Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Long term efficacy, safety, and tolerabilitity of low daily doses of isosmotic polyethylene glycol electrolyte balanced solution (PMF-100) in the treatment of functional chronic constipation

AIMS To assess the long term therapeutic effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of low daily doses of isosmotic PEG electrolyte solutions (PMF-100) administered for a six month period for the treatment of functional constipation, in a double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study. METHODS After an initial four week run in period with PMF-100 (250 ml twice daily; PEG 14.6 g twice daily), 70 patients suffering from chronic constipation (58 females, aged 42 (15) years) with normalised bowel frequency (>3 bowel movements (bm)/week) were randomly allocated to receive either PMF-100 or placebo, contained in sachets (one sachet in 250 ml of water twice daily) for 20 weeks. Patients were assessed at four week intervals, and reported frequency and modality of evacuation, laxative use, and relevant symptoms on a diary card. At weeks 1, 12, and 24, a physical examination and laboratory tests were performed. RESULTS Complete remission of constipation was reported by a significantly (p<0.01) higher number of patients treated with PMF-100 compared with placebo at each four week visit. At the end of the study, 77% of the PMF-100 group and 20% of the placebo group were asymptomatic. Compared with placebo, patients treated with PMF-100 reported hard/pellety stools and straining at defecation less frequently, a significantly higher bowel frequency (week 12: 7.4 (3.1) v 4.3 (2.5) bm/week, 95% CI 1.64, 4.42; week 24: 7.4 (3.2)v 5.4 (2.1) bm/week, 95% CI 0.13,3.93), reduced consumption of laxative/four weeks (week 12: 0.7 (2.7)v 2.2 (3.3), 95% CI −2.29, 0.03; week 24: 0.2 (0.8) v 1.4 (2), 95% CI −2.07, −0.023), reduced mean number of sachets used (week 12: 33 (13)v 43 (12), 95% CI −17.24, 4.56; week 24: 33 (13) v 44 (12), 95% CI −19.68, −2.24), and reduced number of drop outs for therapy failure (16v 3; p<0.005). Adverse events, physical findings, laboratory values, palatability, and overall tolerance of the solutions did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS Administration of small daily doses of isosmotic PEG electrolyte balanced solutions was effective over a six month period for the treatment of functional constipation. A mean daily dose of approximately 300 ml of PEG solution (PEG 17.52 g) appeared to be safe, well tolerated, and devoid of significant side effects.
Power-Saving in Storage Systems for Cloud Data Sharing Services with Data Access Prediction

SUMMARY We present a power-saving method for large-scale storage systems of cloud data sharing services, particularly those providing media (video and photograph) sharing services. The idea behind our method is to periodically rearrange stored data in a disk array, so that the workload is skewed toward a small subset of disks, while other disks can be sent to standby mode. This idea is borrowed from the Popular Data Concentration (PDC) technique, but to avoid an increase in response time caused by the accesses to disks in standby mode, we introduce a function that predicts future access frequencies of the uploaded files. This function uses the correlation of potential future accesses with the combination of elapsed time after upload and the total number of accesses in the past. We obtain this function in statistical analysis of the real access patterns of 50,000 randomly selected publicly available photographs on Flickr over 7,000 hours (around 10 months). Moreover, to adapt to a constant massive influx of data, we propose a mechanism that effectively packs the continuously uploaded data into the disk array in a storage system based on the PDC. To evaluate the effectiveness of our method, we measured the performance in simulations and a prototype implementation. We observed that our method consumed 12.2% less energy than the static configuration (in which all disks are in active mode). At the same time, our method maintained a preferred response time, with 0.23% of the total accesses involving disks in standby mode.
Breast conservation versus mastectomy for patients with T3 primary tumors (>5 cm): A review of 5685 medicare patients

Although breast conservation therapy (BCT) is standard for breast cancer treatment, patients with tumors measuring >5 cm have been excluded from clinical trials. Nevertheless, only a few small retrospective series to date have compared BCT with mastectomy for tumors measuring >5 cm. The current study was performed to determine whether survival is equivalent for BCT versus mastectomy using a large national data set.
Comparison of intestinal metabolism of CYP3A substrates between rats and humans: application of portal–systemic concentration difference method

Abstract 1. Rats are frequently used in pharmacokinetic studies during drug discovery. However, there is limited information regarding species differences in intestinal availability (Fg) between rats and humans. 2. Here, we directly estimated the fraction of dose absorbed in the portal vein (FaFg) of rats for nine CYP3A substrates using portal–systemic concentration difference method and compared them with human FaFg. No distinct difference in FaFg between the two species was observed, and seven of the nine compounds were within a two-fold difference. Given that their net fraction of dose absorbed (Fa) are expected to be high, this result indicates a moderate correlation in Fg between the two species. 3. In contrast, the in vitro intrinsic clearance (CLint,u) in rat intestinal microsomes tended to be lower than that in humans, and the correlation between intestinal CLint,u and FaFg in rats was poor compared with that in humans. 4. Our finding indicates that rats are appropriate animals for evaluation of the intestinal absorption and metabolism of CYP3A substrates. However, a degree of caution is required when estimating rat Fg from rat intestinal microsomes due to the low metabolic activity and the poor correlation between in vitro and in vivo intestinal metabolism.
The Aspergillus nidulans metR gene encodes a bZIP protein which activates transcription of sulphur metabolism genes

The identification, isolation and characterization of a new Aspergillus nidulans positive‐acting gene metR, which encodes a transcriptional activator of sulphur metabolism, is reported. metR mutants are tight auxotrophs requiring methionine or homocysteine for growth. Mutations in the metR gene are epistatic to mutations in the negative‐acting sulphur regulatory scon genes. The metR coding sequence is interrupted by a single intron of 492 bp which is unusually long for fungi. Aspergillus nidulans METR is a member of bZIP family of DNA‐binding proteins. The bZIP domains of METR and the Neurospora crassa CYS3 transcriptional activator of sulphur genes are highly similar. Although Neurospora cys‐3 gene does not substitute for the metR function, a chimeric metR gene with a cys‐3 bZIP domain is able to transform the ΔmetR mutant to methionine prototrophy. This indicates that METR recognizes the same regulatory sequence as CYS3. The metR gene is not essential, as deletion mutants are viable and have similar phenotype as point mutants. In contrast to the Neurospora cys‐3, transcription of the metR gene was found to be regulated neither by METR protein nor by sulphur source. Transcription of metR gene is derepressed in the sconB2 mutant. Transcription of genes encoding sulphate permease, homocysteine synthase, cysteine synthase, ATP‐sulphurylase, and sulphur controller –sconB is strongly regulated by the metR gene product and depends on the character of the metR mutation and sulphur supplementation.
Respiratory syncytial virus infections in pediatric transplant recipients: A Canadian Paediatric Surveillance Program study

The incidence and spectrum of severity of RSV infections in SOT or HSCT recipients is not known. From September 2010 through August 2013, pediatricians were surveyed monthly by the CPSP for SOT or HSCT recipients with RSV infection within two yr post‐transplant. There were 24 completed case report forms that fit the inclusion criteria (10 HSCT and 14 SOT recipients). Six of 24 cases (25%) remained outpatients, and 11 (46%) were managed on an inpatient ward, while seven (29%) required intensive care of which five required mechanical ventilation and two died of RSV infection. Ten of 23 cases (43%) were nosocomial with these data not recorded for one case. Many transplant recipients recover uneventfully from RSV infection in the first two yr post‐transplant. However, severe disease and death also occur. Larger studies are required to establish risk factors for poor outcomes. Prevention of nosocomial RSV should be a priority in transplant recipients.
Factors associated with inhaled corticosteroids prescription in primary care patients with COPD: A cross-sectional study in the Balearic Islands (Spain)

Abstract Background: There is a worldwide over-prescription of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), off-label prescribing, and unnecessary prescription of high doses. Objectives: Our aim was to assess the prescription rate of ICS and to identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with ICS prescription among patients with COPD, treated in Balearic primary healthcare. Methods: This cross-sectional study included all patients with a clinical COPD diagnosis, who attended a primary care centre of the Balearic Islands (Spain) during 2012. Also, a sub-population with spirometry-confirmed COPD was defined. Data were obtained on patient demographics, smoking status, spirometry, ICS prescriptions, other respiratory medication, exacerbations and comorbidities. Associations with ICS and high-dose ICS prescription were assessed using multivariate regression analyses. Results: In total, 15,440 patients were included (70% men, mean age 68.6 years), and 44.6% were prescribed ICS. The largest association with ICS prescription was asthma comorbidity (OR: 3.50; 95%CI: 3.12–3.92), followed by exacerbation history (OR: 2.23; 95%CI: 2.07–2.47). In addition, smoking status, spirometry, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis and mean age were significantly (P < 0.001) associated with ICS treatment. In the spirometry-confirmed population, asthma (OR: 2.89; 95%CI: 2.29–3.64) and exacerbations were also the major factors (OR: 2.85; 95%CI: 2.45–3.32) followed by severe bronchial-obstruction (OR: 2.63; 95%CI: 2.24–3.08). High-dose ICS prescription was mainly associated with severe obstruction (OR: 2.27; 95%CI: 1.93–2.68). Conclusion: The percentage of COPD patients prescribed ICS in Balearic primary care is relatively low. Asthma comorbidity, exacerbation history, severe bronchial-obstruction, smoking status and a spirometry-confirmed COPD diagnosis were significantly associated with ICS prescription. Key Messages The proportion of COPD patients with ICS prescriptions in Balearic primary care is lower than proportions observed in other studies. Asthma comorbidity, exacerbations, severe bronchial-obstruction, smoking status and spirometry-registered data were associated with ICS prescription. High-dose ICS prescription was associated with severe obstruction, exacerbations and co-morbid asthma.
IL28B polymorphisms do not predict response to therapy in chronic hepatitis C with HCV genotype 5

We read with interest the paper by Hayes et al 1 on the impact of genetic polymorphisms near IL28B in predicting treatment response in chronic hepatitis C patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1 (HCV-1). These results confirm the large, existing evidence in support of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near IL28B being the most powerful predictors of virological response in patients infected with all major HCV genotypes, that is, 1–4.2 No data is available for HCV-5, a rare genotype neglected in clinical trials.3 We report IL28B SNP frequency and its impact on treatment outcome in 49 patients of homogeneous Caucasian ancestry, all from Syria, infected with HCV-5. Treatment included 180 μg …
Electromyographic Findings in Gracilis Muscle Grafts Used to Augment Elbow Flexion in Traumatic Brachial Plexopathy

Background: Gracilis muscle graft transplantation is one of the last resort surgical options to restore elbow flexion in patients with chronic traumatic upper-trunk brachial plexopathies. Methods: We retrospectively identified 34 patients who underwent surgeries between 1997 and 2014, and had postoperative follow-up for at least 12 months. Demographic, clinical, and electromyographic preoperative and postoperative data were analyzed. Results: The median age of injury was 30 years old. Most subjects had a complete loss of elbow flexion preoperatively (n = 28, 82.4%). Median time from injury to surgery was 20 months (range = 3–226 months). It did not correlate with the time to reinnervation on EMG (r = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.007–0.62) or with the time improvement in muscle strength (r = 0.35, 95% CI = 0.007–0.62). The mean postoperative follow-up interval was 22.35 months. During that period, 32 of 34 (94%) patients achieved reinnervation. Median times from surgery to graft innervation and to any improvement in elbow flexor muscle power were the same (8.5 months) with overlapping time to event curves. Conclusion: Despite the long-standing and complete loss of elbow flexion in most of our patients, gracilis transfer surgeries have helped most of them to achieve reinnervation and start to regain function. Electromyography is a helpful tool, which along with the clinical examination, can predict postoperative improvement.
Factor VII Morioka (FVII L‐26P): a homozygous missense mutation in the signal sequence identified in a patient with factor VII deficiency

We investigated the molecular basis of factor VII deficiency in a Japanese patient and identified a novel missense mutation in the signal sequence of the gene. Factor VII activity and antigen level measured in the patient were 10.7% and 11% of normal, respectively. All exons except 1B and the 5′‐flanking region containing promoter region were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from genomic DNA. Sequencing analysis of the PCR fragments revealed that the patient was a homozygote for a T to C substitution at nucleotide position 38. This mutation predicts an amino acid replacement of leucine to proline at codon −26 in the hydrophobic core of the signal peptide, which probably affects translocation of the protein into endoplasmic reticulum and subsequently causes reduction in plasma factor VII level.
Epidemiology of acute kidney injury in intensive care septic patients based on the KDIGO guidelines

Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of sepsis, which is associated with higher risks of adverse outcomes. Recently, kidney disease: improving global outcomes (KDIGO) recommended a new guideline for AKI, including a little modification on the AKI staging criteria. Methods This retrospective study included 211 septic patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from January 2008 to January 2011. AKI was diagnosed and classified according to the KDIGO or acute kidney injury network (AKIN) criteria. Differences between the AKI and non‐AKI groups for baseline characteristics, laboratory examinations, etiology, outcomes, as well as the risk factors for AKI and 28‐day mortality were analyzed. The reliability of the KDIGO criteria was also evaluated by comparing it with the AKIN criteria. Results The overall incidence of AKI in septic patients was 47.9%, and the 28‐day mortality was 32.7%. The incidence of AKI was significantly higher in patients with more severe sepsis. Indicators of hepatic and respiratory function were significantly worse in the AKI group. Furthermore, a higher proportion of patients were infected with Enterobacter cloacae in the AKI group. The independent risk factors for AKI were shock, the number of organ failures, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels, and the use of vasopressors. The independent risk factors for mortality were BUN and creatine kinase‐MB (CK‐MB) levels. Both the KDIGO criteria and the AKIN criteria were significantly associated with 28‐day mortality. Conclusions The incidence and 28‐day mortality of AKI were very high in ICU septic patients. Greater attention should be paid to AKI‐induced hepatic and respiratory dysfunction in clinical practice. Patients with an intra‐abdominal source of infection were more likely to develop AKI. KDIGO criteria are reliable in AKI staging. Chin Med J 2014;127 (10): 1820‐1826
Encounters, norms and perceived crowding of hikers in a non-North American backcountry recreational context.

This study explores encounters, norms and perceived crowding and their interrelationships in a non-North American backcountry recreational context. In 2005, visitors to Chilai mountain trails of Taroko National Park of Taiwan are surveyed. Using an on-site survey, 475 usable questionnaires are obtained. The survey results demonstrate that most hikers (57.5 %) reported a personal encounter norm. Almost 60 % of respondents say they feel somewhat crowded, crowded, and very crowded. The norm intensity is not salient and the degree of consensus among the sample is not crystallized. When reported encounters exceed hikers’ personal norm, their perceived crowding level increases. This study draws three primary conclusions. First, while personal encounter norms prevail, the social encounter norms are not crystallized. Second, the encounter-norm-crowding relationship can be generalized, even to a non-North American recreational context. Finally, the norms for encounters during a backcountry experience are not as low as in North American literature. Research implications are discussed as well.
Characterization of the Opsonic and Protective Activity against Staphylococcus aureus of Fully Human Monoclonal Antibodies Specific for the Bacterial Surface Polysaccharide Poly-N-Acetylglucosamine

ABSTRACT Carbohydrate antigens are important targets of the immune system in clearing bacterial pathogens. Although the immune system almost exclusively uses antibodies in response to foreign carbohydrates, there is still much to learn about the role of different epitopes on the carbohydrate as targets of protective immunity. We examined the role of acetyl group-dependent and -independent epitopes on the staphylococcal surface of polysaccharide poly-N-acetylated glucosamine (PNAG) by use of human monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for such epitopes. We utilized hybridoma technology to produce fully human immunoglobulin G2 (IgG2) MAbs from B cells of an individual post-Staphylococcus aureus infection and cloned the antibody variable regions to produce an IgG1 form of each original MAb. Specificity and functionality of the purified MAbs were tested in vitro using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, complement deposition, and opsonophagocytic assays. We found that a MAb (MAb F598) that bound the best to nonacetylated or backbone epitopes on PNAG had superior complement deposition and opsonophagocytic activity compared to two MAbs that bound optimally to PNAG that was expressed with a native level (>90%) of N-acetyl groups (MAbs F628 and F630). Protection of mice against lethality due to S. aureus strains Mn8 and Reynolds further showed that the backbone-specific MAb had optimal protective efficacy compared with the acetate-specific MAbs. These results provide evidence for the importance of epitope specificity in inducing the optimal protective antibody response to PNAG and indicate that MAbs to the deacetylated form of PNAG could be immunotherapeutic agents for preventing or treating staphylococcal infections.
A quality assurance phantom for the performance evaluation of volumetric micro-CT systems

Small-animal imaging has recently become an area of increased interest because more human diseases can be modeled in transgenic and knockout rodents. As a result, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) systems are becoming more common in research laboratories, due to their ability to achieve spatial resolution as high as 10 µm, giving highly detailed anatomical information. Most recently, a volumetric cone-beam micro-CT system using a flat-panel detector (eXplore Ultra, GE Healthcare, London, ON) has been developed that combines the high resolution of micro-CT and the fast scanning speed of clinical CT, so that dynamic perfusion imaging can be performed in mice and rats, providing functional physiological information in addition to anatomical information. This and other commercially available micro-CT systems all promise to deliver precise and accurate high-resolution measurements in small animals. However, no comprehensive quality assurance phantom has been developed to evaluate the performance of these micro-CT systems on a routine basis. We have designed and fabricated a single comprehensive device for the purpose of performance evaluation of micro-CT systems. This quality assurance phantom was applied to assess multiple image-quality parameters of a current flat-panel cone-beam micro-CT system accurately and quantitatively, in terms of spatial resolution, geometric accuracy, CT number accuracy, linearity, noise and image uniformity. Our investigations show that 3D images can be obtained with a limiting spatial resolution of 2.5 mm−1 and noise of ±35 HU, using an acquisition interval of 8 s at an entrance dose of 6.4 cGy.
Leader–Member Exchange and Work–Family Interactions: The Mediating Role of Self-Reported Challenge- and Hindrance-Related Stress

ABSTRACT The authors examined the relations among 4 components of the leader–member exchange (LMX) relationship (i.e., contribution, affect, loyalty, and professional respect) and the level of work–family conflict and work–family facilitation that an employee experiences. Further, the authors examined the mediating role of challenge- and hindrance-related self-reported stress on relations. In doing this, the authors linked positive and negative aspects of LMX, stressors, work–family conflict, and work–family facilitation. Data from a sample of full-time employed individuals support some hypothesized relations between components of LMX and work–family interactions. Also, results support the mediating role of hindrance-related stress in the relation between (a) the affect and loyalty components of LMX and (b) work–family conflict. The authors discuss the implications and limitations of their findings.
Microchromosomal deletions involving SCN1A and adjacent genes in severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy

Purpose: Genetic abnormalities of the gene encoding α1 subunit of the sodium channel (SCN1A), which can be detected by direct sequencing, are present in more than 60% of patients with severe myoclonic epilepsy in infancy (SMEI) or its borderline phenotype (SMEB). Microchromosomal deletions have been recently reported as additional causes of SMEI. This study examines whether such microdeletions are associated with SMEI as well as with SMEB.