Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of FIO2 on oxidative stress during interval training at moderate altitude.

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of different fractions of inspired oxygen (FIO2) on oxidative stress during a high-intensity interval workout in trained endurance athletes residing at altitude. METHODS Subjects (N = 19) were trained male cyclists who were residents of moderate altitude (1800-1900 m). Testing was conducted at 1860 m (PB 610-612 torr, PIO2 approximately 128 torr). Subjects performed three randomized, single-blind trials consisting of a standardized interval workout (6 x 100 kJ) while inspiring a medical-grade gas with FIO2 0.21 (PIO2 approximately 128 torr), FIO2 0.26 (PIO2 approximately 159 torr), and FIO2 0.60 (PIO2 approximately 366 torr). Serum lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH) and whole-blood reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured 60 min preexercise and immediately postexercise, and analyzed using standard colorimetric assays. Urinary malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) were measured 24 h preexercise and 24 h postexercise, and analyzed via HPLC and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS Compared with the control trial (FIO2 0.21), total time (min:s) for the 100-kJ work interval was faster (5% in FIO2 0.26; 8% in FIO2 0.60 (P < 0.05)) and power output (W) was higher (5% in FIO2 0.26, 8% in FIO2 0.60 (P < 0.05)) in the supplemental oxygen trials. There was a significant pre- versus postexercise main effect (P < 0.05) for LOOH and GSH; however, there were no significant differences in LOOH or GSH between the FIO2 trials. MDA and 8-OHdG were unaffected by either the interval training session or FIO2. CONCLUSION Supplemental oxygen used in conjunction with high-intensity interval training at altitude ("live high + train low via supplemental O2" (LH + TLO2)) results in a significant improvement in exercise performance without inducing additional free radical oxidative stress as reflected in hematological and urinary biomarkers.
Comparative Study of Albendazole and Oxfendazole in Treatment of Cystic Echinococcosis in sheep and goats

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of albendazole and oxfendazole in the treatment of cystic echinococcosis using naturally infected sheep and goats. Fifteen animals with natural infections of cystic echinococcosis were randomly divided into 3 groups of 5 animals each. Two groups were treated orally with either albendazole or oxfendazole at 30 mg/kg body weight twice a week for 4 weeks; a third group served as controls. Ultrasound and postmortem examination of the animals, as well as microscopic examination of protoscoleces for eosin dye exclusion and flame cell motility, were used to determine the efficacy of the 2 drugs. Ultrasound examination revealed that 4 animals in the albendazole group and 3 in the oxfendazole group had decreased cyst viability (P< 0.05).
New Developments on Bayesian Bootstrap for Unrestricted and Restricted Distributions

The recent popularity of Bayesian inference is due to the practical advantages of the Bayesian approach. The Bayesian analysis makes it possible to reflect ones prior beliefs into the analysis. In this thesis, we explore some asymptotic results in Bayesian nonparametric inference for restricted and unrestricted space of distributions. This thesis is divided into two parts. In the first part, we employ the Dirichlet process in a hypothesis testing framework to propose a Bayesian nonparametric chi-squared goodness-of-fit test. Our suggested method corresponds to Lo’s Bayesian bootstrap procedure for chi-squared goodness-of-fit test. Indeed, our bootstrap rectifies some shortcomings of regular bootstrap which only counts number of observations falling in each bin in contingency tables. We consider the Dirichlet process as the prior for the distribution of data and carry out the test based on the Kullback-Leibler distance between the Dirichlet process posterior and the hypothesized distribution. We prove that this distance asymptotically converges to the same chi-squared distribution as the classical frequentist’s chi-squared test. Moreover, the results are generalized to the chi-squared test of independence for contingency tables. In the second part, our main focus is on Bayesian nonparametric inference for a restricted group of distributions called spherically symmetric distributions. We describe a Bayesian nonparametric approach to make inference for a bivariate spherically symmetric distribution. We place a Dirichlet invariant process prior on the set of all bivariate spherically symmetric distributions and derive the Dirichlet invariant
Cryopreservation of Isolated Primary Rat Hepatocytes: Enhanced Survival and Long-term Hepatospecific Function

Objective:To investigate the long-term effect of cryopreservation on hepatocyte function, as well as attempt to improve cell viability and function through the utilization of the hypothermic preservation solution, HypoThermosol (HTS), as the carrier solution. Summary Background Data:Advances in the field of bioartificial liver support have led to an increasing demand for successful, efficient means of cryopreservation of hepatocytes. Methods:Fresh rat hepatocytes were cryopreserved in suspension in culture media (Media-cryo group) or HTS (HTS-cryo group), both supplemented with 10% DMSO. Following storage up to 2 months in liquid nitrogen, cells were thawed and maintained in a double collagen gel culture for 14 days. Hepatocyte yield and viability were assessed up to 14 days postthaw. Serial measurements of albumin secretion, urea synthesis, deethylation of ethoxyresorufin (CYT P450 activity), and responsiveness to stimulation with interleukin-6 (IL-6) were performed. Results:Immediate postthaw viability was 60% in Media-cryo and 79% in HTS-cryo, in comparison with control (90%). Albumin secretion, urea synthesis and CYT P450 activity yielded 33%, 55%, and 59% in Media-cryo and 71%, 80%, and 88% in HTS-cryo, respectively, compared with control (100%). Assessment of cellular response to IL-6 following cryopreservation revealed a similar pattern of up-regulation in fibrinogen production and suppression of albumin secretion compared with nonfrozen controls. Conclusions:This study demonstrates that isolated rat hepatocytes cryopreserved using HTS showed high viability, long-term hepatospecific function, and response to cytokine challenge. These results may represent an important step forward to the utilization of cryopreserved isolated hepatocytes in bioartificial liver devices.
An Investigation of the Stroop Effect Among Deaf Signers in English and Japanese: Automatic Processing or Memory Retrieval?

Most studies on the Stroop effect (unintentional automatic word processing) have been restricted to English speakers using vocal responses. Little is known about this effect with deaf signers. The study compared Stroop task responses among four different samples: deaf participants from a Japanese-language environment and from an English-language environment; and hearing individuals from Japan and from Australia. Color words were prepared in both English and Japanese and were presented in three conditions: congruent (e.g., the word red printed in red), incongruent (e.g., red printed in blue), and neutral. The magnitude of the effect was greater with the deaf participants than with the hearing participants. The deaf individuals experienced more interference in English than in Japanese.
Effect of a combination of 2% lidocaine jelly and thermally softened endotracheal tube on postoperative sore throat

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Copyright c the Korean Society of Anesthesiologists, 2019 Effect of a combination of 2% lidocaine jelly and thermally softened endotracheal tube on postoperative sore throat
SNAP Out of It: A Study of Low-Income Families’ Underutilization of Food Stamps

ABSTRACT The secondary data analysis examined low-income families’ use of Food Stamps and how it related to receipt of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits and other financial help. It employed a nationally representative sample of 54,703 nonelderly adults extracted from a longitudinal data set. Results showed Food Stamps utilization to be associated positively with TANF receipt; in-kind assistance; child-support receipt; number of dependent children; and being African American, female, and disabled and associated negatively with financial support from relatives/friends, family earnings, metropolitan areas, education and occupational skill, age, and being married. The findings’ implications for policy and practice are discussed.
Study on change law of the inner texture of the square truncated cone in NC incremental forming

The square truncated cone is processed by NC incremental forming in order to analyze the change law of metal texture. The experiment results show that a uniform thickness of the deformed region is maintained and in good accordance with that obtained by the sine law. The metal deformation law is searched by metallurgical analysis. The crystalline grain is stretched severely on the vertical section of the square truncated cone. The crystalline grain size is constant on the horizontal section of the square truncated cone. The metal shear deformation occurs in the square truncated cone. It is drawn that the NC incremental forming is a shear forming. The experiment is made to verify it.
Labour market disadvantage of ethnic minority British graduates: university choice, parental background or neighbourhood?

We compare school-to-work transitions of British graduates belonging to ethnic minorities to those of white British. Six months after graduation ethnic minorities are substantially less likely to be employed than white British even after accounting for parental background, local area characteristics and detailed differences in qualifications. We show that university quality has a little impact while resources measured by parental background and the characteristics of the local area are more important for the labour market outcomes of ethnic minority graduates than for white British. Minorities lacking these resources earn less and are less likely to be employed compared to white British.
Placebo Response in Pediatric Anxiety Disorders: Results from the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study is to identify predictors of pill placebo response and to characterize the temporal course of pill placebo response in anxious youth. METHODS Data from placebo-treated patients (N = 76) in the Child/Adolescent Anxiety Multimodal Study (CAMS), a multisite, randomized controlled trial that examined the efficacy of cognitive-behavioral therapy, sertraline, their combination, and placebo for the treatment of separation, generalized, and social anxiety disorders, were evaluated. Multiple linear regression models identified features associated with placebo response and models were confirmed with leave-one-out cross-validation. The likelihood of improvement in patients receiving pill placebo-over time-relative to improvement associated with active treatment was determined using probabilistic Bayesian analyses. RESULTS Based on a categorical definition of response (Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement Scale score ≤2), nonresponders (n = 48), and pill placebo responders (n = 18) did not differ in age (p = 0.217), sex (p = 0.980), race (p = 0.743), or primary diagnosis (all ps > 0.659). In terms of change in anxiety symptoms, separation anxiety disorder and treatment expectation were associated with the degree of pill placebo response. Greater probability of placebo-related anxiety symptom improvement was observed early in the course of treatment (baseline to week 4, p < 0.0001). No significant change in the probability of placebo-related improvement was observed after week 4 (weeks 4-8, p = 0.07; weeks 8-12, p = 0.85), whereas the probability of improvement, in general, significantly increased week over week with active treatment. CONCLUSIONS Pill placebo-related improvement occurs early in the course of treatment and both clinical factors and expectation predict this improvement. Additionally, probabilistic approaches may refine our understanding and prediction of pill placebo response.
Non-parametric kernel density estimation for the prediction of neoadjuvant chemotherapy outcomes

In this paper we propose an application of local statistical models to the problem of identifying patients with pathologic complete response (PCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The idea of using local models is to split the input space (with data from PCR and NoPCR patients) and build a model for each partition. After the construction of the models we used bayesian classifiers and logistic regression to classify patients in the two classes.
NK1 receptor antagonists under investigation for the treatment of affective disorders

Substance P–neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor pathways have been repeatedly implicated in the pathophysiology of affective disorders. Anatomical studies in humans have shown a high expression of NK1 receptors in brain regions that are important for the regulation of affective behaviours and stress responses. A large body of evidence that has been generated from animal experiments indicates that treatment with a selective NK1 receptor antagonist might be effective in the treatment of certain forms of anxiety and depressive disorders. Accordingly, numerous NK1 receptor antagonists have either been synthesised and are under clinical development, or have already been tested in clinical trials. However, the initial encouraging clinical results were followed by repeated demonstrations of a lack of effectiveness, thus disappointment and doubt currently surrounds the idea that these compounds may become effective antidepressants. Research continues and novel molecules may show better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties and, therefore, may achieve therapeutic success. Furthermore, NK1 receptor antagonists that are ineffective in the treatment of mood disorders may still prove to be effective in the treatment of anxiety problems.
Implementation and Evaluation of a Best Practice Initiative: Venipuncture in the Well Baby

Venipuncture is now the standard method of phlebotomy for well newborn infants at Kingston General Hospital (KGH), Canada. Newborn infants require at least one blood sample for mandatory genetic screening. Some will require additional samples for monitoring of hyperbilirubinemia or other laboratory tests. A change from capillary heel sticks to venipuncture was implemented when the lancets in use were discontinued and a suitable replacement could not be found at the time. A review of the literature discovered a Cochrane Neonatal Review that supported newborn venipuncture as a safe, pain-reducing practice when performed by trained phlebotomists. As a result, a quality improvement project was developed to implement the practice of venipuncture for the well newborn. The implementation and evaluation included lectures, demonstrations, return demonstrations, and eventual integration into clinical practice. Process and summative evaluation demonstrated a willingness of staff to learn a new procedure, particularly when they had identified the need for change. In addition, infants were not subjected to multiple, ineffective blood draws.
Biomechanical evaluation of a novel Limb Prosthesis Osseointegrated Fixation System designed to combine the advantages of interference-fit and threaded solutions.

PURPOSE The study was aimed at biomechanical evaluation of a novel Limb Prosthesis Osseointegrated Fixation System (LPOFS) designed to combine the advantages of interference-fit and threaded solutions. METHODS Three cases, the LPOFS (designed), the OPRA (threaded) and the ITAP (interference-fit) implants were studied. Von-Mises stresses in bone patterns and maximal values generated while axial loading on an implant placed in bone and the force reaction values in contact elements while extracting an implant were analysed. Primary and fully osteointegrated connections were considered. RESULTS The results obtained for primary connection indicate more effective anchoring of the OPRA, however the LPOFS provides more appropriate stress distribution (lower stress-shielding, no overloading) in bone. In the case of fully osteointegrated connection the LPOFSs kept the most favourable stress distribution in cortical bone which is the most important long-term feature of the implant usage and bone remodelling. Moreover, in fully bound connection its anchoring elements resist extracting attempts more than the ITAP and the OPRA. CONCLUSIONS The results obtained allow us to conclude that in the case of features under study the LPOFS is a more functional solution to direct skeletal attachment of limb prosthesis than the referential implants during short and long-term use.
Use of solid phase microextraction to estimate toxicity: Relating fiber concentrations to toxicity—part I

Use of solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) fibers as a dose metric for toxicity testing was evaluated for hydrophobic pesticides to the midge Chironomus dilutus and the amphipod Hyalella azteca. Test compounds included p,p′‐dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p′‐DDT), p,p′‐dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p′‐DDD), p,p′‐dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p′‐DDE), permethrin, bifenthrin, tefluthrin, and chlorpyrifos. Acute water toxicity tests were determined for 4‐ and 10‐d exposures in both species. Median lethal and sublethal concentrations were expressed both on a water concentration (LC50 and EC50) and on an equilibrium SPME fiber concentration (LC50fiber and EC50fiber) basis. A significant log dose–response relationship was found between log fiber concentration and organism mortality. It has been shown in the literature that equilibrium SPME fiber concentrations reflect the bioavailable concentrations of hydrophobic contaminants, so these fiber concentrations should be a useful metric for assessing toxic effects from the bioavailable contaminant providing a framework to expand the use of SPME fibers beyond estimation of bioaccumulation. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2159–2167. © 2012 SETAC
Wage and Employment Negotiations between a Union and a Firm in a Dynamic Context

The traditional analysis of union-firm interaction has focused on two static models -the Monopoly Union Model (with its equilibrium on the labor demand curve) and the Efficient Contract Model (with its equilibrium on the efficient contract curve). 1 Espinosa and Rhee [3, 565-88] reconcile these two approaches within the context of a repeated game framework. They show that repeated sequential bargaining (between a union and a firm with the union moving first) may generate the efficient outcome if the firm is sufficiently far sighted. However, if the firm is short sighted, it may unilaterally deviate from the cooperative agreement, to take advantage of a one-period gain. On the other hand, being the first mover, the union never unilaterally deviates from cooperation. This paper argues that in certain situations the union may also have the incentive to unilaterally deviate from the cooperative outcome. In reality the firm's position is often less flexible than that assumed by Espinosa and Rhee [3]. Based on the long term trust that the union and the firm develop, the firm may undertake commitments in the form of consumer orders, large fixed capital expenditures, expenditures on raw materials and other inputs, and similar other inflexibilities. The union, being aware of the firm's inflexibilities, may hold the firm to its surprise demands for a one-period gain, provided that it is sufficiently short sighted. Therefore, this paper analyzes a simultaneous move, repeated game model where both the union and the firm have the power to deviate.2 We analyze the implications of such deviations on the equilibrium paths of wage and employment. The paper shows that cooperation is much harder to sustain when both the union and the firm can deviate as compared to the case where only the firm can deviate. In fact some cooperation is not guaranteed. Cooperation completely breaks down over large ranges of the discount factor and the two parties choose the one-shot non-
Cisplatin and Concomitant Radiotherapy Followed by Chemotherapy.Towards an Optimal Adjuvant Therapy Protocol for High-risk EndometrialCancer Patients

Background: As there are no current definite guidelines, there is still much debate about the best adjuvant therapy after surgery for endometrial cancer (EC). Radiotherapy (RT) alone does not seem to improve overall survival. We investigated whether concomitant Cisplatin (C) and RT gave better clinical results. Patients and methods: Ninety four patients with high-risk EC (stage II, IIIA or IB G3 without lymphadenectomy) underwent primary surgery and were then referred for adjuvant therapy. Cisplatin was given at a dose of 40 mg/m2 once weekly for five weeks during RT, which consisted of a total radiation dose of 50.4 Gy. Two cycles of cisplatin 75 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 175 mg/m2 were given after finishing the radiotherapy. Overall survival and disease-free survival were calculated from the time of surgery. Patterns of failure were recorded by the sites of failure. Results: Median overall Survival was 36 months. Median time to recurrence was 26 months (range 3-37). Relapses occurred in twenty nine patients (30.8%). Adverse events were mild with three cases having grade 3 neutropenia. Local recurrence was encountered in 14% and distant metastases in 8%. Conclusion: This phase II study demonstrates pelvic radiotherapy in combination with weekly cisplatin followed by two cycles of consolidation chemotherapy as a tolerable and efficient combined approach in high risk endometrial carcinoma patients.
Antioxidant supplementation in sepsis and systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Objective:Summarize the current knowledge about oxidative stress-related organ dysfunction in inflammatory and septic conditions, and its potential prevention and treatment by antioxidants in critically ill patients, focusing on naturally occurring antioxidants and clinical trials. Study Selection:PubMed, MEDLINE, and personal database search. Synthesis:Plasma concentrations of antioxidant micronutrients are depressed during critical illness and especially during sepsis. The causes of these low levels include losses with biological fluids, low intakes, dilution by resuscitation fluids, as well as systemic inflammatory response syndrome-mediated redistribution of micronutrients from plasma to tissues. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted, many of which have shown beneficial effects of supplementation. Interestingly, among the candidates, glutamine, glutathione, and selenium are linked with the potent glutathione peroxidase enzyme family at some stage of their synthesis and metabolism. Conclusions:Three antioxidant nutrients have demonstrated clinical benefits and reached level A evidence: a) selenium improves clinical outcome (infections, organ failure); b) glutamine reduces infectious complication in large-sized trials; and c) the association of eicosapentaenoic acid and micronutrients has significant anti-inflammatory effects. Other antioxidants are still on the clinical benchmark level, awaiting well-designed clinical trials.