Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pitfalls of femoral Titanium Elastic Nailing

Background and Aims: Despite several potential complications of elastic intramedullary nailing, it is currently the treatment of choice for femoral diaphyseal fractures in school-aged children. This study aimed to critically evaluate the complications of titanium elastic nailing in pediatric femoral shaft fractures. Material and Methods: This study evaluated patients with a diaphyseal femoral fracture treated with titanium elastic nailing (TEN) in Tampere University Hospital in Finland. The study group included 32 children with a mean age of 9 years during a 5-year period, from 1 January 2003 to 31 December 2007. Data were collected from medical records and x-rays. Mean follow-up time was 42 months. Results: Of 32 patients, 9 (28%) reported a postoperative complication. Complications were associated with nail prominence in five (16%) patients and instability in four (12%) patients. In patients with nail prominence, the titanium elastic nailing–nail ends were unbent and 10–35 mm outside the cortex of the distal femur. The nail prominence caused pain and delayed knee mobilization until the nail was removed after a mean time of 4 months. In patients with fracture instability, the mean titanium elastic nailing–nail/medullary canal diameter ratio was 46% and periosteal callus formation was 5.4 mm at the first control. In those with stable fractures, the values were 66% and 9.2 mm, respectively. Conclusions: Based on this study, two types of pitfalls in a small volume center were found. Titanium elastic nail ends were left unbent and too long. We recommend palpating the nail ends to exclude nail prominence and to verify free movement of the knee after nail cutting and bending. Fracture instability was caused by inserting titanium elastic nailing–nails that were too narrow. To avoid this complication, careful preoperative planning to select the proper-size titanium elastic nailing–nails and intraoperative testing of fracture stability under continuous fluoroscopy after the operation is advised.
Social determinants of pulmonary tuberculosis treatment non-adherence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Success in tuberculosis control depends on the implementation of steps that reduce social inequities, allowing the diagnosis and effective treatment of the disease. Little is known about the conditions affecting antituberculosis treatment non-adherence in areas of great social and economic heterogeneity, such as the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. This study aimed to describe and identify the social determinants of antituberculosis treatment non-adherence in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro between 2008 and 2012. An ecological study was conducted with the districts of Rio de Janeiro as the units of analysis. Analyzes using Poisson regression models allowed us to identify the association between dropout from antituberculosis treatment and the human development index and social development index. The final model showed that economic conditions, infrastructure, and the tuberculosis control quality of surveillance were associated with treatment non-adherence. This study demonstrated that the scenarios of socio-environmental precariousness found in the districts of Rio de Janeiro were able to identify populations with an increased risk of default treatment from antituberculosis.
Animal Models in Drug Development

The basic analytical method that is behind most biomedical research can be traced back over 300 years to Descartes’s essay Dis‐ course on Method, which argued that an animal is a clock-like machine in which the parts and their relationships to one another are precise and unchangeable, and in which causes and effects can be understood by taking the pieces apart. This so-called ‘reduc‐ tionist’ approach to understanding biology and medicine has been very productive, but is now up against problems that require different frameworks, institutionally and intellectually. [43]
Cardiosphere-Derived Cells Improve Function in the Infarcted Rat Heart for at Least 16 Weeks – an MRI Study

Aims Endogenous cardiac progenitor cells, expanded from explants via cardiosphere formation, present a promising cell source to prevent heart failure following myocardial infarction. Here we used cine-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to track administered cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) and to measure changes in cardiac function over four months in the infarcted rat heart. Methods and Results CDCs, cultured from neonatal rat heart, comprised a heterogeneous population including cells expressing the mesenchymal markers CD90 and CD105, the stem cell marker c-kit and the pluripotency markers Sox2, Oct3/4 and Klf-4. CDCs (2×106) expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP+) were labelled with fluorescent micron-sized particles of iron oxide (MPIO). Labelled cells were administered to the infarcted rat hearts (n = 7) by intramyocardial injection immediately following reperfusion, then by systemic infusion (4×106) 2 days later. A control group (n = 7) was administered cell medium. MR hypointensities caused by the MPIOs were detected at all times and GFP+ cells containing MPIO particles were identified in tissue slices at 16 weeks. At two days after infarction, cardiac function was similar between groups. By 6 weeks, ejection fractions in control hearts had significantly decreased (47±2%), but this was not evident in CDC-treated hearts (56±3%). The significantly higher ejection fractions in the CDC-treated group were maintained for a further 10 weeks. In addition, CDC-treated rat hearts had significantly increased capillary density in the peri-infarct region and lower infarct sizes. MPIO-labelled cells also expressed cardiac troponin I, von Willebrand factor and smooth muscle actin, suggesting their differentiation along the cardiomyocyte lineage and the formation of new blood vessels. Conclusions CDCs were retained in the infarcted rat heart for 16 weeks and improved cardiac function.
Factors affecting mechanical nociceptive thresholds in healthy sows.

OBJECTIVE To describe anatomical and methodological factors influencing mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNTs) and intra-site variability in healthy sows. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, randomized validation. ANIMALS Eight pregnant, healthy, mixed-parity sows (176-269 kg). METHODS Repeated MNT measurements were taken: 1) with a hand-held probe and a limb-mounted actuator connected to a digital algometer; 2) at nine landmarks on the limbs and tail; and 3) at 1 and 3 minute intervals. Data were analysed using linear mixed regression models. RESULTS The MNTs (±SEM) of the limbs were lower with the probe (14.7 ± 1.2 N) than with the actuator (21.3 ± 1.2 N; p < 0.001), in the pelvic versus the thoracic limbs (16.7 ± 1.2 versus 19.2 ± 1.2 N; p < 0.001), and in the lateral versus the dorsal metatarsi and metacarpi (17.6 ± 1.2 versus 18.4 ± 1.2 N; p = 0.002). MNTs were higher in all subsequent measurements compared with the first (p < 0.001) and in the morning compared with the afternoon (p = 0.04). We found no evidence of MNT differences based on interval between consecutive measurements (1 versus 3 minutes). Variability was lower in the thoracic limbs [mean back-transformed log10 coefficient of variation (CV) ± SE = 25.5 ± 1.5% versus 30.6 ± 1.5% in the pelvic limbs; p < 0.001], with the actuator (22.7 ± 1.5% versus 33.4 ± 1.5% with the probe; p < 0.001), and on the left (CV = 26.9 ± 1.5% versus 29.3 ± 1.5% on the right; p = 0.01). Tail data (probe only) were analysed separately: mean MNT (± SE) was 11.7 (±1.8); MNT increased in days 3-6 of testing compared with day 1 (p < 0.001). The mean CV (±SE) was 38.9% (±1.1%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE MNTs and intra-site variability in healthy sows were affected by several factors, indicating that this methodology requires considerable attention to detail.
Avian Tick Paralysis Caused by Ixodes brunneus in the Southeastern United States

Between 1988 and 1994, 16 definitive and 26 presumptive cases of tick paralysis were diagnosed in 10 species of birds from five southeastern states in the USA. All birds had engorged adult female Ixodes brunneus ticks on the head region and were partially paralyzed or dead. Cases occurred in the winter and early spring months, and most birds were passerines found in private yards or near feeders. All stages of I. brunneus feed exclusively on birds, and this species previously has been associated with avian tick paralysis. Little is known concerning the life cycle of this ixodid tick and its impact on wild bird populations.
8-Oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine, reactive oxygen species and ambulatory blood pressure in African and Caucasian men: The SABPA study

Abstract Various studies indicate a relationship between increased oxidative stress and hypertension, resulting in increased DNA damage and consequent excretion of 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). The aim of this study was to compare urinary 8-oxodG levels in African and Caucasian men and to investigate the association between ambulatory blood pressure (BP) and pulse pressure (PP) with 8-oxodG in these groups. We included 98 African and 92 Caucasian men in the study and determined their ambulatory BP and PP. Biochemical analyses included, urinary 8-oxodG, reactive oxygen species (ROS) (measured as serum peroxides), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GR) activity. The African men had significantly higher systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (both p < 0.001). Assessment of the oxidative stress markers indicated significantly lower 8-oxodG levels (p < 0.001) in the African group. The African men also had significantly higher ROS (p = 0.002) with concomitant lower FRAP (p < 0.001), while their GSH levels (p = 0.013) and GR activity (p < 0.001) were significantly higher. Single and partial regression analyses indicated a negative association between urinary 8-oxodG levels with SBP, DBP and PP only in African men. These associations were confirmed in multiple regression analyses (SBP: R2 = 0.41; β = −0.25; p = 0.002, DBP: R2 = 0.30; β = −0.21; p = 0.022, PP: R2 = 0.30; β = −0.19; p = 0.03). Our results revealed significantly lower urinary 8-oxodG in African men, accompanied by a negative association with BP and PP. We propose that this may indicate a dose-response relationship in which increased oxidative stress may play a central role in the up-regulation of antioxidant defence and DNA repair mechanisms.
Sleep Disturbances in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

The sleep profiles of 13 children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who were treated with a fixed dose of methylphenidate for at least 1 month were compared with those of 16 healthy siblings. Sleep disturbances were assessed according to a structured sleep questionnaire, and the severity of ADHD was evaluated via the Conners Parents Teachers Rating Scale. The results indicated that significantly more children with ADHD demonstrated single or multiple sleep disturbances as well as higher rates of specific sleep disorders, such as initial and middle insomnia, compared with their siblings. No correlation was found between the severity of ADHD and disturbed sleep. Sleep duration and satisfaction with sleep were similar in the two groups. These findings raise important questions regarding the association between ADHD and disturbed sleep.
Resource Scheduling In A High-Performance Multimedia Server

Supporting continuous media data-such as video and audio-imposes stringent demands on the retrieval performance of a multimedia server. In this paper, we propose and evaluate a set of data placement and retrieval algorithms to exploit the full capacity of the disks in a multimedia server. The data placement algorithm declusters every object over all of the disks in the server-using a time-based declustering unit-with the aim of balancing the disk load. As for runtime retrieval, the quintessence of the algorithm is to give each disk advance notification of the blocks that have to be fetched in the impending time periods, so that the disk can optimize its service schedule accordingly. Moreover, in processing a block request for a replicated object, the server will dynamically channel the retrieval operation to the most lightly loaded disk that holds a copy of the required block. We have implemented a multimedia server based on these algorithms. Performance tests reveal that the server achieves very high disk efficiency. Specifically, each disk is able to support up to 25 MPEG-1 streams. Moreover, experiments suggest that the aggregate retrieval capacity of the server scales almost linearly with the number of disks.
Perception of Indian Parents on Health-related Quality of Life of Children During Maintenance Therapy of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: A Comparison With Siblings and Healthy Children

Background: Advancements in treatment have improved the prognosis of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Therefore, there is a need to explore health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in depth, specifically in maintenance therapy, where the available data are minimal. This study was conducted to assess the varied items listed in the domains of HRQOL of Children with ALL during maintenance therapy from a parent’s perspective. Methods: Forty children on the maintenance therapy of ALL, 40 siblings, and 40 healthy children were enrolled, and the HRQOL was assessed by parent proxy reports and child self-reports using PedsQL generic core 4.0 in local language. Results: Parents significantly overrated the HRQOL of ALL patients, their siblings, and healthy children in comparison with child self-report in all domains of health. The HRQOL of children with ALL on maintenance therapy was significantly poorer than siblings and healthy children, but their ability to self-care, household work, attentiveness, and ability to do homework were not affected as per parents’ reports. Parents reported that absenteeism because of sickness and hospital visits was more among children with ALL than siblings and healthy children. Children with ALL had emotional problems such as fear, anger, sleeping problems, and worries. In a social health domain, parents reported difficulty in competing among children with ALL. The HRQOL of siblings was as good as healthy children in physical, social, and school health domains as per parents’ reports. Conclusions: In our cohort, parents overrated HRQOL in all groups of children. The study identified the various items in each domain of HRQOL that were affected in children with ALL from parents’ perspective; this would guide health care professionals to focus on these specific items so as to improve the overall HRQOL of children with ALL.
An approach for efficient design of digital amplifiers

This paper presents a control-theoretic approach to the design of digital to analog converters and digital amplifiers leading to improved performance in audio and multimedia applications. The design involves oversampling and noise compression blocks as a pulse width modulation class-D amplifier, introduces an output-filter estimator block and applies a different modulation scheme. The theoretical model results in a family of digital circuits verified by software simulation and validated by a FPGA implementation with best performance 147 dB signal to noise ratio
Organizational Factors Related to Attracting Job Seekers Higher in Hardiness

Building an organization of workers who thrive in demanding environments begins with recruitment of workers with personality traits predictive of resilience. We integrate fit theories to determine how job advertisement information may attract job seekers higher in psychological hardiness (sense of control, feelings of commitment to many things in life, perceptions of challenge). Across two studies, we manipulated hypothetical job advertisements that were presented to current workers seeking new employment. Job seekers higher in hardiness were more attracted to working with hardy coworkers, less attracted to coping resources, and more attracted to high emotional labor demands compared to job seekers lower in hardiness. A discussion for how organizations may craft job advertisement content to improve their recruitment efforts is provided.
Oral itraconazole versus topical bifonazole treatment in experimental dermatophytosis

Summary. Guinea pigs, infected with either Trichophyton mentagrophytes or Microsporum canis, were treated orally or topically with azole antifungals daily for two weeks. Fungi located in the stratum corneum were affected similarly by both treatment schedules, showing typical cell wall changes after azole exposure and necrosis of internal organelles. Fungi located in the hair sheaths were affected only by the oral treatment, which not only prevented invasion of the inner hair structures and inflammatory responses but also led to a complete clearance of the infection within 7 days. Topically applied azole treatment was not able to injure fungi in the hair sheaths and did not suppress invasion into the hair shafts. These observations are in favour of oral antifungal medication with azoles for the treatment of der‐matophyte infections involving hairy skin.
Carcinoma in a choledochus cyst

CONGENITAL cystic dilatation of the bile-ducts is now a well-documented abnormality. A number of cases associated with malignant disease of the liver or adjacent bile-ducts have been described, but few with cancerous change within the very wall of the She was admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of mucocele of the gall-bladder. FIRST OPERATION. -& operation on 15 June, 1962 (B. S. A.), a cystic swelling the size of a cricket ball was found, and soon identified as a choledochus cyst. The gall-bladder was normal. In anticipation of a draining
Effect of insulin on DNA synthesis and DNA polymerase activity in organ culture of rat mammary carcinoma, and the inflence of insulin pretreatment and of alloxan diabetes.

hormone-dependent mammary carcinomas of the rat in organ culture. It was also shown that this effect was not mediated through an increase in glucose uptake and utilization by the explants and, therefore, appeared not to be a simple permissive effect bearing on energy-yielding reactions. Instead, insulin seemed likely to act on processes more directly related to the control of DNA synthesis. Another interesting feature was that, in addition to tumors with insulin-dependent cell prolif eration, others displayed an intense mitotic activity occurring spontaneously and independently of the presence of insulin in vitro. These two types of tumors appeared to be identical on histological examination. The loss of insulin dependence in the second type was thought to result from alteration of the normal growth-regulating mechanisms inherent in the neo plastic process. The contention that insulin seemed to act on processes related to the control of DNA synthesis led us to study its effect on DNA polymerase activity in the tumor explants. This enzyme system was selected because, as reported by Lock wood et aL (13), initiation of DNA synthesis by insulin in the normal epithelial cells of mammary explants from mature mice involved emergence of DNA polymerase activity in these cells. The same relationship between DNA synthesis and activity of this enzyme was observed by other authors in various mam malian tissues subjected to the proper stimulus (2, 3, 14, 16, 21). The present work studies the effect of insulin on DNA synthesis and DNA polymerase activity in explants of both insulin-dependent and insulin-independent rat mammary tumors. It also examines the effect of insulin pretreatment and of alloxan diabetes in vivo on the properties of the tumors in culture. The purpose of these studies was to investigate the mechanism of the growth-promoting effect of insulin on the rat mammary tumor in vitro and to derive conclusions on the possible role of insulin on the control of their growth in vivo.
Retina Monoallelic ABCA 4 Mutations Appear Insufficient to Cause Retinopathy : A Quantitative Autofluorescence Study

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Center for Rare Diseases Bonn (ZSEB), University Hospital of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Institute of Human Genetics, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany Bioscientia Center for Human Genetics, Ingelheim, Germany Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, United States Institute of Human Genetics, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany The Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology & Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Usability of a computerised drug monitoring programme to detect adverse drug events and non-compliance in outpatient ambulatory care

Objective To assess the usability of a computerised drug monitoring programme for ambulatory patients receiving outpatient prescriptions. Materials and methods A prospective cohort of 200 patients received two automated calls after a new drug prescription (day 3 and day 17) to screen for unfilled prescriptions and medication problems. Usability was assessed objectively and subjectively with the coding of technical (eg, voice recognition problems) and respondent burden (eg, failing to follow instructions) problems observed during the calls, and with an interview 21 days after the prescription. Associations between personal factors, usability and call outcome were examined with logistic regression models. Results The automated calls successfully reached 70.0% of enrolled patients. Older age increased the likelihood of experiencing technical (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.22 to 3.88) and respondent burden problems (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.88 to 5.87), as well as unsuccessful calls (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.19 to 3.91). Patients with higher education experienced less respondent burden problems (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.91), but they were more prone to have unsuccessful calls (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.07 to 6.56) and less likely to find them useful (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.08 to 0.68). Older adults perceived the calls as easy to use and useful, although they reported lower intention to use the automated calls in the future (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.70). Discussion As reported in previous studies, we found that older adults tend to have more difficulty when interacting with automated calls. Evidence about the association between education and usability was mixed. Conclusions Our results highlight practical suggestions to improve the feasibility and usability of automated calls in primary care screening programmes.
Inappropriate TCP Resets Considered Harmful

This document is being written because there are a number of firewalls in the Internet that inappropriately reset a TCP connection upon receiving certain TCP SYN packets, in particular, packets with flags set in the Reserved field of the TCP header. In this document we argue that this practice is not conformant with TCP standards, and is an inappropriate overloading of the semantics of the TCP reset. We also consider the longer-term consequences of this and similar actions as obstacles to the evolution of the Internet infrastructure.