Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Piecewise-affine Lyapunov functions for discrete-time linear systems with saturating controls

This paper deals with piecewise-affine functions as Lyapunov function candidates for stability analysis of time-invariant discrete-time linear systems with saturating closed-loop control inputs. Considering the nonlinear behavior of the closed-loop system, new necessary and sufficient conditions for a piecewise-affine function as a Lyapunov function are presented. Based on linear programming formulation of these conditions, an effective procedure is proposed for determination of such Lyapunov functions and associated polyhedral regions of local asymptotic stability, with reduced conservativeness. Compared to piecewise-linear functions, like the Minkowski functions, piecewise-affine functions are more adequate to capture the dynamical effects of saturation nonlinearities, giving strictly less conservative results.
Orbital complications of sinusitis in children.

BACKGROUND Orbital complications of sinusitis are uncommon but can result in significant morbidity if not appropriately managed. OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and outcome of orbital complications of sinusitis in children treated at our institution over a 10-year period. METHODS The study retrospectively reviewed cases of 139 children with evidence of orbital complications of sinusitis admitted to the Montreal Children's Hospital between January 1990 and March 2000. Factors assessed included the clinical presentation, radiologic findings, management, and outcome (length of admission, complications). Complications were classified as preseptal if they did not penetrate the periorbita. Postseptal complications were defined as those penetrating the periorbita and were further subdivided into cellulitis and abscess categories. RESULTS Seventy-two percent of patients presented with preseptal cellulitis, 19% with orbital cellulitis, and 9% with subperiosteal abscess. Ophthalmoplegia and proptosis at presentation were found to be predictors of postseptal disease, although computed tomography (CT) was necessary to differentiate between cellulitis and abscess. Preseptal disease resolved with antibiotics in all cases. Postseptal disease was treated medically and in some cases surgically, although surgery did not affect outcome. CONCLUSION Preseptal complications of sinusitis can be diagnosed clinically without a CT scan and should be treated with an appropriate course of intravenous antibiotics. Postseptal complications of sinusitis can be diagnosed by the presence of ophthalmoplegia or proptosis and mandate a CT scan to differentiate abscess from orbital cellulitis. Management of these patients should include intravenous antibiotics, reserving surgery for selected cases.
Effects of age, gender and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on taste acuity

Primary objective Multifactoral interactions of age, gender and medical conditions were investigated because of lack of definitive results in previous studies. Methods Absolute detection and recognition were determined thresholds using a three-alternative forced-choice test by younger men (n=50) and women (n=48); and by older men (n=43) and women (n=46) for each of the four basic tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, salty). Data from 46 elderly men with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were included. Results Age was consistently associated with elevated recognition thresholds for each of the four tastants for men only. Gender differences were seen for absolute sweet thresholds and for sour, bitter, and sweet recognition thresholds for older participants. Men with COPD had the highest levels for absolute and recognition thresholds for each tastant. Conclusions Gender plays a role in taste perception. COPD diminishes taste.
The role of immune responses in the pathogenesis of hepatitis C virus infection

Summary. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is notable for the high rate of chronic infection, which occurs in nearly all individuals who become infected. Liver biopsies from individuals with chronic HCV infection are notable for the presence of numerous mononuclear cells, at least some of which are CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. The immune response to HCV is polyclonal and multispecific, both in terms of antibody and cellular immune responses. Individuals who recover from acute HCV infection appear to have quantitatively more vigorous CD4+ proliferative responses against one or more HCV proteins compared with those individuals who develop chronic disease. CD8+ responses are less well characterized, in part because of the technical difficulties involved in isolating and characterizing these cells. HCV‐specific CTL can be readily isolated from the liver and PBMC of chronically infected individuals, and recognize multiple epitopes. Even individuals with the same HLA type do not consistently recognize the same epitope. Thus, there does not appear to be an immunodominant response on the CD8+ level in this infection. CD8+ cells do appear to play some role in limiting viral replication. These responses are insufficient to eradicate virus completely, however, and may cause liver injury once chronic infection is established. Cytokines produced by both CD4+ and CD8+ cells may play an important role in both inhibiting viral replication and causing liver injury. A better understanding of the role of cellular immunity in the pathogenesis of HCV infection may aid in the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutic intervention strategies.
Gene × Environment contributions to autonomic stress reactivity in youth

Abstract Dysregulated physiological stress reactivity has been suggested to impact the development of children and adolescents with important health consequences throughout the life span. Both environmental adversity and genetic predispositions can lead to physiological imbalances in stress systems, which in turn lead to developmental differences. We investigated genetic and environmental contributions to autonomic nervous system reactivity to a psychosocial stressor. Furthermore, we tested whether these effects were consistent with the differential susceptibility framework. Composite measures of adverse life events combined with socioeconomic status were constructed. Effects of these adversity scores in interaction with a polygenic score summarizing six genetic variants, which were hypothesized to work as susceptibility factors, were tested on autonomic nervous system measures as indexed by heart rate and heart rate variability. Results showed that carriers of more genetic variants and exposed to high adversity manifested enhanced heart rate variability reactivity to a psychosocial stressor compared to carriers of fewer genetic variants. Conversely, the stress procedure elicited a more moderate response in these individuals compared to carriers of fewer variants when adversity was low.
Entecavir to treat severe acute hepatitis B

Dear Sir Acute hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection can take a severe course, leading to fulminant liver failure in about 0.5 2% of cases, with a fatality rate of 80% [1]. Emergency liver transplantation is often the only therapeutic option available. Although anti-HBV therapy may be potentially life-saving in severe acute infection, to the best of our knowledge guidelines regarding early treatment of acute hepatitis have not been developed. Encouraging results were reported in a small number of patients treated for severe acute HBV hepatitis with lamivudine [2]. Today, 7 drugs are licensed for the treatment of chronic HBV infection and more potent anti-HBV drugs are now available. Entecavir is a guanine analogue available for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, demonstrating a rapid and profound HBV-DNA suppression with the lowest rate of drug resistance [3]. We report the use of entecavir in a young intravenous drug abuser who developed a case of severe acute hepatitis B. A 31-y-old male was admitted to our unit in September 2008 with clinical and laboratory data consistent with severe liver damage. Deep jaundice, vomiting, and mental status changes were present. Main laboratory data revealed the following: alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level, 5149 IU/l; aspartate aminotransferase (AST) level, 4930 IU/l; prothrombin time activity percentage (PT), 12%; total bilirubin level, 15.7 mg/dl; glycaemia level, 67mg/ dl; albumin level, 3.5 g/dl; ammonia level, 171 mg/ dl; and high-density lipoprotein level, 2 mg/dl. Serological tests confirmed acute HBV infection: surface antigen (HBsAg), antibodies to core (antiHBc) IgM, and e antigen (HBeAg) were all positive. HBV surface antibody (anti-HBs) and e antibody (anti-HBe) were both negative. The HBV-DNA (bDNA assay) was 146,779 UI/ml. HCV-RNA was negative as well as HDV antigen and antibody. The patient reported intravenous drug abuse as the primary risk factor for infection. Acute hepatitis C genotype 1a had been diagnosed 1 y prior to the current hospitalization. Unfortunately, recommended HBV vaccination post HCV infection was not performed. Laboratory work 1 month prior to current hospital admission demonstrated liver enzymes within normal limits in 2 controls, PT was 74%, and HCV-RNA, anti-HBc and HBsAg were negative. On d 3 of the patient’s current hospitalization his clinical condition worsened: he appeared drowsy, flapping tremor was present, liver size was reduced and liver ultrasonography revealed the presence of ascitic fluid. Clinical and laboratory findings were consistent with severe and progressive liver injury, including grade II encephalopathy and ascites; entecavir monotherapy was therefore initiated at 0.5 mg q.d. Supporting therapy included general medical measures, close monitoring, intravenous fluids, blood products, lactulose, ranitidine, and 3 sessions with the Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS), an albumin-based dialysis system designed to enhance the excretory function of a failing
Electron microscopic findings on epithelial cells of Lieberkühn's crypts in canine parvovirus infection.

Electron microscopic observation was carried out on epithelial cells of Lieberkuhn's crypts in the natural case of canine parvovirus infection. The replication of virions was revealed in the nuclei of the lining epithelial cells, as demonstrated in feline panleukopenia. In cells seemingly in the early stage of infection, virus particles 18 to 20 nm in diameter were scattered in swollen nuclei. In rather severely infected cells, the nuclei were considerably atrophic with a marked margination of chromatin granules and occupied with fine fibrillar masses and virion clusters. The nuclei of epithelial cells desquamated into the lumen were shown to have compact crystalline arrays of virions. Virions were observed also in the cytoplasm, being either membrane-associated or free in the ground substance.
Assessment of prognostic markers in benign and malignant melanocytic tumours

Cutaneous melanoma is a malignant tumour that arises from pigmented skin cells – melanocytes, represents the most rapidly increasing cancer worldwide which is causing significant public health problem. During the past decade a significant progress has been made in the understanding of genesis and progression of melanocytic lesions. However treatment of malignant melanomas is in a majority of cases limited to surgical excision of the primary tumours or metastases. In advanced metastatic disease there are few treatment options. The present thesis reviews current knowledge on epidemiology, ethiology, pathology and treatment options of the benign and malignant melanocytic tumours and concentrates on the analysis of several molecules that are thought to play a role in the processes of cell growth, apoptosis, division, motility and adhesion as well as regulation of cytoskeletal components, protein phosphorylation, cell-cycle and cell survival. Archival material from fine needle aspirates as well as formalin-fixed tumour tissue was used in the study. Primary benign and malignant melanocytic tumours as well as metastatic melanomas were included in the study. The expression of the following proteins in malignant and benign melanocytic tumours was analyzed: S100, CD40, CD44, Bcl-2, Ki-67, COX-2 and HSP90. The expression patterns of the proteins were correlated to pathomorphological properties of the tumours as well as clinical parameters. Moreover, a presence of the BRAF gene mutation V600 has been analyzed in metastases from malignant melanomas. We found that melanocytic tumours are heterogeneous in respect to expression of the analyzed proteins as well as mutational status. Analysis of biomarkers and genetic aberrations might therefore be of importance for predicting the biological behaviour of the tumours. The results of the study are discussed in the light of eventual prognostic, diagnostic and therapeutic application of the analyzed proteins and mutational status.
In Vitro Release of Endogenous Amino Acids from Granule Cell‐, Stellate Cell‐, and Climbing Fiber‐Deficient Cerebella

Abstract: The K+‐stimulated, Ca2+‐dependent release of glutamate, aspartate, ‐γ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), alanine, taurine, and glycine was measured in slices of cerebella obtained from control, and granule cell‐, granule cell plus stellate cell‐, or climbing fiber‐deficient cerebella of the rat. The 55 mm‐K+‐stimulated release of glutamate and GABA was 10‐fold greater in the presence of Ca2+ than in its absence. The stimulated release of aspartate was 4‐fold higher when Ca2+ was present in the bathing media, while the value for alanine was twice as high as the amount obtained in the absence of Ca2+. There was no stimulated release of either taurine or glycine from the cerebellar slices. Increasing the Mg2+ concentration to 16 HIM inhibited the K+‐stimulated, Ca2+‐dependent release of glutamate, GABA, aspartate, and alanine 85% or more. The K+‐stimulated, Ca2+ dependent release of glutamate, aspartate, and alanine from x‐irradiated cerebella deficient in granule cells was reduced to 50–57% of control value. Additional x‐irradiation treatment, which further reduced the cerebellar granule cell population and also prevented the acquisition of stellate cells, decreased the release of glutamate by 77%, aspartate by 66%, alanine by 91%, and, in addition, decreased the release of GABA by 55%. The K+‐stimulated, Ca2+‐dependent release of glutamate, aspartate, GABA, and alanine was not changed in climbing fiber‐deficient cerebella obtained from 3‐acetylpyridine‐treated rats. The data support a transmitter role for GABA and glutamate in the cerebellum, but do not support a similar function for either taurine or glycine. The data also suggest that alanine and aspartate may be co‐released along with glutamate from granule cells.
Antiviral activity of daphnoretin isolated from Wikstroemia indica

The ethanol extract of Wikstroemia indica was fractionated with organic solvents of different polarities, and various fractions were screened for their antiviral activity against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) using a cytopathic effect (CPE) reduction assay. The ethyl acetate fraction was most active against RSV with 50% inhibition concentration (IC50) value < 3.9 μg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) > 64.1. Further isolation and purification of the fraction led to a purified compound, daphnoretin. Daphnoretin was tested for its anti‐RSV activity using a plaque reduction assay and found active against RSV, with an IC50 value of 5.87 μg/mL and SI value of 28.17. The mode of antiviral action study revealed that daphnoretin could slightly inhibit the early events of the viral infection but its effect was mainly on the later phase of the replication cycle. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NK1.1+ Cells and Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection: What Happens In Situ?1

NK cells mediate early host defense against viral infection. In murine CMV (MCMV) infection NK cells play a critical role in controlling viral replication in target organs, such as spleen and liver. Until now it has not been possible to directly examine the role of NK cells in MCMV-induced inflammation in situ due to the inability to stain specifically for NK cells in infected tissues. In this study, we describe a method of in vivo fixation, resulting in the first identification of NK cells in situ using NK1.1 as the marker. Using this method, we characterize the NK1.1+ cellular component of the inflammatory response to wild-type MCMV in the spleen, liver, and lung of genetically susceptible and resistant mice following i.p. infection. This study provides the first in situ description of the cellular response mediated specifically by NK cells following MCMV infection.
Twitter, del sondeo a la sonda: nuevos canales de opinión, nuevos métodos de análisis

Twitter proporciona un caudal de opinion totalmente espontaneo y al alcance del que quiera recogerlo. El volumen de informacion supera con creces el volumen de cualquier sondeo y el muestreo es continuo.Sin embargo, la informacion es desestructurada, limitada a 140 caracteres y presenta numerosas dificultades a la hora de segmentar por edad, sexo, nivel de estudios o economico. Para obtener resultados concluyentes de esta nueva fuente de opinion es preciso aplicar nuevos metodos de analisis que permitan comprender la reaccion de los ciudadanos tanto ante eventos senalados como en el dia a dia. En este articulo se analiza el caso particular de las elecciones del 20N en Espana a fin de determinar nuevas vias de analisis de campanas electorales.
Comparison of two dosing regimens of gabexate in the prophylaxis of post-ERCP pancreatitis

OBJECTIVES:A continuous 13-h infusion of gabexate starting 30–90 min before endoscopic cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can reduce postprocedural pancreatitis, the onset of which is generally observed within the first 6 h after ERCP. This study was designed to verify whether a 6.5-h infusion of gabexate was as effective as a 13-h infusion, at the same concentration, for reducing the incidence of post-ERCP pancreatitis (primary endpoint) and pancreatic hyperenzymemia and pain (secondary endpoints). METHODS:A total of 434 patients (201 male and 233 female; mean age 63.9 yr, range 18–96 yr) scheduled for ERCP were prospectively recruited in 25 Italian centers. Patients were randomized double-blind to two treatment groups. All subjects enrolled were first treated with a 500-mg continuous intravenous infusion of gabexate, starting 30 min before the endoscopic maneuvers and continuing up to 6.5 h after it. Over the next 6.5 h, 214 patients (group I) continued the infusion of gabexate (for a total of 1 g over 13 h) and 220 patients (group II) were given placebo (saline solution). RESULTS:The overall incidence of acute pancreatitis was 1.8% (eight patients), which included 1.4% in group I (three of 214 patients) and 2.2% in group II (five of 220 patients). Serum amylase and lipase values over time, peak levels of the two enzymes, pancreatic pain, and need for analgesics did not significantly differ in the two groups.CONCLUSIONS:These results suggest that a 6.5-h infusion of gabexate (for a total of 500 mg) is not less effective than a 13 h infusion, with evident savings.
Obstructive sleep apnea in obese noninsulin-dependent diabetic patients: effect of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on insulin responsiveness.

Patients with noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) are often obese and frequently complain of tiredness. These features are also characteristically seen in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Therefore, it was the aim of this study to assess the prevalence of OSA among a group of obese NIDDM patients who have some clinical features of OSA. The effect of reversal of OSA by nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment on insulin responsiveness was also investigated. From a population of 179 NIDDM patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35 kg/m2, we performed ambulatory sleep monitoring on 31 (15 males and 16 females) who admitted to either heavy snoring or excessive sleepiness. Results were reviewed by a sleep physician blinded to the clinical status of the patients, and 22 (70%) were found to have moderate or severe OSA, with mean oxygen desaturation indexes of 10.3 +/- 5.3 and 30.7 +/- 13.2 episodes/h, respectively. A subgroup of 10 patients (seven males and three females) with a mean BMI of 42.7 +/- 4.3 kg/m2 was treated with nightly CPAP for 4 months. These subjects all had significant OSA, with frequent obstructive apneas (mean, 47 +/- 31.6 episodes/h) and oxygen desaturation (mean minimum O2 saturation, 74 +/- 9.5%), as determined by polysomnography. One patient was excluded from analysis because of infrequent use of CPAP. Insulin responsiveness in terms of glucose disposal measured by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamps improved from 11.4 +/- 6.2 to 15.1 +/- 4.6 mumol/kg.min (P < 0.05) during CPAP treatment. These results indicate that OSA occurs commonly in obese NIDDM patients with excessive sleepiness or heavy snoring. Treatment of their OSA may improve insulin responsiveness.
Adaptive patterns of movement during arm elevation test in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome

The purpose of this study was to determine if a distinctive characteristic exists in the pattern of movement (scapular elevation and upward rotation to reduce impingement) and associated muscular activities during arm elevation in subjects with shoulder impingement (SI) that is associated with the severity of the disease. Fourteen subjects (7 amateur athletes and 7 student athletes) with SI and 7 controls performed arm elevation in the scapular plane. Scapular kinematics (upward rotation, elevation, tipping, and scapulohumeral rhythm) and muscular activity [upper trapezius (UT), lower trapezius (LT), serratus anterior (SA), and deltoid] were measured by an electromagnetic motion tracking system and surface electromyography, respectively. Subjects with SI had greater elevation of the scapula (11.9 mm, p < 0.005) and less peak scapular posterior tipping (10.6°, p < 0.02) than controls. In more severe subjects (amateur athletes), the elevation and posterior tipping of the scapula were correlated with an increase in the UT (R = −0.818, p = 0.025) and a decrease in SA (R = 0.772, p = 0.040) activity, respectively. Our results identified a characteristic compensatory scapular elevation to reduce impingement during arm elevation in subjects with SI. Assessing scapular elevation during arm elevation may be a useful functional marker for evaluating impingement status and associated muscle function. Additionally, SA and LT muscle strengthening may improve SI. © 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29:653–657, 2011
THE REPRODUCTIVE MECHANISM OF RHODOMICROBIUM VANNIELII AND THE ACCOMPANYING NUCLEAR CHANGES

Rhodomicrobium vannielii is a photoheterotrophic, anaerobic organism described by Duchow and Douglas (1949). This organism possesses the general physiological properties associated with the Athiorhodaceae except that it does not require the addition of growth factors. It differs so strikingly from this family in morphological characteristics that the taxonomic position of the organism is uncertain. The ovoid cells are joined by thin filaments, which may be branched, and form ramifying groups of cells that are seen in preparations. It was concluded in the original description that the means of cell reproduction was a form of budding rather than fission; this was, however, a deduction from the various morphological forms exhibited at any one time. The reproductive mechanism has been followed in slide cultures of R. vannielii, confirming and amplifying the previous deductions. These observations, together with the results of cytological study of the accompanying nuclear changes, are presented in this paper.