Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Impact of positive positron emission tomography on prediction of freedom from progression after Stanford V chemotherapy in Hodgkin's disease.

PURPOSE To correlate [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([(18)F]FDG-PET) status after chemotherapy, but before radiation, with outcome in patients treated with the Stanford V regimen. PATIENTS AND METHODS We analyzed retrospectively 81 patients with Hodgkin's disease who had serial [(18)F]FDG-PET scans performed at baseline and again at the completion of Stanford V chemotherapy, before planned radiotherapy. Patients with favorable stage I/II (nonbulky mediastinal disease) and those with bulky mediastinal disease or stage III/IV were scanned after 8 and 12 weeks of chemotherapy, respectively. Radiotherapy fields were determined before starting chemotherapy based on baseline computed tomography scans. RESULTS After chemotherapy, six of 81 patients had residual [(18)F]FDG-PET-positive sites, all in sites for which radiotherapy was planned. Four of the six patients with positive [(18)F]FDG-PET scans after chemotherapy experienced relapse compared with just three of 75 patients with negative [(18)F]FDG-PET scans. At a median follow-up of 4 years, the freedom from progression (FFP) was 96% in postchemotherapy [(18)F]FDG-PET-negative patients versus 33% in [(18)F]FDG-PET-positive patients (P < .0003). In a bivariate Cox model, [(18)F]FDG-PET positivity after chemotherapy remained a highly significant predictor of progression-free survival even after controlling for bulky disease and International Prognostic Score more than 2. CONCLUSION These data indicate that PET status after chemotherapy is strongly predictive of FFP with the Stanford V regimen despite the use of consolidative radiotherapy. These results have implications for the design of clinical trials adapted to functional imaging.
The sex‐determining gene tra of Drosophila: molecular cloning and transformation studies.

In Drosophila, the primary signal for sex determination is given by the ratio of X chromosomes to sets of autosomes (X:A). The primary signal is read by a key gene (Sxl) and transmitted down to the differentiation genes by the subordinate control genes tra, tra‐2, ix and dsx. Mutations in tra transform chromosomal females (X/X; tra/tra) into sterile males (pseudomales). We have cloned the tra region by microdissection and chromosomal walking. We identified the gene using deficiency breakpoints, DNA aberrations in three different alleles of tra and by P‐mediated transformation. A 3.8‐kb fragment perfectly rescued the mutant phenotype of X/X; tra/tra flies, showing that it contained all the necessary information to restore female‐specific functions in the mutant flies. We present evidence that most of the function of tra can be provided by a subsegment of 2 kb that is differentially transcribed or processed in males and females.
IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase M downregulates DSS‐induced colitis†

Background: Ulcerative colitis is associated with increased colon permeability resulting in bacterial translocation into the lamina propria. We investigate the importance of the Toll‐like receptor (TLR) regulating protein IL‐1 receptor‐associated kinase M (IRAK‐M) using the erosive dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)‐induced model of colitis. Methods: IRAK‐M‐competent and ‐incompetent mice were treated with 3% DSS for 5 days followed by 2 days of regular drinking water. Clinical signs of disease were followed for 7 days. At day 7 the mice were sacrificed and plasma and tissue were collected for histopathological examination and analyses of the production of cytokines and chemokines as well as expression of T‐cell transcription factors. Results: At day 7 IRAK‐M‐deficient mice display a reduced total body weight (77.1 ± 2.1 versus 88.5 ± 2.0, *P = 0.002) and an increased macroscopical (2.7 ± 0.2 versus 1.6 ± 0.1, *P = 0.002) and histopathological (6.0 ± 0 versus 3.3 ± 0.5, *P = < 0.001) colon score compared to wildtype mice. Furthermore, IRAK‐M‐deficient mice have increased colon mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines and increased tumor necrosis factor concentrations (41.1 ± 13.5 versus 12.8 ± 2.0 pg/mL, *P = 0.010) in plasma. Conclusions: This is the first report examining the role of IRAK‐M in colitis. We find that IRAK‐M is of critical importance in downregulating induction and progression of DSS colitis, and thereby suggesting that IRAK‐M might be a target for future interventional therapies. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)
Consequences of Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling for Prenatal Diagnosis

Amniocentesis (AC) and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are the principal methods for fetal karyotyping. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate psychological reactions and risks associated with the procedures.A semi-randomised study was made on 321 women, where AC (147) and CVS (174) at 10-13 weeks’ gestation were done trans-abdominally. Spontaneous fetal loss occurred in 6.8% and 1.7% of the women in the AC and CVS groups, respectively. Repeat testing was required more often in the AC (19.0%) than in the CVS (5.2%) group.A subgroup of 94 women answered a questionnaire prior to the procedure. Anxiety was stated as reason for invasive testing in 38% of the women. Mean scores according to the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale for anxiety and depression were low. Likewise, mean scores for the Impact of Event Scale, evaluating the psychological distress evoked by the procedure, were low. Yet, a number of women had higher scores, indicating a risk of clinical anxiety and depression or psychological distress. The women worried most about miscarriage, fetal injury by the procedure and waiting for the result.Fetal, infant and maternal outcomes were evaluated in a cohort of 71 586 women aged 35 to 49 years old, with single births in Sweden during 1991 to 1996. Altogether, 21 748 were exposed to AC and 1984 to CVS. Women exposed to AC and CVS were compared with non-exposed. Outcomes were extracted from the Swedish Medical Birth Register, the Swedish Hospital Discharge Register, and the Swedish Malformation Register. An increased risk of musculo-skeletal deformities, such as club foot (OR=1.45) and hip dislocation (OR=1.22), and respiratory disturbances such as neonatal pneumonia (OR=1.29), was found for infants born in the AC group. Risk increased with earlier gestation at the procedure. Fewer women in the AC group had a normal delivery and more had a Caesarean section. Complications related to the amniotic cavity and membranes (OR=1.15), hypotonic uterine dysfunction (OR=1.12) and instrumental vaginal deliveries (OR=1.11) were more common in the AC group. No significant differences were found for the CVS group.CVS is the method of choice for prenatal karyotyping in the first trimester. AC should not be performed before 15 weeks’ gestation. Further research to develop methods to better identify women at increased risk of chromosomal abnormal pregnancies and to develop non-invasive tests for prenatal diagnosis is needed. Thereby, the number of women exposed to invasive procedures and the adverse effects caused by these procedures can be minimised.
The Efficacy of Recombinant Fowlpox Vaccine Protection Against Marek's Disease: Its Dependence on Chicken Line and B Haplotype

Abstract Earlier studies have shown that the B haplotype has a significant influence on the protective efficacy of vaccines against Marek's disease (MD) and that the level of protection varies dependent on the serotype of MD virus (MDV) used in the vaccine. To determine if the protective glycoprotein gene gB is a basis for this association, we compared recombinant fowlpox virus (rFPV) containing a single gB gene from three serotypes of MDV. The rFPV were used to vaccinate 15.B congenic lines. Nonvaccinated chickens from all three haplotypes had 84%–97% MD after challenge. The rFPV containing gB1 provides better protection than rFPV containing gB2 or gB3 in all three B genotypes. Moreover, the gB proteins were critical, since the B*21/*21 chickens had better protection than chickens with B*13/*13 or B*5/*5 using rFPV with gB1, gB2, or gB3. A newly described combined rFPV/gB1gEgIUL32 + HVT vaccine was analyzed in chickens of lines 15 × 7 (B*2/*15) and N (B*21/*21) challenged with two vv+ strains of MDV. There were line differences in protection by the vaccines and line N had better protection with the rFPV/gB1gEgIUL32 + HVT vaccines (92%–100%) following either MDV challenge, but protection was significantly lower in 15 × 7 chickens (35%) when compared with the vaccine CVI988/Rispens (94%) and 301B1 + HVT (65%). Another experiment used four lines of chickens receiving the new rFPV + HVT vaccine or CVI988/Rispens and challenge with 648A MDV. The CVI 988/Rispens generally provided better protection in lines P and 15 × 7 and in one replicate with line TK. The combined rFPV/gB1gEgIUL32 + HVT vaccines protected line N chickens (90%) better than did CVI988/Rispens (73%). These data indicate that rFPV + HVT vaccines may provide protection against MD that is equivalent to or superior to CVI988/Rispens in some chicken strains. It is not clear whether the rFPV/gB1gEgIUL32 + HVT vaccine will offer high levels of protection to commercial strains, but this vaccine, when used in line N chickens, may be a useful model to study interactions between vaccines and chicken genotypes and may thereby improve future MD vaccines.
A Neuro-Mechanical Shape Memory Device

1. Abstract In this paper we present what we call a Neuro-Mechanical Shape Memory Device (NMSMD), together with a method for configuration of such devices. This work builds on previous efforts dealing with the concept of Neuro-Mechanical Networks, and a NMSMD is here defined as a Neuro-Mechanical Network (NMN) which has the ability to take on certain predefined shapes when subject to external (mechanical or other) stimuli. From a mathematical point of view, the NMSMD is described by a coupled system of equations governing the behavior of an active truss with a neural network superimposed onto it. It is shown that with certain restrictions on the model parameters and an appropriate neuro-mechanical coupling term, a Liapunov function for the complete system can be found. In order to configure a NMSMD, we begin by setting up a ground structure and introducing a set of stimuli vectors, load cases, and associated shapes to be taken on by the device. We then solve an optimization problem with the objective of minimizing a measure of the sum of deviations from the desired shapes. As design variables we use the element volumes and the neural network weights. The problem is solved using the MMA algorithm, and some numerical examples to illustrate the idea are provided in the paper. 2.
An analysis of wideband direction-of-arrival estimation for closely-spaced sources in the presence of array model errors

This letter presents an analysis of wideband direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation for closely-spaced sources using arbitrary antenna array taking into account the effect of array model error, which is important issue in practical implementation. Based on this analysis, a new wideband DOA estimation method without array calibration is then developed to deal with the effects of array errors. The performance improvement of the proposed method in the presence of array errors is shown in simulation results.
Incorporating prognostic factors into causal estimators: A comparison of methods for randomised controlled trials with a time‐to‐event outcome

In randomised controlled trials, the effect of treatment on those who comply with allocation to active treatment can be estimated by comparing their outcome to those in the comparison group who would have complied with active treatment had they been allocated to it. We compare three estimators of the causal effect of treatment on compliers when this is a parameter in a proportional hazards model and quantify the bias due to omitting baseline prognostic factors. Causal estimates are found directly by maximising a novel partial likelihood; based on a structural proportional hazards model; and based on a ‘corrected dataset’ derived after fitting a rank‐preserving structural failure time model. Where necessary, we extend these methods to incorporate baseline covariates. Comparisons use simulated data and a real data example. Analysing the simulated data, we found that all three methods are accurate when an important covariate was included in the proportional hazards model (maximum bias 5.4%). However, failure to adjust for this prognostic factor meant that causal treatment effects were underestimated (maximum bias 11.4%), because estimators were based on a misspecified marginal proportional hazards model. Analysing the real data example, we found that adjusting causal estimators is important to correct for residual imbalances in prognostic factors present between trial arms after randomisation. Our results show that methods of estimating causal treatment effects for time‐to‐event outcomes should be extended to incorporate covariates, thus providing an informative compliment to the corresponding intention‐to‐treat analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides Protect Retina in rd1 Mice During Photoreceptor Degeneration

Purpose As an active component in wolfberry, lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) are capable of protecting retinal neurons in several animal disease models. Here, we asked whether LBP rescues the retinal morphology and function in rd1 mouse, a photoreceptor fast-degenerating animal model of retinitis pigmentosa, and in particular focused on LBP's effects on the function of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) during photoreceptor degeneration. Methods An equal volume of LBP or control vehicle was daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injected in rd1 mice from postnatal day 4 (P4) to P14, P20, or P24 when photoreceptors completely degenerate. Immunostaining, electroretinogram (ERG), visual behavior tests and multielectrode array (MEA) recordings were assessed to determine the structure and function of the treated retina. Results LBP treatment greatly promoted photoreceptor survival, enhanced ERG responses, and improved visual behaviors in rd1 mice. MEA data showed that LBP treatment in general decreased the abnormally high spontaneous spiking that occurs in rd1 mice, and increased the percentage of light-responsive RGCs as well as their light-evoked response, light sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and response speed. Interestingly, LBP treatment affected ON and OFF responses differently. Conclusions LBP improves retinal morphology and function in rd1 mice, and delays the functional decay of RGCs during photoreceptor degeneration. This is the first study that has examined in detail the effects of LBP on RGC responses. Our data suggest that LBP may help extend the effective time window before more invasive RP therapeutic approaches such as retinoprosthesis are applied.
Two-photon width of the charmonium state chi ( c 2 )

S. Dobbs, Z. Metreveli, K. K. Seth, A. Tomaradze, P. Zweber, J. Ernst, K. Arms, H. Severini, S. A. Dytman, W. Love, S. Mehrabyan, J. A. Mueller, V. Savinov, Z. Li, A. Lopez, H. Mendez, J. Ramirez, G. S. Huang, D. H. Miller, V. Pavlunin, B. Sanghi, I. P. J. Shipsey, G. S. Adams, M. Anderson, J. P. Cummings, I. Danko, J. Napolitano, Q. He, H. Muramatsu, C. S. Park, E. H. Thorndike, T. E. Coan, Y. S. Gao, F. Liu, M. Artuso, C. Boulahouache, S. Blusk, J. Butt, O. Dorjkhaidav, J. Li, N. Menaa, R. Mountain, K. Randrianarivony, R. Redjimi, R. Sia, T. Skwarnicki, S. Stone, J. C. Wang, K. Zhang, S. E. Csorna, G. Bonvicini, D. Cinabro, M. Dubrovin, A. Lincoln, A. Bornheim, S. P. Pappas, A. J. Weinstein, R. A. Briere, G. P. Chen, J. Chen, T. Ferguson, G. Tatishvili, H. Vogel, M. E. Watkins, J. L. Rosner, N. E. Adam, J. P. Alexander, K. Berkelman, D. G. Cassel, J. E. Duboscq, K. M. Ecklund, R. Ehrlich, L. Fields, R. S. Galik, L. Gibbons, R. Gray, S. W. Gray, D. L. Hartill, B. K. Heltsley, D. Hertz, C. D. Jones, J. Kandaswamy, D. L. Kreinick, V. E. Kuznetsov, H. Mahlke-Kruger, T. O. Meyer, P. U. E. Onyisi, J. R. Patterson, D. Peterson, E. A. Phillips, J. Pivarski, D. Riley, A. Ryd, A. J. Sadoff, H. Schwarthoff, X. Shi, M. R. Shepherd, S. Stroiney, W. M. Sun, T. Wilksen, M. Weinberger, S. B. Athar, P. Avery, L. Breva-Newell, R. Patel, V. Potlia, H. Stoeck, J. Yelton, P. Rubin, C. Cawlfield, B. I. Eisenstein, I. Karliner, D. Kim, N. Lowrey, P. Naik, C. Sedlack, M. Selen, E. J. White, J. Williams, J. Wiss, D. M. Asner, K. W. Edwards, D. Besson, T. K. Pedlar, D. Cronin-Hennessy, K. Y. Gao, D. T. Gong, J. Hietala, Y. Kubota, T. Klein, B. W. Lang, S. Z. Li, R. Poling, A. W. Scott, and A. Smith
Upswing and stabilization control of inverted pendulum and cart system by the SIRMs dynamically connected fuzzy inference model

A fuzzy controller is constructed based on the SIRMs (single input rule modules) dynamically connected fuzzy inference model for the upswing and stabilization control of inverted pendulum and cart systems. When the pendulum locates at the pending domain, the fuzzy controller becomes automatically an upswing controller by using the saturation feature of the membership functions of the pendulum angle. When the pendulum locates at the upright domain, the fuzzy controller then becomes a stabilization controller which realizes smoothly the pendulum angular control and the cart position control in parallel. Simulation results show that the presented fuzzy controller can swing up the pendulum from the pending position to the upright position and then stabilize the whole system in 2.0 seconds.
Wafer-scale film encapsulation of micromachined accelerometers

Micromachined accelerometers have been one of the most successful MEMS devices. Once a successful MEMS device is developed, packaging is the most critical step commercializing the device. Micromachined accelerometers are currently packaged with a separate lid made of glass or silicon bonded on the accelerometer device wafer. In this study, we have developed a new advanced packaging scheme using a thick film epitaxial grown polysilicon encapsulation. With this method, we can reduce the total die size and reduce an additional "cap" wafer; both result in cost reduction. Furthermore the encapsulation can withstand conventional post processing, such as dicing, wire bonding and even injection molding. This paper will discuss the packaging process and show performance results from encapsulated piezoresistive and capacitive accelerometers.
Stress signaling in yeast

In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae three positive transcriptional control elements are activated by stress conditions: heat shock elements (HSEs), stress response elements (STREs) and AP‐1 responsive elements (AREs). HSEs bind heat shock transcription factor (HSF), which is activated by stress conditions causing accumulation of abnormal proteins. STREs mediate transcriptional activation by multiple stress conditions. They are controlled by high osmolarity via the HOG signal pathway, which comprises a MAP kinase module and a two‐component system homologous to prokaryotic signal transducers. AREs bind the transcription factor Yap1p. The three types of control elements seem to have overlapping, but distinct functions. Some stress proteins encoded by HSE‐regulated genes are necessary for growth of yeast under moderate stress, products of STRE‐activated genes appear to be important for survival under severe stress and ARE‐controlled genes may mainly function during oxidative stress and in the response to toxic conditions, such as caused by heavy metal ions.
Estimation of co-channel signals with linear complexity

To increase wireless system capacity using co-channel signals and multiple receiver antennas, we develop the partitioned Viterbi algorithm (PVA). The PVA estimation complexity increases linearly with each additional co-channel signal rather than exponentially as it does with joint maximum-likelihood sequence estimation (MLSE). The estimation problem involves multiple signals simultaneously transmitted and observed through slow-fading, frequency-selective channels. Although transmission is assumed to be in bursts according to a time-division multiple-access scheme, more than one signal can occupy the same time and frequency slot (these signals are referred to as "co-channel" signals). Separation and estimation of the symbol bursts is accomplished by exploiting channel differences, PVA estimation consists of a set of Viterbi detectors, one per signal, that operate in parallel with cross-coupling to allow approximate interference cancellation by means of tentative decisions. The forward filter of a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) is used to "prefilter" received signals prior to PVA estimation. Prefiltering delays the energy of interfering signals so that tentative decisions become reliable enough to use. Simulation results show PVA performance remains near-optimal with respect to the performance of joint MLSE.
Dynamic Adaptive System for Robot-Assisted Motion Rehabilitation

This paper presents a dynamic adaptive system for administration of robot-assisted therapy. The main novelty of the proposed approach is to close patient in the loop and use multisensory data (such as motion, forces, voice, muscle activity, heart rate, and skin conductance) to adaptively and dynamically change the complexity of the therapy and real-time displays of an immersive virtual reality system in accordance with specific patient requirements. The proposed rehabilitation system can be considered as a complex system that is composed of the following subsystems: data acquisition, multimodal human-machine interface, and adaptable control system. This paper shows the description of the developed fuzzy controller used as the core of the adaptable control subsystem. Finally, experimental results with ten subjects are reported to show the performance of the proposed solution.
Strategies to improve non-viral vectors – potential applications in clinical transplantation

Prevention of acute rejection has been well controlled with immunosuppressive drugs. However, the long-term control of rejection is less satisfactory and the side effects of chronic usage of these drugs are far from acceptable. Thus, more imaginative options for therapy need to be explored. Gene therapy has potential promise in preserving allografts, preventing rejection and inducing tolerance. Despite this initial promise in many animal models, the translation of gene therapy to the clinical arena has been slow. This may be related in part to the deficiencies in vector development. Existing viral vectors are efficient at transducing allografts, but they induce inflammatory and pathogenic effects. Although the alternative non-viral systems are relatively innocuous, they are less efficient at gene delivery. This review systematically analyses the limitations of non-viral vector technology and the strategies that have been developed to overcome these limitations. Future development of non-viral vectors may have potential application in clinical transplantation.
Emerging Tools in Engineering: Fractional Order Ladder Impedance Models for Respiratory and Neural Systems

This paper introduces the emerging tool from mathematics in engineering: fractional calculus. Consequently, it enables a novel concept of modelling biological systems by means of preserving the natural rules governing the system's dynamics, i.e., their intrinsic fractal (recurrent) structure. A generally valid ladder network model allows to preserve the anatomy of the system, thereby merging between engineering and medicine. By aid of two original illustrative examples, the advantage and use of these models is explained. Current insight and prospective use for clinical analysis are discussed.