Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Results of Microvascular Decompression of the Eighth Nerve as Treatment for Disabling Positional Vertigo

A total of 41 patients who underwent microvascular decompression to relieve disabling positional vertigo in one 12-month period were studied. At follow-up examinations 2½ to 3½ years after the operation, 30 patients had total relief of their symptoms or were considerably improved, to the point that they could resume normal work or other activities in which they were not able to engage before the operation. Two of the 41 patients had mild improvement, and the final 9 patients had no change in their symptoms. One patient, who had had a previous vestibular nerve section without improvement, underwent microvascular decompression of the stump as well as decompression of the opposite side with no relief; 3 of these 9 patients had clear signs of bilateral vestibular nerve compression, but elected not to undergo a second procedure at that time. One patient lost hearing as a result of the operation, and 1 who had a second operation suffered a hearing loss and subsequently underwent vestibular nerve section with improvement of the symptoms. Two patients had transient deficits related to cranial nerves IV and X. The remaining patients had no complications from the operation.
Raloxifene for women with Alzheimer disease

Objective: To determine whether raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, improves cognitive function compared with placebo in women with Alzheimer disease (AD) and to provide an estimate of cognitive effect. Methods: This pilot study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, with a planned treatment of 12 months. Women with late-onset AD of mild to moderate severity were randomly allocated to high-dose (120 mg) oral raloxifene or identical placebo provided once daily. The primary outcome compared between treatment groups at 12 months was change in the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog). Results: Forty-two women randomized to raloxifene or placebo were included in intent-to-treat analyses (mean age 76 years, range 68–84), and 39 women contributed 12-month outcomes. ADAS-cog change scores at 12 months did not differ significantly between treatment groups (standardized difference 0.03, 95% confidence interval −0.39 to 0.44, 2-tailed p = 0.89). Raloxifene and placebo groups did not differ significantly on secondary analyses of dementia rating, activities of daily living, behavior, or a global cognition composite score. Caregiver burden and caregiver distress were similar in both groups. Conclusions: Results on the primary outcome showed no cognitive benefits in the raloxifene-treated group. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class I evidence that for women with AD, raloxifene does not have a significant cognitive effect. The study lacked the precision to exclude a small effect.
Can the Child Health Utility 9D measure be useful in oral health research?

BACKGROUND Cost-utility analysis using the quality-adjusted life years (QALY) as an outcome measure to inform healthcare resource allocation is becoming more common. The Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D) enables the calculation of utility values in children. Children were involved throughout its development to ensure it is child centred. AIM To determine whether the CHU9D is responsive to the changing components of the dmfs+DMFS index score in children receiving dental care over a 1-year period. DESIGN The study sample comprised children aged 6 to 9 years old who were enrolled in a split-mouth, placebo-controlled randomised controlled trial. All children had a comprehensive clinical examination including radiographs and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was measured using the CHU9D at baseline and 1 year. Descriptive statistics was followed by bivariate analyses before effect sizes were calculated. A negative binomial model was fitted to assess whether the utility score predicted the components of decayed and filled teeth (combined primary and permanent teeth). RESULTS Eighty (92%) children completed the CHU9D at baseline and follow-up. They presented with a mean baseline d3mfs+D3MFS of 6.7 (SD = 7.1), which rose to 7.3 (SD = 7.0) at follow-up. The mean CHU9D score improved from 0.88 to 0.90 from baseline to follow-up. No statistically significant relationships were found between caries status and the CHU9D score. CONCLUSION The CHU9D was found to be unresponsive to the changing components of dental caries experience.
Comparative analyses of the role of postnatal development on the expression of play fighting.

Whether it is that animals are young so that they can play, or whether it is that they play because they are young, play should be more prevalent in species that have a greater degree of postnatal development. This hypothesis is tested by comparative analyses within two mammalian orders (primates and muroid rodents) using independent contrasts. This technique can account for the relative degree of relatedness among the species. For both orders, the complexity or prevalence of play fighting is compared to the degree of prenatal development (neonatal weight/adult weight). In addition, the prevalence of play in primates is compared to prenatal brain development (neonatal brain weight/adult brain weight). Significant negative regressions show that 30% of the variance in the distribution of play in the rodents is accounted for by the degree of prenatal development of body size, and 60% of the variance in play in the primates is accounted for by prenatal brain growth. The findings are thus consistent with the prediction. Species with a greater proportion of their growth occurring postnatally play more and have more complex play than do species with more of their growth occurring prenatally.
Improved Recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis From Children Using the Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility Method

OBJECTIVE. The diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis presents challenges in children, because symptoms are nonspecific, sputa are not accessible, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures and smears often are negative. The Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility technique is a simple, inexpensive method for Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolation with superior speed and sensitivity over Lowenstein-Jensen culture in studies of adults with pulmonary tuberculosis. The objective of this study was to determine whether Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility culture can improve the sensitivity and the speed of Mycobacterium tuberculosis recovery among Peruvian children with symptoms suggestive of pulmonary tuberculosis. METHODS. Two specimens of each type (gastric aspirate, nasopharyngeal aspirate, and stool specimens) were collected from each patient, examined by auramine stain, and cultured by Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility and Lowenstein-Jensen techniques. Patients (n = 165) were enrolled between April 2002 and February 2004 at the Instituto de Salud del Niño, the major pediatric hospital in Lima, Peru. Inclusion criteria were age ≤12 years, Stegen-Toledo clinical score ≥5 points, and absence of antituberculous therapy. The main outcome measurements were (1) proportion of specimens that were culture positive by Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility versus Lowenstein-Jensen and (2) days required for positive culture result, stratified by specimen type and auramine stain result. RESULTS. Fifteen (9%) patients had at least 1 positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture (from stool in 3 cases, nasopharyngeal aspirate in 8 cases, and gastric aspirate in 15 cases). Thirty-eight culture-positive specimens were obtained (22 gastric aspirate, 12 nasopharyngeal aspirates, and 4 stools). Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility provided significantly more positive cultures than Lowenstein-Jensen (33 of 38 specimens culture positive by Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility vs 21 of 38 by Lowenstein-Jensen). This was attributed to enhanced recovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from auramine-negative specimens (19 of 23 by Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility vs 9 of 23 by Lowenstein-Jensen), in contrast to similar detection rates for the 2 tests with auramine-positive samples. Similar results were found for analyses that were limited to gastric aspirates. Isolation was faster by Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility than Lowenstein-Jensen. CONCLUSIONS. Isolation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis from children with suspected pulmonary tuberculosis by Microscopic Observation Drug Susceptibility demonstrated greater yield and faster recovery than by Lowenstein-Jensen method, significantly improving local capabilities to detect pediatric tuberculosis in resource-poor settings.
Changes in the sensory characteristics of mango cultivars during the production of mango purée and sorbet.

UNLABELLED The effects of processing on the flavor and texture properties of 4 mango cultivars available in the U.S. were studied. Descriptive panelists evaluated fresh mango, mango purée, and mango sorbet prepared from each cultivar. Purées were made by pulverizing mango flesh, passing it through a china cap, and heating it to 85 °C for 15 s. To prepare the sorbets, purées were diluted with water (1:1), sucrose was added to increase the total soluble solids (TSS) to 32 ± 2 °Brix, and bases were frozen in a batch-type ice cream freezer. Processing fresh mangoes into mango purée generally decreased fruity character and mango identity and led to the appearance of a cooked note. Many of the flavor distinctions among cultivars carried over from fresh to purée samples, but much of the texture variation was lost. Thermal processing had differing effects on the flavor of the cultivars, and therefore, results suggest that mango cultivars for purées should be selected based on properties after thermal treatment. Processing purées into sorbets minimized flavor variation among cultivars, although Tommy Atkins sorbet was relatively high in green and green-viney character and low in caramelized flavor compared to the other cultivars in sorbet. Based on the current study only very distinct flavor properties of mango cultivars may carry over to sorbets. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Findings from the present study will help mango purée and sorbet manufacturers select appropriate cultivars for their products by understanding the transformation that mango undergoes as it is processed into mango purée and subsequently to mango sorbet.
Inflammation and cancer: inhibiting the progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma by anti-inflammatory drug after incomplete radiofrequency ablation.

BACKGROUND Accelerated progression of residual hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after incomplete radiofrequency ablation (RFA) has been reported more frequently. Recent data have redefined the concept of inflammation as a critical component of tumor progression. However, there has been little understanding regarding the relationship between progression of residual HCC and the inflammation induced by thermal destruction of the tumor after RFA. The present study was designed to determine whether inflammation facilitates rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma and to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms. METHODS Forty-eight rabbits were each implanted with two VX2 hepatic tumors via supraumbilical median laparotomy. One of the tumors in two different lobes was ablated by RFA. All the rabbits were then randomly divided into four groups (12 rabbits in each group) receiving anti-inflammatory treatment with different doses of aspirin: control group, AS-L group (aspirin, 5 mg/kg/d), AS-M group (aspirin, 20 mg/kg/d), and AS-H group (aspirin, 100 mg/kg/d). The levels of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected to evaluate the effect of the anti-inflammation. Tumor growth, lung and kidney metastasis, and survival were assessed. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase-3) in residual tumor was examined by immunohistochemistry and Western-blotting. RESULTS The levels of serum IL-6, hs-CRP, and TNF-α in the AS-H group decreased significantly in comparison with those of the control group (P<0.05). The focal tumor volume and lung and kidney metastases of rabbits in the AS-H group were less significant compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). The expression of PCNA, MMP-9, and VEGF in the AS-H group decreased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). Finally, the survival time of the AS-H group was longer than that of the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Inflammation induced by thermal destruction of the tumor following RFA could be an important cause of rapid progression of residual hepatic VX2 carcinoma. The anti-inflammation effect of aspirin can inhibit proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of residual tumor cells, and aspirin may be a good candidate drug as an adjuvant therapy with RFA for treating HCC.
National nutritional anaemia control programme in India.

This article presents the strategies of the National Nutritional Anemia Control Program (NNACP) in India. The program, implemented through the Primary Health Centers and its subcenters, aims at decreasing the prevalence and incidence of anemia in women of reproductive age. It focuses on three vital strategies: promotion of regular consumption of foods rich in iron, provisions of iron and folate supplements in the form of tablets to the high risk groups, and identification and treatment of severely anemic cases. The program solicits the support of various departments in implementing the dietary modification and supplementation measures. Pregnant women are recommended to have one big tablet per day for 100 days after the first trimester of pregnancy; a similar dose applies to lactating women and IUD acceptors. Preschool children (ages 1-5 years) are recommended to take one small tablet per day for 100 days every year. Adult tablets contain 100 mg iron and 500 mg folic acid, while pediatric tablets contain 20 mg iron and 100 mg folic acid. For treatment of severe anemia, women in the reproductive age group are recommended to take three adult tablets per day for a minimum of 100 days. Drinking tea is discouraged, as it may inhibit the absorption of iron in the stomach. There are proposed initiatives to improve coverage, quality, and efficiency of the NNACP in the Ninth Plan period. In October 1997, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in India organized a National Consultation on Control of Nutritional Anemia to review the epidemiology of nutritional anemia and the existing policy on nutritional anemia control.
Childhood inflammatory markers and intelligence as predictors of subsequent persistent depressive symptoms: a longitudinal cohort study

Abstract Background To identify developmental sub-groups of depressive symptoms during the second decade of life, a critical period of brain development, using data from a prospective birth cohort. To test whether childhood intelligence and inflammatory markers are associated with subsequent persistent depressive symptoms. Methods IQ, a proxy for neurodevelopment, was measured at age 8 years. Interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein, typical inflammatory markers, were measured at age 9 years. Depressive symptoms were measured six times between 10 and 19 years using the short mood and feelings questionnaire (SMFQ), which were coded as binary variable and then used in latent class analysis to identify developmental sub-groups of depressive symptoms. Results Longitudinal SMFQ data from 9156 participants yielded three distinct population sub-groups of depressive symptoms: no symptoms (81.2%); adolescent-onset symptoms (13.2%); persistent symptoms (5.6%). Lower IQ and higher IL-6 levels in childhood were independently associated with subsequent persistent depressive symptoms in a linear, dose–response fashion, but not with adolescent-onset symptoms. Compared with the group with no symptoms the adjusted odds ratio for persistent depressive symptoms per s.d. increase in IQ was 0.80 (95% CI, 0.68–0.95); that for IL-6 was 1.20 (95% CI, 1.03–1.39). Evidence for an association with IL-6 remained after controlling for initial severity of depressive symptoms at 10 years. There was no evidence that IL-6 moderated or mediated the IQ-persistent depressive symptom relationship. Conclusions The results indicate potentially important roles for two distinct biological processes, neurodevelopment and inflammation, in the aetiology of persistent depressive symptoms in young people.
Analytical and biological variances associated with proteomic studies of Medicago truncatula by two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Two‐dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2‐DE) and mass spectrometry are being used as proteomic tools in an integrated functional genomics program focused on the model legume Medicago truncatula. Due to the perceived high levels of indeterminate error associated with 2‐DE we deemed it necessary to quantify the coefficient of variance (or relative standard deviation) for both analytical and biological sources associated with 2‐DE of Medicago truncatula leaf protein extracts. Leaf protein extracts were chosen because of their biological significance and due to the more challenging nature of green tissues. Analytical variance was calculated for fifty proteins from ten replicate 2‐DE gels of the same protein extract. Biological variance was calculated for the same fifty proteins from ten independent 2‐DE gel analyses of ten independent but similar plants grown under identical conditions. Average analytical and biological variances were calculated for both data sets and represent the average variance of approximately 500 independent measurements of protein concentration. Analytical variance was determined to be 16.2% and biological variance was determined to be 24.2%. These average variances provide a quantified and statistical basis for evaluation of protein expression changes in future comparative proteomic investigations. It is proposed that 2‐DE measured protein expression levels should differ by a minimum of 3. 92σ (i.e. $\left| { \pm 2\sigma } \right|$ and σ = standard deviation), or 94.7% based on our measured variances, for the difference to be significant at the 95% confidence level.
The SVM, SimpSVM and RVM on sign language recognition problem

Human gesture recognition is a rather new field and many challenges, sign language recognition is a concrete example of gesture recognition. In this paper, we study the feasibility and effectiveness of vector machine learning methods, namely Support Vector Machine (SVM), Simplification of Support Vector Machine (SimpSVM) and Relevance Vector Machine (RVM) to the sign language recognition problem. At the same time, we also give some comparative results of SVM, SimpSVM and RVM for that problem. The experimental results on the Auslan data set show SVM, SimpSVM and RVM could achieve the state-of-the-art predictive performance, also pointed out that prediction behaviors of them are similar in terms of the prediction accuracy when the number of feature changed and sign discrimination. However, SimpSVM and RVM require fewer testing time than SVM in testing phase.
Range-inertial estimation for airborne wind energy

An estimation approach is presented for an autonomous tethered kite system for the purpose of airborne wind energy generation. Accurate estimation of the kite state is critical to the performance of automatic flight controllers. We propose an estimation scheme which fuses measurements from range sensing, based on ultra-wideband radios, and inertial readings from an inertial measurement unit. Ranges are measured between a transceiver fixed to the moving kite body and a number of static range beacons scattered on the ground. Estimates are computed using the multiplicative extended Kalman filtering scheme with a sensor-driven kinematic process model using a quaternion representation of the kite attitude. Furthermore, we assume only approximate prior knowledge of the range beacon locations and consider the problem of estimating the kite state and localizing the range beacons simultaneously. We present results of the estimator tested within a simulation environment of an airborne wind energy system and compare performance to an existing estimation scheme based on tether-angles and tether-length measurements.
Facial Reanimation Using the Masseter-to-Facial Nerve Transfer

Background: This article describes facial reanimation using the transfer of the trigeminal motor nerve branch of the masseter muscle (masseter nerve) to the facial nerve (masseter-to-facial nerve transfer). Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 10 consecutive facial paralysis patients treated with a masseter-to-facial nerve transfer for reanimation of the midface and perioral region over a 7-year period. Patients were evaluated with physical examination, direct measurement of commissure excursion, and video analysis. Results: All patients regained oral competence, good resting tone, and a smile, with a vector and strength comparable to those of the normal side. Motion developed an average of 5.6 months after masseter-to-facial nerve transfer, with 40 percent of patients developing an effortless smile by postoperative month 19. Conclusions: The masseter-to-facial nerve transfer is an effective method for reanimation of the midface and perioral region in a select group of facial paralysis patients. The technique is advocated for its limited donor-site morbidity, avoidance of interposition nerve grafts, and potential for cerebral adaptation, producing a strong, potentially effortless smile.
Application of random effect ordinal regression model for outcome evaluation of two randomized controlled trials

Cluster randomization is often used in intervention trials, yet when individuals nested within clusters are considered as the units of analysis for outcome evaluation, it cannot be assumed that the observations are statistically independent. Observations that are not statistically independent also result when repeated measures are taken over time for the same individual. Ignoring clustered observations when performing data analysis can lead to the erroneous conclusion that the intervention under study had a statistically significant effect. Moreover, individual responses are often collected on ordinal scales; thus models for continuous or categorical data are usually not appropriate. We applied a random effect ordinal regression model to data sets from two randomized controlled intervention trials that measured graded scale non‐independent responses. The first trial compared two school programmes for AIDS prevention in terms of impact (i.e., changes in the frequency of condom use). The second trial used the MOS‐HIV questionnaire to measure the quality of life of new AIDS cases four times over a one‐year follow‐up period (only results of the role‐functioning scale are reported). Regarding the first data set, the effect of the intervention was not significant, and the post‐intervention frequency of condom use was mainly attributable to the pre‐intervention frequency (p<0.01), with no differences among schools. Regarding the second data set, a borderline significant increase in the role‐functioning scale scores was observed over the follow‐up period; the results differed only slightly by intervention group; a significant (p<0.01) intra‐individual correlation of 0.4 was found. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.