Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Is left ventricular hypertrophy a modifiable risk factor in end-stage renal disease

Purpose of reviewLeft ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and has been advocated as a therapeutic target. We review the considerations for targeting LVH as a modifiable risk factor in ESRD. Recent findingsPathologic myocardial changes underlying LVH provide an ideal substrate for the spread of arrhythmia and may be key contributors to the occurrence of sudden death in ESRD. LVH is present in 68–89% of incident hemodialysis patients and is frequently progressive, although regression is observed in a minority of patients. Higher degrees of baseline LVH, as well as greater increases in left ventricular mass index over time, are associated with decreased survival, but whether these associations are causal remains uncertain. Several interventions, including angiotensin blockade and frequent dialysis, can reduce the left ventricular mass index, but whether this is associated with improved survival has not been definitively demonstrated. SummaryLVH is a highly prevalent and reversible risk factor, which holds promise as a novel therapeutic target in ESRD. Interventional trials are needed to provide additional evidence that LVH regression improves survival before prevention and reversal of LVH can be definitively adopted as a therapeutic paradigm in ESRD.
Diagnosis of mycosis fungoides with different algorithmic approaches

Background: Algorithmic scoring approaches for evaluating early cases of mycosis fungoides (MF) provide a degree of diagnostic standardization. At the UWMC, biopsies from clinically concerning cases for MF are individually reviewed by a panel of pathologists and an average score is assigned to each biopsy reflecting the degree of suspicion for a diagnosis of MF; however, such an approach may not be practical outside of an academic center.
The Correlation Between Achilles Tendon Thickness and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Background: Achilles tendon thickness (ATT) has been associated with increased cardiovascular risk in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). The aim of this study is to establish the correlation among ATT, obesity and established cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, smoking, and dyslipidemia. Methods: In total, 19 patients (male 31.5%, mean age 60.0±12.5) with dyslipidemia and 96 control (male 64.6%, mean age 62.3±8.5) were enrolled. ATT was measured by ultrasonography. Anterioposterior diameter which represents the ATT was measured bilaterally, 4 cm above the insertion of Achilles tendon to the tuber calcite. Dyslipidemia was defined as elevated total cholesterol, triglyceride, or LDL cholesterol, or low levels of HDL cholesterol. Results: There was no significant differences including ATT between the two groups (for ATT, dyslipidemia group, 0.44±0.04 vs control, 0.45±0.02 cm, p=0.783). There was no significant correlation between ATT and other cardiovascular risk factors except weight (r=0.34, p=0.007) and body mass index (r=0.63, p<0.001). Dyslipidemia was not significantly correlated with ATT (r=0.02, p=0.783). Use of statin was not significantly correlated with ATT (r=0.04, p=0.605). Conclusion: ATT was not significantly increased in patients with dyslipidemia. Lipid accumulation of Achilles tendon was not found in patients with dyslipidemia in this study.
Mitochondria as therapeutic targets in acute kidney injury

Purpose of reviewMitochondria are complex intracellular organelles with a variety of important functions. The kidney tubule is densely packed with mitochondria, and mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to be central to the pathogenesis of acute kidney injury (AKI). Mitochondria therefore represent potential targets for novel therapeutic interventions in AKI. Recent findingsSeveral mitochondrial targeted approaches have shown promise in recent preclinical studies of AKI, including measures to: reduce oxidative stress within mitochondria; prevent mitochondrial fission and activation of cell death pathways; enhance recycling of damaged mitochondria via autophagy and mitophagy; and accelerate mitochondrial biogenesis postinsult. SummaryRecent studies show that it is now eminently feasible to pharmacologically manipulate various key aspects of mitochondrial biology in the kidney, and this has much potential for the future treatment of AKI. However, significant hurdles will have to be overcome in the translational pathway for these strategies to successfully migrate to the clinic.
Retrospective study of treatment outcome for individuals with aphasia

Measurement of outcomes subsequent to treatment and documentation of the efficiency with which outcomes are achieved is critical information for healthcare policy makers and third-party payers. This study employed the ASHA Functional Communication Measure (FCM) scales to retrospectively analyse charts of 20 aphasic patients. By discharge, both severe and moderate groups gained a median (across modalities) of 1 FCM level. The severe group remained dependent for communication, while the moderately impaired group typically achieved independent communication levels. Efficiency (amount of FCM level gain relative to number of treatment sessions) was greater for the moderate group; average number of treatment sessions was 40 for the severe group and 22 for the moderate group.
ON STANDARD DEFINITIONS

To the Editor: It is surprising that standard definitions of most primary lesions have never been agreed upon by dermatologists. This became apparent to us in a recent departmental conference, when members of the same institution disagreed on the meanings of such elementary terms as macule, papule, nodule, tumor, vesicle , and bulla . Indeed, when we turned to various textbooks for substantiation, we found there was no unanimity of thought among the several authors as to the exact definitions of these "primary lesions. " The situation has been compounded over the years because of the failure of the authorities (1) to concur in size limitations of most of the lesions, (2) to appreciate the dimension of depth intrinsic to nodules and tumors, and (3) to expand the terminology to include such lesions as patches and plaques . For instance, most of the textbooks describe macules as circumscribed, nonelevated discolorations of the skin, of
The Importance of Major Extracranial Injuries and Decompressive Craniectomy for the Management of Severe Head Injuries

Neurosurgical therapy aims to minimize the secondary brain damage that occurs after severe head injury. This includes the evacuation of intracranial space-occupying bleeding, reduction of intracranial volumes, external ventricular drainage in hematocephalus, and conservative therapy to influence increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and a decreased oxygen partial pressure [p(ti)o2]. When conservative treatment fails, a decompressive craniectomy might be successful in lowering ICP. From September 1997 until September 2002, 559 patients with severe head injuries were operated on. Eighty patients (14%) were treated by means of a decompressive craniectomy. The prognosis after decompression depends on the clinical signs and symptoms on admission, the patient's age, and the existence of major extracranial injuries. The guidelines used at this institution for decompressive craniectomy after failure of conservative intervention and evacuation of space-occupying hematomas include patient age less than 50 years without multiple trauma, patient age less than 30 years in the presence of major extracranial injuries, severe brain swelling on a computed tomography scan, the exclusion of a primary brainstem lesion or injury, and intervention before irreversible brainstem damage. Secondarily, intervention is undertaken after monitoring ICP and p(ti)o2 for an interval up to 48 hours after the accident before irreversible brainstem damage or generalized brain damage has occurred.
Superficially invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder associated with distant cutaneous metastases

Cutaneous metastases from transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder are rare and most often associated with a deeply invasive primary tumor. This case report describes a 69‐year‐old male with previously resected superficially invasive primary transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder who presented with distant cutaneous and central nervous system metastases associated with recurrent bladder cancer. In addition, this case highlights the differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinomas that display a CK7/CK20 positive immunophenotype including transitional cell carcinoma, pancreatic carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma and rare gastric carcinomas.
Intrarectal Dehydroleucodine Suppresses Trinitrobenzene Sulfonic Acid–Induced Colitis in Rats, A Model for Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Abstract Dehydroleucodine (DhL), isolated from Artemisia douglasiana. Besser (Asteraceae), prevents damage in acetic acid–induced colitis in rats. The trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced model of chronic inflammation of the rat colon was used to determine the efficacy of DhL, at dose of 40 mg/kg, administered in enema form. All rats were sacrificed on day 7 and the colon excised, weighed, and rated macroscopically. Sections of colon were processed for light microscopy. Macroscopic scoring showed a decrease (p < 0.001) in the degree of damage in the DhL group compared with the group of rats treated with TNBS. Colon mass decreased (p < 0.05) in the DhL group compared with the TNBS group. Treatment with DhL resulted in a reduction in the incidence of diarrhea. Light-microscopic examination revealed preservation of mucosal architecture in the DhL-treated rats. DhL had an effective healing capacity at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. We conclude that DhL decreases injury and/or promotes healing in this model.
Value of p63 and podoplanin (D2‐40) immunoreactivity in the distinction between primary cutaneous tumors and adenocarcinomas metastatic to the skin: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 79 cases

The distinction of metastatic carcinomas to the skin from poorly differentiated primary cutaneous carcinomas and sometimes primary benign adnexal tumors can pose a significant diagnostic challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of p63 and podoplanin (D2‐40) immunoreactivity for separating primary skin tumors vs. cutaneous metastases of carcinomas from internal organs. Thirty seven primary tumors and 42 cutaneous metastatic adenocarcinomas were evaluated. The 37 primary cutaneous tumors included 14 cases of benign adnexal tumors, 9 malignant skin adnexal neoplasms, and 14 primary squamous and basal cell carcinomas. The 42 metastatic adenocarcinomas all corresponded to metastases from patients with a well‐documented history of a primary tumor at another location. We found variable positivity with podoplanin in all primary cutaneous neoplasms including spiradenoma (6/6), hidradenoma (2/4), cylindroma (3/3), desmoplastic trichilemmoma (1/1), poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (4/4), sebaceous carcinoma (1/1), basal cell carcinoma (4/10), trichilemmal carcinoma (2/2), eccrine carcinoma (3/3), microcystic adnexal carcinoma (1/1), adnexal carcinoma NOS (1/1), and porocarcinoma (1/1). In contrast, all metastatic carcinomas were negative (0/42) for podoplanin. In regards to p63, all cases of primary cutaneous tumors were positive for p63 (37/37); in contrast, all cutaneous metastatic carcinomas were negative (0/42). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of podoplanin and p63 immunoreactivity to separate primary skin neoplasms from metastatic carcinomas were 78.4, 100.0, 100.0 and 84.0% for podoplanin, respectively, and 100.0, 100.0, 100.0 and 100.0% for p63, respectively. The differences in p63 and podoplanin immunohistochemical expression between primary skin tumors and metastatic carcinomas to the skin were statistically significant (p < 0, 0001). The results of our study suggest that the combined expression of p63 and podoplanin are a useful adjunct for the diagnosis of skin tumors in the clinical setting of a questionable metastasis and may be relatively specific for distinguishing primary skin tumors from metastatic carcinomas to the skin.
Efficacy of concurrent administration of mifepristone and misoprostol for termination of pregnancy

Abstract In this prospective randomized parallel group study, subjects with a pregnancy of less than 63 d were randomized to receive either (i) 200 mg oral mifepristone plus 400 μg misoprostol per vaginally concurrently (group A); (ii) or the administration of misoprostol after 48 h (group B). Transvaginal sonography was performed on the 14th day of misoprostol administration to confirm complete abortion. The primary outcome was to compare the rates of complete abortion in two groups. Secondary outcomes were to compare induction abortion interval, side effects and compliance. A total of 200 subjects included in the study were randomized into groups A and B (100 each). Both the groups were comparable for age, parity, gestational age and history of previous abortion. The complete expulsion rate in group A was 96% (95% confidence interval (CI) 95.1–98.2%) and group B was 95% (95% CI 93.0–96.8%) (p > 0.100). A gestational age of more than 56 d was found to predict failure of treatment in both groups. The adverse effect profile in the two groups was the same. Efficacy of concurrent mifepristone and misoprostol in combination is similar to that when misoprostol is given 48 h later (ctri.nic.in CTRI/2010/091/001422).
Relative sensitivities among avian species to individual and mixtures of aryl hydrocarbon receptor–active compounds

Dioxins and dioxin‐like compounds (DLCs) are potent toxicants to most vertebrates. Sensitivities to DLCs vary among species. In the present study, the sensitivities of avian species (chicken [Gallus gallus], ring‐necked pheasant [Phasianus colchicus], and Japanese quail [Coturnix japonica]) to some polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) were determined by using species‐specific, in vitro, transactivation assays based on a luciferase reporter gene under control of species‐specific aryl hydrocarbon receptors. In ring‐necked pheasant and Japanese quail, 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin (TCDD) was not the most potent inducer of toxic effects. Especially for Japanese quail, the relative potency values of most of 9 PCDD/Fs tested were greater than for TCDD. The rank order of avian species sensitivities to DLCs was chicken > ring‐necked pheasant > Japanese quail. Effects of binary mixtures of TCDD, 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzofuran, and 2,3,4,7,8‐pentachlorodibenzofuran were strictly additive. Moreover, we also found that the primary DLCs that were responsible for most of the potency of the DLC mixtures can be deduced by using ordination in a multidimensional space defined by the avian species sensitivities. Overall, the relative potency and the species sensitivities of these chemicals could guide risk assessments to wild species when exposure to mixtures of DLCs in the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1239–1246. © 2015 SETAC
Strategies to improve fertilisation rates with assisted conception: a systematic review

Abstract Successful fertilisation is one of the key steps determining success of assisted conception. Various factors including sperm or oocyte pathology and environmental factors have a significant impact on fertilisation rates. This systematic review is aimed to evaluate the existing evidence about factors affecting fertilisation and strategies to improve fertilisation rates. A literature search was performed using Ovid MEDLINE ® (Jan 1950–April 2016), EMBASE (Jan 1950–April 2016), Ovid OLDMEDLINE ®, Pre-MEDLINE (Jan 1950–April 2016) and the Cochrane Library. Relevant key words were used to combine sets of results and a total 243 papers were screened. Only qualitative analysis was performed, as there was major heterogeneity in study design and methodology for quantitative synthesis. Factors affecting fertilisation were divided into sperm- and oocyte-related factors. The methods to improve fertilisation rates were grouped together based on the approach used to improve fertilisation rates. Optimising laboratory condition and procedural effects in techniques is associated with improved fertilisation rates. Various techniques are described to improve fertilisation rates including assisted oocyte activation, physiological intracytoplasmic sperm injection (PICSI) and intracytoplasmic morphologically selected sperm injection (IMSI). This review highlights the promising strategies under research to enhance fertilisation rates. Adequately powered multicentre randomised trials are required to evaluate these techniques before considering clinical application.
Nickel Titanium Springs versus Stainless Steel Springs: A Randomized Clinical Trial of Two Methods of Space Closure

Objective To compare the clinical performance of nickel titanium (NiTi) versus stainless steel (SS) springs during orthodontic space closure. Design Two-centre parallel group randomized clinical trial. Setting Orthodontic Department University of Manchester Dental Hospital and Orthodontic Department Countess of Chester Hospital, United Kingdom. Subjects and methods Forty orthodontic patients requiring fixed appliance treatment were enrolled, each being randomly allocated into either NiTi (n = 19) or SS groups (n = 21). Study models were constructed at the start of the space closure phase (T0) and following the completion of space closure (T1). The rate of space closure achieved for each patient was calculated by taking an average measurement from the tip of the canine to the mesiobuccal groove on the first permanent molar of each quadrant. Results The study was terminated early due to time constraints. Only 30 patients completed, 15 in each study group. There was no statistically significant difference between the amounts of space closed (mean difference 0.17 mm (95%CI −0.99 to 1.34; P = 0.76)). The mean rate of space closure for NiTi coil springs was 0.58 mm/4 weeks (SD 0.24) and 0.85 mm/4 weeks (SD 0.36) for the stainless steel springs. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.024), in favour of the stainless steel springs, when the mean values per patient were compared. Conclusions Our study shows that stainless steel springs are clinically effective; these springs produce as much space closure as their more expensive rivals, the NiTi springs.
YouTube™ as an Information Resource for Orthognathic Surgery

Objective To investigate video content on YouTube™ related to orthognathic surgery. Materials and methods YouTube™ was searched using the terms: orthognathic surgery; orthodontic surgery; jaw surgery; jaw corrective surgery. Inclusion criteria included English language; primary content orthognathic surgery and acceptable audio-visual quality. Videos were sorted into the top 50 for each search term by view-count and into an overall top 60 from the four searches. The following parameters were recorded for each video: number of views; likes; dislikes; source; primary intention. Each was classified according to information content as ‘excellent’, ‘moderate’ or ‘poor’. A pre-determined list of orthognathic surgery-related information domains was also evaluated. Results The top 60 videos had a combined total of 6,986,141 views. Videos predominantly involved patients describing their personal experience (41.67%) with the majority positively biased (61.67%). Only 9.17% of videos were classified as having excellent general information content and 55.83% were rated as poor. Surgical procedures were described in 45% whilst the need for pre- and post-surgical orthodontics was discussed in 33% and 16%, respectively. Post-operative paraesthesia was discussed in 17.5% of videos outcome. Conclusions Video content on YouTube™ relating to orthognathic surgery is substandard and patients should be advised to view it with caution.
Survey of Pain in the United States: The Nuprin Pain Report

In August and September 1985, a nationwide telephone survey was made of 1,254 persons aged 18 and older, representing a cross-section of the adult population in the continental United States. This survey provided quantitative data on the prevalence and severity of different kinds of pain, the demographic characteristics of those with pain, the impact of pain on work and other activities, the relationship between pain and measures of stress and health locus of control, the use of medical and other professionals in pain treatment, and the effectiveness of various treatments for pain relief. This is the first nationwide survey of an unselected sample of the U.S. census and provides extensive data documenting the need for additional research on pain and its control and for improved education of the public and health professions.
Instantaneous Granger Causality with the Hilbert-Huang Transform

Current measures of causality and temporal precedence have limited frequency and time resolution and therefore may not be viable in the detection of short periods of causality in specific frequencies. In addition, the presence of nonstationarities hinders the causality estimation of current techniques as they are based on Fourier transforms or autoregressive model estimation. In this work we present a combination of techniques to measure causality and temporal precedence between stationary and nonstationary time series, that is sensitive to frequency-specific short episodes of causality. This methodology provides a highly informative time-frequency representation of causality with existing causality measures. This is done by decomposing each time series into intrinsic oscillatory modes with an empirical mode decomposition algorithm and, subsequently, calculating their complex Hilbert spectrum. At each time point the cross-spectrum is calculated between time series and used to measure coherency and compute the transfer function and error covariance matrices using the Wilson-Burg method for spectral factorization. The imaginary part of coherency can then be computed as well as several Granger causality measures in the previous matrices. This work covers the most important theoretical background of these techniques and tries to prove the usefulness of this new approach while pointing out some of its qualities and drawbacks.
Practical Guide for Clinical Neurophysiologic Testing: EEG

Introduction: History and Perspective of Clinical Neurophysiological Diagnostic Tests Basic EEG Technology Basic Electronics and Electrical Safety Peter Seaba Digital EEG Malcolm Yeh Neuroanatomical and Neurophysiologic Basis of EEG Principles of Visual Analysis of EEG Characteristics of Normal EEG The Assessment of Abnormal EEG Activation Procedures EEG and Epilepsy Diffuse EEG Abnormalities Focal EEG Abnormalities Benign EEG Patterns Artifact Recognition and Technical Pitfalls EEG of Premature and Full-Term Infants