Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Iatrogenic perforation of a Zenker's diverticulum with a nasogastric tube

A Zenker's diverticulum (ZD) is a herniation of the proximal oesophagus. Patients often have complaints of swallowing or regurgitation, but the diverticulum can also be asymptomatic. We present the case of a patient with an undiagnosed ZD. The ZD was discovered after a nasogastric tube perforated the diverticulum and pleural fluid was aspirated through the tube. We discuss the patho- physiology, diagnosis and treatment of a ZD, as well as methods of confirming correct placement of nasogastric tubes.
Serum interleukin-23 levels in patients with ulcerative colitis.

BACKGROUND Patients with ulcerative colitis are at increased risk of inflammation. Interleukin 23 (IL-23) is a newly identified cytokine with increased expression in inflamed biopsies of colon mucosa in patients with Crohn's disease; however, there is inconsistent evidence on its role in ulcerative colitis. OBJECTIVE We aimed to compare serum IL-23 level in patients with ulcerative colitis and normal controls and determine if serum IL-23 level increases with the severity of disease according to endoscopic findings. METHODS We quantified serum IL-23 levels from 60 patients with ulcerative colitis and 20 control individuals. All patients underwent endoscopic procedure to define the severity of disease. Patients were then stratified into 2 groups of "Mild" and "Severe" according to the endoscopic findings. RESULTS For comparison of serum IL-23 levels, Platelet count, ESR and CRP between the groups, Mann-Whitney U test and independent sample t test were employed, as appropriate. Pearson's and spearman's correlation tests were employed to test the association of IL-23 with platelet count, CRP and ESR in patients. Our findings showed that serum IL-23 levels were increased in patients with ulcerative colitis compared to normal controls. Moreover, patients in "Severe" group had higher serum IL-23 levels and ESR compared with those in "Mild" group. There was no significant sexual dimorphism in any of studied variables. CONCLUSION We suggest that IL-23 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis and is a marker of disease activity in these patients.
Searching for Neuroglobin's role in the brain

Neuroglobin is a small globin that plays an important role in the protection of brain neurons from ischemic and hypoxic injuries. The molecular mechanisms by which Ngb performs its physiological function are still under debate. Suggestions include oxygen storage and delivery, scavenging of NO and/or reactive oxygen species, oxygen sensing and signal transduction. In recent years, the molecular structures of Ngb with carbon monoxide bound to the heme iron and without an exogenous ligand have been solved, and interesting structural changes have been noticed upon ligand binding. Moreover, equilibrium and kinetic properties of the reactions with ligands have been examined in great detail. Here we summarize the molecular properties of Ngb and discuss them in relation to the potential physiological functions.
A 1.5-V Current Mirror Double-Balanced Mixer With 10-dBm IIP3 and 9.5-dB Conversion Gain

This brief presents the design of a double-balanced mixer for linearity-stringent communication systems. The pro- posed mixer is based on a current-mirror structure embedded with a switching pair. By utilizing the linear duplication characteristic of current mirrors, an improved linearity is achieved. The mixer is designed and fabricated in 0.18-μm 1P6M radio-frequency CMOS process, operating in the frequency band from 0.5 to 3 GHz. Measurement results indicate a peak conversion gain of 9.5 dB, a high input 3rd order intercept point (IIP3) of 10 dBm and a moderate noise figure (NF) of 16.5 dB. In addition, due to the folded structure, the mixer can be applicable in low-supply-voltage applications. The whole mixer has a compact die area of 0.1 mm2, and the power dissipation is 5.4 mW under 1.5-V supply voltage.
Adolescents and young adults with down syndrome presenting to a medical clinic with depression: Co‐morbid obstructive sleep apnea

Adolescents and young adults with Down syndrome (DS) sometimes experience new‐onset mood disorder and decline in adaptive skills. The clinical phenomenon is poorly characterized and its pathogenesis is not understood. The possible contribution of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) to this phenomenon has not been studied. Subjects were ascertained as a convenience sample through our clinic for persons with DS and medical or mental health concerns between 2004 and 2009. When mood symptoms were present an axis I diagnosis was made using DSM‐IV‐R criteria. Subjects without an axis I diagnosis served as controls. The Reiss scales for children's dual diagnosis and the aberrant behavior checklist (ABC) were completed by caretakers. Twenty‐eight cases meeting criteria for major depressive episode (MDE) and nine controls without psychopathology were referred for overnight polysomnography (PSG). Functional decline was reported in 19 (68%) of cases with MDE, but none of the controls. Twenty‐four (86%) cases had OSAS compared with only 4 (44%) of controls. Moderate–severe OSAS was present in 15 (54%) of cases compared to only 1 (11%) of controls. Intermittent sleep‐associated hypoxia and REM sleep deficits were also more frequent in cases. Across all subjects, prior tonsillectomy was not related to the presence or absence of OSAS. Our findings suggest that OSAS may be a common co‐morbidity in adolescents and younger adults with DS and depression. Recognition of this association maybe critical to understanding the pathogenesis and management of mood‐related disorders, and functional decline in affected individuals. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Study on high impedance fault arcing current characteristics

The high impedance fault (HIF) is still one of most challenging problem for electrical engineers for its difficulty to be detected and discriminated accurately and reliably. There is a need for accurate and reliable modeling of arcing since arcing is usually associated with HIFs. In this paper, the HIF detection methods and arc modeling development are reviewed. HIF arcing experiments are also set up to investigate the features of HIF arcing in time domain preliminarily.
Toward Integrating Psyche and Soma: Psychoanalysis and Neurobiology *

The brain is the “key organ” for understanding mind/body/illness relationships. During the past two decades neurobiological research has generated a plethora of new data and concepts which have increased tremendously our knowledge of the functioning brain. As a result the psychoanalytic view of the relationship between mind and brain may seem at risk of becoming outmoded. Yet while psychoanalytic theory may no longer be wholly tenable, psychoanalysis continues to offer interesting and heuristically valuable isomorphic models of cortical function. On the other hand neurobiology provides a corrective influence on psychoanalytic concept-building, causing theory to be refined as it is tested against the results of research. One possible result of interdisciplinary cross-fertilization is that a revised theory of the function of dreams and fantasy may throw light on the vicissitudes of somatic experience, and the pathogenesis of psychophysiological disorder.
Assessment of interrelationship between poverty and blindness in Maiduguri, Nigeria.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE To assess the possible role of poverty as a cause and a consequence of blindness among blind individuals in Maiduguri, Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eighty-five consenting blind individuals living within 4 wards of Maiduguri had ocular examination to determine the cause of their blindness with a view to determining the avoidable nature (preventable and/or curable, were adequate resources available) of their blindness. A semi-structured questionnaire which captured their demographic data, antecedents of blindness and interventions (medical and rehabilitative) sought, access to welfare support services was also administered. Socio-economic status of the respondents was explored through information sought on educational attainment, employment status, means of livelihood, possession of personal assets, and estimates of monthly income. RESULTS Blindness from the main causes were avoidable as they were either curable (cataract 41, 48%) or preventable (xerophthalmia 20, 23.5%; glaucoma 12, 14.1%; and trachoma 5, 5.1%). Only 8.2% of the subjects were employed, majority (75.3%) roamed the streets begging; and 69% lived on less than a dollar a day. Over three-quarters had no access to any form of welfare support. Majority (70.6%) did not have any personal asset. More than two-thirds had no formal education and over three-quarters had no access to health services. CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATION: The avoidable nature of blindness in 78 (90%) of the subjects implicates poverty as a causative factor. In turn, the subjects' subsequent existence in poverty and destitution appear directly related to their blindness. We recommend an effective and comprehensive eye care service, and an intensification of poverty-alleviation measures.
A consensus on criteria for cure of acromegaly.

OBJECTIVE The Acromegaly Consensus Group met in April 2009 to revisit the guidelines on criteria for cure as defined in 2000. PARTICIPANTS Participants included 74 neurosurgeons and endocrinologists with extensive experience of treating acromegaly. EVIDENCE/CONSENSUS PROCESS: Relevant assays, biochemical measures, clinical outcomes, and definition of disease control were discussed, based on the available published evidence, and the strength of consensus statements was rated. CONCLUSIONS Criteria to define active acromegaly and disease control were agreed, and several significant changes were made to the 2000 guidelines. Appropriate methods of measuring and achieving disease control were summarized.
Management Earnings Forecasts and Subsequent Price Formation

This paper examines price formation subsequent to management forecasts of quarterly earnings. Consistent with prior studies, we find that the short-term market reaction to bad news forecasts is much larger than that to good news forecasts. Examining returns in the post-guidance period, we find a significant upward drift for both good and bad news forecasts. The asymmetry in the initial market response and the subsequent upward drift in stock prices are consistent with a reversal of an initial overreaction to managers’ bad news forecasts and a continuation of an initial under-reaction to managers’ good news forecasts. This interpretation is supported by a negative (positive) relationship between the immediate market reaction and the post-guidance drift in the conservative (optimistic) group. The postguidance drift in turn is systematically associated with the market’s reaction to actual earnings announcements it attenuates investors’ response to surprises in actual earnings. Examination of the robustness of the post-guidance drift shows that it persists after controlling for risk-based corrections, calendar time clustering of announcements and stock price drifts associated with prior or subsequent actual earnings announcements. Trading strategies exploiting the post-guidance drift suggest the existence of economically significant trading profits, net of trading costs. Evidence of a positive relationship between the magnitude of the drift and changes in trading volumes and costs suggests information asymmetry during the event period as a potential determinant of the drift. However, the magnitude of the drift and the profitability of the trading strategies remain a puzzle. JEL Classification Code: G14, G30, M41
Further development of the β‐lactamase MutaGen assay and evaluation by comparison with Ames fluctuation tests and the umu test

A rapid, high‐throughput bacterial mutagenicity test system has been developed (MutaGen test) that detects reversions of inactivating base‐pair substitutions and frameshifts in a TEM‐1 class A β‐lactamase (ampicillinase) gene. To quickly and sensitively detect mutagens, the system utilises a series of plasmids that contain the mutated ampicillinase gene and the mucAB operon. Inactivating mutations in the ampicillinase gene include frameshifts integrated into repetitive GC‐sequences and G‐runs known to be mutagenic hot‐spots, and base‐pair substitutions inserted in or around the β‐lactamase active site. Frameshift mutations completely inactivated the enzyme only when located downstream of the active‐site serine (Ser68). Previous (reporter gene based) assays with this system have detected reversion to ampicillin resistance by luminescence driven by induction of the tet‐promotor controlled lacZ gene. In the present study, we describe the construction and evaluation of 19 additional potential tester strains. We also developed conditions for detecting reversions by pH shift using bromocresol purple and by directly detecting the enzymatic activity of β‐lactamase using nitrocefin. A 384‐well format version of the pH shift MutaGen test was used to assay more than 20 chemicals. The responses in the assay were compared with responses for the same chemicals in the umu test and Ames fluctuation assays. The results indicate that the MutaGen test has high specificity for detecting specific mutations and, in some instances, better sensitivity than the other tests. Since the test is easy to conduct, sterile working conditions are not necessary, and the mutagenicity results are available either within one working day or overnight, the assay shows promise for the rapid screening of potentially genotoxic substances. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Startup circuit training program reduces metabolic risk in Latino adolescents.

PURPOSE This study aimed to test the effects of a circuit training (CT; aerobic + strength training) program, with and without motivational interviewing (MI) behavioral therapy, on reducing adiposity and type 2 diabetes risk factors in Latina teenagers. METHODS Thirty-eight Latina adolescents (15.8 ± 1.1 yr) who are overweight/obese were randomly assigned to control (C; n = 12), CT (n = 14), or CT + MI (n = 12). The CT classes were held twice a week (60-90 min) for 16 wk. The CT + MI group also received individual or group MI sessions every other week. The following were measured before and after intervention: strength by one-repetition maximum; cardiorespiratory fitness (V·O 2max) by submaximal treadmill test; physical activity by accelerometry; dietary intake by records; height, weight, waist circumference; total body composition by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; visceral adipose tissue, subcutaneous adipose tissue, and hepatic fat fraction by magnetic resonance imaging; and glucose/insulin indices by fasting blood draw. Across-intervention group effects were tested using repeated-measures ANOVA with post hoc pairwise comparisons. RESULTS CT and CT + MI participants, compared with controls, significantly increased fitness (+16% and +15% vs -6%, P = 0.03) and leg press (+40% vs +20%, P = 0.007). Compared with controls, CT participants also decreased waist circumference (-3% vs +3%; P < 0.001), subcutaneous adipose tissue (-10% vs 8%, P = 0.04), visceral adipose tissue (-10% vs +6%, P = 0.05), fasting insulin (-24% vs +6%, P = 0.03), and insulin resistance (-21% vs -4%, P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS CT may be an effective starter program to reduce fat depots and improve insulin resistance in Latino youth who are overweight/obese, whereas the additional MI therapy showed no additive effect on these health outcomes.
Practice Transfer in Organizations: The Role of Governance Mode for Internal and External Fit

This study leverages multinational corporations (MNCs) as a research context to advance our understanding of the relationship between internal and external fit over the course of the transfer of organizational practices. While internal fit describes the important condition that a practice should be aligned with organizational goals and must gain support internally, external fit refers to an additional condition for successful transfer, namely, that a particular practice must gain and sustain support and legitimacy in the environment. Studying two German MNCs transferring apprenticeship-based training to foreign operations in the United States, this paper starts from the key observation that organizations can use different governance modes to organize the transfer process: they may either go it alone and organize transfer in a hierarchy mode, or they may partner up with other organizations and form an interorganizational network for transfer. Using rich qualitative data, this paper finds that different gov.
The effect of anticonvulsant therapy upon the absorption of folates.

1. The absorption of orally administered pteroylmonoglutamate and pteroyltetraglutamate, measured as peak rise in serum folate levels, was examined in normal volunteers and in epileptic patients on anticonvulsant drugs. 2. Although the fasting serum folate levels were low in the patients, they absorbed the two folate forms as well as the volunteers did and there was no difference between the absorption of pteroylmonoglutamate and pteroyltetraglutamate. 3. The findings indicate that the folate deficiency, caused by anticonvulsant drugs is not due to interference with the intestinal conjugase or the mechanism of absorption in itself.
Residual Neuromuscular Blockade and Upper Airway Muscles

We appreciate the opportunity to review and respond to the letter to the editor by Culp, Brewster, and Wernicki, in response to our review article. We thank the authors for their complimentary remarks. We are also pleased that they chose to respond and emphasize the need for prevention and rescue of drowning persons to further improve the survival rate from this disaster. They make the point that it is far more efficient and effective to prevent or interrupt the drowning process than to treat it after it renders the patient unconscious or even lifeless. We agree fully. Unfortunately, not all swimming pools have lifeguards in attendance. Further, although we believe that most lifeguards are superb in fulfilling their responsibilities, not all lifeguards are fully trained in lifesaving technique and basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation. In our experience, we have reviewed cases where some lifeguards did not give their undivided attention to their lifeguarding duties, whereas others were very lax in fulfilling their responsibilities. Still others tolerate pools with inadequate maintenance to where the pools themselves presented a hazard to swimmers. We endorse the authors concluding paragraph “Drowning is a global problem that can be dramatically reduced by teaching people how to swim, by encouraging swimming in lifeguarded areas, and by improving field resuscitation techniques. Promoting attention to the entire continuum of the drowning prevention spectrum will result in the best possible outcome. ” We would add, however, that lifeguards should receive proper, extensive formal training, leading to certification as a lifesaver and in basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Further, lifeguards should remain conscientious and vigilant in carrying out their duties and in providing continuous attention to their responsibilities at all times.
Biological monitoring among benzene-exposed workers in Bangalore city, India

Abstract Environmental and biological monitoring was carried out in the winter season of 2004 for 30 gasoline station workers (study subjects) and 30 office workers (controls) of Bangalore city, India. Personal air sampling was carried out in the breathing zone of workers using an Anasorb CSC sorbent tube (SKC 226-01) fitted to the low-flow personal samplers (PCXR4 and pocket pump Model No. 210-1002) at a flow rate of 200 ml min−1 during the shift work of 8 h. The benzene content adsorbed in the sorbent tube (SKC 226-01) was desorbed with 1 ml of benzene-free carbon disulfide on a developing vibrator and later analysed by Trace GC fitted with MXT-624 column and flame ionization detector. The mean time weighted average benzene concentration found among study and controls was 1.10±1.08 and 0.070±0.035 mg m−3, respectively. Biological monitoring for benzene exposure was performed by measuring trans,trans muconic acid (t,t-MA) in the end shift urine samples using HPLC-UV technique. End-shift urine samples (1 ml) were adjusted to pH 7–9 with phosphate buffer pH 7.4 passed through the preconditioned Q-SAX anion-exchange cartridge and the (t,t-MA) is extracted with 10% acetic acid and later analysed by HPLC-UV detection The mean t,t-MA found among study and controls were 563.16±281.81 and 266.88±110.65 µg g−1 creatinine. About 50% of the study subjects (15) have higher t,t-MA values than the biological exposure index of the American Conference of Government Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH). Correlation is significant at 5% level (p<0.05) between personal air benzene concentration and urinary t,t-MA in the study group. Based on these findings, the t,t-MA can be used as a biomarker for benzene exposure.
Temperature correction of radiometric and geometric models for an uncooled CCD camera in the near infrared

This paper presents radiometric and geometric models for both temperature and displacement noncontact measurements using an uncooled charge-coupled device (CCD) video camera. Such techniques ("one sensor-two measures") represent an interest in many industrial low cost applications and scientific domains. To benefit from both measurements, we have to use the camera's spectral response in the near infrared spectral band from 0.75 to 1.1 /spl mu/m. In this spectral band, the temperature variations of an uncooled CCD camera are taken into account in the radiometric and geometric models. By using physical models for CCD camera, we quantify detector's quantum efficiency, sensor noise and spatial resolution as a function of the wavelength and of the detector temperature. These models are confirmed by experimental results of calibration with a low cost uncooled camera based on a Sony detector and operating over the detector temperature range of -30 to -50/spl deg/.
Detection of antibodies to Legionella pneumophila in immune guinea pig serum by solid-phase immunofluorescence

A semiautomated solid-phase immunofluorescence apparatus (FIAX; International Diagnostic Technology, Santa Clara, Calif.) was utilized to develop a rapid method for detection of antibody to Legionella pneumophila. The sera from guinea pigs immunized with a mixture of killed L. pneumophila and Freund complete adjuvant displayed markedly enhanced antibody activity as measured by FIAX when compared with that obtained from adjuvant-injected or unimmunized animals. A correlation was observed between FIAX net fluorescence units and microagglutination titers of serum samples obtained from immunized animals. Within-run and between-run coefficients of variation performed on selected immune serum samples were low. These results demonstrated that the FIAX method could readily and reproducibly detect Legionella-specific antibodies in the sera of actively immunized animals and suggest the possibility of a broader application of FIAX in the serological detection of exposure to L. pneumophila antigen.