Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Normal basic 2D echocardiographic values to screen and follow up the athlete's heart from juniors to adults: What is known and what is missing. A critical review

In the last few years, multiple echocardiographic nomograms have been published. However, normal values calculated in the general population are not applicable to athletes, whose hearts may be enlarged and hypercontractile. Accordingly, athletes require specific nomograms. Our aim is to provide a critical review of echocardiographic nomograms on two-dimensional (2D) measures for athletes. We performed a systematic search in the National Library of Medicine for Medical Subject Headings and free text terms including echocardiography, athletes, normal values and nomograms. The search was refined by adding the keywords heart, sport, elite, master, children and young. Twenty-eight studies were selected for the final analysis. Our research revealed that currently available ranges of normality for athletes reported by different authors are quite consistent, with limited exceptions (e.g. atria, aorta). Numerical and methodological limitations, however, emerged. Numerical limitations included a limited sample size (e.g. < 450 subjects) of the population assessed and the paucity of data in women, non-Caucasian athletes, and junior and master athletes. Some data on M-mode measurements are available, while those for some specific structures (e.g. left atrial (LA) area and volumes, right ventricular diameters and aorta) are limited or rare (e.g. LA area). There was heterogeneity in data normalization (by gender, sport type and ethnicity) and their expression was limited to mean values (Z-scores have rarely been employed), while variability analysis was often lacking or incomplete. We conclude that comprehensive nomograms using an appropriate sample size, evaluating a complete dataset of 2D (and three-dimensional) measures and built using a rigorous statistical approach are warranted.
Intermittent High-Permeability Hemofiltration Modulates Inflammatory Response in Septic Patients with Multiorgan Failure

Background/Aim: Continuous venovenous hemofiltration with high-permeability hemofilters is a novel approach in the adjuvant therapy of septic patients. High-permeability hemofilters are characterized by an increased pore size which facilitates the filtration of inflammatory mediators. The present study examines whether intermittent high-permeability hemofiltration has an immunomodulatory effect on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear cells. Methods: Twenty-eight septic patients with acute renal failure were randomly allocated to either receive intermittent high-permeability or conventional hemofiltration. Intermittent high-permeability hemofiltration consisted of a daily 12-hour course of high-permeability hemofiltration alternated by conventional hemofiltration. For high-permeability hemofiltration, a newly developed high-flux polyamide membrane (P2SH) with a nominal cutoff point of 60 kD was used. For conventional hemofiltration a high-flux polyamide hemofilter (Polyflux 11S, cutoff point 30 kD) was used. Results: The polymorphonuclear leukocyte phagocytosis activity before starting hemofiltration was almost double the rate of healthy controls in both groups (p < 0.001). The phagocytosis rate decreased significantly during the course of intermittent high-permeability hemofiltration (p < 0.05), whereas the values remained unchanged in the conventional hemofiltration group. Incubation of high-permeability filtrates with blood from healthy donors resulted in a significant induction of phagocytosis (p < 0.001), whereas conventional filtrates had no phagocytosis-stimulating effects. In addition, incubation of healthy-donor mononuclear cells with high-permeability but not conventional filtrates resulted in a significant tumor necrosis factor alpha release (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Intermittent high-permeability hemofiltration is a novel extracorporeal elimination modality which exhibits immunomodulatory effects on leukocytes, attenuating polymorphonuclear neutrophil phagocytosis. Further studies are necessary to elucidate whether these effects translate in a clinical improvement in patients suffering from sepsis.
A Novel Mechanism for Gridification of Compiled Java Applications

Exploiting Grids intuitively requires developers to alter their applications, which calls for expertise on Grid programming. Gridification tools address this problem by semi-automatically making user applications to be Grid-aware. However, most of these tools produce monolithic Grid applications in which common tuning mechanisms (e.g. parallelism) are not applicable, and do not reuse existing Grid middleware services. We propose BYG (BYtecode Gridifier), a gridification tool that relies on novel bytecode rewriting techniques to parallelize and easily execute existing applications via Grid middlewares. Experiments performed by using several computing intensive applications on a cluster and a simulated wide-area Grid suggest that our techniques are effective while staying competitive compared to programmatically using such services for gridifying applications.
R4-C.1: Advanced Multispectral Computed Tomography Algorithms

Explosives represent a continual threat to aviation security. New threats, resilient and adaptable adversaries, and demands for increased throughput continue to stress existing and planned security systems. New limited data geometries, novel sensing paradigms, and increased performance requirements have challenged traditional methods for Computerized Tomography (CT)-based explosives detection in security systems. Furthermore, CT-based systems are being developed and deployed for new missions, such as checkpoint carry-on screening and air cargo screening. Such systems use new sensing geometries with multi-spectral excitation.
The Challenge of asthma in adolescence

The adolescents with asthma are a distinct group of patients with different problems and needs compared to children and adults. Specific issues of asthma in adolescence are the variability of the clinical spectrum, the presence of particular risk factors for the persistence of symptoms, underdiagnosis and undertreatment of the disease. Refusal of the sick role, denial of symptoms, carelessness about dangerous inhalation exposure, erratic self‐medication, overexertion without taking precautions against exercise‐induced asthma, and a poor relationship between patients, their families, and often doctors are the main obstacles to successful management of asthma in this critical age. There are also major problems of compliance for these patients. The goal of optimal quality of life will be achieved only if the physician thoroughly understands the adolescent's needs and provides optimal care. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007, 42:683–692. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Inhibition of ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase by hydroxyurea.

Hydroxyurea, a compound which inhibits the growth of rapidly proliferating tissues in animals and man, is known to inhibit DNA synthesis, and studies in crude systems have indicated that it does so by preventing the reduction of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides. This study demonstrates hydroxyurea-induced inhibition of the reduction of ribonucleotides by a highly purified enzyme system from Escherichia coli B. The inhibition (70% at 3 × 10-3 m under standard incubation conditions) is dependent on the concentration of hydroxyurea and on the duration of exposure of the enzyme to hydroxyurea. The effect of hydroxyurea is specific for protein B2 of the ribonucleoside diphosphate reductase system. The inhibition of enzymatic activity is apparently irreversible, although there is negligible irreversible binding of 14C-labeled hydroxyurea to the enzyme protein.
A Hybrid Time–Frequency Domain Approach to Audio Time-Scale Modification

Frequency-domain approaches to audio time-scale modification introduce a reverberant or phasy artifact into the time-scaled output. Such artifacts are generally not present within time-domain implementations. However, high-quality time scaling in the time domain is typically limited to quasi-periodic signals such as speech. A hybrid method of time scaling is presented, which draws upon appealing aspects of both time-domain and frequency-domain implementations. The technique described can be applied successfully to a wide range of audio and is both robust and efficient. Subjective testing demonstrates that the technique reduces the presence of phasiness significantly.
Characterizing the metabolic phenotype: A phenotype phase plane analysis

Genome‐scale metabolic maps can be reconstructed from annotated genome sequence data, biochemical literature, bioinformatic analysis, and strain‐specific information. Flux‐balance analysis has been useful for qualitative and quantitative analysis of metabolic reconstructions. In the past, FBA has typically been performed in one growth condition at a time, thus giving a limited view of the metabolic capabilities of a metabolic network. We have broadened the use of FBA to map the optimal metabolic flux distribution onto a single plane, which is defined by the availability of two key substrates. A finite number of qualitatively distinct patterns of metabolic pathway utilization were identified in this plane, dividing it into discrete phases. The characteristics of these distinct phases are interpreted using ratios of shadow prices in the form of isoclines. The isoclines can be used to classify the state of the metabolic network. This methodology gives rise to a “phase plane” analysis of the metabolic genotype–phenotype relation relevant for a range of growth conditions. Phenotype phase planes (PhPPs) were generated for Escherichia coli growth on two carbon sources (acetate and glucose) at all levels of oxygenation, and the resulting optimal metabolic phenotypes were studied. Supplementary information can be downloaded from our website (http://epicurus.che.udel.edu). © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 77: 27–36, 2002.
Nevus Comedonicus Syndrome: A New Pediatric Case

Abstract: Nevus comedonicus (NC) is an uncommon developmental defect of the pilosebaceous apparatus. The individual lesions are large comedones often arranged in groups or in a linear pattern. Nevus comedonicus syndrome (NCS) is a well‐defined disorder within the large group of epidermal nevus syndromes. In patients suffering from NCS, the nevus is associated with noncutaneous abnormalities including skeletal defects, cerebral anomalies, and cataracts. We report a 9‐year‐old boy with open comedones in a linear pattern localized to the right cheek, clinodactyly and Polydactyly of the first right finger, bilateral syndactyly of the second and third toes, and some depigmented hairs since birth.
Thoracic Duct Cyst: A Case Report and Review of 29 Cases

Cysts of the thoracic duct are rare. We report a case of a cervical thoracic duct cyst and review 29 thoracic duct cysts reported previously (19 mediastinal, 9 cervical, and 1 abdominal). The mean age of the patients was 47.6 years (range 17 to 86 years). Fourteen (46.7%) of the patients were asymptomatic. When symptoms were present, they ranged from retrosternal pain, dysphagia, and dyspnea to respiratory insufficiency and superior vena cava compression. Diagnosis of the cyst can be made after computed tomography or ultrasonography. The cystic fluid contains T lymphocytes and triglycerides in excess. The symptoms in a patient with a thoracic duct cyst are related to compression of adjacent structures. The most profound symptoms are likely to be produced by mediastinal cysts above the aortic arch. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the cyst and ligation of all lymphatics connected to the cyst.
Influence of two-electrode montages on the level-specific (LS) CE-Chirp auditory brainstem response (ABR) at multiple intensity levels

Abstract Objective: To investigate the influence of two different electrode montages (ipsilateral: reference to mastoid and vertical: reference to nape of neck) to the ABR results recorded using a level-specific (LS)-CE-Chirp® in normally hearing subjects at multiple intensities levels. Design: Quasi-experimental and repeated measure study designs were applied in this study. Two different stopping criteria were used, (1) a fixed-signal averaging 4000 sweeps and, (2) a minimum quality indicator of Fmp = 3.1 with a minimum of 800 sweeps. Study sample: Twenty-nine normally hearing adults (18 females, 11 male) participated. Results: Wave V amplitudes were significantly larger in the LS CE-Chirp® recorded from the vertical montage than the ipsilateral montage. Waves I and III amplitudes were significantly larger from the ipsilateral LS CE-Chirp® than from the other montages and stimulus combinations. The differences in the quality of the ABR recording between the vertical and ipsilateral montages were marginal. Conclusions: Overall, the result suggested that the vertical LS CE-Chirp® ABR had a high potential for a threshold-seeking application, because it produced a higher wave V amplitude. The Ipsilateral LS CE-Chirp® ABR, on the other hand, might also have a high potential for the site of lesion application, because it produced larger waves I and III amplitudes.
Calculation of the FDG Lumped Constant by Simultaneous Measurements of Global Glucose and FDG Metabolism in Humans

The lumped constant defined as the conversion factor between the net uptake of fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) and glucose was calculated from global CMRglc and from positron emission tomography (PET) using FDG as tracer (CMRFDG). Fifteen healthy, normal volunteers (mean age 24 ± 4 years) were studied. Global CBF and CMRglc were measured with the Kety-Schmidt technique using 133Xe as tracer, and values were corrected for errors from incomplete diffusion equilibrium for inert gas tracer between brain tissue and cerebral venous blood. Measurements of CMRFDG were obtained with PET using the dynamic and single-scan methods and the K1–k3 model. Measurements with the Kety-Schmidt technique and PET-FDG were performed simultaneously. Global CBF was 47.1 ± 8.0 mL · 100 g−1 · min−1, and CMRglc was 22.8 ± 4.1 μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1. No difference in CMRFDG was found with the two methods (17.8 ± 1.6 and 18.2 ± 1.3 μmol · 100 g−1 · min−1, dynamic and single scan methods, respectively). Accordingly, the lumped constant ranged from 0.80 ± 0.16 to 0.82 ± 0.15, with a mean value of 0.81 ± 0.15. The mean ratio between phosphorylation of FDG and glucose (k3*/k3) was 0.39 ± 0.25. The discrepancy between the lumped constant determined in this study and previously obtained values can be explained partly by methodologic problems, and we conclude that most of the discrepancy results from previous overestimation of global CBF. Key Words: Positron emission tomography—18F-Fluro-deoxy-D-glucose—Lumped constant—Brain glucose metabolism.
All‐trans retinoic acid attenuates ultraviolet radiation‐induced down‐regulation of aquaporin‐3 and water permeability in human keratinocytes

One of the major characteristics of human skin photoaging induced by ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the dehydration of the skin. Water movement across plasma membrane occurs via diffusion through lipid bilayer and via aquaporins (AQPs). We find that UV induces aquaporin‐3 (AQP3) down‐regulation in human skin keratinocytes. MEK/ERK inhibitors PD98059 and U0126 inhibit UV‐induced down‐regulation of AQP3. Antioxidant N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine or NAC blocks UV‐induced MEK/ERK activation and down‐regulation of AQP3. All‐trans retinoic acid or atRA, while alone inducing AQP3 expression, attenuates UV‐induced down‐regulation of AQP3 and water permeability. Using special inhibitors, we find that activation of EGFR and inhibition on ERK activation are involved in atRA's protective effects against UV‐induced AQP3 down‐regulation. Using specific AQP3's water transport inhibitors and siRNA knockdown, we observe that AQP3 is involved in cell migration and in vitro wound healing. UV‐induced AQP3 down‐regulation results in reduced water permeability, decreased cell migration, and delayed wound healing, which are attenuated by atRA pretreatment. We conclude that atRA protects against UV‐induced down‐regulation AQP3 and decrease in water permeability, reduction in cell migration and delayed in vitro wound healing via trans‐activation of EGFR and inhibition on ROS‐mediated MEK/ERK pathway. This novel finding provides evidence to support possible involvement of AQP3 in UV induced skin dehydration. J. Cell. Physiol. 215: 506–516, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The prevalence and predictive value of individual criteria for metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia: A Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort Study

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with elevated risk of diabetes and cardiovascular morbidity. However, little is known of the sensitivity, specificity and predictive value of individual criteria in patients with schizophrenia. We studied the prevalence of MetS using the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and adapted National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP-ATPIII) criteria in the Northern Finland 1966 Birth Cohort population. In addition, the sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for individual criteria were determined. Both adapted NCEP-ATPIII and IDF criteria for MetS identified the same cases (29% of all schizophrenia patients). Among the IDF criteria, hypertriglyceridemia had the highest sensitivity, correctly identifying 77.8% of the patients. Reduced HDL cholesterol was the most specific criteria, with 95% specificity equalling a positive likelihood ratio of 9.78. Thus both the IDF and NCEP-ATPIII criteria may be equally useful in identifying MetS.
EVALUATION OF PIEZOTOMED ALVEOLAR RIDGE SPLITTING WITH STEREOLITHOGRAPHIC SURGICAL GUIDE FOR IMPLANT PLACEMENT

INTRODUCTION: Narrow dentoalveolar ridges remain a serious challenge for the successful placement of endosseous implants. Several techniques for this procedure may be considered, such as guided bone regeneration, bone block grafting, and ridge splitting for bone expansion. The ridge split procedure provides a quicker and a more reliable method. Advances in technology, Stereolithography allow fabrication of surgical guide from 3D generated models for precise implant placement. OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of minimally invasive ridge splitting procedure aided with surgical guide. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A clinical study was performed on a total of 7 patients with mandibular free end saddle. The sample was selected conveniently to fulfill a list of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then the selected participants performed ridge splitting with the aid of surgical guide. After ridge splitting, all patients had simultaneous implant placement followed by clinical and radiographical evaluation over a period of 6 months. RESULTS: Merging the preoperative, immediate and 6 months postoperative CBCT images showed statistically significant values of accuracy and increase in bone width. CONCLUSIONS: Alveoalar ridge splitting with the aid of stereolithographic surgical stent is a well acceptable technique for implant placement.
Partitioning of herbivore hosts across time and food plants promotes diversification in the Megastigmus dorsalis oak gall parasitoid complex

Abstract Communities of insect herbivores and their natural enemies are rich and ecologically crucial components of terrestrial biodiversity. Understanding the processes that promote their origin and maintenance is thus of considerable interest. One major proposed mechanism is ecological speciation through host‐associated differentiation (HAD), the divergence of a polyphagous species first into ecological host races and eventually into more specialized daughter species. The rich chalcid parasitoid communities attacking cynipid oak gall wasp hosts are structured by multiple host traits, including food plant taxon, host gall phenology, and gall structure. Here, we ask whether the same traits structure genetic diversity within supposedly generalist parasitoid morphospecies. We use mitochondrial DNA sequences and microsatellite genotypes to quantify HAD for Megastigmus (Bootanomyia) dorsalis, a complex of two apparently generalist cryptic parasitoid species attacking oak galls. Ancient Balkan refugial populations showed phenological separation between the cryptic species, one primarily attacking spring galls, and the other mainly attacking autumn galls. The spring species also contained host races specializing on galls developing on different host‐plant lineages (sections Cerris vs. Quercus) within the oak genus Quercus. These results indicate more significant host‐associated structuring within oak gall parasitoid communities than previously thought and support ecological theory predicting the evolution of specialist lineages within generalist parasitoids. In contrast, UK populations of the autumn cryptic species associated with both native and recently invading oak gall wasps showed no evidence of population differentiation, implying rapid recruitment of native parasitoid populations onto invading hosts, and hence potential for natural biological control. This is of significance given recent rapid range expansion of the economically damaging chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus, in Europe.
Transfer of tomato immune receptor Ve1 confers Ave1‐dependent Verticillium resistance in tobacco and cotton

Summary Verticillium wilts caused by soilborne fungal species of the Verticillium genus are economically important plant diseases that affect a wide range of host plants and are notoriously difficult to combat. Perception of pathogen(‐induced) ligands by plant immune receptors is a key component of plant innate immunity. In tomato, race‐specific resistance to Verticillium wilt is governed by the cell surface‐localized immune receptor Ve1 through recognition of the effector protein Ave1 that is secreted by race 1 strains of Verticillium spp. It was previously demonstrated that transgenic expression of tomato Ve1 in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana leads to Verticillium wilt resistance. Here, we investigated whether tomato Ve1 can confer Verticillium resistance when expressed in the crop species tobacco (Nicotiana tabcum) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). We show that transgenic tobacco and cotton plants constitutively expressing tomato Ve1 exhibit enhanced resistance against Verticillium wilt in an Ave1‐dependent manner. Thus, we demonstrate that the functionality of tomato Ve1 in Verticillium wilt resistance through recognition of the Verticillium effector Ave1 is retained after transfer to tobacco and cotton, implying that the Ve1‐mediated immune signalling pathway is evolutionary conserved across these plant species. Moreover, our results suggest that transfer of tomato Ve1 across sexually incompatible plant species can be exploited in breeding programmes to engineer Verticillium wilt resistance.
An Analysis of Non-State and State Approaches for Forest Certification in Mexico

Mexico has had a non-state forest certification system under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) since it was initiated in 1993, and developed a new state-sponsored Mexican Forest Certification System (MFCS) that began in 2008. Several analyses have been made of FSC forest certification in Mexico, but none have summarized the new MFCS system or compared its standards with FSC. We compare the implementation of the non-state FSC market forest certification with the state-sponsored MFCS system in Mexico, and review literature on forest certification, focusing on all studies in Mexico. MFCS has had substantial enrollment of more than 902,802 ha by 2016, compared to 900,388 ha for the more-established FSC program. MFCS can be acceptable for stand-alone forest certification, and might be viewed as a stepwise path to FSC certification. The merits of both systems are analyzed in terms of standard content, likely sustainable forestry practices, access to markets, and community forestry enterprises.