Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of coronary arterial restenosis with phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging measurements of coronary flow reserve.

BACKGROUND After successful percutaneous coronary arterial revascularization, 25% to 60% of subjects have restenosis, a recurrent coronary arterial narrowing at the site of the intervention. At present, restenosis is usually detected invasively with contrast coronary angiography. This study was performed to determine if phase-contrast MRI (PC-MRI) could be used to detect restenosis noninvasively in patients with recurrent chest pain after percutaneous revascularization. METHODS AND RESULTS Seventeen patients (15 men, 2 women, age 36 to 77 years) with recurrent chest pain >3 months after successful percutaneous intervention underwent PC-MRI measurements of coronary artery flow reserve followed by assessments of stenosis severity with computer-assisted quantitative coronary angiography. The intervention was performed in the left anterior descending coronary artery in 15 patients, one of its diagonal branches in 2 patients, and the right coronary artery in 1 patient. A PC-MRI coronary flow reserve value </=2.0 was 100% and 82% sensitive and 89% and 100% specific for detecting a luminal diameter narrowing of >/=70% and >/=50%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Assessments of coronary flow reserve with PC-MRI can be used to identify flow-limiting stenoses (luminal diameter narrowings >70%) in patients with recurrent chest pain in the months after a successful percutaneous intervention.
Increased genetic diversity as a defence against parasites is undermined by social parasites: Microdon mutabilis hoverflies infesting Formica lemani ant colonies

Genetic diversity can benefit social insects by providing variability in immune defences against parasites and pathogens. However, social parasites of ants infest colonies and not individuals, and for them a different relationship between genetic diversity and resistance may exist. Here, we investigate the genetic variation, assessed using up to 12 microsatellite loci, of workers in 91 Formica lemani colonies in relation to their infestation by the specialist social parasite Microdon mutabilis. At the main study site, workers in infested colonies exhibited lower relatedness and higher estimated queen numbers, on average, than uninfested ones. Additionally, estimated queen numbers were negatively correlated with estimated average numbers of mates per queen within infested colonies. At another site, infested colonies also exhibited significantly lower worker relatedness, and estimated queen numbers were comparable in trend. In contrast, in two populations of F. lemani where M. mutabilis was absent, relatedness within colonies was high (40 and 90% with R>0.6). While high genetic variation can benefit social insects by increasing their resistance to pathogens, there may be a cost in the increased likelihood of infiltration by social parasites owing to greater variation in nestmate recognition cues. This study provides the first empirical test of this hypothesis.
Genetic Polymorphisms of CYP2E1, GSTT1, GSTP1, GSTM1, ALDH2, and ODC and the Risk of Advanced Precancerous Gastric Lesions in a Chinese Population

There have been few studies of the associations of genetic polymorphisms with precancerous gastric lesions. We conducted a cross-sectional study to compare the prevalences of several genetic polymorphisms in 302 subjects with mild chronic atrophic gastritis with prevalences in 606 subjects with deep intestinal metaplasia or dysplasia. This stratified random sample of 908 subjects was selected and analyzed for genetic polymorphisms from 2,628 individuals who had gastric biopsies with histopathology in 1989 in Linqu County, Shandong Province, China. In subjects with mild chronic atrophic gastritis, the frequencies of the variant (less common) alleles of CYP2E1 RsaI, CYP2E1 DraI, GSTP1, ALDH2, and ODC were, respectively, 0.156, 0.201, 0.189, 0.190, and 0.428. The frequencies of the null genotypes of GSTM1 and GSTT1 in the mild chronic atrophic gastritis group were 0.509 and 0.565, respectively. Comparing mild chronic atrophic gastritis with deep intestinal metaplasia or any degree of dysplasia, we found no statistically significant associations with any genotype from these loci for dominant, additive, or recessive inheritance models. There was no statistically significant evidence of multiplicative interactions between any pair of genotypes based on CYP2E1 RsaI, CYP2E1 DraI, GSTP1, GSTM1, or GSTT1; nor between Helicobacter pylori status and any of these five loci; nor between smoking status and GSTP1, GSTM1, or GSTT1; nor between alcohol consumption and ALDH2. Statistically significant interactions were noted between salt consumption and GSTP1 and between sour pancake consumption and CYP2E1 RsaI. There was, moreover, a statistically significant interaction (odds ratio, 1.78; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-3.08) between CYP2E1 DraI and smoking at least one cigarette per day. A positive but not statistically significant interaction was also seen between CYP2E1 RsaI and smoking status. These polymorphisms do not seem to govern progression from mild chronic atrophic gastritis to advanced precancerous gastric lesions, but the effects of smoking may be accentuated in individuals carrying variants of CYP2E1.
Characteristics of Individuals With Mental Illness in Tokyo Homeless Shelters.

OBJECTIVE Japan has the largest number of psychiatric beds in the world and has been in the process of deinstitutionalization since 2004. The majority of psychiatric inpatients are elderly long-term patients, who are at risk of homelessness after they are discharged. There is little information about homeless people with mental illnesses in Japan, and the aim of this study was to describe characteristics of people with a mental illness in homeless shelters in Tokyo. METHODS A face-to-face survey was conducted from December 2012 to March 2013 by the staff of a nonprofit organization (NPO) that helps socially isolated persons. Of the 1,056 people who received help during the study period, 684 completed the survey. RESULTS Eighteen percent of the 684 survey participants had a mental illness. Of the 210 individuals who lived in shelters, one-third had a mental illness. The mean age of shelter users with mental illness was 64.9; they tended to be referred from hospitals, and their mental well-being was poorer than other NPO service users in the study. Among the service users with mental illness, those living in shelters were older than those living in the community and more likely to have a history of trouble with alcohol, poor family relationships, and impaired instrumental activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS Unmet mental health needs were noted among discharged hospital patients living in Tokyo homeless shelters. An integrated and community-based support system with more effective health care delivery, including critical time interventions, is needed.
Distribution of Atherosclerosis and Risk Factors in Atherothrombotic Occlusion

Background and Purpose The present study was performed to determine the relation between distribution of atherosclerosis and risk factors in Japanese patients with atherothrombotic occlusion. Methods We studied 154 patients with atherothrombotic occlusion of the extracranial internal carotid artery (n=75, ICA group), the horizontal portion of the middle cerebral artery (n=47, MCA group), and the basilar artery (n=32, BA group), all of which were confirmed by cerebral angiography. We investigated the distribution of atherosclerosis of the three sites and compared the risk factors for atherosclerosis between the three groups. We used 113 subjects without stroke as the control group. Results A strong correlation was present between atherosclerosis of the extracranial internal carotid artery and that of the basilar artery. However, only a weak correlation existed between atherosclerosis of the middle cerebral artery and that of the other vessels. Although the prevalence of smoking and hypertension was higher and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were lower in the three groups than in the control subjects, no significant differences were found in age, sex, prevalence of smoking and hypertension, serum levels of triglycerides, and high density lipoprotein cholesterol among the three groups. The prevalence of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus and the serum levels of hemoglobin Ale, total cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol were higher in the ICA and BA groups than in the MCA group. The prevalence of electrocardiographic evidence of left ventricular hypertrophy was higher in the MCA group than in the other groups. Conclusions In addition to smoking, hypertension, and low concentration of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia seem to be associated with atherosclerosis of the extracranial internal carotid artery and the basilar artery, and advanced hypertension may play a role in the development of middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Topic modelling Methodology: its Use in Information Systems and other Managerial disciplines

Over the last decade, quantitative text mining approaches to content analysis have gained increasing traction within information systems research, and related fields, such as business administration. Recently, topic models, which are supposed to provide their user with an overview of themes being discussed in documents, have gained popularity. However, while convenient tools for the creation of this model class exist, the evaluation of topic models poses significant challenges to their users. In this research, we investigate how questions of model validity and trustworthiness of presented analyses are addressed across disciplines. We accomplish this by providing a structured review of methodological approaches across the Financial Times 50 journal ranking. We identify 59 methodological research papers, 24 implementations of topic models, as well as 33 research papers using topic models in Information Systems (IS) research, and 29 papers using such models in other managerial disciplines. Results indicate a need for model implementations usable by a wider audience, as well as the need for more implementations of model validation techniques, and the need for a discussion about the theoretical foundations of topic modelling based research.
Integrating supplier knowledge in new product development projects: decoupled and coupled approaches

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore and characterize knowledge integration approaches for integrating external knowledge of suppliers into new product development projects. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on a multiple, in-depth case study of six product development projects at three knowledge-intensive manufacturing firms. Findings Firms make purposeful choices to devise knowledge integration approaches when working in collaborative buyer-supplier projects. The knowledge characteristics of the supplier input guide the choice of either coupling knowledge sharing and combining across firms or decoupling knowledge sharing (across firms) and knowledge combining (within firms). Research limitations/implications The study relies on a limited number of case studies and considers only one supplier relationship in each project. Further studies could examine the challenge of knowledge integration in buyer-supplier relationships in different contexts, i.e., in relation to innovation complexity and uncertainty. Practical implications Managers need to make choices when designing knowledge integration approaches in collaborative product development projects. The use of coupled and decoupled approaches can help balance requirements in terms of joint problem-solving across firms, the efficiency of knowledge integration, and the risks of knowledge leakage. Originality/value The conceptualization of knowledge integration as knowledge sharing and knowledge combining extends existing perspectives on knowledge integration as either a transfer of knowledge or as revealing the presence of pertinent knowledge without entirely transmitting it. The findings point to the complexity of knowledge integration as a process influenced by knowledge characteristics, perspectives on knowledge, openness of firm boundaries, and elements of knowledge sharing and combining. Key words Knowledge Integration; New Product Development; Supplier; Coupled; Decoupled; Sharing; Combining; Case Study
Complementary roles of platelet glycoprotein VI and integrin α2β1 in collagen‐induced thrombus formation in flowing whole blood ex vivo

Platelets interact vigorously with subendothelial collagens that are exposed by injury or pathological damage of a vessel wall. The collagen‐bound platelets trap other platelets to form aggregates, and they expose phosphatidylserine (PS) required for coagulation. Both processes are implicated in the formation of vaso‐occlusive thrombi. We previously demonstrated that the immunoglobulin receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI), but not integrin α2β1, is essential in priming platelet‐collagen interaction and subsequent aggregation. Here, we report that these receptors have yet a complementary function in ex vivo thrombus formation during perfusion of whole blood over collagen. With mice deficient in GPVI or blocking antibodies, we found that GPVI was indispensable for collagen‐dependent Ca2+ mobilization, exposure of PS, and aggregation of platelets. Deficiency of integrin β1 reduces the GPVI‐evoked responses but still allows the formation of loose platelet aggregates. By using mice deficient in Gαq or specific thromboxane A2 and ADP antagonists, we show that these autocrine agents mediated aggregation but not collagen‐induced Ca2+ mobilization or PS exposure. Collectively, these data indicate that integrin α2β1 facilitates the central function of GPVI in the platelet activation processes that lead to thrombus formation, whereas the autocrine thromboxane A2 and ADP serve mainly to trigger aggregate formation.
Incremental object part detection toward object classification in a sequence of noisy range images

This paper presents an incremental object part detection algorithm using a particle filter. The method infers object parts from 3D data acquired with a range camera. The range information is quantized and enhanced by local structure to partially cope with considerable measurement noise and distortion. The augmented voxel representation allows the adaptation of known track-before-detect algorithms to infer multiple object parts in a range image sequence even when each single observation does not contain enough information to do the detection. The appropriateness of the method is successfully demonstrated by two experiments for chair legs.
A neurological examination score for the assessment of spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3)

Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) are characterized by a heterogeneous set of clinical manifestations. Our aims were to assess the neurological features of SCA3, and to describe and test the feasibility, reliability, and validity of a comprehensive Neurological Examination Score for Spinocerebellar Ataxia (NESSCA). The NESSCA was administered to molecularly diagnosed SCA3 patients at an outpatient neurogenetics clinic. The scale, based on the standardized neurological examination, consisted of 18 items that yielded a total score ranging from 0 to 40. The score’s interrater reliability and internal consistency were investigated, and a principal components analysis and a correlation with external measures were performed. Ninety‐nine individuals were evaluated. Interrater reliability ranged from 0.8 to 1 across individual items (P < 0.001); internal consistency, indicated by Cronbach’s alpha, was 0.77. NESSCA scores were significantly correlated with measures of disease severity: disease stage (rho = 0.76, P < 0.001), duration (rho = 0.56, P < 0.001), and length of CAG repeat (rho = 0.30, P < 0.05). NESSCA was a reliable measure for the assessment of distinct neurological deficits in SCA3 patients. Global scores correlated with all external variables tested, showing NESSCA to be a comprehensive measure of disease severity that is both clinically useful and scientifically valid.
Impact of pramipexole on the onset of levodopa‐related dyskinesias

Dyskinesias are a major complication of dopaminergic therapy in the long‐term treatment of Parkinson's disease. In the CALM‐PD trial, subjects were initially randomized to levodopa or pramipexole and could later add levodopa if needed. After adjusting for disease duration and daily levodopa dosage, the incidence of dyskinesias after initiating levodopa was not significantly different among subjects initially randomized to levodopa and those initially randomized to pramipexole. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
Escholarship@umms Infectious Diseases and Immunology Publications and Presentations Infectious Diseases and Immunology a Single Vertebrate Dna Virus Protein Disarms Invertebrate Immunity to Rna Virus Infection Repository Citation a Single Vertebrate Dna Virus Protein Disarms Invertebrate Immunity to

A single vertebrate DNA virus protein disarms invertebrate immunity to RNA virus infection" (2014). Comments This is an open-access article, free of all copyright, and may befreely reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, built upon, or otherwise used by anyone for any lawful purpose. The work is made available under theCreative Commons CC0 public domain dedication. Abstract Virus-host interactions drive a remarkable diversity of immune responses and countermeasures. We found that two RNA viruses with broad host ranges, vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and Sindbis virus (SINV), are completely restricted in their replication after entry into Lepidopteran cells. This restriction is overcome when cells are co-infected with vaccinia virus (VACV), a vertebrate DNA virus. Using RNAi screening, we show that Lepidopteran RNAi, Nuclear Factor-κB, and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways restrict RNA virus infection. Surprisingly, a highly conserved, uncharacterized VACV protein, A51R, can partially overcome this virus restriction. We show that A51R is also critical for VACV replication in vertebrate cells and for pathogenesis in mice. Interestingly, A51R colocalizes with, and stabilizes, host microtubules and also associates with ubiquitin. We show that A51R promotes viral protein stability, possibly by preventing ubiquitin-dependent targeting of viral proteins for destruction. Importantly, our studies reveal exciting new opportunities to study virus-host interactions in experimentally-tractable Lepidopteran systems.
Socioeconomic health inequalities among a nationally representative sample of Danish adolescents: the role of different types of social relations

Study objective: To investigate the role of different types of social relations in adolescent health inequalities. Design: Cross sectional study. Measures included family social class, indices of social relations to parents, friends, teachers, and school. Setting: Random sample of 55 schools in Denmark. Participants: Nationally representative sample of 5205 students from grades 5, 7, and 9. Main outcome measures: Self reported physical and psychological symptoms. Results: Adolescents from families of lower socioeconomic position reported more physical and psychological symptoms. This ranged from 40% increased odds for multiple physical symptoms among less advantaged girls, to 90% increased odds of multiple psychological symptoms for less advantaged boys. Relationships with friends or teachers showed small social class differences, while strong and consistent social class differences were found in the ways adolescents reported their own and their parents relations to school. For example, girls from families of lower socioeconomic position were more than four times as likely to report their parents unwilling to attend school meetings (odds ratio=4.54, 95% confidence intervals: 2.68 to 7.69). Poorer relations with parents, peers, teachers, and school were all associated with worse health. Patterns of parent-child relations with the school were the greatest contributors to socioeconomic differences in physical and psychological symptoms. Conclusions: The school is one of the first important social institutions directly experienced by children and socioeconomic differences in how adolescents and their parents relate to the school may be part of the cascade of early life influences that can lead to later social and health disadvantage.
Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines Mediates Chemokine Endocytosis through a Macropinocytosis-Like Process in Endothelial Cells

Background The Duffy antigen receptor for chemokines (DARC) shows high affinity binding to multiple inflammatory CC and CXC chemokines and is expressed by erythrocytes and endothelial cells. Recent evidence suggests that endothelial DARC facilitates chemokine transcytosis to promote neutrophil recruitment. However, the mechanism of chemokine endocytosis by DARC remains unclear. Methodology/Principal Findings We investigated the role of several endocytic pathways in DARC-mediated ligand internalization. Here we report that, although DARC co-localizes with caveolin-1 in endothelial cells, caveolin-1 is dispensable for DARC-mediated 125I-CXCL1 endocytosis as knockdown of caveolin-1 failed to inhibit ligand internalization. 125I-CXCL1 endocytosis by DARC was also independent of clathrin and flotillin-1 but required cholesterol and was, in part, inhibited by silencing Dynamin II expression. 125I-CXCL1 endocytosis was inhibited by amiloride, cytochalasin D, and the PKC inhibitor Gö6976 whereas Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) enhanced ligand internalization through DARC. The majority of DARC-ligand interactions occurred on the endothelial surface, with DARC identified along plasma membrane extensions with the appearance of ruffles, supporting the concept that DARC provides a high affinity scaffolding function for surface retention of chemokines on endothelial cells. Conclusions/Significance These results show DARC-mediated chemokine endocytosis occurs through a macropinocytosis-like process in endothelial cells and caveolin-1 is dispensable for CXCL1 internalization.
Gate-level Morphogenetic Evolvable Hardware for Scalability and Adaptation on FPGAs

Traditional approaches to evolvable hardware (EHW), in which the field programmable gate array (FPGA) configuration is directly encoded, have not scaled well with increasing circuit and FPGA complexity. To overcome this there have been moves towards encoding a growth process, known as morphogenesis, however existing approaches have tended to abstract away the underlying FPGA architecture. Although currently commercially available FPGAs are not the most evolution-friendly platforms, having complex architectures and issues with potentially damaging configurations, evolving circuits on commercially available devices without requiring a move to high-level building blocks is a necessary prerequisite for the adoption of EHW to solving real problems in electronic design, repair and adaptation. In this paper we present a morphogenetic EHW model where growth is directed by the gate-level state of the FPGA. We demonstrate that this approach consistently outperforms a traditional EHW approach using a direct encoding, in the number of generations required to find an optimal solution, and in its ability to scale to increases in circuit size and complexity. Issues in EHW problem solvability are also identified, and preliminary work is presented showing that a morphogenetic approach to EHW may be well suited to correcting damaged circuits