Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
On the Performance of MIMO-SVD Multiplexing Systems in HetNets: A Stochastic Geometry Perspective

In the paper, we study network-wise performance of multistream multi-input multi-output (MIMO) singular value decomposition communications in heterogeneous networks (HetNets). We adopt tools from stochastic geometry to model HetNets through $K$ tiers of interfering base stations (BSs) and evaluate the coverage probability and achievable spectral efficiency (ASE), assuming max-signal-to-interference ratio (SIR) cell association rule. For this model, the main contributions are 1) studying the coverage probability of MIMO multiplexing systems from a communication link's viewpoint; 2) investigating the cross-stream SIR correlation coefficient and highlighting the impacts of path-loss exponent and the number of receive antennas on the growth of it; and 3) obtaining easy-to-compute closed-form approximates of the coverage probability and ASE. The developed expressions explicitly reveal the impact of many system parameters, including the number of tiers, density of BSs, transmission power, and the number of data streams. Simulations are conducted to confirm the accuracy of our analysis. Various important aspects of HetNets with respect to densification, high multiplexing gains, and large antenna arrays are demonstrated. Results showcase the significance of channel state information at the transmitter on the network's performance. With the results of this paper, further investigations and system designs are made possible.
Risk factors for developing tuberculosis: a 12-year follow-up of contacts of tuberculosis cases.

BACKGROUND Many risk factors for the development of tuberculosis (TB) have been reported but have not been simultaneously assessed. OBJECTIVE To determine the risk of developing TB associated with each risk factor, after adjusting for all others. METHODS We performed a population-based, retrospective cohort study of the contacts of TB cases recorded in British Columbia, Canada. Known risk factors for the development of TB were assessed over a 12-year period; Cox regression was used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) of TB, adjusting for the other factors. RESULTS Among 33 146 TB contacts, 228 developed TB during the study period (TB rate 668 per 100,000 population, 95%CI 604-783). The main risk factors for TB development were malnutrition (HR 37.5), no treatment of latent TB infection (HR 25) or <6 months of treatment (HR 5.38), age 0-10 years (HR 7.87), being a household contact (HR 8.47) and having a tuberculin skin test induration of >or=5 mm (HR >or=4.99). Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination significantly reduced the risk of TB development (HR 0.32, 95%CI 0.20-0.50). CONCLUSIONS Among contacts of TB cases, we have identified the few factors that carry a very high risk for developing TB. These factors identify populations at highest risk and permit more effective TB control.
Squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen (SCC‐A) values related to clinical outcome of pre‐invasive and invasive cervical carcinoma

The serum concentration of squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen (SCC‐A), a subfraction of tumour antigen, was determined by RIA from healthy donors (control group) and from patients with malignant cervical disease. Ninety‐six percent (173/180) of the healthy patients had squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen serum levels below 2ng/ml. Ten of 70 (14.3%) patients with CIN III, 53.8% (34/62) of patients with invasive squamous‐cell carcinoma stage 1, 85.8% (30/35) with stage II and 96.5% (27/28) with stage III/IV had squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen serum levels above 2ng/ml. We observed that 22.5% (11/49) of patients with a tumour volume below 10ml and 92.6% of patients with a tumour volume greater than 10ml had squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen levels above 2ng/ml (p < 0.005). SCC‐A was correlated with recurrence or progressive disease in 90.0% of cases. Other risk factors such as depth of invasion, microscopic parametrial involvement, lymphatic and/or vascular space permeation and histological grade were not correlated with squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen. Furthermore, this marker increased 4.3 ± 2.7 months before clinical evidence of recurrence or progressive disease. We conclude that serial serum levels of squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen provide a means for early detection of recurrence or progressive disease. This tumour marker might also be useful for monitoring the treatment effects and has some prognostic value.
Metabolism of Sulfobromophthalein in Hepatectomized and Hepatectomized-Nephrectomized Dog.∗

Summary 1. Conjugation and rate of removal of sulfobromophthalein from the blood stream were studied in hepatectomized and hepatectomized-nephrectomized dogs. 2. Clearance of BSP from blood of hepatectomized dogs occurred at a slow but significant rate. Only 10% of cleared dye was excreted in urine. Conjugates of BSP appeared in serum and in greater percentage in urine. 3. Hepatectomized dogs after nephrectomy still cleared BSP at significant rate but had only questionable traces of metabolites in the serum. 4. It was concluded that the kidney is capable of conjugating BSP but that most of the dye clearance in the hepatectomized dog can be attributed to extrarenal mechanisms in the peripheral tissues.
SirT1 enhances survival of human osteoarthritic chondrocytes by repressing protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B and activating the insulin-like growth factor receptor pathway.

OBJECTIVE The protein deacetylase SirT1 inhibits apoptosis in a variety of cell systems by distinct mechanisms, yet its role in chondrocyte death has not been explored. We undertook the present study to assess the role of SirT1 in the survival of osteoarthritic (OA) chondrocytes in humans. METHODS SirT1, protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), and PTP1B mutant expression plasmids as well as SirT1 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and PTP1B siRNA were transfected into primary human chondrocytes. Levels of apoptosis were determined using flow cytometry, and activation of components of the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGFR)/Akt pathway was assessed using immunoblotting. OA and normal knee cartilage samples were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS Expression of SirT1 in chondrocytes led to increased chondrocyte survival in either the presence or the absence of tumor necrosis factor alpha/actinomycin D, while a reduction of SirT1 by siRNA led to increased chondrocyte apoptosis. Expression of SirT1 in chondrocytes led to activation of IGFR and the downstream kinases phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, phosphoinosite-dependent protein kinase 1, mTOR, and Akt, which in turn phosphorylated MDM2, inhibited p53, and blocked apoptosis. Activation of IGFR occurs at least in part via SirT1-mediated repression of PTP1B. Expression of PTP1B in chondrocytes increased apoptosis and reduced IGFR phosphorylation, while down-regulation of PTP1B by siRNA significantly decreased apoptosis. Examination of cartilage from normal donors and OA patients revealed that PTP1B levels are elevated in OA cartilage in which SirT1 levels are decreased. CONCLUSION For the first time, it has been demonstrated that SirT1 is a mediator of human chondrocyte survival via down-regulation of PTP1B, a potent proapoptotic protein that is elevated in OA cartilage.
Intravenous Lidocaine Inhibits Visceral Nociceptive Reflexes and Spinal Neurons in the Rat

Background Systemically administered local anesthetics and other sodium channel blockers produce analgesia in patients with hypersensitivity disorders. To assess whether these agents have a role in the treatment of visceral pain, the present study examined the effects of intravenous lidocaine on neuronal and reflex responses to colorectal distension. Methods In decerebrate, cervical spinal cord–transected male rats, the lumbosacral spinal cord was exposed by a laminectomy. Dorsal horn neurons demonstrating excitatory responses to colorectal distension were identified using microelectrodes. Sequential doses of lidocaine were administered intravenously. In chronically instrumented, unanesthetized rats, visceromotor responses, pressor responses, and increases in heart rate were elicited by colorectal distension and sequential doses of lidocaine. Results Intravenous lidocaine dose-dependently inhibited visceromotor and cardiovascular reflexes and the evoked and spontaneous activity of neurons excited by colorectal distension. There were statistically greater effects on one of the neuronal subgroups (sustained neurons) than on another subgroup (abrupt neurons.) Conclusions Intravenous lidocaine had dose-dependent, inhibitory effects on two spinal neuronal populations excited by colorectal distension and dose-dependently inhibited reflex responses to the same stimulus. This suggests there may be utility of sodium channel blockers in the treatment of pain of visceral origin.
Prolyl Isomerase Pin1-mediated Conformational Change and Subnuclear Focal Accumulation of Runx2 Are Crucial for Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2)-induced Osteoblast Differentiation*

Background: Genetic interaction between Runx2 and Pin1 is critical for embryonic bone formation. Results: Pin1 is a critical modifying enzyme promoting both subnuclear accumulation and protein acetylation of Runx2. Conclusion: Pin1 determines the fate of Runx2 protein in osteoblast differentiation. Significance: The modulation of Pin1 activity may be a clinical target for the regulation of bone formation. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) signaling plays a pivotal role in bone growth/differentiation through the activation of osteogenic master transcription factor Runx2, which is mediated by the ERK/MAPK-dependent phosphorylation and the p300-dependent acetylation of Runx2. In this study, we found that Pin1-dependent isomerization of Runx2 is the critical step for FGF2-induced Runx2 transactivation function. We identified four serine or threonine residues in the C-terminal domain of Runx2 that are responsible for Pin1 binding and structural modification. Confocal imaging studies indicated that FGF2 treatment strongly stimulated the focal accumulation of Pin1 in the subnuclear area, which recruited Runx2. In addition, active forms of RNA polymerase-II also colocalized in the same subnuclear compartment. Dipentamethylene thiuram monosulfide, a Pin1 inhibitor, strongly attenuated their focal accumulation as well as Runx2 transactivation activity. The Pin1-mediated structural modification of Runx2 is an indispensable step connecting phosphorylation and acetylation and, consequently, transcriptional activation of Runx2 by FGF signaling. Thus, the modulation of Pin1 activity may be a target for the regulation of bone formation.
The sources of external work in level walking and running.

The work done at each step during level walking and running to lift the centre of mass of the body, Wv, and to increase its forward speed, Wf, and the total mechanical energy involved (potential + kinetic) Wext, have been measured at various 'constant' speeds (2‐32 km/hr) with the technique described by Cavagna (1975). 2. At intermediate speeds of walking (about 4 km/hr) Wv = Wf and Wext/km is at a minimum, as is the energy cost. At lower speeds Wv greater than Wf whereas at higher speeds Wf greather than Wv: in both cases Wext/km increases. 3. The recovery of mechanical energy, through the pendular motion characteristic of walking, was measured as (/Wv/ + /Wf/ ‐ Wext)/(/Wv/ + /Wf/): it attains a maximum (about 65%) at intermediate speeds. 4. A simple model, assuming that in walking the body rotates as an inverted pendulum over the foot in contact with the ground, fits the experimental data better at intermediate speeds but is no longer tenable above 7 km/hr. 5. In running the recovery defined above is minimal (0‐4% independent of speed), i.e. Wext congruent to /Wv/ + /Wf/: potential and kinetic energy of the body do not interchange but are simultaneously taken up and released by the muscles with a rate increasing markedly with the speed (from about 1 to 4 h.p.). 6. Wext increases linearly with the running speed Vf from a positive y intercept owing to the fact that Wv is practically constant independent of Vf. On the contrary, Wf = aVf2/(1 + bVf), where b is the ratio between the time spent in the air and the forward distance covered while on the ground during each step.
Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin E on Cyclic Mastalgia

Abstract: Cyclic mastalgia is one of the most prevalent disorders among fertile women. To date, hormonal agents, despite their side effects, have been widely used for treatment of this ailment. This study was performed to clarify the therapeutic effects of Vitamin E (Vit E) as a safe treatment for cyclic mastalgia among fertile women. This study was conducted as a double blind clinical trial; 150 women with cyclic mastalgia, referred by three public health centers in Qazvin City in Iran, were enrolled in the trial and randomly divided into two distinct case and control groups; each containing 75 patients. The severity and duration of breast pain were measured according to both the Cardiff Breast Pain Chart and the Visual Analog Scale. Simple, chewable tablets of either Vit E or a placebo were prescribed twice a day for 4 months for case and control participants, respectively. Follow‐up was performed at the end of both the second and the fourth months and, at that time, the severity, duration and side effects of intervention were evaluated. The administration of Vit E had significant curative results as tested at both the 2‐ and 4‐month benchmarks. Chi‐square testing indicated that after both 2 and 4 months of therapy, the efficacy demonstrated by the Vit E recipient case group was superior to that of the group that received a placebo. Applying the Mc Nemar Test, it also was shown that there was no significant difference in the benefits received between treatment courses of 2 versus 4 months. A 2‐month prescription of Vit E has positive therapeutic effects on cyclic mastalgia. Given its lack of significant side effects, Vit E, therefore, can be considered a safe alternative to hormonal therapies currently being used in the treatment of cyclic mastalgia.
Endoparasitic fauna of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and golden jackals (Canis aureus) in Serbia

Wild canides have a high epizootiological–epidemiological significance, considering that they are hosts for some parasites which spread vector born diseases. Increased frequency of certain interactions between domestic and wild canides increases the risk of occurrence, spreading and maintaining the infection of parasitic etiology in domestic canides. The research was conducted in 232 wild canides (172 red foxes and 60 golden jackals). The examined material was sampled from foxes and jackals, which were hunted down between 2010 and 2014, from 8 epizootiological areas of Serbia (North-Bačka, West-Bačka, Southern- Banat, Moravički, Zlatiborski, Raški, Rasinski and Zaječarski district). On completing the parasitological dissection and the coprological diagnostics, in wild canides protozoa from the genus Isospora were identified, 3 species of trematoda (Alaria alata, Pseudamphistomum truncatum and Metagonimus yokogawai), cestods from the genus Taenia and 5 species of nematodes (Toxocara canis, Ancylostomatidae, Trichuris vulpis and Capillaria aerophila). The finding of M. yokogawai in golden jackals were, to the best of our knowledge, one of the first diagnosed cases of metagonimosis in golden jackals in Serbia. The continued monitoring of the parasitic fauna of wild canides is needed to establish the widespread of the zoonoses in different regions of Serbia, because they present the reservoirs and/or sources of these infections.
Treatment of Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia With CO2 Laser Vaporization and Excision Surgery

Objective To evaluate the recurrence rate after a single treatment of vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) with CO2 laser vaporization. Materials and Methods Fifty women with usual-type or differentiated VIN (grades 2 and 3) treated with CO2 laser vaporization or surgery excision (cold knife or CO2 laser) were retrospectively evaluated. Results Of the 50 patients, 41 (82.0%) had usual-type VIN and 9 (18.0%) had differentiated VIN. Moreover, 24 (48.0%) were treated with surgery excision and 26 (52.0%) underwent CO2 laser vaporization. Laser-treated patients were significantly younger (p < .01) with more multifocal (p < .05) and multicentric lesions (p < .01) than in the surgery group. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates at 1 year were 91.0% for the surgery and 65.2% for the laser vaporization groups (p < .01). At 5 years, RFS rates were unchanged for the surgery group and dropped to 51.3% (p < .01) for the laser group. On the univariate analysis, current smoker (p = .03), multicentric VIN (p = .02), and laser vaporization treatment (p < .01) had a statistically significant impact on RFS. One patient progressed to invasive cancer (2%). Conclusions The recurrence rate after CO2 laser vaporization requires regular, close, and extended monitoring.
Sources and reasons for seeking health information by Lithuanian adults.

UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to assess the attitudes of Lithuanian adults aged 20-64 years toward the reasons for accessing health information and to determine the main health information sources and their relation to sociodemographic factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS The data for this study were gathered in 2008 within the framework of the International Project Finbalt Health Monitor evaluating health behavior in a Lithuanian adult population. RESULTS More than half of respondents searched for health information during the last year. Men were 2.7 times more likely to trust friends and family as a health information source compared with women. For each 1-year increase in age, the odds of using friends and family, and the Internet as the main sources of health information decreased, while the odds of using people with the same condition and different means of media increased. Marital status was associated with greater trust in health professionals and the Internet as health information sources. Higher education was positively associated with more frequent reporting courses and lectures, and the Internet as the sources of health information, while those with lower education preferred television and radio. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed the characteristics of the "risk group" in terms of the sources of health information that people, assigned to it, tend to use, and it is especially important when providing health information.
A T cell controlled molecular pathway regulating the IgH locus: CD40‐mediated activation of the IgH 3′ enhancer.

Immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) class switch recombination and regulation of IgH expression levels are processes suggested to be controlled by the IgH 3′ enhancer. Here we demonstrate that CD40 or IgM receptor stimulation of primary B cells results in transactivation of this enhancer. 4‐Hydroxy‐3‐nitrophenylacetyl (NIP)‐BSA induction of a K46 B cell line expressing a chimeric NIP‐specific CD40 single chain receptor results in a ligand receptor‐dependent response of a 3′ enhancer ETS/AP‐1 minimal promoter construct. Gel retardation analysis and genomic footprinting experiments reveal that CD40 or IgM induction recruits NFAB (nuclear factors of activated B cells) to the ETS/AP‐1 motif. While IgM signalling recruits c‐Fos, JunB and Elf‐1 (NFAB‐I), only JunB and Elf‐1 were observed following CD40 signalling (NFAB‐II). CD40 signalling, however, induces a Fos family‐related partner for JunB, which may account for the transcriptional activity observed by NFAB‐II in K46 cells. We propose a model whereby CD40 and IgM receptor‐mediated signalling converge in the process of 3′ enhancer activation in B lymphocytes. Our data provide a putative molecular explanation as to why CD40L‐deficient mice, and possibly patients with hyper‐IgM syndrome, are unable to undergo T cell‐dependent class switch recombination but respond properly upon lipopolysaccharide‐induced switch recombination.
Autologous Platelet-rich Plasma versus Corticosteroid in the Management of Elbow Epicondylitis: A Randomized Study

Introduction: Elbow epicondylar tendinitis is a common problem for patients whose activities require strong gripping or repetitive wrist movements in the day-to-day activities of life. Histologic specimens from chronic cases confirm that tendinitis is not an acute inflammatory condition but rather a failure of the normal tendon repair mechanism associated with angiofibroblastic degeneration. Tendon regeneration may be improved by injecting autologous growth factors obtained from the patient's own blood. Autologous growth factors can be injected with autologous whole blood or platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Materials and Methods: A randomized study with 83 patients was done. The study population comprised two groups. Group A (n = 50) treated with local steroid injection and Group B (n = 33) treated with autologous PRP. Patients were allocated randomly using computer-generated random number table. The base-line evaluation was done using visual analog score (VAS) and modified Mayo performance index for elbow (MAYO). Re-evaluation was after 1, 2, and 6 months of the procedure. Statistical analysis was done using independent t-test. Results: Six months after treatment with PRP, patient's with elbow epicondylitis had a significant improvement in their VAS (P < 0.05) and MAYO (P < 0.05) in contrast to steroid, whereas no statistical difference was found between the two groups at 1 and 2 months after intervention. Conclusion: Treatment of patients with epicondylitis with PRP reduces pain and significantly increases function, exceeding the effect of corticosteroid injection.
Temporal changes in physiology and haematology in response to high- and micro-doses of recombinant human erythropoietin.

There is evidence to suggest athletes have adopted recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO) dosing regimens that diminish the likelihood of being caught by direct detection techniques. However, the temporal response in physiology, performance, and Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) parameters to such regimens is not clearly understood. Participants were assigned to a high-dose only group (HIGH, n = 8, six rHuEPO doses of 250 IU/kg over two weeks), a combined high micro-dose group (COMB, n = 8, high-dose plus nine rHuEPO micro-doses over a further three weeks), or one of two placebo control groups who received saline in the same pattern as the HIGH (HIGH-PLACEBO, n = 4) or COMB (COMB-PLACEBO, n = 4) groups. Temporal changes in physiology and performance were tracked by graded exercise test (GXT) and haemoglobin mass assessment at baseline, after high dose, after micro-dose (COMB and COMB-PLACEBO only) and after a four-week washout. Venous blood samples were collected throughout the baseline, rHuEPO administration, and washout periods to determine the haematological and ABP response to each dosing regimen. Physiological adaptations induced by a two-week rHuEPO high-dose were maintained by rHuEPO micro-dosing for at least three weeks. However, all participants administered rHuEPO registered at least one suspicious ABP value during the administration or washout periods. These results indicate there is sufficient sensitivity in the ABP to detect use of high rHuEPO doping regimens in athletic populations and they provide important empirical examples for use by anti-doping experts. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.