Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identification and characterization of protein cross-links induced by oxidative reactions

ABSTRACT Introduction: Protein cross-links are common in biological systems and are generated both deliberately as a part of normal metabolism and also accidently as a result of exposure to external factors such as oxidation and glycation stresses. These cross-links can be both positive and negative for biological function, with high levels of inappropriate cross-links being associated with multiple human pathologies, as well as loss of protein structure and function in the food, agricultural, and pharmaceutical fields. Areas covered: This review covers recent advances in the detection and identification of protein cross-links arising from oxidation reactions, mediated by both radicals and two-electron oxidants. Information on both enzymatic and nonenzymatic cross-linking is reviewed, both where this is intentional, as part of normal metabolism, and accidental and a potential cause of disease. Expert commentary: The advantages and drawbacks of various methods available for the detection, identification, and quantification of these species are discussed, as well as some of the mechanisms and processes known to give rise to these species.
Effects of students' satisfaction with school meal programs on school happiness in South Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES School meals are not just meals consumed at school, they are part of the culture, education, and life experience at school. Nevertheless, few studies have revealed the influence of school meals on students' school lives. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of satisfaction with the school meal program on students' school happiness. SUBJECTS/METHODS A survey conducted in December 2015 asked 2,336 students (1,062 elementary school students, 880 middle school students, and 394 high school students) about their satisfaction with the school meal program and their school happiness. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the relation between the students' school meal satisfaction and their happiness level. RESULTS The average level of satisfaction with school meals of elementary school students was 4.1 out of 5 points, comparatively higher than that of middle and high school students, with a significant difference between school levels (P < 0.001). In addition, school happiness, as well as overall happiness, of elementary school students was higher than that of middle and high school students (P < 0.001). The school meal operation factor (0.232, P < 0.001) had the most influence on students' school happiness, followed by the school meal environment factor (0.219, P < 0.001) and school meal quality factor (0.136, P < 0.001). Overall satisfaction (0.097, P = 0.001) and school meal hygiene factor (0.095, P = 0.001) also had significant influences on students' school happiness. CONCLUSIONS Students' satisfaction with the school meal program was related to their school happiness. Therefore, plans to enhance students' satisfaction with a school meal program needs to be implemented, with emphasis on placing a priority on school meal operation and school environment factors, in order to improve students' level of happiness.
Development and Validation of 13-plex Luminex-Based Assay for Measuring Human Serum Antibodies to Streptococcus pneumoniae Capsular Polysaccharides

The pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measures IgG antibodies in human serum, and it is an important assay that supports licensure of pneumococcal vaccines. The immune correlate of protection, 0.35 µg/ml of IgG antibodies, was determined by the ELISA method. Pfizer has developed a new Luminex-based assay platform to replace the ELISA. These papers describe the important work of (i) validating the Luminex-based assay and (ii) bridging the immune correlate of protection (0.35 µg/ml IgG) to equivalent values reported by the Luminex platform. ABSTRACT A Luminex-based direct immunoassay (dLIA) platform has been developed to replace the standardized pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay platform. The multiplex dLIA simultaneously measures the concentration of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies specific for pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide (PnPS) serotypes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6A, 6B, 7F, 9V, 14, 18C, 19A, 19F, and 23F. The assay uses poly-l-lysine (PLL)-conjugated PnPS, chemically coupled to spectrally distinct Luminex microspheres. Assay validation experiments were performed using residual human serum samples obtained from 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (13vPnC) clinical studies. Assay results are expressed as IgG antibody concentrations in micrograms per milliliter using the international reference serum, 007sp. The lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for all serotypes covered in the 13-plex dLIA fell within the range of 0.002 to 0.038 µg/ml serum IgG. The difference between the lower limit and upper limit of the assay range was >500-fold for all serotypes, and assay variability was <20% relative standard deviation (RSD) for all serotypes. IgG antibody measurements were shown to be serotype-specific (some cross-reactivity was observed only between the structurally related serotypes 6A and 6B as well as 19A and 19F), and no interference was observed between the serotypes when the assay was performed in the 13-plex format compared to the singleplex assays. The 13-plex dLIA platform developed by Pfizer Inc. generates up to 143 test results in a single 96-well plate and is a suitable replacement of the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) platform for evaluating vaccine clinical trials. IMPORTANCE The pneumococcal enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measures IgG antibodies in human serum, and it is an important assay that supports licensure of pneumococcal vaccines. The immune correlate of protection, 0.35 µg/ml of IgG antibodies, was determined by the ELISA method. Pfizer has developed a new Luminex-based assay platform to replace the ELISA. These papers describe the important work of (i) validating the Luminex-based assay and (ii) bridging the immune correlate of protection (0.35 µg/ml IgG) to equivalent values reported by the Luminex platform.
Short‐term feeding of a ketogenic diet induces more severe hepatic insulin resistance than an obesogenic high‐fat diet

A ketogenic diet is known to lead to weight loss and is considered metabolically healthy; however there are conflicting reports on its effect on hepatic insulin sensitivity. KD fed animals appear metabolically healthy in the fasted state after 3 days of dietary challenge, whereas obesogenic high‐fat diet (HFD) fed animals show elevated insulin levels. A glucose challenge reveals that both KD and HFD fed animals are glucose intolerant. Glucose intolerance correlates with increased lipid oxidation and lower respiratory exchange ratio (RER); however, all animals respond to glucose injection with an increase in RER. Hyperinsulinaemic–euglycaemic clamps with double tracer show that the effect of KD is a result of hepatic insulin resistance and increased glucose output but not impaired glucose clearance or tissue glucose uptake in other tissues.
Adaptive discontinuous Galerkin methods for elliptic interface problems

An interior-penalty discontinuous Galerkin (dG) method for an elliptic interface problem involving, possibly, curved interfaces, with flux-balancing interface conditions, e.g., modelling mass transfer of solutes through semipermeable membranes, is considered. The method allows for extremely general curved element shapes employed to resolve the interface geometry exactly. A residual-type a posteriori error estimator for this dG method is proposed and upper and lower bounds of the error in the respective dG-energy norm are proven. The a posteriori error bounds are subsequently used to prove a basic a priori convergence result. The theory presented is complemented by a series of numerical experiments. The presented approach applies immediately to the case of curved domains with non-essential boundary conditions, too.
Psycho-social impact of orthodontic treatment in Romanian teenagers and young adults

Background and aims This survey evaluated the psycho-social impact of oral health on the quality of life in Romanian teenage and young adult orthodontic patients. Methods Of the 300 standard questionnaires distributed in four dental offices, 125 questionnaires were returned. Each questionnaire contained 110 items, focusing on aspects like patients’ satisfaction, self-confidence, school/work performances and aesthetic concern, in relation to oral health. The patients were 16–25 years of age and all were undergoing or had undergone orthodontic treatment in the previous two years. Data analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Science software (SPSS), version 19.0. Results 57.90% of the orthodontic patients participating in this study were happy about their dental status, 56.52% declared themselves not shy because of their oral health issues, 52.33% considered themselves as attractive to other people, and 57.29% replied (awarding a score between 8 and 10) that they were confident when smiling. Regarding self-confidence and school/work performances, 58% of the participants declared they avoided speaking in public because of the aspect of their teeth and 47.42% considered that their school/work performances during the fix appliance therapy stayed the same as before appliance. Nevertheless, the self-perceived facial aspect improved during orthodontic treatment (64.74% of replies had scores between 8 and 10 during the treatment versus 24.67% before the treatment). Several correlations were found between aspects such as psycho-social and functional variables, physical self-evaluation, and oral health issues. Conclusion Patients’ satisfaction was improved during and after appliance therapy, for more than half of the participants. Self-confidence was low in relation to school/work performances; almost half of the patients reported stagnation in their school/work performances during the fix appliance therapy. However, more than 64% of the patients participating in this study were quite satisfied about their facial aspect during and after the orthodontic treatment. Thus, the common concerns of the patients anxious about their aspect during appliance therapy are not supported by the findings of this study.
Effect of Depth of Sedation in Older Patients Undergoing Hip Fracture Repair on Postoperative Delirium: The STRIDE Randomized Clinical Trial

Importance Postoperative delirium is the most common complication following major surgery in older patients. Intraoperative sedation levels are a possible modifiable risk factor for postoperative delirium. Objective To determine whether limiting sedation levels during spinal anesthesia reduces incident delirium overall. Design, Setting, and Participants This double-blind randomized clinical trial (A Strategy to Reduce the Incidence of Postoperative Delirum in Elderly Patients [STRIDE]) was conducted from November 18, 2011, to May 19, 2016, at a single academic medical center and included a consecutive sample of older patients (≥65 years) who were undergoing nonelective hip fracture repair with spinal anesthesia and propofol sedation. Patients were excluded for preoperative delirium or severe dementia. Of 538 hip fractures screened, 225 patients (41.8%) were eligible, 10 (1.9%) declined participation, 15 (2.8%) became ineligible between the time of consent and surgery, and 200 (37.2%) were randomized. The follow-up included postoperative days 1 to 5 or until hospital discharge. Interventions Heavier (modified observer’s assessment of sedation score of 0-2) or lighter (observer’s assessment of sedation score of 3-5) propofol sedation levels intraoperatively. Main Outcomes and Measures Delirium on postoperative days 1 to 5 or until hospital discharge determined via consensus panel using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fourth Edition, Text Revision) criteria. The incidence of delirium was compared between intervention groups with and without stratification by the Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Results Of 200 participants, the mean (SD) age was 82 (8) years, 146 (73%) were women, 194 (97%) were white, and the mean (SD) CCI was 1.5 (1.8). One hundred participants each were randomized to receive lighter sedation levels or heavier sedation levels. A good separation of intraoperative sedation levels was confirmed by multiple indices. The overall incident delirium risk was 36.5% (n = 73) and 39% (n = 39) vs 34% (n = 34) in heavier and lighter sedation groups, respectively (P = .46). Intention-to-treat analyses indicated no statistically significant difference between groups in the risk of incident delirium (log-rank test &khgr;2, 0.46; P = .46). However, in a prespecified subgroup analysis, when stratified by CCI, sedation levels did effect the delirium risk (P for interaction = .04); in low comorbid states (CCI = 0), heavier vs lighter sedation levels doubled the risk of delirium (hazard ratio, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1- 4.9). The level of sedation did not affect delirium risk with a CCI of more than 0. Conclusions and Relevance In the primary analysis, limiting the level of sedation provided no significant benefit in reducing incident delirium. However, in a prespecified subgroup analysis, lighter sedation levels benefitted reducing postoperative delirium for persons with a CCI of 0. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00590707
Care of veterans in a non‐veteran health administration hospital: What is the status of nursing practice after continuing education?

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES To identify how civilian nurses are caring for military veterans following mandatory continuing education on veterans' mental health needs and to describe challenges nurses are facing in provision of that care. BACKGROUND Veterans and military personnel experience mental health conditions at a high rate and are increasingly receiving care in civilian healthcare facilities. Nonmilitary providers may not be prepared to address this population's challenging needs. Military culture may influence the presentation of mental health conditions; thus, critical assessment points by nonmilitary medical personnel may be missed. Education is touted internationally as a means to address deficits, but research is lacking to support that statement. METHODS Adhering to research reporting guidelines, 115 of a proposed 322 civilian nurses in a tertiary hospital volunteered to complete a one-time online survey that contained quantitative and demographic questions. Forty of 115 nurses went on to complete the qualitative query. Descriptive statistics summarised quantitative results, and constant comparative analysis was applied to qualitative responses for theme identification. RESULTS The study was stopped early due to reports of violence from veterans upon nurses. Results showed continuing education did not change documentation of military status. Following mandatory continuing education, civilian nurses continued to describe uncertainty in how to adapt care, on how to interact with veterans and in how to deal with violence. CONCLUSION The status of care to veterans remains insufficient, but nurses are asking critical questions on how to update practice. Additional support and research in the clinical setting is needed to promote a safe caring environment. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Continuing education alone may not advance care of the veteran. A multipronged approach to include mandatory documentation of military status and coaching of providers by those experienced with the military way of life may be used to augment staff preparedness.
The Welfare Cost of Perceived Policy Uncertainty: Evidence from Social Security

Policy uncertainty reduces individual welfare when individuals have limited opportunities to mitigate or insure against the resulting consumption fluctuations. We field an original survey to measure the degree of perceived policy uncertainty in Social Security benefits and to estimate the impact of this uncertainty on individual welfare. Our central estimates show that on average individuals are willing to forgo 6 percent of the benefits they are supposed to get under current law to remove the policy uncertainty associated with their future Social Security benefits. This translates to a risk premium from policy uncertainty equal to 10 percent of expected benefits.
Diagnostic Ability of Swept-Source and Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography for Glaucoma

Purpose To compare the diagnostic abilities of swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) [Deep Range Imaging OCT-1 (DRI-OCT)] and spectral-domain OCT (Cirrus HD-OCT) for glaucoma in Korean adults. Materials and Methods This retrospective study involved measuring peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (PP-RNFL) thickness, full macular thickness, and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness on two different OCT systems. We used three-dimensional optic disc scanning of DRI-OCT and included 12 clock-hour sectors for measurement of the PP-RNFL. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated and compared to determine how well each system could distinguish control and glaucomatous patients. Results Ninety-one healthy and 58 glaucomatous eyes were included. Both systems could clearly distinguish between control eyes and eyes with moderate to severe glaucoma. Among all sectors, the AUC values of areas associated with glaucoma were >0.7 for both OCTs. The PP-RNFL sector of highest AUC value on both OCTs was the inferior sector of the clock-hour map (0.968 and 0.959 in DRI-OCT and Cirrus HD-OCT, respectively). Among macular thickness sectors, AUC values were highest on both OCTs for the outer inferior sector (0.859 and 0.853 in DRI-OCT and Cirrus HD-OCT, respectively). The GC-IPL also provided high diagnostic values (DRI-OCT and Cirrus HD-OCT were the best in the average and inferior sectors, respectively). Conclusion Although the two OCT systems provided different thickness measurements, DRI-OCT exhibited as good, if not better, diagnostic ability for glaucoma as Cirrus HD-OCT in Korean adults.
Objective and subjective measures of dalfampridine efficacy in clinical practice

Background Multiple sclerosis affects mobility in over 80% of patients. Dalfampridine is the only approved treatment for walking impairment in multiple sclerosis. We assessed dalfampridine utilization in our practice and investigated response using timed 25 foot walk (T25FW) improvement and a patient-reported ambulation inventory. Methods Chart review identified patients with multiple sclerosis for whom dalfampridine was prescribed. T25FW data were extracted from medical records. Participants completed a dalfampridine-specific version of the multiple sclerosis walking scale (dMSWS-12) to assess the qualitative impact of dalfampridine on ambulation. We evaluated two responder categories: liberally defined as any improvement in T25FW; and over 20% T25FW improvement. Results The dMSWS-12 questionnaire was completed by 39 patients. Eighteen patients (46%) did not show any T25FW improvement. Of the 21 patients (54%) with T25FW improvement, four patients (11%) showed improvement greater than 20%. Analysis of dMSWS-12 scores showed a median score of 40 (range 12–60). Eleven patients (28%) showed no improvement (dMSWS-12 score ≤36). In contrast to objective T25FW improvement (54%), 28 patients (72%) reported improvement in walking ability (dMSWS-12 score ≥37). Conclusion Our results suggest that T25FW alone might not be sufficient for response characterization and that adding patient-reported measures may further elucidate the therapeutic response.
Peripheral Blood B Cell Depletion after Rituximab and Complete Response in Lupus Nephritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Incomplete peripheral blood B cell depletion after rituximab in lupus nephritis might correlate with inability to reduce tubulointerstitial lymphoid aggregates in the kidney, which together could be responsible for inadequate response to treatment. We utilized data from the Lupus Nephritis Assessment with Rituximab (LUNAR) study to characterize the variability of peripheral blood B cell depletion after rituximab and assess its association with complete response in patients with lupus nephritis. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS We analyzed 68 participants treated with rituximab. Peripheral blood B cell depletion was defined as 0 cells/µl, termed "complete peripheral depletion," assessed over 78 weeks. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between characteristics of complete peripheral depletion and complete response (defined as urine protein-to-creatinine ratio <0.5 mg/mg, and normal serum creatinine or an increase in creatinine <15%, if normal at baseline), assessed at week 78. RESULTS A total of 53 (78%) participants achieved complete peripheral depletion (0 cells/µl) in a median time of 182 days (interquartile range, 80-339). The median duration of complete peripheral depletion was 71 days (interquartile range, 14-158). Twenty-five (47%) participants with complete peripheral depletion achieved complete response, compared with two (13%) without. Complete peripheral depletion was associated with complete response (unadjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.2 to 28; P=0.03). Longer time to achieving complete peripheral depletion was associated with a lower likelihood of complete response (unadjusted OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.81 to 0.98; P=0.02). Complete peripheral depletion lasting >71 days (the median) was associated with complete response (unadjusted OR, 4.1; 95% CI, 1.5 to 11; P=0.008). CONCLUSIONS There was substantial variability in peripheral blood B cell depletion in patients with lupus nephritis treated with rituximab from the LUNAR trial. Achievement of complete peripheral depletion, as well as the rapidity and duration of complete peripheral depletion, were associated with complete response at week 78. PODCAST This article contains a podcast at https://www.asn-online.org/media/podcast/CJASN/2018_09_06_CJASNPodcast_18_10_. mp3.