Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mental and physical effects of energy drinks consumption in an Italian young people group: a pilot study.

Introduction The primary consumers of energy drinks were athletes, to combat fatigue, but in reality, thanks to their fast expansion and economic growth, young adults and teenagers represent the new target market. Consumption of energy drinks by both recreational and competitive athletes has increased dramatically in recent years, though they are often unaware of what is being ingested, believing to improve their physical and psychological performance. The literature shows contradictions about the capacity of energy drinks to enhance psychophysical results. In relation to probable adverse effects induced by the irregular consumption of energy drinks, which in several cases are not so clear, we decided to investigate the possible relationship between the intake of energy drinks and the presence of mental and physical stress in young people and athletes. Methods Two experimental sessions, separated at least by 1 week, according to a randomized cross-over design, following this protocol were conducted: in the first session a mental and physical stress was conducted without the consumption of energy drinks, the second after energy drinks consumption. BAI (Beck Anxiety Inventory) and BDI (Beck Depression Inventory II) test have been used to test the mental stress, and a "cycle ergometer test" to test the physical stress. Results BAI and BDI tests results showed that before the consumption of energy drinks, subjects are considered in the range of "minimal level of anxiety", (10 and 60 percentiles) and do not report a level of depression. After the energy drinks consumption, a "mild level of anxiety" has been recorded, and the BDI showed a case with a pathological profile. The physical test recorded a small increase in the maximum heart rate was verified with the intake of an energetic beverage. Conclusions The stimulating effect of Energy Drinks EDs on nervous system and cardiovascular system, must be checked and studied in deeper detail, because it may represent a risk for the health of young athletes.
Time-variable medical education innovation in context

Background Medical education is undergoing robust curricular reform with several innovative models emerging. In this study, we examined current trends in 3-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) education and place these programs in context. Methods A survey was conducted among Deans of U.S. allopathic medical schools using structured phone interview regarding current availability of a 3-year MD pathway, and/or other variations in curricular innovation, within their institution. Those with 3-year programs answered additional questions. Results Data from 107 institutions were obtained (75% survey response rate). The most common variation in length of medical education today is the accelerated 3-year pathway. Since 2010, 9 medical schools have introduced parallel 3-year MD programs and another 4 are actively developing such programs. However, the total number of students in 3-year MD tracks remains small (n=199 students, or 0.2% total medical students). Family medicine and general internal medicine are the most common residency programs selected. Benefits of 3-year MD programs generally include reduction in student debt, stability of guaranteed residency positions, and potential for increasing physician numbers in rural/underserved areas. Drawbacks include concern about fatigue/burnout, difficulty in providing guaranteed residency positions, and additional expense in teaching 2 parallel curricula. Four vignettes of alternative innovative and relevant curricular initiatives are also presented in order to place 3-year MD programs in a broader context of medical education reform in the U.S. Conclusion Three-year MD pathways are the most common accelerated alternative available at a small number of medical schools for highly selected students. Long-term evaluation of these programs will be essential to determine if these programs are meeting their goals (e.g., increasing the number of physicians in rural/underserved areas). Benefits and shortcomings of such programs should be carefully examined when considering this approach, or others described, as part of MD curricular options designed to individualize medical education.
Factors associated with union time of acute middle-third scaphoid fractures: an observational study

Background The aim of this study was to investigate the union time of acute middle-third scaphoid fractures following treatments and to analyze the effect of different factors on late union. Patients and methods We retrospectively reviewed patients with acute middle-third scaphoid fracture at our institution between January 2013 and December 2017. Patient demographics, fracture characteristics, and treatment strategy, such as age, gender, body mass index, habit of smoking, sides of injury, dominant hand, ulnar variance, multiple fractures, and treatment methods, were investigated. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify possible predictive factors. Results A total of 132 patients with scaphoid fracture were included in our study. Operation was performed in 67 patients (50.8%), and conservative treatment was performed in the other 65 patients (49.2%). The union time was 7.2±0.5 weeks. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, late diagnosis (odds ratio, 1.247; 95% CI, 1.022–1.521) and conservative treatment method (odds ratio, 1.615; 95% CI, 1.031–2.528) were identified as 2 independent predictors of late union in scaphoid fractures patients. Other parameters were not demonstrated to be predictive factors. Conclusion Late diagnosis and conservative treatment were two factors associated with late union. Long time of follow-up is necessary for patient with these factors.
Probabilistic pose estimation using a Bingham distribution-based linear filter

Pose estimation is central to several robotics applications such as registration, hand–eye calibration, and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Online pose estimation methods typically use Gaussian distributions to describe the uncertainty in the pose parameters. Such a description can be inadequate when using parameters such as unit quaternions that are not unimodally distributed. A Bingham distribution can effectively model the uncertainty in unit quaternions, as it has antipodal symmetry, and is defined on a unit hypersphere. A combination of Gaussian and Bingham distributions is used to develop a truly linear filter that accurately estimates the distribution of the pose parameters. The linear filter, however, comes at the cost of state-dependent measurement uncertainty. Using results from stochastic theory, we show that the state-dependent measurement uncertainty can be evaluated exactly. To show the broad applicability of this approach, we derive linear measurement models for applications that use position, surface-normal, and pose measurements. Experiments assert that this approach is robust to initial estimation errors as well as sensor noise. Compared with state-of-the-art methods, our approach takes fewer iterations to converge onto the correct pose estimate. The efficacy of the formulation is illustrated with a number of examples on standard datasets as well as real-world experiments.
Immunophenotype evaluation of Non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas

Background: Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHLs) is known as a heterogeneous group of malignant lymphoproliferative disorders. NHLs are classified into B cell and T cell types. Immunophenotypical assessment of the biopsy specimens can help diagnose NHLs. Methods: In this study, 77 patients with B cell and T cell lymphoma were selected from Shahid Sadoghi hospital during 2010 to 2013. Immunohistochemical method was used to detect biomarkers like CD2, CD3, CD20, and CD45. Results: In this study, 67 patients (87.01 %) had B cell lymphoma. Moreover, the most primary tissues in B cell group were lymph node and stomach, followed by bone marrow and neck. Positive co-expression of CD45 and CD20 was found in 61 patients (91.04%) with B cell lymphoma. However, 10 patients (12.98%) had T cell lymphoma, and the most primary tissue in T cell lymphoma group was the skin. Moreover, CD3 expression was seen in all patients with T cell lymphoma. Conclusion: This study confirmed the main role of immunohistochemistry method in classifying and diagnosing NHLs. Moreover, the difference in CD marker expression and age in patients with B cell and T cell lymphoma, compared to other studies may be due to geographic area and genetic and ethnic differences.
Lower error bounds for strong approximation of scalar SDEs with non-Lipschitzian coefficients

We study pathwise approximation of scalar stochastic differential equations at a single time point or globally in time by means of methods that are based on finitely many observations of the driving Brownian motion. We prove lower error bounds in terms of the average number of evaluations of the driving Brownian motion that hold for every such method under rather mild assumptions on the coefficients of the equation. The underlying simple idea of our analysis is as follows: the lower error bounds known for equations with coefficients that have sufficient regularity globally in space should still apply in the case of coefficients that have this regularity in space only locally, in a small neighborhood of the initial value. Our results apply to a huge variety of equations with coefficients that are not globally Lipschitz continuous in space including Cox-Ingersoll-Ross processes, equations with superlinearly growing coefficients, and equations with discontinuous coefficients. In many of these cases the resulting lower error bounds even turn out to be sharp.
Evapotranspiration and water yield of a pine‐broadleaf forest are not altered by long‐term atmospheric [CO2] enrichment under native or enhanced soil fertility

Changes in evapotranspiration (ET) from terrestrial ecosystems affect their water yield (WY), with considerable ecological and economic consequences. Increases in surface runoff observed over the past century have been attributed to increasing atmospheric CO2 concentrations resulting in reduced ET by terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we evaluate the water balance of a Pinus taeda (L.) forest with a broadleaf component that was exposed to atmospheric [CO2] enrichment (ECO2; +200 ppm) for over 17 years and fertilization for 6 years, monitored with hundreds of environmental and sap flux sensors on a half‐hourly basis. These measurements were synthesized using a one‐dimensional Richard's equation model to evaluate treatment differences in transpiration (T), evaporation (E), ET, and WY. We found that ECO2 did not create significant differences in stand T, ET, or WY under either native or enhanced soil fertility, despite a 20% and 13% increase in leaf area index, respectively. While T, ET, and WY responded to fertilization, this response was weak (<3% of mean annual precipitation). Likewise, while E responded to ECO2 in the first 7 years of the study, this effect was of negligible magnitude (<1% mean annual precipitation). Given the global range of conifers similar to P. taeda, our results imply that recent observations of increased global streamflow cannot be attributed to decreases in ET across all ecosystems, demonstrating a great need for model–data synthesis activities to incorporate our current understanding of terrestrial vegetation in global water cycle models.
No molecular evidence of Hepatitis E infection among patients with HIV in Iran

1. Department of Virology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2. Department of Microbiology and Virology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. ↑What is “already known” in this topic: Previous studies have suggested that patients with HIV infection are at risk for acquiring HEV infection. Based on the several studies that have been conducted thus far, detection rate of HEV-RNA was low and ranges from 0 to 1.3% among HIV positive patients.
THE IMPETUOUS VOICE OF REASON

This is a review of what the currently dominant theories of moral decisionmaking are and where they derive from. While the introduction serves as a common ground to explain what moral decision-making is, the earlier parts of the thesis describe older traditionalist theories within the field, theories of emotional decision-making, in the form of the somatic marker hypothesis, as well as critique of the older traditionalist theories through the social intuitionist model. Both of these two theories are explained as the foundation of the current theories of moral decision-making and after establishing a clear basis on what the currently dominant theories of moral decision-making are built on, said theories are introduced in the form of the dual-processing theory and the event-feature-emotion complexes which are thoroughly reviewed, explained in detail and serves as the core of the text. This is afterward followed by criticism as well as arguments in favor of both theories as well as criticisms from other researchers who disagree with the methodology which the theories of moral decision-making are conducted on. The essay reviews the current state of the field of moral decision-making which has been split up into two different approaches, the locationist approach and the constructionist approach. The essay concludes that there are terms which needs to be clarified in order for the field to move forward and studies to be made regarding the social implications of gut reactions in moral decision-making.
Comparison of time‐matched aerobic, resistance, or concurrent exercise training in older adults

A supervised 12‐week intervention of time‐matched aerobic vs resistance versus concurrent exercise training was employed to investigate mode‐ and time course‐specific effects of exercise training in older adults. Community‐dwelling men and women (n = 84; M/F, 45/39; 69.3 ± 3.5 years; 26.4 ± 3.8 kg m−2) were randomly assigned (n = 21 each) to either non‐exercise control (CON), aerobic exercise only (AER), resistance exercise only (RES), or concurrent aerobic and resistance exercise (CEX). Training groups trained three times per week, each performing 72 minutes of active exercise time per week. Body composition, physical and cognitive function, and markers of metabolic health were assessed before (PRE), and after 6 (MID) and 12 (POST) weeks of exercise training. Hand‐grip strength, 1RM chest press, and arm LBM were improved by both RES and CEX, but not AER. Aerobic fitness increased in AER and RES, but not CEX. Cognitive function improved in all groups, but occurred earlier (ie, at MID) in AER. CEX improved gait speed and lower limb strength and reduced trunk fat compared to either AER or RES. Leg LBM was unchanged in any group. Temporal patterns were observed as early as 6 weeks of training (gait speed, upper and lower limb strength, aerobic fitness), whereas others were unchanged until 12 weeks (hand‐grip strength, timed up‐and‐go, sit‐to‐stand). Compared to either aerobic or resistance exercise training alone, concurrent exercise training is as efficacious for improving a range of health‐related parameters and is more efficacious for increasing gait speed and lower limb strength, and decreasing trunk fat in older adults.
Influence of isopropylmalate synthase OsIPMS1 on seed vigour associated with amino acid and energy metabolism in rice

Summary Seed vigour is an imperative trait for the direct seeding of rice. Isopropylmalate synthase (IPMS) catalyses the committed step of leucine (Leu) biosynthesis, but its effect on seed vigour remains unclear. In this study, rice OsIPMS1 and OsIPMS2 was cloned, and the roles of OsIPMS1 in seed vigour were mainly investigated. OsIPMS1 and OsIPMS2 catalyse Leu biosynthesis, and Leu feedback inhibits their IPMS activities. Disruption of OsIPMS1 resulted in low seed vigour under various conditions, which might be tightly associated with the reduction of amino acids in germinating seeds. Eleven amino acids that associated with stress tolerance, GA biosynthesis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were significantly reduced in osipms1 mutants compared with those in wide type (WT) during seed germination. Transcriptome analysis indicated that a total of 1209 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were altered in osipms1a mutant compared with WT at the early germination stage, wherein most of the genes were involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, protein processing, pyruvate, carbon, fructose and mannose metabolism. Further analysis confirmed that the regulation of OsIPMS1 in seed vigour involved in starch hydrolysis, glycolytic activity and energy levels in germinating seeds. The effects of seed priming were tightly associated with the mRNA levels of OsIPMS1 in priming seeds. The OsIPMS1 might be used as a biomarker to determine the best stop time‐point of seed priming in rice. This study provides novel insights into the function of OsIPMS1 on seed vigour and should have practical applications in seed priming of rice.
Efficacy of IgM-enriched Immunoglobulin for Vasopressor-resistant Vasoplegic Shock After Liver Transplantation

Background Vasoplegia is a clinical condition typically manifested by cardiovascular instability unresponsive to the usual doses of inotropes or vasopressors. It can occur in a variety of clinical settings including liver transplantation (LT). Immunoglobulins have been used to treat sepsis-related vasoplegia. We performed a retrospective study to evaluate the efficacy of IgM-enriched immunoglobulin (IgMIg) on 30-day mortality and its ability to reverse vasoplegia in patients undergoing LT. Methods Between May 2013 and November 2017, 473 LT were performed at our institution. We identified 21 patients who received IgMIg for 3 days to treat vasoplegia. Patients included in the study met the criteria for having vasoplegia and required noradrenaline administration greater than 1 &mgr;g·kg−1·min−1 for more than 24 hours to maintain a mean arterial pressure of 70 mm Hg or greater. Procalcitonin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were used as surrogate markers for inflammation and were measured at the beginning and end of IgM treatment. Results After IgMIg administration, median noradrenaline infusion rates could be significantly reduced from 1.6 &mgr;g·kg−1·min−1 (1.3-2 &mgr;g·kg−1·min−1) to 0.16 &mgr;g·kg−1·min−1 (0.08-0.34 &mgr;g·kg−1·min−1) (P < 0.001). In addition, after treatment, procalcitonin levels decreased significantly from 44 ng/mL (24–158) to 26.1 ng/mL (10.9-48.7) (P < 0.001) and IL-6 levels decreased significantly from 63 pg/mL (29-102) to 20 pg/mL (11-20) (P < 0.001). Thirty-day morality was 14.3%. Conclusions The administration of IgMIg in patients with vasoplegia after LT is associated with a return of hemodynamic stability. Despite a predicted mortality of over 90% by Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment score, the mortality rate of patients receiving IgMIg in our study was less than 20%.
The impact of in vitro cell culture duration on the maturation of human cardiomyocytes derived from induced pluripotent stem cells of myogenic origin

Ischemic heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), poses a challenge for regenerative medicine. iPSC technology might lead to a breakthrough due to the possibility of directed cell differentiation delivering a new powerful source of human autologous cardiomyocytes. One of the factors supporting proper cell maturation is in vitro culture duration. In this study, primary human skeletal muscle myoblasts were selected as a myogenic cell type reservoir for genetic iPSC reprogramming. Skeletal muscle myoblasts have similar ontogeny embryogenetic pathways (myoblasts vs. cardiomyocytes), and thus, a greater chance of myocardial development might be expected, with maintenance of acquired myogenic cardiac cell characteristics, from the differentiation process when iPSCs of myoblastoid origin are obtained. Analyses of cell morphological and structural changes, gene expression (cardiac markers), and functional tests (intracellular calcium transients) performed at two in vitro culture time points spanning the early stages of cardiac development (day 20 versus 40 of cell in vitro culture) confirmed the ability of the obtained myogenic cells to acquire adult features of differentiated cardiomyocytes. Prolonged 40-day iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes (iPSC-CMs) revealed progressive cellular hypertrophy; a better-developed contractile apparatus; expression of marker genes similar to human myocardial ventricular cells, including a statistically significant CX43 increase, an MHC isoform switch, and a troponin I isoform transition; more efficient intercellular calcium handling; and a stronger response to β-adrenergic stimulation.
Prevalence and determinants of glucose intolerance among HIV/AIDS patients in north-central Nigeria.

Background: The advent of potent antiviral drugs has revolutionalised the clinical course of HIV / AIDS resulting in increased survival and improved quality of life. Metabolic derangements in HIV infected patients are becoming more common probably due to this increased survival from the use of HAART. There is limited data on the occurrence of glucose intolerance among HIV patients in Nigeria. Objective: To determine the prevalence of glucose intolerance and associated risk factors in HIV/AIDS patients. Methods: Consenting adult HIV patients at the HIV clinic of the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), Jos , Nigeria were evaluated were evaluated for the presence of glucose intolerance using a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). There clinical characteristics, anthropometry, CD4 cell counts and viral load were determined using appropriate standard techniques. Impaired Fasting Glucose (IFG), Impaired Glucose Tolerance (IGT), and Diabetes Mellitus (DM) were defined based on the American Diabetes Association (ADA) cut-off values. Results: Of the 584 patients studied, 384 (130 males and 251 females) with mean±SD age of 38±15 years were HAARTtreated; while 200 (61 males and 139 females) with mean±SD age of 33±17 years were HAART-naive. Overall, the prevalence of GI was 40.4% (IFG) 19.5%, IGT 11.5% and DM 9.4%. The prevalence of IFG (27.1%) and DM (11.2%) in HAART - treated patients were observed and those in HAART-naive patients were (IFG 5.0%,DM 6.0%), p<0.005. IGT was more prevalent in HAART-naive than in HAART-treated patients (19.5%, and 7.3% respectively), p<0.05. The proportions of patients with GI were higher in overweight and obese HAART-treated patients with moderate CD4 cell count (200-500 x10 6 cell/L); while in the HAART-naive patients, GI was more prevalent in underweight subjects with CD4 cell count (<200 x 10 6 cell/L). The Determinants of GI were age, increasing BMI, low CD4 cell count, metabolic syndrome and HAART treatment duration. The independent predictors of glucose intolerance in HIV / AIDS patients were low CD4 cell count and prolonged HAART treatment duration. Conclusion: The prevalence of GI among HIV/AIDS patients in North-Central Nigeria is high. Treatment with HAART and low CD4 cell count are strong determinants of glucose intolerance in our HIV / AIDS patients. Regular screening for glucose intolerance among our HIV / AIDS patients is recommended. Keywords: HIV, Glucose Intolerance, Prevalence, North-Central Nigeria