Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Within-trial cost-effectiveness of lifestyle intervention or metformin for the primary prevention of type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) demonstrated that intensive lifestyle and metformin interventions reduced the incidence of type 2 diabetes compared with a placebo intervention. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of the lifestyle and metformin interventions relative to the placebo intervention. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Analyses were performed from a health system perspective that considered direct medical costs only and a societal perspective that considered direct medical costs, direct nonmedical costs, and indirect costs. Analyses were performed with the interventions as implemented in the DPP and as they might be implemented in clinical practice. RESULTS The lifestyle and metformin interventions required more resources than the placebo intervention from a health system perspective, and over 3 years they cost approximately US dollars 2250 more per participant. As implemented in the DPP and from a societal perspective, the lifestyle and metformin interventions cost US dollars 24400 and US dollars 34500, respectively, per case of diabetes delayed or prevented and US dollars 51600 and US dollars 99200 per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. As the interventions might be implemented in routine clinical practice and from a societal perspective, the lifestyle and metformin interventions cost US dollars 13200 and US dollars 14300, respectively, per case of diabetes delayed or prevented and US dollars 27100 and US dollars 35000 per QALY gained. From a health system perspective, costs per case of diabetes delayed or prevented and costs per QALY gained tended to be lower. CONCLUSIONS Over 3 years, the lifestyle and metformin interventions were effective and were cost-effective from the perspective of a health system and society. Both interventions are likely to be affordable in routine clinical practice, especially if implemented in a group format and with generic medication pricing.
Precursors of mimosine in Mimosa pudica.

In Mimosa pudica L. both L- and DL-lysine serve as specific precursors of the -γ-pyridone nucleus of mimosine. Succinic acid is also incorporated into the nucleus. Glycerol and glyceric acid enter the side chain of mimosine. An improved method for the isolation of mimosine from M. pudica is described.
HELICAL FORM CRISTAE IN THE MITOCHONDRIA OF THE PSEUDOBRANCH OF CYPRINODON VARIEGATUS ADAPTED TO CONDITIONS OF CONSTANT LIGHT AND DARKNESS

A funct ional relationship between the pseudob ranch and the eye in teleosts is implied from early studies in which it had been shown that bilateral removal of the pseudobranch will render fish blind (6), and that removal of the eyes or keeping fish in darkness for long periods of t ime will result in a reduction in the size of the pseudobranch (5). These observat ions led us to make a pilot study of adult variegated killifish Cyprinodon variegatus under condit ions of constant light and darkness for varying periods of t ime to determine if these condi t ions would st imulate any morphological changes in the pseudobranchia l u l t ras t ructure which would correlate with some functional relat ionship between the pseudobranch and the eye.
Clinical evaluation of hostility in depression.

Multiple assessments of hostility in 40 depressed women showed discrepancies in the expression of hostility in different situations. The depressed women were cooperative and not hostile at the initial interview, but they reported a moderate amount of hostile behavior to others. Comparison with a normal sample confirmed that the depressed women showed increased hostile behavior toward others. Moreover, hostility was greater toward those with whom the patient had a close relationship, particularly the spouse and children. The authors discuss these findings in the context of psychoanalytic theory and explore their implications for the adequate evaluation and formulation of a treatment plan.
Clinical profile, diagnostic delay, and genetic make-up of cystic fibrosis in Kashmir, India

Objectives: This observational study was done to describe the clinical profile, and delays in diagnosing cystic fibrosis (CF) disease in Kashmir, India. Materials and Methods: A total of 6758 patients between the ages of 0 and 19 years were registered over a period of 1 year. Out of these, 150 patients suspected of having CF, on clinical grounds, were subjected to pilocarpine iontophoresis, and later on genetic evaluation. Apart from these specific tests, these patients were subjected to laboratory tests like blood counts, blood sugar, KFT, LFT, pancreatic function test, serum electrolytes, and chloride, urine, throat swab, blood culture, ABG analysis, chest and paranasal X-rays. In addition, sonographic evaluation of abdominal organs was carried out to know the status of internal organs. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test was used for the identification of CF mutation. Results: CF was diagnosed in three (0.8%) patients. Median age of presentation of CF was 78 months. Family history suggestive of CF was present in one (33.3%) and consanguinity in three (100%) patients. Common clinical manifestations at the time of presentation included recurrent pneumonia in three (100%), failure to thrive in three (100%), recurrent diarrhea in one (33.3%) patients. General physical examination showed pallor in three (100%), malnutrition in three (100%), and clubbing in two (66.7%) patients. Examination of respiratory tract revealed hyperinflation in two (66.7%), rhinitis in two (66.7%), and creptations in two (66.7%) patients. Sonography of abdominal organs revealed pancreatic cysts in one (33.3%), hyperechoeic and increased liver span in two (66.7%), and small gallbladder in one (33.3%). Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from sputum in one (33.3%), pseudomonas aeruginosa in one (33.3%) patients. Delta F508 mutation was present in one (33.3%) patient. Conclusion: CF may be more common in Kashmir and other parts of Asia, than indicated by our study; diagnosis is often considerably delayed when the disease is identified solely on clinical grounds. It would be advisable to raise the index of suspicion about CF.
Extra short dental implants supporting an overdenture in the edentulous maxilla: a proof of concept.

OBJECTIVES This study investigates the outcome of short implants additionally placed with longer implants to support a maxillary overdenture. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twelve patients received six implants to support a maxillary overdenture. Only one patient still had two molars in the maxilla, while the others had no remaining teeth. The status of the opposing arch was diverse. The distal implant in each quadrant was 6 mm in height (S) and the middle implants ranged between 10 and 14 mm (L). All implants were placed following a one-stage procedure and early loaded (6 weeks). Clinical and radiological parameters were assessed 6, 12 and 24 months after loading. RESULTS One short implant failed 2 weeks after surgery, probably due to early mobilization by the provisional prosthesis. The mean bone loss on the rough part of the implant was 0.7 mm (S) vs. 1.3 mm (L) during the first year and 0.3 mm (S) vs. 0.2 mm (L) during the second year after loading. The mean implant stability quotient values were 67 (S) vs. 70 (L) at placement and 75 (S) vs. 78 (L) after 1 year. At the 2-year follow- up, all prostheses were still stable and comfortable. CONCLUSION An overdenture on six implants, of which two have a reduced length, might represent a successful treatment option. No significant difference could be found between both implant lengths at 2 years' follow-up. However, bone loss with short implants may increase the likelihood of failure.
T cells are necessary for ILC2 activation in house dust mite‐induced allergic airway inflammation in mice

Allergic asthma is a chronic inflammation of the airways mediated by an adaptive type 2 immune response. Upon allergen exposure, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2s) can be rapidly activated and represent an early innate source of IL‐5 and IL‐13. Here, we used a house dust mite (HDM)‐driven asthma mouse model to study the induction of ILC2s in allergic airway inflammation. In BALF, lungs, and lymph nodes, ILC2 activation is critically dependent on prior sensitization with HDM. Importantly, T cells are required for ILC2 induction, whereby T‐cell activation precedes ILC2 induction. During HDM‐driven allergic airway inflammation the accumulation of ILC2s in BALF is IL‐33 independent, although infiltrating ILC2s produce less cytokines in Il33−/− mice. Transfer of in vitro polarized OVA‐specific OT‐II Th2 cells alone or in combination with Th17 cells followed by OVA and HDM challenge is not sufficient to induce ILC2, despite significant eosinophilic inflammation and T‐cell activation. In this asthma model, ILC2s are therefore not an early source of Th2 cytokines, but rather contribute to type 2 inflammation in which Th2 cells play a key role. Taken together, ILC2 induction in HDM‐mediated allergic airway inflammation in mice critically depends on activation of T cells.
Potential of Two Entomopathogenic Nematodes for Suppression of Plum Curculio (Conotrachelus nenuphar, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Life Stages in Northern Climates

Plum curculio, Conotrachelus nenuphar, is a major pest of pome and stone fruits in North America. We evaluated the potential efficacy of two entomopathogenic nematode species for suppression of plum curculio in northern regions, targeting life stages that reside in soil during spring and summer. A strain of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora isolated from soil infested with plum curculio in northern Utah and a commercially available strain of Steinernema feltiae known to tolerate cool temperatures were tested in the laboratory against three life stages of plum curculio. Bioassays used the southern strain of plum curculio because availability of the northern strain from the field was inadequate. H. bacteriophora was more virulent than S. feltiae to all plum curculio life stages. Adults and pupae were more susceptible than larvae. Temperature bioassays were conducted with a surrogate host: last instars of Galleria mellonella. The two nematodes exhibited different, but overlapping, thermal activity ranges. Both species performed best at 20°C: virulence and reproductive potential was higher; however, H. bacteriophora was superior to S. feltiae at 30°C and vice versa at 10°C. The reproductive potential of H. bacteriophora was >2.5 times greater than for S. feltiae, and H. bacteriophora required fewer individuals to initiate a successful host infection. S. feltiae was a better fit for temperatures expected in northern climates, but H. bacteriophora was more virulent to plum curculio and produced more infective juveniles that may benefit nematode recycling and continuation and spread of insect suppression in the field.
Effect of Guar Gum on Mineral Balances in NIDDM Adults

The self-selected diet of 16 subjects with noninsulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) was supplemented for 6 mo with either a granolalike bar containing 35.5 g carbohydrate and 6.6 g guar gum/bar or a placebo bar containing carbohydrate but no guar gum. Subjects consumed a mean of 4.8 bars/day. Average guar gum consumption at the end of the study was 31.7 g/day. One week before and at the end of the study, subjects were admitted to a metabolic ward and fed a controlled diet similar to their self-selected diet. Food, feces, and urine were composited for analysis of iron, zinc, copper, calcium, magnesium, and manganese. Eight subjects consuming the guar gum supplement and 6 subjects consuming the placebo bar completed collections for mineral balance. Neither consumption of guar gum nor placebo bar significantly changed apparent mineral balance for iron, copper, zinc, calcium, manganese, or magnesium from prestudy levels to 6-mo levels, and no significant differences were observed between the two groups. With the exception of copper, men consumed significantly more minerals than women. We conclude that consumption of guar gum by patients with NIDDM does not adversely affect apparent mineral balance.
There are many apps for that: quantifying the availability of privacy-preserving apps

The adage "there's an app for that" holds true in modern app stores. Indeed, app stores usually go further and provide multiple apps with very similar functionality; examples range from flashlight apps to alarm clocks. We call these functionally-similar apps. When searching for these apps, users are often presented with a vast array of choices, but no distinction is made in the user interface to highlight the relative privacy risks inherent in choosing one app over another. Yet the availability of many functionally-similar apps raises the question of whether some apps are significantly less invasive than others. In this paper, we take several steps toward answering this question. We begin by enumerating 2 500 groups of functionally-similar apps in the Google Play Store. Within groups of apps, we use static analysis to understand the real-world risks coming from apps with aggressive permission usage. By leveraging an established ranking system, and combining it with real-world data from over 28 000 Android devices, we quantify the improvements that can be made if users installed apps with privacy in mind. We observe that at least 25.6% of apps contain libraries that gratuitously exploit available permissions and find that 43.5% of apps could be swapped for comparable alternatives that require fewer permissions. Permissions saved may deliver important privacy and security improvements, including preventing access to the calendar (in 24% of cases), sending text messages (12%) and recording audio (8%). This is particularly important for apps which embed third-party libraries, since library code executes with the same permissions as the app itself.
Morphometric Analysis of the Ventral Nerve Roots and Retroperitoneal Vessels With Respect to the Minimally Invasive Lateral Approach in Normal and Deformed Spines

Study Design. A morphometric analysis, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the lumbar spine. Objective. To identify the anatomic position of the ventral root and the retroperitoneal vessels in relation to the vertebral body in normally aligned and deformed spines. Summary of Background Data. The lateral approach to the lumbar spine is a relatively new method for performing interbody fusions. In contrast to the standard open anterior approach with direct vision of the operative field, the lateral approach uses expandable retractors that are positioned under fluoroscopic guidance. Risks of this technique include injury to the exiting nerve root and retroperitoneal vessels. Methods. One hundred lumbar spine MRI studies were reviewed from patients treated for various spinal pathologies. The measured intervertebral segments were divided into 3 groups: group 1 (n = 247), normally aligned vertebrae and disc spaces; group 2 (n = 18), degenerative spondylolisthetic segments; and group 3 (n = 19), segments from the apex of degenerative lumbar scoliosis. Axial MR images were used to measure: the vertebral endplate anterior-posterior (AP) diameter, the overlap between the ventral root and the posterior margin of the vertebra, and the overlap between the retroperitoneal large vessels and the anterior edge of the vertebra. Results. The overlap between the adjacent neuro-vascular structures and the vertebral body endplate gradually increased from L1–L2 to L4–L5. The maximal overlap, at the L4–L5 level reached 87% resulting in a relatively narrow corridor for performing the operative procedure. Alteration in the anatomic location of the nerve root and the retroperitoneal vessels, in Group 3 (scoliosis) further decreased the safe corridor. Conclusion. The safe corridor for performing the discectomy and inserting the intervertebral cage narrows from L1–L2 to the L4–L5 level. This corridor is further narrowed with rotatory deformity of the spine. Using the preoperative MRI to assess the relative position of the adjacent neuro-vascular structures in relation to the lower vertebra’s endplate at each level is recommended.
Androgen receptor CAG repeat polymorphism and hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal function in Filipino young adult males

Testosterone (T), the primary androgenic hormone in males, is stimulated through pulsatile secretion of LH and regulated through negative feedback inhibition at the hypothalamus and pituitary. The hypothalamic‐pituitary‐gonadal (HPG) axis also controls sperm production through the secretion of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH). Negative feedback in the HPG axis is achieved in part through the binding of T to the androgen receptor (AR), which contains a highly variable trinucleotide repeat polymorphism (AR‐CAGn). The number of repeats in the AR‐CAGn inversely correlates with transcriptional activity of the AR. Thus, we predicted longer AR‐CAGn to be associated with higher T, LH, and FSH levels.
In vitro synergistic activities of tobramycin and selected beta-lactams against 75 gram-negative clinical isolates

The microdilution checkerboard technique was utilized to distinguish synergistic activity between tobramycin and four beta-lactams: piperacillin-tazobactam, ticarcillin-clavulanate, ceftazidime, and ceftriaxone. Beta-lactam-aminoglycoside combinations were tested against 75 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, Citrobacterfreundii, Serratia marcescens, and Enterobacter cloacae. Despite in vitro susceptibilities, all isolates demonstrated either synergism or indifference; no antagonism was observed. Against pathogenic gram-negative nosocomial isolates, a greater percentage of synergy was consistently observed with combination regimens containing tobramycin and piperacillin-tazobactam or ticarcillin-clavulanate than with the cephalosporin-containing regimens.
Multiple Perspectives on the Health Service Need, Use, and Variability Among Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis

SUMMARY The purpose of this paper is to present the findings from the first phase of a large study that is examining the unmet health-related service needs of people aging with MS. Fifty-one volunteers participated in seven focus groups-five with individuals with MS and their family members, and two with health care professionals. Content analysis indicated health promotion (both physical and social), community accessibility, and support to remain at home as the most commonly identified health-related service needs. Differences were observed between the groups of individuals with MS/family members and health professionals. Findings point to the importance of using a client-centered approach when working with persons with multiple sclerosis and their family members.
The Lambda Method for the GNSS Compass

The Lambda Method for the GNSS Compass Global Navigation Satellite System carrier phase ambiguity resolution is the key to high precision positioning and attitude determination. In this contribution we consider the GNSS compass model. We derive the integer least-squares estimators and discuss the various steps involved in the ambiguity resolution process. This includes the method that has successfully been used in (Park and Teunissen, 2003). We emphasize the unaided, single frequency, single epoch case, since this is considered the most challenging mode of GNSS attitude determination.
Cartel Formation through Strategic Information Leakage in a Distribution Channel

This paper studies the ability of competing retailers to form a cartel by sharing information with their mutual manufacturer. In a market characterized by demand uncertainty, colluding retailers wish to share information about the potential market demand to coordinate on the optimal collusive retail price. However, in light of potential exposure to antitrust investigations and possible sanctions, the retailers search for mechanisms to exchange information while avoiding the risks of scrutiny by the antitrust authorities. This paper examines such a mechanism: each retailer shares his private information with the mutual manufacturer; the wholesale price set by the latter is thereafter used by the retailers to infer the market condition and coordinate on the cartel’s price. Although a cartel at the retail level limits the manufacturer’s sold quantity, under certain conditions the manufacturer is better off accepting the retailers’ private information, thereby assisting the cartel formation. Moreover, vertical information sharing between the retailers and their mutual manufacturer can result in lower consumer surplus than that would have occurred had the retailers been permitted to collude directly.
Sister Chromatid Exchanges in Lymphocytes after Anaesthesia with Halothane or Enflurane

The potential mutagenicity of inhalation anaesthetics was investigated by the sister chromatid exchange (SCE) test system applied to lymphocytes in peripheral blood drawn from patients before and after anaesthesia. Twenty‐one women, aged 39–82 years (median 57.7 years) received halothane for 75–180 min (median 125 min). Fourteen other patients, aged 45–90 years (median 67.5 years) received enflurane for 90–180 min (median 130 min). In both groups the numbers of SCEs were unchanged immediately following anaesthesia and 5 days after. It was concluded that, by this method, comprising human cells exposed in vivo, there was no indication of a mutagenic effect of short‐term exposure to halothane or enflurane in anaesthetic concentrations.
Simultaneous measurements of small angle x-ray scattering, wide angle x-ray scattering, and dielectric spectroscopy during crystallization of polymers

A novel experimental setup is described which allows one to obtain detailed information on structural and dynamical changes in polymers during crystallization. This technique includes simultaneous measurements of small angle-wide angle x-ray scattering and dielectric spectroscopy (SWD). The capabilities of the technique have been probed by following in real time the crystallization process of a model crystallizable polymer: poly(ethylene terephthalate). By performing these experiments, simultaneous information from both, the amorphous and the crystalline phase is obtained providing a complete description of changes occurring during a crystallization process. The SWD technique opens up new promising perspectives for the experimental study of the relation between structure and dynamics in materials science.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PATTERNS IN OECD ECONOMIES : IS CONVERGENCE UNDER WAY ?

“. in the real world things are not that simple.Creditors want to be sure that they will be repaid, which often means firms taking on less risky projects . managers would rather maximise benefits to themselves (by) preferring policies that justify paying them a higher salary, or divert company resources for their personal benefit or simply refuse to give up their jobs in the face of poor profit performance . Large shareholders with a controlling interest in the firm would, if they could, increase their returns at the expense of . minority shareholders. ” (Prowse 1996)