Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Handover in the perioperative care process

Purpose of review To summarize recent developments in the study of perioperative handovers, when patients are transferred between various hospital locations (emergency room, ward, operating room, recovery room, intensive care unit) and handovers between care providers (doctors and nurses) when changing shifts. Recent findings There has been tremendous activity in studying handovers during the last 2 years, and many potential improvements were developed, implemented and evaluated in real-life care settings. In hospitals that have electronic patient records (EPRs), a promising approach is to support the various verbal handover processes with software tools that can combine specific handover items such as to-do lists, daily goals, and concerns, with automatically extracted data from the EPRs. Summary There is now widespread consensus that robust, structured handover processes are critical for safe patient care. Checklists and software tools to facilitate the handover process may improve the reliability of handovers and relieve the stress on residents of handing over their patients to the incoming resident. However, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to the problems of handover. Handover improvements will need to be tailored to the specific care setting and handover type.
New ray-tracing method for radial gradient-index lenses

A new method to derive algebraic formulae for tracing skew rays in radial gradient-index media is described. We obtained power series for the ray position and direction, optical path length, and coordinates of the intersection point of the curved ray with the spherical end surface of the GRIN lens. All these formulae include the effects of terms up to the eighth power of the radius in the refractive index distribution.
Protein production using the baculovirus‐insect cell expression system

The baculovirus‐insect cell expression system is widely used in producing recombinant proteins. This review is focused on the use of this expression system in developing bioprocesses for producing proteins of interest. The issues addressed include: the baculovirus biology and genetic manipulation to improve protein expression and quality; the suppression of proteolysis associated with the viral enzymes; the engineering of the insect cell lines for improved capability in glycosylation and folding of the expressed proteins; the impact of baculovirus on the host cell and its implications for protein production; the effects of the growth medium on metabolism of the host cell; the bioreactors and the associated operational aspects; and downstream processing of the product. All these factors strongly affect the production of recombinant proteins. The current state of knowledge is reviewed. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 30:1–18, 2014
Acute effects of static stretching on characteristics of the isokinetic angle – torque relationship, surface electromyography, and mechanomyography

Abstract The aims of this study were to examine the acute effects of static stretching on peak torque, work, the joint angle at peak torque, acceleration time, isokinetic range of motion, mechanomyographic amplitude, and electromyographic amplitude of the rectus femoris during maximal concentric isokinetic leg extensions at 1.04 and 5.23 rad · s−1 in men and women. Ten women (mean ± s: age 23.0 ± 2.9 years, stature 1.61 ± 0.12 m, mass 63.3 ± 9.9 kg) and eight men (age 21.4 ± 3.0 years, stature 1.83 ± 0.11 m, mass 83.1 ± 15.2 kg) performed maximal voluntary concentric isokinetic leg extensions at 1.04 and 5.23 rad · s−1. Following the initial isokinetic tests, the dominant leg extensors were stretched using four static stretching exercises. After the stretching, the isokinetic tests were repeated. Peak torque, acceleration time, and electromyographic amplitude decreased (P≤ 0.05) from pre- to post-stretching at 1.04 and 5.23 rad · s−1; there were no changes (P > 0.05) in work, joint angle at peak torque, isokinetic range of motion, or mechanomyographic amplitude. These findings indicate no stretching-related changes in the area under the angle – torque curve (work), but a significant decrease in peak torque, which suggests that static stretching may cause a “flattening” of the angle – torque curve that reduces peak strength but allows for greater force production at other joint angles. These findings, in conjunction with the increased limb acceleration rates (decreased acceleration time) observed in the present study, provide tentative support for the hypothesis that static stretching alters the angle – torque relationship and/or sarcomere shortening velocity.
Performance analysis of multisite radar systems

Accuracy of a position and velocity estimation in a multisite Frequency-Modulated Continuous-Wave (FMCW) radar system is evaluated using Cramér-Rao Lower Bound (CRLB). Comparison between monostatic and multistatic system configurations is made. Both autonomous and cooperative modes in monostatic system are considered. It is shown that a multistatic approach gives better measurement accuracy compared to a monostatic one. Exploitation of the cooperative mode enhances potential accuracy of a monostatic system as well.
MoM volume Integral equation solution for an isolated metal-dielectric resonator with the edge-based basis functions

The objective of the present study is to show that the method of volume integral used in conjunction with the zeroth-order edge-based basis functions (de Carvalho and de Souza Mendes 1999) gives an accurate and stable solution for a metal-dielectric resonator, when the number of the basis functions remains relatively small. Special attention is paid to the resonator in the form of a thin dielectric layer backed by two metal sheets. The metal surface is described in terms of the Rao-Wilton-Glisson (RWG) basis functions.
Antenna miniaturisation using piezoelectric material based thin film antenna for body-centric wireless communications

Antenna miniaturization is one of the biggest challenges against the backdrop of increasing density of electronic components on the circuit board of handheld devices [1] and biomedical devices for body-centric wireless communications [2]. Especially for biomedical application, an antenna is needed in an implantable or ingestible device for both communications and power charging. However, space is always limited for the antenna in the device, e.g. a pace maker or a capsule endoscope. The current antenna designs have reached their ultimate limit of miniaturization and new design paradigms are needed in order to break the limits of antenna miniaturization. The present work is focused on the use of piezoelectric materials as antennas for antenna miniaturization for body-centric wireless communications.
Development of an Effective Whole-Spore Vaccine To Protect against Microsporidial Gill Disease in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by Using a Low-Virulence Strain of Loma salmonae

ABSTRACT In determining the effective vaccine spore dose of a low-virulence strain of Loma salmonae to limit microsporidial gill disease in trout, we found that fish receiving 103 to 105 killed spores had the best protection against experimental infection, with 85% fewer xenomas in their gills than in the controls. Intraperitoneal delivery of the vaccine was effective, and the addition of adjuvant did not improve vaccine performance against this disease-causing microsporidian.
Effects on thermal stress and exercise on blood volume in humans.

The opening remarks of this review emphasize, somewhat pessimistically, the serious disagreements, going back over a hundred years, between different investigators regarding effects of exercise and thermal stress on intravascular volume. However, the concluding remarks may legitimately assume a more optimistic, positive aspect, and a certain degree of order and sense may be brought to what had superficially appeared to be the chaos and confusion of conflicting observations and conclusions. Krebs and Meyer's (162) "marked differences in findings between one investigator and another," and Senay's (245) comment 77 years later that "disagreements abound" can now be seen as an inevitable consequence of the widely differing experimental protocols and procedures that have been adopted. Of particular importance in this respect is the failure to standardize conditions before subjects are exposed to thermal stress or begin to exercise--notably in terms of posture and environmental temperature; both may profoundly influence blood volume responses, quantitatively and qualitatively. Then there is subject status; physical fitness, heat acclimatization, and dehydration are important factors contributing to the variability of individual responses to thermal stress and exercise. With the causes of disagreement at least identified, it is now possible to answer the question posed in section I: Is thermal- and exercise-induced hemoconcentration fact or fantasy? Undeniably it is fact, but only under certain circumstances. For example, in resting subjects reduction in blood volume is associated only with high environmental temperatures above the upper limit of the prescriptive zone; within the upper part of the zone, blood volume commonly increases. If heat exposure is preceded by a control period in a cool environment, transient hemodilution is generally observed, followed by hemoconcentration after entry into the heat as skin temperature rises, cutaneous blood flow increases, and sweating begins. Exercise too causes hemoconcentration, but only if the exercise is performed in a supine or seated, not in an upright (standing), position. Hence cycling is almost always associated with a reduction in plasma volume, as is arm exercise and swimming. Bench stepping, walking, and running, on the other hand, are associated with an extremely variable intravascular volume response. If allowance is made for the reduction in plasma volume that occurs when moving to an upright position from a supine or seated position, the initial rapid hemoconcentration seen at the onset of cycling exercise is absent with bench stepping, walking, and running. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Synthesis-based scalable image enhancement for digital radiography

The ability to resolve fine picture detail is of paramount importance in a medical imaging system when it comes to view small tissues, bone structure and anatomy in X-ray images. In order to enhance diagnostic information and suppress irrelevant detail, we present a new digital X-ray imaging processing system with the property of scalability and adaptability. First, a new optimum contrast enhancement algorithm is proposed for display. The adaptive detection of the region-of-interest is developed. Second, a so called "scalable edge enhancement algorithm" is proposed to improve the image quality for showing subtle structures of the digital X-ray images. The advantage of the scheme is demonstrated by an experiments on 200 X-ray images, in which different parts of human body structures are captured.
Radiation-Induced Skin Injury after Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

A 58-year-old man underwent percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasties in June 1992 and May 1993. Approximately 3 weeks after the last procedure, a cutaneous lesion developed into an ulcer over the right scapular region. The ulcer failed to heal with conservative treatment; therefore, surgical excision was performed. The localization and the course of the development indicated injury caused by radiation, and this was confirmed by the histologic examination. To avoid such injury in interventional procedures with long fluoroscopic time, several precautions should be taken. These include continuous surveillance of the X-ray dosage, the use of different projections to avoid exposure to one skin area throughout the whole procedure, keeping the irradiated area as small as possible, and good planning of the procedure.
LHRH agonists in prostate cancer: frequency of treatment, serum testosterone measurement and castrate level: consensus opinion from a roundtable discussion*

ABSTRACT Background: Options for lowering testosterone in patients with prostate cancer include bilateral orchiectomy, oestrogens and luteinising hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists. LHRH agonists have become widely used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Roundtable assembly: In May 2006, a team of experts convened a roundtable assembly to discuss key issues associated with the use of LHRH agonists in the treatment of prostate cancer. Roundtable discussion: The discussion centred on the frequency of treatment with LHRH agonists, the role of serum testosterone (ST) measurement as part of routine follow-up, and the recommended castrate level of ST. Several formulations of LHRH agonists are available, including 3-month depots that coincide with visit frequency for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing. Appropriate monitoring of patients receiving LHRH agonists continues to be based on PSA levels. ST determination is not recommended as part of routine follow-up, and does not provide additional prognostic benefit or improved overall management for the majority of patients. However, determination of ST may be useful in selected patients, such as those with rising PSA levels or in cases where there is doubt over LHRH agonist administration or absorption. Achieving levels of ST similar to those obtained after orchiectomy is important for patient outcomes, although there is no evidence that a lower ST level (< 50 ng/dl) results in additional clinical benefits. Conclusions: LHRH agonists should be considered first-choice testosterone-lowering therapy for the treatment of prostate cancer, with the 3-month depot formulation providing optimal convenience and flexibility. Assessment of patients receiving LHRH agonists should be based on PSA levels rather than ST levels, although levels of ST similar to those obtained after orchiectomy still need to be achieved. Further studies are warranted before the potential therapeutic benefit of considerably lowered ST levels can be fully assessed.
Research, part of a Special Feature on New Methods for Adaptive Water Management Adaptive Water Governance: Assessing the Institutional Prescriptions of Adaptive (Co-)Management from a Governance Perspective and Defining a Research Agenda

This article assesses the institutional prescriptions of adaptive (co-)management based on a literature review of the (water) governance literature. The adaptive (co-)management literature contains four institutional prescriptions: collaboration in a polycentric governance system, public participation, an experimental approach to resource management, and management at the bioregional scale. These prescriptions largely resonate with the theoretical and empirical insights embedded in the (water) governance literature. However, this literature also predicts various problems. In particular, attention is called to the complexities associated with participation and collaboration, the difficulty of experimenting in a real-world setting, and the politicized nature of discussion on governance at the bioregional scale. We conclude this article by outlining a common research agenda that invites the collaborative efforts of adaptive (co-)management and governance scholars.
Restitution of the surface epithelium of the in vitro frog gastric mucosa after damage with hyperosmolar sodium chloride. Morphologic and physiologic characteristics.

Frog fundic mucosas mounted in Ussing chambers between HCO-3-buffered nutrient and unbuffered secretory solutions were exposed to 1 M NaCl on the mucosal surface for 10 min. After washing and return to control solutions, transmucosal potential difference, short-circuit current, and tissue electrical resistance decreased markedly, but within 6 h these measurements had gradually returned to almost control values. A net luminal alkalinization occurred during the first 4 hours, changing into a net acid secretion of approximately 1.1 mumol . cm-2 . h-1 at 6 h. Histamine increased H+ secretion in all tissues at 8 h. In seven metiamide-treated tissues, an average alkaline flux of approximately 0.75 mumol . cm-2 . h-1 was obtained during the first 4 h after damage, decreasing to approximately 0. 40 mumol . cm-2 . h-1 during the ensuing 4 h. With HCO-3-free nutrient solution (n = 7) luminal alkalinization was decreased by about 80% 2-4 h after injury. After 1 M NaCl, the surface epithelium and gastric pit cells were destroyed and partially lifted from the gastric glands. The lamina propria between the remaining intact glands was open to the lumen or contiguous with the damaged mass of cells and mucus. During the 6 h after damage, there was a gradual process of restitution of epithelial integrity, beginning with squamous-shaped cells that appeared to be migrating from the glands and ultimately concluding with complete epithelialization by cuboidal and columnar cells. Typical junctional complexes were present between adjacent epithelial cells. The uniformity of the restoration process was such that it was possible to predict blindly in toluidine blue-stained semithin sections whether the recovery stage was short (30 min or less), intermediate (1-2 h), or advanced (4-6 h). These observations indicate that there is a very intimate correlation between the restoration of epithelial continuity and the reestablishment of secretory and electrical activity of frog gastric mucosa damaged by hypertonic NaCl in Ussing chambers.
Cilostazol augments the inhibition of platelet aggregation in clopidogrel low‐responders

Morales, M. D. Nauffal, J. A. Nieto, M. J. Núñez, J. L. Ogea, M. Oribe, J. M. Pedrajas, R. Rabuñal, A. Riera-Mestre, V. Roldán, P. Román, V. Rosa, S. Rubio, A. Ruiz-Gamietea, N. Ruı́z-Giménez, J. C. Sahuquillo, A. Samperiz, J. F. Sánchez Muñoz-Torrero, S. Soler, M. J. Soto, G. Tiberio, J. A. Todolı́, C. Tolosa, J. Trujillo, F. Uresandi, V. Valdés, R. Valle, J. Vela, J. Villalta (Spain); H. Boccalon, D. Farge-Bancel, I. Mahe, K. Rivron-Guillot (France); B. Brenner (Israel); A. Barillari, G. Barillari, M. Ciammaichella, P. DiMicco, R. Duce, R. Poggio, P.Prandoni, S. Pasca, R. Quintavalla, A. Schenone, E. Tiraferri, A. Visonà (Italy); M. Bosevski (Republic of Macedonia).
In Situ Localization of Gelatinolytic Activity in the Extracellular Matrix of Metastases of Colon Cancer in Rat Liver Using Quenched Fluorogenic DQ-gelatin

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as gelatinases are believed to play an important role in invasion and metastasis of cancer. In this study we investigated the possible role of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in an experimental model of colon cancer metastasis in rat liver. We demonstrated with gelatin zymography that the tumors contained MMP-2 and MMP-9, but only MMP-2 was present in the active form. Immunolocalization of MMP-2 showed that the protein was localized at basement membranes of colon cancer cells and in intratumor stroma, associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) components. However, zymography and immunohistochemistry (IHC) do not provide information on the localization of MMP activity. Therefore, we developed an in situ zymography technique using the quenched fluorogenic substrate DQ-gelatin in unfixed cryostat sections. The application of DQ-gelatin in combination with a gelled medium allows precise localization of gelatinolytic activity. Fluorescence due to gelatinolytic activity was found in the ECM of tumors and was localized similarly to both MMP-2 protein and collagen type IV, its natural substrate. The localization of MMP-2 activity and collagen type IV at similar sites suggests a role of MMP-2 in remodeling of ECM of stroma in colon cancer metastases in rat liver.
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Produces Speech Arrest but Not Song Arrest

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a tool that can be used to disrupt cortical processing for a few tens of milliseconds and, when combined with cognitive paradigms, can be used to look at the role of specific brain regions. TMS can be described as a way of creating virtual neuropsychological patients, but can also extend these findings. It can be delivered focally in time and therefore has the advantage of being able to provide information about the time course of cortical events. In addition, because “virtual lesions” are transient, the interpretation of behavioral effects are not complicated by the functional recovery that results when a damaged brain reorganizes. (Introduction)
The effect of cold acclimation on the size of organs and tissues of the rat, with special reference to modes of expression of results.

In experiments in which two groups of animals of different mean body weight are compared, individual organ weights of the animals can be expressed as absolute weights, as fractional weights, or as absolute weights statistically regressed onto constant body weights. The second, and commonest, mode of expression involves the assumption that the part is directly proportional to the whole, and this is shown to be unlikely for all organs except the muscle mass. Practical as well as theoretical justifications for the use of regressed weights (which utilize the actual slope of the line relating the organ weight to the whole) are given.The experimental data are from white rats kept for 4 weeks in a warm (30 °C.) or a cold (6 °C.) environment. It is shown that cold adaptation had no effect on brain, genitals, and lung weights, but that it reduced the growth of muscle, pelt, fat, skeleton, spleen, and thymus, and that it hypertrophied the liver, intestine, kidney, heart, and adrenals. Apparently cold acclimated rat.
Glucose Metabolism Disorders in Cirrhosis: Frequency and Risk Factors in Tunisian Population. Results of a Cross-Sectional Study

Background and aims: Alterations in carbohydrate metabolism are frequently observed in cirrhosis; to determine the frequency of diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in Tunisian cirrhotic patients and identify risk factors. Patients and methods: Cross-sectional study; fasting plasma glucose levels were measured in consecutive patients with cirrhosis. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed if fasting plasma glucose level was normal. Glucose metabolism disorders were then classified as: impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes mellitus. Cirrhotics with glucose metabolism disorder were compared to those without. Results: Seventy-seven patients with cirrhosis were included: 68.8% were diagnosed as having glucose metabolism disorder; diabetes in 42.8% and impaired glucose tolerance in 26%. The tests were able to identify 60.4% of glucose metabolism disorders. Univariate analysis disclosed a higher proportion of female gender (p = 0.04) and more frequent familial history of diabetes mellitus (p = 0.005) in the group with glucose metabolism disorder. There were no statistically differences regarding age, etiology and severity of the cirrhosis, and dry body mass index. Multivariate analysis showed that familial history of diabetes was the only independent risk factor (OR = 5.1, p = 0.005). Conclusion: In our study, the frequency of glucose metabolism disorders was 68.8%. Oral glucose tolerance test allowed disclosing nearly half of them, pointing a high incidence of latent glucose metabolism disorders. In this way, it should be routinely evaluated in all patients with cirrhosis. Familial history of diabetes was the only independent risk factor, suggesting that other factors in addition to liver disease may play a role.