Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prediction of sustained response to peginterferon alfa‐2b for hepatitis B e antigen–positive chronic hepatitis B using on‐treatment hepatitis B surface antigen decline

Serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) levels may reflect the immunomodulatory efficacy of pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN). We investigated within a large randomized trial whether quantitative HBsAg levels predict response to PEG‐IFN in patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive chronic hepatitis B. Serum HBsAg was measured in samples taken at baseline and weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, 52, and 78 of 221 patients treated with PEG‐IFN alfa‐2b with or without lamivudine for 52 weeks. HBsAg decline was compared between treatment arms and between responders and nonresponders. Response was defined as HBeAg loss with HBV DNA < 10,000 copies/mL at 26 weeks after treatment (week 78); 43 of 221 (19%) patients achieved a response. One year of PEG‐IFN with or without lamivudine resulted in a significant decline in serum HBsAg, which was sustained after treatment (decline 0.9 log IU/mL at week 78, P < 0.001). Patients treated with combination therapy experienced a more pronounced on‐treatment decline, but relapsed subsequently. Responders experienced a significantly more pronounced decline in serum HBsAg compared to nonresponders (decline at week 52: 3.3 versus 0.7 log IU/mL, P < 0.001). Patients who achieved no decline at week 12 had a 97% probability of nonresponse through posttreatment follow‐up and no chance of HBsAg loss. In a representative subset of 149 patients similar results were found for prediction through long‐term (mean 3.0 years) follow‐up. Conclusion: PEG‐IFN induces a significant decline in serum HBsAg in HBeAg‐positive patients. Patients who experience no decline from baseline at week 12 have little chance of achieving a sustained response and no chance of HBsAg loss and should be advised to discontinue therapy with PEG‐IFN. (HEPATOLOGY 2010)
A Modern Neuroscience Approach to Chronic Spinal Pain: Combining Pain Neuroscience Education With Cognition-Targeted Motor Control Training

Chronic spinal pain (CSP) is a severely disabling disorder, including nontraumatic chronic low back and neck pain, failed back surgery, and chronic whiplash-associated disorders. Much of the current therapy is focused on input mechanisms (treating peripheral elements such as muscles and joints) and output mechanisms (addressing motor control), while there is less attention to processing (central) mechanisms. In addition to the compelling evidence for impaired motor control of spinal muscles in patients with CSP, there is increasing evidence that central mechanisms (ie, hyperexcitability of the central nervous system and brain abnormalities) play a role in CSP. Hence, treatments for CSP should address not only peripheral dysfunctions but also the brain. Therefore, a modern neuroscience approach, comprising therapeutic pain neuroscience education followed by cognition-targeted motor control training, is proposed. This perspective article explains why and how such an approach to CSP can be applied in physical therapist practice.
Error Free Iterative Morphological Decomposition Algorithm for Shape Representation

: Problem statement: A generalized skeleton transform allows a shape to be represented as a collection of modestly overlapped octagonal shape parts. One problem with several generalized Morphological skeleton transforms is that they generate noise after decomposition. The noise rate may not be effective for ordinary images; however this effect will be more when applied on printed or handwritten characters. Approach: The present study tackled this issue by applying a noise removal algorithm after morphological decomposition. Results: The algorithm was applied on various types of decomposition images. The Present method was compared with generalized skeleton algorithm and octagon-generating decomposition algorithm. Conclusion: The error rates with original image were evaluated using various error functions. The experimental results indicated that the present decomposition algorithm produces images with good clarity when compared with other algorithms.
THE K-BUFFER AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO VOLUME RENDERING

Harvesting the power of modern graphics hardware to solve the complex problem of real-time rendering of large unstructured meshes is a major research goal in the volume visualization community. Although for regular grids texture-based techniques are well suited for current Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), the steps necessary for rendering unstructured meshes are not so easily mapped to current hardware. We propose a novel volume rendering technique that simplifies the Central Processing Unit (CPU) processing and shifts much of the sorting burden to the GPU, where it can be performed more efficiently. Our hardware-assisted visibility sorting algorithm is a hybrid technique that operates in both object-space and image-space. In object-space, the algorithm performs a partial sort of the three-dimensional (3D) primitives in preparation for rasterization. The goal of the partial sort is to create a list of primitives that generate fragments in nearly sorted order. In image-space, the fragment stream is incrementally sorted using the k-buffer, a fixed-depth sorting network. In our algorithm, the object-space work is performed by the CPU and the fragment-level sorting is done completely on the GPU. A prototype implementation of the algorithm demonstrates that the fragment-level sorting achieves rendering rates of between one and six million tetrahedral cells per second on an ATI Radeon 9800. To further increase the interactivity of unstructured volume rendering, we describe a new dynamic level-of-detail (LOD) technique that allows real-time rendering of large tetrahedral meshes. Unlike approaches that require hierarchies of tetrahedra, our approach uses a subset of the faces that compose the mesh. No connectivity is used for these faces so our technique eliminates the need for topological information and hierarchical data structures. By operating on a simple set of triangular faces, our algorithm allows a robust and straightforward graphics hardware implementation. Because the subset of faces processed can be constrained to arbitrary size, interactive rendering is possible for a wide range of data sets and hardware configurations. To Kristy, thanks for all the support and understanding.
Acute high-altitude illness: a clinically orientated review

Acute high-altitude illness is an encompassing term for the range of pathology that the unacclimatised individual can develop at increased altitude. This includes acute mountain sickness, high-altitude cerebral oedema and high-altitude pulmonary oedema. These conditions represent an increasing clinical problem as more individuals are exposed to the hypobaric hypoxic environment of high altitude for both work and leisure. In this review of acute high-altitude illness, the epidemiology, risk factors and pathophysiology are explored, before their prevention and treatment are discussed. Appropriate ascent rate remains the most effective acute high-altitude illness prevention, with pharmacological prophylaxis indicated in selected individuals. Descent is the definitive treatment for acute high-altitude illness, with the adjuncts of oxygen and specific drug therapies.
Involvement of Highly Sulfated Chondroitin Sulfate in the Metastasis of the Lewis Lung Carcinoma Cells*

The altered expression of cell surface chondroitin sulfate (CS) and dermatan sulfate (DS) in cancer cells has been demonstrated to play a key role in malignant transformation and tumor metastasis. However, the functional highly sulfated structures in CS/DS chains and their involvement in the process have not been well documented. In the present study, a structural analysis of CS/DS from two mouse Lewis lung carcinoma (3LL)-derived cell lines with different metastatic potentials revealed a higher proportion of Δ4,5HexUA-GalNAc(4,6-O-disulfate) generated from E-units (GlcUA-GalNAc(4, 6-O-disulfate)) in highly metastatic LM66-H11 cells than in low metastatic P29 cells, although much less CS/DS is expressed by LM66-H11 than P29 cells. This key finding prompted us to study the role of CS-E-like structures in experimental lung metastasis. The metastasis of LM66-H11 cells to lungs was effectively inhibited by enzymatic removal of tumor cell surface CS or by preadministration of CS-E rich in E-units in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, immunocytochemical analysis showed that LM66-H11 rather than P29 cells expressed more strongly the CS-E epitope, which was specifically recognized by the phage display antibody GD3G7. More importantly, this antibody and a CS-E decasaccharide fraction, the minimal structure recognized by GD3G7, strongly inhibited the metastasis of LM66-H11 cells probably by modifying the proliferative and invading behavior of the metastatic tumor cells. These results suggest that the E-unit-containing epitopes are involved in the metastatic process and a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of malignant tumors.
Distributed operating systems

Distributed operating systems have many aspects in common with centralized ones, but they also differ in certain ways. This paper is intended as an introduction to distributed operating systems, and especially to current university research about them. After a discussion of what constitutes a distributed operating system and how it is distinguished from a computer network, various key design issues are discussed. Then several examples of current research projects are examined in some detail, namely, the Cambridge Distributed Computing System, Amoeba, V, and Eden.
Temporal coding and recognition of uncued temporal patterns in neuronal spike trains: Biologically plausible network of coincidence detectors and coordinated time delays

Much of the work on sensory systems assumes that grouping of spikes by time can carry significant information about a stimulus. The fundamental problem of general perception is how can a neural network identify a specific temporal pattern within the stream of pulsatile input activity. A computational model of a neuronal network is described that recognizes a temporal pattern (a group of spikes in a narrow time window) in continuous and uncued spike trains. The devised network performs real-time recognition both in a single neuron employing a temporal code and within the spiking activity of co-activated neurons in responding pathways. The temporal resolution of the spike timing and recognition of a temporal pattern is possible to accuracy within 1 ms limit. Special attention in simulation experiments has been devoted to the aspects of real time processing under condition of background spiking noise. Operation of the network is based upon biologically plausible filtering mechanisms and population neurodynamics.
An Intellilgent Infrastructure Strategy to Improving the Performance and Detection Capability of Intrusion Detection Systems

Network and host Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) are used to identify suspicious network traffic. However, a high percentage of alerts generated by such systems are liable to be false positives. False positives create considerable administrative overheads, since these alerts typically require manual intervention from a network administrator In order to reduce the number of false positives, we propose a novel infrastructure approach involving what we call network quarantine channels. The network quarantine channels and associated techniques are used to perform further interaction with hosts that have been identified as the source of suspicious traffic. The network quarantine channels are used to provide a more accurate assessment of the potential attacks sent by suspicious hosts, before sending the final status of the alerts to the IDS monitor for the network administrator's response.
Kif14 overexpression accelerates murine retinoblastoma development

The mitotic kinesin KIF14 has an essential role in the recruitment of proteins required for the final stages of cytokinesis. Genomic gain and/or overexpression of KIF14 has been documented in retinoblastoma and a number of other cancers, such as breast, lung and ovarian carcinomas, strongly suggesting its role as an oncogene. Despite evidence of oncogenic properties in vitro and in xenografts, Kif14's role in tumor progression has not previously been studied in a transgenic cancer model. Using a novel Kif14 overexpressing, simian virus 40 large T‐antigen retinoblastoma (TAg‐RB) double transgenic mouse model, we aimed to determine Kif14's role in promoting retinal tumor formation. Tumor initiation and development in double transgenics and control TAg‐RB littermates were documented in vivo over a time course by optical coherence tomography, with subsequent ex vivo quantification of tumor burden. Kif14 overexpression led to an accelerated initiation of tumor formation in the TAg‐RB model and a significantly decreased tumor doubling time (1.8 vs. 2.9 weeks). Moreover, overall percentage tumor burden was also increased by Kif14 overexpression. These data provide the first evidence that Kif14 can promote tumor formation in susceptible cells in vivo.
The hypolipidemic activity of novel benzofuran-2-carboxamide derivatives in Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats: a comparison with bezafibrate

Using Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemic rats as an experimental model, we investigated whether compound 4 [N-(9,10-dihydro-9,10-dioxoanthracen-2-yl)bezofuran-2-carboxamide] and compound 5 [N-(4-benzoylphenyl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide], two novel anti-hyperlipidemic agents, have any effect on plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (HDL-C) levels. The tested animals were divided into control (CG), hyperlipidemic (HG), and compounds 4, 5, and bezafibrate (BF) treated groups. At a dose of 15 mg/kg body weight, compounds 4, 5, and BF significantly reduced elevated plasma TG levels after 7 and 24 h. Furthermore, HDL-C levels were remarkably increased in all treated groups after 7 and 24 h compared to the hyperlipidemic control group. However, only compounds 4 and 5 treated groups clearly showed a significant reduction in plasma total cholesterol levels after 7 and 24 h. It is therefore reasonable to assume that compounds 4 and 5 may have promising potential in the treatment of hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Reproducibility of two 13CO2 breath tests dedicated to assess pancreatic exocrine function

The aim of this study was to check on the reproducibility of two breath tests intended to test the pancreatic exocrine function accomplished with 13C-mixed triglyceride (13C-MTG) or cornflakes naturally enriched in 13C (13C-CF). The 13CO2 content within breath samples was determined with isotope-selective non-dispersive infrared spectrometry. A 72-h monitoring performed in healthy subjects revealed that a statistically significant rise in breath 13CO2 occurs between the 1st and the 9th hour and between the 1st and the 24th hour after intake of a test meal containing 300 mg 13C-MTG (n=10) or 100 g 13C-CF (n=12), respectively. In another two groups of 12 healthy volunteers each, short-term reproducibility of the two tests was assessed with paired examinations taken at a median interval of two days, whereas paired examinations separated by a median of 20 days served for the medium-term reproducibility assessment. In the case of either test, the medium-term reproducibility was not any worse than the short-term one. The reproducibility of the 13C-CF breath test tended to be slightly worse than that of the 13C-MTG breath test: a least detectable difference in 6-h cumulative 13C breath excretion (which is expressed as the percentage of the administered dose of the substrate) amounted to 2.7 and 4.4 % (short-term reproducibility) and to 3.5 and 4.4 % (medium-term reproducibility) in the case of the 13C-MTG breath test and the 13C-CF breath test, respectively. It is concluded that both tests offer a satisfactory reproducibility for use within a clinical setting. In case the lipolytic and the amylolytic activity would be required to be examined in the same patient, the 13C-CF breath test can be executed on the next day following the 13C-MTG breath test, whereas reciprocally, a 1-day break is recommended before accomplishment of a 13C-MTG breath test following a 13C-CF breath test.
In Normal Controls, Both Age and Gender Affect Coagulability as Measured by Thrombelastography

BACKGROUND:Our objective was to analyze the effects of age, gender, and the use of oral contraceptives (OCs) on coagulation using thrombelastography (TEG®), a single test to analyze both plasma coagulation factors and cellular elements in whole blood. METHODS:TEG® variables were measured in native whole blood and in recalcified citrated blood from 120 healthy adults (60 men and 60 women) with various ages and in an additional 29 healthy women using OCs. RESULTS:We observed hypercoagulability in women compared with men and in women using OCs compared with age-matched nonusers. Moreover, we found hypercoagulability with aging. Using the method of Bland and Altman (Lancet 1986;1:307–10), we demonstrated no correlation between TEG® measurements in native and recalcified citrated blood. CONCLUSIONS:Aging, female gender, use of OCs, and low-normal hematocrit levels have significant procoagulant effects. TEG® measurements in native and recalcified citrated blood are not interchangeable, as indicated by differences between the 2 measurements ranging from 20%in maximal amplitude to 246% in clotting time. Furthermore, the limits of agreement strongly exceeded clinical acceptability to conclude interchangeability.
COI is better than 16S rRNA for DNA barcoding Asiatic salamanders (Amphibia: Caudata: Hynobiidae)

The 5′ region of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) is the standard marker for DNA barcoding. However, because COI tends to be highly variable in amphibians, sequencing is often challenging. Consequently, another mtDNA gene, 16S rRNA gene, is often advocated for amphibian barcoding. Herein, we directly compare the usefulness of COI and 16S in discriminating species of hynobiid salamanders using 130 individuals. Species identification and classification of these animals, which are endemic to Asia, are often based on morphology only. Analysis of Kimura 2‐parameter genetic distances (K2P) documents the mean intraspecific variation for COI and 16S rRNA genes to be 1.4% and 0.3%, respectively. Whereas COI can always identify species, sometimes 16S cannot. Intra‐ and interspecific genetic divergences occasionally overlap in both markers, thus reducing the value of a barcoding gap to identify genera. Regardless, COI is the better DNA barcoding marker for hynobiids. In addition to the comparison of two potential markers, high levels of intraspecific divergence in COI (>5%) suggest that both Onychodactylus fischeri and Salamandrella keyserlingii might be composites of cryptic species.
Sleep from an Islamic perspective

Sleep medicine is a relatively new scientific specialty. Sleep is an important topic in Islamic literature, and the Quran and Hadith discuss types of sleep, the importance of sleep, and good sleep practices. Islam considers sleep as one of the signs of the greatness of Allνh (God) and encourages followers to explore this important sign. The Quran describes different types of sleep, and these correspond with sleep stages identified by modern science. The Quran discusses the beneficial effects of sleep and emphasizes the importance of maintaining a pattern of light and darkness. A mid-day nap is an important practice for Muslims, and the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him (pbuh) promoted naps as beneficial. In accordance with the practice and instructions of Muhammad (pbuh), Muslims have certain sleep habits and these sleep habits correspond to some of the sleep hygiene rules identified by modern science. Details during sleep include sleep position, like encouraging sleep on the right side and discouraging sleep in the prone position. Dream interpretation is an established science in the Islamic literature and Islamic scholars have made significant contributions to theories of dream interpretation. We suggest that sleep scientists examine religious literature in general and Islamic literature in particular, to understand the views, behaviors, and practices of ancient people about the sleep and sleep disorders. Such studies may help to answer some unresolved questions in sleep science or lead to new areas of inquiry.
Epidemiology of Balance Symptoms and Disorders in the Community: A Systematic Review

Introduction Balance disorders presenting with symptoms of dizziness or vertigo may have significant impact on quality of life and are a recognized risk factor for falls. Objective The objective of this review was to systematically synthesize the published literature on the epidemiology of balance symptoms and disorders in the adult community population. Methods A search was carried out across PubMed, Medline, and Cochrane databases to identify suitable studies. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they contained data on the epidemiology of symptoms of balance disorders (dizziness and vertigo) or balance disorders sampled from community-based adult populations. Data were collected on prevalence and incidence of balance symptoms and on specific balance disorders. A validated risk-of-bias assessment was carried out. Results Twenty eligible studies were identified. The lifetime prevalence estimates of significant dizziness ranged between 17 and 30%, and for vertigo between 3 and 10%. Published point prevalence data exist for Ménière’s disease (0.12–0.5%) and for vestibular migraine (0.98%). For benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, 1-year incidence estimates range from 0.06 to 0.6%. There are no community-based studies on the prevalence or incidence of chronic uncompensated peripheral vestibular disorders or vestibular neuritis. Conclusion Symptoms of dizziness and vertigo are common in the adult population, and data give a coherent picture of community epidemiology. These data can inform rational service planning and much-needed clinical trials in this field. There are insufficient data on specific balance disorders, especially peripheral vestibular disorders such as vestibular neuritis and its long-term sequelae.
Reduced mortality rates following elective percutaneous liver biopsies.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Estimates of complication rates following elective percutaneous liver biopsy vary and might not accurately reflect current practice. We studied mortality and complication rates, by indication, in patients after they underwent liver biopsies. METHODS We performed a study using hospital episode statistics collected by the National Health Service in England from 1998 to 2005 of elective percutaneous liver biopsies; data were linked with those from the Office for National Statistics to determine mortality rates. Using data from 61,187 people who underwent liver biopsies, all-cause mortality at 7 and 30 days after biopsy, 7-day mortality directly related to liver biopsy, and episodes of bleeding up to 7 days after biopsy were determined. RESULTS Overall all-cause mortality by 7 days after biopsy was 2 per 1000 biopsies (95% confidence interval, 1.8-2.5); this rate varied markedly by indication for biopsy, with rates as high as 12 per 1000 for patients investigated for cancer. Death within 7 days directly related to liver biopsy occurred, at most, every 1 in 10,000 biopsies in patients investigated for liver disease or abnormal liver function test results. Overall, 6 episodes of major bleeding occurred per 1000 biopsies. CONCLUSIONS All-cause mortality risk following elective percutaneous liver biopsy is approximately 0.2%, with a higher risk of major bleeding. Deaths directly related to liver biopsy occur approximately 1 in every 10,000 biopsies. This risk is substantially lower than that of previous reports, indicating that the safety of this procedure has improved.