Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Should patients with low-moderate surgical risk be offered TAVI instead of conventional aortic valve replacement in the management of symptomatic aortic stenosis?

Introduction : Surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR) is the current gold standard treatment for symptomatic aortic stenosis. Without surgical intervention, patients experience a period of rapid clinical worsening, with 50% mortality within two years. However AVR in itself carries considerable risk and many patients may be considered too high risk and therefore not candidates for surgery. Transcatheter Aortic Valve implantation (TAVI) was conceived in 2002 which showed comparable results to AVR in patient are at high surgical risk. TAVI is indicated for high risk patients and in patients that are contraindicated to surgery. Due to increasing public interest there is demand for TAVI to be used within lower risk patients. This is currently being assessed through the large SURTAVI and PARTNER A trials. Aim : The aim of this review is to appraise the current indications surrounding the use of TAVI in potentially lowmoderate surgical risk patients and inform its readers about the history of TAVI and its future direction. This paper also addresses the pathogenesis, epidemiology, management and prognosis of aortic stenosis from the most up to date research studies. Methods : A systematic review was conducted. Databases searched included MEDLINE, Embase, AMED, Science Direct, UPTODATE and the British Journal of Cardiology for papers published from the period of January 1990present. Combinations of the following terms were used: ‘tavi, ‘transcatheter aortic valve implantation’, ‘aortic stenosis’, ‘treatment of aortic stenosis’, ‘aortic valve replacement’ ‘avr’ ‘Medtronic core valve’ ‘bioprosthetic heart valves’, ‘edward sapien bioprostheis’ and ‘treatment of aortic stenosis’. All papers were from the most up to date sources and all information was cross referenced with NICE guidelines and the UPTODATE database. Results : 37 papers were selected for review. The main findings included: the incidence of aortic stenosis is rising due to advances in medical treatment resulting in an aging population; AVR is the current gold standard treatment for aortic stenosis; TAVI is superior to medical therapy alone; TAVI is indicated in high surgical risk patients and those that are contraindicated to surgery; TAVI is comparable to AVR in high risk patients; studies have shown comparable result comparing TAVI with AVR in low- moderate risk pateints; the wide SURTAVI and PARTNER A trials are currently assessing the use of TAVI in low-moderate risk patients. Conclusions : TAVI has revolutionized an alternative way of thinking towards the management of symptomatic aortic stenosis. TAVI is indicated in patient whom are at high surgical risk and in cases where surgery is contraindicated. AVR remains the gold standard treatment in low-moderate surgical risk patients. TAVI may be considered as an alternative method to surgical AVR following the results of the PARTNER 2 and SURTAVI trials.
The Microbiologic Profile Associated with Peri-Implantitis in Humans: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE To qualitatively investigate the microbiologic profile in peri-implantitis by systematically reviewing the published literature on peri-implant infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS Searches of the US National Institutes of Health free digital archives of the biomedical and life sciences journal literature (PubMed) and The Cochrane Library of the Cochrane Collaboration (CENTRAL), as well as a hand search of other literature, were conducted to identify articles potentially relevant for the review. Randomized clinical trials, prospective cohort studies, longitudinal studies, case-control studies, and cross-sectional studies in humans reporting microbiologic findings in patients with diagnosed peri-implantitis were considered eligible for this review. Screening, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted independently and in duplicate. RESULTS Twenty-one articles were eligible for inclusion in this review. Early studies focused on the identification of target periopathogens, whereas more recent studies used advanced molecular techniques for comprehensive overview of the peri-implantitis-associated microbiome. In summary, the microbiologic profile in peri-implantitis (1) is complex and variable, (2) consists of gram-negative anaerobic periopathogens and opportunistic microorganisms in almost the same ratio, (3) is frequently associated with the Epstein-Barr virus and nonsaccharolytic anaerobic gram-positive rods, (4) is not so strictly associated with Staphylococcus aureus, and (5) is different from that of periodontitis. A meta-analysis could not be performed because of the heterogeneity of the reviewed studies. CONCLUSION Although a comparison of the published results was limited because of the inhomogeneity of the studies, it is clear that the microbiologic profile of peri-implantitis consists of aggressive and resistant microorganisms and is distinct from that of periodontitis. It seems that the quantitative characteristics of the microflora cohabitants represent the key determinant of disease, rather than the qualitative composition, which is very similar in healthy and peri-implantitis states.
Spatio‐temporal tracer variability in the glacier melt end‐member — How does it affect hydrograph separation results?

Geochemical and isotopic tracers were often used in mixing models to estimate glacier melt contributions to streamflow, whereas the spatio‐temporal variability in the glacier melt tracer signature and its influence on tracer‐based hydrograph separation results received less attention. We present novel tracer data from a high‐elevation catchment (17 km2, glacierized area: 34%) in the Oetztal Alps (Austria) and investigated the spatial, as well as the subdaily to monthly tracer variability of supraglacial meltwater and the temporal tracer variability of winter baseflow to infer groundwater dynamics. The streamflow tracer variability during winter baseflow conditions was small, and the glacier melt tracer variation was higher, especially at the end of the ablation period. We applied a three‐component mixing model with electrical conductivity and oxygen‐18. Hydrograph separation (groundwater, glacier melt, and rain) was performed for 6 single glacier melt‐induced days (i.e., 6 events) during the ablation period 2016 (July to September). Median fractions (±uncertainty) of groundwater, glacier melt, and rain for the events were estimated at 49±2%, 35±11%, and 16±11%, respectively. Minimum and maximum glacier melt fractions at the subdaily scale ranged between 2±5% and 76±11%, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed that the intraseasonal glacier melt tracer variability had a marked effect on the estimated glacier melt contribution during events with large glacier melt fractions of streamflow. Intra‐daily and spatial variation of the glacier melt tracer signature played a negligible role in applying the mixing model. The results of this study (a) show the necessity to apply a multiple sampling approach in order to characterize the glacier melt end‐member and (b) reveal the importance of groundwater and rainfall–runoff dynamics in catchments with a glacial flow regime.
Best evidence topic - Cardiac general Are prophylactic b-blockers of benefit in reducing the incidence of AF following coronary bypass surgery?

A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether prophylactic beta-blockers effectively reduces the incidence of atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery. Altogether 113 papers were found using the reported search, of which 8 represented the best evidence on this topic. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses were tabulated. We conclude that prophylactic beta-blockers clearly reduce the incidence of AF with a number needed to treat of only seven to prevent one episode of AF. The optimal beta-blocker or the benefits to patients with impaired ejection fraction are less clear. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Association between Resting-State Coactivation in the Parieto-Frontal Network and Intelligence during Late Childhood and Adolescence

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: A number of studies have associated the adult intelligence quotient with the structure and function of the bilateral parieto-frontal networks, whereas the relationship between intelligence quotient and parieto-frontal network function has been found to be relatively weak in early childhood. Because both human intelligence and brain function undergo protracted development into adulthood, the purpose of the present study was to provide a better understanding of the development of the parieto-frontal network–intelligence quotient relationship. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed independent component analysis of resting-state fMRI data of 84 children and 50 adolescents separately and then correlated full-scale intelligence quotient with the spatial maps of the bilateral parieto-frontal networks of each group. RESULTS: In children, significant positive spatial-map versus intelligence quotient correlations were detected in the right angular gyrus and inferior frontal gyrus in the right parieto-frontal network, and no significant correlation was observed in the left parieto-frontal network. In adolescents, significant positive correlation was detected in the left inferior frontal gyrus in the left parieto-frontal network, and the correlations in the frontal pole in the 2 parieto-frontal networks were only marginally significant. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings not only support the critical role of the parieto-frontal networks for intelligence but indicate that the relationship between intelligence quotient and the parieto-frontal network in the right hemisphere has been well established in late childhood, and that the relationship in the left hemisphere was also established in adolescence.
Antioxidant Vitamins, Oxidant Injuries and Diseases

Over the past few decades antioxidant vitamins have been shown to aid in disease prophylaxis as well as treatment. Deficiencies of these vitamins in diets have resulted in associated deficiency syndromes in both humans and animals. Since a handful of disease conditions is associated with imbalances of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione as well as increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitrogen oxide species (NOS) and lipid per-oxidation markers such as malondialdehyde, supplementation with antioxidant vitamins has resulted in amelioration of oxidative damage and ultimately disease recession. Vitamins A, C and E together with compounds such as carotenoids have been extensively studied for their roles in disease modulation or exacerbation. However, while Vitamins C and E have been shown to have immense potentials in the alleviation of several conditions, Vitamin A and especially carotenoids had shown little or no use in conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention. This review highlights the documented roles of these vitamins in disease prevention over the past few decades and the potentials that need to be explored further.
Effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera) water with or without egg-yolk on viability of cryopreserved buck spermatozoa

The effects of semen extenders containing coconut (Cocos nucifera) water alone or combined with egg yolk on viability of spermatozoa during cryopreservation of semen obtained from West African Dwarf (WAD) bucks were studied. Coconut water (5, 10, 15 and 20 ml/100 ml) was diluted with pooled semen samples in study I, while in study II, the pooled semen samples were diluted with egg yolk and coconut water (EYCW) at 5:10, 10:10 and 10:5 in Tris-based extenders. The control consisted of Tris-based extenders plus sodium citrate. The diluted semen samples were cryopreserved for 30 days and evaluated for sperm viability parameters. Following cryopreservation, acrosome reaction and capacitation of spermatozoa were induced in vitro. The results showed that motility was higher (P < 0.05) in coconut water extenders compared to the control and improvement in this parameter was best at 10% coconut water. More spermatozoa cryopreserved with coconut water underwent induced acrosome reaction and capacitation compared to the control and 10% coconut water had the highest values (P < 0.05). The results showed that motility was better preserved in EYCW5:10 and EYCW10:10 extenders (P < 0.05). While more spermatozoa underwent induced acrosome reaction and capacitation with coconut water and egg yolk extenders at different combinations compared to the control (P < 0.05), the highest values of acrosome integrity and membrane integrity were observed in EYCW5: 10 extenders. The results revealed that 10% coconut water and EYCW5:10 gave better improvement of sperm viability parameters. The findings indicated that coconut water extender improved the quality of cryopreserved spermatozoa of WAD bucks.
F LORAL SCENT AND POLLINATORS OF THE HOLOPARASITE P ILOSTYLES THURBERI ( A PODANTHACEAE )

Floral scent is likely important to the pollination of parasitic plants, despite that it has not been wellstudied. We studied the pollination ecology of the North American stem holoparasite Pilostyles thurberi (Apodanthaceae) at two field sites in Texas. To identify effective pollinators, we collected floral visitors to P. thurberi flowers, observed their foraging behavior, and looked for P. thurberi pollen on their bodies. Augochloropsis metallica bees (Halictidae) and eumenine potter wasps (Vespidae) were pollinators. P. thurberi flowers are visually inconspicuous but produce a strong fruity fragrance. GC/MS analysis of whole floral extracts and dynamic headspace samples revealed the fragrance to be an unusually simple bouquet of raspberry ketone and several eugenols. Comparison of scent profiles to those from uninfected host plants (Dalea formosa) allowed putative separation of parasite and host volatiles. This is the first report of the constituents of floral fragrance in Apodanthaceae.
Differentiating Day from Night Effects of High Ambient [CO2] on the Gas Exchange and Growth ofXanthium strumariumL. Exposed to Salinity Stress☆

Sodium chloride, at a concentration of 88 mol m−3in half strength Hoagland nutrient solution, increased dry weight per unit area ofXanthium strumariumL. leaves by 19%, and chlorophyll by 45% compared to plants grown without added NaCl at ambient (350 μmol mol−1) CO2concentration. Photosynthesis, per unit leaf area, was almost unaffected. Even so, over a 4-week period, growth (dry weight increment) was reduced in the salt treatment by 50%. This could be ascribed to a large reduction in leaf area (>60%) and to an approx. 20% increase in the rate of dark respiration (Rd). Raising ambient [CO2] from zero to 2000 μmol mol−1decreased Rd in both control and salinized plants (by 20% at 1000, and by 50% at 2000 μmol mol−1CO2concentration) compared to Rd in the absence of ambient CO2. High night-time [CO2] had no significant effect on growth of non-salinized plants, irrespective of day-time ambient [CO2]. Growth reduction caused by salt was reduced from 51% in plants grown in 350 μmol mol−1throughout the day, to 31% in those grown continuously in 900 μmol mol−1[CO2]. The effect of [CO2] at night on salinized plants depended on the daytime CO2concentration. Under 350 μmol mol−1day-time [CO2], 900 μmol mol−1at night reduced growth over a 4-week period by 9% (P<0.05) and 1700 μmol mol−1reduced it by 14% (P<0.01). However, under 900 μmol mol−1day-time [CO2], 900vs. 350 μmol mol−1[CO2] at night increased growth by 17% (P<0.01). It is concluded that there is both a functional and an otiose (functionless) component to Rd, which is increased by salt. Under conditions of low photosynthesis (such as here, in the low day-time [CO2] regime) the otiose component is small and high night-time [CO2] partly suppresses functional Rd, thereby reducing salt tolerance. In plants growing under conditions which stimulate photosynthesis (e.g. with increased daytime [CO2]), elevated [CO2] at night suppresses mainly the otiose component of respiration, thus increasing growth. Consequently, in regions of adequate water and sunlight, the predicted further elevation of the world atmospheric [CO2] may increase plant salinity tolerance.
Constituents of plants growing in Qatar: part xxviii. Constituents Of cistanche phelypaea

أسفرت دراسة مكونات نبات السيستانكا عن فصل المركبات التالية : ايكيناكوزيد ، تيوبليوزيد ايه ، تيوبليوزيد إي ، اكتيوسيد ، 2 - اسيتيل اكتيوسيد ، 6 - ديوكسي كاتالبول ، جلوروسيد ، اجوغول ، سيرينجين ، بيتا سيتوستيرول .
How to stimulate transformative learning? : an explorative study into the triggers of transformative learning in the context of entrepreneurial development

This research focused on developing a greater understanding of the process of – and factors that affect transformative learning within the entrepreneurial context. Diaries of entrepreneurs engaged in an incubator program were analysed and coded on instances of transformative learning and related triggers. After the qualitative analysis, 386 instances of transformative learning were found, divided among three elements of transformative learning: Critical Self Reflection, Reflective Dialogue and Reflective Action. Four categories of triggers were found: (1) internal VentureLabTwente related triggers, which are related to the incubator program in which the entrepreneurs participated; (2) external business related triggers, for example industrial partners or investors; (3) the triggers that are related to their internal business environment, i.e. colleagues or product developments and (4) non-business related triggers, for example family or health. A chi-square analysis has been performed to investigate the relationship between the element of transformative learning and found trigger(s). The results show that the best way to stimulate Critical Self Reflection, is to make use of Non-business related environment triggers, while the optimal way to stimulate Reflective Dialogue is to make use of the Internal VLT environment triggers. Furthermore, the best way to stimulate Reflective Action is to make use of the Internal business related triggers in encouraging actions that are executed within the venture of the entrepreneur.
The role of spatial scale and the perception of large‐scale species‐richness patterns

Despite two centuries of exploration, our understanding of factors determining the distribution of life on Earth is in many ways still in its infancy. Much of the disagreement about governing processes of variation in species richness may be the result of differences in our perception of species-richness patterns. Until recently, most studies of large-scale species-richness patterns assumed implicitly that patterns and mechanisms were scale invariant. Illustrated with examples and a quantitative analysis of published data on altitudinal gradients of species richness (n = 204), this review discusses how scale effects (extent and grain size) can influence our perception of patterns and processes. For example, a hump-shaped altitudinal species-richness pattern is the most typical (c. 50%), with a monotonic decreasing pattern (c. 25%) also frequently reported, but the relative distribution of patterns changes readily with spatial grain and extent. If we are to attribute relative impact to various factors influencing species richness and distribution and to decide at which point along a spatial and temporal continuum they act, we should not ask only how results vary as a function of scale but also search for consistent patterns in these scale effects. The review concludes with suggestions of potential routes for future analytical exploration of species-richness patterns.
No . 18 THE DISTRIBUTION OF RADIATIONAL TEMPERATURE CHANGE IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE DURING MARCH

The average radiation flux and flux divergence in the atmosphere during March is computed as a function of the chief absorbents of terrestrial and solar radiation, and the physical parameters of the atmosphere such as pressure, temperature and cloudiness. The infrared flux for water vapor is computed graphically from Elsasser radiation charts. The absorption of insolation by water vapor is computed with the aid of an empirical formula. The net radiation flux divergence is then computed by methods of finite differences. It is shown that the entire troposphere constitutes an energy source insofar as radiative processes are concerned, and that at all latitudes, the largest radiational heat loss is in the middle troposphere. It is also shown that the effect of cloudiness is to concentrate this maximum radiational cooling to layers at about the height of middle cloudiness (3 to 4 km). The net heat loss at this level is found to be about 1.5 to 2.00C day '. It is suggested that the major contribution to heating the troposphere, to offset the loss due to radiation, is the release of latent heat by condensation.
Reducing spray volume for the control of Leucoptera coffeella (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae) in coffee plants

Avaliou-se, no presente trabalho, a reducao do volume de calda no controle de Leucoptera coffeella (Guerin-Meneville & Perrottet, 1842) (Lepidoptera: Lyonetiidae, no cafe. Foi utilizado um pulverizador convencional nos volumes de 200 e 400 L ha-1 e um pulverizador de ultrabaixo volume (UBV) a 46, 67 e 92 L ha-1. As pulverizacoes utilizaram 800 mL ha-1 do inseticida profenofos+lufenuron. O marcador MnSO4 foi adicionado as caldas, na proporcao de 20 g L-1. Folhas foram coletadas em diferentes partes da planta para avaliar a quantidade de calda inseticida depositada. Para o controle de L. coffeella, folhas foram coletadas antes e depois de 7, 14 e 21 dias apos pulverizacao (DAP), para a avaliacao do numero de larvas de L. coffeella vivas e mortas. Os dados foram submetidos a analise de variância com medias comparadas pelo teste de Tukey (p<0,05). Nao houve diferenca significativa na quantidade de calda depositada entre 200 e 400 L ha-1, bem como entre os UBVs 46, 67 e 92 L ha-1, porem estes ultimos tiveram depositos significativamente menores, comparados aos dois maiores volumes. O volume estimado de inseticida depositado foi significativamente maior para 200 L ha-1. O controle sem pulverizacao teve maior numero de larvas vivas de L. coffeella comparado as pulverizacoes aos 7 e 21 DAP, com excecao para 14 DAP. O volume de 200 L ha-1, por meio do pulverizador convencional, e 92 L ha-1, com o pulverizador UBV, podem ser adotados em plantacoes de cafe, proporcionando deposito de inseticida e controle de L. coffeella com eficiencia acima de 80%.
Co(II) optical absorption in spinels : Infrared and ligand-field spectroscopic study of the ionicity of the bond. Magnetic structure and Co2+ → Fe3+ MMCT in ferrites. Correlation with the magneto-optical properties

The analysis of the infrared and ligand field spectra of COM2O4 spinels reveals that the ionicity of these compounds varies in the following order aluminate > gallate > ferrite and chromite > rhodite and cobaltite. A linear relation has been established between the Δ(LO-TO)1 splitting, Racah parameter and the ionic-covalent parameter SSp=ΣICP