Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
COMBINATION OF ORAL KETAMINE AND MIDAZOLAM VERSUS MIDAZOLAM ALONE AS A PREMEDICATION IN CHILDREN UNDERGOING TONSILLECTOMY.

Background & Objectives: Premedication with oral midazolam is a common practice in paediatric anaesthesia. Combining oral ketamine to midazolam has been tried with different dosing regimens and proved to give good results. The aim of this study was to compare the combination of oral ketamine and midazolam to oral midazolam alone as regard sedation and postoperative pain relief. Patients and methods: A prospective randomized double-blind study was carried out in 60 children who were randomly allocated into two groups. Group M received 0.5 mg.kg -1 oral midazolam and group MK received 0.25 mg.kg -1 oral midazolam with 4 mg.kg -1 oral ketamine as a premedication 20 minutes preoperatively. A five points-sedation score (1 asleep to 5 agitated) on arrival to the operating room and a three points-acceptance score of separation from the parents and a three points-mask cooperation score at induction of anesthesia (1 easy to 3 markedly resistant) were used. The time to recovery from anesthesia and to achieve satisfactory Aldrete score was recorded. Time to supplementary analgesia defined as achieving a pain score of 4 or more was used to compare the two groups. At 30 min, 1, 2, & q4h postoperative, pain score was recorded by a blinded observer. Pain was treated with morphine 25 ug.kg -1 intravenously for pain score more than 4, and cumulative morphine consumption in 24hrs was used to compare postoperative analgesic requirements in both groups. Results: Acceptable sedation scores were seen in both groups, without any serious side effects. However, the combination of Ketamine and Midazolam offered significantly more children in an awake, calm and quiet state, who were easily separated from their parents. The separation and cooperation scores were comparable between the groups. The time to recovery from anaesthesia and time to achieve satisfactory Aldrete score were also comparable between the two groups. Time to supplementary analgesia was significantly prolonged in the KM group than in the M group. Total morphine consumption was significantly less in the KM group than in the M group. Conclusion: Adding oral Ketamine to midazolam as a premedication in children provides good quality of sedation and decreases post operative analgesic requirements after tonsillectomy. Keywards: Midazolame, Ketamine, Premedication, Paediatrics, Tonsillectomy.
Changes in choroidal thickness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE To evaluate choroidal thickness using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) in comparison to healthy controls. PATIENTS AND METHODS This observational, comparative study consisted of 35 patients with OSAS and 32 age- and sex-matched controls. The controls did not have systemic or ocular diseases. All study participants underwent complete ophthalmic examination as well as choroidal thickness measurement using a high-speed, high-resolution SD-OCT device. RESULTS The mean horizontal and vertical choroidal thicknesses, respectively, were 237.84 ± 69.9 μm and 234.97 ± 62.0 μm (P = .654) in patients with OSAS and 244.09 ± 41.2 μm and 241.88 ± 40.9 μm (P = .590) in the healthy controls. The mean choroidal thicknesses were thinner in patients with OSAS, but the difference was not significant (P > .05 for all values). CONCLUSION No differences in choroidal thickness were found between patients with OSAS and healthy controls.
Tyramine receptor (SER‐2) isoforms are involved in the regulation of pharyngeal pumping and foraging behavior in Caenorhabditis elegans

Octopamine regulates essential processes in nematodes; however, little is known about the physiological role of its precursor, tyramine. In the present study, we have characterized alternatively spliced Caenorhabditis elegans tyramine receptor isoforms (SER‐2 and SER‐2A) that differ by 23 amino acids within the mid‐region of the third intracellular loop. Membranes prepared from cells expressing either SER‐2 or SER‐2A bind [3H]lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the low nanomolar range and exhibit highest affinity for tyramine. Similarly, both isoforms exhibit nearly identical Ki values for a number of antagonists. In contrast, SER‐2A exhibits a significantly lower affinity than SER‐2 for other physiologically relevant biogenic amines, including octopamine. Pertussis toxin treatment reduces affinity for both tyramine and octopamine, especially for octopamine in membranes from cells expressing SER‐2, suggesting that the conformation of the mid‐region of the third intracellular loop is dictated by G‐protein interactions and is responsible for the differential tyramine/octopamine affinities of the two isoforms. Tyramine reduces forskolin‐stimulated cAMP levels in HEK293 cells expressing either isoform with nearly identical IC50 values. Tyramine, but not octopamine, also elevates Ca2+ levels in cells expressing SER‐2 and to a lesser extent SER‐2A. Most importantly, ser‐2 null mutants (pk1357) fail to suppress head movements while reversing in response to nose‐touch, suggesting a role for SER‐2 in the regulation of foraging behavior, and fail to respond to tyramine in assays measuring serotonin‐dependent pharyngeal pumping. These are the first reported functions for SER‐2. These results suggest that C. elegans contains tyramine receptors, that individual SER‐2 isoforms may differ significantly in their sensitivity to other physiologically relevant biogenic amines, such as octopamine (OA), and that tyraminergic signaling may be important in the regulation of key processes in nematodes.
Spinal Arteriovenous Metameric Syndrome: Angioarchitecture and their Prognosis

The term “spinal arteriovenous metameric syndrome” (SAMS) is relatively new and is derived from craniofacial arteriovenous metameric syndrome (CAMS),[1][1] which was introduced to designate a rare form of vascular malformation involving both brain and face. SAMS includes all spinal vascular
Vertical integration of biochemistry and clinical medicine using a near‐peer learning model

Vertical integration has been extensively implemented across medical school curricula but has not been widely attempted in the field of biochemistry. We describe a novel curricular innovation in which a near‐peer learning model was used to implement vertical integration in our medical school biochemistry course. Senior medical students developed and facilitated a case‐based small group session for first year biochemistry students. Students were surveyed before and after the session on their attitudes about biochemistry, as well as the effectiveness of the session. Prior to the session, the students believed biochemistry was more important to understanding the basic science of medicine than it was to understanding clinical medicine or becoming a good physician. The session improved students' attitudes about the importance of biochemistry in clinical medicine, and after the session they now believe that understanding biochemistry is equally important to the basic sciences as clinical medicine. Students would like more sessions and believe the senior student facilitators were knowledgeable and effective teachers. The facilitators believe they improved their teaching skills. This novel combination of near‐peer learning and vertical integration in biochemistry provided great benefit to both first year and senior medical students, and can serve as a model for other institutions. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 44(6):507–516, 2016.
Monte Carlo method for the simulation of electronic noise in semiconductors.

We present a general theory to investigate the electronic noise in the presence of scattering as well as of generation-recombination processes. An exact decomposition procedure of the current spectral density is given that, in addition to fluctuations in carrier velocity and number, shows the presence of a cross term coupling both fluctuations. Four correlation functions are thus found to be needed to evaluate all terms. To this purpose, the Monte Carlo method is shown to provide a unifying microscopic calculation of these functions. We consider the case of p-type Si at 77 K with a generation-recombination mechanism given by the capture at shallow impurities assisted by acoustic phonons. Then, the theoretical results are compared with existing mesoscopic theories as well as with available experimental results.
Superior herniation of the mediastinum presenting as an anterior neck mass on straining

We report an infant with an anterior neck mass present only on straining. Airway fluoroscopy revealed this to be due to superior mediastinal herniation. Neck masses apparent only during Valsalva maneuver are rare and awareness of the differential diagnosis is important to avoid unnecessary investigation or surgery. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2012; 47:710–712. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development and application of system complexity measures for use in modeling and simulation

A reliable method for categorizing and quantifying System Complexity has been successfully demonstrated. The technique is based on an ordinal scale applicable to programs and products in government and industry. It provides objective planning and analysis, supporting management and technical decisions. This paper describes how the scale has been developed and how it has been successfully used in modeling and simulating program outcomes. In the background section, we provide the motivation behind why a more reliable method to characterize System Complexity is needed. In the next section, we discuss our approach to measuring and modeling system complexity. Finally, we summarize our findings.
Effect of diets differing in rumen soluble nitrogen on utilization of poor-quality roughage by sheep

This study investigated the effects of replacing rapid-release nitrogen (N) from urea with a graded level of slow-release N (Optigen® II) source on intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation and microbial protein synthesis, when sheep were fed a poor-quality roughage diet. Five rumen cannulated wethers were used in a 5 x 5 Latin square experimental design. The treatments had various proportions of urea to Optigen® II (0 : 100, 25 : 75, 50 : 50, 75 : 25 and 100 : 0), with the same inclusion level of starch and a mineral premix on an iso-nitrogen basis. The 25% urea : 75% Optigen® II treatment showed significantly higher intakes of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fibre and digestible organic matter than in the other treatments. No differences were recorded for apparent dry matter digestibility, organic matter digestibility and neutral detergent fibre digestibility among the treatments. However, sheep on the 100% Optigen® II treatment had a significantly lower apparent nitrogen digestibility. No differences were observed for ruminal pH and volatile fatty acid concentrations among the treatments, except for butyrate and isobutyrate concentrations. The butyrate concentration of the 100% Optigen® II treatment was significantly lower than the other treatments, whereas the isobutyrate concentration was significantly lower than in Treatments 2 (75% urea : 25% Optigen® II) and 5 (100% Optigen® II). The rumen NH3-N concentration of the 100% Optigen® II treatment was significantly lower than the 100% urea treatment at two and four hours after infusion. Based on biological responses, results suggest that up to 75% of urea could be replaced with Optigen® II in supplements.
Analysis of general opinions about Sina Weibo micro-blog real-name verification system

Online social network has become more prevalent than ever in our modern lifestyle. Micro-blogs like Facebook, Twitter, Flicker, Renren, Sina Weibo have undergone an exponential growth in popularity, they have become an essential tool in connecting people beyond spatial boundaries. As the policy of real-name verification has launched in Beijing China, the reaction from netizens is noticeably overwhelming; while some people keep a good faith that will help subside online frauds, some expressed concern over the privacy issues like revealing their true identities in online interactions, the freedom of speech and so on. To this end, we conducted a face-to-face survey for collecting some public opinions with a case study of Sina Weibo micro blog. We investigate the perceived effect/affect of real-name verification policy on the uses of micro-blogs. The results are interpreted via simple statistics as well as some data mining approach.
Dental Biofilm and Saliva Biochemical Composition Changes in Young Orthodontic Patients

Saliva and dental biofilm of children with orthodontic treatment may be associated with high risk factors that increase incidence of caries development in this population. Aim:To assess the dental biofilm and saliva biochemical composition of young fixed orthodontic patients. Design:The sample comprised 64 participants between 12 to 18 years of age, of whom 32 had fixed orthodontic treatment as study group and 32 did not as a control group. Supragingival biofilm samples were collected from all teeth of all participants by using sterile curettes. The level of insoluble extracellular polysaccharide (IEPS)Calcium (Ca), and phosphorus (Pi) concentrations in dental biofilm was measured using phenol sulphuric acid colorimetric method. The estimated unstimulated salivary flow, pH, buffering capacity and count of Streptococcal Mutants were determined on selective media of all participants.
Maintenance of remission with leflunomide in Wegener's granulomatosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the safety and efficacy of leflunomide plus low-dose prednisolone for the maintenance of remission in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). METHODS This was a Phase II, single-centre, open-label clinical investigation of patients with generalized WG treated with leflunomide after the induction of complete (n = 4) or partial (n = 16) remission by cyclophosphamide/prednisolone combination therapy. Leflunomide treatment was initiated at 20 mg/day and increased to 30 mg/day after 12 weeks and, in patients with partial remission, to 40 mg/day after 24 weeks. Concomitant low-dose prednisolone (< or =10 mg/day) was allowed during the study. In addition to the frequency of relapse, treatment efficacy was assessed by the standard measures of disease activity/extent. RESULTS A total of 20 patients were enrolled in the trial. During a treatment period of up to 2.5 yr (median 1.75 yr, range 1-2.5 yr), one patient had a major relapse and required retreatment with cyclophosphamide/prednisolone. Eight patients had minor relapses that were successfully treated by dose increases to 40 mg/day leflunomide. Disease activity remained unchanged for the duration of the study. The most frequently reported adverse events were mild respiratory infection (40%), arthralgia (35%) and hypertension (35%); dry skin, nail disorder and diarrhoea were each reported by 30% of patients. Despite the aggressive pretreatment with cyclophosphamide, adverse events with leflunomide treatment at the higher dose (30-40 mg/day) were comparable with those seen with the standard dose (20 mg/day) for rheumatoid arthritis patients. CONCLUSION Leflunomide appears to be safe and well tolerated for the maintenance of complete or partial remission of WG. The results of this pilot study encourage further controlled trials comparing leflunomide with alternative remission maintenance therapies.
Closing the digital divide in HIV/AIDS care: development of a theory-based intervention to increase Internet access

Abstract Advances in information technology are revolutionizing medical patient education and the Internet is becoming a major source of information for people with chronic medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS. However, many AIDS patients do not have equal access to the Internet and are therefore at an information disadvantage, particularly minorities, persons of low-income levels and individuals with limited education. This paper describes the development and pilot testing of a workshop-style intervention designed to close the digital divide in AIDS care. Grounded in the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model of health behaviour change, we developed an intervention for persons with no prior history of using the Internet. The intervention included instruction in using hardware and search engines, motivational enhancement to increase interest and perceived relevance of the Internet, and skills for critically evaluating and using health information accessed via the Internet. Participants were also introduced to communication and support functions of the Internet including e-mail, newsgroups and chat groups. Pilot testing demonstrated feasibility, acceptability and promise for closing the digital divide in HIV/AIDS care using a relatively brief and intensive theory-based intervention that could be implemented in community settings.
Diagnostic value of the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio and the combination of serum CA‐125 for stages III and IV endometriosis

Background Currently, all the diagnostic indicators for endometriosis lack perfect sensitivity and specificity. According to the characteristic of endometriosis, we analyzed the new biomarker neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the combination of NLR and serum CA‐125 to investigate their diagnostic value for identifying stages III and IV endometriosis. Methods The values of serum CA‐125 and routine blood tests were collected from 197 patients with endometriosis, 102 with benign tumors and 112 healthy individuals. We investigated the sensitivity and specificity of NLR and its combination with serum‐CA‐125 for diagnosing stages III and IV endometriosis by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC). Results The mean values of NLR, the combination of serum CA‐125 and NLR (combination) of the groups with stages III and IV endometriosis were significantly higher than the other two groups. Serum CA‐125, NLR, and the combined biomarkers could significantly discriminate the stages III and IV endometriosis group from the other two groups (P<0.05). NLR shows a lower sensitivity of 57.9% and specificity of 65.2% with a cutoff value at 1.82. And the combination of biomarkers has the highest AUC of 0.949 with a sensitivity of 86.8% and specificity of 92.0% at the cutoff value of 44.40. In addition, for patients with negative CA‐125, 55.36% and 53.57% of the patients were able to be diagnosed with endometriosis by using NLR alone and the combination of biomarkers. Conclusion For diagnosing stages III and IV endometriosis, the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is a better adjuvant to serum CA‐125, and the neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio is valuable in diagnosing stages III and IV endometriosis for patients with negative serum CA‐125.
Effects of oxytocin on adreno-medullary catecholamine synthesis, uptake and storage in rats exposed to chronic isolation stress

ABSTRACT Purpose/aim: The adreno-medullar system represents one of the main systems involved in the response to stressful events. The neuropeptide oxytocin, is highly sensitive to the social environment, and regulates autonomic function. Adreno-medullary activity is dependent on the synthesis of catecholamine, its reuptake, release, degradation and vesicular transport. A direct influence of oxytocin on catecholamine synthesizing enzyme and transports in animals exposed to chronic social isolation stress has not been studied yet. Materials and methods: In the present study, we examined the effect of chronic oxytocin treatment on the level of plasma catecholamine and its content, mRNA and protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), noradrenaline transporter (NET) as well as vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) in the adrenal medulla of socially isolated rats. Results: Our results show that, by the end of 12 weeks, social isolation did not produce any significant changes in catecholamine content but increased plasma catecholamine level and synthesis in the adrenal medulla. Oxytocin treatment had no further effect either on catecholamine synthesis or content in socially stressed animals whereas a significant elevation of plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine were reduced. On the other hand, chronic isolation caused a significant increase in VMAT2 and decrease in NET protein levels. Oxytocin treatment brought about an increase in protein levels of NET and its return to the levels of control group. Besides, it further increases VMAT2 protein levels in the adrenal medulla of individually housed rats. Conclusion: The present results show that peripheral oxytocin treatment enhances catecholamine uptake and storage in the adrenal medulla of chronically isolated animals.
Novel Amino Acid-constructed Polyalkenoates for Dental Glass-ionomer Restoratives

Several methacrylate or acrylate derivatives of natural amino acids were synthesized and characterized. Based upon these derivatives, novel amino acid-constructed polyalkenoic acids were prepared and used to formulate glass-ionomer cements (GICs) with Fuji II glass filler. The effects of type of derivatives, molar ratio, molecular weight, and powder/liquid ratio were investigated. The results show that amino acid-constructed polyalkenoic acids can be formed only from amino acid methacrylate derivatives or by copolymerization of methacrylate with acrylate derivatives. Strong hydrogen bond interactions failed the polymer formation from acrylate derivatives. The cement composed of poly(methacryloyl glutamic acid-co-acryloyl beta-alanine) with the molar ratio of 8:2 demonstrated the best mechanical strengths along with a workable viscosity. By using the powder/liquid ratio of 3.0/1, the experimental cement exhibited a significantly higher FS (27.7 MPa), and nearly the same CS (198.5 MPa) and DTS (11.8 MPa), as compared to Fuji II (18.9 for FS, 189.1 for CS, and 11.4 MPa for DTS). During aging, the cement showed a significant increase in strength over 24 h, followed by a slow increase over 6 months.
Macular and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measurements in Normal Eyes With the Stratus OCT, the Cirrus HD-OCT, and the Topcon 3D OCT-1000

PurposeTo compare retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular thickness measurements using time-domain optical coherence tomography (TD OCT) and 2 Fourier-domain OCTs (FD OCT). MethodsSixty eyes of 60 normal participants underwent eye examination followed by OCT evaluation with the time-domain Stratus OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. Dublin, CA) and 2 FD OCTs—the Cirrus HD-OCT (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Inc. Dublin, CA) and the 3D OCT-1000 (Topcon Corporation, Tokyo, Japan). Each patient was scanned 3 times on each machine by the same physician examiner. RNFL and macular thickness measurements were compared across the 3 devices using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparison t tests with Bonferroni adjustments. The coefficients of variation (CV) and the intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess reproducibility. Bland–Altman plots were constructed to assess the level of agreement between every 2 OCTs. ResultsAll 3 machines revealed similar patterns of regional differences in RNFL and macular thicknesses. Macular thickness was consistently greatest on the Cirrus and lowest on the Stratus device. However, RNFL measurements were less consistent. The overall average RNFL thickness was 4 &mgr;m greater on the Stratus than on the 3D OCT-1000, which was in turn 5 &mgr;m greater than on the Cirrus device. Bland–Altman plots showed poor-to-moderate agreement in terms of macular and RNFL thickness measurements between each 2 of the OCT devices. Both FD OCTs provided more reproducible readings on macular measurements than the Stratus, as evidenced by the lower CV and higher intraclass correlation coefficients. However, RNFL measurements on the 2 FD OCTs were not necessarily more reproducible than those from the Stratus OCT. ConclusionThickness measurements are not interchangeable among different OCT devices because of the poor-to-moderate interdevice measurement agreement. FD instruments yield more reproducible macular but not RNFL thickness measurements.