Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Electrophysiology of the Heart.

This volume, published as Article 6 of volume 65 of the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, is the result of a conference organized by Dr. Hecht and held at the Academy in February, 1956. It contains the text of the papers presented at the conference, as well as the discussion following them, augmented and brought up to date where necessary and provided with an extensive bibliography. Forty-four of the most distinguished physiologists and clinicians from all over the world contributed original papers, and a score more participated in the discussions and round-table conferences. The result is a lasting recapitulation and summary of our present-day knowledge concerning the electrical events in the heart which are responsible for the electrocardiogram and a fitting monument to Dr. Frank N. Wilson, who first applied the principles of biophysics and mathematics to the interpretation of clinical electrocardiograms and to whom the conference
Parental perceptions of adolescent health behaviours: Experiences from Croatian high schools

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore parental perceptions of adolescent health behaviours and to examine to what extent parents’ perceptions of their children’s health behaviours are determined by the family’s socio-demographic characteristics. Method: Participants in the study were 605 parents. They completed questionnaires in which they rated whether different health-risk behaviours were present in their children (i.e. smoking, alcohol consumption, drug use, risky sexual behaviour, insufficient physical activity, unhealthy eating habits and obesity). Parents also provided information on the family’s socio-demographic characteristics. Results: The results show that parents rate insufficient physical activity and unhealthy eating habits as the most pronounced problems in their children, while they rate risky sexual behaviour and drug use as the least pronounced. Parents estimate that insufficient physical activity and unhealthy eating habits are significantly more pronounced among girls than among boys. The results of factor analysis reveal that, from the parents’ perspective, adolescent health-risk behaviours can be grouped into those pertaining to unhealthy habits and those connected to addictive and risk behaviours. Parents rate that behaviours reflecting unhealthy lifestyle are significantly more present among girls than among boys. Regression analyses showed that a family’s living standard is the only significant predictor of unhealthy habits and addictive and risk behaviours. Conclusion: When observed from a parental perspective, adolescent health-risk behaviours can be grouped into different categories, and parents claim to observe certain differences in these behaviours between boys and girls. The most important determinant of adolescent health behaviours is a family’s living standard.
Thoracic aortic calcification measured by X-ray computed tomography vs age and risk factors of arteriosclerosis

The purpose of this study was to examine possible correlations among age, arteriosclerotic risk factors, and specific sites of calcification in the thoracic aorta as detected by X-ray computed tomography (CT). A total of 80 patients (mean age 59±9 years, 50 M/30 Fe) included 34 patients with ischemic heart disease, 32 with chest pain syndrome, 5 with valvular heart disease, and 9 with other diseases. The thoracic aortic calcification score, based on X-ray CT images, is the sum of the length (cm) of calcification detected in 1-cm-interval horizontal cross-sections. Differences in calcification were compared for patients with and without hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipemia. Calcification occurred more often in the external left arch wall (52 cases), followed by the lower arch wall (50 cases). Calcification in the ascending aorta was detected in only 18 cases. Aortic calcification score ranged from 0 to 103.3 points with a mean of 8.8±14.9 points, showing a significant correlation (r=0.48,p<0.01) with patient age. However, there was no significant difference in ascending and descending aorta between sites of cross-sections. Calcification score was higher in patients with hypertension or diabetes. This difference, though significant, was very small. Moreover, patient age did have some correlation with calcification score, but the presence of ischemic heart disease and gender had no effect.
The economic and clinical burden of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in the United States and Europe

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major cause of chronic liver disease. There is uncertainty around the economic burden of NAFLD. We constructed a steady‐state prevalence model to quantify this burden in the United States and Europe. Five models were constructed to estimate the burden of NAFLD in the United States and four European countries. Models were built using a series of interlinked Markov chains, each representing age increments of the NAFLD and the general populations. Incidence and remission rates were calculated by calibrating against real‐world prevalence rates. The data were validated using a computerized disease model called DisMod II. NAFLD patients transitioned between nine health states (nonalcoholic fatty liver, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], NASH‐fibrosis, NASH‐compensated cirrhosis, NASH‐decompensated cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, post‐liver transplant, and death). Transition probabilities were sourced from the literature and calibrated against real‐world data. Utilities were obtained from NAFLD patients using the Short Form‐6D. Costs were sourced from the literature and local fee schedules. In the United States, over 64 million people are projected to have NAFLD, with annual direct medical costs of about $103 billion ($1,613 per patient). In the Europe‐4 countries (Germany, France, Italy, and United Kingdom), there are ∼52 million people with NAFLD with an annual cost of about €35 billion (from €354 to €1,163 per patient). Costs are highest in patients aged 45‐65. The burden is significantly higher when societal costs are included. Conclusion: The analysis quantifies the enormity of the clinical and economic burdens of NAFLD, which will likely increase as the incidence of NAFLD continues to rise. (Hepatology 2016;64:1577‐1586)
What’s in a Name? Perceptions of the Terms Sexually Transmitted Disease and Sexually Transmitted Infection Among Late Adolescents

Background There has been a shift from using the term sexually transmitted disease (STD) to sexually transmitted infection (STI), primarily based on conjecture that STI is less stigmatizing. However, there is a dearth of evidence regarding how the public actually perceives these terms. Methods Students at a Midwestern university participated in an online survey and were randomized to the open-ended question “What comes to mind when you think of the term sexually transmitted disease (STD)? ” (n = 205) or “What comes to mind when you think of the term sexually transmitted infection (STI)? ” (n = 208). Conventional content analysis was conducted to identify response themes. Cross tabulations with the &khgr;2 statistic determined the number of participants that endorsed each theme and any differences between the STD and STI responses. Results Almost all themes occurred in similar numbers across the STD and STI responses. Overarching themes for both terms were contracted through sex; specific STDs/STIs; severe; negative emotional affect; types of people who get STDs/STIs; physical symptoms; preventable; common; and treatable/curable. However, participants were more likely to mention that STDs were common (P = 0.030) and reported less negative emotional affect for STIs (P = 0.024). Two themes emerged only in the STI group: STDs (P = 0.001) and site of infection (P = 0.003). Conclusions With some exceptions, late adolescents have overlapping conceptualizations of the terms STD and STI. The most commonly reported themes revealed likely areas of misinformation. Although language is an important aspect of health communication, more than a terminology change is needed to reduce the stigma associated with STDs/STIs.
Liver injury associated with the use of Fructus Psoraleae (Bol-gol-zhee or Bu-gu-zhi) and its related proprietary medicine

Fructus Psoraleae (FP) is used by herbalists for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, vitiligo, and psoriasis. It is used alone, or in combination with other herbs, in some countries in the form of proprietary medicine. It is recognized as one of the emerging hepatotoxins and here we report three cases of acute hepatitis after exposed to FP and its related proprietary medicine. It seems possible that psoralen and its related chemicals may be responsible for the hepatotoxicity. Decoction with other herbs may result in higher concentration of toxic constituents and in more severe liver injury. In summary, FP is associated with hepatotoxicity in some individuals. Pharmacovigilance for the potential side effects of herbal products is necessary.
Modeling Network Forensics Behavior

ABSTRACT Network forensics is a new approach to network security. However, this field is not very clear to new researchers and practitioners. In this paper, we discuss network forensics behavior systematically from both the technical view and legal view. The goal of this discussion is to outline the formalization and standardization of network forensics behavior. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive discussion of the network forensics model and its fundamental concepts, such as taxonomy, conceptual model, legal principles, key techniques, canonical processes and its accessory facilities and systems: network forensics architecture and deployment. These discussions will offer guidance to the standardization of network forensics processes and the implementation of prototype systems that can be used in digital forensic practice.
Pharmacological treatment in moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease

Background: Moderate-to-severe stage Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a clinically diagnosable entity that represents a substantial burden to our healthcare system in terms of its prevalence, symptomatology, caregiver stress and economics. Objective: In this paper, we review the data from currently available clinical trials aimed at treatment of this later stage of the disease. Methods: A literature search was performed and published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in which the majority of the study population consisted of Alzheimer patients in the moderate-to-severe stage were selected for review. Results: A total of nine RCTs were identified in which the study population consisted of mainly moderate-to-severe AD patients. The results from these studies suggest that memantine and donepezil, individually or in combination, provide measurable global, cognitive and behavioral benefits in AD patients. Conclusion: Pharmacological treatment of moderate-to-severe AD patients can be beneficial. However, cost–benefit data are limited, and the long-term effects and the optimal duration of treatment as patients continue to progress to more severe stages are unknown and require further investigation.
Analyzing Spoofed E-mail Headers

ABSTRACT This document hopes to provide a fundamental understanding about how to read and interpret electronic mail headers, and what tools and methods may be utilized to interpret if they are legitimate or artificial. Some of the examples used within this document were taken from real-life electronic mail messages received by the author, and were felt to be authentic enough for inclusion for this topic. The document begins with a single example, and presents analysis, from start to finish, drawing any possible conclusion as to how to decipher the analysis.
“Hep C, where art thou”: What are the remaining (fundable) questions in hepatitis C virus research?

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has dominated the field of hepatology for the past 25 years, and its cure in the majority of treated patients is one of the greatest achievements in all of medicine. However, the latter has led to the belief by some that HCV research should be shelved for other, more pressing areas. The mission for HCV eradication is far from accomplished. As a historical reference, we should consider that disease elimination has required vaccination with all previously controlled infections including smallpox and polio and that simple, effective treatment is not sufficient in most infections to lead to substantial control. Syphilis is the best example, for which a single dose of penicillin (which literally costs pennies and that we have had since 1945) is curative in early stages. Not only have we not eradicated syphilis, rates of infection have increased in many places within the United States in recent years. Most HCV‐infected subjects are unaware of their infection, remaining at risk for transmission to others and disease progression, including cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the era of highly effective direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs), many questions pertaining to HCV remain, but they are more complex and difficult to answer. Here, I provide my perspective on some of these salient issues: the residual risk for disease progression after sustained virologic response, the optimal approach to current DAA failures, the impact of targeting people who inject drugs with DAAs, vaccine prospects, and application of neutralizing HCV glycoprotein antibodies. (Hepatology 2017;65:341‐349).
Low‐grade endotoxemia and platelet activation in cirrhosis

Patients with cirrhosis may display impaired or enhanced platelet activation, but the reasons for these equivocal findings are unclear. We investigated if bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is implicated in platelet activation. In a cross‐sectional study, conducted in an ambulatory care clinic and hospital, comparing 69 cirrhosis patients and 30 controls matched for sex, age, and atherosclerotic risk factors, serum levels of LPS, soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand and p‐selectin (two markers of platelet activation), and zonulin (a marker of gut permeability) were investigated. Ex vivo and in vitro studies were also performed to explore the effect of LPS on platelet activation. Compared to controls, cirrhosis patients displayed higher serum levels of LPS (6.0 [4.0‐17.5] versus 57.4 [43.4‐87.2] pg/mL, P < 0.0001), soluble cluster of differentiation 40 ligand (7.0 ± 2.2 versus 24.4 ± 13.3 ng/mL, P < 0.0001), soluble p‐selectin (14.2 ± 4.05 versus 33.2 ± 15.2 ng/mL, P < 0.0001), and zonulin (1.87 ± 0.84 versus 2.54 ± 0.94 ng/mL, P < 0.006). LPS significantly correlated with zonulin (r = 0.45, P < 0.001). Ex vivo studies showed that platelets from cirrhosis patients were more responsive to the agonists independently from platelet count; this phenomenon was blunted by incubation with an inhibitor of Toll‐like receptor 4. In vitro study by normal platelets showed that LPS alone (50‐150 pg/mL) did not stimulate platelets but amplified platelet response to the agonists; Toll‐like receptor 4 inhibitor blunted this effect. Conclusion: LPS may be responsible for platelet activation and potentially contributes to thrombotic complications occurring in cirrhosis. (Hepatology 2017;65:571‐581).
A paired comparison between human skin and hairless guinea pig skin in vitro permeability and lag time measurements for 6 industrial chemicals

The purpose of the present study was to measure and compare permeability coefficients (kp) and lag times (τ) in human skin and hairless guinea pig (HGP) skin. Paired experiments employed heat-separated epidermal membranes from human and HGP sources mounted on static in vitro diffusion cells. Infinite-dose, saturated aqueous solutions of 6 industrial chemicals were used as donors: aniline, benzene, 1,2- dichloroethane, diethyl phthalate, naphthalene, and tetrachloroethylene. No significant differences were found between human and HGP skin for either kp or τ for any of these chemicals (p ≥ .24). HGP vs. human kp measurements, and HGP vs. human τ measurements, were highly correlated. For kp, the slope of the linear correlation was close to unity (1.080 ± 0.182) and the intercept close to 0 (0.015 ± 0. 029 cm/h), with a correlation coefficient (r2) = 0.898. For τ, the slope was also close to unity (0.818 ± 0.030) and the intercept close to 0 (–0.014 ± 0.023 h), with r2 = 0.994. These results suggest that HGP skin may serve as an excellent surrogate for human skin in in vitro dermal penetration studies.
Why Has HIV Stabilized in South Africa, Yet Not Declined Further? Age and Sexual Behavior Patterns Among Youth

Objectives: To understand the stabilization in HIV prevalence in South Africa, and why HIV prevalence has not declined further, despite behavior change and apparently moderate risk behaviors. Study Design: HIV prevalence and 4 HIV-related sexual behaviors in 15- to 24-year old South Africans and Ugandans were compared, before and during HIV prevalence stabilization and decrease, respectively. Results: According to standard indicators, 15- to 24-year-old South Africans have shown behavior change and have moderate risk behaviors. Yet, the HIV prevalence of South African youth is more than twice the prevalence among Ugandan youth, despite 2 times greater reported condom use and an increase in secondary abstinence among young females. We observed inconsistent use of condoms and an extended age distribution of risk together with age and partner mixing. These increase the cumulative risk beyond indicators which are based on sexual behavior in the last year and condom use at last sexual act. In addition, the extended age distribution of risk together with age and partner mixing, increase the cumulative risk beyond standard indicators which are based on sexual behavior in the last year and condom use at last sexual act. Conclusions: Comprehensive HIV prevention in South Africa needs to be intensified beyond individual age groups for example youth, clearly promote consistent condom use and reduction in sexual partners, and focus on the transmission dynamics including older age groups. This should be based on careful behavioral analysis of the epidemic, which goes beyond standard indicators. This study shows the significant risks beyond apparently improving behavioral indicators in Southern Africa, and helps explains the seriousness of the epidemics in this region.
Mikromethode zur enzymatischen Bestimmung von Acetessigsäure und D-(-)-β-Hydroxybuttersäure in Blut und Geweben

Daraus ergibt sich, daß auch unter extremen Bedingungen die Umkehr der Wanderungsrichtung nicht allein von der Strömungswanderung abhängen kann. Der Pufferstrom verläuft bei denjenigen Substanzen, die ihre Wanderungsrichtung in Abhängigkeit von der Startlage umkehren, stets in der gleichen Richtung wie die wandernde Substanz, bleibt aber in der Mehrzahl der Startpositionen stark hinter dem Wert für die Gesamtwanderung zurück. Alle Substanzen, die ihre Wanderungsrichtung nicht-umkehren, wandern von einigen Startpositionen aus sogar dem Pufferstrom entgegen.
Work engagement, moral distress, education level, and critical reflective practice in intensive care nurses.

AIM The purpose of this study was to examine how nurses' moral distress, education level, and critical reflective practice (CRP) related to their work engagement. The study is relevant to nursing, given registered nurse (RN) documented experiences of job-related distress and work dissatisfaction, and the nursing shortage crisis. A better understanding of factors that may enhance RN work engagement is needed. METHODS A non-experimental, descriptive, correlational design was used to examine the relationships among four variables: moral distress, education level, CRP, and work engagement. The sample included 28 intensive care unit RNs from three separate ICUs in a 355-bed Southwest magnet-designated hospital. RESULTS There was a positive direct relationship between CRP and work engagement, a negative direct relationship between moral distress and work engagement, and CRP and moral distress, together, explained 47% of the variance in work engagement. Additionally, in the neonatal intensive care unit, a positive direct relationship between increased educational level and CRP was identified, with a suggested negative relationship between increased education level and moral distress. IMPLICATIONS Strategies to promote CRP and reduce moral distress are recommended, to promote RN work engagement. Additionally, further study on the role of education in nurses' work engagement is recommended.
Swimming training and pulmonary variables in women

Most spirometry testing is done for patients with pulmonary problems not for general population samples (Enright and et. al., 2004) and not for the effect of training. Evaluation of the effect of exercise on diffusing capacity would be helpful to evaluate the ability of the pulmonary capillary bed to expand and increase its capacity to transfer gas during exercise (Wang, 2004). The purpose of this study was therefore to examine the effects of swimming technical skill training on pulmonary variables such as FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), FEF25–75 (forced expiratory flow from 25% to 75%), MVV (maximal voluntary ventilation), ERV (expiratory reserve volume), VC (vital capacity), PEF (peak expiratory flow) in women. Nineteen women (swimming trained group= 11, control inactive group= 8) participated in this study. All the subjects with the exception of inactive control group participated in swimming technical skill training, three times a week for 12 weeks. Measurements were made before and after the swimming training for each subject with spirometer (Sensormedics Vmax 29 C). The swimming training program was designed on the basis of swimming skills including: breathing in water, sliding the body in water, free style and backstroke foot drills, arm-foot and breathing coordination drills with and without swimming board, free style and backstroke drills. It was found that swimming has a positive effect on FVC (forced vital capacity), FEV1 (forced expiratory volume in one second), MVV (maximal voluntary ventilation) (Akgun, 1986). According Khosravi, et. al. (2013) endurance training combined with resistance training has greater effect on VC, FVC, FEF rating at 25%-75%, and also on PEF except MVV. The following variables exhibited significant difference after the 3 months swimming technical skill training: MVV and PEF. Results indicated that swimming technical skill training during 12 weeks training had a significantly positive effect on pulmonary variables such as MVV, PEF but no significant changes were observed in FVC, FEV1, FEF %25-75, ERV, VC. Efficacy of respiratory and pulmonary functions has a direct relationship with general health. Exercise training improves endurance and strength of athletes’ respiratory muscles; it also causes resistance reduction in respiratory canals, and increases lung elasticity and alveolar expansion as studies have supported the expansion of pulmonary volumes and capacities (Khosravi, et. al. 2013). As a conclusion of the present study suggest that swimming technical skill training can improve pulmonary function of women. According to a study (Armour, et. al, 1993) the increased lung volumes in swimming were not due to an increase in alveolar distensibility and may, therefore, have been due to an increased alveolar number. Our study was conducted in healthy subjects. In the future, it may be of value to investigate the effects of the swimming in people who have airway problems or the other health problems like obesity and also in athletes.