Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Functional mitral regurgitation at discharge and outcomes in patients hospitalized for acute decompensated heart failure with a preserved or reduced ejection fraction

The relationship between functional mitral regurgitation (FMR), left ventricular ejection fraction (EF), and outcomes is unclear in acute decompensated heart failure (HF) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between FMR and post‐discharge outcomes in HF patients with a preserved or reduced EF.
Different neurodevelopmental symptoms have a common genetic etiology.

BACKGROUND Although neurodevelopmental disorders are demarcated as discrete entities in the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of mental disorders, empirical evidence indicates that there is a high degree of overlap among them. The first aim of this investigation was to explore if a single general factor could account for the large degree of observed overlap among neurodevelopmental problems, and explore whether this potential factor was primarily genetic or environmental in origin. The second aim was to explore whether there was systematic covariation, either genetic or environmental, over and above that contributed by the potential general factor, unique to each syndrome. METHOD Parents of all Swedish 9- and 12-year-old twin pairs born between 1992 and 2002 were targeted for interview regarding problems typical of autism spectrum disorders, ADHD and other neurodevelopmental conditions (response rate: 80 percent). Structural equation modeling was conducted on 6,595 pairs to examine the genetic and environmental structure of 53 neurodevelopmental problems. RESULTS One general genetic factor accounted for a large proportion of the phenotypic covariation among the 53 symptoms. Three specific genetic subfactors identified 'impulsivity,' 'learning problems,' and 'tics and autism,' respectively. Three unique environment factors identified 'autism,' 'hyperactivity and impulsivity,' and 'inattention and learning problems,' respectively. CONCLUSION One general genetic factor was responsible for the wide-spread phenotypic overlap among all neurodevelopmental symptoms, highlighting the importance of addressing broad patient needs rather than specific diagnoses. The unique genetic factors may help guide diagnostic nomenclature, whereas the unique environmental factors may highlight that neurodevelopmental symptoms are responsive to change at the individual level and may provide clues into different mechanisms and treatments. Future research would benefit from assessing the general factor separately from specific factors to better understand observed overlap among neurodevelopmental problems.
A novel differential Hartley CMOS oscillator circuit topology

This paper reports a novel differential Hartley oscillator circuit topology. The circuit topology exploits the transformer coupling to enhance the effective quality factor (Q) of the LC tank and shows a potential for achieving a high spectral purity at the mm-wave frequency range. The oscillator topology has been designed for 60 GHz in 28 nm fully-depleted silicon-on-insulator (FDSOI) CMOS technology.
Preclinical comparison of (111)In-labeled DTPA- or DOTA-bombesin analogs for receptor-targeted scintigraphy and radionuclide therapy.

UNLABELLED The 14-amino-acid peptide bombesin (BN) has a high affinity for the gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) receptor that is expressed by a variety of tumors. Recently, high densities of GRP receptors were identified by in vitro receptor autoradiography in human prostate and breast carcinomas using [(125)I-Tyr(4)]BN as radioligand. Radiometal-labeled diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)-BN derivatives are potentially useful radioligands for receptor-targeted scintigraphy and radiotherapy of GRP receptor-expressing tumors. METHODS [DTPA-Pro(1),Tyr(4)]BN (A), [DOTA-Pro(1),Tyr(4)]BN (B), [DTPA-epsilon-Lys(3),Tyr(4)]BN (C), and [DOTA-epsilon-Lys(3),Tyr(4)]BN (D) (where DOTA is dodecanetetraacetic acid) were synthesized and studied for competition with binding of [(125)I-Tyr(4)]BN to the GRP receptor. The (111)In-labeled BN analogs were studied in vitro for binding and internalization by GRP receptor-expressing CA20948 and AR42J pancreatic tumor cells as well as in vivo for tissue distribution in rats. Specific tissue binding was tested by coinjection of 0.1 mg [Tyr(4)]BN. RESULTS All BN analogs competitively inhibited the binding of [(125)I-Tyr(4)]BN to the GRP receptor with 50% inhibitory concentration values in the range of 2-9 nmol/L. All (111)In-labeled analogs showed high and specific time- and temperature-dependent binding and internalization by CA20948 and AR42J cells. In in vivo studies, high and specific binding was found in GRP receptor-positive tissues such as pancreas (0.90, 1.2, 0.54, and 0.79 percentage injected dose per gram for A-D, respectively). In a rat model, the AR42J tumor could clearly be visualized by scintigraphy using [(111)In-DTPA-Pro(1),Tyr(4)]BN as the radioligand. Although [(111)In-DOTA-Pro(1),Tyr(4)]BN showed the highest uptake of radioactivity in GRP receptor-positive tissues as well as higher target-to-blood ratios, [(111)In-DTPA-Pro(1),Tyr(4)]BN was easier to handle and is more practical to use. Therefore, we decided to start phase I studies with this DTPA-conjugated radioligand. CONCLUSION [(111)In-DTPA-Pro(1),Tyr(4)]BN is a promising radioligand for scintigraphy of GRP receptor-expressing tumors. We are currently performing a phase I study on patients with invasive prostate carcinoma.
Monitoring Land Subsidence in a Rural Area Using a Combination of ADInSAR and Polarimetric Coherence Optimization

This paper investigates a combination of advanced differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry (ADInSAR) with different coherence optimization methods. After the launch of satellites with polarimetry capabilities, differential synthetic aperture radar interferometry (DInSAR) is feasible to generate polarimetric DInSAR to enhance pixel phase quality and increase coherent pixel (CP) density. The first method proposed in this paper, modified coherence set-based polarimetry optimization (MCPO), is a modification of a known single-baseline coherence optimization method to optimize coherence of all interferograms simultaneously. The second method, coherence-set based polarimetry optimization (CPO), was presented by Neumann et al., and is an existing revision of the single-baseline coherence optimization technique. The final method, exhaustive search polarimetry optimization, is a search-based approach to find the optimized scattering mechanism introduced by Navarro-Sanchez et al. The case study is the Tehran basin located in the North of Iran, which suffers from a high-rate of land subsidence and is covered by agricultural fields. Usually such an area would significantly decorrelate but applying polarimetric ADInSAR allows us to obtain a more CP coverage. A set of dual polarization TerraSAR-X images with 9 × 9 and 15 × 15 as multilook factors were used within the polarimetric ADInSAR procedure. All three coherence optimization methods with two different multilook factors are shown to have increased the density and phase quality of CPs. Moreover, the estimated deformation rates were evaluated using available levelling measurements. MCPO, which is presented in this paper, works more successful than CPO in terms of CPs density, phase quality and deformation accuracy.
Defective Thymocyte Maturation by Transgenic Expression of a Truncated Form of the T Lymphocyte Adapter Molecule and Fyn Substrate, Sin1

Adapter molecules that promote protein-protein interactions play a central role in T lymphocyte differentiation and activation. In this study, we examined the role of the T lymphocyte-expressed adapter protein and Src kinase substrate, Sin, on thymocyte function using transgenic mice expressing an activated, truncated allele of Sin (SinΔC). We found that SinΔC expression led to reduced numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ single-positive cells and reduced thymic cellularity due to increased thymocyte apoptosis. Because the adapter properties of Sin are mediated by tyrosine-based motifs and given that Sin is a substrate for Src tyrosine kinases, we examined the involvement of these kinases in the inhibitory effects of SinΔC. We found that in transgenic thymocytes, SinΔC was constitutively phosphorylated by the Src kinase Fyn, but not by the related kinase Lck. Using SinΔC and fyn−/− animals, we also found that the expression of Fyn was required for the inhibitory effect of SinΔC on thymocyte apoptosis but not for SinΔC-mediated inhibition of T cell maturation. The inhibitory effect of SinΔC on thymocyte maturation correlated with defective activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase extracellular signal-regulated kinase. Our results suggest that the Sin mutant inhibits thymocyte differentiation through Fyn-dependent and -independent mechanisms and that endogenous Sin may be an important regulator of thymocyte development.
Breast cancer special types: why bother?

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease, encompassing multiple entities associated with distinct biological features and clinical behaviours. Microarray‐based expression profiling analysis has been used to unravel the molecular underpinning of several characteristics of breast cancer, including its proclivity to disseminate to distant sites and the molecular basis of histological grade. Furthermore, a breast cancer molecular classification based on transcriptional analysis has been proposed. However, microarray studies have primarily analysed invasive ductal carcinomas of no special type. Histological special types of breast cancer, which account for up to 25% of all invasive breast cancers, have not been systematically studied. Despite the limited interest, in recent years it has become apparent that the histopathological characteristics of these cancers may be underpinned by distinct arrays of genetic changes, providing direct evidence for genotypic–phenotypic correlations between morphological patterns and molecular changes in breast cancer (eg t(12;15) in secretory carcinoma of the breast). Here we review the molecular characteristics of special types of breast cancer, with special emphasis on their microarray‐based expression profiles and their impact on our understanding of breast cancer. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Triterpene hydrocarbon production engineered into a metabolically versatile host—Rhodobacter capsulatus

Triterpene hydrocarbon biosynthesis of the ancient algae Botryococcus braunii was installed into Rhodobacter capsulatus to explore the production of C30 hydrocarbon in a host capable of diverse growth habits—utilizing carbohydrate, sunlight or hydrogen (with CO2 fixation) as alternative energy feedstocks. Engineering an enhanced MEP pathway was also used to augment triterpene accumulation. Despite dramatically different sources of carbon and reducing power, nearly the same level of botryococcene or squalene (∼5 mg oil/g‐dry‐weight [gDW]) was achieved in small‐scale aerobic heterotrophic, anaerobic photoheterotrophic, and aerobic chemoautotrophic growth conditions. A glucose fed‐batch bioreactor reached 40 mg botryococcene/L (∼12 mg/gDW), while autotrophic bioreactor performance with CO2, H2, and O2 reached 110 mg/L (16.7 mg/gDW) during batch and 60 mg/L (23 mg/gDW) during continuous operation at a dilution rate corresponding to about 10% of μmax. Batch and continuous autotrophic specific productivity was found to reach 0.5 and 0.32 mg triterpene/g DW/h, comparable to prior reports for terpene production driven by heterotrophic growth conditions. This demonstrates the feasibility of alternative feedstocks and trophic modes to provide comparable routes to biochemicals that do not rely on sugar. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2015;112: 1523–1532. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prevalence of disability according to multimorbidity and disease clustering: a population-based study

Background The prevalence of chronic diseases has increased with population ageing, and research has attempted to elucidate the correlation between chronic diseases and disability. However, most studies in older populations have focused on the effect of single disabling conditions, even though most older adults have more than one chronic disease (multimorbidity). Objective The aims of this study were to evaluate the association of disability with disease, in terms of multimorbidity and specified pairs of diseases, in a population-based study of older adults. Materials and Methods Using the Kungsholmen Project, we estimated the prevalence of disability by the number of chronic diseases, disease status by organ systems, and in specific pairs of chronic conditions, in a Swedish population (n=1,099; ≥77 years). Disability was defined as need of assistance in at least one activity of daily living (Katz index). Results Functional disability was seen in 17.9% of participants. It increased as the number of chronic diseases increased. The prevalence of disability varied greatly amongst specific pairs of diseases: from 6.7% in persons affected by hypertension and atrial fibrillation to 82.4% in persons affected by dementia and hip fracture. In multivariate logistic regression models, the disease pairs that were significantly associated with the highest increased relative odds of disability contained dementia (dementia–hip fracture, dementia–CVD, and dementia–depression). Conclusions Our findings suggest specific pairs of diseases are much more highly associated with disability than others, particularly diseases coupled with dementia. This knowledge may improve prevention of disablement and planning of resource distribution.
Incidental findings on pediatric MR images of the brain.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Previous studies have addressed the prevalence of incidental findings in symptomatic and healthy adult populations. Our study aims to elucidate the prevalence of incidental findings in a healthy pediatric population. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed 225 conventional brain MR imaging studies obtained during structural and functional brain imaging research in a cohort of neurologically healthy children (100 boys [44%] and 125 girls [56%]) ranging in age from younger than 1 month to 18 years. All MR images were reviewed, and two board-certified neuroradiologists categorized the findings by consensus. RESULTS Incidental abnormalities were detected in 47 subjects (21%), while 79% of the images were normal. Of the 47 abnormalities detected, 17 (36%) required routine clinical referral; a single lesion (2%) required urgent referral. The occurrence of these findings in the male cohort was twice that of the female cohort; however, the percentage of subjects requiring either routine or urgent referral did not differ by sex (male subjects, 34%; female subjects, 39%). CONCLUSION Although the frequency of clinically important incidental abnormalities was not high in the sample of children studied, the presence and variety of findings in any pediatric group is particularly important for both the welfare of the subject and for research in which knowledge of the subject's neurologic status is vital to the interpretation of the results. Despite the limitations of the study in terms of the age and ethnic distribution, this work highlights the need for the routine involvement of trained radiologists in these studies to ensure that such incidental findings are detected and that appropriate follow-up is provided.
Quantitative Proteomics Reveals Dynamic Interaction of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) with RNA Transport Granule Proteins Splicing Factor Proline- and Glutamine-rich (Sfpq) and Non-POU Domain-containing Octamer-binding Protein (Nono) during Neuronal Differentiation*

The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) is an important mediator of physiological and pathophysiological processes in the central nervous system. Importantly, JNK not only is involved in neuronal cell death, but also plays a significant role in neuronal differentiation and regeneration. For example, nerve growth factor induces JNK-dependent neuronal differentiation in several model systems. The mechanism by which JNK mediates neuronal differentiation is not well understood. Here, we employed a proteomic strategy to better characterize the function of JNK during neuronal differentiation. We used SILAC-based quantitative proteomics to identify proteins that interact with JNK in PC12 cells in a nerve growth factor–dependent manner. Intriguingly, we found that JNK interacted with neuronal transport granule proteins such as Sfpq and Nono upon NGF treatment. We validated the specificity of these interactions by showing that they were disrupted by a specific peptide inhibitor that blocks the interaction of JNK with its substrates. Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting experiments confirmed the interaction of JNK1 with Sfpq/Nono and demonstrated that it was RNA dependent. Confocal microscopy indicated that JNK1 associated with neuronal granule proteins in the cytosol of PC12 cells, primary cortical neurons, and P19 neuronal cells. Finally, siRNA experiments confirmed that Sfpq was necessary for neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells and that it most likely acted in the same pathway as JNK. In summary, our data indicate that the interaction of JNK1 with transport granule proteins in the cytosol of differentiating neurons plays an important role during neuronal development.
Scaling, normalizing, and per ratio standards: an allometric modeling approach.

The practice of scaling or normalizing physiological variables (Y) by dividing the variable by an appropriate body size variable (X) to produce what is known as a "per ratio standard" (Y/ X), has come under strong criticism from various authors. These authors propose an alternative regression standard based on the linear regression of (Y) on (X) as the predictor variable. However, if linear regression is to be used to adjust such physiological measurements (Y), the residual errors should have a constant variance and, in order to carry out parametric tests of significance, be normally distributed. Unfortunately, since neither of these assumptions appear to be satisfied for many physiological variables, e.g., maximum oxygen uptake, peak and mean power, an alternative approach is proposed of using allometric modeling where the concept of a ratio is an integral part of the model form. These allometric models naturally help to overcome the heteroscedasticity and skewness observed with per ratio variables. Furthermore, if per ratio standards are to be incorporated in regression models to predict other dependent variables, the allometric or log-linear model form is shown to be more appropriate than linear models. By using multiple regression, simply by taking logarithms of the dependent variable and entering the logarithmic transformed per ratio variables as separate independent variables, the resulting estimated log-linear multiple-regression model will automatically provide the most appropriate per ratio standard to reflect the dependent variable, based on the proposed allometric model.
The Community Influence on Corporate Contributions

This article uses a managerial utility maximization model in which contributions enhance both the firms’ and the top executives’ public image as well as reduce the costs of doing business by helping to maintain a propitious environment for long-run profits. Contributions also are a direct expense. From an equilibrium model we derive testable hypotheses about the effect of community characteristics on contributions. Tests are based on data from 229 large companies in 14 major U.S. cities. The key findings are as follows: (1) Corporate profits strongly and positively affect corporate contributions. (2) Most corporate giving is directed to the headquarters city rather than to operating locations. However, as firms increase their total contributions, they direct an increasing proportion to operating locations. (3) A firm tends to increase its contributions when other local firms set an example of generosity and when its size relative to the community is larger.
A vector quantization based approach for equal gain transmission

In this work, we consider quantization of the beamforming vector for finite rate feedback-based communication in flat-fading multi input single output (MISO) systems with a per-antenna power constraint. Using the capacity loss with respect to perfect channel feedback as performance metric, we derive a new criterion, the mean-square weighted inner product (MSwIP) criterion, for designing the quantized beamforming vectors. We develop an iterative algorithm (based on the Lloyd algorithm) to generate the beamforming vector codebook that locally optimizes the design criterion. For the case of i.i. d. flat fading channels, we analyze the performance of the proposed algorithm in terms of capacity loss and the outage probability. We show that the capacity loss (in terms of bits) of a MISO system with quantized beamforming under a per-antenna power constraint is roughly half that obtained under a total power constraint. Simulation results verify the accuracy of the analytical expressions
Are There Uniform Age-Related Changes Across Tasks Involving Inhibitory Control Through Access, Deletion, and Restraint Functions? A Preliminary Investigation

According to Hasher, Zacks, and May (Attention and performance XVII. Cognitive regulation of performance: Interaction of theory and application, pp. 653–675, MIT Press, 1999), a general age-related decline of inhibitory control affects the contents of working memory through three kinds of functions: limiting access to irrelevant information, deleting information that is no longer relevant, and restraining the production of dominant responses. Supportive evidence has been found in a wide variety of experimental tasks. In the present study, age-related changes were examined in the same group of 34 older (aged 60 to 82) and 30 younger (aged 19 to 30) adults performing the same set of tasks involving the access, deletion, or restraint function. The results indicate that age-related declines in inhibition are not uniform but vary depending on task-specific characteristics.
Effect of ilioinguinal nerve block on the catecholamine plasma levels in orchidopexy: comparison with caudal epidural block

Summary Background: Both caudal epidural and ilioinguinal/iliohypogastric nerve blocks have been used to provide effective intra‐ and postoperative analgesia. Stress response hormone levels can be used as an objective method to assess the analgesic efficacy of the anaesthetic techniques used in infraumbilical surgery in children. In this study, we compared catecholamine blood levels in children undergoing these two different supplementary analgesic/anaesthetic techniques.
An evidence-based review of HR Analytics

Abstract We conduct an evidence-based review using an integrative synthesis of published peer-reviewed literature on Human Resource analytics (HR Analytics). Our search of several publication databases identified 60 articles on this topic, however only 14 articles were in quality peer-reviewed journals. Our review of these articles addresses the following 5 questions: (1) What is HR Analytics (how has the concept definition evolved)? (2) How does HR Analytics work (what are the processes)? (3) Why does HR Analytics work (what theories explain cause-effect relationships, antecedents, and consequences)? (4) What does HR Analytics produce (what are the outcomes)? (5) What is required for HR Analytics to succeed (what are the moderators of the analytics-outcome relationships)? We conclude that despite evidence linking the adoption of HR Analytics to organizational performance that adoption of HR Analytics is very low and academic research, and therefore, evidence on this topic is sparse. We offer potential explanations for this paradox and suggest avenues for future research.