Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Boosting algorithms for uplift modeling

Uplift modeling is an area of machine learning which aims at predicting the causal effect of some action on a given individual. The action may be a medical procedure, marketing campaign, or any other circumstance controlled by the experimenter. Building an uplift model requires two training sets: the treatment group, where individuals have been subject to the action, and the control group, where no action has been performed. An uplift model allows then to assess the gain resulting from taking the action on a given individual, such as the increase in probability of patient recovery or of a product being purchased. This paper describes an adaptation of the well-known boosting techniques to the uplift modeling case. We formulate three desirable properties which an uplift boosting algorithm should have. Since all three properties cannot be satisfied simultaneously, we propose three uplift boosting algorithms, each satisfying two of them. Experiments demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed methods, which often dramatically improve performance of the base models and are thus new and powerful tools for uplift modeling.
Associations between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Total Energy, Carbohydrate, and Fat Intakes: A Systematic Review

Abstract A better understanding of the genetic underpinning of total energy, carbohydrate, and fat intake is a prerequisite to develop personalized dietary recommendations. For this purpose, we systematically reviewed associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and total energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes. Four databases were searched for studies that assessed an association between SNPs and total energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes. Screening of articles and data extraction was performed independently by 2 reviewers. Articles in English or German language, published between 1994 and September 2017, on human studies in adults and without specific populations were considered for the review. In total, 39 articles, including 86 independent loci, met the inclusion criteria. The fat mass and obesity–associated (FTO) gene as well as the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4R) locus were most frequently studied. Limited significant evidence of an association between the FTO SNP rs9939609 and lower total energy intake and between the MC4R SNP rs17782313 and higher total energy intake was reported. Most of the other identified loci showed inconsistent results. In conclusion, there is no consistent evidence that the investigated SNPs are associated with and predictive for total energy, carbohydrate, and fat intakes.
The association between antibiotic use in infancy and childhood overweight or obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis

Antibiotic use is associated with alteration of the gut microbiome and metabolic activity. As childhood obesity is a predisposing factor for adult obesity, addressing childhood risk factors to weight gain in early life is important. This review aims to investigate the association between infant antibiotic exposure (aged < 24 months) and childhood obesity or overweight.
Impact of lenalidomide use among non‐transfusion dependent patients with myelodysplastic syndromes

Chemotherapies approved for defined subgroups promise personalized oncologic care, but their off‐label impact is unclear. Lenalidomide is approved for lower‐risk, transfusion‐dependent (TD) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with del(5q), but frequently used in MDS outside this indication. We characterized lenalidomide use and outcomes among non‐TD patients with MDS. Patients 65 or older diagnosed with MDS between 2007 and 2013 were identified using SEER; linked Medicare claims were evaluated for transfusions, lenalidomide use, and incident toxicities. TD was ≥2 transfusion episodes within an 8‐week period; responses were transfusion independence (TI) and ≥50% transfusion reduction (minor response). We compared overall survival for non‐TD patients receiving lenalidomide versus those not receiving lenalidomide, matched on disease and patient characteristics. We identified 676 patients who had received lenalidomide, including 275 (40.7%) TD and 401 (59.3%) non‐TD; 18.5% (125/676) had zero claims for RBC transfusion prior to receiving lenalidomide. Incident toxicities among patients prescribed lenalidomide were similar in TD and non‐TD groups, except incident thromboembolic events were higher among non‐TD patients (10.8% vs. 6.0%, P = .04). Comparing 191 non‐TD patients receiving lenalidomide within 6 months of MDS diagnosis to risk‐matched MDS controls, lenalidomide was not associated with improved OS (P = .78). Among TD patients (n = 275), 31% achieved TI, and 30% achieved minor hematologic response, with a median time to TI of 4.1 weeks. In conclusion, we confirmed the benefit of lenalidomide among TD patients with MDS; however, many non‐TD patients also received lenalidomide. These patients experienced accompanying toxicity without evidence of benefit in terms of transfusion needs or overall survival.
Growth of preterm infants at the time of global obesity

Preterm birth, 90% of which occurs between 32 and <37 weeks’ gestation,1 2 is a complex heterogeneous syndrome interlinked with the stillbirth and intrauterine growth restriction syndromes.3 4 Its phenotypes are associated with different gains in neonatal weight,5 morbidity and mortality,6 and perhaps body composition, growth and development. Preterm birth is related to several aetiologies, although nearly 30% of all preterm births are not associated with any maternal/pregnancy conditions or fetal growth restriction.6 This group is, therefore, the target population for constructing postnatal growth standards for preterm infants.7 8 There is disagreement, however, about how best to monitor the postnatal growth of such a heterogeneous group of newborns. In fact, a systematic review identified 61 existing longitudinal charts for preterm infants, many with considerable limitations in gestational age estimation, body measurement, length of follow-up and description of feeding practices and morbidities.9 The problem requires four fundamental issues to be considered.10 First , size at birth measures (eg, birth weight, length and head circumference), which are taken only once per infant, are a retrospective summary of fetal growth reflecting the intrauterine environment and overall efficiency of placental nutrient transfer. Postnatal growth, on the other hand, requires repeated anthropometric measures after birth, complemented by feeding practices and morbidity data. Therefore, the use of size at birth by gestational age, cross-sectional data taken only at birth to evaluate the postnatal growth of preterm infants cannot be justified either physiologically or clinically. Implicit in the concept of growth is the requirement for repeated measures over time, which can obviously not be captured with a single birth measure. Furthermore, fundamental factors determining the postnatal growth of preterm infants that change over time, such as feeding regimens and organ maturity influencing morbidity, are by definition not included in the …
The Term Development in the Thesauri of International Organisations

AbstractThis paper analyses the use of the term development in five online thesauri of international organisations: AGROVOC (Food and Agriculture Organisation), EUROVOC (European Union), OECD MACROTHESAURUS (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), UNBIS (United Nations) and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation). The main objective of this work is to stimulate thoughts about the cultural value placed on terminology in a multicultural environment. By applying conceptual tools based on philosophical and anthropological knowledge we wish to elucidate the peculiarity of the tool thesaurus in terms of culture. The results we have obtained show that the use of the term development is strictly related to a precise modality of knowledge's arrangement, based on regulating codes that are the results of a historical period and cultural pattern rather than a single definitive assertion.Dans le présent travail, nous nous proposons d'analyser le sens du terme de développement dans cinq thesauri mis en ligne par des organisations internationales, AGROVOC (FAO), EUROVOC (Union européenne), MACROTHESAURUS de l'OCDE (Organisation de coopération et de développement économique), UNBIS (Nations unies) et UNESCO (Organisations des nations unies pour l'éducation, la science et la culture). Notre principal objectif est de stimuler la réflexion sur la valeur culturelle d'une terminologie dans un environnement multiculturel. En utilisant des outils conceptuels mis au point à partir de notions philosophiques et anthropologiques, nous essayons de caractériser la dimension culturelle de l'outil «thesaurus». Nos résultats montrent que l'utilisation du terme de développement est étroitement liée à un mode d'articulation précis des connaissances sous forme de codes de régulation qui relèvent plutôt d'une période historique et d'un modèle culturel donnés que d'une définition universelle et définitive.
Anatomical resections are superior to wedge resections for overall survival in patients with Stage 1 typical carcinoids†

OBJECTIVES Typical carcinoids (TCs) are rare, slow-growing neoplasms, usually characterized by satisfactory surgical outcomes. Due to the rarity of TCs, international guidelines for the management of particular clinical presentations currently do not exist. In particular, non-anatomical resections (wedges) are sometimes advocated for Stage 1 TCs because of their indolent behaviour. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the most effective type of surgery for Stage 1 TCs, using the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons retrospective database of the Neuroendocrine Tumors of the Lung Working Group. METHODS We analysed the effect of surgical procedure on the survival of patients with Stage 1 TCs. Overall survival (OS) was calculated from the date of intervention. The cumulative incidence of cause-specific death (tumour- and non-tumour-related) was also estimated. The impact of the surgical procedure (i.e. lobectomy vs segmentectomy vs wedge resection) on survival was investigated using the Cox model with shared frailty (for OS, accounting for the within-centre correlation) and the Fine and Gray model (for cause-specific mortality) using the approach based on the multinomial propensity score. Effects were estimated including in the model the logit-transformed propensity scores of segmentectomy and wedge resection as covariates. RESULTS A total of 876 patients with Stage 1 TCs (569 women, 65%) were included in this study. The median age was 60 years (interquartile range 47-69). At the last follow-up, 66 patients had died: The 5-year OS rate was 94.3% [95% confidence interval (CI) 92.2-95.9]. The 5-year cumulative incidences of tumour- and non-tumour-related deaths were 2.4% (95% CI 1.4-3.9) and 3.9% (95% CI 2.5-5.6%), respectively. The analysis performed using the multinomial propensity score approach confirmed the significantly worse survival of patients treated with a wedge resection compared to those treated with a lobectomy (hazard ratio 2.01, 95% CI 1.09-3.69; P = 0.024). Similar effects of wedge resection are detectable for cause-specific deaths: tumour-related (hazard ratio 2.28, 95% CI 0.86-6.02; P = 0.096) and non-tumour-related (hazard ratio 1.74, 95% CI 0.89-3.40; P = 0.105). CONCLUSIONS In a large cohort of patients, we were able to demonstrate the superiority of anatomical surgical resection in Stage 1 TCs in terms of OS. This result should therefore be considered for future clinical guidelines for the management of TCs.
高嗜酸性粒细胞综合征及慢性嗜酸性粒细胞白血病的靶向测序研究

目的 分析嗜酸性粒细胞增多症的分子学特征。 方法 对24例伴PDGFRA、PDGFRB或FGFR1重排的慢性嗜酸性粒细胞白血病（CEL）及62例高嗜酸性粒细胞综合征（HES）患者进行靶向测序，利用权威数据库进行变异注释及氨基酸突变分析，推测可能致病性突变。 结果 17例（71%）CEL患者检出37种克隆性异常，但未发现重现性突变位点及热点突变区域，19例伴PDGFRA重排患者未检出致病性突变，2例进展为急性髓系白血病的伴FGFR1重排患者及1例进展为T淋巴母细胞淋巴瘤的伴PDGFRB重排患者分别检出ASXL1、RUNX1和NRAS的致病性突变。 49例（71%）HES患者检出102种克隆性异常，主要热点突变区域包括：CEBPA Exon1、TET2 Exon3、ASXL1 Exon12、IDH1 Y208C和FGFR3 L164V。 其中2例经伊马替尼单药治疗获得血液学缓解的HES患者分别检出CRRLF2 P224L和PDGFRB R370C点突变。 结论 伴PDGFRA、PDGFRB或FGFR1重排的CEL致病因素单一，疾病进展可能有其他突变参与。 HES可能由具有热点突变区域的多种基因参与致病，部分突变位点对酪氨酸激酶抑制剂治疗敏感。
Non-Esterified Fatty Acids Over-Activate the TLR2/4-NF-Κb Signaling Pathway to Increase Inflammatory Cytokine Synthesis in Neutrophils from Ketotic Cows

Background/Aims: Dairy cows with clinical ketosis display a negative energy balance and high blood concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), the latter of which is an important pathological factor of ketosis in cows. The aims of this study were to investigate the inflammatory status of ketotic cows and to determine whether and through what underlying mechanism high levels of NEFAs induce an inflammatory response. Methods: Proinflammatory factors and the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway were evaluated in neutrophils from clinical ketotic and control cows, using methods including western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In vitro, the effects of NEFAs on the NF-κB signaling pathway in cow neutrophils were also evaluated using the above experimental techniques. Results: Ketotic cows displayed low blood concentrations of glucose and high blood NEFA and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Importantly, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 expression and IκBα and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation levels in neutrophils (PMNs) were significantly higher in ketotic cows than in control cows, indicating over-activation of the TLR2/4-induced NF-κB inflammatory pathway in PMNs in ketotic cows. The blood concentrations of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were also significantly increased in ketotic cows. Interestingly, we found that NEFAs were positively correlated with proinflammatory cytokines. In vitro, after pharmacological inhibition of TLR2 and TLR4 expression in cow neutrophils, TLR2 and TLR4 expression was significantly decreased, and the phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 was also reduced. Cow neutrophils were treated with different concentrations of NEFAs and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC; an NF-κB inhibitor). High concentrations of NEFAs (0.5 and 1 mM) significantly increased TLR2 and TLR4 expression, IκBα and NF-κB p65 phosphorylation levels, NF-κB p65 transcriptional activity, and IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α synthesis in cow neutrophils. The inhibition of NF-κB by PDTC suppressed the NEFA-induced synthesis of proinflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: High concentrations of NEFAs can over-activate the TLR2/4-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway to induce the over-production of proinflammatory cytokines, thereby increasing inflammation in cows with clinical ketosis.
Three-dimensional ultrastructural analysis and histomorphometry of collagen bundles in the periodontal ligament using focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope tomography.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The periodontal ligament (PDL) is an essential tissue for tooth function. However, the 3-dimensional ultrastructure of these PDL collagen bundles on a mesoscale is not clear. We investigated the 3-dimensional ultrastructure of these collagen bundles and quantitatively analyzed their histomorphometry using focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope (FIB/SEM) tomography. MATERIAL AND METHODS The PDLs of the first mandibular molar of male C57BL/6 mice were analyzed using FIB/SEM tomography. The serial images of the collagen bundles so obtained were reconstructed. The collagen bundles were analyzed quantitatively using 3-dimensional histomorphometry. RESULTS Collagen bundles of the PDL demonstrated multiple branched structures, rather than a single rope-like structure, and were wrapped in cytoplasm sheets. The structure of the horizontal fiber of the collagen bundle was an extensive meshwork. In contrast, the oblique and apical fibers of the collagen bundle showed a chain-like structure. The area and the minor and major axis lengths of cross-sections of the horizontal fiber, as determined from 3-dimensional images, were significantly different from those of the oblique and apical fibers. CONCLUSION These findings indicate that collagen bundles in horizontal fiber areas have high strength and that the tooth is firmly anchored to the alveolar bone by the horizontal fibers, but is not secured evenly to the alveolar bone. The tooth is firmly anchored around the cervical area, creating a "slingshot-like structure. " This study has provided further insights into the structure of the PDL and forms the basis for the development of more effective therapies for periodontal tissue regeneration.
Enzymatically Hydrolyzed Wheat Gluten as a Foaming Agent in Food: Incorporation in a Meringue Recipe as a Proof-of-Concept.

There is a growing interest in substituting animal proteins with plant protein sources in food systems. A notable example is the replacement of hen egg white (EW) protein, which is used in a wide range of food products because of its excellent foaming characteristics. Here, enzymatically hydrolyzed wheat gluten, which has greater solubility and better foaming properties than wheat gluten itself, was prepared and incorporated in a classical meringue recipe to investigate its potential as a foaming agent. Meringues based on gluten hydrolysates (GHs) had batters with lower density and greater apparent viscosity than those based solely on EW protein. Furthermore, after baking, these GH containing meringues had greater specific volume than those based on EW protein alone and no notable differences in color or texture between the different samples were noted. These outcomes were related to basic insights in the air-water interfacial behavior of GHs obtained in earlier studies. More specifically, the greater foaming capacity of GH than of EW protein solutions was related to their superior meringue batter (density and apparent viscosity) and product (specific volume) properties. While EW protein solutions had better foam stability than GH solutions (in the absence of sugar), this was apparently less relevant for meringue properties, probably due to the very high viscosity of the sugar rich batter, which could obscure differences in the intrinsic foam stabilizing ability of the samples. PRACTICAL APPLICATION Replacing animal proteins with plant protein sources in the food industry is desirable from an economic and environmental perspective. Enzymatic hydrolysis serves as a tool to improve the foaming properties of water-insoluble wheat gluten proteins. We conclude that wheat gluten hydrolysates can be a valid functional alternative for egg white proteins in meringues, and possibly other food systems.
RE: Cost-effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan versus enalapril in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction

We read with interest the Liang et al. publication on the cost-effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan in Singapore. We would like to highlight a similar cost-effectiveness publication for sacubitril/valsartan recently published by McMurray et al. McMurray et al. evaluated the cost-effectiveness of sacubitril/valsartan compared with an ACE inhibitor (enalapril) in the treatment of chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HF-REF) from the perspective of healthcare providers in the UK, Denmark, and Colombia. The analysis suggests that, in all three countries, sacubitril/valsartan is likely to be cost-effective compared to an ACEI in patients with HF-REF. There are several methodological differences between the McMurray et al. and Liang et al. publications, leading to different conclusions regarding the cost-effectiveness profile of sacubitril/valsartan. We would like to highlight a number of these differences; in particular, the time horizon considered, the price of enalapril, the clinical data, and the health-related quality-of-life values included in the analysis. In the Liang et al. publication (p. 3) it states “a time horizon of 10 years, based on the average life expectancy of 5 to 10 years for patients with HF”. Consequently, Liang et al. does not capture the costs and outcomes for the proportion of patients who live beyond 10 years. In comparison, the economic model by McMurray et al. estimates the costs and benefits over the population’s lifetime (i.e. a lifetime horizon was adopted). The mean lifetime expectancy modeled ranges between 9.27 years (UK in sacubitril/valsartan arm) and 7.34 (Denmark in ACEI arm), which is aligned with the average life expectancy reported for HF patients in Singapore. We believe this approach is consistent with the literature on selecting an appropriate time horizon for economic evaluations. For instance, Drummond et al. state “In principle, this should be the period over which costs and/or effects of the alternative options being compared might differ” (p. 280). The ISPOR report for best modeling practice mentions:
A novel gold nanorods-based pH-sensitive thiol-ended triblock copolymer for chemo-photothermo therapy of cancer cells

Abstract Currently an effective strategy in nanomedicine for cancer therapy is the combination of photothermal therapy with chemotherapy. Because combination cancer therapy improve the therapy efficiency by synergistic effects and overcoming drug resistance as compared to monotherapy possesses. According to these facts, gold nanorods-cored biodegradable micelles were prepared by coating gold nanorods (AuNRs) with synthesized pH-sensitive thiol-ended amphiphilic triblock copolymer (PAA-b-PDMAEMAQ-b-PCL-SH). The synthesized AuNRs@polymer was loaded with methotrexate (MTX) as an anticancer drug through electrostatic interactions to afford AuNRs@polymer-MTX. The success of the coating was investigated by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, as well as dynamic light scattering (DLS), and zeta potential measurements. MTX-loading capacity, and pH triggered in vitro drug release behavior of the synthesized nanocomposites were also investigated. In vitro cytotoxic effects was comprehensively evaluated among free MTX, AuNRs@polymer, and AuNRs@polymer–MTX, with or without NIR light irradiation (1064 nm, 125 mJ/pulse, and 4 min) to improve curative effect of AuNRs@polymer–MTX led by the combination of photothermal therapy and chemotherapy.