Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Routine Probiotic Use in Very Preterm Infants: Retrospective Comparison of Two Cohorts

Abstract Objective Evidence supports the efficacy of probiotics in reducing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in very low-birth-weight infants, although concerns remain with regard to their routine use. Since 2008 in our neonatal intensive care unit, a low dose of probiotics (unique strain) is administered as standard of care in all preterm babies born at 24 to 31 weeks' gestation. This study reports outcomes in infants receiving probiotic cohort (PC) compared with the historical cohort. Design Treatment with Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lcr35 (Lcr Restituo) (2 × 108 colony-forming units/12 h) was started early after birth and intention to treat was up to 36 weeks' gestation. The main outcome was definite NEC. Secondary outcomes were mortality, late-onset sepsis (LOS), cholestasis, isolated rectal bleeding (IRB), and time to reach full enteral feeding (FEF). Results A total of 1130 patients were included. No adverse effects were observed. Infants in PC presented a reduced rate of NEC (odds ratio [OR] 0.20; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07 to 0.58), mortality (OR 0.46; 95% CI 0.21 to 1.00), and LOS (OR 0.60; 95% CI 0.40 to 0.89) and achieved FEF significantly earlier. IRB was significantly reduced among infants receiving the complete scheduled treatment. Conclusion Administration of Lcr Restituo was well tolerated and associated with lower mortality and morbidities in this cohort. Our results provide evidence in support of the hypothesis that this probiotic may reduce IRB.
Hypotonic treatment in visual and automatic chromosome analysis

Sirs, In the papers, “Automatic chromosome analysis” and “Aspects of automated chromosome analysis”, Lundsteen (1980) and Lundsteen et al. (1981) described a computer program for chromosome karyotyping. In chromosome preparations, only some of the metaphases have a suitable number of bands comparable with those defined in the Paris ideogram (Paris Conference 197 1). However, there is a chromosome length distribution depending on the time of colcemid exposure (Bullerdiek et al. 1980). We have recently described another type of chromosomal elongation, which is not due to the colcemidmitotic-condensation but rather to the ionic strength of the hypotonic solution (Bartnitzke et al. 1981). The point is that induced variations of chromosomal length by hypotonic treatment may be a helpful way to prepare good banding patterns without otherwise varying the routine method. Using 0.005 M KCI instead of 0.075 M KCI, we reached a 1 . Zfold increase in chromosomal length. Similar results were obtained by Hungerford (1965), who pointed out that 0.075 M KCl has a much less extreme effect in uncoiling human chromosomes than 0.01 M KC1. More recently, Brinkley et al. (1980) found by using electron microscopy that chromosomes were greatly expanded by hypotonic treatment. Our method may be useful in automatic chromosome analysis for two reasons: it enhances band resolution and it increases the number of suitable metaphases for visual and automatic analysis. J. Bullerdiek S. Bartnitzke
Maternal Serum Lipid, Estradiol, and Progesterone Levels in Pregnancy, and the Impact of Placental and Hepatic Pathologies

Abstract Objective: Lipids and steroid hormones are closely linked. While cholesterol is the substrate for (placental) steroid hormone synthesis, steroid hormones regulate hepatic lipid production. The aim of this study was to quantify circulating steroid hormones and lipid metabolites, and to characterize their interactions in normal and pathological pregnancies with a focus on hepatic and placental pathologies. Methods: A total of 216 serum samples were analyzed. Group A consisted of 32 patients with uncomplicated pregnancies who were analyzed at three different time-points in pregnancy (from the first through the third trimester) and once post partum. Group B consisted of 36 patients (24th to 42nd week of gestation) with pregnancy pathologies (IUGR n = 10, preeclampsia n = 13, HELLP n = 6, intrahepatic cholestasis n = 7) and 31 controls with uncomplicated pregnancies. Steroid profiles including estradiol, progesterone, and dehydroepiandrosterone were measured by GC-MS and compared with lipid concentrations. Results: In Group A, cholesterol and triglycerides correlated positively with estradiol (cholesterol ρ = 0.50, triglycerides ρ = 0.57) and progesterone (ρ = 0.49, ρ = 0.53) and negatively with dehydroepiandrosterone (ρ = − 0.47, ρ = − 0.38). Smoking during pregnancy affected estradiol concentrations, leading to lower levels in the third trimester compared to non-smoking patients (p < 0.05). In Group B, cholesterol levels were found to be lower in IUGR pregnancies and in patients with HELLP syndrome compared to controls (p < 0.05). Steroid hormone concentrations of estradiol (p < 0.05) and progesterone (p < 0.01) were lower in pregnancies with IUGR. Discussion: Lipid and steroid levels were affected most in IUGR pregnancies, while only minor changes in concentrations were observed for other pregnancy-related disorders. Each of the analyzed entities displayed specific changes. However, since the changes were most obvious in pregnancies complicated by IUGR and only minor changes were observed in pregnancies where patients had impaired liver function, our data suggests that placental rather than maternal hepatic function strongly determines lipid and steroid levels in pregnancy.
Orientation Discrimination with Macular Changes Associated with Early AMD

Purpose. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a condition that progressively reduces central vision in elderly individuals, resulting in a reduced capacity to perform many daily activities and a diminished quality of life. Recent studies identified clinical treatments that can slow or reverse the progression of exudative (wet) AMD and ongoing research is evaluating earlier interventions. Because early diagnosis is critical for an optimal outcome, the goal of this study is to assess psychophysical orientation discrimination for randomly positioned short line segments as a potential indicator of subtle macular changes in eyes with early AMD. Methods. Orientation discrimination was measured in a sample of 74 eyes of patients aged 47 to 82 years old, none of which had intermediate or advanced AMD. Amsler-grid testing was performed as well. A masked examiner graded each eye as level 0, 1, 2, or 3 on a streamlined version of the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) scale for AMD, based on the presence and extent of macular drusen or retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) changes. Visual acuity in the 74 eyes ranged from 20/15 to 20/40+1, with no significant differences among the grading levels. Humphrey 10–2 and Nidek MP-1 micro-perimetry were used to assess retinal sensitivity at test locations 1° from the locus of fixation. Results. Average orientation-discrimination thresholds increased systematically from 7.4° to 11.3° according to the level of macular changes. In contrast, only 3 of 74 eyes exhibited abnormalities on the Amsler grid and central-field perimetric defects occurred with approximately equal probability at all grading levels. Conclusions. In contrast to Amsler grid and central-visual-field testing, psychophysical orientation discrimination has the capability to distinguish between eyes with and without subtle age-related macular changes.
Prospecting for sources of resistance to ascochyta blight in wild Cicer species

A collection of 114 Cicer accessions including 95 wild Cicer accessions from four different species (C. bijugum K. H. Rech., C. echinospermum P. H. Davis, C. pinnatifidum Jaub. & Sp. and C. reticulatum Ladiz.) was screened in glasshouse trials for resistance to ascochyta blight (caused by Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Lab. ). Resistance was identified in accessions from all four wild Cicer species. There was variation for resistance within accessions of C. echinospermum, C. pinnatifidum and C. reticulatum, with only C. bijugum containing accessions in which all plants were completely resistant. Resistant accessions from C. echinospermum and C. reticulatum may offer accessible sources of resistance because fully fertile hybrids with cultivated chickpea can be readily obtained.
Doing Battle with Short Sellers: The Conflicted Role of Blockholders in Bear Raids

If short sellers can destroy firm value by manipulating prices down, an informed blockholder has a powerful natural incentive to protect the value of his stake by trading against them. However, he also has a potentially conflicting incentive to use his information to generate trading profits. We show that a speculator can exploit this conflict and force the blockholder to buy a disproportionately large amount to prevent value destruction. This is costly for the blockholder because the trades must sometimes be executed at inflated prices. Given reasonable constraints on short sellers, a sufficiently large blockholder will have the incentive to absorb these losses and prevent a bear raid. However, conditions exist under which outside intervention may be warranted.
Economic analysis of maintenance policies for a system

Maintenance is an inevitable reality in industry. Maintenance of a system usually involves maintenance of multiple components with multiple failure modes, each of which may require different maintenance policy (i.e., corrective (CM), preventive (PM), or condition based maintenance (CBM)). A maintenance policy may be best for one component and the worst for the other (CM may be best for a very cheap and non-critical component and the worst for a critical one). This paper presents an economical analysis method that identifies the best maintenance policy for a failure mode and/or component of a system.
Biomechanical Parameters of Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) Walking Gait

Quadruped animals have a unique mechanism of movement that minimizes energy use and allows muscles to work effectively. Elephants are the biggest quadruped animals on earth and how they stabilize their body and use energy are of interest. This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of kinematic gait in Asian elephants trained to work with a mahout for tourism activities in Thailand. Twenty-one healthy adult Asian elephants were recorded by 2 digital cameras while walking at normal speed (average 1.1 m s-1.) along a 15-meter, solid-soil path. The temporospatial parameters evaluated for each limb consisted of stride length (cm), stride time (sec), swing time (sec), stance time (sec) and stance time percentage, using 2D motion analysis software. The result revealed that the average stride length was varied between 192-199 cm with no significant difference between fore and hindlimbs on either side but the stride length on the right side was significantly longer than that on the left in both forelimbs (right 197.5 cm; left 192.6 cm, P<0.05) and hindlimbs (right 198.9 cm; left 193.2 cm, P<0.01). The mean gait cycle time (stride time) was varied between 2.26 and 2.34 seconds for each limb and mean stance time was varied between 1.67-1.80 seconds, with both parameters were longer on the forelimbs than hindlimbs significantly (P<0.01). Hence, swing time for the forelimb was shorter than that for the hindlimb (P<0.001). The calculated stance time percentage for each limb was 72.64-76.09%. Data from this study confirmed that elephants walk with a lateral sequence and footfall pattern, and distribute the center of mass proportionally between all four limbs. Gait analysis is a valuable tool for identifying and understanding the pathogenesis of gait abnormality.
Nest-Dwelling Ectoparasites of Two Sympatric Hole-Nesting Passerines in Relation to Nest Composition: An Experimental Study

Abstract: There are often marked differences in the incidence of nest-dwelling ectoparasite species on different coexisting and similar avian host species. This has been shown especially for fleas (Siphonaptera), larvae of flies (Diptera), and mites (Acarina) in nests of tits and flycatchers breeding in nest-boxes in close proximity to each other. One of the possible reasons for these differences is the marked differences in nest composition between avian species. We show here differences in ectoparasite presence and nest composition for blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus) and pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca) coexisting in oak forests in central Spain. There also may be intraspecific differences in local preferences for nest-building materials according to availability of plant materials, which could be due to arthropod repellent properties of different potential nest components. We show here a local difference in nest composition between 2 pied flycatcher populations in relation to availability of a preferred material associated with higher ectoparasite presence in the locality without the preferred nest material. We test the hypotheses that differential incidence of ectoparasites at the interspecific and intraspecific levels may depend on nest composition. We conducted a nest exchange experiment in one study locality in 2007 placing in nest-boxes occupied by flycatchers 1) nests constructed by blue tits in 2006 in another locality and removed before use and stored frozen, 2) nests constructed by flycatchers in 2006 in another locality with different nest composition and removed before use and stored frozen, and 3) nests constructed by other flycatcher pairs in the same study locality in 2007. Another group of flycatcher nests was kept as pure control, while a few blue tit nests constructed in 2007 and taken over by flycatchers were used for comparison with nests of treatment 1. No effect on presence of mites and blowflies of either nest-constructing species or locality of construction was observed for pied flycatcher nests, and for fleas only an effect of locality but not of nest constructing species was detected. On the other hand, presence of mites and blowflies differed between nests constructed by blue tits and occupied by either blue tits or pied flycatchers. Nest composition does not explain the differential incidence of nest-dwelling ectoparasites on coexisting avian host species. Nomenclature: Moss, 1978; Cramp, Perrins & Brooks, 1993.
Does Extended Lymphadenectomy Improve Survival of Pancreatic Cancer Patients ?

Abstract Purpose: Aim of the study was to assess the value of extended lymphadenectomy for pancreatic cancer. Materials and methods: A retrospective analysis of 201 patients with pancreatic and ampullary cancer who underwent pancreatectomy with standard or extended lymph node dissection were analysed in order to compare the rate of perioperative complications and 5-year survival. Results: Of 201 patients treated, 65 (32%) underwent standard (group I) and 136 (68%) extended (group II) lym-phadenectomy. These two groups were similar with regard to age, gender, tumour location, advancement and radicality of performed resection. The mean operating time in the extended lymphadenectomy group was longer (383 ± 81 min) compared to the standard group (357 ± 64 min) but observed difference was insignificant. Similarly, there were no significant differences with respect to transfused blood and plasma units. The mean number of resected lymph nodes was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in group II (29.0 ± 17.7) compared to group I (13.0 ± 7.4). The overall morbidity and mortality rates were 43% and 6.9%, respectively without significant differences between both groups. The overall 5-year survival for pancreatic and ampullary cancer was 16.7% and 67.6% respectively, and was similar regardless the type of performed lymphadenectomy. Patients with node-negative pancreatic cancer following extended lymphadenec-tomy had significantly higher (p < 0.01) 5-year survival (48%) compared to the standard resection (22%). Conclusions: Extended lymphadenectomy can be performed with similar morbidity and mortality rates compared to the standard resection. Benefits of 5-year survival can be achieved only in a limited group of patients with non-advanced pancreatic cancer.
Comparing hand washing to hand sanitizers in reducing elementary school students' absenteeism.

PURPOSE To compare the efficacy of an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to standard hand washing in reducing illness and subsequent absenteeism in school-age children. METHOD A randomized cross-over design was used with 18 classrooms of 2nd and 3rd grade students (n = 383) from 4 elementary schools. Half of the classes from each school used an anti-microbial gel hand sanitizer while the other half used soap and water for regular hand hygiene for 2 months, then, the students switched cleaning methods for the following 2 months. RESULTS No significant differences in absenteeism rates were demonstrated. A follow-up focus group comprised of teachers and school nurses indicated that hand sanitizers were preferred over soap and water. CONCLUSION Hand sanitizers are an appropriate alternative to hand washing for hand cleansing and may offer additional benefits in the school setting.
Psychiatric disorders as a factor in sick-leave due to other diagnoses

Background The aim was to analyse the role of psychiatric disorders in sick-leave in different sick-leave diagnoses. Method A stratified population-based sample of women (n=292) in Göteborg were interviewed, and diagnoses were made according to DSM–III–R. Sick-leave data, including diagnoses, were obtained for two years. Results Women with psychiatric disorders had an increased number of sick-leave spells and sick-leave days in all the sick-leave diagnostic groups. The largest differences between the two groups of women were found in mental disorders, diseases of the locomotor system and gastro-intestinal diseases. The association between psychiatric disorders and sick-leave was strongest in older age groups. Conclusions Unrecognised psychiatric disorders associated with an increased number of medical complaints and visits can be an important factor in the increase in sick-leave.
Endometrioid ovarian cancer and endometriotic cells exhibit the same alteration in the expression of interleukin‐1 receptor II: To a link between endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer

Aim: Endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary is the third most common type of epithelial ovarian cancer. Endometrioid tumors as well as endometriotic implants are characterized by the presence of epithelial cells, stromal cells, or a combination of booth, that resemble the endometrial cells, suggesting a possible endometrial origin of these tumors. Th1 cytokines including interleukin (IL)‐1 have been reported to be involved in both endometriosis and ovarian carcinogenesis. We assessed the expression of receptors of IL‐1 (IL‐1RI and IL‐1RII, the signal transducer and the specific inhibitor of IL‐1, respectively) in cells of the most common subtypes of ovarian cancer compared to endometrial cells.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE COMPOSITION OF GLOMERULAR URINE, WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO THE PROBLEM OF REABSORPTION IN THE RENAL TUBULES

The conception that a process of absorption occurs in the tubules of the kidney originated in the mind of Carl Ludwig (1) as a consequence of his belief that the fluid separated from the blood in the Malpighian body is a protein-free f&rate from plasma. Such a process only could explain the differences in composition of normal urine as compared with a filtrate from normal blbod. His earliest idea was *hat the force concerned in the process ~8s osmotic pressure, but after it had been shown
Ecological and physiological thermal niches to understand distribution of Chagas disease vectors in Latin America

In order to assess how triatomines (Hemiptera, Reduviidae), Chagas disease vectors, are distributed through Latin America, we analysed the relationship between the ecological niche and the limits of the physiological thermal niche in seven species of triatomines. We combined two methodological approaches: species distribution models, and physiological tolerances. First, we modelled the ecological niche and identified the most important abiotic factor for their distribution. Then, thermal tolerance limits were analysed by measuring maximum and minimum critical temperatures, upper lethal temperature, and ‘chill‐coma recovery time’. Finally, we used phylogenetic independent contrasts to analyse the link between limiting factors and the thermal tolerance range for the assessment of ecological hypotheses that provide a different outlook for the geo‐epidemiology of Chagas disease. In triatomines, thermo‐tolerance range increases with increasing latitude mainly due to better cold tolerances, suggesting an effect of thermal selection. In turn, physiological analyses show that species reaching southernmost areas have a higher thermo‐tolerance than those with tropical distributions, denoting that thermo‐tolerance is limiting the southern distribution. Understanding the latitudinal range along its physiological limits of disease vectors may prove useful to test ecological hypotheses and improve strategies and efficiency of vector control at the local and regional levels.
[Prognostic factors and results after surgical treatment of idiopathic macular holes, stage 2 and 3].

PURPOSE To determine prognostic factors, functional outcome and subjective rating after surgery for macular holes stage 2 and 3. METHODS We studied 53 eyes of 49 patients undergoing vitreous surgery for macular holes stage 2 (46%) and 3 (54%). Mean follow-op was 114 weeks (32-204, std.dev. +/- 48), mean age 68.9 years (44-89, std.dev. +/- 6.8). 72% were female, 11% were pseudophakic, 19% phakic, 70% had a combined procedure (pars plana vitrectomy, phacoemulsification and IOL). Surgery consisted in a pars plana vitrectomy, peeling of epiretinal membranes and ILM, internal tamponade with SF6 (98%) resp. Si-oil in one case. Patients had to keep face-down position 6 x 20 minutes per day. RESULTS The hole was completely closed in 90.6%. Anatomical failures included, 86% had an increase of VA, 41% = 5 lines (Final VA median 20/30, max. 20/20). No further increase of the retinal function occurred after 6 months. The visual result did not correlate with the duration of symptoms. 84% were satisfied with the outcome, subjective rating was not correlated with final VA or change of VA. 19% showed postoperative typical peripheral visual field defects. Visual field loss was not correlated with perioperative IOP elevation. CONCLUSION Macular hole surgery has a high functional success rate. Postoperative visual field defects are an important problem.
Cloning and characterization of R-PTP-kappa, a new member of the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase family with a proteolytically cleaved cellular adhesion molecule-like extracellular region

We describe a new member of the receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase family, R-PTP-kappa, cDNA cloning predicts that R-PTP-kappa is synthesized from a precursor protein of 1,457 amino acids. Its intracellular domain displays the classical tandemly repeated protein tyrosine phosphatase homology, separated from the transmembrane segment by an uncharacteristically large juxta-membrane region. The extracellular domain of the R-PTP-kappa precursor protein contains an immunoglobulin-like domain and four fibronectin type III-like repeats, preceded by a signal peptide and a region of about 150 amino acids with similarity to the Xenopus A5 antigen, a putative neuronal recognition molecule (S. Takagi, T. Hsrata, K. Agata, M. Mochii, G. Eguchi, and H. Fujisawa, Neuron 7:295-307, 1991). Antibodies directed against the intra- and extracellular domains reveal that the R-PTP-kappa precursor protein undergoes proteolytic processing, following which both cleavage products remain associated. By site-directed mutagenesis, the likely cleavage site was shown to be a consensus sequence for cleavage by the processing endopeptidase furin, located in the fourth fibronectin type III-like repeat. In situ hybridization analysis indicates that expression of R-PTP-kappa in the central nervous system is developmentally regulated, with highest expression seen in actively developing areas and, in the adult, in areas capable of developmental plasticity such as the hippocampal formation and cerebral cortex. The mouse R-PTP-kappa gene maps to chromosome 10, at approximately 21 centimorgans from the centromere.