Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
IBMTR Severity INDEX FOR GRADING ACUTE GRAFT‐VERSUS‐HOST DISEASE: RETROSPECTIVE COMPARISON WITH GLUCKSBERG GRADE

Acute graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) severity is graded by pattern of organ involvement and clinical performance status using a system introduced by Glucksberg and colleagues 21 years ago. We examined how well Glucksberg grade predicted transplant outcome and constructed a Severity Index not requiring subjective assessment of performance in 2881 adults receiving an HLA‐identical sibling T‐cell‐depleted (n = 752) or non‐T‐cell‐depleted (n = 2129) bone marrow transplant for leukaemia between 1986 and 1992. Relative risks (RR) of relapse, treatment‐related mortality (TRM) and treatment failure (TF) (relapse or death) were calculated for patients with Glucksberg Grade I, II or III/IV acute GVHD versus those without acute GVHD and for patients with distinct patterns of organ involvement regardless of Glucksberg grade. Using data for non‐T‐cell‐depleted transplants, a Severity Index was developed grouping patients with patterns of organ involvement associated with similar risks of TRM and TF. Higher Glucksberg grade predicted poorer outcome; however, patients with the same grade but different patterns of skin, liver or gut involvement often had significantly different outcomes. The revised Severity Index groups patients in four categories, A–D. Compared to patients without acute GVHD, RRs (95% confidence interval) of TF were 0.85 (0.69, 1.05) for patients with Index A, 1.21 (1.02, 1.43) with B, 2.19 (1.78, 2.71) with C, and 5.69 (4.57, 7.08) with D. Prognostic utility of the Index was tested in patients receiving T‐cell‐depleted transplants; similar RRs of TF were observed. An acute GVHD Severity Index is proposed to enhance design and interpretation of clinical trials in the current era of allogeneic blood and bone marrow transplantation.
Non-Periodic Translation Symmetry Detection Using Global Self Similarity

This paper addresses a specific example of nonperiodic translation symmetry and presents an algorithm to automatically detect multiple poles, or their shadows, in aerial imagery by looking for consistent and overlapping regions of self-similarity across a non-urban scene. The algorithm does not rely on having a pole template or knowing its exact size. For each image patch, similar regions (or blobs) are found across the whole image using normalised cross-correlation. The blobs are filtered based on the known orientation of the pole and its approximate size. The algorithm then clusters together all image patches that have a large number of mutually overlapping blobs, indicating a common degree of self-similarity between them. For non-urban scenes, these are likely to identify similar shaped poles. Results on actual aerial imagery demonstrate the algorithm's potential to detect most poles with few false alarms, and shows superior performance to a template-matching approach.
Who Recognizes and Chooses Behaviors That Are Best for a Relationship? The Separate Roles of Knowledge, Attachment, and Motivation

Participants made relationship decisions in several Choose Your Own Adventure—type dating story tasks by choosing between two options at each of 20 points throughout the computerized stories. One option was always the relationship-enhancing option; the other option was detrimental to the relationship. Study 1 included two experimental conditions: Participants were either asked to identify the relationship-enhancing option or to report which option they would actually choose. Individuals high in relationship knowledge were more likely to identify relationship-enhancing behaviors but not more likely to actually choose them. Secure individuals and individuals strongly motivated to have supportive relationships were more likely to identify and to choose relationship-enhancing options. In Study 2 partner supportiveness was manipulated; the fictitious partner was either supportive or nonsupportive. Individuals high in relationship knowledge were better at recognizing when a partner was supportive and when not, whereas attachment anxiety lessened the appreciation of having a supportive partner.
Evaluation of P 450 Inhibition and Induction by Artemisinin Antimalarials in Human Liver Microsomes and Primary Human Hepatocytes

Artemisinin drugs have become the first-line antimalarials in areas of multidrug resistance. However, monotherapy with artemisinin drugs results in comparatively high recrudescence rates. Autoinduction of cytochrome P450 (P450)-mediated metabolism, resulting in reduced exposure, has been supposed to be the underlying mechanism. To better understand the autoinduction and metabolic drug-drug interactions (DDIs), we evaluated the P450s (particularly CYP2B6 and CYP3A4) inhibited or induced by two artemisinin drugs, Qing-hao-su (QHS) and dihydroartemisinin (DHA) using human liver microsome, recombinant P450 enzymes, and primary human hepatocytes. The results suggested that QHS was a weak reversible inhibitor of CYP2B6 (Ki 4.6 M), but not CYP3A4 (IC50 50 M) and did not show measurable time-dependent inhibition of either CYP2B6 or CYP3A4. DHA inhibited neither CYP2B6 nor CYP3A4 (IC50 > 125 M). In addition, it was found that QHS induced the activity of CYP3A4 (Emax 3.5-fold and EC50 5.9 M) and CYP2B6 (Emax 1.9-fold and EC50 0.6 M). Of the other P450s, UDP glucuronosyltransferases, and transporters studied, QHS and DHA had no significant effect except for minor induction of mRNA expression of CYP1A2 (Emax 7.9-fold and EC50 5.2 M) and CYP2A6 (Emax 11.7-fold and EC50 4.0 M) by QHS. Quantitative prediction of P450-mediated DDIs indicate autoinduction of QHS clearance with the AUCi/AUC ratio decreasing to 59%, as a result of a 1.9-fold increase in CYP3A4 and a 1.6-fold increase in CYP2B6 activity. These data suggest that QHS drugs are potential inducers of P450 enzymes, and the possible drug interactions (or lack thereof) with artemisinin drugs may be clinically relevant.
Circadian Cholinergic Rhythms: Implications for Cholinesterase Inhibitor Therapy

Therapies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) at present augment the deteriorating cholinergic system, are reasonably well tolerated, and are convenient, given once or twice a day. They may, however, support or oppose endogenous circadian cholinergic rhythms. Drugs with a duration of action longer than a day are at odds with the physiology of the cholinergic system, which is active during the day and quiescent at night. Sleep and the consolidation of daytime experience into memory may be disturbed. Tolerance commonly develops, substantial counterregulatory increases in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) have been measured, and brain AChE inhibition is lower than predicted. Therefore, the duration of action and timing of administration, as they relate to natural cholinergic rhythms, are factors to be considered in optimizing cholinergic AD therapeutics.
An Unscented Kalman Smoother for Volatility Extraction: Evidence from Stock Prices and Options

A smoothing algorithm based on the unscented transformation is proposed for the nonlinear Gaussian system. The algorithm first implements a forward unscented Kalman filter and then evokes a separate backward smoothing pass by only making Gaussian approximations in the state but not in the observation space. The method is applied to volatility extraction in a diffusion option pricing model. Both simulation study and empirical applications with the Heston stochastic volatility model indicate that in order to accurately capture the volatility dynamics, both stock prices and options are necessary.
Regulated compensated donation in Pakistan and Iran

Purpose of reviewPaid living unrelated kidney donor transplantation has flourished in Pakistan and Iran. This review discusses the dynamics and consequences of organ trade in Pakistan and of a regulated paid donor model in Iran on transplant activities in these countries. Recent findingsIn 2007, over 2500 renal transplants were performed in Pakistan, where more than 70% were from socioeconomic disadvantaged kidney vendors. More than half of recipients were foreigners who paid US$20 000–30 000. Recipients of vendor kidneys had poor outcome and high infectious complications. Regulated paid donor kidney transplant in Iran number around 1500 per year and constitute 70% of the total transplants. Graft survival rates are similar to those for living related donors. The donors are paid US$1200 and additional monies are negotiated between the recipient–donor pair. This model claims to have abolished waiting lists, although many poor patients wait for deceased donors. In both countries, recipients are relatively rich and vendors are the poor of the society who sell kidneys for quick money or to repay debts. SummaryPaid donation, regulated or commercial, leads to coercion and exploitation of the poor and benefits the rich. This situation has forestalled deceased donor program and hence other solid-organ transplants. The way forward is to promote deceased donors by making transplant available to all who need it.
Pharmacology of Marijuana

The following review of literature regarding the pharmacology of marijuana is intended to demonstrate its mental and physical pharmacological effects. "Marijuana" refers specifically to the dried leaves and flowering tops or "herbal cannabis”, the natural form of cannabis as derived from the plant Cannabis sativa. Another term for marijuana is the word cannabis or hemp.
Systolic VLSI Arrays for Polynomial GCD Computation

The problem of finding a greatest common divisor (GCD) of any two nonzero polynomials is fundamental to algebraic and symbolic computations, as well as to the decoder implementation for a variety of error-correcting codes. This paper describes new systolic arrays that can lead to efricient VLSI solutions to both the GCD problem and the extended GCD problem.
CONTENT AND FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF DIFFERENT FAT DEPOTS OF LAMBS RECEIVING FISH OIL SUPPLEMENTED DIET

POPOVA, T. , P. MARINOVA, V. BANSKALIEVA and V. VASILEVA, 2008. Content and fatty acid composition of different fat depots of lambs receiving fish oil supplemented diet. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 14: 100-107 Two groups of 7 animals (age 75 days) each of local Zapadnostaroplaninska sheep breed were fed for 28 days controlled iso-nitrogenous diets, containing either no added fat (control) or fish oil (experimental) added at 2.5 % as feed of concentrate. The content of subcutaneous fat in the carcass of fish oil treated animals did not change, whereas the intermuscular fat increased by 16%, compared to the control animals. The effect of fish oil differed among the carcass cuts. Besides the leg and abdomen, where the subcutaneous fat slightly increased, in the rest carcass cuts (loin, shoulder, neck) the opposite changes were observed. Fish oil stimulated deposition of more intermuscular fat in shoulder (P<0.05), leg and abdomen , but did not change the fat proportion in the neck. In loin both – subcutaneous and intermuscular fat were reduced (P<0.05). No significant changes in the weights of sweetbread and perirenal fat were observed. After fish oil supplementation, the relative part of C16:0 did not change in the triacylglycerol fraction of the most of the studied fat depots, except of the sweetbread where it was significantly elevated (P<0.01). The contents of C16:1 and C18:1 were increased, more substantially (P<0.01) in the internal fat depots and in the subcutaneous fat over m. Longissimus dorsi and at the base of the tail, accompanied with a reduction of C18:0. As a result of the changes of the individual fatty acids, the sum of the saturated fatty acids decreased, and the sum of the monounsaturated fatty acid was enhanced in the fat depots of the experimental animals. The changed deposition and distribution of the carcass fat, and the fatty acid composition of the different fat depots, suggest that fish oil (rich in PUFA) could have a favorable effect on the carcass fatness and quality.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Dominant, Multidrug-Resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strain, TCDC-NG08107, from a Sexual Group at High Risk of Acquiring Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Syphilis

ABSTRACT Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection is the second major cause of sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Development of resistance to multiple classes of antimicrobials in N. gonorrhoeae has compromised treatment and disease control. Herein, we report the availability of the draft genome sequence of a multidrug-resistant N. gonorrhoeae isolate, TCDC-NG08107, which spread in groups of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Taiwan.
A Wireless Sensor Network Recharging Strategy by Balancing Lifespan of Sensor Nodes

The life of many wireless sensor networks is limited by their battery-based energy source. Recharging batteries from a distance by the wireless energy transferring technique could lift this restriction. However, how to deploy the mobile charging device requires further research. In this paper, we take the energy constraint of mobile wireless charger (MWC) into consideration and aim at minimizing the total energy consumption by it in recharging cycles. After formulating the optimization problem, we present the MMES-LME method based on the modified MAXMIN Ant System and equalization strategy with the constraint of MWC limited energy. The equalization strategy is presented to equalize the lifespan of all sensor nodes to avoid the untimely death of WSN and balance the consumption of MWC travelling energy and recharging energy. Our experimental results demonstrate improved performance in comparison to the greedy method and MM-LME method, which is based on MAX-MIN Ant System.
Application of immunomagnetic beads in combination with RT‐PCR for the detection of circulating prostate cancer cells

Recently published protocols using Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for prostate specific antigen (PSA) provide a sensitive means for detecting circulating prostate cancer cells. Attempts to use these assays for staging of prostate cancer have produced conflicting results. As a first step towards rectifying these discrepancies, a modified immunobead‐RT‐PCR assay capable of detecting as few as 10 prostate cancer cells in 8cc of blood was developed. This 10 fold increase in sensitivity was achieved in part by introducing two target cell enrichment steps. As a model system to assess sensitivity of the modified assay, template RNA was extracted from PSA positive human carcinoma cells suspended in human blood and isolated with immunomagnetic beads following incubation with an epithelium specific antibody. After 45 cycles of PCR, product from as few as 10 target cells could be readily detected when displayed on a 2% agarose gel stained with SYBR Green fluorescent dye. The identity of amplified DNA fragments was confirmed by Southern blot hybridization.
Fowlpox Virus Encodes Nonessential Homologs of Cellular Alpha-SNAP, PC-1, and an Orphan Human Homolog of a Secreted Nematode Protein

ABSTRACT The genome of fowlpox virus (FWPV), type species of theAvipoxviridae, is considerably rearranged compared with that of vaccinia virus (the prototypic poxvirus and type species of theOrthopoxviridae) and is 30% larger. It is likely that the genome of FWPV contains genes in addition to those found in vaccinia virus, probably involved with its replication and survival in the chicken. A 7,470-bp segment of the FWPV genome has five open reading frames (ORFs), two of which encode ankyrin repeat proteins, many examples of which have been found in poxviruses. The remaining ORFs encode homologs of cellular genes not reported in any other virus. ORF-2 encodes a homolog of the yeast Sec17p and mammalian SNAP proteins, crucial to vesicular transport in the exocytic pathway. ORF-3 encodes a homolog of an orphan human protein, R31240_2, encoded on 19p13.2. ORF-3 is also homologous to three proteins (YLS2, YMV6, and C07B5.5) from the free-living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and to a 43-kDa antigen from the parasitic nematodeTrichinella spiralis. ORF-5 encodes a homolog of the mammalian plasma cell antigen PC-1, a type II glycoprotein with exophosphodiesterase activity. The ORFs are present in the virulent precursor, HP1, of the sequenced attenuated virus (FP9) and are conserved in other strains of FWPV. They were shown, by deletion mutagenesis, to be nonessential to virus replication in tissue culture. RNA encoding the viral homolog of PC-1 is expressed strongly early and late in infection, but RNAs encoding the homologs of SNAP and R31240_2 are expressed weakly and late.
Predicting the biodegradation products of perfluorinated chemicals using CATABOL

Perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) form a special category of organofluorine compounds with particularly useful and unique properties. Their large use over the past decades increased the interest in the study of their environmental fate. Fluorocarbons may have direct or indirect environmental impact through the products of their decomposition in the environment. It is a common knowledge that biodegradation is restricted within non-perfluorinated part of molecules; however, a number of studies showed that defluorination can readily occur during biotransformation. To evaluate the fate of PFCs in the environment a set of principal transformations was developed and implemented in the simulator of microbial degradation using the catabolite software engine (CATABOL). The simulator was used to generate metabolic pathways for 171 perfluorinated substances on Canada's domestic substances list. It was found that although the extent of biodegradation of parent compounds could reach 60%, persistent metabolites could be formed in significant quantities. During the microbial degradation a trend was observed where PFCs are transformed to more bioaccumulative and more toxic products. Perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonate were predicted to be the persistent biodegradation products of 17 and 27% of the perfluorinated sulphonic acid and carboxylic acid containing compounds, respectively.
A Log-Antilog Analog Control Circuit for Constant-Power Warm-Thermistor Sensors— Application to Plant Water Status Measurement

Warm-thermistor sensors are useful for making measurements of flow and the thermal properties of materials. This paper describes a log-antilog analog control circuit capable of monitoring a thermistor's internal temperature in both ambient temperature sensing mode and self-heating mode, while maintaining infinite precision, wide dynamic range and fast sensor response. A single self-referencing thermistor is used to avoid the problems associated with having to match a thermistor pair in order to obtain an over-temperature signal. Instead, thermistor power levels are switched over a range of 1:1000, allowing measurement of both ambient temperature and heated thermistor temperature during the rise and fall of the heat pulse by a single thermistor at the center of the heat field. This provides a sensitive measurement of the thermal diffusivity and advective properties of the surrounding medium. In this paper, such a sensor is used to investigate the thermal properties of a grapevine cane under conditions of irrigation stress.
Effect of Bilateral Deep Brain Stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus on Freezing of Gait in Parkinson's Disease

OBJECTIVE: A prospective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy of bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. METHODS: Patients (n = 10) with advanced Parkinson's disease were surgically implanted with microelectrodes to facilitate STN-DBS. Evaluations of FOG, motor function, activities of daily living and neuropsychological function were carried out in on-medication and off-medication states (with and without levodopa treatment), before surgery and at 6 and 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: STN-DBS was associated with significant improvement in FOG score and neuropsychological function at both 6 and 12 months postoperatively, compared with preoperatively. Significant postoperative improvements were also observed in motor function and activities of daily living. Daily levodopa dosage was significantly lower at both 6 and 12 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: STN-DBS improved FOG in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. The significant reduction in levodopa dosage and improvement in neuropsychological function may be the reason for the therapeutic effect seen with STN-DBS.
Three-dimensional kinematics of the lower limbs during forward ice hockey skating

The objectives of the study were to describe lower limb kinematics in three dimensions during the forward skating stride in hockey players and to contrast skating techniques between low- and high-calibre skaters. Participant motions were recorded with four synchronized digital video cameras while wearing reflective marker triads on the thighs, shanks, and skates. Participants skated on a specialized treadmill with a polyethylene slat bed at a self-selected speed for 1 min. Each participant completed three 1-min skating trials separated by 5 min of rest. Joint and limb segment angles were calculated within the local (anatomical) and global reference planes. Similar gross movement patterns and stride rates were observed; however, high-calibre participants showed a greater range and rate of joint motion in both the sagittal and frontal planes, contributing to greater stride length for high-calibre players. Furthermore, consequent postural differences led to greater lateral excursion during the power stroke in high-calibre skaters. In conclusion, specific kinematic differences in both joint and limb segment angle movement patterns were observed between low- and high-calibre skaters.
A novel family of low-voltage very low power super class AB OTAs with significantly enhanced slew rate and bandwidth

A simple modification to a conventional single-stage OTA based on the combined use of local common-mode feedback and very efficient class AB input stages leads to three proposals for class AB amplifier topologies. They operate at low voltage and feature very low static power consumption, bandwidth enhancement, and very high slew rate. Measurement results in a 0.5-/spl mu/m CMOS technology confirm the mentioned improvements.
Effect of human milk on the mouse mammary tumor virus.

Summary Mouse mammary tumor virus when mixed with whole, skimmed, or cream fractions of some human milks and incubated at 37° for 18 hr resulted in degradation of the particle morphology and decreased infectivity and reverse transcriptase activity of the virions. The cream fraction was more effective in the physical, biochemical, and biological degradation of the virions than the whole or skimmed milk, but the nature of the degrading component(s) has not been determined. The significance of the destructive effect of human milk upon mouse mammary tumor virus in relation to our search for the putative human breast cancer virus particles and reverse transcriptase activity in human milk isolates has been discussed.