LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
A prospective randomized trial comparing patent blue and methylene blue for the detection of the sentinel lymph node in breast cancer patients.

Introduction:
Methylene blue is more widely available and less expensive than patent blue, with an apparently lower risk of anaphylaxis.


Objective:
The two dyes were compared regarding detection of the sentinel lymph node (SLN).


Method:
A prospective, randomized trial involved 142 patients with invasive breast carcinoma. Sixty-nine (49.3%) assigned to patent blue (group A) and 71 (50.70%) to methylene blue (group B). Thirty-five patients (25.0%) were clinical stage III or IV; 55 (38.7%) had axillary lymph nodes affected; and 69 (49.3%) underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Two patients were excluded because the dye type was not recorded.


Results:
Patients and tumor characteristics were similar in both groups. SLNs were identified in 47 women (68.1%) in group A and 43 (60.6%) in group B (p=0.35). SLNs were affected in 22 cases (51.2%) in group A and 21 (48.8%) in group B (p=0.62). The SLN was the only node affected in 12 cases (54.5%) in group A and six (33.3%) in group B (p=0.18). The time and degree of difficulty involved in identifying the SLN were similar in both groups. There were no complications or allergies.


Conclusion:
Methylene blue performed as well as patent blue in identifying the SLN in breast cancer patients.
Composition chimique et activité antimicrobienne des huiles essentielles de Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut. et Thymus ciliatus (Desf.) Benth. du Maroc

Les huiles essentielles des plantes ont trouvé leur place en aromathérapie, en pharmacie, en parfumerie, en cosmétique et dans la conservation des aliments. Leur utilisation est liée à leurs larges spectres d’activités biologiques reconnues (Paster et al., 1990 ; Caccioni et al., 1994 ; Cowan, 1999 ; Nielsen et al., 2000 ; Lamiri et al., 2001 ; Cimanga et al., 2002). Les huiles essentielles de thym sont largement utilisées comme agents antiseptiques dans plusieurs domaines pharmaceutiques et comme aromatisants pour de nombreux types de produits alimentaires (Papageorgio, 1980). Le genre Thymus englobe de nombreuses espèces et variétés et la composition chimique de leurs huiles essentielles a été étudiée depuis longtemps (Papageorgio, 1980 ; Baser et al., 1992 ; 1998 ; Vila et al., 1995 ; Guillen et al., 1998 ; Lozeine et al., 1998 ; Saez, 1998 ; Tumen et al., 1998). Les huiles essentielles de plusieurs espèces de thym ont déjà prouvé leurs propriétés antibactériennes et antifongiques (Pellecuer et al., 1980 ; Benjilali et al., 1987a ; 1987b ; Agnihotri et al., 1996). Au Maroc, le genre Thymus (Lamiaceae) est représenté par Composition chimique et activité antimicrobienne des huiles essentielles de Thymus algeriensis Boiss. & Reut. et Thymus ciliatus (Desf.) Benth. du Maroc
B-type natriuretic peptide and high sensitive C-reactive protein predict 2-year all cause mortality in chest pain patients: a prospective observational study from Salta, Argentina

BACKGROUND
Several mechanisms are involved in the pathophysiology of the Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS). We have addressed whether B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) in admission samples may improve risk stratification in chest pain patients with suspected ACS.


METHODS
We included 982 patients consecutively admitted with chest pain and suspected ACS at nine hospitals in Salta, Northern Argentina. Total and cardiac mortality were recorded during a 2-year follow up period. Patients were divided into quartiles according to BNP and hsCRP levels, respectively, and inter quartile differences in mortality were statistically evaluated applying univariate and multivariate analyses.


RESULTS
119 patients died, and the BNP and hsCRP levels were significantly higher among these patients than in survivors. In a multivariable Cox regression model for total death and cardiac death in all patients, the hazard ratio (HR) in the highest quartile (Q4) as compared to the lowest quartile (Q1) of BNP was 2.32 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24-4.35), p = 0.009 and 3.34 (95% CI, 1.26-8.85), p = 0.015, respectively. In the TnT positive patients (TnT > 0.01 ng/mL), the HR for total death and cardiac death in Q4 as compared to Q1 was 2.12 (95% CI, 1.07-4.18), p = 0.031 and 3.42 (95% CI, 1.13-10.32), p = 0.029, respectively.The HR for total death for hsCRP in Q4 as compared to Q1 was 1.97 (95% CI, 1.17-3.32), p = 0.011, but this biomarker did not predict cardiac death (p = 0.21). No prognostic impact of these two biomarkers was found in the TnT negative patients.


CONCLUSION
BNP and hsCRP may act as clinically useful biomarkers when obtained at admission in a population with suspected ACS.
A method for the rapid determination of alkaline phosphates with five cubic millimeters of serum.

The alkaline phosphatase of the serum increases early and markedly in rickets and returns completely to normal only after healing is complete. Because of this fact, serum phosphatase is the most satisfactory index now known for the detection of this deficiency. The phosphatase activity of serum is not strictly specific in this respect and has also proved clinically useful in a number of other pathological states; e.g., Paget’s disease, hyperparathyroidism, liver disease, etc. In connection wit.h nutritional studies on large groups of population, it became necessary to have a rapid method for the determination of this enzyme on small amounts of serum. By the use of a new substrate (pnitrophenyl phosphate) a method has been devised which requires only 5 c.mm. of serum (0.005 ml.) and which permits 50 to 100 analyses to be made in 2 hours. The simplicity and speed of the method recommend it for macroas well as microdeterminations and for either alkaline or acid phosphatase. A number of methods have been described for the determination of the phosphatase content of serum and other biological materials, all of which depend upon the principle of measuring the rate of hydrolysis of various phosphate esters under specified conditions of temperature and pH. The two most widely used methods are those of Bodansky (1) and King and Armstrong (2) in which glycerol phosphate and phenyl phosphate respectively are employed as substrates. While these methods are satisfactory for many uses, they are rather time-consuming when large numbers of determinations are needed; furthermore, they require larger samples of serum than is convenient for the purpose of dietary surveys. The substrate, p-nitrophenyl phosphate, was studied by King and Delory (3) and has been used for phosphatase estimations by Ohmori (4) and by Fujita (5). The compound is colorless, but upon splitting off the phosphate group, the yellow salt of p-nitrophenol is liberated (absorption maximum, 400 mp). Hence the substrate is itself an indicator of the amount of splitting and thus a measure of phosphatase activity. It is only necessary to incubate serum with the buffered reagent, stop the reaction
Terrestrial and marine Antarctic fungi extracts active against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri.

This study aims to obtain secondary metabolites extracts from filamentous fungi isolated from soil and marine sediments from Antarctica and assess its potential antibacterial activity on Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, the agent of citrus canker. Metabolites production was conducted in Malt 2% broth at 15°C for 20 days after which intracellular and extracellular extracts were obtained. The extracts were evaluated by cell viability assays through Resazurin Microtitre Assay. From 158 fungal extracts, 33 hampered bacterial growth in vitro. The average inhibition of the extracts obtained from terrestrial (soil) and marine (sediments) fungi was 94 and 97% respectively. These inhibition values were close to the average of 90% cell death for the positive control. MIC90 and MBC for the bioactive extracts were established. Isolates that produced active metabolites against the phytopathogen were identified using molecular taxonomy (ITS-rRNA sequencing) as: Pseudogymnoascus, Penicillium, Cadophora, Paraconiothyrium and Toxicocladosporium. Antarctic fungal strains isolated from terrestrial and marine sediments were able to produce secondary metabolites with antimicrobial activity against X. citri subsp. citri, highlighting the importance of these microbial genetic resources. These metabolites have potential to be used as alternatives for the control of this plant pathogen.


SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY
This manuscript makes an impact on the study of micro-organisms from extreme habitats and their possible contribution in discovering new active molecules against pathogens of agricultural interest. Studies on the Antarctic continent and its communities have attracted the scientific community due to the long period of isolation and low levels of disturbance that surrounds the region. Knowing the potential of fungi in this region to produce active secondary metabolites, we aim to contribute to the discovery of compounds with antibacterial action in Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri, a plant pathogen present in several regions around the globe.
Pharmacist-provided diabetes management and education via a telemonitoring program.

OBJECTIVE
To assess clinical outcomes (glycosylated hemoglobin [A1C], blood pressure, and lipids) and other measurements (disease state knowledge, adherence, and self-efficacy) associated with the use of approved telemonitoring devices to expand and improve chronic disease management of patients with diabetes, with or without hypertension.


SETTING
Four community health centers (CHCs) in Utah.


PRACTICE DESCRIPTION
Federally qualified safety net clinics that provide medical care to underserved patients.


PRACTICE INNOVATION
Pharmacist-led diabetes management using telemonitoring was compared with a group of patients receiving usual care (without telemonitoring).


INTERVENTIONS
Daily blood glucose (BG) and blood pressure (BP) values were reviewed and the pharmacist provided phone follow-up to assess and manage out-of-range BG and BP values.


EVALUATION
Changes in A1C, BP, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) at approximately 6 months were compared between the telemonitoring group and the usual care group. Patient activation, diabetes/hypertension knowledge, and medication adherence were measured in the telemonitoring group.


RESULTS
Of 150 patients, 75 received pharmacist-provided diabetes management and education via telemonitoring, and 75 received usual medical care. Change in A1C was significantly greater in the telemonitoring group compared with the usual care group (2.07% decrease vs. 0.66% decrease; P <0.001). Although BP and LDL levels also declined, differences between the two groups were not statistically significant. Patient activation measure, diabetes/hypertension knowledge, and medication adherence with antihypertensives (but not diabetes medications) improved in the telemonitoring group.


CONCLUSION
Pharmacist-provided diabetes management via telemonitoring resulted in a significant improvement in A1C in federally qualified CHCs in Utah compared with usual medical care. Telemonitoring may be considered a model for providing clinical pharmacy services to patients with diabetes.
Relationships between structural complexity, coral traits, and reef fish assemblages

With the ongoing loss of coral cover and the associated flattening of reef architecture, understanding the links between coral habitat and reef fishes is of critical importance. Here, we investigate whether considering coral traits and functional diversity provides new insights into the relationship between structural complexity and reef fish communities, and whether coral traits and community composition can predict structural complexity. Across 157 sites in Seychelles, Maldives, the Chagos Archipelago, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, we find that structural complexity and reef zone are the strongest and most consistent predictors of reef fish abundance, biomass, species richness, and trophic structure. However, coral traits, diversity, and life histories provided additional predictive power for models of reef fish assemblages, and were key drivers of structural complexity. Our findings highlight that reef complexity relies on living corals—with different traits and life histories—continuing to build carbonate skeletons, and that these nuanced relationships between coral assemblages and habitat complexity can affect the structure of reef fish assemblages. Seascape-level estimates of structural complexity are rapid and cost effective with important implications for the structure and function of fish assemblages, and should be incorporated into monitoring programs.
Atazanavir in patients with persistent viral replication despite HAART: results from the French prospective NADIS cohort.

OBJECTIVE
To assess virological efficacy of a ritonavir-boosted atazanavir (ATV/r)-containing regimen in patients with persistent viral replication despite HAART.


PATIENTS AND METHOD
Prospective cohort of French HIV-infected patients. Patients were included if pretreated and viral load (VL) >400 copies/mL at the time of ATV/r first prescription (baseline). Demographic and epidemiologic data, therapeutic history, and clinical and biological values at baseline and during follow-up were analyzed. Primary endpoint was failure of the regimen defined as either VL>400 copies/mL at Week 24 or treatment interruption before Week 24. Multivariate analysis was performed of baseline characteristics related with treatment failure.


RESULTS
There were 424 patients with available data. Primary endpoint was met by 36%: 24% VL>400 copies/mL and 12% treatment interruption. Treatment interruption due to drug-related toxicity was significantly more frequent in women (20.5% vs. 8.8%, p= .001). Female gender (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=1.91), previous use of lopinavir (LPV; OR=2.76), number of new drugs and of active drugs in the regimen (OR=0.48 and 0.3, respectively), and baseline VL (OR=1.75) were independently related with treatment failure.


CONCLUSION
ATV/r-containing regimens, because of low pill burden and good tolerance, can be a useful strategy as long as the patients did not suffer previous LPV failures. The issue of gender deserves further studies in larger populations.
A methodology for evaluating algorithms for table understanding in PDF documents

This paper presents a methodology for the evaluation of table understanding algorithms for PDF documents. The evaluation takes into account three major tasks: table detection, table structure recognition and functional analysis. We provide a general and flexible output model for each task along with corresponding evaluation metrics and methods. We also present a methodology for collecting and ground-truthing PDF documents based on consensus-reaching principles and provide a publicly available ground-truthed dataset.
A Modified Least-Laxity-First Scheduling Algorithm for Real-Time Tasks

The Least-Laxity-First(LLF) scheduling algorithm assigns higher priority to a task with the least laxity, and has been proved to be optimal for a uniprocessor systems. The algorithm, however, is impractical to implement because laxity tie results in the frequent context switches among the tasks. The Modified Least-Laxity-First (MLLF) scheduling algorithm proposed in this paper solves the problem of the LLF scheduling algorithm by reducing the number of context switches significantly. By reducing the system overhead due to unnecessary context switches, the MLLF scheduling algorithm avoids the degradation of system performance and conserves more system resources for unanticipated aperiodic tasks. In this paper, we propose the MLLF scheduling algorithm and prove its optimality. We show the performance enhancement of the proposed MLLF scheduling algorithm by using simulation results.
PReS-FINAL-2346: Hypomorphic RAG deficiencies: phenotypic variability and usefulness of TREC/KREC as diagnostic biomarkers

Introduction An increasing number of patients with combined immunodeficiencies have been found to carry hypomorphic variants of genes that otherwise cause severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). These patients not only present with recurrent and sometimes life-threatening infections, but also with immunodysregulatory symptoms such as autoimmune cytopenias and granulomas, and are a diagnostic challenge.
DaPeCa-3: promising results of sentinel node biopsy combined with (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in clinically lymph node-negative patients with penile cancer - a national study from Denmark.

OBJECTIVES
To estimate the diagnostic accuracy of sentinel node biopsy (SNB) combined with preoperative (18) F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) for inguinal lymph node (LN) evaluation in patients with invasive penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) with no clinical evidence of inguinal metastases (cN0) at two tertiary centres with complete clinical follow-up.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
From April 2010 in Centre one and from January 2013 in Centre two, we prospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with invasive PSCC and scheduled for SNB at the only two university centres treating penile cancer in Denmark. All patients had FDG PET/CT before SNB. The sentinel LNs were preoperatively located by planar lymphoscintigraphy in 134 groins (68 patients) and by single-photon emission CT/CT in 120 groins (61 patients). The primary endpoints were the sensitivity, specificity, and false-negative rate of SNB combined with FDG PET/CT. The secondary endpoint was SNB-related morbidity.


RESULTS
We examined 254 groins in 129 patients by SNB combined with FDG PET/CT. The median (interquartile range, IQR) follow-up of survivors was 23 (14-35) months. Of 201 LN-negative groins, two were false negatives, and despite radio-chemotherapy treatment, both patients died from penile cancer. Four of 23 radiotracer-silent groins, had a FDG PET/CT-positive LNs and were surgically explored. In one of four of the explored groins, a positive LN was found. Combined FDG PET/CT-SNB sensitivity was 94.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81-99%) per groin. The false-negative rate was 5.6% (95% CI 1-19%) per groin. In 15 patients (11.6%) there were 25 SNB-related complications of Clavien-Dindo grades I-IIIa. The only Clavien-Dindo IIIa complication was an inguinal lymphocele treated by aspiration.


CONCLUSION
In this study, we present a favourable SNB false-negative rate of 5.6% in a national cohort of clinically LN-negative patients with invasive PSCC with a pre-SNB FDG PET/CT scan. The combination of FDG PET/CT and SNB seems to be a promising diagnostic approach. Even so, a false-negative SNB was fatal in two of two cases and we are determined to continue the development of our SNB technique. The SNB-related morbidity was limited.
Early onset and progression of left ventricular remodeling after alcohol septal ablation in hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

BACKGROUND
Alcohol septal ablation (ASA) reduces left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pressure gradient in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), which leads to left ventricular remodeling. We sought to describe the early to midterm changes and modulating factors of the remodeling process using cardiac MRI (CMR).


METHODS AND RESULTS
CMR was performed at baseline and 1 and 6 months after ASA in 29 patients with HOCM (age 52+/-16 years). Contrast-enhanced CMR showed no infarct-related hyperenhancement outside the target septal area. Septal mass decreased from 75+/-23 g at baseline to 68+/-22 and 58+/-19 g (P<0.001) at 1- and 6-month follow-up, respectively. Remote, nonseptal mass decreased from 141+/-41 to 132+/-40 and 111+/-27 g (P<0.001), respectively. Analysis of temporal trends revealed that septal mass reduction was positively associated with contrast-enhanced infarct size and transmural or left-sided septal infarct location at both 1 and 6 months. Remote mass reduction was associated with infarct location at 6 months but not with contrast-enhanced infarct size. By linear regression analysis, percentage remote mass reduction correlated significantly with LVOT gradient reduction at 6-month follow-up (P=0.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Left ventricular remodeling after ASA occurs early and progresses on midterm follow-up, modulated by CMR infarct size and location. Remote mass reduction is associated with infarct location and correlates with reduction of the LVOT pressure gradient. Thus, myocardial hypertrophy in HOCM is, at least in part, afterload dependent and reversible and is not exclusively caused by the genetic disorder.
Upper Limb Powered Exoskeleton

An exoskeleton is a wearable robot with joints and links corresponding to those of the human body. With applications in rehabilitation medicine, virtual reality simulation, and teleoperation, exoskeletons offer benefits for both disabled and healthy populations. Analytical and experimental approaches were used to develop, integrate, and study a powered exoskeleton for the upper limb and its application as an assistive device. The kinematic and dynamic dataset of the upper limb during daily living activities was one among several factors guiding the development of an anthropomorphic, seven degree-of-freedom, powered arm exoskeleton. Additional design inputs include anatomical and physiological considerations, workspace analyses, and upper limb joint ranges of motion. Proximal placement of motors and distal placement of cable-pulley reductions were incorporated into the design, leading to low inertia, high-stiffness links, and back-drivable transmissions with zero backlash. The design enables full glenohumeral, elbow, and wrist joint functionality. Establishing the human-machine interface at the neural level was facilitated by the development of a Hill-based muscle model (myoprocessor) that enables intuitive interaction between the operator and the wearable robot. Potential applications of the exoskeleton as a wearable robot include (i) an assistive (orthotic) device for human power amplifications, (ii) a therapeutic and diagnostics device for physiotherapy, (iii) a haptic device in virtual reality simulation, and (iv) a master device for teleoperation.
Vehicular Congestion Detection and Short-Term Forecasting: A New Model With Results

While vehicular congestion is very often defined in terms of aggregate parameters, such as traffic volume and lane occupancies, based on recent findings, the interpretation that receives most credit is that of a state of a road where traversing vehicles experience a delay exceeding the maximum value typically incurred under light or free-flow traffic conditions. We here propose a new definition according to which a road is in a congested state (be it high or low) only when the likelihood of finding it in the same congested state is high in the near future. Based on this new definition, we devised an algorithm that, exploiting probe vehicles, for any given road 1) identifies if it is congested or not and 2) provides the estimation that a current congested state will last for at least a given time interval. Unlike any other existing approach, an important advantage of ours is that it can generally be applied to any type of road, as it neither needs any a priori knowledge nor requires the estimation of any road parameter (e.g., number of lanes, traffic light cycle, etc.). Further, it allows performing short-term traffic congestion forecasting for any given road. We present several field trials gathered on different urban roads whose empirical results confirm the validity of our approach.
Engineered nanomaterials for water treatment and remediation: Costs, benefits, and applicability

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