LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Lower versus higher dose of enteral caloric intake in adult critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND
There is conflicting evidence about the relationship between the dose of enteral caloric intake and survival in critically ill patients. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to compare the effect of lower versus higher dose of enteral caloric intake in adult critically ill patients on outcome.


METHODS
We reviewed MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus from inception through November 2015. We included randomized and quasi-randomized studies in which there was a significant difference in the caloric intake in adult critically ill patients, including trials in which caloric restriction was the primary intervention (caloric restriction trials) and those with other interventions (non-caloric restriction trials). Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, caloric intake, and outcomes with hospital mortality being the primary outcome.


RESULTS
Twenty-one trials mostly with moderate bias risk were included (2365 patients in the lower caloric intake group and 2352 patients in the higher caloric group). Lower compared with higher caloric intake was not associated with difference in hospital mortality (risk ratio (RR) 0.953; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.838-1.083), ICU mortality (RR 0.885; 95 % CI 0.751-1.042), total nosocomial infections (RR 0.982; 95 % CI 0.878-1.077), mechanical ventilation duration, or length of ICU or hospital stay. Blood stream infections (11 trials; RR 0.718; 95 % CI 0.519-0.994) and incident renal replacement therapy (five trials; RR 0.711; 95 % CI 0.545-0.928) were lower with lower caloric intake. The associations between lower compared with higher caloric intake and primary and secondary outcomes, including pneumonia, were not different between caloric restriction and non-caloric restriction trials, except for the hospital﻿ stay which was lo﻿nger with lower caloric intake in the c﻿aloric restriction trials.


CONCLUSIONS
We found no association between the dose of caloric intake in adult critically ill patients and hospital mortality. Lower caloric intake was associated with lower risk of blood stream infections and incident renal replacement therapy (five trials only). The heterogeneity in the design, feeding route and timing and caloric dose among the included trials could limit our interpretation. Further studies are needed to clarify our findings.
Inherent Method Variability in Dissolution Testing : The Effect of Hydrodynamics in the USP II Apparatus

Introduction Dissolution testing is routinely carried out in the pharmaceutical industry to determine the rate of dissolution of solid dosage forms. In addition to being a regulatory requirement, in-vitro dissolution testing is used to assist with formulation design, process development, and the demonstration of batch-to-batch reproducibility in production. The most common of such dissolution test apparatuses is the USP Dissolution Test Apparatus II, consisting of an unbaffled vessel stirred by a paddle, whose dimensions, characteristics, and operating conditions are detailed by the USP (Cohen et al., 1990; The United States Pharmacopeia & The National Formulary, 2004).
EFFECT OF PROCESS PARAMETERS IN CNC DRILLING OF ALUMINIUM MATRIX COMPOSITE BY USING GRA AND ANOVA

In aluminum matrix composites presence of hard particles inside the matrix which causes tool wear, poor surface finish and high cutting forces while machining. This paper discusses the influence of graphite particles and cutting parameters on drilling characteristics of hybrid aluminum matrix composites (AMCs)-Al6063/Alo3 and Al6063/12% SiC/4% Graphite. The composites were fabricated using stir casting method. Experiments were conducted with TiN coated carbide tools and commercial carbide tools at various cutting speeds, feeds and work pieces. MRR and surface roughness of the drilled hole was investigated with special attention paid to the effects of graphite particles. It is also find the optimal process parameters to achieve economical manufacturing of MMC by using GRA and ANOVA.
Hypotensive effects of solitary addition of conventional nonfat dairy products to the routine diet: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND
The high consumption of low-fat and nonfat dairy products is associated with reduced risk of high blood pressure.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to investigate whether the solitary addition of nonfat dairy products to the normal routine diet was capable of lowering blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults with elevated blood pressure.


DESIGN
With the use of a randomized, crossover intervention-study design, 49 adults (56% women) with elevated blood pressure (mean ± SEM age: 53 ± 2 y; systolic blood pressure: 135 ± 1; diastolic blood pressure: 80 ± 1 mm Hg) underwent a high-dairy condition (+4 servings conventional nonfat dairy products/d) and isocaloric no-dairy condition (+4 servings fruit products/d) in which all dairy products were removed. Both dietary conditions lasted 4 wk with a 2-wk washout before crossing over into the alternate condition.


RESULTS
The high-dairy condition produced reductions in systolic blood pressure (135 ± 1 to 127 ± 1 mm Hg) and pulse pressure (54 ± 1 to 48 ± 1 mm Hg) (both P < 0.05). The hypotensive effects were observed within 3 wk after the initiation of the dietary intervention and in both casual seated and ambulatory (24-h) measurements (P < 0.05). Pulse pressure was increased after the removal of all dairy products in the no-dairy condition (54 ± 1 to 56 ± 1 mm Hg; P < 0.05). There were no changes in diastolic blood pressure after either dietary condition.


CONCLUSION
We concluded that the solitary manipulation of conventional dairy products in the normal routine diet would modulate blood pressure in middle-aged and older adults with prehypertension and hypertension. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01577030.
Keloids and Hypertrophic Scars: Pathophysiology, Classification, and Treatment.

BACKGROUND
Keloid and hypertrophic scars represent an aberrant response to the wound healing process. These scars are characterized by dysregulated growth with excessive collagen formation, and can be cosmetically and functionally disruptive to patients.


OBJECTIVE
Objectives are to describe the pathophysiology of keloid and hypertrophic scar, and to compare differences with the normal wound healing process. The classification of keloids and hypertrophic scars are then discussed. Finally, various treatment options including prevention, conventional therapies, surgical therapies, and adjuvant therapies are described in detail.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Literature review was performed identifying relevant publications pertaining to the pathophysiology, classification, and treatment of keloid and hypertrophic scars.


RESULTS
Though the pathophysiology of keloid and hypertrophic scars is not completely known, various cytokines have been implicated, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10, as well as various growth factors including transforming growth factor-beta and platelet-derived growth factor. Numerous treatments have been studied for keloid and hypertrophic scars,which include conventional therapies such as occlusive dressings, compression therapy, and steroids; surgical therapies such as excision and cryosurgery; and adjuvant and emerging therapies including radiation therapy, interferon, 5-fluorouracil, imiquimod, tacrolimus, sirolimus, bleomycin, doxorubicin, transforming growth factor-beta, epidermal growth factor, verapamil, retinoic acid, tamoxifen, botulinum toxin A, onion extract, silicone-based camouflage, hydrogel scaffold, and skin tension offloading device.


CONCLUSION
Keloid and hypertrophic scars remain a challenging condition, with potential cosmetic and functional consequences to patients. Several therapies exist which function through different mechanisms. Better understanding into the pathogenesis will allow for development of newer and more targeted therapies in the future.
Driving to Safety How Many Miles of Driving Would It Take to Demonstrate Autonomous Vehicle Reliability ?

• In parallel to creating new testing methods, it is imperative to develop adaptive regulations that are designed from the outset to evolve with the technology so that society can better harness the benefits and manage the risks of these rapidly evolving and potentially transformative technologies. Key findings In the United States, roughly 32,000 people are killed and more than two million injured in crashes every year (Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2015). U.S. motor vehicle crashes as a whole can pose economic and social costs of more than $800 billion in a single year (Blincoe et al., 2015). And, more than 90 percent of crashes are caused by human errors (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2015)—such as driving too fast and misjudging other drivers’ behaviors, as well as alcohol impairment, distraction, and fatigue. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly mitigate this public health crisis by eliminating many of the mistakes that human drivers routinely make (Anderson et al., 2014; Fagnant and Kockelman, 2015). To begin with, autonomous vehicles are never drunk, distracted, or tired; these factors are involved in 41 percent, 10 percent, and 2.5 percent of all fatal crashes, respectively (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2011; Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2014b; U.S. Department of Transportation, 2015).1 Their performance may also be better than human drivers because of better perception (e.g., no blind spots), better decisionmaking (e.g., more-accurate planning of complex driving maneuvers like parallel parking), and better execution (e.g., faster and more-precise control of steering, brakes, and acceleration). However, autonomous vehicles might not eliminate all crashes. For instance, inclement weather and complex driving environments pose challenges for autonomous vehicles, as well as for human drivers, and autonomous vehicles might perform worse than human drivers in some cases (Gomes, 2014). There is also the potential for autonomous vehicles to pose new and
Thermally oxidized aluminum as catalyst-support layer for vertically aligned single-walled carbon nanotube growth using ethanol

Abstract Characteristics and role of Al oxide (Al-O) films used as catalyst-support layer for vertical growth of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) were studied. EB-deposited Al films (20 nm) were thermally oxidized at 400 °C (10 min, static air) to produce the most appropriate surface structure of Al-O. Al-O catalyst-support layers were characterized using various analytical measurements, i.e., atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and spectroscopy ellipsometry (SE). The thermally oxidized Al-O has a highly roughened surface, and also has the most suitable surface chemical states compared to other type of Al-O support layers. We suggest that the surface of thermally oxidized Al-O characterized in this work enhanced Co catalyst activity to promote the vertically aligned SWCNT growth.
Principles and Safety Measures of Electrosurgery in Laparoscopy

BACKGROUND
Electrosurgical units are the most common type of electrical equipment in the operating room. A basic understanding of electricity is needed to safely apply electrosurgical technology for patient care.


METHODS
We reviewed the literature concerning the essential biophysics, the incidence of electrosurgical injuries, and the possible mechanisms for injury. Various safety guidelines pertaining to avoidance of injuries were also reviewed.


RESULTS
Electrothermal injury may result from direct application, insulation failure, direct coupling, capacitive coupling, and so forth.


CONCLUSION
A thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of electrosurgery by the entire team in the operating room is essential for patient safety and for recognizing potential complications. Newer hemostatic technologies can be used to decrease the incidence of complications.
A New Approach to Train Convolutional Neural Networks for Real-Time 6-DOF Camera Relocalization

Abstract-Recent proposed Machine Learning methods for the regression problem of Camera Relocalization achieved satisfactory results by training Convolutional Neural Networks as regressors. However, the main point is that Convolutional Neural Networks are mainly proposed to solve classification problems and perform well when we have sufficient data from each label. In the regression problems such as camera relocalization, the floating point output space has a wide range and number of training data for each label of the output space is low. In this paper, a new approach to train Convolutional Neural Networks for regression problems such as 6-DOF camera relocalization is proposed which converts the problem into a classification one and then generalizes it to regression.
Intestinal Lesions Are Associated with Altered Intestinal Microbiome and Are More Frequent in Children and Young Adults with Cystic Fibrosis and Cirrhosis

BACKGROUND AND AIMS
Cirrhosis (CIR) occurs in 5-7% of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. We hypothesized that alterations in intestinal function in CF contribute to the development of CIR.


AIMS
Determine the frequency of macroscopic intestinal lesions, intestinal inflammation, intestinal permeability and characterize fecal microbiome in CF CIR subjects and CF subjects with no liver disease (CFnoLIV).


METHODS
11 subjects with CFCIR (6 M, 12.8 yrs ± 3.8) and 19 matched with CFnoLIV (10 M, 12.6 yrs ± 3.4) underwent small bowel capsule endoscopy, intestinal permeability testing by urinary lactulose: mannitol excretion ratio, fecal calprotectin determination and fecal microbiome characterization.


RESULTS
CFCIR and CFnoLIV did not differ in key demographics or CF complications. CFCIR had higher GGT (59±51 U/L vs 17±4 p = 0.02) and lower platelet count (187±126 vs 283±60 p = 0.04) and weight (-0.86 ± 1.0 vs 0.30 ± 0.9 p = 0.002) z scores. CFCIR had more severe intestinal mucosal lesions on capsule endoscopy (score ≥4, 4/11 vs 0/19 p = 0.01). Fecal calprotectin was similar between CFCIR and CFnoLIV (166 μg/g ±175 vs 136 ± 193 p = 0.58, nl <120). Lactulose:mannitol ratio was elevated in 27/28 subjects and was slightly lower in CFCIR vs CFnoLIV (0.08±0.02 vs 0.11±0.05, p = 0.04, nl ≤0.03). Small bowel transit time was longer in CFCIR vs CFnoLIV (195±42 min vs 167±68 p<0.001, nl 274 ± 41). Bacteroides were decreased in relative abundance in CFCIR and were associated with lower capsule endoscopy score whereas Clostridium were more abundant in CFCIR and associated with higher capsule endoscopy score.


CONCLUSIONS
CFCIR is associated with increased intestinal mucosal lesions, slower small bowel transit time and alterations in fecal microbiome. Abnormal intestinal permeability and elevated fecal calprotectin are common in all CF subjects. Disturbances in intestinal function in CF combined with changes in the microbiome may contribute to the development of hepatic fibrosis and intestinal lesions.
Architectural Styles, Design Patterns, And Objects

Architectural styles, object-oriented design, and design patterns all hold promise as approaches that simplify software design and reuse by capturing and exploiting system design knowledge. This article explores the capabilities and roles of the various approaches, their strengths, and their limitations. oftware system builders increasingly recognize the importance of exploiting design knowledge in the engineering of new systems. Several distinct but related approaches hold promise. One approach is to focus on the architectural level of system design—the gross structure of a system as a composition of interacting parts. Architectural designs illuminate such key issues as scaling and portability, the assignment of functionality to design elements, interaction protocols between elements, and global system properties such as processing rates, end-to-end capacities, and overall performance.1 Architectural descriptions tend to be informal and idiosyncratic: box-and-line diagrams convey essential system structure, with accompanying prose explaining the meaning of the symbols. Nonetheless, they provide a critical staging point for determining whether a system can meet its essential requirements, and they guide implementers in constructing the system. More recently, architectural descriptions have been used for codifying and reusing design knowledge. Much of their power comes from use of idiomatic architectural terms, such as “clientserver system,” “layered system,” or “blackboard organization.”
Randomized Trial of Time-Limited Interruptions of Protease Inhibitor-Based Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) vs. Continuous Therapy for HIV-1 Infection

BACKGROUND
The clinical outcomes of short interruptions of PI-based ART regimens remains undefined.


METHODS
A 2-arm non-inferiority trial was conducted on 53 HIV-1 infected South African participants with viral load <50 copies/ml and CD4 T cell count >450 cells/µl on stavudine (or zidovudine), lamivudine and lopinavir/ritonavir. Subjects were randomized to a) sequential 2, 4 and 8-week ART interruptions or b) continuous ART (cART). Primary analysis was based on the proportion of CD4 count >350 cells(c)/ml over 72 weeks. Adherence, HIV-1 drug resistance, and CD4 count rise over time were analyzed as secondary endpoints.


RESULTS
The proportions of CD4 counts >350 cells/µl were 82.12% for the intermittent arm and 93.73 for the cART arm; the difference of 11.95% was above the defined 10% threshold for non-inferiority (upper limit of 97.5% CI, 24.1%; 2-sided CI: -0.16, 23.1). No clinically significant differences in opportunistic infections, adverse events, adherence or viral resistance were noted; after randomization, long-term CD4 rise was observed only in the cART arm.


CONCLUSION
We are unable to conclude that short PI-based ART interruptions are non-inferior to cART in retention of immune reconstitution; however, short interruptions did not lead to a greater rate of resistance mutations or adverse events than cART suggesting that this regimen may be more forgiving than NNRTIs if interruptions in therapy occur.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00100646.
Swan neck deformities in rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative study on the patients' perspectives on hand function problems and finger splints.

OBJECTIVE
 To identify hand function problems and the reasons for choosing a specific finger splint in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and swan neck deformities.


METHODS
 A qualitative study was performed alongside a randomized, controlled cross-over trial comparing the effectiveness of two types of finger splints (the silver ring splint [SRS] and the prefabricated thermoplastic splint [PTS]) in 50 patients with RA and swan neck deformities. Questions on the patients' main hand function problem and reasons for choosing a specific splint type were performed at baseline and after using each splint. The qualitative analyses included the identification of meaning units and (sub)concepts related to hand function problems and splint preferences.


RESULTS
 RA patients with swan neck deformities experience problems with flexion initiation, painful proximal interphalangeal joint hyperextension, grip activities and comprehensive hand function activities. Reasons for preferring or not preferring a specific type of finger splint included: effect, ease of use, appearance, comfort and side effects. Apart from the splint slipping off and a negative attitude towards the appearance of the splint, which appeared to be more frequently mentioned in connection with the SRS, no clear pattern of positive or negative appreciation of either type of splint could be distinguished.


CONCLUSION
 RA patients with swan neck deformities experience a variety of problems, including impairments in functions and limitations in daily activities. With the prescription of finger splints, a substantial number of potentially positive and negative consequences of their use need to be taken into account.
Methods and results of sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer.

BACKGROUND
Sphincter preservation is the goal in the treatment of rectal cancer and should be considered in all patients with an intact sphincter. Sphincter preservation for tumors of the upper rectum is easily achieved, but surgical management of cancer of the mid and lower third of the rectum continues to evolve. Several recent advances may influence future treatment strategies.


METHODS
We reviewed the literature to identify the current methods of sphincter-preserving surgery and their oncologic and functional results.


RESULTS
Proctectomy with total mesorectal excision reduces the incidence of local recurrence to less than 10% while preserving genitourinary function. The use of preoperative radiotherapy may further diminish the risk of local recurrence. In selected patients, partial resection of the anal sphincter may avoid definitive colostomy without compromising oncologic outcome. In contrast, the role of local resection of rectal cancer remains controversial. Restoration of continuity by means of a colonic reservoir reduces stool frequency and urgency and improves continence when compared to a straight coloanal anastomosis. The transverse colpoplasty pouch may allow pouch construction in patients in whom it is currently impossible, but long-term follow-up is not yet available.


CONCLUSIONS
Sphincter-preserving surgery is possible for the majority of patients with rectal cancer. Optimal functional results may be obtained by a nerve-sparing operative technique and by use of a colonic reservoir for reconstruction following resection of mid or low rectal cancers.
Role of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with early stage uterine papillary serous cancer.

OBJECTIVE
Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) is an aggressive subtype of endometrial cancer. We studied survival outcomes in patients with stages I/II UPSC.


MATERIALS
A retrospective, multi-institutional study of patients with stages I/II UPSC was conducted. Patients underwent surgical staging followed by observation, adjuvant platinum-based chemotherapy (CT), or radiation therapy (RT). Continuous variables were compared via Wilcoxon rank sum test; Fisher exact test was used for the unordered categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate survival.


RESULTS
Thirty-nine women were diagnosed with stage I (n = 30) or II (n = 9) UPSC, with a median follow-up of 52 months. Of the 26 patients who did not receive adjuvant CT, 9 developed recurrences and 8 died of their disease. Of the 10 patients with no myometrial invasion who did not receive adjuvant CT, 3 developed recurrences and died. Of the 7 patients who underwent RT, 2 developed distant recurrences and died. Of the 13 patients who underwent CT, 1 developed vaginal recurrence. The 5-year overall (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates for the adjuvant CT group were 100% and 92%, respectively, compared with 69% and 65% for those who did not receive CT (P = 0.002 OS, P = 0.002 PFS). The 5-year OS and PFS rates for RT group were both 71%.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with stages I/II UPSC are at significant risk for distant recurrence and poor survival. Platinum-based adjuvant CT may decrease recurrence rate and improve survival in women with early and well-staged UPSC.