Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Prospective Randomized Trial Comparing Surgical and Nonsurgical Treatments of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures

Background: The optimal treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures for active patients is under debate. Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes and calf muscle strength recovery after the nonsurgical treatment and open surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures with identical accelerated rehabilitation programs. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1. Methods: From 2009 to 2013, a total of 60 patients with an acute Achilles tendon rupture were randomized to surgery or nonsurgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment included first a week of cast immobilization, followed by a functional orthosis for 6 weeks, allowing full weightbearing after week 1 and active plantar flexion after week 5. Surgery was simple end-to-end open repair, and postoperative treatment was identical to nonsurgical treatment. Outcome measures included the Leppilahti Achilles tendon performance score, isokinetic calf muscle strength, and RAND 36-Item Health Survey at 18-month follow-up. Results: At 18-month follow-up, the mean Leppilahti score was 79.5 and 75.7 for the surgically and nonsurgically treated groups, respectively (mean difference, 3.8; 95% CI, –1.9 to 9.5; P = .19). Angle-specific peak torque results of affected legs showed that surgery resulted in faster and better recovery of calf muscle strength over the entire range of motion of the ankle joint: at 6 months, the difference varied from 16% to 24% (P = .016), favoring the surgically treated group, whereas at 18 months, surgically treated patients had 10% to 18% greater strength results (P = .037). At 18 months, a 14% difference in the peak torque of the affected leg favored the surgical group versus the nonsurgical group (mean peak torque, 110.3 vs 96.5 N·m, respectively; mean difference, 13.6 N·m; 95% CI, 2.0-25.1 N·m; P = .022). The RAND 36-Item Health Survey indicated better results in the domains of physical functioning (P = .006) and bodily pain (P = .037) for surgically treated patients. Conclusion: Surgical and nonsurgical treatments of acute Achilles tendon ruptures have similar results in terms of the Achilles tendon performance score, but surgery restores calf muscle strength earlier over the entire range of motion of the ankle joint, with a 10% to 18% strength difference favoring surgery at 18 months. Surgery may also result in better health-related quality of life in the domains of physical functioning and bodily pain compared with nonsurgical treatment. Registration: NCT02012803 (ClinicalTrials.gov)
Efficacy of behavioural interventions in managing atypical antipsychotic weight gain

Atypical antipsychotic treatment is associated with weight gain and increased metabolic risk. This systematic literature review evaluates the current research on the effectiveness of behavioural interventions in treating and preventing atypical antipsychotic weight gain and reducing metabolic risk, describes characteristics of interventions implemented and discusses findings in the context of the RE‐AIM framework. Sixteen studies were identified. When initiated at the start of treatment with an atypical antipsychotic agent, behavioural weight loss interventions decreased the amount of weight gain associated with atypical antipsychotic treatment. When behavioural interventions were initiated after the start of atypical antipsychotic treatment, these interventions were associated with weight loss. Mean weight losses across studies by treatment duration were 2.63 kg for 12‐ to 16‐week interventions, 4.24 kg for 6‐month interventions and 3.05 kg for 12‐ to 18‐month interventions. Behavioural weight loss interventions were also found to improve insulin regulation and HbA1c. In addition to assessing efficacy, future studies should evaluate other components of the RE‐AIM framework, including reach, adoption, implementation and maintenance. This information will be useful in determining what types of interventions are both effective and practical for delivery in health care or community mental health settings.
Payout Taxes and the Allocation of Investment

When corporate payout is taxed, internal equity (retained earnings) is cheaper than external equity (share issues). If there are no perfect substitutes for equity finance, payout taxes may therefore have an effect on the investment of firms. High taxes will favor investment by firms who can finance internally. Using an international panel with many changes in payout taxes, we show that this prediction holds well. Payout taxes have a large impact on the dynamics of corporate investment and growth. Investment is “locked in” in profitable firms when payout is heavily taxed. Thus, apart from any level effects, payout taxes change the allocation of capital.
Structure pre-requisites for isoflavones as effective antibacterial agents

Recent reports reveal that there is increasing incidence of infections of multidrug-resistant bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Flavonoids and related compounds have been shown to possess potent antimicrobial activities. Most of the flavonoids are considered as constitutive antimicrobial substances recently termed as “Phytoanticipins,” especially those belonging to prenylated flavonoids and isoflavones. The current review highlights the structure prerequisites for isoflavones as antibacterial agents. Structure–activity relationship (SAR) conclusions have been drawn by comparing the reported minimum inhibitory concentration values for the various isoflavones against S. aureus and MRSA. There exists a significant co-relationship between the presence of certain functional groups (prenyl group, phenolic hydroxyl) at particular positions and antibacterial activity of the compounds. These trends have been postulated with a view of assisting better drug designing of future next-generation antiinfectives, particularly against the bothersome multidrug-resistant microbes. The SAR of these isoflavones has also proved to be a basis to explore the mechanism of antibacterial action. Thus, the study would prove extremely useful to synthesize antibacterial isoflavones in future, which would eventually be beneficial for optimizing the lead molecule for the antibacterial action
Costs associated with the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus in the diabetes prevention program.

OBJECTIVE To describe the costs of the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) interventions to prevent or delay type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We describe the direct medical costs, direct nonmedical costs, and indirect costs of the placebo, metformin, and intensive lifestyle interventions over the 3-year study period of the DPP. Resource use and cost are summarized from the perspective of a large health system and society. Research costs are excluded. RESULTS The direct medical cost of laboratory tests to identify one subject with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) was $139. Over 3 years, the direct medical costs of the interventions were $79 per participant in the placebo group, $2,542 in the metformin group, and $2,780 in the lifestyle group. The direct medical costs of care outside the DPP were $272 less per participant in the metformin group and $432 less in the lifestyle group compared with the placebo group. Direct nonmedical costs were $9 less per participant in the metformin group and $1,445 greater in the lifestyle group compared with the placebo group. Indirect costs were $230 greater per participant in the metformin group and $174 less in the lifestyle group compared with the placebo group. From the perspective of a health system, the cost of the metformin intervention relative to the placebo intervention was $2,191 per participant and the cost of the lifestyle intervention was $2,269 per participant over 3 years. From the perspective of society, the cost of the metformin intervention relative to the placebo intervention was $2,412 per participant and the cost of the lifestyle intervention was $3,540 per participant over 3 years. CONCLUSIONS The metformin and lifestyle interventions are associated with modest incremental costs compared with the placebo intervention. The evaluation of costs relative to health benefits will determine the value of these interventions to health systems and society.
Transport and mixing of density in a continuously stratified shear layer

Scalar transport and mixing by active turbulence in a high Reynolds number inhomogeneous stratified shear layer are investigated using three-dimensional Direct Numerical Simulation. Two density profiles are considered: (i) two layers of homogenous fluid with different density, namely the two-layer case, and (ii) a continuously stratified background ambient, namely the Jd case. The evolution of the mixing layer includes shear instability, formation of Kelvin–Helmholtz rollers, transition to turbulence, fully developed active turbulence, and, finally, decay toward a laminar state. In the Jd case, internal gravity waves carrying momentum and energy are observed to propagate away from the shear layer. Although different during the initial evolution, the eddy diffusivity and mixing efficiency when plotted as a function of buoyancy, Reynolds number takes similar values between the two cases later in time during the stage when turbulence decays. During this stage, the mixing efficiency computed based on the buoy.
Brief physician-initiated quit-smoking strategies for clinical oncology settings: a trial coordinated by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group.

PURPOSE Although tobacco use by cancer patients increases the risk of relapse, diminishes treatment efficacy, and worsens quality of life, about one third of patients who smoked before their diagnosis continue to smoke. Because patients have regular contact with oncologists, the efficacy of a physician-based smoking cessation treatment was evaluated. METHODS Cancer patients (n = 432) were randomly assigned to either usual care or a National Institutes of Health (NIH) physician-based smoking intervention. The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence abstinence at 6 and 12 months after study entry. RESULTS At the 6-month follow-up, there was no significant difference in quit rates between the usual care (11.9%) and intervention (14.4%) groups, and there was no significant difference between the usual care (13.6%) and intervention (13.3%) groups at the 12-month follow-up. Patients were more likely to have quit smoking at 6 months if they had head and neck or lung cancer, began smoking after the age of 16, reported at baseline using a cessation self-help guide or treatment in the last 6 months, and showed greater baseline desire to quit. Patients were more likely to have quit smoking at 12 months if they smoked 15 or fewer cigarettes per day, had head and neck or lung cancer, tried a group cessation program, and showed greater baseline desire to quit. Finally, there was greater adherence among physicians to the NIH model for physician smoking treatment for patients in the intervention versus the usual care group. CONCLUSION While training physicians to provide smoking cessation treatment to cancer patients can enhance physician adherence to clinical practice guidelines, physician smoking cessation interventions fail to yield significant gains in long-term quit rates among cancer patients.
Prevalence and Incidence of Epilepsy in Ulanga, a Rural Tanzanian District: A Community‐Based Study

Summary: A random cluster sample survey of approximately 18,000 people in 11 villages was performed in Ulanga, a Tanzanian district with a population of approximately 139,000 people. Well‐instructed fourth‐year medical students and neurologic and psychiatry nurses identified persons with epilepsy using a screening questionnaire and sent them to a neurologist for detailed evaluation. Identified were 207 subjects (88 male, 119 female) with epilepsy; of these, 185 (89.4%) (80 male, 105 female) had active epilepsy. The prevalence of active epilepsy was 10.2 in 1,000. Prevalence among villages varied, ranging from 5.1 to 37.1 in 1,000 (age‐adjusted 5.8‐37.0). In a 10‐year period (1979–1988) 122 subjects living in the 11 villages developed epilepsy, with an annual incidence of 73.3 in 100,000. Generalized tonic‐clonic seizures (GTCS) accounted for 58% and partial seizures accounted for 31.9%, whereas in 10.1% seizures were unclassifiable. Of the partial seizures, secondarily generalized seizures were the most common. Possible etiologic or associated factors were identifiable in only 25.3% of cases. Febrile convulsions were associated in 13.4 of cases. Other associated factors included unspecified encephalitis (4.7%), cerebral malaria (1.9%), birth injury (1.4%), and other (3%). In 38% of the cases, there was a positive family history of epilepsy.
Interleukin 3 Enhances Development of T \ imor-reactive Cytotoxic Cells by a CD 4-dependent Mechanism 1 ' 2

We investigated the effects that mouse interleukin 3 (IL-3), in compar ison to mouse 11. -2, has on the generation of cytotoxic effectors capable of killing line 1 tumor cells. These potent immunological mediators were delivered locally using gene transfection, rather than systemically, to the tumor site. We created line 1 transfectants that express high levels of IL-3 (3750 units/ml) or 11-2 (200 units/ml) by driving transcription from the ÃŸ-actinpromoter. These levels of expression significantly enhanced tumor rejection in syngeneic mice. 1\imor-infiltrating lymphocytes purified from IL-3 or IL-2 transfected tumors showed a dramatically enhanced cytotoxic response to parental line 1 targets. Also, IL-2, but not IL-3, expression enhanced the nonspecific lysis of YAC-1 cells. In vivo depletion of (1)8 cells "Â¡Himonoclonal antibody 2.43 abrogated the generation of cytotoxic effectors in both cases. Interestingly, depletion of < 1)4 ' cells with mono clonal antibody GK1.5 abrogated the IL-3-mediated cytotoxic response but not the IL-2-mediated response. In vivo depletion of (1)4' or ('1)8' cells abrogated the effect IL-3 had on reducing tumorigenicity. Reverse polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrates that IL-3 transfected tumors, when compared to untransfected tumors, express increased levels of IL-2 and II -4 mRNA. These results strongly suggest that IL-3, unlike IL-2, works to generate cytotoxic effectors by a mechanism that requires CD4* cells.
Three-Dimensional Vehicle-to-Vehicle Channel Modeling with Multiple Moving Scatterers

Connected vehicles have received much attention in recent years due to their significant societal benefit and commercial value. However, a suitable channel model for vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications is difficult to build due to the dynamic communication environment. In this paper, a three-dimensional (3D) geometrical propagation model that includes line-of-sight (LoS), single bounced (SB), and multiple bounced (MB) rays is proposed. Each of multiple scatterers in the model is moving with a random velocity in a random direction. Based on the geometrical propagation model, a generalized 3D reference model for narrowband multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) V2V multipath fading channels is developed. The corresponding space-time correlation functions (ST-CFs), time correlation functions (T-CFs), and space correlation functions (S-CFs) are analytically investigated and numerically simulated in terms of various factors. Several notable ST-CFs for V2V and fixed-to-mobile (F2M) communications become the special cases of ST-CFs of the proposed model by adjusting the corresponding channel parameters. Finally, the theoretical results of the space-Doppler power spectral density (SD-PSD) are compared with the available measured data. The close agreements between the theoretical and measured SD-PSD curves confirm the utility and generality of the proposed model.
Detection of Movement Related Cortical Potentials from EEG Using Constrained ICA for Brain-Computer Interface Applications

The movement related cortical potential (MRCP), a slow cortical potential from the scalp electroencephalogram (EEG), has been used in real-time brain-computer-interface (BCI) systems designed for neurorehabilitation. Detecting MPCPs in real time with high accuracy and low latency is essential in these applications. In this study, we propose a new MRCP detection method based on constrained independent component analysis (cICA). The method was tested for MRCP detection during executed and imagined ankle dorsiflexion of 24 healthy participants, and compared with four commonly used spatial filters for MRCP detection in an offline experiment. The effect of cICA and the compared spatial filters on the morphology of the extracted MRCP was evaluated by two indices quantifying the signal-to-noise ratio and variability of the extracted MRCP. The performance of the filters for detection was then directly compared for accuracy and latency. The latency obtained with cICA (−34 ± 29 ms motor execution (ME) and 28 ± 16 ms for motor imagery (MI) dataset) was significantly smaller than with all other spatial filters. Moreover, cICA resulted in greater true positive rates (87.11 ± 11.73 for ME and 86.66 ± 6.96 for MI dataset) and lower false positive rates (20.69 ± 13.68 for ME and 19.31 ± 12.60 for MI dataset) compared to the other methods. These results confirm the superiority of cICA in MRCP detection with respect to previously proposed EEG filtering approaches.
Carbonate apatite nanoparticles carry siRNA(s) targeting growth factor receptor genes egfr1 and erbb2 to regress mouse breast tumor

Abstract Cancer cells lose their control on cell cycle by numerous genetic and epigenetic alterations. In a tumor, these cells highly express growth factor receptors (GFRs), eliciting growth, and cell division. Among the GFRs, epidermal growth factor receptor-1 (EGFR1) (Her1/ERBB1) and epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (EGFR2) (Her2/ERBB2) from epidermal growth factor (EGF) family and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF1R) are highly expressed on breast cancer cells, thus contributing to the aggressive growth and invasiveness, have been focused in this study. Moreover, overexpression of these receptors is related to suppression of cell death and conferring resistance against the classical drugs used to treat cancer nowadays. Therefore, silencing of these GFRs-encoding genes by using selective small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) could be a powerful approach to treat breast cancer. The inorganic pH sensitive carbonate apatite nanoparticles (NPs) were used as a nano-carrier to deliver siRNA(s) against single or multiple GFR genes in breast cancer cells as well as in a mouse model of breast carcinoma. Silencing of egfr1 and erbb2 simultaneously led to a reduction in cell viability with an increase in cell death signal in the cancer cells and regression of tumor growth in vivo.
Radiocarbon Ages for Two Sites on Ua Huka, Marquesas

Radiocarbon dates are presented and discussed for two sites with deep stratigraphy on Ua Huka Island, Marquesas. The lowest layer at the Hokatu site dates to the eleventh to thirteenth centuries A.D. At Hatuana, earlier radiocarbon-age estimates extended to the sixth to ninth centuries A.D. New results from the Waikato and Oxford Radiocarbon laboratories indicate that the lower levels at Hatuana are no older than about the fourteenth century.
Comparison of Three Triple Regimens with Omeprazole or Ranitidine Bismuth Citrate for Helicobacter pylori Eradication

Background: Regimens with ranitidine bismuth citrate (RBC) or omeprazole (O) are effective in eradicating Helicobacter pylori. This randomized, open, multicentre trial compares three different regimens with these drugs. Methods: Consecutive H. pylori +ve outpatients were included. The alternative regimens were: 1) O 20 mg, clarithromycin (C) 250 mg and metronidazole (M) 500 mg (O·3;C·3;M), 2) RBC 400 mg, C 250 mg and M 500 mg (RBC·3;C·3;M), 3) RBC 400 mg, tetracycline (T) 1000 mg and M 500 mg [RBC·3;T·3;M]. All drugs were given twice daily for 7 days. H. pylori infection was assessed with H. pylori urea breath tests. Results: 426 H. pylori +ve patients were included (mean age 58 years [range 18-88], male/female: 244/182). The eradication rates (intention to treat) in the O·3;C·3;M, RBC·3;C·3;M and RBC·3;T·3;M groups were 117/137 (85%), 141/146 (97%) and 117/143 (82%), respectively ( P < 0.001, overall assessment). There were no significant differences in side effects between the alternatives. Conclusion: In this trial, RBC·3;C·3;M was the most effective one, it was well tolerated and compliance was satisfactory. RBC·3;T·3;M is an alternative to regimens with clarithromycin.
Placental Growth Factor: A Predictive Marker for Preeclampsia?

Background: An imbalance between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Serum levels of placental growth factor (PLGF), a factor promoting angiogenesis, in patients with preeclampsia are significantly lower than in nonpreeclamptic pregnancies. This study was designed to answer the question whether the measurement of PLGF at the beginning of the second trimester might be a predictive factor for the appearance of preeclampsia. Methods: Serum samples of 61 women were collected between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. PLGF levels were measured using a human PLGF ELISA and correlated with the outcomes of pregnancy. Results: 7 women (11.47%) developed preeclampsia during pregnancy. Their PLGF levels between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy were significantly lower (p < 0.001) compared to the nonpreeclamptic pregnancies. Using a PLGF level of 41.84 pg/ml as a cutoff, this test has a sensitivity of 0.87 and a specificity of 0.83. Conclusion: Women who will develop preeclampsia in the course of pregnancy already have a significantly lower expression of PLGF between 15 and 18 weeks of pregnancy compared to those who will not. This test offers new possibilities in the prediction of preeclampsia.
Ex vivo evaluation of tumor cell specific drug responses in malignant pleural effusions

The effect of chemotherapy may be improved by combining the most effective drugs based on testing the sensitivity of the individual tumor ex vivo. Such estimations of tumor cells from effusions have so far not been implemented in the clinical routine as a basis for individualized choice of therapy. One obstacle for such analyses is the admixture of benign cells that might obscure the results. In this paper we test and compare two ways of performing the analysis specifically on tumor cells. First we enrich the tumor cells, using antibody labeled magnetic separation, and measure the effects of subsequent drug exposure with the metabolic activity assays WST-1 and alamar blue. The second way of estimating drug effects specifically on tumor cells employs multi parameter flow cytometry, measuring apoptosis with the propidium iodide / AnnexinV technique and, particularly for pemetrexed, possible effects on cell cycle progression in immunologically identified tumor cells. The two techniques produce similar results, indicating a possible use in personalized medicine. The possible predictive role of the analysis remains to be shown.
PERFIL CLÍNICO E SOCIODEMOGRÁFICO DE INTERNAÇÃO DE IDOSOS NA UNIDADE DE EMERGÊNCIA DE UM HOSPITAL GERAL

O objetivo da pesquisa foi levantar o perfil sociodemografco e de saude de idosos atendidos na emergencia de um hospital de esfera Federal, no municipio do Rio de Janeiro. Como metodologia utilizou-se abordagem quantitativa, descritiva e transversal. Os sujeitos foram idosos admitidos no setor de emergencia. Para coleta de dados, foi utilizado um levantamento documental; atraves do censo da emergencia no periodo de janeiro a maio de 2010. Quanto aos resultados, tracou-se um roteiro no que se refere as variaveis sociodemografcas na admissao, procedencia, diagnostico prevalente, periodo de permanencia na emergencia durante o tempo do estudo e encaminhamento. Assim, foi possivel perceber uma variedade de informacoes, que sera relevante para a qualidade da assistencia da equipe de enfermagem atraves de um amplo aspecto no que diz respeito ao cuidado ao idoso.