Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The natural history of congestive heart failure: the Framingham study.

Abstract The natural history of congestive heart failure was studied over a 16-year period in 5192 persons initially free of the disease. Over this period, overt evidence of congestive heart failure developed in 142 persons. In almost every five-year age group, from 30 to 62 years, the incidence rate was greater for men than for women. Although the usual etiologic precursors were found, the dominant one was clearly hypertension, which preceded failure in 75 per cent of the cases. Coronary heart disease was noted at an earlier examination in 39 per cent, but in 29 per cent of the cases it was accompanied by hypertension. Precursive rheumatic heart disease, noted in 21 per cent of cases of congestive heart failure, was accompanied by hypertension in 11 per cent. Despite modern management, congestive heart failure proved to be extremely lethal. The probability of dying within five years from onset of congestive heart failure was 62 per cent for men and 42 per cent for women.
Spatiotemporal analysis of Ca(2+) waves in relation to the sperm entry site and animal-vegetal axis during Ca(2+) oscillations in fertilized mouse eggs.

Fertilized mouse eggs exhibit repetitive rises in intracellular Ca(2+) concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) necessary for egg activation. Precise spatiotemporal dynamics of each [Ca(2+)](i) rise were investigated by high-speed Ca(2+) imaging during early development of monospermic eggs. Every [Ca(2+)](i) rise involved a Ca(2+) wave. In the first Ca(2+) transient, [Ca(2+)](i) increased in two steps separated by a "shoulder" point, suggesting two distinct Ca(2+) release mechanisms. The first step was a Ca(2+) wave that propagated from the sperm-fusion site to its antipode in 4-5 s (velocity, approximately 20 microm/s in most eggs). The second step from the shoulder to the peak was a nearly uniform [Ca(2+)](i) rise of 12-15 s. A slight cytoplasmic movement followed the Ca(2+) wave in the same direction and recovered in 25-35 s. These characteristics changed as follows, as Ca(2+) oscillations progressed during the second meiosis up to their cessation at the stage of pronuclei formation ( approximately 3 h after fertilization). (1) The duration of Ca(2+) transients became shorter. (2) The shoulder point shifted to higher levels and the first step occupied most of the rising phase. (3) The rate of [Ca(2+)](i) rise became greater and wave speeds increased up to 80-100 microm/s or more. (4) The transient cytoplasmic movement always resulted from the Ca(2+) wave, although its displacement became smaller. (5) The Ca(2+) wave initiation site was freed from the sperm-fusion or -entry site and eventually localized in the cortex of the vegetal hemisphere. Since the shift of the wave initiation site to the vegetal cortex is observed in fertilized eggs of nemertean worms and ascidians, this might be an evolutionarily conserved feature.
Clouding and Deactivation of Clear (Regular) Human Insulin: Association With Silicone Oil From Disposable Syringes?

feet glucose stability (4); and 6) hematocrit does not affect glucose determination (5). These advantages support the use of Microtainers in lieu of the filter-paper method as a means of collecting capillary whole blood. Our work suggests that the Microtainers provide a means of quality control for portable reflectance-meter glucose monitoring that is in many ways superior to methods previously reported (1,3,5).
A vector for expressing GAL4(1-147) fusions in mammalian cells.

Transcriptional activator proteins bind to specific enhancer elements in eukaryotic promoters, and stimulate transcription of nearby genes (1). Separable functional elements of activator proteins confer specific DNA binding, transcriptional activation, and regulation (1). These functional domains are remarkably flexible, and readily tolerate fusion to heterologous proteins (2,3). Thus, a currently popular technique for studying activating and regulatory elements of transcriptional activators involves fusion to the DNA binding domain of the well characterized yeast GAL4 protein. These fusion proteins can be assayed for activity on promoters bearing GAL4 binding sites (2-4). To accommodate such experiments, we have developed a useful vector for the construction and expression of GAL4(1-147) fusions in mammalian cells. GAL4(1147) binds specifically to DNA, but does not activate transcription (5). The vector pSG424 (Figure 1A) contains the coding sequence of GAL4(1-147) immediately followed by a multiple cloning site. Following the polylinker sequence are translational termination codons in three reading frames. Transcripts encoding the fusion proteins are expressed from the SV40 early promoter and terminated within a fragment containing the SV40 polyadenylation signal. The polylinker encodes a 16 amino acid peptide with a net charge of 0. We cannot detect transcriptional activation by the GAL4(1-147)+16 protein produced by pSG424, although the protein is easily detected in immunoprecipitates from COS-1 cells. We have fused several activating domains to GAL4(1-147) using this vector; each was expressed at similar levels, and we found no evidence of instability of the fusion proteins. This vector and the complete nucleotide sequence are available upon request.
Research on MIS Planning: Some Guidelines from Strategic Planning Research

Abstract:Recognizing that mis planning is fast emerging as an important topic for both practitioners and researchers, this paper develops key guidelines for mis planning research. By illustrating similarities between the research streams of mis planning and organizational strategic planning, we derive three major guidelines from a critical review and evaluation of the progress made in the strategic research stream over the last decade. These are: (i) recognition of hierarchy of mis planning levels and corresponding hierarchy in mis planning benefits; (ii) specific attention to operationalization of constructs to ensure correspondence between theoretical conceptualization and empirical observation; and (iii) the adoption of an overarching research framework rooted in the contingency theory tradition. We hope that the discussion will stimulate researchers’ attention toward developing a program of research on mis planning.
Urbane aspiracije i stambeno susjedstvo u programu višestambene izgradnje stradalnika Domovinskog rata

U radu se interpretira dio rezultata istraaivanja o stradalnicima Domovinskog rata. U tom se smislu raspravlja o uvjetima susjedstva, njegovim granicama, tipovima susjedskih usluga, vrsti odnosa između susjeda i procjeni važnosti susjedskih odnosa. Nadalje, raspravlja se i o odnosu prema cetvrti (kvartu) u kojemu anketirani žive te o opcem odnosu prema gradu, identifikaciji s gradom i procjeni poželjnosti mjesta za život. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da ispitanici nespecificno reagiraju spram navedenih odrednica, odnosno da su rezultati ispitivanja u skladu s dosadasnjim nalazima s podrucja sociologije stanovanja.
INTRAFRACTIONAL PROSTATE MOTION MANAGEMENT WITH THE CLARITY AUTOSCAN SYSTEM

Intrafractional motion of the prostate can be significant, and its management is of particular importance for hypofractionated regimes and stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR). In this paper, we describe the Clarity Autoscan with Monitoring system and its use of non-invasive soft tissue imaging to monitor prostate motion during the course of radiotherapy. The system uses a 4D autoscan ultrasound probe to image the prostate through the acoustic window of the perineum. We discuss this imaging technique, as well as the algorithms used to track the prostate during treatment. We measure the accuracy of the tracking algorithm with a motion phantom and find it to be -0.2 ± 0.2 mm, 0.2 ± 0.4 mm and -0.0 ± 0.2 mm in the A/P, L/R and S/I directions, respectively.
Reduction of Calcineurin Enzymatic Activity in Alzheimer's Disease: Correlation with Neuropathologic Changes

Ncurofibrillary tangles (NFT), neuritic plaques, and dystrophic neurites are the classic neuropathologic hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), all of which contain to varying degrees abnormally and/or hyperphosphorylated forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau. Protein phosphatase 2B (calcineurin) dephosphorylates tau isolated from AD brains to control levels in vitro as well as regulates tau phosphorylation and function in vivo. It has been hypothesized that the changes in tau phosphorylation observed in AD may be due to increases in kinase activity and/or decreases in phosphatase activity. In order to investigate the latter possibility, we examined calcineurin enzyme activity using the substrate para-nitrophenylphosphate (pNPP) in postmortem brain samples from individuals with moderate to severe AD (n=8) and age-matched controls n=7). The stimulation of calcineurin activity by manganese chloride (1 mM) was reduced by 60% (p<0.01) in whole-cell homogenates prepared from AD temporal cortex (Brodmann area 38). On the other hand, in P2 membrane fractions, the stimulation of calcineurin activity by manganese chloride as well as nickel chloride (1 mM) was reduced by 37% (p<0.05) and 79% (p<0.01), respectively. The manganese-stimulated calcineurin activity in the temporal cortex inversely correlated with both the number of NFT (r= -0.60, p<0.02) and neuritic/core plaques (r= -0.63, p<0.02) in whole-cell homogenates, but only with NFT (r= -0.61, p<0.02) in P2 membrane fractions. The nickel-stimulated calcineurin activity did not correlate with neuropathology measures in either whole-cell or P2 membrane fractions. In striate visual cortex (Brodmann area 17), an area relatively unaffected in AD, neither whole-cell nor P2 membrane calcineurin activity were significantly altered. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a reduction in calcineurin phosphatase activity in AD which correlates with the neuropathological features in a region-, subcellular fraction-, and divalent cation-specific manner.
Differences in weight gain in relation to race, gender, age and education in young adults: the CARDIA Study. Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults.

OBJECTIVE To assess ethnic differences in weight gain in young adults. DESIGN Five-year weight change was assessed in 4207 young adults initially aged 18-30 years at the CARDIA Study baseline examination (1985-1986). RESULTS Weight gain was significantly (p < 0.0001) greater in black versus white men (13.2 versus 9.1 lb) and in black versus white women (13.2 versus 7.4 lb). Baseline weight and year-five weight in all race and gender groups were strongly associated, suggesting a high degree of tracking of adiposity during young adulthood. Greater weight gain was noted in participants reporting baseline education of high school or less versus college graduates in black women (14.4 versus 10.0 lb, p < 0.05), white women (10.2 versus 5.2 lb, p < 0.0001) and white men (10.2 versus 7.8 lb, p < 0.001). Significantly greater weight gain was observed in younger (18-24 years) versus older (25-30 years) men, but no age-related difference was seen in women. The racial differences in weight gain remained after adjustment for age and level of education. The above trends were confirmed for other measures of body size, i.e. body mass index and skinfold thickness. CONCLUSION These data indicate that young adults are at high risk of weight gain, and that weight gain was greatest among African Americans and among less educated participants. These high-risk groups can be identified and targeted for primary prevention of adult obesity in addition to population wide efforts that will be required to counteract the secular trend of increased obesity observed in US adults.
Diabetes Mellitus and the risk of Primary open angle glaucoma.

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the risk factors for Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). Inclusion of DM as a risk factor for POAG is controversial. The objectives of the study were to investigate whether Type II (T2) DM is a risk factor for POAG and to determine central corneal thickness (CCT) in the subjects with T2DM and to examine the relationship between T2DM and intraocular pressure (IOP). MATERIALS AND METHODS A comparative cross sectional study was conducted including 189 subjects of age > 40 years. In Group I, 113 patients diagnosed with T2DM and Group II, age and sex matched 76 subjects with POAG without DM was included. Detailed ocular examination, IOP, CCT and funduscopy evaluation was done. RESULTS Most of the patients were more than 60 years of age with mean age 58 ± 11 years. Male: female ratio was 1:1. POAG was seen in 27.4% of patients with T2DM. Mean IOP in T2DM was 14.67± 2.63mmHg and in non diabetic, 17.25±4.47 mmHg (p less than0.00). In group I, mean CCT was 538.83± 22. 7μm and in group II, 531.26 ± 20. 9μm (p-0.126). There was no association between CCT and glaucoma (p=0.072, 95% CI: -0.76 -17.46). The study could not elicit an association of T2DM with glaucoma. Duration of T2DM did not affect an association between T2DM and glaucoma (p-0.757). Random blood sugar (p less than0.001) and oral hypoglycemic drugs (p=0.030) showed an association with glaucoma. CONCLUSION The study failed to show an association between T2DM and primary open angle glaucoma and CCT though an association seen with IOP. A larger prospective comparative study may be help in understanding this association.
Polycationic Chitosan‐Conjugated Photosensitizer for Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy †

The complex nature of bacterial cell membrane and structure of biofilm has challenged the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. This study was aimed to synthesize a polycationic chitosan‐conjugated rose bengal (CSRB) photosensitizer and test its antibiofilm efficacy on Enterococcus faecalis (gram positive) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (gram negative) using photodynamic therapy. During experiments, CSRB was tested along with an anionic photosensitizer rose bengal (RB) and a cationic photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) for uptake and killing efficacy on 7‐day‐old E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa biofilms. Microbiological culture based analysis was used to analyze the cell viability, while laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to examine the structure of biofilm. The synthesized CSRB showed absorbance spectrum similar to the RB. The concentration of CSRB uptaken by both the bacterial biofilms was significantly higher than that of RB and MB (P < 0.05). Photoactivation resulted in significantly higher elimination of both bacterial biofilms sensitized with CSRB than RB and MB. The structure of biofilm under LSCM was found to be disrupted following CSRB treatment. The present study highlighted the importance of inherent cell membrane permeabilizing effect of chitosan and increased cell/biofilm uptake of conjugated photosensitizer to produce significant antibiofilm efficacy during photodynamic therapy.
Ultrabroadband and compact power dividers/combiners on gallium arsenide substrate [Application Notes]

Multilayer and multiconductor technologies such as Si- and gallium arsenide (GaAs)- based MMICs and LTCCs have resulted in compact components. In such technologies, lumped elements can be realized easily and have become attractive in reducing the size of passive components. A compensation technique to realize compact multioctave bandwidth two-way power splitters is presented in this article.
Chronic Administration of Hydroxylamine and Derivatives in Mice

Summary Long-term administration of hydroxylamine, methoxyamine, or hydroxyurea to Swiss-Webster mice did not cause tumor formation. Hydroxylamine inhibited spontaneous formation of mammary tumors in female C3H mice. The principal toxic effects of hydroxylamine were anemia, splenomegaly and bone formation in the spleen. The authors appreciate the assistance of Mr. Gerome McDowell and Miss J. Zuefle in various phases of the experiments.
A sag and harmonic compensation method without harmonic detection for dynamic voltage restorer

In this paper, a novel supply voltage harmonic mitigation method using a simple DVR without harmonic detection is proposed. In contrast to the conventional DVRs control methods, the proposed method realizes two independent control objectives at fundamental and harmonic frequencies without couplings, with the adoption of the proposed voltage controller with two independent inputs focusing on different frequency regions. The fundamental voltage control is adopted to compensate voltage sags. The harmonic control loop compensates the load side harmonic voltage simultaneously without any harmonic extraction. Verification results are provided to validate the correctness of the proposed system.
Extended Telemedical Consultation using Arden Syntax Based Decision Support, Hypertext and WWW Technique

Abstract: There is an obvious need for geographic distribution of expert knowledge among several health care units without increasing the cost of on-site expertise in locations where health care is provided. This paper describes the design of a knowledge-based decision-support system for extended consultation in clinical medicine. The system is based on Arden Syntax for Medical Logic Modules and hypertext using World Wide Web technology. It provides advice and explanations regarding the given advice. The explanations are presented in a hypertext format allowing the user to browse related information and to verify the relevance of the given advice. The system is intended to be used in a closed local network. With special precautions regarding issues of safety and patient security, the system can be used over wider areas such as in rural medicine. A prototype has been developed in the field of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases regarding infective endocarditis.
Subclinical right ventricular dysfunction in diabetes mellitus—an ultrasonic strain/strain rate study

Aims While left ventricular dysfunction has been recognized to be a common complication of diabetes mellitus, data regarding right ventricular (RV) performance in patients with diabetes are incomplete. The aim of the study was to determine the preclinical effects of diabetes on regional RV systolic and diastolic function in asymptomatic persons with diabetes using the echocardiographic strain/strain rate technique.
Comparative Attributes of Effective Health Services Managers and Definitions of Organizational Effectiveness in Australia, the UK and the USA

This paper explores and contrasts the perceptions of 855, mainly health services managers and 1452 students from three major English-speaking countries regarding the attributes needed for becoming effective managers in their country. Also addressed are country differences and similarities in the perceived relevance of particular indicators of organizational effectiveness. Despite Australia's British heritage, respondents from this country were found to be more similar to those from the USA, than those from the UK, in their views regarding the attributes of effective managers. Australian and American respondents rated ‘nurturing’ personality skills relatively highly, as they did ‘classical’ management skills. UK respondents rated ‘classical’ management skills as more important than ‘political’ skills.
Determination of Antimicrobial Sensitivities of Campylobacter jejuni Isolated from Commercial Turkey Farms in Germany

SUMMARY. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance among Campylobacter isolates recovered from turkeys has increased dramatically. Monitoring the progress of this resistance becomes a growing public health issue. The aim of the present study was to provide information of the current status of antibiotic resistance patterns in Campylobacter jejuni from turkeys. Seventy-six C. jejuni isolates were recovered from 67 epidemiologically unrelated meat turkey flocks in different regions of Germany in 2010 and 2011. The isolates were typed by flaA genotyping and were investigated for antimicrobial susceptibility against 12 antibiotics by using a broth microdilution test as well as testing the genetic determination of ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and erythromycin resistance. All isolates (n = 76) were sensitive to gentamicin and chloramphenicol. The numbers of isolates that were sensitive to streptomycin, erythromycin, neomycin, and amoxicillin were 69 (90.8%), 61 (80.2%), 58 (76.4%), and 44 (57.9%), respectively. Only one isolate was sensitive to all tested antibiotics. The emergence of a high resistance rate and multidrug resistance to three or more classes of antimicrobial agents were observed. The resistance against sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim, metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, naladixic acid, and tetracycline was 58 (76.3%), 58 (76.3%), 53 (69.7%), 51 (67.1%), and 42 (55.3%), respectively. None of the isolates was resistant to all antibiotics. Multidrug resistance to three or more classes of antimicrobial agents was found and ranged from 3.9% to 40.8%. Replacement of the Thr-86→Ile in gyrA gene and detection of the tet(O) gene were the main resistance mechanisms for fluoroquinolones and tetracycline, respectively, while the lack of mutation in position 2074 and 2075 on the 23S rRNA gene was responsible for macrolide resistance. The phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles were compatible in the case of ciprofloxacin and tetracycline but were not completely congruent with respect to erythromycin.
Rural and Urban Canadians with Dementia: Use of Health Care Services*

ABSTRACT The purpose of this research was to examine the characteristics of older Canadians with dementia (compared to those without dementia), their use of health care services, and the impact of place (rural/urban) on use of services. Andersen and Newman's Behavioural Model of Health Services Use (1973) guided the study. A cross-sectional design used data from the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS) Cycle 1.1 (N=49,995 older Canadians; those with dementia =313). Results indicated that among Canadian females between the ages of 50 and 64, those with dementia were more likely than those without dementia to live in rural areas. Among females 80 years of age and over, those with dementia had higher levels of education and income than those without dementia. In addition, a higher proportion of white than of visible minority Canadians was afflicted with dementia. The results further suggest that Canadians with dementia primarily required support services and that they were more likely than persons without dementia to report that their health care needs were unmet. It is recommended that publicly funded national home care programs be expanded to ensure that the supportive services needed by this population are available. RÉSUMÉ La présente recherche analyse les caractéristiques de Canadiens âgés souffrant de démence (comparativement à d'autres qui n'en souffrent pas), les services de soins de santé auxquels ils avaient recours, et la relation entre l'endroit où ils habitent (rural ou urbain) et leur utilisation de ces services. Behavioural Model of Health Services Use d'Andersen et Newman (1973) a servi de guide lors de cette étude. Une étude transversale a utilisé des données de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes (ESCC) – Cycle 1.1 (N=49,995 Canadiens âgés; souffrant de démence =313). Les résultats ont indiqué que, parmi les femmes canadiennes âgées de 50 à 64 ans, celles souffrant de démence étaient plus susceptibles de vivre dans une région rurale que celles qui n'en étaient pas atteintes. Chez les femmes de 80ans et plus, celles souffrant de démence étaient plus instruites et avaient un meilleur revenu que celles qui n'en souffraient pas. En outre, une plus grande proportion de Canadiens blancs que de Canadiens faisant partie des minorités visibles étaient touchés par la démence. Les résultats suggèrent aussi que les Canadiens souffrant de démence demandaient avant tout des services de soutien et qu'ils étaient davantage susceptibles que les personnes ne souffrant pas de démence de déclarer que leurs besoins en soins de santé n'étaient pas satisfaits. Il est recommandé d'élargir les programmes nationaux publics de soins de santé afin de s'assurer que les services de soutien requis par cette population sont disponibles.