Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Validity of APCS score as a risk prediction score for advanced colorectal neoplasia in Chinese asymptomatic subjects

Abstract The Asia-Pacific Colorectal Screening (APCS) score is a risk-stratification tool that helps predict the risk for advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) in asymptomatic Asian populations, but has not yet been assessed for its validity of use in Mainland China. The aim of the study was to assess the validity of APCS score in asymptomatic Chinese population, and to identify other risk factors associated with ACN. Asymptomatic subjects (N = 1010) who underwent colonoscopy screening between 2012 and 2014 in Beijing were enrolled. APCS scores based on questionnaires were used to stratify subjects into high, moderate, and average-risk tiers. Cochran–Armitage test for trend was used to assess the association between ACN and risk tiers. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed with ACN as the outcome, adjusting for APCS score, body mass index, alcohol consumption, self-reported diabetes, and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as independent variables. The average age was 53.5 (standard deviation 8.4) years. The prevalence of ACN was 4.1% overall, and in the high, moderate, and average-risk tiers, the prevalence was 8.8%, 2.83%, and 1.55%, respectively (P < 0.001). High-risk tier had 3.3 and 6.1-fold increased risk of ACN as compared with those in the moderate and average-risk tiers, respectively. In univariate analysis, high-risk tier, obesity, diabetes, and alcohol consumption were associated with ACN. In multivariate analysis, only high-risk tier was an independent predictor of ACN. The APCS score can effectively identify a subset of asymptomatic Chinese population at high risk for ACN. Further studies are required to identify other risk factors, and the acceptability of the score to the general population will need to be further examined.
Clinical Ophthalmology Dovepress Dovepress Lowered Intraocular Pressure in a Glaucoma Patient after Intravitreal Injection of Ocriplasmin

We report the case of a glaucoma patient who received a single intravitreal injection of 125 µg ocriplasmin for vitreomacular traction in the right eye. The patient had bilateral advanced glaucoma and had previously undergone an implantation of an Ahmed glaucoma valve in the right eye and trabeculectomy in both eyes. The patient was using three topical ophthalmic intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications on the day of injection. Baseline uncorrected Snellen visual acuity was 20/80-1 and IOP was 19 mmHg. Resolution of vitreomacular traction was achieved 1 week after injection. IOP was transiently decreased, reaching a maximum reduction of 12 mmHg below baseline at 1 month after injection, when serous choroidal effusion was also present. IOP returned to baseline levels and choroidal effusion resolved at 2 months after injection of IOP-lowering medication. Vitrectomy with epiretinal membrane and internal limiting membrane peeling, endolaser photocoagulation, and fluid–gas exchange were performed in the right eye ~3.5 months after injection to treat persistent epiretinal membrane, and presumed tractional retinal detachment. Final visual acuity was 20/50+ and IOP was 18 mmHg at 16 weeks after surgery. To our knowledge, this is the first report of IOP reduction and serous choroidal effusion after ocriplasmin injection.
Overview of the TREC 2009 Blog Track

The Blog track explores the information seeking behaviour in the blogosphere. Thus far, since its inception in 2006 [9], the Blog track addressed two main search tasks based on the analysis of a commercial blog search engine: the opinion-finding task (i.e. “What do people think about X? ”) and the blog distillation task (i.e. “Find me a blog with a principal, recurring interest in X.”). In TREC 2009, the Blog track has been markedly revamped with the use of a new and larger sample of the blogosphere, called Blogs08, which has a 13-month timespan covering a period ranging from 14th January 2008 to 10th February 2009, and the introduction of two new search tasks, addressing more refined and typical search scenarios on the blogosphere:
Nonthermal Dielectric-Barrier Discharge Plasma-Induced Inactivation Involves Oxidative DNA Damage and Membrane Lipid Peroxidation in Escherichia coli

ABSTRACT Oxidative stress leads to membrane lipid peroxidation, which yields products causing variable degrees of detrimental oxidative modifications in cells. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are the key regulators in this process and induce lipid peroxidation in Escherichia coli. Application of nonthermal (cold) plasma is increasingly used for inactivation of surface contaminants. Recently, we reported a successful application of nonthermal plasma, using a floating-electrode dielectric-barrier discharge (FE-DBD) technique for rapid inactivation of bacterial contaminants in normal atmospheric air (S. G. Joshi et al., Am. J. Infect. Control 38:293-301, 2010). In the present report, we demonstrate that FE-DBD plasma-mediated inactivation involves membrane lipid peroxidation in E. coli. Dose-dependent ROS, such as singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide-like species generated during plasma-induced oxidative stress, were responsible for membrane lipid peroxidation, and ROS scavengers, such as α-tocopherol (vitamin E), were able to significantly inhibit the extent of lipid peroxidation and oxidative DNA damage. These findings indicate that this is a major mechanism involved in FE-DBD plasma-mediated inactivation of bacteria.
Finding important areas in images using conditional random field

Finding importance areas from images has been an important topic in graphics, multimedia and vision. In this paper, we present a supervised learning approach. We first collect a training set of color images and the labeled importance maps. Then we apply supervised learning to predict the importance maps as a function of the image. Our model uses a grid-shaped conditional random field that incorporates multi-scale image features, and models both the importance label at each patch as well as the relation between importance labels at different patches.
Voltage gating of ion channels

Voltage-gated ion channels are membrane proteins that play a central role in the propagation and transduction of cellular signals (Hille, 1992). Calcium ions entering cells through voltage-gated calcium channels serve as the trigger for neurotransmitter release, muscle contraction, and the release of hormones. Voltage-gated sodium channels initiate the nerve action potential and provide for its rapid propagation because the ion fluxes through these channels regeneratively cause more channels to open.
Using ground granulated blast-furnace slag and mineral wastes to reduce cement in paving block

Portland cement production releases carbon dioxide; this has significant adverse effects on the environment and so a reduction in the content of Portland cement in concrete products will improve the carbon footprint. This investigation explored the use of by-product materials and waste in the production of paving blocks. The following materials were examined: ground granulated blast-furnace slag, basic oxygen slag, plasterboard gypsum and cement by-pass dust. Ternary blends were created for different mixes and tested. The tensile strength, skid/slip resistance and freeze/thaw of each paving block specimen were determined in accordance with British Standard BS EN 1338. It was found that about 30% cement replacement was achieved in comparison with current factory production in the UK without having any considerable impact on the strength and durability of the paving blocks. It was also found that a cement mix can contain ground granulated blast-furnace slag up to 55%, basic oxygen slag up to 70%, cement by-.
Preparation and Characterization of Polysulfone/Sulfonated Polysulfone/Cellulose Nanofibers Ternary Blend Membranes

Ternary blend membranes were prepared with polysulfone (PSf), sulfonated polysulfone (SPSf), and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) by a Loeb-Sourirajan (L-S) phase inversion process. The cross-section and bottom surface morphology of the membranes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the performance of the membranes was evaluated in terms of pure water flux, bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection, contact angle, tensile strength, and breaking elongation. The morphology of the cellulose nanofibers (CNF) was detected by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that within a certain range, the addition of SPSf improved compatibility between PSf and CNF, and the addition of CNF could improve the hydrophilicity of the membranes. The maximum value of pure water flux reached 137.6 L/m2h, and the minimum value of BSA rejection reached 95.8% when CNF content was 0.3 wt% in casting solution. Also, a certain addition of CNF could enhance the mechanical properties of the membranes.
Periadventitial Rapamycin-Eluting Microbeads Promote Vein Graft Disease in Long-Term Pig Vein-Into-Artery Interposition Grafts

Background—Neointima formation and atherosclerosis compromise long-term graft patency in aortocoronary and peripheral vein bypass grafts. We investigated the short- and long-term effects of periadventitial application of a sustained-release formulation of rapamycin on experimental pig vein grafts with similar dimensions and kinetics to human saphenous vein bypass grafts. Methods and Results—Periadventitial application of rapamycin-eluting polyvinyl alcohol microspheres (60 &mgr;g · cm−2) to porcine saphenous vein-to-carotid artery interposition grafts inhibited vein graft positive and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation in 1-week grafts. It also decreased neointima formation and wall thickening in 4-week vein grafts compared with controls. The inhibition of vein graft thickening was not sustained; however, a catch-up phenomenon was observed, and there was no therapeutic benefit evident in 12-week grafts. Increasing the dose of rapamycin to 120 &mgr;g · cm−2 was associated with significant local toxicity manifest by high rates of graft rupture (25%), inhibition of adventitial neoangiogenesis, and a paradoxical acceleration of vein graft disease as evidenced by increased vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. Conclusions—Local toxicity and poor long-term efficacy limits the clinical applicability of locally applied, sustained rapamycin release in vein graft disease.
Interoperability and Electronic Commerce: A New Policy Framework for Evaluating Strategic Options

It's a business truism nowadays that electronic commerce is a volatile, rapidly changing landscape. Despite recent discouraging trends, the fact remains that e-commerce is an integral force in business that must be reckoned with. Current research, however, has been limited to several narrow approaches, such as documenting economic performance, describing business models, and generating new applications and technologies. Charles Steinfield calls instead for an examination of how e-commerce influences fundamental relationships between consumers and firms, across firms, and between firms and the larger society in which they operate. New Directions in Research on E-Commerce offers an international group of scholars and practitioners representing eight countries at the cutting edge of electronic commerce. The essays are divided into four basic topics: understanding consumer responses to Internet stores; market structure and business-to-business e-commerce; e-commerce and industry structure case studies; and social and policy concerns in e-commerce. Collectively, they will help researchers, business leaders, and policy makers to arrive at informed, stable approaches to an essential facet of contemporary life.
Formulation and Evaluation of Floating Drug Delivery System of Famotidine

A multiple unit oral floating drug delivery system of famotidine was developed to prolong gastric residence time, target stomach mucosa and increase drug bioavailability. Drug and polymer compatibility was studied by subjecting physical mixtures of drug and polymers to differential scanning calorimetry. Cod liver oil entrapped calcium alginate beads containing famotidine, capable of floating in the gastric condition were formulated and evaluated. The gel beads were prepared by emulsion gelation method by employing sodium alginate alone and mixture of sodium alginate and hydrophilic copolymers such as carbopol 934P and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose K15M grade in three different ratios. The effect of selected factors, such as percentage of oil and amount of copolymers on floating properties was investigated. The beads were evaluated for percent drug loading, drug entrapment efficiency, buoyancy and in vitro drug release. The in vitro drug release study of the beads was carried out in simulated gastric media employing a modified Rosette-Rice test apparatus. Wherein, the apparatus was further modified by incorporating a water jacket to the apparatus to circulate hot water to maintain 37±2° for throughout the release study. All the oil entrapped calcium alginate beads floated if a sufficient amount of oil was used. Beads formulated employing sodium alginate alone could not sustain the drug release up to 8 h, whereas beads formulated with mixture of sodium alginate and copolymers demonstrated sustained release of famotidine up to 8 h. The results suggested that cod liver oil entrapped calcium alginate beads were promising as a carrier for intragastric floating drug delivery of famotidine.
TR Alpha 2 Exerts Dominant Negative Effects on Hypothalamic Trh Transcription In Vivo

Mammalian thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) have multiple isoforms, including the bona fide receptors that bind T3 (TRα1, TRβ1 and TRβ2) and a non-hormone-binding variant, TRα2. Intriguingly, TRα2 is strongly expressed in the brain, where its mRNA levels exceed those of functional TRs. Ablation of TRα2 in mice results in over-expression of TRα1, and a complex phenotype with low levels of free T3 and T4, without elevated TSH levels, suggesting an alteration in the negative feedback at the hypothalamic-pituitary level. As the hypothesis of a potential TRH response defect has never been tested, we explored the functional role of TRα2 in negative feedback on transcription of hypothalamic thyrotropin, Trh. The in vivo transcriptional effects of TRα2 on hypothalamic Trh were analysed using an in vivo reporter gene approach. Effects on Trh-luc expression were examined to that of two, T3 positively regulated genes used as controls. Applying in vivo gene transfer showed that TRα2 over-expression in the mouse hypothαlamus abrogates T3-dependent repression of Trh and T3 activation of positively regulated promoters, blocking their physiological regulation. Surprisingly, loss of function studies carried out by introducing a shTRα2 construct in the hypothalamus also blocked physiological T3 dependent regulation. Thus, modulating hypothalamic TRα2 expression by either gain or loss of function abrogated T3 dependent regulation of Trh transcription, producing constant transcriptional levels insensitive to feedback. This loss of physiological regulation was reflected at the level of the endogenous Trh gene, were gain or loss of function held mRNA levels constant. These results reveal the as yet undescribed dominant negative role of TRα2 over TRα1 effect on hypothalamic Trh transcription.
Scalable fluid models and simulations for large-scale IP networks

In this article we present a scalable model of a network of Active Queue Management (AQM) routers serving a large population of Transport Control Protocol (TCP) flows. We present efficient solution techniques that allow one to obtain the transient behavior of the average queue lengths and packet loss/mark probabilities of AQM routers, and average end-to-end throughput and latencies of TCP users. We model different versions of TCP as well as different implementations of RED Random Early Detection (RED), the most popular AQM scheme currently in use. Comparisons between the models and ns simulation show our models to be quite accurate while at the same time requiring substantially less time to solve than packet level simulations, especially when workloads and bandwidths are high.
Solid State Electron Transfer via Bacterial Nanowires: Contributions Toward a Mechanistic Understanding of Geophysical Response of Biostimulated Subsurface

The degradation of organic matter by microorganisms provides a source of electrical potential or so-called 'self potential' (SP) that can be measured by using a voltmeter. During this process electrons are being produced as a waste-product and bacterial cells have to dispose of these to allow for the complete biodegradation of organic matter. Especially in anaerobic microbial communities, exo-cellular electron transfer is the most important driving force behind this process and organisms have developed different, but also similar, ways to transfer electrons to other microorganisms. Recently, it has been postulated that direct electron transfer from cell-to-cell is actually done by 'hard-wired' microorganisms. This shuttling of electrons is most likely done by certain c-type cytochromes that form the functional part of electrically conductive nanowires. In this study we investigated if nanowires can explain the geoelectrical (self potential and spectral induced polarization) signals observed at some biostimulated environments such as DOE sites. The objectives of our project are to: (1) investigate any temporal changes in the geophysical signatures (Self Potential (SP) and Induced Polarization (IP)) associated with nanowires of the bacterium Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, wild type and mtrc/omcA deletion mutant, (2) demonstrate that mutant strains of bacteria that produce nonconductive nanowires do not contribute to geoelectrical responses. We accomplished the following: (1) Provided training to students and a postdoctoral fellow that worked on the project, (2) Conducted several SP & IP measurements correlating the distribution of nanowires and SIP/SP signals in partial fulfillment of object No. 1 and 2. On the following we will report and discuss the results of our last experiment with some emphasis on the source mechanisms of both SP and IP associated with Shewanella oneidensis MR-1, wild type in sand columns.
Liveness rules from fairness based on TLA

Formal methods use mathematic and logic method to describe and validate the system, TLA (The temporal logic of actions) is for specifying systems, it is brought forward by Leslie Lamport, and it can specify a system's modeling and property together. Its specifying language is TLA+ and the checking tool is TLC. Liveness property is important property of a system, it is close relation to fairness property. It is in formal a conjunct of the fairness properties of the system properties. Leslie Lamport has put forward several liveness rules. We use a new way to prove the liveness rule from weak fairness and the liveness rule from strong fairness.
Effect of food deprivation on baseline iodothyronine and cortisol concentrations in healthy, adult horses.

Six healthy, adult horses, with normal (mean +/- SEM) baseline serum concentrations of total triiodothyronine (T3, 1.02 +/- 0.16 nmol/L), free T3 (FT3, 2.05 +/- 0.33 pmol/L), total thyroxine (T4, 19.87 +/- 1.74 nmol/L), free T4 (FT4, 11.55 +/- 0.70 pmol/L), total reverse T3 (rT3, 0.68 +/- 0.06 nmol/L), and cortisol (152.75 +/- 17.50 nmol/L), were judged to be euthyroid on the basis of response to a standardized thyroid-stimulating hormone response test. Serum concentrations of T3, FT3, T4, FT4, rT3, and cortisol were determined immediately before and every 24 hours during a 4-day period of food deprivation, when water was available ad libitum. Similar variables were measured 72 hours after refeeding. Decreases (to percentage of baseline, prefood deprivation value) in circulating T3 (42%), T4 (38%), FT3 (30%), and FT4 (24%) concentrations were maximal after 2, 4, 2, and 4 days of food deprivation, respectively (P < 0.05). Increases (compared with baseline, prefood deprivation value) in rT3 (31%) and cortisol (41%) concentrations were maximal after 1 and 2 days of food deprivation, respectively (P < 0.05). Refeeding resulted in increase in serum T4 and FT4, and decrease in rT3 and cortisol concentrations toward baseline values, after 72 hours (P < 0.05). Refeeding did not effect a return of T3 or FT3 concentration to baseline values after 72 hours (P < 0.05). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
N-Methyl D-Aspartate Receptor Antagonist Kynurenic Acid Affects Human Cortical Development

Kynurenic acid (KYNA), a neuroactive metabolite of tryptophan degradation, acts as an endogenous N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist. Elevated levels of KYNA have been observed in pregnant women after viral infections and are considered to play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the consequences of KYNA-induced NMDAR blockade in human cortical development still remain elusive. To study the potential impact of KYNA on human neurodevelopment, we used an in vitro system of multipotent cortical progenitors, i.e., radial glia cells (RGCs), enriched from human cerebral cortex at mid-gestation (16–19 gestational weeks). KYNA treatment significantly decreased RGCs proliferation and survival by antagonizing NMDAR. This alteration resulted in a reduced number of cortical progenitors and neurons while number and activation of astrocytes increased. KYNA treatment reduced differentiation of RGCs into GABAergic neurons, while differentiation into glutamatergic neurons was relatively spared. Furthermore, in mixed cortical cultures KYNA triggered an inflammatory response as evidenced by increased levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. In conclusion, elevated levels of KYNA play a significant role in human RGC fate determination by antagonizing NMDARs and by activating an inflammatory response. The altered cell composition observed in cell culture following exposure to elevated KYNA levels suggests a mechanism for impairment of cortical circuitry formation in the fetal brain after viral infection, as seen in neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia.
Cellular expression of connexins in the rat brain: neuronal localization, effects of kainate‐induced seizures and expression in apoptotic neuronal cells

The identification of connexins (Cxs) expressed in neuronal cells represents a crucial step for understanding the direct communication between neurons and between neuron and glia. In the present work, using a double‐labelling method combining in situ hybridization for Cx mRNAs with immunohistochemical detection for neuronal markers, we provide evidence that, among cerebral connexins (Cx26, Cx32, Cx36, Cx37, Cx40, Cx43, Cx45 and Cx47), only Cx45 and Cx36 mRNAs are localized in neuronal cells in both developing and adult rat brain. In order to establish whether connexin expression is influenced in vivo by abnormal neuronal activity, we examined the short‐term effects of kainate‐induced seizures. The results revealed an unexpected expression of Cx26 and Cx45 mRNA in neuronal cells undergoing apoptotic cell death in the CA3–CA4, in the hilus of the hippocampus and in other brain regions involved in seizure‐induced lesion. However, the expression of Cx26 and Cx45 mRNAs was not associated with detectable expression of corresponding proteins as evaluated by immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies. Moreover, in the same brain regions Cx32 and Cx43 were up‐regulated in non‐neruronal cells whereas the neuronal Cx36 was down‐regulated. Taken together the present results provide novel information regarding the specific subpopulation of neurons expressing Cx45 and raise the question of the meaning of connexin mRNA expression in the neuronal apoptotic process.