Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Drawing the Lines of Contention

This research examines Twitter discourse related to #BlackLivesMatter and police-related shooting events in 2016 through a mixed-method, interpretative approach. We construct a "shared audience graph", revealing structural and ideological disparities between two groups of participants (one on the political left, the other on the political right). We utilize an integrated networked gatekeeping and framing lens to examine how #BlackLivesMatter frames were produced--and how they were contested--by separate communities of supporters and critics. Among other empirical findings, this work demonstrates hashtags being used in diverse ways--e.g. to mark participation, assert individual identity, promote group identity, and support or challenge a frame. Considered from a networked gatekeeping perspective, we illustrate how hashtags can serve as channeling mechanisms, shaping trajectories of information flow. This analysis also reveals a right-leaning community of BlackLivesMatter critics to have a more well-defined group of crowdsourced elite who largely define their side's counter-frame.
Coded modulation with unequal error protection

It is always desirable to maintain communications in difficult situations, even though fewer messages can get across. The author has developed such capabilities for one-way broadcast media, such as the envisioned terrestrial broadcasting of digital high-definition television signals. In this television broadcasting, the data from video source encoders are not equally important. It is desirable that the important data be recovered by each receiver even under poor receiving conditions. Two approaches for providing such unequal error protection to different classes of data are presented. Power-efficient and bandwidth-efficient coded modulation is used in both approaches. The first approach is based on novel signal constellations with nonuniformly spaced signal points. The second uses time division multiplexing of different conventional coded modulation schemes. Both approaches can provide error protection for the important data to an extent that can hardly be achieved using conventional coded modulation with equal error protection. For modest amounts of important data, the first approach has, additionally, the potential of providing immunity from impulse noise through simple bit or signal-point interleaving. >
Downregulation of Transcription Factor T-Bet as a Protective Strategy in Monosodium Urate-Induced Gouty Inflammation

Gout is sterile joint inflammation triggered by the damaging effects of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals accumulation. Previous studies suggest transcription factor T-bet plays an important role in inflammatory arthritis. Notably, mice lacking T-bet markedly reduced joint inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis models, however, the involvement of T-bet in gouty inflammation has yet to be clarified. Here, we took advantage of T-bet knockout (KO) mice to investigate the role of T-bet in the pathogenesis of MSU-induced gout inflammation. T-bet KO and wild type (WT) mice were used for models of acute inflammation induced with MSU crystals, including footpad, air pouch and peritonitis models. Inflammatory cytokines and phagocytosis were detected in bone-marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from T-bet KO and WT mice treated with MSU crystals in vitro. In addition, T-bet expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from gout patients was measured, as well as plasma inflammatory cytokines. We found that the levels of interleukin (IL)-17, IL-23, and interferon-γ were reduced, but tumor necrosis factor-α was not, in BMDMs from T-bet KO compared with WT mice after MSU challenge in vitro, as well as MSU phagocytosis. In comparison with WT mice in vivo, the swelling index of T-bet KO mice was significantly decreased in the footpad model. T-bet deficiency also dramatically relieved MSU-induced inflammatory cell infiltration in peritonitis and air pouch models in vivo, and as well as the IL-1β levels of air pouch lavage fluid (APLF). In addition, plasma IL-17 and IL-23 levels were elevated in acute gout, whereas protein levels of T-bet were downregulated in PBMCs from acute gout patients and intercritical gout treated with MSU crystals in vitro as well. Transcription factor T-bet deficiency protects against MSU-induced gouty inflammation, suggesting that downregulation of T-bet could be a protective strategy and contribute to spontaneous remission of inflammation in acute gout.
Hippocampal developmental changes in patients with partial epilepsy: Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical aspects

Developmental disorders of the hippocampal formation (HF) have been described in epileptic syndromes associated with lissencephaly, but HF malformations can be found without widespread cortical changes. We report 19 patients with partial epilepsy and abonormal HF patterns on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The changes consisted of incomplete folding with abnormal medial location along the choroid fissure, globular shape and/or verticalization, and were observed in the following three contexts: (1) diffuse disorder of neuronal migration (n = 1); (2) temporal lobe malformation (n = 5), including heterotopia, abnormal gyration, and, in 2 cases, reduced HF volume; and (3) apparently isolated HF changes (n = 13, bilateral in 3 cases). The clinical features were heterogeneous in terms of severity of epilepsy and, when the focus could be determined, in localization (temporal or extratemporal). In 4 patients with apparently isolated HF changes, MRI was suggestive of both abnormal development and hippocampal sclerosis. In these patients, presurgical investigation and postoperative results suggested multiple epileptogenic foci, involving the frontal lobes in 2 cases. One HF specimen was large enough for the observation of developmental abnormalities corresponding to the canges seen on MRI. HF changes in shape and/or position should be included among the structural abnormalities associated with partial epilepsies. They may represent the visible part of a more extensive or more distant disorder of brain development.
End-stage renal disease—financial costs and years of life lost in Panama: a cost-analysis study

Objectives Central America is a region with an elevated burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD); however, the cost of treatment for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) remains an understudied area. This study aimed to investigate the direct costs associated with haemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) in public and private institutions in Panama in 2015, to perform a 5-year budget impact analysis and to calculate the years of life lost (YLL) due to CKD. Design A retrospective cost-analysis study using hospital costs and registry-based data. Setting Data on direct costs were derived from the public and private sectors from two institutions from Panama. Data on CKD-related mortality were obtained from the National Mortality Registry. Methods A budget impact analysis was performed from the payer perspective, and five scenarios were estimated, with the assumption that the mix of dialysis modality use shifts towards a greater use of PD over time. The YLL due to CKD was calculated using data recorded between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015. The linear method was utilised for the analyses with the population aged 20–77 years old. Results In 2015, the total costs for dialysis in the public sector ranged from ~US$7.9 million (PD) to US$62 million (HD). The estimated costs were higher in the scenario in which a decrease in PD was assumed. The average annual loss due to CKD was 25 501 808.40 US$-YLL. Conclusion ESRD represents a major challenge for Panama. Our results suggest that an increased use of PD might provide an opportunity to substantially lower overall ESRD treatment costs.
Exercise induction of key transcriptional regulators of metabolic adaptation in muscle is preserved in type 2 diabetes.

CONTEXT Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. Thus, an impaired response to exercise may contribute to insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE We hypothesized that key transcriptional regulators of metabolic adaptation to exercise show an attenuated response in skeletal muscle in T2D. PATIENTS AND DESIGN Skeletal muscle biopsies were obtained from 13 patients with T2D and 14 age and weight-matched controls before, immediately after 1-h acute exercise (70% VO2max), and 3-h into recovery to examine mRNA expression of key transcription factors and downstream targets and activity of key upstream kinases underlying the metabolic adaptation to exercise. RESULTS Acute exercise increased gene expression of the nuclear hormone receptor 4A (NR4A) subfamily (∼4-36-fold) and other key transcription factors including ATF3, EGR1, JUNB, SIK1, PPARA and PPARG (∼1.5-12-fold), but with no differences between groups. The expression of NR4A1 (∼8-fold) and NR4A3 (∼75-fold) was further increased 3-h into recovery, whereas most muscle transcripts sustained elevated or returned to basal levels, again with no differences between groups. Muscle expression of HKII and SLC2A4, and HKII protein content were reduced in patients with T2D. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, Erk1/2, CaMKII and CREB was equally increased in response to exercise and/or recovery in both groups. CONCLUSION Acute exercise elicits a pronounced and overall similar increase in expression of key transcription factors and activation of key upstream kinases involved in muscle metabolic adaptation to exercise in patients with T2D and weight-matched controls.
Preoperative right portal vein embolization in patients with metastatic liver disease. Metastatic liver volumes after RPVE.

PURPOSE To quantify liver metastases and future remnant liver (FRL) volumes in patients who underwent right portal vein embolization (RPVE) and to evaluate the effects of this procedure on metastase growth. MATERIAL AND METHODS Nine patients with liver metastases from primary colon (n = 5), rectal lesions (n = 1) and carcinoid tumors (n = 3) underwent spiral CT to evaluate the ratio of the non-tumorous parenchymal volume of the resected liver to that of the whole liver volume (R2). Hand tracing was used to isolate the entire liver, the resected liver and metastase volumes. All patients with R2 > 60% underwent RPVE. RESULTS FRL exhibited a 101-336 cm3 (average 241 cm3) increase in volume 1 month after RPVE. One patient refused surgery for 2 months and before surgery the increase in volume of the FRL was similar to that of other patients (180.64 cm3). Percent metastases volume from colorectal carcinoma in embolized liver parenchyma increased from 62.4% to 138.4% at 1 month and to 562% at 2 months after RPVE. Metastase volume from carcinoid tumors was unchanged. CONCLUSION One month after RPVE, hypertrophy of the FRL is evident. In the embolized liver, there was a progressive increase in metastase volume from colorectal carcinoma while metastase volume from carcinoid tumor was unchanged in embolized and non-embolized liver.
Achilles Tendon Ruptures—Peroneus Brevis Transfer

Peroneus brevis tendon transfer has been utilized in 40 individuals during the last 13 years. All cases consisted of complete Achilles tendon ruptures. In 34 cases the rupture was in the distal one-third of the tendon substance, in four cases bony avulsion of the calcaneal tuberosity occurred, and in two cases there was a diffuse tear in the proximal two-thirds of the tendon near the musculotendinous junction. The middle-aged athlete sustained the majority of these injuries during sports. Eleven patients were less than 30 years old, 23 patients were 30 to 40 years old, and six were over 40 years old. Five patients had reruptures that involved prior nonoperative treatment of cast immobilization, and one had undergone simple direct suture. This repair has been used in acute, chronic, and recurrent ruptures of the tendoachillis. Thirty-three patients presented within 1 week of injury, and seven after more than 1 week. A. Perez Teuffer personally described the preferred technique in 1971 and subsequently published in 1978. The transfer of the peroneus brevis is combined with a direct end-to-end suture of the triceps surae tendon that allows a secure reconstruction with the foot at a right angle. The peroneus brevis tendon is detached from the base of the fifth metatarsal and then tunnelled through the distal Achilles tendon stump. The distal portion of the tendon transfer is then drawn proximally along the medial calcaneal tendon border. The proximal triceps surae tendon is pulled distally and secured to the peroneal tendon. The ruptured ends of the Achilles tendon are sandwiched between the U-shaped peroneal tendon transfer, which acts as a biologic scaffold for the reparitive process. Several advantages are apparent when compared to nonoperative care and other operative techniques including simple Achilles tendon repair, plantaris tendon transfers, reconstructive fascial flaps, and synthetic substitutes. A strong repair with the foot at the neutral position is possible even when the Achilles tendon is shredded. The transfer provides an active motor, adds some power to the damaged triceps, and avoids the danger of rerupture. No reruptures have occurred after this surgical procedure. Calf weakness is minimized because the proximal fragment of the damaged Achilles tendon is sutured securely under physiologic tension into the peroneus brevis. Immobilization postoperatively in a short leg cast at a right angle and early weightbearing facilitate the rehabilitation period and avoid the many months necessary to regain dorsiflexion after 6 to 8 weeks of casting in plantarflexion. The bulk and profile of the repaired Achilles tendon is restored. A healthy tendon transfer is an additional benefit. Strength after the peroneus brevis U-shaped tendon transfer is superior to other methods of treatment and is particularly advantageous in the sports-oriented individual.
Comparing the Learning Effectiveness of Healthcare Simulation in the Observer Versus Active Role: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

STATEMENT The benefits of observation in simulation-based education in healthcare are increasingly recognized. However, how it compares with active participation remains unclear. We aimed to compare effectiveness of observation versus active participation through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Effectiveness was defined using Kirkpatrick's 4-level model, namely, participants' reactions, learning outcomes, behavior changes, and patient outcomes. The peer-reviewed search strategy included 8 major databases and gray literature. Only randomized controlled trials were included. A total of 13 trials were included (426 active participants and 374 observers). There was no significant difference in reactions (Kirkpatrick level 1) to training between groups, but active participants learned (Kirkpatrick level 2) significantly better than observers (standardized mean difference = -0.2, 95% confidence interval = -0.37 to -0.02, P = 0.03). Only one study reported behavior change (Kirkpatrick level 3) and found no significant difference. No studies reported effects on patient outcomes (Kirkpatrick level 4). Further research is needed to understand how to effectively integrate and leverage the benefits of observation in simulation-based education in healthcare.
Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of human diabetic peripheral neuropathy in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism important for the regulation of gene expression, which plays a vital role in the interaction between genetic and environmental factors. Aberrant epigenetic changes are implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes and diabetic complications, but the role of DNA methylation in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is not well understood. Therefore, our aim in this study was to explore the role of DNA methylation in the progression of DPN in type 2 diabetes. We compared genome-wide DNA methylation profiles of human sural nerve biopsies from subjects with stable or improving nerve fibre counts to biopsies from subjects with progressive loss of nerve fibres. Nerve fibre counts were determined by comparing myelinated nerve fibre densities between an initial and repeat biopsy separated by 52 weeks. Subjects with significant nerve regeneration (regenerators) and subjects with significant nerve degeneration (degenerators) represent the two extreme DPN phenotypes. Using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing, we identified 3,460 differentially methylated CpG dinucleotides between the two groups. The genes associated with differentially methylated CpGs were highly enriched in biological processes that have previously been implicated in DPN such as nervous system development, neuron development, and axon guidance, as well as glycerophospholipid metabolism and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling. These findings are the first to provide a comprehensive analysis of DNA methylation profiling in human sural nerves of subjects with DPN and suggest that epigenetic regulation has an important role in the progression of this prevalent diabetic complication.
Root extracellular traps versus neutrophil extracellular traps in host defence, a case of functional convergence?

The root cap releases cells that produce massive amounts of mucilage containing polysaccharides, proteoglycans, extracellular DNA (exDNA) and a variety of antimicrobial compounds. The released cells – known as border cells or border‐like cells – and mucilage secretions form networks that are defined as root extracellular traps (RETs). RETs are important players in root immunity. In animals, phagocytes are some of the most abundant white blood cells in circulation and are very important for immunity. These cells combat pathogens through multiple defence mechanisms, including the release of exDNA‐containing extracellular traps (ETs). Traps of neutrophil origin are abbreviated herein as NETs. Similar to phagocytes, plant root cap‐originating cells actively contribute to frontline defence against pathogens. RETs and NETs are thus components of the plant and animal immune systems, respectively, that exhibit similar compositional and functional properties. Herein, we describe and discuss the formation, molecular composition and functional similarities of these similar but different extracellular traps.
Determining PV Penetration for Distribution Systems With Time-Varying Load Models

A constant or voltage-dependent load model is usually assumed in most distributed generation (DG) planning studies. However, this paper proposes several different types of time-varying voltage-dependent load models to determine the penetration level of photovoltaic (PV) units in a distribution network. Here, a new analytical expression is first proposed to size a PV unit, which can supply active and reactive powers. This expression is based on the derivation of a multiobjective index (IMO) that is formulated as a combination of three indices, namely active power loss, reactive power loss and voltage deviation. The expression is then adapted to allocate PV units while considering the time-varying load models and probabilistic PV generation. The effectiveness of the proposed approach was validated on 69- and 33-bus test distribution systems. The results showed that PV allocation with different types of time-varying load models can produce dissimilar penetration levels.
Brain Tumor Segmentation from Multi-Spectral Images Using Multi-Kernel Learning

We propose a brain tumor segmentation method from multi-spectral MRI images. The new idea is to use Multiple Kernel Learnin (MKL) which jointly selects one or more kernels associated to each feature and trains SVM (Support Vector Machine). First, a large set of features based on wavelet decomposition is computed on a small number of voxels for all types of images, allowing us to build a training feature base. The segmentation task is then viewed as a learning problem where only the most significant features from the feature base are selected and a classifier is then learned. The images are then segmented using the trained classifier on the selected features. Our algorithm was tested on the real data provided by the challenge of Brats 2012. The dataset includes 20 high-grade glioma patients and 10 low-grade glioma patients. For each patient, T1, T2, FLAIR, and post-Gadolinium T1 MR images are available. Our algorithm was compared to the resulting top methods of the challenge of Brats 2012. The results show good performances of our method.
Calorie Intake During Status Epilepticus and Outcome: A 5-Year Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES Recommendations regarding nutrition during status epilepticus are lacking, and it is unclear whether restriction of calorie intake would result in beneficial effects or potential harm. We thus aimed to investigate associations between daily calorie intake and outcome in adult status epilepticus patients deriving from a 5-year cohort with a systematic and prospective collection of nutritional data. DESIGN Retrospective observational study. SETTING Medical ICUs at a tertiary academic medical care center. PATIENTS Consecutive patients with status epilepticus treated at the ICUs from 2012 to 2016 were included. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS All patients with status epilepticus were monitored regarding nutrition support provided according to the guidelines. Relative risks of no return to baseline were estimated by Poisson regression with robust error variance and adjusted for potential confounders. Of 203 patients, 86 (42%) had return to baseline. Metabolic characteristics of patients with and without return to baseline did not differ. Patients without return to baseline received more calories and proteins per status epilepticus day, and increasing nutritional support was associated with ventilator-associated pneumonia (relative risk, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.09-1.28). Multivariable regression analysis revealed significant increases in relative risks for no return to baseline with every percent of days with nutrition (relative risk, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.05-1.74), with every 100 kcal (relative risk, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.002-1.01), and gram of protein intake (relative risk, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.001-1.01) per status epilepticus day, independent of potential confounders (including fatal etiology, duration and severity of status epilepticus, Charlson comorbidity index, and treatment with anesthetics). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that increased calorie intake during status epilepticus is independently associated with unfavorable outcome. These findings require further validation and investigations into potential mediators, such as induction of ketogenesis, immunomodulating effects, and/or reduction of ICU-associated complications, such as infections.