Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Patient Understanding of Preeclampsia

Objective. To explore the extent to which pregnant women understand the symptoms and potential complications related to preeclampsia and to determine the factors that are associated with better understanding. Methods. This was a cross-sectional study in which 112 pregnant patients were interviewed to determine their preeclampsia knowledge. Knowledge was evaluated using a 25-item survey addressing the symptoms, consequences, and proper patient actions associated with preeclampsia. Patients were also asked in an open-ended question to define preeclampsia; all responses were rated by three obstetricians. Information about demographics, medical and obstetrical history, and health literacy was also obtained. Health literacy was assessed using the short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA). Results. Patients correctly answered only 43% of the 25 questions assessing preeclampsia knowledge. Moreover, only 14% of the patients were able to provide a definition that correctly reflected the syndrome. Factors associated with a greater proportion of correct answers on the questionnaire were higher literacy, multiparity, history of preeclampsia, and receipt of information about preeclampsia from a clinician or another information source (e.g., the Internet, television, a book, or a friend). Conclusions. Pregnant patients have a generally poor understanding of preeclampsia, although improved understanding is associated with having received information about the disease. Further investigation will be needed to determine how best to educate patients and whether this education can also decrease adverse outcomes associated with this syndrome.
Pneumonia and Hong Kong influenza: a prospective study of the 1968-1969 epidemic

The Hong Kong influenza epidemic struck Memphis in December, 1968, and ran its course within five weeks. During that period 106 adult patients with pneumonia were admitted to the City of Memphis Hospitals and were studied prospectively. Eightythree per cent of pneumonia patients on whom paired sera were available had serologic evidence of Hong Kong influenza infection. This contrasted with an influenza attack rate of 33 per cent in a limited sample of ambulatory clinic patients. Pneumococci were the principal bacterial pathogens isolated from sputum and blood of pneumonia patients. Clinical patterns observed included both mixed viral-bacterial infections and primary influenza followed by acute suppurative pneumonia. Fourteen pneumonia patients died: 11 from their acute respiratory illnesses and 3 from underlying diseases. The relatively low mortality rate reflects the infrequent occurrence during this epidemic of the two most serious pulmonary complications of influenza: primary influenza virus pneumonia and staphylococcal pneumonia. Exactly one year later, when influenza was not epidemic, less than one third as many pneumonia patients were admitted to City of Memphis Hospitals. However, the epidemiologic features, bacteriologic results, and case-fatality rates were similar during the epidemic and nonepidemic periods.
Exploring the Role of Culture in eWOM Adoption

Given the explosive growth of customer review sites, the questions of why and how individuals use these services in different cultures, as well as whether eWOM exerts comparable influence in different cultures, warrant comprehensive research. The majority of studies in this emerging stream are conducted in a single-country context, and do not consider the impact of cultural environment on consumers' eWOM dissemination, usage, or outcomes. To address this gap, this study compares eWOM attitudes and usage in the US (an established eWOM tradition within a developed market economy) and Ukraine (reflecting a relatively recent eWOM adoption in transitional political and institutional circumstances). We apply content analysis to in-depth interview transcripts obtained from 14 Ukrainian and 10 American consumers and compare differences in their usage and perceptions of online product reviews.
Test–retest reliability and practice effects of Expanded Halstead–Reitan Neuropsychological Test Battery

Test–retest reliabilities and practice effects of a broad range of neuropsychological measures were examined in 384 normal or neurologically stable adults. Median test–retest interval was 11 months (range 3–16 months). The reliability estimates for most of the measures are reasonably good, ranging from . 70 to low . 90s. An exception is the relatively poor reliabilities of most memory measures. For all test measures, the value on initial testing is a strong determinant of the value on the second examination. Practice effects are seen on most measures. The magnitude of the practice effects, however, varies as a function of type of measure, test–retest interval, age, and overall competency level of the participant. This study provides several types of retest information that may be useful for future research and clinical work: comparative reliabilities of the various measures, estimate of error variability associated with each administration, standard deviation of the change, and comparative magnitude of practice effects on various tests. (JINS, 1999, 5, 346–356.)
Thalidomide: dermatological indications, mechanisms of action and side‐effects

Thalidomide was first introduced in the 1950s as a sedative but was quickly removed from the market after it was linked to cases of severe birth defects. However, it has since made a remarkable comeback for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration‐approved use in the treatment of erythema nodosum leprosum. Further, it has shown its effectiveness in unresponsive dermatological conditions such as actinic prurigo, adult Langerhans cell histiocytosis, aphthous stomatitis, Behçet's syndrome, graft‐versus‐host disease, cutaneous sarcoidosis, erythema multiforme, Jessner–Kanof lymphocytic infiltration of the skin, Kaposi sarcoma, lichen planus, lupus erythematosus, melanoma, prurigo nodularis, pyoderma gangrenosum and uraemic pruritus. This article reviews the history, pharmacology, mechanism of action, clinical uses and adverse effects of thalidomide.
Tumor-associated macrophages, multi-tasking cells in the cancer landscape

It is now well recognized that myeloid cells of the innate immunity infiltrating the tumor micro-environment, instead of halting tumor progression, favour the proliferation of tumor cells and their invasive ability. In particular, macrophages represent the most abundant leukocyte population recruited at tumor sites, from early stages till the occurrence of metastasis. Tumor-Associated Macrophages (TAMs) are crucial determinants of cancer cell survival and proliferation; they efficiently trigger neo-angiogenesis and matrix degradation and suppress potential anti-tumor adaptive immune responses. Established evidence demonstrated that high density of infiltrating TAMs is usually associated with fast tumor progression and resistance to anti-cancer therapies. Targeting of TAMs or modulation of their functions is now actively pursued. In this review we discuss recent knowledge and current therapeutic approaches behind TAMs. A better understanding of their features, heterogeneity in particular, and of their tumor-promoting functions is essential to better design TAM-centered therapeutic interventions. Understanding of how best to combine TAM-targeted approaches and conventional chemotherapy or immunotherapy, holds promise for successful anti-cancer treatments.
[Comparison of ilioinguinal-iliohypogastric nerve block versus spinal anesthesia techniques for single sided inguinal herniorrhaphy].

OBJECTIVES The aim of the study is to compare the hemodynamic effects, postoperative analgesia, time to achieve discharge criteria, and patient-surgeon satisfaction of patients who are assigned for single sided inguinal hernia repair operated under iliohypogastric ilioingıinal nerve block (IHNB) or spinal anesthesia. METHODS Twenty-five ASA I-III patients in Group S received 15 mg 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine intrathecally, and 25 ASA I-III patients in Group I received IHNB with 20 mL 0.5% plain bupivacaine. RESULTS Mean block application duration (16.4±3 vs 6.5±2.1 min), mean sensory block rise time (25.2±5.1 vs 6.9±3.4 min), and time to sensory block termination (262.4±65.2 vs 116.6±102.5 min) was found to longer in Group I with respect to Group S (p<0.001). Mean time to first mobilization (307.1±146.9 vs 456.9±131.7 min), and mean time to meet discharge criteria (4.6±0.8 vs 8.1±2.7 hr) was shorter in group I. Mean VAS scores in postoperative 1, 2, 4 and 6 th and mean tramadole consumption in 24 hr (375.6±113.1 vs 180.5±17.9 mg) were higher in Group S (p<0.001). Hemodynamic parameters, patient and surgeon satisfaction were comparable (p>0.05). CONCLUSION IHNB provides longer postoperative analgesia and earliar discharge, although takes more time to perform and to produce maximum effect, for single sided inguinal henia repair.
High Rate of Aminoglycoside Resistance among Staphylococci Causing Prosthetic Joint Infection

Gentamicin and tobramycin are two aminoglycosides commonly impregnated into polymethylmethacrylate for treatment and prevention of prosthetic joint infection. Susceptibilities of staphylococci to aminoglycosides are not reported routinely in the United States. The gentamicin and tobramycin minimum inhibitory value of 93 staphylococci from patients with PJI were determined. Forty-one and 66% of the isolates were resistant to gentamicin and tobramycin, respectively. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates were more likely to be resistant to gentamicin or tobramycin than were their methicillin susceptible counterparts. The findings suggest that consideration should be given to the further study of agents other than aminoglycosides for incorporation into polymethylmethacrylate for the treatment and prevention of prosthetic joint infection.
Role of surgery in the patients with stage I and II primary gastric lymphoma.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Primary gastric lymphoma is a relatively rare disease. As the concept of MALT (mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue) lymphoma has been acknowledged, a relation between primary gastric lymphoma and Helicobacter pylori infection seems apparent, appropriate treatment, including surgical resection, and/or chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy has remained controversial. METHODOLOGY Between 1974 and 1996, we treated 85 Japanese patients with histologically proven primary gastric lymphomas (stage I and II according to modified Ann Arbor staging) with surgery, and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. The clinicopathological factors, especially regarding surgical curability and survival were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS Of the 85 patients (44 men, and 41 women), average age was 60.5 years. The lesion was frequently located at the middle third of the stomach, and multiple lesions were noted in 19 patients. Microscopic lymph node metastasis was positive in 37.6% (32/85), and the rate of positive metastasis increased in proportion to depth of invasion. There was a discrepancy between macro- and microscopic findings regarding lymph node metastasis. Total gastrectomy was done for 50 patients, distal gastrectomy for 31, pancreatoduodenectomy for 3, and gastrojejunostomy for 1 patient. Lymph node dissection was done at the D1,2 level for 73, and at the D3 level for 12 patients. There were no major complications except in 3 cases (subphrenic abscess), and there was 1 operative death. The overall 5-year survival and 10-year survival was 82.3% and 74.0%, respectively. In the stage I patients, the 5-year and 10-year survival rate was 97.5%, respectively. All cases of surgery were curative, and surgery alone resulted in the same survival time as the surgery plus chemotherapy group (10-year survival; 100% vs. 96.6%, no statistical difference). In the stage II patients, 5-year and 10-year survival rates were 58.6% and 44.2%, respectively. Surgery was curative in 59.3% (19/32), and palliative in 40.7% (13/32). Palliative surgery was done because of extensive lymph node metastasis in 6 patients, invasion to adjacent organ in 6, and both in 1 patient. Chemotherapy was prescribed in 71.9% of the patients (23/32), and when compared with the patients who were on chemotherapy, the survival rate showed no statistical difference regardless of palliative or curative surgery. CONCLUSIONS Surgery for primary gastric lymphoma had low complication rate, and led to good survival rate in stage I disease. In stage II disease, surgical curability did not affect the survival, implying the necessity of the evaluation about the treatment strategy by randomized study. However, considering the stage migration before and after and possible inaccuracy of preoperative staging, the application of non-surgical treatment must be prudent.
Dissemination of an Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase blaTEM-52 Gene-Carrying IncI1 Plasmid in Various Salmonella enterica Serovars Isolated from Poultry and Humans in Belgium and France between 2001 and 2005

ABSTRACT We report here the dissemination of a conjugative IncI1 plasmid carrying blaTEM-52 on a Tn3 transposon conferring resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in Salmonella enterica serovar Agona, Derby, Infantis, Paratyphi B dT+, and Typhimurium isolates from poultry and humans in Belgium and France from 2001 to 2005. The most prevalent serovar spreading this resistance was serovar Infantis.
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis membrane protein Rv2560 − biochemical and functional studies

The characterization of membrane proteins having no identified function in Mycobacterium tuberculosis is important for a better understanding of the biology of this pathogen. In this work, the biological activity of the Rv2560 protein was characterized and evaluated. Primers used in PCR and RT‐PCR assays revealed that the gene encoding protein Rv2560 is present in M. tuberculosis complex strains, but transcribed in only some of them. Sera obtained from rabbits inoculated with polymer peptides from this protein recognized a 33 kDa band in the M. tuberculosis lysate and a membrane fraction corresponding to the predicted molecular mass (33.1 kDa) of this protein. Immunoelectron microscopy analysis found this protein on the mycobacterial membrane. Sixteen peptides covering its entire length were chemically synthesized and tested for their ability to bind to A549 and U937 cells. Peptide 11024 (121VVALSDRATTAYTNTSGVSS140) showed high specific binding to both cell types (dissociation constants of 380 and 800 nm, respectively, and positive receptor–ligand interaction cooperativity), whereas peptide 11033 (284LIGIPVAALIHVYTYRKLSGG304) displayed high binding activity to A549 cells only. Cross‐linking assays showed the specific binding of peptide 11024 to a 54 kDa membrane protein on U937. Invasion inhibition assays, in the presence of shared high‐activity binding peptide identified for U937 and A549 cells, presented maximum inhibition percentages of 50.53% and 58.27%, respectively. Our work highlights the relevance of the Rv2560 protein in the M. tuberculosis invasion process of monocytes and epithelial cells, and represents a fundamental step in the rational selection of new antigens to be included as components in a multiepitope, subunit‐based, chemically synthesized, antituberculosis vaccine.
A retrospective report of 90 dogs with suspected cane toad (Bufo marinus) toxicity.

OBJECTIVE To report the clinical characteristics of toad toxicity in domestic dogs in Brisbane. DESIGN A retrospective analysis of clinical cases. PROCEDURE All cases of toad poisoning which presented to a northern suburbs emergency clinic in Brisbane over a 30-month period beginning in April 1999 were reviewed. RESULTS A total of 90 canine cases of suspected toad poisoning were reviewed. Small breed dogs accounted for 76% of cases. Jack Russell, Silky, and Fox Terriers were the most represented breeds. Cases were reported year round, with fewest cases over the winter months. The most common clinical signs were increased salivation (78% of cases), and red oral mucous membranes (63% cases). Seizures occurred in 31% of cases. Generally the outcome was excellent with 96% survival.
Hydrocarbon degradation by a new Pseudomonas sp., strain RW-II, with polycationic surfactant to modify the cell hydrophobicity

Pseudomonas putida RW-II isolated from petroleum refinery wastewater was tested for hydrocarbon degradation potential in the presence of polycationic surfactant, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The effects of CTAB on growth profile, cell surface hydrophobicity, cell adhesion, zeta potential and hydrocarbon biodegradation were investigated. The addition of CTAB had a significant effect on the growth profile of RW-II and the growth was increased 1.11 times in hexadecane containing medium. In the presence of CTAB, the growth of Pseudomonas putida RW-II increased about 14.4%. The zeta potential of Pseudomonas putida RW-II decreased significantly when CTAB was added to the medium. The addition of CTAB not only decreased the zeta potential of surface, but also significantly increased the hydrophobicity of the cell surface. The degradation rate of hexadecane, anthracene and naphthalene was observed as 64.8%, 46% and 56% at the end of 120 h, respectively. Biodegradation of hexadecane, anthracene and naphthalene was enhanced 1.16, 1.15 and 1.08 times at 40 mg/L CTAB addition, respectively. The increase in biodegradation resulted from improved interaction between the hydrocarbon and microorganism derived from the increased adhesion. Thus, the use of CTAB has been proposed to be a valuable effect to enhance the biodegradation of hydrocarbons.
Thermal conductivity anisotropy of metasedimentary and igneous rocks

[1] Thermal conductivity anisotropy was determined for three sets of metasedimentary and igneous rocks from central Utah, USA. Most conductivity measurements were made in transient mode with a half-space, line source instrument oriented in two orthogonal directions on a flat face cut perpendicular to bedding. One orientation of the probe yields thermal conductivity parallel to bedding (kpar) directly, the other orientation of the probe measures a product of conductivities parallel and perpendicular to bedding from which the perpendicular conductivity (kperp) is calculated. Some direct measurements of kpar and kperp were made on oriented cylindrical discs using a conventional divided bar device in steady state mode. Anisotropy is defined as kpar/kperp. Precambrian argillites from Big Cottonwood Canyon have anisotropy values from 0.8 to 2.1 with corresponding conductivity perpendicular to bedding of 2.0 to 6.2 W m−1 K−1. Anisotropy values for Price Canyon sedimentary samples are less than 1.2 with a mean of 1.04 although thermal conductivity perpendicular to bedding for the samples varied from 1.3 to 5.0 W m−1 K−1. The granitic rocks were found to be essentially isotropic with thermal conductivity perpendicular to bedding having a range of 2.2 to 3.2 W m−1 K−1 and a mean of 2.68 W m−1 K−1. The results confirm the observation by Deming [1994] that anisotropy is negligible for rocks having kperp greater than 4.0 W m−1 K−1 and generally increases for low conductivity metamorphic and clay-rich rocks. There is little evidence, however, for his suggestion that thermal conductivity anisotropy of all rocks increases systematically to about 2.5 for low thermal conductivity rocks.
Blind ocean acoustic tomography: experimental results on the INTIFANTE'00 data set

This work was supported by programe PRAXIS XXI of FCT, Portugal, under projects INTIMATE and ATOMS and under project TOMPACO, CNR, Italy. The authors are also in debt of SACLANTCEN for equipment loan and to the crew of NRP D.Carlos I of IH, that made the sea trial successful.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI studies in human tumours.

There has been much recent public and scienti¢c interest in the possibility that drugs could attack the blood supply to tumours. Press statements by the US National Cancer Institute and the Cancer Research Campaign in the UK have focused attention on tumour neovascularity. The importance of tumour angiogenesis is well known to clinical oncologists but is less familiar to radiologists. This article serves to highlight the potential value of contrast-enhanced MRI in probing the functional aspects of angiogenesis in human cancers [1]. Angiogenesis is a complex process, critical to the growth and metastasis of malignant tumours. Angiogenesis is mediated by factors released by tumours and/or tumour-associated in£ammatory cells [2]. Microvessel density measurements using immuno-histochemical staining techniques are used to measure angiogenic activity. In many types of tumour, including breast, lung, prostate, and head and neck cancers, microvessel density correlates with clinical stage and acts as an independent prognostic factor [3]. Many radiological studies are able to depict the increased vascularity of tumours. Recently, quanti¢cation of tumour vascularity has been undertaken using imaging methods, including colour Doppler ultrasound and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (dMRI). MR imaging after the administration of a contrast agent that is retained in the blood can be used to estimate the plasma volume of a tissue. Most recent attempts to assess tissue vascularity in humans have used extracellular contrast agents. These agents, based on gadolinium chelates, readily pass from the intravascular space into the interstitium, thereby giving rise to parenchymal enhancement. Numerous studies have shown that malignant tumours frequently demonstrate faster and higher levels of enhancement than do normal surrounding tissues. This observation has been the basis for diagnostic MR studies for many years, but the underlying pathophysiological processes and quanti¢cation of these studies have not been clinically emphasized. The introduction of fast imaging routines and developments in tracer kinetic modelling for dMRI studies now permit a fuller understanding of the physiological basis of contrast enhancement in human tumours. With optimal data collection, sequences can be designed to be sensitive to tissue perfusion and blood volume (so-called T2* methods) and/or permeability and extracellular leakage space (so-called T1 methods). Such techniques permit the functional aspects of tumour neovascularity to be assessed in vivo in a non-invasive and repeatable way. Other advantages of MR methods include good spatial resolution and the ability to incorporate physiological data acquisition into routine patient studies.
Synthesis of one-dimensional linear hybrid cellular automata

This paper presents a method for the synthesis of a one-dimensional linear hybrid cellular automaton (CA) from a given irreducible polynomial. A detailed description of the algorithm is given, together with an outline of the theoretical background. It is shown that two CA exist for each irreducible polynomial, solving the previously open CA existence conjecture. An in-depth example of the synthesis is presented, along with timing benchmarks and an operation count. The algorithm solves the previously open problem of synthesizing CA for all practical applications.
Critical gerogogy : developing practical possibilities for critical educational gerontology

Despite the recent increase in the number of publications in the field of educational gerontology, remarkably little has been published on 'gerogogy'. The aim of this research article is to integrate critical gerogogy within a praxeological epistemology, as a continual reconstruction of thought and action in the living historical process of older persons. Following a critique of the critical educational gerontological position, seven principles are recommended for a 'really' praxeological gerogogy. These include: the embodiment of a political rationale; a commitment towards the transformation of the ageist world; disagreement that any type of education empowers older persons; emphasis on facilitators who take sides with and are committed to the position of older people; a reaching out to all distinct segments of older people; embracing a self-help culture; taking the role of a 'progressive' movement by engaging in counter-hegemonic activities.