Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Frequency specificity and left-ear advantage of medial olivocochlear efferent modulation: a study based on stimulus frequency otoacoustic emission

The medial olivocochlear (MOC) bundle is an auditory nucleus that projects efferent nerve fibers to the outer hair cells (OHCs) for synaptic innervation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible existence of frequency and ear specificity in MOC efferent modulation, as well as how MOC activation influences cochlear tuning. Stimulus frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) were used to study MOC efferent modulation. Therefore, the current experiment was designed to compare the degree of SFOAE suppression in the both ears of 20 individuals at 1, 2, 4, and 8 kHz. We also compared changes in Q10 values of SFOAE suppression tuning curves at 1, 2, and 4 kHz under contralateral acoustic stimulation (CAS) and no-CAS conditions. We observed a significant reduction in SFOAE magnitude in the CAS condition compared with the no-CAS condition at 1 and 2 kHz in the left ear. A significant difference in CAS suppression was also found between the left and right ears at 1 and 2 kHz, with larger CAS suppression in the left ear. CAS further produced a statistically significant increase in the Q10 value at 1 kHz and a significant reduction in Q10 values at 2 and 4 kHz. These findings suggest a left-ear advantage in terms of CAS-induced MOC efferent SFOAE suppression, with larger MOC efferent modulation for lower frequencies, and cochlear tuning was sharpened by means of MOC activation at lower frequencies and broadened at higher frequencies.
Pain‐related unscheduled contact with healthcare services after outpatient surgery

This prospective, observational study explored the need for pain‐related unscheduled contact with healthcare services after outpatient surgery. We hypothesised that 10% of outpatients would have pain‐related unscheduled contact with healthcare services, and that the incidence would differ depending on the type of surgical procedure. In total, 905 patients who had undergone one of five common outpatient surgical procedures (knee or shoulder arthroscopy, surgical correction of hallux valgus, laparoscopic cholecystectomy or laparoscopic gynaecological procedures) completed an electronic questionnaire one week and eight weeks after surgery. Data from 732 patients (81%) were available for analysis. Within the first eight weeks after surgery, 150 patients (20.5%) had made unscheduled contact with healthcare professionals, in 247 cases due to pain that was most frequent in the first postoperative week. Risk factors were female sex, unemployment and laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The most frequent healthcare contact was with the general practitioner (46.4%), and the most frequent outcome was further information and guidance (41.2%). We have demonstrated that a minority of patients still needed to make contact with health services after outpatient surgery, most often due to inadequate pain management. This finding should be considered when planning postoperative monitoring and care, and developing postoperative patient education.
Ribavirin for respiratory syncytial virus infection of the lower respiratory tract in infants and young children.

BACKGROUND Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of lower respiratory tract infection in infants and is responsible for 100,000 hospitalizations annually. Ribavirin is approved for treatment of these infections, but its use is controversial because of questions about its efficacy, concerns about occupational exposure, and its high cost. OBJECTIVES The objective of this review is to assess the efficacy of aerosolized ribavirin for infants and children with lower respiratory tract infection due to RSV. SEARCH STRATEGY We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2004), MEDLINE (January 1975 to January week 3, 2004) and EMBASE (January 1990 to December 2003). We scanned reference lists of articles and contacted experts in the field. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomized trials comparing ribavirin with placebo in infants and children with RSV infection and lower respiratory tract infection. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. Unpublished data were requested from authors when necessary. MAIN RESULTS Twelve trials were included. All trials enrolled infants below the age of six months. In four trials with 158 patients, mortality with ribavirin was 5.8% compared with 9.7% with placebo (odds ratio (OR) 0.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.18 to 1.85). In three trials with 116 patients the probability of respiratory deterioration with ribavirin was 7.1% compared with 18.3% with placebo (OR 0.37; 95% CI 0.12 to 1.18). In three studies with 104 ventilated patients, the weighted mean difference in days of hospitalization was 1.9 fewer days with ribavirin (95% CI -4.6 to +0.9) and the weighted mean difference in days of ventilation was 1.8 fewer days with ribavirin (95% CI -3.4 to -0.2). No statistically significant differences in long-term pulmonary function or in incidence of recurrent wheezing following RSV infection were associated with the use of ribavirin. REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS Trials of ribavirin for RSV lack sufficient power to provide reliable estimates of the effects. The cumulative results of three small trials show that ribavirin may reduce the duration of mechanical ventilation and may reduce days of hospitalization. In addition, use of ribavirin may be associated with a decrease in the long-term incidence of recurrent wheezing following RSV disease. A large randomized controlled trial of ribavirin for ventilated and other high-risk patients is indicated.
Time trend analysis of primary tumor resection for stage IV colorectal cancer: less surgery, improved survival.

IMPORTANCE With the advent of effective modern chemotherapeutic and biologic agents, primary tumor resection for patients with stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) may not be routinely necessary. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the secular patterns of primary tumor resection use in stage IV CRC in the United States. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A retrospective cohort study using data from the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results CRC registry. Demographic and clinical factors were compared for 64,157 patients diagnosed with stage IV colon or rectal cancer from January 1, 1988, through December 31, 2010, who had undergone primary tumor resection and those who had not. Rates of primary tumor resection and median relative survival were calculated for each year. Joinpoint regression analysis was used to determine when a significant change in trend in the primary tumor resection rate had occurred. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with primary tumor resection. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Difference in primary tumor resection rates over time. RESULTS Of the 64,157 patients with stage IV CRC, 43,273 (67.4%) had undergone primary tumor resection. The annual rate of primary tumor resection decreased from 74.5% in 1988 to 57.4% in 2010 (P<.001), and a significant annual percentage change occurred between 1998-2001 and 2001-2010 (-0.41% vs -2.39%; P<.001). Factors associated with primary tumor resection were age younger than 50 years, female sex, being married, higher tumor grade, and presence of colon tumors. Median relative survival rate improved from 8.6% in 1988 to 17.8% in 2009 (P<.001); the annual percentage change was 2.18% in 1988-2001 and 5.43% in 1996-2009 (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The majority of patients with stage IV CRC had undergone primary tumor resection but, beginning in 2001, a trend toward fewer primary tumor resections was seen. Despite the decreasing primary tumor resection rate, patient survival rates improved. However, primary tumor resection may still be overused, and current treatment practices lag behind evidence-based treatment guidelines.
Musculoskeletal disorders self-reported by dentists in Queensland, Australia.

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent an important occupational health issue in dentistry. Given the significance of this topic, we considered it necessary to investigate the prevalence and impact of MSD among Australian dentists. METHODS In 2004, a self-reporting questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of 400 dentists registered with the Queensland Branch of the Australian Dental Association. RESULTS A total of 285 questionnaires (73.1 per cent) were completed and returned. Of the respondents, 73.3 per cent were male and 26.7 per cent female, with a mean age of 45.2 years (SD = 11.9 years). Most were general dentists (89.1 per cent), with the remainder being specialists (10.9 per cent). Most dentists (87.2 per cent) reported having experienced at least one MSD symptom in the past 12 months. The most prevalent MSD during the previous 12 months were reported at the neck (57.5 per cent), lower back (53.7 per cent) and shoulder (53.3 per cent). MSD which interfered with daily activities during the previous 12 months were reported at the neck (24.6 per cent), the lower back (22.1 per cent) and the shoulders (21.8 per cent). Over one-third (37.5 per cent) of dentists had sought medical advice or treatment for an MSD during the previous 12-month period. Almost 1 in 10 dentists (9.1 per cent) reported taking leave in the previous 12 months because of an MSD. Among those who took sick leave for an MSD, the mean time taken was 11.5 days (SD = 16.0 days). CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study suggests that MSD represents a major occupational health issue for Queensland dentists, the occurrence of which is similar to reports from other countries. MSD was shown to interfere with daily activities in some cases, while a considerable proportion of dentists had also sought medical attention for their symptoms. Further research is now needed to more carefully elucidate the impact of MSD in this particular occupational group, especially in relation to cessation or reduction of clinical practice, and also to help identify specific risk factors and effective measures for reducing MSD among dentists in Queensland and elsewhere.
Evidence for an Exaggerated Postprandial Lipemia in Chronic Paraplegia

Abstract Background/Objective: Excessive delay in triglyceride (TG) metabolism after ingestion of dietary fatrepresents a significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The objective of this study was to compare thepostprandial lipemic responses of individuals with paraplegia with those of healthy nondisabled individuals. Methods: The ability of 3 recreationally active individuals with paraplegia having normal fasting TG(mean= 103 mg/dl) to metabolize TG after ingestion of a high-fat test meal was compared with apreviously published cohort of 21 recreationally active individuals without paraplegia (TG mean= 86 mg/dl)who underwent identical testing. The subjects with paraplegia had venous blood taken under fastingconditions, and then ingested a milkshake containing premium ice cream blended with heavy whippingcream(~ 92% of calories from fat). Additional blood samples were obtained at 2, 4, and 6 hours afteringestion. The area under the curve (AUC) for TG clearance for both subject groups was measured with anarea planimeter. Results: TG uptake for both groups was almost identical for the first 2 hours after ingestion. At 4 and 6 hoursafter ingestion, the TG levels were 50 and 35 mg/dl higher, respectively, in subjects with paraplegia than innondisabled subjects. When corrected for small baseline differences in TG concentrations (16 mg/dl), theAUC was 46.5% greater for the group with paraplegia than in the nondisabled group. A near mirrorassociation across time was observed between postprandial serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) and TG levels in subjects with paraplegia. Conclusion: This case series finds an exaggerated postprandial lipemia (PPL) in persons with paraplegiawith normal fasting TGs. This finding is the first evidence, in a small population, of an unreported potentialCVD risk in persons with paraplegia.
Prospective randomized study of intensity-modulated radiotherapy on salivary gland function in early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.

PURPOSE This randomized trial compared the rates of delayed xerostomia between two-dimensional radiation therapy (2DRT) and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the treatment of early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). PATIENTS AND METHODS Between November 2001 and December 2003, 60 patients with T1-2bN0-1M0 NPC were randomly assigned to receive either IMRT or 2DRT. Primary end point was incidence of observer-rated severe xerostomia at 1 year after treatment based on Radiotherapy Oncology Group /European Organisation for the Research and Treatment of Cancer late radiation morbidity scoring criteria. Parallel assessment with patient-reported outcome, stimulated parotid flow rate (SPFR), and stimulated whole saliva flow rate (SWSFR) were also made. RESULTS At 1 year after treatment, patients in IMRT arm had lower incidence of observer-rated severe xerostomia than patients in the 2DRT arm (39.3% v 82.1%; P = .001), parallel with a higher fractional SPFR (0.90 v 0.05; P < .0001), and higher fractional SWSFR (0.41 v 0.20; P = .001). As for patient's subjective feeling, although a trend of improvement in patient-reported outcome was observed after IMRT, recovery was incomplete and there was no significant difference in patient-reported outcome between the two arms. CONCLUSION IMRT is superior to 2DRT in preserving parotid function and results in less severe delayed xerostomia in the treatment of early-stage NPC. Incomplete improvement in patient's subjective xerostomia with parotid-sparing IMRT reflects the need to enhance protection of other salivary glands.
Firm performance, corporate governance and executive compensation in Pakistan

ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of firm performance and corporate governance on chief executive officer (CEO) compensation in an emerging market, Pakistan. Using a more robust Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimation approach for a sample of non-financial firms listed at Karachi Stock Exchange over the period 2005–2012, we find that both current- and previous-year accounting performances has positive influence on CEO compensation. However, stock market performance does not appear to have a positive impact on executive compensation. We further find that ownership concentration is positively related with CEO compensation, indicating some kind of collusion between management and largest shareholder to get personal benefits. Inconsistent with agency theory, CEO duality appears to have a negative influence, while board size and board independence have no convincing relationship with CEO compensation, indicating board ineffectiveness in reducing CEO entrenchment. The results of dynamic GMM model suggest that CEO pay is highly persistent and takes time to adjust to long-run equilibrium.
Induction of Chondrocyte Apoptosis Following Impact Load

Objective To investigate the presence and extent of chondrocyte apoptosis following impact load of articular cartilage in an in vivo model. Design An in vivo animal model, using a pendulum device and New Zealand White rabbits, was designed to study the effects of impact load on the development of chondrocyte apoptosis. Animals were placed into either a High Impact group or a Low Impact group, and the right medial femoral condyle was impacted with a single impact load. A sham operation was performed on the left limb, and this cartilage served as the control. Setting Academic medical center. Participants New Zealand White rabbits (3 months). Intervention Impact load to the right medial femoral condyle. Main Outcome Measures Three different methods were used to assess the presence and extent of chondrocyte apoptosis: 1) light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin and terminal dUTP nick end labeling staining); 2) transmission electron microscopy; and 3) fluorescent microscopy with Hoechst 33342 staining. Secondary outcome measures included determination of the magnitude of impact force and time to peak force. Results Light microscopy demonstrated chondrocytes with changes consistent with apoptosis including condensed nuclei, deep eosinophilic cytoplasmic staining, and vacuolization within the impacted specimens. Terminal dUTP nick end labeling staining-stained specimens had a high degree of positively stained cells (60%) in both injured and uninjured specimens. Transmission electron microscopy of the impacted specimens demonstrated numerous chondrocytes with changes characteristic of apoptosis, including nuclear and cellular fragmentation, volume shrinkage, and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Eleven percent of the cells in the High Impact group had changes consistent with apoptosis, versus 3% for the low impact group and <1% for the sham specimens. The High Impact group received a statistically significant greater stress than the Low Impact group. Impact group (P < 0.05), and the average time to peak force was 0.021 seconds for each impact group. Conclusions The current data strongly indicate that in vivo chondrocyte apoptosis can be stimulated by the application of a single, rapid impact load and that the extent of chondrocyte apoptosis is related to the amount of load applied. The contribution chondrocyte apoptosis makes to the development of posttraumatic arthritis following joint injury or intra-articular fracture still remains to be determined.
Microscopic agglutination and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analyses of oral anaerobic spirochetes

Microscopic agglutination (MA) analysis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were used to determine strain and species similarities and dissimilarities among three species of oral anaerobic spirochetes, Treponema denticola, Treponema pectinovorum, and Treponema vincentii. The MA analysis revealed a diversity of serologic reactivity or sharing of common antigens within each species. However, there was no cross-reactivity or sharing of common antigens among the three species. Distinct SDS-PAGE whole-cell electrophoretograms for each species were obtained. The banding patterns for 16 T. denticola strains revealed 30 distinct proteins, while the banding patterns for 5 strains of T. pectinovorum and 2 strains of T. vincentii revealed 26 and 35 distinct proteins, respectively. Analysis of the electrophoretograms showed that their respective banding patterns could be used to distinguish the three species from one another. In addition, strain differences within each species could be detected. There was a correlation between MA analysis and SDS-PAGE analysis. It is thus suggested that both MA and SDS-PAGE analysis be included in classification schemes for the identification of oral spirochetes.
A case-control study of occupational and environmental risk factors for Parkinson's disease in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy.

A questionnaire-based case-control study was carried out on 86 patients with neurologist-confirmed idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 86 controls similar in sex and age. The control group was recruited in outpatient specialist centers of the same University Hospital (glaucoma, psoriasis vulgaris, essential arterial hypertension and renal diseases). Exposure was defined as occupational or residential contact with a given factor for at least 10 consecutive years prior to the onset of PD. Smoking habits were defined by exclusion of those subjects who never smoked. The following risk factors were identified: cranial trauma (OR: 2.88; 95% CI: 0.98-8.49), well water use (OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.46-5.28) and occupational exposure to industrial chemicals (OR: 2.13; 95% CI: 1.16-3.91). Among industrial chemicals, only organic solvents were identified as significant risk factors for PD (O.R. : 2.78, 95% C.I. : 1.23-6.26). Whereas no exposure to neurotoxic metals occurred among controls, making the assessment of the O.R. impossible, exposure pesticides and herbicides was similar in the two groups (O.R. : 1.15; 95% C. : 0.56-2-36). Smoking habits was negatively associated with PD (OR: 0.41; 95% CI: 0.22-0.75), confirming the "protective" role of tobacco smoking suggested by many studies. As a whole, these results support the role of environmental factors in the etiology of PD.
Intracellular signalling by nucleotide receptors in PC12 pheochromocytoma cells

The effect of extracellular ATP was studied in PC12 cells, a neurosecretory line that releases ATP. The addition of micromolar concentrations of ATP to PC12 cells evoked a transient increase in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), as measured with the Ca2+‐dye fura 2. AMP and adenosine were without effect, ruling out the involvement of P1 receptors in mediating this response. The increase in [Ca2+]i was reduced in calcium‐free media and virtually eliminated by the addition of EGTA, suggesting that calcium influx was the primary response initiated by extracellular ATP. Nucleotide triphosphates such as UTP and, to a lesser degree, ITP also evoked an increase in [Ca2+]i while GTP and CTP had little effect. In order to identify the receptor subtype mediating this response, the efficacy of ATP and ATP cogeners was assessed. The rank order potency was ATP > adenosine 5′‐[γ‐thio]triphosphate > ADP > 2‐methylthioadenosine triphosphate (2‐MeSATP) ∼ adenosine 5′‐[β‐thio]diphosphate ≫ adenosine 5′‐[αβ‐methylene] triphosphate, adenosine 5′‐[βγ‐imido]triphosphate. This profile is not characteristic of either the P2X or the conventional P2Y receptors. The Ca2+ response exhibited desensitization to ATP that was dependent on the extracellular metabolism of ATP. UTP was equally effective in desensitizing the response. ATP, UTP, ITP, and to a much lesser extent 2MeSATP increased inositol phosphate production in a dose‐dependent manner, suggesting receptor coupling to phosphatidylinositol‐specific phospholipase C. These data are consistent with the view that PC12 cells express a class of non‐P2Y nucleotide receptors (P2N) that mediate calcium influx and the accumulation of inositol phosphates. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
COMT polymorphisms affecting protein expression are risk factors for endometrial cancer

In estrogen metabolic pathways, the COMT enzyme is related to detoxification. COMT gene polymorphisms have been shown to effect enzyme function. We hypothesized that these polymorphisms may be risk factors for endometrial cancer (EC). DNA samples from 150 cases of EC and healthy controls (n = 165) were analyzed by PCR‐RFLP to determine the genotypic frequency of four different polymorphic loci on COMT [codon 62 (rs4633), 102 (rs5031015), 136 (rs4818), 158 (rs4680)]. Genotyping was confirmed by direct DNA sequencing. We also conducted haplotype analysis of COMT and investigated the relationship between COMT expression and COMT SNPs in EC tissues by immunohistochemistry. A significant increase in the T/T genotype of codon 62 (C/T) was observed in patients compared to controls (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.31–4.37, P = 0.004). The frequency of the C–G haplotype of codon 62 C/T and codon 158 G/A was significantly higher in controls (P < 0.0001) than in patients. The expression level of COMT protein in EC tissues was significantly lower in COMT codon 62 variant TT and codon 158 variant AA genotype carriers. Therefore, the EC samples with polymorphic variants of COMT lead to lower expression of COMT protein whereas EC samples with wild‐type codon 62 C/C and codon 158 G/G have higher expression of COMT protein. This is the first study demonstrating that polymorphisms in COMT codon 62 and codon 158 altered protein expression levels in EC, suggesting that they may be risk factors for EC in Caucasians. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.