Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus in refractory ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease: A single‐center experience

Background: The published experience regarding the use of tacrolimus in Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to more commonly used medical therapy has been fairly limited. Our objective was to describe our experience with its use in a cohort of patients which, to our knowledge, represents the largest North American cohort described to date. Methods: This was a retrospective, single‐center chart analysis. Patients were identified by compiling all hospital discharges with principle diagnoses of ICD‐9 codes for 555.0‐555.9 (regional enteritis) and 556.0‐556.9 (ulcerative colitis) from January 1, 2000, to October 31, 2005, and then cross‐referencing the electronic charts for tacrolimus serum concentrations ordered during this time period. Additional patients were identified through verbal communication with participating clinicians. Information abstracted included proportion with clinical response and remission (using a modified disease activity index), ability to wean from steroids, need for surgery / time to surgery, and side‐effect profile. Results: In all, 32 UC patients and 15 CD patients were identified. The mean disease duration was: UC 81 months (range, 1 month to 37 years), CD 100 months (range, 1 month to 35 years). The disease distribution for UC was: pancolitis 12 (37.5%), extensive colitis 6 (18.8%), left‐sided 11 (34.4%), and proctitis 3(9.4%). For CD this was: TI 2 (13.3%), small bowel 2 (13.3%), colonic 3 (20.7%), ileocolonic 7(46.7%), and perianal 1 (6.7%). The duration of tacrolimus treatment for UC was mean, 29 weeks. For CD it was mean, 9.9 weeks. In all, 30/32 UC and 7/15 CD patients were on steroids; 4/30 UC and 0/7 CD patients were able to subsequently wean off steroids. In all, 12/32 UC patients proceeded to colectomy. Mean time to colectomy was 28 weeks and 6/15 CD patients proceeded to a resective surgery. The mean time to surgery was 22 weeks. In all, 22/32 UC patients achieved a clinical response; 3/32 achieved remission and 8/15 CD patients achieved a clinical response; 1/15 achieved remission. Adverse reactions were generally mild. In 6 patients the drug had to be discontinued because of an adverse reaction. There were no opportunistic infections identified, no cases of renal insufficiency related to drug administration, and no deaths while on the medicine. Conclusions: Our experience with tacrolimus in UC and CD indicates that it is safe and relatively well tolerated, although its clinical efficacy is quite variable. More prospective studies assessing its use are necessary.
Signal-to-Noise Ratio of Dispersive Photonic Signal Processors Employing Thermal Carriers With Smooth Spectrum and Direct Detection

An exact theory describing the intensity PSD of photonic signal processors based on modulated thermal sources with smooth spectrum, first-order dispersion and intensity-noise-limited direct detection is presented. The theory is applied to the evaluation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of Microwave Photonic Filters (MPF) and of systems based on Incoherent Frequency-to-Time Mapping (IFTM) and Time-Spectrum Convolution (TSC) driven by thermal carriers whose optical spectra (continuous or sliced) is smooth at microwave scales. It is shown that the noise PSD of MPF based on low-index amplitude modulation coincides with the white-noise PSD of unmodulated, continuous wave (cw) polarized thermal light. In turn, both IFTM and TSC show modulation-dependent noise PSDs resulting in an SNR not better than cw, which decreases with pulse spreading. For IFTM the SNR is poor, with typical values of a few dB, whereas the SNR of TSC interpolates between the cw SNR and that of IFTM, thus showing a range of parameters where the SNR of IFTM is outperformed.
Microbial Phytases and Phytate: Exploring Opportunities for Sustainable Phosphorus Management in Agriculture

Myo-inositol phosphates (phytates) are important biological molecules produced largely by plants to store phosphorus. Phytate is very abundant in many different soils making up a large portion of all soil phosphorus. This review assesses current phytase science from the perspective of its substrate, phytate, by examining the intricate relationship between the phytate-hydrolyzing enzymes and phytate as their substrate. Specifically, we examine available data on phytate’s structural features, distribution in nature and functional roles. The role of phytases and their localization in soil and plant tissues are evaluated. We provide a summary of the current biotechnological advances in using industrial or recombinant phytases to improve plant growth and animal nutrition. The prospects of future discovery of novel phytases with improved biochemical properties and bioengineering of existing enzymes are also discussed. Two alternative but complementary directions to increase phosphorus bioavailability through the more efficient utilization of soil phytate are currently being developed. These approaches take advantage of microbial phytases secreted into rhizosphere either by phytase-producing microbes (biofertilizers) or by genetically engineered plants. More research on phytate metabolism in soils and plants is needed to promote environmentally friendly, more productive and sustainable agriculture.
Hierarchy of masking-level differences obtained for temporal masking.

Masked thresholds were obtained in four binaural conditions (N0S0, N0Sm, NπS0, and N0Sπ) and in four temporal‐masking conditions (simultaneous masking, forward masking, backward masking, and combined forward–backward masking). In all conditions Gaussian noise was the masker and was low‐pass filtered at 5000 Hz and presented at 43‐dB spectrum level. The signal was a 20‐msec, 500‐Hz tone gated with a 5‐msec rise‐decay time. The temporal interval between signal offset and masker onset (masker duration 500 msec) in the backward‐masking condition was 1 msec. The temporal interval between masker offset and signal onset was 10 msec in the forward‐masking condition. These same temporal intervals (but 250‐msec maskers) were used in the combined forward–backward masking condition. The hierarcy of masking‐level differences (MLD’s) was the same in all of the temporal‐masking procedures and matched that obtained in the simultaneous masking condition. More additional masking was obtained in the combined forward–backwar.
Rpe Responses during Arm and Leg Exercises: Effect of Variations in Spontaneously Chosen Crank Rate

The aim of this study was two-fold. First, the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was compared between two different upper and lower body exercises. Subjects (n =12) performed with spontaneously chosen crank or pedal rates: (i) incremental maximum power tests (Test 1), with an initial work rate of 50% of maximal power followed by increases of 10% at each 120-sec. work stage and (ii) tests (Test 2) with exercise bouts set at 20, 40, 60, and 80% of maximal power separated by passive recovery periods. Second, the effects of variations in spontaneously chosen crank rate on RPE was analysed using the second test performed only with upper body. Subjects performed Test 2 three times with crank rates spontaneously chosen by the subjects, set at plus or minus 20% of spontaneously chosen crank rate. During both Tests 1 and 2 for upper or lower body, RPE increased linearly (p<.01) with power output. No significant difference was noticed between upper and lower body tests; however, RPE was significantly different (p<.05) between Test 1 results for upper and lower body at 70, 80, 90, and 100% of maximal power. The greater RPE at high power output could be linked to the important effect of fatigue during upper body exercise. Among the three crank-rate conditions, no significant difference in RPE was noticed. The choice of crank rate does not seem to influence the perception of exertion in upper body cycling exercise.
A new drug-sensing paradigm based on ion-current rectification in a conically shaped nanopore.

AIMS To utilize the ion-current rectification phenomenon observed for conically shaped nanopores as the basis for designing sensors for drug molecules that adsorb to the walls of the nanopore. METHODS The conically shaped nanopore was prepared by the well-known track-etch method in a polyimide (Kapton) membrane. The ion current flowing through the nanopore was measured as a function of applied transmembrane potential in the presence of the analyte drug molecule, Hoechst 33258. RESULTS The pore walls in the Kapton membrane are hydrophobic yet have fixed carboxylate groups that give the walls a net negative charge. This fixed anionic surface charge causes the nanopore to rectify the ion current flowing through it. The analyte drug molecule, Hoechst 33258, is cationic yet also hydrophobic. When the membrane is exposed to this molecule, it adsorbs to the pore walls and neutralizes the anionic surface charge, thus lowering the extent of ion-current rectification. The change in rectification is proportional to the concentration of the drug. CONCLUSIONS This nanopore sensor is selective for hydrophobic cations relative to anions, neutral molecules and less hydrophobic cations. Future work will explore ways of augmenting this hydrophobic effect-based selectivity so that more highly selective sensors can be obtained.
Management of Iatrogenic Spinal Stenosis Complicating Placement of a Fusion Cage: A Case Report

Study Design A case of iatrogenic spinal stenosis secondary to fusion cage retropulsion is presented. Objectives To highlight fusion cage retropulsion, a potential complication that may become more prevalent as the use of fusion cage instrumentation expands. The difficulty in management of this complication is emphasized. Summary of Background Data Early reports regarding fusion cage instrumentation have been encouraging. At this point, however, the potential benefits are better defined than the potential complications. Methods A significant complication of fusion cage instrumentation and the limited literature on this subject are reviewed. Results The patient underwent successful revision surgery after retropulsion of a fusion cage, however, an extensive surgical procedure including partial vertebral body resection was required. Conclusions The frequency and severity of complications related to fusion cage instrumentation remain poorly defined. Caution should be used in patient selection until additional experience more clearly defines the risk‐to‐benefit ratio for a given application of this new technology.
Dynamic Checkpointing Policy in Heterogeneous Real-Time Standby Systems

This paper models 1-out-of-N standby computing systems with a dynamic checkpointing policy. The system performs a real-time mission task that has to be accomplished within an allowed mission time. During the mission, to facilitate an effective failure recovery the system undergoes checkpointing procedures according to a policy that dynamically determines a checkpointing frequency based on the activated element and remaining work for completing the mission. System elements are heterogeneous; they can follow different, arbitrary types of time-to-failure distributions, have different performance and wait in different standby modes before their activation. A new numerical algorithm based on state space event transitions is first proposed to evaluate mission success probability of the real-time standby systems considered in this work. Additional new contributions are made by formulating and solving optimal dynamic checkpointing policy problems, as well as an integrated optimization problem that finds the optimal combination of checkpointing policy and element activation sequence maximizing mission success probability. Advantages of using the dynamic checkpointing policy over fixed even checkpoints are demonstrated through examples. Examples and results are also provided to illustrate effects of different mission and element parameters on mission success probability as well as on the optimal dynamic checkpointing policy.
Locomotor Training in Neurorehabilitation: Emerging Rehabilitation Concepts

Since the publication of the review of treadmill training in Neurorehabilitation & Neural Repair published in 1999, several new clinical studies have been presented on locomotor training as a rehabilitation approach for stroke and spinal cord injured subjects. In the series of expert commentaries,1 different authors expressed a spectrum of views on this new rehabilitation strategy (see also Dobkin2). The potentials and limitations on such approaches of the recovery of stroke, spinal cord–injured subjects, and other neurological populations were discussed. The goal of this article is to present the newest evidence that locomotor training is one of the evidence-based clinical approaches that will be used in the 21st century to enhance recovery of posture and locomotion in stroke, spinal cord injury subjects and in many other neurological conditions. The training strategies include modern approaches of motor learning such as task specificity training of walking and balance in both feed-forward and feedback modes. Figure 1 (left side) illustrates a comprehensive schematic of several important factors necessary to achieve functional recovery. Several new approaches from animal studies, predevelopment studies, and phase I to phase III clinical trials have been developed in the last 2 decades, such as locomotor training on treadmill and on the ground using body weight support (BWS), functional electrical stimulation (FES), and pharmacological approaches and their combination to enhanced recovery in the neurological population particularly stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI) subjects. These individual approaches have shown great potential and are different in the process of validation in the rehabilitation setting. Recent reviews summarize those findings.3-6 Stroke and SCI subjects can adapt, to a certain limit, the functional prerequisite of posture and walking, such as speed, slope, obstacles, including stairs, walking aids, energy consumption, and attentional and navigational demands (Figure 1, right column). 7 Understanding the strategy that SCI and stroke subjects use can contribute to the development of concepts and principles that can be included in rehabilitation. Figure 1 also illustrates how treatment approaches affect such prerequisites7 necessary to achieve functional recovery. From Figure 1 (lower panel), several important concepts for rehabilitation have emerged and will be presented in the following section.
RELAÇÃO DA CARGA SUBJETIVA DURANTE O TESTE DE REPETIÇÃO MÁXIMA PARA O MEMBRO INFERIOR EM INDIVÍDUOS TREINADOS

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar as diferencas entre a carga subjetiva (1T) com as alcancadas nas tentativas posteriores (2T e 3T) no teste de 10 RM em individuos treinados para exercicios do membro inferior. O grupo experimental foi composto de 16 individuos do sexo masculino (24,4 A 6,7 anos, 78,6 A 9,42 kg, 171A 6,14 cm). Foram realizadas tres tentativas com o intervalo de 5 minutos entre as mesmas e de 20 minutos entre os exercicios cadeira extensora (EXT) e agachamento (AGA). A analise de variância apresentou diferenca significativa quando da comparacao entre os resultados apresentados para EXT e AGA. O coeficiente de correlacao intraclasse (ICC) foi de 0,91 e 0,85 para os exercicios EXT e AGA, respectivamente. Parece que a determinacao da carga inicial de forma subjetiva pode nao ser um parâmetro confiavel para a prescricao do treinamento de forca, sendo necessaria a aplicacao do teste para a obtencao deste parâmetro.
Unruptured intracranial aneurysms in the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT): risk of rupture calculated from data in a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND Rupture risk of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) has been investigated in studies observing the natural history of this condition. Such studies have been prone to selection bias that may influence the results. OBJECTIVE To calculate the overall rupture risk from data on the prevalence of UIA, which constitutes the population at risk, and the incidence of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) in the same population. METHODS Data were collected from the Norwegian Nord-Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT), a large population-based cohort study. The prevalence of UIAs was estimated by performing magnetic resonance angiography in 1006 randomly selected volunteers 50 to 65 years of age from this population cohort. The incidence of aSAH was investigated by searching national and hospital registers with thorough case ascertainment to avoid inclusion of nonaneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. RESULTS The prevalence of UIAs was 1.9% and incidence of aSAH was 16.4 per 100,000 person-years. Based on these figures, the overall rupture risk in the 50- to 65-year age group in the HUNT population is 0.87% per year. CONCLUSION This is the first study to estimate rupture risk of intracranial aneurysms from epidemiologic data in a large population-based cohort. This study design is less prone to selection bias and may provide an important supplement to the existing literature of studies of natural history of UIAs.
Explaining the social gradient in smoking cessation: it’s not in the trying, but in the succeeding

Objective: Smokers from more deprived socioeconomic groups are less likely to become ex-smokers. This study examined how far this is attributable in England to a social gradient in quit attempts, use of aids to cessation and/or the success of quit attempts. Design: Cross-sectional household survey. Setting: England. Participants: 6950 respondents aged 16+ who had smoked in the past year, of whom 2983 had tried to stop in the past year and 469 reported having stopped at the time of the survey. Main outcome measures: Reported attempts to stop smoking in the past year; the use of stop-smoking medications (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion or varenicline); use of behavioural support offered by the National Health Service Stop Smoking Services; current smoking status. Results: There was a large difference in success rates of quit attempts: 20.4% in social grade AB versus 11.4% in social grade E of those who made attempts were still not smoking by the time of the survey (p<0.001). However, there was no difference across social grades in the rate of attempts to stop (42.7% in social grade AB to 41.3% in E), use of medications to aid cessation (46.7% of those making quit attempts in AB to 50.9% in E) or use of NHS Stop Smoking Services (7.0% of those making quit attempts in AB to 4.8% in E). Conclusions: Smokers in more deprived socioeconomic groups are just as likely as those in higher groups to try to stop and use aids to cessation but there is a strong gradient across socioeconomic groups in success, with those in the lowest group being half as likely to succeed compared with the highest. Determining the cause of, and counteracting, this gradient is paramount in reducing health inequalities.
A skeleton-free kinect system for body mass index assessment using deep neural networks

In this paper we present a skeleton-free Kinect system to estimate body mass index (BMI) of human bodies. Unlike other systems in the literature, the proposed system does not require a scale to measure the weight. The weight of observed subjects are estimated using body surface area (BSA) regression. The proposed system employs the state-of-the-art deep residual network to extract meaningful features and estimate the BMI scores with a 95% accuracy.
Reappraisal of the taxonomy of the Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus complex and related species: description of Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus subsp. nov., S. gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus subsp. nov. and S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus subsp. nov.

'Streptococcus bovis/Streptococcus equinus' is a large bacterial complex including different species frequently isolated from infections of humans (Streptococcus gallolyticus, Streptococcus infantarius) or animals (S. bovis, S. equinus, Streptococcus alactolyticus). The separation of S. bovis into three different biotypes has been partially correlated with genetic differentiation. In addition, recent advances in bacterial phylogeny have led to the inclusion of Streptococcus macedonicus and Streptococcus waius in this complex. The aim of this study was to improve physiological differentiation between species related to the complex and to clarify their respective phylogenetic positions. In this study, physiological, genetic and phylogenetic analyses of a set of 88 streptococcal strains were performed. The diversity of strains of S. bovis biotype II was analysed, and it was confirmed that they belong to different species, either S. equinus or S. infantarius. It was demonstrated that S. gallolyticus, S. bovis biotype II.2, S. macedonicus and S. waius form a single DNA cluster separated into three different subspecies. They are delineated by different biochemical traits, limited DNA-DNA relatedness and noticeable divergence in 16S rDNA sequences. According to the current definition of species, the names S. gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus subsp. nov., S. gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus subsp. nov. and S. gallolyticus subsp. macedonicus subsp. nov. are proposed for these three subspecies.
Nontyphoidal Salmonella infections of children in tropical Africa

“I believe that as soon as haemoculture takes its lawful place in the routine diagnosis, not only of enteric tropical fevers, but also of quinine-resistant fevers of short duration, and that heterogeneous rubbish heap known as P.U. O. , paratyphoid C will come to the fore as a frequent and widespread disease, calling for the same general preventive measures currently required for the other better known fevers of the enteric-parenteric group. ”
A (Very) Imperfect Sandwich: English Should, German Sollte, Dutch Mocht/Moest as Grammaticalizing Markers of Conditionality

Based on a comparative corpus study, the present paper contrasts conditionals containing the modal verbs sollte in German, should in English, and mocht/moest in Dutch. The conditionals are examined with respect to the linkage levels between protasis and apodosis, the tense/mood patterns in the two clauses, and the degree of syntactic integration of the protasis into the apodosis. We argue that sollte, should, mocht, and moest are undergoing a process of grammaticalization as markers of conditionality, understood as upwards reanalysis in the hierarchy of functional projections. We show that this grammaticalization process is at different stages in the different languages, not showing any “sandwich”-like pattern.