Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An age-related decrease in creatinine clearance is associated with an increase in number of falls in untreated women but not in women receiving calcitriol treatment.

CONTEXT Decreased calcitriol production due to impaired renal function may be a significant risk factor for falls in normal aging population. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to examine the association between creatinine clearance (CrCl) and the incidence of falls and fallers in groups treated with placebo, calcitriol, estrogen therapy (ET)/estrogen + progestin therapy (HT), and calcitriol + ET/HT. DESIGN This was a 3-yr, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to test the efficacy of calcitriol and ET/HT on bone loss and falls with analysis by intention to treat and post hoc. SETTING The study was conducted at an academic outpatient center. PARTICIPANTS Four hundred eighty-nine normal elderly women aged 65-77 yr; 415 women completed the study. INTERVENTION Subjects were randomized to placebo, calcitriol 0.25 mug twice a day, ET daily (conjugated equine estrogens 0.625 mg), HT (conjugated equine estrogen 0.625 mg + medroxyprogesterone acetate 2.5 mg) and calcitriol + ET/HT. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cumulative number of falls and fallers were compared between groups with 24-h urine CrCl less than 60 and 60 ml/min or greater. RESULTS Calcitriol treatment decreased the number of fallers and falls. Low CrCl less than 60 ml/min was a predictor of the number of falls per person but not fallers in the placebo group (P = 0.007). In the low CrCl group (<60 ml/min), the rate of falls decreased on calcitriol by 53% [95% confidence interval (CI) -71% to -22%; P = 0.003], calcitriol + ET/HT by 61% (95% CI -76% to -37%; P = 0.001), and ET/HT by 25% (95% CI: -55% to +24%; not significant). Calcitriol reduced the rate of falls by 30% (95% CI -49% to -4%; P = 0.027) in the CrCl 60 ml/min or greater group. CONCLUSION Calcitriol treatment decreases falls in all subjects but especially in elderly women with decreased renal function (<60 ml/min) and frequent fallers.
HIV associated Mycobacterium colombiense cervical lymphadenitis: A case report

We report a case of Mycobacterium colombiense in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patient who presented with tender cervical lymphadenopathy that progressed to a fistulous tract. The identification, treatment, and management of infection with this pathogen are discussed. This represents the first case to our knowledge of infection with this organism in the United States. J Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 7(2): 101-103
A Dynamical Model of Human Immune Response to Influenza a Virus Infection

We present a simplified dynamical model of immune response to uncomplicated influenza A virus (IAV) infection, which focuses on the control of the infection by the innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is represented by interferon-induced resistance to infection of respiratory epithelial cells and by removal of infected cells by effector cells (cytotoxic T-cells and natural killer cells). Adaptive immunity is represented by virus-specific antibodies. Similar in spirit to the recent model of Bocharov and Romanyukha [1994. Mathematical model of antiviral immune response. III. Influenza A virus infection. J. Theor. Biol. 167, 323–360], the model is constructed as a system of 10 ordinary differential equations with 27 parameters characterizing the rates of various processes contributing to the course of disease. The parameters are derived from published experimental data or estimated so as to reproduce available data about the time course of IAV infection in a naı¨ve host. We explore the effect of initial viral load on the severity and duration of the disease, construct a phase diagram that sheds insight into the dynamics of the disease, and perform sensitivity analysis on the model parameters to explore which ones influence the most the onset, duration and severity of infection. To account for the variability and speed of adaptation of the adaptive response to a particular virus strain, we introduce a variable that quantifies the antigenic compatibility between the virus and the antibodies currently produced by the organism. We find that for small initial viral load the disease progresses through an asymptomatic course, for intermediate value it takes a typical course with constant duration and severity of infection but variable onset, and for large initial viral load the disease becomes severe. This behavior is robust to a wide range of parameter values. The absence of antibody response leads to recurrence of disease and appearance of a chronic state with nontrivial constant viral load.
Nocturnal heart rate variability following supramaximal intermittent exercise.

PURPOSE To assess the effect of supramaximal intermittent exercise on long-term cardiac autonomic activity, inferred from heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS Eleven healthy males performed a series of two consecutive intermittent 15-s runs at 95% VIFT (i.e., speed reached at the end of the 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test) interspersed with 15 s of active recovery at 45% VIFT until exhaustion. Beat-to-beat intervals were recorded during two consecutive nights (habituation night and 1st night) before, 10 min before and immediately after exercise, as well as 12 h (2nd night) and 36 h (3rd night) after supramaximal intermittent exercise. The HRV indices were calculated from the last 5 min of resting and recovery periods, and the first 10 min of the first estimated slow wave sleep period. RESULTS Immediate post-supramaximal exercise vagal-related HRV indices were significantly lower than immediate pre-supramaximal exercise values (P < .001). Most vagal-related indices were lower during the 2nd night compared with the 1st night (eg, mean RR intervals, P = .03). Compared with the 2nd night, vagal-related HRV indices were significantly higher during the 3rd night. Variables were not different between the 1st and 3rd nights; however, we noted a tendency (adjusted effect size, aES) for an increased normalized high-frequency component (P = .06 and aES = 0.70) and a tendency toward a decreased low-frequency component (P = .06 and aES = 0.74). CONCLUSION Results confirm the strong influence of exercise intensity on short- and long-term postexercise heart rate variability recovery and might help explain the high efficiency of supramaximal training for enhancing indices of cardiorespiratory fitness.
Effects of feminine hygiene products on the vaginal mucosal biome

Background : Over-the-counter (OTC) feminine hygiene products come with little warning about possible side effects. This study evaluates in-vitro their effects on Lactobacillus crispatus, which is dominant in the normal vaginal microbiota and helps maintain a healthy mucosal barrier essential for normal reproductive function and prevention of sexually transmitted infections and gynecologic cancer. Methods : A feminine moisturizer (Vagisil), personal lubricant, and douche were purchased OTC. A topical spermicide (nonoxynol-9) known to alter the vaginal immune barrier was used as a control. L. crispatus was incubated with each product for 2 and 24h and then seeded on agar for colony forming units (CFU). Human vaginal epithelial cells were exposed to products in the presence or absence of L. crispatus for 24h, followed by epithelium-associated CFU enumeration. Interleukin-8 was immunoassayed and ANOVA was used for statistical evaluation. Results : Nonoxynol-9 and Vagisil suppressed Lactobacillus growth at 2h and killed all bacteria at 24h. The lubricant decreased bacterial growth insignificantly at 2h but killed all at 24h. The douche did not have a significant effect. At full strength, all products suppressed epithelial viability and all, except the douche, suppressed epithelial-associated CFU. When applied at non-toxic dose in the absence of bacteria, the douche and moisturizer induced an increase of IL-8, suggesting a potential to initiate inflammatory reaction. In the presence of L. crispatus, the proinflammatory effects of the douche and moisturizer were countered, and IL-8 production was inhibited in the presence of the other products. Conclusion : Some OTC vaginal products may be harmful to L. crispatus and alter the vaginal immune environment. Illustrated through these results, L. crispatus is essential in the preservation of the function of vaginal epithelial cells in the presence of some feminine hygiene products. More research should be invested toward these products before they are placed on the market.
Selective synthesis and degradation of slow skeletal myosin heavy chains in developing muscle fibers

During fetal development of fast skeletal muscles in the rat, three types of cells could be identified using a monoclonal antibody to slow skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain. Presumptive type I cells stained positive for slow forms of skeletal myosin heavy chain and a previously described protein5 of an apparent molecular weight of 100 KD, whereas presumptive type 2B cells did not stain for either of these peptides. Presumptive type 2A cells, on the other hand, did not stain for slow isoform of 100‐K protein, but did stain positive for slow skeletal myosin heavy chain. There was a progressive suppression or degradation of slow skeletal myosin heavy chain in presumptive type 2A cells during subsequent fetal development, so that it was almost undetectable in most animals at birth. Soleus, a slow muscle, however, did not show clear differentiation into presumptive type I and type 2 cells until 4 days after birth.
Primary Systemic Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in a Single Korean Institution: Clinical Characteristics and Treatment Outcome

Despite advances in the characterization of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL), little data is available on Asian patients. We report here upon single Korean institution's experience regarding the clinical characteristics and outcomes of ALCL. We performed a retrospective study of 32 adults with ALCL. Most of the patients received anthracycline-based chemotherapy. Ann Arbor stage III-IV, B symptoms, high-intermediate/high International Prognostic Index (IPI), and extranodal disease at diagnosis were present in 56%, 44%, 41%, and 63%, respectively. Compared with Western studies, the male/female ratio (4.3) was markedly higher and skin (9%) and bone involvement (9%) were less frequent. The staining results for anaplastic lymphoma kinase were positive in 6 (33%) of 18 cases available. The complete response (CR) rate was 62% (95% CI, 44-80%). With a median follow-up of 51.0 months, 5 yr overall survival was 40±11%. The 3 yr relapse-free survival for the 18 patients who achieved CR was 74±12%. Age, performance status, lactate dehydrogenase, extranodal disease sites number, and IPI were correlated with treatment response and survival. Our data suggest that Korean ALCL patients appear to have a higher male/female ratio, less frequent skin/bone involvement, and lower CR rate compared with those of Western studies.
Phomanolides A and B from the Fungus Phoma sp.: Meroterpenoids Derived from a Putative Tropolonic Sesquiterpene via Hetero-Diels-Alder Reactions.

Phomanolides A (1) and B (2), unique meroterpenoids with new pentacyclic and tetracyclic skeletons, respectively, and phomanoxide (3), the double-epoxidation product of a putative biosynthetic precursor of 1 and 2, were isolated from the solid substrate fermentation cultures of the fungus Phoma sp. , along with the known compound eupenifeldin (4). The structures of 1-3 were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism calculations and further secured by X-ray crystallography. Biogenetically, compounds 1 and 2 could be derived from a hypothetical monotropolonic sesquiterpene intermediate via hetero-Diels-Alder reactions. Compound 4 showed potent antiproliferative effects against three human glioma cell lines, with IC50 values of 0.08-0.13 μM.
Butt fusion welding of polyethylene pipes

The butt fusion process is extensively used in the joining of polyethylene (PE) pipes by the water and gas industries. This welding process although deceptively simple, is rather poorly understood, with much of the initial developments being of a rather empirical nature. The Water Research centre (WRc) have funded the present research in an attempt to optimise the welding of high pressure pipeline (PE100) systems. The main aims of this research were to investigate the effect of different welding conditions on the physical and mechanical properties of the joints produced and to investigate these effects on the microand macro-structures of the joints produced. A series of welds were made using Eltex Tub 124 and Rigidex 002-50 pipes of 180mm diameter. The fusion pressure and heatsoak times were varied. A milling machine witha twin cutter arrangement was used to obtain the test specimens from around the circumference of the pipes. Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study the effect of sample preparation methodology on the thermo-oxidative stability. Polarised light microscopy and image analysis were used to study the macroand micro-structural developments in the weld joint. Joint strength was evaluated via standard and non-standard tensile test methods. Milling the samples to produce the test specimens was found to decrease significantly the thermo-oxidative resistance of the polymer. Reasons for this behaviour have been proposed. In order to achieve high quality thin films from microtomy, custom-made blades were used. This programme also developed the optimum polishing method for the microtomed blades. The macro-structure of the bead: its shape and dimensions were found to be a function of temperature and pressure. Correlation was found between the bead geometry and the position around the circumference of the pipe. The macrostructures within the weld zone also showed this dependence on the position along the circumference of the pipe. An examination of the microstructures of each weld had shown the presence of five different zones. The feasibility of using microtomed thin sections in a tensile test was demonstrated. The test method provides a means to study failure initiation and propagation in the tensile test specimen. Initial deformation was found to occur in the centre of the melt-affected zone (MAZ) and the final failure occurs at the junction of the weld bead and the bulk polymer. Tests on films without the weld bead showed that maximum deformation occurred at the centre of the sample within the MAZ. The presence of the bead and the asymmetry in the test specimens caused by the welding process were found to have a significant influence on the failure mode and the failure strain. The strain rate was also found to play a significant role in both beaded and debeaded samples. The failure was initiated from the pseudo notches in the beaded samples. In the debeaded sample the failure was within the MAZ.
Presence of aflatoxin M1 in commercial ultra-high-temperature-treated milk

Forty-seven samples of commercial ultra-high-temperature-treated milk from a dairy facility in the northwest part of Spain were analyzed for the presence of aflatoxin M1. A total of 14 samples (29.8%) were positive for aflatoxin M1 (4 in May, 3 in November, 3 in December, 1 in January, 1 in April, 1 in July, and 1 in August), 29 (61.7%) were negative, and 4 (8.5%) were doubtful, i.e., they showed trace quantities of aflatoxin M1. The range of aflatoxin M1 content was 0.02 to 0.1 ng/ml.
Scalable web services for the PSIPRED Protein Analysis Workbench

Here, we present the new UCL Bioinformatics Group’s PSIPRED Protein Analysis Workbench. The Workbench unites all of our previously available analysis methods into a single web-based framework. The new web portal provides a greatly streamlined user interface with a number of new features to allow users to better explore their results. We offer a number of additional services to enable computationally scalable execution of our prediction methods; these include SOAP and XML-RPC web server access and new HADOOP packages. All software and services are available via the UCL Bioinformatics Group website at http://bioinf.cs. ucl.ac. uk/.
Scalable Nonparametric Low-Rank Kernel Learning Using Block Coordinate Descent

Nonparametric kernel learning (NPKL) is a flexible approach to learn the kernel matrix directly without assuming any parametric form. It can be naturally formulated as a semidefinite program (SDP), which, however, is not very scalable. To address this problem, we propose the combined use of low-rank approximation and block coordinate descent (BCD). Low-rank approximation avoids the expensive positive semidefinite constraint in the SDP by replacing the kernel matrix variable with VTV, where V is a low-rank matrix. The resultant nonlinear optimization problem is then solved by BCD, which optimizes each column of V sequentially. It can be shown that the proposed algorithm has nice convergence properties and low computational complexities. Experiments on a number of real-world data sets show that the proposed algorithm outperforms state-of-the-art NPKL solvers.
Public and Private Merger Waves

We examine the participation of public and private …rms in merger waves and their outcomes. We document that public …rms participate more in mergers than private …rms and are more cyclical in their acquisition decisions. Public …rms are also impacted more by macro factors including credit spreads and industry returns. Acquired plants gain more in productivity on average and the improvement is greater for on-the-wave mergers. We show that our results are not just driven by the fact that public …rms have better access to capital. Using productivity from …ve and ten years prior to the transaction, we document that better …rms select to become public and participate more in productivity increasing mergers. Our results are consistent with the notion that better …rms become public in anticipation of accessing capital in the public markets when opportunities rise.
Euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a disease that causes progressive paralysis leading to respiratory failure. Patients with ALS may consider physician-assisted suicide. However, it is not known how many patients, if given the option, would actually decide to end their lives by physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia nor at what stage of the disease they would choose to do so. METHODS We identified physicians of 279 patients in the Netherlands with a diagnosis of ALS who died between 1994 and 1999. Physicians were asked to fill out a validated questionnaire about the end-of-life decisions that were made. Of 241 eligible physicians, 203 returned the questionnaire (84 percent). RESULTS Of the 203 patients, 35 (17 percent) chose euthanasia and died that way. An additional six patients (3 percent) died as a result of physician-assisted suicide. Patients to whom religion was important were less likely to have died as a result of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide. The choice of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide was not associated with any particular characteristics of the disease or of the patient's care, nor was it associated with income or educational level. Disability before death was significantly more severe in patients who died as a result of euthanasia than among those who died in other ways. Physician-assisted suicide appeared to occur somewhat earlier in the course of the disease than did euthanasia. An additional 48 patients (24 percent) received palliative treatment, which probably shortened their lives. CONCLUSIONS In the Netherlands, we found that one in five patients with ALS died as a result of euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide.
Blood hyperviscosity with reduced skin blood flow in scleroderma

The vascular complications of scleroderma have previously been attributed to the progressive obliteration of small vessels. Our study was carried out to determine whether abnormalities of blood viscosity occur in this disease, thereby contributing to the ischaemic process. Blood viscosity was measured in 20 patients using a rotational viscometer. At a high rate of shear, blood hyperviscosity was found in 35% of the patients and at a low rate of shear, in 70%. In addition there was a significant increase in the plasma viscosity which implicates changes in plasma proteins (fibrinogen, immunoglobulins) as causing the hyperviscosity. Measurement of the hand blood flow by venous occlusion plethysmography showed reduced flow at 32°, 27°, and 20°C. A unique finding was a delayed recovery of the blood flow after cooling. These observations suggest that the increased resistance to blood flow in skin affected by scleroderma may be caused by an interaction between the occlusive vascular lesion and blood hyperviscosity. In addition, blood flow patterns and hyperviscosity could help distinguish scleroderma from primary Raynaud's disease.
Secondary CD8+ T‐cell responses are controlled by systemic inflammation

Repeated infections and experimental prime‐boost regimens frequently result in the generation of secondary (2°) CD8+ T‐cell responses. In contrast to primary (1°) CD8+ T cells, the parameters that influence the abundance and phenotype of 2° effector and memory CD8+ T‐cell populations are largely unknown. Here, we analyze the impact of different booster infections, Ag curtailment, and systemic inflammation on the quality and quantity of secondary CD8+ T‐cell responses. We show that similar to 1° CD8+ T‐cell responses, the phenotype of 2° effector and memory CD8+ T‐cell populations is critically dependent on the nature of the infectious pathogen and the inflammatory milieu early after infection. In addition, systemic inflammation increases the number of 2° effector and memory CD8+ T cells after booster infections and immunizations. Therefore, our data reveal new means to boost the number of 2° effector and memory CD8+ T cells in prime‐boost regimens and show a surprisingly high degree of plasticity in 2° memory CD8+ T‐cell phenotype that is controlled by systemic inflammation.
Data Channel Status Confirmation Extensions for the Link Management Protocol

This document defines simple additions to the Link Management Protocol (LMP) to provide a control plane tool that can assist in the location of stranded resources by allowing adjacent Label-Switching Routers (LSRs) to confirm data channel statuses and provide triggers for notifying the management plane if any discrepancies are found. As LMP is already used to verify data plane connectivity, it is considered to be an appropriate candidate to support this feature. [STANDARDS-TRACK]