Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Optimal Screw Length of Lumbar Pedicle Screws during Minimally Invasive Surgery Fixation: A Computed Tomography-Guided Evaluation of 771 Screws

Study Design A retrospective study of radiographic parameters of patients who underwent lumbar spinal pedicle screw insertion. Purpose The optimal length of pedicle screws is often determined by the lateral radiograph during minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Compared with open techniques, measuring the precise length of screws or assessing the cortical breach is challenging. This study aims to ascertain the optimal pedicle screw lengths on intraoperative lateral radiographs for L1–L5. Overview of Literature Research has revealed that optimal pedicle screw length is essential to optimize fixation, especially in osteoporotic patients; however, it must be balanced against unintentional breach of the anterior cortex, risking injury to adjacent neurovascular structures as demonstrated by case reports. Methods We reviewed intra- and postoperative computed tomography scans of 225 patients who underwent lumbar pedicle screw insertion to ascertain which of the inserted screws were ‘optimal screws. ’ The corresponding lengths of these screws were analyzed on postoperative lateral radiographs to ascertain the ideal position that a screw should attain (expressed as a percentage of the entire vertebral body length). Results We reviewed 880 screws of which 771 were optimal screws. We noted a decreasing trend in average optimal percentages of insertion into the vertebral body for pedicle screws going from L1 (average=87.60%) to L5 (average=78.87%). The subgroup analysis revealed that there was an increasing percentage of screws directed in a straight trajectory from L1 to L5, compared to a medially directed trajectory. Conclusions During MIS pedicle screw fixation, this study recommends that pedicle screws should not exceed 85% of the vertebral body length on the lateral view for L1, 80% for L2–L4, and 75% for L5; this will minimize the risk of anterior cortical breach yet maximize pedicle screw purchase for fixation stability.
Age-related differences during visual search: the role of contextual expectations and cognitive control mechanisms

ABSTRACT During the visual search, cognitive control mechanisms activate to inhibit distracting information and efficiently orient attention towards contextually relevant regions likely to contain the search target. Cognitive ageing is known to hinder cognitive control mechanisms, however little is known about their interplay with contextual expectations, and their role in visual search. In two eye-tracking experiments, we compared the performance of a younger and an older group of participants searching for a target object varying in semantic consistency with the search scene (e.g., a basket of bread vs. a clothes iron in a restaurant scene) after being primed with contextual information either congruent or incongruent with it (e.g., a restaurant vs. a bathroom). Primes were administered either as scenes (Experiment 1) or words (Experiment 2, which included scrambled words as neutral primes). Participants also completed two inhibition tasks (Stroop and Flanker) to assess their cognitive control. Older adults had greater difficulty than younger adults when searching for inconsistent objects, especially when primed with congruent information (Experiment 1), or a scrambled word (neutral condition, Experiment 2). When the target object violates the semantics of the search context, congruent expectations or perceptual distractors, have to be suppressed through cognitive control, as they are irrelevant to the search. In fact, higher cognitive control, especially in older participants, was associated with better target detection in these more challenging conditions, although it did not influence eye-movement responses. These results shed new light on the links between cognitive control, contextual expectations and visual attention in healthy ageing.
Patterns of sensitization to aeroallergens and their effect on airway hyper-responsiveness in Busan, Korea.

BACKGROUND Allergen sensitization and its influence on allergic disease can vary depending on ethnicity and geography. OBJECTIVE To investigate aeroallergen sensitization patterns and their effect on airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) in Busan, Korea. METHODS We reviewed data for subjects who attended for evaluation of respiratory symptoms between 2011 and 2016. The skin test results of 16 allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat, dog, Alternaria, Aspergillus fumigatus, early blossoming tree pollen mix, late blossoming tree pollen mix, alder, birch, oak, grass mix, mugwort, ragweed, and Japanese hop) were analyzed. Age was categorized as group I (15 to < 65 years) or group II (≥ 65 years). RESULTS A total of 2,791 subjects were analyzed (mean age: 50.9 years, female 61.3%). AHR was demonstrated in 15.8%; sputum eosinophilia in 12.1%; and atopy in 31.2%. The most commonly sensitizing allergen was house dust mite (17.4% to D. pteronyssinus and 17.9% to D. farinae), followed by late blossoming tree pollen mix (8.8%) and early blossoming tree pollen mix (8.6%). AHR was associated with sensitization to D. pteronyssinus, D. farina, Alternaria, dog, cat, alder, birch, oak, and mugwort. However, group II did not show any associations between AHR and any of the aeroallergens except D. farina. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the independent factors for AHR were ever-smoker status, D. farina, and oak sensitization. CONCLUSIONS Sensitization to house dust mites and tree pollen was found to be common in Busan. These aeroallergens significantly affected AHR, particularly in the younger group.
Establishment of a new formula for QT interval correction using a large colony of cynomolgus monkeys

The demand for monkeys for medical research is increasing, because their ionic mechanism of repolarization is similar to that of humans. The QT interval is the distance between the Q wave and T wave, but this interval is affected by heart rate. Therefore, QT correction methods are commonly used in clinical settings. However, an accurate correction formula for the QT interval in cynomolgus monkeys has not been reported. We assessed snapshot electrocardiograms (ECGs) of 353 ketamine-immobilized monkeys, including aged animals, and contrived a new formula for the corrected QT interval (QTc) as a marker of QT interval prolongation in cynomolgus monkeys. Values for QTc were calculated using the formula [QTc] = [QT] / [RR]n, along with several other formulas commonly used to calculate QTc. We found that the optimal exponent of the QT interval corrected for heart rate, n, was 0.576. The mean value of QTc in healthy monkeys determined using the new formula was 373 ± 31 mm, and there were no significant differences between the sexes. Other ECG parameters were not significantly different between the sexes and there were no age-related effects on QTc. Prolongation of QTc to over 405 ms, as calculated by the new formula, was observed in 50 monkeys with underlying diseases. Additionally, all monkeys with QTc above 440 ms by the new formula had some underlying disease. The results resemble those in humans, suggesting that the new QTc formula could be useful for diagnosis of QT interval prolongation in cynomolgus monkeys.
Effects of Co-Administration of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and L-Carnitine on The Recovery of Damaged Ovaries by Performing Chemotherapy Model in Rat

Background L-carnitine (Lc) as a type of flavonoid antioxidants and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) as a type of mesenchymal stem cells may recover damaged ovaries. It seems that Lc has favorable effects on differentiation, increasing lifespan and decreasing apoptosis in BMSCs. The aim of this study was to investigate effects of co-ad- ministration of BMSC+Lc on damaged ovaries after creating a chemotherapy model with cyclophosphamide in rats. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, cyclophosphamide was intraperitoneally (IP) injected to forty female wistar rats for 14 days, in terms of chemotherapy-induced ovarian destruction. The rats were then randomly divided into four groups: control, Lc, BMSCs and co-administration of BMSC+Lc. Injection of BMSCs into bilateral ovaries and intraperitoneal injection of Lc were performed individually and together. Four weeks later, levels of se- rum estradiol (E2) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, number of ovarian follicles at different stages using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and expression of ovarian Bcl-2 and Bax proteins using western blot were assessed. Results Co-administration of BMSC+Lc increased E2 and decreased FSH levels compared to the control group (P<0.001). The number of follicles was higher in the co-administrated group compared to the control group (P<0.001). Co-administration of BMSC+Lc increased Bcl-2 protein level, decreased Bax protein level and increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P<0.001). Conclusion The effect of co-administration of BMSC+Lc is probably more effective than the effect of their separate administration on the recovery of damaged ovaries by chemotherapy.
Highly Elevated Cerebrospinal Fluid Total Tau Level Reflects Higher Likelihood of Non-Amnestic Subtype of Alzheimer's Disease.

BACKGROUND Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of total tau (t-tau) protein are thought to reflect the intensity of the neuronal damage in neurodegeneration, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). The recent link of CSF t-tau to rapidly progressive AD raises the question among other AD clinical variants regarding CSF t-tau. We investigated the clinical phenotypes of AD patients with varying CSF t-tau levels. OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that highly elevated CSF t-tau level would have a higher likelihood of presenting with atypical non-amnestic variants of AD. METHODS Retrospective comparative case study of 97 patients evaluated in a memory clinic with clinical presentation and CSF biomarkers consistent with AD. We compared the age, sex, education, APOEɛ4 status, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, clinical phenotype, and MRI volumetric measures by CSF t-tau quartile at baseline. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate if CSF t-tau levels predict non-amnestic presentations controlling for covariates. RESULTS Non-amnestic AD had a higher median CSF t-tau level compared to amnestic-AD (p = 0.014). Each 50 pg/ml increase in CSF t-tau was associated with an increase in the odds of having a non-amnestic presentation (7.4%) and aphasia (10.6 %) as the initial presenting symptom even after taking into account; age, sex, education, APOEɛ4, MoCA, and CSF Aβ42. Logopenic AD had higher t-tau and p-tau levels compared to other variants. CONCLUSIONS Highly elevated CSF t-tau levels could indicate more cortical involvement presenting with early non-amnestic symptoms in atypical AD subtypes, particularly in the logopenic variant.
Hospital Variation in 30‐Day Mortality for Patients With Stroke; The Impact of Individual and Municipal Socio‐Demographic Status

Background Thirty‐day mortality after hospitalization for stroke is commonly reported as a quality indicator. However, the impact of adjustment for individual and/or neighborhood sociodemographic status (SDS) has not been well documented. This study aims to evaluate the role of individual and contextual sociodemographic determinants in explaining the variation across hospitals in Norway and determine the impact when testing for hospitals with low or high mortality. Methods and Results Patient Administrative System data on all 45 448 patients admitted to hospitals in Norway with an incident stroke diagnosis from 2005 to 2009 were included. The data were merged with data from several databases to obtain information on vital status (dead/alive) and individual SDS variables. Logistic regression models were compared to estimate the predictive effect of individual and neighborhood SDS on 30‐day mortality and to determine outlier hospitals. All individual SDS factors, except travel time, were statistically significant predictors of 30‐day mortality. Of the municipal variables, only the municipal variable proportion of low income was statistically significant as a predictor of 30‐day mortality. Including sociodemographic characteristics of the individual and other characteristics of the municipality improved the model fit. However, performance classification was only changed for 1 (out of 56) hospital, from “significantly high mortality” to “nonoutlier. ” Conclusions Our study showed that those stroke patients with a lower SDS have higher odds of dying after 30 days compared with those with a higher SDS, although this did not have a substantial impact when classifying providers as performing as expected, better than expected, or worse than expected.
Virtual Learning Environments: Enhancing the Learning Experience for Students with Disabilities.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the need for accessible learning within the online environment by investigating disabled students' levels of engagement with a virtual learning environment (VLE) and the extent to which lecturers' use of the VLE made learning accessible.Design/methodology/approach – A small focus group of undergraduate students with various disabilities was used to create a case study approach.Findings – The paper presents key issues related to the pedagogical, practical and strategic use of a VLE, based on the perspectives of disabled students and raises many disability issues for teaching staff who are attempting to get to grips with the idea of bringing a VLE into their everyday teaching to complement their face‐to‐face teaching sessions. It offers a considered approach to the use of a VLE in meeting the requirements of the UK disability legislation and in responding to the needs of disabled students.Originality/value – Based on the perspectives of students, the pap.
The Association between Morphological Characteristics of Palatal Rugae and Sagittal Skeletal Patterns.

INTRODUCTION To find the association between the morphological characteristics of palatal rugae and sagittal skeletal patterns. METHODS The retrospective charts review was conducted at the Aga Khan University Hospital from April to June 2016, and comprised data obtained from the pretreatment dental cast of orthodontic patients visiting the dental clinics over 5 years from 2011 to 2015. The sample was divided equally in three malocclusion groups based on sagittal skeletal relationship Class I, Class II and Class III. The number of palatal rugae was recorded for both right and left sides. Morphological features of the three anterior most primary rugae were recorded for the length, pattern and orientation bilaterally. SPSS 20 was used to compare the number and lengths as well as the pattern and orientation of palatal rugae among the groups. RESULTS Of the 165 subjects, there were 55(33.3%) in each of the three groups. Significant differences were recorded in rugae lengths among the groups at ruga 1 on both sides and rugae 2 and 3 on the left side (p<0.05 each). There were significant differences in the palatal rugae patterns among the groups (p<0.05) except at rugae 2 and 3 on the left side (p>0.05). Orientation showed significant differences at ruga 2 on the right side (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS No specific pattern was associated with any skeletal pattern. Further studies are required to evaluate three-dimensional characteristics of rugae to assess the association between palatal rugae and sagittal skeletal patterns.
On the Security of Multi-Factor Authentication: Several Instructive Examples

* This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (61073149 and 61272440), State Key Laboratory of ASIC & System (11KF0020), Key Lab of Information Network Security, Ministry of Public Security (C11603). Abstract How to propose a secure multi-factor authentication system remains a major concern. In this work we review several instructive examples from a practical and a theoretical point of view. From these observations we extract important guidelines for future works on multi-factor authentication. Index Terms Multi-factor authentication, security, one-time password, biometrics.
Differential effects of adenylyl cyclase-protein kinase A cascade on shear-induced changes of sickle cell deformability.

BACKGROUND Erythrocyte deformability is impaired in sickle cell disease (SCD). The regulation of cytoskeletal protein organization plays a key role in erythrocyte deformability. The activation of adenylyl cyclase (AC)/cAMP/Protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway was associated with increased deformability in healthy erythrocytes, however the role of this pathway in SCD is unknown. OBJECTIVE We evaluated mechanical responses of sickle red blood cells under physiological levels of shear stress and the possible link between their deformability and AC/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway. METHODS The shearing of sickle red blood cells at physiological level (5 Pa) and the measurement of deformability were performed by a laser assisted optical rotational cell analyzer (LORRCA). RESULTS Red blood cell deformability increased of 2.5-6.5% by blocking the activity of phosphodiesterase with Pentoxifylline (10μM) (p < 0.05). The inhibition of AC with SQ22536 (100μM) produced more significant rise in deformability (+4.8-12%, p < 0.01). No significant change was observed by the inhibition of PKA with H89 (10μM). CONCLUSION Pentoxifylline and SQ22536 increased the deformability of sickle red blood cells under fluid shear stress. Modulation of the AC/cAMP/PKA pathway could have the potential to be an effective therapeutic approach for SCD through shear-induced improvements of RBC deformability.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of PEEK Versus Titanium Interference Screws for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With 2-Year Follow-up

Background: Graft fixation with interference screws for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a highly successful technique. Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a novel thermoplastic polymer with high biocompatibility and mechanical properties that mimic native bone, and it can be imaged on computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without signal flare. Purpose: To compare the clinical performance of ACL reconstruction with PEEK and titanium interference screws at 2 years and to evaluate a novel method of measuring tunnel volume. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: A total of 133 patients underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction with 4-strand hamstring autografts and were randomized to have titanium or PEEK interference screws for femoral and tibial tunnel fixation. At 2 years, subjective Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee scores were assessed and clinical examination performed. At 12 months, MRI was performed to assess graft incorporation and cyst formation, and a novel technique was employed to measure tunnel volumes. Results: There were no significant differences in graft rerupture rate, contralateral ACL rupture rate, subjective outcomes, or objective outcomes. In the titanium and PEEK groups, MRI demonstrated high overall rates of graft integration (96%-100% and 90%-93%, respectively) and ligamentization (89% and 84%) and low rates of synovitis (22% and 10%) and cyst formation (0%-18% and 13%-15%). There was a higher proportion of patients with incomplete graft integration within the femoral tunnel in the PEEK group as compared with the titanium group (10% vs 0%, P = .03); however, the authors suggest that metal artifact precluded proper assessment of the graft in the titanium group by MRI. Tunnel volumes also appeared to be equivalent in the 2 groups and were measured with a novel technique that was highly reproducible in the PEEK group secondary to the absence of flare. Conclusion: Two-year clinical analysis of PEEK interference screws for femoral and tibial fixation of ACL reconstructions showed equivalent clinical performance to titanium interference screws. Given the excellent mechanical characteristics, biological compatibility, and absence of metal artifact on MRI, PEEK has become our material of choice for interference screw fixation in ACL reconstruction.
Antimicrobial Disposition During Pediatric Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy Using an Ex Vivo Model.

OBJECTIVES Little is known on the impact of continuous renal replacement therapy on antimicrobial dose requirements in children. In this study, we evaluated the pharmacokinetics of commonly administered antimicrobials in an ex vivo continuous renal replacement therapy model. DESIGN An ex vivo continuous renal replacement therapy circuit was used to evaluate drug-circuit interactions and determine the disposition of five commonly used antimicrobials (meropenem, piperacillin, liposomal amphotericin B, caspofungin, and voriconazole). SETTING University research laboratory. PATIENTS None. INTERVENTIONS Antimicrobials were administered into a reservoir containing whole human blood. The reservoir was connected to a pediatric continuous renal replacement therapy circuit programmed for a 10 kg child. Continuous renal replacement therapy was performed in the hemodiafiltration mode and in three phases correlating with three different continuous renal replacement therapy clearance rates: 1) no clearance (0 mL/kg/hr, to measure adsorption), 2) low clearance (20 mL/kg/hr), and 3) high clearance (40 mL/kg/hr). Blood samples were drawn directly from the reservoir at baseline and at 5, 20, 60, and 180 minutes during each phase. Five independent continuous renal replacement therapy runs were performed to assess inter-run variability. Antimicrobial concentrations were measured using validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry assays. A closed-loop, flow-through pharmacokinetic model was developed to analyze concentration-time profiles for each drug. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Circuit adsorption of antimicrobials ranged between 13% and 27%. Meropenem, piperacillin, and voriconazole were cleared by the continuous renal replacement therapy circuit and clearance increased with increasing continuous renal replacement therapy clearance rates (7.66 mL/min, 4.97 mL/min, and 2.67 mL/min, respectively, for high continuous renal replacement therapy clearance). Amphotericin B and caspofungin had minimal circuit clearance and did not change with increasing continuous renal replacement therapy clearance rates. CONCLUSIONS Careful consideration of drug-circuit interactions during continuous renal replacement therapy is essential for appropriate drug dosing in critically ill children. Antimicrobials have unique adsorption and clearance profiles during continuous renal replacement therapy, and this knowledge is important to optimize antimicrobial therapy.
Pediatric Maxillofacial Trauma Patterns Among Different Types of Road Traffic Accidents.

BACKGROUND Traffic accidents are one of the most leading cause of maxillofacial trauma. Defining the bone fracture patterns in different type of traffic accidents may enable for appropriate surgical approach. OBJECTIVES This study research the pattern of pediatric maxillofacial fractures in terms of different type of traffic road accidents and age groups. METHODS The data on road traffic accidents that caused maxillofacial trauma between May 2014 and January 2019 was gained from the University of Gaziantep hospital data system. Road accident type, age groups, and the type of fractures were the evaluation parameters. RESULTS A total of 61 patients meet the criteria and 41 of those were boys. The midface bones of orbital, maxillar, and frontal are the most fractured structures with a total number of 48. The least fractured bone was mandibula with a number of 4. The comparisons of these fractures among the different type of road traffic accidents and age groups were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSION Car-pedestrian and car-passengers type of road traffic accident mostly seem to cause midface fractures at the primary and secondary school-aged children.