Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Positron Emission Tomography Findings of Primary Pulmonary Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma Case Report and a Literature Review

We report herein computed tomography and F-fluoro2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography findings of primary pulmonary follicular dendritic cell sarcoma in a 51-year-old man, which is an extremely rare malignancy originating from follicular dendritic cells. Computed tomography scan revealed a 2.4-cm, welldefined solitary pulmonary nodule with delayed contrast enhancement but without regional lymphadenopathy, distant metastasis, or calcification within the nodule. On F-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography scan, this nodule showed moderate hypermetabolic activity with a maximum standardized uptake value of 3.2.
Hepatocyte growth factor promotes neuronal di¡erentiation of neural stem cells derived from embryonic stem cells

Wepreviouslyreported thathepatocytegrowth factor (HGF)promoted proliferation of neurospheres and neuronal di¡erentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) derived frommouse embryonic brain. In this study, spheres frommouse embryonic stem (ES) cells were generated by £oating culture following co-culture on PA6 stromal cells. In contrast to the behavior of the neurospheres derived from embryonic brain, addition of HGF to the growth medium of the £oating cultures decreased the number of spheres derived from ES cells. When spheres were stained using a MAP-2 antibody, moreMAP-2-positive cellswere observedin spheres culturedwith HGF.When HGF was added to the growth and/or di¡erentiation medium, more MAP-2-positive cells were also obtained.These results suggest that HGF promotes neuronal di¡erentiation of NSCs derived from ES cells. NeuroReport 15:5^8 c 2004 Lippincott Williams &Wilkins.
TREATMENT OF OPTIC NERVE SHEATH MENINGIOMAS: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS OF 33 OPTIC NERVES

Received, September 28, 2000. Accepted, May 21, 2002. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the safety and efficacy of stereotactic radiotherapy as an alternative therapy to surgical resection for optic nerve sheath meningiomas (ONSMs). METHODS: Thirty patients and 33 optic nerves with ONSMs were treated with conventional fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy treatment (CF-SRT) between July 1996 and May 2001 with the use of a 6-MeV LINAC designed for and dedicated to radiosurgery. The LINAC technique involved daily CF-SRT involving a relocatable frame, an average of three isocenters, and high-radiation dose conformality established by noncoplanar arc beam shaping and differential beam weighting. The patients who were treated with CF-SRT were followed clinically with serial visual fields and radiographically with both magnetic resonance imaging and functional In-octreotide single-photon emission computed tomography. The results of treatment were compared with a historical control group of ONSM patients who were either observed or treated surgically and then observed. RESULTS: Our study population comprised 18 women and 12 men with a median age of 44 years (age range, 20–76 yr). The median isosurface radiation dose was 51 Gy (dose range, 50–54.0 Gy), and the median clinical follow-up time was 89 weeks (range, 9–284 wk). Of 22 optic nerves with vision before CF-SRT, 20 nerves (92%) demonstrated preserved vision, and 42% manifested improvement in visual acuity and/or visual field at follow-up. Comparison of our patients with a historical control group revealed preserved vision in only 16% of patients in a comparable period of observation, along with a 150% greater probability of visual improvement. Four patients (13%) had posttreatment morbidities, including visual loss (two patients), optic neuritis (one patient), and transient orbital pain (one patient). On magnetic resonance imaging studies, there was no evidence of tumor progression or recurrence in all patients, including tumor volume reductions noted in four patients. All six patients monitored with In-octreotide scintigraphy demonstrated significant decreases in tumor activity after CF-SRT. CONCLUSION: To date, this article describes the largest reported series of ONSMs. Although longer follow-up is necessary, we think that CF-SRT represents a safe alternative to surgery and offers a higher likelihood of preserved or improved vision in patients with ONSM. Our analysis suggests that CF-SRT is also preferable to observation. Functional In-octreotide single-photon emission computed tomographic scintigraphy provides a useful technique for the assessment of tumor control that complements serial posttreatment magnetic resonance imaging in patients with ONSMs.
Overexpression of nPKCδ in BL6 murine melanoma cells enhances TGFβ1 release into the plasma of metastasized animals

Transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) contributes to the promotion of invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis and even immunosuppression. Since overexpression of the δ isoform of protein kinase C (nPKCδ) in BL6 murine melanoma cells (BL6T cells) increases their metastatic capacity, we investigated the possible involvement of TGFβ1 in this process. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated lower levels of TGFβ1 in BL6T lung metastases compared with BL6 lung metastases. On the other hand, higher levels of this cytokine, in particular in its active form, occur in the plasma of BL6T metastasized animals, suggesting a nPKCδ-dependent TGFβ1 release. Therefore, nPKCδ-dependent TGFβ1 release and activation may be involved in the greater angiogenic and metastatic capacity of murine melanoma BL6T cells.
Child and non-offending care giver ratings of post-traumatic stress symptoms before and after trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy: a preliminary study

The adverse impact of child maltreatment (CM) is undisputed. In fact, the experience of CM can have lasting negative effects across multiple psychosocial domains. For children who have experienced CM, intervention, in particular the availability of evidence-based treatment, is paramount in promoting positive child outcomes. Further, studies have confirmed the role of parent psychopathology in the prediction of child outcomes, yet assessment of parents’ trauma histories, psychopathology, and overall adjustment is not consistently performed by Child Protective Services and other agencies in charge of the welfare of children and families. Thus, the primary aims of the proposed study were to examine parental psychopathology and trauma in non-offending parents of children with maltreatment histories, and the role that these parental factors may have on children’s pre- and post-treatment adjustment; including the impact that separate parent treatment (Cognitive Processing Therapy) has on child treatment (Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) outcomes. Additional aims of this study sought to examine predictors of child treatment completion, child and parent rater concordance of child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptomology, and changes in children’s PTSD symptoms pre- and post-treatment. While sample size issues prevented analyses of the primary aims regarding parental factors, significant results were found for concordance rates between child and parent reports of children’s PTSD symptomology, as well as the difference between children’s pre- and post-treatment PTSD scores.
Hypotensive effect of labetalol and dexmedetomidine blood loss and surgical conditions in functional endoscopic sinus surgery: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

Background: Excessive bleeding occurs from mucosal edges during functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). This could decrease the visibility of the surgeon and increase the risk incidence of complications. The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of labetalol and dexmedetomidine on intraoperative blood loss and surgical conditions in ESS. Methods: A double-blind randomized clinical trial was conducted on 100 candidates for FESS that randomly were assigned by block randomization method in two groups including labetalol or dexmedetomidine. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure, and the percent of arterial oxygen saturation were measured after induction and during the hypotension. These items were recorded till the end of the surgery. A blinded surgeon was assessed the bleeding of operation field. Data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square, and analysis of variance for repeated measures. Results: The mean time of surgery was not statistically significant between two groups (104.65 ± 7.38 vs. 105.12 ± 7.33). The mean of HR was higher in dexmedetomidine group in all times after induction (P < 0.001) and a significant decreasing trend observed in the mean of HR for labetalol while the HR in dexmedetomidine group was increasing. The extubation and recovery time in dexmedetomidine group was higher than labetalol group (P < 0.001). Moreover, the operation field without bleeding or with low bleeding was higher in labetalol group, and the labetalol could be controlled the bleeding better than the dexmedetomidine. Conclusion: Bleeding score, extubation, and recovery time in labetalol group was lower than dexmedetomidine group. Moreover, patients in labetalol group have had higher recovery score and lower bleeding. Therefore, labetalol could reduce the bleeding during FESS and improved the visualization of the operation field and was superior to dexmedetomidine in concern to lower bleeding and extubation and recovery time.
Neurosurgery 1992-98 August 1992, Volume 31, Number 2 254 Predictors of Survival and Severity of Disability after Severe Brain Injury in Children

SEVENTY-FIVE CHILDREN, 16 years of age or younger, consecutively admitted to a level I trauma center over a 2-year period with severe nonpenetrating traumatic brain injuries were studied to assess factors predictive of survival and level of disability. The mortality rate was 33%; 31% had good recovery, 12% had moderate disability, 19% had severe disability, and 5% remained in a vegetative state. Factors were analyzed separately for potential effects on survival and, with fatalities excluded, for potential effects on the level of disability in survivors. Clinical status in the field and emergency room, although highly associated with survival, was less predictive of the level of disability in survivors. Glasgow Coma Scale scores 72 hours after injury, especially the motor component, were significantly better predictors of quality of survival. The severity of the brain injury and the presence and severity of extracranial injuries were strongly related both to survival and quality of survival. Chest injuries, in particular, were associated with increased mortality and morbidity, as was level of oxygenation; these factors were highly correlated. Factors most significantly predictive of survival were severity of total injuries as assessed with the Injury Severity Score and pupillary responses in the emergency room; factors most predictive of disability were Glasgow Coma Scale motor responses 72 hours after injury and level of oxygenation in the emergency room. These findings of differential predictive factors for outcomes of survival versus quality of survival have implications relevant both to clinical care and to research involving severely brain-injured children.
Central sensitization and sensory symptoms spread in carpal tunnel syndrome: A response to Ginanneschi and Rossiâ€TMs letter on the relationship between central plastic changes and sensory symptoms in peripheral entrapment neuropathies

Alessandro Rossi Department of Neurological, Neurosurgical and Behavioural Sciences, Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, University of Siena, Italy * Address: Department of Neurological, Neurosurgical and Behavioural Sciences, Unit of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Viale Bracci 2, 53100 Siena, Italy. Tel. : +39 0577 585769; fax: +39 0577 233115. E-mail address: ginanneschi@unisi.it (F. Ginanneschi).
A Mentoring Initiative to Enhance Nurse Retention

SERVICES. In 2010, the US Department of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected a 22 percent increase in the demand for RNs, or 581,500 new jobs by 2018, to total a projected 1,039,000 jobs needed to be filled by 2018 (BLS, 2010; O*NET Resource Center, 2010). The need for health care is expected to intensify as more members of the baby boom generation retire (Dall, 2007). Further complicating the picture is the fact that many nursing schools are struggling to expand. At a time when the need for replacement nurses is at crisis proportions, it is estimated that 13 percent of new graduates in the national nurse workforce are at risk of leaving their current jobs/organizations (Kovner et al., 2007). Not only does this create serious consequences for health care facilities in terms of staffing and patient care, but there are also significant fiscal implications as the cost of training each “replacement” nurse reaches $74,888 (Daniel, 2006). The literature is replete with explanations of why the nursing shortage continues to be critical and is unlikely to be reversed any time soon. There are myriad reasons that nurses leave their positions in hospital-based settings to move on to other organizations, alternative areas of practice, or leave the profession altogether to pursue new careers. These include: lack of appreciation from superiors; a diminished sense of value within the organization; and lack of professional stimulation (Gardulf et al., 2005). Other issues impacting nurse satisfaction are salary and stress-related factors, such as long shifts; fear of physical injury; and inability to meet patients’ needs (Letvak & Buck, 2008). These concerns may also lead to declines in productivity, resulting from associated physical and psychological stressors, and, ultimately, to earlier retirement in an already aging workforce employed in direct patient care settings. Newly graduated nurses are at an especially heightened risk for leaving the profession, noting inadequate support and mentoring beyond the typical orientation period (Almada, Carafoli, Flattery, French, & McNamara, 2004). Substantial evidence supports the position that nurse turnover is costly. Not only are there the obvious consequences associated with turnover, such as the costs of advertising and recruiting, subsequent retraining of new staff, and reliance on expensive agency and traveling nurses, but there are also the hidden costs of lost productivity and organizational knowledge (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees [AFSCME], 2008; Jones & Gates, 2008). The loss of organizational history from a lack of staff continuity can, in turn, compromise process improvement initiatives, such as those aimed at environmental safety and quality of patient care, as well as morale (Rothwell, 2004). Hospitals with high turnover rates also experience higher costs per discharge and, therefore, lower profitability (Voluntary Hospitals of America, 2008).
The duration to identify out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Introduction Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is one of the leading causes of mortality around the world. Every minute that the resuscitation efforts are delayed reduces the probability to survive by 3-10%. Early identification by an emergency dispatcher and initiation of immediate lifesaving procedures have proven to increase survival rates. To identify an OHCA, emergency dispatchers follow protocols aiming to evaluate whether the patient is conscious and breathing normally. Two types of emergency protocols are commonly known. The medical-priority dispatch (MPD) protocol is a scripted caller interrogation protocol featuring a symptom-based identification process. The MPD protocol, which guides the dispatcher through specific key scripted questions about the patient's condition, can be used by non-clinicians. In contrast, the criteria-based dispatch (CBD) can be used only by certified clinical personnel such as paramedics and nurses. The CBD protocol includes guidelines and prompts that allow dispatchers more freedom of action in using their professional experience to identify the patient’s condition. The duration of the identification process is usually measured in retrospective studies. While some studies measure the duration until the beginning of the CPR instructions, others measure until CPR initiation. The aim of this study was to compare between CBD and MPD OHCA protocols by evaluating the duration to identify OHCA in a controlled environment.
Hot embossing of multifunctional transparent polymers from Cr stamps structured by direct laser interference patterning

In this contribution, Cr stamps were structured with periodic hole-like arrays using Direct Laser Interference Patterning. Using optimized laser processing parameters, homogeneous textures with different spatial periods and aspect ratios were produced, as observed with confocal microscopy. Then, these stamps were used as molds for patterning transparent polymers, namely polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC) by plate-to-plate hot embossing. Adjusting the imprint time and temperature, replicas of the Cr stamps were fabricated reproducing faithfully the mold shape. Static water contact angle (WCA) measurements were done to study the wettability properties of these structured polymers. The results show that the produced topographies increase the WCA compared to the flat references up to an absolute maximum of 55° in the three polymers. For instance, a PET foil structured with a spatial period of 4.7 μm and a structured depth of 3 μm showed a WCA of 139° representing an increase of about 70% compared to a flat sample. The diffraction intensity of the patterned polymers was measured with an imaging optics and a spectrometer coupled to a goniometer in order to characterize their optical properties. It was found that for those samples processed with 80 or less applied laser pulses the diffraction peaks are clearly identified, whereas for large number of pulses there is more diffuse light travelling along random directions and the diffraction peaks become less defined. In conclusion, enhanced wettability and optical functionalities were achieved in transparent polymers imprinted with periodic microstructures.
Is there evidence that BCG vaccination has non-specific protective effects for COVID 19 infections or is it an illusion created by lack of testing?

The goal of this paper is to showcase that the COVID-19 disease pattern is evolving and to study the relationship between mandatory BCG policy and caseload/million or death/per million. We analyze seven recent publications on the impact of BCG vaccinations on the development of COVID19 illness and extend presented findings using the latest data from April 10, 2020. We analyze data from 98 countries and we extend existing models by adding the dimension of COVID-19-related testing conducted by the analyzed countries. Similarly to prior studies, we find that COVID-19 attributable case and death incidences across countries share a relationship with the BCG vaccination inclusion in the national immunization program of a country when testing is not taken into consideration. However, this relationship vanishes when we add the dimension of testing. We observe that case and death incidences conditional on testing do not get affected by the BCG vaccination inclusion in the national immunization program of a country. Therefore, we show that there is no statistical evidence to support the assertion that inclusion of BCG vaccination in national immunization program (NIP) has any impact of COVID 19 infections (cases) or mortality.
OBSTETRIC ANESTHESIA DIGEST

It can be stated with certainty that cerebral palsy must be a progression through neonatal encephalopathy and that hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is but a minor component of the broader diagnostic category of neonatal encephalopathy. Given these facts, criteria to define acute intrapartum hypoxic effects sufficient to cause cerebral palsy have been established after extensive scientific review by obstetric and pediatric task force. Four criteria must all be met before an acute intrapartum event can be considered sufficient to cause cerebral palsy. These are: 1) evidence of metabolic acidosis in fetal umbilical cord blood obtained at delivery (pH<7 and base deficit ≥12mmol/L; 2) early onset (within 24h of birth) of severe or moderate neonatal encephalopathy in infants born at ≥34wk gestation; 3) cerebral palsy of the spastic quadriplegic or dyskinetic type; 4) exclusion of other identifiable etiologies. Increasing information has revealed many perinatal strokes resulting in hemiparetic cerebral palsy or spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy are related to inherited thrombophilias (most commonly factor V Leiden mutation), acquired disorders (e.g., antiphospholipid antibodies), and environmental triggers. Preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, intrauterine infection, maternal or fetal coagulation disorders, multiple pregnancy, antepartum hemorrhage, breech presentation, and chromosomal or congenital abnormalities are all associated with a higher incidence of cerebral palsy and should be ruled out before concluding intrapartum hypoxia is the cause. Additional criteria collectively suggest, but are not specific for, an intrapartum timing (within 0–48h) of an asphyxial insult. These criteria include: 1) a sentinel hypoxic effect occurring immediately before or during labor; 2) a sudden and sustained fetal bradycardia or absence of fetal heart rate variability in the presence of persistent late or persistent variable decelerations, usually after a hypoxic sentinel event when the pattern was previously normal; 3) Apgar scores of 0–3 beyond 5min (infants who are most injured and most depressed are resistant to resuscitation efforts); 4) onset of multisystem involvement within 72h of birth—this criterion is based on the finding that acute hypoxia sufficient to result in neonatal encephalopathy almost always involves multiple organs and not just the brain; 5) early imaging study showing evidence of acute nonfocal cerebral abnormality—early brain edema suggests a recent insult. As our understanding of the precise origins and pathophysiology of neonatal encephalopathy and cerebral palsy advances, it has been shown that hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is only a small subset of the broader category of neonatal encephalopathy and yet an even smaller contributor to the etiology of cerebral palsy. The authors suggest that the energy and resources invested in our current insurance and litigation system might do greater societal good if redirected to scientific research for prevention and direct health care for those afflicted. EPIDEMIOLOGIC REPORTS AND SURVEYS
Actin binding domain of Rng2 sparsely bound on F-actin strongly inhibits actin movement on myosin II

Substoichiometric binding of certain actin-binding proteins induces conformational changes in a disproportionally large number of actin protomers in actin filaments. Here, we report a case in which such conformational changes in actin filaments have profound functional consequences. Rng2 is an IQGAP protein implicated in the assembly and contraction of contractile rings in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. We found that the calponin-homology actin-binding domain of Rng2 (Rng2CHD) strongly inhibits the motility of actin filaments on myosin II in vitro. On skeletal muscle myosin II-coated surfaces, Rng2CHD halved the sliding speed of actin filaments at a binding ratio of 1.3% (=1/77), and virtually stopped movement at a binding ratio of 11% (=1/9). Rng2CHD also inhibited actin movements on Dictyostelium myosin II, but in this case by inducing the detachment of actin filaments from myosin II-coated surfaces. Rng2CHD induced cooperative structural changes of actin filaments accompanied by shortening of the filament helical pitch, and reduced the affinity between actin filaments and subfragment 1 (S1) of muscle myosin II in the presence of ADP. Intriguingly, actin-activated ATPase of S1 was hardly inhibited by Rng2CHD. We suggest that sparsely bound Rng2CHD induces global structural changes of actin filaments and interferes with the force generation by actin-myosin II.