Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relation among stenosis severity, myocardial blood flow, and flow reserve in patients with coronary artery disease.

BACKGROUND Coronary arteriography is considered the "gold standard" for evaluating the severity of a coronary stenosis. Because the resistance to blood flow through a stenotic lesion depends on a number of lesion characteristics, the physiological significance of coronary lesions of intermediate severity is often difficult to determine from angiography alone. This study of patients with coronary artery disease seeks to determine the relation between myocardial blood flow and flow reserve measured by positron emission tomography (PET) and the percent area stenosis on quantitative coronary arteriography. METHODS AND RESULTS We studied 28 subjects: 18 patients with coronary artery disease (66 +/- 8 years) and 10 age-matched healthy volunteers (64 +/- 13 years) with dynamic N-13 ammonia PET imaging at rest and after dipyridamole (0.56 mg/kg). The percent cross-sectional area stenosis was quantified on the coronary arteriograms as described by Brown et al. In the 18 patients, a total of 41 non-infarct-related coronary vessels were analyzed. Myocardial blood flows in normal regions of patients with coronary artery disease were not different than those in healthy volunteers, both at rest and after dipyridamole. As a result, the myocardial flow reserve was also similar in both groups (2.4 +/- 0.4 versus 2.6 +/- 0.7, respectively; P = NS). Quantitative PET estimates of hyperemic blood flow (r = .81, P < .00001), flow reserve (r = .78, P < .00001), and an index of the "minimal coronary resistance" (r = .78, P < .00001) were inversely and nonlinearly correlated with the percent area stenosis on angiography. Of note, PET estimates of myocardial flow reserve successfully differentiated coronary lesions of intermediate severity (50% to 70% and 70% to 90%; 2.4 +/- 0.4 versus 1.8 +/- 0.5, respectively; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS In patients with coronary artery disease, non-invasive measurements of myocardial blood flow and flow reserve by PET are inversely and nonlinearly related to stenosis severity as defined by quantitative angiography. Importantly, coronary lesions of intermediate severity have a differential flow reserve that decreases as stenosis increases that can be detected noninvasively by PET, thus allowing better definition of the functional importance of known coronary stenosis.
An Ultra-Wideband-based Multi-UAV Localization System in GPS-denied environments

T his paper presents a technique for multi-UAV localization using ranging measurements from Two-Way Time-Of-Flight Ultra-Wideband (UWB) transceivers. In continuation with our previous work, the use of the Extended Kalman Filter (EKF) estimate is extended by fusing with other sensors to achieve a usable altitude estimate. Besides EKF, another method based on Non-linear Regression (NLR) is also developed to serve as an auxiliary localization to supplement the EKF. Experiments of autonomous ﬂights are carried out to study the performance of these localization methods. Our success in supporting 4 UAVs demonstrates the capability of UWB for multi-UAV localization as a substitute for GPS in GPS-denied conditions. It can also serve as a cost-competitive alternative for very accurate yet expensive, highly centralized motion capture systems for indoor localization.
Ayahuasca in Adolescence: Qualitative Results

Abstract Qualitative research was conducted in Brazil among 28 ayahuasca-consuming adolescents members of the Uniāo do Vegetal Church, and 28 adolescents who never used ayahuasca. They were compared on a number of qualitative variables, including vignettes measuring moral and ethical concerns. Psychocultural studies utilizing co-occurences of variables in the realm of qualitative studies are useful in understanding and complementing quantitative studies also conducted among this population. Qualitative data show that the teens in the Uniāo do Vegetal religion appear to be healthy, thoughtful, considerate and bonded to their families and religious peers. This study examines the modem use of a powerful hallucinogenic compound within a legal religious context, and the youth who participated in these ayahuasca religious ceremonies (usually with parents and other family members) appeared not to differ from their nonayahuasca-using peers. This study helps to elucidate the full range of effects of plant hallucinogenic use within a socially-sanctioned, elder-facilitated and structured religious context.
Inhibition of bone resorption by acetazolamide in the rat.

The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, acetazolamide, has been found to elicit a hypocalcemic response in acutely nephrectomized rats. This effect cannot be attributed to changes in pCO2, pH citrate, phosphate or protein. Administration of acetazolamide to parathyroidectomized- nephrectomized rats has been shown to inhibit the hypercalcemic response to parathyroid extract and dibutyryl cyclic 3',5'- AMP. The hypercalcemic response to epinephrine was not inhibited in the same preparation. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that cyclic 3',5'-AMP is the second messenger of parathyroid hormone in its action on bone, and that carbonic acid production may be a later, or possibly the final, messenger of the hormone. (Endocrinology 87: 1129, 1970)
New Simulation Techniques in Kinship Network Analysis

Thanks to new conceptual and computational tools, the analysis of kinship and marriage networks has advanced considerably over the past twenty-five years. While in the past, the discussion of empirical marriage practices was often restricted to a casual observation of salient network features, it is now easy to produce a complete census of matrimonial circuits, both between individuals and between groups. However, the abundance of structural features which have thus become accessible raises a new question: to what extent can they be taken as indicators of sociological phenomena (such as marriage preferences or avoidances), rather than as effects of chance or of observer bias? This paper presents a series of recently developed simulation techniques that deal with this issue. Starting from a new approach to “classical” agent-based modeling of kinship and alliance (group) networks (Section 2), we then present an automatic model discovery technique which, instead of constructing alliance networks from given matrimonial rules, reconstructs plausible matrimonial rules underlying given alliance networks (Section 3). While these techniques apply to “objective” representations of kinship and alliance networks, we also present two methods that take into account the generally lacunar and biased character of empirical kinship datasets. The first method we propose to deal with this problem (Section 4) is a generalized version of White’s (1999) “reshuffling” approach, which consists in redistributing marriage or descent links between individuals or groups while keeping the numbers of links constant. (For alliance networks, the question can be dealt with analytically by straightforward calculation of expected marriage circuit frequencies.) The second method (Section 5) consists in simulating the processes of network exploration by a virtual fieldworker navigating through kinship or alliance networks according to given behavioral constraints.
Endoscopic and Caldwell-Luc Approaches in Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis: A Comparative Histopathologic Study on Preoperative and Postoperative Mucosal Morphology

The aim of the present investigation was to study the histopathologic mucosal changes occurring in chronic maxillary sinusitis both preoperative and postoperative to functional endoscopic sinus (FES) surgery and the Caldwell-Luc (C-L) operation. Correlations were also sought between the histopathologic parameters and endoscopic findings, as well as patient symptoms. Sixty sinuses with the FES surgery and 55 sinuses with the C-L procedure were studied. The histologic parameters were graded semiquantitatively and compared preoperatively and postoperatively. The C-L operation reduced almost all parameters, whereas after the FES operation only edema and inflammatory cells were significantly reduced. Fibrosis increased postoperatively with both methods. The number of inflammatory cells was closely correlated to a thickened antral mucosa and to purulent secretion. No valid correlations were found when comparing histology with patient symptoms. All in all, histologic considerations suggest that asthmatic patients with severe sinonasal polyposis might benefit from the C-L procedure.
ΔμH+ dependency of in vitro protein translocation into Escherichia coli inner‐membrane vesicles varies with the signal‐sequence core‐region composition

Signal sequences frequently contain α‐helix‐destabilizing amino acids in the hydrophobic core. Nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the conformation of signal sequences in membrane mimetic environments revealed that these residues cause a break in the α‐helix. In the precursor of the Escherichia coli outer membrane protein PhoE (pre‐PhoE), a glycine residue at position ‐10 (Gly−10) is thought to be responsible for the break in the α‐helix. We investigated the role of this glycine residue in the translocation process by employing site‐directed mutagenesis. SDS‐PAGE analysis showed drastic variations in the electrophoretic mobilities of the mutant precursor proteins, suggesting an important role of the glycine residue in determining the conformation of the signal sequence. In vivo, no drastic differences in the translocation kinetics were observed as compared with wild‐type PhoE, except when a charged residue (Arg) was substituted for Gly−10. However, the in vitro translocation of all mutant proteins into inverted inner‐membrane vesicles was affected. Two classes of precursors could be distinguished. Translocation of one class of mutant proteins (Ala, Cys and Leu for Gly−10) was almost independent of the presence of a ΔμH+, whereas translocation of the other class of precursors (wild type or Ser) was strongly decreased in the absence of the ΔμH+. Apparently, the ΔμH+ dependency of in vitro protein translocation varies with the signal‐sequence core‐region composition. Furthermore, a proline residue at position ‐10 resulted in a signal sequence that did not prevent the folding of the precursor in an in vitro trimerization assay.
Spontaneous calcium oscillations and nuclear PLC‐β1 in human GV oocytes

Our aim was to investigate if human oocytes, like mouse oocytes, exhibit spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations and nuclear translocation of PLC‐β1 prior to germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), and to correlate these events with the evolution of chromatin configuration as a landmark for the meiosis resumption kinetics. Human germinal vesicle (GV) oocytes were either loaded with Fluo‐3 probe to record Ca2+ signals or fixed for subsequent fluorescent labeling of both chromatin and PLC‐β1, and immunogold labeling of PLC‐β1. Here for the first time, we show that human oocytes at the GV‐stage exhibit spontaneous Ca2+ oscillations. Interestingly, only oocytes with a large diameter and characterized by a compact chromatin surrounding the nucleolus of the GV could reveal these kind of oscillations. We also observed a translocation of PLC‐β1 from the cytoplasm towards the nucleus during in vitro maturation of human oocytes. Spontaneous calcium oscillations and nuclear translocation of PLC‐β1 may reflect some degree of oocyte maturity. The impact of our results may be very helpful to understand and resolve many enigmatic problems usually encountered during the in vitro meiotic maturation of human GV oocytes. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 75: 392–402, 2008. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantitative hippocampal structural changes following electroconvulsive seizure treatment in a rat model of depression

Objective: The pathophysiology of depression and the effects of antidepressant treatment are hypothesized to be related to hippocampal structural changes. This study aims to investigate the effect of electroconvulsive seizures on behavior and hippocampal structure in a rat model of depression. Methods: Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) and Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) rats were treated daily for 10 days with either electroconvulsive seizures or sham treatment. The behavior was evaluated using the forced swim test. Design‐based stereological methods were used to quantify the hippocampal volume and the numbers of neurons and glial cells in specific hippocampal subregions. Results: The basal level of hippocampal volume and neuron number differed significantly between the two rat strains, and a trend toward the FSL strain having more glial cells was found. The structural differences found between the sham‐treated animals were counteracted by electroconvulsive seizure (ECS) treatment, which also normalized the behavior. ECS treatment increased the number of glial cells in hilus significantly in the FRL rats and with the same tendency for the FSL rats. Conclusion: Our results indicate that along with hippocampal neurogenesis, gliogenesis may also be involved in the pathophysiology of depression and in the effect of antidepressant treatment. The underlying mechanisms remain unknown, and further investigations are required to clarify whether the structural changes are necessary to induce a therapeutic effect of antidepressant treatment or if they rather represent an epiphenomenon. Synapse, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mechanical properties of human tracheal cartilage.

Biomechanical changes in airway cartilage could influence the mechanics of maximal expiratory flow and cough and the degree of shortening of activated airway smooth muscle. We examined the tensile stiffness of small samples of human tracheal cartilage rings in specimens obtained at autopsy from 10 individuals who ranged in age from 17 to 81 yr. The tensile properties of the cartilage were compared with its content of water (%water), glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin sulfate equivalents, mg/mg dry wt), and hydroxyproline content (mg hydroxyproline/mg dry weight). The average values for tensile stiffness ranged between 1 and 15 MPa and increased significantly with increasing age [tensile stiffness = 0.19 x (age in yr) + 2.02; r = 0.83, P less than 0.05]. The outermost layer of cartilage was the most stiff in all individuals, and the deeper layers were progressively less stiff. Water content and hydroxyproline content both decreased with increasing age. Thus tensile stiffness correlated inversely with water content and hydroxyproline content [tensile stiffness = -0.83 x (%water) + 16.4; r = 0.82, P less than . 05 and tensile stiffness = -342 x (hydroxyproline content) + 25; r = 0.87, P less than 0.05]. Total tissue content of glycosaminoglycans did not change with age, although changes in glycosaminoglycan type and proteoglycan structure with increasing age have been described. We conclude that there are age-related changes in the biomechanical properties and biochemical composition of airway cartilage that could influence airway dynamics.
American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guidelines: the role of bisphosphonates in multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE To determine clinical practice guidelines for the use of bisphosphonates in the prevention and treatment of lytic bone disease in multiple myeloma and to determine their respective role relative to other conventional therapies for this condition. METHODS An expert multidisciplinary Panel reviewed pertinent information from the published literature through January 2002. Values for levels of evidence and grade of recommendation were assigned by expert reviewers and approved by the Panel. Expert consensus was used if there were insufficient published data. The Panel addressed which patients to treat and when to treat them in the course of their disease. Additionally, specific drug delivery issues, duration of therapy, initiation of treatment and management of treatment of lytic bone disease was reviewed and compared with other forms of therapy for lytic bone lesions. Finally, the Panel discussed patient and physician expectations associated with this therapy for bony metastases, as well as public policy implications related to the use of bisphosphonates. The guidelines underwent external review by selected physicians, by the Health Services Research Committee members, and by the ASCO Board of Directors. RESULTS The available evidence involving randomized controlled trials is modest but supports that oral clodronate, intravenous pamidronate, and intravenous zoledronic acid are superior to placebo in reducing skeletal complications. A reduction in vertebral fractures has consistently been seen across all studies. No agent has shown a definitive survival benefit. Intravenous zoledronic acid has recently been shown to be as effective as intravenous pamidronate. Because there are no direct comparisons between clodronate and pamidronate or zoledronic acid, the superiority of one agent cannot be definitively established. However, the panel recommends only intravenous pamidronate or zoledronic acid in light of the use of the time to first skeletal event as the primary end point and more complete assessment of bony complications in studies evaluating it. Additionally, clodronate is not available in the United States. The choice between pamidronate and zoledronic acid will depend on choosing between the higher drug cost of zoledronic acid, with its shorter, more convenient infusion time (15 minutes), versus the less expensive drug, pamidronate, with its longer infusion time (2 hours). CONCLUSION Bisphosphonates provide a meaningful supportive benefit to multiple myeloma patients with lytic bone disease. However, further research on bisphosphonates is warranted, including the following: (1) when to start and stop therapy, (2) how to integrate their use with other treatments for lytic bone disease, (3) how to evaluate their role in myeloma patients without lytic bone involvement, (4) how to distinguish between symptomatic and asymptomatic bony events, and (5) how to better determine their cost-benefit consequence.
Early goal‐directed fluid therapy with fresh frozen plasma reduces severe acute pancreatitis mortality in the intensive care unit

DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.issn.0366-6999.20130194 Department of Intensive Care Unit, Wuxi Second People's Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214002, China (Wang MD, Xu J, Jiang DH and Luo L) Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Wuxi Second People’s Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214002, China (Ji Y) Department of Intensive Care Unit, First Affiliated Hospital, SUN Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510000, China (Huang SW) Correspondence to: JI Yuan, Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Wuxi Second People’s Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu 214002, China (Email: wangmingdeng@tom. com) Short communication
Carotid Tissue Levels of Argatroban after Direct Local Delivery during Carotid Endarterectomy to Prevent Perioperative Cerebral Embolism

OBJECTIVE:Argatroban is a synthetic direct thrombin inhibitor. We applied argatroban locally during carotid endarterectomy to prevent local mural thrombus formation. Although local delivery of argatroban is expected to be effective for inhibition of mural clot formation, there is no report of the evaluation of its clinical effectiveness or local drug concentration in humans. METHODS:Five mg of argatroban (0.5 mg/ml) was applied twice intraoperatively just after arteriotomy for measurement of intraplaque level of argatroban and during closure of the arteriotomy for preventing thrombus formation. After exposure of the carotid plaque to argatroban for a specified duration (0, 3, 5, or 10 min), argatroban was sufficiently washed with saline and the carotid plaque was removed for measurement of tissue concentration of argatroban. Intraplaque level of argatroban was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. A second application was performed during closure of the arteriotomy. Argatroban was applied for 10 minutes, followed by washing with saline. Postoperative embolic cerebrovascular complications and carotid restenosis also were investigated to verify the efficacy of direct local application of argatroban. RESULTS:Tissue levels of argatroban in the carotid plaque after 3, 5, and 10 minutes of direct application were 24.0 ± 13.7, 31.6 ± 20.0, and 44.0 ± 15.1 &mgr;g/g, respectively. The concentrations at all time points were significantly elevated compared with the control, and a significant difference in concentration was observed between 3 minutes and 10 minutes. In the present study, concentration at 3 minutes was much higher than the effective tissue levels of argatroban reported in experimental studies. No patient developed postoperative cerebrovascular complications. CONCLUSION:The results suggest that direct local application of argatroban during carotid endarterectomy for at least 3 minutes may deliver high local tissue levels. Argatroban may be effective for prevention of perioperative embolic cerebral complications during carotid endarterectomy.
The profitable art of service recovery.

In services, mistakes are a fact of life. No matter how hard companies try, they can't prevent the occasional late flight or missed delivery. But they can learn to recover from them. Consider how Club Med-Cancun turned a service nightmare into a memorable experience. When a flight to Cancun left New York six hours late, made two unexpected stops, ran out of food, and had a rough landing, the vacationers on board were certain their holiday was ruined. But the Club Med manager greeted the travelers with food and music and chauffeured them back to the resort. In the end, the vacationers had a better time than if the flight had gone like clockwork. Service recovery starts with identifying the problem. The Bank of Maine in Portland pays customers $1 for writing a letter about the service they received. American Express uses an "800" number to solicit customer complaints. Once they've identified a problem, service companies must act fast. When Smith & Hawken realized that it was taking months to resolve customers' problems by mail, the company decided to use the phone instead. Most important, service companies should encourage frontline employees to deviate from the rules when necessary. Some companies use role playing to help employees develop the creative thinking needed to deal with unusual situations. Sonesta Hotels uses a game in which teams win points for coming up with good solutions to realistic problems. Also, employees must have the authority and responsibility to act on their beliefs-to make phone calls, credit accounts, or send flowers. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)