Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Older Self-Neglecters: Interpersonal Problems and the Maintenance of Self-Continuity

ABSTRACT This qualitative study using the grounded theory method explores the nature of self-neglect among older persons who have been involved with Adult Protective Services. Two basic social psychological processes were identified which explain much of the self-neglecting behavior exhibited by older persons. These include preserving and protecting self and maintaining customary control. These two processes comprise the overarching process of Maintaining Continuity. Interpersonal problems of these older self-neglecters are a main source of threat to identity and sense of personal control. It is the quest for continuity that accounts for many of the interactional activities between these persons and others including their caseworkers, family members, neighbors, and others. Viewed in this way, continuity goes beyond being just an adaptive strategy. It is a motivating force and also a continuous life goal.
Paraplegics standing up using multichannel FES and arm support

The suitability of multichannel functional electrical stimulation (FES) during the standing-up manoeuvre for therapeutic home use was investigated. Two spinal cord-injured subjects (SCI) participated in the study. Ankle plantar flexors, knee extensors and hip extensors were stimulated. The amplitude of the stimulation pulses depended on the current phase of raising. The sit-to-stand process was divided into three phases by detecting characteristic events in the vertical handle reaction force. It was found that the multichannel FES did not contribute to the decrease of the arm support force when compared with stimulation of knee extensors only. However, stimulation of the hip extensors could speed up the raising process. Increased repeatability and faster standing up were observed when the stimulation began before the start of raising.
Gender Differences in Appropriate Shocks and Mortality among Patients with Primary Prophylactic Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillators: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Some but not all prior studies have shown that women receiving a primary prophylactic implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) have a lower risk of death and appropriate shocks than men. Purpose To evaluate the effect of gender on the risk of appropriate shock, all-cause mortality and inappropriate shock in contemporary studies of patients receiving a primary prophylactic ICD. Data Source PubMed, LIVIVO, Cochrane CENTRAL between 2010 and 2016. Study Selection Studies providing at least 1 gender-specific risk estimate for the outcomes of interest. Data Extraction Abstracts were screened independently for potentially eligible studies for inclusion. Thereby each abstract was reviewed by at least two authors. Data Synthesis Out of 680 abstracts retained by our search strategy, 20 studies including 46’657 patients had gender-specific information on at least one of the relevant endpoints. Mean age across the individual studies varied between 58 and 69 years. The proportion of women enrolled ranged from 10% to 30%. Across 6 available studies, women had a significantly lower risk of first appropriate shock compared with men (pooled multivariable adjusted hazard ratio 0.62 (95% CI [0.44; 0.88]). Across 14 studies reporting multivariable adjusted gender-specific hazard ratio estimates for all-cause mortality, women had a lower risk of death than men (pooled hazard ratio 0.75 (95% CI [0.66; 0.86]). There was no statistically significant difference for the incidence of first inappropriate shocks (3 studies, pooled hazard ratio 0.99 (95% CI [0.56; 1.73]). Limitations Individual patient data were not available for most studies. Conclusion In this large contemporary meta-analysis, women had a significantly lower risk of appropriate shocks and death than men, but a similar risk of inappropriate shocks. These data may help to select patients who benefit from primary prophylactic ICD implantation.
A Unifying View of Wiener and Volterra Theory and Polynomial Kernel Regression

Volterra and Wiener series are perhaps the best-understood nonlinear system representations in signal processing. Although both approaches have enjoyed a certain popularity in the past, their application has been limited to rather low-dimensional and weakly nonlinear systems due to the exponential growth of the number of terms that have to be estimated. We show that Volterra and Wiener series can be represented implicitly as elements of a reproducing kernel Hilbert space by using polynomial kernels. The estimation complexity of the implicit representation is linear in the input dimensionality and independent of the degree of nonlinearity. Experiments show performance advantages in terms of convergence, interpretability, and system sizes that can be handled.
Pitfalls in the use of whole slide imaging for the diagnosis of central nervous system tumors: A pilot study in surgical neuropathology

Background: Whole slide imaging (WSI) finds increasingly higher value in everyday surgical pathology in addition to its well-established use for educational and research purposes. However, its diagnostic utility, especially in subspecialty settings such as neuropathology, is not fully validated. Neuropathology practice is unique with smaller overall tissue size and frequent need for high-power evaluation. In addition, tumor grade is an integral part of the initial diagnosis. The purpose of this study is to assess the feasibility of primary pathology diagnosis of surgical neuropathology specimens using WSI. Materials and Methods: We reviewed consecutive surgical neuropathology cases diagnosed in our institution during a 2-month period and identified a single diagnostic slide, which was scanned at 40× magnification. Two neuropathologists who were blinded to the original diagnoses reviewed the whole slide image and rendered a diagnosis including tumor grade when applicable. They reviewed the single diagnostic slide after a wash-out period. Intra- and inter-observer discrepancies, as well as reasons for discrepancies, were evaluated. Results: The concordance rates were 94.9% and 88% for two neuropathologists. Two critical issues leading to discrepancies were identified: (1) identification of mitoses and (2) recognition of nuclear details. Conclusions: Given the current study is exclusively for surgical neuropathology cases, an all-encompassing conclusion about the utility of WSI for diagnostic purposes may not be available. Nevertheless, pathologists should be aware of the potential pitfalls due to identification of mitotic figures and nuclear details. We recommend independent validation for each subspecialty of pathology to identify subspecialty-specific concerns, so they can be properly addressed.
A RESTFUL BASED ARCHITECTURE FOR RECONFIGURABLE EXPERIMENTAL WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK TESTBED

Typically, experimental WSN deployments can be found in research institutions and consist of few tens to few hundreds of low cost, low-power devices with limited processing and communication capabilities. These are typically centrally controlled and have a two or three-tier architecture. A relatively small number of these deployments are based on constrained devices and use a wireless management network, mostly because of the unreliable communication it enables. However, in some cases, such management networks are the only option due to the target location of such testbeds: outdoors, on light posts, buildings, etc. In this thesis we propose a single-tier architecture for RESTful-based fully reconfigurable wireless sensor network testbed, which (i) can be used for experimentally driven research and development; (ii) should be deployable on an ad-hoc basis in any target environment; (iii) should be remotely configurable and controllable using simple RESTful APIs; (iv) has to be able to reconfigure and support easy experimentation and testing of standard protocol stacks (i.e. uIPv4 and uIPv6) as well as non-standardized clean-slate protocol stacks. In order to achieve this, we identified a list of challenges and requirements for designing a wireless sensor network testbed with optimal configuration to enable experimenting with new applications in, for instance, smart cities, industrial and building automation environments, environmental monitoring, etc. As a practical part of the thesis we implemented and evaluated the performance of the proposed architecture on a sensor network consisting of VESNA platform nodes. The reference implementation of the architecture uses a dual-stack Contiki OS with the ProtoStack tool for dynamic composition of services. The parameters of the protocol stacks, standardized or non-standardized, can be remotely reconfigured through easy to use CoAP handlers. Additionally, we are able to fully reconfigure clean-slate protocol stacks at run-time. The architecture enables easy set-up of the network by using a protocol that automatically sets up a multi-hop network (i.e. RPL protocol) and it enables reconfiguration and experimentation by using a simple, RESTful interaction with each node individually. For the validation of the reference implementation, we performed a set of uplink/downlink experiments on the management network and also executed localization experiment for the validation of the experimental network. The obtained experimental results of transmission and relocation times are in line with the expected values, proving that the proposed architecture provides a significantly faster way of deployment and configuration of WSN experimental testbeds compared to traditional deployment of sensor networks relying also on wired infrastructure.
Human MLH1 suppresses the insertion of telomeric sequences at intra-chromosomal sites in telomerase-expressing cells

Abstract Aberrant formation of interstitial telomeric sequences (ITSs) promotes genome instabilities. However, it is unclear how aberrant ITS formation is suppressed in human cells. Here, we report that MLH1, a key protein involved in mismatch repair (MMR), suppresses telomeric sequence insertion (TSI) at intra-chromosomal regions. The frequency of TSI can be elevated by double-strand break (DSB) inducer and abolished by ATM/ATR inhibition. Suppression of TSI requires MLH1 recruitment to DSBs, indicating that MLH1's role in DSB response/repair is important for suppressing TSI. Moreover, TSI requires telomerase activity but is independent of the functional status of p53 and Rb. Lastly, we show that TSI is associated with chromosome instabilities including chromosome loss, micronuclei formation and chromosome breakage that are further elevated by replication stress. Our studies uncover a novel link between MLH1, telomerase, telomere and genome stability.
Analysis of MRI Data Monitoring the Treatment of Polycystic Kidney Disease in a Preclinical Mouse Model

Introduction: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is characterized by the growth of cysts in the kidneys that increase their volume, disrupt their normal function, and lead to kidney failure in humans [1,2]. A clinically approved treatment for this condition is not yet available. An essential step for the development of medical treatments is preclinical treatment studies with an in-vivo mouse model of the condition [2]. In this study treated as well as untreated mice have been monitored longitudinally with a high field MRI animal scanner. The manual analysis of such data is labor intensive, subjective, and not exactly reproducible. This work presents a reliable method for the unsupervised segmentation of mouse kidneys. The foreground and the kidney region of interest in an image is first identified and restored for imaging artifacts. That region is analyzed for its statistics and used to estimate geometric models for the kidneys. They provide seeds and serve as priors for the graph cut segmentation algorithm that delineates the kidney contours. The performance of the algorithm has been validated extensively.
Influence of Bicarbonate/Low-GDP Peritoneal Dialysis Fluid (Bicavera) on In Vitro and Ex Vivo Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition of Mesothelial Cells

♦ Background: Peritoneal membrane damage induced by peritoneal dialysis (PD) is largely associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of mesothelial cells (MCs), which is believed to be a result mainly of the glucose degradation products (GDPs) present in PD solutions. ♦ Objectives: This study investigated the impact of bicarbonate-buffered, low-GDP PD solution (BicaVera: Fresenius Medical Care, Bad Homburg, Germany) on EMT of MCs in vitro and ex vivo. ♦ Methods: In vitro studies: Omentum-derived MCs were incubated with lactate-buffered standard PD fluid or BicaVera fluid diluted 1:1 with culture medium. Ex vivo studies: From 31 patients randomly distributed to either standard or BicaVera solution and followed for 24 months, effluents were collected every 6 months for determination of EMT markers in effluent MCs. ♦ Results: Culturing of MCs with standard fluid in vitro resulted in morphology change to a non-epithelioid shape, with downregulation of E-cadherin (indicative of EMT) and strong induction of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. By contrast, in vitro exposure of MCs to bicarbonate/low-GDP solution had less impact on both EMT parameters. Ex vivo studies partially confirmed the foregoing results. The BicaVera group, with a higher prevalence of the non-epithelioid MC phenotype at baseline (for unknown reasons), showed a clear and significant trend to gain and maintain an epithelioid phenotype at medium- and longer-term and to show fewer fibrogenic characteristics. By contrast, the standard solution group demonstrated a progressive and significantly higher presence of the non-epithelioid phenotype. Compared with effluent MCs having an epithelioid phenotype, MCs with non-epithelioid morphology showed significantly lower levels of E-cadherin and greater levels of fibronectin and VEGF. In comparing the BicaVera and standard solution groups, MCs from the standard solution group showed significantly higher secretion of interleukin 8 and lower secretion of collagen I, but no differences in the levels of other EMT-associated molecules, including fibronectin, VEGF, E-cadherin, and transforming growth factor β1. Peritonitis incidence was similar in both groups. Functionally, the use of BicaVera fluid was associated with higher transport of small molecules and lower ultrafiltration capacity. ♦ Conclusions: Effluent MCs grown ex vivo from patients treated with bicarbonate/low-GDP BicaVera fluid showed a trend to acquire an epithelial phenotype, with lower production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines (such as interleukin 8) than was seen with MCs from patients treated with a lactate-buffered standard PD solution.
A functional morphometric study of the cremaster muscle microcirculation in young spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Increased vascular resistance in spontaneous hypertension has been attributed to a reduced arteriolar lumen and a decrease in the number of arterioles and capillaries. In the present study, microvascular mechanisms for increased resistance were investigated in the cremaster muscle of 5-6-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) using intravital microscopy. Vessels were classified on the basis of their location in the network relative to their branching order and function (A1-A4). In each preparation, one vessel of each category was observed for its side-branches, using bright-field microscopy. By comparing the number of side-branches seen under control conditions and after maximal vasodilatation (10(-3) mol/l adenosine, topically) we assessed their functional reserve. Capillary density was investigated using incident fluorescence microscopy. Both under control conditions and after vasodilatation, mean arterial pressure and heart rate were increased in SHR (mean arterial pressure: SHR 103 +/- 4 mmHg, WKY 89 +/- 3 mmHg, P less than 0.05; heart rate: SHR 380 +/- 16 beats/min, WKY 343 +/- 12 beats/min, P less than 0.05). Arterioles (A1-A4) of SHR and WKY were equal in diameter (SHR: 75.8 +/- 3.2, 48.7 +/- 1.1, 21.4 +/- 0.9, 10.0 +/- 0.04 microns; WKY: 71.6 +/- 2.4, 48.9 +/- 1.1, 18.5 +/- 0.9, 9.8 +/- 0.3 microns; A1-A4, respectively). After adenosine, the relative increase in diameter was similar in both groups. The number of side-branches under control conditions was similar in A1 and A2 vessels. SHR had fewer A3 vessels per A2 and fewer A4 vessels per A3 (per unit length), indicating a diminished arteriolar reserve. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Conceptual Universal Database Language (CUDL) and Enterprise Medical Information Systems

Today, there is an increased trend for Electronic Patient Records (EPR) incorporating and correlating heterogeneous information imported from various sources and from different medical applications. New possibilities are also given by the rapid technological progress and the development of independent software applications and tools that handle multimedia medical data. Moreover, users (e.g. doctors, nurses) often prefer to use general purpose software (e.g. word processors) and specific applications and tools for organizing and accessing medical data and they only partially use Hospital Information Systems (HIS). Therefore, it is necessary for the HIS to provide the capability for encapsulating in their EPR externally created information. Dynamic evolution of the HIS must also be supported by flexible Database schemata. In this paper, we conclude that modern HIS should be designed and implemented using database management systems offering new enhanced database models and manipulation languages. Eventually, we describe and discuss how to use the Frame Database Model (FDB) and the new Conceptual Universal Database Language (CUDL) for supporting dynamic schema evolution and covering the needs of the users.
Potent human uric acid transporter 1 inhibitors: in vitro and in vivo metabolism and pharmacokinetic studies

Human uric acid transporter 1 (hURAT1; SLC22A12) is a very important urate anion exchanger. Elevated urate levels are known to play a pivotal role in cardiovascular diseases, chronic renal disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Therefore, the development of potent uric acid transport inhibitors may lead to novel therapeutic agents to combat these human diseases. The current study investigates small molecular weight compounds and their ability to inhibit 14C-urate uptake in oocytes expressing hURAT1. Using the most promising drug candidates generated from our structure–activity relationship findings, we subsequently conducted in vitro hepatic metabolism and pharmacokinetic (PK) studies in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Compounds were incubated with rat liver microsomes containing cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate and uridine 5′-diphosphoglucuronic acid. In vitro metabolism and PK samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry-mass spectrometry methods. Independently, six different inhibitors were orally (capsule dosing) or intravenously (orbital sinus) administered to fasting male Sprague-Dawley rats. Blood samples were collected and analyzed; these data were used to compare in vitro and in vivo metabolism and to compute noncompartmental model PK values. Mono-oxidation (Phase I) and glucuronidation (Phase II) pathways were observed in vitro and in vivo. The in vitro data were used to compute hepatic intrinsic clearance, and the in vivo data were used to compute peak blood concentration, time after administration to achieve peak blood concentration, area under the curve, and orally absorbed fraction. The experimental data provide additional insight into the hURAT1 inhibitor structure–activity relationship and in vitro–in vivo correlation. Furthermore, the results illustrate that one may successfully prepare potent inhibitors that exhibit moderate to good oral bioavailability.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) in Primary Care: Evidence-based Practice

This paper presents data evidence supporting the value of diagnosing and treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in reducing morbidity and mortality, improving comorbid disease processes, and improving patient quality of life. These data are derived from a PubMed-based meta-analysis of recent cost effectiveness, standards of practice, and epidemiological studies of OSA, which are ranked using a hierarchical strength of recommendation taxonomy. Cost and health care utilization data have been calculated for OSA and hypersomnolence as well as for diagnostic testing. Strong evidence (which is indicated by a strength of recommendation rating of “A”) exists for the association of adult OSA with obesity, daytime sleepiness, hypertension, and motor vehicular accidents. Strong evidence also exists for requiring full-night or split-night attended polysomnography (PSG) for the diagnosis and treatment of adult OSA and for patients with systolic or diastolic heart failure not responding to optimal medical management. Good evidence (B) exists for the association of adult OSA with congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, cerebral vascular accidents, metabolic syndrome, and increased mortality. Good evidence also exists to indicate that the nonattended PSG can be used to diagnose sleep breathing disorders, that autotitration systems can be used to titrate continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, and that the multiple sleep latency test can be used in the assessment of daytime sleepiness.
Reliable and Rapid Robotic Assessment of Wrist Proprioception Using a Gauge Position Matching Paradigm

Quantitative assessments of position sense are essential for the investigation of proprioception, as well as for diagnosis, prognosis and treatment planning for patients with somatosensory deficits. Despite the development and use of various paradigms and robotic tools, their clinimetric properties are often poorly evaluated and reported. A proper evaluation of the latter is essential to compare results between different studies and to identify the influence of possible confounds on outcome measures. The aim of the present study was to perform a comprehensive evaluation of a rapid robotic assessment of wrist proprioception using a passive gauge position matching task. Thirty-two healthy subjects undertook six test-retests of proprioception of the right wrist on two different days. The constant error (CE) was 0.87°, the absolute error (AE) was 5.87°, the variable error (VE) was 4.59° and the total variability (E) was 6.83° in average for the angles presented in the range from 10° to 30°. The intraclass correlation analysis provided an excellent reliability for CE (0.75), good reliability for AE (0.68) and E (0.68), and fair reliability for VE (0.54). Tripling the assessment length had negligible effects on the reliabilities. Additional analysis revealed significant trends of larger overestimation (constant errors), as well as larger absolute and variable errors with increased flexion angles. No proprioceptive learning occurred, despite increased familiarity with the task, which was reflected in significantly decreased assessment duration by 30%. In conclusion, the proposed automated assessment can provide sensitive and reliable information on proprioceptive function of the wrist with an administration time of around 2.5 min, demonstrating the potential for its application in research or clinical settings. Moreover, this study highlights the importance of reporting the complete set of errors (CE, AE, VE, and E) in a matching experiment for the identification of trends and subsequent interpretation of results.