Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postoperative Pain Control with Methadone: Influence of Supplementary Methadone Doses and Blood Concentration—Response Relationships

&NA; The aim of the study was to establish whether there exists a relationship between blood methadone concentration and analgesic response and the intrasubject and intersubject variability in this relationship. Sixteen general surgical (upper abdominal) and orthopedic (spinal fusion) patients were administered methadone (20 mg, iv) as part of the general anesthetic and supplementary methadone doses (usually 5 mg, iv) in the recovery ward until postoperative pain was controlled effectively. The criteria established for the administration of supplementary methadone doses were the coexistence of 1) spontaneous reporting of significant pain by the patient; 2) an unstimulated respiratory rate of greater than 10 breaths/min, and 3) no significant depression of the level of consciousness. A median of two supplementary iv methadone doses (range 13) were administered to the patient by a titration method in the recovery ward to obtain effective pain control. This was achieved by a median dose of 10 mg (range 5‐20 mg) in addition to the 20 mg intraoperative dose. Serial blood samples were collected for the estimation of blood methadone concentration following all doses. The methadone concentration in the blood sample collected immediately prior to a supplementary dose was termed the minimum effective concentration (MEC [methadone]). The mean (±SD) coefficient of variation in MEC (methadone) for the 16 patients was 21 ±10% (range: 7‐38%), while the mean MEC for methadone was 57.9 ± 15.2 ng/ml (range: 34.5‐80.3 ng/ml) in these patients. The small intrapatient coefficient of variation in MEC (range: 7‐38%) provides additional experimental evidence in support of the concept that there is a relationship between blood concentration and analgesic response within an individual. Following methadone titration, the mean duration of analgesia (±SD) was 21 ± 13 h (range: 5‐48 h), while the mean pain score (visual analogue scale of 0 [no pain] to 10 cm [worst pain]) was 1.5 ±1.3 cm during this period of effective analgesia. After this sustained period of analgesia, additional methadone (usually 5 mg iv) resulted in a further period of prolonged analgesia (range from 7.4 h to prolonged, i.e., no further analgesia required for the hospital stay). The mean (±SD) total methadone dose was 42 ± 10 mg (range: 30‐70 mg). These results indicate that prolonged and safe postoperative analgesia can be obtained from methadone following the proposed intravenous titration method, which cautiously and reliably elevates the blood methadone concentration to a level in excess of the MEC, thereby providing prolonged analgesia as a result of the low methadone clearance.
Ultrasound-guided botulinum toxin type A injection to the iliopsoas muscle in the management of children with cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on spasticity and functional development in children with cerebral palsy (CP) in conjunction with a physiotherapy program. METHOD In this prospective study, 18 CP patients were evaluated. Multilevel BTX-A injection was applied to children at a dose of 15 U/kg. Children were assessed before and at the 5th and 12th week post-injection using Thomas test, Duncan-Ely test, passive range of motion (pROM) measurement, Distance Between Knee (DBK), Selective Motor Control (SMC) scale, modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and modified Physician Rating Scale (mPRS). To assess functional improvement, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) were used before and at the 12th week post-injection. RESULTS At 5th week post-injection, a statistically significant decrease was determined in spasticity (p < 0.01). Improvement was observed in mPRS and pROM, but not in SMC. At the 12th week post-injection, GMFM (p< 0.001) and WeeFIM improved significantly (p< 0.001). The improvement in pROM and mPRS (p< 0.01) lasted until the 12th week post-injection, but the improvement in MAS (p > 0.05) and in the Tardieu test of hip adductors (p > 0.05) did not last after the 5th week. CONCLUSION BTX-A injection enhances functional and motor abilities in the development process.
Computerized provider order entry (CPOE): evidence on implementation challenges.

Many hospitals and ambulatory practices are now implementing computerized physician, or provider, order entry (CPOE) to achieve national health information technology goals. CPOE is one of the most challenging electronic health record applications to implement because the technology transforms clinical processes and clinician behavior. An understanding of the challenges supported with evidence can prepare clinicians for CPOE. What common challenges are reported in the literature? The studies discussed here were conducted in acute care healthcare systems’ neonatal units, pediatric units, or in a pediatric hospital (Popernack, 2006; Schoville, 2009; Upperman et al., 2005), a women’s health unit (Schoville, 2009), and a medical unit (Brunt & Gifford, 2009). The designs were descriptive, with data collected predominantly through self-report surveys c ompleted by nurses, physicians, and in one study, advance practice nurses (Brunt & Gifford, 2009). Surveys were completed after implementation go-live. One study added postimplementation interviews and participant observation (Schoville, 2009). Collectively, the outcomes of these reports identifi ed two related challenges; the user learning curve and provider order management. Respondents voiced a need for ongoing education through the postimplementation learning curve (Brunt & Gifford, 2009). Physicians relied on nurses the most for help during their learning curve (Brunt & Gifford, 2009; Popernack, 2006), and nurses needed to be vigilant with clarifying orders as their learning curve continued (Popernack, 2006). Provider order management challenges included: • Verbal orders (VO). Challenges with VO were reported by nurses (Brunt & Gifford, 2009) and attributed to the physician learning curve (Schoville, 2009). Nurses created workarounds with the taking and cosigning of VO (Schoville, 2009). Revising and reeducating clinicians on the organization’s VO policy before implementation was found to be important (Upperman et al., 2005). Despite these
Discontinuous Galerkin methods for periodic boundary value problems

This article considers the extension of well‐known discontinuous Galerkin (DG) finite element formulations to elliptic problems with periodic boundary conditions. Such problems routinely appear in a number of applications, particularly in homogenization of composite materials. We propose an approach in which the periodicity constraint is incorporated weakly in the variational formulation of the problem. Both H1 and L2 error estimates are presented. A numerical example confirming theoretical estimates is shown. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2007
Maresin 1 inhibits TNF‐alpha‐induced lipolysis and autophagy in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes

Obesity is associated with high levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), which promotes inflammation in adipose tissue. The omega‐3 PUFAs, and their derived lipid mediators, such as Maresin 1 (MaR1) have anti‐inflammatory effects on adipose tissue. This study aimed to analyze if MaR1 may counteract alterations induced by TNF‐α on lipolysis and autophagy in mature 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. Our data revealed that MaR1 (1–100 nM) inhibited the TNF‐α‐induced glycerol release after 48 hr, which may be related to MaR1 ability of preventing the decrease in lipid droplet‐coating protein perilipin and G0/G1 Switch 2 protein expression. MaR1 also reversed the decrease in total hormone sensitive lipase (total HSL), and the ratio of phosphoHSL at Ser‐565/total HSL, while preventing the increased ratio of phosphoHSL at Ser‐660/total HSL and phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 induced by TNF‐α. Moreover, MaR1 counteracted the cytokine‐induced decrease of p62 protein, a key autophagy indicator, and also prevented the induction of LC3II/LC3I, an important autophagosome formation marker. Current data suggest that MaR1 may ameliorate TNF‐α‐induced alterations on lipolysis and autophagy in adipocytes. This may also contribute to the beneficial actions of MaR1 on adipose tissue and insulin sensitivity in obesity.
A Mixed Mover–Stayer Model for Spatiotemporal Two‐State Processes

Summary Studies of recurring infection or chronic disease often collect longitudinal data on the disease status of subjects. Two‐state transitional models are useful for analysis in such studies where, at any point in time, an individual may be said to occupy either a diseased or disease‐free state and interest centers on the transition process between states. Here, two additional features are present. The data are spatially arranged and it is important to account for spatial correlation in the transitional processes corresponding to different subjects. In addition there are subgroups of individuals with different mechanisms of transitions. These subgroups are not known a priori and hence group membership must be estimated. Covariates modulating transitions are included in a logistic additive framework. Inference for the resulting mixture spatial Markov regression model is not straightforward. We develop here a Monte Carlo expectation maximization algorithm for maximum likelihood estimation and a Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling scheme for summarizing the posterior distribution in a Bayesian analysis. The methodology is applied to a study of recurrent weevil infestation in British Columbia forests.
Effects of moisture-damage repairs on microbial exposure and symptoms in schoolchildren.

UNLABELLED Effects of renovation on symptom prevalence and microbial status were studied in two moisture-damaged schools and in two non-damaged schools with longitudinal cross-sectional surveys before and after repairs. Over 1300 schoolchildren aged 6-17 returned questionnaires before and after repairs. After full renovation in one of the damaged schools, elevated concentrations and increased frequencies of indoor air fungi normalized and a significant decrease in the prevalence of 10 symptoms of 12 studied was observed among schoolchildren. No change in microbial conditions was seen after partial repairs in the other damaged school, and only slight improvement was observed in symptom prevalence. The change in the prevalence of symptoms in the reference schools was minor. The results suggest that increased symptom prevalence among schoolchildren in moisture-damaged schools can be managed with proper repair of the moisture damage. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This longitudinal intervention study showed the positive effects of the moisture and mold damage repairs of a school building on children's health. The success necessitates however, a thorough renovation including appropriate ventilation. Monitoring of airborne viable microbes revealed the damage status of the building and thus could be used as a tool in evaluating the quality of repairs.
Characterization and synaptic connectivity of melanopsin‐containing ganglion cells in the primate retina

Melanopsin is a photopigment expressed in retinal ganglion cells, which are intrinsically photosensitive and are also involved in retinal circuits arising from rod and cone photoreceptors. This circuitry, however, is poorly understood. Here, we studied the morphology, distribution and synaptic input to melanopsin‐containing ganglion cells in a New World monkey, the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus). The dendrites of melanopsin‐containing cells in marmoset stratify either close to the inner nuclear layer (outer stratifying), or close to the ganglion cell layer (inner stratifying). The dendritic fields of outer‐stratifying cells tile the retina, with little overlap. However, the dendritic fields of outer‐stratifying cells largely overlap with the dendritic fields of inner‐stratifying cells. Thus, inner‐stratifying and outer‐stratifying cells may form functionally independent populations. The synaptic input to melanopsin‐containing cells was determined using synaptic markers (antibodies to C‐terminal binding protein 2, CtBP2, for presumed bipolar synapses, and antibodies to gephyrin for presumed amacrine synapses). Both outer‐stratifying and inner‐stratifying cells show colocalized immunoreactive puncta across their entire dendritic tree for both markers. The density of CtBP2 puncta on inner dendrites was about 50% higher than that on outer dendrites. The density of gephyrin puncta was comparable for outer and inner dendrites but higher than the density of CtBP2 puncta. The inner‐stratifying cells may receive their input from a type of diffuse bipolar cell (DB6). Our results are consistent with the idea that both outer and inner melanopsin cells receive bipolar and amacrine input across their dendritic tree.
Trafficking and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of stem/progenitor cells with pluripotent capacity to differentiate into mesodermal and non‐mesodermal cell lineages, including osteocytes, adipocytes, chondrocytes, myocytes, cardiomyocytes, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, epithelial cells, and neurons. MSCs reside primarily in the bone marrow, but also exist in other sites such as adipose tissue, peripheral blood, cord blood, liver, and fetal tissues. When stimulated by specific signals, these cells can be released from their niche in the bone marrow into circulation and recruited to the target tissues where they undergo in situ differentiation and contribute to tissue regeneration and homeostasis. Several characteristics of MSCs, such as the potential to differentiate into multiple lineages and the ability to be expanded ex vivo while retaining their original lineage differentiation commitment, make these cells very interesting targets for potential therapeutic use in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. The feasibility for transplantation of primary or engineered MSCs as cell‐based therapy has been demonstrated. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the signals that control trafficking and differentiation of MSCs. J. Cell. Biochem. 106: 984–991, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrating Knowledge Artifacts and Inertial Measurement Unit Sensors for Decision Support

Modern wearable devices provide new opportunities for the development of knowledge artifacts and decision support systems. In this paper we present a recent development of KAFKA, a knowledge engineering methodology based on knowledge artifact notion, that make it able to manage real-time data detected and analyzed by means of Inertial Measurement Units sensors, mounted on Android wearables. This improvement makes KAFKA suitable to deal with many domains where real-time data are necessary, in particular the health-care and rehabilitation ones.
Marqueurs de la relation cause-effet : stabilité et variation dans des corpus de nature différente

Resume : Les marqueurs lexicaux figurent parmi les indicateurs les plus interessants pour identifier et classer finement des relations terminologiques. Cependant, l’exploitation des marqueurs pour reperer automatiquement ou semi-automatiquement les relations dans des corpus, notamment des corpus associes a des domaines ou a des genres textuels differents, peut soulever des problemes. Le present article fait le bilan d’une analyse de 37 marqueurs verbaux de la relation cause-effet dans trois corpus representant trois domaines (medecine, informatique et psychologie) et deux genres textuels (textes didactiques/vulgarises et textes specialises). Il decrit les variations observees dans l’identification de sens specifiques indiquant differents sous-types de la relation, et commente la difficulte de prevoir les marqueurs les plus efficaces pour extraire ces relations de differents corpus.
Differences in immunologic reactions of red blood cells of a tumor-susceptible (C3H) and a tumor-resistant (C57) mouse strain.

Summary 1.Hemagglutination tests with red blood cells of normal mice and antitumor rabbit sera revealed a difference between C3H and C57 erythrocytes as to rate and degree of agglutination. A more or less transitory mid-zonal weak agglutination of C3H red blood cells was observed with serum dilutions in the range of 1:4 to 1:32. 2.Red blood cells of C3H mice with spontaneous breast tumor reacted differently than red blood cells of nontumorous C3H mice. They did not show the mid-zonal weak agglutination. 3.Mixtures of antitumor rabbit serum and tumor suspension agglutinated C3H and C57 red blood cells in a different manner. The C57 agglutination was weak initially and either persisted or gradually increased. The C3H agglutination varied widely. 4.Fresh materials such as tumor, erythrocytes, and possibly serum, as well as time and temperature, are important factors for the proper application of this hemagglutination test with antitumor sera.
Social Skills Training Versus Cognitive Therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder Characterized by Fear of Blushing, Trembling, or Sweating

Current interpersonal models suggest that social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by interpersonal difficulties. Individuals with SAD and fear of showing bodily symptoms also suffer from interpersonal problems, such as not being open and avoidance of expressing insecurity. Training in social skills could, therefore, be an effective approach. We examined the overall and differential effects of social skills training (SST) versus cognitive therapy (CT) for social anxiety with fear of blushing, trembling, and sweating as the primary complaint. Patients (n = 55) with SAD (predominantly generalized subtype) and fear of blushing, trembling, or sweating as the main complaint were randomly assigned 12 weekly group sessions of SST or CT. Effects of treatments on fear of blushing, trembling, and sweating; SAD; social skills; social cognitions; and general psychopathology were assessed by means of self–report. Assessments took place at pretreatment, midtreatment, posttreatment, 1–month, and 1–year follow–up. Both treatments proved to be effective in the short and long–term, with large effect sizes. No differential effects were found. SST is a promising approach for individuals with SAD who fear displaying their bodily symptoms.
A Comparison of Soft‐tissue Substitutes

The fate of the Zyderm II, Zyplast, Vicryl, and chromic gut was histologically examined up to 1 year following subcutaneous implantation into rats. Our data demonstrated both Zyderm II and Zyplast to be inert materials without inflammatory response; there was no difference in long-term persistence between these two collagens. Both Vicryl and chromic gut implants caused an intense inflammatory response at 1 month, and Vicryl was completely resorbed before 6 months. The degree of inflammation associated with chromic gut diminished over time, and approximately 67% of the material persisted without reaction up to 1 year.
Cholestasis enhances liver ischemia/reperfusion‐induced coagulation activation in rats

Aim: Cholestasis is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing major liver surgery. An additional risk is induced when vascular inflow occlusion is applied giving rise to liver ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. The role of the coagulation system in this type of injury is elusive. The aim of the current study was to assess activation of coagulation following hepatic I/R injury in cholestatic rats.
Recovered or dead? A Swedish study of 321 persons surveyed as severely mentally ill in 1995/96 but not so ten years later

Aim. The aim was to follow-up a group of persons who were considered severely and persistently mentally ill (SMI) at the time of the 1995 Swedish mental health-care reform but not so ten years later. Methods. Surveys were conducted in 1995/96 and 2006 in an area of Sweden. Of 602 persons surveyed as SMI in 1995/96, 321 were not found to be so in a similar survey in 2006. These persons were followed up concerning death rates and causes, as well as concerning recovery and present care. Comparisons between subgroups were made using the results of interviews conducted in 1995/96. Results. Nineteen percent of the persons considered SMI in 1995/96 were recovered in 2006 in the sense that they no longer were considered SMI. The only variable found to predict recovery was diagnosis. Half of the persons in the sample given a diagnosis of neurosis were recovered but only 6% of those given a diagnosis of psychosis. Death rates and death causes seemed to be in line with previous research. Conclusions. Relatively few persons were considered recovered after ten years. Most persons in the sample were still in contact with care and services.
Comparative developmental toxicity evaluation of di-n-hexyl phthalate and dicyclohexyl phthalate in rats

To investigate the effects of di-n-hexyl phthalate (DHP) and dicyclohexyl phthalate (DCHP) on the development of fetus and placenta in utero, pregnant rats were exposed to DHP or DCHP at dosages of 0, 20, 100, and 500 mg/kg bw/day, by gavage, on gestational days 6–19. Anogenital distance (AGD) and AGD–body weight1/3 ratio of female fetuses decreased in all treatment groups in a non-dose–response way. The ossification centers of bones and the intensity of Alizarin red stain of the fetuses decreased in all treatment groups. The white blood cell levels of fetuses in DHP and DCHP exposed groups increased at all dosages. Mean cell hemoglobin, hemoglobin concentrations, and hemoglobin levels of all DHP and DCHP treated male and female fetuses were reduced. Histopathologic changes (hemorrhage in labyrinth, degeneration of spongiotrophoblast, hemorrhage, decreased and irregular vessel formation, and edema in the basal zone) were observed in placentas at high dosages of DHP and DCHP. In contrast, there was no change in weight gain of dams in DHP and DCHP exposed groups compared to control, but resorption rate, reduced fetal weight, delayed ossification, placental disruption, and hematologic parameters clearly indicated that in utero DHP and DCHP exposure resulted in intrauterine growth retardation in rats.
Path Planning for a UAV with Flyable and Safety Constraints

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being deployed by the military to tackle rising terrorism and crime, for combat and reconnaissance, as well as surveillance purposes. Amazon, an online retailer, recently announced its plan to use UAV for package deliveries in the city. UAVs are also being put to use for topographical mapping of a region [13]. Thus, large range of potential applications of UAVs in military and civilian sector has generated a lot of academic as well as commercial research [7]. Despite the advance in robotic motion planning since 1970s, autonomous navigation of UAVs is still an active research area. In this research project, we look at path planning of a UAV in an urban environment, where obstacles such as buildings may be present. Path planning in UAVs is challenging due to the complex kinematic and dynamic constraints on the path. In particular, flyable paths should satisfy curvature and torsion constraints [6]. Curvature constraints limit the maximum curvature (radius of turning) on the path. Similarly, torsion constraints limit the rate of rotation of UAV about the axis that coincides with tangent of the path. Since the environment may contain known or unknown obstacles, safety constraints mandate the the non-intersection of paths with obstacles or other UAV. For the purpose of this project, speed of the UAVs is assumed to be constant, which is the case for fixed-wing UAVs. While several solutions for path planning for UAVs are available, but either they are computationally intensive, not optimal or do not satisfy all constraints. In this project, we attempt to improve upon existing path planning algorithms. Successful completion of the project would certainly help in taking the field forward.