Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measurement of thyroid hormones in donkey (Equus asinus) blood and milk: validation of ELISA kits and evaluation of sample collection, handling and storage

Donkey's milk is well tolerated by human infants with cow's milk allergy and is useful in the treatment of human immune-related diseases and in the prevention of atherosclerosis. Thyroid hormones (TH) stimulate lactation and active triiodothyronine (T3) in colostrum and milk could take paracrine action supporting lactogenesis in the mother, and play physiological roles for the suckling offspring (systemic or within the gastrointestinal tract). The aims were to measure TH concentrations in donkey blood and milk, validate ELISA methods, evaluate the effects of sample collection and post-collection handling and the stability of TH in milk and blood serum and plasma samples. In milk and blood samples obtained from lactating jennies total concentrations of TH were assayed using competitive-type ELISA kits. Good validation results were obtained for both TH concentrations in blood serum and plasma and T3 in milk samples extracted with cold (−20°C) ethanol alkalinized (pH 9·0) with NH4OH. In most of the milk extract samples, thyroxine (T4) concentrations resulted below the sensitivity threshold. Intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variations of TH concentrations in different blood and milk samples were below 10%. Parallelism tests gave displacement lines parallel to those of the calibrators for both TH in blood serum and plasma and for T3 in milk extracts. Mean recovery rates were between 95% and 123%, but the concentration values approaching the highest calibrators were overestimated. Therefore, serum and plasma samples for T3 assay must be previously diluted with buffer. Both TH concentrations in blood serum and plasma and T3 in milk did not change during storage for up to 6 months at −20°C. In conclusion, the ELISA methods tested in the present study are suitable for determination of both TH concentrations in donkey blood samples, and for T3 measurement in milk, after extraction with cold alkaline ethanol.
Design and preparation of polyurethane‐collagen/heparin‐conjugated polycaprolactone double‐layer bionic small‐diameter vascular graft and its preliminary animal tests

Background People recently realized that it is important for artificial vascular biodegradable graft to bionically mimic the functions of the native vessel. In order to overcome the high risk of thrombosis and keep the patency in the clinical small‐diameter vascular graft (SDVG) transplantation, a double‐layer bionic scaffold, which can offer anticoagulation and mechanical strength simultaneously, was designed and fabricated via electrospinning technique. Methods Heparin‐conjugated polycaprolactone (hPCL) and polyurethane (PU)‐collagen type I composite was used as the inner and outer layers, respectively. The porosity and the burst pressure of SDVG were evaluated. Its biocompatibility was demonstrated by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazol)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test in vitro and subcutaneous implants in vivo respectively. The grafts of diameter 2.5 mm and length 4.0 cm were implanted to replace the femoral artery in Beagle dog model. Then, angiography was performed in the Beagle dogs to investigate the patency and aneurysm of grafts at 2, 4, and 8 weeks post‐transplantation. After angiography, the patent grafts were explanted for histological analysis. Results The double‐layer bionic SDVG meet the clinical mechanical demand. Its good biocompatibility was proven by cytotoxicity experiment (the cell's relative growth rates (RGR) of PU‐collagen outer layer were 102.8%, 109.2% and 103.5%, while the RGR of hPCL inner layer were 99.0%, 100.0% and 98.0%, on days 1, 3, and 5, respectively) and the subdermal implants experiment in the Beagle dog. Arteriography showed that all the implanted SDVGs were patent without any aneurismal dilatation or obvious anastomotic stenosis at the 2nd, 4th, and 8th week after the operation, except one SDVG that failed at the 2nd week. Histological analysis and SEM showed that the inner layer was covered by new endothelial‐like cells. Conclusion The double‐layer bionic SDVG is a promising candidate as a replacement of native small‐diameter vascular graft.
Resorbable Plate Cranioplasty After the Translabyrinthine Approach

Objective: To determine the safety of resorbable plate cranioplasty after translabyrinthine cerebellopontine angle tumor excision and to determine efficacy of this technique in the reduction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks compared with fat grafting alone. Study Design: Prospective clinical trial with matched, historic case controls. Setting: University tertiary referral center. Patients: Seventy-one patients with tumors of the cerebellopontine angle undergoing a translabyrinthine approach had the temporal bone defect repaired by a fat graft secured with a resorbable fixation plate. This cranioplasty technique was designed to improve pressure on the fat graft to block the egress of CSF. Historic controls included 149 consecutive patients undergoing a translabyrinthine approach who were closed with fat cranioplasty only. Intervention: Resorbable plate cranioplasty versus fat graft cranioplasty. Main Outcome Measures: Wound complication rate, incidence of postoperative CSF leak, treatment required, and length of hospitalization. Results: There were no surgical site infections in either group. The incidence of postoperative CSF leak was 12.7% (9/71) in the study group and 13.4% (20/149) in the controls (p = 0.88). There was no significant difference in the rate of lumbar drain placement or surgical revision requirement between the groups. There were no short- or long-term complications attributable to the placement of the plate, and additional operative time for the procedure averaged 7 minutes. Conclusion: Cranioplasty with a resorbable plate after translabyrinthine craniotomy is safe. This technique results in a CSF leak rate equivalent to fat grafting alone.
The effects of antipsychotic treatment on cerebral structure and function in schizophrenia

This paper analyses the effects of antipsychotic drug treatment on cerebral structure and function in schizophrenia reviewing qualitatively some of the relevant literature on the issue. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of brain morphology in patients at different stages of illness and after varying times of neuroleptic exposure and longitudinal studies show possible different effects of first and second generation antipsychotics. This is true also for functional parameters, such as regional cerebral blood flow and metabolism, analysed, both in resting condition and after specific activation paradigms, with such diverse techniques as positron emission tomography (PET), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), functional MRI and MR spectroscopy. The possible molecular mechanisms underlying such differences and whether they represent direct drug effects or indirect consequences of their different and specific interactions with the ‘natural’ pathophysiological trajectory of brain abnormalities in schizophrenia are matter of present research and debate.
An Eight-year Follow-up to a Randomized Clinical Trial of Participant Satisfaction with Three Types of Mandibular Implant-retained Overdentures

Studies have shown that mandibular implant overdentures significantly increase satisfaction and quality of life of edentulous elders. Improved chewing ability appears to have a positive impact on nutritional state. Therefore, it is important to determine the best design of this prosthesis over the long term. In this randomized controlled trial, three groups of edentulous participants with atrophic mandibles wore 3 types of implant overdentures. During an eight-year follow-up, only seven of the 110 participants had dropped out of this study. Almost all participants were still satisfied with their overdentures. Participant satisfaction concerning retention and stability of the mandibular overdenture had decreased significantly in the two-implant ball attachment group, whereas the opinion of participants in the single- and triple-bar groups was still at the same level. The long-term results suggest that a mandibular overdenture retained by 2 implants with a single bar may be the best treatment strategy for edentulous people with atrophic ridges.
A Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Development in Two Astyanax Cavefish Populations

Organisms that are isolated into extreme environments often evolve extreme phenotypes. However, global patterns of dynamic gene expression changes that accompany dramatic environmental changes remain largely unknown. The blind Mexican cavefish, Astyanax mexicanus, has evolved a number of severe cave-associated phenotypes including loss of vision and pigmentation, craniofacial bone fusions, increased fat storage, reduced sleep, and amplified nonvisual sensory systems. Interestingly, surface-dwelling forms have repeatedly entered different caves throughout Mexico, providing a natural set of "replicate" instances of cave isolation. These surrogate "ancestral" surface-dwelling forms persist in nearby rivers, enabling direct comparisons to the "derived" cave-dwelling form. We evaluated changes associated with subterranean isolation by measuring differential gene expression in two geographically distinct cave-dwelling populations (Pachón and Tinaja). To understand the impact of these expression changes on development, we performed RNA-sequencing across four critical stages during which troglomorphic traits first appear in cavefish embryos. Gene ontology (GO) studies revealed similar functional profiles evolved in both independent cave lineages. However, enrichment studies indicated that similar GO profiles were occasionally mediated by different genes. Certain "master" regulators, such as Otx2 and Mitf, appear to be important loci for cave adaptation, as remarkably similar patterns of expression were identified in both independent cave lineages. This work reveals that adaptation to an extreme environment, in two distinct cavefish lineages, evolves through a combination of unique and shared gene expression patterns. Shared expression profiles reflect common environmental pressures, while unique expression likely reflects the fact that similar adaptive traits evolve through diverse genetic mechanisms.
Drug utilisation and cost considerations of erythropoiesis stimulating agents in oncology patients receiving chemotherapy: observations from a large managed-care database

Abstract Objective. Erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) resource utilisation in cancer chemotherapy patients is of importance to managed-care organisations. To understand current real-world utilisation of ESAs, this study examined epoetin alfa (EPO) and darbepoetin alfa (DARB) treatment patterns (dosing and treatment duration), dose ratio and ESA treatment costs. Methods. An analysis of medical claims data from January 2006 through to January 2008 was conducted using the PharMetrics Patient-Centric database of over 85 health plans. Patients included in the study were ≥18 years of age, had at least one cancer claim within 90 days prior to ESA treatment initiation, were newly initiated on EPO or DARB, received at least two doses, and were treated with concomitant chemotherapy (at least one chemotherapy claim during ESA treatment). Mean cumulative ESA dose was used to calculate drug cost (based on April 2008 wholesale acquisition cost) and dose ratio (units EPO : μg DARB). Results. A total of 4,111 EPO patients and 6,817 DARB patients met inclusion criteria and formed the study population. EPO-treated patients were slightly older (mean age: EPO 63.6, DARB 61.8, p<0.0001) with a greater proportion of women in the DARB-treated group (EPO 60.9%, DARB 64.1%, p=0.0007). The mean treatment duration was slightly longer in the EPO group (EPO 58.4 days, DARB 55.4 days, p=0.0019). The mean cumulative ESA dose administered was EPO 329,129 units and DARB 1,289 μg, resulting in a dose ratio of 255:1 (units EPO:μg DARB). Mean drug cost per treatment episode was significantly lower in the EPO group by $1,768 (EPO $4,321, DARB $6,089, p<0.0001). After controlling for covariates, the incremental cost associated with DARB treatment remained stable and statistically significant (adjusted cost difference: $1,806 per treatment episode higher for DARB patients than EPO, p<0.0001). Conclusions. This study of 10,928 oncology patients receiving chemotherapy reported a dose ratio of 255:1 (units EPO:μg DARB) with 29% lower treatment cost in the EPO group. These findings are similar to those previously reported from published clinical trials and real-world utilisation studies.
PowerTracer: Tracing Requests in Multi-Tier Services to Reduce Energy Inefficiency

As energy has become one of the key operating costs in running a data center and power waste commonly exists, it is essential to reduce energy inefficiency inside data centers. In this paper, we develop an innovative framework, called PowerTracer, for diagnosing energy inefficiency and saving power. Inside the framework, we first present a resource tracing method based on request tracing in multi-tier services of black boxes. Then, we propose a generalized methodology of applying a request tracing approach for energy inefficiency diagnosis and power saving in multi-tier service systems. With insights into service performance and resource consumption of individual requests, we develop (1) a bottleneck diagnosis tool that pinpoints the root causes of energy inefficiency, and (2) a power saving method that enables dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) with online request tracing. We implement a prototype of PowerTracer, and conduct extensive experiments to validate its effectiveness. Our tool analyzes several state-of-the-practice and state-of-the-art DVFS control policies and uncovers existing energy inefficiencies. Meanwhile, the experimental results demonstrate that PowerTracer outperforms its peers in power saving.
Safety and efficacy of transulnar approach for coronary angiography and intervention.

BACKGROUND Transradial approach, which is now widely used in coronary angiography and intervention, may be advantageous with respect to the femoral access due to the lower incidence of vascular complications. Transulnar approach has been proposed for elective procedures in patients not suitable for transradial approach. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the transulnar approach versus the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention. METHODS Two hundred and forty patients undergoing coronary angiography, followed or not by intervention, were randomized to transulnar (TUA) or transradial approach (TRA). Doppler ultrasound assessments of the forearm vessels were scheduled for all patients before procedures, 1 day and 30 days after procedures. The primary end point was access site vascular complications during hospitalization and 30 days follow-up. Major adverse cardiac events (MACE) as secondary end point was recorded till 30 days follow-up. RESULTS Successful puncture was achieved in 98.3% (118/120) of patients in the TUA group, and in 100% (120/120) of patients in the TRA group. Coronary angiographies were performed in 40 and 39 patients in TUA and TRA group. Intervention procedures were performed in 78 and 83 patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively. The incidence of artery stenosis 1 day and 30 days after procedures was 11.0% vs.12. 3% and 5.1% vs. 6.6% in TUA and TRA group, respectively. Asymptomatic access site artery occlusion occurred in 5.1% vs.1. 7% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transulnar angioplasty, and in 6.6% vs. 4.9% of patients 1 day and 30 days after transradial angioplasty. Minor bleeding was still observed at the moment of the ultrasound assessment in 5.9% and 5.7% of patients in TUA and TRA group, respectively (P = 0.949). No big forearm hematoma, and A-V fistula were observed in both groups. Freedom from MACE at 30 days follow-up was observed in all patients. CONCLUSIONS The transulnar approach is as safe and effective as the transradial approach for coronary angiography and intervention. It is an attractive opinion for experienced operators who are skilled in this technique, particularly in cases of anatomic variations of the radial artery, radial artery small-caliber or thin radial pulse.
The response of luteinizing hormone pulsatility to 5 days of low energy availability disappears by 14 years of gynecological age.

CONTEXT The incidence of menstrual disorders declines during adolescence. The mechanism responsible is unknown. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis, formulated a priori, that the dependence of LH pulsatility and ovarian function on energy availability declines with gynecological age (years since menarche). DESIGN The study was a controlled experiment repeated in two menstrual cycles, performed 2001-2004. SETTING The study was conducted at a university laboratory and general clinical research center. PARTICIPANTS The study population consisted of healthy, habitually sedentary, young women of normal body composition with 5-8 yr (adolescents, n = 9) and 14-18 yr (adults, n = 10) of gynecological age recruited by advertisement from approximately 9000 women aged 18-34 yr in a college community. Samples were similar in age of menarche, length of menstrual cycle and luteal phase, body size and composition, aerobic capacity, and dietary intake. None were withdrawn due to adverse effects. INTERVENTIONS Interventions included energy availabilities of 45 and 10 kcal/kg of fat-free mass per day for 5 d in the early follicular phases of separate menstrual cycles in random order. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES LH pulsatility, estradiol, and luteal phase length were measured. RESULTS Low energy availability reduced LH pulse frequency in adolescents (P < 0.01) but not adults (P = 0.39), did not increase LH pulse amplitude in either group (both P = 0.13), and suppressed 24-h mean LH in adolescents (P = 0.01) but not adults (P = 0.72). Estradiol was unaffected (both P = 0.48), but the subsequent luteal phase was shorter in adolescents (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS In women of normal body composition, the response of LH pulsatility and ovarian function to 5 d of low energy availability disappears by 14 yr of gynecological age.
Gender-Differentiated Parenting Revisited: Meta-Analysis Reveals Very Few Differences in Parental Control of Boys and Girls

Although various theories describe mechanisms leading to differential parenting of boys and girls, there is no consensus about the extent to which parents do treat their sons and daughters differently. The last meta-analyses on the subject were conducted more than fifteen years ago, and changes in gender-specific child rearing in the past decade are quite plausible. In the current set of meta-analyses, based on 126 observational studies (15,034 families), we examined mothers’ and fathers’ differential use of autonomy-supportive and controlling strategies with boys and girls, and the role of moderators related to the decade in which the study was conducted, the observational context, and sample characteristics. Databases of Web of Science, ERIC, PsychInfo, Online Contents, Picarta, and Proquest were searched for studies examining differences in observed parental control of boys and girls between the ages of 0 and 18 years. Few differences were found in parents’ use of control with boys and girls. Parents were slightly more controlling with boys than with girls, but the effect size was negligible (d = 0.08). The effect was larger, but still small, in normative groups and in samples with younger children. No overall effect for gender-differentiated autonomy-supportive strategies was found (d = 0.03). A significant effect of time emerged: studies published in the 1970s and 1980s reported more autonomy-supportive strategies with boys than toward girls, but from 1990 onwards parents showed somewhat more autonomy-supportive strategies with girls than toward boys. Taking into account parents’ gender stereotypes might uncover subgroups of families where gender-differentiated control is salient, but based on our systematic review of the currently available large data base we conclude that in general the differences between parenting of boys versus girls are minimal.
Safety, Reactogenicity and Immunogenicity of the Human Rotavirus Vaccine in Preterm European Infants: A Randomized Phase IIIb Study

Background: Rotavirus disease is more severe in preterm infants than in full-term infants. This study assessed the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of a human rotavirus vaccine, RIX4414, in European preterm infants. Methods: A total of 1009 preterm infants were randomized (2:1, vaccine:placebo) and stratified into 2 groups: 20% of early (27–30 weeks, group 1) and 80% of late (31–36 weeks, group 2) gestational age preterm infants in each group. Two doses of RIX4414/placebo were administered to these preterm infants according to the recommended chronologic age for full-term infants with an interval of 30–83 days between doses. Serious adverse events were recorded throughout the study period. Solicited and unsolicited adverse events were recorded for 15 and 31 days post-each dose. Antirotavirus IgA concentrations (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay cutoff = 20 U/mL) and geometric mean concentration were determined pre-dose 1 and 30–83 days post-dose 2 in a subset of 300 infants. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00420745 (eTrack106481). Results: Serious adverse events were reported at a similar frequency in both groups (P = 0.266). Fifty-seven infants reported at least 1 serious adverse event (5.1% [3.5–7.0] in the RIX4414 group and 6.8% [4.3–10.0] in the placebo group). During the 15-day postvaccination follow-up period, diarrhea, vomiting and fever occurred at a similar frequency in both groups; fever could have been due to concomitant vaccines. Five cases (RIX4414 = 3, Placebo = 2) of rotavirus gastroenteritis were reported. The onset of rotavirus gastroenteritis in the RIX4414 group was 1–5 days after vaccination (vaccine strain identified in all cases) and in the placebo group it was 3–4 days after receiving placebo (wild-type rotavirus identified from both cases). Antirotavirus IgA seroconversion rates at 30–83 days post-dose 2 were 85.7% (79.0–90.9) in the RIX4414 group and 16.0% (8.8–25.9) in the placebo group. Geometric mean concentrations were 202.2 U/mL (153.1–267.1) in the RIX4414 group and <20 U/mL in the placebo group. Seroconversion rate in groups 1 and 2 in RIX4414 recipients were 75.9% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 56.5–89.7%) and 88.1% (95% CI: 80.9–93.4%), respectively; the geometric mean concentrations in the respective groups were 110.2 U/mL (95% CI: 56.1–216.5) and 234.8 U/mL (95% CI: 173.4–318.0; exploratory analysis). Conclusions: Two doses of RIX4414 were immunogenic and well-tolerated in European preterm infants.
A priority forwarding scheme for real-time multistage interconnection networks

The authors propose a priority control scheme for packet switching multistage networks, called priority forwarding, which prevents priority inversion, a situation in which higher priority packets are blocked by lower priority packets. In an N*N omega network, the worst case delay of the priority forwarding scheme on the highest priority packet is O(log/sup 2/ N), while that for round-robin arbitration is O(N). Simulation results show that the priority forwarding scheme offers shorter delays for higher priority packets without throughput degradation and fits least-laxity-first control. The hardware implementation cost of this scheme is relatively small and requires no extra signal lines between routers. Consequently, this scheme offered predictability, scalability, and implementation eligibility. <<ETX>>