LLukas22/scidocs huggingface dataset:
Improving infant sleep and maternal mental health: a cluster randomised trial.

OBJECTIVES
To determine whether a community-delivered intervention targeting infant sleep problems improves infant sleep and maternal well-being and to report the costs of this approach to the healthcare system.


DESIGN
Cluster randomised trial.


SETTING
49 Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centres (clusters) in Melbourne, Australia.


PARTICIPANTS
328 mothers reporting an infant sleep problem at 7 months recruited during October-November 2003.


INTERVENTION
Behavioural strategies delivered over individual structured MCH consultations versus usual care.


MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Maternal report of infant sleep problem, depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS)), and SF-12 mental and physical health scores when infants were 10 and 12 months old. Costs included MCH sleep consultations, other healthcare services and intervention costs.


RESULTS
Prevalence of infant sleep problems was lower in the intervention than control group at 10 months (56% vs 68%; adjusted OR 0.58 (95% CI: 0.36 to 0.94)) and 12 months (39% vs 55%; adjusted OR 0.50 (0.31 to 0.80)). EPDS scores indicated less depression at 10 months (adjusted mean difference -1.4 (-2.3 to -0.4) and 12 months (-1.7 (-2.6 to -0.7)). SF-12 mental health scores indicated better health at 10 months (adjusted mean difference 3.7 (1.5 to 5.8)) and 12 months (3.9 (1.8 to 6.1)). Total mean costs including intervention design, delivery and use of non-MCH nurse services were 96.93 pounds sterling and 116.79 pounds sterling per intervention and control family, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementing this sleep intervention may lead to health gains for infants and mothers and resource savings for the healthcare system.


TRIAL REGISTRATION
Current Controlled Trial Registry, number ISRCTN48752250 [controlled-trials.com] (registered November 2004).
Modeling of Eddy-Current Loss of Electrical Machines and Transformers Operated by Pulsewidth-Modulated Inverters

Pulsewidth-modulated (PWM) inverters are used more and more to operate electrical machines and to interface renewable energy systems with the utility grid. However, there are abundant high-frequency harmonics in the output voltage of a PWM inverter, which increase the iron losses and result in derating of the machine or transformer connected to them. Predicting the iron losses caused by the PWM supply is critical for the design of electrical machines and transformers operated by PWM inverters. These losses are primarily attributed to eddy-current loss caused by the PWM supply. In this paper, after analyzing the harmonic components of PWM voltage, we derive the effects of different parameters of PWM switching on the eddy-current loss. We compare the iron losses modeled with the proposed analytical methods on a three-phase transformer, a dc motor, and an induction motor with the results of time-stepping finite-element analysis and experiments. We provide detailed equations for the prediction of iron losses. These equations can be directly applied in the design and control of PWM converters and electric motors to improve energy efficiency in electrical machines and transformers operated from PWM converters.
Cocos-Nazca slab window beneath Central America

Integration of petrologic and tectonic data favours a model of slab window formation beneath Central America in the Pliocene–Pleistocene. Central America has been the site of voluminous Cenozoic arc volcanism. The Cocos and Nazca plates, which are subducting beneath Central America, are diverging along the east-trending Cocos–Nazca spreading ridge. Since 25 Ma the Americas have advanced about 1800 km west over the ridge–transform system. Since at least 8 Ma, plate integrity and the ridge–transform configuration have been preserved during convergence, resulting in subduction of the spreading ridge and development of a slab window. The Panama fracture zone, an active transform fault, is the part of the ridge–transform system currently being subducted. The ridge–transform system formerly adjoining the northern end of the Panama fracture zone is likely to have been left-stepping. We use present-day plate motions to design a slab window to fit known variations in igneous composition, hypocentre distribution, and mantle anisotropy. The modeling demonstrates that subduction of ridge segments and resultant slab window development began between 6 and 10 Ma. Cessation of ridge subduction occurred between 1 and 3 Ma, when subduction of the Panama fracture zone is considered to have begun. The slab window is continuing to expand and migrate northeastward below the Central American volcanic arc. The absence of a Wadati–Benioff zone from southeastern Costa Rica through Panama corresponds to the position of the slab window. Within this region, dacitic and rhyolitic volcanic rocks have ‘‘adakitic’’ compositions, and are thought to result from anatexis of the young, buoyant crust which forms the trailing edges of the slabs bounding the window. Basalts in this area were derived from an enriched ocean-island type mantle source, whereas basalts from the rest of the arc, in Nicaragua, El Salvador and Guatemala, are mainly derived from slab-modified depleted mantle, characteristic of volcanic arcs. The presence of ocean-island type mantle beneath southern Costa Rica and Panama is explained by eastward flow of enriched asthenosphere from the Galapagos plume-head through the slab window and into the volcano source region. Eastward transfer of asthenosphere is consistent with global plate motion studies and seismic anisotropy in the asthenosphere beneath the Nazca and Caribbean plates. The flow of peridotite is a consequence of progressive shrinkage of the Pacific mantle reservoir and concurrent expansion of the Atlantic mantle reservoir.
A 10-MHz GaN HEMT DC/DC Boost Converter for Power Amplifier Applications

AlGaN/GaN HEMTs show low on-state resistance and small gate capacitances, which makes them good candidates for switching applications. Up to now, their exploitations in dc/dc converters have been largely investigated in high power electronics but with switching frequencies under 1 MHz. In this brief, the potentialities of GaN HEMTs are investigated for high-speed dc/dc converters. To this aim, a 10-MHz GaN 16-34-V boost converter with above-90% efficiency is presented. Such converters are well suited for high-efficiency power amplifiers based on dynamic bias control for high peak-to-average-power-ratio applications.
Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics and response to chemotherapy in patients with advanced cancer treated with a weekly regimen.

BACKGROUND
Paclitaxel pharmacokinetics were shown to be related to toxicity and survival.


PATIENTS AND METHODS
We evaluated the effects of time above paclitaxel concentrations of 0.05 micromol/l (T(>0.05) and systemic exposures (AUC) to total and unbound paclitaxel (tPAC, uPAC) on response in patients with advanced cancer treated with weekly 1-h or 3-h infusions.


RESULTS
After 6 weeks of therapy (WOT), 13 out of 21 assessable patients showed either partial response (PR) or stable disease (SD), while 8 had progressive disease (PD). As compared to patients with PD, those with PR or SD showed similar AUCs to uPAC and tPAC but higher (p < 0.05) T (>0.05). Patients with T(>0.05) > or = 20.7 hours had lower probability (p < 0.05) to progress within 12 WOT.


CONCLUSION
Taking the heterogeneity of the studied tumor types into account, we found T(>0.05) to be associated with response to treatment. This emphasizes the value of threshold models for the investigation of paclitaxel pharmacodynamics.
The Short-Run Relationship between Stock Market Prices and Macroeconomic Variables in Lithuania: An Application of the Impulse Response Function

Scientific literature has been seemingly enriched by various theoretical and empirical studies analysing the relationship between stock market returns and macroeconomic forces during the last few decades. It is often argued that stock prices are determined by some fundamental macroeconomic variables. This implies that macroeconomic variables can influence investors’ investment decisions and motivates many researchers to investigate the relationships between stock market prices and macroeconomic variables. Different authors select different macroeconomic variables seeking to detect their relationship with stock market prices in various countries. Simultaneously, a number of econometric techniques such as the arbitrage pricing theory, the impulse response function, the error variance decomposition analysis, the vector error correction model, the cointegration analysis, the Granger causality tests and others may be applied for checking the existence of relationship between stock market prices and macroeconomic variables. The current paper attempts to present several classifications of macroeconomic variables, then to select macroeconomic variables for seeking their relationship with stock market prices, and, finally, to define what macroeconomic variables have positive and what macroeconomic variables have negative effects on stock market prices in Lithuania in the short run. Augmented Dickey Fuller test has been employed to check the stationarity of the selected time series since a spurious regression may occur if a time series is not stationary. The Impulse response function has been chosen to test the existence of the short-run relationship between stock market prices and macroeconomic variables. As the results of the Impulse response function are reliable only with a stationary time series the data has been turned into stationary after the second difference. The study embraces six macroeconomic variables (seasonally adjusted gross domestic product at previous year prices, harmonised consumer price index as compared to 2005, the narrow money supply, unemployment rate, short-term interest rates, and exchange rate of the Litas against the US dollar) and the main Lithuanian stock market index – the OMX Vilnius index. The data are monthly and extend from the January of 2000 to the June of 2009. In general, the results of the paper clearly indicate that macroeconomic variables are significant determinants for stock market prices in Lithuania. Gross domestic product and money supply have a positive effect on stock market prices while most of the time unemployment rate, exchange rate, and short-term interest rates negatively influence stock market prices. The findings of the paper are similar to the results of some other empirical studies. If harmonised consumer price index is considered, then it is the best example of an unstable relationship between a macroeconomic variable and stock market prices in Lithuania.
2-Bornyl cations stabilized by metal clusters: synthetic and X-ray structural and quantum-chemical studies

Data on syntheses and structures of 2-bornyl cations stabilized by metal clusters are presented.
Oral ADSORBENT AST-120 decreases carotid intima-media thickness and arterial stiffness in patients with chronic renal failure.

BACKGROUND/AIM
Intima media thickness (IMT) and stiffness of the carotid arteries is related to coronary artery disease, and chronic renal failure patients are at high risk for such diseases. An oral adsorbent, AST-120 (Kremezin; Kureha Chemical Industry, Tokyo, Japan), can delay the progression of chronic renal failure in undialyzed uremic patients. The aim of the present study was to determine whether AST-120 affects carotid artery IMT and pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with chronic renal failure not undergoing dialysis.


METHODS
Fifty patients with non-diabetic chronic renal failure were randomly divided into two groups: 30 patients (18 men and 12 women; mean age 53.5 years; mean serum creatinine 3.2 mg/dl) who were given AST-120 (6.0 g/day) and 20 patients (12 men and 8 women; mean age 52.0 years; mean serum creatinine 3.5 mg/dl) who were not given AST-120. Thirty healthy age-matched subjects (18 men and 12 women; mean age 51.5 years; mean serum creatinine 0.9 mg/dl) were also included. The treatment period was 24 months. IMT and arterial stiffness were measured before and after treatment.


RESULTS
The slope of the reciprocal serum creatinine concentration over time became significantly less steep in the AST-120 group than in the non-AST-120 group (p < 0.001). Before treatment, carotid artery IMT differed little between the AST-120 group (0.90 +/- 0.22 mm) and the non-AST-120 group (0.88 +/- 0.20 mm). IMT in these two groups was significantly greater than IMT in the control group (0.64 +/- 0.14 mm) (p < 0.01). Carotid IMT in the AST-120 group decreased slightly but not significantly to 0.84 +/- 0.20 mm after 12 months and then significantly after 24 months to 0.78 +/- 0.18 mm (p < 0.05). Carotid IMT in the non-AST group showed little change throughout the experimental period. PWV differed little between the AST-120 group (1,980 +/- 330 cm/s) and the non-AST group (1,940 +/- 360 cm/s) before treatment. PWV values in these two groups were significantly greater than PWV in the control group (1,280 +/- 240 cm/s) (p < 0.01). After 12 and 24 months, PWV in the AST-120 group decreased significantly to 1,840 +/- 280 cm/s (p < 0.05) and to 1,780 +/- 260 cm/s (p < 0.05), respectively; however, PWV in the non-AST group showed a slight increase during the experimental period.


CONCLUSION
The data suggest that AST-120 may reduce arterial stiffness and IMT in non-diabetic chronic renal failure patients before dialysis.
Maternal mortality in the last triennium of the Millennium Development Goal Era at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of Nigeria remains high. This retrospective study aims to suggest evidence-based strategies towards achieving the sustainable development goal target 3.1 at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC), Nigeria by providing contemporary data on MMR between October 2012 and September 2015. There were 86 maternal deaths and 5243 live births over the triennium, with annual MMRs of 1744, 1622 and 1512/100,000 live births, respectively. Fifty-six (65.2%) were postpartum deaths, while 44 (51.2%) occurred within 12 hours of admission. Using the WHO ICD-10 system, the causes of mortality were pregnancy-related infections; 26 (30.2%), haemorrhage; 20 (23.3%), hypertension; 13 (15.2%) and pregnancies with abortive outcomes; 11 (12.7%). Financial constraints, misdiagnosis and delayed referrals constituted the predominant contributors. The MMR at OAUTHC, Nigeria in the last triennium of the MDG was 'Extremely High'. Improved aseptic techniques, blood transfusion services, antimicrobial sensitivity evaluation, Universal Health Coverage, training-retraining of skilled birth-attendants and effective referral systems are advocated. IMPACT STATEMENT What is already known on the subject of the paper: Nigeria now contributes the largest proportion (19%) of the burden of maternal mortality worldwide, despite constituting just 2% of the global population. Reversing this adverse trend during the sustainable development goal (SDG) period demands effective strategies, which can only be predicated on reliable data at the hospital, regional and national levels.


WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS
This article provides the contemporary maternal mortality data of the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, during the last triennium of the Millennium Development Goal era. The findings from the study revealed that the average maternal mortality ratio (MMR) of the Hospital over the three years was 1640/100,000 live births, and that pregnancy-related infection is now the leading cause of maternal death, followed by obstetric haemorrhage. What the implications are for clinical practice: Improvement in aseptic techniques, evaluation of antimicrobial sensitivity patterns and efficient blood transfusion services, as well as Universal Health Insurance coverage and Skilled Birth Attendants will improve the maternal health indices of the hospital, and ultimately the country during the SDG execution period.
Transcriptome Profiling of Alkaloid Biosynthesis in Elicitor Induced Opium Poppy

Alkaloids are derived mainly from amino acids, and their biosynthesis includes multistep reactions. Benzylisoquinoline alkaloids (BIA), which are secondary metabolites, are produced by the medically and economically important opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). The latex of poppy capsule is the main source of BIA, including mainly opium alkaloids such as codeine, papaverine, thebaine, and noscapine. To analyze BIA-related gene expression at the molecular level, genome-wide transcriptome analyses were carried out in opium-poppy capsule tissues, using 12 × 135 K (12 × 135,000 features) NimbleGen microarrays of opium poppy at 0, 3, and 12 h. Fungal elicitor methyl jasmonate (MeJa) treatment was applied to the surface of the capsules of opium poppy at 0, 3, and 12 h. The measurement of specific BIA showed that the treated capsules were especially rich in morphine and noscapine. The differential expression of genes related to BIA biosynthesis was detected from 3 to 12 h after MeJa treatment. Overall, 2,459 out of the 95,608 probes identified specific differential gene expression. Many altered transcripts (629) were detected after 12 h of treatment. Altered levels of gene expression were also detected in BIA biosynthesis-pathway genes, such as NCS, CNMT, SalR, 16TOMT, 6OMT, COR and StySyn. Gene ontology analyses revealed that the differentially expressed genes were involved in many processes and functions. Upon induction with MeJa, response to stimuli- and stress-related transcripts were induced significantly in opium poppies. In addition, transcripts related to specific metabolic processes were well represented. Pathway analysis revealed that BIA biosynthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism, sucrose and starch metabolism, as well as purine metabolism pathways were affected significantly. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanism of opium-poppy defense upon MeJa treatment, facilitating a better understanding of processes underlying the BIA biosynthesis network.
Efficacy and safety of a novel ĸ-agonist for managing intractable pruritus in dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND
Our previous placebo-controlled, prospective, double-blind study demonstrated that a new opioid ĸ-receptor agonist, nalfurafine hydrochloride, effectively reduced treatment-resistant pruritus in 337 hemodialysis patients. Thus, we designed this study to evaluate prospectively the efficacy, safety, addiction liability, and pharmacokinetics of nalfurafine given orally for 1 year.


METHODS
This open-label study examined the effects and adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of 52-week oral administration of nalfurafine hydrochloride (5 µg/day) in 211 hemodialysis patients with a treatment-resistant itch.


RESULTS
Of 211 patients, 145 completed the study as scheduled. The mean pruritus value assessed by the visual analogue scale was 75.2 mm during the pre-observation period, which decreased significantly to 50.9 and 30.9 mm in week 2 and 52, respectively, indicating a long-lasting efficacy. ADRs occurred in 103 patients (48.8%). Frequent ADRs were insomnia (sleep disturbance, 19.4%), constipation (7.1%) and increased blood prolactin (3.3%), similar to previous reports. Regarding addiction liability, it appeared unlikely that nalfurafine hydrochloride was abused. After the start of treatment, plasma drug levels reached a steady state in week 2 with no apparent tendency of systemic accumulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Nalfurafine hydrochloride, orally administered at 5 µg/day for 52 weeks to hemodialysis patients, produced a long-term suppression of pruritus without significant safety problems.
A Scoring System to Determine Risk of Delayed Bleeding After Endoscopic Mucosal Resection of Large Colorectal Lesions.

BACKGROUND & AIMS
After endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) of colorectal lesions, delayed bleeding is the most common serious complication, but there are no guidelines for its prevention. We aimed to identify risk factors associated with delayed bleeding that required medical attention after discharge until day 15 and develop a scoring system to identify patients at risk.


METHODS
We performed a prospective study of 1214 consecutive patients with nonpedunculated colorectal lesions 20 mm or larger treated by EMR (n = 1255) at 23 hospitals in Spain, from February 2013 through February 2015. Patients were examined 15 days after the procedure, and medical data were collected. We used the data to create a delayed bleeding scoring system, and assigned a weight to each risk factor based on the β parameter from multivariate logistic regression analysis. Patients were classified as being at low, average, or high risk for delayed bleeding.


RESULTS
Delayed bleeding occurred in 46 cases (3.7%, 95% confidence interval, 2.7%-4.9%). In multivariate analysis, factors associated with delayed bleeding included age ≥75 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.36; P < .01), American Society of Anesthesiologist classification scores of III or IV (OR, 1.90; P ≤ .05), aspirin use during EMR (OR, 3.16; P < .05), right-sided lesions (OR, 4.86; P < .01), lesion size ≥40 mm (OR, 1.91; P ≤ .05), and a mucosal gap not closed by hemoclips (OR, 3.63; P ≤ .01). We developed a risk scoring system based on these 6 variables that assigned patients to the low-risk (score, 0-3), average-risk (score, 4-7), or high-risk (score, 8-10) categories with a receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.77 (95% confidence interval, 0.70-0.83). In these groups, the probabilities of delayed bleeding were 0.6%, 5.5%, and 40%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The risk of delayed bleeding after EMR of large colorectal lesions is 3.7%. We developed a risk scoring system based on 6 factors that determined the risk for delayed bleeding (receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.77). The factors most strongly associated with delayed bleeding were right-sided lesions, aspirin use, and mucosal defects not closed by hemoclips. Patients considered to be high risk (score, 8-10) had a 40% probability of delayed bleeding.
Borderline hypotension: how does it influence cerebral regional tissue oxygenation in preterm infants?

AIM
To monitor cerebral regional tissue oxygenation (crSO2) of preterm infants continuously and to analyze the influence of arterial hypotension on crSO2.


METHODS
In this prospective, observational study crSO2, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate (HR) and mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) were monitored continuously for 24 h, starting within the first 6 h after birth. Furthermore, cerebral fractional tissue oxygen extraction (cFTOE) was calculated. Preterm neonates with and without arterial hypotension (MABP below the gestational age in weeks) were compared to each other.


RESULTS
Forty-six preterm infants could be analyzed, 17 with (33.4 ± 1.9 weeks, 2016.5 ± 548.5 g) and 29 without arterial hypotension (33.3 ± 1.3 weeks, 1924.7 ± 451.9 g). Altogether, we detected 30 episodes of hypotension, with a mean duration of 1.6 ± 1.2 h per infant and a mean decrease in MABP of 2.2 ± 0.9 mmHg. During hypotension mean crSO2 was 7 5 ± 11%, 2 h prior to that 76 ± 10% and 2 h after the hypotension 7 7 ± 10%, therefore no significant alterations could be observed. Moreover, there was no significant difference in mean 24-h crSO2, SpO2 and cFTOE between the two groups.


CONCLUSION
Mild short-term hypotensive episodes in preterm infants did not affect crSO2. This suggests that cerebral autoregulation is maintained in case of borderline-hypotension and may protect infants from cerebral injury.