Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bone loss rate in adrenal incidentalomas: a longitudinal study.

Although by definition patients with adrenal incidentalomas (AI) do not have evident clinical syndromes, they may frequently suffer from subclinical hypercortisolism (SH). This is of some importance because of evidence that SH may lead to clinical complications, including bone loss. Thus, the understanding of bone involvement due to SH may be extremely important in the management of AI. Unfortunately, the available data on bone mineral density (BMD) in AI patients come from cross-sectional studies, which, to further complicate our understanding, are also conflicting, probably due to a different selection of patients and/or the variability in cortisol secretion (CS) often described in AI. To gain further insight about this topic, we performed a longitudinal study evaluating the rate of spinal and femoral bone loss levels in 24 females with AI. AI subjects were subdivided in two groups on the basis of the median of urinary cortisol secretion (UFC): group I (n = 12; UFC, <140.4 nmol/24 h) and group II (n = 12; UFC, >140.4 nmol/24 h). Spinal BMD was measured by both single energy quantitative computed tomography (L1-L4) and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA; L2-L4), and femoral BMD was determined by DXA. Bone loss rate was expressed as the change in z-score per yr. The spinal bone loss rate was higher (P < 0.005) in group II than in group I when measured by both quantitative computed tomography (-0.19 +/- 0.14 vs. 0.00 +/- 0.15) and DXA (-0.19 +/- 0.17 vs. 0.00 +/- 0.11). Moreover, CS and spinal bone loss rate were significantly correlated when patients were considered together. In conclusion, our data show that 1) AI patients with higher CS have increased lumbar trabecular bone loss rate than those with lower CS; and 2) the degree of spinal bone loss rate is related to the degree of CS. Thus, lumbar spine (LS) BMD has to be evaluated for well balanced decision-making on the treatment of choice for AI female patients.
Acceptability of road pricing and revenue use in the Netherlands

It is generally acknowledged that the implementation of other, more efficient, road pricing measures meet public resistance and that acceptability is nowadays one of the major barriers to successful implementation. Despite the fact that politicians and the public regard transport problems as very urgent and important, people do have concerns about road pricing, resulting in low acceptance levels. This paper presents the empirical results of a questionnaire among Dutch commuters regularly facing congestion asking for their opinion (in terms of acceptance) on road pricing measures and revenue use targets. We find that road pricing is in general not very acceptable and that revenue use is important for the explanation of the level of acceptance. Road pricing is more acceptable when revenues are used to replace existing car taxation or to lower fuel taxes. Moreover, personal characteristics of the respondent have an impact on support levels. Higher educated people, as well as respondents with a higher value of time and with higher perceived effectiveness of the measure, seem to find road pricing measures more acceptable than other people. The same holds for people that receive financial support for their commuting costs and for respondents driving many kilometers in a year. When we ask directly for the acceptability of different types of revenue use (not part of a road pricing measure), again abandoning of existing car (ownership) taxes receives most support whereas the general budget is not acceptable.
Analysing the Large Decline in Coronary Heart Disease Mortality in the Icelandic Population Aged 25-74 between the Years 1981 and 2006

Background Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality rates have been decreasing in Iceland since the 1980s. We examined how much of the decrease between 1981 and 2006 could be attributed to medical and surgical treatments and how much to changes in cardiovascular risk factors. Methodology The previously validated IMPACT CHD mortality model was applied to the Icelandic population. The data sources were official statistics, national quality registers, published trials and meta-analyses, clinical audits and a series of national population surveys. Principal Findings Between 1981 and 2006, CHD mortality rates in Iceland decreased by 80% in men and women aged 25 to 74 years, which resulted in 295 fewer deaths in 2006 than if the 1981 rates had persisted. Incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) decreased by 66% and resulted in some 500 fewer incident MI cases per year, which is a major determinant of possible deaths from MI. Based on the IMPACT model approximately 73% (lower and upper bound estimates: 54%–93%) of the mortality decrease was attributable to risk factor reductions: cholesterol 32%; smoking 22%; systolic blood pressure 22%, and physical inactivity 5% with adverse trends for diabetes (−5%), and obesity (−4%). Approximately 25% (lower and upper bound estimates: 8%–40%) of the mortality decrease was attributable to treatments in individuals: secondary prevention 8%; heart failure treatments 6%; acute coronary syndrome treatments 5%; revascularisation 3%; hypertension treatments 2%, and statins 0.5%. Conclusions Almost three quarters of the large CHD mortality decrease in Iceland between 1981 and 2006 was attributable to reductions in major cardiovascular risk factors in the population. These findings emphasize the value of a comprehensive prevention strategy that promotes tobacco control and a healthier diet to reduce incidence of MI and highlights the potential importance of effective, evidence based medical treatments.
On the distinguishability of HRF models in fMRI

The problem of model falsification or model invalidation appears in several areas where we are interested in distinguishing among an eligible set of dynamic systems. In the context of fMRI studies of brain activity, modeling the haemodynamic response function (HRF) is a critical step. The estimation of the dynamic system describing a biophysical model of the HRF may leave much uncertainty on the exact values of the parameters. Moreover, the high noise levels in the data may hinder the model identification task. Therefore, this paper proposes a systematic tool to address the problem of the distinguishability among a set of physiologically plausible HRF models. The concept of absolutely input distinguishable systems is introduced and applied to the HRF model, by exploiting the structure of the underlying nonlinear dynamic system. A strategy to model uncertainty in the input time delay and magnitude is developed and its impact on the distinguishability of two physiologically plausible HRF models is determined, in terms of the maximum noise amplitude above which it is not possible to guarantee the falsification of one model in relation to the other. Finally, a methodology is proposed for the choice of the input sequence, or experimental paradigm, that should be used in order to maximize the distinguishability of the HRF models under investigation. The proposed approach may be used to assess the performance of HRF model identification techniques from fMRI data.
Vestibular Activation Differentially Modulates Human Early Visual Cortex and V5/MT Excitability and Response Entropy

Head movement imposes the additional burdens on vision of maintaining visual-acuity and determining the origin of retinal image motion (ie, self-motion vs object-motion). Although maintaining visual acuity during self-motion is effected by minimising retinal slip via the brainstem vestibular-ocular reflex, higher-order visuo-vestibular mechanisms also contribute. Disambiguating self-motion versus object-motion also invokes higher-order mechanisms and a cortical visuo-vestibular reciprocal antagonism is propounded. Hence one prediction is of a vestibular modulation of visual cortical excitability and indirect measures have variously suggested none, focal or global effects of activation or suppression in human visual cortex. Using transcranial magnetic stimulation-induced phosphenes to probe cortical excitability, we observed decreased V5/MT excitability versus increased Early Visual Cortex (EVC) excitability, during vestibular activation. In order to exclude non-specific effects (eg, arousal) on cortical excitability, response specificity was assessed using information theory, specifically response entropy. Vestibular activation significantly modulated phosphene response entropy for V5/MT but not EVC, implying a specific vestibular effect on V5/MT responses. This is the first demonstration that vestibular activation modulates human visual cortex excitability. Furthermore, using information theory, not previously used in phosphene response analysis, we could distinguish between a specific vestibular modulation of V5/MT excitability from a non-specific effect at EVC.
Bandwidth estimation: metrics, measurement techniques, and tools

In a packet network, the terms bandwidth and throughput often characterize the amount of data that the network can transfer per unit of time. Bandwidth estimation is of interest to users wishing to optimize end-to-end transport performance, overlay network routing, and peer-to-peer file distribution. Techniques for accurate bandwidth estimation are also important for traffic engineering and capacity planning support. Existing bandwidth estimation tools measure one or more of three related metrics: capacity, available bandwidth, and bulk transfer capacity. Currently available bandwidth estimation tools employ a variety of strategies to measure these metrics. In this survey we review the recent bandwidth estimation literature focusing on underlying techniques and methodologies as well as open source bandwidth measurement tools.
The development of a new Fe-Mn-C austenitic steel for automotive applications

The current strong demand for vehicle lightening from the automobile sector requires flat carbon steel manufacturers to develop new advanced grades capable of fulfilling the increasingly stringent technical requirements of this market. Two basic approaches are possible: - short term strategies for incremental improvements in the mechanical properties of existing products which can then be produced in thinner gauge strips with equivalent functional properties, - longer term solutions involving the development of breakthrough products such as ultra high strength ductile austenitic steels or low-density steels alloyed with light elements (Al, Mg, Si). Arcelor is actively pursuing both these avenues of research. Restricting the discussion to the second point, it is clear that there are many technical hurdles and conflicting requirements to be overcome in order to produce a marketable product. Arcelor Research, in conjunction with TKS, has recently developed an ultra high strength Fe-Mn-C austenitic steel with excellent formability for automotive applications. The X-IP TM 1000 steel composition is optimised to provide the best compromise in ultimate tensile strength (>1000 MPa) and total elongation (>50%) at room temperature. These properties are achieved through the optimisation of the TWIP (TWinning Induced Plasticity) effect by careful control of the stacking fault energy (SFE) and the final microstructure. The austenite matrix is fine grained (grain size <10 µm for hot strips and <3 µm for cold strips), contains little or no cementite and is exempt from martensitic transformations under cold working. The steel can be processed on conventional industrial lines (continuous casting, hot and cold rolling and continuous annealing) in a wide range of formats. In this paper we present the factors that determine the choice of composition (phase stability diagrams and SFE modelling) and we describe the evolution of the microstructure at different stages in the production process. The relationship between the microstructure and the final mechanical properties is discussed. X-IP
Long-term Consequences of the Acute Neural-Inflammatory Stress Response in the Cancer Surgical Patient: New Findings and Perspectives

Each year, as many as 1 in 10 (10,000 procedures per 100,000 population) people living in high-income countries undergo surgery; 16% to 20% of these patients will suffer a major postoperative complication. Postoperative infections occur in B10% of the patients, with an incidence 10-fold greater than that of postoperative myocardial infarction, and is likely related to altered immune function after surgery. Surgery induces neural-inflammatory pathways that are integral to recovery from surgery and wound healing; unfortunately, these pathways are also an integral component of cancer biology (Fig. 1) with an alteration in immune function that may also impact cancer
Bridging the gap: towards optimization across linear and relational algebra

Advanced data analysis typically requires some form of pre-processing in order to extract and transform data before processing it with machine learning and statistical analysis techniques. Pre-processing pipelines are naturally expressed in dataflow APIs (e.g., MapReduce, Flink, etc.), while machine learning is expressed in linear algebra with iterations. Programmers therefore perform end-to-end data analysis utilizing multiple programming paradigms and systems. This impedance mismatch not only hinders productivity but also prevents optimization opportunities, such as sharing of physical data layouts (e.g., partitioning) and data structures among different parts of a data analysis program. The goal of this work is twofold. First, it aims to alleviate the impedance mismatch by allowing programmers to author complete end-to-end programs in one engine-independent language that is automatically parallelized. Second, it aims to enable joint optimizations over both relational and linear algebra. To achieve this goal, we present the design of Lara, a deeply embedded language in Scala which enables authoring scalable programs using two abstract data types (DataBag and Matrix) and control flow constructs. Programs written in Lara are compiled to an intermediate representation (IR) which enables optimizations across linear and relational algebra. The IR is finally used to compile code for different execution engines.
Epidemiology, malaria and pregnancy.

It is a great honor for me to be invited to give this Soper Lecture. I met Fred Soper only once—at the 6th International Congresses of Tropical Medicine and Malaria at Lisbon in 1958. I had, of course, known of him for a number of years beforehand, and had read with the greatest interest his account of how Anopheles gambiae was halted in its invasion of Brazil and finally expelled from an area of some 18,000 square miles. In his lifetime, Soper was associated with many significant achievements in diverse fields of public health, but to me as a malariologist none compares with his eradication of Anopheles gambiae from Brazil. More than 40 years later, this episode still stands as one of the most significant victories that man has scored over malaria and epitomizes Soper's administrative genius and technological competence.
Expression of family A melanoma antigen in human gastric carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Since the members of the MAGE (melanoma antigen) gene family have been reported to be expressed in tumor cells but not in normal tissues, they have been considered as targets for tumor-specific immunotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS The expression pattern of MAGE-A genes and their expression mechanisms were investigated in 10 gastric cancer cell lines and 1,097 gastric carcinoma specimens by RT-PCR, IHC, Western blot and MSP. RESULTS MAGE-A1, -A2 and -A3 gene transcripts were detected in 1, 3 and 4 of 10 gastric cancer cell lines, respectively. In those cases in which the mRNA expression of MAGE-A2 or -A3 was detected, the promoters of the corresponding genes were hypomethylated. MAGE-A protein expression was detected in 30% (3/10) of the cell lines and 15.8% (173 out of 1,097) of the carcinoma specimens. Promoter hypomethylation of the MAGE-A2 or -A3 genes correlated with their expression in primary gastric cancer tissue and gastric cancer cell lines. MAGE-A protein expression was associated with tumor invasiveness (p=0.002), lymph node metastasis (p<0.001), advanced pathologic stage (p<0.001) and a worse prognosis (p<0.005). CONCLUSION MAGE-A protein expression occurred due to promoter hypomethylation in a minor subset of gastric cancers, and MAGE-A expression increased during the progression of the gastric cancer.
Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in European obese children.

UNLABELLED The rapid rising prevalence of childhood obesity is related to increased risk of obesity-related diseases during adulthood. The aim of the present study was to review the data concerning the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) in European children and adolescents (Part 1) and to determine and compare the prevalence of MS among overweight and obese children, and adolescents in five European countries using four MS definitions (Part 2). In total, 1 241 European obese children from five different countries (France: n =283, Greece: n =145, Italy: n =274, Poland: n =90, and Hungary: n =449) were studied for MS according to the definition of Ferranti et al., the World Health Organisation, the National Cholesterol Education Program and the International Diabetes Federation. We used age- and sex-specific cut-off values for the diagnosis of high blood pressure and increased waist circumference. The prevalence of MS was 35.7%, 31.4%, 20.3%, and 16.4%, respectively, according to the above-mentioned definitions. Only 6.3-8.8% of obese adolescents were free from any risk factors and the clustering of three risk factors or more was very high: 20.3-35.7% (depending on the type of definition). A total of 12.2% of children had MS and 55.8% were free from MS according to all four definitions. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of MS is high among European obese children whatever criteria are used. There is an urgent need to achieve consensus concerning the definition of MS in adolescents and children.
New Zealand's HIV infected population under active follow-up during 2000.

AIM To audit New Zealand's HIV infected population currently under active follow-up. METHODS Multiple sources were used to determine anonymously the demographic and management characteristics of HIV infected individuals being monitored with HIV viral load measurements and/or receiving antiretroviral therapy during 2000. RESULTS 593 people (480 males and 113 females) were under active follow-up. The most common transmission risk was male homosexual contact (56%) followed by heterosexual contact (28%), injecting drug use (3%) and mother to infant transmission (1%). Ethnicity data showed a disproportionate number of Africans (13%) compared to recent census figures. Anti-retroviral therapy was used in 71% of the cohort of whom 62% had HIV viral load measurements below 400 copies/mL. An upper estimate of diagnosed HIV individuals living in New Zealand at 30/9/2000 was 801. CONCLUSIONS This is the first time that the demographic and clinical state of HIV infected individuals has been assessed throughout New Zealand. The results suggest a slightly lower number of HIV infected individuals currently living in New Zealand than previously estimated. Anti-retroviral therapy is being used effectively within the HIV infected population. The changing demographics, with a higher proportion of people under care from Africa, increasing numbers of females, and an increase in the proportion with heterosexual risk factors are particular challenges.
Effects of Antidepressants on G Protein–coupled Receptor Signaling and Viability in Xenopus laevis Oocytes

Background Tricyclic antidepressants are structurally related to local anesthetics, suggesting that part of their analgesic action may result from properties shared with local anesthetics. Because local anesthetics block G protein–coupled receptor signaling (which explains, in part, their inflammatory modulating properties), the authors studied whether antidepressants have similar effects. Methods Peak Ca-activated Cl currents induced in Xenopus laevis oocytes by lysophosphatidic acid (10−4 m) were measured using a voltage clamp. The effects of a 30-, 120-, or 240-min incubation in amitriptyline, nortriptyline, imipramine, or fluoxetine were determined. Results After a 30-min incubation, low concentrations (10−7–10−5 m) of antidepressants had no effect on lysophosphatidic acid–induced currents. After prolonged incubation, only amitriptyline or nortriptyline inhibited lysophosphatidic acid signaling (each to 58% of the control response at 10−7 m after 240 min). At low concentrations, none of the compounds induced membrane damage (defined as a holding current of > 1 &mgr;A, 2% in control cells). Imipramine at 10−3 m induced damage in 100% of oocytes, and fluoxetine at 10−4 m induced damage in 71% of oocytes (P < 0.05 vs. control). Amitriptyline and nortriptyline had no effect. Conclusions These findings are in part different from those obtained with local anesthetics and suggest that interference with G protein–coupled signaling might explain, in part, the analgesic properties of some antidepressants. However, use of antidepressants in high concentrations may be associated with cellular toxicity.
An Auxiliary Differential Equation Method for FDTD Modeling of Wave Propagation in Cole-Cole Dispersive Media

A method for modeling time-domain wave propagation in dispersive Cole-Cole media is presented. The Cole-Cole model can describe the frequency dependence of the electromagnetic properties of various biological tissues with great accuracy over a wide frequency range and plays a key role in microwave medical imaging. The main difficulty in the time-domain modeling of Cole-Cole media is the appearance of fractional time derivatives. In the proposed method a Padé approximation is employed resulting in auxiliary differential equations of integer order. A finite-difference time-domain method is developed to solve the differential equations obtained. The comparison of analytical and calculated relative complex permittivity values over wideband frequency domain proves the validity of the method.
Interleukin-10 and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Polymorphisms in Vascular Access Failure in Patients on Hemodialysis: Preliminary Data in Korea

Neointimal hyperplasia causes vascular stenosis and subsequent thrombosis, which result in vascular access failure in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α ) are involved in this inflammatory process. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between vascular accessm failure and various inflammatory markers including the genetic polymorphisms of IL-10 and TNF-α . Seventy-five patients on hemodialysis with an arteriovenous fistula in place or an artificial graft (18 with vascular access failure and 82 without failure) and 98 healthy individuals were genotyped for IL-10 and TNF-α single nucleotide polymorphisms. Clinical and laboratory data including serum IL-10 and TNF-α levels were compared. Stimulated IL-10 levels, from in vitro incubation of blood with lipopolysaccharide, were also obtained and compared. Female gender, hypoproteinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia were associated with vascular access failure. The basal TNF-α level was significantly higher in patients with access failure. The distribution of IL-10 and TNF-α genotype did not differ among patients with or without access failure. This study could not demonstrate a relationship between genetic polymorphisms and vascular access failure. However, an altered immune response and inflammation might contribute to vascular access failure.