Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sleep apnea and hypertension--what a mess!

It is unarguable that obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes pulsatile hypertension during sleep, but whether there is significant carryover of hypertension into waking hours is far from clear. It is perhaps more useful to consider whether OSA is related to the consequences of hypertension (e.g. stroke), since both nocturnal and daytime hypertension could be responsible for these. Furthermore, the effects of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on hypertension (or its consequences) must be assessed by randomized controlled studies, in exactly the same way as trials on hypotensive drugs would be carried out, before treatment is prescribed for OSA in the absence of any daytime symptoms.
Epidemiology and traumatology of injuries in elite soccer: a prospective study in Finland

A prospective study of male soccer injuries among 12 teams playing at the highest competition level was carried out in Finland in 1993. Overall, two out of three players were injured during the whole season. The injury incidence per 1000 playing hours among injured players and all players during games was higher than during practice, 14.2 vs. 11.3 and 2.3 vs. 1.8, respectively. The lower extremity was involved in 76% of the injuries. Thigh injuries were most frequent (22%), whereas overuse injuries were scarce (6%). Eighteen per cent of the injured players needed surgery and in most cases (58%) the reason for surgery was a knee injury. Sixteen per cent of all injured players were absent from soccer for more than 1 month after the injury. The mean absence time was 17 days for all and 84 days for operatively treated players.
The prognostic value of the cardiopulmonary exercise test in patients with heart failure who have been treated with beta-blockers.

OBJECTIVES The prevalence of chronic heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (CHF-REF) has increased over the last decade. The cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) is an established tool for managing these patients. For patients who are administered beta-blockers, its predictive value is debated. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic values of several parameters in patients with CHF-REF who were on beta-blockers. STUDY DESIGN 390 patients with CHF-REF underwent CPET after cardiac rehabilitation and were followed for two years. RESULTS The primary endpoints were all-cause mortality, cardiac-related mortality and major cardiovascular events (hospitalization for HF, heart transplantation and acute coronary syndrome or arrhythmia). The mean beta-blockers dosage was 68.9% of the target dose. The two-year mortality rate was 13%, while the mean age of the population was 57.1 years. In addition, most of the patients were men (85.5% vs. 14.5%). The resting LVEF was 35.7 ± 9.4 and the maximal oxygen uptake (peak VO₂) was 19.5 ml/kg/min. The peak VO₂, VE/VCO₂ slope and circulatory power were significant predictors of risk. The prognosis was better when the initial linear VE/VCO₂ slope was lower than 30, and the final steeper VE/VCO₂ slope was lower than 32. There was no difference between the two slopes. The oxygen uptake efficiency slope, oxygen uptake, heart rate recovery, VE/VCO₂/VO₂ index and ventilatory threshold had no prognostic value. CONCLUSION The peak VO₂, circulatory power and VE/VCO₂ slope were prognostic indicators for patients with CHF-REF who were on beta-blockers.
The Physical Workload of Surgeons

Background. As extensively reported in the literature, laparoscopic surgery has many advantages for the patient. Surgeons, however, experience increased physical burden when laparoscopic surgery is compared with open surgery. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) has been said to further enhance the patient’s benefits of endoscopic surgery. Because in this surgical technique only 1 incision is made instead of the 3 to 5, as in conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS), it is claimed to further reduce discomfort and pain in patients. Yet little is known about its impact on surgeons. This study aims to contribute by indicating the possible differences in physical workload between single-incision laparoscopy and CLS. Methods. A laparoscopic box trainer was used to simulate a surgical setting. Participants performed 2 series of 3 different tasks in the box: one in the conventional way, the other through SILS. Surface electromyography was recorded from 8 muscles bilaterally. Furthermore, questionnaires on perceived workload were completed. Results. Differences were found in the back, neck, and shoulder muscles, with significantly higher muscle activity in the musculus (M) longissimus, M trapezius pars descendens, and the M deltoideus pars clavicularis. Questionnaires did not indicate any significant differences in perceived workload. Conclusion. Performing SILS versus CLS increases the objectively measured physical workload of surgeons particularly in the back, neck, and shoulder muscles.
Analysing observable success and activity indicators on crowdfunding platforms

Crowdfunding, a strategy for obtaining financial support for a project, an event, or a start-up company, has become both popular and successful in recent years. However, research on the subject is still scarce. Based on data from Kickstarter US-based and Startnext Germany-based projects, insights into the current crowdfunding situation at the aforementioned popular crowdfunding platforms are provided in this paper. Furthermore, project development over time is presented with regard to observable success and activity indicators, in particular focusing on activities such as communication within and growth of the community formed by project initiators and supporters.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A1 and A2 modulate expression of Tid1 isoforms and EGFR signaling in non-small cell lung cancer

The Tid1 protein is a DnaJ co-chaperone that has two alternative splicing isoforms: Tid1 long form (Tid1-L) and Tid1 short form (Tid1-S). Recent studies have shown that Tid1-L functions as a tumor suppressor by decreasing EGFR signaling in various cancers, including head and neck cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the molecular mechanism responsible for regulating the alternative splicing of Tid1 is not yet known. Two splicing factors, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNP) A1 and A2, participate in alternative splicing and are known to be overexpressed in lung cancers. In this work, we examined if hnRNP A1 and A2 could regulate the alternative splicing of Tid1 to modulate tumorigenesis in NSCLC. We report that RNAi-mediated depletion of both hnRNP A1/A2 (but not single depletion of either) increased Tid1-L expression, inhibited cell proliferation and attenuated EGFR signaling. Analyses of the expression levels of hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2, EGFR and Tid1-L in NSCLC tissues revealed that hnRNP A1 and A2 are positively correlated with EGFR, but negatively correlated with Tid1-L. NSCLC patients with high-level expression of hnRNP A1, hnRNP A2 and EGFR combined with low-level expression of Tid1-L were associated with poor overall survival. Taken together, our results suggest that hnRNP A1 or A2 are both capable of facilitating the alternative splicing of exon 11 in the Tid1 pre-mRNA, thereby suppressing the expression of Tid1-L and allowing EGFR-related signaling to facilitate NSCLC tumorigenesis.
Peroneus Longus Muscle Activation Pattern during Gait Cycle in Athletes Affected by Functional Ankle Instability

Background Functional ankle instability is a clinical syndrome that may develop after acute lateral ankle sprain. Although several causes of this functional instability have been suggested, it is still unclear what the activation pattern of the peroneus longus muscle is in patients with functional ankle instability. Hypothesis Peroneus longus activation patterns differ in the injured side and the uninjured side in subjects with functional ankle instability. Study Design Descriptive laboratory study. Methods The authors examined 14 subjects with functional ankle instability by using surface electromyography during walking. Activation time of the peroneus longus muscle was expressed as a percentage of the stance phase of the gait cycle. Results A statistically significant decrease in peroneus longus muscle activity was found in the injured side compared with the uninjured side (22.8% ± 4.25% vs 37.6% ± 3.5%, respectively). Conclusions Results obtained in this study show a change in peroneus longus muscle activation time after injury. Independent of the origin of this change, which could only be surmised, the decrease in peroneus longus muscle activity may result in reduced protection against lateral sprains. Clinical Relevance The assessment of peroneus longus activation pattern during gait is useful to design an appropriate rehabilitation program in athletes suffering from functional ankle instability.
Underestimating Numerosity of Items in Visual Search Tasks

Previous research on numerosity judgments addressed attended items, while the present research addresses underestimation for unattended items in visual search tasks. One potential cause of underestimation for unattended items is that estimates of quantity may depend on viewing a large portion of the display within foveal vision. Another theory follows from the occupancy model: estimating quantity of items in greater proximity to one another increases the likelihood of an underestimation error. Three experimental manipulations addressed aspects of underestimation for unattended items: the size of the distracters, the distance of the target from fixation, and whether items were clustered together. Results suggested that the underestimation effect for unattended items was best explained within a Gestalt grouping framework.
Nephrotoxicity of Polymyxins: Is There Any Difference between Colistimethate and Polymyxin B?

ABSTRACT Nephrotoxicity is a common adverse effect of the clinically used polymyxins, colistin and polymyxin B. This adverse effect is dose limiting for both polymyxins, as the plasma polymyxin concentrations associated with renal damage overlap those required for antibacterial effect. Since development of acute kidney injury (AKI) during therapy is highly undesirable, it is extremely important to know whether there is any difference between the nephrotoxic potential of colistin (administered as its inefficient prodrug, colistimethate) and polymyxin B (administered as the active form). Both polymyxins are cytotoxic to renal tubular cells and are prone to cause nephrotoxicity in vivo because of the renal handling mechanisms that facilitate accumulation of these compounds in these cells, processes that are reviewed in this article. Also reviewed are the emerging data that strongly suggest significantly higher rates of AKI in patients treated with colistimethate compared to patients treated with polymyxin B. This finding may be due to differences in pharmacokinetics and renal handling mechanisms of colistimethate and formed colistin versus polymyxin B, and consequently the relative amount of polymyxin material delivered to tubular cells. A lower risk of AKI with polymyxin B is one of several potential advantages over colistimethate. The relative safety and efficacy of the two agents require closer examination in well-designed clinical studies.
Management of patients with depression by rural primary care practitioners.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the extent to which variations in treatment and referral patterns for adult patients with diagnosed symptoms of depression seen in primary care practices are explained by practitioner characteristics, such as training, years in primary practice, sex, and knowledge about depression; practice characteristics, such as size, patient volume, and payer mix; and service area characteristics, such as availability of specialty mental health services and rural location. DESIGN A 41-item telephone survey of primary care practitioners (PCPs) in Maine, including family and general practice doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy, general internists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants (n = 267). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The degree to which PCPs treat patients with depression themselves, rather than refer them to a mental health specialist. RESULTS There is no significant (P = .10) urban-rural difference in the number of patients with depression seen as a percentage of total patient volume. Major barriers to referral to a mental health provider, as reported by the PCP, are long wait for an appointment, lack of available services, patients' unwillingness to use services, and reimbursement issues. Multivariate analyses indicate that PCP characteristics measuring knowledge and attitudes, as well as the lack of available services, are significantly related to treatment and referral patterns while practice characteristics and mental health provider supply are not. CONCLUSION The treatment of rural patients with symptoms of depression is more likely to be improved by targeting PCPs' medical education than by efforts to increase the supply of specialty mental health providers in rural areas.
Recht und Realität von Mitbestimmung im westdeutschen Dienstleistungssektor: 11 Fallstudien

GmbHs, die regelmasig zwischen 500 und 2000 Beschaftigte aufweisen, sind gesetzlich dazu verpflichtet, einen drittelmitbestimmten Aufsichtrat zu bilden. Eigene Studien demonstrierten, dass entgegen den rechtskraftigen Regelungen weniger als die Halfte aller GmbHs im westdeutschen Dienstleistungssektor mit 500 bis 2000 Beschaftigten einen Aufsichtsrat bilden. Damit findet auch die in diesem Organ vorgesehene Mitbestimmung der Arbeitnehmer nicht statt. Auf der Suche nach potenziellen Bestimmungsgrunden wurde okonometrisch ermittelt, dass sich die Organisationsform des Hauptgesellschafters, aber auch die Beschaftigtenzahl auf die Wahrscheinlichkeit des Bestehens eines Aufsichtsrats auswirkt. Um die uberraschenden Ergebnisse besser einordnen zu konnen wurden fur die vorliegende Analyse Fallstudien durchgefuhrt. Vertreter der Arbeitgeber- und Arbeitnehmerseite wurden gezielt gefragt, weshalb in ihrem Unternehmen kein Aufsichtsrat existiert. Auserdem wurde die Stellung und Bedeutung des Betriebsrates sowie von Mitbestimmung allgemein ermittelt. Die Befragung zeigt, dass Arbeitgeber und Belegschaft die Bildung von Betriebsraten in der Regel begrusen. Ein Aufsichtsrat wird hingegen als uberflussig erachtet. Insgesamt zeigt die Analyse, dass Arbeitnehmermitbestimmung auf Abteilungsebene mehr Bedeutung beigemessen wird als in den gesetzlich vorgeschriebenen Institutionen.
Early Spatial Attentional Modulation of Inputs to the Fovea

Attending to a specific spatial location modulates responsivity of neurons with receptive fields processing that part of the environment. A major outstanding question is whether attentional modulation operates differently for the foveal (central) representation of the visual field than it does for the periphery. Indeed, recent animal electrophysiological recordings suggest that attention differentially affects spatial integration for central and peripheral receptive fields in primary visual cortex. In human electroencephalographic recordings, spatial attention to peripheral locations robustly modulates activity in early visual regions, but it has been claimed that this mechanism does not operate in foveal vision. Here, however, we show clear early attentional modulation of foveal stimulation with the same timing and cortical sources as seen for peripheral stimuli, demonstrating that attentional gain control operates similarly across the entire field of view. These results imply that covertly attending away from the center of gaze, which is a common paradigm in behavioral and electrophysiological studies of attention, results in a precisely timed push–pull mechanism. While the amplitude of the initial response to stimulation at attended peripheral locations is significantly increased beginning at 80 ms, the amplitude of the response to foveal stimulation begins to be attenuated.
Secondary malignancy of the thyroid gland: a case report and review of the literature.

Metastatic cancer to the thyroid gland is uncommon. In this report we describe a patient with a malignant fibrous histiocytoma that metastasized to the thyroid, possibly to a preexisting thyroid nodule. A review of the literature reveals that breast and lung carcinoma are the most frequently identified sources of secondary thyroid carcinoma found at autopsy, while renal carcinoma comprises over 50% of secondary thyroid malignancies discovered clinically. A number of authors suggest that preexisting thyroid disease (i.e., multinodular goiter and thyroid nodules) may provide a nidus for metastases to the thyroid gland.
The effects of floral understoreys on parasitism of leafrollers (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) on apples in New Zealand

Abstract 1 Field and laboratory experiments on the conservation biocontrol of lepidopteran leafroller pests were carried out in apples at Lincoln, New Zealand. 2 Apple understoreys were planted with replicated treatments of alyssum (Lobularia maritima), phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia) and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum). 3 Rates of parasitism of experimentally released larvae of the light‐brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), by Dolichogenidea tasmanica (Cameron) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) were significantly lower in phacelia and control treatments, and leafroller pupae were significantly more abundant in controls than in buckwheat and alyssum treatments. 4 Naturally occurring leafroller damage was up to 29% lower above all the floral understorey treatments compared with controls and there were more than twice as many D. tasmanica cocoons in the alyssum and buckwheat treatments than in controls. 5 Suction sampling of the understoreys gave D. tasmanica adult densities that were significantly more abundant in alyssum compared with other treatments. Numbers of Anacharis zealandica (Hymenoptera: Figitidae) (a parasitoid of larvae of the predatory brown lacewing) did not differ between treatments. 6 In the laboratory, flowering buckwheat and alyssum enhanced D. tasmanica longevity by up to 78% compared with the control, and buckwheat also enhanced potential fecundity by 62%. 7 In choice experiments, leafroller larvae in the laboratory consumed more than three‐fold more apple leaf material than they did of the three understorey species, although alyssum increased leafroller fecundity and longevity. 8 The use of floral understoreys for conservation biocontrol of apple pests is discussed, along with the potential negative effects of some flowering species on pest populations and orchard agronomic practices.
A Water‐soluble Benzodiazepine, RO 21–3981, for Induction of Anesthesia

Diazepam, a benzodiazepine, is widely used to produce basal narcosis prior to anesthesia because of its effectiveness and lack of cardiorespiratory side effects. The venous irritation or occasional phlebitis related to its insolubility in water is a distinct drawback.1–3 Dilution of diazepam and prior administration of a local anesthetic have been used to decrease the pain on injection.4 These maneuvers, however, do not prevent phlebitis in the veins of animals.4 A new water-soluble benzodiazepine, RO 21–3981 (8-chloro-6(2-fluorophenyl)-l -methyl-4H-imidazo-[l,5-a][l,4]benzodiazepine maleate), has been shown in animal studies to have central nervous system depressant properties similar to those of diazepam but with approximately twice the potency. § Based upon unpublished studies,§ 0.15 mg/kg is the suggested induction close of RO 21–3981. We compared RO 21–3981, diazepam, and thiopental as agents for the intravenous induction of general inhalational anesthesia and evaluated the differences in induction times, cardiorespiratory changes, venous irritation, retrograde or antegrade amnesia, and patient acceptability.
Respiratory Viral Infections in Transplant Recipients

A wide range of viruses affect the respiratory tract of transplant recipients, including adenovirus, influenza, human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and rhinovirus. Prospective studies using contemporary diagnostic techniques have recently improved our understanding of the epidemiology and importance of these respiratory viruses among transplant recipients. From these studies, rhinovirus, in particular, has been shown to be one of the most common causes of infection in stem cell and lung transplant recipients. In addition to epidemiological data, recent studies have also advanced our understanding of management of influenza, adenovirus, and RSV infections among transplant recipients.
Mortality associated with hormone replacement therapy in younger and older women

OBJECTIVE: To assess mortality associated with hormone replacement in younger and older postmenopausal women.DESIGN: A comprehensive search of medline, cinahl, and embase databases was performed to identify randomized controlled trials of hormone replacement therapy from 1966 to September 2002. The search was augmented by scanning selected journals through April 2003 and references of identified articles. Randomized trials of greater than 6 months’ duration were included if they compared hormone replacement with placebo or no treatment, and reported at least 1 death.MEASUREMENTS: Outcomes measured were total deaths and deaths due to cardiovascular disease, cancer, or other causes. Odds ratios (OR) for total and cause-specific mortality were reported separately for trials with mean age of participants less than and greater than 60 years at baseline.MAIN RESULTS: Pooled data from 30 trials with 26,708 participants showed that the OR for total mortality associated with hormone replacement was 0.98 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.87 to 1.12). Hormone replacement reduced mortality in the younger age group (OR, 0.61; CI, 0.39 to 0.95), but not in the older age group (OR, 1.03; CI, 0.90 to 1.18). For all ages combined, treatment did not significantly affect the risk for cardiovascular or cancer mortality, but reduced mortality from other causes (OR, 0.67; CI, 0.51 to 0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Hormone replacement therapy reduced total mortality in trials with mean age of participants under 60 years. No change in mortality was seen in trials with mean age over 60 years.
An expressive approach to fuzzy constraint based agent purchase negotiation

This paper presents a fuzzy constraint based model for bilateral multi-attribute agent purchase negotiations in competitive trading environments. Argumentation is used as a key mechanism to improve agreements, in contrast to other fuzzy constraint based models which are limited to quantitative offers and counter-offers. A set of locutions and decision mechanisms which fire them are specified, so that each agent may decide its degree of cooperation and expressiveness.
Analytical methods for the species identification of milk and milk products

Summary � Theobjectiveofthisarticleistopointouttheimportanceofmilkanddairyproductauthentica- tionwithparticularfocusontheapplicationofanalyticalmethodstodetectadulteration.Theproduc- tionofsheepandgoatmilkhasconsiderableeconomicimportanceresultingfromthewidespreadac- ceptanceoftraditionalcheeses,�manymadeexclusivelyofpuresheepmilk. �Fraudulentincorporation� ofnondeclaredkindofmilkduringtechnologicalprocessingisacommonpracticethatcancausea� problemforreasonsrelatedtointoleranceorallergy,�religious,�ethicalorculturalobjections,�andlegal� requirements. �Unfortunately,�fraudulentsubstitutionofsheepandgoatmilkwiththecheapercow� milkisacommonpracticeandforthedetectionofmutualadulterationvariousmethodshavebeen� reviewed,�suchasimmunological,�electrophoretic,�chromatographic,�andPCRtechniques.