Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiographic and clinical outcomes following single-level anterior cervical discectomy and allograft fusion without plate placement or cervical collar.

OBJECT Although the clinical outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery are generally good, 2 major complications are graft migration and nonunion. These complications have led some to advocate rigid internal fixation and/or cervical immobilization postoperatively. This paper examines a single-surgeon experience with single-level ACDF without use of plates or hard collars in patients with degenerative spondylosis in whom allograft was used as the fusion material. METHODS The authors conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database of (Cloward-type) ACDF operations performed by the senior author (J.A.J.) between July 1996 and June 2005. Radiographic follow-up included static and flexion/extension radiographs obtained to assess fusion, focal and segmental kyphosis, and change in disc space height. At most recent follow-up, the patients' condition was evaluated by an independent physician examiner. The Odom criteria and Neck Disability Index (NDI) were used to assess outcome. RESULTS One hundred seventy patients underwent single-level ACDF for degenerative pathology during the study period. Their most common presenting symptoms were pain, weakness, and radiculopathy; 88% of patients noted >or= 2 neurological complaints. The mean hospital stay was 1.76 days (range 0-36 days), and 3 patients (2%) had major immediate postoperative complications requiring reoperation. The mean duration of follow-up was 22 months (range 12-124 months). Radiographic evidence of fusion was present in 160 patients (94%). Seven patients (4%) showed radiographic evidence of pseudarthrosis, and graft migration was seen in 3 patients (2%). All patients had increases in focal kyphosis at the operated level on postoperative radiographs (mean -7.4 degrees ), although segmental alignment was preserved in 133 patients (78%). Mean change in disc space height was 36.5% (range 28-53%). At most recent clinical follow-up, 122 patients (72%) had no complaints referable to cervical disease and were able to carry out their activities of daily living without impairment. The mean postoperative NDI score was 3.2 (median 3, range 0-31). CONCLUSIONS Single-level ACDF without intraoperative plate placement or the use of a postoperative collar is an effective treatment for cervical spondylosis. Although there is evidence of focal kyphosis and loss of disc space height, radiographic evidence of fusion is comparable to that attained with plate fixation, and the rate of clinical improvement is high.
Open, laparoscopic, and robotic ureteroneocystotomy for benign and malignant ureteral lesions: a comparison of over 100 minimally invasive cases.

INTRODUCTION Laparoscopic (LAP) and robot-assisted laparoscopic (RAL) approaches have been applied to ureteroneocystostomies (UNC) although such experience has been limited to a small number of patients and limited follow-up. Herein, we detail our experience with over 100 minimally invasive UNC, the largest such series to date. METHODS All minimally invasive UNC performed at our institution between 1997 and 2013 and all open UNC performed between 2008 and 2013 were identified. Perioperative parameters of relevance were identified and recorded. Chi-squared and ANOVA with post hoc Tukey analysis were performed for all categorical and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS A total of 130 patients met our study criteria. One hundred five underwent the minimally invasive approach (20 RAL and 85 LAP). Mean follow-up duration was 504 days. Patients in the RAL, LAP, and open cohorts were of similar age, gender and laterality distribution, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, body-mass index, history of previous abdominal surgery, history of prior treatment for the ureteral lesion, and surgical indication ( Table 1 ). Operative time was similar across all cohorts (235-257 minutes, p=0.123). Estimated blood loss (EBL) was significantly lower in the RAL and LAP cohorts (100 and 150 mL) compared to their open counterparts (300 mL, p=0.001) although a decrease in hematocrit was similar across all groups. Only four intraoperative complications (4.7%) and two (2.4%) conversions to open were identified in the LAP group, without statistical significance. No intraoperative complications or conversions were identified in the RAL or open cohorts. Median length of stay (LOS) was significantly shorter in the minimally invasive cohorts compared to open (p<0.002). Ninety-day readmission rates (18.8-20%), major complications (10-20%), and failure rates (5.9-16%) were highest in the open cohort although without statistical significance. CONCLUSION RAL or LAP UNC is feasible, safe, and comparable to the open technique with some perioperative benefit in EBL, LOS, and stent duration.
The role of psychological functioning in the use of complementary and alternative methods among disease‐free colorectal cancer survivors

The medical and demographic correlates of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use among cancer survivors have been well documented. However, the role of psychological functioning in cancer survivors' CAM use and the degree to which such factors apply to survivors of colorectal cancer require additional study. In addition, sex differences in CAM use and its correlates among colorectal cancer survivors are not well understood.
Cell surface transport, oligomerization, and endocytosis of chimeric type II glycoproteins: role of cytoplasmic and anchor domains

We investigated the role of cytoplasmic and anchor domains of type II glycoproteins in intracellular transport, oligomerization, and endocytosis by expressing the wild-type and chimeric genes in mammalian cells. Chimeric genes were constructed by exchanging the DNA segments that encode the cytoplasmic and anchor domains between the human influenza virus (A/WSN/33) neuraminidase (NA) and transferrin receptor (TR). The chimeric proteins in which domains were exchanged precisely were productively targeted to the cell surface. However, the proteins appeared to assemble differently in the intracellular compartment. For example, while TR existed predominantly as a dimer, NATR delta 90, containing the cytoplasmic and signal-anchor domains of NA and the ectodomain of TR, was present as a tetramer, a dimer, and a monomer. Similarly, the influenza virus NA existed predominantly as a tetramer but TRNA delta 35, in which the cytoplasmic and signal-anchor domains of TR were joined to the ectodomain of NA, existed predominantly as a dimer, suggesting that the cytoplasmic and anchor domains of type II glycoproteins affect the subunit assembly of heterologous ectodomains. In addition, we analyzed the role of the cytoplasmic domain in endocytosis. NA and NATR delta 90 did not undergo endocytosis, whereas both TR and TRNA delta 35 were internalized efficiently, demonstrating that the NH2 cytoplasmic domain of TR was capable of internalizing a heterologous ectodomain (NA) from the cell surface.
Competitive Selection, Trade, and Employment: The Strategic Use of Subsidies

Within a heterogeneous‐firms model with endogenous labor supply, intra‐industry competitive selection is shown to affect the impact of wage (and entry) subsidies. Optimal uniform wage subsidies are always positive even though, by reducing industry selectivity, they lower average productivity. Because of international selection and fiscal externalities, noncooperative policies entail under‐subsidization of wages. Targeted (domestic‐only or export) wage subsidies are dominated from a welfare point of view by a uniform subsidy. While always having an opposite effect on average productivity, an optimal entry subsidy is shown to be less effective than an optimal uniform wage subsidy in raising employment and welfare.
Attenuation of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis in Complement Component 6-Deficient Rats Is Associated with Reduced Complement C9 Deposition, P-Selectin Expression, and Cellular Infiltrate in Spinal Cords1

The role of Ab deposition and complement activation, especially the membrane attack complex (MAC), in the mediation of injury in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) is not resolved. The course of active EAE in normal PVG rats was compared with that in PVG rats deficient in the C6 component of complement (PVG/C6−) that are unable to form MAC. Following immunization with myelin basic protein, PVG/C6− rats developed significantly milder EAE than PVG/C rats. The anti-myelin basic protein response was similar in both strains, as was deposition of C3 in spinal cord. C9 was detected in PVG/C rats but not in PVG/C6−, consistent with their lack of C6 and inability to form MAC. In PVG/C6− rats, the T cell and macrophage infiltrate in the spinal cord was also significantly less than in normal PVG/C rats. There was also reduced expression of P-selectin on endothelial cells, which may have contributed to the reduced cellular infiltrate by limiting migration from the circulation. Assay of cytokine mRNA by RT-PCR in the spinal cords showed no differences in the profile of Th1 or Th2 cytokines between PVG/C and PVG/C6− rats. PVG/C rats also had a greater increase in peripheral blood white blood cell, neutrophil, and basophil counts than was observed in the PVG/C6−. These findings suggest that the MAC may have a role in the pathogenesis of EAE, not only by Ig-activated MAC injury but also via induction of P-selectin on vascular endothelium to promote infiltration of T cells and macrophages into the spinal cord.
Association of ADH4 genetic variants with alcohol dependence risk and related phenotypes: results from a larger multicenter association study

Genetic variants of the alcohol‐metabolizing enzyme ADH4, located on chromosome 4q22–4q23, have been related to alcohol dependence (AD) risk in previous research. The aim of this association study in a large multicenter sample of alcohol‐dependent individuals and controls is to confirm ADH4 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and haplotype association with AD and relevant related phenotypes. One thousand, six hundred and twenty‐two (1622) inpatient subjects and 1469 control subjects with DSM‐IV. AD from four addiction treatment centres were included. Characteristics of AD and related phenotypes including alcohol withdrawal, Cloninger's type I and II and first ages of drinking, regular drinking and AD onset were obtained using standardized structured interviews. After subjects were genotyped for 2 ADH4 polymorphisms, single SNP case‐control and haplotype analyses were conducted. Both variants—rs1800759 and rs1042364—and the A‐A and C‐G haplotypes were significantly related to AD across samples. Furthermore, associations with AD‐related phenotypes and subtypes revealed a potential protective influence of this haplotype. This study confirms the significant relationship of ADH4 variants with AD and related phenotypes. While the rs1800759 and rs1042364 A‐A haplotype had a potential protective influence on the risk for several AD‐related phenotypes, this effect is rather small compared to functional variants of other alcohol or acetaldehyde‐metabolizing enzymes like ALDH2*2 or ADH1B*2.
Vision-related Quality of Life in Patients with Non-infectious Uveitis: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT Purpose: To analyze the influence of socio-demographic, comorbidity, and clinical-related variables in the vision-related quality of life (VR-QoL) of non-infectious uveitis patients. Methods: Cross-sectional study includes 156 consecutive non-infectious uveitis patients from a tertiary uveitis clinic from Madrid (Spain). The main outcome was the log-transformed composite score of the Visual Functioning Questionnaire 25. Bivariate and multivariate ordinary least-squares regression models were performed and results expressed using effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Results: In the multivariate analysis, one unit increase in the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution scale [i.e., worse best corrected visual acuity (BCVA)] was associated with a seven times worse VR-QoL (a 0.14-fold change [95% CI: 0.07–0.27]). Patients with ocular comorbidities had a 64% worse VR-QoL (a 0.61-fold change [95% CI: 0.49–0.77]). Conclusions: Lower BCVA and the presence of ocular comorbidities had a significant, independent, and deleterious effect in the VR-QoL of non-infectious uveitis patients.
The impact of German-speaking online media on tourist arrivals in popular tourist destinations for Europeans

ABSTRACT This empirical study analyzes the relationship between the sentiments in online media with regard to travel destinations and corresponding tourist arrivals. We expect the media reports on political and economic instability and turmoil to enhance tourist arrival nowcasts and forecasts, as they can probably complement them with information on disruptions and shocks. Therefore, we believe this research will help to build better models for tourism demand nowcasting and forecasting. We use the sentiment in the German-speaking online media because the German-speaking region is the most populated in Europe and has the largest group of travelers visiting destinations in and around Europe. An artificial neural network is used to analyze the mood of the media. The software classifies news items regarding potential tourist destinations with either positive or negative labels. The number of positive and negative news items is used to build sentiment indices for popular tourist destinations for Europeans. Our results show strong correlations between the mood concerning tourist destinations and tourist arrivals in these countries. Indeed, disruptions and shocks prevalent in the news are reflected in similar ratios in both tourist arrivals and sentiment indices. These results can be used as a new explanatory variable for tourism demand modelling.
Antifungal Therapy and Outcomes in Infants With Invasive Candida Infections

Background: Invasive candidiasis is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in neonatal intensive care units. Treatment recommendations are limited by a lack of comparative outcomes data. Methods: We identified all infants ⩽120 days of age with positive blood, urine, or cerebrospinal fluid cultures for Candida species who received amphotericin B deoxycholate, fluconazole, amphotericin B lipid products, or combination therapy admitted to one of 192 neonatal intensive care units in the United States between 1997 and 2003. Primary outcome measures included overall mortality and therapeutic failure (combined outcome of duration of infection >7 days, need for additional antifungal therapy, or death before discharge). We compared outcomes by antifungal therapy using logistic regression, controlling for gestational age, day of life at start of antifungal therapy, delay in therapy, and site of infection. Results: Overall, 138 of 730 (19%) infants died. On multivariable logistic regression, we observed higher overall mortality for infants receiving amphotericin B lipid products compared with infants receiving amphotericin B deoxycholate (odds ratio 1.96 [95% confidence intervals: 1.16, 3.33]; P = 0.01) or fluconazole (odds ratio 2.39 [1.18, 4.83]; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Infants treated with amphotericin B lipid products had higher mortality than infants treated with either amphotericin B deoxycholate or fluconazole. This finding may be related to inadequate penetration of amphotericin B lipid products into the kidneys, inappropriate dosing in premature infants, or unknown differences in acuity of illness in infants treated with amphotericin B lipid products.
An X-ray crystallographic and density functional theory study of (3Z)-4-(5-ethylsulfonyl-2-hydroxyanilino)pent-3-en-2-one and (3Z)-4-(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyanilino)pent-3-en-2-one.

The Schiff base enaminones (3Z)-4-(5-ethylsulfonyl-2-hydroxyanilino)pent-3-en-2-one, C13H17NO4S, (I), and (3Z)-4-(5-tert-butyl-2-hydroxyanilino)pent-3-en-2-one, C15H21NO2, (II), were studied by X-ray crystallography and density functional theory (DFT). Although the keto tautomer of these compounds is dominant, the O=C-C=C-N bond lengths are consistent with some electron delocalization and partial enol character. Both (I) and (II) are nonplanar, with the amino-phenol group canted relative to the rest of the molecule; the twist about the N(enamine)-C(aryl) bond leads to dihedral angles of 40.5 (2) and -116.7 (1)° for (I) and (II), respectively. Compound (I) has a bifurcated intramolecular hydrogen bond between the N-H group and the flanking carbonyl and hydroxy O atoms, as well as an intermolecular hydrogen bond, leading to an infinite one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded chain. Compound (II) has one intramolecular hydrogen bond and one intermolecular C=O.H-O hydrogen bond, and consequently also forms a one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded chain. The DFT-calculated structures [in vacuo, B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) level] for the keto tautomers compare favourably with the X-ray crystal structures of (I) and (II), confirming the dominance of the keto tautomer. The simulations indicate that the keto tautomers are 20.55 and 18.86 kJ mol(-1) lower in energy than the enol tautomers for (I) and (II), respectively.
Ranibizumab for age‐related macular degeneration: a meta‐analysis of dose effects and comparison with no anti‐VEGF treatment and bevacizumab

Ranibizumab is used monthly or as‐needed (PRN) for the treatment of age‐related macular degeneration. However, which treatment regimen is more effective remains unknown. The objectives of this study are to: (i) compare the efficacy of monthly versus as‐needed quarterly treatment; and (ii) compare the efficacy of ranibizumab 0·5 mg treatment with: (a) no anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); (b) ranibizumab 0·3 mg; and (c) bevacizumab.
Minimally invasive approaches for histological diagnosis of anterior mediastinal masses.

BACKGROUND Anterior mediastinal masses include a wide variety of diseases from benign lesions to extremely malignant tumors. Management strategies are highly diverse and depend strongly on the histological diagnosis as well as the extent of the disease. We reported a prospective study comparing the usefulness of core needle biopsy and mini-mediastinotomy under local anesthesia for histological diagnosis in anterior mediastinal masses. METHODS A total of 40 patients with masses of unknown histology and located either at or near the anterior mediastinum received biopsy prior to treatment. The diagnostic methods were core needle biopsy in 28 patients and biopsy through mini-mediastinotomy under local anesthesia in 15 patients (including 3 patients for whom core needle biopsy failed to yield a definite diagnosis). RESULTS Histological diagnosis was achieved in 18 of the 28 patients receiving core needle biopsy. Of them, all 4 patients with pleural fibromas and 9 of the 12 patients (75%) with pulmonary mass were diagnosed definitively. In the remaining 12 patients with mediastinal mass, histological diagnosis was achieved in only 5 patients (41.7%). In contrast, biopsy through a mini-mediastinotomy failed in only 3 patients. In the remaining 12 patients with huge mediastinal masses, who underwent mini-mediastinotomy, a definitive histological diagnosis was reached by pathological and/or immunohistochemical study (diagnostic yield 85.7% in 12 of 14 cases of mediastinal mass, P = 0.038 vs core needle biopsy). For the 9 patients with thymic epithelial tumors, the diagnostic yield was 40% (2 in 5 cases) for core needle biopsy and 83.3% (5 in 6 cases) for mini-mediastinotomy. There was no morbidity in patients receiving mini-mediastinotomy. In the 30 patients with biopsy-proven histological diagnosis, the results contributed to therapeutic decision making in 25 cases (83.3%). CONCLUSIONS Core needle biopsy is effective in the diagnosis of pulmonary and pleural diseases. Yet its diagnostic yield in mediastinal mass is rather low. Superior to core needle biopsy, biopsy through a mini-mediastinotomy under local anesthesia is highly effective in the histological diagnosis of anterior mediastinal mass, and has a satisfactory diagnostic yield. The method is safe, minimally invasive, cost-effective, and useful in therapeutic decision making for anterior mediastinal masses.
Neural simulation of actions: Effector‐ versus action‐specific motor maps within the human premotor and posterior parietal area?

This study addresses the controversy over how motor maps are organized during action simulation by examining whether action simulation states, that is, motor imagery and action observation, run on either effector‐specific and/or action‐specific motor maps. Subjects had to observe or imagine three types of movements effected by the right hand or the right foot with different action goals. The functional magnetic resonance imaging results showed an action‐specific organization within premotor and posterior parietal areas of both hemispheres during action simulation, especially during action observation. There were also less pronounced effector‐specific activation sites during both simulation processes. It is concluded that the premotor and parietal areas contain multiple motor maps rather than a single, continuous map of the body. The forms of simulation (observation, imagery), the task contexts (movements related to an object, with usual/unusual effector), and the underlying reason for performing the simulation (rate your subjective success afterwards) lead to the specific use of different representational motor maps within both regions. In our experimental setting, action‐specific maps are dominant especially, during action observation, whereas effector‐specific maps are recruited to only a lesser degree. Hum Brain Mapp 35:1212–1225, 2014. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Psychiatric comorbidity in patients with spasmodic dysphonia: a controlled study

Objectives: To study the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity assessed by a structured clinical interview in patients with spasmodic dysphonia (SD) compared with patients suffering from vocal fold paralysis (VFP). Methods: In 48 patients with SD and 27 patients with VFP, overall psychiatric comorbidity was studied prospectively using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I disorders. Physical disability and psychometric variables were assessed with standardised self-rating questionnaires. Results: 41.7% of SD subjects and 19.5% of the control group met DSM-IV clinical criteria for current psychiatric comorbidity (p<0.05). Significant predictors of psychiatric comorbidity in SD were severity of voice impairment and subjective assessment of “satisfaction with health”. As a limitation, the severity of voice impairment in patients with SD was nearly twice as high, and their illness had lasted nearly twice as long. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with SD. The significant correlation between current psychiatric comorbidity and the extent of voice pathology may point to an especially strong interaction between somatic and psychiatric complaints in SD.
Evolution of ticks.

Evolutionary patterns in ticks have traditionally been cast in terms of host associations. Largely untested assumptions of cospeciation and observations of current host associations are used to estimate the age of different taxa. Several recent phylogenetic studies of supraspecific relationships in ticks, based on both morphological and DNA-sequence data, allow the first rigorous testing of these assumptions. Reanalysis of patterns of tick-host associations suggests that the perception of host specificity in ticks may be an artifact of incomplete sampling. An analysis of tick-host and -habitat associations and biogeographical patterns, in the context of the newly derived phylogenies, suggests that much of the existing host-association patterns may be explained as artifacts of biogeography and ecological specificity.