Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty outcome assessment with quantitative computer-assisted videoendoscopic airway analysis

Conclusion. Quantitative digital imaging upper airway analysis enables surgeons to assess the pre- and postoperative upper airway morphology quantitatively, objectively and accurately, and to correlate these changes in surgical parameters with improvement of obstructive sleep apnea. Objective. This was a prospective study using a new method of quantitative computer-assisted digital-imaging videoendoscopic upper airway analysis to quantify objectively and correlate the changes in surgical parameters with improvement of obstructive sleep apnea following uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Patients and methods. Nineteen male patients underwent uvulopalatopharyngoplasty for obstructive sleep apnea after continuous positive airway pressure trial. All had undergone pre- and postoperative digital imaging upper airway examination, Epworth scores, and polysomnographic studies. Postoperative static and dynamic changes in upper airway parameters were compared, analyzed and correlated with improvement of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) by statistical regression. Results. There were 65.12% and 64.37% improvements in the AHI and Epworth scales, respectively, after uvulopalatopharyngoplasty. Retropalatal areas measured were significantly correlated with improvement of the AHI. A 1 cm2 increase in retropalatal area during Mueller's maneuver in the supine position resulted in an improvement of 32.65 in the AHI; a 1 cm increase in the transverse diameter of the retropalatal area in the erect position resulted in an improvement of 31.83 in the AHI.
Optimal Investment Strategies under Affine Markov-Switching Models

This thesis deals with the portfolio optimization problem of an investor who aims to maximize the expected utility of her terminal wealth. The considered multidimensional asset price model incorporates several risk factors modeled both by diffusion processes and by a Markov chain. Based on the semimartingale characterization of Markov chains we apply the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman approach to solve the problem for different utility functions. The relevance of the derived results is illustrated on various examples incorporating among others stochastic short rate, volatility and correlation.
Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids, atorvastatin and orlistat in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with dyslipidemia.

AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of three hypolipidemic agents in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease associated with hyperlipidemia. METHODS Patients with dyslipidemia (Fredrickson type IIb), asymptomatic persistent transaminasemia lasting 24 weeks, and evidence of hepatic fat infiltration on ultrasonography and liver biopsy were studied. Those with predominant hypertriglyceridemia received omega-3 fatty acids (5 mL thrice daily) (Group A), those with predominant hypercholesterolemia received atorvastatin 20 mg/daily (Group B), and overweight patients received orlistat 120 mg thrice daily before meals (Group C). After 24 weeks of treatment, serum transaminase and lipid levels and liver ultrasonography were repeated. RESULTS Serum transaminase levels decreased significantly (p< 0.001) in all groups but the decrease was more marked in Group C (AST 75 [16] to 31 [7] IU/L; ALT 120 [38] to 41 [10] IU/L) than in Group A (AST 70 [14] to 41 [6]; ALT 110 [20] to 68 [12]) or Group B (AST 68 [13] to 46 [9]; ALT 115 [22] to 76.6 [13]). After treatment, ultrasonography showed resolution of fatty liver in 35% of patients in Group A, 61% in Group B, and in 86% in Group C (p< 0.001, Group C vs. A). CONCLUSIONS A decline in transaminase levels and normalization of ultrasonographic evidence of fatty liver were observed on treatment with omega-3 fatty acids in patients with hypertriglyceridemia, with atorvastatin in those with hypercholesterolemia, and orlistat in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia.
Atrial fibrillation: its prevalence and risk factor profile in the German general population.

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an increasingly common problem in primary care, but little is known about its prevalence and the distribution of AF risk factors in the general population. METHODS We determined the prevalence of AF and the distribution of known AF risk factors among persons participating in the population-based Gutenberg Health Study. To this end, we used interview data about the medical diagnosis of AF and electrocardiograms (ECGs) that were performed for the study in 5000 persons aged 35 to 74. The response rate was 60.4%. RESULTS There were 5000 persons in the study sample (age 52.2 ± 11 years; 50.6% were women). The prevalence of AF, weighted for the age and sex distribution of the general population, was 2.5%. AF was found to be more common in older persons, with a more pronounced increase in men: whereas its prevalence was 0.7% in 35- to 44-year-old men, the corresponding figure for the age group 65- to 74 was as high as 10.6%. Twenty five participants (15.5% of AF cases) received their initial diagnosis of AF on the basis of the study ECG. Compared to persons without AF, persons with AF were older and more commonly male, and they had a higher burden of cardiovascular risk factors. 14.3% of persons with AF had none of the well-established risk factors for AF (systolic blood pressure, antihypertensive medication, increased body-mass-index, heart failure). 42.7% of persons with AF were not taking either anticoagulants or platelet inhibitors. CONCLUSION These data indicate that the prevalence of AF in the middle-aged general population is 2.5% overall, and higher in the elderly. AF is thus a significant public health problem, and greater awareness of it is needed.
The Implementation of the Improved OMP for AIC Reconstruction Based on Parallel Index Selection

Sparse signal recovery becomes extremely challenging for a variety of real-time applications. In this paper, we improve the orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm based on parallel correlation indices selection mechanism in each iteration and Goldschmidt algorithm. Simulation results show that the improved OMP algorithm with a reduced number of iterations and low hardware complexity of matrix operations has higher success rate and recovery signal-to-noise-ratio (RSNR) for sparse signal recovery. This paper presents an efficient complex-valued system hardware architecture of the recovery algorithm for analog-to-information structure based on compressive sensing. The proposed architecture is implemented and validated on the Xilinx Virtex6 field-programmable gate array (FPGA) for signal reconstruction with <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$N = 1024$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K = 36$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$M = 256$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. The implementation results showed that the improved OMP algorithm achieved a higher RSNR of 31.04 dB compared with the original OMP algorithm. This synthesized design consumes a few percentages of the hardware resources of the FPGA chip with the clock frequency of 135.4 MHZ and reconstruction time of <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$170~\mu \text{s}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, which is faster than the existing design.
English–Greek code-switching in Greek Cypriot magazines and newspapers – an analysis of its textual forms and functions

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the textual position, form, and functions of English–Greek code-switching, which occurs in the form of insertions, in Greek Cypriot print media. The data consist of seven magazines and seven newspapers. For the analysis of the data, a theoretical framework for written multilingualism is adopted and adapted, namely “English on top”. The presence of English in the mainstream Cypriot print media is scarce. Code-switching into English mainly takes the form of naming, heading, quotations, set phrases, and doublets; a doublet refers to the use of a word next to its translation in another language. It exhibits a variety of functions such as language play, emphasis, and clarification. This is not always the case, however. In some cases, no specific textual function can be attributed to the English insertions. In such cases, it is the symbolic and/or indexical function of English that is exploited.
Development and initial validation of the obsessive belief questionnaire‐child version (OBQ‐CV)

Background: Cognitive models of obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) propose that beliefs are important in the etiology and maintenance of OCD and that these beliefs develop during childhood [Neal et al., 1991: Psychol Bull 109:400–410; Rachman, 1997: Behav Res Ther 35:793–802; Cronbach, 1951: Psychometrika 16:297–334]. However, the ability to test these predictions has been hampered by the lack of a standardized measure of OCD‐related beliefs for youth. Therefore, this article presents initial data on a youth version of the widely used Obsessive Belief Questionnaire (OBQ) [Bonett, 2002: J Educ Behav Stat 27:335–340]. Methods: Data examining the psychometric properties of the Obsessive Belief Questionnaire‐Child Version (OBQ‐CV) are presented from two pediatric OCD samples: a North American (n=29, aged 9–17 years) and a Dutch sample (n=48, aged 8–18 years). Results: Preliminary findings from both samples support the internal consistency, retest reliability, and convergent validity of the OBQ‐CV. Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that the OBQ‐CV is a promising tool for examining the role of cognitions in pediatric OCD. Development of the OBQ‐CV to augment the existing adult version of the scale creates unique opportunities for investigating the role of cognitions in OCD across the lifespan. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Risk stratification in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

We performed a systematic literature review of recommended ‘major’ and ‘possible’ clinical risk markers for sudden cardiac death (SCD) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). We searched Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases for articles published between 1971 and 2007. We included English language reports on HCM patients containing follow-up data on the endpoint (sudden) cardiac death using survival analysis. Analysis was undertaken using the quality of reporting of meta-analyses (QUORUM) statement checklist. The quality was checked using a quality assessment form from the Cochrane Collaboration. Thirty studies met inclusion criteria and passed quality assessment. The use of the six major risk factors (previous cardiac arrest or sustained ventricular tachycardia, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, extreme left ventricular hypertrophy, unexplained syncope, abnormal blood pressure response, and family history of sudden death) in risk stratification for SCD as recommended by international guidelines was supported by literature. In addition, left ventricular outflow tract obstruction seems associated with a higher risk of SCD. Our systematic review provides sound evidence for the use of the six major risk factors for SCD in the risk stratification of HCM patients. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction could be included in the overall risk profile of patients with a marked left ventricular outflow gradient under basal conditions.
Legionnaires' disease in Europe 2000–2002

Each year, countries that participate in the European Surveillance Scheme for Travel Associated Legionnaires' Disease (EWGLINET) are requested to complete a set of standardized reporting forms that provide epidemiological and microbiological information on the total number of cases (non-travel as well as travel-related cases) detected in their country. Trends at the national and aggregated European level have been analysed for 2000–2002. For this period, 10322 cases of Legionnaires' disease were reported and national infection rates ranged from 0 to 34·1 cases per million population. A total of 189 outbreaks were associated with nosocomial infection, community exposure or travel. The upward trend in diagnosis through the urinary antigen detection test has resulted in a higher ascertainment of cases in many countries. However, the decline in diagnosis by culture of the organism is likely to severely hamper outbreak investigations in the future if fewer clinical isolates are available for matching with environmental isolates. This important data-set has been used for studying the effectiveness of surveillance and legionella control and prevention programmes within Europe.
Results of treatment of children with refractory anaemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and RAEB in transformation (RAEBt) in Great Britain 1990–99

Summary. Between 1990 and 1999, 36 children with refractory anaemia with excess blasts (RAEB) and RAEB in transformation (RAEBt), not associated with Down's syndrome, were diagnosed in Britain. A total of 31 children received intensive chemotherapy, six of whom proceeded to a bone marrow allograft in first remission, whereas two received an autograft. Of the 23 given chemotherapy only, four died of toxicity, 10 relapsed and nine are alive in first remission. Out of the 10 who relapsed, four are alive and disease‐free following an allograft. Out of the 6 children given an allograft in first remission, two died of disease and four are alive in first remission. Both children given an autograft died of disease. Two children received an allograft without prior chemotherapy but died of toxicity. Three children received supportive care only, and one child survived. The overall survival was 51% at 5 years, and was superior in children with RAEBt (63%) compared with RAEB (28%, P = 0·03). Cytogenetics were available in 35 cases. Monosomy 7 was the most common abnormality (33% of cases). Survival in children with monosomy 7 was 22% at 5 years compared with 66% for the other patients (P = 0·05). Allowing for cytogenetics, outcomes of therapy appear similar to those for de novo acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and it is appropriate for children with RAEB/RAEBt to be registered in AML trials.
Regulation of the subthreshold chloride conductance in the rat sympathetic neuron

The mechanisms that control chloride conductance (gCl) in the rat sympathetic neuron have been studied by the two‐electrode voltage‐clamp technique in mature, intact superior cervical ganglia in vitro. In addition to voltage dependence in the membrane potential range −120/−50 mV, gCl displays time‐ and activity‐dependent regulation (sensitization). The resting membrane potential is governed by voltage‐dependent gK and gCl, which determine values of cell input conductance ranging from 7 to 18 nS (full deactivation) to an upper value of about 130 nS (full activation and maximal gCl sensitization). The quiescent neuron, held at constant membrane potential, spontaneously and gradually moved from a low‐ to a high‐conductance status. An increase (about 40 nS) in gCl accounted for this phenomenon, which could be prevented by imposing intermittent hyperpolarizing episodes. Following spike firing, gCl increased by 20–33 nS, independent of the cell conductance value preceding tetanization, and thereafter decayed to the pre‐stimulus level within 5 min. Intracellular sodium depletion and its successive ionophoretic restoration moved the neuron from a stable low‐conductance state to maximum gCl sensitization, pointing to a link between gCl sensitization and [Na+]i. The dependence of gCl build‐up on [Na+]i and the time‐course of such Na+‐related modulation have been examined: gCl sensitization was absent at 0 [Na+]i, was well developed (20 nS) at 15 mm and tended towards a saturating value of 60 nS for higher [Na+]i. Sensitization was transient in response to neuron activity. In the silent neuron, sensitization of gCl shifted membrane potential over a range of about 15 mV.
Pulmonary surfactant protein A enhances the host-defense mechanism of rat alveolar macrophages.

The effects of surfactant, surfactant lipids, and surfactant protein A (SP-A) on the surface phagocytosis of [3H]thymidine-labeled Staphylococcus aureus (SAE) by rat alveolar macrophages were studied. Alveolar macrophages only ingest SAE when the bacteria are opsonized with rat serum prior to incubation with alveolar macrophages. Preincubation or "opsonization" of the bacteria with surfactant did not result in phagocytosis by the macrophages. However, preincubation of the macrophages with surfactant increased the phagocytosis of rat serum-opsonized bacteria by approximately 70% when compared to the control macrophages. The factor present in surfactant causing the stimulation of the phagocytosis is probably SP-A. Preincubation of macrophages with human SP-A enhanced the phagocytosis to the same extent as whole surfactant, whereas preincubation with surfactant lipids had no effect on the phagocytosis. The SP-A-induced enhancement of the phagocytosis is time, temperature, and concentration dependent. Phagocytosis of opsonized SAE by alveolar macrophages was maximal after 15 min of incubation and at an SP-A concentration of 1 micrograms/ml. No phagocytosis occurred at 0 degrees C. In addition, whole surfactant and SP-A induce a lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence response in alveolar macrophages. The chemiluminescence response is initiated after 15 min of incubation and reaches a maximum after 30 min. The concentration of SP-A needed for an optimal response is in the same order of magnitude as the concentration needed for maximal enhancement of the phagocytosis of SAE by alveolar macrophages. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Toxoplasma gondii Seropositivity and Suicide Rates in Women

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects roughly a third of the world population. In an immunocompetent host, infection is generally chronic and asymptomatic, as the immune system keeps T. gondii confined to cysts and the intracellular space within the muscle and brain. Seropositivity has been linked to schizophrenia, car accidents, changes in personality, and more recently, suicidal attempts. Very recently, seroprevalence for 20 European countries was found to be associated with increased suicide rates. Although suicide rates were age-standardized, given that T. gondii seroprevalence increases with age and that the blood samples were drawn in women, we now retested in women only the association between suicide and T. gondii seropositivity, stratified by age. Simple correlations between ranked T. gondii seropositivity and suicide rate identified statistically significant relationships in women 60 years or older (p < 0.05); adjusting for GDP, the statistical significance expanded to include women 45 years and older. The strongest association was in the 60- to 74-year-old group where, after adjustment for GDP, the relationship (p = 0.007) resisted Bonferroni adjustment for multiple comparisons. In conclusion, the results suggest that a positive relationship between rates of infection with T. gondii and suicide is apparent in women of postmenopausal age. Prospective studies are necessary to further confirm this association predictively and to explore mechanisms mediating this relationship.
Transcriptional Regulation of the Escherichia coli Gene rraB, Encoding a Protein Inhibitor of RNase E

ABSTRACT The Escherichia coli RNA degradosome is a protein complex that plays a critical role in the turnover of numerous RNAs. The key component of the degradosome complex is the endoribonuclease RNase E, a multidomain protein composed of an N-terminal catalytic region and a C-terminal region that organizes the other protein components of the degradosome. Previously, the RNase E inhibitors RraA and RraB were identified genetically and shown to bind to the C-terminal region of RNase E, thus affecting both the protein composition of the degradosome and the endonucleolytic activity of RNase E. In the present work, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of rraB. rraB was shown to be transcribed constitutively from its own promoter, PrraB. Transposon mutagenesis and screening for increased β-galactosidase activity from a chromosomal PrraB-lacZ transcriptional fusion resulted in the isolation of a transposon insertion in glmS, encoding the essential enzyme glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase that catalyzes the first committed step of the uridine 5′-diphospho-N-acetyl-glucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) pathway, which provides intermediates for peptidoglycan biogenesis. The glmS852::Tn5 allele resulted in an approximately 50% lower intracellular concentration of UDP-GlcNAc and conferred a fivefold increase in the level of rraB mRNA. This allele also mediated a twofold increase in β-galactosidase activity from a chromosomal fusion of the 5′ untranslated region of the rne gene to lacZ, suggesting that a reduction in cellular concentration of UDP-GlcNAc and the resulting increased expression of RraB might modulate the action of RNase E.
Water diffusion measurements in perfused human hippocampal slices undergoing tonicity changes

Diffusion MRI has the potential to probe the compartmental origins of MR signals acquired from human nervous tissue. However, current experiments in human subjects require long diffusion times, which may confound data interpretation due to the effects of compartmental exchange. To investigate human nervous tissue at shorter diffusion times, and to determine the relevance of previous diffusion studies in rat hippocampal slices, water diffusion in 20 perfused human hippocampal slices was measured using a wide‐bore 17.6‐T magnet equipped with 1000‐mT/m gradients. These slices were procured from five patients undergoing temporal lobectomy for epilepsy. Tissue viability was confirmed with electrophysiological measurements. Diffusion‐weighted water signal attenuation in the slices was well‐described by a biexponential function (R2 > 0.99). The mean diffusion parameters for slices before osmotic perturbation were 0.686 ± 0.082 for the fraction of fast diffusing water (Ffast), 1.22 ± 0.22 × 10−3 mm2/s for the fast apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and 0.06 ± 0.02 × 10−3 mm2/s for the slow ADC. Slice perturbations with 20% hypotonic and 20% hypertonic artificial cerebrospinal fluid led to changes in Ffast of −8.2% and +10.1%, respectively (ANOVA, P < 0.001). These data agree with previous diffusion studies of rat brain slices and human brain in vivo, and should aid the development of working models of water diffusion in nervous tissue, and thus increase the clinical utility of diffusion MRI. Magn Reson Med 49:856–863, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.