Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute and Chronic Polyradiculopathies

ABSTRACT Polyradiculopathies are uncommon peripheral nervous system syndromes that result from a variety of conditions. The clinical manifestations are variable but often include symmetric or asymmetric distal and proximal weakness with a variable degree of sensory loss and reduction or loss of reflexes. The most common cause of an acute polyradiculopathy is acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy (also known as Guillain-Barré syndrome); however, other inflammatory, infectious, or neoplastic causes can present with similar features. Chronic polyradiculopathies include chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy as well as paraprotein-related syndromes and other inflammatory and infectious causes. Evaluation using a combination of serologic studies, electrodiagnostic testing, and CSF evaluation can help to identify the underlying etiology and implement the appropriate treatment. This article reviews the approach to patients with suspected polyradiculopathy and the features of the more common causes of acute and chronic polyradiculopathies.
Characteristics of the genome of human infantile enteritis virus (Rotavirus)

Thermal denaturation studies and polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis have shown that the genome of human infantile enteritis virus (human rotavirus) consists of approximately 11 double-stranded segments. Differences in the molecular weights of some of the corresponding genome segments are apparent between different isolates of the virus.
Predicting Movie Success Using Neural Network

: In this research work we have developed a mathematical model for predicting the success class [flop , hit , super hit] of the Indian movies, for doing this we have develop a methodology in which the historical data of each component [e. G actor , actress, director, music ]that influences the success or failure of a movie is given is due weightage and then based on multiple thresholds calculated on the basis of descriptive statistics of dataset of each component it is given class [flop , hit, super hit] label. This dataset is then subjected to neural network [LM] based learning algorithm for automating the process and results in terms of match between actual class labels and predicted labels are evaluated. Results show that our strategy of identifying the class of success is highly effective and accurate which apparent from the classification matrix also.
High-resolution serum proteomic patterns for ovarian cancer detection.

We read with interest the review article by Conrads et al. (2004) on the use of high-resolution proteomic profiling of serum for ovarian cancer detection, noting in particular the authors’ claims of 100% sensitivity and specificity. Unfortunately, an aspect of the paper causes us great concern, as it suggests the possible presence of substantial experimental bias. The source of our concern is contained in Figs 6A and 7 of Conrads et al. (2004). In Fig 6A, the record number (number of non-zero entries) in each Qstar spectrum is plotted against sample number, with different symbols indicating the 3 days on which the samples were run: day 1 on the left, day 2 in the center, and day 3 on the right. As the authors note, this figure shows clearly that something was going wrong with the process near the end of the run. Figure 7 shows the record numbers of the files remaining after the application of a quality control filter against sample number, with controls on the left and cancers on the right. As can be seen in Fig 1 of this letter, when these two plots are superimposed, they coincide perfectly. This
Large-Scale Spatial-Transmission Models of Infectious Disease

During transmission of seasonal endemic diseases such as measles and influenza, spatial waves of infection have been observed between large distant populations. Also, during the initial stages of an outbreak of a new or reemerging pathogen, disease incidence tends to occur in spatial clusters, which makes containment possible if you can predict the subsequent spread of disease. Spatial models are being used with increasing frequency to help characterize these large-scale patterns and to evaluate the impact of interventions. Here, I review several recent studies on four diseases that show the benefits of different methodologies: measles (patch models), foot-and-mouth disease (distance-transmission models), pandemic influenza (multigroup models), and smallpox (network models). This review highlights the importance of the household in spatial studies of human diseases, such as smallpox and influenza. It also demonstrates the need to develop a simple model of household demographics, so that these large-scale models can be extended to the investigation of long–time scale human pathogens, such as tuberculosis and HIV.
Inhibitory effects of fusarenon on multiplication of Tetrahymena pyriformis.

A toxic substance named fusarenon was isolated from rice grains infected with Fusarium nivale. The substance, at concentrations of 50 ƒÊ g/ml or higher inhibited completely the division of Tetrahymena pyriformis (ciliated protozoan) in exponentially growing mass culture and in temperatureinduced synchronous culture. From the delay in cell division caused by exposure of the cells to 200ƒÊg/ml of f usarenon for 20 min at various stages after the end of the synchronous treatment, it was shown that the cells at 30 min before the synchronous division maximum were most susceptible to the toxic substance. The cells at this stage are known to have completed the syntheses of DNA and m-RNA and be actively synthesizing the specific protein, all of which are indispensable with the forthcoming division. From pulse-labeling with 3H-thymidine, -uridine or -phenylalanine in the
Yeast Hsl 7 ( histone synthetic lethal 7 ) catalyses the in vitro formation of ω-NG-monomethylarginine in calf thymus histone H 2 A

The HSL7 (histone synthetic lethal 7) gene in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a protein with close sequence similarity to the mammalian PRMT5 protein, a member of the class of protein arginine methyltransferases that catalyses the formation of ω-N-monomethylarginine and symmetric ω-N,N ′G-dimethylarginine residues in a number of methyl-accepting species. Afull-lengthHSL7 constructwasexpressedasaFLAG-taggedprotein in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We found that FLAG-tagged Hsl7 effectively catalyses the transfer of methyl groups from Sadenosyl-[methyl-H]-L-methionine to calf thymus histone H2A. When the acid-hydrolysed radiolabelled protein products were separated by high-resolution cation-exchange chromatography, we were able to detect one tritiated species that co-migrated with an ω-N-monomethylarginine standard. No radioactivity was observed that co-migrated with either the asymmetric or symmetric dimethylated derivatives. In control experiments, no methylation of histone H2A was found with two mutant constructs of Hsl7. Surprisingly, FLAG–Hsl7 does not appear to effectively catalyse the in vitro methylation of a GST (glutathione S-transferase)–GAR [glycineand arginine-rich human fibrillarin-(1– 148) peptide] fusion protein or bovine brain myelin basic protein, both good methyl-accepting substrates for the human homologue PRMT5. Additionally, FLAG–Hsl7 demonstrates no activity on purified calf thymus histones H1, H2B, H3 or H4. GST–Rmt1, the GST-fusion protein of the major yeast protein arginine methyltransferase, was also found to methylate calf thymus histone H2A. Although we detected Rmt1-dependent arginine methylation in vivo in purified yeast histones H2A, H2B, H3 and H4, we found no evidence for Hsl7-dependent methylation of endogenous yeast histones. The physiological substrates of the Hsl7 enzyme remain to be identified.
Dimensions of Socioeconomic Status and Childhood Asthma Outcomes: Evidence for Distinct Behavioral and Biological Associations

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate 2 key dimensions of socioeconomic status (SES)—prestige and resources—and their associations with immune, behavioral, and clinical outcomes in childhood asthma. Methods Children ages 9 to 17 years with a physician's diagnosis of asthma (N = 150), and one of their parents participated in this study. Children and parents completed interviews and questionnaires about SES (prestige = parent education; resources = family assets), environmental exposures, and clinical asthma measures. Spirometry was conducted to assess children's pulmonary function, and blood was collected to measure cytokine production in response to nonspecific stimulation, allergen-specific stimulation, and microbial stimulation. Results Higher scores on both dimensions of childhood SES were associated with better clinical outcomes in children (&bgr;'s from |.18 to .27|, p values < .05). Higher prestige, but not resources, was associated with better home environment control behaviors and less exposure to smoke (&bgr;'s from |.21 to .22|, p values < .05). Higher resources, but not prestige, was associated with more favorable immune regulation, as manifest in smaller peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) TH1 and TH2 cytokine responses (&bgr;'s from −.18 to −.19; p values < .05), and smaller proinflammatory cytokine responses (&bgr; = −.19; p < .05) after ex vivo stimulation. Higher resources also were associated with more sensitivity to glucocorticoid inhibition of TH1 and TH2 cytokine production (&bgr;'s from −.18 to −.22; p values < .05). Conclusions These results suggest that prestige and resources in childhood family environments have different implications for behavioral and immunological processes relevant to childhood asthma. They also suggest that childhood SES relates to multiple aspects of immunologic regulation of relevance to the pathophysiology of asthma.
cAMP‐regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor II (Epac2) mediates Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release in INS‐1 pancreatic β‐cells

1 The signal transduction pathway responsible for cAMP‐dependent Ca2+‐induced Ca2+ release (CICR) from endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ stores was assessed in the insulin‐secreting cell line INS‐1. 2 CICR was triggered by the GLP‐1 receptor agonist exendin‐4, an effect mimicked by caffeine, Sp‐cAMPS or forskolin. CICR required influx of Ca2+ through L‐type voltage‐dependent Ca2+ channels, and was blocked by treatment with nimodipine, thapsigargin, or ryanodine, but not by the IP3 receptor antagonist xestospongin C. 3 Treatment with the cAMP antagonist 8‐Br‐Rp‐cAMPS blocked CICR in response to exendin‐4, whereas the PKA inhibitor H‐89 was ineffective when tested at a concentration demonstrated to inhibit PKA‐dependent gene expression. 4 RT‐PCR of INS‐1 cells demonstrated expression of mRNA coding for the type‐II isoform of cAMP‐regulated guanine nucleotide exchange factor (cAMP‐GEF‐II, Epac2). 5 CICR in response to forskolin was blocked by transient transfection and expression of a dominant negative mutant isoform of cAMP‐GEF‐II in which inactivating mutations were introduced into the exchange factor's two cAMP‐binding domains. 6 It is concluded that CICR in INS‐1 cells results from GLP‐1 receptor‐mediated sensitization of the intracellular Ca2+ release mechanism, a signal transduction pathway independent of PKA, but which requires cAMP‐GEF‐II.
A DFT Study of the Components of a Hf / HfO 2 / TiN three-layer stack

In the present study, the unit cells of metallic Hafnium (Hf), Hafnium Oxide (HfO2), and Titanium Nitride (TiN), which are the components of a novel Hf/HfO2/TiN three-layer stack with great potential for applications in nanoelectronics, are theoretically described by employing the plane wave pseudopotential approach as implemented in the Vienna Ab Initio Simulation Package (VASP). All the calculations are performed within the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) by adopting the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof (PBE) functional. As a result of the present study, a systematic procedure for the quantummechanical simulation of each system is proposed as follows: (i) construction of the model from experimental data, (ii) determination of the optimal value of the plane wave energy cutoff, (iii) optimization of the parameter that defines the number of k-points in the reciprocal space, and (iv) geometry optimization of the cell parameters and atomic positions. In the specific case of the HfO2 system, on-site Coulomb corrections (GGA+U method) are applied to calculate an accurate energy band gap value.
Complications following re-exploration of the groin for recurrent varicose veins.

BACKGROUND Groin surgery for recurrent varicose veins can be technically difficult due to scarring from previous surgery. Access to the sapheno-femoral junction (SFJ) can be facilitated by approaching the veins indirectly (subfascially) by first exposing the common femoral artery. The aim of this paper was to document experience with both direct and indirect approaches to the SFJ for recurrent varicose veins. METHOD A retrospective analysis of all patients having groin surgery for recurrent varicose veins. RESULTS Of 128 legs having surgery, the approach to the SFJ was direct in 46%, indirect in 53% and unknown in one leg. Complications occurred after 40% of all procedures but were significantly more common following indirect surgery (57% versus 20%, P < 0.001), of which the most frequent were of a lymphatic nature (26% versus 5%, P < 0.001) or wound infection (16% versus 7%, P = 0.05). CONCLUSION Wound complications are common following groin surgery for recurrent varicose veins especially after an indirect approach to the SFJ.
Uncovering Cryptic Diversity in Two Amoebozoan Species Using Complete Mitochondrial Genome Sequences

The Amoebozoa are a major eukaryotic lineage that encompasses a wide range of amoeboid organisms. The group is understudied from a systematic perspective: molecular tools have only been applied in the last 15 yr. Hence, there is an undersampling of both genes and taxa in the group especially compared to plants, animals, and fungi. Here, we present the complete mitochondrial genomes of two ubiquitous and abundant morpho‐species (Acanthamoeba castellanii and Vermamoeba vermiformis). Both have mitochondrial genomes of close relatives previously available, enabling insights into recent divergences at a genomic scale, while simultaneously offering comparisons with divergence estimates obtained from traditionally used single genes, SSU rDNA and cox1. The newly sequenced mt genomes are significantly divergent from their previously sequenced conspecifics (A. castellannii 16.4% divergence at nucleotide level and 10.4% amino acid; V. vermiformis 21.6% and 13.1%, respectively), while divergence at the small subunit ribosomal DNA is below 1% within both species. Morphological analyses determined that these lineages are indistinguishable from their previously sequenced counterparts. Phylogenetic reconstructions using 26 mt genes also indicate a level of divergence that is comparable to divergence among species, while reconstructions using the small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) do not. In addition, we demonstrate that between closely related taxa, there are high levels of synteny, which can be explored for primer design to obtain larger fragments than the traditional barcoding genes. We conclude that, although most systematic work has relied on SSU, this gene alone can severely underestimate diversity. Thus, we suggest that the mt genome emerges as an alternative for unraveling the lower level phylogenetic relationships of Amoebozoa.
Facility-level interpatient hemoglobin variability in hemodialysis centers participating in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS): Associations with mortality, patient characteristics, and facility practices.

BACKGROUND Hemodialysis patients with larger hemoglobin level fluctuations have higher mortality rates. We describe facility-level interpatient hemoglobin variability, its relation to patient mortality, and factors associated with facility-level hemoglobin variability or achieving hemoglobin levels of 10.5-12.0 g/dL. Facility-level hemoglobin variability may reflect within-patient hemoglobin variability and facility-level anemia-control practices. STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS Data from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS; 26,510 hemodialysis patients, 930 facilities, 12 countries, 1996-2008) and from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS; 193,291 hemodialysis patients, 3,741 US facilities, 2002). PREDICTORS Standard deviation (SD) in single-measurement hemoglobin levels in hemodialysis patients in facility cross-sections (facility-level hemoglobin SD); patient characteristics; facility practices. OUTCOMES Patient-level mortality; additionally, facility practices correlated with facility-level hemoglobin SD or patient hemoglobin levels of 10.5-12.0 g/dL. RESULTS Facility-level hemoglobin SD varied more than 5-fold across DOPPS facilities (range, 0.5-2.7 g/dL; mean, 1.3 g/dL) and by country (range, 1.1 in Japan-DOPPS [2005/2006] to 1.7 g/dL in Spain-DOPPS [1998/1999]), with substantial decreases seen in many countries from 1998 to 2007. Facility-level hemoglobin SD was related inversely to patient age, but was associated minimally with more than 30 other patient characteristics and facility mean hemoglobin levels. Several anemia management practices were associated strongly with facility-level hemoglobin SD and having a hemoglobin level of 10.5-12.0 g/dL. When examined in CMS data, facility-level hemoglobin SD was positively associated with within-patient hemoglobin SD during the prior 6 months. Patient mortality rates were higher with greater facility-level hemoglobin SD (DOPPS: HR, 1.08 per 0.5-g/dL greater facility-level hemoglobin SD [95% CI, 1.02-1.15; P = 0.006]; CMS: HR, 1.16 per 0.5-g/dL greater facility-level hemoglobin SD [95% CI, 1.11-1.21; P < 0. 001]). LIMITATIONS Residual confounding. CONCLUSIONS Facility-level hemoglobin SD was associated strongly and positively with patient mortality, not tightly linked to numerous patient characteristics, but related strongly to facility anemia management practices. Facility-level hemoglobin variability may be modifiable and its optimization may improve hemodialysis patient survival.
Detection and correction of transmission errors in JPEG images

The detection and correction approach to transmission errors in JPEG images using the sequential discrete cosine transform (DCT)-based mode of operation is proposed. The objective is to eliminate transmission errors in JPEG images. Here a transmission error may be either a single-bit error or a burst error containing N successive error bits. For an entropy-coded JPEG image, a single transmission error in a codeword will not only affect the underlying codeword, but may also affect subsequent codewords. Consequently, a single error in an entropy-coded system may result in a significant degradation. To cope with the synchronization problem, in the proposed approach the restart capability of JPEG images is enabled, i.e., the eight unique restart markers (synchronization codewords) are periodically inserted into the JPEG compressed image bitstream. Transmission errors in a JPEG image are sequentially detected both when the JPEG image is under decoding and after the JPEG image has been decoded. When a transmission error or equivalently a corrupted restart interval is detected, the proposed error correction approach simply performs a sequence of bit inversions and redecoding operations on the corrupted restart interval and selects the "best" feasible redecoding solution by using a proposed cost function for error correction. The proposed approach can recover high-quality JPEG images from the corresponding corrupted JPEG images at bit error rates (BERs) up to approximately 0.4%. This shows the feasibility of the proposed approach.
Transport of the areca nut alkaloid arecaidine by the human proton‐coupled amino acid transporter 1 (hPAT1)

The pyridine alkaloid arecaidine is an ingredient of areca nut preparations. It is responsible for many physiological effects observed during areca nut chewing. However, the mechanism underlying its oral bioavailability has not yet been studied. We investigated whether the H+‐coupled amino acid transporter 1 (PAT1, SLC36A1), which is expressed in the intestinal epithelium, accepts arecaidine, arecoline, isoguvacine and other derivatives as substrates.
Pacing profiles and pack running at the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe the pacing profiles and packing behaviour of athletes competing in the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships. Finishing and split times were collated for 491 men and 347 women across six championships. The mean speeds for each intermediate 5 km and end 1.1 km segments were calculated, and athletes grouped according to finishing time. The best men and women largely maintained their split speeds between 5 km and 15 km, whereas slower athletes had decreased speeds from 5 km onwards. Athletes were also classified by the type of packing behaviour in which they engaged. Those who ran in packs throughout the race had smaller decreases in pace than those who did not, or who managed to do so only to 5 km. While some athletes’ reduced speeds from 15 to 20 km might have been caused by fatigue, it was also possibly a tactic to aid a fast finish that was particularly beneficial to medallists. Those athletes who ran with the same competitors throughout sped up most during the finish. Athletes are advised to identify rivals likely to have similar abilities and ambitions and run with them as part of their pre-race strategy.
Frequency and pattern of idiopathic osteosclerosis and condensing osteitis lesions in panoramic radiography of Iranian patients

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate of radiographic pattern and relative frequency of idiopathic osteosclerosis (IO) and condensing osteitis (CO) in panoramic radiographs. Materials and Methods: Totally 411 panoramic radiographies were randomly selected from patients referred to Radiology Department of Faculty of Dentistry, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Descriptive characteristics of radiopacities, including shape, border, localization, and dental relationship, were recorded. The Chi-squared test was used. Results: IO was detected in 31 (7.5%) patients and 22 (68.8%) lesions had exact border while their shape was mostly irregular. About 17 (53.1%) lesions were apical, and 13 (40.6%) lesions had no relation to the teeth. The most involved teeth were the second premolar (28.1%) and first molar (25%). Moreover, CO was detected in 32 (7.8%) patients. 17 (53.1%) lesions had an ill-defined border, and their shape was mostly irregular (65.6%) with ill-defined border. Around 18 (56.3%) lesions were apical, and 11 (34.4) lesions were apical and interradicular. The most involved teeth were the second premolar (59.4%) and the first molar (21.9%). Conclusion: The results demonstrated that relative frequency of IO in the selected population was 7.5% and for CO, it was 7.8%.