Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of non‐cardiovascular surgery on reactive hyperaemia and arterial endothelial function

Vascular reactivity is a surrogate marker for atherosclerosis and is predictive of cardiovascular outcome. Non‐cardiovascular surgery is associated with perioperative cardiovascular complications in high‐risk patients. To evaluate the impact of non‐cardiovascular surgery on reactive hyperaemia and arterial endothelial function and to investigate the relationships between endothelial dysfunction and invasive (laparotomy) or minimally invasive (laparoscopic) surgery, we prospectively evaluated 106 patients undergoing abdominal surgery under general anaesthesia (71 laparotomy, 35 laparoscopy). Measurements of blood pressure, heart rate and pain (on a visual analogue scale (VAS)) were undertaken. Brachial endothelium‐dependent flow‐mediated dilation (FMD), endothelium‐independent dilation, nitroglycerin (NTG)‐induced dilation and reactive hyperaemia were measured with high‐resolution B‐mode ultrasound on preoperative Day 1 (baseline), as well as 2 h and 1 and 7 days postoperatively. Blood pressure and heart rate were significantly higher 2 h postoperatively. Pain, as measured on the VAS, was higher (P < 0.01) and reactive hyperaemia and FMD were significantly lower (P < 0.001) at 2 h and 1 day postoperatively compared with values at baseline and on postoperative Day 7. By postoperative Day 7, FMD had recovered to baseline levels. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery had less FMD reduction on Days 1 and 7 (7.5 ± 1.5% and 7.9 ± 1.5%, respectively) compared with those undergoing laparotomy (6.4 ± 1.6% (P = 0.001) and 7.0 ± 1.6% (P = 0.006), respectively), consistent with potential cardiovascular benefit. Responses to NTG were stable throughout. Backward multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that FMD was independently related to age and VAS (model R = 0.486; F = 6.4; P < 0.001). Reactive hyperaemia and arterial endothelial function are significantly reduced in the early postoperative period, particularly after laparotomy compared with laparoscopy, which may be related to postoperative cardiovascular events.
User-Developed Applications: Can End Users Assess Quality?

Organizations rely heavily on applications developed by end users, yet lack of experience and training may compromise the ability of end users to make objective judgments about the quality of their applications. This study investigated the ability of end users to assess the quality of applications they develop. The results confirm that there are differences between the system quality assessments of end user developers and independent expert assessors. In particular, the results of this study suggest that end users with little experience may erroneously consider the applications they develop to be of high quality. Some implications of these results are discussed.
The Nature and Clinical Features of Myocardial Infarction with Normal Coronary Arteriogram

Six new cases of acute myocardial infarction with normal coronary arteriogram are presented and supplemented by 19 collected cases (group 1). These are compared with 16 cases of myocardial infarction caused by occlusive coronary artery disease in a comparable population (group ii). The following significant differences between the two groups are established: patients in group I were younger (27.5 years vs 33.7 years, P > 0.005); at least one risk factor was present in all patients in group II, but in only 40% of group I (P < 0.0001). effort angina preceded the attack in ten patients of group II, but in none of group I (P < 0.0001). The attack was unheralded in 24 of the 25 patients in group 1, but was preceded by prodromes in 11 of 16 in group II (P < 0.0001). Attacks of pain following myocardial infarction occurred in five patients of group I and 11 of group I1 (P < 0.001). Results are discussed in the light of the nature of myocardial infarction in group 1. No support is found for the coronary spasm theory. The most likely mechanism for development of myocardial infarction in group I is thought to be a thromboembolic “accident. ” This accident is not necessarily related to atherosclerotic coronary disease and is presumed to be benign in nature.
Characterization of the Rabbit Neonatal Fc Receptor (FcRn) and Analyzing the Immunophenotype of the Transgenic Rabbits That Overexpresses FcRn

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) regulates IgG and albumin homeostasis, mediates maternal IgG transport, takes an active role in phagocytosis, and delivers antigen for presentation. We have previously shown that overexpression of FcRn in transgenic mice significantly improves the humoral immune response. Because rabbits are an important source of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies, adaptation of our FcRn overexpression technology in this species would bring significant advantages. We cloned the full length cDNA of the rabbit FcRn alpha-chain and found that it is similar to its orthologous analyzed so far. The rabbit FcRn - IgG contact residues are highly conserved, and based on this we predicted pH dependent interaction, which we confirmed by analyzing the pH dependent binding of FcRn to rabbit IgG using yolk sac lysates of rabbit fetuses by Western blot. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected strong FcRn staining in the endodermal cells of the rabbit yolk sac membrane, while the placental trophoblast cells and amnion showed no FcRn staining. Then, using BAC transgenesis we generated transgenic rabbits carrying and overexpressing a 110 kb rabbit genomic fragment encoding the FcRn. These transgenic rabbits – having one extra copy of the FcRn when hemizygous and two extra copies when homozygous - showed improved IgG protection and an augmented humoral immune response when immunized with a variety of different antigens. Our results in these transgenic rabbits demonstrate an increased immune response, similar to what we described in mice, indicating that FcRn overexpression brings significant advantages for the production of polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies.
Taking the Monetary Implications of a Monetary Model Seriously

It has become common practice in applied monetary economics to posit an interest rate rule as a component of the economic environment. Since the general equilibrium setting imposes a money demand relationship, the interest rate rule implies that the money supply is endogenous. Rarely are the properties of the money supply implied by the model compared to the data. In this paper, we take the monetary implications of a monetary model seriously in a limited participation model that permits both technology and money shocks. We model the money supply as an exogenous Markov process and calibrate the parameters of the Markov process to the data. We then examine whether the model produces an interest rate rule similar to the Taylor rule relationship observed in the data. The model is able to duplicate qualitatively the relationship between inflation and nominal interest implied by the Taylor rule, but fails dramatically to replicate the correlation between nominal interest rates and output.
Petrosal cholesteatoma: management considerations for minimizing morbidity.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the surgical treatment of patients presenting with petrosal cholesteatoma. STUDY DESIGN The study design was a retrospective case review. SETTING The study was conducted at a tertiary referral center. PATIENTS Patients were referred to the University Department of Otolaryngology, Manchester Royal Infirmary, with surgically confirmed petrosal cholesteatoma. INTERVENTION Interventions were diagnostic and therapeutic. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Postoperative facial function, hearing loss, recurrent cholesteatoma, and petrous cavity morbidity in relation to preoperative signs, intraoperative findings, and surgical techniques were measured. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were treated between 1979 and 1997. Complete preoperative facial paralysis was always associated with bony erosion around the geniculate ganglion, and facial nerve ischemia was thought to be an important factor. Resection of the ischemic nerve segment and end-to-end anastomosis over the posterior fossa dura allowed full removal of cholesteatoma matrix and reinnervation along a healthy and vascularized nerve. In five of the seven cases with recurrent disease, cholesteatoma was localized to the intrapetrous carotid or geniculate ganglion. The introduction of endoscopic techniques has allowed assessment of the full extent of disease and removal of cholesteatoma matrix missed using conventional microscopic visualization. Bipolar diathermy to areas of cholesteatoma, densely adherent to dura, is effective in destroying squamous epithelium. Patients with cavity obliteration and blind sac closure had minimal postoperative morbidity, and current magnetic resonance imaging techniques are effective in diagnosing and delineating recurrence. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrates a gradual change in the treatment of patients with petrosal cholesteatoma. By defining the main areas of patient morbidity and using both recent technical advances and alternative surgical techniques, further improvement in patient outcome is envisaged.
Immunohistochemical localization of short chain cartilage collagen (type X) in avian tissues

Monoclonal antibodies were produced against the recently described short chain cartilage collagen (type X collagen), and one (AC9) was extensively characterized and used for immunohistochemical localization studies on chick tissues. By competition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, antibody AC9 was observed to bind to an epitope within the helical domain of type X collagen and did not react with the other collagen types tested, including the minor cartilage collagens 1 alpha, 2 alpha, 3 alpha, and HMW-LMW. Indirect immunofluorescence analyses with this antibody were performed on unfixed cryostat sections from various skeletal and nonskeletal tissues. Only those of skeletal origin showed detectable reactivity. Within the cartilage portion of the 13-d- old embryonic tibiotarsus (a developing long bone) fluorescence was observed only in that region of the diaphysis containing hypertrophic chondrocytes. None was detectable in adjacent regions or in the epiphysis. Slight fluorescence was also present within the surrounding sleeve of periosteal bone. Consistent with these results, the antibody did not react with the cartilages of the trachea and sclera, which do not undergo hypertrophy during the stages examined. It did, however, lightly react with the parietal bones of the head, which form by intramembranous ossification. These results are consistent with our earlier biochemical analyses, which showed type X collagen to be a product of that subpopulation of chondrocytes that have undergone hypertrophy. In addition, either it or an immunologically cross- reactive molecule is also present in bone, and exhibits a diminished fluorescent intensity as compared with hypertrophic cartilage.
Single base resolution analysis of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in 188 human genes: implications for hepatic gene expression

To improve the epigenomic analysis of tissues rich in 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (hmC), we developed a novel protocol called TAB-Methyl-SEQ, which allows for single base resolution profiling of both hmC and 5-methylcytosine by targeted next-generation sequencing. TAB-Methyl-SEQ data were extensively validated by a set of five methodologically different protocols. Importantly, these extensive cross-comparisons revealed that protocols based on Tet1-assisted bisulfite conversion provided more precise hmC values than TrueMethyl-based methods. A total of 109 454 CpG sites were analyzed by TAB-Methyl-SEQ for mC and hmC in 188 genes from 20 different adult human livers. We describe three types of variability of hepatic hmC profiles: (i) sample-specific variability at 40.8% of CpG sites analyzed, where the local hmC values correlate to the global hmC content of livers (measured by LC-MS), (ii) gene-specific variability, where hmC levels in the coding regions positively correlate to expression of the respective gene and (iii) site-specific variability, where prominent hmC peaks span only 1 to 3 neighboring CpG sites. Our data suggest that both the gene- and site-specific components of hmC variability might contribute to the epigenetic control of hepatic genes. The protocol described here should be useful for targeted DNA analysis in a variety of applications.
Prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelash follicles in different populations

Introduction The pathologic relevance of Demodex infestation in blepharitis is still controversial. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of Demodex spp. in eyelash follicles and its relationship to eye symptoms. Material and methods A total of 290 individuals were studied for the presence of Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis within eyelash follicles. Participants belonged to one of four groups: inpatients, drug abusers, health professionals, and medical students. Ten eyelashes were epilated from each subject, placed on microscope slides and examined for parasites. The sample was defined as positive if at least one parasite or parasite's ova were present. The presence of parasites was analyzed according to age, gender, place of living, reported eye problems, and use of contact lenses or glasses. Results The prevalence of Demodex spp. infestation among all studied subjects was 41%, with the highest infestation rate among inpatients (p < 0.01) and elderly people (p < 0.001). No difference regarding the presence of Demodex was found between women and men (p = 0.76). Demodex folliculorum was about 2.4 times more frequent than D. brevis. The prevalence of Demodex spp. in subjects with and without eye complaints suggesting blepharitis was similar (41.6% vs. 40.2%, respectively, p = 0.9). On the other hand, wearing glasses was linked to Demodex infestation (48.4% vs. 32.3%, p < 0.01). Conclusions Demodex is a common saprophyte found in human eyelash follicles. Its presence might be related to some ocular discomfort; however, in the vast majority of cases the infestation seems to be asymptomatic.
Inhibition of Thrombin-induced Neuronal Cell Death by Recombinant Thrombomodulin and E5510, a Synthetic Thrombin Receptor Signaling Inhibitor

Summary Thrombin, a serine protease generated by the activation of the blood coagulation cascade following vessel injury, converts fibrinogen to fibrin, activates platelets and several coagulation factors, and plays a pivotal role in thrombosis and haemostasis. Thrombin acts as a mitogen and apoptosis inducer in a dose-dependent fashion. We have previously shown that thrombin caused proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Here, we show that a low concentration of thrombin caused proliferation of mouse neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) and human neuroblastoma (NB-1) cells, while higher concentrations affected cell viability in a time-dependent manner. Similar effects were observed when thrombin receptor agonist peptide (SFLLRNPNDKYEPF, TRAP) was applied. The dying cells showed nuclear condensation and fragmentation, suggesting that cell death occurred by apoptosis. The extent to which thrombin induced cell death was significantly attenuated by recombinant thrombomodulin (rTM), or by a minimum functional domain of TM, termed E456. Furthermore, a synthetic compound that inhibits signaling from the thrombin receptor, 4-cyano-5,5-bis (4-methoxyphenyl)-4-pentanoic acid (E5510), and the antioxidant N-acetyl L-cysteine (NAC), efficiently prevented thrombin-induced Neuro-2a cell death. Thus, thrombin inhibitors and antioxidant appear to neutralize thrombin toxicity.
Diffuse reflectance from rough surfaces

A comprehensive model that predicts reflectance from rough diffuse surfaces is presented. It is shown that diffuse reflectance from rough surfaces increases as the viewing direction approaches the source direction. This is in contrast to Lambertian surfaces, where radiance is independent of the viewing direction. The new model is a generalization of the Lambertian model, and has significant implications for machine vision, graphics, and remote sensing. <<ETX>>
Heavy chain disease can be detected by capillary zone electrophoresis.

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is an analytical technique for the separation of molecules on the basis of molecular size, electric charge, and hydrophobicity. Since automated clinical instruments have become available, the major clinical application of this technique has been the rapid and effective separation of serum proteins. The detection of monoclonal protein components (MCs) is the main purpose of serum protein separation assays. Several reports have dealt with the feasibility of CE for the detection of MCs, and some pitfalls of this technique have also been described (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). Immunosubtraction is used in conjunction with CE for typing any detected MC, for confirming the diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathies, and for identifying the heavy and light chains constituting the monoclonal immunoglobulin molecule. Different types of MCs (IgG, IgA, or IgM, with associated κ or λ light chains) and free light chains (either κ or λ) have been reported to be detectable by CE, but there have been no observations concerning the behavior of free heavy chains in CE. We report a case of γ-heavy chain disease (γ-HCD) detected in the course of routine serum assay by CE, characterized by immunosubtraction, and confirmed by further techniques. The patient was a 91-year-old man who …
Information retrieval on Turkish texts

We study information retrieval (IR) on Turkish texts using a large-scale test collection that contains 408,305 documents and 72 ad hoc queries. We examine the effects of several stemming options and query-document matching functions on retrieval performance. We show that a simple word truncation approach, a word truncation approach that uses language dependent corpus statistics, and an elaborate lemmatizer-based stemmer provide similar retrieval effectiveness in Turkish IR. We investigate the effects of a range of search conditions on the retrieval performance; these include the scalability issues, query and document length effects, and the use of stopword list in indexing.
Incidence of chemotherapy‐induced, long‐term amenorrhea in patients with breast carcinoma age 40 years and younger after adjuvant anthracycline and taxane

Twenty‐five percent of all women with breast carcinoma are premenopausal and are at risk for chemotherapy‐induced menopause with long‐term side effects. Although there is considerable documentation of the rates of chemotherapy‐induced amenorrhea with classic adjuvant regimens, there are inadequate data that address the impact of taxanes on menstrual function in this setting. The objective of this analysis was to determine the incidence of long‐term amenorrhea (≥ 12 mos) in women with breast carcinoma age 40 years and younger after adjuvant anthracycline and taxane‐based chemotherapy, with or without subsequent tamoxifen.
Compliance of Parenting Magazines Advertisements with American Academy of Pediatrics Recommendations

This study examined 3218 advertisements from the two parenting magazines with highest circulation in the United States. The authors compared each advertisement for a product for use by children, against all the published recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) on topics such as toy safety, helmet use, age-defined choking hazards, infant sleep safety, and others. Any advertisement with images or products which went against a published AAP recommendation was deemed as non-adherence and was categorized according to the statement it contradicted. Nearly one in six (15.7%) of the advertisements contained example(s) of non-adherence to AAP recommendations, with twelve categories of offense represented. Categories ranked by overall share from most to least include: non-Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved medical treatments, age-defined choking hazards, vitamins, cold medicine, formula, oral care, screen time, toy/playground safety, infant sleep, nutrition, water safety, and fall risk. Given that repeated exposure to messages in advertisements has been associated with changes in health decision-making, and parents often turn to parenting magazines for advice and ideas regarding their children, the publishers might consider screening the content in order to prevent confusing and potentially dangerous messages from being disseminated in the media.
Clinical evaluation of model‐based radiostereometric analysis to measure femoral head penetration and cup migration in four different cup designs

In conventional Radiostereometric analysis (RSA) implants with attached tantalum markers are frequently used, which may be difficult to visualize. This problem can be avoided with model‐based RSA (MBRSA), but it is uncertain if this method has the same precision as marker‐based RSA. We evaluated the influence of cup design for the precision of MBRSA in four uncemented cups to study if the design had any influence on the precision. Stereo radiographs were analyzed postoperatively (double‐examinations) and after 2 years (single examinations). The difference between the double‐examinations was used to compute the precision for the methods and for each type of implant. Femoral head penetration and cup translation up to 2 years were compared using marker‐based RSA as reference. The precision of proximal penetration and migration measurements did not differ between the methods for Trilogy, TMT and ABG. For Ringloc design a poorer precision was observed using MBRSA. Comparison between the methods regarding proximal penetration and cup migration at 2 years did not differ for three of the designs (p = 0.12–0.91). However, for the group with porous plasma sprayed surface (Ringloc) a significant difference between the methods was observed (ppenetration <0.01 and pmigration <0.01). Poorer precision, different penetration and migration values at 2 years for one of the designs indicate that the resolution of MBRSA might vary depending on surface coating and implant geometry. Therefore, we conclude that the resolution of MBRSA has to be studied for each type of basic cup design. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:760–767, 2017.
Coevolving antibodies with a rich representation of grammatical evolution

A number of natural anticipatory systems employ dual processes of feature definition and feature exploitation. We present a coevolutionary dual process model based on the immune system and consider the effect of coevolving complementary templates to bias feature selection and recombination. This work considers the issue of module exploitation in evolutionary algorithms. Our approach is characterized by the use of rich representations in grammatical evolution