Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are Central Venous Lactate and Arterial Lactate Interchangeable? A Human Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND: In critically ill patients, arterial blood lactate concentration (Lacta) and Lacta clearance are used for the diagnosis of shock, for prognosis assessment, and to guide therapy. In recent years, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2), a surrogate for mixed venous blood saturation, either measured by fiberoptic catheters or from central venous blood samples, was used in shock to estimate the global balance between oxygen delivery and consumption. When central venous blood is drawn for ScvO2 measurement, it also could be used to measure central venous lactate concentration (Lactcv). In this study, we evaluated the utility of Lactcv and Lactcv clearance as predictors of Lacta and Lacta clearance, respectively, in critically ill patients. METHODS: This retrospective study was performed in an intensive care unit of a regional and teaching hospital. Using the electronic registry of our blood gas analyzer from March 2007 to December 2009, we identified patients with circulatory or respiratory failure who had pairs of Lactcv and Lacta obtained within a 30-minute interval. To assess the utility of Lactcv as a predictor of Lacta above 2 and 4 mmol/L, we calculated the area under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for these thresholds. We also calculated AUC of Lactcv clearance to detect a Lacta clearance <10% or >10%. RESULTS: Six hundred seventy-three Lactcv/Lacta pairs in 188 patients were analyzed. AUC of Lactcv to predict a Lacta above 2 and 4 mmol/L was 0.98 (95% confidence interval: 0.97–0.99) and 0.98 (95% confidence interval: 0.96–0.99), respectively. Lactcv with the cutoff value of 2 mmol/L can predict a Lacta above 2 mmol/L with sensitivity >92% and specificity >90%. AUC for Lactcv clearance to detect a Lacta clearance <10% or >10% was 0.93 or 0.94, respectively. CONCLUSION: Lactcv and Lacta collected within a 30-minute range are interchangeable for clinical practice.
RheoNet Registry Analysis of Rheopheresis for Microcirculatory Disorders With a Focus on Age‐Related Macular Degeneration

The purpose of establishing the RheoNet registry was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of rheopheresis, a specific method of therapeutic apheresis used to treat microcirculatory disorders. Apheresis centers providing rheopheresis therapy and physicians caring for the underlying disease were asked to participate in the registry, and the registry data were analyzed for safety and tolerability. Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) was selected as a model disease to evaluate efficacy. The RheoNet registry was successfully established recording 7722 rheopheresis treatments of 1110 patients, including 833 AMD patients. The mean age of patients was 72 years. Adverse events (AE) were reported in 5.67% of treatments, but termination of the treatment session was only required in 0.48%. Transient hypotension was the most frequently reported AE. No age‐related increase in AE was observed. Ophthalmological data of 428 eyes (of 279 treated patients) with dry AMD could be analyzed; 85 eyes of 55 untreated AMD patients served as the control. At 6.75 ± 5.25 months post‐baseline, 42% of the treated eyes had improved visual acuity. The proportion of eyes with a decline in visual acuity was 17%, compared to 40% in the untreated controls (P < 0.01). The RheoNet registry has been successfully established and data analysis revealed that rheopheresis is a safe outpatient treatment for microcirculatory disorders. Moreover, RheoNet currently provides the largest evaluation of the efficacy of rheopheresis for dry AMD. Registry analysis contributes to a safe and appropriate use of rheopheresis in clinical practice.
Clinical course of ulcerative colitis in patients with and without primary sclerosing cholangitis

Background and Aim: We noticed in our practice that patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) who have developed primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) experience a milder course of colonic disease. Our objective in this study was to define whether or not there is any difference between UC activity and its course in patients with and without PSC.
Differences Between Classical and Bayesian Estimates for Mixed Logit Models: A Replication Study

The mixed logit model is widely used in applied econometrics. Researchers typically rely on the free choice between the classical and Bayesian estimation approach. However, empirical evidence of the similarity of their parameter estimates is sparse. The presumed similarity is mainly based on one empirical study that analyzes a single dataset (Huber J, Train KE. 2001. On the similarity of classical and Bayesian estimates of individual mean partworths. Marketing Letters12(3): 259–269). Our replication study offers a generalization of their results by comparing classical and Bayesian parameter estimates from six additional datasets and specifically for panel versus cross‐sectional data. In general, our results suggest that the two methods provide similar results, with less similarity for cross‐sectional data than for panel data. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
[Risk factors and prognosis of node-positive cervical carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Pelvic lymph node metastasis is an important prognostic factor of cervical carcinoma, but few have been reported on both risk factors and prognostic factors of node-positive cervical carcinoma. This study was to evaluate risk factors, distribution pattern, and prognosis of node-positive cervical carcinoma, and explore the forecast of lymph node metastasis and appropriate treatment. METHODS Clinical data of 205 cervical cancer patients who had undergone radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS The overall prevalence of lymph node metastasis was 24.4% (50/205). Univariate analysis showed that risk factors of node metastasis were serum level of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) before treatment, clinical stage, invasive depth of cervical canal or vaginal portion of the cervix, and uterine ligaments involvement. SCC values exceeding 4 microg/L increased the risk of nodal metastasis by 4.2 folds (P<0.001, OR=4.212). Multivariate analysis showed that clinical stage and invasive depth of cervical canal were the major risk factors. The obturator and obturator fossae lymph nodes were the most frequently involved, with a rate of 48.0%. Moreover, 60.0% node-positive patients had multiple sites lymph node metastases, and saltatory metastasis was found. Lymph node metastasis was closely related to deep muscularis involvement of the cervix and parametrial involvement; 72.0% nodal metastases were accompanied with deep muscularis involvement of the cervix, 90.9% uterine ligament invasions were accompanied with lymph node metastasis. The 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in the patients received postoperative radiation than in the patients didn't receive radiation (89.1% vs. 45.5%, P=0.012). CONCLUSIONS Serum level of SCC-Ag before treatment exceeding 4 microg/L, deep muscularis involvement of vaginal portion of the cervix, uterine ligaments involvement, especially advanced stage and deep muscularis involvement of the cervical canal, are risk factors of pelvic lymph node metastasis of cervical cancer. The standard type III radical hysterectomy and bilateral pelvic lymphadenectomy should be performed to the patients with high risk of lymph node metastasis to ensure enough amplitude of parametrectomy and excision of positive nodes. When lymph node metastasis is confirmed after surgery, postoperative radiation can improve the prognosis.
Role of routine repeat head imaging in paediatric traumatic brain injury

Paediatric traumatic brain injuries (TBI) remain a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Australia. There are clear guidelines on head imaging for children with TBI, but there is conflicting evidence on the role of routine repeat head computed tomography (CT) scan. This study aims to determine whether routine repeat head CT scans in paediatric TBI alter surgical or medical management.
Increased apoptotic cells in bone marrow biopsies from patients with aplastic anaemia

In order to investigate the involvement of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of aplastic anaemia (AA) we determined the proportion of apoptotic cells in paraffin‐embedded bone marrow biopsies from patients with aplastic anaemia using an in situ TdT‐catalysed DNA nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining method. A significant increase in the proportion of mononuclear apoptotic cells was demonstrated in biopsies from patients with aplastic anaemia (8.19 ± 1.45%) when compared with controls (2.07 ± 0.86%). These data support the view that apoptosis may play a role in the pathophysiology of bone marrow failure.
Provably safe motion of mobile robots in human environments

Mobile robots operating in a shared environment with pedestrians are required to move provably safe to avoid harming pedestrians. Current approaches like safety fields use conservative obstacle models for guaranteeing safety, which leads to degraded performance in populated environments. In this paper, we introduce an online verification approach that uses information about the current pedestrian velocities to compute possible occupancies based on a kinematic model of pedestrian motion. We demonstrate that our method reduces the need for stopping while retaining safety guarantees, and thus goals are reached between 1.4 and 3.5 times faster than the standard ROS navigation stack in the tested scenarios.
Exploring relationships between customer-based brand equity and its drivers and consequences in the hotel context. An impact-asymmetry assessment

The development of customer-based brand equity plays a critical role in tourism. This paper attempts to study which variables contribute to brand equity creation and to examine whether brand loyalty can be considered as a consequence of brand equity in the hotel context. In addition, it seeks to provide more detailed insights into possible asymmetric effects among customer-based brand equity and its drivers and consequences. Four constructs are found to influence significantly brand equity: two perceptual (image and perceived quality) and two relational variables (trust and affective commitment). Additionally, both behavioural and attitudinal components of loyalty are confirmed as brand equity outcomes. The impact-asymmetry analysis reveals that perceived quality does not play a significant role in explaining brand equity, while awareness and trust emerge to have a significant negatively asymmetric impact. The paper is novel as the proposed model includes two new variables that are deemed critical to hospitality research, that is, trust and affective commitment. The relationship structure of the model is new to the literature as loyalty is conceptualized as a consequence of brand equity, thus confirming theoretical assumptions with limited empirical evidence. Finally, it is the first study that examines asymmetric impacts of customer-based brand equity drivers.
Reform priorities for corporate sustainability: Environmental, social, governance, or economic performance?

Purpose – Most companies rarely work on sustainable development as a whole, which includes environmental, social, governance, and economic pillars. The purpose of this paper is to explore causal relationships between pillar scores and overall score of sustainability and identify the most critical pillar to which policy makers should allot limited resources with the highest priority. Design/methodology/approach – Based on Thomson Reuters ASSET4 database of global corporate sustainability, this paper examines the causal relations between pillar scores and overall score of sustainability by using the three-stage integrative methodology consisting of cluster analysis, data mining, and partial least square path modeling. Findings – This paper finds that each pillar has unequal effects on the overall corporate sustainability and that the overall score is affected by not only the direct effects from pillar scores but also the indirect effects from the causal interrelations among pillars. Moreover, the patterns o.
The role of dominant stenoses in bacterial infections of bile ducts in primary sclerosing cholangitis

Objective Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is characterized by progressive fibrotic inflammation and strictures of the biliary system. We studied the role of dominant stenoses in bacterial biliary infections and the effect of routine antibiotic administration with cholangiography. Design A prospective clinical trial without blinding or randomization. Setting The endoscopy unit in a university hospital. Participants Fifty patients with PSC entered and finished the study. Interventions A total of 103 endoscopic retrograde cholangiographies (ERC) was performed in 37 PSC patients with dominant stenosis and 13 controls with PSC but no dominant stenosis. After selective cannulation of the bile duct, bile samples were obtained during each procedure. All patients received systemic antibiotic treatment with ciprofloxacin for one week after ERC. Results Enteric bacteria were detected in the bile specimens of 15 out of 37 PSC patients (40.5%) with dominant stenosis but never in the absence of dominant stenosis (P=0.004). Positive cultures for enteric bacteria were associated with elevated serum C-reactive protein, high leukocyte counts in bile (P<0.05) and the deterioration of liver function assessed by increasing bilirubin levels during the follow-up period lasting a median of 7 months (P=0.06). Despite the high rate of susceptibility in vitro, ciprofloxacin treatment eradicated enteric bacteria in only two out of 12 cases. Conclusion Bacterial infection of the bile ducts with dominant stenosis is a frequent finding and may play a role in the progression of PSC. Short-course antibiotic treatment is not very effective in eradicating acteria from the bile ducts.
Validation of physiologic predictors of successful telescopic spectacle use in low vision.

A group of 32 patients with low vision who were considered clinically appropriate candidates for visual rehabilitation with telescopic spectacles were prospectively studied before the first attempted use of these visual aids. Laboratory measurements were made of: (1) rotational head stability in pitch and yaw during quiet standing; (2) sensitivity of visual acuity with telescopic spectacles to imposed yaw head motion; and (3) ocular stabilization reflexes during passive, whole-body rotation in the horizontal plane. Predicted likelihood of successful use of telescopic spectacles was prospectively computed for each patient using the measurement of head stability in the pitch axis and the sensitivity of visual acuity with telescopic spectacles to head motion using a previously described statistical method. Patients were then given telescopic spectacles, and functional success was evaluated in the field at least 6 weeks later by independent masked observers. Although corrected visual acuities did not differ in the 24 patients in whom rehabilitation was successful or in the 8 patients in whom it was not, successful patients had statistically significantly less (P less than 0.05) angular head instability in pitch and yaw, as well as less impairment of visual acuity with telescopic spectacles during head motion. This finding was confirmed in a more clinically homogeneous subgroup of 16 patients who had low vision due to maculopathy. Gains of the 0.1 Hz horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) and visual-vestibulo-ocular reflex (VVOR) with 4X telescopic spectacles did not differ between patients in whom rehabilitation was successful and those in whom it was not. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Embryotoxic effects of misoprostol in the mouse.

Misoprostol (MSP) is a synthetic prostaglandin E1 methyl analogue indicated for the prevention of gastric ulcers induced by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Because of its abortifacient properties, MSP has been extensively misused for abortion induction in Brazil. Since abortion induction with MSP very often fails and pregnancy continues to term, there has been increasing concern regarding the potential teratogenicity of this PGE1 analogue in humans. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the embryotoxicity of MSP in mice. A single dose of MSP (20 or 30 mg/kg body weight) was administered to Han:NMRI mice (ca 60 days old) by gavage on day 10 of pregnancy. The number of treated mice was as follows: control, 19; MSP 20 mg/kg, 10; MSP 30 mg/kg, 28. Cesarean sections were performed on day 18 of pregnancy and the number of resorptions and implantation sites were recorded. Fetuses were weighed, examined for external malformations, fixed, cleared and stained with Alizarin Red S for skeleton evaluation. No evidence of embryotoxicity was found at the lower dose tested. A slight and reversible deficit in pregnancy weight gain (day 10-11: control, 1.3 +/- 0.3 g; MSP 20 mg/kg, -0.9 +/- 0.9 g; MSP 30 mg/kg, -1.7 +/- 0.6 g) was the only sign of maternal toxicity noted in both groups of mice treated with misoprostol. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Comparative electrophysiological effects of captopril or hydralazine combined with nitrate in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and inducible ventricular tachycardia.

OBJECTIVE--To assess the electrophysiological and antiarrhythmic effects of pharmacological load manipulation by an angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (captopril) and a direct vasodilator (hydralazine plus isosorbide mononitrate) in patients with inducible ventricular tachycardia and impaired left ventricular function. DESIGN--Randomised open label cross-over comparison of three regimens. SETTING--Tertiary arrhythmia referral centre. SUBJECTS--Eight patients with reduced left ventricular function and sustained ventricular tachycardia inducible by programmed stimulation. INTERVENTIONS--Three treatment regimens each of 48 hours duration: captopril, hydralazine plus isosorbide mononitrate, and control (no vasodilator). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Changes in central haemodynamics, electrophysiological parameters, and induction of ventricular tachycardia during treatment with captopril, or hydralazine combined with nitrate, compared with a control period. RESULTS--Both vasodilator treatments produced similar balanced reductions in peak systolic pressures and filling pressures compared with controls. Captopril had no effect on sinus cycle length, atrial refractoriness, or intraventricular conduction, but prolonged ventricular effective and functional refractory periods and QT interval during constant rate atrial pacing. Hydralazine combined with nitrate did not significantly alter any electrophysiological variable. Ventricular tachycardia was similarly inducible during all three periods. CONCLUSIONS--Load manipulation by captopril but not hydralazine combined with nitrate prolonged ventricular refractoriness and repolarisation, possibly reflecting a combination of mechano-electrical effect with the restraining influence of ACE inhibitors on reflex sympathetic stimulation.
Analyses of muscle spindles in the soleus of six inbred mouse strains

Adult muscle size and fibre‐type composition are heritable traits that vary substantially between individuals. We used inbred mouse strains in which soleus muscle mass varied by an order of magnitude to explore whether properties of muscle spindles can also be influenced by genetic factors. Skip‐serial cross‐sections of soleus muscles dissected from 15 male mice of BEH, BEL, C57BL/6J, DUH, LG/J and SM/J strains were analysed for number of muscle spindles and characteristics of intrafusal and extrafusal fibres following ATPase staining. The BEL and DUH strains determined the range of: soleus mean size, a 10‐fold difference from 2.1 to 22.3 mg, respectively; the mean number of extrafusal fibres, a 2.5‐fold difference from 497 to 1249; and mean fibre‐cross‐sectional area, three‐fold difference, e.g. for type 1 fibres, from 678 to 1948 μm2. The range of mean proportion of type 1 fibres was determined by C57BL/6J (31%) and DUH (64%) strains. The mean number of spindles per muscle ranged between nine (LG/J) and 13 (BEL) (strain effect P < 0.02). Genetic correlations between spindle count and muscle weight or properties of extrafusal fibres were weak and not statistically significant. However, there was a strong correlation between the proportion of spindles with more than one bag2 fibre and the proportion of extrafusal fibres that were of type 1, and strain‐dependent variation in the numbers of such spindles was statistically significant. The numbers of intrafusal fibres per spindle ranged from 2 to 8, with the most common complement of four found in 75.6% of spindles. There were no significant differences between the strains in the mean numbers of intrafusal fibres; however, the variance of the number was significantly less for the C57BL/6J strain than for any of the others. We conclude that abundance of muscle spindles and their intrafusal‐fibre composition are substantially determined by genetic factors, which are different from those affecting muscle size and properties of the extrafusal fibres.
Comparing hospital staff and patient perceptions of customer service: a pilot study utilizing survey and focus group data

The measurement of patient satisfaction is crucial to enhancing customer service and competitive advantage in the health-care industry. While there are numerous approaches to such measurement, this paper provides a case study which compares and contrasts patient and staff perceptions of customer service using both survey and focus group data. Results indicate that there is a high degree of correlation between staff and patient perceptions of customer service based on both survey and focus group data. However, the staff and patient subgroups also provided complementary information regarding patient perceptions of their service experience. Staff members tended to have more negative perceptions of service attributes than did the patients themselves. The focus group results provide complementary information to survey results in terms of greater detail and more managerially relevant information. While these results are derived from a pilot study, they suggest that diversification of data sources beyond patient surveys may enhance the utility of customer service information. If further research can affirm these findings, they create exciting possibilities for gathering valid, reliable and cost-effective customer service information.