Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of olanzapine long-acting injection on levels of functioning among acutely ill patients with schizophrenia

Abstract Objective: To assess the effects of olanzapine long-acting injection (olanzapine-LAI) on levels of functioning in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia. Research design and methods: During this 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 404 inpatients were randomized to four treatment arms (olanzapine-LAI 210 mg/2 weeks = 106; olanzapine-LAI 300 mg/2 weeks = 100; olanzapine-LAI 405 mg/4 weeks = 100; placebo = 98). Also, data from the three active dosing arms were combined and compared to placebo data. Clinical trial registration: NCT00088478 Main outcome measures: The treatment group comparison of mean change from baseline to endpoint in the total score and four subdomains of the Heinrichs–Carpenter Quality of Life Scale (QLS) and in the 2 summary scores and 8 subscale scores of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were assessed using an ANOVA model. Results: All three olanzapine-LAI treatment groups and the combined olanzapine-LAI group were superior to placebo on the QLS total score (all p-values < 0.01) and the Intrapsychic Foundations subdomain (all p-values < 0.02). Olanzapine-LAI 210 mg/2 weeks (p < 0.001), 300 mg/2 weeks (p = 0.006), and the combined olanzapine-LAI group (p = 0.003) were superior to placebo on the Interpersonal Relations subdomain. The 300 mg/2 weeks group (p = 0.027) and the combined olanzapine-LAI group (p = 0.014) were also superior to placebo on the Instrumental Role subdomain. For the SF-36, the 300 mg/2 weeks and 405 mg/4 weeks olanzapine-LAI groups and the combined olanzapine-LAI group were superior to placebo on the Mental component score (all p-values < 0.05). Each olanzapine-LAI group and the combined group were superior on the Mental Health scale (all p-values < 0.05). Significant negative correlations between PANSS scores and measures of functioning indicate that as symptoms decreased, functioning increased. Conclusion: These results suggest that olanzapine-LAI may improve level of functioning in acutely ill patients with schizophrenia within 8 weeks of initiating treatment.
Temporal Bone Verrucous Carcinoma: Outcomes and Treatment Controversy

OBJECTIVES Verrucous carcinoma is a rare tumor that presents in the head and neck with the most common sites in the larynx and oral cavity. Fourteen cases of verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone have been described in the literature; this study aims to examine treatment outcomes and discuss the controversy surrounding postoperative radiation. STUDY DESIGN A literature review along with individual case report in the setting of a tertiary care medical center. METHODS Outcomes analysis of all cases of verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone which are documented in the English literature; presentation of a single patient report including gross, histologic, and radiologic analyses. RESULTS The longest recorded survival for verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone occurs in patients treated with surgery alone. Poorer outcomes for patients treated with adjuvant (chemo)radiation may be due to more advanced stage disease at the time of treatment. Early reports of radiation leading to tumor dedifferentiation or early recurrence are not supported by more recent studies. Whether adjuvant radiation therapy is indicated in verrucous carcinoma of the temporal bone remains a controversial.
Critical success factors for transforming pedagogy with mobile Web 2.0

Mobile learning (mlearning) research has in general been characterised by short-term comparative pilot studies with little high-level critique or theory formation. Consequently, there is limited evidence in the literature of mlearning research that is longitudinal across multiple contexts, cooperative and participatory. In response, this paper reflects upon longitudinal (2006-2011) participatory action research and identifies six critical success factors for implementing mobile Web 2.0. These are drawn from the design and implementation of over 35 projects from 2006 to 2011, exploring pedagogical transformation enabled by mobile Web 2.0 integration in higher education. Two of these critical success factors are highlighted in this paper: the need for new approaches to technical and pedagogical support, and the sustained interaction of supporting communities of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Urine leukotriene E4 and eosinophil cationic protein in nasopharyngeal aspiration from young wheezy children

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection is a risk factor for the development of asthma. It is very hard to distinguish bronchiolitis with respiratory virus infection from allergic asthma at first wheezing attack in early childhood. To distinguish wheezing children with RSV bronchiolitis from asthmatic children, we measured leukotriene E4(LTE4) in urine and ECP in nasopharyngeal aspiration (NPA) at first day of admission with wheezing attack. Thirty‐two non‐atopic children younger than the age of 3 yr with RSV induced bronchiolitis, 35 atopic asthmatic children with/without respiratory viral infection, and 23 children who exhibited no evidence of atopy, asthma, or virus infections as controls were selected in this study. We measured urinary LTE4 and ECP level in NPA from subjects. Urinary LTE4 concentrations in children with asthma were significantly higher than urinary LTE4 in bronchiolitis and in controls (240.8 ± 129.8 vs. 162.8 ± 73.9 vs. 85.1 ± 31.6 pg/ml). Children with RSV infection demonstrated higher urinary LTE4 levels compared to children without RSV infection among asthmatic children. ECP in NPA was significantly correlated with urinary LTE4 (r = 0.57, p < 0.01) in children entered this study who had detectable levels for both LTE4 and ECP. In summary, Urinary LTE4 concentrations may be suggested to useful mediators for differential diagnosis of wheezy diseases in early childhood. RSV infection also is associated with synergizing LT biosynthesis and this study demonstrated ECP in NPA was significantly correlated with urinary LTE4 and may suggest that cysteinyl leukotriene initiate the production of ECP in early childhood, which could contribute to the development of wheeze.
The Influence of Education on Public Trust and Consent Preferences With Residual Newborn Screening Dried Blood spots

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the impact of educational interventions during prenatal care on public trust for newborn screening and consent preferences for the retention and use of leftover newborn screening dried blood spots. Women who were 30 to 36 weeks pregnant were recruited, and outcomes were measured by telephone survey 2 to 4 weeks postpartum (n = 901). Approximately 40% of the sample chose the opt-out approach but those who watched educational interventions delivered during prenatal care were significantly associated with higher levels of trust and support for an opt-out consent approach. Providing education during prenatal care about newborn screening and the storage and use of leftover dried blood spots along with brochure-based education provided in the hospital when the baby is born is associated with improved trust for the program and support for research with the leftover blood spots.
Random telegraph signal noise arising from grain boundary traps in nano-scale poly-Si nanowire thin-film transistors

Nano-scale poly-Si thin-film transistor (TFT) is a promising device for the three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D IC) and 3D stacked flash memories. Random telegraph signal noise (RTN) arising from grain boundary traps is identified and a grain-boundary-induced-fluctuation (GBIF) model is proposed for the first time. Amonia plasma treatment can suppress this RTN source effectively.
Reliability of the vertical spinal creep response measured in sitting (asymptomatic and low-back pain subjects)

Vertical spinal creep (or change in stature) has been used as an index of spinal loading, yet reliability of the testing protocol has not been fully examined. This study investigated the reliability of a vertical spinal creep response in 10 asymptomatic and five low-back pain subjects. Each subject performed the 25-min testing protocol, which consisted of three phases (5-min preload, 10-min loaded and 10-min unloaded), at the same time on two separate days. Good reliabilities in vertical spinal creep response between two days of testing were demonstrated for both asymptomatic and low-back pain subjects.
Fast implementations and rigorous models: Can both be accommodated in NMPC?

In less than two decades, nonlinear model predictive control has evolved from a conceptual framework to an attractive, general approach for the control of constrained nonlinear processes. These advances were realized both through better understanding of stability and robustness properties as well as improved algorithms for dynamic optimization. This study focuses on recent advances in optimization formulations and algorithms, particularly for the simultaneous collocation‐based approach. Here, we contrast this approach with competing approaches for online application and discuss further advances to deal with applications of increasing size and complexity. To address these challenges, we adapt the real‐time iteration concept, developed in the context of multiple shooting (Real‐Time PDE‐Constrained Optimization. SIAM: Philadelphia, PA, 2007; 25–52, 3–24), to a collocation‐based approach with a full‐space nonlinear programming solver. We show that straightforward sensitivity calculations from the Karush–Kuhn–Tucker system also lead to a real‐time iteration strategy, with both direct and shifted variants. This approach is demonstrated on a large‐scale polymer process, where online calculation effort is reduced by over two orders of magnitude. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Chlorpyrifos-induced oxidative stress and tissue damage in the liver, kidney, brain and fetus in pregnant rats : The protective role of the butanolic extract of Paronychia argentea L

Objective : Toxicity of pesticides is thought to be due to reactive oxygen species (ROS). Due to their antioxidant property, polyphenols in plant extracts may afford protection from pesticide toxicity. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effect of a butanolic extract of Paronychia argentea L. against toxicity caused by the organophosphorus pesticide, chloropyriphos ethyl (CE). Materials and Methods : Pregnant albino Wistar rats were used. Pesticide and plant extract were administered daily by oral gavage from the 6 th to the 15 th day of gestation. Plasma and tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), blood reduced glutathione (GSH) and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were estimated. MDA levels were estimated in plasma and different organs (liver, kidney, brain, placenta and in the fetuses and their livers) as an indicator of lipid peroxydation (LPO). Results : The data showed a significant increase in plasma and tissue LPO levels in animals treated with the pesticide while the effect was attenuated by the plant extract (CE-ex). Also, CE caused a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity and this effect was partially reversed in groups treated with the plant extract. The pesticide induced embryotoxicity and resulted in resorption, fetal death and a reduced implant number. Conclusion : It can be concluded that CE can lead to an increase in LPO production in adult and fetal tissues, while treatment with the plant extract leads to protection against CE toxicity. The decrease in LPO levels and the increase in GSH and SOD enzyme activities after treatment with the plant extract revealed its antioxidant property.
Direct simulations of breaking ocean waves with data assimilation

The Numerical Flow Analysis (NFA) code is modified to assimilate data from lower bandwidth High-Order Spectral (HOS) simulations. NFA is a Cartesian-based LES code with Volume of Fluid (VOF) interface capturing. HOS is used to nudge the lowest wavenumber content in the NFA assimilation, and the highest wavenumbers are estimated to investigate the effects of wave nonlinearity and wave breaking. The formulation can be generalized to assimilate radar measurements of the ocean surface.
Localization of serotonin, tyrosine hydroxylase, and leu‐enkephalin immunoreactive cells in the brainstem of the horn shark, Heterodontus francisci

In previous studies on reptiles and elasmobranchs, we determined that some reticular groups are either absent or may be displaced compared to their locations in mammals. For example, nucleus raphe dorsalis, the largest serotoninergic cell group in mammals, is not present in rays, skates, or guitarfish. In the present study, we chose heterodontid sharks, a sister group to these batoids, for an out‐group comparison of this and other characters. We identified cells in the brainstem of Heterodontus francisci by use of antibodies against tyrosine hydroxylase, serotonin, or leu‐enkephalin and compared the distribution of these nuclei to descriptions in mammals and other elasmobranchs. The majority of tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive cells were found in the midbrain tegmentum (A8–A10) and the hypothalamus. In addition, putative A1, A2, A5, A7 (noradrenergic) groups were found in the metencephalon and myelencephalon. Serotonin‐positive cells were found in raphe nuclei and scattered lateral to the raphe. We identified probable homologues to raphe pallidus, raphe obscurus, raphe magnus, and raphe centralis superior (B8) cell groups, which have been described in mammals. A cluster of cells dorsomedial to the medial longitudinal fasciculus was identified as raphe dorsalis. The distributions of leu‐enkephalin and serotonin immunoreactive cells were similar to each other, but the tyrosine‐hydroxylase immunoreactive cells rarely intermingle with the former two immunoreactive cell types. Other reticular groups that contained both serotonin‐and leu‐enkephalin‐positive cells included reticularis (r.) ventralis, r. magnocellularis, r. paragigantocellularis lateralis, r. pontis caudalis, and r. pontis oralis medialis and lateralis. Thus, this shark contains many of the major brainstem raphe and catecholaminergic cell groups described for rats, but the relative distribution of the immunopositive cell groups differs in mammals and cartilaginous fish.
Factors Influencing Zinc Status of Apparently Healthy Indians

Objectives: To identify dietary, environmental and socio-economic factors associated with mild zinc deficiency, three zinc status indices; erythrocyte membrane zinc (RBCMZn), plasma zinc and super oxide dismutase (SOD) were assessed in free living and apparently healthy Indian population. Methods: Dietary patterns of 232 men and 223 women (20–65 yr) from rural, industrial and urban regions of Western India were evaluated by food frequency questionnaire. RBCMZn was estimated using atomic absorption spectrometry, hemoglobin and serum ceruloplasmin by spectrophotometer. On a sub sample (48 men and 51 women) plasma zinc and SOD were also assessed. Results: Mean RBCMZn was 0.5 ± 0.1 μmols/g protein with 46% individuals showing zinc deficiency. Mean plasma zinc was 0.98 ± 0.12 μg/mL with 25% men and 2.5% women having values below normal range. Mean SOD was 0.97 ± 0.1 (u/mL cells). A significant positive correlation was observed between intakes of green leafy vegetables, other vegetables and milk products with RBCMZn status (p < 0.05). But these were not correlated with plasma zinc (p > 0.2). Cereal and legume intakes were negatively correlated with RBCMZn (p < 0.05) but positively correlated with plasma zinc (p < 0.05) and not correlated with SOD (p > 0.2). Fruit and other vegetable intake were positively correlated with SOD (p < 0.05) alone. Logistic regression analyses revealed that RBCMZn was positively associated with intakes of β-carotene, zinc and environmental conditions and negatively associated with family size (p < 0.05). Plasma zinc indicated positive association with zinc, thiamin and riboflavin intakes (p < 0.05) and SOD showed negative association with iron and family size. Conclusion: RBCMZn was a more sensitive indicator of long-term zinc status than plasma zinc and SOD. Prominent determinants of zinc status were intakes of beta-carotene and zinc along with environmental conditions and family size.
Description of an internal medicine outreach consultant appointment in Western KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 2007 to mid-2014.

BACKGROUND . This study is a description of an Internal Medicine outreach appointment in western KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) from 2007 to mid-2014, facilitated by the transport services of the Red Cross Air Mercy Service (AMS) and funded by the KZN-Department of Health (KZN-DOH). The hospital visits represented 'multifaceted' as opposed to 'simple' outreach. METHODS The AMS database of outreach visits was analysed according to frequencies of visits, number of patient contacts and number of contacts with medical personnel. A brief history and nature of the outreach visits is described. RESULTS From January 2007 to end-June 2014, the outreach physician undertook 481 hospital visits and visited seven hospitals (out of 21) more than 40 times each. A total of 3340 medical personnel contacts were made, and 5239 patients were seen. Other Internal Medicine specialists undertook an additional 199 visits, during which they made 1157 personnel contacts and saw 2020 patients. The combined total was thus 680 visits undertaken, 4497 medical personnel contacts made, and 7259 patients seen. CONCLUSION This study showed that the appointment of a dedicated outreach consultant for a particular discipline together with a reliable air and road transport system was successful in providing access to specialist care in rural settings. This strategy could be recommended throughout South Africa. Further studies would be required in order to assess outcomes.
Ceftriaxone-sulbactam combination in rabbit endocarditis caused by a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae producing extended-broad-spectrum TEM-3 beta-lactamase

We studied the activity of the combination of sulbactam and ceftriaxone against a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain producing TEM-3, a new extended-broad-spectrum beta-lactamase, in an endocarditis model. In vitro, ceftriaxone was strongly inactivated in the presence of TEM-3 (MBC, 128 micrograms/ml with an inoculum of 5 x 10(5) CFU/ml). A marked inoculum effect was demonstrated with sulbactam: effective concentrations of inhibitor needed to reduce the MIC and MBC of ceftriaxone to similar levels increased from 1 microgram/ml in the presence of an inoculum of 5 x 10(5) CFU/ml to 20 micrograms/ml in the presence of an inoculum of 1 x 10(7) CFU/ml. In vivo, sulbactam given at 200 mg/kg of body weight every 12 h, a dosage higher than that previously reported to be effective against rabbit endocarditis caused by other microorganisms, was not sufficient to restore the complete activity of ceftriaxone given at 30 mg/kg once daily for 4 days. This insufficient activity may be correlated with the presence of a high level of beta-lactamase inside the vegetations, as indicated by a quantitative in vitro assay of beta-lactamase activity in the cardiac vegetation, suggesting an insufficient inactivation of the extended-broad-spectrum beta-lactamase in vivo.
Comparing preincisional with postincisional bupivacaine infiltration in the management of postoperative pain.

OBJECTIVE To determine if preemptive local anesthesia yields better postoperative pain control than infiltration of local anesthetic at the time of wound closure. DESIGN Prospective, randomized trial. SETTING Private community teaching hospital. PATIENTS Two-hundred consecutive patients undergoing elective laparotomy were enrolled in the study between September 1993 and April 1995. Eighty-eight patients were excluded from the study for violation of protocol, leaving a total of 112 patients to be evaluated. Patients were divided into 2 groups: preincisional (n = 52) and postincisional (n = 60). INTERVENTIONS Patients in the preincisional group received 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine (Marcaine) 5 minutes before the incision; patients in the postincisional group received 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine immediately after approximation of the fascia and before closure of the skin. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The control of the long-term (3-day) postoperative pain in relationship to timing of local anesthetic given. RESULTS Study groups were comparable for age, weight, sex, operative time, and length of incision. No significant difference in the amount of morphine used or subjective evaluation of pain was noted between the preincisional and the postincisional groups. CONCLUSIONS Based on the theory of "dorsal horn hypersensitivity," several clinical trials have shown significant improvement in pain control with preincisional infiltration of local anesthetic. Our results indicate that pain was no better controlled with preincisional infiltration than with postincisional infiltration of bupivacaine, raising the question of the benefit of preemptive anesthesia at the local level in long-term postoperative care.
The Expression and Significance of Metallothioneins in Murine Organs and Tissues Following Mercury Vapour Exposure

The fate of inspired mercury vapour (Hg0) is critical in the central nervous system (CNS) where it can circumvent the blood—brain barrier (BBB) at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) and accumulate indefinitely in motor neurons by retrograde transport. The detoxification of systemic Hg0 by lung and liver requires investigation. We exposed 129/Sv wild-type (Wt) and 129/Sv MT-I, II double knockout (KO) mice to 500 μg Hg0/m3 for 4 hours to investigate the expression of MT in the lung, liver, and spinal cord following Hg0 exposure using unexposed groups as controls. There were congestive changes in liver and lung of both Wt and MT-KO groups of Hg0-treated mice; these changes appeared more pronounced in the MT-KO group. Motor neurons in the spinal cord did not show any pathological changes. Based on expression of MT, liver appears to have a major role in trapping and stabilising mercury. In the spinal cord, MT was expressed in all white matter astrocytes and in some grey matter astrocytes. Notably, motor neurons did not express MT, and the presence of MT could not be demonstrated in the axons of the ventral root. The absence of MT expression in motor neurons and their axons suggests the dependence of the motor system on the detoxifying capacity of liver MTs.
Partial K-Complex Recovery Following Short-Term Abstinence in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder.

BACKGROUND The K-complex (KC) is a brain potential characteristic of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep resulting from the synchronous activity of a large population of neurons and hypothesized to reflect brain integrity. KC amplitude is lower in individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) compared with age-matched controls, but its recovery with short-term abstinence has not been studied. Therefore, we investigated whether the KC shows significant recovery over the first 4 months of abstinence in individuals with AUD. METHODS A total of 16 recently abstinent AUD individuals (46.6 ± 9.3 years) and 13 gender and age-matched healthy controls (41.6 ± 8.3 years) were studied on 3 occasions: the Initial session was within 1 month of the AUD individuals' last drink, then 1 and 3 months later. Overnight electroencephalogram was recorded while participants were presented with tones during stage 2 NREM sleep to elicit KCs. RESULTS At the Initial session, AUD participants showed significantly lower KC amplitude and incidence compared with controls. In the AUD individuals, KC amplitude increased significantly from the Initial to the 1-month session. KC incidence showed a marginally significant increase. Neither KC amplitude nor incidence changed from the 1-month to the 3-month session. No changes in KC amplitude or incidence across sessions were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate partial KC recovery during the first 2 months of abstinence. This recovery is consistent with the time course of structural brain recovery in abstinent AUD individuals demonstrated by recent neuroimaging results.