Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of a weighted, automated analysis of the differential blood count to differentiate sepsis from non-infectious systemic inflammation: the intensive care infection score (ICIS).

INTRODUCTION Rapid and accurate diagnosis and immediate treatment of sepsis are of crucial importance. However, differentiating sepsis from Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS) is a difficult challenge. Many diagnostic approaches based on clinical chemistry surrogate markers have not improved the situation. MATERIAL AND METHODS The ICIS score was established in a cohort of 70 consecutive patients with SIRS. The score includes five parameters involved in the early innate immune response: mature neutrophils count, immature neutrophils count, antibody-secreting cells count, detection of neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages activation. The score can be provided in real-time without sample preparation and is independent from inter-observer variability. RESULTS Each ICIS score parameter itself is highly correlated with the occurrence of infection. A mean ICIS value of < 5 (lower cut-off level) indicated the absence of infection whereas the score did not fall below a value of 6 in infected patients throughout the observation time. The area under curve to detect infection for ICIS was found to be highest compared to CRP, LBP, EPO, IL-6 and TNF-α (AUC=0.851, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION Cut-off values for ICIS as a marker of infection were defined by this pilot study. The superior discriminative power of ICIS compared to CRP, LBP, EPO, IL-6 and TNF-α is underlined by its high positive and negative predictive value, particularly within the first 48 hours (PPV=79.7%, NPV=74.5%). The ICIS score provides promising potential for reliably and swiftly discriminating sepsis from SIRS in the first critical hours.
A Prospective Study on the Utility of Diffusion-Weighted and Quantitative Chemical-Shift Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Distinction of Adrenal Adenomas and Metastases

Objective The purpose of this study was to assess the utility of diffusion-weighted and quantitative chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging in the differentiation of adrenal adenomas and metastases. Methods One hundred eight patients (45 men and 63 women; mean age, 57 years) with 126 adrenal masses were prospectively evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging in this study. Signal intensity and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) measurements were performed on axial in- and opposed-phase T1-weighted gradient-echo images and on diffusion-weighted images, respectively. Adrenal signal intensity index (ASII), adrenal-to-spleen chemical-shift ratio (ASR), and ADC values were assessed separately. The threshold values of more than 16.5% for ASII and less than 0.71 for ASR were regarded as highly suggestive of adenoma diagnosis. We also investigated whether a cutoff value for ADC could be found in distinguishing adenomas from metastases. Final diagnoses of adrenal lesions were based on follow-up imaging, histopathologic proof, and adrenal washout study. Apparent diffusion coefficient values of adenomas and metastases were compared by using the Student t test, and ASII and ASR values of the lesions were compared by using the Mann-Whitney U test, and a P < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis and sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and overall accuracies were calculated. Results Final analysis yielded 96 adenomas and 30 metastases. With the commonly used 16.5% threshold value for ASII, we obtained a 94.8% sensitivity, 93.3% specificity, 84.8% positive predictive value, and 97.8% negative predictive value. The overall accuracy was found as 94.4%. When we applied a 0.71 threshold value for ASR, it yielded a 91.7% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 78.9% positive predictive value, and a 100% negative predictive value. The overall accuracy was 93.6%. The mean ADC values were found to be 1.35 ± 0.19 × 10−3 mm2/s and 1.32 ± 0.34 × 10−3 mm²/s for adenomas and metastases, respectively. The difference between the groups with these ADC values was not statistically significant (P = 0.673). The receiver operating characteristic analysis could not determine a clear cutoff value for the differentiation of adenomas from metastases. Conclusions We can advocate that a chemical-shift magnetic resonance imaging using quantitative parameters (ie, ASII and ASR formulas) has an important role in the distinction of adenomas from metastases. These 2 techniques seem to provide close sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy levels. But diffusion-weighted imaging using quantitative ADC measurements is not of value in this differential diagnosis because of the substantial overlapping of ADC values between adenomas and metastases.
Cloning and developmental regulation of a novel member of the insulin-like gene family in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Aging, metabolism and fat accumulation in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) are influenced by mutations in DAF-2, a putative insulin-like receptor. Ten putative insulin-like genes have been recently identified from the C. elegans genome database. However, it is unclear if these genes are orthologues of human insulin since they lack the C-peptide dibasic amino acid proteolysis sites. We have identified and measured mRNA expression during development of two novel members of the C. elegans insulin-like gene family. We also report the sequence characterization and gene structure for one of these, the insulin-like protein-1 (ILP1). We focused on ILP1 characterization because it has structural features consistent with its being a candidate insulin ligand for the DAF-2 insulin-like receptor. For example, ILP1 has a putative C-peptide flanked by dibasic amino acids, exhibits conserved cysteine residues that could provide disulfide bonds between the A and B chains, and has two introns. Northern blot analysis revealed that ILP1 mRNA is expressed at very high levels in embryos and is downregulated very early during postnatal development, suggesting that it may influence embryonic development, but not Dauer formation. We also identified a novel insulin-like growth factor-1-like protein (T28B8/IGF-I) that exhibits a very different developmental expression profile than ILP1. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that members of the unusually large and complex C. elegans insulin-like protein family exhibit complex and perhaps redundant roles.
All-digital Time-Mode elliptic filters based on the operational simulation of LC ladders

Time-Mode Signal Processing (TMSP) techniques are attempting to develop analog signal processing algorithms using primitive digital building blocks such as inverters and NAND/NOR gates. By doing so, the design of such analog circuits can be captured and automated by standard digital design tools and methodologies. In this paper, a method is proposed for designing high-order elliptic filters based on the operational simulation of LC ladder networks using a set of all-digital timemode building blocks (some new, some known). The design of a fifth-order elliptic filter having 1 dB passband ripple and 60 dB of stopband attenuation will be used to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed design method.
A Cluster Analytic Investigation of School Violence Victimization Among Diverse Students

Despite nationwide improvements in school safety, victimization at school continues and affects the well-being of a significant number of students. This study uses the California Healthy Kids Survey, a statewide surveillance instrument administered to students in grades 7, 9, and 11 in California (N = 70,600) to address the multiple victimization experiences of students at school. The authors identify subgroups of students based on victimization experience; assess how perceptions of being targeted due to bias relate to cluster membership; and relate victimization to perceptions of school safety, depression, grades, truancy, and internal assets. Victimization rates are given across grade, gender, and ethnicity. Cluster analysis reveals five victimization subgroups—nonvictims, polyvictims, and victims who are predominantly sexually harassed, predominantly physically victimized, and predominantly teased. Compared to nonvictims, students who are victimized report worse outcomes on measures of psychosocial adjustment, with polyvictims faring the worst. Victims are more likely to perceive that they are targeted due to their gender or perceived sexual orientation. Implications for research and practice are provided.
Impact of different meander sizes on the RF transmit performance and coupling of microstrip line elements at 7 T.

PURPOSE In this work, the transmit performance and interelement coupling characteristics of radio frequency (RF) antenna microstrip line elements are examined in simulations and measurements. METHODS The initial point of the simulations is a microstrip line element loaded with a phantom. Meander structures are then introduced at the end of the element. The size of the meanders is increased in fixed steps and the magnetic field is optimized. In continuative simulations, the coupling between identical elements is evaluated for different element spacing and loading conditions. Verification of the simulation results is accomplished in measurements of the coupling between two identical elements for four different meander sizes. Image acquisition on a 7 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system provides qualitative and quantitative comparisons to confirm the simulation results. RESULTS Simulations point out an optimum range of meander sizes concerning coupling in all chosen geometric setups. Coupling measurement results are in good agreement with the simulations. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons of the acquired MRI images substantiate the coupling results. CONCLUSIONS The coupling between coil elements in RF antenna arrays consisting of the investigated element types can be optimized under consideration of the central magnetic field strength or efficiency depending on the desired application.
phosphatidylcholine-specific phospholipase C elicits mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in PC12 cells

In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that the activation of imidazoline I -receptor, which is coupled to phosphatidylcholine1 Ž mapk mapk . specific phospholipase C, results in downstream activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase p42 and p44 isoforms in PC12 Ž.
Left ventricular performance and remodeling in rabbits after myocardial infarction. Effects of a thyroid hormone analogue.

BACKGROUND Because the rat postinfarction model differs from human heart failure with respect to the composition of myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms and other contractile proteins, alternative animal models are needed for the development of new treatments for human heart failure. The purpose of this study was threefold: (1) to test the feasibility of using the V3(beta,beta) rabbit postinfarction model for the study of heart failure by characterizing the effects of chronic coronary artery occlusion on the left ventricle; (2) to determine whether the thyroid hormone analogue 3,5-diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA) produces improvements in left ventricular function; and (3) to determine the effects of myocardial infarction and treatment with DITPA on MHC protein isoforms. METHODS AND RESULTS Male New Zealand White rabbits underwent proximal circumflex coronary artery ligation. After infarction, rabbits were treated with DITPA (3.75 mg/kg body wt) or placebo for 21 days and then underwent conscious and open-chest hemodynamic studies. In separate groups of rabbits, beta- and alpha-MHC isoforms were separated, and relative proportions were measured using gradient sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and laser densitometry. Infarction resulted in increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and prolonged left ventricular relaxation (tau) (P = .001 for both variables). Postinfarction treatment with DITPA decreased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and tau (P = .002 and P = .001, respectively) and increased maximum positive and negative dP/dt (P = .002 and P = .016, respectively). Infarcted rabbits treated with DITPA had no significant changes in heart rate or left ventricular systolic pressure compared with untreated rabbits with infarction. There were no significant differences in heart rate, positive dP/dt, peak systolic pressure, or tau between sham-operated rabbits and sham-operated rabbits treated with DITPA. Although infarction resulted in increased left ventricular diameter, there were no effects of DITPA on left ventricular remodeling. Neither myocardial infarction nor treatment with DITPA altered the ratio of MHC isoforms. CONCLUSIONS Rabbits that survive occlusion of the circumflex artery will develop myocardial dysfunction and left ventricular remodeling. Therapy with DITPA, a thyroid hormone analogue, produces improvement in ventricular performance and reduces end-diastolic pressure. The hemodynamic effects of DITPA were not associated with alterations of MHC isoforms. Whether DITPA represents the prototype of a previously undescribed class of agents for the treatment of heart failure will need to be determined by clinical trials.
Epigenetic inactivation of MCJ (DNAJD1) in malignant paediatric brain tumours

MCJ (DNAJD1) is a recently discovered member of the DNAJ protein family whose expression is controlled epigenetically by methylation of a CpG island located within the 5′ transcribed region of its gene. Methylation‐dependent transcriptional silencing of MCJ has been observed in ovarian cancers and associated with increased resistance to chemotherapeutic agents; however, its role in other cancer types has not been widely investigated. We examined the status of MCJ in intracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumours [PNETs, comprising cerebellar PNETs (medulloblastomas) and supratentorial PNETs (stPNETs)] and ependymomas, together representing the most common malignant brain tumours of childhood. Evidence of MCJ hypermethylation was found in all 3 tumour types [medulloblastomas, 3/9 (33%) cell lines, 2/28 (7%) primary tumours; stPNETs, 2/2 (100%) cell lines, 3/10 (30%) primary tumours; and ependymomas, 2/20 (10%) primary tumours] but not in nonneoplastic brain tissues (n = 11), indicating that MCJ methylation is a tumour‐specific event. In methylated cases, the distribution of methylated CpG sites across the CpG island could be broadly divided into 2 patterns: (i) extensive methylation of the majority of CpG sites across the island or (ii) limited methylation of individual CpG sites concentrated towards the 5′ end of the island. Extensive methylation patterns were associated with the methylation‐dependent transcriptional silencing of MCJ in medulloblastoma and stPNET cell lines. Further investigations of the mechanism of MCJ inactivation revealed that its loss could occur either through biallelic epigenetic methylation or by methylation in association with genetic loss of its second allele. These data indicate that epigenetic inactivation of MCJ may play a role in the development of a range of paediatric brain tumour types, and its role in disease pathogenesis and chemotherapeutic resistance should now be investigated further. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Comparision of the expandable nail with locked nail in the treatment of closed diaphyseal fractures of femur

Background: Expandable nails achieve stability only by hydraulic expansion; therefore suggest less radiation exposure and operation time. In this study, we aimed to compare the results of expandable femoral nails with locked intramedullary nails in the treatment of diaphyseal fractures of femur. Materials and Methods: Isolated closed AO = Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen type 32.A or 32.B unilateral femoral shaft fractures operated with expandable or locked nail were evaluated retrospectively. We match patients who undergone expandable nail fixation with patients of the same-sex, age, and fracture type who undergone locked nailing. A match was done for 31 expandable nail. At follow up, healing was assessed radiologically and clinically. Outcome measures included duration of hospital stay, time taken to achieve bony union, and participation in full activities. Results: The average duration of surgery in the expandable group was 60.9 min and in the locked group was 82.4 min. In the expandable group, the average clinical healing time was 15.5 weeks and radiographic healing time was 21.7 weeks. In the locked IMN group, the average clinical healing time was 18.4 weeks and the average radiographic healing time was 24.1 weeks. We observed seven (22.6%) non-union in expandable group and four (12.9%) non-union in locked group. In the expandable group, type of the fracture was AO 32.B in all of the non-union patients. We achieved union in all of non-unions of the locked group only with dynamization. In the expandable IMN group, five (16.1%) patients required major surgery, in the locked group none of the patients required major surgery. Conclusion: Non-union rate of the expandable nail is higher than that of the locked nail for femoral diaphyseal fractures. It may be a treatment option in simple fractures like AO 32.A and in patients where rapid fixation is demanded. It has advantages of reduced operative time and less radiation exposure in comparison with reported series of conventional nails.
Managing Global IT Delivery Networks: A Literature Review from the Supplier's Perspective

Information technology (IT) is one of the major drivers of globalization. Thus, the delivery of IT services itself benefits from globalization due to the distribution of labor-intensive services and tasks to locations with lower labor costs, known as off shoring. From the client's perspective, there is also a demand for globally standardized IT services being delivered around the globe, considering local differences such as language. The concept of the global delivery model (GDM) combines the benefits of on- and off shoring, such as flexibility and cost reduction, but it also increases the complexity of the coordination. A global delivery network (GDN) is the nexus of interconnected processes, skills, resources, systems and structures on a high maturity level to ensure the seamless and efficient delivery of services across multiple locations. The literature review aims to present definitions and provide an overview of the current body of knowledge of GDNs and to identify potential for further research.
The arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis influences sulfur starvation responses of Medicago truncatula.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis is a mutualistic interaction that occurs between the large majority of vascular plants and fungi of the phylum Glomeromycota. In addition to other nutrients, sulfur compounds are symbiotically transferred from AM fungus to host plants; however, the physiological importance of mycorrhizal-mediated sulfur for plant metabolism has not yet been determined. We applied different sulfur and phosphate fertilization treatments to Medicago truncatula and investigated whether mycorrhizal colonization influences leaf metabolite composition and the expression of sulfur starvation-related genes. The expression pattern of sulfur starvation-related genes indicated reduced sulfur starvation responses in mycorrhizal plants grown at 1 mM phosphate nutrition. Leaf metabolite concentrations clearly showed that phosphate stress has a greater impact than sulfur stress on plant metabolism, with no demand for sulfur at strong phosphate starvation. However, when phosphate nutrition is high enough, mycorrhizal colonization reduces sulfur stress responses, probably as a result of symbiotic sulfur uptake. Mycorrhizal colonization is able to reduce sulfur starvation responses in M. truncatula when the plant's phosphate status is high enough that sulfur starvation is of physiological importance. This clearly shows the impact of mycorrhizal sulfur transfer on plant metabolism.
Co-evolution of Friendships and Antipathies: A Longitudinal Study of Preschool Peer Groups

We used stochastic actor-based models to test whether the developmental dynamics of friendships and antipathies in preschool peer groups (followed throughout three school years) were co-dependent. We combined choices from three sociometric tasks of 142 children to identify friendship and antipathy ties and used SIENA to model network dynamics. Our results show that different social processes drive the development of friendship and antipathy ties, and that they do not develop in association (i.e., friendship ties are not dependent on existing antipathies, and vice-versa). These results differ from those of older children (age range = 10–14) suggesting that the interplay of friendship and antipathy only plays a significant role in the peer group context in older children. We propose these differences to be likely related with preschool age children's inaccurate perceptions of their classmates' relationships, particularly of their antipathies, and/or with the absence of shared norms to deal with antipathetic relationships.
Comparison of kinematics in skilled and unskilled arms of the same recreational baseball players

Abstract We examined mechanisms of coordination that enable skilled recreational baseball players to make fast overarm throws with their skilled arm and which are absent or rudimentary in their unskilled arm. Arm segment angular kinematics in three dimensions at 1000 Hz were recorded with the search-coil technique from the arms of eight individuals who on one occasion threw with their skilled right arm and on another with their unskilled left arm. Compared with their unskilled arm, the skilled arm had: a larger angular deceleration of the upper arm in space in the forward horizontal direction; a larger shoulder internal rotation velocity at ball release (unskilled arms had a negative velocity); a period of elbow extension deceleration before ball release; and an increase in wrist velocity with an increase in ball speed. It is suggested that some of these differences in arm kinematics occur because of differences between the skilled and unskilled arms in their ability to control interaction torques (the passive torque at one joint due to motion at adjacent joints). It is proposed that one reason unskilled individuals cannot throw fast is that, unlike their skilled counterparts, they have not developed the coordination mechanisms to effectively exploit interaction torques.
Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in Slaughtered Pigs in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil

Abstract: The object of this study was to investigate Toxoplasma gondii antibodies and parasite DNA in pigs in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 305 slaughtered pigs in 11 municipalities, and their sera were tested for T. gondii antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, cutoff 1∶64); 38 (12.5%) samples were positive. Attempts were made to detect T. gondii DNA in the heart tissue of seropositive pigs using the B 1 gene and PCR; 21 (55.2%) of the 38 hearts were positive. This is the first detection of T. gondii DNA in tissues of serologically positive swine in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil.