Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[Neutrophil elastase inhibitor on proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells].

OBJECTIVE To study and compare the effect of neutrophil elastase inhibitors (GW311616A and sivelestat) on the proliferation and apoptosis of U937 cells. METHODS Inhibitory effects of GW311616A and sivelestat on the proliferation of U937 cells were assayed by MTT assay. The morphologic changes of U937 cells were detected by transmission electron microscope, and apoptosis was observed by AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining. The changes of cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry. The expression of NE in U937 cells was observed by indirect immunofluorescence, the variations of content and activity of NE in U937 cells were measured through ELISA assay and colorimetric method. RESULTS MTT showed that both NE inhibitors could inhibit the proliferation of U937 cells in a dose dependent manner. The IC50 of GW311616A and sivelestat were 150 and 214 μmol/L respectively. The inhibition effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01). Typical apoptosis morphological changes of U937 cells was observed through electron microscope. AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining showed that U937 cells could be induced to undergo apoptosis by the two inhibitors, the apoptosis ratio of 150μmol/L GW311616A group (13.60%) was significantly higher than that of 150μmol/L sivelestat group (3.69%)(P<0.01). The result of flow cytometry indicated that the apoptosis ratio of 150 μmol/L GW311616A group was 14.61%, U937 cell cycle was mainly blocked in G2/M phase; meanwhile 150 μmol/L sivelestat group as 4.25% with cell cycle in S phase. The fluorescence intensity of GW311616A group obviously decreased than of sivelestat group. And the two inhibitors could reduce the content and activity of NE in U937 cells, but the effect of GW311616A was significantly higher than of sivelestat (P<0.01). CONCLUSION GW311616A and sivelestat could inhibit the proliferation and cause apoptosis of U937 cells. Furthermore, GW311616A was more effective and harmful to cells than sivelestat.
SIFT Keypoint Removal via Directed Graph Construction for Color Images

As one of the most successful feature extraction algorithms, scale invariant feature transform (SIFT) has been widely employed in many applications. Recently, the security of SIFT against malicious attack has been attracting increasing attention, and several techniques have been devised to remove SIFT keypoints intentionally. However, most of the existing methods still suffer from the following three problems: 1) the keypoint removal rate achieved by many techniques is unsatisfactory when removing keypoints within multiple octaves; 2) noticeable artifacts are introduced in the processed image, especially in those highly textured regions; and 3) the color information is totally neglected, precluding the widespread adoption of those methods. To tackle these challenges, in this paper, we propose a novel SIFT keypoint removal framework. By modeling the difference of Gaussian space as a directed weighted graph, we derive a set of strict inequality constraints to remove a SIFT keypoint along a pre-constructed acyclic path. To minimize the incurred distortion, the path is strategically designed over the directed graph. Furthermore, we propose a simple yet effective optimization framework for recovering the color information of the keypoint-removed image. Extensive experiments are provided to show the superior performance of our proposed scheme over the state-of-the-art techniques, in both the scenarios of removing keypoints in a single octave and in multiple octaves.
The influence of communicative relations on facial responses to pain: does it matter who is watching?

BACKGROUND Facial responses to pain are believed to be an act of communication and, as such, are likely to be affected by the relationship between sender and receiver. OBJECTIVES To investigate this effect by examining the impact that variations in communicative relations (from being alone to being with an intimate other) have on the elements of the facial language used to communicate pain (types of facial responses), and on the degree of facial expressiveness. METHODS Facial responses of 126 healthy participants to phasic heat pain were assessed in three different social situations: alone, but aware of video recording; in the presence of an experimenter; and in the presence of an intimate other. Furthermore, pain catastrophizing and sex (of participant and experimenter) were considered as additional influences. RESULTS Whereas similar types of facial responses were elicited independent of the relationship between sender and observer, the degree of facial expressiveness varied significantly, with increased expressiveness occurring in the presence of the partner. Interestingly, being with an experimenter decreased facial expressiveness only in women. Pain catastrophizing and the sex of the experimenter exhibited no substantial influence on facial responses. CONCLUSION Variations in communicative relations had no effect on the elements of the facial pain language. The degree of facial expressiveness, however, was adapted to the relationship between sender and observer. Individuals suppressed their facial communication of pain toward unfamiliar persons, whereas they overtly displayed it in the presence of an intimate other. Furthermore, when confronted with an unfamiliar person, different situational demands appeared to apply for both sexes.
The Use of an Emergency Ward by Patients with Depressive or Anxiety Disorders: A One Year Follow-up Study

Objective: The present study examined patients during the year after the index hospitalization in an Emergency Ward (ED) to determine whether patients with depressive or anxiety disorders have a higher rate of readmission than patients without these conditions. Method: For this purpose, 165 subjects (85 diagnosed with DSM-IV depressive or anxiety disorders and 80 controls) were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and with the Duke Severity of Illness Scale both during the index hospitalization and one year later. Hospitalizations during the follow-up period were determined using the hospital database. Results: During the follow-up period, depressed and anxious patients were more frequently rehospitalized in ED wards than controls (p = 0.006), after controlling for the effect of medical illnesses severity, marital status, living arrangement, and employment status. No difference was found regarding the admissions to wards different from ED. Conclusions: Patients with depressive or anxiety disorders use the ED ward more frequently than controls for the diagnosis and treatment of somatic symptoms.
Negative Social Preference in Relation to Internalizing Symptoms Among Children with ADHD Predominantly Inattentive Type: Girls Fare Worse Than Boys

Despite distinct peer difficulties, less is known about the peer functioning of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) predominantly inattentive type (ADHD-I) in comparison to the peer functioning of children with ADHD combined type. Our purpose was to examine whether child sex moderated the relations between negative social preference and internalizing/externalizing problems in children with ADHD-I. Participants included 188 children diagnosed with ADHD-I (110 boys; ages 7–11; 54% Caucasian). Teacher ratings of the proportion of classmates who “like/accept” and “dislike/reject” the participating child were used to calculate negative social preference scores. Children, parents, and teachers provided ratings of anxious and depressive symptoms, and parents and teachers provided ratings of externalizing problems. Boys and girls did not differ on teachers’ negative social preference scores. As hypothesized, however, the relation between negative social preference and internalizing symptoms was moderated by sex such that negative social preference was consistently and more strongly associated with internalizing symptoms among girls than in boys. In terms of externalizing problems, negative social preference was associated with teacher (but not parent) ratings, yet no moderation by child sex was found. Negative social preference is associated with teacher-report of externalizing problems for both boys and girls with ADHD-I, whereas negative social preference is consistently associated with girls’ internalizing symptoms across child, parent, and teacher ratings. Implications for future research and interventions are discussed.
[Diagnostic role of SOX13 antibody in latent autoimmune diabetes of adults].

OBJECTIVE To explore the diagnostic role of SOX13 antibody in latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). METHODS Sera of 328 patients with slow-onset diabetes and 120 sex and age-matched healthy controls underwent radiochemical test to detect the positive rates of SOX13-Ab, glutamic acid decarboxylace antibody (GAD-Ab) and carboxypeptidase H antibody (CPH-Ab). According to the GAD-Ab and CPH-Ab status the patients were divided into autoimmune (GAD-Ab and/or CPH-Ab positive, n = 130) and non-autoimmune (GAD-Ab and CPH-Ab negative, n = 198) diabetic subgroups. Then according to SOX13-Ab, GAD-Ab and CPH-Ab status, the diabetic patients were divided into 4 groups: SOX13-Ab positive, GAD-Ab positive, CPH-Ab positive, and antibody-negative group to compare their clinical characteristics. The effect of SOX13-Ab on islet beta-cell function was evaluated by comparison of C-peptide among the four subgroups. RESULTS The positive rates of SOX13-Ab in the slow-onset diabetic patients (10.4%), autoimmune subgroup patients (13.1%), and non-autoimmune subgroup patients (8.6%) were all higher than that in the healthy controls (2.5%, all P < 0.05). Thirteen patients were positive for both SOX13-Ab and CPH-Ab (13/328, 4.0%), but only 2 were positive for both SOX13-Ab and GAD-Ab (2/328, 0.6%). The highest prevalence of SOX13-Ab was observed in the patients with the duration of disease ranging from 16 to 20 years. There were no differences in the clinical parameters between the SOX13-Ab positive and antibody-negative diabetic patients. CONCLUSION SOX13-Ab testing helps improve the sensitivity of screening for LADA. SOX13-Ab positive patients tend to have a longer course of disease and varied clinical manifestations.
Reassessment of fracture risk in women after 3 years of treatment with zoledronic acid: when is it reasonable to discontinue treatment?

Yearly infusion with zoledronic acid (ZOL) has previously been shown to reduce fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, bisphosphonates have a long skeletal half-life and there are potential risks associated with prolonged use, including atypical fractures and osteonecrosis of the jaw; the ideal duration of therapy is not clearly defined. This multicentre randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled extension study involved 1233 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis who, in a previous study, had received three annual infusions of ZOL. They were randomized to receive a further three annual infusions of ZOL or placebo. Risks of non-vertebral fracture and vertebral fracture were the main outcomes. Of note, this study was originally powered to examine changes in bone mineral density (BMD) rather than fractures; the fracture numbers recorded were small. Discontinuation of ZOL was associated with low fracture risk in the ensuing 3 years in participants with a hip BMD above the osteoporotic range, who had not fractured during initial therapy and had 41 other risk factor (prevalent pre-trial vertebral fracture or femoral neck BMD 4–2.5). The authors conclude that in this low risk population temporary cessation of ZOL may be reasonable.
Primary structural changes in the organ of Corti after acoustic overstimulation.

32 guinea pigs were exposed to 100-138 dB wide band noise for 1 min to 1 hour and sacrificed immediately afterwards or after short survival times. In light and electron microscopic examinations the initial structural changes proved to be: distortion of outer hair cells, buckling of sensory hairs, swelling of the dendrites to the inner hair cells, and increase of density in efferent nerve endings at the outer hair cells, followed by disintegration of hair cells and rupture of dendrites with incipient retrograde nerve degeneration at higher exposures. Thxe appears to be a critical intensity for these initial struciural changes, which only partly can be explained on the basis of a purely mechanical effect. Swelling of dendrites seems to be reversible to a certain extent, whereas the buckling of sensory hairs of the inner hair cells remains even after longer survival times.
Satellite‐based assessment of possible dust aerosols semi‐direct effect on cloud water path over East Asia

The semi‐direct effects of dust aerosols are analyzed over eastern Asia using 2 years (June 2002 to June 2004) of data from the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) scanning radiometer and MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Aqua satellite, and 18 years (1984 to 2001) of International Satellite Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP) data. The results show that the water path of dust‐contaminated clouds is considerably smaller than that of dust‐free clouds. The mean ice water path (IWP) and liquid water path (LWP) of dusty clouds are less than their dust‐free counterparts by 23.7% and 49.8%, respectively. The long‐term statistical relationship derived from ISCCP also confirms that there is significant negative correlation between dust storm index and ISCCP cloud water path (CWP). These results suggest that dust aerosols warm clouds, increase the evaporation of cloud droplets and further reduce the CWP, the so‐called semi‐direct effect. The semi‐direct effect may play a role in cloud development over arid and semi‐arid areas of East Asia and contribute to the reduction of precipitation.
Learning through interaction: Improving practice with design-based research

This article presents the first stage of a design‐based research project to introduce case‐based learning using existing interactive technologies in a major Australian university. The paper initially outlines the relationship between casebased learning, student interaction and the study of interactions ‐ and includes a review of research into technologies supporting varying types of interaction. We then introduce design‐based research (DBR) as a way of improving student interaction within an undergraduate e‐business course while simultaneously adding practical and theoretical insights to the literature in the field. Applying DBR, we present the learning environment used and analyse the interactions observed. The paper concludes with a summary of our findings concerning instructional means to make online interactions more meaningful and a discussion of future research activities within the project using design‐based research.
Safety and efficacy of a multipurpose coronary angiography strategy using the transradial technique.

UNLABELLED The use of a single catheter for coronary angiography has a number of potential advantages such as the reduction of arterial trauma, costs and procedural time. Accordingly, we assessed the feasibility and safety of two different strategies for transradial multipurpose coronary angiography. METHODS From February 2002 to December 2004, a total of 657 transradial diagnostic catheterizations were performed by a single operator in which engagement of both left and right coronary arteries was attempted either with a Judkins Left 3.5 (n = 194) or a Brachial Type K (n = 463) catheter. Success rates and complications were analyzed. RESULTS The mean age was 64.4 +/- 11.9 years. The right radial artery was used in 93% of the cases. Either left or right coronary angiography was possible in 94% of the Brachial type K cases, and in 97% of the Judkins Left cases (p = 0.11). Overall, a single-catheter procedure was possible in 87% of the cases (85% with Brachial Type K and 92% with Judkins Left 3.5; p = 0.01). There were no significant differences in fluoroscopy time (4.8 +/- 3.8 minutes versus 5.0 +/- 3.8 minutes; p = 0.61), or in dye volume (103 +/- 33 ml versus 114 +/- 78 ml; p = 0.15). There were no cases of femoral or contralateral arm crossover, and no coronary or aortic dissections or systemic embolization. CONCLUSION A strategy of performing both left and right coronary angiography with a single Brachial Type K or Judkins Left catheter by the transradial technique is attractive and appears to be safe and effective.
A mechanism for the effects of caffeine on Ca2+ release during diastole and systole in isolated rat ventricular myocytes.

1. The fluorescent indicator Indo‐1 was used to measure both [Ca2+]i and [caffeine]i in single ventricular myocytes. 2. Caffeine (at concentrations of 1 mM or above) produced a transient increase of resting [Ca2+]i attributed to the release of Ca2+ ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). Simultaneous measurement of [caffeine]i showed that the Ca2+ release only began when [caffeine]i had risen to about 1 mM. Subsequently the rate of release was a steep function of [caffeine]i. It is suggested that this results from a positive feedback as the Ca2+ released activates further release. 3. If external Ca2+ was removed the release of Ca2+ produced by caffeine was delayed such that [caffeine]i rose to a greater concentration before release was initiated. This suggests that an increase of [Ca2+]i increases the efficacy of caffeine to release Ca2+ ions from the SR. 4. Lower concentrations of caffeine (50‐500 microM) had no effect on diastolic [Ca2+]i. In contrast they increased systolic [Ca2+]i and contraction. This increase was most obvious if the systolic contraction had previously been decreased either by reducing [Ca2+]o from 1 to 0.25 mM or (in voltage‐clamped cells) by decreasing the magnitude of the depolarizing pulse. 5. If the exposure to caffeine was prolonged, this increase of systolic [Ca2+]i and contraction was completely transient. On removal of caffeine, systolic [Ca2+]i and contraction decreased to below control before recovering. 6. During these transient changes of systolic [Ca2+]i and contraction there was no change of the sarcolemmal Ca2+ current. 7. It is suggested that the increase of systolic [Ca2+]i is due to caffeine increasing the fraction of the SR Ca2+ content released during the twitch. 8. The above results concerning both diastolic and systolic [Ca2+]i can be explained by a model in which caffeine increases the affinity with which Ca2+ ions activate Ca2(+)‐induced Ca2+ release. At high enough [caffeine], the threshold [Ca2+]i for regenerative Ca2(+)‐induced Ca2+ release will be reduced to below the resting [Ca2+]i thus producing a diastolic increase of [Ca2+]i. At lower [caffeine] the threshold is higher than resting [Ca2+]i and caffeine only serves to enhance the release produced during systole.
First‐in‐Human Case Study: Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells for Immunomodulation After Liver Transplantation

Mesenchymal stem cells and multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPCs) have been proposed as novel therapeutics for solid organ transplant recipients with the aim of reducing exposure to pharmacological immunosuppression and its side effects. In the present study, we describe the clinical course of the first patient of the phase I, dose‐escalation safety and feasibility study, MiSOT‐I (Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Solid Organ Transplantation Phase I). After receiving a living‐related liver graft, the patient was given one intraportal injection and one intravenous infusion of third‐party MAPC in a low‐dose pharmacological immunosuppressive background. Cell administration was found to be technically feasible; importantly, we found no evidence of acute toxicity associated with MAPC infusions.
REM sleep behavior disorder and REM sleep without atonia in Parkinson’s disease

Objective To determine the frequency of REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) among patients with PD using both history and polysomnography (PSG) recordings and to further study REM sleep muscle atonia in PD. Background The reported occurrence of RBD in PD varies from 15 to 47%. However, no study has estimated the frequency of RBD using PSG recordings or analyzed in detail the characteristics of REM sleep muscle atonia in a large group of unselected patients with PD. Methods Consecutive patients with PD (n = 33) and healthy control subjects (n = 16) were studied. Each subject underwent a structured clinical interview and PSG recording. REM sleep was scored using a method that allows the scoring of REM sleep without atonia. Results One third of patients with PD met the diagnostic criteria of RBD based on PSG recordings. Only one half of these cases would have been detected by history. Nineteen (58%) of 33 patients with PD but only 1 of 16 control subjects had REM sleep without atonia. Of these 19 patients with PD, 8 (42%) did not present with behavioral manifestations of RBD, and their cases may represent preclinical forms of RBD associated with PD. Moreover, the percentage of time spent with muscle atonia during REM sleep was lower among patients with PD than among healthy control subjects (60.1% vs 93.2%;p = 0.003). ConclusionsRBD and REM sleep without atonia are frequent in PD as shown by PSG recordings.
Perinatal transmission of hepatitis C virus from human immunodeficiency virus type 1-infected mothers. Women and Infants Transmission Study.

Antepartum plasma hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA was quantified in 155 mothers coinfected with HCV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), and HCV RNA was serially assessed in their infants. Of 155 singleton infants born to HCV antibody-positive mothers, 13 (8.4%) were HCV infected. The risk of HCV infection was 3.2-fold greater in HIV-1-infected infants compared with HIV-1-uninfected infants (17.1% of 41 vs. 5.4% of 112, P = .04). The median concentration of plasma HCV RNA was higher among the 13 mothers with HCV-infected infants (2.0 x 10(6) copies/mL) than among the 142 mothers with HCV-negative infants (3.5 x 10(5) copies/mL; P < . 001), and there were no instances of HCV transmission from 40 mothers with HCV RNA concentrations of < 10(5) copies/mL. Women dually infected with HIV-1 and HCV but with little or no detectable HCV RNA should be reassured that the risk of perinatal transmission of HCV is exceedingly low.