Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thyroid neoplasia coexistent with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis

During a 6‐year period 115 patients presenting with thyroid enlargement had evidence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis on fine‐needle aspiration cytology. Of 27 patients in whom histological analysis was carried out, 16 had neoplasms (follicular adenoma, four; follicular carcinoma, one; papillary carcinoma, four; lymphoma, seven). Assuming that neoplasia was not overlooked in the absence of histological examination, the overall incidence was 14 per cent and that of malignant disease 10 per cent. All patients with carcinoma had cytological features suspicious of neoplasia on the first or subsequent aspirates in addition to those of thyroiditis. Cytology was suspicious of lymphoma in only two of seven patients but increasing size of the thyroid swelling was a consistent feature. Evidence of chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis may lead to neoplasia being overlooked. Repeated cytological analysis is helpful in identifying coexistent carcinoma but unreliable in excluding lymphoma.
Efficient User Selection Algorithms for Wireless Broadcast Channels

This paper considers wireless broadcast systems with multi-antenna base stations. Preceding at the transmitter reduces interference between users allowing independent data streams to be sent to multiple users simultaneously. With typically more users than transmit antennas, efficient selection of user subsets is important. The paper compares the effectiveness of several user selection algorithms and identifies situations where they are suboptimal. The impact of zero-forcing (ZF) and dirty paper coding (DPC) precoding are considered. A modification to two current algorithms is proposed that reduces computational time while retaining effectiveness. Simulation is used to assess the modifications and suggest methods of setting parameters. The paper examines the variability of allocated data rates and shows how it affects the performance of weighted alpha rule schedulers, which trade-off efficiency with fairness. It is shown that reducing the variability of allocated rates can have a significant reduction on mean scheduler queue sizes.
[Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD)].

 ADPKD is the most common inherited kidney disease 3 o ADPKD is caused by faulty genes that can affect both sexes of all age, racial and ethnic groups 3 o ADPKD is thought to affect between 3-4 people per 10,000 – as many as 205,000 people in Europe 4,5 o ADPKD is a disease of genetic variability and therefore the disease course and progression can vary for each individual o In certain cases, patients in early stage ADPKD often do not experience any symptoms and as a result are diagnosed late (30-55 years). 6-8 By the time a decline in kidney function is identified, the destruction in kidney anatomy is already quite advanced 9,10
Emotional distress in Angolan patients with several types of tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence that emotional distress expressed in terms of anxiety and depression is very high among tuberculosis (TB) patients. OBJECTIVES This study aims to determine levels of anxiety, depression and emotional distress in patients with several types of TB and to determine the association between social-demographic and economical factors, clinical variables and anxiety, depression and emotional distress. METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed in a sample of 81 TB patients. A social-demographic and economical questionnaire was used, followed by the hospital anxiety and depression scale. RESULTS 38.3% and 49.4% of our sample presented significant levels of anxiety and depression. 44.4% of patients had significant levels of emotional distress.Married subjects, a diagnosis of extra-pulmonary TB and multidrug resistant TB were related to higher risk for anxiety. Gender, extra-pulmonary and multidrug resistant TB were associated to depression. Female gender and cases of extra-pulmonary TB presented a 1.5 times risk for emotional distress. CONCLUSIONS Our study found high rates of anxiety, depression and emotional distress among TB patients. Marital status, gender, type and treatment of TB were related to higher levels of emotional disorder. Mental health services should be an integral part of programs against tuberculosis.
Differential number of glycine‐ and GABA‐immunopositive neurons and terminals in the deep cerebellar nuclei of normal and Purkinje cell degeneration mutant mice

The total number of glycine‐immunopositive (Gly+) neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei (DCN) was quantified under normal conditions in wild‐types (B6C3Fe) and compared with the Purkinje cell‐deprived situation in Purkinje cell degeneration (PCD)‐mutants by using an unbiased stereological method, the disector. In addition, the size and density of Gly+ terminals, the number of γ‐aminobutyric acid immunopositive (GABA+) somata and the somatal colocalization of Gly and GABA were determined. In both wild‐types and PCD mutants, Gly+ somata are distributed relatively homogeneously among the different subdivisions of the DCN. However, in the complete volume of the DCN, which is reduced in PCD mutants by 52%, 8,582 Gly+ neuronal somata are present in wild‐types and 14,637 in PCD mutants, which corresponds to an increase of 70.5% in the mutant.
Expression of Multidrug Efflux Pump SmeDEF by Clinical Isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

ABSTRACT The presence of the multidrug efflux pump SmeDEF was assessed in a collection of clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. All isolates encoded this pump, as demonstrated by PCR. Forty-seven percent of the strains overproduced a protein of the same size that was immunoreactive against an anti-SmeF antibody, and 33% overexpressed the gene semD when they were tested by reverse transcription-PCR. A correlation between smeDEFoverexpression and antibiotic resistance was observed.
Optimal Flow Control of a Stochastic Fluid-Flow System

This paper is concerned with the optimal flow control of an ATM switching element in a broadband-integrated services digital network. We model the switching element as a stochastic fluid-flow system with a finite buffer, a constant output rate, and Markov-modulated fluid input. There is a cost of holding fluid and a reward for admitting the fluid to the buffer. We study the optimal flow control policies that minimize the fetal expected discounted cost. We analyze the problem by two different approaches and show that the optimal policy is of the turnpike type with the turnpike levels dependent on the states of the Markov-modulated source. We also state sufficient conditions under which the optimal turnpike levels are monotonic functions of the states of the Markov-modulated source. >
Cadmium-induced renal tubular dysfunction in a group of welders.

BACKGROUND Occupational exposure to welding fumes has been associated with several diseases including metal fume fever, lung cancer, welder's pneumoconiosis and manganism. However, there are few reports on cadmium-induced renal tubular dysfunction in welders. AIMS To evaluate the body burden of cadmium and cadmium-induced proteinuria in a group of Chinese welders. METHODS Cadmium concentrations in the breathing zone and in urine were measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. β(2)-microglobulin (β(2)-MG) in urine as a marker of renal tubular function was measured using an ELISA kit. All urinary parameters were adjusted by urinary creatinine (Cr). RESULTS A total of 103 welders participated. The concentration of airborne cadmium in the welders' breathing zones ranged from 5 to 86 μg/m(3), and 17% of samples exceeded the threshold limit value. Six welders' urinary cadmium levels exceeded the Chinese recommended reference value. Urinary β(2)-MG levels increased significantly with increasing urinary cadmium levels and in two welders, the values were close to the level for chronic cadmium poisoning in China. CONCLUSIONS Environmental and urinary cadmium levels were raised in this group of welders and were associated with raised markers of renal tubular dysfunction. The exact source of the cadmium warrants further assessment.
Correlation between Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response and ER , PGR and Her-2 Expression in Breast Cancer

Aim: To evaluate predictive values of histopathologic markers Estrogen receptors (ER), Progesterone receptors (Pgr) and Her2 in clinical and pathologic response of breast cancers treated with neoadjuvant anthracycline based chemotherapy (NAC). Study design: Comparative Cross-sectional Study Place and duration of study: FMH College of Medicine & Dentistry and Ittefaq Hospital, Lahore between 2011 and 2012. Methods: Pretreatment core biopsy was obtained on 56 patients with unresected breast cancer. Histologic features and immunohistochemical stains for ER, Pgr, and Her2 were obtained. All patients received anthracycline-based chemotherapy regimen with 5-fluorouracil, adriamycin or epirubicin, and cyclophosphamide 4 to 6 cycles before surgery. The pathologic response in the surgical excision specimen was assessed using Miller Pyane System of classification for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Results: Tumors with negative ER and Pgr status responded better to neoadjuvant therapy as compared to ER and Pgr positive tumors. Conclusions: The prediction of the efficacy of chemotherapy based on evaluation of hormonal receptor status can help us select patients who are likely to respond well to this mode of treatment. It can also predict patients who are unlikely to benefit from the treatment and thus save them from undesired chemotherapy effects.
Epidemic of Kala Pathar(Paraphenylene Diamine) Poisoning: an Emerging Threat in Southern Punjab.

OBJECTIVE To assess cases of the spectrum of Kala Patharpoisoning in all age groups. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Bahawalpur and Bahawal Victoria Hospital (BVH), Bahawalpur, from January 2016 to April 2017. METHODOLOGY All the cases of Kala Pathar(Paraphenylene diamine (PPD)) poisoning, admitted and treated at the study places during said period were included in the study. The assessed variable included gender, age, education status, socioeconomic status, reason of poisoning and mortality. Chi-square was applied for qualitative variables with p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS A total of 1,258 cases of PPD poisoning were included in the study; 814 (64.7%) females and 444 (35.3%) males. Their age ranged from 5 - 63 years, with median age 21 (IQR 4). Sixty-six (5.2%) were children and the rest 1,192 (94.8%) were adults. In adults 1,125 (94.37%) cases of PPD poisoning were suicidal and 62 (5.20%) accidental cases; only 5 (0.42%)adults were intentionally poisoned. On the other hand, only one child took it with suicidal intent, 54 (81.81%) ingested it accidentally and 11 (16.66%) children were given poison deliberately with the intent to murder. The overall mortality was 24.08% - 22.81% in adults, and 46.96% in children. CONCLUSION Kala Pathar(PPD) is a lethal substance when ingested. PPD poisoning is not limited to adults; many cases of pediatric poisoning are also being reported in Southern Punjab. Mortality due to Kala Patharis high. Tracheostomy should be done immediately in all such cases; and high intensive multidisciplinary approach is required.
Long‐Term Hypotensive Technique With Nicardipine and Nitroprusside During Isoflurane Anesthesia for Spinal Surgery

Short-term infusion of nicardipine can be used to induce deliberate hypotension but may result in plasma drug accumulation. To assess long-term nicardipine administration for deliberate hypotension in 10 patients in a moderately hemodiluted state who were undergoing spinal surgery, hemodynamics and plasma nicardipine concentrations were concomitantly measured before and 20, 80, and 140 min after starting nicardipine, at drug discontinuation, and 20 and 80 min later. A dose of 6.2 ± 0.9 mg (mean ± SEM) of nicardipine was initially required to obtain mean arterial blood pressures at 55--60 mm Hg. Maintenance doses of nicardipine were 3--5 mg/h. The duration of nicardipine administration was 270 ± 20 mins (mean ± SEM). Hypotension was associated with decreased systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances, increased cardiac index, and decreased arteriovenous difference in O2 contents. Only two patients required homologous blood transfusion. Plasma nicardipine concentrations peaked at 110 ± 21 ng/mL (mean ± SEM) and then decreased to 38 ± 11 ng/mL (mean ± SEM) without changes in arterial blood pressure. After vasodilator discontinuation, hypotension was observed during a mean time of 43 min (range 27--88 min) despite plasma concentrations <20 ng/mL. No relationship was found between plasma nicardipine concentrations and hemodynamics. These findings suggest that an increasing effect of nicardipine over time may occur during prolonged administration. Because the reasons for this hysteresis remain unclear, use of nicardipine infusion during major surgery and anesthesia requires particular caution.
Decreased susceptibility to penicillin G and Tet M plasmids in genital and anorectal isolates of Neisseria meningitidis

Genital and anorectal isolates of Neisseria meningitidis were characterized, and their antimicrobial susceptibilities were determined. Twelve of 43 isolates demonstrated moderate susceptibility to penicillin G (MIC range, 0.125 to 0.5 microgram/ml). Two isolates were resistant to tetracycline (MIC, > or = 8 micrograms/ml) and contained plasmids of 25.2 MDa.
Study of serum Vitamin B 12 and its correlation with Lipid profilein Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is a leading cause of death worldwide. The most common complications of diabetes mellitus are peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease etc. Vitamin B12, a water soluble exerts its physiological effects through the methylation of myelin sheath and vitamin B12 deficiency hence will result in disruption of the methylation process and accumulation of intracellular and serum homocysteine which is potentially toxic to the neurones and the vascular endothelium. Present study was undertaken to assess and compare level of serum Vitamin B12 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus with the controls and to find out its correlation with lipid profile. Materials and methods: The study consisted of 80 patients with type 2 DM, admitted in Gauhati Medical College and Hospital and 40 healthy individuals as controls. Serum Vitamin B12, Fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c and Serum lipid profile were estimated in all the groups. Results: All the parameters, FBS, HbA1, cholesterol, triglyceridelevels were found to be increased in the patients of Type 2 DM as compared to controls except Vitamin B12 and HDL. The correlation of mean serum Vitamin B12levels with other parameters were significant . Conclusion: From the present study, it is concluded that there is an decrease in serum Vitamin B12 level with increase in HbA1c ,Cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Examination and comparison of methods to increase communication speed of paralysed patients by brain-computer interfaces

patience and time spent in discussions with me. He has been extremely responsive to any queries I had, no matter what day of the week or time of day. I would also like to express my appreciation towards my close colleagues in the NeuroTeam group, some particular studies would not have been possible — their effort is greatly appreciated. Many of the illustrations in this work were created with a software framework developed in a fervent display of brilliance by Jeremy Hill. Amongst further colleagues of the Tübingen BCI research group, Murguialday have contributed to the quality of this work and have supported me in persevering. The cooperation of all the ALS patients participating in various studies was a prerequisite for this dissertation. Thank you for your interest and patience. I affectionately thank my wife Jessica Kay Bensch for her loving moral support and never ending faith in me. Even in the most difficult moments, her belief and comforting words gave me new strength. Lastly, I wish to thank my parents for their love and for instilling in me the courage and faith to go forward on this path.
Risk factors for bloodstream infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae producing VIM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase.

OBJECTIVES To identify risk factors for bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by VIM-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (VPKP). METHODS Consecutive patients with K. pneumoniae BSIs were identified in three tertiary care hospitals between February 2004 and March 2006. Patients infected with VPKP were designated as cases and those infected with non-VPKP as controls. Potential risk factors for VPKP BSIs were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS A total of 178 patients with K. pneumoniae BSIs were identified; 67 (37.6%) were infected with VPKP (cases) and 111 with non-VPKP (controls). In multivariate analysis, cases were more likely to have been in an intensive care unit (ICU) [odds ratio (OR), 6.78; 95% confidence interval (CI), 2.69-17.06; P < 0.001], have had prior exposure to >3 different classes of antibiotics (OR, 12.6; 95% CI, 2.17-73.27; P = 0.01) and have had prior use of carbapenems (OR, 2.83; 95% CI, 1.07-7.49; P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS Stay in an ICU, prior use of carbapenems and prior exposure to >3 different classes of antibiotics were independent predictors for VPKP BSIs. These findings provide guidance for antibiotic policies and infection control strategies to contain the spread of VPKP.
Mandibular position influence on pilots’ postural balance analyzed under dynamic conditions

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of the mandibular position on the postural stability in a sample of civilian and military pilots. Methods: Twenty military pilots (males, mean age 35.15 ± 3.14 years) and 17 civilian pilots (males, mean 34.91 ± 2.15 years) were enrolled in this study and underwent a Sensory Organization Test (SOT) using the EquiTest® (NeuroCom International Inc., Clackamas, OR, USA) computerized dynamic posturography. The composite parameter was recorded and analyzed. Results: The equilibrium score (ES) recorded in centric occlusion is slightly higher than the ES recorded in mandibular rest position; civilian pilots showed ESs slightly higher than military pilots. The two-way ANOVA analysis shows these differences are not statistically significant. Discussion: The findings of this study seem to suggest that the composite parameter of the SOT is not sensitive in analyzing the influence of the stomatognathic system on the postural balance of civilian and military pilots.
An Investigation of Stress and Burnout in Hospital Registered Nurses

AN INVESTIGATION OF STRESS AND BURNOUT IN HOSPITAL REGISTERED NURSES By Ellen Nora Hole This study Investigated job stressors and burnout among hospital registered nurses and was based on a systems theory model in which inputs and throughputs interact to effect outputs. Job stressors were measured using the Job Stress Questionnaire (JSQ). Top-ranked stressors included heavy work load, insufficient resources, and inability to satisfy conflicting demands. Burnout was measured using the three subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) of the Masloch Burnout Inventory. Based on multiple regression analyses, total JSQ scores accounted for 21% of the variance in emotional exhaustion scores. Together, years of experience and an education level of BSN or BA accounted for 17% of the variance in depersonalization scores. Age accounted for 11% of the variance in personal accomplishment scores. The interaction of stressors (inputs) and demographic and professional variables (throughputs) in producing burnout (output) was supported if burnout is based on the collective profile provided by the three subscales. Dedicated to the Staff of Critical Care and Telemetry
Diffraction at a Rectangular Plate: First-Order PTD Approximation

Physical theory of diffraction (PTD) is developed for the field scattered at a perfectly conducting rectangular plate. Grazing incidence and grazing scattering are analyzed. High-frequency asymptotic estimations are derived. Bistatic and monostatic scenarios are considered. Comparison is presented with known experimental and numeric results obtained by the method of moments (MoM).
Predictors of Recurrence After Resection of Small Gastric Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors of 5 cm or Less

Goals To evaluate the recurrence predicting factors of small gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) through the long-term follow-up after surgical/endoscopic resection. Background Although small gastric GISTs are known to have a low risk of recurrence after complete resection, the prognostic factors are not well known. Study The study retrospectively analyzed the records of 136 patients with primary gastric GISTs of 5 cm or less without metastasis who underwent surgical/endoscopic resection between March 1997 and December 2008 at the Asan Medical Center, and who were followed-up for at least 3 months after resection. Specimens were assessed for tumor size, mitotic index, and microscopic resection margin. Specimen sections were immunohistochemically stained to determine the levels of expression of the cell cycle proteins p53, p16INK4, pRb, cyclin D1, and Ki-67. DNA was extracted from high-risk tumors to analyze for KIT mutations. Results Among 136 patients, 5 (3.7%) patients with tumors with a high mitotic index showed recurrence at a median 23 months post resection. None of 14 patients with microscopic positive resection margins showed recurrence during a median follow-up time of 32 months. A high mitotic index was a predictor of recurrence (P<0.001), but that tumor size, method of resection, or margin status were not. In addition, abnormal p53 expression was found to be associated with recurrence (P=0.004). All assessable high-risk tumors had a KIT exon 11 mutation. Conclusions Predictors of recurrence of gastric GISTs of 5 cm or less were a high mitotic index and abnormal p53 expression. A positive microscopic resection margin was not associated with recurrence.
Numerical analysis of void-induced thermal effects on GaAs/AlGaAs high power quantum well laser diodes

Microscopic voids in the die attachment solder layers of high power laser diodes (HPLDs) cause to degrade their overall thermal transfer performance. This paper presents the effects of voids on the thermal conductivity, leakage and threshold currents, characteristic temperature (T0) and output power of a single quantum well (SQW) HPLD. These effects are modeled by means of finite difference method (FDM). This numerical model calculates the time-dependent axial variations of photon density, carrier density and temperature in semiconductor laser self-consistently. The temperature dependence of the wavelength shift and the thermal mode hopping concept is also demonstrated.
DNA repair and mutagenesis in Werner syndrome

Werner syndrome (WS) is the hallmark premature aging syndrome in which the patients appear much older than their actual chronological age. The disorder is associated with significantly increased genome instability and with transcriptional deficiencies. There has been some uncertainty about whether WS cells are defective in DNA repair. We thus examined repair in vitro in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. Whereas cellular studies so far do not show significant DNA repair deficiencies, biochemical studies with the Werner protein clearly indicate that it plays a role in DNA repair. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 38:227–234, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.