Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulin resistance, alcohol and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality

University of Eastern Finland Faculty of Health Sciences School of Medicine Public Health Author: Vivian N. Onaemo. Insulin resistance, alcohol and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality Master's thesis; (44pages) Instructors: Sudhir Kurl (MD); Hanna-Maaria Lakka (MD, PhD) May 2012 The classical understanding of insulin resistance is the blunted response to insulin-mediated glucose uptake. It is not simply a problem of deficient glucose uptake in response to insulin, rather, a multifaceted syndrome that increases significantly, cardiovascular disease risk. The pathogenic mechanism of insulin resistance as a cardiovascular risk factor is considered to be through the direct atherogenic action of insulin on vessel wall cells and indirect through upper body obesity, blood pressure, lipids and homeostasis. Alteration in insulin sensitivity is postulated as a potential intermediary through which alcohol exerts its pro and antiatherogenic effects. This study was aimed at finding the correlation between insulin resistance, alcohol and coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality. The subjects consisted of middle-aged men in a longitudinal study and data on alcohol, insulin resistance and other variables were obtained at baseline. CHD mortality was linked with the Finnish national discharge register. Our results showed that the risk of CHD mortality in men in the upper median of alcohol consumption was 1.99 fold and 1.79 fold using the fasting serum insulin and HOMA-IR respectively. Insulin resistance is therefore, directly associated with CHD mortality and this was further enhanced by alcohol consumption. The presence of alcohol in the equation resulted in a U-shaped relationship between insulin resistance and CHD. Hence, we conclude that even though insulin resistance is an independent risk factor for CHD mortality, alcohol consumption modifies this relationship.
Beyond Color Difference: Residual Interpolation for Color Image Demosaicking

In this paper, we propose residual interpolation (RI) as an alternative to color difference interpolation, which is a widely accepted technique for color image demosaicking. Our proposed RI performs the interpolation in a residual domain, where the residuals are differences between observed and tentatively estimated pixel values. Our hypothesis for the RI is that if image interpolation is performed in a domain with a smaller Laplacian energy, its accuracy is improved. Based on the hypothesis, we estimate the tentative pixel values to minimize the Laplacian energy of the residuals. We incorporate the RI into the gradient-based threshold free algorithm, which is one of the state-of-the-art Bayer demosaicking algorithms. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed demosaicking algorithm using the RI surpasses the state-of-the-art algorithms for the Kodak, the IMAX, and the beyond Kodak data sets.
On Channel Selection Strategies for Multi-Channel MAC Protocols in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Multi-channel medium access control (MAC) protocols have recently been proposed to improve the performance of the transmission control protocol (TCP) in IEEE 802.11 wireless ad hoc networks. This paper uses ns-2 network simulations to study the impact of channel selection techniques on multi-channel MAC protocol performance, particularly for the bi-directional multi-channel MAC protocol. Three channel selection strategies are studied: random, lowest channel first, and soft channel reservation. The simulation results identify four distinct scenarios in which data channel frame losses can occur. Among the channel selection strategies evaluated, the soft channel reservation technique is the most effective for the missed reservation problem. This channel selection strategy reduces link-layer data frame losses and provides higher TCP throughput compared to the other channel selection approaches
Gas-phase velocity fluctuations in statistically homogeneous fixed particle beds and freely evolving suspensions using particle-resolved direct numerical simulation

Gas-phase velocity fluctuations in fixed particle beds and freely evolving suspensions are quantified using particle-resolved direct numerical simulation (PR-DNS). The flow regime corresponds to homogeneous gas-solid systems typically encountered in fluidized bed risers, with high solid to gas density ratio and particle diameter being greater than the dissipative length scales. The contribution of turbulent and pseudo-turbulent fluctuations to the level of gas-phase velocity fluctuations is quantified in flow past fixed particle assemblies. The simulations are then extended to freely evolving suspensions with elastic and inelastic collisions. It is found that for the parameter values considered here (solid volume fraction 0.1 and 0.2, particle to gas density ratio 100 and 1000, and coefficient of restitution in the range 0.7-1.0) the level of gas-phase velocity fluctuations in freely evolving suspensions differs by only 10% from the value for a fixed bed at the same solid volume fraction �
Ironmodel: robust performance models in the wild

Traditional performance models are too brittle to be relied on for continuous capacity planning and performance debugging in many computer systems. Simply put, a brittle model is often inaccurate and incorrect. We find two types of reasons why a model's prediction might diverge from the reality: (1) the underlying system might be misconfigured or buggy or (2) the model's assumptions might be incorrect. The extra effort of manually finding and fixing the source of these discrepancies, continuously, in both the system and model, is one reason why many system designers and administrators avoid using mathematical models altogether. Instead, they opt for simple, but often inaccurate, "rules-of-thumb". This paper describes IRONModel, a robust performance modeling architecture. Through studying performance anomalies encountered in an experimental cluster-based storage system, we analyze why and how models and actual system implementations get out-of-sync. Lessons learned from that study are incorporated into IRONModel. IRONModel leverages the redundancy of high-level system specifications described through models and low-level system implementation to localize many types of system-model inconsistencies. IRONModel can guide designers to the potential source of the discrepancy, and, if appropriate, can semi-automatically evolve the models to handle unanticipated inputs.
Outcome after traumatic brain injury improved by an organized secondary insult program and standardized neurointensive care*

Objective To evaluate today’s refined neurosurgical intensive care of patients with traumatic brain injury after implementation of an organized secondary insult program focused on the importance of avoiding secondary brain damage together with a standardized treatment protocol system. Design Clinical observational patient study. Patients A total of 154 patients 16–79 yrs of age with acute head trauma and pathologic computed tomographic findings treated between 1996 and 1997. Setting Neurointensive care unit. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Good recovery was obtained in 44% of the patients, moderate disability in 35%, severe disability in 16%, and no patient remained in a vegetative state. Six percent of the patients died, but only two of these patients (1.3%) died as direct result of their head injury. When the results for patients with Glasgow Coma Scale motor scores of ≥4 were compared with the periods 1980–1981 (preneurosurgical intensive care) and 1987–1988 (basic neurosurgical intensive care), mortality had decreased from 40% in the first period to 27% in the second period and to 2.8% in the present series. Favorable outcome in the same group of patients had increased steadily from 40% in the first period, to 68% in the second period, and finally, to 84% in the present series. Conclusions The main observation in this hospital series of traumatic brain injury patients was a low rate of death directly caused by head injury and a high rate of favorable outcome. The comparison of patients with Glasgow Coma Scale motor scores of ≥4 with the previously reported results from the same unit indicate that substantial improvement in outcome has been achieved.
Reasons for Placement and Replacement of Resin-based Composite Restorations in Greece

Background and aims The purpose of this investigation was to assess the placement and replacement of resin-based composite restorations and related factors in a private practice in Greece. Materials and methods The study included 1500 subjects, 720 males and 780 females, aged 18 to 52 years old. The clinical examination involved calculation of the number of teeth with primary caries and failed-restored teeth. In addition the relationship between placed and replaced composite restorations and the following aspects was assessed: gender, cavity type, tooth type and evaluation of longevity of the replaced composite restorations. Statistical analysis performed using the chi-square test. A p value less than 5% was considered statistically significant. Results The total number of restorations placed were 1940; 1202 of those (62%) were placed for first time while 738 (38%) were replaced. The main reason for the placement of new composite resin restorations was primary caries (60%), while secondary caries was the most frequent reason for the replacement (48%) of those. A statistically significant differ-ence was recorded between males and females regarding the composite restorations placed and replaced (p = 0.00082), the type of cavity of placed restorations (p = 0.00062), and the type of cavity of replaced ones (p = 0.00038). The median lon-gevity of the replaced resin composite restorations was approximately 4 years (47%). Conclusion Dental caries, primary and secondary, followed by tooth discoloration and loss of filling were the main rea-sons for placed and replaced composite restorations.
Clinical application of basic research on continuous passive motion for disorders and injuries of synovial joints: A preliminary report of a feasibility study

Since 1970, when the concept of continuous passive motion (CPM) was originated by one of the authors (R.B.S.), he and a succession of his research fellows have investigated its biological effects on the healing and regeneration of articular tissues in a wide variety of experimental models in rabbits. From this basic research he concluded that CPM is well tolerated, seems to be painless, stimulates the healing and regeneration of articular tissues, prevents joint stiffness, and permits the normal healing of arthrotomy incisions. Beginning in 1975, one of the authors (H.W.H.), and in 1978, the remaining authors, (from two additional Canadian cities) applied the knowledge from the basic research on CPM to the orthopaedic care of human patients. The CPM devices for humans (CPM Mobilimbs®), which have been designed in collaboration with University of Toronto engineers, include, to date, devices for the ankle‐knee‐hip, the elbow, and the finger. Indications for CPM in patients have been the immediate postoperative management following such operative procedures as open reduction and internal fixation of fractures, arthrotomy and arthrolysis for post‐traumatic arthritis, synovectomy, surgical drainage for septic arthritis, release of extraarticular contractures, metaphyseal osteotomies, total joint replacement, and ligamentous reconstruction. The case reports of nine selected patients are presented as examples of the clinical application of CPM. These patients have been relatively free of pain, have maintained the increased motion gained at operation, and have accepted the application of CPM well. There have been no complications of CPM; the operative wounds have healed well and the period of hospitalization has not been prolonged. The authors believe that the clinical application of CPM is feasible and that the clinical and radiographic results of CPM in these patients are encouraging. Long‐term, prospective clinical investigations (including control patients in whom CPM is not used) will be requited to assess the efficacy of CPM in relation to the various stated indications.
Association of the Nicotinic Receptor α7 Subunit Gene (CHRNA7) with Schizophrenia and Visual Backward Masking

The nicotinic system is involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. However, very little is known about its genetic basis and how it relates to clinical symptoms and potentially pharmacological intervention. Here, we investigated five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) [rs3826029] [rs2337506] [rs982574] [rs904952] [rs2337980] of the cholinergic nicotinic receptor gene, alpha 7 subunit (CHRNA7) and their association to schizophrenia. We found an association with rs904952 (p = 0.009) in a German sample of 224 schizophrenic patients and 224 healthy control subjects. The same trend was shown in an independent Georgian sample of 50 schizophrenic patients, 57 first order unaffected relatives, and 51 healthy controls. In addition, visual backward masking (VBM), a sensitive test for early visual information processing, was assessed in the Georgian sample. In line with prior studies, VBM performance deficits were much more pronounced in schizophrenic patients and their unaffected relatives compared to healthy controls (schizophrenic patients: 156 ms; unaffected relatives: 60 ms; healthy controls: 33 ms). VBM was strongly correlated with SNP rs904952 (H[2] = 7.3, p = 0.026). Our results further support the notion that changes in the nicotinic system are involved in schizophrenia and open the avenue for pharmacological intervention.
A Novel Missense Mutation in USP26 Gene Is Associated With Nonobstructive Azoospermia

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether ubiquitin-specific peptidase 26 (USP26) gene variations were associated with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). Methods: Seven hundred and seventy-six patients diagnosed with NOA and 709 proven fertile men were included in this study. Genetic variations of infertility-related genes, including USP26, were identified by selected exonic sequencing. The effects of USP26 mutations on androgen receptor (AR) binding, ubiquitination, and transcriptional activity were detected by immunoprecipitation and luciferase assay in Hela and TM4 cells. Results: Six novel missense mutations and 1 novel synonymous mutation of USP26 unique to the patients with NOA were identified. Of these missense mutations, USP26 R344W remarkably reduced the binding affinity and deubiquitinating activity of USP26 to AR, thus eliminated the inhibitory effect of USP26 on transcriptional activity of AR in Hela and TM4 cells. Conclusion: A novel USP26 variant p.R344W is associated with NOA probably through affecting AR function.
Hough Transform to Study the Magnetic Confinement of Solar Spicules

One of the important parameters of the ubiquitous spicules rising intermittently above the surface of the Sun is the variation of spicule spline orientation with respect to the solar coordinates, presumably reflecting the focusing of ejection by the coronal magnetic field. Here we first use a method of tracing limb spicules using a combination of second derivative operators in multiple directions around each pixel to enhance the visibility of fine linear part of spicules. Furthermore, the Hough transform is used for a statistical analysis of spicule orientations in different regions around the solar limb, from the pole to the equator. Our results show a large difference of spicule apparent tilt angles in regions of: 1) the solar poles, 2) the equator, 3) the active regions and 4) the coronal holes. Spicules are visible in a radial direction in polar regions with a tilt angle <20°. The tilt angle is even reduced inside a coronal hole (open magnetic field lines) to 10 degrees and at the lower latitude the tilt angle reaches values in excess of 50 degree. Usually, around an active region they show a wide range of apparent angle variations from –60 to +60 degrees, which is in close resemblance to the rosettes made of dark mottles and fibrils seen in projection with the solar disk.
Molecular Identification of the Catabolic Vinyl Chloride Reductase from Dehalococcoides sp. Strain VS and Its Environmental Distribution

ABSTRACT Reductive dehalogenation of vinyl chloride (VC) to ethene is the key step in complete anaerobic degradation of chlorinated ethenes. VC-reductive dehalogenase was partially purified from a highly enriched culture of the VC-respiring Dehalococcoides sp. strain VS. The enzyme reduced VC and all dichloroethene (DCE) isomers, but not tetrachloroethene (PCE) or trichloroethene (TCE), at high rates. By using reversed genetics, the corresponding gene (vcrA) was isolated and characterized. Based on the predicted amino acid sequence, VC reductase is a novel member of the family of corrinoid/iron-sulfur cluster containing reductive dehalogenases. The vcrA gene was found to be cotranscribed with vcrB, encoding a small hydrophobic protein presumably acting as membrane anchor for VC reductase, and vcrC, encoding a protein with similarity to transcriptional regulators of the NosR/NirI family. The vcrAB genes were subsequently found to be present and expressed in other cultures containing VC-respiring Dehalococcoides organisms and could be detected in water samples from a field site contaminated with chlorinated ethenes. Therefore, the vcrA gene identified here may be a useful molecular target for evaluating, predicting, and monitoring in situ reductive VC dehalogenation.
Galectin-3 induced by hypoxia promotes cell migration in thyroid cancer cells

Background The aim of this study is to investigate the role of Galectin-3 in human thyroid cancer migration. Methods The expression of Galectin-3 in surgical specimens was investigated using immunohistochemistry and western blot. A papillary thyroid cancer cell line (B-cpap) and an anaplastic thyroid cancer cell line (8305c) were transfected with short-hairpin RNA against Galectin-3 (Gal-3-shRNA). Low-molecular citrus pectin (LCP) was also used to antagonize Galectin-3. The migration and invasion of the cell lines were examined. The related signaling pathways were investigated to explore the Galectin-3 mechanism of action. Results Galectin-3 was highly expressed in metastasized thyroid cancers. Knocking down and antagonizing Galectin-3 significantly suppressed the migration of thyroid cancer cells. Knocking down Galectin-3 inhibited the activity of Wnt, MAPK, Src and Rho signaling pathways. Galectin-3 was up-regulated via HIF-1α in a hypoxic environment. Galectin-3 knockdown could reduce cell motility in hypoxic environments. Conclusion This study suggests that Galectin-3 could act as a modulator of thyroid cancer migration, especially in hypoxic microenvironments. This regulation function of Galectin-3 may work through multiple signaling pathways.
Bcl11a Controls Flt3 Expression in Early Hematopoietic Progenitors and Is Required for pDC Development In Vivo

Bcl11a is a transcription factor known to regulate lymphoid and erythroid development. Recent bioinformatic analysis of global gene expression patterns has suggested a role for Bcl11a in the development of dendritic cell (DC) lineages. We tested this hypothesis by analyzing the development of DC and other lineages in Bcl11a −/− mice. We found that Bcl11a was required for expression of IL-7 receptor (IL-7R) and Flt3 in early hematopoietic progenitor cells. In addition, we found severely decreased numbers of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) in Bcl11a −/− fetal livers and in the bone marrow of Bcl11a −/− fetal liver chimeras. Moreover, Bcl11a −/− cells showed severely impaired in vitro development of Flt3L-derived pDCs and classical DCs (cDCs). In contrast, we found normal in vitro development of DCs from Bcl11a −/− fetal liver cells treated with GM-CSF. These results suggest that the persistent cDC development observed in Bcl11a −/− fetal liver chimeras reflects derivation from a Bcl11a- and Flt3-independent pathway in vivo.
Maternal depression and anxiety predicts the pattern of offspring symptoms during their transition to adulthood

Background Episodes of depression and anxiety (D&A) during the transition from late adolescence to adulthood, particularly when persistent, are predictive of long-term disorders and associated public health burden. Understanding risk factors at this time is important to guide intervention. The current objective was to investigate the associations between maternal symptoms of D&A with offspring symptoms during their transition to adulthood. Method Data from a large population-based birth cohort study, in South Brazil, were used. Prospective associations between maternal D&A and offspring risk of these symptoms during the transition to adulthood (18/19, 24 and 30 years) were estimated. Results Maternal D&A in adolescence was associated with offspring symptoms across the transition to adulthood, associations were consistently stronger for females than for males. Daughters whose mothers reported D&A were 4.6 times (95% confidence interval 2.71–7.84) as likely to report D&A at all three time-points, than daughters of symptom-free mothers. Conclusions Maternal D&A is associated with persistent D&A during the daughter's transition to adulthood. Intervention strategies should consider the mother's mental health.
On the field intersection problem of generic polynomials : a survey (Algebraic Number Theory and Related Topics 2007)

Let k be a eld of characteristic 2. We survey a general method of the eld intersection problem of generic polynomials via formal Tschirnhausen transformation. We announce some of our recent results of cubic, quartic and quintic cases the details of which are to appear elsewhere. In this note, we give an explicit answer to the problem in the cases of cubic and dihedral quintic by using multi-resolvent polynomials.
Isolation and Characterization of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococci from Hospitalized Patients over a 30-Month Period

ABSTRACT In February 1996, a Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee-style screening program was commenced to isolate and subsequently characterize glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) from patients at a hospital trust in Glasgow, Scotland. Over the next 30 months, GRE were isolated from 154 patients. GRE were isolated from patients in traditionally high-risk areas such as the renal unit and intensive care unit and also in areas considered to be lower risk, including medical wards and associated long-stay geriatric hospitals. The majority (90%) of isolates were Enterococcus faecium vanB. The remaining isolates consisted of seven E. faecalis (vanA), three E. gallinarum(vanC), and a further six E. faecium (fivevanA, one both vanA and vanB) isolates. Analysis of SmaI-digested DNA by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that 34 of 40 (85%) VanB E. faecium isolates were identical or closely related, while 11 of 13 (85%) VanA GRE were distinct. High-level aminoglycoside resistance was seen in less than 8% of isolates. VanB E. faeciumisolates were almost uniformly resistant to ampicillin and tetracycline. In this study, GRE have been isolated over a prolonged period from a broad range of patients. Glycopeptide resistance within the study hospital trust appeared to be mainly due to the clonal dissemination of a single strain of E. faecium VanB.