Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Natural history of elderly-onset inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based cohort study

Data on the natural history of elderly-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are scarce. Methods In a French population-based cohort we identified 841 IBD patients >60 years of age at diagnosis from 1988 to 2006, including 367 Crohn's disease (CD) and 472 ulcerative colitis (UC). Results Median age at diagnosis was similar for CD (70 years (IQR: 65–76)) and UC (69 years (64–74)). Median follow-up was 6 years (2–11) for both diseases. At diagnosis, in CD, pure colonic disease (65%) and inflammatory behaviour (78%) were the most frequent phenotype. At maximal follow-up digestive extension and complicated behaviour occurred in 8% and 9%, respectively. In UC, 29% of patients had proctitis, 45% left-sided and 26% extensive colitis without extension during follow-up in 84%. In CD cumulative probabilities of receiving corticosteroids (CSs), immunosuppressants (ISs) and anti tumor necrosis factor therapy were respectively 47%, 27% and 9% at 10 years. In UC cumulative probabilities of receiving CS and IS were 40% and 15%, respectively at 10 years. Cumulative probabilities of surgery at 1 year and 10 years were 18% and 32%, respectively in CD and 4% and 8%, respectively in UC. In CD complicated behaviour at diagnosis (HR: 2.6; 95% CI 1.5 to 4.6) was associated with an increased risk for surgery while CS was associated with a decreased risk (HR: 0.5; 0.3 to 0.8). In UC CS was associated with an increased risk (HR: 2.2; 1.1 to 4.6) for colectomy. Conclusions Clinical course is mild in elderly-onset IBD patients. This information would need to be taken into account by physicians when therapeutic strategies are established.
Energy restriction at young age, genetic variants in the insulin‐like growth factor pathway and colorectal cancer risk in the Netherlands Cohort Study

The energy restriction (ER)‐colorectal cancer (CRC) association is inconsistent in literature. To strengthen the biological plausibility of the ER‐CRC association, we investigated whether genetic variation in the insulin‐like growth factor (IGF) pathway, a putative underlying mechanism, modulated this association in the Netherlands Cohort Study. Participants completed a questionnaire (n = 120,852) and provided toenail clippings for DNA (∼75%) at baseline. Individuals living in a Western city during the Hunger Winter (1944–45) or Western rural versus non‐Western area were exposed to (severe) ER at young age. Genotyping was performed for 3,768 subcohort members and 2,580 CRC cases (case‐cohort with 16.3 years follow‐up). Cox hazard ratios for CRC were estimated across combined categories of ER and a genetic sum score of unfavorable alleles based on 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms in IGF‐related genes and ER and an IGF1 19‐CA repeat polymorphism. The reference included ER exposed individuals, so that increased hazard ratios were expected in higher combined categories for calculating relative excess risks due to interaction (additive interactions). Wald tests for multiplicative interactions were also performed. Multiplicative and additive interactions were nonsignificant. Combined ER‐genetic sum score categories showed increasing CRC risks in men, but confidence intervals were wide. Women carrying two variant IGF1 19‐CA repeat alleles versus those carrying two wild type IGF1 19‐CA repeat alleles were at an ∼50% decreased CRC risk, irrespective of ER exposure. In conclusion, data indicate that the IGF pathway might be involved in the ER‐CRC association in men, but not women, although interactions were nonsignificant, hampering definite conclusions.
Co‐ordinate regulation of distinct host cell signalling pathways by multifunctional enteropathogenic Escherichia coli effector molecules

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a major cause of paediatric diarrhoea and a model for the family of attaching and effacing (A/E) pathogens. A/E pathogens encode a type III secretion system to transfer effector proteins into host cells. The EPEC Tir effector protein acts as a receptor for the bacterial surface protein intimin and is involved in the formation of Cdc42‐independent, actin‐rich pedestal structures beneath the adhered bacteria. In this paper, we demonstrate that EPEC binding to HeLa cells also induces Tir‐independent, cytoskeletal rearrangement evidenced by the early, transient formation of filopodia‐like structures at sites of infection. Filopodia formation is dependent on expression of the EPEC Map effector molecule – a protein that targets mitochondria and induces their dysfunction. We show that Map‐induced filopodia formation is independent of mitochondrial targeting and is abolished by cellular expression of the Cdc42 inhibitory WASP‐CRIB domain, demonstrating that Map has at least two distinct functions in host cells. The transient nature of the filopodia is related to an ability of EPEC to downregulate Map‐induced cell signalling that, like pedestal formation, was dependent on both Tir and intimin proteins. The ability of Tir to downregulate filopodia was impaired by disrupting a putative GTPase‐activating protein (GAP) motif, suggesting that Tir may possess such a function, with its interaction with intimin triggering this activity. Furthermore, we also found that Map‐induced cell signalling inhibits pedestal formation, revealing that the cellular effects of Tir and Map must be co‐ordinately regu‐lated during infection. Possible implications of the multifunctional nature of EPEC effector molecules in pathogenesis are discussed.
An Auction Based Distribute Mechanism for P2P Adaptive Bandwidth Allocation

SUMMARY In P2P applications, networks are formed by devices belonging to independent users. Therefore, routing hotspots or routing congestions are typically created by an unanticipated new event that triggers an unanticipated surge of users to request streaming service from some particular nodes; and a challenging problem is how to provide incentive mechanisms to allocation bandwidth more fairly in order to avoid congestion and other short backs for P2P QoS. In this paper, we study P2P band-width game—the bandwidth allocation in P2P networks. Unlike previous works which focus either on routing or on forwarding, this paper investigates the game theoretic mechanism to incentivize node’s real bandwidth demands and propose novel method that avoid congestion proactively, that is, prior to a congestion event. More speciﬁcally, we deﬁne an incentive-compatible pricing vector explicitly and give theoretical proofs to demonstrate that our mechanism can provide incentives for nodes to tell the true bandwidth demand. In order to apply this mechanism to the P2P distribution applications, we evaluate our mechanism by NS-2 simulations. The simulation results show that the incentive pricing mechanism can distribute the bandwidth fairly and e ﬀ ectively and can also avoid the routing hotspot and congestion e ﬀ ectively.
Methaemoglobinaemia due to mephedrone (‘snow’)

Acquired methaemoglobinaemia is a serious complication caused by many oxidising drugs. It presents as cyanosis unresponsive to oxygen therapy. The case of 33-year-old male patient who presented in our department after noticing blue lips and fingers is presented. He had sniffed 1 g of ‘snow’ after buying it from a head shop. His oxygen saturation by pulse oximeter on room air at presentation was 90%, which did not improve with supplemental oxygen. Arterial blood gas analyses showed partial pressure of oxygen 37 kPa while on supplemental oxygen and a methaemoglobin concentration greater than 25%. The patient denied using any other recreational drugs and was not on regular treatment. Therefore, a diagnosis of methaemoglobinaemia due to mephedrone, which is the active ingredient of ‘snow’, was made. Treatment is with intravenous methylene blue. Our patient started to improve so methylene blue was not used and he was discharged after 8 h.
‘Green diesel’–skin irritant properties of diesel oils compared to common solvents

In autumn I993, several reports appeared in the Swedish mass media of complaints related to 'green diesel'. Dyes (Solvent Blue 78, CAS 64553-79-3, 90 I 70-70-0; Solvent 98, CAS 74499-36-8; Solvent Yellow 124, CAS 34432-923), at 8 ppm, had been added to diesel oils to make them green, so as to identify them as low-taxed. Complaints included headache, fatigue, and irritation of the airways; while home-owners reported oil burner malfunctions. Itching, erythema, and edema of skin accidentally splashed with dyed diesels, and from impregnated clothing, were also reported, in most cases rapid and transient, indicating irritant reaction/contact urticaria (I).
A congestion control framework for available bit rate service in ATM networks

Fair packet discarding (FPD) is a mechanism which provides incentives to users to co‐operate in congestion control, so that ATM networks can operate more efficiently. In this paper, we propose a simple congestion control framework consisting of a combination of FPD and ATM Forum's explicit‐rate flow control scheme. We show by simulations that this frame‐work achieves all objectives of congestion control: (1) control congestion, (2) achieve high user‐perceived throughput, (3) maintain fairness and (4) provide protection from misbehaving users. In addition, we equip this framework with two enhancements to improve efficiency, and reduce end‐to‐end delay. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Phylogeny of Leafhopper Subgenus Errhomus (Erronus) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) Based on Mitochondrial DNA Sequences

Abstract The Nearctic leafhopper genus Errhomus Oman (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) exhibits high host-plant selectivity and female brachyptery, which may limit gene flow. Two subgenera, Errhomus (Errhomus) and Errhomus (Erronus), are recognized based on morphological and behavioral differences. We used mitochondrial DNA sequencing to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among members of the subgenus Errhomus (Erronus). Portions of the NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) and the leucine (CUN) transfer RNA (tRNA-Leu) genes were sequenced and were analyzed with parsimony and maximum likelihood. Our results generally verified the findings of Hamilton and Zack (1999); however, both optimality criteria revealed a paraphyletic Errhomus (Erronus). Errhomus (Erronus) calvus does not seem to be a member of the subgenus Errhomus (Erronus) but seems to be more closely aligned with the subgenus Errhomus (Errhomus). We tested two a priori null hypotheses: 1) that the phylogeny estimated from the molecular data matched a previous phylogeny based on morphology and biogeography from Hamilton and Zack (1999) and 2) that diagnostic characters of the male genitalia (serrated aedeagal processes and triangular aedeagal shaft tip) were synapomorphies that defined major clades. We rejected these hypotheses with both Bayesian tests and parametric bootstraps.
Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol decreases extracellular GABA and increases extracellular glutamate and dopamine levels in the rat prefrontal cortex: an in vivo microdialysis study.

Cannabinoid modulation of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus neuronal functioning has been correlated to the disruptive action of marijuana on memory tasks. This study investigates the effects of delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (delta(9)-THC) on dopamine, glutamate and GABA levels in vivo by brain microdialysis in the prefrontal cortex. Delta(9)-THC (1 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly increased extracellular dopamine and glutamate levels and decreased GABA levels. These effects were prevented by the cannabinoid antagonist SR141716A (1 mg/kg, i.v.), which per se was ineffective. These results suggest that delta(9)-THC disrupt the normal interplay between neurotransmitters in this area and may bear relevance in understanding neuronal mechanisms underlying cannabinoid-induced cognitive deficits.
Effectiveness of breastfeeding education on the weight of child and self-efficacy of mothers – 2011

Background: Breastfeeding is the most natural and essential way for feeding newborn babies. This is an ideal approach for physical and emotional development of babies, as well as for the recovery of mothers. This study was aimed to determine the effect of breastfeeding education based on the health belief model (HBM) toward primiparous women. Materials and Methods: In a case–control group, quasi-experimental study, 88 subjects were allocated in control and experimental groups. Subjects who were assigned to the experimental group were provided a program consisting of group education based on HBM during their prenatal period. Instrument for data gathering was made by the researchers and standard questionnaire from Dennis and Faux for Breastfeeding Self-efficacy Scale (BSES). Baseline interviews were conducted before delivery and follow-up visits were conducted after 30 days and at the fourth month after delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16) with c2, independent sample t-tests, and paired t-test. Results: Mean age of pregnant women who participated in the study was 22 ± 3.29 years. After the program, the experimental group had significantly better scores in terms of self-efficacy, knowledge, and attitude scores statistically. In the fourth month, the mean of child weight in the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group (P=0.001) and exclusive breastfeeding was significantly higher than in the control group (P=0.007). Conclusion: Prenatal education in this study based on HBM was successful, and knowledge, attitude, self-efficacy, and related indicators improved. The necessity of producing standard education package and education of pregnant mothers, especially in their first pregnancy, by health professionals is perceived.
The Importance of Marine Foods to a Near-Urban First Nation Community in Coastal British Columbia, Canada: Toward a Risk-Benefit Assessment

There is increasing concern that some subsistence-oriented consumer groups may be exposed to elevated levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) through the consumption of certain tradi-tional foods, including fish and other aquatic resources. Exposure to POPs has been associated with adverse health effects including immunotoxicity, endocrine disruption, and altered develop-ment in moderate to highly exposed humans and wildlife. The Sencoten (Saanich) First Nation consists of approximately 1900 people inhabiting communities in a near-urban setting in coastal British Columbia, Canada. A survey was conducted to document the relative importance of tradi-tional foods in the diet of the Sencoten people, as a basis for the future assessment of exposure to, and risks associated with, environmental contaminants in such a diet. Salmon represented 42% of the total marine meals, but at least 24 other marine species were also consumed. Our study suggests that traditional marine foods remain very important to the social and economic well-being of the Sencoten, despite their proximity to an urban center. This information will be of value to those interested in nutritional, cultural, and health issues concerning subsistence-oriented First Nations peoples, and provides an important first step in risk assessment.
The Design and Implementation of Modern Online Programming Competitions

This paper presents a framework for the implementation of online programming competitions, including a set of principles for the design of the multiplayer game and a practical framework for the construction of the competition environment. The paper presents a successful example competition, the 2016-17 Halite challenge, and briefly mentions a second competition, the Halite II challenge, which launched in October 2017.
The Homeodomain Protein NK-3 Recruits Groucho and a Histone Deacetylase Complex to Repress Transcription*

Transcriptional repression by sequence-specific DNA binding factors is mediated by the recruitment of a corepressor complex to the promoter region. The NK-3 homeodomain protein is a transcriptional repressor that recruits the nuclear protein kinase, homeodomain interacting protein kinase 2 (HIPK2). Here we show that HIPK2 is a component of a corepressor complex containing Groucho and a histone deacetylase complex. Groucho, like HIPK2, acts as a corepressor for NK-3 and binds to NK-3 and HIPK2. Moreover, HIPK2 appears to regulate the corepressor activity of Groucho. Transcriptional repression by NK-3 and Groucho is relieved by the histone deacetylase inhibitor trichostatin A, and both NK-3 and Groucho directly interact with the histone deacetylase HDAC1 that is associated with mSin3Ain vivo. Recruitment of the histone deacetylase complex by NK-3 decreases the acetylated histones that are associated with the target gene promoter. These results indicate that NK-3 represses transcription by recruiting a complex containing Groucho and a histone deacetylase complex that leads to histone modification on chromatin and suggest that HIPK2 may play a regulatory role in the corepressor complex formation.
End-to-End Performance Prediction for Selecting Cloud Services Solutions

In cloud computing, in order to select or recommend the best service solutions to end users, the end-to-end QoS requirements (e.g. response time and throughput) have to be computed. A typical cloud solution is a combination of multiple component services such as IaaS, SaaS, PaaS, etc. In a simplified case, there could be two components- software services and infrastructure services. The software service alone can satisfy end user's functional requirements (e.g. business objectives); however, the end-to-end QoS requirements require a collaboration of the multiple components at multiple cloud layers. In this paper, we consider the multilayered cloud architecture for computing the end-to-end performance values for cloud solutions. We propose a new method for measuring cloud component services similarity and predicting the end-to-end performance values of cloud solutions. In this method, the historical performance data of cloud component services is used based on users' past invocations. To evaluate our method and show its effectiveness, series of experiments are conducted. The experimental results demonstrate that our cloud multi-layers based method produces better prediction accuracy than other prediction approaches that consider one cloud layer.
Elevations in Ventricular Pacing Threshold with the Use of the Y Adaptor:

RHO, R.W. , et al.: Elevations in Ventricular Pacing Threshold with the Use of the Y Adaptor: Implications for Biventricular Pacing. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is a new and promising therapeutic option for patients with severe heart failure and intraventricular conduction delay. Patients who are candidates for CRT and have a previously implanted device may utilize a “Y” IS 1 connector to accommodate the coronary sinus lead. This modification has the potential to alter biventricular pacing thresholds. During an 18 month period, successful biventricular pacemaker implantation was performed in 72 patients (age: 67 ± 11 years, left ventricular ejection fraction: 20.5 ± 5.6% ). All of these patients had severe symptomatic congestive heart failure (NYHA Class III and IV). In 20 patients a special “Y” adaptor that bifurcates the ventricular IS 1 bipolar output to two bipolar outputs or one unipolar and one bipolar output was utilized. During initial implantation, LV thresholds obtained in a unipolar configuration prior to connecting to the “Y” adaptor were significantly lower than thresholds obtained after connecting to the “Y” adaptor ( 1.7 ± 1.11 V at 0.5 ms pulse width versus 2.8 ± 1.5 V at 0.5 ms pulse width [P = 0.01] ). Two patients (10%) required left ventricular lead revisions due to unacceptably high left ventricular thresholds during device follow‐up. The difference in measured left ventricular thresholds between the two configurations is best explained by a resistive element that is added to the circuit when performing threshold measurement of the LV lead through the “Y” adaptor (combined tip to RV ring configuration) versus measurement of the LV lead in a unipolar configuration. This resistive element represents multiple factors including anode surface area, resistive polarization at the tissue‐electrode interface, and transmyocardial resistance. LV thresholds should be measured in an LV tip to RV ring configuration or ideally in a combined tip (LV and RV) to shared ring configuration in order to accurately assess LV thresholds. This observation has significant clinical implications as loss of capture may occur as a result of improper measurement of left ventricular thresholds at the time of implantation. (PACE 2003; 26:747–751)
Statistical Database Auditing Without Query Denial Threat

Statistical database auditing is the process of checking aggregate queries that are submitted in a continuous manner, to prevent inference disclosure. Compared to other data protection mechanisms, auditing has the features of flexibility and maximum information. Auditing is typically accomplished by examining responses to past queries to determine whether a new query can be answered. It has been recognized that query denials release information and can cause data disclosure. This paper proposes an auditing mechanism that is free of query denial threat and applicable to mixed types of aggregate queries, including sum, max, min, deviation, etc. The core ideas are (i) deriving the complete information leakage from each query denial and (ii) carrying the complete leaked information derived from past answered and denied queries to audit each new query. The information leakage deriving problem can be formulated as a set of parametric optimization programs, and the whole auditing process can be modeled as a seri.
Study on a real time model predictive based power system SIPS

A Model Predictive based system integrity protection scheme (SIPS) using a Thyristor Controlled Series Compensator (TCSC) to improve power system transient stability will be described in the paper. Supervised learning (SL) is utilized to predict the power system dynamics by assuming each control action has been taken. Furthermore, Monte-Carlo approaches are used to analyze the generators' separation pattern and determine the location to apply the TCSC control. The SIPS is operated in real time and based on PMU measurements. The detection and control processes for unstable conditions are performed every discrete time interval, so the control solution including the amount and locations of TCSC control is refreshed successively. The proposed SIPS has been tested and verified in IEEE 39-bus system. Simulation results show it can effectively stabilize the system after a large disturbance even when the system conditions are complex. Moreover, the testing experience in the multimachine system has enhanced the operational confidence in the use of this type of SIPS.