Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Extraesophageal associations of gastroesophageal reflux disease in children without neurologic defects.

BACKGROUND & AIMS The potential association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and extraesophageal manifestations remains unknown in children without neurological defects. We conducted a large case-control study to examine the association between GERD and several upper and lower respiratory disorders in these children. METHODS We identified all patients between 2 and 18 years of age with GERD who were seen at Texas Children's Hospital between 1996 and 2000. Patients seen during the same time period without GERD were randomly selected as controls (4:1 ratio). Patients with mental retardation, cerebral palsy, or congenital esophageal anomalies were excluded. We compared the presence of several predefined upper and lower respiratory disorders in cases and controls. RESULTS We identified 1980 patients with GERD and 7920 controls without GERD. Cases and controls were without neurological deficits or congenital esophageal anomalies. Cases were older than controls (9.2 years +/- 4.6 vs. 8.6 +/- 4.9, P < 0.0001), and were more likely to be female (51.2% vs. 47.2%, P = 0.0028) and white (60.2% vs. 41.2%, P < 0.0001). Compared with controls in univariate analyses, cases with GERD had more sinusitis (4.2% vs. 1.4%, P < 0.0001), laryngitis (0.7% vs. 0.2%), asthma (13.2% vs. 6.8%, P < 0.0001), pneumonia (6.3% vs. 2.3%, P < 0.0001), and bronchiectasis (1.0% vs. 0.1%, P < 0.0001). However, otitis media was less common in cases than controls (2.1% vs. 4.6%, P < 0.0001). After adjusting for differences in age, gender, and ethnicity in the regression analyses, GERD remained a significant risk factor for sinusitis (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.3; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.7-3.2; P < 0.0001), laryngitis (OR, 2.6; CI, 1.2-5.6; P = 0.0228), asthma (OR, 1.9; CI, 1.6-2.3; P < 0.0001), pneumonia (OR, 2.3; CI, 1.8-2.9; P < 0.0001), and bronchiectasis (OR, 2.3; CI, 1.1-4.6; P = 0.0193). CONCLUSIONS GERD in children without neurological defects is associated with a several-fold increase in the risk of sinusitis, laryngitis, asthma, pneumonia, and bronchiectasis. Further studies are needed to examine whether a cause-effect relationship exists between GERD and these disorders in children.
The Influence of Maximum Running Speed on Eye Size: A Test of Leuckart's Law in Mammals

Vertebrate eye size is influenced by many factors, including body or head size, diet, and activity pattern. Locomotor speed has also been suggested to influence eye size in a relationship known as Leuckart's Law. Leuckart's Law proposes that animals capable of achieving fast locomotor speeds require large eyes to enhance visual acuity and avoid collisions with environmental obstacles. The selective influence of rapid flight has been invoked to explain the relatively large eyes of birds, but Leuckart's Law remains untested in nonavian vertebrates. This study investigates the relationship between eye size and maximum running speed in a diverse sample of mammals. Measures of axial eye diameter, maximum running speed, and body mass were collected from the published literature for 50 species from 10 mammalian orders. This analysis reveals that absolute eye size is significantly positively correlated with maximum running speed in mammals. Moreover, the relationship between eye size and running speed remains significant when the potentially confounding effects of body mass and phylogeny are statistically controlled. The results of this analysis are therefore consistent with the expectations of Leuckart's Law and demonstrate that faster‐moving mammals have larger eyes than their slower‐moving close relatives. Accordingly, we conclude that maximum running speed is one of several key selective factors that have influenced the evolution of eye size in mammals. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Conflicts of interest in Australia’s IVF industry: an empirical analysis and call for action

Abstract In Australia, the growing assisted reproductive technologies (ART) industry has recently received some public criticism. Much of this criticism centres on the concern that doctors are increasingly motivated by profit, rather than patient interests. These concerns appear to suggest that the growing business of ART generates conflicts of interest (COI) for clinicians. While media reports may be rhetorically compelling, claims that ART practice is distorted by COI must be supported by empirical evidence. This preliminary study sought to engage with people involved with the ART industry and map out their concerns related to COI in ART. A small convenience sample of eight professionals was interviewed. Here, we present the major themes uncovered, including a richer understanding of the ‘interests’ of various parties involved in Australian ART. We then propose a strategy for how this topic could be constructively explored.
Highly Prevalent Coxiella sp. Bacterium in the Tick Vector Amblyomma americanum

ABSTRACT Laboratory-reared and field-collected Amblyomma americanum ticks were hosts of a Coxiella sp. and a Rickettsia sp. While the Coxiella sp. was detected in 50 of 50 field-collected ticks, the Rickettsia sp. was absent from 32% of ticks. The Coxiella sp. showed evidence of a reduced genome and may be an obligate endosymbiont.
Molecular Basis for the Inactivation of Ca2+- and Voltage-Dependent BK Channels in Adrenal Chromaffin Cells and Rat Insulinoma Tumor Cells

Large-conductance Ca2+- and voltage-dependent potassium (BK) channels exhibit functional diversity not explained by known splice variants of the single Slo α-subunit. Here we describe an accessory subunit (β3) with homology to other β-subunits of BK channels that confers inactivation when it is coexpressed with Slo. Message encoding the β3 subunit is found in rat insulinoma tumor (RINm5f) cells and adrenal chromaffin cells, both of which express inactivating BK channels. Channels resulting from coexpression of Slo α and β3 subunits exhibit properties characteristic of native inactivating BK channels. Inactivation involves multiple cytosolic, trypsin-sensitive domains. The time constant of inactivation reaches a limiting value ∼25–30 msec at Ca2+ of 10 μm and positive activation potentials. Unlike Shaker N-terminal inactivation, but like native inactivating BK channels, a cytosolic channel blocker does not compete with the native inactivation process. Finally, the β3 subunit confers a reduced sensitivity to charybdotoxin, as seen with native inactivating BK channels. Inactivation arises from the N terminal of the β3 subunit. Removal of the β3 N terminal (33 amino acids) abolishes inactivation, whereas the addition of the β3 N terminal onto the β1 subunit confers inactivation. The β3 subunit shares with the β1 subunit an ability to shift the range of voltages over which channels are activated at a given Ca2+. Thus, the β-subunit family of BK channels regulates a number of critical aspects of BK channel phenotype, including inactivation and apparent Ca2+sensitivity.
Analysis and dynamic decoupling control schemes for PMSM current Loop

The decoupling current controller with high dynamic performance is required in the high speed regulation of a vector controlled PMSM system. In this paper, the “relative gain” is introduced to analyze the coupling phenomena of PMSM current loop firstly. Then, three different decoupling schemes based on internal model control, feed-forward compensation and diagonal compensation are elaborated. By adopting these various decoupling control schemes, the current regulation can achieve high performance. The correctness and feasibility of the decoupling methods are verified by simulation and experimental results.
Neurotomie tibiale et pied équin spastique chez l'hémiparétique marchant : place d'une évaluation baropodométrique dans l'aide à la décision chirurgicale

Objectif : Le pied equin est une deformation frequente dans la paresie spastique. Pourtant, il n'y a actuellement pas de consensus sur la strategie therapeutique a adopter dans cette indication. La neurotomie tibiale est le traitement chirurgical de reference ; elle est systematiquement precedee par la realisation d'un bloc moteur anesthesique qui mimerait les effets de la chirurgie. La selection des patients et evaluation de ces traitements par des outils objectifs sont primordiales. Cependant, il existe peu de methodes a la fois quantifiees et simples utilisees dans cette indication. Le systeme F-Scan® (semelles embarquees a multicapteurs) est un outil permettant de mesurer des modifications baropodometriques chez le patient hemiparetique. Il permet une analyse dynamique des appuis plantaires et de la trajectoire du centre de pression. Le but de cette etude est d'analyser ces modifications, avant et apres bloc moteur anesthesique de branches du nerf tibial et neurotomie tibiale chez despatients hemiparetiques presentant un pied equin spastique genant a la marche, et de discuter la place de cet outil dans l'aide a la decision chirurgicale.Materiel et methode : Trente-neuf patients [âge moyen 45±15 ans] ont beneficie d'un bloc moteur, seize d'entre eux [38 ±15.2 ans] d'une neurotomie tibiale. Tous etaient autonomes pour la marche, avec ou sans aide technique. Ils ont beneficie d'une evaluation clinique standard et d'une analyse selon le systeme F-Scan®. Les trajectoires du centre de pression mesurees par F-Scan® [deplacement anteroposterieur AP, deviation laterale DL, marge posterieure MP] etaient comparees avant et apres bloc moteur et neurotomie, aux pieds sain et hemiparetique.Resultats : A l'inclusion, une difference etait retrouvee pour les trois variablesbaropodometriques mesurees ; deplacement anteroposterieur AP [p<0. 0001], deviation laterale DL [p=0. 0013] et marge posterieure MP [p=0. 0006] entre le pied sain et le pied hemiparetique. Une amelioration du deplacement anteroposterieur AP etait retrouvee apres bloc moteur [p=0. 002] et neurotomie [p=0. 005] sur le pied hemiparetique, sans difference statistiquement significative entre les deux. Apres chirurgie, une amelioration de la marge posterieure MP etait retrouvee du cote hemiparetique [p=0.44], sans difference par rapport au cote sain.Conclusion : Le F-Scan® est un outil simple, non invasif, permettant de quantifier lesmodifications d'appui chez l'hemiparetique et de mesurer les resultats apres bloc etneurotomie tibiale en situation ecologique de marche. Il pourrait aider a la decisiontherapeutique dans le pied equin. Le deplacement anteroposterieur AP serait un parametre pouvant aider a poser l'indication chirurgicale
MICROBIOLOGICAL DISSIMILATION OF TRICARBALLYLATE AND TRANS-ACONITATE

Altekar, W. W. (National Chemical Laboratory, Poona, India) and M. R. Raghavendra Rao. Microbiological dissimilation of tricarballylate and trans-aconitate. J. Bacteriol. 85:604–613. 1963. —Two fluorescent pseudomonads capable of metabolizing tricarballylate and trans-aconitate were isolated by the soil-enrichment culture technique. These and some other species of bacteria were tested for their ability to utilize for growth the salts of many di- and tricarboxylic acids. Alloisocitrate and mesaconate were not utilized by any of the ten strains tested; only two strains grew on tricarballylate and itaconate. trans-Aconitate was utilized by many strains which had not been previously exposed to this compound. The resting cells of two strains could adapt to oxidize two acids (tricarballylate and trans-aconitate), and this induction was chloramphenicol-sensitive. The tricarballylate-grown cells were simultaneously induced to oxidize trans-aconitate and other tricarboxylates, whereas the trans-aconitate-grown cells were not induced to oxidize tricarballylate, and their subsequent induction was inhibited by chloramphenicol. This trans-aconitate or tricarballylate. But tricarballylate dehydrogenase was present only in tricarballylate-grown cells. The cell-free extracts of the two organisms contained the enzymes of the Krebs cycle and isocitritase. These enzymes are most probably operative during growth on and oxidation of these two acids as sole carbon sources.
Bandwidth enhancement techniques for transimpedance amplifier in CMOS technologies

This paper describes the design of a wide band CMOS transimpedance amplifier (TIA) for optical receiver application. Implemented in a 0.35-µm digital CMOS process, this amplifier can achieve a transimpedance gain of 54. 5dBΩ with 2.5GHz -3 dB bandwidth while dissipating 7.5mA from a 3V supply. Bandwidth extension is achieved by inductive peaking and Gm enhancement techniques. The core circuit of the TIA occupies a chip area of 45 µm × 55 µm only.
POST‐TREATMENT INTERACTIONS OF PHOTODYNAMIC and RADIATION‐INDUCED CYTOTOXIC LESIONS

Abstract— The interaction of chloroaluminum phthalocyanine‐sensitized photodynamic treatment and γ‐irradiation was studied in confluent murine L929 fibroblasts. When the cells were given the combined treatments and immediately subcultured for determination of cell survival by colony formation, the data indicate independent actions of each modality. However, when subculture was delayed for 1 h, a substantial fraction of cells treated with a sub‐lethal dose of PDT followed by 5 Gy γ‐radiation detached from the monolayer. Most of these detached cells were no longer clonogenic. The mode of photosensitized cell killing was found to be different from that of ionizing radiation‐induced cell killing. Photosensitized cell killing was accompanied by morphological changes in the cells and extensive DNA degradation within one hour following the treatment. When chloroaluminum phthalocyanine pre‐treated cells were exposed to a sublethal fluence of light (6 kJ/m2) and a lethal dose of γ‐radiation (5 Gy), DNA degradation was enhanced, and about 20% of the cell population appeared to undergo the type of cell death typical of photodynamic treatment. Thus, although different initial lethal lesions are induced by photodynamic treatment and by ionizing radiation, interactions may occur during processing of the damage.
A systematic literature review of Linked Data‐based recommender systems

Recommender systems (RS) are software tools that use analytic technologies to suggest different items of interest to an end user. Linked Data is a set of best practices for publishing and connecting structured data on the Web. This paper presents a systematic literature review to summarize the state of the art in RS that use structured data published as Linked Data for providing recommendations of items from diverse domains. It considers the most relevant research problems addressed and classifies RS according to how Linked Data have been used to provide recommendations. Furthermore, it analyzes contributions, limitations, application domains, evaluation techniques, and directions proposed for future research. We found that there are still many open challenges with regard to RS based on Linked Data in order to be efficient for real applications. The main ones are personalization of recommendations, use of more datasets considering the heterogeneity introduced, creation of new hybrid RS for adding information, definition of more advanced similarity measures that take into account the large amount of data in Linked Data datasets, and implementation of testbeds to study evaluation techniques and to assess the accuracy scalability and computational complexity of RS. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Vitamin D receptor gene BsmI and FokI polymorphisms in relation to ovarian cancer risk in the Polish population.

BACKGROUND The role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ovarian cancer has been studied in various populations; however, these results are discordant between different ethnicities. METHOD Using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method, we studied the prevalence of the VDR FokI (rs2228570) and BsmI (rs1544410) SNPs in women with ovarian cancer (n=168) and controls (n=182) in a Polish population. RESULTS We found a significant contribution of the BsmI SNP Bb+BB-versus-bb dominant inheritance model to ovarian cancer development (p=0.0221, p(corr)=0.0442, odds ratio [OR]=1.648 [95% confidence intervals, CI=1.073-2.532]). However, we did not observe an association of the BsmI SNP BB versus Bb+bb recessive inheritance model in patients (p=0.8059, OR=1.093 [95% CI=0.538-2.218]). Moreover, there was no association of FokI SNPs either in Ff+ff versus FF dominant or ff versus Ff+FF recessive inheritance models with ovarian cancer development (p=0.9924, OR=1.002 [95% CI=0.628-1.599] and p=0.1123, OR=1.542 [95% CI=0.901-2.638], respectively). The p-values of the trend test observed for the VDR BsmI and FokI SNPs in patients with ovarian cancer were p(trend)=0.0613 and p(trend)=0.3655, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study indicates that the VDR B gene variant might be a moderate risk factor of ovarian cancer development in the Polish population.
Schematization of Clutter Reduction Techniques in Geographic Node-link Diagrams using Task-based Criteria

Visual clutter is a hot topic in the domain of node-link diagrams as it negatively affects usability, aesthetics and data interpretation. The organization of items, i.e. the way nodes and links are positioned in the display, is one problem among many that leads to visual clutter. In previous work, different techniques were proposed to reduce the clutter that depends on the organization of nodes and links. However, a schematization of such techniques by task was never considered. Approaching the problem by task would be more efficient since visual clutter, by definition, depends on the task to be performed. In this paper, we propose a solution to visual clutter driven by the type of task. In particular, the aim of our work is to provide an answer to the following question: Given a task and a geographic node-link diagram, which are the appropriated techniques to reduce the visual clutter that depends on the spatial organization of nodes and links. In our solution, we have classified tasks into a limited number of task groups. For each tasks group, we have identified and analyzed issues leading to a performance degradation. The final outcome consists on a list of good candidate techniques for each task group. The selected techniques are the results of a survey that selects only approaches that act on the position of nodes and links.
AERVA LA ATA AGAI ST CARBO TETRA CHLORIDE I DUCED HEPATIC DAMAGE I RATS

The petroleum ether extract, methanolic extracts and isolated compounds of B. diffusa and A. lanata were subjected to pharmacological screening on mice models. All the extracts obtained showed hepatoprotective activity in albino rats where the hepatotoxicity was induced by administering CCl4. Animals treated with doses of 100, 200 and 300mg/kg, of plant extracts, it showed a significant protection of liver histologically and serum tests after the last doses of CCl4. Thus the current study reveals that plant extracts from the plants B. diffusa and A. lanata have significant hepatoprotective property.
Voltammetric Determination of Paraquat Using Graphite Pencil Electrode Modified with Doped Polypyrrole

Recognition and determination of paraquat (PQ) using graphite pencil electrode (GPE) modified with polypyrrole (Ppy) doped with Eriochrome blue-black B (EBB) is reported. To that end, a thin film of Ppy was deposited onto the electrode surface by electropolymerization in the presence of a functional doping ion, EBB. The Ppy/EBB-coated electrode was templated by PQ ion and then the performance of the molecularly imprinted EBB/Ppy/GPE was evaluated by voltammetric technique. The prepared electrode exhibited considerable increase in electroactivity of the sensor toward this herbicide compared to the non-imprinted electrode. To enhance the detection capability of the prepared system, the factors controlling its response were investigated and optimized using differential pulse voltammetry. The proposed analytical procedure was proved to be applicable in the concentration range of 5 to 50 {\mu}M (R^2 = 0.9939) and detection limit of (3{\sigma}) 0.22 {\mu}M. Ultimately, the proposed analytical methodology was applied to ascertain possible interferences and investigate real samples of dam water. Recovery factors were achieved between the range of 93-104%.
Prognostic value of an immunohistochemical signature in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical esophagectomy

Here, we aimed to identify an immunohistochemical (IHC)‐based classifier as a prognostic factor in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). A cohort of 235 patients with ESCC undergoing radical esophagectomy (with complete clinical and pathological information) were enrolled in the study. Using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model, we extracted six IHC features associated with progression‐free survival (PFS) and then built a classifier in the discovery cohort (n = 141). The prognostic value of this classifier was further confirmed in the validation cohort (n = 94). Additionally, we developed a nomogram integrating the IHC‐based classifier to predict the PFS. We used the IHC‐based classifier to stratify patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups. In the discovery cohort, 5‐year PFS was 22.4% (95% CI: 0.14–0.36) for the high‐risk group and 43.3% (95% CI: 0.32–0.58) for the low‐risk group (P = 0.00064), and in the validation cohort, 5‐year PFS was 20.58% (95% CI: 0.12–0.36) for the high‐risk group and 36.43% (95% CI: 0.22–0.60) for the low‐risk group (P = 0.0082). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that the IHC‐based classifier was an independent prognostic factor for predicting PFS of patients with ESCC. We further developed a nomogram integrating the IHC‐based classifier and clinicopathological risk factors (gender, American Joint Committee on Cancer staging, and vascular invasion status) to predict the 3‐ and 5‐year PFS. The performance of the nomogram was evaluated and proved to be clinically useful. Our 6‐IHC marker‐based classifier is a reliable prognostic tool to facilitate the individual management of patients with ESCC after radical esophagectomy.