Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemodynamic Changes after Unilateral Revascularization for Moyamoya Disease: Serial Assessment by Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Angiography

BACKGROUND Ultrasonic flow meters and quantitative magnetic resonance angiography quantitatively assess flow during hemodynamic evaluation of cerebral ischemia. Although their reliability and reproducibility have been verified, their clinical impact in moyamoya disease has rarely been reported. OBJECTIVE To investigate flow measurement outcomes in moyamoya disease patients pre- and postoperatively through a retrospective observational study. METHODS We evaluated 41 patients undergoing their first revascularization surgery who were followed ≥6 mo. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded preoperatively, at 1 and 6 mo postoperatively, and at the last follow-up. Demographic factors, Suzuki stage, and stroke development were also analyzed. RESULTS Patients' median age was 37 yr (interquartile range [IQR], 27-43), and 16 (39.0%) patients were men. During follow-up, 9 (22.0%) patients experienced postoperative stroke (4 major strokes). Hemodynamic status was improved in 34 (82.9%) patients at the 6-mo follow-up. Median intraoperative flow was 41 mL/min (IQR, 25-59). Bypass flow peaked at 6 mo (median, 67 mL/min; IQR, 35-99). At the 1- and 6-mo follow-ups, ipsilateral hemispheric flow was significantly increased. The median proportion of posterior circulation at 6 mo was 44.4%, significantly lower than the preoperative proportion (50.1%). Abundant intraoperative bypass flow was associated with hemodynamic improvement, while low contralateral hemispheric flow was related with immediate postoperative ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION Ipsilateral hemispheric flow was increased during 6-mo follow-up, and posterior circulation flow burden was diminished. Abundant intraoperative bypass flow was associated with postoperative hemodynamic improvement. Low preoperative contralateral hemispheric flow was related with immediate postoperative ischemic stroke.
Spontaneous Functional Recovery in a Paralyzed Hemidiaphragm Following Upper Cervical Spinal Cord Injury in Adult Rats

Previous studies have shown that latent respiratory pathways can be activated by as phyxia or systemic theophylline administration to restore function to a hemidiaphragm paralyzed by C2 spinal cord hemisection in adult female rats. Based on this premise, electrophysiologic recording techniques were employed in the present investigation to first determine qualitatively whether latent respiratory pathways are activated spon taneously following prolonged post hemisection periods (4-16 weeks) without any therapeutic intervention. Our second objective in a separate group of hemisected an imals was to quantitate any documented functional recovery under the following stan dardized recording conditions: bilateral vagotomy, paralysis with pancuronium bro mide, artificial ventilation, and constant PCO 2 (maintained at 25 mmHg).
Soft Actuators for Small‐Scale Robotics

This review comprises a detailed survey of ongoing methodologies for soft actuators, highlighting approaches suitable for nanometer‐ to centimeter‐scale robotic applications. Soft robots present a special design challenge in that their actuation and sensing mechanisms are often highly integrated with the robot body and overall functionality. When less than a centimeter, they belong to an even more special subcategory of robots or devices, in that they often lack on‐board power, sensing, computation, and control. Soft, active materials are particularly well suited for this task, with a wide range of stimulants and a number of impressive examples, demonstrating large deformations, high motion complexities, and varied multifunctionality. Recent research includes both the development of new materials and composites, as well as novel implementations leveraging the unique properties of soft materials.
A social-ecological model of readiness for transition to adult-oriented care for adolescents and young adults with chronic health conditions.

BACKGROUND Policy and research related to transition to adult care for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) has focused primarily on patient age, disease skills and knowledge. OBJECTIVE In an effort to broaden conceptualization of transition and move beyond isolated patient variables, a new social-ecological model of AYA readiness for transition (SMART) was developed. METHODS SMART development was informed by related theories, literature, expert opinion and pilot data collection using a questionnaire developed to assess provider report of SMART components with 100 consecutive patients in a childhood cancer survivorship clinic. RESULTS The literature, expert opinion and pilot data collection support the relevance of SMART components and a social-ecological conceptualization of transition. Provider report revealed that many components, representing more than age, disease knowledge and skills, related to provider plans for transferring patients. CONCLUSIONS SMART consists of inter-related constructs of patients, parents and providers with emphasis on variables amenable to intervention. Results support SMART's broadened conceptualization of transition readiness and need for assessment of multiple stakeholders' perspectives of patient transition readiness. A companion measure of SMART, which will be able to be completed by patients, parents and providers, will be developed to target areas of intervention to facilitate optimal transition readiness. Similar research programmes to establish evidence-based transition measures and interventions are needed.
Impact of early weight loss on growth of Caesarean delivered babies: how long does it last?

BACKGROUND We hypothesized that Caesarean delivered babies might experience excessive weight loss during neonatal period. AIM To investigate amount of weight loss among Caesarean delivered babies with exclusive breastfeeding and to identify role of relative weight change (RWC) in early postnatal period on the growth of infants in subsequent months. METHODS We studied healthy infants born ≥36 completed weeks, by Caesarean section between September 2008 and August 2009, with Apgar scores >7. Weight measurements were performed at birth, at 24 h postpartum and at days 2, 4, 7, 14, 30 and monthly up to 6 months. Predictive roles of RWC at each assessment on detecting excessive weight loss and poor weight gain in 1st month, as well as bodyweight z scores in subsequent months were assessed. RESULTS We studied 160 infants (88 female, 72 male) with a mean gestational age of 38.01 ± 1 weeks and birthweight of 3239 ± 421 g. Overall, 22.5% of infants lost >10% of birthweight; 11.9% at day 2, 16.9% at day 4 and 6.6% at day 7. Degree of weight loss was not related with parity, gestational age, birthweight or type of anaesthesia. Predictive values of RWCs in detecting poor weight gain in 0-30 days were: 2nd day; limit =-9.4%, specificity = 91.5%, 4th day; limit =-10.2%, specificity = 89.4%, 7th day; limit =-6.3%, specificity = 85%, sensitivity = 78%, 14th day; limit =+0.8%, specificity = 91.5%, sensitivity = 83.3%. Adjusting for birthweight z scores, RWC at 14th day had a significant influence on 1st and 2nd month bodyweight z scores. Bodyweight z scores were significantly correlated with the z scores of bodyweight in 1-5 months but not with that of 6 months. CONCLUSION Incidence of excessive weight loss is very high among Caesarean delivered babies. RWC at earlier measurements proves satisfactory in predicting poor infant growth. Management strategies based on identifying infants at risk could prevent excessive weight loss and improve future growth of those infants.
STUDIES ON THROMBOLYTIC AND ANTI-HELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF Cocccinea grandis

Traditional system of medicine consists of large number of plants with various medicinal and pharmacological values and hence represents a priceless tank of new bio active molecules. Coccinea grandis belongs to the family Cucurbitaceae, is a rapidly growing, perennial climber or trailing vine. Traditionally different parts of this plant namely roots, leaves, and fruits are used in folklore medicine for several purposes like jaundice, diabetes, wound healing, ulcers, stomach ache, skin disease, fever, asthma, cough. Development of anthelmintic resistance and high cost of conventional anthelmintic drugs led to the evaluation of medicinal plants as an alternative source of anthelmintics. As no scientific data was available on this plant hence, the present study was carried out for the investigation of antihelmintic activity and thrombolytic activity of bark of Coccinea grandis. Antihelmintic activity was done on pheritima posthuma. The results obtained were compared with standard albendazole and control groups respectively, the parameters evaluated are time of paralysis and time of death. On the other hand thrombolytic activity was done by using aqueous extract of Coccinea grandis bark. Thrombi or emboli can lodge in a blood vessel and block the flow of blood in that location depriving tissues of normal blood flow and oxygen. This can result in damage, destruction (infarction), or even death of the tissues (necrosis) in that area. Streptokinase is an antigenic thrombolytic agent used for the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, served as standard. This study was conducted on human blood sample and compared with standard and control groups respectively. The parameters studied are percentage of clot lysis. From the present study we found that various extracts of this plants showed significant thrombolytic and antihelmintic properties. Key words: thrombolysis, helminthes, coccinea , albendazole, streptokinase.
Initial rhythm and outcome of in-hospital adult cardiac arrest in a tertiary care hospital

Introduction: Successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation after in-hospital cardiac arrest depends on basic and advanced life support systems, the ability to immediately defibrillate the arrested heart, and the quality of the CPR intervention. Aim: To determine the frequency of different cardiac arrest rhythms during the cardiac arrest event and also their effect on outcome. Methodology: This was a prospective study conducted in patients who sustained cardiac arrest in a tertiary hospital over 20 months. Tools used to collect data were Modified Utstein style Format for standard reporting of In-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation and Modified Early Warning Score chart. Results: There were a total of 1135 patients in the Pre MEWS group and there were 820 patients in the Post MEWS group. A total of 279 (14.27%) patients sustained VF/VT, 570 (29.15%) had pulseless electrical activity and 1106 (56.57%) had asystole. Survival to hospital discharge was significantly higher with VF/VT (18.27%) as compared to asystole (7.14%) and PEA (11.75%). There was no difference in the frequency of any cardiac arrest rhythm in various age groups, gender or degree of illness (APACHE II score). Furthermore, the cerebral performance category was significantly better if the initial rhythm was VF/VT. Survival to hospital discharge was higher if the initial rhythm was VF/VT (18.2%) as compared to asystole (7.14%) and pulseless electrical activity (11.75%). In the Pre MEWS period, 8.5% of the patients sustained VF/VT as compared to 23.7% sustaining VF/VT in the Post MEWS period. Conclusion: First monitored rhythm as VF/VT has significant association with the survival. Modified early warning score helps the nurses and the physicians to identify patients at risk of In-hospital adult cardiac arrest and this improves the survival of the patients
Ameliyat Sonrası Ateş Ve Hemşirelik Bakımı

Hemodinamik parametrelerin izlenmesi ve degerlendirilmesi onemli hemsirelik girisimlerindendir. Fizyolojik islevlerdeki degisiklikler yasam bulgularina yansir. Bu nedenle yasam bulgularinin normal degerlerindeki sapmalar homeostazisin bozuldugunu ya da devam etmedigini gosterir. Ameliyat sonrasi donemde degisik nedenlerle ortaya cikan ates (beden ic sicakliginin yukselmesi), %28-70 oraninda gorulmektedir. Beden ic sicakligi 37°C'den 39°C'ye yukseldiginde oksijen ve enerji tuketimi %10-25 oraninda artmaktadir. Beden ic sicakligi artisinda oksijen ve enerji tuketilmesinin nedeni, kortizol ve norepinefrin salinmasi ve buna bagli arteryel kan basinci, nabiz ve solunum sayisi degisikligi ortaya cikmasidir. Yuksek beden ic sicakligina bagli arteryel kan basinci, nabiz sayisi ve arteryel oksijen saturasyon degerlerin incelendigi calismalarda, bu parametrelerin dogrudan etkilendigi bildirilmistir. Gunumuzde atesi dusurmek icin nonfarmakolojik (periferik soguk uygulamalar, konvansiyonel su, hava ve jole ile kaplanmis battaniyeler, damar ici soguk sivi infuzyon sistemleri vb.) ve farmakolojik (antipiretik ilaclar) yontemler kullanilmaktadir. Ancak bu yontemlerin hemodinamik parametrelere etkisine ve komplikasyonlari onlemeye yonelik cok az calisma bulunmaktadir. Bu bilgiler dogrultusunda, ameliyat sonrasi atesin tedavi ve bakiminda hastalarin genel durumlarinin degerlendirilmesi, yasam bulgulari ve hemodinamik parametrelerin dogru ve dikkatli bir sekilde olculmesi ve degerlendirilmesi komplikasyonlarin onlenmesinde onemli rol oynar.
Placental growth factor and placental perfusion

Placental Growth Factor (PlGF) is a very important angiogenic protein secreted by the placenta, necessary for the proper functioning of the endothelial cells during pregnancy. In normal pregnancies, PlGF plasma circulating levels increase up to the 32 nd week of pregnancy, and then decrease until the end of pregnancy. Low PlGF plasma levels are a marker of preeclampsia and of placental function deficiency. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether a deficiency of placenta function, diagnosed through the PlGF assay, could be a cause of preterm delivery without known causes. The PlGF levels were measured in plasma samples collected by 250 pregnant women (20-35 weeks of pregnancy). In our study, PlGF levels were significantly lower than cut off values in all women with preterm delivery without known causes. Proceedings of the International Course on Perinatal Pathology (part of the 10 th International Workshop on Neonatology · October 22 nd -25 th , 2014) · Cagliari (Italy) · October 25 th , 2014 · The role of the clinical pathological dialogue in problem solving Guest Editors: Gavino Faa, Vassilios Fanos, Peter Van Eyken
A Simple Thermoplastic Substrate Containing Hierarchical Silica Lamellae for High‐Molecular‐Weight DNA Extraction

An inexpensive, magnetic thermoplastic nanomaterial is developed utilizing a hierarchical layering of micro- and nanoscale silica lamellae to create a high-surface-area and low-shear substrate capable of capturing vast amounts of ultrahigh-molecular-weight DNA. Extraction is performed via a simple 45 min process and is capable of achieving binding capacities up to 1 000 000 times greater than silica microparticles.
Psychological adjustment among left-behind children in rural China: the role of parental migration and parent-child communication.

BACKGROUND Left-behind children refer to those rural children who are under 18 years of age and are left at home when both or one of their parents migrate to urban area for work. Recent findings showed that left-behind children were disadvantaged by developmental, emotional and social problems. METHOD A sample of 1165 rural children and adolescents were recruited to examine the characteristics of left-behind children and explore the differences in psychological adjustment (including satisfaction, loneliness and happiness) by patterns of parental migration (i.e. no parent migrating, one parent migrating or two parents migrating) and the level of parent-child communication in rural China. RESULTS (1) Compared with children with one parent migrating, children with two parents migrating were separated from their parents at younger ages, for longer periods, and saw their migrant parents less frequently. (2) Children with two parents migrating reported the lowest level of satisfaction among the three groups of rural children. Both groups of children with one or two parents migrating experienced more loneliness compared with children with no parent migrating. There were no significant differences in school satisfaction and happiness among the three groups. (3) The children who reported a higher level of parent-child communication also reported a higher level of life and school satisfaction and happiness, and no differences in loneliness were found by levels of parent-child communication. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that loneliness was the most common and important experience of left-behind children. Parent-child communication is important for the development of all rural children, including those who were left behind by their migrant parents.
Advanced algorithmic approaches to medical image segmentation: state-of-the-art application in cardiology, neurology, mammography and pathology

Medical imaging is generally recognised as key to the success of better diagnosis and patient care and this book, describing state-of-the-art techniques, is a valuable contribution to the literature. Comprising contributions from authors based in both industry and academia, it focuses primarily on state-of-the-art model based segmentation techniques as applied to CT, MRI, ultrasound, X-ray and mammography. Different applications, such as to cardiac, brain, breast and microscopic cancer cell imaging, are covered and pseudo algorithms are presented. As an overview of state-of-the art techniques, this book will be of particular interest to students and researchers in the fields of medical engineering, image processing, computer graphics, mathematical modelling and data analysis, but it will also be of interest to researchers in the fields of radiology, cardiology, pathology and neurology.
Pathogenesis of Asthma

While asthma is considered an inflammatory disorder of the conducting airways, it is becoming increasingly apparent that the disease is heterogeneous with respect to immunopathology, clinical phenotypes, response to therapies, and natural history. Once considered purely an allergic disorder dominated by Th2‐type lymphocytes, IgE, mast cells, eosinophils, macrophages, and cytokines, the disease also involves local epithelial, mesenchymal, vascular and neurologic events that are involved in directing the Th2 phenotype to the lung and through aberrant injury‐repair mechanisms to remodeling of the airway wall. Structural cells provide the necessary “soil” upon which the “seeds” of the inflammatory response are able to take root and maintain a chronic phenotype and upon which are superimposed acute and subacute episodes usually driven by environmental factors such as exposure to allergens, microorganisms, pollutants or caused by inadequate antiinflammatory treatment. Greater consideration of additional immunologic and inflammatory pathways are revealing new ways of intervening in the prevention and treatment of the disease. Thus increased focus on environmental factors beyond allergic exposure (such as virus infection, air pollution, and diet) are identifying targets in structural as well as immune and inflammatory cells at which to direct new interventions.
Neural Dysfunction in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by a profound, disabling, and unexplained sensation of fatigue lasting an unexplained severe fatigue which lasts for at least 6 months with a combination of various symptoms, and it impairs patients' ability to live their days normally. Patients with CFS complain of neuropsychological symptoms, including cognitive impairment (thinking difficulties, decreased alertness, and impaired memory and concentration), chronic widespread pain (muscle pain, pain in multiple joints, headaches, and sore throat), and depressive symptoms. In addition, many studies have shown abnormalities in the central nervous system (CNS) in patients with CFS. These findings suggest that the CNS is primarily involved in the pathophysiology of CFS. Here, we review data primarily from behavioral, electrophysiological, and neuroimaging experiments related to neural dysfunction in CFS. Dysfunction of a facilitation system and central sensitization and classical conditioning of an inhibition system in the CNS seem to play pivotal roles in the pathophysiology of CFS. We also propose a treatment strategy for CFS on the basis of these suggested underlying neural mechanisms.
Novel Method of Measuring Canal Dehiscence and Evaluation of its Potential as a Predictor of Symptom Outcomes After Middle Fossa Craniotomy

BACKGROUND Superior semicircular canal dehiscence (SSCD) is an osseous defect of the arcuate eminence of the petrous temporal bone. Strategies for measuring dehiscence size are variable, and the usefulness of such parameters remains in clinical equipoise. OBJECTIVE To present a novel method of measuring dehiscence volume and to evaluate its potential as a predictor of symptom outcomes after surgical repair of SSCD. METHODS High-resolution computed tomographic temporal bone images were imported into a freely available segmentation software. Dehiscence lengths and volumes were ascertained by independent authors. Inter-rater observer reliability was assessed using Cronbach's alpha. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to evaluate for relationships between dehiscence size and symptoms (pre- and post-operative). RESULTS Thirty-seven dehiscences were segmented using the novel volumetric assessment. Cronbach's alpha for dehiscence lengths and volumes were 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. Dehiscence lengths were more variable as compared to dehiscence volumes (σ2 8.92 vs σ2 0.55, F = 1.74). The mean dehiscence volume was 2.22 mm3 (0.74, 0.64-0.53 mm3). Dehiscence volume and headache at presentation were positively correlated (Rpb = 0.67, P = .03). Dehiscence volume and vertigo improvement after surgery were positively correlated, although this did not reach statistical significance (Rpb = 0.46, P = .21). CONCLUSION SSCD volumetry is a novel method of measuring dehiscence size that has excellent inter-rater reliability and is less variable compared to dehiscence length, but its potential as a predictor of symptom outcomes is not substantiated. However, the study is limited by low power.
Vascular endothelial growth factor in allergen‐induced nasal inflammation

Background Increased vessel number and permeability are important features of the nasal mucosa in allergic rhinitis (AR), and are mediated in part by the cytokine vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Eosinophils are the major effector cells in the nasal secretions of patients with AR during the responses to allergen challenges. To evaluate the involvement of VEGF in nasal allergic inflammation, we monitored the levels of VEGF, eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and specific antibodies in the nasal lavage fluids (NLFs) of patients with AR in response to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dpt).
Porous 3D Few‐Layer Graphene‐like Carbon for Ultrahigh‐Power Supercapacitors with Well‐Defined Structure–Performance Relationship

3D few-layer graphene-like carbon with hierarchical open porous architecture is obtained by a new in situ Cu template method, leading to top-level supercapacitive performance, especially state-of-the-art power density. An effective new approach is demonstrated, which can extend the understanding of structure-performance relationships for many electrochemical energy-storage systems and form a significant complement to classical electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.