Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiological versus histological diagnosis in UIP and NSIP: survival implications

Background: High resolution computed tomography (HRCT) has an important diagnostic role in idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP). We hypothesised that the HRCT appearance would have an impact on survival in patients with IIP. Methods: HRCT scans from patients with histological usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP; n=73) or histological non-specific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP; n=23) were characterised as definite UIP, probable UIP, indeterminate, probable NSIP, or definite NSIP. Cox regression analysis examined the relationships between histopathological and radiological diagnoses and mortality, controlling for patient age, sex, and smoking status. Results: All 27 patients with definite or probable UIP on HRCT had histological UIP; 18 of 44 patients with probable or definite NSIP on HRCT had histological NSIP. Patients with HRCT diagnosed definite or probable UIP had a shorter survival than those with indeterminate CT (hazards ratio (HR) 2.43, 95% CI 1.06 to 5.58; median survival 2.08 v 5.76 years) or HRCT diagnosed definite or probable NSIP (HR 3.47, 95% CI 1.58 to 7.63; median survival 2.08 v 5.81 years). Patients with histological UIP with no HRCT diagnosis of probable or definite UIP fared better than patients with histological UIP and an HRCT diagnosis of definite or probable UIP (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.98; median survival 5.76 v 2.08 years) and worse than those with a histological diagnosis of NSIP (HR 5.42, 95% CI 1.25 to 23.5; median survival 5.76 v >9 years). Conclusions: Patients with a typical HRCT appearance of UIP experience the highest mortality. A surgical lung biopsy is indicated for patients without an HRCT appearance of UIP to differentiate between histological UIP and NSIP.
Movements Execution in Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s Disease

We evaluated the relationship between motor and neuropsychological deficits in subjects affected by amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) and early Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Kinematics of goal-directed movement of aMCI and AD subjects were compared to those of age-matched control subjects. AD showed a slowing down of motor performance compared to aMCI and controls. No relationships were found between motor and cognitive performances in both AD and aMCI. Our results suggest that the different motor behaviour between AD and aMCI cannot be related to memory deficits, probably reflecting the initial degeneration of parietal-frontal circuits for movement planning. The onset of motor dysfunction in early AD could represent the transition from aMCI to AD.
Psychological Assessment Does the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Measure What We Think It Does ? Construct Validity Evidence From an Active Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial

Does the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire Measure What We Think It Does? Construct Validity Evidence From an Active Controlled Randomized Clinical Trial Simon B. Goldberg, Joseph Wielgosz, Cortland Dahl, Brianna Schuyler, Donal S. MacCoon, Melissa Rosenkranz, Antoine Lutz, Chad A. Sebranek, and Richard J. Davidson Online First Publication, October 12, 2015. http://dx.doi. org/10.1037/pas0000233
Comprehensive evaluation of long-term trends in occupational exposure: Part 2. Predictive models for declining exposures.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the effects of various factors related to the industry, the contaminant, and the period and type of sampling on long term declining trends in occupational exposure. METHODS: Linear regression analyses were used to assess the relation between reductions in exposure and geographical location, industrial sector, type of contaminant, type of monitoring, carcinogenic classification, calendar period, duration of sampling, and number of reductions in the threshold limit value during the sampling period. Both univariable and multivariable models were applied. RESULTS: Based on univariable analyses, the findings suggest that exposures declined more rapidly in manufacturing than in mining, more rapidly for aerosol contaminants than for vapours, and more rapidly when biological, rather than airborne, monitoring was conducted. Exposures collected more recently (first year of sampling in 1972 or later) fell more rapidly than exposures first evaluated during earlier periods. Irrespective of when the data were collected, the results also suggest that the longer the duration of sampling the slower the rate of decline. Taken together, we found that characteristics related to the contaminant, the industry, the sampling period, and the type of sampling explained a substantial proportion of the variability for exposures evaluated before 1972 (R2 = 0.78) and for sites evaluated both before and after 1972 (R2 = 0.91), but explained essentially no variation for data gathered exclusively after 1972 (R2 = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: By identifying factors that have affected the rates of reduction in a consistent fashion, the results should guide investigators in estimating historical levels when studies assessing exposure-response relations are carried out.
Electrical Characterization of Al Implanted 4H-SiC Layers by Four Point Probe and Scanning Capacitance Microscopy

We studied the evolution of the electrical activation with annealing temperature and time in 4H-SiC implanted with Al ions at room temperature (RT). An accurate comparison between the electrical activation data obtained by FPP and SCM was carried out. The dependence of the electrically active profiles on annealing time was studied during isothermal (Tann=1600 °C) annealings for times ranging from 0 (spike anneal) to 30 min. By performing isochronal (t=30 min) processes at temperatures from 1550 to 1650 °C, the effect of the annealing temperature on the net doping concentration profiles was studied. Moreover, the activation energy (6.30.3 eV) associated to the process was extracted from the Arrhenius plot of the net active dose. Finally, the effect of the different thermal budgets on the roughening of the Al implanted 4H-SiC surface was also investigated in details by atomic force microscopy.
Evaluation of the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on whole salivary flow rate

Background: Saliva plays a critical role in maintaining oral homeostasis; it modulates the ecosystem through lubrication of the alimentary bolus, protection against microorganisms, buffer and repair of the oral mucosa, and helps in dental re-mineralization. Various local and systemic factors such as medications, radiation therapy, systemic conditions, etc. can lead to reduction in salivary flow. A decrease in salivary function, known as Xerostomia, increases a patient’s risk for caries and other oral infections. Palliative management of Xerostomia includes wetting agents such as ice chips, drugs and saliva substitutes. Systemic agents stimulate salivary flow but often have unfavorable side effects. Newer modalities like transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), which has fewer side effects, have been used to stimulate salivary flow. The aim of the present study was to assess and evaluate the effect of TENS on whole salivary flow rates in healthy adult subjects. Study design: A total of 80 healthy adult subjects were enrolled in the study. Unstimulated and stimulated saliva (using TENS) was collected for 5 minutes and the mean salivary flow rates were calculated. Data obtained was analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical package for social sciences) version 15. Students ‘t’ test was employed for comparative analysis. Results: Sixty-five of the 80 subjects demonstrated an increase in the salivary flow rate on application of TENS. Twelve subjects demonstrated a mild reduction in the salivary flow rates. Seven subjects experienced transient mild twitching of facial musculature as side effects. Conclusion: Significant increase in salivary flow rates was observed on application of TENS with minimal or no side effects. Key words:Stimulated saliva, whole salivary flow, TENS.
Evaluation and Validation of a Method for Determining Platelet Catecholamine in Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Arterial Hypertension

Background Measurements of plasma and urinary catecholamine are susceptible to confounding factors that influence the results, complicating the interpretation of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity in the Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and arterial hypertension (HYP) conditions. Objective In this study, we validated a test for platelet catecholamine and compared the catecholamine levels (adrenaline and noradrenaline) in urine, plasma and platelets in patients with OSA and HYP compared with controls. Methods In the validation, 30 healthy, nonsmoking volunteers who were not currently undergoing treatment or medication were selected as the control group. One hundred fifty-four individuals (114 OSA, 40 non-OSA) were consecutively selected from the outpatient clinic of the Sleep Institute and underwent clinical, polysomnographic and laboratory evaluation, including the urinary, plasma and platelet levels of adrenaline (AD) and noradrenaline (NA). Patients were then allocated to groups according to the presence of OSA and/or hypertension. Results A logistic regression model, controlled for age and BMI, showed that urinary AD and urinary NA were risk factors in the OSA+HYP group and the HYP group; however, the model showed higher levels of platelet NA for OSA without HYP. After 1 year of CPAP (continuous upper airway pressure) treatment, patients (n = 9) presented lower levels of urinary NA (p = 0.04) and platelet NA (p = 0.05). Conclusion Urinary NA and AD levels were significantly associated with the condition of hypertension with and without OSA, whereas platelet NA with OSA without comorbidity. These findings suggest that platelet catecholamine levels might reflect nocturnal sympathetic activation in OSA patients without hypertension.
Global Uniform Synchronization With Estimated Error Under Transmission Channel Noise

This paper investigates the problem of estimating synchronization errors and its application to global uniform synchronization with an estimated error bound for the master-slave chaos synchronization scheme via linear control input, which is possibly subject to disturbances by unknown but bounded channel noise and time-delay. Based on Lyapunov function, Razumikhin technique, nonlinear parametric variation, and input-to-state stability (ISS) theory, estimation formulas of synchronization errors with or without time-delays but with noise in transmission channel (TC) are derived. By using the error estimation formula, the maximal upper bound for time-delays is also obtained. These formulas can be used to design a control gain matrix which forces the synchronization error to the minimal value. Meanwhile, theoretical discussion is made by comparing Lyapunov-Krasovskii function method with respect to time-delays in TC. After the theoretical analysis, some representative examples and their numerical simulations are given for illustration.
An evaluation of group differences in mentoring programs' perceived outcomes

An Evaluation of Group Differences in Mentoring Programs' Perceived Outcomes by Jennifer Sue Anderson Dr. Richard McCorkle, Examination Committee Chair Associate Professor of Criminal Justice University of Nevada, Las Vegas Mentoring programs, like Big Brothers/Big Sisters (BBBS), focus on targeting atrisk youth in a preventative effort to increase pro-social behaviors as well as improving one's confidence, competence, and caring. These factors are important as they are indicative of the types of attachment bonds that insulate juveniles from delinquent behavior. Using data from a BBBS located in the Southeast part of the United States, the current study examined whether different groups of juveniles in mentoring programs are considered to be equally successful in promoting feelings of confidence, competence, and caring. Employing a series of one-way ANOVAs, no significant relationships were found between age, sex, race, match length and evaluator's perceptions of successful mentoring outcomes. When examining the composite group of non-White males and confidence, a relationship was found suggesting that mentoring may not have the ability to decrease risk of delinquency among all groups. Limitations and future research suggestions are discussed.
Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure: Revisiting Factors Influencing Optic Nerve Head Biomechanics

Purpose To model the sensitivity of the optic nerve head (ONH) biomechanical environment to acute variations in IOP, cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), and central retinal artery blood pressure (BP). Methods We extended a previously published numerical model of the ONH to include 24 factors representing tissue anatomy and mechanical properties, all three pressures, and constraints on the optic nerve (CON). A total of 8340 models were studied to predict factor influences on 98 responses in a two-step process: a fractional factorial screening analysis to identify the 16 most influential factors, followed by a response surface methodology to predict factor effects in detail. Results The six most influential factors were, in order: IOP, CON, moduli of the sclera, lamina cribrosa (LC) and dura, and CSFP. IOP and CSFP affected different aspects of ONH biomechanics. The strongest influence of CSFP, more than twice that of IOP, was on the rotation of the peripapillary sclera. CSFP had similar influence on LC stretch and compression to moduli of sclera and LC. On some ONHs, CSFP caused large retrolamina deformations and subarachnoid expansion. CON had a strong influence on LC displacement. BP overall influence was 633 times smaller than that of IOP. Conclusions Models predict that IOP and CSFP are the top and sixth most influential factors on ONH biomechanics. Different IOP and CSFP effects suggest that translaminar pressure difference may not be a good parameter to predict biomechanics-related glaucomatous neuropathy. CON may drastically affect the responses relating to gross ONH geometry and should be determined experimentally.
Phosphorylation of synaptotagmin-1 controls a post-priming step in PKC-dependent presynaptic plasticity

Significance Synapses can be temporarily strengthened by bursts of action potentials, which are thought to be a central aspect of information processing in the brain. This study provides evidence that protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent phosphorylation of synaptotagmin-1 is an essential step in this strengthening. A mutation that prevents synaptotagmin-1 phosphorylation abolishes this strengthening, both after action potential bursts and upon direct PKC activation by a synthetic analog of diacylglycerol, whereas basal synaptic transmission is unaffected. This suggests that synaptotagmin-1 acts in a cooperative fashion with Munc18-1 and Munc13-1, which were previously identified as essential diacylglycerol/PKC substrates. Together these data identify a central pathway linking bursts of action potentials to enhanced synaptic strength. Presynaptic activation of the diacylglycerol (DAG)/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway is a central event in short-term synaptic plasticity. Two substrates, Munc13-1 and Munc18-1, are essential for DAG-induced potentiation of vesicle priming, but the role of most presynaptic PKC substrates is not understood. Here, we show that a mutation in synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1T112A), which prevents its PKC-dependent phosphorylation, abolishes DAG-induced potentiation of synaptic transmission in hippocampal neurons. This mutant also reduces potentiation of spontaneous release, but only if alternative Ca2+ sensors, Doc2A/B proteins, are absent. However, unlike mutations in Munc13-1 or Munc18-1 that prevent DAG-induced potentiation, the synaptotagmin-1 mutation does not affect paired-pulse facilitation. Furthermore, experiments to probe vesicle priming (recovery after train stimulation and dual application of hypertonic solutions) also reveal no abnormalities. Expression of synaptotagmin-2, which lacks a seven amino acid sequence that contains the phosphorylation site in synaptotagmin-1, or a synaptotagmin-1 variant with these seven residues removed (Syt1Δ109–116), supports normal DAG-induced potentiation. These data suggest that this seven residue sequence in synaptotagmin-1 situated in the linker between the transmembrane and C2A domains is inhibitory in the unphosphorylated state and becomes permissive of potentiation upon phosphorylation. We conclude that synaptotagmin-1 phosphorylation is an essential step in PKC-dependent potentiation of synaptic transmission, acting downstream of the two other essential DAG/PKC substrates, Munc13-1 and Munc18-1.
Frequency, Private Specificity, and Cross-Reactivity of Preexisting Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Specific CD8+ T Cells in HCV-Seronegative Individuals: Implications for Vaccine Responses

ABSTRACT T cell responses play a critical role in controlling or clearing viruses. Therefore, strategies to prevent or treat infections include boosting T cell responses. T cells specific for various pathogens have been reported in unexposed individuals and an influence of such cells on the response toward vaccines is conceivable. However, little is known about their frequency, repertoire, and impact on vaccination. We performed a detailed characterization of CD8+ T cells specific to a hepatitis C virus (HCV) epitope (NS3-1073) in 121 HCV-seronegative individuals. We show that in vitro HCV NS3-1073-specific CD8+ T cell responses were rather abundantly detectable in one-third of HCV-seronegative individuals irrespective of risk factors for HCV exposure. Ex vivo, these NS3-1073-specific CD8+ T cells were found to be both naive and memory cells. Importantly, recognition of various peptides derived from unrelated viruses by NS3-1073-specific CD8+ T cells showed a considerable degree of T cell cross-reactivity, suggesting that they might in part originate from previous heterologous infections. Finally, we further provide evidence that preexisting NS3-1073-specific CD8+ T cells can impact the T cell response toward peptide vaccination. Healthy, vaccinated individuals who showed an in vitro response toward NS3-1073 already before vaccination displayed a more vigorous and earlier response toward the vaccine. IMPORTANCE Preventive and therapeutic vaccines are being developed for many viral infections and often aim on inducing T cell responses. Despite effective antiviral drugs against HCV, there is still a need for a preventive vaccine. However, the responses to vaccines can be highly variable among different individuals. Preexisting T cells in unexposed individuals could be one reason that helps to explain the variable T cell responses to vaccines. Based on our findings, we suggest that HCV CD8+ T cells are abundant in HCV-seronegative individuals but that their repertoire is highly diverse due to the involvement of both naive precursors and cross-reactive memory cells of different specificities, which can influence the response to vaccines. The data may emphasize the need to personalize immune-based therapies based on the individual's T cell repertoire that is present before the immune intervention.
Oligoethylene glycols prevent thermal aggregation of α‐chymotrypsin in a temperature‐dependent manner: Implications for design guidelines

Protein aggregation is problematic in various fields, where aggregation can frequently occur during routine experiments. This study showed that tetraethylene glycol (TEG) and tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDE) act as aggregation suppressors that have different unique properties from typical additives to prevent protein aggregation, such as arginine (Arg) and NaCl. Thermal aggregation of α‐chymotrypsin was well suppressed with the addition of both TEG and TEGDE. Interestingly, the suppressive effects of Arg and NaCl on thermal aggregation were almost unchanged when temperature was shifted from 65°C to 85°C, whereas both TEG and TEGDE significantly decreased the aggregation rate with increasing temperature. Note that the effects of TEG and TEGDE were higher than Arg above 75°C. This temperature‐dependent behavior of TEG and TEGDE provides a novel design guideline to develop aggregation suppressors for use at high temperature, i.e., the importance of the ethylene oxide group. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 29:1325–1330, 2013
Association of Heart Rate Variability With Occupational and Environmental Exposure to Particulate Air Pollution

Background—Airborne particulate matter has been linked to excess morbidity and mortality. Recent attention has focused on the effects of particulate exposure on cardiac autonomic control. Inhaled particulates may affect the autonomic nervous system either directly, by eliciting a sympathetic stress response, or indirectly, through inflammatory cytokines produced in the lungs and released into the circulation. Methods and Results—This longitudinal study examined the association of particulates ≤2.5 &mgr;m in diameter (PM2.5) with heart rate variability (HRV) in an occupational cohort (N=40). Continuous monitoring of exposure and HR was performed during and away from work. PM2.5 levels were higher than ambient levels typically reported in Boston, 0.167±3.205 mg/m3 (geometric mean±geometric SD). We found a 2.66% decrease (95% CI, −3.75% to −1.58%) in the 5-minute SD of normal RR intervals (SDNN) for every 1 mg/m3 increase in the 4-hour moving PM2.5 average and a 1.02% increase (95% CI, 0.59% to 1.46%) in HR after adjusting for potential confounding factors. The decrease in SDNN became larger as the averaging interval increased. Conclusions—Workers experienced altered cardiac autonomic control after exposure to occupational and environmental PM2.5. There appears to be either a long-acting (several hours) and a short-acting (several minutes) component to the mechanism of action that may be related to the production of cytokines and the sympathetic stress response, respectively, or a cumulative effect that begins shortly after exposure begins. The clinical significance of these effects in a healthy working population is unclear.
Incidence and transmission patterns of tuberculosis among indigenous populations in Brazil

Approximately 10% of the Brazilian indigenous population lives in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), where a large number of new cases of tuberculosis (TB) are reported. This study was conducted to assess TB occurrence, transmission and the utility of TB diagnosis based on the Ogawa-Kudoh (O-K) culture method in this remote population. The incidence of TB was estimated by a retrospective review of the surveillance data maintained by the Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System for the study region. The TB transmission pattern among indigenous people was assessed by genotyping Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates using the IS 6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Of the 3,093 cases identified from 1999-2001, 610 (~20%) were indigenous patients (average incidence: 377/100,000/year). The use of the O-K culture method increased the number of diagnosed cases by 34.1%. Of the genotyped isolates from 52 indigenous patients, 33 (63.5%) belonged to cluster RFLP patterns, indicating recently transmitted TB. These results demonstrate high, on-going TB transmission rates among the indigenous people of MS and indicate that new efforts are needed to disrupt these current transmissions.