Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Individualized positive end-expiratory pressure in obese patients during general anaesthesia: a randomized controlled clinical trial using electrical impedance tomography

Background General anaesthesia leads to atelectasis, reduced end-expiratory lung volume (EELV), and diminished arterial oxygenation in obese patients. We hypothesized that a combination of a recruitment manoeuvre (RM) and individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can avoid these effects. Methods Patients with a BMI ≥35 kg m -2 undergoing elective laparoscopic surgery were randomly allocated to mechanical ventilation with a tidal volume of 8 ml kg -1 predicted body weight and (i) an RM followed by individualized PEEP titrated using electrical impedance tomography (PEEP IND ) or (ii) no RM and PEEP of 5 cm H 2 O (PEEP 5 ). Gas exchange, regional ventilation distribution, and EELV (multiple breath nitrogen washout method) were determined before, during, and after anaesthesia. The primary end point was the ratio of arterial partial pressure of oxygen to inspiratory oxygen fraction ( P aO 2 / F iO 2 ). Results For PEEP IND ( n =25) and PEEP 5 ( n =25) arms together, P aO 2 / F iO 2 and EELV decreased by 15 kPa [95% confidence interval (CI) 11-20 kPa, P <0.001] and 1.2 litres (95% CI 0.9-1.6 litres, P <0.001), respectively, after intubation. Mean ( sd ) PEEP IND was 18.5 (5.6) cm H 2 O. In the PEEP IND arm, P aO 2 / F iO 2 before extubation was 23 kPa higher (95% CI 16-29 kPa; P <0.001), EELV was 1.8 litres larger (95% CI 1.5-2.2 litres; P <0.001), driving pressure was 6.7 cm H 2 O lower (95% CI 5.4-7.9 cm H 2 O; P <0.001), and regional ventilation was more equally distributed than for PEEP 5 . After extubation, however, these differences between the arms vanished. Conclusions In obese patients, an RM and higher PEEP IND restored EELV, regional ventilation distribution, and oxygenation during anaesthesia, but these differences did not persist after extubation. Therefore, lung protection strategies should include the postoperative period. Clinical trial registration German clinical trials register DRKS00004199, www.who. int/ictrp/network/drks2/en/ .
Inflammation and Improvement of Depression Following Electroconvulsive Therapy in Treatment-Resistant Depression.

OBJECTIVE Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most robust acute treatment for severe major depressive disorder, yet clinical response is variable. Inflammation is associated with depression, especially in women, and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin (IL)-6 predict response to antidepressant medications. This study evaluated whether markers of inflammation predicted response to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in patients with treatment-resistant depression and to what extent this association differed between men and women. METHODS In patients (N = 29) who had a current major depressive episode diagnosed using DSM-IV-TR criteria and were scheduled to undergo ECT at an academic referral center, levels of CRP, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α and severity of depressive symptoms (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale [MADRS]) were prospectively evaluated before ECT treatment, after the second ECT session, and again at the completion of the index treatment series. Data were collected between December 2011 and December 2014. The primary outcome was end-of-treatment MADRS score. RESULTS In multivariate analyses, higher levels of IL-6 at baseline, but not other inflammatory markers or clinical variables, were associated with lower end-of-treatment MADRS score (P = .01). When stratified by sex, IL-6 remained a significant predictor of end-of-treatment MADRS for women (P = .02) but not men (P = .1), and CRP emerged as a significant predictor for women (P = .04) but not men (P = .66). CRP and IL-6 increased from baseline to the second ECT session (P values < .01) and returned to baseline levels at end of treatment; these changes did not relate to MADRS score over the course of ECT. CONCLUSIONS Levels of IL-6 prior to ECT treatment may be useful in identifying those depressed patients most likely to benefit from ECT treatment. In contrast, acute changes in IL-6 and CRP may reflect spikes in inflammatory response related to the initiation of seizure therapy, but not mood. Assessment of pretreatment inflammatory biomarkers, especially in women, might be useful in guiding treatment decision-making in treatment-resistant depression.
Deformation Evaluation of Small Solder Ball by Electromotive Force.

Our objective is to develop an effective method for measuring deformation in small solder ball joints. We focused on the Zeebeck Effect, which is characterized by electromotive force (Emf) in thermo-coupling and tried to measure Emf when the solder ball was deformed. A Cu wire-Solder ball-Cu/Ni wire arrangement was made. Usually a thermocouple connection for temperature measurement has two different metal wires directly facing each other. But, for our experiments a third metal, i.e., solder, was sandwiched between the two-thermocouple wires. The diameter of the solder ball was 1.3 mm. When an Emf was generated and measured at various deformation speeds of the solder ball, we found that the Emf increased as the deformation increased. Furthermore, the Emf changed in relation to the load cycling magnitude. We demonstrated that the proposed Emf measuring method can be a useful and powerful tool for the deformation evaluation of real solder connections.
Segregation of sphingolipids and sterols during formation of secretory vesicles at the trans-Golgi network

The trans-Golgi network (TGN) is the major sorting station in the secretory pathway of all eukaryotic cells. How the TGN sorts proteins and lipids to generate the enrichment of sphingolipids and sterols at the plasma membrane is poorly understood. To address this fundamental question in membrane trafficking, we devised an immunoisolation procedure for specific recovery of post-Golgi secretory vesicles transporting a transmembrane raft protein from the TGN to the cell surface in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Using a novel quantitative shotgun lipidomics approach, we could demonstrate that TGN sorting selectively enriched ergosterol and sphingolipid species in the immunoisolated secretory vesicles. This finding, for the first time, indicates that the TGN exhibits the capacity to sort membrane lipids. Furthermore, the observation that the immunoisolated vesicles exhibited a higher membrane order than the late Golgi membrane, as measured by C-Laurdan spectrophotometry, strongly suggests that lipid rafts play a role in the TGN-sorting machinery.
“Fitspiration” on Social Media: A Content Analysis of Gendered Images

Background “Fitspiration” (also known as “fitspo”) aims to inspire individuals to exercise and be healthy, but emerging research indicates exposure can negatively impact female body image. Fitspiration is frequently accessed on social media; however, it is currently unclear the degree to which messages about body image and exercise differ by gender of the subject. Objective The aim of our study was to conduct a content analysis to identify the characteristics of fitspiration content posted across social media and whether this differs according to subject gender. Methods Content tagged with #fitspo across Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr was extracted over a composite 30-minute period. All posts were analyzed by 2 independent coders according to a codebook. Results Of the 415/476 (87.2%) relevant posts extracted, most posts were on Instagram (360/415, 86.8%). Most posts (308/415, 74.2%) related thematically to exercise, and 81/415 (19.6%) related thematically to food. In total, 151 (36.4%) posts depicted only female subjects and 114/415 (27.5%) depicted only male subjects. Female subjects were typically thin but toned; male subjects were often muscular or hypermuscular. Within the images, female subjects were significantly more likely to be aged under 25 years (P<.001) than the male subjects, to have their full body visible (P=.001), and to have their buttocks emphasized (P<.001). Male subjects were more likely to have their face visible in the post (P=.005) than the female subjects. Female subjects were more likely to be sexualized than the male subjects (P=.002). Conclusions Female #fitspo subjects typically adhered to the thin or athletic ideal, and male subjects typically adhered to the muscular ideal. Future research and interventional efforts should consider the potential objectifying messages in fitspiration, as it relates to both female and male body image.
Isolation of the Cdc45/Mcm2–7/GINS (CMG) complex, a candidate for the eukaryotic DNA replication fork helicase

The protein Cdc45 plays a critical but poorly understood role in the initiation and elongation stages of eukaryotic DNA replication. To study Cdc45's function in DNA replication, we purified Cdc45 protein from Drosophila embryo extracts by a combination of traditional and immunoaffinity chromatography steps and found that the protein exists in a stable, high-molecular-weight complex with the Mcm2–7 hexamer and the GINS tetramer. The purified Cdc45/Mcm2–7/GINS complex is associated with an active ATP-dependent DNA helicase function. RNA interference knock-down experiments targeting the GINS and Cdc45 components establish that the proteins are required for the S phase transition in Drosophila cells. The data suggest that this complex forms the core helicase machinery for eukaryotic DNA replication.
Dosage of the synthetic progestin, norgestomet, influences luteinizing hormone pulse frequency and endogenous secretion of 17 beta-estradiol in heifers.

The objective of this study was to determine whether there were doses at which the synthetic progestin, norgestomet, could mimic midluteal phase concentrations of progesterone in regulating the secretion of LH and 17 beta-estradiol in bovine females. Heifers were randomly assigned to one of five groups to receive: 1) one (1Norg, n = 5), 2) two (2Norg, n = 5), 3) four (4Norg, n = 5), or 4) eight (8Norg, n = 5) norgestomet implants or to serve as untreated control heifers (control, n = 5). On Day 7 (Day 0 = behavioral estrus), implants containing norgestomet were inserted, and they remained in place for 10 days. All heifers implanted with norgestomet were treated with 25 mg prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) on Days 7 and 8 to lyse the CL. Controls were treated with 25 mg PGF2 alpha at the time norgestomet implants were removed from heifers of the other treatment groups. Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 24 h on Days 10 and 16 to determine the frequency of LH pulses. Beginning 24 h after removal of implants, samples of blood were collected at 4-h intervals for 96 h to determine the time of the preovulatory surge of LH. Daily blood samples were collected from Day 2 to Day 48 to determine concentrations of progesterone, and samples collected between Days 2 and 17 were used to determine concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol. Ultrasonography was performed daily from Day 2 until Day 23 to evaluate ovarian follicular development. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mechanical Thrombectomy Outcomes With and Without Intravenous Thrombolysis in Stroke Patients: A Meta-Analysis

Background and Purpose— Whether prior intravenous thrombolysis provides any additional benefits to the patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for large vessel, acute ischemic stroke remains unclear. Methods— We conducted a meta-analysis of 13 studies obtained through PubMed and EMBASE database searches to determine whether functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale) at 90 days, successful recanalization rate, and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage rate differed between patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy with (MT+IVT) and without (MT−IVT) pre-treatment with intravenous thrombolysis. Results— MT+IVT patients compared with MT−IVT patients had better functional outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–2; summary odds ratio [OR], 1.27 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.05–1.55]; P=0.02; n=1769/1174), lower mortality (OR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.55–0.91]; P=0.006; n=1774/1202), and higher rate of successful recanalization (OR, 1.46 [95% CI, 1.09–1.96]; P=0.01; n=1652/1216) without having increased odds of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (OR, 1.11 [95% CI, 0.69–1.77]; P=0.67; n=1471/1143). A greater number of MT+IVT patients required ⩽2 passes with a neurothrombectomy device to achieve successful recanalization (OR, 2.06 [95% CI, 1.37–3.10]; P=0.0005; n=316/231). Conclusions— Our results demonstrated that MT+IVT patients had better functional outcomes, lower mortality, higher rate of successful recanalization, requiring lower number of device passes, and equal odds of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage compared with MT−IVT patients. The results support the current guidelines of offering intravenous thrombolysis to eligible patients even if they are being considered for mechanical thrombectomy. Because the data are compiled from studies where the 2 groups differed based on eligibility for intravenous thrombolysis, randomized trials are necessary to accurately evaluate the added value of intravenous thrombolysis in patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy.
Effect of Calcium Deficiency on Growth and Leaf Acid Soluble Proteins of Tomato

The effects of temporary Ca (Ca) calcium deficiency lasting 2, 3, 4 or 5 d were investigated on tomato plants at the 6-leaf stage, grown hydroponically under controlled conditions. With 2, 3 or 4 d of Ca deficiency, the dry weight of the tomato leaves, shoots or roots was not different from control. A significant decrease in tomato growth, of up to 70%, appeared on the fifth day. Some visual symptoms were observed on the tomato leaves. The phenomenon concerned was an irreversible mechanism that led to plant death after 12 d, even when Ca was added to the root medium after 2, 3, 4 or 5 d. This is the first report of such a rapid and drastic effect of an essential macronutrient. Moreover, Ca content in leaves during root deprivation showed a decrease in all plants, related to a remobilization toward the apex. Ca could be considered as a partly mobile element: the observation of the youngest leaf limbs by transmission electronic microscopy after 4 d of treatment showed disorganized tissues in a necrotic zone, due to wall impairment related to C deficiency. During temporary Ca deficiency, acid soluble proteins were analyzed in leaves (SDS PAGE electrophoresis / Maldi-TOF). After 4 d of Ca deficiency, protein induction in young leaves was revealed. Three proteins were identified as pathogenesis related proteins (PR-1, PR-3, PR-7) and a threonine deaminase precursor was also found. It was also the first time that pathogenesis related (PR) protein appearance has been shown to be related to Ca deficiency. The PR proteins are generally elicited by pathogen attack. This phenomenon seems to be calcium dependent because other mineral stresses, such as potassium (K) deficiency or sodium (Na) excess, did not reveal acid soluble protein changes. The retranslocation of Ca to young tissue could entail eliciting effects via wall fragments leading to a plant response similar to the response to pathogen attack. 1 Adresse correspondence to Jérôme Silvestre, Laboratoire d'Agronomie Environnement Ecotoxicologie, Ecole Nationale Supérieure Agronomique de Toulouse, BP 107, 31326 Castanet Tolosan, France. E-mail: silvestre@ensat.fr Consequently, activation by Ca deficiency of gene transcription coding for defense proteins could be hypothesized.
Pertussis surveillance and control: exploring variations and delays in testing, laboratory diagnostics and public health service notifications, the Netherlands, 2010 to 2013

Pertussis is most severe among unvaccinated infants (< 1 year of age), and still leads to several reported deaths in the Netherlands every year. In order to avoid pertussis-related infant morbidity and mortality, pertussis surveillance data are used to guide pertussis control measures. However, more insight into the accuracy of pertussis surveillance and control, and into the range of healthcare and public health-related factors that impede this are needed. We analysed a unique combination of data sources from one Dutch region of 1.1 million residents, including data from laboratory databases and local public health notifications between 2010 and 2013. This large study (n = 12,090 pertussis tests) reveals possible misdiagnoses, substantial under-notification (18%, 412/2,301 laboratory positive episodes) and a delay between patient symptoms and notification to the local public health services (median 34 days, interquartile range (IQR): 27–54). It is likely that the misdiagnoses, under-notification and overall delay in surveillance data are not unique to this area of the Netherlands, and are generalisable to other countries in Europe. In addition to preventive measures such as maternal immunisation, based on current findings, we further recommend greater adherence to testing guidelines, standardisation of test interpretation guidelines, use of automatic notification systems and earlier preventive measures.
Implicit Attitudes and Smoking Behavior in a Smoking Cessation Induction Trial

Introduction Although studies have suggested that implicit attitudes may predict smoking-related decisions, evidence that changes in implicit attitudes toward smoking are related to changes in smoking behavior is lacking. Using data from a trial comparing interventions to induce quit attempts among unmotivated smokers, this study examined whether changes in implicit attitudes were associated with quit attempts and cessation after controlling for explicit motivation. Methods Daily smokers recruited from the community completed measures of implicit attitudes (Implicit Association Test) and explicit measure of motivation to smoke at baseline, mid-intervention (week 12 [W12]) and follow-up (week 26 [W26]). Quit attempts and cessation were assessed at follow-up, and cessation was biochemically verified. Results As hypothesized, Implicit Association Test scores became more negative from baseline to W12, a change that was sustained at follow-up. Logistic regression analyses in which implicit attitudes were used to predict smoking outcomes revealed that negative changes in implicit attitudes from baseline to W12 and from baseline to W26 were significantly related to quit attempts (OR = 0.71, 95% CI [0.52, 0.97], p < .05 for both) independent of explicit motivation. Negative changes in implicit attitudes from baseline to W26 were significantly related to cessation (OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.25, 1.00], p < .05). Conclusions Negative changes in implicit attitudes were associated with positive changes in smoking behavior independent of explicit motivation. This result indicates that smoking cessation interventions may be enhanced by incorporating strategies to change implicit attitudes, and that changes in implicit attitudes are also potentially important intervention outcomes. Implications Smoking cessation interventions may be improved by going beyond the current focus on explicit psychological constructs and targeting automatic cognitive processes such as implicit attitudes. The results are encouragement to examine how best to manipulate smokers' implicit attitudes as well as to determine the effect on their smoking behavior.
Stress Management Apps With Regard to Emotion-Focused Coping and Behavior Change Techniques: A Content Analysis

Background Chronic stress has been shown to be associated with disease. This link is not only direct but also indirect through harmful health behavior such as smoking or changing eating habits. The recent mHealth trend offers a new and promising approach to support the adoption and maintenance of appropriate stress management techniques. However, only few studies have dealt with the inclusion of evidence-based content within stress management apps for mobile phones. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate stress management apps on the basis of a new taxonomy of effective emotion-focused stress management techniques and an established taxonomy of behavior change techniques. Methods Two trained and independent raters evaluated 62 free apps found in Google Play with regard to 26 behavior change and 15 emotion-focused stress management techniques in October 2015. Results The apps included an average of 4.3 behavior change techniques (SD 4.2) and 2.8 emotion-focused stress management techniques (SD 2.6). The behavior change technique score and stress management technique score were highly correlated (r=.82, P=.01). Conclusions The broad variation of different stress management strategies found in this sample of apps goes in line with those found in conventional stress management interventions and self-help literature. Moreover, this study provided a first step toward more detailed and standardized taxonomies, which can be used to investigate evidence-based content in stress management interventions and enable greater comparability between different intervention types.
Is Placental Malaria a Long-term Risk Factor for Mild Malaria Attack in Infancy? Revisiting a Paradigm

Background Children born to mothers with placental malaria (PM) have been described as more susceptible to the occurrence of a first malaria infection. However, whether or not these children remain more at risk during infancy has never been explored. We aimed to determine if children born to mothers with PM are more susceptible to malaria and remain at higher risk between birth and 18 months. Methods Five hundred fifty children were followed up weekly with control of temperature and, if >37.5°C, both a rapid diagnostic test for malaria and a thick blood smear were performed. Taking into account environmental risk of infection, the relationship between occurrences of malaria attacks from birth to 18 months was modeled using Cox models for recurrent events. Results PM is not associated with an overall susceptibility to malaria but only with the delay of occurrence of the first malaria attack. Children born from mothers with PM tend to have an increased risk for the first malaria attack (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.33; P = .048) but not for subsequent ones (HR = 0.9; P = .46). Children who experienced 1 malaria attack were strongly at risk to develop subsequent infections independent of placental infection and environmental exposure. Conclusions These results are consistent with the existence of an individual susceptibility to malaria unrelated to PM. From a public health point of view, protecting children born to infected placenta remains a priority, but seems insufficient to account for other frail children for whom a biomarker of frailty needs to be found.