Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recent advances in cystic fibrosis

Purpose of review The field of cystic fibrosis (CF) continues to evolve at a fast pace thanks to novel observations that have enabled deeper understanding of the disease pathophysiology. Parallel groundbreaking developments in innovative therapies permit, for the first time, distinct disease modification. Recent findings This review highlights important discoveries in fluid homeostasis and mucus secretion in CF that further informs the pathophysiology of the airway disease that characterizes CF. In addition, current concepts and novel paradigms, such as ‘theratypes’ and ‘CF transmembrane conductance regulator chaperome’, which will be important for the continued development of disease modifying therapies, are reviewed. Summary The rate of progress in the field continues to accelerate with new knowledge informing the development of innovative therapies. This has already led to tangible substantial and unprecedented clinical benefit for selected subsets of the CF patient population. In the years ahead, further knowledge acquisition may motivate the extension of these benefits to the larger population of people with CF.
Black-hole spectroscopy: testing general relativity through gravitational-wave observations

Assuming that general relativity is the correct theory of gravity in the strong-field limit, can gravitational-wave observations distinguish between black holes and other compact object sources? Alternatively, can gravitational-wave observations provide a test of one of the fundamental predictions of general relativity: the no-hair theorem? Here we describe a definitive test of the hypothesis that observations of damped, sinusoidal gravitational waves originate from a black hole or, alternatively, that nature respects the general relativistic no-hair theorem. For astrophysical black holes, which have a negligible charge-to-mass ratio, the black-hole quasi-normal mode spectrum is characterized entirely by the black-hole mass and angular momentum and is unique to black holes. In a different theory of gravity, or if the observed radiation arises from a different source (e.g., a neutron star, strange matter or boson star), the spectrum will be inconsistent with that predicted for general relativistic black holes. We give a statistical characterization of the consistency between the noisy observation and the theoretical predictions of general relativity and a demonstration, through simulation, of the effectiveness of the test for strong sources.
Diagnosis and treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children and adolescents. Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association.

OBJECTIVE To deal with public and professional concern regarding possible overprescription of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications, particularly methylphenidate, by reviewing issues related to the diagnosis, optimal treatment, and actual care of ADHD patients and of evidence of patient misuse of ADHD medications. DATA SOURCES Literature review using a National Library of Medicine database search for 1975 through March 1997 on the terms attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, methylphenidate, stimulants, and stimulant abuse and dependence. Relevant documents from the Drug Enforcement Administration were also reviewed. STUDY SELECTION All English-language studies dealing with children of elementary school through high school age were included. DATA EXTRACTION All searched articles were selected and were made available to coauthors for review. Additional articles known to coauthors were added to the initial list, and a consensus was developed among the coauthors regarding the articles most pertinent to the issues requested in the resolution calling for this report. Relevant information from these articles was included in the report. DATA SYNTHESIS Diagnostic criteria for ADHD are based on extensive empirical research and, if applied appropriately, lead to the diagnosis of a syndrome with high interrater reliability, good face validity, and high predictability of course and medication responsiveness. The criteria of what constitutes ADHD in children have broadened, and there is a growing appreciation of the persistence of ADHD into adolescence and adulthood. As a result, more children (especially girls), adolescents, and adults are being diagnosed and treated with stimulant medication, and children are being treated for longer periods of time. Epidemiologic studies using standardized diagnostic criteria suggest that 3% to 6% of the school-aged population (elementary through high school) may suffer from ADHD, although the percentage of US youth being treated for ADHD is at most at the lower end of this prevalence range. Pharmacotherapy, particularly use of stimulants, has been extensively studied and generally provides significant short-term symptomatic and academic improvement. There is little evidence that stimulant abuse or diversion is currently a major problem, particularly among those with ADHD, although recent trends suggest that this could increase with the expanding production and use of stimulants. CONCLUSIONS Although some children are being diagnosed as having ADHD with insufficient evaluation and in some cases stimulant medication is prescribed when treatment alternatives exist, there is little evidence of widespread overdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of ADHD or of widespread overprescription of methylphenidate by physicians.
EPIZOOTIOLOGY AND EFFECT OF AVIAN POX ON HAWAIIAN FOREST BIRDS

Abstract We determined prevalence and altitudinal distribution of forest birds infected with avian pox at 16 locations on Hawaii, from sea level to tree line in mesic and xeric habitats, during 1977–1980. Isolates from lesions were cultured in the laboratory for positive identification of Poxvirus avium. Infected birds from the wild were brought into the laboratory to assess differences in the course of infection in native versus introduced species. We also documented distributions and activity cycles of potential avian pox vectors. >Native forest birds were (1) more susceptible to avian pox infection than were introduced species, (2) most likely to be infected during the wet season, and (3) found to have a higher prevalence in mesic when compared to xeric forests. Avian pox occurred in forest birds at all elevations, but highest levels were in the mid-elevational ranges (∼1,200 m) where vectors and native birds had the greatest overlap. Temporal and elevational differences in prevalence were apparent throughout the annual cycle. Avian pox probably did not reach epizootic proportions on Hawaii until after introduction of the mosquito and domestic birds in the early 1800s, and since then has had a negative effect on the population dynamics of native forest birds. Today, this introduced disease is an important factor that should be considered in future conservation efforts that are directed at the recovery of native forest birds in Hawaii.
Singly-Fed Dual-Band Circularly Polarized Dielectric Resonator Antenna

This letter presents a new dual-band circularly polarized (CP) dielectric resonator antenna (DRA). The dual-band design utilizes the quasi- TE111 and -TE113 modes of the rectangular DRA, which is coupled by a simple underneath rectangular aperture. Two opposite corners of the DRA are removed at 45° to obtain CP fields. A diagonal groove is introduced at the top face of the DRA to facilitate tuning of the DRA. A design guideline of the dual-band CP DRA is given. The reflection coefficient, radiation pattern, axial ratio, and antenna gain of the DRA are simulated and measured, with good agreement between them.
How Do We Talk About the Physician–Patient Relationship? What the Nonempirical Literature Tells Us

The physician–patient relationship is an important ideal, and a construct central to discussions regarding health systems change and innovation. This review examines the nonempirical literature focused on the physician–patient relationship published over the past 15 years. The review’s results show a literature that is heavily context bound, relies on a combination of informational and emotional appeals to influence readers, and is mostly focused on portraying the state of this relationship in negative ways. Characteristics of the relationship such as trust, communication, and information are particularly focused on, while other important features like empathy remain less addressed. The review’s findings suggest broadening the perspective regarding how the physician–patient relationship is construed, in order to take advantage of its increased importance in the modern health care marketplace, and to account for new relational dynamics between providers and patients suggested by innovations in care delivery.
Prognostic value of stress myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography imaging in patients with left ventricular bundle branch block.

BACKGROUND Left bundle branch block (LBBB) may occur with or without structural heart disease. In patients with coronary artery disease the presence of LBBB is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. METHODS AND RESULTS This study examined the outcome of 293 medically treated patients with LBBB and symptoms who were undergoing stress thallium-201 single photon emission computed tomography imaging. One hundred seventy-three men and 120 women with an age range of 67 +/- 9 years and a pretest probability of coronary artery disease of 77% +/- 28% were studied. During a mean follow-up of 33 months 58 hard cardiac events (death or nonfatal myocardial infarction) and 112 total events (hard events, coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, or cardiac transplantation) occurred. Univariate and multivariate Cox survival analysis with clinical, stress, hemodynamic, and single photon emission computed tomography variables identified the perfusion defect size (chi square = 27, p = 0.0001) and increased lung thallium uptake as the most important independent predictors of hard or total cardiac events. The hard event-free survival rate was 91% in patients with no or small defects (<15% of left ventricular myocardium) and 72% in patients with large defects (p = 0.0001, RR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.7 to 5.9). The total event-free survival rate was 81% in patients with small defects and 48% in patients with large defects (p = 0.0001, RR = 2.7, 95% CI 1.9 to 4.0). The total event rate was 54% in patients with large perfusion defects and increased lung uptake and 17% in patients with no or small abnormality and normal lung thallium uptake (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION Single photon emission computed tomography perfusion imaging is useful in predicting outcome in patients with LBBB and intermediate pretest probability of coronary artery disease. The size of perfusion abnormality and lung thallium uptake stratified patients into high and low risk groups with a threefold difference in hard and total cardiac events.
University of Birmingham Carbon and greenhouse gas balances in an age sequence of temperate pine plantations

This study investigated differences in the magnitude and partitioning of the carbon (C) and greenhouse gas (GHG) balances in an age sequence of four white pine ( Pinus strobus L.) afforestation stands (7, 20, 35 and 70 years old as of 2009) in southern Ontario, Canada. The 4-year (2004– 2008) mean annual carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) exchanges, based on biometric and eddy covariance data, were combined with the 2-year means of static chamber measurements of methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) ﬂuxes (2006–2007) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) export below 1 m soil depth (2004–2005). The total ecosystem C pool increased with age from 46 to
A Hybrid Method for High Density Salt-and-Pepper Noise Removal

Recently, two methods for removing high density salt-and-pepper noise in images have been proposed by Esakkirajan et al. and Hong et al. However, their methods have not been yet compared experimentally. In this paper, we compare them and show some experimental results. Additionally, we propose a hybrid method which is derived by combining the two methods, and experimentally show that the proposed method achieves higher values of both peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and image enhancement factor (IEF) than the two methods.
Fabrication, Characterization, and Evaluation of Luffa cylindrica Fiber Reinforced Epoxy Composites

Because of the increasing awareness of the environment and energy issues, as well as advances in technology, the areas of application for annual plant fiber functional materials are expanding. In this work, two chemical treatments, alkalization (2 h agitation with 5% NaOH) and furfurylation (graft furfuryl alcohol followed by oxidation with (1N) NaClO2 solution), were conducted on Luffa cylindrica fiber surfaces. The grafting of furfuryl alcohol followed by oxidation-generated quinines showed better results than alkaline treatment with respect to enhancement of surface area and hydrophobicity as well as wax, lignin, and hemicellulose extraction. The efficiency of chemical treatments was verified by elemental analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Differential scanning calorimetry, thermo-gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, water absorption, and mechanical tests were performed to determine the thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of untreated and chemically treated luffa fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Microstructures of the composites were examined to determine the mechanisms for the fiber-matrix interaction, which affects the thermal stability, water absorption, and mechanical behavior of the composites. The data from the water absorption process of composites at various temperatures were analyzed using a diffusion model based on Fick’s law.
Evaluation of Free to Grow: Head Start Partnerships to Promote Substance-Free Communities

Free to Grow: Head Start Partnerships to Promote Substance-free Communities (FTG) was a national initiative in which local Head Start (HS) agencies, in partnership with other community organizations, implemented a mix of evidence-based family-strengthening and community-strengthening strategies. The evaluation of FTG used a quasi-experimental design to compare 14 communities that participated in the FTG intervention with 14 matched comparison communities. Telephone surveys were conducted with two cohorts of the primary caregivers of children in HS at baseline and then annually for 2 years. The survey was also administered to repeated cross-sectional samples of primary caregivers of young children who were not enrolled in HS. No consistent evidence was found in changes in family functioning or neighborhood conditions when the 14 FTG sites were compared to 14 matched sites. However, caregivers of young children who were not in HS in three high-implementing FTG sites showed evidence of improvements in neighborhood organization, neighborhood norms against substance abuse, and child disciplinary practices. Results provide highly limited support for the concept that family and neighborhood conditions that are likely to affect child development and well-being can be changed through organized efforts implemented by local HS programs.
Suppression of inflammatory corneal lymphangiogenesis by application of topical corticosteroids.

OBJECTIVES To analyze whether topical application of corticosteroids inhibits inflammatory corneal lymphangiogenesis and to study the potential underlying antilymphangiogenic mechanisms. METHODS Inflammatory corneal neovascularization was induced by suture placement, and the corneas were then treated with topical fluorometholone, prednisolone acetate, or dexamethasone sodium phosphate. After 1 week, the corneas were stained with lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 for detection of pathological corneal lymphangiogenesis. The effect of these corticosteroids on macrophage recruitment was assessed via fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis. The effect of these corticosteroids on proinflammatory cytokine expression by peritoneal exudate cells was tested via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the effect of steroid treatment on the proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells was assessed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Treatment with corticosteroids resulted in a significant reduction of inflammatory corneal lymphangiogenesis. The antilymphangiogenic effect of fluorometholone was significantly weaker than that of prednisolone and dexamethasone. Corneal macrophage recruitment was also significantly inhibited by the application of topical steroids. Treatment of peritoneal exudate cells with corticosteroids led to a significant downregulation of the RNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1β. Additionally, proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells was also inhibited. CONCLUSIONS Corticosteroids are strong inhibitors of inflammatory corneal lymphangiogenesis, with significant differences between various corticosteroids in terms of their antilymphangiogenic potency. The main mechanism of the antilymphangiogenic effect seems to be through the suppression of macrophage infiltration, proinflammatory cytokine expression, and direct inhibition of proliferation of lymphatic endothelial cells. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Steroids block corneal lymphangiogenesis, the main risk factor for immune rejections after corneal transplantation. The different antilymphangiogenic potency of these drugs should be taken into account when using steroids in clinical practice (eg, after keratoplasty).
Immunization Enhances Inflammation and Tissue Destruction in Response to Porphyromonas gingivalis

ABSTRACT It is well established that host-bacterium interactions play a critical role in the initiation and progression of periodontal diseases. By the use of inhibitors, it has been shown that mediators associated with the innate immune response significantly contribute to the disease process. Less is known regarding the role of the acquired immune response. To investigate mechanisms by which the acquired immune response to Porphyromonas gingivalis could affect connective tissue, we used a well-documented calvarial model to study host-bacterium interactions. Injection of P. gingivalis stimulated gamma interferon, interleukin 6, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 expression as determined by real-time PCR. Prior immunization against P. gingivalis significantly enhanced the mRNA levels of these cytokines and chemokines. Similarly, immunization significantly increased and prolonged the formation of a polymorphonuclear leukocyte and mononuclear cell infiltrate (P < 0.05). In addition, the area of connective tissue destruction, osteoclastogenesis, bone loss, mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes, and degree of fibroblast apoptosis were increased in immunized mice (P < 0.05). These results indicate that activation of the acquired immunity by P. gingivalis increases the inflammatory and destructive responses which occur in part through up-regulating the innate immune response and enhancing osteoclastogenesis and fibroblast apoptosis.
Effective tag mechanisms for evolving cooperation

Certain observable features (tags), shared by a group of similar agents, can be used to signal intentions and can be effectively used to infer unobservable properties. Such inference will enable the formulation of appropriate behaviors for interaction with those agents. Tags have been previously shown to be successful in social dilemma situations such as the prisoner’s dilemma, and more recently have been shown to be applicable to other games by augmenting the standard tag mechanisms. We examine these more general tag mechanisms, and explain previously reported results by more thoroughly examining their fundamental designs. We show that these new tag mechanisms, along with some adjustments and augmentations, can be effective in enabling stable, socially optimal, and fair cooperative outcomes to emerge in general sum games. We focus, in particular, on general-sum conflicted games, where socially optimal outcomes do not necessarily yield the best results for individual agents. We argue that the improvements and understanding of these mechanisms expands the usability of tag mechanisms for facilitating coordination in multiagent systems. We argue that they allow agents to effectively reuse knowledge learned form interactions with one agent when interacting with other agents sharing the same features.
Relationship between Acute Phase Proteins and Serum Fatty Acid Composition in Morbidly Obese Patients

Background. Obesity is considered a low-grade inflammatory state and has been associated with increased acute phase proteins as well as changes in serum fatty acids. Few studies have assessed associations between acute phase proteins and serum fatty acids in morbidly obese patients. Objective. To investigate the relationship between acute phase proteins (C-Reactive Protein, Orosomucoid, and Albumin) and serum fatty acids in morbidly obese patients. Methods. Twenty-two morbidly obese patients were enrolled in this study. Biochemical and clinical data were obtained before bariatric surgery, and fatty acids measured in preoperative serum. Results. Orosomucoid was negatively correlated with lauric acid (P = 0.027) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (P = 0.037) and positively with arachidonic acid (AA) (P = 0.035), AA/EPA ratio (P = 0.005), and n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ratio (P = 0.035). C-Reactive Protein (CRP) was negatively correlated with lauric acid (P = 0.048), and both CRP and CRP/Albumin ratio were negatively correlated with margaric acid (P = 0.010, P = 0.008, resp.). Albumin was positively correlated with EPA (P = 0.027) and margaric acid (P = 0.008). Other correlations were not statistically significant. Conclusion. Our findings suggest that serum fatty acids are linked to acute phase proteins in morbidly obese patients.
Granuloma annulare treated with rifampin, ofloxacin, and minocycline combination therapy.

BACKGROUND Granuloma annulare (GA) is a benign, usually self-limiting, dermatosis, that typically presents as asymptomatic, flesh-colored or erythematous papules, frequently arranged in an annular or arciform pattern on the distal extremities. Although localized GA is most commonly observed, a generalized or disseminated form can occur. The etiology of GA is unknown; however, multiple inciting factors have been proposed. Histologically, GA is characterized by foci of degenerative collagen associated with palisading, sometimes infiltrating granulomatous inflammation. OBSERVATIONS We report 6 cases with biopsy-proved GA, resistant to the standard modalities of treatment that resolved after 3 months with monthly rifampin (600 mg), ofloxacin (400 mg), and minocycline hydrochloride (100 mg) combination therapy. Rifampin, ofloxacin, and minocycline combination therapy has been successfully used to treat patients with paucibacillary leprosy. Given reports that prolonged antibiotic agents are a useful treatment for GA, rifampin (600 mg), ofloxacin (400 mg), and minocycline hydrochloride (100 mg) combination therapy was initiated in these patients. Complete clearance of the plaques was achieved 3 to 5 months after the initiation of treatment. Some patients experienced postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. CONCLUSION Although our treatment was effective, further studies may be needed to confirm the success of this therapeutic option for patients with recalcitrant lesions of GA.