Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vibration and bubbles: a systematic review of the effects of helicopter retrieval on injured divers.

INTRODUCTION Vibration from a helicopter during aeromedical retrieval of divers may increase venous gas emboli (VGE) production, evolution or distribution, potentially worsening the patient's condition. AIM To review the literature surrounding the helicopter transport of injured divers and establish if vibration contributes to increased VGE. METHOD A systematic literature search of key databases was conducted to identify articles investigating vibration and bubbles during helicopter retrieval of divers. Level of evidence was graded using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine guidelines. A modified quality assessment tool for studies with diverse designs (QATSDD) was used to assess the overall quality of evidence. RESULTS Seven studies were included in the review. An in vitro research paper provided some evidence of bubble formation with gas supersaturation and vibration. Only one prospective intervention study was identified which examined the effect of vibration on VGE formation. Bubble duration was used to quantify VGE load with no difference found between the vibration and non-vibration time periods. This study was published in 1980 and technological advances since that time suggest cautious interpretation of the results. The remaining studies were retrospective chart reviews of helicopter retrieval of divers. Mode of transport, altitude exposure, oxygen and intravenous fluids use were examined. CONCLUSION There is some physical evidence that vibration leads to bubble formation although there is a paucity of research on the specific effects of helicopter vibration and VGE in divers. Technological advances have led to improved assessment of VGE in divers and will aid in further research.
The interface between phosphatidylinositol transfer protein function and phosphoinositide signaling in higher eukaryotes

Phosphoinositides are key regulators of a large number of diverse cellular processes that include membrane trafficking, plasma membrane receptor signaling, cell proliferation, and transcription. How a small number of chemically distinct phosphoinositide signals are functionally amplified to exert specific control over such a diverse set of biological outcomes remains incompletely understood. To this end, a novel mechanism is now taking shape, and it involves phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) transfer proteins (PITPs). The concept that PITPs exert instructive regulation of PtdIns 4-OH kinase activities and thereby channel phosphoinositide production to specific biological outcomes, identifies PITPs as central factors in the diversification of phosphoinositide signaling. There are two evolutionarily distinct families of PITPs: the Sec14-like and the StAR-related lipid transfer domain (START)-like families. Of these two families, the START-like PITPs are the least understood. Herein, we review recent insights into the biochemical, cellular, and physiological function of both PITP families with greater emphasis on the START-like PITPs, and we discuss the underlying mechanisms through which these proteins regulate phosphoinositide signaling and how these actions translate to human health and disease.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ONTOGENY

The relation of heart rate frequencies to temperature in intact chicken embryos has been studied and the temperature characteristics calculated for each of a number of ages. These have been found to vary from 14,000 or better 12,000 µ for embryos 3 days old, to about 6,000 µ for others of 15 days. There appears to be a systematic change with time. If this inference is correct, important correlation with other properties of the pace-making function in the intact heart should become possible.
Epigenetic Patterns in Blood Associated With Lipid Traits Predict Incident Coronary Heart Disease Events and Are Enriched for Results From Genome-Wide Association Studies

Background— Genome-wide association studies have identified loci influencing circulating lipid concentrations in humans; further information on novel contributing genes, pathways, and biology may be gained through studies of epigenetic modifications. Methods and Results— To identify epigenetic changes associated with lipid concentrations, we assayed genome-wide DNA methylation at cytosine–guanine dinucleotides (CpGs) in whole blood from 2306 individuals from 2 population-based cohorts, with replication of findings in 2025 additional individuals. We identified 193 CpGs associated with lipid levels in the discovery stage (P<1.08E-07) and replicated 33 (at Bonferroni-corrected P<0.05), including 25 novel CpGs not previously associated with lipids. Genes at lipid-associated CpGs were enriched in lipid and amino acid metabolism processes. A differentially methylated locus associated with triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; cg27243685; P=8.1E-26 and 9.3E-19) was associated with cis-expression of a reverse cholesterol transporter (ABCG1; P=7.2E-28) and incident cardiovascular disease events (hazard ratio per SD increment, 1.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.15–1.66; P=0.0007). We found significant cis-methylation quantitative trait loci at 64% of the 193 CpGs with an enrichment of signals from genome-wide association studies of lipid levels (PTC=0.004, PHDL-C=0.008 and Ptriglycerides=0.00003) and coronary heart disease (P=0.0007). For example, genome-wide significant variants associated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and coronary heart disease at APOB were cis-methylation quantitative trait loci for a low-density lipoprotein cholesterol–related differentially methylated locus. Conclusions— We report novel associations of DNA methylation with lipid levels, describe epigenetic mechanisms related to previous genome-wide association studies discoveries, and provide evidence implicating epigenetic regulation of reverse cholesterol transport in blood in relation to occurrence of cardiovascular disease events.
Psychometric and diagnostic properties of the Taiwan version of the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment screen

There is a need for a screening tool with capacities of accurate detection of early mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia and is suitable for use in a range of languages and cultural contexts. This research aims to evaluate the psychometric and diagnostic properties of the Taiwan version of Qmci (Qmci-TW) screen and to explore the discriminating ability of the Qmci-TW in differentiating among normal controls (NCs), MCI and dementia. Thirty-one participants with dementia and 36 with MCI and 35 NCs were recruited from a neurology department of regional hospital in Taiwan. Their results on the Qmci-TW, Taiwanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Traditional Chinese version of the Mini–Mental State Examination (MMSE) were compared. For analysis, we used Cronbach’s α, intraclass correlation coefficient, Spearman’s ρ, Kruskal–Wallis test, receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and multivariate analysis, as appropriate. The Qmci-TW exhibited satisfactory test–retest reliability, internal consistency, and interrater reliability as well as a strong positive correlation with results from the MoCA and MMSE. The optimal cut-off score on the Qmci-TW for differentiating MCI from NC was ≤ 51.5/100 and dementia from MCI was ≤ 31/100. The MoCA exhibited the highest accuracy in differentiating MCI from NC, followed by the Qmci-TW and then MMSE; whereas, the Qmci-TW and MMSE exhibited the same accuracy in differentiating dementia from MCI, followed by the MoCA. The Qmci-TW may be a useful clinical screening tool for a spectrum of cognitive impairments.
The shortening of leukocyte telomere length relates to DNA hypermethylation of LINE-1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background We aim to investigate the cross-talking of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) and DNA methylation of LINE-1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Results LTL (ratio of the copy number of telomere [T] repeats to that of a single [S] gene) was significantly shortened in T2DM compared with controls (0.94 ± 0.41 vs. 1.14 ± 0.48, P < 0.001), and decreased steadily with age in both controls and T2DM. Conversely, significant increase of LINE-1 DNA methylation was found in T2DM compared with controls (49.60 ± 14.55 vs. 37.81 ± 9.07, P < 0.001). Moreover, age, HbA1c, and LINE-1 methylation ratio were stably negatively related with LTL after multi-adjustment. Shorter LTL was associated with an increased risk of T2DM [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 2.458 (1.192, 5.070), P = 0.015], while lower LINE-1 DNA methylation levels could reduce the risk of T2DM [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 0.189 (0.089, 0.400), P < 0.001]. Materials and Methods We performed a hospital-based case–control study of 205 T2DM patients and 213 subjects of healthy control with sex and age matched. LTL and DNA methylation of LINE-1 was measured by quantitative PCR and quantitative methylation-specific PCR (qMSP), respectively. Conclusions Our research demonstrates the association between shorter LTL and LINE-1 hyper-methylation in Chinese T2DM patients. These findings suggest that shorter LTL might be associated with T2DM in a manner dependent of epigenetic level.
Single-shot turbo spin echo acquisition for in vivo cardiac diffusion MRI

Diffusion MRI offers the ability to noninvasively characterize the microstructure of myocardium tissue and detect disease related pathology in cardiovascular examination. This study investigates the feasibility of in vivo cardiac diffusion MRI under free-breathing condition. A high-speed imaging technique, correlation imaging, is used to enable single-shot turbo spin echo for free-breathing cardiac data acquisition. The obtained in vivo cardiac diffusion-weighted images illustrate robust image quality and minor geometry distortions. The resultant diffusion scalar maps show reliable quantitative values consistent with those previously published in the literature. It is demonstrated that this technique has the potential for in vivo free-breathing cardiac diffusion MRI.
Arterial spin labeling MRI: Clinical applications in the brain

Visualization of cerebral blood flow (CBF) has become an important part of neuroimaging for a wide range of diseases. Arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences are increasingly being used to provide MR‐based CBF quantification without the need for contrast administration, and can be obtained in conjunction with a structural MRI study. ASL MRI is useful for evaluating cerebrovascular disease including arterio‐occlusive disease, vascular shunts, for assessing primary and secondary malignancy, and as a biomarker for neuronal metabolism in other disorders such as seizures and neurodegeneration. In this review we briefly outline the various ASL techniques including advantages and disadvantages of each, methodology for clinical interpretation, and clinical applications with specific examples. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:1165–1180. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of adolescent exposure to rockets in the links between personality vulnerability and psychopathology

Abstract The aim of this study is to examine the role of repeated exposure to rocket attacks in the links between personality vulnerability (dependency and self-criticism) and internalizing/externalizing psychopathology. A main-effect vulnerability model (personality leads to psychopathology) was compared with a main-effect scarring model (psychopathology leads to personality vulnerability). Also, a stress-diathesis pattern (personality vulnerability is activated under stress) was compared to a dual-vulnerability pattern (either personality vulnerability or stress, but not both, lead to psychopathology). Israeli adolescents (N = 362) repeatedly exposed to rocket attacks were assessed annually over 3 years. In 2008 and 2010, personality and psychopathology were assessed. Cumulative exposure was measured as the sums of exposure across the three assessment waves. Theoretical models were tested via Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Structural Equation Modeling analyses. Baseline dependency and self-criticism were associated with an increase in anxiety, whereas baseline depression was associated with an increase in dependency. Under low, not high, levels of rocket exposure, self-criticism and depression were longitudinally associated. Violence commission was associated with an increase in dependency under high, not low, cumulative exposure. Results are consistent with both scarring and vulnerability models, and with both stress-diathesis and dual-vulnerability patterns of adolescent risk and resilience.
Multilingual Author Profiling from SMS

This paper presents our solution for the Author Profiling task in the FIRE challenge 2018. This task mainly focuses on finding the age and gender of people from South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh from their short messaging services (SMS). Since most of these people use a combination of languages such as Hindi, English and Roman Urdu (i.e., multilingual text) on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter, they also follow the same practice in SMS while communicating. Thus, we aim to perform author profiling by identifying gender and age of people by analyzing their multilingual SMS. In this paper, we classify the gender of a person into male or female categories. Moreover, we classify age into the following three age groups: (i) 15-19, (ii) 20-24, and (iii) above 25. After preprocessing steps including tokenization and normalization, we provide the results of an experiment with several machine learning models like SVM, Random Forest, and Naive Bayes. Experimental results show that Naive Bayes provides competitive results when used with bilingual dictionary for translation and count vectorizer for feature extraction.
Generating hand motion from body motion based on hand pose estimation

In this paper, we propose a method to generate hand motion from full‐body motion. We assume that hand pose can be estimated from full‐body pose. We use a support vector machine to choose one of four key hand poses based on the full‐body pose. The training model is constructed from a number of full‐body motions with manually specified hand‐pose keyframes. The output poses are synthesized to include the generated continuous hand motion. We realize smooth transitions between key hand poses and add small movements of fingers for generating plausible hand motions. Because our method does not require future poses, it is valid for both on‐line and off‐line animation. Our experimental results show that our model is applicable to a wide range of full‐body motions.
Growth optimization and characterization of regular arrays of GaAs/AlGaAs core/shell nanowires for tandem solar cells on silicon

With a band gap value of 1.7 eV, Al0.2Ga0. 8As is one of the ideal III–V alloys for the development of nanowire-based Tandem Solar Cells on silicon. Nevertheless, growing self-catalysed AlGaAs nanowires on silicon by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy is a very difficult task due to the oxidation of Al adatoms by the SiO2 layer present on the surface. Here we propose a nanowire structure including a p.i. n radial junction inside an Al0.2Ga0. 8As shell grown on a p-GaAs core. The crystalline structure of such self-catalysed nanowires grown on an epi-ready Si(111) substrate (with a thin native SiO2 layer) was investigated by transmission electronic microscopy and photoluminescence. I(V) measurements performed on single nanowires have shown a diode-like behaviour corresponding to the radial p.i. n junction inside the Al0.2Ga0. 8As shell. Moreover, a current generation under the electron beam was evidenced over the entire radial junction along the nanowires by means of electron beam induced current (EBIC) microscopy. The same structure was reproduced on patterned substrates with a SiO2 mask, producing an ordered hexagonal array. High and uniform yields from 83% to 87% of vertical nanowires were obtained on 0.9 × 0.9 cm2 patterned areas. EBIC mapping performed on these nanowires confirmed the good electrical properties of the radial junction within the nanowires.
AU-Rich Long 3′ Untranslated Region Regulates Gene Expression in Bacteria

3′ untranslated regions (3′ UTRs) and particularly long 3′ UTRs have been shown to act as a new class of post-transcriptional regulatory element. We previously reported that hmsT mRNA stability is negatively regulated by the 3′ UTR of hmsT in Yersinia pestis. To investigate more general effects of 3′ UTRs in Y. pestis, we selected 15 genes potentially possessing long 3′ UTRs with different AU content and constructed their 3′ UTR deletion mutants. Deletion of AU-rich 3′ UTRs increased mRNA levels, whereas deletion of 3′ UTRs with normal AU content resulted in slight or no changes in the mRNA level. In addition, we found that PNPase was important for 3′ UTR-mediated mRNA decay when the transcriptional terminator was Rho-dependent. Finally, we showed that ribosomes promote mRNA stability when bound to a 3′ UTR. Our findings suggest that functional 3′ UTRs might be broadly distributed in bacteria and their novel regulatory mechanisms require further investigation.
Single-direction thoracoscopic lobectomy: right side.

Lobectomy can be done either via thoracotomy or via video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) (1-3). In the recent years, VATS approach is adopted increasingly worldwide due to its advantages of less pain, lower complication rate, shorter hospital stay, and equivalent long term survival rate, comparing with thoracotomy (4-7). However, VATS lobectomy is complicated, especially VATS left upper lobe resection (8,9). The aim of this paper is to introduce the detailed procedures which presented in the videos of singledirection thoracoscopic left upper lobectomy and left lower lobectomy.
Cuffless Blood Pressure Estimation Using Pressure Pulse Wave Signals

Pulse transit time (PTT) has received considerable attention for noninvasive cuffless blood pressure measurement. However, this approach is inconvenient to deploy in wearable devices because two sensors are required for collecting two-channel physiological signals, such as electrocardiogram and pulse wave signals. In this study, we investigated the pressure pulse wave (PPW) signals collected from one piezoelectric-induced sensor located at a single site for cuffless blood pressure estimation. Twenty-one features were extracted from PPW that collected from the radial artery, and then a linear regression method was used to develop blood pressure estimation models by using the extracted PPW features. Sixty-five middle-aged and elderly participants were recruited to evaluate the performance of the constructed blood pressure estimation models, with oscillometric technique-based blood pressure as a reference. The experimental results indicated that the mean ± standard deviation errors for the estimated systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were 0.70 ± 7.78 mmHg and 0.83 ± 5.45 mmHg, which achieved a decrease of 1.33 ± 0.37 mmHg in systolic blood pressure and 1.14 ± 0.20 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure, compared with the conventional PTT-based method. The proposed model also demonstrated a high level of robustness in a maximum 60-day follow-up study. These results indicated that PPW obtained from the piezoelectric sensor has great feasibility for cuffless blood pressure estimation, and could serve as a promising method in home healthcare settings.
Association between follow-up in health services and antihypertensive medication adherence.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the association between the characteristics of follow-up in health services and adherence to antihypertensive medication in patients with cardiovascular disease. METHOD Analytical study carried out with 270 patients suffering from hypertension and hospitalized due to cardiovascular complications. Data collection occurred between November 2015 and April 2016, involving sociodemographic variables, presence of self-reported diabetes, accessibility and use of health services, blood pressure levels and medication adherence (analyzed through the Morisky-Green Test). RESULTS The rate of adherence to antihypertensive therapy was 63.0%. Enrollment in the Hiperdia program had no statistical significance to medication adherence. People who attended at least between 4 and 6 nursing consultations throughout the data collection period (p = 0.02) had better adherence. CONCLUSION The study's findings provide support for the reorientation of health services and their public policies towards improving adherence to antihypertensive therapeutics.
Autologous Dendritic Cell-Cytokine Induced Killer Cell Immunotherapy Combined with S-1 Plus Cisplatin in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer: A Prospective Study

Purpose: We have assessed the combination of DC–CIK with S-1 plus cisplatin chemotherapy in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) and the role of mutational analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and T-cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in predicting clinical outcomes. Patients and Methods: Consecutive patients (n = 63) with AGC were allocated to treatment with S-1 alone, S-1 plus cisplatin, DC–CIK combined with S-1 or DC–CIK combined with S-1 plus cisplatin. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) at 1 year; the secondary endpoints were disease control rate and analysis of ctDNA and TCR repertoire. Results: The DC–CIK infusions were well tolerated with no serious adverse events. The disease control rates (CR+PR+SD) were 5.6%, 33.3%, 47.1%, and 76.9% in the S-1 alone, the S-1 plus cisplatin, DC–CIK combined with S-1 and DC–CIK combined with the S-1 plus cisplatin groups, respectively (P = 0.001). After adjusting for competing risk factors, treatment with DC-CIK combined with S-1 plus cisplatin was confirmed to be an independent predictor of PFS and OS (P = 0.001). A decrease in the frequency and number of mutations in ctDNA was observed in 19 patients (63.3%) following the DC–CIK infusions. Decreased ctDNA mutational frequency and restored TCR repertoire were associated with improved PFS and OS (P = 0.001). Conclusions: DC–CIK combined with S-1 plus cisplatin provided a favorable PFS and OS in patients with AGC and the combination therapy was safe with tolerable toxicities. Clinical efficacy correlated with decreases in ctDNA mutational profiles and restored TCR repertoire.
Chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) Root Extract Regulates the Oxidative Status and Antioxidant Gene Transcripts in CCl4-Induced Hepatotoxicity

The ability of Cichorium intybus root extract (chicory extract) to protect against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity was evaluated in male rats. The rats were divided into four groups according to treatment: saline (control); chicory extract (100 mg/kg body weight daily, given orally for 2 weeks); CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight by intraperitoneal injection for 2 consecutive days only); or chicory extract (100 mg/kg body weight daily for 2 weeks) + CCl4 injection on days 16 and 17. The levels of hepatic lipid peroxidation, antioxidants, and molecular biomarkers were estimated twenty-four hours after the last CCl4 injection. Pretreatment with chicory extract significantly reduced CCl4-induced elevation of malondialdehyde levels and nearly normalized levels of glutathione and activity of glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase, catalase (CAT), paraoxonase-1 (PON1), and arylesterase in the liver. Chicory extract also attenuated CCl4-induced downregulation of hepatic mRNA expression levels of GPx1, CAT and PON1 genes. Results of DNA fragmentation support the ability of chicory extract to ameliorate CCl4-induced liver toxicity. Taken together, our results demonstrate that chicory extract is rich in natural antioxidants and able to attenuate CCl4-induced hepatocellular injury, likely by scavenging reactive free radicals, boosting the endogenous antioxidant defense system, and overexpressing genes encoding antioxidant enzymes.