Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The safety and efficacy of infliximab in moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive, smoking-related, inflammatory lung disease in which tumor necrosis factor-alpha is overexpressed and has been suggested to play a pathogenic role. OBJECTIVES To determine if infliximab, an anti-TNF-alpha antibody, results in clinical benefit and has an acceptable safety profile in patients with moderate to severe COPD. METHODS In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, dose-finding study, subjects with moderate to severe COPD received infliximab (3 mg/kg [n = 78] or 5 mg/kg [n = 79]) or placebo (n = 77) at Weeks 0, 2, 6, 12, 18, and 24. Efficacy, health status, and safety were assessed through Week 44. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Infliximab was generally well tolerated, but showed no treatment benefit as measured by the primary endpoint, Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire total score. Similarly, there was no change in secondary measures, including prebronchodilator FEV(1), 6-min walk distance, SF-36 physical score, transition dyspnea index, or moderate-to-severe COPD exacerbations. Post hoc analysis revealed that subjects who were younger or cachectic showed improvement in the 6-min walk distance. Malignancies were diagnosed during the study in 9 of 157 infliximab-treated subjects versus 1 of 77 placebo-treated subjects. No opportunistic infections were observed, and there were no differences in the occurrence of antibiotic-requiring infections, although the incidence of pneumonia was higher in infliximab-treated subjects. No infection-related mortality was observed. Higher proportions of infliximab-treated subjects discontinued the study agent due to adverse events (20-27%) than did placebo-treated subjects (9%). CONCLUSIONS Subjects with moderate to severe COPD did not benefit from treatment with infliximab. Although not statistically significant, more cases of cancer and pneumonia were observed in the infliximab-treated subjects. The impact of infliximab on malignancy risk in patients with COPD needs to be further elucidated.
Ultrathin self-assembled fibrin sheets

Fibrin polymerizes into the fibrous network that is the major structural component of blood clots and thrombi. We demonstrate that fibrin from three different species can also spontaneously polymerize into extensive, molecularly thin, 2D sheets. Sheet assembly occurs in physiologic buffers on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, but is routinely observed only when polymerized using very low concentrations of fibrinogen and thrombin. Sheets may have been missed in previous studies because they may be very short-lived at higher concentrations of fibrinogen and thrombin, and their thinness makes them very difficult to detect. We were able to distinguish fluorescently labeled fibrin sheets by polymerizing fibrin onto micro-patterned structured surfaces that suspended polymers 10 μm above and parallel to the cover-glass surface. We used a combined fluorescence/atomic force microscope system to determine that sheets were ≈5 nm thick, flat, elastic and mechanically continuous. Video microscopy of assembling sheets showed that they could polymerize across 25-μm channels at hundreds of μm2/sec (≈1013 subunits/s·M), an apparent rate constant many times greater than those of other protein polymers. Structural transitions from sheets to fibers were observed by fluorescence, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy. Sheets appeared to fold and roll up into larger fibers, and also to develop oval holes to form fiber networks that were “pre-attached” to the substrate and other fibers. We propose a model of fiber formation from sheets and compare it with current models of end-wise polymerization from protofibrils. Sheets could be an unanticipated factor in clot formation and adhesion in vivo, and are a unique material in their own right.
Analysis of Antineutrophil Cytoplasm Antibody from 118 730 Patients in Tertiary Hospitals in Jiangxi Province, China

Background The discovery of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody (ANCA) makes the early diagnosis of primary vasculitis possible, and also has important guiding significance for the diagnosis and treatment of secondary vasculitis. This study aimed to investigate the clinical significance of ANCA. Material/Methods ANCA was detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IIF), and anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) antibody, and anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) antibody were detected by ELISA. The results were analyzed retrospectively. Results Among 118 730 patients, a total of 5853 (4.93%) were positive for ANCA. In the positive cases, 3.98% were male and 6.33% were female, with significant differences (χ2=123.38, P<0.01). For ANCA, the department with the highest positive rate (15.06%) was the Department of Rheumatology, followed by 7.78% in the Department of Dermatology, 6.79% in the Department of Nephrology, and 5.72% in the Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Anti-PR3 and cANCA were highly specific in primary vasculitis (P<0.01). Anti-MPO and pANCA had high specificity for other autoimmune diseases (P<0.01). Conclusions ANCA has important guiding significance for vasculitis-related diseases. Therefore, it is important in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease and has value in clinical practice.
5 K extended X-ray absorption fine structure and 40 K 10-s resolved extended X-ray absorption fine structure studies of photolyzed carboxymyoglobin.

A previous extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) study of photolyzed carboxymyoglobin (MbCO) [Chance, B. , Fischetti, R. , & Powers, L. (1983) Biochemistry 22, 3820-3829; Powers, L. , Sessler, J. L. , Woolery, G. L. , & Chance, B. (1984) Biochemistry 23, 5519-5523] has provoked much discussion on the heme structure of the photoproduct (MbCO). The EXAFS interpretation that the Fe-CO distance increases by no more than 0.05 A following photodissociation has been regarded as inconsistent with optical, infrared, and magnetic susceptibility studies [Fiamingo, F. G. , & Alben, J. O. (1985) Biochemistry 24, 7964-7970; Sassaroli, M. , & Rousseau, D. L. (1986) J. Biol. Chem. 261, 16292-16294]. The present experiment was performed with well-characterized dry film samples in which MbCO molecules were embedded in a poly(vinyl alcohol) matrix [Teng, T. Y. , & Huang, H. W. (1986) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 874, 13-18]. The sample had a high protein concentration (12 mM) to yield adequate EXAFS signals but was very thin (40 micron) so that complete photolysis could be easily achieved by a single flash from a xenon lamp. Although the electronic state of MbCO resembles that of deoxymyoglobin (deoxy-Mb), direct comparison of EXAFS spectra indicates that structurally MbCO is much closer to MbCO than to deoxy-Mb. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Capturing the fragile X premutation phenotypes: a collaborative effort across multiple cohorts.

OBJECTIVE To capture the neuropsychological profile among male carriers of the FMR1 premutation allele (55-200 CGG repeats) who do not meet diagnostic criteria for the late-onset fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, FXTAS. METHOD We have initiated a multicenter collaboration that includes 3 independent cohorts, totaling 100 carriers of the premutation and 216 noncarriers. The initial focus of this collaboration has been on executive function. Four executive function scores are shared among the 3 cohorts (Controlled Oral Word Association Test, Stroop Color-Word Test, and Wechsler backward digit span and letter-number sequencing) whereas additional executive function scores are available for specific cohorts (Behavior Dyscontrol Scale, Hayling Sentence Completion Test Part B, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test). Raw scores were analyzed by using statistical models that adjust for cohort-specific effects as well as age and education. RESULTS Carriers scored significantly lower compared to noncarriers on the Stroop Color-Word Test (p = .01), Hayling Sentence Completion Test Part B (p < .01), and Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale (p = .03), with the Hayling displaying a significant age-related decline (p = .01), as assessed by an age and repeat length-group interaction. Follow-up analysis of the collective data did not identify any specific age groups or repeat length ranges (i.e., low premutation = 55-70 repeats, midpremutation = 71-100 repeats, high premutation = 101-199 repeats) that were associated with an increased risk of executive function deficits. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary analyses do not indicate global executive function impairment among male carriers without FXTAS compared to noncarriers. However, impairment in inhibitory capacity may be present among a subset of carriers, though the risk factors for this group do not appear to be related to age or repeat length.
Prevalence of present and past hepatitis G virus infection in a French haemodialysis centre.

BACKGROUND Previous studies, detecting GB virus-C (GBV-C) or hepatitis G virus (HGV) RNA by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), have shown that haemodialysis (HD) patients had a high risk of being infected and viraemic with this virus. A past GBV-C/HGV contact can now be detected by testing for antibodies directed against the GBV-C/HGV envelope protein E2 (anti-E2). METHODS In order to evaluate GBV-C/HGV contact, 120 patients undergoing chronic HD were tested for GBV-C/HGV RNA by RT-PCR and anti-E2 antibodies by ELISA. GBV-C/HGV viraemic patients were followed prospectively for 18 months, and retrospectively when sera were stored. The total follow-up was between 18 and 78 months. RESULTS GBV-C/HGV RNA was detected in 17 patients (14%), and 18 patients (15%) had a significant level of anti-E2 antibodies. No positive anti-E2 specimens were also positive for GBV-C/HGV RNA and vice versa. A total of 35 patients (29%) were contaminated with GBV-C/HGV. Sixteen of the 17 viraemic patients had a persistent viraemia (follow-up 18-78 months) and one cleared the virus during the study period. A past or present GBV-C/HGV contact was statistically correlated with the duration of HD and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, but was independent of age, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. CONCLUSIONS Twenty-nine per cent of patients who underwent HD in our centre have been infected by GBV-C/HGV, 49% were still viraemic and 51% have developed anti-E2 antibodies, indicating a past contact with GBV-C/HGV. Our results demonstrate that the prevalence of GBV-C/HGV contact in HD was underestimated when only RT-PCR was used. Therefore GBV-C/HGV contact is probably much more frequent in HD than previous studies would suggest and is at this time not correlated with hepatotoxicity. Anti-HCV antibodies blood screening since 1990 and recent changes in managing HD patients have probably reduced GBV-C/HGV contact in the same way.
Understanding eye movements on mobile devices for better presentation of search results

Compared to the early versions of smart phones, recent mobile devices have bigger screens that can present more web search results. Several previous studies have reported differences in user interaction between conventional desktop computer and mobile device‐based web searches, so it is imperative to consider the differences in user behavior for web search engine interface design on mobile devices. However, it is still unknown how the diversification of screen sizes on hand‐held devices affects how users search. In this article, we investigate search performance and behavior on three different small screen sizes: early smart phones, recent smart phones, and phablets. We found no significant difference with respect to the efficiency of carrying out tasks, however participants exhibited different search behaviors: less eye movement within top links on the larger screen, fast reading with some hesitation before choosing a link on the medium, and frequent use of scrolling on the small screen. This result suggests that the presentation of web search results for each screen needs to take into account differences in search behavior. We suggest several ideas for presentation design for each screen size.
Genomic, Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Studies of Two Well-Characterized, Laboratory-Derived Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus Strains Derived from the Same Parent Strain

Complete genome comparisons, transcriptomic and metabolomic studies were performed on two laboratory-selected, well-characterized vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) derived from the same parent MRSA that have changes in cell wall composition and decreased autolysis. A variety of mutations were found in the VISA, with more in strain 13136p−m+V20 (vancomycin MIC = 16 µg/mL) than strain 13136p−m+V5 (MIC = 8 µg/mL). Most of the mutations have not previously been associated with the VISA phenotype; some were associated with cell wall metabolism and many with stress responses, notably relating to DNA damage. The genomes and transcriptomes of the two VISA support the importance of gene expression regulation to the VISA phenotype. Similarities in overall transcriptomic and metabolomic data indicated that the VISA physiologic state includes elements of the stringent response, such as downregulation of protein and nucleotide synthesis, the pentose phosphate pathway and nutrient transport systems. Gene expression for secreted virulence determinants was generally downregulated, but was more variable for surface-associated virulence determinants, although capsule formation was clearly inhibited. The importance of activated stress response elements could be seen across all three analyses, as in the accumulation of osmoprotectant metabolites such as proline and glutamate. Concentrations of potential cell wall precursor amino acids and glucosamine were increased in the VISA strains. Polyamines were decreased in the VISA, which may facilitate the accrual of mutations. Overall, the studies confirm the wide variability in mutations and gene expression patterns that can lead to the VISA phenotype.
Case-Control Study of Early Childhood Caries in Australia

The aim of this case-control study of 617 children was to investigate early childhood caries (ECC) risk indicators in a non-fluoridated region in Australia. ECC cases were recruited from childcare facilities, public hospitals and private specialist clinics to source children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. Non-ECC controls were recruited from the same childcare facilities. A multinomial logistic modelling approach was used for statistical analysis. The results showed that a large percentage of children tested positive for Streptococcus mutans if their mothers also tested positive. A common risk indicator found in ECC children from childcare facilities and public hospitals was visible plaque (OR 4.1, 95% CI 1.0–15.9, and OR 8.7, 95% CI 2.3–32.9, respectively). Compared to ECC-free controls, the risk indicators specific to childcare cases were enamel hypoplasia (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.0–18.3), difficulty in cleaning child’s teeth (OR 6.6, 95% CI 2.2–19.8), presence of S. mutans (OR 4.8, 95% CI 0.7–32.6), sweetened drinks (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.2–13.6) and maternal anxiety (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.1–25.0). Risk indicators specific to public hospital cases were S. mutans presence in child (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.3–44.6) or mother (OR 8.1, 95% CI 0.9–72.4), ethnicity (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.4–22.1), and access of mother to pension or health care card (OR 20.5, 95% CI 3.5–119.9). By contrast, a history of chronic ear infections was found to be protective for ECC in childcare children (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.09–0.82). The biological, socioeconomic and maternal risk indicators demonstrated in the present study can be employed in models of ECC that can be usefully applied for future longitudinal studies.
Timing the state of light with anomalous dispersion and a gradient echo memory

Title of dissertation: TIMING THE STATE OF LIGHT WITH ANOMALOUS DISPERSION AND A GRADIENT ECHO MEMORY Jeremy B. Clark, Doctor of Philosophy, 2013 Dissertation directed by: Dr. Paul D. Lett National Institute of Standards and Technology Quantum information science, the great nexus of two outstanding scientific achievements of the 20 century (quantum mechanics and information theory), has enjoyed accelerated experimental progress over the past two decades. More recently, researchers have begun to see quantum continuous variables as a powerful alternative to discrete variable quantum information protocols involving the use of qubits. Optical four–wave mixing in Rb vapor has proven to be an attractive source of continuous–variable entanglement since it is capable of producing distillable multi– spatial–mode entangled EPR states of light. This self–assembled mode structure can be exploited as independent quantum channels for entanglement–based algorithms in quantum communication and quantum computation. In this thesis, we will study how this flexible quantum resource can be manipulated using atomic ensembles acting as a dispersive medium or as a storage medium. We study the effects of anomalous dispersion on these entangled states by sending one half of the state through a gain–assisted fast–light medium and measuring the state’s quantum mutual information. We observe an advance in the maximum of the quantum mutual information between modes. In contrast, due to uncorrelated noise added by a small phase–insensitive gain, we do not observe any statistically significant advance in the “leading edge” of the mutual information. We also study the storage and retrieval of multiplexed optical signals in a Gradient Echo Memory (GEM) at relevant four–wave mixing frequencies in Rb. Temporal multiplexing capabilities are demonstrated by storing multiple classical images in the memory simultaneously and observing the expected first–in last–out order of recall without obvious cross–talk. We also develop a technique wherein selected portions of an image written into the memory can be spatially targeted for readout and erasure on demand. The effects of diffusion on the quality of the recalled images is characterized. Our results indicate that Raman–based atomic memories may serve as a flexible platform for the storage and retrieval of multiplexed optical signals. TIMING THE STATE OF LIGHT WITH ANOMALOUS DISPERSION AND A GRADIENT ECHO MEMORY
IgG4‐related systemic disease accounts for a significant proportion of thoracic lymphoplasmacytic aortitis cases

IgG4‐related systemic disease, a disorder recognized only recently, can cause lymphoplasmacytic inflammation in the thoracic aorta. The percentage of cases caused by IgG4‐related systemic disease is not known. We aimed to determine the percentage of noninfectious thoracic aortitis cases that are associated with IgG4‐related systemic disease and to establish pathologic criteria for identifying involvement of the thoracic aorta by this disorder.
Comparison of blood loss between using non central part cutting knee prosthesis and distal central part cutting.

BACKGROUND Patients who undergo knee replacement surgery may need to receive a blood transfusion due to blood loss during the operation. Therefore it was important to improve the design of knee implant operative procedures in an attempt to reduce the rate of blood loss. OBJECTIVE The present study aimed to compare the blood loss between two types of knee replacement surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD This is a retrospective study in which 78 patients received cemented knee replacements in Phayao Hospital between October 2010 and March 2012. There were two types of surgical procedure: 1) using an implant position covering the end of the femoral bone without cutting into the central part of the distal femoral, 2) using an implant position covering the end of the femoral bone cutting the central part of the distal femoral. Blood loss, blood transfusion, hemoglobin and hematocrit were recorded preoperatively, immediately postsurgery and 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS Findings revealed that the knee replacement surgery using the implant position covering the end of the femoral bone without cutting the central part of the distal femoral significantly lowered the rate of blood loss when compared to using the implant position covering the end of the femoral bone with central cutting of the distal femor. The average blood loss during the operation without cutting at the central part of distal femoral was 49.50 ± 11.11 mL; whereas the operation cutting the central part of the distal femoral was 58.50 ± 11.69 mL. CONCLUSION As regards blood loss, the knee replacement surgery using the implant position covering the end ofthefemoral bone without cutting the central part of distal femor was better than using the implant position covering the end of the femoral bone cutting at the central part of the distal femor.
Hydrogen peroxide dose dependent induction of cell death or hypertrophy in cardiomyocytes.

Cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and cell death are often observed in the end stages of heart failure. The triggers of these two cellular processes are not known under most pathological conditions. Oxidants are by-products of aerobic metabolism. The level of oxidants increases as a result of ischemic reperfusion. Using H9C2 and primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, we found that a 2-h pulse treatment with H(2)O(2) at 250 microM or lower caused activation of DEVD sequence specific caspases. The activity of DEVD-ase peaked with 200 microM H(2)O(2) at 24 h. While a fraction of the cells detached and showed nuclear condensation, the majority of the cells (>55%) survived the treatment and appeared to enlarge when cultured for 5 days. These cells showed increases in cell surface area, cell volume, and protein content. With 200 microM H(2)O(2), treated cells appeared to be six times bigger in volume and contained three times more protein per cell than untreated cells. The enlarged cells showed enhanced actin stress fibers and disrupted myofibrils. Our data indicate that while H(2)O(2) can cause cell death, the surviving cardiomyocytes undergo hypertrophy.
Dynamic Node Lifetime Estimation for Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) consist of a large number of nodes each with limited battery power. As networks of these nodes are usually deployed unattended, network lifetime becomes an important concern. This paper proposes a novel, feasible, dynamic approach for node lifetime estimation that works for both static and dynamic loads. It covers several factors that have an impact on node lifetime, including battery type, model, brand, self-discharge, discharge rate, age, and temperature. The feasibility of the proposed scheme is evaluated by using the real testbed experiments with two wireless sensor platforms: Mica2 and N740 NanoSensor, two operating systems: TinyOS and Contiki, and different brands of alkaline and nickel-metal-hydride batteries. The deviation of the proposed estimation is in the range of -3.5%-2.5%. Three major contributions are presented in this paper: 1) the impact factors on node lifetime; 2) lifetime equations for any starting voltage, ageing, charge cycles, and temperatures; and 3) the dynamic node lifetime estimation technique, which is proposed and implemented on real hardware and software platforms in WSNs.