Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison of the deflecting-tip bronchial blocker with a wire-guided blocker or left-sided double-lumen tube.

OBJECTIVE To compare a new bronchial blocker, the Cohen blocker, with the Arndt blocker and a left double-lumen tube (DLT). DESIGN A prospective, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING University hospital. PARTICIPANTS Forty-eight patients undergoing lung surgery. INTERVENTION Intubation with 1 of the 3 devices. Comparisons among groups included (1) time for initial positioning, (2) degree of lung collapse at pleura opening, and (3) number of intraoperative fiberoptic examinations. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Positioning of the Cohen blocker (256 [166-341] seconds; median [interquartile range]) took no longer compared with the Arndt blocker (253 [184-305] seconds), and there was a trend toward difference between the 2 blockers and the DLT (137 [102-199] seconds) (p = 0.07). The time to place the Cohen blocker was longer in cases of left bronchus occlusion compared with a right one (340 [300-450] v 170 [124-259] seconds, p = 0.02); they were similar in the Arndt group. The degree of lung collapse was different among groups (p = 0.05), but the difference between any pair did not reach statistical significance. The number of patients who required at least 1 additional FOB examination was not statistically different (50% of patients in each blocker group v 19% in the DLT group). CONCLUSIONS There was a trend toward a difference between times to place a bronchial blocker and the DLT. The Cohen blocker is more difficult to position in the left main bronchus than in the right one.
Nonbullous Erythema Multiforme in Hospitalized Children: A 10‐Year Survey

Nonbullous erythema multiforme (NBEM) is an acute, immune‐mediated, self‐limiting skin disease with distinctive target lesions. Its pathogenesis is unclear, but most cases are considered to be infection related or drug related. In adults, the main precipitating factor is infection. This study reviewed a 10‐year experience with hospitalized children with NBEM in a tertiary pediatric medical center in Israel with a focus on precipitating factors.
High spatial resolution artificial vision inferred from the spiking output of retinal ganglion cells stimulated by optogenetic and electrical means

With vision impairment affecting millions of people world-wide, various strategies aiming at vision restoration are being undertaken. Thanks to decades of extensive research, electrical stimulation approaches to vision restoration began to undergo clinical trials. Quite recently, another technique employing optogenetic therapy emerged as a possible alternative. Both artificial vision restoration strategies reported poor spatial resolution so far. In this article, we compared the spatial resolution inferred ex vivo under ideal conditions using a computational model analysis of the retinal ganglion cell (RGC) spiking activity. The RGC spiking was stimulated in epiretinal configuration by either optogenetic or electrical means. RGCs activity was recorded from the ex vivo retina of transgenic late-stage photoreceptor-degenerated mice (rd10) using a high-density Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) based microelectrode array. The majority of retinal samples were stimulated by both, optogenetic and electrical stimuli using a spatial grating stimulus. A population-level analysis of the spiking activity of identified RGCs was performed and the spatial resolution achieved through electrical and optogenetic photo-stimulation was inferred using a support vector machine classifier. The best f1 score of the classifier for the electrical stimulation in epiretinal configuration was 86% for 32 micron wide gratings and increased to 100% for 128 microns. For optogenetically activated cells, we obtained high f1 scores of 82% for 10 microns grid width for a photo-stimulation frequency of 2.5 Hz and 73% for a photo-stimulation frequency of 10 Hz. A subsequent analysis, considering only the RGCs modulated in both electrical and optogenetic stimulation protocols revealed no significant difference in the prediction accuracy between the two stimulation modalities. The results presented here indicate that a high spatial resolution can be achieved for electrical or optogenetic artificial stimulation using the activated retinal ganglion cell output.
Symptoms as latent variables

Abstract In the target article, Cramer et al. suggest that diagnostic classification is improved by modeling the relationship between manifest variables (i.e., symptoms) rather than modeling unobservable latent variables (i.e., diagnostic categories such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder). This commentary discusses whether symptoms represent manifest or latent variables and the implications of this distinction for diagnosis and treatment.
Is there a contradiction between the network and latent variable perspectives?

Abstract First, we question whether Cramer et al.'s proposed network model can provide a viable scientific foundation for investigating comorbidity without invoking latent variables in some form. Second, the authors' claim that the network perspective is radically different from a latent variable perspective rests upon an undemonstrated premise. Without being demonstrated, we think the premise is potentially misleading.
Positive end‐expiratory pressure

Changes induced in arterial oxygenation by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) were analysed in twenty-nine instances in seven patients with chronic obstructive airway disease and acute respiratory failure, who were receiving IPPV. A significant decrease in mean PaO2 was found 4 hours after the removal of PEEP (P smaller than 0-01), but after its addition during the same period the PaO2 change was not significant. PaCO2 values were not modified by PEEP. The slight increase in mean PaO2 (20-9 mmHg) encountered during controlled ventilation with PEEP seems of doubtful clinical value. Alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, while breathing oxygen 100%, was found to be elevated with a mean value of 276 mmHg. It appears from our results that PEEP is of little or no value in the routine ventilatory treatment of patients with chronic obstructive airway disease unless hypoxaemia is believed to be caused by a large intrapulmonary shunt.
Dynamics of intersexual dominance in a highly dimorphic primate

Intersexual dominance, which is measured by the probability that members of one sex elicit submission of members of the other sex during agonistic interactions, is often skewed in favor of males. However, even in sexually dimorphic species, several factors may influence intersexual dominance. Here, we use an 8-year dataset to examine the dynamics of intersexual dominance in wild-living mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx). Mandrills exhibit an extreme male-biased sexual size dimorphism but females show pronounced kin-differentiated social relationships and occasionally form coalitions against males. We established intersexual hierarchies across consecutive 6-month time blocks, representing either mating or birth seasons. Although females appeared to outrank 11% of males, they elicited male submission in only 2% of agonistic interactions against males. This discrepancy is likely due to the temporary residency of most males in the exceptionally large mandrill groups, the sexually coercive male mating strategies and the scarce number of agonistic interactions within most dyads, that may limit hierarchical inferences. In a second step, we found that the intersexual hierarchy mixes the intrasexual ones respecting their respective order. Females outranked mostly young and old males during the mating (vs. birth) season and social integration was positively correlated to dominance status in both sexes. In a third step, we found that females win more conflicts against young or old males which are closer to them in the intersexual hierarchy. These results extend our understanding of female-male dominance relationships by indicating that female mandrills occasionally outrank males who are considerably larger than them, and that a combination of demographic and social factors can influence the intersexual hierarchy.
Factors Associated with Nurses' Activities for Hospital Fall Prevention

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affected with nurses` prevention activity against hospital fall. Methods: The data were collected from 325 nurses at C University Hospital in G City by using the structured questionnaires from February 21, 2011 to March 12, 2011. The data were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression. Results: The main factor associated with prevention activity against hospital fall was the attitude towards hospital fall (
Survival and neuronal differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into the rodent brain are dependent upon microenvironment.

INTRODUCTION The successful integration of stem cells in adult brain has become a central issue in modern neuroscience. In this study we sought to test the hypothesis that survival and neurodifferentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be dependent upon microenvironmental conditions according to the site of implant in the brain. METHODS MSCs were isolated from adult rats and labeled with enhanced-green fluorescent protein (eGFP) lentivirus. A cell suspension was implanted stereotactically into the brain of 50 young rats, into one neurogenic area (hippocampus), and into another nonneurogenic area (striatum). Animals were sacrificed 6 or 12 weeks after surgery, and brains were stained for mature neuronal markers. Cells coexpressing NeuN (neuronal specific nuclear protein) and GFP (green fluorescent protein) were counted stereologically at both targets. RESULTS The isolated cell population was able to generate neurons positive for microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2), neuronal-specific nuclear protein (NeuN), and neurofilament 200 (NF200) in vitro. Electrophysiology confirmed expression of voltage-gated ionic channels. Once implanted into the hippocampus, cells survived for up to 12 weeks, migrated away from the graft, and gave rise to mature neurons able to synthesize neurotransmitters. By contrast, massive cell degeneration was seen in the striatum, with no significant migration. Induction of neuronal differentiation with increased cyclic adenosine monophosphate in the culture medium before implantation favored differentiation in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrated that survival and differentiation of MSCs is strongly dependent upon a permissive microenvironment. Identification of the pro-neurogenic factors present in the hippocampus could subsequently allow for the integration of stem cells into nonpermissive areas of the central nervous system.
Ultrasound Diagnosis and Staging in Pediatric Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) can affect children, and ultrasound has been proven to be useful in diagnosis and staging. The sonographic characteristics of HS in children have not been reported. We studied color Doppler ultrasound images of children (≤15 years old; n = 12) with clinically and sonographically positive criteria for HS. Sonographic scoring of hidradenitis suppurativa (SOS‐HS) was used to stage the cases sonographically. Subclinical pseudocysts were found in 92% of the cases, fluid collections in 83%, and fistulous tracts in 58%. Retained hair tracts in the fluid collections and fistulous tracts were present in 100% of patients; 67% of cases were SOS‐HS stage II. In 92% of cases, management was modified after the ultrasound examination. In conclusion, ultrasound can be a reliable and safe imaging tool to support diagnosis and staging and may help in the noninvasive monitoring of treatment in children.
Effect of polymer additives on the wetting of impacting droplets.

When a droplet of water impacts a hydrophobic surface, the drop is often observed to bounce. However, for about 10 years it has been known that the addition of very small quantities (approximately 100 ppm) of a flexible polymer such as poly-(ethylene oxide) can completely prevent rebound. This effect has for some time been explained in terms of the stretching of polymer chains by a velocity gradient in the fluid, resulting in a transient increase in the so-called "extensional viscosity. " Here we show, by measuring the fluid velocity inside the impacting drop, that the extensional viscosity plays no role in the antirebound phenomenon. Using fluorescently labeled lambda DNA we demonstrate that the observed effect is due to the stretching of polymer molecules as the droplet edge sweeps the substrate, retarding the movement of the receding contact line.
Chemoprevention of colonic tumorigenesis by dietary hydroxylated polymethoxyflavones in azoxymethane-treated mice.

SCOPE Hydroxylated polymethoxyflavones (PMFs), existing exclusively in citrus genus, have been reported to exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activity. Here we investigated the chemopreventive effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of dietary administration of hydroxylated PMFs in an azoxymethane (AOM)-induced colonic tumorigenesis model. METHODS AND RESULTS Male, Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), mice at age of 6 wk were injected with AOM twice weekly at a dose of 5 mg/kg for 2 wk and continuously fed control diet or diets containing 0.01 and 0.05% hydroxylated PMFs, respectively. Mice were then sacrificed at 6 and 20 wk, and colonic tissues were collected and examined. Hydroxylated PMFs feeding dose-dependently decreased the number of aberrant crypt foci in colonic tissues of mice. More importantly, we found that hydroxylated PMFs caused a strong reduction in numbers of large aberrant crypt foci and tumors in colonic tissue. Molecular analysis exhibited the anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, anti-angiogenic and pro-apoptotic activities of hydroxylated PMFs by significantly decreasing the levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase, cyclin D1 and vascular endothelial growth factor through interfering with Wnt/β-catenin and epidermal growth factor receptor/Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways as well as the activation of transcription factors NF-κB and STAT3 in colonic tissue, thus resulting in suppression of colonic tumorigenesis. CONCLUSION Taken together, these results demonstrated for the first time the in vivo chemopreventive efficacy and molecular mechanisms of dietary hydroxylated PMFs against AOM-induced colonic tumorigenesis.
Comparative analysis of a large panel of non-starch polysaccharides reveals structures with selective regulatory properties in dendritic cells.

SCOPE Structural-based recognition of foreign molecules is essential for activation of dendritic cells (DCs) that play a key role in regulation of gut mucosal immunity. Orally ingested non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) are ascribed many health-promoting properties, but currently we lack insight into the impact of structure and size for their capacity to affect immune responses. METHODS AND RESULTS This study addresses the importance of chemical structure, size, origin and presence of contaminants for the capacity of both dietary and non-food NSP to modulate DC. Of 28 NSP products, β-glucans of microbial and plant origin and the galactomannan guar gum were found to modulate the DC cytokine pattern induced by the Toll-like receptor 4-ligand LPS giving rise to reduced IL-12p70 and increased IL-10 levels, whereas IL-6 production was unaffected. A large proportion of the tested NSP were able to down-regulate LPS-induced IL-12p70 production. The most potent NSP induced up-regulation of CD86 on DC independently of LPS stimulation. Cereal-based β-glucans showed less potency than β-glucans of microbial origin, but proper molecular weight composition and preparation may improve effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, this comparative study revealed that some plant-derived NSP besides those of microbial origin exert modulation of the DC phenotype, with the exact structure being important for the activity.
No evidence for a preferential role of sleep in episodic memory abstraction

Substantial evidence suggests that sleep has a role in declarative memory consolidation. An influential notion holds that such sleep-related memory consolidation is associated with a process of abstraction. The neural underpinnings of this putative process are thought to involve a hippocampo-neocortical dialogue. Specifically, the idea is that, during sleep, the statistical contingencies across episodes are re-coded to a less hippocampus-dependent format, while at the same time losing configural information. Two previous studies from our lab, however, failed to show a preferential role of sleep in either episodic memory decontextualisation or the formation of abstract knowledge across episodic exemplars. Rather these processes occurred over sleep and wake time alike. Here, we present two experiments that replicate and extend these previous studies and exclude some alternative interpretations. The combined data show that sleep has no preferential function in this respect. Rather, hippocampus-dependent memories are generalised to an equal extent across both wake and sleep time. The one point on which sleep outperforms wake is actually the preservation of episodic detail of memories stored prior to sleep.
Molecular structure-affinity relationship of natural polyphenols for bovine γ-globulin.

SCOPE The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction between polyphenols and bovine γ-globulin. METHODS AND RESULTS The relationship between the structural properties of natural polyphenols and their affinities for bovine γ-globulin were investigated by fluorescence titration analysis. Methylation of hydroxyl groups on flavonoids weakened the affinities for γ-globulin by 1.20-38.0 times. Hydroxylation on rings A, B, and C of flavonoids also significantly affected the affinity for γ-globulin. Glycosylation of flavonoids slightly affected the affinity depending on the conjugation site and the class of sugar moiety. Hydrogenation of the C2=C3 double bond on flavonoids decreased the binding affinities. Galloylated catechins and catechol-type catechins exhibited higher binding affinities for γ-globulin than non-galloylated and pyrogallol-type catechins. The glycosylation of resveratrol decreased its affinity for γ-globulin. CONCLUSION The binding process with γ-globulin was strongly influenced by the structural differences of polyphenols.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about malaria among people visiting referral hospitals of Eritrea in 2008

Background: Knowledge, attitudes, awareness, practices and beliefs of communities contribute immensely to sustainable control of endemic diseases such as malaria. Strategic malaria control involves primary prevention which focuses on vector elimination and personal behavior change specifically through the consistent use of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) and prompt and effective case management. This health facility based study was conducted to investigate the knowledge, attitudes and practices toward malaria among people visiting referral Hospitals of Eritrea, so as to develop a cost effective behavioral change communication strategy for community based malaria control. Methods: The study was conducted in the Referral Hospitals of the four Zobas as well as Teseney Hospital where there was the highest malaria morbidity and mortality. A total of 250 people with 50 people from each hospital were randomly selected. A structured questionnaire covering information on respondent demographics, knowledge, attitudes and practices was administered upon receipt of an informed consent for participation. Results: All the study subjects knew at least one of the symptoms of malaria with nearly three quarters mentioning three or more of the classical symptoms including fever. More than 80% knew that mosquitoes were the vector for the disease with a similar proportion having participated in environmental preventive control measures. Nearly half (44.6%) of the respondents gave priority for usage of ITNs to children under 5 years, to both children and pregnant mother and 11.2% to pregnant mothers. Conclusion: The majority of the respondents in this study knew enough information about malaria, and had participated in environmental preventive measures. The primary prevention of malaria through uninterrupted use of ITNs and transformation of knowledge into practices requires emphasis on the development of a community based behavioral change communication strategy. Key words: KAP, malaria, Behavioral change communication strategy, Eritrea, ITNs
Relationship between lunasin's sequence and its inhibitory activity of histones H3 and H4 acetylation.

SCOPE Dysfunction of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) or histone deacetylases (HDACs) involved in histones acetylation has been associated with cancer. Inhibitors of these enzymes are becoming potential targets for new therapies. METHODS AND RESULTS This study reports by Western-Blot analysis, that peptide lunasin is mainly an in vitro inhibitor of histone H4 acetylation by P300/cAMP-response element-binding protein (CBP)-associated factor (PCAF), with IC₅₀ values dependent on the lysine position sensitive to be acetylated (0.83 μM (H4-Lys 8), 1.27 μM (H4-Lys 12) and 0.40 μM (H4-Lys 5, 8, 12, 16)). Lunasin is also capable of inhibiting H3 acetylation (IC₅₀ of 5.91 μM (H3-Lys 9) and 7.81 μM (H3-Lys 9, 14)). Studies on structure-activity relationship establish that lunasin's sequence are essential for inhibiting H4 acetylation whereas poly-D sequence is the main active sequence responsible for H3 acetylation inhibition. Lunasin also inhibits H3 and H4 acetylation and cell proliferation (IC₅₀ of 181 μM) in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Moreover, this peptide decreases expression of cyclins and cyclin dependent kinases-4 and -6, implicated in cell cycle pathways. CONCLUSION Results from this study demonstrates lunasin's role as modulator of histone acetylation and protein expression that might contribute on its chemopreventive properties against breast cancer.
Evaluation of geographically weighted logistic model and mixed effect model in forest fire prediction in northeast China

Introduction Forest fires seriously threaten the safety of forest resources and human beings. Establishing an accurate forest fire forecasting model is crucial for forest fire management. Methods We used different meteorological and vegetation factors as predictors to construct forest fire prediction models for different fire prevention periods in Heilongjiang Province in northeast China. The logistic regression (LR) model, mixed-effect logistic (mixed LR) model, and geographically weighted logistic regression (GWLR) model were developed and evaluated respectively. Results The results showed that (1) the validation accuracies of the LR model were 77.25 and 81.76% in spring and autumn fire prevention periods, respectively. Compared with the LR model, both the mixed LR and GWLR models had significantly improved the fit and validated results, and the GWLR model performed best with an increase of 6.27 and 10.98%, respectively. (2) The three models were ranked as LR model < mixed LR model < GWLR model in predicting forest fire occurrence of Heilongjiang Province. The medium-and high-risk areas of forest fire predicted by the GWLR model were distributed in western and eastern parts of Heilongjiang Province in spring, and western part in autumn, which was consistent with the observed data. (3) Driving factors had strong temporal and spatial heterogeneities; different factors had different effects on forest fire occurrence in different time periods. The relationship between driving factors and forest fire occurrence varied from positive to negative correlations, whether it’s spring or autumn fire prevention period. Discussion The GWLR model has advantages in explaining the spatial variation of different factors and can provide more reliable forest fire predictions.