Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perioperative blood loss and gastrointestinal tolerability of etoricoxib and diclofenac in total hip arthroplasty (ETO-DIC study): a single-center, prospective double-blinded randomized controlled trial

Abstract Objective: Non-selective NSAIDs can cause serious gastrointestinal side-effects. Selective COX-2 blockers are a reasonable alternative for pain treatment. They do not seem to affect platelet function and consequently cause a lower perioperative blood loss than non-selective NSAIDs. This study compared etoricoxib and diclofenac during a perioperative (9 days) period after THA to investigate total blood loss and gastrointestinal tolerability. The hypothesis was that etoricoxib is superior to diclofenac. Methods: A total of 100 patients (50 in each group) were included in this trial. Etoricoxib (90 mg) was administered once and diclofenac sodium (75 mg) twice daily for 9 days. Total blood loss during and after primary cementless THA was detected. The rate of adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs) was analyzed to detect gastrointestinal tolerability. Results: The mean total blood loss (calculated) was 1548 ± SD 468 ml in the etoricoxib (ETO) group and 1649 (SD 547) ml in the diclofenac (DIC) group. The mean duration of THA was 81 min (SD 29) in the DIC and 75 min (SD 30) in the ETO group. Hence, the mean calculated total blood loss was 101 ml higher in the DIC group. This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.334). Fifty-six patients (28 in each group) received a cell saver retransfusion, but only one patient (ETO group) needed an additional red blood cell transfusion. The hidden blood loss was 1067 ml (SD 603) in the DIC group and 999 ml (SD 378) in the ETO group. The gastrointestinal tolerability (number of adverse and serious adverse events) was not significantly different between groups. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference in perioperative blood loss after primary THA under etoricoxib (90 mg) compared to diclofenac (75 mg). Furthermore, no gastrointestinal superiority of etoricoxib could be detected during a short period of 9 days.
A fast technique for identifying zerotrees in the EZW algorithm

The embedded zerotree wavelet (EZW) algorithm has become a popular benchmark for image compression algorithms. The current paper presents a fast technique for identifying zerotrees for all dominant passes in the encoder prior to encoding. The key is initializing a data structure called a zerotree map with the largest power of two smaller than a given coefficient, and then completing the zerotree map by bitwise-ORing the values of potential parents with those of their children. This simple operation can be performed in parallel with the wavelet transform operation and thus is efficient for both hardware and software implementations.
Structure and expression of the human histamine H4-receptor gene.

We report the characterization by genomics-based approach of the human H4-receptor gene structure. The H4-receptor gene have been mapped by radiation hybrid experiments (Gene Bridge 4) on chromosome 18q11.2, between the AFMBB11WH5 and CHLC.GATA85D10 markers. The H4-receptor gene spans more than 21 kbp and contains three exons separated by two large introns (>7 kbp). RT-PCR analysis showed that the H4-receptor gene encoded a 3.7 kb mRNA which did not seem to be alternatively spliced within its coding region. The H4-receptor transcripts were found to be highly expressed in peripheral tissues implicated in inflammatory responses such as leukocytes, spleen, lung, and liver. In addition, low expression level of the H4-receptor mRNA was also detected in several human brain regions. Analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the H4-receptor gene did not reveal the existence of canonical TATA or CAAT-box. However, several putative regulatory elements mediating TNFalpha or IL-6-stimulated transcriptional activation were detected. The uteroglobin promoter binding factor, known to mediate anti-inflammatory response of uteroglobin, in the lung, was also found in this region. Thus, the description of the H4-receptor gene promoter region will facilitate the elucidation of its transcriptional control by factors secreted during inflammatory responses.
Monitoring, Money and Migrants: Countering Post-Accession Backsliding in Bulgaria and Romania

Abstract Using cross-national governance indicators and evidence from a recent Bulgarian survey, this essay examines political reforms in Bulgaria and Romania since EU accession and, in particular, the ‘backsliding’ hypothesis—that these countries have abandoned or reversed the reforms they introduced in order to qualify for membership of the European Union. It finds no systematic evidence either that these countries have been backsliding or that their trajectories differ significantly from their first-wave Central and East European neighbours, though governance reforms have slowed after accession. The second part of the essay focuses on the mechanisms responsible for the lack of significant backsliding, emphasising the role of continued conditionality through the safeguard clauses, EU funding and increasing linkage between new and old EU members, including opportunities for East Europeans to work and travel in Western Europe.
An Adaptive Recovery Method in Compressed Sensing ofExtracellular Neural Recording

A novel adaptive recovery method in the emerging compressed sensing theory is described and applied to extracellular neural recordings in order to reduce data rate in wireless neural recording systems. To strike a balance between high compression ratio and high spike reconstruction quality, a novel method that employs a group-sparsity recovery algorithm, prior information about the input neural signal, learning prior supports of spikes, and a matched wavelet technique is introduced. Our simulation results, using four different sets of real extracellular recordings from four distinct neural sources, show that our proposed method is effective, viable, and outperforms the state-of-the-art compressed sensing-based methods, in particular, when the number of the measurement is two times of the sparsity.
In vitro model for lytic replication, latency, and transformation of an oncogenic alphaherpesvirus

Significance Marek’s disease virus (MDV) serves as a versatile small-animal model for herpesvirus-induced oncogenesis. Infection of target cells in vitro was impossible due to the short-lived nature of B and T cells, and analysis of infected cells ex vivo was hampered by their low frequencies. To overcome these limitations, we established an in vitro system that allows infection of target cells with MDV using stimuli that prolong the survival of B and T cells. Our system recapitulates the situation in vivo, including transformation of T cells in vitro. In the future, our system will facilitate the analysis of viral and cellular factors that promote lytic replication, establishment of latency and transformation, processes ultimately resulting in deadly lymphomas in the natural host. Marek’s disease virus (MDV) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes deadly T-cell lymphomas in chickens and serves as a natural small animal model for virus-induced tumor formation. In vivo, MDV lytically replicates in B cells that transfer the virus to T cells in which the virus establishes latency. MDV also malignantly transforms CD4+ T cells with a Treg signature, ultimately resulting in deadly lymphomas. No in vitro infection system for primary target cells of MDV has been available due to the short-lived nature of these cells in culture. Recently, we characterized cytokines and monoclonal antibodies that promote survival of cultured chicken B and T cells. We used these survival stimuli to establish a culture system that allows efficient infection of B and T cells with MDV. We were able to productively infect with MDV B cells isolated from spleen, bursa or blood cultured in the presence of soluble CD40L. Virus was readily transferred from infected B to T cells stimulated with an anti-TCRαVβ1 antibody, thus recapitulating the in vivo situation in the culture dish. Infected T cells could then be maintained in culture for at least 90 d in the absence of TCR stimulation, which allowed the establishment of MDV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL). The immortalized cells had a signature comparable to MDV-transformed CD4+ α/β T cells present in tumors. In summary, we have developed a novel in vitro system that precisely reflects the life cycle of an oncogenic herpesivrus in vivo and will allow us to investigate the interaction between virus and target cells in an easily accessible system.
More Than Meets The Eye? Redefining Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

ABSTRACT Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disease of unknown etiology associated with increased intracranial pressure, predominantly affecting obese females of childbearing age. The history of IIH is quite unique, featuring only limited advancements in evidenced-based treatments, but boasting literally countless changes in nomenclature, proposed etiology, and conceptual approach. Despite its elusive pathogenesis, an evolution of our approach to IIH can be traced sequentially through identifiable periods. Contemporary research suggests that we are approaching a new phase in IIH, redefining it as a global neurologic syndrome with more far-reaching effects than previously realized.
1-Year Pulmonary Function and Health Status in Survivors of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

Study objectives To characterize the long-term pulmonary function and health status in a prospectively identified cohort of patients who survived the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). Design Prospective follow-up cohort study. Setting University-affiliated hospital. Patients Ninety-four patients who recovered from SARS were assessed at a uniform time point of 1 year after hospital discharge. Measurements The study included the measurement of static and dynamic lung volumes, the determination of the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco), and a health status evaluation using the St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). Results Eleven patients (12%) had mild impairment of FVC, 20 (21%) had mild impairment of FEV1, 5 (5%) had mild impairment of the FEV1/FVC ratio, and 17 (18%) had mild impairment of the Dlco. There was one patient (1%) who had moderate impairment of FVC, one patient (1%) who had moderate impairment of the FEV1/FVC ratio, and three patients (3%) who had moderate impairment of the Dlco. No pulmonary function abnormalities were detected in 59 patients (63%). Mean scores were significantly higher (ie, worse) than the population norms in the activity (p < 0.001), impacts (p < 0.001), and total (p < 0.001) domains of the SGRQ. Conclusions One year after recovery from SARS, persistent pulmonary function impairment was found in about one third of patients. The health status of SARS survivors was also significantly worse compared with the healthy population. The main determinants of morbidity in recovered SARS patients need to be further defined.
Branchiostoma japonicum and B. belcheri are Distinct Lancelets (Cephalochordata) in Xiamen Waters in China

Abstract Lancelets in Xiamen were reported as Branchiostoma belcheri in 1932, and subsequently were believed to comprise a single species. However, recent studies revealed that Xiamen lancelets actually represent two species, B. belcheri and B. japonicum. We observed thousands of lancelets from Xiamen beach to recognize these two species. Our observations showed that at least three morphological characters distinguish them: 1) the rostral fin is slightly round with the end obtuse in B. belcheri but elliptic with the end cuspate in B. japonicum; 2) the number of preanal fin-chambers is more than 80 in B. belcheri but less than 64 in B. japonicum, and the chambers are slender in the former but stout in the latter; 3) the caudal fin of B. belcheri is narrower than that of B. japonicum, and the angle between the dorsal and super-caudal fins, and between preanal and sub-caudal fins, is obtuse in B. belcheri but acute in B. japonicum. We also provide some ecological and distributional evidence to support the conclusion that there are two separate species in Xiamen waters.
Dual Roles of Reactive Oxygen Species and NADPH Oxidase RBOHD in an Arabidopsis-Alternaria Pathosystem1[W]

Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) NADPH oxidases have been reported to suppress the spread of pathogen- and salicylic acid-induced cell death. Here, we present dual roles of RBOHD (for respiratory burst oxidase homolog D) in an Arabidopsis-Alternaria pathosystem, suggesting either initiation or prevention of cell death dependent on the distance from pathogen attack. Our data demonstrate that a rbohD knockout mutant exhibits increased spread of cell death at the macroscopic level upon inoculation with the fungus Alternaria brassicicola. However, the cellular patterns of reactive oxygen species accumulation and cell death are fundamentally different in the AtrbohD mutant compared with the wild type. Functional RBOHD causes marked extracellular hydrogen peroxide accumulation as well as cell death in distinct, single cells of A. brassicicola-infected wild-type plants. This single cell response is missing in the AtrbohD mutant, where infection triggers spreading-type necrosis preceded by less distinct chloroplastic hydrogen peroxide accumulation in large clusters of cells. While the salicylic acid analog benzothiadiazole induces the action of RBOHD and the development of cell death in infected tissues, the ethylene inhibitor aminoethoxyvinylglycine inhibits cell death, indicating that both salicylic acid and ethylene positively regulate RBOHD and cell death. Moreover, A. brassicicola-infected AtrbohD plants hyperaccumulate ethylene and free salicylic acid compared with the wild type, suggesting negative feedback regulation of salicylic acid and ethylene by RBOHD. We propose that functional RBOHD triggers death in cells that are damaged by fungal infection but simultaneously inhibits death in neighboring cells through the suppression of free salicylic acid and ethylene levels.
Selective decline in memory function among healthy elderly

Objective: To use longitudinally acquired data to establish whether aging is associated with memory decline. Background: Memory loss is one of the most frequent complaints among the elderly. Nevertheless, age-related memory decline remains controversial in large part because it has been established with cross-sectional studies. Methods: A total of 212 community-based healthy people were followed prospectively and evaluated annually with a neuropsychological battery testing memory and other cognitive domains. To control for the learning effect—the improvement in test performance associated with repeated exposure—longitudinal performance was compared between two age groups. Results: The older age group displayed a relative decline in memory performance with time. In contrast to memory, a relative age-related decline was not observed in tests of language, visuospatial ability, and abstract reasoning. Furthermore, within the memory domain, age-related decline was restricted to a specific aspect of memory, manifesting only in a measure sensitive to the acquisition and early retrieval of new information, and not in a measure of memory retention. This profile of age-related cognitive decline anatomically localizes to the hippocampal formation. Conclusion: This study establishes age-related memory decline using longitudinal data, and shows that this decline does not occur diffusely across multiple cognitive domains. Both early AD as well as non-AD processes likely contribute to age-related memory decline, and continued follow-up may reveal distinguishing features between these two.
A longitudinal study of variations in and predictors of fatigue in multiple sclerosis

Objectives: To describe variations in fatigue over the course of 2 years in a sample of persons with multiple sclerosis (MS), and to investigate the predictive value of the following variables on variations in fatigue: sex, age, sense of coherence, living with a partner, living with children, work status, immunomodulatory treatment, mood, disease severity, disease course, time since diagnosis and time. Methods: Every 6 months, 219 outpatients at an MS specialist clinic were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Predictive values were explored with Generalised Estimating Equation employing proportional odds models; FSS scores were categorised as non-fatigue, borderline fatigue or fatigue. Results: FSS scores varied significantly (p = 0.02); 54% changed FSS category one or several times, 27% were persistently fatigued and 19% persistently non-fatigued. Independent predictors of increased fatigue were depressive symptoms, weak/moderate sense of coherence, living with a partner and not working. Furthermore, moderate disease severity predicted increase when combined with >10 years since diagnosis or a progressive course. Independent predictors of decreased fatigue were no depressive symptoms, strong sense of coherence, living alone and working. Moreover, mild and severe disease predicted a decrease when combined with >10 years since diagnosis, and mild severity combined with a progressive course. Conclusion: Mood, sense of coherence and living with a partner were independent predictors of fatigue in persons with MS. In addition to monitoring disease related variables, health related services should apply a broad range of approaches and repeatedly assess fatigue in persons with MS, to provide preventive care and appropriate interventions.
Mimbres Mogollon Pueblo Dynamics and Ceramic Style Change

AbstractFive seasons of archaeological excavations have been completed at the NAN Ranch ruin (LA 15049), a pithouse-period and surface pueblo site in SW New Mexico. This research has yielded new information on Mimbres Mogollon architectural and ceramic style change from ca. 800 A.C. to ca. 1150 A.C. The focus of the excavations has been on exploring the east room block of the large Classic Mimbres period pueblo and the underlying structures including Late Pithouse period pithouses. This study illustrates the complexities in the architectural development of a Mimbres Mogollon pueblo room block and correlates this development to changes in painted pottery design styles. Subtle, and possibly significant, changes in building construction and ceramic styles after ca. 1100 A.C. may signify the onset of cultural degradation that eventually led to the abandonment of the Mimbres region sometime after 1125 A.C.
Effects of Rule Changes on Game-Related Statistics in Men’s Water Polo Matches

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of rule changes on game-related statistics in men’s water polo matches. A total of 856 men’s matches played in all Olympic Games and World Championship since 1936 was analysed. The game-related statistics considered were: total goals, winners’ goals, losers’ goals, goals per minute, goals difference, relationship difference goals and total goals, and relationship difference goals and winners’ goals. The rule changes were grouped by structural (game and period) and functional changes (possession time, exclusion time, timing, minimum distance to take a direct shot). Differences between rule changes were determined using a one-way ANOVA. In general, the changes in water polo rules were shown to have an effect on the final result of the matches. There were differences in each rule change of duration (increased total goals and winners’ goals), period (increased total goals and winners’ goals), possession time (increased losers’ goals), timing (increased total, winners’, losers’, and decreased % goals and total goals) and fouls (increased total goals and losers’ goals). The analysis in game-related statistics through the rule changes could be used to evaluate their effects and/or justify future modifications.
Compatible systems of symplectic Galois representations and the inverse Galois problem

This article is the third and last part of a series of three articles about compatible systems of symplectic Galois representations and applications to the inverse Galois problem. This part proves the following new result for the inverse Galois problem for symplectic groups. For any even positive integer n and any positive integer d, PSpn(F`d) or PGSpn(F`d) occurs as a Galois group over the rational numbers for a positive density set of primes `. The result is obtained by showing the existence of a regular, algebraic, self-dual, cuspidal automorphic representation of GLn(AQ) with local types chosen so as to obtain a compatible system of Galois representations to which the results from Part II of this series apply. MSC (2010): 11F80 (Galois representations); 12F12 (Inverse Galois theory).
Endometrioid Carcinoma of the Ovary: A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC, HLSTOCHEMLCAL, AND ELECTRON MICROSCOPIC STUDY

A material consisting of 23 endometrioid ovarian carcinomas, including 2 rare endometrioid tumors with argyrophil cells, was analyzed clinically and with the use of various histochemical staining methods. Electron microscopy was performed in 3 cases. Apical neutral mucin mixed with sulfate and carboxyl groups was typical for the cells at the light microscopic level, and a prominent Golgi complex with many small secretory vesicles was commonly seen at the ultrastructural level. The nuclei had concentric nuclear bodies and nucleoli with mesh-basket appearance. There was a positive correlation between the grade of differentiation and clinical stage. The corrected 5-year survival rate was 80% in stage I, 50% in stage II, 17% in stage III, and 0% in stage IV; the overall 5-year survival rate was 46%. Signs of increased endometrial estrogen activity were found in 6 of the 12 postmenopausal patients. In the whole series, 6 endometrial carcinomas were found simultaneously with the ovarian carcinoma.
The influence of personality on reported pain and self-efficacy for pain management in older cancer patients

This study examines the relationship of personality traits and affect on cancer-related pain in 150 older adults receiving outpatient treatment at a comprehensive cancer center. Regression analyses revealed extraversion as a significant predictor of current pain, with openness to experience as a significant indicator of average pain. Similarly, positive affect and negative affect were significant predictors of self-efficacy for pain management. Moderation models showed that conscientiousness and extraversion were significant moderators in the relationship between self-efficacy for pain management and worst pain. These findings suggest that different personality types may influence perceptions of pain severity.
Comorbid Medical Conditions in Friedreich Ataxia

Friedreich ataxia is a progressive degenerative disease with neurologic and cardiac involvement. This study characterizes comorbid medical conditions in a large cohort of patients with Friedreich ataxia. Patient diagnoses were collected in a large natural history study of 641 subjects. Prevalence of diagnoses in the cohort with Friedreich ataxia was compared with prevalence in the population without Friedreich ataxia. Ten patients (1.6%) had inflammatory bowel disease, 3.5 times more common in this cohort of individuals with Friedreich ataxia than in the general population. Four subjects were growth hormone deficient, reflecting a prevalence in Friedreich ataxia that is 28 times greater than the general population. The present study identifies specific diagnoses not traditionally associated with Friedreich ataxia that are found at higher frequency in this disease. These associations could represent coincidence, shared genetic background, or potentially interactive disease mechanisms with Friedreich ataxia.