Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Genomics and Clinical Medicine: Rationale for Creating and Effectively Evaluating Animal Models

Because resolving human complex diseases is difficult, appropriate biomedical models must be developed and validated. In the past, researchers have studied diseases either by characterizing a human clinical disease and choosing the most appropriate animal model, or by characterizing a naturally occurring or induced mutant animal and identifying which human disease it best resembled. Although there has been a great deal of progress through the use of these methods, such models have intrinsic faults that limit their relevance to clinical medicine. The recent advent of techniques in molecular biology, genomics, transgenesis, and cloning furnishes investigators with the ability to study vertebrates (e.g., pigs, cows, chickens, dogs) with greater precision and utilize them as model organisms. Comparative and functional genomics and proteomics provide effective approaches for Identifying the genetic and environmental factors responsible for complex diseases and in the development of prevention and treatment strategies and therapeutics. By identifying and studying homologous genes across species, researchers are able to accurately translate and apply experimental data from animal experiments to humans. This review supports the hypothesis that associated enabling technologies can be used to create, de novo, appropriate animal models that recapitulate the human clinical manifestation. Comparative and functional genomic and proteomic techniques can then be used to identify gene and protein functions and the Interactions responsible for disease phenotypes, which aids in the development of prevention and treatment strategies.
Robust Feature Selection Model for Outlier Detection Using Fuzzy Clustering and Rule Mining

Managing outliers in a robust SPARK assisted big data environment gains much of the importance with the dimensionality involved in it. On increasing number of elements meant for processing, the similar amount of features associated with those elements gets surged. Former mechanisms utilized in recognizing outliers gets confines to a classification methodology computed on the basis of distance assessed between them. This sort of outlier prediction based on distance assessment mechanism leads to a fallacy. In order to accomplish a proper decision regarding outliers involved, the relationship between each and every data instance should get revealed. Improper feature abstraction leads to misclassification in accordance with overlapping clusters formed. With the aim of overcoming these issues, this paper proposes a robust Feature Selection based Rule Mining (FSRM) methodology for detecting outliers from normal instances of multivariate data considered. The dataset taken in as input is initially preprocessed to alleviate the noisy and unfilled entries indulged in it. Furthermore, the endorsed work deploys Genetic Algorithm (GA) based feature selection mechanism on those preprocessed information. Robust features completely capable of attaining flawless decision regarding outlier emerges. Feature abstraction acquires a proper objective function to attain confined set of features. Clustering those obtained features by exploiting pre-defined fuzzy rules adapts a completely associated clusters suitable for further processing. Finally, support and confidence rule formulates the base for framing association rules as a means of detecting outliers. The robustness regarding detection of outlier get evaluated against prevalent outlier detection mechanisms in terms of Area Under Curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, memory consumption and detection accuracy.
Clinical diagnostic decision-making in real life contexts: A trans-theoretical approach for teaching: AMEE Guide No. 95

Abstract Making an accurate clinical diagnosis is an essential skill for all medical students and doctors, with important implications for patient safety. Current approaches for teaching how to make a clinical diagnosis tend to lack the complexity that faces clinicians in real-life contexts. In this Guide, we propose a new trans-theoretical model for teaching how to make an appropriate clinical diagnosis that can be used by teachers as an additional technique to their current approach. This educational model integrates situativity theory, dual-information processing theory and socio-cognitive theory. Mapping and microanalysis help the teacher to identify the main processes involved in making an accurate clinical diagnosis, so that feedback can be provided that is focused on improving key aspects of the skill. An essential aspect of using the new educational model is the role of the experienced clinical teacher in making judgments about the appropriateness of the learner’s attempts to make a clinical diagnosis.
Influence of postoperative complications on relapse-free survival in gastrointestinal malignancies.

OBJECTIVE A variety of preoperative variables-such as perforation prior to surgery, poor nutritional status, and comorbid conditions such as diabetes-are already known to shorten relapse-free survival in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies. However, the significance of postoperative events in gastrointestinal malignancies is still debated and has not been studied in the population of southern India. METHODS A retrospective study was conducted at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bangalore, India, from September 2004 to 2006. Patients from a single surgical unit who had undergone surgery with curative intent for gastrointestinal malignancies were evaluated (to maintain uniformity, patients who had undergone palliative surgery were not included in the analysis). We assumed anastomotic leak, delayed wound healing, and postoperative weight loss > 10% as risk factors predictive of poor disease-free survival. These factors were evaluated in all patients, and risk for development of relapse was calculated. RESULTS A total of 236 patients were evaluated. Baseline parameters were similar in both groups. Compared with patients who developed no postoperative complications, we found that the risk of relapse is 9.8 times greater in patients having anastomotic leak, 8.2 times greater in those with delayed recovery, and 2.3 times greater in those having excessive weight loss. The risk was uniform in all types of gastrointestinal malignancies. CONCLUSION The results suggest that anastomotic leak, delayed wound healing, and postoperative weight loss in patients with gastrointestinal malignancies confer poor disease-free survival. The presence of these complications warrants closer follow-up and management as appropriate.
Quantifying the regional variations in the mechanical properties of cancellous bone of the tibia using indentation testing and quantitative computed tomographic imaging

Finite element models apply material properties using experimentally derived density–modulus equations and computed tomographic image data, yet numerous different equations exist in the literature. The purpose of this study was to experimentally evaluate the distribution of mechanical properties through the proximal tibia and compare with those predicted using existing density–modulus equations. Indentation testing was performed on five cadaveric tibiae, with four slices removed from the proximal epiphysis and metaphysis of each. Elastic modulus and yield strength were identified for each test and grouped into nine transverse regions. These regions were identified on computed tomographic scans, and four density–modulus equations from the literature applied. Errors between measured and predicted modulus were then calculated. Elastic modulus and yield strength varied regionally, with the bone located closest to the joint and in the condyles being strongest and the intercondylar region the weakest. The optimal relationship for predicting modulus varied depending on anatomical region, but generally was best predicted by the Goulet equation. The regions of high strength identified in this study (condyles and proximal regions) can serve as improved sites of attachment for orthopedic devices and should be preserved during surgery, if possible. The substantial regional variations observed herein (almost a threefold change in modulus across different regions) should be incorporated into finite element models and applied using the Goulet density–modulus equation.
On the Suggested Bone Flute from Slovenia

La lecture critique des travaux recents de Salzman (1999/2000) sur l'egalitarisme politique et economique des pasteurs-nomades, montre que cet auteur a neglige les apports d'autres etudes sur ce theme soulignant la place de divers facteurs : la dot payee par le fiance, la fertilite, les dons des parents, la mortalite des enfants, etc. Ce court article illustre la question de l'egalitarisme a partir de l'analyse de donnees demographiques sur les pasteurs-nomades rendille du Nord-Est du Kenya, pour lesquels les inegalites quant a la fertilite et la morbidite repondent a des modeles culturels specifiques.
Purification of small molecule‐induced cardiomyocytes from human induced pluripotent stem cells using a reporter system

In order to realize the practical use of human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)‐derived cardiomyocytes for the purpose of clinical use or cardiovascular research, the generation of large numbers of highly purified cardiomyocytes should be achieved. Here, we show an efficient method for cardiac differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) in chemically defined conditions and purification of hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes using a reporter system. Regulation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway is implicated in the induction of the cardiac differentiation of hPSCs. We increased cardiac differentiation efficiency of hiPSCs in chemically defined conditions through combined treatment with XAV939, a tankyrase inhibitor and IWP2, a porcupine inhibitor and optimized concentrations. Although cardiac differentiation efficiency was high (>80%), it was difficult to suppress differentiation into non‐cardiac cells, Therefore, we applied a lentiviral reporter system, wherein green fluorescence protein (GFP) and Zeocin‐resistant gene are driven by promoter activation of a gene (TNNT2) encoding cardiac troponin T (cTnT), a cardiac‐specific protein, to exclude non‐cardiomyocytes from differentiated cell populations. We transduced this reporter construct into differentiated cells using a lentiviral vector and then obtained highly purified hiPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes by treatment with the lowest effective dose of Zeocin. We significantly increased transgenic efficiency through manipulation of the cells in which the differentiated cells were simultaneously infected with virus and re‐plated after single‐cell dissociation. Purified cells specifically expressed GFP, cTnT, displayed typical properties of cardiomyocytes. This study provides an efficient strategy for obtaining large quantities of highly purified hPSC‐derived cardiomyocytes for application in regenerative medicine and biomedical research.
On the estimation of an initial phase over extremely short record length of a sinewave signal

A phase estimate reported by E.I. Plotkin et al. (see ibid., vol.IM-34, p.624-9, 1985) is shown to be the maximum-likelihood (ML) phase estimate. The probability density function of the estimate is derived and used to show that the ML phase estimate is biased. The root-mean-square phase estimation error is computed and does not agree with the Monte Carlo results of Plotkin et al. The difference is attributed to an inadequate number of Monte Carlo trials.
Management of the patient with medically refractory epilepsy

Epilepsy imposes a significant clinical, epidemiologic and economic burden on societies throughout the world. Despite the development of more than ten new antiepileptic drugs over the past 15 years, approximately a third of patients with epilepsy remain resistant to pharmacotherapy. Individuals who fail to respond, or respond only partially, continue to have incapacitating seizures. Managing patients with medically refractory epilepsy is challenging and requires a structured multidisciplinary approach in specialized clinics. If the problems related to drug resistance could be resolved, even in part, by improving the pharmacokinetic profile of existing drugs, the economic savings would be remarkable and the time required to design drugs that achieve seizure control would be shorter than the discovery of new targets and molecules was required. A promising approach is the use of corticosteroids that may have a dual beneficial effect. Resective brain surgery remains the ultimate and highly successful approach to multiple drug resistance in epileptic patients.
Probabilities of identity‐by‐descent patterns in sibships when the parents are not genotyped

An assumption‐free algorithm has been applied to compute the probabilities of all possible identity‐by‐descent (IBD) configurations when the parents have not been genotyped. These probabilities can be used to determine the amount of information that a particular sibship will bring to a nonparametric linkage analysis. It is shown that the number of possible configurations can be extremely large even when the markers are closely spaced and are rather polymorphic. Further, it is not always possible to reduce this number to a manageable one simply by consideration of the relative probabilities of the configurations. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Aspirin resistance: position paper of the Working Group on Aspirin Resistance

A. D . MICHELSON,* M. CATTANEO, J . W . E IKELBOOM,§ P . GURBEL ,– K . KOTT KE-MARCHANT ,** T . J . K UNIC K I , F . M. PULC INELL I , C . C ERLETT I §§ and A . K . RAO,–– ON BEHALF OF THE PLATELET PHYS IOLOGY SUBC OMMI TTEE O F T HE SC I ENT IF I C AND STA NDARDI ZAT I ON COMMITT EE OF THE IN TERN AT IONA L SOC IETY ON T HROMBOS IS A ND HA EMOSTA S IS* ** *Chair, Working Group on Aspirin Resistance, International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis; Department of Pediatrics, Center for Platelet Function Studies, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA; Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Dentistry, Unit of Hematology and Thrombosis, University of Milan, Ospedale San Paolo, Milan, Italy; §Department of Haematology, School of Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Western Australia, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia; –Sinai Center for Thrombosis Research, Sinai Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA; **Hemostasis and Thrombosis, Department of Clinical Pathology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Molecular and Experimental Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA; Department of Experimental Medicine and Pathology, University ‘‘La Sapienza’’, Rome, Italy; §§Center for High Technology Research and Education in Biomedical Sciences, Catholic University, Campobasso, Italy; ***Chairperson, ISTH-SSC Platelet Physiology Sub-Committee; and ––Thrombosis Research Center, Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Mindfulness and Modification Therapy for Behavioral Dysregulation: A Comparison Trial Focused on Substance Use and Aggression.

OBJECTIVES Disorders of behavioral dysregulation often involve more than one dsyregulated behavior (e.g., drug abuse and aggression, alcohol abuse and gambling). The high co-occurrence suggests the need of a transdiagnostic treatment that can be customized to target multiple specific behaviors. METHOD The current pilot study compared a 20-week, individual transdiagnostic therapy (mindfulness and modification therapy [MMT]) versus treatment as usual (TAU) in targeting alcohol problems, drug use, physical aggression, and verbal aggression in self-referred women. Assessments were administered at baseline, post-intervention, and 2-month follow-up. RESULTS Wilcoxon signed-ranked tests and multilevel modeling showed that MMT (n = 13) displayed (a) significant and large decreases in alcohol/drug use, physical aggression, and verbal aggression; (b) significantly greater decreases in alcohol/drug use and physical aggression than did TAU (n = 8); and (c) minimal-to-no deterioration of effects at follow-up. Both conditions showed significant decreases in verbal aggression, with no statistically significant difference between conditions. MMT also displayed greater improvements in mindfulness. CONCLUSIONS Preliminary findings support the feasibility and efficacy of MMT in decreasing multiple dysregulated behaviors.
The Quantum Metal Ferroelectric Field-Effect Transistor

It has recently been suggested that ferroelectric (FE) negative capacitance effects can be used to achieve steep subthreshold slope field-effect transistors, which are greatly desired for reducing energy consumption in modern digital electronics. Here, we propose that this concept can be improved by the introduction of a very thin metal or metal-like layer (a quantum metal) between the FE and the semiconductor channel. We show how to design this layer so that it attenuates the polarization charge of the FE, applying an appropriate charge to the semiconductor, while at the same time presenting a relatively constant capacitance to the FE layer, as is needed to stabilize the negative capacitance regime. For homogeneous polarization, we estimate that this device (a QMFeFET) can have extremely steep subthreshold characteristics (2 mV/decade over 11 decades) and that its energy and delay performance are advantageous.
Neural Network Controllers for Switch Mode Systems: Off Line Training by an "Ideal Controller" Data

A novel method is proposed for designing Neural Network Controllers ("C) for switch mode systems. The method applies a new concept "The Ideal Controller" which is run 'off-line' to generate a record of 'perfect' control signals in response to input and output perturbations. The record is then used as an 'off-line' training set for a Neural Network controller. The advantages of the proposed method are three fold: (a) the training set is the best possible, (b) training is done 'offline' by simulation and (c) there is no need to derive or guess the control law. The present study demonstrates by simulation the potential excellent performance of a Neural Network Controllers for DC-DC Switch-Mode converters when trained by the proposed methodology. The proposed methodology can be readily expanded to other Switch-Mode systems such as inverters and power factor conditioners.
Chronic kidney disease in octogenarians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There are limited data on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its clinical importance in the very old. We examined the prevalence of CKD in octogenarians and its association with cardiovascular disease (CVD). DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS In a cross-sectional analysis of 1028 participants from the Cardiovascular Health Study All Stars, we evaluated association of prevalent CKD with CVD using multivariable logistic regression. CKD was defined as eGFR of <60 ml/min per 1.73 m(2). GFR was estimated using CKD-Epi creatinine and cystatin C equations that incorporate coefficients for age, gender, and race (eGFR(EPI), eGFR(CYS3var)) and the one-variable cystatin C equation (eGFR(CYS1var)). Prevalent CVD was defined as a composite of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. RESULTS Mean age was 86 years, 64% were women, 86% were Caucasians, 14% had diabetes, and 39% had prevalent CVD. Mean eGFR(EPI), eGFR(CYS3var), and eGFR(CYS1var) were 59, 62, and 70 ml/min per 1.73 m(2), and 51%, 46%, and 33% had CKD, respectively. Associations of CKD with CVD varied by equation in adjusted analyses: CKD(EPI) (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.03), CKD(CYS3var) (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.25, 2.23), and CKD(CYS1var) (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.55, 2.83). CONCLUSIONS Reduced eGFR is highly prevalent in octogenarians, and the eGFR(CYS1var) equation yielded the lowest prevalence of CKD but the strongest association with prevalent CVD. Because there are no validated estimating equations in the elderly, estimation of kidney function on the basis of on any one equation should be interpreted with caution.
Phylogenetic analysis of H and N2 genes of avian influenza viruses detected in Ireland between 2003 and 2007

SUMMARY Phylogenetic analysis was performed on the haemagglutinin and neuraminidase subtype N2 genes of low-pathogenic avian influenza viruses (LPAIVs) detected in Ireland between 2003 and 2007. Nucleotide sequences were compared to previously published sequences from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information. Sequences from viruses of the same subtype isolated in different years were compared to examine the possibility that LPAIVs may have been maintained in Ireland from year to year. All viruses had closest identity with published sequences of European lineage, supporting the conclusion that LPAIVs had been introduced to Ireland by dabbling ducks that had migrated from Europe. The data suggested that different subtypes of virus had been introduced each year. However, there was evidence that some LPAIVs may have been maintained in the sedentary waterfowl population for consecutive seasons. Furthermore, almost identical H6 and H10 sequences with different N types were found in isolates from the same season, suggesting that reassortment had occurred.
Comparative Hematoxicity of Fusirium Mycotoxin in Experimental Sprague-Dawley Rats

Mycotoxins are fungal toxin and contaminated to human through food-stuffs. Hematological abnormality, mainly thrombocytopenia and leukopenia are induced after consumption of mycotoxin. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the hematotoxicity of trichothecenes mycotoxins in Sprague-Dawley rats. Hematological parameters viz. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocyte count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), lymphocytes, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell distribution width, mean platelet volume, plateletcrit and platelet distribution width were determined at 0, 6, 12 and 24 h after injection of 0.5 ml of T-2, Deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol, zearalenone, neosolaniol, ochratoxin-B mycotoxin equivalent to 1 × 10--3 μg/μl to Sprague-Dawley rats. Experiments showed that trichothecenes toxin produces severe hematological alternation. The reductions of RBC and WBC were observed in all Fusarium mycotoxins treated group. T-2 toxin group shows severe toxicity as compared to other mycotoxin treated group. DON is the least hematotoxicity and T-2 the most.
Automatic bird identification for offshore wind farms: A case study for deep learning

An automatic bird identification system is required for offshore wind farms in Finland. Indubitably, a radar is the obvious choice to detect birds but actual identification requires external information such as digital images. The final bird species identification is based on a fusion of radar data and image data. We applied deep learning method for image classification and we developed a data expansion technique for the training data. We present classification results for the image classifier based on small convolutional neural network.