Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Systematic review and meta-analysis of fibrin sealants for patients undergoing pancreatic resection.

INTRODUCTION Post-operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) is a common complication after partial pancreatic resection, and is associated with increased rates of sepsis, mortality and costs. The role of fibrin sealants in decreasing the risk of POPF remains debatable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the literature regarding the effectiveness of fibrin sealants in pancreatic surgery. METHODS A comprehensive database search was conducted. Only randomized controlled trials comparing fibrin sealants with standard care were included. A meta-analysis regarding POPF, intra-abdominal collections, post-operative haemorrhage, pancreatitis and wound infections was performed according to the recommendations of the Cochrane collaboration. RESULTS Seven studies were included, accounting for 897 patients. Compared with controls, patients receiving fibrin sealants had a pooled odds ratio (OR) of developing a POPF of 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.6-1.14], P = 0.245. There was a trend towards a reduction in post-operative haemorrhage (OR = 0.43 (95%CI: 0.18-1.0), P = 0.05) and intra-abdominal collections (OR = 0.52 (95%CI: 0.25-1.06), P = 0.073) in those patients receiving fibrin sealants. No difference was observed in terms of mortality, wound infections, re-interventions or hospital stay. CONCLUSION On the basis of these results, fibrin sealants cannot be recommended for routine clinical use in the setting of pancreatic resection.
Programming learning requirements based on multi perspectives

Students occasionally find it difficult to learn new programming languages. They often confront unfamiliar programming terms and having difficulty to visualize the processes that happen in computer memory. Weak students find this a burden and end up memorizing the processes without understanding them and their workings. This situation invariably leads students to obtain low grades in their programming subjects. The preliminary investigation of survey was produce in previous work; the results showed that students have experienced ineffective learning, lack of interest towards this course and lack of motivation. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to identify programming learning requirements based on previous work and verified from two perspectives (experts and students). Finally, the result was a group of requirements that should be considered in programming language course
Enabling proteomics discovery through visual analysis

This article presents the motivation for developing visual analysis tools for proteomic data and demonstrates their application to proteomics research with a visualization tool named Peptide Permutation and Protein Prediction, or PQuad, a functioning visual analytic tool for the study of systems biology, is in operation at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). PQuad supports the exploration of proteins identified by proteomic techniques in the context of supplemental biological information. In particular, PQuad supports differential proteomics by simplifying the comparison of peptide sets from different experimental conditions as well as different proteins identification or confidence scoring techniques. Finally, PQuad supports data validation and quality control by providing a variety of resolutions for huge amounts of data to reveal errors undetected by other methods.
Structural insight of human DEAD‐box protein rck/p54 into its substrate recognition with conformational changes

Human rck/p54, a product of the gene cloned at the breakpoint of t(11; 14) (q23;q32) chromosomal translocation on 11q23 in B‐cell lymphoma, is a member of the DEAD‐box RNA helicase family. Here, the crystal structure of Nc‐rck/p54, the N‐terminal core domain of rck/p54, revealed that the P‐loop in motif I formed a closed conformation, which was induced by Asn131, a residue unique to the RCK subfamily. It appears that ATP does not bind to the P‐loop. The results of dynamic light scattering revealed to ATP‐induced conformational change of rck/p54. It was demonstrated that free rck/p54 is a distended molecule in solution, and that the approach between N‐terminal core and C‐terminal domains for ATP binding would be essential when unwinding RNA. The results from helicase assay using electron micrograph, ATP hydrolytic and luciferase assay showed that c‐myc IRES RNA, whose secondary structure regulates IRES‐dependant translation, was unwound by rck/p54 and indicated that it is a good substrate for rck/p54. Over‐expression of rck/p54 in HeLa cells caused growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest at G2/M with down‐regulation of c‐myc expression. These findings altogether suggest that rck/p54 may affect the IRES‐dependent translation of c‐myc even in the cells.
In Vitro Activities of Gemifloxacin (SB 265805, LB20304) against Recent Clinical Isolates of Chlamydia pneumoniae

ABSTRACT We compared the in vitro activity of gemifloxacin, a new quinolone antibiotic, to the activities of levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, trovafloxacin, erythromycin, and doxycycline against 20 isolates ofChlamydia pneumoniae. Gemifloxacin was the most active quinolone tested, with a MIC at which 90% of the isolates are inhibited and a minimal bactericidal concentration at which 90% of strains tested are killed of 0.25 μg/ml, but this activity was less than those of doxycycline and erythromycin.
Low-dose prostacyclin preserves renal function in high-risk patients after coronary bypass surgery

Objective Renal failure after bypass is still a threatening problem prolonging hospital care and reducing overall survival. The following pilot study was aimed to analyze whether perioperative low-dose prostacyclin infusion is able to preserve renal function in a selected group of patients who according to a poor cardiac function were stratified as high risk for the development of renal failure after bypass. Design Prospective randomized study. Setting Tertiary care university medical center. Patients Thirty-four patients scheduled for primary cardiac bypass surgery were included in the study (prostacyclin n = 17, control n = 17). Inclusion criteria were normal renal function before surgery and a cardiac ejection fraction <40%. Interventions Low-dose prostacyclin (2 ng/kg/min) was added to the standard anesthetic protocol. Infusion was started immediately before surgery and was continued for a maximum of 48 hrs. Measurements and Main Results Significant differences in the endogenous creatinine clearance were found between the prostacyclin and the control group. Whereas there was a significant drop in the creatinine clearance at 6 hrs after surgery in the control group with a prolonged recovery period, values in the prostacyclin group remained stable. Creatinine clearance before intervention was 100 ± 22 mL/min in the control group and 91 ± 22 mL/min in the prostacyclin group, values at 24 hr were 68 ± 34 mL/min vs. 103 ± 37 mL/min, respectively (p < .01). Significant findings in favor for the prostacyclin group were also found for urine output and the fractional excretion rate of sodium. Conclusion This first pilot study indicates that low-dose prostacyclin may be of substantial value for preserving renal function in high-risk patients after coronary bypass surgery.
Tracking by Shape with Deforming Prediction for Non-rigid Objects

A novel algorithm for tracking by shape with deforming prediction is proposed. The algorithm is based on the similarity of the predicted and actual object shape. Second order approximation for feature point movement by Taylor expansion is adopted for shape prediction, and the similarity is measured by using chamfer matching of the predicted and the actual shape. Chamfer matching is also used to detect the feature point movements to predict the object deformation. The proposed algorithm is applied to the tracking of a skier and showed a good tracking and shape prediction performance.
Accuracy of fine‐needle aspiration cytology of head and neck masses

Head and neck masses are a common presentation in daily practice and can be challenging to both clinicians and cytopathologists. Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a widely used method for the diagnosis of head and neck masses. The aim of the study was to assess our institutional experience of the accuracy of FNAC in the diagnosis of head and neck masses.
Reduced risk of esophageal cancer associated with green tea consumption.

BACKGROUND Studies in laboratory animals have suggested inhibitory effects of green tea on the induction of some cancers, notably, esophageal cancer. However, only a few epidemiologic studies have evaluated green tea as a potential inhibitor of human esophageal cancer. PURPOSE Our purpose was to evaluate the relationship between green tea consumption and the risk of esophageal cancer. METHODS This esophageal cancer study was part of a larger multicenter, case-control study that included three other gastrointestinal sites (pancreas, colon, and rectum). Medical records of patients aged 30-74 years old who were diagnosed with esophageal cancer from October 1, 1990, through January 31, 1993, were identified from the Shanghai Cancer Registry, which covers 6.8 million people in the urban area of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. During the ascertainment period, records of 1016 eligible cases of esophageal cancer were identified. Control subject records were selected by frequency matching in accordance with the age-sex distribution of the four gastrointestinal cancers ascertained by the cancer registry during 1986-1987. Patient interviews were then conducted using a structured, standardized questionnaire to obtain information on demographic characteristics, residential history, height and weight, diet, smoking, alcohol and tea drinking, medical history, family history of cancer, occupation, physical activity, and reproductive history. RESULTS Of the 902 patients interviewed, 734 (81.4%) had their disease pathologically confirmed. There were 1552 control subjects interviewed, including 240 alternates. All analyses of tea effects were conducted separately among men and women and all were adjusted for age. After further adjustment for other known confounders, a protective effect of green tea drinking on esophageal cancer was observed among women (odds ratio [OR] = 0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.30-0.83), and this risk decreased (P for trend < or = .01) as tea consumption increased. Among men, the ORs were also below 1.00, although not statistically significant. ORs for green tea intake were estimated among those persons who neither smoked nor drank alcohol. In this subset, statistically significant decreases in risk among tea drinkers were observed for both men (OR = 0.43; 95% CI = 0.22-0.86; P for trend = .05) and women (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.20-0.77; P for trend < .001). CONCLUSIONS This population-based, case-control study of esophageal cancer in urban Shanghai suggests a protective effect of green tea consumption. Although these findings are consistent with studies in laboratory animals, indicating that green tea can inhibit esophageal carcinogenesis, further investigations are definitely needed.
EFFECT OF LOVASTATIN AND FLUOROMEVALONATE ON PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3‐KINASE ACTIVITY STIMULATED WITH PDGF

1. Phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K) appears to have a crucial role in cellular proliferation induced by platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF). However, the mode of activation of the enzyme has been unclear so far. In the present study, we investigated the effects of a cholesterol lowering drug on [3H]‐thymidine ([3H]‐TdR) incorporation and PI3K activity in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) stimulated with PDGF.
Mecanismo molecular implicado en la configuración del peptidoma de HLA-B*27 por variantes naturales de ERAP1 asociadas a la espondilitis anquilosante

HLA-B*27 es el factor de riesgo mas importante para la espondilitis anquilosante (EA). Aunque su fuerte asociacion se conoce desde hace 40 anos el mecanismo patogenico se desconoce. En los ultimos anos con los avances en las tecnicas de genotipado global, se ha determinado que ERAP1, una aminopeptidasa residente en el reticulo endoplasmico, es el segundo factor de riesgo para EA y su asociacion es epistatica con HLA-B*27. En la presente tesis se examino el efecto de variantes de ERAP1 con polimorfismos asociados a EA sobre el peptidoma de HLA-B*27 en celulas vivas. Este estudio se establecio de manera independiente en dos subtipos de HLA-B*27 asociados con EA: HLA-B*27:04 y 05. (extracto sacado del informe del doctor Don Jose Antonio Lopez de Castro)
Genome-Wide Identification of bZIP Family Genes Involved in Drought and Heat Stresses in Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) genes are known to play a crucial role in response to various processes in plant as well as abiotic or biotic stress challenges. We have performed an identification and characterization of 50 bZIP genes across the woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) genome, which were divided into 10 clades according to the phylogenetic relationship of the strawberry bZIP proteins with those in Arabidopsis and rice. Five categories of intron patterns were observed within basic and hinge regions of the bZIP domains. Some additional conserved motifs have been found with the group specificity. Further, we predicted DNA-binding specificity of the basic and hinge regions as well as dimerization properties of leucine zipper regions, which was consistent with our phylogenetic clade and classified into 20 subfamilies. Across the different developmental stages of 15 organs and two types of fruits, the clade A bZIP members showed different tissue-specific expression patterns and the duplicated genes were differentially regulated, indicating a functional diversification coupled with the expansion of this gene family in strawberry. Under normal growth conditions, mrna11837 and mrna30280 of clade A showed very weak expression levels in organs and fruits, respectively; but higher expression was observed with different set of genes following drought and heat treatment, which may be caused by the separate response pathway between drought and heat treatments.
Clozapine treatment of refractory schizophrenia during essential chemotherapy: a case study and mini review of a clinical dilemma

Background: Clozapine remains the antipsychotic of choice for refractory schizophrenia. Given the particular side effects of clozapine including neutropenia and myelosuppression, safety and efficacy of add-on chemotherapy for patients who are already under clozapine treatment remain unknown. Objective: We present evidence from a patient with a diagnosis of refractory schizophrenia on clozapine medication, who required essential chemotherapy for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We have also reviewed literature regarding this challenging clinical dilemma. Method: We report details about a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia who was given chemotherapy (fludarabine, cyclophosphamide and rituximab) for CLL in the course of concomitant treatment with clozapine and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSFs). In addition, we have reviewed literature using the PUBMED data base. Results: Current evidence remains insufficient to provide authoritative guide to clinicians regarding the efficacy and safety of the combined use of clozapine and chemotherapy. However, general conclusion from our case and of the published evidence is that a combination of clozapine use and chemotherapeutic agents do not cause additional hematological worsening with no decreasing efficacy concerns raised. Conclusion: Continuing with clozapine in the course of chemotherapy may be relatively safer for patients who responded well to clozapine concomitant with G-CSF treatment.
ProSPer: a MOST model extension applied to persuasive interactive systems

Developing persuasive interactive system faces the challenge of describing multiple-domain goals to be achieved, along with an context-aware driving of persuasion. We developed ProSPer, a model capable of dealing with this challenges and we implemented two experiments using an Android application and a selfmonitoring bracelet. The preliminary results shows that participants understood and applied effectively the model, giving further design prospectives of research and development.
A Knowledge, Attitude and Practices (KAP) Study on Dengue among Selected Rural Communities in the Kuala Kangsar District

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and practices concerning dengue and its vector Aedes mosquito among selected rural communities in the Kuala Kangsar district from 16 - 25th June, 2002. It was found that the knowledge of the community was good. Out of the 200 respondents, 82.0% cited that their main source of information on dengue was from television / radio. The respondents' attitude was found to be good and most of them were supportive of Aedes control measures. There is a significant association found between knowledge of dengue and attitude towards Aedes control (p = 0.047). It was also found that good knowledge does not necessarily lead to good practice. This is most likely due to certain practices like water storage for domestic use, which is deeply ingrained in the community. Mass media is an important means of conveying health messages to the public even among the rural population, thus research and development of educational strategies designed to improve behaviour and practice of effective control measures among the villagers are recommended. Asia Pac JPublic Health 2003; 15(1): 37- 43 .
Concurrent operations on B-trees with overtaking

Algorithms for concurrent operations (i.e., searches, insertions, and deletions) on B∗-trees are presented. These algorithms improve those given by Lehman and Yao (ACM Trans. Database Systems 6, No. 4 (1981), 650–670), since an insertion process has to lock only one node at any time (as opposed to locking simultaneously two or three nodes in ibid. Another improvement is the ability to compress the tree when some nodes become too sparse as a result of some deletions. Compressing the tree is done by a process that periodically scans the whole tree while running concurrently with the other operations. Alternatively, it is possible to initiate a compression process after each deletion that leaves a node less than half full. These compression processes may run concurrently with the other operations, and they scan only the nodes that have to be compressed. Each compression process has to lock simultaneously three nodes.
Leptospirosis: An Infectious Emerging Waterborne Zoonosis of Global Significance

Leptospirosis, caused by Leptospira interrogans, is a highly infectious emerging water borne zoonosis of global significance. It is an enigmatic life threatening disease, which results into high morbidity and mortality, particularly in poor resource nations. Disease is endemic in many countries of the world including India. Currently, over one million people are affected with leptospirosis worldwide annually. Leptospirosis presents an occupational hazard of the persons who have direct or indirect contact with the urine of infected animals. The common mode of transmission of the disease is exposure to and ingestion of urine contaminated water. Clinical signs in humans may vary from asymptomatic to severe stage with a range of non-specific symptoms. Rodents are the chief reservoir of Leptospira, and organisms are excreted in urine, thus contaminating the environment including water. Disease is endemic in tropical regions of the world with maximum cases in young male adults during the rainy season. Pollution of city water supply may result in outbreak of disease. Severe epidemics of leptospirosis are related to water recreational activities. The diagnosis of disease is confirmed by detection of serum antibodies against Leptospira and also by isolation of the pathogen from clinical specimens such as blood, cerebrospinal fluid and urine. Early treatment with antibacterial antibiotics may shorten the duration of fever and reduce the severity of the disease. As leptospirosis is attributed to physical contact with contaminated water supplies, environmental detection is important in the development of adequate control measures. There is a need to develop an effective surveillance system to monitor the trends of disease. Sincere attempts should be made to estimate the annual burden of cases and deaths due to leptospirosis. Additional studies on the epidemiology, diagnosis, chemotherapy and vaccines are required to control this life threatening zoonosis.
Adipose triglyceride lipase is a major hepatic lipase that regulates triacylglycerol turnover and fatty acid signaling and partitioning

Despite advances in our understanding of the ways in which nutrient oversupply and triacylglycerol (TAG) anabolism contribute to hepatic steatosis, little is known about the lipases responsible for regulating hepatic TAG turnover. Recent studies have identified adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) as a major lipase in adipose tissue, although its role in the liver is largely unknown. Thus, we tested the contribution of ATGL to hepatic lipid metabolism and signaling. Adenovirus‐mediated knockdown of hepatic ATGL resulted in steatosis in mice and decreased hydrolysis of TAG in primary hepatocyte cultures and in vitro assays. In addition to altering TAG hydrolysis, ATGL was shown to play a significant role in partitioning hydrolyzed fatty acids between metabolic pathways. Although ATGL gain and loss of function did not alter hepatic TAG secretion, fatty acid oxidation was increased by ATGL overexpression and decreased by ATGL knockdown. The effects on fatty acid oxidation coincided with decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor α (PPAR‐α) and its target genes in mice with suppressed hepatic ATGL expression. However, PPAR‐α agonism was unable to normalize the effects of ATGL knockdown on PPAR‐α target gene expression, and this suggests that ATGL influences PPAR‐α activity independently of ligand‐induced activation. Conclusion: Taken together, these data show that ATGL is a major hepatic TAG lipase that plays an integral role in fatty acid partitioning and signaling to control energy metabolism. (HEPATOLOGY 2011)
NO-TILL FARMING: THE REGIONAL APPLICABILITY OF A REVOLUTIONARY AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY*

_M /ORE than half of the corn in some parts of the United States emerges from essentially undisturbed soil. Plows, disks, harrows, cultivators, giant tractors, and the other heavy weapons of conventional mechanized farming are absent or lie idle, while slot planters and spray rigs assume the full burden of land preparation and weed control.1 The system is most commonly known as no-till farming, although it masquerades beneath a multitude of names and subtle regional variations. Proponents predict a rapid spread of the new technology; they project a tenfold increase in no-till acreage within thirty years.2 In this paper I shall examine their prediction in the light of the history, characteristics, and geographical limitations of no-till agriculture. Confusion among a variety of crops and production systems will be minimized by restricting the scope of this report to an analysis of slotplanted corn, the most radical and probably the most popular no-till practice.
Income Growth, Energy Consumption and Carbon Emissions in China

The paper examines the long-run relationship between per capita income growth, energy consumption, and pollutant emissions in China during the period 1953-2004. We find that energy consumption, pollutant emissions and income are cointegrated in the long run. To supplement the findings of cointegrating analysis, we assess the causal relationships using Granger causality test and find strong evidence for bilateral causality running between income growth with energy consumption and pollutant emissions, both in the short-run and long-run. We further provide policy suggestions.