Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long‑term clinical and radiological outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion by zero‑profile anchored cage

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to extend the results of our previous study providing a minimum of 4‑year follow‑up results of a prospective study following implantation of a cervical cage with an integrated fixation system. Summary of Background Data: The use of cervical intersomatic cages with an integrated fixation system for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has increased rapidly in this last decade. In addition to immediate stabilization, these implants allow avoidance of anterior plating and iliac crest bone‑grafting. Methods: Patients were studied prospectively, and data were collected and analyzed. Intersomatic cages with an integrated fixation system were used in consecutive 100 patients operated on for ACDF. Intraoperative parameters, clinical, and outcome scores were recorded. Radiographs were taken to evaluate implant positioning and fusion rate, disc height (DH), and changes in adjacent disc spaces. All the patients had a minimum 4‑year follow‑up. Results: A total of 127 cages were implanted in the 100 patients. Compared to preoperatively, the visual analog scale, 36‑item short‑form health survey, the Japanese Orthopedic Association, and the Neck Disability Index scores were significantly improved at 1‑year follow‑up without change during subsequent follow‑up. At 4 years, the fusion rate was 97%. Two patients complained about minor dysphagia‑related symptoms, which resolved rapidly. DH index and cervical Cobb angle were significantly restored after surgery, and the results were maintained during the whole follow‑up. Conclusions: This is a prospective, independently conducted study on cages with an integrated fixation system with 4‑year long follow‑up. Findings of this study seem to be interesting regarding outcomes and low complications rates compared to recent series using other implants with integrated fixation system. Larger, randomized controlled trials are warranted.
Laboratory Experiments in Political Science

Until the middle of the twentieth century, the discipline of political science was primarily qualitative – philosophical, descriptive, legalistic, and typically reliant on case studies that failed to probe causation in any measurable way. The word " science " was not entirely apt. In the 1950s, the discipline was transformed by the behavioral revolution, spearheaded by advocates of a more social scientific, empirical approach. Even though experimentation was the sine qua non of research in the hard sciences and in psychology, the method remained a mere curiosity among political scientists. For behavioralists interested in individual-level political behavior, survey research was the methodology of choice on the grounds that experimentation could not be used to investigate real-world politics (for more detailed accounts of the history of experimental methods in political The consensus view was that laboratory settings were too artificial and that experimental subjects were too unrepresentative of any meaningful target population for experimental studies to be valid. Further, many political scientists viewed experiments-which typically necessitate the deception of research subjects-as an inherently unethical methodology. The bias against experimentation began to weaken in the 1970s when the emerging field of political psychology attracted a new constituency for interdisciplinary research. Laboratory experiments gradually acquired the aura of legitimacy for a small band of scholars working at the intersection of the two disciplines. 1 Most of these 1 An important impetus to the development of political psychology was provided by the Psychology and Politics Program at Yale University. Developed by Robert Lane, the program provided formal training in psychology to political science graduate students-3-scholars focused on the areas of political behavior, public opinion and mass communication, but there were also experimental forays into the fields of international relations and public choice (Hermann and Herman 1967; Riker 1967). Initially, these researchers faced significant disincentives to applying experimental methods-most importantly, research based on experiments was unlikely to see the light of day simply because there were no journals or conference venues that took this kind of work seriously. The first major breakthrough for political scientists interested in applying the experimental method occurred with the founding of the journal Experimental Study of Politics in 1970. The brainchild of the late James Dyson (then at Florida State University) and Frank Scioli (then at Drew University and now at the National Science Foundation), ESP was founded as a boutique journal dedicated exclusively to experimental work. The co-editors and …
Characterization Queen ' s University Belfast-Research Portal : Link to publication record in Queen ' s University Belfast Research Portal

High-resolution synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used to study the phase transformations in titanium alloys. Three titanium alloys were investigated: Ti–6Al–4V, Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo–0.08Si and b21s. Both room and high temperature measurements were performed. The room temperature experiments were performed to study the structure of the alloys after different heat treatments, namely as received (AR), furnace cooling (FC), water quenching (WQ) and water quenching followed by ageing. The a, a0, a00 and b phases were observed in different combinations depending on the heat treatment conditions and the alloy studied. A multicomponent hexagonal close packed (hcp) a phase, with different c and the same a lattice parameters, was detected in Ti–6Al–4Vafter FC. High temperature synchrotron X-ray diffraction was used for ‘in situ’ study of the transformations on the sample surface at elevated temperatures. The results were used to trace the kinetics of surface oxidation and the concurrent phase transformations taking place under different conditions. The influence of the temperature and oxygen content on the lattice parameters of the a phase was derived and new data obtained on the coefficients of thermal expansion in the different directions of the hcp a phase, for Ti–6Al–4V and Ti–6Al–2Sn–4Zr–2Mo–0.08Si. D 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
Survival rates and prognostic predictors of high grade brain stem

Brain stem gliomas (BSG) account for approximately 10–20% of all childhood CNS tumors. An estimated 350–400 pediatric cases (3–4 per 100,000 pediatric population) were diagnosed yearly in the United States of America (USA) from 2007 to 2011 [1] and 40 cases per year in the United Kingdom (UK) (approximately 3 per 100,000 pediatric population) from 1996 to 2005 [2]. Brainstem gliomas are not categorized according WHO classification of CNS tumors as with gliomas in other locations, rather they are grouped according to location and appearance using Abstract Diagnosis of a pediatric high grade brain stem glioma is devastating with dismal outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to determine the survival rates and assess potential prognostic factors including selected interventions. Studies included involved pediatric participants with high grade brain stem gliomas diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging or biopsy reporting overall survival rates. Meta-analysis was undertaken using a binomial random effects model. Sixty-five studies (2336 participants) were included. Meta-analysis showed 1 year overall survival (OS) of 41% (95% confidence interval (CI) 38–44%, I-sq 52%, 2083 participants), 2 year OS of 15.3% (95% confidence interval 12–20%, I-sq 73.1%, 1329 participants) and 3 year OS of 7.3% (95% confidence interval 5.2–10%, I-sq 26%, 584 participants). Meta-analyses of median overall survival results was not possible due to the lack of reported measures of variance. Subgroup analysis comparing date of study, classification of tumor, use of temozolomide, non-standard interventions or phase 1/2 versus other studies demonstrated no difference in survival outcomes. There was insufficient data to undertake subgroup meta-analysis of patient age, duration of symptoms, K27M histone mutations and AVCR1 mutations. Survival outcomes of high grade brain stem gliomas
Augmented reality glasses improve adherence to evidence-based intubation practice

Background: The risk of failing or delaying endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients has commonly been associated with inadequate procedure preparation. Clinicians and trainees in simulation courses for tracheal intubation are encouraged to recall the steps of how to intubate in order to mitigate the risk of a failed intubation. The purpose of this study was to assess the effectiveness of using optical head mounted display augmented reality (AR) glasses as an assistance tool to perform intubation simulation procedure. Methods: A total of 32 subjects with a mean age of 30±7.8, AR (n 1 =15) vs non-augmented reality(non-AR) (n 2 =17). The majority were males (n=22, 68.7%). Subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: the AR group and the non-AR group. Both groups reviewed a video on how to intubate following the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) intubation guidelines. The AR group had to intubate using the AR glasses head mount display compared to the non-AR where they performed regular intubation. Results: The AR group took longer median (min, max) time (seconds) to ventilate than the non-AR group (280 (130,740) vs 205 (100,390); η 2 =1.0, p =0.005, respectively). Similarly, there was a higher percent adherence of NEJM intubation checklist (100% in the AR group vs 82.4% in the non-AR group; η 2 =1.8, p <0.001). Conclusion: The AR glasses showed promise in assisting different health care professionals on endotracheal intubation simulation. Participants in the AR group took a longer time to ventilate but scored 100% in the developed checklist that followed the NEJM protocol. This ﬁ nding shows that the AR technology can be used in a simulation setting and requires further study before clinical use.
a new strategy for taste masking of azithromycin antibiotic: development, characterization, and evaluation of azithromycin titanium nanohybrid for masking of bitter taste using physisorption and panel testing studies

Background: The obnoxious bitter taste of orally taken is one of the biggest problems in the treatment of The population cannot tolerate the bitter taste of drugs and out which ultimately to therapeutic value, and mental stress it is the challenging task for the formulation to formulate a palatable formulation particularly to overcome address the issue. of (AZ) nanohybrid stable and Results: The results confirmed the adsorption of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the surface of AZ. The fabricated optimized formulation was subjected for taste masking by panel testing and accelerated stability studies. The results showed a remarkable improvement in bitter taste masking, inhibiting throat bite without affecting the dissolution rate. The product showed an excellent stability both in dry and reconstituted suspension. The optimized formulation of AZN and was found stable when subjected to physical and chemical stability studies, this is because of short and single step process which interns limits the exposure of the product to various environmental factors that could potentially affect the stability of the product. The dissolution rate of the optimized formulation of AZN was compared with its marketed counterpart, showing the same dissolution rate compared to its marketed formulation. Conclusion: The current study concludes that, by fabricating AZ­titanium nanohybrids using physisorption can effectively mask the bitter taste of the drug. The palatability and stability of azithromycin formulation was potentially enhanced without affecting its dis­ solution rate.
Multi-walled carbon nanotube physicochemical properties predict pulmonary inflammation and genotoxicity

Abstract Lung deposition of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) induces pulmonary toxicity. Commercial MWCNT vary greatly in physicochemical properties and consequently in biological effects. To identify determinants of MWCNT-induced toxicity, we analyzed the effects of pulmonary exposure to 10 commercial MWCNT (supplied in three groups of different dimensions, with one pristine and two/three surface modified in each group). We characterized morphology, chemical composition, surface area and functionalization levels. MWCNT were deposited in lungs of female C57BL/6J mice by intratracheal instillation of 0, 6, 18 or 54 μg/mouse. Pulmonary inflammation (neutrophil influx in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)) and genotoxicity were determined on day 1, 28 or 92. Histopathology of the lungs was performed on day 28 and 92. All MWCNT induced similar histological changes. Lymphocytic aggregates were detected for all MWCNT on day 28 and 92. Using adjusted, multiple regression analyses, inflammation and genotoxicity were related to dose, time and physicochemical properties. The specific surface area (BET) was identified as a positive predictor of pulmonary inflammation on all post-exposure days. In addition, length significantly predicted pulmonary inflammation, whereas surface oxidation (–OH and –COOH) was predictor of lowered inflammation on day 28. BET surface area, and therefore diameter, significantly predicted genotoxicity in BAL fluid cells and lung tissue such that lower BET surface area or correspondingly larger diameter was associated with increased genotoxicity. This study provides information on possible toxicity-driving physicochemical properties of MWCNT. The results may contribute to safe-by-design manufacturing of MWCNT, thereby minimizing adverse effects.
real-world usage and clinical outcomes of alectinib among post-crizotinib progression anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive non-small-cell lung cancer patients in the Usa

Background: Alectinib is an approved treatment for anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Despite positive supporting clinical data, there is a lack of real-world information on the usage and patient outcomes of those treated with alectinib post-crizotinib progression. Methods: Participating oncologists (N = 95) in the USA were recruited from an online physician panel to participate in a retrospective patient chart review. Physicians randomly selected eligible patients (ie, patients who progressed on crizotinib as their first ALK inhibitor and were treated with alectinib as their second ALK inhibitor), collected demographics and clinical history from their medical charts, and entered the data into an online data collection form. Results: A total of N = 207 patient charts were included (age: 60.1 ± 10.4 years; 53.6% male). The patients in our sample were older (median age of 60 vs 53 years), were more likely to be current smokers (12% vs 1%), had better performance status (45% vs 33% had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group [ECOG] of 0), and were less likely to have an adenocarcinoma histology (83% vs 96%) relative to published clinical trials. The objective response rate was higher than in clinical trials (67.1% vs 51.3%, respectively) as was the disease control rate (89.9% vs 78.8%, respectively), though it varied by race/ethnicity, ECOG, and prior treatment history. Discontinuation (0.0%) and dose reductions (3.4%) due to adverse events were uncommon in alectinib. Conclusion: Patients using alectinib post-crizotinib in clinical practice are older, more racially/ ethnically and histologically diverse than patients in published trials. Real-world response rates were high and similar to those reported in clinical studies, though there is some variation by patient characteristics. Alectinib was well tolerated in clinical practice as reflected by the rates of discontinuation, dose reductions, and dose interruptions.
Operational behavior of the MAP/G/1 queue under N-policy with asingle vacation and set-up

This paper considers the MAP/G/1 queue under N-policy with a single vacation and set-up. We derive the vector generating functions of the queue length at an arbitrary time and at departures in decomposed forms. We also derive the Laplace-Stieltjes transform of the waiting time. Computation algorithms for mean performance measures are provided.
Predictive role of skin rash in advanced pancreatic cancer patients treated with gemcitabine plus erlotinib: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Purpose: The survival benefit from gemcitabine plus erlotinib was on average marginal for advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) patients. Skin rash developed shortly after starting treatment seemed to be associated with better efficacy and might be used to assist clinical decision-making, but the results across studies were inconsistent. Thus, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, three Chinese databases, and the abstracts of important conferences were searched for eligible studies. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS), and the secondary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS) and objective response. The random-effects model was used to pool results across studies if heterogeneity was substantial. Otherwise, the fixed-effect model was used. Results: A total of 16 studies with 1,776 patients were included. Patients who developed skin rash during treatment had longer OS (8.9 vs 4.9 months, HR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.50–0.64) and longer PFS (4.5 vs 2.4 months, HR = 0.53, 95% CI 0.40–0.68) than those who did not. A dose– response relationship was also observed for both OS (HR = 0.64 for grade-1 rash vs no rash and HR = 0.46 for $ grade-2 rash vs no rash) and PFS (HR = 0.72 for grade-1 rash vs no rash and HR = 0.43 for $ grade-2 rash vs no rash). Conclusion: Skin rash was associated with better OS and PFS in APC patients treated with gemcitabine plus erlotinib. It might be used as a marker for efficacy to guide clinical decision-making toward a more precise and personalized treatment.
Thalamic reticular nucleus induces fast and local modulation of arousal 1 state 2 3

22 During low arousal states such as drowsiness and sleep, cortical neurons exhibit 23 rhythmic slow wave activity associated with periods of neuronal silence. Slow waves are locally 24 regulated, and local slow wave dynamics are important for memory, cognition, and behaviour. 25 While several brainstem structures for controlling global sleep states have now been well 26 characterized, a mechanism underlying fast and local modulation of cortical slow waves has not 27 been identified. Here, using optogenetics and whole cortex electrophysiology, we show that 28 local tonic activation of thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) rapidly induces slow wave activity in a 29 spatially restricted region of cortex. These slow waves resemble those seen in sleep, as cortical 30 units undergo periods of silence phase-locked to the slow wave. Furthermore, animals exhibit 31 behavioural changes consistent with a decrease in arousal state during TRN stimulation. We 32 conclude that TRN can induce rapid modulation of local cortical state. 33
high expression of TFeB is associated with aggressive clinical features in colorectal cancer

Objectives: The transcription factor EB (TFEB), a member of the micropthalmia family, has been found to be associated with autophagy and upregulated in some kinds of tumors. However, very few studies focused on TFEB in colorectal cancer (CRC). TFEB expression status and its relevance to clinical features in CRC would be analyzed in this study. Materials and methods: Real-time PCR, Western blot, and immunohistological staining were used to evaluate TFEB expression in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and the role of TFEB in CRC cell lines was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results: TFEB was expressed at lower level in CRC tissues than normal in both mRNA and protein level. However, there were significantly positive correlations between TFEB expression in cancer tissues and malignant progression of CRC. Cancers with TFEB overexpression always had deeper infiltration and higher lymphatic metastasis rate. Furthermore, patients with high TFEB levels always had poor survival, and higher TFEB expression could be a predictor of survival in multivariate analysis. Meanwhile, knockdown TFEB by shRNA or knockout TFEB by sgRNA in CRC cell lines could significantly inhibit cell proliferation and migration in amino acid-free medium. In addition, we found a positive relationship between TFEB and Beclin1 expression, and silencing TFEB inhibited Beclin1 expression in CRC cells. Conclusion: TFEB expression correlated with aggressive clinical features in CRC, and higher TFEB expression could be a prognostic factor and potential treatment target of CRC.
Causes of Venous Thrombosis

Until the mid-1800s, thrombosis was known as ‘phlebitis’, indicating that for a long time the disease was seen as inflammatory (1). Thrombosis is the process of obstructive clot formation as the end product of an imbalance of procoagulant, anticoagulant and fibrinolytic factors. In contrast to arterial disease, which results from a chronic process of atherosclerosis, the development of a venous clot is a relatively sudden phenomenon which occurs in reaction to acute and transient risk circumstances. In spite of this, symptoms may develop more slowly than in arterial disease and time of onset often remains unclear. The role of the environment in the occurrence of venous thrombosis, particularly pregnancy and puerperium, was recognized centuries ago. At some stage, it was believed that the thrombosis in puerperium, called ‘milk leg’, was caused by milk accumulating in the leg. In the late 1700s this led to the first public-health advice to breast-feed as a prevention of milk leg (2,3). At the basis of our current thinking about the causes of thrombosis stands the pathologist Virchow, who postulated three major causes of thrombosis: changes in the vessel wall, changes in the blood flow and changes in the blood composition (1): ‘. wir können auch künftig die mehr mechanischen Formen der Thrombose, wie sie bei der Blutstockung vorkommen, von den mehr chemischen oder physikalischen Formen, wie sie durch direkte Sauerstoff-Einwirkung oder veränderte Flächenanziehung zu Stande kommen, unterscheiden’, translated as ‘. we can separately recognize a more mechanical form of thrombosis, such as seen in blood stasis, from the chemical or physical variant, which develops through a direct oxygen effect or by changed vessel wall interaction’. This postulate is still valid, although not similarly in arterial and venous thrombosis, which is why arterial and venous thrombosis share some, but not all, causes. Vessel wall (‘Flächenanziehung’) disease dominates arterial disease as atherosclerosis and so do its risk factors, of which hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, smoking and diabetes mellitus are still the most important (4–6). Stasis (‘Blutstockung’), however, does not play a role in causing arterial disease, due to the high pressure and flow in the arteries. Hypercoagulability (‘chemischen oder physikalischen Formen’) mainly plays a role in venous disease, although it is relevant in arterial disease, too. This is shown by the reduced rate of myocardial infarction in patients with