Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Causal Models for Mediation Analysis: An Introduction to Structural Mean Models

Mediation analyses are critical to understanding why behavioral interventions work. To yield a causal interpretation, common mediation approaches must make an assumption of “sequential ignorability. ” The current article describes an alternative approach to causal mediation called structural mean models (SMMs). A specific SMM called a rank-preserving model (RPM) is introduced in the context of an applied example. Particular attention is given to the assumptions of both approaches to mediation. Applying both mediation approaches to the college student drinking data yield notable differences in the magnitude of effects. Simulated examples reveal instances in which the traditional approach can yield strongly biased results, whereas the RPM approach remains unbiased in these cases. At the same time, the RPM approach has its own assumptions that must be met for correct inference, such as the existence of a covariate that strongly moderates the effect of the intervention on the mediator and no unmeasured confounders that also serve as a moderator of the effect of the intervention or the mediator on the outcome. The RPM approach to mediation offers an alternative way to perform mediation analysis when there may be unmeasured confounders.
Time-domain microwave breast screening system: Testing with advanced realistic breast phantoms

In this work, we present advanced testing scenarios of our microwave time-domain breast cancer detection system using irregular-shaped breast phantoms. We show how to construct phantoms with uneven skin thickness, asymmetrical breast surface and high amounts of glandular tissue. The results show that our system can detect tumors in certain test scenarios, and we highlight the system configuration that produces the most readily discernible tumor response signals.
The inferior prognosis of adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is caused by a higher rate of treatment‐related mortality and not an increased relapse rate – a population‐based analysis of 25 years of the Austrian ALL‐BFM (Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster) Study Group

Adolescents aged 15–18 years with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) have been historically reported to have a poorer prognosis than younger children. We retrospectively analysed the characteristics and outcome of 67 adolescents included in a population‐based series of 1125 non‐infant cases that were enrolled into four Austrian ALL‐BFM (Berlin‐Frankfurt‐Münster) multicentre trials at paediatric institutions within a 25‐year period. Five‐year event‐free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 66 ± 6% and 76 ± 5% respectively, and thus lower than in younger children (83 ± 1%, 91 ± 1%; P < 0·001). This was not due to an increased cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) (5‐year CIR: 19 ± 5% vs. 13 ± 1%; P = 0·284), but due to an increased incidence of treatment‐related death [5‐year cumulative incidence of death (CID): 15 ± 4% vs. 3 ± 0%; P < 0·001] as a first event. Furthermore, while 44/67 (66%) non‐high‐risk adolescents had favourable 5‐year EFS and OS rates (76 ± 7%, 89 ± 5%), 18/67 (27%) high‐risk adolescents had an inferior outcome (5‐year EFS: 56 ± 12%, OS 61 ± 11%, P < 0·05). Among the latter patients the CID was significantly higher than in younger high‐risk children (22 ± 10% vs. 6 ± 2%; P = 0·020). Given that adolescent age is an independent risk factor for death as a first event, this specific age group may need particular vigilance when receiving intense BFM‐type chemotherapy, as relapse‐free survival is similar to younger children.
Axonopathy and Transport Deficits Early in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease

We identified axonal defects in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease that preceded known disease-related pathology by more than a year; we observed similar axonal defects in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease in humans. Axonal defects consisted of swellings that accumulated abnormal amounts of microtubule-associated and molecular motor proteins, organelles, and vesicles. Impairing axonal transport by reducing the dosage of a kinesin molecular motor protein enhanced the frequency of axonal defects and increased amyloid-β peptide levels and amyloid deposition. Reductions in microtubule-dependent transport may stimulate proteolytic processing of β-amyloid precursor protein, resulting in the development of senile plaques and Alzheimer's disease.
Students' Experiences of Mathematics during the Transition from Primary to Secondary School.

As part of a longitudinal case study on engagement in middle years mathematics, 20 students attending their first year of secondary school in Western Sydney were asked to provide views on their experiences of the transition to secondary school in relation to mathematics teaching and learning. Differences in teacher-student relationships caused the most concern due to the decrease in teacher-student interactions and a reliance on computer-generated mathematics lessons. Findings indicate that a strong pedagogical relationship forms the foundation for sustained engagement in mathematics during the middle years.
Plasma levels of C-reactive protein and interleukin-10 predict late coronary in-stent restenosis 6 months after elective stenting.

BACKGROUND In-stent restenosis (ISR) is one of the major limitations of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). AIM To evaluate the relationship between the levels of hs-CRP, IL-6, IL-10 and intimal hyperplasia six months after coronary bare metal stent (BMS) implantation. METHODS The study population consisted of 73 consecutive patients who underwent bare metal stent implantation into narrowed coronary segments. A total of 74 stents were implanted. Angiographic study after six months, together with evaluation of serum level of IL-6 (pg/ml), IL-10 (pg/ml), hs-CRP (microg/ml), fasting insulin (microIU/ml) and glucose (mg%) was performed. Insulin sensitivity was calculated using the HOMA-IR formula. The QCA analysis of stented segments was performed at baseline, after intervention and at six-month follow-up. RESULTS Restenosis at six months occurred in 10 patients (13.7%). The mean % diameter stenosis at follow-up was 27.8 +/- 19% and late loss was 0.81 +/- 0.6 mm. We found a correlation between late loss and serum hs-CRP, IL-6 and IL-10 concentration. There was no correlation between the lipid profiles, insulin levels and HOMA-IR and re-narrowing of the stented segments. Patients with restenosis were characterised by significantly higher serum concentration of CRP (2.04 +/- 3.4 vs. 10.38 +/- 6.7 microg/ml, p = 0.0036), IL-6 (14.98 +/- 8.3 vs. 5.70 +/- 5.5 pg/ml, p = 00062), and fasting glucose (184.0 +/- 50.5 vs. 107.5 +/- 40.4 mg%, p = 0.0051), as well as lower IL-10 levels (1.25 +/- 0.6 vs. 4.85 +/- 4.9 pg/ml, p = 0.0000). The ROC analysis indicated that CRP (> 2.86 microg/ml), IL-6 (> 6.24 pg/ml) and IL-10 (< 1.7 pg/ml) values predicted the restenosis with reasonable accuracy. A multiple logistic regression model identified CRP and IL-10 levels as independent predictors of restenosis. CONCLUSION We demonstrated that elevated inflammatory markers 6 months after PCI are associated with late angiographic in-stent restenosis.
The importance of hypocalcaemia in the development of hypomagnesaemic tetany

SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS I965 Riddle et al. (1945) and Urist (1959). The mean level of diffusible Ca in the plasma during egg-shell calcification is about 8-4 mg/Ioo ml, but in some individuals it may fall to 7-6 mg/Ioo ml, and there is no reason to believe that this latter figure represents a minimum (Taylor & Hertelendy, 1961). It may be claimed with some justification that the laying capacity of a hen is directly related to her ability to absorb and metabolize Ca, and these functions are largely under hormonal control. Nutrition and endocrinology are in fact SO closely interrelated in the Ca metabolism of the laying hen that they cannot be considered separately with any degree of understanding.
Relationship Between Age and Timely Placement of Vascular Access In Incident Patients on Hemodialysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Placement of an arteriovenous fistula (AV) prior to initiating hemodialysis can affect clinical outcomes for patients who subsequently initiate chronic hemodialysis treatments. Age-related variation in receipt of a functioning A TF prior to initiating hemodialysis is not well known. The purpose of this study was to examine age-related rates in use of AVF at the first outpatient hemodialysis treatment among U.S. incident patients on hemodialysis. FINDINGS Among 526,145 patients identified, the use of AVF outpatient hemodialysis treatment was lower in the youngest (younger than 55 years) and oldest (80 years and older) vs. both 55 to 66-year and 67 to 79-year age groups. These findings persisted after adjusting for demographics, lifestyle behavior, employment and insurance status, physical/functional conditions, and co-morbid conditions. CONCLUSIONS The presence of a functioning AVF at initial hemodialysis treatment varies by age. Modifying healthcare policy and/or expanding the role of nephrology nurses should be considered to address this issue.
BIOCHEMICAL CHANGES IN YEAST DURING SPORULATION. I. FATE OF NUCLEIC ACIDS AND RELATED COMPOUNDS

Changes in nuclear figures and in activities of nucleic acid and protein syntheses were observed mainly on Saccharomyces cerevisiae G2‐2 during sporogenesis. Patterns of DNA synthesis and of meiosis show that the sporogenic process in yeast was divided into an induction phase (I‐phase), a DNA‐synthesizing phase (S‐phase) and a maturation phase (M‐phase). Meiotic figures appeared most frequently at the end of the S‐phase at approximately 12 hr in sporulation culture. In M‐phase visible spores formed. The amount of protein increased in the initial 7 hr culture of 1‐phase, then decreased in the S‐ and M‐phases. But in sporulation culture of the asporogenic diploid strain 3c × a, protein did not decrease. RNA increased within 3 hr of the I‐phase then stopped increasing. DNA synthesis occurred critically during S‐phase, i.e. between 7 and 12 hr. and was somewhat resumed during the later part of M‐phase. Oligodeoxyri‐bonucleotide content decreased in the I‐ and M‐phases and increased temporarily. Deoxyribosides decreased linearly during the sporogenic processes. Based on these results and results of experiments estimating the incorporation of 14C‐uracil into nucleic acid and 14C‐amino acid mixture into protein fractions, the roles of nucleic acid synthesis activities in meiosis and in sporulation are discussed.
Intra-Amniotic Infection Upregulates Decidual Cell Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and Neuropilin-1 and -2 Expression: Implications for Infection-Related Preterm Birth

Intra-amniotic infection/inflammation (IAI) is a major cause of preterm birth, but the mechanisms responsible are not well understood. This study investigates the effects of IAI on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as VEGF receptor (Flt1, KDR2) and coreceptor (neuropilin-1 and -2) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression at the maternal-fetal interface, both in vitro and in vivo. Decidual stromal cells (DSCs) were isolated from term placentae, purified, and treated with 10—8 mol/L estradiol (E2), 10 —7 mol/L medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), both, or vehicle for 7 days. Vascular endothelial growth factor expression in cultured DSCs increased in response to stimulation with interleukin 1β (IL-1β; 0.01-10 ng/mL)—but not tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α; 1 ng/mL)—in a concentration-dependent fashion irrespective of the hormonal milieu. This effect appears to be mediated at the level of gene transcription because stimulation with IL-1β (but not TNF-α) increased expression of VEGF mRNA as measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); a similar increase was seen in neuropilin-1/-2 (but not Flt1 and KDR2) mRNA. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed these observations in vivo. Immunostaining for VEGF and neuropilin-1/-2 (but not Flt1 or KDR2) was increased in serial tissue sections of decidua from women with clinical and histological evidence of IAI versus noninfected controls, and in cultured term DSCs exposed to IL-1β. The novel observations that IL-1β stimulates VEGF and neuropilin-1/-2 mRNA and protein expression in term DSCs in vitro along with confirmatory in vivo data using immunohistochemistry provide a mechanism by which IAI can alter vascular permeability, thereby facilitating leukocyte trafficking and increasing the risk of abruption, both of which are associated with preterm birth.
Basis of guanylate cyclase activation by carbon monoxide.

Kinetics of CO association with guanylate cyclase [GTP pyrophosphate-lyase (cyclizing), EC 4.6. 1.2] and dissociation from carboxy guanylate cyclase have been studied at pH 7.5 by flash photolysis, yielding rate constants at 23 degrees C of 1.2 +/- 0.1 x 10(5) M-1.sec-1 and 28 +/- 2 sec-1, respectively. While the CO combination rate constant is the same as for the T state of hemoglobin, the CO dissociation rate constant is much higher than expected for a six-coordinate carboxyheme protein; yet the absorption spectrum is indicative of a six-coordinate heme. The two observations are reconciled by a reaction mechanism in which CO dissociation proceeds via a five-coordinate intermediate. This intermediate is structurally very similar to the five-coordinate nitrosyl heme derivative of guanylate cyclase and is presumably responsible for the observed 4-fold activation of guanylate cyclase by CO. Thus, we provide a model that explains enzyme activities of the nitrosyl and carboxy forms of the enzyme on the basis of a common mechanism.
Transplanted bone marrow stromal cells migrate, differentiate and improve motor function in rats with experimentally induced cerebral stroke

Bone marrow stromal cells are multipotential cells that can be induced to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myocytes and adipocytes in different microenvironments. Recent studies revealed that bone marrow stromal cells could improve neurological deficits of various damages or diseases of the central nervous system such as Parkinson's disease, brain trauma, spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis, and promote glia‐axonal remodeling in animal brain subjected to an experimentally induced stroke. In the present study, bone marrow stromal cells were intracerebrally transplanted into the cerebrum following a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Our aim was to find out whether the bone marrow stromal cells could survive and express neural phenotypic proteins and, in addition, whether they could restore the behavioral and functional deficits of the cerebral ischemic rats. Our results demonstrated that transplanted bone marrow stromal cells survived and migrated to areas around the lesion site. Some of them exhibited marker proteins of astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Bone marrow stromal cell implantation significantly reduced the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion‐induced cortical loss and thinning of the white matter and enhanced cortical β‐III‐tubulin immunoreactivity. Rats implanted with bone marrow stromal cells showed significant improvement in their performance of elevated body swing test and forelimb footprint analysis and only transient recovery of the adhesive‐removal test. Our data support bone marrow stromal cells as a valuable source of autologous or allogenic donor cells for transplantation to improve the outcome following cerebral ischemia.
Geozones: an area-based method for analysis of health outcomes.

BACKGROUND Administrative datasets often lack information about individual characteristics such as Aboriginal identity and income. However, these datasets frequently contain individual-level geographic information (such as postal codes). This paper explains the methodology for creating Geozones, which are area-based thresholds of population characteristics derived from census data, which can be used in the analysis of social or economic differences in health and health service utilization. DATA AND METHODS With aggregate 2006 Census information at the Dissemination Area level, population concentration and exposure for characteristics of interest are analysed using threshold tables and concentration curves. Examples are presented for the Aboriginal population and for income gradients. RESULTS The patterns of concentration of First Nations people, Métis, and Inuit differ from those of non-Aboriginal people and between urban and rural areas. The spatial patterns of concentration and exposure by income gradients also differ. INTERPRETATION The Geozones method is a relatively easy way of identifying areas with lower and higher concentrations of subgroups. Because it is ecological-based, Geozones has the inherent strengths and weaknesses of this approach.
Neurogenesis in the visual system of embryonic and adult zebrafish (Danio rerio)

The zebrafish has recently assumed a central position in the study of vertebrate development. Numerous studies of other fish have shown that their central nervous systems, and especially their visual systems, continue to add new neurons throughout life, which is probably related to their abilities to regenerate axons and whole nervous tissue. Retinal neurogenesis had not been examined in adult zebrafish, and two reports concluded that the optic tectum ceased neurogenesis early in life, so the question arose whether the zebrafish was anomalous in this regard. We labeled embryonic (24- and 48-h postfertilization) and adult zebrafish with the thymidine analog, bromo-deoxyuridine, and, after short and long survivals, examined the retina and brain for labeled cells. They were abundant in both the optic tectum and the retina. Although the rate of retinal growth slows considerably between embryonic and adult stages, the patterns of neurogenesis in both the embryo and the adult are similar to those described in other fish, so these “fish-specific” features of general interest can justifiably be studied in zebrafish.
A universal fiber-optic (UFO) measurement system based on a near-IR fiber Raman laser

A universal fiber-optic measurement system, which is useful for measuring loss and dispersion in the1.06-1.6 \mum wavelength region, is described. The source is a silica fiber Raman laser pumped by a mode-locked andQ-switched Nd:YAG laser at 1.06 μm. Subnanosecond multiple-Stokes pulses in the1.1-1.6 \mum wavelength region are generated in a low-loss single-mode silica fiber. The use of this near-infrared fiber Raman laser for characterizing various transmission properties of single and multimode test fibers is demonstrated. Loss spectra, intramodal dispersion, and intermodal dispersion data are obtained in the wavelength region of minimum loss and minimum material dispersion for silica fibers.
A Correlational Analysis of Tethered Swimming, Swim Sprint Performance and Dry-land Power Assessments

Abstract Swimmers are often tested on both dry-land and in swimming exercises. The aim of this study was to test the relationships between dry-land, tethered force-time curve parameters and swimming performances in distances up to 200 m. 10 young male high-level swimmers were assessed using the maximal isometric bench-press and quarter-squat, mean propulsive power in jump-squat, squat and countermovement jumps (dry-land assessments), peak force, average force, rate of force development (RFD) and impulse (tethered swimming) and swimming times. Pearson product-moment correlations were calculated among the variables. Peak force and average force were very largely correlated with the 50- and 100-m swimming performances (r=− 0.82 and −0.74, respectively). Average force was very-largely/largely correlated with the 50- and 100-m performances (r=− 0.85 and −0.67, respectively). RFD and impulse were very-largely correlated with the 50-m time (r=− 0.72 and −0.76, respectively). Tethered swimming parameters were largely correlated (r=0.65 to 0.72) with mean propulsive power in jump-squat, squat-jump and countermovement jumps. Finally, mean propulsive power in jump-squat was largely correlated (r=− 0.70) with 50-m performance. Due to the significant correlations between dry-land assessments and tethered/actual swimming, coaches are encouraged to implement strategies able to increase leg power in sprint swimmers.
The Effect of Combinations of Growth Factors on Ligament Healing

Platelet-derived growth factor, basic fibro-blast growth factor, and insulin-like growth factor Type 1 have demonstrated chemotactic and mitogenic properties in vitro that could benefit healing ligaments. These growth factors also have demonstrated in vivo effects when used in skin wound-healing models. In a previous study, bFGF and IGF-1, used alone, failed to improve healing. The authors wished to test the hypothesis that platelet-derived growth factor alone or combinations of platelet-derived growth factor plus insulin-like growth factor Type 1, platelet-derived growth factor plus basic fibroblast growth factor, or basic fibroblast growth factor plus insulin-like growth factor Type 1 would increase the healing efficiency of ligaments because of their effects on different parts of the cell replication cycle and their abilities to induce chemotaxis. Ligaments receiving platelet-derived growth factor alone were 73% ± 55% stronger than their contralateral internal controls (p < 0.0025). Stiffness increased 94% ± 63% over controls (p < 0.0025), and breaking energy was 101% ± 104% > controls (p < 0.1). Ligaments treated with a combination of platelet-derived growth factor plus insulin-like growth factor Type 1 and platelet-derived growth factor plus basic fibroblast growth factor also had increases in rupture force, stiffness, and breaking energy over internal controls. Ligaments treated with a combination of basic fibroblast growth factor plus insulin-like growth factor Type 1 also appeared to have some improved healing; the results, however, did not prove to be statistically significant. Synergistic effects of growth factor combinations were not evident.
Comparison of different clinical diagnostic criteria for depression in Alzheimer disease.

OBJECTIVE Data in the literature show different estimates of the prevalence of depression in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) when different classification systems are used. This study describes the prevalence and clinical features of depression in AD based on five different depression classification systems. METHODS This was a cross-sectional, observational study of 491 patients with probable AD. Depression was diagnosed using five classification systems (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision [ICD-10], Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition [DSM-IV], Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorder of the Elderly [CAMDEX], Provisional Diagnostic Criteria for depression in AD [PDC-dAD], Neuropsychiatric Inventory [NPI]). RESULTS The prevalence of depression was 4.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-7.1) according to ICD-10 criteria; 9.8% (95% CI: 7.3-12.6) according to CAMDEX; 13.4% (95% CI: 10.6-16.6) according to DSM-IV; 27.4% (95% CI: 23.6-31.5) according to PDC-dAD criteria; and 43.7% (95% CI: 39.4-48.2) when using the screening questions from the NPI depression subscale. The level of agreement between the classification systems was low to moderate (kappa <0.52). The characteristics associated with the most diagnostic disagreement were loss of confidence or self-esteem and irritability. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that there is a high variability in the prevalence rates of depression in AD depending on the diagnostic criteria used and that there is a low rate of agreement among the diagnostic criteria analyzed. The results suggest that the use of generic diagnostic criteria such as the ICD-10, the CAMDEX, or DSM-IV provides low prevalence rates of depression in patients with AD compared with specific diagnostic criteria such as the PDC-dAD.