Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy of second generation antidepressants in late-life depression: a meta-analysis of the evidence.

OBJECTIVE Second-generation antidepressants are commonly used to treat major depression in late-life. This systematic review and meta-analysis was undertaken to assess the evidence for efficacy of second-generation antidepressants in late-life major depression. METHODS The Cochrane Library (2006 [3]), MEDLINE (1966 to August 2006), and meeting presentations were searched for trials of second-generation antidepressants (nontricyclics) marketed in the United States. Published and unpublished placebo-controlled randomized clinical trials in outpatients 60 years and older, with nonpsychotic, unipolar major depression were selected. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were extracted. Outcomes were expressed as odds ratios (OR), risk differences, and weighted mean differences. RESULTS Ten unique trials (four unpublished) with 13 contrasts met selection criteria. Trials were 6-12 weeks duration, and included 2,377 patients who received active drug and 1,788 received placebo. The ORs by meta-analysis for response and remission were 1.40 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-1.57, z = 5.45, N = 13, p <0.001) and 1.27 (CI 1.12-1.44, z = 3.67, N = 13, p <0.001), respectively, with significant heterogeneity for response and remission among the trials. Mean pooled response rates for antidepressant and placebo were 44.4% and 34.7%, respectively. The OR for response was significantly higher in the 10-12 week trials (OR = 1.73, CI 1.42-2.09, z = 5.51, N = 5, p <0.001) than the 6-8 week trials (OR = 1.22, CI 1.05-1.42, z = 2.60, N = 8, p = 0.01). ORs for discontinuation for any reason and for adverse events were significantly higher with drugs than with placebo. CONCLUSIONS Antidepressants are more effective than placebo in elderly depressed subjects although effects are modest and vary. Identification of the characteristics of responders and nonresponders will be crucial to improving treatment outcomes.
Evaluation of the Optimal Preemptive Dose of Gabapentin for Postoperative Pain Relief After Lumbar Diskectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

We evaluated the optimal preemptive dose of gabapentin for postoperative pain relief after single-level lumbar diskectomy and its effect on fentanyl consumption during the initial 24 hours in a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study in 100 patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status I and II. Patients were divided into five groups to receive placebo or gabapentin 300, 600, 900, or 1200 mg 2 hours before surgery. After surgery, patients were transferred to the postanesthesia care unit (PACU). A blinded anesthesiologist recorded the pain scores at time points of 6, 12, 18, and 24 hours in the PACU on a Visual Analog Scale (VAS; 0-10 cm) at rest. Patients received patient-controlled analgesia (fentanyl 1.0 μg/kg on each demand with lockout interval of 10 minutes); total fentanyl consumption during initial 24 hours was recorded. Data were entered into the statistical software package SPSS 9.0 for analysis (one-way analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls test). Patients who received gabapentin 300 mg had significantly lower VAS score at all time points. They consumed less fentanyl (patients who received placebo processed 1217.5 ± 182.0 versus 987.5 ± 129.6 μg; P < 0.05). Patients who received gabapentin 600, 900, and 1200 mg had lower VAS scores at all time points than patients who received gabapentin 300 mg (P < 0.05). Increasing the dose of gabapentin from 600 to 1200 mg did not decrease the VAS score, nor did the increasing dose of gabapentin significantly decrease fentanyl consumption (702.5, 635, and 626.5 μg). Thus, gabapentin 600 mg is the optimal dose for postoperative pain relief following lumbar diskectomy.
The effects of LMX on gender discrimination and subjective career success

The objectives of this study are to identify the effects of leader–member exchange (LMX) on employees' perception of gender discrimination and subjective career success and to examine the relationship between gender discrimination and subjective career success. Data was collected from hotel employees in Seoul, South Korea. To accomplish the objectives, structural equation modeling was conducted.The first result was that LMX had a significant positive impact on subjective career success. Second, LMX impacted differently gender discrimination (employment and promotion discrimination, and wage and training discrimination). Third, each gender discrimination factor influenced differently subjective career success. Understanding the relationships among LMX, gender discrimination, and subjective career success can suggest practical solutions for efficient human resource management to hotel managers.
Model predictive current control method with constant switching frequency for single-phase voltage source inverters

Model Predictive Control (MPC) method offers advantages of easy implementation and fast dynamics. However Model predictive control method has variable switching frequency, which makes design of the output filter difficult for power converter. Despite the problems of MPC algorithm, there are little methods to fix the switching frequency using MPC algorithm in power converter. Therefore, this paper proposes constant switching frequency with MPC algorithm, which method simply selects the optimal voltages and divides the optimal voltages in one-sampling period. The performance is proved comparing to the conventional method and carrier based method in experimental results with average switching frequency for single-phase VSI.
Trends from an HIV seroprevalence study among childbearing women in New York State from 1988 through 2000: a valuable epidemiologic tool.

BACKGROUND Women in New York State are heavily affected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic. New York has had the largest number of births to HIV-infected pregnant women in the United States. Data collected as part of the Survey of Childbearing Women have been valuable for assessing the impact of the disease on the women of New York. OBJECTIVE To assess HIV prevalence trends among childbearing women in New York State. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS An unlinked HIV seroprevalence study was conducted among all women residing in and giving birth in New York State from 1988 through 2000. Trend and cohort analyses were conducted. Main Outcome Measure HIV prevalence, defined as the number of HIV-positive specimens divided by the total number of HIV-positive and HIV-negative specimens, by geographic region, racial/ethnic group, and maternal age cohort. RESULTS Trends indicated a steady decline in HIV prevalence in New York State. New York City had a 49% decrease in prevalence between 1988 through 1989 and 1999 through 2000, and the rest of the state showed a 24% decline. However, birth cohort analysis indicated different patterns in trend by subpopulation, with some groups experiencing little or no decline. CONCLUSION This study reports on the only statewide population-based HIV prevalence data currently available for childbearing women; these data have been a valuable tool for monitoring trends, targeting resources, and evaluating programs and policies.
Compared with specialist registrars, experienced staff nurses shorten the duration of weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation*

Objective To compare the overall performance of specially trained neonatal nurses acting autonomously, unsupervised, and without a protocol with specialist registrars when weaning neonates from mechanical ventilation. Design Prospective, randomized, controlled trial. Setting A single neonatal intensive care unit. Patients Neonates requiring conventional mechanical ventilation (n = 50). Interventions Infants on conventional ventilation were randomly assigned to receive either nurse-led (n = 25) or registrar-led (n = 23) weaning. A total of 48 infants completed the study (two infants in the registrar group were excluded when their parents withdrew consent). Measurements and Main Results The main outcome measure, median weaning time, was 1200 mins (95% confidence interval [CI], 621–1779 mins) in the nurse group and 3015 mins (95% CI, 2650–3380 mins) in the registrar group (p = .0458). The median time from treatment assignment to the first ventilator change was 60 mins (95% CI, 52–68 mins) in the nurse group and 120 mins (95% CI, 103–137 mins) in the registrar group (p = .35). On average, the nurses made ventilator changes every 4.5 hrs (95% CI, 2.9–6 hrs) and the registrars every 7.2 hrs (95% CI, 5.4–9 hrs;p = .003). The median number (range) of backward steps taken per infant was 0 (0–5 steps) in the nurse group and 1 (0–5 steps) in the registrar group (p = .019). Conclusions The findings of this study suggest that additional domains of neonatal critical care could be reviewed for their potential transfer to appropriately prepared nurses.
A Triangular Selection Path Planning Method with Dead Reckoning System for Wireless Mobile Sensor Mote

Leveraging numerous integrated sensing devices placed close to the actual monitoring environments, the information that such networks can provide is more accurate and richer than the information provided with a system of few, expensive sensing devices. The general design of such sensor node is motionless, but the mobile sensor is useful in some aspects. Nodes can be distributed at any corner easily, move to a specific emergent area, or replace the power exhausted nodes. Mobile sensor nodes can increase the interaction between user and system. Moreover, the ability of auto-recharging for mobile sensor nodes can solve the powerlessness problem for sensor network. We had designed a mobile sensor node with compass to correct the direction of movement; six IR sensors let mobile nodes with the ability of obstacle avoidance. We propose an algorithm called triangular selection path planning (TSPP) method, and along with the dead-reckoning (DR) algorithm to merge heading readings from compass and two encoders mounted on the wheels to compute the dead-reckoned location estimation. With these technologies, our mobile sensor node can know their own position accurately and achieve the destination efficiently.
Hepatitis B virus infection and the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: a meta-analysis

Some studies have reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection affects the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, this association is controversial. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between HBV infection and NAFLD. Relevant studies published before May 2017 were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science. We used the random-effects model proposed by DerSimonian and Laird to quantify the relationship between HBV infection and risk of NAFLD. We also conducted subgroup and sensitivity analyses to validate the stability of the results. Five articles, comprising 8,272 HBV-infected patients and 111,631 uninfected controls, were included in our research. Our meta-analysis suggested that the risk of NAFLD was significantly lower in HBV-infected patients than in uninfected controls, with heterogeneity between studies (summary odds ratio [OR] = 0.71; confidence interval [CI] = 0.53–0.90; I2 = 75.2%). However, the inverse relationship was observed in only cohort (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.73–0.94) and cross-sectional studies (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.47–0.79), not case-control studies (OR = 3.96; 95% CI = 2.10–7.48). In conclusion, HBV infection was inversely associated with the risk of NAFLD.
Magnetic resonance imaging of mouse spinal cord

The feasibility of performing high‐resolution in vivo MRI on mouse spinal cord (SC) at 9.4 T magnetic field strength is demonstrated. The MR properties of the cord tissue were measured and the characteristics of water diffusion in the SC were quantified. The data indicate that the differences in the proton density (PD) and transverse relaxation time between gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) dominate the contrast seen on the mouse SC images at 9.4 T. However, on heavily T2‐weighted images these differences result in a reversal of contrast. The diffusion of water in the cord is anisotropic, but the WM exhibits greater anisotropy and principal diffusivity than the GM. The quantitative data presented here should establish a standard for comparing similar measurements obtained from the SCs of genetically engineered mouse or mouse models of SC injury (SCI). Magn Reson Med, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Complex and Diversified Mitochondrial Gene Pool of Berber Populations

The mitochondrial DNA variation of 295 Berber‐speakers from Morocco (Asni, Bouhria and Figuig) and the Egyptian oasis of Siwa was evaluated by sequencing a portion of the control region (including HVS‐I and part of HVS‐II) and surveying haplogroup‐specific coding region markers. Our findings show that the Berber mitochondrial pool is characterized by an overall high frequency of Western Eurasian haplogroups, a somehow lower frequency of sub‐Saharan L lineages, and a significant (but differential) presence of North African haplogroups U6 and M1, thus occupying an intermediate position between European and sub‐Saharan populations in PCA analysis. A clear and significant genetic differentiation between the Berbers from Maghreb and Egyptian Berbers was also observed. The first are related to European populations as shown by haplogroup H1 and V frequencies, whereas the latter share more affinities with East African and Nile Valley populations as indicated by the high frequency of M1 and the presence of L0a1, L3i, L4*, and L4b2 lineages. Moreover, haplogroup U6 was not observed in Siwa. We conclude that the origins and maternal diversity of Berber populations are old and complex, and these communities bear genetic characteristics resulting from various events of gene flow with surrounding and migrating populations.
A Web-based integrated education system for a seamless environment among teachers, students, and administrators

The authors created a Web-based integrated education support system that unified the data in the administrative system and the education system in a university. The purpose of the system was to make the administrative system and education system data that had previously been separated seamless, and to implement seamless access from inside and outside the university while maintaining security. Moreover, the authors emphasized the development of a portal site as a point of contact for the system. As a result of using software packages and existing technology for the other servers and databases, and making a policy of not changing the administrative system at all, the authors were able to create the system in a short period of 5 months. After the system was operational, preparation and review for class could be done at home, and evaluations of reports and final determinations of grades could be done from outside the university. This confirmed that the education system was effective. Finally, the authors looked at the trouble and performance problems that occurred involving local rules in the business department during operation, as well as countermeasures for them. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 37(5): 14–24, 2006; Published online in Wiley InterScience (). DOI 10.1002sscj. 20475
Evaluating quality of Web2.0 UGC based on user authority and topic distribution

User Generated Content (UGC) could be composed and published by every user. As a result, UGC quality may not be well-guaranteed. We put forward a synthetic evaluation method for UGC quality of content via user authority and topic distribution. We consider various features of users, including basic registration information, relative static online social relations and dynamic interactions between users. We adopt Link Analysis (LA) based on user credibility and Generalized Regression Neural Network (GRNN) to rate user authority and then analyze the probabilistic topic distribution of authors and UGC based on textual content using Author-Topic Model (AT). We've also integrated the author's actual behavior during the composing of UGC to compute the contribution degree of user authority. Finally, we combined user authority and contribution degree to evaluate overall quality of a multi-author UGC. Experiments with real dataset collected from TianYa have shown that the proposed method could evaluate UGC reasonably.
The promotion of salinomycin delivery to hepatocellular carcinoma cells through EGFR and CD133 aptamers conjugation by PLGA nanoparticles.

AIMS To develop salinomycin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles conjugated with both CD133 aptamers A15 and EGFR aptamers CL4 (CESN), to target hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells simultaneously expressing EGFR and CD133. MATERIALS & METHODS The antitumor activity and mechanism of CESN were investigated. RESULTS & CONCLUSION The cytotoxicity of CESN in HCC cells and CD133(+) HCC cells was superior to that of A15 or CL4-conjugted or nontargeted salinomycin-loaded nanoparticles. The antitumor assay in mice bearing HCC xenograft tumors confirmed the superior antitumor activity of CESN over other controls. We speculated that the improved therapeutic effect of CESN may be attributed to both targeting a higher percentage of HCC cells and increased delivery of salinomycin to HCC cells.
Gene Expression following Exposure to Celecoxib in Humans: Pathways of Inflammation and Carcinogenesis Are Activated in Tumors but Not Normal Tissues

Background: The Cox-2 inhibitor, celecoxib (Pfizer Inc., N.Y., USA), is a promising chemopreventive agent [Arber et al.: N Engl J Med 2006;355:885–895; Bertagnolli et al.: N Engl J Med 2006;355:873–884]. This study aims to explore its mechanism by defining changes in gene expression between neoplastic and normal tissue samples before and after treatment. Methods: Patients with documented colorectal neoplasia in screening colonoscopy, destined to undergo surgical colectomy, were randomized for treatment with celecoxib (n = 11; 400 mg/day) or placebo (n = 3) for 30 days. Tissue samples were taken from the tumor and from normal adjacent mucosa during both colonoscopy and surgery. RNA was extracted and analyzed using Affymetrix Genechip®. Results: 687 genes differentiated tumor samples before and after treatment, among which 310 genes did not show the same differential expression in the placebo group or normal samples. These genes were significantly related to pathways of cell cycle regulation and inflammation, and of note was the TGF-β pathway, which held a strong association with the list of genes formerly found to be associated with the colorectal cancer expression profile in microarray analyses, as summarized in a meta-analysis by Cardoso et al. [Biochim Biophys Acta 2007;1775:103–137]. Conclusions: Celecoxib selectively affects genes and pathways involved in inflammation and malignant transformation in tumor but not normal tissues, this may assist in the development of safer and more effective chemopreventive agents.
Gaucher and Fabry diseases: from understanding pathophysiology to rational therapies

Over the past 40 years there has been remarkable development in our understanding of the pathophysiology of lysosomal storage disorders. This review describes the research carried out on the sphingolipid storage disorders from the first demonstration of the underlying metabolic abnormality in Gaucher disease to the development of enzyme replacement therapy for Gaucher and Fabry diseases. Initial developments in gene therapy are also described.
Incidence and Predictors of Abnormal Anal Cytology Findings Among HIV-Infected Adults Receiving Contemporary Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND Anal cancer rates are higher for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected adults than for uninfected adults. Limited published data exist characterizing the incidence of precursor lesions detected by anal cytology. METHODS The Study to Understand the Natural History of HIV/AIDS in the Era of Effective Therapy was a prospective cohort of 700 HIV-infected participants in 4 US cities. At baseline and annually thereafter, each participant completed a behavioral questionnaire, and healthcare professionals collected anorectal swabs for cytologic examination and human papillomavirus (HPV) detection and genotyping. RESULTS Among 243 participants with negative baseline results of anal cytology, 37% developed abnormal cytology findings (incidence rate, 13.9 cases/100 person-years of follow-up; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.3-16.9) over a median follow-up duration of 2.1 years. Rates among men having sex with men, among women, and among men having sex with women were 17.9 cases/person-years of follow-up (95% CI, 13.9-22.7), 9.4 cases/person-years of follow-up (95% CI, 5.6-14.9), and 8.9 cases/person-years of follow-up (95% CI, 4.8-15.6), respectively. In multivariable analysis, the number of persistent high-risk HPV types (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.01-1.36), persistent high-risk HPV types except 16 or 18 (aHR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.31-4.60), and persistent types 16 or 18 (aHR, 3.90; 95% CI, 1.78-8.54) remained associated with incident abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of abnormal anal cytology findings was high and more likely to develop among persons with persistent high-risk HPV.
Using SDN and reinforcement learning for traffic engineering in UbuntuNet Alliance

Software Defined Networking (SDN) provides opportunities for dynamic and flexible traffic engineering. This paper discusses how UbuntuNet Alliance National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) can improve bandwidth utilization and reduce inter-NREN latencies through implementation of SDN-based traffic engineering and applying network metrics in selection of inter-NREN paths. Additionally, the paper looks at the utility of applying Reinforcement Learning to path selection, using network data obtained through an SDN controller. Results from simulations using the UbuntuNet topology show an increase in total throughputs when multipath is employed. Furthermore, simulation results show that where latency is the key metric for computing rewards, lower latencies are achieved.