Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Video fluorescein angiography of the anterior eye segment in severe eye burns.

PURPOSE Severe eye burns often result in extensive necrosis of the conjunctiva and episcleral tissue. Video fluorescein angiography was performed to reveal the perfusion of the anterior eye segment after severe eye burns. METHODS A scanning laser ophthalmoscope was used for anterior segment fluorescein angiography in 12 patients (14 eyes) with severe burns grade III-IV and in 7 healthy volunteers. RESULTS Necrotic tissues occurred as non perfused areas and remained dark throughout the whole angiogram. In general, the borders from healthy to necrotic conjunctival tissue were sharply demarcated. Thus, the extent of scleral and limbal ischemia could be determined exactly. Injured vessels showed hyperfluorescence with late leakage. Damage of the subconjunctival tissue appeared as a deep weak fluorescence in the early angiography and exhibited patchy leakage in the late angiogram. CONCLUSIONS Anterior segment angiography provides a basis for deciding the extent of surgical debridement of necrotic tissue in the acute phase of the burn. The determination of the extent of limbal and scleral ischemia may give useful information for early plastic-reconstructive procedures.
Improved Amphotropic Retrovirus‐Mediated Gene Transfer into Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Abstract: The efficiency of amphotropic retrovirus‐mediated gene transfer into human Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSC) is less than 1%. This has impeded gene therapy for hematopoietic diseases. 1–3 In this study we demonstrate that populations of mouse and human HSC contain low to undetectable levels of the amphotropic virus receptor mRNA (ampho R mRNA), and are resistant to transduction with amphotropic retroviral vectors. In a subpopulation of mouse HSC expressing 7‐fold higher levels of ampho R mRNA, transduction with amphotropic retrovirus vectors was 30‐fold higher. We conclude that retrovirus transduction of HSC correlates with ampho R mRNA levels. Our results predict that alternative sources of HSC or retroviruses will be required for human gene therapy of hematopoietic diseases. One alternative source of stem cells is from individuals treated with cytokines. We have previously shown that mice treated with G‐CSF and SCF have an immediate increase in peripheral blood HSC immediately after treatment, followed by a 10‐fold increase in bone marrow HSC 14 days after treatment. 4 In this report we show that when rhesus monkey bone marrow cells collected 14 days after G‐CSF and SCF treatment were transduced with amphotropic retroviruses, gene transfer levels were approximately 10%, which was easily detected by Southern blot analysis. We conclude that the increased gene transfer may be the result of increased expression of the amphotropic retrovirus receptor, increased numbers of cycling HSC or both.
Examination of Automation-Induced Complacency and Individual Difference Variates

Automation-induced complacency has been documented as a cause or contributing factor in many airplane accidents throughout the last two decades. It is surmised that the condition results when a crew is working in highly reliable automated environments in which they serve as supervisory controllers monitoring system states for occasional automation failures. Although many reports have discussed the dangers of complacency, little empirical research has been produced to substantiate its harmful effects on performance as well as what factors produce complacency. There have been some suggestions, however, that individual characteristics could serve as possible predictors of performance in automated systems. The present study examined relationship between the individual differences of complacency potential, boredom proneness, and cognitive failure, automation-induced complacency. Workload and boredom scores were also collected and analyzed in relation to the three individual differences. The results of the study demonstrated that there are personality individual differences that are related to whether an individual will succumb to automation-induced complacency. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
A New Class of Bent-Negabent Boolean Functions

In this paper we develop a technique of constructing bent– negabent Boolean functions by using complete mapping polynomials. Using this technique we demonstrate that for each ` ≥ 2 there exits bent– negabent functions on n = 12` variables with algebraic degree n 4 + 1 = 3`+ 1. It is also demonstrated that there exist bent–negabent functions on 8 variables with algebraic degrees 2, 3 and 4.
Vitamin C, uric acid, and glutathione gradients in murine stratum corneum and their susceptibility to ozone exposure.

The stratum corneum has been recognized as the main cutaneous oxidation target of atmospheric ozone (O3), a major part of photochemical smog. This study reports the presence and distribution of vitamin C, glutathione, and uric acid in murine stratum corneum, and evaluates their susceptibility to acute environmental exposure to O3. Based on tape stripping and a modified extraction method with high performance liquid chromatography electrochemical analysis, we detected vitamin C (208.0 +/- 82.5 pmol per 10 consecutive pooled tapes), glutathione (283.7 +/-96.3), and uric acid (286.4 +/-47.1) in murine stratum corneum as compared with only 16.5 +/- 1.4 pmol alpha-tocopherol. Vitamin C, glutathione (both p < 00.001), and urate (p < 0.01) were found to exhibit a gradient with the lowest concentrations in the outer layers and a steep increase in the deeper layers. To investigate the effect of O3 exposure on hydrophilic antioxidants, we exposed SKH-1 hairless mice to O3 concentrations of 0, 0.8, 1, and 10 p.p.m. , and stratum corneum was analyzed before and after exposure. Whereas mock exposure with 0 p.p. m. for 2 h had no significant effect, O3 doses of 1 p.p.m. for 2 h and above showed depletion of all three antioxidants. Vitamin C was decreased to 80% +/- 15% of its pretreatment content (p < 0.05), GSH to 41% +/- 24% (p < 0.01), and uric acid to 44% +/- 28% (p < 0.01). This report demonstrates the previously unrecognized role of hydrophilic antioxidants in the stratum corneum and provides further evidence that O3 induces oxidative stress in this outer skin layer.
Association between glycosylated hemoglobin, left ventricular mass and aortic function in nondiabetic individuals with insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVE An association between glycosylated hemoglobin (GHb) and cardiovascular mortality in nondiabetic individuals has recently been reported. Prompt detection of nondiabetic individuals with high-normal GHb and early cardiovascular involvement may be of value for preventive strategies. In this investigation, a possible relationship between GHb, aortic function and left ventricular (LV) mass in nondiabetic individuals has been studied. METHODS A total of 263 nondiabetic African-Americans, aged 22-63 (mean 42 +/- 8) years were studied. All individuals were first degree relatives of diabetic patients, had normal oral glucose tolerance test (2-h OGTT) and decreased peripheral action of insulin. LV diameters and mass (echocardiography); ascending and abdominal aortic distensibility (echocardiography, arterial pressure); pulse wave velocity (PWV; electrocardiography, Doppler); fasting glucose; GHb; insulin sensitivity index (S(I)) and 2-h OGTT were measured. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant independent associations of fasting glucose; GHb; S(I) and 2-h OGTT with aortic function and LV mass. RESULTS In fully adjusted multivariate logistic regression analysis, GHb predicted lower values of aortic distensibility (odds ratio (OR) 1.67 95% CI (1.04-2.75), P=0.04); higher PWV (OR 1.79 95% CI (1.09-2.93), P=0.022); and higher values of LV mass (OR 1.56 95% CI (1.08-2.88), P=0.029). Fasting glucose, S(I), and 2 h OGTT were not associated with aortic function and LV mass. CONCLUSION Higher GHb concentrations, even within 'normal' range, are independently associated with stiffer aorta and increased LV mass and thus may detect nondiabetic individuals at increased cardiovascular risk.
Functional Capacity, Health Status, and Inflammatory Biomarker Profile in a Cohort of Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

PURPOSE: Prior research has shown a significant relationship between 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, few studies have examined this relationship above and below the 350-m threshold that prognosticates survival and whether serum biomarkers could provide insight into the causes of quality-of-life differences above and below this threshold. METHODS: Measures of lung function, 6MWD, and HRQOL were compared in patients with COPD. Differences in HRQOL domains and serum biomarkers were compared in patients whose 6MWD were > or < 350 m. RESULTS: In patients walking < 350 m, scores in the physical domains of the SF-36 and the St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were significantly different from scores of their counterparts with greater 6MWD. However, there was no association between any biomarkers and the physical domains of the SF-36 and the SGRQ. In patients walking < 350 m, only the IL-8 levels were associated with lower scores in SF-36 domains of emotional role, pain, vitality, and mental health (average r = −0.702; P = .01). In contrast, in patients walking > 350 m, surfactant protein D levels were associated with higher SF-36 scores in general pain, vitality, and social functioning (average r = 0.42; P = .04). CONCLUSIONS: In COPD, there is an association between 6MWD and the physical domains of the SF-36 and SGRQ in those patients walking < 350 m. The physical differences between patients walking < or > 350 m are not related to systemic inflammation. The association between interleukin 8 with nonphysical domains in patients with 6MWD < 350 m suggests that inflammation may play a larger role in the perceptive domain than previously recognized.
Isochromosome Xq In A Girl Having Delayed Puberty

,, We determined isochromosome Xq karyotype in a 14-year-old female patient having delayed puberty. The diagnosis of infertile Turner's syndrome was made later, based on the presence of the primary amenorrhea and additional features such as growth retardation (her height and weight were 132 cm and 45 kg, respectively) and unusual hormonal profile. She had high plasma gonadotropin and low ovarian hormone levels (LH: 42 mlU/mL, FSH: 14 mlU/mL, estradiol: 27 pg/mL, and progesterone: 0.6 ng/mL). Karyotypes in the peripheral blood cells were pure isochromosome Xq constitution; 46,X,i(Xq). Ultrasonography showed that uterus dimensions were 3x2x2 cm and ovaries were streak. The patient did not show other classical Turner's syndrome traits such as broad chest, neck webbing, low posterior hairline, renal and cardiovascular anomalies. [Journal of Turgut Ozal Medical Center 1997;4(1):109-111]
Size effect on breakdown strength in sub-cooled liquid nitrogen for superconducting power apparatus

Toward the practical and rational insulation design of high temperature superconducting power apparatus, the ac breakdown (BD) characteristics and mechanisms of liquid nitrogen (LN2) were systematically investigated and discussed for different pressures at P = 0.1-0.3 MPa and temperatures at T = 65-77 K under quasiuniform electric field with the field utilization factor ζ= 0.986-0.674. We obtained the BD strength (EB) in sub-cooled LN2 (SLN2) and analyzed them in terms of size effect, taking account of the stressed liquid volume (SLV) with the electric field distribution in SLN2. Together with the other researchers' data on BD characteristics of LN2, we extended the evaluation by applying the concept of α% SLV (SLV with the electric field strength higher than the decisive electric field factor, α of the maximum electric field strength). As the result, we derived that EB with the 50 % probability decreased linearly with the increase in α% SLV on a universal line, EB = 78.4 x (α% SLV)-1/8.15, which was irrespective of the pressure and temperature of LN2.
Implications of using Cockcroft-Gault and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equations to estimate renal function in ethnic Korean patients.

PURPOSE Variations in renal function calculations performed with different estimating equations were investigated using data on a large nationally representative sample of Korean adults. METHODS A retrospective, cross-sectional, population-based analysis was conducted using 2007-09 data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Estimated creatinine clearance (CIcr) values for the study sample (n = 16,002) were calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault (CG) formula, and glomerular filtration rate estimates were performed using the four-variable Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation, with normalization of values for body surface area. Renal function estimates derived from the CG and MDRD equations were compared among subgroups; rates of disagreement in the categorization of subjects for medication dose adjustments according to widely used CIcr cutoff values were analyzed. RESULTS In the study sample as a whole and all evaluated subgroups, renal function estimates performed via the CG and MDRD equations differed significantly (p < 0.001); the greatest differences were seen in calculated values for the elderly, patients with diabetes, and those with a body mass index of ≥25 kg/m(2) or a serum creatinine concentration of <1 mg/dL. Maximum rates of disagreement in dosage-adjustment categorizations by the CG and MDRD equations were observed at the highest CLcr cutoff values and ranged from 6.7% to nearly 20%. CONCLUSION The study revealed disagreements in renal function estimates performed using CG and MDRD equations in a large sample of ethnic Korean adults, with more pronounced differences observed in certain subgroups.
Remote ischemic preconditioning for prevention of acute kidney injury: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) to prevent acute kidney injury (AKI) following cardiac and vascular interventions is a controversial practice. STUDY DESIGN We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis using the MEDLINE database (1966 through November 2013), EMBASE (1988 through November 2013), and Cochrane Library database. SETTING & POPULATION Patients undergoing cardiac and vascular interventions. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR STUDIES Randomized controlled trials comparing patient outcome with or without RIPC for prevention of AKI following cardiac and vascular interventions. INTERVENTION RIPC using an inflatable tourniquet around the limb or cross-clamping the iliac arteries versus non-RIPC. OUTCOMES AKI, need for renal replacement therapy, postoperative kidney biomarkers, in-hospital mortality, and length of intensive care unit and hospital stay. RESULTS 13 trials (1,334 participants) were included. RIPC decreased the risk of AKI for patients undergoing cardiac and vascular interventions compared with the control group (11 trials; 1,216 participants; risk ratio [RR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.48-1.02; P = 0.06; I(2) = 45%) with marginal statistical significance. There were no differences in levels of postoperative kidney biomarkers (serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate), incidence of renal replacement therapy, in-hospital mortality, hospital stay, or intensive care unit stay between the 2 groups. Metaregression analysis indicated that contrast intervention was not a covariate contributing significantly to heterogeneity on the risk estimate for AKI incidence; also, there was no dose effect of RIPC using tourniquet cuff around the limb on AKI prevention based on different ischemia duration. LIMITATIONS Different AKI definitions adopted in the trials included. CONCLUSIONS RIPC might be beneficial for the prevention of AKI following cardiac and vascular interventions, but the current evidence is not robust enough to make a recommendation. Adequately powered trials are needed to provide more evidence in the future.
Genetic and economic responses to breeding programs that consider mastitis.

Eight breeding programs were evaluated with a simulation study using discounted gene flow. Discounted economic responses and annual genetic changes were calculated. The evaluation was over 25 periods of 13 mo and the population modeled was DHI cows served by AI sires in the US. A breeding program without regard for mastitis gave annual genetic increases of 53.5 kg milk, 2.24 kg fat, . 020 cases of mastitis, and an economic response of $98.24. Including SCC or mastitis in selection indexes that maximize economic gain reduced the rate of improvement in yield traits by 1 to 2% but did not reduce clinical mastitis. Instead these indexes slowed the rate of increase in clinical mastitis by 20 to 25% and increased response in economic merit by less than 1%. Restricted selection, which permitted no genetic change in mastitis, reduced the rates of improvement by up to 27% for yield and 17% for economic response. Direct selection against mastitis is unrealistic due to lack of field data on clinical mastitis. Indirect selection would be less efficient than predicted here, due in part to incomplete enrollment in SCC testing program. Simultaneous improvement of both yield and mastitis apparently is not economically desirable due to the antagonistic genetic correlation between yield and mastitis and to the relatively greater economic value and higher heritability of yield.
Tight junction protein, claudin-6, downregulates the malignant phenotype of breast carcinoma

Claudin-6 is a protein component of tight junctions and its expression has been found to be undetectable or at low levels in some human and rat breast cancer cells. Here we investigated the effect of claudin-6 upregulation on the malignant phenotype of human MCF-7 breast cancer cells. MCF-7 sublines with stable claudin-6 expression were established by transfection with a pcDNA3.1-claudin-6 expressing vector. The expression of claudin-6 on mRNA and protein levels was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescent assays. Then the effects of claudin-6 on cell proliferation and cell cycle were examined by 5-diphenyl terazolium-bromide assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Colony-forming assays were used to examine two-dimensional and three-dimensional colony forming ability. Invasive and migratory traits of claudin-6 expressing cells were determined by matrigel-based Boyden chamber invasion assay and monolayer wound-healing assay. The structure and function of tight junctions in both parental and claudin-6 expression MCF-7 cells were evaluated by measuring transepithelial electrical resistance. Immunofluorescent assays showed that transfected cells expressed claudin-6 on their membranes. Cells with high level expression of claudin-6 grew slowly and had a higher rate of death than control cells. Anchorage-independent growth, invasive and migratory traits were also substantially decreased in cells with claudin-6 expression; whereas the transepithelial electrical resistance was increased in the claudin-6 transfected cells. In conclusion, these results suggest that claudin-6 may function as a cancer suppressor; its downregulation may contribute to the malignant progression of certain types of breast cancers.
3D-QSAR studies on UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 substrates using the pharmacophore and VolSurf approaches

UDP-glucuronosyltransferase 2B7 (UGT2B7) is an important enzyme responsible for clearance of many drugs. Here, we report two 3D quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models for UGT2B7 using the pharmacophore and VolSurf approach, respectively. The dataset included 53 structurally diverse UGT2B7 substrates, 36 of which were used for the training set and 17 of which for the external test set. Pharmacophore-based 3D-QSAR model (or hypothesis) was developed using the Discovery Studio program. A user-defined “glucuronidation site” feature was forcefully included in a pharmacophore hypothesis. VolSurf-based 3D-QSAR model was generated using the VolSurf program. This involves calculation of VolSurf descriptors, variable selection with the FFD algorithm, and partial least squares (PLS) analyses. The best pharmacophore model (r2 = 0.736) consists of one glucuronidation site, one hydrogen bond acceptor, and three hydrophobic regions. Using this model, Km values for 14 of 17 test substrates were predicted within one log unit. The yielded VolSurf (PLS) model with two components shows statistical significance in both fitting and internal predicting (r2 = 0.866, q2 = 0.728). Further, the Km values for all test substrates were predicted within one log unit. In addition, the VolSurf model reveals an overlay of chemical features influencing the enzyme-substrate binding. Those include molecular size and shape, integy moments, capacity factors, best volumes of DRY probe, H-bonding, and log P. In conclusion, the pharmacophore and VolSurf approaches are successfully utilized to establish predictive models for UGT2B7. The derived models should be an efficient tool for high throughput prediction of UGT2B7 metabolism.
Open Source Project Collapse - Sources and Patterns of Failure

Why do open source projects fail? Open source projects have gained tremendous momentum, in theory, managerial practice and global economy. However, a large number of projects are now dormant, collapsed, or abandoned. Even celebrated success stories lose developers and fail. Yet, failure is underexplored and our understanding of developer departure is limited. Previous literature has concentrated on prospering projects, attracting contributors, and expanding communities, but it is unclear why even well-integrated members leave and projects fail. This study explores open source project failure by drawing on ten in-depth open source software case studies and netnographic analyses. We identify antecedents of developer departure, discover patterns of project collapse, and reveal where members move. We complement the dominant research logic of how to facilitate membership onboarding with the aspect of understanding deboarding. Our results enhance our understanding of why and how open projects fail and involve implications for open organizations.
Shiga Toxin, Cytolethal Distending Toxin, and Hemolysin Repertoires in Clinical Escherichia coli O91 Isolates

ABSTRACT Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains of serogroup O91 are the most common human pathogenic eae-negative STEC strains. To facilitate diagnosis and subtyping of these pathogens, we genotypically and phenotypically characterized 100 clinical STEC O91 isolates. Motile strains expressed flagellar antigens H8 (1 strain), H10 (2 strains), H14 (52 strains), and H21 (20 strains) or were H nontypeable (Hnt) (10 strains); 15 strains were nonmotile. All nonmotile and Hnt strains possessed the fliC gene encoding the flagellin subunit of the H14 antigen (fliCH14). Most STEC O91 strains possessed enterohemorrhagic E. colihlyA and expressed an enterohemolytic phenotype. Among seven stx alleles identified, stx2dact, encoding mucus- and elastase-activatable Stx2d, was present solely in STEC O91:H21, whereas most strains of the other serotypes possessed stx1. Moreover, only STEC O91:H21 possessed the cdt-V cluster, encoding cytolethal distending toxin V; the toxin was regularly expressed and was lethal to human microvascular endothelial cells. Infection with STEC O91:H21 was associated with hemolytic-uremic syndrome (P = 0.0015), whereas strains of the other serotypes originated mostly in patients with nonbloody diarrhea. We conclude that STEC O91 clinical isolates belong to at least four lineages that differ by H antigens/fliC types, stx genotypes, and non-stx putative virulence factors, with accumulation of virulence determinants in the O91:H21 lineage. Isolation of STEC O91 from patients' stools on enterohemolysin agar and the rapid initial subtyping of these isolates using fliC genotyping facilitate the identification of these emerging pathogens in clinical and epidemiological studies and enable prediction of the risk of a severe clinical outcome.