Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reliability of GFR formulas based on serum creatinine, with special reference to the MDRD Study equation

Estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is central to the diagnosis, evaluation and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This review summarizes data on the performance of equations using serum creatinine to estimate GFR, particularly the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation. The size of studies evaluating GFR estimation equations and their level of sophistication in estimating bias, precision, validity and sensitivity to the source population have improved over the past decade. We update our review from 2006, which included 7 studies with over 500 individuals and 12 studies with 50–499 individuals with measured GFR evaluating the MDRD Study and Cockcroft–Gault equations. More recent studies include an individual level pooling analysis of 5504 participants in 10 studies which showed that creatinine calibration to reference methods improved the performance of the MDRD Study equation but increased bias for the Cockcroft‐Gault equation. The MDRD Study equation had a bias of 3.0 %, interquartile range of 29.0 % and percentage of estimates within 30 % of the measured GFR value (P30) of 82 % for estimates below 60 mL/(min×1.73 m2). Above this value, the bias was greater (8.7 %) and estimates are less useful since 30 % error is a large absolute error in GFR. Results vary across studies but are generally similar with disappointing performance in the high GFR range, which is of particular interest in early diabetic nephropathy. New equations using serum creatinine can reduce the bias present in the high GFR range but are unlikely to dramatically improve precision, suggesting a need for additional markers. Finally, algorithms are needed to tailor clinical practice based on data from GFR estimates and other participant characteristics, including the source population and level of proteinuria.
L‐type Ca2+ channels serve as a sensor of the SR Ca2+ for tuning the efficacy of Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release in rat ventricular myocytes

In cardiac excitation‐contraction coupling, Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from ryanodine receptors (RyRs), triggered by Ca2+ entry through the nearby L‐type Ca2+ channel, induces Ca2+‐dependent inactivation (CDI) of the Ca2+ channel. Aiming at elucidating the physiological role of CDI produced by CICR (CICR‐dependent CDI), we investigated the contribution of the CICR‐dependent CDI to action potential (AP) waveform and the amount of Ca2+‐influx through Ca2+ channels during AP in rat ventricular myocytes. The elimination of the CICR‐dependent CDI, by depletion of the SR Ca2+ with thapsigargin, significantly prolonged AP duration (APD). APD changed in parallel with the magnitude of CICR during the recovery of the SR Ca2+ content after transient depletion by caffeine. Such CICR‐dependent change of APD persisted under the highly Ca2+ buffered condition where the Ca2+ signalling was restricted to nanoscale domains. Blockers of the Ca2+‐dependent Cl− channel or the BK channel did not affect AP waveform. The amount of Ca2+‐influx through Ca2+ channels during the SR‐depleted type AP waveform, measured in the SR‐depleted myocyte, was increased by 40% over that during the SR‐intact type AP waveform measured in the SR‐intact myocyte. The protein kinase A stimulation further enhanced the Ca2+‐influx during AP under the SR‐depleted condition to 70% of that under the SR‐intact condition. These results indicate that the CICR‐dependent CDI of L‐type Ca2+ channels, under control of the privileged cross‐signalling between L‐type Ca2+ channels and RyRs, play important roles for monitoring and tuning the SR Ca2+ content via changes of AP waveform and the amount of Ca2+‐influx during AP in ventricular myocytes.
[Influence of thymidylate synthase gene polymorphisms on high-dose methotrexate-related toxicities in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the influence of thymidylate synthase (TS) gene polymorphisms on high-dose methotrexate (HD-MTX)-related toxicities in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS A total of 73 children who were diagnosed with ALL between March 2011 and March 2013 were included into this study. Genomic DNAs were extracted from their peripheral blood. And then the genotypes of TS 5'-UTR were determined by direct DNA sequencing after PCR. The toxicity response of 73 patients receiving HD-MTX chemotherapy were observed and recorded, and plasma MTX concentrations at 42-48 hours after chemotherapy were measured. RESULTS The main HD-MTX-related toxicities of 73 patients receiving HD-MTX chemotherapy were neutropenia, decreased hemoglobin level, thrombocytopenia, liver toxicity, mucosal damage, and gastrointestinal reactions. There were no significant differences in the incidence rate of HD-MTX-related toxicities between children with different TS 5'-UTR genotypes after chemotherapy (P>0.05). TS 5'-UTR genotype was not significantly correlated with plasma MTX concentrations at 42-48 hours after chemotherapy (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS TS gene polymorphisms have no influence on the incidence of HD-MTX-related toxicities in childhood ALL.
An optimal cooperation in a team of agents subject to partial information

The objective of this work is to design a controller for a team of agents to accomplish cohesive motion with consensus on an agreed upon trajectory in both leaderless and modified leader–follower structures. The agent's dynamical model is considered to be governed by a general linear representation instead of a point-mass model which is commonly used in the literature. A semi-decentralised optimal control strategy is designed based on minimisation of individual cost functions over a finite horizon using local information. Decentralisation is achieved through incorporating interaction terms in the team members model. Minimisation of our proposed cost function results in a modified version of the consensus algorithm. Corresponding to the leader–follower structure, the utilisation of a corrective feedback from followers to the leader provides potential advantages in terms of improving robustness of the team to faults in individual agents. Simulation results are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness and capabilities of our proposed method in achieving user predefined requirements and specifications.
Local Squeezing Casting Influence on the Compactness of AlSi10Mg Alloy Castings

Casting solidification brings to the shrinkage in the liq-uid state, solidification shrinkage and shrinkage in the solid state. Recently, technologies of die and gravity casting have increased the number of highly functional castings, which have been characterized with the very complex geometry. due to the different wall thickness in these castings, as well as the high solidification rates, premature interruption of feeding occurs. Impossibility of adequate feeding results in occurring of stand-alone solidification areas. These areas have been characterized with the smallest cooling and solidification rate and with the volume defects such as shrinkage, micro- and macro porosity appearance.The aim of the local squeezing casting process examination has been to eliminate the hot spot i.e. the place of potential formation of shrinkage porosity. The influence of variation of process parameters on the density i.e. soundness (compactness) of AlSi10Mg alloy castings has been obtained by the local squeezing process with the pin during gravity casting in the special permanent mould. Local squeezing parameters have been determined on the basis of preliminary investigations of AlSi10Mg alloy: temperature intervals and relevant temperature of singular phases precipitation and the microstructure development at different cooling rates. The temperature interval of performing the local squeezing casting process have been established in which the density values approaching to the theoretic ones have been determined.
LANGUAGE INTERFERENCE AND METHODS OF ITS OVERCOMING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE TEACHING

This scientific article focuses on the theoretical grounding in language interference by means of studying the relation between bilingualism and interference. Consecutively, the article considers the variety of language interference with its typical influence on French language learning by students. Special attention is paid to contrastive analysis and error analysis - the basic ways for overcoming interference mistakes. A body of preliminary measures is presented, as well as corrective strategies for dealing with interference in studying foreign languages with the aim of improving the quality of language knowledge and its transformation into language competence.
Structural similarity among Escherichia coli FtsW and RodA proteins and Bacillus subtilis SpoVE protein, which function in cell division, cell elongation, and spore formation, respectively

The Escherichia coli cell division gene ftsW (2 min) was cloned and sequenced. It encodes a hydrophobic protein(s) with 414 and/or 384 amino acid residues. The deduced amino acid sequence and the hydropathy profile of the protein showed high homology with those of the E. coli RodA protein functioning in determination of the cell shape and the Bacillus subtilis SpoVE protein functioning in spore formation. Probably similar functional membrane proteins are involved in these three cell cycle process.
Assessing the Impact of Density Dependence in Field Populations of Aedes aegypti

ABSTRACT: Although many laboratory studies of intra-specific competition have been conducted with Ae. aegypti, there have been few studies in natural environments and none that examined density dependence in natural containers at normal field densities. Additionally, current mathematical models that predict Ae. aegypti population dynamics lack empirically-based functions for density-dependence. We performed field experiments in Tapachula, Mexico, where dengue is a significant public health concern. Twenty-one containers with natural food and water that already contained larvae were collected from local houses. Each container was divided in half and the naturally occurring larvae were apportioned in a manner that resulted in one side of the container (high density) having four times the density of the second side (low density). Larvae were counted and pupae were removed daily. Once adults emerged, wing span was measured to estimate body size. Density had a significant impact on larval survival, adult body size, and the time taken to transition from 4th instar to pupation. Increased density decreased larval survival by 20% and decreased wing length by an average of 0.19 mm. These results provide a starting point for a better understanding of density dependence in field populations of Ae. aegypti.
Use of the Pentax-AWS® in 293 Patients with Difficult Airways

Background:Several case reports have shown that the Pentax-AWS® (Hoya Corporation, Tokyo, Japan), a new video laryngoscope, is useful in patients with difficult airways. Methods:We assessed the effectiveness of the Pentax-AWS® in two groups. Group 1 included 270 patients in whom direct laryngoscopy using a Macintosh laryngoscope had been difficult. Group 2 included 23 patients with predicted difficult intubation and difficult mask ventilation without previous use of the Macintosh laryngoscope. Results:In group 1, the view of the glottis with the Macintosh laryngoscope was Cormack and Lehane grade 2 in 14 patients, grade 3 in 208 patients, and grade 4 in 48 patients. In 256 patients in whom the grade was 3 or 4 with the Macintosh laryngoscope, the view with the Pentax-AWS® was either grade 1 or 2 in 255 patients (99.6%; 95% confidence intervals 97.8–100%). Tracheal intubation was successful with the Pentax-AWS® in 268 of 270 patients (99.3%; 95% confidence interval 97.4–100%), and it failed (after two attempts) in two patients. In group 2, tracheal intubation was successful in 22 of 23 patients, and it failed in one patient. The reasons for failed intubation using the Pentax-AWS® were failure to position the blade toward the glottic side of the epiglottis, inability to maneuver the endotracheal tube away from the arytenoids and into the trachea, and bleeding and swelling of the oropharynx. Conclusion:The success rate of tracheal intubation using the Pentax-AWS® was high in patients with difficult laryngoscopy with a Macintosh laryngoscope and in patients with predicted difficult intubation.
Policy Recommendations for the Use of Victim-Offender Mediation to Redress Criminal Actions

Abstract Understanding how to respond effectively and efficiently to crime victims and their offenders, and identifying what policies assist victims in having their victimization redressed is a major social concern. Social workers have contact with these vulnerable populations in many different ways, yet the social work profession, in general, is unfamiliar with how to redress victims through restorative justice. Restorative justice is an innovative method of viewing crime, and a paradigm shift is required when considering the application and implication of various forms of restorative justice. It is imperative to keep various justice options available, as the effects of crime are detrimental. Though reported rates of juvenile and adult crime have decreases during the last decade, the costs associated with crime to society remain high. Many victims do not report crimes, and if professionals such as medical personnel fail to identify crimes, then these costs may be even higher than currently reported. Regardless, however, of the costs associated with crime, victims deserve having justice evaluated, at least in part, in terms of what they need and want. Likewise, it is imperative to evaluate the effects of victim-offender mediation (VOM), a form of restorative justice, on offenders as they too deserve potential rehabilitation and the chance to redress the harm they caused their victim(s). This paper discusses crime effects, provides an overview of VOM, and concludes with policy recommendations concerning the use of victim-offender mediation.
A functional magnetic resonance imaging study of cortical asymmetry in bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVES Individuals with bipolar disorder (BPD) exhibit motor, perceptual, and cognitive disturbances involving predominantly right hemisphere dysfunction. This asymmetry has been used to advance the hypothesis that the pathogenesis of bipolar disorder may be related to disturbances of the right cerebral hemisphere. We employed functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine hemispheric asymmetries in manic and depressed BPD. A secondary goal of the study was to examine effects of psychotropic medications on blood volume changes in the motor cortices. METHODS We studied 18 right-handed BPD and 13 right-handed normal healthy comparison subjects. Blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) responses in the primary motor area (M1) and supplementary motor area (SMA) of both hemispheres were elicited during reaction time (RT) tasks. RESULTS Healthy subjects activated the SMA in a reciprocal fashion with significantly greater activity in the left SMA for right hand trials and the right SMA for left hand trials. Depressed BPD subjects failed to show this normal reciprocity indicating a failure to suppress unwanted activity in the ipsilateral right SMA, whereas manic BPD subjects failed to suppress unwanted ipsilateral SMA activity in both hemispheres. Manic and depressed BPD subjects exhibited greater activity in the left primary motor area suggesting increased cortical excitability. BPD subjects treated with antipsychotics or mood-stabilizing medications exhibited longer RTs, lower BOLD responses in M1 and SMA, and a loss of normal hemispheric asymmetry in the SMA than untreated subjects. CONCLUSIONS The presence of a right hemisphere disturbance in BPD is consistent with the hypothesis that the right hemisphere may be dominant in mood regulation. The presence of both left and right hemisphere disturbances in mania may explain the coexisting psychotic and affective symptoms observed in this condition.
Endovascular treatment of basilar tip aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils: predictors of immediate and long-term results with multivariate analysis 6-year experience.

PURPOSE To analyze anatomic and clinical results and factors predictive of outcome in treatment of basilar tip aneurysms with Guglielmi detachable coils (GDCs). MATERIALS AND METHODS During 6 years, 55 unselected consecutive saccular aneurysms in 53 patients (mean age, 47 years) were treated with GDC occlusion. Forty-one (75%) aneurysms were ruptured (Hunt-Hess and Fisher grades were assigned in patients); 14 (25%), unruptured. Clinical and angiographic evaluations were performed 6 months after treatment and during follow-up (mean follow-up, 2 years). Multivariate analysis was used to determine factors predictive of outcome. RESULTS GDC occlusion was a success in 52 (95%) aneurysms, a failure in two (4%), and not attempted in one (2%). Occlusion at final follow-up, evaluated in 44 aneurysms, was complete in 34 (77%), near complete in four (9%), and incomplete in six (14%). At 6-12 months, mean aneurysmal occlusion rate significantly worsened because of revascularization (P <.001) but improved at final follow-up because of reembolization in 10 aneurysms (P =.009); it remained stable (P =.351) between initial and final follow-up. Multivariate binary logistic regression indicated that before treatment started, aneurysmal neck size was the only independent predictor of initial occlusion rate (P =.002) and revascularization (P =.004). After the initial procedure, sac size and initial occlusion rate were independent predictors of revascularization (P =.004 and.008, respectively), irrespective of neck size. Occlusion rate at 6-12-month follow-up was the only independent predictor of that at final follow-up (P =.021), regardless of shape of aneurysm. Overall morbidity was 2% (one of 51); mortality, 6% (three of 51). Mortality correlated significantly with Hunt-Hess grade 4 at admission (P =.003) and incidence of vasospasm (P =.058). CONCLUSION GDC occlusion proved to be a safe effective therapeutic alternative to surgery in patients with ruptured or unruptured basilar tip aneurysms. Morphologic and clinical factors were respectively identified as predictors of the optimal anatomic and clinical outcomes.
Bicalutamide (150 mg) versus placebo as immediate therapy alone or as adjuvant to therapy with curative intent for early nonmetastatic prostate cancer: 5.3-year median followup from the Scandinavian Prostate Cancer Group Study Number 6.

PURPOSE We evaluated the benefits of adding 150 mg bicalutamide to standard care, that is radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy or watchful waiting (WW), in patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS A total of 1,218 men with T1-4, M0, any N prostate cancer were recruited from 62 Scandinavian centers and randomized 1:1 to 150 mg bicalutamide or placebo plus standard care. Primary end points were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival. RESULTS At a median 5.3-year followup patients with locally advanced disease had improved survival with bicalutamide (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.50 to 0.92), while those with localized disease had decreased survival with bicalutamide (HR 1.47, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.03). Bicalutamide significantly improved PFS, decreasing the risk of disease progression by 43% compared with placebo (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.68, p<0.0001). The rate of events was 35.4% for bicalutamide and 46.2% for placebo. Patients with locally advanced disease gained the greatest PFS benefits with bicalutamide (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.31 to 0.52). Since 81% of the trial population were untreated before entry and would otherwise have undergone WW, the findings essentially reflect the results of immediate hormone therapy vs WW. CONCLUSIONS Bicalutamide (150 mg) provides significant benefit in patients with locally advanced disease. In previously untreated patients there may be a tumor burden below which endocrine therapy provides no benefit or may even decrease survival.
Equilibrium for spot and options markets with capacity constraints

Based on the peculiarities of bid-based-pool (BBP) electricity markets, the generatorspsila gaming in financial options market and spot market is addressed. A two-period equilibrium model with capacity constraints, where strategic generators compete with their rivals by supply function in spot market and by Cournot conjectures in financial options market, is proposed. The model can be transformed to a set of nonlinear equations by gathering the Karush-Kuhn-Tucker (KKT) conditions for all generators, and then be solved by an advanced Levenberg-Marquardt (L-M) algorithm. The results show that strategic generators will voluntarily participate in strategic financial options contracting, and thus their market power abuse can be mitigated and the competition in electricity markets can be enhanced to some extent. The effect of financial options contract on electricity markets is stronger than forward contract, and the market power abuse of generators with supply function competition can be mitigated to a larger extent than with Cournot.
Temozolomide and Radiation in Low-Grade and Anaplastic Gliomas: Temoradiation

Recently completed trials suggest the addition of nitrosourea-based chemotherapy to radiotherapy increases the progression-free but not overall survival of grade II and III gliomas. Temozolomide has proven benefit in grade II/III gliomas progressive following standard therapy and when added to radiation for glioblastoma. Newly launched and planned phase III trials will explore whether the addition of temozolomide to radiotherapy improves overall survival in grade II/III as well as the prognostic and predictive value of 1p/19q analyses and MGMT promotor methylation status. Additionally, they will measure cognition and quality of life to determine if improvements in time to progression translate into better functional status and patient satisfaction.
New strategies for the management of diverticular disease: insights for the clinician

Diverticulosis is one of the most common gastrointestinal conditions affecting the general population in the Western world. It is estimated that over 2.5 million people are affected by diverticular disease in the United States. The spectrum of clinical manifestations of diverticulosis ranges from asymptomatic diverticulosis to complicated diverticulitis. Treatment for symptomatic diverticular disease is largely based on symptoms. Traditional therapy includes fiber, bowel rest, antibiotics, pain control and surgery for selected cases. This review discusses recent advances in the medical treatment of diverticular disease such as the use of mesalamine, rifaximin and probiotics as our understanding of the disease evolves.
Conspicuous Consumption, Inequality and Debt: The Nature of Consumption‐Driven Profit‐Led Regimes

This paper extends the theoretical concept of wage-led and profit-led demand regimes by incorporating relative consumption concerns. Specifically, it integrates the Veblenian concept of conspicuous consumption into the Bhaduri–Marglin model by assuming that relative consumption concerns matter primarily within the working class. If in such a framework the profit share increases and the corresponding decrease in workers' income is distributed unevenly, efforts to ‘keep up with the Joneses’ may increase consumption and, hence, lead to a consumption-driven profit-led regime.