Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Candesartan improves blood pressure control and reduces proteinuria in renal transplant recipients: results from SECRET.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is a risk factor for the two leading causes of death in renal transplant recipients: cardiovascular disease (CVD) and graft failure. Despite this, the optimum medication for post-transplant hypertension is unclear. METHODS The Study on Evaluation of Candesartan Cilexetil after Renal Transplantation (SECRET) was an international multicentre, double-blind, randomized investigation of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) candesartan cilexetil versus placebo in renal allograft recipients originally designed to study 700 patients for 3 years. The candesartan dose was escalated from 4 to 16 mg daily, followed by addition of co-medication, if needed, with the aim of achieving a diastolic blood pressure (BP) <85 mmHg. The primary efficacy variable was a composite of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular morbidity and graft failure. RESULTS SECRET was stopped prematurely as the primary event rate was much lower than expected. At that point, 502 patients were enrolled; 255 received candesartan and 247 placebo. Thirteen primary events had occurred in each group. Control of both systolic and diastolic BP was better in the candesartan group. Urinary protein excretion and protein/creatinine ratio decreased on candesartan but increased on placebo. Serum creatinine and potassium were increased in candesartan patients, but these changes were generally small. CONCLUSIONS SECRET provides insights into the design and conduct of studies in this area and evidence for the utility of candesartan, which showed good safety and tolerability, improved BP control and decreased proteinuria in renal transplant recipients.
Determination of the Distal Fusion Level in the Management of Thoracolumbar and Lumbar Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Using Pedicle Screw Instrumentation

Study Design A retrospective study. Purpose To determine the exact distal fusion level in the management of thoracolumbar/lumbar adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (TL/L AIS) using pedicle screw instrumentation (PSI). Overview of Literature The selection of distal fusion level remains controversial in TL/L AIS. Methods Radiographic parameters of 66 TL/L AIS patients were analyzed. The patients were grouped according to the distal fusion level; L3 group (fusion to L3, n=58) and L4 group (fusion to L4, n=8). The L3 group was subdivided into L3A (L3 crosses the mid-sacral line with rotation of less than grade II, n=33) and L3B (L3 does not cross the mid-sacral line or rotation is grade II or more, n=25) based on both bending radiographs. All of the patients in the L4 group had the same location and rotation of L3 in bending films as that of patients in the L3B group. An unsatisfactory result was defined as a lowest instrumented vertebral tilt (LIVT) of more than 10° or coronal balance of more than 15 mm. Results Among the 3 groups, there was a significantly lesser correction in the TL/L curve and LIVT in the L3B group. Unsatisfactory results were obtained in 3 patients (9.1%) of the L3A group, in 15 patients (68.2%) of the L3B group, and in 1 patient (12.5%) of the L4 group with a significant difference. Conclusions In TL/L AIS treatment with PSI, the curve can be fused to L3 with favorable radiographic outcomes when L3 crosses the mid-sacral line with rotation of less than grade II in bending films. Otherwise, fusion has to be extended to L4.
Role of DARPP-32 and ARPP-21 in the Emergence of Temporal Constraints on Striatal Calcium and Dopamine Integration

In reward learning, the integration of NMDA-dependent calcium and dopamine by striatal projection neurons leads to potentiation of corticostriatal synapses through CaMKII/PP1 signaling. In order to elicit the CaMKII/PP1-dependent response, the calcium and dopamine inputs should arrive in temporal proximity and must follow a specific (dopamine after calcium) order. However, little is known about the cellular mechanism which enforces these temporal constraints on the signal integration. In this computational study, we propose that these temporal requirements emerge as a result of the coordinated signaling via two striatal phosphoproteins, DARPP-32 and ARPP-21. Specifically, DARPP-32-mediated signaling could implement an input-interval dependent gating function, via transient PP1 inhibition, thus enforcing the requirement for temporal proximity. Furthermore, ARPP-21 signaling could impose the additional input-order requirement of calcium and dopamine, due to its Ca2+/calmodulin sequestering property when dopamine arrives first. This highlights the possible role of phosphoproteins in the temporal aspects of striatal signal transduction.
Bootstrap Stereo

Lockheed has been working on techniques for navigation of an autonomous aerial vehicle using passively sensed images. One technique which shows promise is bootstrap stereo, in which the vehicle's position is determined from the perceived locations of known ground control points, then two known vehicle camera positions are used to locate corresponding image points on the ground, creating new control points. This paper describes the components of bootstrap stereo.
IgG Suppresses Antibody Responses in Mice Lacking C1q, C3, Complement Receptors 1 and 2, or IgG Fc-Receptors

Antigen-specific IgG antibodies, passively administered to mice or humans together with large particulate antigens like erythrocytes, can completely suppress the antibody response against the antigen. This is used clinically in Rhesus prophylaxis, where administration of IgG anti-RhD prevents RhD-negative women from becoming immunized against RhD-positive fetal erythrocytes aquired transplacentally. The mechanisms by which IgG suppresses antibody responses are poorly understood. We have here addressed whether complement or Fc-receptors for IgG (FcγRs) are required for IgG-mediated suppression. IgG, specific for sheep red blood cells (SRBC), was administered to mice together with SRBC and the antibody responses analyzed. IgG was able to suppress early IgM- as well as longterm IgG-responses in wildtype mice equally well as in mice lacking FcγRIIB (FcγRIIB knockout mice) or FcγRI, III, and IV (FcRγ knockout mice). Moreover, IgG was able to suppress early IgM responses equally well in mice lacking C1q (C1qA knockout mice), C3 (C3 knockout mice), or complement receptors 1 and 2 (Cr2 knockout mice) as in wildtype mice. Owing to the previously described severely impaired IgG responses in the complement deficient mice, it was difficult to assess whether passively administered IgG further decreased their IgG response. In conclusion, Fc-receptor binding or complement-activation by IgG does not seem to be required for its ability to suppress antibody responses to xenogeneic erythrocytes.
Frame synchronization of OFDM systems in frequency selective fading channels

This paper investigates the topic of frame synchronization for systems based on the OFDM principle. After introducing the system model we discuss the task of a frame-synchronization and analyze the effects of a frame offset. From this we derive an appropriate criterion to measure the performance of synchronization algorithms under multipath conditions. We examine two algorithms for frame synchronization: the first algorithm is based on an evaluation of periodic structures. Since it is completely independent of a frequency offset it may be applied for system acquisition and burst synchronization. If the requirements are very high as in terrestrial TV broadcasting a second algorithm is needed to attain sufficient accuracy. The algorithm presented for this purpose is based on the evaluation of the channel estimate, so no further training data is required.
Age and gender differences in half-Ironman triathlon performances – the Ironman 70.3 Switzerland from 2007 to 2010

Background To date, the age-related decline and gender differences in performance have been investigated for both Olympic and Ironman distance triathlons, but not for the intermediate distance (ie, the half-Ironman distance triathlon covering 1.9 km swimming, 90 km cycling and 21.1 km running, Ironman 70.3®). We determined the age-related differences in performance and the gender differences for female and male half-Ironman triathletes of 6303 finishers (1115 women and 5188 men) at the Ironman 70.3 Switzerland in Rapperswil, Switzerland, from 2007 to 2010. Methods Analyses of variance were used to examine performance trends and differences between the genders. Results Gender differences in total event time were affected by age (F = 4.2; P < 0.001). Women achieved their best performance between 25 and 39 years whereas men attained their fastest race times between 18 and 39 years. The gender difference for ages 18–24 years was significantly (P < 0.01) greater compared to older age groups (25–29 years and 40–44 years), and the gender difference for age groups 45–49 years and 50–54 years was significantly (P < 0.01) greater than for those between the ages of 35–39 years. Conclusion The present data suggest that the fastest race time in a half-Ironman triathlon was achieved between the age of 25 and 39 years for women and between 18 and 39 years for men. Further studies considering the influences on endurance performance are required to better understand the age and gender interactions in half-Ironman triathlon performances, and these studies may provide valuable information to delineate the difference in performance between female and male half-Ironman triathletes.
Making Use Case Slices Manage Variability in Aspect-based Product Line

Use case slice, clearly lacks composition mechanism due to which it is difficult to manage variabilities in Software Product Lines. A use case slice can only convey the design of a single member of a product line. Aspect-based modeling of use case slices look to be a promising solution but there are few issues within their composition mechanism. Aspect-based modeling of use case slices clearly lack a strong and familiar algebraic model and also fails to address precedence management issues among artifacts such as pointcuts and advices. This paper suggests a composition mechanism, for aspect-based implementation of use case slices, which would provide a familiar algebraic model and will resolve issues related to precedence management. In this paper we have discussed about a hypothetical aspect-based Expressions Product Line (EPL) and have shown how the use case slices can be used to model the variabilities in EPL.
Alveolar Type 1 Cells Express the &agr;2 Na,K-ATPase, Which Contributes to Lung Liquid Clearance

Abstract— The alveolar epithelium is composed of alveolar type 1 (AT1) and alveolar type 2 (AT2) cells, which represent ≈95% and ≈5% of the alveolar surface area, respectively. Lung liquid clearance is driven by the osmotic gradient generated by the Na,K-ATPase. AT2 cells have been shown to express the &agr;1 Na,K-ATPase. We postulated that AT1 cells, because of their larger surface area, should be important in the regulation of active Na+ transport. By immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, we determined that AT1 cells express both the &agr;1 and &agr;2 Na,K-ATPase isoforms. In isolated, ouabain-perfused rat lungs, the &agr;2 Na,K-ATPase in AT1 cells mediated 60% of the basal lung liquid clearance. The &bgr;-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol increased lung liquid clearance by preferentially upregulating the &agr;2 Na,K-ATPase protein abundance in the plasma membrane and activity in alveolar epithelial cells (AECs). Rat AECs and human A549 cells were infected with an adenovirus containing the rat Na,K-ATPase &agr;2 gene (Ad&agr;2), which resulted in the overexpression of the &agr;2 Na,K-ATPase protein and caused a 2-fold increase in Na,K-ATPase activity. Spontaneously breathing rats were also infected with Ad&agr;2, which increased &agr;2 protein abundance and resulted in a ≈250% increase in lung liquid clearance. These studies provide the first evidence that &agr;2 Na,K-ATPase in AT1 cells contributes to most of the active Na+ transport and lung liquid clearance, which can be further increased by stimulation of the &bgr;-adrenergic receptor or by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of the &agr;2 Na,K-ATPase.
Primary User Activity Modeling Using First-Difference Filter Clustering and Correlation in Cognitive Radio Networks

In many recent studies on cognitive radio (CR) networks, the primary user activity is assumed to follow the Poisson traffic model with exponentially distributed interarrivals. The Poisson modeling may lead to cases where primary user activities are modeled as smooth and burst-free traffic. As a result, this may cause the cognitive radio users to miss some available but unutilized spectrum, leading to lower throughput and high false-alarm probabilities. The main contribution of this paper is to propose a novel model to parametrize the primary user traffic in a more efficient and accurate way in order to overcome the drawbacks of the Poisson modeling. The proposed model makes this possible by arranging the first-difference filtered and correlated primary user data into clusters. In this paper, a new metric called the Primary User Activity Index, , is introduced, which accounts for the relation between the cluster filter output and correlation statistics. The performance of the proposed model is evaluated by means of traffic estimation accuracy, false-alarm probabilities while keeping the detection probability of primary users at a constant value. Simulation results show that the appropriate selection of the Primary User Activity Index, higher primary-user detection accuracy, reduced false-alarm probabilities, and higher throughput can be achieved by the proposed model.
Isoniazid Tuberculosis Preventive Therapy in HIV-Infected Adults Accessing Antiretroviral Therapy: A Botswana Experience, 2004-2006

Objectives:To describe reasons for exclusion from isoniazid tuberculosis preventive therapy (IPT) and outcomes of persons living with HIV (PLWH) during 6 months of IPT. Methods:In a clinical trial conducted in government clinics, first screening (screen 1) used National IPT Program guidelines and a second screening (screen 2) was trial specific. Adherence was defined as attending 6 monthly visits. Results:Between 2004 and 2006, at 4018 screening visits, 2934 (73%) PLWH met screen 1 criteria; 1995 (68%) met screen 2 criteria and were enrolled. Major reasons for exclusion were illness (66%) at screen 1 and abnormal chest radiographs (36%) at screen 2. Tuberculin skin tests were ≥5 mm in 24% of those enrolled and 31% had CD4 lymphocyte counts <200 cells/mm3. During the 6 months, 8 (0.40%) developed tuberculosis disease, 28 (1.4%) had severe adverse events (19/28 were hepatitis including one death probably isoniazid-associated), 20 others died, and 22% initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART). Although adherence was 86%, being on ART improved adherence: relative risk 1.41 (95% confidence limits 1.04-1.91). In multivariate analysis, ART was associated with a 4.38 greater odds of adherence to IPT. Conclusions:Six months of IPT was relatively safe and well-tolerated by PLWH. Adherence to IPT was significantly better among those receiving ART with IPT.
Rule-based solution for context-aware reasoning on mobile devices

With the rapid evolution of mobile devices, the concept of context aware applications has gained a remarkable popularity in recent years. Smartphones and tablets are equipped with a variety of sensors including accelerometers, gyroscopes, and GPS, pressure gauges, light and GPS sensors. Additionally, the devices become computationally powerful which allows real-time processing of data gathered by their sensors. Universal network access viaWiFi hot-spots and GSM network makes mobile devices perfect platforms for ubiquitous computing. Most of existing frameworks for context-aware systems, are usually dedicated to static, centralized, clientserver architectures. However, mobile platforms require from the context modeling language and inference engine to be simple and lightweight. The model should also be powerful enough to allow not only solving simple context identification tasks but more complex reasoning. The original contribution of the paper is a proposal of a new rule-based context reasoning platform tailored to the needs of such intelligent distributed mobile computing devices. It contains a proposal of a learning middleware supporting context acquisition. The platform design is based on a critical review and evaluation of existing solutions given in this paper. A preliminary evaluation of the platform is given along with use cases including a social system supporting crime detection and investigation.
Technetium 99m-MIBI-SPECT: A highly sensitive diagnostic tool for localization of parathyroid adenomas.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the value of technetium 99m-MIBI scintigraphy using the single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) technique for preoperative localization of smaller (</= 1 g) parathyroid adenomas. METHODS A total of 92 patients (34 men, 58 women; mean age, 60 +/- 13 years) with an established diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism and nondiagnostic ultrasonography (inclusion criteria) were scanned preoperatively. After a thyroid examination to check for other possible radionuclide-accumulating thyroid diseases, a planar technetium 99m-pertechnetate/technetium 99m-MIBI subtraction scintigraphy (15 minutes post injection) and tomographic images (120 minutes post injection) were acquired after intravenous injection of 740 MBq of technetium 99m-MIBI and using a 3-head gamma camera (Picker Prism 3000). Sensitivity was defined by the ability to predict the correct site of a parathyroid adenoma. RESULTS All patients had parathyroid adenomas </= 1 g (53 patients, 0.5 -1.0 g; 39 patients, < 0.5 g). Correct localization of parathyroid adenomas to one side or the other was achieved in 87% of the patients using planar technetium 99m-pertechnetate/technetium 99m-MIBI subtraction scintigraphy. Sensitivity was increased to 95% by supplementary use of the SPECT technique and a 3-D display (volume-rendered reprojection for visualization). There was technetium 99m-MIBI accumulation in 11 benign thyroid nodes, but none of the healthy parathyroid glands were shown on the scan. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that technetium 99m-MIBI parathyroid scintigraphy is a sensitive and specific tool for topographic localization even of small parathyroid adenomas, especially with the use of SPECT. This method could help to improve the efficiency of parathyroidectomy (eg, by making unilateral exploration sufficient).
Evidence-Based Treatments for Children and Adolescents: An Updated Review of Indicators of Efficacy and Effectiveness

[Clin Psychol Sci Prac 18: 154–172, 2011] This updated review of evidence-based treatments follows the original review performed by the Hawaii Task Force. Over 750 treatment protocols from 435 studies were coded and rated on a 5-level strength of evidence system. Results showed large numbers of evidence-based treatments applicable to anxiety, attention, autism, depression, disruptive behavior, eating problems, substance use, and traumatic stress. Treatments were reviewed in terms of diversity of client characteristics, treatment settings and formats, therapist characteristics, and other variables potentially related to feasibility and generalizability. Overall, the literature has expanded considerably since the previous review, yielding a growing list of options and information available to guide decisions about treatment selection.
Chromatin Profiling Reveals Regulatory Network Shifts and a Protective Role for Hepatocyte Nuclear Factor 4α during Colitis

ABSTRACT Transcriptional regulatory mechanisms likely contribute to the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as genetic variants associated with the disease are disproportionately found at regulatory elements. However, the transcription factors regulating colonic inflammation are unclear. To identify these transcription factors, we mapped epigenomic changes in the colonic epithelium upon inflammation. Epigenetic marks at transcriptional regulatory elements responded dynamically to inflammation and indicated a shift in epithelial transcriptional factor networks. Active enhancer chromatin structure at regulatory regions bound by the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (HNF4A) was reduced during colitis. In agreement, upon an inflammatory stimulus, HNF4A was downregulated and showed a reduced ability to bind chromatin. Genetic variants that confer a predisposition to IBD map to HNF4A binding sites in the human colon cell line CaCo2, suggesting impaired HNF4A binding could underlie genetic susceptibility to IBD. Despite reduced HNF4A binding during inflammation, a temporal knockout model revealed HNF4A still actively protects against inflammatory phenotypes and promotes immune regulatory gene expression in the inflamed colonic epithelium. These findings highlight the potential for HNF4A agonists as IBD therapeutics.
Ultrasonic locating devices for central venous cannulation: meta-analysis

Abstract Objectives To assess the evidence for the clinical effectiveness of ultrasound guided central venous cannulation. Data sources 15 electronic bibliographic databases, covering biomedical, science, social science, health economics, and grey literature. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Populations Patients scheduled for central venous access. Intervention reviewed Guidance using real time two dimensional ultrasonography or Doppler needles and probes compared with the anatomical landmark method of cannulation. Data extraction Risk of failed catheter placement (primary outcome), risk of complications from placement, risk of failure on first attempt at placement, number of attempts to successful catheterisation, and time (seconds) to successful catheterisation. Data synthesis 18 trials (1646 participants) were identified. Compared with the landmark method, real time two dimensional ultrasound guidance for cannulating the internal jugular vein in adults was associated with a significantly lower failure rate both overall (relative risk 0.14, 95% confidence interval 0.06 to 0.33) and on the first attempt (0.59, 0.39 to 0.88). Limited evidence favoured two dimensional ultrasound guidance for subclavian vein and femoral vein procedures in adults (0.14, 0.04 to 0.57 and 0.29, 0.07 to 1.21, respectively). Three studies in infants confirmed a higher success rate with two dimensional ultrasonography for internal jugular procedures (0.15, 0.03 to 0.64). Doppler guided cannulation of the internal jugular vein in adults was more successful than the landmark method (0.39, 0.17 to 0.92), but the landmark method was more successful for subclavian vein procedures (1.48, 1.03 to 2.14). No significant difference was found between these techniques for cannulation of the internal jugular vein in infants. An indirect comparison of relative risks suggested that two dimensional ultrasonography would be more successful than Doppler guidance for subclavian vein procedures in adults (0.09, 0.02 to 0.38). Conclusions Evidence supports the use of two dimensional ultrasonography for central venous cannulation.