Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low latitude ionosphere-thermosphere dynamics studies with inosonde chain in Southeast Asia

Abstract. An ionosonde network consisting of a meridional chain and an equatorial pair was established in the Southeast Asian area. Three of four ionosondes are along the magnetic meridian of 100° E; two are close to the magnetic conjugate points in Northern Thailand and West Sumatra, Indonesia, and the other is near the magnetic equator in the Malay Peninsula, Thailand. The fourth ionosonde is also near the magnetic equator in Vietnam but separated by about 6.3° towards east from the meridional chain. For a preliminary data analysis, nighttime ionospheric height variations at the three stations of the meridional chain were examined. The results demonstrate that the coordination of the network has a great potential for studying ionosphere/thermosphere dynamics. Through the assistance of model calculations, thermospheric neutral winds were inferred and compared with the HWM93 empirical thermospheric wind model. Higher-order wind variations that are not represented in the empirical model were found.
Acute effect of L‐796568, a novel β3‐adrenergic receptor agonist, on energy expenditure in obese men

Our objective was to investigate the thermogenic efficacy of single oral doses of the novel β3‐adrenergic receptor agonist L‐796568 [(R)‐N‐[4‐[2‐[[2‐hydroxy‐2‐(3‐pyridinyl)ethyl]amino]ethyl]‐phenyl]‐4‐[4‐[4‐(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]thiazol‐2‐yl]‐benzenesulfonamide, dihydrochloride] inhumans.
Does Postural Awareness Contribute to Exercise-Induced Improvements in Neck Pain Intensity? A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Tai Chi and Neck Exercises

Study Design. Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Objective. This secondary analysis aims to examine associations of improvement of chronic neck pain with patients’ and intervention-related characteristics. Summary of Background Data. Previous research has found that Tai Chi and neck exercises significantly improved chronic nonspecific neck pain; however, the factors for treatment success remain unclear. Methods. Subjects with chronic nonspecific neck pain were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of group Tai Chi or conventional neck exercises, and they attended 12 weekly sessions of 60 to 90 minutes. The interventions included exercises to improve body awareness, that is, interoceptive and postural awareness. A linear forward stepwise regression analysis was conducted to examine associations with improvements in neck pain intensity. Potential predictor variables included baseline pain, age, sex, the type of intervention, attendance rate and home practice duration, and changes in psychological well-being, perceived stress, and postural and interoceptive awareness during the study. Results. Overall 75 patients were randomized into Tai Chi or conventional exercises, with the majority being women (78.7%). Participants reported an average pain intensity of 50.7 ± 20.4 mm visual analog scale at baseline, and the average reduction of pain intensity in both groups was 21.4 ± 21.3 mm visual analog scale. Regression analysis revealed that reductions in pain intensity from baseline to 12 weeks were predicted by higher pain intensity at baseline (r2 = 0.226, P < 0.001), a decrease in anxiety (r2 = 0.102, P = 0.001), and an increase in postural awareness (r2 = 0.078, P = 0.0033), explaining a total of 40.6% of variance. Conclusion. Neck pain improvement was significantly associated with changes in postural awareness in subject with chronic nonspecific neck pain independent of treatment characteristics. Training of postural awareness might be an important mechanism of action of different exercise-based interventions for chronic neck pain. Level of Evidence: N /A
Improved Liver Function in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis After Autologous Bone Marrow Cell Infusion Therapy

We here report nine liver cirrhosis (LC) patients that underwent autologous bone marrow cell infusion (ABMI) from the peripheral vein. Subjects were patients with LC with total bilirubin of less than 3.0 mg/dl, platelet count of more than 5 (1010/l), and no viable hepatocellular carcinoma on diagnostic imaging. Autologous bone marrow (BM; 400 ml) was isolated from the ilium under general anesthesia. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were separated by cell washing and were infused via the peripheral vein. MNC characteristics were confirmed by fluorescence‐activated cell sorting analysis (CD34, CD45, and c‐kit). After ABMI therapy, liver function was monitored by blood examination for 24 weeks. From 400 ml of BM, we obtained 7.81 ± 0.98 × 109 MNCs. After washing, 5.20 ± 0.63 × 109 MNCs were infused into patients with LC. Significant improvements in serum albumin levels and total protein were observed at 24 weeks after ABMI therapy (p < .05). Significantly improved Child‐Pugh scores were seen at 4 and 24 weeks (p < .05). α‐Fetoprotein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression in liver biopsy tissue was significantly elevated after ABMI therapy (p < .05). No major adverse effects were noted. In conclusion, ABMI therapy should be considered as a novel treatment for patients with decompensated LC.
Control system design procedure of a mobile robot with various modes of locomotion

In this article the design procedure of a control system of a mobile robot with various modes of locomotion has been considered. The procedure is based on an embodied agent theory and focuses on the agent behaviours and transitions between them. The procedure was introduced to speed up and organize the whole controller development process. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is proved through control system development and experimental verification of the custom-built Lynx mobile robot with vertical and horizontal modes of locomotion.
Can high central nervous system penetrating antiretroviral regimens protect against the onset of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders?

Objective:To assess changes over time in neuropsychological test results (NPr) and risk factors among a regularly followed HIV-infected patient population. Methods:Prospective cohort of HIV-infected patients randomly selected to undergo neuropsychological follow-up. Test score was adjusted for age, sex and education. Patients were divided into five groups: normal tests, neuropsychological deficit (one impaired cognitive domain), asymptomatic neurocognitive disorders (ANIs), mild neurocognitive disorders (MNDs) and HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Demographic and background parameters including CSF drug concentration penetration effectiveness (CPE) score 2010 were recorded. Changes in NPr and associated risk factors were analyzed. Results:Two hundred and fifty-six patients underwent neuropsychological tests and 96 accepted follow-up approximately 2 years later. The groups were comparable. Upon neuropsychological retesting, six patients improved, 31 worsened and 59 were stable. The proportion of patients with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs) rose from 26 to 45%, with ANIs and MNDs still mostly represented. Most patients initially diagnosed with HANDs remained stable, five of 25 showed clinical improvement and three of 25 deteriorated. Of 33 patients with normal tests, four deteriorated, whereas 24 of 38 with initial neuropsychological deficit had poorer NPr, and contributed most of the new HAND cases. Patients with clinical deterioration had a lower CPE score both at inclusion (6.9 vs. 8.1; P = 0.005) and at the end of follow-up (7.2 vs. 7.8; P = 0.08) than those with improved or stable performance. This was confirmed by multivariate analysis. Conclusion:Patients with higher CPE scores upon inclusion and at the end of follow-up were at lower risk of clinical worsening, suggesting that combination antiretroviral therapy with better CSF penetration could protect against cognitive deterioration.
Clinical utility of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease knowledge questionnaire.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Although typically symptomatic, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is undertreated as compared to many asymptomatic conditions such as hypertension. Unfortunately, many patients lack basic information about their major disease states, including COPD. The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical utility of the valid and reliable COPD Questionnaire (COPD-Q) in a sample of underserved patients carrying a diagnosis of COPD. METHODS This prospective, descriptive study enrolled COPD patients at a family medicine residency teaching clinic. Patients were administered a telephone survey assessing COPD knowledge, demographic data, and health literacy. Data regarding COPD clinical outcomes were gathered through the electronic medical record. RESULTS Average total COPD-Q score was 7.6 plus or minus 2.1 (total possible score=13). Total COPD-Q scores were significantly related to health literacy and educational attainment. CONCLUSIONS The COPD-Q is a valid, reliable tool used to assess COPD knowledge in a setting that includes patients with limited health literacy. It is useful in identifying key knowledge deficits that will allow the clinician to offer focused, individualized patient education and counseling.
Sesquiterpene Lactones Isolated from Elephantopus scaber L. Inhibits Human Lymphocyte Proliferation and the Growth of Tumour Cell Lines and Induces Apoptosis In Vitro

This study was designed to isolate the compounds responsible for the cytotoxic properties of South Indian Elephantopus scaber L. and further investigate their effects on quiescent and proliferating cells. Bioassay-guided isolation of the whole plant of chloroform extract of South Indian Elephantopus scaber afforded the known sesquiterpene lactone, deoxyelephantopin, and isodeoxyelephantopin whose structures were determined by spectroscopic methods. These compounds caused a dose dependent reduction in the viability of L-929 tumour cells in 72 h culture (IC50 value of 2.7 μg/mL and 3.3 μg/mL) by the cell viability assay. Both the compounds act selectively on quiescent and PHA-stimulated proliferating human lymphocytes and inhibited tritiated thymidine incorporation into cellular DNA of DLA tumour cells. The compound deoxyelephantopin at a concentration of 3 μg/mL caused maximum apoptotic cells. It also exhibited significant in vivo antitumour efficacy against DLA tumour cells. The results, therefore, indicate that the antiproliferative property of deoxyelephantopin and isodeoxyelephantopin could be used in regimens for treating tumors with extensive proliferative potencies.
Expression of a prostate-associated protein, human glandular kallikrein (hK2), in breast tumours and in normal breast secretions

The recent demonstration of human glandular kallikrein (hK2) expression in a breast carcinoma cell line has suggested that this putatively prostate-restricted, steroid hormone-regulated protease may also be expressed in breast epithelium in vivo and secreted into the mammary duct system. Given that the only substrate yet identified for hK2 activity is the precursor of prostate-specific antigen (PSA), the expression of which in breast carcinomas may be associated with favourable prognosis, our purpose was to examine the expression pattern of both hK2 and PSA in breast tumour tissues. Cytosolic extracts of 336 primary breast carcinomas prepared for routine oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) analysis, as well as 31 nipple aspirates from six women with non-diseased mammary glands, were assayed for hK2 and PSA using immunofluorometric assays developed by the authors. In the tumour extracts, measurable hK2 and PSA concentrations were detected in 53% and 73% of cases respectively, and were positively correlated to each other (r = 0.59, P = 0.0001). Higher concentrations of PSA and hK2 were found in tumours expressing steroid hormone receptors (P = 0.0001 for PSA and P = 0.0001 for hK2, by Wilcoxon tests for both ER and PR), and both PSA (r = 0.25, P = 0.0001) and hK2 (r = 0.22, P = 0.0001) correlated directly with PR levels. A negative correlation between patient age and PSA (r = –0.12, P = 0.03) was also found. Both proteins were present in nipple aspirate fluid at relatively high concentrations which were positively correlated (r = 0.53, P = 0.002). The molecular weights of the immunoreactive species quantified by the hK2 and PSA assays were established by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and were consistent with the known molecular weights of hK2 and PSA. Together these data provide the first evidence, to our knowledge, that both malignant breast tissue and normal breast secretion contain measurable quantities of hK2, and that the degree of hK2 expression or secretion is directly proportional to the expression of PSA and steroid hormone receptors. hK2 expression may therefore be a marker of steroid hormone action in breast tissue. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaign
Polymorphisms of the IL-1 gene complex are associated with alcohol dependence in Spanish Caucasians: data from an association study.

BACKGROUND There is growing evidence for involvement of pro-inflammatory cytokines in alcohol dependence. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 4 functionally relevant polymorphisms of the interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha genes were associated with alcohol dependence and with measures of clinical severity and treatment outcome. METHODS Two hundred alcohol-dependent (AD) patients and 420 healthy controls from the same Spanish Caucasian population were genotyped using standard methods. Baseline and 6-month assessments included alcohol intake, addiction severity, and biomarkers of alcohol intake. RESULTS Alcohol-dependent patients showed an excess of IL-1alpha-889 C/T [50.8% vs. 39.3%, chi(2) (df) = 7.30 (2), uncorrected p = 0.026, corrected p = 0.104] and IL-1RA (86 bp)(n) A1/A1 genotypes [64.8% vs. 50.8%, chi(2) (df) = 12.65 (3), corrected p = 0.020]. The A1/A1 excess was associated with alcohol dependence only in men [69.9% vs. 49.5%, chi(2) (df) = 15.72 (2), corrected p < 0.001]. Six-month clinical and hematological outcome measures did not vary by genotype of the 4 polymorphisms. Haplotype analysis revealed an excess of the IL-1alpha-889 C/IL-1beta +3953 C/IL-1RA A2 haplotype in the control group compared with AD patients [20.0% vs. 14.1%, chi(2) (df) = 7.25 (1), p = 0.007; odds ratio (OR) = 0.64, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.46-0.89] and in the abstainers after 6 months of treatment compared with nonabstinent patients [14.7% vs. 6.2%, chi(2) (df) = 5.65 (1), p = 0.017; OR = 2.56, 95% CI = 1.15-5.62]. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide further tentative evidence of the role of IL-1 in alcohol dependence as well as evidence that the nature of the associations may be direct, gender-specific, or involve haplotype effects. However, findings from single association studies constitute tentative knowledge and must be interpreted carefully and precise replication is required.
Glaucoma Screening in the Haitian Afro-Caribbean Population of South Florida

Objective To evaluate the presence of clinical signs consistent with suspected glaucoma in Haitian Afro-Caribbean individuals residing in South Florida who do not receive regular eye examinations. Design Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Methods SETTING: Community health center in the Little Haiti district of Miami, Florida. PATIENT POPULATION: We reviewed medical records and screening forms from five health screenings between October 2011 to October 2013 of 939 Afro-Caribbean individuals older than 18 years, who were never diagnosed with glaucoma or had an eye examination within the last ten years. PROCEDURES: Measurements of distance visual acuity (VA), intraocular eye pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), frequency doubling technology (FDT) perimeter visual field (VF). Main Outcome Measures Proportion of glaucoma suspects, based on IOP greater than or equal to 24 mm Hg or CDR greater than or equal to 0.7 in either eye, and determinants of CDR and IOP. Results One hundred ninety-one (25.5%) of 750 patients were identified as glaucoma suspects. Glaucoma suspects were common in both the youngest and oldest age groups (<40 years, 20.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 17.9–23.9; >70 years, 25.0%; 95% CI, 21.8–28.2) and higher in men than women less than 70 years; the reverse was true after 70 years. Among all patients, mean IOP was 19.2±4.5 mmHg, mean CDR was 0.37±0.17, and mean CCT was 532±37.1 µm. In multiple linear stepwise regression analysis, determinates of increased CDR included increasing age (P = 0.004), lack of insurance (P = 0.019), and higher IOP (P<0.001), while increasing CDR (P<0.001) and thicker CCT (P<0.001) were associated with higher IOP. Conclusions This first glaucoma survey in a U.S. Haitian Afro-Caribbean population indicates glaucoma suspect status is high across all age groups, and suggests glaucoma monitoring in people less than 40 years of age is indicated in this population.
Cocaine‐Induced Platelet Defects

Background and Purpose Numerous studies have demonstrated an association between acute cardiac events, cerebrovascular accidents, and cocaine use. The underlying mechanisms leading to these complications have not been well defined. Using various in vitro model systems, it has been reported that cocaine, up to or greater than an order of magnitude of the lethal dose, causes either inhibitory or proaggregatory effects on platelet function. Methods To address these reported discrepancies, we examined the effect of cocaine and its carrier on the activation and aggregation of human platelets in vitro. Results We found that cocaine inhibited platelet aggregation when platelets were challenged with ADP, collagen, or arachidonic acid. This inhibition was due to a direct effect on fibrinogen binding to the activated platelet. Cocaine also caused the dissociation of preformed platelet aggregates. At these same concentrations, cocaine did not inhibit agonist-mediated increases in cytosolic calcium or inhibit platelet shape change, suggesting that its effect on platelet aggregation was a selective process and not due to a total destruction of platelet function. Interestingly, the organization of the cytoskeleton of activated platelets, a secondary event critical to cell receptor clustering and clot retraction, was disrupted by cocaine treatment. In addition, alterations in platelet protein electrophoretic patterns were observed on preincubation of platelets with cocaine. Conclusions We conclude that cocaine may have a direct inhibitory effect on the ability of platelets to participate in thrombus formation. The contribution of this effect as an underlying mechanism of sudden death in cocaine abusers is unknown.
Immunotherapy for cancer in the central nervous system: Current and future directions

ABSTRACT Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and still remains incurable. Although immunotherapeutic vaccination against GBM has demonstrated immune-stimulating activity with some promising survival benefits, tumor relapse is common, highlighting the need for additional and/or combinatorial approaches. Recently, antibodies targeting immune checkpoints were demonstrated to generate impressive clinical responses against advanced melanoma and other malignancies, in addition to showing potential for enhancing vaccination and radiotherapy (RT). Here, we summarize the current knowledge of central nervous system (CNS) immunosuppression, evaluate past and current immunotherapeutic trials and discuss promising future immunotherapeutic directions to treat CNS-localized malignancies.
Screening cardiac surgery patients for MRSA: an economic computer model.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the economic value of preoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening and decolonization for cardiac surgery patients. STUDY DESIGN Monte Carlo decision-analytic computer simulation model. METHODS We developed a computer simulation model representing the decision of whether to perform preoperative MRSA screening and decolonizing those patients with a positive MRSA culture. Sensitivity analyses varied key input parameters including MRSA colonization prevalence, decolonization success rates, the number of surveillance sites, and screening/decolonization costs. Separate analyses estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the screening and decolonization strategy from the third-party payer and hospital perspectives. RESULTS Even when MRSA colonization prevalence and decolonization success rate were as low as 1% and 25%, respectively, the ICER of implementing routine surveillance was well under $15,000 per quality-adjusted life-year from both the third-party payer and hospital perspectives. The surveillance strategy was economically dominant (less costly and more effective than no testing) for most scenarios explored. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that routine preoperative MRSA screening of cardiac surgery patients could provide substantial economic value to third-party payers and hospitals over a wide range of MRSA colonization prevalence levels, decolonization success rates, and surveillance costs. Healthcare administrators, infection control specialists, and surgeons can compare their local conditions with our study's benchmarks to make decisions about whether to implement preoperative MRSA testing. Third-party payers may want to consider covering such a strategy.
Cilostazol Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Growth by Downregulation of the Transcription Factor E2F

Neointimal formation, the leading cause of restenosis, is caused by proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Patients with diabetes mellitus have higher restenosis rates after coronary angioplasty than nondiabetic patients. Cilostazol, a selective type 3 phosphodiesterase inhibitor, is currently used to treat patients with diabetic vascular complications. Cilostazol is a potent antiplatelet agent that inhibits VSMC proliferation. In the present study, we examine whether the antiproliferative effect of cilostazol on VSMCs is mediated by inhibition of an important cell cycle transcription factor, E2F. Cilostazol inhibited the proliferation of human VSMCs in response to high glucose in vitro and virtually abolished neointimal formation in rats subjected to carotid artery injury in vivo. Moreover, the compound suppressed high-glucose–induced E2F–DNA binding activity, and the expression of E2F1, E2F2, cyclin A, and PCNA proteins. These data suggest that the beneficial effects of cilostazol on high-glucose–stimulated proliferation of VSMCs are mediated by the downregulation of E2F activity and expression of its downstream target genes, including E2F1, E2F2, cyclin A, and PCNA.
Significance of IASLC/ATS/ERS classification for early-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients in predicting benefit from adjuvant chemotherapy.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is currently the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and represents an incredibly challenging problem for clinicians. Despite advances in methods of detection and treatment, there is an expected increase in mortality in both developed and developing countries (1,2). The most common histologic subtype is adenocarcinoma (ADC), which accounts for approximately 50% of NSCLCs (3,4). In developed countries it is detected at an early-stage only in 25% of cases. The current gold standard for treatment of early-stage lung ADC when there are no significant risk factors is lobectomy. Despite recent progress and development of surgical techniques and minimally invasive approaches, approximately 40% of lung ADC patients experience tumor recurrence and death following complete resection (3,4). While meta-analysis has confirmed survival benefits for patients with pathologic stage II or IIIA lung ADC who have undergone adjuvant chemotherapy following surgical resection (5), there is still controversy over the role of chemotherapy in pathologic stage I patients. Additionally, its role in combination with surgery versus radiotherapy has yet to be elucidated.