Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Leakage from closed-system transfer devices as detected by a radioactive tracer.

PURPOSE A study of leakage from selected closed-system transfer devices (CSTDs) under experimental conditions is described. METHODS Three CSTDs (the ChemoClave, OnGuard, and PhaSeal systems) were tested. Nine manufacturer-trained oncology pharmacists and pharmacy technicians volunteered to participate in an experiment to determine the degree of leakage of a liquid test agent (a radioactive technetium isotope [(99m)Tc] diluted in normal saline) during CSTD-assisted transfer of liquid from vials to syringes per standard practices. After such transfers, alcohol prep pads (n = 135 for each system) were used to wipe CSTD points of entry and assessed for the presence of (99m)Tc. Comparisons among participants and devices were conducted via analysis of variance (ANOVA), with the a priori level of significance set at 0.05. RESULTS ANOVA results indicated significant differences among devices in leakage of the test solution, with the PhaSeal device having the lowest geometric mean leakage (0.1 nL; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0-0.2 nL), followed by the OnGuard (1.5 nL; 95% CI, 1.1-1.9 nL) and ChemoClave (35.6 nL; 95% CI, 29.1-43.6 nL) devices; each pairwise comparison was significant (p < 0.001). Despite several major limitations, the research supports the use of CSTDs to help protect health care workers, as recommended by federal authorities and professional groups including the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. CONCLUSION The volume of leakage was significantly less with PhaSeal than with OnGuard and ChemoClave when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians used the three CSTDs and (99m)Tc as a tracer.
Food allergy to meat and milk in adults

with a clinical diagnosis of ‘happy wheezers’. One child was atopic. Structural airway anomalies were found in 15 patients (44%). The final diagnosis was primary tracheoor broncho-malacia in 14 patients (42%): five had tracheomalacia alone (Fig. 1), four bronchomalacia alone, and five had TBM. Tracheomalacia was localized in the middle third (60%) and lower third (40%) of the trachea. One patient had laryngomalacia unassociated with any TBM. It is worth noting that a bronchoscopic diagnosis of TBM was reached in 9/12 (75%) of the children diagnosed as ‘happy wheezers’. Our study shows that recurrent/persistent wheezing failing to respond to conventional asthma therapy in children <3 years of age is often associated with TBM (42% of cases in our series), according with previous reports in children (2–5). The novelty of our study lies in that we investigated a subset of infants labeled as ‘happy wheezers’ – and 75% of them revealed TBM at bronchoscopy. TBM is a weakness of the trachea and mainstem bronchi such that the airway is more susceptible to collapse during expiration (Fig. 1), causing airflow limitation and wheezing that may mimic asthma (5). Mild–moderate airway malacia is a self-limiting disease, and most infants grow out of the condition by the time they are 2–3 years old (4, 5). A recent report estimated the incidence of primary airway malacia to be at least 1/ 2100 children (4), supporting the conviction that TBM is underdiagnosed. In accordance with previous studies, we believe that FB is a safe and useful tool for achieving a definitive diagnosis and preventing any inappropriate asthma treatment (1, 4). Limits of our study are that the results cannot be generalized to all wheezing young children, because we studied a highly selected group, and that we cannot rule out the possibility of TBM and asthma coexisting in the same child. In conclusion, this study suggests that TBM is quite a common airway anomaly in children with recurrent/ persistent wheezing failing to respond to conventional asthma therapy. We also suggest that many infants diagnosed as ‘happy wheezers’ may, in fact, have underlying tracheobronchomalacia.
Modulation of integrin signal transduction by ILKAP, a protein phosphatase 2C associating with the integrin‐linked kinase, ILK1

ILKAP, a protein serine/threonine (S/T) phosphatase of the PP2C family, was isolated in a yeast two‐hybrid screen baited with integrin‐linked kinase, ILK1. Association of ILK1 and ILKAP was independent of the catalytic activity of either partner, as assayed in co‐precipitation and two‐hybrid experiments. Condi tional expression of ILKAP in HEK 293 cells resulted in selective inhibition of ECM‐ and growth factor‐stimulated ILK1 activity, but did not inhibit Raf‐1 kinase activity. A catalytic mutant of ILKAP, H154D, did not inhibit ILK1 kinase activity. Two cellular targets of ILK1, glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (GSK3β) and protein kinase B (PKB)/AKT, were differentially affected by ILKAP‐mediated inhibition of ILK1. Catalytically active, but not mutant ILKAP, strongly inhibited insulin‐like growth factor‐1‐stimulated GSK3β phosphorylation on Ser9, but did not affect phosphorylation of PKB on Ser473, suggesting that ILKAP selectively affects ILK‐mediated GSK3β signalling. Consistent with this, active, but not H154D mutant or the related PP2Cα, selectively inhibited transactivation of a Tcf/Lef reporter gene, TOPFlash, in 293 cells. We propose that ILKAP regulates ILK1 activity, targeting ILK1 signalling of Wnt pathway components via modulation of GSK3β phosphorylation.
A Chromatographic Strip Test for Rapid Detection of One Lineage of the H5 Subtype of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

A rapid immune colloidal gold test strip for detecting 1 lineage of the H5 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza was developed based on membrane chromatography with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against hemagglutinin (HA) of the H5 subtype of Avian influenza virus (AIV). Bagg albino C mice that were immunized with AIV A/Goose/Guangdong/3/96(H5N1) yielded 4 hybridomas secreting mAbs (1A6, 1B8, 3C4, and 8F6) specific for HA. Monoclonal antibody 3C4 was conjugated with colloidal gold as the detector antibody. On the test strip, 1A6, in combination with rabbit anti-H5N1 polyclonal antibody, was used as the capture complex at the “test line,” and goat antimouse immunoglobulin G antibody was used as the capture antibody at the “control line. ” The strip test correctly detected the H5 subtype of AIV in known positive samples and did not react with the standard antigens of AIV H1-H4 or H6-H14, or the antigens of Newcastle disease virus, Infectious bursal disease virus, Infectious bronchitis virus, or Avian infectious laryngotracheitis virus. When 483 clinical specimens suspected of infection with H5N1 were tested, results from the strip test were nearly identical with those from the HA/hemagglutination inhibition test, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Because the newly developed strip was specific, rapid, and sensitive, it should be useful for diagnosing the H5 subtype of AIV and for investigating its epidemiology. The test strip is only reliable for the lineage of H5N1. As for the other strains of AIV, further experiments will be needed.
GASTROENTEROLOGY CLINICS OF NORTH AMERICA Lower GI Bleeding : Epidemiology and Diagnosis

L ower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is anatomically defined as bleeding beyond the ligament of Treitz. The term ‘‘lower gastrointestinal bleeding’’ is therefore a misnomer, and a more appropriate term would be lower intestinal bleeding. Clinically, LGIB represents a diverse range of bleeding sources and severities, ranging from scant hemorrhoidal bleeding to massive blood loss from vascular small bowel tumors. Various terms are used to describe blood emanating from the lower intestinal tract, including hematochezia, rectal bleeding, and bright red blood per rectum. These terms do not indicate the acuity or severity of bleeding, do not always localize the bleeding source, and are not exclusive to bleeding from beyond the ligament of Treitz. The wide clinical spectrum of LGIB and the number of available management strategies present a challenge for clinicians and investigators both. This review focuses on the epidemiology and diagnosis of acute LGIB with an emphasis on bleeding from colonic sources.
Physician Follow‐Up Visits After Acute Care Hospitalization for Elderly Medicare Beneficiaries Discharged to Noninstitutional Settings

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of posthospital physician follow‐up on readmissions in older adults. Physician follow‐up visits after discharge have been promoted as a way to improve outcomes and reduce readmissions, but the evidence base for this recommendation is limited. A retrospective analysis of data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) was conducted for 2001 to 2003. Data were extracted on elderly Medicare beneficiaries with an index hospitalization in 2002, and physician follow‐up visits and readmissions within 90 days of discharge were identified. Analysis was conducted with multivariable logistic regression modeling to assess the independent effect on 90‐day readmission of any physician follow‐up, timing of physician follow‐up, and follow‐up with only primary care physicians. A generalized linear model was used to assess the effect of physician follow‐up on total health expenditures. The analytical sample included 326 beneficiaries; 79% had a physician follow‐up visit within 90 days, and 28% were readmitted within 90 days. In multivariable modeling, physician follow‐up was negatively associated with 90‐day readmissions (odds ratio=0.23, 95% confidence interval=0.13–0.43). Follow‐up visits were protective against readmissions regardless of timing of visit and when restricted to those by primary care physicians. Having a follow‐up visit was associated with approximately $10,000 lower annual health expenditures. In conclusion, physician follow‐up protects against readmission after adjusting for important covariates and is associated with significantly lower expenditures. Future efforts should ensure that patients have adequate physician follow‐up.
Nickel accumulation and storage in Bradyrhizobium japonicum

Hydrogenase-derepressed (chemolithotrophic growth conditions) and heterotrophically grown cultures of Bradyrhizobium japonicum accumulated nickel about equally over a 3-h period. Both types of cultures accumulated nickel primarily in a form that was not exchangeable with NiCl2, and they accumulated much more Ni than would be needed for the Ni-containing hydrogenase. The nickel accumulated by heterotrophically incubated cultures could later be mobilized to allow active hydrogenase synthesis during derepression in the absence of nickel, while cells both grown and derepressed without nickel had low hydrogenase activities. The level of activity in cells grown with Ni and then derepressed without nickel was about the same as that in cultures derepressed in the presence of nickel. The Ni accumulated by heterotrophically grown cultures was associated principally with soluble proteins rather than particulate material, and this Ni was not lost upon dialyzing an extract containing the soluble proteins against either Ni-containing or EDTA-containing buffer. However, this Ni was lost upon pronase or low pH treatments. The soluble Ni-binding proteins were partially purified by gel filtration and DEAE chromatography. They were not antigenically related to hydrogenase peptides. Much of the 63Ni eluted as a single peak of 48 kilodaltons. Experiments involving immunoprecipitation of 63Ni-containing hydrogenase suggested that the stored source of Ni in heterotrophic cultures that could later be mobilized into hydrogenase resided in the nonexchangeable Ni-containing fraction rather than in loosely bound or ionic forms.
Prognostic values of long non-coding RNA MIR22HG for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and the second most frequent cause of cancer death. The aim of this study is to identify the association between the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MIR22HG and the clinical and tumor characteristics of patients with HCC, and to explore the prognostic significance of lncRNA MIR22HG on patients with HCC. We retrospectively reviewed 127 patients with HCC(42 female, 85 male) who were managed in our hospital between May 1st 2010 and June 30th 2016. The expressions of lncRNA MIR22HG were detected by real-time PCR. Prognostic factors were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. For the entire cohort of 127 patients, the normalized real-time PCR showed that the expression of lncRNA MIR22HG was lower in HCC tissues compared with corresponding nontumorous tissues. MTT assay showed that si-MIR22HG remarkably inhibited the proliferation tumor cells in three HCC cell lines including SMMC-7721, Huh-7 and Hep3B. Moreover, under-expression of MIR22HG was closely related to tumor encapsulation, microvascular invasion (MVI), and TNM stage. Cox proportional hazards analysis demonstrated that lncRNA MIR22HG under-expression was an independent risk factor associated with the prognosis of patients with HCC. In conclusion, we found that lncRNA MIR22HG expressed significantly lower in HCC tissues compared with non-tumorous tissues. Under-expression of lncRNAMIR22HG was an independent risk factor associated with the prognosis of patients with HCC.
An ultra-wide stopband self-packaged quasi-lumped-element low pass filter based on substrate integrated suspended line technology

This paper presents an ultra-wide stopband self-packaged quasi-lumped-element low pass filter (LPF) based on substrate integrated suspended line (SISL) technology. Interdigital capacitor and spiral inductor are utilized in the 1GHz quasi-lumped-element LPF. The measured results show that the proposed LPF can achieve a wide stopband from 1.36yc to 8fc with 20dB stopband rejection. And the filter has advantages of self-packaging, low loss, compact size, and low cost by using SISL technology.
Ginsenoside Rg 3 Reduces Lipid Accumulation with AMP-Activated Protein Kinase ( AMPK ) Activation in HepG 2 Cells

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of mortality worldwide, and dyslipidemia is a major risk factor for CVD. Ginseng has been widely used in the clinic to treat CVD. Ginsenoside Rg3, one of the major active components of ginseng, has been reported to exhibit antiobesity, antidiabetic, and cardioprotective effects. However, the effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on hepatic lipid metabolism remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated whether ginsenoside Rg3 would regulate hepatic lipid metabolism with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in HepG2 cells. Ginsenoside Rg3 significantly reduced hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rg3 inhibited expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR). Ginsenoside Rg3 increased activity of AMPK, a major regulator of energy metabolism. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 reduces hepatic lipid accumulation with inhibition of SREBP-2 and HMGCR expression and stimulation of AMPK activity in HepG2 cells. Therefore, ginsenoside Rg3 may be beneficial as a food ingredient to lower the risk of CVD by regulating dyslipidemia. OPEN ACCESS Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2012, 13 5730
Using correspondence analysis to monitor the persona segmentation process

Persona segmentation is the first phase of the persona method. It can be defined as the process of creating representative groups of similar users. Since the origin of the persona technique, both qualitative and quantitative methods have been used to create persona segments. While the qualitative approach has been criticized because of its lack of accuracy in creating persona segments, application of quantitative methods seems to be suffering from the same problem, due to inconsiderate application of statistical techniques. In this paper, we present Correspondence Analysis, an exploratory data technique, as an alternative quantitative persona segmentation method. We demonstrate that this method is appropriate to create useful persona profiles, and, additionally, it can aid in carefully monitoring the segmentation process.
Parental influences on children's eating behavior and relative weight.

We investigated the relationship between selected parent behaviors, child mealtime behavior, and infant relative weight. Subjects were 7 male and 7 female children varying in age from 12 to 30 months (mean = 23.9 months). Each subject and parents were observed during the dinnertime meal on two occasions using the BATMAN (Bob and Tom's Method of Assessing Nutrition). The children spent 58% of the mealtime eating. They spent very little time making active decisions about what and how much they ate (food requests = 2% of the time; food refusals = 1% of the time). We found significant correlations between child relative weight and (a) parental prompts to eat (r = .81, p less than .001), (b) parental food offers (r = .51, p less than .05), and (c) parental encouragement to eat (r = .82, p less than .001). Thus, the present study suggests a relationship between certain parental variables and the relative weight of their children.
The olfactory organ of the trout Salmo trutta fario: A novel localization for a progestin receptor

A progestin receptor (PR) has been detected in the olfactory organ of the trout Salmo trutta fario. The specificity of this receptor was high for 17α,20β‐dihydroxy‐4‐pregnen‐3‐one (17α,20β‐DP), but it also bound 17α‐hydroxy‐progesterone (17α‐OHP) and 21‐hydroxyprogesterone (21‐OHP), even when present at low concentrations (10‐fold in relative binding affinity assay). Progesterone (P) competed effectively at much higher concentrations (1,000‐fold in relative binding affinity assay). Immunohistochemical studies carried out with three different monoclonal antibodies against human progesterone receptor (hPR), chicken progesterone receptor hinge region (cPR), and chicken progesterone receptor A/B domain (PR22), revealed that immunoreactivity was present in the epithelium of the olfactory organ of females and males of the trout Salmo trutta fario only against hPR. Western blotting showed two hPR immunoreactive bands of about 62 and 66 kDa. Finally, a portion of the cDNA of about 300 nucleotides extending over the DNA binding domain and the ligand binding domain was cloned and sequenced, revealing a high degree of sequence homology of the PR in Salmo trutta fario with the PR in other teleosts. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Generativity in Midlife and Young Adults: Links to Agency, Communion, and Subjective Well-Being

Three questions stimulated by Erik Erikson's theory of generativity were addressed: 1) Is generativity associated with greater subjective well-being? 2) Are agency and communion additive or interactive predictors of generativity? 3) Does generativity play a distinct role during the midlife period? Among ninety-eight midlife adults, generativity was positively related to positive affectivity, satisfaction with life, and work satisfaction. Generativity was independently predicted by agentic (masculine) and communal (feminine) traits. Among fifty-eight young adults, generativity predicted positive affect at home. Generativity was independently predicted by agentic (power) and communal (love) interpersonal orientations. Using event-contingent recording of agentic and communal behavior at work, agency was a stronger predictor of generativity for young adult men, and communion was a stronger predictor for young adult women. The studies demonstrate that generativity has similar relations to agency and communion in young and midlife adults; however, generativity may be a stronger predictor of subjective well-being in midlife adults.
Dynamin 2 mutations cause sporadic centronuclear myopathy with neonatal onset

We report four heterozygous dynamin 2 (DNM2) mutations in five centronuclear myopathy patients aged 1 to 15 years. They all presented with neonatal hypotonia with weak suckling. Thereafter, their phenotype progressively improved. All patients demonstrated muscle weakness prominent in the lower limbs, and most of them also presented with facial weakness, open mouth, arched palate, ptosis, and ophthalmoparesis. Electrophysiology showed only myopathic changes, and muscle biopsies showed central nuclei and type 1 fiber hypotrophy and predominance. Our results expand the phenotypic spectrum of dynamin 2–related centronuclear myopathy from the classic mild form to the more severe neonatal phenotype. Ann Neurol 2007
A specification-based coverage metric to evaluate test sets

Software developers use a variety of methods, including both formal methods and testing, to argue that their systems are suitable components for high assurance applications. In this paper, we develop another connection between formal methods and testing by defining a specification-based coverage metric to evaluate test sets. Formal methods in the form of a model checker supply the necessary automation to make the metric practical. The metric gives the software developer assurance that a given test set is sufficiently sensitive to the structure of an application's specification. In this paper, we develop the necessary foundation for the metric and then illustrate the metric on an example.
Statistical tests for measures of colocalization in biological microscopy

Colocalization analysis is the most common technique used for quantitative analysis of fluorescence microscopy images. Several metrics have been developed for measuring the colocalization of two probes, including Pearson's correlation coefficient (PCC) and Manders’ correlation coefficient (MCC). However, once measured, the meaning of these measurements can be unclear; interpreting PCC or MCC values requires the ability to evaluate the significance of a particular measurement, or the significance of the difference between two sets of measurements. In previous work, we showed how spatial autocorrelation confounds randomization techniques commonly used for statistical analysis of colocalization data. Here we use computer simulations of biological images to show that the Student's one‐sample t‐test can be used to test the significance of PCC or MCC measurements of colocalization, and the Student's two‐sample t‐test can be used to test the significance of the difference between measurements obtained under different experimental conditions.
Reflective processes of practitioners in head and neck cancer rehabilitation: a grounded theory study

Abstract Purpose: This study systematically examined how experienced Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) use the processes of reflection to develop knowledge relevant for practice in the context of head and neck cancer (HNC) rehabilitation. Method: In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 SLPs working in HNC rehabilitation in North America. Grounded theory methodology was adopted for data collection and analysis. Result: The findings inform a preliminary reflective practice model that depicts the processes of reflection used by practitioners interviewed. Nine categories of reflective processes were identified by participant SLPs in terms of the processes of reflection: ongoing questioning, experimenting through trial and error, integrating knowledge from past cases, embracing surprise, thinking out of the box, being in the moment, consulting with colleagues, putting oneself in the patients’ shoes, and discerning ethical issues. These findings provide empirical evidence that supports Schön’s theory of reflective practice and contribute to knowledge about the ways in which SLPs use processes of reflection in the context of HNC rehabilitation. Conclusion: The findings of this study have implications for how SLPs perceive and consider their role as knowledge-users and knowledge producers in their day-to-day clinical work, as well as for building capacity for reflective practice.