Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Predicting outcome in children with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy

Objective: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is common in children, and providing accurate and timely prognostic information is important in determining the appropriate level of care. While practice parameters are available for prognostication in adults, similar reviews are not available for children. This article reviews the current evidence in domains used to provide prognostic information in children with coma due to HIE. These include historical features of the event; physical exam signs; neurophysiologic studies, such as electroencephalogram and evoked potentials; and neuroimaging. Data Source: A literature search of MEDLINE was performed using the search terms HIE and prognosis cross-referenced in series with specific domains used to provide prognostic information, including physical examination, electroencephalogram, evoked potentials, neuroimaging, and magnetic resonance imaging. The results of these searches were scanned by the authors to identify articles pertaining to children (nonneonates). Further literature was identified from the reference lists of the literature identified by MEDLINE search. Clinical, preclinical, and review articles were identified that were related to the current understanding of prognosis in pediatric HIE. Only literature in English was reviewed. Results: When performed at least 24 hrs after the inciting event, abnormal exam signs (pupil reactivity and motor response), absent N20 waves bilaterally on somatosensory evoked potentials, electrocerebral silence or burst suppression patterns on electroencephalogram (not due to metabolic or medication etiology), and abnormal magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion restriction in the cortex and basal ganglia are each highly predictive of poor outcome. Combining these modalities improves the overall predictive value. Conclusions: All testing provides the best prognostic information several days after hypoxic-ischemic injury, and often multiple tests are required to improve prognostic ability and rule out potentially confounding conditions. Thus, when decisions can be postponed several days, neurologic consultation and testing can provide the best prognostic information to families.
Investigation on reed Imperata Cylindrica as sound absorber

The particles from synthetic fiber that are commonly used in sound absorber are very harmful to human health and environment when exposed to the air. Thus, researchers is now focus towards finding the potential of natural materials as alternative sound absorber. This paper presents the use of hollow structure of natural reed as non-fibrous acoustic absorber. Impedance tube method was used to measure the sound absorption coefficient of natural reed. Reed of length 2 cm and 3 cm were arranged in two different configuration: axial and transverse arrangement. The results showed that reed layered with thickness 2 cm in transverse arrangement gives better sound absorption compare to others with absorption coefficient reaches almost 1 at around 1.8kHz. For transverse arrangement, introduction of microholes to the structure of reed only shifts the absorption peak towards lower frequency.
CyberKnife for Treatment of Vestibular Schwannoma: A Meta-analysis

Objectives (1) Perform a meta-analysis of the available data on the outcomes of CyberKnife radiosurgery for treatment of vestibular schwannomas (VSs) in the published English-language literature and (2) evaluate the collective outcomes of CyberKnife treatment with respect to tumor control and hearing preservation. Data Sources A thorough literature search of published English-language articles was performed in the PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases. Review Methods A database search was conducted with the keywords “CyberKnife” and “vestibular schwannoma” or “acoustic neuroma. ” A total of 25 papers were found and reviewed. Data were extracted for patient demographics, number of patients with neurofibromatosis type 2, pretreatment hearing status, tumor size, margin dose, and follow-up duration. The primary outcome variables evaluated were tumor control and hearing preservation. Results After careful review of the published articles, 11 papers reported data on outcomes of CyberKnife treatment for VS and were included in the analysis, comprising 800 patients studied during 1998 to 2012. The reported mean tumor volume ranged from 0.02 to 19.8 cm3, and the follow-up duration ranged from 6 to 120 months. Margin dose varied from 14 to 25 Gy. The collective mean tumor control rate was 96.3% (95% CI: 94.0%-98.5%). The collective hearing preservation rate was 79.1% (95% CI: 71.0%-87.3%) in 427 patients with measurable hearing. Conclusion Clinical data on outcomes of CyberKnife radiosurgery for treatment of VSs are sparse and primarily limited to single-institution analyses, with considerable variation in tumor volume and follow-up time. This meta-analysis not only provides an in-depth analysis of available data in the literature but also reviews reported outcomes and complications.
Qualitative assessment of counselling on infant and young child feeding provided by community health workers to caregivers at child welfare clinics in Ghana

Effective counselling of caregivers on feeding and young child feeding (IYCF) improves IYCF practices and reduces undernutrition. This study was conducted to assess the approaches used in IYCF counselling at outreach and facility-based child welfare clinics (CWCs), content of counselling delivered by community child growth promoters and community health nurses, and perceptions of mothers about the messages provided. Qualitative exploratory design comprising 12-months participant observation of CWC activities, structured observation of 60 counselling sessions using observational check-list and exit interviews with 20 mothers using open-ended questionnaire was conducted at four CWCs in the Greater-Accra region, Ghana. Findings were themed and coded inductively. Counselling provided by the growth promoters was individualized and tended to follow UNICEF recommended positive counselling skills whereas the nurses primarily provided didactic group counselling but none used educational materials or documented agreements reached. The community health workers counselled on breastfeeding but additionally, the growth promoters included complementary feeding whereas the nurses focused on immunizations. First time mothers and those below 30 years who participated in the outreach CWCs found the counselling most helpful. Mothers who claimed not to have received any IYCF counselling mostly attended the private facility-based CWC. Those who asserted that the counselling was non-beneficial cited reasons such as the messages being repetitive, nonspecific, and not solving their children’s feeding difficulties while few mothers thought the counselling was unnecessary because their child’s feeding and growth were apparently optimum. Counselling on IYCF should be tailored to the needs of caregiver-child pairs. Primiparous and young mothers should be targeted.
Vestibular‐mediated synaptic inputs and pathways to sympathetic preganglionic neurons in the neonatal mouse

• When the body is tilted from horizontal to vertical, blood tends to accumulate in the legs, and blood pressure may fall in the upper body and head, a phenomenon known as orthostatic hypotension. • The vestibulosympathetic reflexes triggered by stimulation of vestibular afferents help to counteract orthostatic hypotension, especially during its initial onset. • We used an ex vivo preparation of the brainstem and spinal cord of the neonatal mouse, and high‐throughput optical recording to assess when vestibulosympathetic projections become functional postnatally. • Vestibulosympathetic synaptic connections are present in the mouse, and are already functional at birth. The organization of the projections includes many of the key features seen in adult mammals. • The demonstration of similarity between vestibulosympathetic pathways in mice and other mammals is exciting because mouse models provide the possibility to use powerful molecular genetic techniques to make discoveries that may be very relevant for human vestibulo‐autonomic dysfunction.
Evaluation of oral health-related quality-of-life in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis

Abstract Objective. This study aimed to assess the association between the quality-of-life and clinical parameters in patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis. Materials and methods. The examination included assessing the number of missing teeth; the number of mobile teeth; and periodontal measures such as bleeding on probing (BoP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (REC) and plaque index (PI). Patients were asked to rate the impact of their oral health on 16 key areas of oral health-related quality-of-life (OHQoL-UK©). Results. In this study, most of the subjects' complaints were missing teeth (85%) and REC (75%), following by bleeding gums (62%), bad breath odor (58%), pain/sensitivity (53%) and mobility (53%). On the other hand all clinical parameters affected the OHQoL-UK© (p < 0.05) and the most affected parameters of QoL were missing teeth, BoP, mobility and REC (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The findings of the current study showed that aggresive periodontitis has a deep impact on patients' oral health-related quality-of-life. When setting a treatment plan in aggressive periodontitis patients, clinicians must evaluate the patient perceptions and the effect of treatment options on a patient's entire life.
A de novo 1.58 Mb deletion, including MAP2K6 and mapping 1.28 Mb upstream to SOX9, identified in a patient with Pierre Robin sequence and osteopenia with multiple fractures

Defects of long‐range regulatory elements of dosage‐sensitive genes represent an under‐recognized mechanism underlying genetic diseases. Haploinsufficiency of SOX9, the gene essential for development of testes and differentiation of chondrocytes, results in campomelic dysplasia, a skeletal malformation syndrome often associated with sex reversal. Chromosomal rearrangements with breakpoints mapping up to 1.6 Mb up‐ and downstream to SOX9, and disrupting its distant cis‐regulatory elements, have been described in patients with milder forms of campomelic dysplasia, Pierre Robin sequence, and sex reversal. We present an ∼1.58 Mb deletion mapping ∼1.28 Mb upstream to SOX9 that encompasses its putative long‐range cis‐regulatory element(s) and MAP2K6 in a patient with Pierre Robin sequence and osteopenia with multiple fractures. Low bone mass panel testing using massively parallel sequencing of 23 nuclear genes, including COL1A1 and COL1A2 was negative. Based on the previous mouse model of Map2k6, suggesting that Sox9 is likely a downstream target of the p38 MAPK pathway, and our previous chromosome conformation capture‐on‐chip (4C) data showing potential interactions between SOX9 promoter and MAP2K6, we hypothesize that deletion of MAP2K6 might have affected SOX9 expression and contributed to our patient's phenotype. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Association of GSTM1, CYP1A1 and CYP2E1 genetic polymorphisms with susceptibility to lung adenocarcinoma: A case‐control study in Chinese population

A case‐control study of 164 lung adenocarcinoma (AC) patients with 181 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls was conducted in order to assess any associations between glutathione‐S‐transferase M1 (GSTM1), cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and cyto‐chrome P4502E1 (CYP2E1) polymorphisms and susceptibility to lung AC in Chinese. The presence of CYP2E1 variant allele was significantly less frequent in cases than in controls, while the distribution of GSTM1 null genotype and variant CYP1A1 Msp1 allele did not vary between cases and controls. After adjustment for age, gender, smoking and all other genotypes, the CYP2E1 Rsa1 variant allele was significantly associated with decreased risk of lung AC [odds ratio 0.534 (95% confidence interval, 0.340–0.837)]. Furthermore, 3.0‐fold increased risk was found in individuals with combined GSTM1 null genotype and CYP2E1 Rsa1 wild type versus those with combined GSTM1 non‐null type and CYP2E1 variant allele. Our results suggest that CYP2E1 Rsa1 variant allele is associated with a decreased risk of lung AC, and combined GSTM1 null genotype and CYP2E1 Rsa1 wild type has a promoting effect on susceptibility to lung AC. (Cancer Sci 2003; 94: 448–452)
Allelopathic potential of tannic acid and its equivalent phenolics extracted from aerial parts of Ampelocissus latifolia (Roxb.) Planch

This study was aimed to compare allelopathic effect of tannic acid with the successive solvent extract fractions of aerial parts of Ampelocissus latifolia and to identify the qualitatively superior allelopathic (inhibitory) phenolic fraction in terms of growth retardation effects in wheat root apical meristems in laboratory conditions. Five extract fractions were prepared using soxhlet apparatus by sequentially passing organic solvents with increasing polarity index through the fixed amount of dried leaf powder and the allelopathic inhibitory action of the extract fractions was studied using wheat seedlings and that was compared with the allelopathic action of tannic acid. All the test fractions and tannic acid were found to be effective regarding wheat root growth retardation in a dose dependent manner. IC50 values were calculated as 2.8, 1.6, 0.8, 1.1, 1.6 and 0.17 mg/ml respectively for petroleum ether (PEEF), chloroform (CEF), ethyl acetate (EAEF), methanolic (MEF) and aqueous extract fraction (AEF) and tannic acid. Tannic acid caused 93.67% growth inhibition at 1 mg/ml after 48 h. Comparative data indicated that MEF caused maximum growth inhibition (94.76% growth inhibition at 4 mg/ml after 48 h) as it contains highest amount of plant phenolics, followed by EAEF, CEF, AEF and PEEF, but while considering % root growth inhibition in terms of per phenolic mg %, EAEF showed the highest potency. Here, not only the quantity of phenolics but also the quality of phenolics is an important factor for allelopathic actions. Thus tannic acid and EAEF phenolic component may be considered as substitute of chemical herbicides.
Differential effects of grape juice on gastric emptying and renal function from cisplatin-induced acute adverse toxicity

Grape skin and seeds contain large amounts of phytochemicals such as polyphenols, resveratrol, and proanthocyanidins, which possess antioxidant activities. Cisplatin is widely used in the treatment of cancer. High doses of cisplatin have also been known to produce acute adverse effects. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of antioxidant properties of whole grape juice (with skin and seeds) on cisplatin-induced acute gastrointestinal tract disorders and nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats. Gastric emptying is significantly increased in whole grape juice-pretreated rats when compared to cisplatin treatment alone. The expression of ghrelin mRNA of stomach is increased in rats with whole grape juice. However, pretreatment with whole grape juice did not reduce renal function markers in acute renal toxicity. No significant changes were recorded in the oxidative stress/antioxidant status parameters of any study group. In contrast, pretreatment with whole grape juice slightly improved tubular cell vacuolization, tubular dilatation, and cast formation in renal tubules. These results show that consumption of whole grape juice induces somewhat beneficial effects in preventing cisplatin-mediated dyspepsia but does not offer protection against cisplatin-induced acute renal toxicity.
Boundary estimation in the presence of measurement error with unknown variance

Boundary estimation appears naturally in economics in the context of productivity analysis. The performance of a firm is measured by the distance between its achieved output level (quantity of goods produced) and an optimal production frontier which is the locus of the maximal achievable output given the level of the inputs (labor, energy, capital, etc.). Frontier estimation becomes difficult if the outputs are measured with noise and most approaches rely on restrictive parametric assumptions. This paper contributes to the direction of nonparametric approaches. A slightly simplified version of the general problem can be written as Y = X · Z, where Y is the observable output, X is the unobserved variable of interest with support [0, τ ] and density f , and Z is the noise. Suppose that f(τ) > 0, and that Z is independent of X and is log-normally distributed with logZ ∼ N(0, σ2) for some unknown variance σ2. The novelty of our approach consists in proposing a method for simultaneous estimation of τ and σ. The asymptotic consistency and the rate of convergence of the estimators are established, and simulations are carried out to verify the performance of the estimators for small samples. We briefly describe how the approach could be extended to the problem of estimating a frontier function.
Neospora caninum serostatus and culling of Holstein cattle.

OBJECTIVE To determine whether time until culling or risk of culling was associated with Neospora caninum serostatus among Holstein cattle in dairy herds in Ontario. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS 3,412 cows in 56 herds. PROCEDURE Blood samples were collected, and serum was tested for antibodies against N. caninum. Information on cows that were culled was collected during the 1- to 2-year period that producers were unaware of serostatus of individual cows in their herds. RESULTS Herd prevalence of N. caninum-seropositive cows ranged from 0 to 68.3% (median, 7.0%). During the time of the study, 184 of 359 (51.3%) N. caninum-seropositive cows were culled, compared with 1,388 of 3,053 (45.5%) seronegative cows. Mean time from blood sample collection to culling for seronegative cows (289 days; 95% confidence interval, 280 to 299 days) was not significantly different from mean time for seropositive cows (296 days; 95% confidence interval, 269 to 323 days). Survival analysis indicated that N. caninum serostatus was not associated with time to culling or risk of culling. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggest that N. caninum serostatus of Holstein cows in Ontario was not significantly associated with either time to culling or risk of culling. Thus, N. caninum serostatus alone should not be used to determine whether cows should be culled.
ON PARTITIONED AND MONOLITHIC COUPLING STRATEGIES IN LAGRANGIAN VORTEX METHODS FOR 2 D FSI PROBLEMS

Lagrangian vortex methods are powerful tool for numerical simulation in CFD and coupled fluid structure interaction (FSI) problems. The main feature of vortex methods is vorticity considering as a primary computed variable, while velocity and pressure distributions can be reconstructed by using the Biot — Savart law and the Cauchy — Lagrange integral analogue. Advantages of vortex methods include the possibility to “concentrate” computational resources in the domain with non-zero vorticity and to simulate arbitrary large displacements of the airfoils in the flow. Moreover, in contrast to mesh methods, computational cost of such simulation just a little higher than for flow simulation around immovable airfoil. In this research the problems of flow simulation around oscillating and immovable circular cylinders using vortex methods are considered. The wind resonance phenomenon is investigated, when eigenfrequency of the mechanical system is close to vortex shedding frequency. All numerical results are in good agreement with experimental data.
Measurement of tibiofemoral angle in Nepalese children: a clinical study in normal subjects between ages of 1-8 years

In evaluation of genu valgum/varum Tibiofemoral angle (TF), Inter-condylar Distance (IC) and Inter-malleolar Distance (IM) are commonly measured. In this study normal limits and mean values of TF angle IC/IM distances was determined in 413 normal Nepalese children aged between 1-8 years using clinical methods. A significantly higher degree of valgus angle was noted compared to other studies performed in different races. The maximal mean valgus angle was 10.5 at 4-5 years for boys and 10.6 at 6-7 years for girls. Conclusion: A measurable varus or valgus angle higher than 11 degrees during this period should be considered abnormal.
Assessment of strategies to build a welcoming STEM classroom environment for all students

We have designed, implemented and assessed a series of pedagogical strategies that seek to improve the climate of large introductory STEM courses and promote accessibility to students from all groups and backgrounds. These strategies rely on deliberately fostering collaboration among students, rather than competition, and promoting a culture that rewards effort and personal growth. We have collected and analyzed students’ responses to our approach in a large introductory physics course over several semesters. We report that our strategies are successful in building a course community, in which students, regardless of demographic, perceive a welcoming atmosphere and feel supported and cared for by their classmates and instructors.
Characteristics and experiences of etonogestrel-releasing contraceptive implant users in a cohort of Turkish women

Amac: Turk kadin kohortunda etonogestrel salan implant kullanicilarinin ozelliklerini ve deneyimlerini belirlemek. Gerec ve Yontemler: Bu retrospektif kohort calisma, tersiyer bir referans devlet hastanesinde gerceklestirildi. Ocak 2014 ile Nisan 2016 arasinda Etonogestrel salan implant yerlestirilmis 91 kadinin verileri gozden gecirildi. Bulgular: Doksan bir kadinin yarisindan fazlasi (%52,8) ≥30 ve birkaci< 25 (%5,5) yastaydi. Sadece 3 (%3,3) kadin nullipardi. Yarisindan fazlasi universite ve ustu okullardan mezundu (%54,9) ve bir iste calismaktaydi (%58,2). Etkinlik en fazla tercih edilme nedeniydi. Yontemi kullanmaya devam etme orani yirmi bes ayda %75,0 ve otuz dort ayda %50,0 idi. Yirmi dokuz kadin, kullanim suresi dolmadan implanti cikardi. Bunlarin 18'i gebe kalmak istedi ve diger 11’i yasadiklari yan etkiler nedeniyle implant kullanmayi birakti. Duzensiz adet kanamasi, en sik gorulen yan etkiydi. Bu yontemi kullanirken hicbir kadinda gebelik olusmadi. Sonuc: Etonogestrel salan implant, ozellikle dogum yapmis, iyi egitimli ve bir iste calisan Turk kadini tarafindan etkinligi icin kullanilmaktadir. Kullanimina devam etme oranlari yuksek olmasina ragmen, duzensiz adet kanamasi erken cikartma nedeni olan en sik yan etkisidir.
Testosterone Deficiency as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease

Testosterone deficiency (TD) has become a frequently diagnosed condition in our current society with an obesity epidemic. Men diagnosed with TD often have co-morbidities including metabolic syndrome. Challenging aspects in diagnosing and treating patients with TD include intra-individual variation of symptoms combined with lack of its correlation with serum levels of testosterone. Apart from sexual aspects including libido and erectile function, replacement therapy with testosterone might have beneficial metabolic effects, whereas untreated TD might increase cardiometabolic risk and disease. In this article, we review the cardiovascular and metabolic risks associated with TD, as well as risks and benefits of testosterone replacement therapy. We also provide insights into potential mechanisms of the association between cardiometabolic risks with TD (treated and untreated) and propose an individual treatment algorithm.
The plain X‐ray in the acute abdomen: A surgeon's evaluation

The plain abdominal X‐rays of 277 patients suffering from five acute abdominal conditions were reviewed and specific radiological features found to occur in not less than 48 per cent of the cases. In a second series of 249 patients admitted to hospital with an acute abdomen due to all types of disease, the plain abdominal X‐rays were helpful in 42 per cent of cases. A questionnaire of 50 plain abdominal X‐rays was answered by surgeons and radiologists of varying clinical experience, the scores of the senior radiologists being higher. It is suggested that plain abdominal X‐rays should become a routine investigation in the acute abdomen, and should be reported by senior radiologists at the time of the investigation.