Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Changes in Plasma Leptin Concentrations and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 in Obese Prepubertal Children after Nine Months of Treatment

Background/Aims: The metabolic syndrome (MS) is associated with insulin resistance (IR), inappropriate fibrinolysis and high plasma leptin concentrations. The aim of this study was to quantify fibrinolysis and MS-related variables in obese prepubertal children and to evaluate changes in these variables as a result of improved body mass index (BMI), IR and leptin levels following 9 months of treatment. Methods: The homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and lipid profile were studied at baseline in obese (n = 50) and nonobese children (n = 50), and after 9 months of treatment in obese children. Results: In the cross-sectional study the mean values for insulin, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, leptin and PAI-1 were significantly higher in obese children than in controls. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and apolipoprotein A-1 were significantly lower. In the longitudinal study, after 9 months, children with lowered BMI standard deviation score displayed a significant decrease in insulin, HOMA-IR, PAI-1, leptin and triglyceride levels, and an increase in HDLc. Only leptin proved to be an independent predictive factor for changes in PAI-1 (p = 0.010). Conclusion: Obesity-linked disorders appear in obese children prior to puberty; these disorders can be improved by decreasing BMI. Changes in leptin levels were found to independently predict changes in PAI-1 in obese children and can help to diagnose complications associated with the obesity.
One-shot and few-shot learning of word embeddings

Standard deep learning systems require thousands or millions of examples to learn a concept, and cannot integrate new concepts easily. By contrast, humans have an incredible ability to do one-shot or few-shot learning. For instance, from just hearing a word used in a sentence, humans can infer a great deal about it, by leveraging what the syntax and semantics of the surrounding words tells us. Here, we draw inspiration from this to highlight a simple technique by which deep recurrent networks can similarly exploit their prior knowledge to learn a useful representation for a new word from little data. This could make natural language processing systems much more flexible, by allowing them to learn continually from the new words they encounter.
Comparative study of metallic silicide–germanide orthorhombic MnP systems

We present a comparative study of the structural, energetic, electronic and elastic properties of MX type MnP systems (where X=Si or Ge, and M=Pt, Pd or Ni) using first-principles calculations. The optimized ground state properties of these systems are in excellent agreement with the experimental values. A detailed comparative study of the elastic properties of polycrystalline structures is also presented. We analyze the relationship between the composition and the properties of the systems. Finally, we present the properties of NiSi1−xGex alloys. We show that these properties depend linearly on the Ge content of the alloy. This work has important consequences for semiconductor devices in which silicides, germanides and alloys thereof are used as contact materials.
Three-step impedance criterion for small-signal stability analysis in two-stage DC distributed power systems

Small-signal stability analysis methods based on an impedance criterion originate from the minor loop gain method and are gradually utilized in two-stage DC distributed power systems. In this paper, we conclude that the impedance criterion directly dependent on output impedance Z/sub o/(s) of the source subsystem and input impedance Z/sub i/(s) of the load subsystem is possible but gives an incorrect stability analysis for systems with a regulated source subsystem. Through introducing a mapped pure impedance of the load subsystems and the preliminary system, we develop a general three-step impedance criterion, with which a correct small-signal stability analysis can be guaranteed, regardless of the type of source subsystem. Furthermore, we introduce the application of the three-step impedance criterion in two small-signal stability analysis cases and utilize it in an example system to predict the stability shift process arising from the variation on the load resistance and input voltage value.
Use of GPR1, GPR15, and STRL33 as coreceptors by diverse human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and simian immunodeficiency virus envelope proteins.

Human and simian immunodeficiency viruses (HIV and SIV, respectively) use chemokine receptors as coreceptors along with CD4 to mediate viral entry. Several orphan receptors, including GPR1, GPR15, and STRL33, can also serve as coreceptors for a more limited number of HIV and SIV isolates. We investigated whether these orphan receptors could function as efficient coreceptors for a diverse group of HIV and SIV envelopes (Envs) in comparison with the principal coreceptors CCR5 and CXCR4. We found that a limited number of HIV-1 isolates could mediate inefficient cell-cell fusion with the orphan receptors relative to CCR5 and CXCR4; however, none of the orphan receptors tested could support pseudotype virus infection despite robust infection via CCR5 or CXCR4. All except one of the SIV Envs tested mediated some degree of cell-cell fusion and pseudotype infection, with target cells expressing at least one of these orphan receptors, although CCR5 proved to be the most efficient coreceptor for infection. Only one SIV Env protein, BK28, could mediate infection using GPR1 as a coreceptor, albeit much less efficiently than with CCR5. In addition, use of these coreceptors did not correlate with the published tropism of the SIV clones and was strictly CD4 dependent for both SIV and HIV. We also examined the expression of these molecules in cell lines and primary cells widely used for virus propagation and as targets for infection. All cells examined expressed STRL33, a more limited number expressed GPR15, and GPR1 was much more restricted in its expression pattern. Taken together, our results indicate that GPR15 and STRL33 are rarely used by HIV-1 but are more frequently used by SIV strains, although not in a manner that correlates with SIV tropism.
New clustering proposals for Twitter based on the Louvain algorithm

Document clustering is a problem that has been successfully solved in contexts where the size of the documents is big. When the size of the documents has a limit of 140 characters as in Twitter, then this problem becomes more challenging. In this work we will address this problem, which is one component of a larger task of reputation monitoring of an entity using real time data from Twitter. We use the idea of extended modularity for community detection that allows us to choose the granularity of the communities found. We introduce a new Fuzzy Jaccard similarity measure that calculates the similarity at the semantic level of the tweets being compared. Our proposed algorithms based on modularity maximization consistently outperform other proposed solutions in 2013 edition of the Replab competition reputation monitoring using Twitter. Moreover, we will give a constructive critique to the B-Cubed F-Measure evaluation metric and prove that it fails to comply with a natural constraint that we call the double improvement consistency. We will show a different flaw that we will exploit with a simple and apparently naive algorithm that will rank number one by the B-Cubed F-Measure in the Replab 2013 competition.
Positron emission tomography for staging of pediatric sarcoma patients: results of a prospective multicenter trial.

PURPOSE The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of positron emission tomography (PET) using fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) for initial staging and therapy planning in pediatric sarcoma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS In this prospective multicenter study, 46 pediatric patients (females, n = 22; males, n = 24; age range, 1 to 18 years) with histologically proven sarcoma (Ewing sarcoma family tumors, n = 23; osteosarcoma, n = 11; rhabdomyosarcoma, n = 12) were examined with conventional imaging modalities (CIMs), including ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, and bone scintigraphy according to the standardized algorithms of the international therapy optimization trials, and whole-body FDG-PET. A lesion- and patient-based analysis of PET alone and CIMs alone and a side-by-side (SBS) analysis of FDG-PET and CIMs were performed. The standard of reference consisted of all imaging material, follow-up data (mean follow-up time, 24 +/- 12 months), and histopathology and was determined by an interdisciplinary tumor board. RESULTS FDG-PET and CIMs were equally effective in the detection of primary tumors (accuracy, 100%). PET was superior to CIMs concerning the correct detection of lymph node involvement (sensitivity, 95% v 25%, respectively) and bone manifestations (sensitivity, 90% v 57%, respectively), whereas CT was more reliable than FDG-PET in depicting lung metastases (sensitivity, 100% v 25%, respectively). The patient-based analysis revealed the best results for SBS, with 91% correct therapy decisions. This was significantly superior to CIMs (59%; P < .001). CONCLUSION In staging pediatric sarcoma, subsidiary FDG-PET scanning depicts important additional information and has a relevant impact on therapy planning when analyzed side-by-side with CIMs.
Trends in health care utilization and costs attributable to hepatocellular carcinoma, 2002-2009: a population-based cohort study.

BACKGROUND The incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (hcc) and the complexity of its diagnosis and treatment are increasing. We estimated trends in net health care utilization, costs of care attributable to hcc in Ontario, and rate ratios of resource use at various stages of care. METHODS This population-based retrospective cohort study identified hcc patients and non-cancer control subjects, and health care resource utilization between 2002 and 2009. Generalized estimating equations were then used to estimate net health care utilization (hcc patients vs. the matched control subjects) and net costs of care attributable to hcc. Generalized linear models were used to analyze rate ratios of resource use. RESULTS We identified 2832 hcc patients and 2808 matched control subjects. In comparison with the control subjects, hcc patients generally used a greater number of health care services. Overall, the mean net cost of care per 30 patient-days (2013 Canadian dollars) attributable to outpatient visits and hospitalizations was highest in the pre-diagnosis (1 year before diagnosis), initial (1st year after diagnosis), and end-of-life (last 6 months before death, short-term survivors) phases. Mean net homecare costs were highest in the end-of-life phase (long-term survivors). In the end-of-life phase (short-term survivors), mean net costs attributable to outpatient visits and total services significantly increased to $14,220 from $1,547 and to $33,121 from $14,450 (2008-2009 and 2002-2003 respectively). CONCLUSIONS In hcc, our study found increasing resource use and net costs of care, particularly in the end-of-life phase among short-term survivors. Our findings offer a basis for resource allocation decisions in the area of cancer prevention and control.
Learning by Doing with Shareable Interfaces Jochen

New technologies, such as multi-touch tables, increasingly provide shareable interfaces where multiple people can simultaneously interact, enabling co-located groups to collaborate more flexibly than using single personal computers. Soon, these technologies will make their way into the classroom. However, little is known about what kinds of learning activities they will effectively support that other technologies, such as mobile devices, whiteboards, and personal computers, are currently unable to do. We suggest that one of the most promising uses of shareable interfaces is to support learning through exploration and creation. We present our work on DigiTile as a case study of how shareable interfaces can enable these forms of learning by doing. We demonstrate how DigiTile supports collaboration, present a field study on its learning benefits, and show how it can fit into a larger computing ecology.
Usefullness of P-wave and QT dispersions for predicting early death in patients with acute pulmonary embolism

BULGULAR: Calisma grubundaki 12 hasta (%13) olurken 81 hasta (%87) akut pulmoner emboli tanisi sonrasi yasadi. Olulerin P dalga dispersiyonu degerleri yasayanlardan anlamli olarak daha yuksek saptandi (sirasi ile 59.2±21.2 msn’e kiyasla 44.8±13.5 msn, p=0.04). Ayrica, olulerin duzeltilmis QT dsipersiyonu degerleri de yasayanlardan anlamli olarak daha yuksek saptandi (sirasiyla 105.5 msn(99-119) ve 80 msn (74-88), p 64.5 msn icin erken olumu ongorme sensitivitesi %58,3, spesifitesi %97,5 (p=0.017) olarak bulunurken, duzeltilmis QT dispersiyonunun >97 msn icin erken olumu ongorme sensitivitesi %83,3, spesifitesi %82,7 olarak bulundu (p<0.001).
Modeling of the Singlet Oxygen Distribution in Photofrin-Photodynamic Therapy of the Plural Cavity

INTRODUCTION: Type II photodynamic therapy (PDT) is based on the photochemical reaction among a photosensitizing agent, light at a specific wavelength, and oxygen, which generate reacted singlet oxygen ([1O2]rx) to cause cell death during PDT. In the treatment of malignant pleural mesothelioma, PDT is coupled with surgical resection of the tumor as a local treatment. As accurate light dosimetry is imperative to effect PDT, an infrared camera-based navigation system (NDI) is used to display the cumulative light fluence on every point of the chest cavity surface that is being treated [1, 2]. The photosensitizer concentration inside the pleural cavity is measured using a multifiber contact spectroscopy probe. In this study, the distribution of [1O2]rx in plural cavity during PDT is simulated by using the information that has been obtained during the treatment for the simulated tissue oxygenation as well as measured light, and photosensitizer concentration. USE OF COMSOL MULTIPHYSICS® SOFTWARE: The NDI acquired volume was imported into COMSOL Multiphysics [2, 3]. The delivered fluence values were imported into COMSOL as three-dimensional fluence clouds and were assigned to the respective positions (x, y, and z) on the NDI contour. For the modeling of [1O2]rx generated during PDT, the forward calculation of the macroscopic kinetic equations was performed in COMSOL® software based on the measured fluence assigned to every point on the NDI contour and the mean measured photosensitizer concentration [4, 5]. The PDT oxygen consumption is based on modeling. A color map was used to present [1O2]rx for each point in the CT contour. RESULTS: Because of the heterogeneity in the distribution of the light fluence, our model shows a heterogeneous distribution of the [1O2]rx during PDT. Based on our calculation, some regions are under-exposed and some regions are over-exposed to [1O2]rx. CONCLUSION: The distribution of [1O2]rx during PDT could be simulated and mapped on the treated plural cavity by using COMSOL Multiphysics. The real-time implementation of this method and in-situ monitoring of the underor overexposed regions to [1O2]rx during treatment can significantly improve PDT for mesothelioma.
Thoracic splenosis diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration cytology: A case report

A case of thoracic splenosis diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of subpleural lung lesions is presented. The patient, a 49‐yr‐old male with a history of gunshot wound to his trunk with splenic rupture and splenectomy several years previously, presented with recent hemoptysis and multiple subpleural solid nodules shown in the left lung field by CT scan. As the possibility of a metastatic malignancy vs. mesothelioma was entertained, an FNA was performed on one of these lesions, revealing lymphoid tissue with abundant vascularity simulating the structure of splenic tissue. In view of this finding, supported by the absence of splenic outline in the CT radiograph, the diagnosis of splenosis was made. This is the fourth reported case of thoracic splenosis in which FNA cytology was utilized for diagnosis, yet the first in which the diagnosis was based exclusively on the FNA cytologic findings. Clinical, pathologic, and diagnostic aspects of this entity are discussed. Diagn. Cytopathol. 25:321–324, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 binds to and transactivates the human but not the rat CYP7A1 promoter.

Cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), a liver-specific enzyme, catalyzes the rate-limiting step in the degradation pathway of cholesterol to bile acids, and thus plays a key role in cholesterol homeostasis. To elucidate the mechanisms that control hepatic expression of the human CYP7A1 gene, we are studying the promoter region. Initially, we observed that up to 40% of the overall transcriptional activity of the promoter in HepG2 cells was associated with DNA sequences from -65 to -1 of the human gene. Within this region, a binding site for the liver-enriched transcription factor HNF-1 (-56 to -49) has been identified. Binding of HNF-1 to this site leads to transcriptional activation of the human promoter. The corresponding segment from the rat CYP7A1 gene does not bind HNF-1; instead, it is bound by the orphan receptors ARP-1 (COUP-TFII) and LXRalpha, that are implicated in dietary regulation.
Rosuvastatin: a risk–benefit assessment for intensive lipid lowering

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the US and other industrialised societies. Rosuvastatin, a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitor, is the most efficacious lipid-lowering agent of the statin class. New guidelines and recent evidence-based studies confirm the benefit of intensive reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in terms of cardiovascular risk reduction. Both naturally occurring and synthetic statins have demonstrated significant lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, the primary target of cholesterol-lowering therapy. Rosuvastatin, specifically, is a synthetic statin shown to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides, in addition to increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Compared with other statins, there is a similar low risk of serious muscle damage (myopathy and rhabdomyolysis), and no consistent pattern of renal failure or renal injury, despite mild transient tubular proteinuria, as seen with all statins. Therefore, rosuvastatin offers an effective alternative in the clinical management of hyperlipidaemia, while awaiting the results of ongoing cardiovascular risk reduction trials.
Th17/Treg imbalance in murine cystic fibrosis is linked to indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase deficiency but corrected by kynurenines.

RATIONALE Mutations in the cystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator affect the innate epithelial immune function of the lung, resulting in exaggerated and ineffective airway inflammation that fails to eradicate pathogenic fungi. The appreciation of whether such fungi are primarily responsible for or a consequence of ineffective airway inflammation is important for future therapeutics development. OBJECTIVES To characterize the impact of the tryptophan/kynurenine pathway on pathogenic airway inflammation preventing effective fungal clearance in CF. METHODS We studied the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), the first enzyme in the kynurenine pathway of tryptophan degradation, in human and murine CF, the impact of IDO on lung inflammation and immunity in murine CF, and the potential role of tryptophan catabolism in pathogenesis and therapy of fungus-associated lung inflammation. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS IDO was defective in murine and human CF. Genetic and transcriptional regulatory mechanisms contributed to dysfunctional IDO activity that, in turn, correlated with imbalanced Th17/Treg-cell responses to Aspergillus fumigatus in murine CF. Treatments enhancing IDO function or preventing pathogenic Th17-cell activation restored protective immunity to the fungus and improved lung inflammation in murine CF. CONCLUSIONS This study provides a link between tryptophan catabolism and lung immune homeostasis in murine CF, representing a proof-of-concept that targeting pathogenic inflammation via IDO-mimetic drugs may benefit patients with CF.
Comparison of the Cosmed K4 b(2) and the Deltatrac II metabolic cart in measuring resting energy expenditure in adults.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The objective of the study was to compare data obtained from the Cosmed K4 b(2) and the Deltatrac II metabolic cart for the purpose of determining the validity of the Cosmed K4 b(2) in measuring resting energy expenditure. METHODS Nine adult subjects (four male, five female) were measured. Resting energy expenditure was measured in consecutive sessions using the Cosmed K4 b(2), the Deltatrac II metabolic cart separately and the Cosmed K4 b(2) and Deltatrac II metabolic cart simultaneously, performed in random order. Resting energy expenditure (REE) data from both devices were then compared with values obtained from predictive equations. RESULTS Bland and Altman analysis revealed a mean bias for the four variables, REE, respiratory quotient (RQ), V CO(2), V O(2) between data obtained from Cosmed K4 b(2) and Deltatrac II metabolic cart of 268+/-702 kcal/day, -0.0+/-0.2, 26.4+/-118.2 and 51.6+/-126.5 ml/min, respectively. Corresponding limits of agreement for the same four variables were all large. Also, Bland and Altman analysis revealed a larger mean bias between predicted REE and measured REE using Cosmed K4 b(2) data (-194+/-603 kcal/day) than using Deltatrac metabolic cart data (73+/-197 kcal/day). CONCLUSIONS Variability between the two devices was very high and a degree of measurement error was detected. Data from the Cosmed K4 b(2) provided variable results on comparison with predicted values, thus, would seem an invalid device for measuring adults.
Using DEMO-based SLAs for Improving City Council Services

According to data from the Portuguese Association of City Councils (DGAL – Portuguese abbreviation) the 308 city councils in Portugal employ about 135 000 people and spend about 3.8 billion euros a year (Ministry of Finance and Public Administration, 2010). In this paper we describe the implementation of our most recent proposal to specify the services quality in the city council of Pombal (CMP) in Portugal. This proposal is a new version of the DEMO-based SLAs with a more complex structure of Service Level Agreement (SLA) attributes. This proposal is based on the Enterprise Ontology theory and identifies services that do not create new original results, therefore services with great potential to be automated. We evaluated the new proposal’s version by collecting feedback from CMP employees and customers. Moreover, we found some possible improvements that could save millions of euros to the Portuguese state.
Utilizing Salmonella to treat solid malignancies

Despite intensive research into novel treatment strategies for cancer, it remains the second most common cause of death in industrialized populations. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive disease with dismal prognosis. Currently, surgical resection offers the best chance for extended survival, yet recurrence remains high and is associated with poor outcome. Systemic treatment has evolved from non‐specific, cytotoxic chemotherapy to the use of cancer‐targeting agents, profoundly changing treatment approaches in the metastatic and adjuvant settings. One promising approach, highlighted in this review, uses the inherent capacity of Salmonella to colonize and eliminate solid tumors.