Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Improved survival in red blood cell transfusion dependent patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) receiving iron chelation therapy

Many patients with primary myelofibrosis (PMF) become red blood cell (RBC) transfusion dependent (TD), risking iron overload (IOL). Iron chelation therapy (ICT) may decrease the risk of haemosiderosis associated organ dysfunction, though its benefit in PMF is undefined. To assess the effect of TD and ICT on survival in PMF, we retrospectively reviewed 41 patients. Clinical data were collected from the database and by chart review. The median age at PMF diagnosis was 64 (range 43–86) years. Median white blood cell (WBC) count at diagnosis was 7.6 (range 1.2–70.9) × 109/L; haemoglobin 104 (62–145) G/L; platelets 300 (38–2088) × 109/L. Lille, Strasser, Mayo and International Prognostic System (IPS) scores were: low risk, n = 15, 8, 11, 3; intermediate, n = 15, 19, 9, 16; high, n = 5, 11, 5, 7; respectively. Primary PMF treatment was: supportive care, n = 23; hydroxyurea, n = 10; immunomodulatory, n = 4; splenectomy, n = 2. Sixteen patients were RBC transfusion independent (TI) and 25 TD; of these 10 received ICT for a median of 18.3 (0.1–117) months. Pre‐ICT ferritin levels were a median of 2318 (range 263–8400) and at follow up 1571 (1005–3211 µg/L (p = 0.01). In an analysis of TD patients, factors significant for overall survival (OS) were: WBC count at diagnosis (p = 0.002); monocyte count (p = 0.0001); Mayo score (p = 0.05); IPS (p = 0.02); number of RBC units (NRBCU) transfused (p = 0.02) and ICT (p = 0.003). In a multivariate analysis, significant factors were: NRBCU (p = 0.001) and ICT (p = 0.0001). Five year OS for TI, TD‐ICT and TD‐NO ICT were: 100, 89 and 34%, respectively (p = 0.003). The hazard ratio (HR) for receiving >20 RBCU was 7.6 (95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 1.2–49.3) and for ICT was 0.15 (0.03–0.77). In conclusion, 61% of PMF patients developed RBC‐TD which portended inferior OS; however patients receiving ICT had comparatively improved OS, suggesting a clinical benefit. Prospective studies of IOL and the impact of ICT in PMF are warranted. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degradation of Starch and its Hydrolytic Products by Oral Bacteria

Selected strains of oral bacteria were analyzed for their ability to degrade wheat starch, maltose, maltotriose, and maltoheptaose. S. sanguis IUOM-11M and JC804, S. mutans 6715, S. salivarius IUOM-8, A. viscosus IUOM-62, and A. naeslundii ATCC 12104 degraded all four substrates. S. mutans NCTC 10449 degraded starch, maltose, and maltotriose, while A. viscosus ATCC 15987 degraded starch and maltose, and S. sanguis SS34 degraded only maltose. L. casei IUOM-14 did not degrade any of the substrates. Analysis of starch degradation products from S. sanguis IUOM-11M and A. viscosus IUOM-62 demonstrated oligosaccharides, maltose, and trace amounts of glucose for the former and oligosaccharides, maltotriose, and maltose for the latter. S. sanguis IUOM-11M α-glucosidase (EC 3.2.1.20) demonstrated a pH optimum of 6.5 and greatly enhanced activity from maltose-cultured cells as compared with cells cultured in glucose or fructose. The presence of fructose in the growth medium prevented this enhancement of activity by maltose. Maltose inhibited sucrose-dependent synthesis of S. sanguis IUOM-11M insoluble polysaccharide and both primer-dependent and primer-independent synthesis of soluble polysaccharide. Maltoheptaose inhibited primer-dependent but not primer-independent soluble polysaccharide synthesis. Several oral bacteria have the ability to hydrolyze starch and to degrade further the products to acidogenic substrates. These products may also inhibit sucrose-dependent synthesis of polysaccharides, which enhances the production of the acidogenic substrate fructose. The results add further support to the growing body of evidence suggesting that caries-promoting properties of starch may be expressed only when starch is present in diets containing sucrose.
Harmonic behavior of variable-speed wind turbines during a control fault

This paper is concerned with the harmonic behavior of variable-speed wind turbines during a control fault. Different topologies for the power-electronic converters are considered, namely two-level and multilevel converters. A three-mass drive train model is considered, and a fractional-order control strategy is proposed for the wind turbines. The performance of disturbance attenuation and system robustness is ascertained. Finally, conclusions are duly drawn.
External Validity: The Next Step for Systematic Reviews?

Background: Systematic reviews—which identify, assess, and summarize existing research—are usually designed to determine whether research shows that an intervention has evidence of effectiveness, rather than whether an intervention will work under different circumstances. The reviews typically focus on the internal validity of the research and do not consistently incorporate information on external validity into their conclusions. Objectives: In this article, we focus on how systematic reviews address external validity. Methods: We conducted a brief scan of 19 systematic reviews and a more in-depth examination of information presented in a systematic review of home visiting research. Results: We found that many reviews do not provide information on generalizability, such as statistical representativeness, but focus on factors likely to increase heterogeneity (e.g., numbers of studies or settings) and report on context. The latter may help users decide whether the research characteristics—such as sample demographics or settings—are similar to their own. However, we found that differences in reporting, such as which variables are included and how they are measured, make it difficult to summarize across studies or make basic determinations of sample characteristics, such as whether the majority of a sample was unemployed or married. Conclusion: Evaluation research and systematic reviews would benefit from reporting guidelines for external validity to ensure that key information is reported across studies.
4A Frameworks for Prioritization Requirements

Prioritization decisions in general aim at conducting assessment of several alternatives that are characterized by multiple conflicting attributes, which are intertwined by the competing preferences of multiple assessors. These assessments personifying various forms of ambiguity such as uncertainty, ignorance, vagueness and fuzziness have to be aggregated to generate reliable collective priorities. The objective of this paper is to introduce 4A prioritization frameworks with alternatives at the centre surrounded by the four facets: Attributes, Assessors, Ambiguity and Aggregation. Elements constituting the framework are discussed in a general context and then related to software requirements. The frameworks introduced have confronted a wide scope of further research.
Structural Model for the Mannose Receptor Family Uncovered by Electron Microscopy of Endo180 and the Mannose Receptor*

The mannose receptor family comprises four members in mammals, Endo180 (CD280), DEC-205 (CD205), phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) and the mannose receptor (MR, CD206), whose extracellular portion contains a similar domain arrangement: an N-terminal cysteine-rich domain (CysR) followed by a single fibronectin type II domain (FNII) and 8–10 C-type lectin-like domains (CTLDs). These proteins mediate diverse functions ranging from extracellular matrix turnover through collagen uptake to homeostasis and immunity based on sugar recognition. Endo180 and the MR are multivalent transmembrane receptors capable of interacting with multiple ligands; in both receptors FNII recognizes collagens, and a single CTLD retains lectin activity (CTLD2 in Endo180 and CTLD4 in MR). It is expected that the overall conformation of these multivalent molecules would deeply influence their function as the availability of their binding sites could be altered under different conditions. However, conflicting reports have been published on the three-dimensional arrangement of these receptors. Here, we have used single particle electron microscopy to elucidate the three-dimensional organization of the MR and Endo180. Strikingly, we have found that both receptors display distinct three-dimensional structures, which are, however, conceptually very similar: a bent and compact conformation built upon interactions of the CysR domain and the lone functional CTLD. Biochemical and electron microscopy experiments indicate that, under a low pH mimicking the endosomal environment, both MR and Endo180 experience large conformational changes. We propose a structural model for the mannose receptor family where at least two conformations exist that may serve to regulate differences in ligand selectivity.
Guidelines for designing usable World Wide Web pages

The proliferation of World Wide Web pages with poor usability is a serious problem because these pages waste user time, discourage exploration and could be responsible for a large amount of unnecessary traffic on the Internet. To alleviate this problem, we are proposing a set of simple guidelines for designing usable Web pages. The guidelines were compiled from a heuristic evaluation of existing Web sites. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the usability of home pages designed with the proposed guidelines. The experiment demonstrated that designers of Web pages can improve the usability of home pages by applying these guidelines.
NOVEL MICROARCHITECTURAL DYNAMICS IN RHEGMATOGENOUS RETINAL DETACHMENTS IDENTIFIED WITH INTRAOPERATIVE OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY

Purpose: To evaluate ultrastructural macular changes during rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair using intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT). Methods: A multisurgeon, single-center consecutive case series of 9 eyes undergoing surgical repair for macula-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with iOCT imaging using a custom microscope-mounted spectral domain OCT system. All patients underwent combined vitrectomy/scleral buckle repair. Imaging characteristics were analyzed, including persistence of subclinical intraoperative subretinal fluid and architectural changes associated with intraoperative maneuvers. Clinical characteristics were analyzed. Results: Nine eyes of nine patients were identified that underwent iOCT imaging during macula-involving rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repair. Persistent subclinical subretinal fluid was identified in 100% of eyes after perfluoro-n-octane instillation. Significant alterations to the foveal architecture were detected with iOCT in 100% of cases. Three foveal configurations were noted based on iOCT findings. Stage 1 was characterized by a small area of subfoveal hyporeflectivity (3/9 eyes), Stage 2 had prominent subretinal hyporeflectivity and foveal thinning with indeterminate macular hole (MH) formation (3/9 eyes), and Stage 3 demonstrated definitive full-thickness MH (3/9 eyes). No eyes were noted to have a MH preoperatively or in the immediate postoperative period. One Stage 3 eye developed a full-thickness MH 7 months postoperatively. Stage 3 configuration was associated with poorer final postoperative visual acuity (P = 0.009). Conclusion: Microarchitectural changes occur during intraoperative repair of retinal detachments, including significant alterations in foveal configuration and persistent subretinal fluid. These features may help to prognosticate outcomes. These findings also suggest a possible novel mechanism for postrhegmatogenous retinal detachment MH formation.
Object-based on-line video summarization for internet of video things

In order to address the high transmission bandwidth requirement of an Internet-of-Video-Things (IoVT), an object-based on-line video summarization algorithm is proposed to summarize the captured video information at the sensor nodes before being transmitted to the server. It is composed of two stages: intra-view and inter-view stages. In the intra-view stage, human object detector is employed with the proposed human object descriptor. In the inter-view stage, an on-line clustering algorithm with a two-layer K-nearest-neighbor model is also proposed for object clustering. Experimental results show that significant improvement can be achieved when compared with state-of-the-art works.
RNase III mediated cleavage of the coding region of mraZ mRNA is required for efficient cell division in Corynebacterium glutamicum

The Corynebacterium glutamicum R cgR_1959 gene encodes an endoribonuclease of the RNase III family. Deletion mutant of cgR_1959 (Δrnc mutant) showed an elongated cell shape, and presence of several lines on the cell surface, indicating a required of RNase III for maintaining normal cell morphology in C. glutamicum. The level of mraZ mRNA was increased, whereas cgR_1596 mRNA encoding a putative cell wall hydrolase and ftsEX mRNA were decreased in the Δrnc mutant. The half‐life of mraZ mRNA was significantly prolonged in the Δrnc and the Δpnp mutant strains. This indicated that the degradation of mraZ mRNA was performed by RNase III and the 3′‐to‐5′ exoribonuclease, PNPase. Northern hybridization and primer extension analysis revealed that the cleavage site for mraZ mRNA by RNase III is in the coding region. Overproduction of MraZ resulted in an elongated cell shape. The expression of ftsEX decreased while that of cgR_1596 unchanged in an MraZ‐overexpressing strain. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and a transcriptional reporter assay indicate that MraZ is a transcriptional repressor of ftsEX in C. glutamicum. These results indicate that RNase III is required for efficient expression of MraZ‐dependent ftsEX and MraZ‐independent cgR_1596.
Quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR for detection of disseminated tumor cells in peripheral blood of patients with colorectal cancer using different mRNA markers

The detection of disseminated tumor cells in peripheral blood from colorectal cancer patients by RT‐PCR could be an attractive method for selecting patients for adjuvant therapy. We here report on real‐time RT‐PCR assays (LightCycler) to quantitate potential mRNA markers. We investigated specimens from colon carcinoma and normal colon mucosa tissues, cell lines, blood samples from 129 patients with colorectal cancer (all stages) and 58 reference blood samples (healthy donors, persons suffering from inflammatory bowel or infectious diseases). The expression profile in tissues showed high values for CEA and CK20, whereas in cell lines ProtM was predominant. All markers were detected in reference and patient blood samples (ProtM, 22, 17%; CEA, 84, 86%; CK20, 85, 88%). After quantitative analysis, the definition of cutoff values for each marker and the combination of markers, 13% of patients were judged to have elevated marker concentrations in their blood, from which only 6 had values significantly differing from cutoff value. There were no differences between stages of disease. In the case of 19 patients, investigated prior to and 1 week after surgery, 2 samples revealed a significant postoperative increase in CEA or CK20 mRNA concentration. In spite of high expression levels in tissues and cell lines, we were not able to differentiate satisfyingly mRNA markers originating from tumor cells and those from illegitimate transcription in hematopoetic cells in blood. We conclude that either copy numbers of analyzed markers in circulating tumor cells are not sufficient for detection or, more probably, peripheral blood is not a suitable compartment for detection of tumor cells in colorectal cancer. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A pattern-based and teacher-centered approach for learning design

Teaching is changing in deep, due to, on one hand, the evolutions of the society expectations and, on another hand, the widely spreading of new technologies. By the way, teachers and trainers need now to structure and formalize their internal designs and should become designers but do not have the competence. We aim to help them during the instructional design process. In that way we propose some methods and tools to support the scenario design activity and the implementation of the resulting models. We present an adaptive user-centered pattern-based learning design approach and the editor tool to support it. A case study is proposed to illustrate the design process.
Risk of substance use disorders in adolescents with bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE Previous work in adults and youths has suggested that juvenile onset bipolar disorder (BPD) is associated with an elevated risk of substance use disorders (SUD). Considering the public health importance of this issue, the authors now report on a controlled study of adolescents with and without BPD to evaluate the risk of SUD. METHOD Probands with DSM-IV BPD (n=57, mean age +/- SD=13.3 +/- 2.4 years) and without DSM-IV BPD (n=46, 13.6 +/- 2.2 years) were studied. Structured psychiatric interviews and multiple measures of SUD were collected. RESULTS Bipolar disorder was associated with a highly significant risk factor for SUD (32% versus 7%, Z=2.9, p=.004) that was not accounted for by conduct disorder (adjusted odds ratio=5.4, p=.018). Adolescent-onset BPD (> or =13 years) was associated with a higher risk of SUD compared with those with child-onset BPD (chi1=9.3, p=.002). CONCLUSIONS These findings strongly indicate that BPD, especially adolescent onset, is a significant risk factor for SUD independently of conduct disorder.
Performance evaluation of a high-speed high-power switched reluctance motor drive

Due to its simple construction, robust structure, and lack of magnetic source on the rotor, switched reluctance machine (SRM) is a good candidate for high speed operation. In this paper, the drive and performance parameters of a high speed high power SRM designed for traction applications are investigated, both in single pulse and current control modes within its entire speed range. Torque-speed characteristics, efficiency map, and torque ripple maps have also been developed. The limitations posed by the design of the motor, the drive system, and the power electronics are described.
A new concept in modeling the dielectric response of sandstones: Defining a wetted rock and bulk water system

Experimental data for the real part of the dielectric constant (K′) of three sandstone samples are considered as a function of the level of water saturation (Sw) in the frequency range 60 kHz to 4 MHz. Existing theoretical models have previously shown poor agreement with K′ versus Sw data for rock samples, undoubtedly due to the complexity involved in adequately accounting for geometrical and electrochemical effects. In analyzing the data presented here, we find a pronounced increase in K′ in the low saturation region which in all cases can be attributed to the establishment of geometrical and surface effects associated with the rock‐water interface. When this increase in K′ is accounted for by defining wetted matrix parameters, the data show excellent agreement with existing theoretical models.
The leaf protease of Trifolium repens.

With the possible exception ofbromelin (Murachi & Neurath, 1959), the proteolytic enzymes of the green leaves of non-latex-bearing plants have been studied very little in a direct and quantitative manner. In fact, a paper by Tracey (1948) appears to be the only report of detailed experimentation on this subject. This author studied the properties of a partially purified protease from the leaves of the tobacco plant, and determined protease activity, under standard conditions in the leaf sap of a number of other plants. Tracey concluded that the leaf proteases formed a group separated from the enzymes of the latex-bearing plants and from bromelin by their very much lower activity, but similar in being activated by reducing agents and having, for protein substrates, a pH optimum in the range 5-7. In recent years, there has been considerable interest in the changes in nitrogen distribution in starving leaves. A rapid breakdown of protein to non-protein forms of nitrogen occurs during the processes of wilting and ensilage (e.g. Kemble & Macpherson, 1954b; Kemble, 1956; Brady, 1960). Macpherson (1952a), from a comparison of the rate of breakdown of protein and the rate of fall of pH in grass sap, concluded that attainment of pH 4-3 in ensilage prevents further proteolysis. Comparatively little is known, however, of the factors directly affecting proteolysis in plant material. Obviously, more direct investigation of the properties of the enzyme systems involved is desirable. This paper reports observations made on the proteolytic system in plants of Trifolium repen8 (white clover). The data refer to the clover enzyme acting on endogenous substrate and to its action on gelatin added as substrate.
Alveolar oxygen partial pressure and oxygen depletion rate mapping in rats using 3He ventilation imaging

A hyperpolarized 3He ventilation imaging protocol was implemented to assess alveolar pO2 values and the oxygen depletion rate in rats. The imaging protocol, which is based on spiral k‐space sampling, was designed to acquire a high signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) T1‐weighted ventilation series of images in a single breath‐hold. Simulations were performed to estimate the accuracy and dependence of the pO2 imaging protocol on the image SNR and the RF flip‐angle determination. The imaging protocol was validated in vitro in phantoms and in vivo in rats. Imaging sessions were carried out for different inhaled O2 concentrations ranging from 20% to 40%. Parametric maps of alveolar pO2 and oxygen depletion rate were generated from the series of images. For each investigated animal, the differences in measured alveolar pO2 values are in agreement with the changes in inhaled O2 concentration. The oxygen depletion rates, ranging between 0.7 and 8.0 mbar s−1, are in close agreement with the published values for healthy rats. Magn Reson Med, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Predictors of long‐term survival in pN3 gastric cancer patients

Patients with pN3 gastric cancer are classified as having a stage IV disease just by virtue of having more than 15 metastatic lymph nodes according to the 5th UICC cancer staging criteria. We tried to verify whether the pN3 gastric cancer patients truly constitute a homogeneous group with the same poor prognosis by looking for predictors of long‐term survival within the group.
Inhibition of cell proliferation by nobiletin, a dietary phytochemical, associated with apoptosis and characteristic gene expression, but lack of effect on early rat hepatocarcinogenesis in vivo

Dietary phytochemicals can inhibit the development of certain types of tumors. We here investigated the effects of nobiletin (Nob), garcinol (Gar), auraptene (Aur), β‐cryptoxanthin‐ and hes‐peridine‐rich pulp (CHRP) and 1,1′‐acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA) on hepatocarcinogenesis in a rat medium‐term liver bioassay, and also examined their influence on cell proliferation, cell cycle kinetics, apoptosis and cell invasion of rat and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, MH1C1 and HepG2, respectively. While there were no obvious suppressive effects on the development of putative preneoplastic liver lesions, inhibition of hepatocarcinoma cell proliferation was evident in the Nob group. Nob also caused G2/M cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Microarray analysis identified a set of genes specifically regulated by Nob, and these are likely to be involved in the observed growth suppression of HCC cells. These results suggest that phytochemicals might have chemopreventive potential in late stages of hepatocarcinogenesis.