Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Incidence and mortality of falls amongst older people in primary care in the United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND Despite the role of primary care in the falls care pathway, there are almost no data on the extent of falls seen in general practices. AIM To quantify the incidence and mortality of falls amongst older people in primary care in the UK. METHODS Cohort study of people aged >or=60 years and registered in a UK practice contributing data to The Health Improvement Network primary care database (THIN) throughout 2003-06. Analysis of crude incidence and estimation of incidence rate ratios using negative binomial regression, and survival using Cox regression. Sensitivity analysis of criteria for distinguishing discrete fall events from follow-up appointments. RESULTS Amongst people aged >or=60 years the overall crude incidence rate of recorded falls was 3.58/100 person-years (95% CI 3.56-3.61). The rate of recurrent falls was 0.67/100 person-years (95% CI 0.66-0.68). The incidence rate of recorded falls and recurrent falls was higher in older age groups, in women and least advantaged social groups. Incidence of recorded falls was constant through the time period 2003-06. Mortality for recurrent fallers was about twice that of general population controls. CONCLUSION These data suggest that more than 475,000 fall events in older people are recorded in general practice each year in the UK, and are associated with increased mortality and relative deprivation. The underlying incidence rate has remained stable in recent years.
Understanding, Avoiding, and Managing Dermal Filler Complications

BACKGROUND Dermal fillers are increasingly being utilized for multiple cosmetic dermatology indications. The appeal of these products can be partly attributed to their strong safety profiles. Nevertheless, complications can sometimes occur. OBJECTIVE To summarize the complications associated with each available dermal filling agent, strategies to avoid them, and management options if they do arise. METHODS AND MATERIALS Complications with dermal fillers reported in peer-reviewed publications, prescribing information, and recent presentations at professional meetings were reviewed. Recommendations for avoiding and managing complications are provided, based on the literature review and the author's experience. RESULTS Inappropriate placement or superficial placement is one of the most frequent reasons for patient dissatisfaction. Due to the reversibility of hyaluronic acid, complications from these fillers can be easily corrected. Sensitivity to any of the currently approved FDA products is quite rare and can usually be managed with anti-inflammatory agents. Infection is quite uncommon as well and can usually be managed with either antibiotics or antivirals depending on the clinical features. The most concerning complication is cutaneous necrosis, and a protocol to treat the full spectrum of this process is reviewed. CONCLUSIONS Complications with dermal fillers are infrequent, and strategies to minimize their incidence and impact are easily deployed. Familiarity with each family of soft-tissue augmentation products, potential complications, and their management will optimize the use of these agents.
Interleukin-10 (IL-10) in Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis and IL-10 Receptor Blockade as Immunotherapy

ABSTRACT Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is thought to promote intracellular infection, including human visceral leishmaniasis, by disabling Th1 cell-type responses and/or deactivating parasitized tissue macrophages. To develop a rationale for IL-10 inhibition as treatment in visceral infection, Th1 cytokine-driven responses were characterized in Leishmania donovani-infected BALB/c mice in which IL-10 was absent or overexpressed or its receptor (IL-10R) was blockaded. IL-10 knockout and normal mice treated prophylactically with anti-IL-10R demonstrated accelerated granuloma assembly and rapid parasite killing without untoward tissue inflammation; IL-12 and gamma interferon mRNA expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase reactivity, and responsiveness to antimony chemotherapy were also enhanced in knockout mice. In IL-10 transgenic mice, parasite replication was unrestrained, and except for antimony responsiveness, measured Th1 cell-dependent events were all initially impaired. Despite subsequent granuloma assembly, high-level infection persisted, and antimony-treated transgenic mice also relapsed. In normal mice with established infection, anti-IL-10R treatment was remarkably active, inducing near-cure by itself and synergism with antimony. IL-10's deactivating effects regulate outcome in experimental visceral leishmaniasis, and IL-10R blockade represents a potential immuno- and/or immunochemotherapeutic approach in this infection.
Neither Notch1 Expression nor Cellular Size Correlate with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Properties of Adult Articular Chondrocytes

Background: Tissue repair is thought to be regulated by progenitor cells, which in other tissues are characterized by their Notch1 expression or small cellular size. Here we studied if these traits affect the chondrogenic potential and are markers for multipotent progenitor cell populations in adult articular cartilage. Methods: Directly isolated articular chondrocytes were sorted with regard to their Notch1 expression or cellular size. Their colony forming efficiency (CFE) and their potential to differentiate towards adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages were investigated. The different sorted populations were also expanded in monolayer and analyzed in the same manner as the directly isolated cells. Results: No differences in CFE or adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic potentials were detected among the sorted populations. Expanded cells displayed a higher osteochondral potential than directly isolated cells. Conclusion: Cellular size or Notch1 expression is not per se a specific marker for mesenchymal progenitor cells in adult articular cartilage. Monolayer-expanded adult chondrocytes contain a larger mesenchymal progenitor cell-like population than directly isolated cells, highly likely as a result of dedifferentiation. If there are resident Notch1-positive cells or cells of a specific size in adult articular cartilage with functional features of progenitor cells, the population consists of only a very small number of cells.
Annotated probabilistic temporal logic

The semantics of most logics of time and probability is given via a probability distribution over threads, where a thread is a structure specifying what will be true at different points in time (in the future). When assessing the probabilities of statements such as “Event a will occur within 5 units of time of event b,” there are many different semantics possible, even when assessing the truth of this statement within a single thread. We introduce the syntax of annotated probabilistic temporal (APT) logic programs and axiomatically introduce the key notion of a frequency function (for the first time) to capture different types of intrathread reasoning, and then provide a semantics for intrathread and interthread reasoning in APT logic programs parameterized by such frequency functions. We develop a comprehensive set of complexity results for consistency checking and entailment in APT logic programs, together with sound and complete algorithms to check consistency and entailment. The basic algorithms use linear programming, but we then show how to substantially and correctly reduce the sizes of these linear programs to yield better computational properties. We describe a real world application we are developing using APT logic programs.
(Un)Decidability Results for Word Equations with Length and Regular Expression Constraints

We prove several decidability and undecidability results for the satisfiability and validity problems for languages that can express solutions to word equations with length constraints. The atomic formulas over this language are equality over string terms (word equations), linear inequality over the length function (length constraints), and membership in regular sets. These questions are important in logic, program analysis, and formal verification. Variants of these questions have been studied for many decades by mathematicians. More recently, practical satisfiability procedures (aka SMT solvers) for these formulas have become increasingly important in the context of security analysis for string-manipulating programs such as web applications. We prove three main theorems. First, we give a new proof of undecidability for the validity problem for the set of sentences written as a forall-exists quantifier alternation applied to positive word equations. A corollary of this undecidability result is that this set is undecidable even with sentences with at most two occurrences of a string variable. Second, we consider Boolean combinations of quantifier-free formulas constructed out of word equations and length constraints. We show that if word equations can be converted to a solved form, a form relevant in practice, then the satisfiability problem for Boolean combinations of word equations and length constraints is decidable. Third, we show that the satisfiability problem for quantifier-free formulas over word equations in regular solved form, length constraints, and the membership predicate over regular expressions is also decidable.
RANTES expression is a predictor of survival in stage I lung adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE The presence of an active lymphocytic response (ALR) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumors has previously been associated with a more favorable prognosis. The purpose of this study was to identify differences in global gene expression profiles between stage I NSCLC tumors with ALR (ALR+) and those without ALR (ALR-). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Sixty-three stage I lung adenocarcinomas were analyzed for gene expression using Affymetrix oligonucleotide microarrays. Tumors were stratified into ALR+ and ALR- groups and compared for statistically significant differences in gene expression. Identified candidate genes were validated using both ELISA and immunohistochemistry. Follow-up data for these patients were collected and used to assess patient prognosis. RESULTS Of the 63 tumors studied, 27 were ALR+ and 36 were ALR-. A total of 303 genes showed significant differences in gene expression between the two populations (t test, P < 0.02). Three of the genes overexpressed by ALR+ tumors were the chemokines: small inducible cytokine A4 (MIP-1beta), RANTES, and interferon inducible protein 10 (IP-10). Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the tumor cells expressed these cytokines. ELISA showed that MIP-1beta and RANTES were overexpressed at the protein level by ALR+ tumors. Univariate Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that RANTES was a predictor of survival in stage I lung adenocarcinomas (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION When tested in the Cox univariate proportional hazards model, RANTES expression by lung adenocarcinoma cells is a predictor of survival in stage I NSCLC patients and may be useful as a prognostic factor in lung cancer.
A low prevalence of coronary heart disease among subjects with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, including those with plasma cholesteryl ester transfer protein deficiency.

BACKGROUND Use of genetic analysis may improve the predictive value of risk factors for disease. A high plasma level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol is a strong negative risk factor for coronary heart disease (CHD). Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) deficiency causes increased levels of HDL cholesterol. However, recent studies suggest that CETP deficiency is a risk factor for CHD despite elevated HDL cholesterol levels. METHODS Plasma lipid levels, CHD prevalence, resting electrocardiograms, and common CETP gene mutations were analyzed cross-sectionally in a population of 19,044 male and 29,487 female Japanese subjects (ages 45-79 years). RESULTS High HDL cholesterol levels (serum HDL cholesterol >/=80 mg/dl, >/=95th percentile) were found in 6 and 5% of Japanese men and women, respectively. In the group with HDL cholesterol >/=80 mg/dl, common CETP gene mutations were identified in 23-24% of men and 31-49% of women. The prevalence of CHD in the group with high HDL cholesterol (>/=80 mg/dl) was low among both men (1.0%) and women (1.3%). There was no difference in CHD prevalence between hyper-HDL-cholesterolemic subjects with and without CETP mutations. CONCLUSIONS Subjects with very high HDL levels (HDL cholesterol >/=80 mg/dl) as well as mild-to-moderate HDL elevations (60-79 mg/dl) appear to be protected against CHD, whether or not they have CETP deficiency, a genetic cause of elevated HDL.
Family outbreak of Rickettsia conorii infection.

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Gain changes in sensorimotor pathways of the locust leg

Feedback systems that control the leg joints of animals must be highly flexible in adapting to different behavioural tasks. One manifestation of such flexibility is changes in the gain of joint control networks. The femur­tibia (FT) control network of the locust leg is one of the feedback systems most thoroughly studied with regard to its neural circuitry. Despite excellent information concerning network topology, however, actual gain changes and their underlying mechanisms have not yet been examined because of the marked spontaneous variations in the action of the control network for this joint. We describe a behavioural situation and a preparation in which the locust (Locusta migratoria L.) FT control network exhibits reproducible changes in gain, allowing investigation of the neuronal basis of gain control. After ('fictive') flight motor activity, the gain of resistance reflexes in the FT joint of the locust middle leg is significantly decreased, with the flexor tibiae muscles being affected more strongly than the extensor muscles. Immediately after flight motor activity, the gain may be as low as 30 % of pre-flight levels. It returns to pre-flight values in under 150 s. The decrease in gain following flight motor activity is due to a decrease in motoneurone recruitment in the resistance reflex elicited by stimulation of the appropriate mechanoreceptor, the femoral chordotonal organ. Motoneurone recruitment is changed as a result of a drastic decline in the stimulus-related synaptic input to the motoneurones, which appears to be produced exclusively at the level of the pre-motor network. Two factors led to this conclusion: first, we found no indication of changes in membrane potential or membrane conductance of the tibia flexor and extensor motoneurones; second, recording from identified pre-motor nonspiking interneurones demonstrated that these may be involved in the observed gain changes. The putative behavioural relevance is discussed.
THE EVOLUTION OF GENE EXPRESSION IN MOUSE HIPPOCAMPUS IN RESPONSE TO SELECTIVE BREEDING FOR INCREASED LOCOMOTOR ACTIVITY

Abstract The evolution of behavior has been notoriously difficult to study at the molecular level, but mouse genetic technology offers new promise. We applied selective breeding to increase voluntary wheel running in four replicate lines of Mus domesticus (S mice) while maintaining four additional lines through random breeding to serve as controls (C mice). The goal of the study was to identify the gene expression profile of the hippocampus that may have evolved to facilitate the increased voluntary running. The hippocampus was of interest because it is known to display marked physiological responses in association with wheel running itself. We used high-density oligonucleotide arrays representing 11,904 genes. To control for the confounding influence of physical activity itself on gene expression, animals were housed individually without access to running wheels, and were sampled during the day when they are normally inactive. Two-month-old female mice in estrus were used (n = 16 total; two per line; 8 S and 8 C). After correcting for an acceptable false discovery rate (10%), 30 genes, primarily involved in transcription and translation, significantly increased expression whereas 23 genes, distributed among many categories including immune function and neuronal signaling, decreased expression in S versus C mice. These changes were relatively small in magnitude relative to the changes in gene expression that occur in the hippocampus in response to wheel running itself. A priori tests of dopamine receptor expression levels demonstrated an increase of approximately 20% in the expression of D2 and D4 receptors. These results suggest that relatively small changes in the expression patterns of hippocampal genes underlie large changes in phenotypic response to selection, and that the genetic architecture of running motivation likely involves the dopaminergic system as well as CNS signaling machinery.
A Transient Upregulation of Glutamine Synthetase in the Dentate Gyrus Is Involved in Epileptogenesis Induced by Amygdala Kindling in the Rat

Reduction of glutamine synthetase (GS) function is closely related to established epilepsy, but little is known regarding its role in epileptogenesis. The present study aimed to elucidate the functional changes of GS in the brain and its involvement in epileptogenesis using the amygdala kindling model of epilepsy induced by daily electrical stimulation of basolateral amygdala in rats. Both expression and activity of GS in the ipsilateral dentate gyrus (DG) were upregulated when kindled seizures progressed to stage 4. A single dose of L-methionine sulfoximine (MSO, in 2 µl), a selective GS inhibitor, was administered into the ipsilateral DG on the third day following the first stage 3 seizure (just before GS was upregulated). It was found that low doses of MSO (5 or 10 µg) significantly and dose-dependently reduced the severity of and susceptibility to evoked seizures, whereas MSO at a high dose (20 µg) aggravated kindled seizures. In animals that seizure acquisition had been successfully suppressed with 10 µg MSO, GS upregulation reoccurred when seizures re-progressed to stage 4 and re-administration of 10 µg MSO consistently reduced the seizures. GLN at a dose of 1.5 µg abolished the alleviative effect of 10 µg MSO and deleterious effect of 20 µg MSO on kindled seizures. Moreover, appropriate artificial microRNA interference (1 and 1.5×106 TU/2 µl) of GS expression in the ipsilateral DG also inhibited seizure progression. In addition, a transient increase of GS expression and activity in the cortex was also observed during epileptogenesis evoked by pentylenetetrazole kindling. These results strongly suggest that a transient and region-specific upregulation of GS function occurs when epilepsy develops into a certain stage and eventually promotes the process of epileptogenesis. Inhibition of GS to an adequate degree and at an appropriate timing may be a potential therapeutic approach to interrupting epileptogenesis.
Resistance to Diet-Induced Obesity and Associated Metabolic Perturbations in Haploinsufficient Monocarboxylate Transporter 1 Mice

The monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1 or SLC16A1) is a carrier of short-chain fatty acids, ketone bodies, and lactate in several tissues. Genetically modified C57BL/6J mice were produced by targeted disruption of the mct1 gene in order to understand the role of this transporter in energy homeostasis. Null mutation was embryonically lethal, but MCT1 +/− mice developed normally. However, when fed high fat diet (HFD), MCT1 +/− mice displayed resistance to development of diet-induced obesity (24.8% lower body weight after 16 weeks of HFD), as well as less insulin resistance and no hepatic steatosis as compared to littermate MCT1 +/+ mice used as controls. Body composition analysis revealed that reduced weight gain in MCT1 +/− mice was due to decreased fat accumulation (50.0% less after 9 months of HFD) notably in liver and white adipose tissue. This phenotype was associated with reduced food intake under HFD (12.3% less over 10 weeks) and decreased intestinal energy absorption (9.6% higher stool energy content). Indirect calorimetry measurements showed ∼ 15% increase in O2 consumption and CO2 production during the resting phase, without any changes in physical activity. Determination of plasma concentrations for various metabolites and hormones did not reveal significant changes in lactate and ketone bodies levels between the two genotypes, but both insulin and leptin levels, which were elevated in MCT1 +/+ mice when fed HFD, were reduced in MCT1 +/− mice under HFD. Interestingly, the enhancement in expression of several genes involved in lipid metabolism in the liver of MCT1 +/+ mice under high fat diet was prevented in the liver of MCT1 +/− mice under the same diet, thus likely contributing to the observed phenotype. These findings uncover the critical role of MCT1 in the regulation of energy balance when animals are exposed to an obesogenic diet.
Collaborative information filtering in cooperative communities

Recently, large amounts of on-line information broadcast from private persons/corporations are available via the Internet. In particular, there are large amounts of on-line resources useful for learning which are currently underutilised due to the sheer volume of information available. The purpose of the study reported in this paper is to develop an information filtering system, which gathers, classifies, stores various kinds of information found on the Internet. The approach taken has been to create filters through the collaboration of members of a community. In this paper, a representation of personal interests and its acquisition method in the system are described.
Experimental identification of the small turbojet engine MPM-20

This article deals with modelling of a small turbojet engine MPM-20 through programming environment Matlab and Simulink extension. The article describes methods of experimental identification (the method of successive integration, the area method, artificial neural network) along with their application to the measured engine parameter data obtained by testing in the Laboratory of Intelligent Control Systems of Jet Engines.
A meta-model for performance modeling of dynamic virtualized network infrastructures

In this work-in-progress paper, we present a new meta-model designed for the performance modeling of dynamic data center network infrastructures. Our approach models characteristic aspects of Cloud data centers which were not crucial in classical data centers. We present our meta-model and demonstrate its use for performance modeling and analysis through an example, including a transformation into OMNeT++ for performance simulation.