Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trends in cervical disc arthroplasty and revisions in the Medicare database.

Background Due to increased postoperative complications with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), there has been an increasing interest in the use of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). Advancements in prosthetic designs and techniques have improved patient reported outcome measurements and minimized revision rates. There is a paucity in the literature regarding recent trends in CDA utilization and revision rates. The purpose of this study was to determine annual primary and revision CDA trends with the use of an administrative database. Methods A retrospective review from 2005-2014 was performed using the Medicare Standard Analytical Files from the PearlDiver supercomputer (PearlDiver Technologies, Fort Wayne, IN, USA). Patients who underwent primary CDA were queried using International Classification of Disease, ninth revision (ICD-9) and current procedural terminology (CPT) code 84.62 and 22856, respectively. Revision CDAs were queried using ICD-9 procedure code 84.66. Primary outcomes of this study included annual primary procedures, annual revision incidence (RI), and additional demographic data such as age, gender, geographic location, Charlson-Comorbidity Index (CCI); in addition to length of stay (LOS), cost, and reimbursement. Results The query returned 2,016 and 517 primary CDA and revision CDA procedures were performed in the Medicare database, respectively. The data showed that the CAGR of primary and revision CDA procedures to be 20.54% and 5.84% (P<0.001), respectively. RI and RB demonstrated a CAGR of -12.22% and -9.61%, respectively. Patients younger than the age of 65 represented the majority of the patients undergoing this procedure. Demographically, primary and revision CDAs were found highest in the South. Conclusions The data demonstrates a high rate of annual growth in CDA utilization (20.54%) and revision CDA (5.84%), indicating there is an increase demand for CDA in the United States. Compared to ACDF, patients who undergo CDA have improved patient reported outcome measurements and lower rates of postoperative complications.
Tetrandrine inhibits human brain glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cancer cell migration and invasion in vitro

Tetrandrine (TET) has been reported to induce anti‐cancer activity in many human cancer cells and also to inhibit cancer cell migration and invasion. However, there are no reports to show TET inhibits cell migration and invasion in human brain glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cells. In this study, we investigated the anti‐metastasis effects of TET on GBM 8401 cells in vitro. Under sub‐lethal concentrations (from 1, 5 up to 10 μM), TET significantly inhibited cell mobility, migration and invasion of GBM 8401 cells that were assayed by wound healing and Transwell assays. Gelatin zymography assay showed that TET inhibited MMP‐2 activity in GBM 8401 cells. Western blotting results indicated that TET inhibited several key metastasis‐related proteins, such as p‐EGFR(Tyr1068), SOS‐1, GRB2, Ras, p‐AKT(Ser473) and p‐AKT(Thr308), NF‐κB‐p65, Snail, E‐cadherin, N‐cadherin, NF‐κB, MMP‐2 and MMP‐9 that were significant reduction at 24 and 48 hours treatment by TET. TET reduced MAPK signaling associated proteins such as p‐JNK1/2 and p‐c‐Jun in GBM 8401 cells. The electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) assay was used to investigate NF‐κB and DNA binding was reduced by TET in a dose‐dependently. Based on these findings, we suggested that TET could be used in anti‐metastasis of human brain glioblastoma multiforme GBM 8401 cells in the future.
Re-assembly, quality evaluation, and annotation of 678 microbial eukaryotic reference transcriptomes

Background De novo transcriptome assemblies are required prior to analyzing RNAseq data from a species without an existing reference genome or transcriptome. Despite the prevalence of transcriptomic studies, the effects of using different workflows, or “pipelines”, on the resulting assemblies are poorly understood. Here, a pipeline was programmatically automated and used to assemble and annotate raw transcriptomic short read data collected by the Marine Microbial Eukaryotic Transcriptome Sequencing Project (MMETSP). The resulting transcriptome assemblies were evaluated and compared against assemblies that were previously generated with a different pipeline developed by the National Center for Genome Research (NCGR). Results New transcriptome assemblies contained the majority of previous contigs as well as new content. On average, 7.8% of the annotated contigs in the new assemblies were novel gene names not found in the previous assemblies. Taxonomic trends were observed in the assembly metrics, with assemblies from the Dinoflagellata and Ciliophora phyla showing a higher percentage of open reading frames and number of contigs than transcriptomes from other phyla. Conclusions Given current bioinformatics approaches, there is no single ‘best’ reference transcriptome for a particular set of raw data. As the optimum transcriptome is a moving target, improving (or not) with new tools and approaches, automated and programmable pipelines are invaluable for managing the computationally-intensive tasks required for re-processing large sets of samples with revised pipelines and ensuring a common evaluation workflow is applied to all samples. Thus, re-assembling existing data with new tools using automated and programmable pipelines may yield more accurate identification of taxon-specific trends across samples in addition to novel and useful products for the community. Key Points Re-assembly with new tools can yield new results Automated and programmable pipelines can be used to process arbitrarily many samples. Analyzing many samples using a common pipeline identifies taxon-specific trends.
Large-Scale Assessment of Function and Disability in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease Using the Functioning Disability Evaluation Scale-Adult Version

This study assesses the functioning and disability related to Parkinson’s disease using the Functioning Disability Evaluation Scale-Adult Version (FUNDES-Adult), based on the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) in a large-scale database; this study describes, discusses and clarifies the predictive factor of not being in an ambulatory status. Of 7455 patients included in this study, 3561 were not ambulatory and 3894 were ambulatory or assisted ambulatory. Patients with poor walking status revealed higher FUNDES-Adult scores in all domains. Age, modified Hoehn–Yahr stage, living in an institution and the standardized score of FUNDES-Adult domains 1 and 2 were positive independent predictors of the not ambulatory status. The FUNDES-Adult could evaluate multifaceted disability and predict the walking status in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Haematological Values and Muscle Recovery in Elite Male Traditional Rowers

Introduction: Deficient levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (<30 ng/mL) may compromise health and athletic performance. Supplementation with oral vitamin D can favor the state of iron metabolism, and testosterone and cortisol as an indicator of muscle recovery of the athlete with a deficiency. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of eight weeks of supplementation with 3000 IU/day of vitamin D on the hematological and iron metabolism profile, as well as on the analytical values of testosterone and cortisol on elite male traditional rowers. The secondary aim was to examine if serum 25(OH)D is a predictor of testosterone and cortisol levels. Material and Methods: Thirty-six elite male rowers (27 ± 6 years) were assigned to one of the two groups randomly: 1) Control group (CG, n = 18, height: 181.05 ± 3.39 cm and body mass: 77.02 ± 7.55 kg), 2) Group treated with 3,000 IU of vitamin D3/day (VD3G, s = 18, height: 179.70 ± 9.07 cm and body mass: 76.19 ± 10.07 kg). The rowers were subjected to blood tests at the beginning of the study (T1) and after eight weeks of treatment (T2), for the analysis of hematological and hormonal values. Repeated-measures ANOVA with group factor (GC and GVD3) were used to examine if the interaction of the different values was the same or different between the groups throughout the study (time × group) after vitamin D3 treatment. To analyze if 25(OH)D was a good predictor of testosterone, cortisol, and testosterone/cortisol ratio a stepwise regression model was performed. Results: Statistically significant and different increases were observed in the group-by-time interaction of 25(OH)D in VD3G in respect to CG during the study (p < 0.001; VD3G (T1: 26.24 ± 8.18 ng/mL vs. T2: 48.12 ± 10.88 ng/mL) vs CG (T1: 30.76 ± 6.95 ng/mL vs. T2: 35.14 ± 7.96 ng/mL). Likewise, significant differences between groups were observed throughout the study in the group-by-time interaction and changes of hemoglobin (GC: −2.89 ± 2.29% vs. VD3G: 0.71 ± 1.91%; p = 0.009), hematocrit (CG: −1.57 ± 2.49% vs. VD3G: 1.16 ± 1.81%; p = 0.019) and transferrin (CG: 0.67 ± 4.88% vs. VD3G: 6.51 ± 4.36%; p = 0.007). However, no differences between groups were observed in the group-by-time interaction of the hormonal parameters (p > 0.05). Regression multivariate analysis showed that cortisol and testosterone levels were associated with 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Oral supplementation with 3000 IU/day of vitamin D3 during eight weeks showed to be sufficient to prevent a decline in hematological levels of hemoglobin and hematocrit, and improve transferrin of 25(OH)D levels. However, although it was not sufficient to enhance muscle recovery observed by testosterone and cortisol responses, it was observed that serum 25(OH)D levels could be a predictor of anabolic and catabolic hormones.
Facile Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles with High Antibacterial Activity

We report on a reverse microemulsion method for the synthesis of silver nanocrystals and examine their antibacterial activities. As the molar ratio of water to sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT) increases to 25, a morphology transition from a sphere-like nanocrystal to a wire-like one was observed. For both the gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, the wire-like silver nanocrystal showed higher antibacterial activities. We conclude that the morphology of silver nanocrystals dominates their antibacterial activity.
Acute renal failure caused by tumor-induced hypercalcemia successfully treated by denosumab

To the Editors, Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody that binds to and neutralizes the receptor activator of nuclear factor­κ ligand (RANKL), has recently become available for the prevention of skeletal­related events (SRE) of bone metastases from breast cancer. In a recent study, denosumab was shown to be more effective than zoledronic acid in delaying SRE [1], and it has been shown that hypocalcemia occurred more frequently and renal failure less frequently, in patients treated with denosumab as compared to those treated with zoledronic acid [1­3]. In light of these studies, we used denosumab to successfully treat a patient presenting with acute renal failure caused by a tumor­related hypercalcemia arising from breast cancer bone metastases. A 53­year­old woman was admitted to the orthopedics ward due to walking difficulties. Investigations revealed compression of the spine by metastatic carcinoma of the thoracic vertebrae. An emergency decompression surgery was performed. Pathological examination of the resected specimen revealed metastatic carcinoma of probable breast cancer origin that was immunohistochemically positive for estrogen receptor, negative for progesterone receptor, and 2+ for HER2 receptor (additional fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed significant amplification of LETTER TO EDITORS OPEN ACCESS
Electric field produced by the illumination of a plane object with a spherical wave: the fractional fourier transform approach

Aqui se demuestra que la distribucion de amplitud luminosa sobre un detector esferico puede escribirse en funcion de una transformacion de Fourier de orden fraccional, cuando un objeto plano es iluminado adecuadamente con una onda esferica. Esta propuesta permite establecer una teoria general de la propagacion de una onda en el espacio libre. Este resultado provee una alternativa de la ley de propagacion y permite usar la transformada de Fourier de orden fraccional como una herramienta para el analisis y descripcion de una clase mas general de sistemas opticos.
Rice Overexpressing OsNUC1-S Reveals Differential Gene Expression Leading to Yield Loss Reduction after Salt Stress at the Booting Stage

Rice nucleolin (OsNUC1), consisting of two isoforms, OsNUC1-L and OsNUC1-S, is a multifunctional protein involved in salt-stress tolerance. Here, OsNUC1-S’s function was investigated using transgenic rice lines overexpressing OsNUC1-S. Under non-stress conditions, the transgenic lines showed a lower yield, but higher net photosynthesis rates, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rates than wild type only in the second leaves, while in the flag leaves, these parameters were similar among the lines. However, under salt-stress conditions at the booting stage, the higher yields in transgenic lines were detected. Moreover, the gas exchange parameters of the transgenic lines were higher in both flag and second leaves, suggesting a role for OsNUC1-S overexpression in photosynthesis adaptation under salt-stress conditions. Moreover, the overexpression lines could maintain light-saturation points under salt-stress conditions, while a decrease in the light-saturation point owing to salt stress was found in wild type. Based on a transcriptome comparison between wild type and a transgenic line, after 3 and 9 days of salt stress, the significantly differentially expressed genes were enriched in the metabolic process of nucleic acid and macromolecule, photosynthesis, water transport, and cellular homeostasis processes, leading to the better performance of photosynthetic processes under salt-stress conditions at the booting stage.
Self-Efficacy for Management of Symptoms and Symptom Distress in Adults With Cancer: An Integrative Review.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION Self-efficacy for symptom management plays a key role in outcomes, such as quality of life (QOL), functional status, and symptom distress, for adults with cancer. This integrative review identified and assessed evidence regarding self-efficacy for management of symptoms and symptom distress in adults with cancer. LITERATURE SEARCH The authors performed a search of literature published from 2006-2018, and articles that examined the relationship among self-reported self-efficacy, symptom management, symptom distress or frequency, and severity in adults with cancer were selected for inclusion. DATA EVALUATION 22 articles met the inclusion criteria. All articles were critically appraised and met standards for methodologic quality. SYNTHESIS Evidence from this review showed that high self-efficacy was associated with low symptom occurrence and symptom distress and higher general health and QOL. High self-efficacy predicted physical and emotional well-being. Low self-efficacy was associated with higher symptom severity, poorer outcomes, and better overall functioning. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH Self-efficacy can be assessed using developed instruments. Presence of a theoretical model and validated instruments to measure self-efficacy for symptom management have set the groundwork for ongoing research.
Comparison of Physicochemical Properties of Starches from Nine Chinese Chestnut Varieties

Chestnut is a popular food in many countries and is also an important starch source. In previous studies, physicochemical properties of starches have been compared among different Chinese chestnut varieties growing under different conditions. In this study, nine Chinese chestnut varieties from the same farm were investigated for starch physicochemical properties to exclude the effects of growing conditions. The dry kernels had starch contents from 42.7 to 49.3%. Starches from different varieties had similar morphologies and exhibited round, oval, ellipsoidal, and polygonal shapes with a central hilum and smooth surface. Starch had bimodal size distribution and the volume-weighted mean diameter ranged from 7.2 to 8.2 μm among nine varieties. The starches had apparent amylose contents from 23.8 to 27.3% but exhibited the same C-type crystalline structure and similar relative crystallinity, ordered degree, and lamellar structure. The gelatinization onset, peak, and conclusion temperatures ranged from 60.4 to 63.9 °C, from 64.8 to 68.3 °C, and from 70.5 to 74.5 °C, respectively, among nine starches; and the peak, hot, breakdown, final, and setback viscosities ranged from 5524 to 6505 mPa s, from 3042 to 3616 mPa s, from 2205 to 2954 mPa s, from 4378 to 4942 mPa s, and from 1326 to 1788 mPa s, respectively. The rapidly digestible starch, slowly digestible starch, and resistant starch ranged from 2.6 to 3.7%, from 5.7 to 12.7%, and from 84.4 to 90.7%, respectively, for native starch, and from 79.6 to 89.5%, from 1.3 to 3.8%, and from 7.1 to 17.4%, respectively, for gelatinized starch.
G-quadruplex forming sequences in the genome of all known human viruses: A comprehensive guide

G-quadruplexes are non-canonical nucleic acid structures that control transcription, replication, and recombination in organisms. G-quadruplexes are present in eukaryotes, prokaryotes, and viruses. In the latter, mounting evidence indicates their key biological activity. Since data on viruses are scattered, we here present a comprehensive analysis of putative G-quadruplexes in the genome of all known viruses that can infect humans. We show that the presence, distribution, and location of G-quadruplexes are features characteristic of each virus class and family. Our statistical analysis proves that their presence within the viral genome is orderly arranged, as indicated by the possibility to correctly assign up to two-thirds of viruses to their exact class based on the G-quadruplex classification. For each virus we provide: i) the list of all G-quadruplexes formed by GG-, GGG- and GGGG-islands present in the genome (positive and negative strands), ii) their position in the viral genome along with the known function of that region, iii) the degree of conservation among strains of each G-quadruplex in its genome context, iv) the statistical significance of G-quadruplex formation. This information is accessible from a database (http://www.medcomp.medicina.unipd.it/main_site/doku.php? id=g4virus) to allow the easy and interactive navigation of the results. The availability of these data will greatly expedite research on G-quadruplex in viruses, with the possibility to accelerate finding therapeutic opportunities to numerous and some fearsome human diseases.
Early Detection and Treatment of Subclinical Lymphedema in Patients with Breast Cancer.

Background: Early identification and treatment of subclinical lymphedema may prevent development of advanced stages and its related complications. We aimed to detect subclinical lymphedema and to evaluate the effects of early treatment program on the development of clinical lymphedema, upper extremity functions, and quality of life in patients with subclinical lymphedema. Methods and Results: Twenty-five women who were diagnosed having subclinical lymphedema were enrolled in the study. The patients were informed about lymphedema and its risk factors, and skin care and exercises to prevent the development of lymphedema. Self-reported symptoms, arm volumes, upper extremity functions, quality of life were evaluated before and after treatment. Tightness and numbness were found to have a good correlation with affected arm volume. Volume of the affected arm, percentage volume difference between the arms, upper extremity functions, and quality-of-life scores improved significantly at the end of the treatment. Conclusions: It is crucial to have early detection and treatment of subclinical lymphedema to prevent the development of established lymphedema in breast cancer survivors. Information about lymphedema and its risk factors, skin care, and home-based specific exercise program improves self-reported symptoms, volume measurements, functioning, and quality of life in patients with subclinical lymphedema.
Using Drama Techniques in Language Teaching.

A study investigated the use of drama activities in English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) instruction in Malaysia. Instruction occurred over an extended period of time and involved over 300 teachers, with a wide range of training and experience, in secondary and higher education institutions. Students were low-level, intermediate, or advanced learners in rural, urban, or tertiary schools. Class size ranged from 10 to 51 students. Types of drama activities used were language games (including improvisation), pantomime, role playing, and simulations. They emphasized listening and speaking skills. In general, it was found that drama techniques worked for most teachers and that some techniques worked better in certain circumstances than in others. Activities that do not emphasize performance were found more universally applicable than those that do. Somc variability was found in the success of different activity types with different ability and school groups. It is concluded that drama activities are useful in motivating students, holding their attention, and stimulating their creativity. However, student proficiency, needs, attitudes, experience, abilities, age, and interests must be considered. Some teachers find integrating drama activities to be difficult; convincing and training teachers in their use is essential to success. (MSE) *******************************************. *********************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. *********************************************************************** lam USING DRAMA TECHNIQUES IN LANGUAGE TEACHING
Pulmonary hypertension in chronic lung disease and hypoxia

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) frequently complicates the course of patients with various forms of chronic lung disease (CLD). CLD-associated PH (CLD-PH) is invariably associated with reduced functional ability, impaired quality of life, greater oxygen requirements and an increased risk of mortality. The aetiology of CLD-PH is complex and multifactorial, with differences in the pathogenic sequelae between the diverse forms of CLD. Haemodynamic evaluation of PH severity should be contextualised within the extent of the underlying lung disease, which is best gauged through a combination of physiological and imaging assessment. Who, when, if and how to screen for PH will be addressed in this article, as will the current state of knowledge with regard to the role of treatment with pulmonary vasoactive agents. Although such therapy cannot be endorsed given the current state of findings, future studies in this area are strongly encouraged. State of the art and research perspectives in pulmonary hypertension in chronic lung disease and hypoxia http://ow.ly/XcW730meWxy
Rediscovery of Red Wolf Ghost Alleles in a Canid Population Along the American Gulf Coast

Rediscovering species once thought to be extinct or on the edge of extinction is rare. Red wolves have been extinct along the Gulf Coast region since 1980, with their last populations found in coastal Louisiana and Texas. We report the rediscovery of red wolf ghost alleles in a canid population on Galveston Island, Texas. We analyzed over 7,000 SNPs in 60 canid representatives from all legally recognized North American Canis species and two phenotypically ambiguous canids from Galveston Island. We found notably high Bayesian cluster assignments of the Galveston canids to captive red wolves with extensive sharing of red wolf private alleles. Today, the only known extant wild red wolves persist in a reintroduced population in North Carolina, which is dwindling amongst political and taxonomic controversy. Our rediscovery of red wolf ancestry after almost 40 years introduces both positive opportunities for additional conservation action and difficult policy challenges.