Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mixed-expired and end-tidal CO2 distinguish between ventilation and perfusion defects during exercise testing in patients with lung and heart diseases.

BACKGROUND Mismatching of ventilation to perfusion is found in patients with COPD, left ventricular failure (LVF), and pulmonary vascular diseases. Such mismatching may be due to ventilation or perfusion defects or both. Our primary hypothesis was that pressures of mixed-expired CO2 pressure (Peco(2)), end-tidal Pco(2) pressure (Petco(2)), and their ratios would differ between groups during exercise testing, depending on whether the ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) abnormality was dominantly caused by airways or perfusion defects. METHODS We administered incremental cycle ergometry tests to 25 normal subjects and three groups of 25 patients, each group with uncomplicated COPD, LVF, or primary pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We compared Peco(2), Petco(2), and their ratios at rest, unloaded pedaling, anaerobic threshold, and peak exercise. RESULTS Although each patient group had mean peak O(2) uptake of approximately 50% of predicted normal, the levels and patterns of change for each group for Peco(2), Petco(2), and their ratios were surprisingly distinctive. As hypothesized, the COPD group always had markedly lower Peco(2)/Petco(2) ratios than all other groups (p < 0.001). In addition, patients with LVF had slightly lower Peco(2)/Petco(2) ratios at heavy exercise than normal subjects (p < 0.05). At all times, except for COPD group Petco(2) at peak exercise, each group had significantly lower Petco(2) and Peco(2) than normal subjects (p < 0.001). In patients with PAH, the Petco(2) decline with exercise was distinctive. CONCLUSIONS The levels and changes in Peco(2), Petco(2), and their ratios during cardiopulmonary exercise testing are distinctive and explained by the differing pathophysiologies of V/Q mismatching in these disorders.
Performance analysis of 8-channel MDCT angiography in detection, localization, and sizing of intracranial aneurysms identified on DSA.

PURPOSE To retrospectively analyze the performance of 8-channel multi-detector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) in detecting, localizing, and sizing intracranial aneurysms using conventional intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) as the gold standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective search from November 2004 to August 2006 revealed subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 25 patients (13 females and 12 males, age range 21-73 years) who underwent both DSA and 8-channel MDCTA exams. Two independent reviewers compared both studies for the presence, location, and size of the aneurysm. RESULTS A total of 35 aneurysms in 25 patients were identified on DSA, and 33 on MDCTA. MDCTA missed two 4-mm posterior communicating artery (PcoA) aneurysms. There was a mismatch in the location of two aneurysms. One aneurysm at PcoA on DSA was reported as a supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm on MDCTA. The other on M2 bifurcation was reported as on M1. No size mismatch was noted. MDCTA had a 94% (33/35) aneurysm detection rate, 88% (31/35) aneurysm localization rate and 100% (33/33) sizing rate. CONCLUSION MDCTA correlated perfectly with DSA in the detection of intracranial aneurysms of anterior communicating artery and middle cerebral artery; however, slightly lower performance was noted in the PcoA and ICA supraclinoid segment aneurysms.
Teicoplanin Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis in Hospitalized Patients

Abstract: The goal of this study was to build a population pharmacokinetic (PK) model to characterize the population PK parameters in our hospitalized patients. Teicoplanin serum concentrations from clinical routine were used. Antibiotic dose history and blood collection times were recorded and analyzed with NONMEM-V. Demographic and biologic data creatinine clearance (CLcr), weight (WT), and albumin (Alb) were tested for inclusion as covariates in the basic model. Intraindividual and residual variability were modeled. One hundred seven sparse samples (mainly trough levels), from 79 patients, were included. A 2-compartment PK model characterized by clearance (CL), central compartment volume of distribution (Vc), intercompartment clearance, and steady-state volume of distribution (VSS) with first-order elimination adequately described the data. CLcr and WT significantly influenced teicoplanin CL (CL = 0.57[0.15]*(1+0.0048[0.39]*(CLcr − averageCLcr)*WT) L/h). VSS was not affected by any covariate (VSS = 50.2[0.13]L). A negative trend between Alb and individual VSS estimates was observed without statistical significance. In a new data set, bias and precision resulted in mean values of −3.24% and 9.42%, respectively. In conclusion, CLcr and WT are significant covariates on teicoplanin CL. Results from predictive accuracy and precision show the usefulness of this model for implementation in a therapeutic drug monitoring program in the near future.
Probing Ligand-Specific Histamine H1- and H2-Receptor Conformations with NG-Acylated Imidazolylpropylguanidines

Impromidine (IMP) and arpromidine (ARP)-derived guanidines are more potent and efficacious guinea pig (gp) histamine H2-receptor (gpH2R) than human (h) H2R agonists and histamine H1-receptor (H1R) antagonists with preference for hH1R relative to gpH1R. We examined NG-acylated imidazolylpropylguanidines (AIPGs), which are less basic than guanidines, at hH2R, gpH2R, rat H2R (rH2R), hH1R, and gpH1R expressed in Sf9 cells as probes for ligand-specific receptor conformations. AIPGs were similarly potent H2R agonists as the corresponding guanidines IMP and ARP, respectively. Exchange of pyridyl in ARP against phenyl increased AIPG potency 10-fold, yielding the most potent agonists at the hH2R-Gsα fusion protein and gpH2R-Gsα identified so far. Some AIPGs were similarly potent and efficacious at hH2R-Gsα and gpH2R-Gsα. AIPGs stabilized the ternary complex in hH2R-Gsα and gpH2R-Gsα differently than the corresponding guanidines. Guanidines, AIPGs, and small H2R agonists exhibited distinct agonist properties at hH2R, gpH2R, and rH2R measuring adenylyl cyclase activity. In contrast to ARP and IMP, AIPGs were partial H1R agonists exhibiting higher efficacies at hH1R than at gpH1R. This is remarkable because, so far, all bulky H1R agonists exhibited higher efficacies at gpH1R than at hH1R. Collectively, our data suggest that AIPGs stabilize different active conformations in hH2R, gpH2R, and rH2R than guanidines and that, in contrast to guanidines, AIPGs are capable of stabilizing a partially active state of hH1R.
Muscular Reconstruction and Functional Morphology of the Forelimb of Early Miocene Sloths (Xenarthra, Folivora) of Patagonia

Early Miocene sloths are represented by a diversity of forms ranging from 38 to 95 kg, being registered mainly from Santacrucian Age deposits in southern‐most shores of Patagonia, Argentina. Their postcranial skeleton differs markedly in shape from those of their closest living relatives (arboreal forms of less than 10 kg), Bradypus and Choloepus. In order to gain insight on functional properties of the Santacrucian sloths forelimb, musculature was reconstructed and a comparative, qualitative morphofunctional analysis was performed, allowing proposing hypotheses about biological role of the limb in substrate preferences, and locomotor strategies. The anatomy of the forelimb of Santacrucian sloths resembles more closely extant anteaters such as Tamandua and Myrmecophaga, due to the robustness of the elements, development of features related to attachment of ligaments and muscles, and conservative, pentadactylous, and strong‐clawed manus. The reconstructed forelimb musculature was very well developed and resembles that of extant Pilosa (especially anteaters), although retaining the basic muscular configuration of generalized mammals. This musculature allowed application of powerful forces, especially in adduction of the forelimb, flexion and extension of the antebrachium, and manual prehension. These functional properties are congruent with both climbing and digging activities, and provide support for proposed Santacrucian sloths as good climbing mammals, possibly arboreal or semiarboreal, being also capable diggers. Their climbing strategies were limited, thus these forms relied mainly on great muscular strength and curved claws of the manus to move cautiously on branches. Anat Rec, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Growth of Aspergillus ochraceus, A. carbonarius and A. niger on culture media at different water activities and temperatures

The objective of this paper was to determine the influence of three culture media with different water activities, times of incubation and temperatures on the growth of A. ochraceus, A. carbonarius and A. niger. Spores of A. ochraceus, A. carbonarius and A. niger were inoculated onto three culture media: Czapeck Yeast extract Agar (CYA), Dichloran 18% Glycerol Agar (DG18) and Malt Yeast extract 40% Glucose Agar (MY40G). The plates were incubated at five different temperatures (8, 25, 30, 35 and 41oC). The growth of fungi was evaluated every 24h, measuring the colony diameter (mm). None of the species grew at 8oC in any culture media. For A. carbonarius, 30oC was the best temperature for growth while for A. niger temperatures above 30oC were better in all culture media. A. ochraceus presented good growth at 25 and 30oC in all culture media, while at 35oC, growth was slower, especially on CYA. At 41oC, A. ochraceus did not grow in any culture media and A. carbonarius was significantly inhibited. A. niger grew at 41oC and was shown to be the most xerophilic fungi when compared to A. carbonarius and A. ochraceus.
Novel Parameter Estimation of Double Exponential Pulse (EMP, UWB) by Statistical Means

High-power electromagnetic environments, such as the high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) and the ultrawide-band (UWB) pulses, pose dangerous threats to electronic systems. Such pulse shapes are often described physically by the characteristic parameters: the rise time tr, pulse width tfwhm and maximum electric field strength Emax, and mathematically by the double exponential function with characteristic parameters alpha, beta ,kappa . and E0. In practice, it is very necessary to transform the two groups of parameters into each other. In this paper, a novel relationship between the two groups of parameters is established by statistical means. This method utilizes only four assistant variables to realize the transform, and the overall estimation error is less than 2.0%.
The emerging story of a human parvovirus-like agent

It is now seven years since Cossart and her co-workers reported finding a novel parvovirus-like agent (PVLA) infecting man. Although this virus was found as a systemic infection in both Dr Cossart's eleven subjects and a further four subjects described subsequently (Paver & Clarke, 1976; Schneerson, Mortimer & Vandervelde, 1980) it was not until 1981 that a clearly defined clinical syndrome was identified as attributable to infection with this agent. Work in the Departments of Microbiology and Haematology, King's College Hospital Medical School and collaboration with the MRC laboratory at Kingston, Jamaica has shown that infection with the PVLA is the major cause of aplastic crisis in children with sickle cell anaemia (Sergeant et al. 1981, Anderson et al. 1982a, b).
Principles-Based Standards and Earnings Attributes

This study examines the relation between principles-based standards and earnings attributes. We create a firm-year-specific variable that measures the extent to which firms' financial reporting is affected by principles-based standards. We find that firms' earnings are more informative and persistent and have a larger positive association with future cash flows, on average, when firms' standards are more principles based. We also find evidence that managers use the added discretion provided by principles-based standards to manage earnings when firms are near bankruptcy, issuing equity, or experiencing high growth, and if earnings are near prominent earnings benchmarks. Overall, our evidence is consistent with managers using the discretion provided by principles-based standards to communicate better the economic substance of transactions, on average, but also with some managers using the added discretion strategically when managerial incentives exist to increase reported earnings. Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi. org/10.1287/mnsc.2016. 2465 . This paper was accepted by Mary Barth, accounting.
White matter microstructures underlying mathematical abilities in children

The role of gray matter function and structure in mathematical cognition has been well researched. Comparatively little is known about white matter microstructures associated with mathematical abilities. Diffusion tensor imaging data from 13 children (7–9 years) and two measures of their mathematical competence were collected. Relationships between children's mathematical competence and fractional anisotropy were found in two left hemisphere white matter regions. Although the superior corona radiata was found to be associated with both numerical operations and mathematical reasoning, the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was correlated with numerical operations specifically. These findings suggest a role for microstructure in left white matter tracts for the development of mathematical skills. Moreover, the findings point to the involvement of different white matter tracts for numerical operations and mathematical reasoning.
Folding Intermediates of a Model Three-helix Bundle Protein

The stability and equilibrium unfolding of a model three-helix bundle protein, α3-1, by guanidine hydrochloride (GdnHCl), hydrostatic pressure, and temperature have been investigated. The combined use of these denaturing agents allowed detection of two partially folded states of α3-1, as monitored by circular dichroism, intrinsic fluorescence emission, and fluorescence of the hydrophobic probe bis-ANS (4,4′-dianilino-1,1′-binaphthyl-5,5′-disulfonic acid). The overall free-energy change for complete unfolding of α3-1, determined from GdnHCl unfolding data, is +4.6 kcal/mol. The native state is stabilized by −1.4 kcal/mol relative to a partially folded pressure-denatured intermediate (I 1). Cold denaturation at high pressure gives rise to a second partially (un)folded conformation (I 2), suggesting a significant contribution of hydrophobic interactions to the stability of α3-1. The free energy of stabilization of the native-like state relative to I 2 is evaluated to be −2.5 kcal/mol. Bis-ANS binding to the pressure- and cold-denatured states indicates the existence of significant residual hydrophobic structure in the partially (un)folded states of α3-1. The demonstration of folding intermediates of α3-1 lends experimental support to a number of recent protein folding simulation studies of other three-helix bundle proteins that predicted the existence of such intermediates. The results are discussed in terms of the significance of de novo designed proteins for protein folding studies.
Human corticotropin releasing hormone test performance in the differential diagnosis between Cushing's disease and pseudo-Cushing state is enhanced by combined ACTH and cortisol analysis.

OBJECTIVE Corticotropin releasing hormone (CRH) test does not reliably distinguish Cushing's disease (CD) from normality or pseudo-Cushing state (PC). We assessed whether this could be achieved with a novel approach while preserving the ability of the test to distinguish CD from ectopic ACTH syndrome (EAS). Design Retrospective/prospective study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We studied 51 subjects with CD, 7 with EAS, 26 with PC, and 31 controls (CT). Human CRH (hCRH) test was performed at 0830 h by measuring plasma ACTH and serum cortisol at -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min. RESULTS The area under the curve-ACTH exhibited a significant negative correlation with baseline serum cortisol in CT and PC, but not in CD or EAS patients. ACTH response to hCRH was blunted in PC compared with CT, whereas peak serum cortisol was higher in PC than in CT subjects. These findings suggested that ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome can be diagnosed by the presence of two hCRH test parameters and excluded if either or both are absent. Application of i) basal serum cortisol >12 microg/dl and peak plasma ACTH >54 pg/ml, or ii) peak serum cortisol >21 microg/dl and peak plasma ACTH >45 pg/ml, had 91.3% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 81-97.1) and 94.8% (CI 85.6-98.9) sensitivity and 98.2% (CI 90.6-99.9) and 91.2% (CI 80.7-97) specificity respectively, in diagnosing ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. The >14% serum cortisol increase from mean baseline values to the mean of 15 and 30 min values in patients who were positive for the test completely discriminated between CD and EAS. CONCLUSIONS Simultaneous plasma ACTH and serum cortisol analysis enables the hCRH test to distinguish CD from PC and from normality, while preserving its ability to discriminate CD from EAS.
Cardiovascular and renal responses produced by central orphanin FQ / nociceptin occur independent of renal nerves

Kapusta, Daniel R. , and Velga A. Kenigs. Cardiovascular and renal responses produced by central orphanin FQ/ nociceptin occur independent of renal nerves. Am. J. Physiol. 277 (Regulatory Integrative Comp. Physiol. 46): R987–R995, 1999. —The present study investigated the role of the renal nerves in mediating the cardiovascular and renal responses produced by the central administration of the opioid-like peptide orphanin FQ/nociceptin (OFQ/N) in conscious Sprague-Dawley rats. In conscious rats, OFQ/N (10 μg icv) produced a transient bradycardia and hypotension (nadir 20 min). Although renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) initially remained unchanged, a delayed renal sympathoinhibitory response occurred after recovery (30 min) of blood pressure. By 30 and 70 min postinjection, RSNA decreased to 75 and 66% of control, respectively. Coinciding with the decrease in RSNA, central OFQ/N elicited a diuresis and antinatriuresis that occurred independent of changes in renal hemodynamics. In other studies, intracerebroventricular OFQ/N produced similar cardiovascular and renal excretory responses in bilaterally renal-denervated rats. Finally, in conscious sinoaortic deafferentiated rats, intracerebroventricular OFQ/N produced a rapid decrease in RSNA (55% of control, 10 min; 38% of control, 20 min) that paralleled the onset of the hypotension and bradycardia. These studies demonstrate that in conscious rats, intracerebroventricular OFQ/N produces a centrally mediated inhibition of RSNA which, due to activation of baroreflex mechanisms, is temporally dissociated from the hypotensive and bradycardia responses. As revealed in renal-denervated rats, the cardiovascular and renal excretory responses produced by central OFQ/N occur by a pathway that is independent of intact renal nerves or changes in renal hemodynamics.
Image Communication Over a Distributed Multimedia System

The processing of images for use in distributed multimedia systems gives rise to several new issues. In this paper, we identify and address some of these issues. We propose a new method of filtering that can be used to simultaneously compress and de-noise an image. We propose an image transmission scheme that uses the multiresolution structure based on multisplines. We show that this scheme is robust to network congestion and cell loss and also has low coding overhead. We include experimental results to demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed de-noising algorithm and also of the transmission scheme.
Potensi Pemulihan Komunitas Karang Batu Pasca Gempa dan Tsunami di Perairan Pulau Nias, Sumatra Utara

RIKOH MANOGAR SIRINGORINGO. Recovery Potential of Coral Reef Communities Post Earthquake and Tsunami in Nias Island Waters. Under direction of NEVIATY P. ZAMANI and I WAYAN NURJAYA Tsunami and earthquake caused damage in coastal ecosystem especially on coral reefs. Coral which is unique benthic biota which have several strategy to survive depends on its environmental condition. The purpose of the present study was to observes the recovery potential of coral reef communities post earthquake and tsunami. Line Intercept Transect (LIT) and quadrant transect were applied in this study. The result of this study show that percent cover of live coral from 2004 was 48,31%, 2005 (t1) was 20,45%, 2007 (t2)17,20% and 2008 (t3) 19,82%. The Percentage of coral increased by 2,62% from 2007 to 2008. Proving that the recovery was occurred. It has been followed by the increasing biology index such us : diversity index, evenness index and dominance index. The number of coral recruitment was found different in every location, its depends on geography condition. The average number of recruitment colony was 8,4 colony/ m. Pavona varians 11,66 ind. /transect, Montipora danae 10,54 ind. /transect and Porites lutea 6,95 ind. /transek were the main recruitment in coral community. Detected variability was explained by different causal agents, such us condition of substrata, sediment, turbidity. The result show that the total number of coral recruitment was 69 species belong to 11 family.
Creatine and creatine forms intended for sports nutrition

Creatine is a popular ergogenic supplement in sports nutrition. Yet, supplementation of creatine occasionally caused adverse effects such as gastrointestinal complaints, muscle cramps and an increase in body weight. Creatine monohydrate has already been evaluated by different competent authorities and several have come to the conclusion that a daily intake of 3 g creatine per person is unlikely to pose safety concerns, focusing on healthy adults with exclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding women. Possible vulnerable subgroups were also discussed in relation to the safety of creatine. The present review provides an up-to-date overview of the relevant information with special focus on human studies regarding the safety of creatine monohydrate and other marketed creatine forms, in particular creatine pyruvate, creatine citrate, creatine malate, creatine taurinate, creatine phosphate, creatine orotate, creatine ethyl ester, creatine pyroglutamate, creatine gluconate, and magnesium creatine chelate. Limited data are available with regard to the safety of the latter creatine forms. Considering an acceptable creatine intake of 3 g per day, most of the evaluated creatine forms are unlikely to pose safety concerns, however some safety concerns regarding a supplementary intake of creatine orotate, creatine phosphate, and magnesium creatine chelate are discussed here.