Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autonomous control of inspired oxygen concentration during mechanical ventilation of the critically injured trauma patient.

BACKGROUND Transport of mechanically ventilated patients in a combat zone presents challenges including conservation of resources. In the battlefield setting, the provision of adequate oxygen supplies remains a significant issue. Autonomous control of oxygen concentration may allow a reduction in mission load. METHODS Trauma patients requiring ventilation and inspired oxygen concentration (FIO2) greater than 0.35 were evaluated for study. Patients were randomized to consecutive 4-hour periods of autonomous control or standard care. The system for autonomous control consisted of a ventilator, oximeter, and a portable computer. The portable computer housed the control algorithm and collected ventilator and oxygen saturation (SpO2) data every 5 seconds. The controller goal was to maintain SpO2 at 94% +/- 2% via discrete changes of 1% to 5%. Ventilator settings and SpO2 were recorded every 5 seconds for analysis. RESULTS Fifteen patients were enrolled in this study. Oxygen saturation was maintained in the 92% to 96% saturation range 33% +/- 36% of the time during clinician control versus 83% +/- 21% during autonomous control. Oxygen usage was reduced by 44% during autonomous control. There was a slight difference in the total duration of SpO2 episodes less than 88% between groups (6.02 +/- 0.83 vs. 6.87 +/- 0.46 minutes, p < 0.05). There were no differences in the number of episodes of SpO2 <88%. CONCLUSION Autonomous control of FIO2 offers the opportunity for a reduction in oxygen usage, allowing a weight and resource reduction, without increasing risk of hypoxemia in ventilated trauma patients.
ROLAND-MORRIS DISABILITy QUESTIONNAIRE ? RASCH ANALySIS Of fOUR DIffERENT vERSIONS TESTED IN A NORWEGIAN POPULATION

© 2013 The Authors. doi: 10.2340/16501977-1166 Journal Compilation © 2013 Foundation of Rehabilitation Information. ISSN 1650-1977 Background: The Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) is one of the most frequently used and recommended outcome measures for patients with low back pain. Objective: To examine the fit of data from 4 different versions of the RDQ to a Rasch model in a Norwegian sample of patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis. Methods: Patients with chronic low back pain and degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis completed the RDQ prior to treatment in a secondary healthcare clinic. Data were analysed using a dichotomous Rasch model. Results: Of 250 included patients, 243 patients with a mean age of 48.5 years completed all 24 items of the RDQ. None of the 4 RDQ versions (the original 24-item, the 18-item versions of Williams and Stratford, and the 11-item of Stroud) were a unidimensional measure of disability due to low back pain. Items 3 and 23 were redundant and items 13 and 18 did not fit the Rasch model. Several items showed differential item functioning, indicating that the items performed differently in subgroups of the sample. Conclusion: In the absence of consistent findings across studies that have evaluated the RDQ by Rasch analysis, caution should be exercised in the development and application of alternative versions of the RDQ.
Ocean acidification affects marine chemical communication by changing structure and function of peptide signalling molecules

Ocean acidification is a global challenge that faces marine organisms in the near future with a predicted rapid drop in pH of up to 0.4 units by the end of this century. Effects of the change in ocean carbon chemistry and pH on the development, growth and fitness of marine animals are well documented. Recent evidence also suggests that a range of chemically mediated behaviours and interactions in marine fish and invertebrates will be affected. Marine animals use chemical cues, for example, to detect predators, for settlement, homing and reproduction. But, while effects of high CO2 conditions on these behaviours are described across many species, little is known about the underlying mechanisms, particularly in invertebrates. Here, we investigate the direct influence of future oceanic pH conditions on the structure and function of three peptide signalling molecules with an interdisciplinary combination of methods. NMR spectroscopy and quantum chemical calculations were used to assess the direct molecular influence of pH on the peptide cues, and we tested the functionality of the cues in different pH conditions using behavioural bioassays with shore crabs (Carcinus maenas) as a model system. We found that peptide signalling cues are susceptible to protonation in future pH conditions, which will alter their overall charge. We also show that structure and electrostatic properties important for receptor binding differ significantly between the peptide forms present today and the protonated signalling peptides likely to be dominating in future oceans. The bioassays suggest an impaired functionality of the signalling peptides at low pH. Physiological changes due to high CO2 conditions were found to play a less significant role in influencing the investigated behaviour. From our results, we conclude that the change of charge, structure and consequently function of signalling molecules presents one possible mechanism to explain altered behaviour under future oceanic pH conditions.
Labor and Health Status in Economic Evaluation of Health Care: The Health and Labor Questionnaire

Abstract A health care program may influence both costs and health effects. We developed the Health and Labor Questionnaire (HLQ), which consists of four modules, to collect data on absence from work, reduced productivity, unpaid labor production, and labor-related problems. We applied the HLQ in several studies, and the results are encouraging.
Induction of Epitope-Specific Neutralizing Antibodies against West Nile Virus

ABSTRACT Previous studies have established that an epitope on the lateral ridge of domain III (DIII-lr) of West Nile virus (WNV) envelope (E) protein is recognized by strongly neutralizing type-specific antibodies. In contrast, an epitope against the fusion loop in domain II (DII-fl) is recognized by flavivirus cross-reactive antibodies with less neutralizing potential. Using gain- and loss-of-function E proteins and wild-type and variant WNV reporter virus particles, we evaluated the expression pattern and activity of antibodies against the DIII-lr and DII-fl epitopes in mouse and human serum after WNV infection. In mice, immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies to the DIII-lr epitope were detected at low levels at day 6 after infection. However, compared to IgG responses against other epitopes in DI and DII, which were readily detected at day 8, the development of IgG against DIII-lr epitope was delayed and did not appear consistently until day 15. This late time point is notable since almost all death after WNV infection in mice occurs by day 12. Nonetheless, at later time points, DIII-lr antibodies accumulated and comprised a significant fraction of the DIII-specific IgG response. In sera from infected humans, DIII-lr antibodies were detected at low levels and did not correlate with clinical outcome. In contrast, antibodies to the DII-fl were detected in all human serum samples and encompassed a significant percentage of the anti-E protein response. Our experiments suggest that the highly neutralizing DIII-lr IgG antibodies have little significant role in primary infection and that the antibody response of humans may be skewed toward the induction of cross-reactive, less-neutralizing antibodies.
Second malignancies in melanoma patients in Thuringia

The incidence of melanoma is increasing. Melanoma patients are at risk for the development of second neoplasias. Data for the new German Bundesländer are not available, but would be suitable to define frequency, site and type of secondary malignancies and conclusions for follow‐up of melanoma patients.
Quality of Mother-Child Interaction and the Intergenerational Transmission of Sexual Values: A Panel Study

Abstract The role of mothers as socializing agents was examined in a longitudinal study. It was assumed that mothers can transmit their own values to their children, especially if the quality of their interaction is good. Whether children influence their mothers' values was also examined. The hypotheses were tested using analysis of variance and structural equation modeling, drawing on data from 253 English adolescent-mother pairs. The results provided little support for the hypotheses. There was some evidence that mothers influenced their children's sexual attitudes, but this effect was found for the families characterized by a low quality of parent-child interaction, rather than for the families characterized by a high quality of interaction. No evidence was found for the assumption that children influence their mothers' sexual attitudes and beliefs. Implications of the study for future research are discussed.
ROCK: a robust clustering algorithm for categorical attributes

We study clustering algorithms for data with Boolean and categorical attributes. We show that traditional clustering algorithms that use distances between points for clustering are not appropriate for Boolean and categorical attributes. Instead, we propose a novel concept of links to measure the similarity/proximity between a pair of data points. We develop a robust hierarchical clustering algorithm, ROCK, that employs links and not distances when merging clusters. Our methods naturally extend to non-metric similarity measures that are relevant in situations where a domain expert/similarity table is the only source of knowledge. In addition to presenting detailed complexity results for ROCK, we also conduct an experimental study with real-life as well as synthetic data sets. Our study shows that ROCK not only generates better quality clusters than traditional algorithms, but also exhibits good scalability properties.
Development and Clinical Evaluation of a Recombinant-Antigen-Based Cytomegalovirus Immunoglobulin M Automated Immunoassay Using the Abbott AxSYM Analyzer

ABSTRACT A new microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA), the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Immunoglobulin M (IgM) test, was developed on the Abbott AxSYM analyzer. This test uses recombinant CMV antigens derived from portions of four structural and nonstructural proteins of CMV: pUL32 (pp150), pUL44 (pp52), pUL83 (pp65), and pUL80a (pp38). A total of 1,608 specimens from random volunteer blood donors (n = 300), pregnant women (n = 1,118), transplant recipients (n = 6), and patients with various clinical conditions and disease states (n = 184) were tested during development and evaluation of this new assay. In a preliminary clinical evaluation we tested specimens collected prospectively from pregnant women (n = 799) and selected CMV IgM-positive archived specimens from pregnant women (n = 39). The results from the new CMV IgM immunoassay were compared to the results of a consensus interpretation of the results obtained with three commercial CMV IgM immunoassays. The results for specimens with discordant results were resolved by a CMV IgM immunoblot assay. The relative sensitivity, specificity, and agreement for the AxSYM CMV IgM assay were 94.29, 96.28, and 96.19%, respectively, and the resolved sensitivity, specificity, and agreement were 95.83, 97.47, and 97.37%, respectively. We also tested serial specimens from women who experienced seroconversion or a recent CMV infection during gestation (n = 17) and potentially cross-reactive specimens negative for CMV IgM antibody by the consensus tests (n = 184). The AxSYM CMV IgM assay was very sensitive for the detection of CMV IgM during primary CMV infection, as shown by the detection of CMV IgM at the same time as or just prior to the detection of CMV IgG. Specimens from individuals with lupus (n = 16) or parvovirus B19 infection (n = 6) or specimens containing hyper IgM (n = 9), hyper IgG (n = 8), or rheumatoid factor (n = 55) did not cross-react with the AxSYM assay. One specimen each from individuals infected with Epstein-Barr virus (n = 26), measles virus (n = 10), herpes simplex virus (n = 12), or varicella-zoster virus (n = 13) infection, one specimen from an influenza vaccinee (n = 14), and one specimen containing antinuclear antibody cross-reacted with the assay. The overall rate of cross-reactivity of the specimens with the assay was 3.3% (6 of 184). The AxSYM CMV IgM assay is a sensitive and specific assay for the detection of CMV-specific IgM.
Working memory deficits in chronic fatigue syndrome: Differentiating between speed and accuracy of information processing

To examine the relative influence of speed of information processing versus working memory ability, CFS participants with psychiatric comorbidity (CFS–Psych) and CFS without a psychiatric history (CFS–noPsych) were examined on tests of visual and auditory processing speed and visual and auditory working memory. Compared to healthy controls (HC) and a group of participants with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the CFS–noPsych group displayed significantly reduced performance on tests of information processing speed, but not on tests of working memory. No significant differences were observed between the CFS–Psych group and any other group in the study. The implications of group heterogeneity on the understanding of cognitive impairment in CFS are discussed. (JINS, 2004, 10, 101–109.)
Acute hyperglycaemia induces an inflammatory response in young patients with type 1 diabetes

Background. Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) are at a substantially increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Stress-induced hyperglycaemia in turn is shown to worsen the prognosis of patients suffering from an acute myocardial infarction. However, the mechanisms behind these findings are incompletely known. Aim. To investigate whether markers of chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress respond to acute hyperglycaemia in patients with T1D. Methods. The plasma glucose concentration was rapidly raised from 5 to 15 mmol/L in 35 males (22 men with T1D and 13 age-matched non-diabetic volunteers) and maintained for 2 h. All participants were young non-smokers without any signs of diabetic or other complications. Markers of chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress were analysed in serum/plasma samples drawn at base-line and after 120 min of hyperglycaemia. Results. Compared to normoglycaemia, acute hyperglycaemia increased the interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations by 39% in patients with T1D (P<0.01) and 26% in healthy volunteers (P<0.05). During hyperglycaemia the superoxide dismutase concentration was increased by 17% in the healthy volunteers (P<0.01) and 5% in the patients with type 1 diabetes (P=NS). The increase in tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α was larger in patients with type 1 diabetes than in non-diabetic volunteers (35% versus −10%, P<0.05). Conclusions. This study shows that acute hyperglycaemia induces an inflammatory response in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Cell density‐dependent changes in intracellular Ca2+ mobilization via the P2Y2 receptor in rat bone marrow stromal cells

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are an interesting subject of research because they have characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. We investigated intracellular Ca2+ signaling in rat BMSCs. Agonists for purinergic receptors increased intracellular Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i). The order of potency followed ATP = UTP > ADP = UDP. ATP‐induced rise in [Ca2+]i was suppressed by U73122 and suramin, but not by pyridoxalphosphate‐6‐azophenyl‐2′,4′‐disulfonic acid (PPADS), suggesting the functional expression of G protein‐coupled P2Y2 receptors. RT‐PCR and immunohistochemical studies also showed the expression of P2Y2 receptors. [Ca2+]i response to UTP changed with cell density. The UTP‐induced rise in [Ca2+]i was greatest at high density. Vmax (maximum Ca2+ response) and EC50 (agonist concentration that evokes 50% of Vmax) suggest that the amount and property of P2Y2 receptors were changed by cell density. Note that UTP induced Ca2+ oscillation at only medium cell density. Pharmacological studies indicated that UTP‐induced Ca2+ oscillation required Ca2+ influx by store‐operated Ca2+ entry. Carbenoxolone, a gap junction blocker, enhanced Ca2+ oscillation. Immunohistochemical and quantitative real‐time PCR studies revealed that proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)‐positive cells declined but the mRNA expression level of the P2Y2 receptor increased as cell density increased. Co‐application of fetal calf serum with UTP induced Ca2+ oscillation at high cell density. These results suggest that the different patterns observed for [Ca2+]i mobilization with respect to cell density may be associated with cell cycle progression. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 372–381, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Return Predictability: The Dual Signaling Hypothesis of Stock Splits

Prior studies suggest that combining stock split signal and accrual signal is an effective means of communicating managerial optimism, and that stock split is an exception to the accruals anomaly. We posit that, although stock splits are mostly conducted by optimistic managers and are followed by positive long-term returns, many are conducted by overoptimistic and/or opportunistic managers and are followed by negative long-term returns. Disentangling optimistic and overoptimistic/opportunistic managers helps ex-ante identify bad splits that are followed by significantly negative abnormal returns. A zero-investment strategy based on our findings can generate economically and statistically significant positive returns.
Hippocampal sclerosis can be reliably detected by magnetic resonance imaging

Two independent blinded observers reported the preoperative MRIs in a series of 81 consecutive patients with intractable temporal lobe epilepsy who were undergoing temporal lobectomy. We then compared the nature and lateralization of the MRI abnormalities with the pathologic diagnosis and the side of lobectomy. The MRI criteria of hippocampal sclerosis were an increased T2-weighted signal and the signal's confinement to a unilaterally small hippocampus. Imaging was performed in coronal and axial planes, specially orientated along and perpendicular to the long axis of the hippocampal body. We found diagnostic MRI abnormalities in 25 of the 27 cases with pathologically proven hippocampal sclerosis (sensitivity 93%, specificity 86%). In addition, we detected all 13 foreign tissue lesions on MRI. Overall, we detected lateralized lesions on MRI that correctly predicted the side of the epileptogenic temporal lobe in 72 cases (89%), with 2 possible errors. A learning effect in appreciating the relatively subtle MRI changes of hippocampal sclerosis was apparent in our later cases, as shown by an improved correlation between the 2 observers. This study demonstrates that hippocampal sclerosis can be identified on MRI with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity.
Prevalence and clinical profile of restless legs syndrome in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) and restless legs syndrome (RLS) have a dopaminergic link. More insight in the clinical profile of RLS in patients with PD may benefit our understanding of this link. The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency and clinical profile of RLS in a large cohort of PD patients. In 269 nondemented Caucasian PD patients, the four diagnostic criteria for RLS were administered by a RLS trained researcher. In patients with definite RLS, the severity of these symptoms was assessed. Furthermore, in all patients, relevant motor and nonmotor symptoms in PD were evaluated. Definite RLS was present in 11% of the patients. RLS patients were more often female (69% vs. 32%, P < 0.001), but no other significant differences existed between PD patients with and without RLS. Within the PD patients with RLS, severity of RLS correlated positively with PD severity, motor fluctuations, depressive symptoms, daytime sleepiness, cognitive problems, autonomic symptoms, and psychotic symptoms. This study in a large PD cohort shows that prevalence of RLS is similar to that in the general population, which might be caused by underestimation of RLS due to dopaminergic treatment. No relations were found between the presence of RLS and PD symptoms, but the severity of RLS was related to the severity of PD‐related, mainly nondopaminergic, symptoms. It is hypothesized that, nondopaminergic systems, such as the noradrenergic system may play a role in the possible link between PD and RLS. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society
Changes produced by chronic denervation in the temperature‐dependent isometric contractile characteristics of rat fast and slow twitch skeletal muscles.

1. Influence of temperature (range 20‐35 degrees C) on the isometric contractile properties of normal and chronically denervated fast‐twitch extensor digitorum longus and slow‐twitch soleus muscles of the rat have been studied in vitro. 2. The times to peak twitch tension of denervated muscles were longer than those of normal in both types of muscle. The denervated muscles were, however, identifiable as 'fast‐twitch' or 'slow‐twitch' throughout the entire temperature range. 3. The twitch tension/tetanic tension ratios of the denervated muscles at 35 degrees C were significantly higher than those of the normal muscles. 4. The twitch tension of the normal extensor digitorum longus muscles increased whereas that of the normal soleus muscles decreased with cooling from 35 to 20 degrees C. Such a qualitative difference did not exist between the denervated extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles. The twitch tensions of both denervated muscles decreased with cooling. 5. Cooling to 20 degrees C resulted in a greater fall in tetanic tension in the denervated than in the normal muscles.
The riboswitch-mediated control of sulfur metabolism in bacteria

Many operons in Gram-positive bacteria that are involved in methionine (Met) and cysteine (Cys) biosynthesis possess an evolutionarily conserved regulatory leader sequence (S-box) that positively controls these genes in response to methionine starvation. Here, we demonstrate that a feed-back regulation mechanism utilizes S-adenosyl-methionine as an effector. S-adenosyl-methionine directly and specifically binds to the nascent S-box RNA, causing an intrinsic terminator to form and interrupt transcription prematurely. The S-box leader RNA thus expands the family of newly discovered riboswitches, i.e., natural regulatory RNA aptamers that seem to sense small molecules ranging from amino acid derivatives to vitamins.