Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Left atrial mechanical function and stiffness in patients with nondipper hypertension: A speckle tracking study

ABSTRACT Background: Nondipper hypertension is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Speckle tracking echocardiography is a novel and promising tool for detecting early changes in left atrial (LA) myocardial dysfunction. Our aim was to evaluate the LA mechanical function and stiffness in nondipper hypertensive patients by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography strain parameters. Method: This study included 80 hypertensive patients. Hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: 50 dipper patients (29 male, mean age 51.5 ± 8 years) and 30 nondipper patients (17 male, mean age 50.6 ± 5.4 years). LA volume indices, mitral annular velocities, and global longitudinal LA strain were measured. The ratio of E/e’ to LA strain was used as an index of LA stiffness. Results: Patients with nondipper hypertension showed increased LA volume indices and decreased LA global strain (25.3 ± 5.5 vs. 39.6 ± 9.9%, P < 0.001). LA stiffness was increased in patients with nondipper than in the dipper subjects (0.41 ± 0.15 vs. 0.19 ± 0.14, P < 0.001), and LA strain and LA stiffness were related to LA volume indices. Conclusion: Patients with nondipper hypertension have decreased LA global strain and increased stiffness, in comparison with dipper group. LA stiffness and LA strain were significantly related to LA volume indices. LA stiffness and LA strain can be used for the assessment of LA function in patients with nondipper hypertension.
Is smoking a risk factor for tinnitus? A systematic review, meta-analysis and estimation of the population attributable risk in Germany

Objective To assess the epidemiological association of smoking status and tinnitus with a systematic review and meta-analysis and to estimate the population attributable risk in Germany. Data sources A systematic literature search in PubMed and ISI-Web of Science Core Collection resulted in 1026 articles that were indexed until 15 September 2015. Additionally, proceedings of the international tinnitus seminars and reference lists of relevant articles were screened. Study selection Two reviewers searched independently for epidemiological studies. Tinnitus as a manifestation of tumours, vascular malformations, specific syndromes or as a consequence of surgical and medical treatment was not considered. Moreover, studies conducted among patients of ear, nose and throat clinics were excluded. Data extraction If only raw data were provided, effect sizes were calculated. Further unpublished data were received by corresponding authors. Data synthesis Data of 20 studies were pooled. Current smoking (OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.09 to 1.35), former smoking (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.26) and ever smoking (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.30) were significantly associated with tinnitus. Moreover, sensitivity analyses for severe tinnitus (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.58) and for studies of superior quality (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.29) showed increased risks. According to this, the population attributable risk estimate in Germany is 3.5%. Conclusion There is sufficient evidence that smoking is associated with tinnitus. As the review mainly consists of cross-sectional studies, the observed correlation does not give evidence of a causal relationship. Due to the impact of various confounders, further research is needed to provide more evidence on the strength of association and causal relationships.
High Mobility Flexible Ferroelectric Organic Transistor Nonvolatile Memory With an Ultrathin ${\text {AlO}}_{{X}}$ Interfacial Layer

The low mobility is a primary issue to prevent the practical application of the ferroelectric organic field-effect transistor (Fe-OFET) nonvolatile memory (NVM). In this paper, we propose a route to resolve this issue by inserting an ultrathin <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${\text {AlO}}_{X}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> layer between the semiconductor film and the ferroelectric polymer film. A high mobility of 6.5 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{cm}^{2}\cdot \text {V}^{-1}\cdot \text {s}^{-1}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> is achieved in the fabricated flexible Fe-OFET NVM, which also exhibits good memory performances with a large memory window of 17.2 V, a high memory on-off ratio up to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$2 \times 10^{5}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>, reliable switching endurance property over 600 cycles, and stable retention capability with the memory on-off ratio larger than 10<sup>2</sup> over 10<sup>4</sup> s, at the low programming/erasing voltages of ±15 V.
The mitochondrial DNA content of cumulus granulosa cells is linked to embryo quality

STUDY QUESTION Could the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content of cumulus granulosa cells (CGCs) be related to oocyte competence? SUMMARY ANSWER The quality of embryos obtained during IVF procedures appears to be linked to mtDNA copy numbers in the CGCs. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Oocyte quality is linked to oocyte mtDNA content in the human and other species, and the mtDNA copy number of the oocyte is related to that of the corresponding CGCs. Moreover, the quantification of CGC mtDNA has recently been proposed as a biomarker of embryo viability. STUDY DESIGN SIZE, DURATION An observational study was performed on 452 oocyte-cumulus complexes retrieved from 62 patients undergoing ICSI at the ART Center of the University Hospital of Angers, France, from January to May 2015. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The average mtDNA content of CGCs was assessed by using a quantitative real-time PCR technique. The relationship between CGC mtDNA content and oocyte maturity and fertilizability, on one hand, and embryo quality, on the other, was investigated using univariate and multivariate generalized models with fixed and mixed effects. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE No relationship was found between CGC mtDNA content and oocyte maturity or fertilizability. In contrast, there was a significant link between the content of mtDNA in CGCs surrounding an oocyte and the embryo quality, with significantly higher mtDNA copy numbers being associated with good quality embryos compared with fair or poor quality embryos [interquartile range, respectively, 738 (250-1228) and 342 (159-818); P = 0.006]. However, the indication provided by the quantification of CGC mtDNA concerning the eventuality of good embryo quality was seriously subject to patient effect (AUC = 0.806, 95%CI = 0.719-0.869). The quantity of CGC mtDNA was influenced by BMI and smoking. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The quantification of CGC mtDNA may indicate embryo quality. However, since it is affected by patient specificity, it should be used with caution. It remains to be seen whether this marker could directly predict the implantation capacity of the embryo, which is the main objective in IVF practice. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study suggests that the quantification of CGC mtDNA may be a novel biomarker of embryo viability. However, patient specificity makes it impossible to establish a general threshold value, valid for all patients. Nevertheless, further studies are needed to determine whether the quantification of CGC mtDNA may, in combination with the morpho-kinetic method, offer an additional criterion for selecting the best embryo for transfer from a given cohort. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by the University Hospital of Angers, the University of Angers, France, and the French national research centres INSERM and the CNRS. There were no competing interests.
Melanoma survival: sex does matter, but we do not know how

The objective of this study was to provide further insights into the prognostic role of female sex in skin melanoma. The prognostic effect of sex in a population-based case series of 3900 skin melanomas in central Italy has been evaluated considering the possible confounding role of many demographic and clinical variables (age, period of diagnosis, Breslow’s thickness, Clark level, ulceration, lymph node status, metastasis, histological type, skin site, and pathological T and N). Multiple imputations, according to chained equations, have been used for imputing incomplete values. A Cox proportional hazards model on the risk of death caused by melanoma was fitted. Univariate and multivariate effects of sex and of other variables were computed. The 5-year cause-specific survival was 87% (95% confidence interval: 86–89%) for women and 80% (78–82%) for men. Women had higher rates at any time since diagnosis. After adjustment for other confounders, women had a 34% reduced risk compared with men of dying from skin melanoma (hazard ratio=0.66, 95% confidence interval: 0.56–0.79). The present study confirmed a strong protective effect of female sex on skin melanoma mortality. The protective factor is still unknown.
Induced Turán Numbers

The classical Kővári–Sós–Turán theorem states that if G is an n-vertex graph with no copy of K s,t as a subgraph, then the number of edges in G is at most O(n 2−1/s ). We prove that if one forbids K s,t as an induced subgraph, and also forbids any fixed graph H as a (not necessarily induced) subgraph, the same asymptotic upper bound still holds, with different constant factors. This introduces a non-trivial angle from which to generalize Turán theory to induced forbidden subgraphs, which this paper explores. Along the way, we derive a non-trivial upper bound on the number of cliques of fixed order in a K r -free graph with no induced copy of K s,t . This result is an induced analogue of a recent theorem of Alon and Shikhelman and is of independent interest.
A δJ-BASED APPROACH TO BIAXIAL FATIGUE

An energy-like approach is introduced for correlation of biaxial fatigue. The approach is motivated by the elastic-plastic δJ-integral which has previously been successfully applied to correlate uniaxial fatigue microcrack propagation. In addition, the most salient aspects of critical plane theories are included to reflect the driving force for microcracks in Stage I shear-dominated fatigue growth. Comparisons are made with some recent critical plane theories on the basis of generic completely reversed fatigue life behavior and for specific Case A and Case B biaxial loadings of Inconel 718 and 1045 steel.
Somatosensory Tinnitus: Correlation between Cranio-Cervico-Mandibular Disorder History and Somatic Modulation

In a subpopulation of patients, tinnitus can be modulated by movements of the jaw or head and neck due to complex somatosensory-auditory interactions. In some of these subjects, tinnitus could be related to an underlying temporomandibular (TMJ) or craniocervical (NECK) dysfunction that, if correctly identified, could streamline treatment and increase chances of tinnitus improvement. However, it is still unclear whether somatic modulation of tinnitus could be used as a screening tool for identifying such patients. In this study, we included 310 tinnitus patients with normal hearing, no psychiatric comorbidities, and a positive history of TMJ and/or NECK dysfunction and/or a positive modulation of tinnitus to evaluate the characteristics of somatic modulation, investigate the relationship between positive history and positive modulation, and identify factors most strongly associated with somatic modulation. Tinnitus modulation was present in 79.67% of the patients. We found a significant association within the same subjects between a positive history and a positive tinnitus modulation for the same region, mainly for TMJ in unilateral tinnitus patients and for TMJ + NECK in bilateral tinnitus patients. A strong correlation between history and modulation in the same somatic region within the same subgroups of subjects was also identified. Most TMJ maneuvers resulted in an increased loudness, while NECK maneuvers showed an increase in tinnitus loudness in about 59% of cases. High-pitched tinnitus and male gender were associated with a higher prevalence of modulation; no differences were found for tinnitus onset, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory score, and age. In this paper, we report a strong association between history and modulation for the same regions within the same patients; such an association should always be investigated to improve chances of a correct diagnosis of somatosensory tinnitus.
SPARC expression in gastric cancer predicts poor prognosis: Results from a clinical cohort, pooled analysis and GSEA assay

Background The prognostic role of Secreted Protein Acidic and Rich in Cysteine (SPARC) in gastric cancer (GC) remains controversial. We investigated the clinical significance, the survival relevance, and potential function of SPARC in GC with resected samples, online gene set GSE62254, and cell line SGC7901. Results High immunostaining of SPARC significantly correlated with tumor differentiation (P = 0.004), and independently predicted shorter overall survival (OS) (HR = 1.446, P = 0.022), based on the current IHC evaluation. The accuracy of the results was further validated with 1000 times bootstrapping and the time-dependent receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curves. The meta-analysis (pooled HR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.01−2.53) confirmed SPARC as the predictor for reduced OS in GC. Moreover, the association between enhanced SPARC expression and Adriamycin (Adr) sensitivity was revealed by GSEA, and then confirmed by comparative cellular experiments, such as the protein level analysis of SGC7901and SGC7901/Adr cell line. Materials and Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) method was used to detect SPARC expression in 137 GC cases. Meta-analysis was performed based on 5 studies published in English on PubMed up to March 2016. GSEA was performed using online data set GSE62254 and GC-related functional gene sets derived from molecular signatures database (MSigDB). Western Blot was carried out to compare protein-level differences between gastric carcinoma SGC7901 cell line and Adr resistant SGC7901/Adr cell line. MTT assay was done to confirm the induction of SPARC on Adr sensitivity Conclusions Increased SPARC expression in GC led to a worse clinical outcome of patients and might induce Adr sensitivity of GC cells.
Numerical Analysis on Blast Furnace Performance under Operation with Top Gas Recycling and Carbon Composite Agglomerates Charging

The blast furnace operations with top gas recycling, carbon composite agglomerates (CCB) charging, cold oxygen blast and waste plastics injection are numerically evaluated by means of multi-fluid blast furnace model on the premise of constant raceway conditions and hot metal temperature. These evaluations are in comparison with conventional operation. Simulation results reveal that CCB charging and/or cold oxygen blast lead to low temperature level in the shaft region, which retards the reduction of CCB. On the other hand, injection of waste plastics enriches hydrogen gas in the furnace. And top gas (after CO 2 removal) recycling tremendously enhances the concentrations of H 2 and CO in the whole furnace, which greatly promote the indirect reduction of sinter in shaft despite lower temperature. Under the innovative operations, the efficiency of blast furnace shows evident improvement, especially in the case with simultaneous injections of treated top gas through shaft and tuyere. The model computations predicted that total heat input decreases while the productivity increases under the operation with top gas recycling. Additionally, top gas recycling and waste plastics injection also contribute to considerably reduce carbon dioxide emission. It is expectable to develop high efficiency blast furnace with improved productivity and lowered environment load through exploiting the processes presented in this study. If scrubbing and fixing of CO 2 and manufacturing of process oxygen are commercially available, these innovative processes will possess broad applying potential.
NetQuest: A Flexible Framework for Large-Scale Network Measurement

In this paper, we present NetQuest, a flexible framework for large-scale network measurement. We apply Bayesian experimental design to select active measurements that maximize the amount of information we gain about the network path properties subject to given resource constraints. We then apply network inference techniques to reconstruct the properties of interest based on the partial, indirect observations we get through these measurements.By casting network measurement in a general Bayesian decision theoretic framework, we achieve flexibility. Our framework can support a variety of design requirements, including i) differentiated design for providing better resolution to certain parts of the network; ii) augmented design for conducting additional measurements given existing observations; and iii) joint design for supporting multiple users who are interested in different parts of the network. Our framework is also scalable and can design measurement experiments that span thousands of routers and end hosts. We develop a toolkit that realizes the framework on PlanetLab. We conduct extensive evaluation using both real traces and synthetic data. Our results show that the approach can accurately estimate network-wide and individual path properties by only monitoring within 2%-10% of paths. We also demonstrate its effectiveness in providing differentiated monitoring, supporting continuous monitoring, and satisfying the requirements of multiple users.
Does spatial attention modulate the C1 component? The jury continues to deliberate

ABSTRACT The thoughful comments on our study (Baumgartner et al., this issue) that failed to replicate the C1 attention effect reported by a previous study roughly fall into three broad categories. First, the commentators identified specific differences between the two studies that may have contributed to the discrepant results. Second, they highlighted some of the theoretical and methodological problems that are encountered when trying to demonstrate attention effects on the initial evoked response in primary visual cortex. Third, they offered a number of proposals for optimizing experimental designs and analysis methods that may increase the likelihood of observing attention-related modulations of the C1. We consider each of these topics in turn.
Vertex-Frequency Energy Distributions

A vertex-varying spectral content on graphs challenges the assumption of vertex invariance and requires vertex-frequency representations for an adequate analysis. In this letter, we introduce a class of vertex-frequency energy distributions inspired by traditional time-frequency energy distributions. These newly introduced distributions do not use localization windows. Their efficiency in energy concentration is illustrated through examples.
Prediction of Structure and Energy of Trans-1,4-Polybutadiene Glassy Surface by Atomistic Simulations of Free-Standing Ultrathin Films

Atomistic modeling of amorphous trans-1,4-polybutadiene (TPBD), using molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, is performed to generate three-dimensionally periodic bulk and two-dimensionally periodic thin film condensed phases. The condensed structures are constructed using multiple polymer chains. Structural and energetic relaxations and sampling of properties are performed using MD in the canonical ensemble (NVT) by a procedure that relieves local high-energy spots and brings the system to realistic thermodynamic states. The calculated surface energy for TPBD, 30.72 erg/cm2, is in excellent agreement with the reported experimental value of 31 erg/cm2. The structure of the surface layers is probed in terms of the atomic mass density variations, bond-bond orientation function profiles, and the distribution of the dihedral angles about the rotatable backbone bonds. The thickness of the surface layer over which the density varies smoothly but rapidly is found to be approximately 15 Å. The level of agreement of the calculated surface energy with the experimental value is superior in comparison to previous investigations in the literature using the atomistic approach for flexible polymers.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus surgical aortic valve replacement for severe aortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged as an acceptable treatment modality for patients with severe aortic stenosis who are deemed inoperable by conventional surgical aortic valve replacement (AVR). However, the role of TAVI in patients who are potential surgical candidates remains controversial. METHODS A systematic review was conducted using five electronic databases, identifying all relevant studies with comparative data on TAVI versus AVR. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. A number of periprocedural outcomes were also assessed according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium endpoint definitions. RESULTS Fourteen studies were quantitatively assessed and included for meta-analysis, including two randomized controlled trials and eleven observational studies. Results indicated no significant differences between TAVI and AVR in terms of all-cause and cardiovascular related mortality, stroke, myocardial infarction or acute renal failure. A subgroup analysis of randomized controlled trials identified a higher combined incidence of stroke or transient ischemic attacks in the TAVI group compared to the AVR group. TAVI was also found to be associated with a significantly higher incidence of vascular complications, permanent pacemaker requirement and moderate or severe aortic regurgitation. However, patients who underwent AVR were more likely to experience major bleeding. Both treatment modalities appeared to effectively reduce the transvalvular mean pressure gradient. CONCLUSIONS The available data on TAVI versus AVR for patients at a higher surgical risk showed that major adverse outcomes such as mortality and stroke appeared to be similar between the two treatment modalities. Evidence on the outcomes of TAVI compared with AVR in the current literature is limited by inconsistent patient selection criteria, heterogeneous definitions of clinical endpoints and relatively short follow-up periods. The indications for TAVI should therefore be limited to inoperable surgical candidates until long-term data become available.
Development of a New Microextraction Fiber Combined to On-Line Sample Stacking Capillary Electrophoresis UV Detection for Acidic Drugs Determination in Real Water Samples

A new analytical method coupling a (off-line) solid-phase microextraction with an on-line capillary electrophoresis (CE) sample enrichment technique was developed for the analysis of ketoprofen, naproxen and clofibric acid from water samples, which are known as contaminants of emerging concern in aquatic environments. New solid-phase microextraction fibers based on physical coupling of chromatographic supports onto epoxy glue coated needle were studied for the off-line preconcentration of these micropollutants. Identification and quantification of such acidic drugs were done by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) using ultraviolet diode array detection (DAD). Further enhancement of concentration sensitivity detection was achieved by on-line CE “acetonitrile stacking” preconcentration technique. Among the eight chromatographic supports investigated, Porapak Q sorbent showed higher extraction and preconcentration capacities. The screening of parameters that influence the microextraction process was carried out using a two-level fractional factorial. Optimization of the most relevant parameters was then done through a surface response three-factor Box-Behnken design. The limits of detection and limits of quantification for the three drugs ranged between 0.96 and 1.27 µg∙L−1 and 2.91 and 3.86 µg∙L−1, respectively. Recovery yields of approximately 95 to 104% were measured. The developed method is simple, precise, accurate, and allows quantification of residues of these micropollutants in Genil River water samples using inexpensive fibers.