Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Orthogonal Comparison of Molecular Signatures of Kidney Transplants With Subclinical and Clinical Acute Rejection: Equivalent Performance Is Agnostic to Both Technology and Platform

We performed orthogonal technology comparisons of concurrent peripheral blood and biopsy tissue samples from 69 kidney transplant recipients who underwent comprehensive algorithm‐driven clinical phenotyping. The sample cohort included patients with normal protocol biopsies and stable transplant (sTx) function (n = 25), subclinical acute rejection (subAR, n = 23), and clinical acute rejection (cAR, n = 21). Comparisons between microarray and RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) signatures were performed and demonstrated a strong correlation between the blood and tissue compartments for both technology platforms. A number of shared differentially expressed genes and pathways between subAR and cAR in both platforms strongly suggest that these two clinical phenotypes form a continuum of alloimmune activation. SubAR is associated with fewer or less expressed genes than cAR in blood, whereas in biopsy tissues, this clinical phenotype demonstrates a more robust molecular signature for both platforms. The discovery work done in this study confirms a clear ability to detect gene expression profiles for sTx, subAR, and cAR in both blood and biopsy tissue, yielding equivalent predictive performance that is agnostic to both technology and platform. Our data also provide strong biological insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying these signatures, underscoring their logistical potential as molecular diagnostics to improve clinical outcomes following kidney transplantation.
Evaluation and validation of an automatic jaw movement recorder (RumiWatch) for ingestive and rumination behaviors of dairy cows during grazing and supplementation.

Observation of ingestive and rumination behaviors of dairy cows may assist in detecting diseases, controlling reproductive status, and estimating intake. However, direct observation of cows on pasture is time consuming and can be difficult to realize. Consequently, different systems have been developed to automatically record behavioral characteristics; among them is the RumiWatch System (RWS; Itin and Hoch GmbH, Liestal, Switzerland). Until now, the RWS has not been thoroughly validated under grazing conditions. The aim of the current study was to validate the RWS, against direct observation, in measuring ingestive and rumination behaviors of dairy cows during grazing and supplementation in the barn. A further objective was to examine whether it is possible to refine the algorithm used by the evaluation software RumiWatch Converter 0.7. 3.2 to improve the accuracy of the RWS. The data were collected from an experiment carried out with 18 lactating Holstein cows in a crossover block design including 3 treatments and 3 measuring periods. All cows grazed night and day, 19 h/d, and were either unsupplemented or supplemented, with chopped whole-plant corn silage, or chopped whole-plant corn silage mixed with a protein concentrate. During the measuring periods, cows were equipped with the RumiWatch Halter, and their ingestive and rumination behaviors were recorded concurrently by the RumiWatch Halter and by direct observation (690 × 10 min). Comparison of concurrently measured data shows that the RWS detected jaw movements reliably, but classification errors occurred. A low relative prediction error of ≤0.10 for the number of rumination boluses, rumination chews, and total eating chews was found. A high relative prediction error of >0.10 was found for the number of prehension bites and time spent in prehension and eating. Both converter versions performed equally well in differentiating ingestive and rumination behaviors when cows were supplemented in the barn or when grazing and supplementation activities were combined. For grazing cows, with no supplementation, more reliable results for the total number of eating chews, rumination chews, prehension bites, and time spent in these activities were obtained, by using the RumiWatch Converter 0.7. 3.11. In light of these findings, further research is warranted to improve the accuracy of the RWS and to allow a differentiation between mastication chews and prehension bites while eating.
Focal achalasia – case report and review of the literature

Esophageal achalasia is a primary smooth muscle motility disorder specified by aperistalsis of the tubular esophagus in combination with a poorly relaxing and occasionally hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter (LES). These changes occur secondary to the destruction of the neural network coordinating esophageal peristalsis and LES relaxation (plexus myentericus). There are limited data on segmental involvement of the esophagus in adults. We report on the case of a 54-year-old man who presented initially with complete aperistalsis limited to the distal esophagus. After a primary good response to BoTox-infiltration of the distal esophagus the patient relapsed two years later. The manometric recordings documented now a progression of the disease with a poorly relaxing hypertensive lower esophageal sphincter and complete aperistalsis of the tubular esophagus (type III achalasia according to the Chicago 3.0 classification system). This paper also reviews diagnostic findings (including high resolution manometry, CT scan, barium esophagram, upper endoscopy and upper endoscopic ultrasound data) in patients with achalasia and summarizes the therapeutic options (including pneumatic balloon dilatation, botulinum toxin injection, surgical or endoscopic myotomy).
Lack of serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase 3 leads to podocyte dysfunction

Serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase 3 (SGK3) is a downstream mediator of PI3K, which is essential for maintaining the functional integrity of podocytes. However, little is known about the role of SGK3 in podocyte function. Herein, we demonstrated that SGK3 contributes to the maintenance of podocyte integrity. Conditionally immortalized mouse podocyte cells (MPCs) were treated with puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN). PAN treatment inhibited the activity of SGK3 and the expression of podocin. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)‐mediated knockdown of SGK3 also reduced podocin expression in the absence of PAN. Adriamycin (ADR)‐treated mice developed proteinuria and had decreased renal glomerular SGK3 expression in comparison to control mice. Consistent with a role for SGK3 in the ADR effect, SGK3 knockout (KO) mice had markedly reduced kidney podocin expression and significantly elevated proteinuria compared with wild‐type mice. Electron microscopy revealed that SGK3 KO mice displayed partial effacement of podocyte foot processes. Further, a SGK3 target protein, glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK3), was discovered to be dramatically activated in PAN and SGK3 shRNA‐treated MPCs and in SGK3 KO mice. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that SGK3 plays a significant role in regulating podocyte function, likely by controlling the expression and activity of GSK3. —Peng, L. ‐Q. , Zhao, H. , Liu, S. , Yuan, Y. ‐P., Yuan, C. ‐Y. , Mwamunyi, M. ‐J., Pearce, D. , Yao, L. ‐J. Lack of serum‐ and glucocorticoid‐inducible kinase 3 leads to podocyte dysfunction. FASEB J. 32, 576–587 (2018). www.fasebj. org
Prevalence and clinical significance of anti-laminin 332 autoantibodies detected by a novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in mucous membrane pemphigoid.

IMPORTANCE A rare variant of mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is characterized by circulating anti-laminin 332 (Lam332) autoantibodies and seems to be associated with concurrent malignant neoplasms. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence and clinical significance of anti-Lam332 autoantibody detection from a large series of patients with MMP. DESIGN Multicenter retrospective study. SETTING Four French national centers for autoimmune bullous diseases. PARTICIPANTS One hundred fifty-four patients with MMP and 89 individuals serving as controls were included. INTERVENTIONS Serum samples were analyzed by a new Lam332 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); clinical and immunopathologic data were obtained from the patients' medical records. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The Lam332 ELISA scores were evaluated with respect to clinical characteristics, standard and salt-split indirect immunofluorescence, and bullous pemphigoid (BP) 230 and BP180-NC16A ELISAs. RESULTS The Lam332 ELISA score was positive (≥9 U/mL) in 20.1% of serum samples from patients with MMP, 1 of 50 patients with bullous pemphigoid (BP), none of 7 with pemphigus, and 3 of 32 other controls. No relationship was evidenced between a positive ELISA Lam332 score and age; sex ratio; oral, ocular, genital, skin, or esophageal/laryngeal involvement; internal malignant neoplasm; or BP180 ELISA score. Salt-split skin indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA BP230 results were more frequently positive when Lam332 ELISA results were positive (P = .04 and .02, respectively). Patients with a positive Lam332 ELISA score frequently had more severe MMP (67.8% vs 47.2%; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Results of this novel ELISA showed that serum anti-Lam332 autoantibodies are detected in 20.1% of patients with MMP. Anti-Lam332 autoantibodies are mainly detected in patients with severe MMP but not preferentially in those with a malignant neoplasm. The association between anti-Lam332 and anti-BP230 autoantibodies might arise from an epitope-spreading phenomenon.
Pap Smears in Women with Endometrial Carcinoma

OBJECTIVE To correlate Pap smear findings with the histology of endometrial carcinoma and stage of the disease. STUDY DESIGN Between 1995 and 1998, 76 women with endometrial carcinoma, having had Pap smears done within two to three months of hysterectomy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, formed the basis for this study. All Pap smears and histologic sections were reviewed. RESULTS Thirty-four patients had normal Pap smears (45%), and 42 had abnormal ones (55%). The mean age of the two groups was 65.1 and 65.2 years, respectively. Histologic subtypes included 44 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) grade 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma (low grade) and 32 high grade carcinomas, including 19 FIGO grade 2 or 3 endometrioid adenocarcinomas, 5 papillary serous carcinomas (PSC), 2 clear cell carcinomas (CC), 1 adenosquamous carcinoma, 3 endometrioid adenocarcinomas mixed with PSC and 2 endometrioid adenocarcinomas mixed with CC. The proportions of patients with low and high grade tumors with abnormal Pap smears were 43% (19/44) and 72% (23/32), respectively (P=.01). The proportions of patients with abnormal Pap smears and no myometrial invasion, invasion of <50% and >50% myometrial thickness were 40% (8/20), 62% (26/42) and 57% (8/14), respectively (P =.27). Vascular invasion was identified in 56% (9/16) of patients with abnormal Pap smears and in 55% (33/60) of patients with normal ones (P = .93). The proportions of patients having abnormal Pap smears with stage I and stages II, III or IV disease were 48% (30/62) and 86% (12/14), respectively (P =.01). CONCLUSION Although the Pap smear is not a sensitive screening test for endometrial cancer and a negative Pap smear does not rule it out, this study revealed that abnormal Pap smears are significantly associated with high grade of tumor and stage II-IV endometrial carcinoma. However, they are not associated with patient age, depth of myometrial invasion or vascular invasion.
Diabetes known or newly detected, but not impaired glucose regulation, has a negative influence on 1-year outcome in patients with coronary artery disease: a report from the Euro Heart Survey on diabetes and the heart.

AIMS Although diabetes is known to be a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases, as well as an independent predictor for adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), information on the prognosis of patients with CAD and newly diagnosed diabetes or impaired glucose regulation (IGR) is scarce. The objective of this study was to explore 1-year outcome in relation to different glucometabolic states of patients participating in the Euro Heart Survey on diabetes and the heart. METHODS AND RESULTS In 4676 out of 4961 patients, information on the relation between 1-year outcome and glucometabolic state, which was based on oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) or fasting glucose plasma, was available. A normal glucose metabolism was identified in 947 patients, IGR (impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance) in 1116 patients, and diabetes in 1877 patients of whom 1425 were previously diagnosed and 452 newly diagnosed. In total, 736 patients could not be classified, as no OGTT or fasting plasma glucose was performed. Previously recognized and newly detected diabetes was associated with an increased risk of 1-year mortality when compared with patients with normal glucose regulation [hazard ratio (HR) 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-3.8 and HR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.6, respectively)]. IGR, however, could not be identified as an independent predictor for 1-year mortality (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.6-1.9). CONCLUSION This study confirmed that patients with CAD and known diabetes are at high risk for mortality and cardiovascular events and demonstrated that patients with newly diagnosed diabetes are at intermediate risk for adverse outcomes. IGR, however, could not be identified as an independent predictor for adverse outcomes during the 1-year follow-up period.
High prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) scores are associated with elevated Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) grade and biopsy Gleason score, at magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasonography fusion software‐based targeted prostate biopsy after a previous negative standard biopsy

To determine the association among prostate cancer gene 3 (PCA3) score, Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI‐RADS) grade and Gleason score, in a cohort of patients with elevated prostate‐specific antigen (PSA), undergoing magnetic resonance imaging/ultrasonography fusion software‐based targeted prostate biopsy (TBx) after a previous negative randomised ‘standard’ biopsy (SBx).
Towards Rational Chemosensor Design through Improved Understanding of Experimental Parameter Variation and Tolerance in Cyclodextrin-Promoted Fluorescence Detection

We have previously developed a highly efficient fluorescence-based toxicant-detection method that operates in complex environments to detect aromatic toxicants and toxicant metabolites with high sensitivity and selectivity. This method relies on the ability of γ-cyclodextrin to act as a supramolecular scaffold, and uses a variety of non-covalent interactions between the cyclodextrin, toxicant, and fluorophore to enable efficient detection. Reported herein is an investigation of the effect of various experimental parameters, including host concentration, temperature, pH, salt, and solvent, on the observed energy-transfer efficiencies. These results advance our understanding of γ-cyclodextrin-based association complexes and provide crucial information for the development of fluorescence-based sensors using such complexation and the resultant fluorescence-based detection.
Measuring the Performance of Visual to Auditory Information Conversion

Background Visual to auditory conversion systems have been in existence for several decades. Besides being among the front runners in providing visual capabilities to blind users, the auditory cues generated from image sonification systems are still easier to learn and adapt to compared to other similar techniques. Other advantages include low cost, easy customizability, and universality. However, every system developed so far has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. In order to improve these systems further, we propose an automated and quantitative method to measure the performance of such systems. With these quantitative measurements, it is possible to gauge the relative strengths and weaknesses of different systems and rank the systems accordingly. Methodology Performance is measured by both the interpretability and also the information preservation of visual to auditory conversions. Interpretability is measured by computing the correlation of inter image distance (IID) and inter sound distance (ISD) whereas the information preservation is computed by applying Information Theory to measure the entropy of both visual and corresponding auditory signals. These measurements provide a basis and some insights on how the systems work. Conclusions With an automated interpretability measure as a standard, more image sonification systems can be developed, compared, and then improved. Even though the measure does not test systems as thoroughly as carefully designed psychological experiments, a quantitative measurement like the one proposed here can compare systems to a certain degree without incurring much cost. Underlying this research is the hope that a major breakthrough in image sonification systems will allow blind users to cost effectively regain enough visual functions to allow them to lead secure and productive lives.
Attitudes towards reforming primary care in Belgium: social network analysis in a pluralist context

Objectives Health care policies are influenced by many groups which in turn influence each other. Our aim was to describe a network of nominated influential stakeholders and analyze how it affects attitudes to reforming primary care. Methods Face-to-face interviews were carried out in Belgium with 102 influential people. Each respondent was asked to score solutions for improving the role of general practice in the health care system and to nominate up to six other influential stakeholders. Social network and multivariate analyses were used to describe the nomination network and its effect on attitudes to reform. Results The network was highly centralized and homophilous (tendency to bond with people who are similar) for language groups. Despite Belgium having a strong pluralist tradition of decision making, policy makers were central to the network (average indegree = 10.8) compared to professional representatives (6.9). Respondents supported an enhanced role for general practitioners but did not support radically new policies. Conclusion Social network analysis contributes to understanding why health care reforms may languish in pluralistic, decentralized health care systems. The central position of a stakeholder in a network is related to perceived influence but does not favour a radical policy orientation. In addition, language-group homophily in the ‘perceived influence network’ leads to a weak coalition that only favours small-step reform.
Automating RT-level operand isolation to minimize power consumption in datapaths

Designs which do not fully utilize their arithmetic datapath components typically exhibit a significant overhead in power consumption. Whenever a module performs an operation whose result is not used in the downstream circuit, power is being consumed for an otherwise redundant computation. Operand isolation is a technique to minimize the power overhead incurred by redundant operations by selectively blocking the propagation of switching activity through the circuit. This paper discusses how redundant operations can be identified concurrently to normal circuit operation, and presents a model to estimate the power savings that can be obtained by isolation of selected modules at the register-transfer (RT) level. Based on this model, an algorithm is presented to iteratively isolate modules, while minimizing the cost incurred by RTL operand isolation. Experimental results with power reductions of up to 30% demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach.
Telomeres and the natural lifespan limit in humans

An ongoing debate in demography has focused on whether the human lifespan has a maximal natural limit. Taking a mechanistic perspective, and knowing that short telomeres are associated with diminished longevity, we examined whether telomere length dynamics during adult life could set a maximal natural lifespan limit. We define leukocyte telomere length of 5 kb as the ‘telomeric brink’, which denotes a high risk of imminent death. We show that a subset of adults may reach the telomeric brink within the current life expectancy and more so for a 100-year life expectancy. Thus, secular trends in life expectancy should confront a biological limit due to crossing the telomeric brink.
Primary Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Using Stent Retrievers: Initial Egyptian Experience.

Background Several mechanical thrombectomy (MT) devices have been designed with the goal of improving the recanalization rates of major intracranial artery occlusions. Objective In this single-center experience, we analyzed the acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment with Primary MT; safety and efficacy and clinical results in our patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO). Methods During a five-year period (from September 2011 to July 2016), out of 996 patients who presented to our center with a diagnosis of AIS, 113 (11.4%) patients (55 men and 58 women) underwent primary mechanical recanalization within three hours from onset of signs and symptoms for anterior and 12 hours for posterior circulation (with computer tomography angiography/perfusion ELVO). Successful recanalization (thrombolysis in cerebral infarction 2b-3), good outcome (modified Rankin scale score 0-2) and overall mortality rate, and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage [sICH: parenchymal hematoma Type 1 or Type 2; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score increment ≥4 points] were prospectively assessed. Results The mean age of the patients was 62 ± 11.73 years, with a baseline mean admission NIHSS score of 16.7 ± 3.2. The mean time from onset to puncture (time to treatment) was 208.55 ± 53.49. Successful recanalization was achieved in 104 (92%) cases. Good outcome was observed in 89 (78.8%) patients, and mortality was 11.5% (n = 13). sICH occurred in five (4.4%) patients. Conclusion MT, within the first 4.5 hours, as primary treatment of acute LVO stroke provides high rate of recanalization and favorable clinical outcomes with low procedural complications.
Perception of American English vowels by sequential Spanish–English bilinguals*

Research on American-English (AE) vowel perception by Spanish–English bilinguals has focused on the vowels /i/-/ɪ/ (e.g., in sheep/ship). Other AE vowel contrasts may present perceptual challenges for this population, especially those requiring both spectral and durational discrimination. We used Event-Related Potentials (ERPs), MMN (Mismatch Negativity) and P300, to index discrimination of AE vowels /ɑ/-/ʌ/ by sequential adult Spanish–English bilingual listeners compared to AE monolinguals. Listening tasks were non-attended and attended, and vowels were presented with natural and neutralized durations. Regardless of vowel duration, bilingual listeners showed no MMN to unattended sounds, and P300 responses were elicited to /ɑ/ but not /ʌ/ in the attended condition. Monolingual listeners showed pre-attentive discrimination (MMN) for /ɑ/ only; while both vowels elicited P300 responses when attended. Findings suggest that Spanish–English bilinguals recruit attentional and cognitive resources enabling native-like use of both spectral and durational cues to discriminate between AE vowels /ɑ/ and /ʌ/.