Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liquid Nitrogen Spray Cryotherapy is Associated With Less Postprocedural Pain Than Radiofrequency Ablation in Barrett’s Esophagus: A Multicenter Prospective Study

Goals and Background: Two common endoscopic therapies for eradication of dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus are radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and liquid nitrogen spray cryotherapy (LNC). There is no data comparing postprocedural pain. This study aimed to compare the incidence of postprocedural pain between the 2 ablation modalities. Methods: This is a multicenter prospective study in which pain intensity scores and the presence of dysphagia were assessed immediately before and after treatment, 48 hours posttreatment and at 3 weeks posttreatment using validated instruments. Results: Of 94 patients, 35 underwent LNC and 59 underwent RFA [36 with focal radiofrequency ablation (RFA-F) and 23 with circumferential radiofrequency ablation (RFA-C)]. Immediately posttreatment, patients in the LNC group reported an average Numeric Pain Scale score that was lower than in the RFA groups [LNC 0.41 vs. RFA-F 1.18 (P=0.026), LNC 0.41 vs. RFA-C 1.38 (P=0.010)]. These differences persisted at 48 hours posttreatment [LNC 0.76 vs. RFA-F 1.77 (P=0.013), LNC 0.76 vs. RFA-C 1.73 (P=0.018)]. The odds of pain after RFA were at least 5 times greater than after LNC [immediately posttreatment odds ratio, 5.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.85-14.29) and 48 h posttreatment odds ratio, 5.56 (95% confidence interval, 2.27-14.29)]. There was no difference in dysphagia after treatment in either group, at any time point (P=0.429). Conclusion: LNC was associated with less postprocedural pain when compared with RFA. These results help inform patients and physicians about the expected symptoms after ablative endotherapy.
the effect of the position of an additional systemic-to-pulmonary shunt on the fluid dynamics of the bidirectional cavo-pulmonary anastomosis

the bidirectional cavo-pulmonary anastomosis is a well-established palliative procedure for patients with a functionally univentricular circulation. it is usually considered one step in preparation for fontan procedure, but it may be performed as a long-term palliation for patients deemed to be at high-risk. in this subset of patients, a valuable surgical option could be to add, or maintain, an additional source of flow of blood to the lungs, either derived from a patent but banded trunk or one protected by native pulmonary stenosis, or a systemic-to-pulmonary arterial shunt. the risk and benefits of providing an additional source of pulmonary flow after construction of a bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis are strongly debated. in terms of benefit, the arterial saturation of oxygen is increased due to the greater ratio of pulmonary-to-systemic flow, arteriovenous fistulas are prevented and, as a consequence of the arterial pulsatile flow, the pulmonary arteries are stimulated to grow. the most significant drawbacks are volume overload of the functionally single ventricle, and higher pressures compared to an isolated bidirectional cavopulmonary anastomosis.
On colloid retention in saturated porous media in the presence of energy barriers: The failure of α, and opportunities to predict η

This contribution reviews recent findings that illuminate the processes governing colloid retention in porous media under environmentally relevant conditions. In the environment, colloids act as conveyors of contaminants, or even as contaminants themselves; however, despite decades of research, we are unable to accurately predict the retention of colloids in granular aquifer media under environmental conditions, where repulsion exists between colloids and surfaces. This failure cannot be blamed solely on the complexities of the subsurface, since colloid filtration theory (CFT) works well in the absence of colloid‐collector repulsion despite its idealization of porous media as consisting of spherical grains completely surrounded by fluid envelopes. Rather, the failure of CFT stems from failure to incorporate the correct mechanisms of retention when repulsion exists. Recent observations implicate wedging in grain‐to‐grain contacts and retention in secondary energy minima as dominant mechanisms of colloid retention in the presence of an energy barrier. Mechanistic simulations in unit cells containing grain‐to‐grain contacts corroborate these mechanisms of colloid retention. The resulting concept for colloid retention in the presence of an energy barrier involves translation of colloids across the collector surfaces until they become wedged within grain‐to‐grain contacts, or are retained via secondary energy minima (without attachment) in zones where the balance of fluid drag, diffusion, gravitational, and colloid‐collector interaction forces allow retention. The above findings highlight the pore domain geometry as a dominant governor of colloid retention in so far as the geometry gives rise to grain‐to‐grain contacts and zones of relatively low fluid drag.
Health services utilization of elderly Swiss: evidence from panel data.

The demand for health care services by the elderly is a topic of growing importance because of changes in the demographic structure in many countries. This paper provides estimates of the determinants of the demand for physician visits by the elderly, including the impact of a disability prevention intervention. We control for unobserved heterogeneity across individuals and the count data structure of the data by estimating random effects negative binomial models for all primary physician and specialist visits.
Effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation on motor symptoms in Parkinson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

IMPORTANCE Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation technique that has been closely examined as a possible treatment for Parkinson disease (PD). However, results evaluating the effectiveness of rTMS in PD are mixed, mostly owing to low statistical power or variety in individual rTMS protocols. OBJECTIVES To determine the rTMS effects on motor dysfunction in patients with PD and to examine potential factors that modulate the rTMS effects. DATA SOURCES Databases searched included PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library from inception to June 30, 2014. STUDY SELECTION Eligible studies included sham-controlled, randomized clinical trials of rTMS intervention for motor dysfunction in patients with PD. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Relevant measures were extracted independently by 2 investigators. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated with random-effects models. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Motor examination of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale. RESULTS Twenty studies with a total of 470 patients were included. Random-effects analysis revealed a pooled SMD of 0.46 (95% CI, 0.29-0.64), indicating an overall medium effect size favoring active rTMS over sham rTMS in the reduction of motor symptoms (P<.001). Subgroup analysis showed that the effect sizes estimated from high-frequency rTMS targeting the primary motor cortex (SMD, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.46-1.08; P<.001) and low-frequency rTMS applied over other frontal regions (SMD, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.13-0.87; P=.008) were significant. The effect sizes obtained from the other 2 combinations of rTMS frequency and rTMS site (ie, high-frequency rTMS at other frontal regions: SMD, 0.23; 95% CI, -0.02 to 0.48, and low primary motor cortex: SMD, 0.28; 95% CI, -0.23 to 0.78) were not significant. Meta-regression revealed that a greater number of pulses per session or across sessions is associated with larger rTMS effects. Using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation criteria, we characterized the quality of evidence presented in this meta-analysis as moderate quality. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The pooled evidence suggests that rTMS improves motor symptoms for patients with PD. Combinations of rTMS site and frequency as well as the number of rTMS pulses are key modulators of rTMS effects. The findings of our meta-analysis may guide treatment decisions and inform future research.
Strain of Synechocystis PCC 6803 with Aberrant Assembly of Photosystem II Contains Tandem Duplication of a Large Chromosomal Region

Cyanobacterium Synechocystis PCC 6803 represents a favored model organism for photosynthetic studies. Its easy transformability allowed construction of a vast number of Synechocystis mutants including many photosynthetically incompetent ones. However, it became clear that there is already a spectrum of Synechocystis “wild-type” substrains with apparently different phenotypes. Here, we analyzed organization of photosynthetic membrane complexes in a standard motile Pasteur collection strain termed PCC and two non-motile glucose-tolerant substrains (named here GT-P and GT-W) previously used as genetic backgrounds for construction of many photosynthetic site directed mutants. Although, both the GT-P and GT-W strains were derived from the same strain constructed and described by Williams in 1988, only GT-P was similar in pigmentation and in the compositions of Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I (PSI) complexes to PCC. In contrast, GT-W contained much more carotenoids but significantly less chlorophyll (Chl), which was reflected by lower level of dimeric PSII and especially trimeric PSI. We found that GT-W was deficient in Chl biosynthesis and contained unusually high level of unassembled D1-D2 reaction center, CP47 and especially CP43. Another specific feature of GT-W was a several fold increase in the level of the Ycf39-Hlip complex previously postulated to participate in the recycling of Chl molecules. Genome re-sequencing revealed that the phenotype of GT-W is related to the tandem duplication of a large region of the chromosome that contains 100 genes including ones encoding D1, Psb28, and other PSII-related proteins as well as Mg-protoporphyrin methylester cyclase (Cycl). Interestingly, the duplication was completely eliminated after keeping GT-W cells on agar plates under photoautotrophic conditions for several months. The GT-W strain without a duplication showed no obvious defects in PSII assembly and resembled the GT-P substrain. Although, we do not exactly know how the duplication affected the GT-W phenotype, we hypothesize that changed stoichiometry of protein components of PSII and Chl biosynthetic machinery encoded by the duplicated region impaired proper assembly and functioning of these multi-subunit complexes. The study also emphasizes the crucial importance of a proper control strain for evaluating Synechocystis mutants.
Spermidine Is a Morphogenetic Determinant for Cell Fate Specification in the Male Gametophyte of the Water Fern Marsilea vestita[W][OA]

Rapid development of the male gametophyte of the water fern Marsilea vestita is posttranscriptionally regulated. This work shows that spermidine plays important roles in cell fate determination and spermatid morphogenesis by inducing the unmasking of stored mRNAs. Here, we show that the polyamine spermidine plays a key role as a morphogenetic determinant during spermatid development in the water fern Marsilea vestita. Spermidine levels rise first in sterile jacket cells and then increase dramatically in spermatogenous cells as the spermatids mature. RNA interference and drug treatments were employed to deplete spermidine in the gametophyte at different stages of gametogenesis. Development in spermidine-depleted gametophytes was arrested before the completion of the last round of cell divisions. In spermidine-depleted spermatogenous cells, chromatin failed to condense properly, basal body positioning was altered, and the microtubule ribbon was in disarray. When cyclohexylamine, a spermidine synthase (SPDS) inhibitor, was added at the start of spermatid differentiation, the spermatid nuclei remained round, centrin failed to localize into basal bodies, thus blocking basal body formation, and the microtubule ribbon was completely abolished. In untreated gametophytes, spermidine made in the jacket cells moves into the spermatids, where it is involved in the unmasking of stored SPDS mRNAs, leading to substantial spermidine synthesis in the spermatids. We found that treating spores directly with spermidine or other polyamines was sufficient to unmask a variety of stored mRNAs in gametophytes and arrest development. Differences in patterns of transcript distribution after these treatments suggest that specific transcripts reside in different locations in the dry spore; these differences may be linked to the timing of unmasking and translation for that mRNA during development.
Removal of Specific Harmonics by Rise Time Control

It is well known that increasing the rise/fall time of a digital signal reduces the high-frequency spectral content, thereby enhancing the chances of meeting regulatory electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements. Unlike the EMI regulations, most radio-frequency interference (RFI) issues in mobile devices are band limited. Given the growing concern regarding timing constraints of high-speed serial links, increasing the rise time cannot sufficiently suppress a specific harmonic that causes RFI. In this study, we demonstrate that a certain harmonic can be practically removed by making (not necessarily increasing) the rise time a multiple of the reciprocal of that harmonic frequency.
Applicability of cord blood‐derived unrestricted somatic stem cells in tissue engineering concepts

Abstract. Objectives: Cell‐based tissue engineering concepts are becoming an important therapeutic alternative in the treatment of traumatic or chronic skeletal diseases. Here, we have evaluated cord blood‐derived unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) for use in bone and cartilage repair strategies. Methods and results: This type of somatic stem cell can be generated from cord blood with a current rate of 29% and we have documented excellent proliferation potential to high passage numbers. The cells have an initial population doubling time of 39 h, which slightly decreased with increasing passage number, but cells maintained their proliferation abilities up to passage 23. Cells clearly differentiated towards chondrogenic, adipogenic and osteogenic lineage as shown by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction as well as by histological, biochemical and immunohistochemical stains. Differentiation potential of USSCs was observed at passage 6, passage 15 and passage 21. In addition, USSCs showed increased secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) during osteogenic differentiation, as well as expression of key markers of angiogenesis such as vascular endothelial growth factor receptor‐2 and platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule. Conclusions: USSCs when transplanted into a bone defect might support the repair process not only by pure remineralization but also by installation of angiogenic environment.
Qualitative 3D Reconstruction of Football Players using Motion Graphs

This project explores the use of motion graphs as a means of qualitative 3D reconstruction of football players, based on video footage from real games. A motion graph was built from clips of recorded motion capture data, featuring a professional football player, and synthesises motion by stitching these clips together in various combinations. A scenario is assumed where the motion of the players, is sometimes complicated and requires manual reconstruction, but otherwise loosely specified and suitable for qualitative reconstruction. The latter could then be generated by the motion graph. The system was first evaluated through path synthesis which is the process of constraining the motion to a user specified path in the ground plane. The results were limited by the nature of the motion data, but allowed for the selection of a particularly useful data subset. A modest extension to the path synthesis technique, was adopted, using boundary constraints to better accommodate the reconstruction problem. Although currently computationally nonviable, the boundary constraints approach had results that hint of its usefulness as a complement to a manual reconstruction method. Further investigations should use better suited motion data, and aim at refining the boundary constraints method.
The Role of Maternal Behavior in the Relation between Shyness and Social Reticence in Early Childhood and Social Withdrawal in Middle Childhood

The moderating effect of maternal behavior in the relations between social reticence and shyness in preschool and subsequent social withdrawal was investigated. Eighty children (47 females) were judged for degree of social reticence during play with unfamiliar peers at age four and mothers completed the Colorado child temperament inventory (CCTI). At age seven, the children were coded for degree of social withdrawal during peer play and mothers and children were observed during structured and unstructured activities. Two significant interaction effects indicated that maternal report of shyness was a positive predictor of age-seven social withdrawal when mothers lacked positivity; whereas observed social reticence was associated with higher degrees of social withdrawal when mothers were highly negative. Maternal positivity and negativity differentially influenced the development of social withdrawal in childhood, such that maternal negativity is associated with poor social functioning in children who have an established history of social withdrawal; whereas maternal positivity is associated with better social outcome for preschoolers who are viewed as temperamentally shy.
Frequent subgraph mining algorithms on weighted graphs

This thesis describes research work undertaken in the field of graph-based knowledge discovery (or graph mining). The objective of the research is to investigate the benefits that the concept of weighted frequent subgraph mining can offer in the context of the graph model based classification. Weighted subgraphs are graphs where some of the vertexes/edges are considered to be more significant than others. How to discover frequent sub-structures with different strengths is the main issue to be resolved in this thesis. The main approach to addressing this issue is to integrate weight constraints into the frequent subgraph mining process. It is suggested that the utilization of weighted frequent subgraph mining generates more discriminate and significant subgraphs, which will have application in, for example, the classification and clustering of graph data.
Assessing pre‐death grief in cancer caregivers using the Marwit–Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM‐CGI)

The Marwit–Meuser Caregiver Grief Inventory (MM‐CGI) was developed and initially validated with caregivers of persons with Alzheimer's disease, and subsequently evaluated with caregivers of persons with brain injury. The present study examined MM‐CGI psychometric and validity properties in 75 caregivers of persons with cancer. As with previous studies, high internal consistency reliability of MM‐CGI Total Grief and subscale scores (Personal Sacrifice and Burden, Heartfelt Sadness and Longing, and Worry and Felt Isolation) was demonstrated. Construct validity of the subscale scores was supported by differential associations with other caregiver measures of depression, strain, well‐being, and family support. Based on these preliminary results, the MM‐CGI appears useful for assessing pre‐death grief in caregivers of persons with cancer. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ORIGINAL ARTICLE: The Role of Cytokine Expression in Different Subgroups of Subfertile Men

Problem The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of seminal plasma cytokines interleukin 6 (IL‐6), interleukin 8 (IL‐8), interleukin 10 (IL‐10), interleukin 11 (IL‐11), interleukin 12 (IL‐12), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α) and interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) in male subfertility.
Impact of Endochitinase-Transformed White Spruce on Soil Fungal Biomass and Ectendomycorrhizal Symbiosis

ABSTRACT The impact of transgenic white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss] containing the endochitinase gene (ech42) on soil fungal biomass and on the ectendomycorrhizal fungi Wilcoxina spp. was tested using a greenhouse trial. The measured level of endochitinase in roots of transgenic white spruce was up to 10 times higher than that in roots of nontransformed white spruce. The level of endochitinase in root exudates of three of four ech42-transformed lines was significantly greater than that in controls. Analysis soil ergosterol showed that the amount of fungal biomass in soil samples from control white spruce was slightly larger than that in soil samples from ech42-transformed white spruce. Nevertheless, the difference was not statistically significant. The rates of mycorrhizal colonization of transformed lines and controls were similar. Sequencing the internal transcribed spacer rRNA region revealed that the root tips were colonized by the ectendomycorrhizal fungi Wilcoxina spp. and the dark septate endophyte Phialocephala fortinii. Colonization of root tips by Wilcoxina spp. was monitored by real-time PCR to quantify the fungus present during the development of ectendomycorrhizal symbiosis in ech42-transformed and control lines. The numbers of Wilcoxina molecules in the transformed lines and the controls were not significantly different (P > 0.05, as determined by analysis of covariance), indicating that in spite of higher levels of endochitinase expression, mycorrhization was not inhibited. Our results indicate that the higher levels of chitinolytic activity in root exudates and root tissues from ech42-transformed lines did not alter the soil fungal biomass or the development of ectendomycorrhizal symbiosis involving Wilcoxina spp.