดแลตอเนองภายหลงจำหนายออกจากโรงพยาบาล กลมควบคมไดรบการดแลตามปกตจากพยาบาลประจำ หอผปวย ผลการวจยพบวามารดาในกลมทดลองมคาเฉลยคะแนนการเปลยนผานมากกวามารดา ในกลมควบคมอยางมนยสำคญทางสถตในสปดาหท 8 และ 16 ภายหลงจำหนายทารกออกจากโรงพยาบาลจำ นวนทารกในกลมทดลองมการเจบปวยทางกายนอยกวาทารกในกลมทควบคมใน สปดาหท 8 และ 16 อยางมนยสำคญทางสถต ความยาวของทารกในกลมทดลองเพมขนมากกวาทารกในกลมควบคมในสปดาหท 8 อยางมนยสำคญทางสถตแตในสปดาหท 16 ไมมความแตกตาง อยางมนยสำคญทางสถต นำหนก และเสนรอบศรษะทเพมขน และจำนวนทารกทมพฒนาการปกต ระหวางกลมควบคมและกลมทดลองทงในสปดาหท 8 และสปดาหท 16 ไมมความแตกตางอยางมนยสำคญทางสถต คำสำคญ: มารดาของทารกเกดกอนกำหนด การดแลในระยะเปลยนผาน การเจบปวย การเจรญเตบโต และพฒนาการของทารกเกดกอนกำหนดภายหลงจำหนายออกจากโรงพยาบาลAbstractThis study tested the effects of a researcher-developed transitional care programfor mothers of premature infants on the mothers’ transition from hospital to home, andtheir infants’ physical illness, growth and development. Participants included 72 mothersand 81 premature infants who were randomly assigned into an experimental or a controlgroup. The experimental group received the transitional care program, which included:preparation of the mothers for transition from hospital to home; preparation of familymembers (i.e. grandmothers/grandfather and fathers) who would serve as caregivers,along with the mothers, of the premature infants; preparation of the mothers’ primaryhealth care providers, in the community, to serve as resources, after the mothers’ andinfants’ discharge from the hospital; and provision of follow-up care after the mothers’and infants’ hospital discharge. Those in the control group received only routine carefrom the hospital nurses.The results revealed mothers in the experimental group had significantly highermean transition scores than those in the control group at eight and 16 weeks after theyand their infants were discharged from the hospital. In addition, significantly fewer illinfants were found in the experimental group than in the control group at the 8th and16th week post-hospital discharge. Although the increase in body length of the infants inthe experimental group was significantly higher than among infants in the control groupat the 8th week, no significant difference was noted between the two groups with respectto body length at the 16th week. Also, no significant differences were found, regardingan increase in weight and head circumference of infants, in either the experimentalgroup or the control group at the 8th and 16th week post-hospital discharge.Keywords: Mothers of premature infants; Transitional care; Premature infants’post-discharge illness, growth, and development.