Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Suicidal Erythrocyte Death by Reversine

Background/Aims: The A3 adenosine receptor antagonist reversine (2-(4-morpholinoanilino)-6-cyclohexylaminopurine) influences cellular differentiation, inhibits cell proliferation, induces cell-cycle arrest, triggers apoptosis, causes cell swelling with polyploidy and stimulates autophagy. The effect on apoptosis involves mitochondria and caspases. Erythrocytes are lacking mitochondria but express caspases and are, similar to apoptosis of nucleated cells, able to enter suicidal erythrocyte death or eryptosis. Stimulators of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+ activity ([Ca2+]i), energy depletion and oxidative stress. The present study explored, whether reversine influences eryptosis. Methods: Flow cytometry was employed to quantify phosphatidylserine exposure at the cell surface from annexin-V-binding and cell volume from forward scatter. Measurements were made without or with energy depletion (glucose deprivation for 48 hours), Ca2+ loading (30 minutes treatment with 1 µM Ca2+ ionophore ionomycin), or oxidative stress (15 min exposure to 0.3 mM tert-butylhydroperoxide). Results: A 48 hours exposure of human erythrocytes to reversine (1-10 µM) did not significantly modify the percentage of annexin-V-binding cells and forward scatter. Energy depletion, Ca2+ loading, and oxidative stress were each followed by profound and significant increase of the percentage annexin-V-binding erythrocytes and a significant decrease of forward scatter. The effects of each, Ca2+ loading, energy depletion and oxidative stress on annexin-V-binding were significantly blunted in the presence of reversine (1-10 µM). The effect of ionomycin, but not the effects of energy depletion and oxidative stress on forward scatter were again significantly blunted in the presence of reversine (≥1 µM]. Conclusions: Reversine is a powerful inhibitor of cell membrane scrambling following energy depletion, Ca2+ loading and oxidative stress.
Barriers and Facilitators for Type-2 Diabetes Management in South Asians: A Systematic Review

Objective Although South Asian populations have among the highest burden of type 2 diabetes in the world, their diabetes management remains poor. We systematically reviewed studies on South Asian patient’s perspectives on the barriers and facilitators to diabetes management. Methods We conducted a literature search using OVID, CINHAL and EMBASE (January, 1990 –February, 2014) evaluating the core components of diabetes management: interactions with health care providers, diet, exercise, and medication adherence. South Asian patients were self-reported as Indian, Pakistani, Malaysian-Indian or Bangladeshi origin. From 208 abstracts reviewed, 20 studies were included (19 qualitative including mixed methods studies, 1 questionnaire). Barriers and facilitators were extracted and combined using qualitative synthesis. Results All studies included barriers and few facilitators were identified. Language and communication discordance with the healthcare provider was a significant barrier to receiving and understanding diabetes education. There was inconsistent willingness to partake in self-management with preference for following their physician’s guidance. Barriers to adopting a diabetic diet were lack of specific details on South Asian tailored diabetic diet; social responsibilities to continue with a traditional diet, and misconceptions on the components of the diabetic diet. For exercise, South Asian patients were concerned with lack of gender specific exercise facilities and fear of injury or worsening health with exercise. Patients reported a lack of understanding about diabetes medication management, preference for folk and phytotherapy, and concerns about the long-term safety of diabetes medications. Facilitators included trust in care providers, use of culturally appropriate exercise and dietary advice and increasing family involvement. Overall themes for the barriers included lack of knowledge and misperceptions as well as lack of cultural adaptation to diabetes management. Conclusion Diabetes programs that focus on improving communication, addressing prevailing misconceptions, and culture specific strategies may be useful for improving diabetes management for South Asians.
Epidural corticosteroid injections for sciatica due to herniated nucleus pulposus.

BACKGROUND Although epidural corticosteroid injections are commonly used for sciatica, their efficacy has not been established. METHODS In a randomized, double-blind trial, we administered up to three epidural injections of methylprednisolone acetate (80 mg in 8 ml of isotonic saline) or isotonic saline (1 ml) to 158 patients with sciatica due to a herniated nucleus pulposus. All patients had Oswestry disability scores higher than 20 (on a scale of 1 to 100, with scores of 20 or less indicating minimal disability, and higher scores greater disability). RESULTS At three weeks, the Oswestry score had improved by a mean of -8.0 in the methylprednisolone group and -5.5 in the placebo group (95 percent confidence interval for the difference, -7.1 to 2.2). Differences in improvements between the groups were not significant, except for improvements in the finger-to-floor distance (P=0.006) and sensory deficits (P=0.03), which were greater in the methylprednisolone group. After six weeks, the only significant difference was the improvement in leg pain, which was greater in the methylprednisolone group (P=0.03). After three months, there were no significant differences between the groups. The Oswestry score had improved by a mean of -17.3 in the methylprednisolone group and -15.4 in the placebo group (95 percent confidence interval for the difference, -9.3 to 5.4). At 12 months, the cumulative probability of back surgery was 25.8 percent in the methylprednisolone group and 24.8 percent in the placebo group (P=0.90). CONCLUSIONS Although epidural injections of methylprednisolone may afford short-term improvement in leg pain and sensory deficits in patients with sciatica due to a herniated nucleus pulposus, this treatment offers no significant functional benefit, nor does it reduce the need for surgery.
Development of a Translator from LLVM to ACL2

In our current work a library of formally verified software components is to be created, and assembled, using the Low-Level Virtual Machine (LLVM) intermediate form, into subsystems whose top-level assurance relies on the assurance of the individual components. We have thus undertaken a project to build a translator from LLVM to the applicative subset of Common Lisp accepted by the ACL2 theorem prover. Our translator produces executable ACL2 formal models, allowing us to both prove theorems about the translated models as well as validate those models by testing. The resulting models can be translated and certified without user intervention, even for code with loops, thanks to the use of the def::ung macro which allows us to defer the question of termination. Initial measurements of concrete execution for translated LLVM functions indicate that performance is nearly 2.4 million LLVM instructions per second on a typical laptop computer. In this paper we overview the translation process and illustrate the translator's capabilities by way of a concrete example, including both a functional correctness theorem as well as a validation test for that example.
Feature extraction of character image using shape energy

One effort to maintain documents or records is to make changes in the form of digital images. The drawings further processing needs to be done so that the text or sentences therein can be operated as do the search, analysis, or manipulation of the contents of the text. The treatment process is known as optical character recognition (OCR) and continues to develop. OCR is generally divided into three main stages, namely preprocessing, feature extraction and classification. Feature extraction is one of the essential or fundamental processes in character recognition. The purpose of feature extraction is to obtain the characteristics of each character. The results at this stage can affect the quality of character recognition. Generally, feature extraction on character is done by a complex calculation so as to cause the necessary time computing is not a little, especially in real time recognition case. In this paper, feature extraction can be done simply proposed as an alternative, called Shape Energy. This method uses the approach of how humans are able to distinguish between characters or numbers in a simple. It results in three elements which are elasticity, curvature, and texture. The elasticity is first derivative and the curvature is second derivative of each pixel in the frame of the character, which is obtained from thinning. While the texture value is 4-direction chain-codes. This method testing has been done on some type of character by using back propagation neural network as a method on classification stage. This testing resulted in average value accuracy rate of success in identifying these characters by 90.3%.
A Social Cultural Recommender based on Linked Open Data

This article describes a recommender system (RS) in the cultural heritage area, which takes into account the activities on social media performed by the target user and her friends. For this purpose, the system exploits linked open data (LOD) as well. More specifically, the proposed RS (i) extracts information from social networks (e.g., Facebook) by analyzing content generated by users and those included in their social networks; (ii) performs disambiguation tasks through LOD tools; (iii) profiles the user as a social graph; (iv) provides the actual user with personalized suggestions of artistic and cultural resources by integrating collaborative filtering algorithms with semantic technologies for leveraging LOD sources such as DBpedia and Europeana.
Real-time rendering of complex surfaces defined by atlas of discoids

This paper expounds a new method of complex surfaces rendering permitting to visualize atlas of discoids in real-time. The atlas of discoids allow to define surfaces very easily without the topological constraints we could get with the classical methods such as polygons meshes ones. Our basic model is completed by many algorithms permitting either to reconstruct implicit surfaces or to calculate the global illumination using radiosity algorithm. But up to now, no fast viewing method has been proposed for this modeling algorithm. We present here a real time rendering algorithm which exploits the recent extensions of OpenGL library and the possibilities offered by GPU like the shaders programs to perform non standard fragments mixing operations.
Local tissue properties in bone healing: Influence of size and stability of the osteotomy gap

To characterize the site‐specific mechanical and histological properties in fracture repair and to relate these properties to the initial mechanical situation, an experimental fracture model was used in the metatarsus of 42 sheep. the mechanical situation of a transverse osteotomy was described by three gap sizes (1,2, or 6 mm) and two amounts of strain (7 or 31 %). An external fixator that allowed a defined axial movement provided control of these settings. Nine weeks following surgery, the healing area was dissected and tensile and compressive properties were measured in subregions of the fracture gap and the periosteal callus. The central, sagittal section was used for quantitative histology. We found the quality of the tissue along the osteotomy line to be most important for regaining mechanical stability. Increasing the size of osteotomy gaps resulted in poorer mechanical and histological qualities, and the repair process was less complete. Interfragmentary strain did not significantly influence the repair process. The smaller strain levels had already stimulated the secondary repair process, and this stimulatory effect could not be further enhanced by increasing the amount of strain. Our finding that large gaps between bone segments were not as well healed as were smaller gaps suggests that it is advantageous to avoid large gaps in fracture treatment.
Version Space Support Vector Machines

The task of reliable classification is to determine if a particular instance classification is reliable. There exist two approaches to the task: the Bayesian framework [3] and the typicalness framework [5]. Although both frameworks are useful, the Bayesian framework can be misleading and the typicalness framework is classifier dependent. To overcome these problems we argue to use version spaces (VSs) [3] for reliable classification. The key idea is to construct VSs containing hypotheses of the target class or of its close approximations. In this way the unanimous-voting classification rule of VSs does not misclassify instances; i.e., instance classifications become reliable. To construct VSs with the property above we propose an approach extending the volumes of VSs s.t. instance misclassifications are blocked. The approach and VSs are realized using support vector machines (SVMs) [4]. The combination is called version space support vector machines (VSSVMs). We show that VSSVMs are able to outperform the existing approaches to reliable classification.
D‐enantiomer peptide of the TCRa transmembrane domain inhibits T‐cell activation in vitro and in vivo

T cell activation requires the cross‐talk between the CD3‐signaling complex and the T cell receptor (TCR). A synthetic peptide coding for the TCRa transmembrane domain (CP) binds CD3 molecules, interferes with the CD3/TCR cross‐talk, and inhibits T cell activation. Intermolecular interactions are sterically constrained; accordingly no sequence‐specific interactions are thought to occur between D‐ and L‐stereoisomers. This argument was recently challenged when applied to intra‐membrane protein assembly. In this paper we studied the ability of a D‐stereoisomer of CP (D‐CP) to inhibit T cell activation. L‐CP and D‐CP co‐localized with the TCR in the membrane and inhibited T cell activation in a sequence‐specific manner. In vivo, both L‐CP and D‐CP inhibited adjuvant arthritis. In molecular terms, these results suggest the occurrence of structural reorientation that facilitates native‐like interactions between D‐CP and CD3 within the membrane. In clinical terms, our results demonstrate that D‐stereoisomers retain the therapeutic properties of their L‐stereoisomers, while they benefit from an increased resistance to degradation.
Preliminary Results of the Australasian Regional Anaesthesia Collaboration: A Prospective Audit of More Than 7000 Peripheral Nerve and Plexus Blocks for Neurologic and Other Complications

Background and Objectives: Peripheral nerve blockade is associated with excellent patient outcomes after surgery; however, neurologic and other complications can be devastating for the patient. This article reports the development and preliminary results of a multicenter audit describing the quality and safety of peripheral nerve blockade. Methods: From January 2006 to May 2008, patients who received peripheral nerve blockade had data relating to efficacy and complications entered into databases. All patients who received nerve blocks performed by all anesthetists during each hospital's contributing period were included. Patients were followed up by phone to detect potential neurologic complications. The timing of follow-up was either at 7 to 10 days or 6 weeks postoperatively, depending on practice location and time period. Late neurologic deficits were defined as a new onset of sensory and/or motor deficit consistent with a nerve/plexus distribution without other identifiable cause, and one of the following: electrophysiologic evidence of nerve damage, new neurologic signs, new onset of neuropathic pain in a nerve distribution area, paresthesia in relevant nerve/plexus distribution area. Results: A total of 6950 patients received 8189 peripheral nerve or plexus blocks. Of the 6950 patients, 6069 patients were successfully followed up. In these 6069 patients, there were a total of 7156 blocks forming the denominator for late neurologic complications. Thirty patients (0.5%) had clinical features requiring referral for neurologic assessment. Three of the 30 patients had a block-related nerve injury, giving an incidence of 0.4 per 1000 blocks (95% confidence interval, 0.08-1.1:1000). The incidence of systemic local anesthetic toxicity was 0.98 per 1000 blocks (95% confidence interval, 0.42-1.9:1000). Conclusions: These results indicate that the incidence of serious complications after peripheral nerve blockade is uncommon and that the origin of neurologic symptoms/signs in the postoperative period is most likely to be unrelated to nerve blockade.
The corpus callosum in Binswanger’s disease: A quantitative fractional anisotropy analysis

To study the integrity of the corpus callosum in Binswanger’s disease (BD) patients using quantitative fractional anisotropy (DTI-FA). Methods Controls (12) and patients with BD (12) were included. MR [GE Signa Horizon-1.5T] scans were performed. BD patients presented Fazekas’s score=6 and leukoaraiosis extension =75%, as assessed on FLAIR sequence. Standard parameters for DTI-FA acquisition were used. Functool was employed for post-processing, and ROIs placed on the genu and splenium of the corpus callosum on one axial plane at the basal ganglia level. Statistics [ANOVA] for genu and splenium comparison were analyzed. Results DTI-FA showed reduction of anisotropy in both regions of the corpus callosum, more prominently in anterior (genu) than posterior (splenium) in BD patients versus controls. Conclusion The reduction of anisotropy reflects loss of integrity of fibers of the studied regions of the corpus callosum. This finding indicates an interruption of the most important inter-hemispheric commissure, and component of neural networks that underlies cognitive, behavioral, motor and sensory integration. The affected genu and splenium, together with damage to other fiber systems that connect the prefrontal and parietal-occipital regions, may manifest clinically as dysfunction of high-level integrative regions linked to the domains of executive and sensory functions, respectively, that can occur in Binswanger’s disease.
Maternal influences on infant cognition during the second year

The study was undertaken to examine the effects of maternal caretaking upon infant cognitive development. An attitude questionnaire, observations of mothers in a stan­ dardized situation, and a home environment assessment were used as measures of maternal caretaking practices. Infant cognitive development was assessed by means, of a language test, a test of psychological development, a test of hypothesis formation, and an observation of infants in a standardized play situation. Sixty-eight mothers and their infants were evalu­ ated once prior to the infants’ first birthday and again prior to the infants’ second birthday. Scores of infants whose mothers performed well on the maternal caretaking measures were compared with the scores of infants whose mothers performed poorly on the maternal caretaking measures. Some evidence was found to lend support to Burton White's hypothesis that the period between ten and eighteen months of age is critical for the cognitive development of infants. However, the overall lack of consistent significant findings make any conclusions tenuous. Possible explanation for the results of the study are discussed.
Observation of nonanoic acid and aldehydes in exhaled breath of patients with lung cancer

Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer death in men and the second leading cause in women worldwide. The use of low-dose computed tomography in early diagnosis was shown to reduce mortality by 20% with a median follow-up time of 6.5 years. In order to increase profitability and reduce radiation risks and costs, exhaled biomarkers could serve to help establish narrower inclusion criteria. The aim of this study was to identify new, well-founded volatile organic compounds in exhaled breath which distinguish LC patients from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and healthy subjects. There were 210 subjects enrolled and divided into three groups: control group (n = 89), COPD group (n = 40 stable COPD patients) and LC group (n = 81 with histological confirmation). Exhaled breath samples were collected using BioVOC® breath sampler devices. The analytical technique used was thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The compounds studied were hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, propanoic and nonanoic acids. Nonanoic acid showed statistically significant differences between the LC group and the other groups. It is 2.5 times and almost 9 times more likely to be found in the LC group than in the control group or COPD group, respectively. It is independent of histology but depends on tumour stage.
HDAC6 Expression Is Correlated with Better Survival in Breast Cancer

Purpose: The structure and function of chromatin can be altered by modifications to histone. Histone acetylation in vivo is a dynamic reversible process governed by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs). HDAC6 is a unique isoform among the HDACs, and a gene expression pattern study, with cDNA microarray in MCF-7 cells, showed the HDAC6 gene to be late responsive, estrogen induced, and up-regulated. This led us to hypothesize that there was a link between levels of HDAC6 expression and the metastatic potential of breast cancer and also, therefore, the prognosis of these patients. Experimental Design: In the present study, the level of HDAC6 mRNA expression was analyzed with quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR, in 135 female patients with invasive breast cancer. HDAC6 protein expression was also determined by immunohistochemistry. An association was sought between HDAC6 expression and various clinicopathologic factors. Results: HDAC6 mRNA was expressed at significantly higher levels in breast cancer patients with small tumors measuring less than 2 cm, with low histologic grade, and in estrogen receptor α- and progesterone receptor-positive tumors. By contrast, no relationship was found between HDAC6 mRNA expression and any of the other clinicopathologic factors, namely, age, menopausal status, and axillary lymph node involvement. Patients expressing high levels of HDAC6 mRNA and protein had a better prognosis than those expressing low levels, in terms of disease-free survival. However, multivariate analysis failed to show that HDAC6 mRNA and protein are an independent prognostic factors for disease-free survival and overall survival. Furthermore, the patients with high levels of HDAC6 mRNA tended to be more responsive to endocrine treatment than those with low levels. Specific HDAC6 staining was found in the nucleus of some normal epithelial cells and in the cytoplasm of the majority of cancer cells. Although postmenopausal patients showed higher HDAC6 protein expression, there were no relationship between protein expression and any other clinicopathologic factors. Conclusions: We conclude that the levels of HDAC6 mRNA expression may have potential both as a marker of endocrine responsiveness and also as a prognostic indicator in breast cancer. Additional investigations are warranted concerning the relationship between HDAC6 expression and response to endocrine therapy.