Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Older Patients with MDS and Co-existing Myelofibrosis

Background: Myelodysplastic syndrome with co-existing bone marrow fibrosis is associated with a dismal prognosis with conventional therapy. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) offers the sole treatment approach that offers curative potential. HSCT has been utilized in younger patients with this disorder however with the advent of reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) regimens it has allowed for expansion of this application up to the age of 70 years. The data on the outcomes of patients of older age undergoing RIC for MDS with fibrosis is unknown. Methods: To identify patients who received HSCT at our center with the diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome with co-existing fibrosis (n=15). We conducted a retrospective review in regards to HSCT specific variables influencing outcome and classified them according to their age, degree of bone marrow fibrosis, cytogenetic abnormality, Jak2, engraftment, transplant-related mortality, relapse and overall survival. Results: Higher median age, high risk cytogenetics and high grade bone marrow fibrosis in our study population was not associated with inferior survival in univariate analysis. The cumulative incidence of engraftment achieved at day+30 based on chimerism was 72.7% the 2-year overall survival was 78% in the patient cohort. There were no patients who developed graft failure and no reported cases of relapse posttransplant. Conclusions: Among patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and co-existing bone marrow fibrosis, even in patients with older age, higher grade of marrow fibrosis or cytogenetic abnormality, overall survival after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was not inferior. HSCT should be offered to patients even with older age and significant marrow fibrosis. Citation: Saste Abhijit, Meredith Mahan, Nalini Janakiraman, Shatha Farhan, Susan Michalowski, Edward Peres (2017). Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant in Older Patients with MDS and Co-existing Myelofibrosis Page 2 of 3 www.scientonline. org J Blood Disord Symptoms Treat Volume 1 • Issue 1 • 004 for patients with MDS are certain cytogenetic characteristics, number of blasts, and status of the disease at time of transplant, donor source and age of the patient at time of transplant. Data in regards to the impact of bone marrow fibrosis on outcome after allogeneic stem cell transplantation in patients with MDS especially over the age of 60 are limited. Here in we report the outcome of patients who underwent HSCT at our institution with MDS and co-existing bone marrow fibrosis.
Non-Adherence of New Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients to Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment

Background: Non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis (TB) treatment adversely affects treatment success rate. It increases disease morbidity and mortality. Also, it contributes significantly to the development of drug resistance. Aim: To identify risk factors for non-adherence to anti-TB treatment by new pulmonary TB patients. Subjects and Methods: It is a prospective cohort study at 21 TB treatment centres in E ward of Mumbai Municipal Corporation. All sputum smear positive new pulmonary TB patients initiated on treatment regimen of short course chemotherapy fro 1st January to 30th June of a calendar year were enrolled and followed up till any final outcome as per revised national TB control program. Non-adherence was defined as interruption of anti-TB treatment for ≥ 1 month. The factors were identified by univariate and logistic regression analysis. Results: We studied 156 newly diagnosed pulmonary TB patients. Out of these 78 (50%) were non-adherent to anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT). Independent risk factors for non-adherence were identified as male gender (P = 0.035) and lack of knowledge of importance of regular treatment (P = 0.001). Being female sex worker (FSW) was also an absolute risk factor for non-adherence. Conclusions: There is immense need for continuous, effective and reinforcing health education to the patient and his family. Special groups like males in the age group of 15-49 years, patients who do not have any family support like migrants, FSW need special attention to ensure adherence to ATT.
Virage image search engine: an open framework for image management

Until recently, the management of large image databases has relied exclusively on manually entered alphanumeric annotations. Systems are beginning to emerge in both the research and commercial sectors based on 'content-based' image retrieval, a technique which explicitly manages image assets by directly representing their visual attributes. The Virage image search engine provides an open framework for building such systems. The Virage engine expresses visual features as image 'primitives. ' Primitives can be very general (such as color, shape, or texture) or quite domain specific (face recognition, cancer cell detection, etc.). The basic philosophy underlying this architecture is a transformation from the data-rich representation of explicit image pixels to a compact, semantic-rich representation of visually salient characteristics. In practice, the design of such primitives is non-trivial, and is driven by a number of conflicting real-world constraints (e.g. computation time vs. accuracy). The virage engine provides an open framework for developers to 'plug-in' primitives to solve specific image management problems. The architecture has been designed to support both static images and video in a unified paradigm. The infrastructure provided by the Virage engine can be utilized to address high-level problems as well, such as automatic, unsupervised keyword assignment, or image classification.
Evaluation of climate‐related carbon turnover processes in global vegetation models for boreal and temperate forests

Turnover concepts in state‐of‐the‐art global vegetation models (GVMs) account for various processes, but are often highly simplified and may not include an adequate representation of the dominant processes that shape vegetation carbon turnover rates in real forest ecosystems at a large spatial scale. Here, we evaluate vegetation carbon turnover processes in GVMs participating in the Inter‐Sectoral Impact Model Intercomparison Project (ISI‐MIP, including HYBRID4, JeDi, JULES, LPJml, ORCHIDEE, SDGVM, and VISIT) using estimates of vegetation carbon turnover rate (k) derived from a combination of remote sensing based products of biomass and net primary production (NPP). We find that current model limitations lead to considerable biases in the simulated biomass and in k (severe underestimations by all models except JeDi and VISIT compared to observation‐based average k), likely contributing to underestimation of positive feedbacks of the northern forest carbon balance to climate change caused by changes in forest mortality. A need for improved turnover concepts related to frost damage, drought, and insect outbreaks to better reproduce observation‐based spatial patterns in k is identified. As direct frost damage effects on mortality are usually not accounted for in these GVMs, simulated relationships between k and winter length in boreal forests are not consistent between different regions and strongly biased compared to the observation‐based relationships. Some models show a response of k to drought in temperate forests as a result of impacts of water availability on NPP, growth efficiency or carbon balance dependent mortality as well as soil or litter moisture effects on leaf turnover or fire. However, further direct drought effects such as carbon starvation (only in HYBRID4) or hydraulic failure are usually not taken into account by the investigated GVMs. While they are considered dominant large‐scale mortality agents, mortality mechanisms related to insects and pathogens are not explicitly treated in these models.
A Robust Redesign of High School Match

Many school districts allow parents to report their preference rankings over schools and assign as many students as possible to their first choices. However, this well-intended assignment policy, known as the Boston mechanism, creates incentives for parents to misreport their true preferences. I consider the problem of estimating parents’ preference parameters with reported rankings under this policy. The challenge is that we do not know who misreports and how. Previous literature has made strong assumptions about the who and the how. I assume that everyone adheres to a simple rule: do not rank a popular school on your report unless you prefer it to less popular ones. I show that the simple rule, combined with an assumption regarding beliefs about popularities, partially identifies the preference parameters. I propose an estimator of the parameters and apply it to data from Seoul, Korea. I find that the estimated bounds on the parameters are informative. Counterfactual simulations show that the Boston mechanism is more efficient— but only by a small amount—than an alternative without incentives to misreport.
Migraine is the most prevalent primary headache in individuals with temporomandibular disorders.

AIMS To assess the prevalence of primary headaches (HA) in adults with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) who were assessed in a specialty orofacial pain clinic, as well as in controls without TMD. METHODS The sample consisted of 158 individuals with TMD seen at a university-based specialty clinic, as well as 68 controls. The Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD were used to diagnose the TMD patients. HAs were assessed using a structured interview and classified according to the Second Edition of the International Classification for Headache Disorders. Data were analyzed by chi-square tests with a significance level of 5% and odds ratio (OR) tests with a 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS HAs occurred in 45.6% of the control group (30.9% had migraine and 14.7% had tension-type headache [TTH]) and in 85.5% of individuals with TMD. Among individuals with TMD, migraine was the most prevalent primary HA (55.3%), followed by TTH (30.2%); 14.5% had no HA. In contrast to controls, the odds ratio (OR) for HA in those with TMD was 7.05 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.65-13.61; P = .000), for migraine, the OR was 2.76 (95% CI = 1.50-5.06; P = .001), and for TTH, the OR was 2.51 (95% CI = 1.18-5.35; P = .014). Myofascial pain/arthralgia was the most common TMD diagnosis (53.2%). The presence of HA or specific HAs was not associated with the time since the onset of TMD (P = .714). However, migraine frequency was positively associated with TMD pain severity (P = .000). CONCLUSION TMD was associated with increased primary HA prevalence rates. Migraine was the most common primary HA diagnosis in individuals with TMD.
Theoretical analysis of beaconless geocast protocols in 1D

Beaconless geocast protocols are routing protocols used to send messages in mobile ad-hoc wireless networks, in which the only information available to each node is its own location. Messages get routed in a distributed manner: each node uses local decision rules based on the message source and destination, and its own location. In this paper we analyze six diﬀerent beaconless geocast protocols, focusing on two relevant 1D scenarios. The selection of protocols reﬂects the most relevant types of protocols proposed in the literature, including those evaluated in previous computer simulations. We present a formal and structured analysis of the maximum number of messages that a node can receive, for each protocol, in each of the two scenarios. This is a measure of the network load incurred by each protocol. Our analysis, that for some of the protocols requires an involved probabilistic analysis, conﬁrms behaviors that had been observed only through simulations before.
Role of the Amygdala in Decision‐Making

Abstract: The somatic marker hypothesis proposes that both the amygdala and the orbitofrontal cortex are parts of a neural circuit critical for judgment and decision‐making. Although both structures couple exteroceptive sensory information with interoceptive information concerning somatic/emotional states, they do so at different levels, thus making different contributions to the process. We define ‘primary inducers’ as stimuli that unconditionally, or through learning (e.g., conditioning and semantic knowledge), can (perceptually or subliminally) produce states that are pleasurable or aversive. Encountering a fear object (e.g., a snake), a stimulus predictive of a snake, or semantic information such as winning or losing a large sum of money are all examples of primary inducers. ‘Secondary inducers’ are entities generated by the recall of a personal or hypothetical emotional event or perceiving a primary inducer that generates ‘thoughts’ and ‘memories’ about the inducer, all of which, when they are brought to memory, elicit a somatic state. The episodic memory of encountering a snake, losing a large sum of money, imagining the gain of a large sum of money, or hearing or looking at primary inducers that bring to memory ‘thoughts’ pertaining to an emotional event are all examples of secondary inducers. We present evidence in support of the hypothesis that the amygdala is a critical substrate in the neural system necessary for triggering somatic states from primary inducers. The ventromedial cortex is a critical substrate in the neural system necessary for the triggering of somatic states from secondary inducers. The amygdala system is a priori a necessary step for the normal development of the orbitofrontal system for triggering somatic states from secondary inducers. However, once this orbitofrontal system is developed, the induction of somatic states by secondary inducers via the orbitofrontal system is less dependent on the amygdala system. Perhaps the amygdala is equivalent to the hippocampus with regard to emotions, that is, necessary for acquiring new emotional attributes (anterograde emotions), but not for retrieving old emotional attributes (retrograde emotions). Given the numerous lesion and functional neuroimaging studies illustrating the involvement of the amygdala in complex cognitive and behavioral functions, including ‘social cognition,’ we suggest that this involvement is a manifestation of a more fundamental function mediated by the amygdala, which is to couple stimuli/entities with their emotional attributes, that is, the processing of somatic states from primary inducers.
β-blocker continuation after noncardiac surgery: a report from the surgical care and outcomes assessment program.

BACKGROUND Despite limited evidence of effect, β-blocker continuation has become a national quality improvement metric. OBJECTIVE To determine the effect of β-blocker continuation on outcomes in patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PATIENTS The Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program is a Washington quality improvement benchmarking initiative based on clinical data from more than 55 hospitals. Linking Surgical Care and Outcomes Assessment Program data to Washington's hospital admission and vital status registries, we studied patients undergoing elective colorectal and bariatric surgical procedures at 38 hospitals between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mortality, cardiac events, and the combined adverse event of cardiac events and/or mortality. RESULTS Of 8431 patients, 23.5% were taking β-blockers prior to surgery (mean [SD] age, 61.9 [13.7] years; 63.0% were women). Treatment with β-blockers was continued on the day of surgery and during the postoperative period in 66.0% of patients. Continuation of β-blockers both on the day of surgery and postoperatively improved from 57.2% in the first quarter of 2008 to 71.3% in the fourth quarter of 2009 (P value <.001). After adjusting for risk characteristics, failure to continue β-blocker treatment was associated with a nearly 2-fold risk of 90-day combined adverse event (odds ratio, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.19-3.26). The odds were even greater among patients with higher cardiac risk (odds ratio, 5.91; 95% CI, 1.40- 25.00). The odds of combined adverse events continued to be elevated 1 year postoperatively (odds ratio, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.08-2.55). CONCLUSIONS β-Blocker continuation on the day of and after surgery was associated with fewer cardiac events and lower 90-day mortality. A focus on β-blocker continuation is a worthwhile quality improvement target and should improve patient outcomes.
Sensitivity of cones from a cyprinid fish (Danio aequipinnatus) to ultraviolet and visible light

Abstract Photocurrents of cones in the retinas of a small fish, Danio aequipinnatus (Cyprinidae) were recorded with suction pipette electrodes. Spectral sensitivity was measured between 277 and 697 nm. Four spectral classes of cone were found, with λmax at 560, 480, 408, and 358 nm. For the latter, we provide the first complete characterization of spectral sensitivity of a vertebrate ultraviolet (UV) photoreceptor. All cones responded with similar kinetics, except for a subset of the 560-nm cones, which were distinctly faster. The a-bands of the three cones absorbing maximally in the visible have the same bandwidth when log sensitivity is plotted versus normalized frequency, and in this respect they are indistinguishable from primate cones (“Mansfield's rule’). An eighth-degree polynomial in λmax/λ based on this combined data set (fish, primate) is presented as a template that is likely to have predictive value in describing cone spectra from other vertebrates. The α−band of the UV cone, however, is somewhat narrower than predicted by this function, is similar to other UV visual pigments, and an eighth-degree polynomial that describes its shape is also presented. These measurements also provide information on the β−band (i.e. cis peak region), difficult to obtain by microspectrophotometry. The β−band of cone pigments is found at longer wavelengths as the α−band shifts toward the red. A secondary rise in cone sensitivity around 280 nm indicates that photons absorbed by aromatic amino acids in the opsin (γ−band) excite the transduction cascade, but the quantum efficiency is not as high as when absorption occurs in the retinal-protein chromophore.
Acidified Litter Benefits the Intestinal Flora Balance of Broiler Chickens

ABSTRACT The alterations in the balance of the normal intestinal bacterial flora of chickens exposed to acidified wood-derived litter were analyzed and compared to those of a control group exposed to nonacidified litter. A total of 1,728 broilers were divided into two groups, with six replicates in each. One group was exposed to dry wood-derived litter, and the other was exposed to dry wood-derived litter sprayed with a mixture of sodium lignosulfonate, formic acid, and propionic acid. At five different times, five chickens from each pen were killed and the intestinal contents from ileum and caeca were collected. The samples were diluted and plated onto selective media to identify coliforms, Lactobacillus spp. , Clostridium perfringens, and Enterococcus spp. Covariance analysis of bacterial counts showed significantly lower counts for C. perfringens in the caeca and the ileum and for Enterococcus spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the ileum in chickens exposed to the acidified litter. Lactobacillus spp. showed significantly higher counts in the caeca in chickens exposed to acidified litter. There was no difference between the two litters with regard to coliforms in the ileum and the caeca or to Enterococcus spp. in the caeca. The study shows that exposing the chickens to acidified litter lowers the intestinal bacterial number, especially in the ileum, without negative consequences for the chicken's health or performance. Of special interest are the lower counts of C. perfringens and Enterococcus spp. that might reduce the risk of developing clinical or subclinical necrotic enteritis and growth depression.
Detection of rotavirus from faeces by reversed passive haemagglutination method.

Rotavirus particles in faeces with gastroenteritis can be detected by electron microscopy (EM) (Bishop et al., 1974), counter immunoelectro osmophoresis (CEP) (Middleton et al., 1976), or radioimmunoassay (RIA) (Middleton et al., 1977). However, EM requires time and expensive equipment, while the CEP method is slightly less sensitive than EM. Although the sensitivity of RIA seems the best of all, it also requires elaborate procedures. We have developed a simple reversed passive haemagglutination (RPHA) method for the detection of human rotavirus using the Nebraska calf diarrhoea virus (NCDV), which is antigenically related to human strains (Kapikian et al., 1974; Matsuno et al., 1977) and can be propagated in cell cultures. The presence of rotavirus in faecal extracts of 94 infants with acute gastroenteritis was sought by both the EM and RPHA methods and results were compared. Preparation of anti-NCDV IgG sensitised cells was performed as follows. Sheep erythrocytes fixed with 5% glutaraldehyde followed by treatment with tannic acid were coated with guinea-pig anti-NCDV IgG which was purified by affinity chromatography linked with NCDV. Each faecal specimen was prepared for testing as follows: 10% faecal suspensions in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.2 PBS) were thoroughly mixed using a Teflon homogenizer1. The homogenate was centrifuged at 1500 g for 20 minutes at 4°C. To eliminate non-specific reactions, sheep erythrocytes fixed with glutaraldehyde (25% volume of the supernatant) were added to the supernatant. The mixture was incubated at 37°C for 1 hour, then centrifuged at 1500 gfor 10 minutes. The supernatant was used for examination. The RPHA test was carried out by a microtitration method. Permanent trays with 120 V-shaped wells were used. Serial twofold dilutions of the specimens were made in duplicate using 25 gl loops and a diluent consisting of PBS containing 2%
HLA - Antigen and Haplotype Frequencies in Renal Transplant Recipients and Donors of Maharashtra (Western India)

Abstract HLA antigen and haplotype frequencies were analysed in 217 renal transplant recipients and live related donors. It has been seen that the HLA - A and B antigen frequencies were not significantly different in two groups. Two and three locus haplotype analysis was also carried out in the renal transplant recipients and the donors to find out the most common haplotype. It was observed that two locus haplotypes HLA - A2 - B40; A9 - B35; A1 - B17; A19 - B35; A2 - DR2; A9 - DR6; B40 - DR2; were found to be common among recipients and donors of Maharashtra population, at HLA A and B; A and DR, as well as B and DR locus. Three locus haplotype analysis revealed that there were only two haplotypes A10-B8-DR4; A9-B35-DR6; were common in both donors and recipients. We have compared our results with other World and Indian population and have observed unique pattern of HLA phenotype and haplotype, which suggests that it is important to create a notional donor registry and organ-sharing network for Indian sub continent.