Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A low-complexity generalized sphere decoding approach for underdetermined linear communication systems: performance and complexity evaluation

For underdetermined linear systems, original sphere decoding (SD) algorithms fail due to zero diagonal elements in the upper-triangular matrix of the QR or Cholesky factorization of the underdetermined matrix. To solve this problem, this paper presents a low-complexity generalized sphere decoding (GSD) approach by transforming the original underdetermined problem into the full-column-rank one so that standard SD can be directly applied on the transformed problem. Since the introduced transformation maintains the dimension of the original problem for all M-QAM's, the proposed GSD approach provides significant reduction in complexity as compared to other GSD schemes, especially for M-QAM with large signaling constellation. Both performance and expected complexity are analyzed to provide the comprehensive relationships between the performance and complexity of the proposed GSD and its parameters. Illustrative simulation and analytical results are in good agreement in terms of both the performance and complexity and indicate that with the properly selected design parameters, the proposed GSD scheme can approach the optimum maximumlikelihood decoding (MLD) performance with low complexity for underdetermined linear communication systems including underdetermined MIMO systems, and the proposed expected complexity analysis can be used as reliable complexity estimation for practical implementation of the proposed algorithm and serve as reference for other GSD algorithms.
Effect of resveratrol on the development of spontaneous mammary tumors in HER‐2/neu transgenic mice

Resveratrol (Res) has been reported to possess cancer chemopreventive activity on the basis of its in vitro effects on tumor cells and in vivo experimental models of rodents transplanted with parental tumors or treated with carcinogens. We investigated the effects of Res on the development of mammary tumors appearing spontaneously in HER‐2/neu transgenic mice at an early age. The mechanisms involved in the Res antitumor effect were evaluated by studying the immune effectiveness, tumor apoptosis and expression of mRNA and protein for HER‐2/neu in tumoral mammary glands from Res‐treated mice and in tumor cell lines. Res supplementation delayed the development of spontaneous mammary tumors (p < 0.001), reduced the mean number and size of mammary tumors (p < 0.0001) and diminished the number of lung metastases in HER‐2/neu transgenic mice. The effects of Res were associated with downregulation of HER‐2/neu gene expression and increased apoptosis both in tumoral mammary glands and in murine (N202) and human (SKBr3) tumor cell lines. Neither the basal, the IL‐2‐induced NK activity nor the lymphocyte number and proliferation was modified in Res‐supplemented compared to control mice. Our results demonstrate that Res supplementation delays the development and reduces the metastasizing capacity of spontaneous mammary tumors in HER‐2/neu transgenic mice. The antitumor effect of Res might be related to the downregulation of HER‐2/neu expression and the induction of apoptosis in tumor cells. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Automated counting of nucleated cells in equine synovial fluid without and with hyaluronidase pretreatment.

BACKGROUND Microscopy is usually used to obtain manual total and differential cell counts in equine synovial fluid. A faster, more precise method is desirable. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to compare an automated impedance method with a manual method for obtaining total and differential cell counts in equine synovial fluid and to evaluate the effect of pretreatment with hyaluronidase on automated results. METHODS Synovial fluid samples (n=48) were collected into EDTA and analyzed within 48 hours. Automated total and differential cell counts were evaluated using a Medonic CA620-VET hematology analyzer before and after pretreatment for 5-30 minutes with hyaluronidase (final concentration 0.01 mg/mL). A hemacytometer count and microscopic evaluation of a direct smear were used as the reference method. Intra-assay coefficients of variation (CV) were determined. RESULTS Thirty-one of 46 untreated samples and 0/46 hyaluronidase-treated samples were error-flagged by the analyzer. Correlation between automated (ANCC) and manual (MNCC) nucleated cell counts in untreated samples (n=15; R(2)=0.93) and pretreated samples (n=46; R(2)=0.94) was high, and pseudomedian difference was low. Intra-assay CVs for samples with medium and high cellularity were significantly lower for ANCC (1.5-2.7%) compared with MNCC (6.1-15.7%) (P<.01). Valid automated differential cell counts were not obtained. CONCLUSIONS Automated total cell counts obtained on the Medonic analyzer correlate well with manual counts in equine synovial fluid; however, pretreatment with hyaluronidase is required to minimize error flags. Automated differential counts are not accurate for synovial fluid.
Hospital Readmission Penalties: Coming Soon to a Nursing Home Near You!

The Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 includes provisions for hospital readmission penalties for skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) starting in 2018. This presents an opportunity for care improvement but also raises several concerns regarding quality of care. The readmission measure for SNFs is similar to the current readmission measure for hospitals mandated under the Affordable Care Act, with the exception of adjustments made for sex. Because these measures for hospitals are similar, lessons can be learned from implementation of the existing hospital readmission penalties. In addition, there are three specific concerns that the authors relate to implementing the proposed measure in SNFs. There is poor communication and care coordination between care settings, including posthospitalization and post‐SNF care in the current healthcare system. Adding readmission penalties to SNF regulations may create perverse incentives for prolonged SNF stays. The evidence base for the best means of caring for individuals after a brief stay in a SNF needs enrichment. These challenges need to be addressed as part of implementation of these new hospital readmission penalties for SNFs to improve care and prevent new unintended consequences.
Lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in colorectal cancer.

AIM Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce carcinogenesis via DNA injury. Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic parameters participate in cell protection against harmful influence of oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to assess the levels of final lipid peroxidation products like malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE) in primary colorectal cancer. Moreover, we analysed the activity of main antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase (Cu, Zn-SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and glutathione reductase (GSSRG-R) and the level of non-enzymatic antioxidants (glutathione, vitamins C and E). METHODS Investigations were conducted in 81 primary colorectal cancers. As a control, the same amount of sample was collected from macroscopically unchanged colon regions of the most distant location to the cancer. Homogenisation of specimens provided 10% homogenates for our evaluations. Activity of antioxidant enzymes and level of glutathione were determined by spectrophotometry. HPLC revealed levels of vitamins C and E and served as a method to detect terminal products of lipid peroxidation in colorectal cancer. RESULTS Our studies demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the level of lipid peroxidation products (MDA-Adc.muc.-2.65+/-0.48 nmol/g, Adc.G3-2.15+/-0.44 nmol/g, clinical IV stage 4.04+/-0.47 nmol/g, P<0.001 and 4-HNE-Adc.muc. -0.44+/-0.07 nmol/g, Adc.G3-0.44+/-0.10 nmol/g, clinical IV stage 0.52+/-0.11 nmol/g, P<0.001) as well as increase of Cu,Zn-SOD (Adc.muc.-363+/-72 U/g, Adc.G3-318+/-48 U/g, clinical IV stage 421+/-58 U/g, P<0.001), GSH-Px (Adc.muc. -2143+/-623 U/g, Adc.G3-2005+/-591 U/g, clinical IV stage 2467+/-368 U/g, P<0.001) and GSSG-R (Adc.muc.-880+/-194 U/g, Adc.G3-795+/-228 U/g, clinical IV stage 951+/-243 U/g, P<0.001) in primary tumour comparison with normal colon (MDA-1.39+/-0.15 nmol/g, HNE-0.29+/-0.03 nmol/g, Cu, Zn-SOD-117+/-25 U/g, GSH-Px-1723+/-189 U/g, GSSG-R-625+/-112 U/g) especially in mucinous and G3-grade adenocarcinomas as well as clinical IV stage of colorectal cancer. We also observed a decrease of CAT activity (Adc.muc. -40+/-14 U/g, clinical IV stage 33+/-18 U/g vs 84+/-17 U/g, P<0.001) as well as a decreased level of reduced glutathione (clinical IV stage 150+/-48 nmol/g vs 167+/-15 nmol/g, P<0.05) and vitamins C and E (vit. C-clinical IV stage 325+/-92 nmol/g vs 513+/-64 nmol/g, P<0.001; vit. E-clinical IV stage 13.3+/-10.3 nmol/g vs 37.5+/-5.2 nmol/g). CONCLUSION Colorectal carcinogenesis is associated with serious oxidative stress and confirms that gradual advancement of oxidative-antioxidative disorders is followed by progression of colorectal cancer.
The Role of Muscle Flaps in Wound Salvage after Vascular Graft Infections: The Emory Experience

Background: The incidence of prosthetic graft infection is 1 to 6 percent, and the mortality rate of infected aortoiliac or aortofemoral bypass is 25 to 75 percent. The goal of this study was to report the use of muscle flaps in the management of patients presenting with infected vascular grafts. Methods: A total of 22 patients required 26 muscle flaps to cover 24 infected vascular grafts. Muscle flaps were used for local wound control in all patients regardless of the fate of the graft. The vascular surgeons elected for graft salvage in eight of the 24 grafts. All of the muscle flaps survived. Results: The average time interval between the bypass and infection was 371 days. One-month follow-up revealed an 88 percent salvage rate, but this decreased to 50 percent during the mean follow-up of 23 months. None of the patients originally managed with a salvaged graft lost a limb, and overall, 14 of 22 limbs in this series remained viable (64.0 percent). The mortality rate during the index hospitalization was 9 percent. In this series, suprainguinal grafts had a higher mortality rate. In addition, infection occurring more than 1 month postoperatively, culture-positive Pseudomonas and methicillin-resistant species, and exposure of the arterial-graft anastomosis were poor prognostic indicators of graft preservation. Conclusions: Management of infected vascular grafts remains a challenging problem. Muscle flap coverage should have a high priority, as the chance of a good outcome is highly favorable in early infections.
Immunohistochemical characterization of the cellular infiltrate in severe alopecia areata before and after minoxidil treatment.

The mechanism of minoxidil-induced hair regrowth in alopecia areata (AA) is unknown. In vitro studies suggest that pharmacologic tissue levels of minoxidil may have both epithelial and T cell effects. Response in 36 of 47 patients with severe AA to topical minoxidil 5% b.i. d. was characterized by a return toward normal of hair follicle diameter, depth and structure, and an apparent shift in T cell populations from the skin into the peripheral blood. Nonresponders showed none of these changes. Biopsies from 34 patients subsequently treated with oral minoxidil 5 mg q. 12 h showed no further changes in perifollicular total T, helper-inducer T or suppressor-cytotoxic T cell counts; they did, however, demonstrate significant decreases in perifollicular Langerhans cell and activated T cell counts, and nearly significant decreases in perifollicular monocyte counts. It is possible that minoxidil may be altering a presumed follicular chemoattractive stimulus to a variety of cell types. Decreases in activated T cell counts suggest the possibility of direct immunomodulatory effects of minoxidil on T cells which might contribute to a hair regrowth response in AA.
Using Intervention Mapping for Program Design and Production of iCHAMPSS: An Online Decision Support System to Increase Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance of Evidence-Based Sexual Health Programs

In Texas and across the United States, unintended pregnancy, HIV, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among adolescents remain serious public health issues. Sexual risk-taking behaviors, including early sexual initiation, contribute to these public health problems. Over 35 sexual health evidence-based programs (EBPs) have been shown to reduce sexual risk behaviors and/or prevent teen pregnancies or STIs. Because more than half of these EBPs are designed for schools, they could reach and impact a considerable number of adolescents if implemented in these settings. Most schools across the U.S. and in Texas, however, do not implement these programs. U.S. school districts face many barriers to the successful dissemination (i.e., adoption, implementation, and maintenance) of sexual health EBPs, including lack of knowledge about EBPs and where to find them, perceived lack of support from school administrators and parents, lack of guidance regarding the adoption process, competing priorities, and lack of specialized training on sexual health. Therefore, this paper describes how we used intervention mapping (Steps 3 and 4, in particular), a systematic design framework that uses theory, empirical evidence, and input from the community to develop CHoosing And Maintaining Effective Programs for Sex Education in Schools (iCHAMPSS), an online decision support system to help school districts adopt, implement, and maintain sexual health EBPs. Guided by this systematic intervention design approach, iCHAMPSS has the potential to increase dissemination of sexual health EBPs in school settings.
Importance of Early Recognition and Treatment of Deformational Plagiocephaly with Orthotic Cranioplasty

Objectives Infants with positional plagiocephaly often exhibit complex multistructuraI asymmetries that affect the face and skull base as well as the cranial vault. Dynamic Orthotic Cranioplasty (DOC) was developed as a nonsurgical alternative for the treatment of positional plagiocephaly. The effectiveness of DOC has been discussed elsewhere. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of factors such as entrance age, treatment time, and initial severity on the effectiveness of correction. Methods The study sample consisted of 258 children with cranial vault asymmetry (CVA) treated prior to 1 year of age. In addition, 246 patients (92%) exhibited concurrent skull base (SBA) and orbitotragial depth (OTDA) asymmetries. All patients had been diagnosed with nonsynostotic plagiocephaly, did not have other contributing medical conditions, were compliant with DOC protocol, and had complete anthropometric measurements at entrance and exit from treatment. Results Mean age at start of treatment was 6.5 (±1.9) months (range, 2.8 to 11.0 months), with an average treatment time of 4.1 (±2.2) months. The effects of the treatment variables were analyzed using three-way analysis of variance. As expected, initial severity was significantly associated with the amount of correction (p = .0001). However, treatment time was not significant (p > .05). Most importantly, the analysis revealed that, having accounted for initial severity, entrance age had a statistically significant effect [F[1,254) = 8.36, p = . 0042] on the correction of CVA. Similar results were Identified for both the SBA [F[1,254) = 5.53, p = . 0195] and the OTDA [F[1,254) = 5.22, p = . 0231] asymmetries. Conclusions These findings support clinical observations that earlier intervention results in significantly improved treatment of plagiocephaly, independent of the severity of the presenting asymmetries.
Block-error probabilities for mobile radio channels derived from chaos equations

A novel approach to model mobile radio channels (in particular, DECT ones) is introduced, using nonlinear equations proposed by chaos theory. A simple procedure to extract meaningful statistics from strange attractors' trajectories is presented, and some results well matched with those obtained by standard generative models are shown. Although introducing a quasi-deterministic behavior, the chaotic equations seem to be sufficient to mimic the apparently random error patterns exhibited by mobile radio channels. An initial attempt is made to sketch guidelines for selecting the chaotic parameters.
Antitumor effects of doxorubicin in combination with anti-epidermal growth factor receptor monoclonal antibodies.

BACKGROUND A variety of human tumors frequently express high levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor and its ligand, transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), which in some tumors is associated with poor prognosis. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) that block the binding of TGF-alpha or EGF to the receptor can inhibit proliferation of tumor cells that express the receptor. Studies suggest that these MAbs may enhance the antitumor effects of chemotherapy. PURPOSE Our purpose was to study, in vitro and in vivo, the antitumor effects of doxorubicin in combination with anti-EGF receptor MAbs against tumor cells expressing high levels of EGF receptor. Our goal was to achieve maximum initial cytoreduction with high-dose doxorubicin in association with prolonged blockade of EGF receptor with MAbs. METHODS Anti-EGF receptor MAbs 528 (isotype IgG2a) and 225 (isotype IgG1) were used in combination with doxorubicin against cells from human A431 squamous cell carcinoma and human MDA-468 breast adenocarcinoma. Both A431 and MDA-468 cells express high levels of EGF receptors and TGF-alpha. Cultured cells were treated with doxorubicin (range, 0-10 nM) in the presence or absence of MAb 528 or 225 (range, 0-30 nM). At 48 hours, doxorubicin-containing medium was removed, and treatment with antibody was continued for 5 days, when cell proliferation assays were performed. The activity of the agents and the combinations against well-established xenografts in BALB/c nude mice was also studied. In nude mice, doxorubicin was given at doses of 50-100 micrograms/20 g body weight on 2 successive days, and MAbs 528 and 225 were given at a dose range of 0-2 mg intraperitoneally twice a week. RESULTS MAbs 528 and 225 both enhanced the antitumor effects of doxorubicin against A431 and MDA-468 tumor cells, producing additive growth suppression in cell cultures. MAb 528 increased the antitumor effects of doxorubicin by 32%-42%, and similar results were obtained with MAb 225. In BALB/c athymic mice, the treatment of well-established xenografts with either doxorubicin or anti-EGF receptor MAb alone temporarily inhibited growth, but the combination of both agents substantially enhanced antitumor activity over that of doxorubicin alone in A431 and MDA-468 cell xenografts. The combination treatment of mice bearing A431 xenografts resulted in tumor eradication of 40%-100% in the surviving mice in several independent experiments. The enhanced antitumor activity was dose dependent. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that anti-EGF receptor MAbs substantially enhance the effects of doxorubicin against well-established xenografts of tumor cells expressing high levels of EGF receptors. IMPLICATIONS Clinical trials with anti-EGF receptor MAbs are being conducted, and trials with anti-EGF receptor MAbs combined with doxorubicin are planned.
Autoantibody Repertoire in APECED Patients Targets Two Distinct Subgroups of Proteins

High titer autoantibodies produced by B lymphocytes are clinically important features of many common autoimmune diseases. APECED patients with deficient autoimmune regulator (AIRE) gene collectively display a broad repertoire of high titer autoantibodies, including some which are pathognomonic for major autoimmune diseases. AIRE deficiency severely reduces thymic expression of gene-products ordinarily restricted to discrete peripheral tissues, and developing T cells reactive to those gene-products are not inactivated during their development. However, the extent of the autoantibody repertoire in APECED and its relation to thymic expression of self-antigens are unclear. We here undertook a broad protein array approach to assess autoantibody repertoire in APECED patients. Our results show that in addition to shared autoantigen reactivities, APECED patients display high inter-individual variation in their autoantigen profiles, which collectively are enriched in evolutionarily conserved, cytosolic and nuclear phosphoproteins. The APECED autoantigens have two major origins; proteins expressed in thymic medullary epithelial cells and proteins expressed in lymphoid cells. These findings support the hypothesis that specific protein properties strongly contribute to the etiology of B cell autoimmunity.
How Much Would Closing Schools Reduce Transmission During an Influenza Pandemic?

Background: When deciding whether to close schools during an influenza pandemic, authorities must weigh the likely benefits against the expected social disruption. Although schools have been closed to slow the spread of influenza, there is limited evidence as to the impact on transmission of disease. Methods: To assess the benefits of closing schools for various pandemic scenarios, we used a stochastic mathematical model of disease transmission fitted to attack rates from past influenza pandemics. We compared these benefits with those achieved by other interventions targeted at children. Results: Closing schools can reduce transmission among children considerably, but has only a moderate impact on average transmission rates among all individuals (both adults and children) under most scenarios. Much of the benefit of closing schools can be achieved if schools are closed by the time that 2% of children are infected; if the intervention is delayed until 20% of children are infected, there is little benefit. Immunization of all school children provides only a slight improvement over closing schools, indicating that schools are an important venue for transmission between children. Relative attack rates in adults and children provide a good indication of the likely benefit of closing schools, with the greatest impact seen for infections with high attack rates in children. Conclusions: Closing schools is effective at reducing transmission between children but has only a moderate effect on average transmission rates in the wider population unless children are disproportionately affected.
SURGICAL AND FUNCTIONAL RESULTS OF 27-GAUGE VITRECTOMY COMBINED WITH COAXIAL 1.8 MM MICROINCISION CATARACT SURGERY: A Consecutive Case Series

Purpose: To investigate outcomes after coaxial 1.8 mm microincision cataract surgery combined with 27-gauge vitrectomy (MICVIT) in eyes with vitreoretinal disease and age-related cataract. Methods: A single-center, retrospective case series study of 62 subjects (62 eyes) with a mean age of 70 years who underwent combined microincision phacoemulsification, intraocular lens implantation, and 27-gauge vitrectomy during the 12-month period to January 2015. Intraoperative and postoperative complications, and visual results were the main outcome measures. Results: The mean follow-up period was 6 months (range 2–10 months). Intraoperative findings were retinal break (9.7%) and one posterior capsule tear (1.6%). No cases required corneal or scleral suture, or conversion to larger-gauge vitrectomy. Postoperative complications consisted of posterior capsule opacification (8%), elevated intraocular pressure >30 mmHg (6.4%), retinal detachment (1.6%), and fibrin reaction (1.6%). There were no cases of hypotony (<9 mmHg), intraocular lens decentration, or postoperative endophthalmitis. Visual acuity improved 3 Early Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy Study (EDTRS) score lines from 0.48 ± 0.4 logMAR (20/60) preoperatively to 0.17 ± 0.23 logMAR (20/30) at final postoperative visit (P = 0.001). Conclusion: Findings suggest 27-gauge vitrectomy combined with microincision phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation is feasible, safe, and effective as a 1-step surgical procedure for the management of vitreoretinal pathologies and concurrent cataract.