Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Weight Loss Intervention Before Total Knee Replacement: A 12-Month Randomized Controlled Trial

Background and Aims: Obesity is an increasing problem in patients after total knee replacement. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a weight loss intervention before primary total knee replacement would improve quality of life, knee function, mobility, and body composition 1 year after surgery. Material and Methods: Patients scheduled for total knee replacement due to osteoarthritis of the knee and obesity were randomized to a control group receiving standard care or to an intervention group receiving 8-week low-energy diet before total knee replacement. Patient-reported quality of life, 6-Min Walk Test, and body composition by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry were assessed before intervention for the diet group, and within 1 week preoperatively for both groups, and the changes in outcome from baseline to 1 year after total knee replacement were compared between groups. The number of participants was lower than planned, which might introduce a type-2 error and underestimate the trend for a better outcome after weight loss. Results: The analyses are based on a total of 76 patients, 38 in each group. This study showed major improvement in both study groups in quality of life and knee function, though no statistically significant differences between the groups were observed 1 year after total knee replacement. The average weight loss after 8-week preoperative intervention was 10.7 kg and consisted of a 6.7 kg reduction in fat mass. One year after total knee replacement, the participants in the diet group managed to maintain the weight reduction, whereas there was no change in the control group. Conclusion: The results suggest that it is feasible and safe to implement an intensive weight loss program shortly before total knee replacement. The preoperative intervention resulted in a 10% body weight loss, improved body composition, lower cardiovascular risk factors, and sustained s-leptin.
Mean reversion and structural breaks in the Australian dollar real exchange rate

This paper examines mean reversion in the real exchange rate index of Australia in the presence of structural breaks from 1984:1 till 2009:2. Conventional unit-root procedures have low power when structural breaks in data are ignored. The null hypothesis is examined using a minimum Lagrange Multiplier unit-root test that allows for breaks in level and trend. This unit-root test with two structural breaks is invariant to the magnitude of the breaks. We were able to reject the unit-root null hypothesis and find evidence of mean reversion and hence PPP with structural break points. This is a startling finding reversing results of past works that failed to reject nonstationarity in the data. The corresponding break dates are 1988:2 and 2002:4 respectively and the structural break dates are statistically significant. The estimated break dates mostly correspond to the period of RER instability (1986-1989) and the recovery of the Australian dollar driven by the resources boom (2001-2002).
Integrated copy number and miRNA expression analysis in triple negative breast cancer of Latin American patients

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), a clinically aggressive breast cancer subtype, affects 15–35% of women from Latin America. Using an approach of direct integration of copy number and global miRNA profiling data, performed simultaneously in the same tumor specimens, we identified a panel of 17 miRNAs specifically associated with TNBC of ancestrally characterized patients from Latin America, Brazil. This panel was differentially expressed between the TNBC and non-TNBC subtypes studied (p ≤ 0.05, FDR ≤ 0.25), with their expression levels concordant with the patterns of copy number alterations (CNAs), present mostly frequent at 8q21.3-q24.3, 3q24-29, 6p25.3-p12.2, 1q21.1-q44, 5q11.1-q22.1, 11p13-p11.2, 13q12.11-q14.3, 17q24.2-q25.3 and Xp22.33-p11.21. The combined 17 miRNAs presented a high power (AUC = 0.953 (0.78–0.99);95% CI) in discriminating between the TNBC and non-TNBC subtypes of the patients studied. In addition, the expression of 14 and 15 of the 17miRNAs was significantly associated with tumor subtype when adjusted for tumor stage and grade, respectively. In conclusion, the panel of miRNAs identified demonstrated the impact of CNAs in miRNA expression levels and identified miRNA target genes potentially affected by both CNAs and miRNA deregulation. These targets, involved in critical signaling pathways and biological functions associated specifically with the TNBC transcriptome of Latina patients, can provide biological insights into the observed differences in the TNBC clinical outcome among racial/ethnic groups, taking into consideration their genetic ancestry.
Diatoms and Dinoflagellates of an Estuarine Creek in Lagos.

The diatoms and dinoflagellates phytoplankton of an estuarine creek in Lagos was investigated at two stations between July and December, 2004. A total of 37 species centric diatom (18 species) pennate diatoms (12 species) and 7 species of dinoflagellates were recorded. Values of species diversity (1 ‐ 14), abundance (10 ‐ 800 individuals), species richness (0 ‐ 2.40) and Shannon and Weiner index (0 ‐ 2.8f) were higher in the wet period (July ‐ October) than the dry season (November ‐ December). These bio‐indices were higher in station A than Bfor most of the study period. Almost all the diatoms and dinoflagellates recorded for this investigation have been reported by earlier workers for the Lagos lagoon, associated tidal creeks and offshore Lagos. The source of recruitment of the lagoonal dinoflagellates is probably the adjacent sea as most reported species were warm water oceanic forms.
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Abdominal Pain and Disability at 1-Year Follow-up After an Attack of Acute Pancreatitis.

OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to report the prevalence and predictors of abdominal pain and disability 1 year after an acute pancreatitis (AP) attack. METHODS Patients were prospectively enrolled between December 2012 and April 2016. Enrolled subjects were contacted at a median of 13 months after enrollment. Multivariable regression models were used to determine factors independently associated with abdominal pain at follow-up. RESULTS Response rate was 71% (110/155). Of respondents, median age was 51 years, 58% were female, and 14% had severe AP. At follow-up, 24% of patients reported abdominal pain (65% intermittent, 35% constant), 10% used analgesics regularly, and 6% had regular opioids use. Furthermore, 41% of patients experienced pain-related interference with work or daily activities, and 8% developed disability. On regression analysis, idiopathic etiology (odds ratio [OR], 3.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1-13.6) failure (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.1-7.9), and recurrent AP (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.1-10.6) were independently associated with abdominal pain at follow-up. Disability at follow-up was associated with younger age, current smoking, and intensive care unit admission (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Abdominal pain and disability are potential long-term sequelae of AP. Certain pre-existing factors and pancreatitis features are associated with these outcomes at one-year follow-up of AP.
A linear mixed model with temporal covariance structures in modelling catch per unit effort of Baltic herring

Mikkonen, S. , Rahikainen, M. , Virtanen, J., Lehtonen, R. , Kuikka, S. , and Ahvonen, A. 2008. A linear mixed model with temporal covariance structures in modelling catch per unit effort of Baltic herring. - ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65: 1645-1654.Changes in the structure and attributes of a fleet over time will break down the proportionality of catch per unit effort (cpue) and stock biomass. Moreover, logbook data from commercial fisheries are hierarchical and autocorrelated. Such features not only complicate the analysis of cpue data but also seriously limit the application of a generalized linear model approach, which nevertheless is applied commonly. We demonstrate a linear mixed model application for a large hierarchical dataset containing autocorrelated observations. In the analysis, the key idea is to explore the properties of the error term of the model. We modified the residual covariance matrix, allowing the introduction of assumed fisher behaviour, influencing the catch rate. Fisher behaviour consists of accumulated knowledge and learning processes from their earlier area- and time-specific catch rates. Also, we investigated the effects of vessel-specific parameters by introducing random intercepts and slopes in the model. A model with the autoregressive moving average residual covariance matrix structure was superior over the block-diagonal and autoregressive (AR1) structure for the data, having a time-dependent correlation among trawl hauls. The results address the benefits of statistically advanced methods in obtaining precise and unbiased estimates from cpue data, to be used further in stock assessment. Fisheries agencies are encouraged to monitor the relevant vessel and gear attributes, including engine power and gear size, and the deployment practices of the gear.
LAPAROSCOPIC HELLER'S CARDIOMYOTOMY FOR ACHALASIA CARDIA WITH AND WITHOUT DOR FUNDOPLICATION - OUR INITIAL EXPERIENCE.

BACKGROUND: Achalasia cardia is characterized by a peristalsis in the body of the esophagus coupled with inadequate relaxation of the lower esophageal sphincter, leading to the development of progressive dysphagia. Surgical treatment in the form of laparoscopic Heller's cardiomyotomy with the addition of partial fundoplication procedure like anterior Dor fundoplication is being preferred as the treatment of choice for this condition. METHODS: A retrospective case record analysis of the patients with achalasia cardia who underwent treatment in our department was performed. We found 22 cases from January 2008 to August 2013. All patients were preoperatively subjected to barium swallow examination, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and esophageal manometry. 21 patients had undergone surgical treatment and formed the study population while one patient underwent pneumatic dilatation. The patients were followed up to a maximum period of 14 months. RESULTS: There were 10 male and 11 female patients in our study with age range between 19 years and 75 years (mean 35.14±14.80). Dysphagia was the main presenting symptom (100%) followed by regurgitation of food, heartburn and chest pain. Seven patients (33.3%) had been subjected to laparoscopic Heller's myotomy while the rest (66.7%) underwent laparoscopic Heller's with anterior partial Dor fundoplication. There was one intraoperative small mucosal perforation which was repaired. Postoperatively all the patients had good relief from dysphagia. Two minor complications included development of gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and stickiness in the throat in one cases each. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic myotomy is effective choice for the treatment of achalasia cardia. The use of Dor fundoplication helps to reduce symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux. Standard workup preoperatively should include barium swallow fluoroscopic examination, UGI endoscopy and esophageal manometry. Use of intraoperative endoscopy does not significantly enhance the operative times.
Cold-Induced Ascites in Broilers: Effects of Vitamin C and Coenzyme Q10

We hypothesized that the supplementation of vitamin C (Vit. C) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) alone or in combination could reduce the negative effects of cold stress in broilers. Four hundred male chicks were exposed for 24 h to cold stress (15 oC) starting from 15d of age, while a positive control group (PC, 100 birds) was kept under normal temperature condition. The experimental groups under cold stress (four treatments in 5 replicates of 20 birds) were: negative control (NC, basal diet), Vit. C (basal diet + 300 mg/kg Vit. C), CoQ10 (basal diet + 40 mg/kg CoQ10) and Vit. C plus CoQ10 (basal diet + Vit. C+ CoQ10at above mentioned doses). Vit. C or CoQ10 supplementation were restored (p<0.01) performance and lowered (p<0.01) ascites mortality. Blood hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration were decreased (p<0.01) to the level comparable to PC by Vit. C supplementation. Lower plasma concentrations of thyroxin (T4) and higher triiodothyronine (T3) were observed in NC birds (p<0.01) and were not affected by Vit. C or CoQ10. In conclusion, supplementation of Vit. C or CoQ10 in diet of broilers under cold stress conditions resulted improved performance parameters (body weight and feed conversion ratio) and ascites related traits (low red blood cell count, hematocrit, T3, and heart weights and high T4). No additional benefit was observed by combination of Vit. C and CoQ10.
The Polyphenols as Potential Agents in Prevention and Therapy of Prostate Diseases

In recent years, the progress of science and medicine greatly has influenced human life span and health. However, lifestyle habits, like physical activity, smoking cessation, moderate alcohol consumption, diet, and maintaining a normal body weight represent measures that greatly reduce the risk of various diseases. The type of diet is very important for disease development. Numerous epidemiological clinical data confirm that longevity is linked to predominantly plant-based diets and it is related to a long life; whereas the western diet, rich in red meat and fats, increases the risk of oxidative stress and thus the risk of developing various diseases and pre-aging. This review is focused on the bioavailability of polyphenols and the use of polyphenols for the prevention of prostate diseases. Special focus in this paper is placed on the isoflavonoids and flavan-3-ols, subgroups of polyphenols, and their protective effects against the development of prostate diseases.
Molecular mechanisms of acclimation to long‐term elevated temperature exposure in marine symbioses

Seawater temperature rise in French Polynesia has repeatedly resulted in the bleaching of corals and giant clams. Because giant clams possess distinctive ectosymbiotic features, they represent a unique and powerful model for comparing molecular pathways involved in (a) maintenance of symbiosis and (b) acquisition of thermotolerance among coral reef organisms. Herein, we explored the physiological and transcriptomic responses of the clam hosts and their photosynthetically active symbionts over a 65 day experiment in which clams were exposed to either normal or environmentally relevant elevated seawater temperatures. Additionally, we used metabarcoding data coupled with in situ sampling/survey data to explore the relative importance of holobiont adaptation (i.e., a symbiont community shift) versus acclimation (i.e., physiological changes at the molecular level) in the clams’ responses to environmental change. We finally compared transcriptomic data to publicly available genomic datasets for Symbiodiniaceae dinoflagellates (both cultured and in hospite with the coral Pocillopora damicornis) to better tease apart the responses of both hosts and specific symbiont genotypes in this mutualistic association. Gene module preservation analysis revealed that the function of the symbionts’ photosystem II was impaired at high temperature, and this response was also found across all holobionts and Symbiodiniaceae lineages examined. Similarly, epigenetic modulation appeared to be a key response mechanism for symbionts in hospite with giant clams exposed to high temperatures, and such modulation was able to distinguish thermotolerant from thermosensitive Cladocopium goreaui ecotypes; epigenetic processes may, then, represent a promising research avenue for those interested in coral reef conservation in this era of changing global climate.
Comparative Analysis of the Mitochondrial Control Region in Orthoptera

Ling Zhao, Zhe-Min Zheng, Yuan Huang, Zhijun Zhou, and Li Wang (2011) Comparative analysis of the mitochondrial control region in Orthoptera. Zoological Studies 50(3): 385-393. The entire sequence of the mitochondrial (mt)DNA control region (CR) in 3 new grasshopper species, Euchorthippus fusigeniculatus, Mekongiana xiangchengensis and Mekongiella xizangensis, consisting of 875, 733 and 1063 bp, respectively, were determined and subjected to a comparative analysis with the mtDNA CRs of 25 other orthoptera species obtained from GenBank. In this study, we stressed the comparative analysis of the stem-loop secondary structure in the A+T-rich region of all orthoptera species available to date, and it showed that the stem-loop secondary structure can be classed into 3 different types. Furthermore, we also reported new findings which may facilitate further investigations of this secondary structure and a better understanding of it. Finally, using these sequences of the secondary structure, we reconstructed a phylogeny of the Caelifera as a vehicle to examine the phylogenetic usefulness of stem-loop secondary structure data in resolving relationships within the suborder. Our results showed that the short sequences of the stem-loop secondary structure provided good resolution at the intra-subfamily level within the Caelifera, whereas it poorly resolved familyand subfamily-level relationships. http://zoolstud.sinica. edu.tw/Journals/50.3/385.pdf
Knowledge and acceptance of influenza and pertussis vaccinations among pregnant women of low socioeconomic status in Turkey

ABSTRACT Pregnant women and infants are at relatively high risk for influenza- and pertussis-related morbidity and mortality. Vaccination is the most important prevention strategy for both diseases. We evaluated knowledge and acceptance of influenza and pertussis vaccinations among pregnant women. We performed a cross-sectional survey of 465 pregnant women receiving prenatal care at the obstetric outpatient clinic in a tertiary medical center in Turkey between November 2015 and May 2016. We used a questionnaire investigating the knowledge of pertussis and influenza to evaluate potential influences on the acceptance or rejection of pertussis or influenza vaccinations. The acceptance rates of pertussis and influenza vaccinations were 11.2% and 19.8%, respectively. Maternal age, education level, employment status, number of gestations, and gestational age did not affect the rate of acceptance of these vaccinations. On the other hand, pregnant women who had a history of vaccination during their adolescence and in previous pregnancies were significantly more likely to accept pertussis vaccination. Knowledge about the risks of pertussis and influenza diseases for pregnant women and their children has a significant effect on vaccination acceptance. Even in low socioeconomic status groups, a recommendation for vaccinations by the primary obstetrician was significantly predictive of acceptance of both pertussis and influenza vaccination. This study revealed that the acceptance rates of pertussis and influenza vaccination among pregnant women are very low in Turkey. Healthcare worker recommendations and increased awareness about pertussis and influenza morbidity and mortality in pregnant women and infants are essential to improve the rates of vaccination acceptance during pregnancy.
The instability of a liquid layer heated from the side when the upper surface is open to air

When a liquid layer is heated from the side, a monocellular flow develops immediately, no matter how small the temperature difference is. If the temperature gradient between the side walls is increased, this flow becomes unstable. Laser Doppler velocimetry measurements are reported here in an attempt to describe the main features of both the basic flow and the instability modes. It is found that before the appearance of traveling waves (the most dangerous mode as predicted by the theory), stable rolls with their axes perpendicular to the temperature gradient, span over the whole liquid layer, starting from the hot side, even if the aspect ratio (the length of the layer divided by its thickness) is very high. This unexpected situation modifies the basic flow. A further increase of the temperature gradient leads to the appearance of a time periodic motion.
Forest Through the Trees: Building Cross-Sections of Stock Returns

We show how to build a cross-section of asset returns, that is, a small set of basis or test assets that capture complex information contained in a given set of stock characteristics and span the Stochastic Discount Factor (SDF). We use decision trees to generalize the concept of conventional sorting and introduce a new approach to the robust recovery of the SDF, which endogenously yields optimal portfolio splits. These low-dimensional value-weighted long-only investment strategies are well diversified, easily interpretable, and reflect many characteristics at the same time. Empirically, we show that traditionally used cross-sections of portfolios and their combinations, especially deciles and long-short anomaly factors, present too low a hurdle for model evaluation and serve as the wrong building blocks for the SDF. Constructed from the same pricing signals as conventional double or triple sorts, our cross-sections have significantly higher (up to a factor of three) out-of-sample Sharpe ratios and pricing errors relative to the leading reduced-form asset pricing models.
Dissolution enhancement of gliclazide by preparation of inclusion complexes with β-cyclodextrin

Gliclazide is an oral hypoglycemic agent used in the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The drug is practically insoluble in water and exhibits an exceedingly slow intrinsic dissolution rate and poor bioavailability. The present study has emphasized on improving the solubility and dissolution rate of the drug by forming inclusion complex with β-cyclodextrin. Phase solubility studies indicated the formation of 1:2 M complex in solution. The value of apparent stability constant Kc was found to be 691.45 M–1. The inclusion complexes were prepared by physical mixture and kneading method. Prepared complexes were characterized by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies, which indicated formation of 1:2 M complex. The gliclazide:β-CD (1:2 M) complex prepared by kneading method exhibited higher dissolution rate and dissolution efficiency values in 0.1-N HCl. A 20.31-fold increase in dissolution rate and 16.50-fold increase in dissolution efficiency values were observed in the kneading method. Key words: β-cyclodextrin, gliclazide, kneading method, physical mixture
Are MENA and Pacific Basin Stock Equity Markets Predictable

This research uses variance ratio analysis to test whether Middle Eastern, North African (MENA) and Pacific Basin emerging equity markets follow a martingale behavior during the period1980-2004. The conventional Lo and MacKinlay variance ratio test, the multiple variance ratio test of Chow and Denning, rank- and sign-based test of Wright, and wild bootstrap of Kim are used for the monthly return series. The problem of thin trading was addressed using Miller, Muthuswamy, and Whaley’s adjusting procedure. Results have shown traces of a martingale behavior at high holding horizons. However, overall conclusions indicate that the null martingale hypothesis is strongly rejected for the whole sample and considered sub-periods at a 5% significance level. The pattern of the variance ratio estimates signify that the selected stock markets exhibit persistent mean-reverting and predictable behavior in their monthly adjusted returns series. The results expose the ineffectiveness of economic liberalization and privatization measures implemented in the early 1990s to improve their market efficiency. The Asian crisis did not affect the outcomes of the variance ratio analysis. Moreover, it sounds as if the perceptible development in terms of size and liquidity was not sufficient to exhibit a martingale behavior in these markets.