Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Markers in the Assessment of Intestinal Inflammation in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Performance of Fecal Lactoferrin, Calprotectin, and PMN-Elastase, CRP, and Clinical Indices

OBJECTIVES:The aim of this study was to compare the performance of fecal lactoferrin (Lf), calprotectin (Cal), polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase (PMN-e), as well as serum C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) to address (a) whether these markers can differentiate IBD patients with endoscopically assessed inflammation from IBD patients without inflammation and from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); (b) whether they correlate with endoscopic severity of inflammation; and (c) whether a combination of fecal markers with the respective disease-specific activity indices may increase the diagnostic accuracy with reference to the endoscopic severity of inflammation.METHODS:Fecal levels of Lf, Cal, and PMN-e and serum CRP were assessed in 139 patients undergoing diagnostic ileocolonoscopy (54 IBS patients, 42 ulcerative colitis [UC], 43 Crohn's disease [CD]). Disease activity was determined for CU with the colitis activity index (CAI) and for CD with the Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI). The performance of each marker with reference to endoscopic inflammatory activity was assessed by computing correlations, and sensitivity and specificity using published as well as adjusted cutoffs. A comprehensive activity index was computed by combining results from fecal markers, serum CRP, and a clinical activity index.RESULTS:UC or CD patients with active inflammation demonstrated significantly higher levels of Lf, Cal, and PMN-e in feces as well as serum-CRP when compared to patients with inactive inflammation as well as patients with IBS (all P < 0.05). Using adjusted cutoffs enabled a marked improvement of all markers with an overall diagnostic accuracy in IBD of 80.0% for Lf, 80.0% for Cal, 74.1% for PMN-e, 64.0% for CRP, and 79.0% for the respective clinical disease scores. Cal showed the highest diagnostic accuracy in CD (81.4%), whereas Lf was superior to the other markers in UC (83.3%). The comprehensive activity index yielded a further improvement of sensitivity and specificity, with a diagnostic accuracy of 95.3% for UC patients.CONCLUSION:The fecal markers Lf, Cal, and PMN-e are able to differentiate active IBD from inactive IBD as well as from IBS. None of these three stool markers is consistently superior in its ability to reflect endoscopic inflammation, but all three are superior to CRP in their diagnostic accuracy. A combination of the stool markers with the CRP and a disease-specific activity index in a categorical comprehensive activity index can increase the diagnostic accuracy with reference to the endoscopic inflammation in UC.
Mapping vulnerability to extreme heat events: lessons from metropolitan Chicago

In this paper, we develop an approach for identifying the location of populations most vulnerable to extreme heat events and how those locations change over time. We scan the literature on measuring vulnerability, especially sensitivity and adaptive capacity of populations. We employ Census data for metropolitan Chicago for the years 1990, 2000, and 2010, and maximum likelihood factor analysis to derive an index and map the distribution of Census tracts where residents exhibit greater sensitivity and/or lower adaptive capacity to extreme heat. Our findings show a pattern of deconcentration and decentralization of these populations within the city and region over time, with gentrification and the suburbanization of poverty trends observed in many US metropolitan regions as possible contributing factors. Finally, we discuss the implications of these findings for planning efforts in the study area and offer suggestions for further research.
Caenorhabditis elegans genes sma-2, sma-3, and sma-4 define a conserved family of transforming growth factor beta pathway components.

Although transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily ligands play critical roles in diverse developmental processes, how cells transduce signals from these ligands is still poorly understood. Cell surface receptors for these ligands have been identified, but their cytoplasmic targets are unknown. We have identified three Caenorhabditis elegans genes, sma-2, sma-3, and sma-4, that have mutant phenotypes similar to those of the TGF-beta-like receptor gene daf-4, indicating that they are required for daf-4-mediated developmental processes. We show that sma-2 functions in the same cells as daf-4, consistent with a role in transducing signals from the receptor. These three genes define a protein family, the dwarfins, that includes the Mad gene product, which participates in the decapentaplegic TGF-beta-like pathway in Drosophila [Sekelsky, J. J., Newfeld, S. J., Raftery, L. A. , Chartoff, E. H. & Gelbart, W. M. (1995) Genetics 139, 1347-1358]. The identification of homologous components of these pathways in distantly related organisms suggests that dwarfins may be universally required for TGF-beta-like signal transduction. In fact, we have isolated highly conserved dwarfins from vertebrates, indicating that these components are not idiosyncratic to invertebrates. These analyses suggest that dwarfins are conserved cytoplasmic signal transducers.
Achieving Economic Self-Sufficiency Through Housing Assistance: An Assessment of a Self-Sufficiency Program of the Housing Authority of Champaign County, Illinois

ABSTRACT This study examines the early impact of a Local Self-Sufficiency (LSS) program of the Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC), Illinois, on recipients’ total annual household income and earnings, and employment. In 2013, HACC, through LSS, mandated work requirements for households with working-age, able-bodied adult members and imposed sanctions on those who did not meet the program requirements. We find that, between 2012 and 2014, the LSS program led to an average increase of $2,283 in earnings for an individual household. In aggregate, this allowed HACC to serve an additional 98 (9%) LSS-eligible households for a year. Also, LSS-eligible households experienced an increase in the employment–adult ratio by 11.6 percentage points. The LSS program also had a larger impact for more economically disadvantaged households with no prior work history.
Surgical management of glaucoma: a review

This review will briefly describe the history of surgical glaucoma treatment and concentrate on the current surgical strategies for managing glaucoma. A discussion of treatments for angle closure, open‐angle glaucoma and paediatric glaucoma with an emphasis on drainage surgery are included. The role of cataract surgery is also briefly described. Drainage surgery evolved from peripheral iridectomy and sclerotomy with an increasing understanding of aqueous flow within the eye and the production of a functioning bleb. The current mainstays include trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage devices as well as goniotomy and trabeculotomy, which have all been in existence for more than 40 years. Their various advantages as well as methods used to minimize their disadvantages, including the antimitotics and case selection are discussed. We finish by discussing the preliminary results of some newer forms of drainage surgery illustrating the energetic search for methods to minimize the problems of hypotony and bleb failure.
Dynamic penile peak systolic velocity predicts major adverse cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients with erectile dysfunction

Objective: Hypertension is associated with an abnormal penile blood flow. Reduced dynamic penile peak systolic velocity (D-PSV) correlates with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The aim of this study is to investigate whether abnormal penile blood flow predicts major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in hypertensive men. Methods: In total, 298 hypertensive men (55 ± 9 y/o) without known cardiovascular disease or diabetes were evaluated for cavernous vascular disease severity by dynamic penile Doppler ultrasound. The whole population was divided into tertiles according to D-PSV reduction (low tertile <25 cm/s; middle tertile 25–35 cm/s; and high tertile >35 cm/s). Predictive performance was evaluated with calibration, discrimination, and reclassification. Results: During the mean follow-up period of 4.9 years, a total of 22 (7%) MACE occurred. D-PSV level was associated with MACE and the differences between the tertiles were significant (Mantel log-rank test: 6.54; P < 0.01). A Cox proportional hazard model showed that study participants in the lowest D-PSV tertile (<25 cm/s) had an approximately 3.5-fold higher MACE risk compared with those in the highest D-PSV tertile (>35 cm/s) after adjustment for age, systolic pressure, metabolic parameters, smoking, C-reactive protein, and testosterone levels. Low D-PSV did not significantly improve the C-statistic model (0.774 vs. 0.767; P = 0.44), whereas the calibration was satisfactory (Hosmer–Lemeshow X2 = 8.73, P = 0.30). When only intermediate-risk patients were evaluated, the risk reclassification beyond traditional risk factors resulted in a clinical net reclassification index of 9.2% that was marginally significant (P = 0.07). The integrated discrimination improvement index showed better performance of the model that included D-PSV compared with the reference model in identifying MACE (improvement index: 0.047, P = 0.038). Conclusion: Low-penile blood flow predicts MACE in hypertensive patients free of clinical atherosclerosis. This predictive ability is independent of the severity of hypertension and decreased testosterone that is often present in such patients.
HIV-1 Resistance to CCR5 Antagonists Associated with Highly Efficient Use of CCR5 and Altered Tropism on Primary CD4+ T Cells

ABSTRACT We previously reported on a panel of HIV-1 clade B envelope (Env) proteins isolated from a patient treated with the CCR5 antagonist aplaviroc (APL) that were drug resistant. These Envs used the APL-bound conformation of CCR5, were cross resistant to other small-molecule CCR5 antagonists, and were isolated from the patient's pretreatment viral quasispecies as well as after therapy. We analyzed viral and host determinants of resistance and their effects on viral tropism on primary CD4+ T cells. The V3 loop contained residues essential for viral resistance to APL, while additional mutations in gp120 and gp41 modulated the magnitude of drug resistance. However, these mutations were context dependent, being unable to confer resistance when introduced into a heterologous virus. The resistant virus displayed altered binding between gp120 and CCR5 such that the virus became critically dependent on the N′ terminus of CCR5 in the presence of APL. In addition, the drug-resistant Envs studied here utilized CCR5 very efficiently: robust virus infection occurred even when very low levels of CCR5 were expressed. However, recognition of drug-bound CCR5 was less efficient, resulting in a tropism shift toward effector memory cells upon infection of primary CD4+ T cells in the presence of APL, with relative sparing of the central memory CD4+ T cell subset. If such a tropism shift proves to be a common feature of CCR5-antagonist-resistant viruses, then continued use of CCR5 antagonists even in the face of virologic failure could provide a relative degree of protection to the TCM subset of CD4+ T cells and result in improved T cell homeostasis and immune function.
The effect of gender on university students’ school performance: the case of the National School of Agriculture in Meknes, Morocco

Throughout our experience as teachers, we feel intrigued by the observation of changes that have occurred in relation to gender in terms of number and performance. However, this observation needs to be confirmed by studies and scientific results in order to avoid prejudice. This paper investigates the number of girls enrolled in the School of Agriculture compared with the number of boys since the establishment of the school. The study also explores gender differences in their academic achievement. The data used include exam scores of students at the National School of Agriculture in Meknes from 2008 to 2015. The scores will be considered according to the independent variables, namely subjects, the graduating classes and gender. Subjects are classified into three main categories: scientific subjects (mathematics and statistics), technical subjects (agronomy and animal care), and language subjects (English and French). The analysis results showed a noticeable increase in the number of girls compared to boys. Moreover, girls proved to be more likely to perform better than boys in different subjects.
A decoding for low density parity check codes over impulsive noise channels

Power line channel often suffers from impulsive interference generated by electrical appliances. Therefore, power line communication makes degradation due to such impulsive interference. We introduce Middleton's class a noise model into a statistical model of impulsive noise environment. In this paper, we apply LDPC (low density parity check) codes and sum-product decoding to additive white class a noise (AWAN) channels. We propose a sum-product decoding which is suitable for AWAN channels. In addition, we show the BER (bit error rate) performance of the proposed sum-product decoding in class a noise environment by computer simulation.
The IGF system and cytokine interactions and relationships with longitudinal growth in prepubertal patients with cystic fibrosis

Objective Growth delay is a feature of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). CF is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation that has been shown to modify the IGF system, which is essential for normal growth, and is related to pulmonary function in CF patients. We aimed to verify whether circulating levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, insulin and the IGF system were related and/or had relationships with linear growth in children with CF.
Roles of β-Lactamases and Porins in Activities of Carbapenems and Cephalosporins against Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Two clinical isolates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae were noted to be less susceptible than expected to imipenem. Both were missing outer membrane proteins that serve as channels for antibiotic entry. The role of β-lactamase in resistance was investigated by eliminating the original ESBL and introducing plasmids encoding various ESBLs and AmpC β-lactamase types, by studying the effect of an increased inoculum, and by evaluating interactions with β-lactamase inhibitors. The contribution of porin deficiency was investigated by restoring a functional ompK36 gene on a plasmid. Plasmids encoding AmpC-type β-lactamases provided resistance to imipenem (up to 64 μg/ml) and meropenem (up to 16 μg/ml) in strains deficient in porins. Carbapenem resistance showed little inoculum effect, was not affected by clavulanate but was blocked by BRL 42715, and was diminished if OmpK36 porin was restored. Plasmids encoding TEM- and SHV-type ESBLs conferred resistance to cefepime and cefpirome, as well as to earlier oxyimino-β-lactams. This resistance was magnified with an increased inoculum, was blocked by clavulanate, and was also lowered by OmpK36 porin restoration. In addition, SHV-2 β-lactamase had a small effect on carbapenem resistance (imipenem MIC, 4 μg/ml, increasing to 16 μg/ml with a higher inoculum) when porins were absent. In K. pneumoniae porin loss can thus augment resistance provided either by TEM- or SHV-type ESBLs or by plasmid-mediated AmpC enzymes to include the latest oxyimino-β-lactams and carbapenems.
Lead Exposure, IQ, and Behavior in Urban 5- to 7-Year-Olds: Does Lead Affect Behavior Only by Lowering IQ?

BACKGROUND. Lead exposure in childhood lowers IQ scores, but its effect on children's behavior is less clear. Because IQ, per se, affects behavior, measuring the direct effect of lead requires measuring and then adjusting for IQ. In addition, either peak blood lead concentration, usually at 2 years old, or the lower blood lead level measured at school age may be the most relevant. Few studies have all of this information. OBJECTIVES. The purpose of this work was to differentiate the direct effect of lead on behavior and the indirect effect through IQ and to examine the strength of the association for peak and concurrent blood lead concentration. METHODS. Data come from a clinical trial of the chelating drug succimer to prevent cognitive impairment in 780 urban 12- to 33-month-olds with blood lead concentrations of 20 to 44 μg/dL. The children were followed from ages 2 to 7 years. The trial data were analyzed as a prospective observational study. RESULTS. Blood lead concentration at 2 years old was not associated with Conners' Parent Rating Scale-Revised scores at 5 years of age or Behavioral Assessment Systems for Children scores at 7 years of age. Blood lead level at 7 years of age had direct effects on the Behavioral Assessment Systems for Children behavioral symptoms index, externalizing, and school problems at age 7. CONCLUSIONS. Concurrent blood lead concentration was associated with externalizing and school problems scales at 7 years of age, and the effect was not entirely mediated through the effect of lead on IQ.
A prospective study of same day bi-directional endoscopy in the evaluation of patients with occult gastrointestinal bleeding

Objective. Previous studies show conflicting results in the diagnostic yield of oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) and colonoscopy (bi-directional) in identifying potential bleeding sources (PBS) in patients investigated for occult gastrointestinal bleeding (OGIB). The aims of this study were to evaluate the diagnostic yield of bi-directional endoscopy in patients presenting with OGIB and to assess the factors predictive of a positive yield. Material and methods. Patients with OGIB referred to the gastroenterology unit were prospectively included in the study. Colonoscopy was immediately followed by OGD. Predetermined criteria for the diagnosis of a PBS were used. Potential clinical factors predictive of positive yield were assessed. Results. Of the 219 patients (mean age 65 years, 34% M), 110 (50%) had at least one PBS. Colonoscopy revealed 87 PBS in 73 patients (33%), the most common being adenoma. OGD detected 49 PBS in 48 patients (22%), gastric ulcer being the most common. Of the patients with PBS at OGD, 23% also had a PBS at colonoscopy, including 3 patients with colonic cancers. Patients presenting with either a positive faecal occult blood test (FOBT) or iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) only had a significantly lower yield for PBS than patients with combined positive FOBT and IDA. The percentages of patients with a PBS increased substantially with age. Conclusions. A PBS was found in only 50% of the patients. Colonoscopy had a slightly higher diagnostic yield, and as expected, resulted in a significantly higher cancer detection rate than OGD. In older patients, colonoscopy should be done irrespective of the findings at OGD. Gastrointestinal-specific symptoms and the use of ASA/NSAIDs were not predictive in finding or localizing PBS.
Bilirubin and Biliverdin Treatment of Atherosclerotic Diseases

We have recently shown that the natural bile pigment bilirubin has antiproliferative effects on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Bilirubin is the end product of heme catabolism mediated by heme oxygenases and has for decades been considered a toxic waste product of our bodies. However, 14 separate studies and a meta-analysis have documented an inverse correlation between atherosclerosis and the levels of bilirubin in normal individuals. Having high normal or supranormal levels of bilirubin is associated with less atherosclerotic-type disease as compared with that in individuals with low normal levels of bilirubin. This combined with experimental data showing anti-atherosclerotic properties of the enzyme heme oxygenase-1 encouraged us to hypothesize that bilirubin and its precursor biliverdin, would act to ameliorate components of atherosclerosis, in a manner similar to what has been shown with HO 1. Both did so in an animal model of restenosis in which vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation leads to intimal proliferation and causes narrowing of the vessels. We also analyzed the antiproliferative effects of the bile pigments in an in vitro system where bilirubin/biliverdin caused p53 dependent cell cycle arrest by hypophosphorylation of the retinoblastoma tumor suppressor protein in growth factor stimulated VSMCs.
Properties of ceramics prepared using dry discharged waste to energy bottom ash dust

The fine dust of incinerator bottom ash generated from dry discharge systems can be transformed into an inert material suitable for the production of hard, dense ceramics. Processing involves the addition of glass, ball milling and calcining to remove volatile components from the incinerator bottom ash. This transforms the major crystalline phases present in fine incinerator bottom ash dust from quartz (SiO2), calcite (CaCO3), gehlenite (Ca2Al2SiO7) and hematite (Fe2O3), to the pyroxene group minerals diopside (CaMgSi2O6), clinoenstatite (MgSi2O6), wollastonite (CaSiO3) together with some albite (NaAlSi3O8) and andradite (Ca3Fe2Si3O12). Processed powders show minimal leaching and can be pressed and sintered to form dense (>2.5 g cm-3), hard ceramics that exhibit low firing shrinkage (<7%) and zero water absorption. The research demonstrates the potential to beneficially up-cycle the fine incinerator bottom ash dust from dry discharge technology into a raw material suitable for the production of ceramic tiles that have potential for use in a range of industrial applications.
Mid- and long-term quality-of-life assessment in patients undergoing uterine fibroid embolization.

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to assess the mid- and long-term outcomes concerning fibroid-specific and fibroid-associated quality of life in patients treated by uterine fibroid embolization. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective cohort study was performed, including consecutive patients with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Analysis was performed by a questionnaire consisting of 49 questions about six topics: baseline characteristics, preinterventional status, diagnostic workup and treatment planning, periinterventional period and procedure-related quality of life, follow-up, and general satisfaction. RESULTS The analysis was performed based on questionnaires from 53 (85.5%) of 62 patients. The mean follow-up was 3.0 +/- 1.0 (SD) years (range, 1.0-5.0 years). Uterine fibroid embolization led to a reduction of bleeding symptoms in 79.2% of patients (n = 48 before uterine fibroid embolization; n = 10 after uterine fibroid embolization), pain in 81.5% (n = 27; n = five, respectively), bulk-related symptoms in 78.6% (n = 14; n = three, respectively), urinary dysfunction in 60% (n = 10; n = four, respectively), sexual dysfunction in 71.4% (n = seven; n = two, respectively), fatigue in 62.5% (n = 24; n = nine, respectively), limitations in social life in 88.2% (n = 17; n = two, respectively), and a depressed mood in 89.5% (n = 19; n = two, respectively). The median impairment score for bleeding and pain decreased significantly from 6 to 0 and from 4 to 0, respectively (both p < 0.001). The general quality-of-life index increased significantly from 6 to 9 (p < 0.001). Forty-two (79.2%) patients judged the result as very satisfactory and would highly recommend uterine fibroid embolization to other patients. CONCLUSION Uterine fibroid embolization leads to an impressive mid- and long-term improvement of all investigated physical and psychological fibroid-related and fibroid-associated symptoms and significantly improves women's health-related quality of life.