Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between clinical and pathologic findings in patients with chronic liver diseases.

AIM To explore the relationship between clinical findings of patients with chronic liver diseases and the pathologic grading and staging of liver tissues. METHODS The inflammatory activity and fibrosis of consecutive liver biopsies from 200 patients were determined according to the diagnosis criteria of chronic hepatitis in China established in 1995. A comparative analysis was carried out for 200 patients with chronic liver diseases by comparing their clinical manifestations, serum biochemical markers with the grading and staging of liver tissues. RESULTS It was revealed that age, index of clinical symptoms and physical signs were obviously relevant to the pathologic grading and staging of liver tissues (P<0.05). Blood platelet, red blood cells, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), N-terminal procollagen III (PIII NP) were apparently correlated with the degree of inflammation. PGA (prothrombin time, GGT, apoprotein A1) index, PGAA (PGA+delta2-macroglobulin) index, albumin and albumin/globulin were relevant to both inflammation and fibrosis. Hyaluronic acid (HA) was an accurate variable for the severity of hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. The combination of serum markers for fibrosis could increase the diagnostic accuracy. It was notable that viral replication markers were not relevant to the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. CONCLUSION There is a good correlation between clinical findings and the pathologic grading and staging of liver tissues, which may give aid to the noninvasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis.
Large deviation principle for epidemic models

Abstract We consider a general class of epidemic models obtained by applying the random time changes of Ethier and Kurtz (2005) to a collection of Poisson processes and we show the large deviation principle for such models. We generalise the approach followed by Dolgoarshinnykh (2009) in the case of the SIR epidemic model. Thanks to an additional assumption which is satisfied in many examples, we simplify the recent work of Kratz and Pardoux (2017).
Kinetics and thermodynamics of T cell receptor– autoantigen interactions in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

In the current study, cellular and molecular approaches have been used to analyze the biophysical nature of T cell receptor (TCR)–peptide MHC (pMHC) interactions for two autoreactive TCRs. These two TCRs recognize the N-terminal epitope of myelin basic protein (MBP1–11) bound to the MHC class II protein, I-Au, and are associated with murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. Mice transgenic for the TCRs have been generated and characterized in other laboratories. These analyses indicate that the mice either develop encephalomyelitis spontaneously (172.10 TCR) or only if immunized with autoantigen in adjuvant (1934.4 TCR). Here, we show that the 172.10 TCR binds MBP1–11:I-Au with a 4–5-fold higher affinity than the 1934.4 TCR. Consistent with the higher affinity, 172.10 T hybridoma cells are significantly more responsive to autoantigen than 1934.4 cells. The interaction of the 172.10 TCR with cognate ligand is more entropically unfavorable than that of the 1934.4 TCR, indicating that the 172.10 TCR undergoes greater conformational rearrangements upon ligand binding. The studies therefore suggest a correlation between the strength and plasticity of a TCR–pMHC interaction and the frequency of spontaneous disease in the corresponding TCR transgenic mice. The comparative analysis of these two TCRs has implications for understanding autoreactive T cell recognition and activation.
Dietary Milk Sphingomyelin Reduces Systemic Inflammation in Diet-Induced Obese Mice and Inhibits LPS Activity in Macrophages

High-fat diets (HFD) increase lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activity in the blood and may contribute to systemic inflammation with obesity. We hypothesized that dietary milk sphingomyelin (SM), which reduces lipid absorption and colitis in mice, would reduce inflammation and be mediated through effects on gut health and LPS activity. C57BL/6J mice were fed high-fat, high-cholesterol diets (HFD, n = 14) or the same diets with milk SM (HFD-MSM, 0.1% by weight, n = 14) for 10 weeks. HFD-MSM significantly reduced serum inflammatory markers and tended to lower serum LPS (p = 0.08) compared to HFD. Gene expression related to gut barrier function and macrophage inflammation were largely unchanged in colon and mesenteric adipose tissues. Cecal gut microbiota composition showed greater abundance of Acetatifactor genus in mice fed milk SM, but minimal changes in other taxa. Milk SM significantly attenuated the effect of LPS on pro-inflammatory gene expression in RAW264.7 macrophages. Milk SM lost its effects when hydrolysis was blocked, while long-chain ceramides and sphingosine, but not dihydroceramides, were anti-inflammatory. Our data suggest that dietary milk SM may be effective in reducing systemic inflammation through inhibition of LPS activity and that hydrolytic products of milk SM are important for these effects.
Swarm Debugging : towards a shared debugging knowledge

Debugging is a tedious and time-consuming task since it is a methodical process of finding causes and reducing the number of errors. During debugging sessions, developers run a software project, traversing method invocations, setting breakpoints, stopping or restarting executions. In these sessions, developers explore some project areas and create knowledge about them. Unfortunately, when these sessions finish, this knowledge is lost, and developers cannot use it in other debugging sessions or sharing it with collaborators. In this paper, we present Swarm Debugging, a new approach for visualizing and sharing information obtained from debugging sessions. Swarm Debugging provides interactive and real-time visualizations, and several searching tools. We present a running prototype and show how our approach offers more useful support for many typical development tasks than a traditional debugger tool. Through usage scenarios, we demonstrate that our approach can aid developers to decrease the required time for deciding where to toggle a breakpoint and locate bug causes.
Landmarks for rapid localization of the sphenopalatine foramen: A radiographic morphometric analysis

Background Transnasal endoscopic sphenopalatine artery ligation is becoming the procedure of choice for surgical management of intractable posterior epistaxis. Landmarks for localization of the sphenopalatine foramen can assist in rapid surgical exposure of the sphenopalatine artery. Objective This study examined distances from easily identified endoscopic surgical landmarks to the sphenopalatine foramen. Methods By using computed tomography of the sinus to study radiologic anatomy in 50 adults, distances were measured between five simple endoscopic landmarks and the sphenopalatine foramen. The two-tailed t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results Right- and left-sided measurements were similar. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) anteroposterior distances to the sphenopalatine foramen were the following: from the maxillary line (36.7 ± 5.5 mm), anterior head of the middle turbinate (33.8 ± 6.7 mm), basal lamella (11.8 ± 1.9 mm), and choanal arch (–9.2 ± 1.4 mm). The mean (SD) distance in the vertical dimension from the nasal floor was 26.6 ± 2.6 mm. Female patients had statistically shorter distances to the sphenopalatine foramen from the maxillary line, anterior head of the middle turbinate, choanal arch, and nasal floor. Conclusion Reliable endoscopic landmarks exist in relation to consistent anatomic structures and can be used to help quickly estimate the location of the sphenopalatine foramen at the onset of the procedure.
Effect of a high-molecular-weight component of cranberry on constituents of dental biofilm.

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that high molecular-weight non-dialysable material derived from cranberry juice (NDM) inhibits co-aggregation of a variety of oral bacteria. OBJECTIVES In the present study, we examined the effect of NDM on several constituents of the dental biofilm, glucosyltransferase (GTF) and fructosyltransferase (FTF), as well as on the adhesion of Streptococcus sobrinus. RESULTS The activity of immobilized and soluble GTF and FTF was inhibited by NDM (P > 0.05). NDM also inhibited adhesion of S. sobrinus to hydroxyapatite (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that NDM may affect biofilm formation. One of the proposed mechanisms is via inhibition of extracellular polysaccharide synthesis, which promote the sucrose-dependent adhesion of oral bacteria as S. sobrinus.
Frequency Extension of Telephone Narrowband Speech Signal using Neural Networks

In this paper we study the use of neural networks in bandwidth extension algorithms (BWE). The aim of such algorithms is to extend the frequency range of speech signals generating a large band signal from the corresponding narrowband signal, in order to improve its hearing quality. Based upon the presumption that the information contained in the available bandlimited speech and in the missing frequency components are correlated, we develop an algorithm which maps this relation using a neural network. The results were then analyzed and compared
Test and on-line debug capabilities of IEEE Std 1149.1 in UltraSPARC/sup TM/-III microprocessor

The IEEE Std 1149.1 features have been essential in system and chip debug, test and manufacturing of UltraSPARC-III product. Several key testability features were achieved by adding a suite of customized instructions and logic to the chip core and I/Os to allow test and debug when in test mode or debug during normal operations. In addition, due to the design of high speed I/Os, extra logic was added to Boundary-Scan to maintain compliancy and provide support for all test and debug features. This paper discusses the above features and their logic implementations.
EFEKTIVITAS PENGAWETAN BAMBU UNTUK BAHAN MATERIAL RUMAH APUNG DANAU TEMPE DI SULAWESI SELATAN

Material rumah apung dengan menggunakan rakit dan dinding serta lantai dari bambu, sering kali mengalami kerusakan yang umumnya disebabkan oleh mikroorganisme perusak, sehingga membuat masyarakat pemilik rumah apung merasa kesulitan karena material bambu tersebut mempengaruhi kinerja daya apung dari rakit bambu. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk melihat efektivitas pengawetan bambu yang dilakukan di rumah apung Danau Tempe Sulawesi Selatan. Pengawetan bambu menggunakan metode Modified Bouchery dengan menggunakan beberapa perlakuan antara lain, sebagai kontrol, menggunakan boron, cuka kayu, dan juga dilapisi oleh epoksi. Hasil penelitian dengan data sampai dengan satu bulan menunjukkan bahwa pemberian boron dan cuka kayu, maupun pelapisan pada bagian ujung dengan epoksi tidak menyebabkan penurunan sifat fisis (kadar air, kerapatan, berat jenis, proporsi volume rongga) dan sifat mekanis (MOE dan MOR) bambu dan pemberian boron dan cuka kayu, maupun pelapisan pada bagian ujung dengan epoksi meningkatkan ketahanan bambu dari serangan organisme perusak terutama terhadap jamur pewarna dan jamur pelapuk, serangan rayap dan kumbang belum ditemukan pada semua jenis perlakuan bambu.
Genetic variability of anther donor versus spontaneous doubled haploid descendents and colchicine induced doubled haploid sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) lines

Haploid (n) and doubled haploid (DH) plants were developed in anther culture of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Regenerants were analyzed by flow cytometry for haploid (n = 12) and spontaneous doubled haploid (2n = 24) genomes. Haploid plants were forwarded to colchicine-treatment for induced doubled haploid (2n·) plant production. Molecular polymorphism of anther donor plants (2n), the haploid regenerants (n), the spontaneous (2n) and induced (2n·)-DH plants were analysed by RAPD-, SSR- and ISSR-PCR. The analysis of anther-donor plants compared to DH-descendents showed an unexpectedly wide range of molecular polymorphism. Our results suggest that genetic changes occurring during meiotic recombination is higher than those of occurring during colchicine-induced genomic duplication.
Characterization of lexB mutations in Escherichia coli K-12

Two mutations have been located at the recA locus and phenotypically characterized along with a third one, previously called rec-34. The three mutants behaved similarly to lexA mutants. They were sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light and X rays, and lambdaFec- phages were able to plate on them. The three mutations were called lexB because they could be distinguished from recA mutations by the last property. lexB mutants were less sensitive to UV and X irradiations than were recA mutants and were, to various degrees, recombination proficient. UV light failed to induce prophage lambda in all three lexB lysogens. In contrast, thymine starvation induced lexB31 and lexB34 lysogens. In lexB34 mutants, but not in lexB30 and lexB31 mutants, UV reactivation occurred at a low level. In Escherichia coli K-12, the recA gene has basic functions in the repair of deoxyribonucleic acid lesions, deoxyribonucleic acid recombination, and prophage induction. The three lexB mutations alter unequally and independently the three functions. This suggests that the recA and lexB mutations affect the same gene.
Problem Based Learning in B . P . Koirala

Problem based learning is one of the highly acclaimed learning methods in medical education since its first introduction at Mc-Master University in Canada in the 1960s. It has now been adopted as a teaching learning method in many medical colleges of Nepal. B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences (BPKIHS), a health science deemed university is the second institute in Nepal to establish problem-based learning academic program and need-based teaching approach hence minimizing teaching through lectures since its inception. During the first two years of MBBS course, the curriculum is divided into various organ-systems incorporated with problembased learning exercise each of one week duration. Keywords—PBL, medical education.
Transcatheter aortic‐valve implantation with one single minimal contrast media injection

Performing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) with the use of minimal contrast in patients at high‐risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). Background: Contrast‐induced nephropathy (CIN) is a major cause of AKI following TAVI and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The amount of contrast media used increases the risk for CIN.
Novel Bacterial Polar Lipids Containing Ether-linked Alkyl Chains, the Structures and Biological Properties of the Four Major Glycolipids from Propionibacterium propionicum PCM 2431 (ATCC 14157T)*

Propionibacterium propionicum belongs to the “acnes group” of propionibacteria, which is currently considered as clinically important because of its growing potential in infections, in particular with those connected with immune system dysfunctions. Propionibacteria are thought to be actinomycete-like microorganisms and may still cause diagnostic difficulties. The chloroform-methanol extracts of the cell mass ofP. propionicum (type strain) gave in TLC analysis the characteristic glycolipid profile containing four major glycolipids, labeled G1 through G4. These polar lipids were found to be useful chemotaxonomic markers to differentiate P. propionicum from other cutaneous propionibacteria, in particular from strains of the acnes group. Glycolipids G1–G4 were isolated and purified using gel-permeation chromatography, TLC, and high performance liquid chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by compositional and methylation analyses, specific chemical degradations, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopy, including HMBC, TOCSY, HMQC, and NOESY experiments. Glycolipids G2 and G3 possess as backbone α-d-Glcp-(1 → 3)-α-d-Glcp-(1 → 1)-Gro (Gro, glycerol), in which position O-2 of the glycerol residue is acylated by a fatty acid (mainly C15:0) while O-3 is substituted by an alkyl ether chain. In glycolipid G3, an additional fatty acyl chain was linked to O-6 of the terminal glucose residue. Glycolipid G4 was structurally related to G2 but devoid of one glucose residue. Glycolipid G1 was isolated in small amounts, and its structure was therefore deduced from MALDI-TOF-MS experiments alone, which revealed that it possessed the structure of G2 but was lacking one fatty acid residue. In studies on the biological properties of P. propionicum glycolipids, the anti-P. propionicumrabbit antisera reacted in dot enzyme-immunoblotting test with G2 and G3. Glycolipid G3 was able to induce the delayed type of hypersensitivity. The results indicated that these novel ether linkage-containing polar glycolipids are immunogenic and possibly active in hypersensitivity, and thus, in pathogenesis.
The Dual Regulatory Role of Amino Acids Leu480 and Gln481 of Prothrombin*

Prothrombin (FII) is activated to α-thrombin (IIa) by prothrombinase. Prothrombinase is composed of a catalytic subunit, factor Xa (fXa), and a regulatory subunit, factor Va (fVa), assembled on a membrane surface in the presence of divalent metal ions. We constructed, expressed, and purified several mutated recombinant FII (rFII) molecules within the previously determined fVa-dependent binding site for fXa (amino acid region 473–487 of FII). rFII molecules bearing overlapping deletions within this significant region first established the minimal stretch of amino acids required for the fVa-dependent recognition exosite for fXa in prothrombinase within the amino acid sequence Ser478–Val479–Leu480–Gln481–Val482. Single, double, and triple point mutations within this stretch of rFII allowed for the identification of Leu480 and Gln481 as the two essential amino acids responsible for the enhanced activation of FII by prothrombinase. Unanticipated results demonstrated that although recombinant wild type α-thrombin and rIIaS478A were able to induce clotting and activate factor V and factor VIII with rates similar to the plasma-derived molecule, rIIaSLQ→AAA with mutations S478A/L480A/Q481A was deficient in clotting activity and unable to efficiently activate the pro-cofactors. This molecule was also impaired in protein C activation. Similar results were obtained with rIIaΔSLQ (where rIIaΔSLQ is recombinant human α-thrombin with amino acids Ser478/Leu480/Gln481 deleted). These data provide new evidence demonstrating that amino acid sequence Leu480–Gln481: 1) is crucial for proper recognition of the fVa-dependent site(s) for fXa within prothrombinase on FII, required for efficient initial cleavage of FII at Arg320; and 2) is compulsory for appropriate tethering of fV, fVIII, and protein C required for their timely activation by IIa.
Antitumor Compound Testing in Glioblastoma Organotypic Brain Cultures

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and most aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Identification of new therapeutic regimens is urgently needed. A major challenge remains the development of a relevant in vitro model system with the necessary capacity and flexibility to profile compounds. The authors have developed and characterized a 3D culture system of brain cells (brain Hi-Spot) where GBM-derived cells can be incorporated (GBM/brain Hi-Spot). Immuno-fluorescence and electrophysiological recordings demonstrate that brain Hi-Spots recapitulate many features of brain tissue. Within this tissue, GBM-derived cell growth is monitored using a fluorescence assay. GBM-derived cells growing in Hi-Spots form tumor nodules that display properties of GBM such as 5-Ala positive staining, an acidic environment, and tumor-surrounding astrocyte activation. Temozolomide inhibits GBM growth in brain Hi-Spots, but it is not effective in 2D cultures. Other chemotherapeutics that have proven to be inefficient in GBM treatment display low activity against GBM-derived cells growing in brain Hi-Spots in comparison to their activity against GBM 2D cultures. These findings suggest that GBM/brain Hi-Spots represent a simple system to culture cells derived from brain tumors in an orthotopic environment in vitro and that the system is reliable to test GBM targeting compounds.
Prospective evaluation of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation from matched related and matched unrelated donors in younger adults with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia: German-Austrian trial AMLHD98A.

PURPOSE To assess the impact of allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (HSCT) from matched related donors (MRDs) and matched unrelated donors (MUDs) on outcome in high-risk patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) within a prospective multicenter treatment trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS Between 1998 and 2004, 844 patients (median age, 48 years; range, 16 to 62 years) with AML were enrolled onto protocol AMLHD98A that included a risk-adapted treatment strategy. High risk was defined by the presence of unfavorable cytogenetics and/or by no response to induction therapy. RESULTS Two hundred sixty-seven (32%) of 844 patients were assigned to the high-risk group. Of these 267 patients, 51 patients (19%) achieved complete remission but had adverse cytogenetics, and 216 patients (81%) had no response to induction therapy. Allogeneic HSCT was actually performed in 162 (61%) of 267 high-risk patients, after a median time of 147 days after diagnosis. Graft sources were as follows: MRD (n = 62), MUD (n = 89), haploidentical donor (n = 10), and cord blood (n = 1). The 5-year overall survival rates were 6.5% (95% CI, 3.1% to 13.6%) for patients (n = 105) not proceeding to HSCT and 25.1% (95% CI, 19.1% to 33.0%; from date of transplantation) for patients (n = 162) receiving HSCT. Multivariable analysis including allogeneic HSCT as a time-dependent covariable revealed that allogeneic HSCT significantly improved outcome; there was no difference in outcome between allogeneic HSCT from MRD and MUD. CONCLUSION Allogeneic HSCT in younger adults with high-risk AML has a significant beneficial impact on outcome, and allogeneic HSCT from MRD and MUD yields similar results.
The Surface of Mars

Soger man en serios, paedagogisk og oversigtsgivende bog om Mars' geologi, er bogen "The surface of Mars" af Michael Carr lige den, man skal have fat i. Rigt illustreret daekker bogen et stort behov for at behandle de nyeste resultater, der er strommet til Jorden gennem 10 ars intens udforskning af planeten, og samtidig formar den at formidle til bade laegmaend med geologisk baggrund og til fagfolk.
Dietary Patterns and Heritability of Food Choice in a UK Female Twin Cohort

Abstract To examine the contribution of genetic factors to food choice, we determined dietary patterns from food frequency questionnaires in 3262 UK female twins aged 18 to 79 years. Five distinct dietary patterns were identified (fruit and vegetable, high alcohol, traditional English, dieting, low meat) that accounted for 22% of the total variance. These patterns are similar to those found in other singleton Western populations, and were related to body mass index, smoking status, physical activity and deprivation scores. Older subjects had higher scores on the fruit and vegetable and traditional English patterns, while lower social deprivation was associated with higher scores for fruit and vegetable, and lower scores for traditional English patterns. All 5 patterns were heritable, with estimates ranging from 41% to 48%. Among individual dietary components, a strongly heritable component was identified for garlic (46%), coffee (41%), fruit and vegetable sources (49%), and red meat (39%). Our results indicate that genetic factors have an important influence in determining food choice and dietary habits in Western populations. The relatively high heritability of specific dietary components implicates taste perception as a possible target for future genetic studies.