Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serial evaluation of the SOFA score to predict outcome in critically ill patients.

CONTEXT Evaluation of trends in organ dysfunction in critically ill patients may help predict outcome. OBJECTIVE To determine the usefulness of repeated measurement the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score for prediction of mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. DESIGN Prospective, observational cohort study conducted from April 1 to July 31, 1999. SETTING A 31-bed medicosurgical ICU at a university hospital in Belgium. PATIENTS Three hundred fifty-two consecutive patients (mean age, 59 years) admitted to the ICU for more than 24 hours for whom the SOFA score was calculated on admission and every 48 hours until discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Initial SOFA score (0-24), Delta-SOFA scores (differences between subsequent scores), and the highest and mean SOFA scores obtained during the ICU stay and their correlations with mortality. RESULTS The initial, highest, and mean SOFA scores correlated well with mortality. Initial and highest scores of more than 11 or mean scores of more than 5 corresponded to mortality of more than 80%. The predictive value of the mean score was independent of the length of ICU stay. In univariate analysis, mean and highest SOFA scores had the strongest correlation with mortality, followed by Delta-SOFA and initial SOFA scores. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was largest for highest scores (0.90; SE, 0.02; P<.001 vs initial score). When analyzing trends in the SOFA score during the first 96 hours, regardless of the initial score, the mortality rate was at least 50% when the score increased, 27% to 35% when it remained unchanged, and less than 27% when it decreased. Differences in mortality were better predicted in the first 48 hours than in the subsequent 48 hours. There was no significant difference in the length of stay among these groups. Except for initial scores of more than 11 (mortality rate >90%), a decreasing score during the first 48 hours was associated with a mortality rate of less than 6%, while an unchanged or increasing score was associated with a mortality rate of 37% when the initial score was 2 to 7 and 60% when the initial score was 8 to 11. CONCLUSIONS Sequential assessment of organ dysfunction during the first few days of ICU admission is a good indicator of prognosis. Both the mean and highest SOFA scores are particularly useful predictors of outcome. Independent of the initial score, an increase in SOFA score during the first 48 hours in the ICU predicts a mortality rate of at least 50%.
Visual feedback discordance mediates changes in brain activity and effective connectivity: A stroke fMRI dynamic causal modeling study

In this study we investigated the effect of visual feedback discordance in Virtual Reality (VR) on brain activity. Fifteen subjects with chronic stroke moved the less-affected hand with concomitant feedback through a VR hand model corresponding to the ipsilateral (veridical) or contralateral side (mirrored). Visual feedback discordance (mirrored-feedback) was associated with an increase in ipsilesional (iM1) sensorimotor cortex activity (ipsilateral to movement). Effective connectivity analysis using dynamic causal modeling (DCM) revealed a facilitatory effect of mirrored-feedback on the interaction between bilateral posterior parietal cortices and iM1. These results indicate that mirrored-feedback training may enhance brain activity in the ipsilesional cortical motor system, likely driven by parietal areas. These neural changes may be important substrates for fostering neuroplasticity and behavioral benefits induced by mirror therapy.
Safety of Sublingual-Swallow Immunotherapy in Children and Adults

Background: Immunotherapy is an established treatment of allergic diseases. The safety of this treatment, particularly when administered without direct medical surveillance, as in the case of the sublingual-swallow route needs to be established. The aim of this paper is to review the safety of the sublingual-swallow immunotherapy as reported in eight double-blind, placebo-controlled trials carried out in France, Italy and Greece. Methods: Six hundred and ninety subjects, 472 adults and 218 children, took part in trials of specific immunotherapy (SIT) for the treatment of rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma. Three hundred and forty-seven patients received SIT and 343 patients received placebo. Treatment with specific immunotherapy with allergen extracts or placebo was administered using the sublingual-swallow technique. The allergens administered were grass, ambrosia, parietaria and olive pollens, and mites. The daily dose taken during maintenance therapy ranged from 100 to 300 IR (index of reactivity) and cumulative doses ranged from 4,500 to 104,000 IR. Treatment duration ranged from 4 months to 2 years. Adverse events reported either spontaneously by the patient or on direct questioning by the investigator were analysed. Results: One hundred and forty-five unusual events were reported in the subjects receiving active SIT and 79 in those receiving placebo (p < 0.001). Of these 85 were children aged 15 years or less (50 received active SIT, 35 placebo) and 139 were adults (95 received SIT, 44 placebo). Unusual events involving the buccal cavity (61 SIT, 13 placebo) and the gastro-intestinal tract (47 SIT, 15 placebo) were significantly more frequent in the SIT-treated patients (p < 0.001). Wheezing (9 SIT, 21 placebo) was more frequent in the placebo-treated patients (p < 0.05). There were no differences in the frequency of unusual events between adults and children and in the frequency of events involving other body systems. No event was reported as serious. Two events reported as laryngeal oedema were not considered to be accurate descriptions. Conclusions: No serious adverse event was reported in the studies monitored, confirming the good safety profile of the sublingual-swallow method both in children and adults with rhinitis or moderate asthma.
Cognitive Adaptation and Women's Adjustment to Conjugal Bereavement

ABSTRACT Conjugal bereavement is experienced by the majority of older women in enduring relationships. Although most experience considerable distress in the immediate aftermath of this loss, the majority adjusts over the course of time. The current study of self-selected participants applies the theory of cognitive adaptation in an attempt to distinguish between women who have successfully adjusted to the death of their husbands versus those who exhibit prolonged distress. Results of this study suggest that positivity biases in personally relevant information processing (i.e., self-deception, marital aggrandizement, dispositional optimism) are significantly associated with life satisfaction and the absence of psychiatric distress. The contribution of cognitive adaptation is maintained over and above that provided by personality variables (i.e., neuroticism, extraversion, openness to experience). Intervention strategies to treat enduring distress among widowed women are considered on the basis of these findings.
Multifunctional Pd/Ni-Co catalyst for hydrogen production by chemical looping coupled with steam reforming of acetic acid.

High yield of high-purity H2 from acetic acid, a model compound of bio-oil obtained from the fast pyrolysis of biomass, was produced by sorption-enhanced steam reforming (SESR). An oxygen carrier was introduced into a chemical loop (CL) coupled to the cyclical SESR process to supply heat in situ for the endothermic sorbent regeneration to increase the energy efficiency of the process. A new multifunctional 1 %Pd/20 %Ni-20 %Co catalyst was developed for use both as oxygen carrier in the CL and as reforming catalyst in the SESR whereas a CaO-based material was used as CO2 sorbent. In the sorbent-air regeneration step, the Ni-Co atoms in the catalyst undergo strong exothermic oxidation reactions that provide heat for the CaO decarbonation. The addition of Pd to the Ni-Co catalyst makes the catalyst active throughout the whole SESR-CL cycle. Pd significantly promotes the reduction of Ni-Co oxides to metallic Ni-Co during the reforming stage, which avoids the need for a reduction step after regeneration. H2 yield above 90 % and H2 purity above 99.2 vol % were obtained.
An investigation into the mechanisms of the cardiovascular effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine in conscious normotensive and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats.

The actions of intravenously administered 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) have been analysed in conscious DOCA-salt hypertensive rats using selective 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists to determine the receptor mechanisms involved and to compare them with those in conscious normotensive rats. In both normotensive and hypertensive rats 5-HT, 3 and 10 micrograms i.v. , produced a complex triphasic effect on blood pressure consisting of an initial short lasting depressor response, which was followed by a pressor response and then, finally, a hypotensive phase. Marked decreases in heart rate were observed immediately after dosing, which were followed by small increases in rate. The selective 5-HT3-receptor agonist, 2-methyl 5-HT, 3-30 micrograms i.v. , produced immediate and marked dose-related decreases in blood pressure and heart rate in both normotensive and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. The 5-HT3-receptor antagonist, MDL 72222, 0.03 and 0.1 mg/kg i.v. , antagonised these effects in both normotensive and DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Treatment with MDL 72222, 0.3 mg/kg i.v. , abolished the initial depressor response and bradycardia produced by 5-HT. The 5-HT2 receptor agonist, alpha-methyl 5-HT, 3-30 micrograms i.v. , produced dose-related increases in blood pressure which were significantly greater in magnitude in DOCA-salt hypertensive than normotensive rats. Bradycardia was observed consistently at 30 micrograms only. The 5-HT 2 receptor antagonist, ketanserin, 0.03-0.3 mg/kg i.v. , caused a dose-dependent antagonism of the pressor responses produced by alpha-methyl 5-HT, but had no effect on the increases in blood pressure produced by angiotensin. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Arctic Air Pollution: Origins and Impacts

Notable warming trends have been observed in the Arctic. Although increased human-induced emissions of long-lived greenhouse gases are certainly the main driving factor, air pollutants, such as aerosols and ozone, are also important. Air pollutants are transported to the Arctic, primarily from Eurasia, leading to high concentrations in winter and spring (Arctic haze). Local ship emissions and summertime boreal forest fires may also be important pollution sources. Aerosols and ozone could be perturbing the radiative budget of the Arctic through processes specific to the region: Absorption of solar radiation by aerosols is enhanced by highly reflective snow and ice surfaces; deposition of light-absorbing aerosols on snow or ice can decrease surface albedo; and tropospheric ozone forcing may also be contributing to warming in this region. Future increases in pollutant emissions locally or in mid-latitudes could further accelerate global warming in the Arctic.
RevARM: A Platform-Agnostic ARM Binary Rewriter for Security Applications

ARM is the leading processor architecture in the emerging mobile and embedded market. Unfortunately, there has been a myriad of security issues on both mobile and embedded systems. While many countermeasures of such security issues have been proposed in recent years, a majority of applications still cannot be patched or protected due to run-time and space overhead constraints and the unavailability of source code. More importantly, the rapidly evolving mobile and embedded market makes any platform-specific solution ineffective. In this paper, we propose RevARM, a binary rewriting technique capable of instrumenting ARM-based binaries without limitation on the target platform. Unlike many previous binary instrumentation tools that are designed to instrument binaries based on x86, RevARM must resolve a number of new, ARM-specific binary rewriting challenges. Moreover, RevARM is able to handle stripped binaries, requires no symbolic/semantic information, and supports Mach-O binaries, overcoming the limitations of existing approaches. Finally, we demonstrate the capabilities of RevARM in solving real-world security challenges. Our evaluation results across a variety of platforms, including popular mobile and embedded systems, show that RevARM is highly effective in instrumenting ARM binaries with an average of 3.2% run-time and 1.3% space overhead.
Natural killer cell receptors in the horse: evidence for the existence of multiple transcribed LY49 genes

In rodents, the Ly49 family encodes natural killer (NK) receptors interacting with classical MHC class I molecules, whereas the corresponding receptors in primates are members of the killer cell immunoglobulin‐like receptor (KIR) family. Recent evidence indicates that the cattle, domestic cat, dog, and pig have a single LY49 and multiple KIR genes, suggesting that predominant NK receptors in most non‐rodent mammals might be KIR. Here, we show that the horse has at least six LY49 genes, five with an immunoreceptor tyrosine‐based inhibition motif (ITIM) and one with arginine in the transmembrane region. Interestingly, none of the horse KIR‐like cDNA clones isolated by library screening encoded molecules likely to function asNK receptors; four types of clones were KIR‐Ig‐like transcript (KIR‐ILT) hybrids and contained premature stop codons and/or frameshift mutations, and two putative allelic sequences predicting KIR3DL molecules had mutated ITIM. To our knowledge, this is the first report suggesting that non‐rodent mammals may use LY49 as NK receptors for classical MHC class I. We also show that horse spleen expresses ILT‐like genes with unique domain organizations. Radiation hybrid mapping and fluorescence in situ hybridization localized horse LY49 and KIR/ILT genes to chromosomes 6q13 and 10p12, respectively.
Short-Term Effect of Red Wine (Consumed During Meals) on Insulin Requirement and Glucose Tolerance in Diabetic Patients

Objectives To determine the effect of wine on insulin requirement or glucose tolerance. Research Design and Methods Five men with insulin-treated diabetes and 10 men with non-insulin-treated diabetes ate the same lunch with the same volume of either water or red wine (2 glasses). Insulin requirement was determined with an artificial pancreas (Biostator). Glucose tolerance was evaluated from the postprandial glycemic level. Results There was no significant difference in insulin requirement determined with an artificial pancreas in the insulin-treated patients after the two meals (31.5 ± 4.21 U with water and 31.8 ± 4.3 U with wine). Glucose tolerance in the non-insulin-treated patients was lower after the meal with wine. Conclusions Moderate prandial wine consumption has no adverse effect on the glycemic control of diabetic patients. Thus, it appears unnecessary to proscribe the consumption of red wine in moderation with meals to diabetic patients. Wine contains tannins and phytates that can explain its action.
Pressure induced phase transitions in PbTiO3

Recent theoretical simulations using density functional theory (DFT) and novel low temperature high energy x-ray diffraction experiments clearly show the existence of a high pressure morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) in pure PbTiO3. The experiments show a richer phase diagram than the simulations, with multiple monoclinic phases (Pm and Cm) in the MPB region. In this paper we examine the MPB region in more detail using high precision DFT calculations within the local-density approximation (LDA) and the Wu–Cohen generalized gradient approximation. Our results support the polarization rotation theory and open up fresh possibilities for applying chemical pressure to engineer novel electromechanical materials. We also explain why the zone-boundary mode is more likely to be stable only at higher pressures above ∼25 GPa and not at moderate pressures of ∼10 GPa, using the LDA.
Comparison of Boundary Element and Finite Element Approaches to the EEG Forward Problem

The accurate simulation of the electric fields evoked by neural activity is crucial for solving the inverse problem of EEG. Nowadays, boundary element methods (BEM) are frequently applied to achieve this goal, usually relying on the simpli-fication of approximating the human head by three nested compartments with isotropic conductivities (skin, skull, brain). Here, including the highly-conducting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a difficult task due to the complex geomet-rical structure of the CSF, demanding a high number of additional nodes for an accurate modeling and thus a strongly increased computational effort. Though, CSF conductivity is well-known and nearly not varying inter-individually and its significant influence on EEG forward simulation has been shown. The CSF can be included at negligible computational costs when applying finite element (FE) forward approaches. In this study we compare the accuracy and performance of state-of-the-art BE and FE approaches in both artificial and realistic three layer head models, showing that all approaches lead to high numerical accuracies. Furthermore, we give an impression of the significant influence of modeling the CSF compartment as disregarding this compartment leads to model errors that lie clearly above the observed numerical errors.
Functional Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Nonhomeodomain Protein That Inhibits the Binding of PBX1-HOX Complexes to DNA*

PBX1 is a homeodomain protein that functions in complexes with other homeodomain-containing proteins to regulate gene expression during developmental and/or differentiation processes. A yeast two-hybrid screen of a fetal liver-hematopoietic cDNA library using PBX1a as bait led to the discovery of a novel non-homeodomain-containing protein that interacts with PBX1 as well as PBX2 and PBX3. RNA analysis revealed it to be expressed in CD34+ hematopoietic cell populations enriched in primitive progenitors, as is PBX1; search of the expressed sequence tag data base indicated that it is also expressed in other early embryonic as well as adult tissues. The full-length cDNA encodes a 731-amino acid protein that has no significant homology to known proteins. This protein that we have termed hematopoietic PBX-interacting protein (HPIP) is mainly localized in the cytosol and in small amounts in the nucleus. The region of PBX that interacts with HPIP includes both the homeodomain and immediate N-terminal flanking sequences. Strikingly, electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that HPIP inhibits the ability of PBX-HOX heterodimers to bind to target sequences. Moreover, HPIP strongly inhibits the transactivation activity of E2A-PBX. Together these findings suggest that HPIP is a new regulator of PBX function.
Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activities of the Ethanolic Extract of the Leaf of Syzygium Guineense in Rats and Mice

Ethanolic extract of the leaves of Syzygium guineense was investigated in rats and mice for analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The activities of the extract was tested on the egg white induced oedema, acetic acid induced writhing and hot plate pain models. The LD50 of the ethanolic extract of S. guineense was found to be 3.807 g/kg. At concentrations of 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg the extract was found to possess significant (P 0.05) anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Phytochemical test revealed that the extract contains flavonoids, tannins, cardiac glycosides and saponins. These results support some of the use of the plant in folk medicine.
Anticoagulation and thrombolysis in children.

Maureen Andrew, MD A nticoagulant and thrombolytic therapy are used in pediatric patients to prevent or to treat thrombotic complications. Current management decisions for children are directly extrapolated from treatment recommendations for adults. This practice has arisen because thrombotic complications are rare enough to hinder clinical trials in pediatric patients, yet common enough to present substantial management dilemmas that require therapeutic intervention. In general, one would like to continue this practice, if appropriate. However, adult guidelines are not likely optimal for use in children for several reasons, which include: epidemiologic differences in thromboembolic disorders, physiologic aspects of hemostasis that are age dependent, and differences in drug interactions and clearance. This review outlines current management practices and the strength of evidence, or lack thereof, supporting current approaches for the use of anticoagulant and thrombolytic agents in children. A discussion of antiplatelet agents is not included.
Molecular cloning and developmental expression of a small ribonuclear protein in the mouse testis

U1 RNP C polypeptide is a ubiquitous and highly conserved protein that is found associated to the U1 small nuclear ribonuclear particle (U1 snRNP). The U1 snRNP is involved in pre‐mRNA splicing by defining introns and exons and by binding to consensus sequences within the pre‐mRNA. In the present study we immunoscreened a mouse testicular phagemid cDNA library with an anti‐Sm serum from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus. Sequence analysis of a positive clone containing a 0.75 kb cDNA insert revealed that it encodes the entire amino acid sequence of the U1 RNP C polypeptide. Northern blots of total RNA isolated from testes and various adult mouse tissues demonstrated that the 0.75 kb transcript is highly expressed in the testes and that it begins developmentally at day 18 postpartum, corresponding to the appearance of preleptotene spermatocytes. In situ hybridization confirmed the meiotic and post‐meiotic expression of this transcript. LM immunoperoxidase staining with the anti‐Sm serum localized spliceosome snRNPs predominantly in the nuclei of somatic and germinal testicular cells but not in elongated spermatids. EM immunogold labeling confirmed the LM observations but additionally showed that snRNP content peaked in the nuclei of pachytene spermatocytes and that 2 cytoplasmic components found exclusively in meiotic and post‐meiotic germ cells were intensively reactive. Immunoblots of testicular homogenates probed with the anti‐Sm serum revealed several reactive proteins, of which one, a 21 kDa polypeptide, could be the U1 RNP C based on its predicted molecular weight. In summary we report an isoform of U1 RNP C which is testis specific and which may play a role in mRNA splicing exclusively in meiotic and post‐meiotic germ cells during spermatogenesis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 46: 459–470, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic Disassociation of Autoimmunity and Resistance to Costimulation Blockade-Induced Transplantation Tolerance in Nonobese Diabetic Mice1

Curing type 1 diabetes by islet transplantation requires overcoming both allorejection and recurrent autoimmunity. This has been achieved with systemic immunosuppression, but tolerance induction would be preferable. Most islet allotransplant tolerance induction protocols have been tested in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, and most have failed. Failure has been attributed to the underlying autoimmunity, assuming that autoimmunity and resistance to transplantation tolerance have a common basis. Out of concern that NOD biology could be misleading in this regard, we tested the hypothesis that autoimmunity and resistance to transplantation tolerance in NOD mice are distinct phenotypes. Unexpectedly, we observed that (NOD × C57BL/6)F1 mice, which have no diabetes, nonetheless resist prolongation of skin allografts by costimulation blockade. Further analyses revealed that the F1 mice shared the dendritic cell maturation defects and abnormal CD4+ T cell responses of the NOD but had lost its defects in macrophage maturation and NK cell activity. We conclude that resistance to allograft tolerance induction in the NOD mouse is not a direct consequence of overt autoimmunity and that autoimmunity and resistance to costimulation blockade-induced transplantation tolerance phenotypes in NOD mice can be dissociated genetically. The outcomes of tolerance induction protocols tested in NOD mice may not accurately predict outcomes in human subjects.