Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Gastric enteral intolerance in mechanically ventilated patients with traumatic cerebral lesion].

OBJECTIVE To check the correlation between gastric intolerance and hypertension intracranial pressure and their association with the clinical parameters and severity indexes in patients with severe head injury (HI); to evaluate the advantages of transpyloric feeding. DESIGN Prospective and observational clinical study. SETTING Intensive Care Unit (ICM) of a General University Hospital. PATIENTS AND PARTICIPANTS 25 brain injured patients requiring sedation, mechanical ventilation and hypertensión intracranial monitoring. INTERVENTIONS Analysis of the incidence of delayed gastric emptying (area under the curve (AUC60)) and of gastrointestinal intolerance; study of their correlation with hypertension intracranial, severity indexes and sedative medication administered; evaluation of the alternative effectiveness of transpyloric feeding. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS 44% of the patients showed GI, which was measured by means of the paracetamol test (AUC60). The sedative medication was related to IG (p < 0.005), HIC (p < 0.01) and AUC60 (p < 0.01). Of the severity indexes, there was a correlation between Glasgow Coma Score and AUC60 (p < 0.01); the Marshall score HIC (p < 0.005) and AUC60 (p < 0.01). Of the quantitative variables, we found a correlation between HIC and IG (p < 0.001), HIC and pneumonia (p < 0.01), IG as well pneumonia (p < 0.001), and AUC60 (p < 0.001) and AUC60 and pneumonia (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Enteral intolerance in patients with HI is due to delayed gastric emptying (DGE) which is proportional to the severity of the head injury and to the intensity of the systemic response. The high incidence of GI makes transpyloric feeding advisable in order to attain the nutritional objective and to reduce the risk of aspirative nosocomial pneumonia.
Use of Single Point Mutations in Domain I of β2-Glycoprotein I to Determine Fine Antigenic Specificity of Antiphospholipid Autoantibodies1

Autoantibodies against β2-glycoprotein I (β2GPI) appear to be a critical feature of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). As determined using domain deletion mutants, human autoantibodies bind to the first of five domains present in β2GPI. In this study the fine detail of the domain I epitope has been examined using 10 selected mutants of whole β2GPI containing single point mutations in the first domain. The binding to β2GPI was significantly affected by a number of single point mutations in domain I, particularly by mutations in the region of aa 40–43. Molecular modeling predicted these mutations to affect the surface shape and electrostatic charge of a facet of domain I. Mutation K19E also had an effect, albeit one less severe and involving fewer patients. Similar results were obtained in two different laboratories using affinity-purified anti-β2GPI in a competitive inhibition ELISA and with whole serum in a direct binding ELISA. This study confirms that anti-β2GPI autoantibodies bind to domain I, and that the charged surface patch defined by residues 40–43 contributes to a dominant target epitope.
Does dorsal capsule interposition improve the results of proximal row carpectomy in Kienböck’s disease? One year randomized trial

Introduction: Proximal row carpectomy (PRC) is an option as a salvage procedure in late stage Kienböck’s disease. In this study, we hypothesize that interposition of a dorsal capsular flap following PRC improves functional outcomes. No comparative study is available to assess whether interposition is effective from the functional perspective. This study aims to determine whether the addition of this procedure may improve functional outcomes at a one year assessment. Methods: Thirty adult patients with IIIA and IIIB Lichtman stages, aged 18–54 years, were randomized into two study groups. Fourteen patients were allocated to the “no interposition group” and 16 to the “interposition” group. DASH questionnaire was used to evaluate quality of life. Cooney’s system was used to assess pain, functional state, range of motion, and grip strength. Complications were also assessed. Final followup and clinical assessment occurred after 12 months. Results: After 12 months and no patient losses, outcomes were similar in both groups. DASH scores (41.9 (7.5) vs. 42.9 (12.8), p = 0.79)), Cooney’s system (poor results, 0.6 vs. 0.14, p = 0.54), and complications were similar between groups. In conclusion, the inclusion of a dorsal capsular flap does not improve functional outcomes in PRC. Low rates of complications were found in both groups.
The effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on outcome of central nervous system herpesviruses infection in Cuban human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

With the rapid progress in the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the observed patterns in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis has changed, allowing herpesvirus (HV) infection to be controlled. HAART was first administered to HIV patients in Cuba in 2001. Consequently with the aim of investigate the behavior of the HVs causing neurological disorders in this population in the post-HAART era, the authors perform a clinical evaluation by a multiplex nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for simultaneous detection of human HVs—herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicellazoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). The authors studied 241 samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) received at the Sexually Transmitted Diseases Laboratory between 2001 and 2005 inclusive. Of the 241 CSF studied, 10.4% resulted positive for HV infections. Of these, 92% of patients were acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) individuals at the C3 stage. CMV (44%), EBV (28%), and dual-HV (16%) infections were the most important agents identified. The principal clinical manifestations were fever, headache, vomiting, and focal abnormalities; the latter being associated with an increased risk of death. A statistically significant result was observed when central nervous system (CNS) disease evolution was compared between patients who were under HAART against those who were not, before they developed encephalitis. It was therefore concluded that it is more likely that HIV individuals receiving HAART have a better recovery of CNS infections than those who are not receiving it.
Serum hyaluronan levels and radiographic knee and hip osteoarthritis in African Americans and Caucasians in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

OBJECTIVE Serum hyaluronan (HA) has been proposed as a potential biomarker of osteoarthritis (OA). We examined associations between serum HA and radiographic OA in an ethnically diverse, population-based sample. METHODS Participants were selected from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project, using stratified simple random sampling to achieve balance according to radiographic knee OA status, ethnic group, sex, and age group. Serum HA was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Radiographic OA variables included knee OA, knee OA laterality, knee OA severity, concomitant knee and hip OA, and total number of OA-affected knee and hip joints. Analysis of covariance was used to assess differences in mean serum levels of natural log-transformed HA (ln serum HA) between groups, adjusting for ethnicity, sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and self-reported comorbidities. RESULTS Levels of ln serum HA were positively associated with all definitions of radiographic OA (P < 0.0001). Levels of ln serum HA were higher in Caucasians (P = 0.0094) and in men (P = 0.0038) and were moderately correlated with age (r = 0.35, P < 0.0001). The associations with radiographic OA, ethnicity, sex, and age remained statistically significant after adjustment (P < 0.0045). There were no interactions between ethnicity and the other covariates. CONCLUSION These cross-sectional data support a role for serum HA as a biomarker of radiographic OA. The variations in levels of serum HA attributable to ethnicity, sex, and age were not explained by radiographic OA, BMI, or comorbidities. The lack of strong confounding between serum HA and comorbidities further supports a role for serum HA as a potential biomarker.
Understanding Consumer Confidence in the Safety of Food: Its Two‐Dimensional Structure and Determinants

Understanding of the determinants of consumer confidence in the safety of food is important if effective risk management and communication are to be developed. In the research reported here, we attempt to understand the roles of consumer trust in actors in the food chain and regulators, consumer recall of food safety incidents, consumer perceptions regarding the safety of particular product groups, personality characteristics, and sociodemographics, as potential determinants of consumer confidence in the safety of food. Consumer confidence in the safety of food was conceptualized as consisting of two distinct dimensions, namely, “optimism” and “pessimism. ” On the basis of a representative sample of 657 Dutch consumers, structural equation modeling was applied to simultaneously estimate the effect of the determinants on both “optimism” and “pessimism. ” The results indicated that, to a considerable extent, both optimism and pessimism about the safety of food arise from consumer trust in regulators and actors in the food chain and the perceived safety of meat and fish rather than other product categories. In addition, support was found for the notion that optimism and pessimism are conceptually distinct, as these dimensions of confidence were partly influenced by different determinants. The results of this study imply that consumer confidence in the safety of food could be enhanced by improving both consumer trust in societal actors, and consumer safety perceptions of particular product groups.
Inequality, Human Capital and Growth: Making the Theory Face the Facts

Economic theory asserts that income inequality could negatively affect human capital accumulation and consequently long-run growth. In their seminal contribution Galor and Zeira (1993) show that such a relationship works primarily through financial constraints while more recently Kremer and Chen (2002) show that the relationship can also work via fertility differentials. This paper investigates the inequality-human capital-growth hypothesis by testing the main channels (financial constraints and fertility differential) by which income distribution affects human capital in the two models. Our empirical analysis based on a sample of 46 countries during the period 1970−2000 finds strong support for the channels suggested by both models. Our baseline results are robust across alternative model specifications, alternative samples, and permutations of alternative variables.
High expression of cancer testis antigens MAGE‐A, MAGE‐C1/CT7, MAGE‐C2/CT10, NY‐ESO‐1, and gage in advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx

Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances in head and neck cancer, the 5‐year survival of patients with laryngeal cancer has not improved in the last 30 years. Several recent studies indicate that specific targets for immunotherapeutic approaches can be useful in the control of cancer. There is considerable interest in the expression of cancer testis antigens in human cancers since they may serve as the basis for an immunologic approach to therapy.
Interrelationship between electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy, QT prolongation, and ischaemic stroke: the REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke Study.

AIMS To determine if the association between electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) and ischaemic stroke is partially explained by the concomitant presence of QT prolongation. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 24 948 (mean age = 65 ± 9.4 years; 40% black; 55% women) participants from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study were included in this analysis. Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy was defined by the Sokolow-Lyon criteria. Heart rate-adjusted QT (QTa) was computed using a linear regression model. Adjudicated ischaemic stroke events were the outcome of interest. Cox regression was used to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for associations between ECG-LVH and prolonged QTa, in isolation and combined, with ischaemic stroke. There were 2422 (9.7%) participants with ECG-LVH, 820 (3.3%) with prolonged QTa, and 161 (0.6%) with both. Over a median follow-up of 7.6 years, 714 (2.9%) ischaemic stroke events occurred. After adjustment for stroke risk factors and potential confounders, an increased risk of ischaemic stroke was observed among participants with ECG-LVH and prolonged QTa (HR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.04-3.30), isolated ECG-LVH (HR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.13-1.75), and isolated prolonged QTa (HR = 1.45, 95% CI = 1.04-2.03) compared with participants without either condition. When ECG-LVH and prolonged QTa were examined as separate variables, the risk of ischaemic stroke for each condition remained statistically significant. CONCLUSION The combination of ECG-LVH and prolonged QT is associated with a higher risk of ischaemic stroke compared with either condition in isolation, and the stroke risk for each condition does not depend on the presence of the other.
Dizziness is associated with decreased vasoreactivity in right cerebral hemisphere for head‐down manoeuvre – near‐infrared spectroscopy study

To investigate the vasoreactivity of cerebral hemisphere in patients with dizziness and syncope, we compared changes in total haemoglobin (THbl) and regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) of the right and left frontal lobes in response to head‐down manoeuvre. Ninety‐six right‐handed subjects (aged 59 ± 19 years) were asked to perform a head‐down or a standing manoeuvre. Head‐down manoeuvre produced a greater increase in right side THbl in subjects under 70 years of age (8·5 ± 3·1) when compared with subjects older than 70 years (0·40 ± 0·08). In contrast, the head‐down manoeuvre had no effects on left side THbl, irrespective of patient age. Similarly, the head‐down manoeuvre resulted in a greater decrease of right side rSO2 in subjects under 70 years of age (−5·2 ± 2·1%) when compared with subjects older than 70 years (0·31 ± 0·9%). In contrast, the head‐down manoeuvre had no effects on left side rSO2, irrespective of patient age. The head‐down manoeuvre produced a smaller increase in right side THbl in subjects with dizziness (0·38 ± 0·19) than in those without dizziness (9·4 ± 3·5). A standing manoeuvre produced a smaller increase in right side THbl in subjects with syncope (−0·057 ± 0·047) than in those without syncope (0·063 ± 0·028). The head‐down manoeuvre produced a decrease in right side rSO2 in subjects without dizziness (−6·4 ± 2·4%) and a slight increase in right side rSO2 in subjects with dizziness (1·1 ± 0·4%). Subjects with dizziness (67 ± 2·1 years) were significantly older than those without dizziness (53 ± 2·7 years) or those with syncope (44 ± 4·2 years). These data indicate that reduced vasoreactivity to right hemispheric pressure changes is associated with dizziness in older subjects. Further, decreases in right hemispheric THbl during a standing manoeuvre are associated with syncope in relatively younger subjects.
Maternal health factors and early pediatric antiretroviral therapy influence the rate of perinatal HIV-1 disease progression in children

Objective: To determine the relationship of maternal health factors and infant antiretroviral treatment to the risk of pediatric disease progression to AIDS or death by 24 months of age. Design: Prospective perinatal HIV-1 transmission and pediatric natural history study. Setting: Urban medical centers in four cities in the USA. Participants: A total of 2656 pregnant and postpartum HIV-infected women enrolled in the Perinatal AIDS Collaborative Transmission Study (PACTS) and 360 children determined to be HIV-infected. Main outcome measures: Pediatric AIDS or death by 24 months of age. Results: Children born to mothers with class C disease, CD4 cell count < 200 × 106/l, or HIV-1 RNA viral load > 100 000 copies/ml progressed more rapidly than children born to mothers with less advanced disease. In a multivariate analysis, there was an increased risk of progression if mothers had Class C disease [relative risk (RR), 1.7; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.0–2.7] or HIV-1 RNA > 100 000 copies/ml (RR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.2–4.6) controlling for child antiretroviral therapy and year of birth. Earlier years of birth significantly increased the likelihood of rapid progression (P = 0.01) in this multivariate model. Children who received combination antiretroviral therapies with a protease inhibitor or non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor were significantly less likely to progress compared with those receiving no therapy (P = 0.03). Conclusions: HIV-1-infected infants born to women with advanced HIV-1 disease were at increased risk for rapid disease progression. More recent birth year and early treatment with potent antiretroviral therapy significantly diminished the likelihood of developing AIDS or dying during early childhood.
Stress adaptation and low-frequency impedance of rat lungs.

At transpulmonary pressures (Ptp) of 7-12 cmH2O, pressure-volume hysteresis of isolated cat lungs has been found to be 20-50% larger than predicted from their amount of stress adaptation (J. Hildebrandt, J. Appl. Physiol. 28: 365-372, 1970). This behavior is inconsistent with linear viscoelasticity and has been interpreted in terms of plastoelasticity. We have reinvestigated this phenomenon in isolated lungs from 12 Wistar rats by measuring 1) the changes in Ptp after 0.5-ml step volume changes (initial Ptp of 5 cmH2O) and 2) their response to sinusoidal pressure forcing from 0.01 to 0.67 Hz (2 cmH2O peak to peak, mean Ptp of 6 cmH2O). Stress adaptation curves were found to fit approximately Hildebrandt's logarithmic model [delta Ptp/delta V = A - B.log(t)] from 0.2 to 100 s, where delta V is the step volume change, A and B are coefficients, and t is time. A and B averaged 1.06 +/- 0.11 and 0.173 +/- 0.019 cmH2O/ml, respectively, with minor differences between stress relaxation and stress recovery curves. The response to sinusoidal forcing was characterized by the effective resistance (Re) and elastance (EL). Re decreased from 2.48 +/- 0.41 cmH2O.ml-1.s at 0.01 Hz to 0.18 +/- 0.03 cmH2O.ml-1.s at 0.5 Hz, and EL increased from 0.99 +/- 0.10 to 1.26 +/- 0.20 cmH2O/ml on the same frequency range. These data were analyzed with the frequency-domain version of the same model, complemented by a Newtonian resistance (R) to account for airway resistance: Re = R + B/ (9.2f) and EL = A + 0.25B + B . log 2 pi f, where f is the frequency. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Membrane proteomics of phagosomes suggests a connection to autophagy

Phagocytosis is the central process by which macrophage cells internalize and eliminate infectious microbes as well as apoptotic cells. During maturation, phagosomes containing engulfed particles fuse with various endosomal compartments through the action of regulatory molecules on the phagosomal membrane. In this study, we performed a proteomic analysis of the membrane fraction from latex bead-containing (LBC) phagosomes isolated from macrophages. The profile, which comprised 546 proteins, suggests diverse functions of the phagosome and potential connections to secretory processes, toll-like receptor signaling, and autophagy. Many identified proteins were not previously known to reside in the phagosome. We characterized several proteins in LBC phagosomes that change in abundance on induction of autophagy, a process that has been previously implicated in the host defense against microbial pathogens. These observations suggest crosstalk between autophagy and phagocytosis that may be relevant to the innate immune response of macrophages.
Satellite Irrigation Management Support With the Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System: A Framework for Integration of Satellite and Surface Observations to Support Improvements in Agricultural Water Resource Management

In California and other regions vulnerable to water shortages, satellite-derived estimates of key hydrologic fluxes can support agricultural producers and water managers in maximizing the benefits of available water supplies. The Satellite Irrigation Management Support (SIMS) project combines NASA's Terrestrial Observation and Prediction System (TOPS), Landsat and MODIS satellite imagery, and surface sensor networks to map indicators of crop irrigation demand and develop information products to support irrigation management and other water use decisions. TOPS-SIMS provides the computing and data processing systems required to support automated, near real-time integration of observations from satellite and surface sensor networks, and generates data and information in formats that are convenient for agricultural producers, water managers, and other end users. Using the TOPS modeling framework to integrate data from multiple sensor networks in near real-time, SIMS currently maps crop fractional cover, basal crop coefficients, and basal crop evapotranspiration. Map products are generated at 30 m resolution on a daily basis over approximately 4 million ha of California farmland. TOPS-SIMS is a fully operational prototype, and a publicly available beta-version of the web interface is being pilot tested by farmers, irrigation consultants, and water managers in California. Data products are distributed via dynamic web services, which support both visual mapping and time-series queries, to allow users to obtain information on spatial and temporal patterns in crop canopy development and water requirements. TOPS-SIMS is an application framework that demonstrates the value of integrating multi-disciplinary Earth observation systems to provide benefits for water resource management.
A systematic comparison of triple therapies for treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection with proton pump inhibitor/ ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin and either amoxicillin or a nitroimidazole

Triple therapies with proton pump inhibitor/ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC), clarithromycin (C) and either amoxicillin (A) or a nitroimidazole (I) are widely accepted as treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection. However, it is not clear which of these antibiotic combinations should be preferred.
Spina Bifida and Rehabilitation

Spina bifida (SB) is the incomplete closure of the posterior elements of the vertebrae due to a developmental disorder. Among the causes of childhood disability, SB is the second most common cause after cerebral palsy. Generally, secondary motor neuron findings are seen below the lesion.The ambulation grade and the orthoses used by patients vary according to the level of the lesion. SB patients experience various complications throughout their lives. The purpose of SB rehabilitation is to prevent these complications and to keep the patient’s functional status at the best possible level. Therefore, a rehabilitation program, starting at infancy and continuing during the lifetime, should be family centered and should be conducted with a multidisciplinary team.