Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk factors of pneumothorax and chest tube placement after computed tomography-guided core needle biopsy of lung lesions: a single-centre experience with 822 biopsies

Purpose To determine the risk factors of pneumothorax and chest tube placement after computed tomography-guided core needle lung biopsy (CT-CNB). Material and methods Variables that could increase the risk of pneumothorax and chest tube placement were retrospectively analysed in 822 CT-CNBs conducted with 18-gauge non-coaxial CT-CNB in 813 patients (646 men and 167 women; range: 18-90 years; mean: 59.8 years). Predictor variables were age, gender, patient position, severity of pulmonary emphysema, lesion size and localisation, contour characteristics, presence of atelectasis, pleural tag and fissure in the needle-tract, length of the aerated lung parenchyma crossed by the needle, needle entry angle, number of pleural punctures, experience of the operator, and procedure duration. All variables were investigated by ×2 test and logistic regression analysis. Results The overall incidence of pneumothorax was 15.4% (127/822). Chest tube placement was required for 22.8% (29/127) of pneumothoraxes. The significant independent variables for pneumothorax were lesions smaller than 3 cm (p = 0.009), supine and lateral decubitus position during the procedure (p < 0.001), greater lesion depth (p = 0.001), severity of pulmonary emphysema (p < 0.001), needle path crossing the fissure (p < 0.001), and a path that skips the atelectasis (p < 0.001) or pleural tag (p < 0.001); those for chest tube placement were prone position (p < 0.001), less experienced operator (p = 0.001), severity of pulmonary emphysema (p < 0.001), and greater lesion depth (p = 0.008). Conclusions The supine and lateral decubitus position, a needle path that crosses the fissure, and a path that skips the atelectasis or a pleural tag are novel predictors for the development of pneumothorax.
A hybrid technique for treating multilevel cervical myelopathy: Cervical artificial disc replacement combined with fusion

Clinical and radiographic outcomes of multilevel cervical myelopathy (MCM) patients treated with a hybrid technique combining cervical anterior corpectomy and fusion (ACF) with cervical artificial disc replacement (C-ADR) were evaluated. A total of 23 patients including 14 females and 9 males (mean age, 48.3 years) were treated with the hybrid technique and they were followed up for an average time of 35 months (range from 24 to 40 months). Arm- and neck-pain visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, neck disability index (NDI) scores and C2-7 range of motion (ROM) preoperation and 6 weeks, 3 and 24 months postoperation were assessed and compared. Fusion success and system failure based on anteroposterior (AP), lateral and flexion/extension X-rays were examined by an independent reviewer. Postoperative VAS, NDI and ROM were decreased significantly at all the time-points examined, as compared to preoperative scores (P<0.05). The results revealed that this hybrid technique is both technically feasible and effective for the treatment of MCM. However, future comparative studies will be required to determine the potential benefits and pitfalls of this hybrid technique.
Effect of agricultural land-use change on ant dominance hierarchy and food preferences in a temperate oak forest

Background The discovery-dominance trade-off is the inverse relationship between the ability of a species to discover resources and the species’ dominance of those resources; a paradigm used to explain species coexistence in ant communities dependent on similar resources. However, factors such as stress (e.g., temperature) or disturbance (e.g., removal of biomass) associated with the change in land use, can modify this trade-off. Here, we aimed to determine the potential effects of land use change on dominance hierarchy, food preferences and on the discovery-dominance trade-off. Methods An experiment with baits was used to investigate the dominance hierarchies of ant communities in a temperate mountain habitat in central Mexico. We evaluated the dominance index (DI), food preferences and discovery-dominance trade-offs of ants inhabiting two types of vegetation: a native oak forest and agricultural land resulting from agricultural land use and grazing. Results The ant communities in both environments were comprised of three species of ants (Monomorium minimum, Myrmica mexicana, and Camponotus picipes pilosulus), four morphospecies (Pheidole sp.1 and Pheidole sp.2, Temnothorax sp. and Lasius sp.) and one genus (Formica spp.). All Formicidae showed values of intermediate to low DI, and this factor did not seem to be influenced by the change in land use. Ants in the modified vegetation (i.e., agricultural land) were found to be numerically greater. Overall, a higher number of visits were registered to the tuna bait, although the duration of foraging events to the honey baits was longer. However, foraging times were dependent on the species considered: the generalized Myrmicinae, M. minimum, the ant species with highest DI, foraged for longer periods of time in the agricultural land and on the tuna bait. Meanwhile, the cold-climate specialist Formica spp. , with a lower DI, foraged for longer periods of time in the oak (although not significant) and on the honey bait. We found little evidence of the discovery-dominance trade-off; instead, we found considerable diversity in the strategies used by the different species to access resources. This range of strategies is well represented by the generalized Myrmicinae M. minimum, the cold-climate specialists Formica spp. and Temnothorax sp. , and the rare species, as the cold climate specialist Lasius sp. (insinuators). Conclusions Our evaluation shows that transformation of the original habitat does not appear to affect the hierarchical dominance of the ant communities, but it does affect their food preferences. Species with higher DI values such as the generalized Myrmicinae are more skilled at resource acquisition in modified habitats. Our results suggest that change in land use promotes an increase in the diversity of foraging strategies used by different ant species. This diversity may contribute to resource partitioning which favors coexistence.
The effects of 10 weeks of β-alanine supplementation on peak power, power drop, and lactate response in Korean national team boxers

This study was designed to investigate the effects of β-alanine (BA) supplementation on peak power, power drop, and lactate response in elite male amateur boxers. Nineteen male Korean national team boxers were divided into groups with either BA (n=9) or placebo (PL, n=10) supplementation. BA consumed 4.9–5.4 g/day of BA with training for 10 weeks and PL took PL in a similar manner. Physical fitness and lactate changes in sparring were measured before and after the 10-week intervention. Significant interactions (P<0.05) were shown for lower body peak power (P=0.049) and upper body power drop (P=0.042). Positive effects for the BA group were shown for lower body peak power (Cohen d=0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09–1.35) and the maintenance of upper body power output (d=−0.91; 95% CI, −1.61 to −0.17). These findings suggest that Korean national amateur boxers who consumed BA demonstrated differential responses following a training intervention in specific physical fitness when compared to boxing athletes who consumed a PL.
OGTT is recommended for glucose homeostasis assessments in Friedreich ataxia

Diabetes is a common complication of Friedreich ataxia, requiring sensitive diagnostic methods. Here, we compared the performance of different tests that assess glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, and β‐cell function in Friedreich ataxia patients, heterozygous FXN mutation carriers and controls. We find that diabetes is underdiagnosed with fasting glucose alone. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) provides 1.2‐ to 3.5‐fold more diagnoses of impaired glucose homeostasis and diabetes, and adequately measures insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, and β‐cell function. Clinicians in charge of Friedreich ataxia patients and researchers should incorporate the OGTT as an accurate diagnostic and research tool.
Identification and characterization of capsule depolymerase Dpo48 from Acinetobacter baumannii phage IME200

Background The emergence of multidrug- or extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has made it difficult to treat and control infections caused by this bacterium. It is urgently necessary to search for alternatives to conventional antibiotics for control of severe A. baumannii infections. In recent years, bacteriophages and their derivatives, such as depolymerases, showed great potential as antibacterial or antivirulence agents against bacterial infections. Nonetheless, unlike broad-spectrum bactericidal antibiotics, phage-encoded depolymerase targets only a limited number of bacterial strains. Therefore, identification of novel depolymerases and evaluation of their ability to control A. baumannii infections is important. Methods A bacteriophage was isolated from hospital sewage using an extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii strain as the host bacterium, and the phage’s plaque morphology and genomic composition were studied. A polysaccharide depolymerase (Dpo48) was expressed and identified, and the effects of pH and temperature on its activity were determined. Besides, a serum killing assay was conducted, and amino acid sequences homologous to those of putative polysaccharide depolymerases were compared. Results Phage IME200 yielded clear plaques surrounded by enlarged halos, with polysaccharide depolymerase activity against the host bacterium. A tail fiber protein with a Pectate_lyase_3 domain was identified as Dpo48 and characterized . Dpo48 was found to degrade the capsule polysaccharide of the bacterial surface, as revealed by Alcian blue staining. Dpo48 manifested stable activity over a broad range of pH (5.0–9.0) and temperatures (20–70 °C). Results from in vitro serum killing assays indicated that 50% serum was sufficient to cause a five log reduction of overnight enzyme-treated bacteria, with serum complement playing an important role in these killing assays. Moreover, Dpo48 had a spectrum of activity exactly the same as its parental phage IME200, which was active against 10 out of 41 A. baumannii strains. Amino acid sequence alignment showed that the putative tail fiber proteins had a relatively short, highly conserved domain in their N-terminal sequences, but their amino acid sequences containing pectate lyase domains, found in the C-terminal regions, were highly diverse. Conclusions Phage-encoded capsule depolymerases may become promising antivirulence agents for preventing and controlling A. baumannii infections.
MIR31HG promotes cell proliferation and invasion by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in non-small cell lung cancer

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have recently been demonstrated to serve crucial roles in various diseases including tumor initiation and progression. However, the role of the lncRNA MIR31HG in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) was not well established. The present study demonstrated that MIR31HG was significantly increased in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, and increased MIR31HG expression levels were associated with histological differentiation grade, lymph node metastasis and Tumor-node metastasis (TNM) stage in patients with NSCLC. Patients who had a higher MIR31HG expression level, were predicted a shorter over survival (OS) time. Using in vitro assays, the present study demonstrated that the downregulation of MIR31HG expression significantly inhibited cell proliferation and cell invasion abilities. Furthermore, it was identified that knockdown of MIR31HG expression suppressed the cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) phenotype by reducing the expression levels of Twist1 and Vimentin, but also increased the expression level of E-cadherin in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, the results of the present study demonstrated that downregulated MIR31HG inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by decreasing the expression of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) and β-catenin, but increasing the phosphorylated (p)-GSK3β expression in NSCLC cells. Together, these data demonstrated that MIR31HG could be identified as a poor prognostic biomarker and a novel therapeutic target for patients with NSCLC.
Trends in Inpatient Resource Utilization and Complications Among Total Joint Arthroplasty Recipients: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Introduction: Joint arthroplasty practice is highly dynamic to adapt to economic changes and advances in medicine. This study provides updates of the current perioperative practice on healthcare resource utilization. Methods: The study included total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty within the healthcare cost and utilization project New York State database from 2007 to 2013 (ie, 202,100, 127,872, and 8858 cases, respectively). Results: A higher proportion of sicker patients were prevalent over time. The length of stay decreased continuously. However, total hospital charges increased after adjusting for inflation. The incidence of wound infection and transfusion decreased steadily over time, whereas acute renal failure has been on the rise. There was an increased utilization of echocardiography, while decreased among other resources. Discussion: Total knee arthroplasty, total hip arthroplasty, and total shoulder arthroplasty changed toward sicker patients with shorter length of stay, fewer complications, and less resource utilization. However, overall costs increased over time.
Mechanical-physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of catechin-incorporated adhesive resins

Abstract Several anti-proteolytic dentin therapies are being exhaustively studied in an attempt to reduce dentin bond degradation and improve clinical performance and longevity of adhesive restorations. Objectives This study assessed the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on long-term bond strength when incorporated into adhesives. Material and Methods Adhesive systems were formulated with EGCG concentrations of 0 wt%: (no EGCG; control); 0.5 wt% EGCG; 1.0 wt% EGCG, and 1.5 wt% EGCG. Flexural strength (FS), modulus of elasticity (ME), modulus of resilience (MR), compressive strength (CS), degree of conversion (DC), polymerization shrinkage (PS), percentage of water sorption (%WS), percentage of water solubility (%WL) and cytotoxicity properties were tested. Dentin microtensile bond strength (µTBS) was evaluated after 24 h and again after 6 months of water storage. The adhesive interface was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results No significant differences were found among the groups in terms of FS, ME, MR, CS and PS. EGCG-doped adhesives increased the DC relative to the control group. EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% decreased the WS of adhesives. WL decreased in all cases in which EGCG was added to adhesives, regardless of the concentration. EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% reduced cytotoxicity. EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% preserved µTBS after 6 months of storage, while 1.5 wt% EGCG significantly decreased µTBS. SEM: the integrity of the hybrid layer was maintained in the 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% EGCG groups. Conclusion EGCG concentrations of 1.0 wt% and 0.5 wt% showed better biological and mechanical performance, preserved bond strength and adhesive interface, and reduced cytotoxicity.
Simple Method for Detection of Metallo – β–Lactamase Among Gram Negative Isolates

Background: Carbapenem resistance due to the production of metallo-β -lactamase (MBL) in Gram-negative organism is an increasing public health problem. Aim: The purpose of this study is to detectMBL in Gram Negative bacterial isolates among Ventilator Associated Pneumonia patients. Materials and Methods: Phenotypic detection of MBL was done by three methods: 1.Modified Hodge Test (MHT) 2.Combined disc test (CDT) 3.Double Disc Synergy Test (DDST). Results: Out of 126 gram negative bacterial isolates, 80 (63.49%) showed resistance to carbapenem group of drugs. Among them maximum resistance was shown by Acinetobacter baumanii (90.32%), followed by Klebseilla pneumoniae (45.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26%). Out of 80 isolates, 66 were positive for MBL by MHT, 64 by CDT and 61 were detected positive for MBL by DDST. Conclusion: MHT and CDT were found equally efficient method to detect MBL. Maximum MBL production was detected in Acinetobacter baumanii. Simple and accurate screening test is required to prevent the spread of nosocomial strain in hospitals.
Maternal Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital

Objective: To identify maternal risk factors associated with Low Birth Weight Infant (LBW) Materials & methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive case-control study. Six hundred and thirty three mothers who delivered single alive baby between 1 May and 31 August 2010 at the Obstetrics-Gynecology Unit, Maharat Nakornratchasima hospital were enrolled. The studied group was divided into 268 mothers who delivered newborn with birth weight equal to or less than 2,500 grams. The controlled group comprised of 268 mothers who delivered normal birth weight newborn. The univariate analysis was done. The factors which had statistic significant were included into multiple logistic regression model in order to evaluate the significance factors related with LBW (p value < 0.05). Results : The significant factors that associated with LBW were family’s monthly income ≤10,000 Bath (p<0.05, 95 % CI 2.86-7.81), hard work intensity (p<0.05, 95 % CI 1.02-3.85), sleep 6-8 hours/day (p<0.05, 95 % CI 2.82-6.93 ), coitus in the last 3 months (p<0.05, 95 % CI 1.42-3.50) and delivery interval <2 years (p<0.05, 95 % CI 1.42-3.56 ). The protective factor is total weight gain more than 11 kilograms. Conclusion : The mother who have history of low family’s monthly income, hard work intensity, sleep 6-8 hours/day, had coitus in the last 3 months and short delivery interval ≤2 years had the significant risk factors for LBW. The preventive factors was the appropriate total weight gain.
Alpha-fetoprotein, HCV and HBV infections in Nigerian patients with PHCC

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of serum AFP with HBV and HCV infections among Nigerian patients with, Primary Hepato-Cellular Carcinoma . Forty-two Nigerian adults comprising of 3 groups – PHCC, Liver cirrhosis (LC) and Controls were recruited into the study. The findings showed that only nine (64%) of the 14 patients with PHCC had serum AFP >200iu/L with specificity, negative and positive predictive values of 100%, 90% and 100% respectively Serum HBsAg was detected in 71.4% of the patients with PHCC while 43% of the controls and 50% of the patients with LC had HBsAg in their sera. In addition, 14.3% of the controls, 28% of the patients with LC and 14.3% of those with PHCC were positive for anti-HCV. There was correlation between serum AFP and either HBV or HCV infection. Overall, the prevalence of serum HBsAg (54.8%) was higher than that of anti- HCV(19%) in all the subjects studied. In conclusion, the study shows that serum AFP is a useful marker for early diagnosis of PHCC in Nigerians especially in the presence of HBV or HCV infection. Keywords : AFP, HCV, HBV infection, PHCC, Nigeria The Nigerian Medical Practitioner Vol. 51 (3) 2007: pp. 33-35
An Inverse-Perspective-based Approach to Monocular Mobile Robot Navigation

Al llarg de la historia de la robotica mobil hi ha un gran nombre de propostes que intenten resoldre tant el problema de la navegacio com el de la localitzacio, utilitzant sensors visuals. De totes maneres, la navegacio, l'evitacio d'obstacles i la localitzacio continuen actualment essent problemes oberts i son de maxim interes per part de la comunitat cientifica. Aquesta tesi presenta un sistema nou de deteccio i evitacio d'obstacles i una nova estrategia de navegacio, tot complementat amb un sistema de localitzacio adrecat a corregir les dades de posicionament suministrades per la odometria de les rodes. Totes aquestes tasques es duen a terme a partir d'un unic paquet d'informacio visual suministrat per una unica camera. Les principals avantatges d'aquest sistema son: 1. Es un sistema de navegacio reactiu, es a dir, que en principi no te cap coneixement de l'entorn on s'ha de moure. La informacio recaptada sobre l? entorn pel qual ha passat sera util per a la planificacio de missions futures. 2. El sistema es capac de calcular la seva posicio en cada moment, de forma molt mes acurada que els sensors proprioceptius (odometria de les rodes, per exemple) i aprofitant la mateixa informacio visual extreta per la deteccio d'obstacles. Aquest fer redueix cost als sistema i simplifica tant el disseny dels hardware com el del software. 3. El model teoric del sistema es basa unicament en la geometria de la imatge, i per lo tant es robust en front a canvis de les condicions de l'entorn.
How popular are folk remedies with Korean diabetic patients

Aim: Many patients in Korea are thought to use diabetic folk remedies, but few studies exist to demonstrate this. The aims of this study were to: (i) investigate the existing situation of folk medicine use in Korea; and (ii) to analyze the factors related with its use and the intention for the future use of folk remedies. Methods: A total of 153 type II diabetic patients who visited a public health center and university level hospital were surveyed via interviews. The questionnaire asked about social and demographic background, duration and treatment method of diabetes, kind and duration of folk remedies, expenditure for folk remedies, duration, their belief on efficacy and their intention for the future use of folk remedies. Results: The mean age of participants was 59.6-years-old and average duration of diabetes was 5.4 years. A total of 40.5% of patients had used folk remedies. The common folk remedies were silkworm 20%, barley 13.7% and unpolished rice 10%. A total of 58.1% of patients who used folk remedies were recommended to it by their relatives and friends and 21.0% of patients were recommended by other diabetic patients. A total of 74.2% of participants were not satisfied with the effect of folk remedies. Participants without experience in using folk remedies (36.3%) were more likely to say that they will not use them than those who had experienced it (14.5%, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Folk remedies are relatively widely used among Korean diabetic patients. Although most of the diabetes patients who have experienced the use of folk remedies were not satisfied with their effects, primary physicians should realize that there is a preference for folk remedies in some diabetic patients for their use. © 2002 Blackwell Science Asia