Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnesium Citrate Protects Against Vascular Calcification in an Adenine-induced Chronic Renal Failure Rat Model

Background: Hypomagnesemia was identified as a strong risk factor for cardiovascular disease in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). However, the effects of magnesium (Mg) on vascular calcification (VC) have not been fully elucidated. Thus, we aim to determine the effects of Mg citrate (MgCit) on VC in CRF rats. Methods: Rats were divided into 5 groups: group 1 (normal diet), group 2 (normal diet with MgCit), group 3 (the VC model of CRF induced by 0.75% adenine and 0.9% phosphorus diet from day 1 to day 28), group 4 (group 3 treated with low-dose MgCit from day 1 to day 42), and group 5 (same as group 3 except the high-dose MgCit). All rats were killed at day 43 with collection of blood and aortas. Then, serum biochemical parameters, VC-related staining, calcium and P contents, alkaline phosphatase contents and activity, expression of alpha smooth muscle actin, and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) in aortas were assessed. Results: Group 3 had extensive VC. The VC degree decreased in groups 4 and 5 in a dose-depended manner with reduced calcium content, P levels, alkaline phosphatase content and activity, and protein levels of RUNX2 and increased protein levels of alpha smooth muscle actin in aortas. Conclusions: MgCit exerted a protective role in VC in adenine-induced CRF rats; thus, it may be a potential drug for the prevention of VC in patients with CRF.
Parameter selection for efficient HOG-based car detection

In this paper we explore how some parameters, less investigated in the literature, can be selected in a Histogram of oriented gradients (HOG)-based car detection system. The main goal is to find ways for reducing computation complexity while maintaining a good classification performance, in order to make possible real-time, embedded implementations. We analyze the effect of cell size, of binary representation of images and also of a new representation of the descriptor values, on fixed point, on only few bits. The fact that the simplified descriptor representation has overall the same performance as the floating-point one, opens the way to more aggressive fixed-point implementation of the HOG calculation.
Novel GPIHBP1-independent pathway for clearance of plasma TGs in Angptl4−/−Gpihbp1−/− mice

Mice lacking glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored HDL-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) are unable to traffic LPL to the vascular lumen. Thus, triglyceride (TG) clearance is severely blunted, and mice are extremely hypertriglyceridemic. Paradoxically, mice lacking both GPIHBP1 and the LPL regulator, angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4), are far less hypertriglyceridemic. We sought to determine the mechanism by which Angptl4−/−Gpihbp1−/− double-knockout mice clear plasma TGs. We confirmed that, on a normal chow diet, plasma TG levels were lower in Angptl4−/−Gpihbp1−/− mice than in Gpihbp1−/− mice; however, the difference disappeared with administration of a high-fat diet. Although LPL remained mislocalized in double-knockout mice, plasma TG clearance in brown adipose tissue (BAT) increased compared with Gpihbp1−/− mice. Whole lipoprotein uptake was observed in the BAT of both Gpihbp1−/− and Angptl4−/−Gpihbp1−/− mice, but BAT lipase activity was significantly higher in the double-knockout mice. We conclude that Angptl4−/−Gpihbp1−/− mice clear plasma TGs primarily through a slow and noncanonical pathway that includes the uptake of whole lipoprotein particles.
Cognitive impairment predicts conversion to multiple sclerosis in clinically isolated syndromes

Significant cognitive impairment has been found in 20—30% of patients with clinically isolated syndromes suggestive of multiple sclerosis. In this study we aimed to assess the prognostic value of the presence of cognitive impairment for the conversion to multiple sclerosis in patients with clinically isolated syndromes. All patients with clinically isolated syndromes consecutively referred to our centre since 2002 and who had been followed-up for at least one year underwent cognitive assessment through the Rao’s Battery and the Stroop test. Possible predictors of conversion to clinically definite multiple sclerosis were evaluated through the Kaplan Meier curves and Cox regression analysis. A total of 56 patients (41 women; age 33.2 ± 8.5 years; expanded disability scale score 1.2 ± 0.7) were recruited. At baseline, 32 patients (57%) fulfilled McDonald’s criteria for dissemination in space. During the follow-up (3.5 ± 2.3 years), 26 patients (46%) converted to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. In particular, 64% of patients failing ≥ 2 tests and 88% of patients failing ≥ 3 tests converted to multiple sclerosis. In the Cox regression model, the failure of at least three tests (HR 3.3; 95% CI 1.4—8.1; p = 0.003) and the presence of McDonald’s dissemination in space at baseline (HR 3.8; 95% CI 1.5—9.7; p = 0.005), were found to be predictors for conversion to multiple sclerosis. We conclude that cognitive impairment is detectable in a sizable proportion of patients with clinically isolated syndromes. In these subjects cognitive impairment has a prognostic value in predicting conversion to multiple sclerosis and may therefore play a role in therapeutic decision making.
Constraining the deforestation history of Europe: Evaluation of historical land use scenarios with pollen-based land cover reconstructions

Anthropogenic land cover change (ALCC) is the most important transformation of the Earth system that occurred in the preindustrial Holocene, with implications for carbon, water and sediment cycles, biodiversity and the provision of ecosystem services and regional and global climate. For example, anthropogenic deforestation in preindustrial Eurasia may have led to feedbacks to the climate system: both biogeophysical, regionally amplifying winter cold and summer warm temperatures, and biogeochemical, stabilizing atmospheric CO 2 concentrations and thus influencing global climate. Quantification of these effects is difficult, however, because scenarios of anthropogenic land cover change over the Holocene vary widely, with increasing disagreement back in time. Because land cover change had such widespread ramifications for the Earth system, it is essential to assess current ALCC scenarios in light of observations and provide guidance on which models are most realistic. Here, we perform a systematic evaluation of two widely-used ALCC scenarios (KK10 and HYDE3.1) in northern and part of central Europe using an independent, pollen-based reconstruction of Holocene land cover (REVEALS). Considering that ALCC in Europe primarily resulted in deforestation, we compare modeled land use with the cover of non-forest vegetation inferred from the pollen data. Though neither land cover change scenario matches the pollen-based reconstructions precisely, KK10 correlates well with REVEALS at the country scale, while HYDE systematically underestimates land use with increasing magnitude with time in the past. Discrepancies between modeled and reconstructed land use are caused by a number of factors, including assumptions of per-capita land use and socio-cultural factors that cannot be predicted on the basis of the characteristics of the physical environment, including dietary preferences, long-distance trade, the location of urban areas and social organization.
Single-shot diffusion measurement in laser-polarized Gas.

A single-shot pulsed gradient stimulated echo sequence is introduced to address the challenges of diffusion measurements of laser polarized 3He and 129Xe gas. Laser polarization enhances the NMR sensitivity of these noble gases by >10(3), but creates an unstable, nonthermal polarization that is not readily renewable. A new method is presented which permits parallel acquisition of the several measurements required to determine a diffusive attenuation curve. The NMR characterization of a sample's diffusion behavior can be accomplished in a single measurement, using only a single polarization step. As a demonstration, the diffusion coefficient of a sample of laser-polarized 129Xe gas is measured via this method.
The Urinary Sarcosine/Creatinine Ratio is a Potential Diagnostic and Prognostic Marker in Prostate Cancer

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratio in the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer, using a sarcosine oxidase assay. Material/Methods Urine samples were obtained from 203 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and 209 patients with prostate cancer. Levels of urinary sarcosine were measured using the sarcosine oxidase method. The urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratios were compared between the group of patients with BPH and the patients with prostate cancer. In the two patients groups, the urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratio was compared with the measurement of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and the free/total (F/T) PSA ratio. Correlations between of the urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratio and the Gleason grade and stage of prostate cancer were analyzed. Results There was a significant difference between the urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratio in the BPH group and prostate cancer group (P<0.01), which was independent of serum PSA. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and area under the curve (AUC) for the urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratio was significantly higher compared with the serum PSA and the F/T PSA ratio. There was a significant difference in the urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratio in patients with prostate cancer with Gleason score ≤6, 7, and ≥8, and between patients with metastatic and non-metastatic prostate cancer. Conclusions The urinary sarcosine/creatinine ratio was a diagnostic indicator of prostate cancer, for patients with a serum PSA level <10 ng/ml, and correlated with the Gleason score and with the presence of metastases (stage) of prostate cancer.
A Preventive Measure against Fiber Damage of a Femtosecond 1.55-µm Er-doped Fiber Laser System using Multimode Optical Fiber

A system of passively-mode-locked figure-of-eight erbium-doped fiber laser oscillator-amplifier system was studied. Cooling the erbium-doped fiber down to 0 oC increased the output power of the oscillator to 1.8 times that of the room temperature. To avoid the optical damage of the fiber end, a graded-index multimode fiber of 8 mm in length was connected by fusion splice. The output power increased from 29 to 41 kW for direct amplification and from 72 to 93 kW for pulse extraction and amplification without any damage of the fiber end. The mechanisms of the temperature effect and the optical damage are discussed. Damage prevention by a factor of up to 25 is expected.
Microcurrent as an adjunct therapy to accelerate chronic wound healing and reduce patient pain.

OBJECTIVE The primary aim is to assess the efficacy of microcurrent, a form of electrical stimulation, as an adjunct therapy in accelerating healing in chronic wounds by reducing wound size and pain level. The secondary aim is to assess the qualitative changes in these parameters: inflammatory symptoms, vasodilation, sleep quality, gait and frequency of bowel movement. METHOD Eligible patients with chronic wounds were enrolled between March and June 2016, from the Wound Care Unit, Hospital Kuala Lumpur in this consecutive case series. Standard wound care was performed with microcurrent as an adjunct therapy. Each patient was treated with an anti-inflammatory frequency, followed by a vasodilation frequency, while having their wounds cleansed during each dressing change. Patients were loaned a home-microcurrent device to treat themselves three times daily using a tissue repair frequency for four weeks. RESULTS A total of 100 patients with chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, and pressure ulcers, were recruited. During the four-week treatment period, all patients had a reduction in wound size, with 16 having complete wound closure. All 89 of the 100 patients who complained of pain, associated with their wound, experienced reduced pain scores, with 11 being pain-free at the end of the four-week period. There was significant reduction (p<0.001) in both mean pain score and mean wound area during the treatment period, as well as improvements in other parameters, such as reduction in inflammatory symptoms (leg swelling, foot stiffness), increased vasodilation (skin discolouration, leg heaviness, early morning erection, sensation), improvement in sleep quality, gait, and frequency of bowel movement. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION The results of this study show there was significant reduction in wound area and pain score during the treatment period. The ease of use of microcurrent devices would advocate its use in accelerating wound healing.
Breastfeeding and risk for ceasing in mothers of preterm infants—Long‐term follow‐up

Abstract Breastfeeding is challenging for mothers of preterm infants. The aim of this paper is to describe risk factors for ceasing breastfeeding and methods of feeding until 12 months postnatal age in mothers who breastfed their preterm infants at discharge from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The data come from a randomised controlled trial, which evaluated the effectiveness on exclusive breastfeeding at 8 weeks of proactive telephone support compared with reactive support offered to mothers of preterm infants following discharge from NICU. Six NICUs across Sweden randomised a total of 493 mothers. We used regression and survival analyses to assess the risk factors for ceasing breastfeeding and the long‐term outcomes of the intervention. The results showed that 305 (64%) of the infants were breastfed at 6 months and 49 (21%) at 12 months. Partial breastfeeding at discharge, low maternal educational level, and longer length of stay in the NICU increased the risk for ceasing breastfeeding during the first 12 months. Furthermore, the Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that the proportion of mothers who ceased breastfeeding did not differ between the intervention (n = 231) and controls (n = 262) during the first 12 months (log‐rank test p = .68). No difference was found between groups on method of feeding. More than 85% of the infants were fed directly at the breast. These findings provide important insights for health professionals who are supporting mothers of preterm infants to breastfeed long term. Registered in http://www.clinicaltrials. gov (NCT01806480).
Discrimination,Social Identity Conflict and Floating Child's City Adaptation

The study aims to explore the relationship between perceived discrimination,social identity conflict and floating child's city adaptation.Based on the cluster sampling,415 floating children from 2 public school,1 private school was selected to fill the anonymous questionnaires(perceived discrimination,social identity conflict,city adaptation). The results show that discrimination has negative influence on the city adaptation,social identity conflict;social identity has negative influence on city adaptation and mediate the relationship between discrimination and psychological adaptation.
Prediction of Learning Success Via Rate of Events in Social Networks for Education

The widespread use of computing and communications technologies has enabled the popularity of social networks oriented to learn. Earlier studies have shown the power of online learning systems data to develop prediction methods that try to identify successful students patterns of accomplishment and engagement to allow timely pedagogical interventions. Our learning platform, SocialWire, collects a detailed record of the students’ activity so, in this paper, we compare and combine the power of different statistical learning techniques, using some of the features recorded as predictors of learning success or failure.
Tetracyclines function as dual-action light-activated antibiotics

Antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) employs photosensitizing dyes activated by visible light to produce reactive oxygen species. aPDI is independent of the antibiotic resistance status of the target cells, and is thought unlikely to produce resistance itself. Among many PS that have been investigated, tetracyclines occupy a unique niche. They are potentially dual-action compounds that can both kill bacteria under illumination, and prevent bacterial regrowth by inhibiting ribosomes. Tetracycline antibiotics are regarded as bacteriostatic rather than bactericidal. Doxycycline (DOTC) is excited best by UVA light (365 nm) while demeclocycline (DMCT) can be efficiently activated by blue light (415 nm) as well as UVA. Both compounds were able to eradicate Gram-positive (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria (>6 log(10) steps of killing) at concentrations (10–50μM) and fluences (10-20J/cm2). In contrast to methylene blue, MB plus red light, tetracyclines photoinactivated bacteria in rich growth medium. When ~3 logs of bacteria were killed with DMCT/DOTC+light and the surviving cells were added to growth medium, further bacterial killing was observed, while the same experiment with MB allowed complete regrowth. MIC studies were carried out either in the dark or exposed to 0.5mW/cm2 blue light. Up to three extra steps (8-fold) increased antibiotic activity was found with light compared to dark, with MRSA and tetracycline-resistant strains of E. coli. Tetracyclines can accumulate in bacterial ribosomes, where they could be photoactivated with blue/UVA light producing microbial killing via ROS generation.
Downregulation of ribosome biogenesis during early forebrain development

Forebrain precursor cells are dynamic during early brain development, yet the underlying molecular changes remain elusive. We observed major differences in transcriptional signatures of precursor cells from mouse forebrain at embryonic days E8.5 vs. E10.5 (before vs. after neural tube closure). Genes encoding protein biosynthetic machinery were strongly downregulated at E10.5. This was matched by decreases in ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis, together with age-related changes in proteomic content of the adjacent fluids. Notably, c-MYC expression and mTOR pathway signaling were also decreased at E10.5, providing potential drivers for the effects on ribosome biogenesis and protein synthesis. Interference with c-MYC at E8.5 prematurely decreased ribosome biogenesis, while persistent c-MYC expression in cortical progenitors increased transcription of protein biosynthetic machinery and enhanced ribosome biogenesis, as well as enhanced progenitor proliferation leading to subsequent macrocephaly. These findings indicate large, coordinated changes in molecular machinery of forebrain precursors during early brain development.
How we treat brain metastases in metastatic renal cell carcinoma.

4569]. J Clin Oncol. 2017;35(15)(suppl). 26. Choueiri TK, Escudier B, Powles T, et al; METEOR Investigators. Cabozantinib versus everolimus in advanced renal-cell carcinoma. N Engl J Med. 2015;373(19):1814-1823. 27. Choueiri TK, Escudier B, Powles T, et al; METEOR investigators. Cabozantinib versus everolimus in advanced renal cell carcinoma (METEOR): final results from a randomised, open-label, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol. 2016;17(7):917-927. 28. Choueiri TK, Halabi S, Sanford BL, et al. Cabozantinib versus sunitinib as initial targeted therapy for patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma of poor or intermediate risk: the Alliance A031203 CABOSUN trial. J Clin Oncol.
Efficacy and safety of fenofibrate add-on therapy for patients with primary biliary cholangitis and a suboptimal response to UDCA.

BACKGROUND primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients with a suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) have a significantly worse survival rate. Fenofibrate has been shown to improve the short-term biochemical response in this group of patients. However, there is limited data available on the safety and efficacy of its long-term use, especially in patients with cirrhosis. Methods：in this retrospective cohort study, fenofibrate was given to PBC patients with a suboptimal response to at least 12 months of UDCA (13-15 mg/kg/d) therapy. Biochemistry data, GLOBE score and UK-PBC risk score at baseline and at different time points of treatment were compared. The safety profiles were also compared between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patient groups. Results：fenofibrate (200 mg/day) was given to 39 PBC patients with a suboptimal response to UDCA (15 cirrhotic and 24 non-cirrhotic patients). In the 26 patients who completed more than one year of combination therapy, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were 215 (185, 326) U/l, 122 (110, 202) U/l, 128 (106, 194) U/l, 124 (100, 181) U/l and 120 (82, 168) U/l, at baseline, three months, six months, 12 months and 24 months, respectively. All p values were < 0.01 when compared to baseline values. After two years of combination therapy, the UK-PBC risk score and GLOBE score did not significantly improve. The overall rates of adverse events were not significantly different between the cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic group. The elevation of liver enzymes was the most frequent side effect (n = 7), leading to a discontinuation in four patients. Furthermore, after two years of combination therapy, the serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were significantly worse in both groups. CONCLUSION fenofibrate add-on therapy could improve ALP and γ-GT levels in both non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic PBC patients with a suboptimal response to UDCA. However, patients need to be monitored carefully for a potential liver injury and nephrotoxicity.
Clinical Predictors of Frontal Ostium Restenosis After Draf 3 Procedure for Refractory Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Background The Draf 3 procedure has been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of refractory frontal sinus disease. A variety of clinical factors may contribute to the change of frontal neo-ostium (FNO) area after this procedure. Imaging plays a vital role in the evaluation and follow-up after surgery and provides useful prognostic information. Objectives (1) To investigate the influence of local anatomic factors on FNO after a Draf 3 procedure by radiological measurements on imaging software and (2) to explore other predictive factors of FNO restenosis. Methods Twenty-four patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who underwent a Draf 3 procedure and were followed up for more than 12 months (2012–2014) were enrolled in this study. Data on patient demographics, medical history, and computed tomography scans were collected. Anatomic dimensions were measured with OsiriX® (Pixmeo, Geneva, Switzerland). Stenotic ostium was defined as a loss of more than 50% of the original intraoperative area. Multivariate linear regression was used to assess independent factors linked to frontal neo-osteogenesis 1 year after the surgery. A receiver operating characteristic curve was built for the cutoff value of preoperative dimension to predict restenosis of FNO area. Results A significant association was demonstrated between the minimum anteroposterior diameter (FOAPMIN) of the frontal ostium preoperatively and FNO area 1 year postoperatively. Multivariate linear regression showed that FOAPMIN of the frontal ostium preoperatively and the percentage of serum eosinophils (EOSs) correlated with the contour area of the FNO 1 year postoperatively. FOAPMIN ≤ 3.592 mm yielded a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 75% for the diagnosis of FNO restenosis. Conclusions Both FOAPMIN and EOS are independent predictors of the contour area of the FNO 1 year postoperatively. Patients with a higher risk of developing frontal ostium restenosis can be identified preoperatively by measurements of the frontal sinus anatomic dimensions.