Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The investigation of influenza and related viruses in the electron microscope, by a new technique.

SUMMARY: Influenza and related viruses were studied by a new method in which virus is adsorbed on the membranes of laked fowl red cells for examination in the electron microscope. The numbers of virus particles adsorbed per unit area of red-cell membrane were estimated from direct counts in micrographs of palladium-shadowed and unshadowed specimens. There was a definite saturation level of adsorption for each strain of virus, the value varying also according to the particular batch of cells and their age after storage at 0°. For subsaturation conditions the number of particles adsorbed was proportional to the concentration of virus and the concentration of cells, and a function both of time of contact and temperature. The relationships were complicated by the fact that elution began before adsorption was complete. The comparative data for the size and variation of these viruses were obtained from micrographs of preparations directly adsorbed from infective allantoic fluid and thus not subjected to harsh methods of purification. The mean sizes (mμ) found for the dried virus were: influenza A virus, 90±11.5; influenza B virus, 103±8; fowl-plague virus, 101±16; Newcastle-disease virus, 193±28; and mumps virus, 179±28. The occurrence of long forms associated with influenza B virus was confirmed and filamentous structures were demonstrated for the first time in preparations of a strain of fowl-plague virus.
Assessing Objective Recommendation Quality through Political Forecasting

Recommendations are often rated for their subjective quality, but few researchers have studied comment quality in terms of objective utility. We explore recommendation quality assessment with respect to both subjective (i.e. users’ ratings) and objective (i.e., did it influence? did it improve decisions? ) metrics in a massive online geopolitical forecasting system, ultimately comparing linguistic characteristics of each quality metric. Using a variety of features, we predict all types of quality with better accuracy than the simple yet strong baseline of comment length. Looking at the most predictive content illustrates rater biases; for example, forecasters are subjectively biased in favor of comments mentioning business transactions or dealings as well as material things, even though such comments do not indeed prove any more useful objectively. Additionally, more complex sentence constructions, as evidenced by subordinate conjunctions, are characteristic of comments leading to objective improvements in forecasting.
The Hematological Complications of Alcoholism

Alcohol has numerous adverse effects on the various types of blood cells and their functions. For example, heavy alcohol consumption can cause generalized suppression of blood cell production and the production of structurally abnormal blood cell precursors that cannot mature into functional cells. Alcoholics frequently have defective red blood cells that are destroyed prematurely, possibly resulting in anemia. Alcohol also interferes with the production and function of white blood cells, especially those that defend the body against invading bacteria. Consequently, alcoholics frequently suffer from bacterial infections. Finally, alcohol adversely affects the platelets and other components of the blood-clotting system. Heavy alcohol consumption thus may increase the drinker’s risk of suffering a stroke.
Association of large-airway lymphocytic bronchitis with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome.

RATIONALE Lung transplantation offers great promise for otherwise terminal lung diseases, but the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) continues to limit survival. Although acute rejection and lymphocytic bronchiolitis have been identified as risk factors for the development of BOS, it is unclear whether large-airway lymphocytic inflammation conveys the same risk. OBJECTIVES We evaluated lymphocytic bronchitis on endobronchial biopsies as a risk factor for BOS and mortality. METHODS Endobronchial biopsies were collected and graded during surveillance after lung transplantation. We assessed samples with negative cultures collected in the first 90 days from 298 subjects and compared large-airway lymphocytic bronchitis assessed by a 0-2 "E-score" and with standard A and BR pathology scores for acute rejection and small-airway lymphocytic bronchiolitis, respectively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We found surprisingly little association between large- and small-airway lymphocytic inflammation scores from a given bronchoscopy. Endobronchial lymphocytic bronchitis was more prevalent in subjects in BOS stage 0p and BOS stages 1-3 at the time of biopsy. Within 90 days after transplantation, increasing maximum E-score was associated with greater risk of BOS (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.76; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-2.78; P = 0.02) and in this analysis 90-day maximum E-scores were the only score type predictive of BOS (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS These results support a multicenter study to evaluate endoscopic biopsies for the identification of patients at increased risk for BOS. The association of endobronchial lymphocytic inflammation and BOS may have mechanistic implications.
Jacalin: A new laboratory tool in immunochemistry and cellular immunology

In recent years, a new lectin—jacalin—has raised the interest of immunologists because of its original properties with respect to human immunoglobulins and lymphocytes. Its structure and carbohydrate binding specifity are now well documented, and it can be purified easily from jackfruit seeds by ion exchange or affinity chromatography. The binding and precipitating specificities of jacalin with heavy chains of human immunoglobulins allow its use as a diagnostic (IgA subclass typing) and preparative tool (purification of IgA and IgD, removal of IgA from biologic samples and preparations). Other possible applications of jacalin's binding properties also can be envisaged. In addition, the lectin displays a mitogenic activity specific for human CD4 T‐lymphocytes; consequently, the proliferative response induced by jacalin appears to represent a new and interesting assay for a functional study of CD4 cells, with obvious applications in primary and acquired, especially AIDS, immune deficiency states.
Boolean Functions: Theory, Algorithms, and Applications

Part I. Foundations: 1. Fundamental concepts and applications 2. Boolean equations 3. Prime implicants and minimal DNFs Peter L. Hammer and Alexander Kogan 4. Duality theory Yves Crama and Kazuhisa Makino Part II. Special Classes: 5. Quadratic functions Bruno Simeone 6. Horn functions Endre Boros 7. Orthogonal forms and shellability 8. Regular functions 9. Threshold functions 10. Read-once functions Martin C. Golumbic and Vladimir Gurvich 11. Characterizations of special classes by functional equations Lisa Hellerstein Part III. Generalizations: 12. Partially defined Boolean functions Toshihide Ibaraki 13. Pseudo-Boolean functions Appendix A. Graphs and hypergraphs Appendix B. Algorithmic complexity Appendix C. JBool: a software tool Claude Benzaken and Nadia Brauner.
Generation of site-appropriate tissue by a living cellular sheet in the treatment of mucogingival defects.

BACKGROUND Generation of site-appropriate tissue in the oral cavity includes the restoration of the correct anatomic type, amount, and distribution of the tissue. This study is a post hoc analysis of data collected during previously published results from two randomized clinical trials of a living cellular sheet (LCS; allogenic cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts in bovine collagen) versus a free gingival graft (FGG), evaluating their ability to augment keratinized tissue or gingiva. METHODS Post hoc histologic and clinical (photographic) comparisons of the outcomes of treatment were performed on histologic and photographic data gathered in the two randomized clinical trials. RESULTS Histologic findings showed that LCS-treated sites resembled gingiva rather than alveolar mucosa. Photographic analysis indicated that LCS treatment resulted in more site-appropriate tissue than FGG in terms of tissue color, with adjacent untreated tissue, absence of scar formation or keloid-like appearance, and mucogingival junction alignment. CONCLUSION Treatment of mucogingival defects with LCS resulted in the generation of tissue that is more site appropriate than tissue transplanted from the palate.
Use of Ultrasound in Breast Disease

Ultrasound in the most frequently used adjunct imaging modality to mammography for the evaluation of the breast. This review discusses the history of breast ultrasound and its current use, including equipment, appropriate method of scanning, and normal breast anatomy. Sonographic characteristics for lesion assessment as well as appropriate uses for breast ultrasound are reviewed. The use of ultrasound to guide minimally invasive breast biopsy as well as emerging technologies and applications for ultrasound are also discussed.
A pragmatic, three-arm randomised controlled trial of spiritual healing for asthma in primary care.

BACKGROUND Well-designed trials are required to assess if complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is effective. AIM This study assessed the effectiveness of spiritual healing for asthma. DESIGN OF STUDY Randomised, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING Aberdeen, Scotland. METHOD This was a single-blind, three-armed randomised, controlled trial of spiritual healing for asthma, comparing the effectiveness of five sessions of spiritual healing with placebo (delivered by an actor), and with a control group receiving normal care only. The primary outcome measure was the Juniper Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ). Secondary outcomes were forced expiratory flow in one second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF), HADS (Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale), SF-36 and MYMOP (Measure Yourself Medical Outcome Profile). Baseline and follow-up data were collected. RESULTS Eighty-eight adult patients receiving pharmacological treatment for asthma participated. AQLQ scores improved significantly from baseline and the end of treatment in all groups (spiritual healing P = 0.008; 'sham' healing P = 0.001 and control P = 0.01) but there was no significant difference between groups (P = 0.57). These improvements were maintained at follow-up 1 for two of the groups (spiritual healing P = 0.016; sham healing P = 0.001 and control P = 0.09) but none of the groups showed an improvement at follow-up 2 (spiritual healing P = 0.161; sham healing P = 0.016 and control P = 0.11). Similar proportions of patients in each group showed a clinically important improvement in AQLQ score. Analysis of AQLQ scores at end of treatment and both follow-up periods indicated no significance between group differences. No consistent changes were seen in secondary outcome measures, possibly due to the small sample size. CONCLUSION Spiritual healing does not appear to have any specific affect on patient asthma related quality of life.
Intrathecal lentivirus-mediated transfer of interleukin-10 attenuates chronic constriction injury-induced neuropathic pain through modulation of spinal high-mobility group box 1 in rats.

BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain is a complex state of chronic pain that is usually accompanied by peripheral and central nervous system damage or dysfunction. Previous studies have indicated that neuroinflammation in the spinal cord is an important contributor to neuropathological and behavioral abnormalities. A series of early inflammatory markers, such as IL-1, TNF-α, and IFN-γ, and advanced inflammatory markers, such as high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), are involved in neuroinflammation. STUDY DESIGN A randomized, double blind, controlled animal trial. OBJECTIVE In this study, a lentivirus delivering human IL-10 (LV/hIL-10) was administered intrathecally to determine the effects of IL-10 on allodynia and hyperalgesia in a chronic constriction injury-induced (CCI) rat model of neuropathic pain. METHODS Sprague-Dawley rats weighting 260 - 320 g were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group Sham (Sham), Group CCI±Normal Saline (NS), Group CCI±LV/hIL-10 (LV/hIL-10), and Group CCI±LV/control (vector). Rats in each group were intrathecally delivered with NS, LV/control, or recombinant vector LV/hIL-10 in a total volume of 10 μl. Paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds (PWMT) and paw withdrawal thermal latency PWTL were measured one day before CCI (baseline) and 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28 days after intrathecal administration. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected during surgical plane anesthesia and the collected CSF samples were used to assay for human IL-10, rat IL-1β, rat IL-6, and rat TNF-α by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Animals were sacrificed and the L4-5 lumbar segment of the spinal cord was removed for determination of green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using anti HMGB1 antibodies and the expression of HMGB1 protein in the spinal cord was determined by western blot analysis after intrathecal delivery (n = 8 each). RESULTS The results show that intrathecal LV/hIL-10 reverses enhanced pain states. Moreover, the increased level of HMGB1 exhibited in a late stage of CCI was inhibited by exogenous overexpression of hIL-10 in the CCI model. Expression of HMGB1, RAGE, and pAkt were lower in CCI-induced rats treated with LV/hIL-10 than in those treated with LV/control (vector) or saline (NS). Our results showed that IL-10 inhibits activation of the inflammatory HMGB1-RAGE pathway in the CCI rat model. LIMITATIONS Further experimental investigations are needed to clarify the specific biological roles played by HMGB1 in IL-10-mediated regulation of neuropathic pain. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that intrathecal lentiviral-mediated transfer of IL-10 attenuates CCI-induced neuropathic pain in rats. The anti-thermal hyperalgesia and anti-mechanical allodynia may be partly attributable to the decreased expression of HMGB1 and inhibition of HMGB1-RAGE pathway.
Cytochrome P4503A-dependent metabolism of tocopherols and inhibition by sesamin.

Carboxychroman metabolites of the major dietary tocopherols are excreted in human urine, but the mechanism of their synthesis is unknown. We employed well-characterized inhibitors of specific cytochrome P-450 (CYP) enzymes to determine which form was likely involved in tocopherol side chain oxidation. Ketoconozole (1.0 microM), a potent and selective inhibitor of CYP3A, substantially inhibited metabolism of gamma- and alpha-tocopherol in rat primary hepatocytes, and metabolism of gamma- and delta-tocopherol in HepG2/C3A cells. Sulphaphenazole and cyclosporin, inhibitors of CYP2C and CYP27, respectively, were without effect. Sesamin, a sesame lignan that causes elevation of tissue tocopherol concentration in rats, strongly inhibited tocopherol metabolism by HepG2/C3A cells at 1.0 microM. These results support a CYP3A-dependent mechanism of side chain metabolism of tocopherols to water-soluble carboxychromans, and provide the first evidence of a specific enzyme involved in vitamin E metabolism. The data further suggest that sesamin increases tissue tocopherol concentration by inhibiting tocopherol catabolism.
Creatinine-Based and Cystatin C-Based GFR Estimating Equations and Their Non-GFR Determinants in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES eGFR equations have been evaluated in kidney transplant recipients with variable performance. We assessed the performance of the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation and the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equations on the basis of creatinine, cystatin C, and both (eGFR creatinine-cystatin C) compared with measured GFR by iothalamate clearance and evaluated their non-GFR determinants and associations across 15 cardiovascular risk factors. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A cross-sectional cohort of 1139 kidney transplant recipients >1 year after transplant was analyzed. eGFR bias, precision, and accuracy (percentage of estimates within 30% of measured GFR) were assessed. Interaction of each cardiovascular risk factor with eGFR relative to measured GFR was determined. RESULTS Median measured GFR was 55.0 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). eGFR creatinine overestimated measured GFR by 3.1% (percentage of estimates within 30% of measured GFR of 80.4%), and eGFR Modification of Diet in Renal Disease underestimated measured GFR by 2.2% (percentage of estimates within 30% of measured GFR of 80.4%). eGFR cystatin C underestimated measured GFR by -13.7% (percentage of estimates within 30% of measured GFR of 77.1%), and eGFR creatinine-cystatin C underestimated measured GFR by -8.1% (percentage of estimates within 30% of measured GFR of 86.5%). Lower measured GFR associated with older age, women, obesity, longer time after transplant, lower HDL, lower hemoglobin, lower albumin, higher triglycerides, higher proteinuria, and an elevated cardiac troponin T level but did not associate with diabetes, smoking, cardiovascular events, pretransplant dialysis, or hemoglobin A1c. These risk factor associations differed for five risk factors with eGFR creatinine, six risk factors for eGFR Modification of Diet in Renal Disease, ten risk factors for eGFR cystatin C, and four risk factors for eGFR creatinine-cystatin C. CONCLUSIONS Thus, eGFR creatinine and eGFR creatinine-cystatin C are preferred over eGFR cystatin C in kidney transplant recipients because they are less biased, more accurate, and more consistently reflect the same risk factor associations seen with measured GFR.
Econometrics and Operational Research Efficient Portfolio Selection in a Large Market

The focus of this paper is on a portfolio rule that approaches the optimal Sharpe ratio in a large market with a realistic amount of historical data and a well-chosen subspace, named “subspaceP mean-variance analysis”. This portfolio rule carefully balances the tradeoff between the estimation error and the systematic error. A well-chosen subspace is the key extension on the paper of Chen and Yuan (2016). Also a mathematical comparison is given for the Markowitz (subspaceP) mean-variance portfolio with and without the constraint that the sum of the portfolio holdings sums up to one. Another comparison is made between the subspaces PΣ and PCorr, that are created with the eigenvectors of the covarianceor correlation matrix, by using the efficient frontier, the dimension of the subspaces and a comparison over different investment opportunities. To give the last comparison, a mathematical explanation needs to be given that an additional investment option could decrease the Sharpe ratio of the subspaceP mean-variance portfolio. Diederik Nederhorst (410860)
Principles of endoscopic ear surgery

Purpose of reviewThe aim of this review is to study the rationale, limitations, techniques, and long-term outcomes of endoscopic ear surgery. Recent findingsThe article discusses the advantages of endoscopic ear surgery in treating cholesteatoma and how the hidden sites like facial recess, sinus tympani, and anterior epitympanum are easily accessed using the endoscope. SummaryTranscanal endoscopic approach allows minimally invasive removal of cholesteatoma with results that compare well to traditional postauricular tympanomastoidectomy.
Evaluation of assertiveness training for psychiatric patients.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES To investigate the effectiveness of assertiveness training programmes on psychiatric patients' assertiveness, self-esteem and social anxiety. BACKGROUND Assertiveness training programmes are designed to improve an individual's assertive beliefs and behaviours, which can help the individual change how they view themselves and establish self-confidence and social anxiety. It is useful for patients with depression, depressive phase of bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder or adjustment disorder. DESIGN Experimental. METHOD There were 68 subjects (28, experimental group; 40, diagnosis-matched comparison group). Subjects in experimental groups participated in experimenter-designed assertiveness training twice a week (two hours each) for four weeks. The comparison groups participated the usual activities. Data were collected in the two groups at the same time: before, after and one month after training programme. Efficacy was measured by assertiveness, self-esteem and social anxiety inventories. A generalised estimating equation was used for analysis. RESULTS After training, subjects had a significant increase in assertiveness immediately after the assertiveness training programme and one-month follow-up. There was a significant decrease in social anxiety after training, but the improvement was not significant after one month. Self-esteem did not increase significantly after training. CONCLUSION With our sample of patients with mixed diagnoses, assertiveness seemed to be improved after assertiveness training. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE Patients would benefit more from the assertiveness training programme for the change in how they view themselves, improve their assertiveness, properly express their individual moods and thoughts and further establish self-confidence. The assertiveness training protocol could be provided as a reference guide to clinical nurses.
Arthroscopic assisted reduction and fixation of a posterior cruciate ligament avulsion using Endobutton

Purpose: We present a new technique of arthroscopic portal fixation of a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) avulsion using an Endobutton (Acufex Microsurgical, Inc; Mansfield, MA, USA). Method: The PCL bone avulsion was reduced using an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) aimer guide. An Endobutton is used to maintain and restore the anatomical position of the PCL. The full step-by-step technique is described in this article. Results: Anatomical reduction and fixation of a PCL avulsion is achieved via arthroscopic surgery. Conclusion. Traditionally open reduction and internal fixation is required using a complex posterior approach. We describe a new method, using arthroscopic surgery without the need for a posterior approach to the knee.
Judging temporal onset differences for concurrent vowels: Results for young, middle-aged, and older adults

Temporal processing abilities generally decline with age. These temporal processing declines may reduce the ability of older listeners to use temporal cues for spoken language processing, such as for segregating multiple talkers. A concurrent vowel paradigm was used to examine categorization judgments for young, middle-aged, and older listeners based on temporal onset differences. Listeners categorized vowel pairs varying in temporal asynchrony as one sound, two overlapping sounds, or two sounds separated by a gap. The two boundaries separating the three response categories were determined for each listener, corresponding to multiplicity and gap-identification. Compared to young and middle-aged listeners, older listeners required longer temporal offsets for multiplicity judgment. Middle-aged and older listeners also required longer offsets than young listeners for gap-identification. For older listeners, correlations with temporal processing tasks indicated that temporal-order thresholds for vowels were related to the multiplicity boundary, while age and nonspeech gap-detection thresholds were related to the gap-identification boundary. using vowel of RMS to test stimuli in a 3 coupler using a Larson Davis 2800 sound level