Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Value of CD166 Expression in Cancers of the Digestive System: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective Many studies have reported the prognostic predictive value of CD166 as a cancer stem cell marker in cancers of the digestive system; however, its predictive value remains controversial. Here, we investigate the correlation between CD166 positivity in digestive system cancers and clinicopathological features using meta-analysis. Methods A comprehensive search in PubMed and ISI Web of Science through March of 2013 was performed. Only articles containing CD166 antigen immunohistochemical staining in cancers of the digestive system were included,including pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. Data comparing 3- and 5-year overall survival along with other clinicopathological features were collected. Results Nine studies with 2553 patients who met the inclusion criteria were included for the analysis. The median rate of CD166 immunohistochemical staining expression was 56% (25.4%–76.3%). In colorectal cancer specifically, the results of a fixed-effects model indicated that CD166-positive expression was an independent marker associated with a smaller tumor burden (T category; RR = 0.93, 95%, CI: 0.88–0.98) but worse spread to nearby lymph nodes (N category; RR = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.05–1.30). The 5-year overall survival rate was showed relationship with cytoplasmic positive staining of CD166 (RR = 1.47 95% 1.21–1.79), but no significant association was found in the pool or any other stratified analysis with 3- or 5- year overall survival rate. Conclusion Based on the published studies, different cellular location of CD166 has distinct prognostic value and cytoplasmic positive expression is associated with worse prognosis outcome. Besides, our results also find CD166 expression indicate advanced T category and N-positive status in colorectal cancer specifically.
Comparative effects of two multi-enzyme combinations and a Bacillus probiotic on growth performance, digestibility of energy and nutrients, disappearance of non-starch polysaccharides, and gut microflora in broiler chickens

&NA; The efficacy of two exogenous enzyme combinations and a multi‐strain Bacillus probiotic (DFM) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, disappearance of non‐starch polysaccharides (NSP) and gut microbial composition was investigated in broilers. One‐day old Ross 308 chicks were assigned to 36 pens with 22 birds/pen and 6 pens/treatment (Experiment 1) or 36 cages with 8 birds/cage and 6 cages/treatment (Experiment 2). Treatment additives were added to nutritionally complete corn/soy based starter (d 1 to 21) and finisher (d 22 to 42) diets. Treatments included 1) a control diet containing 500 FTU/kg phytase (CTL), 2) CTL + xylanase (2,000 U/kg) and amylase (200 U/kg; XA), 3) CTL+XA + protease (4000 U/g; XAP), 4) CTL+DFM (150,000 cfu/g of 3 strains of Bacillus spp), 5) CTL+DFM+XA, and 6) CTL+DFM+XAP. Supplementation with DFM increased BW, BWG, and FI compared with the CTL (P < 0.05); XAP, but not XA, resulted in increased final BW, BWG and FI compared to the control (P < 0.05). XA and XAP improved apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of starch and fat on d 22 to 42 with XAP improving AMEn (by ˜82 kcal) compared with CTL birds (P < 0.01). DFM+XAP improved apparent ileal digestible energy (AIDE), AID of fat and starch on d 22 to 42, and additionally had a greater than additive effect on AIDE and AMEn. Supplementation with DFM+XAP reduced the ileal and total tract flow of insoluble arabinose and additionally total tract flow of soluble and insoluble xylose and total galactose (P < 0.05); similar effects of XA+DFM were not seen or were lower in magnitude, suggesting that the protease component plays an important role in increasing the availability of NSP for hydrolysis. Supplementation with DFM alone did not affect gut bacterial populations, but XA and XAP reduced numbers of Campylobacter species (by > 2.5 log cfu/g; P < 0.001) and Bacteroides (P < 0.02) in the cecum compared with CTL birds.
A Schur-Parlett Algorithm for Computing Matrix Functions

An algorithm for computing matrix functions is presented. It employs a Schur decomposition with reordering and blocking followed by the block form of a recurrence of Parlett, with functions of the nontrivial diagonal blocks evaluated via a Taylor series. A parameter is used to balance the conflicting requirements of producing small diagonal blocks and keeping the separations of the blocks large. The algorithm is intended primarily for functions having a Taylor series with an infinite radius of convergence, but it can be adapted for certain other functions, such as the logarithm. Novel features introduced here include a convergence test that avoids premature termination of the Taylor series evaluation and an algorithm for reordering and blocking the Schur form. Numerical experiments show that the algorithm is competitive with existing special-purpose algorithms for the matrix exponential, logarithm, and cosine. Nevertheless, the algorithm can be numerically unstable with the default choice of its blocking parameter (or in certain cases for all choices), and we explain why determining the optimal parameter appears to be a very difficult problem. A MATLAB implementation is available that is much more reliable than the function funm in MATLAB 6.5 (R13).
Both sarcopenia and frailty determine suitability of patients for liver transplantation—A systematic review and meta‐analysis of the literature

Liver grafts are allocated based on both urgency and utility. Due to a tremendous shortage of suitable organs for liver transplantation (LT), a careful selection of suitable recipients is of utmost importance. While the sickest first principle for organ allocation based on MELD score goes along with poor utility, other parameters reflecting the general health condition like frailty and sarcopenia might be essential to detect suitable patients for the waiting list. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate both frailty and sarcopenia in LT. A systematic review of the literature on sarcopenia and frailty measurements in liver transplant recipients was performed. Thirteen of 238 studies were selected for full paper review. Six of the studies investigating the impact of frailty on waitlist mortality were subjected to a meta‐analysis. Despite the different methodologies to assess sarcopenia, reports showed that sarcopenia was highly related to waitlist mortality with a sum of all that highly favored negative outcome in case of sarcopenia. The existing literature clearly underlines that frailty and sarcopenia are important to determine in LT candidates. One unique index for transplant candidates reflecting frailty should be developed and be used as a standard in all transplant centers to facilitate comparability.
Synergistic Effects of Serotonin or Dopamine Combined With Lidocaine at Producing Nociceptive Block in Rats

Background The purpose of this experiment was to investigate the interactions of the local anesthetic lidocaine combined with an agent (serotonin or dopamine) as infiltrative anesthetics. Methods Cutaneous analgesia was characterized by the blockade of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex following 6 skin pinpricks on the rat back. Serotonin or dopamine at producing cutaneous analgesia in a dosage-dependent fashion was compared with lidocaine. Drug-drug interactions were calculated using the isobolographic analysis. Results We revealed that serotonin, dopamine, and lidocaine provoked dose-related cutaneous analgesic effects. On the 50% effective dose basis, the rank of drugs' potency was found to be serotonin (1.70 [1.56–1.85] &mgr;mol) > lidocaine (5.18 [4.67–5.75] &mgr;mol) > dopamine (43.0 [40.9–45.2] &mgr;mol) (P < 0.01). At doses equivalent to their 25%, 50%, and 75% effective doses, serotonin or dopamine elicited a longer duration of action than lidocaine (P < 0.01) on producing cutaneous analgesia. Coadministration of serotonin or dopamine with lidocaine produced a synergistic effect. Conclusions The preclinical data showed that serotonin and dopamine produce dose-related cutaneous analgesic effects as an infiltrative anesthetic. Serotonin has a better potency with a much longer duration of action compared with lidocaine at provoking cutaneous analgesia. Serotonin or dopamine as an adjuvant increases the quality of lidocaine in cutaneous analgesia.
Disaster Medicine

Ciottone GR, ed. 984 pages. St. Louis: Mosby; 2006. $99.00. ISBN 0323032532. Order at www.us. elsevierhealth.com. Field of medicine: Emergency medicine. Format: Hardcover book. Audience: Medical professionals who care for victims and survivors of disasters. Purpose: To develop a comprehensive understanding of disaster medicine and its role in disaster management. Content: Disaster medicine is perhaps the most interdisciplinary of all fields of medicine, and few physicians are familiar with its principles, unique organizational demands, and clinical aspects. This book offers an exhaustive guide to the preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation or prevention of a full range of disasters, both natural and manmade. Part 1 is a comprehensive source of information on every aspect of disaster medicine and management. Part 2 features a compilation of specific event types (including natural disasters, chemical events, biologic events, and events associated with blasts and ballistic and crushing injuries) organized to facilitate fast reference in a real-time setting. Highlights: More than 200 contributors, who are very accomplished and experienced in disaster management, carefully outline the basics and provide guidance on more than 100 specific disaster situations, including spacecraft re-entry accidents, computer and electronic terrorism, and hostage taking. Each chapter contains a case presentation box to better describe the possible presentation of each event in everyday life. The section on biological weapons describes all category A, B, and C agents and reviews likely scenarios and consequences of an attack with specific agents. Uniform editing has resulted in enhanced readability. Limitations: Some chapters contain unnecessary redundancies. For example, the pitfalls subheading denoting the failure to recognize and notify a particular agent as the cause of a specific clinical presentation is unnecessarily repeated. The sections about disaster management focus on U.S. response systems with minimal discussion of other well-structured national systems, such as those in some European countries. Related readings: Other books available in medical literature: de Boer and Dubouloz's Handbook of Disaster Medicine (Brill Academic, 2000), Schneid and Collins's Disaster Management and Preparedness (CRC Pr, 2000), Hogan and Burstein's Disaster Medicine (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2002), Briggs and Brinsfield's Advanced Disaster Medical Response Manual for Providers (Harvard Medical International, 2003), and Antosia and Cahill's Handbook of Bioterrorism and Disaster Medicine (Springer, 2006). Reviewer: Simone Vanni, MD, PhD, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, Florence, Italy.
The Effect of Media Coverage of Celebrities with Panic Disorder on the Health Behaviors of the Public

ABSTRACT Although having a mental illness has become common, many people tend to hide their illness and avoid seeking treatment. One of the reasons for not seeking treatment is the stigma of mental illness. Celebrity confessions about their experiences of mental illness can reduce such stigma, because the public obtains more knowledge about the illness and becomes more familiar with it. However, little research has been conducted on the influence of a celebrity’s confession about mental illness on the public’s health behaviors related to the illness. The present study examined the effects of the media coverage of celebrities with panic disorder on information-seeking, providing information about the illness, and the number of people who visited a psychiatrist in South Korea. For this, we collected all the news articles on celebrities’ confessions regarding their panic disorder, search frequency of panic disorder, the number of questions on a Questions & Answers (Q&A) Website, a number of blog posts about panic disorder, and the number of people that visited a psychiatrist for panic disorder between 2010 and 2015. We found that there were positive correlations between the media’s coverage of celebrities with panic disorder with other variables. In addition, the search frequency and the number of questions on the Q&A Website were also positively associated with the number of people who visited a psychiatrist. Regression analysis showed that the search frequency was the most significant predictor of the increase in the number of people who visited a psychiatrist for panic disorder.
Photosynthetic Diffusional Constraints Affect Yield in Drought Stressed Rice Cultivars during Flowering

Global production of rice (Oryza sativa) grain is limited by water availability and the low ‘leaf-level’ photosynthetic capacity of many cultivars. Oryza sativa is extremely susceptible to water-deficits; therefore, predicted increases in the frequency and duration of drought events, combined with future rises in global temperatures and food demand, necessitate the development of more productive and drought tolerant cultivars. We investigated the underlying physiological, isotopic and morphological responses to water-deficit in seven common varieties of O. sativa, subjected to prolonged drought of varying intensities, for phenotyping purposes in open field conditions. Significant variation was observed in leaf-level photosynthesis rates (A) under both water treatments. Yield and A were influenced by the conductance of the mesophyll layer to CO2 (g m) and not by stomatal conductance (g s). Mesophyll conductance declined during drought to differing extents among the cultivars; those varieties that maintained g m during water-deficit sustained A and yield to a greater extent. However, the variety with the highest g m and yield under well-watered conditions (IR55419-04) was distinct from the most effective cultivar under drought (Vandana). Mesophyll conductance most effectively characterises the photosynthetic capacity and yield of O. sativa cultivars under both well-watered and water-deficit conditions; however, the desired attributes of high g m during optimal growth conditions and the capacity for g m to remain constant during water-deficit may be mutually exclusive. Nonetheless, future genetic and physiological studies aimed at enhancing O. sativa yield and drought stress tolerance should investigate the biochemistry and morphology of the interface between the sub-stomatal pore and mesophyll layer.
A characterization of deterministic sampling patterns for low-rank matrix completion

Low-rank matrix completion (LRMC) problems arise in a wide variety of applications. Previous theory mainly provides conditions for completion under missing-at-random samplings. This paper studies deterministic conditions for completion. An incomplete d × N matrix is finitely rank-r completable if there are at most finitely many rank-r matrices that agree with all its observed entries. Finite completability is the tipping point in LRMC, as a few additional samples of a finitely completable matrix guarantee its unique completability. The main contribution of this paper is a characterization of finitely completable observation sets. We use this characterization to derive sufficient deterministic sampling conditions for unique completability. We also show that under uniform random sampling schemes, these conditions are satisfied with high probability if O(max{r,logd}) entries per column are observed.
Fabrication of high-density electrical feed-throughs by deep-reactive-ion etching of Pyrex glass

This paper describes the fabrication technology for high-density electrical feed-throughs in Pyrex glass wafers. Small through holes (40-80 /spl mu/m in diameter) in Pyrex glass wafers have been fabricated using deep-reactive-ion etching (DRIE) in a sulfur hexafluoride (SF/sub 6/) plasma. The maximum aspect ratios obtained were between 5 and 7 for a hole pattern and 10 for a trench pattern. Through the wafer etching of a hole pattern of 50 /spl mu/m diameter was carried out using 150-/spl mu/m-thick Pyrex glass wafers. The electrical feed-throughs in the wafers were fabricated by filling the through-holes with electroplated nickel. We were able to successfully bond the glass wafer to silicon by anodic bonding after removing the electroplated nickel on the surface of the wafer by chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP). The electric resistance of the feed-through was estimated by a 4 point wire sensing method to be about 40 m/spl Omega/ per hole. The heat cycles test shows that the resistance changes were within 3% after 100 cycles. The fabrication of high density electrical feed-throughs is one of the key processes in the field of MEMS. Probable applications of this technology are in electrical feed-throughs between logic elements and microprobe arrays for high-density data storage and for packaged devices.
RESPONSE OF LUKASOVKA PEAR TREES TO FOLIAR ZINC SPRAYS

The aim of the study was to examine the efficiency of foliar zinc (Zn) application in pear culture. The experiment was carried out in 2005-2007 in a commercial orchard in central Poland, on 6-8 year-old cv. Lukasovka pear trees, grown on coarse-textured soil, moderately abundant in organic matter or available Zn and slightly acidic in reaction. The trees were sprayed with Zn as EDTA in three periods: (1) before bloom: at the stage of bud break, and green and white bud, at a rate of 80 g Zn ha -1 in each spray treatment; (2) after bloom: at petal fall, and 14 and 21 days after full bloom, at a rate of 50 g Zn ha-1 per spray or; (3) after harvest, 3-4 weeks before natural leaf fall, at a rate of 200 g Zn ha-1. Trees unsprayed with Zn served as the control. The results showed, that pre-bloom Zn sprays increased status of this micronutrient in flowers, and post-bloom Zn sprays – in leaves and fruits. However, foliar Zn sprays had no effect on tree vigor, set of flowers and fruitlets, yielding, mean fruit weight, fruit russeting, and content of organic acids and soluble solids in fruit flesh. It is concluded that foliar Zn sprays of pear trees with an optimal leaf Zn status (according to the current threshold values) are not successful in improving plant growth, yielding, and fruit quality.
FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF FAST DISINTIGRATING MELOXICAM TABLETS AND ITS COMPARISON WITH MARKETED PRODUCT

The present investigation deals with the formulation of fast disintegrating tablets of Meloxicam that disintegrate in the oral cavity upon contact with saliva and there by improve therapeutic efficacy. Meloxicam is a newer selective COX‐1 inhibitor. The tablets were prepared by wet granulation procedure. The influence of superdisintegrants, crosspovidone, croscaremellose sodium on disintegration time, wetting time and water absorption ratio were studied. Tablets were evaluated for weight and thickness variation, disintegration time, drug content, in vitro dissolution, wetting time and water absorption ratio. The in vitro disintegration time of the best fast disintegrating tablets was found to be 18 sec. Tablets containing crospovidone exhibit quick disintegration time than tablets containing croscaremellose sodium. The fast disintegrating tablets of Meloxicam with shorter disintegration time, acceptable taste and sufficient hardness could be prepared using crospovidone and other excipients at optimum concentration.
Poly(vinyl alcohol) nanocomposites based on graphene and graphite oxide: a comparative investigation of property and mechanism

Polymer/graphene nanocomposites have generated intensive interest due to their unique properties. Dispersion and interface interactions between graphene and the polymer matrix are two key factors to obtain property enhancements. According to the open literature, in poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanocomposites, graphene usually obtains more significant property enhancements than graphite oxide (GO), although GO can much more easily form a good dispersion and strong interaction in the PVA matrix because of its oxygenated functionalities, and the reason has not been well documented yet. In this work, graphene and GO were successfully incorporated into PVA; the properties and the mechanism for the property enhancements were investigated. GO formed better dispersion and exfoliation while graphene caused more property enhancements including mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and thermal stability. The mechanical strength of the graphene/GO nano-layers is attributed to be the fundamental cause for the enhancements in crystallinity and mechanical properties; the hydrogen bond among the PVA molecules is the key factor to influence the glass transition temperatures; the hydrogen bond between the graphene/GO nano-layers and PVA matrix is the decisive factor for the exfoliation and dispersion of graphene/GO; the conducting network is the explanation for the increased electrical conductivity; the physical barrier effect of graphene nano-sheets is the main cause for improved thermal stability. This work investigates the mechanisms for property enhancements, clarifies the roles of the hydrogen bond and the mechanical strength of the graphene/GO nano-layers, and explains why graphene usually achieves more property enhancements than GO.
Optimal Reactive Strength Index: Is It an Accurate Variable to Optimize Plyometric Training Effects on Measures of Physical Fitness in Young Soccer Players?

Abstract Ramirez-Campillo, R, Alvarez, C, García-Pinillos, F, Sanchez-Sanchez, J, Yanci, J, Castillo, D, Loturco, I, Chaabene, H, Moran, J, and Izquierdo, M. Optimal reactive strength index: is it an accurate variable to optimize plyometric training effects on measures of physical fitness in young soccer players? J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 885–893, 2018—This study aimed to compare the effects of drop-jump training using a fixed drop-box height (i.e., 30-cm [FIXED]) vs. an optimal (OPT) drop-box height (i.e., 10-cm to 40-cm: generating an OPT reactive strength index [RSI]) in youth soccer players' physical fitness. Athletes were randomly allocated to a control group (n = 24; age = 13.7 years), a fixed drop-box height group (FIXED, n = 25; age = 13.9 years), or an OPT drop-box height group (OPT, n = 24; age = 13.1 years). Before and after 7 weeks of training, tests for the assessment of jumping (countermovement jump [CMJ], 5 multiple bounds), speed (20-m sprint time), change of direction ability (CODA [Illinois test]), strength {RSI and 5 maximal squat repetition test (5 repetition maximum [RM])}, endurance (2.4-km time trial), and kicking ability (maximal kicking distance) were undertaken. Analyses revealed main effects of time for all dependent variables (p < 0.001, d = 0.24–0.72), except for 20-m sprint time. Analyses also revealed group × time interactions for CMJ (p < 0.001, d = 0.51), depth jump (DJ) (p < 0.001, d = 0.30), 20-m sprint time (p < 0.001, d = 0.25), CODA (p < 0.001, d = 0.22), and 5RM (p < 0.01, d = 0.16). Post hoc analyses revealed increases for the FIXED group (CMJ: 7.4%, d = 0.36; DJ: 19.2%, d = 0.49; CODA: −3.1%, d = −0.21; 5RM: 10.5%, d = 0.32) and the OPT group (CMJ: 16.7%, d = 0.76; DJ: 36.1%, d = 0.79; CODA: −4.4%, d = −0.34; 5RM: 18.1%, d = 0.47). Post hoc analyses also revealed increases for the OPT group in 20-m sprint time (−3.7%, d = 0.27). Therefore, to maximize the effects of plyometric training, an OPT approach is recommended. However, using adequate fixed drop-box heights may provide a rational and practical alternative.