Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are There Any Specific EEG Findings in Autoimmune Epilepsies?

This study evaluated the EEG findings of patients whose seizures were associated with a possible autoimmune etiology. Our aim was to find clues to distinguish patients with antineuronal antibodies (Ab) through EEG studies. We reviewed our database and identified antineuronal Ab positive epilepsy patients with or without autoimmune encephalitis. These patients had Abs to N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) (n = 5), glycine receptor (GLY-R) (n = 5), contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR-2) (n = 4), uncharacterized voltage-gated potassium channel complex (VGKC) antigens (n = 2), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) (n = 2), Hu (n = 1), and amphiphysin (n = 1). The control group consisted of 21 seronegative epilepsy or encephalopathy patients with similar clinical features. EEG findings were compared between the groups in a blindfolded design. We did not find any significant difference in EEG findings between antineuronal Ab positive epilepsy patients and seronegative control group. It was remarkable that four seropositive but none of the seronegative patients presented with nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) or focal motor status epilepticus. Continuous theta and delta rhythms were observed in 5 (71%) seropositive patients with autoimmune encephalitis and 2 (25%) seronegative patients. Eight (40 %) seropositive patients showed a frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity (FIRDA) pattern as opposed to 5 (24%) seronegative patients. Two patients with NMDAR Ab positivity showed rhythmic delta waves superimposed with beta frequency activity resembling “delta brush” pattern. EEG seems as a limited diagnostic tool in differentiating epilepsy and/or encephalopathy patients with a possible autoimmune etiology from those without. However, antineuronal Abs associated with encephalitis should be considered in the etiology of status epilepticus forms. A possible autoimmune etiology for seizures may be considered in the presence of continuous slow waves, FIRDA, and delta brush pattern in the EEG.
An appreciative inquiry approach to RN retention.

W orking here is a joy-sucking horror. ” A nursing employee used that phrase in the letter of resignation she handed to me, her nurse manager. This employee was obviously very dissatisfied with her work environment. At the same time, however, there were a large number of competent and caring staff members that came to work in that same environment every day with cheerful and purposeful behavior. Obviously, the expectations of each employee are different. The basis of professional practice as a nurse leader is the provision of quality care to the patients for whom you’re responsible. The availability of competent and caring nurses at the bedside is critical. But how do you retain these nurses? Recruitment of RNs is a challenge facing nurse leaders in acute-care facilities as they attempt to provide adequate staff for the provision of quality care. The retention of the highest caliber of nurse is even more crucial and less nebulous than continual recruitment. The focus on retention provides for continuity of care, reduction in expenses for candidate selection and orientation, and a more stable work environment. There’s documented evidence that points to an integrated relationship among positive work environment, engagement and retention of staff, and the quality of patient care rendered. A study conducted by The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses determined that the work environment is the most critical aspect of recruitment and retention of nurses and the safety of patients.1 The topic of nurse retention is rampant in the literature, hospital executive suites and board rooms, and nursing staff lounges throughout the country. Much effort has been expended throughout healthcare organizations related to this issue. However, most of the activity has focused on what should be done differently in the organization to reduce turnover. At a local 200-bed acute-care facility, I chose to take a more positive-minded approach by using an appreciative inquiry (AI) approach as a way to implement organizational change. The method of AI focuses on what’s right and working about an issue rather than on the assumption of deficiency.2,3 AI is a unique process that offers staff members an opportunity to reflect on the existing strengths within the organization, leads them to discover what’s important, and builds a collective vision of the preferred future. The four stages of AI are outlined in Table 1. Using AI as the framework for discovery and subsequent action plans presents an alternative to the usual group discussions that result in a list of nurse dissatisfiers and “ain’t it awfuls. ” These lists describe conditions that create turnover, but not what motivates longevity.
An Amino‐Terminal Amino Acid Affects the Electrophoretic Mobility of the HIV‐1 Nef Protein

The nef protein of the BH8 clone derived from the IIIB isolate of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) has a molecular weight of 27,000, whereas that produced by a clone of the BRU strain of HIV-1 appears to have a molecular weight of 24,800. To determine the basis for this difference in molecular weight, a series of recombinant nef genes were made in which segments of the BH8 and BRU nef coding sequences were exchanged. The region of amino acids 35–74 caused mobility shift. In this region, the BH8 and BRU proteins differ by a single amino acid at position 54. Residue 54 of BH8 nef is an aspartic acid, whereas that of BRU is alanine. Reciprocal changes in the sequences of BH8 and BRU nef were made by site-directed mutagenesis. The results show that substitution of aspartic acid at residue 54 of BH8 to alanine results in a protein that has a molecular weight of 25,000, and substitution of the alanine at position 54 of BRU to aspartic acid results in synthesis of a 27-kDa protein. These results show that a change in amino acid 54 of the HIV-1 nef protein dramatically affects the electrophoretic mobility of the protein. Nef proteins that contain an aspartic acid at residue 54 migrate as 27-kDa proteins, whereas those that contain alanine at residue 54 migrate as 25-kDa proteins.
Patients with sickle cell anemia on simple chronic transfusion protocol show sex differences for hemodynamic and hematologic responses to transfusion

Chronic transfusion therapy (CTT) is a mainstay for stroke prophylaxis in sickle cell anemia, but its effects on hemodynamics are poorly characterized. Transfusion improves oxygen‐carrying capacity, reducing demands for high cardiac output, while decreasing hemoglobin (Hb)S%, reticulocyte count, and hemolysis. We hypothesized that transfusion would improve oxygen‐carrying capacity, but that would be counteracted by a decrease in cardiac output due to increased hematocrit (Hct) and vascular resistance, leaving oxygen delivery unchanged.
Fentanyl Prolongs Lidocaine Spinal Anesthesia Without Prolonging Recovery

Lidocaine spinal anesthesia is a popular anesthetic for short procedures due to its brief duration.The addition of fentanyl may improve the quality and duration of lidocaine spinal anesthesia. Eight volunteers received plain lidocaine 5% in dextrose (50 mg) both with and without 20 micro gram of fentanyl in a randomized, double-blind, cross-over fashion. Sensory analgesia was assessed with pinprick, cold, touch, transcutaneous electrical stimulation equivalent to surgical incision, and duration of tolerance of pneumatic thigh tourniquet. Motor block was assessed with isometric force dynamometry. Regression of pinprick, touch, and cold was prolonged with fentanyl. Duration of tolerance of electrical stimulation at the umbilicus, hip, knee, and ankle was increased with fentanyl (181% increase from plain lidocaine on average; P < 0.01). Duration of tolerance of tourniquet-induced pain was increased by an average of 48% with addition of fentanyl (P = 0.02). Neither motor block nor time to void was prolonged with fentanyl. Pruritus occurred in all subjects receiving fentanyl but was treated easily and were well tolerated. We recommend the addition of 20 micro gram of fentanyl to lidocaine spinal anesthesia as a means to improve duration of sensory anesthesia without prolonging recovery of motor function or time to micturition. (Anesth Analg 1995;80:730-4)
Development and Validation of a New Behavioral-Cognitive-Metacognitive Model for Explanation of SPD

The purpose of the present study is to provide an overview of the disorder and develop a new behavioral-cognitive-metacognitive model to explain it. The present study is a descriptive-correlational research which uses the structural equation model. In this study, at first, a comprehensive and detailed explanation of skin picking disorder is presented. Then the conceptual model is presented and finally, the model which is developed by using structural equation model is tested by Amos Graphics. The results of the structural equation model showed that the developed model in this study is able to explain skin picking disorder. Also the results of the overall fit indices for structural equation modeling show that the developed model has good fit to the sample data and is closely associated with the theoretical assumptions. Since the model presented in this study is multi-dimensional and takes into consideration all of the three behavioral, cognitive, metacognitive dimensions and these three dimensions are considered interdependent and not dependent and contradictory, it is considered as a new explanatory model. The model may prompt future researches into skin picking disorder and facilitate clinical treatments and case formulations associated with this disorder.
A Study of Dielectric Relaxation and Capacitance Matching of ${\rm Al}_{2}{\rm O}_{3}/{\rm HfO}_{2}/{\rm Al}_{2}{\rm O}_{3}$ MIM Capacitors

Key analog characteristics such as dielectric relaxation and capacitance matching for Al2O3/HfO2/Al2O3 (AHA) metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors were analyzed for high-performance analog circuit applications. Although the dc characteristics of AHA MIM capacitor were acceptable for analog operation, the variation of the quadratic voltage coefficient (α) under constant voltage stress (CVS) and the dielectric relaxation remained problematic. The dependence of α for AHA MIM capacitor decreased gradually under CVS and the dielectric relaxation of AHA MIM capacitor was greater than that of conventional MIM capacitor, which was due to the effect of preexisted traps in high- k dielectric. The extracted matching coefficient of AHA MIM capacitor was, however, 0.698% μm, which was low enough to be used for analog/mixed signal/radio frequency application.
Information Systems and Environmentally Sustainable Development: Energy Informatics and New Directions for the IS Community

While many corporations and Information Systems units recognize that environmental sustainability is an urgent problem to address, the IS academic community has been slow to acknowledge the problem and take action. We propose ways for the IS community to engage in the development of environmentally sustainable business practices. Specifically, as IS researchers, educators, journal editors, and association leaders, we need to demonstrate how the transformative power of IS can be leveraged to create an ecologically sustainable society. In this Issues and Opinions piece, we advocate a research agenda to establish a new subfield of energy informatics, which applies information systems thinking and skills to increase energy efficiency. We also articulate how IS scholars can incorporate environmental sustainability as an underlying foundation in their teaching, and how IS leaders can embrace environmental sustainability in their core principles and foster changes that reduce the environmental impact of our community.
Effect of mechanical ventilation on carotid artery thrombosis induced by photochemical injury in mice

Summary. Background: Increasing use of transgenic and gene targeting techniques for the investigation of hemostasis and vascular biology has generated interest in experimental models of carotid artery thrombosis in mice. Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that hypoventilation in anesthetized mice may cause hypercapnia, increased carotid artery blood flow, and altered thrombotic responses to photochemical injury of the carotid artery. Methods: Arterial blood gases and carotid artery blood flow were measured in pentobarbital‐anesthetized BALB/c or C57BL/6 J mice with and without mechanical ventilation. Photochemical injury of the carotid artery was induced using the rose bengal method. Results: Compared with ventilated mice, unventilated mice had a 45% increase in carotid artery blood flow (0.74 ± 0.04 vs. 0.41 ± 0.03 mL min−1; P < 0.001) that was associated with an elevation of arterial PCO2 (58 ± 4 vs. 33 ± 4 mmHg; P < 0.05) and a decrease in arterial pH (7.18 ± 0.05 vs. 7.32 ± 0.03; P < 0.05). Time to first occlusion of the carotid artery after photochemical injury was shorter in ventilated than in unventilated mice (29 ± 6 vs. 73 ± 9 min; P < 0.001). Time to stable occlusion was also shorter in ventilated mice (49 ± 8 vs. 81 ± 6 min; P < 0.05). Elevated carotid artery blood flow, hypercarbic acidosis, and prolonged occlusion times also were observed in mice ventilated with supplemental carbon dioxide. Conclusions: General anesthesia without mechanical ventilation has the potential to confound studies of experimental thrombosis in vivo by producing hypoventilation, hypercapnia, acidosis, and altered carotid artery blood flow. Mechanical ventilation with maintenance of normal blood gases may enhance the physiological insight gained from experimental models of carotid artery thrombosis in mice.
Breast Cancer and Mammography: Current Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Female Health Workers in a Tertiary Health Institution in Northern Nigeria

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of cancer related deaths among women world wide, accounting for 31% of cancers among wo men and 19% of deaths among wo men are due to cancer. Early detection of breast cancer and early presentation for management has been shown to reduce mortality rates. This descriptive cross-sectional study involving 100 female health workers made up of 30 doctors and 70 nurses was carried out at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching hospital, So koto . The study is aimed at assessing the knowledge of female health workers about breast cancer and their attitude and practice o f mammography. A total of 67% of the study subjects had adequate knowledge of breast cancer and its risk factors with 80% of the female doctors having better knowledge co mpared to the nurses. Majority, (84%) of the respondents were aware of mammog raphy as a way of detecting early cancer o f the breast and only 9% of them had undergone the procedure in the last one year. The commonest reason for not undergoing the procedure was that they were not aware of the procedure being carried out in the study centre. The low mammographic screening rate recorded in the study portrays a bad omen for the fight against cancer of the breast and this reinforces the need for educational intervention to increase the awareness and uptake of mammog raphic screening among the study population.
Real Estate Transfer Taxes and Housing Price Volatility in the United States

Both parametric and nonparametric tests show that housing price volatility is lower in states that impose a real estate transfer tax on transaction values than those that impose no such tax in the United States. However, regression analyses show no difference in price volatility between the two tax regimes, after controlling for known economic and demographic factors, such as income, population growth, mortgage rates, property taxes, and jobless rates. Such a conclusion is robust because the fixed effect and the two-way clustering models are used to account for irregularities in the error structures.
Bladder tumor markers: from hematuria to molecular diagnostics – where do we stand?

Bladder cancer is a common malignancy in the USA. Currently, the detection of initial tumors and recurrent disease is based on evaluation of voided urinary specimens, often followed by cystoscopy. With the high rate of recurrence, cystoscopies are regularly repeated with the aim of halting progression of the disease. For patients, this process is fraught with anxiety, pain and high cost. As a result, intense work is being done in the field of bladder tumor markers with the goal of identifying bladder cancer earlier, both in the initial diagnosis and in recurrences of known tumor. The possibility of identifying a marker that could noninvasively differentiate benign and malignant causes of hematuria, and identify recurrences prior to their pathologic progression is the objective of this area of research. Currently, a large number of tumor markers exist, each scrutinized in both the laboratory and in clinical trials. Here we present many of the most widely used and tested markers. Background details are provided as to the mechanism of detection of malignant cells, the results of recent trials and future directions of study. Some novel modalities for tumor detection are also presented. The next few years will no doubt bring newer markers and lead to the elimination of others. Studies continue to refine the role of these markers in clinical practice, but their ultimate efficacy will need to be borne out in large-scale clinical trials in a multitude of settings.
Efflux Pump-Mediated Quinolone Resistance inStaphylococcus aureus Strains Wild Type for gyrA,gyrB, grlA, and norA

ABSTRACT Fluoroquinolone efflux was studied in 47 Staphylococcus aureus clinical strains with MICs of ciprofloxacin (CFX) of ≤2 μg/ml. Forty-three strains were wild type for gyrA,gyrB, and grlA quinolone resistance-determining regions and for norA and its promoter region. Forty of these strains (MICs of CFX, 0.1 to 0.2 μg/ml) did not show efflux of fluoroquinolones. Three strains (MICs of CFX, 1 to 2 μg/ml) showed efflux. These results suggest that efflux can appear in S. aureus clinical strains in the absence of mutations innorA and its promoter.
Opioid-Induced Cardioprotection Occurs via Glycogen Synthase Kinase β Inhibition During Reperfusion in Intact Rat Hearts

Abstract— Glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) inhibition produced by ischemic preconditioning has been previously shown to be regulated through phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K). Therefore, we determined whether opioid-induced cardioprotection (OIC) occurs during reperfusion by altering GSK phosphorylation through PI3K and target of rapamycin (TOR). Furthermore, we determined if selective GSK inhibitors, SB216763(SB21) or SB415286(SB41), emulate OIC. Rats were treated with the nonselective opioid agonist, morphine (MOR, 0.3 mg/kg), the δ-selective opioid agonist BW373U86 (BW, 1 mg/kg), or the GSK inhibitors, SB21 (0.6 mg/kg) or SB41(1.0 mg/kg), either 10 minutes before ischemia or 5 minutes before reperfusion. Five minutes before opioid or SB21 treatment, some rats received either the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin (15 μg/kg) or LY294002 (0.3 mg/kg) or the TOR inhibitor rapamycin (3 μg/kg). After 30 minutes of ischemia followed by 2 hours of reperfusion, infarct size was assessed. MOR, BW, SB41, and SB21 reduced infarct size compared with vehicle when administered before ischemia (42.9±2.6, 40.3±2.3, 46.6±1.6, 42.2±1.8 versus 60.0±1.1%, respectively; P <0.001) and showed similar protection when administered 5 minutes before reperfusion (43.6±2.3, 40.2±2.6, 44.8±2.8, 39.4±0.8%, respectively; P <0.001). Wortmannin, LY294002, and rapamycin were found to inhibit OIC; however, they did not abrogate SB21-induced infarct size reduction. At 5 minutes of reperfusion, both MOR and BW increased P-GSKβ at Ser9 in the ischemic zone compared with vehicle (181±20, 178±15 versus 75±17 DU, respectively; P <0.05), and this effect was abrogated by prior administration of wortmannin or rapamycin in MOR-treated rats. Furthermore, no differences were seen in phosphorylation of GSK&agr; (Ser21 or Tyr279) or phosphorylation of GSKβ (Tyr216). These data indicate that OIC occurs via the phosphorylation of GSKβ at Ser9 during reperfusion.
Corneal Hysteresis, Corneal Resistance Factor, and Intraocular Pressure Measurement in Patients with Scleroderma Using the Reichert Ocular Response Analyzer

Purpose: The Reichert ocular response analyzer (ORA) measures corneal biomechanical properties in vivo by monitoring and analyzing the corneal behavior when its structure is submitted to a force induced by an air jet. This study was designed to examine corneal biomechanical properties and intraocular pressure in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and to compare with control eyes. Patients and Methods: ORA measurements were performed on the right eyes of 29 patients with SSc (group 1) and 29 healthy people who served as the control group (group 2). Corneal hysteresis, corneal resistance factor (CRF), and intraocular pressure [Goldmann correlated (IOPg) and corneal compensated] were recorded with ORA. Results: Mean age of patients with SSc and control groups were 51.7 ± 11.1 and 50.3 ± 10.8 years, respectively. Mean (±SD) of the corneal hysteresis and CRF readings were 9.8 ± 1.7 versus 9.5 ± 1.2 mm Hg (P > 0.05) and 10.0 ± 1.5 versus 9.2 ± 1.4 mm Hg (P < 0.05), in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Mean (±SD) of the IOPg and intraocular pressure corneal-compensated recordings were 15.9 ± 2.5 versus 14.1 ± 2.4 mm Hg (P < 0.05) and 16.9 ± 3.2 versus 15.6 ± 2.9 mm Hg (P > 0.05), in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences for CRF and IOPg between the study groups. Conclusions: The mean CRF and IOPg values of patients with SSc were higher when compared with normal controls. According to the results of our study, one can conclude that corneal biomechanical properties would be changed in patients with SSc and this can be determined by CRF.
Cluster of Malassezia furfur pulmonary infections in infants in a neonatal intensive-care unit

Between 23 and 27 July 1987, three infants at one hospital developed severe bronchopneumonia associated with respiratory failure, thrombocytopenia, and leukocytosis. Two infants died; at postmortem examination, Malassezia furfur was identified in their lung tissues. M. furfur was isolated from cultures of blood, urine, and stool samples from the infant who survived. All documented M. furfur infections occurred in infants with a birth weight of less than 1,000 g; the attack rate was 42.9% (three of seven infants). A case-control study comparing the three cases and nine infants randomly selected from infants in the neonatal intensive care unit during the outbreak showed the following variables to be significantly associated with case-infants: younger gestational age (less than 26 weeks), hyaline membrane disease, duration of ventilation, duration of antimicrobial therapy, and the presence of a Broviac catheter. In a second case-control study, in which case-infants were compared with birth weight-matched controls, only the duration of antimicrobial therapy was significantly associated with case-infants. A point prevalence culture survey showed that 2 of 10 infants and 2 of 11 personnel were colonized with M. furfur. This cluster suggests that M. furfur can be transmitted from an infected or colonized infant to other infants. Infection control practices should be aimed at (i) identifying high-risk infants and (ii) reemphasizing the importance of hand washing.