Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Outcomes of Four Different Treatment Protocols in Idiopathic Sudden Hearing Loss

OBJECTIVE: To compare effectiveness of four different treatment protocols in idiopathic sudden hearing loss (ISHL). Patients and Methods: The patients with ISHL were divided into four groups according to the treatment protocols applied; Group 1 (n=67) was treated with rheomacrodex, pentoxyphiline, heparin, papaverine, famotidine, and methylprednisolone 1 mg/kg/day iv. Group 2 (n=39), group 3 (n=19) and group 4 (n=60) were treated with acyclovir, famotidine, and methylprednisolone (1 mg/kg/day, 2 mg/kg/day and 3 mg/kg/day, respectively). The symptoms and audiologic parameters were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The PTAs (pure tone averages), and HG (hearing gain), RHG (relative hearing gain) and RR (recovery rate) scores of the groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). When the commencement of treatment was <5 days; the HG in group 1 was better than group 3; the RHG in group 4 was better than group 3; and the RR in group 1 was better than group 3 (p<0.05). When the commencement of treatment was between 5 and 10 days, there was no significant difference between the HG, RHG and RR scores of the groups (p>0.05). When the commencement of treatment was >10 days, the HG, RHG and RR scores in group 3 were better than in the other groups (p<0.05), respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall comparison of the treatment protocols did not reveal significant difference between the outcomes. Department of Otolaryngology Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University Ankara, Turkey
The Role of Leg Compression in the Treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis

Up until today mobile outpatients are put into bed as soon as the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is made. Fear of pulmonary embolism (PE) is the main rationale for bed-rest; additional arguments are pain and swelling which are expected to resolve faster during leg elevation. Based on previous work it is demonstrated that keeping mobile patients with acute DVT walking under exact anticoagulation does not increase the risk for symptomatic PE in comparison with bed-rest and that there is an immediate reduction of pain and swelling when good compression is applied and the patient is encouraged to walk. Immediate compression and walking seems also to reduce the incidence of a postthrombotic syndrome. One presumed mechanism of action of this adjunct treatment modality is the increase of shear stress in the microcirculation of the vein wall releasing anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulatory mediators.
Multizone internal combustion engine modelling: Initial assessme of a simulation tool developed in matlab

A multizone model for the thermodynamic simulation of internal combustion engines has been developed. The new, multizone model differs from earlier, related formulations in a number of important respects. A number of zones, both burned and unburned, can be tracked throughout the entire simulation. Heat transfer areas for burned and unburned zones can be specified as a function of engine geometry. Leakage of gas past piston rings can be simulated using a flow rate model driven by pressure differences. Furthermore, the injection of fuel during the compression stroke and charge stratification across the zones can also be simulated. In this paper, an overview of some of these features is provided. An initial assessment of the pressures, temperatures, and NO concentrations derived from the model is also performed by comparing results obtained from the present modeling with results from two earlier simulations.
Gabor-feature-based local generic representation for face recognition with single sample per person

This paper presents an approach called Gabor-feature-based Local Generic Representation (G-LGR), which take advantages of the sparse representation properties of face recognition in biometric applications. In this work, the main problem is that if only one training subject per class is available. One of the novelties of our new algorithm is to produce virtual samples of each subject; the new sample generic of a gallery set is used in order to generate the intra-personal variations of different individuals. We compare our approach against different state-of-the-art techniques using the AR face database.
Ofloxacin resistance among Mycobacterium Tuberculosis isolates in two states of south-west Nigeria

Abstract The fluoroquinolones are an important class of antibiot-ics used in the management of bacterial diseases and drug-resistance tuberculosis (TB). Although resistance to fluoroquinolones has been described among common bacterial pathogens in Nigeria, little is known about resistance among TB patients. The study was embarked upon to determine the occurrence of fluoroquinolone resistance among TB patients in south-west Nigeria.This is a retrospective study of all patients from Oyo and Osun States who had their Drug Susceptibility Test (DST) results from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium between 2007 and 2009. The treat-ment cards of the patients were reviewed to extract the personal data of the patients and the DST results. The prevalence of ofloxacin resistance among 67 My-cobacterium tuberculosis isolates of patients from Oyo and Osun states was 7.5%, which represented 4.3% among new patients and 9.1% among previously treated TB patients. Among the 34 multi-drug-resistant-TB patients, ofloxacin prevalence was 11.8%. There was no significant difference in resistance to ofloxacin between new and previously treated TB patients.The study described the occurrence of fluoroquino-lone resistance in both new and previously treated TB patients. There is the need for healthcare workers to be aware of this and take precaution in adding a fluoro-quinolone to patients who have been previously treated with first-line anti TB medications.
Mirtazapine-Induced Shopping Spree

Dear Editor: Many antidepressants, either alone or in combination, can induce mania. Mirtazapine is a new noradrenergic and specific serotinergic antidepressant that has been associated with mania when used to augment fluoxetine (1) and with hypomania when combined with sertraline (2). Bhanji and others have recently proposed a “norepinephrine syndrome” of dysphoric mania that is based on mirtazapine’s mechanism of action and a constellation of symptoms it likely caused when prescribed at high dosages (3). We report the case of a young woman who went on a shopping spree after mirtazapine was added to paroxetine that was unsuccessful in treating her depression.
Addition of Kinesio Taping of the orbicularis oris muscles to speech therapy rapidly improves drooling in children with neurological disorders

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effects of Kinesio Taping (KT) of the orbicularis oris muscles as an adjunct to standard therapy for drooling. Methods: Fifteen children with neurological disorders and drooling received speech therapy and twice-weekly KT of the orbicularis muscles over a 30-day period. Drooling was assessed by six parameters: impact on the life of the child and caregiver; severity of drooling; frequency of drooling; drooling volume (estimated by number of bibs used); salivary leak; and interlabial gap. Seven markers of oral motor skills were also assessed. Results: KT of the orbicularis oris region reduced the interlabial gap. All oral motor skills and almost all markers of drooling improved after 15 days of treatment. Conclusion: In this sample of children with neurological disorders, adding KT of the orbicularis oris muscles to speech therapy caused rapid improvement in oral motor skills and drooling.
Defining the invasive phenotype of proximal gastric cancer cells

Background. Adenocarcinoma of the proximal stomach is now the most rapidly rising cancer among men in the United States. The development of metastases is the major cause of morbidity and mortality for this aggressive disease. The mechanisms by which tumor cells invade the basement membrane are unknown for this disease. We have identified and established 5 invasive and noninvasive adenocarcinoma cell lines arising from the proximal stomach, which can be used to examine the mechanisms involved in tumor cell invasion.
Fluctuations in tumor blood perfusion assessed by dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI

Temporal heterogeneity in blood perfusion is a common phenomenon in tumors, but data characterizing the nature of the blood flow fluctuations are sparse. This study investigated the occurrence of blood flow fluctuations in A‐07 melanoma xenografts by using gadopentetate dimeglumine (Gd‐DTPA)‐based dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI). Each tumor was subjected to two DCE‐MRI acquisitions separated by 1 hour. The data were processed by Kety analysis and resulted in two E · F images (E is the initial extraction fraction of Gd‐DTPA and F is the perfusion) and two λ images (λ is the partition coefficient of Gd‐DTPA) for each tumor. The E · F images were used to determine the changes in blood perfusion arising in the time between the two imaging sequences. The λ images were used to control the reproducibility of the experimental procedure. The study showed that DCE‐MRI with subsequent Kety analysis is a useful method for detection of blood flow fluctuations in A‐07 tumors, and strongly suggested that the peripheral regions of A‐07 tumors are more exposed to temporal changes in blood perfusion than are the central regions. Magn Reson Med 58:473–481, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Descriptive Characteristics of Concussions in National Football League Games, 2010-2011 to 2013-2014

Background: Despite a high reported incidence rate of concussion, little is known about the on-field characteristics of injurious head impacts in National Football League (NFL) games. Purpose: To characterize on-field features (location, player position, and time during game) and biomechanical features (anticipation status, closing distance, impact location and type) associated with concussions in NFL games over a 4-season period (2010-2011 to 2013-2014). Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: We analyzed video of a subset of reported, in-game concussions for the 2010-2011 to 2013-2014 seasons. These videos represented a sample of injuries that were diagnosed and reported on the same day and that could be clearly associated with an in-game collision as captured on video. We determined anticipation status, closing distance, impact location on the injured player’s helmet, and impact type (helmet-to-helmet, helmet-to-body, or helmet-to-ground). Associations between these variables were analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and tests of association. Results: A total of 871 diagnosed concussions were reported as occurring during NFL preseason, regular season, and postseason games for the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014 seasons. A total of 1324 games were played during this period, giving a concussion incidence rate of 0.658 per game (95% CI, 0.61-0.70). From the video-reviewed subset (n = 429; 49.3%), the majority of injurious impacts occurred with good anticipation (57.3%) and <10 yards of closing distance (59.0%). An association was found between anticipation status and play type ( χ 3 2 = 27.398, P < .001), largely because injuries occurring on pass plays were more likely to be poorly anticipated than injuries during run plays (43.0% vs 21.4%; χ 1 2 = 14.78, P < .001). Kick returns had the greatest proportion of well-anticipated impacts (78%) and the greatest proportion of impacts with ≥10 yards of closing distance (80%). The type of impact was approximately equally divided between helmet-to-helmet, helmet-to-body, and helmet-to-ground types. The impact location was broadly distributed over the helmet of the injured player. Conclusion: In-game concussions in the NFL occurred through a diverse variety of mechanisms, surprisingly tended to be well-anticipated, and, also surprisingly, occurred with <10 yards of closing distance. The impacts causing concussion were broadly distributed over the helmet. More concussions occurred during the second half of game play, but we do not have evidence to explain this finding.
[Effect of sprint interval training and resistance exercise on metabolic markers in overweight women].

BACKGROUND Physical activity is associated with an improvement in cardiovascular health, however there is a paucity of information about the effects of sprint interval training on individuals with high metabolic risk. AIM To determine the effects of three exercise programs on anthropometric and metabolic markers in overweight, sedentary and prediabetic women. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty three women were ascribed to four groups matched by body mass index and body fat: high intensity intervals (HIT, n = 12), resistance (R, n = 8), combined group (HIT +R, n = 10) and control group (CG, n = 13). Participants completed 12 weeks of exercise intervention. Body mass index, waist circumference, percentage of fat mass measured by impedanciometry, blood pressure, fasting glucose, insulin and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMAlR) and fitness assessed using the two km walk test were measured at baseline and after the training period. RESULTS No changes in anthropometric and body composition variables were observed. However, in HIT and R groups, significant reductions were observed on fasting glucose (5.4 and 16.6% respectively), insulin (18.6 and 43.4% respectively) and HOMA IR (24.1 and 55.4% respectively), 72 hours after the intervention. No significant changes were found for the observed values in the combined and control groups. CONCLUSIONS HIT and resistance training improve glycemic control and insulin sensitivity in females with a high metabolic risk.
Design of a Near-Infrared Device for the Study of Glucose Concentration Measurements

Maintaining healthy blood glucose concentration levels is advantageous for the prevention of diabetes and obesity. Present day technologies limit such monitoring to patients who already have diabetes. The purpose of this project is to suggest a non-invasive method for measuring blood glucose concentration levels. Such a method would provide useful for even people without illness, addressing preventive care. This project implements near-infrared light of wavelengths 1450nm and 2050nm through the use of light emitting diodes and measures transmittance through solutions of distilled water and d-glucose of concentrations 50mg/dL, 100mg/dL, 150mg/dL, and 200mg/dL by using an InGaAs photodiode. Regression analysis is done. Transmittance results were observed when using near-infrared light of wavelength 1450nm. As glucose concentration increases, output voltage from the photodiode also increases. The relation observed was linear. No significant transmittance results were obtained with the use of 2050nm infrared light due to high absorbance and low power. The use of 1450nm infrared light provides a means of measuring glucose concentration levels.
Primary Pancreatic Lymphoma Presenting as Gastric Fistula: A Case Report

Non Hodgkin lymphoma primarily originating from the pancreas is a rare condition. Usual presentations include abdominal pain, anorexia and weight loss. Rarely, it may present as acute pancreatitis. Differentiating from the adenocarcinoma is difficult due to similar presentation and imaging features. Histopathological diagnosis is essential considering the impact on the management and prognostication. Presentation as fistulous communication with stomach or colon has not been reported in the literature. Here, we report a 73-year-male with primary pancreatic lymphoma presenting with gastric fistula.
Cross-Canada EMR Case Studies: Analysis of Physicians' Perspectives on Benefits and Barriers

Objective: Our objective was to provide physicians with practical information on best practices and lessons learned with regards to implementation and use of electronic medical record (EMR) systems in ambulatory clinical practice settings. Methodology: A cross-Canada EMR study—the first of its kind—used case study methodology to investigate how EMRs were implemented and used in primary care. Knowledge transfer methods included print and web publications by the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) and a workshop. Results: The 20 case studies informed us in detail of the critical success factors for implementation. These were validated and augmented through a workshop. Conclusions: Electronic medical record (EMR) uptake in Canada and the US significantly lags behind other countries. Hence, there is a need to spread the good news about the actual benefits of EMRs to patients, physicians and the health care system and to mitigate barriers to EMR adoption and use.
A micromachined wide-bandwidth magnetic field sensor based on all-PMMA electron tunneling transducer

All-PMMA-based tunneling magnetic sensors were fabricated by hot embossing replication with silicon templates. The silicon templates had smooth surfaces, positive profiles, and pyramid-like pits with a high aspect ratio. With this fast (20 min), simple (one-step), and repeatable method, the all-PMMA tunneling sensor platform yielded sharp tunneling tips with 75 /spl mu/m in baseline and 50 /spl mu/m in depth. The sensors were assembled and fixed with measurement circuits, after their electrodes were patterned with modified photolithography and Co film was deposited with e-beam evaporation. A natural frequency response of 1.3 kHz was observed, and a tunneling barrier height of 0.713 eV was tested. Due to the quadratic relation between magnetic force and the field, the sensor field response (7.0/spl times/10/sup 6/ V/T/sup 2/) was also quadratic. The noise voltage at 1 kHz is 0.2 mV, corresponding to a magnet field of 0.46/spl times/10/sup -6/ T. The bandwidth of this sensor is 18 kHz. This new type of sensor platform is promising for the next generation of microsensing applications.
Profiles of maternally expressed genes in fertilized eggs of Ciona intestinalis.

A set of 1,378 expressed sequence tags (ESTs), both the 5'-most and 3'-most ends, derived from Ciona intestinalis fertilized eggs was categorized into 1,003 independent clusters. When compared with sequences in databases, 452 of the clusters showed significant matches with reported proteins, while 190 showed matches with putative proteins for which there is not enough information to categorize their function, and 361 had no significant similarities to known proteins. Sequence similarity analyses of the 452 clusters in relation to the biological function as well as the structure of the message population at this stage demonstrated that 362 of them have functions that many kinds of cells use, 65 are associated with cell-cell communication, including a candidate cDNA for sonic hedgehog, and 25 are transcription factors. Sequence prevalence distribution analysis demonstrated that the great majority (78%) of the mRNAs are rare mRNAs or are represented by a single clone/cluster. All of the 1,003 clusters were subjected to whole-mount in situ hybridization to analyze the distribution of the maternal mRNAs in fertilized eggs, and a total of 329 genes showed localized distribution of the mRNAs: 16 showed cortical localization, 12 showed mitochondrial-like distribution, 99 crescent-like distribution, 63 partial localization, and 139 weak localization. When the distribution pattern of all the maternally expressed mRNAs was examined in the 8-cell stage embryos, it became evident that 248 genes which have localized mRNA patterns at the fertilized egg stage lose their localized distribution by the 8-cell stage. In contrast, 13 genes newly gain a localized pattern by the 8-cell stage. In addition, a total of 39 genes showed distinct in situ signals in the nucleus of blastomeres of the 8-cell stage embryo, suggesting early zygotic expression of these genes by this stage. These results suggest that complicated cytoplasmic movements are associated with the characteristic distribution of maternal mRNAs, which in turn support proper embryonic axis formation and establishment of the genetic network for embryonic cell specification.
Selective distribution of the NMDA‐R1 glutamate receptor in astrocytes and presynaptic axon terminals in the nucleus locus coeruleus of the rat brain: An immunoelectron microscopic study

The regional and cellular distribution of the different classes of excitatory amino acid receptors with respect to the noradrenergic neurons of the nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) are unknown. We therefore combined immunoperoxidase labeling for the R1 subunit of the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor with immunogold‐silver localization of the catecholamine synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), in single sections through the rat LC to determine the subcellular localization of this glutamate receptor subtype with respect to the noradrenergic neurons. At the light microscopic level, there was light to moderate labeling for the NMDA‐R1‐like (li) receptor in the caudal pole of the LC and dense labeling in the dorsolateral aspect of the LC adjacent to the superior cerebellar peduncle. In the rostral pole of the LC which is enriched with noradrenergic dendrites, significant overlap between both immunoreactivities could be observed. At the ultrastructural level, immunoperoxidase labeling for NMDA‐R1 was selectively distributed in astrocytic processes and within presynaptic axon terminals but was rarely seen in catecholamine‐containing somata or dendrites. Peroxidase labeling for NMDA‐R1, however, was occasionally observed in dendrites in the rostral pole of the LC. Most of these dendrites lacked detectable levels of TH, although TH immunoreactivity was apparent in the neuropil. Dendrites containing NMDA‐R1‐li immunoreactivity often received asymmetric (excitatory‐type) contacts from unlabeled terminals. NMDA‐R1‐li‐immunoreactive axon terminals usually contained small clear, as well as large dense‐core vesicles and were often apposed to unlabeled dendrites, axon terminals and/or glial processes. These results provide the first ultrastructural evidence that NMDA‐R1‐li immunoreactivity is selectively distributed within astrocytic processes and presynaptic axon terminals within the LC. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The role of the substantia nigra in posture control

Disorders implicating the basal ganglia are often characterized by postural deficits, but little is known about the role of the basal ganglia in posture control. Using wireless multi‐electrode recording, we measured single unit activity from GABAergic and dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra as unrestrained mice stood on an elevated platform while introducing continuous postural disturbances in the roll plane. We found two major types of neurons – those activated by tilt to the left side of the body and suppressed by tilt to the right side, and others activated by tilt to the right side and suppressed by tilt to the left side. Contrary to the prevailing view that the basal ganglia output from the substantia nigra pars reticulata either inhibits or disinhibits downstream structures in an all or none fashion, we showed that it continuously sends anti‐phase signals to their downstream targets. We also demonstrated for the first time that nigrostriatal dopaminergic transmission is modulated by postural disturbances.