Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NLRP1 haplotypes associated with vitiligo and autoimmunity increase interleukin-1β processing via the NLRP1 inflammasome

Nuclear localization leucine-rich-repeat protein 1 (NLRP1) is a key regulator of the innate immune system, particularly in the skin where, in response to molecular triggers such as pathogen-associated or damage-associated molecular patterns, the NLRP1 inflammasome promotes caspase-1–dependent processing of bioactive interleukin-1β (IL-1β), resulting in IL-1β secretion and downstream inflammatory responses. NLRP1 is genetically associated with risk of several autoimmune diseases including generalized vitiligo, Addison disease, type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and others. Here we identify a repertoire of variation in NLRP1 by deep DNA resequencing. Predicted functional variations in NLRP1 reside in several common high-risk haplotypes that differ from the reference by multiple nonsynonymous substitutions. The haplotypes that are high risk for disease share two substitutions, L155H and M1184V, and are inherited largely intact due to extensive linkage disequilibrium across the region. Functionally, we found that peripheral blood monocytes from healthy subjects homozygous for the predominant high-risk haplotype 2A processed significantly greater (P < 0.0001) amounts of the IL-1β precursor to mature bioactive IL-1β under basal (resting) conditions and in response to Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists (TLR2 and TLR4) compared with monocytes from subjects homozygous for the reference haplotype 1. The increase in basal release was 1.8-fold greater in haplotype 2A monocytes, and these differences between the two haplotypes were consistently observed three times over a 3-mo period; no differences were observed for IL-1α or TNFα. NLRP1 RNA and protein levels were not altered by the predominant high-risk haplotype, indicating that altered function of the corresponding multivariant NLRP1 polypeptide predisposes to autoimmune diseases by activation of the NLRP1 inflammasome.
Functional organization of plasmid pKM101

Tn5 insertion mutants and in vitro-generated deletion mutants of the mutagenesis-enhancing plasmid pKM101 have been used to identify several genetic regions on the pKM101 map. In clockwise order on the pKM101 map are: (i) the bla gene, coding for a beta-lactamase; (ii) the Slo region, responsible for retarding cell growth on minimal medium; (iii) the tra genes, enabling pKM101 to transfer conjugally; (iv) sensitivity to IKe phage (this function[s] maps within the tra region); (v) the muc gene(s), responsible for enhancing ultraviolet light and chemically induced mutagenesis in the cell; and (vi) the Rep region, essential for plasmid replication. The muc gene(s) and the Rep region are contained in a deoxyribonucleic acid region bounded by inverted repeated sequences.
Infected aortic aneurysm and vertebral osteomyelitis after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin therapy.

cer. The treatment is well tolerated by most patients. and the reported incidence of other than minor complications is under 5% 11 1. BCG is au attenuated but live form of MvcoI aeteriii,ii /,ot’iS capable of causing systemic infection that may be manil#{232}sted by hepatitis. pneumonitis. sepsis. suppurative lymphadenitis. distant intramuscular and bone abscesses, and inlected aortic aneurysm I I I. We describe a case of an inft cted abdominal aortic aneurysm associated with vertebral osteomyehitis 5 years and 9 months after intravesical treatment with BCG for bladder cancer.
Allopurinol attenuates left ventricular dysfunction in rats with early stages of streptozotocin‐induced diabetes

Xanthine oxidase‐derived superoxide production and oxidative stress contribute to the development of diabetic complications including diabetic cardiomyopathy. We hypothesized that xanthine oxidase‐inhibitor allopurinol (ALP) may decrease hyperglycemia‐induced oxidative stress, ameliorate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, and attenuate the development of left ventricle (LV) diastolic dysfunction in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetes.
Perceptual assimilation and discrimination of falling , level , and rising lexical tones by native English speakers

Perceptual assimilation model posits that the perceived relation of non-native sounds to native sound categories predicts the discriminability of non-native sounds [1]. This study examines whether the degree of perceived similarity between Vietnamese tones and English intonation patterns predicts the accuracy of tone-contrast discrimination. In a categorization task, ten native English speakers were asked to match falling, level, and rising tone words with five English intonation patterns. Then, in a discrimination task, they were asked to judge the similarity of Vietnamese tones to each other. In the first task, speakers perceived both of the falling and level tones as most similar to the statement intonation (Right), and the rising tone as most similar to the question intonation (Right? ). These cross-language mappings averaged at 74%, 65% and 73% of responses, respectively, suggesting relatively reliable categorization of tones and predicting relatively low discrimination accuracy for the level-falling tone contrast. In the second task, however, level-falling tones were discriminated significantly better than level-rising tones. This suggests that assimilation of tones to different intonation patterns is not the sole predictor of tone discrimination accuracy.
Nuevos avances en detección de actividad de voz mediante Hos y estrategias de optimización

n este trabajo se presentan nuevos avances en el campo de la deteccion de actividad de voz (VAD, del ingles "Voice Activity Detection") para su aplicacion a Reconocimiento robusto del Habla en entornos ruidosos. Los nuevos detectores de actividad de voz (VADs) se basan en distintas metodologias: i) Tests estadisticos basados en promedios biespectrales sobre la rejilla en el dominio bi-frecuencia; ii) Tests estadisticos basados en el cociente de probabilidad (LRT) de magnitudes biespectrales integradas; iii) Analisis cluster para modelado del espacio de ruido y formulacion de una regla de decision basada en divergencia cluster; y iv) Maquinas de vectores soporte (SVMs) aplicadas a las clases de SNRs en subbandas de energia. El rendimiento de los VADs propuestos es superior en tasa de acierto de deteccion para una falsa alarma dada, cuando los comparamos con los VADs estandar, como los de ITU-T G.729, ETSI GSM AMR y ETSI AFE, y con los recientemente publicados, usando las bases de datos mas representativas de ETSI como son AURORA2&3, y al formar parte de un sistema automatico de reconocimiento (ASR), mejoran sensiblemente la tasa de reconocimiento de palabra en entornos ruidosos
A General Algebraic Semantics for Sentential Logics

The purpose of this monograph is to develop a very general approach to the algebra- ization of sententiallogics, to show its results on a number of particular logics, and to relate it to other existing approaches, namely to those based on logical matrices and the equational consequence developed by Blok, Czelakowski, Pigozzi and others. The main distinctive feature of our approachlies in the mathematical objects used as models of a sententiallogic: We use abstract logics, while the dassical approaches use logical matrices. Using models with more structure allows us to reflect in them the metalogical properties of the sentential logic. Since an abstract logic can be viewed as a "bundle" or family of matrices, one might think that the new models are essentially equivalent to the old ones; but we believe, after an overall appreciation of the work done in this area, that it is precisely the treatment of an abstract logic as a single object that gives rise to a useful -and beautiful- mathematical theory, able to explain the connections, not only at the logical Ievel but at the metalogical Ievel, between a sentential logic and the particular dass of models we associate with it, namely the dass of its full models. Traditionally logical matrices have been regarded as the most suitable notion of model in the algebraic studies of sentential logics; and indeed this notion gives sev- eral completeness theorems and has generated an interesting mathematical theory.
From symptom to diagnosis: clinical distinctions among various forms of intestinal inflammation.

Inflammation is the gut’s mute response to a myriad of diverse insults. Assigning a diagnosis in such cases is often straightforward, particularly when an infectious etiology can be identified. In the minority of presentations that represent new occurrences of the idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), making a positive diagnosis and, indeed, distinguishing between Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are also routine matters. However, a casual diagnosis of IBD may result in critical errors in management in that incorrect diagnosis may result in inappropriate or even contraindicated treatment. The issue remains that no gold standard test exists for the diagnosis of IBD. For this reason, diagnosing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis continues to be a more than occasional challenge to the practicing gastroenterologist. Until such time as highly specific and sensitive diagnostic tests for IBD are devised, distinguishing among various forms of intestinal inflammation of idiopathic and identifiable causes will remain a test of clinical acumen, drawing on relevant history, attentive physical examination, judicious laboratory testing, and detailed review of radiographic, endoscopic, and pathologic data. This article reviews the findings that are most helpful in distinguishing various forms of intestinal inflammation. The comments below are divided into 2 parts: first, a review of the points of history, physical examination, and laboratory data useful in correctly diagnosing patients who present with a clinical syndrome suggestive of IBD; and second, a summary of the features that help to differentiate among inflammatory conditions of the bowel, organized by clinical syndrome as presentations of ileitis, proctitis, colitis, and the difficult pouch.
Cleland's Ligaments: An Anatomic Study

&NA; The anatomy and function of Cleland's ligaments— thought by the authors to require clarification because of the conflicting anatomic descriptions in the literature— are reviewed. A statistical representation of the structure of these ligamentous bundles was derived from the study of 16 fixed human cadaveric digits and five fresh cadaveric digits, all from different patients. The results demonstrate a large variation in anatomy. However, this anatomic heterogeneity is not indicative of an equally varied function. In general, it was found that the majority of Cleland's ligaments traversed a great distance adherent to the skin before actually inserting in the dermis. Over one‐third of the dorsal fibers demonstrated a multiplanar organization, fanning out before inserting into the skin. In contrast, the ventral fibers did not fan out before inserting into the skin. Excision of these ventral fibers revealed a separate “ledgelike” plane of fibers arising from the fibrous flexor sheath and running in a straight line perpendicular to the long axis of the digit. A branch of the digital nerve was found to pierce this ligamentous layer in the majority of digits studied. Unlike those of previous reports, the results of the present study suggest that the ligaments have a constant function of anchoring the skin of the digit on both the dorsal and ventral aspects, thereby preventing the displacement of skin during flexion of the digits. All previous studies failed to make this conclusion. The anatomic relationship to the digital neurovascular bundle also suggests that Cleland's ligaments may stabilize the digital vessels during flexion. In conclusion, Cleland's ligaments are highly functional structures and are essential for normal cutaneous stability during digital movements. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 109: 566, 2002.)
Fermentative hydrogen production by Clostridium butyricum CWBI1009 and Citrobacter freundii CWBI952 in pure and mixed cultures.

Production d’hydrogene par Clostridium butyricum CWBI1009 et Citrobacter freundii CWBI952 en cultures pures et mixtes. Cet article etudie la production de biohydrogene par deux souches mesophiles, une anaerobie stricte (Clostridium butyricum CWBI1009) et une anaerobie facultative (Citrobacter freundii CWBI952). Ces souches ont ete testees en cultures batch pures et mixtes sur cinq substrats differents. Les rendements de conversion des cultures pures de C. freundii s’etalent de 0.09 molH2∙molhexose-1 (sur saccharose) a 0.24 molH2∙molhexose-1 (sur glucose). Des rendements plus eleves sont atteints par Cl. butyricum, de 0.44 molH2∙molhexose-1 (sur saccharose) a 0.69 molH2∙molhexose-1 (sur lactose). Cette derniere souche degrade l’amidon, tandis que C. freundii ne le consomme pas. Cependant, cette derniere assimile les autres substrats plus rapidement et produit de l’hydrogene plus tot. Cet avantage a ete utilise pour promouvoir les conditions de croissance de Cl. butyricum en co-culture avec C. freundii, etant donne que Cl. butyricum est extremement sensible aux traces d’oxygene dans le milieu. Ceci permettrait d’eviter l’ajout d’agents reducteurs couteux dans le milieu de culture (tels que la L-cysteine) dans la mesure ou C. freundii consomme l’oxygene residuel. Ce type de co-culture a ete teste sur glucose et sur amidon. Elles ont eu pour consequence de diminuer les rendements de conversion sur glucose (de 0.53 molH2∙molhexose-1 pour les cultures pures de Cl. butyricum a 0.38 molH2∙molhexose-1 pour les cultures mixtes), tandis qu’ils ont legerement augmente sur amidon (passant respectivement de 0.69 and 0.73 molH2∙molhexose-1). Apres 48 h de fermentation, les analyses metaboliques, confirmees par des observations microbiologiques, ont montre que le nombre de cellules de C. freundii ont drastiquement diminue ou que cette derniere souche a ete tres fortement inhibee par le developpement de Cl. butyricum.
Understanding and modulating the competitive surface-adsorption of proteins through coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations

It is now well accepted that cellular responses to materials in a biological medium reflect greatly the adsorbed biomolecular layer, rather than the material itself. Here, we study by molecular dynamics simulations the competitive protein adsorption on a surface (Vroman effect), i.e. the non-monotonic behavior of the amount of protein adsorbed on a surface in contact with plasma as functions of contact time and plasma concentration. We find a complex behavior, with regimes during which small and large proteins are not necessarily competing between them, but are both competing with others in solution (“cooperative” adsorption). We show how the Vroman effect can be understood, controlled and inverted.
High Resolution Mapping of Cropping Cycles by Fusion of Landsat and MODIS Data

Multiple cropping, a common practice of intensive agriculture that grows crops multiple times in the agricultural land in one growing season, is an effective way to fulfill the food demand given limited cropland areas. Deriving cropping cycles from satellite data provides the spatial distribution of cropping intensities that allows for monitoring of the multiple cropping activities over large areas. Although efforts have been made to map cropping cycles at 500 m or coarser resolution, producing cropping cycle maps at high resolution remain challenging because data from single satellite sensor do not provide sufficient spatiotemporal observations. In this paper, we generate dense time series of satellite data at 30 m resolution by fusion of Landsat and MODIS data, and derive the cropping cycles from the fused time series data. The method achieves overall accuracies of 92.5% and 89.2%, respectively, for two typical regions of multiple cropping in China using samples identified based on satellite time series data, and an overall accuracy of 81.2% for four subregions using all samples identified based on multi-temporal high resolution images. The mapped crop cycles show to be reasonable geographically and agree with the national census data. The fusion approach provides a feasible way to map cropping cycles at 30 m resolution and enables improved depiction of the spatial distribution of multiple cropping.
Physical Activity, Diet Quality, and Mortality among Community-Dwelling Prefrail and Frail Older Adults

ABSTRACT It is unknown if physical activity and diet quality are associated with the risk of poor outcomes, such as mortality, among prefrail and frail older adults. This was a population-based cohort study among 1487 prefrail and frail older-adults from the Third National Health and Nutrition Survey. Compared to participants who were sedentary (0 bouts of physical activity per week), those who were physically inactive (1–4 bouts of physical activity per week) were 24% less likely to die [HR: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.58–0.98)], and those who were physically active (≥5 bouts of physical activity per week) were 34% less likely to die [HR: 0.66 (95% CI: 0.51–0.86); Ptrend = 0.002]. Compared to participants with poor diet quality, those with fair diet quality were 26% less likely to die [HR: 0.74 (95% CI: 0.52–0.98)], and those with good diet quality were 33% less likely to die [HR: 0.67 (95% CI: 0.55–1.00); Ptrend = 0.050]. There was a synergistic interaction between physical activity and diet quality on the risk of mortality (Pinteraction = 0.058). Participation in physical activity and consumption of a healthy diet is associated with a lower risk of mortality among prefrail and frail older adults.
Human and Automated Scoring of Fluency, Pronunciation and Intonation During Human-Machine Spoken Dialog Interactions

We present a spoken dialog-based framework for the computerassisted language learning (CALL) of conversational English. In particular, we leveraged the open-source HALEF dialog framework to develop a job interview conversational application. We then used crowdsourcing to collect multiple interactions with the system from non-native English speakers. We analyzed human-rated scores of the recorded dialog data on three different scoring dimensions critical to the delivery of conversational English – fluency, pronunciation and intonation/stress – and further examined the efficacy of automatically-extracted, hand-curated speech features in predicting each of these subscores. Machine learning experiments showed that trained scoring models generally perform at par with the human inter-rater agreement baseline in predicting human-rated scores of conversational proficiency.
Long‐term posaconazole treatment and follow‐up of rhino‐orbital‐cerebral mucormycosis in a diabetic girl

Abstract: To demonstrate that the 2‐yr clinical follow‐up of our patient strongly suggests that long‐term therapy with posaconazole (POS) is safe and beneficial in treatment and prevention of relapses of, otherwise fatal, central nervous system mucormycosis. Mucormycosis is a very rare opportunistic mycotic infection of diabetic children. We present the 30‐month follow‐up of a 12‐yr‐old girl affected by diabetic ketoacidotic coma, complicated by rhinocerebral mucormycosis and successfully treated with POS at the initial daily dose of 5 mg/kg t.i. d. with fatty food for 3 wk, followed by a daily dose of 10 mg/kg in four doses for 2 months and then 20 mg/kg/d in four doses for 16 months and in two doses for further 5 months. The previous amphotericin B, granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor, hyperbaric oxygen and nasal and left maxillary sinus surgical debridement therapy was ineffective in stopping the progression of the infection to the brain. The patient improved within 10 d with reduced ocular swelling and pain, and 6 months after therapy stop, she is in good health and cultures are sterile. This article demonstrates that POS may be a useful drug in mucormycosis in children. We also strongly draw the attention to the main preventive procedure against invasive fungal infection that is the correct management of antidiabetic therapy that prevents the predisposing temporary neutrophils activity deficit, contributing to a better survival rate of diabetic children.
Cervical cancer screening among women who attend sexually transmitted diseases (STD) clinics: background paper for 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines.

BACKGROUND In April 2008, experts reviewed updates on sexually transmitted disease (STD) prevention and treatment in preparation for the revision of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STD Treatment Guidelines. This included a review of cervical cancer screening in the STD clinical setting. METHODS Key questions were identified with assistance from an expert panel. Reviews of the literature were conducted using the PubMed computerized database and shared with the panel. Updated information was incorporated in the 2010 CDC STD Treatment Guidelines. RESULTS We recommend that STD clinics offering cervical screening services screen and treat women according to guidelines by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Cancer Society, the US Preventive Services Task Force, and the American Society for Colposcopists and Cervical Pathologists. New to the 2010 guidelines are higher age for initiating cervical screening (age ≥ 21 years) and less frequent intervals of screening (at least every 3 years). New recommendations include new technologies, such as liquid-based cytology and high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA tests. Liquid-based technologies are not recommended over conventional testing. HPV DNA tests are recommended as adjunct tests and with new indications for use in cervical screening and management. Stronger recommendations were issued for STD clinics offering cervical screening services to have protocols in place for follow-up of test results and referral (eg, colposcopy). CONCLUSIONS Important additions to the 2010 STD Treatment Guidelines include information on updated algorithms for screening and management of women and recommendations for use of liquid-based cytology and high-risk HPV testing.
[Changes in treatment and cost of benign prostatic hyperplasia in Iceland.].

OBJECTIVE During the last eight years there has been a dramatic change in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in Iceland. The number of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) has decreased while at the same time there has been a growing tendency to treat patients with a1-blockers and finasteride. The purpose of this study was to obtain statistical information regarding these changes and to estimate alterations in the cost of the BPH treatment. Possible changes in indications for TURP were also looked at. MATERIAL AND METHODS Information on the number of patients who underwent surgery since 1984 was gathered from Icelandic hospitals. Information on the use and cost of medical treatment was obtained from the Icelandic Social Security. Medical records of 587 men who underwent surgery in the years 1988-1989 and 1998-1999 were reviewed. RESULTS Since 1992 the number of TURP operations per year has dropped from its peak of about 560 to around 270 in 1999. This is more than a 50% reduction in eight years. The number of patients being treated for BPH has multiplied since the introduction of drugs and the total cost of BPH treatment has doubled since 1984. There was a trend but not a significant change in indications for TURP when the two periods were compared. CONCLUSIONS Increasing number of Icelandic men with BPH are now recieving treatment although the number of TURP operations has decreased. The total cost of treatment has doubled since 1984, mainly attributed to the advent of medical treatment.