Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient experience of infertility management in primary care: an in-depth interview study.

BACKGROUND GPs do not have a full range of diagnostic resources to help manage infertile couples. Little is known about the patient experience of infertility management in primary care. OBJECTIVE To explore the patient experience of infertility management from a primary care perspective. METHODS This was a nested qualitative study with infertile couples in North-East England. In-depth interviews of infertile couples identified in the course of an observational study describing the incidence, prevalence, referral patterns and pregnancy outcomes for infertile couples. A grounded approach was used, with the interviews and analysis proceeding together using the method of constant comparison. Emergent themes and their links gave an overall explanation to the interview data. RESULTS We interviewed 22 patients in 13 interviews. Factors that influenced a couple's experience of infertility management were personal and professional relationships, patient autonomy in decision making and access to services. CONCLUSIONS This study provides insights into the experiences of infertile couples seeking assisted reproduction from their GP. A good experience was linked to a strong personal relationship, a patient-centred professional relationship fostering informed decision making by the couple, GPs using diagnostic resources, interpreting restrictive clinical and social criteria and referring appropriately.
In vitro electrophysiology of developing genioglossal motoneurons in the rat.

1. Experiments were performed to determine the change in membrane properties of genioglossal (GG) motoneurons during development. Intracellular recordings were made in 127 GG motoneurons from rats postnatal ages 1-30 days. 2. The input resistance (R(in)) and the membrane time constant (t(aum)) decreased between 5-6 and 13-15 days from 84.8 +/- 25.4 (SD) to 47.0 +/- 18.9 M omega (P < 0.01) and from 10.0 +/- 4.2 to 7.3 +/- 3.3 ms (P < 0.05), respectively. During this period, the rheobase (Irh) increased (P < 0.01) from 0.13 +/- 0.07 to 0.27 +/- 0.14 nA, and the percentage of cells exhibiting inward rectification increased from 5 to 40%. Voltage threshold (Vthr) of the action potential remained unchanged postnatally. 3. There was also a postnatal change in the shape of the action potential. Specifically, between 1-2 and 5-6 days, there was a decrease (P < 0.05) in the spike half-width from 2.23 +/- 0.53 to 1.45 +/- 0.44 ms, resulting, in part, from a steepening (P < 0.05) of the slope of the falling phase of the action potential from 21.6 +/- 10.1 to 32.9 +/- 13.1 mV/ms. The slope of the rising phase also increased significantly (P < 0.01) between 1-2 and 13-15 days from 68.4 +/- 31.0 to 91.4 +/- 44.3 mV/ms. 4. The average duration of the medium afterhyperpolarization (mAHPdur) decreased (P < 0.05) between 1-2 (193 +/- 53 ms) and 5-6 days (159 +/- 43 ms). Whereas the mAHPdur was found to be independent of membrane potential, there was a linear relationship between the membrane potential and the amplitude of the medium AHP (mAHPamp). From this latter relationship, a reversal potential for the mAHPamp was extrapolated to be -87 mV. No evidence for the existence of a slow AHP was found in these developing motoneurons. 5. All cells analyzed (n = 74) displayed adaptation during the first three spikes. The subsequent firing pattern was classified into two groups, adapting and nonadapting. Cells at birth were all adapting, whereas all cells but two from animals 13 days and older were nonadapting. At the intermediate age (5-6 days), the minority (27%) was adapting and the majority (73%) was nonadapting. 6. The mean slope of primary range for the first interspike interval (1st ISI) was approximately 90 Hz/nA. This value was similar for both adapting and nonadapting cells and did not change postnatally. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Plasma levels of tissue factor and soluble E-selectin in sickle cell disease: relationship to genotype and to inflammation

BackgroundMicrovascular occlusion, the pathophysiological hallmark of sickle cell disease (SCD), is a complex multifactorial process with alterations in coagulation, endothelial function and inflammation. However, relationships between these process in the two most common genotypes, HbSS and HbSC, are unknown. We hypothesized differences in the hypercoagulable state [as assessed by tissue factor (TF), fibrinogen and D-dimer], endothelial function [markers soluble E-selectin (sE-sel) and von Willebrand factor (vWf)], and inflammation [markers interleukin-6 (IL-6) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP)] in these two SCD genotypes. Citrated plasma TF, sE-sel, vWf, fibrinogen and fibrin D-dimer, and serum IL-6 and hsCRP (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay/Clauss) were measured in 64 patients with SCD (27 with HbSS disease) and 42 AA subjects matched for age and ethnic origin. TF (P = 0.0014), sE-sel (P = 0.001) and, as expected, vWf, D-dimer, and hsCRP (all P ≤ 0.01), but not fibrinogen or IL-6, were raised in the SCD patients compared with the AA subjects. However, only vWf and, as expected, D-dimer (all P ≤ 0.01) were higher in HbSS disease than in HbSC disease. Raised plasma TF and sE-sel in SCD compared with HbAA subjects may contribute to the increased risk of thrombotic disease in this group. Raised vWf in HbSS compared with HbSC may be important in determining pathophysiology in these two genotypes. Positive correlations between IL-6 and TF in both HbSC and HbSS disease leads us to speculate that inflammation may be important in coagulation activation in these patients, or vice versa. However, lack of correlation of sE-sel with inflammatory markers implies that other mechanisms are responsible for increased levels of this marker of endothelial activation.
Isolation of a new glycoside from starfish, Asterias amurensis Lutken, and its stimulation activity on the proliferation of the UMR106 cell

A new glycoside compound (1) was isolated from the starfish Asteria amurensis Lutken. The structure for compound 1 was identified as 1-O-{β-D-quinovopyranosyl–(1-2)-β-D-fucopyranosyl-(1-4)-[β-D-fucopyranosyl(1-2)] β-D-quinovopyranosyl}-butanol by extensive NMR experiments as well as chemical evidence. The effects of compound 1 on UMR106 cell proliferation were screened by MTT assay. The results indicate that compound 1 (0.01–100 µM) significantly promotes osteoblastic proliferation.
trials review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled Surgery for non-small cell lung cancer : systematic

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Reporting the presence of three different diseases causing GJB2 mutations in a consanguineous deaf family

Abstract Objective: This paper reports a consanguineous deaf family with three different mutations in the GJB2 gene. Design: Four members of an Iranian deaf family were recruited in this study. The GJB2 coding region and exon-intron boundaries were investigated using direct sequencing. Study sample: The proposita was a 12-year-old girl with congenital non-syndromic hearing loss. She was born to consanguineous parents. The proposita, her parents and deaf maternal uncle were screened for GJB2 mutations. Results: Sequencing demonstrated the presence of the c. 176_191del and c. 327_328delGGinsA mutations in the proposita, the c. 176_191del mutation in her father, and the c.35delG and c. 327_328delGGinsA mutations in trans in her apparently unaffected mother as well as in her congenitally deaf uncle. Follow-up pure-tone audiometry revealed moderate to severe mid- and high-frequency hearing loss in the mother. Conclusions: This study shows the complexity of genetic testing and counseling for hearing loss.
Introduction to Special Issue on Violence Against People With Disability

People with disabilities make up some 15% of the world's population (World Health Organization (WHO)/World Bank, 2011) and experience disadvan- tages in many domains of life. Among the factors that blight the lives of people with physical, sensory, and intellectual impairments and mental health conditions, violence plays a key role. Recent evidence synthesis has shown what has been suspected for many years: that persons with disabilities have a 50% higher chance of having suffered violence in the past year, raising to a threefold increased risk for people with mental health conditions (Hughes et al., 2012). Meanwhile children with disabilities have a threefold increased risk of having suffered violence (Jones et al., 2012). Violence against persons with disability is therefore a significant public health and human rights issue. Protection of the rights of individuals with disabilities, and enablement of their full participation in society has become a global priority, as evidenced by the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities (UN, 2006) and the 2013 High Level Meeting on Disability and Development. In 2011, the WHO/World Bank World Report on Disability was launched to galvanize action on this priority. It gathered evidence about the global scale of disability, its impact on well-being, and showed how the barriers facing individuals with disability can be overcome. Following the World Report, the WHO's "Global disability action plan 2014-2021: Better
Changes in immune cell distribution and their cytokine/chemokine production during regression of the rhesus macaque corpus luteum†

Abstract Our previous flow cytometry results demonstrated a significant increase in neutrophils, macrophages/monocytes, and natural killer (NK) cells in dispersed rhesus monkey corpora lutea (CL) after progesterone (P4) levels had fallen below 0.3 ng/ml for ≥3 days during the natural menstrual cycle. In this study, immunohistochemistry revealed the CD11b+ cells (neutrophils, macrophages/monocytes) present in the CL after luteal P4 synthesis ceased were distributed throughout the tissue. CD16+ cells (presumptive NK cells) were observed mainly near the vasculature in functional CL, until their numbers increased and they became widely distributed in regressing CL. To determine if the immune cells that enter luteal tissue during structural regression are functionally different from those that are present during peak function, CD11b+ or CD16+ populations were enriched from mid-late stage (functional) and regressing (days 1.8 ± 0.3 postmenses) CL using antibody-conjugated magnetic microbeads. Flow cytometry analyses revealed the majority of CD11b+ cells expressed CD14, a protein mainly produced by macrophages/monocytes. The antibody-enriched and depleted fractions were cultured for 24 h, and the media then analyzed for the production of 29 cytokines/chemokines. From the mid-late CL, the CD11b+-enriched fraction produced three cytokines/chemokines, whereas CD16+-enriched cells only produced the chemokine CCL2. However, CD11b +-enriched cells isolated from regressed CL produced eight cytokines/chemokines. The CD16+-enriched cells isolated from regressing CL produced significant levels of only three cytokines. Thus, the CD11b+ cells that appear in the rhesus macaque CL after functional regression produce several cytokines/chemokines that likely play a role in orchestrating structural regression. Summary Sentence Cessation of progesterone synthesis at the end of the menstrual cycle leads to increases in monocytes/macrophage and neutrophil numbers, as well as in the type and level of the chemokines and cytokines they secrete.
An Adaptive Virtual Machine Location Selection Mechanism in Distributed Cloud

The location selection of virtual machines in distributed cloud is difficult because of the physical resource distribution, allocation of multi-dimensional resources, and resource unit cost. In this study, we propose a multi-object virtual machine location selection algorithm (MOVMLSA) based on group information, doubly linked list structure and genetic algorithm. On the basis of the collaboration of multi-dimensional resources, a fitness function is designed using fuzzy logic control parameters, which can be used to optimize search space solutions. In the location selection process, an orderly information code based on group and resource information can be generated by adopting the memory mechanism of biological immune systems. This approach, along with the dominant elite strategy, enables the updating of the population. The tournament selection method is used to optimize the operator mechanisms of the single-point crossover and X-point mutation during the population selection. Such a method can be used to obtain an optimal solution for the rapid location selection of virtual machines. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is effective in reducing the number of used physical machines and in improving the resource utilization of physical machines. The algorithm improves the utilization degree of multi-dimensional resource synergy and reduces the comprehensive unit cost of resources.
A Retrospective Analysis of Renal Function in Patients after Radical or Partial Nephrectomy

Objective: To examine the change in renal function and relationship between preoperative renal function and chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression after radical nephrectomy (RN) or partial nephrectomy (PN). Patients and Methods: We studied 268 patients who underwent RN or PN between January 2002 and December 2009. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined using serum creatinine levels. Patients were divided into three groups according to the preoperative eGFR. Results: Group 1 (eGFR > 90 mL/min/1.73 m2) patients who underwent PN retained a significantly higher eGFR at 3 months to 1 year than those who underwent RN. New-onset CKD was found in 28% and 0% of Group 1 patients who underwent RN and PN, respectively. Group 2 (eGFR = 60-90 mL/min/1.73 m2) patients who underwent PN retained a significantly higher eGFR at 2 months to 6 years than those who underwent RN. New-onset CKD was found in 78.8% and 18.5% of Group 2 patients who underwent RN and PN, respectively. Group 3 (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) patients who underwent PN retained a higher eGFR than those who underwent RN. Conclusions: Patients undergoing RN have a high rate of new-onset CKD. Our findings suggest that PN is better for retaining long-term renal function.
Identification and Characterization of a SUMO-1 Conjugation System That Modifies Neuronal Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Protein Kinase II in Drosophila melanogaster *

Drosophila Uba2 and Ubc9 SUMO-1 conjugation enzyme homologs (DmUba2 and DmUbc9) were isolated as calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) interacting proteins by yeast two-hybrid screening of an adult head cDNA library. We found that at least one isoform of Drosophilaneuronal CaMKII is conjugated to DmSUMO-1 in vivo. The interactions observed in the two-hybrid screen may therefore reflect catalytic events. To understand the role of SUMO conjugation in the brain, we undertook a characterization of the system. The other required components of the system, Drosophila Aos1 and SUMO-1 (DmAos1 and DmSUMO-1), were identified in expressed sequence tag data base searches. Purified recombinant DmUba2/DmAos1 dimer can activate DmSUMO-1 in vitro and transfer DmSUMO-1 to recombinant DmUbc9. DmSUMO-1 conjugation occurs in all developmental stages of Drosophila and in the adult central nervous system. Overexpression of a putative dominant negative DmUba2(C175S) mutant protein in the Drosophila central nervous system resulted in an increase in overall DmSUMO-1 conjugates and a base-sensitive p120 species, which is likely to be DmUba2(C175S) linked to endogenous DmSUMO-1 through an oxygen ester bond. Overexpression of DmUba2(wt) protein in vivo also led to increased levels of DmSUMO-1 conjugates. High level overexpression of either DmUba2(wt) or DmUba2(C175S) in the Drosophila central nervous system caused pupal and earlier stage lethality. Expression in the developing eye led to a rough eye phenotype with retinal degeneration. These results suggest that normal SUMO conjugation is essential in the differentiated nervous system and reveal a potential novel mechanism that regulates neuronal calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II function.
Differentiation of primary and secondary breast cancer with clonal analysis.

BACKGROUND It is often difficult to draw a firm conclusion as to whether the second breast cancer is primary or secondary (metastasis from the initial breast cancer) in a patient with metachronous bilateral breast cancer. In this study we have applied clonal analysis of breast cancer to distinguish whether the second breast cancer is primary or secondary. METHODS A 54-year-old woman underwent modified radical mastectomy of the right breast as a result of breast cancer. Five years later she had tumors in the right chest wall and left breast. Fine-needle aspiration cytologic examination revealed that both tumors were adenocarcinoma. To elucidate the origin of these tumors, clonal analysis was done on DNA samples prepared from cryostat sections of the initial right breast cancer and from fine-needle aspirates of the tumors in the right chest wall and left breast. The method for clonal analysis was based on restriction fragment length polymorphism of X chromosome-linked phosphoglycerokinase gene and on differential methylation of the gene caused by random inactivation of one of two X chromosomes. RESULTS Clonal analysis revealed that clonal origin of the right breast cancer was different from that of the left breast cancer and identical to that of the chest wall tumor. Therefore it was concluded that the left breast cancer was primary and the chest wall tumor was concluded that the left breast cancer was primary and the chest wall tumor was a recurrence of the initial breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS Clonal analysis appears to be a useful method in discriminating a primary from a secondary cancer.
Acupuncture and sham acupuncture reduce muscle pain in myofascial pain patients.

AIMS To compare the effectiveness of dry needling in classically recognized acupuncture points ("acupuncture") with dry needling in skin areas not recognized as acupuncture points ("sham acupuncture") in reducing masseter muscle pain in a group of patients with myofascial pain of the jaw muscles. METHODS Eighteen patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 experimental groups: Ten patients received acupuncture and 8 received sham acupuncture. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to measure changes in masseter muscle pain evoked by mechanical stimulation of the masseter muscle before and after the experiment. RESULTS Both groups showed a statistically significant reduction in VAS pain scores (P = .001). Seven out of 10 acupuncture subjects had a 10 mm or greater VAS reduction in pain, while 4 out of 8 of the sham acupuncture subjects had that great a pain reduction. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION Both acupuncture and sham acupuncture reduced pain evoked by mechanical stimulation of the masseter muscles in myofascial pain patients. However, this reduction in pain was not dependent on whether the needling was performed in standard acupuncture points or in other areas of the skin. These results suggest that pain reduction resulting from a noxious stimulus (i.e., needling) may not be specific to the location of the stimulus as predicted by the classical acupuncture literature.
Rate Adaptation for Decoding-and-Forward Relay Channel by Random Projections Codes

This paper investigates rate adaptation schemes for decoding-and-forward (DF) relay system based on random projections codes (RPC). We consider a classic three node relay system model, where relay node performs on half-duplex mode. Then, we give out receiving diversity relay scheme and coding diversity relay scheme, and present their jointly decoding methods. Furthermore, we discuss the performance of the two schemes with different power allocation coefficients. Simulations show that our relay schemes can achieve different gain with the help of relay node. And, we should allocate power to source node to just guarantee relay node can decode successfully, and allocate remain power to relay node as far as possible. In this way, this DF relay system not only achieves diversity gain, but also achieves higher and smooth spectrum efficiency.
Data Management for Next Generation Genomic Computing

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has dramatically reduced the cost and time of reading the DNA. Huge investments are targeted to sequencing the DNA of large populations, and repositories of well-curated sequence data are being collected. Answers to fundamental biomedical problems are hidden in these data, e.g. how cancer arises, how driving mutations occur, how much cancer is dependent on environment. So far, the bio-informatics research community has been mostly challenged by primary analysis (production of sequences in the form of short DNA segments, or ''reads'') and secondary analysis (alignment of reads to a reference genome and search for specific features on the reads); yet, the most important emerging problem is the so-called tertiary analysis, concerned with multi-sample processing of heterogeneous information. Tertiary analysis is responsible of sense making, e.g., discovering how heterogeneous regions interact with each other. This new scenario creates an opportunity for rethinking genomic computing through the lens of fundamental data management. We propose an essential data model, using few general abstractions that guarantee interoperability between existing data formats, and a new-generation query language inspired by classic relational algebra and extended with orthogonal, domain-specific abstractions for genomics. They open doors to the seamless integration of descriptive statistics and high-level data analysis (e.g., DNA region clustering and extraction of regulatory networks). In this vision, computational efficiency is achieved by using parallel computing on both clusters and public clouds; the technology is applicable to federated repositories, and can be exploited for providing integrated access to curated data, made available by large consortia, through user-friendly search services. Our most far-fetching vision is to move towards an Internet of Genomes exploiting data indexing and crawling.
In vitro myelination by oligodendrocyte precursor cells transfected with the neurotrophin‐3 gene

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells require exogenous neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) for differentiation into oligodendrocytes. We transfected precursor cells with the gene for NT‐3 and looked for changes in their development into myelin‐forming cells. The expression of NT‐3 in transfected cells was demonstrated by reverse transcription followed by PCR as well as by Northern blots. Direct synthesis of the neurotrophin product and its release to the culture supernatants were also shown by specific ELISA. Transfection converts precursor cells into actively dividing cells that can incorporate 3H‐thymidine into DNA. In the absence of growth factors, a parallel increase in the survival of the transfected cultures was also demonstrated by the MTT test. The final demonstration of biological changes in transfected versus untreated cells was a 10‐fold increase in myelin basic protein production observed in Western blots and the direct observation by phase‐contrast and electron microscopy of myelin membranes in cocultures with hippocampal neurons. We discuss the future use of this transfected cells in regeneration and functional recovery in experimental models of multiple sclerosis. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.