Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia: Clinical Characteristics, Diagnostic Evaluation and Therapeutic Strategies

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a severe hereditary arrhythmia syndrome predominantly affecting children and young adults. It manifests through bidirectional or polymorphic ventricular arrhythmia, often culminating in syncope triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress which can lead to sudden cardiac death. Most cases stem from mutations in the gene responsible for encoding the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RyR2), or in the Calsequestrin 2 gene (CASQ2), disrupting the handling of calcium ions within the cardiac myocyte sarcoplasmic reticulum. Diagnosing CPVT typically involves unmasking the arrhythmia through exercise stress testing. This diagnosis emerges in the absence of structural heart disease by cardiac imaging and with a normal baseline electrocardiogram. Traditional first-line treatment primarily involves β-blocker therapy, significantly reducing CPVT-associated mortality. Adjunctive therapies such as moderate exercise training, flecainide, left cardiac sympathetic denervation and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators have been utilized with reasonable success. However, the spectrum of options for managing CPVT has expanded over time, demonstrating decreased rates of arrhythmic events. Furthermore, ongoing research into potential new therapies including gene therapies has the potential to further enhance treatment paradigms. This review aims to succinctly encapsulate the contemporary understanding of the clinical characteristics, diagnostic approach, established therapeutic interventions and the promising future directions in managing CPVT.
A randomized comparison of the effects of gradual prolonged versus standard primary balloon inflation on early and late outcome. Results of a multicenter clinical trial. Perfusion Balloon Catheter Study Group.

BACKGROUND Observational studies have suggested that prolonged balloon inflation during coronary angioplasty is associated with a high clinical success rate. This randomized clinical trial sought to evaluate the impact of primary gradual and prolonged inflations versus standard short dilatations in patients undergoing elective angioplasty. METHODS AND RESULTS In phase 1 of the study, patients were randomized to receive two to four standard (1 minute) dilatations or one or two prolonged (15 minutes) dilatations after a perfusion balloon had been placed across a single target lesion. Patients with unsuccessful angiographic appearance after phase 1 dilatations had further dilatations in phase 2. Patients were followed for 6 to 12 months after the procedure. Of 478 patients, 242 received a median of one prolonged dilatation of 15 minutes' duration, and 236 received three dilatations for a median of 1 minute. Patients assigned to prolonged dilatations had a higher success rate (< or = 50% residual visual stenosis) (95% versus 89%; P = .016), less severe residual stenosis by quantitative angiography (median [25th and 75th percentiles], 35% [26%, 42%] versus 38% [30%, 46%]; P = .001), and a lower rate of major dissections (3% versus 9%; P = .003) at the end of phase 1. A total of 114 patients had further dilatations in phase 2-43 in the prolonged arm and 71 in the standard arm. The final procedural success rate was 98% with both primary dilatation strategies, which included additional maneuvers such as prolonged dilatations in the patients randomized to the primary standard dilatation. Overall, 320 of 416 patients (77%) who were discharged after a successful procedure without any in-hospital event (death, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, abrupt closure, or repeat angioplasty in target vessel) returned for follow-up angiography. The restenosis rate (> 50% residual visual stenosis) was 44% (95% confidence interval, 37% to 52%) in the prolonged dilatation group and 44% (36% to 52%) in the standard dilatation group. The primary angiographic end point of failure at the end of phase 1, abrupt closure, or restenosis throughout the study period was similar in both groups (prolonged, 51%; standard, 49%; P = .62). The secondary end point of absence of clinical events (death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, or repeat angioplasty in target vessel) also was similar (prolonged, 66%; standard, 74%; P = .15). CONCLUSIONS Primary gradual and prolonged dilatations caused less arterial trauma with a modestly larger arterial lumen compared with standard dilatations. This initial improvement in angiographic appearance did not lead to a significant reduction in restenosis or clinical adverse events during follow-up.
Profilin 1 obtained by proteomic analysis in all‐trans retinoic acid‐treated hepatocarcinoma cell lines is involved in inhibition of cell proliferation and migration

Previous studies have shown that all‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) suppresses growth of hepatocarcinoma cell in vitro. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we investigated the protein expression profiles by 2‐DE in hepatocarcinoma cell line SMMC‐7721 treated with ATRA. Our results reveal that six proteins were differently expressed in response to ATRA. Using MS and database searching, they were identified as profilin 1, phosphoglycerate kinase 1, RuvB‐like 1, α‐enolase, pyridoxal kinase and F‐actin capping protein. We selected the up‐regulated protein, profilin 1 (PFN1), for further studies. The PFN1 expression was increased in response to ATRA in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner. The PFN1 expression was reduced dramatically in four hepatoma cell lines compared to L02 cell line of non‐tumor origin. The PFN1 expression was also examined in 4 cases of primary hepatocarcinoma tissues by Western blot and 30 cases by tissues microarray. It was found that the protein level of PFN1 was lower in hepatocarcinoma tissues compared to that in the adjacent tissues. Similar to ATRA, overexpression of PFN1 led to inhibition of cell proliferation and migration. Furthermore, RNAi‐based PFN1 knockdown could rescue the inhibitory effect of ATRA on cell proliferation and migration. In conclusion, ATRA inhibited cell proliferation and migration through up‐regulation of PFN1.
Ability of university-level education to prevent age-related decline in emotional intelligence

Numerous studies have suggested that educational history, as a proxy measure of active cognitive reserve, protects against age-related cognitive decline and risk of dementia. Whether educational history also protects against age-related decline in emotional intelligence (EI) is unclear. The present study examined ability EI in 310 healthy adults ranging in age from 18 to 76 years using the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT). We found that older people had lower scores than younger people for total EI and for the EI branches of perceiving, facilitating, and understanding emotions, whereas age was not associated with the EI branch of managing emotions. We also found that educational history protects against this age-related EI decline by mediating the relationship between age and EI. In particular, the EI scores of older adults with a university education were higher than those of older adults with primary or secondary education, and similar to those of younger adults of any education level. These findings suggest that the cognitive reserve hypothesis, which states that individual differences in cognitive processes as a function of lifetime intellectual activities explain differential susceptibility to functional impairment in the presence of age-related changes and brain pathology, applies also to EI, and that education can help preserve cognitive-emotional structures during aging.
Complexity of higher-order queries

While relational algebra and calculus are a well-established foundation for classical database query languages, it is less clear what the analog is for higher-order functions, such as query transformations. Here we study a natural way to add higher-order functionality to query languages, by adding database query operators to the λ-calculus as constants. This framework, which we refer to as λ-embedded query languages, was introduced in [BPV10]. That work had a restricted focus: the containment and equivalence problems for query-to-query functions, in the case where only positive relational operators are allowed as constants. In this work we take an in-depth look at the most basic issue for such languages: the evaluation problem. We give a full picture of the complexity of evaluation for λ-embedded query languages, looking at a number of variations: with negation and without; with only relational algebra operators, and also with a recursion mechanism in the form of a query iteration operator; in a strongly-typed calculus as well as a weakly-typed one. We give tight bounds on both the combined complexity and the query complexity of evaluation in all these settings, in the process explaining connections with Datalog and prior work on λ-calculus evaluation.
Gender Identity Disorder and Self-Stigma Among University Students in Selangor

Gender identity (GI) is the cognitive, perception and perspective of a person on his/her own sexual matters. Along with another psychiatric self-stigmatization (SS), caused low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, suicidal ideation, tendencies among youth. The prevalence of GI and SS was relatively low and was associated. Creating appropriate intervention, both at the social education level and other levels was necessary to develop skills and to continue promoting awareness and learning about gender and transgender issues
Impact of Bathythermograph Temperature Bias Models on an Ocean Reanalysis

Abstract Historical bathythermograph datasets are known to be biased, and there have been several efforts to model this bias. Three different correction models of temperature bias in the historical bathythermograph dataset are compared here: the steady model of Hanawa et al. and the time-dependent models of Levitus et al. and Wijffels et al. The impact of these different models is examined in the context of global analysis experiments using the Simple Ocean Data Assimilation system. The results show that the two time-dependent bias models significantly reduce warm bias in global heat content, notably in the 10 years starting in the early 1970s and again in the early 1990s. Overall, the Levitus et al. model has its greatest impact near the surface and the Wijffels et al. model has its greatest impact at subtropical thermocline depths. Examination of the vertical structure of temperature error shows that at thermocline depths the Wijffels et al. model overcompensates, leading to a slight cool bias, while at.
Techniques to Foster Drum Machine Expressivity

Electronic drum machines need algorithms to help them produce \expressivesounding" rhythmic phrases. In [Bilmes, 1992], I claim that three perceptually separate elements characterize percussive rhythm: metric content, tempo variation, and deviations (formerly called event-shifts). Herein, I demonstrate that algorithms based on this model may considerably facilitate reproduction of expressive rhythm. I describe one such algorithm which extracts the separate elements from a percussive performance. The performance is then resynthesized with varying degrees of tempo variation and deviations. Without the deviations, the performance sounds mechanical. With them it sounds rich and alive. Consequently, I claim that we should begin a concentrated study on the separate elements characterizing percussive rhythm, particularly deviations. To this e ect, development has begun on a graphical drum machine program with which deviations may be explored.
Tundra Fire and Vegetation Change along a Hillslope on the Seward Peninsula, Alaska, U.S.A

Abstract A 1977 tundra fire burned a hillslope where prefire soils and vegetation ranged from poorly drained moist tussock-shrub tundra on the lower slopes to well-drained dwarf shrub tundra on the back slope and very poorly drained wet sedge meadow on the flat crest. We sampled the vegetation on this slope before the fire and at 8 sites following the fire at irregular intervals from 1 yr to 25 yr. During the first decade after the fire, short-term recovery was dominated by bryophytes, sedges, and grasses from both regrowing sedge tussocks and seedlings. However, during the second and third decade, and by 24 yr after the fire, evergreen (Ledum palustre) and deciduous shrubs (mainly Salix pulchra willow) expanded dramatically so that shrub cover was generally higher than before the fire. Labrador tea has increased by vegetative means on the poorly drained lowest 3 tussock-shrub tundra sites. Upslope on the better-drained and more severely burned tussock-shrub and dwarf shrub tundra sites, willows became established from seed mainly during the first 10 yr after the fire and, based on their relatively large size (0.5–1 m tall) and cover, have grown rapidly during the past 15 to 20 yr. There has been very little or no recovery of Sphagnum moss and fruticose lichens after 24 yr at any site, except for Sphagnum moss in the wet meadow site. The permafrost active layer thickness has diminished to prefire levels at the lower slope tussock-shrub tundra sites but is much greater or degraded completely on the steeper slope, corresponding with the distribution of willow shrub colonization. These changes in tundra vegetation and permafrost following fire suggest that such fires could accelerate the predicted effects of climate warming on ecosystems in the Arctic.
Rotational Modulation of X-Ray Emission in Orion Nebula Young Stars

We investigate the spatial distribution of X-ray-emitting plasma in a sample of young Orion Nebula Cluster stars by modulation of their X-ray light curves due to stellar rotation. The study, part of the Chandra Orion Ultradeep Project (COUP), is made possible by the exceptional length of the observation: 10 days of ACIS integration during a time span of 13 days, yielding a total of 1616 detected sources in the 17′ × 17′ field of view. We here focus on a subsample of 233 X-ray-bright stars with known rotational periods. We search for X-ray modulation using the Lomb Normalized Periodogram method. X-ray modulation related to the rotation period is detected in at least 23 stars with periods between 2 and 12 days and relative amplitudes ranging from 20% to 70%. In 16 cases, the X-ray modulation period is similar to the stellar rotation period, while in 7 cases it is about half that value, possibly due to the presence of X-ray-emitting structures at opposite stellar longitudes. These results constitute the largest sample of low-mass stars in which X-ray rotational modulation has been observed. The detection of rotational modulation indicates that the X-ray-emitting regions are distributed inhomogeneneously in longitude and do not extend to distances significantly larger than the stellar radius. Modulation is observed in stars with saturated activity levels (LX/Lbol ~ 10-3) showing that saturation is not due to the filling of the stellar surface with X-ray-emitting regions.
Effects of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Level of Serum Testosterone in Males with Chronic Toxoplasmosis

Background Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular protozoan parasite that infects human and animals. Toxoplasma parasites are isolated from different parts of animals even from semen but there are little information about the effect of toxoplasmosis on fertility in animals and humans. In present study, the effect of chronic toxoplasmosis on serum levels of testosterone in men was studied. Methods In this case-control study, 1026 men referred to Arak Post Marriage Center were selected. Three ml of blood samples were collected and sera separated by centrifugation at room temperature. These sera were analyzed for detection of anti-T. gondii IgG antibody. Next 365 positive sera were selected as cases and also the same number of negative sera (365) as controls. Finally the level of testosterone was analyzed for the cases and controls samples. Result Serological tests on the sera of 1,026 men in Arak City showed that 365 of them had anti-Toxoplasma antibody. Comparison of testosterone concentration in case and control groups showed that testosterone concentration in case group was less than control group and this difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion The chronic toxoplasmosis could affect reproductive parameters in men.
Non-crossbridge stiffness in active muscle fibres

ABSTRACT Stretching of an activated skeletal muscle induces a transient tension increase followed by a period during which the tension remains elevated well above the isometric level at an almost constant value. This excess of tension in response to stretching has been called ‘static tension’ and attributed to an increase in fibre stiffness above the resting value, named ‘static stiffness’. This observation was originally made, by our group, in frog intact muscle fibres and has been confirmed more recently, by us, in mammalian intact fibres. Following stimulation, fibre stiffness starts to increase during the latent period well before crossbridge force generation and it is present throughout the whole contraction in both single twitches and tetani. Static stiffness is dependent on sarcomere length in a different way from crossbridge force and is independent of stretching amplitude and velocity. Static stiffness follows a time course which is distinct from that of active force and very similar to the myoplasmic calcium concentration time course. We therefore hypothesize that static stiffness is due to a calcium-dependent stiffening of a non-crossbridge sarcomere structure, such as the titin filament. According to this hypothesis, titin, in addition to its well-recognized role in determining the muscle passive tension, could have a role during muscle activity. Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge regarding static stiffness, from its identification by our group, to the present, and evaluates the role of titin as the structure possibly responsible for this non-crossbridge stiffness.
The Traditional Chinese Herbal Remedy Tian Xian Activates Pregnane X Receptor and Induces CYP3A Gene Expression in Hepatocytes

The pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that is activated by a myriad of clinically used compounds and natural products. Activation of PXR in liver regulates the expression genes encoding proteins that are intimately involved in the hepatic uptake, metabolism, and elimination of toxic compounds from our bodies. PXR-mediated herb-drug interactions can have undesirable effects in patients receiving combination therapy. This can be especially important in cancer patients who self-administer over-the-counter herbal remedies together with conventional anticancer chemotherapeutics. Tian xian is a traditional Chinese herbal anticancer remedy that activates human PXR in cell-based reporter gene assays. Moreover, tian xian alters the strength of interaction between the human PXR protein and transcriptional cofactor proteins. A novel line of humanized PXR mice are described and used here to show that tian xian increases expression of Cyp3a11 in primary cultures of rodent hepatocytes. Tian xian also induces expression of CYP3A4 in primary cultures of human hepatocytes. Taken together, these data indicate that coadministration of tian xian is probably contraindicated in patients undergoing anticancer therapy with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. These data are of particular importance due to the fact that this herbal remedy is currently marketed as an adjunct therapy that reduces the side effects of conventional chemotherapy and is available without a prescription. Future studies should be conducted to determine the extent to which coadministration of this Chinese herbal remedy alters the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of conventional anticancer therapy.
Randomized Trial of Conventional Transseptal Needle Versus Radiofrequency Energy Needle Puncture for Left Atrial Access (the TRAVERSE‐LA Study)

Background Transseptal puncture is a critical step in achieving left atrial (LA) access for a variety of cardiac procedures. Although the mechanical Brockenbrough needle has historically been used for this procedure, a needle employing radiofrequency (RF) energy has more recently been approved for clinical use. We sought to investigate the comparative effectiveness of an RF versus conventional needle for transseptal LA access. Methods and Results In this prospective, single‐blinded, controlled trial, 72 patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to an RF versus conventional (BRK‐1) transseptal needle. In an intention‐to‐treat analysis, the primary outcome was time required for transseptal LA access. Secondary outcomes included failure of the assigned needle, visible plastic dilator shavings from needle introduction, and any procedural complication. The median transseptal puncture time was 68% shorter using the RF needle compared with the conventional needle (2.3 minutes [interquartile range {IQR}, 1.7 to 3.8 minutes] versus 7.3 minutes [IQR, 2.7 to 14.1 minutes], P=0.005). Failure to achieve transseptal LA access with the assigned needle was less common using the RF versus conventional needle (0/36 [0%] versus 10/36 [27.8%], P<0.001). Plastic shavings were grossly visible after needle advancement through the dilator and sheath in 0 (0%) RF needle cases and 12 (33.3%) conventional needle cases (P<0.001). There were no differences in procedural complications (1/36 [2.8%] versus 1/36 [2.8%]). Conclusions Use of an RF needle resulted in shorter time to transseptal LA access, less failure in achieving transseptal LA access, and fewer visible plastic shavings. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT01209260.
Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein: a modular evolutionary proposal

The population of malaria-causing parasites is characterized by great genetic diversity. Knowledge of the polymorphism generation mechanism is a central issue for developing effective vaccines against malaria and understanding the parasite population structure. Plasmodium vivax genetic diversity has been explained in terms of two major factors: natural selection and intragenic recombination. A modular organization was found within P. vivax Duffy binding protein in the present work. Four Colombian isolates have identical sequences to Salvador-1 strain amongst dpb regions III–VI analysed, suggesting a high identity between Central and South American isolates. Geographically clustered sectors, corresponding to cysteine-rich regions (II and VI), show a high sequence diversity that could reflect a possible immune response evasion mechanism; both positive and negative selection were detected in these regions. In contrast, other dbp gene regions display a non-geographical clustering pattern, lower sequence diversity and predominant negative selective pressure. Recombination was homogeneously detected all along the molecule. These findings suggest that diversification vs. homogenizing forces, drive dbp gene evolution and determine its mosaic region organization.