Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neural tube defect rates before and after food fortification with folic acid.

BACKGROUND Since 1998, enriched cereal grains sold in the United States have been fortified with folic acid, to reduce the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that NTD rates have decreased 26% since fortification, but that additional effort is needed to achieve the national goal of a 50% reduction. However, accurate determination of NTD rates requires counting antenatally detected cases; the CDC study noted that the number of prenatally diagnosed cases was likely underestimated. METHODS AND RESULTS We examined studies from the United States and Canada that compared rates of NTDs before and after very similar fortification programs were instituted in each country. U.S. studies had incomplete ascertainment of prenatally diagnosed NTD cases, and as a result, underreported the number of NTDs prevented. Canadian studies, in which ascertainment was more complete, showed decreases in NTD rates up to 54%. CONCLUSIONS There is a strong correlation between the completeness of ascertainment and the percentage decrease in NTD rates. Studies that identify cases best show that folic acid fortification is preventing around 50% of NTDs. The percentage of NTDs that are folate-preventable in the United States is uncertain, but is probably 50-60%. Thus, we may be quite close to achieving the optimum level of protection at current fortification levels.
Manganese deficiency and toxicity: Are high or low dietary amounts of manganese cause for concern?

Manganese is an essential trace element that is required for the activity of several enzymes. Manganese is also quite toxic when ingested in large amounts, such as the inhalation of Mn‐laden dust by miners. This review examines Mn intake by way of the food supply and poses the question: Is there reason to be concerned with Mn toxicity or deficiency in free‐living populations in North America? Although much remains to be learned of the functions of Mn, at present there are only a few vaguely described cases of Mn deficiency in the medical literature. Given the heterogeneity of the North American food supply, it is difficult to see the possibility of more than greatly isolated and unique instances of Mn deficiency. However, low Mn‐dependent superoxide dismutase activity may be associated with cancer susceptibility, and deserves further study. There may be reasons, however, to be concerned about Mn toxicity under some very specialized conditions. Increasing numbers of young people are adopting a vegetarian lifestyle which may greatly increase Mn intake. Iron deficiency may increase Mn absorption and further increase the body‐burden of Mn, especially in vegetarians. Mn is eliminated primarily through the bile, and hepatic dysfunction could depress Mn excretion and further contribute to the body burden. Would such a combination of events predispose substantial numbers of people to chronic Mn toxicity? At present, there is no definite proof of this occurring, but given the state of knowledge at the present time, more studies with longer time‐frames and more sensitive methods of analysis are needed.
Trail Making Test Results for Normal and Brain-Damaged Children

The Trail Making Test (a shortened version for use with children) was administered to 98 normal children who ranged in age from 109 to 179 mo. No significant differences between the performances of boys and girls were found. Relatively weak but significant relationships between scores on both Parts A and B and chronological age were present. The second part of the study compared 35 matched pairs of Ss with and without cerebral lesions. The non-brain-damaged Ss had scores comparable to those of normal children tested in the first part of the study, but the brain-damaged children performed much more poorly. The results indicate that the skills required by either Part A or Part B of the Trail Making Test are significantly impaired by cerebral damage.
One-arm hop test: reliability and effects of arm dominance.

STUDY DESIGN Test-retest reliability analysis and 2-factor ANOVA contrast of athletic group and limb dominance. OBJECTIVES To determine the reliability of the one-arm hop test and the effects of upper-extremity dominance on test scores for 2 athletic groups. BACKGROUND Limited information is available regarding functional performance tests of the upper extremity that involve axial loading. METHODS AND MEASURES Thirteen male collegiate wrestlers (mean age, 20.3 +/- 1.6 years) and 13 male collegiate football players (mean age, 20.0 +/-1.7 years) without upper-extremity pathology participated in the study. Subjects were trained to perform the one-arm hop test, starting from a one-arm push-up position and then hopping as quickly as possible onto and off of a 10.2-cm platform 5 times. Subjects returned to the test site 1 to 2 days later and were timed for 2 trials of the one-arm hop test for each upper extremity. RESULTS Within-session ICC2,1 reliability values were 0.78 for the football players and 0.81 for the wrestlers. Mean absolute differences between trials were 0.64 seconds for the football players and 0.47 seconds for the wrestlers. Trial 2 performance times were significantly faster than trial 1 times for the wrestlers. Although performance time for the nondominant side was on average 4.4% slower than that of the dominant side, performance times for the dominant side were not significantly different from those of the nondominant upper extremities. CONCLUSIONS The results provide preliminary evidence that the one-arm hop test may be a reliable upper-extremity functional performance test with sufficient training of the subject. Uninjured upper-extremity performance for the one-arm hop test may be useful as a basis for comparing performance of an injured contralateral upper extremity.
Prospective evaluation of dietary and other predictors of fatal stroke in Shanghai, China.

BACKGROUND Although a number of risk factors for fatal stroke are well established in Western populations, this is less true for Asian countries, many of which have stroke mortality rates that are historically high. In a prospective study in Shanghai, China, we determined whether the same factors predict risk for fatal stroke as in the West. We also studied a number of potential dietary associations, particularly those with dietary antioxidants because these have been suggested to reduce atherogenesis. METHODS AND RESULTS Between 1986 and 1989, 18 244 men aged 45 to 64 years living in four geographically defined areas of Shanghai, China were recruited to participate in a prospective study of diet and cancer. All participants completed an in-person, structured interview and provided blood and urine samples. As of March 1994, fatal stroke accounted for 245 of the 980 observed deaths. The most important risk factor for stroke mortality was a history of hypertension (multivariate relative risk, 4.5; 95% confidence interval, 3.3, 6.2). Cigarette smoking was not strongly associated with risk, and alcohol consumption increased risk only in the extreme categories of lifetime consumption. Educational level was strongly, inversely associated with fatal stroke, and this could not be explained by adjustment for any other risk factors. No macronutrient was associated with risk, including total energy, fat consumption, or any component of fat. There also were no significant inverse associations for stroke mortality with several micronutrients of interest, including vitamin C, carotene, vitamin E, riboflavin, or calcium. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrate that hypertension is by far the most important contributor to stroke mortality in Shanghai and that among dietary factors, only alcohol consumption shows any evidence whatsoever of being a risk factor.
ACCUMULATION AND DISAPPEARANCE OF NORADRENALINE AND ITS MAJOR METABOLITES SYNTHESIZED FROM INTRAVENTRICULARLY INJECTED [3H]DOPAMINE IN THE RAT BRAIN

Abstract— A new combined ion‐exchange and thin‐layer‐chromatographic procedure is described which separates and measures quantitatively, after intraventricular injection of [3H]dopamine (DA), the rat brain content of labelled noradrenaline (NA) and the following labelled noradrenaline metabolites: free 3‐methoxy‐4‐hydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (MOPEG), conjugated MOPEG, free plus conjugated dihydroxyphenylethyleneglycol (DOPEG), vanillic mandelic acid (VMA) and normetanephrine (NM). Labelled dopamine and its metabolites were also measured. The time‐course study performed from 5 min to 24 h after [3H]DA showed that MOPEG and DOPEG, mainly as conjugates, are major NA metabolites whereas VMA is a very insignificant NA metabolite in the rat brain. A very rapid initial increase of [3H]NM, free MOPEG and conjugated MOPEG was found during the time interval where the [3H]NA biosynthesis is very high (0–15 min). This combined with the finding that these metabolites stabilize at lower levels during the [3H]NA ‘storage phase’ (9–24 h) provides a strong indication that newly synthesized NA preferentially is metabolized. Our measurements of endogenous NA, free MOPEG and conjugated MOPEG provide additional support. The injections of various decreasing doses of [3H]DA (3·08–0·0010 μg) showed that the proportions of total [3H]MOPEG and total [3H]DOPEG to [3H]NA were constant after all [3H]DA doses investigated. This finding indicates that the [3H]NA synthesized in situ behaves as a tracer, even after injections of non‐tracer doses of [3H]DA. The results seem thus to indicate that the present technique provides a powerful tool for the investigations on central noradrenaline metabolism.
Superiority of ibutilide (a new class III agent) overdl-sotalol in converting atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of a single dose of ibutilide, a new class III antiarrhythmic drug, with that of dl-sotalol in terminating chronic atrial fibrillation or flutter in haemodynamically stable patients. Design Double blind, randomised study. Setting 43 European hospitals. Patients 308 patients (mean age 60 years, 70% men, 48% with heart disease) with sustained atrial fibrillation (n = 251) or atrial flutter (n = 57) (duration three hours to 45 days) were randomised to three groups to receive a 10 minute infusion of 1 mg ibutilide (n = 99), 2 mg ibutilide (n = 106), or 1.5 mg/kg dl-sotalol (n = 103). Infusion was discontinued at termination of the arrhythmia. Main outcome measure Successful conversion of atrial fibrillation or flutter, defined as termination of arrhythmia within one hour of treatment. Results Both drugs were more effective against atrial flutter than against atrial fibrillation. Ibutilide was superior to dl-sotalol for treating atrial flutter (70% and 56%v 19%), while the high dose of ibutilide was more effective for treating atrial fibrillation than dl-sotalol (44% v 11%) and the lower dose of ibutilide (44%v 20%, p < 0.01). The mean (SD) time to arrhythmia termination was 13 (7) minutes with 2 mg ibutilide, 19 (15) minutes with 1 mg ibutilide, and 25 (17) minutes with dl-sotalol. In all patients, the duration of arrhythmia before treatment was a predictor of arrhythmia termination, although this was less obvious in the group that received 2 mg ibutilide. This dose converted almost 48% of atrial fibrillation that was present for more than 30 days. Concomitant use of digitalis or nifedipine and prolongation of the QTc interval were not predictive of arrhythmia termination. Bradycardia (6.5%) and hypotension (3.7%) were more common side effects withdl-sotalol. Of 211 patients given ibutilide, two (0.9%) who received the higher dose developed polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, one of whom required direct current cardioversion. Conclusion Ibutilide (given in 1 or 2 mg doses over 10 minutes) is highly effective for rapidly terminating persistent atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter. This new class III drug, under monitored conditions, is a potential alternative to currently available cardioversion options.
Probability-based method for boosting human action recognition using scene context

In this study, the authors investigate the possibility of boosting action recognition performance by exploiting the associated scene context. Towards this end, the authors model a scene as a mid-level `middle layer' in order to bridge action descriptors and action categories. This is achieved via a scene topic model, in which hybrid visual descriptors, including spatial-temporal action features and scene descriptors, are first extracted from a video sequence. Then, the authors learn a joint probability distribution between scene and action using a naive Bayes nearest neighbour algorithm, which is adopted to jointly infer the action categories online by combining off-the-shelf action recognition algorithms. The authors demonstrate the advantages of their approach by comparing it with state-of-the-art approaches using several action recognition benchmarks.
Reversal imprinting by transferring polymer from mold to substrate

A reversal imprinting technique was developed in this study. A polymer layer was first spin coated on a patterned hard mold, and then transferred to a substrate under an elevated temperature and pressure. The reversal imprinting method offers an advantage over conventional nanoimprinting by allowing imprinting onto substrates that cannot be easily spin coated, such as flexible polymer substrates. Another unique feature of reversal imprinting is that three different pattern-transfer modes can be achieved by controlling the degree of surface planarization of the mold after spin coating the polymer resist as well as the imprinting temperature. “Embossing” occurs at temperatures well above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of a polymer; “inking” occurs at temperatures around Tg with nonplanarized polymer coating surface on the mold; and “whole-layer transfer” occurs at temperatures around Tg but with a somewhat planarized surface. These three imprinting modes have been quantitatively correlated with the s.
PlGF/VEGFR-1 Signaling Promotes Macrophage Polarization and Accelerated Tumor Progression in Obesity

Purpose: Obesity promotes pancreatic and breast cancer progression via mechanisms that are poorly understood. Although obesity is associated with increased systemic levels of placental growth factor (PlGF), the role of PlGF in obesity-induced tumor progression is not known. PlGF and its receptor VEGFR-1 have been shown to modulate tumor angiogenesis and promote tumor-associated macrophage (TAM) recruitment and activity. Here, we hypothesized that increased activity of PlGF/VEGFR-1 signaling mediates obesity-induced tumor progression by augmenting tumor angiogenesis and TAM recruitment/activity. Experimental Design: We established diet-induced obese mouse models of wild-type C57BL/6, VEGFR-1 tyrosine kinase (TK)-null, or PlGF-null mice, and evaluated the role of PlGF/VEGFR-1 signaling in pancreatic and breast cancer mouse models and in human samples. Results: We found that obesity increased TAM infiltration, tumor growth, and metastasis in pancreatic cancers, without affecting vessel density. Ablation of VEGFR-1 signaling prevented obesity-induced tumor progression and shifted the tumor immune environment toward an antitumor phenotype. Similar findings were observed in a breast cancer model. Obesity was associated with increased systemic PlGF, but not VEGF-A or VEGF-B, in pancreatic and breast cancer patients and in various mouse models of these cancers. Ablation of PlGF phenocopied the effects of VEGFR-1-TK deletion on tumors in obese mice. PlGF/VEGFR-1-TK deletion prevented weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet, but exacerbated hyperinsulinemia. Addition of metformin not only normalized insulin levels but also enhanced antitumor immunity. Conclusions: Targeting PlGF/VEGFR-1 signaling reprograms the tumor immune microenvironment and inhibits obesity-induced acceleration of tumor progression. Clin Cancer Res; 22(12); 2993–3004. ©2016 AACR.
Fiskalische Transparenz und ökonomische Entwicklung: Der Fall Bosnien-Herzegowina

Fiskalische Transparenz ist die Offenheit bezuglich der Planung, Formulierung und Implementierung von Finanzpolitik. Fiskalische Transparenz ist nicht nur ein wichtiges Konzept der gegenwartigen entwicklungspolitischen Diskussion, sondern gleichzeitig ist auch in Landern der Europaischen Wahrungsunion unter anderem im Zusammenhang mit der Einfuhrung des Stabilitats- und Wachstumspaktes ein starkeres Interesse an transparenter Haushalt- und Finanzpolitik gegeben. Wahrend eine Reihe empirischer Studien auf einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen fiskalischer Transparenz und Wirtschaftswachstum hindeuten, lasst sich aber in der wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Literatur keine fundierte, theoretische Abhandlung der Wirkungsweise fiskalischer Transparenz finden. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es nach einer kurzen Definition der Begriffe fiskalischer und budgetarer Transparenz zwei mogliche Wirkungskanale fiskalischer Transparenz aufzuzeigen. Die Arbeit endet mit einem zweiteiligem Ausblick: Erstens werden Implikationen in Bezug auf die Ausgestaltung der Finanzpolitik eines Landes im Allgemeinen gegeben. Zweitens folgt eine Fallstudie uber die Finanzpolitik Bosnien-Hercegovinas. Hierbei liegt der Schwerpunkt auf der Darstellung der Probleme der gesamtstaatlichen Koordinierung der Finanzpolitik, welche aus dem gegenwartigen Staatsaufbau resultieren. Nach der Konsolidierung des Staatshaushaltes sollte nun zehn Jahre nach Dayton als zweiter Reformschritt durch die starkere Kooperation der Volksgruppen die Entflechtung des Staatsaufbaus angegangen werden.
Modified Godard Timing Recovery for Non Integer Oversampling Receivers

A timing recovery algorithm is introduced that operates with less than two samples per symbol and provides an enormous complexity reduction. The complexity reduction is due to a synergy with the already existing Fourier transforms in a coherent receiver, an avoidance of terms that are dominated by noise, and a complete elimination of multiplications. A simulation and an experiment with a single carrier modulation format show that the inherent timing jitter is, despite of the significant complexity reduction, comparable with the state of the art, and in particular outperforms the Godard algorithm for low roll-off factors. In addition, it is one of the few algorithms that operates with less than two samples per symbol in the frequency domain, and thus enables the lowest complexity in a receiver.
Survey of select practice behaviors by primary care physicians on the use of opioids for chronic pain

ABSTRACT Background: Severe allergic asthma patients may not be controlled even with guideline recommended care, including inhaled corticosteroids, long-acting beta-2 agonists, theophylline, oral steroids and anti-leukotrienes. They experience exacerbations requiring intensive healthcare use and which may be fatal. Omalizumab, a new monoclonal antibody for use in IgE-mediated allergic diseases, reduces exacerbations and daily symptoms in this patient population. The aim of this study is to estimate the cost effectiveness of adding omalizumab to optimized standard therapy (ST) in patients with severe persistent IgE-mediated (allergic) asthma. Objective: To assess the use of opioids by primary care physicians for the treatment of chronic pain. Methods: A written survey was completed by 248 primary care physicians. Outcomes of interest included type of opioids prescribed, common pain diagnoses treated, opioid prescribing concerns, treatment of patients with a history of substance use disorders and clinic-based protocols for pain management. Results: The mean age of the physicians who completed the questionnaire was 41 years. The majority were between the ages of 30 and 49 years (68%) with an equal number of men and women. Seventy percent were family physicians, 28.7% internists and less than 2% were community physicians and geriatricians. Physician concerns regarding opioid therapy included prescription drug abuse (84.2%), addiction (74.9%), adverse effects (68%), tolerance (60.7%), and medication interaction (32%). The survey found that the majority of the physicians were comfortable in prescribing narcotics to patients with terminal cancer. However, they were less comfortable prescribing narcotics to patients with low back pain and persons with a current or past history of drug or alcohol abuse. Physician management practices suggested that urine toxicology tests were under-utilized with only 6.9% reporting obtaining this test before prescribing opioids and only 15.0% performing urine toxicology tests on patients already prescribed opioids. Logistic regression analysis revealed that whether or not physicians routinely conducted urine toxicology screens was significantly (p = 0.015) predicted by whether they had a system to track patients on opioids when prescribing narcotics. The primary limitation of the study is the reliance on physician self-report rather than objective measures of physician behavior. Conclusions: The survey suggests physicians are concerned about drug abuse, addiction, adverse effects, tolerance, and medication interaction. Their comfort level in prescribing opioids varies with the patient characteristics. Urine toxicology testing is underutilized in the primary care setting.
Implant-buccal plate distance as diagnostic parameter: a prospective cohort study on implant placement in fresh extraction sockets.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to investigate contour changes around immediate implants in fresh extraction sockets when different grafting procedures are performed, based on the distance between the external implant collar and the bony surface on the buccal plate (I-BP). A secondary aim is to assess the esthetic outcome via the implant esthetic score (IAS). METHODS This prospective cohort study was performed in three centers. Suitable patients to undergo implant placement in fresh extraction sockets were selected. Periodontal biotype, horizontal and vertical peri-implant bone defects, and dehiscences were assessed. Depending on I-BP, two types of grafting procedures were performed. In group A (I-BP <4 mm), only the peri-implant gap was grafted during the surgical phase (internal grafting [IG]), whereas group B (I-BP ≥ 4 mm) received both internal and external grafting (IEG). Master casts of the sites, made before implant placement and after 1 year of loading, were optically scanned. A computerized analysis of the contour changes at the involved sites was performed by superimposing the scanned models. RESULTS A total of 20 patients (eight males and 12 females) were recruited, and 20 non-submerged implants were placed in fresh extraction sockets. No implant failed during the observation period. The mean follow-up was 25 months (range: 12 to 37 months). After 1 year of loading, group A showed a slight decrease in mean buccal volume, whereas group B had an increase in volume (P = 0.02). IAS was higher for group B than group A. CONCLUSIONS When implants are placed immediately after tooth extraction, I-BP may represent a useful diagnostic parameter in choosing the most appropriate grafting procedure (IG versus IEG). In clinical cases in which the distance between implant surface and the buccal plate is <4 mm, the combination of internal and external grafting (IEG) is recommended to maintain the volume and the contour of the ridge and achieve a successful esthetic outcome.