Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum Amyloid A Induces Inflammation, Proliferation and Cell Death in Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells

Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an evolutionary highly conserved acute phase protein that is predominantly secreted by hepatocytes. However, its role in liver injury and fibrogenesis has not been elucidated so far. In this study, we determined the effects of SAA on hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), the main fibrogenic cell type of the liver. Serum amyloid A potently activated IκB kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Erk and Akt and enhanced NF-κB-dependent luciferase activity in primary human and rat HSCs. Serum amyloid A induced the transcription of MCP-1, RANTES and MMP9 in an NF-κB- and JNK-dependent manner. Blockade of NF-κB revealed cytotoxic effects of SAA in primary HSCs with signs of apoptosis such as caspase 3 and PARP cleavage and Annexin V staining. Serum amyloid A induced HSC proliferation, which depended on JNK, Erk and Akt activity. In primary hepatocytes, SAA also activated MAP kinases, but did not induce relevant cell death after NF-κB inhibition. In two models of hepatic fibrogenesis, CCl4 treatment and bile duct ligation, hepatic mRNA levels of SAA1 and SAA3 were strongly increased. In conclusion, SAA may modulate fibrogenic responses in the liver in a positive and negative fashion by inducing inflammation, proliferation and cell death in HSCs.
Genetic Predisposition to Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Patients With Severe Sepsis

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between candidate gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in patients with severe sepsis. Methods: Patients older than 18 years admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with the diagnosis of severe sepsis were prospectively included. A blood sample was drawn on the first day of ICU admission, and DNA was extracted. We genotyped the insertion/deletion polymorphism of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene (polymerase chain reaction) and the following single-nucleotide polymorphisms (TaqMan SNP genotyping assay): tumor necrosis factor &agr; -376 G/A, -308 G/A, and -238 G/A; interleukin 8 -251 T/A; pre–B cell colony-enhancing factor -1001 G/T; and vascular endothelial growth factor +405 C/G and +936 C/T. Polymorphisms were selected based on reports on their association with ARDS. Variables associated in univariate analysis (P < 0.1) with the diagnosis of ARDS were included in a multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: We studied 149 patients, of whom 35 presented ARDS. Variables included in the maximal multivariate model were male sex, chronic alcoholism, use of ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-receptor blockers, Simplified Acute Physiology Score II score, serum glucose concentration at ICU admission, and the presence of the allele D of the ACE gene. After adjustment for those variables, the presence of the allele D of the ACE gene (odds ratio, 4.75; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–22.20; P = 0.048) was significantly associated with the diagnosis of ARDS. Conclusion: The presence of the allele D of the ACE gene is associated with ARDS in patients with severe sepsis.
Risk Factors for Development of Biliary Stricture in Patients Presenting with Bile Leak after Cholecystectomy

Background/Aims This study was aimed at determining the factors associated with the development of benign biliary stricture (BBS) in patients who had sustained a bile duct injury (BDI) at cholecystectomy and developed bile leaks. Methods A retrospective analysis of 214 patients with BDI who were referred to our center between January 1989 and December 2009 was done. Results One hundred fifty-three (71%) patients developed BBS (group I), and 61 (29%) were normal (group II). By univariate analysis, female gender (p=0.02), open cholecystectomy as the index operation (p=0.0001), delay in the referral from identification of injury (p=0.04), persistence of an external biliary fistula (EBF) beyond 4 weeks (p=0.0001), EBF output >400 mL (p=0.01), presence of jaundice (p=0.0001), raised serum total bilirubin level (p=0.0001), raised serum alkaline phosphatase level (p=0.0001), and complete BDI (p=0.0001) were associated with the development of BBS. Furthermore, open cholecystectomy as the index operation (p=0.04), delayed referral (p=0.02), persistent EBF (p=0.03), and complete BDI (p=0.001) were found to predict patient outcome in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions For the majority of patients with BDI, the risk of developing BBS could have been predicted at the initial presentation.
Use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) to optimise oxygenation in anaesthetised horses--a clinical study.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY Hypoxaemia is a common problem during equine anaesthesia. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is a ventilation mode routinely employed in man to overcome hypoxaemia but has not been objectively assessed in horses. OBJECTIVES To test the effects of CPAP on oxygenation and its indices in anaesthetised horses in a clinical setting. METHODS Twenty-four healthy horses requiring anaesthesia in dorsal recumbency were anaesthetised using a standard protocol. Following orotracheal intubation and connection to an anaesthetic machine capable of applying CPAP, horses were randomly allocated to ventilate at physiological airway pressure measured at the airway opening (Group PAP) or to receive CPAP of 8 cmH2O (Group CPAP). Arterial blood gas analysis was performed as soon as arterial cannulation was achieved and 30, 60 and 90 min after induction. If PaCO2 increased above 9.31 kPa controlled ventilation was initiated. Groups were compared using a general linear model. RESULTS Horses receiving CPAP had significantly higher PaO2 and calculated oxygen indices than horses receiving PAP. No significant differences in ventilation indices were observed between the 2 groups. Eight horses receiving PAP and 5 receiving CPAP required controlled ventilation. No differences in dobutamine requirements or mean arterial pressures were recorded. CONCLUSIONS Continuous positive airway pressure of 8 cmH2O improved oxygenation indices in dorsally recumbent horses without significantly influencing ventilation. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE Continuous positive airway pressure reduces the incidence of hypoxaemia in anaesthetised horses. Further research is warranted to elucidate the effects of CPAP on the cardiovascular system.
Pointwise theorems for amenable groups

Abstract.In this paper we prove the pointwise ergodic theorem for general locally compact amenable groups along Følner sequences that obey some restrictions. These restrictions are mild enough so that such sequences exist for all amenable groups. We also prove a generalization of the Shannon-McMillan-Breiman theorem to all discrete amenable groups. -->
Guidelines for the management of Helicobacter pylori infection

PREAMBLE Guidelines for clinical practice are intended to suggest preferable approaches to particular medical problems as established by interpretation and collation of scientifically valid research, derived from extensive review of published literature. When data are not available that will withstand objective scrutiny, a recommendation may be made based on a consensus of experts. Guidelines are intended to apply to the clinical situation for all physicians without regard to specialty. Guidelines are intended to be flexible, not necessarily indicating the only acceptable approach, and should be distinguished from standards of care that are inflexible and rarely violated. Given the wide range of choices in any health care problem, the physician should select the course best suited to the individual patient and the clinical situation presented. These guidelines are developed under the auspices of the American College of Gastroenterology and its practice parameters committee. These guidelines are also approved by the governing boards of the American Gastroenterological Association, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. Expert opinion is solicited from the outset for the document. Guidelines are reviewed in depth by the committee, with participation from experienced clinicians and others in related fields. The final recommendations are based on the data available at the time of the production of the document and may be updated with pertinent scientific developments at a later time. The following guidelines are intended for adults and not for pediatric patients.
Comparison of APACHE II and SAPS II Scoring Systems in Prediction of Critically Ill Patients’ Outcome

Introduction: Using physiologic scoring systems for identifying high-risk patients for mortality has been considered recently. This study was designed to evaluate the values of Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) and Simplified Acute Physiologic Score (SAPS II) models in prediction of 1-month mortality of critically ill patients. Methods: The present prospective cross sectional study was performed on critically ill patients presented to emergency department during 6 months. Data required for calculation of the scores were gathered and performance of the models in prediction of 1-month mortality were assessed using STATA software 11.0. Results: 82 critically ill patients with the mean age of 53.45 ± 20.37 years were included (65.9% male). Their mortality rate was 48%. Mean SAPS II (p < 0.0001) and APACHE II (p = 0.0007) scores were significantly higher in dead patients. Area under the ROC curve of SAPS II and APACHE II for prediction of mortality were 0.75 (95% CI: 0.64 - 0.86) and 0.72 (95% CI: 0.60 - 0.83), respectively (p = 0.24). The slope and intercept of SAPS II were 1.02 and 0.04, respectively. In addition, these values were 0.92 and 0.09 for APACHE II, respectively. Conclusion: The findings of the present study showed that APACHE II and SAPS II had similar value in predicting 1-month mortality of patients. Discriminatory powers of the mentioned models were acceptable but their calibration had some amount of lack of fit, which reveals that APACHE II and SAPS II are partially perfect.
Evaluation of the usefulness of senescing agent potassium iodide (KI) as a screening tool for tolerance to terminal drought in soybean

Drought at seed fill stage is a major limitation to soybean productivity in countries where crop is mainly grown on seasonal rains. Improved translocation of stem reserves to developing seeds under such a condition could play an important role in improving the productivity of soybean. However, uncertain nature of rains makes it difficult to evaluate large number of genotypes for this trait under field conditions. Chemical desiccants such as potassium iodide (KI) have been successfully used to evaluate genotypes for terminal drought in many crops, but their use in soybean has not been reported. In this study, efforts were made to evaluate the usefulness of KI in identification of soybean genotypes tolerant to terminal drought. Three concentrations of KI (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 %) were sprayed on soybean variety JS 335 at the beginning of seed fill (R5 stage) and, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after R5 stage for two years (2008 and 2009). Based on relative losses in seed yield and 100 seed weight as compared to untreated control, it was observed that spraying of 0.1 to 0.2 % KI between 7 to 14 days after R5 stage can simulate terminal drought appropriately. Subsequently, 200 soybean genotypes were evaluated under field condition for relative tolerance to terminal drought by spraying 0.2 % KI at 10 days after plants reached to R5 stage. Three genotypes (EC 538828, JS 97-52 and EC 602288) were identified as showing relative tolerance to terminal drought as compared to other genotypes. These genotypes were further tested under natural drought at seed fill stage in rainout shelters. The reduction in seed yield (20-31 %) was relatively less in the identified genotypes as compared to other genotypes (34-60 %). It is concluded that KI can be used as chemical desiccant for field evaluation of large number of soybean genotypes and identification of genetic sources for tolerance to terminal drought.
Behavioral Neuroscience

standard inbred mouse strains, such as the 129 strains, commonly used for transgenic studies differ in genetic background and behav-ioral phenotype, stressing the importance of characterization and selection of the background strain (Crusio, 1996; Gerlai, 1996). Despite thorough genetic and behavioral characterization, the genetic components of the appetitive learning abilities of standard inbred mice (e.g., strains C57BL/6J and DBA/2J, A/J, Balb/c, C3H/ HeJ, NOD/Ltj and 129S1/Sv) are largely unknown (but see Isles et al., 2004) for estimates of the genetic effect on choice bias for immediate rewards based on four standard inbred mouse lines and (Baron and Meltzer, 2001; McKerchar et al., 2005) for strain comparisons in an operant nose poke task and lever press task, respectively). Especially the behavioral characterization of learning in NOD/Ltj mice is far from complete. Overall, this makes it difficult to select a background strain if one aims to develop a genetic mouse model for appetitive learning disabilities. Susceptibility to cognitive dysfunctions is mostly affected by quantitative effects of groups of genes, rather than single genes (Valdar et al., 2006). Taking an approach opposite to studying targeted mutations, a behavior-to-genes approach with genome-wide scanning for linkages between behavioral traits and chromosomal areas aims at elucidating the roles of genes in complex traits such as cognitive functions. Complementing the vast number of genetically engineered mouse lines, several sets of recombinant-inbred mouse lines have been created, perhaps most remarkably the BxD
A tactile enhancement instrument for minimally invasive surgery

Objective: During minimally invasive arthroscopy, surgeons use probes as diagnostic tools to detect tissue anomalies. Improving tactile sensitivity during this activity would be valuable. Materials and Methods: We developed an enhanced probe that could enhance the tactile sensations experienced while probing objects. It operated by detecting the acceleration signal resulting from the interaction of the tool tip with surfaces and by magnifying it for tactile and auditory reproduction. The instrument consisted of an accelerometer and an actuator arranged such that the sensing direction was orthogonal to the actuating direction so as to decouple input from output. Using the instrument, subjects were asked to detect cuts under four conditions: with no amplification, with enhanced tactile feedback, with sound feedback, and with passive touch. Results: We found that for tactile reproduction, the current prototype could amplify the signals by 10 dB on average. Results from statistical methods showed significant improvements in performance in the case of tactile and auditory feedbacks. Conclusion: We developed a surgical probe with tactile and auditory feedbacks. Despite the moderate system gain achievable with the initial prototype, the system could measurably improve users' ability to detect small cuts in cartilage-like elastic surfaces.
Hyperglycemic Effect without Anabolic Effect of Beef Growth Hormone in Man

The biologic properties of growth hormone preparations presently available are poorly defined and vary greatly from species to species. This may result in part from more marked differences between growth hormones from various species than is the case for other protein hormones such as insulin, adrenocorticotropic or posterior pituitary hormones.The growth hormone preparations available in amounts sufficient for adequate testing have usually been those extracted from the pituitaries of beef and hog; they have in general been tested in rats, cats and dogs. The preparations tested have been of varying degrees of purity and have been prepared by various procedures. None has as yet been shown conclusively to be free of metabolically active contaminants. Some of the postulated actions of growth hormone on metabolism have been summarized in figure i. Growth hormone, by definition, stimulates growth of certain tissues, and thereby induces retention of nitrogen, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. In order to evidence an anabolic response to growth hormone it would appear that hypophysectomized animals should possess an adequate reserve of insulin in addition to being skeletally immature. ' Skeletally adult animals and those with an insufficient insulin reserve may develop hyperglycemia and transient or permanent diabetes mellitus under the prolonged influence of the hormone but fail to show evidence of tissue growth.7 The production of hyperglycemia, glucosuria and sometimes permanent diabetes mellitus is the best documented and most consistent effect of relatively large doses of growth hormone on carbohydrate metabolism. Smaller doses restore normal insulin sensitivity in previously hypersensitive hypophysectomized animals. The hyperglycemic effect of growth hormone has been most clearly demonstrated
Measuring the meaning of disability in rheumatoid arthritis: the Personal Impact Health Assessment Questionnaire (PI HAQ)

Background: Measurement of disability in rheumatoid arthritis is often used to support treatment decisions and outcome assessments, but is used without reference to the impact of disability on individual patients. Objective: To develop and validate a scale to measure individual values for functions, which is used to weight the level of an individual patient’s functional loss and thus calculate the personal impact of disability. Methods: In four linked studies, first the phraseology for values was explored to develop a stem question for the value scale couched in terms patients understand (face validity). Then short and long versions of the value scale were compared (content validity) and tests of internal consistency and short term reliability undertaken (criterion validity). Finally, the value scale was examined for long term reliability and agreement with expected variables (criterion and construct validity), after which personal impact scores were calculated and their construct validity examined. Results: Patients understand the concept of values, and a positively phrased stem question was developed for the value scale, for which a short version was reasonably equivalent to a long version. The value scale was reliable over one week (96% changed by <1 point) with positive interitem correlation. Reasonable six and 12 month reliability was shown (52% changed by <0.5 points), and the value scale was independent of disability and clinical, psychological, personality, and social support variables. Personal impact scores were then calculated by using the value scores to weight disability scores. Impact scores varied widely between patients of similar disability. Personal impact for disability showed convergent validity with dissatisfaction with disability, perceived increase in disability, increased disease activity, worse psychological status, low social support, and time trade off for disability. It discriminated between patients with low and high dissatisfaction with disability, life satisfaction, depression, pain, and helplessness. Conclusion: This individualised personal impact scale should lend meaning to disability scores, improving the interpretation of clinical and research data.
NR4A1 (Nur77) Deletion Polarizes Macrophages Toward an Inflammatory Phenotype and Increases Atherosclerosis

Rationale: NR4A1 (Nur77) is a nuclear receptor that is expressed in macrophages and within atherosclerotic lesions, yet its function in atherosclerosis is unknown. Objective: Nur77 regulates the development of monocytes, particularly patrolling Ly6C− monocytes that may be involved in resolution of inflammation. We sought to determine how absence of nuclear receptor subfamily 4, group A, member 1 (NR4A1) in hematopoietic cells affected atherosclerosis development. Methods and Results: Nur77−/− chimeric mice on a Ldlr−/− background showed a 3-fold increase in atherosclerosis development when fed a Western diet for 20 weeks, despite having a drastic reduction in Ly6C− patrolling monocytes. In a second model, mice deficient in both Nur77 and ApoE (ApoE−/−Nur77−/−) also showed increased atherosclerosis after 11 weeks of Western diet. Atherosclerosis was associated with a significant change in macrophage polarization toward a proinflammatory phenotype, with high expression of tumor necrosis factor-&agr; and nitric oxide and low expression of Arginase-I. Moreover, we found increased expression of toll-like receptor 4 mRNA and protein in Nur77−/− macrophages as well as increased phosphorylation of the p65 subunit of NF&kgr;B. Inhibition of NF&kgr;B activity blocked excess activation of Nur77−/− macrophages. Conclusions: We conclude that the absence of Nur77 in monocytes and macrophages results in enhanced toll-like receptor signaling and polarization of macrophages toward a proinflammatory M1 phenotype. Despite having fewer monocytes, Nur77−/− mice developed significant atherosclerosis when fed a Western diet. These studies indicate that Nur77 is a novel target for modulating the inflammatory phenotype of monocytes and macrophages and may be important for regulation of atherogenesis.
Time domain reflectometry (TDR) potential for soil condition monitoring of geotechnical assets

The performance of geotechnical assets is influenced by various external factors including time and changing loading and environmental conditions. These changes could reduce the asset’s ability to maintain its function, potentially resulting in failure, which could be extremely disruptive and expensive to remediate; thus, the ability to monitor the long-term condition of the ground is clearly desirable as this could function as an early-warning system, permitting intervention prior to failure. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential of using time domain reflectometry (TDR) for long-term monitoring of the relative health of an asset (via water content and dry density) in a field trial where a clayey sandy silt was exposed to leaking water from a pipe. TDR sensors were able to provide detailed information on the variation in the soil conditions and detect abrupt changes that would relay a prompt for asset inspections or interventions. It is proposed that TDR could be used alone or together with other shallow geophysical techniques for long-term condition monitoring of critical geotechnical assets. Early-warning systems could be based on thresholds defined from the values or the relative change of the measured parameters.
A Study on the Effect of Outliers in Devanagari Character Recognition

Devanagari is the basic script for many languages of India, including their National language Hindi. Unlike the Latin script used for the English language, it does not have upper case or lowercase. It has only one case of writing. Moreover each alphabet contains more curves than straight lines. Hence handwritten Devanagari character recognition is a challenging task. To capture different handwritten styles of each alphabet, different approaches have been proposed. In this work, we investigate a simple filtering technique on the features. Support Vector Machine (SVM) was used as classifier. It has been applied on two benchmark Devanagari databases and results show an improvement of as much as 5-10%. This improvement is found to be consistent with different sizes of the database. It was studied on pixel density features and GIST features separately. GIST features were found to be more effective and like having the potency of self-containing filtering.