Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Static and dynamic assessment of biomarkers in surgical patients with severe sepsis.

BACKGROUND Severe sepsis, defined as a systemic inflammatory response to infection associated with acute organ dysfunction, is common among surgical patients and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Severe sepsis has been associated with changes in inflammatory and hemostatic biomarkers. In patients undergoing surgical procedures there may be additional stimulation of cytokine release and activation of the coagulation system. The purpose of this study was to characterize the baseline differences in biomarkers between surgical and non-surgical patients. In addition, we assessed the dynamic changes in biomarkers and coagulation parameters in surgical patients with severe sepsis enrolled in PROWESS and treated with placebo or drotrecogin alfa (activated). METHODS A blinded PROWESS surgical evaluation committee (SEC) verified patients as having undergone a relevant operative procedure within 30 days of enrollment for inclusion in the surgical cohort of PROWESS. At baseline and on study days 1-7, biomarkers and coagulation parameters available for analysis were D-dimer, interleukin-6 (IL-6), protein C activity, protein S activity, anti-thrombin III (ATIII), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and prothrombin time (PT). Platelet count was determined at baseline only. Baseline values were compared between SEC-defined surgical and all other non-surgical patients, and between pre- and post-operative surgical patients from the PROWESS trial. Changes from baseline were compared between drotrecogin alfa (activated)-treated and placebo-treated surgical patients. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA on the ranked values. RESULTS The SEC verified 474 (28%) of the 1,690 PROWESS patients as surgical. Median D-dimer, IL-6, aPTT and PT values were significantly higher at baseline for surgical patients than non-surgical patients (p < 0.001). Surgical patients had significantly lower median protein C, protein S, and ATIII activity at baseline than non-surgical patients (p < 0.001). Surgical patients treated with drotrecogin alfa (activated) showed a significant decrease in D-dimer levels on study days 1-5 (p < 0.05), and a more rapid increase in Protein C levels on study days 1-4 (p < 0.05) compared to placebo. CONCLUSIONS Surgical patients with severe sepsis appear to have a higher severity of illness at baseline as demonstrated by derangements in biomarkers and coagulation markers compared to non-surgical patients. Surgical patients treated with drotrecogin alfa (activated)showed reduced D-dimer concentrations and a more rapid increase in protein C concentrations during the infusion period.
Respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis: Disease severity, interleukin‐8, and virus genotype *

In infants with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis, we investigated whether disease severity is associated with the genotype of the infecting virus, or with the infant's immunological response to the infection, as determined by measurement of interleukin‐8 mRNA in the nasopharyngeal aspirate. This was a cross‐sectional observational study, performed in the Accident and Emergency Department, wards, and Intensive Care Unit of a large pediatric hospital. Participants included 276 infants with respiratory syncytial virus infection. Outcome variables included: disease severity (infants requiring oxygen or ventilation were classified as having severe disease); RSV virus genotype (determined according to typing scheme based on the nucleoprotein and G glycoprotein genes); and amount of interleukin‐8 mRNA in the nasopharyngeal aspirate, as measured by a semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction assay. This was corrected for the amount of cellular material in the sample by expressing it relative to mRNA for a constitutively expressed gene, HGPRT.
Trends in Occupational Sex and Race Segregation from 1990 to 2000

A study of occupational race and sex segregation was performed on time series, census data from 1940 to 2000. Modernization / neoclassic economic theories and institutional / queuing theories were tested in the analyses. Modernization theory suggests that over time, occupational segregation will decrease, while institutional/queue theory suggests segregation will not decline due to rigidities and barriers in the occupational structure. Recent conceptualization of segregation consisting of vertical and horizontal segregation is also tested. Log multiplicative association models were used to analyze occupational segregation in nine broad occupational classifications, as well as within each broad classification.
Um Ambiente Virtual com Feedback Personalizado para Apoio a Disciplinas de Programação

Disciplinas de programacao sao desafiadoras e muitas vezes frustrantes para os estudantes universitarios. Elas exigem um raciocinio logico que pode demorar a ser adquirido. Para o professor, a alta carga de trabalho pode prejudicar no acompanhamento dos alunos, que esperam contar com retornos imediatas para suas duvidas. Como forma de apoiar as disciplinas de programacao, tanto para alunos como para professores, este artigo descreve um ambiente virtual composto de recursos como feedback personalizado, facilidades para a interacao e auxilio ao professor para acompanhamento dos seus alunos, funcionalidades nao encontradas de forma integrada nos trabalhos relacionados. Este sistema passou por uma avaliacao quantitativa de experiencia de uso por 24 alunos de uma disciplina de programacao, e obteve resultados satisfatorios, indicando o valor agregado pelo sistema.
Interstellar Scattering of Pulsar Radiation and Its Effect on the Spectrum of NP0532

Angular scattering in the interstellar medium results in multipath dispersion which can amount to more than one pulse period for pulsars of short period and high dispersion measure. The dispersion, if operative, imposes on the pulsation flux a cutoff inversely proportional to the fourth power of the observing wavelength. The low-frequency pulse shape of pulsar NP0532 suggests that this pulsar is subject to such scattering and that the observed low-frequency cutoff in the apparent spectrum is not an intrinsic property of the pulsar. In fact, there is evidence that NP0532 may be identified as the compact, low-frequency source in the Crab Nebula and that the pulsar may radiate in accordance with its high-frequency spectrum down to frequencies as low as 10 megahertz, although the periodic time variations are suppressed by the scattering below 100 megahertz.
Delusional thoughts and regional frontal/temporal cortex metabolism in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVE Delusional thoughts are common in patients with Alzheimer's disease and contribute prominently to morbidity. The pathophysiologic underpinnings for delusions in Alzheimer's disease are not well understood. In this study the authors examined the relationship between delusional thoughts and regional cortical metabolism in patients with Alzheimer's disease. METHOD Twenty-five patients with probable Alzheimer's disease were included. None was taking psychotropic medication. Severity of delusions and other neuropsychiatric symptoms was assessed by using a semistructured interview and the Neurobehavioral Rating Scale just before the imaging procedure. [(18)F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography was used to measure resting cerebral glucose metabolic rates in the cortical lobes and in anatomically defined subregions of the frontal and temporal cortexes. RESULTS A linear regression model, controlling for the effects of cognitive deficits, revealed a significant relationship between severity of delusional thought and the metabolic rates in three frontal regions: the right superior dorsolateral frontal cortex (Brodmann's area 8), the right inferior frontal pole (Brodmann's area 10), and the right lateral orbitofrontal region (Brodmann's area 47). Bivariate partial correlation analysis indicated that severity of delusions was associated with hypometabolism in additional prefrontal and anterior cingulate regions. Robust relationships with metabolism in regions of the temporal cortex were not apparent. CONCLUSIONS Dysmetabolism in specific regions of the right prefrontal cortex may be associated with delusional thought in Alzheimer's disease. Delusions appear to reflect the pathophysiologic state of particular cortical regions. Activity across distributed neuronal networks and the specific content of delusional thoughts may modulate these relationships.
Rates and risk factors by ethnic group for suicides within a year of contact with mental health services in England and Wales.

OBJECTIVE This study compared suicide rates, clinical symptoms, and perceived preventability of suicide among persons in four ethnic groups who completed suicide within 12 months of contact with mental health services. METHODS The rates and standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) of suicide following contact with mental health services were calculated by using national suicide data from 1996 to 2001 for the four largest ethnic groups in England and Wales: black Caribbean, black African, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi), and white. The study also investigated whether clinical indices of risk show ethnic variations. RESULTS A total of 8,029 suicides in the four ethnic groups were investigated. Overall, compared with the SMRs for their white counterparts, low SMRs were found for South-Asian men and women (SMR=.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]=.4-.6 for South-Asian men and SMR=.7, CI=.5-.9 for South-Asian women). High SMRs were found for black Caribbean and black African men aged 13-24 (SMR=2.9, CI=1.4-5.3 for black Caribbean men and SMR=2.5, CI=1.1-4.8 for black African men). High SMRs were found for young women aged 25-39 of South-Asian origin (SMR=2.8, CI=1.9-3.9), black Caribbean origin (SMR=2.7, CI=1.3-4.8), and black African origin (SMR=3.2, CI=1.6-5.7). Some widely accepted suicide risk indicators were less common in the ethnic minority groups than in the white group. There were more symptoms of active psychosis for people from ethnic minority groups who later committed suicide, and perceived preventability was highest among black Caribbean people. CONCLUSIONS Rates and SMRs varied across ethnic groups. Specific preventive actions must take account of the ethnic variations of clinical indices of risk and include more effective treatment of psychosis.
Determining the zone of reflection for posterior corneal surface comparison phakometry

Although comparison phakometry has been used by a number of studies to measure posterior corneal shape, these studies have not calculated the size of the posterior corneal zones of reflection they assessed. This paper develops paraxial equations for calculating posterior corneal zones of reflection, based on standard keratometry equations and equivalent mirror theory. For targets used in previous studies, posterior corneal reflection zone sizes were calculated using paraxial equations and using exact ray tracing, assuming spherical and aspheric corneal surfaces. Paraxial methods and exact ray tracing methods give similar estimates for reflection zone sizes less than 2 mm, but for larger zone sizes ray tracing methods should be used.
Severe hypokalemia and rhabdomyolysis associated with itraconazole therapy.

A 19-year-old boy with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease and a cutaneous abscess caused by Aspergillus fumigatus developed severe hypokalemia and rhabdomyolysis 20 days after starting oral itraconazole therapy. Patients receiving chronic itraconazole therapy should be observed to avoid these uncommon but life-threatening adverse effects.
Innovative healthcare for chronically ill older persons: results of a national survey.

OBJECTIVE To describe the origin, scope, operations, funding, and outcomes of innovative healthcare programs for chronically ill older persons. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional survey. METHODS A national expert panel nominated chronic illness programs they believed to be innovative and field tested. The directors of the 31 eligible programs provided descriptive information in 60-minute semistructured telephone interviews. RESULTS The innovative programs we surveyed tended to target their services to high-risk patients, use teams of providers to deliver care, designate providers to coordinate multiple components of complex care plans, and shift care from higher- to lower-cost environments and/or redesign the delivery of primary care. CONCLUSIONS Recent innovations in healthcare programs hold considerable promise for improving the outcomes of chronic care, but most have yet to be rigorously evaluated.
Epidemiologic psychiatric studies on post‐disaster impact among Chi‐Chi earthquake survivors in Yu‐Chi, Taiwan

Abstract The aim of the present study was to survey a cohort population for the risk factors of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depression, and the prevalence of different psychiatric disorders at 6 months and 2 and 3 years after a major earthquake. The Disaster‐Related Psychological Screening Test (DRPST), part I, and the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) were, respectively, administered by trained interviewers and psychiatrists in this community‐interview program. The prevalence of PTSD decreased from 8.3% at 6 months to 4.2% at 3 years after the earthquake. Suicidality increased from 4.2% at 6 months and 5.6% at 2 years to 6.0% at 3 years after the earthquake; drug abuse/dependence increased from 2.3% at 6 months to 5.1% at 3 years after the disaster. The risk factors for PTSD and major depression in various post‐disaster stages were determined. Earthquake survivors had a high percentage of psychiatric disorders in the first 2 years, and then the prevalence declined. Following the devastation caused by the Chi‐Chi earthquake, it is important to focus on treating symptoms of major depression and PTSD and eliminating the risk factors for both of these disorders in survivors to avoid the increase in suicidality.
Ultrasonically Implanted PLA Suture Anchors Are Stable in Osteopenic Bone

We compared the in vitro pullout strengths of a metallic screw-type suture anchor (5-mm Corkscrew™) and a new ultrasonically implanted absorbable pin from cadaveric humeral heads with different bone densities. They were assessed quantitatively using microcomputed tomography. Pullout tests were done at four standardized sites and then correlated with the local bone density. The mean pull- out strengths for the 5-mm Corkscrew™ and the 3.5-mm polylactic pin were similar in weak bone (76 ± 24 N versus 104 ± 46 N), intermediate quality bone (194 ± 81 N versus 218 ± 76 N), and strong bone (349 ± 127 N versus 325 ± 100 N). Pullout strength correlated with bone density for both implants (r = 0.76 and r = 0.86 for the Corkscrew™ and polylactic pin, respectively). The ultrasonically implanted absorbable 3.5-mm polylactic pin achieved equal pullout strength in weak bone as the larger 5-mm titanium Corkscrew™. Bone density is highly variable in humeral heads and influenced the pullout strength of both implants.
Early Experience with Laparoscopic Management of Nonpalpable Undescended Testes

Background: Nonpalpable undescended testes (NPT) constitute 20%–30% of undescended testes, and its management has been a challenge both in diagnosis and treatment. Worldwide, laparoscopy is the current gold standard of management. In Nigeria, the management of NPT has largely been by open surgery with consequent high morbidity. In Nigeria, the trend is changing from a largely open management with its attendant high morbidity, to laparoscopic management which is the current worldwide gold standard of care. Aim: This study aims to classify the laparoscopic features of NPT and determine the outcome of managed cases in our center. Methodology: Prospective data were collected from consecutive patients who had laparoscopy for NPT at the Paediatric Surgical Unit of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria from June 2014 to July 2016. Results: A total of 15 patients with 23 testes were treated. There were eight patients with bilateral NPT; four had left and the remaining three right NPT. The age ranged from 1.2 to 29 years with a median of 5 years. Eleven out of the 22 internal inguinal rings were open. The position of the testes was canalicular (2), peeping (2), low abdominal (6), high abdominal (6), blind-ended vas (1), absent vas and vessels (5). No further intervention was needed for the six agenetic/atrophic testes. Standard open orchiopexy was done for the two canalicular testes. Eight testes were brought down by one stage laparoscopic orchiopexy while four were brought down by staged laparoscopic Fowler-Stephens procedure. Laparoscopic orchiectomy was done in two patients (a grossly dysmorphic testes [nubbin] and a high abdominal testis in a 29-year-old). Orchiopexy was successful in 11 out of 15 fixed testes. Of the unsuccessful ones, three testes were atrophic (volume less than what it was initially) while two were high scrotal (one testes has both complications). There was no conversion to open abdominal surgery. All patients were discharged within 24 h of surgery. Conclusion: Laparoscopy provides for a better management of NPT by combining diagnosis and intervention in the same sitting with a good success rate and minimal postoperative morbidity.
Ref‐1 protein enhances the IL‐2‐stimulated telomerase activity

Telomerase is an important ribonucleoprotein enzyme involved in cellular proliferation and senescence. Activation of telomerase has been detected in a vast majority of human cancer cells. In this article, we demonstrated that Interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) which is the pivotal cytokine in the immune system could stimulate the activity of telomerase in the cultured BA/F3β cells. It was also found that the level of IL‐2‐induced telomerase activity was decreased by the treatment with chemical oxidant in vitro. Since IL‐2 stimulation produces a oxidative shift of the intracellular environment, the activation and maintenance of telomerase in this oxidative circumstance requires particular protection. Here we proved the redox factor‐1 (Ref‐1) protein was involved in this process. The addition of GST–Ref‐1 protein increased the level of IL‐2‐induced telomerase activity in the TRAP assay, while elimination of the endogenous Ref‐1 protein by immunodepletion decreased it. Consistent with these in vitro results, IL‐2‐induced telomerase activity could be enhanced by transient overexpression of Ref‐1 protein in BA/F3β cells. Taken together, these findings proved that Ref‐1 protein benefits the activation of telomerase activity in the oxidative microenvironment of the BA/F3β cells stimulated by IL‐2. J. Cell. Biochem. 88: 1120–1128, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma is derived from mature T‐helper cells with varying expression and loss of detectable CD4

Angioimmunoblastic T cell lymphoma (AILT) is a rare lymphoma that is regarded as a clinicopathologic entity but shows considerable histomorphologic diversity, variable immunophenotypes and inconsistent T cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement. One hundred four paraffin blocks of AILT were investigated defining tumor cell lineage by triple immunostains with a confocal laser scanning microscope and correlating morphology, immunophenotype and TCRγ gene rearrangement to clinical outcome. Ninety‐nine cases were CD4+, some of them showing a mixture of CD4+ and CD4− tumor cells. The remaining 5 specimens were CD3+/CD4−/CD8−. A considerable number of T cells of different subtypes could always be found, but even in 13 cases predominated by CD8+ cells, proliferation could be attributed to atypical CD4+ cells. TCRγ gene rearrangement was monoclonal in 48 cases (69%) among 70 tested. In 29 of these semi‐quantitative gene scan analysis resulted in a median proportion of monoclonal peak of 35% of PCR‐products. Clinical outcome was identical grouping patients by clonality of TCRγ, absence or presence of clear cell clusters and international prognostic index. We conclude that AILT is mainly derived from CD2+CD3+CD4+CD5+CD7− mature T‐helper cells with varying expression and partial loss of detectable CD4. A significant number of non‐neoplastic T cells (resting CD4+ T cells and activated small or medium‐sized CD8+ lymphocytes) may coexist with a minor neoplastic T cell population. Clinicopathologic correlation suggests AILT to be a well defined homogeneous entity with poor prognosis. Currently no prognostic factors can be derived. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An ECG Signal Denoising based on VMD and Undecimated Wavelet Transform

The ECG signal shows the any abnormalities in the heart conditions. The diagnosis of the ECG signal is very much difficult for a trained physician as these signals are non-stationary. The signal acquisition and its processing can be affected by the noise and will lead to a negative interpretation of the results and the analysis. The common technique that is used for the reduction of noise is the DWT thresholding because of its multiresolution analysis which is much more efficient than the Fourier based filtering. Here the proposed ECG signal denoising is based on VMD. The DWT thresholding is applied to each of the VMFs that are generated by the VMD. In this work the residue is not considered and the signal reconstruction is done by weighted summation where the weights are determined the CLS algorithm. Another denoising method based on UWT in which SWT is used for filtering the noisy signal is also proposed in this work.
Asymmetric behaviours of brain oscillations in the human hippocampus during spatial navigation tasks

Hippocampal-dependent memory functions may be lateralized to the right hippocampus during spatial navigation. However, direct electrophysiological evidence supporting these findings in the bilateral hippocampi during spatial navigation has not been well documented in humans. We studied changes in brain oscillations between the dominant and the nondominant hippocampi during encoding periods of environmental novelty using spatial navigation tasks. Results showed that brain oscillations during the encoding period of spatial navigation increased significantly in the nondominant hippocampus compared with the dominant hippocampus. These findings provide direct electrophysiological evidence that the nondominant hippocampus plays a predominant role in spatial navigation.