Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of Multifactorial Treatment Targets and Relative Importance of Hemoglobin A1c, Blood Pressure, and Low‐Density Lipoprotein‐Cholesterol on Cardiovascular Diseases in Chinese Primary Care Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Population‐Based Retrospective Cohort Study

Background The relative effect of hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (LDL‐C) (“ABC” factors) on the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the association of key clinical parameters on CVD risk using a multifactorial optimal control approach in Chinese primary care patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods and Results A population‐based retrospective cohort study was conducted on 144 271 Chinese type 2 diabetes mellitus primary care patients, aged 18 to 79 and without prior clinical diagnosis of CVD in 2008–2011. Cox regressions were conducted to examine the association between the combinations of ABC targets (hemoglobin A1c <7%, blood pressure <130/90 mm Hg, and LDL‐C <2.6 mmol/L) and risks of CVD (overall), coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. Achieving more ABC targets incrementally reduced the incidence of total CVD and individual disease including coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure, irrespective of other patient characteristics. Compared with suboptimal control in all ABC levels, achieving any 1, 2, and all 3 ABC targets reduced the relative risk of CVD by 13% to 42%, 31% to 52%, and 55%, respectively. Among those achieving only 1 ABC target, LDL‐C reduction was associated with the greatest CVD risk reduction (42%), followed by blood pressure reduction (18%), and hemoglobin A1c reduction (13%). Conclusions To achieve the greatest risk reduction for the incidence of CVD, the ultimate goal of treatment should be to achieve target control of hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and LDL‐C. If it is not possible to achieve all 3 targets, efforts should be prioritized on treating the LDL‐C to minimize CVD risk.
Physical activity and weight gain prevention.

CONTEXT The amount of physical activity needed to prevent long-term weight gain is unclear. In 2008, federal guidelines recommended at least 150 minutes per week (7.5 metabolic equivalent [MET] hours per week) of moderate-intensity activity for "substantial health benefits. " OBJECTIVE To examine the association of different amounts of physical activity with long-term weight changes among women consuming a usual diet. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS A prospective cohort study involving 34,079 healthy US women (mean age, 54.2 years) from 1992-2007. At baseline and months 36, 72, 96, 120, 144, and 156, women reported their physical activity and body weight. Women were classified as expending less than 7.5, 7.5 to less than 21, and 21 or more MET hours per week of activity at each time. Repeated-measures regression prospectively examined physical activity and weight change over intervals averaging 3 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Change in weight. RESULTS Women gained a mean of 2.6 kg throughout the study. A multivariate analysis comparing women expending 21 or more MET hours per week with those expending from 7.5 to less than 21 MET hours per week showed that the latter group gained a mean (SD) 0.11 kg (0.04 kg; P = .003) over a mean interval of 3 years, and those expending less than 7.5 MET hours per week gained 0.12 kg (0.04; P = .002). There was a significant interaction with body mass index (BMI), such that there was an inverse dose-response relation between activity levels and weight gain among women with a BMI of less than 25 (P for trend < .001) but no relation among women with a BMI from 25 to 29.9 (P for trend = .56) or with a BMI of 30.0 or higher (P for trend = .50). A total of 4540 women (13.3%) with a BMI lower than 25 at study start successfully maintained their weight by gaining less than 2.3 kg throughout. Their mean activity level over the study was 21.5 MET hours per week (approximately 60 minutes a day of moderate-intensity activity). CONCLUSIONS Among women consuming a usual diet, physical activity was associated with less weight gain only among women whose BMI was lower than 25. Women successful in maintaining normal weight and gaining fewer than 2.3 kg over 13 years averaged approximately 60 minutes a day of moderate-intensity activity throughout the study.
Development and characterization of efficient xenograft models for benign and malignant human prostate tissue

Various research groups have attempted to grow fresh, histologically intact human prostate cancer tissues in immunodeficient mice. Unfortunately, grafting of such tissues to the sub‐cutaneous compartment was found to be associated with low engraftment rates. Furthermore, xenografts could only be established using high‐grade, advanced stage, but not low‐ or moderate‐grade prostate cancer tissues.
8-Element circularly polarized microstrip array antenna

In this paper, the development of an eight-element circularly polarized microstrip array at 5.8 GHz is presented. Theory and experiment demonstrate both axial ratio 3 dB bandwidth and the voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) 2:1 bandwidth of 8.6%. Different half power beamwidth at horizontal plane (16deg) and vertical plane (36deg) is achieved, and the measured array peak gain is 14 dBi at center frequency. The sequential rotation method for the element arrangement and array arrangement is employed to meet these objectives. The use of coplanar corporate feeds for microstrip patch arrays leads to constructional simplicity.
Raf-1 protein kinase is an integral component of the oncogenic signal cascade shared by epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor

Our recent studies with cell mutants indicate that a cascade shared by the epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) signals exists in NRK cells and mediates oncogenic signals induced by many oncogenes (A. Masuda, S. Kizaka-Kondoh, H. Miwatani, Y. Terada, H. Nojima, and H. Okayama, New Biol. 4:489-503, 1992). We have employed the antisense RNA technique to investigate possible involvement of Raf-1 kinase in this signal transduction cascade. NRK cell clones highly reduced in the Raf-1 production are generated by the expression of a c-raf-1 antisense RNA. They have no apparent growth defects and retain proper mitotic responses to growth factors but are refractory to transformation by EGF or PDGF plus transforming growth factor beta, v-erbB, v-fms, v-K-ras, v-mos, v-fos, v-src, simian virus 40 large T, and polyomavirus middle T but not by v-raf or adenovirus E1A. These results not only support our model for the oncogenic signal cascade but also lead to the conclusion that Raf-1 protein kinase is a downstream component of this oncogenic signal cascade shared by EGF and PDGF.
Study of urinary tract infection in children in one health district

Abstract Objectives : To determine the number of children20who had urine specimens sent for culture, who had infections or sterile pyuria, and who were investigated further. To relate the laboratory findings to the results of imaging. Design: One year survey of urine specimens submitted to a laboratory; review of previous and subsequent laboratory reports; review of the findings of imaging of the urinary tract. Setting: Portsmouth and South East Hampshire health district. Subjects: An estimated population of 89 086 children aged 12 years or under. Main outcome measures: Urine bacterial count and results of imaging. Results - 12 551 urine specimens were submitted from 7450 children, 3138 boys and 4312 girls. 2238 children had infection or sterile pyuria at least once during the study (13.9/1000 boys, 37/1000 girls). 996 (45%) of the children with infection or sterile pyuria underwent some form of imaging. 128 children who had infection or sterile pyuria were already known to have urinary tract abnormalities and 114 children had newly identified abnormalities (1.0/1000 boys, 1.5/1000 girls). 50 (44%) of the children with newly detected abnormalities had no pyuria and 48 (42%) had bacterial counts below 108/l. Eight children who had sterile pyuria on presentation were found to have abnormalities on imaging. Conclusions: Urinary tract infection is much20commoner in children than is widely believed. Low bacterial counts, the absence of pyuria, or a finding of sterile pyuria should not be disregarded.
Intestinal motor activity, endoluminal motion and transit

Abstract A programme for evaluation of intestinal motility has been recently developed based on endoluminal image analysis using computer vision methodology and machine learning techniques. Our aim was to determine the effect of intestinal muscle inhibition on wall motion, dynamics of luminal content and transit in the small bowel. Fourteen healthy subjects ingested the endoscopic capsule (Pillcam, Given Imaging) in fasting conditions. Seven of them received glucagon (4.8 μg kg−1 bolus followed by a 9.6 μg kg−1 h−1 infusion during 1 h) and in the other seven, fasting activity was recorded, as controls. This dose of glucagon has previously shown to inhibit both tonic and phasic intestinal motor activity. Endoluminal image and displacement was analyzed by means of a computer vision programme specifically developed for the evaluation of muscular activity (contractile and non‐contractile patterns), intestinal contents, endoluminal motion and transit. Thirty‐minute periods before, during and after glucagon infusion were analyzed and compared with equivalent periods in controls. No differences were found in the parameters measured during the baseline (pretest) periods when comparing glucagon and control experiments. During glucagon infusion, there was a significant reduction in contractile activity (0.2 ± 0.1 vs 4.2 ± 0.9 luminal closures per min, P < 0.05; 0.4 ± 0.1 vs 3.4 ± 1.2% of images with radial wrinkles, P < 0.05) and a significant reduction of endoluminal motion (82 ± 9 vs 21 ± 10% of static images, P < 0.05). Endoluminal image analysis, by means of computer vision and machine learning techniques, can reliably detect reduced intestinal muscle activity and motion.
Algorithm to extend reconstruction field-of-view

Images obtained from CT scanners are often used to estimate the radiation dose delivered to a target organ in oncology applications. Since a patient needs to be positioned in a similar manner as in a therapy machine, a portion of the patient is often positioned outside the scan field-of-view (SFOV). Projection truncation problem also occurs frequently in conventional CT scans and causes imaging artifacts that lead to suboptimal image quality. In this paper, we propose a reconstruction algorithm that enables an adequate estimation of the object outside the SFOV. We make use of the fact that the total attenuation of each ideal projection in a parallel sampling geometry remains constant over views. We use the magnitudes and slopes of the projection samples at the location of truncation to estimate water cylinders that can best fit to the projection data outside the SFOV. To improve the robustness of the algorithm, continuity constraints are placed on the fitting parameters. Extensive phantom and patient experiments were conducted to test the robustness and accuracy of the proposed algorithm.
Bradykinin B2 Receptors Activate Na+/H+ Exchange in mIMCD-3 Cells via Janus Kinase 2 and Ca2+/Calmodulin*

We used a cultured murine cell model of the inner medullary collecting duct (mIMCD-3 cells) to examine the regulation of the ubiquitous sodium-proton exchanger, Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE-1), by a prototypical G protein-coupled receptor, the bradykinin B2receptor. Bradykinin rapidly activates NHE-1 in a concentration-dependent manner as assessed by proton microphysiometry of quiescent cells and by 2′-7′-bis[2-carboxymethyl]-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein fluorescence measuring the accelerated rate of pH i recovery from an imposed acid load. The activation of NHE-1 is blocked by inhibitors of the bradykinin B2 receptor, phospholipase C, Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM), and Janus kinase 2 (Jak2), but not by pertussis toxin or by inhibitors of protein kinase C and phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase. Immunoprecipitation studies showed that bradykinin stimulates the assembly of a signal transduction complex that includes CaM, Jak2, and NHE-1. CaM appears to be a direct substrate for phosphorylation by Jak2 as measured by an in vitro kinase assay. We propose that Jak2 is a new indirect regulator of NHE-1 activity, which modulates the activity of NHE-1 by increasing the tyrosine phosphorylation of CaM and most likely by increasing the binding of CaM to NHE-1.
Reduced ryanodine receptor to dihydropyridine receptor ratio may underlie slowed contraction in a rabbit model of left ventricular cardiac hypertrophy.

Cardiac hypertrophy is associated with contractile dysfunction, a feature of which is a slowing of the time to reach peak contraction. We have examined the main mechanisms involved in the initiation of contraction and investigated if their functions are changed during cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac hypertrophy was induced by constriction of the ascending aorta in the rabbit. After 6 weeks left ventricular myocytes were isolated or left ventricular and septal mixed membrane preparations were produced for electrophysiological and radioligand binding studies, respectively. Aortic constriction resulted in a 24% and 23% increase in heart weight to body weight ratio and cell capacitance, respectively. Action potential duration and time-to-reach 50% and 90% peak contraction (TTP(50)and TTP(90), respectively) were significantly prolonged in myocytes from hypertrophied hearts. The prolongation of TTP(50)and TTP(90)could not be explained by altered peak calcium current density or SR calcium content which were unchanged in hypertrophy. Radioligand binding studies performed on tissue preparations from the same hearts, revealed a 34% reduction in ryanodine receptor (RYR) density with no change in dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) density. This resulted in a reduction in the ratio of RYR to DHPR from 4.4:1 to 3.3:1 in hypertrophy. Ryanodine receptor Ca(2+)-sensitivity was unchanged between sham operated and hypertrophied groups. A reduction in the ratio of RYRs to DHPRs may result in a degree of "functional uncoupling" causing defective release of Ca(2+)from the SR. These findings may underlie the slowed TTP of myocyte contraction in hypertrophy.
A human non-XLA immunodeficiency disease characterized by blockage of B cell development at an early proB cell stage.

We report a detailed analysis of a B cell defect affecting a patient girl born from first cousin parents, characterized by a severe non-X-linked agammaglobulinemia with a total absence of CD19- cells in the periphery. In the bone marrow, CD19 expression was also highly impaired, resulting in the absence of both B and preB compartments. By contrast, CD34+CD10+, CD34psiL+, and some CD19+CD10+ mostly CD34+ early proB cells were present, although diminished. Semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis performed on mononuclear bone marrow cells indicated that lambda-like, VpreB, Rag-1, Rag-2, and TdT transcripts expressed during proB cell stages were found at normal levels whereas E2A, CD10, Syk, Pax-5, CD19, Igalpha, Igbeta, VH-Cmu, and Vkappa-Ckappa transcripts characteristic of later stages were severely depressed. This phenotype resembles that of Pax-5 knock-out mice, but since the coding sequence of the patient Pax-5 cDNA was shown to be normal, the defect might rather result from an altered regulation of this gene. All these data indicate that the patient suffers from a new genetic defect that results in an arrest of differentiation within the proB cell compartment, i.e., earlier than X-linked agammaglobulinemia, before the onset of Ig gene rearrangements.
The Role of Alliance in the Relationship Between Therapist Competence and Outcome in Brief Psychodynamic Psychotherapy

Therapist competence is a key variable for psychotherapy research. Empirically, the relationship between competence and therapeutic outcome has shown contradictory results and needs to be clarified, especially with regard to possible variables influencing this relationship. A total of 78 outpatients were treated by 15 therapists in a very brief 4-session format, based on psychoanalytic theory. Data were analyzed by means of a nested design using hierarchical linear modeling. No direct link between therapist competence and outcome has been found, however, results corroborated the importance of alliance patterns as moderator in the relationship between therapist competence and outcome. Only in dyads with alliance change over the course of treatment was it clear that competence is positively related to outcome. These findings are discussed with regard to the importance for outcome of therapist competence and alliance construction processes.
Two-Dimensional Gapping to Reduce Light-Load Loss of Point-of-Load Inductor

Point-of-load converter at light load has low efficiency owing to the “fixed losses” such as core loss and ac winding loss. This paper focuses on two-dimensional (2-D) gapping of a ferrite core to shape inductance versus load current to reduce inductor loss at light load. Since the maximum inductance of conventional stepped gap is limited by the cross-sectional area of the thin gap, a 2-D gap is formed by joining two orthogonal gaps to gain flexibility. Higher inductance is achieved at light load compared with uniform-gap and stepped-gap geometries having the same volume and dc resistance. AC resistance is reduced at light load thanks to a magnetic path that steers ac flux away from the winding. Two C-cores with 2-D gap were fabricated and tested on a buck converter with 50% reduced total inductor loss at 10% load current.
High-isolation metamaterial MIMO antenna

This paper presents the design of a metamaterial MIMO antenna which operates at 5.8 GHz. The left handed single cell of series capacitor and shunt inductor are considered the main block of the antenna elements. The configuration of the shunt stub is reversed to achieve lower coupling between the antenna elements The small size of only 2.93cm×2.6cm and high isolation of more than 35 dB are considered to be the main advantageous of the proposed metamaterial MIMO design. Experimental measurements of the fabricated antenna design agree with simulation results.
Optically Tuned Frequency-Reconfigurable Microstrip Antenna

A novel class of microstrip antennas composed of organic semiconductor polymer (P3HT) is proposed for frequency sweeping applications. Resonant frequency of the proposed antennas instantly changes by changing optical illumination intensity of an adjustable white light source. Two different antenna configurations (square and square ring) are designed and tested experimentally. The square-ring antenna is able to sweep a broader frequency band (1.5 GHz). Gain and radiation efficiency of the proposed square antenna are compared to its corresponding copper microstrip antenna. The proposed antennas have reasonable performance, albeit with modest radiation efficiency.
Reconstructed bone chip detachment is a risk factor for sinusitis after transsphenoidal surgery

Sphenoid sinusitis is a complication associated with endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery. Studies that address the relationship between methods of sellar defect reconstruction and postoperative sinusitis are rare. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, the possible risk factors, and the causative pathogens of sphenoid sinusitis after endoscopic transsphenoidal pituitary surgery.
Long-term efficacy of a deltamethrin-impregnated collar for the control of the Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus, on dogs.

OBJECTIVE To determine the duration of efficacy of a 4% deltamethrin-impregnated collar for dogs (Scalibor® ProtectorBand, MSD Animal Health) against adult female paralysis ticks (Ixodes holocyclus). PROCEDURES A controlled pen study was conducted. Dogs were artificially infested at 14-day intervals with unfed adult female ticks for up to 140 days following application of the collar to the dogs. Efficacy was assessed by manually counting ticks on dogs at 24, 48 and 72 h after each infestation. RESULTS Efficacy at the 72-h count was 96% after the day 14 tick infestation. The 72-h efficacy remained above 94% from the day 14 to the day 98 infestations, when efficacy was still 99.5%. Efficacy at 72 h was above 90% after the day 112 infestation and was still 93% at 72 h after the day 140 infestation. CONCLUSIONS The deltamethrin-impregnated collar gave greater than 90% control of paralysis ticks for at least 14 weeks.
The transnational circulation of the ‘organizing model’ and its reception in Germany and France

Approaches to union ‘renewal’ or ‘revitalization’ developed in the USA have influenced debates in other countries on responses to the loss of membership. The ‘organizing model’ was first disseminated to other Anglophone countries (Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom) but was subsequently discussed and adopted in a number of continental European countries. This article analyses the transnational circulation of the organizing approach, focusing on its reception in Germany and France and examining the actors and channels of circulation, before exploring the extent to which the ‘organizing model’ has been received, reformulated and adopted.
Microevolution in fimH Gene of Mucosa-Associated Escherichia coli Strains Isolated from Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease

ABSTRACT Several studies reported increased numbers of mucosa-associated Escherichia coli strains in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). The majority of E. coli strains possess type 1 fimbriae, whose tip fibrillum protein, FimH, naturally undergoes amino acid replacements, an important process in the adaptation of commensal E. coli strains to environmental changes, like those observed in IBD and urinary tract infections. In this study, we analyzed mutational patterns in the fimH gene of 52 mucosa-associated E. coli strains isolated from IBD and non-IBD pediatric patients, in order to investigate microevolution of this genetic trait. FimH-positive strains were also phylogenetically typed and tested for their adhesive ability on Caco-2 cells. Specific FimH alleles for each grouping feature were found. Mutations G66S and V27A were related to CD, while mutations A242V, V163A, and T74I were attributed to UC. Otherwise, the G66S, N70S, and S78N mutations were specifically attributed to B2/D phylogroups. The N70S and A119V mutations were related to adhesive E. coli strains. Phylogroup B2, adhesive, and IBD E. coli strains showed a higher site substitution rate (SSR) in the fimH gene, together with a higher number of mutations. The degree of naïve mucosal inflammation was related to specific FimH alleles. Moreover, we could suggest that the V27A mutation is pathoadaptive for the CD intestinal habitat, while we could also suggest that both the N70S and S78N mutations are related to the more virulent E. coli B2 phylogroup. In conclusion, we found some FimH variants that seem to be more involved than others in the evolution of IBD pathogenesis.