Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computer-aided Detection of Pulmonary Embolism on CT Angiography: Initial Experience

Objective To evaluate the performance of a computer-aided detection (CAD) system for diagnosis of pulmonary embolism on computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography. Materials and Methods One hundred and four pulmonary CT angiograms for pulmonary emboli (PE) were reviewed both by radiologists and a CAD detection system (ImageChecker CT V2.0, R2 Technology Inc, Sunnyvale, CA). CT scans, read and reported by radiologists in a routine daily clinical setting, were later processed by the CAD system. The performance of the CAD system was analyzed. Results Forty-five PE were identified by the radiologists in 15 patients. The CAD system revealed 123 findings, interpreted by the system as PE. Twenty-six of them, detected in 8 patients, represented true-positive results. Ninety-seven (78.9%) CAD findings were not true PE and were defined as false-positive. Nineteen true PE in 7 patients were missed by the CAD system constituting 42% false-negative rate. Sensitivity of the CAD system was 53.3% and the specificity was 77.5%. The positive predictive value of CAD system was 28.5% and the negative predictive value was 90.7%. Conclusions With the evaluated CAD system, it is relatively simple and fast to check all detected findings and decide if they represent true PE. However, high false-negative results demand technologic improvement, to increase the sensitivity of the system. It is anticipated to become a promising supplement to the work and eyes of the radiologist in detecting PE on pulmonary CT angiography.
Above-Ground and Below-Ground Plant Responses to Fertilization in Two Subarctic Ecosystems

Abstract Soil nutrient supply is likely to change in the Arctic due to altered process rates associated with climate change. Here, we compare the responses of herbaceous tundra and birch forest understory to fertilization, considering both above- and below-ground responses. We added nitrogen and phosphorus to plots in both vegetation types for three years near Abisko, northern Sweden, and measured the effect on above- and below-ground plant community properties and soil characteristics. Fertilization increased ground-layer shoot mass, the cover of grasses, and tended to enhance total root length below-ground, while it reduced the cover of low statured deciduous dwarf-shrubs. The only statistically significant interaction between vegetation type and fertilization was for grass cover, which increased twofold in forest understory but sixfold in tundra following fertilization. The lack of interactions for other variables suggests that the ground layers in these contrasting vegetation types have similar responses to fertilization. The nutrient-driven increase in grass cover and species-specific differences in productivity and root characters may alter ecosystem dynamics and C cycling in the long-term, but our study indicates that the response of birch forest understory and tundra vegetation may be consistent.
Analytical modeling of RFID Generation-2 protocol using absorbing Markov chain theorem

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a ubiquitous wireless technology which allows objects to be identified automatically. An RFID tag is a small electronic device with an antenna and has a unique identification number. RFID tags can be categorized into passive and active tags. For passive tags, there exists a standard communication protocol called EPC-global Generation-2, or briefly EPC Gen-2 [1]. In this paper, we investigate the EPC Gen-2 protocol and model it using an absorbing Markov chain. We formulate the proposed model and calculate the expected number of queries required to identify all tags in the system. Extensive simulations validate and confirm the accuracy of our proposed analytical model. Without this model, one has to run simulations and average the results to obtain the expected number of required queries for any given number of tags in the system. Using the mathematical formulations provided, there is no need to rely on simulations for studying the behavior of the EPC Gen-2 protocol and we are able to calculate the number of required queries directly. Our proposed analytical model is also useful in studying and comparing other RFID protocols, and in deploying better protocols for RFID systems.
Parallels Between Cytokinesis and Retroviral Budding: A Role for the ESCRT Machinery

During cytokinesis, as dividing animal cells pull apart into two daughter cells, the final stage, termed abscission, requires breakage of the midbody, a thin membranous stalk connecting the daughter cells. This membrane fission event topologically resembles the budding of viruses, such as HIV-1, from infected cells. We found that two proteins involved in HIV-1 budding—tumor susceptibility gene 101 (Tsg101), a subunit of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport I (ESCRT-I), and Alix, an ESCRT-associated protein—were recruited to the midbody during cytokinesis by interaction with centrosome protein 55 (Cep55), a centrosome and midbody protein essential for abscission. Tsg101, Alix, and possibly other components of ESCRT-I were required for the completion of cytokinesis. Thus, HIV-1 budding and cytokinesis use a similar subset of cellular components to carry out topologically similar membrane fission events.
Chs1 of Candida albicans is an essential chitin synthase required for synthesis of the septum and for cell integrity

CaCHS1 of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans encodes an essential chitin synthase that is required for septum formation, viability, cell shape and integrity. The CaCHS1 gene was inactivated by first disrupting one allele using the ura‐blaster protocol, then placing the remaining allele under the control of the maltose‐inducible, glucose‐repressible MRP1 promoter. Under repressing conditions, yeast cell growth continued temporarily, but daughter buds failed to detach from parents, resulting in septumless chains of cells with constrictions defining contiguous compartments. After several generations, a proportion of the distal compartments lysed. The conditional Δchs1 mutant also failed to form primary septa in hyphae; after several generations, growth stopped, and hyphae developed swollen balloon‐like features or lysed at one of a number of sites including the hyphal apex and other locations that would not normally be associated with septum formation. CHS1 therefore synthesizes the septum of both yeast and hyphae and also maintains the integrity of the lateral cell wall. The conditional mutant was avirulent under repressing conditions in an experimental model of systemic infection. Because this gene is essential in vitro and in vivo and is not present in humans, it represents an attractive target for the development of antifungal compounds.
Finite element analysis of the transfer of sound in the myringosclerotic ear

This work presents a biomechanical study of myringosclerosis (MS), an abnormal condition of the ear that produces calcification of the lamina propria of the eardrum. The study researched the transfer of sound to the stapes depending on the localization, dimension and calcification degree of the MS plaques. Results were obtained using a validated finite element model of the ear. The mechanical properties of the lamina propria were modified, in order to model MS plaques, using the rule of mixtures for particle composites considering that the plaques are made of hydroxyapatite particles in a matrix of connective tissue. Results show that the localization and dimension of the plaques are a factor of higher importance than calcification for loss of hearing through MS. The mobility of the stapes decreased with the presence of larger plaques and also when the tympanic annulus and the area of the handle of the malleus were involved.
Monosomy 21 syndrome: Further delineation including clinical, neuropathological, cytogenetic and biochemical studies

Only six cases of living newborns with apparently complete monosomy 21 have been reported. All the previous cases with the exception of the present case died between 3 weeks and 20 months. Only one of these cases had a postmortem examination. The subject of this report was previously described at the age of 6 years (Davis et al. 1976). He survived until 11 years old and is the oldest known case of complete monosomy 21. We report here the clinical presentation over 11 years, results of gene dosage studies, cytogenetic analysis, and the neuropathological postmortem examination.
The Virulence-associated Two-component PhoP-PhoR System Controls the Biosynthesis of Polyketide-derived Lipids in Mycobacterium tuberculosis*

Two-component regulatory signal transduction systems are important elements of the adaptative response of prokaryotes to a variety of environmental stimuli. Disruption of PhoP-PhoR in Mycobacterium tuberculosis dramatically attenuates virulence, implying that this system directly and/or indirectly coordinates the expression of important virulence factors whose identity remains to be established. Interestingly, in knockingout the PhoP-PhoR two-component system in M. tuberculosis Mt103, dramatic changes in the colonial morphology, cording properties, and reactivity of the mutant strain to the basic dye neutral red, all intrinsic properties of tubercle bacilli known to correlate with virulence, were noted. Because deficiencies in the ability of the mutant to form serpentine cords and stain with the dye are likely the results of alterations of its cell envelope composition, we undertook to analyze the lipid content of phoP and phoP-phoR mutants constructed in two different strains of M. tuberculosis. Our results indicate that PhoP coordinately and positively regulates the synthesis of methyl-branched fatty acid-containing acyltrehaloses known to be restricted to pathogenic species of the M. tuberculosis complex, namely diacyltrehaloses, polyacyltrehaloses, and sulfolipids. Evidence is also provided that PhoP but not PhoR is required for the production of these lipids. This work represents an important step toward the functional characterization of PhoP-PhoR and the understanding of complex lipid synthesis in M. tuberculosis.
Heme Oxygenase‐1‐Generated Biliverdin Ameliorates Experimental Murine Colitis

Background: Heme oxygenase‐1 (HO‐1) seems to have an important protective role in acute and chronic inflammation. The products of heme catalysis, biliverdin/bilirubin, carbon monoxide (CO), and iron (that induces apoferritin) mediate the beneficial effects of HO‐1. Blockade of HO‐1 activity results in exacerbation of experimental colitis. We tested whether HO‐1 has protective effects in the development of colitis and determined that specific enzymatic products of HO‐1 are responsible for these effects. Methods: Colitis was induced by oral administration of dextran sodium sulfate (5%) to C57BL/6 mice for 7 days. HO‐1 was up‐regulated by cobalt‐protoporphyrin (5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Biliverdin, exogenous CO, or the iron chelator desferrioxamine was administered to other groups. Results: Cobalt‐protoporphyrin treatment resulted in significant up‐regulation of HO‐1 protein in mucosal and submucosal cells. Induction of HO‐1 was associated with significantly less loss of body weight in mice with induced colitis (−12% versus −22% in the control animals, P < 0.001). Development of diarrhea and gastrointestinal hemorrhage was substantially delayed in animals in which HO‐1 was induced, and mucosal injury was significantly attenuated. Administration of CO or desferrioxamine alone had no significant effects, whereas enhanced protection with lesser evidence of bowel inflammation was observed with systemic biliverdin administration (50 &mgr;mol/kg, 3 times per day, intraperitoneally). Conclusions: We conclude that heightened HO‐1 expression or administration of biliverdin ameliorates dextran sodium sulfate‐induced experimental colitis. Novel therapeutic strategies based on HO‐1 and/or biliverdin administration may have use in inflammatory bowel disease.
Differential Response of Gray Poplar Leaves and Roots Underpins Stress Adaptation during Hypoxia1[W]

The molecular and physiological responses of gray poplar (Populus × canescens) following root hypoxia were studied in roots and leaves using transcript and metabolite profiling. The results indicate that there were changes in metabolite levels in both organs, but changes in transcript abundance were restricted to the roots. In roots, starch and sucrose degradation were altered under hypoxia, and concurrently, the availability of carbohydrates was enhanced, concomitant with depletion of sucrose from leaves and elevation of sucrose in the phloem. Consistent with the above, glycolytic flux and ethanolic fermentation were stimulated in roots but not in leaves. Various messenger RNAs encoding components of biosynthetic pathways such as secondary cell wall formation (i.e. cellulose and lignin biosynthesis) and other energy-demanding processes such as transport of nutrients were significantly down-regulated in roots but not in leaves. The reduction of biosynthesis was unexpected, as shoot growth was not affected by root hypoxia, suggesting that the up-regulation of glycolysis yields sufficient energy to maintain growth. Besides carbon metabolism, nitrogen metabolism was severely affected in roots, as seen from numerous changes in the transcriptome and the metabolome related to nitrogen uptake, nitrogen assimilation, and amino acid metabolism. The coordinated physiological and molecular responses in leaves and roots, coupled with the transport of metabolites, reveal important stress adaptations to ensure survival during long periods of root hypoxia.
Influences on food choice perceived to be important by nationally-representative samples of adults in the European Union.

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this baseline survey was to obtain comparable data on perceived influences on food choice from EU member countries as the starting point for EU healthy eating promotion campaigns and programmes. DESIGN A cross-sectional study in which quota-controlled, nationally-representative samples of approximately 1000 adults from each country completed a face-to-face interview-assisted questionnaire. SETTING The survey was conducted between October 1995 and February 1996 in the 15 member states of the European Union. SUBJECTS 14331 subjects (aged 15 y upwards) completed the questionnaire. Data were weighted by population size for each country and by sex, age and regional distribution within each member state. RESULTS The five most important factors influencing consumers food choice were 'quality or freshness' (74%), 'price' (43%), 'taste' (38%), 'trying to eat healthy' (32%) and 'family preferences' (29%). Subjects in different categories (age, sex, education and employment status) selected different factors as having major influence on their food choice. Demographic factors seemed to have greater effects on perceived influences than culture (country): 'quality/freshness', 'price', 'trying to eat healthy', 'family preferences' seemed to be most important in women, 'taste' and 'habit' in males. Females and older and more educated subjects were more likely than other subjects to select 'trying to eat healthy' as having a major influence. 'Price' seemed most important in unemployed and retired subjects.
UNDERNUTRITION DURING PREGNANCY IN GOATS AND SHEEP, THEIR REPERCUSSION ON MOTHER-YOUNG RELATIONSHIP AND BEHAVIOURAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE YOUNG

Undernutrition during pregnancy dramatically affects physiology and behaviour of mother and offspring. In the mother, undernutrition causes low body condition, which deteriorates good milk production. Likewise, it affects metabolism endocrinology and learning processes controls on offspring. Effects on females can be observed if the animal is exposed to nutrient restriction, as well as by limiting consumption, which may induce to a state of frustration due to need for food. Once given birth, consequences in the mother are mainly reflected by a poor maternal performance, low milk production, loss of body condition and limited bonding with the neonate. In the offspring case, the effects of undernutrition in prenatal life are immediate and can be observed, such as low weight at birth, lack of vitality and viability, as well as cognitive processes deterioration. Therefore, this situation may have immediate and long-term repercussions, such as: postnatal death, and alterations in cognitive capacity and normal behaviour. Conversely, it has been shown in goats that supplemental nutrition at the end of pregnancy can be a strategy that can eliminate and revert the majority of physiological and behavioural abnormalities previously mentioned. The aim of the present work is to describe the findings of undernutrition effects, during pregnancy in goats and ewes, on mother-young relationship and behavioural development of kids in the first months of life.
Communication and decision making for patients with end stage diseases in an acute care setting

Abstract Twenty retrospective patient case studies were collated in an acute care teaching hospital using a case note audit and in addition interviews were undertaken with 40 nursing staff following the deaths of these patients in order to: analyse the end of life care received; identify any deficits in care provision and to enable the nursing division to target any inadequacies in care found. Findings indicated that communication between medical and nursing staff and between nursing staff, patients and family around end of life issues continue to be poor and that discussions regarding NFR decisions occurred too close to death, creating unnecessary stress for both patients and families. Recommendations regarding palliative approaches in the acute care setting are detailed.
Neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists: a comprehensive patent survey

Importance of the field: Substance P is involved in mediating a number of biological effects such as emesis, pain, inflammation, bronchoconstriction, antitumor activity, and regulation of gastrointestinal and CNS function by binding to the neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor. Antagonists of this receptor have the potential to be useful in the treatment of various disease conditions. Areas covered in this review: More than 300 patents have been filed by nearly 20 companies and 2 academic institutions in the past 2 decades. This review provides an overview of the patenting activity in the NK1 antagonist field over the last 20 years. What the reader will gain: Chemically diverse non-peptide NK1 receptor antagonists have been identified since the discovery of CP-96,345 by Pfizer in 1991. Representative examples of patented ligands and their biological activities are presented in a company-wise approach. Take home message: The NK1 receptor research has led to the clinical introduction of aprepitant in 2003 and its water soluble injectable form, fosaprepitant dimeglumine, in 2009 by Merck for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting and for inhibiting chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In addition, maropitant citrate received approval in 2007 for veterinary use.
Complete coding sequence, sequence analysis and transmembrane topology modelling of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense Putative Oligosaccharyl transferase (TbOST II)

The partial nucleotide sequence of putative Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense oligosaccharyl transferase gene was previously reported. Here, we describe the determination of its full-length nucleotide sequence by Inverse PCR (IPCR), subsequent biological sequence analysis and transmembrane topology modelling. The full-length DNA sequence has an Open Reading Frame (ORF) of 2406 bp and encodes a polypeptide of 801 amino acid residues. Protein and DNA sequence analyses revealed that homologues within the genome of other kinetoplastid and various origins exist. Protein topology analysis predicted that Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense putative oligosaccharyl transferase clone II (TbOST II) is a transmembrane protein with transmembrane helices in probably an N(cytosol)-C(cytosol) orientation. Data from the GenBank database assembly and sequence analyses in general clearly state that TbOST II is the STT3 subunit of OST in T.b. rhodesiense that necessitates further characterisation and functional studies with RNAi. TbOST II sequence had been deposited in the GenBank (accession number GU245937).
Effect of processing variables and enzymatic activity on wheat flour dough extruded under different operating conditions.

Low processing temperatures are required to improve the texture of products when enzymes are directly added to the extruder. Interaction among processing variables and enzymatic activity can occur during extrusion. In this research, the influence of some extrusion parameters (barrel temperature, dough moisture and screw speed) on the activity of two commercial enzymes (Grindamyl Amylase 1000 and Grindamyl Protease 41) has been studied. Wheat flour was used as a model system, and macromolecular degradation was determined by water solubility index (WSI). Moreover, gelatinization degree and die pressure were evaluated. Results showed that barrel temperature affected enzyme activity. High values of WSI were obtained at high barrel temperature using Grindamyl Protease 41. When Grindamyl Amylase 1000 was used, low values of starch gelatinization were obtained. The activity of both enzymes was negatively affected by high values of dough moisture.
Perception of noise transmitted through barriers.

Perceived loudness of noise transmitted through barriers was scaled by human observers outdoors. Using the method of magnitude estimation, subjects compared the relative loudness of a narrow band of noise transmitted through barriers of different solidity. When the subjects were blindfolded, and thus unable to see the barriers, loudness was judged the same under all conditions. When the barriers were visible, however, sizable differences in loudness emerged: When the barrier only partially obscured sight of the sound source, loudness was judged less than when there was no intervening barrier; but, when the barrier totally obscured sight of the source, loudness was judged greater than when the source could be seen, either in whole (no barrier) or in part. These results point out the complex nature of the psychological effect of barriers on perceived noise levels.Subject Classification: [43]65.50, [43]65.22; [43]50.20; [43]55.75.