Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Influence of treatment with ultralow-dose aspirin on platelet aggregation as measured by whole blood impedance aggregometry and platelet P-selectin expression in clinically normal dogs.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the influence of treatment with ultralow-dose aspirin (ULDAsp) on platelet aggregation, P-selectin (CD62P) expression, and formation of platelet-leukocyte aggregates in clinically normal dogs. ANIMALS 18 clinically normal dogs. PROCEDURES Studies were conducted before and 24 hours after ULDAsp administration (0.5 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h, for 2 days). Whole blood impedance aggregometry for the assessment of platelet function was performed with sodium citrate-anticoagulated blood and aggregation agonists (ADP at 20, 10, and 5 μmol/L; collagen at 10, 5, and 2 μg/mL). Onset, maximum response, and rate of platelet aggregation were recorded. Flow cytometric assays were configured to detect thrombin-induced CD62P expression and platelet-leukocyte aggregates in EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood. Externalized platelet CD62P and constitutive CD61 (GPIIIa) were labeled with antibodies conjugated to phycoerythrin (PE) and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), respectively. Red blood cell-lysed paraformaldehyde-fixed EDTA-anticoagulated whole blood was dual labeled with CD61-FITC and a panleukocyte antibody (CD18-PE) to characterize platelet-leukocyte aggregates. RESULTS ULDAsp significantly delayed platelet aggregation onset with ADP at 20 μmol/L by 54% to 104%, attenuated maximum aggregation with various concentrations of ADP and collagen by ≥ 41%, and slowed aggregation rate with the highest ADP and collagen concentrations by ≥ 39%. Depending on the parameter tested, up to 30% of dogs failed to have an ULDAsp effect. Thrombin stimulation significantly increased CD62P expression in platelets and platelet-leukocyte aggregates, but ULDAsp did not alter basal or thrombin-stimulated CD62P expression. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE ULDAsp treatment of clinically normal dogs impaired platelet aggregation in most dogs, but did not influence CD62P platelet membrane expression.
Households as infrastructure junctions in urban sustainability transitions: The case of hot water metering

The integration of infrastructure domains and resource flows such as electricity, heat, water and waste increasingly gains currency in strategies to achieve more resource-efficient, smart and resilient cities. While widely discussed concepts of a nexus of resource systems, such as energy–water–food, aim at a more optimised and integrative management of resource flows, this article investigates how infrastructure integration is accomplished through the establishment of new interfaces and junctions between formerly separated systems. In particular, it focuses on households as an arena where different urban infrastructures intersect and different kinds of sometimes contradicting demands are imposed to co-manage these infrastructures, such as in the case of own electricity generation from photovoltaics along with the charging of electric cars and the management of household energy consumption. The installation of meters and the constant monitoring of resource use and consumption feedback to household members is regarded as a crucial element in such a transition towards more sustainable urban infrastructures. Empirically, the article studies the introduction of hot tap water meters in urban households in Sweden and the resistance and reactions of these households to such a metering regime. Our study shows how meters as new junctions between energy suppliers and users but also between separate infrastructures of electricity, hot tap water and room heating become contested political terrains which are linked to broader socio-political questions of urban change. In contrast to system management perspectives, such an ‘inside-out’ approach rather lends itself to context-sensitive and navigational governance approaches of infrastructure integration.
A novel 3‐dimensional culture system as an in vitro model for studying oral cancer cell invasion

Tissue microenvironment plays a critical role in tumour growth and invasion. This study established a novel 3‐dimensional (3‐D) cell invasion model for direct microscopic observation of oral cancer cell invasion into the underlying basement membrane and connective tissue stroma. A multilayer cell construct was developed using the OptiCell chamber, consisting of a lower layer of oral mucosa fibroblasts embedded in collagen gel and an overlaying upper layer of oral cancer cells. The two layers are separated by a basement membrane composed of reconstituted extracellular matrix. To verify the applicability of the cell invasion model, multilayer cell constructs of oral squamous cell carcinoma and oral mucosal fibroblasts were exposed to extrinsic urokinase‐type plasminogen activator (uPA) or plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI‐1), which are known effectors of cell migration. In addition, the constructs were exposed to both normoxic and hypoxic culture conditions. Microscopic study showed that the presence of uPA enhanced cell invasion, while PAI‐1 inhibited cell migration. Western blot and zymographic analysis demonstrated that hypoxia up‐regulated uPA and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression and activity; conversely, PAI‐1 level was down‐regulated in response to hypoxic challenge as compared to normoxic condition. Our results indicated that the novel 3‐D invasion model could serve as an excellent in vitro model to study cancer cell invasion and to test conditions or mediators of cellular migration.
Time-frequency analysis of heart rate variability during the cold pressor test using a time-varying autoregressive model

Heart rate variability is a useful clinical tool for autonomic function assessment and cardiovascular disease diagnosis. To investigate the dynamic changes of sympathetic and parasympathetic activities during the cold pressor test, we used a time-varying autoregressive model for the time-frequency analysis of heart rate variability in 101 healthy subjects. We found that there were two sympathetic peaks (or two parasympathetic valleys) when the abrupt changes of temperature (ACT) occurred at the beginning and the end of the cold stimulus and that the sympathetic and parasympathetic activities returned to normal in about the last 2 min of the cold stimulus. These findings suggested that the ACT rather than the low temperature was the major cause of the sympathetic excitation and parasympathetic withdrawal. We also found that the onsets of the sympathetic peaks were 4–26 s prior to the ACT and the returns to normal were 54–57 s after the ACT, which could be interpreted as the feedforward and adaptation of the autonomic regulation process in the human body, respectively. These results might be helpful for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of the autonomic system and its effects on the cardiovascular system.
Treatment of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

PURPOSE Treatment options for chronic-phase chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) based on medication-resistant mutations in BCR-ABL are reviewed. SUMMARY Imatinib, nilotinib, and dasatinib are first-line therapies for chronic-phase CML. Nilotinib or dasatinib can be used as first- or second-line treatment, with nilotinib preferred in patients with BCR-ABL F317 and V229 mutations and dasatinib in patients with Y253H, E255, and F359 mutations. All three medications are associated with neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia; the reported rates varied but ranged from 38% to 90% in Phase III studies. Although less data are available for bosutinib, the drug can be used as second-line therapy and is effective against F317L, Y253H, and F359 mutations. Mutations at position T315I are generally resistant to all of these tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) but may respond to ponatinib or omacetaxine. The choice of third-line therapy can be driven by mutational analysis or patient-specific characteristics. While ponatinib and omacetaxine have activity in patients with T351I mutations, they have not been directly compared. Differences in patient characteristics and adverse-effect profiles may also aid in the selection of appropriate therapy. CONCLUSION Several TKIs are effective in the treatment of chronic-phase CML. Imatinib, nilotinib, or dasatinib may be used as first-line therapy, while second- and third-line treatments are determined based on previous failed therapy as well as BCR-ABL mutation status.
Prevalence of resistant hypertension in 1810 patients followed up in a specialized outpatient clinic and its association with the metabolic syndrome

Abstract We aimed to assess the prevalence of resistant hypertension (RH) in patients attending hypertension outpatient clinics and to identify risk factors for RH. We studied the medical records of the last visit of all patients (n = 1810; 40.4% males, age 56.5 ± 13.5 years) who attended at least once our hypertension outpatient clinic during the last decade. RH was defined as blood pressure (BP) > 140/90 mmHg in patients without diabetes or chronic kidney disease (or BP > 130/80 mmHg in patients with the latter diseases) despite treatment with full doses of three antihypertensive agents from different classes or controlled BP on four or more different antihypertensive agents. The prevalence of RH was 12.3%, whereas 22.2% of the patients had well-controlled hypertension and 65.5% had uncontrolled hypertension but were on less than three antihypertensive agents. Independent predictors of RH were age (risk ratio, RR = 1.08, 95% confidence interval, CI 1.05–1.12, p < 0.001), body mass index (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 1.00–1.13, p < 0.05) and the presence of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) (RR = 2.01, 95% CI 1.03–3.91, p < 0.05). Conclusions. RH is frequent in patients followed up in hypertension outpatient clinics. In addition to age and obesity, MetS appears to be associated with increased risk for RH. Clarification of the mechanisms underpinning the association between MetS and hypertension might reduce the prevalence of RH.
Development of Serotonin-like and SALMFamide-like Immunoreactivity in the Nervous System of the Sea Urchin Psammechinus miliaris

The present immunocytochemical study utilizes serotonin and SALMFamide antisera, together with confocal laser scanning microscopy, to provide new information about the development of the nervous system in the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris (Echinodermata: Echinoidea). Special attention is paid to the extent of the nervous system in later larval stages (6-armed pluteus to metamorphic competency), a characteristic that has not been well described in this and other species of sea urchin. An extensive apical ganglion appears by the 6-armed pluteus stage, forming a complex of 10-20 cells and fibers, including discrete populations of both serotonin-like and SALMFamide-like immunoreactive cells. At metamorphosis this complex is large, comprising at least 40 cells in distinct arrays. Serotonin-like immunoreactivity is also particularly apparent in the lower lip ganglion of 6- to 8-armed plutei; this ganglion consists of 15-18 cells that are distributed around the mouth. The ciliary nerves that lie beneath the ciliary bands in the larval arms, the esophagus, and a hitherto undescribed network associated with the pylorus all show SALMFamide-like immunoreactivity. The network of cells and fibers in the pyloric area develops later in larval life. It first appears as one cell body and fiber, then increases in size and complexity through the 8-armed pluteus stage to form a complex of cells that encircles the pylorus. SALMFamide-like, but not serotonin-like, immunoreactivity is seen in the vestibule wall, tube feet, and developing radial nerve fibers of the sea urchin adult rudiment as the larva gains metamorphic competency.
Computer assisted monitoring in intensive medicine.

Intensive Medicine is always associated with the problem of handling the mass and assuring the quality of information on vital signs, fluid and blood balance, laboratory data, physiological calculations, etc., required in patient care. A computer based monitoring system for intensive care was introduced in 1973 at the Academic Hospital in Leuven. The basic software was developed at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital of the Harvard Medical School and the medical division of the Hewlett Packard Company; the computer used was a H.P. 2100 central processor with 32K of core memory. Initially, the program allowed mainly acquisition, storage and retrieval of bedside monitored and manual data of cardiac and circulatory function. Very soon however, the software was extended and modified by the division of "Medical Informatics" in order to meet new or different requirements. In the present situation our vision on the use of computer-assisted monitoring has changed and our present program has been extended as follows : 1. On-line collection and retrieval of bedside monitored data including heart rate, arterial blood pressure (systolic-diastolic-mean) left atrial pressure, central venous pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, intracranial pressure. Trend analysis of those data, with calculation of mean values, standard variation and corresponding t-tests. 2. Computer assistance in performing time consuming calculations on off-line data such as : -- clearance-values (renal function), -- temperature-correction of blood-gasvalues, -- hour-to-hour fluid balance, including calculation of in-sensible losses, -- blood-balance. 3. Data transmission of laboratory results as soon as available in the central laboratory through a direct link between laboratory and I.T. U. 4. Computer assisted E.C. G. analysis. The three first objectives are realised, on-line E.C. G. -analysis is being developed. The same computer serves the remotely located medical and coronary care units and one bed in the emergency department. An assessment of computer assistance in intensive therapy, on nursing labor and on quality of patient care is made.
Multivariate analysis by the minimum spanning tree method of the structural determinants of diphenylethylenes and triphenylacrylonitriles implicated in estrogen receptor binding, protein kinase C activity, and MCF7 cell proliferation.

The response profiles of 36 para-substituted diphenylethylenes (DPEs) and triphenylacrylonitriles (TPEs) have been compared by multivariate analysis. The responses measured were (a) relative binding affinity (RBA) for the cytosol estrogen receptor (ER), (b) ability to promote the growth of the human MCF7 breast cancer cell-line, (c) cytotoxicity in MCF7 cells, and (d) ability to stimulate or inhibit protein kinase C (PKC) III activity under three different conditions of enzyme activation. The prime object of the analysis was to observe the simultaneous influence of diverse combinations of substituents on all these in vitro responses. To do this, the minimum spanning tree (MST) method was used to organize the molecules into a network in which proximate molecules are closely related with regard to their responses whereas remote molecules are distinct. The MST of this population of molecules had four main branches. E2 and its TPE mime were located in a central position within the trunk whereas the tips of the branches tended toward molecules of different specificity, i.e., cytotoxic molecules that bind to ER and interfere with PKC, noncytotoxic molecules that also bind to ER and interfere with PKC but promote cell growth, molecules only active on PKC, and molecules active on all parameters except PKC stimulation. A parallel MST analysis of the relationships among the response parameters themselves confirmed previous conclusions: For this population of molecules, RBAs for ER are fairly closely related to ability to promote MCF7 cell growth and only little to cytotoxicity (Bignon et al. J. Med. Chem. 1989, 32, 2092). Cytotoxicity is much more clearly correlated with inhibition of diacylglycerol-stimulated PKC activity than with RBAs for ER. PKC inhibition differs substantially depending upon whether the substrate is H1 histone or protamine sulfate.
Nuevos enfoques sobre aseguramiento de la calidad en un contexto de cambios

This document briefly reviews social changes having an effect on the higher education system and the implications for quality assurance mechanisms. It focuses on main challenges those mechanisms have to face in order to successfully participate in a long-lasting process of improvements to tertiary education and describes some characteristics of several quality assurance agencies which hinder innovation efforts and delay adequate and timely responses to social needs instead of helping improve services delivered by higher education institutions. They need to link quality assurance and institutional planning and work all together in order to this action is embedded in their daily work. This article points to how quality assurance agencies can significantly collaborate to this end while exerting their evaluation and regulation functions.
Modality-Specific Cross-Modal Similarity Measurement With Recurrent Attention Network

Nowadays, cross-modal retrieval plays an important role to flexibly find useful information across different modalities of data. Effectively measuring the similarity between different modalities of data is the key of cross-modal retrieval. Different modalities, such as image and text, have imbalanced and complementary relationship, and they contain unequal amount of information when describing the same semantics. For example, images often contain more details that cannot be demonstrated by textual descriptions and vice versa. Existing works based on deep neural network mostly construct one common space for different modalities, to find the latent alignments between them, which lose their exclusive modality-specific characteristics. Therefore, we propose modality-specific cross-modal similarity measurement approach by constructing the independent semantic space for each modality, which adopts an end-to-end framework to directly generate the modality-specific cross-modal similarity without explicit common representation. For each semantic space, modality-specific characteristics within one modality are fully exploited by recurrent attention network, while the data of another modality is projected into this space with attention based joint embedding, which utilizes the learned attention weights for guiding the fine-grained cross-modal correlation learning, and captures the imbalanced and complementary relationship between different modalities. Finally, the complementarity between the semantic spaces for different modalities is explored by adaptive fusion of the modality-specific cross-modal similarities to perform the cross-modal retrieval. Experiments on the widely used Wikipedia, Pascal Sentence, and MS-COCO data sets as well as our constructed large-scale XMediaNet data set verify the effectiveness of our proposed approach, outperforming nine state-of-the-art methods.
Nutrition risk classification: a reproducible and valid tool for nurses.

BACKGROUND Incorporating the nursing staff to assist with the screening process on admission will allow patients who are at nutritional risk to be assessed by registered dietitians earlier in their hospital stay. The goal of this study was to develop an objective, valid, reproducible nutrition screen for use by registered nurses (RNs) to allow for nutrition classifications of hospitalized patients. METHODS The current nursing admission assessment form was modified to contain questions on weight loss history, percentage of ideal body weight, and alterations in dietary intake and gastrointestinal function. Assessments were completed within 48 hours of admission. On the basis of the answers to these questions, patients were classified as "at nutritional risk" or "low nutritional risk. " In phase 1, to assess reproducibility of the form, a prospective study between staff RNs and a nutritionist was undertaken on 186 consecutive adult admissions. Nutrition screening and classification was done independently by both practitioners. In phase 2 of the study, prospective validation of the form contrasting prealbumin (PAB) levels with RN nutritional risk classification (n = 56) was investigated. RESULTS Interobserver agreement of nutrition classification between RN and nutritionist was 97.3% (p = .95). Twenty-nine patients were classified at low nutritional risk (27 normal PAB and 2 low PAB); 27 patients were classified as at nutritional risk (16 normal PAB and 11 low PAB) (chi 2 = 8.9, p < .003, power 0.8). The sensitivity of the tool was 84.6%. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first nutrition screening tool designed for staff RNs that has been tested for both validity and reproducibility.
Review on pre-fetching for Mobile Cloud Computing

Improvement of our technology on mobile devices and the significant of cloud computing (CC) services has led to the integration of mobile devices with a CC service called as Mobile Cloud Computing (MCC). It provides many benefits for users. However, the increasing numbers of users utilising the MCC service leads to the latency on the network. Besides, there are several constraints on mobile devices including battery capacity, storage and bandwidth. Hence, this work proposes intelligent mobile web pre-fetching for the cloud environment in order to handle this critical problem. In order to increase understanding of MCC, we conducted an extensive study, previous work on the pre-fetching technique and Machine Learning, which were used to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of their performance. Our study corroborates that existing systems for the pre-fetching technique focuses on regular websites but it still narrows the study of cloud computing especially for mobile devices and still has limitations.
International Olympic Committee consensus statement on the health and fitness of young people through physical activity and sport

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognises the health and fitness benefits of physical activity (PA) and sport as stated in recommendation #51 from the Olympic Movement in Society Congress held in Copenhagen, 2009: Everyone involved in the Olympic Movement must become more aware of the fundamental importance of Physical Activity and sport for a healthy lifestyle, not least in the growing battle against obesity, and must reach out to parents and schools as part of a strategy to counter the rising inactivity of young people.1 The IOC assembled an expert group (January 2011) to discuss the role of PA and sport on the health and fitness of young people and to critically evaluate the scientific evidence as a basis for decision making. Specifically, the purpose of this consensus paper is to identify potential solutions through collaboration between sport and existing programmes and to review the research gaps in this field. The ultimate aim of the paper is to provide recommendations for young people's sport and PA stakeholders. After an introduction to the scope of the problem, issues addressed include how best to define the current state of …