Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The use of matching pursuit decomposition for damage detection and localization in complex structures

This paper focuses on damage detection, localization and quantification in metallic plates using an array of sensors and an advanced feature extraction algorithm. The Matching Pursuit Decomposition (MPD) algorithm is used for timefrequency signal analysis. Using MPD, measured signals are decomposed into multiple wave modes. The individual wave modes are analyzed to determine the cause of signal changes and the location of the damage. An aluminum plate made of 6061 alloy was instrumented with piezoelectric transducers and used for testing and validation of the proposed concept.
PDGF Facilitates Direct Lineage Reprogramming of Hepatocytes to Functional β-Like Cells Induced by Pdx1 and Ngn3

Islet transplantation has been proven to be an effective treatment for patients with type 1 diabetes, but a lack of islet donors limits the use of transplantation therapies. It has been previously demonstrated that hepatocytes can be converted into insulin-producing β-like cells by introducing pancreatic transcription factors, indicating that direct hepatocyte reprogramming holds potential as a treatment for diabetes. However, the efficiency at which functional β-cells can be derived from hepatocyte reprogramming remains low. Here we demonstrated that the combination of Pdx1 and Ngn3 can trigger reprogramming of mouse and human liver cells to insulin-producing cells that exhibit the characteristics of pancreatic β-cells. Treatment with PDGF-AA was found to facilitate Pdx1 and Ngn3-induced reprogramming of hepatocytes to β-like cells with the ability to secrete insulin in response to glucose stimulus. Importantly, this reprogramming strategy could be applied to adult mouse primary hepatocytes, and the transplantation of β-like cells derived from primary hepatocyte reprogramming could ameliorate hyperglycemia in diabetic mice. These findings support the possibility of developing transplantation therapies for type 1 diabetes through the use of β-like cells derived from autologous hepatocyte reprogramming.
OC-128 The effect of obesity on the radicality of subtotal oesophagectomy for oesophageal adenocarcinoma

Introduction Obesity is on the increase in the UK and is a known risk factor for adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus. It is recognised that oesophagectomy in obese patients is more difficult with concerns that radicality of resection is reduced. The aims of this study were to evaluate body mass index (BMI) in patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma who underwent subtotal oesophagectomy with radical lymphadenectomy and to evaluate the effect of obesity on lymph node (LN) dissection and survival. Methods All patients who underwent subtotal oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma between January 2000 and December 2010 were identified from a prospectively maintained database. All other histological types were excluded. Patients were categorised according to BMI using the WHO criteria: underweight (2), normal (18.5–24.99 kg/m2), overweight (25-29.99 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2). Demographics, presence of Barrett's oesophagus or reflux disease, operative time, R0 resections, complications, LN resection and positivity were analysed. Long-term and disease free survival were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results 413 patients were identified. 23 had no BMI recorded and were excluded leaving 390 patients: eight underweight; 117 normal BMI; 172 overweight; 93 obese. BMI significantly increased over time (mean BMI 26.0 in 2000–2001, 27.8 in 2010, p=0.041). Obese patients were younger compared to normal BMI patients (mean age 60.1 and 64.4 respectively, p=0.003). The incidence of Barrett's oesophagus and reflux disease were not significantly different between groups. Operating time was significantly longer for obese patients (p=0.018). R0 resections were similar between groups (normal patients 96.4% and obese 95.5%). The mean number of LNs resected (33 for both normal BMI and obese groups) and the LN ratio did not differ significantly between groups. Obese patients had significantly lower disease stages (32.3% stage 1 obese patients vs 16.2% stage 1 normal BMI patients, p=0.006). Overall survival was longer for obese patients compared with those of normal BMI (81 months vs 55 months, p=0.004). When matched for stage, this difference did not reach significance (p=0.236). Disease free survival did not differ between groups. The overall complication rate was similar between groups (70.1% for normal BMI, 66.3% for obese). Conclusion This is the first study to evaluate BMI in a homogenous group of patients with adenocarcinoma undergoing subtotal oesophagectomy with a standardised radical lymphadenectomy. BMI and obesity among these patients increased with time. The radicality of surgery, in terms of LN yields and R0 resections, did not reduce in the obesity group and this is further supported by equivalent stage-matched long-term survival. Competing interests None declared.
Validity of International Classification of Disease Codes to Identify Ischemic Stroke and Intracranial Hemorrhage Among Individuals With Associated Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation

Background— Because of its association with death and disability, stroke is a focus of outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF) research. International Classification of Disease-Ninth Revision (ICD-9) edition codes are commonly used to identify stroke in research, particularly in large administrative data. We sought to assess the validity of ICD-9 codes in stroke case ascertainment and for AF across 3 institutions. Methods and Results— Participating centers included Boston Medical Center (safety net hospital), Geisinger Health System (rural Pennsylvania), and the University of Alabama (academic center in the southeastern stroke belt). ICD-9 codes for ischemic stroke (433–434, 436) and intracranial hemorrhage (430–432) identified 1812 stroke cases with an associated code for AF (427.31) from 2006 to 2010. Cases were vetted through chart review with final adjudication by a stroke neurologist. Review considered 94.2% of ICD-9 identified stroke cases valid with decreased accuracy for concurrent AF diagnosis (82.28%) and stroke attributable to AF (72.8%). Among events with “without infarction” modifiers, 7.2% were valid strokes. ICD-9 stroke code accuracy did not differ by stroke type or site. Stroke code 434 displayed higher accuracy than 433 (94.4% versus 85.2%; P<0.01), and primary stroke codes were more accurate than nonprimary codes (97.2% versus 83.7%; P<0.0001). Conclusions— Using ICD-9 stroke and AF codes to identify patients with stroke plus AF resulted in inaccuracies. Given the expanded financial and policy implications of patient-oriented research, conclusions derived solely from administrative data without validation of outcome events should be interpreted with caution.
Do We Encourage Health or Illness? A Survey of Exercise Rehabilitation Practices for Patients in Australian Renal Units

Background: People with end stage renal disease (ESRD) have been reported as having low levels of physical activity. Sedentary behaviours increase illness risks which may lead to burdens on the public health system which include costs of medical care. Research has established that exercise is reported to improve general health and wellbeing. Benefi ts include better aerobic tolerance, maintenance and improvement in physical function and capacity, and improvement in self-concept and well-being. These same improvements also occur in an exercising ESRD population, even though the improvements might be of less magnitude. Renal unit staff can have a major impact on patients with ESRD by actively promoting exercise. Purpose: The study surveyed renal units throughout Australia, to obtain information on exercise rehabilitation practices within these units. Method: This was a descriptive single cross sectional study of dialysis units within Australia. Each unit was asked what exercise rehabilitation practices were conducted in their units at a basic, intermediate and advanced level. The survey questionnaire was adapted from the Unit Self-Assessment Manual for Renal Rehabilitation (The Life Options Rehabilitation Advisory Council [LORAC] 1998). Results: Twenty-two units responded, a 52.38% return rate. On average, only 9% of the content of the education programs was related to exercise practices, and only 9% of units had organized fi tness programs. Most of the education programs were related to diet and fl uids, dialysis therapies, and vascular access care. 50% of units reported they regularly referred patients to occupational therapy and physiotherapy but the outcome of these referrals in terms of physical activity is unknown. Comments demonstrated that staff were aware of the importance of exercise, however many comments related to unmotivated patients and lack of resources (staff and fi nances) to support physical activity programs. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that there is a real need to actively develop physical activity rehabilitation programs within Australian dialysis units. With the large amount of literature now available reporting the benefi ts of exercise in those with ESRD, an important consideration for renal physicians and nurses is their ‘duty of care’ to their patients to promote physical activity.
Rheumatological Disorders and Somatization in U.S. Mien and Lao Refugees with Depression and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Cross-Cultural Comparison

We report a study comparing presenting symptoms and medical diagnoses of Mien and Lao refugees seen at a specialized psychiatric referral programme in Oregon. Rheumatological assessment in Mien and Lao refugees suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder revealed similar prevalence rates of pain, rheumatologic disorders and somatization despite different initial clinical presentations. Of 89 patients seen in out-patient clinics, 95% had chronic pain, 88% had rheumatological diagnoses and 53% had medically unexplained pain. Although this was a selected sample, our results support the notion that physical pain complaints in psychiatric patients contribute to psychopathology and deserve careful evaluation. Culture strongly affected presentation and this study supports the identification of a Mien Somatic Complaint Syndrome.
Improving the Lane Reference Detection for Autonomous Road Vehicle Control

Autonomous road vehicles are increasingly becoming more important and there are several techniques and sensors that are being applied for vehicle control. This paper presents an alternative system for maintaining the position of autonomous vehicles without adding additional elements to the standard sensor architecture, by using a 3D laser scanner for continuously detecting a reference element in situations in which the GNSS receiver fails or provides accuracy below the required level. Considering that the guidance variables are more accurately estimated when dealing with reference points in front of and behind the vehicle, an algorithm based on vehicle dynamics mathematical model is proposed to extend the detected points in cases where the sensor is placed at the front of the vehicle. The algorithm has been tested when driving along a lane delimited by New Jersey barriers at both sides and the results show a correct behaviour. The system is capable of estimating the reference element behind the vehicle with sufficient accuracy when the laser scanner is placed at the front of it, so the robustness of the control input variables (lateral and angular errors) estimation is improved making it unnecessary to place the sensor on the vehicle roof or to introduce additional sensors.
Characterizing the application of transcranial direct current stimulation in human pharyngeal motor cortex

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a novel intervention that can modulate brain excitability in health and disease; however, little is known about its effects on bilaterally innervated systems such as pharyngeal motor cortex. Here, we assess the effects of differing doses of tDCS on the physiology of healthy human pharyngeal motor cortex as a prelude to designing a therapeutic intervention in dysphagic patients. Healthy subjects (n = 17) underwent seven regimens of tDCS (anodal 10 min 1 mA, cathodal 10 min 1 mA, anodal 10 min 1.5 mA, cathodal 10 min 1.5 mA, anodal 20 min 1 mA, cathodal 20 min 1 mA, Sham) on separate days, in a double blind randomized order. Bihemispheric motor evoked potential (MEP) responses to single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as well as intracortical facilitation (ICF) and inhibition (ICI) were recorded using a swallowed pharyngeal catheter before and up to 60 min following the tDCS. Compared with sham, both 10 min 1.5 mA and 20 min 1 mA anodal stimulation induced increases in cortical excitability in the stimulated hemisphere (+44 +/- 17% and +59 +/- 16%, respectively; P < 0.005) whereas only 10 min 1.5 mA cathodal stimulation induced inhibition (-26 +/- 4%, P = 0.02). There were neither contralateral hemisphere changes nor any evidence for ICI or ICF in driving the ipsilateral effects. In conclusion, anodal tDCS can alter pharyngeal motor cortex excitability in an intensity-dependent manner, with little evidence for transcallosal spread. Anodal stimulation may therefore provide a useful means of stimulating pharyngeal cortex and promoting recovery in dysphagic patients.
Polydrug Use Among Secondary School Students: combinations, prevalences and risk profiles

The aim is to describe polydrug use among secondary school students: combinations of substances, number of students per user type and corresponding risk profiles. The method employed was as follows. Data were derived from the 1999 sample of the Dutch National School Survey on Substance Use. The analysis was limited to secondary school students between 12 and 16 years, at which age it is still compulsory to attend school (N = 6236). Studied substances are alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, ecstasy, amphetamines, opiates and cocaine. Of the students, 56.7% used one or more substances. Among the users, 41.8% were polydrug users in the sense that they had used more than one substance during the previous 4 weeks. In the student population concerned of about 1 000 000, 243 000 were polydrug users of whom 146 000 use only alcohol and tobacco, 67 000 combine alcohol or tobacco with cannabis, and 21 000 combine alcohol, tobacco or cannabis with at least one hard drug such as ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines or heroin. The risk of polydrug use increased with increasing age. Prevalence rates were highest among ethnic Dutch students, very low among Moroccan students and high at the lower educational levels. By comparison with girls, boys had a specific risk of becoming the type of polydrug user using soft or hard drugs. The high prevalence of polydrug use among young students makes this an important topic for research, monitoring and prevention.
Sensitive determination of paracetamol using a graphene-modified carbon- paste electrode

The electrochemical behavior of paracetamol was investigated at a graphene - modified carbon paste electrode by cyclic voltammetry in an ammonium buffer solution (pH 8.5). The modified electrode showed excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation and reduction of paracetamol resulting in a remarkable lowering of the peak potentials and considerable improvement of the peak currents as compared to the bare electrode. Despite the irreversible behavior at the surface of a carbon paste electrode, a quasi-reversible redox process at the graphene modified electrode was observed for paracetamol with a peak separation of 66 mV at a scan rate of 50 mV s -1 . The advantages are related to the unique properties of graphene such as large surface area, and increased electron transfer abilities compared to graphite. Square wave voltammetry was applied to the quantitative determination of paracetamol using the graphene modified carbon paste electrode after an accumulation time of 2 min. The calibration graph was linear in the concentration range of paracetamol of 2.5 to 143 μM with a sensitivity of 0.282 µA/µM and the detection limit was about 0.6 µM (S/N=3). The method was used in the determination of paracetamol in pharmaceutical preparations and urine samples successfully.
Recent progress in Lynch syndrome and other familial colorectal cancer syndromes

The current understanding of familial colorectal cancer was limited to descriptions of affected pedigrees until the early 1990s. A series of landscape‐altering discoveries revealed that there were distinct forms of familial cancer, and most were related to genes previously not known to be involved in human disease. This review largely focuses on advances in our understanding of Lynch syndrome because of the unique relationship of this disease to defective DNA mismatch repair and the clinical implications this has for diagnostics, prevention, and therapy. Recent advances have occurred in our understanding of the epidemiology of this disease, and the advent of broad genetic panels has altered the approach to germline and somatic diagnoses for all of the familial colorectal cancer syndromes. Important advances have been made toward a more complete mechanistic understanding of the pathogenesis of neoplasia in the setting of Lynch syndrome, and these advances have important implications for prevention. Finally, paradigm‐shifting approaches to treatment of Lynch‐syndrome and related tumors have occurred through the development of immune checkpoint therapies for hypermutated cancers. CA Cancer J Clin 2018;68:217–231. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Dietary correlates of urinary 6-sulfatoxymelatonin concentrations in the Nurses' Health Study cohorts.

BACKGROUND Age and certain lifestyle factors, including a higher body mass index and exposure to light at night, are related to lower circulating concentrations of melatonin-a hormone with probable cancer-protective properties. Although melatonin is a direct derivative of the essential amino acid tryptophan, little is known about the relation of diet with melatonin concentrations. OBJECTIVE The objective was to examine cross-sectional associations of various nutrients and dietary factors as well as food groups with creatinine-adjusted first morning urinary melatonin (6-sulfatoxymelatonin; aMT6s) concentrations. DESIGN Participants were 998 healthy women from 2 independent cohorts: the Nurses' Health Study (NHS; n = 585) and NHS II (n = 413). We computed least-squares mean hormone concentrations across categories of dietary variables, with adjustment for total energy intake, age, and other nondietary factors known to be associated with aMT6s concentrations. RESULTS In multivariate analyses, we found no significant associations between the intake of various nutrients, including tryptophan and urinary melatonin concentrations. A higher intake of meat, particularly red meat, was associated with lower concentrations of aMT6s (adjusted mean concentrations of aMT6s across increasing quartiles of red meat intake were 17.9, 17.0, 18.1, and 15.3 ng/mg creatinine; P for trend = 0.02). In contrast, neither poultry intake (including turkey) nor fish intake was associated with aMT6s concentrations. CONCLUSION Although no specific nutrients were associated with altered concentrations of melatonin, our findings raise the possibility that several specific foods, including red meat, could affect cancer risk through the lowering of melatonin concentrations.
Working Memory, Sleep, and Hearing Problems in Patients with Tinnitus and Hearing Loss Fitted with Hearing Aids

Background: Tinnitus is a common condition and there is a need to evaluate effects of tinnitus management in relation to moderating factors such as degree of hearing loss. As it is possible that tinnitus influences concentration, and thus is likely to disturb cognitive processing, the role of cognitive functioning also needs to be investigated. Purpose: To compare a group of patients with sensorineural hearing loss and tinnitus to a control group with only sensorineural hearing loss (and no tinnitus). To investigate working memory, sleep, and hearing problems measured before and after hearing rehabilitation. Research Design: A prospective study. Study Sample: The sample consisted of 100 patients, 50 with hearing loss and tinnitus, and 50 controls with hearing loss but no tinnitus. All patients were between 40 and 82 yr old and had a pure‐tone average (PTA; average of 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 kHz) <70 dB HL. Intervention: Patients were tested before and after rehabilitation with hearing aids with regard to their working memory capacity, sleep quality, hearing problems, speech recognition, and tinnitus annoyance. Data Collection and Analysis: Eight patients dropped out of the study. Thus, a total of 92 patients were included for analysis, with 46 in each group. As a consequence of unplanned age and PTA differences between the groups, an age‐matched subsample (n = 30 + 30) was selected for further analysis. Tests including the Reading Span, Hearing‐in‐Noise Test (HINT), Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Hearing Handicap Inventory for the Elderly (HHIE), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were administered before and after hearing aid rehabilitation. Results: There were no between‐group differences at baseline in the full sample (n = 92), with the exception of the THI (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.002), on which the hearing loss and tinnitus group had significantly higher scores. Pre/post changes were significant for both groups on the Reading Span, and HHIE. However, these improvements were significantly larger for the patients in the hearing loss and tinnitus group on the Reading Span test (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.001). Patients with tinnitus and hearing loss also exhibited significantly improved THI scores at follow‐up, compared to baseline (p < 0.001). We conducted the same analyses for the age‐matched subsample (n = 30 + 30). For the baseline data, only the THI (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.015) difference remained significant. With regard to the pre/post changes, we found the same differences in improvement in Reading Span (p < 0.001) and the PSQI (p < 0.015) as in the full sample. Conclusions: Patients with tinnitus benefited from hearing aid rehabilitation. The observed differences in cognitive function were unexpected, and there were larger score improvements on the Reading Span test in the hearing loss and tinnitus group than in the hearing loss group. Patients with tinnitus and hearing loss may receive extra benefit in terms of cognitive function following hearing aid rehabilitation.
Association of dietary patterns with metabolic syndrome components in low-income, free-living Brazilian adults

This study investigated the association of dietary patterns with sociodemographic markers and components of metabolic syndrome in free-living adults. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was done with a sample of 237 individuals registered at one Family Health Strategy Unit. Biochemical, clinical, socioeconomic and dietary data were collected. Multiple and logistic linear regression were used and the significance level was set at 5%. Three dietary patterns were found and named western pattern, healthy pattern and traditional pattern upon recommendations found in the literature. People with the traditional dietary pattern were older, those with the western dietary pattern had higher education levels and those with the healthy pattern had the lowest income in minimum wages. The healthy pattern presented the lowest odds ratio for abdominal obesity (0.60; CI: 0.44-0.82; p<0.05). High blood glucose was positively associated with the western pattern. The odds ratio for hypertriglyceridemia was highest for those in the highest quartile of processed food intake. The Western dietary pattern and high percentage of processed foods in the diet must be avoided if hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia are to be prevented or treated; in analogy, the healthy pattern must be promoted to reduce the risk of abdominal obesity. Key words: Nutrition, metabolic syndrome, diet pattern, low-income.