Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship of Predictive Modeling to Receiver Operating Characteristics

BACKGROUND Discriminatory capabilities of a measurement technique can be assessed by a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (specifically, area under the curve [AUC]) and predictive modeling (predictive accuracy and positive predictive value). Theoretically, predictive accuracy is dependent on disease prevalence while AUC assessments are not. OBJECTIVE To compare the effect of changes in disease prevalence on ROC AUC analysis and predictive modeling. METHODS For this comparison, a data set with 72 individuals with coronary artery disease (CAD) and 1,857 individuals without CAD was used. A validated CAD score with a demonstrated AUC of 0.80 was applied. Disease prevalence within the study sample was altered by randomly removing non-CAD patients from the original sample. Predictive accuracy and positive predictive value of the CAD score were calculated using 2 × 2 contingency tables. Three threshold values of the CAD score were applied centering on a value for which sensitivity and specificity were equal. RESULTS For a chosen CAD score threshold value (eg, 60), sensitivity (0.74), specificity (0.75), and AUC (0.81) did not change significantly while positive predictive value increased (10%–70%) as disease prevalence increased from 4% to 44%. Changes in predictive accuracy were dependent on the selected test threshold value. Predictive accuracy increased (54%–68%), did not change (74%–75%), or decreased (88%–70%) with the same increase in disease prevalence for threshold values of 50, 60, and 70, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The ROC AUC and predictive accuracy are stable diagnostic characteristics, whereas positive predictive value is greatly influenced by disease prevalence.
Self‐Assessment of Cancer Competencies and Physician Assistant Cancer Education: Instrument Development and Baseline Testing

Purpose: Although the benefits of primary and secondary prevention of cancer are well recognized among health care providers, insufficient knowledge or skill often leads to inadequate assessment and management, particularly in the primary care setting. The scant literature on physician assistant (PA) cancer‐related competencies suggests that PAs may not be well‐prepared in this arena. Thus, curriculum reform in PA education is paramount for improving PAs' abilities to provide cancer risk assessment and management services. The Physician Assistant Cancer Education (PACE) project was designed for such a purpose. Following instrument development, baseline measurement of perceived abilities for cancer‐related core competencies was assessed in a representative cohort of PA students. Methods: Literature search strategies, expert review, and a nationwide survey of PA program directors yielded the 26‐item Competencies in Cancer Assessment and Management (C‐CAM) instrument. Baseline self‐efficacy data were gathered from students across eight PACE‐affiliated PA programs. Statistical analysis focused upon instrument quality and comparisons of reported self‐efficacy among respondent cohorts. Results: Data were collected from 544 PA students. Overall instrument reliability was excellent (Chronbach's alpha 0.97). Exploratory factor analysis identified three factors explaining 72.83% of response variance. Mean values varied somewhat across institutional cohorts. Clinical students demonstrated higher self‐efficacy than preclinical students. Conclusions: The C‐CAM is an effective instrument to assess PA student self‐efficacy in cancer prevention, risk assessment, and risk management competencies. Although a trend toward higher self‐efficacy was observed among clinical students, further research is required to assess the extent to which reported self‐efficacy may be expected to change over time.
Validation of the Mandarin Chinese Version of the Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire

The Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ), a self‐reported scale, has been used to assess the pain sensitivity level in a Caucasian population. However, a validated Mandarin Chinese version of the PSQ is not available. This study was aimed to translate the PSQ into Mandarin Chinese (PSQ‐C) and validate it to measure pain sensitivity among Chinese people.
Biochemical Markers of Bone Formation in Thai Children and Adolescents

The measurement of biochemical markers of bone turnover is essential in the study of skeletal metabolism in health and diseases. Due to variations in the rate of bone growth in different age groups and possible ethnic differences, age-specific reference ranges for biochemical markers should be established in a particular pediatric population. In this study, biochemical markers of bone formation, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and osteocalcin (OC) in healthy Thai children and adolescents aged 9 to 18 years were evaluated in relation to their ages and pubertal development. Serum BAP levels in boys increased with age and peaked at about 12 to 13 years. In contrast, there was a progressive decline of serum BAP levels with advancing age in girls older than 9 years. Serum OC also increased with age and reached a peak at ages 12 and 13 years in girls and boys, respectively. In addition, both serum BAP and OC levels also varied with pubertal stages. The BAP levels in boys increased sharply at pubertal stage 3 and decreased at pubertal stage 5. In girls, the BAP levels showed a fairly constant high level up to stage 3, followed by a remarkable decrease thereafter. The OC levels in boys increased sharply at pubertal stage 4 and decreased thereafter. In girls, OC started to increase at pubertal stage 3 with no subsequent changes. The levels of serum BAP and OC were higher in boys than in girls at pubertal stages 3 to 5 and at stages 2, 4, and 5, respectively. Moreover, only serum BAP level showed significant positive correlation with height velocity in both genders. In multiple regression analyses, gender, age, and pubertal stage were consistently correlated with both serum BAP and OC levels. In summary, male and female adolescents have different patterns of changes in biochemical markers of bone formation.
Spatial structure of the thermal boundary layer in turbulent convection

We have measured the mean temperature profiles $\overline{T}(\mathrm{z})$ and the thermal layer thickness ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{th}}(x,y)$ at various horizontal positions on the lower plate of a cylindrical convection cell, using water as the working fluid. The Rayleigh number Ra in the experiment varied from $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{8}$ to $2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{10}$. The normalized vertical temperature profiles measured at various positions $x$ along the direction of large scale circulation and for the same Ra are found to be self-similar, once the vertical distance $z$ is scaled by the respective thermal layer thickness ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{th}}(x,0)$. Whereas those measured at different Ra do not have a universal form. Our results further reveal that the thermal layer thickness ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{th}}$ varied significantly in the two directions measured\char22{}along the large-scale circulation $(x)$ and perpendicular to it $(y)$. We found that the scaling exponent of ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{th}}$ with Ra is a function of $x$ (and possibly a function of $y$ as well), i.e. ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{\mathrm{th}}\ensuremath{\sim}$ Ra${}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\beta}(x)}$. Moreover, our results suggest that the thermal layer will eventually become uniform at very high Rayleigh numbers.
Evaluation of the biologic importance of various hemodynamic and oxygen transport variables: Which variables should be monitored in postoperative shock?

In a series of 113 consecutively monitored, critically ill postoperative patients, predictive coefficients for each monitored hemodynamic and oxygen transport variable (parameter) were determined based on their ability to predict outcome at each stage of postoperative shock. As this predictive coefficient reflected the probability of death or survival, it was used as a criterion of the variable's clinical usefulness. The range of correct predictions by the 35 variables varied from 91–60%, but there were marked variations in their capability to predict outcome during each successive stage of postoperative shock. The commonly monitored variables, i.e., vital signs, HR, temp, central venous pressure (CVP), and Hgb, were the poorest predictors. Perfusion-related variables, which express the interrelationships of O2 transport to red cell volume and red cell flow, were among the best predictors. Blood flow, blood volume, O2 transport, and stressrelated variables were the next in order as judged by survival statistics.As the relevance of a given variable to survival or death is a criterion of its usefulness to clinical decision-making, it is appropriate to select those monitored variables that provide the desired information.
Histological changes in liver biopsies from patients with surgical bile duct disorders.

The degree and incidence of a long series of histologic qualities from a total of 113 surgical biopsies from patients with surgical disorders of the biliary tract have been registered and correlated. The material has been divided into four groups, where both group I and II are from patients with operatively and radiologically verified obstruction (respectively with and without cholestasis), and group III and IV from patients without obstruction (likewise respectively with and without cholestasis). Two findings are of special interest. The first is, that the two groups with obstruction of the common bile duct, of which group II must be considered to have less pronounced obstruction than group I, with significantly greater frequency exhibit marginal bile duct proliferation than the groups without obstruction. The second is, that the group with obstruction and cholestasis (group I) with significantly greater frequency exhibits portal oedema and infiltration with granulocytes than the other three groups. We have interpreted the first finding as a manifestion of the bile ducts in the marginal zones of the portal areas being the sectors of the biliary tract which with greatest ease react to an increase in pressure. The second finding indicates—in connection with the fact that infiltration with neutrophil granulocytes and oedema are found most pronounced in the vicinity of proliferating marginal bile ducts with more or less disentegrated epithelium—that the acute portal inflammation in extrahepatic obstruction is secondary to more severe marginal bile duct proliferation.
Management of hemodialysis catheter-related bacteremia with an adjunctive antibiotic lock solution.

BACKGROUND Tunneled dialysis catheters are complicated by frequent systemic infections. Standard therapy of catheter-associated bacteremia involves both systemic antibiotics and catheter replacement. Recent data suggest that biofilms in the catheter lumen are responsible for the bacteremia, and that instillation of an antibiotic lock (highly concentrated antibiotic solution) into the catheter lumen after dialysis sessions can eradicate the biofilm. METHODS We analyzed prospectively the efficacy of an antibiotic lock protocol, in conjunction with systemic antibiotics, for treatment of patients with dialysis catheter-associated bacteremia without catheter removal. Protocol success was defined as resolution of fever and negative surveillance cultures one week following completion of the protocol. Protocol failure was defined as persistence of fever or surveillance cultures positive for any pathogen. In addition, infection-free catheter survival was compared to that observed in institutional historical control patients treated with catheter replacement. RESULTS Blood cultures were positive in 98 of 129 of episodes (76%) in which patients dialyzing with a catheter had fever or chills. Protocol success occurred in 40 of 79 infected patients (51%) treated with the antibiotic lock. Protocol failure occurred in 39 cases (49%): 7 had persistent fever, 15 had positive surveillance cultures (9 for Candida and 6 for bacteria), and 17 required catheter removal due to malfunction. Each of the pathogens in the surveillance cultures was different from the original pathogen in that patient. Eight of the 9 secondary Candida infections and all 6 secondary bacterial infections resolved after catheter exchange and specific antimicrobial treatment. Overall catheter survival with the antibiotic lock protocol was similar to that observed among patients managed with catheter replacement (median survival, 64 vs. 54 days, P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS Use of an antibiotic lock, in conjunction with systemic antibiotic therapy, can eradicate catheter-associated bacteremia while salvaging the catheter in about one half of cases. Moreover, this management approach offers clinical advantages over routine catheter exchange.
Journal of Statistical Mechanics : Theory and Experiment Power-law distribution of the flux avalanches in a Josephson medium

Avalanche flux penetration dynamics has been experimentally observed in a Josephson medium, a granular high-Tc superconductor, while slowly increasing an external magnetic field. The observed voltage spikes are associated with the stepwise penetration of the field into the superconductor and obey the power-law size distribution. The results directly confirm the hypothesis of selforganized criticality in such a system.
The Relationship Between Depressive Symptoms and Self-Management Behaviors in Patients With T2DM and Stage 3 CKD.

PURPOSE This study aimed to assess the relationship of depressive symptoms with self-management by adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. DESIGN AND METHODS Using a descriptive correlational design, participants completed Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities measure. FINDINGS Reported were energy loss, sleep change, and fatigue. Performed less were exercise, physical activity, eating vegetables, and blood checks. Significant correlations were BDI-II total score with feet checking, energy loss with feet checking and exercise, and sleep change with feet soaking. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Depressive symptoms were associated to self-management behaviors that require physical energy. Assess for advancing symptoms.
MicroRNA-382-5p aggravates breast cancer progression by regulating the RERG/Ras/ERK signaling axis

Aberrant activation of the Ras/ERK pathway mediates breast cancer initiation and aggressiveness. Therefore, it is important to identify miRNAs that modulate the Ras/ERK pathway during breast carcinogenesis and progression. The Ras GTPase superfamily member RERG (Ras-related and estrogen-regulated growth inhibitor) acts as a tumor suppressor to reduce breast cancer cell proliferation and tumor formation and has been suggested to have a regulatory role in the Ras/ERK pathway. In this study, we found that RERG exerted its tumor suppressor role by attenuating the activation of Ras/ERK signaling effectors. Furthermore, we found that miR-382-5p directly targets and represses RERG to attenuate the inhibitory effects of RERG on the oncogenic Ras/ERK pathway. Thereby, miR-382-5p promoted breast cancer cell viability, clonogenicity, survival, migration, invasion and in vivo tumorigenesis/metastasis. In clinical interpretation, miR-382-5p expression was negatively correlated with RERG expression, and it also significantly functioned as an independent oncomiR for the higher incidence and poorer prognosis of breast cancer. This novel connection highlights new diagnostic and prognostic roles for miR-382-5p and RERG in breast cancer.
Predictive Population Dose-Response Assessment for Cryptosporidium parvum: Infection Endpoint

Data validation of safe doses of pathogens in drinking water consistent with public health goals is not possible due to the number of subjects that would be needed at each dose. Because of this problem, together with the difficulty in extrapolating pathogenic response between species, and the ability of microbes to adapt rapidly, confidence-level-dependent assessments of Cryptosporidium parvum dose-response have been developed. However, these results, even on a relative basis, are dependent on confidence level, and the lack of scientific basis for this choice hampers efforts to set water quality standards. Therefore, a predictive Bayesian dose-response assessment method was proposed previously. In this article, a hierarchical predictive population dose-response Bayesian assessment for C. parvum is presented for the infection endpoint. Available data on the infectivity of three isolates of C. parvum, genotype C, were adjusted for sensitive and antibody-positive subpopulations not proportionately represented in the data, by bootstrap analysis. The diverse mean infectivities of the isolates were used to obtain a predic-tive distribution for population infectivity, used in turn to obtain the predictive population dose-response function. The predictive result is a distribution of unconditional probability of infection, based on available dose-response information. Information includes theoretical and empirical evidence for the conditional beta-Poisson parametric dose-response function. Results indicate that a dose of 6 × 10 −6 oocysts per exposure corresponds to 10−4 infections per capita year. An allowable dose corresponding to goals of the SWTR should be increased over this value to reflect the illness endpoint, while potentially being reduced to account for secondary transmission among hosts if important for gastroenteritis in developed countries.
RNA Interference-weapon against cancer

Cancer is the second principal death cause, in the recent scenario 1 out of every 4 people die out of cancer. Not more than 50% advanced cancer subjects live a year ahead. RNA interference (RNAi) a phenomenon which serves for shutting off the expression of a specific sequence has proved itself a finest weapon against cancer. This mechanism involves silencing of the expression of desired mRNA sequence by degrading it using a dsRNA (double stranded RNA) molecule having complementarity to the desired mRNA. However a major challenge in proficient implementation of this therapy against cancer is lack of efficient delivery methods for the dsRNA to the target tissue. Various delivery methods had already been developed for efficient and effective delivery of the dsRNA and many are under trial. This review is going to present the great efficacy of RNAi against cancer and the various delivery methods performing capable work in accurate application of this therapy.
Impact of bee pollen as feed supplements on the body weight of broiler Ross 308

This study was aimed at investigating the meat performance of broiler Ross 308 after the application of bee pollen extract in their diet. The experiment group was fed with bee pollen (400 mg.kg-1) added in the feed. After analysis, it was found that the female chicken groupfs average live body weight were higher in control group (2246.60 g) than that of experimental group (2194.40 g). Also, the carcass weight, giblelt weight and carcass yield percentage were high in the control group than in the experimental group. However, in case of male group, the average live body weight in experimental group (2354.60 g) were higher than control group (2299.20 g). In addition, the weights (g) of carcass, giblets, and carcass yield (%) were higher in the experimental group than control group, and there were no significant differences (P . 0.05) among the experimental groups. Hence, it was concluded that bee pollen has positive effect on the growth of male chicken in terms of increasing the body weight, whereas it has negative effect on the female chickens. Key words: Broiler, pollen, carcass weight, live body weight, carcass yield.
Clinical and Laboratory Features of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Is It Really New?

Objective. To review the epidemiologic and molecular characteristics of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) in Detroit, Michigan, to assess the risk factors for infection and the response to therapy. Design. Prospective clinical and laboratory study of 2003-2004 CA-MRSA isolates. Molecular features were compared with CA-MRSA isolates from 1980. Setting. A 600-bed urban academic medical center. Patients. Twenty-three patients with CA-MRSA infections from 2003-2004 were evaluated. In addition, laboratory analysis was performed on 13 CA-MRSA isolates from 1980. Main Outcome Measures. Laboratory analysis of isolates included antimicrobial susceptibility testing, pulsed-field genotyping, testing for Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes, and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec typing. Results. Patients were predominantly young African American males and presented with skin and soft-tissue infections. All isolates were resistant to erythromycin and highly susceptible to other agents. Patients were generally treated successfully with combination incision and drainage and systemic antibiotics. Among the 23 isolates, 20 (87%) were the same strain. This strain carried the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IV and PVL genes and is genetically identical to USA 300. Thirteen isolates of patients from our community who presented with CA-MRSA infections in 1980 represented a single clone that is unique compared with the 2003-2004 isolates. This strain carried staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type IVA but did not carry the PVL genes. Conclusions. In our community, CA-MRSA is largely due to a single clone with a type IV mec gene and PVL gene. The type IV staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type can be demonstrated in CA-MRSA isolates from a remote period, suggesting that earlier outbreaks were not related to healthcare exposure.
Estimating the burden of disease attributable to diabetes in South Africa in 2000

Objectives. To estimate the burden of disease attributable to diabetes by sex and age group in South Africa in 2000. Design. The framework adopted for the most recent World Health Organization comparative risk assessment (CRA) methodology was followed. Small community studies used to derive the prevalence of diabetes by population group were weighted proportionately for a national estimate. Population-attributable fractions were calculated and applied to revised burden of disease estimates. Monte Carlo simulation-modelling techniques were used for uncertainty analysis. Setting. South Africa. Subjects. Adults 30 years and older. Outcome measures. Mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, hypertensive disease and renal failure. Results. Of South Africans aged ≥ 30 years, 5.5% had diabetes which increased with age. Overall, about 14% of IHD, 10% of stroke, 12% of hypertensive disease and 12% of renal disease burden in adult males and females (30+ years) were attributable to diabetes. Diabetes was estimated to have caused 22 412 (95% uncertainty interval 20 755–24 872) or 4.3% (95% uncertainty interval 4.0–4.8%) of all deaths in South Africa in 2000. Since most of these occurred in middle or old age, the loss of healthy life years comprises a smaller proportion of the total 258 028 DALYs (95% uncertainty interval 236 856–290 849) in South Africa in 2000, accounting for 1.6% (95% uncertainty interval 1.5–1.8%) of the total burden. Conclusions. Diabetes is an important direct and indirect cause of burden in South Africa. Primary prevention of the disease through multi-level interventions and improved management at primary health care level are needed.