Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Decreased Human Milk Concentration of Epidermal Growth Factor After Preterm Delivery of Intrauterine Growth-restricted Newborns

Background and Aim: The aim of the study was to compare epidermal growth factor (EGF) concentration in 81 colostrum samples collected from mothers of newborns in the following growth categories: preterm appropriate for gestational age (AGA), preterm small for gestational age (SGA), and full term (FT). Results: Significantly higher concentrations of EGF were found in the colostrum of mothers who delivered premature AGA infants at less than 32 weeks of gestation compared with mothers who delivered premature SGA babies at the same gestational age. Conclusions: We concluded that the maternal compensatory mechanism accelerating the development of immature breast-fed infants may be disturbed when gestation is complicated by intrauterine growth retardation.
The LATCH Scoring System and Prediction of Breastfeeding Duration

This study aimed to determine whether LATCH scores assessed by professional staff during in-hospital stays are predictive of breastfeeding at 6 weeks. Participants were English-speaking breastfeeding women, 18 years or older, with healthy singletons. LATCH scores were obtained once every 8 hours on day 1 and daily subsequently until discharge. Data were obtained from hospital charts and telephone interviews on day 4 and week 6 postdelivery. At 6 weeks, 188 of 248 (76%) women were contacted and 66.5% were breastfeeding. LATCH scores were higher among women breastfeeding than those who had weaned. Using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, a score of 9 or above at 16 to 24 hours was the most discriminate of the 5 time periods examined (area under the ROC curve = 0.72). Furthermore, women who met this criterion were 1.7 times more likely to be breastfeeding at 6 weeks than women with lower scores. The LATCH assessment tool is a modest predictor of breastfeeding duration.
SDA: Software-Defined Accelerator for general-purpose big data analysis system

•Present general-purpose big data accelerator -Design for general-purpose big data analysis system, such as SparkSQL, HIVE -Abstract SQL operations -Propose the SDA hardware and software architecture -Implement SDA hardware by FPGA •SDA is also designed for distributed system -Data flow program model -Resource on-demand •Demonstrate the feasibility of SDA for big data and AI -SDA for AI on Hotchips2014
GEOMETRIC TRANSIENCE OF NONLINEAR TIME SERIES

In this paper we provide conditions for nonlinear time series to be geo- metrically explosive with positive probability. The paper complements earlier work by the authors on geometrically ergodic nonlinear time series, showing that the con- ditions for examples in the earlier paper are sharp. We also study the transience of polynomial autoregression models.
Ambu® Auragain™ versus LMA Supreme™ Second Seal™: A Randomised Controlled Trial Comparing Oropharyngeal Leak Pressures and Gastric Drain Functionality in Spontaneously Breathing Patients

Newer second generation supraglottic airway devices may perform differently in vivo due to material and design modifications. We compared performance characteristics of the Ambu® AuraGain™ and LMA Supreme™ Second Seal™ in 100 spontaneously breathing anaesthetised patients in this randomised controlled study. We studied oropharyngeal leak pressures (OLP) (primary outcome) and secondarily, ease of insertion, success rates, haemodynamic response, time to insertion, and complications of usage. We found no significant difference in OLP between the AuraGain versus the LMA Supreme, mean (standard deviation, SD) 24.1 (7.4) versus 23.6 (6.2) cmH2O, P=0.720. First-attempt placement rates of the AuraGain were comparable to the LMA Supreme, 43/50 (86%) versus 39/50 (78%), P=0.906, with an overall 98% insertion success rate for the AuraGain and 88% for the LMA Supreme after three attempts, P=0.112. However, the AuraGain was deemed subjectively harder to insert, with only 24/50 (48%) versus 37/50 (74%) of AuraGain insertions being scored 1 = easy (on a 5 point scale), P=0.013, and also took longer to insert, 33.4 (SD 10.9) versus 27.3 (SD 11.4) seconds, P=0.010. The AuraGain needed a smaller volume of air (16.4 [SD 6.8] versus 23.0 [SD 7.4] ml, P <0.001) to attain intracuff pressures of 60 cmH2O, facilitated more successful gastric tube insertion (100% versus 90.9%, P=0.046), and had significantly decreased sore throat incidence (10% versus 38%, P=0.020). One AuraGain and six LMA Supremes failed to be placed within the stipulated 120 seconds trial definition of ‘success’; these patients had risk factors for failed supraglottic insertion. In conclusion, both devices had similar OLPs and performed satisfactorily. However, the AuraGain resulted in less postoperative sore throat despite being harder to, and taking longer to, insert.
A prototype antifungal contact lens.

PURPOSE To design a contact lens to treat and prevent fungal ocular infections. METHODS Curved contact lenses were created by encapsulating econazole-impregnated poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) films in poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) by ultraviolet photopolymerization. Release studies were conducted in phosphate-buffered saline at 37°C with continuous shaking. The contact lenses and their release media were tested in an antifungal assay against Candida albicans. Cross sections of the pre- and postrelease contact lenses were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and by Raman spectroscopy. RESULTS Econazole-eluting contact lenses provided extended antifungal activity against Candida albicans fungi. Fungicidal activity varied in duration and effectiveness depending on the mass of the econazole-PLGA film encapsulated in the contact lens. CONCLUSIONS An econazole-eluting contact lens could be used as a treatment for fungal ocular infections.
External infections contribute minimally to HIV incidence among HIV sero-discordant couples in sub-Saharan Africa

Objective Recent randomised clinical trials among stable HIV sero-discordant couples (SDCs) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have reported that about 20–30% of new HIV infections are acquired from external sexual partners, rather than transmitted from the infected to the uninfected partner within the couple. The aim of this study is to examine whether, and to what extent, these findings are generalisable to SDCs in the wider population in SSA. Methods A mathematical model was constructed to calculate the fraction of new HIV-1 infections among SDCs that are due to sources external to the couple. The model was parameterised using empirical and population-based data for 20 countries in SSA. Uncertainty and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. Results The contribution of external infections among SDCs was generally modest, but it varied widely across SSA. In low HIV prevalence countries (≤3.0%), it ranged from 0.6–2.9%. In intermediate prevalence countries (3.0–18.0%), it ranged from 4.9–11.7%. In Swaziland and Lesotho, the world's most-intense epidemics, sizable levels of 27.9% and 27.3% were found, respectively. Conclusions In most countries in SSA, nearly all HIV acquisitions by the uninfected partners in SDCs appear to be due to transmissions from the HIV infected partners in the SDCs. The contribution of externally acquired infections varies with HIV population prevalence, but rarely exceeds 10% in the majority of countries. Only in hyperendemic HIV epidemics the contribution of external infections is substantial and may reach the levels reported in recent randomised clinical trials involving SDCs.
Controlling Instability in gacS-gacARegulatory Genes during Inoculant Production of Pseudomonas fluorescens Biocontrol Strains

ABSTRACT Secondary metabolism in fluorescent pseudomonads is globally regulated by gacS, which encodes a membrane-bound sensor kinase, and gacA, which encodes a transcriptional response regulator. Spontaneous mutation in either gene blocked biosynthesis of the antimicrobial compounds hydrogen cyanide, 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol, pyoluteorin, and pyrrolnitrin by the model biocontrol strain Pseudomonas fluorescens CHA0. Spontaneous mutants also had altered abilities to utilize several carbon sources and to increase medium pH compared with the wild type, suggesting thatgacS and gacA influence primary as well as secondary bacterial metabolism. Inoculant efficacy for biocontrol was significantly reduced by contamination with regulatory mutants which accumulated during inoculum production. Spontaneous mutants accumulated in all 192 separate liquid cultures examined, typically at a frequency of 1% or higher after 12 days. During scale-up in a simulated industrial fermentation process, mutants increased exponentially and accounted for 7, 23, and 61% of the total viable cells after transfer to 20-, 100-, and 500-ml preparations, respectively. GacS−and GacA− mutants had identical phenotypes and occurred at the same frequency, indicating that the selective pressures for the two mutants were similar. We developed a simple screening method for monitoring inoculant quality based on the distinctive appearance of mutant colonies (i.e., orange color, enlarged diameter, hyperfluorescence). Mutant competitiveness was favored in a nutrient-rich medium with a high electrolyte concentration (nutrient broth containing yeast extract). We were able to control mutant accumulation and to clean up contaminated cultures by using certain mineral amendments (i.e., zinc, copper, cobalt, manganese, and ammonium molybdate) or by diluting media 1/10. Spontaneous mutants and genetic constructs had the same response to culture conditions. Zinc and medium dilution were also effective for improving the genetic stability of other P. fluorescens biocontrol strains obtained from Ghana and Italy.
Long-Term Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Trial of Oral Appliance Therapy in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Background: Long-term trials are needed to capture information regarding the persistence of efficacy and loss to follow-up of both mandibular advancement device (MAD) therapy and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. Objectives: The aim of the study was to compare these treatment aspects between MAD and nasal CPAP (nCPAP) in a 1-year follow-up. Methods:Forty-three mild/moderate obstructive sleep apnea patients (52.2 ± 9.6 years) with a mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of 20.8 ± 9.9 events/h were randomly assigned to two parallel groups: MAD (n = 21) and nCPAP (n = 22). Four polysomnographic recordings were obtained: one before treatment, one for the short-term evaluation, and two recordings 6 and 12 months after the short-term evaluation. Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) was also evaluated at the polysomnographic recordings. Results: The initially achieved improvements in the AHI remained stable over time within both groups (p = 0.650). In the nCPAP group, the AHI improved 4.1 events/h more than in the MAD group (p = 0.000). The EDS values showed a gradual improvement over time (p = 0.000), and these improvements were similar for both groups (p = 0.367). In the nCPAP group, more patients withdrew from treatment due to side effects than in the MAD group. Conclusions: The absence of significant long-term differences in EDS improvements between the MAD and the nCPAP groups with mild/moderate obstructive sleep apnea may indicate that the larger improvements in AHI values in the nCPAP group are not clinically relevant. Moreover, nCPAP patients may show more problems in accepting their treatment modality than MAD patients.
Variable responses to large-scale climate change in European Parus populations

Spring temperatures in temperate regions have increased over the past 20 years and many organisms have responded to this increase by advancing the timing of their growth and reproduction. However, not all populations show an advancement of phenology. Understanding why some populations advance and others do not will give us insight into the possible constraints and selection pressures on the advancement of phenology. By combining two decades of data on 24 populations of tits (Parus sp.) from six European countries, we show that the phenological response to large–scale changes in spring temperature varies across a species' range, even between populations situated close to each other. We show that this variation cannot be fully explained by variation in the temperature change during the pre– and post–laying periods, as recently suggested. Instead, we find evidence for a link between rising temperatures and the frequency of second broods, which results in complex shifts in the laying dates of first clutches. Our results emphasize the need to consider links between different life–history parameters in order to predict the ecological consequences of large–scale climate changes.
The effect of long-term swimming program on body composition, aerobic capacity and blood lipids in 14-19-year aged healthy girls and girls with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of long-term swimming program on body composition, aerobic capacity, and blood lipid/cholesterol level. MATERIAL AND METHODS Nineteen girls aged 14-19 years with duration of diabetes of 8.1+/-0.9 years and 28 healthy girls aged 14-19 years participated in the study. Before and after 14-week swimming program, weight, height, and four skinfold thickness were measured, body mass index (kg/m(2)) and body fat mass (%) were calculated, blood lipid levels (total cholesterol, high-density/low-density lipoprotein, and triglyceride) were estimated. Aerobic capacity was assessed by Ruffie test. Training sessions (each lasted for 45 min) were held twice per week for 14 weeks. A total of 28 trainings were performed in the swimming pool. Workload intensity was corrected by pulse measurement before and after every session in the water. RESULTS After 14-week swimming program, body mass index did not change, but body fat mass decreased significantly in healthy (27.2+/-1.0 vs. 25.5+/-0.8%, p<0.001) and diabetics (34.8+/-1.2 vs. 32.1+/-1.2%, p<0.001) subjects. Both groups improved their aerobic capacity (p<0.01 in healthy and p<0.05 in diabetics). No significant changes in blood lipid profile were found in all subjects, only high-density lipoprotein concentration significantly increased in healthy girls (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Long-term swimming program improved aerobic capacity, reduced body fat mass in all participants, and reduced high-density lipoprotein levels only in healthy subjects.
Regionalisation of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening improves compliance with guidelines: an audit of ROP screening in the Northern Region of England

AIMS This project was designed to determine whether a coordinated regional strategy can improve the implementation of national guidelines for screening for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and to identify causes for failure of compliance. METHODS Retrospective case note audit relating to two periods, 1990–1 and 1994, involving all 17 neonatal intensive care units in the Northern Region of England. Between the two periods, a regional strategy was instituted in an endeavour to improve compliance. Babies born in or admitted to the units during the study periods who were eligible for ROP screening were included. Screening performance was assessed against a standard of 100% compliance with the guidelines. In the second audit period compliance with subsidiary standards was also measured, and reasons for failure were identified. RESULTS Compliance improved from 47% (262/558) in the first audit cycle to 73% (264/360) in the second. Subgroup analysis in this second cycle indicated better compliance (93.3%) in higher risk babies (⩽ 29 weeks' gestational age). Babies transferred between units, discharged home before screening, or who failed to qualify for screening on one of the two defined criteria, were more likely to be missed. CONCLUSION A carefully implemented regional approach to screening resulted in a higher uptake for babies most at risk. Simple recommendations are made to achieve further improvement in compliance with the guidelines. The wider implications for screening in other conditions and in other areas and specialties are highlighted.
Proteomic approaches to sexual development mediated by antheridiogen in the fern Blechnum spicant L

This report is intended to compare proteomic profiles between female and male gametophytes of Blechnum spicant L. For this purpose, female gametophytes were obtained from spores germinated on Murashige and Skoog medium (1962), and the male ones by culturing 30‐day‐old gametophytes on the same medium supplemented with extract derived from mature gametophytes, which exhibits anteridiogen effect. Proteins were extracted using the phenolic method, and after two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis, 581 spots were detected in Coomassie stained gels within the 3–11 pH range and 10–100 kDa Mr ranges. Quantitative and qualitative differences in spot intensity between both types of gametophytes were found. The induction of male gametophytes by antheridiogens was correlated to a global increase in stress and defence‐related pathways, which affect flavonoid signaling and cell division, while reducing protein biosynthesis, photosynthesis, and other energy‐related pathways, reflecting how stressed are the gametophytes during the induction process. This is the first proteomic study that examines proteins associated to sexual development in the gametophyte of the fern B. spìcant.
Value of PCR for evaluating occurrence of parasitemia in immunocompromised patients with cerebral and extracerebral toxoplasmosis

PCR was used to evaluate the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii parasitemia by detection of the B1 gene in blood samples in two groups of immunosuppressed patients (148 subjects) suspected of having cerebral or extracerebral infection, respectively. Group I consisted of 52 patients with AIDS with suspected cerebral toxoplasmosis. The diagnosis was clinically proven in 15 cases. Parasitemia was detected by PCR in only two of these patients (13.3%), both showing evidence of disseminated infection. Group II consisted of 96 immunocompromised patients, either with AIDS or receiving iatrogenic immunosuppressive therapy. Of these patients, 65 (34 with AIDS and 31 others) showed abnormalities only in chest radiography and were first screened for the presence of Toxoplasma DNA in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Blood was then analyzed when the parasite was detected in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. The remaining 31 subjects (22 with AIDS and 9 others) were suspected of having extracerebral, pulmonary, or disseminated toxoplasmosis, and blood was studied directly in these cases. Among the nine patients with clinically diagnosed extracerebral infection in group II, the parasite was detected by PCR in the blood of five patients (55.5%), all having pulmonary toxoplasmosis. If all patients with clinical manifestations of extracerebral toxoplasmosis (from both groups) who had not received antitoxoplasma therapy when the samples were collected are considered, PCR detected parasitemia in seven of the nine cases (77.8%). The present study indicates that examination of blood by PCR may be valuable in cases of extracerebral toxoplasmosis because of the disseminated nature of the disease. Since most cases of cerebral toxoplasmosis result from the local reactivation of latent brain cysts, detection of parasitemia by PCR is useful only in cases associated with severe cerebral infection or dissemination of this disease.
Outpatient Psychotherapy for Mothers—First Empirical Results

Abstract Motherhood is a vulnerable phase in the life of any woman, one that may be associated with an increased risk of mental illness. Despite the major clinical significance of this patient group, only a few psychotherapeutic treatment programs are tailored to the needs of mothers of infants. Even when treatment is urgently needed, many mothers of infants reject inpatient psychotherapy so as not to be separated from their children. The outcome may be chronification of disorders, in some cases with a negative impact on their children's development. A new psychotherapeutic outpatient treatment program adapted to the special needs of mothers and offering a substitute to inpatient treatment is presented. First empirical results show that the presented treatment concept led to significant improvements in the symptoms, whose stabilization continued up to the follow-up two years after the start of therapy.
Resolver-to-digital conversion implementation — A filter approach to PMSM position measurement

The rotor position is necessary to achieve the vector control drive of the Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM). This paper presents approaches of digital FIR filter to speed and position measurement in a resolver-to-digital conversion implementation. The resolver algorithms proposed are practically implemented in a fixed-point digital signal processor based control (TMS320F2812 on UPCC-2812 board). The developed review tries to help in new criteria which could confirm the results of other methods like, for example, sensorless.
Spermidine preconditioning ameliorates laurate-induced brain injury by maintaining mitochondrial stability

Abstract Ischemic precondition plays a protective effect during cerebral ischemia. This effect partly depends on the autophagic activity. However, whether the activity of autophagy can exert the protective effects after cerebral ischemia is unclear. In this study, rats were treated with spermidine, an activator of autophagy, and injected with sodium laurate via the internal carotid artery to stimulate cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The effects of the spermidine precondition on brain injury were evaluated by behavioural test, histology assay, ultrastructure observation, and autophagic-related signals. Furthermore, the mitochondria of brain tissue were isolated, and mitDNA were extracted. The stability of mitDNA was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR. Results showed that the penetrating artery of the striatum was damaged. This damage was accompanied by neural inflammation characterized by an increase in Fluoro-Jade C (FJC)-positive cells after sodium laurate injection. Spermidine pretreatment decreased the deletion of mitDNA and the autophagy hyperactivity induced by the laurate injection. Likewise, spermidine reduced the neurological deficit and FJC reactivation of striatum at 48 h after laurate injection. These results suggested sodium laurate injection through the internal carotid artery can induce the pathological features of CSVD characterized by the damage of penetrating artery, neurological deficit, mitochondrial impairment, and autophagic hyperactivity. Pretreatment with spermidine can ameliorate these outcomes. Further study indicated that the protective effect of the spermidine precondition is associated with the maintenance of mitochondrial stability and proper autophagy activity.