Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Detection of recurrence patterns following wedge resection for early stage lung cancer: Rationale for radiological follow up

, Abstract Background— Wedge resection in selected patients with early stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is considered to be a valid treatment option. The aim of this study was to evaluate the recurrence patterns after wedge resection, to analyze the survival of patients under routine follow up and to recommend a follow-up regimen. Methods— Retrospective analysis of 446 consecutive patients between May 2000 and December 2012 who underwent a wedge resection for clinical stage I NSCLC. All patients were followed up with a computed tomography (CT) scan with or without contrast. The recurrence was recorded as local (involving the same lobe of wedge resection), local-regional (involving mediastinal or hilar lymph nodes or a different lobe), or distant including distant metastasis and pleural disease. Results— Median follow-up for survivors (n=283) was 44.6 months. 163 patients died: median overall survival of 82.6 months. 36 patients were diagnosed with new primary NSCLC and 152 with recurrence (79 local, 45 regional, and 28 distant). There was no difference in the incidence of recurrence detection detected by CT scans with vs. without contrast (p=0.18). The cumulative incidence of local recurrences at 1, 2 and 3- years was higher than the cumulative incidence for local, regional and distant recurrences: 5.2, 11.1 and 14.9% vs 3.7, 6.6 and 9.5% vs 2.3, 4.7, and 6.4%, respectively. Primary tumor diameter was associated with local recurrence in univariate analysis.
Audio encryption – a chaos-based data byte scrambling technique

This study proposes an efficient audio byte scrambling technique using multiple chaotic maps. The audio encryption scheme uses Henon map and chaotic economic map for creating sequences. The system uses an efficient algorithm which makes the sequences to interdependent with each other. This inter-dependency will add more sensitivity and complexity to the proposed algorithm. A repeated application of confusion and diffusion techniques on plain audio data bytes produces the cipher audio data bytes which can be stored or sent through the public channel. The detailed study of chaotic maps with respect to Lyapunov exponent and bifurcate nature, supports the proposed cryptosystem to behave chaotically, thereby produce highly secured cipher audio. The results of the various analyses including histogram, key space, key sensitivity, statistical, differential attack, entropy, mean-variance data bytes value and randomness analyses ensures the security of the audio encryption scheme against various kinds of attacks.
Therapeutic targeting of NOTCH1 signaling in T-ALL

The recent identification of activating mutations in NOTCH1 in the majority of T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemias (T-ALL) has brought major interest towards targeting the NOTCH signaling pathway in this disease. Small molecule γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) which block a critical proteolytic step required for NOTCH1 activation can effectively block the activity of NOTCH1 mutant alleles. However, the clinical development of GSIs has been hampered by their low cytotoxicity against human T-ALL and the development of significant gastrointestinal toxicity derived from inhibition of NOTCH signaling in the gut. Improved understanding of the oncogenic mechanisms of NOTCH1 and the effects of NOTCH inhibition in leukemic cells and the intestinal epithelium are required for the design of effective anti-NOTCH1 therapies in T-ALL.
Biostability and microbiological quality in a chloraminated distribution system

In this study, two components were evaluated: biostability, measured by assimilable organic carbon (AOC) concentration; and microbiological quality, determined by heterotrophic plate counts and coliform counts. The study centered around a full‐scale chloraminated distribution system. Results from full‐scale monitoring showed that the water in the system was biologically stable and there was no significant microbial activity in the system in spite of a moderate to high AOC concentration of 162 + 24 μg/L as acetate‐carbon. Batch experiment results indicated that the treated water containing monochloramine was biologically stable, and removal of the residual chlorine resulted in rapid consumption of AOC and bacterial regrowth. This study suggested that the treated water's AOC concentration may not be the dominant factor for controlling bacterial regrowth in all distribution systems. Biostability can be achieved in a water supply containing a moderate to high AOC concentration by maintaining a high disinfectant residual throughout the system.
Inferior Vena Cava Filters for Recurrent Thrombosis

Inferior vena cava filters are often used as alternatives to anticoagulant therapy for the prevention of pulmonary embolism. Many of the clinical data that support the use of these devices stem from relatively limited retrospective studies. The dual purpose of this review is to examine the incidence of thrombotic complications associated with inferior vena cava filters and to discuss the role of anticoagulant therapy concurrent with filter placement. Device-associated morbidity and overall efficacy can be considered only in the context of rates of vena cava thrombosis, insertion-site thrombosis, recurrent deep venous thrombosis, and recurrent pulmonary embolism. (Tex Heart Inst J 2007;34:187-94)
Current status of animal models of PTSD: behavioral and biological phenotypes, and future challenges in improving translation

Increasing predictability of animal models of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has required active collaboration between clinical and preclinical scientists. Modeling PTSD is challenging as it is heterogeneous disorder with 20+ symptoms. Clinical research is increasingly utilizing objective biological measures (e.g. imaging, peripheral biomarkers) or non-verbal behaviors/physiological responses to complement verbally reported symptoms. This shift toward more objectively measurable phenotypes enables refinement of current animal models of PTSD, and supports incorporation of homologous measures across species. We reviewed >600 articles to examine the ability of current rodent models to probe biological phenotypes of PTSD (e.g. sleep disturbances, hippocampal and fear-circuit dysfunction, inflammation, glucocorticoid receptor hypersensitivity) in addition to behavioral phenotypes. Most models reliably produced enduring generalized anxiety- and/or depression-like behaviors, as well as hyperactive fear circuits, glucocorticoid receptor hypersensitivity, and response to chronic SSRIs. Although a few paradigms probed fear conditioning/extinction and/or utilized peripheral immune, sleep, and non-invasive imaging measures, which we argue should be incorporated more to enhance translation. There was little data in females, at different ages across the lifespan, or on temporal trajectories of phenotypes post-stress, which would inform model utility and experimental design for treatment studies. Overall, preclinical (and clinical) PTSD researchers are increasingly incorporating homologous biological measures to assess markers of risk, response and treatment outcome. This shift is exciting, as we and many others hope it will support translation of drug efficacy not only from animal models to clinical trials,
Parameter study on the calculated risk of tooth flank fracture of case hardened gears

Abstract Due to better material qualities, new surface finishing methods and better heat-treatment process reliability, flank surface damages, such as pitting or micropitting, can be prevented in a reliable manner. This results in an increase of unexpected flank damages with crack initiation below the surface of the loaded gear flank, for example tooth flank fracture. Tooth flank fracture is characterized by a crack initiation below the active surface due to shear stresses caused by the Hertzian flank contact and crack propagation in direction of both the active flank surface and the core area. Damages caused by tooth flank fracture usually result in a total breakdown of the gear unit. The main mechanisms leading to tooth flank fracture have been investigated in different research projects. By now, an ISO technical specification for calculation of tooth flank fracture load capacity for case hardened spur and helical gears is in preparation. Based on the available draft technical specification, a parameter study on the load capacity calculation of the damage mechanism tooth flank fracture has been performed in order to identify characteristic influence factors. Furthermore, the tooth flank fracture load capacity was compared to the pitting load carrying capacity for different example gearings. Based on the parameter study, the influence of surface hardness, hardness gradient and core hardness on the damage mechanism tooth flank fracture is characterized. With these findings, different heat treatment processes and material characteristics can be quantified regarding their susceptibility for tooth flank fracture damages. Besides the properties of the heat influenced near-surface zone, different residual stress profiles and geometrical parameters (radii of curvature, module .) have been analyzed, too. Based on the performed parameter study, design limits for practical application have been derived and are presented in the present paper. These derived design limits allow a fast estimation of the exposure concerning tooth flank fracture for a given gear unit design.
SURFACE CHEMISTRY INFLUENCE IMPLANT BIOCOMPATIBILITY

Implantable medical devices are increasingly important in the practice of modern medicine. Unfortunately, almost all medical devices suffer to a different extent from adverse reactions, including inflammation, fibrosis, thrombosis and infection. To improve the safety and function of many types of medical implants, a major need exists for development of materials that evoked desired tissue responses. Because implant-associated protein adsorption and conformational changes thereafter have been shown to promote immune reactions, rigorous research efforts have been emphasized on the engineering of surface property (physical and chemical characteristics) to reduce protein adsorption and cell interactions and subsequently improve implant biocompatibility. This brief review is aimed to summarize the past efforts and our recent knowledge about the influence of surface functionality on protein:cell:biomaterial interactions. It is our belief that detailed understandings of bioactivity of surface functionality provide an easy, economic, and specific approach for the future rational design of implantable medical devices with desired tissue reactivity and, hopefully, wound healing capability.
Triple Negative Breast Cancer: Imaging and Clinical Characteristics

Objective— To retrospectively evaluate the imaging findings of triple-negative [TN] breast cancer (estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2] negative). In addition, to compare the mammography findings and clinical characteristics of TN to non-triple-negative [NTN] cancers (ER+, PR+ and/or HER2+). Method and Materials— IRB approval was obtained. TN (n= 207) mammogram and ultrasound findings were reviewed. Mammogram findings and various clinical characteristics were documented for TN and NTN (n=967) cancers. Results— Mammography findings: mass without calcifications (TN= 121/207 (58%) vs. NTN= 435/967 (45%)), mass with calcifications (TN= 60/207 (30%) vs. NTN= 311/967 (32%)) or calcifications alone (TN= 15/207 (7%) vs. NTN= 112/967 (12%)), p=0.0001. TN margins on mammography were most commonly ill-defined (63/133 (47%)) or spiculated (27/133 (20%)) and mass shape was most commonly irregular (65/133 (49%)). TN ultrasound findings: hypoechoic or complex masses with an irregular shape (78/120 (65%)) and ill-defined (57/120 (48%)) or microlobulated (38/120 (32%)) margins. Significant clinical differences: TN cancer was found in younger women (51.2 years (17–95) vs. NTN 55.9 years (24–92), p <0.0001), commonly detected clinically (TN= 68% vs. NTN= 48%, p <0.0001), and a higher pathologic grade (Grade 3: TN =71%, NTN= 20%, p <.0001). Conclusion— Triple negative cancer was most commonly an irregular non-calcified mass with ill-defined or spiculated margins on mammography and a hypoechoic or complex mass with an irregular shape and noncircumscribed margins on ultrasound. The majority of TN cancers were discovered on physical exam, found in younger women and a higher pathologic grade.
A Restriction Fragment of the C2 Gene Is a Unique Marker for C2 Deficiency and the Uncommon C2 Allele C2*B (A Marker for Type 1 Diabetes)

There are three common C2 protein alleles in caucasians, C2*C, C2 * B, and C2*QO, with allele frequencies of 0.96, 0.03, and 0.01, as well as Sst I RFLP variants of 2.75, 2.7,2.65, 2.55, and 2.4 kb, with frequencies of 0.017,0.533,0.358,0.017, and 0.075. Thus, C2 * C is informatively split by the RFLP. Of 94 nonrandomly ascertained caucasian complotypes, 77 contained C2 *C, four contained C2 * QO, and 13 had C2 *B. None of the C2* C-containing complotypes carried the 2.75 kb Sst I fragment and all of the complotypes with C2 *B or C2 * QO carried it. All of the C2 * QO alleles were associated with C4A * 4, C4B* 2 in the complotype S042 as previously re-ported. C2 *B was usually (9/13) in the complotype SB42, oc-casionally (1/13 each) in SB45, SB41, SB(4,3)0, and SB31. Thus, the association of the C2 2.75-kb fragment was with C2*B and C2*QO, not with C4A*4, C4B*2, or even C4A*4 alone. The complotype SC42 was associated with the 2.65-kb Sst I fragment in four of five instances and in a single example with the 2.7-kb fragment. C2 *B and C2 * QO possibly had a common evolutionary ancestor complotype which carried the 2.75-kb Sst I fragment, and BF*S, C4A * 4, and C4B* 2. C2 *B (particularly as the haplotype HLA-Bw62, SB42, DR4) is associated with type 1 diabetes but C2 * QO is protective. (J. Clin. Invest. 1991. 88:2142-2145.) 2.0% agarose gel in 1X TAE (0.04 M Tris acetate/0.002 M EDTA) with continuous buffer circulation, in a minor modification of the method described previously (1 1). DNA cleavage fragments were transferred to Nytran (Schleicher & Schuell, Keene, NH) or Sure-blot membranes (Oncor, Gaithersburg, MD) (22). The 300-bp C2 probe was derived from the genomic clone pG850 and was described previously (10). It was labeled with alpha [32P] dCTP by the random primer method (23). Prehybridization and hybridization were carried out at 45°C, the latter overnight. Mem- branes were washed twice at room temperature with 0. lx standard saline citrate (SSC), 0.1% SDS, and a third time with the same solution at 52°C for 20-60 min. The membranes were then exposed to x-ray film with an intensifying screen at -70°C for 2-5 d for autoradio- graphy.
Pol β catalytic efficiency mirrors the Asn279-dCTP H-bonding strength

Ternary complexes composed of wild type DNA polymerase β and pol β mutants bound to DNA and dCTP substrates were studied by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The occurrences of contact configurations (CC) of structurally important atom pairs were sampled along the MD trajectories, and converted into free-energy differences, Δ G CC . Δ G CC values were correlated with the experimental binding and catalytic free energies for the WT pol β and its Arg183Ala, Tyr271Ala, Asp276Val, Lys280Gly, Arg283Ala, and Glu295Ala mutants. The correlation coefficients show that the strength of the H-bond between dCTP and Asn279 is a strong predictor of the mutation-induced changes in the catalytic efficiency of pol β . This finding is consistent with the view that enzyme preorganization plays a major role in controlling DNA polymerase specific activity.
Continuous Glucose Monitoring in 2014

Measures of insulin sensitivity are based on hyperinsulinemic– euglycemic clamp, intravenous glucose tolerance test, and oral glucose tolerance tests. All require the measurement of both plasma glucose and insulin concentrations and therefore cannot be used outside institutions. This study aimed at de-veloping and validating a method to estimate insulin sensitivity from CGM sensor and insulin pump data. The 24-hour glycemic variability was investigated using CGM in people with type 2 diabetes prior to using any medications.
Localization and function of budding yeast CENP-A depends upon kinetochore protein interactions and is independent of canonical centromere DNA sequence

In many eukaryotes the centromere is epigenetically specified and not strictly defined by sequence. In contrast, budding yeast has a specific 125bp sequence required for kinetochore function. Despite the difference in centromere specification, budding yeast and multicellular eukaryotic centromeres contain a highly conserved histone H3 variant, CENP-A. The localization of budding yeast CENP-A, Cse4, requires the centromere DNA binding components, which are not conserved in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we report that Cse4 localizes and functions at a synthetic kinetochore assembly site that lacks centromere sequence. The outer kinetochore Dam1-DASH and inner kinetochore CBF3 complexes are required for Cse4 localization to that site. Furthermore, the natural kinetochore also requires the outer kinetochore proteins for full Cse4 localization. Our results suggest that Cse4 localization at a functional kinetochore does not require the recognition of a specific DNA sequence by the CBF3 complex; rather, its localization depends on stable interactions among kinetochore proteins.
Non-A b Component of Alzheimer’s Disease Amyloid (NAC) Revisited NAC and a -Synuclein Are Not Associated with A b Amyloid

a -Synuclein ( a SN), also termed the precursor of the non-A b component of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) amyloid (NACP), is a major component of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites pathognomonic of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). A fragment of a SN termed the non-A b component of AD amyloid (NAC) had previously been identified as a constituent of AD amyloid plaques. To clarify the relationship of NAC and a SN with A b plaques, antibodies were raised to three domains of a SN. All antibodies produced punctate labeling of human cortex and strong labeling of Lewy bodies. Using antibodies to a SN(75–91) to label cortical and hippocampal sections of pathologically proven AD cases, we found no evidence for NAC in A b amyloid plaques. Double labeling of tissue sections in mixed DLB/AD cases revealed a SN in dystrophic neuritic processes, some of which were in close association with A b plaques re-stricted to the CA1 hippocampal region. In brain homogenates a SN was predominantly recovered in the cytosolic fraction as a 16-kd protein on Western analysis; however, significant amounts
Episode-Speciﬁ c Drinking-to-Cope Motivation, Daily Mood, and Fatigue-Related Symptoms Among College Students

Objective: The goal of the present study was to examine whether within-person, episode-speciﬁ c changes in drinking-to-cope (DTC) motivation from the previous evening were associated with concurrent daily mood and fatigue-related symptoms among college student drinkers ( N = 1,421; 54% female). Method: We conducted an Internet-based daily diary study in which students reported over 30 days on their previous night’s drinking level and motivation and their current mood (i.e., sadness, anxiety, anger/hostility, and positive mood) and fatigue-related symptoms. Hypotheses were tested using hierarchical linear models in which the current day’s outcome was predicted by last night’s levels of DTC motivation and drinking, controlling for drink- ing to enhance motivation, sex, current day’s physical symptoms and drinking, and yesterday’s level of the outcome. Subsequent models also predicted outcomes 2 days following the drinking event. Results: Rela- tive increases in previous night’s DTC motivation were associated with higher levels of current day negative mood and fatigue-related symptoms and lower levels of positive mood. Also, the association between episode-speciﬁ c DTC motivation and negative mood was stronger in the positive direction when individuals reported higher levels of nonsocial drinking from the previous night. Last, episode-speciﬁ c DTC showed similar associations with sadness and anger/hostility 2 days after the drinking event. Conclusions: The results are generally consistent with the posited attention allocation and ego-depletion mechanisms. Findings suggest that the deleterious effects of repeated episodes of DTC, over time, could help
Microchimerism in the rheumatoid nodules of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Objective— The rheumatoid nodule (RN) is a lesion commonly found on extra-articular areas prone to mechanical trauma. When present with inflammatory symmetrical polyarthritis, it is pathognomonic of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an autoimmune disease in which naturally acquired microchimerism (Mc) has previously been described and could sometimes contribute to RA risk. Since RA patients harbor Mc in blood, we hypothesized that Mc is also present in RNs, and could play a role in RN formation. Thus, the current study investigated RNs for Mc. Methods— RNs were tested for Mc by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). For 29 female patients, their RNs were tested for a Y-chromosome specific sequence. Further, after human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotyping patients and family members, RNs from one male and 14 females were tested by HLA-specific qPCR targeting a non-shared HLA allele of the potential Mc source. Results were expressed as genome equivalents of microchimeric cells per 10 5 patient genome equivalents (gEq/10 5 ). Results— RNs from 21% of female patients contained male DNA (range: <0.5–10.3 gEq/10 5 ). By HLA-specific qPCR, 60% of patients were microchimeric (range: 0–18.5 gEq/10
Racial/Ethnic Variations in Emergency Department Wait Times for Nontraumatic Dental Condition Visits in the United States

Background— Studies have documented an association between wait times in emergency departments (EDs) and quality of care for medical conditions, but little is known about trends and factors associated with wait times for nontraumatic dental condition (NTDC) visits in EDs. We examined trends in wait time and associated factors for NTDC visits in EDs in the United States. Methods— We analyzed data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care survey for 1997 to 2007, with 2001-2002 excluded due to lack of wait time information. We used survey-weighted linear regression of log-transformed waiting time model for the wait time for NTDC visits. Results— The geometric mean wait time for NTDC and non-NTDC visits was 29±1 and 25±0.6 minutes, respectively (p<0.0001). The geometric mean wait time for NTDC visits increased by 6% annually and from 20 minutes in 1997 to 37 minutes in 2007. Compared to Whites, Hispanics and Blacks had significantly longer wait times for NTDC visits (adjusted fold-difference [R] =1.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-1.31) and [R] = 1.3, [CI] = 1.29-1.38). Age, payer type, reason for visit and triaged category were significant predictors of wait time (R=2.3 and 2.4 for NTDC visits in triage category of 1-2 hours and >2-24hours respectively). Conclusion— Nationally, wait times in EDs for NTDC visits increased over time. Hispanics 33years old) and Blacks waited longer to receive care for NTDCs in EDs than Whites. Practice Implication— Prolonged wait times for NTDC visits in emergency departments could adversely impact quality of care and patient outcomes.