Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Traumatic brain injury–induced alterations in peripheral immunity

BACKGROUND The complex alterations that occur in peripheral immunity after traumatic brain injury (TBI) have been poorly characterized to date. The purpose of this study was to determine the temporal changes in the peripheral immune response after TBI in a murine model of closed head injury. METHODS C57Bl/6 mice underwent closed head injury via a weight drop technique (n = 5) versus sham injury (n = 3) per time point. Blood, spleen, and thymus were collected, and immune phenotype, cytokine expression, and antibody production were determined via flow cytometry and multiplex immunoassays at 1, 3, 7, 14, 30, and 60 days after injury. RESULTS TBI results in acute and chronic changes in both the innate and adaptive immune response. TBI resulted in a striking loss of thymocytes as early as 3 days after injury (2.1 × 107 TBI vs. 5.6 × 107 sham, p = 0.001). Similarly, blood monocyte counts were markedly diminished as early as 24 hours after TBI (372 per deciliter TBI vs. 1359 per deciliter sham, p = 0.002) and remained suppressed throughout the first month after injury. At 60 days after injury, monocytes were polarized toward an anti-inflammatory (M2) phenotype. TBI also resulted in diminished interleukin 12 expression from Day 14 after injury throughout the remainder of the observation period. CONCLUSION TBI results in temporal changes in both the peripheral and the central immune systems culminating in an overall immune suppressed phenotype and anti-inflammatory milieu.
Comparative study of current mode and voltage mode sense amplifier used for 28nm SRAM

Increased process variation and reduced operating voltage present two of the main challenges in using sense amplifiers for small geometry bulk CMOS process technology. This fact coupled with the need to increase on-chip memory to reduce traffic on the bus and increase performance creates the need for a robust and reliable sense amplifier - a differentiating factor in memory area, power, and speed. We present a detailed study of the Voltage Latched Sense Amplifier (VLSA) and the Current Latched Sense Amplifier (CLSA) design in 28nm industry standard process technology [1][2]. We present results on how the two sense amplifier behave for the two design topology for low power (LP) process technology optimized for mobile low leakage application and the second one is high performance High Performance (HP) applications. Detailed Spice simulation with statistical models and Monte Carlo simulations is utilized to compare the two designs for active power, leakage power, speed, and area. Our study shows that VLSA performs better than CLSA - being 67% faster, 35% smaller area, and similar active power for the LP. The VLSA also performed better than the CLSA is the HP technology as well. The sensitivity to temperature for the LP technology node was more at high voltage but for the HP process the lower voltage perform worse.
Evaluation of domain specific data augmentation techniques for the classification of celiac disease using endoscopic imagery

In this paper we evaluate the effects of various data augmentation techniques on the automated classification of celiac disease using endoscopic imagery in the circumstances of limited training data. The used data augmentation techniques range from standard augmentation techniques like cropping patches and flipping to augmentation techniques using the full spectrum of affine or even projective transformations. We also present a novel technique that adjusts the lighting conditions depending on the scale changes caused by the augmentation. These augmentation techniques aim to generate augmented images that model the mucosa shown in the original image when conditions like the rotation of the endoscope or its viewpoint and distance to the mu-cosal wall changes. Tests are carried out using 5 different image representations including two convolutional neural networks and three shallow image representations. Our experiments showed that CNN's clearly benefit from augmentation techniques using affine and projective transformation, especially when the lighting conditions are adjusted.
Epigenetic competition reveals density-dependent regulation and target site plasticity of phosphorothioate epigenetics in bacteria

Significance The significance of this work lies in the application of innovative analytical, sequencing, and computational tools to discover a novel epigenetic regulatory mechanism. Here, we discovered that phosphorothioate (PT) DNA modifications are maintained at a constant density in a genome in part by DNA shape-driven target site selection. While structurally similar GAAC, GTTC, and GATC motifs are all modified by PT-catalyzing proteins, methylation of G6mATC by Dam methyltransferase blocks PT modification of GATC and shifts PTs to the other two sites in Salmonella enterica, maintaining a constant number of PTs in the genome. Phosphorothioate (PT) DNA modifications—in which a nonbonding phosphate oxygen is replaced with sulfur—represent a widespread, horizontally transferred epigenetic system in prokaryotes and have a highly unusual property of occupying only a small fraction of available consensus sequences in a genome. Using Salmonella enterica as a model, we asked a question of fundamental importance: How do the PT-modifying DndA-E proteins select their GPSAAC/GPSTTC targets? Here, we applied innovative analytical, sequencing, and computational tools to discover a novel behavior for DNA-binding proteins: The Dnd proteins are “parked” at the G6mATC Dam methyltransferase consensus sequence instead of the expected GAAC/GTTC motif, with removal of the 6mA permitting extensive PT modification of GATC sites. This shift in modification sites further revealed a surprising constancy in the density of PT modifications across the genome. Computational analysis showed that GAAC, GTTC, and GATC share common features of DNA shape, which suggests that PT epigenetics are regulated in a density-dependent manner partly by DNA shape-driven target selection in the genome.
Monoclonal antibody G 250 recognizes a determinant present in renal‐cell carcinoma and absent from normal kidney

This report describes a monoclonal antibody designated G 250, subclass IgGI, that recognizes an antigen preferentially expressed on cell membranes of renalcell carcinoma cells (RCC) and not expressed in normal proximal tubular epithelium. G 250 antibody reacted with 46 of 47 primary RCC, with 7 of 8 RCC metastases and with a few other malignant tumors. The staining pattern of G 250 differs from that of other RCC‐related antibodies described. Preliminary experiments show that this antibody can be used to visualize RCC xenografts in nude mice by immunoscintigraphy.
Identificação e caracterização filogenética de uma nova forma recombinante de HIV-1 presente no Sul do Brasil

AIDS, caused by HIV-1, is a disease characterized by the failure of the immune system, and consequent predisposition of the organism to infectious diseases. HIV-1 genome is composed by two linear copies of single stranded RNA, combined with enzymes required for replication. One of these enzymes, reverse transcriptase (RT) is responsible for the synthesis of cDNA from the viral RNA. As RT does not have a repair system, 0.2 mutations per genome are generated by replication cycle. Moreover, RT has the ability to change substrate during transcription, being able to generate a recombinant genome among two or more strains. This feature, along with high replicative rate, contributes for the appearance of a wide variety of circulating recombinant forms (CRFs). In southern Brazil epidemic of HIV/aids has a distinct character of national scenery, with the prevalence of subtype C and B (56% and 22% respectively) that co-circulate on this region approximately for 40 years. To date, only one CRF had been described in southern Brazil (CRF31_BC), reflecting the absence of studies and therefore masking the real scenery of the circulating viral forms at the region of Brazil. On the present study eight sequences, of 1125 pb were characterized, spanning from position 2265 to 3290 of the HIV-1 genome, with an unprecedented recombination between subtypes B and C. First fragment corresponds to subtype C and starts at position 2265 and ends at position 2688. The second fragment corresponds to subtype B and begins at 2689 and 2715 (2702 + -13), ending between 3075 and 3087 (3081 + -6). Third and last fragment corresponds to subtype C, starting at position 3088 and ending at position 3290. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis presented here show that this recombination event occurred in Brazil in 1982 (95% probability: 1979-1987). Although the strong evidences of the occurrence of recombination presented in this study, only slightly more than 10% of the whole genome of HIV-1 was evaluated here. Thus, other genic regions, not evaluated here, can have other recombination points. This makes necessary to perform further studies involving different genetic regions of HIV-1 with this standard recombination, including a characterization of complete genomes, for the determination such a new CRF between subtypes B and C HIV-1. Key word: HIV; subtypes; recombination; phylogenetic analysis.
Right ventricular function and its relationship with grade of hepatosteatosis in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Summary Objective This study was designed to assess right ventricular systolic and diastolic function and its relationship with grade of hepatosteatosis (HS) in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Methods NAFLD was diagnosed in 32 individuals (15 males, 17 females; 59% were grade I HS, 41% grade II–III HS) by means of ultrasonography. Twenty-two individuals, whose ultrasonography data did not show HS, comprised the control group (11 males, 11 females) and were included in the study. Right ventricular systolic and diastolic function and their relationship with grade of HS were assessed by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Additionally, right ventricular global function was assessed by myocardial performance index (MPI). Results When compared by conventional echocardiographic parameters, there were no significant differences between the two groups. With tissue Doppler parameters, the tricuspid annulus peak early diastolic velocity and ratio of early-tolate diastolic velocity were lower in the patients than in the controls (p = 0.03, p = 0.02, respectively). The isovolumetric relaxation time and MPI were significantly higher (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) in the patient group. HS grade was positively correlated with right ventricular isovolumetric relaxation time and MPI index (r = 0.295, p = 0.03, r = 0.641, p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion These results show that right ventricular diastolic dysfunction (RVDD) in patients with NAFLD and degree of HS was associated with RVDD.
Dietary Effects of Natural Polyphenol Antioxidant on Laying Performance and Egg Quality of Laying Hens Fed Diets with Oxidized Oil

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary oxidized oil and natural polyphenol antioxidants on laying performances and egg quality of laying hens. A total of two hundred, 61-week-old Lohmann Brown laying hens were divided into five groups, consisting in four replicates of 10 birds each. They were fed one of the five experimental diets (fresh oil only, oxidized oil without antioxidants, oxidized oil with vitamin E 200 ppm, oxidized oil with vitamin E 100 ppm + Cabanin CSD 100 ppm, oxidized oil with Cabanin CSD 500 ppm)respectively, for 6 weeks. There were no significant differences in laying performances and egg weight among the treatments. However, egg mass in group fed oxidized oil with vitamin E 100 ppm + Cabanin CSD 100 ppmwas significantly higher than group fed oxidized oil only (p<0.05). Eggshell thickness and eggshell strength was not affected by feeding of oxidized oil and antioxidants. Haugh unit checked after storage of 14 d from the end date of the trial showed significant difference (p<0.05). Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD) like activity was significantly higher in antioxidant treated groups. The level of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) was significantly lower in groups fed vitamin E 100 ppm + Cabanin CSD 100 ppm or Cabanin CSD 500 ppm compared to groups fed oxidized oil without antioxidant. The number of total microbes, lactobacilli, and Enterocossus faecium showed significant difference favored to antioxidants groups. This study indicates that addition of oxidized oil to layer diet may have harmful effect on oxidative status and egg quality, but concurrent addition of vitamin E and natural polyphenol can alleviate the toxic effect of oxidized oil.
Wave Power Extraction from a Dual Oscillating-Water- Column System Composed of Heave-Only and Onshore Units

With the aim of broadening the wave-frequency bandwidth of high-efficiency, a small-scaled dual oscillating-water-column (OWC) system consisting of two heave-only and onshore units was numerically investigated by a well-validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. Based on the popular open source package OpenFOAM, the volume of fluid (VOF) method was employed to track the transformation of the air–water interface under the excitation of regular waves. The six degree of freedom (6DOF) solver was applied to duplicate the heaving motion of the floating device. The effects of the two chamber widths b 1 and b 2 , the vertical restraint force (represented by the dimensionless stiffness coefficient K), the back-lip draught d 2 of the floating device, and the gap Δ L between the two OWCs on the hydrodynamic characteristics and the wave energy conversion efficiencies were examined. The numerical results show that a larger width ratio b 2 / b 1 with a relatively shallow back-lip draught is more conducive to the high-performance over a broader frequency range. The floating device with a stronger vertical restraint force is more satisfactory for the high-performance of the system. Moreover, a relatively small gap is more recommended in the stage of design and construction.
Comparison of Fuzzy and Brain Emotional Learning Based Intelligent Control approaches for a Full Bridge DC-DC Converter

In this paper, the Brain Emotional Learning Based Intelligent Controller (BELBIC) and fuzzy controller were used to control output voltage of the full bridge DC-DC converter. The converter is presented by its state space averaged model assuming that it operates in the continuous conduction mode (CCM). A comparison was also made between the results. The effectiveness of control approaches are demonstrated by the uncertainty of system parameters and acceptable load variations. The performance of the BEBLIC and fuzzy controller in controlling the output voltage of the full bridge DC-DC converter was satisfactory. Since these controllers are not designed to reduce error to zero, it is not possible to claim that the error rate is precisely zero. Compared to the fuzzy controller, the BELBIC shows negligible overshoots and fluctuations. Both controllers reach stabilization almost at once. It is, therefore, concluded that the BELBIC acts better than the fuzzy controller. Considering the uncertainty of system parameters (including inductance, capacitance, and input voltage and acceptable variations of load), BELBIC acts better than the fuzzy controller.
Scavenging of Extracellular H2O2 by Catalase Inhibits the Proliferation of HER-2/Neu-transformed Rat-1 Fibroblasts through the Induction of a Stress Response*

High levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with cytotoxicity. Alternatively, nontoxic levels of ROS like hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) can mediate the transmission of many intracellular signals, including those involved in growth and transformation. To identify pathways downstream of endogenous cellular H2O2 production, the response of Rat-1 fibroblasts exhibiting differential HER-2/Neu receptor tyrosine kinase activity to removal of physiological H2O2 concentrations was investigated. The proliferation of all cells was abolished by addition of the H2O2 scavenger catalase to the culture medium. HER-2/Neu activity was not significantly affected by catalase treatment, suggesting that the target(s) of the H2O2 signal lie downstream of the receptor in our model. ERK1/2 phosphorylation was blocked by catalase in fibroblasts expressing wild type Neu, however such a response did not occur in cells possessing activated mutant Neu. This indicates that the ERK1/2 response contributes little to the growth inhibition observed. By contrast, JNK1 activity increased following the addition of catalase or H2O2, regardless of Neu activity or level of cell transformation. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was induced by H2O2 but not by catalase. These observations suggest that scavenging of H2O2 from the cellular environment blocks Rat-1 proliferation primarily through the activation of stress pathways.
The Impact of Inertia on Rotor Fault Effects—Theoretical Aspects of the ViennaMonitoring Method

This paper investigates the impact of inertia on the fault signatures of squirrel cage induction machines. Rotor faults give rise to harmonic sideband currents and double slip frequency shaft torque oscillations, however. The total drive inertia thus influences the speed ripple which, again, influences the balance of the magnitudes of the lower and upper sideband current. Considering certain assumptions, the impact of the speed ripple on the current harmonics with respect to the stator and rotor fixed reference frame is investigated analytically. Additionally, the derived equations are applied to the Vienna Monitoring Method, a model-based rotor fault detection method.
Nurses plastering and splinting in the emergency department: An integrative review

Objective: Increasing numbers of presentations, high acuity of patients and a decreased access to hospital beds contribute to lengthy waiting times in Emergency Departments (EDs). Implementing models of care to improve patient flow through EDs is imperative. This integrative review was undertaken to evaluate existing evidence regarding the impact of nurses' plastering and splinting in EDs. Setting: Data included in the review was drawn from five International databases that include publications exploring acute care interventions using PRISMA guidelines. An unbiased search and then application of exclusion criteria by three independent researchers delineated 11 papers for inclusion. Full text analysis using a predefined framework enabled development of the primary outcomes. Primary argument: The research question guiding this integrative review is: What is the impact on patient and staff satisfaction, cost, ED length of stay, ED re-presentation rates when ED nurses apply plasters and splints to patients who present to ED with a fractured or sprained limb? While no literature focused specifically on outcomes from nurses applying plasters or splints, studies indicated that plastering, as part of a suite of nursing skills, had positive effects on patient outcomes such as reduced waiting times to treatment. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to inform protocols for nurses to perform plastering and splinting. Further research evaluating the impact of nurses using this skill in their practice is required to support evidence based practice.
Fellows’ Forum: Ocular Abnormalities Associated with Advanced Kidney Disease and Hemodialysis

Patients undergoing chronic hemodialysis (HD) are subject to the unique effects of both uremia and the dialysis procedure on multiple organ systems. Many patients on chronic HD suffer from chronic eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, and the interaction of these diseases with the dialysis procedure can lead to worsening of vision. This review focuses on the common eye diseases seen in patients undergoing chronic HD and how the dialysis procedure and the uremic state impact the visual system.
High Proportion of False-Positive Clostridium difficile Enzyme Immunoassays for Toxin A and B in Pediatric Patients

Objectives. To determine the frequency of false-positive Clostridium difficile toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA) results in hospitalized children and to examine potential reasons for this false positivity. Design. Nested case-control. Setting. Two tertiary care pediatric hospitals. Methods. As part of a natural history study, prospectively collected EIA-positive stools were cultured for toxigenic C. difficile, and characteristics of children with false-positive and true-positive EIA results were compared. EIA-positive/culture-negative samples were recultured after dilution and enrichment steps, were evaluated for presence of the tcdB gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and were further cultured for Clostridium sordellii, a cause of false-positive EIA toxin assays. Results. Of 112 EIA-positive stools cultured, 72 grew toxigenic C. difficile and 40 did not, indicating a positive predictive value of 64% in this population. The estimated prevalence of C. difficile infection (CDI) in the study sites among children tested for this pathogen was 5%–7%. Children with false-positive EIA results were significantly younger than those with true-positive tests but did not differ in other characteristics. No false-positive specimens yielded C. difficile when cultured after enrichment or serial dilution, 1 specimen was positive for tcdB by PCR, and none grew C. sordellii. Conclusions. Approximately one-third of EIA tests used to evaluate pediatric inpatients for CDI were falsely positive. This finding was likely due to the low prevalence of CDI in pediatric hospitals, which diminishes the test's positive predictive value. These data raise concerns about the use of EIA assays to diagnosis CDI in children. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2012;33(2):175-179