Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stem cell transplantation from HLA‐matched related donor for Fanconi's anaemia: a retrospective review of the multicentric Italian experience on behalf of Associazione Italiana di Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP)–Gruppo Italiano Trapianto di Midollo Osseo (GITMO)

Twenty‐seven consecutive Italian patients with Fanconi's anaemia (FA) underwent stem cell transplantation (SCT) from an HLA‐matched related donor in 10 Italian centres of the Associazione Italiana Ematologia ed Oncologia Pediatrica (AIEOP), Gruppo Italiano di Trapianto di Midollo Osseo (GITMO). Twenty‐two patients (81·5%) were conditioned with low‐dose (median 20 mg/kg) cyclophosphamide (Cy) and thoraco‐abdominal or total body irradiation (median dose 500 cGy), five patients (18·5%) with high‐dose Cy (median 120 mg/kg). Graft‐vs.‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was carried out with cyclosporin A in 26 cases; methotrexate (MTX) was added in eight cases. One patient received MTX alone. The median follow‐up was 36 months. Ninety‐two percent of patients (25 out of 27) engrafted, grade II and III acute GVHD occurred in 28% and 8% of patients, respectively, with chronic GVHD in 12·5%. Conditioning‐related toxicity was mild: 4% of patients had grade III mucositis, 7·4% had grade II haemorrhagic cystitis, 14·8% had grade III liver toxicity and 11·1% had grade III renal toxicity. Transplant‐related mortality at 12 months was 19·2%, survival at 36 months was 81·5%, with a median Karnofsky score of 100%. No late tumours occurred after a mean follow‐up of the survivors of 5 years. None of the studied variables significantly affected the survival, including conditioning regimen, acute GVHD and clinical non‐haematological phenotype. Among the studied variables, only conditioning regimens containing high‐dose Cy and the presence of genital abnormalities were significantly (P < 0·05) associated with an increased rate of acute GVHD. Our study demonstrates that the Italian FA patients undergoing SCT from an HLA‐matched related donor have a very good outcome. These patients, when compared with others of different ethnic origin who underwent allogeneic bone marrow transplantation, showed a less severe non‐haematological phenotype, raising the possibility that this milder phenotype may have, at least in part, contributed to the outcome. Our data may provide a useful tool for further studies aiming to correlate genotype with phenotype.
Liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of dimethoxyaschantin, dimethylliroresinol, dimethylpinoresinol, epimagnolin A, fargesin and magnolin in rat plasma.

A rapid, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous determination of dimethoxyaschantin, dimethylliroresinol, dimethylpinoresinol, epimagnolin A, fargesin and magnolin, the pharmacologically active ingredients of Magnolia fargesii in rat plasma. These tetrahydrofurofuranoid lignans were extracted from rat plasma using tert-butyl methyl ether at pH 7.4. The analytes were separated on a Pinnacle DB biphenyl column with 65% methanol in 10 mm ammonium formate (pH 3.0) and detected by APCI tandem mass spectrometry in the selective reaction monitoring mode. The calibration curves were linear (r(2) ≥ 0.996) over the concentration range of 20.0-1000 ng/mL for six tetrahydrofurofuranoid lignans. The lower limit of quantification for these lignans was 20.0 ng/mL with 50 µL of plasma sample. The intra- and inter-assay coefficient of variation and relative error for the six tetrahydrofurofuranoid lignans at four quality control concentrations were 0.2-9.9% and -8.5-8.2%, respectively. There was no matrix effect for the six tetrahydrofurofuranoid lignans and tolterodine (internal standard). The pharmacokinetics of dimethylliroresinol, dimethylpinoresinol, epimagnolin A, fargesin and magnolin were evaluated after oral administration of a purified extract isolated from dried flower buds of Magnolia fargesii at doses of 5.5, 11.0 and 22.0 mg/kg in male rats.
Cardiorespiratory Changes in Thoracoscopy Under Local Anesthesia

Modern thoracoscopy with a video-assisted system clearly demonstrates the pleural cavity, and its application under local anesthesia is useful in diagnosing pleural diseases. However, its influence on the cardiorespiratory system is not well understood. The aim of the current study was to evaluate this problem by performing cardiorespiratory monitoring during thoracoscopy in 66 patients with focal bullous lung disease. Duration of thoracoscopy was 12.3 ± 5.1 minutes (mean ± standard deviation). After establishing open pneumothorax with a thoracoscope inserted into the pleural cavity, the average respiratory rate increased (29.7 ± 24.6%; p Abstract: Journal of Bronchology7:215-220, 2000. Abstract: HR, heart rate; RR, respiratory rate; SpO2, oxygen saturation; BP, blood pressure; syst, systolic; diast, diastolic; avg, average; % Δ, percent change; min, minimum
Tissue shrinkage in microwave thermal ablation: comparison of three commercial devices

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate, characterise and compare the extent of tissue shrinkage induced from three different commercial microwave ablation devices, and to elucidate the mechanism behind the distinctive performances obtained. Materials and methods: Microwave ablation (N = 152) was conducted with three different commercial devices on cubes of ex vivo liver (10–40 ± 2 mm/side) embedded in agar phantoms. 50–60 W was applied for 1–10 min duration. Pre- and post-ablation dimensions of the samples, as well as the extent of carbonisation and coagulation were measured and correlated. ANOVA was performed to evaluate statistical significance. Results: For all devices, logarithmic correlations with time were observed for both tissue shrinkage (R2 = 0.84–1.00) and induced carbonisation (R2 = 0.73–0.99) radially to the antenna axis. Along the longitudinal axis of the antenna, for two of the devices shrinkage did not appreciably change with time (p > 0.05), yet carbonisation increased linearly (R2 = 0.57–0.94). For the third fully internally-cooled device, both carbonisation and shrinkage showed logarithmic trends (R2 = 0.85–0.98 and R2 = 0.78–0.94, respectively) based upon delayed carbonisation appearing only 5 min into ablation and onward. For all devices, non-uniform shrinkage was noted within the coagulated area increasing from the boundary of the ablated area (14%) to the limit of carbonisation (39%) in a linear fashion (R2 = 0.88) Conclusions: Microwave ablation device construction can alter the extent of post-ablation coagulation and tissue shrinkage. Given that tissue shrinkage in the coagulated area shows non-uniform behaviour, observed differences can be attributed in part to the applicator cooling system that alters the ablation temperature profile.
Residual Motion on Flexion-extension Radiographs After Simulated Lumbar Arthrodesis in Human Cadavers

Flexion-extension radiographs are commonly used to assess lumbar fusion. Recommended criteria for solid fusion have varied from 1 to 5 degrees of angular motion between vertebrae. Notwithstanding this wide variation, the validity of these criteria have never been biomechanically tested. As a preliminary and initial step, it was the authors' purpose to quantify measurable angular motion after simulating solid lumbar fusion in human cadaver spines. Seven cadaveric spines (L1 to L4) were tested in a radiolucent jig fixed to a servohydraulic testing apparatus. Flexion and extension moments of 10 Nm were applied. Fusion was simulated using metallic implants spanning the L2-L3 motion segment. These included transverse process plates, a spinous process plate, pedicle screw construct, or an anterior vertebral body plate to simulate an intertransverse, interspinous process, facet, and interbody fusions, respectively. Angular movements were measured on lateral radiographs and statistically compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance. Simulated intertransverse fusion resulted in 13±4 degrees of motion; interspinous fusion, 9±4 degrees; posterior facet fusion, 5±3 degrees; and interbody fusion with plate, 3±2 degrees. Compared with the intact, only posterior facet fusion and interbody fusion with plate had statistically significantly less motion (P=0.006 and 0.0001, respectively). The amount of radiographically detectable flexion-extension motion with simulated fusions varies widely and seems to be influenced by fusion type. This study documents a range of measurable motion on flexion-extension radiographs after several types of simulated lumbar fusion. However, as the degrees of motion seemed to be high, future studies should use a fusion simulation other than metallic implants that more closely resembles bony arthrodesis.
Painful Disc Lesion: Can Modern Biplanar Magnetic Resonance Imaging Replace Discography?

Study Design A new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) classification of disc degeneration was correlated with discography. It was also studied for intraobserver and interobserver variability in interpreting disc abnormality and for the capability in predicting symptomatic disc. Objective To correlate the results of discography with a new MRI classification for disc degeneration and the presence of the vertebral endplate changes and the high intensity zone (HIZ). Summary of Background Data MRI and discography have been compared in numerous studies as methods for detecting disc degeneration. The results were conflicting and the role of MRI in assessing discogenic pain remains ambiguous. Methods One hundred thirty-one discs in 55 patients were studied with pain provocation discography and MRI. A new MRI classification was correlated to discography and assessed together with the presence of end plate changes and HIZ, by the sensitivity and specificity in predicting a painful disc. Results MRI classification had a good intra and interobserver agreement and a significant correlation with discographic findings. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI in predicting painful disc was 94% and 77%. The sensitivities and specificity of HIZs was 27% and 87% and for end plate changes was 32% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions Although MRI is an excellent investigation for assessing disc morphology it should be interpreted along with discography findings before planning fusion surgery. The proposed MRI classification is a useful aid in predicting painful degenerative disc. The utility of HIZs and end plate changes is limited due to low sensitivity.
GYNECOLOGICAL HEALTHCARE SERVICE UTILIZATION IN RESPECT TO HABITS AND LIFESTYLES OF THE FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SERBIA

The aim of the paper was to determine the frequency of gynecological examinations among the female university students in Serbia as well as a potential association with certain habits and lifestyles. The research was conducted at the three Serbian state universities in the period January-June in the academic year 2008/09 and included 1.164 female university students using a method of random sampling. In total, 18% of female university students said that they had never visited the gynecologist. The least concerned about their health when making the choice of food they eat and the least physically active were the females who had never visited the gynecologist. The females who had visited the gynecologist less than two times estimated themselves as healthier (p<0.05) as well as the girls who had the first gynecological examination before the age of 20. The girls who visited the gynecologist for the first time before they reached 20 years of age used condoms more consistently. Planning and organization of a broad spectrum of activities arranged at the faculties should focus the students' attention on the gynecological healthcare and adequately solve them. Acta Medica Medianae 2011;50(4):17-22.
Study of enhanced radiofrequency heating by pre-freezing tissue

Abstract In our previous animal model study, we found that radiofrequency (RF) ablation of pre-frozen tumor resulted in improved therapeutic effects. To understand the underlying mechanisms and optimize the treatment protocol, the RF heating pattern in pre-frozen tissue was studied in this paper. Both ex vivo and in vivo experiments were conducted to compare the temperature profiles of RF heating with or without pre-freezing. Results showed that the heating rate of in vivo tissues was significantly higher with pre-freezing. However, little difference was observed in the heating rate of ex vivo tissues with or without pre-freezing. In the histopathologic analysis of in vivo tissues, both a larger ablation area and a wider transitional zone were found in the tissue with pre-freezing. To investigate the cause for the enhancement in RF heating, the parameters affecting the tissue temperature rise were studied. It was found that the electrical conductivity of in vivo tissue with pre-freezing was much higher at low frequencies, but little difference was found at the 460 kHz frequency commonly used in clinical applications. A finite element model for RF heating was developed and validated to fit the thermal conductivity of in vivo tissue including effects of pre-freezing and the associated blood perfusion rate. Results showed that the enhancement of the heating rate was primarily attributed to the decreased blood perfusion rate in the tissue with vascular damage caused by pre-freezing. The ablation volume was increased by 104% due to the reduced heat dissipation.
Using a genetic algorithm-based RAROC model for the performance and persistence of the funds

Assisting fund investors in making better investment decisions when faced with market climate change is an important subject. For this purpose, we adopt a genetic algorithm (GA) to search for an optimal decay factor for an exponential weighted moving average model, which is used to calculate the value at risk combined with risk-adjusted return on capital (RAROC). We then propose a GA-based RAROC model. Next, using the model we find the optimal decay factor and investigate the performance and persistence of 31 Taiwanese open-end equity mutual funds over the period from November 2006 to October 2009, divided into three periods: November 2006–October 2007, November 2007–October 2008, and November 2008–October 2009, which includes the global financial crisis. We find that for three periods, the optimal decay factors are 0.999, 0.951, and 0.990, respectively. The rankings of funds between bull and bear markets are quite different. Moreover, the proposed model improves performance persistence. That is, a fund's past performance will continue into the future.
Lines across the desert: mobile phone use and mobility in the context of trans-Saharan migration

In West and Northern Africa, mobile phone coverage has been expanding parallely to increased attempts by Africans to migrate overland to Europe. This paper explores possible links between the two phenomena, looking specifically into the role of mobile phones in trans-Saharan migration. It provides a first detailed description of the telecommunication processes underlying contemporary trans-Saharan migration. An analytical framework is presented that helps to explain how mobile phones facilitate migration by interacting with the social and spatial factors shaping migrants' mobility. By drawing on this framework and fieldwork conducted among Congolese migrants in Morocco, it is shown that the expansion of the communication infrastructure is, on the one hand, only one of several factors that have turned the region into a more “transitable” space. On the other hand, the use of mobile phones is demonstrated to be central to the migration process: migrants draw on the unprecedented accessibility of contacts equipped with mobile phones to tie together novel, geographically expansive networks. Phones are also shown to be used by migrants' “helpers” for the purpose of internal coordination. Thomas Molony is the accepting Guest Editor for this article.
Lower Incidence of Dysphagia With Cervical Arthroplasty Compared With ACDF in a Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

Study Design The current study of 251 consecutive 1-level anterior cervical reconstructions was undertaken to compare the incidence of dysphagia between cervical disk replacement and conventional anterior cervical fusion and instrumentation. Objectives This is a report of 251 patients from 5 investigational centers in the Food and drug Administration's prospective, randomized porous-coated motion (PCM) trial using a validated dysphagia outcomes instrument. The dysphagia data for both PCM and anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) patients were reviewed from 5 centers to (1) compare the severity of dysphagia, (2) compare the postoperative incidence of dysphagia, and (3) to compare the resolution of perioperative dysphagia. Summary of Background Data Dysphagia and dysphonia after anterior surgical approaches to the cervical spine have been previously reported. The current prospective, randomized investigation quantifies clinical dysphagia based on 3 criteria-severity, incidence, and resolution—in a time-course evaluation. Methods Patients between 18 and 65 years with 1-level symptomatic cervical radiculopathy and/or myelopathy for progressive neurologic symptoms, were randomized to undergo anterior decompression and PCM arthroplasty (N=151) or ACDF (control) (N=100). Patients self-reported dysphagia severity using the Bazaz scale preoperatively and at follow-up. The Bazaz scale has 4 classes of severity based upon the problems with swallowing that the patient has with both liquids and solids. Results The Bazaz results demonstrate that although both the PCM and ACDF groups exhibited an initial postoperative problem with swallowing, the PCM group continued to improve with increasing time after implantation, whereas the ACDF only improved minimally. The PCM treatments indicated significantly lower incidence of dysphagia at 3 and 12 months postoperatively compared with ACDF controls (P<0.05). An increase in dysphagia severity at either the 6-week or 3-month follow-up visit was reported in 35 (42%) PCM and 29 (64%) ACDF subjects. Long-term resolution of these symptoms was noted in 74% (26/35) of the PCM subjects as compared with 41.4% (12/29) of the ACDF subjects (P=0.015). Conclusions In a prospective randomized clinical study the incidence of postoperative dysphagia and the long-term resolution of the dysphagia was greatly improved in the PCM group compared with the instrumented ACDF control group.
Children’s seizures caused by continuous intravenous infusion of tramadol analgesia: two rare case reports

SIR––Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic. It has become the most prescribed opioid worldwide (1). It has been reported to cause seizures in therapeutic dosing and in overdose in adults, but rarely in children. We present two cases of children’s seizures caused by continuous intravenous infusion of tramadol for postoperative analgesia. The purpose of this letter is to show that the dosage may be an important factor in causing this severe side effect, especially in children and in patients who have a history of convulsions. In addition, we may avoid using tramadol in combination with medicines that lower the seizure threshold. That may cause us to be cautious about the future application of this drug.
The Relative Importance of Monetary and Non-Monetary Drivers for Information and Communication Technology Acceptance in Rural Agribusiness†

Traditionally the information and communication technology for development (ICT4D) literature assessed technology interventions in developing countries from an economic viewpoint, typically measuring income increases or other economic gains. However numerous ICT4D studies revealed that technology adopters only secure a small, single-digit monetary benefit, thus suggesting the importance of other (i.e. non-monetary) drivers of information and communication technology (ICT) acceptance. Seeking to address the issue and to identify the relative importance of monetary vs. non-monetary drivers for the acceptance of ICT in rural agribusiness, this study investigates the key motivational drivers (monetary vs. non-monetary) for the acceptance of a digital procurement (e-purjee) system by sugarcane growers in rural Bangladesh. The e-purjee system is a simple SMS-based purchase order system that replaces a paper-based procurement order system. Treating the acceptance of e-purjee system as sugarcane growers’ decision-problem, and applying a multi-criteria decision-making approach [e.g. Zionts & Wallenius. (1976). An interactive programming method for solving the multiple criteria problem. Management Science, 22(6), 652–663] to that problem, the study identifies the trade-offs growers appear to make between non-monetary and monetary decision criteria. In addition, by analyzing interviews with local growers from the perspective of the human capability approach [Sen. (1999). Development as freedom. New York, NY: Oxford University Press], this study offers new explanations for their preferences and reasoning. The findings indicate that non-monetary incentives, namely procedural fairness and uncertainty reduction, can be more important than positive monetary benefits. Interview responses also suggest that non-monetary benefits affect small-scale growers more than the large-scale growers. Considering growers’ preferences related to non-monetary incentives, the e-purjee system appears to affect three out of five types of instrumental freedoms postulated by Sen [1999. Development as freedom. New York, NY: Oxford University Press]. The study offers several practical and theoretical recommendations about the structuring of incentive systems for rural technology-based development projects, and about decision modeling for a relatively untrained informant group.
Evolução dos esporocistos de Schistosoma mansoni Sambon, 1907 em Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818) e Biomphalaria tenagophila (D'Orbigny, 1835)

Estudou-se a evolucao dos esporocistos de Shistosoma mansoni das linhagens BH e SJ respectivamente em Biomphalaria glabrata e Biomphalaria tenagophila. Utilizando-se cortes histologicos foram avaliados o aspecto e numero de esporocistos primarios desde a primeira ate a oitava semana de infeccao, a contar do dia em que cada molusco foi exposto a 100 miracidios. No decorrer da primeira semana constataram-se diferencas significativas entre as linhagens estudadas quanto ao numero e aspecto dos esporocistos primarios, A distribuicao por orgaos e a evolucao dos esporocistos foi observada ate a fase de formacao das cercarias infectantes.
The clinic-level perspective on mHealth implementation: a South African case study

ABSTRACT This exploratory investigation presents a case study of the deployment of an mHealth service in established public clinics, and assesses the findings using Activity Theory. We contribute to the limited empirical research on mHealth implementation in established public facilities, and build on work on the use of Activity Theory to frame investigations of ICT4D interventions. The study investigates the perspective of clinic staff responsible for registering women for a free maternal health messaging service. Open-ended interviews and observation sessions were used to reveal staff experiences of the implementation, and their work practices. Activity Theory analysis was adopted to help interpret the data, and identify likely dynamics leading to these specific practices. Some themes that emerged were the hierarchical nature of the medical profession and implications for task shifting, the influence of technical design choices on use patterns and issues arising from the developing-country context.