Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Blinding and exclusions after allocation in randomised controlled trials: survey of published parallel group trials in obstetrics and gynaecology

Abstract Objective: To assess the methodological quality of approaches to blinding and to handling of exclusions as reported in randomised trials from one medical specialty. Design: Survey of published, parallel group randomised controlled trials. Data sources: A random sample of 110 reports in which allocation was described as randomised from the 1990 and 1991 volumes of four journals of obstetrics and gynaecology. Main outcome measures: The adequacy of the descriptions of double blinding and exclusions after randomisation. Results: Though 31 trials reported being double blind, about twice as many could have been. Of the 31 trials only eight (26%) provided information on the protection of the allocation schedule and only five (16%) provided some written assurance of successful implemention of double blinding. Of 38 trials in which the authors provided sufficient information for readers to infer that no exclusions after randomisation had occurred, six (16%) reported adequate allocation concealment and none stated that an intention to treat analysis had been performed. That compared with 14 (27%) and six (12%), respectively, for the 52 trials that reported exclusions. Conclusions: Investigators could have double blinded more often. When they did double blind, they reported poorly and rarely evaluated it. Paradoxically, trials that reported exclusions seemed generally of a higher methodological standard than those that had no apparent exclusions. Exclusions from analysis may have been made in some of the trials in which no exclusions were reported. Editors and readers of reports of randomised trials should understand that flawed reporting of exclusions may often provide a misleading impression of the quality of the trial. Key messages Key messages Poor reporting of methods used for double blinding raises concerns about how effective blinding was in many of the studies Some investigators may have excluded some patients from the analysis but not reported these exclusions in their published paper Given the apparent failure to report exclusions, some of the more biased trials may be mistaken as unbiased and vice versa Investigators must pay more attention to executing and reporting their approaches to blinding and the handling of exclusions
Aerobic exercise training decreases plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine concentrations with increase in arterial compliance in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, increase with advancing age and menopausal status. ADMA plays a role in endothelial dysfunction and increasing arterial stiffness. Regular aerobic exercise has a positive effect on arterial function (i.e., arterial compliance). This study investigated the effects of aerobic exercise training on plasma ADMA concentrations and arterial compliance in postmenopausal women. METHODS Thirty postmenopausal women were divided into 2 groups: an exercise group (n = 20) and a control group (n = 10). Subjects in the exercise group completed 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training (65%-80% of maximal heart rate, 40-60 min/day, 3-6 days/week). Before and after each intervention, plasma ADMA concentrations and carotid arterial compliance were measured in all participants. RESULTS The baseline plasma ADMA concentrations, carotid arterial compliance, and most other key dependent variables did not differ between the 2 groups. In the exercise group, carotid arterial compliance significantly increased after exercise intervention (P < 0.01), and plasma ADMA concentrations significantly decreased (P < 0.05). In addition, changes in carotid arterial compliance after the exercise intervention were inversely correlated with changes in plasma ADMA concentrations (r = -0.367; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that aerobic exercise training significantly decreased plasma ADMA concentrations with increase in carotid arterial compliance in postmenopausal women. These results suggest that reduction in ADMA may play an important role in the aerobic exercise training-induced increase in arterial compliance.
Lysogenic Conversion by a Filamentous Phage Encoding Cholera Toxin

Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of cholera, requires two coordinately regulated factors for full virulence: cholera toxin (CT), a potent enterotoxin, and toxin-coregulated pili (TCP), surface organelles required for intestinal colonization. The structural genes for CT are shown here to be encoded by a filamentous bacteriophage (designated CTXΦ), which is related to coliphage M13. The CTXΦ genome chromosomally integrated or replicated as a plasmid. CTXΦ used TCP as its receptor and infected V. cholerae cells within the gastrointestinal tracts of mice more efficiently than under laboratory conditions. Thus, the emergence of toxigenic V. cholerae involves horizontal gene transfer that may depend on in vivo gene expression.
Do Decisions Shape Preference?

Psychologists have long asserted that making a choice changes a person’s preferences. Recently, critics of this view have argued that choosing simply reveals preexisting preferences, and that all studies claiming that choice shapes preferences suffer from a fundamental methodological flaw. Here we address this question directly by dissociating preexisting preferences from decision making. We studied participants who rated different vacation destinations both before and after making a blind choice that could not be guided by preexisting preferences. As an additional control, we elicited ratings in a condition in which a computer made the decision for the participants. We found that preferences were altered after participants made a blind choice, but not after a computer dictated the decision. The results suggest that just as preferences form choices, choices shape preferences.
Epirubicin, Cisplatin and Continuous-Infusion 5-Fluorouracil (ECF Regimen) in the Treatment of Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Thirty-one patients with advanced colorectal cancer were treated with a regimen of epirubicin, cisplatin and continuous-infusion (c.i.) 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (ECF regimen). Twenty-seven patients were evaluable for response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). In this study, the ECF chemotherapy yielded a 51% RR with a PFS of more than 8 months, an OS of more than 11 months and tolerable toxicity. In spite of the perplexity concerning the use of anthracyclines in colorectal cancer, the ECF regimen seems to be a possible treatment even for this malignancy. Controlled studies with ECF versus standard treatments and versus 5-FU alone in c.i. are necessary.
Randomised feasibility study of physiotherapy for patients with functional motor symptoms

Objective To determine the feasibility of conducting a randomised controlled trial of a specialist physiotherapy intervention for functional motor symptoms (FMS). Methods A randomised feasibility study was conducted recruiting patients with a clinically established diagnosis of FMS from a tertiary neurology clinic in London, UK. Participants were randomised to the intervention or a treatment as usual control. Measures of feasibility and clinical outcome were collected and assessed at 6 months. Results 60 individuals were recruited over a 9-month period. Three withdrew, leaving 29 intervention and 28 controls participants in the final analysis. 32% of patients with FMS met the inclusion criteria, of which 90% enrolled. Acceptability of the intervention was high and there were no adverse events. At 6 months, 72% of the intervention group rated their symptoms as improved, compared to 18% in the control group. There was a moderate to large treatment effect across a range of outcomes, including three of eight Short Form 36 (SF36) domains (d=0.46–0.79). The SF36 Physical function was found to be a suitable primary outcome measure for a future trial; adjusted mean difference 19.8 (95% CI 10.2 to 29.5). The additional quality adjusted life years (QALY) with intervention was 0.08 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.13), the mean incremental cost per QALY gained was £12 087. Conclusions This feasibility study demonstrated high rates of recruitment, retention and acceptability. Clinical effect size was moderate to large with high probability of being cost-effective. A randomised controlled trial is needed. Trial registration number NCT02275000; Results.
Arming the public with AI to counter social bots

The increased relevance of social media in our daily life has been accompanied by efforts to manipulate online conversations and opinions. Deceptive social bots — automated or semi-automated accounts designed to impersonate humans — have been successfully exploited for these kinds of abuse. Researchers have responded by developing AI tools to arm the public in the fight against social bots. Here we review the literature on different types of bots, their impact, and detection methods. We use the case study of Botometer, a popular bot detection tool developed at Indiana University, to illustrate how people interact with AI countermeasures. A user experience survey suggests that bot detection has become an integral part of the social media experience for many users. However, barriers in interpreting the output of AI tools can lead to fundamental misunderstandings. The arms race between machine learning methods to develop sophisticated bots and effective countermeasures makes it necessary to update the training data and features of detection tools. We again use the Botometer case to illustrate both algorithmic and interpretability improvements of bot scores, designed to meet user expectations. We conclude by discussing how future AI developments may affect the fight between malicious bots and the public. 1 ar X iv :1 90 1. 00 91 2v 1 [ cs . C Y ] 3 J an 2 01 9
Retinoic acid is a major regulator of chondrocyte maturation and matrix mineralization

During the process of endochondral bone formation, chondrocytes undergo a series of complex maturational changes. Our recent studies indicate that this maturational process is influenced by the vitamin. A derivative retinoic acid (RA). To learn how this agent regulates chondrocyte development, we characterized matrix gene expression during maturation of cartilage cells in chick sternum. RNAs were isolated from the cephalic portion of day 13, 14, 16, 18, and 20 chick embryo sternum and analyzed via northern blots. Type II collagen RNA levels remained fairly constant during this developmental period. In contrast, expression of type X collagen and alkaline phosphatase (APase) genes was first detected at day 16, followed by that of ostenection (ON) and osteopontin (OP). To explore the mechanisms triggering these changes, chondrocytes were isolated from the cephalic portion of day 17–18 sternum (US cells) and grown in monolayer in standard serum‐containing medium. After 3 weeks in culture, most of the cells enlarged and became type X collagen‐positive, but they exhibited low APase activity and contained only trace amounts of ON and OP mRNAs. Treatment of parallel 3‐week‐old cultures with RA (10–100 nM) rapidly increased expression of the APase, ON, and OP genes severalfold. In concert with a significant increase in APase activity, there was abundant calcium accumulation in the RA‐treated cultures. Electron microscopy confirmed the formation of large matrix‐associated mineral crystals and the presence of numerous matrix vesicles. The effects of RA were also studied in cultures of immature chondrocytes isolated from the caudal portion of sternum (LS cells). In these cells, RA failed to induce high levels of APase activity, ON and OP gene expression, and mineralization; instead, it greatly promoted cell proliferation. Thus RA appears to have major, stage‐specific effects on the maturation program of chondrocytes. The retinoid rapidly induces expression of late maturation genes and activates mineralization of the cartilage matrix. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Identification of a novel sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase isoform, GPAT4, as the enzyme deficient in Agpat6−/− mice Published, JLR Papers in Press, January 11, 2008.

Elucidation of the metabolic pathways of triacylglycerol (TAG) synthesis is critical to the understanding of chronic metabolic disorders such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. sn-Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) and sn-1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT) catalyze the first and second steps in de novo TAG synthesis. AGPAT6 is one of eight AGPAT isoforms identified through sequence homology, but the enzyme activity for AGPAT6 has not been confirmed. We found that in liver and brown adipose tissue from Agpat6-deficient (Agpat6−/−) mice, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM)-sensitive GPAT specific activity was 65% lower than in tissues from wild-type mice, but AGPAT specific activity was similar. Overexpression of Agpat6 in Cos-7 cells increased an NEM-sensitive GPAT specific activity, but AGPAT specific activity was not increased. Agpat6 and Gpat1 overexpression in Cos-7 cells increased the incorporation of [14C]oleate into diacylglycerol (DAG) or into DAG and TAG, respectively, suggesting that the lysophosphatidic acid, phosphatidic acid, and DAG intermediates initiated by each of these isoforms lie in different cellular pools. Together, these data show that “Agpat6−/− mice” are actually deficient in a novel NEM-sensitive GPAT, GPAT4, and indicate that the alterations in lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, liver, and mammary epithelium of these mice are attributable to the absence of GPAT4.
Circumstances and Outcomes of a Firearm Seizure Law: Marion County, Indiana, 2006-2013.

Indiana statute allows police to seize firearms without a warrant if the officer believes a person meets the law's definition of "dangerous. " Review of the use of this law in Marion County (Indianapolis), Indiana, showed that prosecutors filed petitions in court to retain weapons seized by police under this law 404 times between 2006 and 2013. Police removed weapons from people due to identification of a risk of suicide (68%) or violence (21%), or the presence of psychosis (16%). The firearm seizures occurred in the context of domestic disputes in 28% of cases and intoxication was noted in 26% of cases. There were significant demographic differences in the circumstances of firearm seizures and the firearms seized. The seized firearms were retained by the court at the initial hearing in 63% of cases; this retention was closely linked to the defendant's failure to appear at the hearing. The court dismissed 29% of cases at the initial hearing, closely linked to the defendant's presence at the hearing. In subsequent hearings of cases not dismissed, the court ordered the destruction of the firearms in 72% of cases, all when the individual did not appear in court, and dismissed 24% of the cases, all when the individual was present at the hearing. Overall, the Indiana law removed weapons from a small number of people, most of whom did not seek return of their weapons. The firearm seizure law thus functioned as a months-long cooling-off period for those who did seek the return of their guns.
West Nile Virus Methyltransferase Catalyzes Two Methylations of the Viral RNA Cap through a Substrate-Repositioning Mechanism

ABSTRACT Flaviviruses encode a single methyltransferase domain that sequentially catalyzes two methylations of the viral RNA cap, GpppA-RNA→m7GpppA-RNA→m7GpppAm-RNA, by using S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) as a methyl donor. Crystal structures of flavivirus methyltransferases exhibit distinct binding sites for SAM, GTP, and RNA molecules. Biochemical analysis of West Nile virus methyltransferase shows that the single SAM-binding site donates methyl groups to both N7 and 2′-O positions of the viral RNA cap, the GTP-binding pocket functions only during the 2′-O methylation, and two distinct sets of amino acids in the RNA-binding site are required for the N7 and 2′-O methylations. These results demonstrate that flavivirus methyltransferase catalyzes two cap methylations through a substrate-repositioning mechanism. In this mechanism, guanine N7 of substrate GpppA-RNA is first positioned to SAM to generate m7GpppA-RNA, after which the m7G moiety is repositioned to the GTP-binding pocket to register the 2′-OH of the adenosine with SAM, generating m7GpppAm-RNA. Because N7 cap methylation is essential for viral replication, inhibitors designed to block the pocket identified for the N7 cap methylation could be developed for flavivirus therapy.
Q-band InP/CMOS receiver and transmitter beamformer channels fabricated by 3D heterogeneous integration

Q-Band receiver and transmitter beamformer channels using 250 nm InP HBTs and 130 nm Si CMOS have been fabricated in a three-dimensional wafer-stacking platform. Room-temperature face-to-face wafer bonding is accomplished using a hybrid bonding technique (Direct Bond Interconnect®) of 2.5 micron wide, 5 micron pitch copper inlaid in silicon dioxide to form electrically active vertical interconnects. 3-bit amplitude and 4-bit phase modulation receive and transmit channels are characterized. At 40 GHz, the receiver and transmitter chains have more than 25 dB gain, with 6 dB variable gain tuning, and less than 5° RMS phase error. The transmitter saturated output power is 20.3 dBm. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first demonstration of wafer-scale three-dimensional integration of Si and InP MMICs towards RF beamforming applications.
Survival of O157:H7 and non-O157 serogroups of Escherichia coli in bovine rumen fluid and bile salts.

While Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) reside asymptomatically within ruminants, particularly cattle, these strains pose a serious health risk to humans. Research related to STEC has historically focused upon O157:H7. However, with an increase in foodborne outbreaks of non-O157 origin and recent changes in testing for non-O157 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS), there is now a critical need to understand the biological activity of non-O157 serogroups. The focus of this study was to determine whether variations exist in the ability of different serotypes of STEC to survive within bovine rumen fluid medium and bile salts. The results of this study demonstrated through viable plate count analysis that the five serotypes tested (O157:H7, O111:H8, O103:K.:H8, O145:H28, and O26:H11) were capable of growing in rumen fluid medium. However, the concentrations of the serotypes O103:K. :H8 and O26:H11 after 24 h were significantly less (p < 0.05) than that observed for the other serotypes tested. A significant decrease (p = 0.03) in the survival of O103:K. :H8 in 50 mg/mL of bovine bile salts in comparison to the other STEC strains tested was also observed. Collectively, these data suggest that non-O157 serogroups of E. coli respond differently to the environment of the bovine gastrointestinal tract. Further research is needed to elucidate how these differential physiological variations correlate with alterations in colonization success within ruminants and how they may impact human illnesses.
Stretchable Eddy Current Noncontact Gap Sensor Based on Spiral Conductive Polymer Composite

To develop a stretchable eddy current noncontact gap sensor, the metal coil is replaced by a spiral element based on conductive polymer composite (i.e., composite spiral element). The current in the composite spiral element forms a vortex flow. The eddy current effect occurs when a metal object approaches the composite spiral element carried with alternating current. The experimental data show that the impedance of the composite spiral element changes regularly with the gap between the composite spiral element and the metal object. The test results verify the feasibility of using a composite spiral element as a stretchable eddy current noncontact gap sensor.
Effects of Cigarette Smoke Fractions on the Chemotaxis of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

The effects of cigarette smoking fractions on polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotaxis were determined using the 51Cr‐assay. Water‐soluble fractions (WSF) of cigarette smoke produced from several tobacco types differed in inhibitory potencies (i.e., flue cured ≥ Maryland ≥ blended > Burley ≥ Turkish) corresponding to the respective unsaturated aldehyde content of the smoke from these tobaccos. Fractionation of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) demonstrated that the more polar fractions were potent inhibitors of chemotaxis whereas those containing nicotine and the polycyclic hydrocarbons were weak inhibitors of chemotaxis. Unlike the inhibitory effects of WSFs, CSC fractions did not inhibit random migration and their inhibition of chemotaxis could not be completely prevented by reduced glutathione. These data suggest that while the α,β‐unsaturated aldehydes present in the vapor phase of smoke are among the most potent inhibitors of in vitro PMN chemotaxis, other polar, nonvolatile constituents of cigarette smoke also inhibit chemotaxis and by a mechanism which differs from that of the unsaturated aldehydes.
Characteristics of tuberculosis patients who generate secondary cases.

OBJECTIVE To determine the characteristics of smear positive tuberculosis (TB) patients who generate secondary TB cases. METHODS Those smear positive TB patients detected by the Barcelona Tuberculosis Program between 1990-1993, and for whom contact studies had been performed, were studied. We analyzed the predictive role of the variables: age, sex, intravenous drug use (IVDU), the presence of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, radiology pattern, district of residence, history of imprisonment, alcoholism, smoking, history of TB, treatment compliance and the number of secondary cases generated. Statistical analysis was based on the logistic regression model, calculating the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Of the 1079 patients studied, 78 (7.2%) had generated only one secondary case, and 30 (2.8%) two or more. The variables associated with generating two or more secondary cases were: IVDU (P < 0.001; OR = 4.06; CI: 1.80-9.15), cavitary radiology pattern (P = 0.002; OR = 3.69; CI: 1.62-8.43), and age (P = 0.016; OR = 0.98; CI: 0.96-0.99). When we examined those who had generated one or more secondary cases, the following variables were significant: IVDU (P = 0.043; OR = 1.75; CI: 1.02-3.02), cavitary radiology pattern (P < 0.001; OR = 3.07; CI: 1.98-4.77) and age (P < 0.001; OR = 0.98; CI: 0.97-0.99). CONCLUSION The study of the contacts of smear positive TB patients allows us to detect an important number of secondary cases. Young adults, those with cavitary radiology pattern, and IVDU are more likely to generate secondary cases.