Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of ulinastatin on perioperative organ function and systemic inflammatory reaction during cardiac surgery: a randomized double-blinded study

Background This study evaluated the efficacy of ulinastatin for attenuating organ injury and the release of proinflammatory cytokines due to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) during cardiac surgery. Methods Patients undergoing valvular heart surgery employing CPB were assigned to receive either ulinastatin (group U, n = 13) or a placebo (group C, n = 11) before the commencement of CPB. Hemodynamic data, parameters of major organ injury and function, and proinflammatory cytokines were measured after the induction of anesthesia (T1), after CPB (T2), at the end of anesthesia (T3), and at 24 hours after surgery (POD). Results The demographic data, CPB duration, and perioperative transfusions were not different between the groups. PaO2/FiO2 in group U was significantly higher than that in group C at T3 (3.8 ± 0.8 vs. 2.8 ± 0.7, P = 0.005) and at POD (4.0 ± 0.7 vs. 2.8 ± 0.7, P < 0.001). Creatine kinase-MB at POD in group U was significantly lower than that in group C (17.7 ± 8.3 vs. 33.7 ± 22.1, P = 0.03), whereas troponin I at POD was not different between the groups. Creatinine clearance and the extubation time were not different between the groups at POD. The dopamine infusion rate during the post-CPB period in group U was significantly lower than that in group C (1.6 ± 1.6 vs. 5.5 ± 3.3 µg/kg/min, P = 0.003). The interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α concentrations at T1, T2, and T3 as well as the incidences of postoperative cardiac, pulmonary and kidney injuries were not different between the groups. Conclusions Ulinastatin pretreatment resulted in an improved oxygenation profile and reduced inotropic support, probably by attenuating the degree of cardiopulmonary injury; however, it did not reduce the levels of proinflammatory cytokines.
Searching for and use of conference abstracts in health technology assessments: Policy and practice

Objectives: Current policy and practice regarding identification of and extent of use of data from conference abstracts in health technology assessment reviews (TARs) are examined. Methods: The methods used were (i) survey of TAR groups to identify general policy and experience related to use of abstract data, and (ii) audit of TARs commissioned by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and published between January 2000 and October 2004. Results: Five of seven TAR groups reported a general policy that included searching for and including studies available as conference abstracts and presentations. A total of sixty-three published HTA reports for NICE were identified. Of these reports, thirty-eight identified at least one randomized controlled trial available as an abstract/presentation. Twenty-six (68 percent) of these thirty-eight TARs included studies available as abstracts. Conclusions: There are variations in policy and practice across TAR groups regarding the searching for and inclusion of studies available as conference abstracts. There is a need for clarity and transparency for review teams regarding how abstract data are managed. If conference abstracts are to be included, reviewers need to allocate additional time for searching and managing data from these sources. Review teams should also be encouraged to state explicitly their search strategies for identifying conference abstracts, their methods for assessing these abstracts for inclusion and, where appropriate, how the data were used and their effect on the results.
Perceptual and physiological heat strain: Examination in firefighters in laboratory- and field-based studies

Firefighting demands performing heavy muscular work under adverse and potentially dangerous conditions. Although the physiological and psychological responses to simulated firefighting activities have been described, the heat strain has not been characterised using standardised indices of exercise–heat strain. The purpose of the study is to describe the physiological and perceptual strain associated with working in personal protective equipment and performing simulated firefighting activities in a hot environment using recently developed strain indices (Physiological Strain Index (PhSI); Perceptual Strain Index (PeSI)). Data from two previously published studies (Smith et al. 1995, 2001) – one a laboratory-based study and one a field-based study – were re-analysed incorporating the strain indices. The laboratory study involved walking on a treadmill for 15 min while wearing three different clothing and equipment configurations. The field study involved three trials of standardised firefighting tasks in a live-fire training structure (mean trial length = 5.76 min). Heart rate, rectal temperature, thermal sensations and ratings of perceived exertion were collected in each study. PhSI and PeSI values were calculated using the formulae developed by Moran et al. (1998b) and Tikuisis et al. (2002), respectively. PhSI and PeSI increased significantly over time in both studies. Even relatively brief bouts of exercise while wearing heavy impermeable clothing or simulated firefighting activity in the heat results in moderate to high levels of heat strain as assessed by PhSI and PeSI.
Resource Partitioning and User Association With Sleep-Mode Base Stations in Heterogeneous Cellular Networks

In this paper, we minimize the total energy used in a two-tier heterogeneous cellular network (HCN), through the optimization of resource partitioning and user association, assuming that both macro and small-cell base stations may be put into sleep mode. With resource partitioning, one tier of base stations can be put into sleep mode on a fraction of available time/frequency resources to reduce network power consumption. A user association scheme is adopted to alleviate the SINR degradation due to severe inter-tier interference for users close to tier boundaries. By deriving tractable throughput characterizations, we formulate the network-wide energy usage minimization problem and determine the optimal user association and resource partitioning strategies. The maximum achievable network coverage probabilities using the optimal strategies are also investigated. Numerical results show that the proposed resource allocation and user association scheme reduces network energy consumption and improves coverage probability in co-channel heterogeneous networks.
The Impact of Naked Short-Sales on Returns, Volatility and Liquidity: Evidence from the Australian Securities Exchange

This paper examines the impact of naked short-sales on returns, volatility and liquidity in a unique market setting where naked short-sales are restricted to certain securities on an approved list, which is revised over time. Results indicate that allowing naked short-sales is not consistent with Miller's (1977) overvaluation theory. Naked short-sales do not lead to more efficient prices and lead to an increase in the volatility of stock returns. We also provide evidence that naked short-sales deteriorate liquidity via wider bid-ask spreads, decreased order-depth and reduced trading volumes. These results are consistent with the concern of policy makers who have recently moved toward curbing naked short-sales.
Adolescents and young adults with cancer

In the U.S., older adolescents and young adults with cancer have benefited less from therapeutic advances than did either younger or older patients. One factor that may explain this deficit is the relative lack of participation of patients in this age group on clinical trials of therapies that could improve their outcome. Comparisons were made of the participation of cancer patients on clinical trials in the U.S., as a function of patient age, with the change in national cancer mortality rate; and Surveillance, Epidemiology, End Results (SEER) cancer survival rate as a function of age. The participation rate in cancer treatment trials has been strikingly lower in 15–34‐year‐olds than in younger or older patients. The nadir has been apparent for both males and females in all of the major ethnic and racial groups. The national cancer mortality reduction and SEER survival improvement shows a similar age dependence. In the U.S., the age‐dependence of cancer treatment trial participation, and of improvement in survival prolongation and cancer death rates, are correlated. Regardless of whether there is a causal relationship, the impact on the older adolescent and young adult U.S. population is substantial, adversely affecting the national cost of healthcare, the person‐years of life lost, the loss of young people entering the job market, and the scientific knowledge and social implications of cancer during adolescence and early adulthood. National initiatives are underway to address these issues, with special emphasis on increasing the availability and access to clinical trials designed for older adolescents and young adults. Cancer 2006. © 2006 American Cancer Society.
Viral gene therapy strategies: from basic science to clinical application

A major impediment to the successful application of gene therapy for the treatment of a range of diseases is not a paucity of therapeutic genes, but the lack of an efficient non‐toxic gene delivery system. Having evolved to deliver their genes to target cells, viruses are currently the most effective means of gene delivery and can be manipulated to express therapeutic genes or to replicate specifically in certain cells. Gene therapy is being developed for a range of diseases including inherited monogenic disorders and cardiovascular disease, but it is in the treatment of cancer that this approach has been most evident, resulting in the recent licensing of a gene therapy for the routine treatment of head and neck cancer in China. A variety of virus vectors have been employed to deliver genes to cells to provide either transient (eg adenovirus, vaccinia virus) or permanent (eg retrovirus, adeno‐associated virus) transgene expression and each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages. Paramount is the safety of these virus vectors and a greater understanding of the virus–host interaction is key to optimizing the use of these vectors for routine clinical use. Recent developments in the modification of the virus coat allow more targeted approaches and herald the advent of systemic delivery of therapeutic viruses. In the context of cancer, the ability of attenuated viruses to replicate specifically in tumour cells has already yielded some impressive results in clinical trials and bodes well for the future of this approach, particularly when combined with more traditional anti‐cancer therapies. Copyright © 2006 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Orthovoltage X-rays for Postoperative Treatment of Resected Basal Cell Carcinoma in the Head and Neck Area

Background: Surgery is the golden standard for treating basal cell carcinomas. In case of positive tumor margins or recurrent disease, postoperative adjuvant or salvaging therapy is suggested to achieve good local control. Objective: To retrospectively report on local control and toxicity of postoperative radiotherapy by means of orthovoltage X-rays for residual or recurrent basal cell carcinoma after surgery in the head and neck area. Methods: Sixty-six surgically resected residual or recurrent basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck region were irradiated postoperatively by means of orthovoltage X-rays at the Netherlands Cancer Institute between January 2000 and February 2015. Results: After a median follow-up duration of 30.5 months, only 5 recurrences were reported. The 5-year local control rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 100%, 87%, and 87%, respectively. The 5-year local control rate was 92% for immediate postoperative radiotherapy of incompletely resected basal cell carcinomas, 90% for recurrences after 1 previously performed excision, and 71% for multiple recurrences, namely, a history of more than 1 excision (P = .437). Acute toxicity healed spontaneously within 3 months. Late toxicities were mild. Conclusion: Radiotherapy by means of orthovoltage X-ray is an excellent alternative for re-excision in case of incompletely resected or recurrent basal cell carcinomas that are at risk of serious functional and cosmetic impairments after re-excision, with a 5-year local control rate of 87% and a low toxicity profile.
Lactotripeptides and antihypertensive effects: a critical review

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a significant health problem worldwide. Typically, lifestyle changes, including adopting a healthy diet, are recommended for people with an elevated blood pressure. Lactotripeptides are bioactive milk peptides with potential antihypertensive properties in man. These peptides, as part of a food product or as nutraceutical, may contribute to the prevention and treatment of hypertension. This paper reviews the current evidence of the blood pressure control properties of lactotripeptides in man. Blood pressure-lowering effects of lactotripeptides are typically measured after 4–6 weeks of treatment. However, in some cases, a blood pressure response has been observed after 1–2 weeks. Maximum blood pressure reductions approximate 13 mmHg (systolic blood pressure) and 8 mmHg (diastolic blood pressure) after active treatment compared with placebo, and are likely reached after 8–12 weeks of treatment. Effective dosages of lactotripeptides range from 3·07 to 52·5 mg/d. Evidence indicates that lactotripeptides are only effective at elevated blood pressure; no further lowering of normal blood pressure has been observed. Concomitant intake of antihypertensive medication does not seem to influence the potency of lactotripeptides to lower blood pressure. Similarly, ethnicity has not been found to influence the extent of lactotripeptide-induced blood pressure lowering. Based on the currently available data, lactotripeptides appear to be safe and effective. Thus, they can be part of a healthy diet and lifestyle to prevent or reduce high blood pressure.
Destination-aware non-GPS positioning using predictive contexts

Location-based Services (LBS) fairly attract people's attention in recent years. In those applications, location is considered to be one of the best indicators for a mobile user. Traditional positioning mechanisms use location sensors to fetch the user location to trigger navigation. However, we propose a new idea to reverse this procedure. We apply navigation to trigger the positioning by the predictive user destination. Once the location sensors can be discarded, the positioning overhead can be significantly reduced. To predict the destination of mobile users, we take advantages of light-weight sensors like an accelerometer, a compass, a digit map and the sequences of cell-tower signal. By constructing a prediction model which is composed of the above user contexts, we can accurately predict the next n-hop destinations and navigate the current position by the predicted routing path. We propose Destination-aware Non-GPS Positioning System (DNPS) to replace traditional GPS in metropolitan, and our experiments show that DNPS can significantly improve battery life by up to 47% with an acceptable precision penalty about 50 meters while compared to existed periodic-GPS mechanism.
Use of a blood glucose monitoring manual to enhance monitoring adherence in adults with diabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Frequent blood glucose (BG) monitoring is a critical component of diabetes management, yet many barriers exist to consistent monitoring. METHODS In this randomized controlled trial, we sought to determine if an educational manual, the Blood Sugar Monitoring Owner's Manual (BGMOM), could increase adherence to BG monitoring by helping patients form realistic expectations and responses to BG monitoring results. The 199 participants were recruited from a multidisciplinary diabetes clinic and had high-risk diabetes (hemoglobin A(1C) >or=8.0%); 35% had type 1 diabetes mellitus. Participants were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: BGMOM intervention (BGM+), attention control (BG meter only [MT]), or standard care (SC). The BGM+ and MT groups received BG meters and meter education; the BGM+ group also received BGMOM booklets. The SC group received usual care. Data gathered during 6 months of follow-up included BG monitoring frequency and hemoglobin A(1C) measurement. RESULTS Monitoring frequency increased significantly in the BGM+ group (1.9 +/- 1.3 to 2.8 +/- 1.5 times daily, P<.001) but only slightly in the MT group (1.7 +/- 1.3 to 2.0 +/- 1.3 times daily). The BGM+ group experienced the greatest improvement in hemoglobin A(1C) level (BGM+: -0.13 +/- 1.28; MT: -0.04 +/- 1.31; SC: 0.04 +/- 1.10). Further, a higher percentage of those in the BGM+ group (61%) improved their glycemic control compared with the other groups (44%; P = .05). Finally, the BGM+ group displayed the most knowledge about the definition of hemoglobin A(1C) (P = .04) and reported the least amount of negative affect about out-of-range BG monitoring results (P = .03). CONCLUSION As an adjunct to standard diabetes education and support, a manual such as the BGMOM can help optimize BG monitoring and glycemic control.
Periodic, Complete‐Participation Trade in the Lagos‐Rocheteau Model

This paper contributes to a recent policy discussion regarding the costs and benefits of setting up a centralized electronic trading platform to replace over&#8208;the&#8208;counter (OTC) markets. We modify the Lagos and Rocheteau (2009, henceforth LR) asset trading model by replacing their investor&#8208;dealer random matching and bilateral trade with a centralized competitive market that opens periodically. This arrangement preserves the main tension and trade&#8208;off in LR. We then analyse and quantify when to introduce a centralized market and how frequently it should open in order to make it as efficiently as the decentralized OTC market in LR.
Aggressive variants of papillary thyroid microcarcinoma are associated with extrathyroidal spread and lymph-node metastases: a population-level analysis.

BACKGROUND Tall cell variant (TCV) and diffuse sclerosing variant (DSV) of papillary thyroid cancer are aggressive subtypes, for which tumors ≤1 cm have not been exclusively studied. METHODS The SEER database (1988-2009) was used to compare characteristics of TCV ≤1 cm (mTCV) and DSV ≤1 cm (mDSV) with classic papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (mPTC). Survival was analyzed with the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, and risk factors for nodal metastases with chi-square analysis and binary logistic regression. RESULTS There were 97 mTCV, 90 mDSV, and 18,260 mPTC patients. mTCV incidence increased by 79.9% (p=0.153) over the study period, while mDSV incidence decreased by 10.3% (p=0.315). Compared to classic mPTC, mTCV tended to be larger on average (7.1 mm vs. 5.3 mm, p<0.001), with higher rates of multifocality (47.2% vs. 34.0% respectively, p=0.018) and lymph-node examination (63.9% vs. 39.2% respectively, p<0.001), while in mDSV, nodal metastases were more frequent (57.1% vs. 33.1% respectively, p=0.007). Both aggressive variants had higher rates of extrathyroidal extension (27.8% mTCV vs. 13.3% mDSV vs. 6.1% mPTC, p<0.001). Aggressive variants also received radioactive iodine more frequently (39.2% mTCV vs. 40.0% mDSV vs. 29.1% mPTC, p<0.001). However, they were not statistically more likely to receive thyroidectomy over lobectomy compared to classic mPTC. There were no significant differences in overall and disease-specific survival between the histologies. In mTCV, after adjustment, extrathyroidal extension was independently associated with size >7 mm (odds ratio (OR) 4.4 [CI 1.5-13.6]) and nodal metastasis with multifocality (OR 5.4 [CI 1.3-23.4]) and extrathyroidal extension (OR 5.8 [CI 1.3-25.4]). No statistically significant predictors of extrathyroidal extension or nodal metastasis in mDSV were observed. CONCLUSIONS Aggressive variants of mPTC tend to exhibit more aggressive pathologic characteristics than classic mPTC, but survival appears to be similar. Treatment with total thyroidectomy and central lymphadenectomy may be warranted if the diagnosis can be made pre- or intraoperatively.
Aspergillus section Versicolores: nine new species and multilocus DNA sequence based phylogeny

β-tubulin, calmodulin, internal transcribed spacer and partial lsu-rDNA, RNA polymerase 2, DNA replication licensing factor Mcm7, and pre-rRNA processing protein Tsr1 were amplified and sequenced from numerous isolates belonging to Aspergillus sect. versicolor. The isolates were analyzed phylogenetically using the concordance model to establish species boundaries. Aspergillus austroafricanus, A. creber, A. cvjetkovicii, A. fructus, A. jensenii, A. puulaauensis, A. subversicolor, A. tennesseensis and A. venenatus are described as new species and A. amoenus, A. protuberus, A. sydowii, A. tabacinus and A. versicolor are accepted as distinct species on the basis of molecular and phenotypic differences. PCR primer pairs used to detect A. versicolor in sick building syndrome studies have a positive reaction for all of the newly described species except A. subversicolor.
Human Auditory Steady-State Responses during Repeated Exposure to Hypobaric Hypoxia

This study was aimed at evaluating the time course of auditory steady-state response (SSR) variations during two consecutive exposures to hypobaric hypoxia. Six normal subjects were examined in a hypobaric chamber at ground level. Then, they climbed to a simulated altitude of 17000 ft (5182 m), where SSRs were recorded after 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 min. Thereafter, they breathed 100% O2 and SSRs were recorded after 2 min of reoxygenation. A second exposure to hypoxia followed, with SSR recordings after 6 and 12 min. Finally, the subjects returned to ground level for recovery recording. A phase shift of SSR sinus wave was observed at the beginning of both exposures to hypoxia, although in the first recording (i.e. at 6 min) during the first exposure, the result was not statistically significant. A slight SSR phase shift was still detectable on return to ground level. The central acoustic pathway involved in SSR genesis was probably the area which was found to be most sensitive to hypoxia, compared to other parts of the auditory apparatus (e.g. the cochlea). This data could suggest an impairment of compensation mechanisms when consecutive exposures to hypoxia are performed.