Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiologic assessment of intranodal vascularity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Correlation with histologic vascular density.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Nodal response to chemotherapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma depends on the vascularization. The authors assessed different techniques in detecting nodal vascularization. METHODS Fourteen patients with head and neck tumor were included before surgical treatment. The largest metastatic lymph node (mean axial scanographic diameters 30 x 20 mm) was studied by color and pulsed Doppler, and dynamic magnetic resonance images, processed by factor analysis of medical image sequences (FAMIS), which estimates physiologic contrast enhancement kinetics (factors) and their spatial distributions (factor images). Results were compared with the histologic microvessel density (MVD). Using light microscopy, MVD was estimated by the vascular surface (by staining endothelial cells) to the stroma surface ratio x 100. RESULTS Three factors were identified by FAMIS: a constant factor in necrosis, an earlier F1 factor and a later F2 factor in normal lymphoid areas and neoplastic stroma. Color flow signal was detected when the MVD was greater than 6.36. CONCLUSIONS Only one model of vascularization was extracted by FAMIS, with no difference between neoplastic and spared lymphoid areas. The presence of color-flow signals could help predict the response of metastatic lymph nodes to chemotherapy.
Rarefaction effects on shear driven oscillatory gas flows: A direct simulation Monte Carlo study in the entire Knudsen regime

A complete mathematical description of oscillatory Couette flows within the framework of kinetic theory is not available in the literature. Motivated by this and their vast engineering applications, we present a parametric study of time-periodic oscillatory Couette flows using the unsteady direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method. Computations are performed as a function of the Knudsen (Kn) and Stokes (β) numbers, in the entire Knudsen regime (Kn⩽100) and a wide range of Stokes numbers (β⩽7.5). The DSMC results are validated using a recently developed semianalytical/empirical model that is applicable for quasisteady flows (β⩽0.25) in the entire Knudsen regime, and for any Stokes number flow in the slip flow regime (Kn⩽0.1). In addition, we derived an analytical solution of the linearized collisionless Boltzmann equation for oscillatory Couette flows, and utilized this to validate the DSMC results in the free-molecular flow regime. Dynamic response of the flow, including the velocity profiles, phase ang.
Exploiting data coherency in multiple dataset visualization

The paper deals with visualization of multiple datasets by exploiting data coherency among the datasets under consideration to address the issues related to storage and computation. The proposed data coherency approach utilizes the similarities among datasets by using the already generated polygon data for one or more reference datasets to approximate the isosurfaces of similar regions in other datasets. For finding the similarity among the multiple datasets, we use the octree data structure and compare datasets block by block. Blocks of a non-reference dataset, whose difference from the corresponding blocks of the reference dataset is within the user defined tolerance level, we use the already extracted polygon data for the reference data blocks to approximate the isosurfaces. Thus, only those non-reference data blocks, which differ from the reference blocks, are processed. Thereby, we reduce the number of polygons to represent the isosurfaces. To overcome the problem of cracks in thus extracted isosurfaces, we use a simple approach of overlapping at the interface between the directly processed and approximated portions of the isosurfaces. We have explored the effects of various factors including the data coherency condition, tolerance level and block size on the performance. Our results show that the proposed data coherency technique considerably improves the overall performance.
Nucleotide sequence and expression of the capsid protein gene of feline calicivirus

The sequence of the 3'-terminal 2,486 bases of the feline calicivirus (FCV) genome was determined. This region of the FCV genome, from which the 2.4-kb subgenomic RNA is derived, contained two open reading frames. The larger open reading frame, found in the 5' end of the subgenomic mRNA, contained 2,004 bases encoding a polypeptide of 73,467 Da. The smaller open reading frame, encoded in the 3' end of the mRNA, was composed of 318 bases, encoding a polypeptide of 12,185 Da. The AUG initiation codon of the second open reading frame overlapped the UGA termination codon of the first, with the sequence AUGA. The nucleotide sequence of the region containing this overlap resembles the -1 frameshift sequences of the retroviruses. The 5' end of the 2.4-kb subgenomic RNA was mapped by primer extension analysis. There were two apparent transcription initiation points, both of which were 5' to the AUG initiation codon of the large open reading frame. Transcription from these sites yielded RNA transcripts with 5' nontranslated leader regions of 17 and 18 bases. The total length of the 2.4-kb subgenomic RNA was 2,375 bases (from the 5'-most start site) excluding the poly(A) tail. Edman degradation of the purified capsid protein of FCV showed that the capsid protein was encoded by the large open reading frame. Western immunoblot analysis of FCV-infected cells using a feline anti-FCV antiserum demonstrated that translation of the capsid protein was detectable at 3 h postinfection and continued to accumulate until 8 h postinfection, the last time examined.
Communication distance correlates positively with emitter current in underwater electric current communication

Underwater communication is challenging for small underwater robots that have stringent power and size constraints. In our previous work, we have demonstrated that electric current communication is an alternative method for small underwater robot communication. This paper studies how the emitter current affects the communication distance of electric current communication between two fish models. First, the working principle of electric current communication is explained by a simplified electric dipole model. Then, the explicit function between the emitter current and the critical communication distance is mathematically derived. After that, systematic design of the electric current communication system is proposed for small underwater robots. Finally, the communication distance experiments are conducted between two fish models with 15 different emitter currents. The results well validate the derived model that the critical distance rc correlates positively with the emitter current I0 in the form of rc = K3√(I0) ̅ where K is a constant related to the system and environmental parameters.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-Gamma Gene Polymorphism and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Patients with Diabetic Nephropathy

Background: Peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) is a nuclear receptor that serves important roles in intermediate metabolism. We examined the relationship between two PPAR-γ gene polymorphisms, namely the P12A and C161T, and cardiovascular disease in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Methods: We studied 170 predialysis and 50 peritoneal dialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy. The PPAR-γ genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The patients were then followed prospectively for the development of cardiovascular events. Cardiovascular mortality and all-cause mortality were also compared. Results: There were 91 male cases. The mean age was 64.3 ± 10.6 years. The frequencies of Pro/Pro and Pro/Ala genotypes of the P12A polymorphism were 95 and 5%, respectively; CC, CT and TT genotypes of the C161T polymorphism were 55.5, 39.5 and 5.0%, respectively. For the P12A polymorphism, the event-free survival was 56.5 and 9.1% at 60 months for Pro/Pro and Pro/Ala genotypes, respectively (p = 0.0005). For the C161T polymorphism, the event-free survival was 61.5 and 44.9% for CC and CT/TT genotypes, respectively (p = 0.0044). By multivariate analysis with the Cox proportional hazard model to adjust for confounders, the independent factors for event-free survival were P12A and C161T polymorphisms, age and diastolic blood pressure. In this model, the Pro/Ala genotype conferred 7.6-fold (95% CI 2.1- to 28.0-fold, p = 0.002) excess hazard of developing primary cardiovascular end point as compared to the Pro/Pro genotype, while each T allele at the 161 position conferred 83.4% (95% CI 15.2–291.9%, p = 0.011) excess hazard. Conclusions: We conclude that P12A and C161T polymorphisms of the PPAR-γ gene are important predictors of cardiovascular event in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Further studies are needed to examine the interaction of PPAR-γ gene polymorphisms and thiazolidinedione treatment on the cardiovascular risk in this group of patients.
The relationship between fragmented QRS complexes and SYNTAX and Gensini scores in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

BACKGROUND Fragmented QRS (fQRS) complexes on 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) have been reported to be predictors of cardiac events and all-cause mortality in coronary artery disease (CAD). AIM To investigate the relationship between fQRS complexes and SYNTAX and Gensini scores in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS A total of 302 patients (223 men and 79 women) with ACS (133 ST elevated myocardial infarction [STEMI], 107 non-STEMI [NSTEMI], and 62 unstable angina pectoris [USAP]) were evaluated retrospectively in this study. An fQRS pattern was found in 70 patients (fQRS group) but was not found in 232 patients (non-fQRS group). SYNTAX score > 22 and Gensini score > 20 were defined as high SYNTAX and Gensini scores. The relationship between the presence of fQRS on 12-lead ECG and SYNTAX and Gensini scores was assessed. RESULTS SYNTAX score (p < 0.001), Gensini score (p < 0.001), NYHA class (p < 0.001), QRS duration (p < 0.001), number of disease vessels (p = 0.003), and high sensitive troponin T levels (p = 0.026) were significantly higher in the fQRS group. The number of fQRS leads (HR 5.79, 95% CI 2.78-12.06, p < 0.001, HR 3.41, 95% CI 1.32-8.78, p = 0.016, respectively) was found to be an independent predictor of high SYNTAX score and high Gensini score in multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS The number of fQRS leads on 12-lead ECG on admission is associated with the severity and complexity of CAD in patients with ACS.
High-Dimensional Structure Estimation in Ising Models: Tractable Graph Families

We consider the problem of high-dimensional Ising (graphical) model selection. We propose a simple algorithm for structure estimation based on the thresholding of the empirical conditional mutual information quantities. This algorithm requires only low-order statistics of the data and has a sample complexity of n =omega(J_{min}^{-4} log p), where p is the number of variables and $J_{\min}$ is the minimum (absolute) edge potential in the model. We also establish necessary conditions for structure estimation.
Too much of a good thing? A critique of overemphasis on the use of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in clinical practice

Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) can be considered a major achievement in clinical medicine. However, its superiority over traditional clinical measurement has often been overemphasized in the literature. In both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, ABPM has been compared with clinical blood pressure calculated from only a few readings taken over a short period of time. For reasons of costs and practicality, ABPM should not be considered as a routine test in the assessment of the hypertensive patient. Most patients with borderline hypertension or isolated clinical hypertension can be profitably assessed with multiple clinical readings and self-blood pressure monitoring. Patients with large short-term or long-term blood pressure oscillations appear as optimal candidates to ABPM. The many methodological problems associated with the use of this technique suggest that ABPM is performed only by experienced doctors.
Is National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline a nice guideline?

We read with interest the well written commentary by Dr. Potdar (1) in response to the practice recommendations by Agarwal et al . (2). Dr. Potdar correctly pointed out the limitations of semen analysis in predicting outcome of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and the role of sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) tests in guiding treatment decision.
Estrogen action following irradiation of human breast cancer cells.

Abstract Estrogen responsiveness of human breast cancer cells after radiotherapy was examined with the use of the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (derived at the Michigan Cancer Foundation from a aetastatic human breast adenocarcinoma). Estrogen receptor binding characteristics were unaltered in MCF-7 cells, which survived highly destructive doses of γ-radiation. Biological responses to estrogen were also normal in surviving postirradiated cells. Initial experiments demonstrated that cytosol preparations from MCF-7 cells could be directly irradiated with 20,000 rads of Co 60 γ-rays (single dose) without any net alterations of the binding capacity of estrogen receptor for ligand. Subsequent studies with the use of postirradiated whole cells showed that MCF-7 cell proliferation was inhibited in a radiation dose-dependent fashion. A small percentage of the cell population survived nearlethal doses of radiation. Cells surviving a single dose of 1000 rads were grown to confluence, subcultured, and studied further; they were designated MCF-7R. Both the binding affinity and capacity of MCF-7R cytosol and nuclear estrogen receptors were unchanged from nonirradiated cells. The population doubling time of MCF-7R cells was 43 hr even after 4 months of culture, whereas that of MCF-7 control cells was still 34 hr. MCF-7R cells treated with 10 nm 17β-estradiol responded normally with a 2-fold elevation in lactic dehydrogenase activity compared to untreated controls. Furthermore, inhibition of MCF-7R cell growth by the antiestrogen nafoxidine could be rescued rapidly by subsequent treatment with estrogen. These experiments provide evidence at the cellular level that irradiated tissues can be used for receptor assays and that breast cancer patients may still be amenable to endocrine therapy of recurrent and/or metastatic lesions following extensive local radiation therapy.
Imbalanced PTEN and PI3K Signaling Impairs Class Switch Recombination

Class switch recombination (CSR) generates isotype-switched Abs with distinct effector functions. B cells express phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and multiple isoforms of class IA PI3K catalytic subunits, including p110α and p110δ, whose roles in CSR remain unknown or controversial. In this article, we demonstrate a direct effect of PTEN on CSR signaling by acute deletion of Pten specifically in mature B cells, thereby excluding the developmental impact of Pten deletion. We show that mature B cell–specific PTEN overexpression enhances CSR. More importantly, we establish a critical role for p110α in CSR. Furthermore, we identify a cooperative role for p110α and p110δ in suppressing CSR. Mechanistically, dysregulation of p110α or PTEN inversely affects activation-induced deaminase expression via modulating AKT activity. Thus, our study reveals that a signaling balance between PTEN and PI3K isoforms is essential to maintain normal CSR.
A cross-sectional validation study of the FICSIT common data base static balance measures. Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques.

BACKGROUND Two simple balance scales comprising three or four familiar tests of static balance were developed, and their validity and reliability are described. The scales were such that the relative difficulties of the basic tests were taken into consideration. METHODS Using FICSIT data, Fisher's method was used to construct scales combining ability to maintain balance in parallel, semi-tandem, tandem, and one-legged stances. Reliability was inferred from the stability of the measure over 3-4 months. Construct validity was assessed by cross-sectional correlations. RESULTS Test-retest reliability (over 3-4 months) was good (r = .66). Validity of the FICSIT-3 scale was suggested by its low correlation with age, its moderate to high correlations with physical function measures, and three balance assessment systems. The FICSIT-4 scale discriminated balance over a wide range of health status; the three-test scale had a substantial ceiling effect in community samples. CONCLUSION A balance scale was developed that appears to have acceptable reliability, validity, and discriminant ability.
Comparison of the Radioiodinated Serum Albumin (RISA) Dilution Technique with Direct Volumetric Measurements in Animal Models of Peritoneal Dialysis

Background Rat models of peritoneal dialysis (PD) are useful for studying the physiology of peritoneal transport and evaluating new osmotic agents. Intraperitoneal (IP) solute concentrations and their evolution over time are easy to measure, but IP volume (IPV) is not. Direct volumetric measurements are the “gold standard,” but they are expensive and do not allow for repetitive measurements in the same animal. The indicator dilution technique is therefore used as an alternative. However, that technique is based on assumptions that are not always valid. The present study compares direct volume measurement with the indicator dilution technique [radioiodinated serum albumin (RISA)] to determine the IPV over time curves in a rat model of PD. Methods In series 1, 17 Sprague–Dawley rats were instilled IP with 25 mL 1.36% glucose dialysate through a Teflon catheter. In 9 animals, 0.35 mL dialysate was sampled and discarded at time points 0, 3, 15, 30, 60, 180, and 240 minutes. In the other 8 animals, no sampling was performed. At 240 minutes, all 12 animals were humanely killed, and direct volumetric measurements of IPV were performed. In series 2, rats were instilled IP with 25 mL 1.36% glucose dialysate containing 18.5 kBq 131I RISA. In 9 animals, dialysate was sampled at 0, 3, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, and 240 minutes for the construction of the RISA concentration-over-time curve, and to calculate the elimination constant Ke. At 30, 60, 180, and 240 minutes, dialysate was sampled in 6 different animals (total n = 24) to calculate IPV using the RISA dilution technique. Immediately afterward, the animals were humanely killed, and direct volumetric measurements of IPV were performed. Results In series 1, after 240 minutes’ dwell time, the IPV was lower in the sampled animals as compared with the non sampled animals (27.11 ± 1.85 mL vs 30.75 ± 0.59 mL, p = 0.001). In series 2, the evolution of RISA activity in the dialysate over time was described by piecewise linear regression, yielding 3288 – 8.2T counts (cts) for T < 52.72 minutes and 2973 – 1.99T counts for T > 52.72 minutes. The IPV was better predicted with a Ke that took into account the disappearance of RISA by sampling than with a Ke that took into account disappearance of RISA only by absorption. Conclusions If indicator dilution techniques are used to measure IPV, attention must be paid to the disappearance of the osmotic agent and the marker by multiple sampling. The best way to meet that goal is to use micropipettes to avoid large sample volumes.
Three aspects of successful software development projects "when are projects canceled, and why?"

Successful project execution, successful technical solutions or a promising business case, are they equally important selection criteria in a product development process? We have used experiences gained from a large multinational industrial company that is currently deploying a software product line strategy to try to answer that question. The product line's core assets include, among other things, a new software platform that is introduced to the company's software development organizations by means of a portfolio of targeted pilot projects. A business decision-making process is used to select and prioritize projects within the portfolio. We find from an analysis of a large number of projects and will indicate that the three criteria are not equally important.
Urokinase Induces Expression of Its Own Receptor in Beas2B Lung Epithelial Cells*

Interaction between the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its receptor (uPAR) localizes cellular proteolysis and promotes cellular proliferation and migration. The interaction between uPA and uPAR at the surface of epithelial cells thereby contributes to the pathogenesis of lung inflammation and neoplasia. In this study, we sought to determine if uPA itself alters uPAR expression by lung epithelial cells. uPA enhanced uPAR expression as well as 125I-uPA binding in Beas2B lung epithelial cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The uPA-mediated induction of uPAR is not accomplished through its receptor and requires enzymatic activity. The low molecular weight fragment of uPA, lacking the receptor binding domain, was as potent as intact two-chain uPA in inducing expression of uPAR at the cell surface. Plasmin, the end product of plasminogen activation, did not alter uPA-mediated uPAR expression. Induction of uPAR by uPA represents a novel pathway by which epithelial cells can regulate uPAR-dependent cellular responses that may contribute to stromal remodeling in lung injury or neoplasia.
Performance evaluation of abstraction models for orchestration of distributed data center networks

Cloud computing is increasingly based on geographically distributed data centers interconnected by high performance networks. Application of Software Defined Networking (SDN) is studied as an emerging solution to support dynamic network resource management for distributed data centers (DCs) jointly with extensive use of Network Function Virtualization (NFV). SDN/NFV operation takes advantage of orchestration of network control functions according to distributed DCs communication needs. Orchestration relies on a set of logical information related to the underlying infrastructure, called abstraction, which offers different levels of visibility of available resources, depending on the abstraction strategy adopted.
DEVELOPMENT OF PROPRANOLOL HYDROCHLORIDE MATRIX TABLETS: AN INVESTIGATION ON EFFECTS OF COMBINATION OF HYDROPHILIC AND HYDROPHOBIC MATRIX FORMERS USING MULTIPLE COMPARISON ANALYSIS

The aim of the present work was to develop sustain release matrix formulation of Propranolol hydrochloride and investigate the effects of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers on in-vitro drug release. Matrix tablets were prepared by direct compression method using different concentration of Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) and Ethyl Cellulose (EC). Prepared formulations were subjected to various studies like hardness, friability, thickness, % drug content, weight variation, dynamics of water uptake and erosion etc. Tablets were subjected to In-Vitro drug release in 0.1 N HCl (pH 1.2) for first 2 hours followed by phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) for remaining hours. In-vitro drug release data were fitting to Higuchi and Korsmeyer equation indicated that diffusion along with erosion could be the mechanism of drug release. It was observed that combination of both the polymers exhibited the best release profile and able to sustain the drug release for prolong period of time. Swelling study suggested that when the matrix tablets come in contact with the dissolution medium, they take up water and swells, forming a gel layer around the matrix and simultaneously erosion also takes place. FT-IR spectra revealed that there no interaction between drug and polymers. Multiple comparison analysis was confirmed that there exists a significant difference in the measured Higuchi rate constant and t50% among the matrices. So the combination of both hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers successfully employed for formulating the sustained release matrix tablets of propranolol hydrochloride.