Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of predictive models for postoperative nausea and vomiting.

BACKGROUND In order to identify patients who would benefit from prophylactic amtiemetics, six predictive models have been described for the risk assessment of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). This study compared the validity and practicability of these models in patients undergoing general anaesthesia. METHODS Data were analysed from 1566 patients who underwent balanced anaesthesia without prophylactic antiemetic treatment for various types of surgery. A systematic literature search identified six predictive models for PONV. These models were compared with respect to validity (discriminating power and calibration characteristics) and practicability. Discriminating power was measured by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration was assessed by weighted linear regression analysis between predicted and actual incidences of PONV. Practicability was assessed according to the number of factors to be considered for the model (the fewer factors the better), and whether the score could be used in combination with a previously applied cost-effective concept. RESULTS The incidence of PONV was 600/1566 (38.1%). The discriminating power (AUC) obtained by the models (named according to the first author) using the risk classes from the recommended prophylactic concept were as follows: Apfel, 0.68; Koivuranta, 0.66; Sinclair, 0.66; Palazzo, 0.63; Gan, 0.61; Scholz, 0.61. For four models, the following calibration curves (expressed as the slope and the offset) were plotted: Apfel, y=0.82x+0.01, r2=0.995; Koivuranta, y=1.13x-0.10, r2=0.999; Sinclair, y=0.49x+0.29, r2=0.789; Palazzo, y=0.30x+0.30, r2=0.763. The numbers of parameters to be considered were as follows: Apfel, 4; Koivuranta, 5; Palazzo, 5; Scholz, 9; Sinclair, 12; Gan, 14. CONCLUSION The simplified risk scores provided better discrimination and calibration properties compared with the more complex risk scores. Therefore, simplified risk scores can be recommended for antiemetic strategies in clinical practice as well as for group comparisons in randomized controlled antiemetic trials.
International Perspectives on Early Years Mathematics

In recent decades the development of mathematical proficiency has been recognised as a key issue for children and their education. The purpose of this paper is to identify key international perspectives that influence Australian mathematics education in the early years especially those that are in a similar state of technological development to Australia. There are four key trends deserving of discussion (1) development in the early years, (2) mathematical proficiency in the early years, (3) mathematics policy and curriculum designed for young children, and (4) the existing research evidence-base.
Hierarchical Organization of Cortical Morphology of Decision-Making when Deconstructing Iowa Gambling Task Performance in Healthy Adults

Abstract The Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) is a measure of decision-making, in which alternative metrics have greater construct validity than conventional metrics. No large scale study has examined the neural correlates in healthy adults. We administered the IGT and structural MRI to 124 healthy participants. We analyzed the conventional IGT metric of advantageous minus disadvantageous choices (i.e., decks C + D minus decks A + B), and three alternative metrics based on choices from decks D and A alone, and all selections from each deck. Using regression and voxel-based morphometry, we examined regional gray matter volumes as predictors of IGT performance. No neural correlates of the conventional metric emerged, and the neural correlates of individual deck selections were disparate from one another. Alternative metrics showed expected neural correlates of decision-making in prefrontal cortex, insula, thalamus, and other regions. IGT alternative metrics have neural correlates consistent with decision-making theory as those difference scores reduce heterogeneity in cognitive processes. The CD-AB metric construct failure may reflect an artificial amalgamation of processes. The D-A metric appears to more successfully combine multiple levels of representation (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, sub-cortical, cerebellar). (JINS, 2012, 18, 585–594)
Probing the metal binding sites of Escherichia coli isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase.

The metal binding properties of isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase (IleRS) from Escherichia coli were studied by in vivo substitution of the enzyme-bound metals. Purified E. coli IleRS was shown to have two tightly bound zinc atoms per active site. Cobalt- and cadmium-substituted IleRS were also found to contain two tightly bound Co2+ and Cd2+ atoms per polypeptide chain, respectively. The d-d transitions in the low energy absorption spectrum of Co(2+)-substituted IleRS were characteristic of that expected for two tetrahedrally coordinated Co2+ metals. Apo-IleRS was found to be inactive in both the aminoacylation of tRNA(Ile) and in the isoleucine-dependent ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reactions. Both Co(2+)- and Cd(2+)-substituted IleRS were found to have kcat/Km values in the isoleucine-dependent ATP-pyrophosphate exchange assay approximately 5-fold lower than the native Zn2+ enzyme. A single enzyme-bound Zn2+ or Co2+ atom per polypeptide chain could be removed by dialysis of Zn(2+)- or Co(2+)-substituted IleRS against 1,10-phenanthroline. Removal of one of the two enzyme-bound Zn2+ atoms per polypeptide chain with 1,10-phenanthroline was found to decrease (kcat/Km)Ile by approximately 130-fold. The dependence of the kinetic parameters on the identity and number of enzyme-bound metals in the isoleucine-dependent ATP-pyrophosphate exchange reaction suggests that at least one enzyme-bound metal is indirectly involved in aminoacyladenylate formation. Metal substitution or removal of one of the two enzyme-bound metals in IleRS was found to have little effect on the Km value for tRNA(Ile) or the kcat value for aminoacylation of tRNA(Ile). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Hematological cancer patients’ quality of life: self versus intimate or non‐intimate confidant reports

Self reports of 49 outpatients with hematological cancers and matched dyad confidant reports about the patient, collected at a cancer treatment center in Lisbon, Portugal, were compared on the SF‐36 quality of life (QOL) measure. These comparisons contrasted self reports and confidant reports of the 33 patients with an accompanying spouse/partner intimate confidant, and of the 16 patients with an accompanying non‐intimate confidant. Intimate confidants gave lower SF‐36 QOL ratings of patients’ Social Functioning and Mental Health than those patients gave for themselves (p<0.05). Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Allylamine derivatives: new class of synthetic antifungal agents inhibiting fungal squalene epoxidase.

A new class of synthetic antifungal agents, the allylamines , has been developed by modification of naftifine , a topical antimycotic. SF 86-327, the most effective of these compounds so far, is highly active in vitro against a wide range of fungi and exceeds clinical standards in the oral and topical treatment of guinea pig dermatophytoses. SF 86-327 is a powerful specific inhibitor of fungal squalene epoxidase, a key enzyme in sterol biosynthesis.
Determinants of Prison Experience among Homicide and Non-Homicide Offenders in Nigeria

Background: Large numbers of stimuli are contained within the prison environment which can impact both the behaviour and attitudes of inmates within it. This inmate-environment interaction has implication for the safety and overall well-being of inmates. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the differences between homicide and non-homicide offenders in relation to effects of prison environmental factors. The relationship between these factors and sociodemographic factors was also explored and compared between both groups of offenders. Methods: A case-control study design was employed with 102 homicide and an equal number of nonhomicide offenders. Each participant was interviewed using a questionnaire for ascertaining sociodemographic characteristics as well as the Prison Environment Inventory for inmates concerns within the prison. Results: A significant association was found in all prison environment subscales between offender groups except safety (p = 0.060) and privacy (p = 0.084) with homicide offenders having better total overall score in the prison environment. A younger age and higher educational attainment were associated with better prison experience. Conclusion: The study found an overall better adjustment in homicide offenders compared to their non-homicide counterparts. However, prison administrators have a role in improving specific aspects of prisoner experience for both homicide and non-homicide offenders during incarceration.
Rac1 is required for matrix metalloproteinase 13 production by chondrocytes in response to fibronectin fragments.

OBJECTIVE Matrix fragments, including fibronectin (FN) fragments, accumulate during the development of osteoarthritis (OA), stimulating the production of chondrocyte matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). The objective of this study was to determine the role of the small GTPase Rac1 in chondrocyte signaling stimulated by FN fragments, which results in MMP-13 production. METHODS Normal human cartilage was obtained from tissue donors and OA cartilage from knee arthroplasty specimens. Rac1 activity was modulated with a chemical inhibitor, by knockdown with small interfering RNA (siRNA), or with constitutively active Rac or dominant-negative Rac adenovirus. Cells were treated with FN fragments, with or without epidermal growth factor (EGF) or transforming growth factor α (TGFα), which are known activators of Rac. Rac1 activity was measured with a colorimetric activity enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, a pulldown assay, and immunostaining with a monoclonal antibody against active Rac. RESULTS Chemical inhibition of Rac1, as well as knockdown by siRNA and expression of dominant-negative Rac, blocked FN fragment-stimulated MMP-13 production, while expression of constitutively active Rac increased MMP-13 production. Inhibition of Rho-associated kinase had no effect. EGF and TGFα, but not FN fragments, increased Rac1 activity and promoted the increase in MMP-13 above that achieved by stimulation with FN fragments alone. Active Rac was detected in OA cartilage by immunostaining. CONCLUSION Rac1 is required for FN fragment-induced signaling that results in increased MMP-13 production. EGF receptor ligands, which activate Rac, can promote this effect. The presence of active Rac in OA cartilage and the ability of Rac to stimulate MMP-13 production suggest that it could play a role in the cartilage matrix destruction seen in OA.
A scalable massively parallel processor for real-time image processing

A processor with 2048 4 b grained processor elements (PE) and a 2 Mb SRAM is implemented in 65 nm CMOS and occupies a 5.29 mm2 die. It achieves 200 MHz operation at 1.0 V and outputs peak power efficiency of 310 GOPS/W. The peak performance reached 191 GOPS at 560 MHz and 1.2 V in the double frequency mode. The processor can be optimized for both power and area by changing the number of PEs from 256 to 2048.
Salmonella Bacterial Monotherapy Reduces Autochthonous Prostate Tumor Burden in the TRAMP Mouse Model

Attenuated Salmonella typhimurium injected in the circulatory system of mammals selectively targets tumors. Using weekly intraperitoneal injections of attenuated Salmonella strain CRC2631, we tested for regression and/or inhibition of tumor development in the TRAMP prostate tumor mouse model, which utilizes SV40 early region expression for autochthonous formation of prostate tumors that progress into metastatic, poorly differentiated prostatic carcinomas in an immunocompetent murine model. Thirteen weekly intraperitoneal administrations of 105–107 CFU CRC2631 into 10 week old mice were well tolerated by the TRAMP model. Sacrifice and histological analysis of TRAMP prostates at 22 weeks indicated that Salmonella monotherapy at administrated levels decrease visible tumor size (>29%) but did not significantly inhibit previously described SV40 expression-driven TRAMP tumor progression to undifferentiated carcinomas when histologically examined. In conclusion, this work demonstrates baseline results for CRC2631 Salmonella monotherapy using the immunocompetent TRAMP prostate tumor model in preparation for study of combination therapies that resolve autochthonously generated TRAMP prostate tumors, further reduce tumor size, or inhibit prostate tumor progression.
Inhibitory Action of Nitric Oxide on Circulating Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Induced NF‐κB Activity and COX‐2 Transcription in the Endothelium of the Brain Capillaries

Circulating tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) has a profound stimulatory influence on mitogen-activated protein kinases that lead to nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) activity and transcription of the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) gene in cells associated with the blood-brain barrier (BBB). This study investigated the hypothesis that nitric oxide (NO) acts as an endogenous modulator of TNF-induced NF-κB signaling and COX-2 transcription in the endothelium of the cerebral capillaries. To this end, rats were pretreated with the nonselective inhibitor of NO synthase (NOS) N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and killed 15, 45, and 90 minutes (min) after an i.v. injection of recombinant rat TNF-α. De novo expression of the inhibitory factor kappa B alpha (IκBα) was used as an index of NF-κB activity, whereas COX-2 mRNA induction was evaluated throughout the brain by in situ hybridization combined with immunohistochemistry. A single i.v. bolus of TNF caused a rapid expression of IκBα transcript first along large arterioles and small capillaries and thereafter within microglia across the brain parenchyma. The proinflammatory cytokine also provoked a strong transcriptional activation of the COX-2 gene that was quite specific to the cerebral endothelium as revealed by dual labeling using an antisera directed against the von Willebrand factor. Inhibition of NO synthesis did not by itself activate these proinflammatory molecules, but it enhanced the effects of circulating TNF-α in the BBB; the IκBα and COX-2 signal was significantly higher in microvascular-associated cells of animals that received both L-NAME and TNF-α treatments than those challenged with the proinflammatory cytokine alone. Rats treated with specific NOS inhibitors provided the evidence that these effects were mediated via the constitutive endothelial NOS (eNOS) and not the inducible form. These results indicate that eNOS-derived NO acts as an endogenous inhibitor of TNF-α-induced NF-κB activity and COX-2 transcription in the endothelium of the cerebral capillaries. This autoregulatory feedback of NO on these proinflammatory signal transduction events may be an essential element to prevent an exaggerated response that takes place in cells of the BBB during systemic immune challenges.
Offshore Schemes and Tax Evasion: The Role of Banks

We use mandatory Russian banks’ reports to the Central Bank to construct a novel measure of offshore-banking. Individual bank involvement in offshore operations is calculated as a fraction of total transactions with foreign countries that go through offshore financial centers. We find that offshore-active banks perform less financial intermediation and focus more on international wire transfers. We show a positive relation between banks’ offshore activities and tax evasion of companies doing business through these banks. Finally, we show that the Central Bank eventually responds to this behavior: offshore-active banks have higher likelihood of license revocation and criminal investigation against top-management.
Evolving molecular therapy for chronic myeloid leukaemia—are we on target?

Abstract Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a clonal disease of stem cell origin that develops when a single pluripotent haemopoietic stem cell acquires the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome. The unique fusion gene product translated, p210Bcr-Abl, is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase that is specific to, and has a central role in the pathogenesis of, CML, making it an atractive target for drug therapy. Imatinib mesylate (IM) is one such therapy that also targets Abl, c-kit and PDGF-R tyrosine kinases. Although IM induces a much higher rate of complete cytogenetic remission (CCR), with improved tolerability and better progression free survival compared to other licensed therapies, resistance is a significant clinical problem. The most common mechanism of IM resistance is mutation of the Bcr-Abl kinase catalytic domain. In addition, molecular persistence in patients in CCR is most likely attributable to persisting Ph+ stem cells that are insensitive to IM by unknown mechanisms and this is a major focus of current research interest. Current results from pre-clinical in vitro work on novel agents and combination strategies as well as clinical trials including immunotherapy approaches are reviewed. Despite the widespread use of molecularly targeted therapies and the development of new therapeutic drugs and strategies, it is our belief that there is a requirement for further research into and development of stem cell-directed therapies to overcome molecular persistence. It is likely that a combination of molecularly targeted therapies or treatment modalities will finally eliminate the quiescent stem cell population, leading to a “molecular cure” of CML.
Adiponectin and Leptin Levels in HIV‐Infected Subjects With Insulin Resistance and Body Fat Redistribution

Summary: In this study, we sought to determine the relationship between serum levels of leptin and adiponectin (Acrp30) in patients with HIV‐associated lipodystrophy (HIV‐LD). Three groups of subjects were studied; HIV‐positive subjects with lipodystrophy (HIV‐LD; n = 22), HIV‐positive subjects without lipodystrophy (HIV; n = 17), and ethnicity‐ and body mass index‐matched healthy control subjects (n = 20). Although total body fat from dual energy x‐ray absorptiometry was similar in all three groups, the HIV‐LD group had a significantly lower mean proportion of body fat in the limbs ± SEM (37.2% ± 2.2%) than either controls (49.8% ± 1.5%) or HIV subjects (45.7% ± 2.0%). The HIV‐LD group also had the lowest mean insulin sensitivity ± SEM (5.11 ± 0.59 mg of glucose/[kg of lean body mass • min] vs. 10.2 ± 0.72 mg of glucose/[kg of lean body mass • min] in controls and 8.64 ± 0.69 mg of glucose/[kg of lean body mass • min] in the HIV group). Leptin levels were similar in all three groups and were significantly correlated to total body fat (r = 0.86; p < .001), but these levels did not correlate with either insulin sensitivity or limb fat. Mean Acrp30 levels ± SEM were lowest in the HIV‐LD group (5.43 ± 0.44 &mgr;g/mL vs. 11.2 ± 1.4 &mgr;g/mL in the HIV group and 14.9 ± 1.8 &mgr;g/mL in control subjects). Further, Acrp30 levels were positively correlated with insulin sensitivity (r = 0.610; p < .001) and limb fat (r = 0.483; p < .001). However, the correlation between limb fat and insulin sensitivity disappeared when Acrp30 level and other potential mediators were removed from the association, suggesting that a deficiency in Acrp30 in subjects with HIV‐LD may be part of the mechanism for the reduced insulin sensitivity.
Ground Deposition and Airborne Spray Drift Assessment in Vineyard and Orchard: The Influence of Environmental Variables and Sprayer Settings

Spray drift assessment encompasses classification of the capacity of each sprayer/technology/setting combination to reduce or avoid the spray drift risk, as well as drift measurement to define buffer zones mandated during pesticide application. Compounding the challenge of these tasks is the great variability of field evaluation results from environmental conditions, spray application technology, canopy structure, and measurement procedures. This study, performed in Spanish context, evaluates the effects of different parameters on comparative measurements of ground and airborne spray drift employing the ISO22866:2005 protocol. Four configurations of air blast sprayers, derived from two fan airflow rates and two nozzle types (conventional and air-induction), were tested in orchard and vineyard at late growth stage. Spray drift curves were obtained, from which corresponding Drift Values (DVs) were calculated using an approximation of definite integral. Both sprayer settings and environmental variables statistically affect spray drift total amounts and result variability. PCA analysis showed that nozzle type and wind speed characteristics explained 51% and 24% of the variance, respectively. In particular, mean wind direction influence ground sediments (Pr < 0.01) and maximum wind speed strongly influence airborne drift value (Pr < 0.0001). The wind characteristics concealed the influence of adopted fan airflow rates on final spray drift assessment results. The effect of uncontrollable environmental conditions makes objective and comparative tests difficult.
WHY DO SSI AND SNAP ENROLLMENTS RISE IN GOOD ECONOMIC TIMES AND BAD

The number of participants in the Supplemental Security Income Program (SSI) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) skyrocketed during the Great Recession. But more surprising is that caseloads for both programs increased during the preceding expansion and during the nascent recovery period after the Great Recession. Using both administrative program data and the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), this project investigates the persistent growth in SSI and SNAP since 2000. Whereas the existing literature on program caseloads in the post-welfare reform era generally excludes the elderly from the analysis, this project is the first to investigate differences in elderly and non-elderly caseloads, allowing for differential responsiveness over time. Preliminary estimates suggest that the correlation between SSI and SNAP caseloads and economic well-being, and, separately, caseloads and health, grew stronger over this time. Coupled with a poverty rate that did not fall along with the unemployment rate, and with an increase in the share of the population reporting poor or fair health, these correlations helped lead to caseloads that remained roughly constant (SSI) or even increased (SNAP) during the most recent expansion, rather than falling as expected. The increases in caseloads stem both from increases in the entry rates among the newly eligible – particularly those in poor health – and from decreases in exit rates among lowincome beneficiaries.
Minor Salivary Gland Neoplasms

ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the clinical presentation, histopathologic and epidemiological aspects, as well as the treatment modalities and outcomes of patients with minor salivary gland tumors (MSGTs). Subjects and MethodsA series of 23 patients with MSGTs were reviewed retrospectively. ResultsThis study included 11 (48%) benign and 12 (52%) malignant tumors of minor salivary glands. Minor salivary gland tumors were more common in men (70%) than in women (30%). The mean age was 31.3 years for benign tumors and 46.3 years for malignant tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common benign tumor, followed by myoepithelioma. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most common malignant tumors. The most common symptom was a painless mass of the palate. Surgical treatment was performed in all patients. Adjuvant radiotherapy was used in 3 malignant tumors. Twenty-three patients were followed-up for a median of 5 years. Two patients with malignant tumors underwent a second surgery for postoperative local recurrence. They were successfully treated with the second surgery. ConclusionsMinor salivary gland tumors are relatively uncommon neoplasms of the head and neck region. There is limited literature on MSGTs. This study provides a versatile approach for MSGTs from demographic data and clinical presentations to treatment modalities and treatment outcomes.