Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors at diagnosis predict subsequent occurrence of seizures in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective: To determine the factors associated with seizures in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: One hundred ninety-five patients with SLE were followed at the University of Maryland Lupus Clinics from January 1992 until June 2004. Neuropsychiatric (NP) manifestations were defined according to the American College of Rheumatology nomenclature and case definitions for NP-SLE syndromes, and seizures were defined using the International Classification of Epileptic Seizures. At the end of the study period, 28 of the 195 (14%) patients with SLE had seizures (21 generalized convulsive, 7 partial) during their course of disease. Recurrent seizures or epilepsy occurred in 12 of 28 patients (43%). The baseline features of those patients with seizures and those without them were compared to determine their contribution to the occurrence of isolated seizures and epilepsy. Results: Isolated seizures in SLE are common; epilepsy is less frequent but nonetheless important. Certain clinical features at baseline were independent predictors of seizures including disease activity, in particular psychosis, moderate- to high-titer serum anti-cardiolipin and anti-Smith antibodies, and damage accrual. Higher disease activity at baseline, concurrent multiple NP-SLE manifestations, prior strokes, and male gender were predictive of epilepsy. Conclusion: The risk of seizure and epilepsy in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is increased in those patients with higher disease activity at baseline, prior neuropsychiatric SLE disease, and anti-cardiolipin and anti-Smith antibodies.
The Importance of Conservative Measures in Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Update

prevalence of PAD increases with age: 7.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6%-8.4%), 12.5% (95% CI, 10.4%-14.6%), and 23.2% (95% CI, 19.8%26.7%) for those who were aged 60-69, 70-79, and >80 years, respectively. 5 Out of these, around two
The use of biomonitoring equivalents for interpreting blood concentrations in population studies: a case for polychlorinated biphenyls

A number of exposure guideline values for environmental contaminants are established by various agencies for risk assessment purposes. Biomonitoring equivalents are conversions of external guideline values to internal doses, against which biomonitoring data can be directly compared. Several biomonitoring equivalents have been developed for the interpretation of blood concentrations of environmental contaminants, but none has yet been developed for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). In this paper, we describe information needed to develop biomonitoring equivalents for PCBs and discuss anticipated challenges. We provide a broad overview of PCB absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, PCB guideline values, and PCB pharmacokinetic modeling efforts in animals and humans. We also provide strategies to address anticipated challenges in deriving biomonitoring equivalents for this complex contaminant. Biomonitoring equivalents will be useful for the interpretation of the PCB biomonitoring data that is currently available for populations around the globe through national surveys and research of specific populations.
Differences in the Intensity and Duration of Adolescents' Sports and Exercise Across Physical and Social Environments

We used data from the American Time Use Survey (years 2003–06) to analyze whether the intensity and duration of high school students' (ages 15–18 years) sports and exercise bouts differed across physical and social environments. Boys' sports and exercise bouts were more likely to reach a vigorous intensity when taking place at school and with friends/acquaintances/other people; whereas girls' sports and exercise bouts were more likely to reach a vigorous intensity when outdoors and alone. For boys and girls, bout durations were greater at school and with friends/acquaintances/other people than in other environments. Overall, environmental influences on the intensity but not duration of sports and exercise bouts appear to differ between boys and girls.
Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is common among patients' first‐degree relatives

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy has been shown to have a genetic predisposition. We studied whether Finnish women who had suffered from the disorder reported their first‐degree relatives to have had liver dysfunction during their pregnancies. Questionnaires were sent in autumn 2010 to a total of 544 former intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy patients and 1235 controls, all having delivered during 1969–1988. The response rate was 66.2%. The incidence of intrahepatic cholestasis is 0.5–1.5% of pregnancies in Finland. In our survey, altogether 12.8% of mothers (odds ratio 9.2), 15.9% of sisters (odds ratio 5.3) and 10.3% of daughters (odds ratio 4.8) of women who had suffered from intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy had had liver dysfunction during pregnancy. Our findings strengthen the earlier knowledge of the genetic component in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. We suggest that all pregnant women are asked about their family history regarding liver dysfunction during pregnancy.
Clinical relevance of intraoperative embolization detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography during carotid endarterectomy: A prospective study of 100 patients

A study was performed to investigate the clinical significance of microembolization detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography (TCD) by determining the quantity and character of emboli and correlating these with neurological and psychometric outcome, fundoscopy, automated visual field testing and computed tomographic brain scans in 100 consecutive patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Embolization was detected in 92 per cent of successfully monitored operations. Most emboli were characteristic of air and not associated with adverse clinical outcome. However, more than ten particulate emboli during initial carotid dissection correlated with a significant deterioration in postoperative cognitive function. A relationship between persistent particulate embolization in the immediate postoperative period, and both incipient carotid artery thrombosis and the development of major neurological deficits was observed. Immediate intervention, based on TCD evidence of embolization, has the potential to avert neurological deficits resulting from particulate embolization.
Models Development for Core and Shell Type Reactors for Electromagnetic Transients Studies

To study the reactors performance against switching or lightning surges, are needed developments of detail models. The reactors is a complex arrangement of coils around a magnetic core with reduced spaces among the coils by their constructions form, that does the reactors have a significant capacitances and inductances. In this paper, is presented the equations to derive the inductance, capacitance and resistance from the physical windings dimensions for core or shell type reactors developed by the application of some electromagnetic laws to obtain the equipments models. The paper includes the comparison between the admittances as frequency function, calculated with the reactors models and alternative transients program (ATP) simulations. The results obtained, gave a similar behavior for the reactors admittances, ratifying the equations versatility to derive the windings parameters of these equipments
New strategies for ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation ablation

Patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) and no reversible cause are difficult to treat. While implantable defibrillators prolong survival, many patients remain symptomatic due to device shocks and syncope. To address this, there have been recent advances in the catheter ablation of VT and VF. For example, non-invasive imaging has improved arrhythmia substrate characterisation, 3D catheter navigation tools have facilitated mapping of arrhythmia and substrate and ablation catheters have advanced in their ability to deliver effective lesions. However, the long-term success rates of ablation for VT and VF remain modest, with nearly half of treated patients developing recurrence within 2–3 years, and this drives the ongoing innovation in the field. This review focuses on the challenges particular to ablation of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia, and the strategies that have been recently developed to improve procedural efficacy. Patient sub-groups that illustrate the use of new strategies are described.
Applying Principal Components Analysis to Event-Related Potentials: A Tutorial

Principal components analysis (PCA) has attracted increasing interest as a tool for facilitating analysis of high-density event-related potential (ERP) data. While every researcher is exposed to this statistical procedure in graduate school, its complexities are rarely covered in depth and hence researchers are often not conversant with its subtleties. Furthermore, application to ERP datasets involves unique aspects that would not be covered in a general statistics course. This tutorial seeks to provide guidance on the decisions involved in applying PCA to ERPs and their consequences, using the ERP PCA Toolkit to illustrate the analysis process on a novelty oddball dataset.
Glycemic Control During Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion Versus Multiple Daily Insulin Injections in Type 2 Diabetes: Individual Patient Data Meta-analysis and Meta-regression of Randomized Controlled Trials

OBJECTIVE To compare glycemic control during continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) and multiple daily insulin injections (MDI) in people with type 2 diabetes to identify patient characteristics that determine those best treated by CSII. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Randomized controlled trials were selected comparing HbA1c during CSII versus MDI in people with type 2 diabetes. Data sources included Cochrane database and Ovid Medline. We explored patient-level determinants of final HbA1c level and insulin dose using Bayesian meta-regression models of individual patient data and summary effects using two-step meta-analysis. Hypoglycemia data were unavailable. RESULTS Five trials were identified, with 287 patients randomized to receive MDI and 303 to receive CSII. Baseline HbA1c was the best determinant of final HbA1c: HbA1c difference (%) = 1.575 − (0.216 [95% credible interval 0.371–0.043] × baseline HbA1c) for all trials, but with largest effect in the trial with prerandomization optimization of control. Baseline insulin dose was best predictor of final insulin dose: insulin dose difference (units/kg) = 0.1245 − (0.382 [0.510–0.254] × baseline insulin dose). Overall HbA1c difference was −0.40% (−0.86 to 0.05 [−4.4 mmol/mol (−9.4 to 0.6)]). Overall insulin dose was reduced by −0.25 units/kg (−0.31 to −0.19) (26% reduction on CSII), and by −24.0 units/day (−30.6 to −17.5). Mean weight did not differ between treatments (0.08 kg [−0.33 to 0.48]). CONCLUSIONS CSII achieves better glycemic control than MDI in people with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, with ∼26% reduction in insulin requirements and no weight change. The best effect is in those worst controlled and with the highest insulin dose at baseline.
Galactosemia caused by a point mutation that activates cryptic donor splice site in the galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase gene.

Galactosemia affects 1/84,000 in Sweden and is manifested in infancy when the child is exposed to galactose in the diet. If untreated there is a risk of severe early symptoms and, even with a lactose-free diet, late symptoms such as mental retardation and ovarial dysfunction may develop. In classical galactosemia, galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT) (EC 2.7.7.12) is defective and the normal cDNA sequence of this enzyme has been characterized. Recently eight mutations leading to galactosemia were published. Heparinized venous blood was drawn from a patient with classical galactosemia. In the cDNA from the patient examined, an insertion of 54 bp was found at position 1087. Amplification of the relevant genomic region of the patient's DNA was performed. Exon-intron boundaries and intronic sequences thus determined revealed that the 54-bp insertion was located immediately downstream of exon 10. It was further found that the patient was heterozygous for a point mutation, changing a C to a T (in 5 of 9 clones) at the second base in the intron downstream of the insertion. This alteration creates a sequence which, as well as the ordinary splice site, differs in only two positions from the consensus sequence. It was found that the mutation occurred inmore » only one of the 20 alleles from galactosemic patients and in none of the 200 alleles from normal controls. The mutation is inherited from the mother, who also was found to express the 54-bp-long insertion at the mRNA level. Sequences from the 5[prime] end of the coding region were determined after genomic amplification, revealing a sequence identical to that reported. The mutation on the paternal allele has not been identified. 9 refs., 1 fig.« less
Assessment of self-regulatory code violations in Brazilian television beer advertisements.

OBJECTIVE Research suggests that alcoholic beverage advertisements may have an adverse effect on teenagers and young adults, owing to their vulnerability to suggestive message content. This study was designed to evaluate perceived violations of the content guidelines of the Brazilian alcohol marketing self-regulation code, based on ratings of the five most popular beer advertisements broadcast on television in the summer of 2005-2006 and during the 2006 FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) World Cup games. METHOD Five beer advertisements were selected from a previous study showing that they were perceived to be highly appealing to a sample of Brazilian teenagers. These advertisements were evaluated by a sample of Brazilian high school students using a rating procedure designed to measure the content of alcohol advertisements covered in industry self-regulation codes. RESULTS All five advertisements were found to violate multiple guidelines of the Brazilian code of marketing self-regulation. The advertisement with the greatest number of violations was Antarctica's "Male Repellent," which was perceived to violate 11 of the 16 guidelines in the code. Two advertisements had nine violations, and one had eight. The guidelines most likely to be violated by these advertisements were Guideline 1, which is aimed at protecting children and teenagers, and Guideline 2, which prohibits content encouraging excessive and irresponsible alcoholic beverage consumption. CONCLUSIONS The five beer advertisements rated as most appealing to Brazilian teenagers were perceived by a sample of the same population to have violated numerous principles of the Brazilian self-regulation code governing the marketing of alcoholic beverages. Because of these numerous perceived code violations, it now seems important for regulatory authorities to submit industry marketing content to more systematic evaluation by young people and public health experts and for researchers to focus more on the ways in which alcohol advertising influences early onset of drinking and excessive alcohol consumption.
Pelvi-caliceal collecting system in swine--authors own anatomical classification.

BACKGROUND Experiments on humans and their organs produce legal, moral and ethical dilemmas. Nowadays, the use of domestic swine as an experimental animal is increasing steadily. Thus it is important to know the structure and characteristics of swine organs. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to investigate the shape, dimensions and volume of the renal collecting system in swine, based on authors own outline of division of this anatomical structure, as well as comparing some features of the pelvi-caliceal collecting system for swine and man. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was carried out on 36 kidneys of adult swine (Sus scrofa domestica) of both sexes. The authors generated the corrosion specimens by applying Plastogen G. The authors took the density of the stained and hardened mass into consideration and weighed the corrosion casts. Then the authors could estimate the volume of the pelvi-caliceal collecting system by applying the formula which states that volume is a quotient of weight and density. RESULTS The mean dimensions of the pelvi-caliceal collecting system in swine are: length--69.2 mm, width--23.5 mm, thickness--15.8 mm; the volume of this system is on average 7.0 cm3. The renal collecting system originates from the minor calices which are in the shape of flattened cones. Their mean dimensions are: diameter--9.3 mm, height--3 mm. The major calices, taking the form ofa cylindrical body, emerge from the minor calices. The mean dimensions of the primary major calices inserted in the renal pelvis are: length--. 0 mm, diameter--6 mm; the primary calices which come into secondary ones: length--7 mm, diameter--3 mm; the secondary major calices: length--. 3 mm, diameter--0 mm. The renal pelvis is the last part of the pelvi-caliceal collecting system and takes the form of a distorted triangle. Its mean dimensions are: width--. 1 mm, height--. 7 mm. CONCLUSIONS The pelvi-caliceal collecting system in swine is a massive structure of high volume, with a well-developed structure of the renal calices and swollen renal pelvis. The studied structure is more massive and its volume is about three times larger than that in man. Despite some disadvantages, perhaps in the future a swine kidney will be transplanted into a man, but nowadays due to lack of dissection material it may be used as a teaching model or in experimental research.
Chronic mitral valve disease in cavalier King Charles spaniels: 95 cases (1987-1991)

Systolic heart murmurs caused by chronic mitral valve disease are particularly common in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) in Great Britain. To determine if American-bred CKCS have a similar high prevalence of chronic valve disease, results of stethoscopic examinations on 394 CKCS were analyzed. Left apical systolic heart murmurs were found in 22% of the dogs. The prevalence ranged from 9% in dogs < 1 year old to 100% in those > or = 10 years old; prevalence was 56% in dogs > or = 4 years old. Differences were not found in prevalence between sexes and among various coat colors. Reexamination of 79 dogs after 1 year revealed an incidence of new murmurs of 21%. Comparison of ages at initial examination in 128 referral hospital cases with chronic mitral valve disease revealed a mean age of 6.25 years in 17 CKCS, in contrast to a mean age of 12 years in other breeds. Echocardiographic and necropsy findings indicated that ruptured chordae tendineae and mitral valve prolapse are major components in the chronic valve disease process in CKCS.
Pharmacokinetics of Human Growth Hormone Administered Subcutaneously with two Different Injection Systems

Summary The bioavailability of recombinant human growth hormone (somatropin, CAS 12629-01-5) was compared between a transcutaneous jet injection device and subcutaneous cannula injection. Thirteen healthy male subjects received 8.64 IU somatropin once with jet and once with cannula injection in a randomized cross-over study. Baseline-corrected somatropin serum concentrations were evaluated with non-compartmental and compartmental methods. The 90 % confidence intervals with two one-sided t-tests around the ratios of injection devices were 91–120 % for maximum concentration, 94–110 % for area-under-curve until 14 h, and 92–103 % for area-under-curve to infinity. Somatropin has a known metabolic half-life of ca. 20–30 min while the observed terminal half-lives were 2–4 h. Absorption and elimination rate constants were similar. Times of maximum concentrations, terminal half-lives and lag times to start of absorption appeared to be shorter and the absorption rate constant appeared to be larger for jet than for cannula injection. In conclusion, the kinetics of somatropin from subcutaneous tissue had a “flip-flop” characteristic. Bioavailability of somatropin after jet injection was equivalent to cannula injection.
PERBEDAAN KUALITAS TIDUR DAN KUALITAS MIMPI ANTARA MAHASISWA LAKI-LAKI DAN MAHASISWA PEREMPUAN

Abstrak Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan kualitas tidur dan kualitas mimpi antara mahasiswa pria dan mahasiswa wanita. Hipotesis yang diajukan adalah (a) ada perbedaan kualitas tidur antara mahasiswa laki-laki dan mahasiswa perempuan,mahasiswa wanita memiliki kualitas tidur yang lebih tinggi dibanding mahasiswa laki-laki, dan (b) ada perbedaan kualitas mimpi antara mahasiswa laki-laki dan mahasiswa perempuan, mahasiswa wanita memiliki kualitas mimpi yang lebih tinggi dibanding mahasiswa laki-laki. Alat ukur yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah Skala Kualitas Tidur dan Skala Kualitas Mimpi. Alat ukur Skala Kualitas Tidur dan Skala Kualitas Mimpi dirumuskan berdasarkan teori kualitas tidur yang disusun oleh penulis. Subjek penelitian ini adalah 319 mahasiswa Universitas Islam Indonesia Yogyakarta, yang berasal dari delapan fakultas (psikologi, kedokteran, matematika dan ilmu pengetahuan, teknologi industri, teksnik sipil dan perencanaan, ilmu agama islam, hukum, dan ekonomi). Hasil penelitian menunjukkan (a) ada perbedaan kualitas tidur antara mahasiswa pria dan wanita; mahasiswa wanita memiliki kualitas tidur yang lebih tinggi dibanding mahasiswa laki-laki, dan (b) tidak ada perbedaan kualitas mimpi antara mahasiswa pria dan wanita. Kata kunci: kualitas tidur, kualitas mimpi, jenis kelamin
Aerobic and anaerobic microbiology of biliary tract disease

A retrospective analysis of the experiences of two military hospitals over 4 years in the recovery of organisms from biliary tract specimens was done. Bacterial growth was obtained in 123 bile specimens. Aerobic and facultative bacteria only were present in 59 specimens (48%), aerobic bacteria only were present in 4 specimens (3%), and mixed anaerobic and aerobic or facultative bacteria were present in 60 specimens (49%). Of 286 isolates recovered, 216 were aerobic or facultative (1.8 per specimen) and 70 were anaerobic (0.6 per specimen). The predominant bacteria were Escherichia coli (71 isolates), group D streptococci (42 isolates), Klebsiella sp. (29 isolates), Clostridium sp. (27 isolates), Bacteroides sp. (28 isolates), and Enterobacter sp. (16 isolates). Polymicrobial infections were present in 108 instances (88%). A higher recovery rate of anaerobes was present in patients with chronic infections than in those with acute infections and did not correlate with the presence of gallstones or use of antimicrobial prophylaxis.
Escherichia coli invasion of brain microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo: molecular cloning and characterization of invasion gene ibe10

Most cases of neonatal Escherichia coli meningitis develop as a result of hematogenous spread, but it is not clear how circulating E. coli crosses the blood-brain barrier. In an attempt to identify E. coli structures contributing to invasion into the central nervous system (CNS), TnphoA mutagenesis was performed with an invasive CSF isolate of E. coli K1 strain RS218 (O18:K1:H7), and TnphoA mutants were examined for their noninvasive capability in brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC). The noninvasive mutants exhibited the invasive ability of < 1% of the parent strain. One of the noninvasive mutants (10A-23) with a single TnphoA insertion and no changes in phenotypic characteristics was found to be significantly less invasive into the CNS in the newborn rat model of hematogenous E. coli meningitis. The TnphoA inserts with flanking sequences were cloned and sequenced. A novel open reading frame (8.2 kDa) was identified. Open reading frame analysis indicated that the 8.2-kDa protein (Ibe10) contained multiple transmembrane domains. ibe10 was cloned into an expression vector, pQE30, and the purified Ibe10 was shown to inhibit invasion of BMEC by strain RS218. These findings indicate that ibe10 is one of the E. coli genes involved in the invasion of BMEC in vitro and in vivo.