Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An update on joint-specific outcome measures in total hip replacement

This is the latest review of joint-specific tools used to evaluate patients undergoing total hip replacement (THR) surgery, which is an effective treatment for end-stage osteoarthritis. Due to the large number and multitude of scales and their variants used, a critical assessment of the available tools is necessary. In the article, we briefly describe six different clinical tools: the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, the Hip Disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, the Harris Hip Score, the Oxford Hip Score, the Mayo Hip Score, and the Rheumatoid and Arthritis Outcome Score. We present the advantages and constraints of the different outcome measures, providing a helpful resource of information for clinical trials and for everyday routine evaluation.
Inactivation of Avian Influenza Viruses by Alkaline Disinfectant Solution

Avian influenza viruses cause a considerable threat to humans and animals. In this study, we investigated whether alkaline disinfectant solution can inactivate H5N1, H3N2, H6N1, and H9N2 subtypes of avian influenza virus. When H5N1, H3N2, H6N1, and H9N2 avian influenza viruses were treated with alkaline solution diluted with PBS (pH 7.2) prior to infection into MDCK cells, alkaline disinfectant solution (at dilutions up to 10 -2 ) completely inactivated all avian influenza subtypes tested. To confirm the inactivation of avian influenza viruses by alkaline disinfectant solution, we used an immunofluorescence assay with influenza A anti-nucleoprotein antibody and FITC-labeled secondary antibody to stain MDCK cells infected with avian H9N2 influenza viruses. No staining was observed in MDCK cells infected with H9N2 viruses that were pre-treated with a 10 -2 dilution of alkaline disinfectant solution, while strong staining was observed in MDCK cells infected with H9N2 viruses without pre-treatment. Our results indicate that alkaline solution could help to control avian influenza viruses including the highly pathogenic H5N1 subtype.
Comparative Effects of Supplemental DL-2-hydroxy-4-[methylthio] Butanoic Acid and DL-methionine in Diet on Egg Production and Quality in Laying Hens

This study was conducted to compare the effects of DL-2-hydroxy-4-[methylthio] butanoic acid (HMB) and DLmethionine (DLM) on egg production performance and egg quality of laying hens. Two hundred and eighty-eight commercial laying hens were assigned to 3 dietary treatment groups and fed the experimental diets from 34 to 46 weeks of age. The bioefficacy of HMB relative to DL-methionine (DLM) was set at 88% (weight/weight), therefore 0.115% of HMB and 0.101% of DLM were added to a basal diet. DLM and HMB supplementation increased body weight, feed intake, hen-day egg production, egg weight, FCR and egg mass (P<0.01). These supplementations also increased yolk and albumen weight (g/egg) (P<0.01), while DLM slightly decreased albumen weight (% of egg). Consequently, Haugh unit was poor by DLM supplementation but did not by HMB supplementation (P<0.05). DLM supplementation significantly increased fat content in egg (g/egg and % of egg), though level of estradiol in blood was elevated by HMB supplementation. In conclusion, HMB supplementation (as 88% bioefficacy of DLM) can be used as an effective methionine source. However, mechanism of protein and fat synthesis and/or degradation of laying hens may be differed when different form of methionine is supplied.
Production of halophilic α-amylase by immobilized cells of moderately halophilic Bacillus sp. strain TSCVKK.

Aims: To investigate the effect of cell immobilization on amylase production by the moderately halophilic bacterium, Bacillus sp. strain TSCVKK and to compare the properties of the amylase produced under immobilized conditions with the enzyme produced by the free cells. Study Design: Cell immobilization. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry Lab, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras), Chennai, Tamil Nadu, between Jan 2009 and March 2009. Methodology: Bacillus sp. strain TSCVKK was immobilized in alginate, agar, polyacrylamide and gelatin. Production of amylase was determined using 3, 5dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS). Effect of NaCl, pH, temperature on the activity of amylase was determined and compared with the amylase produced by the free cells. Results: Maximum production of 832 mU/ml was achieved with an initial cell load of 1.2% (w/v; wet weight) of 24 h grown cells immobilized in 2% agar of 4 mm block size using GSL-2 medium containing 10% NaCl and 1.5% dextrin at pH 8.0 at 30oC after 36 h of growth. Amylase production was lower when the cells were immobilized in alginate (211 mU/ml) or with the free cells of same biomass concentration as used for immobilization Research Article British Microbiology Research Journal, 2(3): 146-157, 2012 147 (333 mU/ml). Amylase was not produced when gelatin or polyacrylamide was used as the immobilization matrix. The immobilized cells in 2% agar could be used up to 5 cycles without much reduction in amylase production. Amylase produced through cell immobilization retained all the properties that were shown by amylase produced under submerged fermentation. Conclusion: Agar was the suitable matrix to immobilize Bacillus sp. strain TSCVKK for amylase production. Amylase produced under immobilization conditions retained its temperature, salt and pH requirements. Immobilized cells were used for 5 cycles without much decrease in production.
Bacteriocins In Poultry Nutrition – A Review / Bakteriocyny w żywieniu drobiu – artykuł przeglądowy

Abstract In recent years, a number of studies have shown a close relationship between broiler performance, health and the gastrointestinal microbiota. However, taking the complexity and biodiversity of the micro-ecosystem into consideration, a manipulation of the microbiota in a way that is profitable both for the host bird and for the farmer seems a difficult goal to achieve. Bacteriocins are extracellular proteinaceous compounds, synthesized by many bacterial species. Due to their different bacteriostatic effects, they have been used in human nutrition for decades. However, limited information is available regarding their effects in poultry, even though that similar mode of action as in other animals is possible. Therefore, the aim of the present review is to discuss present bacteriocin classification, mode of action and their potential role in poultry nutrition. Streszczenie W ostatnich latach ukazało się wiele prac ilustrujących ścisły związek między wynikami odchowu kurcząt rzeźnych a rozwojem endogennej mikroflory przewodu pokarmowego. Z uwagi na bioróżnorodność tego skomplikowanego mikroekosystemu, osiągnięcie potencjalnych korzyści dla ptaka-gospodarza poprzez manipulację jego flory bakteryjnej nie jest łatwym zadaniem. Bakteriocyny są substancjami białkowymi wytwarzanymi przez wiele mikroorganizmów. Ich bakteriobójcze i bakteriostatyczne właściwości są wykorzystywane od wielu lat w żywieniu ludzi. Jednak w dostępnej literaturze naukowej brakuje informacji na temat zastosowania tych związków w dietach dla kurcząt rzeźnych. Dlatego też w niniejszym artykule przeglądowym przedstawiono aktualną klasyfikację bakteriocyn, ich działanie i wykorzystanie w żywieniu drobiu.
Growth and feeding response of Pseudoplusia includens (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae) to host plants grown in controlled carbon dioxide atmospheres

Rising atmospheric carbon dioxide may alter plant/herbivore interactions. The projected rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide is expected to increase plant productivity, but little evidence is available regarding effects on insect feeding or growth. Leaves of soybean plants grown under three carbon dioxide regimes (350, 500, and 650 µl/liter)were fed to soybean looper larvae. Larvae fed at increasingly higher rates on plants from elevated carbon dioxide atmospheres: 80% greater rates on leaves from the 650 µl/liter treatment than on leaves from the 350 µl/liter treatment. Variation in larval feeding was related to the leaf content of nitrogen and water and to the leaf-specific weight. each of which was altered by the carbon dioxide growth regime of the soybean plants. This study suggests that the impact of herbivores may increase as the level of atmospheric carbon dioxide rises.
Effect of essential oils and feed enzymes on performance and nutrient utilization in broilers fed a corn/soy-based diet.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of an encapsulated blend of Essential Oils (EOS) and a cocktail of various Enzymes (ES) including phytase and xylanase on the performance and nutrient utilization in broilers fed a corn/soy-based diet reduced in calcium, phosphorus and AME. Total 640 one day-old male chickens were allocated to 4 dietary treatments, following a 2 x 2 factorial design, 2 inclusion levels of EOS (0 or 100 g/t of feed) and 2 inclusion levels of ES (0 or 350 g/t of feed). The results indicated that there was no interaction in performance of broilers between EOS and ES. During the first three weeks, the mortality of broilers fed the diet containing EOS was lower (p<0.05) and the addition of EOS to the diet improved utilization of nitrogen and ileal digestibility of energy (p<0.05). In addition, EOS appeared to have affected gut microflora and the concentration of microbial nitrogen and Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA). On day 43, EOS supplementation increased the content of microbial nitrogen in ileum and caecum digesta and the concentration of acetate and butyrate in caecum (p<0.05), but it reduced the content of propionate in caecum. Supplementation of enzyme preparation at 350g/t to the basal diet improved the ileal digestibility of calcium and phosphorus as well as apparent metabolisability of energy and nitrogen (p<0.05). Supplementing enzyme preparation increased weight gain of broilers from 1 to 21 days. These results demonstrated that the addition of EOS and feed enzyme preparation in a corn/soy-based diet reduced in calcium, phosphorus and AME provided significant benefits in terms of nutrient utilization. The positive effect of EOS was more pronounced during the starter phase.
Some mathematical programming approaches for optimizing timber age-class distributions to meet multispecies wildlife population objectives

We investigated three approaches for finding optimum allocations of forest age-classes to meet multispecies conservation objectives for a community of terrestrial vertebrate species. We illustrate our approaches using data on relative abundances of 92 species of amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals sampled from five habitat types (age-classes) of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsugamenziesii (Mirb.) Franco) forests in northwestern California. Our three approaches involved maximizing (i) the expected number of viable species; (ii) the minimum probability of viability among all species; and (iii) the joint probability of viability across all species. Each approach was demonstrated using an assumption that viability is linearly related to abundance or that viability is logistically related to abundance. We discuss limitations of our approach focusing on assumptions of data quality, relative conservation priority among taxa, relationships between estimated abundance of a population and its probability of viability, i.
Ornithology and bird conservation in North America – a Canadian perspective

Capsule A comparison between North American and European ornithology shows many differences between the two. While local knowledge was developed over millennia in Europe, in North America much was originally learned from the indigenous people. Knowing the food value of wild game was essential to survival and led to a strong tradition of wildlife management in North America. However, there was also systematic exploration of the local avifauna by museum-based collectors. This dual origin of ornithology is still detectable today. North American ornithology, particularly through the introduction of the Migratory Birds Convention Act of 1917, is strongly influenced by federal, state and provincial governments who have a statutory responsibility for the protection of wild birds. Because the USA and Canada, and more recently Mexico, are responsible for the administration of the Act, many initiatives in bird conservation involve international co-operation, starting initially with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, but now extended to all species of birds. Many partnerships involving government, professional and amateur ornithologists (e.g. Bird Studies Canada) have resulted in monitoring of bird populations similar to that done by the BTO. However, there still seems to be a paucity of population studies and survey information in the mainstream ornithological journals in North America.
SARA-SDN: state aware resource allocation in SDN to improve QoE in cloud gaming

Cloud Gaming (CG) solutions run games on cloud servers and stream the compressed video of the game over a network. While this has many benefits for both users and game companies, CG imposes two major challenges: low delay and high bandwidth are essential to ensure QoE. While the tolerable delay varies based on state of the game, previous researches do not fully exploit this concept to enhance QoE. This paper demonstrates the importance of the game-state as a criterion for game requirements. Accordingly, a game-State Aware Resource Allocation for Software-Defined Network (SDN)-based cloud gaming (SARA-SDN) is presented, which incorporates the game state into decision making. First, an SDN architecture is designed to facilitate communication of game information and control commands between game-server, SDN controller, and network switches. Second, a resource allocation algorithm is proposed that dynamically considers game-specific requirements such as delay, bandwidth, and game-state. Finally, SARA-SDN is implemented and evaluated in a simulated environment, where real users played in real time, and different aspects of QoE was measured via extensive subjective tests. Results show the superiority of SARA-SDN over existing methods (on average 1.26, 1.18, 1.21, and 1.12 increase in QoE, responsiveness, controllability, and immediate feedback, respectively, in a scale of 0-5).
Effects, tolerance mechanisms and management of salt stress in lucerne (Medicago sativa)

Abstract. Lucerne (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.) is a forage legume that is widely cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions of the world. The main aim of this review was to highlight the effects of salt stress on the performance of lucerne and to suggest different tolerance mechanisms and management strategies for improving its yield under salt stress. Salt stress significantly affects seed germination, carbon fixation, light harvesting, biological N2 fixation, mineral uptake and assimilation and dry-matter accumulation in lucerne. Accumulation of osmolytes or compatible solutes such as proline, polyamines, trehalose and soluble sugars confers salt tolerance in lucerne. Maintenance of low Na+ : K+ ratios, antioxidant enzyme activation, and hormonal regulation also help lucerne to withstand salt stress. The screening of diverse genotypes on the basis of germination indices, gas exchange, biomass production, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes might be useful for breeding salt-tolerant lucerne genotypes. Novel biotechnological tools and functional genomics used to identify salt-conferring genes and quantitative trait loci will help to improve salt tolerance. Use of rhizobial and non-rhizobial plant growth-promoting bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, exogenous application of osmoprotectants, and seed priming with brassinolide, gibberellic acid and salicylic acid may help to improve lucerne performance in saline environments.
Second‐round interlaboratory comparison of hepatic ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase activity in white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) exposed to bleached‐kraft pulp mill effluent

Livers were collected from six male and six female white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) at both a bleached-kraft pulp mill effluent (BKME)-exposed site and a reference site during the 1992 spring spawning migration. A semistandardized methodology for 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) analysis was proposed that featured similar physical and chemical conditions yet allowed for different instrumentation and techniques. Postmitochondrial supernatants (PMSs) were analyzed for EROD activity by 14 laboratories, and repeat EROD analyses were performed within one laboratory to estimate within-laboratory variability. All laboratories found significantly higher levels of EROD activity (approximately threefold) in males from the BKME-exposed site ; only 5 of 14 laboratories found significantly higher levels in exposed females. Data from three labs were dropped from the analysis because of outlying values. The mean coefficient of variation (C.V.) for the remaining 11 laboratories was 34.7%, which was not significantly different from the C.V. determined for six analyses by one technician (28.4%). The mean C.V. for five analysts within one laboratory was significantly lower (16.4%) than either of the former values. There was no difference in absolute values or the variability of microplate and conventional EROD assay data. Analysis of Bradford and Lowry protein data showed that both assays have low variability (C.V.s = 16.8 and 17.4%, respectively) ; these two techniques produced very similar estimates of protein content. Immunochemical analysis demonstrated a significant correlation existed among microsomal P4501A concentration and EROD activity. Sources of commercially available resorufin standard were tested, and the mean molar extinction coefficient was 54.0 ± 1.1 cm -1 mM -1 .
HYPE: Predicting Blood Pressure from Photoplethysmograms in a Hypertensive Population

The state of the art for monitoring hypertension relies on measuring blood pressure (BP) using uncomfortable cuff-based devices. Hence, for increased adherence in monitoring, a better way of measuring BP is needed. That could be achieved through comfortable wearables that contain photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors. There have been several studies showing the possibility of statistically estimating systolic and diastolic BP (SBP/DBP) from PPG signals. However, they are either based on measurements of healthy subjects or on patients on intensive care units (ICUs). Thus, there is a lack of studies with patients out of the normal range of BP and with daily life monitoring out of the ICUs. To address this, we created a dataset (HYPE) composed of data from hypertensive subjects that executed a stress test and had 24-hours monitoring. We then trained and compared machine learning (ML) models to predict BP. We evaluated handcrafted feature extraction approaches vs image representation ones and compared different ML algorithms for both. Moreover, in order to evaluate the models in a different scenario, we used an openly available set from a stress test with healthy subjects (EVAL). The best results for our HYPE dataset were in the stress test and had a mean absolute error (MAE) in mmHg of 8.79 (SD 3.17) for SBP and 6.37 (SD 2.62) for DBP; for our EVAL dataset it was 14.74 (SD 4.06) and 7.12 (SD 2.32) respectively. Although having tested a range of signal processing and ML techniques, we were not able to reproduce the small error ranges claimed in the literature. The mixed results suggest a need for more comparative studies with subjects out of the intensive care and across all ranges of blood pressure. Until then, the clinical relevance of PPG-based predictions in daily life should remain an open question.
The Association Between Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes in Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pneumonia in a U.S. Cohort

Background: The global pandemic caused by COVID-19 remains poorly understood by clinicians. Identifying biologic markers associated with prognosis can help clinicians recognize disease severity. Objective: To describe the association between D-dimer, CRP, IL-6, ferritin, LDH, and clinical outcomes in a cohort of COVID-19 patients treated on the inpatient medical service at a university hospital in Washington, DC. Design: In this retrospective study, we included all adults admitted to the inpatient medicine service at George Washington University Hospital between March 12, 2020 and May 9, 2020 with laboratory confirmed COVID-19. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from electronic medical records and compared between survivors not requiring ICU transfer, survivors requiring ICU transfer, survivors requiring intubation, and non-survivors. Key Results: 299 patients were included in our study, of whom 69 required transfer to the ICU, 39 required intubation, and 71 died. Threshold values for IL-6 (>50 pg/mL), D-dimer (>3 mcg/mL), ferritin (>450 ng/mL), CRP (>100 mg/L), and LDH (1,200 u/L) were found to be statistically significant and independently associated with higher odd of clinical deterioration and death. Hypertension, CVA and heart disease independently had an increased risk of all three outcomes, while CKD had only an increased risk of death. Patient co-morbidities had no effect on the different biomarkers' significant association with poor patient clinical outcomes, except cancer. Conclusion: Laboratory markers of inflammation and coagulopathy can help clinicians identify patients who are at high risk for clinical deterioration, independent of clinically significant medical comorbidities
Lopinavir-Ritonavir in treatment of COVID-19: A dynamic systematic benefit-risk assessment

Background: COVID-19 is an ongoing, global public health crisis for which safe and effective treatments need to be identified. The benefit-risk balance for use of lopinavir-ritonavir in COVID-19 needs to be monitored on an ongoing basis, therefore a systematic benefit-risk assessment was designed and conducted. A key objective of this study was to provide a platform for a dynamic systematic benefit-risk evaluation; although initially this evaluation is likely to contain limited information, it is required due to the urgent unmet public need. Importantly it allows additional data to be incorporated as it becomes available, and re-evaluation of the benefit-risk profile. Methods: A systematic benefit-risk assessment was conducted using the Benefit-Risk Action team (BRAT) framework. The exposure of interest was lopinavir-ritonavir treatment in COVID-19 compared to standard of care, placebo or other treatments. A literature search was conducted in PubMed and EmBase to identify peer-reviewed papers reporting clinical outcomes. Two clinicians constructed a value tree and ranked key benefits and risks in order of considered clinical importance. Results: In comparison to standard of care, data for several key benefits and risks were identified for lopinavir-ritonavir. Time to clinical improvement was not significantly different for lopinavir-ritonavir in comparison to standard of care (HR=1.31, 95% CI:0.95, 1.80). There appeared to be fewer serious adverse events with lopinavir-ritonavir (20%) vs standard of care (32%). In particular, there were fewer cases of acute respiratory distress syndrome with lopinavir-ritonavir compared to standard of care (13% vs 27%). Limited data were available for comparison of lopinavir-ritonavir to other treatments. Conclusions: Based on currently available data, there was no clear benefit for use of lopinavir-ritonavir compared to standard of care in severe COVID-19. Risk data suggested a possible decrease in serious adverse events, including acute respiratory distress syndrome. Overall, the benefit-risk profile for lopinavir-ritonavir in severe COVID-19 cannot be considered positive until further efficacy and effectiveness data become available.