Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Ross Operation in Children and Young Adults

Objectives: To determine UK national trends and results of the Ross operation in relation to all aortic valve interventions. Methods: Examination of the UK Congenital Central Cardiac Audit Database for all aortic valve procedures performed between 2000 and 2011 in children (0-16 years) and young adults (16-30 years). Results: A total of 2,206 aortic valve procedures were performed in children and 1,824 in young adults, the proportions in the two groups being: Ross operation (19% vs 15%, respectively), surgical valvoplasty (9.5% vs 4%), surgical valvotomy (9.5% vs 1%), aortic valve replacement (AVR; 11% vs 55%), aortic root replacement (4% vs 18%), and balloon valvoplasty (47% vs 7%). The 30-day and 1-year survival after Ross is 99.3% and 98.7%, respectively, in the last four years achieving 100%. In children, the proportion of balloon valvoplasty increased from an average of 43% in 2000 to 2006 to 53% in 2007 to 2011, whereas the Ross operation decreased from 22% to 16% (P < .001). In young adults, the figures are an increase from 49% to 58% for AVR compared to a decrease from 23% to 9% for Ross (P < .001). Our own single-center series of 91 patients also shows standard results for early- and long-term survival and freedom from reoperation, but gradually fewer Ross operations performed. The year-on-year changes show a significant decreasing trend locally and nationally. Conclusions: Despite an excellent track record, the Ross operation is performed less frequently in the United Kingdom. This report is a first step in comparing treatment modalities at national level.
The use of alcohol and drugs to self‐medicate symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder

Background: Self‐medication has been proposed as an explanation for the high rates of comorbidity between posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders; however, knowledge of self‐medication in PTSD is scarce. We describe the prevalence and correlates of self‐medication in PTSD in the general population. Methods: Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 2 (N=34,653; response rate: 70.2%), a nationally representative survey of mental illness in community‐dwelling adults. Self‐medication was assessed separately for alcohol and drugs. Prevalence rates were determined for self‐medication among individuals with DSM‐IV PTSD. Regression analyses determined associations between self‐medication and a variety of correlates, including sociodemographic factors, comorbid mental disorders, suicide attempts, and quality of life. Results: Approximately 20% of individuals with PTSD used substances in an attempt to relieve their symptoms. Men were significantly more likely than women to engage in self‐medication behavior. In adjusted models, using illicit drugs or misusing prescription medications to control PTSD symptoms was associated with a substantially higher likelihood of dysthymia and borderline personality disorder. After controlling for mental disorder comorbidity, self‐medication was independently associated with higher odds of suicide attempts (adjusted odds ratio=2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.53–3.97) and lower mental health‐related quality of life. Conclusions: Self‐medication is a common behavior among people with PTSD in the community, yet has potentially hazardous consequences. Health care practitioners should assess reasons for substance use among people with PTSD to identify a subgroup with higher psychiatric morbidity. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The relationship between MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels with breast cancer incidence and prognosis

The relationship between the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 and breast cancer prognosis was studied. Two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7) and one human normal breast cell line (HS578Bst) were investigated. Fluorescence real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting were used to detect cellular mRNA and protein MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels. Breast cancer tissue samples from 80 patients and tumor-adjacent normal tissue samples from 40 patients were collected, and MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in these samples were examined using immunohistochemistry (IHC). The relationship of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels with breast cancer patient clinicopathological parameters and prognosis was analyzed. RT-PCR and western blot results showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression levels were significantly higher in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells than in HS578Bst cells. A high expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 was found in 83.75% (67/80) and 78.75% (63/80) of breast cancer tissue samples, respectively. MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in breast cancer tissues were significantly different from that in tumor-adjacent normal tissues (p<0.01). MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels in breast cancer tissues were correlated with lymph node metastasis and tumor staging. Single factor survival analysis showed that MMP-2 and MMP-9 were factors influencing breast cancer prognosis. MMP-2 and MMP-9 are highly expressed in breast cancer tissues and are closely related to lymph node metastasis and tumor staging. MMP-2 and MMP-9 can be used as reference indices for guiding breast cancer prognosis and treatment.
Nanosecond-pulse diffuse discharge at atmospheric pressure

Nanosecond pulsed discharge has various discharge forms, especially, dense diffuse discharge is closely related to maximum x-ray radiation and runaway electron beams. In the paper, a two-stage magnetic compression solid-state pulse generator was used to produce repetitive nanosecond pulses for excitation of nanosecond-pulse diffuse discharge. Output pulse of the generator had a rise time of about 25 ns and a full width at half maximum of 40 ns. Electrical characteristic of diffuse discharge was studied by measuring its voltage-current waveforms and discharge image. In addition, the conduction current was calculated by subtracting the displacement current from the measured current. The experimental results showed that a large-scale and stable diffuse discharge could be obtained at atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, it indicates a good agreement between the measured current without discharge in single shot mode and the calculated displacement currents in all cases during the experiment. The calculated conduction current was unipolar and had amplitude of several amperes or less.
Why do Juvenile Chinese Pit‐Vipers (Gloydius shedaoensis) Select Arboreal Ambush Sites?

Ontogenetic shifts in habitat use are widespread, especially in ectothermic taxa in which juveniles may be an order of magnitude smaller than large adult conspecifics. The factors that generate such habitat shifts are generally obscure, but we studied an unusual system that allowed us to compare consequences of habitat selection between adults and juveniles. Pit-vipers (Gloydius shedaoensis )o n a small island in north-eastern China feed almost entirely on seasonally migrating birds. During the spring bird-migration period, individual snakes consistently re-used either arboreal or terrestrial ambush sites. Snakes in trees were smaller (and more philopatric) than snakes on the ground. This ontogenetic shift in habitat use may reflect the difficulty of capturing birds on the ground, especially by small snakes. In laboratory trials, large (adult) pit-vipers struck faster, further and more accurately than did small (juvenile) snakes. In experiments with freeranging snakes, the proportion of strikes hitting the bird was lower for juveniles than for adults, and lower for terrestrial snakes than for arboreal snakes. Additionally, adult snakes generally seized the bird by the head whereas juveniles frequently struck the body or wings (and thus, obtained a less secure grip). Arboreal ambush sites may facilitate prey capture not only because they give access to smaller birds but also because they render the bird’s location more predictable and, hence, enable the snake to position itself optimally prior to the prey’s arrival. Because juvenile pit-vipers are less capable strikers, and are small relative to available prey items, they may benefit from the greater ease of prey capture from branches. Thus, the ontogenetic shift in habitat selection within this species may be because of ontogenetic shifts in the vipers’ ability to capture and ingest large, mobile prey.
Effects of diet forage:concentrate ratio and metabolizable energy intake on visceral organ growth and in vitro oxidative capacity of gut tissues in sheep.

We used 28 crossbred wether lambs to determine the effects of dietary forage:concentrate ratio and metabolizable energy intake on visceral organ growth and oxidative capacity of gut tissues in lambs. Lambs were assigned randomly to a factorial arrangement of dietary treatments consisting of pelleted diets containing either 75% orchardgrass or 75% concentrate fed once daily at either . 099 or . 181 Mcal ME x (kg BW(.75))(-1) x d(-1). After a 52-d feeding period, lambs were slaughtered to obtain measurements of visceral organ mass and composition and oxidative capacity of isolated epithelial cells. Lamb performance, as measured by DMI, ADG, and efficiency of gain, was greater (P = .0001) for both diets at high ME intake. Likewise, lambs fed 75% concentrate gained faster and more (P < or = .01) efficiently than lambs fed 75% forage. Total digestive tract (TDT; includes rumen, reticulum, omasum, abomasum, and intestines) weight increased (P = .0001) with ME intake and was greater (P = .03) in lambs fed 75% forage than in those fed 75% concentrate. As a percentage of empty body weight (EBW), TDT weight increased with ME intake in lambs fed 75% forage, but it was unaffected by ME intake in lambs fed 75% concentrate (diet x intake, P = .03). Liver weight increased (P = .0001) with ME intake and was greater (P = .005) in lambs fed 75% concentrate vs 75% forage; however, liver weight as a percentage of EBW was increased (P = .0002) with ME intake but was unaffected by diet. Greater ME intake increased (P < or = .02) small intestinal (SI) epithelial and muscle mass of 15-cm sections, whereas jejunal epithelial mass was greater (P = .01) for lambs fed 75% forage vs 75% concentrate. Rumen epithelial concentrations of DNA and RNA increased (P < or = .02) with greater ME intake, whereas SI concentrations of DNA and RNA were largely unaffected by diet or ME intake. The activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase increased in ileal epithelium (P < or = .02) with ME intake and concentrate in the diet, but activity in ruminal epithelium increased (P = .05) with concentrate. Total oxygen consumption by isolated ruminal and intestinal epithelial cells was unaffected by treatment. These data suggest that ME intake and level of dietary forage affect ruminal and intestinal growth via changes in cellular hyperplasia. Additionally, this study supports the concept that ME intake and diet composition alter gut energy expenditure, at least in part, through changes in mass rather than mass specific metabolism.
Drug discovery targeting amino acid racemases.

Drug Discovery Targeting Amino Acid Racemases Paola Conti, Lucia Tamborini, Andrea Pinto, Arnaud Blondel, Paola Minoprio, Andrea Mozzarelli, and Carlo De Micheli* Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche “P. Pratesi”, via Mangiagalli 25, 20133 Milano, Italy Institut Pasteur, Unit e de Bioinformatique Structurale, CNRS-URA 2185, D epartement de Biologie Structurale et Chimie, 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, France Institut Pasteur, Laboratoire des Processus Infectieux a Trypanosoma; D epartement d’Infection et Epid emiologie; 25 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris, France Dipartimento di Biochimica e Biologia Molecolare, via G. P. Usberti 23/A, 43100 Parma, Italy Istituto di Biostrutture e Biosistemi, viale Medaglie d’oro, Roma, Italy
SURVEY OF FUNGAL ISOLATES FROM CANINE MYCOTIC DERMATITIS

A total of 134 clinical samples such as hair plucks and skin scrapings were collected from dogs with cutaneous lesions of alopecia, hyperpigmentation, and scales. A part of clinical material was directly examined under microscope after digestion with 10% potassium hydroxide. The remaining material was cultured in Sabouraud‘s Dextrose agar to study the presence of fungi based on the colony morphology and type of pigmentation. The microscopic appearance of fruiting heads and spores were studied using slide culture technique. Dermatophyte test agar medium was used to screen the Dermatophytes. In dermatophytes, Trichophytan spp (23%) was frequently isolated along with Microsporum sp (3%) and Epidermophytan sp (1%). Among the non dermatophytes, Aspergillus niger (28%) was frequently isolated followed by Aspergillus fumigatus (6%),Phycomycetes sp (3%), Penicillium sp 2%, Curvuleria sp (1%) and Alternaria sp (1%). Along with the molds, yeast such as Malassezia pachydermatis (30%) and Candida albicans (2%) were also isolated.
Serum lipids and endometrial cancer risk: Results from the HUNT‐II study

Obesity is a major risk factor for endometrial cancer. Still, the association of obesity‐related metabolic factors, such as serum lipids and lipoprotein levels, is unclear. We prospectively examined the association of serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, non–high‐density lipoprotein (non‐HDL), and HDL cholesterol with endometrial cancer risk among 31,473 women. During 9 years of follow‐up, 100 cases of endometrial cancer were identified by linkage to the Cancer Registry of Norway. There was a positive association of serum triglyceride levels with endometrial cancer risk. Comparing the highest to the lowest quartile of triglycerides, the age‐adjusted hazard ratio was 2.34 (95% CI: 1.04–5.28), and further adjustment for body mass index attenuated the association (hazard ratio 1.79, 95% CI: 0.79–4.05). For total serum cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and HDL cholesterol there were no associations with endometrial cancer risk, either without or after adjustment for body mass index. Serum triglyceride levels were positively associated with the risk of endometrial cancer, and some of the association seems to be attributable to obesity. Apart from higher estrogen levels produced in adipose tissue, mechanisms more specifically related to triglycerides may also be involved in endometrial cancer. Further prospective studies on this subject are needed to better understand the association of blood lipids with endometrial cancer risk. © 2009 UICC
A Multiclass Deep Convolutional Neural Network Classifier for Detection of Common Rice Plant Anomalies

This study examines the use of deep convolutional neural network in the classification of rice plants according to health status based on images of its leaves. A three-class classifier was implemented representing normal, unhealthy, and snail-infested plants via transfer learning from an AlexNet deep network. The network achieved an accuracy of 91.23%, using stochastic gradient descent with mini batch size of thirty (30) and initial learning rate of 0.0001. Six hundred (600) images of rice plants representing the classes were used in the training. The training and testing dataset-images were captured from rice fields around the district and validated by technicians in the field of agriculture.
Enhanced-Performance Germanium Nanowire Tunneling Field-Effect Transistors Using Flash-Assisted Rapid Thermal Process

We report the enhanced performance of Ge nanowire (NW) tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs), realized using a millisecond flash-assisted rapid thermal process (fRTP) for dopant activation. The electrical characteristics of our fRTP-activated NW TFETs exhibit maximum drive currents up toImax ~ 28 μA/μm at Vdd = -3 V and improved subthreshold swings. By comparison, NW TFETs realized using conventional RTP for dopant activation show an order of magnitude lower current. We attribute these findings to a more abrupt doping profile at the tunnel junction, owing to reduced dopant diffusion and improved dopant activation.
Fatigue of long duration in human skeletal muscle after exercise.

1. After severe muscular contraction in man recovery of force is largely complete in a few minutes, but is not wholly so for many hours. The long‐lasting element of fatigue is found to occur primarily for low frequencies of stimulation (e.g. 20/sec), and is much less pronounced, or absent, at high frequencies (80/sec). The twitch force is an unreliable measure of the state of fatigue. 2. The long‐lasting element of fatigue is not due to depletion of high‐energy phosphate nor is it due to failure of electrical activity as recorded from surface electrodes. It is probably the result of an impairment of the process of excitation‐contraction coupling. Its practical importance for man could be significant as an explanation of the subjective feelings of weakness following exercise.
Transcription Factor YY 1 Contributes to Tumor Growth by Stabilizing Hypoxia Factor HIF-1 a in a p 53-Independent Manner

In response to hypoxic stress, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1a is a critical transcription factor regulating fundamental cellular processes, and its elevated expression level and activity are associated with poor outcomes in most malignancies. The transcription factor Yin Yang 1 (YY1) is an important negative regulator of the tumor suppressor factor p53. However, the role of YY1 under tumor hypoxic condition is poorly understood. Herein, we show that inhibition of YY1 reduced the accumulation of HIF-1a and its activity under hypoxic condition, and consequently downregulated the expression of HIF-1a target genes. Interestingly, our results revealed that the downregulation of HIF-1a by inhibiting YY1 is p53-independent. Functionally, the in vivo experiments revealed that inhibition of YY1 significantly suppressed growth of metastatic cancer cells and lung colonization and also attenuated angiogenesis in a p53-null tumor. Collectively, our findings unraveled a novel mechanism by which YY1 inhibition disrupts hypoxia-stimulated HIF-1a stabilization in a p53-independent manner. Therefore, YY1 inhibition could be considered as a potential tumor therapeutic strategy to give consistent clinical outcomes independent of p53 status. Cancer Res; 73(6); 1–13. 2012 AACR.
Investigations on characteristic parameters to evaluate the condition of the insulation system for high voltage rotating machines

This contribution reports on the investigations of partial discharge (PD) and dissipation factor measurements as function of the applied test voltage to evaluate the actual status of insulation system for high voltage rotating machines due to thermomechanical stress. As test object actual stator bars were used, based on the epoxy VPI technology. A defined, well-known accelerated aging procedure was applied on the stator bars model, which simulates the aging procedures of the stator insulation system due to service cyclic duty. During the thermomechanical aging procedure the changes in the dissipation factor as function of applied voltage and partial discharge activities were studied and possibilities to determine the condition of the insulation system researched.
Helicobacter pylori and its role in vocal folds' minimal lesions

Background: Chronic laryngitis and/or vocal fold minimal lesions (VFMLs) are common associations with gastro esophageal reflux disease. Helicobacter pylori (HP) is a Gram‐negative spiral organism accused of being a common cause of gastritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease and peptic ulcer. HP has been recently isolated from tonsils, adenoids, sinus and middle ear mucosa in patients with chronic sinusitis or chronic middle ear effusion.
The involvement of subchondral mineralized tissues in osteoarthrosis: Quantitative microscopic evidence

This paper reviews evidence for the role of subchondral bone and calcified cartilage in the initiation and progression of osteoarthrosis (OA). There is consensus that OA is characterized by subchondral sclerosis, but disagreement about whether bone changes are concurrent with, primary to, or secondary to cartilage deterioration. Clinical observation suggests that bone density and cartilage fibrillation are inversely related. Evidence from the rabbit impulsive loading model is consistent with early bone changes, but evidence from other models of subchondral stiffening, such as the sheep metallic implant model, do not strongly support this idea. However, evidence from tibial angulation models and from the Pond‐Nuki (anterior cruciate ligament resection) model show evidence that bone changes precede cartilage fibrillation temporally, and are associated spatially within a single joint. Evidence is also presented for the importance of calcified cartilage changes in pre‐disposing the joint towards progression to OA. Microdamage accumulation and repair by vascular invasion may be a component of the pathogenesis of OA in some cases, but more work is needed to demonstrate this conclusively. We conclude that changes in the subchondral mineralized tissues are not required for initiation of cartilage fibrillation, but may be necessary for progression, and that only changes in bone and calcified cartilage close to the joint are significant to the disease process. Microsc. Res. Tech. 37:343–357, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS OF THE LEFT CORONARY ARTERY IN HUMAN CADAVERIC HEARTS

The anatomy of the coronary vessels has been described in detail for atleast 3 centuries. Detailed appreciation of the normal origin, course, branching and myocardial distribution of these vessels is vital so that variations of the normal anatomy can be more easily recognized and applied to clinical practice. Knowledge of normal anatomy and variations in the branching pattern of coronary arteries is very important to identify the cause of coronary artery diseases and to perform therapeutic, radio diagnostic and surgical procedures. Since the left main coronary artery system is the commonly affected vessel and is the first vessel to show blockages, this study was conducted. 93 formalin fixed hearts were collected in the department of anatomy over a period of 2010 to 2012 and dissected. Origin, length, number of terminal divisions and the area of distribution of left main coronary artery was noted. The present study showed that the left coronary artery originated from left posterior aortic sinus except in one heart where it originated from right coronary sinus. The mean length of left coronary artery is 9.2 ±0.31mm, mean outer diameter was 4.64 ± 1.03. In 58.6% cases it bifurcated, in 35.48% cases it trifurcated and in 6.45% hearts it tetrafurcated.