Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Colon Transit Time May Predict Inadequate Bowel Preparation in Patients With Chronic Constipation

Background/Aims We evaluated whether colonic transit time (CTT) can predict the degree of bowel preparation in patients with chronic constipation undergoing scheduled colonoscopy in order to assist in the development of better bowel preparation strategies for these patients. Methods We analyzed the records of 160 patients with chronic constipation from March 2007 to November 2012. We enrolled patients who had undergone a CTT test followed by colonoscopy. We defined patients with a CTT ≥30 hours as the slow transit time (STT) group, and patients with a CTT <30 hours as the normal transit time (NTT) group. Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) scores were compared between the STT and NTT groups. Results Of 160 patients with chronic constipation, 82 (51%) were included in the STT group and 78 (49%) were included in the NTT group. Patients with a BBPS score of <6 were more prevalent in the STT group than in the NTT group (31.7% vs. 10.3%, P=0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that slow CTT was an independent predictor of inadequate bowel preparation (odds ratio, 0.261; 95% confidence interval, 0.107-0.634; P=0.003). The best CTT cut-off value for predicting inadequate bowel preparation in patients with chronic constipation was 37 hours, as determined by receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (area under the ROC curve: 0.676, specificity: 0.735, sensitivity: 0.643). Conclusions Patients with chronic constipation and a CTT >30 hours were at risk for inadequate bowel preparation. CTT measured prior to colonoscopy could be useful for developing individualized strategies for bowel preparation in patients with slow CTT, as these patients are likely to have inadequate bowel preparation.
Interactions between Viral and Prokaryotic Pathogens in a Mixed Infection with Cardiovirus and Mycoplasma

ABSTRACT In the natural environment, animal and plant viruses often share ecological niches with microorganisms, but the interactions between these pathogens, although potentially having important implications, are poorly investigated. The present report demonstrates, in a model system, profound mutual effects of mycoplasma and cardioviruses in animal cell cultures. In contrast to mycoplasma-free cells, cultures contaminated with Mycoplasma hyorhinis responded to infection with encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), a picornavirus, but not with poliovirus (also a picornavirus), with a strong activation of a DNase(s), as evidenced by the TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling) immunofluorescence assay and electrophoretic analysis of host DNA. This degradation was reminiscent of that observed upon apoptosis but was caspase independent, judging by the failure of the specific pan-caspase inhibitor Q-VD-OPh to prevent it. The electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme responsible for DNA degradation and dependence of its activity on ionic conditions strongly suggested that it was represented by a DNase(s) of mycoplasma origin. In cells not infected with EMCV, the relevant DNase was dormant. The possibility is discussed that activation of the mycoplasma DNase might be linked to a relatively early increase in permeability of plasma membrane of the infected cells caused by EMCV. This type of unanticipated virus-mycoplasma “cooperation” may exemplify the complexity of pathogen-host interactions under conditions when viruses and microorganisms are infecting the same host. In the course of the present study, it was also demonstrated that pan-caspase inhibitor zVAD(OMe). fmk strongly suppressed cardiovirus polyprotein processing, illustrating an additional pitfall in investigations of viral effects on the apoptotic system of host cells.
EARLINET dust observations vs. BSC-DREAM8b modeled profiles: 12-year-long systematic comparison at Potenza, Italy

Abstract. In this paper, we report the first systematic comparison of 12-year modeled dust extinction profiles vs. Raman lidar measurements. We use the BSC-DREAM8b model, one of the most widely used dust regional models in the Mediterranean, and Potenza EARLINET lidar profiles for Saharan dust cases, the largest one-site database of dust extinction profiles. A total of 310 dust cases were compared for the May 2000–July 2012 period. The model reconstructs the measured layers well: profiles are correlated within 5% of significance for 60% of the cases and the dust layer center of mass as measured by lidar and modeled by BSC-DREAM8b differ on average 0.3 ± 1.0 km. Events with a dust optical depth lower than 0.1 account for 70% of uncorrelated profiles. Although there is good agreement in terms of profile shape and the order of magnitude of extinction values, the model overestimates the occurrence of dust layer top above 10 km. Comparison with extinction profiles measured by the Raman lidar shows that BSC-DREAM8b typically underestimates the dust extinction coefficient, in particular below 3 km. Lowest model–observation differences (below 17%) correspond to a lidar ratio at 532 nm and Angstrom exponent at 355/532 nm of 60 ± 13 and 0.1 ± 0.6 sr, respectively. These are in agreement with values typically observed and modeled for pure desert dust. However, the highest differences (higher than 85%) are typically related to greater Angstrom values (0.5 ± 0.6), denoting smaller particles. All these aspects indicate that the level of agreement decreases with an increase in mixing/modification processes.
Optimization of Magnetosome Production and Growth by the Magnetotactic Vibrio Magnetovibrio blakemorei Strain MV-1 through a Statistics-Based Experimental Design

ABSTRACT The growth and magnetosome production of the marine magnetotactic vibrio Magnetovibrio blakemorei strain MV-1 were optimized through a statistics-based experimental factorial design. In the optimized growth medium, maximum magnetite yields of 64.3 mg/liter in batch cultures and 26 mg/liter in a bioreactor were obtained.
Metals Contamination and Leaching Potential in Plastic Toys Bought on the Beijing Market

Plastic toys may contain metals, to which children may be exposed via mouthing, ingestion or dermal contact with those items. The objectives of this research were (1) to determine total concentrations of Pb, Cr, As, Cu, Ni, Ba, Cd, Sb in plastic toys (n=35) bought on the Beijing market, and (2) to estimate leaching potential of the eight metals in selected items (n=3) in dilute HCl and the Pb leaching property via different in vitro tests. Seven of the fore-mentioned toxic metals were detected in all of the tested samples while all samples were Cd-free. For total Pb content, 7 of the 35 samples (20%) exceeded the US regulatory total limit (100 mg/kg for total Pb). However, dilute HCl leaching tests show that all the tested samples meet the migration limit of Chinese toy safety standard (90 mg/kg for dilute-HCL extractable Pb). Some samples contained Cr and As which exceeded the China migration limits. In vitro leaching tests demonstrated that Pb was more leachable in other stimulated body fluids than that in dilute HCl. Our results revealed that China need to update its toy safety standard as soon as possible.
Canine sterile nodular panniculitis: a retrospective study of 39 dogs.

BACKGROUND Canine sterile nodular panniculitis (SNP) is an inflammatory disease of the panniculus that is typically managed with immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive treatments. It has been reported to be a cutaneous marker of an underlying systemic disease. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To assess the presence or absence of concurrent systemic diseases associated with canine SNP and to document breed predispositions. ANIMALS Thirty nine dogs presented to a veterinary teaching hospital from 1990 to 2012 which met inclusion criteria. METHODS Inclusion in this retrospective study required a diagnosis of SNP via histopathological analysis and negative special stains for infectious organisms. Breed distributions of affected dogs were compared to all other dogs examined at this hospital during the study period. Correlations between the histological pattern of panniculitis and the histological presence of dermatitis, clinical presentation of lesions, dog breed and therapeutic outcomes were assessed. RESULTS Australian shepherd dogs, Brittany spaniels, Dalmatians, Pomeranians and Chihuahuas were significantly over-represented, but correlations between inflammatory patterns of panniculitis and other histological and clinical factors were not identified. Based on the information available in medical records, 32 dogs (82.1%) had no concurrent systemic diseases identified. Four dogs had concurrent polyarthritis, which may be related to SNP through unknown mechanisms. CONCLUSIONS/CLINICAL IMPORTANCE This study identified several novel breed predilections for SNP; it failed to find any clear correlations with associated systemic diseases other than polyarthritis. The histological inflammatory pattern of SNP does not predict therapeutic outcome.
A systematic review of nonpharmacological prenatal interventions for pregnancy‐specific anxiety and fear of childbirth

BACKGROUND Despite a sharp increase in the number of publications that report on treatment options for pregnancy-specific anxiety and fear of childbirth (PSA/FoB), no systematic review of nonpharmacological prenatal interventions for PSA/FoB has been published. Our team addressed this gap, as an important first step in developing guidelines and recommendations for the treatment of women with PSA/FoB. METHODS Two databases (PubMed and Mendeley) were searched, using a combination of 42 search terms. After removing duplicates, two authors independently assessed 208 abstracts. Sixteen studies met eligibility criteria, ie, the article reported on an intervention, educational component, or treatment regime for PSA/FoB during pregnancy, and included a control group. Independent quality assessments resulted in the retention of seven studies. RESULTS Six of seven included studies were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one a quasi-experimental study. Five studies received moderate quality ratings and two strong ratings. Five of seven studies reported significant changes in PSA/FoB, as a result of the intervention. Short individual psychotherapeutic interventions (1.5-5 hours) delivered by midwives or obstetricians were effective for women with elevated childbirth fear. Interventions that were effective for pregnant women with a range of different fear/anxiety levels were childbirth education at the hospital (2 hours), prenatal Hatha yoga (8 weeks), and an 8-week prenatal education course (16 hours). CONCLUSIONS Findings from this review can inform the development of treatment approaches to support pregnant women with PSA/FoB.
Reduced glucocorticoid response to corticotropin secretagogues in the aged Sprague-Dawley rat.

Aging, as well as some frequently associated pathological conditions (depression, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, etc.), has been shown to have a profound impact on the normal functioning of the hippocampus-hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis system. The hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in the aged rat is characterized by an increase in the basal level of circulating corticosterone, an impaired ability to recover from the adrenocortical stress response, and a reduced sensitivity to the dexamethasone suppression test. All these alterations may arise from a reduced hippocampal negative feedback control of the axis, as suggested by the age-dependent loss of hippocampal adrenocorticoid receptors. Among the hypothalamic corticotropin secretagogues, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) are considered the main physiological mediators of hypothalamic control of ACTH release. Thus, we have investigated the dynamic and the temporal course of the adrenocortical response to CRH and AVP in the aged rat. Freely moving jugular-catheterized male Sprague-Dawley rats (3- and 24-month-old) were injected with CRH (0.5, 0.05 and 0.01 microgram/kg i.v.), or AVP (1.0, 0.1 and 0.05 microgram/kg i.v.), or CRH and AVP in combination. In addition, adrenocortical sensitivity to corticotropin has been studied by injecting ACTH (10 ng/kg i.v.). Our study has (1) indicated that the response to ACTH secretagogues is dampened with aging, and (2) shown in the aged rat a slower recovery. Moreover, the results had confirmed the age-dependent increase in the basal level of corticosterone in the rat, and shown no age-related differences in the glucocorticoid response to ACTH.
Predictors of a prolonged clinical course in adult patients with herpes simplex virus encephalitis.

OBJECTIVE Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) patients occasionally follow a prolonged course despite standard antiviral treatment. The purpose of this study was to analyze clinical variables to identify predictors of a prolonged course. METHODS A series of 23 HSVE patients treated with acyclovir (ACV) during the acute stage were selected and divided into 2 groups: the non-prolonged group (n = 15), with improvement within 2 weeks after initial ACV treatment; and the prolonged group (n = 8), without improvement within 2 weeks. Differences in clinical variables, including age, duration from onset to initial ACV treatment, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, corticosteroid administration, detection of abnormal lesions on initial cranial computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging, detection of periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges on electroencephalogram, and clinical outcome, were compared between the groups. RESULTS There were significant differences in GCS score, clinical outcome, and detection of lesions on CT between the non-prolonged and prolonged groups [p = 0.021, p = 0.041 (Mann-Whitney's U test), respectively, and p = 0.027 (Fisher's exact test)]. Four of the eight patients with a prolonged course had a poor outcome despite treatment with additional drugs. CONCLUSION A lower GCS and a higher rate of lesions on CT were identified as predictors of a prolonged course for HSVE. These predictors are in accordance with the conventional predictors of poor outcome for HSVE. This study suggests that the initial ACV treatment was insufficient for HSVE patients with these predictors at the acute stage. The initial treatment may need to be modified for such patients.
Prognostic relevance of a novel semiquantitative classification of Bcl2 immunohistochemical expression in human infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast.

BACKGROUND Bcl2 is an important prognostic parameter in human breast cancer. However, the evaluation of Bcl2 expression by immunohistochemistry is carried out using arbitrary scoring criteria. In the present study, we evaluated the clinical relevance of a novel, semiquantitative classification of the Bcl2 immunostaining based on both the distribution and the intensity of the staining reaction. PATIENTS AND METHODS The proposed classification was first validated in 69 breast cancer specimens by comparing the Bcl2 immunostaining with the Bcl2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels evaluated by real-time RT-PCR. Since a highly significant association was found between protein and mRNA for Bcl2, the immunohistochemical scoring system was applied to 442 patients with infiltrating ductal carcinomas of the breast with long-term follow-up (median observation time 106 months). RESULTS In the entire series, the Bcl2 variable was an independent predictor of clinical outcome, and its prognostic independence was maintained when lymph node-negative and -positive patients were considered separately. In this regard, of particular interest was the observation of a subgroup of node-negative breast cancer patients with a negative Bcl2 immunostaining, who had a very high probability of relapse or death (respectively about five and seven times greater than patients with a positive Bcl2 immunostaining). Moreover, the Bcl2 variable retained prognostic significance also in subgroups of patients treated with either adjuvant endocrine therapy or chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that in breast cancer, Bcl2 protein expression parallels its mRNA level, and it has a highly significant and independent prognostic relevance.
Adaptive Dictionary Reconstruction for Compressed Sensing of ECG Signals

This paper proposes a novel adaptive dictionary (AD) reconstruction scheme to improve the performance of compressed sensing (CS) with electrocardiogram signals (ECG). The method is based on the use of multiple dictionaries, created using dictionary learning (DL) techniques for CS signal reconstruction. The modified reconstruction framework is a two-stage process that leverages information about the signal from an initial signal reconstruction stage. By identifying whether a QRS complex is present and if so, determining a location estimate of the QRS, the most appropriate dictionary is selected and a second stage more refined signal reconstruction can be obtained. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared with state-of-the-art CS implementations in the literature, as well as the set partitioning in hierarchical trees (SPIHT) wavelet-based lossy compression algorithm. The results indicate that the proposed reconstruction scheme outperforms all existing CS implementations in terms of signal fidelity at each compression ratio tested. The performance of the proposed approach also compares favorably with SPIHT in terms of signal reconstruction quality. Furthermore, an analysis of the overall power consumption of the proposed ECG compression framework as would be used in a body area network (BAN) demonstrates positive results for the proposed CS approach when compared with existing CS techniques and SPIHT.
Stress-Stain Response of PVC Geomembrane under Uniaxial Tension Test

The mechanical property of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) geomembrane was usually expressed using engineering stress-strain response in traditional uniaxial tension test. By failing to account for deformation of specimen during the test, the deviation of true stress and strain maybe caused from the test results. In this paper, the true stress-strain response of PVC geomembrane was investigated using uniaxial tension test. The photographic analysis method was used to measure axial and lateral true strain of specimen. The Poissons ratio and true stress were also acquired based on measured true strain in the test. Then the true stress-strain relationship was obtained from the test results. By comparing with the engineering stress-strain results expressed by traditional method, it can be found that the engineering stress-strain result is unreasonable. The engineering stress-strain expression easily leads to the underestimation of the true stress.
Feeding measures to reduce nitrogen excretion in dairy cattle

Feeding measures with a potential to improve N efficiency in dairy cattle husbandry were studied at two levels of undegradable protein balance (OEB). In each of the two experiments, two simultaneous Latin squares were conducted, each with three treatments and three lactating Holstein cows. Decreasing the OEB of the diet improved N efficiency and resulted in lower N excretion per kg milk. To avoid a negative effect of the decreased OEB on the production results, spreading the concentrate intake (as TMR or in five meals) seemed to be most promising, although only few significant effects were found. The use of protected protein sources or the addition of clinoptilolite were not successful in improving N-efficiency. The rather well balanced mixed basal diet and the large variation between animals seem to have hampered the assessment of such significant influences.
Regulation of mitochondria-dynactin interaction and mitochondrial retrograde transport in axons

Mitochondrial transport in axons is critical for neural circuit health and function. While several proteins have been found that modulate bidirectional mitochondrial motility, factors that regulate unidirectional mitochondrial transport have been harder to identify. In a genetic screen, we found a zebrafish strain in which mitochondria fail to attach to the dynein retrograde motor. This strain carries a loss-of-function mutation in actr10, a member of the dynein-associated complex dynactin. The abnormal axon morphology and mitochondrial retrograde transport defects observed in actr10 mutants are distinct from dynein and dynactin mutant axonal phenotypes. In addition, Actr10 lacking the dynactin binding domain maintains its ability to bind mitochondria, arguing for a role for Actr10 in dynactin-mitochondria interaction. Finally, genetic interaction studies implicated Drp1 as a partner in Actr10-dependent mitochondrial retrograde transport. Together, this work identifies Actr10 as a factor necessary for dynactin-mitochondria interaction, enhancing our understanding of how mitochondria properly localize in axons. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.7554/eLife.22234. 001
Oral contraceptives and MS disease activity in a contemporary real-world cohort

Background: There is uncertainty regarding the effect of oral hormonal contraceptives (OC) on multiple sclerosis (MS) course. Objective: To evaluate the hypothesis that OC use is associated with decreased risk of relapses in an observational study of women of childbearing age with new-onset MS starting a first-line injectable disease-modifying therapy (DMT). Methods: From our CLIMB longitudinal observational study, we identified 162 women with MS or CIS with known OC use who initiated injectable DMT within two years of symptom onset, and categorized OC use at DMT onset as past, ever or never. Our primary analysis was comparison of annualized relapse rate from baseline DMT start across the three OC use categories using a negative binomial regression model. Results: In this cohort of 162 women, 81 were treated with interferon therapy and 81 with glatiramer acetate. Mean ages for current-, past-, and never-OC users were 31.4 (n = 46), 40.3 (n = 66), and 37.9 (n = 50) years, respectively (p < 0.05); mean disease duration (1.0 years) and median baseline EDSS (1.0) did not differ between groups. Prior OC users had significantly lower relapse rates than never-users (p = 0.031); the lower annualized relapse rate in current-users relative to never-users was not significant (p = 0.91). Annualized relapse rate was not significantly different across the OC groups (p = 0.057, three-group comparison). Results: These observations provide reassurance for women newly diagnosed that OC use, past or current, does not appear to be associated with greater risk of relapses.
Management of acute rhinosinusitis in Danish general practice: a survey

Purpose: To evaluate whether the ongoing debate over diagnostic problems and treatment choices for acute rhinosinusitis has had any influence on the management of the disease. Methods: We randomly selected 300 Danish general practitioners (GPs) from the files of the Research Unit for General Practice at Aarhus University. Invitations to participate and a questionnaire were sent to the GPs by mail. Results: A total of 149 (49%) GPs answered the questionnaire. When asked about symptoms, the highest priority was given to sinus pain and signs of tenderness. The most frequent examinations were objective examination of the ear-nose-throat (ENT), palpation of the maxillofacial area, and C-reactive protein point-of-care testing (or CRP rapid test). Nearly all GPs prescribed local vasoconstrictors, and in 70% of cases, antibiotics were prescribed. Phenoxymethyl-penicillin was the preferred antibiotic. Use of the CRP rapid test, years in practice, or employment in an ENT department did not have a significant impact on the diagnostic certainty and antibiotic prescribing rate. Conclusion: The clinical diagnoses are based on a few symptoms, signs, and the CRP rapid test. Other examinations, including imaging techniques, are seldom used. Phenoxymethylpenicillin is the preferred antibiotic, and the GPs’ diagnostic certainty was 70%.