Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Approach for Apoplectic Pituitary Tumor: Surgical Outcomes and Complications in 45 Patients

Abstract Objective To assess the safety and effectiveness of the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETA) for apoplectic pituitary adenoma. Design A retrospective study. Setting Qilu Hospital of Shandong University; Brain Science Research Institute, Shandong University. Participants Patients admitted to Qilu Hospital of Shandong University who were diagnosed with an apoplectic pituitary tumor and underwent EETA for resection of the tumor. Main Outcome Measures In total 45 patients were included in a retrospective chart review. Data regarding patient age, sex, presentation, lesion size, surgical procedure, extent of resection, clinical outcome, and surgical complications were obtained from the chart review. Results In total, 38 (92.7%) of 41 patients with loss of vision obtained visual remission postoperatively. In addition, 16 patients reported a secreting adenoma, and postsurgical hormonal levels were normal or decreased in 14 patients. All other symptoms, such as headache and alteration of mental status, recovered rapidly after surgery. Two patients (4.4%) incurred cerebrospinal fluid leakage. Six patients (13.3%) experienced transient diabetes insipidus (DI) postoperatively, but none of these patients developed permanent DI. Five patients (11.1%) developed hypopituitarism and were treated with replacement of hormonal medicine. No cases of meningitis, carotid artery injury, or death related to surgery were reported. Conclusion EETA offers a safe and effective surgical option for apoplectic pituitary tumors and is associated with low morbidity and mortality.
Control at hospital level of infections by methicillin-resistant staphylococci in children

SUMMARY Rapid spread of methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MeRS) in a children's hospital is described. Within 4 months of the first isolation MeRS had been isolated from infections in all clinical units. MeRS were also regularly isolated at the out-patient department. Protective isolation of one of the clinical units had no effect on the infection rate by MeRS. The use of antiseptics (Hexachlorophene and chlorhexidine) and gentamicin nose cream in children and staff members in three out of five clinical units resulted in a significant reduction of the prevalence of nose colonization by MeRS in children. In staff members a non-significant reduction of the prevalence of colonization and a significant reduction of the acquisition of MeRS was found. After a few months the infection rate decreased to zero in the units where the measures were introduced. It remained unchanged in the other units. Phage typing of two sets of strains collected at an interval of 6 months showed that the infections were mainly caused by two endemic strains of MeRS. The majority of the infections caused by MeRS was of minor importance. In 16 % of the infections a strain was isolated repeatedly and for more than 1 week. After the introduction of antiseptics a relative increase of infections by Gram-negative bacteria was observed. The significance of this phenomenon is discussed.
A New Configuration of a Microstrip Power Amplifier Using Si-BJT in Class-A Mode for DCS Applications

This paper comes with a novel study on the design of a microstrip microwave power amplifier. This amplifier is validated in the DCS (Digital Cellular System) band at 1.71 GHz. The aim of this work is to design a new structure of power amplifier with good performances. For achieving the excellent performance of PA, the microstrip lines technology are used. The complete circuit is designed and optimized by using Agilent Advanced Design System (ADS) software. The proposed amplifier provides a saturated output power of 17dBm at 1dB compression point and a gain of 13.2dB at the design frequency of 1.71 GHz. Moreover, the reflection coefficients are less than -25dB and stability without oscillating in its required frequency band.
STABLE ISOTOPES AND THE DETERMINATION OF AVIAN MIGRATORY CONNECTIVITY AND SEASONAL INTERACTIONS

F , researchers interested in factors that infl uence the fi tness of migratory birds have realized that events occurring at times and locations outside the breeding season can infl uence ultimate fecundity and recruitment (reviewed by Webster and Marra 2005). Intuitively, this concept of seasonal interaction is appealing, because there is considerable literature showing that timing of arrival on the breeding grounds ultimately infl uences the quality of breeding habitat obtained by competing individuals, timing of clutch initiation, and reproductive success. Clearly, for migratory birds, spring arrival times are infl uenced by departure times from wintering areas and the biotic and abiotic conditions experienced en route. In turn, departure times from winter quarters are likely associated with premigratory physiological condition, which may be determined by winter habitat quality (e.g. Marra and Holmes 2001). Like the seasonal interaction hypothesis, migratory connectivity (or the degree to which individuals from a breeding population winter together) has recently received considerable a ention, because it determines, to a large degree, opportunities for adaptation, speciation, and the extent to which migrants respond demographically to climate change and other mechanisms that alter habitat quality at various scales (Webster and Marra 2005). Whereas we usually are able to evaluate only annual survivorship (ф an ) of populations of birds breeding in the temperate zone, for migrants, this survivorship implicitly involves components related to other periods and locations:
Low Doses of Very Low-Dose-Rate Low-LET Radiation Suppress Radiation-Induced Neoplastic Transformation In Vitro and Induce an Adaptive Response

Abstract Elmore, E. , Lao, X-Y. , Kapadia, R. , Giedzinski, E. , Limoli, C. and Redpath, J. L. Low Doses of Very Low-Dose-Rate Low-LET Radiation Suppress Radiation-Induced Neoplastic Transformation In Vitro and Induce an Adaptive Response. Radiat. Res. 169, 311–318 (2008). The purpose of this study was to determine whether adaptation against neoplastic transformation could be induced by exposure to very low-dose-rate low-LET radiation. HeLa × skin fibroblast human hybrid cells were irradiated with ∼30 kVp photons from an array of 125I seeds. The initial dose rate was 4 mGy/day. Cell samples were taken at four intervals at various times over a period of 88 days and assayed for neoplastic transformation and the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The dose rate at the end of this treatment period was 1.4 mGy/day. Transformation frequencies and ROS levels were compared to those of parallel unirradiated controls. At the end of 3 months and an accumulated dose of 216 mGy, cells treated with very low-dose-rate radiation were exposed to a high-dose-rate 3-Gy challenge dose of 137Cs γ rays, and the effects compared with the effect of 3 Gy on a parallel culture of previously unirradiated cells. Cells exposed to very low-dose-rate radiation exhibited a trend toward a reduction in neoplastic transformation frequency compared to the unirradiated controls. This reduction seemed to diminish with time, indicating that the dose rate, rather than accumulated dose, may be the more important factor in eliciting an adaptive response. This pattern was in general paralleled by a reduction of ROS present in the irradiated cultures compared to controls. The very low-dose-rate-treated cells were less sensitive to the high challenge dose than unirradiated controls, suggesting the induction of an adaptive response. Since there was a suggestion of a dose-rate threshold for induction suppression, a second experiment was run with a fresh batch of cells at an initial dose rate of 1 mGy/day. These cells were allowed to accumulate 40 mGy over 46 days (average dose rate = 0.87 mGy/day), and there was no evidence for suppression of transformation frequency compared to parallel unirradiated controls. It is concluded that doses of less than 100 mGy delivered at very low dose rates in the range 1 to 4 mGy/day can induce an adaptive response against neoplastic transformation in vitro. When the dose rate drops below ∼1 mGy/day, this suppression is apparently lost, suggesting a possible dose-rate-dependent threshold for this process.
The therapeutic potential of targeting the glucagon-like peptide-2 receptor in gastrointestinal disease

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a pleiotropic intestinotrophic hormone that enhances digestive and absorptive capacity by acting through a limited population of intestinal GLP-2 receptors. The development of protease-resistant analogs or GLP-2/IgG fusion proteins confers a longer circulating half life than the native peptide. GLP-2 has garnered interest as a therapeutic most notably by reducing reliance on total parenteral nutrition in patients with short bowel syndrome. Areas covered: The clinical evidence for benefit in conditions requiring longer term treatment with GLP-2 receptor agonists, for example short bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease. Benefits of short-term GLP-2 treatment are emerging in pre-clinical models, such as post-operative ileus, GI mucositis and conditions of altered intestinal permeability. The therapeutic utility of GLP-2 receptor agonists is limited by concern that it predisposes patients to gastrointestinal cancers, or their re-occurrence in cancer patients. This affects the types of diseases treated and, possibly, the duration of dosing. Expert opinion: GLP-2 is therapeutically attractive in diseases to enhance absorptive capacity, restore mucosal health and reduce inflammation. Long-term surveillance studies with a marketed therapeutic agent are needed to weigh the benefits of GLP-2 treatment against the potential effects on co-morbidities and increased risk of intestinal carcinogenesis.
Efficacy and safety of intravenous midazolam and ketamine as sedation for therapeutic and diagnostic procedures in children.

OBJECTIVE We have used the combination of midazolam, a short-acting benzodiazepine, and ketamine, a "dissociative anesthetic," to provide conscious sedation for invasive or lengthy procedures. METHODS A total of 350 procedures (74 lumbar punctures, 97 bone marrow aspirations or biopsies, 84 radiotherapy sessions, and 95 imaging studies) were performed on 68 children, 4 months to 17 years of age, in both inpatient and ambulatory settings. All patients had an intravenous line in place and were monitored for heart rate and O2 saturation by pulse oximetry for the duration of the procedure and recovery time. Blood pressure was monitored periodically (every 5 to 30 minutes). Oxygen and suction equipment was available during the procedure. In addition to the individual performing the procedure, a second staff member trained in airway management (eg, physician, nurse practitioner, or registered nurse) was present to monitor vital signs and respiratory status. Patients were sedated initially with midazolam (0.05 to 0.1 mg/kg intravenously; maximum single dose of 2 mg, maximum total dose of 4 mg), followed by ketamine (1 to 2 mg/kg intravenously). During lengthy procedures, additional doses of ketamine (0.5 to 1 mg/kg) were given as necessary. Effectiveness of the sedation, recovery time, and adverse events associated with the sedative regimen were documented. RESULTS All patients were effectively sedated with this regimen. Four patients experienced transient decrease in O2 saturation (<85%) requiring temporary interruption of the procedure and oxygen by blow-by; the procedure was subsequently completed without incident in each case. Two patients experienced significant agitation during recovery from sedation. This side effect resolved spontaneously after 5 to 10 minutes in one patient and was effectively treated with diphenhydramine hydrochloride in the other. Twenty-four lumbar punctures were associated with transient decrease in O2 saturation (88% to 92%), which improved by relief of neck flexion and/or blow-by oxygen. No hypotension, bradycardia, or respiratory depression requiring respiratory support or reversal of sedation was noted. Anesthesia recovery time ranged from <15 minutes to 120 minutes with >70% of patients recovering within 30 minutes. Most patients demonstrated an increase in oral secretions requiring occasional suctioning. Transient sleep disturbances were reported in only two patients. CONCLUSIONS This sedative regimen of intravenous midazolam and ketamine was found to be safe and effective. Its use has greatly reduced patient and parent anxiety for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Alternative business intelligence engines

Business intelligence (BI) engines enable companies and researchers to perform fast and efficient data analysis and extract relevant information from their data. At the present, it involves the usage of reporting tools and OLAP on top of traditional relational database systems. This paper gives an overview of alternative BI systems, based on various NoSQL and NewSQL databases. NoSQL (Not-only SQL) systems were developed to address the scalability issues of traditional relational databases when exposed to huge amounts of data and large read and write capacities. In addition to fulfilling those requirements, NewSQL systems aimed to preserve the useful properties of relational databases as well, such as ACID transactions, SQL and a relational schema. The various systems bear significant differences in terms of architecture, data representation, query capabilities and optimization techniques, and because of that, they offer diverse means of data analysis. The paper comments on key differences, presents an overview of various NoSQL and NewSQL systems that might be considered in the context of BI engine, and brings an overall feature comparison of those systems.
Autocorrelation Analysis as a Technique to Study Physical Mechanisms of MOSFET Low-Frequency Noise

A low-frequency noise (LFN) analysis technique is introduced, based on the autocorrelation of the LFN spectra in terms of frequency, biasing, and temperature. This technique reveals information about the mechanisms behind 1/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> noise that is difficult to obtain otherwise. These correlation analyses provide strong evidence that the LFN of both nMOS and pMOS transistors is mainly composed of the superposition of thermally activated random telegraph signals (RTSs). The methodology enables quantification and validation of old and new LFN models, and, therefore, helps to clarify the relation between RTS and 1/<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${f}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> that is still frequently debated in the literature.
Dial M(RF) for myogenesis

The transcriptional regulatory network that controls the determination and differentiation of skeletal muscle cells in the embryo has at its core the four myogenic regulatory factors (MRFs) Myf5, MyoD, Mrf4 and MyoG. These basic helix–loop–helix transcription factors act by binding, as obligate heterodimers with the ubiquitously expressed E proteins, to the E‐box sequence CANNTG. While all skeletal muscle cells have the same underlying function their progenitors arise at many sites in the embryo and it has become apparent that the upstream activators of the cascade differ in these various populations so that it can be switched on by a variety of inductive signals, some of which act by initiating transcription, some by maintaining it. The application of genome‐wide approaches has provided important new information as to how the MRFs function to activate the terminal differentiation programme and some of these data provide significant mechanistic insights into questions which have exercised the field for many years. We also consider the emerging roles played by micro‐RNAs in the regulation of both upstream activators and terminal differentiation genes.
Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Service

Objective: People with schizophrenia and bipolar disorders suffer from increased rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Metabolic disorders add to the burden of disease and affect treatment and rehabilitation outcomes. This study aimed to study the prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in people with chronic psychotic disorders in a psychiatric rehabilitation setting. Method: All patients in the psychiatry rehabilitation program were assessed for obesity and metabolic syndrome using the definition of International Diabetes Federation (2005) was conducted as part of clinical protocol recently introduced into practice. Results: A total of 221 patients were assessed. The prevalence of obesity was 59% and metabolic syndrome 68%. Metabolic syndrome was more frequent in patients receiving polypharmacy with multiple antipsychotics and mood stabilisers. Rates of nontreatment for metabolic disorders ranged from 30% to 88%. Conclusions: The rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome in patients with chronic severe mental disorders on antipsychotic drug treatment were 2 to 3 times that in the general population. A majority of them were untreated. Detection, monitoring and appropriate treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders should be a component of an assertive care management program to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve rehabilitation outcomes.
Investigation of parallel connection of 1700V IGBTs in 400kW inverter

For large current and large power, the switching devices IGBT often have to be connected in parallel. This paper investigated the effects of the parallel connection of 1700V IGBTs' current balance such as the output characteristics and selected for the IGBT modules, the drive signal synchronization and drive circuit parameters and so on. The parallel IGBTs are used in the 400kW inverter and the effects are verified by experiment.
Irreconcilable Differences in Tests of Hotelling’s Theory of Exhaustible Resources

Empirical tests of the theory of exhaustible resources have provided mixed results regarding empirical validity of the theory. This paper considers differences in the primary testing methodologies and alternative measures of the in situ resource price. We demonstrate that in situ price measures common in the literature are theoretically equivalent for the vertically integrated firm. We also show that empirical shadow price test methodologies imply the same restricted econometric model, while the unrestricted models diverge. We find that the Halvorsen and Smith (1991) test methodology is relatively efficient, and, using data on natural gas wells, reject the unrestricted transition equation of traditional methodology. We conclude that discrepant empirical test results may be an artifact of the econometric testing methodologies rather than a reflection on the validity of the theory.
Characteristics of water soluble markers for measuring rumen liquid volume and dilution rate.

The utility of five water soluble markers (WSM) for measuring rumen liquid volume and dilution rate was examined in nine in vitro and in vivo experiments. The WSM tested included polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) complexes of Cr, Co, Fe and Yb. Feedstuffs incubated in vitro absorbed variable amounts of distilled H2O and autoclaved rumen fluid with roughages imbibing greater (P less than .05) amounts of fluid than feeds higher in starch. Liquid present in the feeds tested reached equilibrium with added WSM in about 20 min. Corn grain in the whole or ground form appeared to exclude 4 to 16% of the WSM while imbibing water. Cottonseed hulls reduced detectable PEG due to some water soluble substance present. The WSM tested did not produce different estimates of dilution rate (P = .65) and volume (p = .29) of steers fed either 80% whole shelled corn, 90% chopped alfalfa hay or 90% prairie hay diets. Ruminal liquid measured by hand removal was about 4% greater than volume estimated by WSM. The percentage of total ruminal water associated with solids varied from 27 to 86% among steers. Compared with steers fed an 80% whole shelled corn diet, steers fed equal dry matter from alfalfa hay had 15% more dry matter in the rumen, 21% larger liquid volume, 80% greater ruminal liquid dilution rate and 116% greater rate of liquid flow from the rumen. Dilution rate of ruminal liquid during feeding was examined with six steers fed a 90% chopped alfalfa hay diet once daily at 1.8% of body weight. Dilution rate estimated with Co EDTA increased by 166% during the 4 h after feeding. The WSM did not influence (P greater than .10) digestibility of dry matter with steers fed a 90% roughage or a 90% concentrate ration. Recovery of WSM administered via a rumen cannula ranged from 96.8 to 99.7% in feces and 1.2 to 3.4% in urine. All WSM examined appeared suitable for estimating rumen liquid volume and dilution rate for diets not containing cottonseed hulls.
Progressive grey matter atrophy in clinically early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis

Brain atrophy appears to occur in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in excess of that associated with normal ageing, and may be observed early in the clinical course of the disease. The dynamics and tissue specificity of this process remain unclear. This preliminary study explored the evolution of brain grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) volume loss (as fractions of total intracranial volumes) in 13 subjects with relapsing-remitting MS (mean disease duration 1.9 years at first scan), compared with nine normal control (NC) subjects. Subjects were scanned every six months for 18 months. In MS compared with NC subjects, significant differences in WM fractional volumes were observed at baseline (mean-5.8%, P/0.008) but no apparent progressive WM tissue loss was detected. In contrast, while no significant differences in GM fractional volumes were observed at baseline, there was significantly greater time-related volume loss in MS compared with NC subjects over the follow-up period (circa-0.0086 per year in MS subjects,-0.0021 per year in the NC subjects, difference 0.010). These results suggest that while both GM and WM atrophy are seen early in the clinical course of MS, they may not occur concurrently and may evolve at different rates.
Molecular Cloning of a Novel Gene Encoding a Membrane-associated Adaptor Protein (LAX) in Lymphocyte Signaling*

Membrane-associated adaptors play an important role in coupling antigen receptor engagement to downstream signaling events, such as Ras-MAPK activation, Ca2+ flux, and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) activation. Here we identified a novel membrane-associated adaptor protein, LAX. LAX is mainly expressed in B cells, T cells, and other lymphoid-specific cell types. It shares no overall sequence homology with LAT and is not localized to lipid rafts. However, like LAT, LAX has tyrosine motifs for binding Grb2, Gads, and the p85 subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. Upon stimulation via the B or T cell receptors, LAX is rapidly phosphorylated by Src and Syk family tyrosine kinases and interacts with Grb2, Gads, and p85. Overexpression of LAX in Jurkat cells specifically inhibits T cell receptor-mediated p38 MAPK activation and NFAT/AP-1 transcriptional activation. Our data suggested that LAX functions to negatively regulate signaling in lymphocytes.
Pathology of tricuspid valve stenosis and pure tricuspid regurgitation—Part I

This three‐part article examines the histologic and morphologic basis for stenotic and purely regurgitant tricuspid valves. In Part I, conditions producing tricuspid valve stenosis are reviewed. In over 90% of stenotic tricuspid valves, the etiology is rheumatic disease. In isolated tricuspid stenosis, the etiology is either carcinoid or congenital. Rare causes of tricuspid stenosis include active infective endocarditis, metabolic or enzymatic abnormalities (Fabry's, Whipple's disease), and giant blood cysts.