Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Association of Body Mass Index With Mortality in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

♦ Background: Although higher body mass index (BMI) is associated with better outcomes in hemodialysis patients, the relationship in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients is less clear. We aimed to synthesize the results from all large and high-quality studies to examine whether underweight, overweight, or obesity is associated with any significantly different risk of death in peritoneal dialysis patients. ♦ Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Cochrane CENTRAL, and screened 7,123 retrieved studies for inclusion. Two investigators independently selected the studies using predefined criteria and assessed each study's quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. We meta-analyzed the results of the largest studies with no overlap in their data sources. ♦ Results: We included 9 studies (n = 156,562) in the systematic review and 4 studies in the meta-analyses. When examined without stratifying studies by follow-up duration, the results of the studies were inconsistent. Hence, we pooled the study results stratified based upon their follow-up durations, as suggested by a large study, and observed that being underweight was associated with higher 1-year mortality but had no significant association with 2- and 3- to 5-year mortalities. In contrast, being overweight or obese was associated with lower 1-year mortality but it had no significant association with 2-, and 3- to 5-year mortalities. ♦ Conclusion: Over the short-term, being underweight was associated with higher mortality and being overweight or obese was associated with lower mortality. The associations of body mass with mortality were not significant over the long-term.
Progressive Thinning of Visual Cortex in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma of Varying Severity

The aim of this study was to investigate possible changes of cortical thickness in the visual cortex in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) of varying severity. Twenty normal controls (NC), 20 mild (MP) and 17 severe (SP) POAG patients were recruited and scanned using magnetic resonance imaging. Cortical thickness analyses with regions of interest (V1, V2, ventral V3, V4 and V5/MT+) were used to assess the cortical changes among the three groups. Furthermore, the associations of cortical thickness with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and mean deviation of visual field were analyzed. Compared with the NC group, decreased cortical thickness was detected in the bilateral V5/MT+ areas in the MP group and the left V1, bilateral V2 and V5/MT+ areas in the SP group. Cortical thinning of the bilateral V2 areas was detected in the SP group compared with the MP group. In addition, cortical thinning of these visual areas was related to the ophthalmologic measurements. In conclusion, POAG patients exhibit cortical thinning in the bilateral V5/MT+ in the early stage of disease. The cortical degeneration in visual areas is discrepant with disease progressing and the dorsal pathway might be selectively damaged in POAG. Therefore, the cortical thinning of these visual areas may play a key role in the progression of POAG and can serve as a novel biomarker for accurately evaluating the severity of POAG.
Colorectal carcinoma: in vitro evaluation with high-spatial-resolution 3D constructive interference in steady-state MR imaging.

PURPOSE To retrospectively assess the accuracy of high-spatial-resolution three-dimensional (3D) constructive interference in steady-state (CISS) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of mural invasion of colorectal carcinoma by using prospectively obtained in vitro images, with histopathologic analysis as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained for the prospective and retrospective components of this study, with informed consent for the former and waiver of informed consent for the latter. Surgical specimens were obtained in 92 patients (61 men, 31 women; mean age, 65 years) and contained 96 colorectal carcinomas. Specimens were examined with a 1.5-T MR system and a 4-cm-diameter loop coil. High-spatial-resolution 3D CISS MR images were obtained with 80 x 80-mm field of view, 512 x 512 matrix, and 0.7-mm section thickness, which resulted in a 0.017-mm(3) voxel size. The 3D data sets were postprocessed with surface-rendering software to generate virtual MR endoscopic images. The 3D CISS MR images were compared with histopathologic findings, and virtual MR endoscopic images were compared with macroscopic findings at surgery. Statistical analysis was performed with Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS In 92 (96%) colorectal carcinomas, the depth of mural invasion depicted by 3D CISS MR imaging correlated well with the histopathologic stage, although the stage assigned with 3D CISS MR imaging was higher than that assigned with histopathologic analysis in four (4%) carcinomas (r = 0.976, P < .001). Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 100%, 94%-96%, and 98%-100%, respectively. In 91 (95%) carcinomas, virtual MR endoscopy clearly depicted the macroscopic type of carcinoma, including gross configuration and tumor ulceration (r = 0.916, P < .001). CONCLUSION High-spatial-resolution 3D CISS MR imaging has high diagnostic accuracy in the in vitro evaluation of mural invasion and macroscopic features of colorectal carcinomas.
Comparison of Y-chromosomal lineage dating using either evolutionary or genealogical Y-STR mutation rates

We have compared the Y chromosomal lineage dating between sequence data and commonly used Y-SNP plus Y-STR data. The coalescent times estimated using evolutionary Y-STR mutation rates correspond best with sequence-based dating when the lineages include the most ancient haplogroup A individuals. However, the times using slow mutated STR markers with genealogical rates fit well with sequence-based estimates in main lineages, such as haplogroup CT, DE, K, NO, IJ, P, E, C, I, J, N, O, and R. In addition, genealogical rates lead to more plausible time estimates for Neolithic coalescent sublineages compared with sequence-based dating.
Isolation of Three Novel Rat and Mouse Papillomaviruses and Their Genomic Characterization

Despite a growing knowledge about the biological diversity of papillomaviruses (PV), only little is known about non-human PV in general and about PV mice models in particular. We cloned and sequenced the complete genomes of two novel PV types from the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus; RnPV2) and the wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus; AsPV1) as well as a novel variant of the recently described MmuPV1 (originally designated as MusPV) from a house mouse (Mus musculus; MmuPV1 variant). In addition, we conducted phylogenetic analyses using a systematically representative set of 79 PV types, including the novel sequences. As inferred from concatenated amino acid sequences of six proteins, MmuPV1 variant and AsPV1 nested within the Beta+Xi-PV super taxon as members of the Pi-PV. RnPV2 is a member of the Iota-PV that has a distant phylogenetic position from Pi-PV. The phylogenetic results support a complex scenario of PV diversification driven by different evolutionary forces including co-divergence with hosts and adaptive radiations to new environments. PV types particularly isolated from mice and rats are the basis for new animal models, which are valuable to study PV induced tumors and new treatment options.
Spin asymmetries for events with high p(T) hadrons in DIS and an evaluation of the gluon polarization

We present a measurement of the longitudinal spin cross section asymmetry for deep-inelastic muon-nucleon interactions with two high transverse momentum hadrons in the final state. Two methods of event classification are used to increase the contribution of the photon-gluon fusion process to above 30%. The most effective one, based on a neural network approach, provides the asymmetries A(p)lN(-->)lhhX=0.030+/-0.057(stat)+/-0.010(syst) and A(d)lN(-->)lhhX=0.070+/-0.076(stat)+/-0.010(syst). From these values we derive an averaged gluon polarization DeltaG/G=-0.20+/-0.28(stat)+/-0.10(syst) at an average fraction of nucleon momentum carried by gluons =0.07.
Carriage of CTX-M-15-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates among Children Living in a Remote Village in Senegal

ABSTRACT Two out of 20 children with no known antibiotic exposure, living in a very remote Senegalese village, were found to be fecal carriers of a multiresistant Escherichia coli clone that produced CTX-M-15. This highlights the current massive spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamases, even in isolated communities.
Reducing the Glycemic Index or Carbohydrate Content of Mixed Meals Reduces Postprandial Glycemia and Insulinemia Over the Entire Day but Does Not Affect Satiety

OBJECTIVE We evaluated the effects of mixed meals differing in glycemic index (GI) and carbohydrate content on postprandial serum glucose and insulin response, hunger, and satiety over the course of a 12-h day. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS In this randomized crossover trial, 26 overweight or obese adults received four diets in random order (high GI, high carbohydrate [HGI-HC]; high GI, low carbohydrate [HGI-LC]; low GI, high carbohydrate [LGI-HC]; and low GI, low carbohydrate [LGI-LC]). All meals were prepared by a metabolic kitchen. Participants received breakfast, lunch, and dinner over the course of a 12-h day. Primary outcomes were postprandial serum glucose and insulin quantified as area under the curve. Hunger, fullness, and satiety were assessed by visual analog scale. RESULTS The HGI-LC, LGI-HC, and LGI-LC diets significantly reduced glucose and insulin area under the curve compared with the HGI-HC diet (P < 0.001 for all comparisons). There were no significant differences in ratings of hunger, fullness, or satiety between the different dietary treatments. CONCLUSIONS Reducing the GI or carbohydrate content of mixed meals reduces postprandial glycemia and insulinemia, and these changes can be sustained over the course of an entire day. However, there were no differences in subjective hunger and satiety ratings between the diets. These results demonstrate that maintaining a low GI or glycemic load diet is an effective method of controlling serum glucose and insulin levels.
Stochastic Stirling Engine Operating in Contact with Active Baths

A Stirling engine made of a colloidal particle in contact with a nonequilibrium bath is considered and analyzed with the tools of stochastic energetics. We model the bath by non Gaussian persistent noise acting on the colloidal particle. Depending on the chosen definition of an isothermal transformation in this nonequilibrium setting, we find that either the energetics of the engine parallels that of its equilibrium counterpart or, in the simplest case, that it ends up being less efficient. Persistence, more than non-Gaussian effects, are responsible for this result.
Adaptive Kalman filtering for multi-step ahead traffic flow prediction

Given the importance of continuous traffic flow forecasting in most of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) applications, where every new traffic data become available in every few minutes or seconds, the main objective of this study is to perform a multi-step ahead traffic flow forecasting that can meet a trade-off between accuracy, low computational load, and limited memory capacity. To this aim, based on adaptive Kalman filtering theory, two forecasting approaches are proposed. We suggest solving a multi-step ahead prediction problem as a filtering one by considering pseudo-observations coming from the averaged historical flow or the output of other predictors in the literature. For taking into account the stochastic modeling of the process and the current measurements we resort to an adaptive scheme. The proposed forecasting methods are evaluated by using measurements of the Grenoble south ring.
Design Principles and Considerations for Spaceborne ATI SAR-Based Observations of Ocean Surface Velocity Vectors

This paper presents a methodology to design a spaceborne dual-beam along-track synthetic aperture radar interferometer to retrieve ocean surface velocity vectors. All related aspects and necessary tradeoffs are identified and discussed or reviewed, respectively. This includes a review of the measurement principle and the relation between baseline and sensitivity, the relation between wind and radar backscatter, a discussion of the observation geometry, including the antenna concept, polarization diversity, and all main error contributions. The design methodology consists of a sensitivity-based derivation of explicit instrument requirements from scientific requirements. In turn, this derivation is based on a statistical model for the interferometric phase error. This allows a quantitative, well-grounded instrument design offering an additional degree of freedom to the approach, which we call “noise-equivalent-sigma-zero requirement space. ” Crucial tradeoffs for the system design, such as the resolution, the number of independent looks, the minimum wind speed, and the coherence and ambiguities, are pointed out and discussed. Finally, this paper concludes with a single platform system concept operating in Ku-band, which provides the measurement quality needed to achieve a surface velocity estimation accuracy of 5 cm/s, 200-km swath coverage, for 4 $\times$ 4 km2 L2-product resolution and winds starting at 3 m/s.
Fracture of the femoral head

Fracture of the femoral head is a severe, relatively uncommon injury; typically, it occurs following traumatic posterior dislocation of the hip joint. The Pipkin classification is the most commonly used classification system. Diagnosis is aided by a complete history, physical examination, and imaging, including computed tomography. Treatment consists of urgent closed reduction of the dislocated hip followed by nonsurgical or surgical management of any associated fractures. Controversies include the preferred surgical approach (anterior versus posterior) and whether to perform femoral head fragment excision or internal fixation. Complications associated with fracture of the femoral head and subsequent treatment include osteonecrosis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and heterotopic ossification. Fracture of the femoral head has been associated with a relatively poor functional
VICARIANCE AND DISPERSAL ACROSS BAJA CALIFORNIA IN DISJUNCT MARINE FISH POPULATIONS

Abstract Population disjunctions, as a first step toward complete allopatry, present an interesting situation to study incipient speciation. The geological formation of the Baja California Peninsula currently divides 19 species of fish into disjunct populations that are found on its Pacific Coast and in the northern part of the Gulf of California (also called the Sea of Cortez), but are absent from the Cape (Cabo San Lucas) region. We studied the genetic makeup of disjunct populations for 12 of these 19 fish species. Phylogeographic patterns for the 12 species can be separated into two major classes: a first group (eight species) showed reciprocal monophyly and high genetic divergence between disjunct populations. A second group (four species) displayed what appeared to be panmictic populations. Population structure between Pacific Coast populations, across the Punta Eugenia biogeographic boundary, was also evaluated. While dispersal potential (inferred by pelagic larval duration) was a poor predictor of population structure between Gulf of California and Pacific populations, we found that population genetic subdivision along the Pacific Coast at Punta Eugenia was always positively correlated with differentiation between Pacific and Gulf of California populations. Vicariant events, ongoing gene flow, and ecological characteristics played essential roles in shaping the population structures observed in this study.
Knapsack on VLSI: from Algorithm to Optimal Circuit

We present a parallel solution to the unbounded knapsack problem on a linear systolic array. It achieves optimal speedup for this well-known, NP-hard problem on a model of computation that is weaker than the PRAM. Our array is correct by construction, as it is formally derived by transforming a recurrence equation specifying the algorithm. This recurrence has dynamic dependencies, a property that puts it beyond the scope of previous methods for automatic systolic synthesis. Our derivation thus serves as a case study. We generalize the technique and propose a systematic method for deriving systolic arrays by nonlinear transformations of recurrences. We give sufficient conditions that the transformations must satisfy, thus extending systolic synthesis methods. We address a number of pragmatic considerations: implementing the array on only a fixed number of PEs, simplifying the control to just two counters and a few latches, and loading the coefficients so that successive problems can be pipelined without any loss of throughput. Using a register level model of VLSI, we formulate a nonlinear optimization problem to minimize the expected running time of the array. The analytical solution of this problem allows us to choose the memory size of each PE in an optimal manner.
Multitask Learning for Brain-Computer Interfaces

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) are limited in their applicability in everyday settings by the current necessity to record subjectspecific calibration data prior to actual use of the BCI for communication. In this paper, we utilize the framework of multitask learning to construct a BCI that can be used without any subject-specific calibration process. We discuss how this out-of-the-box BCI can be further improved in a computationally efficient manner as subject-specific data becomes available. The feasibility of the approach is demonstrated on two sets of experimental EEG data recorded during a standard two-class motor imagery paradigm from a total of 19 healthy subjects. Specifically, we show that satisfactory classification results can be achieved with zero training data, and combining prior recordings with subjectspecific calibration data substantially outperforms using subject-specific data only. Our results further show that transfer between recordings under slightly different experimental setups is feasible.
Functional and phenotypic changes in polymorphonuclear neutrophils induced by catecholamines

Purpose. To elucidate differential functional and phenotypic changes in response to relevant catecholamines, the generation of oxidative free radicals by PMN, and changes in the expression of L-selectin and Mac-1 on the surface of PMN were examined in the presence of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine in physiological and pharmacological concentrations. Materials and methods. Human polymorphonuclear neutrophils were obtained from healthy donors and pretreated with 0.5 nM or 500 nM epinephrine; 1.18 nM or 1 180 nM norepinephrine; or 0.26 nM or 261 nM dopamine, followed by stimulation with FMLP. Stimulated neutrophils were incubated with antibiodies against CD 11 b or CD 62 l and assessed by flow cytometry. Additional probes were assessed by flow cytometry for the generation of oxidative free radicals. Results. All catecholamines in high concentration inhibited the suppression of CD 62 l expression and CD 11 b upregulation following stimulation with FMLP. A high concentration of epinephrine suppresses generation of oxidative free radicals. Conclusions. The effect of catecholamines on the expression of CD 62 l explains the increased expression of L-selection on PMN observed after trauma. The suppression of CD 11 b reduces leukocyte adherence and consecutive abnormalities in microvascular flow. Epinephrine inhibits the generation of oxidative free radicals by PMN with potentially detrimental effects with respect to bacterial clearance.
Multiwavelength Observations of the Blazar Markarian 421 in 2002 December and 2003 January

We report on a multiwavelength campaign on the TeV γ-ray blazar Mrk 421 performed during 2002 December and 2003 January. These target of opportunity observations were initiated by the detection of X-ray and TeV γ-ray flares with the All Sky Monitor (ASM) on board the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and the 10 m Whipple γ-ray telescope. The campaign included observational coverage in the radio (University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory), optical (Boltwood, La Palma KVA 0.6 m; WIYN 0.9 m), X-ray (RXTE pointed telescopes), and TeV γ-ray (Whipple and HEGRA) bands. At TeV energies, the observations revealed several flares at intermediate flux levels, peaking between 1 and 1.5 times the flux from the Crab Nebula. While the time-averaged spectrum can be fitted with a single power law of photon index Γ = 2.8 from dNγ/dE ∝ E-Γ, we find some evidence for spectral variability. Confirming earlier results, the campaign reveals a rather loose correlation between the X-ray and TeV γ-ray fluxes. In one case, a very strong X-ray flare is not accompanied by a comparable TeV γ-ray flare. Although the source flux was variable in the optical and radio bands, the sparse sampling of the optical and radio light curves does not allow us to study the correlation properties in detail. We present a simple analysis of the data with a synchrotron self-Compton model, emphasizing that models with very high Doppler factors and low magnetic fields can describe the data.
Two-year incidence of tooth loss among South Australians aged 60+ years.

UNLABELLED Tooth loss diminishes oral function and quality of life, and national health targets aim to reduce population levels of tooth loss. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine tooth loss incidence and predictors of tooth loss among older adults in South Australia. METHODS Data were obtained from a cohort study of a stratified random sample of community-dwelling dentate people aged 60+ years. Interviews and oral examinations were conducted among 911 individuals at baseline and among 693 of them (76.1%) 2 years later. Incidence rates and relative risks were calculated for population subgroups and multivariate logistic regression was used to construct risk prediction models. A method was developed to calculate 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for relative risks (RR) from logistic regression models using a Taylor series approximation. RESULTS Some 19.5% (95% CI = 15.4-23.6%) of people lost one or more teeth during the 2 years. Men, people with a recent extraction, people who brushed their teeth infrequently, smokers and people born outside Australia had significantly (P < 0.05) greater risk of tooth loss. Baseline clinical predictors of tooth loss included more missing teeth, retained roots, decayed root surfaces, periodontal pockets and periodontal recession. In a multivariate model that controlled for baseline clinical predictors, former smokers (RR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.48-4.40) and current smokers (RR = 2.06, 95% CI = 0.92-4.62) had similarly elevated risks of tooth loss compared with non-smokers. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this population suggest that a history of smoking contributes to tooth loss through mechanisms in addition to clinical disease processes alone.
Extended-release opioids for the management of chronic non-malignant pain

Recent clinical trials have documented the use of extended-release (ER) opioids in the management of chronic non-malignant pain. This manuscript reviews the clinical pharmacology of investigational and current marketed ER opioids. Recent randomised clinical trials of ER opioids that document the efficacy and safety of opioid therapy for chronic pain are reviewed. Finally, the abuse liability of ER opioids is discussed. Current technologies aimed at defeating the abuse of ER opioids will also be presented.