Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A predictable AMO-like pattern in GFDL's fully-coupled ensemble initialization and decadal forecasting system

The decadal predictability of sea surface temperature (SST) and 2-m air temperature (T2m) in the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) decadal hindcasts, which are part of the Fifth Coupled Model Intercomparison Project experiments, has been investigated using an average predictability time (APT) analysis. Comparison of retrospective forecasts initialized using the GFDL Ensemble Coupled Data Assimilation system with uninitialized historical forcing simulations using the same model allows identification of the internal multidecadal pattern (IMP) for SST and T2m. The IMP of SST is characterized by an interhemisphere dipole, with warm anomalies centered in the North Atlantic subpolar gyre region and North Pacific subpolar gyre region, and cold anomalies centered in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current region. The IMP of T2m is characterized by a general bipolar seesaw, with warm anomalies centered in Greenland and cold anomalies centered in Antarctica. The retrospective prediction skill of the initialized system, verified against independent observational datasets, indicates that the IMP of SST may be predictable up to 4 (10) yr lead time at 95% (90%) significance level, and the IMP of T2m may be predictable up to 2 (10) yr at the 95% (90%) significance level. The initialization of multidecadal variations of northward oceanic heat transport in the North Atlantic significantly improves the predictive skill of the IMP. The dominant roles of oceanic internaldynamicsin decadalpredictionare furtherelucidated byfixed-forcing experimentsin which radiative forcing is returned abruptly to 1961 values. These results point toward the possibility of meaningful decadal climateoutlooksusingdynamicalcoupledmodelsiftheyareappropriatelyinitializedfromasustainedclimate observing system.
Anti-angiogenic therapy using thalidomide combined with chemotherapy in small cell lung cancer: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Cancer cells rely on angiogenesis for growth and dissemination, and small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a highly angiogenic tumor. We evaluated thalidomide, an anti-angiogenic agent, when combined with chemotherapy and as maintenance treatment. METHODS A total of 724 patients (51% with limited and 49% with extensive disease) were randomly assigned to receive placebo or thalidomide capsules, 100-200 mg daily for up to 2 years. All patients received etoposide and carboplatin every 3 weeks for up to six cycles. Endpoints were overall survival, progression-free survival, tumor response rate, toxicity, and quality of life (QoL). Hazard ratios (HRs) for comparing thalidomide against placebo were estimated using Cox regression modeling. Statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS The median overall survival was 10.5 months (placebo) and 10.1 months (thalidomide) (HR for death = 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93 to 1.27; P = .28). Among patients with limited-stage disease, there was no evidence of a survival difference (HR for death = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.73 to 1.15), but among patients with extensive disease, survival was worse in the thalidomide group (HR for death = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.10 to 1.68). Progression-free survival rates were also similar in the two groups (HR = 1.07, 95% CI = 0.92 to 1.24). Thalidomide was associated with an increased risk of having a thrombotic event, mainly pulmonary embolus and deep vein thrombosis (19% thalidomide vs 10% placebo; HR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.41 to 3.20; P < .001). There were no statistically significant differences between treatments in hematological and nonhematological toxic effects, except more patients in the thalidomide group had rash, constipation, or neuropathy. Overall, QoL scores were similar in the two treatment groups, but thalidomide was associated with less insomnia and diarrhea and more constipation and peripheral neuropathy. CONCLUSIONS In this large randomized trial, thalidomide in combination with chemotherapy did not improve survival of patients with SCLC but was associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events.
Identifying acutely ill medical patients requiring thromboprophylaxis

*Service Quality of Care, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva; Sanoﬁ-Synthelabo (Switzerland), Meyrin; and Divisionof Angiology and Hemostasis, Geneva University Hospitals and Faculty of Medicine, Geneva, SwitzerlandTo cite this article: Chopard P, Spirk D, Bounameaux H. Identifying acutely ill medical patients requiring thromboprophylaxis. J Thromb Haemost2006; 4: 915–6.
Foxo1 Is a T Cell–Intrinsic Inhibitor of the RORγt-Th17 Program

An uncontrolled exaggerated Th17 response can drive the onset of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. In this study, we show that, in T cells, Foxo1 is a negative regulator of the Th17 program. Using mixed bone marrow chimeras and Foxo1-deficient mice, we demonstrate that this control is effective in vivo, as well as in vitro during differentiation assays of naive T cells with specific inhibitor of Foxo1 or inhibitors of the PI3K/Akt pathway acting upstream of Foxo1. Consistently, expressing this transcription factor in T cells strongly decreases Th17 generation in vitro as well as transcription of both IL-17A and IL-23R RORγt-target genes. Finally, at the molecular level, we demonstrate that Foxo1 forms a complex with RORγt via its DNA binding domain to inhibit RORγt activity. We conclude that Foxo1 is a direct antagonist of the RORγt-Th17 program acting in a T cell–intrinsic manner.
Platelet-rich plasma versus corticosteroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract Background: Platelet-rich plasma therapy has the potential to promote peripheral nerve regeneration through the autologous supply of growth factors. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the effects of platelet-rich plasma injections with the effects of corticosteroid injections in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: In total, 40 patients with mild carpal tunnel syndrome were equally divided into two groups. Nerve conduction studies were carried out, and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire was administered to both groups before treatment. One group of patients received platelet-rich plasma injections, and the patients in the other group received corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel. The patients were followed for 6 months. After 3 and 6 months, the nerve conduction studies and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire were repeated. Results: Although distal motor latencies did not change in either of the groups during the follow-up period, improvements in sensory nerve conduction were recorded after 3 months in both groups. However, there was no significant difference between the groups in the nerve conduction studies. In the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, both the symptom severity score and the functional capacity score of the platelet-rich plasma group were significantly better than those of the corticosteroid group after 3 months, although there were no significant differences after 6 months. Conclusions: Platelet-rich plasma injections may be considered for the temporary symptomatic relief of mild carpal tunnel syndrome.
Re: Association between biallelic and monoallelic germline MYH gene mutations and colorectal cancer risk.

The MutY human homologue (MYH) gene encodes a member of the base excision repair pathway that is involved in repairing oxidative damage to DNA. Two germline MYH gene mutations that result in Myh proteins containing amino acid substitutions Y165C and G382D (hereafter called the Y165C and G382D mutations) are associated with adenomatous poly-posis and colorectal cancer among patients from several European poly-posis registries. We used a population-based series of 1238 colorectal cancer patients and 1255 healthy control subjects from Ontario, Canada, to examine the risk of colorectal cancer among biallelic and monoallelic germline MYH Y165C and G382D mutation carriers. The entire MYH gene coding region was screened in all MYH Y165C and G382D mutation carriers. Compared with noncarriers, biallelic and monoallelic germline MYH gene mutation carriers had an increased risk of colorectal cancer and were more likely to have first-or second-degree relatives with colorectal cancer (relative risk = 1.54, 95% confidence interval = 1.10 to 2.16). The increased risk of colorectal cancer in biallelic and monoallelic MYH gene mutation carriers was not consistently associated with the development of multiple adenomatous polyps. Loss of heterozygosity in at least one of four loci in MYH was detected in eight (47%) of 17 colorectal tumors from monoallelic MYH gene mutation carriers but in only two (20%) of 10 colorectal tumors from biallelic MYH gene mutation carriers. These two MYH gene mutations may account for a substantial fraction of hereditary colorectal cancer.
Spaced-Retrieval Effects on Name-Face Recognition in Older Adults with Probable Alzheimer’s Disease

Six older adults with probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were trained to recall a name-face association using the spaced-retrieval method. We administered six training sessions over a 2-week period. On each trial, participants selected a target photograph and stated the target name, from eight other photographs, at increasingly longer retention intervals. Results yielded a positive effect of spaced-retrieval training for name-face recognition. All participants were able to select the target photograph and state the target’s name for longer periods of time within and across training sessions. A live-person transfer task was administered to determine whether the nameface association, trained by spaced-retrieval, would transfer to a live person. Half of the participants were able to call the live person by the correct name. These data provide initial evidence that spaced-retrieval training can aid older adults with probable AD in recall of a name-face association and in transfer of that association to an actual person.
The outcome of adding peripheral neuromodulation (stoller afferent neuro-stimulation) to anti-muscarinic therapy in women with severe overactive bladder

Objective. Anti-muscarinic treatment alone and peripheral neuromodulation with concomitant anti-muscarinic treatment were compared in patients with severe overactive bladder. Methods. In this prospective study, 40 women with severe overactive bladder according to the 7-day voiding diary without any prior treatment completed the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) and were randomised into anti-muscarinic-alone and combination treatment groups. Twenty women received daily 4 mgs of tolterodine orally and in 20 women Stoller afferent neuro-stimulation (SANS) therapy was performed concomitantly for 12 weeks to the same anti-muscarinic regimen. After 12 weeks of therapy, two of the patients drop out of the study and remaining patients filled out the IIQ-7 questionnaire and the 7-day voiding diary again. Pretreatment and post-treatment QoL scores and the 7-day voiding diaries were compared. Mann–Whitney U, Wilcoxon and two sided significance tests were used. Results. Thirty-eight women fulfilling the criteria were included in the study. Severity of overactive bladder symptoms decreased significantly in both treatment groups. However, the decrease in combination treatment group was more significant than the anti-muscarinic-alone group. Adverse events were similar between the two groups. Conclusion. Combining SANS and anti-muscarinic therapy resulted in significantly better clinical outcomes and IIQ-7 scores as compared with anti-muscarinic treatment alone in patients with severe overactive bladder.
Chemical disinfection of non-porous inanimate surfaces experimentally contaminated with four human pathogenic viruses

SUMMARY The chemical disinfection of virus-contaminated non-porous inanimate surfaces was investigated using coxsackievirus B3, adenovirus type 5, parainfluenzavirus type 3 and coronavirus 229E as representatives of important nosocomial viral pathogens. A 10 µl amount of the test virus, suspended in either faeces or mucin, was placed onto each stainless steel disk (about 1 cm in diameter) and the inoculum allowed to dry for 1 h under ambient conditions. Sixteen disinfectant formulations were selected for this study based on the findings of an earlier investigation with a human rotavirus.After 1 min exposure to 20 µl of the disinfectant, the virus from the disks was immediately eluted into tryptose phosphate broth and plaque assayed. Using an efficacy criterion of a 3 log10 or greater reduction in virus infectivity titre and irrespective of the virus suspending medium, only the following five disinfectants proved to be effective against all the four viruses tested: (1) 2% glutaraldehyde normally used as an instrument soak. (2) a strongly alkaline mixture of 0·5% sodium o-benzyl-p-chlorophenate and 0·6% sodium lauryl sulphate, generally used as a domestic disinfectant cleaner for hard surfaces, (3) a 0·04% solution of a quaternary ammonium compound containing 7% hydrochloric acid, which is the basis of many toilet bowl cleaners. (4) chloraminc T at a minimum free chlorine level of 3000 p.p.m. and (5) sodium hypochlorite at a minimum free chlorine concentration of 5000 p.p.m. Of those chemicals suitable for use as topical antiseptics, 70% ethanol alone or products containing at least 70% ethanol were ineffective only against coxsackievirus B3. These results emphasize the care needed in selecting chemical disinfectants for routine use in infection control.
CHANGES IN SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE, CATALASE AND GLUCOSE‐6‐PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE ACTIVITIES OF RABBIT ALVEOLAR MACROPHAGES: INDUCED BY POSTNATAL MATURATION AND/OR IN VITRO HYPEROXIA

Abstract— The total superoxide dismutase activity of rabbit alveolar macrophages (AM) increased twofold during the first postnatal week. This increase in superoxide dismutase activity was primarily mitochondrial and paralleled the increase in the number of mitochondria in these cells which has been previously reported. The superoxide dismutase activity of AM in culture for 18 h was significantly increased by hyperoxia; catalase activity in hyperoxic conditions was slightly adversely affected; glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activity was increased but not significantly over control values. Hyperoxic cultures beyond 42 h decreased the total number of viable cells and the superoxide dismutase activity expressed per viable cell; the disappearance of catalase and glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase activities in this period, however, was more rapid in control alveolar macrophages than those under hyperoxia.
How prevalent is smoking and nicotine dependence in primary care in Germany?

AIMS Identifying, diagnosing and reducing nicotine use, dependence and related morbidity are considered key responsibilities of primary care physicians. Little is known, however, about the magnitude of the problem in primary care and the extent of treatment in Germany. This paper reports on (1) life-time and point prevalences of smoking and nicotine dependence among unselected consecutive German primary care attendees; (2) associations of smoking status with socio-demographic features and (3) rates of doctors' recognition and treatment patterns. DESIGN Data came from the Smoking and Nicotine Dependence Awareness and Screening Study (SNICAS), a nationally representative two-stage epidemiological point prevalence study (stage I: prestudy characterization of a nation-wide sample of 889 primary care doctors; stage II: target day assessment of 28,707 unselected consecutive patients). RESULTS (1) Of all primary care attendees, 71% reported having ever used a tobacco product (life-time regular smokers 51%; life-time occasional smokers 21.5%.). Point prevalence (4 weeks) of smoking was considerably lower (occasional use 4.7%, regular use 24.9%). The rate of DSM-IV nicotine dependence (13.9%) was highest among the youngest age groups. (2) Rates of regular and dependent smokers decreased markedly with age, mainly as a result of the steadily increasing numbers of male ex-smokers and low numbers of older female life-time ever smokers. Young age, unemployment, being single, divorced, widowed or separated from the partner were associated with higher rates of smoking or nicotine dependence. (3) In about 25% of patients, primary care doctors failed to recognize the patient's current smoking and/or nicotine dependence. Case recognition was highest for nicotine dependence (76%). Among recognized cases, 56% had ever received any kind of advice or counselling about quitting; yet only 12% had ever participated in any smoking cessation programme. CONCLUSIONS Beyond the confirmation of the well-established finding of a high prevalence of smokers in primary care, this paper demonstrates (1) considerable point prevalence of DSM-IV nicotine dependence (14%); (2) that it is noteworthy, however, that the rates are not higher than those in community samples; and (3) a considerable variation by age group with highest rates among the young (22-31%), but considerably lower rates among subjects aged 50 and above (16% to 0.9% in the oldest). This substantial association with age seems to be due mainly to the low smoking rates in older women and the increasing numbers of successful, particularly male, quitters from 40 years onwards. Recognition of primary care patients' smoking status by primary-care practitioners was moderate, and the frequency of past and current primary care interventions was low. These findings call for systematic investigation into barriers that impede the implementation of smoking cessation interventions in primary care settings.
Effect of prepartum dietary energy on condition score, postpartum energy, nitrogen partitions, and lactation production responses.

Objectives were to examine the effects of feeding to alter body condition at calving on subsequent full lactation production performance and feed intake, on BW and periparturient blood traits, and on complete energy and N balances and ration digestibility during wk 6, 10, and 14 postpartum. Thirty pluriparous Holstein cows were assigned randomly to two energy intakes from wk 33 of previous lactation through the dry period to create either normal (7.2) or thin (5.8) mean body condition scores at calving (9 = fat, 1 = thin). The thin group was fed 0 kg hominy feed daily; the normal group was fed 2.7 kg daily to supplement forage DM available ad libitum during this period. When compared with the normal group, cows in the thin condition group exhibited less negative body fat balance (-206 vs. -507 g/d); similar milk yield, DM intake, N partitions, and nutrient digestibilities; and lower fat test (3.2 vs. 4.1%) during the balance measurements. Whole blood and serum traits were within normal physiological ranges. Full lactation measurements were similar between treatments except that milk fat percentage was lower and DM intake (as percentage of BW), was higher in the thin condition group. Although mean BW at calving was more (651 vs. 599 kg) for normal condition cows, condition scores and BW were not significantly different at 14 wk postpartum; BW curves indicated similar rates of recovery of weight thereafter. Cows considered underconditioned at parturition mobilized less body fat after calving, resulting in reduced milk fat concentration without significant effects on milk yield, protein, SNF, DM intake, or nutrient utilization.
Evaluation of a Commercial Automated System and Software for the Identification of Veterinary Bacterial Isolates

A commercial gram-negative bacterial autoidentification plate was originally developed using bacterial isolates of human origin. Three veterinary diagnostic laboratories conducted a 2-phase trial to enhance the database for veterinary use. The first phase consisted of testing the plate with 447 bacterial isolates of veterinary origin and incorporating that data into the existing database. Emphasis was placed on the Actinobacillus, Bordetella, Pasteurella and Enterobacteriaceae groups, since the Pseudomonas taxon was quite complete. The second phase of the trial consisted of evaluating the enhanced database using 270 clinical veterinary isolates normally encountered in veterinary laboratories. For the Actinobacillus, Bordetella, Pasteurella and Enterobacteriaceae groups, 72% of the bacterial isolates were identified correctly to genus and 61% to species after 5 hours incubation. Eighty-nine percent of the bacterial isolates were identified correctly to genus and 85% to species after 18 hours incubation. All identifications in phase 1 and phase 2 were confirmed using conventional methods.
EXPERIENCED INVOLUNTARINESS AND RESPONSE TO HYPNOTIC SUGGESTIONS

Since the last century, it has been commonly observed that good hypnotic subjects typically report that their overt response to motoric suggestions are experienced as involuntary occurrences. ’. These responses feel as if they “happened to” the subject, rather than feeling like self-initiated, self-guided acts. Our paper addresses itself to this phenomenon. The first part reviews theoretical approaches and empirical findings associated with the problem of experienced involuntariness. The second presents an experiment aimed at clarifying some of the methodological issues raised by previous research.
Object recognition and tracking for remote video surveillance

A system for real-time object recognition and tracking for remote video surveillance is presented. In order to meet real-time requirements, a unique feature, i.e., the statistical morphological skeleton, which achieves low computational complexity, accuracy of localization, and noise robustness has been considered for both object recognition and tracking. Recognition is obtained by comparing an analytical approximation of the skeleton function extracted from the analyzed image with that obtained from model objects stored into a database. Tracking is performed by applying an extended Kalman filter to a set of observable quantities derived from the detected skeleton and other geometric characteristics of the moving object. Several experiments are shown to illustrate the validity of the proposed method and to demonstrate its usefulness in video-based applications.
Augmentation of the immune response with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor and other hematopoietic growth factors.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor is by far the most widely used hematopoietic growth factor to augment immune responses. At present, the best secured effect is as an adjuvant cytokine for vaccination. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor can be delivered as gene-transduced tumor cells, as plasmid DNA, or as the soluble free granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor protein. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor must be present at the same site as the vaccine component. Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor may also augment the effect of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies by enhancing various effector functions such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and amplifying an idiotypic network response (i.e., antitumor immunity). It may also be advantageous to combine granulocyte colony-stimulating factor with monoclonal antibodies (neutrophil and monocyte antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity) for tumor therapy. However, these growth factors might also induce immune suppression, which may hamper the contemplated effect of the growth factor. It is urgently warranted to better understand these dual effects on the immune system so that we can find optimal uses for the growth factors in various clinical settings.