Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Making use of social media data in public health

Disease surveillance systems exist to offer an easily accessible "epidemiological snapshot" on up-to-date summary statistics for numerous infectious diseases. However, these indicator-based systems represent only part of the solution. Experiences show that they fail when confronted with agents that are new emerging like the agents causing the lung disease SARS in 2002. Further, due to slow reporting mechanisms, the time until health threats become visible to public health officials can be long. The M-Eco project provides an event-based approach to the early detection of emerging health threats. The developed technologies exploit content from social media and multimedia data as input and analyze it by sophisticated event-detection techniques to identify potential threats. Alerts for public health threats are provided to the user in a personalized way.
MAPK1E322K mutation increases head and neck squamous cell carcinoma sensitivity to erlotinib through enhanced secretion of amphiregulin

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have not been effective in unselected head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) populations. We previously reported an exceptional response to a brief course of erlotinib in a patient with advanced HNSCC whose tumor harbored a MAPK1E322K somatic mutation. MAPK1E322Kwas associated with increased p-EGFR, increased EGFR downstream signaling and increased sensitivity to erlotinib. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of MAPK1E322K-mediated EGFR activation in the context of erlotinib sensitivity. We demonstrated increased AREG secretion in HNSCC cell lines harboring endogenous or exogenous MAPK1E322K compared to wild type MAPK1. We found inhibition or knockdown of MAPK1 with siRNA resulted in reduced secretion of AREG and decreased sensitivity to erlotinib in the setting of MAPK1E322K. MAPK1E322K was associated with increased AREG secretion leading to an autocrine feedback loop involving AREG, EGFR and downstream signaling. Knockdown of AREG in HNSCC cells harboring MAPK1E322K abrogated EGFR signaling and decreased sensitivity to erlotinib in vitro and in vivo. These cumulative findings implicate increased AREG secretion and EGFR activation as contributing to increased erlotinib sensitivity in MAPK1E322K HNSCC.
On forwarding state control in VPN multicast based on MPLS multipoint LSPs

The demand for multicast-capable VPN services, like Virtual Private LAN Service (VPLS), has grown quickly in the last years. In order to save bandwidth, MPLS point-to-multipoint LSPs could be used, but the VPN-specific state information to be handled inside the network may exceed the capacity of core nodes. A well-known solution for this is to aggregate the multicast/broadcast traffic of multiple VPNs into shared p2mp LSP trees. In shared trees, although some bandwidth is wasted because a fraction of the packets are delivered to non-member leaves (either not in the VPN broadcast or multicast group), there is wide working range where a good state vs. bandwidth trade-off is achieved. In this paper we enhance and improve previous works that analyze this trade-off. We propose new techniques for multicast traffic aggregation of VPNs in MPLS-based networks, with the objective of observing the behavior of the aggregation philosophy for different aggregation degrees, which should be very useful for network design and deployment purposes. We assess the aggregation heuristics over different reference networks and VPN geographic distributions. Simulations give a quantitative indication of the relevance of intelligent aggregation, of geographical distribution and group sizes.
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The Function of Plakophilin 1 in Desmosome Assembly and Actin Filament Organization

Plakophilin 1, a member of the armadillo multigene family, is a protein with dual localization in the nucleus and in desmosomes. To elucidate its role in desmosome assembly and regulation, we have analyzed its localization and binding partners in vivo. When overexpressed in HaCaT keratinocytes, plakophilin 1 localized to the nucleus and to desmosomes, and dramatically enhanced the recruitment of desmosomal proteins to the plasma membrane. This effect was mediated by plakophilin 1's head domain, which interacted with desmoglein 1, desmoplakin, and keratins in the yeast two-hybrid system. Overexpression of the armadillo repeat domain induced a striking dominant negative phenotype with the formation of filopodia and long cellular protrusions, where plakophilin 1 colocalized with actin filaments. This phenotype was strictly dependent on a conserved motif in the center of the armadillo repeat domain. Our results demonstrate that plakophilin 1 contains two functionally distinct domains: the head domain, which could play a role in organizing the desmosomal plaque in suprabasal cells, and the armadillo repeat domain, which might be involved in regulating the dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton.
Lung Epithelial Cell–Derived Microvesicles Regulate Macrophage Migration via MicroRNA-17/221–Induced Integrin β1 Recycling

Robust lung inflammation is one of the prominent features in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). Macrophage migration and recruitment are often seen at the early stage of lung inflammatory responses to noxious stimuli. Using an acid inhalation–induced lung injury model, we explored the mechanisms by which acid exposure initiates macrophage recruitment and migration during development of ALI. The lung epithelium comprises a large surface area and functions as a first-line defense against noxious insults. We found that acid exposure induced a remarkable microvesicle (MV) release from lung epithelium as detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Significantly elevated RNA, rather than protein, was found in these epithelium-derived MVs after acid and included several highly elevated microRNAs, including microRNA (miR)-17 and miR-221. Acid-induced epithelial MV release promoted macrophage migration in vitro and recruitment into the lung in vivo and required, in part, MV shuttling of miR-17 and/or miR-221. Mechanistically, acid-induced epithelial MV miR-17/221 promoted β1 integrin recycling and presentation back onto the surface of macrophages, in part via a Rab11-mediated pathway. Integrin β1 is known to play an essential role in regulating macrophage migration. Taken together, acid-induced ALI results in epithelial MV shuttling of miR-17/221 that in turn modulates macrophage β1 integrin recycling, promoting macrophage recruitment and ultimately contributing to lung inflammation.
Reconstruction of Thin Tubular Inclusions in Three-Dimensional Domains Using Electrical Impedance Tomography

We consider the inverse problem of reconstructing thin tubular inclusions inside a three-dimensional body from measurements of electrostatic currents and potentials on its boundary. By inclusions we mean objects with an electrical conductivity differing from that of the background material of the body. We apply an asymptotic expansion of the electrostatic potential on the boundary of the body as the thickness of the inclusions tends to zero to establish an asymptotic characterization of these inclusions in terms of the measurement data. This characterization is implemented in a noniterative reconstruction method similar to the factorization method for crack detection problems in two-dimensional domains. We present several numerical examples to illustrate our theoretical findings and to highlight the potentials and limitations of our method.
Mitomycin C in photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE To evaluate the outcome of primary or retreatment photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) or phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) with mitomycin C (MMC) 0.02% applied prophylactically intraoperatively for the prevention of haze and regression in cases of significant haze and regression after primary PRK, due to previous radial keratotomy (RK), in primary PRK eyes with high myopia, and in comeas with a previous superficial foreign body scar. METHODS This was a retrospective evaluation of 34 eyes treated with PRK or PTK and intraoperative MMC. Mitomycin C was applied immediately after laser ablation. Postoperative examinations were conducted 3 and 7 days after surgery and monthly for 6 months. Haze was graded on a standard 0+ (clear cornea) to 4+ (total opacity) scale. Visual acuity was measured as a general baseline indicator. RESULTS Postoperatively, uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) was 20/20 or better in 21 eyes and 20/25 in 5 eyes with best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA) of 20/20 or better. Three eyes achieved UCVA of 20/30 with BSCVA of 20/20 or better; and 5 eyes had UCVA of 20/40 with BSCVA of 20/20 or better. Nineteen (56%) eyes had grade 0+ haze and 15 (44%) eyes had grade 0.5+ haze (trace haze) at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Mitomycin C 0.02% used prophylactically during PRK or PTK retreatment was effective in preventing significant recurrent haze from developing. In eyes with high myopia or previous RK or scarring, MMC was effective in preventing significant haze formation.
A survey of job satisfaction, sources of stress and psychological symptoms among general practitioners in Leeds.

BACKGROUND The past seven years have seen rapid changes in general practice in the United Kingdom (UK), commencing with the 1990 contract. During the same period, concern about the health and morale of general practitioners (GPs) has increased and a recruitment crisis has developed. AIM To determine levels of psychological symptoms, job satisfaction, and subjective ill health in GPs and their relationship to practice characteristics, and to compare levels of job satisfaction since the introduction of the 1990 GP contract with those found before 1990. METHOD Postal questionnaire survey of all GP principals on the Leeds Health Authority list. The main outcome measures included quantitative measures of practice characteristics, job satisfaction, mental health (General Health Questionnaire), and general physical health. Qualitative statements about work conditions, job satisfaction, and mental health were collected. RESULTS A total of 285/406 GPs (70%) returned the questionnaires. One hundred and forty-eight (52%) scored 3 or more on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), which indicates a high level of psychological symptoms. One hundred and sixty GPs (56%) felt that work had affected their recent physical health. Significant associations were found between GHQ-12 scores, total job satisfaction scores, and GPs' perceptions that work had affected their physical health. Problems with physical and mental health were associated with several aspects of workload, including list size, number of sessions worked per week, amount of time spent on call, and use of deputizing services. In the qualitative part of the survey, GPs reported overwork and excessive hours, paperwork and administration, recent National Health Service (NHS) changes, and the 1990 GP contract as the most stressful aspects of their work. CONCLUSIONS Fifty-two per cent of GPs in Leeds who responded showed high levels of psychological symptoms. Job satisfaction was lower than in a national survey conducted in 1987, and GPs expressed the least satisfaction with their hours, recognition for their work, and rates of pay. Nearly 60% felt that their physical health had been affected by their work. These results point to a need to improve working conditions in primary care and for further research to determine the effect of any such changes.
Long-Term Prophylactic Antibiotic Treatment: Effects on Survival, Immunocompetence and Reproduction Success of Parasemia plantaginis (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)

Hundreds of insect species are nowadays reared under laboratory conditions. Rearing of insects always implicates the risk of diseases, among which microbial infections are the most frequent and difficult problems. Although there are effective prophylactic treatments, the side effects of applied antibiotics are not well understood. We examined the effect of prophylactic antibiotic treatment on the overwintering success of wood tiger moth (Parasemia plantaginis) larvae, and the postdiapause effect on their life-history traits. Four weeks before hibernation larvae were treated with a widely used antibiotic (fumagillin). We monitored moths’ survival and life-history traits during the following 10 mo, and compared them to those of untreated control larvae. Prophylactic antibiotic treatment had no effect on survival but we show effects on some life-history traits by decreasing the developmental time of treated larvae. However, we also revealed relevant negative effects, as antibiotic treated individuals show a decreased number of laid eggs and also furthermore a suppressed immunocompetence. These results implicate, that a prophylactic medication can also lead to negative effects on life-history traits and reproductive success, which should be seriously taken in consideration when applying a prophylactic treatment to laboratory reared insect populations.
Multi-pointer and collaborative system for mobile devices

We introduce a new system to improve the collaboration possibilities among the participants in face-to-face meetings and working groups, called WallShare. WallShare is a new interaction device and a new platform to develop collaborative applications. The proposed system provides a shared zone that is displayed by a projector over a wall. Users can collaborate through the shared zone using their own mobile devices, such as mobile phones, PDAs, laptops and so on. To use the shared zone, users have their own cursors that allow them to share any kind of files, such as images, or documents. WallShare has been proved helpful to support distributed user interfaces. The usability evaluation also showed us that WallShare users' can perform a set of tasks with effectiveness, productivity and satisfaction.
A randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of community based physical therapy in the treatment of people with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the short term efficacy of a community based physical therapy (PT) program for people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) through a single blind randomized controlled trial. METHODS Adults with active RA were referred by their physician for community based PT. Participants were randomized to either an immediate intervention group [experimental group (EG)] or a wait list control group (CG). The intervention was a standardized program of education and exercise consisting of at least 4 visits or 3 h of PT over 6 weeks. Baseline, 6, and 12 week assessments were by a blinded independent assessor. The primary outcome instrument was the Stanford Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale (SES) and secondary outcome measures included the ACREU Rheumatoid Arthritis Knowledge Questionnaire (KQ) and visual analog scale for pain (VAS). Duration of morning stiffness, grip strength, and tender joint count were also collected at each assessment. Outcome analysis was conducted using analysis of variance. RESULTS Of 150 eligible and randomized participants, 127 completed the study according to protocol. Baseline analysis showed no differences between the EG and CG for demographics, disease status, or other characteristics. At the 6 week assessment, primary outcome analysis for those who completed the protocol identified a mean change (improvement) of 13.5% in the EG and 5.8% in the CG, representing a 7.7% difference in change scores between the 2 groups [F(1,121) = 6.03; p = 0.015]. A statistically significant difference in change scores was also identified for the KQ [F(1,120) = 6.67; p = 0.011], but not for the VAS. Disease status measures did not change, except for duration of morning stiffness, which improved by 68.8 min in the EG and 8.3 min in the CG (F(1,121) = 4.50; p = 0.036]. CONCLUSION Four hours of a community based PT intervention delivered over 6 weeks significantly improved self-efficacy, disease management knowledge and morning stiffness in people with RA.
Kinetics of error generation in homologous B-family DNA polymerases

The kinetics of forming a proper Watson–Crick base pair as well incorporating bases opposite furan, an abasic site analog, have been well characterized for the B Family replicative DNA polymerase from bacteriophage T4. Structural studies of these reactions, however, have only been performed with the homologous enzyme from bacteriophage RB69. In this work, the homologous enzymes from RB69 and T4 were compared in parallel reactions to determine the relative abilities of the two polymerases to incorporate correct nucleotides as well as to form improper pairings. The kinetic rates for three different exonuclease mutants for each enzyme were measured for incorporation of an A opposite T and an A opposite furan as well as for the formation of A:C and T:T mismatches. The T4 exonuclease mutants were all ∼2- to 7-fold more efficient than the corresponding RB69 exonuclease mutants depending on whether a T or furan was in the templating position and which exonuclease mutant was used. The rates for mismatch formation by T4 were significantly reduced compared with incorporation opposite furan, much more so than the corresponding RB69 mutant. These results show that there are kinetic differences between the two enzymes but they are not large enough to preclude structural assumptions for T4 DNA polymerase based on the known structure of the RB69 DNA polymerase.
The effect of recurrence of HCV infection of life after liver transplantation

Abstract The present study evaluated the quality of life (QOL) of adult cirrhotic patients before orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), the effect of OLT on QOL in the long-term and the effect of HCV recurrence within medical complications on QOL. Three groups of patients were studied: 19 pre-OLT, 33 during the first year post-OLT and 41 1 to 5 years post-OLT. The patients completed questionnaires on QOL and underwent liver function tests, immunosuppressive drug blood level determinations and medical complications evaluation. Somatization and depression and anxiety scores improved significantly during the first year post-OLT compared with pre-OLT, but they worsened again during the 1–5-year period post-OLT. Physical functioning and life satisfaction scores improved significantly during the first year post-OLT compared with pre-OLT and the improvement persisted 1–5-year during the period post-OLT. Patients with HCV recurrence compared with patients without HCV recurrence during the first year post-OLT showed a significant worsening of most of the domains of QOL. In conclusion, OLT improved most of the domains of QOL by the end of the first post-transplant year, though the improvements did not all persist in the long-term. Recurrence of HCV infection plays a major role in the impairment of QOL after OLT.
Peritoneal penetration of doripenem after intravenous administration in abdominal-surgery patients.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to examine the peritoneal penetration of intravenous doripenem, a novel carbapenem used for the treatment of intra-abdominal infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS Doripenem (500 mg) was administered to 10 patients before abdominal surgery. Venous blood and peritoneal exudate samples were obtained at the end of infusion (0.5 h) and every hour for 6 h afterwards. The drug concentrations in serum and exudate were measured using HPLC, estimated by non-compartmental pharmacokinetic analysis and fitted to a three-compartment pharmacokinetic model in order to assess the exposure time that the drug concentration remained above MIC. RESULTS The AUC(0-infinity) was 59.3 +/- 7.2 mg.h/L (mean +/- SD) in serum and 49.3 +/- 6.5 mg.h/L in exudate, and the exudate/serum ratio was 0.84 +/- 0.13. The observed maximum concentration was 46.9 +/- 7.4 mg/L at 0.5 h in serum and 24.5 +/- 6.5 mg/L at 0.7 +/- 0.4 h in exudate, and the exudate/serum ratio was 0.53 +/- 0.17. The compartmental analysis showed that the average concentrations remained higher in exudate than in serum after 0.81 h post-dose, and the average drug-exposure times in serum (91% fraction unbound) and exudate were: 73.6% and 78.2% at an MIC of 1 mg/L; 37.0% and 41.5% at 4 mg/L; and 12.7% and 13.1% at 16 mg/L. CONCLUSIONS Following intravenous administration, doripenem penetrated well into peritoneal exudate of abdominal-surgery patients, and the drug-exposure times in exudate were greater than or equal to those estimated from serum data.
A meta-search method reinforced by cluster descriptors

A meta-search engine acts as an agent for the participant search engines. It receives queries from users and redirects them to one or more of the participant search engines for processing. A meta-search engine incorporating many participant search engines is better than a single global search engine in terms of the number of pages indexed and the freshness of the indexes. The meta-search engine stores descriptive data (i.e., descriptors) about the index maintained by each participant search engine so that it can estimate the relevance of each search engine when a query is received. The ability for the meta-search engine to select the most relevant search engines determines the quality of the final result. To facilitate the selection process, the document space covered by each search engine must be described not only concisely but also precisely. Existing methods tend to focus on the conciseness of the descriptors by keeping a descriptor for a search engine's entire index. This paper proposes to cluster a search engine's document space into clusters and keep a descriptor for each cluster. We show that cluster descriptors can provide a finer and more accurate representation of the document space, and hence enable the meta-search engine to improve the selection of relevant search engines. Two cluster-based search engine selection scenarios (i.e., independent and high-correlation) are discussed in this paper. Experiments verify that the cluster-based search engine selection can effectively identify the most relevant search engines and improve the quality of the search results consequently.