Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Severe anemia associated with increased risk of death and myocardial ischemia in patients declining blood transfusion

There are limited data on morbidity and mortality in severely anemic patients for whom blood transfusion is not an option, with most data coming only from surgical patients and no data on the rate of myocardial ischemia associated with severe anemia. We sought to determine rates of all‐cause mortality and myocardial ischemia in severely anemic hospitalized patients declining transfusion.
Effective Mobile Search Using Element-based Retrieval

We applied an element-based retrieval approach in this study to improve search accuracy for information retrieval on small screen devices. Finer-grained retrieval units compared with document granules are expected in mobile information retrieval because of limited screen size. An information retrieval system employing information units (iUnits), i.e., text fragments that are relevant to a query and atomic in interpreting information, is one of the solutions to finer-grained retrieval units. An iUnit-based mobile information retrieval task, called MobileClick, assumes two-layered information access where the most important iUnits are arranged in the first layer and detailed iUnits for individual intents are arranged in the second layer. This two-layered information access enabled useful information to be presented with fewer page transitions. We first adopt element-based retrieval to identify elements containing relevant descriptions in a document to tackle MobileClick. The next step is scoring the iUnits where we assigned higher scores to iUnits that are similar to elements with higher scores. Our experimental evaluations demonstrated that our method is more accurate than a baseline by 9.7%.
High Intensity High Volume Interval Training Improves Endurance Performance and Induces a Nearly Complete Slow-to-Fast Fiber Transformation on the mRNA Level

We present here a longitudinal study determining the effects of two 3 week-periods of high intensity high volume interval training (HIHVT) (90 intervals of 6 s cycling at 250% maximum power, Pmax/24 s) on a cycle ergometer. HIHVT was evaluated by comparing performance tests before and after the entire training (baseline, BSL, and endpoint, END) and between the two training sets (intermediate, INT). The mRNA expression levels of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms and markers of energy metabolism were analyzed in M. vastus lateralis biopsies by quantitative real-time PCR. In incremental tests peak power (Ppeak) was increased, whereas V˙O2peak was unaltered. Prolonged time-to-exhaustion was found in endurance tests with 65 and 80% Pmax at INT and END. No changes in blood levels of lipid metabolites were detected. Training-induced decreases of hematocrit indicate hypervolemia. A shift from slow MHCI/β to fast MHCIIa mRNA expression occurred after the first and second training set. The mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), a master regulator of oxidative energy metabolism, decreased after the second training set. In agreement, a significant decrease was also found for citrate synthase mRNA after the second training set, indicating reduced oxidative capacity. However, mRNA expression levels of glycolytic marker enzyme glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase did not change after the first and second training set. HIHVT induced a nearly complete slow-to-fast fiber type transformation on the mRNA level, which, however, cannot account for the improvements of performance parameters. The latter might be explained by the well-known effects of hypervolemia on exercise performance.
Assessing the Degree of Compassion Satisfaction and Compassion Fatigue Among Critical Care, Oncology, and Charge Nurses

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess the degree of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (CF) among critical care, oncology and charge nurses. BACKGROUND Cumulative grief resulting from caring for critically/terminally ill patients may result in CF, leading to lower quality care and higher nurse attrition. METHOD Data were collected from 38 direct care nurses and 10 charge nurses, using the Professional Quality of Life. RESULTS Charge nurses had higher secondary traumatic stress (STS) than direct care nurses. Nurses with less than 10 years of experience had lower CS than experienced nurses. Higher levels of burnout (BO) and STS were reported among charge nurses, whereas less direct care nurses had average to high BO and STS ratings. CONCLUSIONS Previous studies focused on direct care nurses; our findings suggest that CF is prevalent among charge nurses as well. Interventions should be considered for clinical providers and charge nurses including debriefing, stress reduction, peer support, and team building.
Macimorelin as a Diagnostic Test for Adult GH Deficiency

Purpose The diagnosis of adult GH deficiency (AGHD) is challenging and often requires confirmation with a GH stimulation test (GHST). The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is considered the reference standard GHST but is labor intensive, can cause severe hypoglycemia, and is contraindicated for certain patients. Macimorelin, an orally active GH secretagogue, could be used to diagnose AGHD by measuring stimulated GH levels after an oral dose. Materials and Methods The present multicenter, open-label, randomized, two-way crossover trial was designed to validate the efficacy and safety of single-dose oral macimorelin for AGHD diagnosis compared with the ITT. Subjects with high (n = 38), intermediate (n = 37), and low (n = 39) likelihood for AGHD and healthy, matched controls (n = 25) were included in the efficacy analysis. Results After the first test, 99% of macimorelin tests and 82% of ITTs were evaluable. Using GH cutoff levels of 2.8 ng/mL for macimorelin and 5.1 ng/mL for ITTs, the negative agreement was 95.38% (95% CI, 87% to 99%), the positive agreement was 74.32% (95% CI, 63% to 84%), sensitivity was 87%, and specificity was 96%. On retesting, the reproducibility was 97% for macimorelin (n = 33). In post hoc analyses, a GH cutoff of 5.1 ng/mL for both tests resulted in 94% (95% CI, 85% to 98%) negative agreement, 82% (95% CI, 72% to 90%) positive agreement, 92% sensitivity, and 96% specificity. No serious adverse events were reported for macimorelin. Conclusions Oral macimorelin is a simple, well-tolerated, reproducible, and safe diagnostic test for AGHD with accuracy comparable to that of the ITT. A GH cutoff of 5.1 ng/mL for the macimorelin test provides an excellent balance between sensitivity and specificity.
Icariin Protects against Glucocorticoid-Induced Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head in Rats

Background/Aims: Glucocorticoid (GC)-related osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a common complication following administration of steroids to treat many diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that icariin (ICA) might have a beneficial effect on the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) of patients with steroid-associated osteonecrosis. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of ICA associated with the potential enhancement of osteogenesis and anti-adipogenesis in GC-related ONFH. Methods: In vitro cell proliferation was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Alizarin red S and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were used to measure osteogenic differentiation, while adipogenic differentiation was revealed by oil red O staining and TG content assay. The expression level of osteogenesis-associated genes and PPARγ was evaluated by RT-qPCR, western blotting and immunofluorescence. A total of 30 female SD rats were randomly separated into three groups: a control group, a methylprednisolone (MPS) group and a MPS + ICA group. Serum ALP and TG (triglyceride), micro-CT scanning, histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed in the animal model. Results: In the in vitro study, ICA promoted proliferation, improved osteogenic differentiation and suppressed adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs treated with MPS. The group treated with MPS and 10-6 M ICA expressed higher levels of Runx2, ALP, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2, and OC and lower expression of PPARγ than the MPS group. In the in vivo study, ICA prevented bone loss in a rat model of GC-related ONFH as shown by micro-CT scanning, histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Conclusions: ICA is an effective compound for promoting bone repair and preventing or delaying the progression of GC-associated ONFH in rats. This effect can be explained by its ability to improve the balance between adipogenesis and osteogenesis, indicating that ICA is an effective candidate for management of GC-associated ONFH.
Association of Abnormal Elevations in IFIT3 With Overactive Cyclic GMP‐AMP Synthase/Stimulator of Interferon Genes Signaling in Human Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Monocytes

Increasing evidence indicates that the cyclic GMP‐AMP synthase/stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS/STING) signaling pathway has a critical pathogenic role in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Expression levels of the interferon (IFN)–inducible gene IFIT3 are elevated in SLE patients. However, it is still not clear how IFIT3 contributes to the pathogenesis of SLE. This study was undertaken to investigate the activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway in human SLE monocytes, and to determine how elevated expression of IFIT3 could contribute to overactive cGAS/STING signaling in patients with SLE.
Symbolic play promotes non‐verbal communicative exchange in infant–caregiver dyads

Symbolic play has long been considered a fertile context for communicative development (Bruner, 1983, Child's talk: Learning to use language, Oxford University Press, Oxford; Vygotsky, 1962, Thought and language, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA; Vygotsky, 1978, Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA). In the current study, we examined caregiver-infant interaction during symbolic play and compared it to interaction in a comparable but non-symbolic context (i.e., 'functional' play). Fifty-four (N = 54) caregivers and their 18-month-old infants were observed engaging in 20 min of play (symbolic, functional). Play interactions were coded and compared across play conditions for joint attention (JA) and gesture use. Compared with functional play, symbolic play was characterized by greater frequency and duration of JA and greater gesture use, particularly the use of iconic gestures with an object in hand. The results suggest that symbolic play provides a rich context for the exchange and negotiation of meaning, and thus may contribute to the development of important skills underlying communicative development. Statement of contribution Current knowledge Symbolic play has long been linked to communicative development. We do not know the extent to which the social context of symbolic play fosters communicative skills. Present study We test whether key communicative acts (joint attention, gesture) are more common in infant-caregiver dyads during symbolic versus functional play. Joint attention was established more often and sustained for longer periods in symbolic play than in functional play. Infants and caregivers produced more in-hand representational gestures in symbolic compared to functional play.
Silver nanowires: synthesis, antibacterial activity and biomedical applications

: Silver is well known for its antibacterial properties and low toxicity, and it is currently widely used both in the form of ions and of nanoparticles in many diverse products. One-dimensional silver nanowires (AgNWs) have the potential to further enhance the properties of nanosilver-containing products, since they appear to have higher antimicrobial efﬁcacy and lower cytotoxicity. While they are widely used in optics and electronics, more studies are required in order to better understand their behavior in the biological environment and to be able to advance their application in uses such as wound healing, surface coating and drug delivery.
Microblog Conversation Recommendation via Joint Modeling of Topics and Discourse

Millions of conversations are generated every day on social media platforms. With limited attention, it is challenging for users to select which discussions they would like to participate in. Here we propose a new method for microblog conversation recommendation. While much prior work has focused on post-level recommendation, we exploit both the conversational context, and user content and behavior preferences. We propose a statistical model that jointly captures: (1) topics for representing user interests and conversation content, and (2) discourse modes for describing user replying behavior and conversation dynamics. Experimental results on two Twitter datasets demonstrate that our system outperforms methods that only model content without considering discourse.
Predictors of Response to Autologous Dendritic Cell Therapy in Glioblastoma Multiforme

Background Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common and lethal primary malignant glioma in adults. Dendritic cell (DC) vaccines have demonstrated promising results in GBM clinical trials. However, some patients do not respond well to DC therapy, with survival rates similar to those of conventional therapy. We retrospectively analyzed clinical and laboratory data to evaluate the factors affecting vaccine treatment. Methods Forty-seven patients with de novo GBM were enrolled at China Medical University Hospital between 2005 and 2010 and divided into two subgroups. One subgroup of 27 patients received postsurgical adjuvant immunotherapy with autologous dendritic cell/tumor antigen vaccine (ADCTA) in conjunction with conventional treatment of concomitant chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with temozolomide. The other 20 patients received only postsurgical conventional treatment without immunotherapy. Immunohistochemistry for CD45, CD4, CD8, programed death ligand 1 (PD-L1), and programed death 1 (PD-1) was performed on sections of surgical tumor specimens and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Pearson’s correlation, Cox proportional hazard model, and Kaplan–Meier analyses were performed to examine the correlations between the prognostic factors and survival rates. Results Younger age (<57 years), gross total resection, and CCRT and PD-1+ lymphocyte counts were significant prognostic factors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the ADCTA group. Sex, CD45+ lymphocyte count, CD4+ or CD8+ lymphocyte count, tumor PD-L1 expression, isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 mutation, and O6 methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase promoter methylation status were not significant factors in both groups. In the ADCTA group, patients with tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) with a lower PD-1+/CD8+ ratio (≤0.21) had longer OS and PFS (median OS 60.97 months, P < 0.001 and PFS 11.2 months, P < 0.008) compared to those with higher PD-1+/CD8+ ratio (>0.21) (median OS 20.07 months, P < 0.001 and PFS 4.43 months, P < 0.008). Similar results were observed in patients’ PBMCs; lymphocyte counts with lower PD-1+/CD8+ ratio (≤0.197) had longer OS and PFS. There was a significant correlation of PD-1+/CD8+ ratio between TILs and PBMCs (Pearson’s correlation R2 = 0.6002, P < 0.001). By contrast, CD4−, CD8−, but PD-1+, CD45+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes have no impact on OS and PFS (P = 0.073 and P = 0.249, respectively). Conclusion For patients receiving DC vaccine adjuvant therapy, better outcomes are predicted in patients with younger age, with TILs or PBMCs with lower PD-1+/CD8+ ratio, with gross tumor resection, and receiving CCRT.
Effect of sprouting on nutritional quality of pulses

Abstract In order to investigate the nutritional quality of industrial-scale sprouted versus unsprouted chickpeas and green peas, before and after cooking, the ultrastructure, chemical composition, antioxidant capacity, starch digestibility, mineral content and accessibility were analysed. Sprouting did not deeply affect raw seed structure, although after cooking starch granules appeared more porous and swelled. Chemical composition of raw sprouted seeds was not strongly affected, excepting an increase in protein (both pulses), and in free sugars (in peas; +10% and +80%, respectively, p < .05). The industrial sprouting favoured phytic acid leaching in cooking water (−35% in seeds, compared to unsprouted cooked ones, p < .05), and promoted antioxidant capacity reductions in raw and cooked seeds (−10% and −37%, respectively, p < .05). In conclusion, sprouting on an industrial-scale induced mild structural modifications in chickpeas and peas, sufficient to reduce antinutritional factors, without strongly influencing their nutritional quality. These products could represent nutritionally interesting ingredients for different dietary patterns as well as for enriched cereal-based foods.
Analysis of k-partite ranking algorithm in area under the receiver operating characteristic curve criterion

ABSTRACT The k-partite ranking, as an extension of bipartite ranking, is widely used in information retrieval and other computer applications. Such implement aims to obtain an optimal ranking function which assigns a score to each instance. The AUC (Area Under the ROC Curve) measure is a criterion which can be used to judge the superiority of the given k-partite ranking function. In this paper, we study the k-partite ranking algorithm in AUC criterion from a theoretical perspective. The generalization bounds for the k-partite ranking algorithm are presented, and the deviation bounds for a ranking function chosen from a finite function class are also considered. The uniform convergence bound is expressed in terms of a new set of combinatorial parameters which we define specially for the k-partite ranking setting. Finally, the generally margin-based bound for k-partite ranking algorithm is derived.
Corporate Social Responsibility : A marketing tool and / or a factor for the promotion of sustainable development for companies ? An empirical examination of listed companies in the Athens Stock Exchange

The subject matter of this research is to examine the following questions: Already efficient companies adopt Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices as a marketing tool and as a means to promote themselves? And at the same time, already efficient companies incorporate CSR in their strategy, thus reinforcing their sustainable development? Specifically, our research is comparative and involves listed companies in the Athens Stock Exchange which have adopted CSR and those who have not adopted it, for the period 2006-2012. In particular, it compares these two company types: listed companies which implement CSR practices and listed companies which do not implement CSR practices, with respect to efficiency ratios, which as explained also in the methodology, are ROE, ROA, EPS, ROS1 & ROS2. A key conclusion of the research is that companies which adopt CSR have higher average efficiency compared to those which do not adopt CSR, and also, already efficient companies use CSR as a means to promote themselves while incorporating CSR practices that drive their Sustainable Development. Something illustrated by the fact that the higher percentage of already efficient companies which implement sustainable development policies, is involved in all four CSR action fields: workplace, market, community, and environment.
Diagnostic Ability of Corneal Shape and Biomechanical Parameters for Detecting Frank Keratoconus

Purpose: To assess the diagnostic capability of corneal shape and biomechanical parameters for distinguishing normal eyes from frank keratoconus (KCN). Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of eyes of 137 control subjects and 145 patients with KCN, with one of their eyes randomly selected as the study eye. Corneal biomechanical parameters were assessed using the Corvis ST (Oculus Optikgeräte GmbH) and Oculus Response Analyzer (Reichert Ophthalmic Instruments). Corneal tomography was performed using the Oculus Pentacam. The clinical diagnosis of KCN was based on slit-lamp findings (eg, Fleischer ring, Vogt striae) and abnormal topographic patterns on the sagittal (axial) front curvature map, disregarding tomographic and biomechanical findings. The discriminative ability for each parameter was tested using the Mann–Whitney U test. The accuracy of each parameter with statistically significant differences was determined using receiver operating characteristic curves, which were compared using the DeLong method. Results: Statistically significant differences were observed for all corneal shape and biomechanical parameters tested (P < 0.05) except peak distance at the highest concavity (P = 0.504). The area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity for corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) were 0.894, 80.7%, and 84.7% and 0.946, 85.5%, and 89.1%, respectively. The dynamic corneal response parameters from the Corvis ST, stiffness parameter at first applanation, integrated radius (IR), and deformation amplitude ratio at 2 mm (DA-2 mm) had AUC, sensitivity, and specificity of 0.965, 86.2%, and 94.9%; 0.961, 87.6%, and 93.4%; and 0.950, 80.7%, and 98.5%. The Corvis biomechanical index had an AUC of 0.998 (95% confidence interval, 0.983–1.000), with 96.6% sensitivity and 99.3% specificity. The Belin–Ambrósio enhanced ectasia deviation index (BAD-Dv3) and the tomographical/biomechanical index (TBI) had an AUC of 1.0 (95% confidence interval, 0.987–1.000), with sensitivity and specificity of 100%. The combined indices, Corvis biomechanical index, BAD-D, and TBI, had a statistically higher AUC than that of all corneal biomechanical parameters (DeLong, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The Scheimpflug-derived shape and biomechanical parameters are able to accurately distinguish normal corneas from frank (clinical) keratoconic corneas. However, the combined parameters were more effective. Further studies should test milder ectasia cases.
Constipation in critical care patients: both timing and duration matter

Objective Most of the studies have defined constipation as a period without stool after ICU admission. We aimed to test the impact of both duration and timing of infrequent defecation in critical care patients. Patients and methods We performed a prospective, bi-center, observational study. Patients were divided into three subgroups: ‘not constipated’, ‘3–5 days’, and ‘at least 6 days’ (longest period without stool passage, respectively, shorter than 3 days, 3–5 days, and ≥6 days). Furthermore, ‘early’ constipated patients were defined as those for whom the longest time to stool passage occurred just after ICU admission, whereas for ‘late’ constipated patients the longest period without stool occurred later during ICU stay. Results A total of 182 patients were included: the mean age was 67.2 years (54.4–78.9 years), 80 were women, and simplified acute physiology score II was 42 (34–52). In all, 42 (23.1%), 82 (45.1%), and 58 (31.8%) belonged to the nonconstipated, 3–5 days, or greater than or equal to 6 days subgroup of patients, respectively. Time spent under mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay was longer in the greater than or equal to 6 days subgroups as compared with both other subgroups. ICU stay was longer in the 3–5 days subgroup as compared with the not constipated patients. Furthermore, the late patients of the greater than or equal to 6 days subgroups exhibited worse survival as compared with all other patients. Conclusion Both timing and duration of infrequent defecation seem to have an impact on critical care patient’s outcome, and should therefore be included in the diagnostic criteria.