Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF AN INDIVIDUALISED GENETIC APPROACH FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK REDUCTION

The importance of assessing genetic risk factors to explain ethnic differences in risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been clearly demonstrated in the genetically distinct populations of South Africa. However, the limitations of single-gene tests that focus on monogenic conditions such as familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) have also been recognised. Single-gene defects affect a relatively small subset (5-10%) of patients at high risk of premature coronary heart disease, while multiple gene variations with minor effects contribute to CVD risk in the vast majority of individuals in the general population. Such multigenic effects depend predominantly on environmental influences, which imply that most premature cardiovascular deaths can be prevented if action is taken to avoid or modify external exposures that may cause a genetic predisposition to become clinically relevant. We have therefore developed a comprehensive cardiovascular genetic screening strategy that is applied in conjunction with nutrition and lifestyle assessments to identify individuals at increased risk of CVD for targeted intervention. To provide the necessary support base to medical practitioners who refer patients for testing, genetic counselling clinics were established in different regions of South Africa and dieticians were trained countrywide to implement cardio-protective dietary and lifestyle interventions based partly on genetic test results. This initiative facilitated the incorporation of applied nutritional and cardiovascular genetics into the South African health care system. Most importantly, a more accurate distinction can now be made between South African patients with FH requiring life-long drug treatment and those at increased CVD risk as a consequence of less severe genetic alterations that could be targeted by dietary and lifestyle changes.
Outcome after lacerations of the superficial and deep digital flexor tendons, suspensory ligament and/or distal sesamoidean ligaments in 106 horses.

OBJECTIVE To report outcome after the surgical treatment of lacerations of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT), deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT), suspensory ligament (SL), and/or distal sesamoidean ligaments (DSL) in horses. STUDY DESIGN Case series. ANIMALS Horses (n=106) with lacerations of the SDFT, DDFT, SL, and/or DSL. METHODS Medical records (1988-2002) were reviewed for signalment, limb and tendon/ligament involvement (location and extent of injury, tendon sheath involvement), method of repair, and outcome. RESULTS The median age of horses was 7 years and the follow-up time ranged from 1 to 10 years. Fifty-five percent of horses returned to their previous level of performance, 27% to a lower level, and 18% were euthanatized. Multivariate statistical analysis demonstrated that the number of structures transected had the most significant influence on outcome. No significant association was detected between outcome and tendon sheath involvement, tendon suturing, casting, or limb affected. Fetlock hyperextension was the most significant complication. CONCLUSIONS A high survival rate can be expected after SDFT, DDFT, SL, and/or DSL lacerations in horses, but only 55% of affected horses returned to their previous activity level. The number of structures affected was the major factor determining whether horses returned to an equal level of performance.
Effective slip over partially filled microcavities and its possible failure

Motivated by the emerging applications of liquid-infused surfaces (LIS), we study the drag reduction and robustness of transverse flows over two-dimensional microcavities partially filled with an oily lubricant. Using separate simulations at different scales, characteristic contact line velocities at the fluid-solid intersection are first extracted from nano-scale phase field simulations and then applied to micron-scale two-phase flows, thus introducing a multiscale numerical framework to model the interface displacement and deformation within the cavities. As we explore the various effects of the lubricant-to-outer-fluid viscosity ratio $\tilde{\mu}_2/\tilde{\mu}_1$, the capillary number Ca, the static contact angle $\theta_s$, and the filling fraction of the cavity $\delta$, we find that the effective slip is most sensitive to the parameter $\delta$. The effects of $\tilde{\mu}_2/\tilde{\mu}_1$ and $\theta_s$ are generally intertwined, but weakened if $\delta 1$), on the other hand, are immune to such failure due to their generally larger contact line velocity.
Single Channel 50 Gbit/s Transmission Over 40 km SSMF Without Optical Amplification and In-Line Dispersion Compensation Using a Single-End PD-Based PDM-SSB-DMT System

We experimentally demonstrate a single-end photodetector (PD) based polarization-division-multiplexing (PDM) system, in which the single-sideband orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (SSB-OFDM) and discrete multitone (DMT) signals are modulated on two orthogonal polarizations respectively. Based on the frequency interleave design for dual-polarization, the spectral efficiency and chromatic dispersion tolerance can be optimized. We derive the theoretical model for the PDM-SSB-DMT system and detail the digital signal processing for demultiplexing at the receiver. We also successfully transmit a 50 Gb/s PDM-SSB-DMT signal with 14 GHz bandwidth over 40 km of uncompensated and unamplified standard single mode fiber (SSMF) with only 1.1 dB power penalty for a bit error rate of 3.8 × 10–3 relative to back-to-back transmissions.
Pregnancy-Induced Remodelling of Heart Valves 9 10

7 8 Pregnancy-Induced Remodelling of Heart Valves 9 10 Caitlin M. Pierlot, Andrew D. Moeller, J. Michael Lee, and Sarah M. Wells 11 12 School of Biomedical Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada 13 Department of Applied Oral Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada 14 15 Corresponding Author: 16 17 Sarah M. Wells 18 School of Biomedical Engineering 19 Dalhousie University, 20 5981 University Avenue, 21 Halifax, Nova Scotia 22 Canada B3H 3J5 23 E-mail: sarah.wells@dal.ca 24 Phone: (902) 494-2320 25 Fax: (902) 494-6621 26 27 Articles in PresS. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol (September 14, 2015). doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00816. 2014
Pain management following total joint arthroplasty: making strides.

In 1995, the American Pain Society declared pain as the fifth vital sign. Pain is one of the primary fears of patients undergoing surgery. Pain is inadequately treated in as much as 50% of patients and more than 80% of patients receiving surgery experience some degree of pain1,2. Orthopaedic procedures, in particular total joint arthroplasty (TJA), are painful. Pain is known to compromise the early outcome of TJA by affecting patient ambulation and compliance with physical therapy. Inadequate pain control increases the length of hospital stay, escalates the cost of care, and is associated with venous thromboembolism, coronary ischemia, myocardial infarction, pneumonia, insomnia, cognitive dysfunction, poor wound-healing, and slowed overall recovery. Experiencing severe pain during the postoperative period can lead to patient demoralization and dissatisfaction1,3,4 and may lead to chronic pain syndrome. Control of pain following TJA, particularly total knee arthroplasty, remains imperfect. There has been an impetus among orthopaedic surgeons to seek novel, and potentially more …
Randomized, double-blind, crossover challenge study in 53 subjects reporting adverse reactions to melon (Cucumis melo).

BACKGROUND Few studies have evaluated IgE-mediated hypersensitivity to melon with details of clinical reactions confirmed by double-blind, placebo-controlled, food challenges (DBPCFCs). OBJECTIVE We sought to investigate clinical features (type and severity of reactions, age at onset, results of skin prick and in vitro tests, and incidence of other allergic diseases and associated food allergies) of acute allergic reactions to melon confirmed by DBPCFCs. METHODS Fifty-three consecutive adult patients complaining of adverse reactions to melon were included in the study. Skin prick tests and detection of specific IgE were performed in all patients with melon, avocado, kiwi, banana, chestnut, latex, pollen, and other offending foods. Patients first underwent an open food challenge, unless they had a convincing history of severe anaphylaxis. Positive open food challenge reactions were subsequently evaluated by DBPCFCs. RESULTS Actual clinical reactivity was confirmed in 19 (36%) of 53 patients. The most frequent symptom was oral allergy syndrome (n = 14), but two patients experienced life-threatening reactions, including respiratory symptoms and hypotension. The positive predictive value for a skin prick test was 42%, and that for specific IgE measurement was 44%. Forty-five reactions to 15 other foods were confirmed in 18 patients. The most common foods associated with melon allergy were avocado (n = 7), banana (n = 7), kiwi (n = 6), watermelon (n = 6), and peach (n = 5). Onset of melon-induced allergic symptoms occurred from 6 to 45 years (median, 20 years), preceded by seasonal rhinitis, asthma, or both in 88% (15/17). CONCLUSION About one third of reported reactions to melon are confirmed by means of DBPCFC, which has been proven to be the most reliable procedure in the diagnosis of clinical fruit allergy. Isolated melon allergy is rare, with most patients either having allergic rhinitis, asthma, or both and associated food allergies.
Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Polygonum stagninum

The n-hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol extracts of the aerial parts of Polygonum stagninum Buch. -Ham. ex Meissn. (Polygonaceae), a Bangladeshi medicinal plant, were assessed for analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties in experimental mice and/or rat models. In the acetic-acid-induced writhing test in mice, all extracts displayed a dose dependent analgesic effect. The most potent analgesic activity was observed with the EtOAc extract at the dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, with an inhibition of writhing response of 50.3% compared to 62.2% for the positive control aminopyrine. Among the extracts, n-hexane extract at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight showed the highest levels of anti-inflammatory activity after 2 h, with the inhibition of paw edema of 60.1% and 64.1%, respectively, and this effect was much better than that of the conventional anti-inflammatory agent phenylbutazone (maximum inhibition of 38.3% after 4 h).
Improved normalization without recourse to an impostor database for speaker verification

Score normalization has become an important facet of modern speaker verification systems. That is, the score of the verification attempt with the claimant voiceprint is usually normalized by the score from a background model or a cohort model. Typically, the determination of these normalizing models requires a priori a database of impostors and is clearly incompatible with real world applications. We propose a scheme to generate a normalizing model by biasing a speaker independent model with the customer's enrollment tokens. For each password of each customer, there exists a privileged direction in model parameter space defined by the speaker independent and dependent models. By changing the location of the speaker independent model along this direction, a family of modified normalizing models can be generated without any knowledge about the impostors. In the difficult task of speaker verification with same-gender impostors, who know the password, 10%-15% error rate reduction is achieved using various biasing mechanisms.
A kernel based system for the estimation of non-stationary signals

A new signal estimation technique is introduced for highly non-stationary signals. The system uses the wavelet transform to extract time-frequency components of the signal plus noise, followed by a radial basis function neural network that adaptively estimates the underlying signal. The method is applied to the visual evoked potential (EP) signal, which is a transient signal corrupted by the ongoing electroencephalogram (EEG) noise, with a signal-to-noise ratio often less than -6 dB. The proposed system gives good time-varying estimates of the EP, while suppressing the on-going EEG.
Diphenyleneiodonium Inhibits the Cell Redox Metabolism and Induces Oxidative Stress*

Diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and the structurally related compound diphenyliodonium (DIP) are widely used as inhibitors of flavoenzymes, particularly NADPH oxidase. Here we report further evidence that DPI and DIP are not specific flavin binders. A 3-h incubation of N11 glial cells with DPI significantly inhibited in a dose-dependent way both the pentose phosphate pathway and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In parallel, we observed a dose-dependent increase of reactive oxygen species generation and lipoperoxidation and increased leakage of lactate dehydrogenase activity in the extracellular medium. The glutathione/glutathione disulfide ratio decreased, whereas the efflux of glutathione out of the cells increased. This suggests that DPI causes an augmented oxidative stress and exerts a cytotoxic effect in N11 cells. Indeed, the cells were protected from these events when loaded with glutathione. Similar results were observed using DIP instead of DPI and also in other cell types. We suggest that the DPI-elicited inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle may be mediated by the blockade of several NAD(P)-dependent enzymes, such as glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and lactate dehydrogenase. In light of these results, we think that some effects of DPI or DIP in in vitro and in vivo experimental models should be interpreted with caution.
Regulation of Osteoclast Differentiation by Fibroblast Growth Factor 2: Stimulation of Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor κB Ligand/Osteoclast Differentiation Factor Expression in Osteoblasts and Inhibition of Macrophage Colony‐Stimulating Factor Function in Osteoclast Precursors

This study investigated the mechanism of direct and indirect actions of fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF‐2) on osteoclast differentiation using two mouse cell culture systems. In the coculture system of osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, FGF‐2 stimulated osteoclast formation. This effect was decreased markedly by osteoprotegerin (OPG) or NS‐398, a selective cyclo‐oxygenase 2 (COX‐2) inhibitor. FGF‐2 (≥10−9 M) stimulated receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand/osteoclast differentiation factor (RANKL/ODF) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression from 2 h to 7 days in cultured osteoblasts. NS‐398 did not affect the early induction but decreased the later one, indicating that the later effect is mediated by COX‐2 induction in osteoblasts. To study the direct action of FGF‐2 on osteoclast precursors, we used mouse macrophage‐like cell line C7 cells that can differentiate into osteoclasts in the presence of soluble RANKL/ODF (sRANKL/ODF) and macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF). Although osteoblasts expressed all FGF receptors (FGFR‐1 to −4), only FGFR‐1 was detected in C7 cells at various differentiation stages. FGF‐2 alone or in combination with sRANKL/ODF did not induce osteoclastogenesis from C7 cells; however, FGF‐2 from lower concentrations (≥10−11 M) significantly decreased osteoclast formation induced by M‐CSF in the presence of sRANKL/ODF. FGF‐2 did not alter mRNA levels of M‐CSF receptor (Fms) or RANK in C7 cells. Immunoprecipitation/immunoblotting analyses revealed that tyrosine phosphorylation of several cellular proteins including Fms in C7 cells induced by M‐CSF was inhibited by FGF‐2 in the presence of sRANKL/ODF. We conclude that FGF‐2 regulates osteoclast differentiation through two different mechanisms: (1) an indirect stimulatory action via osteoblasts to induce RANKL/ODF partly through COX‐2 induction and prostaglandin production and (2) a direct inhibitory action on osteoclast precursors by counteracting M‐CSF signaling.
Cloning and sequence analysis of putative histidine protein kinases isolated from Lactococcus lactis MG1363

Eight recombinant plasmids harboring chromosomal fragments of Lactococcus lactis MG1363 were shown to phenotypically suppress a histidine protein kinase (HPK) deficiency in either of two different E. coli strains. Sequence analysis of the plasmid inserts revealed five different complete or partial open reading frames (ORFs) specifying proteins with high similarity to HPKs. One of the plasmids also harbored an additional ORF, unrelated to HPKs, with suppressing activity.
Awake Surgery for Nonlanguage Mapping

OBJECTIVEDuring the past decade, numerous reports have supported the contribution of awake mapping in surgical removal of brain lesions in eloquent areas, with a significant increase of the extent of resection while minimizing the risk of permanent deficit—and even improving quality of life. METHODSMost of these awake procedures were performed in patients with lesions in language areas, to avoid postoperative aphasia. Surprisingly, mapping of nonlanguage functions received less attention, despite the possible consequences of deficits other than aphasia on daily life. Visuospatial and cognitive deficits are reported after brain surgery, because of more objective and extensive neuropsychological assessments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONThis review provides new insights into the indications of awake craniotomies for nonlanguage mapping in surgery for lesions in areas not related to language processing.
A School-Based Measure of Culturally Responsive Practices

In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori students have been identified as priority learner groups because they have lower achievement outcomes, are more likely to leave school earlier without formal qualifications and are less likely to be identified as being gifted and talented than their majority ethnic counterparts. The Ministry of Education has embarked on culturally responsive learning environments strategy for indigenous Māori. Research literature indicates that all students benefit from and perform better in a culturally responsive educational setting. However, the achievement gap between Māori and Non-Māori has remained large to date. The purpose of this study is to understand schools’ cultural responsiveness practices in relation to Māori as a possible factor in persistent low achievement. A new self-report inventory, the Culturally Responsive Practices for Māori Scale (CRPMS), drawing on Ka Hikitia and Educultural Wheel (Macfarlane, 2004), was designed with a Māori reference group and school principals. Data were collected from a national sample of 165 school principals in 2014. CFA and MIMIC modeling were used to establish a robust model, examine differences in schools’ culturally responsive practices for Māori by location and number of Māori students, and examine if Māori students perform better in culturally responsive schools. Among alternative models tested, a measurement model consistent with Macfarlane’s framework had satisfactory model-data fit. No statistically significant differences were found between north and south island primary schools on CRPMS, although there was a positive relationship between the number of Māori students within a school and school’s self-reported CRPMS. Complex results were found between achievement and CRPMS. Educational underachievement of priority learner groups under Western systems is not unique to New Zealand context, but a global challenge. Therefore, the findings of this study are expected to be of interest to educators and researchers in multilingual and multicultural societies.
Basic study for tactile and visual texture measurement by multimodal MEMS sensor with force and light sensitivity

The tactile and visual texture measurement by multimodal MEMS sensor is reported. This MEMS sensor has two function in a structure: force-sensitivity of resistance of microcantilevers embedded in the elastomer and light-sensitivity of a MOS structure on the Si substrate. Deflection of the cantilever induced by applied force depends on the tactile texture including hardness, thickness, and roughness of the object, and is detected as DC resistance change of the strain gauge film. On the other hand, incident light depends on the visual texture of the object, and is detected as AC impedance change at 5 MHz. It is confirmed that the resistance and impedance changes depend on the physical and optical properties of the object, respectively. Therefore, it has been demonstrated that multimodal texture can be characterized by a single MEMS sensor.
Efficient Visible Photoluminescence from Carbon Nanotubes in Zeolite Templates

We have found strong visible photoluminescence (PL) from 0.4 nm carbon nanotubes embedded in the ordered channels of a zeolite crystal matrix. The PL exhibits a broad emission band with an efficiency of similar to1%-5%. Strong polarization dependence is observed both on the excitation and emission, indicating a preferential optical dipole along the axis of carbon nanotubes. By correlating with the absorption and Raman spectra, we identify (3,3) and (4,2) tubes to be responsible for the PL peaks at similar to2.6 and similar to1.7 eV, respectively.
CURATIVE ENDOVASCULAR RECONSTRUCTION OF CEREBRAL ANEURYSMS WITH THE PIPELINE EMBOLIZATION DEVICE: THE BUENOS AIRES EXPERIENCE

OBJECTIVESThe Pipeline embolization device (PED) (Chestnut Medical Technologies, Inc., Menlo Park, CA) is a new microcatheter-delivered endovascular construct designed to achieve the curative reconstruction of the parent arteries giving rise to wide-necked and fusiform intracranial aneurysms. We present our initial periprocedural experience with the PED and midterm follow-up results for a series of 53 patients. METHODSPatients harboring large and giant wide-necked, nonsaccular, and recurrent intracranial aneurysms were selected for treatment. All patients were pretreated with dual antiplatelet medications for at least 72 hours before surgery and continued taking both agents for at least 6 months after treatment. A control digital subtraction angiogram was typically performed at 3, 6, and 12 months. RESULTSFifty-three patients (age range, 11–77 years; average age, 55.2 years; 48 female) with 63 intracranial aneurysms were treated with the PED. Small (n = 33), large (n = 22), and giant (n = 8) wide-necked aneurysms were included. A total of 72 PEDs were used. Treatment was achieved with a single PED in 44 aneurysms, with 2 overlapping PEDs in 17 aneurysms, and with 3 overlapping PEDs in 2 aneurysms. The mean time between the treatment and last follow-up digital subtraction angiogram was 5.9 months (range, 1–22 months). Complete angiographic occlusion was achieved in 56%, 93%, and 95% of aneurysms at 3 (n = 42), 6 (n = 28), and 12 (n = 18) months, respectively. The only aneurysm that remained patent at the time of the 12-month follow-up examination had been treated previously with stent-supported coiling. The presence of a preexisting endoluminal stent may have limited the efficacy of the PED reconstruction in this aneurysm. No aneurysms demonstrated a deterioration of angiographic occlusion during the follow-up period (i.e., no recanalizations). No major complications (stroke or death) were encountered during the study period. Three patients (5%), all with giant aneurysms, experienced transient exacerbations of preexisting cranial neuropathies and headache after the PED treatment. All 3 were treated with corticosteroids, and these symptoms resolved within 1 month. CONCLUSIONEndovascular reconstruction with the PED represents a safe, durable, and curative treatment of selected wide-necked, large and giant cerebral aneurysms. The rate of complete occlusion at the time of the 12-month follow-up examination approached 100% in the present study. To date, no angiographic recurrences have been observed during serial angiographic follow-up.