Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, zinc, and creatinine concentration in 24-h and spot urine samples in women

Abstract Background: The 24-h urine sample is considered as the most reliable material for testing many but not necessarily all constituents in urine. However, its collection is tedious for both patients and research participants. The aim of this study was to compare concentrations of essential elements calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), potassium (K), and zinc (Zn) in 24-h and spot urine samples. Methods: Urine samples were collected from 143 generally healthy women, aged 30–79 years. Fasting spot urine was collected immediately after the end of the 24-h collection, therefore being of the same content as the first morning urine which ended the 24-h collection. Elements were analyzed by flame atomic absorption/emission spectrometry and expressed as mg/g and/or mmol/mol of creatinine (Cr). Spearman rank order correlations between 24-h and spot urine were carried out for each element. Ratios of elements in 24-h to spot urine samples were calculated to estimate the element-proportion of spot in the 24-h sample. Results: All coefficients of correlation between 24-h and spot urine of measured elements and Cr were significant (p<0.05): Zn (0.637), Mg (0.623), Ca (0.603), Na (0.452), K (0.396), and Cr (0.217). Ratios of 24-h to spot urine samples for each element (except K) were similar and close to 2, indicating uniform proportion of elements from spot urine sample in the 24-h sample. In addition, a high correlation between various pairs of elements was obtained in both 24-h and spot urine; the highest being between Na/Ca (0.435) and (0.578), respectively. This is in accordance with theoretical presumptions and previous findings regarding those relationships. Conclusions: Although replacing burdensome 24-h urine collection with spot urine sampling might not provide the solution in all cases, our results show that for the elements analyzed, spot urine could be a reliable alternative. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009;47:216–21.
Relationship between physico-chemical properties of magnetic fluids and their heating capacity

Abstract The final goal in magnetic hyperthermia research is to use nanoparticles in the form of a colloidal suspension injected into human beings for a therapeutic application. Therefore the challenge is not only to develop magnetic nanoparticles with good heating capacities, but also with good colloidal properties, long blood circulation time and with grafted ligands able to facilitate their specific internalisation in tumour cells. Significant advances have been achieved optimising the properties of the magnetic nanoparticles, showing extremely large specific absorption rate values that will contribute to a reduction in the concentration of the magnetic fluid that needs to be administered. In this review we show the effect of different characteristics of the magnetic particles, such as size, size distribution and shape, and the colloidal properties of their aqueous suspensions, such as hydrodynamic size and surface modification, on the heating capacity of the magnetic colloids.
Estimating nanoparticle optical absorption with magnetic resonance temperature imaging and bioheat transfer simulation

Abstract Purpose: Optically activated nanoparticle-mediated heating for thermal therapy applications is an area of intense research. The ability to characterise the spatio-temporal heating potential of these particles for use in modelling under various exposure conditions can aid in the exploration of new approaches for therapy as well as more quantitative prospective approaches to treatment planning. The purpose of this research was to investigate an inverse solution to the heat equation using magnetic resonance temperature imaging (MRTI) feedback, for providing optical characterisation of two types of nanoparticles (gold–silica nanoshells and gold nanorods). Methods: The optical absorption of homogeneous nanoparticle–agar mixtures was measured during exposure to an 808 nm laser using real-time MRTI. A coupled finite element solution of heat transfer was registered with the data and used to solve the inverse problem. The L2 norm of the difference between the temperature increase in the model and MRTI was minimised using a pattern search algorithm by varying the absorption coefficient of the mixture. Results: Absorption fractions were within 10% of literature values for similar nanoparticles. Comparison of temporal and spatial profiles demonstrated good qualitative agreement between the model and the MRTI. The weighted root mean square error was <1.5 σMRTI and the average Dice similarity coefficient for ΔT = 5 °C isotherms was >0.9 over the measured time interval. Conclusion: This research demonstrates the feasibility of using an indirect method for making minimally invasive estimates of nanoparticle absorption that might be expanded to analyse a variety of geometries and particles of interest.
Towards a dosimetric framework for therapeutic ultrasound

Abstract There is a need for a coherent set of exposure and dose quantities to describe ultrasound fields in media other than water (including tissue and tissue-simulating materials). This paper proposes an outline dosimetry scheme, with quantities for free field exposure, in situ exposure, dose (both instantaneous and cumulative) and effect, to act as a structure for organising a more complete set of definitions. It also presents findings from a survey of the views of the therapeutic ultrasound community which generally supports the principle of using modified free field quantities to describe the in situ field, and the prioritising of dose quantities which are related to heating and thermal mechanisms. Although there is no one-to-one relationship between any known ultrasound dose quantity and a specific biological effect, this can also be said of radiotherapy and other modalities where weighting factors have been developed to calculate the degree of equivalence between different tissues and radiation types. This same separation is recommended for ultrasound, provided that an appropriate set of recognised ‘engineering’ quantities can be established for exposure and dose quantities.
Thermometry and ablation monitoring with ultrasound

Abstract In this review we present the current status of ultrasound thermometry and ablation monitoring, with emphasis on the diverse approaches published in the literature and with an eye on which methods are closest to clinical reality. It is hoped that this review will serve as a guide to the expansion of sonographic methods for treatment monitoring and thermometry since the last brief review in 2007.
Administration of Methylprednisolone for 24 or 48 Hours or Tirilazad Mesylate for 48 Hours in the Treatment of Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Results of the Third National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective. \p=m-\Tocompare the efficacy of methylprednisolone administered for 24 hours with methyprednisolone administered for 48 hours or tirilazad mesylate administered for 48 hours in patients with acute spinal cord injury. Design. \p=m-\Double-blind,randomized clinical trial. Setting. \p=m-\Sixteenacute spinal cord injury centers in North America. Patients. \p=m-\Atotal of 499 patients with acute spinal cord injury diagnosed in National Acute Spinal Cord Injury Study (NASCIS) centers within 8 hours of injury. Intervention. \p=m-\Allpatients received an intravenous bolus of methylprednisolone (30 mg/kg) before randomization. Patients in the 24-hour regimen group (n=166) received a methylprednisolone infusion of 5.4 mg/kg per hour for 24 hours, those in the 48-hour regimen group (n=167) received a methylprednisolone infusion of 5.4 mg/kg per hour for 48 hours, and those in the tirilazad group (n=166) received a 2.5 mg/kg bolus infusion of tirilazad mesylate every 6 hours for 48 hours. Main Outcome Measures. \p=m-\Motorfunction change between initial presentation and at 6 weeks and 6 months after injury, and change in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) assessed at 6 weeks and 6 months. Results. \p=m-\Comparedwith patients treated with methylprednisolone for 24 hours, those treated with methylprednisolone for 48 hours showed improved motor recovery at 6 weeks (P=.09) and 6 months (P=.07) after injury. The effect of the 48-hour methylprednisolone regimen was significant at 6 weeks (P=.04) and 6 months (P=.01) among patients whose therapy was initiated 3 to 8 hours after injury. Patients who received the 48-hour regimen and who started treatment at 3 to 8 hours were more likely to improve 1 full neurologic grade (P=.03) at 6 months, to show
Altered interhemispheric resting state functional connectivity during passive hyperthermia

Abstract Purpose: This study examines the effect of passive hyperthermia on interhemispheric resting state functional connectivity and the correlation between interhemispheric resting state functional connectivity and efficiency of a succedent working memory task. Materials and methods: We performed voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) analyses on resting state MRI data and a one-back task from 14 healthy subjects in both HT (hyperthermia, 50 °C) conditions and normal control (NC, 25 °C) conditions. The group analyses of the differences for VMHC between the two conditions and the correlation analysis between the VMHC and the reaction time (RT) of the one-back task were performed with the statistical parametric mapping software package and the software REST. Results: Compared with NC conditions, HT conditions increased VMHC in the cuneus, the postcentral gyrus, and the fusiform gyrus. No region showed decreased VMHC in the HT group in comparison with the NC group. For NC conditions, negative correlations were demonstrated between RT of the one-back task and VMHC in bilateral superior temporal gyrus, and bilateral middle frontal gyrus; for HT conditions, negative correlations were demonstrated between RT and VMHC in bilateral inferior frontal gyrus, bilateral middle frontal gyrus, as well as cerebellum posterior lobe. Conclusion: Passive heat stress can impact the interhemispheric information interactions at resting state and the VMHC deficits may play an important role in cognitive dysfunction.
Awareness Regarding Pulmonary Tuberculosis - A Study Among Patient Taking Treatment of Tuberculosis in Rural Surat, Gujarat -

Background: Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is one of the most grave public health problem and account for four fifth of all tuberculosis cases. PTB is the key source of spread of mycobacterium. Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) adopted passive surveillance strategy of the chest symptomatic for identification of cases of PTB. Therefore, it is utmost important that the basic information about PTB and services provided under the program is clear in community. Methodology: A cross sectional observational study was conducted among 176 patient taking treatment of PTB from Health Centers of Surat District. Results: More than 80 percent of the respondents were aware of symptomatology of PTB. Almost all (96.7%) of patient were aware about one person to other person mode of transmission of tuberculosis. Almost half were aware about the infective organism as cause of disease and more than one third patients were aware of diagnostic investigations of PTB. However only 9% of patients were know about BCG immunization as means of prevention for tuberculosis. Most of the respondents 95% believed that tuberculosis is curable. Conclusion: The current study revealed that although awareness regarding certain basic aspect of tuberculosis was adequate; however there is a great need to improve awareness in illiterate individuals and females. Importance of BCG vaccination needs to be appreciated in community through continuation and innovations in IEC.
Analysis of Boundary Layer Flow and Heat Transfer along a Stretching Cylinder in a Porous Medium

This paper presents an axi-symmetric laminar boundary layer flow of a viscous incompressible fluid and heat transfer towards a stretching cylinder embedded in a porous medium. The partial differential equations corresponding to the momentum and heat equations are converted into highly nonlinear ordinary differential equations with the help of similarity transformations. Numerical solutions of these equations are obtained by shooting method. It is found that the velocity decreases with increasing permeability parameter. The skin friction as well as the heat transfer rate at the surface is larger for a cylinder compared to a flat plate.
Tau and p-tau as CSF biomarkers in dementia: a meta-analysis

Abstract Background: To evaluate the value of total tau (tau) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the differential diagnosis of dementia, more specifically: dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), vascular dementia (VaD), and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD). Methods: A systematic literature search was performed to identify studies on tau and p-tau in DLB, FTLD, VaD and CJD. Tau concentrations were compared to healthy controls and to subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) using random effect meta-analysis. Outcome measures were Cohen's delta, sensitivity and specificity. Results: Compared to controls, tau concentrations are moderately elevated in DLB, FTLD and VaD, while p-tau concentrations are only slightly elevated in DLB and not elevated in FTLD and VaD. Compared to AD, lower tau concentrations differentiated DLB with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 90%, FTLD with sensitivity and specificity of 74%, and VaD with a sensitivity of 73% and a specificity of 86%. Relative to AD, lower p-tau values differentiated FTLD with a sensitivity of 79% and specificity of 83%, and VaD with a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 78%. CJD is characterized by extremely elevated tau concentrations with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 98% vs. AD. Conclusions: CSF tau concentrations in DLB, FTLD and VaD are intermediate between controls and AD patients. Overlap with both controls and AD patients results in insufficient diagnostic accuracy, and the development of more specific biomarkers for these disorders is needed. CJD is characterized by extremely increased tau values, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity that exceeds 90%.
Comparison of MRI-based thrombolysis for patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion<or=3 h and 3-6 h.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the outcomes of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based thrombolysis using recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion in 3-6 hours. MATERIALS AND METHODS MRI-selected patients (n=15) with acute ischemic stroke in MCA divided into two groups (<or=3 h and 3-6 h) were treated with intravenous rt-PA. MR was performed before rt-PA, at 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days after stroke. Recanalization was assessed 24 h after thrombolysis, and clinical status was evaluated before rt-PA treatment, 6 hours, 24 hours, 7 days, and 14 days after thrombolysis by the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Modified rankin scale (MRS) was used to assess clinical outcome at 30 and 90 days after thrombolysis. RESULTS There was no significant between <or=3 h and 3-6 h group in length of hospital stay, recanalization, MRS, and favorable outcome at 90 days. Recanalization within 24 hours occurred in 9 (60%), and nonrecanalization in 6 (40%). One patient in recanalization group and three in nonrecanalization group had an asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) within 24 h after thrombolysis (P=0.235). Recanalization with thrombolysis was associated with a better outcome regardless of the time point of rt-PA treatment. Comparison with nonrecanalization group, recanalization was also associated with a lower NIHSS score at 14 days (P=0.003), a lower TIMI grade at 7 days (P<0.001), and a shorter length of hospital stay (P=0.018). CONCLUSION Our study suggested that MR-based thrombolysis using rt-PA was safe and reliable in patients with acute MCA occlusion in 3-6 hours.
Gender and Ethnicity Group Differences Among Substance Abuse Treatment Clients Insured Under Managed Care

&NA; This longitudinal study of substance abuse treatment in residential and outpatient settings examines substance abuse treatment under managed care insurance, and compares client characteristics, processes, and outcomes of substance abuse treatment, by gender and ethnicity. At baseline, the women in the study (N = 69), compared to men (N = 91), were on more psychotropic medications, had higher scores for drug dependency, and lower quality of life scores, including symptomatology and functional status. Women also had higher drug use scores before treatment than men, and fewer days of sobriety; after treatment there were no significant differences between women and men. Although these women were more affected by their substance abuse than men at baseline, the differences were eliminated by follow‐up. At baseline, Caucasians (N = 103) used more psychotropic medications than Hispanics. Additionally, Caucasians had higher functional status and total quality of life compared to non‐Caucasians (Hispanic and African‐American, N = 47) with no other significant differences regarding drug use. At follow‐up, more non‐Caucasians had received SAT in the residential setting, completed treatment, had fewer individuals relapse, more days of sobriety, and more improvement in quality of life and functional status. Non‐Caucasian outcomes were better than Caucasian outcomes; this may have been related to their greater utilization of residential treatment. Significant interaction effects between gender and ethnicity were found, including findings that Caucasian women had more in common with non‐Caucasian women and men than with Caucasian men.
The impact of cranioplasty on neurological function

Abstract Objectives. To assess changes in neurological function after cranioplasty. Methods. Functional and neurocognitive assessments including activities of daily living assessment, functional independence measure (FIM) and the Cognitive assessment report (COGNISTAT) were conducted on all patients within 72 h before and 7 days after cranioplasty. A change in the total FIM score of 2 points was taken to be clinically significant. Results. Assessments were performed on 25 patients. The functional status was unchanged in eighteen patients (72%), four patients (16%) demonstrated a significant improvement and three patients (12%) deteriorated significantly. Those with deterioration after cranioplasty had some forms of complications including pneumocephalus or seizure. After excluding the three patients who had immediate medical or surgical complications after surgery, there was a mild overall improvement in the mean FIM score (2.1, 95% confidence interval 0.1–4.3, p = 0.049), mainly due to an improvement in their motor function. Conclusions. A small but significant number of patients appear to improve clinically following cranioplasty. The so-called syndrome of the trephined may be more common than had been previously appreciated.
Administration of an Exercise Regimen in Assisted-Living Facilities to Improve Balance and Activities of Daily Living

Purpose: This pilot study examined the effects of an exercise program on functional balance and activities of daily living (ADLs) of residents in assisted-living facilities. Materials and methods: Thirty-four subjects participated in the initial evaluation, but only 13 subjects participated in the study. All participants completed the ADL questionnaires (Functional Assessment Screening Questionnaire [FASQ] and the Katz Index of ADL), but only 10 completed the 8-week exercise program and balance assessment (Berg Balance Scale [BBS]). Results: Significant differences were observed between the pre- and postmeasurements for BBS ( p = .008) and FASQ (p = .023) but not for the Katz Index of ADL (p = .066). This suggests that strengthening exercises can be beneficial in improving functional balance and ADLs. Conclusion: Further research with a larger sample size is needed to evaluate the impact of lower extremity strengthening exercises on balance and ADL preservation for elders in long-term care facilities.
Publication fate of abstracts presented at Society of British Neurological Surgeons meetings

Abstract Introduction. Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS) meetings are important national events which allow for the presentation of current academic work. The publication rate of presented abstracts is considered a proxy marker of the scientific strength of a conference. We aimed to determine the publication fate of presented abstracts at SBNS meetings over a 5-year period. Methods. A retrospective review of SBNS conference proceedings between 2001 and 2005 was performed. To ascertain whether an abstract resulted in peer-reviewed publication, a range of databases (PubMed, Google Scholar, Medline and Ovid) were interrogated. Abstracts published in full were subsequently assessed for journal impact factor (IF), time of publication and number of citations received (per Google Scholar). Results. A total of 494 abstracts were presented. Of these, 181 abstracts were subsequently published in full, giving the conference a publication rate of 36.6%. The mean time to publication from presentation was 22 months (range 35 months pre-presentation to 133 months afterwards). The top three journals for publication were the British Journal of Neurosurgery (23.2%), Neurosurgery (7.7%) and Journal of Neurosurgery (7.7%). The IF of journal destinations ranged from no IF to 38.28 (median = 1.97). Number of citations ranged from 0 to 963 (median = 22). Abstracts with positive results were significantly more likely to be published in full compared to those with negative results (p = 0.0001). Conclusions. SBNS conferences have a respectable publication rate. Those abstracts that are published in full have gone on to gain a considerable number of citations reflecting their scientific relevance. However, studies presented at SBNS are susceptible to positive outcome bias.
Prevalence and Clinical Correlates of Microalbuminuria in Essential Hypertension The MAGIC Study

Abstract The prevalence of microalbuminuria and its relationship with several cardiovascular risk factors and target organ damage were evaluated in a cohort of 787 untreated patients with essential hypertension. Albuminuria was measured as the albumin-to-creatinine ratio in three nonconsecutive, first morning urine samples. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 6.7%. Albuminuric patients were more likely to be men and to be characterized by higher blood pressure, body mass index, and uric acid levels and lower HDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol−to−LDL cholesterol ratio. Piecewise linear regression analysis demonstrated that uric acid and diastolic blood pressure significantly influence albuminuria and together account for a large part of its variations. K-means cluster analysis performed on the entire cohort of patients confirmed that microalbuminuria is associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile. Furthermore, microalbuminuria was associated with the presence of target organ damage (eg, electrocardiographic [ECG] abnormalities and retinal vascular changes). Age and the presence of microalbuminuria act as independent risk factors for the development of ECG abnormalities and retinal vascular changes. Cluster analysis allowed us to identify three subgroups of patients who differed in the presence or absence of microalbuminuria, retinopathy, and ECG abnormalities. We conclude that the prevalence of microalbuminuria in essential hypertension is lower than previously reported. Increased urinary albumin excretion is associated with a worse cardiovascular risk profile and is a concomitant indicator of early target organ damage.