Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vomiting in the recently anticoagulated patient

Background: Crohn’s disease is common in highly industrialised Western countries where helminths are rare and uncommon in less developed areas of the world where most people carry worms. Helminths diminish immune responsiveness in naturally colonised humans and reduce inflammation in experimental colitis. Thus exposure to helminths may help prevent or even ameliorate Crohn’s disease. Aims: The aim of the study was to determine the safety and possible efficacy of the intestinal helminth Trichuris suis in the treatment of patients with active Crohn’s disease. Patients: Twenty nine patients with active Crohn’s disease, defined by a Crohn’s disease activity index (CDAI) ⩾220 were enrolled in this open label study. Methods: All patients ingested 2500 live T suis ova every three weeks for 24 weeks, and disease activity was monitored by CDAI. Remission was defined as a decrease in CDAI to less than 150 while a response was defined as a decrease in CDAI of greater than 100. Results: At week 24, 23 patients (79.3%) responded (decrease in CDAI >100 points or CDAI <150) and 21/29 (72.4%) remitted (CDAI <150). Mean CDAI of responders decreased 177.1 points below baseline. Analysis at week 12 yielded similar results. There were no adverse events. Conclusions: This new therapy may offer a unique, safe, and efficacious alternative for Crohn’s disease management. These findings also support the premise that natural exposure to helminths such as T suis affords protection from immunological diseases like Crohn’s disease.
Prognostic influence of Barrett’s oesophagus and Helicobacter pylori infection on healing of erosive gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and symptom resolution in non-erosive GORD: report from the ProGORD study

Background: Adequacy of acid suppression is a critical factor influencing healing in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD). The European prospective study ProGORD was set up to determine the endoscopic and symptomatic progression of GORD over five years under routine care, after initial acid suppression with esomeprazole. We report on factors influencing endoscopic healing and symptom resolution during the acute treatment phase. Methods: Patients with symptoms suggestive of GORD underwent endoscopy and biopsies were obtained from the oesophagus for diagnosis of abnormalities, including Barrett’s oesophagus (BO). Data from 6215 patients were included in the “intention to treat” analysis, 3245 diagnosed as having erosive reflux disease (ERD) and 2970 non-erosive reflux disease (NERD). ERD patients were treated with esomeprazole 40 mg for 4–8 weeks for endoscopic healing while NERD patients received 20 mg for 2–4 weeks for resolution of heartburn symptoms. Results: Endoscopic healing occurred overall in 87.7% of ERD patients although healing was significantly lower in those with more severe oesophagitis (76.9%) and in those with BO (72.4%), particularly in Helicobacter pylori negative BO patients (70.1%). Age, sex, and body mass index appeared to have no significant impact on healing. Complete heartburn resolution was reported by 70.4% of ERD patients and by 64.8% of NERD patients at the last visit. Only H pylori infection had a significant influence on complete heartburn resolution in the NERD group (68.1% and 63.7% for H pylori positive and H pylori negative, respectively; p = 0.03). Conclusion: The presence of Barrett’s mucosa, as well as severe mucosal damage, exerts a negative impact on healing. H pylori infection had a positive influence on healing in ERD patients with coexistent BO but no influence on those without BO.
Survival differences between European and US patients with colorectal cancer: role of stage at diagnosis and surgery

Background: Population based colorectal cancer survival among patients diagnosed in 1985–89 was lower in Europe than in the USA (45% v 59% five year relative survival). Aims: To explain this difference in survival using a new analytic approach for patients diagnosed between 1990 and 1991. Subjects: A total of 2492 European and 11 191 US colorectal adenocarcinoma patients registered by 10 European and nine US cancer registries. Methods: We obtained clinical information on disease stage, number of lymph nodes examined, and surgical treatment. We analysed three year relative survival, calculating relative excess risks of death (RERs, referent category US patients) adjusted for age, sex, site, surgery, stage, and number of nodes examined, using a new multivariable approach. Results: We found that 85% of European patients and 92% of US patients underwent surgical resection. Three year relative survival was 69% for US patients and 57% for European patients. After adjustment for age, sex, and site, the RER was significantly high in all 10 European populations, ranging from 1.07 (95% confidence interval 0.86–1.32) (Modena, Italy) to 2.22 (1.79–2.76) (Thames, UK). After further adjustment for stage, surgical resection, and number of nodes examined (a determinant of stage), RERs ranged from 0.77 (0.62–0.96) to 1.59 (1.28–1.97). For some European registries the excess risk was small and not statistically significant. Conclusions: US-Europe survival differences in colorectal cancer are large but seem to be mostly attributable to differences in stage at diagnosis. There are wide variations in diagnostic and surgical practice between Europe and the USA.
Optimism, pessimism, cynical hostility, and biomarkers of metabolic function in the Women's Health Initiative

Psychological attitudes reflecting expectations about the future (optimism, pessimism) and people (cynical hostility) independently predict incident cardiovascular disease and possibly diabetes, but underlying biologic pathways are incompletely understood. Herein we examined the cross‐sectional relationship between optimism, pessimism, and cynicism and biomarkers of metabolic function in the Women's Health Initiative.
Early cytomegalovirus reactivation remains associated with increased transplant-related mortality in the current era: a CIBMTR analysis.

Single-center studies have reported an association between early (before day 100) cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivation and decreased incidence of relapse for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. To substantiate these preliminary findings, the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) Database was interrogated to analyze the impact of CMV reactivation on hematologic disease relapse in the current era. Data from 9469 patients transplanted with bone marrow or peripheral blood between 2003 and 2010 were analyzed according to 4 disease categories: AML (n = 5310); acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, n = 1883); chronic myeloid leukemia (CML, n = 1079); and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, n = 1197). Median time to initial CMV reactivation was 41 days (range, 1-362 days). CMV reactivation had no preventive effect on hematologic disease relapse irrespective of diagnosis. Moreover, CMV reactivation was associated with higher nonrelapse mortality [relative risk [RR] among disease categories ranged from 1.61 to 1.95 and P values from . 0002 to <. 0001; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-2.61). As a result, CMV reactivation was associated with lower overall survival for AML (RR = 1.27; 95% CI, 1.17-1.38; P <.0001), ALL (RR = 1.46; 95% CI, 1.25-1.71; P <.0001), CML (RR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.19-1.88; P = .0005), and MDS (RR = 1.31; 95% CI, 1.09-1.57; P = .003). In conclusion, CMV reactivation continues to remain a risk factor for poor posttransplant outcomes and does not seem to confer protection against hematologic disease relapse.
Antidiabetic medication de‐escalation following bariatric surgery

Approximately 216,000 bariatric surgery (BS) procedures were performed in 2016; an increase from 158,000 in 2011.1 This increase may be attributable to the rising awareness of beneficial effects on health and the improving safety profile of BS. According to the National Institutes of Health consensus criteria, patients qualify for bariatric surgery if they have a body mass index (BMI) ≥35 kg/m2 but <40 kg/m2 along with at least one obesity-related comorbidity or have a BMI ≥40 kg/m2 .
Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: symptoms, erosions, and Barrett’s—what is the interplay?

The presence of Barrett’s oesophagus may exert a negative impact on healing of erosive oesophagitis in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease The outcomes of patients with erosive oesophagitis, treated with acid suppression therapy (proton pump inhibitors), has been dictated by the baseline severity of erosive oesophagitis, presence of hiatus hernia, duration of therapy and, in some studies, by the Helicobacter pylori status of the patients.1,2 It has been shown that higher grades of erosive oesophagitis (Los Angeles grades C and D) have significantly lower healing rates as opposed to those with lower grades of erosive oesophagitis (grades A and B). Moreover, the majority of the oesophagitis trials have evaluated healing at four and eight weeks, showing a higher proportion of patients with all grades of erosive oesophagitis healed at week 8 compared with week 4.3,4 Similar data on healing at >8 weeks are not consistently available in the literature. Not only do patients with severe grades of erosive oesophagitis have a higher degree of oesophageal acid exposure compared with those with either no oesophagitis or low grades of oesophagitis, but they also have low amplitude of oesophageal contractions and the presence of large hiatus hernias.5 Therefore, it is not surprising that the poor pathophysiology associated with severe erosive oesophagitis leads to poor healing rates. Although a few studies have correlated H pylori status with oesophagitis healing, with H pylori positivity associated with improved healing rates, this has not been consistently documented.6 This may be a phenomenon …
Design of upper limb by adhesion of muscles and bones — Detail human mimetic musculoskeletal humanoid kenshiro

This paper presents a design methodology for humanoid upper limb based on human anatomy. Kenshiro is a full body tendon driven humanoid robot and is designed from the data of average 14 year old Japanese boy. The design of his upper limb is realizing detail features of muscles, bones and the adhesive relation of the two. Human mimetic design is realized by focusing on the fact that joints are being stabled by muscles winding around the bones, and by accurately mimicking the bone shape this was enabled. In this paper we also introduce details of mechanical specifications of the upper limb. By having muscles, bones, and joint structures based on human anatomy, Kenshiro can move flexibly. The use as human body simulator can be expected by measuring sensor data which can correspond to biological data.
Tumour necrosis factor α signalling through activation of Kupffer cells plays an essential role in liver fibrosis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

Background: While tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α) appears to be associated with the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), its precise role in the pathogenesis of NASH is not well understood. Methods: Male mice deficient in both TNF receptors 1 (TNFR1) and 2 (TNFR2) (TNFRDKO mice) and wild-type mice were fed a methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet or a control diet for eight weeks, maintaining isoenergetic intake. Results: MCD dietary feeding of TNFRDKO mice for eight weeks resulted in attenuated liver steatosis and fibrosis compared with control wild-type mice. In the liver, the number of activated hepatic Kupffer cells recruited was significantly decreased in TNFRDKO mice after MCD dietary feeding. In addition, hepatic induction of TNF-α, vascular cell adhesion molecule 1, and intracellular adhesion molecule 1 was significantly suppressed in TNFRDKO mice. While in control animals MCD dietary feeding dramatically increased mRNA expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in both whole liver and hepatic stellate cells, concomitant with enhanced activation of hepatic stellate cells, both factors were significantly lower in TNFRDKO mice. In primary cultures, TNF-α administration enhanced TIMP-1 mRNA expression in activated hepatic stellate cells and suppressed apoptotic induction in activated hepatic stellate cells. Inhibition of TNF induced TIMP-1 upregulation by TIMP-1 specific siRNA reversed the apoptotic suppression seen in hepatic stellate cells. Conclusions: Enhancement of the TNF-α/TNFR mediated signalling pathway via activation of Kupffer cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner may be critically involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis in this NASH animal model.
Occupational Deprivation: Global Challenge in the New Millennium

Occupational deprivation is a relatively new term which describes a state in which people are precluded from opportunities to engage in occupations of meaning due to factors outside their control. As we face the new millennium, it seems likely that, due to widespread social and economic change as well as increasing civil unrest, occupational deprivation will be experienced by increasing numbers of people globally. This article describes the conceptual origins of occupational deprivation, presents definitions of the term and discusses specific populations that may be vulnerable to being occupationally deprived. Global, contextual issues of economic reform and technological advances are addressed with specific reference to these populations. Finally, consideration is given as to how an understanding of occupational deprivation is of relevance to occupational therapy and its concern with social and occupational justice.
Acupuncture treatment in irritable bowel syndrome

Background and aims: Despite occasional positive reports on the efficacy of acupuncture (AC) on functions of the gastrointestinal tract, there is no conclusive evidence that AC is effective in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Patients and methods: Forty three patients with IBS according to the Rome II criteria were randomly assigned to receive either AC (n = 22) or sham acupuncture (SAC) (n = 21) using the so-called “Streitberger needle”. Treatment duration was 10 sessions with an average of two AC sessions per week. The primary end point was improvement in quality of life (QOL) using the functional digestive diseases quality of life questionnaire (FDDQL) and a general quality of life questionnaire (SF-36), compared with baseline assessments. QOL measurements were repeated three months after treatment. Results: Both the AC and SAC groups improved significantly in global QOL, as assessed by the FDDQL, at the end of treatment (p = 0.022), with no differences between the groups. SF-36 was insensitive to these changes (except for pain). This effect was partially reversed three months later. Post hoc comparison of responders and non-responders in both groups combined revealed a significant prediction of the placebo response by two subscales of the FDDQL (sleep, coping) (F = 6.746, p = 0.003) in a stepwise regression model. Conclusions: Acupuncture in IBS is primarily a placebo response. Based on the small differences found between the AC and SAC groups, a study including 566 patients would be necessary to prove the efficacy of AC over SAC. The placebo response may be predicted by high coping capacity and low sleep quality in individual patients.
Study of reconfigurable suspended cable-driven parallel robots for airplane maintenance

This paper discusses the use of large-dimension reconfigurable suspended cable-driven parallel robots (CDPR) to substitute for conventional gantry nacelles that carry workers in an airplane maintenance workshop. The reconfiguration of the CDPR is considered as a multi-objective optimization problem with two performance indices. One criterion is the sum of the cable tensions which is directly related to the power consumption of the CDPR. The other criterion is the normalized upper bound on the infinitesimal displacement of the mobile platform, used here as a means to quantify the stiffness of the CDPR. A systematic procedure is proposed to find optimal reconfigurations of the CDPR while dealing efficiently with the tradeoff between these two criteria.
Improving the uptake of the Australian Home Medicines Review (AHMR) through patient segmentation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the problems patients and caregivers have with using medicines appropriately, their desire for assistance with managing medications and their self‐perceived need for the Australian Home Medicines Review (AHMR). Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative research study was conducted with eight semi‐structured focus groups, including a total of 50 HMR‐eligible patients and caregivers. Participants who were purposively sampled represented older males, older females, younger chronically ill patients, patients from Chinese and Arabic backgrounds and the general HMR target group.Findings – According to the types of medicine problems encountered by participants, their level of medicine understanding and their desire for assistance with using medicines, four distinct patient segments are identified and explicated: the heedless patient, the aware patient, the scrupulous patient and the self‐sufficient patient.Practical implications – The uptake of the HMR servi.
The Pilates method: history and philosophy

Abstract Until the mid-1980s the Pilates Method of exercise was little known outside the world of dance but has grown in popularity rapidly in the last decade: coming out of obscurity. Pilates method is much more than a list of exercises. It is a way of connecting and conditioning the whole being-body and mind. This article traces its history in context and examines the initial principles of the method, with the beginnings of modern developments.
Single- vs double-unit cord blood transplantation for children and young adults with acute leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome.

Transplantation of 2 unrelated cord blood (UCB) units instead of 1 has been proposed to increase the cell dose. We report a prospective randomized study, designed to compare single- vs double-UCB transplantation in children and young adults with acute leukemia in remission or myelodysplasia. Eligible patients had at least two 4-6 HLA-identical UCBs with >3 × 10(7) nucleated cells/kg for the first and >1.5 × 10(7) for the second. The primary end point was the 2-year cumulative incidence of transplantation strategy failure, a composite end point including transplant-related mortality (TRM), engraftment failure, and autologous recovery. Randomized patients who did not proceed to transplantation due to refractory disease were considered transplantation failures. A total of 151 patients were randomized and included in the intent-to-treat analysis; 137 were transplanted. Double-UCB transplantation did not decrease transplantation strategy failure (23.4% ± 4.9% vs 14.9% ± 4.2%). Two-year posttransplant survival, disease-free survival, and TRM were 68.8% ± 6.0%, 67.6% ± 6.0%, and 5.9% ± 2.9% after single-unit transplantation compared with 74.8% ± 5.5%, 68.1% ± 6.0%, and 11.6% ± 3.9% after double-unit transplantation. The final relapse risk did not significantly differ, but relapses were delayed after double-unit transplantation. Overall incidences of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) were similar, but chronic GVHD was more frequently extensive after double-UCB transplantation (31.9% ± 5.7% vs 14.7% ± 4.3%, P = .02). In an exploratory subgroup analysis, we found a significantly lower relapse risk after double-unit transplantation in patients receiving total body irradiation without antithymocyte globulin (ATG), whereas the relapse risk was similar in the group treated with busulfan, cyclophosphamide, and ATG. Single-UCB transplantation with adequate cell dose remains the standard of care and leads to low TRM. Double-unit transplantation should be reserved for patients who lack such units. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials. gov as #NCT01067300.
Quantitative measurement and visual assessment of ileal Crohn’s disease activity by computed tomography enterography: correlation with endoscopic severity and C reactive protein

Background: Few studies have correlated computed tomography (CT) enterography findings with endoscopic severity and C reactive protein (CRP) concentrations. Aim: To examine whether small bowel inflammation at CT enterography correlates with endoscopic severity and CRP in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD). Methods: CT enterography datasets from 143 CD patients undergoing ileoscopy were examined for three different CT parameters: CT bowel enhancement, as defined by the ratio of terminal ileal versus control ileal loop attenuation; vascular enlargement of the vasa recta (“the comb sign”); and mesenteric fat density. Correlations between CT scan parameters, endoscopy, and histology severity scores, and CRP were assessed using Spearman’s rank correlation and logistic regression. Results: Endoscopic score was significantly correlated with CT bowel enhancement, comb sign, and fat density (Spearman correlation coefficients 0.33–0.39; p<0.001). Correlations with histological inflammation were strongest for bowel enhancement (r = 0.34–0.38; p<0.001). CRP was elevated in patients with increased fat density versus those with increased bowel enhancement only (median 0.96 v 0.23, p = 0.002). CRP did not differ significantly between patients without evidence of active Crohn’s and those with bowel enhancement and endoscopic inflammation not involving the perienteric tissues by CT (median 0.24 v 0.36; p = 0.38). Conclusion: Quantitative measures of bowel enhancement at CT enterography correlate with endoscopic and histological severity. CRP correlates with radiological findings of perienteric inflammation (increased fat density), but not of inflammation limited to the small bowel wall, underscoring the potential role of perienteric inflammation in CRP response in CD.
Point-to-hyperplane RGB-D pose estimation: Fusing photometric and geometric measurements

The objective of this paper is to investigate the problem of how to best combine and fuse color and depth measurements for incremental pose estimation or 3D tracking. Subsequently a framework will be proposed that allows to formulate the problem with a unique measurement vector and not to combine them in an ad-hoc manner. In particular, the full color and depth measurement will be defined as a 4-vector (by combining 3D Euclidean points + image intensities) and an optimal error for pose estimation will be derived from this. As will be shown, this will lead to designing an iterative closest point approach in 4 dimensional space. A kd-tree is used to find the closest point in 4D-space, therefore simultaneously accounting for color and depth. Based on this unified framework a novel Point-to-hyperplane approach will be introduced which has the advantages of classic Point-to-plane ICP but in 4D-space. By doing this it will be shown that there is no longer any need to provide or estimate a scale factor between different measurement types. Consequently, this allows to increase the convergence domain and speed up the alignment, whilst maintaining the robust and accurate properties. Results on both simulated and real environments will be provided along with benchmark comparisons.