Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genetic Markers, Bone Mineral Density, and Serum Osteocalcin Levels

We evaluated five genetic markers for products that contribute to skeletal mineralization including the Sp1 polymorphism for type I collagen Ai (COLIA1), the vitamin D receptor (VDR) translation initiation site polymorphism, the promoter of the osteocalcin gene containing a C/T polymorphism, the estrogen receptor (ER) gene containing a TA repeat, and the polymorphic (AGC)n site in the androgen receptor. These markers were evaluated for their potential relationship with bone mineral density (BMD), measured by dual‐energy X‐ray densitometry, or its 3‐year change. Additionally, potential associations of these genotypes and with baseline osteocalcin concentration or its 3‐year change (assessed using radioimmunoassay) were evaluated. The study was conducted in 261 pre‐ and perimenopausal women of the Michigan Bone Health Study, a population‐based longitudinal study of musculoskeletal characteristics and diseases. The polymorphic (AGC)n site in the androgen receptor showed a strong association with BMD of the femoral neck (FN) and lumbar spine and remained highly significant after adjusting for body mass index (BMI), oophorectomy/hysterectomy, oral contraceptive (OC) use and hormone replacement use (p < 0.001). The TA repeat at the 5′ end of the ER gene was associated with total body calcium (p < 0.05) after adjusting for BMI, oophorectomy and hysterectomy, and OC use. The frequency of oophorectomy and hysterectomy within selected genotypes explained much of the statistically significant association of the ER genotypes with BMD of the FN and spine. There was no association of measures of BMD or bone turnover with the Sp1 polymorphism for COLIA1, the VDR translation initiation site polymorphism, or the C/T promoter polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene. These findings suggest that sex hormone genes may be important contributors to the variation in BMD among pre‐ and perimenopausal women.
Study of the Impact of Liver Transplantation on the Outcome of Intestinal Grafts in Children

Background. Successful small bowel transplantation remains a challenge due to the septic and immune content of the gut. The possible beneficial role of the liver was assessed in pediatric recipients of isolated intestinal and liver intestinal combined transplantation, receiving the same immunosuppressive therapy. Methods. Fifteen children who underwent small bowel transplantation (seven SbTx) or combined liver-small bowel transplantation (eight LSbTx) at a single center between 1994 and 1998 were retrospectively reviewed and compared with fifteen controls (eight normal and seven appendicitis as inflammatory control). Transplant and patient survival, acute rejection episodes were analyzed and compared. Epithelial apoptotic body counts (ABC) and NF-kB (p65), Caspase-3 and Bax intestinal immunostaining from days 0 to 20 after transplantation were assessed. Results. Graft and patient survivals at 5 years were respectively 75% and 75% in LSbTx; 43% and 57% in SbTx (NS). Histological analysis showed higher ABC in LSbTx intestinal mucosa (P=0.05 on day 5, P<0.01 thereafter). Immunostaining of biopsies on day 0 after reperfusion showed different expression of NF-kB, Caspase-3 and Bax on endothelial (P<0.05 for NF-kB and Bax), mononuclear (P<0.05 for Bax) and epithelial cells in LSbTx and SbTx. Conclusions. Our results suggest a protective role of the liver toward intestinal transplantation even in absence of significative difference, probably due to the small number of children. Early changes in NF-kB immunostaining in the biopsies sampled on day 0, pointed to a possible beneficial effect of the liver in the very early phase following transplantation, perhaps through the differential control of ischemia-reperfusion.
Demand Modeling, Forecasting, and Counterfactuals, Part I

There are relatively few systematic comparisons of the ex ante counterfactual predictions from structural models to what occurs ex post. This paper uses a large-scale policy change in Boston in 2014 to investigate the performance of discrete choice models of demand compared to simpler alternatives. In 2013, Boston Public Schools (BPS) proposed alternative zone configurations in their school choice plan, each of which alters the set of schools participants are allowed to rank. Pathak and Shi (2013) estimated discrete choice models of demand using families' historical choices and these demand models were used to forecast the outcomes under alternative plans. BPS, the school committee, and the public used these forecasts to compare alternatives and eventually adopt a new plan for Spring 2014. This paper updates the forecasts using the most recently available historical data on participants' submitted preferences and also makes forecasts based on an alternative statistical model not based a random utility foundation. We describe our analysis plan, the methodology, and the target forecast outcomes. Our ex ante forecasts eliminate any scope for post-analysis bias because they are made before new preferences are submitted. Part II will use newly submitted preference data to evaluate these forecasts and assess the strengths and limitations of discrete choice models of demand in our context.
Effects of dietary fermentable carbohydrates on energy metabolism in group-housed sows.

The effect of dietary nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) content on the metabolic rate in group-housed sows was studied. Twelve groups of six nonpregnant sows were each fed one of four experimental diets similar in composition except for the starch and NSP content. Exchanging sugar beet pulp silage (SBPS) for tapioca created the difference in starch and NSP ratio in the diet. On a DM basis, diets contained 0, 10, 20, or 30% SBPS. Sows were group-housed and fed at 1.30 times the assumed maintenance energy requirements. Nitrogen and energy balances were measured per group during a 7-d experimental period, which was preceded by a 33-d adaptation period. Both digestibility and metabolizability of energy decreased with increasing dietary SBPS content (P < 0.05). Heat production and energy retention were unaffected by the exchange of starch for NSP (P > 0.1). Based on energy retention data and apparent fecal digestibilities of crude protein, crude fat, starch, and NSP, the estimated net energy value of fermented NSP was 13.4 kJ/g. The present study shows that group-housed sows are capable of using energy from fermented NSP (i.e., NSP from SBPS) as efficiently as energy from digested starch (i.e., starch from tapioca).
Adult outcomes of child- and adolescent-onset schizophrenia: diagnostic stability and predictive validity.

OBJECTIVE The goal of the study was to establish the predictive validity of a diagnosis of schizophrenia in childhood and early adolescence by examining diagnostic continuity into adult life and comparing social and symptomatic outcomes of child- and adolescent-onset schizophrenia with those of nonschizophrenic psychoses. METHOD A total of 110 consecutive patients with first-episode child- or adolescent-onset psychosis (mean age at onset=14.2 years) presenting to the Maudsley Hospital in London between 1973 and 1991 were followed up an average of 11.5 years after first contact. Ninety-three (84.5%) of 110 patients were successfully followed-up, 51 with a first-episode diagnosis of DSM-III-R schizophrenia and 42 with nonschizophrenic psychoses. Consensus best-estimate DSM-III-R diagnoses were made at follow-up, and course and outcome were assessed blind to first-episode diagnosis. RESULTS Diagnostic stability was high for child- and adolescent-onset DSM-III-R schizophrenia (positive predictive value=80%) and affective psychoses (positive predictive value=83%) but much lower for schizoaffective and atypical psychoses. Compared with other psychoses, child- or adolescent-onset schizophrenia was associated with significantly worse symptomatic and social outcomes, which were characterized by a chronic illness course and severe impairments in social relationships and independent living. CONCLUSIONS The diagnosis of DSM-III-R schizophrenia in childhood and adolescence has good predictive validity. The high level of diagnostic stability suggests etiological continuity with adult schizophrenia, with onset in childhood and adolescence associated with a particularly malignant course and outcome.
Evaluation of changes in occupational performance among patients in a pain management program.

OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to evaluate changes in occupational performance among chronic pain patients after a pain management program and to explore relationships between these changes and demographic and clinical factors, psychosocial functioning and psychological well-being. SUBJECTS 188 consecutive patients were included. METHODS Changes were registered by using Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Multidimensional Pain Inventory and Psychological General Well-Being Index. RESULTS There were statistically significant positive changes in occupational performance. Patients with sickness compensation had significantly higher changes in occupational performance than those without sickness compensation. The patients with a profile group as interpersonally distressed had statistically significant higher change scores on occupational performance than the adaptive coper group. Furthermore, increases in changes on general activity level, general health, and vitality and decreases in pain severity were associated with positive changes on perceived occupational performance and performance satisfaction. CONCLUSION Changes in occupational performance, psychological well-being and psychosocial functioning seem all to be of relevance in the evaluation of pain management programs. Psychosocial profiles and sickness compensation has relevance for directions on changes in occupational performance, whereas other demographic and clinical factors do not.
Unexpected deaths and unplanned re-admissions in infants discharged home after cardiac surgery: a systematic review of potential risk factors

Abstract Background Babies with CHDs are a particularly vulnerable population with significant mortality in their 1st year. Although most deaths occur in the hospital within the early postoperative period, around one-fifth of postoperative deaths in the 1st year of life may occur after hospital discharge in infants who have undergone apparently successful cardiac surgery. Aim To systematically review the published literature and identify risk factors for adverse outcomes, specifically deaths and unplanned re-admissions, following hospital discharge after infant surgery for life-threatening CHDs. Methods A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Web of Knowledge, and PsycINFO electronic databases, supplemented by manual searching of conference abstracts. Results A total of 15 studies were eligible for inclusion. Almost exclusively, studies were conducted in single US centres and focussed on children with complex single ventricle diagnoses. A wide range of risk factors were evaluated, and those more frequently identified as having a significant association with higher mortality or unplanned re-admission risk were non-Caucasian ethnicity, lower socio-economic status, co-morbid conditions, age at surgery, operative complexity and procedure type, and post-operative feeding difficulties. Conclusions Studies investigating risk factors for adverse outcomes post-discharge following diverse congenital heart operations in infants are lacking. Further research is needed to systematically identify higher risk groups, and to develop interventions targeted at supporting the most vulnerable infants within an integrated primary and secondary care pathway.
Postdisaster psychosocial intervention: a field study of the impact of debriefing on psychological distress.

OBJECTIVE Following a catastrophic natural disaster, the authors evaluated whether brief psychological intervention (debriefing 6 months later) reduced disaster-related psychological distress as measured by the Impact of Event Scale. METHOD Two groups of subjects who had been exposed to Hurricane Iniki in Hawaii were assessed before and after participating in a multihour debriefing group. The intervention aimed to provide ventilation of feelings, normalization of responses, and education about normal psychological reactions to the disaster in a context of group support. To provide a partial control for the passage of time, the pretreatment assessment of the second group was concurrent with the posttreatment assessment of the first group. RESULTS A repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that Impact of Event Scale scores were reduced in both groups after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS There is preliminary empirical support for the effectiveness of postdisaster psychological intervention and for the feasibility of treatment research in postdisaster environments.
Soluble Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 and Soluble Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule 1 in Sudden Hearing Loss

Hypothesis: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 in patients affected by sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL). Study Design: Prospective study. Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Patients affected by SSHL were evaluated. Inclusion criteria for this study were hearing loss of more than 30 dB hearing level affecting at least 3 contiguous frequencies, normal hearing on the contralateral ear, negative history of hearing loss or ear surgery in the affected ear, and magnetic resonance with gadolinium negative for VIII cranial nerve pathologic findings. Intervention: Circulating levels of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) 1 were evaluated by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Main Outcome Measures: The levels of adhesion molecules in SSHL patients were compared with those of a control group. Results: Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 and VCAM-1 levels in sera of patients with SSHL were significantly higher than those of the matched control subjects (p < 0.001). Statistical analysis did not show significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of the known vascular risk factors such as total and fractionated cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate smoking, and diabetes. Conclusion: The results of this study show that in SSHL patients, there is an increased expression of circulating adhesion molecules confirming the existence of an endothelial dysfunction and supporting the vascular involvement in the pathogenesis of the disease. The identification of high levels of adhesion molecules and of the endothelial dysfunction open the way to selective pharmacologic treatments able to correct the activation of endothelial cells.
A Systematic Review of the Impact of Healthcare Reforms on Access to Emergency Department and Elective Surgery Services

This systematic review sought to identify whether health care reforms led to improvement in the emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) and elective surgery (ES) access in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. The review was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42015016343), and nine databases were searched for peer-reviewed, English-language reports published between 1994 and 2014. We also searched relevant “grey” literature and websites. Included studies were checked for cited and citing papers. Primary studies corresponding to national and provincial ED and ES reforms in the four countries were considered. Only studies from Australia and the United Kingdom were eventually included, as no studies from the other two countries met the inclusion criteria. The reviewers involved in the study extracted the data independently using standardized forms. Studies were assessed for quality, and a narrative synthesis approach was taken to analyze the extracted data. The introduction of health care reforms in the form of time-based ED and ES targets led to improvement in ED LOS and ES access. However, the introduction of targets resulted in unintended consequences, such as increased pressure on clinicians and, in certain instances, manipulation of performance data.
Performance Study of Large-Scale Video Streaming Services in Highly Heterogeneous Environment

To support large-scale Video-on-Demand (VoD) services in a heterogeneous network environment, either a replication or layering approach can be deployed to adapt the client bandwidth requirements. With the aid of the broadcasting and caching techniques, it has been proved that the overall performance of the system can be enhanced. In this paper, we explore the impact on the broadcasting schemes coupled with proxy caching and develop an analytical model to evaluate the system performance in a highly heterogeneous network environment. We develop guidelines for resources allocation, transmission strategies as well as caching schemes under different system configurations. The model can assist system designers to study various design options as well as perform system dimensioning. Moreover, a systematic comparison between replication and layering is performed. From the results, it can be seen that the system performance of layering is better than that of replication when the environment is highly heterogeneous even if the layering overhead is higher than 25%. In addition, it is found that the system blocking probability can be further reduced by exploring the broadcast capability of the network if the proxy server cannot store all the popular videos.
Entropy in Investigation of Vasovagal Syndrome in Passive Head Up Tilt Test

This paper presents an application of Approximate Entropy (ApEn) and Sample Entropy (SampEn) in the analysis of heart rhythm, blood pressure and stroke volume for the diagnosis of vasovagal syndrome. The analyzed biosignals were recorded during positive passive tilt tests—HUTT(+). Signal changes and their entropy were compared in three main phases of the test: supine position, tilt, and pre-syncope, with special focus on the latter, which was analyzed in a sliding window of each signal. In some cases, ApEn and SampEn were equally useful for the assessment of signal complexity (p < 0.05 in corresponding calculations). The complexity of the signals was found to decrease in the pre-syncope phase (SampEn (RRI): 1.20–0.34, SampEn (sBP): 1.29–0.57, SampEn (dBP): 1.19–0.48, SampEn (SV): 1.62–0.91). The pattern of the SampEn (SV) decrease differs from the pattern of the SampEn (sBP), SampEn (dBP) and SampEn (RRI) decrease. For all signals, the lowest entropy values in the pre-syncope phase were observed at the moment when loss of consciousness occurred.
Adverse cutaneous drug reactions: A one year survey at a dermatology outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital

11.50 drug reactions in this study such cutaneous reactions are common, comprehensive information about their incidence, severity and ultimate health effects are often not available. Data regarding the safety profile of a drug prior to marketing is essentially based on preclinical and clinical studies and the later involve only a limited number of subjects. However, when drugs are marketed and used extensively, new adverse events are unearthed. This in fact re­ emphasizes the utility of an efficient pharmacovigilance system that could generate valuable data for health care deliverers and their beneficiaries. The incidence of ACDR in developed countries range from 1-3% among in patients 2] whereas in developing countries like India some studies peg it to 2-5% of the inpatients, but there is lack of comprehensive data amongst out patients. Inadequacy of data could be attributed to reasons like, diagnostic dilemmas and lack of awareness to report. Therefore the objectives of the present study were: Assess the incidence of ACDR amongst out patients attending the Dermatology department. Assess causality and identify the offending drugs. Identify any potential risk factors. The study was a prospective, observational study carried out in the Dermatology OPD of N.R. S. Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, India with approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee. All patients who attended the Dermatology OPD of the hospital from 1st May 2002 to the 30th April 2003 were screened. Suspected cases of ACDR were independently assessed by two Dermatology consultants of the department and subsequently causality assessment was done by a Pharmacologist using WHO guidelines. Only those cases 1.
Validation of the NARCOMS Registry: fatigue assessment

Participants in the North American Research Committee on Multiple Sclerosis (NARCOMS) Registry report disability using Performance Scales (PS), which assess eight domains. We aimed to validate the PS fatigue subscale (PSF) using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS) as external criteria. We measured correlations between the PSF and age, disease duration and PS subscales to assess construct validity. The PSF correlated strongly with the MFIS (r=0.72, p<0.0001) and FSS (r=0.75, p<0.0001). Correlations between the PSF and age, disease duration were low, indicating divergent validity. Correlations between the PSF and spasticity, sensory and mobility PS scales were moderate, indicating convergent validity. The PSF has adequate criterion and construct validity in MS.
Understanding advances in the simulation of intraseasonal variability in the ECMWF model. Part II: The application of process‐based diagnostics

In Part I of this study it was shown that moving from a moisture‐convergent‐ to a relative‐humidity‐dependent organized entrainment rate in the formulation for deep convection was responsible for significant advances in the simulation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) in the ECMWF model. However, the application of traditional MJO diagnostics were not adequate to understand why changing the control on convection had such a pronounced impact on the representation of the MJO.
Tetraethylammonium transport in renal brush border membrane vesicles of the rabbit.

The mechanisms involved in the transport of tetraethylammonium (TEA) in the rabbit renal brush border were investigated by using membrane vesicles. Transport of [14C]TEA (0.2 mM) was measured by a rapid filtration method. We have reported previously that an imposed pH gradient (pHi = 6, pHo = 7.4) stimulates the uptake of TEA markedly, yielding a transient overshoot of 200% above the equilibrium value. Here we demonstrate that an overshoot of similar magnitude can also be obtained in the presence of indirectly induced proton gradients, via the naturally occurring Na+/H+ exchanger or via the artificial K+/H+ exchanger nigericin. The TEA exchange mechanism is shown to be electroneutral, temperature-dependent and saturable [Km, 0.328 (CL for P less than .05: 0.250-0.425) mM; Vmax, 2.13 (CL for P less than .05: 1.98-2.32) nmole/mg of protein X 15 sec]. Other organic cations interact with this exchange mechanism: mepiperphenidol and morphine both cis-inhibited and trans-stimulated TEA uptake. Quinine, which was the most potent inhibitor of TEA uptake (57% inhibition at 10(-5) M), did not trans-stimulate. The mechanism appears to be specific for organic cations inasmuch as the organic anion p-aminohippurate did not cis-inhibit or trans-stimulate TEA uptake. These results demonstrate the presence of a H+/TEA exchange mechanism in the rabbit renal brush border membrane showing many similarities with that shown to be present in the rat.
Feasibility study of Si and SiC MOSFETs in high-gain DC/DC converter for renewable energy applications

This paper presents an evaluative comparison of Si- and SiC-based MOSFETs, operating in a qZS-derived step-up DC/DC converter. Special attention is paid to switching behaviour and power dissipation. A range of experiments was performed to determine an optimal di/dt value during transients to minimise overvoltages and dynamic losses. Additionally, some particular properties such as gate driver requirements, housing types and price are discussed.