Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Twenty-five years of epidemiological recording on myeloid malignancies: data from the specialized registry of hematologic malignancies of Côte d’Or (Burgundy, France)

Background Epidemiological data on myeloid malignancies are very rare in the literature due to a lack of registration by cancer registries until 2000. The Registry of Hematologic Malignancies of the Côte d’Or Department in France has, however, steadfastly registered data on cases occurring in the Department since 1980, resulting, to date, in a database of over 5,000 cases classified according to the ICD-O-3 classification, following the most recent World Health Organization classification criteria. Design and Methods Twenty-five years of data on myeloid malignancies, including acute myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative neoplasms, myelodysplastic syndromes and myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndromes were analyzed. World population standardized incidence rates were calculated as were as observed and relative survival. Results Incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants/year were 2.5 for acute myeloid leukemia, 1.3 for myelodysplastic syndromes, 3.2 for myeloproliferative neoplasms and 0.6 for myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndromes. It was found that the incidence rate of myelodysplastic syndromes increased significantly over the period. The median overall survival is 8.9 months for patients with acute myeloid leukemia, 33.8 months for patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, 91.7 months for those with myeloproliferative neoplasms and 26.6 months for patients with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndromes. Observed and relative 20-year survival rates are, respectively, 12% and 13% in acute myeloid leukemia, 2% and 6% in myelodysplastic syndromes and 20% and 34% in myeloproliferative neoplasms. Conclusions These population-based data on myeloid malignancies are the first data collected over such a long period and provide interesting information for clinicians and public health authorities, particularly given the paucity of other long-term, population-based data from cancer registries.
Constitutive Activation of Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Alters the Orientation of Transmembrane Helix-2*

A key step in transmembrane (TM) signal transduction by G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is the ligand-induced conformational change of the receptor, which triggers the activation of a guanine nucleotide-binding protein. GPCRs contain a seven-TM helical structure essential for signal transduction in response to a large variety of sensory and hormonal signals. Primary structure comparison of GPCRs has shown that the second TM helix contains a highly conserved Asp residue, which is critical for agonist activation in these receptors. How conformational changes in TM2 relate to signal transduction by a GPCR is not known, because activation-induced conformational changes in TM2 helix have not been measured. Here we use modification of reporter cysteines to measure water accessibility at specific residues in TM2 of the type 1 receptor for the octapeptide hormone angiotensin II. Activation-dependent changes in the accessibility of Cys76 on TM2 were measured in constitutively activated mutants. These changes were directly correlated with measurement of function, establishing the link between physical changes in TM2 and function. Accessibility changes were measured at several consecutive residues on TM2, which suggest that TM2 undergoes a transmembrane movement in response to activation. This is the first report of in situ measurement of TM2 movement in a GPCR.
Microstrip antenna based on rectangular patch with arms and partial ground plane for UHF RFID readers

This paper presents a development of microstrip antenna for Handheld Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Reader Applications. The proposed antenna is made up of the rectangular shape at the patch and partial ground plane. The antenna is designed to operate at a frequency of 919 MHz to 923 MHz allocated for UHF RFID system in Malaysia. Furthermore, the result of antenna parameter such as radiation pattern, gain, bandwidth, return loss and voltage standing wave ratio also discussed. The antenna simulation is analyzed by using CST Studio Suite 2013 based on Finite Integral Techniques (FIT). The overall size of the proposed antenna is 130 mm × 120 mm × 1.6 mm. It is easily embedded inside handheld reader. Moreover, the proposed antenna is low profile, easily fabrication and simple structure.
Evaluation of composite millet breads for sensory and nutritional qualities and glycemic response.

INTRODUCTION This study was undertaken with the objectives of formulating composite bread by utilising finger millet flour and foxtail millet flour and further to evaluate these breads for sensory, nutritional qualities, and glycemic response. METHODS Two genotypes of finger millet VL-146 and PRM-601 and one local cultivar of foxtail millet were studied. The finger millet flour (FMF) and foxtail millet flour (FTF) were individually blended in various proportions (30 to 60%) into refined wheat flour (RWF). These blends were then used in the preparation of composite breads. The refined wheat flour bread (RWF) served as the control. One bread from each millet flour blend was selected finally for further investigation on the basis of sensory scores. RESULTS As the 30% millet flour substitution was most preferred among the three millet samples, it was selected for further evaluation. Nutrient composition of the selected breads showed that composite bread formulated using FTF showed significantly higher crude protein, crude fat, total ash, phosphorus and insoluble dietary fibre. The composite bread formulated using FMF contained significantly higher calcium, soluble dietary fibre, tannin and phytic acid. However, the control (RWF) bread contained significantly higher carbohydrate, physiological energy and starch. The lowest value for glycemic index among the breads was observed for bread containing FMF from genotype VL- 146 (41.43), followed by bread containing FMF from the genotype PRM- 601 (43.10), bread containing FTF (49.53) and control bread (67.82). CONCLUSION Millet flour incorporated breads had low glycemic indices and were acceptable and nutritious.
Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokine Expression in Pulmonary Epithelial Cells by Pre-B-cell Colony-enhancing Factor via a Nonenzymatic and AP-1-dependent Mechanism*

Although our previous studies found Pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor (PBEF) as a highly up-regulated gene in acute lung injury that could stimulate expressions of other inflammatory cytokines, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. Growing evidence indicates that PBEF is a nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase involved in the mammalian salvage pathway of NAD synthesis. This study was designed to determine whether the effect of PBEF to stimulate expressions of inflammatory cytokines depends on its enzymatic activity. We prepared two human PBEF mutant (H247E and H247A) recombinant proteins and overexpressing constructs for their overexpressions in A549 cells and confirmed that enzymatic activities of both mutants were nearly or completely abolished. Two mutants stimulated interleukin-8 (IL-8) expression at both the mRNA level and protein level just as equally effective as the wild-type PBEF did. These effects were due to the increased transcription, not the mRNA stability, of the IL-8 gene. Reporter gene assays and gel shift experiments indicated that AP-1 transcription factor is required to mediate these effects. SB203580, a p38 MAPK pathway inhibitor, and JNK inhibitor 1 can attenuate these effects. Both PBEF mutants similarly stimulated the expression of two other inflammatory cytokines: IL-16 and CCR3. These results indicate that PBEF stimulated expression of IL-8, IL-16, and CCR3 via its non-enzymatic activity. This effect is AP-1-dependent, in part via the p38 MAPK pathway and the JNK pathway. This finding reveals a new insight, which may manifest a novel role of PBEF in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury and other inflammatory disorders.
Structural Basis for Translocation of a Biofilm-supporting Exopolysaccharide across the Bacterial Outer Membrane*

The partially de-N-acetylated poly-β-1,6-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine (dPNAG) polymer serves as an intercellular biofilm adhesin that plays an essential role for the development and maintenance of integrity of biofilms of diverse bacterial species. Translocation of dPNAG across the bacterial outer membrane is mediated by a tetratricopeptide repeat-containing outer membrane protein, PgaA. To understand the molecular basis of dPNAG translocation, we determined the crystal structure of the C-terminal transmembrane domain of PgaA (residues 513–807). The structure reveals that PgaA forms a 16-strand transmembrane β-barrel, closed by four loops on the extracellular surface. Half of the interior surface of the barrel that lies parallel to the translocation pathway is electronegative, suggesting that the corresponding negatively charged residues may assist the secretion of the positively charged dPNAG polymer. In vivo complementation assays in a pgaA deletion bacterial strain showed that a cluster of negatively charged residues proximal to the periplasm is necessary for biofilm formation. Biochemical analyses further revealed that the tetratricopeptide repeat domain of PgaA binds directly to the N-deacetylase PgaB and is critical for biofilm formation. Our studies support a model in which the positively charged PgaB-bound dPNAG polymer is delivered to PgaA through the PgaA-PgaB interaction and is further targeted to the β-barrel lumen of PgaA potentially via a charge complementarity mechanism, thus priming the translocation of dPNAG across the bacterial outer membrane.
The Anomalous Diffusion of a Tumor Invading with Different Surrounding Tissues

We simulated the invasion of a proliferating, diffusing tumor within different surrounding tissue conditions using a hybrid mathematical model. The in silico invasion of a tumor was addressed systematically for the first time within the framework of a generalized diffusion theory. Our results reveal that a tumor not only migrates using typical Fickian diffusion, but also migrates more generally using subdiffusion, superdiffusion, and even ballistic diffusion, with increasing mobility of the tumor cell when haptotaxis and chemotaxis toward the host tissue surrounding the proliferative tumor are involved. Five functional terms were included in the hybrid model and their effects on a tumor's invasion were investigated quantitatively: haptotaxis toward the extracellular matrix tissue that is degraded by matrix metalloproteinases; chemotaxis toward nutrients; cell-cell adhesion; the proliferation of the tumor; and the immune response toward the tumor. Haptotaxis and chemotaxis, which are initiated by extracellular matrix and nutrient supply (i.e., glucose) respectively, as well as cell-cell adhesions all drastically affect a tumor's diffusion mode when a tumor invades its surrounding host tissue and proliferates. We verified the in silico invasive behavior of a tumor by analyzing experimental data gathered from the in vitro culturing of different tumor cells and clinical imaging observations that used the same approach as was used to process the simulation data. The different migration modes of a tumor suggested by the simulations generally conform to the results observed in cell cultures and in clinical imaging. Our study not only discloses some migration modes of a tumor that proliferates and invades under different host tissues conditions, but also provides a heuristic method to characterize the invasion of a tumor in clinical medical imaging analysis.
Aerosolized Coal Fly Ash: A Previously Unrecognized Primary Factor in the Catastrophic Global Demise of Bird Populations and Species

Objectives: Bird populations and species world-wide are experiencing die-offs on an unprecedented scale. Forensic evidence is consistent with coal fly ash (CFA), the toxic waste product of coal-burning, being the main aerosol particulate utilised in atmospheric geoengineering. The principal objective of this paper is to disclose previously unrecognised factors, arising from CFA, which underlie the catastrophic and global decline of birds. Methods: We utilised inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and conducted extensive literature research. Results: New data presented here confirm the unmistakable footprint of CFA in atmospheric precipitation and air-drop samples. Review of the literature reveals the increasing importance of air pollution on global bird populations. Aerosolized CFA, a particularly toxic form of air pollution, contains multiple metals and elements well-known to adversely affect all portions of the avian life cycle, in aerial, terrestrial, and marine environments. Studies from around the globe reveal systemic contamination of birds by these elements. Original Research Article Whiteside and Herndon; AJOB, 6(4): 1-21, 2018; Article no.AJOB. 44911 2 Conclusions: Coal fly ash, including its use in ongoing atmospheric geoengineering operations, is a major factor in global bird die-off. The accelerating decline of birds parallels the catastrophic decline of insects, due in part to the same type of aerial pollution. There is an urgent need to recognise and halt atmospheric geoengineering if there is to be any chance of reducing the drastic decline of birds and the associated degradation of natural ecosystems. If the aerial spraying can be stopped, the gradual recovery of bird populations would be the best evidence that CFA is, in fact, a leading cause of the drastic avian decline.
Blind mimo detection of convolutively mixed CPM sources

This paper deals with blind separation of convolutive mixtures of continuous phase modulated (CPM) sources. The main difficulty lies in the fact that CPM sources are non linear (and hence non i.i.d.) sources. We consider a particular contrast function, which is proved to be closely related to the constant modulus (CM) criterion. The connection between the two criteria allows us to prove the validity of the contrast. Using recent results about CPM equalization, we are able to characterize the scalar filtering ambiguity. Simulations follow and show the efficiency of the method.
Blindness in Africa: present situation and future needs

AIM To review the prevalence and causes of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa, the existing services and limitations, and the Vision 2020 goals for the future. METHODS Methodologically sound population based surveys published in the past 20 years are reviewed and results for prevalence and causes of blindness are tabulated. The current resources and needs according to recent publications and international working groups are described. CONCLUSIONS Blindness prevalence rates vary widely but the evidence suggests that approximately 1% of Africans are blind. The major cause is cataract; trachoma and glaucoma are also important causes of blindness. The bulk of blindness in the region is preventable or curable. Efforts should focus on eye problems which are universally present and for which there are cost effective remedies, such as cataract and refractive problems and on those problems which occur focally and can be prevented by primary healthcare measures, such as trachoma, onchocerciasis, and vitamin A deficiency. Major development of staffing levels, infrastructure, and community programmes will be necessary to achieve Vision 2020 goals.
Olive oil- and fish oil-enriched diets modify plasma lipids and susceptibility of LDL to oxidative modification in free-living male patients with peripheral vascular disease: the Spanish Nutrition Study

The present study describes a clinical trial in which Spanish patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease (Fontaine stage II) were given specific lipid supplements. Designed as a longitudinal intervention study, patients were provided with olive oil for 3 months, followed by a 3 month wash-out period, then supplemented with a combination of fish oil and olive oil for the final 3 months. Changes in plasma and lipoprotein fatty acid composition and susceptibility of LDL to in vitro oxidation were examined. Furthermore, lipid-supplement-induced changes in LDL properties were measured as relative electrophoretic mobility and macrophage uptake. In addition, thirteen patients not provided with olive oil and fish oil were included as a control group and twenty healthy age-matched individuals were used as a reference group. A complete clinical study and a nutritional survey concerning food habits and lifestyle were performed every 3 months. Yao indices and claudicometry did not change significantly with dietary intervention although changes in plasma lipid composition suggested an improvement in the condition of the patients. The intake of the fish-oil supplement resulted in significantly increased plasma levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5n−3) and docosahexaenoic acid (22:6n−3) in comparison with baseline concentrations, olive-oil and control groups. Fish-oil consumption significantly decreased plasma triacylglycerol levels compared with the olive-oil period, control and reference groups. The susceptibility of LDL to Cu-mediated oxidation was lower in the patients consuming olive oil and the fish-oil supplement than in the control group, and the uptake of LDL by macrophages was significantly lower in the group supplemented with fish oil. In conclusion, consumption of olive oil together with a dietary supplement of fish oil may be useful in the nutritional management of patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease in terms of increasing plasma n−3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and decreasing susceptibility of LDL to oxidation.
Extended Daily Dialysis in Acute Kidney Injury Patients: Metabolic and Fluid Control and Risk Factors for Death

Intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) and continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT) are used as Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) therapy and have certain advantages and disadvantages. Extended daily dialysis (EDD) has emerged as an alternative to CRRT in the management of hemodynamically unstable AKI patients, mainly in developed countries. Objectives We hypothesized that EDD is a safe option for AKI treatment and aimed to describe metabolic and fluid control of AKI patients undergoing EDD and identify complications and risk factors associated with death. Study Selection This is an observational and retrospective study describing introduction of EDD at our institution. A total of 231 hemodynamically unstable AKI patients (noradrenalin dose between 0.3 and 1.0 ucg/kg/min) were assigned to 1367 EDD session. EDD consisted of 6–8 h of HD 6 days a week, with blood flow of 200 ml/min, dialysate flows of 300 ml/min. Data Synthesis Mean age was 60.6±15.8 years, 97.4% of patients were in the intensive care unit, and sepsis was the main etiology of AKI (76.2). BUN and creatinine levels stabilized after four sessions at around 38 and 2.4 mg/dl, respectively. Fluid balance decreased progressively and stabilized around zero after five sessions. Weekly delivered Kt/V was 5.94±0.7. Hypotension and filter clotting occurred in 47.5 and 12.4% of treatment session, respectively. Regarding AKI outcome, 22.5% of patients presented renal function recovery, 5.6% of patients remained on dialysis after 30 days, and 71.9% of patients died. Age and focus abdominal sepsis were identified as risk factors for death. Urine output and negative fluid balance were identified as protective factors. Conclusions EDD is effective for AKI patients, allowing adequate metabolic and fluid control. Age, focus abdominal sepsis, and lower urine output as well as positive fluid balance after two EDD sessions were associated significantly with death.
Evaluating the VIPER pedigree visualisation: Detecting inheritance inconsistencies in genotyped pedigrees

VIPER (Visual Pedigree Explorer) is a tool for exploring large complex animal pedigrees and their associated genotype data. The tool combines a novel, space-efficient visualisation of the pedigree structure with an inheritance-checking algorithm. This allows users to explore the apparent errors within the genotype data in the full context of the family and pedigree structure. Ultimately, the aim is to develop an interactive software application that will allow users to identify, confirm and then remove errors from the pedigree structure and scored genotypes. This paper describes an evaluation of how VIPER displays the different scales and types of data set that can occur, along with a description of the further interface functionality necessary to meet the challenges such data presents. This is followed by an examination of a range of possible pedigree genotype errors by replicating these errors in controlled simulated data sets and showing how they are manifested in the VIPER interface and observed by a domain expert. The data sets used include both real and artificially generated data, the advantage of the latter being that they produce known effects in the visualization which the domain expert can then interpret as being useful or unhelpful as they see fit.
How canopy shadow affects invasive plant species classification in high spatial resolution remote sensing

Plant invasions can result in serious threats for biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Reliable maps at very‐high spatial resolution are needed to assess invasions dynamics. Field sampling approaches could be replaced by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to derive such maps. However, pixel‐based species classification at high spatial resolution is highly affected by within‐canopy variation caused by shadows. Here, we studied the effect of shadows on mapping the occurrence of invasive species using UAV‐based data. MaxEnt one‐class classifications were applied to map Acacia dealbata, Ulex europaeus and Pinus radiata in central‐south Chile using combinations of UAV‐based spectral (RGB and hyperspectral), 2D textural and 3D structural variables including and excluding shaded canopy pixels during model calibration. The model accuracies in terms of area under the curve (AUC), Cohen's Kappa, sensitivity (true positive rate) and specificity (true negative rate) were examined in sunlit and shaded canopies separately. Bootstrapping was used for validation and to assess statistical differences between models. Our results show that shadows significantly affect the accuracies obtained with all types of variables. The predictions in shaded areas were generally inaccurate, leading to misclassification rates between 65% and 100% even when shadows were included during model calibration. The exclusion of shaded areas from model calibrations increased the predictive accuracies (especially in terms of sensitivity), decreasing false positives. Spectral and 2D textural information showed generally higher performances and improvements when excluding shadows from the analysis. Shadows significantly affected the model results obtained with any of the variables used, hence the exclusion of shadows is recommended prior to model calibration. This relatively easy pre‐processing step enhances models for classifying species occurrences using high‐resolution spectral imagery and derived products. Finally, a shadow simulation showed differences in the ideal acquisition window for each species, which is important to plan revisit campaigns.