Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Insulin resistance is a common denominator of post-transplant diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND Post-transplant diabetes mellitus is a known complication of steroid therapy in renal transplant recipients. Both insulin resistance and insulin deficiency have been shown to be necessary for development of post-transplant diabetes mellitus. It is not known whether recipients with impaired glucose tolerance have similar degree of insulin resistance or deficient insulin response as recipients with post-transplant diabetes mellitus. METHOD To address this question, we used an oral glucose tolerance test to categorize 46 renal transplant recipients on triple immunosuppressive medication to groups with normal glucose tolerance, impaired glucose tolerance or post-transplant diabetes mellitus. Insulin sensitivity was measured using a hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp. Insulin response was calculated from the increase in serum insulin concentration during the oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS Twenty-five were categorized to normal glucose tolerance, 15 to impaired glucose tolerance and six to post-transplant diabetes mellitus. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding prednisolone dose, azathioprine dose, use of beta-blocker, age, gender, weight, waist-hip ratio, body mass index, donor source, smoking habits, or first-degree relatives with histories of diabetes mellitus. The impaired glucose tolerance and post-transplant diabetes mellitus groups showed a significant reduction in insulin-stimulated glucose disposal rate (mg/kg.min) compared to the normal glucose tolerance group (4.6 +/- 1.6 and 3.4 +/- 1.3 respectively vs 7.1 +/- 2.4, P < 0.05). The insulin response (picomol/l) was not different between the normal glucose tolerance and impaired glucose tolerance groups but was significantly reduced in the post-transplant diabetes mellitus group (448 +/- 310 and 450 +/- 291 respectively vs 170 +/- 128, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Insulin resistance is a common denominator of post-transplant diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose tolerance in renal transplant recipients.
Cross-cultural development of a quality-of-life measure for patients with melanoma: phase 3 testing of an EORTC Melanoma Module

Melanoma is an increasingly common skin cancer worldwide. Recent treatment advances have provided patients and healthcare professionals (HCPs) with choices where quality of life (QoL) and toxicity are important considerations. A melanoma-specific QoL questionnaire is being developed in a cross-cultural setting using a four phase process developed by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group. In phase 1, a literature search identified a list of pertinent QoL issues; this was shown to HCPs and patients in eight countries and rated for importance and relevance. Questions were constructed for the highest-rated issues (phase 2) and piloted in another patient sample (phase 3). Using EORTC Quality of Life Group criteria and sequential use of factor and Rasch analysis, scales were hypothesized for field testing (phase 4). Seven QoL domains (disease symptoms, treatment issues, financial issues, access/quality of information, satisfaction with care, psychosocial issues and support), comprising 73 QoL issues, were rated by 46 HCPs and 78 patients. Fifty-six issues were rephrased as questions and piloted with 132 patients. A 38-item questionnaire (QLQ-MEL38) is available for field testing in conjunction with the EORTC QLQ-C30. This study has shown that melanoma patients have important QoL issues that have been incorporated into a new cross-culturally validated instrument. Future testing of this EORTC module is planned and will be an important step forward in providing reliable QoL data to aid future decision-making in the management and clinical trials of this complex group of patients.
Apparent mechanism‐based inhibition of human CYP3A in‐vitro by lopinavir

The influence of the viral protease inhibitor lopinavir on the activity of six human cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes was evaluated in a model system using human liver microsomes. Column chromatography methodology was developed to separate lopinavir from ritonavir starting from the commercially available lopinavir‐ritonavir combination dosage form. Lopinavir produced negligible or weak inhibition of human CYP1A2, 2B6, 2C9, 2C19 and 2D6. However, lopinavir was an inhibitor of CYP3A. At 250 μM triazolam (the CYP3A index substrate), the mean (± s.e., n = 4) IC50 versus triazolam α‐hydroxylation (where IC50 is the concentration producing a 50% decrement in reaction velocity) was 7.3 (± 0.5) μM. Pre‐incubation of lopinavir with microsomes prior to addition of triazolam yielded a significantly lower IC50 of 4.1 (± 0.5) μM. This is consistent with mechanism‐based inhibition of human CYP3A by lopinavir. Although lopinavir is less potent than ritonavir as an inhibitor of CYP3A, lopinavir is nonetheless likely to contribute to net CYP3A inhibition in‐vivo during treatment with the lopinavir‐ritonavir combination.
Biomacromolecule immobilization: grafting of fish-scale collagen peptides onto aminolyzed P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds as a potential wound dressing

Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a microbial polymer that has been at the forefront of many attempts at tissue engineering. However, the surface of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB-co-4HB)) is hydrophobic with few recognition sites for cell attachment. Various concentrations of fish-scale collagen peptides (FSCPs) were incorporated into P(3HB-co-4HB) copolymer by aminolysis. Later, FSCPs were introduced onto the aminolyzed P(3HB-co-4HB) scaffolds. Introduction of the FSCP groups was verified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the ninhydrin method. The effect of the incorporation of FSCPs on hydrophilicity was investigated using the water contact angle. As the concentration of FSCPs increased, the water contact angle decreased. In vitro study demonstrated that P(3HB-co-4HB)/FSCP scaffolds provided better cell attachment and growth of L929 mouse fibroblast cells and better cell proliferation. In vivo study showed that P(3HB-co-4HB)/1.5 wt% FSCPs had a significant effect on wound contractions, with the highest percentage of wound closure (61%) in 7 d.
Structural and Morphological Characterization of Aggregated Species of α-Synuclein Induced by Docosahexaenoic Acid

The interaction of brain lipids with α-synuclein may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an abundant fatty acid of neuronal membranes, and it is presents at high levels in brain areas with α-synuclein inclusions of patients with PD. In animal models, an increase of DHA content in the brain induces α-synuclein oligomer formation in vivo. However, it is not clear whether these oligomeric species are the precursors of the larger aggregates found in Lewy bodies of post-mortem PD brains. To characterize these species and to define the role of fatty acids in amyloid formation, we investigated the aggregation process of α-synuclein in the presence of DHA. We found that DHA readily promotes α-synuclein aggregation and that the morphology of these aggregates is dependent on the ratio between the protein and DHA. In the presence of a molar ratio protein/DHA of 1:10, amyloid-like fibrils are formed. These fibrils are morphologically different from those formed by α-synuclein alone and have a less packed structure. At a protein/DHA molar ratio of 1:50, we observe the formation of stable oligomers. Moreover, chemical modifications, methionine oxidations, and protein-lipid adduct formations are induced by increasing concentrations of DHA. The extent of these modifications defines the structure and the stability of aggregates. We also show that α-synuclein oligomers are more toxic if generated in the presence of DHA in dopaminergic neuronal cell lines, suggesting that these species might be important in the neurodegenerative process associated with PD.
Ethanol extracts of centella asiatica leaf improves memory performance in rats after chronic stress via reducing nitric oxide and increasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Concentration

Abstract- Background: Centella asiatica is herbaceous plant that has medicinal value to improve learning and memory. Brain- derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a significant role in memory formation process, while oxidative stress causes memory impairment. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica leaf on memory performance and serum BDNF (neurotrophins) and Nitric Oxide(NO) concentration of rats following chronic electrical stress. Materials and Methods : Twenty male rats (Sprague Dawley) were divided into four groups: control/aquadest group and groups treated with three different doses (mg/kg) of Centella asiatica :150 (CeA150), 300 (CeA300) and 600 (CeA600). Memory performance was tested using probe test in Morris Water Maze before and after oral administration of ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica leaf followed by electrical stress for 28 days. At the last day of memory exercise following chronic stress, blood sample was taken from periorbital veins of all rats. Concentration of serum BDNF and total NO was assessed using ELISA. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA. Results: Treatment groups had higher percentage in probe test water maze and serum BDNF concentration after chronic stress. Mean time percentage (%) of probe test in water maze performance for control group, CeA150, CeA300, and CeA600 were 53.33±2.43, 55.78±4.16, 63.33±4.07, and 73.55±3.29 (p<0.05). Mean concentration of serum BDNF (ng/ml) for control group, CeA150, CeA300, and CeA600 were 1.52±0.89, 1.49±0.20, 1.73±0.15, and 2.16±0.20 (p<0.05 vs control group). Control group had higher serum NO concentration compared to all treatments groups. Mean concentration of serum NO (μmol/L) for control group, CeA150, CeA300, and CeA600 were 5.94±0.52, 3.98±0.35, 3.06±0.33, and 2.82±0.21 (p<0.05). Conclusion: Ethanol extracts of Centella asiatica leaf increases memory performance and serum BDNF concentration, and also decreases Nitric Oxide levels in rats after chronic stress.
Comparison of pupillary dynamics to light in the mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and normal populations

Abstract Purpose: To determine if mTBI adversely affects the pupillary light reflex (PLR). Methods: The PLR was evaluated in mTBI and compared to normal individuals under a range of test conditions. Nine pupil parameters (maximum, minimum and final pupil diameter, latency, amplitude and peak and average constriction and dilation velocities) and six stimulus conditions (dim pulse, dim step, bright pulse, bright step, bright red step and bright blue step) were assessed in 32 adults with mTBI (21–60 years of age) and compared to 40 normal (22–56 years of age). The Neuroptics, infrared, DP-2000 binocular pupillometer was used (30 Hz sampling rate; 0.05 mm resolution) with binocular stimulation and recording. Results: Different test conditions allowed for discrimination of different parameters. For any of the given six test conditions, five-to-eight of the nine pupillary parameters were statistically different (p < 0.05) between the two diagnostic groups. The most promising parameters for diagnostic differentiation were constriction latency, all pupillary diameters, average constriction velocity and peak dilation velocity. Conclusions: MTBI adversely affects the PLR. This suggests an impairment of the autonomic nervous system. The findings suggest the potential for quantitative pupillary dynamics to serve as an objective mTBI biomarker.
Sensor selection based on the fisher information of the Kalman filter for target tracking in WSNs

Target tracking in wireless sensor networks (WSNs) requires efficient collaboration among sensors to achieve the tradeoff between energy consumption and tracking accuracy requirements. In this paper, we present a sensor selection measure based on the Fisher information matrix (FIM) of the Kalman filter for target tracking in wireless sensor networks. After obtaining the target state estimate using the combination of maximum likelihood estimation and the Kalman filter, the leader of the current tracking cluster selects the most informative cluster of sensors based on the FIM-based measure to track the moving tracking at the next time. Simulation results show that the improved tracking performance of our proposed collaborative tracking approach compared to other existing methods in terms of tracking accuracy.
Single Image Super-Resolution via Classified Sparse Representation

Single image super-resolution reconstruction is a challenging ill-posed inverse problem currently. In this paper, we propose a method based on image classification and sparse representation for single image super-resolution reconstruction. Various images belong to different image category, and each category contains different contents and structures respectively, especially the high-frequency feature. Therefore, we extract the features of the input low-resolution image, and classify it into the corresponding category. Then the high-resolution image is reconstructed by sparse representation with the dictionary trained from the corresponding database, which consists of high-resolution and low-resolution image patch pairs. The experimental results demonstrate that our method achieves better performance in visual effect and qualitative analysis, by comparison with some well-known methods.
Modification of the forearm tourniquet techniques of intravenous regional anaesthesia for operations on the distal forearm and hand

Our aim was to find out if a modified intravenous regional anaesthetic block technique, used for invasive surgical procedures on the distal forearm and hand, results in a drier operative field than traditional methods. Twenty consenting adult (age > 18) patients who were to have an operation on the distal forearm or hand were randomised into two groups (n=10 in each). The first group was using a traditional bier block, with a double upper arm tourniquet. The second group was using a modified regional anaesthetic block technique, with a single upper arm tourniquet, and a single forearm tourniquet. All operative fields were recorded photographically and judged by the operating surgeon as “wet” or “dry”. Analgesic requirements and subjective pain were recorded. Plasma lignocaine concentrations were measured. “Wet” operative fields were seen in 6 of the conventional and 0 of the modified group (p=0.01). Patients in the modified group were more comfortable during the procedures (p=0.004). This benefit was not sustained postoperatively (p=0.57). Plasma lignocaine concentrations were higher in the conventional group (p=0.004). The modified technique was as safe as the conventional technique but has the benefits of a drier surgical field and improved intraoperative comfort for patients.
Interaction of the Cytosolic Domains of sorLA/LR11 with the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) and β-Secretase β-Site APP-Cleaving Enzyme

sorLA is a recently identified neuronal receptor for amyloid precursor protein (APP) that is known to interact with APP and affect its intracellular transport and processing. Decreased levels of sorLA in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and elevated levels of amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) in sorLA-deficient mice point to the importance of the receptor in this neurodegenerative disorder. We analyzed APP cleavage in an APP-shedding assay and found that both sorLA and, surprisingly, a sorLA tail construct inhibited APP cleavage in a β-site APP-cleaving enzyme (BACE)-dependent manner. In line with this finding, sorLA and the sorLA tail significantly reduced secreted Aβ levels when BACE was overexpressed, suggesting that sorLA influencesβ-cleavage. To understand the effect of sorLA on APP cleavage by BACE, we analyzed whether sorLA interacts with APP and/or BACE. Because both full-length sorLA and sorLA C-terminal tail constructs were functionally relevant for APP processing, we analyzed sorLA–APP for a potential cytoplasmatic interaction domain. sorLA and C99 coimmunoprecipitated, pointing toward the existence of a new cytoplasmatic interaction site between sorLA and APP. Moreover, sorLA and BACE also coimmunoprecipitate. Thus, sorLA interacts both with BACE and APP and might therefore directly affect BACE–APP complex formation. To test whether sorLA impacts BACE–APP interactions, we used a fluorescence resonance energy transfer assay to evaluate BACE–APP interactions in cells. We discovered that sorLA significantly reduced BACE–APP interactions in Golgi. We postulate that sorLA acts as a trafficking receptor that prevents BACE–APP interactions and hence BACE cleavage of APP.
Making Travel Smarter: Extracting Travel Information From Email Itineraries Using Named Entity Recognition

The purpose of this research is to address the problem of extracting information from travel itineraries and discuss the challenges faced in the process. Business-to-customer emails like booking confirmations and e-tickets are usually machine generated by filling slots in pre-defined templates which improve the presentation of such emails but also make the emails more complex in structure. Extracting the relevant information from these emails would let users track their journeys and important updates on applications installed on their devices to give them a consolidated over view of their itineraries and also save valuable time. We investigate the use of an HMM-based named entity recognizer on such emails which we will use to label and extract relevant entities. NER in such emails is challenging as these itineraries offer less useful contextual information. We also propose a rich set of features which are integrated into the model and are specific to our domain. The result from our model is a list of lists containing the relevant information extracted from ones itinerary.
Active element pattern symmetry for asymmetrical element arrays

In a phased array antenna, particularly with small element spacing, the mutual coupling plays an important role in the radiation pattern of the array. In this paper we briefly discuss about the Floquet analysis method for the AEP and provide expressions for the far field vector components in terms of the Floquet modal amplitudes. We then relate the Floquet modal power and the input power and prove that the active element power pattern must be symmetrical inside the "grating lobe free" region irrespective of the shape of the elements; symmetrical or asymmetrical. The grating lobe free region is defined as the scan region of an array corresponding to which no visible grating lobe exists. We illustrate this important property of AEP with respect to an array of asymmetrical multi-step horns. We show numerically that the isolated element pattern is asymmetrical; however, the AEP is perfectly symmetrical inside the grating lobe free region.
A long-term global Leaf area index dataset (1981–2009) from AVHRR and MODIS data

A global multi-decade long-term Leaf area index (LAI) record from remote sensing measurements is required for global change modeling and analysis. The dataset is generated through the fusion of MODIS and historical AVHRR data based on global pixel-based AVHRR SRMODIS LAI relationship which is established with AVHRR data and LAI derived form high quality MODIS observations in the overlapping years from 2000 to 2006. Based on this relationship, historical AVHRR retrieval from 1981 to 2006 is constrained with high quality MODIS observations. The comparisons of the results from 2000 to 2006 show high consistency between the derived AVHRR and MODIS LAI dataset. The derived AVHRR and MODIS LAI were directly validated with 120 field measurements in global 36 sites with various vegetation types, with RMSE of 0.91 and 1.01, respectively.
Long-term monitoring of feral genetically modified herbicide-tolerant Brassica napus populations around unloading Japanese ports

Genetically modified, herbicide-tolerant (GMHT) Brassica napus plants originating from seed spill have recently been found along roadsides leading from Japanese ports that unload oilseed rape. Such introductions have potential biodiversity effects (as defined by the Cartagena Protocol): these include replacement of native elements in the biota through competitive suppression or hybridization. We conducted surveys in the period 2006–2011 to assess such threats. We examined shifts in the population distribution and occurrence of GMHT plants in 1,029 volunteer introduced assemblages of B. napus, 1,169 of B. juncea, and 184 of B. rapa around 12 ports. GMHT B. napus was found around 10 of 12 ports, but its proportion in the populations varied greatly by year and location. Over the survey period, the distributions of a pure non-GMHT population around Tobata and a pure GMHT population around Hakata increased significantly. However, there was no common trend of population expansion or contraction around the 12 ports. Furthermore, we found no herbicide tolerant B. juncea and B. rapa plants derived from crosses with GMHT B. napus. Therefore, GMHT B. napus is not invading native vegetation surrounding its populations and not likely to cross with congeners in Japanese environment.
Patient knowledge of coronary risk profile improves the effectiveness of dyslipidemia therapy: the CHECK-UP study: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Despite increasing evidence that treating dyslipidemia reduces cardiovascular events, many patients do not achieve recommended lipid targets. METHODS To determine whether showing physicians and patients the patient's calculated coronary risk can improve the effectiveness of treating dyslipidemia in a primary care setting, patients were randomized to receive usual care or ongoing feedback regarding their calculated coronary risk and the change in this risk after lifestyle changes, pharmacotherapy, or both to treat dyslipidemia. Outcomes, based on intention-to-treat analysis, included changes in blood lipid levels, coronary risk, and the frequency of reaching lipid targets. RESULTS Two hundred thirty primary care physicians enrolled 3,053 patients. After 12 months of follow-up, 2,687 patients (88.0%) remained in the study. After adjustment for baseline lipid values, significantly greater mean reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and the total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were observed in patients receiving risk profiles (51.2 mg/dL [to convert to millimoles per liter, multiply by 0.0259] and 1.5, respectively) vs usual care (48.0 mg/dL and 1.3, respectively), but the differences were small (-3.3 mg/dL; 95% confidence interval [CI], -5.4 to -1.1 mg/dL; and -0.1; 95% CI, -0.2 to -0.1, respectively). Patients in the risk profile group were also more likely to reach lipid targets (odds ratio, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.48). A significant dose-response effect was also noted when the impact of the risk profile was stronger in those with worse profiles. CONCLUSIONS Discussing coronary risk with the patient is associated with a small but measurable improvement in the efficacy of lipid therapy. The value of incorporating risk assessment in preventive care should be further evaluated.