Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Deeper Cochlear Implant Electrode Insertion Angle Improves Detection of Musical Sound Quality Deterioration Related to Bass Frequency Removal

Background: Cochlear implant (CI) electrode arrays typically do not reach the most apical regions of the cochlea that intrinsically encode low frequencies. This may contribute to diminished implant-mediated musical sound quality perception. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of varying degrees of apical cochlear stimulation (measured by angular insertion depth) on musical sound quality discrimination. Hypothesis: Increased apical cochlear stimulation will improve low-frequency perception and musical sound quality discrimination. Methods: Standard (31.5 mm, n = 17) and medium (24 mm, n = 8) array Med-EL CI users, and normal hearing (NH) listeners (n = 16) participated. Imaging confirmed angular insertion depth. Participants completed a musical discrimination task in which they listened to a real-world musical stimulus (labeled reference) and provided sound quality ratings to versions of the reference, which included a hidden reference and test stimuli with increasing amounts of low-frequency removal. Scores for each CI users were calculated on the basis of how much their ratings differed from NH listeners for each stimulus version. Results: Medium array and standard users had significantly different insertion depths (389.4±64.5 and 583.9 ± 78.5 degrees, respectively; p < 0.001). A significant Pearson's correlation was observed between angular insertion depth and the hidden reference scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion: CI users with greater apical stimulation made sound quality discriminations that more closely resembled those of NH controls for stimuli that contained low frequencies (<200 Hz of information). These findings suggest that increased apical cochlear stimulation improves musical low-frequency perception, which may provide a more satisfactory music listening experience for CI users.
Reappraisal of the Characteristics of Glucose Abnormalities in Patients With Chronic Hepatitis C Infection

OBJECTIVES: There is growing evidence suggesting the mutual link between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. However, the impact of HCV infection on the suite of glucose abnormalities has rarely been investigated. The study aimed to determine the difference regarding the prevalence and the characteristics of glucose abnormalities between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and community-based controls. It also aimed to investigate the related clinical, virological, and histological features of glucose abnormalities in HCV infection.METHODS: Six hundred eighty-three CHC patients and 515 sex-/age-matched controls were included. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed in 522 CHC patients and 447 controls without known T2DM. Clinical data were assessed upon the different stages of glucose abnormalities based on OGTT results.RESULTS: The prevalence of normoglycemia, IGT, and T2DM in 683 CHC patients was 27.7%, 34.6%, and 37.8%, respectively. There was a significant linear trend from normoglycemia to T2DM in terms of age, family history of T2DM, and advanced liver fibrosis in CHC patients. For those CHC patients without fibrosis, the prevalence of glucose abnormalities reached 67.9% high. All CHC patients carried a significantly higher prevalence than controls regarding those aged <65 yr. For those without known DM, there was a 3.5-fold increase in the prevalence of glucose abnormalities in CHC (65.8%) patients in comparison with controls (35.3%) (OR 3.51, 95% CI 2.70–4.56, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: CHC patients carried a high prevalence of glucose abnormalities. Determination of glucose abnormalities by OGTT may be suggested.
Perceptions of Diet and Physical Activity Among California Hmong Adults and Youths

Introduction We conducted a qualitative study to inform the design of a proposed community-wide campaign to promote increased physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption among low-income Hmong families. Methods We held eight focus groups with parents of children aged 5 to 14 years and with youths aged 11 to 14 years, interviews with key informants in several Hmong communities, and interviews with professionals who conducted physical activity and nutrition activities in these communities. Sessions were tape-recorded and transcribed. We organized data using ATLAS.ti software and then analyzed the content. Results Findings suggest that physically active lifestyles and dietary patterns emphasizing fresh foods including fruits and vegetables are valued in the Hmong culture and perceived as essential to good health. Barriers to a healthy lifestyle include limited access to safe spaces, time for adequate physical activity, access to land to grow fresh produce, and time for home preparation of food. Low incomes and marketing of unhealthy foods, particularly to children, are also problematic. Information on the healthy aspects of both traditional foods and American foods is needed in accessible formats and delivered through media and trusted community sources. Conclusion Like other Asian groups, the majority of Hmong are first-generation immigrants. An increase in nutrition-related chronic diseases can be prevented by encouraging and reinforcing the maintenance of traditional eating patterns and active lifestyles.
Prevalence of subjective dry mouth and burning mouth in hospitalized elderly patients and outpatients in relation to saliva, medication, and systemic diseases.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of self-reported symptoms of dry mouth and burning mouth in the frail elderly. We expected to find the studied symptoms more frequently in the frail elderly than in those who were healthier. STUDY DESIGN We examined 175 home-living elderly patients (mean age with SD, 82 +/- 5.7 years) hospitalized because of sudden worsening of their general health. For comparison, 252 elderly outpatients (mean age with SD, 77 +/- 5.7 years) from the same community were studied. The subjects' medical diagnoses and prescribed drugs used daily were recorded, their oral health examined, and saliva samples taken for analyses of flow rates, yeasts, and a variety of biochemical factors. RESULTS The results showed that 63% of the hospitalized patients and 57% of the outpatients complained of dry mouth. The respective percentages of burning mouth were 13% in the hospitalized and 18% in the outpatients. The dentate status affected the feeling of dry mouth and burning mouth, but there were no consequent differences in concentrations of salivary biochemical constituents, yeast counts, and buffering capacity between patients with or without the symptoms except that hospitalized patients complaining of dry mouth more often had low salivary buffering than those without the symptom. Dry mouth was also more prevalent among the hospitalized patients who used several drugs daily, whereas no such association was found with the burning-mouth symptom. Use of analgesics appeared to safeguard against both the symptoms. Dry mouth and burning mouth were seldom reported simultaneously, although low salivary flow rate was a common finding in patients with burning mouth. The strongest explanatory factors for burning mouth were psychiatric disease among the outpatients (OR 8.7, CI 1.4-54.1, P <.05) and use of psychiatric drugs among the hospitalized (OR 4.2, CI 0.9-20.0, P =.07). For dry mouth, the strongest explanatory factors were respiratory disease in the outpatients (OR 2.0, CI 1.0-3.8, P <.05) and low salivary flow rate in the hospitalized elderly (OR 3.7, CI 1.4-10, P <.05). In all patients (n = 427), use of psychiatric drugs was the strongest explanatory factor for dry mouth (OR 2.1, CI 1.2-3.5, P <.01), whereas analgesic medication was found to protect against burning mouth (OR 0.5, CI 0.3-0.9, P <.05). CONCLUSION The subjective feelings of dry mouth and burning mouth appeared to be a complex issue among the elderly population studied. The 2 symptoms were seldom reported at the same time. The appearance of symptoms did not directly correlate with general health, except in the case of psychiatric diseases and medications, which should be taken into account.
A Modular Multilevel DC/DC Converter With Fault Blocking Capability for HVDC Interconnects

This paper introduces a modular multilevel dc/dc converter, termed the DC-MMC, that can be deployed to interconnect HVDC networks of different or similar voltage levels. Its key features include: 1) bidirectional power flow; 2) step-up and step-down operation; and 3) bidirectional fault blocking similar to a dc circuit breaker. The kernel of the DC-MMC is a new class of bidirectional single-stage dc/dc converters utilizing interleaved strings of cascaded submodules. The DC-MMC operation is analyzed and an open loop voltage control strategy that ensures power balance of each submodule capacitor via circulating ac currents is proposed. Simulations performed in PLECS validate the DC-MMC's principle of operation and the proposed control strategy. Experimental results for a 4-kW laboratory prototype illustrate the single-stage dc/dc conversion process for both step-down and step-up operating modes.
Overweight, obesity, and breast cancer screening: results from the 2012 Swiss Health Survey

Obesity is associated with poor breast cancer (BC) prognosis. Larger tumor size and more advanced disease stage at diagnosis could partly explain this outcome and nonadherence of obese women to BC screening may play a role. We examined the relationship between BMI (kg/m2) and the use of mammography in Switzerland as well as separately in the German-speaking part with mainly opportunistic screening and in the French-speaking part with organized programs. We analyzed the data of 50–69-year-old women (n=3121) of the Swiss Health Survey 2012. Study participants were classified as underweight (BMI<18.5), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9), overweight (BMI 25–29), or obese (BMI≥30). Outcome measures were dichotomized into 2 years or less since most recent mammography versus more than 2 years or never. We carried out multivariable logistic regression analyses, adjusting for sociodemographics, lifestyle, and self-perceived health. In Switzerland, 47% of women aged 50–69 years had had BC screening within the last 2 years, 35% of women in the German-speaking and 78% of women in the French-speaking part. In the total group, mammography use was higher in overweight than in normal-weight women (adjusted odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.98–1.49). Stratified by region, this effect was only maintained in women of the German-speaking part (adjusted odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.08–1.85; P-interaction<0.001). There were no differences in mammography attendance between normal-weight and obese and underweight women. In the 2012 Swiss Health Survey, overweight, obesity, and underweight were no barriers to mammography. In the German-speaking part, overweight women even attended mammography screening more often than normal-weight women.
An analysis of decision letters by research ethics committees: the ethics/scientific quality boundary examined

Objectives: The performance of NHS research ethics committees (RECs) is of growing interest. It has been proposed that they confine themselves to “ethical” issues only and not concern themselves with the quality of the science. This study aimed to identify current practices of RECs in relation to scientific issues in research ethics applications. Methods: Letters written by UK RECs expressing provisional or unfavourable opinions in response to submitted research applications were sampled from the research ethics database held by the Central Office for Research Ethics Committees. Ethnographic content analysis (ECA) was used to develop a coding framework. QSR N6 software was used to facilitate coding. Results: “Scientific issues” were raised in 104 (74%) of the 141 letters in our sample. The present data suggest that RECs frequently considered scientific issues and that judgments of these often informed their decisions about approval of applications. Current processes of peer review seemed insufficient to reassure RECs about the scientific quality of applications they were asked to review. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that scientific issues are frequently raised in letters to researchers and are often considered a quality problem by RECs. In the discussion, the authors reflect on how far issues of science can and should be distinguished from those of ethics and the policy implications.
Performance of the cobas CT/NG Test Compared to the Aptima AC2 and Viper CTQ/GCQ Assays for Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae

ABSTRACT The next-generation amplification test for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Roche cobas 4800), a fully automated system, was compared head to head, using female samples, to Gen-Probe Aptima Combo 2 and BD ProbeTec using Viper. Endocervical swabs, female urine, and endocervical samples in liquid-based cytology medium were run on at least two of three platforms. A total of 4,316 samples were evaluated, and 281 chlamydial and 69 gonococcal infections were identified. Estimates of sensitivity and specificity were obtained relative to the patient infection standard (PIS) and using latent class analysis (LCA). Chlamydia sensitivity estimates ranged from 86.9 to 95.6% using PIS and 97.6 to 98% using LCA. Specificity was ≥99.6% for all sample types. Sensitivity ranged from 95.6 to 100% using PIS and 96.9 to 100% using LCA for the detection of gonococcal infections. Specificity for gonococcal infections was ≥99.8%. cobas 4800 performance was equivalent to the comparator assays (all P values, >0.05), and the fully automated system provides high laboratory efficiency.
Orofacial cleft malformations: associations with maternal and infant characteristics in Washington State.

BACKGROUND To characterize the prevalence of orofacial cleft malformations and investigate variations in prevalence according to maternal and infant characteristics, we analyzed a cohort of 298,138 live births delivered between 1987 and 1990 to residents of Washington State. METHODS Infants with cleft defects were identified using a statewide, population-based birth defects registry. Information on infant and maternal characteristics was obtained from Washington State birth certificates. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to measure the association between potential risk factors and orofacial clefts. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL +/- CP) and cleft palate (CP) were analyzed separately, depending on the presence or absence of other defects. RESULTS We identified 608 infants with cleft defects. The prevalences of isolated and non-isolated CL +/- CP were 0.87 and 0.30 per 1,000 live births, respectively. The prevalences of isolated and non-isolated CP were 0.34 and 0.54 per 1,000 live births, respectively. Compared with mothers aged 25-29 years, mothers aged < 20 years were twice as likely to have an infant with isolated CL +/- CP (RR = 2.0; 95% CI 1.3, 2.9). Compared to white mothers, black mothers were more likely to have an infant with non-isolated CL +/- CP (RR = 2.8; 95% CI 1.2, 6.6). CONCLUSIONS The prevalences of orofacial clefts in Washington State in 1987-90 were similar to those of other states. This study is among the first to report a greater relative risk for isolated CL +/- CP among the infants of mothers < 20 years compared to older mothers.
Identification, molecular cloning and functional characterization of NKp46 and NKp30 natural cytotoxicity receptors in Macaca fascicularis NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cell recognition and function in humans is regulated by multiple cell surface receptors. The "on" signal leading to NK cell triggering is primarily mediated by natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCR). Analysis of NK cells in primate animal models is of particular relevance because NK cells may play an essential role in host defenses against infections. We analyzed Macaca fascicularis PBMC and in vitro‐derived NK cell populations and clones by cytofluorometry, using a wide panel of mAb, and by cytolytic activity assays. In addition, RT‐PCR strategyand transient transfections were used to isolate M. fascicularis NCR. NCR‐specific mAb reactivity (anti‐NKp46 and anti‐NKp30) was present on M. fascicularis PBMC and on NK cell cultures. Macaque NCR were functional in both redirected killing and in mAb‐mediated masking assays. Cloning of macNKp46 and macNKp30 NCR homologous genes showed a high sequence similarity (86 % and88 %, respectively) with their human counterparts. Attempts at identifying NKp44 surface reactivity and at cloning the macaque homologue were unsuccessful. NKp46 and NKp30 NCRs, but not NKp44, are highly conserved in M. fascicularis NK cells. This suggests the possibility of a staged appearance of the NCR during phylogenesis and provides a useful tool for the study of natural immunity correlates of protection in primate SIV/SHIV infection models.
Hashimoto's thyroiditis manifesting monoclonal lymphocytic infiltration

Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and lymphoma arc sometimes difficult to distinguish between. Moreover, lymphoma sometimes develops in a thyroid gland from pre‐existing HT. Open‐ or large‐needle biopsy usually distinguishes between them; the specimen may be examined histologically and subjected to immunohistochemistry. Another possible method of examination is fine‐needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB). The cells obtained may be evaluated cytologically, and subjected to flow cytometry, using various antibodies. In this study, anti‐kappa and anti‐lambda antibodies are especially important, as a gross predominance of kappa or lambda B lymphocytes infiltrating the thyroid is evidence for a B cell monoclone. In this study, 15 patients were selected because of their rapidly growing goitres. They all underwent FNAB. Five had cytology typical of HT, and no evidence of monoclonality on flow cytometry. They were diagnosed as HT without further histopathology. The remaining 10 patients had cytology suspected of lymphoma, or evidence of monoclonality on flow cytometry, or both. These patients underwent open‐ or large‐needle biopsy. Only three of them were diagnosed histopathologically as lymphoma; the other seven were diagnosed histopathologically as HT, making 12 cases of HT in all. Five of these 12 cases, and one of the three cases of lymphoma showed flow cytometrical evidence of monoclonality; thus evidence of monoclonality from FNAB, while interesting, does not necessarily serve to differentiate between HT and lymphoma. Furthermore, the immunohistochemical assessment of monoclonalily did not correlate with the flow cytometrical assessment. Follow‐up evidence will be required to discover whether those patients with a B cell monoclone in their HT are the ones who develop a lymphoma.
Anemia management in patients on peritoneal dialysis: efficacy and safety of epoetin δ

In this clinical trial, subcutaneously administered epoetin δ was effective and well tolerated for treatment of anemia in patients on peritoneal dialysis. In a one-year, multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled trial, epoetin δ was given subcutaneously, 1–3-times weekly to peritoneal dialysis patients who had previously received an epoetin. Dose was adjusted to maintain hemoglobin at 10.0–12.0 g/dL. The primary endpoint was mean hemoglobin over weeks 12–24. Safety was assessed. Mean±SD baseline hemoglobin was 11.2±0.9 g/dL. Hemoglobin over weeks 12–24 was 11.6±1.1 g/dL. Adverse events were those expected in this patient population. No life-threatening adverse events occurred. Subcutaneous epoetin δ was effective and well tolerated for the treatment of anemia in peritoneal dialysis patients.
A Model of Selective Advantage for the Efficient Inference of Cancer Clonal Evolution

Recently, there has been a resurgence of interest in rigorous algorithms for the inference of cancer progression from genomic data. The motivations are manifold: (i) growing NGS and single cell data from cancer patients, (ii) need for novel Data Science and Machine Learning algorithms to infer models of cancer progression, and (iii) a desire to understand the temporal and heterogeneous structure of tumor to tame its progression by efficacious therapeutic intervention. This thesis presents a multi-disciplinary effort to model tumor progression involving successive accumulation of genetic alterations, each resulting populations manifesting themselves in a cancer phenotype. The framework presented in this work along with algorithms derived from it, represents a novel approach for inferring cancer progression, whose accuracy and convergence rates surpass the existing techniques. The approach derives its power from several fields including algorithms in machine learning, theory of causality and cancer biology. Furthermore, a modular pipeline to extract ensemble-level progression models from sequenced cancer genomes is proposed. The pipeline combines state-of-the-art techniques for sample stratification, driver selection, identification of fitness-equivalent exclusive alterations and progression model inference. Furthermore, the results are validated by synthetic data with realistic generative models, and empirically interpreted in the context of real cancer datasets; in the later case, biologically significant conclusions are also highlighted. Specifically, it demonstrates the pipeline's ability to reproduce much of the knowledge on colorectal cancer, as well as to suggest novel hypotheses. Lastly, it also proves that the proposed framework can be applied to reconstruct the evolutionary history of cancer clones in single patients, as illustrated by an example from clear cell renal carcinomas.
The Effect of Pulsatile Perfusion on Preservation of Left Ventricular Function After Aortocoronary Bypass Grafting

Pulsatile perfusion has been reported to be of value in intraoperative myocardial protection. To evaluate this technique, we studied 26 patients undergoing aortocoronary bypass grafting. Ejection fraction determinations from multigated cardiac blood pool scans, serial hemodynamic monitoring, and total CPK and MB-CPK sampling were performed early (4, 6 and 8 hours after bypass) and 10 days after operation. In 12 patients, pulsatile perfusion was started immediately after aortic cannulation and continued until 10 minutes after cessation of bypass; 14 patients had standard nonpulsatile perfusion. All patients had a single aortic cross-clamping and potassium cardioplegia. Cross-clamp time (46 ± 3 and 46 ± 3 minutes [± SEM]), total bypass time (94 ± 4 and 89 ± 6 minutes), and mean perfusion pressure (82 ± 5 and 83 ± 3 mm Hg) were comparable in the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups, respectively, as were extent of coronary disease and number of bypass grafts.Preoperative and postoperative ejection fractions for pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups, respectively, were 0.57 ± 0.03 and 0.55 ± 0.04 before operation, 0.37 ± 0.03 and 0.40 ± 0.04 4 hours after bypass, 0.40 ± 0.03 and 0.46 ± 0.04 at 6 hours, 0.51 ± 0.05 and 0.52 ± 0.07 at 8 hours and 0.56 ± 0.05 and 0.53 ± 0.04) 10 days after operation. Mean arterial pressure, left atrial pressure and serial cardiac indexes were similar in both groups. There were no perioperative myocardial infarctions by ECG in either group. Total CPK (586 ± 78 and 617 ± 140 IU/l) and peak MB-CPK (73 ± 14 and 61 ± 11 IU/I) were comparable in the pulsatile and nonpulsatile groups, respectively.Pulsatile perfusion offers no advantage in myocardial preservation after aortocoronary bypass grafting in patients with normal left ventricular function.