Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum PTH reference values in an adult Brazilian population: implications for the diagnosis of hyperparathyroidism

ABSTRACT Objective: To define serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) reference values in carefully selected subjects following the recommended pre-analytical guidelines. Subjects and methods: First, 676 adults who would be submitted to thyroidectomy were evaluated. Patients using interfering medications or with malabsorption syndrome, hypomagnesemia, hyper- or hypophosphatemia, hypo- or hypercalcemia, 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 30 ng/dL, estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, urinary calcium/creatinine ratio ≥ 0.25, thyroid dysfunction, parathyroid adenoma detected during surgery were excluded. The sample consisted of 312 subjects. Results: The median, minimum, maximum, and 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the PTH values obtained were 30, 7.2, 78, 10.1, and 52 pg/mL, respectively. Thus, the reference range was 10 to 52 pg/mL. PTH > 65 pg/mL, the upper limit of normal according to the manufacturer of the kit, was observed in only one subject (0.3%). Considering the upper limit proposed by the kit's manufacturer, 1/6 hypercalcemic patients and 4/8 normocalcemic patients with PHPT had normal PTH. Using the upper limit established in this study, only one normocalcemic patient had normal PTH. Thus, the sensitivity of PTH in detecting asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) using the values recommended by the kit and established in this study was 64% and 93%, respectively (50% versus 87.5% for normocalcemic PHPT). Conclusion: The upper reference limit of PTH obtained for a rigorously selected sample was 20% lower than that provided by the assay, which increased its sensitivity in detecting PHPT.
Were California’s Decarceration Efforts Smart? A Quasi-Experimental Examination of Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Disparities

Over the last decade, California has undertaken one of the largest criminal justice reform efforts in recent U.S. history. However, little is known about the causal impact of these reforms on the overall incarceration rate and disparities in incarceration rates across demographic subgroups. Using a quasi-experimental synthetic control method and data from the Vera Institute of Justice and the U.S. Census Bureau, our results provide strong evidence that California’s reforms have substantially reduced the state’s overall incarceration rate, but that they have resulted in an increase in Latinx-White incarceration disparities. We also find suggestive evidence that the reforms have exacerbated Black-White incarceration disparities and disparities between men and women. Our study is especially relevant at a time when the United States is increasingly interested in reducing the population of people incarcerated and suggests that care must be taken to ensure that reform efforts do not increase incarceration disparities among demographic subgroups.
Kernel Estimation for Panel Data with Heterogeneous Dynamics

This paper proposes nonparametric kernel-smoothing estimation for panel data to examine the degree of heterogeneity across cross-sectional units. We first estimate the sample mean, autocovariances, and autocorrelations for each unit and then apply kernel smoothing to compute their density functions. The dependence of the kernel estimator on bandwidth makes asymptotic bias of very high order affect the required condition on the relative magnitudes of the cross-sectional sample size (N) and the time-series length (T). In particular, it makes the condition on N and T stronger and more complicated than those typically observed in the long-panel literature without kernel smoothing. We also consider a split-panel jackknife method to correct bias and construction of confidence intervals. An empirical application illustrates our procedure.
Cancer Statistics in Korea: Incidence, Mortality, Survival, and Prevalence in 2016

Purpose This study presents the 2016 nationwide cancer statistics in Korea, including cancer incidence, survival, prevalence, and mortality. Materials and Methods Cancer incidence data from 1999 to 2016 were obtained from the Korea National Cancer Incidence Database and followed until December 31, 2017. Mortality data from 1983 to 2016 were obtained from Statistics Korea. The prevalence was defined as the number of cancer patients alive on January 1, 2017 among all cancer patients diagnosed since 1999. Crude and age-standardized rates (ASRs) for incidence, mortality, and prevalence and 5-year relative survivals were also calculated. Results Overall, 229,180 and 78,194 Koreans were newly diagnosed and died from cancer in 2016, respectively. The ASRs for cancer incidence and mortality in 2016 were 269.0 and 79.8 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. The all-cancer incidence rate increased significantly by 3.6% annually from 1999 to 2011 and started to decrease after 2011 (2011-2016; annual percent change, –3.1%). However, overall cancer mortality has decreased 2.7% annually since 2002. The 5-year relative survival rate for patients diagnosed with cancer between 2012 and 2016 was 70.6%, an improvement from the 41.2% for patients diagnosed between 1993 and 1995. Conclusion The cancer prevalence in Korea has increased very fast as survival has improved remarkably. The high prevalence of cancer emphasizes the need for comprehensive cancer control efforts in Korea.
Topographical Pressure Pain Sensitivity Maps of the Feet Reveal Bilateral Pain Sensitivity in Patients With Unilateral Plantar Heel Pain.

BACKGROUND Plantar heel pain is one of the most common foot pain conditions treated by healthcare providers. OBJECTIVE To investigate differences in topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps of the feet between patients with unilateral plantar heel pain and healthy subjects and to determine the relationship between topographical pressure maps, pain intensity, disability and fascia thickness. METHODS Thirty-five patients with unilateral plantar heel pain and 35 matched healthy controls participated. Pressure pain thresholds (PPT) were assessed over 7 plantar locations on each foot. Topographical pressure pain sensitivity maps of the plantar region were generated using the averaged PPT of each assessed point. Pain and related-disability were assessed with a numerical pain rate scale (0-10) and the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), respectively. Plantar fascia thickness was measured via ultrasound. All outcomes were obtained by an assessor blinded to the subjects' condition. RESULTS Topographical pressure sensitivity maps revealed lower bilateral PPTs in patients with plantar heel pain as compared to healthy controls, and higher PPT on the calcaneus bone (P<0.01). Females showed lower PPTs than men in all areas (P<0.001). Individuals with plantar heel pain also exhibited an increase of fascia thickness, but only on the affected side, compared to healthy controls. Higher pressure pain sensitivity in the foot was associated with higher pain intensity at first step in the morning and a higher fascia thickness at the calcaneus bone. CONCLUSIONS Topographical pressure sensitivity maps revealed that individuals with unilateral plantar heel pain exhibited generalized bilateral pressure pain sensitivity in the plantar region. Higher pain intensity and fascia thickness were associated with higher pressure pain sensitivity in individuals with plantar heel pain. Our findings can be used for improving ergonomic interventions, e.g., foot orthoses, in individuals with plantar heel pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Case-control study, Level 4. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, Epub 26 Mar 2019. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019. 8801.
Ohmic Heating of Asteroids around Magnetic Stars

We consider the impact of electromagnetic induction and ohmic heating on a conducting planetary object that orbits a magnetic star. Power dissipated as heat saps orbital energy. If this heat is trapped by an insulating crust or mantle, interior temperatures increase substantially. We provide a quantitative description of this behavior and discuss the astrophysical scenarios in which it might occur. Magnetic fields around some main-sequence stars and white dwarfs are strong enough to cause the decay of close-in orbits of asteroids and dwarf planets, drawing them through the Roche limit on megayear timescales. We confirm that ohmic heating around neutron stars is driven by the rotation of the stellar magnetic dipole, not orbital dynamics. In any case, heating can raise interior temperatures of asteroids or dwarf planets on close-in orbits to well above liquidus. Hot material escaping to the surface may lead to volcanic ejections that can obscure the host star (as in the light curve of KIC 8462852) and pollute its atmosphere (as observed with metal-rich white dwarfs). We speculate that mixing of a volatile-rich mantle or crust with material from an induction-heated core may lead to an explosion that could destroy the asteroid prior to tidal breakup.
Efficacy and Tolerability of Adjunctive Intravenous Sodium Nitroprusside Treatment for Outpatients With Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance Antipsychotic medications for the treatment of schizophrenia have limitations, and new treatments are needed. A prior pilot investigation suggested that adjunctive sodium nitroprusside (SNP) administered intravenously had rapid efficacy in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Objective To determine the efficacy and tolerability of intravenous SNP infused at a rate of 0.5 μg/kg/min for 4 hours in patients with schizophrenia with some degree of treatment resistance. Design, Setting, and Participants Multicenter, randomized, double-blind acute treatment study using a sequential parallel comparison design conducted in two 2-week phases at 4 academic medical centers beginning May 20, 2015, and ending March 31, 2017. Participants were adults 18 to 65 years of age with a diagnosis of schizophrenia as confirmed by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV, taking antipsychotic medication for at least 8 weeks, and had at least 1 failed trial of an antipsychotic medication within the past year. A total of 90 participants consented, 60 participants enrolled, and 52 participants were included in the analyses. A modified intent-to-treat analysis was used. Interventions Participants were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio to 1 of 3 treatment sequences: SNP and SNP, placebo and SNP, and placebo and placebo. The SNP and SNP group received SNP in phase 1 and SNP in phase 2 for the purpose of blinding, but the data from phase 2 were not included in the results. The placebo and SNP group received placebo in phase 1 and SNP in phase 2. If there was no response to placebo in phase 1, data from phase 2 were included in the analyses. The placebo and placebo group received placebo in both phases; if there was no response to placebo in phase 1, data from phase 2 were included in the analyses. Main Outcomes and Measures Effectiveness of SNP compared with placebo in improving Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total, positive, and negative scores across each 2-week phase. Results Fifty-two participants (12 women and 40 men) were included in the study. In the SNP and SNP group, the mean (SD) age was 47.1 (10.5) years. In the placebo and SNP group, the mean (SD) age was 45.9 (12.3) years. In the placebo and placebo group, the mean (SD) age was 40.4 (11.0) years. There were no significant differences between the SNP and placebo groups at baseline or in change from baseline for PANSS-total (weighted β = -1.04; z = -0.59; P = .57), PANSS-positive (weighted β = -0.62; z = -0.93; P = .35), or PANSS-negative (weighted β = -0.12; z = -0.19; P = .85) scores. No significant differences in safety or tolerability measures were identified. Conclusions and Relevance Although intravenous SNP is well tolerated, it was not an efficacious adjunctive treatment of positive or negative symptoms of psychosis among outpatients with schizophrenia with prior history of treatment resistance. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02164981.
CNO Emission of an Unlensed Submillimeter Galaxy at z = 4.3

We present the results from Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array observations of [N ii] 205 μm, [C ii] 158 μm, and [O iii] 88 μm lines in an unlensed submillimeter galaxy at z = 4.3, COSMOS-AzTEC-1, hosting a compact starburst core with an effective radius of ∼1 kpc. The [C ii] and [N ii] emission are spatially resolved in 0. ″3-resolution (1 kpc in radius). The kinematic properties of the [N ii] emission are consistent with those of the CO(4–3) and [C ii] emission, suggesting that the ionized gas feels the same gravitational potential as the associated molecular gas and photodissociation regions (PDRs). On the other hand, the spatial extent is different among the lines and dust continuum: the [C ii] emitting gas is the most extended and the dust is the most compact, leading to a difference of the physical conditions in the interstellar medium. We derive the incident far-ultraviolet flux and the hydrogen gas density through PDR modeling by properly subtracting the contribution of ionized gas to the total [C ii] emission. The observed [C ii] emission is likely produced by dense PDRs with cm−3 and G0 = 103.5–3.75 in the central 1 kpc region and cm−3 and G0 = 103.25–3.5 in the central 3 kpc region. We have also successfully measured the line ratio of [O iii]/[N ii] in the central 3 kpc region of COSMOS-AzTEC-1 at z = 4.3, which is the highest redshift where both nitrogen and oxygen lines are detected. Under the most likely physical conditions, the measured luminosity ratio of L[O iii]/L[N ii] = 6.4 ± 2.2 indicates a near solar metallicity with Zgas = 0.7–1.0 Z⊙, suggesting a chemically evolved system at z = 4.3.
Ground Deformation and Seismic Fault Model of the M6.4 Durres (Albania) Nov. 26, 2019 Earthquake, Based on GNSS/INSAR Observations

We identify the source of the Mw = 6.4 earthquake that rocked north-central Albania on November 26, 2019 02:54 UTC. We use synthetic aperture radar interferograms tied to the time series of coordinates of two permanent Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) stations (DUR2 and TIR2). We model the source by inverting the displacement data. Assuming in our model a half-space elastic medium and uniform slip along a rectangular fault surface, we invert the 104 picked measurements on a couple of ascending and descending interferograms to calculate the parameters of the fault. All inversions made with different input parameters converge towards a stable and robust solution with root mean square (r.m.s.) residual of 5.4 mm, thus ~1/5 of a fringe. They reveal that the earthquake occurred deep in the crust on a low-angle fault (23°) dipping towards east with a centroid at 16.5 km depth. The best-fitting length and width of the fault are 22 and 13 km, and the reverse slip, 0.55 m. The seismic moment deduced from our model agrees with those of the published seismic moment tensors. This geometry is compatible with a blind thrust fault that may root on the main basal thrust, i.e., along the thrust front that separates Adria–Apulia from Eurasia. It is notable that there is a 123 ns yr−1 active shortening of the crust between the GNSS stations DUR2-TIR2 (equivalent to a shortening rate of 3.6 mm yr−1), and roughly in the east–west direction. Given this amount of strain the recurrence time of M6+ earthquakes along this fault should be of the order of 150 years.
Aberrant expression of miR‐29a/29b and methylation level of mouse embryos after in vitro fertilization and vitrification at two‐cell stage

Proper epigenetic modifications during preimplantation embryo development are important for a successful pregnancy. We aim to investigate the putative influence of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and vitrification on DNA methylation in mouse preimplantation embryos. The study groups consisted of blastocyst‐derived vitrified two‐cell embryos, nonvitrified embryos, and a control group of in vivo derived blastocysts. We assessed developmental competence, global DNA methylation, relative expression levels of miR‐29a/29b, and their target genes, Dnmt3a/3b. Vitrified embryos had a lower developmental rate as compared with nonvitrified embryos. There was no significant decrease in blastocyst cell numbers among studied groups, whereas there was a steady decline in DNA methylation after IVF and vitrification. The levels of miR‐29a/29b upregulated in the experimental groups as compared with the control group. IVF and vitrification caused Dnmt3a/3b downregulations in blastocysts. The results of this study have suggested that a relationship exists between IVF and embryo vitrification with methylation interruptions in the blastocysts.
Lessons to Learn From Low-Dose Cyclosporin-A: A New Approach for Unexpected Clinical Applications

Cyclosporin-A has been known and used for a long time, since its “fast track” approval in the early 80's. This molecule has rapidly demonstrated unexpected immunosuppressive properties, transforming the history of organ transplantation. Cyclosporin's key effect relies on modulation on T-lymphocyte activity, which explains its role in the prevention of graft rejection. However, whether cyclosporin-A exerts other effects on immune system remains to be determined. Until recently, cyclosporin-A was mainly used at a high-dose, but given the drug toxicity and despite the fear of losing its immunosuppressive effects, there is nowadays a tendency to decrease its dose. The literature has been reporting data revealing a paradoxical effect of low dosage of cyclosporin-A. These low-doses appear to have immunomodulatory properties, with different effects from high-doses on CD8+ T lymphocyte activation, auto-immune diseases, graft-vs.-host disease and cancer. The aim of this review is to discuss the role of cyclosporin-A, not only as a consecrated immunosuppressive agent, but also as an immunomodulatory drug when administrated at low-dose. The use of low-dose cyclosporin-A may become a new therapeutic strategy, particularly to treat cancer.
The impact of botfly parasitism on the health of the gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus agilis)

Abstract Fragmented habitats generally harbour small populations that are potentially more prone to local extinctions caused by biotic factors such as parasites. We evaluated the effects of botflies (Cuterebra apicalis) on naturally fragmented populations of the gracile mouse opossum (Gracilinanus agilis). We examined how sex, food supplementation experiment, season and daily climatic variables affected body condition and haemoglobin concentration in animals that were parasitized or not by botflies. Although parasitism did not affect body condition, haemoglobin concentrations were lower in parasitized animals. Among the non-parasitized individuals, haemoglobin concentration increased with the increase of maximum temperature and the decrease of relative humidity, a climatic pattern found at the peak of the dry season. However, among parasitized animals, the opposite relationship between haemoglobin concentration and relative humidity occurred, as a consequence of parasite-induced anaemia interacting with dehydration as an additional stressor. We conclude that it is critical to assess how climate affects animal health (through blood parameters) to understand the population consequences of parasitism on the survival of individuals and hence of small population viability.
The Association Between Negative Trauma-Related Cognitions and Pain-Related Functional Status Among Veterans With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Alcohol Use Disorder.

Among veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), alcohol use disorders (AUDs) are highly prevalent. Furthermore, PTSD frequently co-occurs with chronic pain (CP), and CP is associated with an increased risk of AUD. Pain-related beliefs and appraisals are significantly associated with poorer pain-related functional status, yet few studies have examined negative trauma-related cognitions and their impact on pain-related functional disability in veterans with co-occurring PTSD and AUD. Accordingly, we examined the association between negative trauma-related cognitions and pain severity and pain disability in 137 veterans seeking treatment for PTSD and AUD. Using hierarchical multiple linear regression, we found that higher levels of negative trauma-related cognitions (e.g., "I am completely incompetent") were associated with a higher level of pain severity, after controlling for PTSD symptom severity and frequency of alcohol use, total R2 = . 07, ΔR2 = . 06. Additionally, as hypothesized, we found that higher levels of negative trauma-related cognitions were associated with higher levels of pain disability, after controlling for PTSD symptom severity, frequency of alcohol use, and pain severity, total R2 = . 46, ΔR2 = . 03. Given that negative trauma-related cognitions contributed to pain severity and pain disability, even when controlling for PTSD severity and frequency of alcohol use, future studies should explore the potential impact of interventions that address negative trauma-related cognitions (e.g., prolonged exposure or cognitive processing therapy) on pain severity and disability.
Chronic Medication Use in Children Insured by Medicaid: A Multistate Retrospective Cohort Study

We examine CM use in pediatric Medicaid enrollees, highlighting the prevalence of CM use, associated clinical characteristics, and health care use and spending. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Little is known about the use of chronic medications (CMs) in children. We assessed the prevalence of CM use in children and the association of clinical characteristics and health care resource use with the number of CMs used. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of children ages 1 to 18 years using Medicaid from 10 states in 2014 grouped by the annual number of CMs (0, 1, 2–4, 5–9, and ≥10 medications), which are defined as a dispensed ≥30-day prescription with ≥2 dispensed refills. Trends in clinical characteristics and health care use by number of CMs were evaluated with the Cochran-Armitage trend test. RESULTS: Of 4 594 061 subjects, 18.8% used CMs. CM use was 44.4% in children with a complex chronic condition. Across all children, the most common CM therapeutic class was neurologic (28.9%). Among CM users, 48.8% used multiple CMs (40.3% used 2–4, 7.0% used 5–9, and 0.5% used ≥10). The diversity of medications increased with increasing number of CMs: for 1 CM, amphetamine stimulants were most common (29.0%), and for ≥10 CMs, antiepileptics were most common (7.1%). Of $2.3 billion total pharmacy spending, 59.3% was attributable to children dispensed multiple CMs. Increased CM use (0 to ≥10 medications) was associated with increased emergency department use (32.1% to 56.2%) and hospitalization (2.3% to 36.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly 1 in 5 children with Medicaid used CMs. Use of multiple CMs was common and correlated with increased health care use. Understanding CM use in children should be fundamentally important to health care systems when strategizing how to provide safe, evidence-based, and cost-effective pharmaceutical care to children.