Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scale and pattern of atrophy in the chronic stages of moderate-severe TBI

Background: Moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is increasingly being understood as a progressive disorder, with growing evidence of reduced brain volume and white matter (WM) integrity as well as lesion expansion in the chronic phases of injury. The scale of these losses has yet to be investigated, and pattern of change across structures has received limited attention. Objectives: (1) To measure the percentage of patients in our TBI sample showing atrophy from 5 to 20 months post-injury in the whole brain and in structures with known vulnerability to acute TBI, and (2) To examine relative vulnerability and patterns of volume loss across structures. Methods: Fifty-six TBI patients [complicated mild to severe, with mean Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in severe range] underwent MRI at, on average, 5 and 20 months post-injury; 12 healthy controls underwent MRI twice, with a mean gap between scans of 25.4 months. Mean monthly percent volume change was computed for whole brain (ventricle-to-brain ratio; VBR), corpus callosum (CC), and right and left hippocampi (HPC). Results: (1) Using a threshold of 2 z-scores below controls, 96% of patients showed atrophy across time points in at least one region; 75% showed atrophy in at least 3 of the 4 regions measured. (2) There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients who showed atrophy across structures. For those showing decline in VBR, there was a significant association with both the CC and the right HPC (P < 0.05 for both comparisons). There were also significant associations between those showing decline in (i) right and left HPC (P < 0.05); (ii) all combinations of genu, body and splenium of the CC (P < 0.05), and (iii) head and tail of the right HPC (P < 0.05 all sub-structure comparisons). Conclusions: Atrophy in chronic TBI is robust, and the CC, right HPC and left HPC appear equally vulnerable. Significant associations between the right and left HPC, and within substructures of the CC and right HPC, raise the possibility of common mechanisms for these regions, including transneuronal degeneration. Given the 96% incidence rate of atrophy, a genetic explanation is unlikely to explain all findings. Multiple and possibly synergistic mechanisms may explain findings. Atrophy has been associated with poorer functional outcomes, but recent findings suggest there is potential to offset this. A better, understanding of the underlying mechanisms could permit targeted therapy enabling better long-term outcomes.
Performance Investigation of a Plate Heat Exchanger Using Nanofluid with Different Chevron Angle

Plate heat exchanger with chevron angle has higher heat transfer area than flat type and increases the level of turbulent due to its corrugated channel. In this study, both water and nanofluid were used to determine the heat transfer coefficient and rate, pumping power, and pressure drop. A commercial plate heat exchanger with two different symmetric (300/300, 600/600) and one mixed (300/600) chevron angle plates were considered for analysis. Al2O3 and SiO2 nanoparticles with 0-1 vol. % concentration were used with water. From the analysis it was found that, convective heat transfer coefficient, heat transfer rate, pressure drop and pumping power increases with the increase of volume concentration. Moreover, the above parameters were found to be higher for 600/600 chevron angle plates. A correlation of Nusselt number as a function of Reynolds number and Prandtl number for different chevron angles needs to be obtained based on experimental and analytical work. Nomenclature
Low Voltage Activation of KCa1.1 Current by Cav3-KCa1.1 Complexes

Calcium-activated potassium channels of the KCa1.1 class are known to regulate repolarization of action potential discharge through a molecular association with high voltage-activated calcium channels. The current study examined the potential for low voltage-activated Cav3 (T-type) calcium channels to interact with KCa1.1 when expressed in tsA-201 cells and in rat medial vestibular neurons (MVN) in vitro. Expression of the channel α-subunits alone in tsA-201 cells was sufficient to enable Cav3 activation of KCa1.1 current. Cav3 calcium influx induced a 50 mV negative shift in KCa1.1 voltage for activation, an interaction that was blocked by Cav3 or KCa1.1 channel blockers, or high internal EGTA. Cav3 and KCa1.1 channels coimmunoprecipitated from lysates of either tsA-201 cells or rat brain, with Cav3 channels associating with the transmembrane S0 segment of the KCa1.1 N-terminus. KCa1.1 channel activation was closely aligned with Cav3 calcium conductance in that KCa1.1 current shared the same low voltage dependence of Cav3 activation, and was blocked by voltage-dependent inactivation of Cav3 channels or by coexpressing a non calcium-conducting Cav3 channel pore mutant. The Cav3-KCa1.1 interaction was found to function highly effectively in a subset of MVN neurons by activating near –50 mV to contribute to spike repolarization and gain of firing. Modelling data indicate that multiple neighboring Cav3-KCa1.1 complexes must act cooperatively to raise calcium to sufficiently high levels to permit KCa1.1 activation. Together the results identify a novel Cav3-KCa1.1 signaling complex where Cav3-mediated calcium entry enables KCa1.1 activation over a wide range of membrane potentials according to the unique voltage profile of Cav3 calcium channels, greatly extending the roles for KCa1.1 potassium channels in controlling membrane excitability.
Prominent Decrease of Tear Meniscus Height With Contact Lens Wear and Efficacy of Eye Drop Instillation

Objective: To investigate the change in tear meniscus height (TMH) before and after wearing soft contact lenses (CLs) of different water contents (WCs) and the influence of eye drop instillation on TMH during CL wear. Methods: Tear meniscus heights were measured using anterior segment optical coherence tomography in 20 normal subjects wearing a high-WC CL (WC, 69%) in 1 eye and a low-WC CL (WC, 24%) in the other. Tear meniscus height change after eye drop instillation with 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution or saline with CL wear was evaluated at 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after instillation. Results: A significant decrease in TMH was observed after lens insertions of both CLs. Tear meniscus height was significantly decreased with high-WC CL wear compared with that with low-WC CL wear. With high-WC CL wear, TMH increased significantly (P<0.001) at 5 min after the instillation of 3% diquafosol ophthalmic solution compared with the baseline values and then returned to the pre-instillation level. No significant TMH changes were found with the instillation of either eye drop (diquafosol or saline) with low-WC CL wear. Conclusions: Tear meniscus height decreased with CL wear, especially with high-WC CL wear. Significant increases in TMH were observed at 5 min after the instillation of diquafosol ophthalmic solution with high-WC CL wear. The increases in TMH after diquafosol instillation tended to be greater than those after saline instillation at least for 30 min with both high-WC and low-WC CLs.
Quality of life in patients with cancer of the esophagus and gastric cardia: a case for palliative resection.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate quality-of-life (QOL) parameters in patients undergoing esophagectomy, curative or palliative, for carcinoma. DESIGN Nonconsecutive case series. PATIENTS Eighty-eight patients who underwent esophagectomy for cancer (curative, n=49 [56%]; palliative, n=39 [44%]) provided QOL assessments over an 18-month period. SETTING Procedures for referral care were performed by a single team of clinicians in a tertiary referral center. Evaluations of QOL were made by 1 independent trained investigator. OUTCOME MEASURES Data were documented by questionnaire at interview and parameters evaluated included an esophageal module for the type and quantity of food intake, severity of related symptoms on eating, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Groups (ECOG) performance status, sleep, pain, leisure activity, working capacity, outlook on life, general well-being, and support from family and friends. A summation of selected parameters was used to calculate a total score. RESULTS Significant improvements were recorded in both the curative and palliative groups for at least 1 year following surgery in the type (P<.03) and quantity (P<.03) of food intake and severity of diet-related symptoms (P<.02), when compared with preoperative considerations. Findings were comparable between the groups with regard to dietary intake. Pain status and total scores were worse in the palliative group at 9 months postoperatively but no significant differences between the groups were evident at any time for sleep, leisure activity, and ECOG performance status. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, there are no previous data regarding a comparison of QOL considerations in patients who have undergone either potentially curative or palliative esophagectomy for malignant disease. Data analysis revealed that palliative esophagectomy provided enhanced QOL with marked symptomatic benefits and enjoyment of daily living comparable to that observed following curative resection.
Scoring systems using chest radiographic features for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis in adults: a systematic review

Chest radiography for the diagnosis of active pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is limited by poor specificity and reader inconsistency. Scoring systems have been employed successfully for improving the performance of chest radiography for various pulmonary diseases. We conducted a systematic review to assess the diagnostic accuracy and reproducibility of scoring systems for PTB. We searched multiple databases for studies that evaluated the accuracy and reproducibility of chest radiograph scoring systems for PTB. We summarised results for specific radiographic features and scoring systems associated with PTB. Where appropriate, we estimated pooled performance of similar studies using a random effects model. 13 studies were included in the review, nine of which were in low tuberculosis (TB) burden settings. No scoring system was based solely on radiographic findings. All studies used systems with various combinations of clinical and radiological features. 11 studies involved scoring systems that were used for making decisions concerning hospital respiratory isolation. None of the included studies reported data on intra- or inter-reporter reproducibility. Upper lobe infiltrates (pooled diagnostic OR 3.57, 95% CI 2.38–5.37, five studies) and cavities (diagnostic OR range 1.97–25.66, three studies) were significantly associated with PTB. Sensitivities of the scoring systems were high (median 96%, IQR 93–98%), but specificities were low (median 46%, IQR 35–50%). Chest radiograph scoring systems appear useful in ruling out PTB in hospitals, but their low specificity precludes ruling in PTB. There is a need to develop accurate scoring systems for people living with HIV and for outpatient settings, especially in high TB burden settings.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate-Specific G Protein-Coupled Receptors as Novel Therapeutic Targets for Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process involving complex interactions of modified lipoproteins, monocyte-derived macrophages or foam cells, lymphocytes, endothelial cells (ECs), and vascular smooth muscle cells. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a biologically active blood-borne lipid mediator, exerts pleiotropic effects such as cell proliferation, migration and cell-cell adhesion in a variety of cell types via five members of S1P-specific high-affinity G protein-coupled receptors (S1P1-S1P5). Among them, S1P1, S1P2 and S1P3 are major receptor subtypes which are widely expressed in various tissues. Available evidence suggest that S1P and HDL-bound S1P exert atheroprotective effects including inhibition of leukocyte adhesion and stimulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in endothelial cells (ECs) through the activation of Gi signaling pathway via S1P3 and probably S1P1, although there is still controversy. FTY720, the phosphorylation product of which is a high-affinity agonist for all S1P receptors except S1P2 and act as an immunosuppressant by downregulating S1P1 on lymphocytes, inhibits atherosclerosis in LDL receptor-null mice and apoE-null mice through the inhibition of lymphocyte and macrophage functions and probably stimulation of EC functions, without influencing plasma lipid concentrations. In contrast to S1P1 and S1P3, S1P2 facilitates atherosclerosis by activating G12/13-Rho-Rho kinase (ROCK) in apoE-null mice. S1P2 mediates transmigration of monocytes into the arterial intima, oxidized LDL accumulation and cytokine secretion in monocyte-derived macrophages, and eNOS inhibition and cytokine secretion in ECs through Rac inhibition, NF-κB activation and 3′-specific phosphoinositide phosphatase (PTEN) stimulation downstream of G12/13-Rho-ROCK. Systemic long-term administration of a selective S1P2-blocker remarkably inhibits atherosclerosis without overt toxicity. Thus, multiple S1P receptors positively and negatively regulate atherosclerosis through multitudes of mechanisms. Considering the essential and multi-faceted role of S1P2 in atherogenesis and the impact of S1P2 inactivation on atherosclerosis, S1P2 is a particularly promising therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.
Phase I dose-finding and pharmacokinetic trial of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) using a once-every-three-week dosing schedule for patients with advanced solid tumor malignancy.

A Phase I study was performed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), toxicities, and pharmacokinetic profile of irinotecan (CPT-11) and its active metabolites when given on a once-every-3-week schedule. Thirty-four patients with advanced refractory solid malignancies were treated with CPT-11 (240-340 mg/m2) administered as a 90-min i.v. infusion every 3 weeks. Patients were divided into two groups: those with and those without prior abdominal/pelvic (AP) radiotherapy. Gastrointestinal toxicity (nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) and hematological toxicity (leukopenia and neutropenia) were dose-limiting side effects. Other common toxicities included anorexia, asthenia, and acute cholinergic symptoms (abdominal cramps, diaphoresis, and lacrimation). For patients with no prior AP radiation therapy, the MTD was determined to be 320 mg/m2, whereas those with prior AP radiation therapy had a MTD of 290 mg/m2. Dose-proportional increases in the mean area under the concentration-time curves for CPT-11, SN-38, and SN-38G were not observed over the narrow dose range studied. Mean values of terminal phase half-life, clearance, terminal phase volume of distribution, and steady-state volume of distribution for CPT-11 were 12.4 +/- 1.8 h, 13.0 +/- 3.8 liters/h/m2, 234 +/- 83 liters/m2, and 123 +/- 38 liters/m2, respectively. The pharmacodynamic analyses indicated the strongest correlation to be between SN-38 area under the concentration-time curves and neutropenia (p = 0.60; P = 0.001). A total of five responses (one complete response and four partial responses) were observed in the cohort of 32 patients with previously treated metastatic colorectal carcinoma. In conclusion, gastrointestinal toxicity and hematological toxicity were the dose-limiting toxicities of CPT-11 when administered as a 90-min infusion every 3 weeks. In this trial, the recommended Phase II starting dose for patients with no prior AP radiation therapy was found to be 320 mg/m2; for patients with prior AP radiation, the recommended Phase II starting dose was 290 mg/m2. This once-every-3-week schedule has been incorporated into a Phase I trial of CPT-11 combined with 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin.
Dose‐dependent effect of EGF on migration and differentiation of adult subventricular zone astrocytes

Adult neural stem cells (NSCs) are located in the subventricular zone (SVZ), a specialized brain niche located on the walls of the lateral ventricle. Under physiological conditions, NSCs generate a large number of young neurons and some oligodendrocytes, however the mechanisms controlling cell proliferation and migration are unclear. In vitro, epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling has been shown to be an important mediator of cell proliferation and migration in the adult brain; however, the primary SVZ progenitors that respond to EGF are not well known. In this study, we isolated SVZ type‐B astrocytes and cultured them under different EGF concentrations. We found a dose‐dependent effect of EGF on proliferation rates and migration of SVZ type‐B astrocytes. We found that GFAP+ type‐B astrocytes gave rise to highly migratory and proliferating cells that expressed Olig2 and NG2. After EGF withdrawal, a significant number of EGF‐stimulated cells differentiated into S100β+/O4+ oligodendrocytes. This study provides new insights about the production of oligodendrocytes derived from the astrocyte NSCs residing in the adult SVZ. To be able to manipulate the endogenous adult progenitors, it is crucial to identify and isolate the responding primary precursors and determine the extracellular signals that regulate their cell division, migration, and fate. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The turkey, compared to the chicken, fails to mount an effective early immune response to Histomonas meleagridis in the gut

Histomonosis is a disease of poultry caused by Histomonas meleagridis. Chickens usually recover while the mortality rate in turkeys is high. The immunological response of both species towards H. meleagridis was investigated. Parasites migrated in greater numbers to the turkey liver compared with that of chicken. Chicken mounted an effective caecal innate response, with increased expression of IL‐1β, CXCLi2 and IL‐6 mRNA, resulting in control of parasite numbers. The turkey failed to mount such an effective innate response in the caecal tonsil, allowing greater numbers to migrate to the liver, where a sustained, uncontrolled immune response was mounted, evidenced by the upregulation of mRNA for IL‐1β, CXCLi2, IFN‐γ, IL‐13, IL‐4 and IL‐10. Expression levels of mRNA of the chicken and turkey β‐defensin AvBD2 suggest that this response was not limited to the cytokines. There was an influx of CD4+, CD8α+, CD28+ and CD44+ cells into the livers of both species, coinciding with parasite movement. These influxes were more pronounced in the turkey, correlating with a decrease in numbers of the same cells in the spleen, which was not observed in the chicken. Antibody levels in the chicken increased more than those in the turkey, supporting evidence of an adaptive response.
Real-Time Virtual Network Function (VNF) Migration toward Low Network Latency in Cloud Environments

Network Function Virtualization (NFV) is an emerging network architecture to increase flexibility and agility within operator's networks by placing virtualized services on demand in Cloud data centers (CDCs). One of the main challenges for the NFV environment is how to minimize network latency in the rapidly changing network environments. Although many researchers have already studied in the field of Virtual Machine (VM) migration and Virtual Network Function (VNF) placement for efficient resource management in CDCs, VNF migration problem for low network latency among VNFs has not been studied yet to the best of our knowledge. To address this issue in this article, we i) formulate the VNF migration problem and ii) develop a novel VNF migration algorithm called VNF Real-time Migration (VNF-RM) for lower network latency in dynamically changing resource availability. As a result of experiments, the effectiveness of our algorithm is demonstrated by reducing network latency by up to 70.90% after latency-aware VNF migrations.
The Evolution of Protoplanetary Disks around Millisecond Pulsars: The PSR 1257+12 System

We model the evolution of protoplanetary disks surrounding millisecond pulsars, using PSR 1257+12 as a test case. Initial conditions were chosen to correspond to initial angular momenta expected for supernova fallback disks and disks formed from the tidal disruption of a companion star. Models were run under two models for the viscous evolution of disks: fully viscous and layered accretion disk models. Supernova fallback disks result in a distribution of solids confined to within 1-2 AU and produce the requisite material to form the three known planets surrounding PSR 1257+12. Tidal disruption disks tend to slightly underproduce solids interior to 1 AU, required for forming the pulsar planets, while overproducing the amount of solids where no body, lunar mass or greater, exists. Disks evolving under "layered" accretion spread somewhat less and deposit a higher column density of solids into the disk. In all cases, circumpulsar gas dissipates on ≲105 yr timescales, making formation of gas giant planets highly unlikely.
Better Nurse Staffing and Nurse Work Environments Associated With Increased Survival of In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Patients

Background:Although nurses are the most likely first responders to witness an in-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) and provide treatment, little research has been undertaken to determine what features of nursing are related to cardiac arrest outcomes. Objectives:To determine the association between nurse staffing, nurse work environments, and IHCA survival. Research Design:Cross-sectional study of data from: (1) the American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines-Resuscitation database; (2) the University of Pennsylvania Multi-State Nursing Care and and Patient Safety; and (3) the American Hospital Association annual survey. Logistic regression models were used to determine the association of the features of nursing and IHCA survival to discharge after adjusting for hospital and patient characteristics. Subjects:A total of 11,160 adult patients aged 18 and older between 2005 and 2007 in 75 hospitals in 4 states (Pennsylvania, Florida, California, and New Jersey). Results:Each additional patient per nurse on medical-surgical units was associated with a 5% lower likelihood of surviving IHCA to discharge (odds ratio=0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.91–0.99). Further, patients cared for in hospitals with poor work environments had a 16% lower likelihood of IHCA survival (odds ratio=0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.71–0.99) than patients cared for in hospitals with better work environments. Conclusions:Better work environments and decreased patient-to-nurse ratios on medical-surgical units are associated with higher odds of patient survival after an IHCA. These results add to a large body of literature suggesting that outcomes are better when nurses have a more reasonable workload and work in good hospital work environments. Improving nurse working conditions holds promise for improving survival following IHCA.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Tourism: The Case of a Danish Caravan Site

The tourism industry contains many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMTEs). Further- more, the tourism industry is often said to be less innovative than other industries and SMTEs' lack of motivation, knowledge and resources are often claimed to be the reasons why the industry is not very innovative. At the same time, though, rich and thick data on SMTEs and innovativeness is lacking. In order to contribute to the filling of this knowledge gap, this paper draws on a case company (a Danish caravan site) that has been innovative. The study reveals a series of reasons why this specific enterprise has been innovative and further, the paper suggests how these findings may transcend the case company.