Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Expected‐posterior prior distributions for model selection

We consider the problem of comparing parametric models using a Bayesian approach. A new method of developing prior distributions for the model parameters is presented, called the expected-posterior prior approach. The idea is to define the priors for all models from a common underlying predictive distribution, in such a way that the resulting priors are amenable to modern Markov chain Monte Carlo computational techniques. The approach has subjective Bayesian and default Bayesian implementations, and overcomes the most significant impediment to Bayesian model selection, that of ensuring that prior distributions for the various models are appropriately compatible. Copyright Biometrika Trust 2002, Oxford University Press.
Determinants of underdiagnosis of COPD in national and international surveys.

BACKGROUND COPD ranks within the top three causes of mortality in the global burden of disease, yet it remains largely underdiagnosed. We assessed the underdiagnosis of COPD and its determinants in national and international surveys of general populations. METHODS We analyzed representative samples of adults aged ≥ 40 years randomly selected from well-defined administrative areas worldwide (44 sites from 27 countries). Postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC < lower limit of normal (LLN) was used to define chronic airflow limitation consistent with COPD. Undiagnosed COPD was considered when participants had postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC < LLN but were not given a diagnosis of COPD. RESULTS Among 30,874 participants with a mean age of 56 years, 55.8% were women, and 22.9% were current smokers. Population prevalence of (spirometrically defined) COPD ranged from 3.6% in Barranquilla, Colombia, to 19.0% in Cape Town, South Africa. Only 26.4% reported a previous lung function test, and only 5.0% reported a previous diagnosis of COPD, whereas 9.7% had a postbronchodilator FEV1/FVC < LLN. Overall, 81.4% of (spirometrically defined) COPD cases were undiagnosed, with the highest rate in Ile-Ife, Nigeria (98.3%) and the lowest rate in Lexington, Kentucky (50.0%). In multivariate analysis, a greater probability of underdiagnosis of COPD was associated with male sex, younger age, never and current smoking, lower education, no previous spirometry, and less severe airflow limitation. CONCLUSIONS Even with substantial heterogeneity in COPD prevalence, COPD underdiagnosis is universally high. Because effective management strategies are available for COPD, spirometry can help in the diagnosis of COPD at a stage when treatment will lead to better outcomes and improved quality of life.
Factors contributing to a prolonged stay after ambulatory surgery.

UNLABELLED We identified predictors for prolonged postoperative stay after ambulatory surgery using multiple logistic regression models. We collected perioperative data for 16,411 ambulatory surgical patients. A log-transformed time to discharge variable was modeled by multiple linear regression, including patient-, anesthesia-, and surgery-specific variables. The impact of hypothetical elimination of perioperative adverse events on mean length of stay was also estimated. Separate analyses were performed among patients who received general anesthesia (GA) and monitored anesthesia care (MAC). Patients receiving GA stayed 50 min longer than patients receiving MAC. Patients receiving GA and undergoing strabismus, transurethral, or otorhinolaryngological/dental procedures had the longest postoperative stay. Among patients receiving GA, smokers had a 4% shorter stay compared with nonsmokers; among patients receiving MAC, those with congestive heart failure (CHF) had a 11% longer stay compared with patients without CHF. Postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, excessive pain, and cardiovascular events predicted 22%-79% increases in postoperative stay. The hypothetical elimination of all adverse events resulted in a 9.6% decrease in mean length of stay among patients receiving GA, but in only a 3.8% decrease among patients receiving MAC. The length of postoperative stay among ambulatory surgical patients is mainly determined by the type of surgery and by adverse events, such as excessive pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and cardiovascular events. Patients with CHF and those who underwent long procedures had a higher risk of a prolonged stay. Appropriate prevention and management of postoperative symptoms could significantly decrease the length of stay among patients receiving GA. IMPLICATIONS The length of postoperative stay among ambulatory surgical patients is mainly determined by the type of surgery and by adverse events, such as excessive pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and untoward cardiovascular events. Patients with congestive heart failure and those who underwent long procedures had a higher risk of a prolonged stay. Appropriate prevention and management of postoperative symptoms could significantly decrease the length of stay among patients receiving general anesthesia.
Integrating Success Scorecards Across Corporate Organizational Levels

No organization is sustainable without change, and changes are increasigly introduced through projects. With today's accelerated project-based business environments, corporate success is clearly dependent on the effectiveness of such time-bounded initiatives called projects or programs. As temporary organizations, projects are impacting success both in the short and the long run. This study is thus dedicated to an integrative view of the two distinct levels, corporate and project, from an overall success scorecard standpoint. In particular, we explore the contribution of measuring the human capital and preparing for the future dimensions to overall business success over time. This paper makes the case that an integrated project-based business lifecycle may become a fruitful domain for further investigation, and would go beyond the traditional focus on products and processes only, on one hand and on entire business success, on the other hand. While multiple dimensions of corporate success have received much attention in recent years, they were often studied separately. Few studies spanned more than one organizational level, while looking at detailed success measures from a very short-term to a very long-term perspective. The dynamic framework developed in this paper includes five integrated dimensions: short-term financial and efficiency measures; benefits to the customer; process effectiveness; human capital management; and preparing (and or creating) the future. This framework may build a basis for organizations to develop specific measures for both the corporate and project levels. Our findings provide implications for management on each dimension, and show how to address the human capital as well creating the future infrastructure required for an organization to build sustainable prosperity in the long run.
Current options for the management of postmenopausal osteoporosis

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a well-recognized disease with severe consequences if left untreated. The prevention of osteoporosis-associated fractures should include fall prevention, calcium supplementation and life-style advice, as well as pharmacological therapy using agents with proven antifracture efficacy. Areas covered: This manuscript offers an evidence-based critical assessment of the currently available efficacy data on all new chemical entities that have been granted a marketing authorization for the management of primary osteoporosis in women. Expert opinion: The availability of new therapeutic agents makes clinical decision making in osteoporosis more complex. Therapeutic decisions should be based on a balance between the benefits and risks of treatment, which must be carefully considered in each particular case, both by the physician and the patient. Indeed, no single agent is appropriate for all patients. Therefore, treatment decisions should be made on a tailor-made basis, taking into account all measures of treatment effect and risk, before making informed judgments about the best individual treatment option.
Size-Constrained Regression Test Case Selection Using Multicriteria Optimization

To ensure that a modified software system has not regressed, one approach is to rerun existing test cases. However, this is a potentially costly task. To mitigate the costs, the testing effort can be optimized by executing only a selected subset of the test cases that are believed to have a better chance of revealing faults. This paper proposes a novel approach for selecting and ordering a predetermined number of test cases from an existing test suite. Our approach forms an Integer Linear Programming problem using two different coverage-based criteria, and uses constraint relaxation to find many close-to-optimal solution points. These points are then combined to obtain a final solution using a voting mechanism. The selected subset of test cases is then prioritized using a greedy algorithm that maximizes minimum coverage in an iterative manner. The proposed approach has been empirically evaluated and the results show significant improvements over existing approaches for some cases and comparable results for the rest. Moreover, our approach provides more consistency compared to existing approaches.
Prostacyclin for pulmonary hypertension in adults.

BACKGROUND Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is progressive, resulting in right ventricular failure. Pulmonary hypertension can be idiopathic or associated with other conditions. Prostacyclin is a potent vasodilator and inhibitor of platelet aggregation, and can be given orally, subcutaneously, intravenously or inhaled via a nebuliser. OBJECTIVES To determine the efficacy of prostacyclin or one of its analogues in idiopathic primary pulmonary hypertension. SEARCH STRATEGY Electronic searches were carried out with pre-specified terms. Searches were current as of July 2004. SELECTION CRITERIA Two reviewers selected randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults with pulmonary hypertension for inclusion. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Study quality was assessed and data extracted independently by two reviewers. Outcomes were analysed as continuous and dichotomous outcomes. We sub-grouped data where possible by aetiology of PH (PPH, PH secondary to connective tissue disorder or mixed populations). MAIN RESULTS Nine RCTs of mixed duration (3 days-52 weeks), recruiting 1175 participants were included (NYHA functional classes II-IV). Intravenous prostacyclin versus usual care (four studies): There were significant improvements in exercise capacity of around 90 metres, cardiopulmonary haemodynamics and NYHA functional class over 3 days-12 weeks. Effects were consistent in primary and secondary pulmonary hypertension. Oral prostacyclin versus placebo (two studies): Short-term data (3-6 months) indicated that there was a significant improvement in exercise capacity, but data from one study of 52 weeks reported no significant difference at 12 months. No significant differences were observed for any other outcome. Subcutaneous treprostinil versus placebo (two studies, 8-12 weeks):One large study reported a significant median improvement in exercise capacity of around 16 metres. Cardiopulmonary haemodynamics and symptom scores favoured treprostinil. Infusion site pain and withdrawals due to adverse events were more frequent with treprostinil. Inhaled prostacyclin versus placebo (one study, 12 weeks):There was a significant increase in exercise capacity of approximately 36 metres. Treatment led to better symptom scores and functional class status than with placebo. Subgroup analyses reported by individual studies showed a better exercise capacity in participants with PPH, than those participants with PH secondary to other diseases. Side effects and adverse events were common in the studies. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that intravenous prostacyclin in addition to conventional therapy at tolerable doses optimised by titration, can confer some short-term benefits (up to 12 weeks of treatment) in exercise capacity, NYHA functional class and cardiopulmonary haemodynamics. There is also some evidence that patients with more severe disease based upon NYHA functional class showed a greater response to treatment.
Nuchal Thickening in Jacobsen Syndrome

A routine detailed ultrasound examination performed at 20 weeks' gestation demonstrated the presence of nuchal thickening as an apparently isolated finding. The concentration of maternal α‐fetoprotein was normal and the risk of Down's syndrome was 1 in 6800. Amniocentesis was performed and chromosome analysis showed the karyotype 46,XY, del(11)(q23) found in Jacobsen syndrome. Fetal autopsy performed following medical termination at 23 weeks confirmed the phenotype and internal abnormalities found in Jacobsen syndrome. Copyright © 1998 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Mini-midvastus versus mini-medial parapatellar approach in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty with 24-month follow-up.

OBJECTIVE Comparisons of mini-midvastus (mMV) with mini-medial parapatellar (mMPP) approach in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been performed in the past but were often compromised by variables such as disease, pain tolerance, bone quality, and surgeon. The aim of this study was to minimize the influence of these factors in order to more accurately evaluate these 2 approaches. METHODS Forty-five patients who had bilateral arthritis of the knee with similar deformity and preoperative range of motion (ROM) on both sides agreed to have 1 knee replaced via mMV approach (Group I) and the other via mMPP approach (Group II) were evaluated. Postoperative clinical outcomes, postoperative complications, perioperative parameters, and knee component positioning were analyzed. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the mMV and mMPP groups with regards to functional assessment, patient satisfaction, postoperative complication, quadricep strength, pain at the point of incision, degree of soft tissue release, as well as ROM. Nor were significant differences found between the 2 groups in terms of perioperative parameters and radiographic component positioning. CONCLUSION The present study did not detect any substantive difference between the mMV and mMPP approaches for TKA. The decision between the 2 surgical approaches should be based on surgeon experience and preference.
Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences Neuroprotective Effect of P-coumaric Acid in Rat Model of Embolic Cerebral Ischemia

Original article Objective(s): Stroke poses a crucial risk for mortality and morbidity. Our study aimed to investigate the effect of p-coumaric acid on focal cerebral ischemia in rats. Material and Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups, namely Group I (control rats), Group II (ischemia rats), Group III (6 hr ischemia + p-coumaric acid rats) and Group IV (24 hr ischemia + p-coumaric acid rats). Cerebral ischemia was induced via intraluminal monofilament occlusion model. In all groups, the brain was removed after the procedure and rats were sacrificed. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and nuclear respiratory factor-1 were measured in the ischemic hemisphere. The histopathological changes were observed in the right hemisphere within the samples. Functional assessment was performed for neurological deficit scores. Results: Following the treatment, biochemical factors changed significantly. Histopathologically, it was shown that p-coumaric acid decreased the oxidative damage. The neurological deficit scores of p-coumaric acid-treated rats were significantly improved after cerebral ischemia. Conclusion: Our results showed that p-coumaric acid is a neuroprotective agent on account of its strong anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic features. Moreover, p-coumaric acid decreased the focal ischemia. Extra effort should be made to introduce p-coumaric acid as a promising therapeutic agent to be utilized for treatment of human cerebral ischemia in the future. Neuroprotective effect of p-coumaric acid in rat model of embolic cerebral ischemia.
Blockade of natural killer cell‐mediated lysis by NCAM140 expressed on tumor cells

Expression of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) on malignant cells of neuroendocrine, epithelial and hematopoeitic origin has been reported, but its role for tumor cell recognition by the immune system remained uncertain so far. We have studied the cytotoxicity of the natural killer (NK) cell line NK92 and polyclonal NK cells from different donors, against NCAM‐deficient and NCAM‐transfected tumors. While the pancreatic carcinoma PANC‐1 and the glioblastoma T98G showed no enhanced susceptibility to NK lysis after NCAM transfection, de novo NCAM expression in HeLa cervical carcinoma, SHEP neuroblastoma and the multiple myeloma lines RPMI‐8226 and LP‐1 was associated with significantly decreased lysis by NK cells. Binding of an NCAM‐specific monoclonal antibody to NCAM‐positive target cells was able to reverse the reduced lysis susceptibility. Conjugate formation of NCAM‐expressing tumor cells with NK cells was blocked and could be restored by anti‐NCAM. NK cell‐expressed NCAM molecules which might engage in homotypic cis‐ or trans‐interactions had no apparent inhibitory function. The known cis‐ligands of NCAM, heparan sulfate proteoglycan and L1‐CAM, were also not directly involved in NK inhibition. ICAM‐1 mRNA and cell surface expression was downmodulated in NCAM‐transfected HeLa cells. ICAM‐1 is involved in killer cell immune synapse formation. Its downmodulation may therefore contribute to the reduced lysis of NCAM‐expressing target cells. We conclude that aberrant expression of NCAM on tumor cells of different histogenetic origin can lead to inhibition of target cell recognition and lysis by NK cells. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Crosstalk with Estrogen Receptor in Response of Breast Cancer Cells to the Novel Antitumor Agents Benzothiazoles and Aminoflavone

Many estrogen-receptor- (ER-) expressing breast cancers become refractory to ER-based therapies. New antitumor drugs like aminoflavone (AF) and benzothiazoles (Bzs) have been developed and have exquisite antitumor activity in ER+MCF-7 and T47D cells and in a MCF-7 nude mouse model. ER(−) breast cancer cells like MDA-MB-231 are less susceptible. We previously found in MCF-7 cells that these drugs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) via translocation to the nucleus, induction of AhR-specific DNA binding activity, and expression of CYP1A1, whose transcription is controlled by the AhR-ARNT transcription factor. CYP1A1 metabolizes AF and Bz to a species which directly or after further metabolism damages DNA. In contrast an AhR-deficient variant of MCF-7 or cells with predominantly nuclear AhR expression, such as MDA-MB 231, are resistant. Thus, these drugs, unlike other neoplastic agents, require AhR-mediated signaling to cause DNA damage. This is a new treatment strategy for breast cancers with intact AhR signaling.
Association of Maternal Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations in Second Trimester with Delivery Mode in A Chinese Population

Objective: To determine the maternal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations in a Chinese population and investigate its associations with subsequent delivery mode by studying 1924 unrelated pregnant women. Methods: The serum 25(OH)D concentrations was measured by euzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Simultaneously, maternal information and subsequent delivery mode were collected. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the associations between 25(OH)D concentrations and caesarean section. Results: The median (IQR) serum concentration of 25(OH)D for the total subjects was 43.4 (35.2-56.9) nmol/L. Among them, 1225 (63.7%) women were in the status of 25(OH)D deficiency (< 50.0 nmol/L). The 25(OH)D concentrations showed significant variation by body mass index (BMI), parity and season of sampling. Women with caesarean section was older, and with higher BMI and rate of abnormal pregnancy history, suggesting advanced age, obesity and abnormal pregnancy history may be the risk factors for the subsequent caesarean section. Compared with 25(OH)D from 50.0 to 74.9 nmol/L, women with low 25(OH)D concentrations (< 50.0 nmol/L) was not significantly associated with caesarean section. Only in the subgroup of the women without abnormal pregnancy history, higher 25(OH)D (> 75.0 nmol/L) concentrations could significantly decrease the risk of caesarean section. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is a quite serious problem in Chinese pregnant women. There is no evidence that the maternal serum 25(OH)D concentrations is associated with increased risk of caesarean section.
Intercropping Induces Changes in Specific Secondary Metabolite Concentration in Ethiopian Kale (Brassica carinata) and African Nightshade (Solanum scabrum) under Controlled Conditions

Intercropping is widespread in small-holder farming systems in tropical regions and is also practiced in the cultivation of indigenous vegetables, to alleviate the multiple burdens of malnutrition. Due to interspecific competition and/or complementation between intercrops, intercropping may lead to changes in plants accumulation of minerals and secondary metabolites and hence, alter nutritional quality for consumers. Intercropping aims to intensify land productivity, while ensuring that nutritional quality is not compromised. This study aimed to investigate changes in minerals and secondary plant metabolites in intercropped Brassica carinata and Solanum scabrum, two important African indigenous vegetables, and evaluated the suitability of this combination for dryer areas. B. carinata and S. scabrum were grown for 6 weeks under controlled conditions in a greenhouse trial. Large rootboxes (8000 cm3 volume) were specifically designed for this experiment. Each rootbox was planted with two plants, either of the same plant species (mono) or one of each plant species (mixed). A quartz sand/soil substrate was used and fertilized adequately for optimal plant growth. During the last 4 weeks of the experiment, the plants were either supplied with optimal (65% WHC) or low (30% WHC) irrigation, to test the effect of a late-season drought. Intercropping increased total glucosinolate content in B. carinata, while maintaining biomass production and the contents of other health related minerals in both B. carinata and S. scabrum. Moreover, low irrigation led to an increase in carotene accumulation in both mono and intercropped S. scabrum, but not in B. carinata, while the majority of kaempferol glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives of both species were decreased by intercropping and drought treatment. This study indicates that some health-related phytochemicals can be modified by intercropping or late-season drought, but field validation of these results is necessary before definite recommendation can be made to stakeholders.
Pilot Study of Bovine Interdigital Cassetteless Computed Radiography

ABSTRACT Twenty-one limbs of bovine cadavers (42 digits) were exposed to interdigital cassetteless imaging plate using computed radiography. The radiographic findings included exostosis, a rough planta surface, osteolysis of the apex of the distal phalanx and widening of the laminar zone between the distal phalanx and the hoof wall. All these findings were confirmed by computed tomography. The hindlimbs (19 digits) showed more changes than the forelimbs (10 digits), particularly in the lateral distal phalanx. The cassetteless computed radiography technique is expected to be an easily applicable method for the distal phalanx rather than a conventional cassette-plate and/or the film-screen cassetteless methods.