Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiolabelled interleukin-1 receptor antagonist for detection of synovitis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the distribution of radiolabelled interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to assess whether this cytokine is suitable for scintigraphic visualization of synovitis. METHODS In patients with active RA, scintigraphy was performed after a single i. v. dose of [(123)I]IL-1ra. Clearance and organ distribution of radiolabelled IL-1ra were studied. To assess whether radiolabelled IL-1ra targets the synovial IL-1 receptors, the scintigraphic images obtained with IL-1ra were compared with those obtained by the use of a non-specific control agent. In addition, autoradiography was performed in mice with antigen-induced arthritis that were injected with either radiolabelled IL-1ra or a size-matched, non-receptor-binding protein. RESULTS Radiolabelled IL-1ra allowed clear visualization of inflamed joints. Specificity in the detection of synovitis was high, whereas a number of painful and swollen joints were not visualized by scintigraphy. The procedure was well tolerated and [(123)I]IL-1ra was rapidly cleared from the circulation (t(1/2)alpha 11 min, t(1/2)beta 612 min) and excreted mainly in the urine. The definition of synovial contours by IL-1ra scintigraphy was not better than that observed with a non-specific agent. Although radiolabelled IL-1ra retained its affinity for IL-1 receptors, no binding to synovium was observed by autoradiography. CONCLUSIONS Radiolabelled IL-1ra allows the visualization of synovitis in patients with RA. However, neither the imaging nor the autoradiographic studies indicate that joint accumulation of radiolabelled IL-1ra is due to specific IL-1 receptor targeting. IL-1ra has proved its therapeutic value in RA, but with the dose schedule in this study it does not behave as a specific radiopharmaceutical that is suitable for scintigraphic detection of inflammation.
A study of tumors of the parapharyngeal space.

A retrospective study of patients with parapharyngeal tumors has been completed, and this report concerns 40 patients cared for during the years 1962–1973. The parapharyngeal space is a potential anatomical space with three rigid walls so that growth of a tumor proceeds either medially or inferiorly or both. This pattern of growth accounts for the distinct clinical appearance of a displaced palate and pharynx. As noted in this series of cases, Table I depicts the types of tumors which involved the parapharyngeal space. Eighty‐two percent of the cases presented with benign tumors. On the other hand, 18 percent of the patients had malignant tumors.
A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Web-Based, Personalized Normative Feedback Alcohol Intervention for Young-Adult Veterans

Objective: Young-adult American veterans are at risk for problematic alcohol use. However, they are unlikely to seek care and may drop out from lengthy, multicomponent treatments when they do get care. This randomized controlled trial tested a very brief alcohol intervention delivered over the Internet to reach the population of young-adult veterans to help reduce their drinking. Method: Veterans (N = 784) were recruited from Facebook and randomized to either a control condition or a personalized normative feedback (PNF) intervention seeking to correct drinking perceptions of gender-specific veteran peers. Results: At immediate postintervention, PNF participants reported greater reductions in their perceptions of peer drinking and intentions to drink over the next month, compared with control participants. At 1-month follow-up, PNF participants reduced their drinking behavior and related consequences to a significantly greater extent than controls. Specifically, PNF participants drank 3.4 fewer drinks per week, consumed 0.4 fewer drinks per occasion, binge drank on 1.0 fewer days, and experienced about 1.0 fewer consequences than control participants in the month after the intervention. Intervention effects for drinks per occasion were most pronounced among more problematic drinkers. Changes in perceived norms from baseline to 1-month follow-up mediated intervention efficacy. Conclusion: Though effects were assessed after only 1 month, findings have potential to inform broader, population-level programs designed for young veterans to prevent escalation of drinking and development of long-term alcohol problems. Given the simplicity of the PNF approach and ease of administration, this intervention has the potential for a substantial impact on public health.
Contactless Power-Signal Transmission Devices Implanted for Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES)

In this paper, we proposed a new contactless power-signal transmission device using electromagnetic coupling for a functional electrical stimulation (FES) system, which consists of two coils. With the primary coil outside and the secondary inside the body, the in vivo coil composed of a coupling of two parts, one to receive power and one to receive signal, each at a different radio frequency. In this study, our approach is based on a structure to implement a simultaneous power-signal transmission system, which enables power and signal for muscle stimulation to be concurrently transferred from outside the body, while allowing for the separation inside. Moreover, the induced voltage of the magnetic flux on signal transmission, suppressed to 0.15 V, the output signal voltage of 2 V or more was established at a signal frequency of 7.7 MHz, thus leading to stable operation. The study also aimed to reach for higher power output of the secondary coil.
Evaluation of additional acetone and urea analyses, and of the fat-lactose-quotient in cow milk samples in the herd recording system in Norway.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of additional acetone and urea analyses to the established herd recording system (protein, fat, lactose, and somatic cell count) in cow milk samples every second month. Samples were obtained from 43/82 herds (800/1368 cows) in a lowland/highland area. Acetone concentration (mmol/l) were classified into acetone classes 1 (<0.7); 2 (0.7-1.4); and 3 (>1.4). There was an association between increasing acetone class and increasing ketosis incidence in herd (Kendall's Tau-b = 0.13). The highest percentage frequencies of acetone classes 2 and 3 were in weeks 4-6 postpartum. Milk yield, urea, and lactose were significantly lower; milk protein not different, and milk fat was significantly higher in herds with high ketosis incidence and in cows in acetone classes 2 and 3. General linear models, obtained by backward elimination of non-significant variables, showed that milk protein was negatively associated to milk yield and positively associated to milk fat. Milk yield decreased, and milk fat concentration increased with increasing acetone level. Milk fat and milk lactose were negatively associated, and a fat-lactose-quotient might be promising in a model to rule out subclinical ketosis cows.
Dendrimers designed for functions: from physical, photophysical, and supramolecular properties to applications in sensing, catalysis, molecular electronics, photonics, and nanomedicine.

3.15. Miscellaneous Photophysical Studies 1874 3.16. Dendritic Fluorescent Sensors 1875 3.17. Nonlinear Optical Properties 1875 4. Supramolecular Properties 1876 4.1. Concepts and Pioneering Studies 1876 4.2. H-Bonding 1877 4.3. Electrostatic Binding 1877 4.4. Combined H-Bonding/Ionic Bonding 1879 4.5. Coordination of Metal Ions 1880 4.6. Intradendritic π-π Interactions 1880 4.7. Encapsulation of Neutral Guest Molecules 1881 4.8. Interdendritic Supramolecular Associations 1883 4.8. 1. Liquid Crystals 1883 4.8. 2. Other Dendritic Self-Assemblies 1884 4.9. Supramolecular Assemblies between Dendrimers and Surfactants or Polymers 1885
Google and global market search: information signals and knowledge indices

With perfect information an economically rational market is expected. In the ICT age the introduction of a shopping/price comparison facility (Froogle) by a company with a search reputation as pre-eminent as Google leads to the expectation that it will allow comparison of products in terms not only of price but also of other aspects to an extent that appears to approach perfect information. Telecommunications and media companies and even retailers such as Wal-Mart increasingly see such initiatives as a competitive and strategic threat. This paper proposes a conceptual framework within which to analyse the strategic impact of consumer information channelled through global market search. In this we distinguish between information signals and knowledge indices arguing that the specific properties of information signals as distinct from knowledge indices and the critical role of intangibles place limits on the ability of purely fact-based search to eliminate 'friction' in markets.
Establishment of immortalized human hepatic stellate scavenger cells to develop bioartificial livers1

Background. Maintenance of liver-specific functions has been shown to be stabilized by co-cultivation of hepatocytes with hepatic stellate cells (HSC). Because the limited lifespan of human HSC is a major hurdle to their use, the authors report here the amplification of human HSC populations in vitro by retroviral transfer of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Methods. Human HSC strain LI 90 cells were transduced with a retroviral vector SSR#197 expressing hTERT and green fluorescent protein (GFP) cDNA flanked by a pair of loxP. TWNT-1, one of SSR#197-immortalized HSC, was characterized. Differentiated liver functions were evaluated in an immortalized human hepatocyte NKNT-3–TWNT-1 co-culture system. Results. TWNT-1 cells showed differential functions of HSC, including uptake of acetylated low-density lipoproteins and synthesis of collagen type I and hepatocyte growth factor. Efficient excision of the retrovirally transferred hTERT and GFP cDNAs was achieved by TAT-mediated expression of the Cre recombinase and subsequent GFP-negative cell sorting. When co-cultured with TWNT-1 cells, NKNT-3 increased protein expression of the detoxifying cytochrome P450-associated protein isoenzymes 3A4 and 2C9 and urea synthesis. Conclusions. TWNT-1 cells could be valuable in the study of integrated liver functions and contribute to the optimization of liver cell therapies and bioartificial livers.
Ultrasound assessment of carotid atherosclerosis focusing on plaque characteristics and changes over time

3 POPULÄRVETENSKAPLIG SAMMANFATTNING 4 LIST OF PUBLICATIONS 6 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 INTRODUCTION 10 ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND STROKE 10 ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND DIABETES 11 ATHEROSCLEROSIS AND INFLAMMATION 11 NON-INVASIVE MEASUREMENTS OF ATHEROSCLEROSIS 12 Intima media thickness 13 Plaques 14 Manual classification of plaque characteristics 15 Automated classification of plaque echogenicity 17 HYPOTHESIS 19 AIMS OF THESIS 20 METHODS AND STUDY POPULATION 21 OVERVIEW OF STUDY DESIGN 21 Paper I 22 Paper II 22 Paper III 23 POPULATION SAMPLE 23 EXAMINATIONS OTHER THAN ULTRASOUND 24 Questionnaries 25 Anthropometry 25 Blood pressure 25 Oral glucose tolerance test 25 Biochemical measurements 26 ULTRASOUND 27 Paper I [Semi-Automated Method to Evaluate Echogenicity ] 27 9 Procedure to develop and validate SAMEE 30 Paper II 31 Paper III 31 STATISTIC ANALYSES 32 Paper I 32 Paper II 32 Paper III 33 SUMMARY OF RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 34 PAPER I 34 Training results 34 Validation data 35 Echogenicity in multiple plaques vs predictors of CVD 35 GSM vs PW 37 PAPER II 37 hsCRP ≥ 2.0 mg/L and carotid bulb IMT 38 hsCRP ≥ 2.0 mg/L and carotid plaques 39 hsCRP ≥ 2.0 mg/L and plaque echogenicity 41 PAPER III 42 Echogenicity and multiple plaques at baseline 42 Prospective changes in plaque status 44 Risk factors for plaque echogenicity and changes over time 47 Plaque burden and change over time 49 LIMITATIONS 49 CONCLUSION AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVE 51 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 54 REFERENCES 56
Rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis by using Roche AMPLICOR Mycobacterium tuberculosis PCR test

A rapid PCR-based test for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis, the Roche AMPLICOR Mycobacterium tuberculosis test (AMPLICOR MTB), was evaluated. Results from AMPLICOR MTB were compared with culture results and the final clinical diagnosis for each patient. A total of 985 specimens from 372 patients were tested. When AMPLICOR MTB results were compared with resolved results, i.e., a specimen grew M. tuberculosis or was obtained from a patient with a clinical diagnosis of tuberculosis, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for the AMPLICOR MTB test were 66.7, 99.6, 91.7, and 97.7%, respectively. These results were comparable to those obtained from culture. Test results were available approximately 6.5 h after specimen receipt in the laboratory. Our data demonstrate that AMPLICOR MTB will provide rapid, valuable information for the diagnosis and control of tuberculosis.
Criteria for the classification of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip.

The Osteoarthritis (OA) Criteria Subcommittee of the American Rheumatism Association set out to develop (a) a classification of OA that includes recognised subsets; and (b) subsets of OA identified by a combination of clinical and laboratory features. For the purposes of classification, OA should be specified if of unknown origin (idiopathic, primary) or if related to a known medical condition or event (secondary). Clinical criteria for classification of idiopathic OA of the knee were developed through a multicentre study group involving 130 patients with OA and 107 comparison patients. Comparison diagnoses included rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other painful conditions of the knee exclusive of referred or para-articular pain. Variables from the history, physical examination, laboratory test results and radiographs were used to develop sets of criteria that serve different investigative purposes: clinical examination (sensitivity 89%; specificity 88%); clinical examination and laboratory tests (sensitivity 88%; specificity 93%); clinical examination, laboratory tests and radiographs (sensitivity 94%; specificity 88%). In contrast to prior classification criteria, the proposed criteria utilise decision trees or algorithms. Clinical criteria for classification of idiopathic OA of the hip are under development. Comparison groups are comprised of patients with other rheumatic diseases (e.g. RA), periarticular pain (e.g. trochanteric bursitis) and referred pain (e.g low back pain). From a method of opinion sampling, OA of the hip may be suggested by a combination of clinical criteria including the following: age greater than 40 years, weight-bearing pain, pain relieved by sitting, antalgic gait, decreased painful range of motion, a normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and a negative rheumatoid factor test.
Monte Carlo State-Space Likelihoods by Weighted Posterior Kernel Density Estimation

Maximum likelihood estimation and likelihood ratio tests for nonlinear, non-Gaussian state-space models require numerical integration for likelihood calculations. Several methods, including Monte Carlo (MC) expectation maximization, MC likelihood ratios, direct MC integration, and particle filter likelihoods, are inefficient for the motivating problem of stage-structured population dynamics models in experimental settings. An MC kernel likelihood (MCKL) method is presented that estimates classical likelihoods up to a constant by weighted kernel density estimates of Bayesian posteriors. MCKL is derived by using Bayesian posteriors as importance sampling densities for unnormalized kernel smoothing integrals. MC error and mode bias due to kernel smoothing are discussed and two methods for reducing mode bias are proposed: “zooming in” on the maximum likelihood parameters using a focused prior based on an initial estimate and using a posterior cumulant-based approximation of mode bias. A simulated example show.
Age‐dependent cognitive decline in the APP23 model precedes amyloid deposition

Heterozygous APP23 mice, expressing human amyloid‐precursor protein with the Swedish double mutation and control littermates, were subjected to behavioral and neuromotor tasks at the age of 6–8 weeks, 3 and 6 months. A hidden‐platform Morris‐type water maze showed an age‐dependent decline of spatial memory capacities in the APP23 model. From the age of 3 months onwards, the APP23 mice displayed major learning and memory deficits as demonstrated by severely impaired learning curves during acquisition and impaired probe trial performance. In addition to the cognitive deficit, APP23 mice displayed disturbed activity patterns. Overnight cage‐activity recording showed hyperactivity in the transgenics for the three age groups tested. However, a short 2‐h recording during dusk phase demonstrated lower activity levels in 6‐month‐old APP23 mice as compared to controls. Moreover, at this age, APP23 mice differed from control littermates in exploration and activity levels in the open‐field paradigm. These findings are reminiscent of disturbances in circadian rhythms and activity observed in Alzheimer patients. Determination of plaque‐associated human amyloid‐β1–42 peptides in brain revealed a fivefold increase in heterozygous APP23 mice at 6 months as compared to younger transgenics. This increase coincided with the first appearance of plaques in hippocampus and neocortex. Spatial memory deficits preceded plaque formation and increase in plaque‐associated amyloid‐β1–42 peptides, but probe trial performance did correlate negatively with soluble amyloid‐β brain concentration in 3‐month‐old APP23 mutants. Detectable plaque formation is not the (only) causal factor contributing to memory defects in the APP23 model.
Conformational Transitions in the Membrane Scaffold Protein of Phospholipid Bilayer Nanodiscs*

Phospholipid bilayer nanodiscs are model membrane systems that provide an environment where membrane proteins are highly stable and monodisperse without the use of detergents or liposomes. Nanodiscs consist of a discoidal phospholipid bilayer encircled by two copies of an amphipathic alpha helical membrane scaffold protein, which is modeled from apolipoprotein A-1. Hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry was used to probe the structure and dynamics of the scaffold protein in the presence and absence of lipid. On nanodisc self-assembly, the entire scaffold protein gained significant protection from exchange, consistent with a large, protein-wide, structural rearrangement. This protection was short-lived and the scaffold protein was highly deuterated within 2 h. Several regions of the scaffold protein, in both the lipid-free and lipid-associated states, displayed EX1 unfolding kinetics. The rapid deuteration of the scaffold protein and the presence of correlated unfolding events both indicate that nanodiscs are dynamic rather than rigid bodies in solution. This work provides a catalog of the expected scaffold protein peptic peptides in a nanodisc-hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry experiment and their deuterium uptake signatures, data that can be used as a benchmark to verify correct assembly and nanodisc structure. Such reference data will be useful control data for all hydrogen exchange mass spectrometry experiments involving nanodiscs in which transmembrane or lipid-associated proteins are the primary molecule(s) of interest.
Effects of photo- and background ionization on positive streamers

Positive streamers need a continued source of free electrons in front of them in order to propagate. Because of the electronegativity of molecular oxygen, free electrons in air quickly attach to oxygen. If this is the case, a high field is needed to detach the electrons. The detached free electrons can form avalanches that feed the front of the streamer head and enable it to propagate. The density of the electrons influences the morphology of the streamers as was demonstrated in [1].
Strategies to enhance transductional efficiency of adenoviral‐based gene transfer to primary human fibroblasts and keratinocytes as a platform in dermal wounds

Genetically modified keratinocytes and fibroblasts are suitable for delivery of therapeutic genes capable of modifying the wound healing process. However, efficient gene delivery is a prerequisite for successful gene therapy of wounds. Whereas adenoviral vectors (Ads) exhibit superior levels of in vivo gene transfer, their transductional efficiency to cells resident within wounds may nonetheless be suboptimal, due to deficiency of the primary adenovirus receptor, coxsackie‐adenovirus receptor (CAR). We explored CAR‐independent transduction to fibroblasts and keratinocytes using a panel of CAR‐independent fiber‐modified Ads to determine enhancement of infectivity. These fiber‐modified adenoviral vectors included Ad 3 knob (Ad5/3), canine Ad serotype 2 knob (Ad5CAV‐2), RGD (Ad5.RGD), polylysine (Ad5.pK7), or both RGD and polylysine (Ad5.RGD.pK7). To evaluate whether transduction efficiencies of the fiber‐modified adenoviral vectors correlated with the expression of their putative receptors on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, we analyzed the mRNA levels of CAR, αυ integrin, syndecan‐1, and glypican‐1 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Analysis of luciferase and green fluorescent protein transgene expression showed superior transduction efficiency of Ad5.pK7 in keratinocytes and Ad5.RGD. pK7 in fibroblasts. mRNA expression of αυ integrin, syndecan‐1 and glypican‐1 was significantly higher in primary fibroblasts than CAR. In keratinocytes, syndecan‐1 expression was significantly higher than all the other receptors tested. Significant infectivity enhancement was achieved in keratinocytes and fibroblasts using fiber‐modified adenoviral vectors. These strategies to enhance infectivity may help to achieve higher clinical efficacy of wound gene therapy.
CONCURRENT ENGINEERING : Research and Applications On Validating Engineering Design Decision Support Tools

In this article, an argument for validation of design–decision methods is presented. In the process of justifying the need for validation, several criteria for a valid design–decision method are introduced. These criteria represent a starting point from which the research community can continue to debate and ponder the validation issue. Under these criteria, a critical empirical investigation of two popular decision support methods, the House of Quality and Suh’s Axiomatic Design, is presented via a simple design problem and both are shown to violate some portion of the proposed definition of validity. The goal of this article is to raise awareness of potential flaws in popular design–decision aids and to promote debate on design validation within the concurrent engineering research community.