Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A mathematical comparison of techniques to predict biologically available testosterone in a cohort of 1072 men.

OBJECTIVE In the absence of widely available measures of determining free and/or bioavailable testosterone (BioT) physicians may use formulae such as the free androgen index (FAI) to estimate free testosterone. We compared the efficacy of calculated markers of androgen status in predicting serum BioT and hypogonadism. DESIGN Total testosterone (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and BioT were determined in a large cohort of men. Comparison of calculated androgen levels was performed following endocrine assessment. METHODS TT and SHBG were determined by ELISA, and BioT was determined by ammonium sulphate precipitation. From these data we calculated FAI and free testosterone using two other published formulae - FTnw (free testosterone as calculated by the method of Nanjeee and Wheeler) and FTv (free testosterone as calculated by the method of Vermeulen). A novel formula was derived to calculate BioT from given levels of TT and SHBG (BTcalculated). The ability of the methods (FAI, FTnw, FTv, BTcalc) to predict BioT were compared using regression analysis. The ability of these markers of androgen status to predict biochemical hypogonadism was compared using area under receiver operator curve (auROC). RESULTS The equation derived from our data was the best predictor of BioT (R(2)=0.73, P<0.0001) although TT was also a good marker (R(2)=0.68, P=0.0001). In the determination of hypogonadism, of all currently available formulae none were better that the TT (auROC: TT=0.93, FAI=0.72, FTnw=0.91, FTv=0.88) although when TT is borderline (7.5<TT<12 nmol/l) estimates of free testosterone are superior to TT alone (auROC: TT=0.63, FAI=0.74, FTnw=0.75 and FTv=0.75). CONCLUSIONS TT is the best marker of hypogonadism and BioT, when TT is borderline calculated indices of free testosterone or BioT are useful and may help confirm hypogonadism.
Aedes triseriatus Females Transovarially Infected with La Crosse Virus Mate More Efficiently Than Uninfected Mosquitoes

ABSTRACT The mating efficiencies (the percentage of females inseminated by males) of fieldcollected and laboratory-colonized Aedes triseriatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) female mosquitoes transovarially infected or uninfected with La Crosse virus (LACV) were compared. The females were placed in cages with age-matched males, and the insemination rates (number of inseminated females of the total number of females examined) were determined daily by detection of sperm in the spermathecae. LACV-infected mosquitoes typically mated earlier than uninfected mosquitoes, i.e., insemination occurred earlier after the mixing of males and females. LACV load was not correlated with increased insemination.
Prediction of individual response to chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia using the chemosensitivity index Ci

As the response to chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) may still not be accurately determined by known prognostic factors, such as karyotype, the ex vivo chemosensitivity profile may help to predict the individual response. The predictive accuracy of an ex vivo assay should be assessed by correlation of assay results with both response rate and survival. We prospectively investigated the prognostic relevance of pre‐therapeutic ex vivo chemosensitivity testing in primary cell cultures from adult AML patients by applying a new evaluation methodology, designated the chemosensitivity index, Ci. This Ci was designed as a prognostic index by taking the area under the curve as an exact measure of the total dose–response relationship. We found an overall predictive accuracy of 98·2% concerning treatment response, which compares favourably with previously published data ranging from 75% to 92%. Moreover, the Ci proved to be the strongest prognostic factor for overall survival in a multivariate Cox regression analysis including karyotype grouping and age (P < 0·001), and enabled the evaluation of response to combination therapies and selection of possible treatment alternatives. Our data suggest that ex vivo chemosensitivity testing evaluated by the Ci could serve as a powerful tool for assay‐directed therapy strategies in AML.
Difference in Postsurgical Prognostic Factors between Lung Adenocarcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare the clinicopathologic prognostic factors between patients who underwent lung resection for adenocarcinoma (AD) and those with squamous cell carcinoma (SQ). METHODS A database of patients with lung AD or SQ who underwent surgery with curative intent in our department from January 2008 to December 2014 was reviewed. Associations between various clinicopathologic factors, postsurgical recurrence-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) were analyzed to find significant prognostic factors. RESULTS A total of 537 lung cancer patients (AD, 434; SQ, 103) were included in this study. Although RFS was similar in patients with AD and SQ, OS was significantly poorer in those with SQ. Multivariate analysis in patients with AD revealed that age (≥69 vs. <69), lymphatic invasion, and histologic pleural invasion (p0 vs. p1-3) were associated with RFS, while gender and pleural invasion were associated with OS. In SQ, however, smoking, clinical stage, and pulmonary metastasis were associated with RFS in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSION Since significant postoperative prognostic factors are quite different between lung AD and SQ, these two histologic types should be differently analyzed in a clinical study.
The relationship between reduced lung function and cardiovascular mortality: a population-based study and a systematic review of the literature.

STUDY OBJECTIVES Conditions that give rise to reduced lung function are frequently associated with low-grade systemic inflammation, which may lead to poor cardiovascular outcomes. We sought to determine the relationship between reduced FEV1 and cardiovascular mortality, independent of smoking. DESIGN Longitudinal population-based study and a meta-analysis of literature. SETTING Representative sample of the general population. PARTICIPANTS Participants of the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Epidemiologic Follow-up Study who were 40 to 60 years of age at baseline assessment (n = 1,861). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS We compared the risk of cardiovascular mortality across quintiles of FEV1. Individuals in the lowest FEV1 quintile had the highest risk of cardiovascular mortality (relative risk [RR], 3.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.54 to 7.34). Compared to FEV1 quintile 1, individuals in quintile 5 had a fivefold increase in the risk of death from ischemic heart disease (RR, 5.65; 95% CI, 2.26 to 14.13). We also performed a systematic review of large cohort studies (> 500 participants) that reported on the relationship between FEV1 and cardiovascular mortality (12 studies; n = 83,880 participants). Compared to participants in the highest FEV1 category, those with reduced FEV1 had a higher risk of cardiovascular mortality (pooled RR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.56 to 1.97). CONCLUSIONS There is strong epidemiologic evidence to indicate that reduced FEV1 is a marker for cardiovascular mortality independent of age, gender, and smoking history.
A case study of a sporadic sodium layer observed by the ALOMAR Weber Na lidar

Several possible mechanisms for the production of sporadic sodium layers have been discussed in the literature, but none of them seem to explain all the accumulated obser- vations. The hypotheses range from direct meteoric input, to energetic electron bombardment on meteoric smoke par- ticles, to ion neutralization, to temperature dependent chem- istry. The varied instrumentation located on Andoya and near Tromso in Norway gives us an opportunity to test the differ- ent theories applied to high latitude sporadic sodium layers. We use the ALOMAR Weber sodium lidar to monitor the ap- pearance and characteristics of a sporadic sodium layer that was observed on 5 November 2005. We also monitor the temperature to test the hypotheses regarding a temperature dependent mechanism. The EISCAT Tromso Dynasonde, the ALOMAR/UiO All-sky camera and the SKiYMET me- teor radar on Andoya are used to test the suggested relation- ships of sporadic sodium layers and sporadic E-layers, elec- tron precipitation, and meteor deposition during this event. We find that more than one candidate is eligible to explain our observation of the sporadic sodium layer.
Effects of Growth Hormone-Releasing Hormone and Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone on the Release of Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone from the Rat Hypothalamus in Vitro

Effects of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GRH) and corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) on the release of immunoreactive thyrotropin-releasing hormone (ir-TRH) from the rat hypothalamus in vitro were studied. The rat hypothalamus was incubated in medium 199 with 1.0 mg/ml of bacitracin (pH 7.4) for 20 min. The amount of ir-TRH release into the medium was measured by radioimmunoassay. The ir-TRH release from the rat hypothalamus was inhibited significantly in a dose-related manner with the addition of GRH or CRH. These findings suggest that GRH and CRH inhibit ir-TRH release from the rat hypothalamus in vitro.
Patch testing with the Indian standard series in New Delhi

Astronium urundeuva (allemão) Engl. (Anacardiaceae) is used in northeastern Brazilian folk medicine largely for the treatment of gynaecological and dermatological problems (1). Previous studies of this plant have shown antiulcerogenic (2), analgesic and anti-inflammatory (3, 4) effects. In clinical practice, there is anecdotal evidence that the use of A. urundeuva in topical preparations may cause, maintain or worsen cutaneous lesions, such as acute, subacute and chronic dermatitis. The present study deals with the preparation of extracts of A. urundeuva to be used in patch tests to determine prevalence of sensitivity and the dominant allergens involved with sensitization. It was accomplished in a transverse study of cases of contact dermatitis and sensitization to A. urundeuva in 137 patients attended at Dermatology Center of Walter Cantı́dio University Hospital/Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. The patients were submitted to patch test using hexane and ethanol extract of A. urundeuva and derived fractions. The plant was collected in Meruoca Hill, situated in Ceará State, and identified by Dr Afrânio Fernandes from the Prisco Bezerra Herbarium of Federal University of Ceará, where a voucher specimen is deposited under number 29851. The patch testing was preceded by anamnese and physical examination then applied using: Standard series (PATCHKIT STANDARD – FDA Allergenic), hexane and ethanol extracts in 2.5%, 5% and 10%; fractions of the hexane (Aur1, Aur2) and ethanol extracts (Aur3, Aur4) in 1% and 2% and cardol in 1% concentrations. All the samples and the constituents of the complementary series were diluted in ethyl alcohol (92.8 ̊ ) that was used as negative control. 3 of 137 (2%) patients showed 1 or more positive reactions to the hexane and ethanol extracts and fractions of A. urundeuva in the patch tests. Patient 1 had a positive test to 5% and 10% EtOH extract. He reported using topical preparation of A. urundeuva to treat a cutaneous rash, but instead of improvement, had accentuation of the lesions. Lesions resolved once treatment with the A. urundeuva preparation was stopped. Patient 2 showed positive results for the hexane extract, fraction Aur4 (2%) and cardol (1%). The patient also reported an improvement of the dermatitis, after suspension of topical use of A. urundeuva. Patient 3 had positive results with the fractions Aur3 (1%) and Aur4 (2%). Phytochemical tests (5) were performed with the fractions Aur1 and Aur2 which were classified as triterpenes; Aur3 showed to contain flavonoids and Aur4 contains pyrogallic tannins. In conclusion, ethanol soluble extractives and to a lesser extent hexane soluble extractives from the bark of A. urundeuva are capable of eliciting positive patch test reactions in persons who have apparently become sensitized to the plant material following its topical use.
NARRATIVE STRATEGIES IN GRIEF THERAPY

The field of grief therapy is currently in a state of conceptual revolution, opening the prospect of reconfiguring our understanding of the human experience of loss along constructivist lines. In this article I outline some of the tenets of such an approach, proposing that the reconstruction of a world of meaning is the central process in grieving. I then present several narrative strategies for assisting bereaved people in making meaning of loss, and discuss indications, illustrations, variations, and precautions pertinent to each.
A new method for monitoring deep body temperature from the skin surface.

SUMMARY 1. A new technique for monitoring the deep body temperature is described. The technique depends on creating a zone of zero heat-flow across the body shell; this brings the deep body temperature to the skin surface where it is measured with a simple electronic thermometer. 2. The new device gives a temperature closely comparable with other methods for measuring the deep body temperature in the resting subject, and is simple to use and socially acceptable.
Absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of an inhalation dose of [14C] 4,4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate in the male rat

The received dose, tissue distribution, metabolism, routes and rates of excretion of [14C]-4, 4'-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) were investigated in the male rat following a 6-h inhalation exposure to [14C]-MDI at a target concentration of 2 mg m−3. The mean dose received was equivalent to 0.078 mg MDI per animal, of this between 25 and 32% of radiolabelled material was available systemically. Radioactivity was distributed to all tissues examined with the highest proportions present in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, suggesting that both oral ingestion and pulmonary absorption contributed to the systemic dose of [14C]-MDI derived material, with the oral ingestion and the majority of the internal dose resulting from ingestion of radiolabelled material by grooming the pelt after exposure. Radioactivity was excreted mainly via faeces (about 80% of the received dose). Excretion in bile and urine each accounted for less than 15% of the dose. MDI was extensively metabolized after uptake, with two routes of transformation evident; the proposed spontaneous formation of mixed molecular weight polyureas and the enzyme catalysed metabolism of systemically available MDI or MDI derivatives to give N-acetylated and N-acetylated hydroxylated products. No free MDA was detected in any of the biomatrices (urine, faeces, bile) investigated.
Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species Production and Delivery Into Liquid Media by Microsecond Thermal Spark-Discharge Plasma Jet

The microsecond spark discharge plasma jet is experimentally analyzed, experimentally and numerical modeling is performed. It is shown that discharge appears as a the number of microdischarges resulting in the average gas temperature of the jet of about 40 <sup>°</sup>C-50 <sup>°</sup>C. Fast imaging and numerical modeling are performed in order to study the discharge development on both microsecond and nanosecond time scales. The biochemical study of the production and the delivery of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species ( H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>, NO, O<sub>2</sub><sup>-</sup>, “singlet” oxygen, and ONOO-) into liquid phase is performed using fluorescent dyes.
Bacterial infections in acute variceal hemorrhage despite antibiotics—a multicenter study of predictors and clinical impact

Background and aims Current guidelines recommend antibiotic prophylaxis in all patients presenting with cirrhosis and acute variceal hemorrhage (AVH). We aimed to evaluate the characteristics and clinical impact of “early” infections (developing within 14 days) of AVH in a real-world setting. Methods We analyzed retrospective data from a cohort of 371 adult patients with cirrhosis and AVH all of whom had received antibiotic prophylaxis (74% men; mean age 56 years), admitted to tertiary care hospitals in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and Barcelona, Spain. Sensitivity analyses were presented for culture-positive (confirmed) infections. Results The mean MELD was 16. Fifty-two percent of patients received quinolones, 45% third-generation cephalosporins and 3% other antibiotics. Fourteen percent (51/371) developed an infection within 14 days of AVH. Seventy-five percent of infections were culture positive and occurred at a mean of six days from AVH. When all infections were considered, respiratory infections were the most common (53%) followed by urinary tract infections (17%) and bacteremia (16%). Resistance patterns differed between countries. Outpatient antibiotic prophylaxis (OR 5.4) and intubation (OR 2.6) were independent predictors of bacterial infection. Bacterial infection (OR 2.6) and the MELD (OR 1.2) were independent predictors of six-week mortality. Conclusions Early bacterial infections develop in 14% of cirrhotic patients with AVH despite antibiotic prophylaxis, and have a negative impact on six-week mortality. Intubation and outpatient antibiotic prophylaxis are associated with increased risk of early bacterial infections. Patients at risk should be followed closely with prompt infection workup and local antibiogram-based expansion of antibiotic therapy in case of clinical decline.
Adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection: a review of selected topics

In the current era of HIV treatment, the toxicity profiles of antiretroviral drugs have increasingly emerged as a basis for selecting initial antiretroviral regimens as well as a reason for switching therapy in treatment-experienced patients. In this respect, an intensive research effort involving clinical research as well as basic science research over the past six years, has focused on the cluster of metabolic and body composition abnormalities that have come to be termed the ‘lipodystrophy syndrome’. These data have now provided a clear and clinically relevant understanding of the individual profiles of drugs within the nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor , HIV protease inhibitor and non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug classes, and have provided a rational basis for assessing and monitoring these adverse effects in clinical practice. In this review, current and emerging drug toxicities are considered with an emphasis on lipodystrophy complications.
Increased gray-matter volume in medication-naive high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder

Background. To establish whether high-functioning children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have enlarged brains in later childhood, and if so, whether this enlargement is confined to the gray and/or to the white matter and whether it is global or more prominent in specific brain regions. Method. Brain MRI scans were acquired from 21 medication-naive, high-functioning children with ASD between 7 and 15 years of age and 21 comparison subjects matched for gender, age, IQ, height, weight, handedness, and parental education, but not pubertal status. Results. Patients showed a significant increase of 6% in intracranium, total brain, cerebral gray matter, cerebellum, and of more than 40% in lateral and third ventricles compared to controls. The cortical gray-matter volume was evenly affected in all lobes. After correction for brain volume, ventricular volumes remained significantly larger in patients. Conclusions. High-functioning children with ASD showed a global increase in gray-matter, but not white-matter and cerebellar volume, proportional to the increase in brain volume, and a disproportional increase in ventricular volumes, still present after correction for brain volume. Advanced pubertal development in the patients compared to the age-matched controls may have contributed to the findings reported in the present study.
Truncation and microdeletion of EVC/EVC2 with missense mutation of EFCAB7 in Ellis‐van Creveld syndrome

Ellis‐van Creveld syndrome (EvC) is a ciliopathy with cardiac anomalies, disproportionate short stature, polydactyly, dystrophic nails and oral defects. To obtain further insight into the genetics of EvC, we screened EVC/EVC2 mutations in eight Vietnamese EvC patients. All the patients had a congenital heart defect with atypical oral and/or skeletal abnormalities. One had compound heterozygous EVC2 mutations: a novel mutation c.769G > T‐p.E177X in exon 6 inherited from father and another previously reported c.2476C > T‐p.R826X mutation in exon 14 inherited from mother. The EVC2 mRNA expression level was significantly lower in the patient and her parents compared to controls. Another case had a novel heterozygous EVC mutation (c.1717C > G‐p.S572X) in exon 12, inherited from his father. Of note, the mother without any EVC mutation on Sanger sequencing showed a lower expression level of EVC mRNA compared with controls. SNP array analysis revealed that the patient and mother had a heterozygous 16.4 kb deletion in EVC. This patient also had a heterozygous novel variant in exon 9 of EFCAB7 (c.1171 T > C‐p.Y391H), inherited from his father. The atypical cardiac phenotype of this patient and the father suggested that EFCAB7 may modify the phenotype by interacting with EVC. In conclusion, we detected two novel nonsense mutations and a partial deletion of EVC/EVC2 in two Vietnamese families with EvC. Moreover, we found in one family a missense mutation of EFCAB7, a possible modifier gene in EvC and its related disorders.
Vagus Nerve and Vagus Nerve Stimulation, a Comprehensive Review: Part I

The vagus nerve (VN), the “great wondering protector” of the body, comprises an intricate neuro‐endocrine‐immune network that maintains homeostasis. With reciprocal neural connections to multiple brain regions, the VN serves as a control center that integrates interoceptive information and responds with appropriate adaptive modulatory feedbacks. While most VN fibers are unmyelinated C‐fibers from the visceral organs, myelinated A‐ and B‐fiber play an important role in somatic sensory, motor, and parasympathetic innervation. VN fibers are primarily cholinergic but other noncholinergic nonadrenergic neurotransmitters are also involved. VN has four vagal nuclei that provide critical controls to the cardiovascular, respiratory, and alimentary systems. Latest studies revealed that VN is also involved in inflammation, mood, and pain regulation, all of which can be potentially modulated by vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). With a broad vagal neural network, VNS may exert a neuromodulatory effect to activate certain innate “protective” pathways for restoring health.
Impact of Fermi level pinning inside conduction band on electron mobility of InxGa1−xAs MOSFETs and mobility enhancement by pinning modulation

We clarified that Fermi levels at InGaAs MOS interfaces are pinned inside conduction band (CB) and that this pinning severely degrades the effective mobility. Also, the energy position of the Fermi level pinning (FLP) is found to be tunable. It is experimentally shown that the increase in the difference between the FLP position and the CB minimum (CBM) leads to high mobility at high Ns region. Also, possible physical origin for this FLP is proposed.