Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity of nutrition risk index as a malnutrition screening tool compared with subjective global assessment in end-stage renal disease patients on peritoneal dialysis

We undertook this study to compare subjective global assessment (SGA) and nutrition risk index (NRI) as malnutrition screening tools in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Nutrition status of the patients was categorized into low, moderate and high risk of malnutrition based on both NRI and SGA. The sensitivity, specificity and predictive values of NRI were compared with SGA, an already validated tool of nutrition status assessment in PD patients. Two hundred and eighty-three end-stage renal disease patients (age 50.02 ± 13.76 years; 204 males, 150 diabetic) were included. Based on SGA, 71/283 (25.08%) had normal nutrition, 192/283 (67.84%) mild–moderate and 20/283 (7.07%) severe malnutrition. Based on NRI, 38/283 (13.43%) patients had normal nutritional status, 193/283 (68.20%) mild-moderate and 52/283 (18.37%) severe malnutrition. Twenty-three of 283 (8.1%) were correctly classified as normal by NRI (true negative) and 197/283 (69.6%) as malnourished (true positive), 15/283 (5.3%) as false negative, 48/283 (16.96%) were misclassified as malnourished (false positive). NRI has sensitivity of 92.9% and specificity of 32.39%. Positive predictive value and Negative predictive values (NPVs) of NRI are 80.41% and 60.53%, respectively. Accuracy of the test is 78%. The receiver operating characteristic curve of NRI is 0.63. To conclude, NRI carries high sensitivity but low specificity as compared to SGA. It can be used as screening tool but not as a diagnostic tool for assessment of nutritional status in PD patients because of its low specificity and NPV.
Value of the Polymerase Chain Reaction Method for Detecting Tuberculosis in the Bronchial Tissue Involved by Anthracosis

Background:Anthracofibrosis is the black discoloration of the bronchial mucosa with deformity and obstruction. Association of this disease with tuberculosis (TB) was approved. The objective of this study was to find the additional benefit of assessment of TB by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. Methods:Bronchoscopy was performed on 103 subjects (54 anthracofibrosis and 49 control subjects) who required bronchoscopy for their pulmonary problems. According to bronchoscopic findings, participants were classified to anthracofibrosis and nonanthracotic groups. They were examined for TB with traditional methods such as direct smear (Ziehl-Neelsen staining), Löwenstein-Jensen culture, and histopathology and the new method “PCR” for Mycobacterium tuberculosis genome (IS6110). Results:Age, sex, smoking, and clinical findings were not significantly different in the TB and the non-TB groups. Acid-fast bacilli could be detected by a direct smear in 12 (25%) of the anthracofibrosis subjects, and adding the results of culture and histopathology traditional tests indicated TB in 27 (31%) of the cases. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was diagnosed by PCR in 18 (33%) patients, but the difference was not significant. Detection of acid-fast bacilli in control nonanthracosis subjects was significantly lower (3, 6%), but PCR (20, 40%) and accumulation of results from all traditional methods (22, 44%) showed a nonsignificant difference. Conclusions:The PCR method showed a result equal to traditional methods including accumulation of smear, culture, and histopathology.
Clinical ketosis: phenotypic and genetic correlations between occurrences and with milk yield.

The repeatability and heritability of ketosis were estimated using data from 28,277 Finnish Ayrshire cows. A four-trait linear model including community-year, calving age and month, genetic group, and random sire effects was used to describe first and second lactation milk yields and veterinary diagnoses of ketosis. Variance components were estimated using REML. The disease traits were also analyzed with a categorical model including the same effects except that community and year were separate factors. Variance components were estimated with marginal maximum likelihood. Genetic relationships between 339 sires analyzed were included in models. The phenotypic correlation between the first and second lactation was defined as a repeatability of trait. The lactational incidence risk of ketosis was . 05 in both the first and the second lactation. Average milk production was 4956 and 5547 kg in the first and second lactations, respectively. Estimates of heritabilities were . 09 and . 07 for ketosis and . 23 and . 19 for milk in the first and second lactations, respectively. Genetic correlations between first and second lactation recordings were . 64 for ketosis and . 93 for milk. Repeatabilities between subsequent lactations were . 36 (.13 in linear analysis) for ketosis and . 68 for milk. In the first lactation, genetic relationship between milk yield and ketosis was unfavorable, but in the second lactation ketosis and milk yield were genetically and phenotypically unrelated.
Individual Differences in Personality Masculinity-Femininity: Examining the Effects of Genes, Environment, and Prenatal Hormone Transfer

Males and females score differently on some personality traits, but the underlying etiology of these differences is not well understood. This study examined genetic, environmental, and prenatal hormonal influences on individual differences in personality masculinity–femininity (M-F). We used Big-Five personality inventory data of 9,520 Swedish twins (aged 27 to 54) to create a bipolar M-F personality scale. Using biometrical twin modeling, we estimated the influence of genetic and environmental factors on individual differences in a M-F personality score. Furthermore, we tested whether prenatal hormone transfer may influence individuals’ M-F scores by comparing the scores of twins with a same-sex versus those with an opposite-sex co-twin. On average, males scored 1.09 standard deviations higher than females on the created M-F scale. Around a third of the variation in M-F personality score was attributable to genetic factors, while family environmental factors had no influence. Males and females from opposite-sex pairs scored significantly more masculine (both approximately 0.1 SD) than those from same-sex pairs. In conclusion, genetic influences explain part of the individual differences in personality M-F, and hormone transfer from the male to the female twin during pregnancy may increase the level of masculinization in females. Additional well-powered studies are needed to clarify this association and determine the underlying mechanisms in both sexes.
Predictability of plasma concentration–time curves in humans using single-species allometric scaling of chimeric mice with humanized liver

Abstract 1. We used chimeric mice (PXB mice®), which were repopulated with human hepatocytes, to evaluate their predictabilities of human pharmacokinetics. 2. The relationships of total clearance (CLt) and the volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss) between that predicted from single-species allometric scaling (SSS) of PXB mice and the observed human values indicated good correlations for various drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and non-CYPs. 3. We examined the Dedrick plot with which the plasma concentration–time curves can exhibit superimposability using SSS of PXB mice for CLt and Vdss. The predicted plasma concentration–time curves using the complex Dedrick plot from PXB mice were generally superimposed with the observed human data. 4. However, the predicted curve of diazepam was not superimposable with the observed profile. Residual mouse hepatocytes in the livers of PXB mice may affect predictability of CLt of diazepam because significant discrepancy of in vitro intrinsic clearance in PXB mouse liver microsomes consisted of low and high replacement of human hepatocytes were observed. 5. The complex Dedrick plot with SSS from PXB mice is useful for predicting the plasma concentration–time curve in drug discovery, although there are some limitations.
Research and application of manifold learning to fault diagnosis of reciprocating compressor

Since reciprocating compressor (RC) is a key facility for many industries, the study of its fault diagnosis is thus particularly important. This paper proposes a new method for predicting the fault degree of RC by using a manifold learning method. The main idea of the proposed method can be summarized as follows: first, employ a manifold learning algorithm to directly deal with RC's cylinder pressure signals. Based on the obtained low-dimensional representation of the pressure signals, implement the diagnosis process by weighted interpolation procedure. The experiments conducted by some simulated data demonstrate that the proposed method performs satisfactorily and it therefore provides an effective way to diagnose the fault degree of RC.
On Nonsingularity Verification of Uncertain Matrices Over a Quadratically Constrained Set

Nonsingularity of a matrix is investigated in this technical note that depends affinely on several uncertainty matrices whose real and imaginary parts are constrained by some quadratic forms. Based on some equivalent descriptions for these uncertainty matrices, a sufficient condition is derived. This condition is given in a linear matrix inequality form and can in principle be efficiently validated. The obtained result includes some well known results in systems and control theory as a special case, such as the Lyapunov equation based stability criterion for linear time invariant systems, the (D,G)-scaling based upper bound for the mixed structured singular value, a sufficient condition for the stability of spatially interconnected systems, etc. A computationally verifiable condition is also provided that indicates situations under which the aforementioned condition becomes necessary.
Clinal adaptation and adaptive plasticity in Artemisia californica: implications for the response of a foundation species to predicted climate change

Local adaptation and plasticity pose significant obstacles to predicting plant responses to future climates. Although local adaptation and plasticity in plant functional traits have been documented for many species, less is known about population‐level variation in plasticity and whether such variation is driven by adaptation to environmental variation. We examined clinal variation in traits and performance – and plastic responses to environmental change – for the shrub Artemisia californica along a 700 km gradient characterized (from south to north) by a fourfold increase in precipitation and a 61% decrease in interannual precipitation variation. Plants cloned from five populations along this gradient were grown for 3 years in treatments approximating the precipitation regimes of the north and south range margins. Most traits varying among populations did so clinally; northern populations (vs. southern) had higher water‐use efficiencies and lower growth rates, C : N ratios and terpene concentrations. Notably, there was variation in plasticity for plant performance that was strongly correlated with source site interannual precipitation variability. The high‐precipitation treatment (vs. low) increased growth and flower production more for plants from southern populations (181% and 279%, respectively) than northern populations (47% and 20%, respectively). Overall, precipitation variability at population source sites predicted 86% and 99% of variation in plasticity in growth and flowering, respectively. These striking, clinal patterns in plant traits and plasticity are indicative of adaptation to both the mean and variability of environmental conditions. Furthermore, our analysis of long‐term coastal climate data in turn indicates an increase in interannual precipitation variation consistent with most global change models and, unexpectedly, this increased variation is especially pronounced at historically stable, northern sites. Our findings demonstrate the critical need to integrate fundamental evolutionary processes into global change models, as contemporary patterns of adaptation to environmental clines will mediate future plant responses to projected climate change.
Lead-free piezoelectric materials and composites for high frequency medical ultrasound transducer applications

Lead-free ceramics based on the (1-x)Ba(Zr0.2Ti0.8)O3-x(Ba0.7Ca0.3)TiO3 (BZT-BCT) system have been reported to exhibit piezoelectric properties comparable to lead zirconate titanate ceramics, and are thus being considered as replacement materials for some applications. In this work, the possibility of fabricating BZT-BCT based 1-3 piezocomposites for high frequency ultrasound imaging has been explored. An investigation of the interdependence of synthesis, processing and sintering conditions on the physical, structural, microstructural and functional properties of piezoelectric compositions in the BZT-BCT system has been carried out. Ceramic powders with a composition of 0.5BZT-0.5BCT and a particle size of 1 μm were chosen for the fabrication of the ceramic segments which were subsequently sintered at 1425°C. A novel randomised pattern that has recently demonstrated its advantages in suppressing undesirable spurious resonances was adopted for the lead-free composites and a micro-moulding technique based on gel casting ceramic processing has been used for the fabrication of the composites. A 0.5BZT-0.5BCT based randomised composite operating at ~30 MHz with an electromechanical coupling factor of 0.63 has been achieved.
Effects of a yearlong moderate-intensity exercise and a stretching intervention on sleep quality in postmenopausal women.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To examine the effects of a moderate-intensity exercise or stretching intervention and changes in fitness, body mass index, or time spent outdoors on self-reported sleep quality and to examine the relationship between the amount and timing of exercise and sleep quality. DESIGN A randomized intervention trial. SETTING A cancer research center in Seattle, Washington. PARTICIPANTS Postmenopausal, overweight or obese, sedentary women not taking hormone replacement therapy, aged 50 to 75 years, and recruited from the Seattle metropolitan area. INTERVENTIONS A yearlong moderate-intensity exercise (n=87) and a low-intensity stretching (n=86) program. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Among morning exercisers, those who exercised at least 225 minutes per week had less trouble falling asleep (odds ratio [OR]: 0.3, P < or = .05) compared with those who exercised less than 180 minutes per week. However, among evening exercisers, those who exercised at least 225 minutes per week had more trouble falling asleep (OR: 3.3, P < or = .05) compared to those who exercised less than 180 minutes per week. Stretchers were less likely to use sleep medication (OR = 0.4, P < or = .05) and have trouble falling asleep (OR: 0.7, P < or = .10) during the intervention period compared with baseline. A greater than 10% versus a 1% or less increase in maximum O2 consumption over the year was associated with longer sleep duration (P < or = .05), less frequently falling asleep during quiet activities (P < or = .05), and less use of sleep medication (P < or = .05). Reductions in body mass index and increases in time spent outdoors had inconsistent effects on sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS Both stretching and exercise interventions may improve sleep quality in sedentary, overweight, postmenopausal women. Increased fitness was associated with improvements in sleep. However, the effect of moderate-intensity exercise may depend on the amount of exercise and time of day it is performed.
Evaluation of randomized discontinuation design.

PURPOSE Single-arm phase II trials may not be appropriate for testing cytostatic agents. We evaluate two kinds of randomized designs for the early development of target-based cytostatic agents. METHODS We compared power of the randomized discontinuation and upfront randomization designs under two models for the treatment effect of targeted cytostatic agents. RESULTS The randomized discontinuation design is not as efficient as upfront randomization if treatment has a fixed effect on tumor growth rate or if treatment benefit is restricted to slower-growing tumors. On the other hand, the randomized discontinuation design can be advantageous under a model where only a subset of patients, those expressing the molecular target, is sensitive to the agent. To achieve efficiency, the design parameters must be carefully structured to provide adequate enrichment of the randomly assigned patients. CONCLUSION With careful planning, the randomized discontinuation designs can be useful in some settings in the early development of targeted agents where a reliable assay to select patients expressing the target is not available.
Bacterial strains from moldy buildings are highly potent inducers of inflammatory and cytotoxic effects.

UNLABELLED We aimed to identify inflammatory and cytotoxic potential of individual indoor air bacterial and fungal strains, as well as extracts of indoor air filter samples containing bacteria and fungi. Mouse RAW264.7 macrophages were exposed in vitro to four bacterial strains; Streptomyces californicus, Mycobacterium terrae, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas fluorescens, and three fungal strains; Penicillium spinulosum, Aspergillus versicolor and Stachybotrys chartarum. Furthermore, RAW264.7 macrophages were exposed to indoor air filter sample extracts representing 'low' (n = 21) and 'high' (n = 20) exposure to viable fungi or bacteria. Production of nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as cell viability were measured after 24 h exposure. The results show that the bacterial strains induce more profound production of NO, TNF-alpha and IL-6 than the studied fungal strains. They also decrease the viability of mouse macrophages. Similarly, the indoor air filter samples with high concentration of bacteria induced a statistically significant increase in TNF-alpha and IL-6 production as well as a decrease in cell viability. Altogether, these results suggest that indoor air bacterial strains are potent inducers of inflammatory responses and thus possibly related to adverse health effects of the inhabitants. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS There is abundant documentation of the association between building dampness and mold and adverse health effects on occupants, but the causal agents of the effects are still unclear. In order to reveal these causal links, experimental studies with in vitro and in vivo methods are needed. The present findings shed new light on studies of the microbial constituents of indoor air in moldy buildings responsible for adverse health effects. These results imply that bacteria should also be monitored in cases of suspected microbial contamination of indoor air.
Microdeletions including YWHAE in the Miller–Dieker syndrome region on chromosome 17p13.3 result in facial dysmorphisms, growth restriction, and cognitive impairment

Background: Deletions in the 17p13.3 region are associated with abnormal neuronal migration. Point mutations or deletion copy number variants of the PAFAH1B1 gene in this genomic region cause lissencephaly, whereas extended deletions involving both PAFAH1B1 and YWHAE result in Miller–Dieker syndrome characterised by facial dysmorphisms and a more severe grade of lissencephaly. The phenotypic consequences of YWHAE deletion without deletion of PAFAH1B1 have not been studied systematically. Methods: We performed a detailed clinical and molecular characterization of five patients with deletions involving YWHAE but not PAFAH1B1, two with deletion including PAFAH1B1 but not YWHAE, and one with deletion of YWHAE and mosaic for deletion of PAFAH1B1. Results: Three deletions were terminal whereas five were interstitial. Patients with deletions including YWHAE but not PAFAH1B1 presented with significant growth restriction, cognitive impairment, shared craniofacial features, and variable structural abnormalities of the brain. Growth restriction was not observed in one patient with deletion of YWHAE and TUSC5, implying that other genes in the region may have a role in regulation of growth with CRK being the most likely candidate. Using array based comparative genomic hybridisation and long range polymerase chain reaction, we have delineated the breakpoints of these nonrecurrent deletions and show that the interstitial genomic rearrangements are likely generated by diverse mechanisms, including the recently described Fork Stalling and Template Switching (FoSTeS)/Microhomology Mediated Break Induced Replication (MMBIR). Conclusions: Microdeletions of chromosome 17p13.3 involving YWHAE present with growth restriction, craniofacial dysmorphisms, structural abnormalities of brain and cognitive impairment. The interstitial deletions are mediated by diverse molecular mechanisms.
EVALUATION OF DIAZEPAM-KETAMINE AS ANAESTHETIC COMBINATION IN BUFFALO CALVES

A study was undertaken on six male buffalo calves by administering diazepam (0.75 mg/kg, IV) and ketamine (6.0 mg/ kg, IV) 10 min after diazepam. All the animals went into sternal recumbency immediately after diazepam administration followed by lateral recumbency at 6.89 min. Relaxation of muscles was excellent. Swallowing reflex was abolished. There was complete analgesia at fetlock, base of tail, abdomen, ribs' periosteum and base of horn and it remained for 21.47 min. Recovery was manifested by the movement of limbs at 50.32 min with return of head righting reflex at 54.25 min. Complete recovery took 142.36 min (114 to 164 min). Rectal temperature was significantly lower during anaesthesia. Heart rate remained elevated throughout the entire period of observation. A significant increase in aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase was observed in these calves. Bilirubin remained significantly elevated during anaesthesia. Magnesium was significantly lower at 24 hour after recovery.
Application of Pediatric Appendicitis Score on the Emergency Department of a Secondary Level Hospital

Background Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency during childhood. Accurate early diagnosis is important to avoid complications and unnecessary interventions. In 2002, Samuel developed the Pediatric Appendicitis Score (PAS) based on a series of data obtained from anamnesis, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The main purpose of this study was to check the validity of PAS and its applicability to our population. Methods Prospective observational study, carried out at Hospital Río Hortega (Valladolid, Spain), between June 2009 and May 2010. Data from 101 patients who presented to the emergency department experiencing abdominal pains were recovered. Results A total of 101 patients were included in the study: 55 were boys and 46 girls. The mean age was 9.51 (2.76) years. Diagnosis was acute appendicitis in 28 patients, adenitis in 8 patients, nonspecific abdominal pain in 51 patients, and other diagnoses in 14 patients. The mean (SD) PAS for children with and without appendicitis was 7.43 (1.79) and 4.97 (1.67), respectively (P < 0.001). Conclusions With a cutoff PAS of 3 or lower, there were no patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis; hence, these patients could be discharged without any image studies. If all the patients with a PAS of 8 or higher undergo surgery, we would find in our sample a 4.95% rate of negative appendicectomy, less than other studies have shown. The application of this score in the emergency department could help in the decision making process, aiding in the identification of patients with a low risk of having appendicitis and enabling a better use of resources by avoiding unnecessary diagnostic tests.