Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Demodicosis among immunocompromised patients: a review

Introduction Demodex mites (DM) are the most common ectoparasites of humans. Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis are the two species we are hosts for. Through the years there have been more data proving DM to be a pathogenic parasite. To this date it has not clear which groups of patients are clearly prone to develop demodicosis. Aim To present a literature review in order to analyse and establish whether immunosuppressed patients are prone to develop demodicosis. Material and methods Data were collected mostly from the PubMed database and through citation searching of the articles. Results A total amount of 23 case reports and 13 original works were included. Out of them, 4 original works deny the correlation between demodicosis and immunosuppression whereas 9 original works suggest that correlation. Conclusions Demodicosis seems to be correlated with immunosuppression, but it requires more study in the future.
Posterior cerebral artery embolism resulting in bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction: A case report

Rationale: Bilateral thalamic infarcts are not easily recognized, it have diverse clinical manifestations and relatively severe symptoms. It may leave long-term drowsiness, cognitive impairment, and speech impairment. We report a case of bilateral paramedian thalamic infarction with impaired consciousness as the main symptom. The digital subtraction angiography suggested that the left superior cerebellar artery and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were occluded. Patients concern: A previously 67-year-old man was taken to our hospital after 9.5 hours of acute dizziness and loss of consciousness. Diagnosis: The cranial DWI + MRA suggested acute cerebral infarction in bilateral thalamus and bilateral midbrain, and the left posterior cerebral artery was not clearly visualized. The patient was diagnosed with posterior cerebral artery embolism. Interventions: A mechanical thrombectomy was performed. Outcome: The patient’s symptoms did not completely improve after revascularization, followed by fluctuating consciousness. Lessons: Recurrent lethargy in patients after endovascular treatment may be a clinical manifestation of damage to thalamic structures or due to the presence of ineffective recanalization.
The Relationship Between Mindfulness and Conflict Resolution Styles Among Nurse Managers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Mindfulness might help nurse managers in dealing with conflicts. However, the relationship between mindfulness and conflict resolution styles were still not clearly understood. Objective To identify the relationship between mindfulness and conflict resolution and to predict the conflict resolution styles of nurse managers through mindfulness. Methods A descriptive correlational cross-sectional design was employed. A convenience sample of 197 nurse managers was recruited from five public and two university hospitals. Data about nurse managers’ mindfulness and conflict management styles were collected through self-reported scales. The data was collected between January and March 2020. Results Mindfulness was significantly associated with integrating (r = 0.31, p < .001) and obliging (r = 0.14, p = .045) conflict resolution styles. Mindfulness was able to uniquely predict using the integrating conflict resolution style (χ² = 4.65, p = .031). Conclusions Mindfulness is uniquely related to integrating conflict resolution among nurse managers. The findings encourage stakeholders in health care organizations to develop training programs to improve managers’ conflict resolution skills and to invest in managers’ mindfulness.
Cascade single-chip phosphor-free white light-emitting diodes

In order to resolve the problems existing in the conventional phosphor-converted light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) and red-green-blue LEDs, the cascade single-chip phosphor-free white LED was proposed with GaAs∕GaN heterojunction direct wafer bonding. Corresponding to the color-matching calculation, the white LED demonstrated the CIE chromaticity coordinates of about (0.3, 0.3) at 20mA, which was very close to the ideal white light position (1∕3, 1∕3) on the chromaticity diagram. The fabrication and the electrical and optical performances of such white LEDs were described.
Adherence to treatment guidelines and good asthma control in Finland

ABSTRACT Background Asthma program in Finland decreased asthma-related mortality and expenses of care on national level, but there is lack of data on adherence to treatment guidelines and disease control on individual level. We aimed to assess adherence to guidelines and disease control among Finnish adult asthmatics. Methods Questionnaires were sent in Finland to 2000 randomly selected recipients aged 18–80 years, who had bought medication for obstructive airways disease during the previous 12 months. The questionnaire included questions on asthma medication, exacerbations, self-management and follow-up. Asthma symptom control was assessed by the Asthma Control Test (ACT). Results A high proportion (82.4%) of the 541 responders with physician-diagnosed asthma reported regular use of asthma medication and 97.1% of them used inhaled corticosteroids. Almost all (97.0%) of the asthmatics were taught how to use their inhaler and 78.4% had an asthma self-management plan, but only 35.7% reported regular annual follow-up visits. According to symptoms, 60.0% had their asthma well-controlled (ACT score ≥20). On the other hand, 29.2% had a course of oral corticosteroid and 21.8% had an asthma-related unscheduled health care visit during the previous year, but only 2.6% reported a hospitalization. Asthma control was better in those not using regular asthma medication. Conclusions The guidelines are well adopted in Finnish adult asthma care except for regular follow-up visits. Majority of patients had good symptom control and hospitalizations were rare. Better asthma control among those not using regular asthma medication implies they are not undertreated but have a mild disease.
A Multifractal Formalism

Let X be a metric space and μ a Borel probability measure on X. For q, t ∈ R and E ⊆ X write [formula]Then Hq, tμ and Pq, tμ are Borel measures − Hq, tμ is a multifractal generalization of the centered Hausdorff measure and Pq, tμ is a multifractal generalization of the packing measure. The measures Hq, tμ and Pq, tμ define, for a fixed q, in the usual way a generalized Hausdorff dimension dimqμ(E) and a generalized packing dimension Dimqμ(E) of subsets E of X. We study the functions bμ: q → dimqμ(supp μ), Bμq → Dimqμ(supp μ) and their relation to the so-called multifractal spectra functions of μ: [formula] We prove, among other things, that fμ(Fμ) is bounded from above by the Legendre transform of bμBμ) and that equality holds for graph directed self-similar measures and "cookie-cutter" measures. Finally we discuss the connection with generalized Renyi dimensions.
Patient Satisfaction With a Nurse-Led Pain Management Program: A Quasi-Experimental Study in Ethiopia

Introduction Patient satisfaction is one of the important indicators of quality care. Objective To examine patient ratings of pain management satisfaction before and after introducing a nurse-led management program. Methods A quasi-experimental design with three cross-sectional surveys between October 1, 2016 and June 15, 2017. A total of 845 patients admitted to the four inpatient departments (medicine, surgery, maternity, and gynecology) of Jimma University Medical Centre were invited to participate in the study. A questionnaire adapted from the American Pain Society Patient Outcome Questionnaire, Pain Treatment Satisfaction Scale, and related literature was used for the survey. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test (categorical variables), t-tests for continuous variables, and robust regression to determine the effect of nurse-led management program on patient satisfaction. For all tests, p-values <. 05 were considered statistically significant. Results Of the 845 patients invited, 782 (92.5%) participated in the surveys—Survey 1: N = 256; Survey 2: N = 259; Survey 3: N = 267. The proportion of patients who perceived that staff responded within 30 min increased from 67.8% in Survey 1 to 71.1% in Survey 2 and 74.2% in Survey 3. On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = strongly dissatisfied and 5 = strongly satisfied), the overall mean patient satisfaction with pain management was 3.61 (SD 0.80) in Survey 1, 3.81 (SD 0.86) in Survey 2, and 4.10 (SD 0.64) in Survey 3. Moreover, the patients scored significantly higher on all satisfaction items in Survey 2 (B ranged between 0.12 and 0.41) and Survey 3 (B ranged between 0.24 and 0.74) compared to Survey 1. Conclusion The patients’ ratings of their satisfaction and staff nurse responsiveness following the nurse-led pain management program have increased compared to the levels before the intervention. However, further studies, including those with a control group, are warranted to confirm the results.
Whole transcriptome profiling of liquid biopsies from tumour xenografted mouse models enables specific monitoring of tumour-derived extracellular RNA

Abstract While cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is widely being investigated, free circulating RNA (extracellular RNA, exRNA) has the potential to improve cancer therapy response monitoring and detection due to its dynamic nature. However, it remains unclear in which blood subcompartment tumour-derived exRNAs primarily reside. We developed a host-xenograft deconvolution framework, exRNAxeno, with mapping strategies to either a combined human-mouse reference genome or both species genomes in parallel, applicable to exRNA sequencing data from liquid biopsies of human xenograft mouse models. The tool enables to distinguish (human) tumoural RNA from (murine) host RNA, to specifically analyse tumour-derived exRNA. We applied the combined pipeline to total exRNA sequencing data from 95 blood-derived liquid biopsy samples from 30 mice, xenografted with 11 different tumours. Tumoural exRNA concentrations are not determined by plasma platelet levels, while host exRNA concentrations increase with platelet content. Furthermore, a large variability in exRNA abundance and transcript content across individual mice is observed. The tumoural gene detectability in plasma is largely correlated with the RNA expression levels in the tumour tissue or cell line. These findings unravel new aspects of tumour-derived exRNA biology in xenograft models and open new avenues to further investigate the role of exRNA in cancer.
Current Gender Diversity and Geographic Trends Among Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Surgeons in the United States

Background: Female representation varies geographically among orthopaedic residency programs, with the southern region of the United States reported as having relatively lower rates of female orthopaedic surgeons. Purpose: To determine the gender and geographic distributions of US-based orthopaedic sports medicine surgeons and analyze geographic patterns between their training locations and present-day practices. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: American Orthopedic Society of Sports Medicine (AOSSM) fellowship completion data from the 2016-2021 academic years were analyzed with regard to gender and fellowship location. Medical school, residency, and current practice locations were obtained via internet searches for all individuals identified within the databases. Locations were categorized into regions based on the US Census Bureau definitions. Descriptive statistical analysis was performed on the data. Results: A total of 1268 sports orthopaedic surgeons who graduated fellowship from 2016 to 2021 were analyzed: 141 (11%) were female and 1127 (89%) were male. The percentage of female sports medicine surgeons in fellowship remained constant (11%-12%) from 2016 to 2021. On average, the annual percentage of female orthopaedic sports medicine fellows was 7.2% in the South, 10.4% in the West, 14.2% in the Midwest, and 14.7% in the Northeast. Based on the orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship graduates from 2016 to 2021, the mean percentage of current female orthopaedic sports medicine surgeons in practice was 7.4% in the South, 11.7% in the Northeast, 12.8% in the Midwest, and 14.4% in the West. Conclusion: Approximately 11% of our sample was female; however, this percentage varied heavily by region, with the southern region having significantly lower rates of gender diversity.
How the gamma law of income distribution appears invariant under aggregation

The Gamma Law of Income Distribution appears to be a scientific law because the gamma pdf 1) fits the range of shapes seen in income distributions, 2) is parsimonious, 3) appears to be scale invariant, i.e., to show invariance under population aggregation, and 4) the gamma pdf's shape parameter provides a convenient descriptor of the range of shapes seen in income distributions, allowing the apparent invariance between education and the shape of the income distribution to be simply described. The Gamma Law of Income Distribution cannot, however, be a scientific law because it is not scale invariant. An unconditional distribution of income is a mixture, i.e., the weighted sum, of variously shaped income distributions. People at different education levels have differently shaped income distributions. These distributions are well fitted by gamma pdfs making the corresponding unconditional distribution a gamma shape mixture. A gamma shape mixture is not in general a gamma pdf. Aggregating the income distribut.
Immunoexpression of Bmi-1, CK15, Bcl-2 in different types of basal cell carcinomas

Introduction Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) occurs in aggressive and non-aggressive forms. The expression of immunohistochemical markers varies in different types of BCC. Aim Immunohistochemical analysis of selected proteins in BCCs. Material and methods The immunohistochemical method was used to examine the immunoexpression of Bmi-1, CK15 and Bcl-2 in 56 cases of BCC divided into four groups. Results Positive Bmi-1 staining 3–4+ level (nodular type) was seen in 91.3% of samples, 4+ (infiltrative) in 92.3%, 4+ (nodular/infiltrative) – 69.2%, 3+ – 30.8%, in BSC 3+ – 42.8%, and 28.6% each for 2+ and 4+. Low grade positivity (0–1+) in CK15 staining was present in 52.1% of nodular BCC, 46.2% – nodular/infiltrative, 92.3% – infiltrative, and 100% – BSC, but levels 2–3+ in nodular BCC in 47.8%, nodular/infiltrative BCC – 53.8%, infiltrative – 7.7%. Bcl-2 positivity (3–4+) was revealed in nodular BCC in 95.6%, (1–2+) in 100% of BSC, infiltrative and infiltrative/nodular BCC, but the lowest (0–1+) in 76.9% of nodular/infiltrative BCC, 71.4% of BSC, and in 38.4% of infiltrative BCC. Conclusions Positive Bmi-1 staining was the highest in the aggressive infiltrative subtype of BCCs, whereas the lowest in basosquamous cell carcinomas (BSC). Infiltrative BCC was characterized by a lower level of CK15 expression than nodular BCC and nodular/infiltrative BCC. Differentiation of Bcl-2 expression depended on the type of tumour; the highest level was found in nodular BCC, low grade in nodular/infiltrative and infiltrative BCCs, and BSC.
Real-time tracking of brain oxygen gradients and blood flow during functional activation

Abstract. Significance Cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO2) consumption is a key physiological variable that characterizes brain metabolism in a steady state and during functional activation. Aim We aim to develop a minimally invasive optical technique for real-time measurement of CMRO2 concurrently with cerebral blood flow (CBF). Approach We used a pair of macromolecular phosphorescent probes with nonoverlapping optical spectra, which were localized in the intra- and extravascular compartments of the brain tissue, thus providing a readout of oxygen gradients between these two compartments. In parallel, we measured CBF using laser speckle contrast imaging. Results The method enables computation and tracking of CMRO2 during functional activation with high temporal resolution (∼7 Hz). In contrast to other approaches, our assessment of CMRO2 does not require measurements of CBF or hemoglobin oxygen saturation. Conclusions The independent records of intravascular and extravascular partial pressures of oxygen, CBF, and CMRO2 provide information about the physiological events that accompany neuronal activation, creating opportunities for dynamic quantification of brain metabolism.
Variational analysis of single-mode graded-core W-fibers

A new trial function is proposed to obtain the propagation constant, the normalized group delay, and the modal dispersion parameter of single-mode graded-core W-type fibers. This function uses only simple elementary functions to approximate the fundamental modal fields. In many cases of study, we show that the present trial function gives a significant improvement over the existing trial functions and is very useful in the analysis of fibers and related devices.
A clinical application study of a stent placement assessment

Background: Atherosclerotic acute carotid occlusion is a specific type of stroke, and controversy exists regarding the surgical strategy, that is, whether an internal carotid artery stent should be placed immediately after opening the occluded vessel. There is no objective evaluation system for this procedure. In a previous study, we summarized an evaluation decision system Emergent Carotid Artery Stent placement decision Evaluation System (ECASES) for emergency stent placement. Study design: This is a prospective, single-center, randomized controlled trial. Patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by atherosclerotic carotid artery occlusion confirmed by imaging (computed tomography/magnetic resonance angiography/digital subtraction angiography) will be randomly divided into the study and control groups, with 101 patients in each group. The study group will undergo surgery according to the ECASES system and the control group will undergo surgery according to the operator’s experience. The postoperative outcomes of the 2 groups will be compared. Study outcomes: Primary outcome: Neurological functional status (modified Rankin Scale and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores) of patients 90 days postoperatively. Secondary outcomes: neurological function changes, hemorrhage events, cerebral edema, postoperative modified treatment in cerebral infarction grade, new cerebral infarction, and reocclusion of responsible vessels. Discussion: Currently, no prospective controlled data exist regarding the efficacy and safety of carotid stenting in the acute phase. Previously, we had developed an ECASES stent placement system for acute carotid artery occlusion. The present study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of ECASES in a randomized, double-blind prospective study and clarify its guiding significance in acute atherosclerotic carotid artery occlusion surgery.
Association of HIV, cardiovascular risk factors, and carotid intimal media thickness: A cross-sectional study in Western Kenya

The carotid intimal media thickness (CIMT) is a validated measure of subclinical atherosclerosis. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and has been associated with CIMT in North America and Europe; however, there are limited data from Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In this cross-sectional study, we measured CIMT in a cohort of 262 people living with HIV (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≥6 months and HIV-negative adults in western Kenya. Using linear regression, we examined the associations between CVD risk factors and CIMT, both overall and stratified according to the HIV status. Among the PLHIV, we examined the association between CIMT and HIV-related factors. Of 262 participants, approximately half were women. The HIV-negative group had a higher prevalence of age ≥55 years (P = .002), previously diagnosed hypertension (P = .02), treatment for hypertension (P = .03), and elevated blood pressure (BP) (P = .01). Overall prevalence of carotid plaques was low (15/262 [6.0%]). HIV-positive status was not significantly associated with a greater mean CIMT (P = .19). In multivariable regression models, PLHIV with elevated blood pressure or treatment for hypertension had a greater mean CIMT (P = .002). However, the CD4 count, viral load, and ART regimen were not associated with differences in CIMT. In the HIV-negative group, older age (P = .006), high total cholesterol levels (P = .01), and diabetes (P = .02) were associated with a greater mean CIMT. In this cross-sectional study of Kenyan adults, traditional CVD risk factors were found to be more prevalent among HIV-negative participants. After multivariable regression analysis, we found no association between HIV status and CIMT, and PLHIV had fewer CVD risk factors associated with CIMT than HIV-negative participants did. HIV-specific factors were not associated with the CIMT.
Significance of differential expression of OLFM4 in the development of endometrial adenocarcinoma

The incidence of endometrial adenocarcinoma (EA) has increased worldwide in recent years due to the widespread use of estrogen therapy and the overall increase in life expectancy. However, we know of no sensitive molecular index that can be used to predict the onset of EA, evaluate the therapeutic effects of treatment agents, or provide prognostic benefit in post-treatment follow-up. To explore the correlation between human olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) and the clinicopathologic parameters of EA, and to determine the precise involvement of OLFM4 as a related factor in the occurrence and development of EA. We enrolled 61 gynecologic patients for a retrospective study at the Tai’an Central Hospital of Shandong Province from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2022. We determined the expression levels of estrogen receptor α (ERα), progesterone receptor (PR), and OLFM4 proteins in endometrial tissue with the immunohistochemical S-P staining method, and analyzed the correlations among ERα, PR, and OLFM4 protein expression levels and with the pathologic stage, histologic grade, myometrial invasiveness, and lymphatic metastasis of EA. The expression levels of OLFM4 in EA were higher than in normal endometrium (P = .036). The expression level of OLFM4 protein in stage II-III patients was higher than that in stage I patients (P = .034), and the expression levels of ERα and PR proteins in EA were lower than those in normal endometrial tissue (P = .014 and P = .0005). While we observed no correlation in endometrial tissues of disparate pathologic types between OLFM4 and the expression levels of ERα and PR proteins, we noted a positive correlation between the expression levels of ERα and PR protein. The expression level of OLFM4 protein increased with the malignant degree of endometrial lesions and OLFM4 protein expression was related to the FIGO stage of EA. And OLFM4 protein can be used as 1 of the potential diagnostic factors for endometrial lesions, which is worthy of further study.