Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of Glucose in Peritoneal Dialysis: Saint or Sinner?

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions using glucose as osmotic agent have been used for more than two decades as effective treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. Although alternative osmotic agents such as amino acids and macromolecular solutions, including polypeptides and glucose polymers, are now available, glucose is still the most widely used osmotic agent in PD. It has been shown to be safe, effective, readily metabolized, and inexpensive. On the other hand, it is widely assumed that exposure of the peritoneal membrane to high glucose concentrations contributes to both structural and functional changes in the dialyzed peritoneal membrane. As in diabetes, glucose, either directly or indirectly through the generation of glucose degradation products or the formation of advanced glycation end products, may contribute to peritoneal membrane failure. Although efforts to reduce glucose toxicity have been made for years, only a few suggestions, such as dual-bag systems with bicarbonate as buffer system, have found broader acceptance. Recently, some interesting new approaches to the problem of glucose-related toxicity have been made, but further investigations will be necessary before they can be used clinically. This review will focus on adverse effects of glucose in PD solutions and summarize different aspects of glucotoxicity and potential therapeutic interventions.
Energy Expenditure: Measurement of Human Metabolism

This paper was focused on the human energy expenditure and metabolism. Since EE ends up as heat, direct or indirect physiological calorimetry was used to measure heat lost. For indirect calorimetry, metabolic carts, portable calorimeters and whole-room indirect calorimeters were used. Physical activity and heart rate monitoring were conducted.
A multi-key compressed sensing and machine learning privacy preserving computing scheme

Recently there has been a huge interest in secure and private cloud computing. In particular; to perform signal processing and machine learning tasks in the encrypted domain. Homomorphic encryption offers provably secure, asymmetric encryption solution to this problem, however, it comes with a high storage and computation cost. Compressed sensing (CS) and random projection (RP) approaches are much lighter; however, they lack privacy since the encryption uses a symmetric key which is the random projection matrix. A multi-key, compressed sensing encryption approach is proposed in this paper for performing basic generic computations. The computing architecture consists of a User, a Cloud (which stores encrypted data from an Owner), and a Trusted Third Party (TTP) which is responsible for distributing the random CS keys. The TTP also trains two machine learning modules; ML1 and ML2. ML1, used at the cloud, takes as input the multi-key encrypted data and produces an intermediate encrypted result. ML2, available at the user side, decrypts the results. This novel approach is much cheaper than homomorphic encryption in terms of data expansion, storage as well as encryption time. Also, it offers the privacy of the multi-keys. The proposed approach is applied on 2 generic computing tasks; namely, squared Euclidean distance and dot product. The developed approach is tested on the COREL image classification task using the squared Euclidean distance and on an autoregressive (AR) stock prediction task using the dot product.
Auditory Neural Maturation After Exposure to Multiple Courses of Antenatal Betamethasone in Premature Infants as Evaluated by Auditory Brainstem Response

OBJECTIVE. Our goal was to determine if multiple courses of antenatal betamethasone affect auditory neural maturation in 28 to 32 weeks' gestational age infants. PATIENTS AND METHODS. A retrospective cohort study was performed to compare auditory neural maturation between premature infants exposed to 1 course of betamethasone and infants exposed to ≥2 courses of betamethasone. Inclusion criteria included all 28 to 32 weeks' gestational age infants delivered between July 1996 and December 1998 who had auditory brainstem response testing performed (80-dB click stimuli at a repetition rate of 39.9/second) within 24 hours of postnatal life as part of bilirubin-auditory studies. Infants with toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes infections, chromosomal disorders, unstable conditions, exposure to antenatal dexamethasone, and exposure to <1 complete course of betamethasone were excluded. Auditory waveforms were categorized into response types on response replicability and peak identification as types 1 through 4 (type 1 indicating most mature). Absolute and interpeak wave latencies were measured when applicable. Categorical and continuous variables were analyzed by using the χ2 test and Student's t test, respectively. RESULTS. Of 174 infants studied, 123 received antenatal steroids. Of these, 50 received 1 course and 29 received ≥2 courses of betamethasone. There were no significant differences in perinatal demographics between the 2 groups. After controlling for confounding variables, there was no significant difference in mean absolute wave latencies, mean interpeak latencies, or distribution of response type between the 2 groups. There also was no significant difference in any auditory brainstem response parameters between infants exposed to 1 course of betamethasone (n = 50) and infants exposed to >2 courses of betamethasone (n = 17). CONCLUSION. Compared with a single recommended course of antenatal steroids, multiple courses of antenatal betamethasone are not associated with a deleterious effect on auditory neural maturation in 28 to 32 weeks' gestational age infants.
Estimates of variance components for postweaning feed intake and growth in Bonsmara bulls and evaluation of alternative measures of feed efficiency

Feed efficiency is of major economic importance in beef production. The objective of this work was to evaluate alternative measures of feed efficiency for use in genetic evaluation. To meet this objective, genetic parameters were estimated for the components of efficiency. These parameters were then used in multiple-trait animal model genetic evaluations and alternative genetic predictors of feed efficiency were derived from the results. Corresponding single-trait evaluations for residual feed intake (RFI), residual daily gain (RDG), and residual intake and gain (RIG) were also conducted. The data contained 3 331 animals with records and an additional 6 322 animals in their pedigree. The alternative measures of feed efficiency were compared using Spearman rank correlations. Heritability estimates for metabolic body weight (MBW), average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (DFI) were 0.38 ± 0.05, 0.25 ± 0.05 and 0.37 ± 0.05, respectively. Estimates of the genetic correlations among these traits were 0.79 ± 0.07, 0.54 ± 0.08 and 0.66 ± 0.08 for MBW with ADG, MBW with DFI, and ADG with DFI, respectively. The various measures of feed efficiency were highly correlated. However, RFI and RDG did provide different rankings of candidates for selection. The combination of RFI and RDG to form RIG appears to provide an effective harmonization of the former two biological measures of efficiency. It is recommended that genetic evaluation systems include analyses of ADG and DFI, and breeders are advised to base selection decisions on the basis of multiple-trait selection indexes that incorporate feed intake and performance. Keywords: Genetic evaluation, residual feed intake, residual gain
Bone Marrow Repopulation of Subcutaneously Grafted Mouse Femurs 1

Summary Using the T6 chromosome marker, the karyotypes of hemopoietic cells which repopulated subcutaneously transplanted femurs in syngeneic mice were observed 200 days after transplantation. Nine ossicles contained cells derived from both donor and recipient and 5 contained cells derived only from the recipient. It is postulated that the cellular elements of the new bone, which is formed after transplantation, contains cells derived from both donor and recipient. It is further suggested that these cells can differentiate to form hemopoietic cells thus explaining the presence of chimeras in the ossicles. The migration of the recipient's hemopoietic stem cells into the ossicle with subsequent proliferation probably occurs simultaneously.
Biofilm assessment of vibrio parahaemolyticus from seafood using random amplified polymorphism DNA-PCR

Pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus is one of the leading causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in many countries. Among the strains examined, 36 RAPD-types were found when amplified with primers OPA8 and OPA10. The analysis shows the majority of V. parahaemolyticus isolates originated from seafood were branched into four major clusters at 18.2%, 20.7% 34% and 3.4% similarity levels. This suggests that there is potential for a single strain to be distributed widely within a population and there also potential for multiple contaminating strains of different clonal lineages to be present within the same population. Optimum temperature (37°C) was the highest and stable formation of biofilm. The total percentage of biofilm formation at 37°C was 33.33% for each of weak, moderate and strong biofilm producers. Room temperature produces 61.1% of weak biofilm producer, while 13. 89% for moderate biofilm producers and produce 25% of strong biofilm. While a total of 91.67% weak biofilm producers at 4°C and 8:33% for room temperature and no growth of strong biofilm. Upon analysis, strong biofilm was tracked from the largest group at 37°C and room temperature which produce 27.27% of strong biofilm producer respectively. Interestingly, they are derived from cockles.
Effect of Antioxidant Vitamins C and E Supplementation on its Plasma Levels and on Lipid Profile in Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients26

Problem statement: Patients with active pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB) ar e malnourished as indicated by reductions in lean mass, anthropometri c indices and micronutrient status. Supplementation with vitamins may prove to be beneficial. Limited i nformation is available on the supplementation of vitamin C and E in pulmonary TB patients. Hence, the present study was undertaken to address the question whether any benefit could be demonstrated with supplementation of antioxidant vitamins C and E and in combination in pulmonary TB patients. Approach: A five arm study was carried out for a period of 6 months in which the normal healthy volunteers served as control group and the sputum positive category I pulmonary TB patients served as the treatment group. Three out of the four patient groups received the antioxidant vitamin supplementa tion of either vitamin C, vitamin E or in combination along with ATT, whereas fourth group received ATT alone. Plasma concentrations of vitamin C and E were analyzed pre, during and post Anti-Tuberculosis Therapy (ATT) to establish the role of oral supplementation of these vitamins. Spu tum culture was also done at all the three times points for Mycobacterium tuberculosis . To study the possible interaction and influence o f the supplemented vitamins on LDL-C and HDL-C and other lipid parameters a lipid profile was carried out. Results: (1) All the patients in the treatment groups turne d sputum at the end of 2 months of treatment. (2) There was a significant improvement in the body weights of the patients upon supplementation with antioxidant vitamins. (3) Ther e was a significant increase in the of plasma ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol levels after 6 months of treatment in t he vitamin C and vitamin E supplemented groups. (4) The HDL-C levels increased significantly in the antioxidant vitamin supplemented groups. (5) Lower levels of LDL-C were observed in the antioxidant vitamin supplemented groups when compared to the un-supplemented group. Conclusion: The plasma concentrations of ascorbic acid and α-tocopherol increased significantly after their die tary supplementation. The increase could also be due to the synergy exhibited by both the vitamins. Vitamin C and vitamin E supplementation influenced the lipid profile by increasing the serum HDL-C, improving the total cholesterol levels and decreasi ng the LDL-C concentration in the antioxidant vitamin supplemented groups.
The demand for health insurance coverage by low-income workers: can reduced premiums achieve full coverage?

OBJECTIVE To assess the degree to which premium reductions will increase the participation in employer-sponsored health plans by low-income workers who are employed in small businesses. DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Sample of workers in small business (25 or fewer employees) in seven metropolitan areas. The data were gathered as part of the Small Business Benefits Survey, a telephone survey of small business conducted between October 1992 and February 1993. STUDY DESIGN Probit regressions were used to estimate the demand for health insurance coverage by low-income workers. Predictions based on these findings were made to assess the extent to which premium reductions might increase coverage rates. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Workers included in the sample were selected, at random, from a randomly generated set of firms drawn from Dun and Bradstreet's DMI (Dun's Market Inclusion). The response rate was 81 percent. FINDINGS Participation in employer-sponsored plans is high when coverage is offered. However, even when coverage is offered to employees who have no other source of insurance, participation is not universal. Although premium reductions will increase participation in employer-sponsored plans, even large subsidies will not induce all workers to participate in employer-sponsored plans. For workers eligible to participate, subsidies as high as 75 percent of premiums are estimated to increase participation rates from 89.0 percent to 92.6 percent. For workers in firms that do not sponsor plans, similar subsidies are projected to achieve only modest increases in coverage above that which would be observed if the workers had access to plans at unsubsidized, group market rates. CONCLUSIONS Policies that rely on voluntary purchase of coverage to reduce the number of uninsured will have only modest success.
Lenalidomide Enhances the Function of CS1 Chimeric Antigen Receptor–Redirected T Cells Against Multiple Myeloma

Purpose: Multiple myeloma remains an incurable malignancy of plasma cells despite considerable advances in treatment. The purpose of the study was to develop novel chimeric antigen receptors (CAR) for the treatment of multiple myeloma and explore combinatorial therapy using CAR T cells and immunomodulatory drugs such as lenalidomide for increasing treatment efficacy. Experimental Design: We redirected central memory T cells to express second-generation CAR-specific for CS1 and adoptively transferred them into multiple myeloma tumor-bearing mice to test their anti-multiple myeloma activity. CS1 CAR T cells were transduced and expanded in the presence of lenalidomide in vitro. The phenotype and effector function of CS1 CAR T cells treated with and without lenalidomide were compared. Finally, CS1 CAR T cells and lenalidomide were administered to treat multiple myeloma–bearing mice as combinatorial therapy. Results: CS1 CAR T cells exhibited efficient antitumor activity when adoptively transferred into mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that the addition of lenalidomide during CS1 CAR T-cell expansion in vitro enhanced the immune functions of CS1 CAR T cells, including cytotoxicity, memory maintenance, Th1 cytokine production, and immune synapse formation. Furthermore, lenalidomide enhanced the antitumor activity and persistence of adoptively transferred CS1 CAR T cells in vivo. Conclusions: The study demonstrates that lenalidomide improves the anti-multiple myeloma properties of CS1-directed CAR T cells and provides a basis for a planned clinical trial using the combination of lenalidomide with engineered T cells against CS1 in relapsed myeloma. Clin Cancer Res; 24(1); 106–19. ©2017 AACR.
Administration of a potent antagonist of protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1) attenuates vascular restenosis following balloon angioplasty in rats.

Human platelets possess two distinct thrombin-activated receptors, PAR-1 (protease-activated receptor-1) and PAR-4, whereas human vascular smooth muscle cells possess only PAR-1. Although such thrombin receptors have been studied extensively in vitro, their physiological roles are still rather ill-defined. We have now employed a potent, selective PAR-1 antagonist, RWJ-58259, to probe the in vivo significance of PAR-1 in thrombosis and vascular injury. RWJ-58259 was examined in two thrombosis models in guinea pigs: the arteriovenous (A-V) shunt assay (monitoring thrombus weight) and the Rose Bengal intravascular photoactivation assay (monitoring time to occlusion). Administration of RWJ-58259 (10 mg/kg, total i.v. dose) did not inhibit thrombus formation in either thrombosis model, although local, intrashunt delivery in the A-V shunt model did elicit a modest antithrombotic effect (thrombus weight reduction from 35 +/- 2 to 24 +/- 4 mg). These results are consistent with the presence of more than one thrombin-sensitive receptor on guinea pig platelets, in analogy with human platelets. Indeed, we were able to establish that guinea pig platelets express three thrombin receptors, PAR-1, PAR-3, and PAR-4. We also examined RWJ-58259 in a vascular restenosis model involving balloon angioplasty in rats. Perivascular administration of RWJ-58259 (10 mg) significantly reduced neointimal thickness (77 +/- 5 microm to 45 +/- 5 microm, P < 0.05), clearly demonstrating an important role for PAR-1 in vascular injury. From these results, it is evident that a PAR-1 antagonist is not especially effective for treating platelet-dependent thrombosis; however, it could well be beneficial for treating restenosis attendant to arterial injury.
Serum 99th centile values for two heart-type fatty acid binding protein assays

Background We have previously demonstrated that heart-type fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) is an independent prognostic marker for survival after acute coronary syndrome (ACS). This study aimed to define the 99th centile values for H-FABP as determined with two different assays, and to study the relationship with age, gender and renal function. Methods H-FABP was measured on redundant routine outpatient samples using the MARKIT-M (Dainippon) and the Evidence Investigator (Randox) assays. Results Two hundred and forty-two subjects with Siemens Ultra-TnI value <0.045 μg/L (99th centile) were studied. In all, 174 subjects had estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) >60 mL/min. The 99th centile values for subjects with eGFR >60 mL/min for the Evidence Investigator H-FABP were 5.3 and 5.8 μg/L and for the MARKIT-M H-FABP were 8.3 and 9.1 μg/L in female and male subjects, respectively. There is an increase in H-FABP with age in subjects with normal renal function for both assays. Gender comparison showed no significant difference for either assay. Comparison of samples showed that subjects with eGFR <60 mL/min showed a median increase of 0.71 μg/L with Evidence Investigator assay and 1.09 μg/L with MARKIT-M assay compared with subjects with eGFR >60 mL/min. Calibration differences were confirmed by cross measurement of calibrators and recombinant H-FABP. Conclusions We have defined the 99th centile values for H-FABP in a population of primary and secondary care outpatients that can be used to risk stratify patients with ACS. We have confirmed that H-FABP increases with renal dysfunction and age, but have not confirmed the gender difference previously reported.
Switching from originator biological agents to biosimilars: what is the evidence and what are the issues?

Biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs) have revolutionised the therapeutic management of inflammatory rheumatic diseases with dramatic clinical improvement and reduction in systemic inflammation in arthritis on the one hand, and slower joint degradation (in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis) on the other hand. These drugs are able to induce clinical remission and in fine strongly improve patient quality of life. Due to their high levels of efficacy, bDMARDs are widely used in chronic arthritic conditions with a strong increase in treatment costs. The recent expiry of patents for the first bDMARDs such as tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors has led to developments in biosimilar (bs) DMARDs.1 2 The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved bsDMARDs of infliximab (with CT-P13 produced by Celltrion and commercialised as Remsima or Inflectra, and SB2 produced by Samsung Bioepis and commercialised as Flixabi) and SB4, a bsDMARD of etanercept (Benepali by Samsung Bioepis). With these new agents, the reduction in cost treatment in Europe between now and 2020 was estimated at between €11 and €33 billion.3 Since bsDMARDs were introduced to the market, many questions emerged about their use in routine practice.4 5 Indeed, the issue of changing from biological originator (bo) DMARDs to its/their bsDMARDs is open to debate despite a systematic switch for all patients receiving boDMARDs in some countries. Here, we review the different concerns that may be raised when switching from a reference biopharmaceutical to its/their bsDMARDs and consider the pros and cons of switching in clinical practice. We focus the discussion on TNF inhibitors in rheumatic inflammatory disorders. ### Development of a biosimilar: the challenges The development of bsDMARDs had to follow rigorous and comprehensive comparability specifications in order to assume and prove biosimilarity to its boDMARD according to official medicine agency guidelines. Specifically, a bsDMARD had to demonstrate similar characteristics in terms of …
Glacial loess in the conterminous USA

The conterminous United States contains an extensive and generally well-studied record of Last Glacial loess. The loess occurs in diverse physiographic provinces, and under a wide range of climatic and ecological conditions. Both glacial and non-glacial loess sources are present, and many properties of the loess vary systematically with distance from loess sources. United States’ midcontinent Last Glacial loess is probably the thickest in the world, and our calculated mass accumulation rates (MARs) are as high as 17,500 g/m/yr at the Bignell Hill locality in Nebraska, and many near-source localities have MARs greater than 1500 g/m/yr. These MARs are high relative to rates calculated in other loess provinces around the world. Recent models of Last Glacial dust sources fail to predict the extent and magnitude of dust flux from the mid-continent of the United States. A better understanding of linkages between climate, ice sheet behaviour, routing of glacial meltwater, land surface processes beyond the ice margin, and vegetation is needed to improve the predictive capabilities of models simulating dust flux from this region. r 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.