Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity and Responsiveness of the DASH Questionnaire as an Outcome Measure following Ulnar Nerve Transposition for Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Background: This study sought to determine the validity and responsiveness of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire in cubital tunnel syndrome. Methods: Consecutive patients with cubital tunnel syndrome treated by anterior ulnar nerve transposition between September of 2009 and December of 2011 were reviewed retrospectively. Questionnaires were completed preoperatively and 1.5, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. The relationship of the questionnaire to measures of pain, health status (Short Form-8), and pinch and grip strength was evaluated using Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Responsiveness of the questionnaire was analyzed using Cohen’s effect size, and was compared with responsiveness of the physical examination, pain, and Short Form-8 measures. Results: The final cohort included 69 patients with isolated cubital tunnel syndrome and 39 with concurrent cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome. Questionnaire scores correlated as expected with other measures. Moderate to strong correlations were observed with pain visual analogue scale and Short Form-8 scores, and weak to moderate correlations were observed with pinch and grip strength. Effect sizes for the DASH questionnaire were small (<0.3) at 6 weeks and moderate (0.35 to 0.57) at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively in both groups. Pain visual analogue scale scores demonstrated large effect sizes (>0.8) at all postoperative time points, whereas Short Form-8 and pinch and grip strength were poorly responsive. Conclusion: The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire is a valid measure in cubital tunnel syndrome, and is moderately responsive to change beyond 3-month follow-up. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, II.
Natural Adaptive Observers-Based Estimation Unit for Robust Grid-Voltage Sensorless Control Characteristics in Inverter-Based DG Units

This paper presents a natural adaptive observers- based estimation unit for robust grid-voltage sensorless control characteristics in inverter-based distributed generation (DG) units. First, a rigorous discrete-time model of a current- controlled inverter-based DG unit, including the calculation delay and the nature of the pulse-width-modulation (PWM) as a zero-order-hold, is presented. Second, a novel estimation unit is designed with low computational demand to estimate, in the realtime, the interfacing parameters and the grid voltage simultaneously. A unified solution to the present nonlinear estimation problem is presented by adopting a parallel observers structure. Third, the estimated quantities are utilized within the inner high bandwidth current control loop and the outer power controller to realize a robust grid-voltage sensorless interfacing scheme. Theoretical analysis and evaluation results are provided to demonstrate the validity and usefulness of the proposed interfacing scheme.
EARLY SCIENCE WITH THE LARGE MILLIMETER TELESCOPE: EXPLORING THE EFFECT OF AGN ACTIVITY ON THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN MOLECULAR GAS, DUST, AND STAR FORMATION

The molecular gas, H2, that fuels star formation in galaxies is difficult to observe directly. As such, the ratio of LIR to is an observational estimate of the star formation rate compared with the amount of molecular gas available to form stars, which is related to the star formation efficiency and the inverse of the gas consumption timescale. We test what effect an IR luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN) has on the ratio in a sample of 24 intermediate redshift galaxies from the 5 mJy Unbiased Spitzer Extragalactic Survey (5MUSES). We obtain new CO(1–0) observations with the Redshift Search Receiver on the Large Millimeter Telescope. We diagnose the presence and strength of an AGN using Spitzer IRS spectroscopy. We find that removing the AGN contribution to results in a mean for our entire sample consistent with the mean derived for a large sample of star forming galaxies from z ∼ 0–3. We also include in our comparison the relative amount of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emission for our sample and a literature sample of local and high-redshift ultra luminous infrared galaxies and find a consistent trend between and , such that small dust grain emission decreases with increasing for both local and high-redshift dusty galaxies.
Effect of Insulin Therapy on Metabolic Fate of Apolipoprotein B–Containing Lipoproteins in NIDDM

Non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) subjects exhibit abnormalities in their plasma lipid and lipoprotein profiles that increase the risk of ischemic heart disease. This study was designed to examine the metabolic behavior of very-low-density (VLDL), intermediate-density (IDL), and low-density (LDL) lipoproteins in NIDDM patients before treatment and after 4 wk of insulin therapy. Basal turnover studies of 131I-labeled VLDL1 (svedberg units [Sf] 60–400) and 131I-labeled VLDL1 (Sf 20–60) apolipoprotein B (apoB) were conducted in a group of seven NIDDM patients who had been off oral therapy for 1 wk. The subjects exhibited higher than normal transport rates for VLDL1 and a diminished input of apoB into the VLDL2 density range. These observations are concordant with the hypothesis that NIDDM patients overproduce VLDL triglyceride but not apoB. VLDL1 and VLDL2 were converted to IDL and ultimately to LDL at approximately normal rates, although the delipidation pathway by which apoB-containing particles were processed exhibited different properties from that seen in control subjects. Insulin therapy reduced plasma triglyceride by 38%, and this was associated with a 41% fall in VLDL1 mass (P < 0.01). VLDL2 was less affected (19% reduction, P < 0.05), IDL was unchanged, and LDL fell 17% (P < 0.05). Repeat metabolic studies revealed that the major effects of insulin were to reduce VLDL1-apoB transport (from 811 to 488 mg/day) and increase the direct input of VLDL2 into the plasma (from 182 to 533 mg/day, P < 0.05). These alterations in VLDL production led to normalization of apoB kinetics in IDL and LDL. The fractional catabolic rate of LDL increased 19% (P < 0.05), whereas direct input into this fraction, which had been high before treatment, was reduced. Postheparin plasma lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase levels were unaffected by insulin, although the hormone did increase LPL in adipose tissue. This lack of effect on lipase activities correlated well with the observation that the rates of catabolism of apoB in VLDL1, VLDL2, and IDL were not significantly affected by insulin therapy.
Preoperative Estimates of Glomerular Filtration Rate as Predictors of Outcome after Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background:Kidney dysfunction is a strong determinant of prognosis in many settings. Methods:A systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to explore the relationship between estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and adverse outcomes after surgery. Cohort studies reporting the relationship between eGFR and major outcomes, including all-cause mortality, major adverse cardiovascular events, and acute kidney injury after cardiac or noncardiac surgery, were included. Results:Forty-six studies were included, of which 44 focused exclusively on cardiac and vascular surgery. Within 30 days of surgery, eGFR less than 60 ml·min·1.73 m−2 was associated with a threefold increased risk of death (multivariable adjusted relative risk [RR] 2.98; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.95–4.96) and acute kidney injury (adjusted RR 3.13; 95% CI 2.22–4.41). An eGFR less than 60 ml·min·1.73 m−2 was associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted RR 1.61; 95% CI 1.38–1.87) and major adverse cardiovascular events (adjusted RR 1.49; 95% CI 1.32–1.67) during long-term follow-up. There was a nonlinear association between eGFR and the risk of early mortality such that, compared with patients having an eGFR more than 90 ml·min·1.73 m−2 the pooled RR for death at 30 days in those with an eGFR between 30 and 60 ml·min·1.73 m−2 was 1.62 (95% CI 1.43–1.80), rising to 2.85 (95% CI 2.49–3.27) in patients with an eGFR less than 30 ml·min·1.73 m−2 and 3.75 (95% CI 3.44–4.08) in those with an eGFR less than 15 ml·min·1.73 m−2. Conclusion:There is a powerful relationship between eGFR, and both short- and long-term prognosis after, predominantly cardiac and vascular, surgery.
The Growing Footprint of EME Banks in the International Banking System

This special feature explores the role of banks from emerging market economies (EMEs) in global banking. Over the past decade, the cross-border activity of EME banks has been growing at a faster pace than that of banks from advanced economies. This has been largely driven by increasing EME-to-EME interlinkages, which often make up more than half of EMEs' cross-border borrowing. EME banks make use of their global networks of affiliates abroad for the majority of their cross-border lending to other EMEs. In the cross-border interbank market, EMEs with more developed banking systems tend to be net recipients of funds, whereas EMEs with less developed ones tend to be net providers.
[The diagnostic role of the methacholine inhalation challenge in adult patients with chronic persistent cough].

Chronic persistent cough (CPC) is a common medical problem. We determined the value of the methacholine inhalation challenge (MIC) in the evaluation of CPC. We also sought other clinical factors that affect MIC. Patients were selected for the study if 1) CPC was the only presenting symptom, 2) a current roentgenogram did not contribute to the diagnosis, and 3) spirometry revealed a normal FEV1. We measured the minimum dose of methacholine (bronchial sensitivity, Dmin) by the "Asthograph" method. We determined the correlation between log Dmin and demographic and clinical variables, i.e. age, %FVC, %FEV1, FEV1%, %V50, %V25, eosinophil count in peripheral blood, and serum IgE level. The causes of CPC in 51 patients (20 men and 31 women, mean age 41 years) were cough-variant asthma in 29 patients, postinfectious persistent cough in 13 patients, atopic cough in 6 patients, and others in 3 patients. Log Dmin significantly but weakly correlated with %V25 (4 = 0.31, p = 0.02). The sensitivity and specificity of Dmin (< 10 units) in diagnosing cough-variant asthma was 93% and 87%, respectively. Demographic or clinical variables other than Dmin were not useful for the diagnosis of cough-variant asthma. We conclude that MIC is useful for the differential diagnosis of CPC while the usefulness is limited in some cases.
Relationships Among Victoria Symptom Validity Test Indices and Personality Assessment Inventory Validity Scales in a Large Clinical Sample

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to examine the relationships among measures of cognitive symptom exaggeration (i.e., response accuracy and response latency) and (2) to examine the relationship between measures of cognitive and psychopathological symptom exaggeration. It was expected that Victoria Symptom Validity Test (VSVT) accuracy and latency measures would be significantly correlated, with invalid responders demonstrating longer response latencies. VSVT scores were also expected to correlate significantly with the Negative Impression Management (NIM) and Infrequency (INF) subscales of the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI). VSVT and PAI data were collected from 300 patients during routine clinical neuropsychological evaluations. Results indicated that VSVT accuracy and latency measures were significantly and moderately correlated, and both types of VSVT scores were significantly, but modestly, related to NIM, but not INF. These findings suggest that VSVT response latencies may supplement accuracy scores in identifying patients who are exerting suboptimal effort on cognitive measures. These findings further suggest that measures of cognitive symptom validity only partially overlap with measures of psychopathological symptom exaggeration.
Comparison of continuous and intermittent factor VIII concentrate therapy in hemophilia A

Comparison of continuous versus intermittent (every 12 h bolus) infusion of a highpurity Factor VIII concentrate in 12 severe hemophilia A patients undergoing surgical procedures indicated that a higher (50 u/dl versus 35 u/dl) minimal plasma level was seen with the same amount of product when given continuously. A continuous VIII concentrate infusion of 2 u/kg/h produces a mean VIIIc level of about 50 u/dl or, alternatively, about 0.04 u/kg/h raises the VIIIc level by 1 u/dl (1%). None of the patients showed any abnormal bleeding. Higher plasma levels of VIIIc were noted by the two‐stage VIIc assay than by the one‐stage VIIIc assay. Fibrinogen levels were normal or only slightly elevated, and the monomer test was consistently negative.
CD8+ T-cell response promotes evolution of hepatitis C virus nonstructural proteins.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Hepatitis C virus (HCV) acquires mutations that allow it to escape the CD8+ T-cell response, although the extent to which this process contributes to viral evolution at the population level is not clear. We studied viral adaptation using data from a large outbreak of HCV genotype 1b infection that occurred among women immunized with contaminated immunoglobulin from 1977 to 1978. METHODS The HCV nonstructural protein coding regions NS3-NS5B were sequenced from 78 patients, and mutations were mapped according to their location inside or outside previously described CD8+ T-cell epitopes. A statistical approach was developed to identify sites/regions under reproducible selection pressure associated with HLA class I. RESULTS The frequency of nonsynonymous mutations was significantly higher inside previously described CD8+ T-cell epitopes than outside-particularly in NS3/4A and NS5B. We identified new regions that are under selection pressure, indicating that not all CD8+ T-cell epitopes have been identified; 6 new epitopes that interact with CD8+ T cells were identified and confirmed in vitro. In some CD8+ T-cell epitopes mutations were reproducibly identified in patients that shared the relevant HLA allele, indicating immune pressure at the population level. There was statistical support for selection of mutations in 18 individual epitopes. Interestingly, 14 of these were restricted by HLA-B allele. CONCLUSIONS HLA class I-associated selection pressure on the nonstructural proteins and here predominantly on NS3/4A and NS5B promotes evolution of HCV. HLA-B alleles have a dominant effect in this selection process. Adaptation of HCV to the CD8+ T-cell response at the population level creates challenges for vaccine design.
De-noising of ECG Waveforms based on Multi-resolution Wavelet Transform

transform is a powerful tool to analyze the non- stationary biomedical signals. This paper deals with the noise removal of ECG signal using three different wavelet families (haar, Daubechies and Symlets). The different noise structure (unscaled white noise, scaled white noise and non white noise) have been selected for ECG signals and compared their statistical parameter to find out the best result. The wavelet families used for De-noising are Haar, Daubechies and Symlets. Experimental result shows that the Daubechies4 (Db4) for scaled white noise structure gives the best result as compared to other wavelet family. The database has been collected from MIT-BIH arrhythmias database of the lead II (ML II) signal. The ECG signals to be De-noised is decomposed to the Level 5 using the selected wavelet family. MATLAB 7.10 wavelet tool box is used for De-Noising the ECG data. KeywordsDe-noising, MIT-BIH, Multiresolution, Haar, Symlets Daubechies.
Anti‐inflammatory properties of the type 1 and type 2 vasoactive intestinal peptide receptors: role in lethal endotoxic shock

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neuropeptide that can modulate several immune aspects. Previous reports showed that VIP attenuates the deleterious consequences of septic shock by inhibiting the production of pro‐inflammatory agents and stimulating the production of anti‐inflammatory cytokines in activated macrophages. In this study, by using selective VIP agonists, we investigated the differential involvement of the VIP receptors in the anti‐inflammatory role of VIP. Both the type 1 VIP receptor (VPAC1) agonist, [K15, R16, L27] VIP 1 – 7 ‐GRF 8 – 27 , and the type 2 VIP receptor (VPAC2) agonist, Ro25–1553, protected mice from lethal endotoxemia by inhibiting the macrophage‐derived pro‐inflammatory mediators IL‐6, TNF‐α, IL‐12 and NO, and by stimulating the production of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10. In addition, both VIP and VPAC1 agonist, but not the VPAC2 agonist, reduced in vitro and in vivo the expression of the co‐stimulatory B7.1/B7.2 molecules, and the subsequent stimulatory activity for T helper cells in stimulated macrophages. The higher effectiveness of the VPAC1 agonist compared with the VPAC2 agonist suggests that VPAC1 is the major mediator of the anti‐inflammatory action of VIP. Since VIP and the two agonists appear to affect multiple cytokines and inflammatory factors, they might provide a more efficient therapeutical alternative to the use of specific cytokine antibodies or antagonists.
Analysis of cardiovascular disease in Chinese inpatients with chronic kidney disease.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a Chinese patient population with different stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS Six hundred and two CKD patients who were hospitalized in Ruijin Hospital between Jan. 2004 and Jan. 2006 were selected. Patients' medical histories and the results of laboratory tests were reviewed. RESULTS The prevalence of CVD in 602 patients with CKD stages 1 to 5 was 1.28%, 17.24%, 22.86%, 33.33%, 56.2% respectively. The prevalence of CVD in CKD stage 5 patients with dialysis was 78.51%. In all the patients, the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), and congestive heart failure (CHF) was 8.64% (52/602), 26% (154/602), and 13% (78/602), respectively. Regarding co-morbidities of CVD, 34.52% of patients had 2 or more of the above abnormalities. The prevalence of CAD in patients with CKD stages 1 to 5 respectively was 1.28%, 5.75%, 7.86%, 10.26%, 12.33%;LVH was 0%, 11.49%, 16.43%, 29.49%, 44.75%; and CHF was 0%, 3.45%, 3.57%, 8.97%, 28.77%. CONCLUSION The occurrence of CVD started from CKD stage 1 and increased with the progression of CKD. The screening and prevention of CVD should begin at CKD stage 1.
Dissociable executive functions in behavioral variant frontotemporal and Alzheimer dementias

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine which aspects of executive functions are most affected in behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) and best differentiate this syndrome from Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: We compared executive functions in 22 patients diagnosed with bvFTD, 26 with AD, and 31 neurologically healthy controls using a conceptually driven and comprehensive battery of executive function tests, the NIH EXAMINER battery (http://examiner.ucsf.edu). Results: The bvFTD and the AD patients were similarly impaired compared with controls on tests of working memory, category fluency, and attention, but the patients with bvFTD showed significantly more severe impairments than the patients with AD on tests of letter fluency, antisaccade accuracy, social decision-making, and social behavior. Discriminant function analysis with jackknifed cross-validation classified the bvFTD and AD patient groups with 73% accuracy. Conclusions: Executive function assessment can support bvFTD diagnosis when measures are carefully selected to emphasize frontally specific functions.
Seven years of progress in tobacco control: an evaluation of the effect of nations meeting the highest level MPOWER measures between 2007 and 2014

Objective Since WHO released the package of six MPOWER measures to assist nations with implementing the WHO Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC), 88 countries adopted at least one highest level MPOWER measure. We estimated the subsequent reduction in smoking-related deaths from all new highest level measures adopted between 2007 and 2014. Methods Policy effect sizes based on previously validated SimSmoke models were applied to the number of smokers in each nation to determine the reduction in the number of smokers from policy adoption. On the basis of research that half of all smokers die from smoking, we derived the smoking-attributable deaths (SADs) averted of those smokers alive today. Findings In total, 88 countries adopted at least one highest level MPOWER policy between 2007 and 2014, resulting in almost 22 million fewer projected SADs. The largest number of future SADs averted was due to increased cigarette taxes (7.0 million), followed by comprehensive smoke-free laws (5.4 million), large graphic health warnings (4.1 million), comprehensive marketing bans (3.8 million) and comprehensive cessation interventions (1.5 million). Conclusions These findings demonstrate the immense public health impact of tobacco control policies adopted globally since the WHO-FCTC and highlight the importance of more countries adopting highest level MPOWER measures to reduce the global burden of tobacco use. Substantial additional progress could be made, especially if heavily populated nations with high smoking prevalence were to reach highest level MPOWER measures.
Exploratory Factor Analysis of Pre-Purchase Construct for Airlines e-Ticketing System in Malaysia in The context of e-Transaction

The use of technology is growing fast and most of industries apply technology in their business. The changes of technology usage has forced airline companies in Malaysia into intense competition among them. E-ticketing system will help to ease customers and companies in doing purchasing ticket electronically. In view of this situation in Malaysia, a measuring instrument was developed and assessed for reliability using the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) procedure. Quantitative data was collected from 508 responses who had experience using airlines e-ticketing system in Malaysia using questionnaire survey. This study highlighted in detail Exploratory Factor Analysis process for Pre-purchase stage in online transaction cycle.
TWO NEW AND REMARKABLE SIGHTLINES THROUGH THE GALACTIC CENTER'S MOLECULAR GAS

Until now, the known sources in the Galactic center with sufficiently smooth spectra and of sufficient brightness to be suitable for high-resolution infrared absorption spectroscopy of interstellar gas occupied a narrow range of longitudes, from the central cluster of hot stars to approximately 30 pc east of the center. In order to more fully characterize the gas within the r ∼ 180 pc central molecular zone, it is necessary to find additional such sources that cover a much wider longitudinal range of sightlines. We are in the process of identifying luminous dust-embedded objects suitable for spectroscopy within 1. °2 in longitude and 0. °1 in latitude of Sgr A* using the Spitzer GLIMPSE and the Two Micron All Sky Survey catalogs. Here we present spectra of H+3 and CO toward two such objects, one located 140 pc west of Sgr A*, and the other located on a line of sight to the Sgr B molecular cloud complex 85 pc to the east of Sgr A*. The sightline to the west passes through two dense clouds of unusually high negative velocities and also appears to sample a portion of the expanding molecular ring. The spectra toward Sgr B reveal at least 10 absorption components covering over 200 km s−1 and by far the largest equivalent width ever observed in an interstellar H+3 line; they appear to provide the first near-infrared view into that hotbed of star formation.