Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Echocardiography-based qualification and response assessment to cardiac resynchronisation therapy in patients with chronic heart failure. The matrix metalloproteinase-9 substudy.

BACKGROUND The concept of cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) is based on biventricular pacing in symptomatic, chronic heart failure (HF) patients with systolic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and QRS ≥ 120 ms. The response to CRT is determined by clinical and echocardiographic parameters. The change of biochemical status (e.g. natriuretic peptides or metalloproteinase levels) caused by CRT is not well explored. AIM To analyse the clinical and haemodynamic changes caused by CRT in relation to patients' biochemical status and to assess factors determining a favourable response to CRT. METHODS Fifty patients with chronic systolic HF (NYHA IV: two patients), wide QRS complex (160 ± 31 ms) and reduced LV ejection fraction (26 ± 5.8%) under optimal pharmacotherapy, who underwent CRT, were enrolled. Data on NT-proBNP and C-reactive protein serum levels, as well as standard echocardiography with tissue Doppler measurements, were collected before CRT and after six months of pacing. The levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were assessed in a subgroup of 18 patients. Patients were regarded as responders if LV end-systolic volume decreased by 10% compared to baseline. RESULTS Thirty five (70%) patients responded favourably to CRT. Cardiac resynchronisation therapy resulted in an improvement of max. ventilatory oxygen uptake (12.9 ± 3.8 vs 16.6 ± 4.7 mL/kg/min; p < 0.05), a of NT-proBNP decrease (2,579 ± 2,598 vs 1,339 ± 1,088 pg/mL, p < 0.05), and decrease of atrio-, inter- and intra-LV dyssynchrony. A greater baseline dyssynchrony was observed in responders. A decrease of MMP-9 level following CRT was observed in 12 (67%) patients. Significant MMP-9 decrease was observed only in the subgroup of ischaemic HF patients (26,100 ± 7,624 pg/mL vs 23,360 ± 6,258 pg/mL; p = 0.03). In patients with MMP-9 decrease during CRT, a lower C-reactive protein concentration at baseline was observed (2.12 ± 1.6 vs 4.7 ± 4.1 mg/L). The reduction in LV end-diastolic diameter correlated with the changes in MMP-9 level (r = 51; p = 0.03). Baseline left atrial end-diastolic diameter measured in parasternal long-axis view £ 46 mm had a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 67% in predicting MMP-9 decrease (AUC 0.83; 95% CI 0.59-0.96). CONCLUSIONS The CRT induces favourable myocardial remodelling, resulting in NT-proBNP level decrease, improvement of regional and global biventricular function, and MMP-9 level reduction, in ischaemic HF patients. The changes of MMP-9 level may be predicted by baseline left atrial end-diastolic diameter and correlate with LV end-diastolic diameter change during CRT.
Effects of process commonalities in production system under various uncertain factors

In this paper, the authors studied the effects of process commonality and uncertain factors (viz. lead time, machine breakdown etc.) on deliverable parameters of a multi product, multi-period and multistage production system. The throughput of finished products and average production time of the system are examined. Simulation models are developed, verified and validated with the historical data from a company. Simulation package, namely WITNESS is used for this research. Analyses show that enclosure of common process in manufacturing system is always beneficial over the non-commonality environment, especially i) in uncertain situations, ii) for long procurement lead time of components and iii) when the number of parts increase in the system. The combination of uncertain factors has more impact on outcomes (throughput and average production time) compared to the individual factor.
An HIV-1 Replication Pathway Utilizing Reverse Transcription Products That Fail To Integrate

ABSTRACT Integration is a central event in the replication of retroviruses, yet ≥90% of HIV-1 reverse transcripts fail to integrate, resulting in accumulation of unintegrated viral DNA in cells. However, understanding what role, if any, unintegrated viral DNA plays in the natural history of HIV-1 has remained elusive. Unintegrated HIV-1 DNA is reported to possess a limited capacity for gene expression restricted to early gene products and is considered a replicative dead end. Although the majority of peripheral blood CD4+ T cells are refractory to infection, nonactivated CD4 T cells present in lymphoid and mucosal tissues are major targets for infection. Treatment with cytokine interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-7, or IL-15 renders CD4+ T cells permissive to HIV-1 infection in the absence of cell activation and proliferation and provides a useful model for infection of resting CD4+ T cells. We found that infection of cytokine-treated resting CD4+ T cells in the presence of raltegravir or with integrase active-site mutant HIV-1 yielded de novo virus production following subsequent T cell activation. Infection with integration-competent HIV-1 naturally generated a population of cells generating virus from unintegrated DNA. Latent infection persisted for several weeks and could be activated to virus production by a combination of a histone deacetylase inhibitor and a protein kinase C activator or by T cell activation. HIV-1 Vpr was essential for unintegrated HIV-1 gene expression and de novo virus production in this system. Bypassing integration by this mechanism may allow the preservation of genetic information that otherwise would be lost.
The aflatoxin B1‐fumonisin B1 toxicity in BRL‐3A hepatocytes is associated to induction of cytochrome P450 activity and arachidonic acid metabolism

Human oral exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and fumonisin B1 (FB1) is associated with increased hepatocellular carcinoma. Although evidence suggested interactive AFB1–FB1 hepatotoxicity, the underlying mechanisms remain mostly unidentified. This work was aimed at evaluating the possible AFB1–FB1 interplay to induce genetic and cell cycle toxicities in BRL‐3A rat hepatocytes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) involvement, and the AFB1 metabolizing pathways cytochrome P450 (CYP) and arachidonic acid (ArAc) metabolism as ROS contributors. Flow cytometry of stained BRL‐3A hepatocytes was used to study the cell cycle (propidium iodide), ROS intracellular production (DCFH‐DA, HE, DAF‐2 DA), and phospholipase A activity (staining with bis‐BODIPY FL C11‐PC). The CYP1A activity was assessed by the 7‐ethoxyresorufin‐O‐deethylase (EROD) assay. Despite a 48‐h exposure to FB1 (30 μM) not being genotoxic, the AFB1 (20 μM)‐induced micronucleus frequency was overcome by the AFB1–FB1 mixture (MIX), presumably showing toxin interaction. The mycotoxins blocked G1/S‐phase, but only MIX caused cell death. Overall, the oxidative stress led these alterations as the pretreatment with N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine reduced such toxic effects. While AFB1 had a major input to the MIX pro‐oxidant activity, with CYP and ArAc metabolism being ROS contributors, these pathways were not involved in the FB1‐elicited weak oxidative stress. The MIX‐induced micronucleus frequency in N‐acetyl‐l‐cysteine pretreated cells was greater than that caused by AFB1 without antioxidants, suggesting enhanced AFB1 direct genotoxicity probably owing to the higher CYP activity and ArAc metabolism found in MIX. The metabolic pathways modulation by AFB1–FB1 mixtures could raise its hepatocarcinogenic properties.
Electrical PV Array Reconfiguration Strategy for Energy Extraction Improvement in Grid-Connected PV Systems

This paper applies a dynamical electrical array reconfiguration (EAR) strategy on the photovoltaic (PV) generator of a grid-connected PV system based on a plant-oriented configuration, in order to improve its energy production when the operating conditions of the solar panels are different. The EAR strategy is carried out by inserting a controllable switching matrix between the PV generator and the central inverter, which allows the electrical reconnection of the available PV modules. As a result, the PV system exhibits a self-capacity for real-time adaptation to the PV generator external operating conditions and improves the energy extraction of the system. Experimental results are provided to validate the proposed approach.
Empowerment: through the smoke and past the mirrors?

This paper offers a five-fold typology for empowerment, which is intended to make it easier to assess and develop empowerment initiatives in a climate where much rhetoric surrounds the term. A real-world organizational sketch for each type follows an initial theoretical description and aphorism. The implications for HRD practitioners of each type of empowerment are also outlined. No exclusive or definitional treatment is offered for what we feel to be an elastic term. Instead, the framework is held up as a potential catalyst for provoking ideas about empowerment, or grouping existing ideas on how to empower. We sympathize with those who feel the term is redundant because it has been subsumed by the 'developmental rhetoric' (Clutterbuck 1998), and recognize that such rhetoric can be a barrier to change and learning (Harrison 1997). Nonetheless, we argue that, instead of abandoning the term empowerment altogether, it can be beneficial to see what has been accomplished under the existing banner.
Domestic Violence against Women in Ghana: An Exploratory Study in Upper West Region, Ghana

As elsewhere, domestic violence is prevalent in Ghana. This paper was conducted in the Upper West Region of Ghana and aimed to explore domestic violence from the perspectives of adult men and women. The study participants were selected based on purposive sampling. Due to its qualitative nature, 20 married male and female participants were recruited for the study. The data was obtained through in-depth semi-structured interviews. Participants reported that domestic violence is a serious issue in the study area and 60% believed that it may not be justifiable. Eighteen participants identified husbands as main instigators of domestic violence. Participants thought that violence could have far-reaching effects. To understand comprehensively domestic violence in Ghana, we should explore some socio-demographic variables. Based on this study's findings, further research could use more representative sample (from all 10 regions of Ghana), employ more feminist ethnographic methodologies, and incorporate longitudinal designs in order to gain more in-depth perspectives on domestic violence. A more nuanced study could be carried out to investigate the relationship between domestic violence and education, as the present study suggests that education significantly decreases domestic violence.
The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HG52) variant JH2604 has a 1488 bp deletion which eliminates neurovirulence in mice.

The herpes simplex virus type 2 (HG52) deletion variant JH2604 is avirulent (LD50 greater than 10(7) p.f. u. /mouse) for mice compared to the parental wild-type virus (LD50 less than 10(2) p.f. u. /mouse) and fails to replicate in vivo. JH2604 has a 1488 bp deletion within the 3 kb BamHI v fragment (0 to 0.02 and 0.81 to 0.83 map units) which removes one copy of the 17 bp direct repeat DR1 element of the 'a' sequence and terminates 522 bp upstream of the 5' end of the immediate early gene 1. In vivo selection after transfection of intact JH2604 DNA with the BamHI g (v + u) joint fragment of HG52 results in the isolation of wild-type virus with an LD50 of less than 10(2) p.f. u. /mouse. These results show that a 1488 bp sequence within the terminal portion of the genome long repeat region confers neurovirulence on strain HG52.
Correlates of support for censorship of sexual, sexually violent, and violent media

Willingness to ban various forms of sexual, violent, and sexually violent media was assessed through a random digit dialing survey of adults in Seminole County, FL. Of 1,291 eligible adults contacted, 304 (23.5%) completed the interview. Substantial majorities (71–77%) supported censoring sexually violent media, about half (47–54%) supported censoring nonsexual violent media, and about one third supported censoring nonviolent sexually explicit movies (32%) and videotapes (28%). Principle components analysis of these items revealed two clear factors: support for banning sexual media and support for banning violent and sexually violent media. Sexual conservatism, sex role stereotyping, authoritarianism, age, gender, concern about pornography's effects, and support for a local anti‐pornography campaign were consistently more highly correlated with support for censoring sexual media than with support for censoring violent media. Regression analysis showed that support for banning sexual media and concern abou.
Industrial fluoride pollution. Chronic fluoride poisoning in Cornwall Island cattle.

An aluminum plant on the south bank of the St. Lawrence river, southwest of Cornwall Island, Ontario, Canada, has emitted 0.816 metric tons of fluoride daily since 1973; considerably higher amounts were emitted from 1959 to 1973. The plant has been designated as the "major source of fluoride emissions impacting on Cornwall Island. " Chronic fluoride poisoning in Cornwall island cattle was manifested clinically by stunted growth and dental fluorosis to a degree of severe interference with drinking and mastication. Cows died at or were slaughtered after the third pregnancy. The deterioration of cows did not allow further pregnancies. Fluoride concentrations in ash of biopsied coccygeal vertebrae increased significantly with age and were dependent on distance from and direction to the aluminum plant. Fluoride in bone ash of a 7-month old-fetus exceeded 500 ppm; fluoride thus was passed transplacentally. Analyses of fluoride in ash of bones obtained at necropsy of cattle from 4 months of age to 4 to 5 years of age showed increased amounts with age. Cancellous bone retained far higher amounts than cortical bone, a reflection of the normally higher metabolic rate of cancellous bone. Concentrations exceeding 10,000 ppm fluoride were recorded in cancellous bone of a 4-to 5-year-old cow. The target cells for fluoride in chronic fluorosis were shown to be the ameloblasts, the dental pulp cells and the odontoblasts and, in bone, primarily the resorbing osteocytes and also the osteoblasts. Atrophy and necrosis of the ameloblasts were responsible for enamel defects. The existing enamel showed brown discoloration from fluoride deposits. The pulp cells underwent fibrous and osseous metaplasia and necrosis of the ectopic bone occurred. The odontoblasts were atrophic and the dentin showed brown discoloration. The resorbing osteocytes were inactive and osteosclerosis resulted. This was especially pronounced in areas of normally great apposition, i.e. in the metaphyses. The epiphyseal plate became squeezed between petrotic bone and growth was stunted. Resorption of alveolar bone surrounding the deciduous teeth was severely retarded or arrested. A delay in eruption of permanent teeth occurred; it was up to 3.5 years in incisor teeth. Interference with the resorbing osteocytes in fluorotic bone was also demonstrated by loss of collagen birefringency in such bone. Failure of bone resorption also caused retention of trabecular bone in the cortices; this was observed even in a 4-t0-5-year-old cow. In areas where modeling into osteonic bone had begun, fluoride deposits were extremely heavy but this bone showed numerous soft osteons in microradiographs. The toxic effect of fluoride on osteocytes also resulted in the death of the cells. Such osteonecrosis occurred mainly in gnathic bone. There was atrophy of the osteoblasts. Osteopenia thus resulted from osteonecrosis and osteoporosis. Subperiosteal exostoses were not observed in long bones. The degree of fluorosis in Cornwall Island cattle was severe.
Proximal colostomy: Still an effective emergency measure in obstructing carcinoma of the large bowel

Large bowel obstruction constitutes an emergency abdominal condition and necessitates prompt surgical treatment. The optimal approach is still controversial as to whether to perform a diverting colostomy only or a tumor resection with or without primary anastomosis. Seventy‐one elderly and high‐risk patients were treated by proximal diverting colostomy through a right upper abdominal incision. The operative mortality was 8.5%, with an additional morbidity of 20.5%. Stomal complications appeared in 6.1% of the survivors. Seventy‐five percent of surviving patients underwent successful resection and closure of colostomy within 3 months without additional mortality. Others were not operated because of metastatic disease or severe concomitant disease. We conclude that although primary resection should be attempted in good risk patients, for those patients who are elderly and at high risk, a simple life‐saving procedure, such as fecal diversion, could alleviate obstructions with relatively low morbidity and mortality and improve the patient's prospects for subsequent definitive surgery.
Splenic irradiation in the palliation of patients with lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders

Introduction: Splenic irradiation is an accepted mode of treatment for palliation of hypersplenism and splenic pain for patients with lymphoproliferative or myeloproliferative disorders. However, results are conflicting regarding the duration of palliation and the toxicity associated with this treatment. Methods: Twenty-five patients with lymphoproliferative or myeloproliferative disorders were treated with splenic irradiation for palliation of splenomegaly and pain. The spleen was measured and pain and toxicity were assessed during radiation therapy. Results: Splenomegaly and splenic pain decreased in 60 percent and 91 percent of patients, respectively. Radiation doses higher than 500 cGy appeared to be more effective than lower doses in reducing the spleen size in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Regression of splenomegaly and pain relief were maintained for less than one year and more than six months, respectively. Acute radiation toxicity resulted in the cessation of radiotherapy in two patients. Conclusion: Splenic irradiation is effective in the short-term palliation of splenomegaly and pain and may be most useful in the subset of patients with a life expectancy of less than one year. Terminally ill patients with splenomegaly secondary to lymphoproliferative or myeloproliferative disorders may benefit from splenic irradiation to minimize pain and pressure symptoms in addition to possible reduction of narcotic use.
LTE release 14 outlook

Today's 4G LTE systems bring unprecedented mobile broadband performance to over a billion of users across the globe. Recently, work on a 5G mobile communication system has begun, and next to a new 5G air interface, LTE will be an essential component. The evolution of LTE will therefore strive to meet 5G requirements and to address 5G use cases. In this article, we provide an overview of foreseen key technology areas and components for LTE Release 14, including latency reductions, enhancements for machine-type communication, operation in unlicensed spectrum, massive multi-antenna systems, broadcasting, positioning, and support for intelligent transportation systems.
Risk Factor Profile and Management of Cerebrovascular Patients in the REACH Registry

Background: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) is a global public health problem. CVD patients are at high risk of recurrent stroke and other atherothrombotic events. Prevalence of risk factors, comorbidities, utilization of secondary prevention therapies and adherence to guidelines all influence the recurrent event rate. We assessed these factors in 18,992 CVD patients within a worldwide registry of stable outpatients. Methods: The Reduction of Atherothrombosis for Continued Health Registry recruited >68,000 outpatients (44 countries). The subjects were mainly recruited by general practitioners (44%) and internists (29%) if they had symptomatic CVD, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or ≧3 atherothrombotic risk factors. Results: The 18,992 CVD patients suffered a stroke (53.7%), transient ischemic attack (TIA) (27.7%) or both (18.5%); 40% had symptomatic atherothrombotic disease in ≧1 additional vascular beds: 36% coronary artery disease; 10% PAD and 6% both. The prevalence of risk factors at baseline was higher in the TIA subgroup than in the stroke group: treated hypertension (83.5/82.0%; p = 0.02), body mass index ≧30 (26.7/20.8%; p < 0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (65.1/52.1%; p < 0.0001), atrial fibrillation (14.7/11.9%; p < 0.0001) and carotid artery disease (42.3/29.7%; p < 0.0001). CVD patients received antiplatelet agents (81.7%), oral anticoagulants (17.3%), lipid-lowering agents (61.2%) and antihypertensives (87.9%), but guideline treatment targets were frequently not achieved (54.5% had elevated blood pressure at baseline, while 4.5% had untreated diabetes). Conclusions: A high percentage of CVD patients have additional atherothrombotic disease manifestations. The risk profile puts CVD patients, especially the TIA subgroup, at high risk for future atherothrombotic events. Undertreatment is common worldwide and adherence to guidelines needs to be enforced.
Large-Scale Analyses of Angiosperm Nucleotide-Binding Site-Leucine-Rich Repeat Genes Reveal Three Anciently Diverged Classes with Distinct Evolutionary Patterns1

Three ancient classes of genes encoding leucine-rich repeat proteins diverged into at least 23 lineages in the common ancestor of angiosperm, from which all current gene repertoires evolved through dynamic expansion. Nucleotide-binding site-leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) genes make up the largest plant disease resistance gene family (R genes), with hundreds of copies occurring in individual angiosperm genomes. However, the expansion history of NBS-LRR genes during angiosperm evolution is largely unknown. By identifying more than 6,000 NBS-LRR genes in 22 representative angiosperms and reconstructing their phylogenies, we present a potential framework of NBS-LRR gene evolution in the angiosperm. Three anciently diverged NBS-LRR classes (TNLs, CNLs, and RNLs) were distinguished with unique exon-intron structures and DNA motif sequences. A total of seven ancient TNL, 14 CNL, and two RNL lineages were discovered in the ancestral angiosperm, from which all current NBS-LRR gene repertoires were evolved. A pattern of gradual expansion during the first 100 million years of evolution of the angiosperm clade was observed for CNLs. TNL numbers remained stable during this period but were eventually deleted in three divergent angiosperm lineages. We inferred that an intense expansion of both TNL and CNL genes started from the Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary. Because dramatic environmental changes and an explosion in fungal diversity occurred during this period, the observed expansions of R genes probably reflect convergent adaptive responses of various angiosperm families. An ancient whole-genome duplication event that occurred in an angiosperm ancestor resulted in two RNL lineages, which were conservatively evolved and acted as scaffold proteins for defense signal transduction. Overall, the reconstructed framework of angiosperm NBS-LRR gene evolution in this study may serve as a fundamental reference for better understanding angiosperm NBS-LRR genes.