Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The effects of bedside pulmonary mechanics testing during infant mechanical ventilation: A retrospective analysis

We examined the effects of regular bedside testing of pulmonary mechanics (PM) on the outcome of 468 acutely ill, mechanically ventilated neonates. During the first of two 18‐month study periods, 217 infants were mechanically ventilated without the assistance of PM measurements. During the second 18‐month period, 251 infants were ventilated with the assistance of at least daily PM measurements. Using data obtained from the PM tests, we adjusted the infants' ventilators to maintain tidal volume, inspiratory time, and pressure‐volume loops within predetermined limits. With the exception of the PM measurements, given the limitations of retrospective analyses, both groups of infants received identical medical and nursing care. The infants ventilated with the assistance of PM testing developed fewer pneumothoraces (4.0%; 10/251) vs. no PM testing, 10.1 % (22/217); P < 0.05 by Chi‐square analysis. Infants weighing less than 1,500 g ventilated with the assistance of PM measurements had less intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) overall, most notably, less grades I and II IVH (total IVH‐PM testing, 39.1% vs. no PM testing, 65.7%; P < 0.01; Grades I‐II IVH‐PM testing, 30.4% vs. no PM testing, 54.9%; P < 0.01). IVH incidence was decreased independent of pneumothorax occurrence. Survival rates, incidences of bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and durations of mechanical ventilation and hospitalization were similar. This retrospective analysis suggests that PM testing during infant mechanical ventilation reduces common acute ventilator‐associated complications. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1993; 16:147–152. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Malignant melanoma in Turkey: a single institution's experience on 475 cases.

BACKGROUND This study was performed to determine the characteristics and the clinical outcomes of patients with cutaneous melanoma in Turkey. METHODS The medical records of patients between 1991 and 2003 at Institute of Oncology were retrieved from the cancer registry. RESULTS Of the 475 adult cases with complete staging procedure, the incidence of localized (stages I-II) disease was 301 (63.4%), and followed by node involved (stage III) and metastatic (stage IV) disease with the incidence of 117 (24.6%) and 57 (12.0%), respectively. The median age of patients was 50 years (17-104 years) and male/female ratio was 1.1. Of 206 patients (43.4%) the diseases were located on extremities, 150 (31.6%) on the trunk, and 102 (21.5%) on the head and neck region. In cases with early/node negative stage, stage distribution was identical. The superficial spreading type was the commonest histology (52.2%). The Breslow thickness distributed equally, whereas tumor invasion aggregated mainly at Clark level III and IV. Half of the lesions were ulcerated and with low mitotic potential. In cases with the node involved stage, the majority of patients had only one lymph node involved. In metastatic patients, two thirds had distant metastases including lung metastases and half of them had single metastatic region. With the median follow-up of all patients of 5.2 years, the median overall survival of all patients was 62.2 months and the 5-year overall survival was 50.5%. Overall survival was significantly negatively correlated with male (P<0.001), advanced stages (P<0.001) and old ages (P=0.005). The five-year survival rates of patients with stages I-II and III disease were 63.6% and 36.6%, respectively. Nodular histology subtype, deeper Breslow tumor depth, extensive invasion, presence of ulceration, advanced stage, presence of relapse, being male and elderly patient, presence of visceral recurrence, and high mitotic activity were found to be associated with poor prognosis for overall survival in localized disease. The median survival of metastatic patients was 9.9 months and 1-year overall survival rate was 32.7%. Unresponsiveness to chemotherapy, visceral metastasis, multiple metastases and not given chemotherapy were the poor prognostic factors for overall survival. CONCLUSION The descriptive and prognostic factors in Turkey are similar to those in Western countries.
A computer filtering method to drive out tiny genes from the yeast genome

The authors of the first yeast chromosome sequence defined a minimum threshold requirement of 100 codons, above which an open reading frame (ORF) is retained as a putative coding sequence. However, at least 58 yeast genes shorter than 100 codons have an assigned protein function. Therefore, the yeast genome may contain other tiny but functionally important genes that are discarded from analyses by this simple filtering rule.
Effects of increasing airway pressure and PEEP on the assessment of cardiac preload.

BACKGROUND Cardiac preload is most commonly assessed by pulmonary artery wedge pressure. It was postulated that the right ventricular end-diastolic volume index (RVEDVI) derived by thermodilution would be a better predictor of preload in trauma patients with high airway pressures associated with positive pressure ventilation and positive end-expiratory pressure. METHODS Volumetric thermodilution catheters were placed in 52 mechanically ventilated trauma patients. Regression analysis was performed on 986 sets of hemodynamic data comparing pulmonary artery wedge pressure and RVEDVI to cardiac index (CI) at various airway pressures. RESULTS There was much better correlation between RVEDVI and CI (r = 0.41) than with pulmonary artery wedge pressure and CI (r = -0.06). This was true of all levels of airway pressure tested. When analyzed by the degree of right ventricular dysfunction, as indexed by right ventricular ejection fraction, the strongest correlation between RVEDVI and CI was noted when right ventricular ejection fraction was > 30%. CONCLUSIONS Unlike the pulmonary artery wedge pressure, RVEDVI is as reliable indicator of preload in the mechanically ventilated trauma patient. This is especially true when the right ventricular ejection fraction is not severely depressed.
The rRNA-processing function of the yeast U14 small nucleolar RNA can be rescued by a conserved RNA helicase-like protein

The phylogenetically conserved U14 small nucleolar RNA is required for processing of rRNA, and this function involves base pairing with conserved complementary sequences in 18S RNA. With a view to identifying other important U14 interactions, a stem-loop domain required for activity of Saccharomyces cerevisiae U14 RNAs (the Y domain) was first subjected to detailed mutational analysis. The mapping results showed that most nucleotides of the Y domain can be replaced without affecting function, except for loop nucleotides conserved among five different yeast species. Defective variants were then used to identify both intragenic and extragenic suppressor mutations. All of the intragenic mutations mapped within six nucleotides of the primary mutation, suggesting that suppression involves a change in conformation and that the loop element is involved in an essential intermolecular interaction rather than intramolecular base pairing. A high-copy extragenic suppressor gene, designated DBP4 (DEAD box protein 4), encodes an essential, putative RNA helicase of the DEAD-DEXH box family. Suppression by DBP4 (initially CA4 [T.-H. Chang, J. Arenas, and J. Abelson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1571-1575, 1990]) restores the level of 18S rRNA and is specific for the Y domain but is not allele specific. DBP4 is predicted to function either in assembly of the U14 small nucleolar RNP or, more likely, in its interaction with other components of the rRNA processing apparatus. Mediating the interaction of U14 with precursor 18S RNA is an especially attractive possibility.
Gradual Reduction of Endotracheal Tube Diameter during Mechanical Ventilation via Different Humidification Devices

Background Limited data suggest that increased resistance to flow within endotracheal tubes (ETT) may occur in patients whose lungs are mechanically ventilated for more than 48 h, especially when airway humidification is inadequate. This could lead to sudden ETT obstruction or induce excessive loading during spontaneous breathing. Methods Twenty-three such patients were randomly assigned to three types of airway humidifier based on three different working principles: a Fisher Paykell hot water system (n = 7), a Pall BB2215 heat and moisture exchanger (HME) hydrophobic filter (n = 8), and a Dar Hygrobac 35254111 HME hygroscopic filter (n = 8). The decrease in internal pressure along the ETT and the flow rate were measured in each patient every 2 days. An "effective inner diameter" was derived from these measurements and allowed the inner ETT configuration to be monitored. Results On the first day of intubation, the mean diameter was similar in the three groups, and was slightly smaller than the in vitro diameter (mean +/- SD: 7.6 +/- 0.6 mm for Fisher-Paykell, 7.7 +/- 0.4 for Pall, and 7.5 +/- 0.4 for Dar). The mean diameter tended to decrease from day to day. At the end of the study, the overall reduction in mean diameter was significantly greater with the hydrophobic HME (Pall) than with the two other systems (Pall: -6.5 +/- 4% vs. -2.5 +/- 2.5% for Dar and -1.5 +/- 3% for Fisher-Paykell; P < 0.01 with analysis of variance). The same was true of the mean reduction in effective inner ETT diameter expressed per day of ventilation (-1.6 +/- 1.5% per day for Pall vs. -0.5 +/- 0.4% for Dar and -0.2 +/- 0.4% for Fisher-Paykell; P < 0.01). In four patients, the ETT became obstructed and emergency repeated tracheal intubation was required. The Pall HME and the Fisher-Paykell system were being used in three and one patient, respectively. Before obstruction, the reduction in ETT diameter was significantly greater for these four patients than for the remaining 23 patients (7.8 +/- 1.4% vs. 3.1 +/- 4.1%; P < 0.01). Conclusions During prolonged mechanical ventilation, significant alterations in inner ETT configuration occur frequently and are influenced by the type of humidification device used. In vivo monitoring of ETT mechanical properties might be clinically useful.
Flexible Egocentricity: Asymmetric Switch Costs on a Perspective-Taking Task

We gave 40 participants a task in which they needed to select target objects from an array according to the instructions of either an informed director (who shared their perspective of the array) or an ignorant director (whose view of the array was restricted due to barriers). Importantly, sometimes only one of the directors was visible, and on some trials when both directors were present, participants were required to switch between perspectives. We found that participants were faster to select items from the informed director’s perspective than the ignorant director’s perspective, but that they slowed when there was a visible but inactive second director. Crucially, relative to nonswitch trials where the same perspective was taken twice consecutively, participants exhibited a significant cost of switching between perspectives when returning to take their own perspective, but not when switching to the other point of view. We interpret these results as evidence that participants inhibit their more salient perspective in order to adopt another’s, and then incur an asymmetric switch cost as a result. This suggests that although we are egocentric by default, our egocentricity is effectively, albeit temporarily, eliminated if we have just adopted an alternative frame of reference.
Stability of Homologue of Slimb F-box Protein Is Regulated by Availability of Its Substrate*

The homologue of Slimb (HOS) F-box protein is a receptor of the Skp1-Cullin1-F-box protein (SCFHOS) E3 ubiquitin ligase, which mediates ubiquitination and degradation of β-catenin and the inhibitor of NFκB, IκB. We found that HOS itself is an unstable protein that undergoes ubiquitination and degradation in a 26 S proteasome-dependent manner. A HOS mutant lacking the F-box that is deficient in binding to the core SCF components underwent ubiquitination less efficiently and was more stable than the wild type protein. Furthermore, ubiquitination and degradation of HOS was impaired in ts41 cells, in which the activities of Cullin-based ligases were decreased because the NEDD8 pathway was abrogated. Whereas HOS was directly ubiquitinated within the SCFHOS complex in vitro, the addition of phosphorylated IκBα inhibited this ubiquitination. Increasing cellular levels of HOS substrate (phosphorylated IκBα) by activating IκB kinase inhibited HOS ubiquitination and led to stabilization of HOS, indicating that interaction between HOS and its substrate might protect HOS from proteolysis. Taken together, our data suggest that proteolysis of HOS depends on its interaction with active components of the SCF complex and that HOS stability is regulated by a bound substrate. These findings may define a mechanism for maintaining activities of specific SCF complexes based on availability of a particular substrate.
Balanced orbital decompression in Graves' orbitopathy: Upper eyelid crease incision for extended lateral wall decompression

INTRODUCTION . This study reports on the results and complications detected in patients with Graves' orbitopathy who underwent balanced medial and lateral wall orbital decompression through concealed incisions. MATERIALS AND METHODS . The medial and lateral orbital walls of nine consecutive patients (14 eyes) were removed. A transnasal endoscopic spheno-ethmoidectomy was performed for the medial wall decompression. A lateral wall decompression was performed via an upper eyelid crease incision which was extended laterally in a relaxed skin tension line. The lateral aspect of the orbit was sculpted with a high-speed surgical drill from the inferior orbital fissure inferiorly and frontal bone of the lacrimal fossa superiorly to the orbital apex posteriorly, including the thick bone of the greater wing of the sphenoid. RESULTS . The decompression was performed for cosmetic purposes in seven patients (10 orbits) and for exposure keratopathy and restrictive myopathy in the remaining two patients (4 orbits). The average follow-up period was 13.6 months. The mean reduction of proptosis was 4.8 mm. The preoperative diplopia in two cases demonstrating restrictive myopathy worsened during the postoperative period. New onset diplopia was not detected in seven cases operated on for cosmetic purposes. All patients were satisfied with their eye status, visual rehabilitation and cosmetic appearance. CONCLUSIONS . The transnasal endoscopic approach for medial wall and extended lateral wall decompression with hidden eyelid crease incision provides a favorable cosmetic and physiologic outcome with proper retroplacement of the globe.
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of the Critical Pressure Value in Ferromagnetic Fluid Seals

Ferrofluids have various engineering applications, and one of them is magnetic fluid seals. Development for this design is a complex process, which requires knowledge about ferrofluid physical properties and magnetic field distribution inside the sealing gap. One of the most important parameters of ferromagnetic fluid seals is a critical pressure value. It is a pressure at which rapid leakage will occur. This publication presents the results of critical pressure value obtained from experimental studies and calculations based on numerical simulations. Shape of sealing stage, volume of ferrofluid, and volume of permanent magnet used in seal construction were taken into account. Experiments and calculations were performed for four ferrofluids differ in saturation magnetization, density, and zero magnetic field viscosity.
Genetic parameters for milk yield, survival, workability, and type traits for Australian dairy cattle.

Genetic parameters, such as heritabilities and genetic correlations were estimated for milk yield, survival, workability, and type traits for Australian Holstein-Friesian and Jersey cattle. All analyses were performed using multivariate REML with a sire model. Heritabilities for lactation yield traits were moderate, ranging from . 20 to . 28, and heritabilities for mean test day deviations were approximately . 40 higher. Heritabilities for survival (probability of surviving to the next lactation) were low, ranging from . 02 to . 08. Genetic correlations between survival scores were high, ranging from . 37 to . 98, in particular between adjacent survival scores (on average .91 and .97 for Holstein-Friesians and Jerseys). Heritabilities for stayabilities were larger, ranging from . 03 to . 22. On average, genetic correlations between stayabilities were very high, ranging from . 66 to . 99. For milking speed, temperament, and likeability, heritability estimates ranged from . 18 (for likeability in Holstein-Friesians) to . 29 (for milking speed in Jerseys). Undesirable scores for milking speed and temperament had negative genetic correlations with stayabilities (correlations approximately -.20). Heritabilities for type traits were all moderate (.11 to .42), and genetic correlations among type traits and between type traits and production traits were large. Phenotypic correlations between type traits and stayabilities were low. Generally, genetic correlations between type traits and stayabilities were low although the standard errors of those estimates were large.
Vascularization, High-Volume Solution Flow, and Localized Roles for Enzymes of Sucrose Metabolism during Tumorigenesis by Agrobacterium tumefaciens1

Vascular differentiation and epidermal disruption are associated with establishment of tumors induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Here, we address the relationship of these processes to the redirection of nutrient-bearing water flow and carbohydrate delivery for tumor growth within the castor bean (Ricinus communis) host. Treatment with aminoethoxyvinyl-glycine showed that vascular differentiation and epidermal disruption were central to ethylene-dependent tumor establishment. CO2 release paralleled tumor growth, but water flow increased dramatically during the first 3 weeks. However, tumor water loss contributed little to water flow to host shoots. Tumor water loss was followed by accumulation of the osmoprotectants, sucrose (Suc) and proline, in the tumor periphery, shifting hexose-to-Suc balance in favor of sugar signals for maturation and desiccation tolerance. Concurrent activities and sites of action for enzymes of Suc metabolism changed: Vacuolar invertase predominated during initial import of Suc into the symplastic continuum, corresponding to hexose concentrations in expanding tumors. Later, Suc synthase (SuSy) and cell wall invertase rose in the tumor periphery to modulate both Suc accumulation and descending turgor for import by metabolization. Sites of abscisic acid immunolocalization correlated with both central vacuolar invertase and peripheral cell wall invertase. Vascular roles were indicated by SuSy immunolocalization in xylem parenchyma for inorganic nutrient uptake and in phloem, where resolution allowed SuSy identification in sieve elements and companion cells, which has widespread implications for SuSy function in transport. Together, data indicate key roles for ethylene-dependent vascularization and cuticular disruption in the redirection of water flow and carbohydrate transport for successful tumor establishment.
Screening for common respiratory diseases among Israeli adolescents.

BACKGROUND Respiratory diseases are responsible for a significant proportion of serious morbidity among adolescents. There are few reports on the prevalence of common respiratory disorders in this population. The previous studies focused on specific diseases and screened relatively small samples. OBJECTIVE To define the prevalence of different common respiratory disorders among 17-year-old Israeli conscripts. DESIGN All 17-year-old Israeli nationals are obliged by law to appear at the Israel Defense Forces recruiting office for medical examination. Respiratory disease specialists evaluated and classified nominees with suspected respiratory disorders. RESULTS A high prevalence of respiratory morbidity was found among 94,805 17-year-old conscripts (61.5% male, 39.5% female). The most prevalent diagnosis was asthma (in 8% of male and 6.8% of female subjects). Fifty-five per cent of the asthma patients suffered from moderate to severe disease. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 0.03% for the male and 0.01% for the female subjects. A difference in morbidity patterns between male and female adolescents was noted, particularly in the prevalence of chest deformation and spontaneous pneumothorax. CONCLUSIONS The most prevalent respiratory disorder among 17-year-old Israeli conscripts was asthma. One-half of the asthma patients in this study suffered from moderate to severe disease. The prevalence of other respiratory disorders was much lower.
Household Bundling to Reduce Adverse Selection: Application to Social Health Insurance

This paper explores the use of bundling to reduce adverse selection in insurance mar-kets and its application to social health insurance programs. When the choice to buy health insurance is made at the household level, bundling the insurance policies of household mem-bers eliminates the eﬀect of adverse selection within a household since the household can no longer select only sick members to enroll. However, this can exacerbate adverse selection across households, as healthier households might choose to drop out of the insurance market. The net eﬀect of this trade-oﬀ depends on the characteristics of the household demand for medical care and risk preferences. I explore this issue using individual survey data on insur-ance enrollment and medical spending in Vietnam that contain detailed information about the structure of the household. The reduced-form evidence suggests that income, own-price and cross-member substitution eﬀects play important roles in the demand for medical care, which aﬀects a household’s selection of members into insurance. I then develop and estimate a model of household insurance bundle choice and medical utilization that accounts for these features. The results suggest that much of the adverse selection is concentrated within the household. Counterfactual analysis reveals that under optimal pricing, household bundling yields signiﬁcantly higher consumer surplus and insurance enrollment than individual pur-chase. Furthermore, the insurance market is less susceptible to complete unraveling under household bundling.
Ancient DNA and Genetic Continuity in the South Central Andes

Abstract Alternative models of residential mobility have been proposed to explain the development and spread of Tiwanaku influence across the south central Andes. Within the Osmore drainage, the rich Moquegua Valley has been hypothesized as the site of a significant colonization event (or events) whereby both the natural and human landscape was transformed and integrated into the expansive Tiwanaku state. In this research, the impact of altiplano colonization is inferred from temporal and spatial patterns of genetic variation within and among native groups. Mitochondrial DNA haplogroup frequencies are used as the measure of genetic variation. The haplogroup data are determined for Moquegua Valley archaeological samples (Chen Chen site; A.D. 785-1000) and are compared to published data from 58 other ancient and contemporary native groups. The results support temporal and spatial genetic continuity in the south central Andes for the last 1,000 years. Contemporary Aymara speaking groups are exceptions to this pattern, perhaps because of recent population decline. While the altiplano colonization hypothesis is not rejected, moderate gene flow and relatively large population sizes likely characterized much of south central Andean prehistory regardless of the contribution from Tiwanaku colonization events.