Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Laparoscopic Colectomy for the Treatment of Cancer Has Been Widely Adopted in the United States

BACKGROUND: Fewer than 10% of patients with colon cancer in the United States are reportedly treated with a laparoscopic colectomy despite the benefits it has over the open approach. This estimate, however, may be artificially low because of inaccurate case identification. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the proportion of colon resections performed laparoscopically for the treatment of colon cancer and to identify factors associated with its use. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective review of the 2008 to 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. SETTINGS, PATIENTS, INTERVENTIONS: Adult patients with a diagnosis of colon cancer who underwent an elective colectomy were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The overall proportion of colon resections performed laparoscopically was calculated. Multivariable regression modeling was used to identify patient and hospital characteristics associated with undergoing a laparoscopic procedure. RESULTS: During the study period, 9075 (weighted = 45,549) patients were identified with 50% treated via the laparoscopic approach. Patients were more likely to undergo a laparoscopic procedure if their median annual income was $63,000+ based on home zip code (adjusted relative risk = 1.08 (1.02–1.16)) and less likely if they were 70+ years of age (adjusted relative risk = 0.93 (0.87–1.00)), female (adjusted relative risk = 0.96 (0.92–0.99)), and had Medicaid (adjusted relative risk =0.84 (0.73–0.97)), or 3+ chronic conditions (adjusted relative risk = 0.84 (0.79–0.89)). Treatment at teaching hospitals (adjusted relative risk =1.10 (1.00–1.20)) and high-volume centers (adjusted relative risk =1.41 (1.22–1.63)) was associated with undergoing a laparoscopic colectomy, whereas treatment at rural hospitals was associated with less frequent use of laparoscopic colectomy (adjusted relative risk = 0.76 (0.64–0.90)). LIMITATIONS: This study is subject to the limitations of using administrative data. CONCLUSIONS: There has been widespread adoption of the laparoscopic approach to colon resection for cancer in the United States. Disparities in access remain, with application of this technique favoring patients with a higher socioeconomic status and those able to be treated at higher-volume, academic, and nonrural centers.
Effect of Supernatant and Cell Lysate Extracts of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae on Biofilm and Alginate Production by Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Materials and Methods: The supernatant and lysate were extracted from the native strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and turned into dry powder. P. aeruginosa PAO1 and M 8821 strains were treated by supernatant and lysate extracts , and then production of biofilm and alginate by PAO1 and M 8821 strains , respectively, were evaluated. Supernatant with 1/2 MIC concentration in both experiments and all concentrations of lysates in biofilm test and the highest concentration of lysates in alginate test were used.
Dopamine depresses cholinergic oscillatory network activity in rat hippocampus

The dopaminergic neuronal system is implicated in cognitive processes in a variety of brain regions including the mesolimbic system. We have investigated whether dopamine also affects synchronized network activity in the hippocampus, which has been ascribed to play a pivotal role in memory formation. Gamma frequency (20–80 Hz) oscillations were induced by the cholinergic agonist carbachol. Oscillatory activity was examined in area CA3 of Wistar rat hippocampal slices, employing field potential and intracellular recordings. Application of carbachol initiated synchronized population activity in the gamma band at 40 Hz. Induced gamma activity persisted over hours and required GABAA receptors. Dopamine reversibly decreased the integrated gamma band power of the carbachol rhythm by 62%, while its frequency was not changed. By contrast, individual pyramidal cells recorded during carbachol‐induced field gamma activity exhibited theta frequency (5–15 Hz) membrane potential oscillations that were not altered by dopamine. The dopamine effect on the field gamma activity was mimicked by the D1 receptor agonist SKF‐383393 and partially antagonized by the D1 antagonist SCH‐23390. Conversely, the D2 receptor agonist quinpirole failed to depress the oscillations, and the D2 antagonist sulpiride did not prevent the suppressive dopamine effect. The data indicate that dopamine strongly depresses cholinergic gamma oscillations in area CA3 of rat hippocampus by activation of D1‐like dopamine receptors and that this effect is most likely mediated via impairment of interneurons involved in generation and maintenance of the carbachol‐induced network rhythm.
GFRP REINFORCING OF CONCRETE MASONRY INFILL WALLS

Masonry infill walls in frame structures have been long known to affect the strength and stiffness of the infilled frame structures. In seismic areas, ignoring the composite action is not always on the safe side, since the interaction between the wall and the frame under lateral loads dramatically changes the dynamic characteristics of the composite structure and hence its response to seismic loads. It has been generally recognized that infill walls enhance the response of frame buildings in low to moderate seismic regions, yet they exhibit poor seismic performance under high seismic demand. This behavior is due to the degradation of stiffness, strength and energy dissipation capacity, which results from the progressive damage of the masonry wall and the deterioration of the wall-frame interfaces. Due to the difficulty associated with modeling, attempts of isolating the infill wall from the surrounding frame have been suggested. These attempts faced failure, primarily because of the out-of-plane instability associated with these techniques. This paper presents an ongoing study on the reinforcing of concrete masonry infill walls using GFRP laminates. Preliminary results of the study showed that the GFRP enhanced the system behavior under high loads and prevented undesirable failure modes. The GFRP reinforcing technique would also facilitate modeling by means of eliminating the anisotropic nature of masonry walls and clearly defining the failure mode of the reinforced system.
The high prevalence of inadequate serum vitamin D levels and implications for bone health

ABSTRACT Background: Inadequate serum vitamin D is associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, increased bone turnover, and bone loss, which increase fracture risk. Osteomalacia has also been observed in severe cases. Indeed, vitamin D and calcium are essential components of management strategies for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Despite this, many people currently do not have adequate vitamin D levels. This problem has been documented in many studies around the world, regardless of age, health status, or latitude, and is especially common among older adults, who are also likely to have osteoporosis. Factors that contribute to low vitamin D include low exposure to sunlight, decreased synthesis in skin and reduced intestinal absorption related to aging, and limited dietary sources. Supplementation is the most effective means of correcting poor vitamin D nutrition. However, few patients with osteoporosis currently take sufficient vitamin D supplements. Scope: This review article discusses the role of vitamin D in osteoporosis and skeletal health, and summarizes what is known about the high prevalence of inadequate serum vitamin D and recommendations for supplementation. Conclusion: Greater awareness of the importance of vitamin D for skeletal health and more aggressive supplementation efforts are urgently needed to address this important public health problem.
Measurement of Binary Diffusion Coefficients of Compounds at Infinite Dilution in Water as a Function of Temperature Using Teledyne Isco Syringe Pumps

Introduction Biomass substrates and other natural products comprise a number of biological solutes such as sugars, antioxidants, vitamins, proteins, and more. Such biological solutes are significant for application as alternative agents in food, pharmaceutical, and fuel industries. The extraction of such biological solutes from the natural sources using a “green” sustainable solvent such as water requires the knowledge of their thermodynamic and mass transfer properties as a function of temperature. However, such data is insufficient and in some cases, even non-existent in the literature. A flow apparatus developed using a Teledyne Isco high precision syringe pump at constant flow rate, a Rheodyne six-port injector, empty stainless steel tubing as a column, a constant temperature oven, and an absorbance detector, was used to measure the elution profiles of certain flavonoids and carbochemicals in water as a function of temperature, using the principle of chromatographic peak broadening. The solutes under study are extremely sensitive to such environmental factors as heat, light, and oxygen. The chromatographic peak broadening technique, or the Taylor-Aris dispersion technique, has been effectively used to determine the diffusion coefficients of the flavonoids in water until around 413 K, and of the carbochemicals in water until 473 K. The detection of the elution peaks for these compounds is based on their absorbance in UV and visible spectral wavelengths set in the absorbance detector.
Natural Hot Spots for Gain of Multiple Resistances: Arsenic and Antibiotic Resistances in Heterotrophic, Aerobic Bacteria from Marine Hydrothermal Vent Fields

ABSTRACT Microorganisms are responsible for multiple antibiotic resistances that have been associated with resistance/tolerance to heavy metals, with consequences to public health. Many genes conferring these resistances are located on mobile genetic elements, easily exchanged among phylogenetically distant bacteria. The objective of the present work was to isolate arsenic-, antimonite-, and antibiotic-resistant strains and to determine the existence of plasmids harboring antibiotic/arsenic/antimonite resistance traits in phenotypically resistant strains, in a nonanthropogenically impacted environment. The hydrothermal Lucky Strike field in the Azores archipelago (North Atlantic, between 11°N and 38°N), at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, protected under the OSPAR Convention, was sampled as a metal-rich pristine environment. A total of 35 strains from 8 different species were isolated in the presence of arsenate, arsenite, and antimonite. ACR3 and arsB genes were amplified from the sediment's total DNA, and 4 isolates also carried ACR3 genes. Phenotypic multiple resistances were found in all strains, and 7 strains had recoverable plasmids. Purified plasmids were sequenced by Illumina and assembled by EDENA V3, and contig annotation was performed using the “Rapid Annotation using the Subsystems Technology” server. Determinants of resistance to copper, zinc, cadmium, cobalt, and chromium as well as to the antibiotics β-lactams and fluoroquinolones were found in the 3 sequenced plasmids. Genes coding for heavy metal resistance and antibiotic resistance in the same mobile element were found, suggesting the possibility of horizontal gene transfer and distribution of theses resistances in the bacterial population.
Relationship between expression of CD105 and growth factors in malignant tumors of gastrointestinal tract and its significance.

AIM Angiogenesis is an important step in the growth of solid malignant tumors. A number of angiogenic factors have been found such as transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). However, the roles of TGF-beta1 and VEGF in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis are still unclear. This study was to investigate the expressions of TGF-beta1 and VEGF in gastrointestinal tract malignant tumors, as well as their association with microvessel density (MVD). At the same time, we also observed the localization of TGF-beta1 and its receptor CD105 in gastric malignant tumors. METHODS The expressions of TGF-beta1 and CD105 were detected in 55 fresh specimens of gastric carcinoma and VEGF and CD105 in 44 fresh specimens of colorectal carcinoma by immunohistochemical staining (S-ABC). TGF-beta1 and CD105 in 55 gastric carcinoma tissues on the same slide were detected by using double-stain Immunohistochemistry (DS-ABC). RESULTS Among the 55 cases of gastric carcinoma tissues, 30 were positive for TGF-beta1 (54.55%). The MVD of TGF-beta1 strong positive group (++ approximately +++ 23.22 +/- 5.8) was significantly higher than that of weak positive group (+17.56 +/- 7.2) and negative group (- 17.46 +/- 3.9) (q=4.5, q=5.3207, respectively, P<0.01). In the areas of high expression of TGF-beta1, MVD and the expression of CD105 were also high. Among the 44 cases of colonic carcinoma tissues, 26 were positive for VEGF (59.1%). The expressions of both VEGF and CD105 (MVD) were related with the depth of invasion (F=5.438, P<0.05; F=4.168, P=0.05), lymph node metastasis (F=10.311, P<0.01; F=20.282, P<0.01) and Dukes stage (F=6.196, P<0.01; F=10.274, P<0.01), but not with histological grade (F=0.487, P>0.05). There was a significant correlation between the expression of VEGF and CD105 (MVD) (r=0.720, P<0.01). CONCLUSION Over-expression of TGF-beta1 and VEGF acts as stimulating factors of angiogenesis in gastrointestinal tumors. CD105, as a receptor of TGF-beta1, can regulate the biological effect of TGF-beta1 in tumor angiogenesis. MVD marked by CD105 is more suitable for detecting newborn blood vessels.
Treatment of tremor in Parkinson's disease by subthalamic nucleus stimulation

The recent resurgent interest in functional surgery for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) has focused on the effects on akinesia and levodopa‐induced dyskinesia. Stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improves akinesia and rigidity but its effects on tremor have not been studied. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of STN stimulation on tremor in patients with the complete parkinsonian triad with motor fluctuations. Of 27 consecutive patients with STN stimulation (26 bilateral), 15 exhibited tremor rated at least 2/4 according to item 20 (rest tremor) of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) in at least one limb. The mean preoperative tremor score was 11.3 ± 5.6 in off‐drug and 1.2 ± 2.4 in on‐drug conditions. The postoperative tremor scores at the last follow up (from 1–12 months) were 2.2 ± 2.2 off‐drug/on‐stimulation and 0.2 ± 0.4 on‐drug/on‐stimulation. Both rest and action tremors were improved in all patients. The UPDRS tremor score was reduced by 80%, rigidity score by 65%, and akinesia score by 51% on average. For the three symptoms, the stimulation effect was close to that induced before surgery by a suprathreshold dose of levodopa given in the morning. STN stimulation can be considered an interesting alternative to thalamic or internal pallidal surgery even in PD patients with severe high‐amplitude tremor. In keeping with electrophysiological data in monkeys rendered parkinsonian by MPTP injections, our results emphasize the importance of the oscillation of a neuronal loop involving the STN in the pathophysiology of parkinsonian tremor.
An application of logistics regression model to determining the credit suitability and impacting factors in a special bank branch

There are quite complicated rules and constraints that can b e imposed by the bank when the loan issued. Bank branches, which play a direct role in the credit, must accurately deter mine the customer’s credit request to eliminate these diffic ulties and create an effective payment system according to the customer. In th e study, 100 random loan applications made in 2016 of a bank br anch operating in the Black Sea Region were examined. These custo mer demands are affecting customer characteristics. The ”L ogistic Regression (LR) Model” was created to predict creditworthi ness according to the identified fugitives. In the model, cus tomer age, education, marital status, debt grade, credit card debt, ot her debts, cross product are the variables. These are statis tically significant in terms of marital status, gender, cross product, or creditwo rthiness. However, various variables such as debt income ra tio, credit card debt, and other debts are statistically significant and affe ct credibility to negatively. In addition, occupational, i ncome and educational constraints were found to be meaningless. With this model, t h factors affecting the credit were evaluated. As a result o f the study, the bank branch will benefit from the statistical model in which i t is created, to evaluate according to the customer characte ristics in its portfolio, and to give more credit to branch customers.
cDNA Synthesis Iranian Hyalomma Anatolicum Anatolicum Cattle Tick for Sequencing Bm 86 of Gene Homologue

Ticks are the main cause of damage to livestock industries annually. Recently, anti tick recombinant vaccines have been developed by using a concealed antigen Bm86 against Boophilus microplus which is named Tick GARD and GAVAC in Australia and Cuba respectively. Using Single-step method, total RNA was extracted. RNA concentration was measured by spectrophotometry.Using oligo(dT) method RT-PCR was done and finally, after cDNA synthesis, using one pair of primer (155U19/ 515L19) PCR was done. A 266bp fragment at the N-terminal of cDNA was sequenced. This fragment was compared by Bm86 gene homologue in Iranian Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum, and Bm86 gene in Boophilus microplus using BLAST and DNAMAN programs. A high homology for Iranian Hyalomma anatolicum. anatolicum (98%) and (80-82%) for Boophilus microplus was recorded.
Granulocytes in Ocular HSV-1 Infection: Opposing Roles of Mast Cells and Neutrophils.

PURPOSE The contributions of mast cells (MCs) to immunologic defense against pathogens in the eye are unknown. We have characterized pericorneal MCs as tissue-resident innate sentinels and determined their impact on the immune response to herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), a common ocular pathogen. METHODS The impact of mast cells on the immune response to HSV-1 infection was investigated using MC-deficient Kit(W-sh) mice. Virus titers, inflammatory cytokine production, eicosanoid profiles, cellular immune responses, and ocular pathology were evaluated and compared with C57BL/6J mice during an acute corneal HSV-1 infection. RESULTS Corneas of Kit(W-sh) mice have higher viral titers, increased edema, and greater leukocyte infiltration following HSV-1 infection. Following infection, cytokine profiles were slightly elevated overall in Kit(W-sh) mice. Eicosanoid profiles were remarkably different only when comparing uninfected corneas from both groups. Neutrophils within infected corneas expressed HSV-1 antigen, lytic genes, and served as a disease-causing vector when adoptively transferred into immunocompromised animals. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells did not infiltrate into the cornea or suppress the expansion, recruitment, or cytokine production by CD8+ T cells following acute HSV-1 infection. CONCLUSIONS Collectively, these findings provide new insight into host defense in the cornea and the pathogenesis of HSV-1 infection by identifying previously unacknowledged MCs as protective innate sentinels for infection of the ocular surface and reinforcing that neutrophils are detrimental to corneal infection.
Beyond the target pathogen: ecological effects of the hospital formulary

Purpose of review Antibiotic therapy has the potential for intended as well as unintended consequences due to ecological effects that extend beyond the target pathogen. This review examines some of the collateral damage and collateral benefit that may occur when using antibiotic therapy. Recent findings Antibiotics excreted in the gastrointestinal tract cause alterations of the indigenous flora. Such disruptions may increase the risk of colonization and overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, including resistant species, with the potential for serious infection for an individual patient as well as possible hospital-wide dissemination resulting in local outbreaks of infection. For example, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI), and particularly associated diarrhea and colitis, is a potentially serious and growing problem in hospitals worldwide, and is associated with disruption of gut flora through use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially those with antianaerobic activity. Infection control measures and improved antibiotic stewardship are key measures for CDI prevention. Another example is the risk of intestinal colonization and overgrowth with resistant bacteria, which is heightened in surgical patients requiring antimicrobial therapy for intraabdominal infections. Results from two Optimizing Intra-Abdominal Surgery with Invanz studies (OASIS-I and OASIS-II) suggested emergence of resistant Enterobacteriaceae was less likely in these patients treated with ertapenem than in those treated with ceftriaxone/metronidazole or piperacillin/tazobactam. Finally, recent studies have reported that increased use of a nonpseudomonal carbapenem such as ertapenem does not reduce the susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to pseudomonal carbapenems, for example, imipenem or meropenem. In fact, data from one study showed increased ertapenem/decreased imipenem use was associated with improved susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to imipenem, probably due to decreased selective pressure for resistant species. Summary Improper antibiotic use can be associated with detrimental effects related to the ecological impacts of these drugs. Improved antibiotic stewardship and appropriate infection control measures are key to minimization of the collateral damage associated with antibiotic therapy and may even have collateral benefits.
EBM AND NECK PAIN Z DOKAZI PODPRTA MEDICINA IN BOLEČINA

This article aimed to review the scientific literature on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of non-specific neck pain. The objective was to propose an evidence-based review on how to diagnose and to treat adults who suffer from nonspecific neck pain. Nevertheless, all conclusions should be applied with caution due to the actual weaknesses of most studies and should be applied as a guide to clinical decision making. The result is a limited number of key messages useful for clinical practice. These messages are mostly consistent with (inter)national guidelines.
Chapter 1 Solid State Drives ( SSDs )

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are unanimously considered the enabling factor for bringing enterprise storage performances to the next level. Indeed, the rotatingstorage technology of Hard Disk Drives (HDDs) can’t achieve the access-time required by applications where response time is the critical factor. On the contrary, SSDs are based on solid statememories, namelyNANDFlashmemories: in this case, there aren’t anymechanical parts and randomaccess to stored data can bemuch faster, thus addressing the above mentioned needs. In many applications though, the interface between host processors and drives remains the performance bottleneck. This is why SSD’s interface has evolved from legacy storage interfaces, such as SAS and SATA, to PCIe, which enables a direct connection of the SSD to the host processor. In this chapter we give an overview of the SSD’s architecture by describing the basic building blocks, such as the Flash controller, the Flash File System (FFS), and the most popular I/O interfaces (SAS, SATA and PCIe).