Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Surgical-Site Infections in the 1990s: Attributable Mortality, Excess Length of Hospitalization, And Extra Costs

Abstract Objective: To determine mortality, morbidity, and costs attributable to surgical-site infections (SSIs) in the 1990s. Design: A matched follow-up study of a cohort of patients with SSI, matched one-to-one with patients without SSI. Setting: A 415-bed community hospital. Study Population: 255 pairs of patients with and without SSI were matched on age, procedure, National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance System risk index, date of surgery, and surgeon. Outcome Measures: Mortality, excess length of hospitalization, and extra direct costs attributable to SSI; relative risk for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and for readmission to the hospital. Results: Of the 255 pairs, 20 infected patients (7.8%) and 9 uninfected patients (3.5%) died during the postoperative hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 1.14.5). Seventy-four infected patients (29%) and 46 uninfected patients (18%) required ICU admission (RR, 1.6; CI95,1.3-2.0). The median length of hospitalization was 11 days for infected patients and 6 days for uninfected patients. The extra hospital stay attributable to SSI was 6.5 days (CI95, 5-8 days). The median direct costs of hospitalization were $7,531 for infected patients and $3,844 for uninfected patients. The excess direct costs attributable to SSI were $3,089 (CI95, $2,139-$4,163). Among the 229 pairs who survived the initial hospitalization, 94 infected patients (41%) and 17 uninfected patients (7%) required readmission to the hospital within 30 days of discharge (RR, 5.5; CI95, 4.0-7.7). When the second hospitalization was included, the total excess hospitalization and direct costs attributable to SSI were 12 days and $5,038, respectively. Conclusions: In the 1990s, patients who develop SSI have longer and costlier hospitalizations than patients who do not develop such infections. They are twice as likely to die, 60% more likely to spend time in an ICU, and more than five times more likely to be readmitted to the hospital. Programs that reduce the incidence of SSI can substantially decrease morbidity and mortality and reduce the economic burden for patients and hospitals.
Extraction of perceptually important colors and similarity measurement for image matching

We present a color matching algorithm that models the behavior of the human visual system in capturing color appearance of an image. We first develop a new method for color codebook design. The method is well suited for creating small color codebooks used in image analysis and retrieval. We then introduce a statistical technique to extract perceptually relevant colors. We also propose a new color metric that guarantees optimality in matching different color components of two images. Experiments comparing the new algorithm to several existing ones show that it provides a better match to human perception of color similarity.
Synthetic 6B Di-, Tri-, and Tetrasaccharide-Protein Conjugates Contain Pneumococcal Type 6A and 6B Common and 6B- Specific Epitopes That Elicit Protective Antibodies in Mice

ABSTRACT The immunogenicity and protective capacity of Streptococcus pneumoniae 6B capsular polysaccharide (PS)-derived synthetic phosphate-containing disaccharide (Rha-ribitol-P-), trisaccharide (ribitol-P-Gal-Glc-), and tetrasaccharide (Rha-ribitol-P-Gal-Glc-)-protein conjugates in rabbits and mice were studied. In rabbits, all saccharides conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) evoked high levels of pneumococcal (Pn) type 6B antibodies that facilitated type-specific phagocytosis. Unlike the disaccharide rabbit antisera, tri- and tetrasaccharide rabbit antisera also reacted with 6A PS in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and promoted phagocytosis of 6A pneumococci. All these rabbit antisera passively protected mice against a Pn 6B challenge. The disaccharide conjugate-induced antiserum, however, failed to protect mice against a 6A challenge. In mice, phagocytic and protective anti-Pn 6B antibodies were only induced by the tetrasaccharide conjugate and not by PS 6B or PS 6B-protein conjugates. These antibodies did not cross-react with 6A PS in ELISA and were unable to phagocytize 6A pneumococci. In conclusion, the disaccharide and tetrasaccharide conjugates already contain epitopes capable of inducing 6B-specific, fully protective antibodies in rabbits and mice, respectively.
“Keep your chin up”: Treating male veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder from an integrative feminist theoretical perspective.

There continues to be increasing evidence of the prevalence and growing impact of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among United States male veterans, as well as pressing concerns related to treatment engagement in mental health services for these individuals. As researchers have advocated for modifications to treatment approaches in the provision of mental health services among this unique population due to issues of traditional masculinity and mental health stigma, integration of feminist theoretical frameworks and therapy interventions are proposed as an avenue to aid in treatment engagement and, ultimately, connection to evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive processing therapy for PTSD. Specific feminist theoretical foundations and interventions will be explored, along with some case composites, to provide evidence of the utility of feminist therapy as an integration tool in trauma treatment.
Recent progress in mid-range wireless power transfer

This is a review paper describing recent progress of mid-range applications of wireless power transfer. Starting from Tesla's principles of wireless power transfer a century ago, it outlines magneto-inductive research activities in the last decade on wireless power transfer with the transmission distance in the order of or greater than the coil dimension. It covers the basic characteristics of 2-coil systems, 4-coil systems, systems with relay resonators and the wireless domino-resonator systems.
Viral etiology of acute childhood encephalitis in Beijing diagnosed by analysis of single samples.

OBJECTIVE To understand the viral etiology of acute childhood encephalitis in Beijing. METHODS Ninety-seven Chinese children (between 7 months and 13 years of age) with acute encephalitis were retrospectively investigated. They were treated in Beijing Children's Hospital between June, 1991, and October, 1994. Different serologic methods (immunofluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, solid phase reverse immunosorbent test) were used for detection of IgM antibody to enteroviruses, herpesviruses, mumps, measles, rubella and Japanese encephalitis virus. The viral DNA of six herpesviruses was detected by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Viral etiology was identified in 35 of 97 (36.0%) cases. The most frequently identified pathogens were enteroviruses (15; 15.4%), followed by mumps (7; 7.2%), rubella (6; 6.1%), Japanese encephalitis virus (5; 5.1%), human herpesvirus 6 (2; 2.0%), herpes simplex virus (2; 2.0%) and Epstein-Barr virus (1; 1.0%). IgM antibody in cerebrospinal fluid was detected for enterovirus, mumps and rubella viruses. CONCLUSIONS Enteroviruses were the most frequent viral pathogens of acute childhood encephalitis in Beijing. Detection of IgM in cerebrospinal fluid may be useful for diagnosis in certain cases of viral encephalitis.
Saturated fatty acids activate TLR-mediated proinflammatory signaling pathways[S]

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and TLR2 were shown to be activated by saturated fatty acids (SFAs) but inhibited by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, one report suggested that SFA-induced TLR activation in cell culture systems is due to contaminants in BSA used for solubilizing fatty acids. This report raised doubt about proinflammatory effects of SFAs. Our studies herein demonstrate that sodium palmitate (C16:0) or laurate (C12:0) without BSA solubilization induced phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB α, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p44/42 mitogen-activated-kinase (ERK), and nuclear factor-κB subunit p65, and TLR target gene expression in THP1 monocytes or RAW264.7 macrophages, respectively, when cultured in low FBS (0.25%) medium. C12:0 induced NFκB activation through TLR2 dimerized with TLR1 or TLR6, and through TLR4. Because BSA was not used in these experiments, contaminants in BSA have no relevance. Unlike in suspension cells (THP-1), BSA-solubilized C16:0 instead of sodium C16:0 is required to induce TLR target gene expression in adherent cells (RAW264.7). C16:0-BSA transactivated TLR2 dimerized with TLR1 or TLR6 and through TLR4 as seen with C12:0. These results and additional studies with the LPS sequester polymixin B and in MyD88−/− macrophages indicated that SFA-induced activation of TLR2 or TLR4 is a fatty acid-specific effect, but not due to contaminants in BSA or fatty acid preparations.
Airway epithelial changes in smokers but not in ex-smokers with asthma.

RATIONALE Smoking has detrimental effects on asthma outcome, such as increased cough, wheezing, sputum production, and frequency of asthma attacks. This results in accelerated lung function decline. The underlying pathological process of smoke-induced deterioration of asthma is unknown. OBJECTIVES To compare bronchial inflammation and remodeling in never-smokers, ex-smokers, and current smokers with asthma. METHODS A total of 147 patients with asthma (66 never-smokers, 46 ex-smokers, and 35 current smokers) were investigated. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Lung function, exhaled nitric oxide levels, and symptom questionnaires were assessed, and induced sputum and bronchial biopsies were obtained for determination of airway inflammation and remodeling. Smokers with asthma had lower FEV(1) and alveolar and bronchial nitric oxide levels than never-smokers. Smokers also had more goblet cells and mucus-positive epithelium, increased epithelial thickness, and a higher proliferation rate of intact and basal epithelium than ex-smokers and never-smokers. Smokers had higher numbers of mast cells and lower numbers of eosinophils than never-smokers. Ex-smokers had similar goblet cell numbers and mucus-positive epithelium, epithelial thickness, epithelial proliferation rate, and mast cell numbers as never-smokers. CONCLUSIONS Smokers with asthma have epithelial changes that are associated with increased asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath and phlegm production. The fact that epithelial characteristics in ex-smokers are similar to those in never-smokers suggests that the smoke-induced changes can be reversed by smoking cessation.
A framework for validation of vessel segmentation algorithms

Validation methods used in literature to evaluate vessel segmentation algorithms suffer to a great extent from objectiveness, reliability and reproducibility. This is because almost each group has its own way to evaluate an algorithms. In this paper, an extendable standardized evaluation framework for quantitative validation of vessel segmentation algorithms is presented. As ground-truth, it uses a physical vascular model to simulate the growth of vessels within organ masks extracted from clinical CT datasets. A set of image- and graph- based evaluation metrics are calculated to analyze various aspects of the algorithms under study. Using the proposed framework helps to meet the aforementioned quality criteria.
Land cover, climate, and the summer surface energy balance in Phoenix, AZ, and Portland, OR

Changes in land use and land cover alter the local energy balance and contribute to distinct urban climates. This paper presents a local‐scale above‐canopy study of intra‐urban land cover mixes in two cities to analyse the relative effects of surface morphology and local climate on the surface energy balance (SEB). The study is conducted for urban areas in Phoenix, Arizona, and Portland, Oregon, cities with distinct climates but similarly warm and dry summers. A Local‐Scale Urban Meteorological Parameterization Scheme (LUMPS) is used to analyse the relative contributions of local weather extremes and land cover variations on the urban energy balance. The partitioning of net all‐wave radiation into turbulent sensible and latent heat fluxes as well as heat storage is investigated for a typical dry summer month and two extreme weather scenarios in the two cities. Results of sensitivity analyses show that incoming solar radiation is an important driver of the SEB in LUMPS and should be considered in the generation of climate scenarios. The relationship between individual land cover fractions and SEB fluxes is not clear because of interrelated effects of surface characteristics in the land cover mix. Daytime Bowen ratios vary inversely with vegetation fraction between and within cities for all weather scenarios. Impervious surface cover is positively correlated to the available energy that is partitioned into sensible heat. Cumulative evapotranspiration (ET) is similar for average weather conditions across medium wet sites in Phoenix and Portland but varies more in Portland than in Phoenix under extreme weather conditions. Results suggest that land cover manipulation could offset influences of weather extremes on ET in Portland to a certain degree but not in Phoenix. These findings highlight the importance of spatial and climatic context in the urban design process to mitigate the effects of urbanization. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society
Efficacy of Synthetic Peptides RP-1 and AA-RP-1 against Leishmania Species In Vitro and In Vivo

ABSTRACT Host defense peptides are naturally occurring molecules that play essential roles in innate immunity to infection. Based on prior structure-function knowledge, we tested two synthetic peptides (RP-1 and AA-RP-1) modeled on the conserved, microbicidal α-helical domain of mammalian CXCL4 platelet kinocidins. These peptides were evaluated for efficacy against Leishmania species, the causative agents of the group of diseases known as leishmaniasis. In vitro antileishmanial activity was assessed against three distinct Leishmania strains by measuring proliferation, metabolic activity and parasite viability after exposure to various concentrations of peptides. We demonstrate that micromolar concentrations of RP-1 and AA-RP-1 caused dose-dependent growth inhibition of Leishmania promastigotes. This antileishmanial activity correlated with rapid membrane disruption, as well as with a loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential. In addition, RP-1 and AA-RP-1 demonstrated distinct and significant in vivo antileishmanial activities in a mouse model of experimental visceral leishmaniasis after intravenous administration. These results establish efficacy of RP-1 lineage synthetic peptides against Leishmania species in vitro and after intravenous administration in vivo and provide further validation of proof of concept for the development of these and related systemic anti-infective peptides targeting pathogens that are resistant to conventional antibiotics.
Evaluation of abomasal outflow diversion as an experimental model of hypochloremic, hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis in lactating cows.

Four adult, lactating dairy cows were subjected to diversion (loss) of gastric contents through a T-shaped cannula placed in the cranial part of the duodenum just distal to the pylorus. Diversion was continued for 10 to 12 hours, at which point the cows were very weak and depressed. The volume of effluent during this period ranged from 37.3 to 46.8 L, with the largest volume being produced during the first four hours. All cows became dehydrated, with mean packed cell volume and total plasma protein concentration increasing 30% and 19.6%, respectively, but with only a slight increase in plasma creatinine concentration. Plasma Cl- concentrations decreased from a mean of 97.3 mEq/L at the beginning of diversion to a mean of 87.2 mEq/L at eight hours. This was followed by a plateau or slight increase in concentrations over the final hours of diversion. Plasma K+ concentration followed a similar pattern, decreasing from a mean of 3.9 mEq/L to a mean of 2.94 mEq/L at six hours, followed by increasing values until termination of diversion. No changes in plasma Na+ concentration were noted, except for a mild decrease in one cow. Plasma calcium concentrations decreased significantly, reaching 6.6 +/- 0.6 mEq/L at the end of diversion. Venous pH, plasma HCO3- concentration, and plasma base excess concentration increased during the first four to eight hours of diversion, followed by a gradual decline. Although a mild hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis resulted from diversion of abomasal outflow in all cows, substantiated by a mild increase in plasma strong ion difference, the changes observed were not as great as expected. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Recent progress in the therapeutic management of pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-specific syndrome of unknown aetiology, observed in 3 – 5% of all pregnancies, associated with pathological vascular lesions in multiple organs, activation of the coagulation system, and maternal multisystemic and fetal complications. Clinically, pre-eclampsia is characterised by the onset of hypertension, proteinuria and oedema, usually beginning in the third trimester. Conventionally, antihypertensive agents are the main pharmacological treatment. Recently, some studies have shown that the treatment of pre-eclampsia with antithrombin concentrate corrects the hypercoagulability and improves the fetal status and the perinatal outcome. No clear evidence supports the use of heparin. A conservative treatment of moderate- to- severe pre-eclampsia, based on the administration of antithrombin concentrate, may allow a significant prolongation of pregnancy and a better neonatal outcome, as well as fewer maternal complications.
Muscle development in mdx mutant mice

Mechanical and contractile properties of tibialis anterior (TA) muscles from X‐linked muscular dystrophic (mdx) mutant mice at different stages of development are compared to those of muscles from normal control animals. There is no difference between the tension output, speeds of contraction and relaxation, and weight of TA muscles from mutant adults and normal control animals. However, it is found that in 3–4‐week‐old mutant animals, tension output and muscle weight are very much reduced and half relaxation time is prolonged. Thus, during this stage of development, muscles from mdx mice do not function properly. Histological examination of these muscles provides further evidence that, in these animals, rapid muscle destruction occurs at a particular time of development and that it is followed by complete recovery. This new mutant therefore presents an interesting case of muscle destruction and rapid regeneration. However, it is not an adequate model for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Predicting Insider's Malicious Security Behaviours: A General Strain Theory-Based Conceptual Model

Insider's malicious information security behaviours have always been a persistent problem and requiring urgent mitigation solutions. More recently, seminal calls for future research suggested exploring the influences of employee-workplace interaction and pre-kinetic events such as organisational injustice since they are argued to hold potential impacts on the insider's intention to perform abusive computer behaviours. This study responds to those calls by investigating the relationship between organisational injustice and insider's intention to commit malicious security behaviours. In addition, it employed General Strain Theory-a highly influential theory in criminology yet receives little attention in information security behavioural research. The literature review suggested the employed theory to have close relationship with organisational injustice concepts, therefore adds more explanations to why insiders deliberately perform computer abuses. As a result, a testable conceptual model incorporating strains, disgruntlement and organisational injustice is proposed to describe the relationships between those factors and insider's malicious information security behaviours. The research concludes with the model's potential implications, limitations and provides future directions.
THE EVOLUTION OF SPINY LOBSTERS (PALINURIDAE): A STUDY OF EVOLUTION IN THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate relationships in the light of morphological and paleontological evidence, and to propose an evolutionary scheme which accounts for the present distribution of extant palinurid species. The spiny lobsters, because of their large size, commercial importance, benthic habits as adults and pelagic habit as larvae, and their wide geographic and vertical distribution, are well suited for a study of evolution in the marine environment. In 1946 Holthuis provided an excellent basic taxonomic revision of the Palinuridae and, sometimes with colleagues, he followed this up with more detailed studies of smaller groups within the family, particularly in the genus Panulirus. But some of the less well known genera inhabiting deeper waters still require revision and for this reason it has been necessary to include some taxonomic discussion in the paper; this has been kept to a minimum and will be reported on more fully in an appropriate publication at a later date. The deficiencies in our knowledge of palinurid systematics and evolution have been realized by Glaessner (1960) who stated (p. 42), "There is still some doubt about homologies and evolution in the Scyllaridea [Palinuridae and Scyllaridae] . for which groups more morphological information on recent and fossil forms is required. " We have attempted to overcome these deficiencies and to present speciation mechanisms applicable to the marine environment.
Diagnosis of Lyme Borreliosis in Europe BETTINA WILSKE

In Europe, Lyme borreliosis is caused by at least three species, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii and B. garinii. Thus microbiological diagnosis in European patients must consider the heterogeneity of Lyme disease borreliae for development of diagnostic tools such as PCR primers and diagnostic antigens. According to guidelines of the German Society of Hygiene and Microbiology, the serological diagnosis should follow the principle of a two-step procedure. A sensitive ELISA differentiating IgM and IgG is recommended as the first step. In case the ELISA is reactive, it is followed by immunoblots (IgM and IgG) as the second step. The reactive diagnostic bands should be clearly identified, which is easy if recombinant antigens are used. The sensitivity and standardization of immunoblots has been considerably enhanced by use of recombinant antigens instead of whole cell lysates. Improved sensitivity resulted from use of recombinant proteins that are expressed primarily in vivo (e.g., VlsE) and combination of homologous proteins from different strains of borrelia (e.g., DbpA). It also appears promising to use recombinant proteins (DbpA, VlsE, others) or synthetic peptides (the conserved C6 peptide derived from VlsE) as ELISA antigens. At present, detection rates for serum antibodies are 20–50% in stage I, 70–90% in stage II, and nearly 100% in stage III Lyme disease. The main goals for the future are to improve specificity in general and sensitivity for diagnosis of early manifestations (stage I and II). Detection of the etiological agent by culture or PCR should be confined to specific indications and specialised laboratories. Recommended specimens are skin biopsy specimens, CSF and synovial fluid. The best results are obtained from skin biopsies with culture or PCR (50–70%) and synovial tissue or fluid (50–70% with PCR). CSF yields positive results in only 10–30% of patients. Methods that are not recommended for diagnostic purposes are antigen tests in body fluids, PCR of urine, and lymphocyte transformation tests.