Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of Higher Positive End-Expiratory Pressure Ventilation Strategy in Patients With Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses assessing the pooled effects of higher positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) failed to show significantly reduced mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Some new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been reported and an updated systematic review is needed to evaluate the use of higher PEEP in patients with ARDS. We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Igaku-Chuo-Zasshi, ICTRP, the National Institute of Health Clinical Trials Register, and the reference list of recent guidelines. We included RCTs to compare the higher PEEP ventilation strategy with the lower strategy in patients with ARDS. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of the studies and extracted the data. The primary outcomes were 28-day mortality. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations) methodology was used to evaluate the certainty of the evidence. Among the 6530 screened records, 16 randomized trials involving 4150 patients were included in our meta-analysis. When comparing higher PEEP versus lower PEEP, the pooled risk ratio (RR) for 28-day mortality was 0.85 (15 studies, n=4108, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.00, I2=58%, low certainty of evidence). Subgroup analysis by study participants with a low tidal volume (LTV) strategy showed an interaction (P for interaction, 0.001). Our study showed that in patients with ARDS, the use of higher PEEP did not significantly reduce 28-day mortality compared to the use of lower PEEP.
Mortality Predictors in Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection

Background and Objectives: The severe forms of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia are associated with acute hypoxic respiratory failure and high mortality rates, raising significant challenges for the medical community. The objective of this paper is to present the importance of early quantitative evaluation of radiological changes in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, including an alternative way to evaluate lung involvement using normal density clusters. Based on these elements we have developed a more accurate new predictive score which includes quantitative radiological parameters. The current evolution models used in the evaluation of severe cases of COVID-19 only include qualitative or semi-quantitative evaluations of pulmonary lesions which lead to a less accurate prognosis and assessment of pulmonary involvement. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective observational cohort study that included 100 adult patients admitted with confirmed severe COVID-19. The patients were divided into two groups: group A (76 survivors) and group B (24 non-survivors). All patients were evaluated by CT scan upon admission in to the hospital. Results: We found a low percentage of normal lung densities, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, lymphocytes, platelets, hemoglobin and serum albumin associated with higher mortality; a high percentage of interstitial lesions, oxygen flow, FiO2, Neutrophils/lymphocytes ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase MB, myoglobin, and serum creatinine were also associated with higher mortality. The most accurate regression model included the predictors of age, lymphocytes, PaO2/FiO2 ratio, percent of lung involvement, lactate dehydrogenase, serum albumin, D-dimers, oxygen flow, and myoglobin. Based on these parameters we developed a new score (COV-Score). Conclusions: Quantitative assessment of lung lesions improves the prediction algorithms compared to the semi-quantitative parameters. The cluster evaluation algorithm increases the non-survivor and overall prediction accuracy.COV-Score represents a viable alternative to current prediction scores, demonstrating improved sensitivity and specificity in predicting mortality at the time of admission.
Differential Protein Expression among Two Different Ovine ARDS Phenotypes—A Preclinical Randomized Study

Despite decades of comprehensive research, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) remains a disease with high mortality and morbidity worldwide. The discovery of inflammatory subphenotypes in human ARDS provides a new approach to study the disease. In two different ovine ARDS lung injury models, one induced by additional endotoxin infusion (phenotype 2), mimicking some key features as described in the human hyperinflammatory group, we aim to describe protein expression among the two different ovine models. Nine animals on mechanical ventilation were included in this study and were randomized into (a) phenotype 1, n = 5 (Ph1) and (b) phenotype 2, n = 4 (Ph2). Plasma was collected at baseline, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. After protein extraction, data-independent SWATH-MS was applied to inspect protein abundance at baseline, 2, 6, 12, and 24 h. Cluster analysis revealed protein patterns emerging over the study observation time, more pronounced by the factor of time than different injury models of ARDS. A protein signature consisting of 33 proteins differentiated among Ph1/2 with high diagnostic accuracy. Applying network analysis, proteins involved in the inflammatory and defense response, complement and coagulation cascade, oxygen binding, and regulation of lipid metabolism were activated over time. Five proteins, namely LUM, CA2, KNG1, AGT, and IGJ, were more expressed in Ph2.
Expecting Floods: Firm Entry, Employment, and Aggregate Implications

Flood events and ﬂood risk have been increasing in the past few decades and have important consequences on the economy. Using county-level and ZIP-code-level data during 1998–2018 from the U.S., we document that (1) increased ﬂood risk has large negative impacts on ﬁrm entry, employment and output in the long run; (2) ﬂood events reduce output in the short run while their impact on ﬁrm entry and employment is limited. Motivated by these ﬁndings, we construct a spatial equilibrium model to characterize how ﬂood risk shapes ﬁrms’ location choices and workers’ employment, which we use to estimate the aggregate impact of increased ﬂood risk on the economy. We ﬁnd that ﬂood risk reduced U.S. aggregate output by 0.52 percent in 2018, 80% of which stemmed from expectation eﬀects and 20% from direct damages. We also apply our model to studying the distributional consequences and forecasting the impact of future changes in ﬂood risk. Our results highlight the importance of considering the adjustment of ﬁrms and workers in response to risk in evaluating the consequences of natural disasters.
ANALISIS KADAR LOGAM BERAT TIMBAL (Pb) DALAM DARAH DAN KELUHAN KESEHATAN PEGAWAI PERCETAKAN DI PUSAT PENERBITAN DAN PERCETAKAN BUKUUNIVERSITAS AIRLANGGA

Paparan timbal (Pb) yang disebabkan karena tinta area percetakan Pusat Penerbitan dan Percetakan Buku Universitas Airlangga dapat berdampak negatif bagi para pegawai yang bekerja di area tersebut. Karena paparan yang terus menerus dengan timbal maka para pegawai percetakan/ produksi dapat berisiko mengalami keracunan Pb yang ditandai dengan keluhan kesehatan. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisis hubungan kadar timbal (Pb) dalam darah dengan keluhan kesehatan akibat keracunan Pb Pegawai Percetakan di Pusat Penerbitan dan Percetakan Buku Universitas Airlangga Kota Surabaya Tahun 2015. Penelitian dilaksanakan dengan rancangan penelitian cross sectional. Populasi penelitian adalah seluruh pegawai percetakan berjumlah 9 orang dan pegawai administrasi berjumlah 9 orang sebagai kontrol. Subyek ditarik dari populasi dengan carasimple random sampling. Analisis data dilakukan menggunakan ujichi-square (α = 0,05), regresi logistik dan T- independent test. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa ada perbedaan antara kadar timbal dalam darah pegawai percetakan dengan kadar timbnal dalam darah pegawai administrasi(p=0,000; t=11,5). Tidak ada hubungan antara kadar timbal dalam darah dan keluhan kesehatan (p = 0,200), ada hubungan antara udara dijalan dengan kadar timbal dalam darah (p= 0,041), ada hubungan antara hiegene perorangan dengan kadar timbal dalam darah (p= 0,010), hasil resgresi logistic menunjukkan variabel yang mempunyai hubungan signifikan adalah hiegene perorangan (p = 0,010; OR = 49). Kesimpulan dalam penelitian adalah variabel yang berhubungan dengan kadar timbal dalam darah adalah higiene perorangan.Oleh karena itu disarankan untuk perusahaan agar menyediakan tempat cuci tangan di area percetakan/ produksi dan memberikan suplemen kalsium pada pegawai.
Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes in Advanced-Stage Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients with a KRAS G12C Mutation: A Real-World Study

About 15% of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) harbor the Kirsten rat sarcoma homolog G12C mutation (KRASG12C). Selective KRASG12C inhibitors offer new treatment opportunities, but little is known about the prevalence, characteristics, and outcomes of standard-of-care treatment (SOC) in this population. We retrospectively assessed the clinicopathological features of patients with KRASG12C-mutated advanced NSCLC and responses to SOC at two high-volume centers in Austria. Out of 2495 NSCLC patients tested, we identified 174 patients with advanced-stage disease carrying a KRASG12C mutation. Most patients were ≥65 years old (55%), heavy smokers (55%), and presented with comorbidities. The most frequent co-alteration was TP53 (18%). PD-L1 expression was high (TPS ≥ 50%) in 31%, very high (TPS ≥ 90%) in 11%, and negative in 31% of patients. A total of 138 patients (79%) received oncologic systemic treatment. The most common first-line therapy (1 L) was anti-PD-1/PD-L1 plus platinum-based chemotherapy. Median overall survival measured from 1 L treatment was 15.3 months (95% CI, 8.6–21.9), 9.4 (95% CI, 5.3–13.5) from 2 L treatment, and 8.4 (95% CI, 1.7–15.1) from 3 L treatment. The time-to-next-treatment was 8.4 (95% CI, 5.2–11.6) from 1 L and 6.1 (95% CI, 2.7–9.7) months from 2 L to 3 L. These poor outcomes underscore the need for the implementation of new treatment options and for specific molecular testing.
The Impact of Periodontal Inflammation on Endothelial Function Assessed by Circulating Levels of Asymmetric Dimethylarginine: A Single-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract Background: Endothelial dysfunction is one of the early pathogenic events of the atherosclerotic process. Severe periodontitis is considered to be an independent contributing risk factor for the pathophysiology of endothelial dysfunction. High blood concentration of asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an L-arginine analogue that inhibits nitric oxide (NO) formation, has emerged as one of the most powerful independent risk predictors of cardiovascular disease. Abrogation of periodontal inflammation might have clinical relevance, affecting the ADMA. Insufficient clinical evidence exists for drawing clear conclusions regarding the long-term effects of periodontal disease on endothelial function, and even less evidence is available specifically on ADMA concentrations and their relationship with periodontitis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of intensive periodontal treatment in modulating the endothelial function via the assessment of plasma ADMA concentration in patients diagnosed severe periodontitis. Methods: This was a 6-month randomized controlled trial, including 140 patients between 41 and 63 years old who were diagnosed with severe periodontitis, free from cardiovascular disease (CVD), and had traditional cardiovascular risk factors. All patients underwent a complete medical and clinical periodontal examination, a laboratory analysis of ADMA, and an ultrasound assessment of FMD of the right brachial artery. After the screening, they were randomly assigned to receive either intensive periodontal treatment (test group, n = 70) or community-based periodontal care (control group, n = 70). A full examination was carried out at baseline, 3 and 6 months after the periodontal treatment. Results: A total of 236 individuals diagnosed with periodontitis were screened. One hundred forty participants were enrolled. No statistically significant difference was observed over the time in ADMA concentration after the intensive periodontal treatment within the test group. No differences were revealed between the groups in the ADMA concentration at baseline and during follow-up. Conclusions: Intensive periodontal treatment does not affect the plasma levels of ADMA in patients without any risk for cardiovascular disease.
The Incentive Effects of Tournaments and Peer Effects in Team Production: Evidence from Esports

This paper examines the incentive effects of increased prize differentials and productivity spillovers from substitute coworkers within the context of esports. A direct behavioral measure called “actions per minute (APM)” is utilized to gauge Dota 2 players’ on-field exertion of effort dedicated to winning the game. The results based on empirical analysis support the incentive effects of the convex prize structure of esports tournaments on eliciting effort. Further investigation indicates that the incentive effects of high-stakes esports tournaments are more a result of the size of total prize than the relative prize distribution. It is also found that players who serve subordinate roles are more likely to engage in shirking behavior in the presence of teammates with similar roles.
The Influence of Keratinized Mucosa on the Nonsurgical Therapeutic Treatment of Peri-Implantitis

Objective: The main objective of this study aimed to evaluate the response to treatment in implants with peri-implantitis regarding the presence or absence of keratinized mucosa. Materials and Methods: One hundred implants with peri-implantitis were treated non-surgically at the Prosthodontics and Occlusion Teaching Unit of the University of Valencia. Records were registered at day zero (recession, bleeding on probing, suppuration, probing depth, bone loss and plaque index), at 1, 3 and 6 months. Results: In both groups, a slight increase in recession and disappearance of suppuration took place, and no bone loss was observed during the following 6 months. However, after an initial reduction, probing depth, bleeding on probing and plaque index increased again in the group without keratinized mucosa (KM). Conclusions: Implants with KM presented better results after non-surgical treatment as well as in their medium-term evolution, although it would be advisable to increase the number of samples in order to achieve greater scientific evidence and standardization in the treatment protocol. Clinical relevance: The role of keratinized mucosa in the development of peri-implantitis has been mentioned in many publications, but less has been emphasized regarding its influence on the success of the treatment of this pathology. The presence of keratinized mucosa has been found to play a key role in the evolution of the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis. The amount of keratinized mucosa should be considered in the treatment of peri-implantitis, as well as when planning connective tissue grafts accompanying the decontamination of implants in the absence of keratinized mucosa.
Comparison of color Doppler ultrasonography and computed tomography angiography (CTA) and computed tomography venography (CTV) in the diagnosis of arteriovenous thrombosis after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation: a retrospective diagnostic accuracy study

Background Simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation is an important treatment approach for diabetic renal insufficiency, but pancreatic arteriovenous thrombosis is among the early serious surgical complications that can lead to graft loss and even be fatal. Ultrasound is considered to be a safe and non-invasive approach, but it is often affected by intestinal gas interference and operator proficiency, partial thromboses may be easily missed. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) and computed tomography venography (CTV) are highly accurate but radiative, requiring the use of contrast agents. Methods A total of 194 patients with end-stage diabetic nephropathy who underwent simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation from September 2016 to May 2021 were selected, among which 32 patients with highly suspected arteriovenous thrombosis were enrolled as the research subjects. All patients were examined by color Doppler ultrasonography, CTA and CTV. CTA and CTV are the gold standard for diagnostic imaging. The diagnostic value of color Doppler ultrasound, CTA and CTV in the diagnosis of pancreatic arteriovenous thrombosis was compared. and Kappa coefficient was used for consistency test. Results Among the 32 patients with high clinical suspicion of transplanted pancreatic arteriovenous thrombosis after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation, 9 patients were diagnosed by CTA/CTV and 10 patients were diagnosed by color Doppler ultrasonography, of which 2 cases were false positive and 1 case false negative. After transplantation, the normal diameter of the donor splenic vein was 3.96±0.16 mm. The difference in the diameter of the donor splenic vein between those with and without donor splenic vein thrombosis was statistically significant (P<0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of color Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of arteriovenous thrombosis were 88.9%, 91.3%, 90.6%, 80%, and 95.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between color Doppler ultrasound diagnosis of arteriovenous thrombosis and CTA and CTV results (McNemar test P=1). The diagnosis of arteriovenous thrombosis by color Doppler ultrasonography was consistent with that of CTA and CTV (Kappa coefficient =0.776). Conclusions Color Doppler ultrasonography has the advantages of safety and radiation-free, and can be used as the first choice for diagnosis of pancreatic arteriovenous thrombosis after simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation.
Self-Esteem and Real Self and False Self Presentation on Facebook Among Emerging Adults: The Moderating Role of Social Anxiety

This study examined the individual and interactive associations between self-esteem, social anxiety, and real and false self-presentation on Facebook. Data came from a college sample of 216 emerging adult Facebook users (M age ≈ 23, 171 women). Findings indicate that social anxiety moderated the association between self-esteem and false self-presentation, such that emerging adults low in self-esteem and high in social anxiety may present themselves in a more deceptive, inauthentic, and socially desirable manner on Facebook. Results also suggest that emerging adults with higher self-esteem may present their real self (authentic) more on Facebook, whereas emerging adults with lower self-esteem may present their false self (deceptive and socially desirable) to a greater extent. Findings also indicate that socially anxious emerging adults may present their false self more on Facebook, motivated by social desirability and self-exploration. Implications for interpersonal experiences (e.g., social acceptance and social rejection/exclusion) during emerging adulthood are discussed.
Asymptotic Weight Analysis of Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC) Code Ensembles

With the invention of turbo codes in 1993 came increased interest in codes and iterative decoding schemes. Gallager's Regular codes were rediscovered, and irregular codes were introduced. Protograph codes were introduced and analyzed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the early years of this century. Part of this thesis continues that work, investigating the decoding of specific protograph codes and extending existing tools for analyzing codes to protograph codes. The rest of this work focuses on a previously unknown relationship between the binary entropy function and the asymptotic ensemble average weight enumerator, which we call the spectral shape of the ensemble. This result can be seen as an extension of the Pless power-moment identities based on the discovery that the convex hull of the spectral shape is the Legendre transform of a function closely related to the moment-generating function of a codeword's weight. In order to fully investigate this new relationship, tools needed to be designed to calculate the derivatives of the spectral shape as the equation describing an ensemble's spectral shape is rarely straightforward. For Gallager's regular ensembles, a formula for calculating derivatives of functions defined parametrically was required. For repeat-accumulate (RA) codes, a formula was needed for functions defined implicitly through a second function. Both formulas are similar to Faa di Bruno's formula for derivatives of compositions of functions.With the invention of turbo codes in 1993 came increased interest in codes and iterative decoding schemes. Gallager's Regular codes were rediscovered, and irregular codes were introduced. Protograph codes were introduced and analyzed by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in the early years of this century. Part of this thesis continues that work, investigating the decoding of specific protograph codes and extending existing tools for analyzing codes to protograph codes. The rest of this work focuses on a previously unknown relationship between the binary entropy function and the asymptotic ensemble average weight enumerator, which we call the spectral shape of the ensemble. This result can be seen as an extension of the Pless power-moment identities based on the discovery that the convex hull of the spectral shape is the Legendre transform of a function closely related to the moment-generating function of a codeword's weight. In order to fully investigate this new relationship, tools needed to be designed to calculate the derivatives of the spectral shape as the equation describing an ensemble's spectral shape is rarely straightforward. For Gallager's regular ensembles, a formula for calculating derivatives of functions defined parametrically was required. For repeat-accumulate (RA) codes, a formula was needed for functions defined implicitly through a second function. Both formulas are similar to Faa di Bruno's formula for derivatives of compositions of functions.
Dexamethasone Increases the Anesthetic Success in Patients with Symptomatic Irreversible Pulpitis: A Meta-Analysis

Inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) has a high failure rate in subjects with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis (SIP). It has been suggested that drugs with anti-inflammatory activity could improve the efficacy of the anesthetic used for IANB. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of dexamethasone on the success of dental anesthesia in patients with SIP. An information search was performed using PubMed and Google Scholar. The risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated with the Cochrane Collaboration’s risk-of-bias tool. The anesthetic success rate, pain intensity (VAS), and adverse effects were extracted. Data were analyzed using the Mantel–Haenszel test and odds ratio or the inverse variance and standardized mean difference. Dexamethasone increased the anesthetic success in comparison with placebo (n = 502; p < 0.001; OR = 2.59; 95% CIs: 1.46 to 4.59). Moreover, patients who were given dexamethasone had lower pain scores at 6 h (n = 302; p < 0.001; MD= −1.43; 95% CIs: −2.28 to −0.58), 12 h (n = 302; p < 0.0001; MD = −1.65; 95% CIs: −2.39 to −0.92), and 24 h (n = 302; p < 0.0008; MD = −1.27; 95% CIs: −2.01 to −0.53) when compared with placebo. In conclusion, the systemic administration of dexamethasone increases the anesthetic success rate and improves pain management in patients with SIP.