Stable Word-Clouds for Visualising Text-Changes Over Time

Word-clouds are a useful tool for providing overviews over texts, visualising relevant words. Multiple word-clouds can also be used to visualise changes over time in a text. This requires that the words in the individual word-clouds have stable positions, as otherwise it is very difficult so see what changed between two consecutive word-clouds. Existing approaches have used coordinated positioning algorithms, which do not allow for their use in an online, dynamic context. In this paper we present a fast word-cloud algorithm that uses word orthogonality to determine which words can share the same space in the word-clouds combined with a simple, but fast spiral-based layout algorithm. The evaluation shows that the algorithm achieves its goal of creating series of word-clouds fast enough to enable use in an online, dynamic context

Surgical Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation and Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion by a Totally Videothoracoscopic Approach - New Paradigm?

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Pharmacological and percutaneous catheter therapies are unsatisfactory, with potential serious adverse effects. Cox-Maze III/IV surgery, with higher rates of success, has not been widely adopted because of the associated complexity of the procedure. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of the first patients submitted to surgical ablation of AF with occlusion of the left atrial appendage with a totally videothoracoscopic (VATS) approach in our institution. We describe the surgical technique and our results, including duration of surgery, hospital stay, complications and maintenance of sinus rhythm after surgery, at 6, 12 and 18 months of follow-up. Results: We studied 15 patients (ages ranging from 39 to 75 years old; 54,5% female gender). Mean time since the diagnosis of AF was 5,75 years. All had been submitted to prior catheter ablation (mean of 2 attempts). Mean diameter and volume of the left atrium was 42 mm (M-mode) and 70 ml (43 ml/m2), respectively. Mean duration of surgery was 2 hours and 22 minutes. In one patient we had to convert the surgery to median sternotomy. Mean hospital stay was 4,8 days. Mean time of follow-up was 12 months. During follow-up, 91%, 90% and 80% of the patients were in sinus rhythm at 6, 12 and 18 months, respectively. Conclusion: This surgical approach represents a real benefit for those patients with multiple attempts of catheter ablation without success. However, a larger sample of patients with a longer period of follow-up is necessary for further conclusions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Micro-costing analysis of guideline-based treatment by direct-acting agents: the real-life case of hepatitis C management in Brazil

Background Eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) using direct-acting agents (DAA) has been associated with a financial burden to health authorities worldwide. We aimed to evaluate the guideline-based treatment costs by DAAs from the perspective of the Brazilian Ministry of Health (BMoH). Methods The activity based costing method was used to estimate the cost for monitoring/treatment of genotype-1 (GT1) HCV patients by the following strategies: peg-interferon (PEG-IFN)/ribavirin (RBV) for 48 weeks, PEG-IFN/RBV plus boceprevir (BOC) or telaprevir (TEL) for 48 weeks, and sofosbuvir (SOF) plus daclastavir (DCV) or simeprevir (SIM) for 12 weeks. Costs were reported in United States Dollars without (US$) and with adjustment for purchasing power parity (PPP$). Drug costs were collected at the National Database of Health Prices and an overview of the literature was performed to assess effectiveness of SOF/DCV and SOF/SIM regimens in real-world cohorts. Results Treatment costs of GT1-HCV patients were PPP$43,176.28 (US$ 24,020.16) for PEG-IFN/RBV, PPP$71,196.03 (US$ 39,578.23) for PEG-IFN/RBV/BOC and PPP$86,250.33 (US$ 47,946.92) for PEG-IFN/RBV/TEL. Treatment by all-oral interferon-free regimens were the less expensive approach: PPP$19,761.72 (US$ 10,985.90) for SOF/DCV and PPP$21,590.91 (US$ 12,002.75) for SOF/SIM. The overview reported HCV eradication in up to 98% for SOF/DCV and 96% for SOF/SIM. Conclusion Strategies with all oral interferon-free might lead to lower costs for management of GT1-HCV patients compared to IFN-based regimens in Brazil. This occurred mainly because of high discounts over international DAA prices due to negotiation between BMoH and pharmaceutical industries

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE WITH ANTI-TUMOR ACTIVITY ESTIMATION OF CRUDE EXTRACT, ESSENTIAL OIL AND D-LIMONENE FROM CITRUS AURANTIUM L. AGAINST EHRLICH CARCINOMA

Objective: Plant based drugs have been a solution in the search for more cost-effective and less harmful drugs for the treatment of neoplasia. Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) is abundant in Brazil and D-limonene, a monoterpene used in the prevention and treatment of neoplasia, was identified as a major compound in the oil of this specie. Objective of current study includes estimation of anti-tumor activity of Citrus aurantium L. (Rutaceae) (crude extract, essential oil and D-limonene) against Ehrlich carcinoma, as well as their phytochemical evaluation (D-limonene and essential oil). Methods: There was a randomized non-clinical trial in which were used adult male mice (Balb-C). Four groups of animals were used having 6 numbers of animal in each group. All groups were inoculated with the Ehrlich tumor and then received the treatment (control, crude extract, essential oil and D-limonene) by oral route daily (28 day treatment). Essential oil was obtained by hydro-distillation and analyzed by the means of GC (Gas Chromatography) that was attached to mass spectrometry. In last of the observations  hemogram was obtained. Results: Animals treated with the essential oil has shown no significant difference compared to the group treated with D-limonene. The group treated with crude extract had a growth inhibition close to the essential oil and D-limonene groups. Conclusion: It´s concluded that the essential oil and the crude extract of Citrus aurantium, L. (Rutaceae) can become therapeutic agents because of their anti-tumor activity with no toxicity to the blood cells and have low cost of production. Further studies are necessary, so they can be used in the treatment of neoplasia in humans. The chromatographic and spectrometric analyzes indicated the presence of other components in smaller amounts in the essential oil, which suggests that they could have a synergic activity to the D-limonene.                           Peer Review History: Received 2 June 2020; Revised 25 June; Accepted 4 July, Available online 15 July 2020 Academic Editor: Dr. Muhammad Zahid Iqbal, AIMST University, Malaysia, [email protected] UJPR follows the most transparent and toughest ‘Advanced OPEN peer review’ system. The identity of the authors and, reviewers will be known to each other. This transparent process will help to eradicate any possible malicious/purposeful interference by any person (publishing staff, reviewer, editor, author, etc) during peer review. As a result of this unique system, all reviewers will get their due recognition and respect, once their names are published in the papers. We expect that, by publishing peer review reports with published papers, will be helpful to many authors for drafting their article according to the specifications. Auhors will remove any error of their article and they will improve their article(s) according to the previous reports displayed with published article(s). The main purpose of it is ‘to improve the quality of a candidate manuscript’. Our reviewers check the ‘strength and weakness of a manuscript honestly’. There will increase in the perfection, and transparency. Received file:                Reviewer's Comments: Average Peer review marks at initial stage: 6.0/10 Average Peer review marks at publication stage: 8.0/10 Reviewer(s) detail: Ahmad Najib, Universitas Muslim Indonesia, Makassar, Indonesia, [email protected] Dr. Mohamed Said Fathy Al-Refaey, University of Sadat City, Menofia, Egypt, [email protected]  Similar Articles: CYTOTOXIC EFFECT AND PHYTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF PETROLEUM ETHER EXTRACT OF TILIA CORDATA MIL

O Que Acontece aos Não Respondedores na Terapia de Ressincronização Cardíaca?

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) is strongly related to the long-term prognosis of patients undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The aim of this study was to assess the long-term clinical outcome of patients without LVRR at six months after CRT implantation and to determine the prognostic impact of clinical response in this population. METHODS: We analyzed 178 consecutive patients who underwent successful CRT device implantation (age 64±11 years; 69% male; 89% in New York Heart Association [NYHA] functional class III; 35% with ischemic cardiomyopathy). Clinical status and echocardiographic parameters were determined before and six months after CRT implantation. We identified those without criteria for LVRR (≥10% increase in left ventricular ejection fraction with ≥15% reduction in left ventricular end-systolic diameter compared to baseline). Clinical responders were defined by a sustained improvement of at least one NYHA functional class. RESULTS: At six-month assessment after CRT, 109 (61%) patients showed LVRR. During a mean follow-up of 56±21 months, 47 (26%) patients died, with higher mortality in the group without LVRR (36% vs. 20%, p=0.023). Clinical response was greater in patients with LVRR (88% vs. 55%, p<0.001). In patients without LVRR, clinical response to CRT was the strongest independent predictor of survival (hazard ratio: 0.120; 95% confidence interval: 0.039-0.366; p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although patients without LVRR six months after CRT implantation had a worse prognosis, with higher all-cause mortality, clinical response can be an independent predictor of survival in this population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tempo para a Remodelagem Inversa do Ventrículo Esquerdo: Mais Vale Tarde do que Nunca

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR), defined as reduction of end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions and improvement of ejection fraction, is associated with the prognostic implications of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The time course of LVRR remains poorly characterized. Nevertheless, it has been suggested that it occurs ≤6 months after CRT. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the long-term echocardiographic and clinical evolution of patients with LVRR occurring >6 months after CRT and to identify predictors of a delayed LVRR response. METHODS: A total of 127 consecutive patients after successful CRT implantation were divided into three groups according to LVRR response: Group A, 19 patients (15%) with LVRR after >6 months (late LVRR); Group B, 58 patients (46%) with LVRR before 6 months (early LVRR); and Group C, 50 patients (39%) without LVRR during follow-up (no LVRR). RESULTS: The late LVRR group was older, more often had ischemic etiology and fewer patients were in NYHA class ≤II. Overall, group A presented LVRR between group B and C. This was also the case with the percentage of clinical response (68.4% vs. 94.8% vs. 38.3%, respectively, p<0.001), and hospital readmissions due to decompensated heart failure (31.6% vs. 12.1% vs. 57.1%, respectively, p<0.001). Ischemic etiology (OR 0.044; p=0.013) and NYHA functional class <III (OR 0.056; p=0.063) were the variables with the highest predictive value for late LVRR. CONCLUSIONS: Late LVRR has better clinical and echocardiographic outcomes than no LVRR, although with a suboptimal response compared to the early LVRR population. Ischemic etiology and NYHA functional class <III are predictors of late LVRR

Spectroscopic analysis of finite size effects around a Kondo quantum dot

We consider a simple setup in which a small quantum dot is strongly connected to a finite size box. This box can be either a metallic box or a finite size quantum wire.The formation of the Kondo screening cloud in the box strongly depends on the ratio between the Kondo temperature and the box level spacing. By weakly connecting two metallic reservoirs to the quantum dot, a detailed spectroscopic analysis can be performed. Since the transport channels and the screening channels are almost decoupled, such a setup allows an easier access to the measure of finite-size effects associated with the finite extension of the Kondo cloud.Comment: contribution to Les Houches proceeding, ``Quantum magnetism'' 200