Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Utilization of Hospital Services by the Elderly: Geriatric Crisis in one Canadian Single Payer System

As the number and proportion of elderly persons in the Canadian population increase, utilization of health services by the elderly becomes a growing concern for health service insurers, financial managers and policy makers, as well as for care providers. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study to analyse the use of hospital services by the elderly in Alberta since the introduction of a universal single payer health care insurance system in 1970. The study period coincides with the implementation of publicly-financed comprehensive medical and hospital insurance programmes for all Alberta residents, making it possible to perform historical and population-based utilization analyses. Thus the data used for the study included all hospital discharge abstracts generated by all Alberta hospitals from 1971 to 1991. Trends in hospital service utilization by the elderly in terms of total number of separations, patient-days, and per case measures such as average length of stay as well as per capita utilization rates were reviewed to identify utilization patterns over the study period. Further, relative per capita utilization measures, in comparison with the base year (1971), age group 15–44, male, metropolitan residents, were derived and historical trends identified. A series of regression analyses were carried out to estimate the effects of age, sex and origin on utilization rates. In addition, for the period of 1984–1991, Diagnosis Related Groups (DRG) case weights were used to measure per capita and per case rates and to analyse historical relative utilization rates over the 8-year period. In general, there has been a significant decline in hospital utilization by Albertans under the publicly-financed single payer system, but utilization rates for the elderly have remained high, resulting in high relative utilization rates in comparison with other age groups. It was also noted that per capita utilization rates for rural residents were substantially higher than urban residents. It appears that these higher utilization rates by the elderly and rural residents in combination with tight bed and financial control by the government have been causing significant bed shortage problems for non-elderly elective patients in urban areas.
International consensus classification of hippocampal sclerosis in temporal lobe epilepsy: A Task Force report from the ILAE Commission on Diagnostic Methods

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is the most frequent histopathology encountered in patients with drug‐resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Over the past decades, various attempts have been made to classify specific patterns of hippocampal neuronal cell loss and correlate subtypes with postsurgical outcome. However, no international consensus about definitions and terminology has been achieved. A task force reviewed previous classification schemes and proposes a system based on semiquantitative hippocampal cell loss patterns that can be applied in any histopathology laboratory. Interobserver and intraobserver agreement studies reached consensus to classify three types in anatomically well‐preserved hippocampal specimens: HS International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) type 1 refers always to severe neuronal cell loss and gliosis predominantly in CA1 and CA4 regions, compared to CA1 predominant neuronal cell loss and gliosis (HS ILAE type 2), or CA4 predominant neuronal cell loss and gliosis (HS ILAE type 3). Surgical hippocampus specimens obtained from patients with TLE may also show normal content of neurons with reactive gliosis only (no‐HS). HS ILAE type 1 is more often associated with a history of initial precipitating injuries before age 5 years, with early seizure onset, and favorable postsurgical seizure control. CA1 predominant HS ILAE type 2 and CA4 predominant HS ILAE type 3 have been studied less systematically so far, but some reports point to less favorable outcome, and to differences regarding epilepsy history, including age of seizure onset. The proposed international consensus classification will aid in the characterization of specific clinicopathologic syndromes, and explore variability in imaging and electrophysiology findings, and in postsurgical seizure control.
A graded system to categorize drug‐resistant epilepsy

neurocysticercosis is anatomically related with hippocampal sclerosis in refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy plus neurocysticercosis. Epilepsia 49(suppl 7):S487. Bianchin MM, Dal Pizzol A, Cabral LS, Martin KC, Rieder CRM. (2010) Cognitive impairment and dementia in neurocysticercosis: a crosssectional controlled study. Neurology 75:1028. Chandra PS, Bal C, Garg A, Gaikwad S, Prasad K, Sharma BS, Sarkar C, Singh MB, Padma VM, Tripathi M. (2010) Surgery for medically intractable epilepsy due to postinfectious etiologies. Epilepsia 51: 1097–1100. Garcia HH, Del Brutto OH; Cysticercosis Working Group in Peru. (2005) Neurocysticercosis: updated concepts about an old disease. Lancet Neurol 4:653–661. Leite JP, Terra-Bustamante VC, Fernandes RM, Santos AC, Chimelli L, Sakamoto AC, Assirati JA, Takayanagui OM. (2000) Calcified neurocysticercotic lesions and postsurgery seizure control in temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurology 55:1485–1491. Velasco TR, Zanello PA, Dalmagro CL, Araffljo D Jr, Santos AC, Bianchin MM, Alexandre V Jr, Walz R, Assirati JA, Carlotti CG Jr, Takayanagui OM, Sakamoto AC, Leite JP. (2006) Calcified cysticercotic lesions and intractable epilepsy: a cross sectional study of 512 patients. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 77:485–488. Wichert-Ana L, Velasco TR, Terra-Bustamante VC, Alexandre V Jr, Walz R, Bianchin MM, Leite JP, Assirati JA, Carlotti CG, Araffljo D, Santos AC, Takayanagui OM, Sakamoto AC. (2004) Surgical treatment for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy in the presence of massive calcified neurocysticercosis. Arch Neurol 61:1117–1119.
Expanding the Space: Inclusion of Most-at-Risk Populations in HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care Services

The provision of appropriate HIV prevention, treatment, and care services for most-at-risk populations (MARP) will challenge many health care systems. For people who sell sex or inject drugs and for men who have sex with men, stigma, discrimination, and criminalization can limit access to care, inhibit service uptake, and reduce the disclosure of risks. Several models for provision of HIV services to MARP may address these issues. We discuss integrated models, stand-alone services, and hybrid models, which may be appropriate for some MARP in some settings. Both public health and human rights frameworks concur that those at greatest risk should have expanded access to services.
Development of transferred ferret eggs in relation to the age of corpora lutea.

Ferret eggs recovered from oviducts and uteri at various times after insemination were transferred to the uteri of recipient animals on various days of pseudopregnancy. Fifteen per cent of newly fertilized two day eggs recovered from oviducts were implanted when transferred to uteri of two-day pseudopregnant ferrets but only 5% developed to fetuses. Synchronous transfer of four-, six-, seven- and eight-day eggs to uteri of four-, six-, seven- and eight-day pseudopregnant ferrets resulted in 44-62% of implantations, but only 21–41% of eggs developed to fetuses. Twenty-one-fifty-seven percent of eggs were implanted, and 8–29% of eggs developed to fetuses when eggs were transferred to uteri of ferrets that had ovulated two days later. When transferred to uteri of ferrets that had ovulated two days earlier none developed to fetuses although 33–50% of transferred eggs implanted. No fetal development was observed when six-day eggs were transferred to estrous ferrets treated with various progestins, but a few implantations (3–17%) occurred.
Mechanical Arm Trainer for the Treatment of the Severely Affected Arm After a Stroke: A Single-Blinded Randomized Trial in Two Centers

Hesse S, Werner C, Pohl M, Mehrholz J, Puzich U, Krebs HI: Mechanical arm trainer for the treatment of the severely affected arm after a stroke: a single-blinded randomized trial in two centers. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2008;87:779–788. Objective:To test whether training with a new mechanical arm trainer leads to better outcomes than electrical stimulation of the paretic wrist extensors in subacute stroke patients with severe upper limb paresis. Electrical stimulation is a standard and reimbursable form of therapy in Germany. Design:Randomized controlled trial of 54 inpatients enrolled 4–8 wks from stroke onset, mean upper-extremity subsection of Fugl-Meyer assessment (0–66) at admission less than 18. In addition to standard care, all patients practiced 20–30 mins arm trainer or electrical stimulation every workday for 6 wks, totaling 30 sessions. Primary outcome was the Fugl-Meyer assessment, secondary outcomes were the Box and Block test, the Medical Research Council and the modified Ashworth scale, blindly assessed at enrollment, after 6 wks, and at 3-mo follow-up. Results:Both groups were homogeneous at study onset. Shoulder pain occurred in two arm trainer patients. The primary Fugl-Meyer assessment outcome improved for both groups over time (P < 0.001), but this improvement did not differ between groups. The initial (terminal) mean Fugl-Meyer assessment scores were 8.8 ± 4.8 (19.2 ± 14.5) for the arm trainer and 8.6 ± 3.5 (13.6 ± 7.9) for the electrical stimulation group. No patient could transport a block initially, but at completion significantly more arm trainer patients were able to transport at least three blocks (five vs. zero, P = 0.023). No significant differences were observed between the groups on the secondary Box and Block outcome at follow-up (eight vs. four patients). All Box and Block responders had an initial Fugl-Meyer assessment ≥10. Conclusions:Arm trainer training did not lead to a superior primary outcome over electrical stimulation training. However, “good performers” on the secondary outcome seemed to benefit more from the arm trainer training.
Triggering Fbw7-Mediated Proteasomal Degradation of c-Myc by Oridonin Induces Cell Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis

The transcription factor c-Myc is important in cell fate decisions and is frequently overexpressed in cancer cells, making it an attractive therapeutic target. Natural compounds are among the current strategies aimed at targeting c-Myc, but their modes of action still need to be characterized. To explore the mechanisms underlying the anticancer activity of a natural diterpenoid, oridonin, we conducted miRNA expression profiling and statistical analyses that strongly suggested that c-Myc was a potential molecular target of oridonin. Furthermore, experimental data showed that oridonin significantly reduced c-Myc protein levels in vitro and in vivo and that this reduction was mediated by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Fbw7, a component of the ubiquitin-proteasome system and an E3 ubiquitin ligase of c-Myc, was upregulated rapidly in K562 cells and other leukemia and lymphoma cells, resulting in the rapid turnover of c-Myc. In cell lines harboring mutations in the WD domain of Fbw7, the degradation of c-Myc induced by oridonin was attenuated during short-term treatment. GSK-3, an Fbw7 priming kinase, was also activated by oridonin, along with an increase in T58-phosphorylated c-Myc. Furthermore, the knockdown of Fbw7 or the forced expression of stable c-Myc resulted in reduced sensitization to oridonin-induced apoptosis. Our observations help to clarify the anticancer mechanisms of oridonin and shed light on the application of this natural compound as an Fbw7-c-Myc pathway targeting agent in cancer treatment. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(5); 1155–65. ©2012 AACR.
A Mycobacterium Strain with Extended Capacities for Degradation of Gasoline Hydrocarbons

ABSTRACT A bacterial strain (strain IFP 2173) was selected from a gasoline-polluted aquifer on the basis of its capacity to use 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (isooctane) as a sole carbon and energy source. This isolate, the first isolate with this capacity to be characterized, was identified by 16S ribosomal DNA analysis, and 100% sequence identity with a reference strain of Mycobacterium austroafricanum was found. Mycobacterium sp. strain IFP 2173 used an unusually wide spectrum of hydrocarbons as growth substrates, including n-alkanes and multimethyl-substituted isoalkanes with chains ranging from 5 to 16 carbon atoms long, as well as substituted monoaromatic hydrocarbons. It also attacked ethers, such as methyl t-butyl ether. During growth on gasoline, it degraded 86% of the substrate. Our results indicated that strain IFP 2173 was capable of degrading 3-methyl groups, possibly by a carboxylation and deacetylation mechanism. Evidence that it attacked the quaternary carbon atom structure by an as-yet-undefined mechanism during growth on 2,2,4-trimethylpentane and 2,2-dimethylpentane was also obtained.
A New Phonetic Candidate Generator for Improving Search Query Efficiency

Misspelled query due to homophones or mispronunciation is difficult to be corrected in the conventional spelling correction methods. In phonetic candidate generation, the generator is to produce candidates which are phonetically similar to a given query. In this paper, we present a new phonetic candidate generator for improving the search efficiency of a query. The proposed generator consists of three modules: letter-to-sound (LTS) conversion, phonetic “ trie ” and phonetic similarity estimator based upon Levenshtein distance and Kullback-Leibler Divergence (KLD) between phones. This generator yields a significant improvement over Double-metaphone in terms of candidate accuracy and effective candidate set size.
Auction based resource allocation in cloud computing

Resource allocation is fundamental function of cloud computing. Different auction models offer a variety of market driven resource allocation mechanisms. This paper studies auction based resource allocation for cloud computing. First, a framework of auction based resource allocation is presented for cloud computing, and the main issues are also discussed in the design of auction based resource allocation mechanisms. Then, an overview is presented upon the state-of-the-art of auction based resource allocation in cloud computing.
Normalization of Ca2+ Signals by Small Oblique Dendrites of CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

Oblique dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons predominate in stratum radiatum and receive ∼80% of the synaptic input from Schaffer collaterals. Despite this fact, most of our understanding of dendritic signal processing in these neurons comes from studies of the main apical dendrite. Using a combination of Ca2+ imaging and whole-cell recording techniques in rat hippocampal slices, we found that the properties of the oblique dendrites differ markedly from those of the main dendrites. These different properties tend to equalize the Ca2+ rise from single action potentials as they backpropagate into the oblique dendrites from the main trunk. Evidence suggests that this normalization of Ca2+ signals results from a higher density of a transient, A-type K+ current [IK(A)] in the oblique versus the main dendrites. The higher density ofIK(A) may have important implications for our understanding of synaptic integration and plasticity in these structures.
Fuzzy model based on RGBD images to identify biometrical facial geometry

Automatic face recognition is an important and complex task. Therefore, it is necessary to design efficient algorithms able to cope with all the different problems of face recognition. Thus, a great progress has been done using the actual vision technology. For example, a lot of topography description of the facial geometry information has not been used for the lack adequate technology. In this paper, we present an algorithm to recognize the human face, and it uses inputs from RGBD images provided by the camera and depth sensor, Kinect. The images are translated to a point cloud structure to recognize facial geometry patterns on the topography with fuzzy rules set describing the pattern algebra of each point shape identifying the connectivity pattern with their neighbors. First, it finds the nose tip which is segmented with concentric squares to evaluate symmetry. Then the face is segmented in eight different areas. The algorithm was tested in an interview scenario with a person with free range of movements.
Knowledge and practices of Ohio nurse practitioners regarding food access of patients

Purposes: To assess the self‐identified food security knowledge and practices of nurse practitioners (NPs) in Ohio and the relationships of food security knowledge and practices to NP characteristics. Data sources: This study utilized a survey approach for data collection. Participants were licensed NPs with prescriptive authority in Ohio who were randomly selected from the Ohio licensure list and responded to a questionnaire (n= 288) with demographic and food security–related questions. Conclusions: Less than one third of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they were knowledgeable about the topic of food security. Education of NPs about food insecurity and about incorporation of food security principles into the healthcare process is needed. Implications for practice: Food insecurity can negatively impact compliance to prescribed treatments. NPs should address food security issues in order to provide specialized, individualized care to patients in order to achieve positive outcomes. Through evaluation of patients’ food access, and factors that are related to food insecurity, this can be achieved.
A comparative scanning electron microscopic study on the characteristics of demineralized dentin root surface using different tetracycline HCl concentrations and application times.

BACKGROUND The use of demineralizing agents has been reported to enhance the degree of connective tissue attachment to denuded roots. Of the agents used, tetracycline HCI has received the most attention. METHODS The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the SEM surface morphology of human root dentin following various concentrations and application times of tetracycline HCl. The surface characteristics were compared and the width of dentin tubule orifices were measured and analyzed. Twelve human teeth were collected and stored in distilled water after soft tissue removal using hand instruments. The apical third of each root was removed and remaining mid-root region was sectioned longitudinally through the root canal following removal of its cementum with a fine diamond bur. A total of 48 dentin specimens were randomly divided into 8 groups for conditioning at different tetracycline HCl concentrations, at 0, 10, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125, and 150 mg/ml. Application times for each group were 1, 3, and 5 minutes. Immediately following treatment procedures, the specimens were rinsed, fixed in GTA-PBF, dehydrated, and prepared for SEM. Each specimen was examined at 2 magnification values, representative fields photographed, and data tested by one-way ANOVA and paired t test statistical analysis. RESULTS Our results indicate that the use of tetracycline HCl solution between 50 mg/ml and 150 mg/ml showed a statistically significant opening of dentin tubules. All tetracycline HCl groups at 1, 3, and 5 minutes show smear layer removal from the dentin surface. CONCLUSIONS Dentin demineralization is not time dependent at all concentrations of tetracycline HCI.
MEFV mutations in Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients.

OBJECTIVE Familiar Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is common among Mediterranean populations, while other populations are rarely affected. The aim of this study was to assess the involvement of MEFV gene mutations among Japanese rheumatoid arthritis patients with or without amyloid A (AA) amyloidosis. METHODS The frequency of the MEFV mutations, which were identified in Japanese FMF patients, was determined in 126 Japanese RA patients and 76 Japanese healthy subjects. RESULTS The M694I mutation was not observed among RA patients and healthy subjects. Allele frequency of R408Q, P369S, E148Q, L110P mutations account respectively for 3.3%, 3.9%, 23.7%, 9.2% in healthy subjects and 5.6%, 6.7%, 24.2%, 9.5% in RA patients. The overall mutation rate was comparable between the RA patients and healthy subjects, as well as between the RA patients with and without amyloidosis. CONCLUSION This study shows the high prevalence of mutations of the MEFV genes in Japanese RA patients. However, our data suggest that the MEFV gene mutations may not be a genetic factor affecting the susceptibility of RA or the development of amyloidosis in a Japanese population.
Semliki Forest virus penetration from endosomes: a morphological study

The low pH dependent membrane fusion reaction responsible for the delivery of the Semliki Forest virus genome into the host cell for replication was visualized by electron microscopy. In order to increase the frequency at which fusion images could be detected a reversible inhibitor, ammonium chloride, was used to synchronize endosomal acidification, and 20 degrees C incubation was employed to concentrate virus particles into the endosomal compartment.
Fruit and vegetable consumption and lung cancer risk: Updated information from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)

The association of fruit and vegetable consumption and lung cancer incidence was evaluated using the most recent data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), applying a refined statistical approach (calibration) to account for measurement error potentially introduced by using food frequency questionnaire data. Between 1992 and 2000, detailed information on diet and life‐style of 478,590 individuals participating in EPIC was collected. During a median follow‐up of 6.4 years, 1,126 lung cancer cases were observed. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were applied for statistical evaluation. In the whole study population, fruit consumption was significantly inversely associated with lung cancer risk while no association was found for vegetable consumption. In current smokers, however, lung cancer risk significantly decreased with higher vegetable consumption; this association became more pronounced after calibration, the hazard ratio (HR) being 0.78 (95% CI 0.62–0.98) per 100 g increase in daily vegetable consumption. In comparison, the HR per 100 g fruit was 0.92 (0.85–0.99) in the entire cohort and 0.90 (0.81–0.99) in smokers. Exclusion of cases diagnosed during the first 2 years of follow‐up strengthened these associations, the HR being 0.71 (0.55–0.94) for vegetables (smokers) and 0.86 (0.78–0.95) for fruit (entire cohort). Cancer incidence decreased with higher consumption of apples and pears (entire cohort) as well as root vegetables (smokers). In addition to an overall inverse association with fruit intake, the results of this evaluation add evidence for a significant inverse association of vegetable consumption and lung cancer incidence in smokers. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Rapid hologram generation utilizing layer-based approach and graphic rendering for realistic three-dimensional image reconstruction by angular tiling

Abstract. An approach of rapid hologram generation for the realistic three-dimensional (3-D) image reconstruction based on the angular tiling concept is proposed, using a new graphic rendering approach integrated with a previously developed layer-based method for hologram calculation. A 3-D object is simplified as layered cross-sectional images perpendicular to a chosen viewing direction, and our graphics rendering approach allows the incorporation of clear depth cues, occlusion, and shading in the generated holograms for angular tiling. The combination of these techniques together with parallel computing reduces the computation time of a single-view hologram for a 3-D image of extended graphics array resolution to 176 ms using a single consumer graphics processing unit card.