Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between smoking and responsiveness to clopidogrel in non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke patients.

OBJECTIVE Clopidogrel is used to prevent the recurrence of non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke, but individual responsiveness to the drug varies. Moreover, it is known that smoking, which is a risk factor for ischemic stroke, affects the drug's pharmacokinetics. The objective of the present study was to investigate a possible relationship between smoking and responsiveness to clopidogrel in non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke patients. METHODS The study involved 209 non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke patients who were administered oral clopidogrel at a dosage of 75 mg/day for at least 1 week. Platelet aggregation in response to adenosine diphosphate (20 μM) was measured in each patient using the VerifyNow P2Y12 Assay. Platelet aggregation and the incidence of resistance to clopidogrel were compared between a smokers group (70 patients) and a non-smokers group (139 patients). Clopidogrel resistance was defined as a P2Y12 Reaction Units (PRU) value >230 and/or % inhibition <20%. RESULTS The mean PRU was 128.3±85.5 in the smokers group and 167.7±86.6 in the non-smokers group (p=0.002). The incidence of PRU >230 was 12.9% (9 patients) in the smokers group and 25.9% (36 patients) in the non-smokers group (p=0.033). The mean % inhibition was 48.6±30.7% in the smokers group and 36.9±27.6% in the non-smokers group (p=0.009). The incidence of patients with % inhibition <20% was 24.3% (17 patients) in the smokers group and 34.5% (48 patients) in the non-smokers group (p=0.155). CONCLUSION The incidence of clopidogrel resistance was lower in the non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke patients who were smokers, thus indicating that these patients' responsiveness to this drug may be enhanced.
Effect of cellobiose supplementation and dietary soluble fibre content on in vitro caecal fermentation of carbohydrate-rich substrates in rabbits

ABSTRACT The in vitro caecal fermentation of five substrates low in starch and protein content [d-(+)-glucose (GLU), d-cellobiose (CEL), sugar beet pectin (PEC), sugar beet pulp (SBP) and wheat straw (WS)] was investigated using soft faeces from rabbits receiving different levels of cellobiose and soluble fibre as inoculum. A total of 24 rabbits were supplemented 3 levels of cellobiose in the drinking water (0.0, 7.5, 15.0 g/l) and fed two experimental diets containing either low soluble fibre (LSF) or high soluble fibre (HSF) levels (84.0 and 130 g/kg dry matter). All substrates were subjected to a two-step pepsin/pancreatin in vitro pre-digestion, and the whole residue was used as substrate for the in vitro incubations. Gas production was measured until 144 h, and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production was determined at 24 h incubation. Experimental treatments did not affect SBP fermentation and had only a subtle influence on fermentation of WS and GLU. In contrast, cellobiose supplementation × donors’ diet interactions were detected for most gas production parameters for CEL. Both the fractional gas production (k) and maximal gas production rates were linearly increased (p ≤ 0.042) and the initial delay in the onset of gas production (Lag) linearly decreased (p < 0.001) by cellobiose supplementation with the HSF inoculum, with no differences between the 7.5 and 15.0 doses. In contrast, with the LSF inoculum cellobiose supplementation only affected k values, which were quadratically increased (p = 0.043) and had maximal values for the 7.5 dose. A quadratic effect (p ≤ 0.018) of cellobiose supplementation was observed for total VFA production at 24 h when CEL and PEC were fermented, obtaining the maximal VFA production for the 7.5 dose of cellobiose. Total VFA production for CEL was greater with LSF than with HSF inoculum (20.7 vs. 12.9 mmol/l; p = 0.014), but the opposite was found for WS (3.97 vs. 6.21 mmol/l; p = 0.005). The use of LSF inoculum for CEL fermentation sharply reduced acetate (p = 0.001) and increased butyrate proportions (p ≤ 0.001) compared with the HSF inoculum. A positive relationship between total VFA caecal concentrations in rabbits receiving the same experimental treatments and in vitro values was only observed when WS was used as substrate (r = 0.90; p = 0.015; n = 6). The results suggest that experimental factors influenced the fermentative activity of caecal digesta, but the observed response differed with the incubated substrate, being the CEL the most affected.
Is cementing technique the cause of early aseptic loosening of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty? A report of 22 failed tibial components

Despite excellent results of bicondylar knee resurfacing when both the tibial and femoral components are cemented, loosening of the cemented tibial component (surface cementing) occurs in approximately 10% of the implants within a 4-year interval after the procedure. Based on our own experience, we want to report of early failed tibial components in 22 patients after a mean follow up of 51 months, necessitating a revision procedure. We analysed retrospectively 22 cases of failed tibial components in patients after a mean follow up of 51 months, necessitating a revision procedure. This raised the question of whether the cementing technique was implicated in the loosening. Every correlation between early loosening and clinically relevant covariates were investigated. All patients were evaluated for radiolucency and osteolytic lesions at the bone–cement interfaces by radiographic assessment according to Rossi et al. (a.p. view and lateral view divided into two zones). The mean radiographic cement penetration in anterior-posterior view was 1.2 mm (SD 0.8) in zone 1 and 1.6 mm (SD 0.9) in zone 2. The mean radiographic cement penetration in lateral view was 1.1 mm (SD 0.4) in zone 1 and 1.3 mm (SD 0.3) in zone 2. Osteolytic lesions were seen in all cases around the implant after a mean of 51 months. In all cases a revision procedure was done. Based on clinical presentation, haematological screening, joint aspiration (synovial fluid diagnostic, microbiological analyses) and histological evaluation of intraoperative samples an infection was excluded. The authors have a critical attitude toward a loosening rate of almost 10% as stated by the recent literature within the first 4 to 5 years and consider that a reduction of the loosening rate when using the full cementation technique /cementing the stem) will mean a greater benefit for patients than the possible advantage of a better bone stock in case of revision surgery. Apart from this aspect, the question of whether early aseptic loosening is still acceptable nowadays from the medical economic aspects also warrants discussion.
Effects of emergency medical services times on traffic injury severity: A random effects ordered probit approach

Abstract Objective: Emergency medical services (EMS) play a vital role in the postcrash effort to reduce fatalities by providing first aid treatment and transportation to medical facilities. This study aims to analyze the time required for crash reporting and EMS arrival in fatal traffic crashes and to explore the effects of EMS time on the traffic injury severity. Methods: The time required for EMS reporting, arrival, and transport to hospital was calculated by location type and roadway functional classification using 2016 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data. Subsequently, an ordered probit model was developed to identify factors contributing to injury severity considering EMS time. Results: The average time for the crash–reporting duration is 5.38 min, the reporting–scene arrival interval is 10.52 min, and the scene–hospital interval is 34.72 min. The average crash reporting and reporting–scene arrival intervals were the longest on conventional roads in rural areas and the shortest on conventional roads in urban areas. The average scene–hospital interval was longest in conventional rural areas and the shortest on freeways/expressways in urban areas. The developed random effects ordered probit model shows that prolonged reporting–scene arrival and scene–hospital intervals result in more severe injuries. The result also presents that crash type, violation, age, location, lighting condition, and alcohol/drug involvement have significant effects on injury severity. Conclusions: The key findings from this study indicate that EMS times differ according to urban/rural location and road functional classification and that reporting–scene arrival and scene–hospital intervals have significant effects on injury severity along with various factors. It is expected that the findings from this study can be used to develop effective and practical strategic plans to minimize EMS reporting, arrival time, and transport to hospital and therefore decrease the traffic injury severity.
Variable late Neogene exhumation of the central European Alps: Low‐temperature thermochronology from the Aar Massif, Switzerland, and the Lepontine Dome, Italy

Several recent studies proposed an important increase in exhumation rate in the western European Alps since circa 5–4 Ma. In order to assess potential spatial differences in exhumation histories, we present new apatite fission track (AFT) and apatite (U‐Th)/He (AHe) ages from the central Aar Massif (Guttannen area, Switzerland) and the western Lepontine Dome (Formazza area, Italy). Internal U/Th zoning in apatites explains alpha‐ejection‐corrected AHe ages that are older than the corresponding AFT ages in this study. A qualitative interpretation of AFT and AHe age‐elevation relationships suggests a two‐phase (9–7 and 5–3 Ma) exhumation scenario affecting the central Alps, with a stronger expression of the Pliocene signal in the Formazza area. However, a quantitative evaluation of exhumation scenarios using the 3‐D heat equation solver Pecube highlights the existence of several other likely scenarios, casting doubt on the validity of a qualitative interpretation of the age‐elevation relationships. In Formazza, scenarios suggested by quantitative modeling include continuous denudation at a rate of ∼750 m/Ma and a one‐step exhumation rate change from 300 to 1000 m/Ma at 5 Ma. In Guttannen, they include continuous denudation at a rate of ∼400 m/Ma with valley deepening and two periods of higher exhumation rate (increasing from 300 to 700 m/Ma repeatedly at 9–7 and at 5–3 Ma). Contingent upon further flexural isostatic modeling, the magnitude of exhumation recorded in the axial region of the Alps since circa 5 Ma does not appear sufficient to solely explain the denudation recorded in the North Alpine Foreland Basin.
The Use of Engineering Design Concept for Computer Programming Course: A Model of Blended Learning Environment.

The aim of this research is to develop a learning model which blends factors from learning environment and engineering design concept for learning in computer programming course. The usage of the model was also analyzed. This study presents the design, implementation, and evaluation of the model. The research methodology is divided into three phases, they are: reviewing related literatures and surveying needs and problems in teaching computer programming in order to analyze and synthesize the elements of the model, developing a model which blends learning environment and learning activities based on engineering design processes, and evaluating the effects of using implemented environment on the learners’ programming conceptual understanding, problem-solving using programming skills, program analytical skills, and attitude in learning programming. The samples in this study include 8 experts who examine the tentative model and 52 undergraduate students of computer science program in Bansomdejchaopraya Rajabhat University, Thailand, to evaluate the implemented model. The student samples were separated into two groups which are control and experiment group. The results of the comparison between pre-test and post-test scores showed that the programming conceptual understanding, problem-solving by using programming skills, and program analytical skills of the students were significantly increased. In addition, in comparing between control and experiment groups, the scores of problem-solving using programming skills and program analytical skills of the experiment group are significantly higher than that of the control group. However, there were no significant differences in the scores of programming conceptual understanding between those groups. It was also found that the students in experiment group have a high attitude in learning programming in high level. Key words: Blended learning environment, engineering design concept, computer programming.
Disruption of Helmet Streamers by Current Emergence

We have investigated the dynamic response of a coronal helmet streamer to the emergence from below of a current with its magnetic field in a direction opposite to the overlying streamer field. Once the emerging current moves into the closed region of the streamer, a current sheet forms between the emerging field and the streamer field, because the preexisting field and the newly emerging field have opposite polarities. Thus magnetic reconnection will occur at the flanks of the emerged structure where the current density is maximum. If the emerging current is large enough, the energy contained in the current and the reconnection will promptly disrupt the streamer. If the emerging current is small, the streamer will experience a stage of slow evolution. In this stage, slow magnetic reconnection occurring at the flanks of the emerged structure leads to the degeneration of the emerged current to a neutral point. Above this point, a new magnetic bubble will form. The resulting configuration resembles an inverse-polarity prominence. Depending on the initial input energy of the current, the resulting structure will either remain in situ, forming a quasi-static structure, or move upward, forming a coronal transient similar to coronal jets. The numerical method used in this paper can be used to construct helmet streamers containing a detached magnetic structure in their closed field region. The quasi-static solution may serve as a preevent corona for studying coronal mass ejection initiation.
Yolk Sac Tumor of the Ovary in 18 Egyptian Cases: Does It Really Differ?

Background: Ovarian Yolk sac tumor (OYST) is a rare entity of malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCT). Abdominal pain, a rapidly growing distending mass or irregular vaginal bleeding is the main presentation. Serum AFP is elevated in nearly all cases. The standard management is fertility preserving surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy. Aim of Work: To report and analyze retrospectively recorded cases that were either treated at National Cancer Institute/Egypt or referred there for advice about therapy. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective single-institutional analysis of 18 cases of OYST treated at National Cancer Institute-Cairo University from January 2011 till December 2015. The clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of these patients were analyzed. Results: Data from eighteen patients were obtained. The median age was 18 years (range: 15 - 22). Abdominal pain was the most common presentation (89%). The mean tumor size was 21cm (range: 8 - 30 cm). Eleven of our cases (61%) were stage I, seven cases and (39%) were stage IV at presentation. Fifteen cases (83%) underwent fertility preserving procedure & the standard surgical staging. Panhysterectomy & formal staging procedure was done only in two cases (11%). One case (6%) underwent bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. 2 cases (11.1%) only underwent lymph node biopsy. 11 patient (61.1%) showed pure type YST while mixed type was present in the remaining 7 cases (38.8%): Dysgerminoma (one case, 5.6%), Dysgerminoma + immature teratoma (one case, 5.6%), Immature teratoma (2 cases, 11.1%) and Teratoma (3 cases, 16.7%). AFP was extremely elevated in all cases at presentation (median 4191 ng/mL; ranging: 725 ng/mL - 402,908 ng/mL). It showed decreased level after surgery (median 145 ng/ mL; ranging: 2 ng/mL - 38,000 ng/mL) & normalized after chemotherapy except for progressive disease. All cases started BEP regimen after surgery with complete remission in twelve cases. In follow up period (median 17 months; ranging: 2 - 48 months) two patients relapsed; the mean overall survival time was 34.2 and progression free survival was 33.84 months respectively. Conclusion: Ovarian yolk sac tumors are rare neoplasms. Surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy is the standard management. AFP is important for diagnosis, monitoring response to treatment and predicting relapse.
Isolation and Characterization of Nitrogen Fixing Rhizobia from Cultivated and Uncultivated Soils of Northern Tanzania

Soil bacteria1 called rhizobia are gram-negative capable to colonize the soil immediately surrounding roots under the influence of the plant “rhizosphere” and reduce atmospheric nitrogen into the form available to plants through nitrogen fixation process. Nitrogen is the most limiting and supplied nutrient to most plants, and the determinant of plant growth. Legumes differ with most plants because they have access to nitrogen from both mineral and symbiotic sources. Small-scale farmers who are the major legume producers in Africa rarely apply fertilizers during legume production. Hence, the crop is largely dependent on fixed nitrogen from native nitrogen fixers. Isolation of rhizobia for legume production has been given a little attention in Africa due to inadequate research or negligence of researchers and unawareness of its potential in legume production as well as lack of an intention from skilled personnel to popularize the technology. Evaluation of effectiveness of isolated rhizobia is essential for inoculants preparation, host specificity recommendation and symbiotic effectiveness. The isolation, determination of their population in the soil and assessing factors affecting their population and testing the effectiveness of native nitrogen fixers with respect to right trap host crop are given a special attention in this review.
A Simple, One‐Step Approach to Durable and Robust Superhydrophobic Textiles

Superhydrophobic textile fabrics are prepared by a simple, one‐step gas phase coating procedure by which a layer of polymethylsilsesquioxane nanofilaments is grown onto the individual textile fibers. A total of 11 textile fabrics made from natural and man made fibers are successfully coated and their superhydrophobic properties evaluated by the water shedding angle technique. A thorough investigation of the commercially relevant poly(ethylene terephthalate) fabric reveals an unparalleled long‐term water resistance and stability of the superhydrophobic effect. Because of the special surface geometry generated by the nanoscopic, fibrous coating on the microscopic, fibrous textiles, the coated fabric remains completely dry even after two months of full immersion in water and stays superhydrophobic even after continuous rubbing with a skin simulating friction partner under significant load. Furthermore, important textile parameters such as tensile strength, color, and haptics are unaffected by the silicone nanofilament coating. For the first time, an in‐depth characterization of the wetting properties, beyond simple contact angle measurements, as well as a thorough evaluation of the most important textile parameters is performed on a superhydrophobic fabric, which reveals a true potential for application.
And Rainy Day Kin: An Anthropological Analysis Of Old Age Friendships In The United States

This paper compares the friendships and kinship relationships of a sample of elderly shortly after discharge from a hospital. On the whole, it was found that friendships tended to break down when illness and infirmity placed additional demands on the relationship. The characteristics of friendship varied, however, in association with family resources individuals had available. For the married elderly, friendships tended to be interstitial between the family and other institutional relationships, thus counteracting the isolative propensities common in old age. For the unmarried with children, friends on occasion substituted for kin, while with the childless, friends were likely to be interchangeable with kin. These findings suggest that the study of friendships must be analyzed in conjunction with the kinship system, for in our society at least, both types of relationships have common characteristics. They are voluntary relationships, specialized in expressive functions, with only vaguely defined rights and obligations.
Case of complete response to neoadjuvant therapy using nivolumab in a patient with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Here, we report a case of a 68‐year‐old woman with cT4N0M1 (liver invasion and multiple lung metastases) metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We could carry out less invasive nephrectomy with partial hepatectomy because nivolumab administration as second‐line therapy reduced the primary tumor remarkably. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of nivolumab before carrying out surgery, and histological findings showed a pathological complete response.
Talent selection criteria for olympic distance triathlon

Talent Selection allows to optimize the resources available for sporting talent in order to design the best strategy to achieve top level sporting results. Because of the unknown aspects of the performance model in Olympic triathlon the TS variables and their relationship with a future performance are far-off from being identified in order to make a talent prospective study possible. Currently most triathlon federations evaluate only the juvenile performance expressed in time trials test on swimming and running. The aim of the present study was to find the most appropriate variables for the Talent Selection in Olympic Triathlon, verifying those widely used by means of a retrospective research about particular juvenile features recognized in top world triathlon athletes. The variables are considered as input variables of a Talent selection model based on Fuzzy Logic that overcome the limits of traditional models based on cut-off selection. The present findings indicate that the exclusive evaluation of juvenile running and swimming performance in order to select triathlon talent is not appropriate. Diagnosis criteria should include several other variables that should also take into account mental ability, speed of abilities development, utilization of endogenous and exogenous resources, load and stress tolerance as several leading countries have done recently.
Active Site Mutations and Substrate Inhibition in Human Sulfotransferase 1A1 and 1A3*

Human SULT1A1 is primarily responsible for sulfonation of xenobiotics, including the activation of promutagens, and it has been implicated in several forms of cancer. Human SULT1A3 has been shown to be the major sulfotransferase that sulfonates dopamine. These two enzymes shares 93% amino acid sequence identity and have distinct but overlapping substrate preferences. The resolution of the crystal structures of these two enzymes has enabled us to elucidate the mechanisms controlling their substrate preferences and inhibition. The presence of two p-nitrophenol (pNP) molecules in the crystal structure of SULT1A1 was postulated to explain cooperativity at low and inhibition at high substrate concentrations, respectively. In SULT1A1, substrate inhibition occurs with pNP as the substrate but not with dopamine. For SULT1A3, substrate inhibition is found for dopamine but not with pNP. We investigated how substrate inhibition occurs in these two enzymes using molecular modeling, site-directed mutagenesis, and kinetic analysis. The results show that residue Phe-247 of SULT1A1, which interacts with both p-nitrophenol molecules in the active site, is important for substrate inhibition. Mutation of phenylalanine to leucine at this position in SULT1A1 results in substrate inhibition by dopamine. We also propose, based on modeling and kinetic studies, that substrate inhibition by dopamine in SULT1A3 is caused by binding of two dopamine molecules in the active site.