Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development of a Novel Heart Failure Risk Tool: The Barcelona Bio-Heart Failure Risk Calculator (BCN Bio-HF Calculator)

Background A combination of clinical and routine laboratory data with biomarkers reflecting different pathophysiological pathways may help to refine risk stratification in heart failure (HF). A novel calculator (BCN Bio-HF calculator) incorporating N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP, a marker of myocardial stretch), high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT, a marker of myocyte injury), and high-sensitivity soluble ST2 (ST2), (reflective of myocardial fibrosis and remodeling) was developed. Methods Model performance was evaluated using discrimination, calibration, and reclassification tools for 1-, 2-, and 3-year mortality. Ten-fold cross-validation with 1000 bootstrapping was used. Results The BCN Bio-HF calculator was derived from 864 consecutive outpatients (72% men) with mean age 68.2±12 years (73%/27% New York Heart Association (NYHA) class I-II/III-IV, LVEF 36%, ischemic etiology 52.2%) and followed for a median of 3.4 years (305 deaths). After an initial evaluation of 23 variables, eight independent models were developed. The variables included in these models were age, sex, NYHA functional class, left ventricular ejection fraction, serum sodium, estimated glomerular filtration rate, hemoglobin, loop diuretic dose, β-blocker, Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/Angiotensin-2 receptor blocker and statin treatments, and hs-cTnT, ST2, and NT-proBNP levels. The calculator may run with the availability of none, one, two, or the three biomarkers. The calculated risk of death was significantly changed by additive biomarker data. The average C-statistic in cross-validation analysis was 0.79. Conclusions A new HF risk-calculator that incorporates available biomarkers reflecting different pathophysiological pathways better allowed individual prediction of death at 1, 2, and 3 years.
General practitioners roles and experiences with functional foods containing probiotics and plant sterols

Aim The purpose of this research is to explore whether general practitioners have experiences with functional foods within their clinical practice. Background Previous research and editorials have suggested that general practitioners should have more involvement and knowledge of functional foods. This is due to the thought that functional foods may be consumed by their patients that could lead to other issues, such as patients not taking their medication. Therefore, research into general practitioners involvement with functional foods needs to be conducted. Method In all, 10 semi-structured open interviews were used with a topic guide. These interviews where digitally audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts where analysed using thematic analysis. Findings It was found that general practitioners believed they did not have a direct role with functional foods and should not be involved with discussing them with their patients. They felt that if they where to be involved with functional foods then they would need more training and information about them. They also felt that functional foods could be empowering for their patients.
Capacity Region of Gaussian MIMO Broadcast Channels With Common and Confidential Messages

We study the two-user Gaussian multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) broadcast channel with common and confidential messages. In this channel, the transmitter sends a common message to both users, and a confidential message to each user which needs to be kept perfectly secret from the other user. We obtain the entire capacity region of this channel. We also explore the connections between the capacity region we obtain for the Gaussian MIMO broadcast channel with common and confidential messages and the capacity region of its nonconfidential counterpart, i.e., the Gaussian MIMO broadcast channel with common and private messages, which is not known completely.
Robust Multivariate Regression

We introduce a robust method for multivariate regression based on robust estimation of the joint location and scatter matrix of the explanatory and response variables. As a robust estimator of location and scatter, we use the minimum covariance determinant (MCD) estimator of Rousseeuw. Based on simulations, we investigate the finite-sample performance and robustness of the estimator. To increase the efficiency, we propose a reweighted estimator selected from several possible reweighting schemes. The resulting multivariate regression does not need much computation time and is applied to real datasets. We show that the multivariate regression estimator has the appropriate equivariance properties, has a bounded influence function, and inherits the breakdown value of the MCD estimator. These theoretical robustness properties confirm the good finite-sample results obtained from the simulations.
Treatment of patients with ethylene glycol or methanol poisoning: focus on fomepizole

Ethylene glycol (EG) and methanol are responsible for life-threatening poisonings. Fomepizole, a potent alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) inhibitor, is an efficient and safe antidote that prevents or reduces toxic EG and methanol metabolism. Although no study has compared its efficacy with ethanol, fomepizole is recommended as a first-line antidote. Treatment should be started as soon as possible, based on history and initial findings including anion gap metabolic acidosis, while awaiting measurement of alcohol concentration. Administration is easy (15 mg/kg-loading dose, either intravenously or orally, independent of alcohol concentration, followed by intermittent 10 mg/kg-doses every 12 hours until alcohol concentrations are <30 mg/dL). There is no need to monitor fomepizole concentrations. Administered early, fomepizole prevents EG-related renal failure and methanol-related visual and neurological injuries. When administered prior to the onset of significant acidosis or organ injury, fomepizole may obviate the need for hemodialysis. When dialysis is indicated, 1 mg/kg/h-continuous infusion should be provided to compensate for its elimination. Side-effects are rarely serious and with a lower occurrence than ethanol. Fomepizole is contraindicated in case of allergy to pyrazoles. It is both efficacious and safe in the pediatric population, but is not recommended during pregnancy. In conclusion, fomepizole is an effective and safe first-line antidote for EG and methanol intoxications.
Identifying seasonal Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) movement patterns and habitat selection in the South Saskatchewan River Basin

Large scale ecological disturbances such as extreme floods are expected to increase due to climate change (Running, 2008). In 2013, central Alberta, Canada, received the largest flood in contemporary history, which displaced over 100,000 people and is known colloquially as Alberta’s ‘Flood of Floods. ’ Flow rates in the Bow River peaked at 3,320 m 3 /s, the highest flow on record, more than double the previous record. A study of the relationship between habitat and fine-scale movement of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) was underway in the Bow and Oldman rivers when the flood occurred. Rare, fine-scale movement behaviors were documented under extreme flood conditions. Lake Sturgeon showed a tendency to avoid areas in the water channel with the highest flows. For example, increases in flow rate showed a significant negative relationship to mean positional distance from shore (r= -0.654, p<0.001, n=45). Substrate composition significantly changed preand post-flood. There was a significant increase in the mean area of gravel and larger substrate, providing evidence that high flow rates in 2013 and 2014 exposed larger particle fluvial substrate. Post-peak 2014 complexity as measured by patch density increased significantly from pre-peak 2013 complexity, suggesting that the removal of silt exposed varying patterns of more complex and substantive underlying rocky substrate. Here, we show a clear benefit for Lake Sturgeon spawning habitat following the extreme flood: larger, cleaner substrate with more complexity. Although extreme flood events may be costly to human life and infrastructure, they may be ecologically beneficial to some freshwater organisms, particularly plesiomorphic, long-lived species such as Lake Sturgeon, which show avoidance behavior during such extreme events and improvement in habitat.
Is Mixed Practice More Effective than Physical Practice Alone for the Acquisition of Non-dominant Side Kicking Performance?

Perceiving and executing unfamiliar movements, such as left handed/footed movement skills in sports, places additional demands on the perceptual-cognitive system of players that may increase errors. The video self-modeling (VSM) method may provide an accessible solution to this issue, therefore the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the VSM method on the improvement of a non-preferred side kicking task. N = 28 participants engaged in one of three conditions; Mirror reversed/ physical practice (PP), best-of/ PP, or physical practice only. Though not significant, data analysis indicated improved kicking accuracy for all groups, with VSM groups showing the most improvement. However, qualitative data revealed the “best-of” group demonstrated more positive views toward their progress compared to other groups, and both VSM groups were more likely to attend to movement cues than target based cues. These trends may suggest merit for the use of VSM techniques, though its application and the source of mechanistic factors warrant further investigation.
Comparison of Clinical Manifestations between Patients with Ocular Myasthenia Gravis and Generalized Myasthenia Gravis

Purpose To compare the clinical manifestations between patients with ocular myasthenia gravis and those with generalized myasthenia gravis (MG). Methods The medical records of 71 patients diagnosed with MG between January 1995 and December 2007 were reviewed. Demographics, sensitivities of diagnostic methods, the presence of systemic autoimmune diseases, ophthalmic complications caused by MG, and treatments were evaluated and compared. Results Fourteen patients (20%) were diagnosed with ocular MG and 57 patients (80%) with generalized MG. Sensitivities of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody and repetitive nerve stimulation tests were significantly higher in the generalized MG group (84%, 89%) compared to those in the ocular MG group (50%, 54%) (p = 0.011, p = 0.008). The sensitivity of the neostigmine test was the highest in both groups (98% of generalized MG, 79% of ocular MG), and the difference between the two groups was borderline significant (p = 0.058). The most common symptoms were ptosis and diplopia, and both groups presented with pain, blurred vision, and tearing. Systemic autoimmune disease was more prominent in the generalized MG group (21%) than in the ocular MG group (14%), and steroid therapy was used more frequently in the generalized MG group (82%) than in the ocular MG group (57%). Ophthalmic complications associated with long-term steroid treatment were more profound in the generalized MG (30%) compared to those of the ocular MG (21%). Conclusions The generalized MG group was associated with higher sensitivities to diagnostic tests, more systemic steroid use, higher ophthalmic complications caused by systemic autoimmune disease, and long-term steroid treatment compared to those of the ocular MG group.
Coping Styles Differ Between Recovered and Nonrecovered Women with Bulimia Nervosa, But Not Between Recovered Women and Non‐Eating-Disordered Control Subjects

We examined potential differences in dispositional coping styles among women who had recovered from DSM-III-R bulimia nervosa (RBN; N = 40), women actively suffering from the disorder (N = 40), and women with no history of eating disturbance (control; N = 40). Using a 60-item self-report measure, we found that women with active bulimia nervosa were less likely than the other two groups to utilize active coping, planning, and seeking emotional support, and less likely than the recovering bulimia nervosa group to focus on and vent emotions. They were more likely than control subjects to use behavioral disengagement. On none of the scales did recovered women differ significantly from control subjects. Our findings suggest that the characteristic coping styles of women who have recovered from bulimia nervosa are as adaptive as those with no history of eating disorder, whereas women who are actively bulimic manifest fewer adaptive and more maladaptive coping behaviors.
Decline of resting inspiratory capacity in COPD: the impact on breathing pattern, dyspnea, and ventilatory capacity during exercise.

BACKGROUND To better understand the interrelationships among disease severity, inspiratory capacity (IC), breathing pattern, and dyspnea, we studied responses to symptom-limited cycle exercise in a large cohort with COPD. METHODS Analysis was conducted on data from two previously published replicate clinical trials in 427 hyperinflated patients with COPD. Patients were divided into disease severity quartiles based on FEV(1) % predicted. Spirometry, plethysmographic lung volumes, and physiologic and perceptual responses to constant work rate (CWR) cycle exercise at 75% of the peak incremental work rate were compared. RESULTS Age, body size, and COPD duration were similar across quartiles. As the FEV(1) quartile worsened (mean, 62%, 49%, 39%, and 27% predicted), functional residual capacity increased (144%, 151%, 164%, and 185% predicted), IC decreased (86%, 81%, 69%, and 60% predicted), and peak incremental cycle work rate decreased (66%, 55%, 50%, and 44% predicted); CWR endurance time was 9.7, 9.3, 8.2, and 7.3 min, respectively. During CWR exercise, as FEV(1) quartile worsened, peak minute ventilation ($$\dot{\mathrm{V}}$$e) and tidal volume (Vt) decreased, whereas an inflection or plateau of the Vt response occurred at a progressively lower $$\dot{\mathrm{V}}$$e (P < .0005), similar percentage of peak $$\dot{\mathrm{V}}$$e (82%-86%), and similar Vt/IC ratio (73%-77%). Dyspnea intensity at this inflection point was also similar across quartiles (3.1-3.7 Borg units) but accelerated steeply to intolerable levels thereafter. CONCLUSION Progressive reduction of the resting IC with increasing disease severity was associated with the appearance of critical constraints on Vt expansion and a sharp increase in dyspnea to intolerable levels at a progressively lower ventilation during exercise.
Apicoplast fatty acid synthesis is essential for pellicle formation at the end of cytokinesis in Toxoplasma gondii

ABSTRACT The apicomplexan protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, the causative agent of toxoplasmosis, harbors an apicoplast, a plastid-like organelle with essential metabolic functions. Although the FASII fatty acid biosynthesis pathway located in the apicoplast is essential for parasite survival, the cellular effects of FASII disruption in T. gondii had not been examined in detail. Here, we combined light and electron microscopy techniques – including focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) – to characterize the effect of FASII disruption in T. gondii, by treatment with the FASII inhibitor triclosan or by inducible knockdown of the FASII component acyl carrier protein. Morphological analyses showed that FASII disruption prevented cytokinesis completion in T. gondii tachyzoites, leading to the formation of large masses of ‘tethered’ daughter cells. FIB-SEM showed that tethered daughters had a mature basal complex, but a defect in new membrane addition between daughters resulted in incomplete pellicle formation. Addition of exogenous fatty acids to medium suppressed the formation of tethered daughter cells and supports the notion that FASII is essential to generate lipid substrates required for the final step of parasite division. Summary: Disruption of the FASII fatty acid synthesis pathway in the apicoplast of Toxoplasma gondii leads to a defect in cleavage furrow formation, preventing completion of cytokinesis.
Transition From Pediatric to Adult Care for Youth Diagnosed With Type 1 Diabetes in Adolescence

OBJECTIVE: Youth with type 1 diabetes mellitus are at risk for poor glycemic control as they age into adulthood. The aim of this study was to describe sociodemographic and clinical correlates of poor glycemic control associated with the transfer of care from pediatric to adult diabetes providers among a cohort of youth with type 1 diabetes diagnosed in adolescence. METHODS: Analyses included 185 adolescent participants with recently diagnosed type 1 diabetes in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study with pediatric care at baseline who were age ≥18 years at follow-up. Demographic and clinical factors were measured by survey and laboratory results. Survival analysis was used to estimate the age of transition. Logistic regression analysis assessed the association of demographic and clinical factors with the transition of care and poor glycemic control at follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of participants had transitioned to adult diabetes care providers by the follow-up visit. The estimated median age of transition of care was 20.1 years (95% confidence interval 19.8–20.4). Older age, lower baseline glycosylated hemoglobin, and less parental education were independently associated with increased odds of transition. The odds of poor glycemic control at follow-up were 2.5 times higher for participants who transitioned to adult care compared with those who remained in pediatric care. CONCLUSIONS: Transferring from pediatric to adult care, experienced by more than half the sample, was associated with an increased risk of poor glycemic control at follow-up. These findings suggest that young adults need additional support when moving to adult care.
Phase I Trial of Oral Estramustine and 3-hr Infusional Paclitaxel for the Treatment of Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer

Precis. Estramustine 600 mg/m2 can be administered safely with 225 mg/m2 of paclitaxel if administered as a 3-hr infusion for the treatment of hormone refractory prostate cancer. Significant anti-tumor activity has been reconfirmed despite the change in schedule of administration of the paclitaxel. Purpose. This phase I study was conducted to identify the maximum tolerated dosage of paclitaxel administered as a 3-hr infusion combined with a stable dosage of estramustine capsules daily in men with hormone refractory prostate cancer. A secondary endpoint was to assess anti-tumor efficacy in this targeted patient population. Patients and methods. Twenty-six male patients, all with hormone refractory prostate cancer were enrolled in this trial. Estramustine was administered at a dosage of 600 mg/m2 daily, and paclitaxel was dose-escalated in cohorts from 125 to 250 mg/m2 administered as an infusion over 3 hr every 21 days. Patients were treated until maximum response was achieved, or toxicity or progressive disease precluded further treatment. Toxicity to determine maximum tolerated dose was assessed only during the first 3-week cycle. Results. The maximum tolerated dose of paclitaxel on this schedule was 225 mg/m2 based on unacceptable dose-limiting fatigue observed at the next higher dosage level. Other grade 3 or 4 events included myelosuppression, left ventricular dysfunction, elevated liver function tests, deep venous thrombosis, vomiting, and development of depression. Using a response criteria of prostate specific antigen decline of >50% persisting for a minimum of 6 weeks, eight of 26 patients responded (30.8%). Two of seven patients with documented soft-tissue disease experienced >50% reductions in size of lesions or number of sites. The median response duration was 6 months, and the median survival time was 16 months. Conclusion. The recommended phase II dose of paclitaxel is 225 mg/m2 when administered over 3 hr in combination with estramustine. This regimen has an acceptable toxicity profile, is a convenient schedule, and results in significant anti-tumor activity even in a heavily pre-treated population of patients.
Epidemiology of Invasive Fungal Infections at Two Tertiary Care Neonatal Intensive Care Units Over a 12-Year Period (2000-2011)

We conducted a retrospective review of 168 patients with invasive fungal infections from January 2000 to December 2011 in 2 neonatal intensive care units. Patients with Candida bloodstream infection (BSI, n = 152) were further analyzed. C albicans was the most common species overall (47%); however, there was an increase in non–albicans sp from 2006 to 2011. Candida BSI clearance rates were lower in extremely low birth weight infants (77% vs 93%, P = .01) and in patients with C albicans infections (77% vs 91%, P = .01). Clearance rates improved from 2000 to 2005 (70% - 90%) to 2006 to 2011 (86% -100%). Combination antifungal use increased during the later years (73% vs 49%, P < .05) and in patients with end-organ dissemination (83% vs 54%, P < .05). We concluded that extremely low birth weight infants and C albicans infection are factors associated with nonclearance of Candida BSI. Successful clearance of Candida BSI improved in 2006 to 2011, perhaps due to increase in non–albicans species and the use of combination antifungals.
Alarm features and age for predicting upper gastrointestinal malignancy in Chinese patients with dyspepsia with high background prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and upper gastrointestinal malignancy: an endoscopic database review of 102 665 patients from 1996 to 2006

Objective Patients with dyspepsia with alarm features are suspected of having upper gastrointestinal (GI) malignancy; however, the true value of alarm features in predicting an underlying malignancy for patients with dyspepsia with high background prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection and upper GI malignancy is uncertain. The aim of the present study was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of alarm features in predicting upper GI malignancy by reviewing an endoscopic database consisting of >100 000 Chinese patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was conducted in a single tertiary medical centre. Consecutive patients who underwent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) for dyspepsia in 1996–2006 were enrolled. The data including gender, age, symptoms, and endoscopic and pathological findings were analysed. The main outcome measure was the diagnostic accuracy of individual alarm feature. Results 102 665 patients were included in the final analysis. Among all the 4362 patients with malignancy, 52% (2258/4362) had alarm features. Among 15 235 patients who had alarm features, 2258 (14.8%) were found to have upper GI malignancy. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of the alarm features were 13.4% and 96.6%, respectively. Only the feature of dysphagia in patients between 36 and 74 years old had a positive likelihood ratio (PLR) >10 for malignancy prediction, while all other alarm features in other age groups had a PLR <10. Conclusions For uninvestigated Chinese patients with dyspepsia with high background prevalence of H pylori infection and upper GI malignancy, alarm features and age, except for dysphagia in patients between 36 and 74 years old, had limited predictive value for a potential malignancy; therefore, prompt endoscopy may be recommended for these patients. However, less invasive, inexpensive screening methods with high diagnostic yield are still needed to reduce unnecessary endoscopy workload.