Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of ocriplasmin for the treatment of vitreomacular traction and macular hole

Background If left untreated, vitreomacular traction (VMT) will infrequently improve through spontaneous resolution of vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), and patients remain at risk of further deterioration in vision. The mainstay of treatment for VMT is vitrectomy, an invasive procedure that carries the risk of rare but serious complications and further vision loss. As such, a ‘watch and wait’ approach is often adopted before this surgical intervention is performed. Ocriplasmin (microplasmin) is a potential alternative treatment for patients with symptomatic VMA/VMT that may remove the requirement for vitrectomy. Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ocriplasmin for the treatment of VMT in comparison to standard of care. Study design A cohort-based computer simulation model was developed, capturing three mutually exclusive subgroups: 1) VMT without epiretinal membrane (ERM) or full thickness macular hole (FTMH), 2) VMT with ERM but no FTMH, and 3) VMT with FTMH. Transition probabilities between health states, utilities, and resource utilisation were estimated based on clinical trial results, the literature, and expert opinion. The cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was estimated over a lifetime, using UK unit costs and utilities associated with visual acuity, adverse events, metamorphopsia, and surgical interventions. Setting Analyses were conducted from a UK payer perspective. Population Transition probabilities for the model were primarily estimated from patient-level data from the combined Phase 3 MIVI-TRUST trials in patients with symptomatic VMA/VMT, including when associated with a FTMH ≤400 µm. Intervention Ocriplasmin (microplasmin) is a one-time intravitreal injection designed specifically to release the abnormal traction between the macula and the vitreous and thereby treat VMT, as well as macular hole with persistent vitreous attachment. Main outcome measure The main outcome measure of the economic evaluation was cost per QALY. Results In all subgroups, ocriplasmin management generated more QALYs: 1) VMT without ERM or FTMH (0.105, (0.036, 0.191)); 2) VMT with ERM but no FTMH (0.041, (0.011, 0.131)); and 3) VMT with FTMH (0.053, (−0.002, 0.113)). The initial treatment costs were partially offset by later savings and net costs were estimated at £1,901 (£1,325, £2,474), £2,491 (£1,067, £2,511), and £1,912 (£1,233, £2,506), respectively. Costs per QALY were estimated at £18,056 (£8,241, £64,874), £61,059 (£8,269, £168,664), and £36,250 (−£144,788, £290,338), respectively. Short-term efficacy parameters were found to be key drivers of results. Conclusion Ocriplasmin is most cost-effective in VMT patients without either ERM or FTMH.
Magnesium deficiency in the adult rat.

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Propionibacterium acnes infection after shoulder surgery

Propionibacterium acnes has been implicated as a cause of infection following shoulder surgery, may occur up to 2 years after the index operation and has been shown to be responsible for up to 56% of shoulder infections after orthopedic implant. Male patients within the population undergoing shoulder surgery are particularly at risk, especially if their shoulder surgery involved prosthesis or was posttraumatic. P. acnes infection can be difficult to diagnose clinically and laboratory techniques require prolonged and specialized cultures. Usual inflammatory markers are not raised in infection with this low virulence organism. Delayed diagnosis with P. acnes infection can result in significant morbidity prior to prosthesis failure. Early diagnosis of P. acnes infection and appropriate treatment can improve clinical outcomes. It is important to be aware of P. acnes infection in shoulder surgery, to evaluate risk factors, to recognize the signs of P. acnes infection, and to promptly initiate treatment. The signs and symptoms of P. acnes infection are described and discussed. Data were collected from PubMed™, Web of Science, and the NICE Evidence Healthcare Databases - AMED (Ovid), BNI (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), Embase (Ovid), HMIC: DH-Data and Kings Fund (Ovid), Medline (Ovid), and PsycINFO (Ovid). The search terms used were “P. acnes,” “infection,” “shoulder,” and “surgery. ” In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the prevention and management of P. acnes infection following shoulder surgery.
The prognostic value of p53 nuclear overexpression and MIB‐1 as a proliferative marker in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

There is controversy regarding the value of biologic markers as prognostic indicators independent of clinicopathologic parameters in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. The authors examined the prognostic value of p53 tumor suppressor gene expression and the proliferative marker MIB‐1 in TCC of the bladder.
Trends in teen pregnancy rates from 1996-2006: A comparison of Canada, Sweden, U.S.A., and England/Wales

This article summarizes and compares the most recent available data on ten-year teen birth/ abortion rates in Canada, Sweden, U.S.A. , and England/Wales. From 1996 to 2005, the teen birth/abortion rate declined by 36.9% in Canada, 25% in the U.S,A, and 4.75% in England/Wales, and increased 19.1% in Sweden. In 2006, the lowest teen birth/abortion rate per 1,000 women aged 15-19 was in Canada (27.9) followed by Sweden (31.4), England/Wales (60.3), and the U.S.A. (61.2). With respect to teen birth rates, in 2006, Sweden (6.0), and Canada (13.7) had rates substantially lower than in England/ Wales (35.0) and the U.S.A. (41.9). Canadian interprovincia(/territorial differences in teen pregnancy rates, and percentage declines fronn 1996 to 2006, as well as declines among women aged 15-19, 20-24, and 25-29 are exannined. Potential factors contributing to trends in teen pregnancy rates are discussed. Acknowledgement: The authors would like to thank Anna Lindam, Social sty re I sen, The National Board of Health and Welfare, Sweden, for her assistance in locating Swedish data.
Glycogen utilization in leg muscles of men during level and uphill running.

Glycogen depletion was followed in the soleus, gastrocnemius, and vastus lateralis muscles of 3 men during 2 h of treadmill running on the level and uphill (+6o). One subject also ran downhill (-4.5o). Running speed was adjusted in each condition to require 75% of the subjects' Vo2 max. Glycogen concentrations were similar in all 3 muscles at rest. From PAS staining glycogen appeared to be evenly distributed between slow and fast twitch fibres. A glycogen depletion of 17, 33, and 44 mmol of glucose units X kg-1 wet weight occurred in the vastus lateralis, soleus, and gastrocnemius muscles, respectively, after running on the level. These values were 55, 46, and 60 mmol X kg-1, respectively, after uphill running. Glycogen depletion in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles after downhill running was similar to that after running on the level, however, in the vastus lateralis it was intermediate to that for uphill and level running. A loss of PAS stain was observed first in the slow twitch fibres in all conditions. The results support the concept of a differential involvement of the leg muscles during running which can be modified by running either uphill or downhill. Thus it is of importance for the representativity of a sample that it is taken from a particular muscle when the local response to exercise or physical training is studied.
Functional Analysis of the Exocyst Subunit Sec15 in Candida albicans

ABSTRACT In prior studies of exocyst-mediated late secretion in Candida albicans, we have determined that Sec6 contributes to cell wall integrity, secretion, and filamentation. A conditional mutant lacking SEC6 expression exhibits markedly reduced lateral hyphal branching. In addition, lack of the related t-SNAREs Sso2 and Sec9 also leads to defects in secretion and filamentation. To further understand the role of the exocyst in the fundamental processes of polarized secretion and filamentation in C. albicans, we studied the exocyst subunit Sec15. Since Saccharomyces cerevisiae SEC15 is essential for viability, we generated a C. albicans conditional mutant strain in which SEC15 was placed under the control of a tetracycline-regulated promoter. In the repressed state, cell death occurred after 5 h in the tetR-SEC15 strain. Prior to this time point, the tetR-SEC15 mutant was markedly defective in Sap and lipase secretion and demonstrated increased sensitivity to Zymolyase and chitinase. Notably, tetR-SEC15 mutant hyphae were characterized by a hyperbranching phenotype, in direct contrast to strain tetR-SEC6, which had minimal lateral branching. We further studied the localization of the Spitzenkörper, polarisomes, and exocysts in the tetR-SEC15 and tetR-SEC6 mutants during filamentation. Mlc1-GFP (marking the Spitzenkörper), Spa2-GFP (the polarisome), and Exo70-GFP (exocyst) localizations were normal in the tetR-SEC6 mutant, whereas these structures were mislocalized in the tetR-SEC15 mutant. Following alleviation of gene repression by removing doxycycline, first Spitzenkörper, then polarisome, and finally exocyst localizations were recovered sequentially. These results indicate that the exocyst subunits Sec15 and Sec6 have distinct roles in mediating polarized secretion and filamentation in C. albicans.
A Natural Language Dialog System Based on Active Ontologies

Abstract: Programming today requires years of training. With natural language, programming would become available to everyone and enable end users to program their devices or extend their functionality without any knowledge of programming languages. We present an assistant usable in technical domains that uses natural language understanding, programming step-by-step and an active dialog management system. It allows users to manipulate spreadsheet data by using natural language. We extend our previous system with active ontologies. By adding additional information to an ontology, such as a rule evaluation system and a fact store, it becomes an execution environment instead of just being a representation of knowledge. Sensor nodes register certain events and store them in the fact store. An evaluation mechanism tests the new facts against the existing rules and performs the associated action if one or more rules apply to the stored facts. The system also handles references to previous results and expressions, allowing the construction of complex expressions step-by-step. It also creates new formulas by using End-User Programming concepts and supports the use of repetitive tasks that involve use of conditions and negations. An evaluation shows that the active ontology-based approach resolves 90% of the input tasks which is an increase of 10% over the pattern matching approach.
Preliminary Radiographic Outcomes of Surgical Correction in Juvenile Hallux Valgus: Single Proximal, Single Distal Versus Double Osteotomies

Background: Surgical correction of juvenile hallux valgus has a high risk of recurrence and complications. This short-term follow-up study evaluates the radiographic differences between 3 osteotomy types: distal first metatarsal osteotomy, proximal first metatarsal osteotomy, and double first metatarsal osteotomy with regard to ability to achieve correction and the risk of hallux varus. Methods: A total of 106 feet were evaluated. Percent correction of hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle (DMAA) was recorded, as well as complication and reoperation rates. Radiographs were evaluated at the initial visit, intraoperatively, and at final follow-up. Results: The single distal osteotomy achieved: IMA within normal limits 21% of the time with no cases of overcorrection; HVA within normal limits 42% of the time with 13% overcorrected; and DMAA within normal limits 46% of the time with 4% overcorrected. The single proximal osteotomy achieved: IMA within normal limits 36% of the time with no cases of overcorrection; HVA within normal limits 36% of the time with no cases of overcorrection; and DMAA within normal limits 36% of the time with 7% overcorrected. The double osteotomy achieved: IMA within normal limits 54% of the time with no cases of overcorrection; HVA within normal limits 40% of the time with 7% overcorrected; and DMAA within normal limits 56% of the time with 22% overcorrected. The rate of HVA overcorrection was not found to be correlated with osteotomy type (P=0.37). The double osteotomy was found to have a higher DMAA overcorrection rate than either single osteotomy (P<0.001). Conclusions: The single distal osteotomy for juvenile hallux valgus seems to have the most consistent outcomes, with improved radiographic parameters and low risk of complication compared with the other surgical cohorts. However, the double osteotomy can have the best correction of all 3 radiographic parameters at once, but the highest risk for overcorrection of the DMAA. Level of Evidence: Level III—retrospective case control study.
Social and psychological effects of inclusive classrooms : insights from teachers of inclusive classes in selected primary schools in Zimbabwe

This study analysed the insights of four (4) criterion-sampled teachers of inclusive classrooms in four criterion-sampled primary schools in Zimbabwe. The purpose of the study was, therefore, to elicit insights of the four afore-mentioned participants on how classroom inclusion affects learners with disabilities and those learners without disabilities socially and psychologically. The findings of this study indicate that: (a) classroom inclusion can generate positive as well as negative social and psychological effects on both groups of learners (b) the social and psychological effects of classroom inclusion on both sets of learners tend to depend, largely, on the social environment within and outside the classroom; (c) the placement of learners with disabilities in inclusive classrooms seems to enhance their social and psychological development; (d) the placement of learners with disabilities in inclusive classrooms does not seem to interfere with the social and psychological development of learners without disabilities and (e) responses to classroom inclusion by learners without disabilities seem to be shaped by multiple variables and change over a period of time. The significance of these findings find expression in the conclusion that general education is capable of providing effective individual instruction to both learners with disabilities and those without disabilities given a conducive learning environment. Policy makers and educators are likely to benefit from this confirmatory finding. Consequently, among others, this study recommends that prior to the establishment of an inclusive classroom, a concerted effort ought to be made to address the attitudes of all persons involved in the establishment and management of the any inclusive classroom. More specifically, the study recommends that administrators, educators, parents and learners need to transform their attitudes towards inclusion in general and classroom inclusion in particular.
Heuristic Reasoning in Chemistry: Making decisions about acid strength

The characterization of students’ reasoning strategies is of central importance in the development of instructional strategies that foster meaningful learning. In particular, the identification of shortcut reasoning procedures (heuristics) used by students to reduce cognitive load can help us devise strategies to facilitate the development of more analytical ways of thinking. The central goal of this qualitative study was thus to investigate heuristic reasoning as used by organic chemistry college students, focusing our attention on their ability to predict the relative acid strength of chemical compounds represented using explicit composition and structural features (i.e., structural formulas). Our results indicated that many study participants relied heavily on one or more of the following heuristics to make most of their decisions: reduction, representativeness, and lexicographic. Despite having visual access to reach structural information about the substances included in each ranking task, many students relied on isolated composition features to make their decisions. However, the specific characteristics of the tasks seemed to trigger heuristic reasoning in different ways. Although the use of heuristics allowed students to simplify some components of the ranking tasks and generate correct responses, it often led them astray. Very few study participants predicted the correct trends based on scientifically acceptable arguments. Our results suggest the need for instructional interventions that explicitly develop college chemistry students’ abilities to monitor their thinking and evaluate the effectiveness of analytical versus heuristic reasoning strategies in different contexts.
Weak interactions, omnivory and emergent food-web properties

Empirical studies have shown that, in real ecosystems, species–interaction strengths are generally skewed in their distribution towards weak interactions. Some theoretical work also suggests that weak interactions, especially in omnivorous links, are important for the local stability of a community at equilibrium. However, the majority of theoretical studies use uniform distributions of interaction strengths to generate artificial communities for study. We investigate the effects of the underlying interaction–strength distribution upon the return time, permanence and feasibility of simple Lotka–Volterra equilibrium communities. We show that a skew towards weak interactions promotes local and global stability only when omnivory is present. It is found that skewed interaction strengths are an emergent property of stable omnivorous communities, and that this skew towards weak interactions creates a dynamic constraint maintaining omnivory. Omnivory is more likely to occur when omnivorous interactions are skewed towards weak interactions. However, a skew towards weak interactions increases the return time to equilibrium, delays the recovery of ecosystems and hence decreases the stability of a community. When no skew is imposed, the set of stable omnivorous communities shows an emergent distribution of skewed interaction strengths. Our results apply to both local and global concepts of stability and are robust to the definition of a feasible community. These results are discussed in the light of empirical data and other theoretical studies, in conjunction with their broader implications for community assembly.
Recovery from stunting and cognitive outcomes in young children: evidence from the South African Birth to Twenty Cohort Study

In this study we analyse the implications for cognitive function of recovery from stunting in early childhood. More specifically, we test whether children who met the definition for stunted at age 2, but not at age 5, perform better in cognitive tests than children who remain stunted over this period. The sample is drawn from the Birth to Twenty Cohort Study, a prospective data set of children born in 1990 in urban South Africa. The measure of cognitive function that we use is based on the Revised Denver Prescreening Developmental Questionnaire implemented when the children were age 5. We employ multivariate regression in the analysis to control for child-specific characteristics, socio-economic status, the home environment and caregiver inputs. We find that recovery from stunting is not uncommon among young children in our sample. However, children who recover from stunting by age 5 still perform significantly worse on cognitive tests than children who do not experience early malnutrition, and almost as poorly as children who remain stunted. These findings suggest that the timing of nutritional inputs in the early years is key in a child’s cognitive development, with implications for school readiness and achievement.