Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Factors Associated with Gender-Affirming Surgery and Age of Hormone Therapy Initiation Among Transgender Adults

Abstract Purpose: Gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapy are medically necessary treatments to alleviate gender dysphoria; however, significant gaps exist in the research and clinical literature on surgery utilization and age of hormone therapy initiation among transgender adults. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of electronic health record data from a random sample of 201 transgender patients of ages 18–64 years who presented for primary care between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2015 (inclusive) at an urban community health center in Boston, MA. Fifty percent in our analyses were trans masculine (TM), 50% trans feminine, and 24% reported a genderqueer/nonbinary gender identity. Regression models were fit to assess demographic, gender identity-related, sexual history, and mental health correlates of gender-affirming surgery and of age of hormone therapy initiation. Results: Overall, 95% of patients were prescribed hormones by their primary care provider, and the mean age of initiation of masculinizing or feminizing hormone prescriptions was 31.8 years (SD=11.1). Younger age of initiation of hormone prescriptions was associated with being TM, being a student, identifying as straight/heterosexual, having casual sexual partners, and not having past alcohol use disorder. Approximately one-third (32%) had a documented history of gender-affirming surgery. Factors associated with increased odds of surgery were older age, higher income levels, not identifying as bisexual, and not having a current psychotherapist. Conclusion: This study extends our understanding of prevalence and factors associated with gender-affirming treatments among transgender adults seeking primary care. Findings can inform future interventions to expand delivery of clinical care for transgender patients.
Prevalence and Clinicoepidemiological Features of Moyamoya Disease in Japan: Findings From a Nationwide Epidemiological Survey

Background and Purpose— The objectives of the present study were to estimate an annual number of patients with moyamoya disease in Japan and to describe the clinicoepidemiological features of the disease. Methods— The study consisted of 2 questionnaire surveys, which were distributed to randomly selected departments of neurosurgery, internal medicine, neurology, cerebrovascular medicine, and pediatrics in hospitals throughout Japan. The first survey inquired about the number of the patients treated in 2003, and the second requested additional detailed clinicoepidemiological information about each patient identified in the first survey. Results— In 2003, the total number of patients treated in Japan was estimated at 7700 (95% confidence interval, 6300 to 9300). Sex ratio (women to men) of the patients was 1.8. For men, the peak of moyamoya disease was observed in patients aged 10 to 14 years and for women aged 20 to 24 years. Annual rate of newly diagnosed cases in 2003 was 0.54 per 100 000 population. Family history of moyamoya disease was found in 12.1% of the patients. The majority (77.9%) were treated as outpatients. Conclusions— Although the clinicoepidemiological features of the patients in the present study were almost similar to those obtained in previous ones, the estimated prevalence of moyamoya disease in Japan has almost doubled during the recent decade (3900 in 1994 and 7700 in 2003). The increase could partly be explained by the increase in newly diagnosed cases (0.35 in 1994 and 0.54 in 2003 per 100 000 population).
Anisotropic Porous Biodegradable Scaffolds for Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering

It has been generally accepted that tissue engineered constructs should closely resemble the in-vivo mechanical and structural properties of the tissues they are intended to replace. However, most scaffolds produced so far were isotropic porous scaffolds with non-characterized mechanical properties, different from those of the native healthy tissue. Tissues that are formed into these scaffolds are initially formed in the isotropic porous structure and since most tissues have significant anisotropic extracellular matrix components and concomitant mechanical properties, the formed tissues have no structural and functional relationships with the native tissues. The complete regeneration of tissues requires a second differentiation step after resorption of the isotropic scaffold. It is doubtful if the required plasticity for this remains present in already final differentiated tissue. It would be much more efficacious if the newly formed tissues in the scaffold could differentiate directly into the anisotropic organization of the native tissues. Therefore, anisotropic scaffolds that enable such a direct differentiation might be extremely helpful to realize this goal. Up to now, anisotropic scaffolds have been fabricated using modified conventional techniques, solid free-form fabrication techniques, and a few alternative methods. In this review we present the current status and discuss the procedures that are currently being used for anisotropic scaffold fabrication.
Reduced expression of basal and probiotic‐inducible G‐CSF in intestinal mononuclear cells is associated with inflammatory bowel disease

Background: Granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) is a pleiotropic cytokine involved in the hematopoiesis of granulocytes, neuroprotection, and immunomodulation. Previously, we have shown that probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR‐1 induces G‐CSF production from bone marrow‐derived macrophages. Whether this probiotic also induces G‐CSF in intestinal mononuclear cells is unknown. Methods: G‐CSF release in response to L. rhamnosus GR‐1 was analyzed in isolated intestinal lamina propria mononuclear cells from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and non‐IBD patients. The effects of G‐CSF on proinflammatory cytokine production in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and intestinal tissue from C57BL/6 wildtype and G‐CSF receptor knockout mice was examined. Results: Normal mouse or human intestinal lamina propria cells constitutively express high levels of G‐CSF, of which production was further enhanced by exogenous L. rhamnosus GR‐1. However, cells obtained from IBD patients showed reduced G‐CSF production under basal conditions and also lower production after exogenous GR‐1 treatments. Intestinal tissue samples isolated from G‐CSF receptor‐deficient mice constitutively expressed higher levels of TNFα, IL‐23, and IL‐12 than those from wildtype mice, and pretreatment of G‐CSF suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced IL‐23 in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Conclusions: These results suggest that high G‐CSF production induced by commensals such as L. rhamnosus is important in maintaining normal immunological homeostasis in the intestine and defects in the production of G‐CSF are associated with IBD. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2008)
Bariatric Surgery Trends in Belgium. The Health Insurer’s View

Abstract Strict regulation of bariatric surgery based upon objective needs for this therapy could create in Belgium an important reduction in — actually overused — surgical gastric banding procedures especially among the female population 18–50 year not corresponding with Class III obesity or with Class II + comorbidities in the near future. With the progressive popularity of the gastric bypass procedure that can also be carried out laparoscopically in specialised obesity centres and better reflecting the prevalence of obesity eligible for surgery in the male population and among the older age groups, the number of bypass interventions will probably increase without compensating for the diminishing number of interventions with adjustable gastric band. Short term projections without the above mentioned regulation of bariatric surgery and with ongoing constant increase of obesity prevalence indicate that the annual number of interventions based on the latest data of the national health insurance will know a 60% growth in 2006 and could reach 20.000 procedures in 2007.
Risk Factors for Restless Legs Syndrome in Dialysis Patients

Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a movement disorder that affects 6.6–62% of dialysis patients. The aims of this multicentre cross-sectional study were to document the frequency, prevalence and severity of RLS in patients attending 5 dialysis centres for chronic hospital haemodialysis (HHD) and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: Thediagnosis of RLS was made using the criteria of The International Restless Legs Study Group. The following data were collected: age; gender; duration of renal replacement therapy (RRT); current smoking status; urea reduction ratio; weekly erythropoietin dose; weekly intravenous iron dose; prescribed beta blocker; prescribed renin/angiotensin system inhibitors and pre-dialysis blood concentrations of haemoglobin, ferritin, total calcium (corrected for albumin), albumin, phosphate, parathyroid hormone. Associations with RLS were analysed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Data relating to 277 of 295 patients who had been attending for regular HHD for >3 months were collected. RLS was present in 127 (45.8%). 82 (29.6%), 27 (9.7%) and 18 (6.5%) patients had mild, moderate and severe RLS, respectively. 39 patients (14.1%) were prescribed medicines aimed at reducing RLS. 30 (76.9%) of these 39 patients still had RLS. Female gender (RR 2.17; p = 0.01), increasing duration since first dialysis (RR 1.06 per year; p = 0.03) and increasing body weight(RR 1.02 per kg; p = 0.02) were independent risk factors for RLS by multivariate analysis. In contrast to previous studies, we found no association with iron status, haemoglobin, serum phosphate or smoking. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of RLS in our population and therapeutic intervention appears to have limited efficacy. The associations with female gender, duration of RRT and body weight deserve further study.
The Roles and Interactions of Symbiont, Host and Environment in Defining Coral Fitness

Background Reef-building corals live in symbiosis with a diverse range of dinoflagellate algae (genus Symbiodinium) that differentially influence the fitness of the coral holobiont. The comparative role of symbiont type in holobiont fitness in relation to host genotype or the environment, however, is largely unknown. We addressed this knowledge gap by manipulating host-symbiont combinations and comparing growth, survival and thermal tolerance among the resultant holobionts in different environments. Methodology/Principal Findings Offspring of the coral, Acropora millepora, from two thermally contrasting locations, were experimentally infected with one of six Symbiodinium types, which spanned three phylogenetic clades (A, C and D), and then outplanted to the two parental field locations (central and southern inshore Great Barrier Reef, Australia). Growth and survival of juvenile corals were monitored for 31–35 weeks, after which their thermo-tolerance was experimentally assessed. Our results showed that: (1) Symbiodinium type was the most important predictor of holobiont fitness, as measured by growth, survival, and thermo-tolerance; (2) growth and survival, but not heat-tolerance, were also affected by local environmental conditions; and (3) host population had little to no effect on holobiont fitness. Furthermore, coral-algal associations were established with symbiont types belonging to clades A, C and D, but three out of four symbiont types belonging to clade C failed to establish a symbiosis. Associations with clade A had the lowest fitness and were unstable in the field. Lastly, Symbiodinium types C1 and D were found to be relatively thermo-tolerant, with type D conferring the highest tolerance in A. millepora. Conclusions/Significance These results highlight the complex interactions that occur between the coral host, the algal symbiont, and the environment to shape the fitness of the coral holobiont. An improved understanding of the factors affecting coral holobiont fitness will assist in predicting the responses of corals to global climate change.
Language intervention strategies in aphasia and related neurogenic communication disorders

I:Basic Considerations II:Principles of Language Intervention III:Psychosocial/Functional Approaches to Intervention:Focus on Improving Ability to Perform Communication Activities of Daily Living IV:Traditional Approaches to Language Intervention Stimulation Approaches Cognitive Neuropsychological Approaches to Treatment of Language Disorders Cognitive Neurolinguistic Approaches to Treatment of Language Disorders Specilized Interventions for Aphasic Patients Therapy for Associated Neuropathologies of Speech and Language Related Functions Inde
MATERNAL DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS, MATERNAL SENSITIVITY, AND TODDLER NON-COMPLIANCE AT 24 MONTHS

The association between maternal depressive symptoms and toddlers' self-regulation, as indexed by non-compliance, negative affect and disengagement, and externalizing problems was examined in 1189 mother-child dyads when the children were 24 months old. Maternal sensitivity, observed when children were 6, 15, and 24 months, was investigated as a possible mediator or a moderator of links between maternal depressive symptoms and children's regulatory behavior. Depressive symptoms were examined both as a continuous measure and categorically (never, sometimes, chronic) to assess the effects of depression chronicity. All associations were examined after controlling for maternal education, partner presence, and family income. Child outcomes at 24 months were assessed with a combination of observational and maternal report measures. Both maternal depressive symptoms and maternal sensitivity were associated with most measures of self-regulation, and were negatively correlated with each other. Minimal support was observed for maternal sensitivity as a mediator of the link between maternal depressive symptoms and child outcomes, although both independently predicted some child outcomes even with demographics controlled. No evidence was found to support moderation. When chronicity of depression was examined as a categorical variable, the findings were consistent with those obtained when depressive symptoms were analyzed as a continuous measure. Implications of the findings for understanding the association between maternal depression and child functioning are discussed.
Bridge Correlational Neural Networks for Multilingual Multimodal Representation Learning

Recently there has been a lot of interest in learning common representations for multiple views of data. Typically, such common representations are learned using a parallel corpus between the two views (say, 1M images and their English captions). In this work, we address a real-world scenario where no direct parallel data is available between two views of interest (say, $V_1$ and $V_2$) but parallel data is available between each of these views and a pivot view ($V_3$). We propose a model for learning a common representation for $V_1$, $V_2$ and $V_3$ using only the parallel data available between $V_1V_3$ and $V_2V_3$. The proposed model is generic and even works when there are $n$ views of interest and only one pivot view which acts as a bridge between them. There are two specific downstream applications that we focus on (i) transfer learning between languages $L_1$,$L_2$,. ,$L_n$ using a pivot language $L$ and (ii) cross modal access between images and a language $L_1$ using a pivot language $L_2$. Our model achieves state-of-the-art performance in multilingual document classification on the publicly available multilingual TED corpus and promising results in multilingual multimodal retrieval on a new dataset created and released as a part of this work.
Role of Bcl‐2 in tumour cell survival and implications for pharmacotherapy

Objectives Bcl‐2 is a protein that inhibits apoptosis, leading to cell survival. The Bcl‐2 family has six different anti‐apoptotic proteins, three pro‐apoptotic proteins that are similar in structure, and other integrating proteins that function as promotors or inhibitors in the progression of apoptosis. In this discussion paper, we provide an overview of apoptosis, the role of Bcl‐2 in normal cellular and molecular processes, and the role of Bcl‐2 in tumour cell survival. It focuses primarily on anti‐apoptotic Bcl‐2, its activation in cancer, the manner in which it regulates the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of apoptosis, and its broad molecular interactions with other critical proteins in the cell. Certain cancer treatments are reviewed and related directions for the future are presented.
The Effect of Active versus Passive Recovery Periods during High Intensity Intermittent Exercise on Local Tissue Oxygenation in 18 – 30 Year Old Sedentary Men

Purpose High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proposed as a time-efficient format of exercise to reduce the chronic disease burden associated with sedentary behaviour. Changes in oxygen utilisation at the local tissue level during an acute session of HIIT could be the primary stimulus for the health benefits associated with this format of exercise. The recovery periods of HIIT effect the physiological responses that occur during the session. It was hypothesised that in sedentary individuals, local and systemic oxygen utilisation would be higher during HIIT interspersed with active recovery periods, when compared to passive recovery periods. Methods Twelve sedentary males (mean ± SD; age 23 ± 3 yr) completed three conditions on a cycle ergometer: 1) HIIT with passive recovery periods between four bouts (HIITPASS) 2) HIIT with active recovery periods between four bouts (HIITACT) 3) HIITACT with four HIIT bouts replaced with passive periods (REC). Deoxygenated haemoglobin (HHb) in the vastus lateralis (VL) and gastrocnemius (GN) muscles and the pre-frontal cortex (FH), oxygen consumption (VO2), power output and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously during the three conditions. Results There was a significant increase in HHb at VL during bouts 2 (p = 0.017), 3 (p = 0.035) and 4 (p = 0.035) in HIITACT, compared to HIITPASS. Mean power output was significantly lower in HIITACT, compared to HIITPASS (p < 0.001). There was a significant main effect for site in both HIITPASS (p = 0.029) and HIITACT (p = 0.005). There were no significant differences in VO2 and HR between HIITPASS and HIITACT. Conclusions The increase in HHb at VL and the lower mean power output during HIITACT could indicate that a higher level of deoxygenation contributes to decreased mechanical power in sedentary participants. The significant differences in HHb between sites indicates the specificity of oxygen utilisation.
Effect of arrest time and cerebral perfusion pressure during cardiopulmonary resuscitation on cerebral blood flow, metabolism, adenosine triphosphate recovery, and pH in dogs.

OBJECTIVES To test the hypothesis that greater cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) is required to restore cerebral blood flow (CBF), oxygen metabolism, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and intracellular pH (pHi) levels after variable periods of no-flow than to maintain them when cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is started immediately. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, comparison of three arrest times and two perfusion pressures during CPR in 24 anesthetized dogs. SETTING University cerebral resuscitation laboratory. INTERVENTIONS We used radiolabeled microspheres to determine CBF and magnetic resonance spectroscopy to derive ATP and pHi levels before and during CPR. Ventricular fibrillation was induced, epinephrine administered, and thoracic vest CPR adjusted to provide a CPP of 25 or 35 mm Hg after arrest times of O, 6, or 12 mins. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS When CPR was started immediately after arrest with a CPP of 25 mm Hg, CBF and ATP were 57 +/- 10% and 64 +/- 14% of prearrest (at 10 mins of CPR). In contrast, CBF and ATP were minimally restored with a CPP at 25 mm Hg after a 6-min arrest time (23 +/- 5%, 16 +/- 5%, respectively). With a CPP of 35 mm Hg, extending the no-flow arrest time from 6 to 12 mins reduced reflow from 71 +/- 11% to 37 +/- 7% of pre-arrest and reduced ATP recovery from 60 +/- 11% to 2 +/- 1% of pre-arrest. After 6- or 12-min arrest times, brainstem blood flow was restored more than supratentorial blood flow, but cerebral pHi was never restored. CONCLUSIONS A CPP of 25 mm Hg maintains supratentorial blood flow and ATP at 60% to 70% when CPR starts immediately on arrest, but not after a 6-min delay. A higher CPP of 35 mm Hg is required to restore CBF and ATP when CPR is delayed for 6 mins. After a 12-min delay, even the CPP of 35 mm Hg is unable to restore CBF and ATP. Therefore, increasing the arrest time at these perfusion pressures increases the resistance to reflow sufficient to impair restoration of cerebral ATP.
Optimal tour constructions for multiple mobile robots

The attempts to use mobile robots in a variety of environments are currently being limited by their navigational capability, thus a set of robots must be configured for one specific environment. The problem of navigating an environment is the fundamental problem in mobile robotic where various methods including exact and heuristic approaches have been proposed to solve the problem. This paper proposed a solution to the navigation problem via the use of multiple robots to explore the environment employing heuristic methods to navigate the environment using a variant of a Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) known as Multiple Traveling Salesman Problem (M-TSP). © School of Engineering, Taylors University.
Why Don't 'Reasonable Women' Complain About Sexual Harassment?

In this article, I examine the manner in which the lower federal courts have applied the affirmative defense to liability for supervisory sexual harassment, which was articulated by the United States Supreme Court in the 1998 cases of Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth and Faragher v. Boca Raton. In particular, this article focuses on the second prong of that affirmative defense, which requires that employers prove that employees who are targeted for sexual harassment failed to act reasonably in responding to the harassing conduct. The article explores the conclusion of most of the federal courts to examine the issue that the failure to immediately file a formal complaint about harassing conduct constitutes unreasonable conduct on the part of the target of harassment. The article then addresses the ways that women typically respond to sexual harassment, referencing empirical research, and explains why women reasonably fail to immediately file formal complaints concerning harassing conduct. Finally, the article explores the ways in which the reasonable woman standard might be used by courts in judging the reasonableness of women's conduct in response to sexual harassment under the affirmative defense.