Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical course and outcome in patients with severe dysphagia after lateral medullary syndrome

Background The objective of this study was to investigate the clinical course and final outcome in patients afflicted with severe dysphagia following a diagnosis of lateral medullary syndrome (LMS). Methods The patients with severe dysphagia after LMS admitted to a rehabilitation unit were included and their respective clinical data were prospectively collected. The criteria of ‘severe dysphagia’ was defined as the condition that showed decreased pharyngeal constriction with no esophageal passage in a videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and initially required enteral tube feeding. The data included VFSS findings, types of diet and postural modification, penetration-aspiration scale (PAS) and functional oral intake scale (FOIS). Results A total of 11 patients were included and VFSS was performed every 2 weeks after stroke onset. Esophageal passage began to show at an average 34.7 ± 18.3 days, and the patients were able to begin consuming a partial oral diet with postural modification. It was 52.2 ± 21.8 days till they were advanced to a full oral diet. PAS and FOIS were significantly improved over time. Conclusions Patients with severe dysphagia after LMS were able to tolerate a partial oral diet at about 5 weeks following onset, and they were advanced to a normal diet after 10 weeks. This clinical course might help in predicting the prognosis, as well as assist in making practical decisions regarding a rehabilitation program.
Genetic Polymorphisms in the Dopamine Receptor 2 Predict Acute Pain Severity After Motor Vehicle Collision

Objectives:Dopaminergic signaling is implicated in nociceptive pathways. These effects are mediated largely through dopamine receptors and modulated in part by dopamine transporters. This study tested the hypothesis that genetic variants in the genes encoding dopamine receptor 2 (DRD2) and the dopamine active transporter (SLC6A3) influence acute pain severity after motor vehicle collision. Materials and Methods:European Americans presenting to the emergency department after motor vehicle collision were recruited. Overall pain intensity in emergency department was assessed using a 0 to 10 numeric rating scale. DNA was extracted from blood samples and genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the DRD2 and SLC6A3 gene was performed. Results:A total of 948 patients completed evaluation. After correction for multiple comparisons, SNP rs6276 at DRD2 showed significant association with pain scores, with individuals with the A/A genotype reporting lower mean pain scores (5.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 5.1-5.5) than those with A/G (5.9; 95% CI, 5.6-6.1) or G/G (5.7; 95% CI, 5.2-6.2) genotypes (P=0.0027). Secondary analyses revealed an interaction between sex and DRD2 SNPs rs4586205 and rs4648318 on pain scores: females with 2 minor alleles had increased pain intensity, whereas males with 2 minor alleles had less pain than individuals with a major allele (interaction P=0.0019). Discussion:Genetic variants in DRD2 are associated with acute pain after a traumatic stressful event. These results suggest that dopaminergic agents may be useful for the treatment of individuals with acute posttraumatic pain as part of a multimodal opioid-sparing analgesic regimen.
Angiotensin II type II receptors and colonic dysmotility in 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzenesulfonic acid‐induced colitis in rats

Angiotensin II (Ang II), the main peptide of the renin‐angiotensin system (RAS), has been suggested to be involved in inflammatory bowel diseases. Since RAS has emerged as gut motility regulator, and dysmotility is associated with intestinal inflammation, our objective was to investigate in rat 2,4‐dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNBS)‐induced colitis the functionality of RAS and its contribution to colonic motor alterations.
Free vascularized fibula grafting in the operative treatment of malignant bone tumors of the upper extremity: A systematic review of outcomes and complications

Vascularized bone grafting after tumor resection can be an important component in the treatment of bony neoplasms of the upper extremity. The purpose of this study was to determine the outcomes of free vascularized fibula grafting (FVFG) in the treatment of upper extremity sarcomas.
Alberta’s Tomorrow Project: adherence to cancer prevention recommendations pertaining to diet, physical activity and body size

Abstract Objective To explore cross-sectional adherence to cancer prevention recommendations by adults enrolled in a prospective cohort in Alberta, Canada. Design Questionnaire data were used to construct a composite cancer prevention adherence score for each participant, based on selected personal recommendations published by the World Cancer Research Fund/American Institute for Cancer Research (2007). Data were self-reported on health and lifestyle, past-year physical activity and past-year FFQ. The scores accounted for physical activity, dietary supplement use, body size, and intakes of alcohol, fruit, vegetables and red meat. Tobacco exposure was also included. Scores ranged from 0 (least adherent) to 7 (most adherent). Setting Alberta’s Tomorrow Project; a research platform based on a prospective cohort. Subjects Adult men and women (n 24 988) aged 35–69 years recruited by random digit dialling and enrolled in Alberta’s Tomorrow Project between 2001 and 2009. Results Of the cohort, 14 % achieved adherence scores ≥5 and 60 % had scores ≤3. Overall adherence scores were higher in women (mean (sd): 3·4 (1·1)) than in men (3·0 (1·2)). The extent of overall adherence was also associated with level of education, employment status, annual household income, personal history of chronic disease, family history of chronic disease and age. Conclusions Reported adherence to selected personal recommendations for cancer prevention was low in this cohort of adults. In the short to medium term, these results suggest that more work is required to identify behaviours to target with cancer prevention strategies at a population level. Future work will explore the associations between adherence scores and cancer risk in this cohort.
Differences in the Effectiveness of Psychosocial Interventions for Suicidal Ideation and Behaviour in Women and Men: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials

The objective of this study was to explore outcomes of preventive programs and psychosocial treatments for suicidal ideation and behaviour in gender sub-groups in mixed gender studies and in studies limited to one gender. The method used was a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which included women or men only, or reported and/or examined outcomes of psychosocial interventions in mixed gender samples. A total of 27 (18%) of RCTs reported or examined differences in intervention outcomes. Of the mixed gender RCTs, 5 (33%) reported greater effectiveness for females than males. The review identified promising interventions in female-only samples. None of the trials reported greater effectiveness of the intervention in men. The majority of reviewed studies looking at treatment outcomes in gender sub-groups showed no differences between women and men or indicated that some psychosocial interventions are effective for women. There is a need for studies which look at gender effects and development of interventions more effective and appealing for men at risk of suicide.
Genotoxic risk of ethyl‐paraben could be related to telomere shortening

The ability of parabens to promote the appearance of multiple cancer hallmarks in breast epithelium cells provides grounds for regulatory review of the implication of the presence of parabens in human breast tissue. It is well documented that telomere dysfunction plays a significant role in the initiation of genomic instability during carcinogenesis in human breast cancer. In the present study, we evaluated the genotoxic effect of ethyl 4‐hydroxybenzoate (ethyl‐paraben), with and without metabolic activation (S9), in studies following OECD guidelines. We observed a significant increase in genotoxic damage using the Mouse Lymphoma Assay and in vitro micronucleus (MN) tests in the L5178Y cell line in the presence of S9 only after a short exposure. A high frequency of MN was observed in the TK6 cells after a short exposure (3 h) in the presence of S9 and a long exposure (26 h) without S9. We found significant increases in the MN frequency and induced chromosomal aberrations in the lymphocytes of only one donor after ethyl‐paraben exposure in the presence of S9 after a short exposure. Cytogenetic characterization of the paraben‐treated cells demonstrated telomere shortening associated with telomere loss and telomere deletions in L5178Y and TK6 cells and lymphocytes of the paraben sensitive‐donor. In a control cohort of 68 human lymphocytes, telomere length and telomere aberrations were age‐dependent and showed high inter‐individual variation. This study is the first to link telomere shortening and the genotoxic effect of ethyl paraben in the presence of S9 and raises the possibility that telomere shortening may be a proxy for underlying inter‐individual sensitivity to ethyl‐paraben. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Playing with science: Exploring how game activity motivates users participation on an online citizen science platform

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine intrinsic forms of motivation and particular incidents of play, socialisation, fun and amusement on an online crowdsourced citizen science platform. The paper also investigates gamised activity (Greenhill et al., 2014) as a form of intrinsic motivation adding a sense of play to work and tasks (Xu et al., 2012). These concepts are explored through close scrutiny of the online citizen science platform Zooniverse.org. Design/methodology/approach – Qualitative techniques with an interpretivist approach are used to analyse online content found within citizen science platforms, related forums and social media by examining incidents of play, socialisation, fun and amusement to investigate how these aspects are applied as a form of user motivation. Findings – The authors find that when users classify crowdsourced tasks voluntarily it does not matter how users are classifying as long as it is accurately. However, what does matter is why they are doing it particularly because of the complex processes that builds relationships between users and the platform. The authors present a conceptual model to enable deeper understandings of how forms of social interaction and play are motivating users contributing to citizen science project to participate in the online processes. Practical implications – The findings of this paper provide practical implications for how citizen science, and also other crowdsourcing platforms, can engage with notions of play and gamification to motivate participation. Originality/value – Using detailed examples of online content, the authors reveal how participants of the Zooniverse.org demonstrate aspects of “gamised” behaviour. The authors argue that the exploration of gaming as well as play provides evidence that contributing to citizen science projects can be both utilitarian and hedonic.
Perceived Firm-Specific Human Capital and Turnover: Stuck in their Heads?

Drawing on human capital theory, strategy scholars have emphasized firm- specific human capital as a source of sustained competitive advantage. In addition to its role in value creation, FSHC is thought to limit rival imitation and rent appropriation by hindering employee mobility. However, recent research links employee perceptions of FSHC to lower organizational commitment and job satisfaction. Such workers may seem to be an unlikely source of competitive advantage. In this study, we explore micro-foundations of firm-specific human capital by theoretically and empirically examining how employee perceptions of firm-specific skills relate to subsequent turnover - extant literature suggests that turnover would be significantly reduced. We test our hypotheses using a large panel dataset tracking employment, attitudes and outcomes. We find that perceptions of firm specific skills increase the likelihood of subsequent turnover but do not appear to have any effect on wages when people move. That is, just becau.
Prostaglandin E1 Preconditioning Attenuates Liver Ischemia Reperfusion Injury in a Rat Model of Extrahepatic Cholestasis

The aim of this study is to explore the hepatoprotective effect of intraportal prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on liver ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury using an extrahepatic cholestatic model, observing oxidative stress markers, proinflammatory factors, apoptotic marker proteins, and an adhesion molecule. The extrahepatic cholestatic model was induced by common bile duct ligation. After seven days, rats were subjected to ischemia by Pringle maneuver for 15 min, followed by 1, 6, or 24 h of reperfusion. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE group) or normal saline (NS group) was continuously infused from 15 min before liver ischemia to 1 h after reperfusion. After reperfusion, histopathological evaluation of the liver was performed, as were measurements of bilirubin, biochemical enzymes, oxidative stress markers (GSH and MDA), proinflammatory factors (MPO, TNF-α, and IL-1β), apoptotic marker proteins (Bcl-2 and Bax), and the adhesion molecule (ICAM-1). PGE1 pretreatment attenuated IR injury in extrahepatic cholestatic liver probably by suppressing MDA, MPO, TNF-α, IL-1β, ICAM-1, and Bax levels and improving GSH and Bcl-2 levels. In conclusion, PGE1 protects extrahepatic cholestatic liver from IR injury by improving hepatic microcirculation and reducing oxidative stress damage, intrahepatic neutrophil infiltration, and hepatocyte apoptosis.
On some optimal control problems for electrical circuits

Some optimal control problems for linear and nonlinear ordinary differential equations related to the optimal switching between different magnetic fields are considered. The main aim is to move an electrical initial current by a controllable voltage in shortest time to a desired terminal current and to hold it afterwards. Necessary optimality conditions are derived by Pontryagin's principle and a formal Lagrange technique. In the case of a linear system, the principal structure of time‐optimal controls is discussed. The associated optimality systems are solved by a one‐shot strategy using a multigrid software package. Various numerical examples are discussed. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Progression of Electrocardiographic Abnormalities in Type 1 Diabetes During 16 Years of Follow‐up: The Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) Study

Background The electrocardiogram (ECG) is an objective tool for cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment. Methods and Results We evaluated distribution of ECG abnormalities and risk factors for developing new abnormalities in 1314 patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) from the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) study. Annual ECGs were centrally read. ECG abnormalities were classified as major and minor according to the Minnesota ECG Classification. At EDIC year 1 (baseline), 356 (27.1%) of the participants had at least 1 ECG abnormality (major or minor) whereas 26 (2%) had at least one major abnormality. During 16 years of follow‐up, 1016 (77.3%) participants developed at least 1 new ECG abnormality (major or minor), whereas 172 (13.1%) developed at least 1 new major abnormality. Independent risk factors for developing new major ECG abnormalities were: age, current smoking, increased systolic blood pressure, and higher glycosylated hemoglobin (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI]: 1.04 [1.02–1.06] per 1‐year increase, 1.75 [1.22–2.53], 1.03 [1.01–1.05] per 1 mm Hg increase, and 1.16 [1.04–1.29] per 10% increase, respectively). Independent risk factors for developing any new ECG abnormalities (major or minor) were age and systolic blood pressure (HR [95% CI]: 1.02 [1.01–1.03] per 1‐year increase and 1.01 [1.00–1.02] per 1 mm Hg increase, respectively). Conclusions New ECG abnormalities commonly occur in the course of T1D, consistent with the recognized increasing risk for CVD as patients age. Advanced age, increased systolic blood pressure, smoking, and higher HbA1c are independent risk factor for developing major ECG abnormalities, which underscores the importance of tight glucose control in T1D in addition to management of common CVD risk factors.
The potential of gut microbiota and fecal volatile organic compounds analysis as early diagnostic biomarker for necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis in preterm infants

ABSTRACT Introduction: Although the exact pathophysiological mechanisms of both necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and late-onset sepsis (LOS) in preterm infants are yet to be elucidated, evidence is emerging that the gut microbiota plays a key role in their pathophysiology. Areas covered: In this review, initial microbial colonization and factors influencing microbiota composition are discussed. For both NEC and LOS, an overview of studies investigating preclinical alterations in gut microbiota composition and fecal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is provided. Fecal VOCs are considered to reflect not only gut microbiota composition, but also their metabolic activity and concurrent interaction with the host. Expert review: Heterogeneity in study protocols and applied analytical techniques hampers reliable comparison between outcomes of different microbiota studies, limiting the ability to draw firm conclusions. This dilemma is illustrated by the finding that study results often cannot be reproduced, or even contradict each other. A NEC- and sepsis specific microbial or metabolic signature has not yet been discovered. Identification of ‘disease-specific’ VOCs and microbiota composition may increase understanding on pathophysiological mechanisms and may allow for development of an accurate screening tool, opening avenues towards timely identification and initiation of targeted treatment for preterm infants at increased risk for NEC and sepsis.
Understanding barriers to fruit and vegetable intake in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children: a mixed-methods approach

Abstract Objective To identify barriers to fruit and vegetable intake for Indigenous Australian children and quantify factors related to these barriers, to help understand why children do not meet recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake. Design We examined factors related to carer-reported barriers using multilevel Poisson models (robust variance); a key informant focus group guided our interpretation of findings. Setting Eleven diverse sites across Australia. Subjects Australian Indigenous children and their carers (N 1230) participating in the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children. Results Almost half (45 %; n 555/1230) of carers reported barriers to their children’s fruit and vegetable intake. Dislike of fruit and vegetables was the most common barrier, reported by 32·9 % of carers; however, we identified few factors associated with dislike. Carers were more than ten times less likely to report barriers to accessing fruit and vegetables if they lived large cities v. very remote areas. Within urban and inner regional areas, child and carer well-being, financial security, suitable housing and community cohesion promoted access to fruit and vegetables. Conclusions In this national Indigenous Australian sample, almost half of carers faced barriers to providing their children with a healthy diet. Both remote/outer regional carers and disadvantaged urban/inner regional carers faced problems accessing fruit and vegetables for their children. Where vegetables were accessible, children’s dislike was a substantial barrier. Nutrition promotion must address the broader family, community, environmental and cultural contexts that impact nutrition, and should draw on the strengths of Indigenous families and communities.
Sentiment Analysis of an Online Breast Cancer Support Group: Communicating about Tamoxifen

ABSTRACT A better understanding of the breast cancer online narrative is important for a clearer conceptualizing of the role of online platforms in mediating health-related support. Sentiment analysis was conducted on a breast cancer online support group regarding Tamoxifen to understand users’ emotions and opinions. This analysis was then contextualized within online social support literature. Out of the 498 users, the most active users were 80% more positive than least active users, while least active users were 48% more negative than most active ones; both differences were statistically significant. The higher the stage of cancer a user had, the less likelihood that she would have posted, and if she were to post, the post would have focused on her side effects and the anxiety/sadness that tailgates those side effects. The lower the stage of cancer a user had, the more likelihood that she would have posted, additionally remained active on the forum, and encouraged more (online) social support. This finding suggests that the online support platform may provide a context that exacerbates support for like-minded users where stronger ties are created around a specific sentiment within the community with less connection from those with dissimilar sentiments to the dominant group.
Broad-spectrum in vitro antibacterial activities of clay minerals against antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens.

OBJECTIVES The capacity to properly address the worldwide incidence of infectious diseases lies in the ability to detect, prevent and effectively treat these infections. Therefore, identifying and analysing inhibitory agents are worthwhile endeavours in an era when few new classes of effective antimicrobials have been developed. The use of geological nanomaterials to heal skin infections has been evident since the earliest recorded history, and specific clay minerals may prove valuable in the treatment of bacterial diseases, including infections for which there are no effective antibiotics, such as Buruli ulcer and multidrug-resistant infections. METHODS We have subjected two iron-rich clay minerals, which have previously been used to treat Buruli ulcer patients, to broth culture testing of antibiotic-susceptible and antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria to assess the feasibility of using clay minerals as therapeutic agents. RESULTS One specific mineral, CsAg02, demonstrated bactericidal activity against pathogenic Escherichia coli, extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) E. coli, Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Mycobacterium marinum, and a combined bacteriostatic/bactericidal effect against Staphylococcus aureus, penicillin-resistant S. aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Mycobacterium smegmatis, whereas another mineral with similar structure and bulk crystal chemistry, CsAr02, had no effect on or enhanced bacterial growth. The <0.2 microm fraction of CsAg02 and CsAg02 heated to 200 or 550 degrees C retained bactericidal activity, whereas cation-exchanged CsAg02 and CsAg02 heated to 900 degrees C no longer killed E. coli. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that specific mineral products have intrinsic, heat-stable antibacterial properties, which could provide an inexpensive treatment against numerous human bacterial infections.
Do Takeover Laws Matter? Evidence from Five Decades of Hostile Takeovers

This study evaluates the relation between hostile takeovers and 17 takeover laws from 1965 to 2014. Using a data set of largely exogenous legal changes, we find that certain takeover laws, such as poison pill and business combination laws, have no discernible impact on hostile activity, while others such as fair price laws have reduced hostile takeovers. We construct a Takeover Index from the laws and find that higher takeover protection is associated with lower firm value, consistent with entrenchment and agency costs. However, conditional on a bid, firms with more protection achieve higher premiums, consistent with increased bargaining power.