Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reduced Skeletal Muscle Capillarization and Glucose Intolerance

Objective: Reduced capillarization in hemiparetic skeletal muscle of chronic stroke patients can limit insulin, glucose, and oxygen supply to muscle, thereby contributing to impaired glucose metabolism and cardiovascular deconditioning. We hypothesized that compared to sedentary controls, stroke subjects have reduced skeletal muscle capillarization that is associated with glucose intolerance and reduced peak oxygen consumption (Vo2peak). Methods: Twelve chronic stroke subjects (ages, 62.1±2.8 years), and matched sedentary controls with impaired (n=12) or normal (n=12) glucose tolerance underwent oral glucose tolerance tests, exercise tests, and vastus lateralis biopsies. Results: Stroke subjects had lower capillarization in hemiparetic muscle than in nonparetic muscle and normal glucose tolerant controls (∼22 and ∼28%, respectively; P<0.05) and had similar bilateral capillarization, compared to controls with impaired glucose tolerance. Capillary density in hemiparetic muscle inversely correlated with 120‐minute glucose (r=−0.70, P<0.01) and glucose area under the curve (r=−0.78, P<0.01). Vo2peak was ∼40% lower in stroke subjects, compared to controls (P<0.001), but did not correlate with capillarization (P=n.s.). Conclusions: Hemiparetic muscle capillarization is reduced after stroke, and reduced capillarization is associated with glucose intolerance in stroke and control subjects. Interventions to increase skeletal muscle capillarization may prove beneficial for improving glucose metabolism in chronic stroke patients.
Renal allograft rejection: beta-chemokine involvement in the development of tubulitis.

BACKGROUND Tubulitis is a defining feature of renal allograft rejection. Graft dysfunction may result from damage inflicted on tubular epithelial cells by intratubular cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Graft cells are known to produce chemokines during acute rejection, but it is not known whether changes in expression of specific chemokines can influence the composition of the intratubular lymphocyte population. We examined expression of individual chemokines in biopsy sections showing different pathological rejection grades. METHODS Sections from Banff-graded transplant biopsies were examined for the presence of beta-chemokines (MCP-1, MIP-1alpha, MIP-1beta, and RANTES) by immunofluorescence and semiquantitative confocal laser scanning microscopy. RESULTS Beta-chemokines were expressed predominantly at the basolateral surface of tubular epithelial cells. Expression of MCP-1 and MIP-1beta was significantly higher in sections showing grade 2 rather than grade 1 acute rejection. RANTES and MIP-1alpha showed no significant variation in level of expression between rejection grades. CONCLUSIONS Beta-chemokines are expressed by tubular epithelial cells during acute rejection. Consistent expression of RANTES and MIP-1alpha suggests a general role in recruiting T lymphocytes. However, MCP-1 and MIP-1beta may play a more subtle role in recruitment of specific T-cell subsets, such as Th1 cells, during acute cellular rejection.
Functional characterization of the Escherichia coli K-12 yiaMNO transport protein genes

The yiaMNO genes of Escherichia coli K-12 encode a binding protein-dependent secondary, or tri-partite ATP-independent periplasmic (TRAP), transporter. Since only a few members of this family have been functionally characterized to date, we aimed to identify the substrate for this transporter. Cells that constitutively express the yiaK-S gene cluster metabolized the rare pentose L-xylulose, while deletion of the yiaMNO transporter genes reduced L-xylulose metabolism. The periplasmic substrate-binding protein YiaO was found to bind L-xylulose, and stimulated L-xylulose uptake by spheroplasts. These data indicate that the yiaMNO transporter mediates uptake of this rare pentose.
Numerical simulations of radon as an in situ partitioning tracer for quantifying NAPL contamination using push – pull tests

Presented here is a reanalysis of results previously presented by Davis et al. (2002) [Davis, B.M. , Istok, J.D. , Semprini, L. , 2002. Push–pull partitioning tracer tests using radon-222 to quantify nonaqueous phase liquid contamination. J. Contam. Hydrol. 58, 129–146] of push–pull tests using radon as a naturally occurring partitioning tracer for evaluating NAPL contamination. In a push–pull test where radon-free water and bromide are injected, the presence of NAPL is manifested in greater dispersion of the radon breakthrough curve (BTC) relative to the bromide BTC during the extraction phase as a result of radon partitioning into the NAPL. Laboratory push–pull tests in a dense or DNAPL-contaminated physical aquifer model (PAM) indicated that the previously used modeling approach resulted in an overestimation of the DNAPL (trichloroethene) saturation (Sn). The numerical simulations presented here investigated the influence of (1) initial radon concentrations, which vary as a function of Sn, and (2) heterogeneity in Sn distribution within the radius of influence of the push–pull test. The simulations showed that these factors influence radon BTCs and resulting estimates of Sn. A revised method of interpreting radon BTCs is presented here, which takes into account initial radon concentrations and uses non-normalized radon BTCs. This revised method produces greater radon BTC sensitivity at small values of Sn and was used to re-analyze the results from the PAM push–pull tests reported by Davis et al. The re-analysis resulted in a more accurate 0169-7722/$ doi:10.1016/j. * Correspon
Cortical processing of breathlessness in the athletic brain

Key points Endurance athletes train to improve their respiratory system for enhanced exercise capacity and performance. However, it is unknown whether concurrent adaptation occurs in brain networks perceiving respiratory-related sensations, such as breathlessness. We have previously shown improved matching between changes in ventilation and perceptions of breathlessness in endurance athletes compared to sedentary controls (Faull et al., 2016a). Here, we used functional brain scanning to investigate differences in brain activity during breathlessness tasks in these subjects. Athletes demonstrated a network of brain activity during anticipation of resistive inspiratory loading that corresponds to subjective breathlessness intensity, which was absent in sedentary controls. This may be related to improved brain synchronicity observed between primary sensorimotor cortices and task-positive brain networks in these athletes, and may underpin our previous findings of improved ventilatory interoception. Understanding brain changes in respiratory perceptions may help us to target both endurance training mechanisms and treatment of disease-related breathlessness symptomology. Abstract Exercise is associated with large increases in ventilation, which are consciously perceived as the sensation of breathlessness. We have previously demonstrated closer matching between changes in ventilation and corresponding perceptions of breathlessness in endurance athletes compared with sedentary controls (Faull et al., 2016a), suggesting improved accuracy when interpreting respiratory sensations, or ventilatory interoception. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms by which the processing of respiratory perception is optimised in these subjects. Forty participants (20 athletes, 20 age/sex-matched sedentary participants) were scanned using a 7T Siemens Magnetom (Nova Medical 32 channel Rx, single channel birdcage Tx). Anticipation and breathlessness were induced with a previously trained delay-conditioned cue and an inspiratory resistance during fMRI scanning. Differences between group means and slope of subjective scores during task-based and resting fMRI were analysed using non-parametric statistical testing and independent component analysis. Athletes demonstrated greater brain activity corresponding with intensity scores during anticipation of breathlessness, compared to sedentary controls. Athletes also exhibited greater functional connectivity (or communication) between a task-positive brain network closely matching breathlessness activity, and areas of primary sensorimotor cortices active during inspiratory resistance. These functional activity and connectivity differences in athletic brains may represent optimized processing of respiratory sensations, and contribute to improved ventilatory interoception in athletes. Furthermore, these brain mechanisms may be harnessed when exercise is employed in the treatment of breathlessness for chronic respiratory disease.
Mothers' Low Care in the Development of Alexithymia: A Preliminary Study in Japanese College Students

We examined the influences of perceived parental bonding on scores on alexithymia in a sample of 232 college students. Ratings on mothers' care, a scale of the Parental Bonding Inventory were significantly and negatively correlated with scores on the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, and also with ratings on Difficulty Describing Feelings but not Difficulty Identifying Feelings and Externally Oriented Thinking. These results were replicated in another sample of 156 college students. Although our findings were based on simple correlations, they suggest that perceived mothers' low care is related to adults' scores on alexithymia, in particular, the construct, Difficulty Describing Feelings.
In vitro activities of 12 orally administered antimicrobial agents against four species of bacterial respiratory pathogens from U.S. Medical Centers in 1992 and 1993

Clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Moraxella catarrhalis were gathered from 19 different clinical laboratories throughout the continental United States. The in vitro activities of 12 orally administered antimicrobial agents were compared by broth microdilution tests with 3,151 bacterial isolates. Among 890 H. influenzae isolates, 30% were capable of producing beta-lactamase enzymes (12 to 41% in different medical centers). Most of the 619 beta-lactamase-negative H. influenzae strains were susceptible to ampicillicin (MIC, < or = 1.0 micrograms/ml): 5 strains were intermediate in susceptibility (MIC, 2.0 micrograms/ml) and 1 strain was ampilicillin resistant (MIC, 4.0 micrograms/ml). Ninety-two percent of 698 M. catarrhalis strains were beta-lactamase positive. Of 799 S. pneumoniae isolates, 15% were intermediate in susceptibility to penicillin and 7% were resistant to penicillin. The prevalence of penicillin-susceptible pneumococci in different institutions ranged from 63 to 95%. Only 1% of 764 S. pyogenes isolates were resistant to the macrolides, but 5% of S. pneumoniae isolates were macrolide resistant. Only 71% of 58 penicillin-resistant S. pneumoniae isolates were erythromycin susceptible, whereas 97% of the 622 penicillin-susceptible strains were erythromycin susceptible. Penicillin-resistant pneumococci were also relatively resistant to the cephalosporins and amoxicillin. Penicillin-susceptible pneumococci were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (MIC for 90% of isolates tested [MIC90], < or = 0.12/0.06 microgram/ml), cefixime (MIC90, 0.25 microgram/ml), cefuroxime axetil (MIC90, < or = 0.5 microgram/ml), cefprozil (MIC90, < or = 0.5 micrograms/ml), cefaclor (MIC90, 0.5 microgram/ml), and loracarbef (MIC90, 1.0 microgram/ml). Most strains of the other species remained susceptible to the study drugs other than amoxicillin.
Ultrastructural Changes in the Rat Phrenic Nucleus Developing within 2 h after Cervical Spinal Cord Hemisection

The present study was conducted to describe the ultrastructural changes which occur in the young adult rat phrenic nucleus within 2 h after an ipsilateral C2 spinal cord hemisection. The main objective was to determine if there is a temporal relationship between specific ultrastructural changes in the phrenic nucleus and a significant augmentation of crossed phrenic nerve activity which occurs as early as 2 h after hemisection. Phrenic motoneurons were identified at electron microscopic levels by retrograde HRP labeling. Ultrastructural features in the phrenic nucleus of control and experimental rats were qualitatively analyzed and then quantitated. At 2 h posthemisection, there was a significant increase in the mean percentage of phrenic dendrodendritic appositions. In the control rats, 4.73 +/- 0.18% of phrenic dendrites were in apposition, and this percentage increased significantly to 8.58 +/- 0.54% at 2 h after injury. Furthermore, the mean lengths of asymmetrical and symmetrical synaptic active zones increased significantly at 2 h posthemisection from control lengths of 0.372 +/- 0.009 microns and 0.404 +/- 0.007 microns to 0.410 +/- 0.011 microns and 0.513 +/- 0.032 microns, respectively, in experimental rats. The phrenic nucleus is therefore capable of morphological plasticity as early as 2 h after spinal cord hemisection and this plasticity coincides temporally with the physiological augmentation of crossed phrenic nerve activity at 2 h. The data further suggest that these morphological changes may be part of the substrate for the unmasking of ineffective synapses during the crossed phrenic phenomenon.
Concurrent and construct validity of oral language measures with school-age children with specific language impairment.

PURPOSE This study investigated the psychometric properties of 2 oral language measures that are commonly used for diagnostic purposes with school-age children who have language impairments. METHOD Two hundred sixteen children with specific language impairment were assessed with the Test of Language Development-Primary, Third Edition (TOLD-P:3; Newcomer & Hammill, 1997) and the Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language (CASL; Carrow-Woolfolk, 1999) within a 3-month period. The concurrent and construct validities of these 2 published tests were explored through correlation analysis and principle-component factor analysis. RESULTS The TOLD-P:3 Spoken Language Quotient and CASL Core Composite scores were found to have an intertest correlation value of r = . 596 within this sample, and a paired samples t test revealed a statistically significant difference between these scores. Principle-component factor analyses revealed a 2-factor structure solution for the TOLD-P:3, whereas data from the CASL supported a single-factor model. CONCLUSIONS Analyses of assessment measure performance data from a sample of school-age children with specific language impairment revealed concurrent validity values and construct validity patterns that differed from those found in the norming samples as cited in examiner manuals. Implications for practice patterns and future research are discussed.
Intraoperative labeling of sentinel lymph nodes with a combination of vital dye and radionuclide tracer – results in sentinel lymph node‐positive patients

Background: Sentinel lymph node biopsy enhances the accuracy of tumor staging in patients with malignant melanoma and can help select candidates for regional lymphadenectomy. There are two techniques for identifying the sentinel lymph node: intradermal injection of a radionuclide tracer or of a blue dye. We evaluated both methods to determine how they can be best utilized to locate a sentinel lymph node.
Multimodal affect recognition in an interactive gaming environment using eye tracking and speech signals

This paper presents a multimodal affect recognition system for interactive virtual gaming environments using eye tracking and speech signals, captured in gameplay scenarios that are designed to elicit controlled affective states based on the arousal and valence dimensions. The Support Vector Machine is employed as a classifier to detect these affective states from both modalities. The recognition results reveal that eye tracking is superior to speech in affect detection and that the two modalities are complementary in the application of interactive gaming. This suggests that it is feasible to design an accurate multimodal recognition system to detect players’ affects from the eye tracking and speech modalities in the interactive gaming environment. We emphasise the potential of integrating the proposed multimodal system into game interfaces to enhance interaction and provide an adaptive gaming experience.
A systematic review of the collaborative clinical education model to inform speech-language pathology practice

Abstract A shortage of clinical education placements for allied health students internationally has led to the need to explore innovative models of clinical education. The collaborative model where one clinical educator supervises two or more students completing a clinical placement concurrently is one model enabling expansion of student placements. The aims of this review were to investigate advantages and disadvantages of the collaborative model and to explore its implementation across allied health. A systematic search of the literature was conducted using three electronic databases (CINAHL, Medline, and Embase). Two independent reviewers evaluated studies for methodological quality. Seventeen studies met inclusion/exclusion criteria. Advantages and disadvantages identified were consistent across disciplines. A key advantage of the model was the opportunity afforded for peer learning, whilst a frequently reported disadvantage was reduced time for individual supervision of students. The methodological quality of many included studies was poor, impacting on interpretation of the evidence base. Insufficient data were provided on how the model was implemented across studies. There is a need for high quality research to guide implementation of this model across a wider range of allied health disciplines and to determine educational outcomes using reliable and validated measures.
Study of Serum Lipid Profile in Beta-Thalassemia Major Patients

1 Resident, 2 Professor and Head Dept of Pediatrics, Grant Medical College & Sir J.J.Group of Hospitals, Mumbai Corresponding Author Dr Suraj Doshi Resident, Grant Medical College & Sir J.J.Group of Hospitals, Mumbai Abstract Objectives 1. To assess the Serum Lipid Profile of patients with Beta-Thalassemia Major. 2. Comparison of the Serum lipid profile of Beta-thalassemia major patients with healthy children. Study Design: This was a cross sectional case control study in which 100 diagnosed cases of Beta thalassemia major were enrolled. 100 healthy children of same age group consisted of control group. The blood samples of study and control groups were examined for lipid profile test and values were evaluated. The tests were done using Olympus AU400 Auto analyser and values were evaluated. Statistical analysis was done by using IBM SPSS version 20. Results: Mean age of cases was 9.04 ± 4.11 years and of controls was 8.92 ± 4.0 years. The mean values of serum HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol, TG and VLDL in cases were 26.5±8.9, 62.1±21.9, 111.8 ±26.7, 112.06±53.40, 25.58±21.15 mg/dl respectively. Moreover, the mean values of serum HDL-C, LDL-C, total cholesterol, TG and VLDL in controls were 47.6±4.3, 76.8 ±15.4, 76.8 ±15.4, 74.64±16.23, 22.63±6.6715 mg/dl respectively. Total-cholesterol to HDL-C ratio was4.57±1.55 and 2.66±0.39 in cases and controls respectively. Total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C were significantly lower (p<0.05); triglycerides and total cholesterol & HDL ratio were significantly higher (p<0.05) compared with controls. Conclusion: Beta thalassemia major patients have hypertriglyceridemia and hypocholesterolemia. This study concludes that children suffering from beta thalassemia major may possess increased risk of thrombotic and atherogenic complications. Early detection of these patients with deranged lipid profile is required to avoid these complications. It is also important to do routine periodical screening.
CD11b+ Monocytes Abrogate Th17 CD4+ T Cell-Mediated Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis1

Experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) represents a Th17 T cell-mediated mouse model of postinflammatory heart disease. In BALB/c wild-type mice, EAM is a self-limiting disease, peaking 21 days after α-myosin H chain peptide (MyHC-α)/CFA immunization and largely resolving thereafter. In IFN-γR−/− mice, however, EAM is exacerbated and shows a chronic progressive disease course. We found that this progressive disease course paralleled persistently elevated IL-17 release from T cells infiltrating the hearts of IFN-γR−/− mice 30 days after immunization. In fact, IL-17 promoted the recruitment of CD11b+ monocytes, the major heart-infiltrating cells in EAM. In turn, CD11b+ monocytes suppressed MyHC-α-specific Th17 T cell responses IFN-γ-dependently in vitro. In vivo, injection of IFN-γR+/+CD11b+, but not IFN-γR−/−CD11b+, monocytes, suppressed MyHC-α-specific T cells, and abrogated the progressive disease course in IFN-γR−/− mice. Finally, coinjection of MyHC-α-specific, but not OVA-transgenic, IFN-γ-releasing CD4+ Th1 T cell lines, together with MyHC-α-specific Th17 T cells protected RAG2−/− mice from EAM. In conclusion, CD11b+ monocytes play a dual role in EAM: as a major cellular substrate of IL-17-induced inflammation and as mediators of an IFN-γ-dependent negative feedback loop confining disease progression.
Optimization of map matching algorithms for indoor navigation in shopping malls

Maps used in car navigation systems differ from indoor maps due to the fact that they were designed to address different needs. Therefore, map matching techniques used for outdoor navigation cannot be applied indoors without significant modifications. The main aim of this paper is to present modified map matching algorithm for special usage such as indoor navigation in shopping malls, hotels and airports. The research concentrates to improve accuracy of positioning engine and natural presentation of pedestrian trajectory. The article includes the indoor map matching algorithm proposals, with the highlights of their strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluation of periostin and factors associated with new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis: Periostin may be associated with the Wnt pathway

Periostin has been shown to be involved in bone anabolism through the regulation of Wnt‐β‐catenin signaling. It may be one of the pathogenic mechanisms in syndesmophyte formation in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to evaluate serum periostin levels in patients with AS and to assess relationships among biomarkers of bone formation and periostin in disease outcomes, particularly radiographic changes.
Tuneable and portable lighting system for Visible Light Communications (TP-VLC)

This work presents a low cost prototype implementing new IEEE 802.15. 7 standard for Visible Light Communications. A commercial off-the-shelf development platform is used to implement the firmware controlling the system. The system is tested with different LED luminaires and distances achieving data rates of 100 kbit/s with Bit Error Rates between (10-7 to 10-4) over distances up to 8 meters. Brightness control of the LED while transmitting data can be achieved allowing for a tuneable VLC system.