Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calcium intake and colorectal adenoma in a US colorectal cancer early detection program 1 – 3

Background: Calcium can reduce the risk of colorectal tumors by binding secondary bile and fatty acids, which leads to antiproliferative effects in the bowel, or by acting directly on the colonic epithelium, which affects differentiation and apoptosis. Objective: We investigated calcium intake and risk of colon adenoma to evaluate the association of calcium intake with early stages of colorectal tumor development. Design: We compared the supplemental and dietary calcium intakes of 3696 participants with histologically verified adenoma of the distal colon (ie, descending colon, sigmoid colon, or rectum) with the calcium intakes of 34 817 sigmoidoscopy-negative control participants in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial. Calcium intake was assessed at study entry with a 137-item food-frequency questionnaire and additional questions on the amount and duration of calcium supplement use. Results: After adjustment for known risk factors, adenoma risk was lower by 12% for participants in the highest quintile of total calcium intake ( 1767 mg/d) than for participants in the lowest quintile ( 731 mg/d) (odds ratio: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.76, 1.02; P for trend 0.04). The protective association between total calcium and colorectal adenoma was largely due to calcium supplement use, with a 27% decrease in adenoma risk for participants taking 1200 mg/d than for nonusers of supplements (odds ratio: 0.73; 95% CI: 0.56, 0.91; P for trend 0.005). The protective associations of total and supplemental calcium were strongest for colon adenoma (descending and sigmoid colon). Conclusion: High calcium intake, particularly from supplements, is associated with a reduced risk of distal colorectal adenoma. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80:1358–65.
Suppression of Story Character Goals During Reading

The objective of this study was to determine how readers process narrative texts when the main character has multiple, and changing, goals. Readers must keep track of such goals to understand the causal relations between text events, an important process for comprehension. The structure building framework theory of reading proposes that readers maintain the most relevant goal in focus using the mechanism of suppression. The results of this study confirm that readers maintain the activation of goal information that is rementioned in a text and suppress previous goal information when a new goal is introduced. Thus, in an attempt to understand the causal relations between events in a text, readers keep track of multiple story character goals by using suppression.
EMI-reduction coding based on 8b/10b

The broadband high speed digital signals may affect nearby wireless communication devices and cause significant electromagnetic interference (EMI) problem. Common solutions, such as shielding or layout improvement, usually focus on the coupling path control. This paper presents a new coding method compatible with 8b/10b to reduce EMI at the source. The coding uses the control-symbol K29.7 in 8b/10b to achieve spectrum suppression at specific target frequency. One or two K29.7s may be added into the data stream for every 4 to 10 data-symbols. The arrangement that has the smallest Fourier transform amplitude is selected as the final output signal. At the receiver end, these redundant K29.7s are simply discarded. The normal data transmission is not affected except throughput reduction. The only requirement of this coding scheme is that one specific control-symbol must be reserved for EMI reduction purpose, but not for other control function. It is found experimentally that the amplitude spectrum of a 5-Gbps 8b/10b source may be suppressed at 2.437 GHz by 7 to 12 dB, depending on the specific coding detail, which verifies the effectiveness of the proposed coding method.
Environmental impacts from PET packaging waste management using Life Cycle Assessment: A case study in China

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was induced to examine the environmental impacts in the life cycle of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) package of milk, and to compare the environmental impacts from different treatments in China in this article. The data of the mass and energy fluxes and the environmental emissions were obtained from sites investigation and literatures. It showed that the environmental impacts from raw materials supply period was the highest, over 79% of total environmental impacts in its life cycle except waste management. The environmental impacts mainly came from Fossil Fuels and Respiratory Inorganics. In the comparison of landfill, incineration and recycling of PET package, the environmental impact in landfill treatment was the highest, and then was incineration and recycle which were beneficial effects on environment. Incineration can avoid environmental impact of Respiratory Inorganics category and recycling can avoid Fossil Fuels category more significantly. Compared to the environmental impacts before PET package come into waste management, landfill could append 3.5% additional environmental impacts and incineration could reduce 22.2%. In contrast, recycling could reduce 61.7% of environmental impacts more significantly. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the results. LCA methodology was very suitable for evaluating the overall environmental consequences, and could be used for decision support and strategic planning in China where pollution control has become increasingly important with the rapid increase of waste generation as well as the increasing public awareness of environmental protection.
Combination Therapy with Zidovudine and Dideoxycytidine in Patients with Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the safety and immunologic and antiviral effects of combination therapy with zidovudine and dideoxycytidine (ddC) in patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV) infection. DESIGN A phase I/II open-label, dose-ranging study. SETTING Two AIDS Clinical Trials Group units. PATIENTS Patients (56) with advanced HIV disease. INTERVENTIONS Patients were randomly assigned to one of three paired regimens of zidovudine and ddC. We evaluated six dosing regimens, each involving oral administration of the study drugs at 8-hour intervals. MEASUREMENTS Pharmacokinetics, toxicity, CD4 counts, p24 antigenemia and clinical end points. MAIN RESULTS The median follow-up period was 40.6 weeks (range, 0.3 to 70 weeks). Neither drug affected the pharmacokinetic profile of the other. Episodes of serious hematologic toxicity were infrequent, occurring in only 17.9% of patients, and did not differ among the regimens (P = 0.15). Severe sensory peripheral neuropathy occurred in two patients (one patient each in regimens 1 and 4). One patient receiving regimen 4 died. The mean maximal increase in CD4 counts exceeded 109 cells/mm3, and 69% of patients receiving combinations containing 300 or 600 mg of zidovudine daily had an increase in CD4 counts of 50 cells/mm3 or greater. Regimens containing 600 mg of zidovudine daily (regimens 2 and 5) were also more likely to result in persistent increases in CD4 counts above pretreatment values than were the two lowest dose regimens (P = 0.003). The decline in CD4 counts was more rapid, and the suppression of the p24 antigenemia was less rapid and less sustained in patients receiving the lowest zidovudine dose alone (regimen 6). The addition of ddC to regimen 6 (regimen 3) resulted in a slower decline in the CD4 counts (P = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy with zidovudine and ddC at the doses tested was well tolerated and did not result in toxicity. A daily oral dose of 150 mg of zidovudine appeared to produce a suboptimal effect on p24 antigenemia and CD4 counts. Combination therapy with ddC and higher doses of zidovudine produced greater and more persistent effects in patients with advanced HIV infection compared with other study regimens and with the results of previous trials of zidovudine monotherapy.
Competing Species : Integrability and Stability PGL

We examine the classical model of two competing species for integrability in terms of analytic functions by means of the Painlevé analysis. We find that the governing equations are integrable for certain values of the essential parameters of the system. We find that, for all integrable cases with the nontrivial equilibrium point in the physically acceptable region, the nontrivial equilibrium point is stable.
Molecular genotyping of Acinetobacter spp. isolated in Arizona, USA, using multilocus PCR and mass spectrometry.

Acinetobacter spp. are a diverse group of Gram-negative bacteria frequently implicated in nosocomial infections. Genotypic methods have been instrumental in studying Acinetobacter, but few offer high resolution, rapid turnaround time, technical ease and high inter-laboratory reproducibility, which has hampered understanding of disease incidence, transmission patterns and diversity within this genus. Here, we further evaluated multilocus PCR electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS), a method that is simple and robust, and provides both species characterization and strain-level resolution of Acinetobacter spp. on a single platform. We examined 125 Acinetobacter isolates from 21 hospitals, laboratories and medical centres spanning four counties in Arizona, USA, using PCR/ESI-MS. We compared PCR/ESI-MS with an in-house amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) genotyping scheme. PCR/ESI-MS demonstrated that Acinetobacter spp. from Arizonan hospitals had similar species and strain distributions to other US civilian hospitals. Furthermore, we showed that the PCR/ESI-MS and AFLP genotypes were highly congruent, with the former having the advantages of robust inter-laboratory reproducibility, rapid turnaround time and simple experimental set-up and data analysis. PCR/ESI-MS is an effective and high-throughput platform for strain typing of Acinetobacter baumannii and for identification of other Acinetobacter spp. , including the emerging nosocomial pathogens Acinetobacter pittii and Acinetobacter nosocomialis.
Neurometabolic and microstructural alterations following a sports-related concussion in female athletes

Abstract Background: Sports-related concussions are a major public health concern affecting millions of individuals annually. Neurometabolic and microstructural alterations have been reported in the chronic phase following a concussion in male athletes, while no study has investigated these alterations in female athletes. Methods: Neurometabolic and microstructural alterations following a concussion were investigated by comparing 10 female athletes with a concussion and 10 control female athletes, using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Athletes with concussion were scanned at least 7 months post-concussion (mean = 18.9 months). Results: MRS revealed a significant lower level of myo-inositol in the hippocampus and the primary motor cortices (M1) bilaterally. DTI analysis using Tract-Based Spatial Statistics (TBSS) showed no difference in fractional anisotropy (FA) while higher level of mean diffusivity (MD) in athletes with concussion was detected in large white matter tracts including the forceps minors, inferior/superior longitudinal fasciculi, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, cingulum, uncinate fasciculus, anterior thalamic radiations and corticospinal tract. Moreover, a region of interest approach for the corpus callosum revealed a significant lower level of FA in the segment containing fibres projecting to M1. Conclusions: This study demonstrates persistent neurometabolic and microstructural alterations in female athletes suffering a sports-related concussion.
Double Hydrogen Bonding between Side Chain Carboxyl Groups in Aqueous Solutions of Poly (β-L-Malic Acid): Implication for the Evolutionary Origin of Nucleic Acids

The RNA world hypothesis holds that in the evolutionary events that led to the emergence of life RNA preceded proteins and DNA and is supported by the ability of RNA to act as both a genetic polymer and a catalyst. On the other hand, biosynthesis of nucleic acids requires a large number of enzymes and chemical synthesis of RNA under presumed prebiotic conditions is complicated and requires many sequential steps. These observations suggest that biosynthesis of RNA is the end product of a long evolutionary process. If so, what was the original polymer from which RNA and DNA evolved? In most syntheses of simpler RNA or DNA analogs, the D-ribose phosphate polymer backbone is altered and the purine and pyrimidine bases are retained for hydrogen bonding between complementary base pairs. However, the bases are themselves products of complex biosynthetic pathways and hence they too may have evolved from simpler polymer side chains that had the ability to form hydrogen bonds. We hypothesize that the earliest evolutionary predecessor of nucleic acids was the simple linear polyester, poly (β-D-malic acid), for which the carboxyl side chains could form double hydrogen bonds. In this study, we show that in accord with this hypothesis a closely related polyester, poly (β-L-malic acid), uses carboxyl side chains to form robust intramolecular double hydrogen bonds in moderately acidic solution.
Title Winter and summer nitrous oxide and nitrogen oxides fluxes from a seasonally snow-covered subalpine meadow at Niwot Ridge , Colorado Permalink

The soil emission rates (fluxes) of nitrous oxide (N2O) and nitrogen oxides (NO ? NO2 = NOx) through a seasonal snowpack were determined by a flux gradient method from near-continuous 2-year measurements using an automated system for sampling interstitial air at various heights within the snowpack from a subalpine site at Niwot Ridge, Colorado. The winter seasonal-averaged N2O fluxes of 0.047–0.069 nmol m s were *15 times higher than observed NOx fluxes of 0.0030– 0.0067 nmol m s. During spring N2O emissions first peaked and then dropped sharply as the soil water content increased from the release of snowpack meltwater, while other gases, including NOx and CO2 did not show this behavior. To compare and contrast the winter fluxes with snow-free conditions, N2O fluxes were also measured at the same site in the summers of 2006 and 2007 using a closed soil chamber method. Summer N2O fluxes followed a decreasing trend during the dry-out period after snowmelt, interrupted by higher values related to precipitation events. These peaks were up to 2–3 times higher than the background summer levels. The integrated N2O-N loss over the summer period was calculated to be 1.1–2.4 kg N ha, compared to *0.24–0.34 kg N ha for the winter season. These wintertime N2O fluxes from subniveal soil are generally higher than the few previously published data. These results are of the same order of magnitude as data from more productive ecosystems such as fertilized grasslands and high-N-cycling forests, most likely because of a combination of the relatively welldeveloped soils and the fact that subnivean biogeochemical processes are promoted by the deep, insulating snowpack. Hence, microbially mediated oxidized nitrogen emissions occurring during the winter can be a significant part of the N-cycle in seasonally snow-covered subalpine ecosystems. G. Filippa (&) M. Freppaz Di.Va. P.R. A. (Dipartimento di Valorizzazione e Protezione delle Risorse Agroforestali) Chimica Agraria e Pedologia, Università degli Studi di Torino, via L. Da Vinci 44, Grugliasco (TO) 10095, Italy e-mail: gianluca.filippa@unito.it M. W. Williams Department of Geography, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA M. W. Williams D. Helmig D. Liptzin B. Seok K. Chowanski Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA D. Liptzin Department of Environmental Science, Policy, & Management, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA B. Seok Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA B. Hall Earth System Research Laboratory, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Boulder, CO, USA 123 Biogeochemistry (2009) 95:131–149 DOI 10.1007/s10533-009-9304-1
Cell viability of retinal photoreceptor evaluated by polar distribution of Ca2+ and electrical charge

The polar organisation is characteristic to the living cell and disappears with the cell functional decay. Here we report experimental evidence that frog retinal photoreceptor rod cell shows a polar distribution of the electrical charge and of free cytosolic Ca2+ along its length. Retinal rod cells were loaded with Calcium sensitive dye (Green 1) and examined under fluorescence microscopy coupled with an image analysis system. In addition, suspension of rod cells was placed in direct current electric field for electrical polarity assessment. Both polar Ca2+ and electrical charge distribution can be objectively measured and quantified providing thus a fine test for cell viability. Such a test is required in checking the functional integrity of photoreceptors used in rentinal transplant.
Lumbar spinal stenosis: conservative or surgical management?: A prospective 10-year study.

STUDY DESIGN A cohort of 100 patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis, characterized in a previous article, were given surgical or conservative treatment and followed for 10 years. OBJECTIVES To identify the short- and long-term results after surgical and conservative treatment, and to determine whether clinical or radiologic predictors for the treatment result can be defined. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Surgical decompression has been considered the rational treatment. However, clinical experience indicates that many patients do well with conservative treatment. METHODS In this study, 19 patients with severe symptoms were selected for surgical treatment and 50 patients with moderate symptoms for conservative treatment, whereas 31 patients were randomized between the conservative (n = 18) and surgical (n = 13) treatment groups. Pain was decisive for the choice of treatment group. All patients were observed for 10 years by clinical evaluation and questionnaires. The results, evaluated by patient and physician, were rated as excellent, fair, unchanged, or worse. RESULTS After a period of 3 months, relief of pain had occurred in most patients. Some had relief earlier, whereas for others it took 1 year. After a period of 4 years, excellent or fair results were found in half of the patients selected for conservative treatment, and in four fifths of the patients selected for surgery. Patients with an unsatisfactory result from conservative treatment were offered delayed surgery after 3 to 27 months (median, 3.5 months). The treatment result of delayed surgery was essentially similar to that of the initial group. The treatment result for the patients randomized for surgical treatment was considerably better than for the patients randomized for conservative treatment. Clinically significant deterioration of symptoms during the final 6 years of the follow-up period was not observed. Patients with multilevel afflictions, surgically treated or not, did not have a poorer outcome than those with single-level afflictions. Clinical or radiologic predictors for the final outcome were not found. There were no dropouts, except for 14 deaths. CONCLUSIONS The outcome was most favorable for surgical treatment. However, an initial conservative approach seems advisable for many patients because those with an unsatisfactory result can be treated surgically later with a good outcome.
Efficacy of Early Treatment with Onabotulinum Toxin A in Post-Stroke Spasticity

Background To compare the effect of early versus delayed administration of Onabotulinum Toxin Type A (OnabotA) injections in patients with post-stroke spasticity in the Upper (UL) and/or Lower Limbs (LL). Methods A retrospective study, from 2014 to 2017, was conducted on consecutive patients with moderate to severe stroke according to the National institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) [NIHSS score 14 to 25]. All patients received individualized treatment with OnabotA (Allergan Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) at baseline in the affected limbs. Study patients were divided in two groups; Group I: Administration of Onabot A within the first 6 months after stroke and Group II: Administration of Onabot A later than 6 months after stroke. The primary end-point was the changes in muscle tone, assessed by means of the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), at the end of the 1-year treatment period. Results Of 162 screened patients, 32 met the inclusion/exclusion criteria and were included in the study. In the LL, the MAS score reduction was significantly greater (p=0.0452) in those patients who received OnabotA treatment at early stages. Similarly, the Onabot A dose received throughout the study was significantly lower in patients receiving toxin treatment early in the process (p=0.0003). For each day that treatment with OnabotA was delayed, MAS score was 0.003 units (EE=0.001) greater. Conclusion The results of this study suggested that early treatment with Onabot A administered in post-stroke spasticity patients was associated with a better evolution of the process.
Bone marrow injection: A novel treatment for tennis elbow

Objective: The objective of this prospective study was assessment of efficacy of bone marrow aspirate (BMA) (containing plasma rich in growth factors and mesenchymal stem cells) injection in treatment of tennis elbow. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 adult patients of previously untreated tennis elbow were administered single injection of BMA. This concentrate was made by centrifugation of iliac BMA at 2000 rpm for 20-30 min and only upper layer containing platelet rich plasma and mononuclear cells was injected. Assessment was performed at baseline, 2 weeks, 6 weeks and 12 weeks using Patient-rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) score. Results: Baseline pre-injection mean PRTEE score was 72.8 ± 6.97 which decreased to a mean PRTEE score of 40.93 ± 5.94 after 2 weeks of injection which was highly significant (P < 0.0001). The mean PRTEE score at 6 week and 12 week follow-up was 24.46 ± 4.58 and 14.86 ± 3.48 respectively showing a highly significant decrease from baseline scores (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Treatment of tennis elbow patients with single injection of BMA showed a significant improvement in short to medium term follow-up. In future, such growth factors and/or stem cells based injection therapy can be developed as an alternative conservative treatment for patients of tennis elbow, especially who have failed non-operative treatment before surgical intervention is taken.