Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Rubus Occidentalis Extract on Metabolic Parameters in Subjects with Prediabetes: A Proof‐of‐concept, Randomized, Double‐blind, Placebo‐controlled Clinical Trial

Rubus occidentalis (RO) has beneficial effects on glucose and lipid profiles in vitro. The aim of the study was to investigate RO extract effect on metabolic parameters in prediabetic patients, adopting a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Forty‐four patients (age 59.0 ± 8.2 years, 70.5% females, HbA1c 5.8 ± 0.4%) were divided into placebo (n = 13), low‐dose RO extract (LRE; n = 14), or high‐dose RO extract (HRE; n = 17) groups. Either 900 or 1800 mg per day of RO extract was administered orally. Area under the curve for glucose obtained 2 h after a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test was significantly decreased in the HRE group, compared with the placebo group (−28.1 ± 42.4 vs. +13.4 ± 52.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05). Homoeostasis model assessment‐B was increased (+17.11 ± 10.69, +5.24 ± 4.10, and +0.86 ± 6.01 in HRE, LRE, and placebo, respectively, p < 0.05). Serum levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and oxidized low‐density lipoprotein were significantly decreased by treatment in a dose‐dependent manner (monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1: −35.0 ± 21.2, +8.4 ± 18.1, and +24.2 ± 14.5; oxidized low‐density lipoprotein: −19.7 ± 8.5, −13.1 ± 7.2, and −2.2 ± 11.0 in the HRE, LRE, and placebo, respectively, p < 0.05). The results support the beneficial effects of RO extract on the control of glycemia and vascular inflammation in prediabetic patients. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01964703). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility of Occipital Condyle Screw Placement for Occipitocervical Fixation: A Cadaveric Study and Description of a Novel Technique

Study Design Occipital-cervical (OC) stabilization using occipital condyle fixation with a polyaxial screw-rod construct is described. Objectives To describe a novel technique and initial radiographic results for posterior OC fixation using the occipital condyles for cranial fixation. Summary of Background Data Stabilization of the OC junction remains a challenge. Owing to the regional anatomy and the poor occipital bone purchase, multiple attachment points to the occipital bone are required to increase construct rigidity. To address these issues, we propose a novel OC fixation technique using polyaxial occipital condyle screws for cranial purchase. Methods The OC junction was exposed posteriorly in silicone-injected cadaver heads. Polyaxial titanium screws (3.5 mm) were inserted bicortically solely into the occipital condyles; C1 lateral masses and C2 pedicles, or transarticularly through C1-C2, followed by fixation to a 3-mm rod. Drilling was guided by anatomic landmarks and fluoroscopy. Computerized tomography scans were obtained. Condylar screw angles and lengths were analyzed with respect to historical morphometric condyle measurements and with respect to neurovascular structures. Results The condylar entry point was 4 to 5-mm lateral to the foramen magnum on the axial plane, and 1 to 2-mm rostral to the atlantooccipital joint. The mean angle of medialization was 17 degrees (range: 12 to 22 degrees). In the sagittal plane, the maximal superior screw angulation was 5 degrees. The mean screw length to obtain bicortical purchase was 22 mm (range: 20 to 24 mm). The hypoglossal canal was uninterrupted during its full course. The jugular bulb, carotid, and vertebral arteries were not injured by condyle screw placement. No fractures were identified. Conclusion Condyle screws can be placed without injury to neurovascular structures. OC junction fixation using polyaxial occipital condyle screws is feasible and can be considered a salvage technique or an alternative where other fixation techniques are not available.
Tissue Plasminogen Activator as an Adjuvant Therapy for Pleural Empyema in Pediatric Patients

The authors retrospectively review the clinical course and outcome of 6 pediatric patients, ranging in age from 2 to 13 years, who were treated with TPA for complex empyema. Efficacy was assessed by evaluating pleural fluid drainage for 6 hours prior to and subsequent to each dose of TPA, as well as by resolution of fever and length of hospital stay. The average volume drained for 6 hours before infusion of TPA was 22.5 mL ± 18.4 mL, and the average volume 6 hours after TPA therapy was 141.7 mL ± 28.3 mL, P < . 0001. After initiation of TPA therapy, 5 out of 6 patients became afebrile within 48 hours. The median length of stay after initiation of TPA therapy was 6 days, with a range from 4 days to 12 days. A discussion of other current therapies for empyema, along with a comparison of these therapies to TPA regarding the costs of therapies and risk-benefit ratios, is also included.
A Microscopic Analysis of Cut-Bevel Versus Pencil-Point Spinal Needles

An in vitro examination of 25-gauge Quincke and 25-gauge and 27-gauge Whitacre spinal needles was performed after insertion in 210 consenting adult patients. In addition, 300 unused Quincke needles and 300 unused pencil-point needles were examined under a dissecting microscope. When the microscopic evaluation was performed on the needles after spinal blockade, burrs or blunting of the needle tip were noted in 24% of the Quincke needles compared with only 3% of the 25-gauge Whitacre needles and 10% of the 27-gauge Whitacre (P < 0.05). Bony contact with 25-gauge Quincke and 27-gauge Whitacre needles resulted in an increased incidence of microscopic tip damage (versus 25-gauge Whitacre). Needle-tip damage with the Whitacre needles was limited to blunting of the tip. The analysis of unused needles revealed significant differences among manufacturers of the cut-bevel needles with respect to stylet-to-needle length and burrs on the end of the stylet. The leading edge of the stylet protruded beyond the opening of the needle tip in 7% of the Quincke needles. However, only minor needle-tip abnormalities were noted with the pencil-point needles (i.e., variability in the side-port opening to needle tip distance, side-port opening integrity). In conclusion, bony contact produced more damage to the cut-bevel than to the pencil-point needle tips. In addition, fewer inherent manufacturing defects were noted with the pencil-point versus cut-bevel needles. Implications: It has been suggested that damaged needle tips may contribute to a higher incidence of headaches after spinal anesthesia. A microscopic examination revealed that the pencil-point (versus cut-bevel) needles had fewer manufacturing flaws and were less susceptible to tip damage when bony contact occurred during the placement of the spinal needle. (Anesth Analg 1997;85:1101-4)
Can nurses apply the Canadian C-Spine Rule? A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine the inter-rater agreement between physicians and nurses regarding eligibility for application of the Canadian C-Spine Rule (CCR) and assessment of the criteria of the CCR. METHODS In this observational study, nurses and physicians independently assessed the CCR criteria in a convenience sample of patients with potential C-spine injury. Data were entered onto separate data sheets. The outcomes of interest were the inter-rater agreement between nurse and physician regarding eligibility for application of the rule, for assessment of each component of the rule and for interpretation of the rule overall, assessed by kappa analysis. RESULTS In total, 88 cases were eligible for analysis. Physicians and nurses agreed on which patients were eligible for CCR application in 96.6% of cases. Inter-rater agreement for most CCR criteria was good (* > 0.61), with the exception of midline tenderness (* = 0.58) and range of motion, which most nurses did not test. CONCLUSION This study shows that nurses have the potential to reliably apply the Canadian C-Spine Rule but require further training in the assessment of midline tenderness and range of motion.
Existence and structure of minimizers of least gradient problems

We study existence of minimizers of the general least gradient problem \[\inf_{u \in BV_f} \int_{\Omega}\varphi(x,Du),\] where $BV_f=\{u \in BV(\Omega): \ \ u|_{\partial \Omega}=f\}$, $f\in L^{1}(\partial \Omega)$, and $\varphi(x,\xi)$ is convex, continuous, and homogeneous function of degree $1$ with respect to the $\xi$ variable. It is proven that there exists a divergence free vector field $T\in (L^{\infty}(\Omega))^n$ that determines the structure of level sets of all (possible) minimizers, i.e. $T$ determines $\frac{Du}{|Du|}$, $|Du|-$ a.e. in $\Omega$, for all minimizers $u$. We also prove that every minimizer of the above least gradient problem is also a minimizer of \[\inf_{u\in \mathcal{A}_f} \int_{\R^n}\varphi(x,Du),\] where $\mathcal{A}_f=\{v\in BV(\R^n): \ \ v=f \ \ \hbox{on}\ \ \Omega^c\}$ and $f\in W^{1,1}(\R^n)$ is a compactly supported extension of $f\in L^1(\partial \Omega)$, and show that $T$ also determines the structure of level sets of all minimizers of the latter problem. This relationship between minimizers of the above two least gradient problems could be exploited to obtain information about existence and structure of minimizers of the former problem from that of the latter, which always exist.
Testing the Monogenic Theory of Schizophrenia

Summary Segregation analysis was applied to blind family data concerning schizophrenia to decide if the transmission of schizophrenia could be explained by a single major gene. Our results showed that the Mendelian model was unacceptable. Therefore, the monogenic hypothesis could not account for the transmission of schizophrenia. Since the hypothesis of no parent-child transmission was also not accepted, there was an indication that some form of vertical transmission existed which could be psychosocial, or an interaction between genetic and psychosocial factors. Our results suggest genetic heterogeneity in schizophrenia. Currently available clinical criteria for defining subgroups must be improved in conjunction with detection of biological indicators so that segregation analysis of family data could be effectively used in determining modes of transmission in schizophrenia.
Analysis of the pesticin receptor from Yersinia pestis: role in iron-deficient growth and possible regulation by its siderophore

We have sequenced a region from the pgm locus of Yersinia pestis KIM6+ that confers sensitivity to the bacteriocin pesticin to certain strains of Escherichia coli and Y. pestis. The Y. pestis sequence is 98% identical to the pesticin receptor from Yersinia enterocolitica and is homologous to other TonB-dependent outer membrane proteins. Y. pestis strains with an in-frame deletion in the pesticin receptor gene (psn) were pesticin resistant and no longer expressed a group of iron-regulated outer membrane proteins, IrpB to IrpD. In addition, this strain as well as a Y. pestis strain with a mutation constructed in the gene (irp2) encoding the 190-kDa iron-regulated protein HMWP2 could not grow at 37 degrees C in a defined, iron-deficient medium. However, the irp2 mutant but not the psn mutant could be cross-fed by supernatants from various Yersinia cultures grown under iron-deficient conditions. An analysis of the proteins synthesized by the irp2 mutant suggests that HMWP2 may be indirectly required for maximal expression of the pesticin receptor. HMWP2 likely participates in synthesis of a siderophore which may induce expression of the receptor for pesticin and the siderophore.
Acceleration of Distraction Osteogenesis With Drug-Releasing Distractor

Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an internal distractor to release a drug to the distraction site during the distraction process and to investigate whether intermittent bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2)-containing chitosan hydrogel infusion will improve radiologic and histologic parameters of distraction osteogenesis (DO) when compared with control groups. Materials and Methods: Experimental groups were control group (n = 6), 2-&mgr;g single-dose BMP-2-chitosan hydrogel-infused group (n = 6), and 2-&mgr;g intermittent BMP-2-containing chitosan hydrogel-infused group (n = 6). In intermittent BMP-infused group, certain amount of BMP-2 loaded chitosan hydrogel injected into the distraction gap for controlled BMP release from the chitosan with every turning of the geared rod of the distractor. Radiologic and histologic evaluation methods have been conducted. Conclusion: The results of the analysis demonstrated that the newly developed distractor effectively stabilized the DO site while allowing intermittent BMP-chitosan infusion. Application of a BMP-2-chitosan hydrogel infusion to the distraction zone facilitates ossification. Intermittent infusion of BMP-2-containing chitosan hydrogel by use of a developed internal distractor increases ossification even more at the site of DO.
Legalization of medical marijuana and marijuana use among youths

Aim: This study examined the relationship of youth marijuana use and perceived ease of access with the number of medical marijuana cards at the county-level, and marijuana norms as indicated by per cent of voters approving legalization of medical marijuana in 2004. Methods: Survey data from 17,482 youths (aged 13–19) in Montana and county-level archival data, including votes for the legalization of medical marijuana and the number of medical marijuana cards were analysed using hierarchical linear modelling. Findings: Living in a county with more medical marijuana cards was not related to lifetime or 30-day marijuana use. However, voter approval of medical marijuana was positively related to lifetime and 30-day use. Perceived ease of access to marijuana was positively related to medical marijuana cards, but this relation became non-significant when voter approval was controlled. Among marijuana users, marijuana cards and voter approval were positively related to perceived ease of access. Conclusions: The relation between medical marijuana cards and youth use may be related to an overall normative environment that is more tolerant of marijuana use. Interventions to prevent youth marijuana use should focus on adult norms regarding use by and provision of marijuana to youths.
Deeply vulnerable: a study of the robustness of face recognition to presentation attacks

The vulnerability of deep-learning-based face-recognition (FR) methods, to presentation attacks (PA), is studied in this study. Recently, proposed FR methods based on deep neural networks (DNN) have been shown to outperform most other methods by a significant margin. In a trustworthy face-verification system, however, maximising recognition-performance alone is not sufficient – the system should also be capable of resisting various kinds of attacks, including PA. Previous experience has shown that the PA vulnerability of FR systems tends to increase with face-verification accuracy. Using several publicly available PA datasets, the authors show that DNN-based FR systems compensate for variability between bona fide and PA samples, and tend to score them similarly, which makes such FR systems extremely vulnerable to PAs. Experiments show the vulnerability of the studied DNN-based FR systems to be consistently higher than 90%, and often higher than 98%.
Polyubiquitination and Proteasomal Degradation of the p185c-erbB-2 Receptor Protein-tyrosine Kinase Induced by Geldanamycin*

Treatment of SKBr3 human breast carcinoma cells with the benzoquinoid ansamycin, geldanamycin, rapidly depletes p185c-erbB-2 protein-tyrosine kinase. Loss of p185c-erbB-2 is initiated by disruption of a heteromeric complex between p185c-erbB-2 and the 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein, GRP94, to which geldanamycin binds avidly. Here we report that within minutes of exposure to geldanamycin, mature p185c-erbB-2 becomes polyubiquitinated. Treatment of cells with the specific proteasome proteolytic inhibitor, lactacystin, blocked geldanamycin-induced degradation of p185c-erbB-2 and enhanced the accumulation of polyubiquitinated p185c-erbB-2. Following geldanamycin and lactacystin treatment, a higher molecular weight form of p185c-erbB-2, which likely represents ubiquitin-p185c-erbB-2 conjugates, was detected by anti-p185c-erbB-2 immunoblotting. Nascent p185c-erbB-2 synthesized in the presence of geldanamycin is incompletely glycosylated and remains sequestered in the endoplasmic reticulum. While this immature form of the protein is not ubiquitinated in the presence of geldanamycin, its marked, drug-induced instability is nonetheless antagonized by lactacystin. Thus, the rapid depletion of mature p185c-erbB-2 caused by geldanamycin and the marked, drug-stimulated decrease in half-life of the newly synthesized protein are both mediated by the proteasome, although only the former phenomenon involves polyubiquitination.
Patients discharged against medical advice from a general medicine service

This study compares the demographic features and hospital course of all 472 patients discharged against medical advice from the general medicine service of an urban teaching hospital between 1984 and 1995 and 1,113 control patients discharged with physician approval. In the multivariate analysis, younger age (odds ratio [OR] 0.97 per year; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.96, 0.98), male gender (OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.4, 2.4), lack of health insurance (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3, 3.1), Medicaid applicant or recipient status (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.6, 3.1), admission through the emergency department (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.4, 3.5), and lack of a personal attending physician at the time of admission (OR 2.1; 95% CI 1.6, 2.8) increased the odds of discharge against medical advice. Fifty-four percent of patients who left against medical advice. Fifty-four percent of patients who left against medical advice were readmitted to the hospital during the study period; 98% were then discharged with physician approval. Patients who left the hospital against medical advice included many disadvantaged individuals without ongoing primary care.
Interaction of solitons with delta potential in the Cubic-Quintic Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation

The study of soliton scattering of the Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation (NLSE) has brought a wide focus by researchers especially in physics field such as Bose-Einstein condensates, nonlinear optics, plasma physics, condensed matter physics, etc. This paper concentrates on the effect of potentials to the soliton scattering in the generalized NLSE, Cubic-Quintic Nonlinear Schrodinger Equation (CQNLSE). To derive the equations for soliton parameters evolution during the scattering process, we have applied the approximate analytical method, namely the variational approximation method. The accuracy of approximations was checked by direct numerical simulations of CQNLSE with soliton initially located far from potential. In case of the potential in the form of delta function, depending on initial velocity of the soliton, it was shown the soliton may be reflected by potential or transmitted through it. The critical values of the velocity separating these two scenarios have been identified.
Generation of Multiband Signals in a Bidirectional Wireless Over Fiber System With High Scalability Using Heterodyne Mixing Technique

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a bidirectional radio over fiber system to simultaneously generate and transmit downstream multiband signals and upstream data. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the multiband signals, including baseband, 24-GHz microwave (MW), and 42- and 60-GHz millimeter-wave (MMW) signals, are realized through multicarrier generation and heterodyne mixing techniques. The frequencies of the MW and MMW signals are continuously tunable, thus high scalability can be achieved. In the base station, part of the continuous wave light is used as an optical carrier for upstream data, which is transmitted back to the central station though the same fiber. Error-free performances are achieved for all the signals after 25-km single-mode fiber and 5 ft air link transmission for wireless data.
What's the latest? Cultural age deadlines for family transitions.

Several questions about the degree to which cultural schedules exist for the timing of life transitions, as well as the nature of these schedules, remain unexplored. In this article, we examine age timetables for central family transitions. Do individuals perceive age deadlines for these transitions, and by what ages do they think that men or women should have experienced them? How much consensus exists about these deadlines? Why are they considered important, and what consequences are perceived for men or women who miss them? A key theoretical question with which we are concerned is whether contemporary thinking about these deadlines can be considered "normative. " A random sample of 319 adults from the Chicago metropolitan area were interviewed about eleven separate life-course transitions, six of which were from the family sphere. By and large, the majority of respondents perceived deadlines for most of the family transitions discussed. While the deadlines cited were quite variable in range, they were also concentrated within a narrow band of ages. The dimensions underlying individuals' thinking about deadlines were centered primarily on the development of self and personality, or were linked to concerns about the sequencing of roles and experiences over lifetime. However, late timing was generally thought to be acceptable, accompanied by little social tension, and without consequences for the individual's life or the lives of other persons to whom one is intimately connected. While a rough, "normal biography" of family life existed in the minds of our respondents, the deadlines attached to that biography were flexible guidelines for the course of family life, not rigid, normative principles. These findings are discussed in light of recent debates about life-course theory and research.
How Survey Design Affects Monkey Counts: A Case Study on Individually Recognized Spider Monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi)

The fast movement and high degree of fission-fusion dynamics of spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) make them notoriously difficult to survey. We examined which aspects of survey design affect spider monkey sightings along transects in a group of individually recognized spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) in Punta Laguna, Yucatan, Mexico. We calculated the number of monkeys and subgroups sighted per transect walk. Using generalized linear models, we found no effect of the number of observers, transect type (new vs. existing), walking speed, or time of day on individual monkey counts or subgroup counts. Recounting of individuals was relatively rare and occurred when transects were walked relatively slowly. We missed more young than adult monkeys. The group composition based on survey data was similar to the known group composition. Based on our findings we recommend that surveys performed on relatively flat terrain be conducted at speeds similar to or faster than the moving speed of spider monkeys to minimize recounting of individuals and that young:adult female ratios based on survey data be interpreted as conservative indicators of population health. The novel methods presented to determine sources of bias in population estimates are applicable to a wide range of primates that are difficult to survey.