Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creating Compact Comparative Health Care Information

Background. The recent emphasis on providing comparative health care data to the public has resulted in a large amount of online information. To focus on the most essential attributes, insight is needed into which attributes are actually considered by consumers. Objective. To assess which attributes of Dutch hospital performance information contribute most to consumers’ hospital choice for cataract and total hip or knee replacement surgery. Design. Two discrete-choice experiments were performed: one for cataract surgery and one for total hip or knee replacement surgery. Participants viewed hypothetical hospitals based on representative values for 10 attributes (e.g., distance to the hospital, waiting time for the surgery, conduct of professionals, information provision, complication rate) and were asked to select the hospital they would choose if they needed treatment. We used multilevel logistic regression analysis to test the effects of the attributes and the interactions between attributes and respondent characteristics on consumers’ hospital choice. Results. All except one attribute (length of the first appointment with the ophthalmologist) contributed significantly to consumers’ choices. Although some differences were found between cataract and hip/knee replacement surgery, the most influential attributes for both types of surgeries were distance, waiting time, and the attributes of patient safety (complication rate of capsular rupture and the use of procedures to prevent adverse effects of thrombosis). Interaction effects were found between hospital attributes, on one hand, and age, education, and consumer choice orientation, on the other hand. Conclusions. As for cataract and total hip/knee replacement surgery, the attributes that seem most important to consumers when choosing a hospital are access (waiting time and distance) and patient safety attributes.
A chemical analysis of sediment pore water in oxygen-free atmosphere: application to a contaminated area

1990; van Raaphorst & Malschaert, 1996). However, sediment pore water sampling is tedious and requires the use of special equipment due to the possible effects and potential chemical alterations resulting from incorrect procedures. It is known that, with the exception of the uppermost sediment layers (of 1 to 3 cm thickness), most fine-grained deposits are anoxic but oxidize rapidly upon exposure to air. The oxidation of the sediments brings about rapid changes in the kinds of redox-sensitive chemicals dissolved in the sediment pore water. During pore water collection and sample processing the maintenance of an oxygen-free atmosphere is essential for the measurement of some of the original chemical constituents (Manheim, 1976; Kriukov & Manheim, 1982). Results from many studies indicate that nutrient concentrations of pore water may be much higher than those of the water column (Ohle, 1977; Esteves, 1988; van Raaphorst & Malschaert, 1996). Generally, glove bags or glove boxes should be used to handle the pore water samples that best represent the natural sedimentary environment. It is essential, to ensure these conditions, that any exposure of the sediment and sampled water to the atmosphere must be completely avoided by guaranteeing oxygen-free conditions during the entire process of sediment sample manipulation (Adams, 1991). This can be achieved by working in the inert atmosphere of such a gas as nitrogen, argon or, in some cases, helium or carbon dioxide. __________
Are regulatory problems in infancy precursors of later hyperkinetic symptoms?

Aim: To examine whether regulatory problems in infancy predict later hyperkinetic symptoms in childhood and pre‐adolescence. Methods: In a prospective longitudinal study of 319 children at risk of later developmental problems and psychopathology, hyperkinetic behaviour problems were assessed at the ages of 2, 4.5, 8 and 11 y by means of a standardized parent interview. Infant regulatory problems at the age of 3 mo were determined from multiple sources of information. An observational procedure was used to assess the quality of mother‐infant interaction. Results: At the age of 3 mo, 17% of the infants (n= 55; 27 boys, 28 girls) suffered from multiple regulatory problems. Compared to a control group (n= 264), these children presented more hyperkinetic symptoms throughout childhood. Negativity in the mother‐infant interaction and early family adversity each contributed to later hyperkinetic symptoms. When controlling for family adversity, the association between infant multiple regulatory problems and later hyperkinetic problems was rendered insignificant.
The mitotic-spindle-associated protein astrin is essential for progression through mitosis

Astrin is a mitotic-spindle-associated protein expressed in most human cell lines and tissues. However, its functions in spindle organization and mitosis have not yet been determined. Sequence analysis revealed that astrin has an N-terminal globular domain and an extended coiled-coil domain. Recombinant astrin was purified and characterized by CD spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Astrin showed parallel dimers with head-stalk structures reminiscent of motor proteins, although no sequence similarities to known motor proteins were found. In physiological buffers, astrin dimers oligomerized via their globular head domains and formed aster-like structures. Silencing of astrin in HeLa cells by RNA interference resulted in growth arrest, with formation of multipolar and highly disordered spindles. Chromosomes did not congress to the spindle equator and remained dispersed. Cells depleted of astrin were normal during interphase but were unable to progress through mitosis and finally ended in apoptotic cell death. Possible functions of astrin in mitotic spindle organization are discussed.
Involvement of superoxide anion in the reaction mechanism of haemoglobin oxidation by nitrite.

The sigmoidal time course of haemoglobin oxidation by nitrite, involving an initial slow reaction accompanied by a subsequent rapid reaction, was extensively explored. The initial slow reaction was much prolonged by the addition of superoxide dismutase to the reaction mixture. On the other hand, in the presence of superoxide anion generated by xanthine oxidase systems, the slow phase disappeared and the reaction changed to first-order kinetics. The oxidation of intermediate haemoglobins [defined as haemoglobin tetramer in which different chains (alpha- or beta-) are in the ferric state and in the ferrous state] such as (alpha 2+ beta 3+)2 and (alpha 3+ beta 2+)2 also proceeded in a sigmoidal manner. Similar effects of superoxide anion on these reactions were observed. Since the intermediate haemoglobins such as (alpha 2+ beta 3+)2 and (alpha 3+ beta 2+)2 were found to be produced by the oxidation of haemoglobin by nitrite, the changes in oxyhaemoglobin, intermediate haemoglobins and methaemoglobin during the reaction were followed by isoelectric-focusing electrophoresis. The amounts of (alpha 2+ beta 3+)2 were larger than those of (alpha 3+ beta 2+)2 at the initial stages of the reaction, suggesting that there is a functional difference between alpha- and beta-chains in the oxyhaemoglobin tetramer. On the basis of these results, a reaction model of the haemoglobin oxidation by nitrite was tentatively proposed. The changes in oxyhaemoglobin, intermediate haemoglobins and methaemoglobin were well fitted to the simulation curves generated from the reaction model. Details of the derivation of the equations used for kinetic analysis have been deposited as Supplement SUP 50112 (5 pages) with the British Library Lending Division, Boston Spa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BQ, U.K. from whom copies may be obtained on the terms indicated in Biochem. J. (1978) 169, 5.
The influence of cathodic polarization and simulated inflammation on titanium electrochemistry.

This study evaluated the influence of simulated inflammation and cathodic polarization on the electrochemical properties of commercially pure titanium (CpTi) and titanium-6%aluminum-4%vanadium (Ti6Al4V). Normal conditions immersed the metals in phosphate buffered saline at open circuit potential (OCP). Inflammatory conditions immersed the metals in a 150 mM hydrogen peroxide titrated to pH = 5.0 at OCP. Cathodic inflammatory conditions immersed the metals in the inflammatory electrolyte at -1 V versus Ag/AgCl. Cathodic polarization scans revealed a more electropositive corrosion potential (Ecorr ) and an increased corrosion current density (Icorr ) for both metals after incubation at inflammatory conditions (CpTi: Ecorr = 171 mV, Icorr = 147 nA/cm(2) and Ti6Al4V: Ecorr = 241 mV and Icorr = 413 nA/cm(2) ) as compared to normal conditions (CpTi: Ecorr = -249 mV, Icorr = 19 nA/cm(2) and Ti6Al4V: Ecorr = -263 mV and Icorr = 11 nA/cm(2) ). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy showed the polarization resistance (Rp ) decreases and constant phase element (CPE) magnitude increases for both metals when comparing normal (CpTi: Rp = 3.5 MΩ cm(2) , CPE = 35 µS s(α) /cm(2) and Ti6Al4V: Rp = 6.5 MΩ cm(2) and CPE = 30 µS s(α) /cm(2) ) to inflammatory (CpTi: Rp = 79 kΩ cm(2) , CPE = 55 µS s(α) /cm(2) and Ti6Al4V: Rp = 230 kΩ cm(2) and CPE = 56 µS s(α) /cm(2) ) to cathodic inflammatory (CpTi: Rp =24 kΩ cm(2) , CPE = 290 µS s(α) /cm(2) and Ti6Al4V: Rp = 12 kΩ cm(2) and CPE = 250 µS s(α) /cm(2) ) conditions. These observed changes are consistent with the formation of a thin and defective oxide film. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy revealed that inflammatory conditions increased dissolution of both metals and that the addition of cathodic potential significantly increased the dissolution of the beta phase elements of Ti6Al4V.
A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study of ArginMax, a Nutritional Supplement for Enhancement of Female Sexual Function

This study was open to women over the age of 21 years with an interest in improving their sexual function. Of the 77 participants, 34 received ArginMax and 43 received a placebo. ArginMax for Women is a proprietary nutritional supplement consisting of extracts of ginseng, ginkgo, and damiana, L-arginine, multivitamins, and minerals. After 4 weeks, 73.5% of the ArginMax group improved in satisfaction with their overall sex life, compared with 37.2% of the placebo group ( p < 0.01). Notable improvements were also observed in sexual desire, reduction of vaginal dryness, frequency of sexual intercourse and orgasm, and clitoral sensation. No significant side effects were noted.
Family doctors' views of pharmaceutical sales representatives: assessment scale development.

BACKGROUND The prescribing patterns depend on the physicians' attitudes and their subjective norms towards prescribing a particular drug, as well as on their personal experience with a particular drug. The physicians are affected by their interactions with pharmaceutical industry. OBJECTIVE The objectives were to develop a scale for assessment of pharmaceutical sales representatives (PSRs) by the family doctors (FDs) and to determine factors for their evaluation. METHOD Cross-sectional anonymous postal study. We included a random sample of 250 Slovenian FDs. Settings. Slovenian FDs' surgeries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The score of various items regarding FDs' assessment of PSRs on a 7-point Likert scale. RESULTS We got 163 responses (65.2% response rate). The most important characteristic of PSRs, as rated by respondents on the scale from 1 to 7, was the fact that they did not mislead when presenting products' information. The second most important characteristic was the ability to provide objective information about the product. The first three most important characteristics, as rated by the respondents by themselves, were 'Shows good knowledge on the promoted subject', 'Provides objective product information' and 'Makes brief and exact visits'. Cronbach's alpha of the composite scale was 0.844. Factor analysis revealed three PSRs' factors: selling skills, communicating skills and sense of trustworthiness. CONCLUSION FDs evaluate PSRs mainly by their managerial skills and trustworthiness. The scale proved to be a reliable tool for assessing PSRs by FDs.
Exercise Training Manages Cardiopulmonary Function and Fatigue During and Following Cancer Treatment in Male Cancer Survivors

This investigation determined the cardiopulmonary function and fatigue alterations in male cancer survivors during treatment as well as following treatment utilizing similar exercise assessment protocols and individualized, prescriptive exercise interventions. The study included 45 male cancer survivors that were referred by local oncologists. Following a comprehensive screening and physical examination, cardiovascular endurance, pulmonary function, and fatigue were assessed leading to the development of 12-week individualized exercise prescriptions and exercise interventions. The cancer survivors were divided into during treatment (DTm) and following treatment (FTm) groups. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and analyses of covariance were used to compare pre- versus postintervention and between groups. Cardiopulmonary function was maintained in the DTm, whereas the FTm showed significant reductions in resting heart rate (P < .05) with concurrent increases in predicted VO2max and time on treadmill ( P < .05) postexercise intervention. Fatigue levels did not increase in the DTm group, whereas the FTm group showed significant reductions in behavioral fatigue, affective fatigue, sensory fatigue, cognitive/mood fatigue, and total fatigue (P < .05) after the exercise intervention. The results of the current study suggest that moderate intensity, individualized, prescriptive exercise intervention maintains or improves cardiovascular and pulmonary function with concomitant reductions in fatigue in cancer survivors during and following cancer treatment. Exercise appears to be a safe, efficacious strategy for improving physical fitness in cancer survivors during and following treatment.
On a random graph with immigrating vertices: Emergence of the giant component

Author(s): Aldous, DJ; Pittel, B | Abstract: A randomly evolving graph, with vertices immigrating at rate n and each possible edge appearing at rate 1/n, is studied. The detailed picture of emergence of giant components with O(n2/3) vertices is shown to be the same as in the Erdos-Renyi graph process with the number of vertices fixed at n at the start. A major difference is that now the transition occurs about a time t = π/2, rather than t = 1. The proof has three ingredients. The size of the largest component in the subcritical phase is bounded by comparison with a certain multitype branching process. With this bound at hand, the growth of the sum-of-squares and sum-of-cubes of component sizes is shown, via martingale methods, to follow closely a solution of the Smoluchowsky-type equations. The approximation allows us to apply results of Aldous [Brownian excursions, critical random graphs and the multiplicative coalescent, Ann Probab 25 (1997), 812-854] on emergence of giant components in the multiplicative coalescent, i.e., a nonuniform random graph process. © 2000 John Wiley a Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 17, 79-102, 2000.
Development of peer-group-classification criteria for the comparison of cost efficiency among general hospitals under the Korean NHI program.

OBJECTIVES To classify general hospitals into homogeneous systematic-risk groups in order to compare cost efficiency and propose peer-group-classification criteria. DATA SOURCES Health care institution registration data and inpatient-episode-based claims data submitted by the Korea National Health Insurance system to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from July 2007 to December 2009. STUDY DESIGN Cluster analysis was performed to classify general hospitals into peer groups based on similarities in hospital characteristics, case mix complexity, and service-distribution characteristics. Classification criteria reflecting clustering were developed. To test whether the new peer groups better adjusted for differences in systematic risks among peer groups, we compared the R(2) statistics of the current and proposed peer groups according to total variations in medical costs per episode and case mix indices influencing the cost efficiency. DATA COLLECTION A total of 1,236,471 inpatient episodes were constructed for 222 general hospitals in 2008. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS New criteria were developed to classify general hospitals into three peer groups (large general hospitals, small and medium general hospitals treating severe cases, and small and medium general hospitals) according to size and case mix index. CONCLUSIONS This study provides information about using peer grouping to enhance fairness in the performance assessment of health care providers.
Simulation experiments and prototyping of user interfaces in a multimedial environment of an information system

This paper describes some experiments on multimedial user interfaces within the domain of information systems. The factors tested are the input mode (spoken and written) and system quality (cooperativity, language restrictions) and the influence of the consciousness about the interlocutor's iden tity. The results show that there are some significant dif ferences on the word Ievel (type, token) and that the users reactions on machine performance are more obvious than on the interlocutor's identity.
Minimal Effects from Developmental Exposure to St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) in Sprague-Dawley Rats

Increasing widespread use of St. John's Wort (SJW, Hypericum perforatum) has led to concerns about its use in pregnant women. Behavioral and physiological alterations resulting from developmental treatment were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to diets containing 0, 180, 900, 1800 or 4500 ppm SJW beginning on gestational day 3 and ending at offspring weaning on postnatal day (PND) 21. These dietary doses span 125 times the recommended human dose. Post-weaning behavioral assessments of male and female offspring included: open field activity, acoustic startle, performance of complex and Morris water mazes, and activity in an elevated plus-maze. There were no SJW effects on maternal weight gain or duration of gestation; offspring body weights were similar to controls from PND 2 through PND 56 after which, some treated groups weighed significantly less than the controls. There were no SJW-related behavioral alterations on any measure. Whole and regional brain weights of offspring at adulthood indicated no significant effects of SJW. These results indicate that there are few neurobehavioral alterations resulting from developmental SJW treatment in rats.
Lung Cancer Risk and Workplace Exposures in Black Men and Women 1

There are little data on workplace exposures and lung cancer risk in blacks. An ongoing case–control study of lung cancer that included 550 black men and women with lung cancer and 386 age-matched controls was examined by reported occupational exposures and job titles. In men, significant associations were observed with reported exposure to asbestos [odds ratio (OR), 1.8; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.03–3.1] and coal dust (OR, 2.8; 95% CI 1.1–7.0). Elevated but nonsignificant risks of 1.4 or more were detected for the following occupations: police/security guards, farmers/farm workers, laborers, and motor-vehicle drivers. In women, nonsignificant increased risks were found with reported exposure to paint (OR, 1.8) and gas fumes (OR, 4.9). Women employed as farmers/farm workers and building maintenance workers had elevated but nonsignificant risks. ( 1998 Academic Press
Phase I/II trial of CCI 779 and bevacizumab in advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC): Safety and activity in RTKI refractory RCC patients.

5039 Background: Combined mTOR and VEGF blockade is a potentially promising and rational strategy for the treatment of advanced RCC. We previously reported the phase I safety and efficacy results of CCI 779 (C) +bevacizumab (B) n RTKI naïve stage IV RCC patients (pts) (J Clin Oncol. 2007;25[18S Suppl]:5034). We now report the interim results of the phase 2 study of C+B in RTKI refractory RCC patients. METHODS Design: Open label, phase I/II study of C+B in advanced RCC pts. Patients with measurable stage IV RCC with a component of clear/conventional cell type, performance status 0-2 and good organ function were eligible. Up to two prior treatment regimens were allowed (at least one prior RTKI). Phase II dose was C = 25 mg IV weekly and B = 10 mg/kg every 2 weeks repeated in 4 week cycles. The primary objective of the phase II portion was to assess the proportion of patients who were progression-free 6 months after study entry. Secondary objectives were assessment of response rates and toxicity. Accrual goal = 40 pts. RESULTS Thirty-five pts have been enrolled into the phase 2 portion to date with 4 pts ineligible. Twenty-five pts are evaluable for response assessment and 29 pts are evaluable for toxicity. Baseline characteristics (N: 35): M/F: 28/7; Number of met. sites: 1/2/3+: 15/9/11; prior nephrectomy: 31; Number of prior therapies: 1 = 29; 2 = 2. Most common (>5%) Gr 3-4 AEs (N = 29) included fatigue (6), hypercholesterolemia (2), hypertriglyceridemia (2), anorexia (2), rash (2), and anemia (2). Responses were: PR/SD/PD = 4 (16%)/18 (72%)/3 (12%). Median number of cycles administered was 4. Six month progression free rates will mature by may 2009. CONCLUSIONS C+B combination at the recommended phase 2 doses is feasible and well tolerated. Clinical benefit rates (PR/SD) in RTKI refractory RCC patients (88%) are encouraging. Data on 6 month progression-free rates are expected to mature in 4/09. Updated data on safety, response rates, and 6-month progression free rates will be presented on all evaluable patients. Correlative studies on available plasma, serum and tumor samples for angiogenic and molecular biomarkers are underway. Supported by N01-CM62205, R21 CA 119545-02, and Commonwealth Foundation. [Table: see text].
SMART syndrome: a late reversible complication of radiotherapy.

A 43-year-ol d female had a cerebellar pilocytic astrocy-toma operated 27 years ago. Reoperation and radiation ther-apy were employed in a recurrence 13 years ago. One week before admission, progressive drowsiness, disorientation in time and space, slurred speech and worsening of a residual right hemiparesis begun. Cerebrospinal ˜ uid (CSF) analysis and electroencephalography (EEG) were unremarkable. She improved without speci˚ c therapy.Recently recognized stroke-like migraine attacks after radiation therapy (SMART) is a syndrome which consists of prolonged, unilateral neurological symptoms that are spon-taneously reversible