Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biocompatibility of Cellulosic and Synthetic Membranes Assessed by Leukocyte Activation

Background/Aims: The contact of blood with artificial surfaces may activate blood leukocytes and platelets and initiate the leukocyte inflammatory response. We have investigated the effect of a hemodialysis (HD) with a cellulosic- and a synthetic-based membrane on circulating leukocyte activation. Methods: Samples were obtained from patients with ESRD at baseline, and at 15 and 120 min of a hemodialysis session from both the arterial and venous lines. Leukocyte respiratory burst was analyzed by luminol chemiluminescence. Actin polymerization, expression of CD11b, and heterotypic aggregation were studied by flow cytometry, leukocyte labeling with NBD phallacidin and monoclonal antibodies, respectively. Results: HD with a cellulosic membrane induced a transient fall in neutrophil (1.2 ± 0.5 × 109 vs. 3.6 ± 0.6 × 109 cells/l; p < 0.05) and monocyte counts (0.2 ± 0.1 × 109 vs. 0.7 ± 0.1 × 109 cells/l; p < 0.05). There was also an increase in respiratory burst in the venous line during a HD with a cellulosic membrane, at 15 and 120 min (100 ± 41 and 143.2 ± 45.3 vs. 23.8 ± 15.7; p < 0.05). Polymerized actin, expressed as fluorescence arbitrary units, was increased in baseline samples from uremic patients versus control subjects (327.8 ± 60.8 for a cellulosic membrane, p < 0.005, and 205 ± 26.5 for a synthetic one, p < 0.05 vs. 97.8 ± 27.6 in controls). The percentage of CD11b+ cells increased in samples during a HD with a cellulosic membrane at the venous line at 15 and 120 min (9.6 ± 4.5 and 18.4 ± 7.1% vs. 3.3 ± 1.9%; p < 0.05%). Changes in heterotypic aggregation during HD did not reach statistical significance, but levels were higher in patients treated with a cellulosic membrane at all points than in patients dialyzed with a synthetic one. Conclusion: There is evidence of a priming state of leukocytes from uremic patients, which is more evident in patients dialyzed with a cellulosic membrane. Cellulosic membranes also induce greater leukocyte activation than synthetic membranes during hemodialysis.
Fossilization of Soft Tissue in the Laboratory

Some of the most remarkable fossils preserve cellular details of soft tissues. In many of these, the tissues have been replaced by calcium phosphate. This process has been assumed to require elevated concentrations of phosphate in sediment pore waters. In decay experiments modern shrimps became partially mineralized in amorphous calcium phosphate, preserving cellular details of muscle tissue, particularly in a system closed to oxygen. The source for the formation of calcium phosphate was the shrimp itself. Mineralization, which was accompanied by a drop in pH, commenced within 2 weeks and increased in extent for at least 4 to 8 weeks. This mechanism halts the normal loss of detail of soft-tissue morphology before fossilization. Similar closed conditions would prevail where organisms are rapidly overgrown by microbial mats.
Ultrasound-guided repositioning of a malpositioned guidewire for subclavian vein catheterization in children.

thoracotomy analgesia. Congratulations must also be extended to the Cochrane Collaboration and to the authors who conducted the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) referenced within the review. It is exactly 30 years since Archie Cochrane uttered the following words that sparked the “Evidence Based Medicine” movement: “It is surely a great criticism of our profession that we have not organized a critical summary, by specialty or subspecialty, adapted periodically, of all randomized controlled trials. ” Despite the efforts by PROSPECT, however, clearly we have yet to fulfill Cochrane’s challenge. In particular, we are bogged down by methods used to identify the quality RCTs that enable periodic updating of the reviews. The current method of hand searching journals is time consuming and expensive, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to duplicate the search to validate the original authors’ results. The search strategy, according to Cochrane Collaboration’s protocol, also applies the Optimally Sensitive Search Strategy (OSSS), a 29-line algorithm shown to be highly sensitive but lacking specificity. The OSSS, together with hand searching, casts a very wide net and hence a significant number of articles identified are not RCTs, nor are they of sufficient quality for review. My coworkers and I suggest a simpler solution: (double blind$ or random$). af. This single-line algorithm applied to MEDLINE and EMBASE identifies a sufficient number of RCTs (greater than 95%) compared with the number identified in the original reviews, to draw the same conclusions. In comparison with Joshi et al., the search strategy described in Table 1 creates a readily reproducible database regarding pain relief research (Table 1, searches 1–4) and identified 71 of the 74 RCTs (96%) that Joshi et al. included in their review: they were Refs. 14–87, excluding 22, 33, and 49. Applying an algorithm specifically for thoracotomy (Searches 5–7) refines the database to a manageable 866 articles, with the loss of one RCT (Ref. 60). Our strategy has demonstrated 98% specificity (i.e., every 100 articles identified two were nonRCTs) compared with 78% for the OSSS. In terms of the database of pain relief research (Search 4), this would identify just over 3000 nonRCTs with our strategy compared with around 33,600 non-RCTs with the OSSS. We invite the PROSPECT collaboration to test our strategy in an effort to expedite the fulfillment of the Cochrane Challenge.
Rapid unsupervised speaker adaptation based on sufficient statistics of hidden markov models

In realizing a speech recognition system robust to variation of speakers, an efficient adaptation algorithm is needed. Most adaptation techniques require many adaptation data to carry out an adaptation task. Adaptation data are often collected from the actual speaker itself in several utterances. With the time needed to gather and transcribe the adaptation utterances, together with the actual execution time of the adaptation algorithm, real-time speech recognition is difficult to realize. We propose a novel approach in solving the problem that hinders practical implementation of speaker adaptation by using only a single untranscribed utterance from the user. This unsupervised speaker adaptation approach can execute in few seconds with a significant improvement in recognition performance as compared to data-greedy and time-exhausting adaptation schemes. This thesis, details the science behind the development and implementation of the rapid unsupervised speaker adaptation based on Hidden Markov Models-Sufficient Statistics (HMMSufficient Statistics). In this approach, we process in advance the training database into HMMSufficient Statistics offline. During the actual adaptation (online), the process starts with the N-best speaker selection which is acoustically close to the user’s utterance. The HMM-Sufficient Statistics of the N-best speakers are selected ∗Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Information Processing, Graduate School of Information Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, NAIST-IS-DD0361218, October 1, 2006. i as adaptation data. In view of the fact that HMM-Sufficient Statistics are precomputed offline, considerable amount of computation time needed for processing is saved and re-allocated efficiently to using good-performance but computationally expensive adaptation platforms. The end result, a rapid adaptation system with good recognition performance. Experiments using Vocal Tract Length Normalization (VTLN), Maximum A Posteriori (MAP) and Maximum Likelihood Linear Regression (MLLR) were performed. Moreover we tested for robustness under noisy environment conditions such as office, car, crowd and booth noise in several signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). In this thesis we succesfully designed a rapid unsupervised speaker adaptation that requires only a single arbitrary utterance without transcriptions and execute in 7sec of adaptation time. The proposed method is suitable for speech recognition applications where adaptation data is scarce and execution time is critical. Furthermore, we have fully integrated the proposed approach in a real application using a dialogue system where the adaptation technique is integrated and interacts freely with the recognizer and several processes in the system in a real environment condition.
Which is the better surgical strategy for newly diagnosed epithelial ovarian cancer: primary or interval debulking?

Purpose of review Surgical debulking is a mainstay of therapy for epithelial ovarian cancer. The traditional timing of this surgery has been prior to chemotherapy, but this view has been challenged over the last decade. This review will focus on the recently completed phase III studies of surgical timing and discuss exceptions to the superior paradigm of neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking. Recent findings The two completed studies have shown that neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by interval debulking is the superior strategy for stage IIIc and IV ovarian cancer compared to primary surgery followed by chemotherapy. Survival outcomes were the same, but the morbidity for the patient and cost to the system and patient were less with interval debulking. Exceptions to this sequence are potentially stage I or II patients and those stage III patients who can be optimally debulked so as to receive intraperitoneal chemotherapy. Summary Chemotherapy followed by interval debulking will result in fewer and simpler operations and lesser morbidity for the patients resulting in cost savings for the healthcare system and less inconvenience and toxicity for the patient with equivalent survival outcomes. As such it is the superior strategy.
Chaos Synchronization in Complex Networks

In this paper, we study chaos synchronization in complex networks with time-invariant, time-varying and switching configurations based on the matrix measure of complex matrices. To begin with, we propose an analytical condition for chaos synchronization in complex networks with a time-invariant configuration. Secondly, we obtain some less conservative synchronization conditions for networks with a time-varying configuration. Thirdly, we consider chaos synchronization in networks with time-average and switching configurations. If complex subnetworks satisfy certain conditions, the networks with time-average and switching configurations are M-synchronizable. At last, we analyze the nonsynchronizability of complex networks. Chaos synchronization in complex networks can't be realized if the coupling configuration and the inner-coupling matrix satisfy certain conditions. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulations verify the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization criteria.
Successful treatment of mucous membrane pemphigoid with the anti-CD-20 antibody rituximab.

Mucous membrane pemphigoid (MMP) is an often diffi-cult-to-treat autoimmune bullous disease characterized by circulating auto-antibodies targeting the dermo-epidermal junctional zone (1–3). Due to limited disease control and/or severe adverse reactions to glucocorticoids and conventional immunosuppressants, alternative treatment options are frequently needed. We describe here the first successful therapy of refractory MMP with rituximab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody depleting B-lymphocytes (4, 5), that resulted in a complete and persisting remission.CASE REPORT
Epidemiology of ROP in the Stockholm area of Sweden

Abstract. A prospective, population‐based study of the epidemiology of ROP in a well‐defined geographical area of Sweden was performed. Two hundred and sixty children with a birth weight of 1500 g or less, and surviving for at least eight weeks, were included in the study. ROP was seen in 40.4% of the children. We suggest that prematurely born children with a gestational age of 32 weeks or less ought to be screened for ROP.
Estimation of the fermentability of dietary fibre in vitro: a European interlaboratory study

Five European laboratories tested a simple in vitro batch system for dietary fibre fermentation studies. The inoculum was composed of fresh human faeces mixed with a carbonate-phosphate buffer complex supplemented with trace elements and urea. Five dietary fibre sources (cellulose, sugarbeet fibre, soyabean fibre, maize bran and pectin) were used by each laboratory on three occasions to determine pH, residual non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) and short-chain fatty acid production during fermentation. Cellulose and maize bran degradabilities were very low (7·2 (SE 10·8) and 6·2 (SE 9·1) % respectively after 24 h), whereas pectin and soyabean fibre were highly degraded (97·4 (SE 4) and 91·1 (SE 3·4)% respectively after 24 h). Sugarbeet fibre exhibited an intermediate level of degradability (59·5 (SE 14·9)%). Short-chain fatty acid production was closely related to NSP degradation (r 0·99). Although each variable was ranked similarly by all laboratories, some differences occurred with respect to absolute values. However, the adaptation of donors to the experimental substrates was not an influential factor. Interlaboratory differences could be reduced either by adding less substrate during incubations or using less-diluted inocula. In vitro fermentations with inocula made from human faeces and from rat caecal contents gave similar results. There was a close correspondence between the data obtained in the present experiment and those previously published in in vivo studies in the rat using the same fibres. The in vitro batch system tested during the present study provides a rapid means of obtaining quantitative estimates of the fermentation and the estimation of the energy content of new sources of dietary fibre.
Long-term outcomes of resective epilepsy surgery after invasive presurgical evaluation in children with tuberous sclerosis complex and bilateral multiple lesions.

OBJECT Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) with medically refractory epilepsy is characterized by multifocal brain abnormalities, traditionally indicating poor surgical candidacy. This single-center, retrospective study appraised seizurerelated, neuropsychological, and other outcomes of resective surgery in TSC patients with medically refractory epilepsy, and analyzed predictors for these outcomes. METHODS Patients with multilesional TSC who underwent epilepsy surgery between 2007 and 2012 were identified from an electronic database. All patients underwent multimodality noninvasive and subsequent invasive evaluation. Seizure outcomes were classified using the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) scale. The primary outcome measure was complete seizure remission (ILAE Class 1). Secondary outcome measures included 50% responder rate, change in full-scale IQ, electroencephalography improvement, and reduction in antiepileptic drug (AED) burden. RESULTS A total of 37 patients with TSC underwent resective surgery during the study period. After a mean follow-up of 5.68 ± 3.67 years, 56.8% achieved complete seizure freedom (ILAE Class 1) and 86.5% had ILAE Class 4 outcomes or better. The full-scale IQ on follow-up was significantly higher in patients with ILAE Class 1 outcome (66.70 ± 12.36) compared with those with ILAE Class 2 or worse outcomes (56.00 ± 1.41, p = 0.025). In 62.5% of the patients with ILAE Class 2 or worse outcomes, the number of AEDs were found to be significantly reduced (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS This study substantiates the evidence for efficacy of resective epilepsy surgery in patients with bilateral multilesional TSC. More than half of the patients were completely seizure free. Additionally, a high proportion achieved clinically meaningful reduction in seizure burden and the number of AEDs.
Patterns of immune reactivity in autoimmune murine strains. I. Cell-mediated immune responses induced by H-2 indentical and H-2 incompatible stimulator cells.

We compared spleen cells from immunologically normal mice to those from five autoimmune murine strains (NZB, NZB × W, BXSB, MRL/l, MRL/n) in the cell-mediated lympholytic response in vitro to spleen cells from syngeneic, allogeneic but H-2 identical and H-2 incompatible mice. NZB spleen cells sensitized with irradiated allogeneic but H-2d identical spleen cells lysed unmodified H-2 identical cells in a strong, cross-reactive, unidirectional response, and lysed similarly, but to a lesser extent, syngeneic cells. The NZB anti-H-2d activity was mediated by T cells and was directed against both T and B target cells. Although the anti-H-2d activity is known to be directed against minor histocompatibility differences, it appears from our experiments with congenic mice that the activity is to some extent recognized in the context of the H-2 haplotype, since it was optimum when the NZB cells matched the target cells at the K or D end of H-2. NZB cells sensitized in vitro by H-2 identical cells were only minimally stimulated to proliferate; however, such cells were able to induce in vivo GVH reactions in NZB mice. Similar in vitro anti-H-2d reactivity was observed with NZB × W spleen cells. In contrast, spleen cells from BXSB, MRL/1, and MRL/n mice were not sensitized in vitro with H-2 identical cells. Spleen cells from all autoimmune murine strains incubated with irradiated syngeneic cells were devoid of any cytolytic activity against syngeneic target cells. Cells from all autoimmune strains sampled during youth exhibited a normal effector function against H-2 incompatible spleen cells, and this function declined moderately with age and appearance of disease. In contrast to all other autoimmune strains, cells from MRL/1 mice were inadequate stimulators with H-2 incompatible cells, possibly due to massive T cell lymphoproliferation seen in these mice. Although the observed anti-H-2d activity of cells from New Zealand mice (NZB, NZB × W) may play a role in the development of their disease, the possibility that such a mechanism serves as a common etiologic pathway in the development of the murine SLE-like syndromes seems unlikely since the other autoimmune strains studied were devoid of such activity.
Developing an Alternative Rorschach Administration Method to Optimize the Number of Responses and Enhance Clinical Inferences.

UNLABELLED Variability in the number of Rorschach responses (R) has stimulated controversy among clinicians and researchers for many years, and recent research reveals that R is much more variable than previously thought. Because R is correlated with other scores, its excessive variability may reduce the reliability, validity and clinical utility of these other scores. We present two experimental studies and additional results from other clinical datasets with the aim of developing a new administration procedure to diminish variability in R by reducing the number of very short and long records. In the first experiment, protocols were obtained using standard Comprehensive System administration or an alternative where we encouraged a second response if only one was given to a card and allowed only four responses on each card. This alternative method reduced the proportion of short records but produced an undesirable number of long records. To minimize the proportion of long records, in a second experiment, we added an instruction to give two or maybe three responses per card when introducing the test. Comparisons to CS administrations revealed that this procedure reduced variability in R by limiting the proportion of both short and long records. This reduced range was largely retained in an outpatient sample of older respondents with schizophrenia and a mixed clinical sample. Thus, we recommend this method of optimizing the range of R, which has since been included with very minor changes in the Rorschach Performance Assessment System. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE Alternative administration method successfully eliminated overly short and excessively long records. Utility is potentially increased by greatly reducing both short records that often lack reliability and validity, as well as long records that consume an excessive amount of examiner administration and scoring time. Psychometric properties and the ability to apply parametric statistics are likely increased across variables given that the distribution of R is more normal. Re-administration due to inadequate R is almost never needed. Results are consistent with the conclusion that this alternative procedure reduces examiner variability by offering simple, but explicit instructions for encouraging sufficient productivity. Overall variability of R produced using the refined alternative procedure was significantly less than that produced using the traditional CS method, although more in line with Exner's (2003) normative expectations. Suggests that when using the alternative method, R becomes less of a confound for all other scores that are moderately to highly correlated with R. Also demonstrated that the reduced variability of R and the reduced number of less useful short and long records are generalized to clinical samples. Additional research (Reese, Viglione, & Giromini, 2014) provides support for these conclusions with child clinical samples.
A quasi-digital radio system for muscle force transmission based on event-driven IR-UWB

We introduce a low-complexity radio system for portable and miniaturized biomedical applications based on IR-UWB which can effectively transmit and receive muscle force information without requiring analog to digital conversion for signal digitizing. EMG signals are acquired using a discrete components instrumentation amplifier that asynchronously triggers an integrated pulsed transmitter. After the EMG signal is acquired, signal is thresholded, pulses are radiated and acquired using an integrated asynchronous IR-UWB receiver. This paper demonstrates system operation and compares the performance of the scheme in terms of average threshold crossings pulse events with rectified values computed on the raw analog muscle information, obtaining a correlation level of 0.95±0.02 compared to average rectified EMG signals. The paper concludes with first over-the-air measurements on an implemented prototype based on an RFCMOS integrated transceiver chipset.
Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antagonist, Losartan, Causes Regression of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in End-Stage Renal Disease

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) commonly occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) antagonists may be able to reverse LVH independent to the hypotensive effect in the ESRD setting. Thirty chronically hemodialyzed uremic patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to receive the AT1-R antagonist losartan (n = 10), the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACD) inhibitor enalapril (n = 10), or calcium antagonist amlodipine (n = 10). Left ventricular mass (LVM) index was measured by echocardiography before and 6 months after treatment. The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics did not differ between the three groups. The mean baseline LVM index also did not differ in the three groups. After 6 months of treatment, losartan treatment significantly reduced the LVM index (–24.7 ± 3.2%) than amlodipine (–10.5 ± 5.2%) or enalapril (–11.2 ± 4.1%) therapy. All three groups had a similar decrease in the mean blood pressure with treatment. The plasma angiotensin II concentration increased 5-fold with losartan treatment. In contrast, the plasma angiotension II concentration did not change with enalapril and only increased 2-fold with amlodipine. Thus, the present study indicates that losartan more effectively regresses LVH in patients with ESRD than do enalapril and amlodipine despite a comparable depressor effect between the three drugs.