Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thromboembolism prevention after chronic subdural hematoma in the elderly

The incidence of chronic subdural hematomas (cSDH) increases with age.1,2 Risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of cSDH, apart from advancing age, include a history of falls, minor head injury, use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, bleeding disorders, heavy alcohol use, epilepsy, low intracranial pressure conditions, and hemodialysis.1 The aged population also endures the highest risk of atrial fibrillation and other conditions that predispose them to devastating ischemic cardiac and cerebral ischemic events.3 Antithrombotic therapy constitutes evidence-based therapy to prevent these ischemic events, but consensus holds that use of antithrombotic medications is also the most important risk factor that accounts for the increasing incidence of cSDH in the elderly.1
Kinesin-2 family in vertebrate ciliogenesis

The differentiation of cilia is mediated by kinesin-driven transport. As the function of kinesins in vertebrate ciliogenesis is poorly characterized, we decided to determine the role of kinesin-2 family motors—heterotrimeric kinesin-II and the homodimeric Kif17 kinesin—in zebrafish cilia. We report that kif17 is largely dispensable for ciliogenesis; kif17 homozygous mutant animals are viable and display subtle morphological defects of olfactory cilia only. In contrast to that, the kif3b gene, encoding a heterotrimeric kinesin subunit, is necessary for cilia differentiation in most tissues, although exceptions exist, and include photoreceptors and a subset of hair cells. Cilia of these cell types persist even in kif3b/kif17 double mutants. Although we have not observed a functional redundancy of kif3b and kif17, kif17 is able to substitute for kif3b in some cilia. In contrast to kif3b/kif17 double mutants, simultaneous interference with kif3b and kif3c leads to the complete loss of photoreceptor and hair cell cilia, revealing redundancy of function. This is in agreement with the idea that Kif3b and Kif3c motor subunits form complexes with Kif3a, but not with each other. Interestingly, kif3b mutant photoreceptor cilia differentiate with a delay, suggesting that kif3c, although redundant with kif3b at later stages of differentiation, is not active early in photoreceptor ciliogenesis. Consistent with that, the overexpression of kif3c in kif3b mutants rescues early photoreceptor cilia defects. These data reveal unexpected diversity of functional relationships between vertebrate ciliary kinesins, and show that the repertoire of kinesin motors changes in some cilia during their differentiation.
Development of Electrically Conductive Double‐Network Hydrogels via One‐Step Facile Strategy for Cardiac Tissue Engineering

Cardiac tissue engineering is an effective method to treat the myocardial infarction. However, the lack of electrical conductivity of biomaterials limits their applications. In this work, a homogeneous electronically conductive double network (HEDN) hydrogel via one‐step facile strategy is developed, consisting of a rigid/hydrophobic/conductive network of chemical crosslinked poly(thiophene‐3‐acetic acid) (PTAA) and a flexible/hydrophilic/biocompatible network of photo‐crosslinking methacrylated aminated gelatin (MAAG). Results suggest that the swelling, mechanical, and conductive properties of HEDN hydrogel can be modulated via adjusting the ratio of PTAA network to MAAG network. HEDN hydrogel has Young's moduli ranging from 22.7 to 493.1 kPa, and its conductivity (≈10−4 S cm−1) falls in the range of reported conductivities for native myocardium tissue. To assess their biological activity, the brown adipose‐derived stem cells (BADSCs) are seeded on the surface of HEDN hydrogel with or without electrical stimulation. Our data show that the HEDN hydrogel can support the survival and proliferation of BADSCs, and that it can improve the cardiac differentiation efficiency of BADSCs and upregulate the expression of connexin 43. Moreover, electrical stimulation can further improve this effect. Overall, it is concluded that the HEDN hydrogel may represent an ideal scaffold for cardiac tissue engineering.
High Prevalence of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Swedish Sewage

ABSTRACT In Europe the use of the growth promoter avoparcin is considered to have selected for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Sweden ceased using avoparcin in 1986, and only occasional cases of VRE from hospitals have been reported since 1995. Within the framework of a European study, samples from urban raw sewage, treated sewage, surface water, and hospital sewage in Sweden (n = 118) were screened for VRE. Surprisingly, VRE were isolated from 21 of 35 untreated sewage samples (60%), from 5 of 14 hospital sewage samples (36%), from 6 of 32 treated sewage samples (19%), and from 1 of 37 surface water samples. Thirty-five isolates from 33 samples were further characterized by geno- and phenotyping, MIC determination, and PCR analysis. Most isolates (30 of 35) carried the vanA gene, and the majority (24 of 35) of the isolates were Enterococcus faecium. Most of the VRE were multiresistant. The typing revealed high diversity of the isolates. However, one major cluster with seven identical or similar isolates was found. These isolates came from three different sewage treatment plants and were collected at different occasions during 1 year. All VRE from hospital sewage originated from one of the two hospitals studied. That hospital also had vancomycin consumption that was 10-fold that of the other. We conclude that VRE were commonly found in sewage samples in Sweden. The origin might be both healthy individuals and individuals in hospitals. Possibly, antimicrobial drugs or chemicals released into the sewage system may sustain VRE in the system.
Two pregnane oligoglycosides from Marsdenia roylei

The structure of pregnane oligoglycosides, namely rocinine (1) and marsdinine (11), which have been isolated from the chloroform soluble extract of the dried stem of Marsdenia roylei, were elucidated using MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, 1H–1H COSY, HSQC and TOCSY experiments as well as chemical degradation and derivatisation.
Reinforcement Learning in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Early behavioral interventions are recognized as integral to standard care in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and often focus on reinforcing desired behaviors (e.g., eye contact) and reducing the presence of atypical behaviors (e.g., echoing others' phrases). However, efficacy of these programs is mixed. Reinforcement learning relies on neurocircuitry that has been reported to be atypical in ASD: prefrontal-sub-cortical circuits, amygdala, brainstem, and cerebellum. Thus, early behavioral interventions rely on neurocircuitry that may function atypically in at least a subset of individuals with ASD. Recent work has investigated physiological, behavioral, and neural responses to reinforcers to uncover differences in motivation and learning in ASD. We will synthesize this work to identify promising avenues for future research that ultimately can be used to enhance the efficacy of early intervention.
Single and Double Black-Cox for Pricing Risky Debt and Equity with Reorganization

In this paper we add a Black and Cox (1976) approach for debt and equity valuation to the common practice of reorganization leading to a more realistic setting. We introduce first passage models in order to allow for both reorganization as well as liquidation before maturity time. This paper considers two types of settings. The first one is a first-passage approach for reorganization together with a Merton approach for default, while the second setting uses first-passage models for both reorganization and default. A comparison among the models proposed with Merton (1974) and Black and Cox (1976) approaches is provided.
The Change of Well-Being Associated with Spa Therapy

Objective: The present exploratory study sought to examine the changes of well-being associated with 3 weeks of resort based spa therapy. This is a traditional form of health enhancement incorporating balneotherapy, physical therapies, and health education in an inpatient setting. Patients and Method: Subjects were spa patients (n = 153, mean age 58 years) with chronic pain and other age related complaints of moderately higher than normal prevalence. The well-being variables were vegetative complaints, pain, fatigue, positive and negative mood, and health satisfaction assessed at the beginning and end of spa treatment as well as 5 weeks and 12 months thereafter. Results: Well-being improved significantly in all variables during spa therapy, the improvement continuing with a slight deterioration at 5 weeks after the stay. After 12 months, vegetative complaints and fatigue had again reached pre-spa levels, whereas pain, positive and negative mood as well as health satisfaction remained improved. Both patients with high and low levels of pain increase their well-being, although pain patients showed greater improvements in some of the measures. Subjects not responding to spa therapy were older and showed less health satisfaction. Conclusions: The results suggest that spa therapy may be a powerful tool in enhancing well-being in progressed middle aged adults with common health impairments.
A 15-Year Prospective Epidemiological Account of Acute Traumatic Injuries During Official Professional Soccer League Matches in Japan

Background: Few prospective epidemiological studies on soccer match injuries have collected continuous data using subjects from the same group. Purpose: To investigate long-term injury-induced changes during official matches in the professional Japanese soccer league. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: Acute injuries during official matches among top-division Japanese professional soccer leaguers were prospectively collected from 1993 to 2007. Injuries preventing player participation for 7 days or more were defined as a reportable injury. Interseasonal variations of injury rate (IR: injuries/1000/player hours) and injury pattern (type, location, circumstances, severity, injury time, positional role, and relationship to weather) were analyzed. Results: Throughout the study period, 2947 injuries from 3984 matches occurred. Mean annual IR was 21.77/1000 player hours, and annual variance showed gradual decrement throughout the study period. The proportion of injury type and location were not significantly changed. Sprain and contusion as injury type and thigh and ankle joint as location were the most common in every season. Contact-related injuries comprised 73.3% on average and were observed to occur more frequently during the last 15 minutes and extra time of match play. The proportion of foul play–related injuries showed a clear declining trend. The proportion of severe injury showed a sporadic increase from 2001 to 2004. The second, fifth, and sixth 15-minute match segments showed a higher IR. Goalkeepers had a lower IR versus other field players. Matches on rainy days resulted in a lower IR than did those held under other weather conditions. Conclusion: Long-term surveillance and statistical feedback of injury characteristics to organization members were considered effective in improving safer play awareness among players and for referees to reduce injury incidence, particularly foul play–related injuries.
It Takes Two to Tango: A Regime‐Switching Analysis of the Correlation Dynamics between the Mainland Chinese and Hong Kong Stock Markets

This paper proposes a regime‐switching model to examine the correlation dynamics of the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong stock markets with high‐frequency A‐, B‐, H‐shares and Red Chip indexes. We find significant evidence of volatility persistence and asymmetries in these markets. Our model further suggests all correlations are significantly time‐varying with various patterns and co‐persistence in both low‐ and high‐correlation states. Our findings have important implications for both policymakers and investors, such as understanding the extent and nature of integration between the mainland Chinese and Hong Kong stock markets over time and developing dynamic strategies for optimal hedging and portfolio management.
Effects of turbulence on the geometric collision rate of sedimenting droplets. Part 1. Results from direct numerical simulation

There have been relatively few studies of turbulent collision rate of sedimenting droplets in the context of cloud physics, for which both the gravitational settling and inertial effects must be simultaneously considered. In this study, direct numerical simulations (DNS) were used to study the geometric collision rates of cloud droplets. Both Stokes drag law and a nonlinear drag law were considered, but the droplet–droplet local aerodynamic interactions were not included. Typical droplet and turbulence parameters of convective clouds were used to determine the flow dissipation rate ϵ, characteristic Stokes numbers, and the nondimensional terminal velocities. DNS results from a large number of runs covering the ϵ range from 10 to 400 cm2 s− 3 and droplet sizes from 10 to 60 μm in radius are presented. These results show that air turbulence can increase the geometric collision kernel by up to 47%, relative to geometric collision by differential sedimentation. This is due to both a moderate enhancement of the radial relative velocity between droplets and a moderate level of pair nonuniform concentration due to local droplet clustering. The turbulence enhancements increase with the flow dissipation rate and flow Reynolds number. Comparisons with related DNS studies show that our results confirm and extend the previous findings. The mean settling velocity of droplets in a turbulent flow was also obtained, showing that a maximum increase relative to the terminal velocity occurs for 20 μm cloud droplets. This agrees with a previous theory based on simple vortex flows and confirms the importance of a new nondimensional parameter τp3g2/ν for sedimenting droplets, where τp is the droplet inertial response time, g is the gravitational acceleration and ν is the air kinematic viscosity. Limitations of DNS and future directions are also noted.
Synthesis and fractionation properties of SpoIIGA, a protein essential for pro-sigma E processing in Bacillus subtilis

sigma E, a major sporulation-specific sigma factor of Bacillus subtilis, is derived from an inactive precursor protein (pro-sigma E). The formation of sigma E from pro-sigma E requires the products of several stage II genes, including spoIIGA, a gene that is cotranscribed with the pro-sigma E coding region (spoIIGB, or sigE). SpoIIGA has been hypothesized to be both a membrane-bound protein and the protease which converts pro-sigma E into sigma E. to learn more of its properties, we joined the Escherichia coli lacZ gene to the 3' end of spoIIGA as a translational fusion, creating a gene whose product was found to contain both beta-galactosidase and SpoIIGA activities. Assaying for the beta-galactosidase activity of the chimeric protein as a measure of its abundance, we determined that the spoIIGA::lacZ product accumulated to approximately 10% the level of a spoIIGB::lacZ fusion protein. Using differential centrifugation to fractionate B. subtilis extracts that contained beta-galactosidase fusion proteins, we observed that the beta-galactosidase activity of the spoIIGA::lacZ fusion protein was preferentially associated with a Triton X-100-sensitive, fast-sedimenting portion of the extract, while the beta-galactosidase activity of the spoIIGB::lacZ fusion protein remained primarily in the supernatant fraction. If the properties of the fusion proteins are assumed to be representative of those of the products of the genes to which lacZ is joined, these results support the hypothesis that SpoIIGA is a membrane-bound protein that acts catalytically in the processing of pro-sigma E into sigma E.
Identifying the Effects of Place-Based Policies - Causal Evidence from Germany

The German government provides discretionary investment grants to structurally weak regions to reduce regional disparities. We use a regression discontinuity design that exploits an exogenous discrete jump in the probability of receiving investment grants, to identify the causal effects of the investment grant on regional outcomes. We find positive effects for regional gross value-added and productivity growth, but no effects for employment and gross wage growth.
Lamivudine Resistance of Hepatitis B Virus Masked by Coemergence of Mutations in Probe Region of the COBAS AMPLICOR Assay

ABSTRACT The COBAS AMPLICOR hepatitis B virus assay targets a conserved region of the genome and is widely used to monitor treatment of hepatitis B in order to identify emerging resistance. However, the assay failed to recognize increasing viremia levels when YMDD mutations were paralleled by mutations in the segment targeted by the COBAS AMPLICOR probe.
Comprehensive investigation in patients affected by sperm macrocephaly and globozoospermia

The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive genetic/phenotypic characterization of subjects suffering infertility owing to sperm macrocephaly (n = 3) or globozoospermia (n = 9) and to investigate whether the patients’ genetic status was correlated with the alteration of various sperm parameters. AURKC was sequenced in case of sperm macrocephaly while the DPY19L2 status has been analyzed by multiple approaches including a novel qPCR–based copy number assay in case of globozoospermia. Globozoospermic patients were also analyzed for SPACA1, a novel candidate gene herein tested for the first time in humans. The effect of the patients’ genetic status was interrogated by implementing the molecular screening with the characterization of several sperm parameters: (i) routine sperm analysis, integrated with transmission electron microscopy; (ii) sperm fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis; (iii) sperm DNA fragmentation (DF) analysis. Moreover, for the first time, we performed microsatellite instability analysis as a marker of genome instability in men with sperm macrocephaly and globozoospermia. Finally, artificial reproductive technology (ART) history has been reported for those patients who underwent the treatment. Macrocephalic patients had an AURKC mutation and >89% tetraploid, highly fragmented spermatozoa. DPY19L2 was mutated in all patients with >80% globozoospermia: the two homozygous deleted men and the compound heterozygous showed the severest phenotype (90–100%). The newly developed qPCR method was fully validated and has the potential of detecting also yet undiscovered deletions. DPY19L2 status is unlikely related to FISH anomalies and DF, although globozoospermic men showed a higher disomy rate and DF compared with internal reference values. No patient was mutated for SPACA1. Our data support the general agreement on the negative correlation between macro/globozoospermia and conventional intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes. Microsatellites were stable in all patients analyzed. The comprehensive picture provided on these severe phenotypes causing infertility is of relevance in the management of patients undergoing ART.
Exchange Competition and Order Splitting

The emergence of new trading platforms has intensified order fragmentation. Yet, little is known on how this phenomenon affects the behavior of profit maximizing exchanges. I show that fragmentation may allow competing exchanges to retain market power. When order splitting is beneficial for traders, competing exchanges are complements. This leads to non-competitive equilibrium exchange fees. Although trader welfare is higher than under a monopoly exchange, it further rises if order splitting is prohibited. Exchanges are then substitutes and pressure on fees strengthens. Moreover, order splitting discourages exchanges from investing in liquidity enhancing technology, while prohibiting order splitting encourages such investments.
Prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

BACKGROUND The goal of this pilot study was to investigate the prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in a group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHOD Fifty adult patients enrolled in out-patient SLE studies at the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (February 1995-October 1996) completed a self-report questionnaire adapted from the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and an in-person psychiatric clinical interview with a psychiatrist or psychiatric clinical nurse specialist. DSM-IV lifetime diagnosis of OCD was determined by clinical interview. RESULTS Sixteen subjects (32%) met DSM-IV lifetime diagnostic criteria for OCD and an additional 5 (10%) met criteria for subclinical OCD. Mean +/- SD number of symptoms reported on the self-report questionnaire was significantly higher among subjects diagnosed with OCD on clinical interview (40.7 +/- 23.2) compared with those without OCD (8.9 +/- 11.7; t = 5.8, df = 27, p <.001). CONCLUSION Obsessive-compulsive disorder was 10 to 15 times more common in this cohort of patients with SLE compared with those in community-based studies of OCD. The use of an OCD self-report rating scale proved helpful in the identification of OCD symptoms among patients with SLE. Results suggest that further studies of OCD in patients with SLE are needed and may provide new insight into the pathophysiology of both disorders.
A Biomechanical Comparison of Two Methods of Fixation of Fractures of the Forearm

Summary In this study two different types of forearm internal fracture fixations were compared: limited-contact dynamic compression (DC) plates and fluted intramedullary (IM) rods. Eight matched pairs of intact forearms, consisting of the distal part of the humerus, elbow joint, radius, ulna, interosseus membrane, wrist joint, and metacarpals, were randomly separated into two groups. Each was placed into a custom-designed apparatus and subjected to medial bending, supination, pronation, axial compression, and distraction loading. Loads were applied by a materials testing system, and angular displacements were measured by inclinometers. The procedure consisted of first testing specimens intact, then retesting after oseotomizing and fixing the radius with either a plate or rod in half of the group and retesting after oseotomizing and fixing the ulna in the other half. Testing was continued by osteotomizing the remaining intact bone to create a two-bone fracture, fixing them, and retesting after creating a 5-mm gap at the osteotomy sites. These tests showed that the intact ulna contributes more to forearm stability in bending and torsion than does the radius. Therefore, if the radius is fractured but the ulna remains intact, IM rodding will produce constructs with greater stiffnesses, particularly in torsion, than if the ulna is fractured and the radius is intact. In the case of a two-bone fracture, implantation of rods will result in a construct with significantly less stiffness in torsion, as well as distraction and compression (in the case of a fracture gap), than if the fractures were plated. The torsional stiffness with rod fixation was low with a two-bone fracture (2.23% of intact specimens) compared with fixation with plates (83.4% of intact specimens) and the resistance to distraction and compression small (5–10 N of axial load). Consideration might be given to supplemental stabilization if IM rods are used in these circumstances.
Roles of brain and muscle ARNT‐like 1 and Wnt antagonist Dkk1 during osteogenesis of bone marrow stromal cells

Many studies have demonstrated that the clock gene, brain and muscle ARNT‐like 1 (Bmal1), is directly related to bone ageing by affecting age‐related changes to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). As a main developmental signal, Wnt may play an important role in this process. Here, we have aimed to elucidate whether Bmal1 positively regulates osteogenesi via Wnt pathways.