Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Determinantes de malnutrición en pacientes en hemodiálisis: efecto de la suplementación proteica oral intradiálisis

La malnutricion es una de las complicaciones frecuentemente observadas en pacientes en dialisis con una prevalencia que oscila entre el 18 y 75% segun diferentes estudios; y que se ha asociado con pobres resultados clinicos, entre ellos, una mayor mortalidad. Sus causas son multiples y estan relacionadas principalmente con la disminucion de la ingesta, las condiciones comorbidas, asi como por el procedimiento de dialisis en si. La influencia del procedimiento de dialisis en el estado nutricional de los pacientes se ejerce principalmente por una alteracion en el metabolismo de las proteinas: debido no solo a la perdida de nutrientes en el liquido de dialisis, sino tambien a un aumento en la degradacion y una disminucion en la sintesis proteica. En los ultimos anos se han propuesto diferentes medidas terapeuticas con el objetivo de mejorar el estado nutricional de estos pacientes; entre ellas, la administracion de suplementos nutricionales orales intradialisis se ha planteado como una estrategia valida e interesante. El fundamento que avala esta intervencion se centra en que ademas de ser una fuente adicional de nutrientes, el administrar estos suplementos durante la dialisis generaria un incremento en los niveles de aminoacidos plasmaticos que ayudaria a prevenir el catabolismo muscular generado durante la misma. Ademas este tipo de intervencion al ser controlada por el personal de las unidades de dialisis asegura la adherencia a la misma. El objetivo principal de nuestro estudio fue evaluar si la suplementacion proteica oral intradialisis consigue una mejora en el estado nutricional, determinado por el incremento en los niveles de prealbumina, en los pacientes en hemodialisis del Hospital Severo Ochoa. Como objetivos secundarios, buscamos evaluar si la intervencion propuesta induce cambios en los distintos parametros inflamatorios, nutricionales y de composicion corporal. Y finalmente, analizamos si la suplementacion proteica oral intradialisis tiene efecto sobre la supervivencia en nuestra cohorte.
The complete sequence of the gene for the knob‐associated histidine‐rich protein from Plasmodium falciparum.

‘Knobs’ at the surface of erythrocytes infected with mature stages of Plasmodium falciparum are believed to be important in adherence of these cells to capillary walls. They contain at least one parasite protein, designated the knob‐associated histidine‐rich protein (KAHRP). We present here the sequences of a cDNA and chromosomal clone that predict the complete sequence of KAHRP. The gene contains a single intervening sequence, located at the 3′ boundary of the hydrophobic core of a putative signal sequence. Exon two encodes a short region that is rich in histidine as well as two separate regions of repetitive sequence, the 5′ repeats (five copies related to SKKHKDNEDAESVK) and the 3′ repeats (seven copies related to SKGATKEAST). These repeat blocks were both shown to bear epitopes recognized by the human immune system during natural infection by expressing them separately in Escherichia coli, and reacting human antibodies affinity‐purified on lysates of the resulting clones with the corresponding synthetic oligopeptides. The 3′ end of the molecule, presumably the repetitive region, is a site of size variation in KAHRP from different isolates.
Variabilité intraspécifique des stratégies adaptatives à la sécheresse d’une graminée pérenne (Dactylis glomerata L.) : les compromis fonctionnels des traits aériens et souterrains peuvent-ils expliciter le compromis entre potentiel de croissance et survie au stress ?

Les risques de secheresse severe augmentent sous l’effet du changement climatique. Mieux comprendre les strategies adaptatives des plantes au stress hydrique est ainsi l’un des defis majeurs de la recherche ecologique et agronomique. Cette these explore la survie a la secheresse d’une graminee herbacee perenne (Dactylis glomerata L.) en etudiant la variabilite intraspecifique des traits aeriens et souterrains d’une quinzaine de populations natives et cultivees issues d’un gradient latitudinal allant de la Scandinavie au Maroc. Une caracterisation des populations en conditions optimales sur une annee a montre une coordination phenologique des traits aeriens en relation avec les limitations saisonnieres de croissances liees a l’origine des populations. Le rythme de croissance au printemps et a l’automne ne discrimine pas les origines, alors que la dormance estivale des populations mediterraneennes s’oppose a la dormance hivernale des populations scandinaves. Ces resultats suggeraient l’existence d’un compromis entre survie a une deshydratation severe (secheresse, gel) et potentiel de croissance. Alors que ce compromis a ete verifie en ete (secheresse severe a Montpellier) et en hiver (gel en Norvege), la survie a une deshydratation de contre-saison au printemps n’est pas correlee au potentiel de croissance des populations. Les resultats invalident donc l’existence d’un compromis constant entre survie au stress et potentiel de croissance aerienne. Ce decouplage chez le dactyle permet d’envisager la selection artificielle, a partir de la variabilite intraspecifique existante, de varietes a la fois productives et tolerantes au stress hydrique. L’imposition d’une deshydratation edaphique severe en pots limitant l’expansion du systeme racinaire a montre que les populations mediterraneennes survivent mieux que les populations temperees ou nordiques. L’association de ces resultats avec ceux issus d’une experimentation en longs tubes favorisant le developpement potentiel des racines revele un compromis entre les strategies d’evitement de la deshydratation (acquisition de l’eau et maintien de la croissance) et de tolerance a la deshydratation (faible croissance et forte survie a la secheresse) qui pourrait limiter la combinaison de strategies adaptatives au sein d’un meme phenotype. Cette these contribue a ameliorer notre comprehension des compromis fonctionnels, peu etudies a l’echelle intraspecifique, mais qui sous-tendent la reponse des plantes a la secheresse.
Corrosion Study of Mild Steel in Aqueous Sulfuric Acid Solution Using 4-Methyl-4H-1,2,4-Triazole-3-Thiol and 2-Mercaptonicotinic Acid—An Experimental and Theoretical Study

The corrosion behavior of mild steel in 0.1 M aqueous sulfuric acid medium has been studied using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization measurements, quantum chemical calculations, and molecular dynamic simulations in the presence and absence of 4-methyl-4H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thiol and 2-mercaptonicotinic acid. Potentiodynamic measurements indicate that these compounds mostly act as mixed inhibitors due to their adsorption on the mild steel surface. The goal of the study was to use theoretical calculations to better understand the inhibition. Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate the adsorption behavior of the studied molecules onto Fe (1 1 1) and Fe2O3 (1 1 1) surface. The molecules were also studied with the density functional theory (DFT), using the B3LYP functional in order to determine the relationship between the molecular structure and the corrosion inhibition behavior. More accurate adsorption energies between the studied molecules and iron or iron oxide were calculated by using DFT with periodic boundary conditions. The calculated theoretical parameters gave important assistance into the understanding the corrosion inhibition mechanism expressed by the molecules and are in full agreement with the experimental results.
Valence method for formative evaluation of user experience

This paper describes a method for formative evaluation of the user experience based on the user experience model of Hassenzahl [11]. It captures positive and negative feelings during the exploration of an interactive product. In a subsequent retrospective interview phase users indicate for each instance of a positive or negative feeling the product design aspects inducing it. This phase further employs the laddering interview technique [24] to reveal the meaning of product design aspects to the user and the underlying fulfilled or frustrated needs. The generated information helps designers to understand and optimize the user experience potential of a product.
Guiding Neural Machine Translation Decoding with External Knowledge

Differently from the phrase-based paradigm, neural machine translation (NMT) operates on word and sentence representations in a continuous space. This makes the decoding process not only more difﬁcult to interpret, but also harder to inﬂuence with external knowledge. For the latter problem, effective solutions like the XML-markup used by phrase-based models to inject ﬁxed translation options as constraints at decoding time are not yet available. We propose a “guide” mechanism that enhances an existing NMT decoder with the ability to prioritize and adequately handle translation options presented in the form of XML annotations of source words. Positive results obtained in two different translation tasks indicate the effectiveness of our approach.
Parameter estimation of acoustic signals using linear microphone arrays

A novel method is developed to sequentially analyze power spectrums, estimate the number of signals and their frequencies, Direction of Arrival (DOA), and Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). The relationship between the estimation bias and the array gain is investigated and an empirical model is built to improve the parameter estimations. An eight-element linear microphone array is made and used in testing the developed techniques. Five maximum likelihood algorithms and the MUSIC algorithm were used for DOA estimation and the results were compared. The test results show that the proposed methods were efficient and satisfactory estimation accuracy was achieved.
Validating the accuracy of a model to predict the onset of myopia in children.

PURPOSE To assess the sensitivity and specificity of models predicting myopia onset among ethnically Chinese children. METHODS Visual acuity, height, weight, biometry (A-scan, keratometry), and refractive error were assessed at baseline and 3 years later using the same equipment and protocol in primary schools in Xiamen (China) and Singapore. A regression model predicting the onset of myopia < -0.75 diopters (D) after 3 years in either eye among Xiamen children was validated with Singapore data. RESULTS Baseline data were collected from 236 Xiamen children (mean age, 7.82 ± 0.63 years) and from 1979 predominantly Chinese children in Singapore (7.83 ± 0.84 years). Singapore children were significantly taller and heavier, and had more myopia (31.4% vs. 6.36% < -0.75 D in either eye, P < 0.001) and longer mean axial length. Three-year follow-up was available for 80.0% of Xiamen children and 83.1% in Singapore. For Xiamen, the area under the receiver-operator curve (AUC) in a model including ocular biometry, height, weight, and presenting visual acuity was 0.974 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.945-0.997). In Singapore, the same model achieved sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of 0.844, 0.650, and 0.669, with an AUC of 0.815 (95% CI, 0.791-0.839). CONCLUSIONS Accuracy in predicting myopia onset based on simple measurements may be sufficient to make targeted early intervention practical in settings such as Singapore with high myopia prevalence. Models based on cohorts with a greater prevalence of high myopia than that in Xiamen could be used to assess accuracy of models predicting more severe forms of myopia.
Influence of Environmental and Genetic Factors Linked to Celiac Disease Risk on Infant Gut Colonization by Bacteroides Species

ABSTRACT Celiac disease (CD) is an immune-mediated enteropathy involving genetic and environmental factors whose interaction might influence disease risk. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of milk-feeding practices and the HLA-DQ genotype on intestinal colonization of Bacteroides species in infants at risk of CD development. This study included 75 full-term newborns with at least one first-degree relative suffering from CD. Infants were classified according to milk-feeding practice (breast-feeding or formula feeding) and HLA-DQ genotype (high or low genetic risk). Stools were analyzed at 7 days, 1 month, and 4 months by PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The Bacteroides species diversity index was higher in formula-fed infants than in breast-fed infants. Breast-fed infants showed a higher prevalence of Bacteroides uniformis at 1 and 4 months of age, while formula-fed infants had a higher prevalence of B. intestinalis at all sampling times, of B. caccae at 7 days and 4 months, and of B. plebeius at 4 months. Infants with high genetic risk showed a higher prevalence of B. vulgatus, while those with low genetic risk showed a higher prevalence of B. ovatus, B. plebeius, and B. uniformis. Among breast-fed infants, the prevalence of B. uniformis was higher in those with low genetic risk than in those with high genetic risk. Among formula-fed infants, the prevalence of B. ovatus and B. plebeius was increased in those with low genetic risk, while the prevalence of B. vulgatus was higher in those with high genetic risk. The results indicate that both the type of milk feeding and the HLA-DQ genotype influence the colonization process of Bacteroides species, and possibly the disease risk.
Biological skin substitutes to treat toxic epidermal necrolysis in a case with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare, but life-threatening medical emergency with significant morbidity and mortality. Current treatment standards for TEN patients include stopping all possible drugs associated with the new onset of symptoms, prompt referral and treatment in a specialized center with fluid resuscitation, adequate analgesia and maintenance of nutritional needs. Extensive debridement of the involved epidermis followed by coverage with a skin substitute reduces the mortality from a skin infection and also improves the fluid and electrolyte balance and pain control. This is increasingly considered an important part of the intensive care of these patients. Admitting physicians should be aware of this rare but life-threatening emergency, to allow prompt diagnosis and avoid delays in treatment.
Discounting for Climate Change

Abstract It is well-known that the discount rate is crucially important for estimating the social cost of carbon, a standard indicator for the seriousness of climate change and desirable level of climate policy. The Ramsey equation for the discount rate has three components: the pure rate of time preference, a measure of relative risk aversion, and the rate of growth of per capita consumption. Much of the attention on the appropriate discount rate for long-term environmental problems has focussed on the role played by the pure rate of time preference in this formulation. We show that the other two elements are numerically just as important in considerations of anthropogenic climate change. The elasticity of the marginal utility with respect to consumption is particularly important because it assumes three roles: consumption smoothing over time, risk aversion, and inequity aversion. Given the large uncertainties about climate change and widely asymmetric impacts, the assumed rates of risk and inequity aversion can be expected to play significant roles. The consumption growth rate plays multiple roles, as well. It is one of the determinants of the discount rate, and one of the drivers of emissions and hence climate change. We also find that the impacts of climate change grow slower than income, so the effective discount rate is higher than the real discount rate. Moreover, the differential growth rate between rich and poor countries determines the time evolution of the size of the equity weights. As there are a number of crucial but uncertain parameters, it is no surprise that one can obtain almost any estimate of the social cost of carbon. We even show that, for a low pure rate of time preference, the estimate of the social cost of carbon is indeed arbitrary—as one can exclude neither large positive nor large negative impacts in the very long run. However, if we probabilistically constrain the parameters to values that are implied by observed behaviour, we find that the expected social cost of carbon, corrected for uncertainty and inequity, is approximate 60 US dollar per metric tonne of carbon (or roughly $17 per tonne of CO2) under the assumption that catastrophic risk is zero. Data material available at http://www.fnu. zmaw.de/FUND.5679. 0.html
LOPERAMIDE, AN OPIATE ANALOGUE, INHIBITS PLASMA ACTH LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH ADDISON'S DISEASE

The effects of loperamide, an opiate analogue of the piperidine class on pituitary hormone secretion were evaluated in eight patients with Addison's disease. In all patients loperamide administration (16 mg orally) induced a marked fall in plasma ACTH levels (P<0.01), without affecting GH, PRL and LH levels. Plasma ACTH concentration fell significantly from 854±167 pg/ml (mean±SEM) to 460±123 pg/ml at 60 min (P±0.01). The inhibition persisted throughout the whole test period, the nadir being reached at 300 min. Low dose naloxone infusion 180 min after loperamide administration caused plasma ACTH to rise from 181±61 pg/ml to 539±99 pg/ml (P±0.01). The present data suggest that the opiate analogue loperamide is a potent inhibitor of ACTH secretion in patients with Addison's disease, which may be acting on μ receptors, since its effect is blocked by low doses of naloxone.
Psychosocial origins of obesity stigma: toward changing a powerful and pervasive bias

Widespread bias and discrimination based on weight have been documented in key areas of living, including education, employment, and health care. This paper examines the social and psychological origins of this bias through a review and critique of theoretical and empirical literatures, and proposes how the field might best advance in the area of reducing stigma. Explanations for the development and reduction of weight stigma are examined with different theoretical ap‐proaches, including attribution theory and a social consensus model. Individual and sociocultural contributors to bias suggested by these approaches are highlighted. New directions are discussed in both the understanding and prevention of weight bias.
The Costs of Treating Breast Cancer in the United Kingdom: Implications for Screening

Abstract Total treatment costs by stage at diagnosis are estimated for a sample of breast cancer patients. At 4 years, stage 4 cancers emerge as being more expensive to treat than those at earlier stages, although this difference fails to achieve significance when expected lifetime costs are considered. The inclusion of treatment cost estimates in a screening model indicates that screening may increase expected treatment costs by a marginal amount, although the model also suggests that the cost effectiveness ratio of breast cancer screening might be better than had originally been thought.
Can postgraduate courses in Maternal-Fetal Medicine change clinical attitude?

Objective. To investigate the effect of structured didactic lectures by leaders in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine on reported clinical decision-making. Methods. An interactive survey of obstetric management was performed as part of a postgraduate course at the 2004 Annual Meeting of the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine. Seven controversial topics were addressed, including tocolytic therapy, progesterone supplementation for the prevention of preterm birth, screening for inherited thrombophilia, cervical cerclage for a shortened cervix, the management of preterm premature rupture of membranes, magnesium sulfate seizure prophylaxis, and dexamethasone therapy for hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. The survey was carried out before and after a series of structured didactic lectures, thereby allowing for analysis of the effect of the lectures on reported clinical decision-making. Results. A total of 298 obstetric care providers attended the postgraduate course. By report, the majority of attendees were Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists (60.7%), less than 10 years out from specialty training (56.3%), and practicing in a university-based setting (52.9%). An average of 233 practitioners (range 157–298) answered each question. Comparison of responses to the survey given before and after the lectures demonstrated significant differences, especially in the areas of tocolytic therapy and inherited thrombophilias. Conclusions. Postgraduate lectures by leaders in the field of Maternal-Fetal Medicine have significant immediate impact on reported clinical decision-making.
Evidence that 4‐aminobiphenyl, benzidine, and benzidine congeners produce genotoxicity through reactive oxygen species

4‐Aminobyphenyl (4‐Ab), benzidine (Bz), and Bz congeners were evaluated for their ability to induce genotoxicity through an oxidative mechanism. The mutagenicity of these compounds was tested in the presence and absence of Aroclor 1254‐induced rat S9 mix using Salmonella typhimurium tester strain TA102, which is sensitive to agents producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). In the presence of S9, 4‐Ab, Bz, N‐acetyl‐benzidine, and 3,3′‐dimethoxybenzidine were strongly mutagenic in TA102, whereas, 3,3′,5,5′‐tetra‐methylbenzidine, 3,3′‐dimethylbenzidine (O‐tolidine), and N,N′‐diacetylbenzidine were not mutagenic. In addition, 3,3′‐dichlorobenzidine and 4,4′‐dinitro‐2‐biphenylamine were directly mutagenic in TA102. Incorporation of the free radical and metal scavengers, catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), butylated hydroxytolune (BHT), and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) reduced the mutagenic responses of 4‐Ab and Bz, whereas heat‐inactivated catalase and SOD had no effect. 4‐Ab and Bz also induced lipid peroxidation in the presence of S9 mix as shown using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assay. The results of this study indicate that 4‐Ab and Bz induce mutations through the induction of ROS. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. , 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictors of help seeking among a longitudinal sample of the general population, 1984-1992.

OBJECTIVE This article considers the predictors of help-seeking behavior, and the types of help sought among the general population. METHOD Longitudinal data are used, collected during in-person interviews with 2,234 (1190 female) individuals in 1984 and again in 1992. The focus is on help seeking during the follow-up interval, with an emphasis on baseline alcohol-related problems as predictors of seeking help for one's drinking over the 8-year period. Correlates of help seeking are shown separately for respondents who at baseline had already experienced, in their lifetime, three or more dependence-related symptoms, and those who had not. RESULTS Significant predictors of help seeking during the longitudinal follow-up period include male gender, younger age. Hispanic ethnicity, and having already (at baseline) experienced three or more alcohol-related social consequences. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was the most frequent treatment experience that was reported among those seeking help during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Longstanding social consequences appear to play a key role in decisions to seek help for one's drinking, even when dependence-related symptoms are also considered. In this study Hispanics had an increased likelihood to seek help for their drinking (compared to whites), but blacks did not. AA continues to attract the largest number of help-seekers when compared to other alternatives.