Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design, evaluation and comparison of endorectal coils for hybrid MR-PET imaging of the prostate

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men and its early detection is critical for its successful treatment. The use of multimodal imaging, such as MR-PET, is most advantageous as it is able to provide detailed information about the prostate. However, as the human prostate is flexible and can move into different positions under external conditions, it is important to localise the focused region-of-interest using both MRI and PET under identical circumstances. In this work, we designed five commonly used linear and quadrature radiofrequency surface coils suitable for hybrid MR-PET use in endorectal applications. Due to the endorectal design and the shielded PET insert, the outer face of the coils investigated was curved and the region to be imaged was outside the volume of the coil. The tilting angles of the coils were varied with respect to the main magnetic field direction. This was done to approximate the various positions from which the prostate could be imaged. The transmit efficiencies and safety excitation efficiencies from simulations, together with the signal-to-noise ratios from the MR images were calculated and analysed. Overall, it was found that the overlapped loops driven in quadrature were superior to the other types of coils we tested. In order to determine the effect of the different coil designs on PET, transmission scans were carried out, and it was observed that the differences between attenuation maps with and without the coils were negligible. The findings of this work can provide useful guidance for the integration of such coil designs into MR-PET hybrid systems in the future.
Segmental Histologic Normalisation Occurs in Ulcerative Colitis but does not Improve Clinical Outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Complete histologic normalisation and reduction of inflammation severity in patients with ulcerative colitis are associated with improved clinical outcomes, but the clinical significance of normalisation of only segments of previously affected bowel is not known. We examined the prevalence, pattern, predictors and clinical outcomes associated with segmental histologic normalisation in in patients with ulcerative colitis. METHODS Medical records of patients with confirmed ulcerative colitis with more than one colonoscopy were sought. Segmental histologic normalisation was defined as histological normalisation of a bowel segment (rectum, left-sided or right side) that had previous evidence of chronic histologic injury. We assessed the variables influencing these findings and whether segmental normalisation was associated with improved clinical outcomes. RESULTS Of 646 patients, 32% had segmental and 10% complete histologic normalisaton when compared to their maximal disease extent. Most (88%) had segmental normalisation in a proximal-to-distal direction. Others had distal-to-proximal or patchy normalisation. On multivariate analysis, only current smoking (p=0.040) and age of diagnosis ≤16 years (p=0.028) predicted segmental histological normalisation. Of 310 who were in clinical remission at initial colonoscopy, 77 (25%) experienced clinical relapse after median 1.3 (range 0.06-7.52) years. Only complete histologic normalisation of the bowel was associated with improved relapse-free survival (HR 0.23; 95 CI 0.08-0.68; p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS Segmental histologic normalisation occurs in 32% of patients with ulcerative colitis and is increased in those who smoke or diagnosed at younger age. Unlike complete histologic normalisation, segmental normalisation does not signal improved clinical outcomes.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-Alpha as Differential Diagnostic Marker for Patients with Fever of Unknown Origin

Abstract Febrile conditions of unidentified origin are still unknown in modern medicine despite the development of diagnostic procedures. There are various agents of long-term temperature encompassing numerous infectious or non-infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to determine if there was a statistically significant difference in the values of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1, TNFα, IL-6) in patients who meet the criteria for febrile conditions of unidentified origin, between the group of infectious, malignant, rheumatic, “other” diseases and undiagnosed patients. The study was conducted in the Immunology laboratory of the Center for Molecular Medicine and Stem Cells Research of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Kragujevac. Blood samples were taken from patients tested at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, of the Clinical Center of Kragujevac, in the period from 2014 to 2016. The study included 70 patients. The measured values of the level of TNFα showed significantly higher values in a group of malignant diseases than in the group of infectious diseases, while the values of IL-1 and IL-6 did not show statistical significance. TNFα can improve diagnosing in case of patients with an unknown febrile condition, which can shorten the length of the hospital stay and reduce the volume of performance of diagnostic procedures.
Correlation of empiric antibiotic use with susceptibility pattern of blood isolates in septicemic patients in an Intensive Care Unit

Background: Bloodstream infections remain a major cause of mortality and morbidity. Respiratory tract, genitourinary tract, and intra-abdominal foci are often the common identifiable foci of these infections. Definitive treatment based on blood cultures and susceptibility is essential to treat sepsis cases for better outcome. This study was conducted to document the bacteriological profile, their susceptibility pattern, antibiotics used for empiric and definitive treatment, escalation or de-escalation of antibiotics done following antibiogram report. Materials and Methods: descriptive study was carried out for a period of 1 year after obtaining waiver of consent from Institute Ethics Committee. Demographic details, length of hospital stay, risk factors, bacteriological profile with antimicrobial resistance pattern, empiric antibiotic and definitive antibiotic given and outcome of patient were recorded. Statistical analysis was done by using IBM SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) software. Results: Overall prevalence of sepsis was 9.5%. Gram-negative bacteria were more commonly isolated (62.8%) than Gram-positive bacteria (37.2%), and Escherichia coli was the most common isolate (24.3%). Antimicrobial resistance among Gram-negative bacterial isolates was maximum with ciprofloxacin (51.3%) and ceftriaxone (45.2%), and least with amikacin, imipenem (16.7%), and polymyxin B (2.6%). Penicillin group of antibiotics were commonly used for empiric treatment, and glycopeptides/polymyxins and carbapenems were most preferred for definitive treatment. Conclusion: Knowledge about prevalence, risk factors, bacteriological profile, and their antibiogram resistance pattern is essential to select the antibiotic for the empiric treatment of suspected cases of sepsis and to formulate antibiotic policy. It is also important to de-escalate/escalate antibiotics according to the susceptibility report for a better outcome and to shorten the period of morbidity.
Factors Influencing Quality of Life of Elderly People with Dementia

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect quality of life in elderly people with dementia. Methods: The participants for this descriptive correlational study were 97 elderly patients with dementia who were attending a daycare center or were being cared for at home. Data were collected from the participants using the Mini-Mental Status Examination-Dementia Scale, the Geriatric Depression Scale (Short Form), Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) Scale. Results: There were statistically significant differences in quality of life of elders with dementia according to mobility, using dementia day-care center, and cohabitation. In multiple regression analysis, depression, activity of daily of living, using dementia day-care centers and cohabitation were significant predictors of quality of life and the four variables explained 60% of the variance in quality of life. Conclusion: Findings indicate that to enhance the quality of life for elders with dementia, depression needs to be decreased and regular use of daycare service recommended. Further, various programs enhancing physical ability need to be developed and used with these elders.
Mikrobiologische Qualitätssicherung : Der spezifische Nachweis von bierschädlichen Hefen im hefefreien Bereich

Dans le cadre de l'assurance de qualite en microbiologie de la brasserie on a effectue la recherche de levures dans les echantillons qui pouvaient etre filtres sur membrane, generalement a l'aide de milieux de recherche universels, p. ex. mout gelose. Sur ce milieu, presque toutes les levures brassicoles importantes se developpent. Parmi les levures, certaines se developpent dans la biere et sont par consequent nuisibles en production, d'autres peuvent etre considerees comme flore d'accompagnement. Pour l'evaluation du risque, et, en tenant compte le cas echeant de mesures de nettoyage et de desinfection, il est souhaitable en pratique industrielle, de mettre en evidence, en premier lieu, les levures nuisibles de facon sure et specifique. Le present travail decrit le developpement d'un nouveau milieu qui rend possible une recherche specifique de levures nuisibles en brasserie. Les levures sont differeniees par une duree variable suivant leur potentiel de danger pour le produit. On met tout d'abord en evidence apres trois jours d'incubation les microorganismes nuisibles en brasserie a croissance rapide, parmi lesquels, en premier, les levures supperattenuantes. Apres sept jour d'incubation, les autres levures brassicoles nuisibles restantes, se developpent et, considerees comme microoranismes nuisibles indirectes. Apres dix jours d'incubation, enfin, on met en evidence les levures etrangeres, non-nuisibles en brasserie, aerobes strictes. A l'aide de ce milieu specifique, il est possible de recherche les levures etrangeres de facon universelle.
Modafinil for treatment of coma and unresponsiveness associated with edema of the reticular activating system (RAS) in a pediatric patient

Modafinil is recommended as a possible treatment for ADHD, narcolepsy, obstructive sleep apnea, and shift work disorder in adults but is not recommended by the FDA or manufacturer for use on pediatric patients due to some of the observed side effects in clinical studies [6]. Some of the observed side effects in adults include, but are not limited to, serious rash, depression, hallucinations, mania, irregular heartbeat, and troubled breathing [1]. In children, side effects seen in clinical studies include but are not limited to hostile behavior, low white blood cell count, increase in sudden loss of muscle tone, Tourette’s syndrome, and increases in suicidal thoughts [1]. There have not been many clinical studies that test the efficacy and safety of prescribing modafinil to children, especially as a treatment for narcolepsy and ADHD. While not recommended by the FDA, modafinil has on occasion been used off-label after brain surgery to treat disorders of wakefulness.
Psychotropic drugs in dermatology: A dermatologist's approach and choice of medications

Psychiatric symptoms in dermatology practice are increasingly being recognized. The use of psychiatric medications by dermatologist is dealt with caution and uncertainty in several psychodermatological conditions. Several skin conditions are associated with anxiety, depression, and obsessive‐compulsive symptoms. Some conditions such as delusion of parasitosis require antipsychotic medication treatment. Keeping in mind the importance of psychotropic medications and its use in dermatology, following brief review will familiarize dermatologists about the ease of understanding and prescribing psychotropic medications to help their patients with psychiatric symptoms and increase the compliance in treatment.
Morphology of metopic suture and its clinical significance in human adult skull

This open-access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (CC BY-NC) (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits reuse, distribution and reproduction of the article, provided that the original work is properly cited and the reuse is restricted to noncommercial purposes. For commercial reuse, contact reprints@pulsus.com Morphology of metopic suture and its clinical significance in human adult skull
NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS IN THE TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS IN ELDERLY: ADVERSE EFFECTS AND DRUG INTERACTIONS

ÖZ Yaßlanmayla birlikte sistemik hastalklarn artß, yaßl bireyleri birçok ilac birlikte kullanmaya maruz brakmaktadr. Yaßllarda osteoartrite sk rastlanmas nedeniyle, osteoartrit tedavisi için nonsteroidal anti-inflamatuar ilaç kullanm da yaygndr. Nonsteroidal anti-inflamatuar ilaçlarn antiinflamatuar ve a¤r giderici etkilerinin yansra özellikle kardiyovasküler ve renal olumsuz yan etkileri oldu¤u bilinmektedir. Bu olumsuz yan etkiler mevcut kardiyovasküler ve renal hastalklar söz konusu oldu¤unda daha da olumsuz olabilmekte, üstelik nonsteroidal anti-inflamatuar ilaçlarla birlikte kullanlan di¤er ilaçlarn olumsuz etkileßimleri sorunu daha da a¤rlaßtrmaktadr. Bu derlemede, klinisyenler olarak reçeteledi¤imiz nonsteroidal anti-inflamatuar ilaçlarn yaßl hastalarmza neler yapabilece¤inin farkndal¤n arttrmak üzere, nonsteroidal anti-inflamatuar ilaçlarn yaßllarda ülkemizdeki araßtrmalarla belirlenmiß en sk rastlanan hastalklarla ilißkisi ve birlikte kullanlan ilaçlarla etkileßimleri irdelenecektir. Anahtar sözcükler:Yaßllar; Nonsteroidal Anti-inflamatuar ilaçlar NSA; Yan etkiler; laç etkileßimleri, polifarmasi. ABSTRACT It is well known that elderly patients are frequently exposed to concomitant drug use due to the increase in systemic diseases with aging. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are frequently prescribed to the elderly in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, along with their antiinflammatory and analgesic effects, are known to have adverse effects, more important of which are potential cardiovascular and renal side effects. These adverse effects worsen in the presence of cardiovascular and renal diseases, with adverse drug interactions putting the elderly in a much greater risk. In this review, in order to increase the awareness of the clinicians on what we are prescribing is actually doing, the adverse outcomes and interaction between nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other agents used for the treatment of diseases coommonly seen in the elderly will be discussed.
Updated quantitative risk assessment (QRA) of the BSE risk posed by processed animal protein (PAP)

Abstract EFSA was requested: to assess the impact of a proposed quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) ‘technical zero’ on the limit of detection of official controls for constituents of ruminant origin in feed, to review and update the 2011 QRA, and to estimate the cattle bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk posed by the contamination of feed with BSE‐infected bovine‐derived processed animal protein (PAP), should pig PAP be re‐authorised in poultry feed and vice versa, using both light microscopy and ruminant qPCR methods, and action limits of 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 DNA copies. The current qPCR cannot discriminate between legitimately added bovine material and unauthorised contamination, or determine if any detected ruminant material is associated with BSE infectivity. The sensitivity of the surveillance for the detection of material of ruminant origin in feed is currently limited due to the heterogeneous distribution of the material, practicalities of sampling and test performance. A ‘technical zero’ will further reduce it. The updated model estimated a total BSE infectivity four times lower than that estimated in 2011, with less than one new case of BSE expected to arise each year. In the hypothetical scenario of a whole carcass of an infected cow entering the feed chain without any removal of specified risk material (SRM) or reduction of BSE infectivity via rendering, up to four new cases of BSE could be expected at the upper 95th percentile. A second model estimated that at least half of the feed containing material of ruminant origin will not be detected or removed from the feed chain, if an interpretation cut‐off point of 100 DNA copies or more is applied. If the probability of a contaminated feed sample increased to 5%, with an interpretation cut‐off point of 300 DNA copies, there would be a fourfold increase in the proportion of all produced feed that is contaminated but not detected.
Effect of Panax Ginseng (G115) Capsules versus Placebo on Acute Exacerbations in Patients with Moderate to Very Severe COPD: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose Herbal medicines are commonly used by people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but high quality randomized controlled trials are limited. This study evaluated the therapeutic value of ginseng capsules in reducing acute exacerbations and improving the quality of life in people with COPD. Patients and Methods This randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled trial assessed ginseng’s effects on 200 patients with moderate to very severe COPD. Ginseng capsules (200 mg, twice per day) were compared to placebo over 24 weeks. Patients were followed up for a further 24 weeks after the treatment period. The primary outcome measure was acute COPD exacerbation rate over 12 months. Secondary outcome measures were health-related quality of life, including the St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ), COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). We also assessed lung function, walking distance and use of relief medication. Results Baseline characteristics were balanced between groups. The rate of COPD exacerbations was not statistically significant between groups after 1 year (62 participants in the ginseng group and 63 in the placebo group). Secondary outcome measures showed improvements after ginseng and placebo but results were not clinically significant. The incidence of adverse events in the two groups was similar and events were unrelated to the intervention. Conclusion Compared with placebo, ginseng did not reduce the rate of acute COPD exacerbations over 12 months. It was safe and well tolerated by people with moderate to very severe COPD.
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF BIOMECHANICAL RISK FACTORS FOR ACL INJURIES DURING DYNAMIC ACTIVITIES

For injury screening to effectively identify individuals with at-risk behaviours, risk factors should be identified and validated carefully through appropriate prospective study designs. In the context of injury prevention in sport, the main aim of screening is to draw a line between those who are at risk of getting injured and those who are not. In order to effectively screen for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk, injury screening should not be based on a singular observation in a single task as it is unlikely to effectively identify those who are at risk with acceptable sensitivity and specificity. Observations of ACL injury could be evaluated through a more mechanism-informed risk factors as this may provide a better justification of an individual’s movement pattern. If an individual who is at risk would demonstrate a particular behaviour across different tasks, this collection of variables characterising an individuals’ at-risk behaviours across tasks could form an individual’s “movement signature”. This thesis therefore aimed to critically evaluate the biomechanical risk factors for non-contact ACL injury during dynamic sporting activities and to explore some novel approaches to characterising movement characteristics for screening. Through a systematic review, the first study in this thesis critically evaluated the current research trends on the in vivo biomechanical risk factors of the ACL injury in dynamic activities and identified a lack of high quality (level 1), prospective evidence. Only one prospective cohort study was identified; therefore, more prospective cohort studies are required as research since the time of this systematic review did not provide further prospective evidence. Study two sought to develop more prospective evidence but unfortunately no ACL injuries were observed therefore, no new biomechanical risk factors for ACL injury could be identified. Utilizing the data collected from the prospective cohort, study three led to the development of a novel approach of injury screening by verifying the existence of individual movement signatures. The task-invariant movement signatures were also able to identify at-risk movement behaviour. Further exploration of mechanism informed multi-planar variables in study four showed that task-invariant movement signatures also exist in multi-planar variables, and may better inform at-risk behaviours. This thesis has furthered the understanding of biomechanical risk factors and moved towards the development of more effective injury screening tools.
Do Lower Extremity Strength and Lower Extremity Blood Flow Predict the Score on the Functional Gait Assessment in Patients Enrolled in Phase II Cardiac Rehabilitation?

Purpose: Fall prevention, and the reduction of fall-related injuries, is critically important for preserving independence among older adults. Phase II cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a medically supervised program allowing individuals with certain cardiac diagnoses or cardiac procedures to exercise safely. The relationship among lower extremity blood flow, lower extremity strength, and fall risk in adults who are community-dwelling has been established; however, that relationship in patients enrolled in phase II CR remains unknown. Methods: This cross-sectional study used exploratory analysis to determine whether the ankle brachial index (ABI) and the 30-second chair stand test (30CST) could predict the score on the functional gait assessment (FGA). A convenience sample (N = 57) of individuals aged 50 years and older, enrolled in a phase II CR program, was selected. Results: No correlation was found between the ABI and FGA score (r = 0.02, P = .438). A significant positive correlation was found between the 30CST and FGA score (r = 0.71, P < .001). In addition, the 30CST predicted FGA scores, accounting for 46% of the variance, F(2,54) = 23.97, P < . 001, R2 = 0.46. Conclusions: The 30CST could be considered for use as a quick fall-risk screening measure in the phase II CR population.