Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Phase behavior and bilayer properties of fatty acids: hydrated 1:1 acid-soaps.

The physical properties in water of a series of 1:1 acid-soap compounds formed from fatty acids and potassium soaps with saturated (10-18 carbons) and omega-9 monounsaturated (18 carbons) hydrocarbon chains have been studied by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction, and direct and polarized light microscopy. DSC showed three phase transitions corresponding to the melting of crystalline water, the melting of crystalline lipid hydrocarbon chains, and the decomposition of the 1:1 acid-soap compound into its parent fatty acid and soap. Low- and wide-angle X-ray diffraction patterns revealed spacings that corresponded (with increasing hydration) to acid-soap crystals, hexagonal type II liquid crystals, and lamellar liquid crystals. The lamellar phase swelled from bilayer repeat distances of 68 (at 45% H2O) to 303 A (at 90% H2O). Direct and polarized light micrographs demonstrated the formation of myelin figures as well as birefringent optical textures corresponding to hexagonal and lamellar mesophases. Assuming that 1:1 potassium hydrogen dioleate and water were two components, we constructed a temperature-composition phase diagram. Interpretation of the data using the Gibbs phase rule showed that, at greater than 30% water, hydrocarbon chain melting was accompanied by decomposition of the 1:1 acid-soap compound and the system changed from a two-component to a three-component system. Comparison of hydrated 1:1 fatty acid/soap systems with hydrated soap systems suggests that the reduced degree of charge repulsion between polar groups causes half-ionized fatty acids in excess water to form bilayers rather than micelles. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in long-term survivors of childhood cancer: 16 years follow up from a prospective registry

Background Childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) have an increased risk of overweight and dyslipidaemia, but the distribution and the potential relationships between anticancer therapies and cardiovascular risk factors have been heterogeneously and not prospectively described. Methods All consecutive CCSs with primary cancer diagnosed between 1973–2007 and subsequently referred to our outpatient clinic were enrolled. Hypercholesterolaemia (total cholesterol >200 and/or low density lipoprotein (LDL)>160 mg/dl) was the primary end point, hypertriglyceridaemia (triglycerides >200 mg/dl) and body mass index >30 kg/m2 the secondary end points. Cox multivariate adjustments were performed to account for differences in cancer and treatments. Results A total of 340 patients were included (197 male, 143 female; mean age at last follow-up 24.1 ± 3.2). The most common diagnosis were haematological malignancies (n = 227) and brain tumours (n = 51). After a median follow-up of 16.1 years, hypercholesterolaemia was diagnosed in 67 CCSs (20%), hypertriglyceridaemia in 20 CCSs (6%) and obesity in 28 CCSs (8%). Total body irradiation and growth hormone deficiency increased the risk of both hypercholesterolaemia (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.7; confidence interval (CI) 1.2–4.4 and HR = 2.3; CI 1.1–4.9; all p < 0.05) and hypertriglyceridaemia (HR = 6.5; CI 1.4–31 and HR = 7.2; CI 1.1–43; all p < 0.05). The risk of hypercholesterolaemia was also higher in CCSs who underwent autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HR = 3.2; CI 1.7–5.9; p < 0.001) or platinum-based chemotherapy (HR = 2.7; CI 1.5–4.9; p < 0.001), whereas a previous diagnosis of brain tumour (HR = 10; CI 1.2–45; p < 0.05) and anthracyclines exposure (HR = 1.3; CI 1.2–26; p < 0.05) significantly predicted obesity. Conclusion CCSs show a high and variable risk for developing dyslipidaemia and obesity, depending on cancer diagnosis and treatments. Therefore, they need accurate and tailored control of their cardiovascular risk profile.
Protocol of an observational study to evaluate diabetic nephropathy through detection of microalbuminuria in Indian patients

Aim: To assess the prevalence of persistent microalbuminuria (MAU), its clinical correlates by dip stick method, its predictive value for potential kidney disease and the utility of this test as objective cue for health care seeking behavior in adult Indian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: Approximately 400,000 patients shall be enrolled in this multicentric, cross sectional study. Patients meeting eligibility criteria shall be screened for MAU through urine dipstick test using random daytime single spot urine specimen. Result shall be expressed either positive or negative based on the presence or absence of albumin in the urine and will be correlated with the corresponding random blood glucose. Height, weight, waist circumference and blood pressure shall be assessed. There will be three visits with a minimum interval of 28 days between two visits, to be completed within 180 days, and at least two of three urine tests measured in this period must show elevated albumin levels to diagnose MAU. Conclusion: Detection of MAU through the dipstick method is postulated to be a rapid, reliable test for early detection of diabetic nephropathy, which, in turn will help the physician to plan treatment strategy. Further, it will help to identify the disease burden on the individual and society, and may serve as an objective cue for improved health care seeking behavior, as well as a catalyst for health policy change.
AMIA Board white paper: definition of biomedical informatics and specification of core competencies for graduate education in the discipline

The AMIA biomedical informatics (BMI) core competencies have been designed to support and guide graduate education in BMI, the core scientific discipline underlying the breadth of the field's research, practice, and education. The core definition of BMI adopted by AMIA specifies that BMI is 'the interdisciplinary field that studies and pursues the effective uses of biomedical data, information, and knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving and decision making, motivated by efforts to improve human health. ' Application areas range from bioinformatics to clinical and public health informatics and span the spectrum from the molecular to population levels of health and biomedicine. The shared core informatics competencies of BMI draw on the practical experience of many specific informatics sub-disciplines. The AMIA BMI analysis highlights the central shared set of competencies that should guide curriculum design and that graduate students should be expected to master.
Prognostic factors influencing progression-free survival determined from a series of sporadic desmoid tumors: a wait-and-see policy according to tumor presentation.

PURPOSE Desmoid tumors are mesenchymal fibroblastic/myofibroblastic proliferations with locoregional aggressiveness and high ability to recur after initial treatment. We present the results of the largest series of sporadic desmoid tumors ever published to determine the prognostic factors of these rare tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS Four hundred twenty-six patients with a desmoid tumor at diagnosis were included, and the following parameters were studied: age, sex, delay between first symptoms and diagnosis, tumor size, tumor site, previous history of surgery or trauma in the area of the primary tumor, surgical margins, and context of abdominal wall desmoids in women of child-bearing age during or shortly after pregnancy. We performed univariate and multivariate analysis for progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS In univariate analysis, age, tumor size, tumor site, and surgical margins (R2 v R0/R1) had a significant impact on PFS. PFS curves were not significantly different for microscopic assessment of surgical resection quality (R0 v R1). In multivariate analysis, age, tumor size, and tumor site had independent values. Three prognostic groups for PFS were defined on the basis of the number of independent unfavorable prognostic factors (0 or 1, 2, and 3). CONCLUSION This study clearly demonstrates that there are different prognostic subgroups of desmoid tumors that could benefit from different therapeutic strategies, including a wait-and-see policy.
Source of Host Blood Affects Prevalence of Infection and Bacterial Loads of Yersinia pestis in Fleas

Abstract Yersinia pestis, the etiological agent of plague, is transmitted by multiple flea species. Previous studies have reported wide variability in transmission efficiency among competent vectors. However, it is unclear to what extent such variation is explained by methodological differences among studies. To optimize an artificial feeding system where fleas are infected with controlled numbers of Y. pestis under standardized laboratory conditions that could be used to systematically compare vector efficiency, we sought to test the effect of host bloodmeal source on 1) the flea’s ability to remain infected with Y. pestis and 2) bacterial loads in fleas. Here, we demonstrate that both prevalence of infection with a virulent strain of Y. pestis (CO96–3188) and bacterial loads in rock squirrel fleas (Oropsylla montana) are affected by host-associated blood factors. The generality of this observation was confirmed by repeating the study using the rat flea (Xenopsylla cheopis) and a commonly used avirulent laboratory strain of Y. pestis (A1122). Implications of the results for rate of spread of Y. pestis in naturally infected host populations are discussed.
New Kid on the Block: English-Medium Instruction in Chinese Schools

Although experimentation with English as an instructional medium for majority-language students in mainland China started at only the turn of the 21st century, this form of language provision has made significant inroads in the school system within several years. Despite being exalted by the mainstream educational discourse as a highly commendable reform initiative and a cornerstone of quality education, the spread of English-medium instruction has given rise to many thorny issues that deserve serious attention. This article presents an overview of the English-provision initiative. After a historical review, the article describes the impact of the initiative on the school system, outlines the main types of English-medium instruction that have been adopted, and examines major constraints on this type of language provision.
Cultural Appropriateness of the Hooper Visual Organization Test? Greek Normative Data

Cross-cultural differences may affect performance on neuropsychological tests, even on those, which are non-verbal. We examined the appropriateness of the Hooper Visual Organization Test (HVOT) for use in the Greek population. In doing so, we sought to establish the internal consistency of its items, determine the influence of demographic characteristics on performance, create a normative database, and establish its ability to differentiate patient groups from healthy individuals for the Greek population. We administered the full test to 206 healthy adults in Greece (109 women), a group of 67 psychiatric patients with schizophrenia and a group of 31 neurological patients with multiple sclerosis. With respect to the healthy group, the reliability analysis of the 30-item scale yielded a Cronbach's alpha of . 85, while item analysis was also very high for all items. Seventy percent of the items were perceived correctly by more than 60% of the sample. The remaining items yielded lower accuracy rates, which we attributed to their level of difficulty, rather than unfamiliarity (or low familiarity) in the Greek population. Regression analyses revealed that age and education level, but not sex, significantly influenced participants' performance, with older age and lower level of education contributing to poorer performance. Both patient groups performed more poorly on the test, compared to age- and education-matched healthy controls. Finally, we present norms for the Greek population according to age and level of education. The traditional form of the HVOT appears to be a reliable and valid neuropsychological tool for the Greek population. This research was presented at the 1st International Conference of the Psychological Society of Northern Greece: “Quality of Life and Psychology”, Thessaloniki, Greece, December 3–5, 2004. We would like to thank Eleni Aretouli, Vasiliki Bochtsou, George Giaglis, Eleftheria Horemi, Stavroula Mitrousi, Vasiliki Papachristou, and Chrysoula Pornari for their assistance with the data collection, Dr. Vasilis Bozikas and Dr. Marina Paschalidou for access to their patients, and the volunteers who participated in this study.
Optimal control of production rate in a failure prone manufacturing system

Consider a manufacturing system producing a single commodity. The manufacturing system can be in one of two states: functional and failed. It moves back and forth between these two states as a continuous time Markov chain, with mean time between failures = 1/q1, and mean time to repair 1/q2. When functional, the manufacturing system can produce at up to a maximum rate d. When failed, it cannot produce the commodity at all.
The Impact of Macroeconomic and Bank Specific Factors on Albanian Non-Performing Loans

Credit risk measurement of the banking system, the dominant component of the financial system of a country, is an important aspect where the interest of academics, economic agents and other professionals has been considerably increased, especially following the global financial crisis. In the last decade, non-performing loans have been in the spotlight almost all over the world, since their large and uncontrolled increase would lead to the eventual bankruptcy of the banking system as a whole. Analysis of the factors affecting credit risk for the banking system is an important analysis and can be seen as the key for credit risk management. This starts by the identification of direct and indirect determinants which exhibit an impact on credit risk, followed by the assessment of the impact (negative or positive impact). The main objective of this paper is to analyse the link between the macroeconomic developments and the banking credit risk in Albania, recently affected by unfavorable economic and financial conditions and to which, on this matter, the literature has not given a particular attention yet. The econometric model used is that of multiple linear regression where as the dependent variable is obtained the indicator of non-performing loans of the Albanian banking system and as independent variables are chosen a number of macroeconomic indicators and indicators of assets and liabilities of the system itself. Employing data approaches to this country over the period 2005-2014, I conclude that the banking credit risk is significantly affected by the macroeconomic environment: the credit risk increases when GDP growth, credit growth rate and the share price indices decrease and rises when the interest rate and loan to deposit ratio increase. Moreover, it is also positively affected by an appreciation of the real exchange rate.
Intraoperative OCT-Assisted DMEK: 14 Consecutive Cases

Purpose: To describe the utility of a new intraoperative optical coherence tomographer (OCT) to evaluate endothelio-Descemet graft orientation during Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) procedures. Methods: Prospective, observational, and single-center pilot case series including 14 eyes of 14 patients consecutively scheduled for DMEK surgery. After injecting the graft into the anterior chamber, the graft orientation was assessed with the help of anterior segment OCT. The surgical time and unfolding time were measured. The postoperative measurements included best-corrected visual acuity, central pachymetry, and specular microscopy at 1 month. Results: Using the OCT images, it was possible to evaluate the graft orientation in all cases. The mean unfolding time was 6.1 ± 3.0 minutes, the mean best-corrected visual acuity was 0.3 ± 0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, the mean decrease in central pachymetry was 213 ± 177 &mgr;m, and the mean central endothelial cell count was 1906 ± 319 cells per square millimeter. Conclusions: Live intraoperative OCT is useful to visualize and assess graft orientation in DMEK surgery. It enables faster graft positioning with less graft manipulation in the presence of severe corneal edema.
Response of putative indices of copper status to copper supplementation in human subjects

No sensitive functional index is currently available to assess Cu status in healthy human populations. This study evaluated the effect of Cu supplementation on putative indices of Cu status in twelve women and twelve men, aged between 22 and 45 years, who participated in a double-blind placebo controlled crossover study. The study consisted of three 6-week supplementation regimens of 3 mg CuSO4, 3 mg Cu-glycine chelate and 6 mg Cu-glycine chelate, each separated by placebo periods of equal length. Women had significantly higher caeruloplasmin oxidase activity (P < 0·001), caeruloplasmin protein concentration (P < 0·05), and serum diamine oxidase activity (P < 0·01) at baseline than men. Erythrocyte and leucocyte superoxide dismutase activity, leucocyte cytochrome c oxidase activity, and erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity did not respond to Cu supplementation. Platelet cytochrome c oxidase activity was significantly higher (P < 0·01), after supplementation with 6 mg Cu-glycine chelate in the total group and in women but did not change in men. Caeruloplasmin oxidase activity was significantly higher (P < 0·05), in men after supplementation with 3 mg Cu-glycine chelate, while caeruloplasmin protein concentration was significantly lower in men after supplementation with 6 mg Cu-glycine chelate (P < 0·05). Serum diamine oxidase activity was significantly higher after all supplementation regimens in the total group and in both men and women (P < 0·01). These results indicate that serum diamine oxidase activity is sensitive to changes in dietary Cu intakes and may also have the potential to evaluate changes in Cu status in healthy adult human subjects.
P‐type ATPase spf1 mutants show a novel resistance mechanism for the killer toxin SMKT

SMKT, a killer toxin produced by the halotolerant yeast Pichia farinosa KK1, consists of α and β subunits with folding remarkably similar to that of the fungal killer toxin KP4, a Ca2+ channel inhibitor. The budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is sensitive to SMKT. To understand the killing mechanism of SMKT, we isolated SMKT‐resistant mutants of S. cerevisiae and characterized them. Five spf mutants (sensitivity to the P. farinosa killer toxin) fell into a single genetic complementation group, designated spf1. The SPF1 gene was cloned by complementation of the mutant phenotype. The SPF1 gene encodes a putative P‐type ATPase of 1215 amino acid residues that contains 12 membrane‐spanning regions. Gene disruption revealed that the SPF1 gene is not essential for viability but is required for the sensitivity to SMKT. The spf1 disruptant showed some phenotypes characteristic of glycosylation‐defective mutants and secreted underglycosylated invertase. Fluorescence‐activated cell‐sorting analysis and indirect immunofluorescence microscopy showed that SMKT interacts with the cell surface of the resistant cells but not with that of sensitive cells, suggesting a novel resistance mechanism for this toxin. The glycosylation‐defective phenotype and possible killer‐resistant mechanisms are discussed in comparison with the Golgi Ca2+ pump Pmr1p.
Devon Island Ice Cap: Core Stratigraphy and Paleoclimate

Valuable paleoclimatic information can be gained by studying the distribution of melt layers in deep ice cores. A profile representing the percentage of ice in melt layers in a core drilled from the Devon Island ice cap plotted against both time and depth shows that the ice cap has experienced a period of very warm summers since 1925, following a period of colder summers between about 1600 and 1925. The earlier period was coldest between 1680 and 1730. There is a high correlation between the melt-layer ice percentage and the mass balance of the ice cap. The relation between them suggests that the ice cap mass balance was zero (accumulation equaled ablation) during the colder period but is negative in the present warmer one. There is no firm evidence of a present cooling trend in the summer conditions on the ice cap. A comparison with the melt-layer ice percentage in cores from the other major Canadian Arctic ice caps shows that the variation of summer conditions found for the Devon Island ice cap is representative for all the large ice caps for about 90 percent of the time. There is also a good correlation between melt-layer percentage and summer sea-ice conditions in the archipelago. This suggests that the search for the northwest passage was influenced by changing climate, with the 19th-century peak of the often tragic exploration coinciding with a period of very cold summers.
Tracheal cartilaginous sleeve association with syndromic midface hypoplasia.

IMPORTANCE We report 2 new cases of tracheal cartilaginous sleeve and perform a systematic literature review of all documented cases of this condition. We aim to increase awareness of this anomaly and provide recommendations for both intraoperative and postoperative management of patients with tracheal cartilaginous sleeve undergoing tracheostomy. OBSERVATIONS We studied the clinical records of 2 children with tracheal cartilaginous sleeves and short tracheas treated at our institution. One of these patients had Beare-Stevenson syndrome, and the other had Crouzon syndrome. Both patients required tracheostomy for persistent upper airway obstruction, and both required custom-length tracheostomy tubes. Bronchoscopy and needle localization were beneficial in performing tracheostomy on these patients. All documented cases of tracheal cartilaginous sleeve in the literature were found to be associated with midface hypoplasia secondary to syndromic craniosynostosis. Seventy-five percent of cases required tracheostomy. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Tracheal cartilaginous sleeve can be associated with Beare-Stevenson syndrome. In infants with midface hypoplasia associated with a craniosynostosis syndrome undergoing tracheostomy, the surgeon must be prepared to encounter and manage tracheal cartilaginous sleeve intraoperatively. Bronchoscopy and needle localization can be beneficial when performing tracheostomy in these patients. Customized, shorter-length tracheostomy tubes should be considered for these patients.
Trial of prophylactic administration of TXA2 synthetase inhibitor, ozagrel hydrochloride, for preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE In an attempt to investigate the prophylactic effect of a thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor on pregnant women with a high risk of preeclampsia, the following clinical study was undertaken. METHODS Forty pregnant women were randomly allocated to control or treatment groups. Ozagrel Hydrochloride (400 mg/day, orally) and placebo were started at 20 weeks of gestation and continued until delivery. RESULTS Seventeen of 20 (85%) women in the control group developed preeclampsia, whereas 9 of 20 (45%) in the treatment group developed preeclampsia. Ozagrel Hydrochloride significantly (p < 0.01) reduced the occurrence of preeclampsia, and the incidence of both hypertension (p < 0.05) and proteinuria (p < 0.01) was significantly less in the treatment group compared with the control group. One month after administration, the mean plasma concentration of TXB2, a metabolite of TXA2, was significantly decreased (p < 0.01) to 62.4 +/- 13.6%, whereas that of 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha, a metabolite of PGI2, was significantly increased (p < 0.01) to 206.7 +/- 52.8%. There were no maternal or fetal side effects observed. CONCLUSIONS It seems likely that Ozagrel Hydrochloride could be used for the prevention of preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women.