Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Doppler umbilical artery velocimetry in pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis

Doppler umbilical velocimetry is a useful clinical tool for antepartum fetal surveillance of pregnancies at risk of fetal compromise. Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy is associated with an increased incidence of fetal death, which might due to the toxic effect of elevated maternal serum concentrations of bile acids. To study a possible effect of the concentration of bile acids on the umbilical circulation we performed pulse-wave Doppler velocimetry of the umbilical artery in 15 patients with intrahepatic cholestasis between 34 and 38 weeks of gestation. The findings were compared to the Doppler flow velocities of the umbilical artery of 129 normal pregnancies. Peak-systolic (A) and end-diastolic (B) velocities of two to three cardiac cycles were measured by electronic calipers and the Pourcelot (PR)-index (PR = (A - B)(A)) was calculated. Two of 29 Doppler measurements in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis were above two standard deviations (2 SD) of the values in normal pregnancies. No significant correlation was found between Doppler flow velocities and serum levels of bile acids (r = 0.20) or the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) (r = -0.05). The mean level of bile acids was 24 mumol/l with a maximum of 98 mumol/l. The mean level of ALAT was 165 IU/l with a maximum of 576 IU/l. Since even high levels of bile acids do not influence umbilical circulation, Doppler investigations of the umbilical artery seem to be of little value in studying the disease-specific risk of fetal compromise in pregnancies complicated by intrahepatic cholestasis.
Teratoid Wilms' tumor

A child with bilateral Wilms' tumors is reported. The left renal tumor showed nephroblastoma with several tissues of apparent mesenchymal derivation and tubules with diverse epithelial differentiation. The right‐sided tumor showed the more familiar triphasic pattern of nephroblastoma. Initial percutaneous renal biopsy of the left tumor did not reveal nephroblastoma but showed tubules with various epithelia and mesenchymal elements, and led to a diagnosis of teratoma. The pathogenesis of this complex neoplasm is discussed, and argument is presented that primitive renal blastema may be capable of more diverse differentiation than has previously been realized. A comparison is drawn between this neoplasm and some cases of hepatoblastoma. Certain cases reported as renal teratoma may be similar in nature.
Minocycline induced autoimmune hepatitis and systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome

Monocycline is the most widely prescribed systemic antibiotic for acne largely because it needs to be given only once or twice a day and seems not to induce resistance. Up to April 1994 11 cases of minocycline induced systemic lupus erythematosus and 16 cases of hepatitis had been reported to the Committee on Safety of Medicines. An analysis of these cases together with seven other cases shows the severity of some of these reactions. Two patients died while taking the drug for acne and a further patient needed a liver transplant. Acne itself can induce arthritis and is often seen in association with autoimmine liver disease, but the clinical and biochemical resolution seen after withdrawal of the drug, despite deterioration of the acne, suggests a drug reaction. In five cases re-exposure led to recurrence. Because reactions may be severe early recognition is important to aid recovery and also to avoid invasive investigations and treatments such as corticosteroids and immunosuppresants. Safer alternatives should be considered for treating acne.
Long‐term temporal changes of genetic composition in brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) populations inhabiting an unstable environment

The genetic structure of brown trout (Salmo trutta) populations inhabiting rivers on the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea was studied on a spatial and temporal scale. Low water levels in the rivers during the summer period are assumed to have a significant impact on the persistence of local populations, possibly resulting in a metapopulation structure. Extinctions may, however, also be buffered by a remnant strategy, whereby juveniles escape to river outlets during periods of drought. We compared polymorphism at seven microsatellite DNA loci in contemporary and past samples collected from 1944 to 1997. A principal component analysis, a hierarchical gene diversity analysis and assignment tests showed that the genetic composition of populations was not temporally stable, and that temporal genetic differentiation was much stronger than spatial differentiation. Genetic variability was high and stable over time. Effective population sizes (Ne) and migration rate (m) were estimated using a maximum‐likelihood‐based implementation of the temporal method. Ne estimates were low (ranging from 8.3 to 22.9) and estimates of m were high (between 0.23 and 0.99), in contrast to other Danish trout populations inhabiting larger and more environmentally stable rivers (Ne between 39.2 and 289.9 and m between 0.01 and 0.09). Thus, the observed spatio‐temporal patterns of genetic differentiation can be explained by drift in small persisting populations, where levels of genetic variation are maintained by strong gene flow. However, observations of rivers devoid of trout suggested that population turnover also takes place. We suggest that Bornholm trout represent a metapopulation where the genetic structure primarily reflects strong drift and gene flow, combined with occasional extinction–recolonization events.
Inputs and Services Delivery System under Contract Farming: A Case of Broiler Farming §

The paper has analyzed production-related aspects of broiler farming under contract and independent management, and has examined inputs and services provision arrangements. About two-thirds of the contracts are of long duration of three years, and the remaining are of two years or eleven months duration. Surprisingly, none of the contract farmer possesses a copy of the agreement with him. The average net return per kg of live weight as well as per bird has been found higher in non-contract than contract farmers. The average net returns per bird increases with increase in the size of the farm for both the groups. Despite contract for supply of inputs and sale of output, contract farmers face problems like delay in supply of inputs, high feed prices, delay in lifting the produce, delay in payment, low price, and sometime even rejection of output. Beside these problems, low growing charges, delay in providing chicks, delay in providing veterinary services, high visiting charges and deduction of tax at source are some other problems being faced by the contract farmers.
Aggregating Estimates of Firm-level Capital Distorsions Very Preliminary – Do not circulate *

This paper develops a framework to compute aggregate counterfactuals based on microeconomic estimates of capital distortions, which does not require the estimation of a structural model of firm dynamics. Our analysis starts from a standard dynamic general equilibrium model with heterogeneous firms subject to generic forms of capital frictions: adjustment costs, taxes and financing constraints. Within this model, we consider a randomized control trial that changes the set of distortions faced by a random subset of firms. An empiricist observing the firm-level response to this “treatment” wish to assess the effect of generalizing this treatment to all firms in the economy. We derive simple formulas to that effect. These formulas are based on sufficient statistics that can be estimated in the empirical experiment. Importantly, we provide sufficient conditions on the underlying firm dynamics model under which these formulas apply exactly and show that these conditions hold in a generic class of macro-finance models. We use simulation exercises to assess the quantitative performance of our methodology when these conditions are not satisfied. *Sraer: sraer@berkeley.edu; Thesmar: thesmar@mit.edu. We gratefully acknowledge comments and suggestions from Laurent Frésard, Valentin Haddad, Erik Loualliche, Martin Lettau as well as seminar participants at UC Berkeley, Columbia, Cornell, Maryland, NYU, University of Minnesotta, UT Austin, Michigan, MIT and Stanford. All remaining errors are our own.
Content of Phenolic Compounds in Various Sea Buckthorn Parts

Abstract All parts of the sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) plant are considered to contain large amounts of compounds that are believed to have beneficial health effects. Till now, different parts of sea buckthorn plant have been used for the treatment of diseases in traditional medicine in various countries. Nevertheless, sea buckthorn parts would be a good raw material not only for medicinal properties but also for food products with functional properties; therefore, the aim of the research was to determine the concentration of different phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity in various sea buckthorn parts. The study was conducted on parts of female and male sea buckthorn bushes. Phenolic compounds (total phenols, total flavonoids and condensed tannins) and antioxidative activity (ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) free radical scavenging activity (using 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, DPPH)) in ethanolic extracts of leaves, shoots, flowers, and berries were determined using various spectrophotometric methods. The study showed that concentration of phenolic compounds differed among parts of sea buckthorn plant and among gender. Leaves of female plants proved to be the most valuable, as they contained the highest total phenol concentration (165.76 mg/g) and antioxidant activity (220.97 mg/g for FRAP and 43.76 mg/g for DPPH), while lowest values were found in young shoots of male plants (84.94 mg/g, 94.24 mg/g and 24.63 mg/g, respectively). The significant differences in chemical composition and biological activity of sea buckthorn leaves, shoots, berries, and buds indicate a need for detailed studies of their extracts, specific fractions and compounds during a whole vegetative season. Abstrakt Rakstā aplūkots fenolsavienojumu saturs dažādās smiltsērkšķu auga daļās un to antioksidatīvā aktivitāte. Kā pētījuma objekts izvēlētas sievišķo un vīrišķo augu lapas, jaunie dzinumi, zaļās ogas, kas ievāktas jūnija vidū, un ziedi, kas ievākti aprīļa beigās. Paraugiem analizēts kopējo fenolu, kopējo flavonoīdu un kondensēto tanīnu saturs, kā arī antioksidatīvā aktivitāte ar FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidantpower) un DPPH (2.2-diphenyl-1 -picrylhydrazyl) metodi. Vērtīgākā auga daļa izrādījās sievišķā auga lapas, kurām konstatēts augstākais kopējo fenolu saturs un antioksidatīvā aktivitāte, lietojot abas metodes, savukārt vismazākie minētie rādītāji bija jaunajiem dzinumiem no vīrišķā auga. Rezultāti norāda uz būtiskām atšķirībām smiltsērkšķu auga daļu ķīmiskajā sastāvā un bioloģiskajā aktivitātē, tādēļ nepieciešami padziļināti pētījumi par ekstraktiem, to frakcijām vai atsevišķiem savienojumiem un to izmaiņām visā veģetācijas sezonā.
Maximum likelihood soft decoding of binary block codes and decoders for the Golay codes

Maximum-likelihood soft-decision decoding of linear block codes is addressed. A binary multiple-check generalization of the Wagner rule is presented, and two methods for its implementation, one of which resembles the suboptimal Forney-Chase algorithms, are described. Besides efficient soft decoding of small codes, the generalized rule enables utilization of subspaces of a wide variety, thereby yielding maximum-likelihood decoders with substantially reduced computational complexity for some larger binary codes. More sophisticated choice and exploitation of the structure of both a subspace and the coset representatives are demonstrated for the (24, 12) Golay code, yielding a computational gain factor of about 2 with respect to previous methods. A ternary single-check version of the Wagner rule is applied for efficient soft decoding of the (12, 6) ternary Golay code. >
Early formation of sexually dimorphic glomeruli in the developing olfactory lobe of the brain of the moth Manduca sexta

The antennal lobes (ALs), the primary olfactory centers, of the moth Manduca sexta are sexually dimorphic. Only ALs of males possess the macroglomerular complex (MGC), the site of primary processing of information about the female's sex pheromone. To understand the development of identified, odor‐specific olfactory glomeruli, we investigated the cellular events involved in the morphogenesis of the MGC by means of various fluorescence staining techniques and laser‐scanning confocal microscopy.
Tilting Whole Body Vibration improves quality of life in women with fibromyalgia: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of 12-week tilting Whole Body Vibration therapy (WBV) on Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in fibromylagia (FM) within the context of a randomized control trial (ISRCTN16950947). SUBJECTS AND METHODS Thirty-six (36) women with FM were randomly allocated to either an exercise or a control group. The women in the exercise group were assigned to a 12-week course of tilting WBV (12.5-Hz frequency; 3-mm amplitude). HRQoL was assessed using the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and a 15D questionnaire. RESULTS A 12-week course of tilting WBV therapy was associated with improvements in FIQ scores (12%) but not in the 15D questionnaire. CONCLUSIONS Tilting WBV was a feasible intervention that prevented the loss of HRQoL in previously physically untrained women with FM.
The Use of Migraine Preventive Medications Among Patients with and without Migraine Headaches

The aim was to describe the use of and adherence to migraine preventives among insured patients meeting the International Classification of Headache Disorders, 2nd edn (ICHD-II) criteria for migraine headaches. A retrospective, case–control study was conducted using data from a telephone interview linked with health insurance claims data. Subjects were health plan enrollees aged 18–55 years who had incurred at least one encounter between June 2000 and November 2001. Interview responses were used to identify cases meeting the ICHD-II criteria for strict and probable migraine and a random sample of controls. Pharmacy claims data were used to construct measures of use and adherence. Differences in outcomes by adherence status were evaluated using generalized linear models. We identified 2517 cases and 941 controls. Among cases, the prevalence of antidepressant use was 4%, anticonvulsant use was 1.9%, antihypertensive use was 8.9%. Combined use was 13.4% among cases and did not differ significantly from that observed among controls (12.4%). Mean adherence rate between the first and last dispensing during the year was high (88%) and did not differ by migraine status. When the entire 12-month period is considered, adherence was substantially lower (56%). Patients who were adherent between dispensings reported significantly less migraine-related disability and incurred higher prescription drug costs, but did not differ in their total medical care costs. Patients with migraine are unlikely to be users of preventive medications. Among users, few are taking preventive medications continuously. Patients with migraine—especially those without a medical diagnosis for migraine or headaches—are not receiving the benefits available from existing pharmacotherapy options.
An Invariant Approach to Statistical Analysis of Shapes

The webpage cited in the text contains all of the large datasets presented, a table of contents, answers to selected exercises, miscellaneous links, and the computer code used in Appendix C. I found the material reasonable, but would have liked to have seen the R code for additional case studies worked out to the same extent as the case study in Appendix C. I felt there were other techniques used sufficiently often throughout the text that some exemplary code, either on the webpage or the Appendix, would have been appropriate. In particular, the EM algorithm is used repeatedly in the latter half of the book, but no code implementing EM methods is provided. Granted, the EM steps are spelled out in some detail in numerous places in the book, but some typical code would be useful. In an ambitious work such as this, it is easy to find ways in which the material could be reorganized, and suggestions for reorganization necessarily depend on what the user has in mind. With that caveat, I think the material in the very last chapter could be incorporated, or at least integrated, into either Chapter 6 or Chapter 11. The transition between the discussion of Bayesian decision analysis in Chapter 23 and posterior inference in those other chapters is essentially seamless and could be easily incorporated into the authors’ analysis rubric presented in Chapter 11. This is a book that challenges the user in its sophisticated approach toward data analysis in general and Bayesian methods in particular. I am thoroughly excited to have this book in hand to supplement course material and to offer research collaborators and clients at our consulting lab more sophisticated methods to solve their research problems.
Physiological Characteristics of International Female Soccer Players

Abstract Manson, SA, Brughelli, M, and Harris, NK. Physiological characteristics of international female soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 28(2): 308–318, 2014—The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiological characteristics of Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) eligible international female soccer players aged 14–36 years and to determine if measures were significantly different for players selected (i.e., starters) to the starting line up for an FIFA tournament as compared with those not selected (i.e., nonstarters). Fifty-one (N = 18 Under 17; N = 18 Under 20; N = 15 Senior) international female soccer players participated in this study. The subjects underwent measurements of anthropometry (height and body mass), lower body strength (isokinetic testing), sprint kinetics and kinematics (nonmotorized treadmill), leg power (unilateral jumping), and maximal aerobic velocity (30:15 intermittent fitness test) during the final preparatory stage for an FIFA event. Outcomes of the age group data indicate that differences in physiological capacities are evident for the Under 17 players as compared with those for the Under 20 and Senior capped international players, suggesting a plateau in the acquisition of physical qualities as players mature. Starters tended to be faster (effect size [ES] = 0.55–1.0, p < 0.05) and have a higher maximal aerobic velocity (ES = 0.78–2.45, p < 0.05), along with greater eccentric leg strength (ES = 0.33–1.67, p < 0.05). Significant differences were detected between starters and nonstarters for isokinetic leg strength (ES = 0.54–1.24, p < 0.05) and maximal aerobic velocity (ES = 0.87, p < 0.05) for Under 17 players, where maximal aerobic velocity was the primary difference between starters and nonstarters (ES = 0.83–2.45, p < 0.05) for the Under 20 and Senior players. Coaches should emphasize the development of speed, maximal aerobic velocity, and leg strength in developing female soccer players.
Thermal inactivation of thyroxine-binding globulin for direct radioimmunoassay of triiodothyronine in serum.

ABSTRACT A new radioimmunoassay procedurefor triiodothyronine (T3) is described. The methoduses unextracted serum at a 1:4 dilution. The novel feature of the process is that preincubation and incubation with isotope take place at 60 C. At this temperature the binding capacity of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) is virtually eliminated and the antigen-antibody reaction is greatly accelerated.Separation of antibody-bound hormone from freehormone is effected by polyethylene glycol solution. By plotting the standard curve on Probability × logarithmic paper, the curve is linear. Logit × log plots give the same results and facilitate calculation of data by a simple computer program. Sera of 31 normal individuals showed a meanvalue (±sd) of 189 ± 30 ng per 100 ml. Fourteen clinically thyrotoxic individuals had T3 values of 838 ± 398 ng per 100 ml and 19 clinically myxedematous patients had T3 values of 47 ± 39 ng per100 ml. These values were confirmed by using several different antisera and by performing the rad.
Mast Cells in the Female Genital Tract

Summary:Mast cells in the human uterus and adnexa have been studied using basic lead acetate fixation and a long toluidine-blue technique to maximise the numbers of cells stained. Counts were performed on measured areas of tissue and the numbers of mast cells related to clinical and pathologic variables. Considerable variation in numbers was found among individual cases at all the sites studied. In the endometrium and myometrium, a drop in the number of mast cells has been demonstrated with advancing age, particularly after menopause. In leiomyomas the highest counts were in the smaller and more cellular lesions. It is concluded that the numbers of mast cells are at least partly related to the degree of cellularity or atrophy of the surrounding tissues. No significant association was found with menorrhagia or with the presence of leiomyomas.
Management of Infective Endocarditis in Outpatients: Clinical Experience with Outpatient Parenteral Antibiotic Therapy

Background: There is limited experience in treating infective endocarditis (IE) with outpatient parenteral antibiotic therapy (OPAT). Methods: Following institutional review board (IRB) approval, patients discharged from Baystate Medical Center with IE documented by modified Duke criteria treated with OPAT were identified. Data obtained included organisms implicated, indications of clinical stability, percentage of total therapy rendered after hospitalization, and one year follow up. Results: Forty-three patients met criteria. Thirty-five percent were infected with staphylococci; 38% harbored streptococci or enterococci. Native valves and left-sided valves each constituted approximately 75% of total. All patients received >4 weeks of therapy, with >66% rendered after hospital discharge A median of 7 days of hemodynamic stability and negative blood cultures occurred prior to discharge. After one year, no patients died from IE. Twenty-three percent were hospitalized during OPAT from intravenous catheter, antibiotic, or other complications, but none for direct complications of IE. Conclusions: OPAT for IE can be safely utilized, and at least 66% of care can be given in this manner. Our investigation provides enhanced data on employing OPAT for IE caused by staphylococci, left-sided infections, and also provides outcomes after one year after treatment.
Examining the Relationship Between WAIS-III Premorbid Intellectual Functioning and WMS-III Memory Ability to Evaluate Memory Impairment

The purpose of this study was to extend previous research by Lange and Chelune (2006) by evaluating the clinical utility of GAI-memory discrepancy scores to detect memory impairment using estimated premorbid GAI scores (i.e., GAI-E) rather than obtained GAI scores. Participants were 34 patients with Alzheimer's-type dementia and a sub-sample of 34 demographically matched participants from the WAIS-III/WMS-III standardization sample. GAI-memory discrepancy scores were more effective at differentiating Alzheimer's patients versus healthy controls when using estimated premorbid GAI scores than obtained GAI scores. However, GAI(E)-memory discrepancy scores failed to provide unique interpretive information beyond that which is gained from interpretation of the memory index scores alone. This was most likely due to the prevalence of obvious memory impairment in this patient population. Future research directions are discussed.