Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reversal of late septic shock with supraphysiologic doses of hydrocortisone.

OBJECTIVES Preliminary studies have suggested that low doses of corticosteroids might rapidly improve hemodynamics in late septic shock treated with catecholamines. We examined the effect of hydrocortisone on shock reversal, hemodynamics, and survival in this particular setting. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. SETTING Two intensive care units of a University hospital. PATIENTS Forty-one patients with septic shock requiring catecholamine for >48 hrs. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned either hydrocortisone (100 mg i.v. three times daily for 5 days) or matching placebo. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Reversal of shock was defined by a stable systolic arterial pressure (>90 mm Hg) for > or =24 hrs without catecholamine or fluid infusion. Of the 22 hydrocortisone-treated patients and 19 placebo-treated patients, 15 (68%) and 4 (21%) achieved 7-day shock reversal, respectively, a difference of 47% (95% confidence interval 17% to 77%; p = .007). Serial invasive hemodynamic measurements for 5 days did not show significant differences between both groups. At 28-day follow-up, reversal of shock was higher in the hydrocortisone group (p = .005). Crude 28-day mortality was 7 (32%) of 22 treated patients and 12 (63%) of 19 placebo patients, a difference of 31% (95% confidence interval 1% to 61%; p = .091). Shock reversal within 7 days after the onset of corticosteroid therapy was a very strong predictor of survival. There were no significant differences in outcome in responders and nonresponders to a short corticotropin test. The respective rates of gastrointestinal bleeding and secondary infections did not differ between both groups. CONCLUSIONS Administration of modest doses of hydrocortisone in the setting of pressor-dependent septic shock for a mean of >96 hrs resulted in a significant improvement in hemodynamics and a beneficial effect on survival. These beneficial effects do not appear related to adrenocortical insufficiency.
Automatic speaker verification using cepstral measurements.

Automatic speaker verification was accomplished in this study using cepstral measurements to characterize short segments in each of the first two vowels of the standard test phrase “My code is . ” The length of the word “my” and the speaker's pitch were used as additional parameters. The verification decision is treated as a two‐class problem, the speaker being either the authorized speaker or an impostor. Reference data is used only for the authorized speaker. The decision is based on the test sample's distance to the nearest reference sample. Data is presented to show that, if reference samples are collected over a period of many days, then verification is possible more than two months later, whereas, if reference data is collected at one sitting, verification is highly inaccurate as little as 1 h later. Four authorized speakers and 30 impostors were examined, with error rates obtained from 6% to 13%. Impostors attempting to mimic the authorized speaker could not improve their ability to deceive the syst.
Mapping Cholesterol Interaction Sites on Serotonin Transporter through Coarse-Grained Molecular Dynamics

Serotonin transporter (SERT) modulates serotonergic signaling via re-uptake of serotonin in pre-synaptic cells. The inclusion in cholesterol-enriched membrane domains is crucial for SERT activity, suggesting a cross-talk between the protein and the sterol. Here, we develop a protocol to identify potential cholesterol interaction sites coupling statistical analysis to multi-microsecond coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations of SERT in a previously validated raft-like membrane model. Six putative sites were found, including a putative CRAC motif on TM4 and a CARC motif on TM10. Among them, four hot-spots near regions related to ion binding, transport, and inhibition were detected. Our results encourage prospective studies to unravel mechanistic features of the transporter and related drug discovery implications.
Proteins and amino acids in enteral nutrition

Purpose of reviewThis review reports recent findings on the effect of enterally fed protein and amino acids on metabolism, function, and clinical outcome, particularly during the neonatal period. Recent findingsSplanchnic tissues metabolize significant proportions of some enteral amino acids and this likely contributes to the higher requirement for these amino acids when they are provided enterally versus parenterally. Splanchnic tissues are particularly key in the provision of nutrition to preterm infants, who possess an exceedingly high protein anabolic drive, but limited tolerance to aggressive enteral feeding. The protein anabolic response to specific proteins is influenced by the rate of digestion and the pattern of feeding, as well as the amino acid composition of the proteins. The post-prandial rise in amino acids and insulin stimulates neonatal tissue protein synthesis by modulation of the nutrient and insulin signaling pathways that lead to translation initiation. A flurry of investigations into the metabolic response and clinical impact of individual amino acids suggests that leucine, glutamine, and arginine, in particular, have specific roles in regulating protein synthesis and immune function. SummaryRecent findings suggest that enteral nutrition support that provides an optimum combination of proteins and amino acids can have a beneficial impact on the clinical outcome of patients.
Single-Cell and Population Lag Times as a Function of Cell Age

ABSTRACT After inoculation, the times to the first divisions are longer and more widely distributed for those Escherichia coli single cells that spent more time in the stationary phase prior to inoculation. The second generation times are still longer than the typical generation times in the exponential phase, and this extended the apparent lag time of the cell population. The greater the variability of the single-cell interdivision intervals, the shorter are both the lag time and the doubling time of the population.
Work-to-Family Enrichment and Conflict Profiles: Job Characteristics and Employees’ Well-Being

Abstract This article aims to analyze work-to-family conflict (WFC) and enrichment (WFE) profiles related to job characteristics and well-being at work and general well-being. A cross-sectional survey data of 1885 employees was analyzed. The Latent Profile Analysis revealed that the five-profile solution exhibited strong statistical significance (p > .001). ANCOVAs were performed to analyze the relationship of the identified profiles with job characteristics and well-being. Employees in the Beneficial profile had the best perception of job characteristics (lowest demands and the highest control and support) and the highest well-being, and those in the Harmful profile had the lowest job characteristics perceptions and the lowest well-being. Through a comparison of the Moderate Active profile and the Moderate Harmful profile, WFE was found to buffer the effects of the WFC on well-being at work (burnout; engagement) and on general well-being (i.e., health perceptions). The promotion of WFE through higher job autonomy, job support, and fewer demands is a crucial aspect to consider. This study helps to consolidate the work-family balance typology and its effects on employees’ well-being, and broadens this framework to consider job characteristics.
A Test of the Social Support Hypothesis

As a test of the social support hypothesis, highly anxious primiparous mothers were assigned in the post-natal stage to either a professional intervention, a lay intervention or to a control group. It was hypothesised that those receiving an active intervention (be it lay or professional assistance) would become less anxious as a consequence of a central therapeutic ingredient – social support. Improvement was assessed by measuring state anxiety levels at baseline and at 12 months, while the degree to which therapists were incorporated into the social network was assessed by the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction (ISSI), given at baseline and at 12 months. While we established that anxiety levels were significantly lowered in those receiving the professional intervention and moderately (but not significantly) lowered in those receiving the lay intervention, ISSI scores for the separate groups appeared stable over the study. Reasons are considered why ISSI scores remained unchanged while intervention groups showed a reduction in anxiety levels.
A Population-Based Algorithm for Billion-Variable Constrained Integer Linear Programming

Among various complexities affecting the performance of an optimization algorithm, the search space dimension is a major factor. Another key complexity is the discreteness of the search space. When these two complexities are present in a single problem, optimization algorithms have been demonstrated to be inefficient, even in linear programming (LP) problems. In this paper, we consider a specific structure of an integer linear programming (ILP) problem which, although comes from a specific industry, is similar to many other practical resource allocation and assignment problems. Based on a population based optimization approach, we develop a computationally fast method to arrive at a near-optimal solution. Compared to two popular softwares (glpk and CPLEX), which are not able to handle around 300 and 2,000 integer variables while continuing to run for hours, respectively, our proposed method is able to find a near-optimal solution in less than second on the same computer. Moreover, the main highlight of this study is that our method scales in almost a linear computational complexity in handling 50,000 to one billion (10) variables. We believe that this is the first time such a large-sized real-world constrained problem is ever handled using any optimization algorithm. We perform sensitivity studies of our method for different problem parameters and these studies clearly demonstrate the reasons for such a fast and scale-up application of the proposed method.
Impact of Training Set Size on Object-Based Land Cover Classification: A Comparison of Three Classifiers

Supervised classifiers are commonly employed in remote sensing to extract land cover information, but various factors affect their accuracy. The number of available training samples, in particular, is known to have a significant impact on classification accuracies. Obtaining a sufficient number of samples is, however, not always practical. The support vector machine (SVM) is a supervised classifier known to perform well with limited training samples and has been compared favourably to other classifiers for various problems in pixel-based land cover classification. Very little research on training-sample size and classifier performance has been done in a geographical object-based image analysis (GEOBIA) environment. This paper compares the performance of SVM, nearest neighbour (NN) and maximum likelihood (ML) classifiers in a GEOBIA environment, with a focus on the influence of training-set size. Training-set sizes ranging from 4-20 per land cover class were tested. Classification tree analysis (CTA) was used for feature selection. The results indicate that the performance of all the classifiers improved significantly as the size of the training set increased. The ML classifier performed poorly when few (<10 per class) training samples were used and the NN classifier performed poorly compared to SVM throughout the experiment. SVM was the superior classifier for all training-set sizes although ML achieved competitive results for sets of 12 or more training areas per class.
Conjoint Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ) and Urogynaecological Society of Australasia (UGSA) Guidelines on the management of adult non‐neurogenic overactive bladder

Due to the myriad of treatment options available and the potential increase in the number of patients afflicted with overactive bladder (OAB) who will require treatment, the Female Urology Special Advisory Group (FUSAG) of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ), in conjunction with the Urogynaecological Society of Australasia (UGSA), see the need to move forward and set up management guidelines for physicians who may encounter or have a special interest in the treatment of this condition. These guidelines, by utilising and recommending evidence‐based data, will hopefully assist in the diagnosis, clinical assessment, and optimisation of treatment efficacy. They are divided into three sections: Diagnosis and Clinical Assessment, Conservative Management, and Surgical Management. These guidelines will also bring Australia and New Zealand in line with other regions of the world where guidelines have been established, such as the American Urological Association, European Association of Urology, International Consultation on Incontinence, and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines of the UK.
Secretion of 17-Hydroxycorticosteroids in Conscious and Anesthetized Dogs Exposed to Simulated Altitude.∗

Summary Eighteen experiments were performed on 8 conscious and anesthetized dogs in which the dorsal roots (T11-L3) had been severed and a glass cannula inserted in the lumbo-adrenal vein. Decompression to 17,000 feet simulated altitude for 2 hours while breathing ambient air (pO2 78 mm Hg) caused marked elevations in 17-OHCS secretions in both conscious and anesthetized dogs.
Spontaneous preterm delivery in primiparous women at low risk in Denmark: population based study

Abstract Objectives To analyse trends in preterm delivery and the factors contributing to preterm delivery in Denmark. To construct a standard population at low risk (white European, 20-40 years of age, with a singleton spontaneous pregnancy) and describe the changes in this population so that time trends can be compared internationally. Design Population based study. Participants 99.8% of all deliveries in Denmark, 1995-2004. Main outcome measures Proportion of babies born at less than 37 weeks' completed gestation for each year in the overall population and in a standard population at low risk. Results Overall, the proportion of preterm deliveries increased by 22% from 1995 to 2004. During the same period, known risk factors for preterm delivery such as in vitro fertilisation, multiple pregnancies, and elective deliveries also increased, and logistic regression analyses showed that these factors were associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery. Spontaneous preterm deliveries in primiparous women at low risk rose 51% (from 3.8% to 5.7%) during this time compared with 20% (2.7% to 3.2%) in multiparous women at low risk. Conclusions The overall proportion of preterm deliveries increased significantly from 1995 to 2004 and primiparity and multiple birth were the most important contributing factors. The rise in spontaneous preterm deliveries in the standard population of primiparous women at low risk was greater than in the total population.
A taxonomy of exercises to support individual learning paths in initial programming learning

Initial programming learning is known to be difficult to many students. To improve this situation it is necessary to support students learning effectively. This means that learning activities should be adapted to each student learning pace and specific needs. This is difficult considering that classes often have a large number of students. The definition of individual learning paths adaptable according to the student performance might help to improve the situation. To support the definition of learning paths it is useful to have a large set of exercises, organized according to a taxonomy that includes different dimensions and parameters relevant to the choice of appropriate exercises at any moment. To present this taxonomy is the main objective of this paper.
Maintenance of physical activity in breast cancer survivors after a randomized trial.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the longer-term effects of pedometers and print materials on changes in physical activity (PA) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in breast cancer survivors who participated in a 3-month behavior change intervention. METHODS Breast cancer survivors (N = 377) were randomly assigned to receive either (a) a standard public health recommendation for PA (SR), (b) previously developed breast cancer-specific PA print materials (PM), (c) a step pedometer (PED), or (d) a combination of the two (COM). The primary endpoint was self-reported moderate/vigorous PA minutes per week at 6-month follow-up after the initial 3-month intervention period. RESULTS Seventy-one percent (266/377) of participants completed the 6-month follow-up assessment. According to intention-to-treat linear mixed-model analyses, self-reported moderate to vigorous PA increased by 9 min x wk(-1) in the SR group compared with 39 min x wk(-1) in the PM group (mean difference = 30 min x wk(-1); 95% CI = -44 to 104; P = 0.425), 69 min x wk(-1) in the PED group (mean difference = 60 min x wk(-1); 95% CI = -13 to 132; P = 0.107), and 56 min x wk(-1) in the COM group (mean difference = 47 min x wk(-1); 95% CI = -26 to 119; P = 0.210). The same pattern was observed for self-reported, brisk walking. No differences were found for HRQoL or fatigue. CONCLUSION(S) Breast cancer-specific PM and PED did not maintain significantly higher PA or HRQoL at 6-month follow-up in breast cancer survivors, but the magnitude of the effect on PA (30-60 min x wk(-1)) was consistent with the immediate postintervention effect observed at the 3-month postintervention time point. Issues of power resulting from additional loss to follow-up may account for the failure to achieve statistical significance. Additional research with larger sample sizes and more complete follow-up is warranted.
The role of acid suppression in patients with endoscopy‐negative reflux disease: the effect of treatment with esomeprazole or omeprazole

Background : Patients with endoscopy‐negative reflux disease have reflux symptoms, mainly heartburn, but not mucosal breaks characteristic of erosive oesophagitis. Standard‐dose proton pump inhibitors can provide symptom relief in endoscopy‐negative reflux disease but the effect of greater acid suppression has not been studied.
Combined analysis of efficacy: the addition of bevacizumab to fluorouracil/leucovorin improves survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

PURPOSE Bevacizumab (Avastin; Genentech Inc, South San Francisco, CA), a recombinant, humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody that inhibits tumor angiogenesis, has demonstrated survival benefit in patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer when combined with irinotecan/fluorouracil (FU)/leucovorin (LV; IFL). Three randomized clinical studies have evaluated bevacizumab in combination with FU/LV alone. A combined analysis of raw data from these studies was performed to better assess the efficacy of bevacizumab with FU/LV. PATIENTS AND METHODS The analysis used primary efficacy data from three independent studies, including 241 patients in a combined control group receiving either FU/LV or IFL and 249 patients receiving FU/LV/bevacizumab (5 mg/kg once every 2 weeks). The efficacy data included response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival. RESULTS The median duration of survival was 17.9 months in the FU/LV/bevacizumab group, compared with 14.6 months in the combined control group, corresponding to a hazard ratio for death of 0.74 (P = .008). The median duration of progression-free survival was 8.8 months in the FU/LV/bevacizumab group, compared with 5.6 months in the combined control group, corresponding to a hazard ratio for disease progression of 0.63 (P < or = .0001). The addition of bevacizumab also improved the response rate (34.1% v 24.5%; P = .019). CONCLUSION The addition of bevacizumab to FU/LV provides a statistically significant and clinically relevant benefit to patients with previously untreated metastatic colorectal cancer.
New G-CSF agonists for neutropenia therapy

Introduction: Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF; filgrastim) and its pegylated form (pegfilgrastim) are widely used to treat neutropenia associated with myelosuppressive chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation, AIDS-associated or drug-induced neutropenia, and neutropenic diseases. G-CSF facilitates restoration of neutrophil counts, decreases incidence of infection/febrile neutropenia and reduces resource utilization. G-CSF is also widely used to mobilize peripheral blood stem cells for hematopoietic transplant. Areas covered: We review the therapeutic use, cost effectiveness and disease impact of G-CSF for neutropenia, development of G-CSF biosimilars and current next-generation discovery efforts. Expert opinion: G-CSF has impacted the treatment and survival of patients with congenital neutropenias. For chemotherapy-associated neutropenia, cost effectiveness and impact on survival are still unclear. G-CSFs are expensive and require systemic administration. Market entry of new biosimilars, some with enhanced half-life profiles, will probably reduce cost and increase cost effectiveness. There is no evidence that marketed or late development biosimilars display effectiveness superior to current G-CSFs. Second-generation compounds that mimic the activity of G-CSF at its receptor, induce endogenous ligand(s) or offer adjunct activity have been reported and represent attractive G-CSF alternatives, but are in preclinical stages. A significant therapeutic advance will require reduced depth and duration of neutropenia compared to current G-CSFs.
Do amiloride and ouabain affect ammonia fluxes in perfused Carcinus gill epithelia?

The effects of inhibitors on the efflux of ammonia (from the basolateral to the apical side, Jb----a) were studied in preparation of isolated Carcinus gills immersed in dilute seawater (DSW) that was identical to the perfusion solution. Adding 10(-4) M amiloride to the solution bathing the gill preparations reduces the efflux of ammonia by 29% relative to the control value. Under experimental conditions, it appears that only about 1% of the amiloride-sensitive influx of Na+ (Ja----b) can be exchanged with NH4+ on an equimolar basis. The ammonium ion is apparently transported at the basolateral side by a carrier-mediated process. Kinetic analyses of the influx of ammonium ions revealed a Km of 36.99 microM and a maximum velocity (Vmax) equal to 19.6 mumol g-1.h-1. Basolaterally applied ouabain (5 x 10(-3) M) and NaCN (10(-3) M) reduced the efflux of ammonia by 46.7 and 42.2%, respectively, suggesting an interaction of NH4+ with the basolaterally located Na+/K+ exchanger in which NH4+ appears to be able to substitute for K+.
In vivo Transfer of a Thrombopoietic Factor.∗

Summary Injection of plasma from rabbit donors made thrombocytopenic by Myleran or anti-platelet serum into 15 unstressed rabbit recipients raised platelet counts to 166% of control levels 4 days following transfer. These results are highly significant (p<0.001) when compared to the mild thrombocytopenia produced in 15 rabbits receiving plasma from normal donors or when compared to the daily variations in platelet levels of 9 uninjected rabbits. The response of normal and splenectomized recipients was similar. These results suggest that plasma contains stimulatory and inhibitory factors which regulate platelet levels.