Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A NEW METHOD FOR ASSESSMENT OF FETAL LUNG MATURITY

A new method for evaluation of fetal lung maturity in utero is described. The method is based on the fluorescence polarization (P) of the lipids in the amniotic fluid after labelling with a special dye. Tests performed with 49 amniotic fluid samples drawn from 33 pregnancies clearly demonstrated a decrease in P during gestation which correlated with the increase in the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio (L/S) in the fluid. During gestation the P value at 24°C decreased steadily from about 0.4 to 0.2 and the value of P (24°C)= 0.310 has been tentatively chosen as the threshold above which respiratory distress syndrome may develop. The described method, which requires a specially designed instrument, offers a series of important advantages over the presently available methods. It is simple, rapid, highly accurate and reproducible, and independent of amniotic fluid volume. The P value reflects the microviscosity in the whole lipid assembly of amniotic fluid and is not confined specifically to lecithin.
Aspect and sentiment unification model = 감정과 대상 통합 모델

User-generated reviews in online markets, blogs, and communities contain sentiments about detailed aspects of the products and services reviewed. However, most of the reviews are plain text and thus require much effort to obtain information about relevant details. In this paper, we present the Aspect and Sentiment Unification Model (ASUM), a probabilistic generative model, to automatically discover aspects people evaluate and different sentiments toward these aspects. ASUM incorporates sentiment and aspects together to discover from reviews the aspects that are evaluated positively and the ones evaluated negatively. We applied the model to reviews of electronic devices and restaurants and photo critiques. The results show that the aspects discovered by ASUM match evaluative details of the reviews and capture important aspects that are closely coupled with a sentiment. On sentiment classification tasks, ASUM outperforms other generative models and comes close to supervised classification methods even though this model does not use the sentiment labels of the reviews at all.
Daclatasvir plus Sofosbuvir for HCV in Patients Coinfected with HIV-1.

BACKGROUND The combination of daclatasvir, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5A inhibitor, and the NS5B inhibitor sofosbuvir has shown efficacy in patients with HCV monoinfection. Data are lacking on the efficacy and safety of this combination in patients coinfected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). METHODS This was an open-label study involving 151 patients who had not received HCV treatment and 52 previously treated patients, all of whom were coinfected with HIV-1. Previously untreated patients were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to receive either 12 weeks or 8 weeks of daclatasvir at a standard dose of 60 mg daily (with dose adjustment for concomitant antiretroviral medications) plus 400 mg of sofosbuvir daily. Previously treated patients were assigned to undergo 12 weeks of therapy at the same doses. The primary end point was a sustained virologic response at week 12 after the end of therapy among previously untreated patients with HCV genotype 1 who were treated for 12 weeks. RESULTS Patients had HCV genotypes 1 through 4 (83% with genotype 1), and 14% had compensated cirrhosis; 98% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Among patients with genotype 1, a sustained virologic response was reported in 96.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 89.8 to 99.2) who were treated for 12 weeks and in 75.6% (95% CI, 59.7 to 87.6) who were treated for 8 weeks among previously untreated patients and in 97.7% (95% CI, 88.0 to 99.9) who were treated for 12 weeks among previously treated patients. Rates of sustained virologic response across all genotypes were 97.0% (95% CI, 91.6 to 99.4), 76.0% (95% CI, 61.8 to 86.9), and 98.1% (95% CI, 89.7 to 100), respectively. The most common adverse events were fatigue, nausea, and headache. There were no study-drug discontinuations because of adverse events. HIV-1 suppression was not compromised. CONCLUSIONS Among previously untreated HIV-HCV coinfected patients receiving daclatasvir plus sofosbuvir for HCV infection, the rate of sustained virologic response across all genotypes was 97.0% after 12 weeks of treatment and 76.0% after 8 weeks. (Funded by Bristol-Myers Squibb; ALLY-2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02032888.).
HLA-B27 does not affect invasion of arthritogenic bacteria into human cells.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of HLA-B27 expression on entry of Salmonella typhimurium and Yersinia enterocolitica into human cells. METHODS We performed standard bacterial invasion assays with S. typhimurium and Y enterocolitica to analyze isogenic pairs of HeLa (epithelial), U937 (promonocyte), C1R (B lymphocyte), and Jurkat (T lymphocyte) human cell lines and their respective HLA-B27 transfectants. Invasion of peripheral blood derived T lymphocytes, monocytes, and B lymphocytes/dendritic cell fraction (corresponding to peripheral blood cells depleted of monocytes and T lymphocytes) from patients with ankylosing spondylitis and healthy donors was also analyzed. The percentage of internalized bacteria was quantified, and the differences between HLA-B27 positive and negative samples were compared. RESULTS The percentages of intracellular S. typhimurium and Y enterocolitica in HeLa, U937, and C1R with or without B27 were not statistically different (independent t test). We also found that the percentage of internalized bacteria did not differ significantly between HLA-B27 positive and negative samples in the different populations of peripheral blood derived cells. CONCLUSION The presence of HLA-B27 on the surface of human cells does not alter the degree of bacterial invasion into either cultured human cell lines or peripheral blood derived human cells, and the influence of HLA-B27 expression on bacterial invasion should not be implicated in the pathogenesis of reactive arthritis related to Salmonella and Yersinia.
Steroid-responsive meningitis-arteritis with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and elevated cardiac troponin I in a dog

STEROID-responsive meningitis arteritis (SRMA) is a common disorder in canine medicine that normally affects young animals, with a breed predisposition reported for beagles, boxers and Weimaraners among others (Bathen-Noethen and others 2008, Lowrie and others 2009a, Tipold and others 2010). The aetiology of the disease is presumed to be immune-mediated, and this is supported by clinicopathological evidence and the response to immunosuppressive treatment (Lowrie and others 2009a, b, Tipold and Schatzberg 2010). The systemic consequences of SRMA are not always recognised, and this short communication is novel in describing the occurrence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (SEC) with SRMA and the normalisation of a previously elevated serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) after treatment of SRMA. An 18-month-old female entire Whippet was presented with a five-day history of reluctance to exercise, anorexia, lethargy and fever. On examination, the dog was quiet but alert and responsive with a rectal temperature of 39.9°C. The findings of the physical and orthopaedic examinations were otherwise unremarkable. The finding of a neurological examination was also unremarkable apart from resentment of neck flexion to the left. Haematology showed an inflammatory picture with mild mature neutrophilia and monocytosis (Table 1). Biochemistry revealed a mild hypoalbuminemia and hypocalcaemia. Acute phase protein assessment showed marked elevation in haptoglobin and C-reactive protein (CRP) (Table 1). cTnI was increased, which is consistent with myocardial damage (Table 1). Urinalysis showed a normal protein:creatinine ratio (0.4; reference range, <0.5). View this table: Table 1 Haematology, biochemistry, acute-phase protein and cardiac troponin I results Cervical radiographs and abdominal ultrasonography showed no abnormalities; thoracic radiographs showed generalised cardiomegaly (vertebral heart score; 12.75) without evidence of specific chamber enlargement, consistent with a pericardial effusion. Echocardiography showed no left ventricular enlargement (left ventricular internal diameter in diastole, 39 mm; reference range (mean±2sd) for an 11 kg Whippet, 29.4 to …
Hodgkin's disease: treatment of relapsed disease.

Hodgkin’s disease (HD) is associated with a high cure rate, but approximately 5–10% of HD patients are refractory to initial treatment and 10–30% of patients will relapse after achieving complete remission (CR) [1, 2]. The most important initial prognostic factor is stage. Currently, the cure rate in the early stages of HD is above 90%, and with the latest generation of chemotherapy regimens (BEACOPP, Stanford V, Hybrid regimens), even the cure rate in advanced stages is most probably in the order of 80–85% [3]. This improvement in outcome implies that the few cases of non-responding or relapsing patients present a cohort which prognostically is becoming ever more unfavourable as primary results get better. This fact should always be kept in mind when data of current salvage treatments are compared with results that appeared in the literature 20–30 years ago [3]. Although late relapses >10 years after primary treatment have been reported in HD, relapse generally occurs within 1–5 years of primary therapy [1, 2]. At relapse, a new histological work-up should be obtained, as the risk of second tumours is increased [4]. A new biopsy at the time of relapse or disease progression is also required, in order to exclude a wrong primary diagnosis or composite lymphomas [5]. A technique playing an increasingly more important role in this work-up is positron emission tomography using F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET), which is mainly used for the evaluation of residual masses after completed treatment [6]. This is particularly true for the mediastinum, where remaining masses most often represent fibrotic tissue, but discrimination by computed tomography (CT) is usually not possible. A negative FDG-PET indicates that an HD patient with a residual mediastinal mass is unlikely to relapse before 1 year, if ever, whereas a positive PET indicates a probability of 50–70% of relapse [6–8].
Improving Innovation Capability Trough Creativity and Knowledge Sharing Behavior

Innovation capability is a key factor to survive in a hyper-competitive situation. This study aims to identify the influence of knowledge sharing behavior towards creativity and its impact towards innovation capability. This study uses quantitative and qualitative approach promoting the paradigm of effectual causal analysis. The factual analysis of the research is conducted based on a survey of 145 employees, an interview, and focus group discussion in a telecommunication firm in Indonesia. The results of the study indicate that knowledge sharing behavior has a significant positive influence towards creativity, and creativity has a significant positive influence towards innovation capability. The results also find out that that the effective knowledge sharing is in the form of informal situation, particularly one facilitated by community practice in the firm. Also, the existence of enterprise knowledge portal enables employees to access the document and knowledge they need.
Handling missing data in matched case‐control studies using multiple imputation

Analysis of matched case‐control studies is often complicated by missing data on covariates. Analysis can be restricted to individuals with complete data, but this is inefficient and may be biased. Multiple imputation (MI) is an efficient and flexible alternative. We describe two MI approaches. The first uses a model for the data on an individual and includes matching variables; the second uses a model for the data on a whole matched set and avoids the need to model the matching variables. Within each approach, we consider three methods: full‐conditional specification (FCS), joint model MI using a normal model, and joint model MI using a latent normal model. We show that FCS MI is asymptotically equivalent to joint model MI using a restricted general location model that is compatible with the conditional logistic regression analysis model. The normal and latent normal imputation models are not compatible with this analysis model. All methods allow for multiple partially‐observed covariates, non‐monotone missingness, and multiple controls per case. They can be easily applied in standard statistical software and valid variance estimates obtained using Rubin's Rules. We compare the methods in a simulation study. The approach of including the matching variables is most efficient. Within each approach, the FCS MI method generally yields the least‐biased odds ratio estimates, but normal or latent normal joint model MI is sometimes more efficient. All methods have good confidence interval coverage. Data on colorectal cancer and fibre intake from the EPIC‐Norfolk study are used to illustrate the methods, in particular showing how efficiency is gained relative to just using individuals with complete data.
Environmental and maternal correlates of foetal sex ratios in the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana)

Many species exhibit skewed sex ratios at birth. Here we investigate the relationships between environmental and maternal variables (as surrogates for maternal condition) and foetal sex in African buffalo Syncerus caffer and elephant Loxodonta africana of the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Using logistic regression no significant effect was found of year, maternal lactational status, maternal age, rainfall or density on foetal sex ratio. Using a subset of our data, it was also concluded that maternal body condition did not affect foetal sex ratio in buffalo. Our analyses failed to support hypotheses predicting that mothers will skew the sex ratios of their offspring in relation to their body condition. In this study, buffalo and elephant produced offspring with a sex ratio close to parity. Our results are discussed in light of the implications for testing such hypotheses in analyses of population level.
Determination of effective synaptic conductances using somatic voltage clamp

The interplay between excitatory and inhibitory neurons imparts rich functions of the brain. To understand the synaptic mechanisms underlying neuronal computations, a fundamental approach is to study the dynamics of excitatory and inhibitory synaptic inputs of each neuron. The traditional method of determining input conductance, which has been applied for decades, employs the synaptic current-voltage (I-V) relation obtained via voltage clamp. Due to the space clamp effect, the measured conductance is different from the local conductance on the dendrites. Therefore, the interpretation of the measured conductance remains to be clarified. Using theoretical analysis, electrophysiological experiments, and realistic neuron simulations, here we demonstrate that there does not exist a transform between the local conductance and the conductance measured by the traditional method, due to the neglect of a nonlinear interaction between the clamp current and the synaptic current in the traditional method. Consequently, the conductance determined by the traditional method may not correlate with the local conductance on the dendrites, and its value could be unphysically negative as observed in experiment. To circumvent the challenge of the space clamp effect and elucidate synaptic impact on neuronal information processing, we propose the concept of effective conductance which is proportional to the local conductance on the dendrite and reflects directly the functional influence of synaptic inputs on somatic membrane potential dynamics, and we further develop a framework to determine the effective conductance accurately. Our work suggests re-examination of previous studies involving conductance measurement and provides a reliable approach to assess synaptic influence on neuronal computation.
Network Revenue Management under Competition within Strategic Airline Alliances

Airlines often cooperate with partners within strategic alliances to offer their customers itineraries beyond their own networks. However, despite the cooperation, the alliance members often remain competitors on other routes and compete for customers. This thesis takes into account the competition between two alliance partners and models it in a linear program. An algorithm is developed to compute optimal capacity allocations in pure Nash equilibria based on the model. For cases, in which a Nash equilibrium does not exist or cannot be found within a pre-defined time, a heuristic approach is described to compute an approximate Nash equilibrium. Computational studies show the applicability of the approaches in real-sized airline networks. Finally, suggestions for future research are made.
A Clinically Feasible Treatment Protocol for Magnetic Resonance-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation in the Liver

ObjectivesMagnetic resonance–guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MR-HIFU) allows for noninvasive thermal ablation under real-time temperature imaging guidance. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of MR-HIFU ablation of liver tissue in a clinically acceptable setting. The experimental protocol was designed with a clinical ablation procedure of a small malignant tumor in mind; the procedures were performed within a clinically feasible time frame and care was taken to avoid adverse events. The main outcome was the size and quality of the ablated liver tissue volume on imaging and histology. Secondary outcomes were safety and treatment time. Materials and MethodsHealthy pigs (n = 10) under general anesthesia were positioned on a clinical MR-HIFU system, which consisted of an HIFU tabletop with a skin cooling system integrated into a 1.5-T MR scanner. A liver tissue volume was ablated with multiple sonication cells (4 × 4 × 10 mm, 450 W). Both MR thermometry and sonication were respiratory-gated using a pencil beam navigator on the diaphragm. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (CE-T1w) imaging was performed for treatment evaluation. Targeted total treatment time was 3 hours. The abdominal wall, liver, and adjacent organs were inspected postmortem for thermal damage. Ablated tissue volumes were processed for cell viability staining. The ablated volumes were analyzed using MR imaging, MR thermometry, and cell viability histology. ResultsEleven volume ablations were performed in 10 animals, resulting in a median nonperfused volume (NPV) on CE-T1w imaging of 1.6 mL (interquartile range [IQR], 0.8–2.3; range, 0.7–3.0). Cell viability histology showed a damaged volume of 1.5 mL (IQR, 1.1–1.8; range, 0.7–2.3). The NPV was confluent in 10 of the 11 cases. The ablated tissue volume on cell viability histology was confluent in all 9 available cases. In all cases, there was a good correspondence between the aspects of the NPV on CE-T1w and the ablated volume on cell viability histology. Two treatment-related adverse events occurred: 1 animal had a 7-mm skin burn and 1 animal showed evidence of thermal damage on the surface of the spleen. Median ablation time was 108 minutes (IQR, 101–120; range, 96–181 minutes) and median total treatment time was 180 minutes (IQR, 165–224; 130–250 minutes). ConclusionsOur results demonstrate the feasibility and safety of MR-HIFU ablation of liver tissue volumes. The imaging data and cell viability histology show, for the first time, that confluent ablation volumes can be achieved with motion-gated ablation and MR guidance. These results were obtained using a readily available MR-HIFU system with only minor modifications, within a clinically acceptable time frame, and with only minor adverse events. This shows that this technique is sufficiently reliable and safe to initiate a clinical trial.
Programmed cell death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a relentless fatal paralytic disorder confined to the voluntary motor system (1). Its prevalence is about three to five in 100,000 individuals, making it the most frequent paralytic disease in adults. Although ALS can strike anyone at any age, generally the onset of the disease is in the fourth or fifth decade of life. Common clinical features of ALS include muscle weakness, fasciculations, brisk (or depressed) reflexes, and extensor plantar responses. Even though motor deficit usually predominates in the limbs, bulbar enervation can also be severely affected, leading to atrophy of the tongue, dysphagia, and dysarthria. Other cranial nerves (e.g., oculomotor nerves) are usually spared. The progressive decline of muscular function results in paralysis, speech and swallowing disabilities, emotional disturbance, and, ultimately, respiratory failure causing death among the vast majority of ALS patients within 2–5 years after the onset of the disease. Pathologically, ALS is characterized by a loss of upper motor neurons in the cerebral cortex and of the lower motor neurons in the spinal cord. Often, there is also a profound degeneration of the corticospinal tracts, which is most evident at the level of the spinal cord. The few remaining motor neurons are generally atrophic, and many demonstrate abnormal accumulation of neurofilament, in both their cell bodies and axons. To date, only a few approved treatments (e.g., mechanical ventilation and riluzole) prolong survival in ALS patients to some extent. However, the development of more effective neuroprotective therapies remains impeded by our limited knowledge of the actual mechanisms by which neurons die in ALS, and of how the disease progresses and propagates. ALS, like other common neurodegenerative disorders, is sporadic in the vast majority of patients, and familial in only a few (1). The clinical and pathological expressions of ALS are almost indistinguishable between the familial and sporadic forms, although often in the former the age at onset is younger, the course of the disease more rapid, and the survival after diagnosis shorter (1). The cause of sporadic ALS remains unknown, while that of at least some familial forms has been identified (see below). Although the identified gene defects responsible for ALS account for a minute fraction of cases, most experts believe that unraveling the molecular basis by which those mutant gene products cause neurodegeneration may shed light on the etiopathogenesis of the common sporadic form of ALS.
Effects of rapamycin on cultured hepatocyte proliferation and gene expression

Rapamycin, a potent immunosuppressive drug that disrupts normal signal‐transduction processes, inhibited hepatocyte proliferation without evidence of inherent cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes cultured in conventional medium or in a medium enriched with epidermal growth factor. The antiproliferative effect was dose dependent, uninfluenced by the concentration of epidermal growth factor in the medium and long lasting after a brief exposure. The effect of rapamycin was unaltered by the concomitant presence of FK 506 in the medium, suggesting that different binding affinities of these two drugs or even a separate rapamycin binding site may exist. Hepatocytes harvested 12 and 24 hr after partial hepatectomy were progressively less responsive to the antiproliferative effect of rapamycin. The gene expression of transforming growth factor‐β was reduced under in vivo rapamycin treatment, but at the same time the gene expression of albumin and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase was unchanged or increased. The experiments confirm that rapamycin has inherent growth‐control qualities, and they strengthen the hypothesis that the recently defined immunophilin network is central to many aspects of cellular growth control. (HEPATOLOGY 1992;15:871–877).