Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of dietary protein source and lysine:DE ratio on growth performance, meat quality, and body composition of growing-finishing pigs.

The effects of four protein sources (soybean meal, sunflower meal, pea, and fish meal as the main protein source) and three apparent ileally digestible Lys:DE ratios (0.50, 0.43, 0.36 and 0.42, 0.36, 0.30 g Lys/MJ DE for 30 to 60 kg BW and 60 to 105 kg BW, respectively) in pig diets on growing-finishing performance, and carcass and meat quality traits were investigated. Eight individually housed animals per treatment received the diets from 30 to 105 kg BW at a level of 3.0 times maintenance requirements of energy. The ileal digestibility of protein sources was determined in a previous digestibility experiment. Protein sources showed no differences in growth performance from 30 to 105 kg BW. From 30 to 60 kg BW soybean treatment had lowest performance. The protein sources had no effect on lean meat percentage, liver weight, or meat quality (intramuscular fat content, pH at 45 min and 24 h after slaughter, drip loss, and meat color measured 24 h and 4 d after slaughter). The experimental diets formulated on the basis of similar apparent ileal digestible lysine content resulted in similar body composition regardless of the protein source used (P > 0.05). Reducing the Lys:DE ratio from 0.50/0.43 to 0.36/0.30 (by about 28%) reduced BW gain by 119 g/d from 30 to 60 kg and by 151 g/d from 60 to 105 kg BW. The gain:feed ratio increased by 82 g/kg in the first phase and by 47 g/kg in the second phase for the highest Lys:DE treatment compared with the lowest. Reducing Lys:DE ratio did not modify meat quality traits. A high Lys:DE ratio was associated with a high lean meat percentage. Differences between the medium- and low-Lys:DE groups were not significant. Lowering the Lys:DE ratio increased (P < 0.05) crude fat and fatty tissue content and decreased (P < 0.05) protein and muscle content in the body. Ash content and bone volume were not affected by Lys:DE ratio (P > 0.05). The chemical composition of the carcass can be predicted with moderate accuracy (R2 = 0.39 to 0.58) using volumetric composition data of previously frozen carcasses. In conclusion, similar growth performance, carcass and meat quality, and body composition can be expected if diet formulation is based on the apparent ileally digestible amino acid contents of feedstuffs, independent of dietary protein sources. Diminishing Lys:DE ratios reduce growth performance but do not modify meat quality traits. The chemical composition of the carcass can be predicted with moderate accuracy using the volumetric composition of thawed carcasses.
Co-occurrence of psychotic experiences and common mental health conditions across four racially and ethnically diverse population samples

Background. Prior research with racially/ethnically homogeneous samples has demonstrated widespread co-occurrence of psychotic experiences (PEs) and common mental health conditions, particularly multi-morbidity, suggesting that psychosis may be related to the overall severity of psychiatric disorder rather than any specific subtype. In this study we aimed to examine whether PEs are associated with the presence of specific disorders or multi-morbidity of co-occurring disorders across four large racially/ethnically diverse samples of adults in the USA. Method. Data were drawn from the National Comorbidity Survey Replication (NCS-R), the National Survey of American Life (NSAL) and separately from the Asian and Latino subsamples of the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS). Logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between PEs and individual subtypes of DSM-IV disorder, and to test for a linear dose–response relationship between the number of subtypes and PEs. Results. Prevalence of PEs was moderately greater among individuals with each subtype of disorder in each data set [odds ratios (ORs) 1.8–3.8], although associations were only variably significant when controlling for clinical and demographic variables. However, the sum of disorder subtypes was related to odds for PEs in a linear dose–response fashion across all four samples. Conclusions. PEs are related primarily to the extent or severity of psychiatric illness, as indicated by the presence of multiple psychiatric disorders, rather than to any particular subtype of disorder in these data. This relationship applies to the general population and across diverse racial/ethnic groups.
Good Lattice Points-Based Particle Swarm Optimizer

The mechanism of the classical particle swarm optimization and the comparison criterion of different natural computing methods is investigated by introducing the discrepancy and good lattice points in number theory and proposes a novel optimization method, called good lattice points-based particle swarm optimization algorithm, which intends to produce faster and more accurate convergence because it has a solid theoretical basis and better global search ability, meanwhile the global convergence of the presented algorithm with asymptotic probability one is proved by the property of the optimal lattice. Finally experiment results are very promising to illustrate the outstanding feature of the presented algorithm.
Liability, Patient Safety, and Defensive Medicine What Does the Future Hold?

Approaches for dealing with medical injuries are developing quickly today. Publication of the Institute of Medicine's (IOM's) report, To Err Is Human , in 2000 unleashed a variety of innovative ideas, some of which have already prompted policy changes. But the field of patient safety is in its infancy and policy responses to the problem of medical errors remain in flux, suggesting that significant changes lie ahead in the way we address the challenge of reducing the number of patients injured by medical care. To help anticipate how these new policies may affect the medical profession and health care industry, it is critical to examine the recent medical malpractice “crisis. ” The connections between strategies to reduce medical injury and the medical malpractice system are vital and often overlooked. Developments in the medical liability arena will affect the evolution and eventual shape of methods used to combat error in medicine. Moreover, we believe that medical injury policy can and will significantly affect medical liability policy. This chapter focuses on the implications of the medical injury/medical malpractice dynamic for physician behavior. It is informed by research on defensive medicine we undertook with support from The Pew Charitable Trusts in 2003 and 2004. This research was motivated in part by the ongoing national crisis in medical liability, which hit Pennsylvania particularly hard from 2001 onward.
Muscle protein synthesis after operation: effects of intravenous nutrition.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effect of an elective abdominal surgical operation (open cholecystectomy) on the rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle in humans. DESIGN Prospective random control trial. SETTING University hospital. SUBJECTS 17 Metabolically healthy patients who were to undergo elective open cholecystectomy. INTERVENTIONS Patients randomised to receive either saline alone (n = 8) or total parenteral nutrition (n = 9) for three days after operation. The rate of protein synthesis in muscle was calculated from the increase in enrichment of (1-13C) leucine in protein after a flooding dose of (1-13C) leucine. RESULTS Median (quartiles) rate of protein synthesis had decreased on the third postoperative day in the saline group by 49% (from 2.42 [2.03, 2.54] to 1.24 [0.99, 1.63]) and in the group that had received total parenteral nutrition by 54% (from 1.96 [1.90, 2.07] to 0.91 [0.79, 1.06]) (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS The trauma associated with open cholecystectomy reduced the rate of protein synthesis in skeletal muscle by half in three days, and conventional total parenteral nutrition had no effect on these changes.
Expanding Maize Genetic Resources with Predomestication Alleles: Maize–Teosinte Introgression Populations

Teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis H. H. Iltis & Doebley) has greater genetic diversity than maize inbreds and landraces (Z. mays subsp. mays). There are, however, limited genetic resources to efficiently evaluate and tap this diversity. To broaden resources for genetic diversity studies in maize, we developed and evaluated 928 near‐isogenic introgression lines (NILs) from 10 teosinte accessions in the B73 background. Joint linkage analysis of the 10 introgression populations identified several large‐effect quantitative trait loci (QTL) for days to anthesis (DTA), kernel row number (KRN), and 50‐kernel weight (Wt50k). Our results confirm prior reports of kernel domestication loci and identify previously uncharacterized QTL with a range of allelic effects enabling future research into the genetic basis of these traits. Additionally, we used a targeted set of NILs to validate the effects of a KRN QTL located on chromosome 2. These introgression populations offer novel tools for QTL discovery and validation as well as a platform for initiating fine mapping.
Heterogeneity among Strains of Diffusely Adherent Escherichia coli Isolated in Brazil

ABSTRACT One hundred twelve diffusely adherent Escherichia coli strains isolated from children in a case control study were evaluated for virulence-associated characteristics, serotyping, antibiotic resistance, and plasmid profiles. Half of the strains hybridized with the probes for icuA (aerobactin) and fimH (type 1 pili); daaE (F1845 fimbriae), afa (afimbrial Dr adhesin), agg-3A (aggregative adhesion fimbria type III fimbriae), pap (P fimbriae), astA (EAST1 toxin), and shET1 (Shigella enterotoxin 1) sequences were present in <20% of the strains. The shET1 gene was noted most frequently in strains isolated from patients. A minority (7%) of the strains produced hemolysin or colicin or showed cytotoxic effects on Vero cells. Forty-five different serotypes were found. The majority (70%) of the strains presented multiple antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic resistance and diffuse adherence were located on the same conjugative plasmids. These results suggest that the transfer of these potential virulence markers could be important in the epidemiology of diffusely adherent E. coli.
There is insufficient evidence to recommend lens extraction as a treatment for primary open‐angle glaucoma: an evidence‐based perspective – comment

right IOP had increased to 38 mmHg. The left eye pressure remained normal. There was no significant inflammatory activity, and we do not feel that the steroid drops given after laser contributed to the IOP rise as it was unilateral. She was commenced on pilocarpine and timolol that reduced her IOP to 24 mmHg. Gonioscopy performed after pilocarpine showed a shallow anterior chamber but open angles with steep entry and pigment clumping inferiorly suggesting intermittent iridocorneal contact. She therefore underwent right clear lens extraction. Four weeks after surgery, her angle closure symptoms finally resolved. She was initially treated with timolol 0.25% both eyes and latanoprost to her right. At 7 months after lens extraction, she remains symptom-free only on timolol 0.25% to her right eye. Angle closure glaucoma typically occurs in hypermetropic eyes with short axial lengths. Mechanisms of angle closure include pupil-block, peripheral iris apposition or anterior uveal displacement. Although rare, episodes of angle closure glaucoma in high myopes with spherophakia or a long axial length have been reported. In ROP, described mechanisms of angle closure includes relative anterior microphthalmos in the presence of myopia (relative anterior microphthalmos occurs secondary to structural consequences of ROP and its treatment). Myopia in ROP is often associated with increased lens thickness and power with lesser contributions from corneal steepness, axial length and anterior displacement of the lens centre. In our case, the patient was a high myope with increased lens thickness, but normal axial length and K-values suggesting a lenticular cause of her myopia. Regarding the mechanism of her angle closure, her biometry did not correspond with relative anterior microphthalmos. It seems likely therefore that the most likely cause was the increased lens thickness causing intermittent phacomorphic angle closure. We believe this is the first case of an ROP patient with lenticular myopia and intermittent phacomorphic angle closure to be reported in the literature. The symptoms of intermittent angle closure resolved after clear lens extraction.
Influence of School Backpacks on Adolescent Back Pain

In a sample of 3,498 students living in two counties in California, each student's weight and backpack load were measured. Demographic information as well as information about backpack use was obtained. Nonspecific mechanical back pain was found to be highly prevalent, and the reported severity and chronicity of pain were high. Controlling for age, socioeconomic status, walking to and from school, and method of wear, results indicated that backpack weight, measured as a percentage of body weight, was effective in predicting back pain (P < 0.01). Girls and those who walk to and from school were more likely to report back pain (P < 0.01). The method of wear, socioeconomic status, and age were not found to be significantly related to the prevalence of back pain. However, with regard to the severity of pain, older age (P < 0.01), walking to and from school (P < 0.01), and method of wear (P < 0.05) were statistically significant.
Involvement of Ca2+ and ROS in α‐tocopheryl succinate‐induced mitochondrial permeabilization

Release of mitochondrial proteins such as cytochrome c, AIF, Smac/Diablo etc., plays a crucial role in apoptosis induction. A redox‐silent analog of vitamin E, α‐tocopheryl succinate (α‐TOS), was shown to stimulate cytochrome c release via production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and Bax‐mediated permeabilization of the outer mitochondrial membrane. Here we show that α‐TOS facilitates mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) in isolated rat liver mitochondria, Tet21N neuroblastoma cells and Jurkat T‐lymphocytes. In particular, in addition to ROS production, α‐TOS stimulates rapid Ca2+ entry into the cells with subsequent accumulation of Ca2+ in mitochondria—a prerequisite step for MPT induction. Alteration of mitochondrial Ca2+ buffering capacity was observed as early as 8 hr after incubation with α‐TOS, when no activation of Bax was yet detected. Ca2+ accumulation in mitochondria was important for apoptosis progression, since inhibition of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake significantly mitigated the apoptotic response. Importantly, Ca2+‐induced mitochondrial destabilization might cooperate with Bax‐mediated mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization to induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria.
Private Sector Development and Korea-Africa Development Cooperation

Although Africa has witnessed outstanding economic performance, poverty remains prevalent because economic growth has not been translated into more jobs and higher income. Still trapped within the confines of a mono-cultural economy, Africa's dependency on a limited inventory of primary goods and its retreat into de-industrialization hinders it from escaping the poverty trap. With the shifting paradigm of development cooperation from a public sector led development to private sector development, the development of Africa's private sector is considered crucial in translating economic growth into inclusive growth. However, Africa's private sector faces many challenges including the accessibility of SMEs to government services, large size of the informal sector and excessive regulations. Analysis of a wide spectrum of variables through a cross-sectional model to identify areas that increase the effects of private sector development and their degree of efficacy shows that small business ownership is the most important factor that affects both income and employment. Other variables such as technological readiness, market size and concentration of rent had an impact on income while improvements in higher education and training, labor market efficiency and primary education had an impact on employment. With reference to the PSD policies of the UK, US and Germany and in consideration of Korea's development experiences and handicaps four areas are considered as a priority for PSD cooperation with Africa: entrepreneurial support, construction of industrial complexes, human resource development and agricultural development.
The sensory profile: a discriminant analysis of children with and without disabilities.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to determine which factors on the Sensory Profile, a measure of children's responses to commonly occurring sensory experiences, best discriminate among children with autism or pervasive developmental disorder (PDD), children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and children without disabilities. METHOD Data for three groups of children 3 to 15 years of age were used: 38 children with autism or PDD, 61 with ADHD, and 1,075 without disabilities. The researchers conducted a discriminate analysis on the three groups, using group membership as the dependent variable and the nine factors of the Sensory Profile as independent variables. RESULTS The analysis yielded two discriminant functions: one that differentiated children with disabilities from children without disabilities and another that differentiated the two groups of children with disabilities from each other. Nearly 90% of the cases were correctly classified with these two functions. CONCLUSION The Sensory Profile is useful for discriminating certain groups of children with disabilities. Children with disabilities are accurately classified into disability categories with the factors described by previous authors. This suggests that patterns of behavior associated with certain developmental disorders are reflected in populations of children without disabilities. It may be the frequency or intensity of certain behaviors that differentiate the groups.
Peritoneal Dialysis in Shanghai

⋄ Background Although China lacks a national dialysis registry, several local systems (such as the Shanghai Dialysis Registry, established in 1996) do exist. The present report provides information from the registry concerning the development of peritoneal dialysis (PD) in Shanghai. ⋄ Methods Data from the Shanghai Dialysis Registry collected between 1999 and 2006 were used in the analysis. All 58 dialysis centers in Shanghai, of which 30 have a PD program, entered data into the registry. ⋄ Results Point prevalence of PD on 31 December 2006 was 1204 patients, as compared with 459 patients in 1999. In 2006, 705 patients commenced PD, giving a treatment rate of 51.5 per million population. The percentage utilization of PD among all dialysis modalities exceeded 20% in 2006, as compared with 16% in 1999. The main cause of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) was chronic glomerulonephritis, affecting 40% of all patients. However, the incidence of diabetic nephropathy increased to 30.5% from 15.3% between 1999 and 2006, and represented the second major cause of ESRF in 2006. All PD patients were dialyzed with standard glucose-based solutions only. The annual death rate among PD patients decreased to 10.3% in 2006 from 16.1% in 1999. Infection was the leading cause of death and drop-out, although the peritonitis rate decreased (to 1 episode in 48.8 patient–months in 2006 from 1 episode in 36.6 patient–months in 1999). Dialysis adequacy, hepatitis infection control, and anemia control improved over time. ⋄ Conclusions The PD population in Shanghai has continuously grown and improved in clinical outcome over the 8 years from 1999 to 2006.
Radiofrequency ablation for the treatment of primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVE We present the results of percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in patients with unresectable primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS From 2000 to 2009, 13 patients with 17 primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas underwent RFA at our institution. Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma was unresectable because of poor hepatic reserve due to liver cirrhosis in nine patients, extrahepatic extension in two, atrophy of the left hepatic lobe in one, and underlying comorbidities in one. Ten tumors had a diameter of less than 3 cm, five were between 3 and 5 cm, and two were larger than 5 cm. Technical effectiveness was defined as the complete ablation of the tumor, shown by imaging follow-up 1 month later. Local progression-free survival, overall survival periods, and complications after RFA were also evaluated. RESULTS Technical effectiveness of RFA was achieved for 15 of the 17 tumors (88%), all smaller than 5 cm in diameter. Treatment failure occurred in two patients with large tumors (7 and 8 cm). After the 17 RFA sessions, one major complication (6%), a liver abscess, occurred 1 month later. During follow-up (median, 19.5 months; range, 3.3-82.1 months), nine patients died and four remain alive. Median local progression-free survival and overall survival periods were 32.2 and 38.5 months, respectively. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates were 85%, 51%, and 15%, respectively. CONCLUSION RFA may provide successful local tumor control in patients with primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas of intermediate (3-5 cm) or small (< 3 cm) diameter. RFA for unresectable primary intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma resulted in a median overall survival period of 38.5 months.
Psychosocial adjustment after traumatic brain injury: what are the important variables?

Background. The common legacy of severe degrees of traumatic brain injury is varying degrees and types of impairments, which impact significantly upon the individual's resumption of pre-morbid psychosocial roles. Yet there are few data to indicate the relative contribution of these and other non-injury related variables. Methods. Seventy individuals with varying levels of disability after severe traumatic brain injury were examined neurologically and neuropsychologically, on average at 6 years post-trauma. A range of biographical, injury, impairment and psychological variables were examined with multiple regression analyses to identify those that contributed to successful psychosocial reintegration. Results. Severity of injury and impairments, along with chronicity and level of self-esteem were significant predictors of psychosocial adjustment. Further analyses revealed that within the neuropsychological domain, the variable measuring behavioural regulation of abilities was the most significant. Examination of specific domains of psychosocial functioning (occupational activities, interpersonal relationships and independent living skills) revealed different patterns of significant predictor variables, in addition to indices of the severity of initial injury: neurophysical impairments and memory functioning predicted successful occupational activities; chronicity, cognitive speed and behavioural regulation predicted success in interpersonal relationships; and neurophysical impairments, behavioural regulation and memory functioning predicted independent living skills. Conclusions. These results reinforce the overriding importance of injury severity and neurological factors (both neurophysical as well as neuropsychological) in predicting psychosocial adjustment after traumatic brain injury. Support for the contribution of non-neurological factors was also found.