Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Tranexamic acid in severe trauma patients managed in a mature trauma care system

BACKGROUND Tranexamic acid (TXA) use in severe trauma remains controversial notably because of concerns of the applicability of the CRASH-2 study findings in mature trauma systems. The aim of our study was to evaluate the outcomes of TXA administration in severely injured trauma patients managed in a mature trauma care system. METHODS We performed a retrospective study of data prospectively collected in the TraumaBase registry (a regional registry collecting the prehospital and hospital data of trauma patients admitted in six Level I trauma centers in Paris Area, France). In hospital mortality was compared between patients having received TXA or not in the early phase of resuscitation among those presenting an unstable hemodynamic state. Propensity score for TXA administration was calculated and results were adjusted for this score. Hemodynamic instability was defined by the need of packed red blood cells (pRBC) transfusion and/or vasopressor administration in the emergency room (ER). RESULTS Among patients meeting inclusion criteria (n = 1,476), the propensity score could be calculated in 797, and survival analysis could be achieved in 684 of 797. Four hundred seventy (59%) received TXA, and 327 (41%) did not. The overall hospital mortality rate was 25.7%. There was no effect of TXA use in the whole population but mortality was lowered by the use of TXA in patients requiring pRBC transfusion in the ER (hazard ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.3–0.6). CONCLUSION The use of TXA in the management of severely injured trauma patients, in a mature trauma care system, was not associated with reduction in the hospital mortality. An independent association with a better survival was found in a selected population of patients requiring pRBC transfusion in the ER. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Therapeutic study, level III.
Electronic and optical properties of strained graphene and other strained 2D materials: a review

This review presents the state of the art in strain and ripple-induced effects on the electronic and optical properties of graphene. It starts by providing the crystallographic description of mechanical deformations, as well as the diffraction pattern for different kinds of representative deformation fields. Then, the focus turns to the unique elastic properties of graphene, and to how strain is produced. Thereafter, various theoretical approaches used to study the electronic properties of strained graphene are examined, discussing the advantages of each. These approaches provide a platform to describe exotic properties, such as a fractal spectrum related with quasicrystals, a mixed Dirac–Schrödinger behavior, emergent gravity, topological insulator states, in molecular graphene and other 2D discrete lattices. The physical consequences of strain on the optical properties are reviewed next, with a focus on the Raman spectrum. At the same time, recent advances to tune the optical conductivity of graphene by strain engineering are given, which open new paths in device applications. Finally, a brief review of strain effects in multilayered graphene and other promising 2D materials like silicene and materials based on other group-IV elements, phosphorene, dichalcogenide- and monochalcogenide-monolayers is presented, with a brief discussion of interplays among strain, thermal effects, and illumination in the latter material family.
Guillain‐Barré syndrome in Bangladesh: validation of Brighton criteria

Guillain‐Barré syndrome has a diverse clinical phenotype related to geographical origin. To date, the majority of large‐scale studies on Guillain‐Barré syndrome (GBS) have been conducted in developed countries. We aimed to evaluate the key diagnostic features and assess the suitability of the Brighton criteria in 344 adult GBS patients from Bangladesh. All patients fulfilled the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke (NINDS) diagnostic criteria. Standardized data on demographic characteristics and clinical features, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and nerve conduction study (NCS) results were elaborated to measure the sensitivity of Brighton criteria. Most patients (88%) were admitted to hospital after the nadir weakness. Symmetrical weakness and reduced reflexes were found in 98% of patients. CSF albuminocytologic dissociation was detected in 238/269 (89%) cases and abnormal nerve physiology in 258/259 (>99%) cases. Only 27 (8%) patients received either intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) or plasmapheresis. In total, 200 (58%) patients met level 1 of the Brighton criteria; 97 (28%) patients met level 2; 42 (12%) patients met level 3; and 5 (2%) patients met level 4. This analysis showed that despite the heterogeneity of GBS in Bangladesh, the Brighton criteria showed a high sensitivity in the diagnosis of GBS.
Determinants of health‐related quality of life in anti‐MAG neuropathy: a cross‐sectional multicentre European study

Our objective was to assess determinants of quality of life (QoL) in anti‐myelin associated glycoprotein antibody (MAG) neuropathy. The SF‐36 questionnaire was assessed in 55 patients, from Marseille, Angers (France) and Birmingham (UK). Routine clinical evaluations included Medical Research Council (MRC) sum score, inflammatory neuropathy cause and treatment (INCAT) sensory score, inflammatory Rasch‐built overall disability score (I‐RODS), ataxia score, Jamar grip dynamometry, timed 10‐m walk, neuropathic pain symptom inventory (NPSI) score, and fatigue severity score (FSS). Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) of the SF36 questionnaire were significantly lower than in reported normal subjects of both countries (p < 0.001). All SF‐36 domains correlated with I‐RODS, except MCS for which significance was, however, approached (p = 0.056). PCS correlated with MRC sum score, ataxia score, timed 10‐m walk, tremor, Jamar grip dynamometry, NPSI pain score, FSS and level of social support. MCS correlated exclusively with FSS and level of social support. In multivariate regression, PCS was associated independently with I‐RODS (p < 0.001) and NPSI pain score (p = 0.011), whereas MCS was associated independently with FSS (p = 0.022). QoL is accurately predicted in anti‐MAG neuropathy by the I‐RODS and FSS, lending support to their use in clinical and research settings. Effective measures to improve QoL should include tremor and neuropathic pain treatment, fatigue management, and improved social support.
Differences in binding behavior of (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate to β‐lactoglobulin heterodimers (AB) compared to homodimers (A) and (B)

The lipocalin β‐lactoglobulin (β‐LG) exists in different natural genetic variants—of which β‐LG A and B are predominant in bovine milk. At physiological conditions the protein dimerizes—building homodimers of β‐LG A and β‐LG B and heterodimers of β‐LG AB. Although β‐LG is one of the most intensely characterized lipocalins, the interaction behavior of ligands with hetero‐ and homodimers of β‐LG is largely unknown. The present findings revealed significant differences for hetero‐ and homodimers regarding ligand binding capacity as tested with a model ligand (i.e. surface binding (−)‐epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)). These findings were confirmed using FT‐IR, where the addition of EGCG influenced the β‐sheet backbone of homodimer A and B with significantly higher intensity compared to heterodimer AB. Further, shape analysis by SAXS revealed oligomerization of both types of dimers upon addition of EGCG; however, homodimer A and B produced significantly larger aggregates compared to the heterodimer AB. In summary, the present study revealed that EGCG showed significantly different interaction reactivity (binding sites, aggregation size and conformational changes) to the hetero and homodimers of β‐LG in the order β‐LG A > B > AB. The results suggest that conformational differences between homodimers and heterodimers strongly influence the EGCG binding ability. This may also occur with other polyphenols and ligands of β‐LG and gives not only important information for β‐LG binding studies, but may also apply for polymorphisms of other self‐aggregating lipocalins. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
How do consumers use nutrition label information

Previous studies have shown high levels of self‐reported nutrition label use, yet when tested consumers have difficulty in using label information effectively. Using verbal protocol analysis, this study explored nutrition label use directly, identifying the tasks consumers actually undertake, and how these are used to inform choice. The implications of the findings for labelling policy and nutrition education are discussed.
Imaging prototypical aromatic molecules on insulating surfaces: a review

Insulating substrates allow for in-plane contacted molecular electronics devices where the molecule is in contact with the insulator. For the development of such devices it is important to understand the interaction of molecules with insulating surfaces. As substrates, ionic crystals such as KBr, KCl, NaCl and CaF2 are discussed. The surface energies of these substrates are small and as a consequence intrinsic properties of the molecules, such as molecule–molecule interaction, become more important relative to interactions with the substrates. As prototypical molecules, three variants of graphene-related molecules are used, pentacene, C60 and PTCDA. Pentacene is a good candidate for molecular electronics applications due to its high charge carrier mobility. It shows mainly an upright standing growth mode and the morphology of the islands is strongly influenced by dewetting. A new second flat-lying phase of the molecule has been observed. Studying the local work function using the Kelvin method reveals details such as line defects in the center of islands. The local work function differences between the upright-standing and flat-lying phase can only be explained by charge transfer that is unusual on ionic crystalline surfaces. C60 nucleation and growth is explained by loosely bound molecules at kink sites as nucleation sites. The stability of C60 islands as a function of magic numbers is investigated. Peculiar island shapes are obtained from unusual dewetting processes already at work during growth, where molecules ‘climb’ to the second molecular layer. PTCDA is a prototypical semiconducting molecule with strong quadrupole moment. It grows in the form of elongated islands where the top and the facets can be molecularly resolved. In this way the precise molecular arrangement in the islands is revealed.
Non-perturbative methodologies for low-dimensional strongly-correlated systems: From non-Abelian bosonization to truncated spectrum methods

We review two important non-perturbative approaches for extracting the physics of low-dimensional strongly correlated quantum systems. Firstly, we start by providing a comprehensive review of non-Abelian bosonization. This includes an introduction to the basic elements of conformal field theory as applied to systems with a current algebra, and we orient the reader by presenting a number of applications of non-Abelian bosonization to models with large symmetries. We then tie this technique into recent advances in the ability of cold atomic systems to realize complex symmetries. Secondly, we discuss truncated spectrum methods for the numerical study of systems in one and two dimensions. For one-dimensional systems we provide the reader with considerable insight into the methodology by reviewing canonical applications of the technique to the Ising model (and its variants) and the sine-Gordon model. Following this we review recent work on the development of renormalization groups, both numerical and analytical, that alleviate the effects of truncating the spectrum. Using these technologies, we consider a number of applications to one-dimensional systems: properties of carbon nanotubes, quenches in the Lieb–Liniger model, 1 + 1D quantum chromodynamics, as well as Landau–Ginzburg theories. In the final part we move our attention to consider truncated spectrum methods applied to two-dimensional systems. This involves combining truncated spectrum methods with matrix product state algorithms. We describe applications of this method to two-dimensional systems of free fermions and the quantum Ising model, including their non-equilibrium dynamics.
Cancers Among HIV-infected Persons

Abstract: Before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), persons infected with HIV typically died of opportunistic infections; malignancies accounted for less than 10% of all deaths. In the pre-HAART era, 3 cancers were classified as AIDS-defining conditions, including Kaposi sarcoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and invasive cervical cancer. Since the introduction of HAART, the incidence of Kaposi sarcoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma has decreased, but certain non-AIDS-defining cancers are occurring at increased rates and accounting for greater numbers of deaths. We review the trends in the incidence and the proportion of deaths due to malignancies among adult HIV-infected persons.
Molecularly imprinted core‐shell magnetic nanoparticles for selective extraction of triazines in soils

In this work, a propazine‐imprinted polymer was synthesized on the surface of modified magnetic nanoparticles to be used in the solid‐phase extraction of triazines in soil samples. The effect of different solvents on the selective extraction of target analytes was assessed to establish the optimum rebinding conditions. The obtained magnetic molecularly imprinted particles exhibited high selectivity for triazines and were easily collected and separated by an external magnetic field without additional centrifugation or filtration steps. Under optimum conditions, a magnetic molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction method was developed allowing the extraction of several triazines (desisopropylatrazine, desethylatrazine, simazine, atrazine, and propazine) from soil samples and their subsequent final determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography with diode‐array detection. Recoveries for the triazines studied were within the range 5.4% to 40.6%, with relative standard deviations lower than 7.0% (n = 3). The detection limits were within 0.1 to 3 ng g−1, depending upon the triazine and the type of soil used.
The experiences of professional hospice workers attending creative arts workshops in Gauteng

Object: This article explores the experiences of professional hospice workers using a creative process for debriefing them in order to facilitate the expression and communication of complex thoughts and feelings. The creative arts workshops were developed with the understanding in mind that caring for terminally ill patients can be challenging and stressful and professional hospice workers are subsequently at risk of developing compassion fatigue. The workshops focussed on skills transfers as well as self-healing by experiencing and teaching a diverse range of creative arts like music, drama, art, touch therapy, storytelling and movement. Design: Case study design. Setting: Gauteng, South Africa. Methods: Data collection included individual interviews with 19 trainees at nine different hospices, focus group interviews, observations during the workshops as well as a researcher journal. Themes were generated through thematic analysis to describe the experiences of the caregivers. Results: We found that the expressive arts facilitated communication and self-care and improved the wellbeing of the professional hospice workers. Conclusion: These findings add to understanding of the healing effects of the creative arts and especially the benefits in the hospice setting.
Dual diagnosis and psychosocial correlates in substance abuse in Menoufia, Egypt

Objectives To study the comorbid psychiatric disorders among substance abusers in Menoufia and to identify whether there is a correlation between the type of substance and the comorbid disorder that occurred, and also to determine whether there are specific risk factors that can cause this comorbidity. Background A dual diagnosis presents a challenging problem to clinicians as substance use disorders occurring together with mental health disorders represent a major health problem. Participants and methods Study participants comprised 120 Egyptian substance abusers. They were subjected to the following: semistructured interview sheet, Fahmy and El Sherbini Social Classification scale, semistructured clinical interview for DSM-IV (SCID) both SCID-I for Axis-I diagnosis and SCID-II for Axis-II diagnosis, Addiction Severity Index scale, and a urine screening for substance abuse. Results The findings of the study suggested that 20% of the studied participants were tramadol abusers, 10% were both alcohol and cannabis abusers, 23% were other substances abusers, and 37% were polysubstance abusers. With respect to psychiatric comorbidity, 63.3% of the participants had comorbid psychiatric disorders and comorbid personality disorders (PDs). On studying risk factors for substance abuse, major depressive disorder was found to be the strongest predictor of alcohol abuse. Dependent PD and schizophrenia were the strongest predictors of cannabis abuse. Major depressive disorder and borderline PD were the strongest predictors of opioid abuse. Anxiety disorders and borderline PD were the strongest predictors of sedative abuse. On studying risk factors for comorbid psychiatric disorders in the participants studied, young age ( Conclusion Individuals with psychiatric disorders are at an increased risk of having a comorbid substance abuse disorder and vice versa.
Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule1, vascular cell adhesion molecule1 and endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule in patients with acute ischemic b

Backgrollnd. Leukocyte migrfllioll imo tlie ischemic area is a complex process, COIl/rolled byadheJioll molecules (AM) ;11 leukocytes C1nd endothelium, by migratory capacity of leu­ kocytes and the presence ojhemotaxic ClgetHS in the fissue. In 111 is research it lVas supposed that ill the blood and cerebrospinalfluid (CSF) of patieflls ill the GClIle phase oj ischemic brain disease (/DD) there were relevalll changes ;11 the COI/Cellifatioll of soluble AM (51­ CAM-), sVCAM·} and sE·selectin), that could Jlm'e been the itulictllors oj the imellsity oj damaging processes ill cemraillervolls system (CNS). Methods, The study illdllded 45 180 patiellls, 15 witli trallsient ischemic auack (TlA), /5 witli reversible ischemic arrack (RIA), wuJ 15 with brain i,ljarction (81), ojborJl sexes, mea" age 66±7, Comrol group cOl/sisred of 15 patients with radicular lesions ofdiscal origin, subjected 10 diagnostic radiculography, without the signs of interruptioll ill tht! passage of CSF. Challges ofselected biochemical parameters were determined ill all patiellts ill Jrame 72 hours shlee the occ:urellce oj au is­ chemic episode. Conee1l1rations of soluble AM were determined ill plasma and CSF by ELISA. Toral Illlmber oj leukocytes (TNL) in peripheral blood was determined by hemato­ logical analyzer. Res"lls. The results sllOlI'ed tlwt dllring theftrst 72 Jlrs of IBD significant i"cremes occured ill TNL and that the increase was progressive compared to tile severe­ ness oj the disease. Signijic(ul1 increase ojsoluble AM eOflcell1ratioll was shown ill plasma of IBD paziems. The increase Wa.I highest in 81, samen-hal/owerin RIA and the (owesl ill TJA patiems compared 10 rile control. III CSF concentrations of sleAM-I, sVCAM-1 and sE­ se/eeIiI/ denuJIlstmred similar increasi"g tre"d as in plasma. COllclusio". TNL as well as rile soluble AM collcemrOliolls ill plasma and eSF, were inrreased during lile (lcute IJ3D phase and progressil'l' ill relarion to the severcness of the disease, so that they might IUlI'c bee" the indicators of eNS inflammatory refletioll imensity. Furthermore, the results indicated tlleir rote i/l 180 par/wgellesis alJ(l offered Ille possibility of researclling flie applicarjoll ofantago­ nists (lIuVor (lctivit)' modulatorsofsome ojthem in IBD therapy.
Proton Therapy and Concomitant Capecitabine for Non-Metastatic Unresectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Abstract Purpose: To review early outcomes for patients enrolled on our institution's protocol (PC01) for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, and to test whether the serious adverse event rate could be reduced from 15% (expected) to <5%. Patients and Methods: Twelve patients were enrolled, but only 11 patients are reported in this analysis. Pathology on all patients was reviewed at University of Florida Health Medical Center in Jacksonville to confirm the diagnosis of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Unresectability was defined by radiographic evidence of encasement of the celiac axis and/or superior mesenteric artery or by occlusion of the superior mesenteric vein, portal vein, or both confluences. Patients received proton therapy to a planning target volume dose of 59.4 Gy (relative biological effective) at 1.8 Gy (relative biological effective) per fraction over 7 weeks with concomitant oral capecitabine (1000 mg orally twice-daily, 5 days/week on radiation treatment days only). Only gross disease .
Simultaneous inhibition of anti‐coagulation and inflammation: crystal structure of phospholipase A2 complexed with indomethacin at 1.4 Å resolution reveals the presence of the new common ligand‐binding site

A novel ligand‐binding site with functional implications has been identified in phospholipase A2 (PLA2). The binding of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory agent indomethacin at this site blocks both catalytic and anti‐coagulant actions of PLA2. A group IIA PLA2 has been isolated from Daboia russelli pulchella (Russell's viper) which is enzymatically active as well as induces a strong anti‐coagulant action. The binding studies have shown that indomethacin reduces the effects of both anti‐coagulant and pro‐inflammatory actions of PLA2. A group IIA PLA2 was co‐crystallized with indomethacin and the structure of the complex has been determined at 1.4 Å resolution. The structure determination has revealed the presence of an indomethacin molecule in the structure of PLA2 at a site which is distinct from the conventional substrate‐binding site. One of the carboxylic group oxygen atoms of indomethacin interacts with Asp 49 and His 48 through the catalytically important water molecule OW 18 while the second carboxylic oxygen atom forms an ionic interaction with the side chain of Lys 69. It is well known that the residues, His 48 and Asp 49 are essential for catalysis while Lys 69 is a part of the anti‐coagulant loop (residues, 54–77). Indomethacin binds in such a manner that it blocks the access to both, it works as a dual inhibitor for catalytic and anti‐coagulant actions of PLA2. This new binding site in PLA2 has been observed for the first time and indomethacin is the first compound that has been shown to bind at this novel site resulting in the prevention of anti‐coagulation and inflammation. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Evidence on Acupuncture for Knee Osteoarthritis – Editorial Summary on the Implications for Health Policy

Decisions on whether a health service should provide a particular treatment are based on the evidence on three questions: 1) whether the treatment can work, ie it is biologically active; 2) whether the treatment is safe and effective in daily practice; and 3) whether it is economically worthwhile. Evidence presented at the Kyoto conference shows that acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee has a biological effect, has a large clinical effect in practice, has negligible risk, and has a cost effectiveness which is well within the usual acceptable limit. On the present evidence, acupuncture is likely to offer an alternative to treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).