Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Elevated diastolic but not systolic blood pressure increases mortality risk in hypertensive but not normotensive patients with acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND The relationship between blood pressure (BP) at admission for acute ischemic stroke and outcome is controversial. We aimed to assess whether only systolic BP (SBP), only diastolic BP (DBP), both or neither predict outcome and whether these associations differ between patients with and without a history of hypertension. METHODS We prospectively studied all patients who were admitted with acute ischemic stroke (n = 415; 39.5% males, age 78.8 ± 6.6 years). The severity of stroke was assessed at admission with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). The outcome was evaluated with dependency at discharge (modified Rankin scale between 2 and 5) and in-hospital mortality. RESULTS In the total study population, independent predictors of dependency at discharge were age, history of prior ischemic stroke, and NIHSS score at admission. Independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were DBP at admission and NIHSS score at admission. In patients with a history of hypertension (n = 343), independent predictors of dependency at discharge were age and NIHSS score at admission whereas independent predictors of in-hospital mortality were DBP at admission and NIHSS score at admission. In patients without a history of hypertension (n = 72), the only independent predictor of dependency at discharge and in-hospital mortality was the NIHSS score at admission. CONCLUSIONS Higher DBP at admission predict in-hospital mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke whereas SBP in the acute phase is not associated with short-term outcome. The relationship between DBP at admission and outcome appears to be more prominent in hypertensive patients.
A prospective, controlled evaluation of home chemotherapy for children with cancer.

OBJECTIVES Infusion of chemotherapy at home provides an alternative to hospitalization for children with cancer. Few programs of pediatric home chemotherapy have been described or evaluated. The purpose of this work was to compare prospectively chemotherapy in the hospital to chemotherapy at home with respect to billed medical charges, out-of-pocket expenses, and quality of life. METHODS Eligibility criteria for home therapy were defined. Parents and nurses were trained. Billed charges, loss of wages, out-of-pocket expenses, medical outcome, and quality of life of 14 patients for one course of chemotherapy in the hospital were compared with those for an identical course at home. RESULTS Daily charges for chemotherapy were $2329 +/- 627 in the hospital and $1865 +/- 833 at home; out-of-pocket costs, $68 +/- 31 and $11 +/- 6, respectively; and loss of income, $265 +/- 233 and $67 +/- 107, respectively. Patients' independence, well-being, appetite, mood, and school work were significantly better at home, and parental time at work and with the family was greater. CONCLUSION Administration of selected chemotherapy at home results in lower billed charges, reduced expenses, reduced loss of income for parents, and a more satisfying lifestyle for patients and parents.
In vitro and in vivo studies of substance P receptor expression in rats with the new analog [indium-111-DTPA-Arg1]substance P.

UNLABELLED We evaluated the potential usefulness of a new radiolabeled substance P (SP) analog, [111In-DTPA-Arg1]SP, as a radiopharmaceutical for the in vivo detection of SP receptor-positive (SPR+) immunologic disorders (i.e., inflammatory bowel disease and arthritis) and tumors (i.e., carcinoid). METHODS Substance P, [DTPA-Arg1]SP and [3-(p-hydroxyphenyl)propionyl-Arg1]SP (Bolton-Hunter-SP, [BH-SP]) were tested as competitors for 125I-BH-SP to SPR in rat brain cortex membranes. An autoradiographic displacement study of the submandibular gland of the rat with the 125I-BH-SP as radioligand and [DTPA-Arg1]SP as competitor was performed. Tissue distribution and ex vivo autoradiography were studied in rats, with and without pretreatment with the selective nonpeptide antagonist CP96,345 to quantify specific binding. In vivo metabolism of [111In-DTPA-Arg1]SP was performed in control rats. Gamma-camera scintigraphic studies were carried out with control rats to visualize the SPR+ salivary glands in rats bearing the SPR+ transplantable pancreatic tumor CA20948 and in rats with SPR+ adjuvant arthritic joints, which was induced after injection of a homogenate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. RESULTS Substance P, [DTPA-Arg1]SP and BH-SP dose-dependently inhibited binding of 125I-BH-SP to SPR in rat brain cortex membranes with IC50 values of 0.2, 4 and 2 nM, respectively. In an autoradiographic displacement study of the submandibular gland with 125I-BH-SP as radioligand, an IC50 of 2.7 nM was found for [DTPA-Arg1]SP. In vivo metabolism of the radiopharmaceutical in the rat revealed a renal clearance rate of 50% of the injected radioactive dose in 30 min and a rapid enzymatic degradation of the radiopharmaceutical, resulting in an effective half-life of the intact radiopharmaceutical in blood of approximately 3 min. Tissue distribution and ex vivo autoradiographic studies in rats showed uptake and specific binding of radioactivity in isolated tumors and submandibular and parotid glands. Optimum SPR+ target-to-background ratios were found 24 hr after injection of [111In-DTPA-Arg1]SP. Visualization of normal SPR+ tissues, such as the salivary glands by gamma camera scintigraphy, after administration of [111In-DTPA-Arg1]SP was demonstrated in untreated rats. Pathological SPR+ processes were visualized both in rats bearing the transplantable pancreatic tumor CA20948 and in those with adjuvant mycobacteria tuberculosis-induced arthritic joints. CONCLUSION [Indium-111-DTPA-Arg1]SP can be used successfully to visualize SPR+ processes in vivo by gamma camera scintigraphy.
Performance Decrements Resulting From Illness in the Workplace: The Effect of Headaches

Objectives:Studies on the impact of illness on work productivity are important to rationally allocate healthcare resources and to design programs to mitigate these effects. This investigation was conducted to develop and apply daily measures of illness episodes, and to collect subjective and objective data on work performance impacts. Medical bill reviewers completed daily responses to a questionnaire about headache manifestations, severity, and speed of work using interactive voice response (IVR). Of 134 eligible enrolled subjects, 117 (86%) provided at least 30 daily reports over 3 months. Their responses were matched to difficulty-adjusted objective measures: daily output, time on the system, and productivity. Respondents were clinically classified as migraineurs (n = 56), other headache disorders (n = 47), or having no headache disorder (n = 14). Each headache episode was classified as a migraine or nonmigraine headache based on reported manifestations. Results:The three groups were similar in a variety of demographic factors, and mean subject-specific measures of speed, output, and productivity. In a multivariate model using general estimating equations, only episode severity (not type of headache or person-specific diagnosis) was found to be associated with a significant decrement in speed or productivity. The self-reported decrement in speed (approximately 20%) was much greater than the actual measured effect on productivity (approximately 8%). Intensive daily diary collection by IVR on symptoms and work performance is feasible. However, analysis of detailed daily objective productivity data can be complex, with significant unmeasured sources of variance. Severity may be a more important determinant of headache effect on work performance than specific diagnosis. Future studies on illness episodes and work performance should measure informal accommodations that may enable employees to compensate for episodic illnesses.
Use of Time-Harmonic Finite-Element Analysis to Compute Stator Winding Eddy-Current Losses Due to Rotor Motion in Surface Permanent-Magnet Machines

It is known from the literature that in electric machines with open stator slots, the air-gap flux partly enters the slot openings and induces eddy currents in the conductors placed closest to the air gap, possibly causing local overheating issues. For the study of such phenomenon, time-stepping finite-element analysis (TSFEA) is employed by many authors. This paper presents an alternative approach based on a set of time-harmonic finite-element analysis (THFEA) simulations. The proposed method can be applied to surface permanent-magnet machines and offers the advantage of a shorter computation time with respect to THFEA. It is also more suitable for being integrated into automatic design optimization programs. The accuracy of the approach is assessed by comparing stator eddy-current losses independently computed by THFEA and TSFEA for different machine geometries and operating conditions. Results obtained in the two ways are shown to be in good accordance.
STAT-1 Signaling in Human Lung Fibroblasts Is Induced by Vanadium Pentoxide through an IFN-β Autocrine Loop1

The inhalation of vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) results in bronchitis and airway fibrosis. The lung fibrotic response to V2O5 partially resolves where fibroblasts first proliferate and deposit collagen, but then undergo growth arrest and apoptosis. STAT-1 mediates fibroblast growth arrest and apoptosis. We previously reported that STAT-1 is a protective factor and mice lacking STAT-1 are more susceptible to lung fibrosis. We also reported that V2O5-induced STAT-1 phosphorylation in lung fibroblasts requires H2O2 and de novo protein synthesis. In this study, we identified IFN-β as the protein that mediates STAT-1 activation by V2O5 in normal human lung fibroblasts and identified NADPH and xanthine oxidase systems as sources of H2O2 that drive IFN-β gene expression. STAT-1 phosphorylation was decreased with neutralizing Abs to IFN-β as well as an inhibitor of JAK. V2O5 also increased transcription of an IFN-inducible and STAT-1-dependent chemokine, CXCL10. Inhibition of H2O2-generating enzyme systems NADPH oxidase by apocynin and xanthine oxidase by allopurinol individually reduced STAT-1 phosphorylation. Apocynin and allopurinol also decreased V2O5-induced IFN-β mRNA levels and CXCL10 expression. IFN-α transcription was inhibited only by allopurinol. Taken together, these data indicate that fibroblasts play a role in the innate immune response to vanadium-induced oxidative stress by synthesizing IFN-β and activating STAT-1 to cause growth arrest and increase levels of CXCL10, a potent antifibrotic factor. This mechanism is postulated to counterbalance profibrogenic mechanisms that follow V2O5 injury.
On Some Common Fixed Point Theorems Of Aamri And El Moutawakil In Uniform Spaces

In this paper, we establish some common fixed point theorems for selfmappings in uniform spaces by employing the concepts of an A-distance and an E-distance introduced by Aamri and El Moutawakil [3] as well as the notion of comparison functions. We employ a more general contractive definition than that of Aamri and El Moutawakil [3]. Our results are generalizations of Theorems 3.1-3.3 of [3] and those of Olatinwo [12, 13].
Modulation of Distraction Osteogenesis in the Aged Rat by Fibroblast Growth Factor

This study explores a series of hypotheses related to modulation of bone formation using the distraction model. The tibial lengthening model was scaled down from dog to rat to use immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction to evaluate cellular events during in vivo bone formation. Different delivery systems such as oral, intragastric, intravenous, subcutaneous, and local diffusion by either extraperiosteal or intramedullary routes, were developed and standardized. Systemic modulators, including diet (total enteral nutrition, calcium, phosphate, soy, whey, casein, lead, and alcohol) and hormones (estrogen, testosterone, growth hormone, and gonadectomy), were tested. To investigate the effects of aging on bone formation, rats of different age groups had tibial lengthening. The aging effect could be distinguished by a reproducible deficiency of endosteal bone formation, consistent with similar deficits in older adult patients having distraction osteogenesis or in patients with senile osteoporosis. Expression of endogenous fibroblast growth factor-2 at the cellular level during the coupled osteogenesis and angiogenesis in young rats was dramatically diminished in old rats. Exogenous fibroblast growth factor-2 reversed the endosteal deficits found in old rats having distraction osteogenesis.
Two girls with status asthmaticus

Modern advancement in asthmatic medications, improvement in asthma education and easy accessibility to medical care has made life-threatening asthma requiring mechanical ventilation infrequent in children nowadays. Two cases with status asthmaticus recently admitted to our department were presented. Both were emergency admissions from Emergency Department (ED) and they required paediatric intensive care with ventilatory support.
Primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws.

OBJECTIVES To present 8 new cases of primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws and to review the literature for an analysis of treatment modalities and patient outcomes. DATA SOURCES A MEDLINE search from 1970 to 1999. The articles chosen and the study of the references of every one that produced additional articles provided database information for 28 patients. Eight new patients from our institutions were added. STUDY SELECTION Our criteria of inclusion included the absence of ulceration of the oral mucosa, a negative result in the search for a distant primary tumor, and convincing histological documentation. DATA EXTRACTION The variables of the analysis included age, sex, site of the tumor, condition of the oral mucosa, tumor size, neck status, treatment modalities, recurrences, and survival. DATA SYNTHESIS Twenty-eight patients were identified in the literature, for a total of 36 patients. There were 28 males (78%) and 8 females (22%) ranging in age from 4 to 76 years (mean, 54 years). The tumor site was the mandible in 33 patients (92%) and the maxilla in 3 (8%). Of the 34 patients treated, 19 (56%) had recurrences. Overall 2- and 4-year survival was 60.5% and 39.9%, respectively. Patients who underwent radical surgery and postoperative radiotherapy (n = 11) had a 2- and 3-year survival probability of 61.3% and 40.9%, respectively, whereas in the remaining patients (n = 25), the rates were 59.7% and 31.3%, respectively (P =.60). CONCLUSIONS Strict diagnostic criteria must be applied. The prognosis associated with primary intraosseous carcinoma of the jaws is poor and suggests the need for aggressive treatment.
Effects of Post-Discharge Nurse-Led Telephone Supportive Care for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis in China: A Randomized Controlled Trial

♦ Background: Patients with end-stage renal failure (ESRF) need integrated health care to maintain a desirable quality of life. Studies suggest that post-discharge nurseled telephone support has a positive effect for patients suffering from chronic diseases. But the post-discharge care is under-developed in mainland China and the effects of post-discharge care on patients with peritoneal dialysis have not been conclusive. ♦ Aim: The purpose of this study is to test the effectiveness of postdischarge nurse-led telephone support on patients with peritoneal dialysis in mainland China. ♦ Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in the medical department of a regional hospital in Guangzhou. 135 patients were recruited, 69 in the study group and 66 in the control group. The control group received routine hospital discharge care. The study group received post-discharge nurse-led telephone support. The quality of life (Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form, KDQOL-SF), blood chemistry, complication control, readmission and clinic visit rates were observed at three time intervals: baseline before discharge (T1), 6 (T2) and 12 (T3) weeks after discharge. ♦ Results: Statistically significant effects were found for symptom/problem, work status, staff encouragement, patient satisfaction and energy/fatigue in KDQOL-SF and 84-day (12-week) clinic visit rates between the two groups. The study group had more significant improvement than the control group for sleep, staff encouragement at both T2 and T3, and pain at T2 and patient satisfaction at T3. No significant differences were observed between the two groups for the baseline measures, other dimensions in KDQOL-SF, blood chemistry, complication control, readmission rates at all time intervals and clinic visit rates at the first two time intervals. ♦ Conclusions: Post-discharge nurse-led telephone support for patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis is effective to enhance patients’ well-being in the transition from hospital to home in mainland China.
Mitochondrion‐Targeted Photosensitizer Enhances the Photodynamic Effect‐Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Apoptosis

Abstract: Recently, the mitochondrion has been considered as a novel pharmacological target for anticancer therapy due to its crucial role involved in arbitrating cell apoptosis. We have previously demonstrated that 488‐nm laser irradiation induced a specific mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) formation and apoptotic death. In this study, we used a second generation of photosensitizers, the benzoporphyrin‐derivative monoacid ring A (BPD‐MA). We investigated specifically mechanisms at the mitochondrial level for BPD‐MA coupled with 690‐nm laser irradiation, the photodynamic effect (PDE) of BPD‐MA, using conventional and laser scanning imaging microscopy in intact C6 glioma cells. We demonstrated BPD‐MA localized mainly in the mitochondrial area. The phototoxicity induced by 1∼10 J 690‐nm laser irradiation was minor as compared to that induced by 488‐nm laser irradiation. Unlike other mitochondrion‐targeted photosensitizers, the dark toxicity induced by BPD‐MA (0.05∼5 mg/mL, effective doses used for the PDE) was relatively low. Nevertheless, the PDE of BPD‐MA using 0.5 mg/mL coupled with 5J 690‐ nm irradiation induced profound and rapid (< 1 min) mitochondrial swelling, mROS formation, and severe plasma membrane blebing as compared to that induced by 488‐nm laser irradiation (< 10 min). Later, the PDE of BPD‐MA resulted in positive propidium iodide cell‐death stain and positive TUNEL apoptotic nuclear stain and DNA laddering. Finally, the PDT of BPD‐MA also instantaneously promoted the mitochondrion to diminish its covalent binding with a mitochondrial marker, MitoTracker Green. We conclude that the PDT of BPD‐MA targeted primarily and compellingly the mitochondrion to induce effective mitochondria‐mediated apoptosis and thus may serve as a powerful photosensitizer for clinical cancer therapy.
An overview of periodic elliptic operators

The article surveys the main techniques and results of the spectral theory of periodic operators arising in mathematical physics and other areas. Close attention is paid to studying analytic properties of Bloch and Fermi varieties, which influence significantly most properties of such operators. The approaches described are applicable not only to the standard model example of Schr\"odinger operator with periodic electric potential $-\Delta+V(x)$, but to a wide variety of elliptic periodic equations and systems, equations on graphs, $\overline{\partial}$-operator, and other operators on abelian coverings of compact bases. Many important applications are mentioned. However, due to the size restrictions, they are not dealt with in details.
Simulations of the HIV Epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa: Sexual Transmission Versus Transmission Through Unsafe Medical Injections

Objectives: Heterosexual transmission has long been considered the predominant route of transmission of HIV-1 in sub-Saharan Africa. However, some have argued that unsafe medical injections account for the majority of transmission in this region. Goal: The goal of this study was to compare the HIV-1 epidemics associated with different transmission routes. Study: An age-structured deterministic compartmental model of HIV-1 transmission through both sexual contact and unsafe injections was developed and simulations of sexual transmission and iatrogenic transmission were compared with observed prevalence. Results: Iatrogenic transmission probabilities and numbers of unsafe injections required to generate observed prevalence are unfeasibly high. Simulations of sexually transmitted HIV-1 generate observed prevalence using transmission probabilities and average partner change rates that are within plausible bounds. Conclusions: Heterosexual transmission seems a more likely route of transmission in the region. However, heterogeneity in contact patterns is of key importance. Further information on groups who are likely to receive more injections is required.
Interleukin-4 gene polymorphisms in Japanese and Caucasian patients with aggressive periodontitis.

OBJECTIVES Recently, interleukin (IL) 4 gene polymorphisms have been analyzed in association with periodontitis. Genetic differences between Caucasian and Japanese patients with periodontitis have previously been detected. The aim of the present study was to analyze IL-4 genotypes in Caucasian and Japanese patients with aggressive periodontitis (AgP). MATERIAL AND METHODS One hundred and twenty-four subjects were included in the study, 31 Japanese and 30 Caucasian patients with generalized AgP, plus 30 Japanese and 33 Caucasian healthy controls. IL-4 polymorphisms were determined by polymerase chain reaction. A logistic regression was used to investigate the possible association of the genotypes with the disease in both populations. Odds ratio (OR) estimates were analyzed for allele frequencies. RESULTS No significant association of IL-4 polymorphisms with the risk of AgP was determined in either population. However, the allele frequencies showed different results between populations. The carriage of the polymorphism in intron 2 was higher in Caucasian patients compared with controls (OR: 2.0, 95% confidence interval: [1.0;4.2]. Furthermore, the frequency of the IL-4 promoter/intron 2 composite genotype (PP+/IP+) in patients and controls, respectively, was found to be approximately 25% and 60% higher in the Japanese population than in the Caucasian population. CONCLUSION There was no evidence of an association of IL-4 genotypes and AgP in either population, although the frequencies of the IL-4 genotypes in the Japanese and the Caucasians were different.
The costs of a bullet--inpatient costs of firearm injuries in South Africa.

To the Editor: South Africa has a reputation for being a violent society, with non-natural causes of death estimated to account for up to 30% of all deaths. Among these, firearm injuries are a common cause of mortality. In addition, about 127 000 individuals are treated at South African state hospitals each year for non-fatal firearm injuries. A previous study examined the cost of treating serious abdominal gunshot wounds in a district hospital and showed that each bullet cost taxpayers the equivalent of US$1 467.