Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Predictive Value and Appropriate Ranges of Prehospital Physiological Parameters for High-Risk Injured Children

Objectives: To assess: (1) the relative importance of prehospital physiological measures in identifying high-risk children; (2) whether different age-based criteria should be used for each prehospital physiological measure; and (3) outcome-based appropriate ranges of physiological measures in injured children. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort analysis of injured children 0 to 14 years transported by emergency medical services to 48 statewide hospitals from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2003. We analyzed prehospital physiological measures, including Glasgow Coma Scale score (GCS), systolic blood pressure (SBP), respiratory rate (RR), heart rate, shock index (heart rate/SBP), and airway intervention. "High-risk" children were defined as those with in-hospital mortality, major nonorthopedic surgery, intensive care unit stay greater than or equal to 2 days, or Injury Severity Score greater than or equal to 16. Specific age groups included 0 to 2 years, 3 to 5 years, 6 to 10 years, and 11 to 14 years. Results: A total of 3877 injured children were included in the analysis, of which 1111 (29%) were high risk. Prehospital GCS was the variable of greatest importance in identifying high-risk children, followed by (in order) airway intervention, RR, heart rate, SBP, and shock index. Age modified the effect of prehospital RR (P = 0.0046), heart rate (P = 0.01), and SBP (P = 0.02). There was a linear relationship between GCS and outcome that was consistent across all ages. Specific age-based ranges of other physiological measures were identified for high-risk children. Conclusions: Prehospital GCS and respiratory compromise were the most important physiological measures in identifying high-risk injured children. Age-specific criteria should be considered for RR, heart rate, and SBP.
[Pregnant women's assessment and level of knowledge of prenatal counseling].

PURPOSE Informed decision making and informed consent prior to any intervention are crucial in the ethically and psychologically complex field of prenatal diagnosis (PND). The aim of this study was to investigate whether and to what extent pregnant women understand the information provided by their physicians. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty pregnant women in the first trimester answered a structured questionnaire after their first visit between 7 to 10 weeks of gestation that routinely includes basic prenatal counseling. A special focus was put on information transfer, knowledge about and understanding of prenatal tests, as well as previous experiences with PND. The results were analyzed with regard to differences due to background, educational level and previous experiences with PND. RESULTS The maternal mean age was 31.1 years (SD 6.7). 38 patients (76 %) had at least one previous pregnancy and two thirds of them had experiences with PND. Their experience was mainly positive. About three quarters of the women stated that they had been informed about the test methods during the consultation and had understood the explanations. Uncertainty was reported in 12.2 % and 23.3 % of the women said they had further questions. The percentage of questions related to appropriate understanding that were answered correctly was only 44 % to 77.5 %. The percentage of correct answers was lower in women without experience with PND, with a lower educational level and born in countries outside the EU and Switzerland. CONCLUSION Pregnant women are relatively well informed about prenatal tests. Their actual knowledge of the meaning of the tests, however, seems to be incomplete. Especially in the case of immigrants and women without previous experience with PND, it is therefore doubtful whether the preconditions for an informed consent are met. Further research needs to focus on more helpful information and individually adapted counseling concepts for decision making in PND.
The Gap between Expectation &amp; Reality: Long Term Evolution (LTE) &amp; Third Generation (3G) Network Performance in Campus with Test Mobile System (TEMS)

In this paper, the performance of LTE networks have been analyzed and compared with the original target outputs, as specified in LTE Release 8. The test is done by executing a real drive test, which is executed in a sub-urban campus environment. The drive-test was performed in both in-building and outdoor environments. The user mobility affects the received user throughput, as well the Reference Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI). The test cases are executed by using a real LTE user equipment, equipped with ASCOM's TEMS software on a live 3G and 4G mobile networks for the both Malaysian mobile service providers; Maxis and Celcom. Most test cases used FTP Traffic in both uplink and downlink testing scenarios. The performance indicators considered is the RSSI (dBm), the average user-throughput (kb/s) and the round trip delay (ms). The results showed sufficient coverage within the campus area from both operators. The recorded user throughput reading is way below the target rate specified in LTE Release 8. This is because the terrain profile (hilly areas) and foliage (thick & tall trees) within the campus areas affecting the measured throughput. The round trip time found to be almost similar to the target (<;20 ms).
Physical activity text messaging interventions in adults: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND Physical inactivity is a leading health risk factor for mortality worldwide. Researchers are examining innovative techniques including the use of mobile technology to promote physical activity. One such technology, text messaging, is emerging internationally as a method to communicate with and motivate individuals to engage in healthy behaviors, including physical activity. AIM Review the existing scientific literature on adult physical activity text messaging interventions. METHODS This systematic review examined research papers that addressed physical activity text messaging intervention studies in adults. Using multiple databases, the search strategy included published English language studies through October 1, 2011. An author-developed data collection tool was used independently by two reviewers to extract and examine the selected study variables. RESULTS The initial search resulted in the identification of 200 publications. Eleven publications representing 10 studies were included in the final review. Studies were conducted in seven countries with over half the studies being randomized controlled trials. Participants of the studies were predominantly young to middle aged women. Physical activity data were mainly obtained by self-report although three studies used pedometers or accelerometers. Interventions ranged from only sending out text messages to combining text messages with educational materials, staff support, and/or Internet technology. Minimal information was given regarding development or number of text messages used. The median effect size for the studies was 0.50. CONCLUSIONS To date, using text messaging as a method to promote physical activity has only been studied by a small group of researchers. Current physical activity text messaging literature is characterized by small sample sizes, heterogeneous but positive effect sizes, and a lack of specificity as to the development of the text messages used in these studies. Further research in this area is imperative to facilitate the expansion of mobile technology to promote physical activity.
Decrease in anti-Proteus mirabilis but not anti-Escherichia coli antibody levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with fasting and a one year vegetarian diet.

OBJECTIVE--To measure Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli antibody levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during treatment by vegetarian diet. METHODS--Sera were collected from 53 RA patients who took part in a controlled clinical trial of fasting and a one year vegetarian diet. P mirabilis and E coli antibody levels were measured by an indirect immunofluorescence technique and an enzyme immunoassay, respectively. RESULTS--The patients on the vegetarian diet had a significant reduction in the mean anti-proteus titres at all time points during the study, compared with baseline values (all p < 0.05). No significant change in titre was observed in patients who followed an omnivorous diet. The decrease in anti-proteus titre was greater in the patients who responded well to the vegetarian diet compared with diet non-responders and omnivores. The total IgG concentration and levels of antibody against E coli, however, were almost unchanged in all patient groups during the trial. The decrease from baseline in proteus antibody levels correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with the decrease in a modified Stoke disease activity index. CONCLUSION--The decrease in P mirabilis antibody levels in the diet responders and the correlation between the decrease in proteus antibody level and decrease in disease activity supports the suggestion of an aetiopathogenetic role for P mirabilis in RA.
A comparison of the acute haemodynamic response to aerobic and resistance exercise in subjects with exercise-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension

Background: Exercise-induced pulmonary arterial hypertension (EIPAH) is associated with reduced exercise capacity and abnormal central haemodynamic responses to maximal aerobic exercise. Aerobic and resistance exercise training are commonly employed to treat reduced exercise capacity; however, the haemodynamic response to aerobic and resistance exercise, at training intensities, in subjects with EIPAH is unknown. Methods: Fourteen subjects (11 with scleroderma, 12 females) with EIPAH underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a cycle ergometer, a one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength test and resistance exercise at 40% and 60% of maximum on a bilateral leg press machine. All tests were performed with a pulmonary artery catheter in situ. Haemodynamic and symptomatic responses to aerobic and resistance exercise, performed at 40% of peak oxygen consumption and 40% of 1RM, and at 60% of peak oxygen consumption and 60% of 1RM, were compared. For maximal exercise, the highest haemodynamic responses recorded during the cycling and 1RM tests were compared. Results: There were no differences in haemodynamic or symptomatic responses between the two modalities of submaximal exercise. At maximal exercise, all haemodynamic and symptomatic responses were lower during resistance compared with aerobic exercise (p < 0.05). Conclusions: At the intensities studied, lower-limb resistance exercise was well tolerated and was mostly associated with similar or lower haemodynamic responses compared with aerobic exercise, in subjects with EIPAH.
Anterior Femoroacetabular Impingement After Femoral Neck Fractures

Objectives To verify whether anterior femoroacetabular impingement can be a reason for hip pain and loss of motion in patients with a healed femoral neck fracture. Design Retrospective clinical, radiologic, and surgical evaluation. Setting Third referral hospital. Patients Nine patients who previously sustained a femoral neck fracture were treated between 1995 and 1999 for hip pain and loss of motion. All these mostly young patients (mean age 33.3 years) complained of groin pain. During the physical examination, acute pain could be elicited by passively forcing the femoral neck against the acetabular rim in flexion, adduction, and internal rotation, motions that were all limited. Methods Conventional radiographs and, if possible, arthrographic magnetic resonance imaging scans were followed by a surgical subluxation or dislocation of the femoral head to analyze the sequelae of anterior femoroacetabular impingement. Treatment was based on improvement of the anterior offset (the difference between the anterior contour of the head and the femoral neck) or intertrochanteric osteotomy to ameliorate clearance of the joint. Results Intraoperatively in eight patients (one not operated), impingement was found to result from insufficient reduction of the fracture, already visible on the conventional radiographs. Retrotorsion (mean 20 degrees) of the head caused anterior impingement in all patients, additional varus position (mean caput collum diaphysis angle 115 degrees) of the head caused anterolateral impingement in two patients. In all patients, anterior labral and adjacent acetabular cartilage lesions were found during surgical subluxation or dislocation of the femoral head, comparable to those seen on the magnetic resonance imaging scan. They proved to result from repetitive abutment and compression between the head–neck junction and the acetabulum. Conclusion Femoroacetabular impingement can be a cause for hip pain and loss of motion in patients who previously sustained a femoral neck fracture. The condition causes degenerative anterior labral and adjacent acetabular cartilage lesions. Early treatment is essential to prevent further degeneration and osteoarthrosis of the joint. Prevention is predicated by initial precise anatomic reduction of such fractures in all planes.
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of recombinant human erythropoietin in haemodialysis patients.

1. The pharmacokinetics of and therapeutic response to recombinant human erythropoietin (rcEPO) were studied in 12 patients under chronic haemodialysis on a thrice weekly intravenous rcEPO treatment scheme. The kinetics of rcEPO were also assessed after a subcutaneous injection during the initial period and during maintenance treatment. RcEPO was measured in plasma by radioimmunoassay. 2. After the first i.v. dose plasma erythropoietin concentrations were best described by a monoexponential disposition function with a mean (+/- s.d.) elimination half-life of 5.4 +/- 1.7 h. The volume of distribution was 70 +/- 5.2 ml kg-1 and the clearance was 10.1 +/- 3.5 ml h-1 kg-1 (n = 12). 3. After 3 months of continuous therapy, the plasma half-life of rcEPO decreased by 15% (P < 0.05, mean half-life during steady state: 4.6 +/- 2.8 h), while mean clearance and volume of distribution remained constant. 4. After the first s.c. injection the mean (+/- s.d.) absorption time was 22 +/- 11 h and systemic availability was 44 +/- 7%. 5. Changes in haemoglobin concentrations were described by a linear additive dose-response model, defined by an efficacy constant (Keff) and the mean erythrocyte lifetime (MRTHb). The sample mean (+/- s.d.) Keff was 0.043 +/- 0.017 g dl-1 Hb per 1000 units rcEPO and MRTHb was 10.02 +/- 1.75 weeks. The net effect of rcEPO treatment was described by the area under the unit-dose-response curve (AUEC) with a mean (+/- s.d.) value of 0.45 +/- 0.23 g dl-1 weeks. 6. RcEPO clearance showed a significant positive correlation (r2 = 0.41) with the effectiveness of rcEPO therapy, as measured by the parameters Keff or AUEC.
The Relationship between Everyday Problem Solving and Inconsistency in Reaction Time in Older Adults

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether inconsistency in reaction time (RT) is predictive of older adults' ability to solve everyday problems. A sample of 304 community dwelling non-demented older adults, ranging in age from 62 to 92, completed a measure of everyday problem solving, the Everyday Problems Test (EPT). Inconsistency in latencies across trials was assessed on four RT tasks. Performance on the EPT was found to vary according to age and cognitive status. Both mean latencies and inconsistency were significantly associated with EPT performance, such that slower and more inconsistent RTs were associated with poorer everyday problem solving abilities. Even after accounting for age, education, and mean level of performance, inconsistency in reaction time continued to account for a significant proportion of the variance in EPT scores. These findings suggest that indicators of inconsistency in RT may be of functional relevance.
Reproduction in Strongyloides (Nematoda): a life between sex and parthenogenesis

SUMMARY Nematodes of the genus Strongyloides parasitize the small intestines of vertebrates. In addition to a parasitic life-cycle, which is generally considered to be parthenogenetic, Strongyloides can also have a facultative, free-living generation involving male and female worms. The purpose of the present article was to review the literature on the modes of reproduction, the routes of development in the two generations of Strongyloides, discuss the controversial opinions in the literature regarding these aspects and point to new opportunities for addressing key questions in relation to the biology of reproduction of members of the genus employing genetic and genomic tools.
Chronic renal dysfunction following liver transplantation

Abstract: With most of the immunosuppressive protocols consisting of calcineurin inhibitors (CI), nephrotoxicity has become a major long‐term complication often compromising outcome. In a single‐center retrospective study, we reviewed 1173 liver transplantations to identify variables indicative for the occurrence of chronic renal dysfunction (CRD) (defined as ≥1 episode of serum creatinine increase ≥1.8 mg/dL ≥2 wk). Chronic renal dysfunction was found in 137 (11.7%) of all transplants [82 (7%) early (after 3–12 months), 55 (4.7%) late‐onset (>12 months)]. Compared to 5‐/10‐yr survival rates in non‐CRD transplants (84/74%) survival was significantly decreased in early (66/46%), but unchanged in late‐onset CRD (98/86%). Rates of alcoholic cirrhosis and prior renal dysfunction were significantly increased in patients with CRD. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, only cyclosporine A (CyA) as immunosuppression remained an independent risk factor. No correlations to age, gender, rejection/retransplantation or diabetes were found. Surprisingly, renal function (creatinine) showed no difference between patients on CI monotherapy (FK/CyA) compared to those who had mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) added. In liver transplantation, early onset CRD significantly compromises survival. CyA‐based immunosuppression appears to have a stronger impact than FK. The fact that patients with long‐term severe chronic renal dysfunction failed to improve under MMF rescue therapy emphasizes the importance of new diagnostic strategies to earlier identify at‐risk patients.
Invasive bladder cancer in the eighties: transurethral resection or cystectomy?

PURPOSE Describe morbidity and survival in patients older than 80 years with muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) treated with radical cystectomy (RC) or transurethral resection (TUR) in our institution. MATERIALS AND METHODS We reviewed our database of all patients older than 80 years treated with RC and TUR for MIBC between 1993 and 2005 in our institution. Twenty-seven patients were submitted to RC, with mean age of 82 years and mean follow-up of 16.4 months. RC was carried out following diagnosis of previous MIBC in 14 cases (51.9%). The American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) score was III or IV in 23 patients (85.1%). Seventy-two patients with a mean age of 84 years and mean follow-up of 33 months, diagnosed with MIBC, were managed by means of TUR. The ASA score was III-IV in 64 (88.8%) patients. RESULTS Pathological stage of the RC specimen was pT3 in 18 cases (66.7%). Mean hospital stay was 16 days. Early complications were assessed in 8 patients (29.6%), with an overall survival (OS) of 42.94%, and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of 60.54%. In patients submitted to TUR, clinical stage was T2 in 36 cases (50%). The mean hospital stay was 7 days, with a readmission rate (RR) of 87.5%. OS and CSS was less than 20%. CONCLUSIONS RC in octogenarian patients is a safe procedure, with complication and survival rates comparable to RC series in general population. Transurethral resection (TUR) for patients with MIBC within this age range is a much less morbid procedure, but disease specific survival is lower.
Chemosensitizing effects of sphingosine kinase-1 inhibition in prostate cancer cell and animal models

We have previously reported that, in prostate cancer, inhibition of the oncogenic sphingosine kinase-1/sphingosine 1-phosphate (SphK1/S1P) pathway is a key element in chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. Here, we show that selective pharmacologic inhibition of SphK1 triggers apoptosis in LNCaP and PC-3 prostate cancer cells, an effect that is reversed by SphK1 enforced expression. More importantly, we show for the first time that the up-regulation of the SphK1/S1P pathway plays a crucial role in the resistance of prostate cancer cells to chemotherapy. Importantly, pharmacologic SphK1 inhibition with the B-5354c compound sensitizes LNCaP and PC-3 cells to docetaxel and camptothecin, respectively. In vivo, camptothecin and B-5354c alone display a limited effect on tumor growth in PC-3 cells, whereas in combination there is a synergy of effect on tumor size with a significant increase in the ceramide to S1P sphingolipid ratio. To conclude, our study highlights the notion that drugs specifically designed to inhibit SphK1 could provide a means of enhancing the effects of conventional treatment through the prosurvival antiapoptotic SphK1/S1P pathway. [Mol Cancer Ther 2008;7(7):1836–45]
The effects of creatine supplementation on performance during the repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise.

AIM The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of creatine supplementation on performance during the repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise. METHODS Twenty-three untrained young males participated in the study. A double blind design was used to create the creatine and placebo groups. Wingate test was performed 5 times with 90 g x kg(-1) body weight load with 2-min intervals. Peak power, mean power (MP), fatigue index (FI) were calculated. Capillary blood samples for lactate analysis were taken during the initial rest period and soon after the fifth Wingate test. For 6 days the creatine group (n=12) ingested 5 g creatine monohydrate, the placebo group (n=11) a flavored drink without creatine monohydrate 4 times daily. On the 7th day, the Wingate tests were repeated, as was the 1st day. RESULTS In the creatine group, MP in the 3rd and 4th Wingate test, in the placebo group FI in the 1st and 2nd Wingate test significantly increased. While the total power output obtained from the five Wingate tests increased 7.6% from 366.3+/-65 W to 394+/-67.1 W, there was no change in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that creatine supplementation enhances total power output during the repeated bouts of supramaximal exercise separated by short resting intervals.
Elevated RANTES Level Is Associated With Metabolic Syndrome and Correlated With Activated Platelets Associated Markers in Healthy Younger Men

The objective of this study was to clarify the relationship of regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) levels with metabolic syndrome (MS) and activated platelets-associated markers. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 210 healthy Japanese male volunteers (mean age 41 years old) who did not take any medications and were free of cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease. The RANTES is correlated with age, diastolic blood pressure, and fast glucose by multivariate analysis using the cardiovascular risk factors (R 2 = .396, P < .001). The plasma RANTES level is significantly associated with MS after adjusting for age (P = .040). Once plasma interleukin 6, an activator of platelets, and plasma platelet-derived microparticles, a marker for activated platelets, are put into the equation, plasma RANTES level is significantly correlated with the activated platelet-associated markers (R 2 = .396, P < .001). These suggest the possible role of elevated RANTES in the forerunner of atherosclerosis in healthy younger men.