Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Incidence and Mechanisms of Pharyngeal and Upper Esophageal Dysfunction in Partially Paralyzed Humans: Pharyngeal Videoradiography and Simultaneous Manometry after Atracurium

Background: Residual neuromuscular block caused by vecuronium alters pharyngeal function and impairs airway protection. The primary objectives of this investigation were to radiographically evaluate the swallowing act and to record the incidence of and the mechanism behind pharyngeal dysfunction during partial neuromuscular block. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of atracurium on pharyngeal function. Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers were studied while awake during liquid-contrast bolus swallowing. The incidence of pharyngeal dysfunction was studied by fluoroscopy. The initiation of the swallowing process, the pharyngeal coordination, and the bolus transit time were evaluated. Simultaneous manometry was used to document pressure changes at the tongue base, the pharyngeal constrictor muscles, and the upper esophageal sphincter. After control recordings, an intravenous infusion of atracurium was administered to obtain train-of-four ratios (T4/T1) of 0.60, 0.70, and 0.80, followed by recovery to a train-of-four ratio of more than 0.90. Results: The incidence of pharyngeal dysfunction was 6% during the control recordings and increased (P < 0.05) to 28%, 17%, and 20% at train-of-four ratios 0.60, 0.70, and 0.80, respectively. After recovery to a train-of-four ratio of more than 0.90, the incidence was 13%. Pharyngeal dysfunction occurred in 74 of 444 swallows, the majority (80%) resulting in laryngeal penetration. The initiation of the swallowing reflex was impaired during partial paralysis (P = 0.0081). The pharyngeal coordination was impaired at train-of-four ratios of 0.60 and 0.70 (P < 0.01). A marked reduction in the upper esophageal sphincter resting tone was found, as well as a reduced contraction force in the pharyngeal constrictor muscles. The bolus transit time did not change significantly. Conclusion: Partial neuromuscular paralysis caused by atracurium is associated with a four- to fivefold increase in the incidence of misdirected swallowing. The mechanism behind the pharyngeal dysfunction is a delayed initiation of the swallowing reflex, impaired pharyngeal muscle function, and impaired coordination. The majority of misdirected swallows resulted in penetration of bolus to the larynx.
Smoking Is Associated with Acute and Chronic Prostatic Inflammation: Results from the REDUCE Study

Both anti- and proinflammatory effects of cigarette smoking have been described. As prostate inflammation is common, we hypothesized smoking could contribute to prostate inflammation. Thus, we evaluated the association of smoking status with acute and chronic inflammation within the prostate of men undergoing prostate biopsy. We retrospectively analyzed 8,190 men ages 50 to 75 years with PSA levels between 2.5 and 10 ng/mL enrolled in the Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events study. Smoking status was self-defined as never, former, or current. Prostate inflammation was assessed by systematic central review blinded to smoking status. The association of smoking with inflammation in the baseline, 2-year, and 4-year biopsies was evaluated with univariable and multivariable logistic regressions. At study enrollment, 1,233 (15%), 3,203 (39%), and 3,754 (46%) men were current, former, and never smokers, respectively. Current smokers were significantly younger and had smaller prostates than former and never smokers (all P < 0.05). Former smokers were significantly heavier than current and never smokers (P < 0.001). Acute and chronic prostate inflammations were identified in 1,261 (15%) and 6,352 (78%) baseline biopsies, respectively. In univariable analysis, current smokers were more likely to have acute inflammation than former (OR, 1.35; P, 0.001) and never smokers (OR, 1.36; P, 0.001). The results were unchanged at 2- and 4-year biopsies. In contrast, current smoking was linked with chronic inflammation in the baseline biopsy, but not at 2- and 4-year biopsies. In conclusion, among men undergoing prostate biopsy, current smoking was independently associated with acute and possibly chronic prostate inflammations. Cancer Prev Res; 8(4); 312–7. ©2015 AACR.
Experimental model of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia in sucrose-fed rats and the effectiveness of atorvastatin in the model.

Although postprandial hypertriglyceridemia has drawn attention as an independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease, there is no established animal model that shows a physiological transitory change in lipoprotein metabolism after ingestion of a fatty meal. We developed an animal model of postprandial hypertriglyceridemia using sucrose-fed rats, and used this model to evaluate the effect of atorvastatin on this condition. Compared with normal rats, sucrose-fed rats orally loaded with olive oil showed a high and prolonged increase in plasma triglyceride (TG) concentration accompanied by both an increase in TG secretion and decrease in TG clearance. Atorvastatin (30 mg/kg orally) for 2 weeks reduced not only fasting plasma TG concentration, but also the postprandial TG concentration. Atorvastatin also suppressed rates of TG secretion in both chylomicron (CM)-rich (d < 0.96 g/mL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (d = 0.96 to 1.006 g/mL) fractions after oral fat loading. Further, atorvastatin improved the elimination time of exogenous TG emulsion only in the nonfasted, namely, high plasma TG condition. These results indicate that this animal model satisfactorily replicates the postprandial hypertriglyceridemia observed in humans and may therefore be useful in evaluation of lipid-lowering agents. Furthermore, atorvastatin not only improves fasting but also postprandial lipoprotein metabolism, presumably by reducing TG secretion from the liver or intestine or both, and by secondarily increasing TG-rich lipoprotein clearance by eliminating saturation.
Oblivious Computation with Data Locality

Oblivious RAM compilers, introduced by Goldreich and Ostrovsky [JACM’96], compile any RAM program into one that is “memory-oblivious” (i.e., the access pattern to the memory is independent of the input). All previous ORAM schemes, however, completely break the locality of data accesses (by shuffling the data to pseudorandom positions in memory). In this work, we initiate the study of locality-friendly oblivious RAMs—Oblivious RAM compilers that preserve the locality of the accessed memory regions, while leaking only the lengths of contiguous memory regions accessed; we refer to such schemes as Range ORAMs. Our main results demonstrate the existence of a statistically-secure Range ORAM with only poly-logarithmic overhead (both in terms of the number of memory accesses, and in terms of locality). In our most optimized construction, the overhead is only a logarithmic factor greater than the best ORAM scheme (without locality). To further improve the parameters, we also consider the weaker notion of a File ORAM : whereas a Range ORAM needs to support read/write access to arbitrary regions of the memory, a File ORAM only needs to support access to pre-defined non-overlapping regions (e.g., files being stored in memory). Assuming one-way functions, we present a computationally-secure File ORAM that, up to log log n factors matches the best ORAM schemes (i.e., we essentially get “locality for free”.) As an intermediate result, we also develop a novel sorting algorithm which is also asymptotically optimal (up to log log n factors) and enjoys good locality (can be implemented using O(log n) sequential accesses). This sorting algorithm can serve as a practical alternative to the previous sorting algorithms used in other oblivious RAM compilers and other applications, and might be of an independent interest. To the best of our knowledge, before our work, the only works combining locality and obliviousness were for the special case of symmetric searchable encryption [Cash and Tessaro (EUROCRYPT’14), Asharov et al. (STOC’16)]. Searchable encryption can be viewed as a special case of a “read-only” File ORAM which leaks whether the same files are accessed again, and whether files contain the same keyword; this leakage, however, has been shown to be harmful in many applications, and is prevented by the definition of a File ORAM.
Neuropsychiatric changes following penetrating head injury in children

Background: Penetrating head injuries demand the prompt attention of a neurosurgeon. While most neurosurgical centers are experienced in the acute management of these injuries, less is known about the long-term neuropsychiatric sequelae of penetrating head trauma. In adults, direct injury to the frontal lobe classically has been associated with mental status changes. However, there is less published data in children. Case Description: We report the case of a 12-year-old boy who suffered a penetrating head injury to the frontal lobes secondary to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and experienced subsequent resolution of pre-existing bipolar disorder and new onset of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Conclusion: Children with penetrating head injury require close multidisciplinary follow-up in order to monitor, and accordingly implement management strategies, for associated sequelae, including behavioral and neuropsychiatric changes.
A novel single/three-phase matrix converter for high power integration

This paper deals with a three-phase to single-phase power conversion system using a matrix converter topology. In order to compensate for instantaneous power unbalance occurring between three-phase circuits and single-phase circuits, a small reactor is installed into a matrix converter. The proposed circuit and control diagrams as well as some important simulation results are described herein.
Treatment of Soft-tissue Injuries by Pulsed Electrical Energy

Twenty pairs of patients matched for sex, age, weight, and degree of trauma were treated either with an active Diapulse machine emitting pulsed, high-frequency electrical energy or with a non-active placebo machine. They were examined for swelling, pain, and disability before treatment and after three days under double-blind conditions. The results show that the pulsed, high-frequency electrical treatment has a definite biological effect on recently injured soft tissues, especially in the reduction of pain and disability.
Effects of Allelochemicals from Ficus microcarpaon Chlorella pyrenoidosa

This study was performed in order to isolate and identify unknown allelochemicals from Ficus microcarpa, and to investigate the inhibitory to bloom-forming of green alga Chlorella pyrenoidosa. Through gradient elution, fraction C2, whose inhibition of alga growth in diverse extracts was the strongest was shown to cause significant reductions of maximum quantum yield, as well as electron transport rates of C. pyrenoidosa. The study data also showed that the increase of fraction C2 concentration decreased the activity of total superoxide dismutase (SOD), but increased the activities of catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. These results demonstrate that the active fraction C2 not only induced the photoinhibition or photodamage of PSII reaction centers, but also triggered the synthesis of reactive oxygen species which may change cell membrane penetrability, thereby leading to the eventual death of C. pyrenoidosa. Furthermore, the gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses showed that the most potential allelochemical in active fraction C2 was 2-Propyl phenol, which may exhibit potent allelopathy.
Key issues in information systems management in China

Purpose – To reveal and analyze the key issues concerning information systems management in Mainland China.Design/methodology/approach – Based on data collected from 286 Chinese companies, 12 top key issues in information systems management in Mainland China are ranked and compared with the results of an earlier study, as well as those from western countries.Findings – While the top three critical issues remain unchanged, largely due to the centralized decision‐making mechanism, mandatory management style, and less experience of IT/IS applications, there are distinguishable changes that took place in the past few years. Furthermore, there are different results between different sectors of companies, reflecting respective characteristics and historical development processes of the sectors.Research limitations/implications – Extended data and measures are required for in‐depth investigation in specific individual industries.Practical implications – The study could be helpful for understanding the situations.
Complex Apical Anatomy Revealed Following Endodontic Treatment of a Maxillary Molar Using the GentleWave System: A Case Report

Introduction: Primary root canal treatment success depends on a number of variables, including debridement and disinfection of the root canal system to remove all bacteria and diseased pulpal and dentinal tissues. Complex root canal anatomy, such as concealed isthmuses, apical deltas and lateral canals, hinder this objective, making instrumentation of these regions nearly impossible. Recent advancements within the endodontic space have focused on improved cleaning and disinfection techniques that will enhance cleaning and debridement, even in difficult to navigate anatomy within the apical third. Background: This case study explores the effectiveness of the GentleWave® Procedure in treating a maxillary second molar diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis and symptomatic apical periodontitis that also featured complex apical root canal anatomy that was undetected until obturation was completed. Methods: A minimally invasive endodontic protocol was utilized to maximize preservation of tooth structure. The tooth was conservatively accessed followed by minimal instrumentation to a size 25/04 for creation of a fluid path and to facilitate future placement of root canal obturation material. Multisonic Ultracleaning™ and debridement were accomplished with the GentleWave Procedure. After obturation with gutta-percha and sealer, a final radiograph revealed a clinically significant obturation with previously unseen lateral canals and an isthmus within the apical third. Results: The previously diagnosed symptomatic apical periodontitis had fully resolved by the three-week followup visit. This case report demonstrates a viable minimally invasive endodontic treatment for uncovering root canal systems with complex apical anatomy utilizing the GentleWave Procedure.
[Use of high-field nulear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the analysis of stereoselective metabolites of ibuprofen (R)-enantiomer in rat urine].

AIM To study the metabolic chiral inversion and chiral metabolites of R-(-)-ibuprofen. METHODS Following administration of R-(-)-ibuprofen (250 mg.kg-1), analysis was performed on rat urine purified extracts obtained by solid phase extraction onto C-18 bonded silica gel, then the metabolites of ibuprofen were detected and identified by 1HNMR spectroscopy. RESULTS Except for a little ibuprofen, there were 2'-hydroxy-ibuprofen and its glucuronide, 1'-carboxy-ibuprofen glucuronide and ibuprofen glucuronide in rat urine. 2'-hydroxy-ibuprofen is the main metabolite. 1'-carboxy-ibuprofen glucuronide and ibuprofen glucuronide were diastereoisomers. CONCLUSION There was the phenomenon of metabolic chiral inversion, whereby the R-enantiomer is transformed in vivo to its active S-antipode via an unusual process.
[Detection of glutathione S-transferase and lung resistance-related proteins in acute leukemia and its clinical significance].

OBJECTIVE To explore the relationship among intracellular glutathione S-transferase activity (GST), the expression of lung resistance-related proteins (LRP) in acute leukemia, and its clinical effects. METHODS The GST activity of bone marrow mononuclear cells and LRP expression in 57 acute leukemia patients were detected by the spectrophotometry assay and immuno-cytochemistry (SABC), respectively. RESULTS The GST activity of bone marrow mononuclear cells in the acute leukemia group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.01). The GST activity of mononuclear cells in acute leukemia was positively correlated with the percentage of blast in the bone marrow (r = 0.30, P < 0.05). The GST activity of mononuclear cells in the untreated acute leukemia group was obviously higher than that of the complete remission group (P <0.01). The GST activity in the refractory or relapsed acute leukemia group was significantly higher than that of the complete remission group and untreated leukemia group (P <0.05). In post-chemotherapy 13 of 17 the LRP-positive patients were the non-remission, 12 of the 20 LRP-negative patients were the complete remission. The curative rate of the LRP-positive group was the significantly lower than the LRP-negative group (P < 0.05). The GST activities of non-remission patients in the LRP-positive and LRP-negative group obviously increased. CONCLUSION The increase of GST activity in the bone marrow mononuclear cells is related to the clinical curative effects and the proliferation of blast in acute leukemia. Detection of LRP and GST activities in acute leukemia may have a reference value in judging the leukemia with drug resistance and estimating the prognosis.
Erythroblastosis with Jaundice and Edema in the Newly Born.

ainical Note: Male infant born at 2 P.ML Nov. 3, 1930, after a normal labor of ten hours' duration. Baby breathed and cried well, took warm water well, but showed a moderate degree of jaundice. On the second day he began to vomit yellowish brown fluid. There was no cyanosis and no convulsions. On the third day he vomited yellowish fluid, and later bright red blood. The urine was blood-stained. Marked dyspnea was present bginning on the second day. Death occurred sixty-two houxs after birth. Mother and father living and well This was the fourth child. Three siblings living and well. There was no history of tuberculosis, cancer or lues. Postmortem Examiation: White male infant 49 cm. in length. Development and nutrition both good. No edema. The skin showed moderate generalized icterus. A little frothy, serous, slightly bloody fluid flowed from the nostrils when pressure was applied to the chest The slerae were markedly jaundiced. Pupils regular, round and equal, 3 mm. in diameter. Small excoriations in both inguinl regions, more marked on the lef. Subcutaneous fat moderate in amount and icteric. Musculature well developed. All the organs had a moderate icteric tinge. Liver extended 6.5 cm. below the xyphoid. Spleen extended 4 cm. below the costal margin. The dome of the diaphragm came to the level of the fourth nib on the left and the third intercostal space on the right. Pleural Cavity: Negative. Mediastinum: Contained a thymus weighing 8 gm. Pericardial Cavity: Contained a few centimeters of slightly icteric fluid in which a few flak of a mate resembling fibrin were floating. A snear of this was found to be negative. Surfaces smooth, glistening and free from hemorrhage. Heart: Weighed 26 gmn, (normal weight I7 gm.). The valve measurements were as follows: tricuspid valve 3.8 an. , pulmonary valve 2.2 CM-, mitral valve 3 cm-, and aortic valve 2.1 cm. The myocardium of the left ventricle meaisred o.6 to 0.7 an. , and the right measured 0.3 cm. On the posterior surface of the heart were a few scattered petechial hemorrhages, none exing 2 mm. in dimeter. The myocardium was reddish brown in color. Foramen ovale and
Agreement on intrapartum cardiotocogram recordings between expert obstetricians.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate obstetricians' inter- and intra-observer agreement on intrapartum cardiotocogram (CTG) recordings and to examine obstetricians' evaluations with respect to umbilical artery pH and base deficit. METHODS Nine experienced obstetricians annotated 634 intrapartum CTG recordings. The evaluation of each recording was divided into four steps: evaluation of two 30-minute windows in the first stage of labour, evaluation of one window in the second stage of labour and labour outcome prediction. The complete set of evaluations used for this experiment is available online. The inter- and intra-observer agreement was evaluated using proportion of agreement and kappa coefficient. Clinicians' sensitivity and specificity was computed with respect to umbilical artery pH, base deficit and to Apgar score at the fifth minute. RESULTS The overall proportion of agreement between clinicians reached 48% with 95% confidence intervals (CI) (CI: 47-50). Regarding the different classes, proportion of agreement ranged from 57% (CI: 54-60) for normal to 41% (CI: 36-46) for pathological class. The sensitivity of clinicians' majority vote to objective outcome was 39% (CI: 16-63) for the umbilical artery base deficit and 27% (CI: 16-42) for pH. The specificity was 89% (CI: 86-92) for both types of objective outcome. CONCLUSIONS The reported inter-/intra-observer variability is large and this holds irrespective of clinicians' experience or work place. The results support the need of modernized guidelines for CTG evaluation and/or objectivization and repeatability by introduction of a computerized approach that could standardize the process of CTG evaluation within the delivery ward.
Transgenic Mice Secreting Coronavirus Neutralizing Antibodies into the Milk

ABSTRACT Ten lines of transgenic mice secreting transmissible gastroenteritis coronavirus (TGEV) neutralizing recombinant monoclonal antibodies (rMAbs) into the milk were generated. The rMAb light- and heavy-chain genes were assembled by fusing the genes encoding the variable modules of the murine MAb 6A.C3, which binds an interspecies conserved coronavirus epitope essential for virus infectivity, and a constant module from a porcine myeloma with the immunoglobulin A (IgA) isotype. The chimeric antibody led to dimer formation in the presence of J chain. The neutralization specific activity of the recombinant antibody produced in transiently or stably transformed cells was 50-fold higher than that of a monomeric rMAb with the IgG1 isotype and an identical binding site. This rMAb had titers of up to 104 by radioimmunoassay (RIA) and neutralized virus infectivity up to 104-fold. Of 23 transgenic mice, 17 integrated both light and heavy chains, and at least 10 of them transmitted both genes to the progeny, leading to 100% of animals secreting functional TGEV neutralizing antibody during lactation. Selected mice produced milk with TGEV-specific antibody titers higher than 106 as determined by RIA, neutralized virus infectivity by 106-fold, and produced up to 6 mg of antibody per ml. Antibody expression levels were transgene copy number independent and integration site dependent. Comicroinjection of the genomic β-lactoglobulin gene with rMAb light- and heavy-chain genes led to the generation of transgenic mice carrying the three transgenes. The highest antibody titers were produced by transgenic mice that had integrated the antibody and β-lactoglobulin genes, although the number of transgenic animals generated does not allow a definitive conclusion on the enhancing effect of β-lactoglobulin cointegration. This approach may lead to the generation of transgenic animals providing lactogenic immunity to their progeny against enteric pathogens.