Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contribution of the Sural Nerve to Postural Stability and Cutaneous Sensation of the Lower Limb

Background: The sural nerve is a cutaneous nerve of the lower limb that innervates the posterolateral aspect of the lower leg, ankle, and foot. Considering this pattern, it is plausible that it contributes to the maintenance of postural stability. However, the implications of sensory loss following sural nerve injury have yet to be thoroughly investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the immediate effect of sural nerve sensory loss on postural stability and its variability of innervation to the lower limb. Methods: Twenty-five healthy adult subjects participated in an observational study with a repeated-measures design. Each participant underwent a postural stability assessment using the Neurocom Balance Master under 2 conditions: 1) with the sural nerve functioning normally and 2) following a bilateral ultrasound-guided sural nerve block. The cutaneous distribution of the sural nerve was mapped for descriptive purposes. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between conditions for the primary outcome measure (unilateral stance on the dominant leg with eyes closed). A statistically significant reduction in postural stability was detected during unilateral stance on the nondominant leg (with eyes closed) following the nerve block (mean increase, 2.25 deg/s; 95% confidence interval, –0.48 to 2.91; t = 2.75; df = 24; P = .01). The mean area of plantar skin innervated by the sural nerve was 17% ± 11%, and the mean area of lateral skin was 50% ± 6%. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that a loss in sural nerve function is unlikely to reduce postural stability during daily activities. The sural nerve has a variable innervation pattern that can involve the third digit and the plantar medial border of the heel. Clinical Relevance: Practitioners should consider this variability when assessing for potential sensory deficits and when planning procedures requiring anesthesia to the plantar surface of the foot.
Losartan reduces oxidative damage to renal DNA and conserves plasma antioxidant capacity in diabetic rats

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels produced by hyperglycemia and angiotensin-II (AT-II) are considered among the pathogenic factors in the malignant transformation of diabetic renal cells. We aimed to investigate the potential role of AT-II in the increased cancer risk seen in diabetes; measuring oxidative damage to renal DNA and protective antioxidant defenses, including adiponectin (Adp) and plasma antioxidant capacity by the Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) method. In the kidney of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced (55 mg/kg) diabetic rats either treated or not treated for 3 weeks with losartan, an AT-II type 1 receptor antagonist (20 mg/kg/day); we measured 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodGuo) levels, as an index of oxidative DNA damage, circulating Adp and FRAP. Diabetic rats showed significantly higher 8-oxodGuo levels in renal DNA (8.48 ± 0.98 × 10−6 dG, mean ± SEM n = 11) than normoglycemic ones (1.18 ± 0.04 × 10−6 dG, mean ± SEM, n=7) and lower plasma Adp and FRAP levels in comparison to normoglycemics. The treatment of diabetic rats with losartan significantly (P < 0.01) reduced 8-oxodGuo levels (5.4 ± 0.58 × 10−6 dG, mean ± SEM n=9) in renal DNA and conserved FRAP values. Moreover, an inverse correlation was found between 8-oxodGuo in kidney DNA and circulating Adp levels in normoglycemic and diabetic rats. Losartan treatment preserves FRAP levels, reduces DNA oxidative injury and thus the carcinogenesis risk. Furthermore, our results indicate that Adp plasma levels are a further marker of oxidative injury to the kidney and confirm that it is an important part of the plasma antioxidant defense.
Working hours and health behaviour among nurses at public hospitals.

OBJECTIVE To analyse the differences between genders in the description in the professional, domestic and total work hours and assess its association with health-related behaviour among nurses. METHODS This is a transversal study carried out in 18 different public hospitals in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. The data collection procedure was based on questionnaires. All nurses working with assistance were considered eligible (n=2,279). RESULTS Men and women showed significant differences in relation to working hours. The female group showed longer domestic and total work hours when compared to the group of men. In contrast, the number of hours spent on professional work was higher among men. For the women, both the professional hours and total work hours were often associated with excessive consumption of fried food and also coffee, lack of physical exercise and also the greater occurrence of overweight and obesity. CONCLUSION Both the professional hours and the domestic work hours need to be taken into account in studies about health, self-care and also the care provided within the context of nursing workers, particularly among women. The results add weight to the need for actions for health promotion in this occupational group and the importance of assessing the impact of long working hours on the health of workers.
Algorithms As Prosecutors: Lowering Rearrest Rates Without Disparate Impacts and Identifying Defendant Characteristics ‘Noisy’ to Human Decision-Makers

We investigate how machine learning might bring clarity to a human decisions made during the criminal justice process. We created a model that predicts a defendant’s risk of being rearrested after their charges are dropped. We used a database from the office of the Orleans Parish District Attorney that covers cases from 1988-1999. Applying strategies identified by past research that compared prediction models to judicial decision makers, our model selected higher risk individuals to prosecute than its human counterparts did. For a set charge rate, our model would reduce the rearrest rates between 5% and 9%. Developed further, such a model could have several important policy implications: it might identify defendant characteristics that are particularly ‘noisy’ to prosecutors; it could suggest ways of alleviating criminal caseloads without increasing crime rates; and it might provide important insights into how a prosecutor’s background relates to the quality and nature of their charging decisions.
Frequency of penicillin-resistant pneumococci in children is correlated to community utilization of antibiotics.

OBJECTIVE To study the impact of the utilization of antibiotics in children at the population level on the frequency of penicillin-nonsusceptible pneumococci (PNSP). DESIGN Children ages 0 to 6 years with a nasopharyngeal culture of PNSP were registered on place of residency in the 20 municipalities of the former Malmöhus County (since 1998 a part of Skåne County). Where possible the total number of nasopharyngeal cultures with growth of pneumococci was registered as well. All antibiotic prescriptions for 0- to 6-year-old children were analyzed in the 20 municipalities. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Correlation between the utilization of antibiotics and the frequency of PNSP in children at the municipality level. RESULTS The proportion of PNSP among all isolates of pneumococci from nasopharyngeal cultures varied between 0 and 49.5%. The antibiotic utilization in children varied among the 20 neighboring municipalities from 8.5 to 19.7 defined daily doses per 1000 children per day. The municipalities with high total utilization also had more frequent use of macrolides and broad spectrum antibiotics. The was a significant correlation between antibiotic use and the proportion of PNSP (correlation coefficient, 0.96; P = 0.002), and the correlation coefficients for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillins, macrolides and cephalosporins were significant at the 0.001 level. There was no significant correlation between the use of penicillin V and the frequency of PNSP. CONCLUSIONS. There was a significant correlation between the frequency of PNSP and the utilization of antibiotics in children at the population level.
Histone gene transcription factor binding in extracts of normal human cells

Transcriptional regulation of mammalian histone genes during S phase is achieved through activation of specific factors which interact with subtype-specific histone gene promoter sequences. It has previously been shown that in HeLa cells this induction is not mediated by obligatory changes in the DNA binding activity of histone gene transcription factors as cells progress through the cell cycle. Recently, it has been reported that the DNA binding properties of a putative histone gene transcription factor may be quite different in normal and transformed cells (J. Holthuis, T. A. Owen, A. J. van Wijnen, K. L. Wright, A. Ramsey-Ewing, M. B. Kennedy, R. Carter, S. C. Cosenza, K. J. Soprano, J. B. Lian, J. L. Stein, and G. S. Stein, Science 247:1454-1457, 1990). To determine whether the properties of well-characterized histone gene transcription factors are altered in transformed versus normal cells, we have examined the DNA binding activity of human histone transcription factors during the WI38 (a primary line of normal human fetal lung fibroblasts) cell cycle. The results demonstrate that the properties of Oct1, H4TF1, and H4TF2 are similar in WI38 and HeLa cells and that their DNA binding activities are constitutive during interphase of both normal and transformed cell lines. Although it remains possible that these factors are directly or indirectly perturbed as a result of cellular transformation, it appears unlikely that transformation results in gross changes in DNA binding activity as cells progress toward division.
Early onset of degenerative changes at nodes of Ranvier in alpha‐motor axons of Cntf null (−/−) mutant mice

The nodes of Ranvier are sites of specific interaction between Schwann cells and axons. Besides their crucial role in transmission of action potentials, the nodes of Ranvier and in particular the paranodal axon‐Schwann cell networks (ASNs) are thought to function as local centers in large motor axons for removal, degradation, and disposal of organelles. In order to test whether ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), which is present at high levels in the Schwann cell cytoplasm, is involved in the maintenance of these structures, we have examined lumbar ventral root nerve fibers of alpha‐motor neurons by electron microscopy in 3‐ and 9‐month‐old Cntf null (−/−) mutant mice. Nerve fibers and nodes of Ranvier in 3‐month‐old Cntf−/− mutants appeared morphologically normal, except that ASNs were more voluminous in the mutants than in wild‐type control animals at this age. In 9‐month‐old Cntf−/− animals, morphological changes, such as reduction in nerve fiber and axon diameter, myelin sheath disruption, and loss of ASNs at nodes of Ranvier, were observed. These findings suggest that endogenous CNTF, in addition to its role in promoting motor neuron survival and regeneration, is needed for long‐term maintenance of alpha‐motor nerve fibers. The premature loss of paranodal ASNs in animals lacking CNTF, which seems to be a defect related to a disturbed interaction in the nodal region between the axon and its myelinating Schwann cells, could impede the maintenance of a normal milieu in the motor axon, preceding more general neuronal damage. GLIA 42:340–349, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A study of 20 SLE patients with intravenous immunoglobulin clinical and serologic response

Objective: To test the clinical response of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients to intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg), and whether the clinical response of IVIg treatment in SLE is accompanied by modification of SLE-associated autoantibodies/antibodies (Abs) and complement levels. Methods: Twenty SLE patients were treated with high-dose (2 g/kg) IVIg monthly, in a 5-d schedule. Each patient received between 1-8 treatment courses. They were evaluated for the clinical response, Systemic Lupus Activity Measure (SLAM) score before and after IVIg, levels of antinuclear antibody (ANA), dsDNA (double-stranded DNA), SS-A or SS-B, ENA (extractable nuclear antigens), C3 and C4 levels before and after the treatment, and before and after each treatment course. Results: A beneficial clinical response following IVIg treatment was noted in 17 out of 20 patients (85%). Few clinical manifestations responded more to treatment: arthritis, fever, thrombocytopenia, and neuropsychiatric lupus. In 9 patients evaluated before and after IVIg, mean SLAM score decreased from 19.3 ± 4.7 to 4 ± 2.9 (P < 0.0001). There was a tendency towards abnormal levels of complement and Abs before IVIg courses among the treatment responders compared with the non-responders, and similarly the former tended to have normalization of their abnormal levels more than the latter. These differences were found statistically significant only with respect to C4 and SS-A or SS-B levels before IVIg courses. Conclusion: IVIg has a high response rate among SLE patients. A combination of clinical manifestations, Abs and complement levels may aid in the future in predicting who among SLE patients will benefit more from IVIg treatment.
Course and outcome of bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus: evaluation of different clinical case definitions.

In a retrospective survey of patients hospitalized in the University Hospital of Basel, Switzerland, the course and outcome of 281 cases of true bacteremia due to Staphylococcus aureus over a 7-year period were analyzed. The main purpose was to evaluate different case definitions. In 78% of cases the source of bacteremia was obvious; vascular access sites (27%) and wounds (10%) were the most common sources. Metastasizing foci were more common in cases of primary vs. secondary bacteremia (P < .001). The incidence of endocarditis was higher in cases in which no portal of entry was defined (P < .03). The overall mortality rate was high at 34% partly because of inappropriate initial antibiotic therapy. With the introduction of an infectious disease service at the hospital, the fraction of misjudged results of blood culture diminished 2.5-fold. Among the differently defined cases, the mortality rate was significantly higher for cases of complicated vs. uncomplicated bacteremia (P < .01), for cases of primary vs. secondary bacteremia (P = .05), and for patients with endocarditis or other secondary foci (P < .001). Since only one methicillin-resistant strain was isolated, multiresistant staphylococci were not a problem in the hospital. Different case definitions allowed the detection of patients at increased risk for complications and death. In the treatment of sepsis with no evident focus, initial antimicrobial therapy should include the use of agents with antistaphylococcal activity.
Larval quality is shaped by matrix effects: implications for connectivity in a marine metapopulation.

Variation in the phenotype or "quality" of dispersing individuals can shape colonization success and thus local dynamics and patterns of connectivity in a metapopulation. In marine reef systems, larval dispersal typically connects fragmented populations, and larval quality may be shaped by developmental history at the natal reef (e.g., parental effects) and/or by conditions in the pelagic environment (e.g., food, temperature, hydrodynamics, predator regime). We extract information recorded within the incremental bands of fish "ear stones" (otoliths) to reconstruct the early life histories of reef fish, to evaluate whether larval quality is a function of natal populations, dispersal histories, or both. We sampled sagittal otoliths from 282 common triplefins (Forsterygion lapillum) collected at approximately weekly, intervals between December 2003 and March 2004, from three sites within Wellington Harbor (New Zealand) and three sites along the adjacent Wellington South Coast. We used image analysis to quantify otolith traits and to reconstruct five larval phenotypes (pelagic larval duration, size-at-hatch, early larval growth, late larval growth, and an instantaneous larval growth rate), followed by a principal components analysis to derive a composite measure of larval quality. We used laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to quantify otolith microchemistry, followed by a set of cluster analyses (based upon 13 statistical descriptors of time series for each of 11 elemental ratios) to identify and characterize two putative natal "source populations" and two putative "larval dispersal histories. " We evaluated the relationship between larval quality, source populations, and dispersal histories using two-way ANOVA and MANOVA, and determined that larval quality of F. lapillum is a function of larval dispersal history and not source population identity. Specifically, larvae of F. lapillum with microchemical signatures consistent with retention and/or entrainment in the nutrient-enriched Wellington Harbor had traits associated with elevated larval quality (i.e., short pelagic larval durations, small size-at-hatch, fast larval growth, and fast instantaneous growth rates). Our results suggest that conditions in the pelagic larval environment shape larval quality and potentially mediate metapopulation connectivity. In the case of F. lapillum from Wellington Harbor, environmentally induced heterogeneity in larval quality may limit connectivity by favoring successful replenishment by locally retained larvae over long-distance dispersers.
Tea and coffee consumption and risk of esophageal cancer: The European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition study

Epidemiological data regarding tea and coffee consumption and risk of esophageal cancer (EC) is still inconclusive. We examined the association of tea and coffee consumption with EC risk among 442,143 men and women without cancer at baseline from 9 countries of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Tea and coffee intakes were recorded using country‐specific validated dietary questionnaires. Cox regression models were used to analyze the relationships between tea and coffee intake and EC risk. During a mean follow‐up of 11.1 years, 339 participants developed EC, of which 142 were esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) and 174 were esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). In the multivariable models, no significant associations between tea (mostly black tea), and coffee intake and risk of EC, EAC and ESCC were observed. In stratified analyses, among men coffee consumption was inversely related to ESCC (HR for comparison of extreme tertiles 0.42, 95% CI 0.20–0.88; p‐trend = 0.022), but not among women. In current smokers, a significant and inverse association was observed between ESCC risk and tea (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23–0.93; p‐trend = 0.053) and coffee consumption (HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.19–0.73; p‐trend = 0.011). However, no statistically significant findings were observed using the continuous variable (per 100 mL/d). These data did not show a significant association between tea and coffee consumption and EC, EAC and ESCC, although a decreased risk of ESCC among men and current smokers is suggested, but need to be confirmed in further prospective studies including more cases.
Advance Targeted Transfusion in Anemic Cardiac Surgical Patients for Kidney Protection: An Unblinded Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial

Introduction: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious complication of cardiac surgery, and preoperative anemia and perioperative erythrocyte transfusion are important risk factors. Prophylactic erythrocyte transfusion in anemic patients may, therefore, protect against AKI. Methods: In this unblinded, parallel-group, randomized pilot trial, 60 anemic patients (hemoglobin 10–12 g/dL) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass were randomized (1:1) to prophylactic transfusion (2 units of erythrocytes transfused 1 to 2 days before surgery (n = 29) or standard of care (transfusions as indicated; n = 31). Between-group differences in severity of perioperative anemia, transfusion, and AKI (more than 25% drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate) were measured. The relationships between transfusion, iron levels, and AKI were also measured. Results: Perioperative anemia and erythrocyte transfusions were lower in the prophylactic transfusion group – median (25th, 75th percentiles) for nadir hemoglobin was 8.3 (7.9, 9.1) versus 7.6 (6.9, 8.2) g/dL (P = 0.0008) and for transfusion was 0 (0, 2) versus 2 (1, 4) units (P = 0.0002) – but between-group AKI rates were comparable (11 patients per group). In 35 patients with iron studies, perioperative transfusions were directly related to postoperative transferrin saturation (correlation coefficient 0.6; P = 0.0002), and high (more than 80%) transferrin saturation was associated with AKI (5/5 vs. 8/30; P = 0.005), implicating transfusion-related iron overload as a cause of AKI. Conclusions: In anemic patients, prophylactic erythrocyte transfusion reduces perioperative anemia and erythrocyte transfusions, and may reduce plasma iron levels. Adequately powered studies assessing the effect of this intervention on AKI are warranted.
The DUEL study: a multi-center in vitro evaluation of linezolid compared with other antibiotics in the Netherlands.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate bacterial susceptibility to linezolid in the Netherlands in comparison with other antibiotics. METHODS Bacterial strains were isolated between September 1999 and January 2000 from patients presumed to require antibiotic treatment. The in vitro activity of 1226 strains from 34 participating laboratories was tested against linezolid, vancomycin, teicoplanin, oxacillin, penicillin, erythromycin, ampicillin and other antibiotics against enterococci, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were obtained with the E test on Mueller-Hinton agar: every laboratory included control strains. For vancomycin and teicoplanin only, brain-heart infusion agar and an inoculum of 2.0 McFarland was used for Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci and enterococci to support a better growth and clear recognition of hetero-resistant colonies. RESULTS The values of MIC90 for linezolid were 1.5, 0.75, 0.75 and 1 mg/L for Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus pneumoniae and enterococci, respectively. Six enterococcal strains with decreased susceptibility against vancomycin or teicoplanin were identified as Enterococcus faecium, E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus (two strains each) and they were found to harbor vanA, vanC1 and vanC2/3 genes, respectively. Nine per cent of Streptococcus pneumoniae (an increase from 1% 4 years ago) showed decreased susceptibility to erythromycin, of both the ermB and mefE type; there was no cross-resistance with linezolid. Twelve coagulase-negative staphylococcal strains were resistant to teicoplanin. CONCLUSION Linezolid is a promising drug in the treatment of infections caused by Gram-positive cocci. Cross-resistance with other antibiotics tested was not found.
Emotion detection state of the art

Emotion recognition and analysis has been extensively researched in neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science and computer science. In the absence of verbal and facial cues commonly associated with recognizing emotions, can emotions be detected via intelligently analyzing textual information? Our main goal is to answer this question by presenting a state-of-the-art overview of studies that have been carried out in the domain of text based emotion detection. To this end, we will explore how emotions are detected from textual sources. We begin with a discussion of currently prevailing emotion theories that provide the basis for text based emotion detection. To achieve an in depth and scientifically structured evaluation, we study the underlying structure of several approaches in the literature and design an evaluation framework. Existing approaches are critically evaluated against the proposed evaluation framework. In particular, the results of various systems are discussed and contrasted. The outcome of such a detailed analysis highlights the current gaps in scientific literature in the field of automated emotion detection.