Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aortic annulus dimensions and leaflet calcification from contrast MSCT predict the need for balloon post-dilatation after TAVI with the Medtronic CoreValve prosthesis.

AIMS We compared the measurement of aortic leaflet calcification on contrast and non-contrast MSCT and investigated predictors of the need for balloon post-dilatation after TAVI. METHODS AND RESULTS In 110 patients, who had TAVI with a Medtronic CoreValve prosthesis (MCS) for symptomatic aortic stenosis, calcification of the aortic root was measured on non-contrast MSCT (conventionally) and on contrast MSCT (signal attenuation >450 Houndsfield units). Calcium volume was underestimated on contrast- when compared to non-contrast MSCT: median (IQ-range)=759 (466 to 1295) vs. 2016 (1376 to 3262) and the difference between the two methods increased with higher calcium volumes (correlation coefficient r=0.90). Calcium mass was only slightly underestimated on contrast vs. non-contrast MSCT: median (IQ-range)=441 (268 to 809) vs. 555 (341 to 950) and there was no association between the differences and increasing calcium mass (r=0.17). Balloon post-dilatation was performed for significant aortic regurgitation after TAVI in 11 of 110 patients. When compared to controls, the patients who required balloon post-dilatation had higher aortic leaflet calcium on contrast CT (p<0.01), higher aortic annulus diameters (p<0.01) and higher annulus to prosthesis area ratio (p=0.01). ROC curves demonstrated that aortic root or aortic leaflet calcium measured on either contrast- or non-contrast MSCT showed excellent discrimination for the requirement of balloon post-dilatation (area under ROC >0.80 for all), whereas the discriminatory value of aortic annulus dimensions was moderate (area under ROC=0.69) and that of prosthesis to annulus ratio was poor (area under ROC=0.36). CONCLUSIONS Dense aortic leaflet calcification measured on contrast MSCT discerned well the need for balloon post-dilatation after TAVI with an MCS for significant PAR. Non-contrast MSCT may no longer be needed to quantify aortic root calcium before TAVI.
Talent in Female Gymnastics: a Survival Analysis Based upon Performance Characteristics

Abstract This study investigated the link between the anthropometric, physical and motor characteristics assessed during talent identification and dropout in young female gymnasts. 3 cohorts of female gymnasts (n=243; 6–9 years) completed a test battery for talent identification. Performance-levels were monitored over 5 years of competition. Kaplan-Meier and Cox Proportional Hazards analyses were conducted to determine the survival rate and the characteristics that influence dropout respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis indicated that only 18% of the female gymnasts that passed the baseline talent identification test survived at the highest competition level 5 years later. The Cox Proportional Hazards Model indicated that gymnasts with a score in the best quartile for a specific characteristic significantly increased chances of survival by 45–129%. These characteristics being: basic motor skills (129%), shoulder strength (96%), leg strength (53%) and 3 gross motor coordination items (45–73%). These results suggest that tests batteries commonly used for talent identification in young female gymnasts may also provide valuable insights into future dropout. Therefore, multidimensional test batteries deserve a prominent place in the selection process. The individual test results should encourage trainers to invest in an early development of basic physical and motor characteristics to prevent attrition.
Safety Profile of a Miniaturized Insertable Cardiac Monitor: Results from Two Prospective Trials

Insertable cardiac monitors (ICMs) are used to continuously monitor the patient's electrocardiogram. In response to patient activation or based on automated device algorithms, arrhythmia episodes are stored and automatically transmitted daily to the clinician. Thus, ICMs can be used to diagnose arrhythmias in at‐risk patients and in those with symptoms potentially attributable to arrhythmias. The ICM described in this report has undergone a dramatic change in size and method of insertion.
Krüppel-like Factors in Lymphocyte Biology

The Krüppel-like factor family of transcription factors plays an important role in differentiation, function, and homeostasis of many cell types. While their role in lymphocytes is still being determined, it is clear that these factors influence processes as varied as lymphocyte quiescence, trafficking, differentiation, and function. This review will present an overview of how these factors operate and coordinate with each other in lymphocyte regulation.
Induction of ob Gene Expression by Corticosteroids Is Accompanied by Body Weight Loss and Reduced Food Intake (*)

Genetic studies in mice have identified the ob gene product as a potential signaling factor regulating body weight homeostasis and energy balance. It is suggested that modulation of ob gene expression results in changes in body weight and food intake. Glucocorticoids are shown to have important metabolic effects and to modulate food intake and body weight. In order to test the hypothesis that these metabolic effects of glucocorticoids are linked to changes in the expression of the ob gene, ob mRNA levels were evaluated in rats treated with different glucocorticosteroids at catabolic doses and correlated to the kinetics of changes in body weight gain and food intake. Results from time course experiments demonstrate that adipose tissue ob gene expression is rapidly induced by glucocorticosteroids. This induction is followed by a concordant decrease in body weight gain and food consumption. These data suggest that the catabolic effects of corticosteroids on body weight mass and food intake might be mediated by changes in ob expression. Modulation of ob expression may therefore constitute a mechanism through which hormonal, pharmacological, or other factors control body weight homeostasis.
Chemotherapy for major food-borne trematodes: a review

Food-borne trematode infections, caused by liver flukes (Clonorchis, Fasciola, Opisthorchis), lung flukes (Paragonimus) and intestinal flukes (Echinostoma, Fasciolopsis, heterophyids), are significant public health problems, most notably in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. Globally, it is estimated that > 40 million people are infected among the 750 million people who live in endemic areas. The epidemiology of food-borne trematodiasis has changed over the past few decades, and now presents a dual picture. On the one hand, increasing numbers of infections are reported from non-endemic areas, and endemic areas are expanding due to larger areas utilised for aquaculture, domestic migration, declining socioeconomic conditions, lack of improved sanitation, and increasing availability of aquatic foods through wider distribution networks often without proper food inspections. On the other hand, social and economic advances in many Asian countries, going hand-in-hand with urbanisation, use of chemical fertilisers and, above all, the administration of safe, efficacious and inexpensive drugs, have significantly reduced the prevalence of food-borne trematode infections. In this review, the taxonomy, life cycle, and geographical distribution of the major food-borne trematodes, including issues of diagnosis and clinical disease manifestations, is summarised. The discovery, chemistry, pharmacological properties, safety, therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects of the current drugs of choice, namely praziquantel and triclabendazole, is then discussed. Recent advances on other drugs and contemporary investigations on novel compounds that might become important players in chemotherapy are highlighted. Finally, the need for research and development of new trematocidal drugs that – employed in concert with health education, improved sanitation and enhanced food safety – are key factors for sustainable control of food-borne trematodiasis, is highlighted.
Local Adaptation to Soil Hypoxia Determines the Structure of an Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Community in Roots from Natural CO2 Springs

ABSTRACT The processes responsible for producing and maintaining the diversity of natural arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal communities remain largely unknown. We used natural CO2 springs (mofettes), which create hypoxic soil environments, to determine whether a long-term, directional, abiotic selection pressure could change AM fungal community structure and drive the selection of particular AM fungal phylotypes. We explored whether those phylotypes that appear exclusively in hypoxic soils are local specialists or widespread generalists able to tolerate a range of soil conditions. AM fungal community composition was characterized by cloning, restriction fragment length polymorphism typing, and the sequencing of small subunit rRNA genes from roots of four plant species growing at high (hypoxic) and low (control) geological CO2 exposure. We found significant levels of AM fungal community turnover (β diversity) between soil types and the numerical dominance of two AM fungal phylotypes in hypoxic soils. Our results strongly suggest that direct environmental selection acting on AM fungi is a major factor regulating AM fungal communities and their phylogeographic patterns. Consequently, some AM fungi are more strongly associated with local variations in the soil environment than with their host plant's distribution.
Blood Glucose Variability is Associated with Mortality in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit

Intensive insulin therapy has widely and rapidly been adopted as the standard of care for the treatment of hyperglycemia in the intensive care unit (ICU). Variability in blood glucose is increasingly recognized as an important factor in outcomes in the chronic diabetic in addition to hemoglobin A1C. We tested the hypothesis that measures of blood glucose variability would be associated with mortality in the surgical ICU. A retrospective analysis of a cohort of ventilated, critically ill surgical and trauma ICU patients placed on an automated insulin protocol was performed. Blood glucose (BG) variability was measured by comparing standard deviation, percentile values, successive changes in blood glucose, and by calculating the triangular index for various glucose-related indices. Eight hundred and fifty-eight patients had 46,474 blood glucose and insulin dose data points. One hundred and twenty-one patients died for an overall mortality rate of 14 per cent. Several measures of blood glucose variability (maximum successive change in BG and the triangular index) were different between the groups despite similar mean BG between survivors (117 mg/dL) and nonsurvivors (118 mg/dL). Increased blood glucose variability is associated with mortality in the surgical ICU. Further studies should focus on the demographic, clinical, and genetic factors responsible for this observation and identify strategies to minimize BG variability.
Relations between corporate economic performance, environmental disclosure and greenhouse gas emissions: new insights.

This study examines the associations and causations between corporate economic performance, environmental disclosure and greenhouse gas emissions, utilizing a large, longitudinal, multicountry dataset disaggregated between developed and developing countries. The methodology uses a simultaneous equation model with system estimation to deal with endogeneity between the variables, and Granger causality tests to indicate their direction of causation. A robust result is that lower emissions are strongly associated with better economic performance. After pretesting for stationarity, we find evidence of a one‐way causation from emissions and environmental disclosure to economic performance, but no evidence of reverse causation. We also find strong evidence of a one‐way causation from emissions to disclosure, but no evidence of reverse causation. The overarching policy implication is that environmental performance, as measured by greenhouse gas emissions, plays a crucial role in the formulation of business strategy at the firm level and government environmental policy at national and international levels.
Serogroup distribution and virulence characteristics of sorbitol‐negative Escherichia coli from food and cattle stool

Aims: To (i) study the serogroup distribution and virulence characteristics of non‐sorbitol‐fermenting Escherichia coli isolates from foods of animal origin and cattle faeces and (ii) re‐examine the true sorbitol and β‐d‐glucuronidase (GUD) reactions of sorbitol‐negative (Sor−) strains from MacConkey sorbitol agar (SMAC) to assess their phenotypic similarity with E. coli O157.
Clinical Implications for Muscle Strength Differences in Women of Different Age and Racial Groups: The WIN Study

Background:Reduction in muscle strength is strongly associated with functional decline in women, and women with lower quadriceps strength adjusted for body weight are more likely to develop knee osteoarthritis. Objective:To compare body weight–adjusted strength among women of different age/racial groups. Study Design:Cross-sectional study of muscle strength in 918 women aged 20-83 (M ± SD = 52 ± 13). Methods:An orthopedic examination was conducted including measurement of handgrip and lower extremity strength (hip abductors/external rotators, knee flexors/extensors). Data were grouped into young (20-39 years, n = 139), middle (40-54 years, n = 300), and older (55+ years, n = 424) ages for white (n = 699) and African American (AA) (n = 164) women. Means and standard deviations for strength adjusted for body weight were calculated for each age and racial group and compared using 2-way multivariate analysis of variance and post hoc tests. Results:No significant age-by-race interaction (P = .092) but significant main effects for age and race (P < .001). Pairwise comparisons revealed significant differences in knee extensor and flexor strength between all age groups. For grip and hip external rotator strength, significant differences were found between the middle and older groups. Differences in hip abductor strength were found between the young and middle-aged groups. AA women had lower strength than white women in all muscle groups (P < .05) except hip external rotators. Conclusions:Strength decreased with age in all muscle groups but magnitude of decrease varied by muscle. Strengthening programs should target different muscles, depending on a woman's age and race.
The effect of environmental performance and disclosure on financial performance

The research objective is to obtain empirical evidence that environmental performance and environmental disclosure affect the financial performance. The distinctive point of this study with previous research is the use of different variables and measurement method. Previous researchers examined the relationship between variables used while the researchers wanted to test the effect of independent variables on the dependent variable and to use control variables of the firm size and company growth. The hypothesis of this study is based on stakeholder theory, legitimacy theory, signalling theory and political economic theory. Purposive sampling method is used to gather the data of the manufacturing companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange and PROPER program 2010-2014. Multiple linear regressions are used as the analysis method, and type of the data is secondary by using the documentation method. The study result shows that environmental performance and environmental disclosure positively significantly affect financial performance.
Meningiomas Involving the Optic Nerve: Technical Aspects and Outcomes for a Series of 50 Patients

OBJECTIVESurgical strategies and results for 50 patients with meningiomas involving the optic nerves are discussed and evaluated. Factors affecting the degree of resection and patient outcomes are presented. We emphasize our surgical techniques for resection of these tumors and we discuss the advantages of different approaches, depending on the relationship of the tumor to the optic nerves. METHODSData for 50 patients with meningiomas involving the optic nerves who were surgically treated between 1991 and 2002 were reviewed, by using patient files, operative notes, and pre- and postoperative imaging and ophthalmological examination findings. RESULTSThirty-one female patients and 19 male patients, with a mean age of 53 years, were treated. Thirty-one patients (62%) underwent complete tumor removal (Simpson Grade 1 or 2), and 19 patients underwent subtotal removal (Grade 4). Factors affecting the grade of resection were tumor size (P = 0.01), location (P = 0.007), and internal carotid artery encasement (P = 0.019). Patients who underwent Grade 1 or 2 resection exhibited a mean tumor size of 3.0 cm, and patients who underwent Grade 4 resection exhibited a mean tumor size of 4.1 cm. Only three patients had residual tumor on the optic nerve; all others had tumor in the cavernous sinus or at the orbital apex or exhibited vascular involvement. Visual outcomes were influenced predominantly by tumor size, preoperative visual function, and optic nerve encasement. CONCLUSIONMeningiomas that involve the optic nerves require special considerations and surgical techniques. Early decompression of the optic nerve within the bony canal allows identification and separation of the tumor from the nerve, permitting removal of the tumor from this area with minimal manipulation of the optic nerve.
Multimodal Kernel Method for Activity Detection of Sound Sources

We consider the problem of acoustic scene analysis of multiple sound sources. In our setting, the sound sources are measured by a single microphone, and a particular source of interest is also captured by a video camera during a short time interval. The goal in this paper is to detect the activity of the source of interest even when the video data are missing, while ignoring the other sound sources. To address this problem, we propose a kernel-based algorithm that incorporates the audio–visual data by a combination of affinity kernels, constructed separately from the audio and the video data. We introduce a distance measure between data points that is associated with the source of interest, while reducing the effect of the other (interfering) sources. Using this distance, we devise a measure for the presence of the source of interest, which is naturally extended to time intervals, in which only the audio signal is available. Experimental results demonstrate the improved performance of the proposed algorithm compared to competing approaches implying the significance of the video signal in the analysis of complex acoustic scenes.
New development: Private finance over public good? Questioning the value of impact bonds

This article contrasts the proposed benefits of social impact bonds (SIBs) with the more mixed performance of initial projects, and reviews the early literature, revealing a similar divide between initial optimism and subsequent critique. Despite this, SIBs continue to receive high-level support, while expanding their reach through controversial new ‘development’ and ‘environmental’ impact bonds. This situation deserves more scrutiny in the accounting literature.
Experimental Model of Pain-Free Treadmill Training in Patients with Claudication

Mika P, Spodaryk K, Cencora A, Unnithan VB, Mika A: Experimental model of pain-free treadmill training in patients with claudication. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2005;84:756–762. Objective:Treadmill training in claudication is often based on walking exercise to a pain threshold or longer to the maximum muscle pain of the lower limbs. This kind of exercise may cause an inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether pain-free treadmill training using walking exercise to 85% of the distance to onset of claudication pain can significantly improve pain-free walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication and to evaluate whether this kind of program may induce an inflammatory response leading to the progression of atherosclerosis. Design:A total of 98 patients aged 50–70 yrs with stable intermittent claudication were randomized into a supervised treadmill training program or a comparison group. Patients in the treatment group participated in 12 wks of supervised treadmill training. We examined the effects of 12 wks of pain-free treadmill training on pain-free walking distance, total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, and microalbuminuria in patients with claudication. Results:A total of 80 participants completed the program. Exercise rehabilitation increased the time to onset of claudication pain by 119.2%, from 87.4 ± 38 m to 191.6 ± 94.8 m (P < 0.001). There was no increase in total leukocyte count, neutrophil count, or microalbuminuria after 12 wks of treadmill exercise (P > 0.05) Conclusion:A pain-free training program can be used in the treatment of claudication as a low-risk program, increasing walking ability without potential harmful effects of ischemia–reperfusion injury.
A cross-sectional study of dentine hypersensitivity in China.

OBJECTIVE To carry out a cross-sectional study of the prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity and related risk factors in Chengdu City, China. METHODS A total of 1,320 subjects were distributed equally in six communities in Chengdu City and of all age groups (10 years for an age group) including the same number of male and female subjects in each community. Each subject completed a structured interview and the subjects who reported hypersensitivity were examined further using a triple syringe to administer a blast of cold air to confirm the diagnosis of dentine hypersensitivity. Periodontal attachment loss and gingival recession of all sensitive teeth were measured. RESULTS The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity was 25.5% in the oral test. Only 16.6% of subjects who reported hypersensitivity symptoms had received desensitising treatment. 50-59 year age group was the cohort with the greatest number of subjects with DH and the premolar was the most commonly affected tooth. Low education level, gingival recession, and attachment loss were related to dentine hypersensitivity. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of dentine hypersensitivity in an urban adult population in Chengdu City was 25.5%.
Ultrasound measurements of calcaneus for estimation of skeletal status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

BACKGROUND Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at risk of developing metabolic bone disease. In diagnosing osteoporosis, bone mineral density (BMD) measurements play a key role. Our aims in this study were to assess the skeletal status with quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and to evaluate the ability of this method to predict BMD as measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in IBD patients. METHODS Altogether 53 patients with Crohn disease (CD) and 57 with ulcerative colitis (UC) were studied by using a Lunar Achilles ultrasound bone densitometer. The ultrasound variables are broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and speed of sound (SOS). The lumbar spine, femoral neck, and total body BMD were measured with DXA. The age- and sex-adjusted values (Z-scores) were obtained by comparison with age- and sex-matched normal values. RESULTS In CD patients Z-scores for both BUA and SOS were significantly less than zero, and Z-score for SOS was significantly lower than that for UC patients. Z-scores for BMD measured with DXA were significantly lower at all measurements in patients with CD. QUS and DXA measurements were significantly correlated. However, the agreement between the measurements in each individual patient was poor. Body mass index (BMI) was a major determinant for both BUA and SOS. In CD patients low QUS variables were associated with corticosteroid therapy, and both CD and UC patients with previous fractures had low SOS values. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicates that QUS and DXA are not interchangeable methods for estimation of bone status. QUS variables are insufficient to provide accurate prediction of BMD values and should therefore not be recommended as a screening test for osteoporosis in IBD patients.