Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Safety profile of the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV)

ABSTRACT Safety and reactogenicity data were reviewed following 10 years of experience with the 10-valent pneumococcal non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae protein D conjugate vaccine (PHiD-CV) in clinical development and from post-licensure settings. Analyses of pooled clinical trial data and post-marketing reports provided an overview of its safety profile and allowed assessment of rare adverse events that might not have been identified previously. The safety of PHiD-CV was also evaluated in children at higher risk for pneumococcal infection (preterm and HIV-infected or HIV-exposed infants), for different vaccination schedules and co-administered pediatric vaccines, and with a focus on special categories of adverse events (febrile convulsions, apnea, Kawasaki disease and sudden deaths). Following the distribution of over 235 million doses, PHiD-CV has been well tolerated when co-administered with other pediatric vaccines to children aged less than 5 years from diverse ethnic and geographic backgrounds. Detailed examination of various aspects has confirmed its favorable benefit: risk profile.
“Who's out there?” Identifying and ranking lurkers in social networks

The massive presence of silent members in online communities, the so-called lurkers, has long attracted the attention of researchers in social science, cognitive psychology, and computer-human interaction. However, the study of lurking phenomena represents an unexplored opportunity of research in data mining, information retrieval and related fields. In this paper, we take a first step towards the formal specification and analysis of lurking in social networks. Particularly, focusing on the network topology, we address the new problem of lurker ranking and propose the first centrality methods specifically conceived for ranking lurkers in social networks. Using Twitter and FriendFeed as cases in point, our methods' performance was evaluated against data-driven rankings as well as existing centrality methods, including the classic PageRank and alpha-centrality. Empirical evidence has shown the significance of our lurker ranking approach, which substantially differs from other methods in effectively identifying and ranking lurkers.
Benefits from Below: Silicon Supplementation Maintains Legume Productivity under Predicted Climate Change Scenarios

Many studies demonstrate that elevated atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations (eCO2) can promote root nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) in legumes such as lucerne (Medicago sativa). But when elevated temperature (eT) conditions are applied in tandem with eCO2, a more realistic scenario for future climate change, the positive effects of eCO2 on nodulation and BNF in M. sativa are often much reduced. Silicon (Si) supplementation of M. sativa has also been reported to promote root nodulation and BNF, so could potentially restore the positive effects of eCO2 under eT. Increased nitrogen availability, however, could also increase host suitability for aphid pests, potentially negating any benefit. We applied eCO2 (+240 ppm) and eT (+4°C), separately and in combination, to M. sativa growing in Si supplemented (Si+) and un-supplemented soil (Si-) to determine whether Si moderated the effects of eCO2 and eT. Plants were either inoculated with the aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum or insect-free. In Si- soils, eCO2 stimulated plant growth by 67% and nodulation by 42%, respectively, whereas eT reduced these parameters by 26 and 48%, respectively. Aphids broadly mirrored these effects on Si- plants, increasing colonization rates under eCO2 and performing much worse (reduced abundance and colonization) under eT when compared to ambient conditions, confirming our hypothesized link between root nodulation, plant growth, and pest performance. Examined across all CO2 and temperature regimes, Si supplementation promoted plant growth (+93%), and root nodulation (+50%). A. pisum abundance declined sharply under eT conditions and was largely unaffected by Si supplementation. In conclusion, supplementing M. sativa with Si had consistent positive effects on plant growth and nodulation under different CO2 and temperature scenarios. These findings offer potential for using Si supplementation to maintain legume productivity under predicted climate change scenarios without making legumes more susceptible to insect pests.
Androgen receptor gene CAG repeat polymorphism and X-chromosome inactivation in children with premature adrenarche.

CONTEXT There is variation in the adrenal androgen levels and clinical findings of children with premature adrenarche (PA). OBJECTIVES We hypothesized that androgen sensitivity, indicated by the length of CAG repeat in the X-chromosomal androgen receptor (AR) gene has a role in the polygenic pathogenesis of PA. DESIGN AND PATIENTS We performed a cross-sectional association study among 73 Finnish Caucasian children with PA (10 boys and 63 girls) and 97 age- and gender-matched healthy controls (18 boys and 79 girls). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES AR gene methylation-weighted CAG(n)(mwCAG(n)) via CAG(n) length and X-chromosome inactivation analysis and clinical phenotype were determined. SETTING The study took place at a university hospital. RESULTS PA subjects had significantly shorter mwCAG(n) than controls [mean difference (95% confidence interval); 0.76 (0.14-1.38); P = 0.017]. AR gene mwCAG(n) did not correlate with androgen or SHBG levels in either group. In children with PA, mwCAG(n) correlated positively with body mass index (BMI) (tau = 0.19; P = 0.02). The mean of mwCAG(n) was significantly shorter in PA children with lower BMI compared with PA children with higher BMI [BMI sd score < 0.79, n = 35, vs. BMI sd score > 0.79, n = 36; 1.13 (0.38-1.87), P = 0.004] and in PA children with lower BMI compared with healthy children with same BMI (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS The AR gene CAG(n) polymorphism may have a significant role in the pathogenesis of PA, especially in lean children.
Caveolin-1 regulates leucocyte behaviour in fibrotic lung disease

Objectives Reduced caveolin-1 levels in lung fibroblasts from patients with scleroderma and the lungs of bleomycin-treated mice promote collagen overexpression and lung fibrosis. This study was undertaken to determine whether caveolin-1 is deficient in leucocytes from bleomycin-treated mice and patients with scleroderma and to examine the consequences of this deficiency and its reversal. Methods Mice or cells received the caveolin-1 scaffolding domain (CSD) peptide to reverse the pathological effects of reduced caveolin-1 expression. In bleomycin-treated mice, the levels of caveolin-1 in leucocytes and the effect of CSD peptide on leucocyte accumulation in lung tissue were examined. To validate the results in human disease and to identify caveolin-1-regulated molecular mechanisms, monocytes and neutrophils were isolated from patients with scleroderma and control subjects and caveolin-1, extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) expression/activation were evaluated. These parameters were also studied in monocytes treated with cytokines or CSD peptide. Results Leucocyte caveolin-1 is important in lung fibrosis. In bleomycin-treated mice, caveolin-1 expression was diminished in monocytes and CSD peptide inhibited leucocyte recruitment into the lungs. These observations are relevant to human disease. Monocytes and neutrophils from patients with scleroderma contained less caveolin-1 and more activated ERK, JNK and p38 than those from control subjects. Treatment with CSD peptide reversed ERK, JNK and p38 hyperactivation. Scleroderma monocytes also overexpressed CXCR4 and MMP-9, which was inhibited by the CSD peptide. Cytokine treatment of normal monocytes caused adoption of the scleroderma phenotype (low caveolin-1, high CXCR4 and MMP-9 and signalling molecule hyperactivation). Conclusions Caveolin-1 downregulation in leucocytes contributes to fibrotic lung disease, highlighting caveolin-1 as a promising therapeutic target in scleroderma.
Cognitive changes in multiethnic Asian breast cancer patients: a focus group study.

BACKGROUND This study aims to gather descriptions from multiethnic Asian breast cancer patients on their experiences and impact of chemotherapy-associated cognitive changes on their daily lives and their coping strategies. PATIENTS AND METHODS Forty-three chemotherapy-receiving breast cancer patients participated in eight English or Chinese structured focus group discussions, conducted by trained psychosocial oncologists and medical social workers. RESULTS Participants were unfamiliar and averse to both English and Chinese-translated equivalent of the term 'chemobrain'. Participants viewed this phenomenon holistically as a by-product of the physical (fatigue and aging) and psychosocial (anxiety and mood changes) adverse effects associated with chemotherapy. Most participants encountered memory loss, difficulty in decision making and speech problems after receiving chemotherapy. Married participants expressed frustration as cognitive deterioration limited their conservative roles as homemakers. Despite knowing the potential neurocognitive effects, participants valued the benefits of chemotherapy. Identified coping strategies included playing mahjong for mind stimulation and management of psychosocial factors, such as practicing qi gong, to regulate their moods and to take complementary alternative medicines to reduce the severity of their fatigue. CONCLUSIONS The phenomenon 'chemobrain' is unfamiliar to most Asian cancer patients yet it has significantly impacted their daily lives. Our results suggested that a culturally relevant approach should be adopted to evaluate and manage cognitive changes in these patients.
Temporal reward discounting in children, adolescents, and emerging adults during an experiential task

The goal of this study was to examine age effects on the ability/willingness to wait for large rewards in a real temporal reward discounting task from childhood to adulthood. Therefore, a real temporal discounting (TD) task was administered to children aged 6–12 (n = 39), adolescents aged 13–17 (n = 28), and young adults aged 18–19 (n = 55). Findings indicated that the cross-sectional development of TD followed a quadratic pattern across age groups, with adolescents choosing more often than children and adults to wait for the large delayed reward, resulting in reward-maximization. Various interpretations of this finding were offered, including a focus on reward maximization despite an immature ability to exert self-control, and flexible self-control which was high during this task as a result of strong motivation to maximize financial gains.
Global changes in optic nerve head gene expression after exposure to elevated intraocular pressure in a rat glaucoma model.

PURPOSE In glaucoma, the optic nerve head (ONH) is the likely site of initial injury and elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the best-known risk factor. This study determines global gene expression changes in the pressure-injured ONH. METHODS Unilateral sustained IOP elevation (glaucoma, n = 46) or optic nerve transection (n = 10) was produced in rats. ONHs were removed, and the retrobulbar optic nerves were graded for degeneration. Gene expression in the glaucomatous ONH with extensive injury was compared with that in the fellow ONH (n = 6/group), by using cDNA microarrays. Data from 12 arrays were normalized, significant differences in gene expression determined, and significantly affected gene classes identified. For the remaining ONH, grouped by experimental condition and degree of injury, quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR (qPCR) and ANOVA were used to compare selected message levels. RESULTS Microarray analysis identified more than 2000 significantly regulated genes. For 225 of these genes, the changes were greater than twofold. The most significantly affected gene classes were cell proliferation, immune response, lysosome, cytoskeleton, extracellular matrix, and ribosome. A 2.7-fold increase in ONH cellularity confirmed glaucoma model cell proliferation. By qPCR, increases in levels of periostin, collagen VI, and transforming growth factor beta1 were linearly correlated to the degree of IOP-induced injury. For cyclinD1, fibulin 2, tenascin C, TIMP1, and aquaporin-4, correlations were significantly nonlinear, displaying maximum change with focal injury. CONCLUSIONS In the ONH, pressure-induced injury results in cell proliferation and dramatically altered gene expression. For specific genes, expression levels were most altered by focal injury, suggesting that further array studies may identify initial, and potentially injurious, altered processes.
Neonatal resuscitation experience curves: simulation based mastery learning booster sessions and skill decay patterns among pediatric residents

Abstract Background Following neonatal resuscitation program (NRP) training, decay in clinical skills can occur. Simulation-based deliberate practice (SBDP) has been shown to maintain NRP skills to a variable extent. Our study objectives were (a) to determine whether a single 30 min simulation-based intervention that incorporates SBDP and mastery learning (ML) can effectively restore skills and prevent skill decay and (b) to compare different timing options. Methods Following NRP certification, pediatric residents were randomly assigned to receive a video-recorded baseline assessment plus SBDP-ML refresher education at between 6 and 9 months (early) or between 9 and 12 months (late). One year following initial certification, participants had repeat skill retention videotaped evaluations. Participants were scored by blinded NRP instructors using validated criteria scoring tools and assigned a global performance rating score (GRS). Results Twenty-seven participants were included. Residents in both early and late groups showed significant skill decay 7 and 10 months after initial NRP. SBDP-ML booster sessions significantly improved participants’ immediate NRP performance scores (p<0.001), which persisted for 2 months, but were again lower 4 months later. Conclusions NRP skills may be boosted to mastery levels after a short SBDP-ML intervention and do not appear to significantly decline after 2 months. Brief booster training could potentially serve as a useful supplement to traditional NRP training for pediatric residents.
Malignant Small Bowel Tumors: Diagnosis, Management and Prognosis.

PURPOSE Despite being rare entities, the incidence of malignant small bowel tumors seems to be rising. The development of capsule endoscopy and balloon assisted enteroscopy provided an advance in the assessment of small bowel lesions. We aim to describe the clinical and pathological characteristics of patients with small bowel cancer and ascertain what roles these endoscopic techniques currently have. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study of patients diagnosed with small bowel cancer, from January 2010 to October 2014, was performed. The data was submitted to statistical analysis. RESULTS Of the 28 diagnosed patients, 54% were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 61 years. Adenocarcinoma was the most frequent tumor (n = 11), followed by sarcoma (n = 6), lymphoma (n = 6) and neuroendocrine tumors (n = 3). The main form of presentation was related to blood loss or intestinal obstruction. By the time of diagnosis, 46% of patients had distant metastasis/ unresectable cancer. Most of the tumors were diagnosed by endoscopic (41%) or imaging techniques (35%). In the first year after diagnosis, 29% of patients died. In multivariate analysis, adenocarcinoma remained an independent factor for worse survival. DISCUSSION Patients with adenocarcinoma presented at late stages and with unresectable tumors, contributing to a worse outcome. A high degree of clinical suspicion for the diagnosis of small bowel cancer is necessary. CONCLUSION The characteristics of the patients were generally consistent with those described in the literature. Capsule endoscopy and balloon assisted enteroscopy are useful in the diagnosis, management and surveillance of small bowel cancer.
Swelling behavior and release properties of pH-sensitive hydrogels based on methacrylic derivatives

Swelling behavior and release properties of pH-sensitive hydrogels based on methacrylic derivatives The purpose of this study is to develop novel intestinal-specific drug delivery systems with pH sensitive swelling and drug release properties. Methacrylic-type polymeric prodrugs were synthesized by free radical copolymerization of methacrylic acid, poly(ethyleneglycol monomethyl ether methacrylate) and a methacrylic derivative of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acetamide in the presence of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinking agent. The effect of copolymer composition on the swelling behavior and hydrolytic degradation were studied in simulated gastric (SGF, pH 1.2) and intestinal fluids (SIF, pH 7.0). The dynamic swelling behavior of these hydrogels was investigated to determine the mechanism of water transport through these hydrogels. The mechanism of water transport through the gels was significantly affected by the pH of the swelling medium and became more relaxation-controlled in a swelling medium of pH 7.0. The swelling and hydrolytic behaviors of hydrogels were dependent on the content of methacrylic acid (MAA) groups and caused a decrease and increase in gel swelling in SGF and SIF, respectively. Drug release studies showed that the increasing content of MAA in the copolymer enhances hydrolysis in SIF. These results suggest that pH-sensitive systems could be useful for preparation of a muccoadhesive system and controlled release of N-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl) acetamide. Oslobađanje ljekovite tvari i bubrenje pH-senzitivnih hidrogelova na bazi metakrilnih derivata Cilj rada bio je razviti nove pH senzitivne sustave za isporuku lijekova u tankom crijevu te ispitati njihova svojstva bubrenja i oslobađanje ljekovite tvari. Metakrilni polimerni prolijekovi sintetizirani su kopolimerizacijom derivata metakrilne kiseline sa slobodnim radikalima, poli(etilenglikol monometil eter metakrilata) i metakrilnog derivata N-(4-hidroksifenil)-2-(4-metoksifenil) acetamida u prisutnosti etilenglikol dimetakrilata kao sredstva za umrežavanje. Učinak sastava kopolimera na svojstvo bubrenja i hidrolitički raspad proučavan je u simuliranoj želučanoj (SGF, pH 1,2) i crijevnoj tekućini (SIF, pH 7,0). Dinamičko svojstvo bubrenja hidrogelova ispitivano je da bi se odredio mehanizam transporta vode kroz hidrogelove. Mehanizam prijenosa vode značajno je ovisio o pH medija. Bubrenje i hidrolitičko ponašanje hidrogelova ovisilo je o udjelu metakrilne kiseline. U SGF se bubrenje smanjivalo, a u SIF povećavalo. Povećanje udjela metakrilne kiseline u kopolimeru povećavalo je hidrolizu u SIF. Ti rezultati sugeriraju da se pH-senzitivni sustavi mogu upotrijebiti u pripravi mukoadhezivnih sustava i za kontrolirano oslobađanje N-(4-hidroksifenil)-2-(4-metoksifenil) acetamida.
Registered Nurses: The Curious Case of a Persistent Shortage.

PURPOSE To better understand the apparent persistent shortage of registered nurses (RNs), including both aggregate trends and cyclical responses. DESIGN We examine the employment of RNs over variations in economic activity, employing national aggregate and unique micro-population data on nurses in Arizona. METHODS These data, including our unique, ongoing survey of nurses in Arizona, enable a systematic examination of the cyclical demand for hospital care and institutional responses to that demand in the nursing market by employing multivariate regressions. FINDINGS Demand for hospital nursing care increases rapidly during the early years of recessions, moderating as the economy improves. Hospitals initially employ more temporary nurses, then reduce temporary hires by shifting employed RNs from part time to full time while also adding RNs not previously employed in hospitals. The substitution of regularly employed RNs for temporary nurses reflects the need to reduce staffing costs to offset increases in uncompensated care. CONCLUSIONS The increased supply of nurses came from delayed retirements, higher relative hospital wages (inducing nurses in other sectors to return to hospitals), and added-worker effects. Additional nursing hours were drawn from a pool of RNs who were not employed in health care. CLINICAL RELEVANCE These results strongly suggest that correctly aligned incentives could reduce RN shortages without waiting for another recession.
MagTics: Flexible and Thin Form Factor Magnetic Actuators for Dynamic and Wearable Haptic Feedback

We present MagTics, a novel flexible and wearable haptic interface based on magnetically actuated bidirectional tactile pixels (taxels). MagTics' thin form factor and flexibility allows for rich haptic feedback in mobile settings. We propose a novel actuation mechanism based on bistable electromagnetic latching that combines high frame rate and holding force with low energy consumption and a soft and flexible form factor. We overcome limitations of traditional soft actuators by placing several hard actuation cells, driven by flexible printed electronics, in a soft 3D printed case. A novel EM-shielding prevents magnet-magnet interactions and allows for high actuator densities. A prototypical implementation comprising of 4 actuated pins on a 1.7 cm pitch, with 2 mm travel, and generating 160 mN to 200 mN of latching force is used to implement a number of compelling application scenarios including adding haptic and tactile display capabilities to wearable devices, to existing input devices and to provide localized haptic feedback in virtual reality. Finally, we report results of a psychophysical study, conducted to inform future developments and to identify possible application domains.
Vision Enhancement in Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Fog

One source of accidents when driving a vehicle is the presence of fog. Fog fades the colors and reduces the contrasts in the scene with respect to their distances from the driver. Various camera-based Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can be improved if efficient algorithms are designed for visibility enhancement in road images. The visibility enhancement algorithm proposed in [1] is not optimized for road images. In this paper, we reformulate the problem as the inference of the local atmospheric veil from constraints. The algorithm in [1] thus becomes a particular case. From this new derivation, we propose to better handle road images by introducing an extra constraint taking into account that a large part of the image can be assumed to be a planar road. The advantages of the proposed local algorithm are the speed, the possibility to handle both color and gray-level images, and the small number of parameters. A new scheme is proposed for rating visibility enhancement algorithms based on the addition of several types of generated fog on synthetic and camera images. A comparative study and quantitative evaluation with other state-of-the-art algorithms is thus proposed. This evaluation demonstrates that the new algorithm produces better results with homogeneous fog and that it is able to deal better with the presence of heterogeneous fog. Finally, we also propose a model allowing to evaluate the potential safety benefit of an ADAS based on the display of defogged images.