Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Proteomic analysis of autoantibodies in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus patient with white matter hyperintensities on brain MRI

The pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) may be related to autoantibody-mediated neural dysfunction, vasculopathy and coagulopathy. We encountered an NPSLE patient whose brain showed characteristic diffuse symmetrical hyperintensity lesions in the cerebral white matter, cerebellum and middle cerebellar peduncles on T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. In this study, we investigated all the antigens that reacted strongly with autoantibodies in this patient's serum by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE), followed by western blotting (WB) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using rat brain proteins as the antigen source. As a result, we identified four antigens as beta-actin, alpha-internexin, 60kDa heat-shock protein (Hsp60) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). There are several reports on the detection of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECAs) in an SLE patients. Recently, one of the antigens reacting with AECAs in SLE patient's sera has been identified as human Hsp60. We speculated that the abnormal findings on brain MR images of our patient may be due to impairment of microcirculation associated with vascular endothelial cell injury mediated by the antibody against Hsp60. This proteomic analysis is a useful tool for identifying autoantigens in autoimmune diseases involving autoantibodies.
Comparisons of choroidal thickness of normal eyes obtained by two different spectral-domain OCT instruments and one swept-source OCT instrument.

PURPOSE We compared the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) measured on the images obtained by two spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic (SD-OCT) instruments and one swept-source OCT (SS-OCT) instrument. METHODS A cross-sectional, prospective noninterventional study was done in which SFCT was measured in the images obtained by two SD-OCT instruments; Heidelberg Spectralis-OCT (Spectralis-SD-OCT) and Topcon 3D OCT-1000 Mark II (Topcon-SD-OCT). Images also were obtained with SS-OCT Atlantis DRI OCT-1 (DRI-SS-OCT). After manual segmentation, the measurements were made using the calipers embedded in each instrument. The intrarater, interrater, and intermachine agreements were assessed. RESULTS We studied 35 subjects. The intrarater correlation coefficient (95% confidence interval) was 0.994 (0.988-0.994) for Spectralis-SD-OCT, 0.996 (0.993-0.998) for Topcon-SD-OCT, and 0.997 (0.991-0.998) for DRI-SS-OCT (P < 0.001). The interrater correlation coefficient was 0.995 (0.991-0.998) for Spectralis-SD-OCT, 0.995 (0.990-0.998) for Topcon-SD-OCT, and 0.996 (0.992-0.998) for DRI-SS-OCT (P < 0.001). The average SFCT was 273.2 μm with Spectralis-SD-OCT, 269.1 μm with the Topcon-SD-OCT, and 280.5 μm with DRI-SS-OCT. The intermachine correlation coefficient was 0.982 (0.964-0.991) for Spectralis-SD-OCT versus Topcon-SD-OCT, 0.907 (0.815-0.953) for Topcon-SD-OCT versus DRI-SS-OCT, and 0.911 (0.832-0.954) for DRI-SS-OCT versus Spectralis-SD-OCT (P < 0.001). The SFCT measured with DRI-SS-OCT was significantly thicker than that with Topcon-SD-OCT, with a mean difference of 11.41 ± 30.27 μm (P = 0.032). CONCLUSIONS In normal adult eyes, there was good reproducibility and repeatability of SFCT measurements obtained by the SD-OCT and SS-OCT instruments. However, the choroid measured with DRI-SS-OCT was thicker than that measured with both SD-OCT instruments, and, thus, the choroidal thickness should not be compared between the SD-OCT and SS-OCT instruments. (www.umin.ac.jp/ctr number, UMIN000011259.).
DIFFERENTIAL EFFECTS OF HEMOFILTRATION AND OF COUPLED PLASMA FILTRATION ADSORPTION ON CARDIAC REPOLARIZATION IN PIGS WITH HYPERDYNAMIC SEPTIC SHOCK

The aim was to investigate effects of continuous hemofiltration (CHF) and of coupled plasma filtration adsorption (CPFA) on electrophysiological properties of the septic heart. Sepsis was induced in anesthetized pigs by fecal peritonitis and continued for 22 h either without intervention (control sepsis) or with intervention (CHF or CPFA) applied for the last 10 h of this period. Electrocardiograms were recorded at baseline, before induction of peritonitis, and 22 h later, at the end of in vivo experiment. In vitro, action potentials were recorded in right ventricular trabeculae. RR, QT, and QTc (QT corrected for heart rate) intervals were shortened by sepsis. Action potential durations (APDs) were shortened by CHF, but not by CPFA, compared with control sepsis. Continuous hemofiltration prolonged APD. Coupled plasma filtration adsorption filtrate did not exert any effect on APD. Plasma separated during CPFA prolonged APD. Continuous hemofiltration shortened cardiac repolarization, and this effect was reversed by the hemofiltrate. In contrast, neither CPFA nor the CPFA filtrate influenced APD. The data indicate that some inflammatory mediators able to delay cardiac repolarization were removed from plasma to hemofiltrate by CHF but not by CPFA.ABBREVIATIONS - CHF - continuous hemofiltration; CPFA - coupled plasma filtration adsorption; APD - action potential duration
Transformation of the employment base in Czech rural regions

Abstract The transformation process of post-communist economies in Central Europe has entered its third decade. The region has undergone processes such as restructuralisation, privatisation, globalisation and the beginning of the EU integration process. This paper focuses specifically on the transformation process in Czech rural regions, from the perspective of diversification of their economic base and related employment development. It describes two decades of change – 1991–2001 and 2001–2011. In the first decade the changes enhanced centre-periphery divergence, while in the second decade a new opportunity-driven development evolved. The emerging spatial economies are highlighted by comparing case studies of border and central rural regions. The regionalisation is operationalised at the level of LAU 1 regions. The results have policy implications in relation to diversification/specialisation strategies in rural development policy; there are also suggestions for further research on the quality of observed changes.
Induction of Grp78/BiP by Translational Block

Mammalian cells respond to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress by attenuation of protein translation mediated through the PERK-eIF2α pathway and transcriptional activation of genes such as Grp78/BiP encoding ER chaperone proteins. The disruption of PERK function or the blocking of eIF2α Ser51 phosphorylation fails to attenuate translation after ER stress and also results in substantial impairment of Grp78/BiP induction by ER stress. While the activation of the Grp78 promoter by the ATF6 pathway through the endoplasmic reticulum stress elements (ERSEs) is well documented, the molecular mechanism linking PERK activation to Grp78 stress induction is unknown. We report here that ATF4, a transcription factor whose translation is up-regulated by the PERK-eIF2α pathway, can activate the Grp78 promoter independent of the ERSE. The ATF4-activating site is localized to an ATF/CRE sequence upstream of the ERSEs and is distinct from the C/EBP-ATF composite site previously identified as the ATF4 binding site in the ER stress-inducible chop promoter. In vitro translated ATF4 binding to the ATF/CRE site requires other nuclear co-factors from non-stressed cells, forming a complex that exhibits identical electrophoretic mobility as a thapsigargin-stress induced complex. Here we have identified the closely related ATF1 and CREB1 as nuclear co-factors that form in vivo complexes with endogenous ATF4. ER stress induces CREB1 phosphorylation and ATF1/CREB1 binding to the Grp78 promoter. Through the use of adenoviral vector expression systems, we provide evidence that when ATF4 function is suppressed and its binding partners are not able to compensate for its function, Grp78 induction by Tg and Tu is partially inhibited. Our studies resolve a mechanism responsible for inhibition of Grp78 mRNA induction by ER stress in cells that are functionally null for PERK or devoid of eIF2α phosphorylation.
Sigmoid based PID controller implementation for rotor control

This paper presents a sigmoid based variable coefficient PID (SBVC-PID) controller design for Twin Rotor MIMO System (TRMS). The proposed SBVC-PID controller dynamically changes controller coefficients according to a modified sigmoid function of the error signal. The modified sigmoid function is used to limit variability of PID controller coefficients in a predefined range. In the proposed method, each parameters of PID, namely pk, kt and kd, alter between predefined upper and lower bounds. A modified sigmoid function adjusted by a transition coefficient is used to alter each of the PID parameters between these bound limits. The variable coefficients of SBVC-PID maintain a hypercube in kp, kt and kd parameter space satisfying robust stability of the system. Well-known Kharitonov polynomials are used to ensure that the SBVC-PID coefficient alteration takes place in the robust stability intervals. Due to dynamically change of PID coefficients depending on magnitude of error signal, the control performance can be improved compared to conventional PID control. Performance of SBVC-PID controller is demonstrated via theoretical examples and TRMS rotor control simulations.
Life satisfaction and self-employment in different types of occupations

ABSTRACT In this research, we investigate whether a positive relationship between life satisfaction and self-employment (versus paid employment) exists while simultaneously considering two occupational dimensions: white-collar versus blue-collar work and high-skilled versus low-skilled work. Using Eurobarometer data for a large number of European countries (2008–2012), our findings confirm that self-employed workers are more satisfied with their lives than paid employees are. A life satisfaction premium is also found when the self-employed and paid employees are compared within similar occupations in terms of collar type and skill level. Finally, self-employment can help to overcome low life satisfaction scores associated with blue-collar and low-skilled work.
The Effect of Medical Male Circumcision on Urogenital Mycoplasma genitalium Among Men in Kisumu, Kenya

Background: We determined the prevalence of urethral Mycoplasma genitalium (MG) infection and whether infection was associated with circumcision status among men enrolled in the randomized trial of medical male circumcision to prevent HIV acquisition in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods: MG and Trichomonas vaginalis were detected in first void urine by APTIMA transcription-mediated amplification assay. first void urine and urethral swabs were assessed for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) by polymerase chain reaction assay. Herpes simplex virus type 2 antibodies were detected by IgG ELISA. Multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with MG infection. Results: Specimens were collected between July and September 2010, and 52 (9.9%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.3%–12.4%) MG infections were detected among 526 men. N. gonorrhoeae and T. vaginalis were not associated with MG. CT coinfection was 5.8% in MG-infected men, and 0.8% among MG-uninfected men (P = 0.02). MG infection was predominantly asymptomatic (98%). The prevalence of MG was 13.4% in uncircumcised men versus 8.2% in circumcised men (P = 0.06). Being circumcised nearly halved the odds of MG (adjusted odds ratio [aQR] = 0.54; 95% CI: 0.29–0.99), adjusted for other variables significant at the P < 0.05 level: herpes simplex virus type 2 infection (aOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.05–4.00), CT infection (aOR = 2.69; 95% CI: 1.44–5.02), and washing the penis ⩽1 hour after sex (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI: 0.24–0.95). Conclusions: MG infection was reduced among men who were circumcised, adding to the benefits of male circumcision in preventing several sexually transmitted infections.
The Role of 18F Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Scanning in the Diagnosis and Management of Systemic Vasculitis

Primary systemic vasculitis is a group of heterogeneous disorders, characterized by inflammation of blood vessels causing end organ damage from ischemia, aneurysm formation or dissection. Delay in the early diagnosis owing to non‐specific symptoms, lack of definitive serological tests, limited availability of biopsy and standard imaging tests pose significant challenge in the management of these diseases. 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) scanning is being increasingly used in the management of systemic vasculitis, especially the large vessel vasculitides: giant cell arteritis (GCA) and Takayasu arteritis (TAK). FDG‐PET involves detection of positron rays emitted by FDG, a fluorinated glucose analogue which is avidly taken up by metabolically active inflammatory cells in the walls of involved blood vessels. 18F‐FDG‐PET scan, especially when combined with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can give information about active inflammation as well as structural damage associated with vasculitis. In patients with GCA, FDG‐PET has acceptable sensitivity and specificity for the early diagnosis in non‐cranial GCA, cranial GCA with negative biopsy, assessment of immediate response to treatment, predicting prognosis, but has limited value in serial follow‐up and prediction of relapses. In TAK, FDG‐PET can be useful for early diagnosis and probably for serial assessment of disease activity. FDG‐PET has a limited role in medium and small vessel vasculitis.
Applicability of Photonic Crystal Fiber With Uniform Air-Hole Structure to High-Speed and Wide-Band Transmission Over Conventional Telecommunication Bands

We discuss the applicability of photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a uniform air-hole structure to high-speed and wide-band transmission over conventional telecommunication bands. We design the PCF to maximize the effective area by utilizing the macro-bending losses of the fundamental and first higher order modes (HOM) and clarify that a single-mode and low bending loss PCF can realize the largest effective areas of 133 and 157 mum2 for transmission over the 1260-1625 nm (O ~ L bands) and 1460-1625 nm (S ~ L bands) wavelength ranges, respectively. We then investigate the impact of the designed PCF on nonlinearity reduction over a wide wavelength range and show that the PCF helps to increase the maximum channel power in a wavelength division multiplexing system. We also discuss the distributed Raman amplification (DRA) characteristics of PCF with a large effective area. Our results show that we can expect to improve the signal to noise ratio with DRA in spite of the low nonlinearity of the designed PCF. Dispersion compensating fiber (DCF) with a conventional W-shaped index profile is designed to compensate for the relatively large dispersion of the PCF, and we show that the designed DCF can extend the dispersion compensation bandwidth from 1340 nm to 1650 nm for a 40 Gbit/s transmission. Finally, we clarify the applicability of the large effective area PCF with the uniform air-hole structure as a high-speed and wide-band transmission medium.
Magnetostriction of Ni 2 Mn 1 − x Cr x Ga Heusler Alloys

Among the functionalities of magnetic Heusler alloys, magnetostriction is attracting considerable attention. The alloy Ni2MnGa has a premartensite phase, which is a precursor state to the martensitic transition. Some researchers have observed magnetostriction in this alloy in the premartensite phase. We performed magnetostriction studies on the premartensite phase of related Cr-substituted Ni2Mn1−xCrxGa alloys and measured the thermal strain, permeability, magnetisation, and magnetostriction of polycrystals. Our thermal expansion measurements show an anomaly that indicates the occurrence of lattice deformation below the premartensitic transition temperature TP. Our permeability measurements also showed an anomaly at the premartensitic transition. From our magnetisation results, we obtained the magnetic-anisotropy constant K1. In the martensite phase, we found that the magnetic-anisotropy constant of the x = 0.00 alloy is larger than that of the x = 0.15 alloy. At 0.24 MA/m, we obtained a magnetostriction of −120 ppm for the x = 0.15 alloy. Magnetostriction in the premartensite phase is larger than that in the austenite and martensite phases at low magnetic-field strength, thus indicating that it is related to lattice softening in the premartensite phase. The e/a is proportional to the magnetostriction and TP, which indicates that the electron energy, the magnetostriction, and the Tp are correlative each other.
Understanding how performance measurement is utilized by middle managers

Purpose The aim of this study is to investigate in-depth how the managerial processes involving middle managers are affected by performance measurement information. More specifically the study gives understanding on the impact of performance measures, policies and procedures (formal controls); and individual intuition and experiential knowledge (informal controls) on the work of middle managers. Design/methodology/approach The study is carried out as a semi-structured interview study in Finnish companies representing five industries and 29 interviewees. Empirical data was analyzed deductively according to the research framework combining informal and formal management controls with two managerial processes: strategy implementation and decision-making. Findings – It was found that the work of middle managers is clearly affected by informal controls. Much of the managerial work relies on intuition and individual experience instead of performance information or formal instructions. The study also unveiled that top management sees the status of utilizing performance measurement information in a more positive light than do middle managers. Research limitations/implications – This study examined the work of middle managers widely in different positions and industries which means that the findings are rather explorative. Further, more focused research is required in order to understand better the contextual causes of the findings and to provide more understanding on the appropriate ways of improving the utilization of performance measurement information. Practical implications – The practical contribution of this study is in the detailed description of strategy implementation and decision-making processes based on observations in several large companies representing different industries. Through this description, this study unveils possible improvement areas regarding the utilization performance information in middle management. Originality/value – This study contributes to the earlier literature on performance management by highlighting the usage of performance measurement information as opposed to developing new measures. In addition, the novelty value of the paper relates to the focus in the work of middle managers which has gained less attention in the previous research.
Success of Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation in Isolated Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction: A Comparison to Systolic Dysfunction and Normal Ventricular Function

Background— The efficacy of radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction and isolated diastolic dysfunction is uncertain. Methods and Results— A prospective cohort of patients with normal and abnormal LV function underwent ablation for antiarrhythmic drug (AAD)-refractory AF. Three groups were compared: 111 patients with systolic dysfunction, defined as LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ⩽40%; 157 patients with isolated diastolic dysfunction but preserved LVEF ≥50%; and 100 patients with normal LV function. The primary end point was AAD-free AF elimination at 1 year after ablation. This end point was achieved in 62% of patients with systolic dysfunction, 75% of those with diastolic dysfunction, and 84% of controls (P=0.007). AF control on or off AADs was achieved in 76% of patients with systolic dysfunction, 85% of those with diastolic dysfunction, and 89% of controls (P=0.08). In the systolic dysfunction group, 49% experienced an increase in LVEF by ≥5% after ablation, of which 64% achieved normal LVEF. In the diastolic dysfunction group, 30% of patients demonstrated at least 1 grade improvement in diastolic dysfunction. Multivariable analysis demonstrated an increased relative risk of arrhythmia recurrence of 1.8 (95% CI, 1.1 to 3.1; P=0.02) in systolic dysfunction and 1.7 (1.0 to 2.7; P=0.04) in isolated diastolic dysfunction compared with normal function. Conclusions— Although an ablative approach for AF in patients with systolic or diastolic dysfunction is associated with an increased long-term recurrence risk, there is potential for substantial quality-of-life improvement and LV functional benefit.
Minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty compared with traditional total knee arthroplasty. Assessment of the learning curve and the postoperative recuperative period.

BACKGROUND There is disagreement about whether so-called minimally invasive approaches result in faster recovery following total knee arthroplasty. It is also unknown whether patients are exposed to excess risk during the surgeon's learning curve. We hypothesized that a minimally invasive quadriceps-sparing approach to total knee arthroplasty would allow earlier clinical recovery but would require longer operative times and compromise component alignment during the learning period compared with a traditional medial parapatellar approach. METHODS The first 100 minimally invasive total knee arthroplasties done by a single high-volume arthroplasty surgeon were compared with his previous fifty procedures performed through a medial parapatellar approach, with respect to operative times, implant alignment, and clinical outcomes. Radiographic end points and operative times for the minimally invasive group were evaluated against increasing surgical experience, in order to characterize the learning curve. RESULTS Overall, the minimally invasive approach took significantly longer to perform, on the average, than a medial parapatellar approach (86.3 and 78.9 minutes, respectively; p=0.01); this was the result of especially long operative times in the first twenty-five patients in the minimally invasive group (mean, 102.5 minutes). After the first twenty-five minimally invasive operations, no significant difference in the operative times was detected between the groups. The first twenty-five minimally invasive procedures had significantly less patellar resection accuracy (p<0.001) and significantly more patellar tilt than the last twenty-five (p=0.006). Other end points for implant alignment, including the frequency of radiographic outliers, were not different between the minimally invasive and traditional groups. The patients who had the minimally invasive approach demonstrated significantly better clinical outcomes with respect to the length of hospital stay (p<0.0001), need for inpatient rehabilitation after discharge (p<0.001), narcotic usage at two and six weeks postoperatively (p=0.001 and p=0.01, respectively), and the need for assistive devices to walk at two weeks postoperatively (p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS A quadriceps-sparing minimally invasive approach seems to facilitate recovery, but a substantial learning curve (fifty procedures in the hands of a high-volume arthroplasty surgeon) may be required. If this experience is typical, the learning curve may be unacceptably long for a low-volume arthroplasty surgeon.