Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A novel tool and procedure for in-situ volumetric calibration of motion capture systems for breathing analysis

Optical motion capture systems are widely used in biomechanics although have not been significantly explored for measuring volumes and volume variations yet. The aim of this study was to propose and test a completely novel procedure for the calibration of motion capture systems for the breathing analysis in terms of volume measurements, by the use of a tool consisting in an ad-hoc designed in-situ calibration device (CD) and two algorithms for calibration. Both the calibration tool and the calibration procedure performed in the range 0-2780mL on an Optoelectronic Plethysmography (OEP) system are presented. The CD delivered known volume (ΔVCD) variations to the OEP; the two algorithms performed the calibration by the comparison between ΔVCD and OEP recorded volume (ΔVOEP), in both static and dynamic conditions. Discrimination threshold, accuracy, precision and repeatability for the volume variation measurements have been evaluated, as well as the calibration curve of the OEP. OEP volume threshold of ±8.92mL was assessed; the volume measurement accuracy was always better than 6.0% of measured volume, and a volume repeatability of ±2.7mL was found. Lastly, the calibration curve was assessed to be ΔVOEP= 0.962·ΔVCD. Results demonstrate that the proposed calibration procedure can be useful to provide an in-situ accurate calibration of motion capture systems in the volume analysis, to optimize the hardware and the software of the available system for volume measurement as well as to establish the motion capture system appropriateness, in terms of technical suitability and data quality.
β2-Microglobulin-Dependent Bacterial Clearance and Survival during Murine Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia

ABSTRACT Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of both community-acquired and nosocomial gram-negative bacterial pneumonia. A significant clinical complication of Klebsiella pulmonary infections is peripheral blood dissemination, resulting in a systemic infection concurrent with the localized pulmonary infection. We report here on the critical importance of β2-microglobulin expression during murine K. pneumoniae bacteremia. β2-Microglobulin knockout mice displayed significantly increased mortality upon intravenous inoculation that correlated with increased bacterial burden in the blood, liver, and spleen. As β2-microglobulin knockout mice lack both CD8+ T cells and invariant NK T cells, mouse models specifically deficient in either cell population were examined to see if this would account for the increased mortality noted in β2-microglobulin knockout mice. Surprisingly, neither CD8 T-cell-deficient (TAP-1 knockout; in vivo anti-CD8 antibody treatment) nor invariant NK (iNK) T-cell-deficient (CD1d knockout, Jα281 knockout) mice were more susceptible to K. pneumoniae bacteremia. Combined, these studies clearly indicate the importance of a β2-microglobulin-dependent but CD8 T-cell- and iNK T-cell-independent mechanism critical for survival during K. pneumoniae bacteremia.
Non-apoptotic cell death associated with perturbations of macropinocytosis

Although macropinocytosis is widely recognized as a distinct form of fluid-phase endocytosis in antigen-presenting dendritic cells, it also occurs constitutively in many other normal and transformed cell types. Recent studies have established that various genetic or pharmacological manipulations can hyperstimulate macropinocytosis or disrupt normal macropinosome trafficking pathways, leading to accumulation of greatly enlarged cytoplasmic vacuoles. In some cases, this extreme vacuolization is associated with a unique form of non-apoptotic cell death termed “methuosis,” from the Greek methuo (to drink to intoxication). It remains unclear whether cell death related to dysfunctional macropinocytosis occurs in normal physiological contexts. However, the finding that some types of cancer cells are particularly vulnerable to this unusual form of cell death has raised the possibility that small molecules capable of altering macropinosome trafficking or function might be useful as therapeutic agents against cancers that are resistant to drugs that work by inducing apoptosis. Herein we review examples of cell death associated with dysfunctional macropinocytosis and summarize what is known about the underlying mechanisms.
Effect of Palmitic Acid Utilization on Cell Division in Mycobacterium avium

Mycobacterium avium, a facultative pathogen for humans, undergoes a life cycle in which selected small cells elongate and then fragment to form coccobacilli. M. avium cells of uniform size were selected by membrane filtration and tested for growth and division in the presence or absence of palmitic acid. Growth was measured by increased cellular protein, and cell division was determined by increased colony-forming units on agar or, electronically, by increased numbers of particles. Both growth and division rates of M. avium were found to be dependent upon the initial concentration of palmitic acid presented to the cells. The division constant varied from 0.05 to 0.13 when the concentration of palmitic acid ranged from 0 to 175 nmol/ml of medium. With [14C]palmitic acid as a tracer, it was found that rapid cell division began upon cessation of fatty acid uptake. During division, new lipid materials were released which contained 14C derived from [14C]palmitic acid. Limited cell division and no fragmentation occurred in fatty acid-starved cultures. During fatty acid starvation, the transparent colony form, considered a pathogen, underwent a transition to the colony form considered a nonpathogen. The possible relationships between the organism's dependence on fatty acid and its ability to infect humans are discussed.
Waiting Time as a Barrier to Treatment Entry: Perceptions of Substance Users

Many substance users report that they experience multiple barriers that produce significant challenges to linking with treatment services. Being on a waiting list is frequently mentioned as a barrier, leading some people to give up on treatment and to continue using, while prompting others to view sobriety during the waiting period as proof they do not need treatment. This ethnographic study examines the views that 52 substance users have of the waiting time before treatment and the strategies they created to overcome it. Understanding how substance users react to waiting time itself and in relation to other barriers can lead to services that are effective in encouraging treatment linkage.
Why many visible minority women in Canada do not participate in cervical cancer screening

Objective. To determine a high-risk group of visible minority women in Canada who do not participate in cervical cancer screening and the reasons why they do not participate. Design. We combined two cycles of a large Canadian health survey, Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS), to obtain a large sample size of visible minority women. Proportions of ‘never having a Papanicalaou (Pap) test’ and ‘not having a Pap test within the last three years’ were then calculated for different ethnic groups using sampling weights advised by Statistics Canada to account for the complex sampling procedure used in CCHS. A logistic regression model was developed to test the association between demographic and health-related variables and not having a Pap test. To identify visible minority women who were at a high risk of not having a Pap test, we stratified these women simultaneously on three variables that were significant in the logistic regression model. Results. Visible minority women were more than twice as likely never to have had a Pap test. Among visible minority women, those who recently immigrated to Canada and did not have a regular physician had the highest risk for not having a Pap test. Common reasons reported for not having a Pap test included believing it was not necessary and simply not getting around to it. Conclusion. Visible minority women in Canada may not be participating in regular Pap testing because of cultural beliefs and a lack of an understanding of the importance of Pap testing. A culturally appropriate cervical cancer screening intervention program that involves members of visible minority communities may increase participation of this subgroup of Canadian women. This study provides preliminary information on why visible minority women in Canada do not participate in cervical cancer screening. However, the lumping together of all visible minority may obscure differences between different ethnic groups. Therefore, further research on each ethnic group is required to develop tailored culturally appropriate intervention.
Comparison of Duration of Intubation in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery With On-Pump and Off-Pump

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases especially coronary artery disease (CAD) is still the major cause of mortality in the world. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery is considered one of the most effective treatment methods for CAD. One of the essential cares after open heart surgery is extubation of patients. So the present study was performed with the aim of comparative research about duration of intubation in CABGs with on-pump (with cardiopulmonary bypass machine) and off-pump (without cardiopulmonary bypass machine) in 2014. Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive correlative investigation. Sampling among available samples and in the random form was done on 100 patients of CABG surgery with and without cardiopulmonary bypass in Madani Heart hospital, Tabriz, Iran in 2014. Data collection tool was a two- part questionnaire that included all demographic information and effective factors during intubation. These questionnaires were completed by a researcher beside the observation and written consent information contained in the patients’ records. Data recording was analysed using SPSS software Results: This study showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the duration of intubation and sternum openness. Also this study showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the duration of intubation and using cardiac pulmonary bypass. Conclusion: This study showed that openness of the sternum and the use of cardiopulmonary bypass machine are crucial factors for increasing of duration of intubation of patients undergoing CABG surgery. So this group of patients was under mechanical ventilation longer than the others.
Using Extreme Gradient Boosting to Detect Glottal Closure Instants in Speech Signal

In this paper, we continue to investigate the use of classifiers for the automatic detection of glottal closure instants (GCIs) from the speech signal. We focus on extreme gradient boosting (XGB), a fast and powerful implementation of a gradient boosting algorithm. We show that XGB outperforms other classifiers, achieving GCI detection accuracy F 1 = 98.55% and AUC = 99.90%. The proposed XGB model is also shown to outperform other existing GCI detection algorithms on publicly available databases. Despite using much less training data, the performance of XGB is comparable to a deep convolutional neural network based approach, especially when it is tested on voices that were not included in the training data.
Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for pediatric solid tumors

While advances in the treatment of pediatric cancers have increased cure rates, children with metastatic or recurrent solid tumors have a dismal prognosis despite initial transient responses to therapy. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation takes advantage of the steep dose–response relationship observed with many chemotherapeutic agents. While clearly demonstrated to improve outcomes in patients with metastatic neuroblastoma, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is also frequently used to treat patients with other high-risk diseases such as Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, Wilms’ tumor, retinoblastoma, germ cell tumors, lymphomas and brain tumors. Most published experience consists of retrospective, single-arm studies; randomized clinical trials are lacking, due in part to the rarity of pediatric cancers treatable by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. These published literature demonstrate that autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation results in most cases in equivalent or superior outcomes when compared with conventional therapies. However, patient heterogeneity, patient selection, graft characteristics and processing and the varied conditioning regimens are additional factors to consider. Since the inception of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, regimen-related toxicity has markedly decreased and the vast majority of treatment failures are now due to disease recurrence. Prospective clinical trials are needed to identify specific high-risk patient populations, with randomization (when possible) to compare outcomes of patients undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation with those receiving standard therapy. In addition, investigators need to better define the role of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in these solid tumors, particularly in combination with other therapeutic modalities such as immunotherapy and novel cell processing methodologies.
Hyperprogressive Disease Is a New Pattern of Progression in Cancer Patients Treated by Anti-PD-1/PD-L1

Purpose: While immune checkpoint inhibitors are disrupting the management of patients with cancer, anecdotal occurrences of rapid progression (i.e., hyperprogressive disease or HPD) under these agents have been described, suggesting potentially deleterious effects of these drugs. The prevalence, the natural history, and the predictive factors of HPD in patients with cancer treated by anti-PD-1/PD-L1 remain unknown. Experimental Design: Medical records from all patients (N = 218) prospectively treated in Gustave Roussy by anti-PD-1/PD-L1 within phase I clinical trials were analyzed. The tumor growth rate (TGR) prior (“REFERENCE”; REF) and upon (“EXPERIMENTAL”; EXP) anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy was compared to identify patients with accelerated tumor growth. Associations between TGR, clinicopathologic characteristics, and overall survival (OS) were computed. Results: HPD was defined as a RECIST progression at the first evaluation and as a ≥2-fold increase of the TGR between the REF and the EXP periods. Of 131 evaluable patients, 12 patients (9%) were considered as having HPD. HPD was not associated with higher tumor burden at baseline, nor with any specific tumor type. At progression, patients with HPD had a lower rate of new lesions than patients with disease progression without HPD (P < 0.05). HPD is associated with a higher age (P < 0.05) and a worse outcome (overall survival). Interestingly, REF TGR (before treatment) was inversely correlated with response to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 (P < 0.05) therapy. Conclusions: A novel aggressive pattern of hyperprogression exists in a fraction of patients treated with anti-PD-1/PD-L1. This observation raises some concerns about treating elderly patients (>65 years old) with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapy and suggests further study of this phenomenon. Clin Cancer Res; 23(8); 1920–8. ©2016 AACR. See related commentary by Sharon, p. 1879
The Effectiveness of Two Interventions on Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency Among a Cohort of Irish Primary School Children

This study examined the effectiveness of a physical activity (Year 1) and a multicomponent fundamental movement skill (FMS) (Year 2) intervention on primary school children’s FMS proficiency. Data were collected from 6- and 10-year-old cohorts from two intervention schools and age-matched groups from one control school, in south Ireland. In Year 1 (N = 187), intervention (n = 96) and control (n = 91) groups were children from senior infant (6-year-old cohort) and 4th class (10-year-old cohort). In Year 2 (N = 357), intervention (n = 195) and control (n = 162) groups were children from senior infant and 1st class (6-year-old cohort) and 4th and 5th classes (10-year-old cohort). FMS assessment was conducted across both academic years, using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2. Linear mixed models were used to investigate the effectiveness of each intervention, adjusting for age group. Following Year 1, the intervention group significantly improved locomotor proficiency (p < .05), with no changes in object-control or overall proficiency. No group-time interactions were found. Following Year 2, the intervention group significantly improved locomotor, object-control, and overall proficiency (p < .001). Group-time interaction effects were found for both subsets and overall FMS in favor of the intervention group (p < .001). FMS proficiency among primary school children was significantly greater following the multicomponent FMS intervention.
Association of GAP-43 with Detergent-resistant Membranes Requires Two Palmitoylated Cysteine Residues*

GAP-43 is an abundant protein in axonal growth cones of developing and regenerating neurons. We found that GAP-43 was enriched in detergent-resistant membranes (DRMs) isolated by Triton X-100 extraction from PC12 pheochromocytoma cells and could be detected in detergent-insoluble plasma membrane remnants after extraction of cells in situ. GAP-43 is palmitoylated at Cys-3 and Cys-4. Mutation of either Cys residue prevented association with DRMs. A hybrid protein containing the first 20 amino acid residues of GAP-43 fused to β-galactosidase was targeted to DRMs even more efficiently than GAP-43 itself. We conclude that tandem palmitoylated Cys residues can target GAP-43 to DRMs, defining a new signal for DRM targeting. We propose that tandem or closely spaced saturated fatty acyl chains partition into domains or “rafts” in the liquid-ordered phase, or a phase with similar properties, in cell membranes. These rafts are isolated as DRMs after detergent extraction. The brain-specific heterotrimeric G protein Go, which may be regulated by GAP-43 in vitro, was also enriched in DRMs from PC12 cells. Targeting of GAP-43 to rafts may function to facilitate signaling through Go. In addition, raft association may aid in sorting of GAP-43 into axonally directed vesicles in the trans-Golgi network.
Radiological Patterns in Sickle Cell Disease Patients with Acute Chest Syndrome: Are There Age-Related Differences?

Background: Acute chest syndrome is a major cause of pulmonary disease and mortality in sickle cell disease patients. Its diagnosis can be delayed due to differing imaging patterns between children and adults. Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the pulmonary and extrapulmonary imaging findings in sickle cell disease patients with acute chest syndrome and determine differences in findings between adult and pediatric patients. Patients and Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the data of all sickle cell disease patients who were admitted with a diagnosis of acute chest syndrome to King Fahd Hospital of the University, Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, between January and June 2015 (n = 150). After grouping the patients into adults and pediatrics, the pulmonary and extrapulmonary characteristics were identified and the digital radiography, computed tomography and laboratory findings were compared. Results: A total of 116 patients with 163 acute chest syndrome episodes met the inclusion criteria, of which 69 (60%) were adults. In both adult and pediatric patients, the most frequent pulmonary finding was consolidation of the lung parenchyma. The right lung was most frequently involved: the lower lobe in adult patients and the middle lobe in pediatric patients. In addition, pleural effusion was observed in both age groups. Extrapulmonary radiological findings, such as avascular necrosis and cardiomegaly, were significantly more common in adult patients than in pediatric patients (P < 0.05). Compared with adults, pediatric patients had significantly lower hemoglobin levels (P = 0.001) and oxygen tension fraction in arterial blood (P = 0.007). Conclusions: Pediatric and adult sickle cell disease patients with acute chest syndrome typically exhibited similar pulmonary characteristics, whereas extrapulmonary findings were more prominent in adult patients. Furthermore, low levels of hemoglobin and oxygen tension fraction were dependent predictors of acute chest syndrome.
Comparison Between Two National Metrology Institutes of Diameters and Characteristic Impedance of Coaxial Air Lines

This paper summarizes a bilateral comparison of the measurements of the diameters of two precision coaxial air lines with a line size of 3.5 mm. These mechanical measurements were independently made by two national metrology institutes, i.e., the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The laboratories also calculated the characteristic impedance of each air line based on the measured diameter values. The difference between the characteristic impedances calculated by the two laboratories for both lines was less than 0.020 Omega. The uncertainty of this difference, at a 95% level of confidence for each line, was 0.084 and 0.307 Omega.
Mannose-binding lectin genotypes in susceptibility to community-acquired pneumonia.

BACKGROUND Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is most frequently caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, atypical pathogens, and respiratory viruses. Susceptibility to CAP can be increased by single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the mannose-binding lectin (MBL) gene. We questioned whether MBL polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility to and outcome of CAP and its most common pathogens. METHODS All adult patients presenting with CAP in a 23-month period were included in this study. Frequencies of SNPs were determined for the promoter X/Y and the three coding SNPs in exon 1 (A/0). Six genotypes were constructed representing patients with sufficient and deficient serum levels of MBL. The results of the patients with CAP were compared with control subjects. RESULTS In 199 patients and 223 control subjects, MBL genotypes were determined. There were no differences in MBL genotype frequencies between patients with CAP in general, pneumonia caused by S pneumoniae or H influenzae, and control subjects. The frequency of sufficient MBL genotypes was nonsignificantly higher in patients with pneumonia with Legionella sp and Mycoplasma pneumoniae. In Legionella spp, the sufficient YA/YA genotype was significantly more frequent than in control subjects (odds ratio [OR], 5.43; confidence interval [CI], 1.32 to 22.41; p = 0.02). The frequency of the MBL-deficient genotype was significantly higher in patients with viral (co)infections (OR, 2.36; CI, 1.06 to 5.26; p = 0.03) and nonsignificantly higher in patients with pneumococcal pneumonia and viral (co)infections. MBL genotypes had no effect on outcome. CONCLUSIONS MBL genotypes play a limited role in pneumococcal pneumonia. Sufficient MBL genotypes were more frequently found in a small group of patients with atypical pneumonia, and MBL-deficient genotypes were more frequently found in patients with viral (co)infections.