Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Perianesthesic Data in Subjects Undergoing Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

BACKGROUND: Transbronchial needle aspiration using endobronchial ultrasonography (EBUS-TBNA), a new minimally invasive diagnostic procedure, has been used to evaluate intrathoracic lymph nodes. It has been reported that EBUS-TBNA can be performed safely under sedation and provides a high level of patient satisfaction. We aimed to describe perianesthetic data, and compare results regarding the agents of subjects undergoing EBUS-TBNA under deep sedation. METHODS: After ethics committee approval, perianesthetic data of 571 subjects undergoing EBUS-TBNA were analyzed retrospectively. Data were collected from anesthesia evaluation and observation forms. Four groups received anesthesia in the operating room as follows: propofol-midazolam (group PM), propofol-ketamine (group PK), propofol-ketamine-midazolam (group PKM), or propofol (group P). Dosage, number of anesthetic injection, hemodynamic variables, recovery time, complications, and patient satisfaction were also recorded. RESULTS: Propofol consumption was higher in groups P and PM compared with groups PK and PKM. Midazolam requirement was higher in group PM than in group PKM. Recovery time was shorter in group P compared with groups PK, PM, and PKM. It was also shorter in groups PK and PM compared with group PKM. All of these differences were statistically significant. Temporary desaturation (n = 41; 7%) and increased blood pressure (n = 78; 14%) were predominant complications. In groups PK and PKM, risk of developing hypertension was higher than in groups PM and P (P < .001). The percentage of subjects satisfied with the procedure was 99%. CONCLUSIONS: Independent from the sedative agent, deep sedation can be safe, and provide high patient satisfaction during EBUS-TBNA. The combination of ketamine with propofol or midazolam required lower doses of these anesthetics. However, the incidence of increased blood pressure was higher in groups administered ketamine. Recovery time was the shortest in group P, and the longest in group PKM. There was no relation between recovery time and total dose of anesthetics or presence of chronic disease.
Increased arterial stiffness in subjects with pre-diabetes among middle aged population in Beijing, China.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and pre-diabetes when assessed by the new glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) 5.7%-6.4% criterion or by impaired fasting glucose in middle aged Chinese. METHODS 1122 adults aged 55 years or younger in the health examination centers for physical check-ups were enrolled in the two large-sized Tertiary Comprehensive Hospitals in Beijing from June 2011 to June 2012 after excluding those who previously had been diagnosed or treated as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. Subjects with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes according to impaired fasting glucose (IFG) (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels at 5.6-6.9 mmol/L), HbA1c levels at 5.7%-6.4%, or both, were classified into four groups for observation: (1) Normoglycaemia (HbA1c<5.7% and FPG <5.6 mmol/L); (2) IFG alone (FPG levels at 5.6-6.9 mmol/L and HbA1c<5.7% ); (3) HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% alone (HbA1c levels at 5.7%-6.4% and FPG <5.6 mmol/L); and (4) both HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% and IFG (HbA1c levels at 5.7%-6.4% and FPG levels at 5.6-6.9 mmol/L). All subjects were measured for weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). RESULTS The mean values of baPWV were 1282±8, 1311±10, 1398±30, and 1418±27 cm/s (Mean±SE) in Normoglycaemia, HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% alone, IFG alone and the both HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% and IFG groups, respectively. After adjusting for age, gender, blood pressure, BMI and triglyceride, baPWV was significantly higher in subjects with both HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% and IFG compared among the subjects with Normoglycaemia (1350±14 vs. 1301±6 cm/s, P=0.002) and HbA1c 5.7%-6.4% alone (1350±14 vs. 1309±8 cm/s, P=0.013). CONCLUSION Subjects with pre-diabetes exhibited a greater arterial stiffness.
Linguistic Markers Indicating Therapeutic Outcomes of Social Media Disclosures of Schizophrenia

Self-disclosure of stigmatized conditions is known to yield therapeutic benefits. Social media sites are emerging as promising platforms enabling disclosure around a variety of stigmatized concerns, including mental illness. What kind of behavioral changes precede and follow such disclosures? Do the therapeutic benefits of "opening up" manifest in these changes? In this paper, we address these questions by focusing on disclosures of schizophrenia diagnoses made on Twitter. We adopt a clinically grounded quantitative approach to first identify temporal phases around disclosure during which symptoms of schizophrenia are likely to be significant. Then, to quantify behaviors before and after disclosures, we define linguistic measures drawing from literature on psycholinguistics and the socio-cognitive model of schizophrenia. Along with significant linguistic differences before and after disclosures, we find indications of therapeutic outcomes following disclosures, including improved readability and coherence in language, future orientation, lower self preoccupation, and reduced discussion of symptoms and stigma perceptions. We discuss the implications of social media as a new therapeutic tool in supporting disclosures of stigmatized conditions.
Survival and catabolic activity of natural and genetically engineered bacteria in a laboratory-scale activated-sludge unit

The survival of selected naturally occurring and genetically engineered bacteria in a fully functional laboratory-scale activated-sludge unit (ASU) was investigated. The effect of the presence of 3-chlorobenzoate (3CB) on the survival of Pseudomonas putida UWC1, with or without a chimeric plasmid, pD10, which encodes 3CB catabolism, was determined. P. putida UWC1(pD10) did not enhance 3CB breakdown in the ASU, even following inoculation at a high concentration (3 x 10(8) CFU/ml). The emergence of a natural, 3CB-degrading population appeared to have a detrimental effect on the survival of strain UWC1 in the ASU. The fate of two 3CB-utilizing bacteria, derived from activated-sludge microflora, was studied in experiments in which these strains were inoculated into the ASU. Both strains, AS2, an unmanipulated natural isolate which flocculated readily in liquid media, and P. putida ASR2.8, a transconjugant containing the recombinant plasmid pD10, survived for long periods in the ASU and enhanced 3CB breakdown at 15 degrees C. The results reported in this paper illustrate the importance of choosing strains which are well adapted to environmental conditions if the use of microbial inoculants for the breakdown of target pollutants is to be successful.
Adoptive Immunotherapy of Advanced Tumors with CD62 L-Selectinlow Tumor-Sensitized T Lymphocytes Following Ex Vivo Hyperexpansion1

Tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLN) contain sensitized T cells with the phenotype CD62 L-selectinlow (CD62Llow) that can be activated ex vivo with anti-CD3 mAb and IL-2 to acquire potent dose-dependent effector function manifested upon adoptive transfer to secondary tumor-bearing hosts. In this study advanced tumor models were used as a stringent comparison of efficacy for the CD62Llow subset, comprising 5–7% of the TDLN cells, vs the total population of TDLN cells following culture in high dose IL-2 (100 U/ml). During the 9-day activation period the total number of CD8+ T cells increased 1500-fold, with equivalent proliferation in the CD62Llow vs the total TDLN cell cultures. Adoptive transfer of activated CD62Llow cells eliminated 14-day pulmonary metastases and cured 10-day s.c. tumors, whereas transfer of maximally tolerated numbers of total TDLN cells was not therapeutic. Despite their propagation in a high concentration of IL-2, the hyperexpanded CD62Llow subset of TDLN cells functioned in vivo without exogenous IL-2, and CD8+ T cells demonstrated relative helper independence. Moreover, the anti-tumor response was specific for the sensitizing tumor, and long term memory was established. The facile enrichment of tumor-reactive TDLN T cells, based on the CD62Llow phenotype, circumvents the need for prior knowledge of the relevant tumor Ags. Coupling the isolation of pre-effector T cells with rapid ex vivo expansion to >3 logs could overcome some of the shortcomings of active immunotherapy or in vivo cytokine treatment, where selective robust expansion of effector cells has been difficult to achieve.
A Comparison of Fatigue and Energy Levels at 6 Weeks and 14 to 19 Months Postpartum

It has been assumed that women recover from pregnancy and childbirth within 6 weeks. Recent research shows that women’s fatigue levels are the same, or higher, at 6 weeks postpartum as at the time of delivery. This study determined the differences in primiparous women’s fatigue and energy levels at 6 weeks and 14 to 19 months postpartum. Determinations of how some contributing factors and outcomes of postpartum fatigue relate to each other and to fatigue and energy at 14 to 19 months postpartum were also made. Analyses revealed that women are more fatigued and less energetic at 14 to 19 months than they were at 6 weeks postpartum. Quality of sleep did not correlate with fatigue or energy. At 14 to 19 months postpartum return to full functional status is almost complete, with household and infant care responsibilities being most complete. The women were experiencing mild life crises of various sorts, were somewhat depressed, and were gratified in the mothering role.
Calcium signals from intact rabbit ciliary epithelium observed with confocal microscopy.

PURPOSE We investigated patterns of evoked calcium signals to learn about the function of the calcium second messenger system in ciliary epithelium. METHODS Isolated infact ciliary processes were loaded with fluo-3/AM and observed with a Bio-Rad MRC-600 laser scanning confocal imaging system, before, during, and after perfusion with catecholamines, cholinergic agents, and autocoids. RESULTS One microM acetylcholine (ACH) and 10 microM carbachol (CARB) induced an atropine-sensitive increase in intracellular free calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i), considerably greater in NPE than in PE. 10 microM epinephrine (EPI) and 100 microM phenylephrine (PHE) increased [Ca2+]i in NPE and PE, in this case PE > NPE. These effects were blocked by prazosin. 10 mM caffeine (CAF) increased of [Ca2+]i in NPE and PE (NPE > PE) and sometimes produced very slow oscillations with an interval of 10 to 25 s. Prior administration of CAF strongly suppressed the effects of ACH, CARB, EPI, PHE, histamine, and adenosine 5-triphosphate (ATP). One hundred microM ryanodine (RYA) or thapsigargin (TG) increased [Ca2+]i in NPE and PE (NPE > PE). CONCLUSIONS In the ciliary epithelium: (1) different patterns of evoked transients and oscillations of calcium were seen in response to agonists; (2) NPE appeared to contain a predominance of muscarinic receptors, while the PE is dominated by alpha 1-adrenergic receptors and (3) the increase in [Ca2+]i by CAF or RYA or TG in either cell layer and the blocking effects of these agents upon agonist, evoking increases in [Ca2+]i, suggested involvement of both the cyclic adenosine diphosphate ribose and the inositol 1, 4, 5 triphosphate (InsP3) systems in the regulation of intracellular calcium.
A black-box dynamic equivalent model for microgrids using measurement data

A dynamic equivalent black-box model, based on Prony analysis is presented. The proposed model is suitable for dynamic studies of microgrids, considering changes in the active and reactive powers, bus voltages, currents and frequency. The developed model is evaluated using simulation results obtained from a medium-voltage microgrid and test measurements recorded in a low-voltage microgrid laboratory test facility. Results from the proposed model are in good agreement with the corresponding responses obtained from both simulations and laboratory tests. The examined microgrid configurations include rotating machines and inverter interfaced units implementing different control strategies, thus verifying the robustness of the proposed model.
Examining the Dimensions of Cancer-Related Information Seeking and Scanning Behavior

Recent decades have witnessed a growing emphasis on patients as active consumers of health information. The literature about cancer-related information focuses on active and purposeful information seeking, but a great deal of exposure to cancer-relevant information may happen less purposively (termed information scanning). This article presents results from an in-depth interview study that examined information seeking and scanning behavior in the context of cancer prevention and screening decisions among a diverse sample of people living in a major metropolitan area. Results suggest that information scanning is quite common, particularly for information related to screening tests. Information seeking is rarer and occurs primarily among those who also are information scanners. Respondents report using a greater variety of sources for information scanning than for information seeking, but participants were much more likely to report that their decisions were influenced by information received through seeking than through scanning. These findings shed new light on how individuals navigate the media environment and suggest future research should examine predictors and effects of less purposeful efforts to obtain cancer-related information.
THE IMPACT OF VOCABULARY INSTRUCTION ON VOCABULARY SIZE LEVELS OF STUDENTS

The purpose of this study is to determine the difference between two groups of students as regards to vocabulary size levels after the implementation of vocabulary enhancement activities. While the students in control group followed the regular curriculum including the second one thousand most frequent words in English, the students in experimental group had a fourteen-week schedule of vocabulary implementation with enhancement activities consisting of the second one thousand most frequent words in English integrated into the regular curriculum. The sampling of the study consists of the students from a vocational school in Yalova. A total of 88 male, second-grade students participated in the study in the academic year of 2010–2011. This study adopted Version 1 of the Vocabulary Levels Test (Schmitt, 2000) as an instrument to examine the students' general vocabulary size levels. After the implementation period, it was observed that there was a significant difference between the experimental and the control groups in favor of the experimental group in terms of vocabulary size levels.
Multistate utilization, processes, and outcomes of carotid endarterectomy.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to describe variation in utilization, care processes, and outcomes for carotid endarterectomy (CEA) procedures in 10 states. METHODS We reviewed the medical records of Medicare patients who underwent 10,561 CEA procedures between June 1, 1995, and May 31, 1996, in 10 different states to determine indications, care processes, and outcomes. This study also included medical record review of hospital readmissions within 30 days of the procedure and identification of out-of-hospital deaths from the Medicare beneficiary files. RESULTS Utilization rates of CEA varied from 25.7 to 38.4 procedures per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries among states. The overall combined event rate (30-day stroke or mortality) was 5.2% for primary CEA alone (n = 9945). The mortality rate was 1.5%, and the nonfatal stroke rate was 3.7%. Combined event rates (CEA alone) by surgical indication were 7.7% for stroke (n = 1037), 7.4% for transient ischemic attack (n = 1304), 5.3% for nonspecific symptoms (n = 3713), and 3.7% for asymptomatic patients (n = 3891). The combined event rates (CEA alone) among states ranged from 4.1% to 7.7% with the event rates in asymptomatic patients ranging from 2.3% to 6.7%. In a multivariate analysis (correcting for indication), the use of preoperative antiplatelet agents (odds ratio [OR], 0.70), intraoperative heparin (OR, 0.49), and patch angioplasty (OR, 0.73) was significantly associated with lower combined event rates. There were significant differences among states in the use of preoperative antiplatelet therapy (range, 56%-70%) and patch angioplasty (range, 11%-49%). Combined event rates for repeat procedures (n = 380) and CEA combined with coronary artery bypass grafting (n = 236) were 6.3% and 17.4%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The striking variation among states suggests that there is room for improvement in the utilization, care processes, and outcomes of CEA. All surgeons performing CEA should participate in outcome assessment and adopt protocols that include the routine administration of antiplatelet agents preoperatively, the use of heparin intraoperatively, and patch angioplasty of the endarterectomy site.
Outcome of a newborn hearing screening program in a tertiary hospital in Malaysia: the first five years

Background and Objective : Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) was started in the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) in January 2003. To comply with international standards, we determined the outcome of the newborn hearing screening program for the first 5 years of its implementation, from January 2003 to December 2007. Methods : The program screened all infants who were delivered in HUSM. In a retrospective review, the outcomes in terms of coverage, prevalence of hearing impairment, referral rate for each screening, age at detection of hearing impairment and at hearing aid-fitting were analyzed. Results : Ninety-eight percent of newborns were screened. The study included 16 100 randomly selected newborns. The initial screening referral rate was 25.5%. The prevalence of default for second and third screening was 33.9% and 40.7%, respectively. The mean (SD) age at detection of hearing impairment was 3.3 months (0.86). The mean (SD) age at fitting of a hearing aid was 13.6 (4.8) months.The prevalence of hearing impairment was 0.09%. Conclusion : A newborn hearing screening program is an important tool for early diagnosis and treatment. Even though the prevalence of hearing impairment may be low, the problem needs to be addressed early as the development of infants requires normal hearing.
C9ORF72 repeat expansion in clinical and neuropathologic frontotemporal dementia cohorts

Objective: To determine the frequency of a hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9ORF72, a gene of unknown function implicated in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), in Australian FTD patient cohorts and to examine the clinical and neuropathologic phenotypes associated with this expansion. Methods: We examined a clinically ascertained FTD cohort (n = 89) and a neuropathologically ascertained cohort of frontotemporal lobar degeneration cases with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP) (n = 22) for the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion using a repeat primed PCR assay. All expansion-positive patients were genotyped for rs3849942, a surrogate marker for the chromosome 9p21 risk haplotype previously associated with FTD and ALS. Results: The C9ORF72 repeat expansion was detected in 10% of patients in the clinically diagnosed cohort, rising to 29% in those with a positive family history of early-onset dementia or ALS. The prevalence of psychotic features was significantly higher in expansion-positive cases (56% vs 14%). In the pathology cohort, 41% of TDP-43-positive cases harbored the repeat expansion, and all exhibited type B pathology. One of the 17 expansion-positive probands was homozygous for the “nonrisk” G allele of rs3849942. Conclusions: The C9ORF72 repeat expansion is a relatively common cause of FTD in Australian populations, and is especially common in those with FTD-ALS, psychotic features, and a strong family history. Detection of a repeat expansion on the 9p21 putative “nonrisk” haplotype suggests that not all mutation carriers are necessarily descended from a common founder and indicates that the expansion may have occurred on multiple haplotype backgrounds.
Localization of partial discharge sources along HV and MV cable routes

In this paper, partial discharge (PD) source localization on HV polymeric cable systems is dealt with. The capability to detect defects within insulating systems helps avoid premature and unexpected failures and constitutes the prerequisite for any effective risk analysis. Therefore, partial discharge assessment, mainly aimed at detecting localized degradations, can improve reliability and availability of electrical apparatus, supporting effective practices of condition based maintenance. However, information about the exact location of the defect generating PD, which is a fundamental item for an optimized and cost effective maintenance action, cannot be derived from the usual results provided by partial discharge measurements. Three different methods for PD source location based on ultra wide bandwidth detection approach are presented in this paper. Experiences of on site application of these three methods are reported and discussed. Moreover an analysis of the effectiveness of the different methods in relation to the type of cable system under test is provided from both economical and technical points of view
[Radiotherapy for choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in age-related macular degeneration (AMD)].

AIM OF THE STUDY Several pilot studies have indicated, that radiation therapy might have a beneficial effect on the course of CNV in AMD. This controlled study was aimed at the question, whether such treatment might halt progression of neovascular AMD and whether a low or a high radiation dose should be applied. METHODS AND PATIENTS Enclosed were patients aged > or = 60 and < or = 85 and eyes with a VA of > or = 0.1 and < or = 0.6, revealing a juxta/subfoveal CNV either of the occult or the classic type. Treatment was performed with a linear accelerator at fractions of 2 Gy up to a total dose of 10 Gy or 36 Gy. 95 eyes had completed follow-up of > or = 12 < or = 24 months. RESULTS Among eyes with occult CNV 8 received 36 Gy, 16 were treated with 10 Gy and 21 were in the control group. Mean visual loss was 3.5 lines after 12 months and 5 lines after 24 months with no difference between irradiated eyes and those in the control group. In the groups with classic CNV 8 eyes were treated with 36 Gy, 27 eyes received 10 Gy and 15 eyes were in the control group. Mean visual loss after 6 months was 2.2 lines in eyes of both groups treated with radiation and 5.7 lines in the control group. This was statistically significant (p < 0.05). VA was < 0.1 after 12 (24) months of follow-up in 50 (75)% of the cases with 36 Gy, in 48 (83)% with 10 Gy and in 60 (83)% of the controls. These results were statistically significant after 12 months only. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS The natural course of occult CNV could not be improved by irradiation with 10 or 36 Gy. In eyes with classic CNV a VA of > or = 0.1 was maintained significantly more often in irradiated eyes than in those of the control group. Treatment with 36 Gy however was associated with an unacceptable incidence of radiation retinopathy.