Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone Turnover Status: Classification Model and Clinical Implications

Aim: To develop a practical model for classification bone turnover status and evaluate its clinical usefulness. Methods: Our classification of bone turnover status is based on internationally recommended biomarkers of both bone formation (N-terminal propeptide of type1 procollagen, P1NP) and bone resorption (beta C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen, bCTX), using the cutoffs proposed as therapeutic targets. The relationships between turnover subtypes and clinical characteristic were assessed in1223 hospitalised orthogeriatric patients (846 women, 377 men; mean age 78.1±9.50 years): 451(36.9%) subjects with hip fracture (HF), 396(32.4%) with other non-vertebral (non-HF) fractures (HF) and 376 (30.7%) patients without fractures. Resalts: Six subtypes of bone turnover status were identified: 1 - normal turnover (P1NP>32 μg/L, bCTX≤0.250 μg/L and P1NP/bCTX>100.0[(median value]); 2- low bone formation (P1NP ≤32 μg/L), normal bone resorption (bCTX≤0.250 μg/L) and P1NP/bCTX>100.0 (subtype2A) or P1NP/bCTX<100.0 (subtype 2B); 3- low bone formation, high bone resorption (bCTX>0.250 μg/L) and P1NP/bCTX<100.0; 4- high bone turnover (both markers elevated ) and P1NP/bCTX>100.0 (subtype 4A) or P1NP/bCTX<100.0 (subtype 4B). Compared to subtypes 1 and 2A, subtype 2B was strongly associated with nonvertebral fractures (odds ratio [OR] 2.0), especially HF (OR 3.2), age>75 years and hyperparathyroidism. Hypoalbuminaemia and not using osteoporotic therapy were two independent indicators common for subtypes 3, 4A and 4B; these three subtypes were associated with in-hospital mortality. Subtype 3 was associated with fractures (OR 1.7, for HF OR 2.4), age>75 years, chronic heart failure (CHF), anaemia, and history of malignancy, and predicted post-operative myocardial injury, high inflammatory response and length of hospital stay (LOS) above10 days. Subtype 4A was associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), anaemia, history of malignancy and walking aids use and predicted LOS>20 days, but was not discriminative for fractures. Subtype 4B was associated with fractures (OR 2.1, for HF OR 2.5), age>75 years, CKD and indicated risks of myocardial injury, high inflammatory response and LOS>10 days. Conclusions: We proposed a classification model of bone turnover status and demonstrated that in orthogeriatric patients altered subtypes are closely related to presence of nonvertebral fractures, comorbidities and poorer in-hospital outcomes. However, further research is needed to establish optimal cut points of various biomarkers and improve the classification model.
Higher Meat Intake Is Positively Associated With Higher Risk of Developing Pancreatic Cancer in an Age-Dependent Manner and Are Modified by Plasma Antioxidants: A Prospective Cohort Study (EPIC-Norfolk) Using Data From Food Diaries

Objective Carcinogens in meat may be involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis. Meat intake was investigated using 7-day food diaries and according to factors potentially influencing carcinogenesis: age, cooking method, and antioxidants. Methods Twenty-three thousand one hundred thirty-three participants in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer-Norfolk cohort study completed 7-day food diaries and were followed up. Meat intakes were compared with controls and hazard ratios (HRs) calculated. Results Eighty-six participants developed pancreatic cancer. If younger than 60 years at recruitment, all quintiles of red meat (Q1 vs Q5; HR, 4.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96–22.30; P = 0.06) and processed meat (Q1 vs Q5; HR, 3.73; 95% CI, 0.95–14.66; P = 0.06) were nonsignificantly positively associated, with significant trends across quintiles (HRtrend, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01–1.77 and HRtrend, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.04–1.82, respectively). Red meat's effect was attenuated by higher, but not lower, plasma vitamin C (HR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.69–1.63 vs HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.09–3.14) and for processed meat (HR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.71–1.63 vs HR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.10–2.96). A nonstatistically significant risk was observed for high-temperature cooking methods in younger people (HR, 4.68; 95% CI, 0.63–34.70; P = 0.13). Conclusions Red and processed meats may be involved in pancreatic carcinogenesis.
Decision tree based Mandarin tone model and its application to speech recognition

Tone is an essential language phenomenon for Mandarin Chinese language. Until now, we still do not know exactly how context affects tone pattern variation in continuous Mandarin speech. In this paper, we proposed a decision tree based approach to obtain the quantitative result of tone pattern variation in continuous Mandarin speech. Many possible factors other than tone of neighboring syllables were taken into consideration when the decision tree was constructed, After the tree was established, 29 tone patterns were automatically obtained, and we found that syllable position in the word together with consonant/vowel type of the syllable made an important contribution to tone pattern variation in continuous utterance. We also presented a novel approach to integrate tone information into the search process at word level. Experimental results showed that the character error rate was reduced by 15.2%.
Donor sperm insemination after failed intra-couple intracytoplasmic sperm injection

ABSTRACT The purpose of the present multicenter study was to investigate whether an artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID) procedure after intra-couple intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) failure offers a significant chance of pregnancy and to identify prognostic factors for pregnancy after an AID procedure. An eleven-year retrospective multicenter study was conducted among 13 Centre d’Etude et de Conservation des Oeufs et du Sperme (CECOS) centers. A total of 319 couples having undergone an AID procedure after intra-conjugal ICSI failure were included in this study; a total of 1,159 AID and 1,011 intra-conjugal ICSI cycles were performed. Among the prognostics parameters, the parity and the embryo quality could not be adequately addressed, therefore the parity was not included in the statistical analysis and the embryo quality has been presented as preliminary observations. The pregnancy rate per cycle was 12.0% (139/1,159) and the overall AID pregnancy rate per couple was 43.6% (139/319). Normal or oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) semen and women aged 34 years or above at the time of AID procedure obtained the lowest AID clinical pregnancy rate. Azoospermia or cryptozoospermia semen and women aged below 34 years obtained the highest AID clinical pregnancy rate. In conclusion, the transition to the AID procedure after intra-conjugal ICSI failure allows such couples to obtain a pregnancy, however after each ART failure AID transition should be proposed according to the woman’s age and sperm characteristics. Abbreviations: AID: artificial insemination with donor sperm; ICSI: intracytoplasmic sperm injection; CECOS: Centre d’Etude et de Conservation des Oeufs et du Sperme; OAT: oligoasthenoteratozoospermia; IVF: in vitro fertilization; ART: artificial reproductive technology; β hCG: beta human chorionic gonadotrophin; SD: standard deviation; OR: Odds ratio
Synthesis, characterization and amphiphilic self-assembly of inorganic nanoparticles functionalized with polymer brushes of variable composition and chain length

The synthesis, characterization and amphiphilic self-assembly of polymer brush functionalized nanoparticles (PBNPs) using a block copolymer template is described herein. To study the effect of polymer brush composition on self-assembly, four samples were created using a mixture of PS-b-PAA (polystyrene-block-polyacrylic acid) and PMMA-b-PAA (poly(methyl methacrylate)-block-polyacrylic acid) diblock copolymers to create PBNPs with a CdS quantum dot (QD) core and different ratios of PS and PMMA in the coronal brush. Static light scattering showed that despite differences in brush composition, the PBNPs formed nanoparticles of similar aggregation number and chain density but showed evidence of asymmetric structure in a common solvent for both blocks at higher PS contents. After subsequent hydrolysis of the hydrophobic PMMA to hydrophilic poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA), these amphiphilic particles were then self-assembled in THF/H2O solution in which it was determined that increasing the hydrophobic content of the brush composition, the initial nanoparticle concentration (c0) or the added salt content (RNaCl), would cause the assembly of low curvature assemblies. Compilation of this data allowed for the construction of phase diagrams for PBNP systems based on brush composition and c0 at different salt contents. Lastly, PS-b-PAA-b-PMMA triblock copolymers with variable PMMA chain length were assembled into PBNPs around a CdS QD core using a
Performance assessment of copy number microarray platforms using a spike-in experiment

MOTIVATION Changes in the copy number of chromosomal DNA segments [copy number variants (CNVs)] have been implicated in human variation, heritable diseases and cancers. Microarray-based platforms are the current established technology of choice for studies reporting these discoveries and constitute the benchmark against which emergent sequence-based approaches will be evaluated. Research that depends on CNV analysis is rapidly increasing, and systematic platform assessments that distinguish strengths and weaknesses are needed to guide informed choice. RESULTS We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of six platforms, provided by four leading vendors, using a spike-in experiment. NimbleGen and Agilent platforms outperformed Illumina and Affymetrix in accuracy and precision of copy number dosage estimates. However, Illumina and Affymetrix algorithms that leverage single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) information make up for this disadvantage and perform well at variant detection. Overall, the NimbleGen 2.1M platform outperformed others, but only with the use of an alternative data analysis pipeline to the one offered by the manufacturer. AVAILABILITY The data is available from http://rafalab.jhsph. edu/cnvcomp/. CONTACT pevsner@jhmi.edu; fspencer@jhmi.edu; rafa@jhu.edu SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
HubP, a Polar Landmark Protein, Regulates Flagellar Number by Assisting in the Proper Polar Localization of FlhG in Vibrio alginolyticus

ABSTRACT The marine bacterium Vibrio alginolyticus has a single polar flagellum, the number of which is regulated positively by FlhF and negatively by FlhG. FlhF is intrinsically localized at the cell pole, whereas FlhG is localized there through putative interactions with the polar landmark protein HubP. Here we focused on the role of HubP in the regulation of flagellar number in V. alginolyticus. Deletion of hubP increased the flagellar number and completely disrupted the polar localization of FlhG. It was thought that the flagellar number is determined primarily by the absolute amount of FlhF localized at the cell pole. Here we found that deletion of hubP increased the flagellar number although it did not increase the polar amount of FlhF. We also found that FlhG overproduction did not reduce the polar localization of FlhF. These results show that the absolute amount of FlhF is not always the determinant of flagellar number. We speculate that cytoplasmic FlhG works as a quantitative regulator, controlling the amount of FlhF localized at the pole, and HubP-anchored polar FlhG works as a qualitative regulator, directly inhibiting the activity of polar FlhF. This regulation by FlhF, FlhG, and HubP might contribute to achieving optimal flagellar biogenesis at the cell pole in V. alginolyticus. IMPORTANCE For regulation of the flagellar number in marine Vibrio, two proteins, FlhF and FlhG, work as positive and negative regulators, respectively. In this study, we found that the polar landmark protein HubP is involved in the regulation of flagellar biogenesis. Deletion of hubP increased the number of flagella without increasing the amount of pole-localizing FlhF, indicating that the number of flagella is not determined solely by the absolute amount of pole-localizing FlhF, which is inconsistent with the previous model. We propose that cytoplasmic FlhG and HubP-anchored polar FlhG negatively regulate flagellar formation through two independent schemes.
Randomized, Multicenter Trial of ARTSS-2 (Argatroban With Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Stroke)

Background and Purpose— We conducted a randomized exploratory study to assess safety and the probability of a favorable outcome with adjunctive argatroban, a direct thrombin-inhibitor, administered to recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (r-tPA)–treated ischemic stroke patients. Methods— Patients treated with standard-dose r-tPA, not receiving endovascular therapy, were randomized to receive no argatroban or argatroban (100 &mgr;g/kg bolus) followed by infusion of either 1 (low dose) or 3 &mgr;g/kg per minute (high dose) for 48 hours. Safety was incidence of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Probability of clinical benefit (modified Rankin Scale score 0–1 at 90 days) was estimated using a conservative Bayesian Poisson model (neutral prior probability centered at relative risk, 1.0 and 95% prior intervals, 0.33–3.0). Results— Ninety patients were randomized: 29 to r-tPA alone, 30 to r-tPA+low-dose argatroban, and 31 to r-tPA+high-dose argatroban. Rates of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage were similar among control, low-dose, and high-dose arms: 3/29 (10%), 4/30 (13%), and 2/31 (7%), respectively. At 90 days, 6 (21%) r-tPA alone, 9 (30%) low-dose, and 10 (32%) high-dose patients were with modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 1. The relative risks (95% credible interval) for modified Rankin Scale score 0 to 1 with low, high, and either low or high dose argatroban were 1.17 (0.57–2.37), 1.27 (0.63–2.53), and 1.34 (0.68–2.76), respectively. The probability that adjunctive argatroban was superior to r-tPA alone was 67%, 74%, and 79% for low, high, and low or high dose, respectively. Conclusions— In patients treated with r-tPA, adjunctive argatroban was not associated with increased risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and provides evidence that a definitive effectiveness trial is indicated. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique Identifier: NCT01464788.
Quantum Theory at Planck Scale, Dynamical Cosmological Term and Deformed Gravity

The dark energy problem is analyzed from the viewpoint of the time-varying cosmological term. It is demonstrated that, at least within the scope of the holographic principle, an experimental value of the vacuum energy density may be derived and may be tested quite well with a new small parameter arising in a quantum theory with the fundamental length on the order of Planck’s length. Besides, within a theory proclaiming the existence of such fundamental length a high-energy deformation of the General Relativity for the space with horizon has been constructed. The obtained results have been applied to solving of the dark energy problem, making it possible to frame the following hypothesis: a dynamic cosmological term is a measure of deviation from a thermodynamic identity (the first law of thermodynamics) of the high-energy (Planck’s) deformation of Einstein equations for horizon spaces in their thermodynamic interpretation.
Prognostic Parameters of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at Presentation

Introduction: The treatment response and outcome in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is heterogeneous. Aim: To analyze the prognostic parameters of AML at presentation. Methods: The total sample of 44 AML patients was analyzed on the basis of age <55 and ≥55 years, sex, WBC count <50x10/9/l and ≥50x10/9/l, the Hb concentration <100 g/l and ≥100 g/l, PLT count <100x10/9/l and ≥100x10/9/l, Karnofsky score <60% and >60%, cytogenetics, CD56 expression, morphological type and types of treatment (standard and reduced induction chemotherapy, high–dose chemotherapy/stem cell transplantation – autologous and HLA matched, related, allogeneic, together and separately). Results: The age <55 years, Karnofsky score >60% and standard induction chemotherapy statistically correlated with the higher complete remission (CR) rates, longer relapse free survival (RFS), lower relapse rate (RR), and longer overall survival (OS) (p<0.01). The difference in terms of CR and RR between the sexes were not statistically significant (p<0.05), however women had statistically lower OS comparing to men (9.71±4.54 months vs. 38.03±9.17 months) (p<0.01). WBC count ≥ 50x10/9/l and the Hb concentration <100 g/l statistically correlated with shorter OS (p<0.05), while the WBC count ≥50x10/9/l statistically correlated with shorter RFS (p<0.05). The PLT count <100x10/9/l and ≥100x10/9/l was not found as prognostically significant for CR, RR, RFS, and OS (p<0.05). In comparison to the standard induction chemotherapy, both types of high dose chemotherapy/stem cell transplantation (HDT/SCT) (10/22), together and separately, resulted in longer RFS, lower RR, and longer OS (p<0.05). The frequency of cytogenetic risk was intermediate 81.6%, unfavorable 13.2%, and favorable 5.3%, respectively. CD56 + expression statistically correlated with the lower PLT count, higher RR, shorter RFS, and shorter OS (p<0.05). Statistical analysis of the cytogenetic risk and morphological types of AML were not possible due to the small number of patients in stratified groups. Conclusions: Female sex, the WBC count >50x10/9/l, the concentration of Hb <100 g/l, and CD56 + expression, at presentation of AML, should be considered as parameters of adverse risk, especially in latter decisions considering post-remission treatment with HDT/SCT.
Association of μ-Calpain and Calpastatin Polymorphisms with Meat Tenderness in a Brahman–Angus Population

Autogenous proteolytic enzymes of the calpain family are implicated in myofibrillar protein degradation. As a result, the μ-calpain gene and its specific inhibitor, calpastatin, have been repeatedly investigated for their association with meat quality traits in cattle; however, no functional mutation has been identified for these two genes. The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess breed composition effect on tenderness; (2) to perform a linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis in μ-calpain and calpastatin genes as well as an association analyses with tenderness; and (3) to analyze putative functional SNPs inside the significant LD block for an effect on tenderness. Tenderness measurements and genotypes for 16 SNPs in μ-calpain gene and 28 SNPs in calpastatin gene from 673 steers were analyzed. A bioinformatic analysis identified “putative functional SNPs” inside the associated LD block – polymorphisms able to produce a physical and/or chemical change in the DNA, mRNA, or translated protein in silico. Breed composition had a significant (P < 0.0001) effect on tenderness where animals with more than 80% Angus composition had the most tender meat. One 11-kb LD-block and three LD-blocks of 37, 17, and 14 kb in length were identified in the μ-calpain and calpastatin genes, respectively. Out of these, the LD-block 3 in calpastatin, tagged by SNPs located at 7-98566391 and 7-98581038, had a significant effect on tenderness with the TG-CG diplotype being approximately 1 kg more tender than the toughest diplotype, TG-CG. A total of 768 SNPs in the LD-block 3 of calpastatin were included in the bioinformatic analysis, and 28 markers were selected as putative functional SNPs inside the LD-block 3 of calpastatin; however, none of them were polymorphic in this population. Out of 15 initial polymorphisms segregating inside the LD-block 3 of calpastatin in this population, markers ARSUSMARC116, Cast5, rs730723459, and rs210861835 were found to be significantly associated with tenderness.
Personalized Mobile Health Intervention for Health and Weight Loss in Postpartum Women Receiving Women, Infants, and Children Benefit: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND Prepregnancy maternal obesity and excessive weight gain during pregnancy lead to significant morbidities in mothers and their children. Mothers who never return to their prepregnancy weight begin subsequent pregnancies at a greater weight and have a larger propensity for excess gestational weight gain and postpartum weight retention. METHODS In this pilot study, 40 postpartum women credentialed to receive postpartum women, infants, and children (WIC) service were randomized to usual care ("WIC Moms") or a personalized health intervention delivered via a SmartPhone ("E-Moms"). Assessments, including body weight, vital signs, circumferences, and body composition, were completed at week 0 (6-8 weeks postpartum), week 8, and week 16. RESULTS Results are presented as change from week 0 at 16. As per the completers analysis, body weight change was not different between the groups (WIC Moms vs. E-Moms; 1.8 ± 0.9 vs. -0.1 ± 0.9 kg; p = 0.10), neither was the change in percent body fat (1.7 ± 0.6 vs. 0.1% ± 0.6%; p = 0.90) or waist/hip ratio (-0.01 ± 0.01 vs. -0.02 ± 0.01 cm; p = 0.60). However, due to notable variability in intervention adherence as the study progressed, participants were classified post hoc as having low (<40% adherence), medium (40%-70% adherence), or high adherence (>70% adherence). Participants with high intervention adherence (n = 5) had a significant reduction in body weight (-3.6 ± 1.6 vs. 1.8 ± 0.9 kg; p = 0.005) and percent body fat (-2.5 ± 1.0 vs. 1.7% ± 0.6%; p = 0.001) when compared to WIC Moms. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the E-Moms intervention was not able to decrease postpartum weight retention in women receiving WIC benefits compared to usual care received through the current WIC program. However, there is some evidence to suggest improved adherence to the intervention would improve weight management.
Analysis of Outcomes of the Nutritional Status in Patients Qualified for Aortic Valve Replacement in Comparison to Healthy Elderly

Severe aortic stenosis (AS) is associated with the reduction of muscle mass and may be associated with deterioration of nutritional status. Furthermore, malnourished cardiac patients are characterized by a higher risk of postoperative complications and mortality. The aim of this study was the evaluation and comparison of nutritional status, appetite and body composition in older people with severe aortic stenosis before aortic valve replacement and healthy elderly volunteers. One hundred and one patients, aged >65 years old with severe AS were included in the study. Nutritional status was assessed. Body composition was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Concentrations of albumin, prealbumin, triglycerides, total cholesterol and C-reactive protein were measured, and a complete blood count was done. About 40% of AS patients were at risk of malnutrition. They had decreased hand grip strength and they lost more body mass than the control group. Malnourished AS patients were older, had lower body mass indexes (BMIs) and lower aortic valve areas in comparison to well-nourished patients. Older AS patients, like their peers, show excessive body mass and, at the same time, the features of malnutrition. They have additional factors such as unintentional weight lost and decreased muscle strength which may be associated with worse outcomes.
Heart Failure as a Risk Factor for Stroke

Heart failure (HF) is one of the major causes of death worldwide. Despite the high incidence of stroke in patients with HF, there has been a controversy as to whether HF itself is a risk factor for stroke. Recently, there is a great deal of evidence that HF itself increases the risk of stroke. In previous studies, the benefit of warfarin for stroke prevention in patients with HF was offset by the risk of bleeding. In the era of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants with low bleeding profiles, we can expect a more effective stroke prevention in patients with HF by selective anticoagulation. The purpose of this review is to describe the relationship between stroke and HF, which could be an unconventional risk factor and a potential intervention target for stroke prevention.