Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mid-Term to Long-Term Outcomes After Total Cervical Disk Arthroplasty Compared With Anterior Diskectomy and Fusion

Study Design: This study was a meta-analysis of published randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Objective: We investigated the mid-term to long-term outcomes of cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) versus anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the surgical treatment of symptomatic cervical disk degenerative disease. Summary of Background Data: ACDF has been widely performed for the surgical treatment of symptomatic cervical disk degenerative disease. However, the loss of motion at the operated level has been hypothesized to accelerate adjacent-level disk degeneration. CDA was designed to preserve motion segments and decrease the risk/rate of adjacent segment degeneration. However, it is still uncertain whether mid-term to long-term outcomes after CDA is more effective and safer than those observed after ACDF. Methods: Two independent reviewers conducted a search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library databases for RCTs with a minimum of 48 months of follow-up. For dichotomous variables, the risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. For continuous variables, the standardized mean difference and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results: Eleven RCTs, finally, were included. The rate of neurological success in the CDA group was not significantly different from that in the ACDF group. The pooled results show that patients who underwent CDA had a significantly greater improvement in Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Short Form 36 Health Survey physical component (SF-36 HSPC) than did those who underwent ACDF. No significant difference was found when comparing the neck and arm pain scores between the CDA and ACDF groups. The overall rate of secondary surgical procedures was significantly lower in patients who underwent CDA than in those who underwent ACDF. We observed similar overall rates of adverse events and adjacent segment degeneration when comparing the CDA group with the ACDF group. Conclusions: This meta-analysis provides evidence suggesting that CDA was superior to ACDF in terms of NDI score, SF-36 HSPC score, and low rate of secondary surgical procedures. Furthermore, no significant differences existed between the CDA group and the ACDF group in the neck pain visual analog scale score, arm pain visual analog scale score, the rate of neurological success, adjacent segment degeneration, and adverse events. Level of Evidence: Level 1.
Localization and Stability of the Transcriptional Activator Gcn4p of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The «general amino acid control« (GAAC) of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a well characterized regulatory network which secures a sufficient amino acid supply of the organism. This system can be induced by different environmental stimuli like e. g. amino acid starvation, purine limitation, UV radiation, glucose limitation or high salinity. Induction of the general amino acid control results in the transcriptional activation of more than 500 target genes from many different biosynthetic pathways. In the last decades numerous investigations have broadened the understanding of this network and primarily of its central trancriptional activator protein Gcn4p.Gcn4p represents a classical bZIP transcription factor, which recognizes as a homodimer conserved consensus sites within the promoter regions of its target genes. Gcn4p is known as a weakly expressed and highly unstable protein in sated cells. The Gcn4p translation rate and protein stability significantly increase in response to amino acid limitation.One aim of this work was to localize S. cerevisiae Gcn4p and the homologous protein CPCA of the mold Aspergillus nidulans within the cell. Fluorescence microscopy demonstrated that Gcn4p/CPCA are predominantly nuclear proteins, independently of the presence or absence of sufficient amounts of amino acids. Deletion and heterologous transfer experiments revealed that nuclear import of S. cerevisiae Gcn4p is secured by two functional nuclear localization sequences (NLS), from which only one is conserved in A. nidulans CPCA. Analyses of a set of S. cerevisiae importin mutant strains gave evidence that Gcn4p translocation requires importin a Srp1p and importin b Kap95p. A second aim was to study protein stability regulation of Gcn4p. Regulation of stability of Gcn4p was dependent on its subcellular localization, demonstrating a compartment specific degradation of Gcn4p within the nucleus. The cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) Pho85p, which initiates Gcn4p decay by phosphorylation at Thr165, is as well as Gcn4p a predominantly nuclear protein. Pho85p activity is affected by the CDK inhibitor Pho81p in cells starved for amino acids. Preventing Gcn4p to enter the yeast nucleus either by deleting its NLSs or because of an affected nuclear import cycle in a yrb1 mutant strain resulted in stabilized Gcn4p, indicating that efficient amino acid dependent Gcn4p stability regulation occurs exclusively in the yeast nucleus.
Impact of bottle size on in‐home consumption of wine: a randomized controlled cross‐over trial

Abstract Aim To assess the impact of purchasing wine in 50 cl bottles compared with 75 cl bottles on the amount of wine consumed at home. Design Cross‐over randomized controlled trial with a ‘usual behaviour’ period of a maximum of 3 weeks between conditions. Setting Households in the United Kingdom. Participants One hundred and eighty‐six households that consumed between two and eight 75 cl bottles of wine each week. Intervention Households were randomized to the order in which they purchased wine in two bottle sizes. During two 14‐day intervention periods, households purchased a pre‐set volume of wine—based on their baseline self‐reported weekly consumption—in either 75 cl bottles or 50 cl bottles. On days 7 and 14 of each study period, participating households sent photographs of each purchased wine bottle. Measurements The primary outcome was the volume of study wine in millilitres (ml) consumed during each study period estimated through returned photographs. The secondary outcome was the rate of consumption measured by the mean number of days taken to drink 1.5 litres from each bottle size. Findings One hundred and sixty‐six of 186 enrolled households satisfactorily completed the study. After accounting for pre‐specified covariates, 191.1 ml [95% confidence interval (CI) = 42.03–339.2] or 4.5% (95% CI = 1.0–7.9%) more wine was consumed per 14‐day period from 75‐cl bottles than from 50‐cl bottles. Consumption was 5.8% faster (95% CI = –10.9 to –0.4%) from 75 cl bottles than from 50 cl bottles. Conclusions Consuming wine at home from 50 cl bottles, compared with 75 cl bottles, may reduce both amount consumed and rate of consumption.
Prevalence and clinical implications of respiratory viruses in stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Introduction Both stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acute exacerbations represent leading causes of death, disability and healthcare expenditure. They are complex, heterogeneous and their mechanisms are poorly understood. The role of respiratory viruses has been studied extensively but is still not adequately addressed clinically. Through a rigorous evidence update, we aim to define the prevalence and clinical burden of the different respiratory viruses in stable COPD and exacerbations, and to investigate whether viral load of usual respiratory viruses could be used for diagnosis of exacerbations triggered by viruses, which are currently not diagnosed or treated aetiologically. Methods and analysis Based on a prospectively registered protocol, we will systematically review the literature using standard methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation working group. We will search Medline/PubMed, Excerpta Medica dataBASE (EMBASE), the Cochrane Library, the WHO’s Clinical Trials Registry and the proceedings of relevant international conferences on 2 March 2020. We will evaluate: (A) the prevalence of respiratory viruses in stable COPD and exacerbations, (B) differences in the viral loads of respiratory viruses in stable COPD vs exacerbations, to explore whether the viral load of prevalent respiratory viruses could be used as a diagnostic biomarker for exacerbations triggered by viruses and (C) the association between the presence of respiratory viruses and clinical outcomes in stable COPD and in exacerbations. Ethics and dissemination Ethics approval is not required since no primary data will be collected. Our findings will be presented in national and international scientific conferences and will be published in peer reviewed journals. Respiratory viruses currently represent a lost opportunity to improve the outcomes of both stable COPD and exacerbations. Our work aspires to ‘demystify’ the prevalence and clinical burden of viruses in stable COPD and exacerbations and to promote clinical and translational research. PROSPERO registration number CRD42019147658.
Self-Microemulsifying Drug Delivery System for Improved Oral Delivery and Hypnotic Efficacy of Ferulic Acid

Purpose Ferulic acid (FA) is a natural compound which is used to treat insomnia. However, its use is limited because of its poor oral bioavailability caused by extremely rapid elimination. The current study aimed to develop a self-microemulsifying drug delivery system (SMEDDS) to improve the oral delivery of FA and to enhance its hypnotic efficacy. Methods FA-SMEDDS was prepared, and its morphology and storage stability were characterized. The formulation was also subjected to pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution studies in rats. The hypnotic efficacy of FA-SMEDDS was evaluated in p-chlorophenylalanine-induced insomnia mice. Results FA-loaded SMEDDS exhibited a small droplet size (15.24 nm) and good stability. Oral administration of FA-SMEDDS yielded relative bioavailability of 185.96%. In the kidney, SMEDDS decreased the distribution percentage of FA from 76.1% to 59.4% and significantly reduced its metabolic conversion, indicating a reduction in renal elimination. Interestingly, FA-SMEDDS showed a higher distribution in the brain and enhanced serotonin levels in the brain, which extended the sleep time by 2-fold in insomnia mice. Conclusion This is the first study to show that FA-loaded SMEDDS decreased renal elimination, enhanced oral bioavailability, increased brain distribution, and improved hypnotic efficacy. Thus, we have demonstrated that SMEDDS is a promising carrier which can be employed to improve the oral delivery of FA and facilitate product development for the therapy of insomnia.
EVALUATION OF CASPASE 3 AS AN INDICATOR FOR BREAST CANCER CHEMOTHERAPY RESPONSE

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the difference of postchemotherapy caspase 3 level between triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) subjects with and without clinical response.Methods: A total of 48 subjects with intraductal and 12 subjects with intralobular TNBC who were undergoing surgery at Adam Malik General Hospital were analyzed the response of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Postsurgical breast tumor tissue was treated in pathology laboratory for caspase 3 analysis. The data were processed in SPSS 22 with significance limitation of 0.05. Results: Median levels of caspase 3 postchemotherapy were higher both in intraductal and intralobular TNBC subtype (6 vs. 4.5 and 5 vs. 3, respectively) responsive group, while no changes detected in the group without clinical response. In statistical analysis, there was a significant difference of caspase 3 level postchemotherapy only in group with clinical response (p=0.005 in intraductal carcinoma and p=0.0031 in intralobular carcinoma). Conclusion: Postchemotherapy caspase 3 level increased significantly in TNBC, either intraductal or intralobular subtype, subjects with clinical response, but not in subjects without clinical response.
Three-Year Follow-Up with the Bone Conduction Implant

Background: The bone conduction implant (BCI) is an active transcutaneous bone conduction device where the transducer has direct contact to the bone, and the skin is intact. Sixteen patients have been implanted with the BCI with a planned follow-up of 5 years. This study reports on hearing, quality of life, and objective measures up to 36 months of follow-up in 10 patients. Method: Repeated measures were performed at fitting and after 1, 3, 6, 12, and 36 months including sound field warble tone thresholds, speech recognition thresholds in quiet, speech recognition score in noise, and speech-to-noise thresholds for 50% correct words with adaptive noise. Three quality of life questionnaires were used to capture the benefit from the intervention, appreciation from different listening situations, and the ability to interact with other people when using the BCI. The results were compared to the unaided situation and a Ponto Pro Power on a soft band. The implant functionality was measured by nasal sound pressure, and the retention force from the audio processor against the skin was measured using a specially designed audio processor and a force gauge. Results: Audiometry and quality of life questionnaires using the BCI or the Ponto Pro Power on a soft band were significantly improved compared to the unaided situation and the results were statistically supported. There was generally no significant difference between the two devices. The nasal sound pressure remained stable over the study period and the force on the skin from the audio processor was 0.71 ± 0.22 N (mean ± 1 SD). Conclusion: The BCI improves the hearing ability for tones and speech perception in quiet and in noise for the indicated patients. The results are stable over a 3-year period, and the patients subjectively report a beneficial experience from using the BCI. The transducer performance and contact to the bone is unchanged over time, and the skin area under the audio processor remains without complications during the 3-year follow-up.
Detection of nanotesla AC magnetic fields using steady-state SIRS and ultra-low field MRI

Objective. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is commonly used to measure brain activity through the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal mechanism, but this only provides an indirect proxy signal to neuronal activity. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) provides a more direct measurement of the magnetic fields created by neuronal currents in the brain, but requires very specialized hardware and only measures these fields at the scalp. Recently, progress has been made to directly detect neuronal fields with MRI using the stimulus-induced rotary saturation (SIRS) effect, but interference from the BOLD response complicates such measurements. Here, we describe an approach to detect nanotesla-level, low-frequency alternating magnetic fields with an ultra-low field (ULF) MRI scanner, unaffected by the BOLD signal. Approach. A steady-state implementation of the stimulus-induced rotary saturation (SIRS) method is developed. The method is designed to generate a strong signal at ultra-low magnetic field as well as allowing for efficient signal averaging, giving a high contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). The method is tested in computer simulations and in phantom scans. Main results. The simulations and phantom scans demonstrated the ability of the method to measure magnetic fields at different frequencies at ULF with a stronger contrast than non-steady-state approaches. Furthermore, the rapid imaging functionality of the method reduced noise efficiently. The results demonstrated sufficient CNR down to 7 nT, but the sensitivity will depend on the imaging parameters. Significance. A steady-state SIRS method is able to detect low-frequency alternating magnetic fields at ultra-low main magnetic field strengths with a large signal response and contrast-to-noise, presenting an important step in sensing biological fields with ULF MRI.
The Biology of Squat Lobsters

Squat lobsters of the superfamilies Chirostyloidea and Galatheoidea are highly visible crustaceans on seamounts, continental margins, shelf environments, hydrothermal vents and coral reefs. About 1000 species are known. They frequently feature in deep-sea images taken by submersibles and are caught in large numbers by benthic dredges. Some species are so locally abundant that they form ‘red tides’. Others support a variety of important fisheries. The taxonomy of squat lobsters has been intensively studied over the past few decades, making them one of the best known deepwater crustacean groups. As a result, they have attracted the attention of deep-sea ecologists who use them as proxies to test hypotheses about deepwater ecological processes and biogeography. Interest in squat lobsters now extends much more widely than the taxonomic research community and this work is a timely synthesis of what is known about these animals. The Biology of Squat Lobsters provides keys for identification and reviews the current state of knowledge of the taxonomy, evolution, life history, distribution, ecology and fisheries of squat lobsters. A striking feature of squat lobsters is their vivid coloration, which is revealed in a selection of spectacular images of different species. 2012 Whitley Award Commendation for Invertebrate Natural History.
Systematic revision of Gonaphodiellus taxa, with description of two new genera and fourteen new species (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae)

The American species belonging to the genus Gonaphodiellus Schmidt (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Aphodiinae) are redescribed and figured. Two new genera are described: Gonaphodioides and Gonaphodiopsis. Fourteen new species are described: Gonaphodiellus arcanus, G. cerropuntanus, G. manantlanicus, G. martinpierai, G. omiltemicus, G. sacatepequezis, Gonaphodioides newtoni, G. ratcliffei, G. skelleyi, Gonaphodiopsis deloyai, G. hypogea, G. montesdeocai, G. pachecoi, G. teopiscaensis. The lectotype of Aphodius columbicus (Harold, 1880) is designated. The following new combinations are proposed: Gonaphodiellus nigrinus (Schmidt, 1916), Gonaphodioides acutecernans (Balthasar, 1960), Gonaphodioides chapini (Hinton, 1934), Gonaphodioides columbicus (Harold, 1880), Gonaphodioides sincerus (Petrovitz, 1973). Aphodius (Gonaphodiellus) xalapensis Galante, Stebnicka and Verdu, 2003 is placed as a junior synonym of Gonaphodiellus bimaculosus (Schmidt, 1909), new synonymy. Aphodius ataenioides Hinton, 1938 and Aphodius (Blackburneus) castanescens Petrovitz, 1973 are placed as junior synonyms of Gonaphodioides chapini (Hinton, 1934), new synonymies.
Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ) in cancer patients treated with denosumab VS. zoledronic acid: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The aim of the present study was to analyse the incidence, risk ratio (RR) and prognoses of two types of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (MRONJ): denosumab-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (DRONJ) and Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaws (BRONJ) in cancer patients under treatment with denosumab or zoledronic acid (ZA). Material and Methods An electronic and manual search was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) until May 2019. Assessment of the identified studies, risk of bias and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. The incidence of DRONJ and BRONJ and the RR to develop MRONJ were calculated at 1 year, 2 years and 3 years of exposure. It was also calculated the odds ratio (OR) of their respective prognoses. They were calculated normalizing the values of the individual studies to 1 year, 2 years or 3 years when necessary through robust regression models using a statistical program. Results From 1.277 references identified, 8 RCTs were included, which comprised a total of 13.857 patients with a variety of neoplasms. The incidence of DRONJ in cancer patients under treatment with denosumab ranged from 0.5 to 2.1% after 1 year, 1.1 to 3.0% after 2 years, and 1.3 to 3.2% after 3 years of exposure. The incidence of BRONJ in cancer patients under treatment with ZA ranged from 0.4 to 1.6% after 1 year of exposure, 0.8 to 2.1% after 2 years, and 1.0 to 2.3% after 3 years of exposure. Statistically significant differences were found between denosumab and ZA in the risk of developing MRONJ after 1, 2 and 3 years of exposure. Nevertheless, there were no significant differences in terms of patient prognosis. Conclusions Denosumab is associated with a significantly higher risk of developing MRONJ compared to ZA. Nevertheless, no differences were found in its prognoses. Key words:Denosumab, zoledronic acid, bisphosphonate-associated osteonecrosis of the Jaws, medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws, neoplasms.
Twitchin kinase interacts with MAPKAP kinase 2 in Caenorhabditis elegans striated muscle

Titin-like giant polypeptides of muscle have protein kinase domains near their C-termini. These kinases are autoinhibited by portions of their own sequences. A putative activator for Caenorhabditis elegans twitchin kinase, MAK-1 (MAPKAP kinase 2), is expressed in nematode striated muscle, partially colocalizes with twitchin in sarcomeres, and binds to and phosphorylates twitchin kinase in vitro.
Music Recommendation System for Old People with Dementia and Other Age-related Conditions

The worldwide increase in life expectancy can be accompanied by age-related degenerative conditions such as dementia. Dementia poses significant challenges for which music is a beneficial non-pharmacological intervention. Based on research and clinical expertise we developed a web-based system, termed Tamaringa, that builds and displays customized playlists. The recommendation mechanism incorporates an old person's age, birthplace, and popular songs from their youth. That particular range is known as being most accessible to seniors in terms of memory. Although there are a lot of repositories containing metadata and information about music, there is no single repository that addresses all our requirements in terms of specific metadata, range query application programming interfaces (API) capability and popularity information. This study explores the APIs of several repositories in order to populate our internal database with suitable songs that are required for accurate personalized recommendation. A preliminary promising pilot enabled twenty-four residents in an assisted living facility in Israel to engage and enjoy the music recommendation system. Personalized playlists were created using the system; the medical staff reports were positive. Further research will help to develop our system and eventually to integrate its use both in assisted living facilities and at home.