Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Developing and testing a new instrument to measure women’s satisfaction with controlled ovarian stimulation treatment

Abstract Objectives: To develop and test a new instrument (EFESO Questionnaire) to measure satisfaction with controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) treatment. Methods: Literature review and focus groups with clinical experts provided content for the questionnaire. A preliminary version was pilot tested in 10 women to assess comprehension and relevance. The final version was administered to 606 women receiving COS. Feasibility, reliability and validity were tested by calculating the proportion of patients completing all items, by calculating Cronbach’s alpha for the overall score, and by investigating whether the instrument discriminated between patients classified according to the level of overall satisfaction and response to treatment. Factor analysis was performed. Results: The final questionnaire consisted of 17 items. 91.7% of patients completed all of the items. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.93, indicating excellent reliability, and the instrument was capable of discriminating between patients categorized by responses to the question on overall satisfaction with treatment and by their response to treatment. Factor analysis showed the instrument to be unidimensional. Conclusions: The EFESO questionnaire is feasible, reliable and valid for the measurement of satisfaction with treatment in patients receiving COS treatment.
Clutter properties for a side-looking radar with planar regular and irregular subarrays

The effect of the subarray design in a side-looking moving radar with a planar antenna on some clutter properties which are important for suppressing the clutter with STAP (Space-Time Adaptive Processing) is investigated by simulations. These properties are interference DOA Doppler Spectrum (DDS) and clutter rank. The conclusions from the work is that irregular antennas give less clutter in the DDS and that larger subarrays give lower clutter rank.
Heterogeneous Blood–Tumor Barrier Permeability Determines Drug Efficacy in Experimental Brain Metastases of Breast Cancer

Purpose: Brain metastases of breast cancer appear to be increasing in incidence, confer significant morbidity, and threaten to compromise gains made in systemic chemotherapy. The blood–tumor barrier (BTB) is compromised in many brain metastases; however, the extent to which this influences chemotherapeutic delivery and efficacy is unknown. Herein, we answer this question by measuring BTB passive integrity, chemotherapeutic drug uptake, and anticancer efficacy in vivo in two breast cancer models that metastasize preferentially to brain. Experimental Design:Experimental brain metastasis drug uptake and BTB permeability were simultaneously measured using novel fluorescent and phosphorescent imaging techniques in immune-compromised mice. Drug-induced apoptosis and vascular characteristics were assessed using immunofluorescent microscopy. Results: Analysis of over 2,000 brain metastases from two models (human 231-BR-Her2 and murine 4T1-BR5) showed partial BTB permeability compromise in greater than 89% of lesions, varying in magnitude within and between metastases. Brain metastasis uptake of 14C-paclitaxel and 14C-doxorubicin was generally greater than normal brain but less than 15% of that of other tissues or peripheral metastases, and only reached cytotoxic concentrations in a small subset (∼10%) of the most permeable metastases. Neither drug significantly decreased the experimental brain metastatic ability of 231-BR-Her2 tumor cells. BTB permeability was associated with vascular remodeling and correlated with overexpression of the pericyte protein desmin. Conclusions: This work shows that the BTB remains a significant impediment to standard chemotherapeutic delivery and efficacy in experimental brain metastases of breast cancer. New brain permeable drugs will be needed. Evidence is presented for vascular remodeling in BTB permeability alterations. Clin Cancer Res; 16(23); 5664–78. ©2010 AACR.
PHOTOREACTION OF 8‐METHOXYPSORALEN WITH THYMIDINE

Abstract— The photoreaction of 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) with thymidine in solid film state yielded two 4′, 5′‐monoadducts (a pair of diastereomers) and three 3,4‐monoadducts. The stereochemistry of two 4′, 5′‐monoadducts was found to be cis‐syn and trans‐syn and one 3,4‐monoadduct was cis‐anti. In addition to these monoadducts, 3,4‐, 4′, 5′‐biadducts were also formed during the reaction, but the isolation of each isomer of these adducts was not successful; however, the formation of these biadducts was confirmed by UV, IR, TLC and photosplitting experiments.
Selective inhibition of gap junction channel activity by synthetic peptides

1 The aim of this study was to inhibit specifically one type of gap junction channel in cells expressing multiple connexins (Cx) using synthetic oligopeptides. 2 A7r5 cells (an aortic smooth muscle cell line expressing Cx40 and Cx43) were incubated overnight with synthetic oligopeptides (P180‐195) corresponding to a segment of the second extracellular loop of Cx43. This segment is different in sequence from the corresponding location in Cx40. 3 P180‐195 (500 μM) decreased cell‐to‐cell coupling as assessed by dye coupling and dual whole‐cell voltage clamp. The decrease in permeability and junctional conductance was caused by selective inhibition of Cx43 gap junction channels. In contrast, overnight incubation of A7r5 cells with oligopeptides corresponding to a segment of the intracellular cytoplasmic tail of Cx43 was without effect. 4 These results indicate that oligopeptides P180‐195 may interact with the extracellular domain of the Cx43 protein, thereby possibly mimicking connexin‐connexin binding. This apparently inhibits Cx43 channel activity without disturbing the activity of Cx40 channels. 5 Experiments with oligopeptides corresponding to the equivalent part of the second extracellular loop of Cx40 (P177‐192) pointed towards a selective inhibition of Cx40 channel activity. 6 Competition assays using synthetic oligopeptides may help to resolve the regulatory properties of gap junction channels in primary cells expressing multiple Cx.
Food Compounds Inhibit Staphylococcus Aureus Bacteria and the Toxicity of Staphylococcus Enterotoxin A (SEA) Associated with Atopic Dermatitis

the inactivation postulated mechanism of Our studies show that naturally occurring edible apple phenolic and olive compounds can both inactivate S. aureus bacteria and reduce the biological/toxicological properties of the toxin produced by these bacteria and that the food dye Phloxine B inhibits the release of SEA from the pathogens. Whether these novel approaches have therapeutic potential against atopic dermatitis and other diseases merits further study. Atopic Dermatitis is a common disease characterized by inflamed, itching and dry skin. This relapsing allergic disorder has complex etiology and shows a remarkably high clinical heterogeneity which complicates the diagnosis and clinical management. This book is divided into 4 sections. The first section (Disease Etiology) describes some of the physiological mechanisms underlying Atopic Dermatitis, including alterations in the immune system and the skin-barrier function. The important role of host-microorganism interactions on the pathophysiology of Atopic Dermatitis is discussed in the second section (Microorganisms in Atopic Dermatitis). An overview of the clinical diagnostic criteria and the disease management protocols commonly used is given in the third section (Diagnosis and Clinical Management). The last section (New Treatments) describes new therapeutic approaches that are not widely used but are currently being studied due to preliminary evidence showing a clinical benefit for Atopic Dermatitis. following:
A ZOLETIL®-ROMPUN® MIXTURE AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE USE OF OPIOIDS FOR IMMOBILIZATION OF FERAL RED DEER

Sixty chemical immobilizations of red deer (Cervus elaphus hippelaphus) have been carried out during an etho-ecological study from August 1994 to December 1996 in a 35 ha pen in the district of Nitra (Slovac Republic). Our objective was to determine the efficacy and standard dosages of Zoletil® and Rompun® for the immobilization of adult red deer in feral conditions as an alternative to the use of the highly toxic opioids. We therefore compared an Immobilon®-Rompun® combination (ImRo) with a 1:1 mixture of Zoletil® and Rompun® (ZoRo) as an injectable solution. Use of both combinations led to the immobilization of >92% of deer with an injection volume <3 ml. Mean (SD) dose to achieve immobilization was 35 (14) μg/kg ethorphine + 0.14 (0.056) mg/kg acepromazine + 0.36 (0.14) mg/kg xylazine compared to 1.2 (0.8) mg/kg tiletamine + 1.2 (0.8) mg/kg zolazepam + 2.3 (1.6) mg/kg xylazine. This corresponds to a volume of 1.8 (0.7) ml/100 kg body mass (BM) for ImRo (range = 1.0 to 4.6) and to 2.3 (1.6) ml/100 kg BM for ZoRo (range = 0.7 to 4.0), respectively. Heart rate, respiratory rate and oxyhaemoglobin saturation values did not differ significantly between the two groups during immobilization. Three deer (5%) died during immobilization, but fatalities could not be directly associated with the drug effect. Mean (SD) time from darting to complete immobilization was 5.5 (4.2) min for ImRo and 7.5 (6.1) min for ZoRo, respectively. Differences were not statistically significant. Anesthesia with both combinations of immobilizing agents could be reversed within 2 min using sarmazenile-yohimbine for ZoRo and diprenorphine-yohimbine for ImXy immobilizations, respectively. We conclude that the 1:1 combination of Zoletil® and xylazine is a valuable alternative to the use of opioids for the immobilization of adult red deer including feral adult animals.
A physiological toxicokinetic model for exogenous and endogenous ethylene and ethylene oxide in rat, mouse, and human: formation of 2-hydroxyethyl adducts with hemoglobin and DNA.

Ethylene (ET) is a gaseous olefin of considerable industrial importance. It is also ubiquitous in the environment and is produced in plants, mammals, and humans. Uptake of exogenous ET occurs via inhalation. ET is biotransformed to ethylene oxide (EO), which is also an important volatile industrial chemical. This epoxide forms hydroxyethyl adducts with macromolecules such as hemoglobin and DNA and is mutagenic in vivo and in vitro and carcinogenic in experimental animals. It is metabolically eliminated by epoxide hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase and a small fraction is exhaled unchanged. To estimate the body burden of EO in rodents and human resulting from exposures to EO and ET, we developed a physiological toxicokinetic model. It describes uptake of ET and EO following inhalation and intraperitoneal administration, endogenous production of ET, enzyme-mediated oxidation of ET to EO, bioavailability of EO, EO metabolism, and formation of 2-hydroxyethyl adducts of hemoglobin and DNA. The model includes compartments representing arterial, venous, and pulmonary blood, liver, muscle, fat, and richly perfused tissues. Partition coefficients and metabolic parameters were derived from experimental data or published values. Model simulations were compared with a series of data collected in rodents or humans. The model describes well the uptake, elimination, and endogenous production of ET in all three species. Simulations of EO concentrations in blood and exhaled air of rodents and humans exposed to EO or ET were in good agreement with measured data. Using published rate constants for the formation of 2-hydroxyethyl adducts with hemoglobin and DNA, adduct levels were predicted and compared with values reported. In humans, predicted hemoglobin adducts resulting from exposure to EO or ET are in agreement with measured values. In rodents, simulated and measured DNA adduct levels agreed generally well, but hemoglobin adducts were underpredicted by a factor of 2 to 3. Obviously, there are inconsistencies between measured DNA and hemoglobin adduct levels.
National estimates of medical costs incurred by nonelderly cancer patients

Estimates of the cost of treating common illnesses are important for allocating prevention and research funds optimally, for understanding the impact of each disease on federal and state budgets, and for quantifying the costs of disease-specific insurance expansions and programs. Existing estimates of the cost of cancer care in the U.S. rely on several different approaches. Although total spending estimates are similar, each approach entails strong assumptions and may produce inaccurate estimates for subpopulations of interest. Brown and Fintor calculated the quantity of services consumed by cancer patients using site-specific surveys, such as the National Hospital Discharge Survey, then multiplied the share of services (e.g., hospital days, office visits) attributable to cancer by the corresponding expenditure total for the service category in the National Health Accounts. Summing over service types produces an estimate of the total cost of cancer care: $27 billion in 1990 and $41 billion in 1995. This method assumes that per-day or per-visit reimbursements for cancer services do not differ from payments for other types of care. It also assumes that all services related to cancer care are coded as such, although cancer patients experience symptoms and side effects that may require treatment outside of visits for curative care. A second method of estimating the cost of cancer care is described by Brown et al. First, using Medicare claims data, by cancer type, those authors estimate the cost of three distinct phases of cancer care: the initial care phase, the continuing care phase, and the terminal care phase. Second, they classify patients in the SEER data according to cancer phase and cancer type by month. Finally, they impute phase-specific costs to each patient; sum over patients; and, after a number of adjustments, arrive at a national, annual estimate of about $40 billion (1996 U.S. dollars). An important assumption embedded in this final step is that Medicare expenditures and reimbursements for cancer care are a good proxy for spending by and payments from private payers. However, private payers generally offer more generous benefits than Medicare, and reimbursement rates tend to be higher. 883
Random graphs generated by the Star 2-Process

The star 2-process ‘‘greedily’’ generates graphs with maximum degree 2 in a natural way. We can obtain information about the final graph of this process; for instance, that is almost surely 2-regular. We also find the probability of hamiltonicity and Poisson approximations of the distributions of numbers of cycles and short cycles. Q 1997 John Wiley Ž . & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 11, 125]149 1997
Uptake of the NHS Health Checks programme in a deprived, culturally diverse setting: Cross sectional study

Background The National Health Service (NHS) Health Checks are an England-wide primary prevention programme designed to lower the national burden of cardiovascular disease. In order to be effective, high risk prevention strategies require a strong uptake and effective interventions. Aims Using cross-sectional data extracted from electronic medical records in primary care we aimed to examine the attendance and management of people invited for a NHS Health Check, in a deprived culturally diverse setting. Methods Using data from 5,294 persons (from a total of 57,240) aged 35–74 years estimated to be at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease in 29 general practices in Ealing, north-west London we examined screening attendance by practice and patient characteristics using multi-level logistic regression. We assessed changes in statin prescribing over the Health Check, in patients eligible for statins in national guidance. Results 44.8% of high risk patients invited for a Health Check attended. Uptake was significantly lower among younger men and smokers but significantly higher among patients from south Asian (adjusted OR (AOR)= 1.71 (1.29-2.27) compared with white) or mixed ethnic backgrounds, those with diagnosed hypertension (AOR= 1.31 (1.15-1.51), and patients registered with smaller practices (AOR=2.53 (1.09-5.84) list size <3,000 compared to 3,000-5,999). Using an area based deprivation measure there was no difference in attendance over socioeconomic status. The percentage of patients prescribed statin out of those eligible increased from 24.7% to 44.8% having been screened. Discussion The uptake of cardiovascular risk assessment and the prescribing of statins in high risk patients was considerably lower than projected in the first year of the NHS Health Checks programme. If these levels of patient involvement in the NHS Health Checks persist, the programme will have limited impact on the population's disease burden. Targeting efforts to increase uptake, improve risk communication, and adherence to interventions in high risk populations is vital for the success of the programme. Alternatively reinvesting programme resources into population wide strategies to reduce obesity, smoking, and salt intake may prove more cost-effective in reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease in the UK than mass screening.
Truth and the Liar in De Morgan-Valued Models

The aim of this paper is to give a certain algebraic account of truth: we want to deﬁne what we mean by De Morgan-valued truth models and show their existence even in the case of semantical closure : that is, languages may contain their own truth predicate if they are interpreted by De Morgan-valued models. Before we can prove this result, we have to repeat some basic facts concerning De Morgan-valued models in general, and we will introduce a notion of truth both on the object- and on the metalanguage level appropriate for such models. The deﬁnitions and the existence theorem are extensions of Kripke’s, Woodruff’s, and Visser’s concepts and results concerning three- and four-valued truth models.
Triple Loop Networks with Minimal Transmission Delay

A multiloop network is a Cayley digraph of the additive group ℤm of integers modulo m generated by a set A of k ≥ 2 "steps". Because of their application to the computer network design, multiloop networks have been studied extensively. Given an integer d ≥ 2 and a real number r > 1, let m(d,3) be the maximum size of a triple loop network with transmission delay (diameter) less than or equal to d, and let m*(r,3) be the maximum size of a triple loop network with average transmission delay less than or equal to r. In this paper, the following lower bounds are proved: which improve earlier lower bounds by Jia and Aguilo, Fiol and Garcia.
A systematic review of hybrid brain-computer interfaces: Taxonomy and usability perspectives

A new Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technique, which is called a hybrid BCI, has recently been proposed to address the limitations of conventional single BCI system. Although some hybrid BCI studies have shown promising results, the field of hybrid BCI is still in its infancy and there is much to be done. Especially, since the hybrid BCI systems are so complicated and complex, it is difficult to understand the constituent and role of a hybrid BCI system at a glance. Also, the complicated and complex systems make it difficult to evaluate the usability of the systems. We systematically reviewed and analyzed the current state-of-the-art hybrid BCI studies, and proposed a systematic taxonomy for classifying the types of hybrid BCIs with multiple taxonomic criteria. After reviewing 74 journal articles, hybrid BCIs could be categorized with respect to 1) the source of brain signals, 2) the characteristics of the brain signal, and 3) the characteristics of operation in each system. In addition, we exhaustively reviewed recent literature on usability of BCIs. To identify the key evaluation dimensions of usability, we focused on task and measurement characteristics of BCI usability. We classified and summarized 31 BCI usability journal articles according to task characteristics (type and description of task) and measurement characteristics (subjective and objective measures). Afterwards, we proposed usability dimensions for BCI and hybrid BCI systems according to three core-constructs: Satisfaction, effectiveness, and efficiency with recommendations for further research. This paper can help BCI researchers, even those who are new to the field, can easily understand the complex structure of the hybrid systems at a glance. Recommendations for future research can also be helpful in establishing research directions and gaining insight in how to solve ergonomics and HCI design issues surrounding BCI and hybrid BCI systems by usability evaluation.
Dying in the intensive care unit: Collaborative multicenter study about forgoing life-sustaining treatment in Argentine pediatric intensive care units*

Objective Describe modes of death and factors involved in decision-making together with life support limitation (LSL) procedures. Design Prospective, descriptive, longitudinal, and noninterventional study. Setting Sixteen pediatric intensive care units in Argentina. Patients Every patient who died during a 1-yr period was included. Measurements and Main Results Age, sex, length of stay (LOS), primary and admission diagnosis, underlying chronic disease (CD), postoperative condition (PO). Deaths were classified in four groups: a) failed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR); b) do-not-resuscitate (DNR) status; c) withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment (WH/WD); and d) brain death (BD). Justifications were classified as a) imminent death; b) poor long-term prognosis; c) poor quality of life; and d) family request. Data were collected from medical records and interviews with the attending physicians. Descriptive statistics were performed. Differences among groups were analyzed through contingency tables and analysis of variance when required. Relative risks and confidence intervals of variables potentially related to LSL were analyzed, and logistic regression was performed. There were 6358 admissions and 457 deaths. CPR was performed in 52%, DNR in 16%, WH/WD in 20%, and BD in 11% of dead patients. BD patients were older, LOS and CD prevalence were higher in the WH/WD group. Inotropic drugs were the most frequently limited treatment in 110 patients (55%), CPR in 72 (35.6%), and mechanical ventilation in 63 (31%). Imminent death was the most frequently reported justification for LSL. CD and more staff were associated with a higher probability of LSL. Conclusions Most of the patients in Argentina underwent CPR before their death. We have a high proportion of patients with CD (65%) and low BD diagnosis. PO condition decreased LSL probability in chronically ill patients. Do-not-resuscitate orders and withholding new treatments were the most common LSL. Active withdrawal was exceptional. The Ethics Committee was consulted in 5% of the LSL population.