Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Different Effects of Strenuous Exercise and Moderate Exercise on Platelet Function in Men

BackgroundPlatelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. It is also noticed that on one hand, regular exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and on the other hand, vigorous exercise provokes sudden cardiac death. We therefore hypothesize that various intensities of exercise may affect platelet function differently. Methods and ResultsStrenuous and moderate exercise (about 50% to 55% of peak oxygen consumption, VO2peak) on a bicycle ergometer in 10 sedentary and 10 physically active healthy young men was executed on two separate occasions. Blood samples were collected before and immediately after exercise. A newly designed tapered parallel plate chamber was used to assess platelet adhesiveness. Platelet aggregation induced by ADP was evaluated by the percentage of reduction in single platelet count. β-Thromboglobulin (β-TG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) were measured by ELISA. In addition, a similar study on 5 patients with stable angina were also conducted. Our results showed that (1) in the sedentary healthy group, platelet adhesiveness and aggregation were increased by strenuous exercise and depressed by moderate exercise; (2) in the active healthy group, platelet adhesiveness and aggregation were enhanced by severe exercise, whereas only aggregation was decreased by moderate exercise; (3) in the patients with stable angina, platelet adhesiveness and aggregation were enhanced by strenuous exercise and adhesiveness was suppressed by moderate exercise; (4) the degree of hemoconcentration induced by acute exercise tended to be related to the severity of exercise in all subjects; and (5) although severe exercise elevated β-TG and PF4, there were no significant changes in β-TG, PF4, and the ratio of β-TG to PF4 in healthy subjects after exercise. ConclusionsIt is concluded that platelet adhesiveness and aggregability may be sensitized by strenuous exercise in both healthy subjects and patients with stable angina. In contrast, platelet function can be suppressed significantly by moderate exercise in the healthy and tends to be depressed in patients with stable angina. The former may increase the risk of cardiac arrest and the latter may protect us from cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the effects of acute exercise tend to be more pronounced in the sedentary than in the active.
Bevacizumab in the treatment of five patients with breast cancer and brain metastases: Japan Breast Cancer Research Network-07 trial

Background Brain metastases from breast cancer occur in 20%–40% of patients, and the frequency has increased over time. New radiosensitizers and cytotoxic or cytostatic agents, and innovative techniques of drug delivery are still under investigation. Methods Five patients with brain metastases who did not respond to whole-brain radiotherapy and then received bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel were identified using our database of records between 2011 and 2012. The clinicopathological data and outcomes for these patients were then reviewed. Results The median time to disease progression was 86 days. Of five patients, two (40%) achieved a partial response, two had stable disease, and one had progressive disease. In addition, one patient with brain metastases had ptosis and diplopia due to metastases of the right extraocular muscles. However, not only the brain metastases, but also the ptosis and diplopia began to disappear after 1 month of treatment. The most common treatment-related adverse events (all grades) were hypertension (60%), neuropathy (40%), and proteinuria (20%). No grade 3 toxicity was seen. No intracranial hemorrhage was observed. Conclusion We present five patients with breast cancer and brain metastases, with benefits from systemic chemotherapy when combined with bevacizumab.
The Narrative Approach as a Learning Strategy in the Formation of Novice Researchers

Novice researchers must be trained to be ethical practitioners. This means more than just knowing how to gain ethics approval and being familiar with the codes of ethics. Rather, researchers need to develop their ethical awareness, perception, and judgment, and their capabilities to reflect and act when actually in the field, which we refer to as “situated research ethics. ” We employ the concept of “formation” as a useful pedagogical frame accentuating the importance of integrating knowledge, research skills, and ethical capabilities in research practice. We suggest that a narrative approach is consistent with formation, and is useful in research ethics training. This approach uses storytelling and engaging with stories to enable the development of ethical know-how in research. We conclude the article by focusing on the benefits and limitations of this approach.
Automated evaluation of essays and short answers

Essay questions designed to measure writing ability, along with open-ended questions requiring short answers, are highly-valued components of effective assessment programs, but the expense and logistics of scoring them reliably often present a barrier to their use. Extensive research and development efforts at Educational Testing Service (ETS) over the past several years (see http://www.ets.org/research/erater.html) in natural language processing have produced two applications with the potential to dramatically reduce the difficulties associated with scoring these types of assessments.
Metronomic chemotherapy following the maximum tolerated dose is an effective anti‐tumour therapy affecting angiogenesis, tumour dissemination and cancer stem cells

In this article, the effectiveness of a multi‐targeted chemo‐switch (C‐S) schedule that combines metronomic chemotherapy (MET) after treatment with the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) is reported. This schedule was tested with gemcitabine in two distinct human pancreatic adenocarcinoma orthotopic models and with cyclophosphamide in an orthotopic ovarian cancer model. In both models, the C‐S schedule had the most favourable effect, achieving at least 80% tumour growth inhibition without increased toxicity. Moreover, in the pancreatic cancer model, although peritoneal metastases were observed in control and MTD groups, no dissemination was observed in the MET and C‐S groups. C‐S treatment caused a decrease in angiogenesis, and its effect on tumour growth was similar to that produced by the MTD followed by anti‐angiogenic DC101 treatment. C‐S treatment combined an increase in thrombospondin‐1 expression with a decrease in the number of CD133+ cancer cells and triple‐positive CD133+/CD44+/CD24+ cancer stem cells (CSCs). These findings confirm that the C‐S schedule is a challenging clinical strategy with demonstrable inhibitory effects on tumour dissemination, angiogenesis and CSCs.
Increased expression of monocytic angiotensin-converting enzyme in dialysis patients with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND Patients with chronic renal disease suffer from accelerated atherogenesis, which is promoted by inflammation and oxidative stress. Tissue angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) exerts proinflammatory and prooxidative effects by producing angiotensin II. Monocytes are strongly involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. They express ACE, which might contribute to their atherogenic potency. We hypothesize that dialysis patients have increased monocytic ACE expression, and that ACE expression on circulating monocytes is associated with prevalent cardiovascular disease. METHODS In 74 dialysis patients, ACE expression on total monocytes and monocyte subsets was measured flow-cytometrically in a whole-blood assay. A subpopulation of 22 dialysis patients was compared to an age- and gender-matched control group with intact renal function. Cardiovascular risk factors and the prevalence of cardiovascular disease were assessed. In a subgroup of patients (n = 8), monocytic ACE activity was measured in vitro and correlated with monocytic ACE expression. RESULTS Dialysis patients had an increased expression of monocytic ACE compared to controls. Monocytic ACE expression was higher in dialysis patients with prevalent cardiovascular disease than in those without cardiovascular disease. This association remained significant after correction for classical cardiovascular risk factors. Among monocyte subsets, CD14++CD16+ monocytes had the highest ACE expression. Monocytic ACE activity correlated with ACE surface expression. CONCLUSIONS The finding of increased ACE expression on monocytes of dialysis patients with cardiovascular disease links monocytes to the activated renin-angiotensin system. ACE expression was found highest among CD14++16+ monocytes, which is in accordance with a prominent role of these proinflammatory cells in atherogenesis.
Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health

Over 125,000 women immigrate to Canada yearly—most in their childbearing years and many having given birth before immigrating. We sought to (1) examine the background characteristics and mental health profile of women separated from their children due to migration and subsequently giving birth in Canada (“dual-country (DC) mothers”) and (2) contrast these with those of “non-dual-country” migrant mothers. Of 514 multiparous migrant women giving birth, one-fifth (18%) reported being separated from their children due to migration. Over one-third of DC mothers were living in poverty (36.0% versus 18.6%, P = 0.001), and one in seven was experiencing household food insecurity (16.3% versus 7.6%, P = 0.01). Over one-third had no partner (40.2% versus 11.4%, P = 0.00), and nearly one-quarter reported no available support (23.1% versus 12.2%, P = 0.007). Over three-quarters were asylum seekers or refugees (83.7% versus 51%, P = 0.00). More DC than non-DC mothers had symptoms of postpartum depression (28.3% versus 18.6%, P = 0.04), symptoms of clinical depression (23.1% versus 13.5%, P = 0.02), and anxiety related to trauma (16.5% versus 9.4%, P = 0.04). Results suggest that identifying DC mothers is a rapid approach to enable clinicians to target a subgroup of women needing special attention.
Large-Scale Spatial Data Management on Modern Parallel and Distributed Platforms

Rapidly growing volume of spatial data has made it desirable to develop efficient techniques for managing large-scale spatial data. Traditional spatial data management techniques cannot meet requirements of efficiency and scalability for large-scale spatial data processing. We propose to develop new data parallel designs for large-scale spatial data management that can better utilize modern inexpensive commodity parallel and distributed platforms, including multi-core CPUs, many-core GPUs and cluster computers, to achieve both efficiency and scalability. After introducing background on spatial data management and modern parallel and distributed systems, we present our preliminary data-parallel designs for spatial indexing and spatial join queries on both multi-core CPUs and GPUs for high efficiency as well as their integrations with Big Data systems for better scalability. Following the discussions on some experiment results on real datasets to demonstrate the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed designs, the roadmap of dissertation work is subsequently outlined.
Expression, purification and in vitro antifungal activity of acidic mammalian chitinase against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichophyton rubrum strains

Background. Evidence has suggested that acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) may be an important candidate in defence against and/or digestion of chitin‐containing organisms, especially pathogenic fungi. However, to date, there are no reports on the direct inhibition of hyphal growth activity of AMCase in vitro.
The Protective Effect of Apocynin on Cyclosporine A‐Induced Hypertension and Nephrotoxicity in Rats

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is the prototype of immunosuppressant drugs that has provided new perspectives in human and veterinary medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat certain autoimmune diseases and dermatologic diseases. Unfortunately, the treatment with CSA is often limited by severe adverse effects such as hypertension and nephrotoxicity. Some data suggest that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the oxidative stress play an important role in its pathogenesis, in particular the superoxide (O2−) that is the most powerful free radical generated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase present mainly in the kidney. The present study has been designed to investigate the role of Apocynin a selective inhibitor of NADPH oxidase activity on cyclosporine‐induced adverse effect. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of CsA, used alone or in association with Apocynin on blood pressure (BP), on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), on absoluted fluid reabsorption (Jv) in proximal tubule (PT), on O2− concentration, and on nitric oxide (NO) production. We have demonstrated that CsA administration increases superoxide concentration in the aorta, decreases the NO concentration, reduces GFR and the Jv in PT, and induces a significant increase in BP. Moreover, we have shown that Apocynin treatment restores these hemodynamic alterations, as well as NO and superoxide productions. In conclusion, the reported data indicate that CsA induced nephrotoxicity and hypertension are related to NADPH oxidase activity, in fact Apocynin protects the kidney function and BP from toxic effects induced by CsA through the inhibition of NADPH oxidase activity. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1848–1856, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Isomerization of an Antimicrobial Peptide Broadens Antimicrobial Spectrum to Gram-Positive Bacterial Pathogens

The branched M33 antimicrobial peptide was previously shown to be very active against Gram-negative bacterial pathogens, including multidrug-resistant strains. In an attempt to produce back-up molecules, we synthesized an M33 peptide isomer consisting of D-aminoacids (M33-D). This isomeric version showed 4 to 16-fold higher activity against Gram-positive pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, than the original peptide, while retaining strong activity against Gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial activity of both peptides was influenced by their differential sensitivity to bacterial proteases. The better activity shown by M33-D against S. aureus compared to M33-L was confirmed in biofilm eradication experiments where M33-L showed 12% activity with respect to M33-D, and in vivo models where Balb-c mice infected with S. aureus showed 100% and 0% survival when treated with M33-D and M33-L, respectively. M33-D appears to be an interesting candidate for the development of novel broad-spectrum antimicrobials active against bacterial pathogens of clinical importance.
An Improved Canny Edge Detection Algorithm

Aimed at the defects of the traditional Canny operator, this paper puts forward an improved algorithm in edge detection. First, this paper gives a new method on self- adaptive image block based on threshold value. Next, by proposing a new hybrid filter- bank of self-adaptive median and morphology, we adopt this hybrid filter-bank to smooth the noise image. Then, we add the information of gradient in two bevel directions, so that the information of gradient is more complete. Last, by using the threshold value to process the image of gradient which is after non-maxima suppression, we obtain the image edge. For the noise image, this improved algorithm not only can filter out noise well, but also the image edge is continuous, smooth, clear. The experimental results show that the improved algorithm has a good effect in edge detection, strong capability of noise immunity. The objective evaluation and visual effect are good, too.
Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Study Identifies Novel Genomic Regions Associated to Chiari-Like Malformation in Griffon Bruxellois Dogs

Chiari-like malformation (CM) is a developmental abnormality of the craniocervical junction that is common in the Griffon Bruxellois (GB) breed with an estimated prevalence of 65%. This disease is characterized by overcrowding of the neural parenchyma at the craniocervical junction and disturbance of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow. The most common clinical sign is pain either as a direct consequence of CM or neuropathic pain as a consequence of secondary syringomyelia. The etiology of CM remains unknown but genetic factors play an important role. To investigate the genetic complexity of the disease, a quantitative trait locus (QTL) approach was adopted. A total of 14 quantitative skull and atlas measurements were taken and were tested for association to CM. Six traits were found to be associated to CM and were subjected to a whole-genome association study using the Illumina canine high density bead chip in 74 GB dogs (50 affected and 24 controls). Linear and mixed regression analyses identified associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on 5 Canis Familiaris Autosomes (CFAs): CFA2, CFA9, CFA12, CFA14 and CFA24. A reconstructed haplotype of 0.53 Mb on CFA2 strongly associated to the height of the cranial fossa (diameter F) and an haplotype of 2.5 Mb on CFA14 associated to both the height of the rostral part of the caudal cranial fossa (AE) and the height of the brain (FG) were significantly associated to CM after 10 000 permutations strengthening their candidacy for this disease (P = 0.0421, P = 0.0094 respectively). The CFA2 QTL harbours the Sall-1 gene which is an excellent candidate since its orthologue in humans is mutated in Townes-Brocks syndrome which has previously been associated to Chiari malformation I. Our study demonstrates the implication of multiple traits in the etiology of CM and has successfully identified two new QTL associated to CM and a potential candidate gene.
SUBARU AND KECK OBSERVATIONS OF THE PECULIAR TYPE IA SUPERNOVA 2006GZ AT LATE PHASES

Recently, a few peculiar Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) that show exceptionally large peak luminosity have been discovered. Their luminosity requires more than 1 M☉ of 56Ni to be ejected during the explosion, suggesting that they might have originated from super-Chandrasekhar mass white dwarfs. However, the nature of these objects is not yet well understood. In particular, no data have been taken at late phases, about one year after the explosion. We report on Subaru and Keck optical spectroscopic and photometric observations of the SN Ia 2006gz, which had been classified as being one of these “overluminous” SNe Ia. The late-time behavior is distinctly different from that of normal SNe Ia, reinforcing the argument that SN 2006gz belongs to a different subclass than normal SNe Ia. However, the peculiar features found at late times are not readily connected to a large amount of 56Ni; the SN is faint, and it lacks [Fe ii] and [Fe iii] emissions. If the bulk of the radioactive energy escapes the SN ejecta as visual light, as is the case in normal SNe Ia, the mass of 56Ni does not exceed ∼0.3 M☉. We discuss several possibilities to remedy the problem. With the limited observations, however, we are unable to conclusively identify which process is responsible. An interesting possibility is that the bulk of the emission might be shifted to longer wavelengths, unlike the case in other SNe Ia, which might be related to dense C-rich regions as indicated by the early-phase data. Alternatively, it might be the case that SN 2006gz, though peculiar, was actually not substantially overluminous at early times.
Evaluation and comparison of MBAC solutions

Admission control is a mechanism used to restrict access to a computer network to some flows based on the current utilization level of the network resource. By regulating the number of on-going flows, admission control aims at preventing overloading, congestion and performance collapses, so that, accepted flows receive a sufficient level of Quality of Service (QoS). In this paper, we evaluate three existing measurement-based admission control (MBAC) solutions, and we compare their efficiency in the context of semantic networks. Semantic networks refer to networks that autonomously acquire a knowledge on the on-going traffic as well as on any new incoming flow requesting admission. In this framework, we configure the three MBAC solutions in a way they have an identical target in terms of maximum tolerable packet loss rate or maximum tolerable packet queueing delay. We evaluate the solutions performance analytically or by simulation, and compare them to the “ideal” admission control. The results show that one solution, outperforms the others in meeting the target performance.1
A survey of epileptic disorders in Southwest France: Seizures in elderly patients

An underestimation of epileptic seizures occurring in aged patients is likely. In an epidemiological survey undertaken in Southwest France, the annual incidence rate per 100,000 persons 60 years or older was 127.2 for all seizures (101.3 in persons aged 60 to 69, 150.4 in those aged 70 to 79, and 139.9 in persons 80 years or older). It was 34.1 for symptomatic localization‐related and undetermined epilepsies, 16.1 for isolated seizures, and 77.0 for seizures related to an acute situation, such as metabolic derangements, stroke, or head trauma. In this survey, seizures with an onset age of 60 or older represented 28.0% of the confirmed epilepsies, 17.5% of the isolated seizures, and 52.6% of the acute symptomatic seizures. These figures differ dramatically from those in most previous reports concluding that age‐specific incidence declined through adult life. They are closer to the data from more recent reports. The main reason for such a high incidence of epileptic seizures in elderly patients is the number of acute symptomatic (or situation‐related) seizures. However, even chronic epilepsies increase in frequency in aging persons. Cerebrovascular disease was the most frequently recognized origin (53.9% of the patients with confirmed epilepsies) and brain tumor was found in 32.9% of the patients.
Snowpack Change From 1982 to 2016 Over Conterminous United States

Snow water equivalent (SWE) variability and its drivers over different regions remain uncertain due to lack of representativeness of point measurements and deficiencies of existing coarse‐resolution SWE products. Here, for the first time, we quantify and understand the snowpack change from 1982 to 2016 over conterminous United States at 4‐km pixels. Annual maximum SWE decreased significantly (p < 0.05) by 41% on average for 13% of snowy pixels over western United States. Snow season was shortened significantly by 34 days on average for 9% of snowy pixels over the United States, primarily caused by earlier ending and later arrival of the season over western and eastern United States, respectively. October–March mean temperature and accumulated precipitation largely explain the temporal variability of 1 April SWE over western United States, and considering temperature alone would exaggerate the warming effect on SWE decrease. In contrast, temperature plays the primary role in the 1 April SWE variability over eastern United States.
Fast Boolean matching with don't cares

This paper describes a fast Boolean matching algorithm which checks the containment relationship between an incompletely specified function and a completely specified function under permutation and negation on the input variables. The algorithm is designed for the pattern matching problem in technology mapping. It exploits functional symmetries of patterns and utilizes a compact data structure: binary permutation matrix. Using this matrix, nonmatching permutations and phase assignments can be pruned efficiently. All legal permutations and phase assignments, leading to a matching, can be obtained, as well. The experimental results on the MCNC benchmarks show that, compared with other Boolean matching approaches, our algorithm is at least 1,500 times faster for a common pattern abed + efgh and 58,000 times faster for another common pattern ab + cd + ef + gh. The matching speed for completely specified functions is also comparable to state-of-the-art matching algorithms