Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in the Ambulatory Surgery Center and Traditional Hospital Settings, Part 2: Assessment of Surgical Safety in Medicare Beneficiaries

(1) Background: The clinical benefits and procedural efficiencies of performing minimally invasive fusion procedures, such as transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF), in the ambulatory surgery center (ASC) are becoming increasingly well established. Currently, Medicare does not provide reimbursement for its beneficiaries eligible for TLIF in the ASC due to a lack of evidence regarding procedural safety. However, the initiation of the Hospital Without Walls program allowed for traditional hospital procedures to be relocated to other facilities such as ASCs, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate the utility of TLIF in the ASC in Medicare-age patients. (2) Methods: This single-center, retrospective study compared baseline characteristics, intraoperative variables, and 30-day postoperative safety outcomes between 48 Medicare-age patients undergoing TLIF in the ASC and 48 patients having the same procedure as hospital in-patients. All patients had a one-level TLIF using the VariLift®-LX expandable lumbar interbody fusion device. (3) Results: There were similar patient characteristics, procedural efficiency, and occurrence of clinical 30-day safety events between the two study groups. However, there was a marked and statistically significant difference in the median length of stay favoring TLIF patients treated in the ASC (23.9 h vs. 1.6 h, p = 0.001). All ASC-treated patients were discharged on the day of surgery. Postoperative visits to address adverse events were rare in either group. (4) Conclusions: These findings provide evidence that minimally invasive TLIF can be performed safely and efficiently in the ASC in Medicare-age patients. With same-day discharge, fusion procedures performed in the ASC offer a similar safety and more attractive cost–benefit profile for older patients than the same surgery undertaken in the traditional hospital setting. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should strongly consider extending the appropriate reimbursement codes (CPT ® 22630, 22633) for minimally invasive TLIF and PLIF to the ASC Covered Procedure List so that Medicare-age patients can realize the clinical benefits of surgeries performed in this setting.
Impact of Animal By-Products on Diet Digestibility and Fecal Quality in Beagle Dogs

In animal feeds and pet food, meat industry rendered by-products as a source of high-quality protein are commonly used. Among all rendered protein sources, poultry carcasses and neck meal are frequently used as ingredients in commercial pet foods due to their agreeable fatty acid and amino acid profiles, and they have no impact on the palatability of the diet. Nonetheless, it is unclear how poultry by-product meal affects companion animals regarding diet digestibility and fecal quality. This study either aimed to provide information on poultry by-product meal, including coarsely, finely, or very finely ground varieties, regarding their nutrient digestibility and characteristics of feces in dogs. One type of animal by-product meal was used in the three aforementioned particle sizes. Beagle dogs (n = 6; body weight, 16.6 kg ± 2.03) participated in a crossover experiment design. Each trial consisted of a five day adaptation period to the diet, and five days of fecal samples were collected and measured for individual apparent nutritional digestibility and fecal scores. The animal by-product supplementation in the diet of dogs was well accepted, with an acceptable percentage of apparent nutrient digestibility. Different particle sizes had no significant effect on the organic matter, crude protein, and crude fat digestibility as well as the fecal fatty acid concentrations. In addition, feces remained firm and well-formed and increased fecal dry matter. This indicates that poultry by-products should be taken into account as a potential dietary protein source in dog food.
Cooperative output feedback tracking control for multi-agent consensus with time-varying delays and switching topology

This paper investigates the consensus tracking problem for leader-following multi-agent systems with general dynamics. The agents that are at most critically unstable and with time-varying delays and arbitrary switching topology are considered in our work. A novel framework for cooperative tracking control with time-varying input delay and communication delay under switching topology is constructed. The distributed observer-based tracking protocol is proposed for desired tracking based on the truncated predictor feedback method, algebraic graph theory and Riccati equation. Moreover, we design the observer gain and feedback gain independent of each other. A simulation example is provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed method.
Pulsed RFEC probe response

A finite element/finite difference algorithm is described for modeling the pulsed excitation of a remote field eddy current (RFEC) probe used in steel pipeline inspection. Previous work has largely been concerned with the steady-state AC operation of the probe and physical explanations, based on finite element studies, of the probe's sensitivity to outer wall defects. In the present work, the authors discuss the probe response to a sinusoidal pulse and show that such an excitation mode can also be used for outer wall defect detection. >
Formulating silver nanoparticles from Syzygium Samagense flower buds extract

The study was to investigate the possibility of synthesizing silver nanoparticles by chemical reduction method using Syzygium Samagense flower bud extract as a green reducing agent. Various reaction conditions affecting the synthesis of silver nanoparticles were investigated including AgNO3 concentration (2 mM; 5 mM; 10 mM), volume ratio Vextract/VAgNO3 (2:30; 3:30; 4:30; 5:30), reaction temperature (50 – 80 °C), reaction time (15 - 60 mins). The presence of silver nanoparticles was detected by the combination of spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) technology while the size of silver nanoparticles was determined by scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The results showed that silver nanoparticles (owning an average size in the range of 20 - 35 nm) were successfully formulated with the highest yield when mixing the flower bud extract and AgNO3 solution (5 mM) with a ratio of 4:30 at 70 °C for 45 mins.
Influence of different hydroponic units on fish and plant performance and water quality in a snakehead fish-mint aquaponics system

This study was done to assess the effect of two hydroponics cultivation (media bed (MB) and floating raft (FR)) on the performance of striped snakehead fish (SSF) (Channa striata Bloch, 1793) and mint (Mentha arvensis Linnaeus, 1953), and water quality parameters in the aquaponic system. Fish were cultured at a density of 500 fingerlings per m3 for 130 days. Mints were planted at densities of 40 and 34 lettuce m−2 in the MB and FR treatments, respectively, and had two cutting harvests. During the experimental period, levels of most water quality parameters analysed in the two treatments were in the optimal range for SSF and mint. After 130 days, all the growth performances and survival rates of fish in the FR treatment were higher than those in the MB treatment, but these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Fish growth performance was similar to those reported in other RAS and aquaponics studies, whereas FCR was lower. For mint, the plant height and diameter in the MB were significantly higher than those in the FR, but the fresh biomass in the FR was significantly greater than that in the MB (P < 0.05). In general, these results implied that the FR unit is more effective than the MB for culturing SSF (C. striata) with mint (M. arvensis) in aquaponics.
Plasma concentrations of curcumin in individuals using curcumin with adjuvants or lipid formulated curcumin supplements: a real world cohort

The spice curcumin and its metabolites have been linked to many beneficial health effects. These effects have, thus far, not been duplicated in independent research most likely due to low plasma concentrations of curcumin. Despite the many reports, the publics interest in curcumin continues to grow and many people use curcumin in daily life. Moreover, companies seize the popularity of curcumin and claim that their formulations increase systemic expose of curcumin. In this independent study we determined the plasma concentration of curcumin after oral intake in daily life to determine if the systemic exposure is sufficient to achieve beneficial health effects. We used a validated HPLC-MS/MS assay to determine the plasma concentration of curcumin and its metabolites in 47 individuals (patient or healthy) using their own curcumin formulations. Through questionnaires, we assessed which other supplements and (self-)medication(s) were used. The concentrations of curcumin and its metabolites were analyzed in plasma samples collected just before and 1.5 h after curcumin intake. Each sample was pretreated with and without {beta}-glucuronidase to determine the levels of conjugated and unconjugated curcumin. After oral intake of the curcumin supplement, plasma concentrations of curcumin, demethoxycurcumin, bisdemethoxycurcumin and tetrahydrocurcumin ranged between 2 and 4 nM. Use of adjuvants like piperine did not result in higher curcumin plasma concentrations. Adding {beta}-glucuronidase to the plasma sample increased curcumin plasma levels from below LLQ to 25.3 ng/mL, however still below any plasma concentration to which a beneficial health effect can be expected. The observed plasma concentration of unchanged curcumin remained several orders below the concentration of 2-100 {micro}g/mL used in in vitro studies. Therefore, our study confirms the low plasma levels of curcumin and indicates the need to be critical towards the claimed beneficial systemic health effects of current curcumin supplement use in daily life among patients and healthy individuals.
Te Ara Waiora–Implementing human papillomavirus (HPV) primary testing to prevent cervical cancer in Aotearoa New Zealand: A protocol for a non-inferiority trial

Background Cervical cancer is caused by high-risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). Testing for high-risk HPV is a more sensitive screening method than cervical cytology for detecting cervical changes that may lead to cancer. Consistent with recent evidence of efficacy and acceptability, Aotearoa New Zealand plans to introduce HPV testing as the primary approach to screening, replacing cervical cytology, from mid-2023. Any equitable cervical screening programme must be effective across a diverse population, including women that the current programme fails to reach, particularly Māori and those in rural areas. Currently, we do not know the best model for implementing an equitable HPV self-testing screening programme. Methods This implementation trial aims to assess whether a universal offer of HPV self-testing (offered to all people eligible for cervical screening) achieves non-inferior screening coverage (equal) to a universal offer of cervical cytology alone (the present programme). The study population is all people aged from 24.5 to 70 years due for cervical screening in a 12-month period (including those whose screening is overdue or who have never had screening). A range of quantitative and qualitative secondary outcomes will be explored, including barriers and facilitators across screening and diagnostic pathways. This study takes place in Te Tai Tokerau/Northland which covers a diverse range of urban and rural areas and has a large Indigenous Māori population. A total of fourteen practices will be involved. Seven practices will offer HPV self-testing universally to approximately 2800 women and will be compared to seven practices providing routine clinical care (offer of cervical cytology) to an approximately equal number of women. Discussion This trial will answer important questions about how to implement an equitable, high-quality, effective national programme offering HPV self-testing as the primary screening method for cervical cancer prevention. Trial registration Prospectively registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry 07/12/2021: ACTRN12621001675819.
Prognostic value of modified-Gustave-Roussy Immunity Score in resectable proximal gastric cancer

The prognostic evaluation of GRIm score has been confirmed in many tumor species. The purpose of this study is to clarify the value of GRIm score in the prognostic evaluation of patients with resectable proximal gastric cancer. A single center retrospective study was conducted in 174 patients with proximal gastric cancer who underwent radical total gastrectomy. An in-depth analysis was carried out to explore the prognostic differences between high and low GRIm, and the influencing factors of disease-free survival rates and overall survival rates were analyzed by Cox regression model and Kaplan–Meier method. A total of 174 patients were divided into two groups: 135 patients were marked in L-mGRIm and 39 patients in H-mGRIm groups respectively. The median OS of the H-mGRIm and L-mGRIm groups were 23.2 and 38.6 months, respectively. The median DFS of the H-mGRIm and L-mGRIm groups was 16.9 and 31.7 months, respectively. Both DFS and OS were significantly different between groups (P = .000, P = .000). In multivariate analysis, ZPS (2 vs 0–1: HR 1.99 95% CI 1.05–3.76 P = .035), LDH (≥193 vs <193:HR 0.6; 95% CI 0.38–0.95 P = .028), mGRIm score (2–3 vs 0–1: HR 2.4; 95% CI 1.09–5.23 P = .029) was independent risk factors of OS. The age (>65 vs ≤65 years HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.4–0.95 P = .003), LDH (>193 U/L vs ≤193 U/L: HR 0.55; 95% CI 0.37–0.82 P = .004) and mGRIm score (2–3 vs 0–1: HR 4.74; 95% CI 2.24–9.9 P = .000) as an independent risk factor for DFS. mGRIm score is a novel, simple and effective index for prognosis evaluation of resectable cardiac cancer and can be used as a part of the risk stratification process.
Modelling and Numerical Treatment of Diffuse-Interface Models with Applications in Epitaxial Growth

In this thesis, we are dealing with modelling and numerical treatment of epitaxial growth of thin crystalline films, where we concentrate on diffuse-interface approximations of two descriptions of this process. In the first part, we consider a semi-continuous model resolving atomic distances in the growth direction but being coarse grained in the lateral directions. Mathematically, this leads to a free boundary problem proposed by Burton, Cabrera and Frank for steps separating terraces of different atomic heights coupled to a diffusion equation for the adatom (adsorbed atom) concentration fulfilling certain boundary conditions at the steps. For this sharp-interface model, a diffuse-interface approximation can be given by a viscous Cahn-Hilliard equation, which is based on a Ginzburg-Landau free energy. Great emphasis is put on the incorporation of an Ehrlich-Schwoebel barrier — a higher energy barrier for attachment to a step down, which leads to a jump in the adatom concentration at the steps — as well as diffusion along step edges and anisotropic effects into a diffuse-interface model. We provide a justification by matched asymptotic expansions formally showing the convergence of the diffuse-interface model towards the sharp-interface model as the interface width shrinks to zero. The numerical treatment of the viscous Cahn-Hilliard is based on a semi-implicit finite element discretization, where an adaptive strategy of local mesh refinement and coarsening has been applied. Computational results include the numerical reproduction of the results of the asymptotic analysis in one dimensional situations, the investigation of the stability of a circular island and simulations of anisotropic island growth and spiral growth. The second model is continuous in all directions. We thereby assume that the interface between the film and the vapour is represented by a smooth surface, whose evolution is given by a geometric law that combines surface diffusion and interface kinetics, which can again be approximated by a viscous Cahn-Hilliard equation. In principle, we reuse the previous numerical approach and validate it with an investigation of an instability caused by an additional elastic energy. Further examples show the smoothing property for closed curves and surfaces as well as the evolution towards anisotropic shapes.
Immune-related adverse events associated with the use of immunotherapy in patients with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is a neoplasm of immature B-cells that is more prevalent in children. Despite successful remission rates in patients with B-ALL on chemotherapy, the risk of relapse is high. This has paved way for highly active immune and cell therapies to be intensively explored. However, the efficacy and immune-related adverse events (AE) associated with the use of immunotherapies remain elusive. Methods: This protocol has been prepared in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols 2015 guidelines. Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and Embase electronic databases will be searched to retrieve relevant interventional studies. Two reviewers (BKK and EH) will autonomously search and identify relevant studies using a preset inclusion and exclusion criteria. A predefined data extraction sheet will be used to extract relevant data items. The risk of bias will be assessed by 2 reviewers (BKK and BBN) using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized controlled trials and the Downs and Black Checklist for nonrandomized controlled trials. A third reviewer (TMN) will be consulted for any discrepancies. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation will be used to assess the strengths of evidence by 2 reviewers (BBK and TMN). The I² and Chi-squared statistical tests will be used to investigate statistical heterogeneity across studies. An I² value of > 50% will be considered substantial heterogeneity and a random-effects model will be used. Data analysis will be performed using Review Manager (RevMan V.5.3) statistical software.
DiSiR: fast and robust method to identify ligand–receptor interactions at subunit level from single-cell RNA-sequencing data

Abstract Most cell–cell interactions and crosstalks are mediated by ligand–receptor interactions. The advent of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) techniques has enabled characterizing tissue heterogeneity at single-cell level. In the past few years, several methods have been developed to study ligand–receptor interactions at cell type level using scRNA-seq data. However, there is still no easy way to query the activity of a specific user-defined signaling pathway in a targeted way or to map the interactions of the same subunit with different ligands as part of different receptor complexes. Here, we present DiSiR, a fast and easy-to-use permutation-based software framework to investigate how individual cells are interacting with each other by analyzing signaling pathways of multi-subunit ligand-activated receptors from scRNA-seq data, not only for available curated databases of ligand–receptor interactions, but also for interactions that are not listed in these databases. We show that, when utilized to infer ligand–receptor interactions from both simulated and real datasets, DiSiR outperforms other well-known permutation-based methods, e.g. CellPhoneDB and ICELLNET. Finally, to demonstrate DiSiR’s utility in exploring data and generating biologically relevant hypotheses, we apply it to COVID lung and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovium scRNA-seq datasets and highlight potential differences between inflammatory pathways at cell type level for control versus disease samples.
Safety evaluation of the food enzyme asparaginase from the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐CK

Abstract The food enzyme asparaginase (l‐asparagine amidohydrolase EC 3.5.1.1) is produced with the genetically modified Bacillus subtilis strain NZYM‐CK by Novozymes A/S. The genetic modifications do not give rise to safety concerns. The food enzyme is free from viable cells of the production organism and its DNA. It is intended to be used in various food manufacturing processes to prevent acrylamide formation. Dietary exposure to the food enzyme–total organic solids (TOS) was estimated to be up to 0.361 mg TOS/kg body weight (bw) per day in European populations. Genotoxicity tests did not indicate a safety concern. The systemic toxicity was assessed by a repeated dose 90‐day oral toxicity study in rats. The Panel identified a no observed adverse effect level of 1,207 mg TOS/kg bw per day, the highest dose tested, which, when compared with the estimated dietary exposure, results in a margin of exposure of at least 3,343. A search for the similarity of the amino acid sequence of the food enzyme to known allergens was made and no match was found. The Panel considered that, under the intended conditions of use, the risk of allergic reactions by dietary exposure cannot be excluded, but the likelihood is low. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that this food enzyme does not give rise to safety concerns under the intended conditions of use.
Exploring the growth trait molecular markers in two sheep breeds based on Genome-wide association analysis

Growth traits are quantitative traits controlled by multiple micro-effect genes. we identified molecular markers related to sheep growth traits, which formed the basis of molecular breeding. In this study, we randomly selected 100 Qira Black sheep and 84 German Merino sheep for the blood collection the jugular vein to genotype by using the Illumina Ovine SNP 50K Bead Chip. quality control criteria for statistical analysis were: rejection detection rate < 90% and minimum allele frequency (MAF) < 5%. Then, we performed Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on sheep body weight, body height, body length, and chest circumference using mixed linear models. After getting 55 SNPs with significant correlation, they were annotated by reference genome of Ovis aries genome (Oar_v4.0) and We obtained a total of 84 candidate genes associated with production traits (BMPR1B, HSD17B3, TMEM63C, etc.). We selected BMPR1B for population validation and found a correlation between the FecB locus and body weight traits. Therefore, this study not only supplements the existing knowledge of molecular markers of sheep growth traits, but also has important theoretical significance and reference value for the mining of functional genes of sheep growth traits.
A Severe Disc Herniation Mimics Spinal Tumor

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is prevalent among adults aged 25-55 years who spend a considerable proportion of their time sitting or standing with heavy workloads. We report the case of a 33-year-old male waiter with severe LDH, causing compression of the nerve roots and spinal cord with neurological dysfunction, who presented to a chiropractic clinic. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a radiological differential diagnosis comprising LDH and an epidural mass lesion. To rule out serious pathology, a second MRI with contrast was ordered, which confirmed the diagnosis of severe LDH. Diagnosing large LDH may be challenging, and severe disc herniation often mimics spinal tumors. This study offers insights into the differential diagnosis of LDH and spinal tumors, as well as the design of a treatment strategy for severe LDH in the chiropractic clinic.