Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
QTc Interval Prolongation Predicts Arrhythmia Recurrence After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND In hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) patients complicated with atrial fibrillation (AF), catheter ablation has been recommended as a treatment option. Meanwhile, prolongation of QTc interval has been linked to an increased AF incidence in the general population and to poor outcomes in HCM patients. However, whether QTc prolongation predicts arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation in the HCM population remains unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Thirty-nine HCM patients undergoing primary AF ablation were enrolled. The ablation strategy included bilateral pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for paroxysmal AF (n=27) and PVI plus left atrial roof, mitral isthmus and tricuspid isthmus linear ablations for persistent AF (n=12). Pre-procedural QTc was corrected by using the Bazett's formula. At a 14.8-month follow up, 23 patients experienced atrial tachyarrhythmia recurrence. Recurrent patients had longer QTc than non-recurrent patients (461.0±28.8 ms vs. 434.3±18.2 ms, P=0.002). QTc and left atrial diameter (LAD) were independent predictors of recurrence. The cut-off value of QTc 448 ms predicted arrhythmia recurrence with a sensitivity of 73.9% and a specificity of 81.2%. A combination of LAD and QTc (global chi-squared=13.209) was better than LAD alone (global chi-squared=6.888) or QTc alone (global chi-squared=8.977) in predicting arrhythmia recurrence after AF ablation in HCM patients. CONCLUSIONS QTc prolongation is an independent predictor of arrhythmia recurrence in HCM patients undergoing AF ablation, and might be useful for identifying those patients likely to have a better outcome following the procedure.
MyiFogSim: A Simulator for Virtual Machine Migration in Fog Computing

Low latency in IT applications is an important aspect of improving the quality of the user's experience. Frequently, applications are run in a virtual machine in the cloud. Because cloud providers are datacentre facilities that are often distant from users, unacceptably high latencies are experienced in some applications. Fog computing can be seen as a cloud computing extension, namely cloudlets, located in access points at the edge of the network and hence able to provide lower latencies than the cloud. However, as mobile devices and applications become more popular, users' computing and data capacities should be maintained close to the user to keep latencies as low as possible. This paper discusses resource allocation in fog computing in the face of users' mobility and introduces MyiFogSim, an extension of iFogSim to support mobility through migration of virtual machines between cloudlets. Moreover, a migration policy is proposed, and MyiFogSim is used to analyze the policy impact on application quality of service. Results suggest that the policy can promote lower latencies when compared to a scenario without the migration policy.
Does bleeding affect fetal Doppler parameters during genetic amniocentesis?

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between fetal Doppler parameters and bleeding at insertion points during amniocentesis. MATERIAL AND METHODS This prospective study was conducted between July 2010 and February 2011. A total of 215 amniocentesis procedures were performed during this period. Five patients with Down syndrome were excluded from the study. The remaining 210 patients were divided into Group 1 (bleeding at insertion site) and Group 2 as a control group. One needle type was used for all patients. Umbilical artery resistance index (UARI), umbilical artery pulsatility index (UAPI), middle cerebral artery resistance index (MCARI), middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (MCA PI), and middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCAPSV) were measured immediately and before and after amniocentesis. RESULTS Bleeding at the insertion point during amniocentesis did not significantly change the UARI (34% increase for Group 1 and 46.5% increase for Group 2, p=0.238), the MCARI (52% increase for Group 1 and 45% increase for Group 2, p=0.622), or the MCAPSV (37% increase for Group 1 and 49% increase for Group 2, p=0.199). UARI, MCARI, MCA PI, and MCAPSV were not significantly altered following amniocentesis in Groups 1 and 2. There was a significant increase in UAPI following amniocentesis only in Group 2. CONCLUSION Bleeding during genetic amniocentesis did not change umbilical artery and middle cerebral artery Doppler parameters.
Neisseria cinerea Expresses a Functional Factor H Binding Protein Which Is Recognized by Immune Responses Elicited by Meningococcal Vaccines

ABSTRACT Neisseria meningitidis is a major cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis worldwide. Capsular polysaccharide vaccines are available against meningococcal serogroups A, C, W, and Y. More recently two protein-based vaccines, Bexsero and Trumenba, against meningococcal serogroup B strains have been licensed; both vaccines contain meningococcal factor H binding protein (fHbp). fHbp is a surface-exposed lipoprotein that binds the negative complement regulator complement factor H (CFH), thereby inhibiting the alternative pathway of complement activation. Recent analysis of available genomes has indicated that some commensal Neisseria species also contain genes that potentially encode fHbp, although the functions of these genes and how immunization with fHbp-containing vaccines could affect the commensal flora have yet to be established. Here, we show that the commensal species Neisseria cinerea expresses functional fHbp on its surface and that it is responsible for recruitment of CFH by the bacterium. N. cinerea fHbp binds CFH with affinity similar to that of meningococcal fHbp and promotes survival of N. cinerea in human serum. We examined the potential impact of fHbp-containing vaccines on N. cinerea. We found that immunization with Bexsero elicits serum bactericidal activity against N. cinerea, which is primarily directed against fHbp. The shared function of fHbp in N. cinerea and N. meningitidis and cross-reactive responses elicited by Bexsero suggest that the introduction of fHbp-containing vaccines has the potential to affect carriage of N. cinerea and other commensal species.
Sinking Skin Flap Syndrome and Paradoxical Herniation After Hemicraniectomy for Malignant Hemispheric Infarction

Background and Purpose— “Sinking skin flap” (SSF) syndrome is a rare complication after large craniectomy that may progress to “paradoxical” herniation as a consequence of atmospheric pressure exceeding intracranial pressure. The prevalence and characteristics of SSF syndrome after hemicraniectomy for malignant infarction of the middle cerebral artery are not well known. Methods— We analyzed a prospective cohort of 27 patients who underwent hemicraniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. All had a clinical and brain imaging follow-up at 3 months and were followed until cranioplasty. Results— Three of 27 patients (11%) had, at 3 to 5 months posthemicraniectomy, SSF syndrome with severe orthostatic headache as the main symptom. In addition, 4 patients (15%) had radiological SSF syndrome but no clinical symptoms except partial seizures in one. Patients with SSF syndrome had a smaller surface of craniectomy (76.2 cm2 versus 88.7 cm2, P=0.05) and a tendency toward larger infarct volume, an older age, and a longer delay to cranioplasty than those without this syndrome. Conclusions— SSF syndrome either clinically symptomatic or asymptomatic affects one fourth of patients 3 to 5 months after hemicraniectomy for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction. It should be diagnosed as early as possible to avoid progression to a paradoxical herniation.
Impact of human metapneumovirus in childhood: Comparison with respiratory syncytial virus and influenza viruses

This study evaluated the overall impact of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in 1,505 children and their households, and compared it with infections due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza viruses. Nasopharyngeal swabs were used at enrollment to collect specimens for the detection of hMPV, RSV, and influenza virus RNA by reverse‐transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). hMPV was detected in 42 children (2.8%), RSV in 143 (9.5%; P < 0.0001 vs. hMPV), and influenza viruses in 230 (15.3%; P < 0.0001 vs. hMPV). Of the 42 hMPV‐positive samples, one was also positive for RSV and six for influenza viruses, for a co‐infection rate of 16.7%. Clinically, hMPV was identified only in patients with acute respiratory infection, whereas RSV and influenza viruses were also detected in patients with different clinical manifestations. Symptoms with statistically significant different proportions at presentation were fever (more frequent in the hMPV‐ and influenza‐positive children) and wheezing with bronchiolitis or asthma exacerbation (more frequent among hMPV‐ and RSV‐positive cases). The households of the hMPV‐ and the influenza‐positive children had significantly more illnesses, needed significantly more medical visits, received more antipyretics, and missed significantly more work or school days than those of the RSV‐positive children. Results show that hMPV is an emerging cause of acute respiratory infection in childhood, and may have a significant clinical and socioeconomic impact on children and their families. J. Med. Virol. 75:101–104, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk Factors for Extubation Failure Following Neonatal Cardiac Surgery*

Objective: Extubation failure after neonatal cardiac surgery has been associated with considerable postoperative morbidity, although data identifying risk factors for its occurrence are sparse. We aimed to determine risk factors for extubation failure in our neonatal cardiac surgical population. Design: Retrospective chart review. Setting: Urban tertiary care free-standing children’s hospital. Patients: Neonates (0–30 d) who underwent cardiac surgery at our institution between January 2009 and December 2012 was performed. Interventions: Extubation failure was defined as reintubation within 72 hours after extubation from mechanical ventilation. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent risk factors for extubation failure. Measurements and Main Results: We included 120 neonates, of whom 21 (17.5%) experienced extubation failure. On univariate analysis, patients who failed extubation were more likely to have genetic abnormalities (24% vs 6%; p = 0.023), hypoplastic left heart (43% vs 17%; p = 0.009), delayed sternal closure (38% vs 12%; p = 0.004), postoperative infection prior to extubation (38% vs 11%; p = 0.002), and longer duration of mechanical ventilation (median, 142 vs 58 hr; p = 0.009]. On multivariate analysis, genetic abnormalities, hypoplastic left heart, and postoperative infection remained independently associated with extubation failure. Furthermore, patients with infection who failed extubation tended to receive fewer days of antibiotics prior to their first extubation attempt when compared with patients with infection who did not fail extubation (4.9 ± 2.6 vs 7.3 ± 3; p = 0.073). Conclusions: Neonates with underlying genetic abnormalities, hypoplastic left heart, or postoperative infection were at increased risk for extubation failure. A more conservative approach in these patients, including longer pre-extubation duration of antibiotic therapy for postoperative infections, may be warranted.
Evaluation of Several Biochar Types as Inoculant Carrier for Indigenous Phosphate Solubilizing Microoorganism from Acid Sulphate Soil

The research aimed at evaluating four biochar types which have the most adequate characteristics as inoculant carrier of indigenous Phosphate Solubilizing Microorganism (PSM) from acid sulphate soil. The observed biochar characteristics consist of the bulk density, total pore space, water holding capacity, C organic, N, pH, EC, charcoal percentage, and ash content. The pore diameters and photomicrograph of biochar were observed by using SEM. The viability test was conducted in order to determine the appropriateness of biochar as PSM inoculant through inoculation on four biochar types made of rice husk, coconut shell, corncob, and oil palm empty bunch, followed by six months storage period. Monthly observation was conducted related to the PSM population, pH, and moisture content. The results show that interaction of biochar types and storage periods has no significant effect on the PSM viability, pH, and moisture content. The PSM viability of four biochars after six months storage period is relatively stable in the range of log 7.07 cfu.g-1 to log 9.18 cfu.g-1. The highest PSM viability was found on coconut shell biochar with the magnitude of log 9.18 cfu.g-1 and pH of 7.01 as well as moisture content of 26.86% after six months storage period. This research offers the advantage of using agricultural waste substance as biochar that capable to maintain microbial viability with six months storage period.
Impact of Functional Age on the Use of Dopamine Agonists in Patients With Parkinson Disease

Background:Parkinson disease (PD) is primarily a neurodegenerative disorder that affects as many as 1,500,000 people in the United States. It is predominantly a disease of the elderly, and special treatment challenges must be addressed in this patient population. Review Summary:It has been generally accepted that PD patients over the age of 70 will have a shorter lifespan than younger patients and are at less risk for developing treatment-emergent complications by virtue of their lower exposure to medication over the course of the disease. Consequently, elderly patients are often treated aggressively when motor symptoms start to become disabling. Recent statistics, however, suggest that effective treatments for PD have helped to increase the longevity of PD patients, suggesting that elderly patients may, in fact, have sufficient medication exposure to raise concern over levodopa-induced motor complications. If this is the case, physicians should consider treating their elderly PD patients with dopamine agonists, which have several advantages over levodopa therapy, not the least of which is a lower prevalence of motor complications. Conclusion:Dopamine agonists are safe and effective in elderly patients and offer numerous advantages when used as either monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, particularly in patients requiring long-term treatment.
Nonfreezing Cold-Induced Injuries

Non-freezing cold injury (NFCI) is the Cinderella of thermal injuries and is a clinical syndrome that occurs when tissues are exposed to cold temperatures close to freezing point for sustained periods. NFCI is insidious in onset, often difficult to recognize and problematic to treat, and yet the condition accounts for significant morbidity in both military and civilians who work in cold conditions. Consequently recognition of those at risk, limiting their exposure and the appropriate and timely use of suitable protective equipment are essential steps in trying to reduce the impact of the condition. This review addresses the issues surrounding NFCI.
The Forward Premium Puzzle: Before the Euro

Extant literature confirms that the forward premium is a biased predictor of the future change in the spot rate. The existence of a bias is an indication of the possibility to predict the evolution of the future spot exchange rate. Drawing on about 25 years of research on the issue this paper makes two contributions. First it augments the standard models with several economic variables to examine if the forward exchange bias is maintained over the long run. Second, it uses the model to examine the predictability of the ex-post profits from uncovered interest parity (UPI) speculation. The paper finds that long term co-integrating relationships confirm that the forward rate is a biased predictor of the future spot rate in the long run. In addition, predictive models for the profit generated by the UPI speculation are successful for the majority of industrialized countries included in the analysis.
Activation of AQP4, p66Shc and endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in inflammation by carrageenan and is suppressed by argirein, a derivative of rhein

Objectives We investigated the effect of argirein on acute inflammation edema and examined that aquaporin 4 (AQP4), p66Shc and activating transcription factor (ATF‐6) might be involved in carrageenan‐induced rat paw inflammation and be reversed by argirein, rhein and indometacin, but not l‐arginine.
High birthweights among infants of north African immigrants in Belgium.

OBJECTIVES This study examined birthweights of North African immigrants in Belgium. METHODS Analyses focused on Belgian single live birth certificates from 1981 to 1988. RESULTS Low-birthweight (< 2500 g) rates were 3.1% among 34,686 newborns of North African origin and 4.8% among 804,286 newborns of Belgian origin. The entire North African birthweight distribution was shifted toward higher birthweights than the Belgian distribution. Low frequencies of low birthweights among North Africans were still observed after marital status, occupation of the father, and parity had been taken into account. CONCLUSIONS Despite their low socioeconomic status, North African immigrants have high birthweights.
Immunolocalization of beta catenin in intestinal polyps of Peutz-Jeghers and juvenile polyposis syndromes.

AIM: To examine the membranous and nuclear distribution of beta catenin in the epithelial cells of gut polyps from Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and juvenile polyposis in comparison with other types of polyps and tumours. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry for beta catenin and proliferation markers was performed on conventional paraffin sections. Immunohistological staining was carried out on Peutz-Jeghers syndrome polyps from four different families, on juvenile polyposis polyps from two different families, on solitary juvenile polyps, and on hyperplastic polyps. The immunohistochemistry was evaluated qualitatively in relation to defined areas of the polyps. RESULTS: All polyps from the hamartomatous polyposis syndromes (Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and juvenile polyposis) showed nuclear localization of beta catenin in some epithelial cell nuclei. In Peutz-Jeghers syndrome polyps beta catenin positive nuclei were seen at the base of the deep crypt infoldings. In juvenile polyposis polyps and in some solitary juvenile polyps they were found in irregularly distributed cryptal epithelial cells corresponding to the proliferative compartments. Normal mucosa of the gut and hyperplastic polyps of the colon do not show nuclear staining for beta catenin. CONCLUSIONS: The dysregulation of cellular beta catenin distribution is not only a phenomenon of adenoma formation and adenoma progression in the colon--it is at least focally present in polyps of the hamartomatous type and is related to the proliferation zones of these polyps. The nuclear translocation of beta catenin most probably reflects a disturbed beta catenin metabolism. In view of the different functions of beta catenin during development and cell differentiation, the nuclear translocation of beta catenin is likely to be an important factor in enhanced cell proliferation which escapes local control mechanisms.
The Challenge of Attracting Football Fans to Stadia

This article, which is based on an empirical survey of Norwegian football fans, illustrates that frequent viewership of football on TV can make it difficult to maintain attendance levels at the stadium. Fans of clubs that were featured the most often on free-to-air TV channels attended fewer matches than others. Hence, regulations on televised football might be necessary to maintain attendance levels. Fans that had strong preferences for foreign football attended less frequently. This represents a challenge for football clubs in smaller nations, such as Norway, for example, since they are unable to regulate televised matches featuring foreign leagues. Identification with the club was demonstrated to be the most effective instrument in maintaining attendance levels. As a result, a strategy aimed at strengthening the bonds between fans and clubs may be beneficial in the long run. No difference was measured between those who attended matches often and those who attended less frequently regarding the emphasis they placed on the uncertainty of outcome.
Psychotic experiences and suicide attempt risk in common mental disorders and borderline personality disorder

Recent research has demonstrated a strong relationship between psychotic experiences and suicidal behaviour. No research to date, however, has investigated the role of borderline personality disorder (BPD) in this relationship, despite the fact that BPD is highly comorbid with common mental disorders and is associated with both recurrent suicidal behaviour and psychotic experiences. This paper examined the relationship between psychotic experiences and suicide attempts, including interrelationships with BPD and common mental disorders.
Micro-environmental features associated to container-dwelling mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in an urban cemetery of the Dominican Republic

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are important vectors of diverse pathogenic organisms, particularly arboviruses and protozoa. The immature stages of mosquitoes occur in a wide range of natural or human-made aquatic habitats. On this basis, some anthropogenic places such as cemeteries, usually serve as thrive and productive artificial-breeding habitats for mosquitoes. Despite being important foci for vector species, urban cemeteries are frequently overlooked in control and surveillance programs. This study evaluates the association of ecological variables and attributes (type of material, presence of flowers, water availability and height from the ground) of the breeding sites with the levels of infestation of mosquito immature stages. In 2017, an entire urban cemetery in Jarabacoa (Dominican Republic) was sampled at two different climatic periods (March: dry and August: rainy) for the characterization of the artificial breeding-sites, collection of immature stages of culicids and subsequent laboratory rearing for species identification. In total 968 containers were studied, containing 7 758 immature stages in 203 (21.0 %) water-filled containers which accounted for four species: Culex quinquefasciatus (50.5 %), Aedes aegypti (47.1 %), Aedes albopictus (1.9 %) and Culex nigripalpus (0.4 %). The mean of A. aegypti immatures in infested containers was roughly two times higher compared to C. quinquefasciatus and significantly lower compared to A. albopictus. The total Container Index (CI) was 20.9 %, and among the type of materials, those made from rock (cement, ceramic, and mud) and plastic had the highest CI = 25.9 % and 23.4 %, respectively. Almost 95 % of the total infested water-filled containers were made of plastic or rock. No association was found between the type of material of the containers and the density of mosquitoes. However, overall, greater densities of immature stages were found at ground than at higher levels. A weak positive correlation between water volume and density was found in some species of immature stages. Significantly higher number of C. quinquefasciatus were recorded in containers with flowers and large water volume. In contrast, A. aegypti immature stages were more frequent in containers without flowers. A weak negative association between water volume and infestations was found for A. albopictus immatures. As reflected of their opportunistic behaviour and broad ecological plasticity, Culex spp. and Aedes spp. mosquitoes were abundant pests in cemetery habitats where were able to breed in almost any kind of water-filled container regardless the type of material. However, our study showed that some ecological variables have critical impact for the development of the immature stages of some species. The health authorities and cemetery keepers can benefit from these results by focusing on the implementation of detailed plans and integrated strategies for the control and prevention of cemetery infestations by mosquitoes.