Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Sepsis in acute myeloid leukaemia patients receiving high‐dose chemotherapy: No impact of chitotriosidase and mannose‐binding lectin polymorphisms

Infections after chemotherapy often cause significant morbidity in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). Chitotriosidase (CHIT) and mannose‐binding lectin (MBL) are part of the innate immune system. Polymorphism in the CHIT‐coding gene (CHIT1) may be associated with Gram‐negative sepsis in children with AML, and polymorphism in the MBL‐coding gene (MBL2) seems to modify the risk of infections in several patient groups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible associations between polymorphisms in CHIT1, MBL2 and sepsis in adult patients treated with high‐dose chemotherapy for AML. We included 190 patients treated with 526 cycles of chemotherapy. The follow‐up period was 6 months from the diagnosis of AML. Prophylactic antibiotics were not used. We identified 604 febrile episodes with 246 episodes of sepsis. Thirty‐two patients (17%) either died from infection or infection was a major concomitant factor for death. No significant associations between CHIT1 polymorphism and sepsis (P = 0.85) or death caused by sepsis (P = 0.14) were found. Furthermore, no significant associations between MBL2 polymorphism and sepsis (P = 0.76) or death caused by sepsis (P = 0.24) were observed. The severe and long‐lasting neutropenia and mucositis after chemotherapy may explain why the MBL system does not protect against sepsis in patients with AML. Replacement therapy with recombinant MBL is not likely to decrease the risk of sepsis in patients with AML.
Macroeconomic Uncertainty and Private Investment in Nigeria

The paper investigates the determinants of aggregate private investment and determines the long-run relationship between macroeconomic uncertainty and aggregate private investment decisions in Nigeria between 1970 and 2006. Cointegration and error correction modeling techniques is adopted in the estimation of aggregate private investment models. The results show that private investment in Nigeria is significantly and positively affected by income, public investment and credit to private sector while it is negatively affected by real interest rates and the size of debt. The paper further reveals that inflation rate, exchange rate and fiscal deficit uncertainties are most detrimental to private investment recovery in Nigeria. The paper concludes that the key to private investment recovery and economic growth in Nigeria is in reducing the overall level of macroeconomic uncertainty.
Do Forecasters Know the Slope of the Phillips Curve

Despite the fact that professional forecasters have significant resources to observe the economy and that the Phillips Curve has been observed and recognized in nearly all literature and economic models, the Survey of Professional Forecasters has shown a consistent under- recognition of the Phillips Curve's effects. This effect is observed across forecast horizons and in many other inflation forecasts, including the Livingston survey, Michigan Survey of Consumers, and the Federal Reserve Board's Greenbook forecast. By examining changes in the mis- estimation of the slope of the Phillips Curve over time, we can observe changes in macroeconomic thought, as well as in the case of Greenbook forecasts explain some policy decisions of the Fed.
In‐vivo analysis of angiogenesis and revascularization of transplanted pancreatic islets using confocal microscopy

A technique to measure angiogenesis and revascularization in pancreatic islets transplanted at the renal subcapsular site in the rat has been developed. In‐vivo imaging of the microcirculation of transplanted pancreatic islets was conducted using a confocal scanning laser microscope (CSLM) to achieve optical sectioning through the graft in order to perform a computer reconstruction of the three‐dimensional neovascular morphology. Individual islets were harvested by enzymatic digestion of excised pancreas from Fischer 344 rats. Isolated islets were cultured for 24 h, and approximately 300–350 islets were transplanted at the renal subcapsular site of the left kidney in an anaesthetized rat. Six to 14 days post‐transplantation, the animal was anaesthetized and prepared for in‐vivo imaging of the microvasculature on a Zeiss LSM‐10. Optical contrast of the microvasculature was enhanced by the administration of fluorescein‐labelled dextran into the circulating blood. The transplant site was identified and serial sections were obtained through the vascular bed at varying z‐intervals. Complementary fluorescence video images were also obtained via a silicon intensifier tube camera mounted on the CSLM. At completion of the imaging procedure, the kidney was returned into the body cavity, the area was sutured and the animal was allowed to recuperate for subsequent examinations. Image processing algorithms, such as grey‐level thresholding, median filtering, skeletonization and template matching, were applied to compute the vessel density and diameters and extrapolated to measure 3‐D vessel lengths and the tortousity index of the neovasculature.
An Eight-Channel Phased Array RF Coil for Spine MR Imaging at 7 T

Objective:To develop a transmit/receive radiofrequency (RF) array for MR imaging of the human spine at 7 T. The prototype is characterized in simulations and bench measurements, and the feasibility of high-resolution spinal cord imaging at 7 T is demonstrated in in vivo images of volunteers. Materials and Methods:The RF phased array consists of 8 overlapping surface loop coils with a dimension of 12 cm × 12 cm each. Bench measurements were obtained with a phantom made of body-simulating liquid and assessed with a network analyzer. For safety validation, numerical computations of the RF field distribution and the corresponding specific absorption rate were performed on the basis of 3 different human body models. In vivo images of 3 volunteers (2 with a documented scoliosis) were acquired using a 3D-FLASH sequence with a high spatial resolution of 0.57 mm isotropic. Results:The 7 T transmit/receive RF coil could be easily integrated into the patient table for examinations of the cervicothoracic or thoracolumbosacral spine. Comparable results were found for all 3 numerical calculations using different human body models. Measurements of the g-factor indicated good image quality for parallel imaging acceleration factors up to 2.7 along the head-feet direction, which could be validated in the in vivo images. The in vivo images demonstrated very fine anatomic features such as the longitudinal ligaments or the venous drainage through the vertebral bodies. A largely homogeneous excitation over an extensive field-of-view of 40 cm could be obtained. Conclusions:These early results indicate that a multichannel transmit/receive phased array RF coil can be used for in vivo spine imaging at 7 T, thereby rendering high-resolution spine imaging a promising new application in 7 T clinical research.
Percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy with a simplified gastropexy technique under ultrasonographic and fluoroscopic guidance: experience in 154 patients

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous radiologic gastrostomy (PRG) under ultrasonographic (US) and fluoroscopic guidance using a simplified gastropexy technique. Material and Methods: One hundred and fifty-four (154) patients (mean age 73, range 22–93 years) were referred for PRG. Indication for PRG was neurologic disease, head/neck cancer, and other disease in 73%, 15%, and 12%, respectively. Initially, the stomach was filled with 300–500 cm3 of tap water via a nasogastric tube. The fluid-filled stomach was punctured under US guidance. A guidewire and a single T-fastener were introduced. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the tract was dilated over the guidewire until a 16F dilator with a peel-away sheath could be introduced. During dilatation, the external suture string to the T-fastener was held tight to fixate the gastric wall. A 14F balloon-retained gastrostomy tube was introduced and inflated. The T-fastener was then released, and the gastrostomy tube was retracted gently to affix the gastric wall to the abdominal wall (tube gastropexy). Technical success was assured by aspiration of gastric fluid and fluoroscopically by injection of a water-soluble contrast medium. Results: The primary technical success rate was 98%. At 30-day follow-up, 3.2% had major complications and 14% minor complications. Three patients (1.9%) died of complications related to the procedure. Thirteen cases (8%) of simple tube displacement without other complications occurred. Conclusion: PRG guided by US and fluoroscopy is a relatively safe technique with a high success rate, provided the stomach can be properly distended with fluid. However, tube gastropexy alone does not seem to protect against early dislodgement.
Markets and Morality: Do Free Markets Corrode Moral Values?

Scholars since Hume and Smith have debated possible causal connections between market experiences and moral beliefs. Here, I study the impact of market interactions on utilitarian versus deontological values, other-regarding preferences, and charitable donations. Through a labor market intermediary, I randomly assign workers to different market conditions – competitive (tournament) versus commodifying (piece-rate). Competition increases deontological commitments, deontological commitments towards out-group members, productivity, and donations by productive workers but decreases donations by less productive workers. The effect of competition on deontological commitments reverses with income, consistent with the intellectual history of the doux commerce thesis. If utilitarian attitudes lead to market-oriented policies, multiple steady states arise where some countries sustain high utilitarianism, market-orientation, and economic growth.
Combined MRI and CFD analysis of fully developed steady and pulsatile laminar flow through a bend

A combined MR and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study is made of flow in a simple phantom laboratory flow rig consisting of a 180° bend with straight entry and exit sections. The aim was to investigate the potential of the use of MRI‐linked CFD simulations for in vivo use. To this end, the experiment was set up for both steady and pulsatile laminar flow conditions, with Reynolds and Dean numbers and Womersley pulsatility parameter representative of resting flow in the human aorta. The geometrical images of the pipe and the velocity images at entry to the bend were used as boundary conditions for CFD simulations of the flow. The CFD results for both steady and pulsatile cases compared favorably with velocity images obtained at exit from the bend. Additional information such as pressure and wall shear stress, which either could not be measured adequately via MRI, or could not be measured at all, was also extracted from the simulation. Overall, the results were sufficiently promising to justify persuing subsequent in vivo studies.
Periapical status and quality of root fillings and coronal restorations in an adult Spanish population.

AIM To investigate the quality of root fillings and coronal restorations and their association with periapical status in an adult Spanish population. METHODOLOGY A total of 180 subjects, aged 37.1 +/- 15.7 years, who presented as new patients at the Faculty of Dentistry, Seville, Spain, were examined. All participants underwent a full-mouth radiographic survey incorporating 14 periapical radiographs. The periapical region of all root filled teeth, excluding third molars, were examined. The technical quality of root fillings was evaluated in terms of length in relation to the root apex and lateral adaptation to the canal wall. Radiographic signs of overhang or open margins associated with coronal restorations were also evaluated. Periapical status was assessed using the Periapical Index score. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Cohen's kappa test and logistic regression. RESULTS The total number of root filled teeth was 93, and 60 (64.5%) had apical periodontitis (AP). Presence of AP in root filled teeth was associated with inadequate adaptation of the filling (OR = 2.29; P = 0.06), inadequate length of the root filling (OR = 2.44; P = 0.048), and with poor radiographic quality of the coronal restoration (OR = 2.38; P = 0.054). Only 34.4% of the root fillings were adequate from a technical perspective. When both root fillings and coronal restorations were adequate the incidence of AP decreased to 31.3% (OR = 5.50; P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of AP in root filled teeth was high. Many root fillings were technically unsatisfactory. Adequate root fillings and coronal restorations were associated with a lower incidence of AP; an adequate root filling had a more substantial impact on the outcome of treatment than the quality of the coronal restoration.
An integrated model of clinical reasoning: dual-process theory of cognition and metacognition.

RATIONALE AND AIM Clinical reasoning is an important component for providing quality medical care. The aim of the present paper is to develop a model of clinical reasoning that integrates both the non-analytic and analytic processes of cognition, along with metacognition. METHOD The dual-process theory of cognition (system 1 non-analytic and system 2 analytic processes) and the metacognition theory are used to develop an integrated model of clinical reasoning. RESULTS In the proposed model, clinical reasoning begins with system 1 processes in which the clinician assesses a patient's presenting symptoms, as well as other clinical evidence, to arrive at a differential diagnosis. Additional clinical evidence, if necessary, is acquired and analysed utilizing system 2 processes to assess the differential diagnosis, until a clinical decision is made diagnosing the patient's illness and then how best to proceed therapeutically. Importantly, the outcome of these processes feeds back, in terms of metacognition's monitoring function, either to reinforce or to alter cognitive processes, which, in turn, enhances synergistically the clinician's ability to reason quickly and accurately in future consultations. CONCLUSIONS The proposed integrated model has distinct advantages over other models proposed in the literature for explicating clinical reasoning. Moreover, it has important implications for addressing the paradoxical relationship between experience and expertise, as well as for designing a curriculum to teach clinical reasoning skills.
Comparison of Non‐Coding RNAs in Exosomes and Functional Efficacy of Human Embryonic Stem Cell‐ versus Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell‐Derived Cardiomyocytes

Both human embryonic stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes (ESC‐CMs) and human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived CMs (iPSC‐CMs) can serve as unlimited cell sources for cardiac regenerative therapy. However, the functional equivalency between human ESC‐CMs and iPSC‐CMs for cardiac regenerative therapy has not been demonstrated. Here, we performed a head‐to‐head comparison of ESC‐CMs and iPSC‐CMs in their ability to restore cardiac function in a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model as well as their exosomal secretome. Human ESCs and iPSCs were differentiated into CMs using small molecule inhibitors. Fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis confirmed ∼85% and ∼83% of CMs differentiated from ESCs and iPSCs, respectively, were positive for cardiac troponin T. At a single‐cell level, both cell types displayed similar calcium handling and electrophysiological properties, with gene expression comparable with the human fetal heart marked by striated sarcomeres. Sub‐acute transplantation of ESC‐CMs and iPSC‐CMs into nude rats post‐MI improved cardiac function, which was associated with increased expression of angiogenic genes in vitro following hypoxia. Profiling of exosomal microRNAs (miRs) and long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) revealed that both groups contain an identical repertoire of miRs and lncRNAs, including some that are known to be cardioprotective. We demonstrate that both ESC‐CMs and iPSC‐CMs can facilitate comparable cardiac repair. This is advantageous because, unlike allogeneic ESC‐CMs used in therapy, autologous iPSC‐CMs could potentially avoid immune rejection when used for cardiac cell transplantation in the future. Stem Cells 2017;35:2138–2149
Daily reduction of oral malodor with the use of a sonic tongue brush combined with an antibacterial tongue spray in a randomized cross-over clinical investigation

The objective of this clinical investigation was to test the effectiveness on breath odor of a newly designed sonic tongue brush (TongueCare+, TC). It consists of a soft silicone brush optimally designed based on the tongue’s anatomy to remove bacterial biofilm from the tongue’s complex surface, and it is coupled with a sonic power toothbrush handle. TC was used in combination with an antibacterial tongue spray (BreathRx, BRx) containing 0.09% cetylpyridinium chloride and 0.7% zinc gluconate. A total of 21 participants with oral malodor exceeding the threshold for recognition took part in this cross-over clinical investigation, which consisted of a single use of four treatment arms with one week washout period in between. The treatments consisted of: (1) TC + BRx, (2) TC + water, (3) BRx and (4) water. Malodor levels and bacterial density were monitored up to 6 h by organoleptic scoring and selective plating, respectively. The organoleptic score and bacterial density were significantly lower after using TC + BRx compared to all alternative treatments at all time points. A significant decrease in both parameters was detected after a single use of TC + BRx, from levels characteristic of high oral malodor, to barely noticeable levels after treatment and this was maintained up to 6 h. Moreover, we identified a significant positive correlation between bacterial density and organoleptic score, confirming that bacterial tongue biofilm is the root cause of oral malodor in these subjects. The results of this clinical investigation demonstrated that the combined treatment of a sonic tongue brush with the antibacterial tongue spray is able to deliver more than 6 h of fresh breath following a single use. The clinical investigation was registered at the ISRCTN registry under study identification number ISRCTN38199132.
Determination of blood everolimus concentrations in kidney and liver transplant recipients using the sirolimus antibody conjugated magnetic immunoassay (ACMIA).

BACKGROUND The aim of our study was to evaluate the possible determination of everolimus concentrations using the newly-introduced sirolimus antibody conjugated magnetic immunoassay (ACMIA). METHODS Everolimus concentrations were determined in 100 blood samples from kidney (n = 47) and liver (n = 53) transplant recipients using the IMx sirolimus microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) from Abbott as previously described (Clin Biochem 2007;40:132-36) and sirolimus ACMIA from Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Ltd. RESULTS The ACMIA everolimus values were significantly higher than those of MEIA (p < 0.001). Analogous slope and intercept values were obtained in the linear regression between the ACMIA and MEIA results when compared to the Seradyn Certican everolimus controls or the blood samples from transplant recipients. Correction of the ACMIA values using the regression equation obtained for the control material (ACMIAcorrected = 0.55 ACMIA + 1.14) led to a satisfactory relationship with the results provided by the MEIA for the patients' samples (MEIA = 1.00 ACMIAcorrected + 0.30, r = 0.905, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The sirolimus ACMIA on the Dimension platform, which does not require manual pre-treatment of the blood samples, may be an acceptable option for therapeutic everolimus monitoring, significantly reducing technician time in comparison to other widely-used immunoassays.
Fire and Green‐Tree Retention in Conservation of Red‐Listed and Rare Deadwood‐Dependent Beetles in Finnish Boreal Forests

Abstract: Habitat loss, fragmentation, and declining habitat quality have created an extinction debt in boreal forests, which could be partly reversed by deliberately improving the habitat quality in managed areas outside reserves. We studied the effects of green‐tree retention and controlled burning on red‐listed and rare, deadwood‐dependent (saproxylic) beetles in a large‐scale field experiment in eastern Finland. Our factorial study design included 24 sites dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and with three levels of green‐tree retention (0, 10, and 50 m3/ha) and uncut controls. Twelve of the 24 sites were burned in 2001. We sampled beetles with 10 flight‐intercept traps on each site during the years 2000–2002 (i.e., 1 pretreatment and 2 post‐treatment years). A total sample of 153,449 individuals representing 1,160 beetle species yielded 2,107 specimens of 84 red‐listed or rare saproxylic species. The richness of these species was higher on the burned than on the unburned sites, and higher levels of green‐tree retention promoted species richness, but there were clear differences between the years. The richness of red‐listed and rare saproxylic species increased in the first post‐treatment year, evidently due to the treatments, continued to increase on the burned sites in the second post‐treatment year, but decreased on the unburned sites. Our results showed that the living conditions of many red‐listed and rare saproxylic species could be improved significantly with rather simple alterations to forest management methods. Controlled burning with high levels of green‐tree retention creates resources for many saproxylic species, but increasing the levels of green‐tree retention in unburned areas can also be beneficial.
A simplified approach to the treatment of Duane’s syndrome

Introduction: To report the results of a large series of patients undergoing treatment for Duane’s syndrome. Methods: Patients with Duane’s syndrome undergoing strabismus surgery of a horizontal muscle recession procedure, medial rectus recession for an esodeviation or lateral rectus recession for an exodeviation, in order to correct an abnormal head position (AHP) and a significant tropia in primary position were identified. Amount of recession varied with the angle of deviation in forced primary position, versions and ductions, and intraoperative forced ductions. Elimination of AHP was used as a criterion for success. Results: Fifty nine patients were treated with either unilateral or bilateral medial or lateral rectus recession. Mean follow up was 3.1 years. Ninety three percent achieved a postoperative alignment of ⩽15° AHP, 66% achieved ⩽5° AHP. Only three patients, two from the unilateral Type II group and one from the bilateral combined Types I and II group, went on to have a second procedure for a noticeable residual AHP. Conclusions: Success (good to excellent results) of horizontal muscle recession was achieved in 93% of patients. Unilateral or bilateral horizontal rectus muscle recession offers a simple and effective surgical option for eliminating AHP and is our treatment of choice in patients with Duane’s syndrome.