Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alcohol consumption and risk of renal cell carcinoma: A prospective study of Swedish women

Previous literature, although not consistent, suggests that moderate alcohol consumption might be associated with decreased risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in women. Thus, we examined the association between alcohol intake and the incidence of RCC by analyzing data from the Swedish Mammography Cohort, a population‐based prospective cohort of 59,237 women, aged 40–76 years, who, at baseline in 1987–1990, were cancer free and had completed a food‐frequency questionnaire including questions about alcohol consumption. Through June 30, 2004, 132 incident cases of RCC were diagnosed. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to estimate age and body mass index (BMI) adjusted rate ratios (RRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Women who consumed >4.3 grams per day of alcohol (ethanol) had nonsignificantly lower risk of RCC than did women who consumed <2.5 g/d (RR = 0.71, 95% CI 0.42–1.19); among women ≥55 years of age at entry into the cohort, corresponding risk estimates were RR = 0.33, 95% CI 0.10–1.05, p for trend = 0.04 and among women with BMI >25 kg/m2, RR = 0.30, 95% CI 0.09–0.97, p for trend = 0.04. Consistent with these findings, women who drank 1 or more servings of total alcoholic beverages per week had lower RCC risk than did women who drank less (RR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.41–0.94); the corresponding estimate for women ≥55 years of age was RR = 0.44, 95% CI 0.22–0.88. Results from our prospective cohort study of middle‐aged and elderly women indicate that moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with decreased risk of RCC. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Two types of exercise‐induced neuroplasticity in congenital hemiparesis: a transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional MRI, and magnetoencephalography study

Early unilateral brain lesions can lead to a persistence of ipsilateral corticospinal projections from the contralesional hemisphere, which can enable the contralesional hemisphere to exert motor control over the paretic hand. In contrast to the primary motor representation (M1), the primary somatosensory representation (S1) of the paretic hand always remains in the lesioned hemisphere. Here, we report on differences in exercise‐induced neuroplasticity between individuals with such ipsilateral motor projections (ipsi) and individuals with early unilateral lesions but ‘healthy’ contralateral motor projections (contra).
CHLORAMBUCIL THERAPY FOR LYMPHOMAS AND CHRONIC LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA.

Chlorambucil, an oral alkylating agent, was administered for a total of 205 courses to 126 patients with lymphoma or chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The drug benefited three fourths of the patients with Hodgkin's disease and one half of the patients with leukemia or small cell lymphosarcoma. Only one of 12 patients with reticulum cell sarcoma responded. The gradual appearance of marrow depression was the only important toxicity of the drug. Responsiveness to the drug was well maintained during subsequent chlorambucil treatments, while initially unresponsive patients, with but one exception, did not respond to later trials of the drug. The combined treatment of corticosteroids and chlorambucil in a small group of anemic and thrombocytopenic patients with leukemia may have allowed the administration of an effective dose of the alkylating agent, but did not enhance its therapeutic effectiveness.
Recurrence from primary and secondary glomerulopathy after renal transplant

Glomerulonephritis is the primary cause of end‐stage renal failure in 30–50% of kidney transplant recipients and recurrence of the initial disease is an important determinant of long‐term graft outcome after transplantation. Although renal transplantation remains the best treatment option for patients with end stage renal diseases in most cases, diagnosis and management of recurrences of glomerulopathies are critical for the optimization and improvement of long‐term kidney transplant graft survival and provide a unique opportunity to explore the pathogenesis of native kidney disease. This review aims to update knowledge for a large panel of recurrent primary and secondary glomerulonephritis after kidney transplantation, excluding diabetic nephropathy including primary focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, IgA nephropathy, membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis, lupus, vasculitis but also less usual secondary nephropathy related to sarcoidosis, AA and AL amyloidosis, monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease, and fibrillary glomerulonephritis.
How Delayed Graft Function Impacts Exposure to Mycophenolic Acid in Patients After Renal Transplantation

Introduction: Mycophenolic acid (MPA) plasma concentrations are highly variable on standard-dose mycophenolate mofetil therapy. At creatinine clearances below 25 mL/min, MPA clearance increases as a result of a higher nonprotein-bound fraction. Patients with delayed graft function (DGF) after renal transplantation are exposed to low total MPA concentrations, when risk of rejection is highest. This study investigated the influence of DGF on MPA exposure and on clinical outcome. Methods: Adult renal transplantation patients treated with mycophenolate mofetil, corticosteroids, and either microemulsified cyclosporine (n = 459) or tacrolimus (n = 371) participated in a randomized controlled trial (the Fixed-Dose Concentration-Controlled [FDCC] Study). Abbreviated MPA areas under the curve (AUCs) were obtained on Day 3, Day 10, Week 4, and Month 3, to calculate MPA AUC(0-12). Free MPA AUC values were available for a subgroup of patients (n = 269). Results: The overall incidence of DGF was 187 of 830 (23%) and did not differ between cyclosporine-treated (24%) and tacrolimus- (21%) treated patients. The incidence of biopsy-proven acute rejection at 12 months was significantly higher in patients with DGF (13.8% versus 21.4%). Patients with DGF had significantly lower dose-corrected MPA AUC on Day 3 and Day 10. Free MPA fraction and dose-corrected free MPA AUC were significantly higher in patients with DGF, from Day 3 until Month 3. The total number of patients with at least one opportunistic infection was significantly higher in patients with DGF (33.2%) compared with patients without DGF (25.8%) (P = 0.048). Patients with DGF developing opportunistic infections did not have higher total MPA AUC nor higher free MPA AUC compared with those without opportunistic infections. Conclusion: Patients with DGF have significantly lower dose-corrected MPA AUC in the first month after renal transplantation, presumably as a result of enhanced MPA clearance on account of the elevated MPA free fraction. Because patients with DGF have a higher rate of acute rejection and lower MPA exposure, higher dosing of mycophenolate mofetil in such patients may improve outcome. However, the already increased incidence of opportunistic infections in patients with DGF is a concern.
A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Study on the Safety and Tolerability of an Iron Multi-Amino Acid Chelate Preparation in Premenopausal Women

ABSTRACT Considerable risk of iron deficiency has been identified in premenopausal women because of the adverse effects associated with commercial iron preparations. This study examined the safety and tolerability of a novel iron multi-amino acid chelate (IMAAC) preparation in premenopausal women. A single-centre, randomized, double-blind, three-arm placebo-controlled (n = 60) study was conducted where subjects received one of three test materials: IMAAC (600 mg) or ferrous sulfate (600 mg) each containing 25 mg of elemental iron, or placebo as a single daily dose for 7 days. After testing, there were no significant differences found in any of the hematological outcomes between the different test groups. The safety analyses showed that a significantly (p = .044) higher number of patients reported adverse events when taking the ferrous sulfate supplement compared to IMAAC. A significantly lower number of adverse effects (p = .008) were reported by subjects on IMAAC. The current study demonstrated the superiority of the IMAAC preparation over ferrous sulfate with regards to tolerability and adverse effects.
Contrast medium volume to creatinine clearance ratio: A predictor of contrast‐induced nephropathy in the first 72 hours following percutaneous coronary intervention

Objectives: To investigate the predictive value of the contrast media volume to creatinine clearance (V/CrCl) ratio for the risk of contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN) (i.e., within 48–72 hr) and to determine a relatively safe V/CrCl cut‐off value to avoid CIN in patients following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background: The V/CrCl ratio is a pharmacokinetic risk factor for an early abnormal increase in serum creatinine (i.e., within 24 hr) after PCI. Methods: V/CrCl ratios were obtained from 1,140 consecutive consenting patients after unselective PCI. Receiver‐operator characteristic (ROC) curves were used to identify the optimal sensitivity for the observed range of V/CrCl. The predictive value of V/CrCl for the risk of CIN was assessed using multivariate logistic regression. Results: Fifty‐five (4.8%) patients out of 1,140 developed CIN. There was a significant association between higher V/CrCl ratio values and risk of CIN in the overall population: 1.4%, 1.4%, 5.7%, and 10.9% for quartile 1 (Q1) of the V/CrCl value (<1.56, n = 283), Q2 (1.56–2.27, n = 289), Q3 (2.28–3.42, n = 282), and Q4 (>3.42, n = 285) of contrast, respectively (P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis indicated that a V/CrCl ratio of 2.62 was a fair discriminator for CIN (C‐statistic 0.73). After adjusting for other known predictors of CIN, V/CrCl ratios > 2.62 remained significantly associated with CIN (odds ratio: 2.20; 95% confidence interval: 1.00–4.81, P < 0.05). Conclusion: A V/CrCl ratio > 2.62 was a significant and independent predictor of CIN after PCI in unselected patients. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Training of automatic speech recognition system on noised speech

In this paper, two techniques of automatic speech recognition system training on noised speech are compared with technique of training on clean speech. The comparing has been made by means of speech recognition accuracy measure, with usage of fourteen kinds of noise. These were noises of household appliances and computers, street and transport, teaching rooms and lobbies. The superiority degree of noised speech training techniques over the competitive technique has been assessed. It is shown that training on noised speech allows reaching the 95% recognition accuracy for minimal signal-to-noise ratio 10 dB, whereas training on clean speech allows reaching the same recognition accuracy for minimal signal-to-noise ratio 20 dB.
Ultrastructural Immunocytochemical Localization of μ-Opioid Receptors in Rat Nucleus Accumbens: Extrasynaptic Plasmalemmal Distribution and Association with Leu5-Enkephalin

μ-Opioid receptors and their endogenous ligands, including Leu5-enkephalin (LE), are distributed abundantly in the nucleus accumbens (NAC), a region implicated in mechanisms of opiate reinforcement. We used immunoperoxidase and/or immunogold–silver methods to define ultrastructural sites for functions ascribed to μ-opioid receptors and potential sites for activation by LE in the NAC. An antipeptide antibody raised against an 18 amino acid sequence of the cloned μ-opioid receptor (MOR) C terminus showed that MOR-like immunoreactivity (MOR-LI) was localized predominantly to extrasynaptic sites along neuronal plasma membranes. The majority of neuronal profiles containing MOR-LI were dendrites and dendritic spines. The dendritic plasma membranes immunolabeled for MOR were near sites of synaptic input from LE-labeled terminals and other unlabeled terminals forming either inhibitory or excitatory type synapses. Unmyelinated axons and axon terminals were also intensely but less frequently immunoreactive for MOR. Observed sites for potential axonal associations with LE included coexistence of MOR and LE within the same terminal, as well as close appositions between differentially labeled axons. Astrocytic processes rarely contained detectable MOR-LI, but also were sometimes observed in apposition to LE-labeled terminals. We conclude that in the rat NAC, MOR is localized prominently to extrasynaptic neuronal and more rarely to glial plasma membranes that are readily accessible to released LE and possibly other opioid peptides and opiate drugs. The close affiliation of MOR with spines receiving excitatory synapses and dendrites receiving inhibitory synapses provides the first direct morphological evidence that MOR selectively modulates postsynaptic responses to cortical and other afferents.
ANALYSIS OF NON-STATIONARY RESPONSE OF STRUCTURES DUE TO SEISMIC RANDOM PROCESSES OF EVOLUTIONARY TYPE

Seismic random processes are characterized by high non-stationarity and, in most cases, by a marked variability of frequency content. The hypothesis modelling seismic signal as a simple product of a stationary signal and a deterministic modulation function, consequently, is hardly ever applicable. Several mathematical models aimed at expressing the recorded process by means of a system of stationary random processes, and deterministic amplitude and frequency modulations are proposed. Models oriented into the frequency domain with subsequent response analysis based on integral spectral resolution and models oriented into the time domain based on the multicomponent resolution are investigated. The resolution into individual components (nonstationary signals) is carried out by three methods. The resolution into Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMF) seems to possess the best characteristics and yields results almost not differing from the results obtained by stochastic simulation. An example of the seismic response of an existing bridge obtained by two conventional models and three variants of multicomponent resolution is given.
Roles for Sigma Factors in Global Circadian Regulation of the Cyanobacterial Genome

ABSTRACT The circadian clock of the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 imposes a global rhythm of transcription on promoters throughout the genome. Inactivation of any of the four known group 2 sigma factor genes (rpoD2, rpoD3, rpoD4, and sigC), singly or pairwise, altered circadian expression from the psbAI promoter, changing amplitude, phase angle, waveform, or period. However, only the rpoD2 mutation and the rpoD3 rpoD4 and rpoD2 rpoD3 double mutations affected expression from the kaiB promoter. A striking differential effect was a 2-h lengthening of the circadian period of expression from the promoter of psbAI, but not of those of kaiB or purF, when sigC was inactivated. The data show that separate timing circuits with different periods can coexist in a cell. Overexpression of rpoD2, rpoD3, rpoD4, or sigC also changed the period or abolished the rhythmicity of PpsbAI expression, consistent with a model in which sigma factors work as a consortium to convey circadian information to downstream genes.
Equity and need when waiting for total hip replacement surgery.

OBJECTIVES To explore sociodemographic and health status factors associated with waiting times both for first outpatient appointment and for total hip replacement surgery (THR). METHODS A survey of THR in five former English regions was conducted between September 1996 and October 1997. Every patient listed for THR was asked to fill out a questionnaire preoperatively. This questionnaire included the 12-item Oxford Hip Score (OHS) questionnaire and two questions on the length of time patients waited for an outpatient appointment and subsequently for their operation. RESULTS From multiple logistic regression analyses, region, private vs. public sector, housing tenure and preoperative OHS were all independently associated with a waiting time for an outpatient appointment for > 3 months. Region, housing tenure and gender were also independently associated with a wait of >or= 6 months on the surgical waiting list. CONCLUSIONS A large proportion of patients had long waiting times both for an outpatient appointment and while on a surgical waiting list. There were significant differences in waiting time according to social, geographical and health care system factors. Patients with a worse pain and disability at surgery waited longer for an outpatient appointment. The longer patient waited, the worse was their pain and disability, suggesting that patients were not prioritized by these criteria. Benefits of prioritizing should be tested.
Suppression of leukemia inhibitor factor in lymphoid tissue in primary HIV infection: absence of HIV replication in gp130‐positive cells

Background: Leukemia inhibitor factor (LIF), a member of the interleukin‐6 cytokine family, has recently been shown to inhibit HIV‐1 replication both in vivo and in vitro. Objective: LIF and its corresponding receptors gp130 and LIF receptor‐&agr; (LIFR‐&agr;) were studied in lymphoid tissue (LT) to reveal potential systemic immunoregulatory effects during the course of HIV‐1 infection. Methods: LIF, gp130, LIFR‐&agr; and HIV‐1 replicating cells were identified at the single cell level by immunohistochemistry and quantified by computerized in situ imaging in tonsil and lymph nodes biopsies (LT) from patients with primary HIV‐1 infection (PHI), chronic HIV‐1 infection (cHI), long‐term non‐progressors (LTNP) and HIV‐1 seronegative controls. Results: LIF and its receptors, gp130 and LIFR‐&agr; were significantly (P < 0.005) upregulated in LT from PHI patients as compared with HIV‐1 seronegative controls. Expression of LIF in cHI was comparable to LIF levels in HIV‐1 seronegative controls whereas LTNP showed significantly reduced LIF expression (P < 0.05). LIF receptors, gp130 and LIFR‐&agr; were significantly upregulated in cHI (P < 0.005) but downregulated in LTNP (P < 0.05 and P < 0.005, respectively). LIF expressing cells could be demonstrated in LT 2 days after onset of acute retroviral syndrome. LIF expression was evident in CD3, CD4 and CD8 cells. Furthermore, high plasma viral load was associated with high expression of LIF in LT. Finally, no HIV‐1 replication could be found in CD4 gp130‐positive cells in PHI. Conclusions: LIF, gp130 and LIFR‐&agr; showed increased expression in LT from patients with PHI. Furthermore, HIV‐1 replication did not occur in cells expressing the LIF signaling receptor, gp130, indicating that LIF may be associated with control of HIV‐1 replicating cells in vivo.
When the robot puts itself in your shoes. Managing and exploiting human and robot beliefs

We have designed and implemented new spatio-temporal reasoning skills for a cognitive robot, which explicitly reasons about human beliefs on object positions. It enables the robot to build symbolic models reflecting each agent's perspective on the world. Using these models, the robot has a better understanding of what humans say and do, and is able to reason on what human should know to achieve a given goal. These new capabilities are also demonstrated experimentally.
Infrared Images of Tycho on Dark Moon

Infrared images of the thermal anomaly associated with the lunar crater Tycho were obtained during the lunar night after Tycho had ceased to be illuminated by the Suin for as long as 97 hours. In agreement with results of previous studies, these measurements show that the crater is warmer than its surroundings during the lunar night, and that the temperature of the thermal anomaly gradually decreases with time, being no longer detectable after new moon. This work provides strong evidence that the steeper crater walls facing the Sun before local sunset are warmer throughout the cooling phase, and that the Tycho anomaly is thus produced by solar, rather than internal, heat.
Similar efficacy and tolerability of double-dose chloroquine and artemether-lumefantrine for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infection in Guinea-Bissau: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND In 2008, Guinea-Bissau introduced artemether-lumefantrine for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Previously, 3 times the standard dose of chloroquine, that was probably efficacious against Plasmodium falciparum with the resistance-associated chloroquine-resistance transporter (pfcrt) 76T allele, was routinely used. The present study compared the efficacy and tolerability of a double standard dose of chloroquine with the efficacy and tolerability of artemether-lumefantrine. METHODS In a randomized open-label clinical trial, artemether-lumefantrine or chloroquine (50 mg/kg) were given as 6 divided doses over 3 days to children aged 6 months--15 years who had uncomplicated P. falciparum monoinfection. Drug concentrations were measured on day 7. P. falciparum multidrug resistance gene N86Y and pfcrt K76T alleles were identified. RESULTS The polymerase chain reaction-adjusted day 28 and 42 treatment efficacies were 162 (97%) of 168 and 155 (97%) of 161, respectively, for artemether-lumefantrine and 150 (95%) of 158 and 138 (94%) of 148, respectively, for chloroquine. When parasites with resistance-associated pfcrt 76T were treated, the day 28 efficacy of chloroquine was 87%. No severe drug-related adverse events were detected. Symptom resolution was similar with both treatments. CONCLUSIONS Both treatments achieved the World Health Organization-recommended efficacy for antimalarials that will be adopted as policy. High-dose chloroquine treatment regimes should be further evaluated with the aim of assessing chloroquine as a potential partner drug to artemisinin derivatives. Clinical trials registration. NCT00426439.