Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age-Adjusted Normative Values for Hip Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

Background: Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential clinical instruments used for assessing patient function, assisting in clinical decision making, and quantifying outcomes of surgical and nonsurgical management. However, PROMs are often designed using patients with preexisting pathology and typically assume that a patient without the pathology would have a perfect or near perfect score. This may result in unrealistic expectations or falsely underestimate how well a patient is doing after treatment. The influence of age on PROMs about the hip of healthy individuals has not been studied. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that in asymptomatic individuals hip-specific PROM scores will decrease in an age-dependent manor. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: In this multicenter survey study, volunteers who denied preexisting hip pathology and previous hip surgery completed 3 PROMs online or as traditional paper questionnaires. The International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT), the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), and the Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living (HOS-ADL) and HOS—Sport were completed. Analysis of variance with a Tukey post hoc test was used to analyze differences in PROMs among subgroups. An independent-samples Student t test and a χ2 test were used to analyze differences in continuous and categorical data, respectively. Results: In total 496, 571, 534, and 532 responses were collected for the iHOT, mHHS, HOS-ADL, and HOS–Sport, respectively. Respondents’ PROMs were scored and arranged into 3 groups by age: <40 years, 40 to 60 years, and >60 years. The iHOT, mHHS, HOS-ADL, and HOS–Sport of these asymptomatic respondents all decreased in an age-dependent manner: iHOT (<40, 94.1; 40-60, 92.4; >60, 87.0), mHHS (<40, 94.8; 40-60, 91.3; >60, 89.1), HOS-ADL (<40, 98.4; 40-60, 95.0; >60, 90.9), and HOS–Sport (<40, 95.7; 40-60, 82.9; >60, 72.9) (analysis of variance between-group differences, P < .05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the iHOT, mHHS, and HOS-ADL and HOS–Sport scores in asymptomatic people decrease in an age-dependent manner. It is important to compare a patient’s outcome scores with the age-normalized scores to establish an accurate reference frame with which to interpret outcomes.
A genome‐scale nutrient minimization forecast algorithm for controlling essential amino acid levels in CHO cell cultures

Mammalian cell culture processes rely heavily on empirical knowledge in which process control remains a challenge due to the limited characterization/understanding of cell metabolism and inability to predict the cell behaviors. This study facilitates control of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) processes through a forecast‐based feeding approach that predicts multiple essential amino acids levels in the culture from easily acquired viable cell density data. Multiple cell growth behavior forecast extrapolation approaches are considered with logistic curve fitting found to be the most effective. Next, the nutrient‐minimized CHO genome‐scale model is combined with the growth forecast model to generate essential amino acid forecast profiles of multiple CHO batch cultures. Comparison of the forecast with the measurements suggests that this algorithm can accurately predict the concentration of most essential amino acids from cell density measurement with error mitigated by incorporating off‐line amino acids concentration measurements. Finally, the forecast algorithm is applied to CHO fed‐batch cultures to support amino acid feeding control to control the concentration of essential amino acids below 1–2 mM for lysine, leucine, and valine as a model over a 9‐day fed batch culture while maintaining comparable growth behavior to an empirical‐based culture. In turn, glycine production was elevated, alanine reduced and lactate production slightly lower in control cultures due to metabolic shifts in branched‐chain amino acid degradation. With the advantage of requiring minimal measurement inputs while providing valuable and in‐advance information of the system based on growth measurements, this genome model‐based amino acid forecast algorithm represent a powerful and cost‐effective tool to facilitate enhanced control over CHO and other mammalian cell‐based bioprocesses.
The Agricultural Sector and Nigeria's Development: Comparative Perspectives from the Brazilian Agro-Industrial Economy, 1960-1995.

A strong and an efficient agricultural sector would enable a country to feed its growing population, generate employment, earn foreign exchange and provide raw materials for industries. The agricultural sector has a multiplier effect on any nation's socio-economic and industrial fabric because of the multifunctional nature of agriculture. This paper, therefore, emphasizes the fact that the agricultural sector is the engine of growth in virtually all developed economies. Specifically, the work limits itself to the important role of the agricultural sector in engendering sustainable development and a significant level of poverty reduction in Brazil. Of course the scenario in Brazil is in contradistinction to that of Nigeria where it would seem that successive Nigerian governments have only been paying lip service to agricultural development. Thus, the essence of this comparison is to reiterate the fact that Nigeria and other Third World countries need to urgently develop their monumental agricultural potentials if they are to achieve rapid industrial and economic development.
Cofactors and pathogens: Flavin mononucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) biosynthesis by the FAD synthase from Brucella ovis

The biosynthesis of the flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), cofactors used by 2% of proteins, occurs through the sequential action of two ubiquitous activities: a riboflavinkinase (RFK) that phosphorylates the riboflavin (RF) precursor to FMN, and a FMN:adenylyltransferase (FMNAT) that transforms FMN into FAD. In most mammals two different monofunctional enzymes have each of these activities, but in prokaryotes a single bifunctional enzyme, FAD synthase (FADS), holds them. Differential structural and functional traits for RFK and FMNAT catalysis between bacteria and mammals, as well as within the few bacterial FADSs so far characterized, has envisaged the potentiality of FADSs from pathogens as targets for the development of species‐specific inhibitors. Here, we particularly characterize the FADS from the ovine pathogen Brucella ovis (BoFADS), causative agent of brucellosis. We show that BoFADS has RFK activity independently of the media redox status, but its FMNAT activity (in both forward and reverse senses) only occurs under strong reducing conditions. Moreover, kinetics for flavin and adenine nucleotides binding to the RFK site show that BoFADS binds preferentially the substrates of the RFK reaction over the products and that the adenine nucleotide must bind prior to flavin entrapment. These results, together with multiple sequence alignments and phylogenetic analysis, point to variability in the less conserved regions as contributing to the species‐specific features in prokaryotic FADSs, including those from pathogens, that allow them to adopt alternative strategies in FMN and FAD biosynthesis and overall flavin homeostasis.
Comparisons of the mechanical properties of timber, steel and concrete sleepers

In this research, the mechanical behaviour of steel, timber and concrete sleepers is investigated and compared by conducting several laboratory and field tests. The main sleeper design parameters including rail seat loads, sleeper-ballast contact pressures and sleeper bending capacities are considered in this investigation. New formulae for the calculation of sleeper design parameters are developed for steel, timber and concrete sleepers. Results indicate that the new formulae can improve the accuracy of current practices in the analysis and design of sleepers. Comparisons of the mechanical properties of steel, timber and concrete sleepers indicate the optimum sleeper type based on railway structural and operational conditions.
Protein markers of spermatogenesis and their potential use in the management of azoospermia

ABSTRACT Introduction Azoospermia, absence of sperm in the ejaculate is classified as obstructive (OA) and non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). In OA, sperm are produced, but due to physical obstruction in the male reproductive tract, they are not released in the ejaculate. NOA, on the other hand, is defined as the absence of sperm in the ejaculate due to testicular dysfunction. In NOA, spermatogenesis is frequently preserved in specific sites, and proteomics studies have been employed in order to identify men with preserved spermatogenesis. Areas covered Differential protein expression in patients with male infertility is an indicator of impaired spermatogenesis. Here, we reviewed proteins with a potential role as biomarkers of spermatogenesis that could help in the management of non-obstructive and obstructive azoospermia. The following keywords were used for bibliographic research: seminal plasma, proteomics, male infertility, nonobstructive, obstructive, azoospermia, oligospermia. Expert opinion Biopsy is an invasive and potentially harmful technique for detecting spermatogenesis in men with OA and NOA. Seminal plasma proteins are highly promising as biomarkers for spermatogenesis. Current literature presents a number of potential candidate biomarkers for determining preserved spermatogenesis.
Determination of simple equivalent circuits of interacting discontinuities in waveguides or transmission lines

It is well known that the generalized scattering matrix (GSM) of a microwave network, which includes one or more ports supporting evanescent modes, is nonunitary. This has hindered the formation of equivalent circuits since it has not been evident how to form the impedance or admittance matrix. This paper describes how the problem has been overcome, resulting in a method for the formation of simple equivalent circuits of interacting closely spaced discontinuities in a waveguide. The n-port immittance matrix corresponding to the nonunitary GSM is formed by normalizing the imittance matrix to real or imaginary portal impedances. As an example, an equivalent circuit for the even mode of a waveguide short-slot coupler is presented, and the effect of the evanescent TE/sub 30/ mode in the coupling region is clearly expressed by an evanescent-mode waveguide in parallel with one supporting the dominant propagating mode. The method should find wide applications to problems involving interactions in waveguides.
Postradiation Optic Atrophy Is Associated With Intraocular Pressure and May Manifest With Neuroretinal Rim Thinning

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: To determine risk factors for postradiation optic atrophy (PROA) after plaque radiotherapy for uveal melanoma. Methods: A single center, retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with uveal melanoma involving choroid and/or ciliary body treated with plaque between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2016. Outcomes included development of PROA with pallor alone or with concomitant neuroretinal rim thinning (NRT). Cox regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for PROA. Results: Of 78 plaque-irradiated patients, PROA developed in 41 (53%), with concomitant NRT in 15 (19%). Risk factors for PROA of any type included presentation with worse visual acuity (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 5.6 [2.3–14.1], P < 0.001), higher baseline intraocular pressure (IOP; 14 vs 16 mm Hg) (1.1 [1.0–1.2], P = 0.03), shorter tumor distance to optic disc (1.3 [1.2–1.5], P < 0.001) and foveola (1.2 [1.1–1.3], P < 0.001), subfoveal subretinal fluid (3.8 [2.0–7.1], P < 0.001), greater radiation prescription depth (1.3 [1.1–1.6], P = 0.002), dose to fovea (point dose) (1.01 [1.01–1.02], P < 0.001), and mean (1.02 [1.02–1.03], P < 0.001) and maximum dose to optic disc per 1 Gy increase (1.02 [1.01–1.03], P < 0.001). On multivariate modeling, dose to disc, baseline IOP, and subfoveal fluid remained significant. Subanalysis revealed risk factors for pallor with NRT of greater mean radiation dose to disc (1.03 [1.01–1.05], P = 0.003), higher maximum IOP (17 vs 20 mm Hg) (1.4 [1.2–1.7], P < 0.001), and subfoveal fluid (12 [2–63], P = 0.004). Conclusion: PROA may result in NRT in addition to optic disc pallor. Risk factors for PROA included higher radiation dose to optic disc, higher baseline IOP, and subfoveal fluid. Higher maximum IOP contributed to concomitant NRT.
Prognostic Values of Platelet Distribution Width and Platelet Distribution Width-to-Platelet Ratio in Severe Burns

ABSTRACT Background: Platelet distribution width (PDW) and PDW-to-platelet ratio (PPR) have been proven to be good prognostic indicators for many diseases. However, their prognostic values in severe burns have not been reported. Objective: To investigate the early time course of PDW and PPR in severe burn patients and investigate their prognostic values. Methods: This is a 16-year, single-center retrospective study of 590 severe burn patients. The complete blood count parameters on day 1, day 3, and day 7 postburn, including PDW and PPR, were collected. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) analysis, multiple logistic regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis were performed to evaluate the prognostic values of PDW and PPR in severe burn patients. Results: According to 120-day follow-up records, 96 patients were nonsurvivors and 494 patients were survivors. ROC and area under the curve (AUC) analysis showed that, for predicting 120-day prognosis, the AUC of PDW (0.782) and PPR (0.816) on day 3 was the highest, followed by the AUC of PDW (0.764) and PPR (0.750) on day 7. The ROC–AUC of PPR (0.816) on day 3 was very close to that of the ABSI score (0.818). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the PDW (P = 0.033 and P = 0.009) and PPR (P = 0.052 and P = 0.046) on day 3 and day 7 were all significantly independently positively associated with 120-day mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that high PDW and PPR were both significantly associated with a high 120-day mortality rate on day 3 and day 7. Conclusion: PDW and PPR on day 3 and day 7 were independent risk factors for 120-day mortality in severe burn patients. These objective and readily available prognostic indicators may be more clinically favored.
Long-term, Real-life, Observational Study in Treating Outpatient Ulcerative Colitis with Golimumab.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Several studies have found Golimumab (GOL) effective and safe in the short-term treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC), but few long-term data are currently available from real world. Our aim was to assess the long-term real-life efficacy and safety of GOL in managing UC outpatients in Italy. METHODS A retrospective multicenter study assessing consecutive UC outpatients treated with GOL for at least 3-month of follow-up was made. Primary endpoints were the induction and maintenance of remission in UC, defined as Mayo score ≤2. Several secondary endpoints, including clinical response, colectomy rate, steroid free remission and mucosal healing, were also assessed during the follow-up. RESULTS One hundred and seventy-eight patients were enrolled and followed up for a median (IQR) time of 9 (3-18) months (mean time follow-up: 33.1±13 months). Clinical remission was achieved in 57 (32.1%) patients: these patients continued with GOL, but only 6 patients (3.4%) were still under clinical remission with GOL at the 42nd month of follow-up. Clinical response occurred in 64 (36.4%) patients; colectomy was performed in 8 (7.8%) patients, all of them having primary failure. Steroid-free remission occurred in 23 (12.9%) patients, and mucosal healing was achieved in 29/89 (32.6%) patients. Adverse events occurred in 14 (7.9%) patients. CONCLUSIONS Golimumab does not seem able to maintain long-term remission in UC in real life. The safety profile was good.
Factors affecting hospital readmission rates following an acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review

Abstract Aim To synthesise quantitative evidence on factors that impact hospital readmission rates following ACS with comorbidities. Design Systematic review and narrative synthesis. Data sources A search of eight electronic databases, including Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Scopus and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Review methods The search strategy included keywords and MeSH terms to identify English language studies published between 2001 and 2020. The quality of included studies was assessed by two independent reviewers, using Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal tools. Results Twenty‐four articles were included in the review. All cause 30‐day readmission rate was most frequently reported and ranged from 4.2% to 81%. Reported factors that were associated with readmission varied across studies from socio‐demographic, behavioural factors, comorbidity factors and cardiac factors. Findings from some of the studies were limited by data source, study designs and small sample size. Conclusion Strategies that integrate comprehensive discharge planning and individualised care planning to enhance behavioural support are related to a reduction in readmission rates. It is recommended that nurses are supported to influence discharge planning and lead the development of nurse‐led interventions to ensure discharge planning is both coordinated and person‐centred.
Multiple Primary Cancers in Patients Undergoing Tumor-Normal Sequencing Define Novel Associations

Background: Cancer survivors are developing more subsequent tumors. We sought to characterize patients with multiple (≥2) primary cancers (MPC) to assess associations and genetic mechanisms. Methods: Patients were prospectively consented (01/2013–02/2019) to tumor-normal sequencing via a custom targeted panel (MSK-IMPACT). A subset consented to return of results of ≥76 cancer predisposition genes. International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) 2004 rules for defining MPC were applied. Tumor pairs were created to assess relationships between cancers. Age-adjusted, sex-specific, standardized incidence ratios (SIR) for first to second cancer event combinations were calculated using SEER rates, adjusting for confounders and time of ascertainment. Associations were made with germline and somatic variants. Results: Of 24,241 patients, 4,340 had MPC (18%); 20% were synchronous. Most (80%) had two primaries; however, 4% had ≥4 cancers. SIR analysis found lymphoma–lung, lymphoma–uterine, breast–brain, and melanoma–lung pairs in women and prostate–mesothelioma, prostate–sarcoma, melanoma–stomach, and prostate–brain pairs in men in excess of expected after accounting for synchronous tumors, known inherited cancer syndromes, and environmental exposures. Of 1,580 (36%) patients who received germline results, 324 (21%) had 361 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV), 159 (44%) in high penetrance genes. Of tumor samples analyzed, 55% exhibited loss of heterozygosity at the germline variant. In those with negative germline findings, melanoma, prostate, and breast cancers were common. Conclusions: We identified tumor pairs without known predisposing mutations that merit confirmation and will require novel strategies to elucidate genetic mechanisms of shared susceptibilities. Impact: If verified, patients with MPC with novel phenotypes may benefit from targeted cancer surveillance.
Simultaneous reconstruction and motion estimation for gated cardiac ECT

The focus of this work has been to develop a processing method for gated cardiac ECT that simultaneously reconstructs the pixel intensities of the gated images and estimates the motion of the cardiac wall. The simultaneous reconstruction and motion estimation is achieved using conjugate gradient optimization with an objective function that is dependent on the gated reconstructed image at two frames and the estimated motion of each image pixel. The method was tested on simulated phantom data and patient gated cardiac SPECT data. The results demonstrate the ability of the algorithm to produce quality reconstructions and accurate motion estimates. The results also demonstrate the effect of the hyperparameter selection.
Effects of intensive multiplanar trunk training coupled with dual-task exercises on balance, mobility, and fall risk in patients with stroke: a randomized controlled trial

Objective We determined whether an exercise regime comprising high-intensity training, multiplanar trunk movements, and dual-task practice could improve trunk control, balance, functional mobility, and reduce fall risk in patients with hemiplegic stroke. Methods In this randomized controlled trial, 74 patients (mean age 61.71 years) were randomly assigned to the experimental and comparison groups. Primary outcome was trunk impairment scale (TIS) scores. Secondary outcomes were scores on the Berg balance scale, 10-meter walk test, Timed-up-and-go test, timed-Up-Go–cognitive, and Stroke Impact Scale-16 to measure between-group changes from baseline. We used linear mixed modeling to identify changes over time within and between groups on each scale and whether changes persisted at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Results We observed significantly increased mean TIS scores from baseline to 3 months post-treatment (7.74); the increased scores were maintained at 6- and 12-month follow-ups (8.60 and 8.43, respectively). In the experimental group, all secondary outcomes showed significant and clinically meaningful results. Fall risk between groups was significantly reduced at 6 and 12 months. Conclusions Intensive multiplanar trunk movements coupled with dual-task practice promoted trunk control, balance, and functional recovery in patients with stroke, reduced fall risk, and improved independent mobility. Trial registration: #IRCT20200127046275N1.
Intrinsic Wettability in Pristine Graphene

The wettability of graphene remains controversial owing to its high sensitivity to the surroundings, which is reflected by the wide range of reported water contact angle (WCA). Specifically, the surface contamination and underlying substrate would strongly alter the intrinsic wettability of graphene. Here, the intrinsic wettability of graphene is investigated by measuring WCA on suspended, superclean graphene membrane using environmental scanning electron microscope. An extremely low WCA with an average value ≈30° is observed, confirming the hydrophilic nature of pristine graphene. This high hydrophilicity originates from the charge transfer between graphene and water molecules through H–π interaction. The work provides a deep understanding of the water–graphene interaction and opens up a new way for measuring the surface properties of 2D materials.