Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computed Tomography Perfusion Derived Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability Does Not Yet Improve Prediction of Hemorrhagic Transformation

Introduction: Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in acute ischemic stroke can occur as a result of reperfusion treatment. While withholding treatment may be warranted in patients with increased risk of HT, prediction of HT remains difficult. Nonlinear regression analysis can be used to estimate blood-brain barrier permeability (BBBP). The aim of this study was to identify a combination of clinical and imaging variables, including BBBP estimations, that can predict HT. Materials and Methods: From the Dutch acute stroke study, 545 patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and/or intra-arterial treatment were selected, with available admission extended computed tomography (CT) perfusion and follow-up imaging. Patient admission treatment characteristics and CT imaging parameters regarding occlusion site, stroke severity, and BBBP were recorded. HT was assessed on day 3 follow-up imaging. The association between potential predictors and HT was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. To compare the added value of BBBP, areas under the curve (AUCs) were created from 2 models, with and without BBBP. Results: HT occurred in 57 patients (10%). In univariate analysis, older age (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.006–1.05), higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.08–1.18), higher clot burden (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.16–1.41), poor collateral score (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.85–6.58), larger Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score cerebral blood volume deficit size (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.14–1.38), and increased BBBP (OR 2.22, 95% CI 1.46–3.37) were associated with HT. In multivariate analysis with age and admission NIHSS, the addition of BBBP did not improve the AUC compared to both independent predictors alone (AUC 0.77, 95% CI 0.71–0.83). Conclusion: BBBP predicts HT but does not improve prediction with age and admission NIHSS.
Study of vibration and its effect on health of the motorcycle rider

The motorcycle riders are subjected to extreme vibrations due to the vibrations of its engine, improper structural design of the motorcycle and the bad road conditions. The literature review reveals that the vibrations are most hazardous to the health if it exceeds the limit. The experiments were conducted to measure the magnitude of the vibrations acting on the rider during motorcycle riding under various road conditions. Experimental values of accelerations and frequencies which are beyond permissible limits according to the literature confirm that vibration certainly affects health of the motorcycle rider.
Factors Related to Participatory Employee Advisory Boards in Small, Blue-Collar Worksites

Purpose. To identify factors related to formation, participation, and characteristics of employee advisory boards (EABs) in blue-collar worksites. Design. This study used a nonexperimental qualitative design to assess EAB formation, activity, and enthusiasm levels and examined those factors relative to employee participation in worksite-wide health promotion activities. Setting. Twenty-two blue-collar worksites with a total of 113 EAB members in the greater Seattle area. Subjects. Individuals who agreed to serve on EABs in the intervention worksites. Intervention. Participants received training in involving employees in the 5-A-Day project intervention activities. Measures. Measures include type of worksite, number of EAB members, method of EAB recruitment, and variables describing EAB functioning, including attendance at meetings, assistance at project activities, and level of enthusiasm. Results. All worksites formed EABs. There was no association between the way the EAB was formed and subsequent EAB attendance at meetings, participation in project activities, representativeness of the EAB, or level of EAB enthusiasm. Enthusiasm of the EAB was associated with employee participation, and EABs with a higher level of enthusiasm showed more participation by employees than worksites with less enthusiastic EABs. Conclusions. It is possible to develop participatory structures in small, blue-collar worksites. More information is needed about factors related to levels of enthusiasm of EABs.
QUANTIFICATION OF THE 3D MORPHOLOGY OF THE BONE CELL NETWORK FROM SYNCHROTRON MICRO-CT IMAGES

In the context of bone diseases research, recent works have highlighted the crucial role of the osteocyte system. This system, hosted in the lacuno-canalicular network (LCN), plays a key role in the bone remodeling process. However, few data are available on the LCN due to the limitations of current microscopy techniques, and have mainly only been obtained from 2D histology sections. Here we present, for the first time, an automatic method to quantify the LCN in 3D from synchrotron radiation micro-tomography images. After segmentation of the LCN, two binary images are generated, one of lacunae (hosting the cell body) and one of canaliculi (small channels linking the lacunae). The binary image of lacunae is labeled, and for each object, lacunar descriptors are extracted after calculating the second order moments and the intrinsic volumes. Furthermore, we propose a specific method to quantify the ramification of canaliculi around each lacuna. To this aim, a signature of the numbers of canaliculi at different distances from the lacunar surface is estimated through the calculation of topological parameters. The proposed method was applied to the 3D SR micro-CT image of a human femoral mid-diaphysis bone sample. Statistical results are reported on 399 lacunae and their surrounding canaliculi.
Outcomes of primary refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with salvage chemotherapy and intention to transplant in the rituximab era

Rituximab‐containing salvage chemotherapy followed by high‐dose therapy and autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in chemosensitive patients remains the standard of care for patients with relapsed and refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, its role in those patients achieving less than a complete response to first‐line therapy (primary refractory disease) in the rituximab era is not well defined. We reviewed the outcomes of 82 transplant‐eligible patients with primary refractory DLBCL who underwent salvage therapy with the intent of administering high‐dose therapy and ASCT to patients achieving chemosensitive remission. The estimated 3‐year overall and progression‐free survival for all patients was 38% and 29%, respectively, and 65% and 60% respectively for patients proceeding to stem cell transplant. Long‐term remission was achieved in 45% of patients achieving a partial response (PR) to initial induction therapy and <20% of patients with stable or progression of disease following initial therapy. These results suggest that salvage chemotherapy with the intent of subsequent high‐dose therapy and ASCT remains a feasible strategy in certain patients with primary refractory DLBCL, particularly for those achieving a PR to frontline therapy. The primary barrier to curative therapy in patients with primary refractory disease is resistance to salvage therapy, and future studies should be aimed towards increasing the response rate in this population.
Design of an optical hyperlens with metallic nanocylinders

We present a novel design for an optical hyperlens to image sub-diffraction limited objects in the far field. Our hyperlens is composed of metallic nanocylinders embedded in a dielectric medium, resulting in an artificially anisotropic optical metamaterial. The anisotropic effective permittivity emerges due to the resonant behaviour of metallic nanocylinders. We present numerical results illustrating an optical hyperlens composed of silver nanocylinders in silica glass.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) toward seasonal influenza vaccine among young workers in South China

ABSTRACT Background: Vaccination against seasonal influenza is usually very protective. However, coverage in service workers is low due to the large population density and high turnover. The aim of this study was to document the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the influenza vaccine among young service workers. Methods: A face-to-face interview and questionnaire were administered at the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control and Prevention (GZCDC) clinic. The questionnaires were analyzed to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and willingness to vaccinate in the service industry population. Results: Overall, the response rate was 81.37% (1035/1272). Most of the participants had faith in the efficacy (94.20%) and safety (94.88%) of the influenza vaccine. A total of 88.7% of the respondents confirmed that children needed to be vaccinated compared to other subjects, including those who work with baby and children (45.89%), elderly people (38.95%), medical staff (38.95%) and chronic disease patients (27.33%). Only 6.47% of the respondents were clearly aware of the vaccination timeframe. One-fifth of the respondents (18.16%) reported being vaccinated within the last three years, representing a low voluntary vaccination rate (23.94%) and a high irregular vaccination rate (77.13%). The primary reason for ignoring the importance of vaccination was that the respondents believed that they were strong enough to not require immunization (42.19%). In the multivariate analysis, the main determinants of the participants' willingness to continue to vaccinate were their beliefs in vaccine protection, a high education level, vaccination behavior over the last 3 years and belief in the necessity of annual vaccinations. Conclusion: Our findings provide insights into the knowledge, attitudes and practices of the service industry population prior to vaccination season in Guangzhou City. Most participants had a passive attitude toward the influenza vaccine, but there was still relatively low knowledge and implementation of the vaccine. Governments and health departments at all levels should develop a long-term strategy for fiscal subsidy policies and new health education patterns to enhance both the recognition and coverage of the influenza vaccine and to protect the citizens as a whole from infection. There is an urgent need for the pharmaceutical industries to develop a universal vaccine and to enhance the efficacy of vaccination.
Medically Attended Catheter Complications Are Common in Patients With Outpatient Central Venous Catheters

OBJECTIVE Outpatient central venous catheters (CVCs) are being used more frequently; however, data describing mechanical complications and central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in the outpatient setting are limited. We performed a retrospective observational cohort study to understand the burden of these complications to elucidate their impact on the healthcare system. METHODS Data were retrospectively collected on patients discharged from Vanderbilt University Medical Center with a CVC in place and admitted into the care of Vanderbilt Home Care Services. Risk factors for medically attended catheter-associated complications (CACs) and outpatient CLABSIs were analyzed. RESULTS A CAC developed in 143 patients (21.9%), for a total of 165 discrete CAC events. Among these, 76 (46%) required at least 1 visit to the emergency department or an inpatient admission, while the remaining 89 (54%) required an outpatient clinic visit. The risk for developing a CAC was significantly increased in female patients, patients with a CVC with >1 lumen, and patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. The absolute number of CLABSIs identified in the study population was small at 16, or 2.4% of the total cohort. CONCLUSIONS Medically attended catheter complications were common among outpatients discharged with a CVC, and reduction of these events should be the focus of outpatient quality improvement programs. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:439–444
Treatment deintensification in human papillomavirus‐positive oropharynx cancer: Outcomes from the National Cancer Data Base

The growing epidemic of human papillomavirus‐positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal cancer and the favorable prognosis of this disease etiology have led to a call for deintensified treatment for some patients with HPV+ cancers. One of the proposed methods of treatment deintensification is the avoidance of chemotherapy concurrent with definitive/adjuvant radiotherapy. To the authors' knowledge, the safety of this form of treatment de‐escalation is unknown and the current literature in this area is sparse. The authors investigated outcomes after various treatment combinations stratified by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) eighth edition disease stage using patients from the National Cancer Data Base.
Proteomic Profiling for Cardiovascular Biomarker Discovery in Orthostatic Hypotension

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) has been linked with higher incidence of cardiovascular disease, but little is known about the mechanisms behind this association. We aimed to identify cardiovascular disease biomarkers associated with OH through a proteomic profiling approach. Seven hundred seventy-eight patients with unexplained syncope or orthostatic intolerance underwent head-up tilt test and supine blood samples. Of these, 220 met diagnostic criteria of OH, and 179 demonstrated normal hemodynamic response during head-up tilt test. Blood samples were analyzed by antibody-based Proximity Extension Assay technique simultaneously measuring 92 cardiovascular disease-related human protein biomarkers. The discovery algorithm was a sequential 2-step process of biomarker signature identification by supervised, multivariate, principal component analysis and verification by univariate ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. Patients with OH were older (67 versus 60 years; P<0.001) and more likely to be women (48% versus 41%; P>0.001) but did not differ from OH-negative patients in medical history. Principal component analysis identified MMP-7 (matrix metalloproteinase-7), TM (thrombomodulin), MB (myoglobin), TIM-1 (T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-1), CASP-8 (caspase-8), CXCL-1 (C-X-C motif chemokine-1), Dkk-1 (dickkopf-related protein-1), lectin-like LOX-1 (oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1), PlGF (placenta growth factor), PAR-1 (proteinase-activated receptor-1), and MCP-1 (monocyte chemotactic protein-1) as the most robust proteomic signature for OH. From this proteomic feature selection, MMP-7 and TIM-1 met Bonferroni-adjusted significance criteria in univariate and multivariate regression analyses. Proteomic profiling in OH reveals a biomarker signature of atherothrombosis and inflammation. Circulating levels of MMP-7 and TIM-1 are independently associated with OH and may be involved in cardiovascular disease promotion.
Optimizing Synchronous Handover in Cloud RAN

Radio networks are at the brink of a transformation in order to meet new requirements for high data and device densities expected for the Internet-of-Things (IoT) era. Cloud technology is positioned to be a key element in building effective 5G radio networks, so-called Cloud RANs. In this paper, we focus on Cloud RAN architectural benefits in relation to synchronous handovers without random access; an important enabler for ultra-low latency and ultra-high reliability services for high mobility IoT applications. We analyze the performance of Cloud RAN architectures and introduce a new concept for reducing the handover preparation time. Compared to today's distributed RAN architectures, we show a handover preparation time reduction of up to 60% for a wide range of interface and processing latency assumptions.
Experimental and statistical methods to evaluate antibacterial activity of a quaternary pyridinium salt on planktonic, biofilm-forming, and biofilm states

Abstract Robust evaluation and comparison of antimicrobial technologies are critical to improving biofilm prevention and treatment. Herein, a multi-pronged experimental framework and statistical models were applied to determine the effects of quaternary pyridinium salt, 4-acetyl-1-hexadecylpyridin-1-ium iodide (QPS-1), on Streptococcus mutans in the planktonic, biofilm-forming and biofilm cell states. Minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC, respectively) were determined via common methods with novel application of statistical approaches combining random effects models and interval censored data to estimate uncertainties. The MICs and MBCs for planktonic and biofilm-forming states ranged from 3.12 to 12.5 μg ml−1, with biofilm values only ≈ 8 times higher. Potent anti-biofilm activity and reactive structural features make QPS-1 a promising antibacterial additive for dental and potentially other biomedical devices. Together, the experimental framework and statistical models provide estimates and uncertainties for effective antimicrobial concentrations in multiple cell states, enabling statistical comparisons and improved characterization of antibacterial agents.
Validation of the French Translation of the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire

Background: The goal of the present study was to validate the French version of the Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ). Methods: Subjects consisted of 115 patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia, 54 obsessive-compulsive patients and 72 normal controls. Patients were referred for outpatient treatment. They filled in the questionnaire before and after entering treatment. The control group consisted of people taken from the general population. It was matched with the clinical groups on age, sex and education. Results: The ACQ appears to have a constant factor structure across US, Dutch and French samples. Results support the validity of the total score of the ACQ. Patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia scored significantly higher than obsessive-compulsive patients and control subjects. On the ACQ physical concerns subscale agoraphobic patients were significantly different from obsessive-compulsive patients and control subjects. On the social/behavioural subscale agoraphobic patients and obsessive-compulsive patients were significantly different from control subjects. The French translation of the ACQ was found to be stable over an interval of 15 days in the control group. The Cronbach coefficients of both subscales were also satisfactory. These results support the stability and the internal consistency of the questionnaire. In addition, the French translation of the ACQ was sensitive to changes with cognitive-behavioural therapy. Conclusions: These results support the findings of Chambless and Gracely [Cogn Ther Res 1989;13:9–20]. The ACQ physical concerns subscale is a specific feature for the anxiety status experienced by patients with panic disorder and agoraphobia. The ACQ social/behavioural subscale seems to be a more general feature of anxious patients.
Red Blood Cell Osmotic Fragility in Chronically Hemodialyzed Patients

Chronic renal failure induces anemia and a short erythrocyte life span. Red blood cell (RBC) osmotic fragility is the resistance of RBC hemolysis to osmotic changes that is used to evaluate RBC friability. To find the cause of shortened red cell survival in uremic patients, we evaluated the RBC osmotic fragility in 57 chronic hemodialyzed patients. Each patient had received 12 h of dialysis per week continuously prior to being enrolled in the study. Nineteen healthy volunteers served as a control group. Biochemistry, hemoglobin, electrolyte, osmolarity, β2-microglobulin, and intact parathyroid hormone were examined before and after the dialysis session. To evaluate the osmotic fragility of RBC, blood samples were collected in heparinized test tubes. Fifty microliters of the RBC of each individual was then incubated in solutions containing a series of various concentrations of NaCl ranging from 0 to 0.6%. The concentration of NaCl at which 50% of RBCs were lysed was considered the median osmotic fragility (MOF). The results showed that the MOF was significantly greater in hemodialyzed patients before dialysis than in the control group (0.41 ± 0.03 vs. 0.39 ± 0.02%). The osmotic resistance to hemolysis was also recorded after dialysis (MOF 0.38 ± 0.03%). Correlation analysis showed that the MOF was significantly correlated with urea nitrogen, serum osmolarity, and intact parathyroid hormone level. In addition, the osmotic fragility was higher in patients who had a predialysis intact parathyroid hormone level >100 pg/dl. In conclusion, hemodialysis can improve the osmotic fragility. The mechanism underlying this improvement may be the removal of low molecular weight uremic toxins, resulting in normalization of serum osmolarity. Our results indicate that parathyroid hormone is probably a major factor influencing RBC osmotic fragility in chronic renal failure.
Bone Turnover in Young Adult Men: Cross‐Sectional Determinants and Associations With Prospectively Assessed Bone Loss

Biochemical markers of bone turnover are higher in young adult men than in middle‐aged men or young adult women. Nonetheless, little is known about the determinants and clinical significance hereof. The present study examined determinants of serum bone turnover markers in men around peak bone mass age, and explored whether bone turnover at this age predicts subsequent changes in bone mass. We used cross‐sectional and longitudinal data from 973 and 428 healthy men, respectively, aged 25 to 45 years at baseline, including baseline procollagen type I amino‐terminal propeptide (P1NP), osteocalcin, and C‐terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) from fasting serum samples, baseline questionnaire‐assessed physical activity levels, and baseline and follow‐up dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry–derived areal bone mineral density (aBMD) and body composition. Mean follow‐up time was 12.4 ± 0.4 years. At baseline, all bone turnover markers were inversely associated with total body fat mass (β ≤ –0.20, p < 0.001), and positively with physical activity during sports activities (β ≥ 0.09, p ≤ 0.003), and, albeit not independently from fat mass, total body lean mass (β ≥ 0.20, p ≤ 0.003). Mean annual aBMD changes in the longitudinal cohort were –0.19% ± 0.24% at the total body, –0.14% ± 0.42% at the spine, –0.49% ± 0.47% at the femoral neck, and –0.25% ± 0.37% at the total hip (all p < 0.001). Higher bone turnover markers at baseline were associated with larger decreases in aBMD at all measurement sites (β ≤ –0.08, p ≤ 0.081 for P1NP; β ≤ –0.16, p ≤ 0.002 for osteocalcin; and β ≤ –0.21, p < 0.001 for CTX). In conclusion, our findings show that sports activities and body composition, primarily fat mass, are the main identified determinants of bone turnover in men around peak bone mass age. Further, bone turnover at this age is an important determinant of subsequent changes in bone mass, with higher levels of bone turnover markers being associated with greater decreases in aBMD. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.