Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neuronal-Glia Markers by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in HIV Before and After Combination Antiretroviral Therapy

Objective:Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) can suppress plasma HIV RNA to undetectable levels; yet reports indicate persistent HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) among treated individuals. We sought to investigate imaging correlates of incomplete cognitive recovery among individuals with chronic HIV. Methods:We used single voxel proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 4 regions of the brain to measure changes in neuronal and glia biomarkers in cART-naive subjects before (n = 59, 27 with HAND) and after 12 months of cART. Results:At baseline, we observed elevated total choline (CHO) in the basal ganglia (BG, P = 0.002) and in the posterior cingulate gyrus (PCG, P = 0.022) associated with HIV infection. Myo-inositol (MI) was elevated in the frontal white matter (FWM, P = 0.040). N-acetylaspartate was elevated in the BG (P = 0.047). Using a mixed model approach among all HIV-infected individuals, at 6 months, we observed decreased n- acetylaspartate in FWM (P = 0.031), decreased creatine in PCG (P = 0.026) and increased MI in frontal gray matter (FGM, P = 0.023). At 12 months, we observed an increase in BG MI (P = 0.038) and in FGM (P = 0.021). Compared to those with normal cognition, HAND cases had higher FGM MI (P = 0.014) at baseline. At 12 months, individuals that remained cognitively impaired compared with those without HAND exhibited elevated CHO in the PCG (P = 0.018) and decreased glutamate in both FWM (P = 0.027) and BG (P = 0.013). Conclusions:cART started during chronic HIV is associated with reduced neuronal-glia and inflammatory markers. Alterations in CHO are noted among individuals who remain impaired after 12 months of cART.
The Time Course of Attentional Focusing

In four experiments, we investigated the time course of attentional focusing. Our main aims were to estimate the time necessary for focusing to take place and the time over which focal attention can be maintained. The use of a pre-cueing procedure allowed us to estimate the time necessary for focusing, excluding the time needed for orienting. The results of the first three experiments showed that the focus of attention requires 33-66 msec to adjust to an object in the visual field, and that active focusing cannot be maintained beyond about 500 msec. In the fourth experiment, we also investigated if focusing was as efficient at the periphery as in the centre of the visual field. The results showed that the time course of focusing is different in the periphery with respect to the centre, supporting the hypothesis of low efficiency of the attentional focus when it works outside the fovea.
Motion parallax and absolute distance.

Abstract : The accuracy of absolute distance estimation based on monocular motion parallax was determined both before and after specific training. With the usual distance information eliminated, subjects either held their heads stationary or rhythmically rotated their heads from side to side while judging the distance of stimuli placed 4-15 ft. away. Before training, head movement produced more accurate judgments than head fixed. After only 10 training trials, accurate judgments based on motion parallax were obtained. Results with a textured background were better than results with a white background only when the subjects were not given any direct information about motion parallax. Good results were also obtained for motion parallax relative to a near reference object (2.5 ft. away). The results indicate that motion parallax can be useful for absolute distance estimation, and they suggest that motion parallax would be useful in the underwater environment, where the usual sources of distance information are absent or distorted.
Demographic Analysis, a Comparison of the Jackknife and Bootstrap Methods, and Predation Projection: A Case Study of Chrysopa pallens (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

ABSTRACT The life table of the green lacewing, Chrysopa pallens (Rambur), was studied at 22°C, a photoperiod of 15:9 (L:D) h, and 80% relative humidity in the laboratory. The raw data were analyzed using the age-stage, two-sex life table. The intrinsic rate of increase (r), the finite rate of increase (&lgr;), the net reproduction rate (R0), and the mean generation time (T) of Ch. pallens were 0.1258 d-1, 1.1340 d-1, 241.4 offspring and 43.6 d, respectively. For the estimation of the means, variances, and SEs of the population parameters, we compared the jackknife and bootstrap techniques. Although similar values of the means and SEs were obtained with both techniques, significant differences were observed in the frequency distribution and variances of all parameters. The jackknife technique will result in a zero net reproductive rate upon the omission of a male, an immature death, or a nonreproductive female. This result represents, however, a contradiction because an intrinsic rate of increase exists in this situation. Therefore, we suggest that the jackknife technique should not be used for the estimation of population parameters. In predator-prey interactions, the nonpredatory egg and pupal stages of the predator are time refuges for the prey, and the pest population can grow during these times. In this study, a population projection based on the age-stage, two-sex life table is used to determine the optimal interval between releases to fill the predation gaps and maintain the predatory capacity of the control agent.
High resolution array-comparative genomic hybridization profiling reveals deoxyribonucleic acid copy number alterations associated with medullary thyroid carcinoma.

CONTEXT Activating mutations in the RET protooncogene have been demonstrated in multiple endocrine neoplasia 2 and sporadic medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC). However, the complete genetic etiology underlying MTC tumorigenesis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to define more precisely the chromosomal regions and uncover novel genes associated with MTC tumorigenesis. DESIGN AND SETTING In this study, we used high resolution array-based comparative genomic hybridization to define tumor-associated copy number alterations (CNA) in 30 primary MTCs: 20 sporadic tumors (50% of which harbored RET mutation), and 10 hereditary. RESULTS We identified 98 CNA, including 76 genomic allelic losses, two gains, and 20 copy number variations associated with MTC. Across sporadic and hereditary groups, there was a similar and overlapping pattern of predominant allelic loss. There were 29 regions containing at least 30% CNA in the 30 tumor samples. The most frequent allelic loss occurred in four loci, 7q36.1, 12p13.31, 13q12.11, and 19p13.3-11. No regions were found to be uniquely altered in the hereditary tumors. There were 21 CNA specific to sporadic MTC, with loss of 11q23.3 uniquely altered in RET negative tumors. Pathway analysis found cellular growth and proliferation as the most significant overall target, and cell death as the most significant pathway targeted in sporadic MTC. CONCLUSIONS Our findings underscore the importance of candidate tumor suppressor genes together with RET alterations in MTCs. Despite of RET status, all MTC might share similar oncogenetic mechanisms. Dysfunction of cell proliferation and cell death may both be involved in MTC tumorigenesis.
Effects of Nicotine and Vagus Nerve in Severe Acute Pancreatitis–Associated Lung Injury in Rats

Objectives The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway has been elucidated as a regulator of inflammatory responses in several experimental models of diseases. This regulatory mechanism is mediated by acetylcholine, released from efferent vagus nerve, interacts with &agr;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on immune cells. Experimental evidence indicates that vagus nerve stimulation or &agr;7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists control proinflammatory cytokine production and protect animals in diverse lethal models. The aim of the study was to investigate effect of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in acute lung injury in an experimental model of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods In taurocholate-induced SAP in rats, pancreatitis was preceded by pretreatment with the nicotinic receptor agonist nicotine or unilateral left cervical vagotomy. Results Pretreatment with nicotine strongly alleviated severity of SAP-associated lung injury through attenuating serum amylase, lipase, and interleukin 6 levels; pancreas and lung pathological injury; lung myeloperoxidase activity; lung tumor necrosis factor-&agr;; and high-mobility group box 1 expression. Inversely, vagotomy pretreatment resulted in an enhanced severity of pancreatitis and lung injury. Conclusions Our results reveal the role of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in experimental SAP-associated lung injury; nicotine pretreatment exerts a protective effect and vagotomy pretreatment exerts the opposite effect.
Expression of strain‐specific surface antigens on Plasmodium falciparum‐infected erythrocytes

Antigenic determinants present on the surface of squirrel monkey erythrocytes infected with late developmental stages of P. falciparum were recognized through their ability to bind antibodies present in the serum of immune monkeys. Two different assays were used to demonstrate the presence of these antigenic determinants on the cell surface: the fluorescent labelling of intact cells in suspensions and the binding to protein A‐Sepharose. Such determinants appear to be strain‐specific and have, for a given strain, a variable expression according to whether the parasites are taken from intact or splenectomized animals or whether they have been grown in vitro.
Modified technique of stent fenestration of the atrial septum

Objectives: To develop a modified technique for stenting the atrial septum in the treatment of patients with a failing Fontan operation or pulmonary hypertension. Setting: Two tertiary referral centres. Study design: Prospective collaborative clinical study. Patients and methods: A stent was mounted on a standard valvoplasty balloon catheter which was constricted to a predefined diameter by a loop created from a temporary pacing wire. Full balloon inflation created a diabolo shaped stent configuration. The technique was employed in 12 consecutive patients to relieve symptoms of a failing Fontan circulation (n = 6) or severe pulmonary hypertension (n = 6). Results: Ex vivo studies confirmed that a diabolo shaped stent configuration could be achieved using the above technique. Transcatheter stent implantation was successful in all 12 patients. All six Fontan patients showed significant clinical improvement. Right atrial pressure decreased from (mean (SD)) 16.8 (2.5) to 13.7 (1.9) mm Hg (p < 0.05), and arterial oxygen saturation from 92.8 (1.8)% to 82.7 (3.8)% (p < 0.01). Six patients underwent successful stent fenestration for treatment of pulmonary hypertension. All stents were patent and stable at the most recent follow up (mean 1.75 (1.05) years). No early or late stent related complications were encountered. Conclusions: This new technique allows placement of a diabolo shaped stent with a predefined diameter across the atrial septum. The diabolo shape increases stent stability, facilitates recrossing of the stent during future catheter interventions, and ensures medium term stent patency.
Effect of Dual Inoculation of Arbuscular Mycorrhiza and Rhizobium on the Chlorophyll, Nitrogen and Phosphorus Contents of Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan L.)

The pot experiments were conducted in the Department of Life Science and Bioinformatics of Assam University, Silchar. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dual inoculation of Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) (Glomus fasciculatum) and Rhizobium on the chlorophyll, nitrogen and phosphorus contents of pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L.). The results revealed an overall increase in chlorophyll, nitrogen and phosphorus contents in the inoculated plants than uninoculated ones. Maximum chlorophyll contents were recorded in the plants dually inoculated with Glomus fasciculatum and Rhizobium. The combined application of Glomus fasciculatum and Rhizobium also remarkably increased the nitrogen and phosphorus contents of pigeon pea. The dual inoculation with microsymbionts revealed synergistic effect. The results suggest that dual inoculation of Glomus fasciculatum and Rhizobium have the potential to enhance the chlorophyll, nitrogen and phosphorus contents of pigeon pea.
The diet quality of adult women participating in a behavioural weight-loss programme.

BACKGROUND Diet quality plays an important role in health and has been shown to impact the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. The present study aimed to examine baseline and 16-week follow-up levels of energy intake, energy density and diet quality, as measured by the Healthy Eating Index 2005 (HEI-2005), in overweight and obese women participating in a behavioural weight-loss programme. METHODS Sixty-six women [mean (SD) age 48.6 (10.8) years; body mass index 31.8 (3.7) kg m(-2) ; 92% Caucasian] completed dietary measures at baseline and follow-up. All participants received a 16-week Internet Behavioural weight-loss programme based on the core of the Diabetes Prevention Program. Dietary intake was measured using the 2005 Block food frequency questionnaire. Diet quality was calculated using the HEI-2005. Paired t-tests were used to determine changes over time. RESULTS There was a reduction in reported energy intake [7.867 (3.232) MJ versus 5.748 (1.775) MJ, P < 0.001] over the 16 weeks. Participants had an increase in diet quality [HEI score = 53.9 (9.9) versus 57.4 (10.6), P = 0.002] as well as a reduction in energy density [0.0088 (0.0021) MJ g(-1) to 0.0080 (0.0021) MJ g(-1) (P = 0.002)]. All micronutrient intakes decreased over the 16 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Participation in a 16-week behavioural weight-loss programme significantly improved diet quality and reduced dietary energy density and energy intake in adult women. However, despite the overall increase in diet quality score, there were deficiencies in key micronutrients in the diets of most women at the conclusion of the 16-week study.
An overview of Multimodal Sentiment Analysis research: Opportunities and Difficulties

The scatter form of multimedia data such as text, image, audio, and video posted regularly in the social media may contain useful information for the organizations. But, this information should be derived with the use of some form of analysis known as Multimodal Sentiment Analysis (MSA). But, there is a lack of proper analytic tools for such analysis. This paper presents a thorough overview of more than fifty most recent MSA research articles to find the gaps in terms of tasks, approaches theories and applications used till date. There seems to be no single approach, theory, and tool which can support MSA. The study showed that each and every mode presents different difficulties which have not bee n fully solved yet, such as feature points of a face, voice clarity in audio, video summarization and so on, and are great research opportunities for the future researchers. Also, this research recommends a list of existing and upcoming difficulties and opportunities of MSA research.
Subcarrier PSK Performance in Terrestrial FSO Links Impaired by Gamma-Gamma Fading, Pointing Errors, and Phase Noise

For terrestrial free-space optical (FSO) communication systems, subcarrier intensity modulation represents an attractive alternative to on-off keying or pulse-position modulation, which is mainly because of the larger spectral efficiency. However, some degradation of the error performance must be taken into account due to nonperfect synchronization of carrier frequency and phase. In a recently published paper, the average bit error probability has been analyzed for $M$-ary phase-shift keying in the presence of phase noise for a terrestrial FSO link impaired by lognormal fading. In the this paper, we are extending this study to a gamma-gamma model, which is usually applied in case of moderate-to-strong scintillation effects. On top of that, pointing errors, caused by a misalignment between transmitter and receiver of the FSO link, are considered as well. Since a closed-form solution is not available under general conditions and because numerical methods are time-consuming, suffering in part also from serious convergence and stability problems, we provide approximate closed-form expressions, which are accurate enough over a wide signal-to-noise ratio range.
Dermatoglyphs in leukaemia.

Ridge differentiation takes place in the foetus during the third and fourth months of intrauterine life, and as a result certain disturbances of foetal growth during this period are recorded by modifications in the ridge configurations. The best example of such prenatal disturbance of ridge pattern is found in Down's syndrome in which there is retardation of growth affecting most parts of the body (Holt, 1961a). The study of the patterns of the epidermal ridges of fingers, palm, and sole can serve as an aid in the diagnosis of a number of disease conditions, particularly those caused by chromosomal aberrations, but also in others both genetically and non-genetically determined. Findings in exogenous embryopathies following maternal rubella or thalidomide intake are examples of the latter. In clinical conditions generally caused by autosomal trisomy, e.g. Down's syndrome, dermatoglyphic evidence can often be accepted as definite confirmation of a tentative clinical diagnosis. In sex chromosome aberrations, increased frequencies of certain patterns and deviations in ridge counts have been found. Several disorders due to a single abnormal gene have been reported to show dermatoglyphic features significantly varying from normal as have other conditions not definitely shown to be genetically determined. Leukaemia comes into the latter category, and Aleksandrowicz, Schiffer, and Debski (1966), Menser and Purvis-Smith (1969), Rosner (1969), and Wertelecki, Plato, and Fraumeni (1969) have reported their findings.
QT‐RR Slope:

In this issue of the Journal, Chevalier et al.1 provide for the first time clinical evidence that the slope of the QT/RR relationship evaluated 9 to 14 days after index myocardial infarction has prognostic significance for predicting both total mortality and sudden death in postinfarction patients observed for an average of 7 years. Steeper slope was associated with mortality, indicating that excessive shortening of QT with fast heart rate and/or excessive lengthening of QT with slow heart rates might contribute to arrhythmic events. The concept of excessive QT shortening with fast heart rates may be supported by observations that most episodes of tachyarrhythmias leading to sudden death are preceded by sinus tachycardia.2 Facilitation of reentry by shortening of the refractory period may be considered a potential mechanism behind this phenomenon. The authors found that the QT/RR slope evaluated during the day, but not during the night, was predictive, which could be explained by sympathetic dominance during the day and the limited range of heart rates during the night. Interestingly, the QTapex/RR slope had no predictive value, indicating that the dynamics of early repolarization do not contribute to an increased risk after myocardial infarction. The study by Chevalier et al. carries an important practical message that the QT/RR slope could be incorporated into all Holter systems and used in clinical practice. Automatic identification of the QT interval in Holter recordings represents a challenge; averaging techniques are used to decrease the influence of outliers. The QT/RR slope usually is automatically determined, but manual correction and validation are needed to ensure that outliers (caused by inaccurate QT measurements) are removed and do not influence the overall results of analysis. It is important to acknowledge that the quality of Holter recordings is of major importance for successful QT/RR analysis. In the analysis by Chevalier et al., one third of the recordings were not suitable for QT/RR analysis. Current digital recorders support high-amplitude resolution and high sampling frequency, allowing for increased precision when automatically identifying QT interval. Even with digital technology, flat T waves create a problem for automatic algorithms; simultaneously, the same flat T waves may have prognostic significance. Therefore, patients with flat or other abnormally shaped T waves, which make it difficult to measure the QT interval, require special attention because this morphologic feature may serve as a risk factor in postinfarction patients.
Long-term outcome after chemoembolization and embolization of hepatic metastatic lesions from neuroendocrine tumors.

OBJECTIVE Hepatic artery chemoembolization and hepatic artery embolization (HAE) are accepted treatments of patients with hepatic metastasis from neuroendocrine tumors. Long-term outcome data are limited. We present our experience in the use of hepatic artery chemoembolization in the treatment of patients with hepatic metastasis from neuroendocrine tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-six patients with carcinoid (n = 31) or islet cell (n = 15) tumors were treated. Overall and progression-free survival times starting with the first treatment were calculated. Potential factors affecting survival, including presence of extrahepatic disease and resection of the primary lesion, were analyzed. Relief of symptoms was subjectively determined for tumors with hormonal secretion. RESULTS The 46 patients underwent 93 hepatic artery chemoembolization or HAE sessions. The mean overall survival time for the entire group was 1,273 +/- 185 days. The mean overall survival times for the carcinoid (1,255 +/- 163 days) and islet cell tumor (1,311 +/- 403 days) subgroups were similar (p = 0.66). The progression-free survival times for the carcinoid (602 +/- 144 days) and islet cell (501 +/- 107 days) tumor subgroups also were similar (p = 0.72). The survival time of patients without known extrahepatic metastasis (n = 18; 1,571 +/- 291 days) trended toward significance compared with that of patients with known extrahepatic disease (n = 26; 770 +/- 112 days; p = 0.08). Resection of the primary tumor in 19 of 46 patients did not affect survival (resection survival, 1,558 +/- 400 days; nonresection survival, 1,000 +/- 179 days; p = 0.44). Twenty of 25 patients with hormonally active tumors had relief of symptoms after one cycle of treatment. The 30-day mortality was 4.3%. CONCLUSION The overall survival time after hepatic artery chemoembolization or HAE among patients with neuroendocrine tumors is approximately 3.5 years. The progression-free survival time approaches 1.5 years. The presence of extrahepatic metastasis or an unresected primary tumor should not limit the use of hepatic artery chemoembolization or HAE.
Estimating the risk of nonunion following nonoperative treatment of a clavicular fracture.

To The Editor: We read with great interest the article, “Estimating the Risk of Nonunion Following Nonoperative Treatment of a Clavicular Fracture” (2004;86:1359-65), by Robinson et al. This is a large consecutive series of 868 patients seen at the Shoulder Injury Clinic, Orthopaedic Trauma Center in Edinburgh, Scotland. The authors are to be congratulated and commended on >75% follow-up at twenty-four weeks in such a large population. While the authors have provided a means for the reader to estimate the probability of nonunion by age, gender, and fracture type, we believe an important take-home message has been obscured by the method of written presentation. Specifically, what should orthopaedic surgeons now tell their patients about the outcome of displaced and comminuted diaphyseal fractures? The classic teaching about clavicular fractures has been that they all do well and that closed isolated injuries rarely, if ever, require operative stabilization. Several recent studies1-3 have challenged this “conventional wisdom” by demonstrating a relatively high rate of nonunion in displaced diaphyseal fractures and even unsatisfactory results in some patients who heal in a nonanatomic position. Consequently, there has been …