Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgical Feeding Tubes in Pediatric and Adolescent Cancer Patients: A Single-institution Retrospective Review

The purpose of our study was to evaluate surgical enteric access in pediatric cancer patients to determine factors associated with postoperative complications. We performed a single-institution retrospective review of all patients below 21 years old with a primary cancer diagnosis who underwent surgical procedures for enteral access between 2004 and 2014. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine independent predictors of postoperative complications. During the study period, 122 patients had surgically placed feeding tubes, of whom 58% developed ≥1 complication(s) and 16% experienced a major complication. No single factor was significantly associated with developing any complication or major complication. Several trends were noted including increased complications associated with jejunostomy tubes, percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes, and abdominal radiation. Surgically placed enteric access in pediatric and adolescent cancer patients is associated with an extremely high complication rate emphasizing the importance of careful evaluation of these patients before embarking on surgical feeding access. Future work should evaluate mechanisms to decrease complications and/or explore alternative methods to provide supplemental nutrition in children and adolescents with cancer.
Characterisation of dietary fibre in cereal grains and products

Utility of cereals is mainly defined by their composition. High content of extractable dietary fibre (DF) with retained molecular features may be desired for human consumption to derive certain benefits associated with DF. In contrast, low amount of extractable DF with degraded molecules will give higher feed value to cereals intended for animal feed. This thesis investigated the composition of DF in cereals, particularly triticale and rye products. Processing effects on extractable DF components, e.g. arabinoxylan (AX), β-glucan and fructan, were also examined. The structure of AX and β-glucan in triticale, barley and tritordium and the rheology of triticale extracts as influenced by content and extractability, molecular size and structure of AX were analysed. DF in triticale spanned a relatively narrow range (13-16%), with significant cultivar and location effects. Unfavourable growing conditions resulted in significantly lower molecular weights of AX, β-glucan and fructan in triticale. On the whole, triticale DF profile was more similar to wheat than rye. Among rye products, porridge had the highest DF content (23%) with retained molecular weight, followed by crisp breads (17.8%) and soft breads (12.6%). AX appeared to be more stable during processing, while β-glucan was more labile to endogenous enzymes. Substitution pattern of AX fragments released after enzymatic hydrolysis demonstrated less branching in triticale grown under unfavourable weather conditions. The molar proportion of cellotriosyl units of barley β-glucan had a strong positive correlation with the total content. Viscoelastic properties of triticale extracts varied between locations and cultivars. β-Glucan appeared to make a negligible contribution to triticale extract rheology, which was mainly influenced by structural features of AX rather than extractable content or molecular size. The knowledge presented here will be useful for consumers of rye products when assessing processing-generated changes in DF content and composition. The cereal industry will be able to redefine processing parameters and DF labelling based on new facts. Broad variation in DF chemistry of triticale will provide more options for farmers and feed manufacturers to select cultivars best suited for animal feed formulation.
Characterisation and Sequence Analysis of a Carbamate Kinase Gene from the Diplomonad Hexamita inflata1

Abstract Hexamita inflata can derive energy from the degradation of arginine via the arginine dihydrolase pathway. Carbamate kinase catalyses the third enzymatic step of the pathway synthesising ATP from the catabolism of carbamyl phosphate. This study reports the identification and characterisation of a carbamate kinase gene from this free-living diplomonad, together with measurements of carbamate kinase enzyme activity in cell-free extracts and a preliminary analysis of the carbamate kinase mRNA by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of the carbamate kinase gene revealed the use of non-canonical codons for glutamine. Phylogenetic studies showed a consistent close relationship between carbamate kinase sequences of H. inflata and Giardia intestinalis.
A longitudinal study of bronchitic symptoms and spirometry in a middle-aged, male, industrial population.

A middle-aged, male, industrial population consisting of 1,263 persons was surveyed in 1961 and again in 1968 for respiratory symptoms and spirometric abnormalities. The second survey carried out after 7 years enabled an examination of several questions beyond the power of a single survey at one point in time, such as those relating to (a) the reversibility of persistent respiratory symptoms; (b) rate of emergence of new symptoms or new disease; (c) the change of spirometric indices of obstruction with time, and (d) the relationship to smoking of symptom changes and spirometric changes with time. Contrary to prediction, the common respiratory symptoms (persistent cough, expectoration, dyspnea, wheeze, and their combinations) were less prevalent in 1968 than in 1961, a phenomenon wholly explained by the impressive decrease in smoking prevalence from 52 per cent in 1961 to 35 per cent in 1968. Emergence of new bronchitic symptoms during the study period was much less in nonsmokers than in continued smokers,.
Investigating the design process: participatory design in agile software development

– This paper aims to explore a case of customer and user participation in an agile software development project, which produced a tailor‐made information system for workplace support as a step towards a theory of participatory design in agile software development. , – Based on an integrated framework for user participation derived from the participatory design literature the research was performed as a case study and semi‐structured, open‐ended interviews were conducted with about a third of the development team and with a representative sample of key players and future users in the customer organization. The interview data were supplemented with company and project documents. , – The paper found genuine customer and user participation carried out by onsite customers and by other operational staff in the form of direct and indirect participation and with functional and democratic empowerment. The onsite customers played informative, consultative and participative roles. The analysis revealed that planning games, user stories and story cards, working software and acceptance tests structured the customer and user participation. This form of user participation supported a balance between flexibility and project progress and resulted in a project and a product which were considered a success by the customer and the development organization. The analysis showed that the integrative framework for user participation can also fruitfully be used in a new context to understand what participatory design is and how, when and where it can be performed as an instance of a design process in agile development. As such the paper contributes to an analytical and a design theory of participatory design in agile development. Furthermore the paper explicates why participatory design contributes to the successful completion of the investigated project. By drawing on innovation theory it was found that participatory design in agile development bears the characteristics of a successful organizational innovation. Grounding further explanations in complex adaptive systems theory the paper provides an additional argument why participatory design despite some identified challenges fosters project staff to successfully carry out the agile development project. , – The paper presents an exploratory, empirical study of an understudied phenomenon and contributes to theory building.
[Selection of artificial teeth].

Anterior teeth are primarily selected to satisfy esthetic requirements, so the dentist's professional obligation is to give the patient adequate information, guidance, and opportunity to choose their teeth. Anterior teeth selection is the area of prosthodontic care in which the patient should be given a primary responsibility to determine the esthetic outcome. Records of shade, size, and form of teeth could be obtained from preextraction records which include Preserved extracted teeth. 1Previous diagnostic casts with natural teeth. 2Pre-extraction radiograph. 3Pre-extraction photograph. 4Observation of teeth of close relatives. 5The old denture might help in teeth selection by ask the patient, it (like 6or dislike) the teeth then and decide change or not.
Evaluation of the DIAGNOdent method for detection and quantification of carious lesions : In vitro and in vivo studies

6 List of Papers 8 Introduction 9 Primary occlusal caries and conventional detection methods 11 Secondary caries and conventional detection methods 13 Requirements of an ideal diagnostic method 14 New methods for caries detection 15 Aims 22 General aim 22 Specific aims 22 Material and Methods 23 Teeth 23 Equipment 25 Measurement with DIAGNOdent (Papers I, II, III, IV) 25 Measurement with ECM (Paper I) 27 Radiographic examination (Papers II, III) 27 Visual examination (Papers II, III, IV) 28 Validation 29 Statistical analyses 30 Results 33 Reliability and Agreement 33 Validity 34 Discussion 36 Reliability and Agreement 37 Validity 38 Future applications 45 Conclusions 46 Acknowledgements 47 References 49 Evaluation of the DIAGNOdent method for detection and quantification of carious lesions in vitro and in vivo studies 6 Abstract The sites most susceptible to dental caries are the occlusal surfaces and the margins of existing restorations. These are also the sites at which lesion detection by conventional methods is most unsatisfactory. There is a need in general dental practice for simple efficient methods of detecting and recording quantitative data about the presence and severity of caries at the most susceptible sites and monitoring lesion response to intervention. Aim The aim of the present thesis was to evaluate a new laser fluorescence-based device, DIAGNOdent, for detection and quantification of carious lesions on occlusal surfaces and around the margins of restorations under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Methods Part I: DIAGNOdent and occlusal caries (papers I and IV) The performance of the DIAGNOdent instrument was compared with the Electronic Caries Monitor (ECM), a method based on electrical conductance measurement, for in vitro detection and quantification of occlusal caries. In paper IV, DIAGNOdent readings on teeth scheduled for extraction were recorded before and after extraction, and during storage of the extracted teeth for three months. Lesion depth was determined by histopathological analysis in both papers. Part II: DIAGNOdent and secondary caries (papers II and III) Restored teeth were measured with DIAGNOdent along the margin of the restoration, under laboratory and clinical conditions. The restorations were then removed and visual-tactile examination was conducted by two observers. For the in vitro study, the teeth were hemisectioned and examined under a microscope.
The Demand for Tax Return Preparation Services

The authors analyze taxpayer choices of return preparation services. They distinguish between two types of nonpaid preparers, six types of paid third parties, and self-preparation. Among other things, the authors find significant differences in the factors that explain the demand for paid third parties who are and are not able to represent clients before the IRS. Among these factors are increases in IRS audit rates and the frequency of IRS penalties. Coauthors are Michael J. Graetz, Michael A. Udell, and Louis L. Wilde. Copyright 1992 by MIT Press.
Skin prick test and basophil reactivity to cetuximab in patients with IgE to alpha‐gal and allergy to red meat

Severe hypersensitivity reactions to red meat with delay of several hours in patients with IgE to alpha‐gal (galactose‐alpha‐1,3‐galactose) have been reported. The diagnosis of meat allergy is difficult, because of the limited sensitivity of skin prick tests and specific IgE tests to meat extracts. These circumstances have been explained by the delayed expression of alpha‐gal due to digestive processes. Because of the low sensitivity of skin prick tests to meat, we studied the possibility to perform skin prick tests with cetuximab, which carries the alpha‐gal epitope. Skin prick and intradermal tests with cetuximab were clearly positive in 2 of 2 patients. As a further diagnostic step, we performed basophil activation tests with cetuximab. Skin prick tests and basophil activation test using cetuximab may be a more sensitive alternative in patients with an assumed allergy to meat.
Green Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Aspergillus niger and Its Efficacy Against Human Pathogens

Antibiotic resistance is one of the world’s most pressing public healthcare problems. People who become infected with drug-resistant microorganisms usually spend more time in the hospital and require a form of treatment that uses two or three different antibiotics and is less effective, more toxic, and more expensive. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are attractive option because they are non-toxic to the human body at low concentrations and have broadspectrum antibacterial actions. The biosynthesis of nanoparticles has received increasing attention due to the growing need to develop safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies for nano-materials synthesis. In this report, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using a reduction of aqueous Ag+ ion with the culture supernatants of Aspergillus niger. The reaction occurred at ambient temperature and in a few hours. The bioreduction of AgNPs was monitored by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, and the AgNPs obtained were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The synthesized AgNPs were polydispersed spherical particles ranging in size from 1 to 20 nm and stabilized in the solution. Furthermore, the antimicrobial potential of AgNPs was systematically evaluated. The synthesized AgNPs could efficiently inhibit various pathogenic organisms, including bacteria and fungi. The current research opens a new avenue for the green synthesis of nano-materials and AgNPs have the potential to serve as an alternative to antibiotics and to control microbial infections such as those caused by multidrug- resistant pathogens.
Using Patient-reported Outcomes (PROs) to Compare the Providers of Surgery: Does the Choice of Measure Matter?

Background:Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are being used to compare health care providers with little knowledge of how the choice of measure affects such comparisons. Objectives:To assess how much difference the choice of PRO makes to a provider’s adjusted outcome and whether the choice affects a provider’s rating. Research Design:PROs collected in England from patients undergoing: hip replacement (243 providers; 52,692 patients); knee replacement (244; 60,118); varicose vein surgery (100; 11,163); and groin hernia repair (201; 31,714). Four case-mix–adjusted outcomes (mean postoperative disease-specific and generic PRO; proportion achieving a minimally important difference in disease-specific PRO; proportion reporting improvement on single transitional item). We calculated the associations between measures and for each measure, the proportion of providers rated as statistically above or below average and the level of agreement in ratings. Results:For major surgery, disease-specific PROs were strongly correlated with the generic PRO (hip 0.90; knee 0.88), they rated high proportions of providers as above or below average (hip 25.1%; knee 19.3%) and there was agreement in ratings with the generic PRO. Even so, for a large proportion of providers (hip 30%; knee 16%) their rating depended on the choice of measure. For minor surgery, correlations between measures were mostly weak. The single transitional item identified the most outliers (varicose vein 20%, hernia 10%). Conclusions:Choice of outcome measure can determine a provider’s rating. Measure selection depends on whether the priority is to avoid missing “poor” providers or avoid mislabeling average providers as “poor. ”
Changes in serum antioxidant concentrations during infection with caprine lentivirus.

We are currently using caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) infection in goats as a model to understand changes in some clinical parameters and host response to infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The objective of this study was to measure changes in serum antioxidant activities in various age groups of goats infected with CAEV. Serum from CAEV-infected goats had significantly higher catalase activity (105.47 +/- 5.96 kU/l) than serum from healthy control goats (79.92 +/- 17.06 kU/l). Moreover, serum catalase activity increased with increase in the time after infection with CAEV. No change was observed in total superoxide dismutase (SOD) or glutathione peroxidase activity although CuZn SOD levels were elevated in infected goats. There was a positive correlation between serum catalase activity and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity (r = 0.70, p < 0.05). In order to investigate cell membrane integrity, we determined lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in infected goats. Although there was a transient increase in LDH no correlation was observed between increased serum catalase activity and LDH activity (r = 0.16, p > 0.05). We have earlier observed decreased oxyradical production in CAEV infected goats. This observed increase in serum catalase, a scavenger of endogenous free radicals such as H2O2 may be partly responsible for the observed decrease in oxygen radicals found in vivo.
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia with nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutation

Nucleophosmin (NPM1) mutations in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML) are extremely uncommon, and the clinicopathologic features of these neoplasms are poorly characterized. Over a 10‐yr interval, NPM1 mutation analysis was performed in 152 CMML at our institution. NPM1 mutations were identified in 8 (5.3%) patients, five men and three women, with a median age of 72 yr (range, 27–87). In all patients, the bone marrow was hypercellular with multilineage dysplasia, monocytosis, and retained maturation supporting a diagnosis of CMML. NPM1 mutation allele burden was <5% in two patients and >10% in six patients. Four (50%) patients, all with >10% NPM1, progressed AML with a median interval of 11 months (range, 1–21). Compared with 144 CMML without NPM1 mutations, CMML patients with NPM1 mutation presented with more severe anemia (P = 0.053), higher BM monocyte percentage (P = 0.033), and an increased tendency for AML progression (P = 0.088) and an inferior overall survival (P = 0.076). Mutations involving NRAS/KRAS (2/7), TET2(2/5), ASXL1(1/5,) and FLT3(0/8) were not significantly different between these two groups. In summary, CMML with NPM1 mutation shows histopathological features of CMML, but patients appear to have a high probability for AML progression and may require aggressive clinical intervention, especially in patients with a high mutation burden.
Preliminary Study on the Carcinogenic Activity of the Fungicide Manganese Ethylenebisdithiocarbamate in the Adult Newt, Triturus Cristatus Carnifex

Percutaneous exposure of adult newts to the fungicide manganese ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (maneb) at 3 concentration levels (0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 ppm) for a total of 19-23 weeks did not result in the induction of any neoplasms.
Variation of purchasing's involvement: case studies of supplier collaborations in new product development

Firms are increasingly involving suppliers in new product development (NPD) and one reason for this is to access technological knowledge. Previous research argues that purchasing fulfils an important role in involving the suppliers in NPD. However, purchasing's role under technological uncertainty has not been investigated in detail. The purpose of this paper is to explore purchasing's role in technology selection, supplier selection and level of participation in NPD projects involving suppliers. Three NPD projects at one large high-tech firm are studied. The results show that purchasing has limited influence in the technology selection process, but fulfils an important role in the selection of the supplier and has a role as a trouble-shooter throughout the collaborative NPD projects. Purchasing does not necessarily need to be involved in solving daily, routine problems, but serves as a trouble-shooter to solve problems related to the supplier's strategy, the relationship with the supplier, and commitment issues.
Branching out: Origins of the sea urchin larval skeleton in development and evolution

It is a challenge to understand how the information encoded in DNA is used to build a three‐dimensional structure. To explore how this works the assembly of a relatively simple skeleton has been examined at multiple control levels. The skeleton of the sea urchin embryo consists of a number of calcite rods produced by 64 skeletogenic cells. The ectoderm supplies spatial cues for patterning, essentially telling the skeletogenic cells where to position themselves and providing the factors for skeletal growth. Here, we describe the information known about how this works. First the ectoderm must be patterned so that the signaling cues are released from precise positions. The skeletogenic cells respond by initiating skeletogenesis immediately beneath two regions (one on the right and the other on the left side). Growth of the skeletal rods requires additional signaling from defined ectodermal locations, and the skeletogenic cells respond to produce a membrane‐bound template in which the calcite crystal grows. Important in this process are three signals, fibroblast growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and Wnt5. Each is necessary for explicit tasks in skeleton production. genesis 52:173–185. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of patients with atrial fibrillation in general practice: a study of screening methods

Atrial fibrillation is common, affecting around 5% of people over 65. 1 2Widespread use of anticoagulants in these patients could greatly reduce the incidence of stroke,3 but many patients are untreated. 2 4Although most people with atrial fibrillation are already recorded as having the condition,4 they may not be easily identifiable from medical records, and this may partly explain the underuse of anticoagulants. As part of a population survey of elderly people we examined two methods for detecting people with atrial fibrillation or flutter: identification of patients currently taking digoxin, and pulse palpation by a trained nurse. Ethical approval was granted by the Northumberland Local Research Ethics Committee. We invited an age and sex stratified sample of 1235 subjects aged 65 years and over, registered with nine contiguous general practices in southern Northumberland, for a screening limb lead electrocardiogram. Subjects were …