Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Single‐Pass Carbon Dioxide Versus Multiple‐Pass Er: YAG Laser Skin Resurfacing A Comparison of Postoperative Wound Healing and Side‐Effect Rates

BACKGROUND Ablative laser skin resurfacing with carbon dioxide (CO2) and erbium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) lasers has been popularized in recent years and their side effects individually reported. No prior study, however, has directly compared the relative healing times and complications rates between the two different systems. OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare postoperative wound healing and short- and long-term side effects of single-pass CO2 and multiple-pass, long-pulsed Er:YAG laser skin resurfacing for the treatment of facial photodamage and atrophic scars. METHODS A retrospective chart review and analysis of sequential clinical photographs were performed in 100 consecutive patients who underwent laser skin resurfacing with single-pass CO2 (Ultrapulse 5000; Coherent, Palo Alto, CA, N = 50) or multiple-pass, long-pulsed Er:YAG laser resurfacing (Contour; Sciton, Palo Alto, CA, N = 50). All laser procedures were performed by a single operator for the amelioration of facial rhytides or atrophic scars. The rate of re-epithelialization, duration of erythema, and presence of complications were tabulated. RESULTS The average time to re-epithelialization was 5.5 days with single-pass CO2 and 5.1 days with long-pulsed Er:YAG laser resurfacing. Postoperative erythema was observed in all patients, lasting an average of 4.5 weeks after single-pass CO2 laser treatment and 3.6 weeks after long-pulsed Er:YAG laser treatment. Hyperpigmentation was seen in 46% of the patients treated with single-pass CO2 and 42% of the patients treated with the long-pulsed Er:YAG laser (average duration of 12.7 and 11.4 weeks, respectively). No incidences of hypopigmentation or scarring were observed. CONCLUSION Skin resurfacing with single-pass CO2 or multiple-pass long-pulsed Er:YAG laser techniques yielded comparable postoperative healing times and complication profiles.
Receptor‐independent role of the urokinase‐type plasminogen activator during arteriogenesis

To define the role of the plasminogen activators (PAs) urokinase PA (uPA) and tissue PA (tPA) as well as the uPA receptor (uPAR) in arteriogenesis, we investigated their impact in a rabbit and mouse model of adaptive collateral artery growth. Collateral artery growth was induced by occlusion of the femoral artery in rabbit and wild‐type (WT) mice and in mice with targeted inactivation of uPA (uPA−/−), tPA (tPA−/−), or uPAR (uPAR−/−). Northern blot results revealed a significant up‐regulation of uPA but not uPAR or tPA in the early phase of arteriogenesis in rabbit and WT mice. This up‐regulation on RNA level was followed by an increased protein level and enzymatic activity. Impaired perfusion recovery upon femoral artery ligation was observed by laser Doppler analysis in vivo in uPA‐deficient mice but not in uPAR or tPA deficiency compared with WT mice. Immunohistochemical studies revealed an association of leukocyte infiltration with arteriogenesis in WT mice that was strongly reduced in uPA−/− but not in uPAR‐ or tPA‐deficient mice. We conclude that arteriogenesis is promoted by an uPA‐mediated infiltration of leukocytes that is not dependent on uPAR.
Crack across Canada: Comparing crack users and crack non-users in a Canadian multi-city cohort of illicit opioid users.

AIMS To examine possible differences between crack users and crack non-users across Canada. DESIGN Cohort study of illicit opioid and other drug users in five cities across Canada. SETTING Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec City, Canada. PARTICIPANTS Regular illicit opioid and other street drug users not in treatment at time of assessment. MEASUREMENTS Participants (n = 677) were assessed at baseline (2002) by way of an interviewer-administered questionnaire, a psychiatric diagnostic instrument (Composite International Diagnostic Interview), and salivary antibody tests for infectious disease. FINDINGS Approximately half the sample had used crack in the past 30 days, although prevalence rates differed strongly between study sites. When examined by discriminant analysis, crack users in the study population were more likely to have: no permanent housing, have illegal and sex work income, indicate physical health problems and hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, use walk-in clinics, use heroin and to have been arrested and in detention (in past year). They were less likely to report depressive symptoms, and use Dilaudid (hydromorphone) and alcohol. CONCLUSION These results illustrate crack users' pronounced social marginalization (as expressed by homelessness and high involvement in illegal activities) as well as extensive health problems compared to non-crack users in the Canadian context. The development of targeted interventions-addressing the dynamics of social marginalization-of this population is urgently needed.
TV exposure associated with sleep disturbances in 5‐ to 6‐year‐old children

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various forms of TV exposure on the quality of children's sleep. In this randomized population‐based survey questionnaires concerning TV viewing, sleep disturbances, and psychiatric symptoms were administered to 321 parents of children aged 5–6 years. Sleep disturbance scores were the main outcome measures. Active TV viewing and passive TV exposure were related to sleeping difficulties, especially sleep–wake transition disorders and overall sleep disturbances. Particularly, passive TV exposure and viewing adult‐targeted TV programs were strongly related to sleep disturbances. The association remained significant when socioeconomic status, family income, family conflicts, the father's work schedule, and the child's psychiatric symptoms were controlled statistically. The adjusted odds ratios were 2.91 (95% CI 1.03–8.17) and 3.01 (95% CI 1.13–8.05), respectively. TV viewing and particularly passive TV exposure and viewing adult‐targeted programs significantly increase the risk of sleeping difficulties. The results suggest that health‐care professionals should be aware of the association between TV exposure and sleep disturbances.
Age and sex differences in muscle sympathetic nerve activity in relation to haemodynamics, blood volume and left ventricular size

What is the central question of this study? The study was designed to investigate the age‐ and sex‐related differences in muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) in relation to age‐ and sex‐related differences in haemodynamics, blood volume and left ventricular size and function. What is the main finding and its importance? Age‐related increases in MSNA were associated with decreases in blood volume in men only, and only in men was there a significant relation between MSNA and forearm vascular resistance. These results show that age and sex independently alter the neural control of blood pressure and may provide insights into the pathogenesis of hypertension.
Repair of bone in the presence of aseptic necrosis resulting from fractures, transplantations and vascular obstruction.

Dallas Burton Phemister (1882-195 I; Fig. 1) was born in rural Illinois. After two years at a small college near his home, he went to Chicago where he graduated from the University of Chicago in 1900. He graduated from the Rush Medical College and interned at the Cook County Hospital. Although he began a private practice in suburban Chicago, his love ofteaching drew him back to Rush Medical College and, in 1008, he was made an Assistant Professor of Surgery. Shortly after this, he was able to spend two years of peripatetic study in surgical clinics in Paris, Vienna, and Berlin. On his return from Europe, he became affiliated with the Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago. During World War I , he served overseas in this hospital’s unit as a part of the American Expeditionary Force. In 1926, he was appointed to the chair of surgery in the newly organized Medical School of the University of Chicago, a position he held with distinction until his retirement in 1948. He was highly regarded as a teacher, investigator, and surgeon. He served as president of the American Surgical Association and the American College of Surgeons, and, because of his work in skeletal surgery, he was elected to membership in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. It is incredible that this honored and respected surgeon died in his own hospital as a result ofcomplications of a ruptured appendix. Phemister wrote classic papers dealing with the treatment of bone tumors and the equalization of leg-length discrepancies by epiphyseodesis, as well as the following paper on aseptic necrosis.
Trabecular Outflow Facility and Formation Rate of Aqueous Humor During Propofol, Nitrous Oxide, and Halothane Anesthesia in Rabbits

Propofol decreases intraocular pressure (IOP) and the IOP response to laryngoscopy and intubation, but the mechanisms responsible for this effect have not been reported. The present study examined the effect of propofol on IOP, intraocular fluid formation and outflow facility, and intraocular compliance. Twenty-two white New Zealand rabbits were anesthetized with halothane (0.8%–1.0% inspired concentration) in nitrous oxide (2 L/min) and oxygen (1 L/min). Muscle paralysis was established with pancuronium, and the lungs were mechanically ventilated through a tracheal tube. Twelve rabbits examined under these conditions served as controls. In the treatment group (n = 10), 6 mg/kg propofol followed by 18 mg-kg−1-h−1 propofol intravenously was added to halothane/nitrous oxide/oxygen anesthesia. In both groups, a series of intraocular infusions was made via a 30-gauge needle in the anterior chamber, and IOP, the rate of aqueous humor formation (Fa), and trabecular outflow facility (Ctr) were determined using conventional analysis. These same measures, as well as intraocular compliance, were determined using a new method of analysis adapted from the manometric technique for determining cerebrospinal fluid dynamics. IOP was 11.3 ± 1.8 mm Hg (mean ± SD) in halothane-anesthetized controls and decreased to 9.4 ± 2.2 mm Hg when propofol was added to halothane anesthesia (P < 0.05). By conventional analysis, Fa was 2.82 ± 0.94 μL/min and Ctr was 0.121 ± 0.044 μL-min−1 mm Hg−1 in controls. After addition of propofol, Fa decreased by 24% to 2.15 ± 0.62 μL/min (P < 0.05) and Ctr decreased by 18% to 0.099 ± 0.034 μL-min−1 mm Hg−1 (P < 0.05). In both groups, values for Fa and Ctr were about 30% lower with the new method of analysis than with the conventional method. With the new method of analysis, intraocular compliance in controls, 183 ± 86 nL/mm Hg, was similar to that in the propofol group, 186 ± 113 nL/mm Hg. We concluded that adding intravenous propofol to halothane anesthesia decreases IOP to values lower than those seen with halothane, and that the decrease of IOP seen with propofol occurs in part because propofol decreases Fa to greater extent than it decreases Ctr.
A randomized, controlled pilot study of acupuncture treatment for menopausal hot flashes

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of conducting a randomized trial of the effect of acupuncture in decreasing hot flashes in peri- and postmenopausal women. Design:Fifty-six women ages 44 to 55 with no menses in the past 3 months and at least four hot flashes per day were recruited from two clinical centers and randomized to one of three treatment groups: usual care (n = 19), sham acupuncture (n = 18), or Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture (n = 19). Acupuncture treatments were scheduled twice weekly for 8 consecutive weeks. The sham acupuncture group received shallow needling in nontherapeutic sites. The Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture group received one of four treatments based on a Traditional Chinese Medicine diagnosis. Usual care participants were instructed to not initiate any new treatments for hot flashes during the study. Daily diaries were used to track frequency and severity of hot flashes. The mean daily index score was based on the number of mild, moderate, and severe hot flashes. Follow-up analyses were adjusted for baseline values, clinical center, age, and body mass index. Results:There was a significant decrease in mean frequency of hot flashes between weeks 1 and 8 across all groups (P = 0.01), although the differences between the three study groups were not significant. However, the two acupuncture groups showed a significantly greater decrease than the usual care group (P < 0.05), but did not differ from each other. Results followed a similar pattern for the hot flash index score. There were no significant effects for changes in hot flash interference, sleep, mood, health-related quality of life, or psychological well-being. Conclusions:These results suggest either that there is a strong placebo effect or that both traditional and sham acupuncture significantly reduce hot flash frequency.
Avoiding Regeneration with a Matrix Converter Drive

The aim of this paper is to present a method of avoiding regeneration onto the supply from a Matrix Converter based motor drive. The avoidance of regeneration is important in many aerospace applications, such as aircraft actuation and refueling systems. In order to detect regeneration in the Matrix Converter, two techniques are proposed. These are the Power Comparison method and Input Voltage Reference method. The results of the proposed methods show that Matrix Converter is a feasible alternative for this application rather than the two-stage DC-Link converters. Experimental results from a prototype, using a 5.3-hp induction motor are presented.
Cooperative mitogenic signaling by G protein‐coupled receptors and growth factors is dependent on Gq/11

Previously we reported that the G protein‐coupled receptor (GPCR) agonist thrombin potentiated the mitogenic effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on human airway smooth muscle (ASM) by promoting sustained late‐phase activation of PI3K and p70S6K via a pathway dependent on Gβγ subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins. Here, we provide additional mechanistic insight and reveal the robustness of this phenomenon by demonstrating that H1 histamine and thromboxane receptors utilize the same mechanism to augment ASM growth via specific activation of the heterotrimeric G protein Gq/11. Thrombin, histamine, and U46619 all enhanced EGF‐stimulated [3H]‐thymidine incorporation as well as late‐phase Akt and p70S6K phosphorylation in ASM cultures. Heterologous expression of Gβγ sequestrants (GRK2CT‐GFP or GαiG203A), as well as GRK2NT‐GFP (an RGS protein for Gq/11) but neither p115RhoGEFRGS‐GFP (an RGS for G12/13) nor pertussis toxin pretreatment (inactivating Gi/o), attenuated the effects on both signaling and growth. Inhibition of Rho, Rho kinase, or Src, or modulation of arrestin expression did not significantly affect the cooperative signaling by EGF and any of the GPCR agonists. Thus, Gq/11‐coupled receptors are the principal GPCR subfamily mediating cooperative mitogenic signaling in ASM, acting through Gβγ‐dependent, and Src/arrestin‐independent activation of PI3K and p70S6K. —Kong, K. C. , Billington, C. K. , Gandhi, U. , Panettieri, R. A. , Penn, R. B. Cooperative mitogenic signaling by G protein‐coupled receptors and growth factors is dependent on Gq/11. FASEB J. 20, E880–E887 (2006)
Earnings Increases as a Type-Revealing Signal

While increases in earnings are common, we identify a setting in which they signal a separating equilibrium. Firms that “defy gravity’ (DG) by reporting increases in earnings despite experiencing a decline in sales from continuing operations, signal their viability as a going- concern, and achieve separation from other firms with decreasing sales. We find that DG signals higher future earnings, cash flows, and one-year-ahead stock returns. More importantly, we find that the DG signal is more credible when more costly to produce: DG firms subsequently perform better when (1) they are ex ante in poorer financial health, (2) the magnitude of the earnings shortfall is larger (they have higher downward cost rigidity), (3) they pass up the opportunity of taking a ‘big bath’ in times of crisis (years where declines in earnings can be blamed on economy-wide shocks), and (4) when they have less flexibility to manage earnings upwards. Finally, because some degree of pooling remains within DG firms, we show that the DG signal is more credible when it is produced contemporaneously with abnormal CEO buying. To our knowledge, this study is the first to provide empirical evidence that earnings increases that are more costly to achieve are more credible signals of future performance.
Circularly Polarized Planar Aperture Antenna for Millimeter-Wave Applications

This paper presents a novel differentially driven planar aperture antenna with circularly polarized (CP) radiation. The proposed antenna is simple in structure yet can achieve high gain and wide bandwidth, and is constructed using only a single layer laminate via standard printed-circuit-board (PCB) technology. Circular polarization is realized by a rotationally symmetric windmill-shaped patch-aperture formation with travelling wave distribution. The physical aperture of the antenna is constituted by an opening cavity structure formed by metalized vias, which offers high-gain unidirectional radiation pattern. Measurement results of a prototype operating at 60 GHz band show a 3-dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth of 17.9% (56.5-67.5 GHz), which is within its -10-dB impedance bandwidth. Meanwhile, the left-handed CP (LHCP) gain is stable throughout the operating bandwidth with a peak gain of 13.4 dBi. The proposed antenna is a promising candidate for various consumer level millimeter-wave (mmWave) band applications due to its merits of wideband, high gain, simple structure, low cost, and easy integration with differential circuits.
Mumps Virus Nucleoprotein and Hemagglutinin-Specific Antibody Response Following a Third Dose of Measles Mumps Rubella Vaccine

Abstract Background Recent mumps outbreaks among 2-dose measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine recipients have raised questions regarding the potential benefits of a third dose of vaccine (MMR3). If MMR3 provides a sustained elevation in mumps antibody, it may be beneficial for certain at-risk groups or as an outbreak control measure. Methods Sera were collected immediately prior to MMR3 and at 1 month and 1 year post-MMR3 from 656 healthy adults aged 18–28 years in a nonoutbreak setting. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using whole mumps virus (commercial ELISA), hemagglutinin (HN; major neutralizing target), and nucleoprotein (NP; immunodominant) antigens. ELISA measurements were compared with in vitro plaque reduction neutralization (PRN) titers, and baseline antibody was compared with post-MMR3 levels. Results There were modest but statistically significant (P < .05) increases in mumps antibody at 1 month post-MMR3 by all 3 ELISA methods and by PRN titer. At 1 year post-MMR3, mumps antibody declined toward baseline but remained elevated (P < .05). The correlation between PRN titers and ELISA measurements was poor (r2 = .49), although sera with the highest amount of HN IgG also had the highest PRN titers. Conclusions Individuals with the lowest baseline PRN titers had the largest increase in frequency of samples that became positive for HN and NP by ELISA. A third dose of MMR may benefit certain individuals with a low level of mumps virus–neutralizing antibody, especially in the context of an outbreak or other high-risk setting. Additionally, poor correlation among serologic tests does not allow effective prediction of PRN titer by ELISA.
Evaluation of an external quality assessment program for HIV testing in Haiti, 2006-2011.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate an external quality assessment (EQA) program for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) rapid diagnostics testing by the Haitian National Public Health Laboratory (French acronym: LNSP). Acceptable performance was defined as any proficiency testing (PT) score more than 80%. METHODS The PT database was reviewed and analyzed to assess the testing performance of the participating laboratories and the impact of the program over time. A total of 242 laboratories participated in the EQA program from 2006 through 2011; participation increased from 70 laboratories in 2006 to 159 in 2011. RESULTS In 2006, 49 (70%) laboratories had a PT score of 80% or above; by 2011, 145 (97.5%) laboratories were proficient (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS The EQA program for HIV testing ensures quality of testing and allowed the LNSP to document improvements in the quality of HIV rapid testing over time.
The Use of Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Injuries of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Thumb

We describe the use of a specialist referral clinic and ultrasound assessment for all injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb presenting to an Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. Senior House Officers in the A&E department were able to correctly diagnose only 45% of the ruptures of the ulnar collateral ligament. The overall agreement between specialist clinic examination and ultrasound for injury to the ulnar collateral ligament was 85% (kappa 0.647). When compared with the operative finding ultrasound had a positive predictive value for rupture of 94%. An algorithm is presented for the assessment of injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament in A&E departments.
Fragmented QRS and Ventricular Arrhythmias in Coroary Artery Disease Patients

Background: Fragmented QRS represents myocardial scar and will be associated with ventricular dysfunction and occurrence of congestive heart failure. In CAD, fQRS represents prior occurrence of myocardial infarction and will have a risk of subsequent occurrence of ischemic events. Objective: in our study we aimed to determine whether fragmented QRS (fQRS) is associated with increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or not . Patients and Methods: one hundred patients with CAD were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to presence or absence of fQRS on admission ECG. Group 1 (n=50) was defined as a fQRS (+ve) and group 2 (n=50) was defined as a fQRS (-ve). All patients were subjected to full history taking, complete physical examination, ECG, echocardiography and laboratory investigations. Results: There was higher incidence of fQRS in hypertensive patients (72%). FQRS was found to be associated with increased incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, 52% in group 1 versus 24% in group II. EF % was significantly lower in group I than in group 2 with p value 0.03. Fragmented QRS was an independent predictor of all-cause mortality with p value 0.02. Conclusion: fQRS on the resting surface electrocardiogram is a simple, fast and inexpensive modality of noninvasive investigation for evaluation of CAD patients. Patients who have known CAD present with a fQRS have an increased rate of ventricular tachyarrhythmias, death risk, and low ejection fraction.