Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extra‐Ostial Pulmonary Venous Isolation:

During catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, ablation within the pulmonary veins is undesirable due to the risk of pulmonary venous stenosis and the possibility of leaving residual cuffs of arrhythmogenic tissue proximal to the ablation lesion set. An extra‐ostial pulmonary vein isolation strategy may circumvent these limitations, but achieving electrical isolation can be technically challenging, even with the use of saline‐irrigated radiofrequency energy technology. This report describes the successful use of epicardial radiofrequency ablation in a patient in whom endocardial irrigated radiofrequency ablation failed to achieve extra‐ostial pulmonary vein isolation. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. 663‐666, June 2003)
The Vaughan‐Williams Classification of Antiarrhythmic Drugs. Why Don't We Find its Clinical Counterpart?

In his excellent lecture during the Scientific Sessions of the American College of Cardiology in 1988 and subsequent publication,^ Dr. Zipes brilliantly described the many promises and contributions of cardiac electrophysiology. He also described, however, some of the difficulties and challenges we are still facing in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias. Previously, he had also addressed the problem of the necessary empiricism involved in antiarrhythmic drug treatment,^ an empiricism that originates from the difficulties to fully understand the mechanisms of action of antiarrhythmic drugs. Better understanding of the mechanism of cardiac arrhythmias and the effects of antiarrhythmic drugs certainly bas helped selecting drugs on a more objective basis. However, tbe empiricism in tbe selection of a drug for a particular patient remains. It is true tbat the Vaugban-Williams classification for antiarrbytbmic drugs^ provides little belp in tbe clinical selection of a drug. Tbat may, bowever, be more based on false expectations than on real problems witb tbe classification itself. Tbe Vaugban-Williams classification of antiarrbytbmic drugs was based on observations
Heat shock protein 88 and Aspergillus infection

Immunoblotting was used to dissect the antibody responses in the sera of 50 patients with proven invasive aspergillosis, 28 patients with suspected invasive aspergillosis, 35 patients with allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and 10 patients with an aspergilloma. This demonstrated the immunodominance of antigenic bands at 88, 84, 51, and 40 kDa. Monoclonal antibodies against the heat shock protein 90 complexes of Candida albicans and the water mold Achlya ambisexualis identified these four antigenic bands as homologous proteins. Similar antigens have been described in humans, mice, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, chickens, and Drosophila species. The antibody against A. ambisexualis has previously been shown to cross-react with antigens belonging to the human heat shock protein 90 complex. Aspergillus heat shock protein 90 was extracted from the sera of patients with invasive aspergillosis by affinity chromatography. This was done with both a rabbit hyperimmune antiserum raised against an extract of Aspergillus fumigatus NCPF 2109 and a monoclonal antibody against the heat shock protein 90 of C. albicans. In vivo expression of the antigen was demonstrated in an aspergilloma surgically removed from a patient. The role of the antigen as an allergen in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis is also discussed.
Treatment strategies underpinning the global programme to eliminate lymphatic filariasis

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a disease targeted for elimination. The global strategy is a once-yearly, single-dose, two-drug regimen utilised by communities at risk for LF, with the goal of reaching 80% population coverage yearly, for at least 5years, in order to interrupt transmission of LF. Where onchocerciasis is co-endemic, the regimen is ivermectin 200 – 400 μg/kg plus albendazole 400mg; elsewhere, the regimen should be diethylcarbamazine 6mg/kg plus albendazole 400mg. This paper reviews in detail the evidence for the efficacy and safety of these two-drug regimens underpinning the global strategy and makes recommendations for future developments in chemotherapy for LF, focusing on unresolved issues. These include optimal frequency, duration and end point of treatment, tools for monitoring successful therapy and means for detecting the potential development of resistance to any of the three antifilarial drugs on which the Global Programme to Eliminate LF depends.
A Comparative Security Analysis of Current and Emerging Technologies

During the past few decades, the electronics community has witnessed a growing demand for packing more and more functionalities onto a single chip. The CMOS industry has been fulfilling this demand by continually shrinking the feature sizes, now down to the 20-nm regime. However, scaling of CMOS technology beyond 20 nm is challenging because of exacerbated short-channel effects, process variations, and reliability problems. These drawbacks of CMOS technology have led to the exploration of new nanotechnologies such as nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) and carbon nanotube (CNT). These emerging technologies are considered promising alternatives to CMOS technology because of their potential benefits in power, performance, and reliability. However, security analysis of these emerging technologies, which is critical for current pervasive applications, remains unaddressed. In this article, the authors offer a security analysis of NEMS and CNT. They highlight the key technology-specific features of these post-CMOS technologies that can inform the design of secure systems.
Computerized student testing as a learning tool in a family practice clerkship.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this paper is to describe and evaluate a computerized multiple choice testing system developed to teach family medicine core content in a junior clerkship. METHODS Students were tested in a minimum of 10 content areas based upon a pretest, and answered sets of 10 randomly generated questions in each area. Students received immediate feedback on scores and correct answers. RESULTS A total of 192 students took 10,184 computerized tests. Mean student scores rose significantly with successive tests. Scores on the written final clerkship examination correlated with computerized testing scores. Students accepted the computerized testing system well. CONCLUSIONS The computerized testing system led to immediate learning, but its effects on long-term learning were less clear.
Variation in Guidelines

A professor of internal medicine once explained that making a clinical diagnosis was close to the process which allows one to get ajoke: a complex mix of mental alertness, contextual intelligence and (hopefully) wide experience. This is why, he went on, teaching clinical diagnosis is as difficult as teaching a sense of humour. I suspect that the ongoing development ofclinical guidelines is far beyond the sense of humour of this professor, although he might enjoy the paper from Fahey and Peters on the variation in guidelines on hypertension. ' In short, the authors compared five sets of guidelines produced in four developed countries (New Zealand, USA, Canada, Britain) and by the World Health Organization. The impact of the various guidelines on about 900 hypertensive outpatients in the UK was simulated by measuring the proportions of patients classified as having controlled or uncontrolled hypertension with respect to each set of recommendations. According to the different guidelines, the proportion of controlled hypertensives varied from 18% to 85%, and only a small minority of patients were classified in the same group in each of the five sets of guidelines. The issue raised by Fahey and Peters is not new, even in the case of hypertension. " The main interest of the paper is the way in which the authors quantity the impact of these discrepancies in health care. It suggests that we are confronted with a substantial problem, not only because of the wide variation among the guidelines, but also because hypertension is one of the commonest conditions encountered in ambulatory care. If such wide variation is observed for hypertension, where a large number of clinical trials is available, misgivings are in order concerning guidelines for other medical procedures, relying much more on expert judgement. Variation among different sets of guidelines is disquieting because a major impetus for producing guidelines has been (and still is) the observed variation in clinical practice: the implementation of guidelines is often viewed as a means of offering patients equal access to effective and safe medical care by increasing and disseminating the scientific foundation of decisionmaking in medicine. Thus, variation among guidelines decreases the credibility of the whole process, just as variation in clinical practice decreases the credibility of
Maximum likelihood decoding of the Leech lattice

An algorithm for maximum likelihood decoding of the Leech lattice is presented. The algorithm involves projecting the points of the Leech lattice directly onto the codewords of the (6,3,4) quaternary code-the hexacode. Projection on the hexacode induces a partition of the Leech lattice into four cosets of a certain sublattice 24. Such a partition into cosets enables maximum likelihood decoding of the Leech lattice with 3595 real operations in the worst case and only 2955 operations on the average. This is about half the worst case and the average complexity of the best previously known algorithm. >
Efficient Statistical Simulation of Intersymbol Interference and Jitter in High-Speed Serial Interfaces

We present and validate against experiments a modeling approach for high-speed serial links that combines the computational advantages of statistical techniques for intersymbol interference (ISI) (improved by employing the realistic pulse shape as from SPICE simulations) and a simple empirical methodology to account for the jitter of the transmitter. The proposed approach is validated by comparison with other modeling approaches such as full SPICE simulations (for ISI) and Simulink (for jitter) as well as against the experimental data for a 2.5 Gb/s CMOS differential transmitter driving different channels.
A cross-sectional study regarding the impact of end-stage renal disease on quality of life.

UNLABELLED The number and severity of physical and psychological symptoms reported by chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients are significant and increasing; with a clear need to clarify which symptom intervention is the most needed. Measurements of quality of life (QoL) have shown, for many decades, an impairment of both physical and psychological aspects in both chronic kidney disease (CKD) pre-dialysis and in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted assess the quality of life of a Romanian hemodialysis population and the impact of several clinical and biochemical factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 102 patients (41 males, 61 females) with a mean age of 52.5 +/- 12.0 years, who were treated with HD three times per week in our dialysis center were included in the study. All subjects completed the Short Form Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Clinical and biochemical parameters were extracted from the EUCLID electronic database. RESULTS Our measurement showed a deteriorated QoL in our population, all of the included subjects presenting with much lower scores in both physical and mental components than the reference values of SF-36. We did not found any statistic significant correlation between hemoglobin (Hgb) levels or dialysis adequacy and different domains of the SF-36. The only significant association was found between age and the physical component of the SF-36, implying that older patients perceive a more degraded quality of life. CONCLUSION HD patients experience a great burden from physical and psychological symptoms of the disease, perceiving an important impairment in their quality of life, especially regarding the physical component.
Rates and Risk Factors for Nonadherence to the Medical Regimen After Adult Solid Organ Transplantation

Background. Despite the impact of medical regimen nonadherence on health outcomes after organ transplantation, there is mixed and conflicting evidence regarding the prevalence and predictors of posttransplant nonadherence. Clinicians require precise information on nonadherence rates in order to evaluate patients’ risks for this problem. Methods. A total of 147 studies of kidney, heart, liver, pancreas/kidney-pancreas, or lung/heart-lung recipients published between 1981 and 2005 were included in a meta-analysis. Average nonadherence rates were calculated for 10 areas of the medical regimen. Correlations between nonadherence and patient psychosocial risk factors were examined. Results. Across all types of transplantation, average nonadherence rates ranged from 1 to 4 cases per 100 patients per year (PPY) for substance use (tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs), to 19 to 25 cases per 100 PPY for nonadherence to immunosuppressants, diet, exercise, and other healthcare requirements. Rates varied significantly by transplant type in two areas: immunosuppressant nonadherence was highest in kidney recipients (36 cases per 100 PPY vs. 7 to 15 cases in other recipients). Failure to exercise was highest in heart recipients (34 cases per 100 PPY vs. 9 to 22 cases in other recipients). Demographics, social support, and perceived health showed little correlation with nonadherence. Pretransplant substance use predicted posttransplant use. Conclusions. The estimated nonadherence rates, overall and by transplant type, allow clinicians to gauge patient risk and target resources accordingly. Nonadherence rates in some areas—including immunosuppressant use—appear unacceptably high. Weak correlations of most patient psychosocial factors with nonadherence suggest that attention should focus on other classes of variables (e.g., provider-related and systems-level factors), which may be more influential.
Real‐time changes in 1H and 31P NMR spectra of malignant human mammary epithelial cells during treatment with the anti‐inflammatory agent indomethacin

Choline metabolites in malignant human mammary epithelial cells (HMECs) are significantly altered compared to normal HMECs. 1H NMR studies of cell extracts have shown that treatment of malignant HMECs with a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agent, indomethacin, results in a distribution of choline compounds more typical of nonmalignant HMECs. To follow the time course of these changes, in this study real‐time monitoring of choline compounds of malignant MDA‐MB‐231 cells was performed during treatment with indomethacin. The contribution of changes in intra‐ and extracellular pH to changes in choline compounds was also examined. Changes in water‐soluble choline phospholipid metabolites, such as phosphocholine (PC), glycerophosphocholine (GPC), and total choline, as well as intracellular pH, were monitored by 31P and diffusion‐weighted 1H NMR spectroscopy of living cells using an NMR‐compatible perfusion system. An accumulation of GPC and a decrease of PC, resulting in an increased [GPC]/[PC] ratio, were detected within 2 hr of treatment with 200 μM indomethacin. Since a decreased [GPC]/[PC] ratio is associated with increased malignancy, these data demonstrate that nonspecific cyclooxygenase inhibition by indomethacin alters the choline metabolite profile of malignant cells towards a less malignant phenotype. These changes were not related to alterations of intra‐ or extracellular pH. Magn Reson Med 48:819–825, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Randomised, Double Blind, Controlled Trial of the Provision of Information about the Benefits of Organ Donation during a Family Donation Conversation

Introduction It is unclear how much information should be provided to families of potential organ donors about the benefits of organ donation. Whilst this information is material to the donation decision, it may also be perceived as coercive. Methods Randomised, double blind, controlled trial in which community members watched one of two videos of a simulated organ donation conversation that differed only in the amount of information provided about the benefits of donation. Participants then completed a questionnaire about the adequacy of the information provided and the degree to which they felt the doctor was trying to convince the family member to say yes to donation. Results There was a wide variability in what participants considered was the “right” amount of information about organ donation. Those who watched the conversation that included information about the benefits of donation were more likely to feel that the information provided to the family was sufficient. They were more likely to report that the doctor was trying to convince the family member to say yes to donation, yet were no more likely to feel uncomfortable or to feel that the doctor was uncaring or cared more about transplant recipients than he did for the patient and their family. Conclusions This study suggests that community members are comfortable with health care staff providing information to family members that may be influential in supporting them to give consent for donation.
Internodal function in normal and regenerated mammalian axons

Aim: Following Wallerian degeneration, peripheral myelinated axons have the ability to regenerate and, given a proper pathway, establish functional connections with targets. In spite of this capacity, the clinical outcome of nerve regeneration remains unsatisfactory. Early studies have found that regenerated internodes remain persistently short though this abnormality did not seem to influence recovery in conduction. It remains unclear to which extent abnormalities in axonal function itself may contribute to the poor outcome of nerve regeneration.
The Effect of Cholinesterase Activity on the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Sepsis

Background: There are many biomarkers defined for systemic inflammation and sepsis. Cholinesterase and its biological role is not entirely known but in recent studies, it was seen that cholinesterase levels had a diagnostic value in predicting both sepsis and mortality. Objective: The purpose of this study is to establish the role of cholinesterase activity as a biomarker in the early diagnosis and treatment planning of sepsis which is an uncontrolled inflammatory response of the host to an infection. Materials and Method: This is a controlled, observational, and prospective clinical study and has been carried out on patients admitted to the intensive care unit with sepsis. The demographic features, the medical history and vital findings of the patients were recorded. According to the intensive care monitoring and treatment procedures, the complete blood count test, urine test and routine biochemical assessments particularly the CRP, procalcitonin and blood gasses tests were performed and the serum cholinesterase activity was assessed. The data was digitalized and then analyzed using the SPSS 15.0 software package. Results: The cholinesterase levels detected in the patient group were lower than the cholinesterase levels of the control group and there was a significant difference between the groups (p< 0.001). A statistically significant association was detected between the severity of sepsis and the cholinesterase levels of the patients. There was also a statistical relationship between the cholinesterase levels and being connected to mechanical ventilation and the use of vasopressors (p<0.05). There was a significant association between mortality and cholinesterase levels (p= 0.009). As the cholinesterase activity decreased the mortality rate increased. As a result of the ROC analyses performed to establish the diagnostic value of the patients' cholinesterase levels in predicting sepsis and morality it was seen that cholinesterase levels had a diagnostic value in predicting both sepsis and mortality. Conclusions: We believe that the cholinesterase activity investigated in our study is an extremely useful biomarker in the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of the sepsis syndrome that progresses with systemic inflammation.
Protocolos de encaminamiento para Redes Malladas Inalámbricas: un estudio comparativo

La principal funcion de los protocolos de encaminamiento para redes malladas inalambricas es seleccionar el camino entre el nodo fuente y destino de una manera rapida y fiable. Estas redes pueden utilizar los protocolos de encaminamiento de otras redes ya existentes, pero modificandolos para que funcionen correctamente con ellas. En este trabajo se analizan distintos protocolos de encaminamiento y se presentan sus descripciones para luego compararlos de acuerdo al Tipo de Protocolo, Alcance de trasmisiones y Metrica de ruteo.
On Evaluating the Quality of RDF Identity Links in the LOD

The notion of Linked Data is based on the idea that resources from different data sources can be connected by typed links to enable new knowledge that isolated data sources cannot provide on their own. Today, as the Web of Data is proving its importance, and as an huge amount of data is published on the web in form of RDF triples, the quantity of sameAs links is extremely growing as different data sources often describe equivalent resources. Since most of the sameAs links are discovered automatically and the quality of the data sources can be poor, it is becoming crucial to develop methods for evaluating the quality of these RDF identity links, thus providing a ranking measure of their reliability. In this context, this paper defines a initial methodology for analyzing and evaluating a set of given RDF identity links in the Web of Data, ranking their reliability.
Anterior cervical plating for the treatment of neoplasms in the cervical vertebrae.

OBJECT To assess clinical outcome and survival in patients with cervical vertebral spinal neoplasms after they have undergone anterior decompression and cervical plate stabilization (ACPS) by using either autologous bone graft or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as the anterior load-bearing support structure. METHODS This was a retrospective case study composed of 30 patients harboring cervical spinal vertebral neoplasms who underwent anterior cervical decompression and (ACPS) within a 7-year period. Postoperative immobilization included treatment in a halo brace in two cases and in a hard cervical collar for the remaining patients. Postoperatively most patients underwent radio- and/or chemotherapy. All patients except one benefited from a significantly improved quality of life with decreased pain and/or improved neurological status. The mean Kaplan-Meier survivoral estimate was 35.8 months (range 8 days-11.3 years, with 10 patients alive at most recent follow-up contact). Patients achieved long-term or lifelong mechanical stability in the cervical spine, and only one patient required a repeated posterior stabilization procedure. No hardware-related complications occurred. One patient died 8 days postoperatively of pneumonia. A nonsignificant difference in survival (p = 0.2164) was observed between patients harboring metastatic neoplasms (26.8 months) and those harboring lymphomatous and multiple myeloma neoplasms (54 months). CONCLUSIONS Favorable clinical outcome of both neurological symptoms and pain can be achieved using ACPS after surgery for neoplasms in the cervical vertebrae. Furthermore, long-term or lifelong cervical spine mechanical stability with bone fusion is achieved using this technique even when radiation therapy is delivered to the site of the bone graft.