Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Increasing Scans Per Examination Improves the Reproducibility on Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Measurements by Optical Coherence Tomography

Purpose. To investigate whether increasing the number of scans per examination would improve the reproducibility of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) measurements by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in healthy and glaucomatous eyes. Methods. A total of 28 eyes of 28 healthy subjects and 20 eyes of 20 patients with primary chronic open-angle glaucoma were recruited. OCT RNFL assessments were obtained in one randomly selected eye. Each subject underwent seven scans on five separate occasions within a 1-month period. Results. In the healthy group, the intervisit mean coefficient of variations (COV’s) for the average RNFL thickness (100 sampling points) and the quadrant RNFL measurements (25 sampling points) were similar in a series of three, five, and seven scans per examination (p > 0.05), but COV’s for the two clock-hour segment measurements (seven sampling points, superotemporal and inferotemporal) were significantly lower in a series of five and seven scans per examination than that of three scans per examinations (p < 0.01). In the glaucoma groups, COV’s for the two quadrant (superior and inferior) and five clock-hour segment RNFL measurements (superior, superotemporal, temporal, inferotemporal, and superonasal) were significantly lower in a series of five and seven scans per examination than that of three scans per examination (p < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the COV’s between a series of five scans and that of seven scans per examination in all OCT RNFL thickness parameters in healthy and glaucomatous eyes (p > 0.05). Similar results were observed with intravisit COV comparisons. Conclusion. Increasing the number of scans per examination may improve the reproducibility of quadrant and clock-hour segment OCT RNFL measurements in healthy and glaucomatous eyes. A series of five scans per examination is recommended for OCT RNFL measurements.
Comparative study of 100 case of laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for combined general and spinal anesthesia v / s general anesthesia alone ( Our experience of 100 cases )

In recent years, laparoscopic surgery has gained popularity in clinical practice. The key element in laparoscopic surgery is creation of pneumoperitoneum and carbon dioxide is commonly used for insufflation. This pneumoperitoneum perils the normal cardiopulmonary system to a considerable extent. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of SA combine with GA in maintaining hemodynamic stability in laparoscopic Cholecystectomy. The secondary outcome studied were requirement of inhaled anesthetic, vasodilators, and recovery profile. We conducted a prospective, randomized study in ASAI/II patients posted for laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, who were willing to participate in the study. Patients were randomly assigned to receive SA with GA (group SGA) or plain GA (group GA). Group SGA received 10 mg bupivacaine (heavy) for SA. GA was administered using conventional balanced technique. Maintenance was carried out with nitrous oxide, oxygen, and isoflurane. Comparison of hemodynamic parameters was carried out during creation of pneumoperitoneum and thereafter. Total isoflurane requirement, need of vasodilators, recovery profile, and regression of SA were studied. Patients in group SGA maintained good and excellent MAP values throughout pneumoperitoneum. Group GA showed extra requirement of metoprolol and higher concentration of isoflurane to combat the increased MAP. Recovery was early and quick in group SGA as compare to group GA. There were no adverse/residual effects of SA. The hemodynamic changes during pneumoperitoneum can be effectively corrected by combining SA and GA, without any adverse effects.
DEATH OBSESSION IN EGYPTIAN SAMPLES: DIFFERENCES AMONG PEOPLE WITH ANXIETY DISORDERS, SCHIZOPHRENIA, ADDICTIONS, AND NORMALS

Seven groups (n = 765) of Egyptian normals (non-clinical),anxiety disorder patients, and patients suffering from schizophrenia (males and females),and addicts (males only) were selected.They were generally matched as groups according to age, occupation, and education. All participants responded, indiv idually, to the Death Obsessio n Scale (DOS). Cronbach'salpha reliability statistics for the 7 groups ranged between . 83 and . 94, denoting from good to high internal consistency of the DOS.The most singular finding is that the female and male anxiety disorder patients'means were greatly and significantly higher than the means of the other five groups.The other salient differences were that female schizophrenics had a significantly higher mean than both male normals and male schizophrenics. Male schizophrenics and male normals had, respectively, the lowest mean DOS scores.The male addicts had a mean DOS score that was less than both male and female anxiety disorder groups. Females have higher mean DOS scores than their male counterparts in the normal, anxiety disorder patients, and patients suffering from schizophrenia groups.
Improved dynamic phasor-based modeling and simulation of modular multilevel converter

An improved dynamic phasor modeling method for modular multilevel converter (MMC) in high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system is presented, verified and applied. The model developed in this paper consists of AC interface module, DC interface module, MMC control system, circulating current suppression module and the 8-order MMC improved dynamic phasor model. When the external circuit is updated, it just needs modifying the electrical parameters of interface modules and the control strategy of the MMC, thus it is convenient for the external circuit improvement to connect to the MMC model. Since the improved method avoids the integral and convolution operation, the computational cost of the MMC dynamic phasor modeling is greatly reduced. Finally, under the steady-state and three-phase-to-ground short-circuit fault conditions, the MMC dynamic phasor model is implemented in MATLAB using the ode45 solution and the MMC electromagnetic transient (EMT) model is implemented in PSCAD/EMTDC. The comparisons of the simulation results verify the validity of the proposed modeling method. As the salient feature, the dynamic phasor modeling approach can greatly accelerate simulation speed without sacrifice the simulation accuracy, therefore the dynamic phasor modeling is expected to be more widely used in the simulation of large-scale MMC-based AC/DC power grid.
How long should we continue S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck?

Abstract Conclusion: It appears that patients with SCCHN should be recommended to take S-1 for more than 1 year and, if possible, more than 2 years, as adjuvant chemotherapy for SCCHN. Objectives: There is no established consensus on the duration of administration of S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Since it might be difficult to undergo prospective randomized study to identify the optimal duration of the administration period of S-1 without a standard, the authors have undergone a retrospective clinical study to decide the tentative standard of therapeutic duration of S-1 as adjuvant chemotherapy for SCCHN. Methods: The clinical records of 89 patients with SCCHN who underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with S-1 were investigated. Results: The median duration of S-1 administration as adjuvant chemotherapy for SCCHN was 7 months (range = 0.1–58 months). Disease-free survivals (DFSs) were generally longer when S-1 administration periods were longer. After adjusting for prognostic factors, S-1 administration periods of 24 months or longer showed significantly lower hazard ratios (HRs) than 0–12 months.
Biogenesis of peroxisomes in fetal liver

Peroxisomes are single membrane‐limited cell organelles that are involved in numerous metabolic functions. Peroxisomes do not contain DNA; the matrix and membrane proteins are encoded by the nuclear genome. It is assumed that new peroxisomes are formed by division of existing organelles. The present article gives an overview of microscopic studies and recent unpublished results dealing with peroxisome biogenesis in mammalian fetal liver and presents data on peroxisomes in oocytes.
Reconfigurable parallel interleaved three-phase inverter for aeronautical applications

This paper presents a reconfigurable parallel interleaved inverter connected through InterCell Transformers (ICT) and driving two separate and identical AC loads. The proposed system can be connected to both 270V and 540V bus DC available in aeronautical applications, without any difference in the system operation and with no need of oversizing switches, filters and passive components. This feature is achieved through the reconfiguration of the inverters, by connecting the DC link of each sub-system in parallel or in series. This paper also presents a study of the impact of differences between the two separate loads on the system behavior, especially with regard to the magnetic flux ripple in the ICTs and the capacitors voltage balance. Simulation and experimental results confirm the operation and effectiveness of the proposed system.
Phase I/II Study of HSP90 Inhibitor AUY922 and Erlotinib for EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer With Acquired Resistance to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors.

PURPOSE AUY922 is an HSP90 inhibitor that causes degradation of HSP chaperones and their client proteins, including epidermal growth factor receptor. We conducted a phase I/II trial to evaluate AUY922 and erlotinib for patients with EGFR-mutant lung cancer and disease progression during erlotinib treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS All patients had developed acquired resistance after treatment with erlotinib and underwent repeat tumor biopsies before study entry to assess for EGFR T790M. In phase I, 18 patients were treated with AUY922 intravenously once per week and erlotinib once per day in 28-day cycles using a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design. In phase II, 19 additional patients were treated at the maximum-tolerated dose. The primary end point of the phase II trial was complete plus partial response rate. RESULTS In phase I (n = 18), three patients were treated in each cohort, except the highest-dose cohort (AUY922 70 mg and erlotinib 150 mg), which expanded to six patients because of a dose-limiting toxicity (ie, junctional cardiac rhythm). Common drug-related adverse events were diarrhea, skin rash, hyperglycemia, and night blindness. All patients treated at maximum-tolerated dose (n = 25) were evaluable for response. The partial response rate was 16% (four of 25 patients; 95% CI, 5% to 36%) and was independent of tumor T790M status. CONCLUSION Partial responses were observed, but the duration of treatment with AUY922 and erlotinib was limited by toxicities, especially night blindness. This phase II study of AUY922 and erlotinib did not meet its primary end point.
Long term risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke: influence of duration of follow-up over four decades of mortality surveillance

Aim While cohort studies have revealed a range of risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke, the extent to which the strength of these associations varies according to duration of follow-up in studies with extended disease surveillance is unclear. This was the aim of the present study. Methods and results Initiated in 1967/70, the original Whitehall study is an on-going cohort study of 15,402 male UK government workers free of coronary heart disease when they took part in a baseline medical examination during which a range of standard risk factors was measured. In analyses in which we stratified by duration of follow-up, there was evidence of time-dependency for most risk factor–disease relationships. Thus, the associations of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and cigarette smoking with coronary heart disease and stroke diminished in strength with increasing duration of follow-up, whereas the magnitude of the body mass index–coronary heart disease relation was unchanged. For example, the age-adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) for cigarette smoking (versus never smoked) in relation to coronary heart disease were: 2.49 (1.80, 3.44), 1.65 (1.34, 2.03), 1.36 (1.15, 1.61) and 1.32 (1.10, 1.58) for follow-up periods 0–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30+ years, respectively. Conclusion Despite a general diminution in the strength of effect over time, even in the fourth decade of follow-up, classic risk factors retained some predictive capacity for coronary heart disease and, to a lesser degree, stroke.
Stable isotopes data (δ13C, δ15N) from the cave bear (Ursus spelaeus): a new approach to its palaeoenvironment and dormancy

Palaeoclimatic data that can be extracted from the isotopic signatures of δ13C and δ15N, which are found in fossil bone collagen, should be analysed according to the specific metabolism of each species. Although Ursus spelaeus is an extinct species, its metabolism is assimilated to current, closely related species of bear. In this study, bone collagen isotopic signatures (δ13C and δ15N) of cave bears from Late Pleistocene Alpine sites were compared to those that have already been documented. The δ13C signature did not seem to follow a systematic trend according to climatic conditions, probably as a consequence of the high variability present in the values of C3 plants, which were the basis of feeding. On the contrary, the δ15N signature displayed higher values in sites corresponding to colder periods in which the δ15N signature appeared to be dominated by the physiology of dormancy. Then, due to the reuse of urea in synthesizing amino acids, the δ15N signature systematically increased along with dormancy duration. This was related to the length of winter and, in turn, depended on climate.
A spontaneous hemadsorption-negative mutant of Mycoplasma pneumoniae exhibits a truncated adhesin-related 30-kilodalton protein and lacks the cytadherence-accessory protein HMW1

A spontaneous, hemadsorption-negative mutant of Mycoplasma pneumoniae lacks the cytoskeleton-forming HMW1 protein and exhibits a truncated adhesin-related 30-kDa protein. Genetic analyses revealed deletion of one nucleotide in the hmw1 gene and loss of eight repeated sequences comprising 144 nucleotides in the gene for the adhesin-related 30-kDa protein.
Comparison of single ended and differential signalling for wired biomedical implants using SPI communication with Reed Solomon Error Correction codes

For an implantable system for the recording of brain signals from neonatal mice the design specifications for the weight and the size of a implantable system are very tough. The animals are very small and light weight (1–3 cm, 2– 3 g) and the recording data rate is very high (3,5 Mbit/s). Thus, the system has to be extremely small. With state of the art technique it is not possible to set up a wireless implantable system that is suitable for a neonatal mouse. Thus a wired system is developed. For the wired system the connector is a size limiting factor. In wired transmission systems single ended and differential signalling are available. Differential signalling is more robust against noise disturbances, single ended transmission is beneficial with respect to a minimum number of wires and chip area. A detailed comparison of the suitability of both transmission types for wired implantable systems has been performed. A Serial Peripheral Interface connection with Reed Solomon Encoder connection has been implemented. Reed Solomon Error Correction is used to correct the errors occurring on the wired transmission line. Measurements of data rate and error rate for single ended and differential signalling have been performed for long cables (up to 1.8 m). It could be shown that single ended transmission is favourable for the desired application. For the detection and correction of errors occurring on high speed Serial Peripheral Interface Reed Solomon decoding on FPGA was used. This particular decoder design has capability of correcting up to 2 symbol errors on a packet of data composed of 9 symbols where each symbol is 4 bits long. Complete error correction takes about 65 clock cycles on a speed up to 100 MHz.
A One-Year Follow-Up Study of Depression in Dementia Sufferers

Background Little data are available about the course or incidence of depression in dementia sufferers. Method Monthly follow-up data over one year is reported regarding depression in a cohort of 124 dementia sufferers. Dementia was diagnosed according to DSM–III–R criteria. Depression was assessed with the Cornell Depression Scale and diagnosed according to RDC criteria. Cognitive functioning was assessed with the CAMCOG. Results Eighty-nine of the 124 patients completed the follow-up. The annual incidence rates of RDC major depression and RDC minor depression were 10.6% and 29.8%, respectively. Twenty per cent of patients with depression experienced these symptoms for six months or longer. Patients with vascular dementia were significantly more likely to experience three or more months of depression than patients with other dementias. RDC minor depression was highly persistent among 23.8% of sufferers. Conclusions Depression is persistent in patients with vascular dementia. Some patients with minor depression have a dysthymia-like disorder.
Determination of maximal lactate steady state in healthy adults: can NIRS help?

PURPOSE We tested the hypothesis that the maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) can be accurately determined in healthy subjects based on measures of deoxygenated hemoglobin (deoxyHb), an index of oxygen extraction measured noninvasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). METHODS Thirty-two healthy men (mean ± SD age = 48 ± 17 yr, range = 23-74 yr) performed an incremental cycling test to exhaustion and square wave tests for MLSS determination. Cardiorespiratory variables were measured bbb and deoxyHb was monitored noninvasively on the right vastus lateralis with a quantitative NIRS device. The individual values of V˙O2 and HR corresponding to the MLSS were calculated and compared to the NIRS-derived MLSS (NIRSMLSS) that was, in turn, determined by double linear function fitting of deoxyHb during the incremental exercise. RESULTS V˙O2 and HR at MLSS were 2.25 ± 0.54 L·min (76% ± 9% V˙O2max) and 133 ± 14 bpm (81% ± 7% HRmax), respectively. Muscle O2 extraction increased as a function of exercise intensity up to a deflection point, NIRSMLSS, at which V˙O2 and HR were 2.23 ± 0.59 L·min (76% ± 9% V˙O2max) and 136 ± 17 bpm (82% ± 8% HRmax), respectively. For both V˙O2 and HR, the difference of NIRSMLSS from MLSS values was not significant and the measures were highly correlated (r = 0.81 and r = 0.76). The Bland-Altman analysis confirmed a nonsignificant bias for V˙O2 and HR (-0.015 L·min and 3 bpm, respectively) and a small imprecision of 0.26 L·min and 8 bpm. CONCLUSIONS A plateau in muscle O2 extraction was demonstrated in coincidence with MLSS during an incremental cycling exercise, confirming the hypothesis that this functional parameter can be accurately estimated with a quantitative NIRS device. The main advantages of NIRSMLSS over lactate-based techniques are the noninvasiveness and the time/cost efficiency.
The Berkeley Orthokeratology Study, Part III: Safety

ABSTRACT The safety of orthokeratological (OK) procedures was assessed by monitoring several ocular characteristics including corneal thickness, refractive astigmatism, corneal astigmatism, correctable spectacle acuity, corneal edema, corneal staining, and endothelial cell density. Safety was also assessed by reviewing the number and causes of extra clinical visits that occurred because of ocular complications and by determining whether safety factors were related to patients lost to followup. Over the 1.2‐year period from the baseline examination to the end of the lens‐wearing phase of the study, the Treatment (T) and Control (C) groups had, respectively, only small changes in their mean levels of corneal thickness (0.2 vs. 3.2 &mgr;m), refractive astigmatism (0.07 vs 0.01 D), and corrected spectacle acuity (0.02 vs 0.018 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution). Analysis of time trend data obtained from scheduled monthly examinations also showed that changes in mean corneal thickness and mean corneal astigmatism were small and not clinically important in either comparison group during the course of the treatment. As a result of complications from lens wear, the T group required 1.25 times as many extra visits as the C group (p = 0.14). However, none of these visits provided sufficient clinical indication for the discontinuance of lens wear. Loss to follow‐up typically occurred because of either poor compliance with the study protocol or loss of motivation caused by minor contact lens‐related symptoms such as blurred vision, slight discomfort, or frequently lost lenses. These reasons were similar in both comparison groups. It appears that OK treatment is safe for the types of patients who participated in this study, but it may require more patient monitoring than would be needed to achieve and maintain a physiologically acceptable fit with conventional hard contact lens prescriptions.
Evaluating Unlicensed Assistive Personnel Models: Asking the Right Questions, Collecting the Right Data

Although the popularity of unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) models is evident by their implementation across the country, there has been very little scientifically based evaluation of their effectiveness. To facilitate better program evaluation, the authors review the current literature and outline a variety of data elements essential to effective UAP model evaluation. Major concepts that are addressed include program cost-effectiveness, customer satisfaction, patient outcomes, and evaluation of the success of both the training and implementation processes. Research questions that are pertinent to the model and need investigation also are presented. It is only through more thorough program evaluations that nurse executives can make informed decisions regarding the outcomes of care delivery restructuring efforts.
Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebra: Relation to Disc Degeneration and Low Back Pain

Study Design. Cross-sectional magnetic-resonance imaging (MRI) study. Objective. To investigate the relation of the lumbosacral transitional vertebra to signs of disc degeneration in MRI and to low back pain (LBP). Summary of Background Data. An association between the transitional vertebra and herniation in the disc above has been found in patients with LBP, but knowledge of the relation to other degenerative disc changes detected in MRI and to LBP is lacking. Methods. MR images of the lumbar spine of 138 middle-aged working men and 25 healthy young men were evaluated. The presence and type of lumbosacral transitional vertebra and of degenerative changes in intervertebral discs were evaluated. The history of low back symptoms was obtained with a questionnaire from the middle-aged men. Results. The prevalence of transitional vertebra was 30%. Transitional vertebra was associated with an increased risk of degenerative changes in the disc above among the young men and with a decreased risk in the disc below among the middle-aged men. Transitional vertebra, symmetric or asymmetric, was not associated with any type of LBP in the middle-aged men. Conclusions. Lumbosacral transitional vertebra increases the risk of early degeneration in the upper disc. This effect seems to be obscured by age-related changes in the middle age. The degenerative process is slowed down in the lower disc. For these effects, the presence of a transitional vertebra should be noticed when morphologic methods are used in research on lumbosacral spine. Transitional vertebra is not associated with any type of LBP.