Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Late-onset Depression in the Absence of Stroke: Associated with Silent Brain Infarctions, Microbleeds and Lesion Locations

Background: Late-onset depression (LOD) is a frequent mood disorder among elderly. Previous studies have proved that LOD is associated with cerebral silent lesions especially white matter lesions (WML) and yielded the “vascular depression” hypothesis to explain the pathogenesis of LOD. However, there were relatively few studies about the association between silent brain infarctions (SBIs), microbleeds (MBs) and the prevalence of LOD. In this study we sought to evaluate the presence, accumulation and locations of SBIs and MBs, and explore the possible association between them and LOD. Methods: 65 patients of LOD diagnosed according to DSM-IV and 270 subjects of control group were enrolled and scanned by MRI to analyze the presence, numbers and locations of SBIs and MBs. Clinical and radiological characteristics were compared between LOD patients and control group. Logistic regression models were constructed to identify the independent risk factors for LOD. Results: LOD patients had higher prevalence and numbers of both SBIs and MBs. SBIs and MBs in the left hemisphere, SBIs in basal ganglia and lobar MBs were all independent risk factors for LOD. Conclusion: The presence of both SBIs and MBs were associated with a higher rate LOD. Lesions in some specific locations might be critical for the presence of LOD.
FIFTY-YEAR PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE MADE IN 1937

Three long-time concrete test programs were started at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1910 (Series B) and 1937 (Series C). Previous reports were published in the ACI Journal in 1931, 1943, 1961, and 1975. The 1937 program required 480 cylinders of 4 x 6 x 24 in. Compressive strength, unit weight, and volume changes up to 50 years are given. In addition, transverse strength and static and dynamic moduli of elasticity at 50 years are given. Variables included cement type, mix proportions, consistency, and methods of placement. All speciimens made in 1937 were cured outdoors after a 28-day moist-curing period. Generally, compressive strength at 50 years showed little change from the strength at 10 years.
Metabolic Syndrome and Risk for Incident Alzheimer's Disease or Vascular Dementia

OBJECTIVE—Associations between metabolic syndrome and its individual components with risk of incident dementia and its different subtypes are inconsistent. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—The 7,087 community-dwelling subjects aged ≥65 years were recruited from the French Three-City (3C) cohort. Hazard ratios (over 4 years) of incident dementia and its subtypes (vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease) and association with metabolic syndrome (defined according to the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria) and its individual components (hypertension, large waist circumference, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and elevated fasting glycemia) were estimated in separate Cox proportional hazard models. RESULTS—Metabolic syndrome was present in 15.8% of the study participants. The presence of metabolic syndrome increased the risk of incident vascular dementia but not Alzheimer's disease over 4 years, independent of sociodemographic characteristics and the apolipoprotein (apo) Eε4 allele. High triglyceride level was the only component of metabolic syndrome that was significantly associated with the incidence of all-cause (hazard ratio 1.45 [95% CI 1.05–2.00]; P = 0.02) and vascular (2.27 [1.16–4.42]; P = 0.02) dementia, even after adjustment of the apoE genotype. Diabetes, but not impaired fasting glycemia, was significantly associated with all-cause (1.58 [1.05–2.38]; P = 0.03) and vascular (2.53 [1.15–5.66]; P = 0.03) dementia. CONCLUSIONS—The observed relation between high triglycerides, diabetes, and vascular dementia emphasizes the need for detection and treatment of vascular risk factors in older individuals in order to prevent the likelihood of clinical dementia.
Environmental Kuznets Curve and the role of energy consumption in Pakistan

The paper is an effort to fill the gap in the energy literature with a comprehensive country study for Pakistan. We investigate the relationship between CO2 emissions, energy consumption, economic growth and trade openness for Pakistan over the period of 1971-2009. Bounds test for cointegration and Granger causality test are employed for the empirical analysis. The result suggests that there exists long-run relationship among the variables and the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis is supported. The significant existence of EKC shows the country's effort to condense CO2 emissions and indicates a reasonable achievement of controlling environmental degradation in Pakistan. Furthermore, we find one-way causal relationship running from income to CO2 emissions. Energy consumption increases CO2 emissions both in the short and long runs. Trade openness reduces CO2 emissions in the long run but it is insignificant in the short run. In addition, the change in CO2 emissions from short run to the long span of time is corrected by about 10 percent each year.
Frequency of hepatitis B virus reactivation in cancer patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy: A prospective study of 626 patients with identification of risk factors

Hepatitus B virus (HBV) reactivation is a well‐described complication in cancer patients who receive cytotoxic chemotherapy and may result in varying degrees of liver damage. As chemotherapy is used increasingly in cancer patients, HBV reactivation during cytotoxic treatment may become a more common problem. In lymphoma patients, the incidence of chronic HBV infection has been reported to be 26%, of whom 47% developed HBV reactivation during chemotherapy. However, corresponding data for patients with other malignancies undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy are not known. In this prospective study, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was determined in 626 consecutive cancer patients who received cytotoxic chemotherapy over a 12‐month period. Seventy‐eight patients (12%) were found to be HBsAg positive. Thirty‐four (44%) developed raised alanine transaminase during their course of chemotherapy. In these 34 patients, hepatitis was attributed to HBV reactivation in 15 patients (44%), chronic active HBV infection in 1 patient (3%), hepatitis C infection in 1 patient (3%), malignant hepatic infiltration in 2 patients (6%), and the use of hepatotoxic chemotherapeutic agents in 11 patients (32%). The causes of hepatitis were unknown in 4 patients (12%). HBV reactivation was more likely to develop in patients who were male, younger age, HBeAg seropositive, and those with lymphoma. Presence of malignant hepatic infiltration, baseline pre‐treatment alanine transaminase, total bilirubin, and HBV DNA levels did not correlate with the development of HBV reactivation. Of the 15 patients who developed HBV reactivation, antiviral therapy with lamivudine was available and used in 9. There was no HBV‐related mortality during chemotherapy. It is concluded that in patients with chronic HBV infection under chemotherapy, HBV reactivation occurs in nearly 20% of them and accounts for 44% of hepatitis cases. The risk factors identified include male sex, younger age, HBeAg seropositive, and the diagnosis of lymphoma. In HBV endemic areas, patients with risk factors for HBV reactivation should be identified prior to receiving cytotoxic treatment and monitored closely. The potential benefit of lamivudine requires further confirmation. J. Med. Virol. 62:299–307, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Statistical Databases

Introduction Statistical databases are databases containing statistical information. Such databases are normally released by national statistical institutes but, on occasion, they can also be released by healthcare authorities (epidemiology) or by private organizations (e.g. consumer surveys). Statistical databases typically come in three formats: • Tabular data, that is, tables with counts or magnitudes, which are the classical output of official statistics; • Queryable databases, that is, on-line databases to which the user can submit statistical queries (sums, averages, etc.); • Microdata, that is, files where each record contains information on an individual (a citizen or a company). The peculiarity of statistical databases is that they should provide useful statistical information, but they should not reveal private information on the individuals they refer to (respondents). Indeed, supplying data to national statistical institutes is compulsory in most 1 countries but, in return, those institutes commit to preserving the privacy of respondents. Inference control in statistical databases, also known as Statistical Disclosure Control (SDC), is a discipline that seeks to protect data in statistical databases so that they can be published without revealing confidential information that can be linked to specific individuals among those to which the data correspond. SDC is applied to protect respondent privacy in areas such as official statistics, health statistics, e-commerce (sharing of consumer data), etc. Since data protection ultimately means data modification, the challenge for SDC is to achieve protection with minimum loss of the accuracy sought by database users. In [1], a distinction is made between SDC and other technologies for database privacy, like privacy-preserving data mining (PPDM) or private information retrieval (PIR): what makes the difference between those technologies is whose privacy they seek. While SDC is aimed at respondent privacy, the primary goal of PPDM is to protect owner privacy when several database owners wish to cooperate in joint analyses across their databases without giving away their original data to each other. On its side, the primary goal of PIR is user privacy, that is, to allow the user of a database to retrieve some information item without the database exactly knowing which item was recovered. The literature on SDC started in the 1970s, with the seminal contribution by Dalenius [2] in the statistical community and the works by Schlörer and Denning [3, 4] in the database community. The 1980s saw moderate activity in this field. An excellent survey of the state of the art …
Increased Particulate Air Pollution and the Triggering of Myocardial Infarction

Background—Elevated concentrations of ambient particulate air pollution have been associated with increased hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease. Whether high concentrations of ambient particles can trigger the onset of acute myocardial infarction (MI), however, remains unknown. Methods and Results—We interviewed 772 patients with MI in the greater Boston area between January 1995 and May 1996 as part of the Determinants of Myocardial Infarction Onset Study. Hourly concentrations of particle mass <2.5 &mgr;m (PM2.5), carbon black, and gaseous air pollutants were measured. A case-crossover approach was used to analyze the data for evidence of triggering. The risk of MI onset increased in association with elevated concentrations of fine particles in the previous 2-hour period. In addition, a delayed response associated with 24-hour average exposure 1 day before the onset of symptoms was observed. Multivariate analyses considering both time windows jointly revealed an estimated odds ratio of 1.48 associated with an increase of 25 &mgr;g/m3 PM2.5 during a 2-hour period before the onset and an odds ratio of 1.69 for an increase of 20 &mgr;g/m3 PM2.5 in the 24-hour period 1 day before the onset (95% CIs 1.09, 2.02 and 1.13, 2.34, respectively). Conclusions—The present study suggests that elevated concentrations of fine particles in the air may transiently elevate the risk of MIs within a few hours and 1 day after exposure. Further studies in other locations are needed to clarify the importance of this potentially preventable trigger of MI.
Metallic and Ceramic Material Development Research

Abstract : This final report details progress made on various topics related to advanced metallic, advanced metallic composites and ceramic materials. The development and sustainment of Air Force systems depends on both the optimal performance of traditional materials and the continued exploration of materials technologies. Major requirements driving the research into these new technologies include: 1) reducing the weight of engineering components of aircraft, 2) increasing the operating temperatures of engines, 3) providing advanced materials for thermal protection systems, and 4) producing geopolymer-based material for space mirror applications. Research was carried out three different classes of materials, advanced metallics, advanced metallic composites, and ceramics. In the latter case, both monolithic and fiber-reinforced materials were evaluated, along with geopolymers. The process-microstructure-property relationships were extensively and critically assessed for these material classes. Much of this research has been published elsewhere in the open literature as journal articles and papers.
Primary EndoAnchoring in the Endovascular Repair of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms With an Unfavorable Neck

Purpose To investigate the feasibility and early results of endoanchoring (endostapling) using a new commercially available device as an adjunctive procedure during endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with an unfavorable proximal neck. Methods Between June 2010 and May 2012, 13 consecutive patients (all men; median age 73 years, range 62–82) were prospectively enrolled in a 2-center registry to follow outcomes of adjunctive primary endoanchoring (Aptus HeliFX Aortic Securement System) of the proximal endograft to enhance proximal graft fixation and sealing during EVAR. Indications for proximal neck endoanchoring included at least one of the following: neck angulation 45° to 90°, length 8 to 15 mm, diameter 29 to 33 mm, conical neck configuration, or an irregularly shaped neck. The median AAA diameter was 56 mm (range 50–98). The Endurant stent-graft was implanted in 4 patients and the Zenith device in 9. Results A median of 4 endoanchors were implanted per patient (range 3–10) in adjunctive procedures that required a median 12 minutes (range 7–20). Intraoperatively, 2 proximal type I endoleaks were present following endoanchor implantation (85% primary technical success); a cuff was deployed in 1 case, which successfully sealed the endoleak (92% assisted primary technical success). The second proximal type I endoleak was minute and sealed spontaneously within 30 days. No further major device-related complications occurred intraoperatively. In the 30-day perioperative period, the only procedure-related complications were 2 type II endoleaks, which required no intervention. Over a median follow-up of 7 months (range 2–17), no further complications occurred apart from an asymptomatic internal iliac artery occlusion and a non-lethal myocardial infarction at 9 months. The type II endoleaks spontaneously sealed. No endograft migration was noticed nor loss of endoanchor integrity. No deaths occurred throughout follow-up. Conclusion Primary endoanchoring using the HeliFX aortic securement system is feasible, and early results were promising in this series.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL EXCELLENCE (NICE)

The technology appraisal program of the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) was established on April 1, 1999. Its role is to advise the NHS in England and Wales on the clinical effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and service impact of new and emerging as well as established healthcare technologies. This paper describes the role of HTA in the NICE technology appraisal process, discusses some of the challenges of the use of HTA in national policy making, and considers some of the potential ways forward.
Acarbose Slows Progression of Intima-Media Thickness of the Carotid Arteries in Subjects With Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Background and Purpose— Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)–a prediabetic state–is an important risk factor for atherosclerosis. Acarbose, an &agr;-glucosidase inhibitor, was shown in the placebo-controlled prospective study to prevent noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (STOP-NIDDM) trial to reduce the risk of diabetes by 36% in IGT subjects. This article reports on a placebo-controlled subgroup analysis of the STOP-NIDDM study to examine the efficacy of acarbose to slow progression of intima-media thickness (IMT) in subjects with IGT. Methods— One hundred thirty-two IGT subjects were randomized to placebo (n=66) or acarbose (n=66) 100 mg 3 times daily; the study duration was at least 3 years, mean follow-up time 3.9 (SD 0.6) years. Carotid IMT was determined at study entry and the end of the trial. The intent-to-treat analysis included 56 subjects in the acarbose and 59 in the control group who had a baseline and endpoint measurement. Results— A significant reduction of the progression of IMTmean was observed in the acarbose group versus placebo. After an average time of 3.9 years, IMTmean increased by 0.02 (0.07) mm in the acarbose group versus 0.05 (0.06) mm in the placebo group (P =0.027). The annual increase of IMTmean was reduced by ≈50% in the acarbose group versus placebo. Multiple linear regression revealed IMT progression as significantly related to acarbose intake. Conclusions— Acarbose slows progression of IMT in IGT subjects, a high-risk population for diabetes and atherosclerosis. This is the first placebo-controlled prospective subgroup analysis, demonstrating that counterbalancing of postprandial hyperglycemia may be vasoprotective.
Fungal susceptibility of interior commercial building panels

The decay and mold resistance of wood-based building panels can affect the extent of structural damage after flooding or failure of the exterior building envelope, and indoor air quality. Four common untreated commercial sheathing panels were evaluated for decay resistance using a standard laboratory method. The order of decay resistance of the panels was Douglas-fir plywood > southern pine plywood > southern pine oriented strandboard (OSB) > aspen OSB. The same panels, plus a commercial paper-surfaced gypsum board, were also evaluated for susceptibility to surface mold growth. The order of mold resistance of the tested panels was Douglas-fir plywood > aspen OSB = pine OSB solid aspen > pine plywood gypsum board. All of the tested materials were prone to fungal decay and mold growth. None could be considered resistant to fungal degradation.
Pyruvate Accumulation Is the First Line of Cell Defense against Heat Stress in a Fungus

ABSTRACT Heat tolerance is well known to be key to fungal survival in many habitats, but our mechanistic understanding of how organisms adapt to heat stress is still incomplete. Using Metarhizium robertsii, an emerging model organism for assessing evolutionary processes, we report that pyruvate is in the vanguard of molecules that scavenge heat-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS). We show that, as well as inducing a rapid burst of ROS production, heat stress also downregulates genes for pyruvate consumption. The accumulating pyruvate is the fastest acting of several M. robertsii ROS scavengers, efficiently reducing protein carbonylation, stabilizing mitochondrial membrane potential, and promoting fungal growth. The acetate produced from pyruvate-ROS reactions itself causes acid stress, tolerance to which is regulated by Hog1 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Heat stress also induces pyruvate accumulation in several other fungi, suggesting that scavenging of heat-induced ROS by pyruvate is widespread. IMPORTANCE Heat is a dangerous challenge for most organisms, as it denatures proteins and induces the production of ROS that inactivate proteins, lipid membranes, and DNA. How organisms respond to this stress is not fully understood. Using the experimentally tractable insect pathogen Metarhizium robertsii as a model organism, we show for the first time that heat stress induces pyruvate production and that this functions as the first line of defense against heat-induced ROS. Heat stress also induces rapid pyruvate accumulation in other fungi, suggesting that pyruvate is a common but unappreciated defense against stress. Heat is a dangerous challenge for most organisms, as it denatures proteins and induces the production of ROS that inactivate proteins, lipid membranes, and DNA. How organisms respond to this stress is not fully understood. Using the experimentally tractable insect pathogen Metarhizium robertsii as a model organism, we show for the first time that heat stress induces pyruvate production and that this functions as the first line of defense against heat-induced ROS. Heat stress also induces rapid pyruvate accumulation in other fungi, suggesting that pyruvate is a common but unappreciated defense against stress.
Evaluation of seven recombinant VCA-IgA ELISA kits for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in China: a case–control trial

Objective Seven recombinant viral capsid antigen-IgA (VCA-IgA) ELISA kits are widely used in China, but their diagnostic effects have not been evaluated. In this study, we evaluated whether the diagnostic effects of these kits are similar to those of the standard kit (EUROIMMUN, Lübeck, Germany). Methods A diagnostic case–control trial was conducted with 200 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and 200 controls from NPC-endemic areas in southern China. The areas under the curve (AUCs), the sensitivities and the specificities of testing kits were compared with those of the standard kit. The test–retest reliability of each kit was determined by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Their diagnostic accuracy in combination with Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1-IgA (EBNA1-IgA) was also evaluated in logistic models. Results Three testing kits—BB, HA and KSB—showed diagnostic accuracy equal to that of the standard kit, with good performance in the AUCs (0.926–0.945), and no significant differences in sensitivity were found between early-stage and advanced-stage NPCs. ICCs exceeded 0.8. Three logistic regression models were built, and the AUCs of these models (0.961–0.977) were better than those of the individual VCA-IgA kits. All new models had diagnostic accuracy equal to that of the standard kit. New cut-off values of these three kits and their corresponding combinations for researchers to replicate and use in NPC early detection and screening in the future were provided. Conclusions Three recombinant VCA-IgA kits—BB,HA and KSB—had diagnostic effects equal to those of the standard kit, and, in combination with EBNA1-IgA in logistic regression models, can be used in future screening for NPC.