Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On Measurement of Avoidable and Unavoidable Cost of Alcohol: An Application of Method for Estimating Costs Due To Prior Consumption

This study estimates the avoidable and unavoidable costs of alcohol-related, liver cirrhosis inpatient care, controlling for the lag structure and period of decline in disease risk. Lag structures with different lengths are applied to the exposure to risk from alcohol consumption, which allows for differentiation between avoidable and unavoidable cases due to prior consumption. A lag length of 20 (men) and 23 (women) years (expected remaining life years) gives a total cost of 592 million SEK. Given alcohol consumption is reduced to zero, 72% of cost could potentially be avoided. It is important to account for the length and structure of the risk decline following a consumption change as this substantially affects the estimates.
Risk of Breast Cancer by Type of Menopausal Hormone Therapy: a Case-Control Study among Post-Menopausal Women in France

Background There is extensive epidemiological evidence that menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) increases breast cancer risk, particularly combinations of estrogen and progestagen (EP). We investigated the effects of the specific formulations and types of therapies used by French women. Progestagen constituents, regimen (continuous or sequential treatment by the progestagen), and time interval between onset of menopause and start of MHT were examined. Methods We conducted a population-based case-control study in France in 1555 menopausal women (739 cases and 816 controls). Detailed information on MHT use was obtained during in-person interviews. Odds ratios and 95% confidence interval adjusted for breast cancer risk factors were calculated. Results We found that breast cancer risk differed by type of progestagen among current users of EP therapies. No increased risk was apparent among EP therapy users treated with natural micronized progesterone. Among users of EP therapy containing a synthetic progestin, the odds ratio was 1.57 (0.99-2.49) for progesterone-derived and 3.35 (1.07-10.4) for testosterone-derived progestagen. Women with continuous regimen were at greater risk than women treated sequentially, but regimen and type of progestagen could not be investigated independently, as almost all EP combinations containing a testosterone-derivative were administered continuously and vice-versa. Tibolone was also associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Early users of MHT after onset of menopause were at greater risk than users who delayed treatment. Conclusion This study confirms differential effects on breast cancer risk of progestagens and regimens specifically used in France. Formulation of EP therapies containing natural progesterone, frequently prescribed in France, was not associated with increased risk of breast cancer but may poorly protect against endometrial cancer.
Predictors of in-Hospital Mortality of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients Undergoing Interventional Treatment. An Analysis of Data from the RO-STEMI Registry.

BACKGROUND ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the preferred therapy for STEMI if it is done within 120 min from the first medical contact, by an experienced team in a high-volume center. The aim of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics and predictors of in-hospital mortality of patients with STEMI treated by percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). METHODS We analyzed data from 15,076 STEMI patients enrolled in the RO-STEMI registry (ROmanian ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction registry). Patients were divided into 2 groups: PCI (11.669; 77%) and conservative treated (3.407; 23%). PCI group includes both pPCI treated patients (84.3%), and patients undergoing rescue PCI (6.4%) and late PCI (9.3%). RESULTS The mean age of STEMI patients was 62.7+/-12.7 years. 70% were males. Patients treated by PCI were younger (61.4+/-12.2 versus 67.2+/-13.3, p< 0.0001) and more often men (80% versus 71%, p< 0.0001). They were less likely to have acute heart failure (Killip class II-IV) at admission (p< 0.0001). During admission, patients treated by PCI received more often dual antiplatelet therapy (97.6% versus 90.8%, p< 0.0001), statins (96.3% versus 87.5%, p< 0.0001), beta-blockers (83.8% versus 73.2%, p< 0.0001), and RAAS blockers (82.6% versus 66.4%, p< 0.0001). Overall in-hospital mortality was 7.1%: 4.1% in the PCI group and 15.7% in the conservative treated group. Multivariate analysis showed that, after adjusting for all clinical variables, Killip class II-IV at admission (OR: 9.2; 95%CI: 6.2-13.6; p< 0.0001), LVEF< 35% (OR: 3.8; 95%CI: 2.6-5.4; p< 0.0001), age older than 65 years (OR: 2.2; 95%CI: 1.5-3.2; p< 0.0001), and anterior location of myocardial infarction (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 1.5-3; p< 0.0001) remained independent predictors for in-hospital mortality for STEMI patients treated interventionally. CONCLUSION Advanced Killip class, depressed LVEF, advanced age, and anterior location were the most powerful independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in STEMI patients who underwent interventional treatment.
High Glucocorticoid Response to 24-h-Shift Stressors in Male but Not in Female Physicians

Physicians’ daily work is accompanied by emotional and physical stress, and 24-h shifts are considered to be a major stressor. Effects of stressors on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis can be evaluated by estimating the glucocorticoid excretion in urine samples. We characterized the impact of a 24-h working period on the urinary glucocorticoid excretion of physicians and focused on gender differences. 10 females and 12 male physicians collected 24-h urine samples during a 24-h shift (“on-duty”) and on a free weekend (“off-duty”) that were analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Urinary glucocorticoid excretion rates (GERs) were assessed by addition of the 24-h excretion rates per square meter body surface area for the seven major urinary cortisol and cortisone metabolites. Women showed generally lower glucorticoid excretion rates compared to men. Only male physicians had increased GERs on duty compared to off duty. As a measure of change between being on duty and off duty, the ratio GERs on duty/GERs off duty was significantly higher in males than in females. Thus, the 24-h shift stress factor generates diverging results between female and male subjects with activation of the HPA axis primarily in male physicians.
Clinical and pathological responses of weaned pigs to atmospheric ammonia and dust

Nine hundred and sixty weaned pigs were exposed for five weeks to controlled concentrations of atmospheric ammonia and dust in a single, multifactorial experiment. The treatments were a mean dust concentration of either 1·2, 2·7, 5·1 or 9·9 mg/m3 (inhalable fraction) and a mean ammonia concentration of either 0·6, 10·0, 18·8 or 37·0 ppm, concentrations representative of commercial conditions. The experiment was carried out over two years and the pigs were used in eight batches, each consisting of five lots of 24 pigs. Each treatment combination was replicated once, and an additional control lot (nominally 0 mg/m3 dust and 0 ppm ammonia) was included in each batch. The dust concentration was the same in the other four lots in each batch in which the four concentrations of ammonia were used; thus, the split-plot design was more sensitive to the effects of ammonia than dust. The groups of pigs were kept separately in five rooms in a purpose-built facility, and the pollutants were injected continuously into the air supply. Ammonia was supplied from a pressurised cylinder, and the endogenous dust in each room was supplemented by an artificial dust manufactured from feed, barley straw and faeces, mixed by weight in the proportions 5:1:4; its ingredients were oven-dried, milled and mixed, and then resuspended in the air supply. The health of the pigs was assessed in terms of general pathology, respiratory tract pathology, and the microbiology of the nasal cavity, trachea and lung. In each batch, postmortem examinations were carried out on 40 pigs after five weeks’ exposure to the pollutants and on 30 pigs two weeks later to test for carryover and recovery – a total of 560 pigs. These examinations revealed minimal gross pathology and widespread minor pathological changes of little significance. The pigs’ turbinate and lung scores were low and unaffected by exposure to pollutants. All the putative bacterial pathogens, with the exception of toxigenic Pasteurella multocida type D, were isolated from the respiratory tract of the pigs of both ages, but there were no differences between the effects of the different concentrations of pollutants.
How do general practitioners manage patients with cancer symptoms? A video-vignette study

Objectives Determine how general practitioners (GPs) manage patients with cancer symptoms. Design GPs reviewed 24 video-vignettes and case notes on patients with cancer symptoms and indicated whether they would refer the patient and/or prescribe medication, and/or undertake further investigation. According to available guidelines, all cases warranted a referral to a specialist or further investigations. Setting Australian primary care sector. Participants 102 practising GPs participated in this study, including trainees. Interventions The research was part of a larger randomised controlled trial testing a referral pro forma; however, this paper reports on management decisions made throughout the study. Primary and secondary outcome measures This paper reports on how the participants would manage the patients depicted in each vignette. Results In more than one-in-eight cases, the patient was not investigated or referred. Patient management varied significantly by cancer type (p<0.001). For two key reasons, colorectal cancer was the chosen referent category. First, it represents a prevalent type of cancer. Second, in this study, colorectal cancer symptoms were managed in a similar proportion of options—that is, prescription, referral or investigation. Compared with vignettes featuring colorectal cancer participants were less likely to manage breast, bladder, endometrial, and lung cancers with a ‘prescription only’ or ‘referral only’ option. They were less likely to manage prostate cancer with a ‘prescription only’, yet more likely to manage it with a ‘referral with investigation’. With regard to pancreatic and cervical cancers, participants were more likely to manage these with a ‘referral only’ or a ‘referral with investigation’. Conclusions Some patients may receive a delayed cancer diagnosis, even when they present with typical cancer symptoms to a GP who can access relevant diagnostic tests. Trial registration number ACTRN12611000760976.
Electrical bioimpedance readings increase with higher pressure applied to the measuring probe

Electrical bioimpedance spectroscopy (EBIS) is a technique that uses a probe to calculate the transfer impedance from tissues. This transfer impedance can give information about the normal or pathological condition of the tissue. To take readings, pressure has to be applied to the probe in order to get a good contact between the electrodes and the tissue. We have been using EBIS to investigate the early diagnosis of dysplasia and cancer in the human cervix, oesophagus and bladder. We have found that, with increasing pressure (range used here was approximately 1 kPa to approximately 50 kPa), the resistivity readings increase in a consistent way up to 80%. In this paper, we show how this is a case in three different tissue types (oesophageal, gastric and vesical samples). These increases can be higher than those associated with the pathological changes that we are investigating (non-inflamed columnar tissue, for instance, shows values 50% higher than dysplastic columnar tissue). Finite-element modelling was also used to investigate the effect of volume reduction in the connective tissue or stroma. This simulation suggests no strong correlation between reduction of this structure and increase in resistivity. We hypothesize therefore that these changes may be mainly associated with the squeezing of water from the extracellular space. Finally, as pressure is difficult to control by hand, we raise the issue of the necessity of considering this variable when making EIS measurements.
CANDY: Conditional Adversarial Networks based End-to-End System for Single Image Haze Removal

Single image haze removal is a challenging and ill-posed problem. The existing haze removal methods in literature, including the recently introduced deep learning methods, model the problem of haze removal as that of estimating intermediate parameters, viz., scene transmission map and atmospheric light. These are used to compute the haze-free image from the hazy input image. Such an approach only focuses on accurate estimation of intermediate parameters, while the aesthetic quality of the haze-free image is unaccounted for in the optimization framework. Thus, errors in the estimation of intermediate parameters often lead to generation of inferior quality haze-free images. In this paper, we present CANDY (Conditional Adversarial Networks based Dehazing of hazY images), a fully end-to-end model which directly generates a clean haze-free image from a hazy input image. CANDY also incorporates the visual quality of haze-free image into the optimization function; thus, generating a superior quality haze-free image. This is one of the first works in literature to propose a fully end-to-end model for single image haze removal. Also, this is the first work to explore the concept of generative adversarial networks for the problem of single image haze removal. CANDY was trained on a synthetically created haze image dataset, while evaluation was performed on challenging synthetic as well as real haze image datasets. The extensive evaluation and comparison results of CANDY reveal that it significantly outperforms existing state-of-the-art haze removal methods in literature, both quantitatively as well as qualitatively.
Coronavirus Immunoreactivity in Individuals With a Recent Onset of Psychotic Symptoms

Prenatal influenza exposure increases the risk for schizophrenia and brings to question how other respiratory viruses may contribute to neuropsychiatric disease etiopathology. Human coronaviruses cause respiratory infections that range in seriousness from common colds to severe acute respiratory syndrome. Like influenza, coronaviruses can be neurotropic. To test for associations between coronaviruses and serious mental disorders, we utilized a recently developed assay and measured immunoglobulin G (IgG) response against 4 human coronavirus strains (229E, HKU1, NL63, and OC43) in 106 patients with a recent onset of psychotic symptoms and 196 nonpsychiatric controls. We expressed results quantitatively as antibody levels and qualitatively as seroprevalence relative to a defined seropositivity cutoff value. Patient IgG levels were higher than controls for HKU1, NL63, and OC43, with HKU1 and NL63 both showing highly significant patient-to-control differences (HKU1, P ≤ .002; NL63, P ≤ .00001). All 4 coronaviruses were more seroprevalent in patients vs controls, with greatest intergroup differences observed for HKU1 (93% vs 77%, P ≤ .0001). HKU1 and NL63 associations with the patient group were further supported by multivariate analyses that controlled for age, gender, race, socioeconomic status, and smoking status (HKU1, odds ratio [OR] = 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–1.67, P ≤ .027; NL63, OR = 2.42, 95% CI = 1.25–4.66, P ≤ .008). Among patients, NL63 was associated with schizophrenia-spectrum (OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.27–7.58, P ≤ .013) but not mood disorders. HKU1 and NL63 coronavirus exposures may represent comorbid risk factors in neuropsychiatric disease. Future studies should explore links between the timing of coronavirus infections and subsequent development of schizophrenia and other disorders with psychotic symptoms.
Spatial and temporal patterns in trace element deposition to lakes in the Athabasca oil sands region (Alberta, Canada)

The mining and processing of the Athabasca oil sands (Alberta, Canada) has been occurring for decades; however, a lack of consistent regional monitoring has obscured the long-term environmental impact. Here, we present sediment core results to reconstruct spatial and temporal patterns in trace element deposition to lakes in the Athabasca oil sands region. Early mining operations (during the 1970s and 1980s) led to elevated V and Pb inputs to lakes located <50 km from mining operations. Subsequent improvements to mining and upgrading technologies since the 1980s have reduced V and Pb loading to near background levels at many sites. In contrast, Hg deposition increased by a factor of ~3 to all 20 lakes over the 20th century, reflecting global-scale patterns in atmospheric Hg emissions. Base cation deposition (from fugitive dust emissions) has not measurably impacted regional lake sediments. Instead, results from a principal components analysis suggest that the presence of carbonate bedrock underlying lakes located close to development appears to exert a first-order control over lake sediment base cation concentrations and overall lake sediment geochemical composition. Trace element concentrations generally did not exceed Canadian sediment quality guidelines, and no spatial or temporal trends were observed in the frequency of guideline exceedence. Our results demonstrate that early mining efforts had an even greater impact on trace element cycling than has been appreciated previously, placing recent monitoring efforts in a critical long-term context.
Remote T cell co‐stimulation via LFA‐1/ICAM‐1 and CD2/LFA‐3: Demonstration with immobilized ligand/mAb and implication in monocyte‐mediated co‐stimulation

Proliferative response of resting T cells generally requires not only cross‐linking of the T cell receptor (TcR) but also co‐stimulatory signals from accessory molecules. We here have used a “three‐cell” model consisting of: (a) resting human CD4+ T cells as responders; (b) CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) OKT3 on latex beads as surrogate stimulators; (c) autologous monocytes as source of co‐stimulation. As described by Kawakami et al. (J. Immunol. 1989. 142: 1818), T cell proliferation in this system is observed with paraformaldehyde‐fixed monocytes if they have been activated and interleukin (IL) 1β/IL6 is supplied. Since this three‐cell system provides TcR cross‐linking at a site spatially “remote” from co‐stimulation, they help distinguish adhesion from signal transduction but the molecules that mediate co‐stimulation in this system have not been identified. Our studies now demonstrate that co‐stimulation by the monocytes is dependent on each of two receptor/ligand pathways CD2/LFA‐3 and LFA‐1/ICAM‐1 since it is inhibited by each relevant mAb but not a variety of control mAb. The hypotheses that CD2 and LFA‐1 could each mediate co‐stimulation was tested in simplified model systems in which the monocyte was replaced with immobilized CD2 mAb or purified ICAM‐1 presented on a separate surface from the CD3 mAb. The results in these simplified models demonstrate that on resting T cells either CD2 or LFA‐1 molecules alone can mediate “remote” co‐stimulation unlike most other T cell surface molecules. Co‐stimulation requires IL 1β/IL6 both in the weaker LFA‐1 ligand‐mediated co‐stimulation and at lower CD2 mAb concentrations in the stronger CD2 mAb‐mediated co‐stimulation. Thus: (a) the accessory cell function of stimulated fixed monocytes in T cell proliferation requires both the LFA‐1/ICAM‐1 and CD2/LFA‐3 pathways; and (b) the T cell molecules CD2 and LFA‐1 can give co‐stimulatory signals that can act in a “remote” fashion.
Applicability of a “Multi-Stage Pulse Labeling” 15N Approach to Phenotype N Dynamics in Maize Plant Components during the Growing Season

Highlights This work utilizes “multi-stage pulse labeling” 15N applications, primarily during reproductive growth stages, as a phenotyping strategy to identify maize hybrids with superior N use efficiency (NUE) under low N conditions. Research using labeled isotopic N (15N) can precisely quantify fertilizer nitrogen (N) uptake and organ-specific N allocation in field crops such as maize (Zea mays L.). The overall research objective was to study plant N uptake patterns potentially correlated with N use efficiency (NUE) in field-grown maize hybrids using a “multi-stage pulse labeling” 15N phenotyping strategy with an emphasis on the reproductive period. Five hybrids varying in NUE were compared under zero N fertilizer application (0N) plus a moderate rate of 112 kg N ha−1 (112N) in 2013 (2 locations) and 2014 growing seasons. The equivalent of 3.2 (2013) to 2.1 (2014) kg of 15N ha−1, as labeled Ca(15NO3)2, was injected into soil on both sides of consecutive plants at multiple stages between V14 and R5. Aboveground plant biomass was primarily collected in short-term intervals (4–6 days after each 15N application) in both years, and following a single long-term interval (at R6 after 15N injection at R1) in 2014. Averaged across hybrids and site-years, the moderate N rate (112N) increased absolute 15N uptake at all stages; however, plants in the 0N treatment allocated proportionally more 15N to reproductive organs. Before flowering, short-term recovery of 15N (15Nrec) totaled ~0.30 or 0.40 kg kg−1 of the 15N applied, and ~50% of that accumulated 15Nu was found in leaves and 40% in stems. After flowering, plant 15Nrec totaled ~0.30 kg kg−1 of 15N applied, and an average 30% of accumulated 15Nu was present in leaves, 17% in stems, and the remainder—usually the majority—in ears. At the R5 stage, despite a declining overall rate of 15N uptake per GDD thermal unit, plant 15Nrec represented ~0.25 kg kg−1 of 15N applied, of which ~65% was allocated to kernels. Overall long-term 15Nrec during grain filling was ~0.45 and 0.70 kg kg−1 of total 15N applied at R1 with 0 and 112N, respectively, and most (~77%) 15N uptake was found in kernels. The “multi-stage pulse labeling” technique proved to be a robust phenotyping strategy to differentiate reproductive-stage N uptake/allocation patterns to plant organs and maize efficiencies with newly available fertilizer N.
CD40-Mediated Maintenance of Immune Homeostasis in the Adipose Tissue Microenvironment

Chronic inflammation in visceral adipose tissue is considered a key element for induction of insulin resistance in obesity. CD40 is required for efficient systemic adaptive immune responses and is implicated in various inflammatory conditions. However, its role in modulating immunity in the microanatomical niches of adipose tissue remains largely undefined. Here, we show that, in contrast to its well-documented costimulatory effects, CD40 regulates development of insulin resistance in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model by ameliorating local inflammation in adipose tissues. CD40 deficiency (CD40KO) resulted in greater body weight gain, more severe inflammation in epididymal adipose tissue (EAT), and aggravated insulin resistance in response to DIO. Interestingly, we found that CD40KO CD8+ T lymphocytes were major contributors to exacerbated insulin resistance. Specifically, CD8+ T cells in EAT of DIO CD40KO mice produced elevated chemokines and proinflammatory cytokines and were critical for macrophage recruitment. These results indicate that CD40 plays distinct roles in different tissues and, unexpectedly, plays an important role in maintaining immune homeostasis in EAT. Further study of how CD40 promotes maintenance of healthy metabolism could contribute to better understanding of and ability to therapeutically manipulate the increasing health problem of obesity and insulin resistance.
A graph-easy class of mute lambda-terms

Among the unsolvable terms of the lambda calculus, the mute (or root-active) ones are those having the highest degree of undefinedness. In this paper, we define an infinite set S of mute terms, and show that it is graph-easy: for any closed term t of the lambda calculus there exists a graph model equating all the terms of S to t.