Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Health care disparities among octogenarians and nonagenarians with stage III lung cancer

To the authors' knowledge, the practice patterns for patients aged more than 80 years with stage III non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is not well known. The purpose of the current study was to investigate factors predictive of and the impact on overall survival (OS) after concurrent chemoradiation (CRT) among patients aged ≥80 years with American Joint Committee on Cancer stage III NSCLC in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB).
Enterococcal Aggregation Substance and Binding Substance Are Not Major Contributors to Urinary Tract Colonization by Enterococcus faecalis in a Mouse Model of Ascending Unobstructed Urinary Tract Infection

ABSTRACT Isogenic Enterococcus faecalis strains that differ in their expression of aggregation substance (AS) and its cognate receptor, enterococcal binding substance (EBS), were compared for urovirulence in mice. Strain OG1SSp/pCF500 (inducible AS+, constitutive EBS+) failed to outcompete isogenic derivative INY3000 (AS− EBS−) in the urine, bladders, or kidneys of mice harvested at 48 h postinoculation. Neither mouse nor human urine induced AS expression by OG1SSp/pCF500. Recombinant strain OG1SSp/pINY1801 (constitutive AS+, EBS+) exhibited plasmid segregation that was as extensive in vivo as in vitro. These data suggest that AS and EBS do not contribute to upper or lower urinary tract colonization by E. faecalis and that growth in urine does not induce AS expression by strains carrying plasmids in the pCF10 family.
CdS x Se y /TiO 2 Solar Cell Prepared with Sintered Mixture Deposition

Gr? tzel cells were prepared by using CdSe- and CdSxSey-nanoparticles as sensitizer. The quantum dots were incorporated in various sizes and concentrations in a TiO2 nanoparticle layer by a simple mixing procedure. The advantage of this method compared to anchoring of nanoparticles to TiO2 by linker molecules or chemical bath deposition is that we are able to control the ratio between TiO2 and CdSe or CdSxSey more precisely and over a larger range of concentrations. TiO2 solar cells sensitized by this technique achieved photon-to-current conversion efficiencies (IPCE) of ~40% in the range of 300 - 500 nm with a maximum IPCE of ~70% at 400 nm (sulphide/sulphate electrolyte). The best results at wavelengths above 500 nm were achieved with CdSxSey/TiO2 cells at a molar ratio of 6:1 (S:Se) with IPCE of 40% at 500 nm and still 15% at 800 nm. Quantum efficiencies obtained with iodine/iodide electrolyte were lower and lead to an overall efficiency of 0.32%. The CdSxSey sensitized solar cells show enhanced stability compared to CdSe based systems and the use of the iodine/iodide electrolyte increases cell endurance further.
Aeromonas salmonicida Growth in Response to Atlantic Salmon Mucins Differs between Epithelial Sites, Is Governed by Sialylated and N-Acetylhexosamine-Containing O-Glycans, and Is Affected by Ca2+

ABSTRACT Aeromonas salmonicida causes furunculosis in salmonids and is a threat to Atlantic salmon aquaculture. The epithelial surfaces that the pathogen colonizes are covered by a mucus layer predominantly comprised of secreted mucins. By using mass spectrometry to identify mucin glycan structures with and without enzymatic removal of glycan residues, coupled to measurements of bacterial growth, we show here that the complex Atlantic salmon intestinal mucin glycans enhance A. salmonicida growth, whereas the more simple skin mucin glycans do not. Of the glycan residues present terminally on the salmon mucins, only N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) enhances growth. Sialic acids, which have an abundance of 75% among terminal glycans from skin and of <50% among intestinal glycans, cannot be removed or used by A. salmonicida for growth-enhancing purposes, and they shield internal GlcNAc from utilization. A Ca2+ concentration above 0.1 mM is needed for A. salmonicida to be able to utilize mucins for growth-promoting purposes, and 10 mM further enhances both A. salmonicida growth in response to mucins and binding of the bacterium to mucins. In conclusion, GlcNAc and sialic acids are important determinants of the A. salmonicida interaction with its host at the mucosal surface. Furthermore, since the mucin glycan repertoire affects pathogen growth, the glycan repertoire may be a factor to take into account during breeding and selection of strains for aquaculture.
Characterization of the mitogenome of Uropsilus gracilis and species delimitation

Abstract The species diversity within the genus Uropsilus were underestimated: 10 species among the genus Uropsilus have been proposed. In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of U. gracilis, with the topotype, was determined. It is 16,536 bp in length, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes and 1 control region. The composition and arrangement of its genes are similar to most other mammals. The total base composition of the mitogenome is A, 33.4%; T, 30.3%; C, 22.7% and G, 13.6%, with a rich content of A+T pattern. We performed the similarity comparison based on 13 PCGs of three species of Asiatic shrew-like mole, U. gracilis, U. sp. 1 and U. soricipes. Pairwise sequence alignment showed that similarity data of U. gracilis versus U. sorcipes are significantly higher than those of U. gracilis versus U. sp.1. This pointed toward a cryptic species (U. sp.1) from Jiajin Mountains rather than U. gracilis.
Antithrombotic Drugs:Insights f rom Cardiology

The primary purpose of this overview is to provide an update on the newer antiplatelet drugs evaluated in clinical trials and introduced in clinical practice of modern cardiology. Despite the remarkable clinical developments with the use of new antiplatelet drugs, several fundamental issues remain unresolved. Some of the observed safety/efficacy problems in major clinical trials can be directly attributed to the lack of careful phase II studies where issues such as monitoring, pharmacological profiles, and individual response variations were not considered sufficiently. Nevertheless, none of the available antiplatelet agents meet all the criteria of an ideal antiplatelet agent. Aspirin has been the standard reference agent in cardiovascular disease. However, it is a weak and nonselective antiplatelet compound and is unable to interfere substantially with the thrombogenic activity of a fresh mural thrombus of a stenosed vessel. The newer antiplatelet drug classes such as the ADP receptor blockers (ticlopidine, clopidogrel) and the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors produce their therapeutic effects by distinct mechanisms which differ from aspirin. Large clinical trials have documented their efficacy in acute coronary syndromes associated with intracoronary thrombus formation. The future challenge is to evaluate long-term treatment strategies which are equally safe but distinctly more effective than aspirin, e.g. a combination therapy with aspirin and clopidogrel or oral GP IIb/IIIa receptor antagonists.
Hypovitaminosis D and orthostatic hypotension: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objectives: Orthostatic hypotension is a common condition among older adults and is associated with a range of deleterious outcomes. Recently, interest has developed in hypovitaminosis D (defined as low 25 hydroxiyvitamin D levels) as a potential risk factor for orthostatic hypotension. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association of orthostatic hypotension between study participants with and without hypovitaminosis D, including the adjustment of potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, renal function, comorbidities, seasonality, use of antihypertensive medications, and supplementation with cholecalciferol). Methods: A systematic literature search of major electronic databases from inception until 09/2015 was made for articles providing data on orthostatic hypotension and hypovitaminosis D. A random effects meta-analysis of cross-sectional studies investigating orthostatic hypotension prevalence comparing participants with vs. those without hypovitaminosis D was undertaken, calculating the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Of 317 initial hits, five cross-sectional studies were meta-analysed including 3646 participants (1270 with hypovitaminosis D and 2376 without). The participants with hypovitaminosis D had a higher prevalence of orthostatic hypotension (OR = 1.88; 95% CI: 1.25–2.84; I2 = 68%) that was not affected by adjusting for a median of five potential confounders (OR = 2.03; 95% CI: 1.13–3.68; I2 = 73%). People with orthostatic hypotension had significantly reduced serum vitamin D concentrations (standardized mean difference = −0.42; 95% CI: −0.72 to −0.12). One longitudinal study confirmed the association between hypovitaminosis D and orthostatic hypotension. Conclusion: Our meta-analysis highlights that hypovitaminosis D is associated with orthostatic hypotension, independent of potential confounders. Further longitudinal studies and clinical trials are required to confirm these findings.
The rapid 'tonic' and the delayed 'induction' components of the prolactin-induced activation of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neurons following the systemic administration of prolactin.

The present study was designed to characterize the time and dose relationships of the response of tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons in the rat to systemically administered prolactin (PRL). The activity of TIDA neurons was estimated by measuring the rate of dopamine (DA) synthesis in the median eminence (DOPA accumulation following the administration of a decarboxylase inhibitor). Rats were pretreated with bromocriptine, a dopaminergic agonist, so as to inhibit the release of endogenous PRL from the anterior pituitary, and thereby reduce the activity of TIDA neurons to a 'basal' level from which it could be increased subsequently by exogenously administered PRL. In control animals an intraperitoneal injection of ovine PRL (oPRL) increased DOPA accumulation at 16 h, but not before, whereas in bromocriptine-pretreated animals an intraperitoneal injection of oPRL increased DOPA accumulation after 4 h ('tonic' component) and caused a further increase after 16 h ('induction' component). Continuous intravenous infusions of oPRL into bromocriptine-pretreated rats increased DOPA accumulation in the median eminence by 4 h, and when infused into control rats oPRL reduced serum concentrations of endogenous rat PRL (rPRL) by 2 and 4 h. Continuous intravenous infusions of rPRL increased DOPA accumulation in the median eminence after 2 h; this effect exhibited a very steep dose-response relationship (possibly an 'all-or-none' response). TIDA neurons were very sensitive to changes in circulating concentrations of PRL; their activity was increased if serum PRL concentrations were merely doubled by infusing a low concentration of rPRL for 4 h. Three daily injections of haloperidol elevated circulating rPRL concentrations and increased the rate of DOPA accumulation in the median eminence. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A tool compound targeting the core binding factor Runt domain to disrupt binding to CBFβ in leukemic cells

Abstract The core binding factor (CBF) gene RUNX1 is a target of chromosomal translocations in leukemia, including t(8;21) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Normal CBF function is essential for activity of AML1-ETO, product of the t(8;21), and for survival of several leukemias lacking RUNX1 mutations. Using virtual screening and optimization, we developed Runt domain inhibitors which bind to the Runt domain and disrupt its interaction with CBFβ. On-target activity was demonstrated by the Runt domain inhibitors’ ability to depress hematopoietic cell formation in zebrafish embryos, reduce growth and induce apoptosis of t(8;21) AML cell lines, and reduce progenitor activity of mouse and human leukemia cells harboring the t(8;21), but not normal bone marrow cells. Runt domain inhibitors had similar effects on murine and human T cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (T-ALL) cell lines. Our results confirmed that Runt domain inhibitors might prove efficacious in various AMLs and in T-ALL.
Endocrine and Metabolic Changes in Neonatal Calves in Response to Growth Hormone and Long-R3-Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Administration

Postnatal growth is primarily controlled by growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). We have studied effects of recombinant bovine GH (rbGH) and Long-R3-insulin-like growth factor-I (Long-R3-IGF-I) on metabolic and endocrine characteristics of neonatal calves. Group GrC (control) was fed colostrum as first meal and then milk replacer up to day 7. Groups GrIGFf, GrIGFi and GrGH were fed as GrC. In group GrIGFf, Long-R3-IGF-I (50 µg/[kg × day], twice daily for 7 days) was fed together with colostrum or milk replacer and in group GrIGFi, Long-R3-IGF-I (50 µg/[kg × day], twice daily for 7 days) was injected subcutaneously at times of feeding. Calves of group GrGH were injected rbGH (1 mg/[kg × day, s.c.], twice daily for 7 days) at times of feeding. While orally administered Long-R3-IGF-I had no effects, subcutaneously administered Long-R3-IGF-I lowered plasma glucose and insulin concentrations (p < 0.05). In group GrGH, day-2 postprandial plasma insulin concentrations were increased more than in Long-R3-IGF-I-treated groups (p < 0.05) and day-2 postprandial prolactin responses were greater in group GrGH than in controls (p < 0.05). Other traits (lactic acid, nonesterified fatty acids, glucagon, cortisol, thyroxine and 3.5.3′-triiodothyronine) exhibited age-dependent changes, but were not significantly affected by rbGH or Long-R3-IGF-I. The study shows, that parenteral, but not oral, Long-R3-IGF-I affects plasma glucose and insulin concentrations, and that rbGH transiently influences plasma prolactin concentrations in neonatal calves.
Socially grounded game strategy enhances bonding and perceived smartness of a humanoid robot

ABSTRACT In search for better technological solutions for education, we adapted a principle from economic game theory, namely that giving a help will promote collaboration and eventually long-term relations between a robot and a child. This principle has been shown to be effective in games between humans and between humans and computer agents. We compared the social and cognitive engagement of children when playing checkers game combined with a social strategy against a robot or against a computer. We found that by combining the social and game strategy the children (average age of 8.3 years) had more empathy and social engagement with the robot since the children did not want to necessarily win against it. This finding is promising for using social strategies for the creation of long-term relations between robots and children and making educational tasks more engaging. An additional outcome of the study was the significant difference in the perception of the children about the difficulty of the game – the game with the robot was seen as more challenging and the robot – as a smarter opponent. This finding might be due to the higher perceived or expected intelligence from the robot, or because of the higher complexity of seeing patterns in three-dimensional world.
Machine Learning and Electronic Health Records: A Paradigm Shift.

In the accompanying article, Barack-Corren et al. use machine learning (ML) methods to build a highly predictive model of suicidal behavior using longitudinal electronic health records (EHRs). They do so using a well-established, probability-based ML algorithm, the Naïve Bayes Classifier (NBC), to mine through ~1.7 million patient records, spanning 15 years (1998–2012), from two large Boston hospitals. After training the NBC model on a randomly selected half of the data, the predictive ability of the model was assessed on the second half, yielding accurate (35%–49% sensitivity at 90%–95% specificity) and, critically, early (3 – 4 years in advance on average) prediction of patients’ future suicidal behavior. In this, the authors benefitted from access to a large and high-quality EHR database and choose an appropriate, and powerful, analytical method in NBC. Further, the research has clear clinical applications in the potential for early detection warnings via physician EHR notices. Beyond such specifics, the article has broader significance in its demonstration of how the atheoretical ML approaches popular in Silicon Valley can successfully mine clinical insights from an exponentially growing body of EHR data. It also hints toward a future in which ML of big medical data may become a ubiquitous component of clinical research and practice— a prospect that some are uncomfortable with.
Adverse pregnancy outcomes and future maternal cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in women. Although traditional risk factors increase later‐life CVD, pregnancy‐associated complications additionally influence future CVD risk in women. Recent guidelines for the prevention of CVD in women have added adverse pregnancy outcomes as major CVD risk factors. Studies have shown that women with a history of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm delivery, and delivery of a small‐for‐gestational‐age infant have an increased risk of developing cardiometabolic risk factors and subsequent CVD. A history of multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes further increases this risk. It has been suggested that these pregnancy complications may unmask preexisting elevated CVD risk; however, whether the pathophysiologic changes underlying these conditions directly result in long‐term cardiovascular damage is unclear. The purpose of this review was to highlight the associations between adverse pregnancy outcomes and future CVD, and to emphasize the importance of considering pregnancy history in assessing a woman's CVD risk. Targeted efforts to initiate screening and risk‐reduction strategies in women with prior history of pregnancy complications, particularly lifestyle modification, may help decrease the burden of CVD in women.
DOCUMENTATION AND DISSEMINATION OF INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE BY LIBRARY PERSONNEL IN SELECTED RESEARCH INSTITUTES IN NIGERIA

Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and practices are usually unwritten; relying on oral transmission and human memory. As a result, this study investigated the documentation and dissemination of Indigenous Knowledge by library personnel at five selected research institutes in Ibadan, Nigeria. Using the descriptive survey design, six (6) questions raised to achieve the stated objectives. Structured questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. The population comprised of professionals and para-professionals library staff at Nigeria Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER), Institute of African Studies (IFRA), Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Purposive sampling method was used to select samples considering the resources to be expended and time involved for the study. Data were analyzed with the use of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS 16) while simple frequency count of percentage distribution was used to present the results of findings in table. Some of the findings of the study revealed that Indigenous Knowledge documented at the research institutes were on: Agriculture; kingship system in different towns; traditional medicine; general traditional culture; as well as traditional politics and governance. In addition, Indigenous Knowledge practices were documented with recordings and visual documentation among other methods, and these are being done by all the library personnel. Meanwhile, Indigenous Knowledge practices are being disseminated through: video, library website, print media, direct mail, public lectures, exhibitions and displays, and exchange. Certain recommendations were made based on the findings of this study.
The Timing Control of Geminate and Single Stop Consonants in Japanese: A Challenge for Nonnative Speakers

Abstract The stop closure durations and voice onset time of geminate and single voiceless stops in Japanese were examined with two groups of subjects: native Japanese and fluent Americans. The two groups were found to have different manners of timing control of these segments. The results indicated that the 10 native speakers distinguished between the geminate and single stops by controlling the closure durations in the mean ratio of 2.8:1.0, while the 4 fluent Americans pronounced the same tokens in diverse and random manners. The timing control of geminate and single stop consonants is a challenge for nonnative speakers who may either miss the contrast, or may pronounce geminate and single stops with the ratio of approximately 2.0:1.0.
Effect of the age of broodstock males on sperm function during cold storage in the trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The knowledge of sperm quality in the broodstock males of different ages is a prerequisite to identify the reproductive ability of cultivated fish for the hatchery management. Thus, in this work, we analysed sperm function of the semen stored of broodstock males of rainbow trout (Oncorhychus mykiss) in different reproductive ages (2, 3 and 4 years old). Sperm samples of each reproductive age were stored in Storfish® during 10 days at 4°C, and then, motility, viability, mitochondrial function (MMP), superoxide anion ( O2− ) level and DNA fragmentation (DNAfrag) were assessed. The results demonstrated that sperm function parameters were affected significantly by the age of the males and the time of storage. Motility, viability and MMP significantly decreased, and DNAfrag and O2− level increased with the age increment and the time of storage. In conclusion, sperm quality of 2 and 3 years old were superior to those of 4 years old, based on higher quality of various sperm functions such as motility, viability, MMP, DNA integrity and level O2− during short‐term storage. This information must be considered for optimum utilization of broodstock males in aquaculture.
Cognitive Functioning in the First-Episode of Major Depressive Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective: Cognitive deficits are frequently observed in major depression. Yet, when these deficits emerge and how they relate to the depressed state is unclear. The aim of this 2-part systematic review and meta-analysis is to determine the pattern and extent of cognitive deficits during a first-episode of depression (FED) and their persistence following FED remission. Method: Published, peer-reviewed articles on cognitive function in FED patients through October 2015 were searched. Meta-analyses with random-effects modeling were conducted. Part 1 assessed weighted, mean effect sizes of cognitive function in FED patients relative to healthy controls. Moderator analyses of clinical and demographical variables effects were conducted. Part 2 assessed weighted, mean effect sizes of change in cognitive function at remission compared with acute FED performance in longitudinal studies. Results: Thirty-one studies including 994 FED patients were retained in Part 1. Relative to healthy controls, small to large impairments were observed across most cognitive domains. Remission was associated with a normalization of function in processing speed, learning and memory, autobiographical memory, shifting, and IQ. Lower FED age was associated with higher IQ, but more impairment in word-list delayed memory. Four studies including 92 FED patients were retained in Part 2. Following remission, FED patients showed small improvements in processing speed and shifting but persistent impairment in inhibition and verbal fluency. Conclusion: Significant cognitive deficits are already identifiable during a FED, with some functions showing persistent impairment upon remission. Clinicians must consider cognitive impairment alongside mood symptoms to ensure functional recovery from the FED.