Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgical Strategy for T 1 Gallbladder Cancer : A Nationwide Multicenter Survey in South Korea

Background. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical features and clinical outcomes of T1 gallbladder (GB) cancer and to determine an appropriate surgical strategy for T1 GB cancer. Methods. A nationwide multicenter study, in which 16 University Hospitals in Korea participated, was performed from 1995 to 2004. A total of 258 patients, 117 patients with T1a and 141 patients with T1b disease were enrolled. Clinicopathologic findings and long-term follow-up results were analyzed after a consensus meeting of the Korean Pancreas Surgery Club was held. Results. Simple cholecystectomy was performed in 95 patients (81.2 %) with T1a tumor and in 89 patients (63.1 %) with T1b tumor (p \ 0.01). Lymph node metastasis was observed in 2.9 % of T1a patients and in 9.9 % of T1b patients (p = 0.391). A significant difference in 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rates was observed between T1a and T1b patients (96.4 vs 84.8 %, respectively, p = 0.03). However, no significant 5-year DSS rate difference was observed between those who underwent simple cholecystectomy or extended cholecystectomy, regardless of whether lymph node dissection was performed or whether lymph node metastasis was present. There was no significant difference in recurrence-free survival between simple cholecystectomy and extended cholecystectomy. Conclusions. There was no superiority of extended cholecystectomy over simple cholecystectomy in the aspect of survival and recurrence especially in T1b gallbladder cancer. Furthermore, the effectiveness of regional lymphadenectomy for treatment purpose remains questionable. Therefore, simple cholecystectomy could be recommended as a surgical strategy of T1 gallbladder cancer. Most surgeons would agree T1a gallbladder (GB) cancer is a local disease and that simple cholecystectomy provides an adequate treatment, when the resection margin is clear. Seung Eun Lee and Jin-Young Jang are contributed equally to this study. Society of Surgical Oncology 2014 First Received: 26 July 2013; Published Online: 18 April 2014 S. -W. Kim, MD, PhD, FACS e-mail: sunkim@plaza.snu. ac.kr Ann Surg Oncol (2014) 21:3654–3660 DOI 10.1245/s10434-014-3527-7
Optimization of microwave pretreatment conditions to maximize methane production and methane yield in mesophilic anaerobic sludge digestion

The objective of this study was to find optimum microwave pretreatment conditions for methane production and methane yield in anaerobic sludge digestion. The sludge was pretreated using a laboratory‐scale industrial microwave unit (2450 MHz frequency). Microwave temperature increase rate (TIR) (2.9–17.1 °C/min) and final temperature (FT) (52–108 °C) significantly affected solubilization, methane production, and methane yield. Solubilization degree (soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD)/total COD) in the pretreated sludge (3.3–14.7%) was clearly higher than that in the raw sludge (2.6%). Within the design boundaries, the optimum conditions for maximum methane production (2.02 L/L) were TIR = 9.1°C/min and FT = 90 °C, and the optimum conditions for maximum methane yield (809 mL/g VSremoved) were TIR = 7.1 °C/min and FT = 92 °C.
Modeling and predicting the shape of the far-infrared to submillimeter emission in ultra-compact HII regions and cold clumps

Context. Dust properties are very likely affected by the environment in which dust grains evolve. For instance, some analyses of cold clumps (7-17 K) indicate that the aggregation process is favored in dense environments. However, studying warm (30-40 K) dust emission at long wavelength (λ > 300 µm) has been limited because it is difficult to combine far infrared-to-millimeter (FIR-to-mm) spectral coverage and high angular resolution for observations of warm dust grains. Aims. Using Herschel data from 70 to 500µm, which are part of the Herschel infrared Galactic (Hi-GAL) survey combined with 1.1 mm data from the Bolocam Galactic Plane Survey (BGPS), we compared emission in two types of environments: ultracompact HII (UCHII) regions, and cold molecular clumps (denoted as cold clumps). With this comparison we tested dust emission models in the FIR-to-mm domain that reproduce emission in the diffuse medium, in these two environments (UCHII regions and cold clumps). We also investigated their ability to predict the dust emission in our Galaxy. Methods. We determined the emission spectra in twelve UCHII regions and twelve cold clumps, and derived the dust temperature (T) using the recent two-level system (TLS) model with three sets of parameters and the so-called T-β (temperature-dust emissivity index) phenomenological models, with β set to 1.5, 2 and 2.5. Results. We tested the applicability of the TLS model in warm regions for the first time. This analysis indicates distinct trends in the dust emission between cold and warm environments that are visible through changes in the dust emissivity index. However, with the use of standard parameters, the TLS model is able to reproduce the spectral behavior observed in cold and warm regions, from the change of the dust temperature alone, whereas a T-β model requires β to be known.
Intake and total apparent digestibility in lambs fed six maize varieties in the Brazilian Semiarid

The objective of this study was to evaluate the daily intake and total apparent digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, gross energy, ether extract, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, total and non-fibrous carbohydrates, total digestible nutrients, energy intake and nitrogen balance of silages of six maize varieties with early or super early cycles recommended to Northeast Brazil. Twenty-four male castrated lambs were lodged in metabolic cages. A completely randomized design with six treatments and four replications was used, with means compared by Tukey test at 5%. There were no differences among varieties for any of the evaluated variables regarding intake and apparent digestibility. Concerning the intake of digestible energy, metabolizable energy and the ratio content of digestible and metabolizable energy, significant differences were observed between varieties and BRS Assum Preto showed highest values of metabolizable energy (2.650,8 kcal/day). All of the treatments presented positive nitrogen balance and did not differ among themselves. The varieties asessed can be an additional option to the semiarid regions in Brazil.
Pricing and Hedging Equity Indexed Annuities with Variance-Gamma Deviates

The author analyzes the pricing and hedging problem for Equity Indexed Annuities (EIAs) with underlying risky assets following a geometric Variance-Gamma process. This model allows accurate and parsimonious replication of the implied volatility smiles observed in the financial market. I argue that this model produces consistency in pricing and hedging between the financial and insurance markets. Closed form expressions for prices of Point-to-Point and Cliquet instruments are developed and used to investigate the break-even participation rates. Furthermore, I derive the hedging parameters Delta, Gamma and Vega for the Cliquet design. Mortality risk is incorporated through the Actuarial present value principal and I use numerical experiments to investigate the effects of the model parameters.
Increasing sleep duration to lower beat‐to‐beat blood pressure: a pilot study

Strong evidence has accumulated over the last several years, showing that low sleep quantity and/or quality plays an important role in the elevation of blood pressure. We hypothesized that increasing sleep duration serves as an effective behavioral strategy to reduce blood pressure in prehypertension or type 1 hypertension. Twenty‐two participants with prehypertension or stage 1 hypertension, and habitual sleep durations of 7 h or less, participated in a 6‐week intervention study. Subjects were randomized to a sleep extension group (48 ± 12 years, N = 13) aiming to increase bedtime by 1 h daily over a 6‐week intervention period, or to a sleep maintenance group (47 ± 12 years, N = 9) aiming to maintain habitual bedtimes. Both groups received sleep hygiene instructions. Beat‐to‐beat blood pressure was monitored over 24 h, and 24‐h urine and a fasting blood sample were collected pre‐ and post‐intervention. Subjects in the sleep extension group increased their actigraphy‐assessed daily sleep duration by 35 ± 9 min, while subjects in the sleep maintenance condition increased slightly by 4 ± 9 min (P = 0.03 for group effect). Systolic and diastolic beat‐to‐beat blood pressure averaged across the 24‐h recording period significantly decreased from pre‐ to post‐intervention visit in the sleep extension group by 14 ± 3 and 8 ± 3 mmHg, respectively (P < 0.05). Though the reduction of 7 ± 5 and 3 ± 4 mmHg in the sleep maintenance group was not significant, it did not differ from the blood pressure reduction in the sleep extension group (P = 0.15 for interaction effect). These changes were not paralleled by pre‐ to post‐intervention changes in inflammatory or sympatho‐adrenal markers, nor by changes in caloric intake. While these preliminary findings have to be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size, they encourage future investigations to test whether behavioral interventions designed to increase sleep duration serve as an effective strategy in the treatment of hypertension.
A longitudinal analysis of stress among incoming college freshmen

ABSTRACT Objectives: The objectives of this study were to: (1) examine changes in stress during first semester among freshmen undergraduates and (2) identify predictors of stress (coping strategies, emotional states, and quality of sleep). Participants: One hundred ninety-seven freshmen students were recruited for a 10-week study during first quarter (October–December, 2015). Methods: Students completed weekly self-report surveys on stress, coping strategies, emotions, and quality of sleep. A generalized linear mixed model was used for analyses. Results: Stress was elevated during examinations periods. Women reported a greater stress level than men. Increased stress level was significantly associated with lower sleep quality and greater negative emotions (fear, anger). Exercise was an effective stress coping strategy, while other coping methods (Internet usage, meditation, and self-isolation) were associated with higher stress. Social media usage did not influence stress level. Conclusions: Future stress management programs for freshmen need to consider gender differences and may focus on sleep, exercise, and decreased general Internet usage.
Prevalence of stroke and stroke-related disability. Estimates from the Auckland stroke studies.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE To provide estimates of the prevalence of stroke and stroke-related disability for international comparisons and for planning purposes. METHODS Estimates of prevalence were derived from two population-based studies conducted 10 years apart in Auckland, New Zealand. The first, carried out in 1981, included information on survival and stroke-related disability to 14 years after stroke, and the second, undertaken in 1991 to 1992, included this information up to 3 years after stroke. An actuarial model was developed that took into account changes in incidence, long-term survival, and population structure. RESULTS Overall, it was estimated that 7491 people (3793 men and 3698 women) living in Auckland (total population 945,000) in 1991 had experienced a stroke at some stage in the past. This represents an age-standardized rate of 833 per 100,000 (991 per 100,000 in men and 706 per 100,000 in women) in the population aged 15 years and older. When only those who have made an incomplete recovery are considered, prevalence falls to 461 per 100,000. Of this group, one third (173 per 100,000 population 15 years and older) required assistance in at least one self-care activity. CONCLUSIONS Usual estimates of stroke prevalence, which include all people who have ever experienced a stroke, may overestimate by almost twofold the prevalence of stroke-related disability, since many have either recovered or have no continuing dependency related to stroke. Overall prevalence does not provide information with sufficient precision for planning and purchasing ongoing services for stroke patients.
Goldmann Applanation Tonometry Versus Ocular Response Analyzer for Intraocular Pressure Measurements in Keratoconic Eyes

Purpose: To compare intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained with the Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT) and the ocular response analyzer (ORA) in patients with keratoconus (KC) and analyze their dependence on ocular anatomic parameters. Methods: Patients with KC were recruited prospectively. IOP was measured using GAT and ORA. The ORA provided a Goldmann correlated IOP (IOPg) and a corneal correlated IOP (IOPcc). Assessment of refractive status, visual acuity, axial length, corneal topography, and pachymetry was done. Results: Fifty-nine eyes of 59 patients with KC (39 men, 20 women; mean age: 27.8 ± 6.8 years) were included. The differences in mean IOP values between GAT (10.9 ± 2.0 mm Hg) and IOPg (9.5 ± 2.8 mm Hg) and between GAT and IOPcc (13.3 ± 2.5 mm Hg) were statistically significant (all P < 0.001). Both pressure measurements provided by the ORA showed significant correlation with corneal curvature. No significant effect of corneal thickness on any of the pressures was observed. Conclusions: IOP measurements taken with GAT and ORA in keratoconic eyes were significantly different. Although IOPcc was significantly higher, IOPg was significantly lower than GAT IOP. Unlike GAT measurements, ORA readings seemed to be affected mainly by corneal curvature. As a result of described differences, we suggest these devices should not be used interchangeably but rather in a complementary fashion to assess IOP in keratoconic eyes.
Dietary products used in infants for treatment and prevention of food allergy

Editor,—Caffarelli et al comment on several immunological mechanisms by which gastrointestinal symptoms could occur in asthma.1 They do not comment on whether they excluded cystic fibrosis (CF). This is relevant as there are an increasing number of mild phenotypes of CF presenting as asthma.2 CF could be a unifying diagnosis in the “asthmatic” with gastrointestinal symptoms. The important clinical message is to consider a …
Antimicrobial Peptide Immunity Protects Human Nasal and Auricular Cartilage Against Infection

Background: Despite being impervious to surveillance by the adaptive immune system because of its lack of vascularity, infection of the nasal and auricular cartilage after surgery such as rhinoplasty or otoplasty is rare. Why is this so? Our goal was to determine whether the expression of antimicrobial peptides provides a previously unrecognized nonepithelial layer of innate immune defense within the nasal and auricular cartilage. Materials and Methods: Seven samples of nasal septum cartilage and 2 biopsies from auricular cartilage grafts were harvested during rhinoplasty and otoplasty procedures. Ten cadaveric samples of auricular and 9 samples of nasal cartilage were also obtained. Immunohistochemical staining was directed against the human &bgr;-defensin antimicrobial peptides (hBD) 1, 2, and 3. A semiquantitative analysis was performed to measure immunoreactivity. Results: All 3 human &bgr;-defensins were detected along the perichondral line and within the cartilage matrix in the nasal and auricular samples. Areas with positive immunohistochemical staining were also detected within chondrocyte cytoplasm. Conclusions: We provide the first evidence of antimicrobial peptide expression (hBD-1, -2 and -3) within the perichondrium and cartilage matrix layers of the nasal and auricular cartilage. This previously unrecognized innate immune function of perichondrocytes and chondrocytes may explain the resistance of the nasal and auricular cartilage to infection after surgical procedures despite the absence of a vascular system.
Analysis of taste function in patients before and after cochlear implant surgery.

BACKGROUND Cochlear implantation (CI), the standard therapy for rehabilitation of severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, exhibits taste dysfunction as a possible postoperative complication. This study aimed to investigate possible postoperative changes in taste and in addition baseline taste function in CI candidates. METHODOLOGY We included 61 patients (32 male, 29 female) planned to undergo CI surgery and 23 healthy controls (8 male, 15 female). Gustatory function was measured using a chemosensory quasi-threshold test (taste strips) and electrogustometry (EGM). To exclude possible effects of olfaction on taste, olfactory function was tested by means of the Sniffin Sticks odor identification test. Furthermore, the density of fungiform papillae (fPAP) was analyzed. Measurements were taken pre- and 2-4 weeks postoperative. RESULTS Preoperative taste function and fPAP density was reduced in CI patients compared to controls. The fPAP density correlated significantly with the total taste score, EGM scores and age. Postoperative taste function decreased significantly, whereas EGM scores and fPAP density did not significantly change. Also baseline olfactory function in CI candidates was decreased, whereas no significant change of olfactory function was found post-surgery. CONCLUSION CI candidates exhibited taste and olfactory dysfunction already preoperatively. Furthermore, a significant decrease in taste scores after CI surgery was detected.
Randomized dose-escalation study evaluating peginterferon alfa-2a in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma.

PURPOSE A pegylated interferon, peginterferon alfa-2a (PEG-IFNalpha-2a; 40 kd), has the potential for improved tumor response and survival with lower toxicity than IFNalpha. This open-label, randomized study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of subcutaneous PEG-IFNalpha-2a in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma (stage IV American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system). PATIENTS AND METHODS PEG-IFNalpha-2a was administered subcutaneously at 180 (n = 48), 360 (n = 53), or 450 mug (n = 49) once weekly for 24 weeks, with maintenance therapy for responders. Efficacy was assessed by the proportion of patients with complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). RESULTS The major response rate (CR or PR) was 6% in the 180-mug group (CR, 2%; PR, 4%), 8% in the 360-mug group (CR, 2%; PR, 6%), and 12% in the 450-mug group (CR, 6%; PR, 6%). The times to achieve a major response, duration of major response, rate of disease progression, and 12-month survival were similar between groups, although overall median survival was significantly different among the three groups (P = .0136). More patients required dose adjustment for safety reasons in the higher dose groups, but PEG-IFNalpha-2a was generally well tolerated, with few withdrawals because of adverse events (6%, 19%, and 16% in the 180-, 360-, and 450-mug groups, respectively). The most common adverse events were fatigue, pyrexia, and nausea. CONCLUSION PEG-IFNalpha-2a at doses up to 450 mug once weekly has shown good tolerability and similar efficacy to conventional IFNalpha and monochemotherapy in stage IV metastatic melanoma.
Value of FDG PET in patients with fever of unknown origin

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a diagnostic challenge, because the cause of such fever may be manifold. Studies on the use of positron emission tomography (PET) using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG), for the diagnosis of inflammation in patients with osteomyelitis or HIV have been promising and suggest its use in patients with FUO. In this study, we used FDG PET in 16 patients with FUO in whom conventional diagnostics had not been conclusive. In 12 patients, (75%) non-physiological accumulations of FDG were found which led to the final diagnosis in 11 patients (69%). FDG PET was negative in four patients (25%). Two of these patients had rheumatic fever, while in the other two patients the origin of fever could not be detected within 3 months after PET by any other laboratory or imaging means. These findings point to the high sensitivity of FDG whole-body PET for the detection of morphologically assessable foci as an origin of FUO. Moreover, they suggest a high negative predictive value of FDG PET in the setting of FUO, since in no patient with a negative FDG PET could a morphological origin of the fever be determined. In conclusion, FDG whole-body PET appears to be a promising diagnostic tool in patients with FUO, in whom conventional diagnostics had been unsuccessful.
Relevance and Treatment of Coccidiosis in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia forma domestica) With Particular Emphasis on Toltrazuril

Abstract Coccidia are common pathogenic parasites in pigeons (Columba livia). Coccidiosis is most commonly seen in young pigeons and only rarely in adult birds. Infections in domestic pigeons are typically mixed and commonly include Eimeria columbarum and Eimeria labbeana. The reported prevalence of infection is 5.1%–71.9%, and worldwide mortality in juvenile pigeons varies from 5% to 70%, with most deaths occurring in the third and fourth month of life. This article summarizes the life cycle of E columbarum and E labbeana, the route of transmission, and the common clinical and pathologic signs of coccidiosis. Chemotherapeutic options discussed include amprolium, sulfonamides, clazuril, and toltrazuril. Reasons to use toltrazuril include the growing resistance against other drugs, such as sulfonamides and amprolium, the extended effectiveness compared with other substances, for example, clazuril, and the ability of pigeons to develop immunity during treatment.
Reduction of Dispersion of Repolarization and Prolongation of Postrepolarization Refractoriness Explain the Antiarrhythmic Effects of Quinidine in a Model of Short QT Syndrome

Background: Short QT syndrome (SQTS) is a newly described ion channelopathy, characterized by a short QT interval resulting from an accelerated cardiac repolarization, associated with syncope, atrial fibrillation, and sudden cardiac death due to ventricular fibrillation. As therapeutic options in SQTS are still controversial, we examined antiarrhythmic mechanisms in an experimental model of SQTS.
Genetic analysis of hepatitis A virus variants circulating among children presenting with acute diarrhea in Cameroon

Molecular investigation was undertaken of circulating hepatitis A virus (HAV) associated with cases of acute diarrhea among children under 5 years of age in Kumba–Cameroon. Reverse transcription PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis of a 371 bp segment of the VP1/P2A junction of six isolates obtained from stool samples showed the exclusive emergence of genetically related HAV subgenotype IA. All the isolates clustered within a unique lineage exhibiting a 99.5% nucleotide identity suggesting infection from a common source. The Cameroonian HAV isolates did not intermix or cluster with those from other regions of Africa and the rest of the world. Tajima's neutralization tests using the six sequences suggested HAV/IA population expansion (D = −1.37; P = 0.016). This is the first description of indigenous HAV genotypes circulating in Cameroon revealing a community‐wide spread and predominance of HAV/1A infection in the Kumba area. These findings stress the need for routine molecular tracking of HAV infection as a contributory cause of acute diarrhea in Cameroonian children. J. Med. Virol. 84:728–732, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.