Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The independent association of mean platelet volume with overall survival in multiple myeloma

We retrospectively analyzed the association between mean platelet volume (MPV) and prognosis in 62 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The associations between MPV and clinical characteristics were assessed. The log-rank test and the Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate the effect of MPV on survival. A MPV value of 8.50 fl was considered to be the optimal cut-off value for prognosis. MPV was associated with IgA isotype (P=0.012), serum creatinine concentration > 176.8 μmol/L (P=0.025) and IgH rearrangement (P=0.008). The log-rank test demonstrated that patients with low MPV experienced a shorter overall survival (OS) (P=0.0397). The multivariate analysis demonstrated that low MPV was an independent prognostic factor for OS [hazard ratio (HR)=2.44, P=0.026]. Therefore, we demonstrated that low MPV predicted an unfavorable prognosis in patients with MM.
Aggressive intravenous hydration with lactated Ringer’s solution for prevention of post-ERCP pancreatitis: a prospective randomized multicenter clinical trial

Abstract Background and study aims The present study aimed to determine the type of intravenous hydration that is best suited to reducing the incidence of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) pancreatitis. Patients and methods In a prospective randomized multicenter trial, average-to-high risk patients who underwent first-time ERCP were randomly assigned to three groups (1:1:1) who received: aggressive intravenous hydration (3 mL/kg/h during ERCP, a 20-mL/kg bolus and 3 mL/kg/h for 8 hours after ERCP) with either lactated Ringer’s solution (LRS) or normal saline solution (NSS), or standard intravenous hydration with LRS (1.5 mL/kg/h during and for 8 hours after ERCP). The primary end point was post-ERCP pancreatitis (PEP). Results 395 patients were enrolled, and 385 completed the protocols. The three groups showed no significant differences in demographic characteristics. There was a significant difference in the intention-to-treat (ITT) PEP rate between the aggressive LRS group (3.0 %, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.1 % – 5.9 %; 4 /132), the aggressive NSS group (6.7 %, 95 %CI 2.5 % – 10.9 %; 9 /134) and the standard LRS group (11.6 %, 95 %CI 6.1 % – 17.2 %; 15 /129; P = 0.03). In the two-group comparisons, the ITT PEP rate was significantly lower for the aggressive LRS group than for the standard LRS group (relative risk [RR] 0.26, 95 %CI 0.08 – 0.76; P = 0.008). There was no significant difference in the ITT PEP rate between the aggressive NSS group and the standard LRS group (RR 0.57, 95 %CI 0.26 – 1.27; P = 0.17). Conclusion Aggressive hydration with LRS is the best approach to intravenous hydration for the prevention of PEP in average-to-high risk patients.
Neutron Reflectometry for the Investigation of Self-Diffusion in Amorphous Silicon

We present experiments based on neutron reflectometry in combination with 29Si/natSi isotope multilayers in order to investigate the self-diffusion in amorphous silicon. Such experiments allow the detection of diffusion processes in the amorphous state on length scales below 10 nm. First results at 650 °C show a continuous decrease of the artificial Bragg peak produced by the multilayer, corresponding to a diffusivity of (1.1 ± 0.4) x 10-20 m2/s on a length scale of 2 - 7 nm. The diffusivity is not time-dependent for annealing times between 3 min and 1 h. Compared to recent measurements in silicon single crystals by the same method, the diffusivity is higher by a factor of about 105.
ATF5 regulates β-cell survival during stress

Significance The survival and function of insulin-secreting β cells is critical for the prevention of diabetes. We identify a previously unknown function for activating transcription factor 5 (ATF5) in the apoptotic susceptibility of β cells. ATF5 expression in β cells is stress inducible, and ATF5 deficiency results in a significant increase in β-cell apoptosis in response to stress. Further, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1 (EIF4EBP1), a component of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway that inhibits protein translation through interaction with EIF4E, is regulated by ATF5 and likely is involved in apoptotic susceptibility through regulation of global translation. Understanding the role of ATF5 deepens our understanding of the complex mechanisms governing β-cell fate decisions, providing a potential pathway for the prevention of diabetes. The stress response and cell survival are necessary for normal pancreatic β-cell function, glucose homeostasis, and prevention of diabetes. The homeodomain transcription factor and human diabetes gene pancreas/duodenum homeobox protein 1 (Pdx1) regulates β-cell survival and endoplasmic reticulum stress susceptibility, in part through direct regulation of activating transcription factor 4 (Atf4). Here we show that Atf5, a close but less-studied relative of Atf4, is also a target of Pdx1 and is critical for β-cell survival under stress conditions. Pdx1 deficiency led to decreased Atf5 transcript, and primary islet ChIP-sequencing localized PDX1 to the Atf5 promoter, implicating Atf5 as a PDX1 target. Atf5 expression was stress inducible and enriched in β cells. Importantly, Atf5 deficiency decreased survival under stress conditions. Loss-of-function and chromatin occupancy experiments positioned Atf5 downstream of and parallel to Atf4 in the regulation of eIF4E-binding protein 1 (4ebp1), a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway component that inhibits protein translation. Accordingly, Atf5 deficiency attenuated stress suppression of global translation, likely enhancing the susceptibility of β cells to stress-induced apoptosis. Thus, we identify ATF5 as a member of the transcriptional network governing pancreatic β-cell survival during stress.
A Survey of Physical Activity Monitoring and Assessment Using Internet of Things Technology

As a key health indictor, daily physical activity (PA) data has great significance on diagnosis and treatment of many chronic diseases. Numerous studies have been carried out for accurately monitoring and assessing physical activity. Most attentions of these studies focus on designing standalone highly accurate wearable sensors or investigating advance machine learning algorithms to train these PA data in a controlled environment. But the wide use of cost-effective wearable devices and mobile apps makes it possible to monitor and access PA into a more open and connective Internet of Things (IoT) environment. Yet, it still lacks of a systemic survey on how to effectively transfer classic PA monitoring and assessment (PAMA) technologies into a heterogeneous device connected IoT environment. In an effect to understand the development of IoT technologies in PAMA, this paper reviews current research of PAMA technologies from an IoT layer-based perspective, and also identifies research challenges and future trends. A main contribution of this review paper is that it is first attempt to categorize classic PAMA technologies into an IoT architecture systematically.
Isozymes of the Na-K-ATPase: heterogeneity in structure, diversity in function.

The Na-K-ATPase is characterized by a complex molecular heterogeneity that results from the expression and differential association of multiple isoforms of both its α- and β-subunits. At present, as many as four different α-polypeptides (α1, α2, α3, and α4) and three distinct β-isoforms (β1, β2, and β3) have been identified in mammalian cells. The stringent constraints on the structure of the Na pump isozymes during evolution and their tissue-specific and developmental pattern of expression suggests that the different Na-K-ATPases have evolved distinct properties to respond to cellular requirements. This review focuses on the functional properties, regulation, and possible physiological relevance of the Na pump isozymes. The coexistence of multiple α- and β-isoforms in most cells has hindered the understanding of the roles of the individual polypeptides. The use of heterologous expression systems has helped circumvent this problem. The kinetic characteristics of different Na-K-ATPase isozymes to the activating cations (Na+ and K+), the substrate ATP, and the inhibitors Ca2+ and ouabain demonstrate that each isoform has distinct properties. In addition, intracellular messengers differentially regulate the activity of the individual Na-K-ATPase isozymes. Thus the regulation of specific Na pump isozymes gives cells the ability to precisely coordinate Na-K-ATPase activity to their physiological requirements.
GPUburn: A system to test and mitigate GPU hardware failures

Due to many factors such as, high transistor density, high frequency, and low voltage, today's processors are more than ever subject to hardware failures. These errors have various impacts depending on the location of the error and the type of processor. Because of the hierarchical structure of the compute units and work scheduling, the hardware failure on GPUs affect only part of the application. In this paper we present a new methodology to characterize the hardware failures of Nvidia GPUs based on a software micro-benchmarking platform implemented in OpenCL. We also present which hardware part of TESLA architecture is more sensitive to intermittent errors, which usually appears when the processor is aging. We obtained these results by accelerating the aging process by running the processors at high temperature. We show that on GPUs, intermittent errors impact is limited to a localized architecture tile. Finally, we propose a methodology to detect, record location of defective units in order to avoid them to ensure the program correctness on such architectures, improving the GPU fault-tolerance capability and lifespan.
Foliar nitrogen metabolism of adult Douglas-fir trees is affected by soil water availability and varies little among provenances

The coniferous forest tree Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) is native to the pacific North America, and is increasingly planted in temperate regions worldwide. Nitrogen (N) metabolism is of great importance for growth, resistance and resilience of trees. In the present study, foliar N metabolism of adult trees of three coastal and one interior provenance of Douglas-fir grown at two common gardens in southwestern Germany (Wiesloch, W; Schluchsee, S) were characterized in two subsequent years. Both the native North American habitats of the seed sources and the common garden sites in Germany differ in climate conditions. Total and mineral soil N as well as soil water content were higher in S compared to W. We hypothesized that i) provenances differ constitutively in N pool sizes and composition, ii) N pools are affected by environmental conditions, and iii) that effects of environmental factors on N pools differ among interior and coastal provenances. Soil water content strongly affected the concentrations of total N, soluble protein, total amino acids (TAA), arginine and glutamate. Foliar concentrations of total N, soluble protein, structural N and TAA of trees grown at W were much higher than in trees at S. Provenance effects were small but significant for total N and soluble protein content (interior provenance showed lowest concentrations), as well as arginine, asparagine and glutamate. Our data suggest that needle N status of adult Douglas-fir is independent from soil N availability and that low soil water availability induces a re-allocation of N from structural N to metabolic N pools. Small provenance effects on N pools suggest that local adaptation of Douglas-fir is not dominated by N conditions at the native habitats.
Defense of differfing body weight set points in diet-induced obese and resistant rats.

Among outbred Sprague-Dawley rats, approximately one-half develop diet-induced obesity (DIO) and one-half are diet resistant (DR) on a diet relatively high in fat and energy content (HE diet). Here we examined the defense of body weight in these two phenotypes. After HE diet for 13 wk, followed by chow for 6 wk, DR rats gained weight comparably but their plasma leptin levels fell to 54% of chow-fed controls. When a palatable liquid diet (Ensure) was added for 13 wk, other DR rats became obese. But when switched to chow, their intakes fell by 60%, and body and retroperitoneal (RP) fat pad weights and plasma leptin and insulin levels all declined for 2 wk and then stabilized at control levels after 6 wk. In contrast, comparably obese DIO rats decreased their intake by only 20%, and their weights plateaued when they were switched to chow after 13 wk on HE diet. When a subgroup of these DIO rats was restricted to 60% of prior intake, their weights fell to chow-fed control levels over 2 wk. But their leptin and insulin levels both fell disproportionately to 30% of controls. When no longer restricted, their intake and feed efficiency rose immediately, and their body and RP pad weights and leptin and insulin levels rose to those of unrestricted DIO rats within 2 wk. Thus diet and genetic background interact to establish high (DIO) or low (DR) body weight set points, which are then defended against subsequent changes in diet composition and/or energy availability. If leptin affects energy homeostasis, it does so differentially in DIO vs. DR rats since comparably low and high levels were associated with differing patterns of weight change between the two phenotypes.
Changes in Functional Connectivity of Default Mode Network with Auditory and Right Frontoparietal Networks in Poststroke Aphasia

To evaluate the influence of poststroke aphasia on the functional association of widespread large-scale neuronal networks, we analyzed functional connectivity (FC) between resting-state brain networks (RSNs) in aphasic patients (N = 15) and in healthy volunteers (N = 17) of the same age using resting-state functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging. As a result, six RSNs were isolated and cross-correlation matrices were computed for their time courses. Aphasic patients showed decreased correlations between posterior part of the default mode (pDMN) and both auditory (AUD) and right frontoparietal (RFP) networks. Additionally, we calculated regions of interest-based FC (ROI-FC), gray and white matter volumes in the ROIs overlapping with pDMN, AUD, and RFP. ROI-FC analysis showed decreased FC between the right pars triangularis and both right middle frontal and right superior frontal gyri. The decreased pDMN-RFP connectivity in patients is likely to reflect changes in FC of these nodes. The lesion in the regions overlapping with pDMN and AUD networks leads to the significantly decreased pDMN-AUD connectivity. Our results suggest that abnormal FC in stroke patients may reflect the impairment of activity not only in the regions directly affected by stroke lesion in the left hemisphere but also in the homotopic regions of the intact right hemisphere. The increase of gray and white matter volume in the right supramarginal gyrus, the functional hub of pDMN, AUD, and RFP networks, correlated with less speech impairment. This increase might reflect a right hemisphere neuroplasticity process to compensate the impaired function of the homotopic region of left frontoparietal network (LFP), pDMN, and AUD in the left hemisphere. The presented results contribute to the hypothesized compensative role of the transfer of attention and executive functions from the damaged areas in the left hemisphere to the right homotopic areas, accompanied by more preserved language skills at the chronic stroke stage.
Synergism between toxin-γ from Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus and veratridine in chromaffin cells.

Toxin-γ (Tγ) from the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus venom caused a concentration- and time-dependent increase in the release of norepinephrine and epinephrine from bovine adrenal medullary chromaffin cells. Tγ was ∼200-fold more potent than veratridine judged from EC50 values, although the maximal secretory efficacy of veratridine was 10-fold greater than that of Tγ (1.2 vs. 12 μg/ml of catecholamine release). The combination of both toxins produced a synergistic effect that was particularly drastic at 5 mM extracellular Ca2+concentration ([Ca2+]o), when 30 μM veratridine plus 0.45 μM Tγ were used. Tγ (0.45 μM) doubled the basal uptake of45Ca2+, whereas veratridine (100 μM) tripled it. Again, a drastic synergism in enhancing Ca2+ entry was seen when Tγ and veratridine were combined; this was particularly pronounced at 5 mM [Ca2+]o. Veratridine induced oscillations of cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in single fura 2-loaded cells without elevation of basal levels. In contrast, Tγ elevated basal [Ca2+]ilevels, causing only small oscillations. When added together, Tγ and veratridine elevated the basal levels of [Ca2+]iwithout causing large oscillations. Tγ shifted the current-voltage ( I-V) curve for Na+ channel current to the left. The combination of Tγ with veratridine increased the shift of the I-V curve to the left, resulting in a greater recruitment of Na+channels at more hyperpolarizing potentials. This led to enhanced and more rapid accumulation of Na+ in the cell, causing cell depolarization, the opening of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, and Ca2+ entry and secretion.
Modelling the plastic deformation of Ti6Al4V under dynamic loading

In this paper, a multiscale numerical method is presented with the aim to model the response of a Ti6Al4V sheet under explosive forming. The numerical modelling focuses on the accurate definition of the plastic deformation of the Ti6Al4V specimens based on the texture of the material. The viscoplastic self-consistent polycrystal model code (VPSC) is used as a link between macroscopic response and the underlying microstructure taking into account the viscoplastic deformation of the specimen. Comparison is made with experimental results. The Cazacu–Barlat (CB06) material model is used because of its capability to describe the yielding asymmetry between tension and compression and to take into account the anisotropic behaviour of the sheet. The study focuses on the evaluation of the material model parameters and on how these affect the structural response of the Ti6Al4V specimens under explosive loading. This paper is part of a Themed Issue on Euromech 570: Interface-dominated materials.
Coffee Consumption and Incident Kidney Disease: Results From the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study.

BACKGROUND Moderate coffee consumption has been suggested to be associated with lower risk for chronic conditions such as diabetes, a major precursor to chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, the association between coffee and CKD has not been fully established. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 14,209 participants aged 45 to 64 years from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. PREDICTORS Coffee consumption (cups per day) was assessed at visits 1 (1987-1989) and 3 (1993-1995) using food frequency questionnaires. OUTCOMES Incident CKD defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60mL/min/1.73m2 accompanied by ≥25% estimated glomerular filtration rate decline, CKD-related hospitalization or death, or end-stage renal disease. RESULTS There were 3,845 cases of incident CKD over a median of 24 years of follow-up. Men, whites, current smokers, and participants without comorbid conditions were more likely to consume higher amounts of coffee per day. After adjustment for demographic, clinical, and dietary factors, higher categories of coffee consumption were associated with lower risk for incident CKD compared with those who never consumed coffee (HR for <1 cup per day, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.82-0.99]; 1-<2 cups per day, 0.90 [95% CI, 0.82-0.99]; 2-<3 cups per day, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.77-0.97]; and ≥3 cups per day, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.75-0.94]). In continuous analysis, for each additional cup of coffee consumed per day, risk for incident CKD was lower by 3% (HR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-0.99; P<0.001). LIMITATIONS Self-reported coffee consumption and observational design. CONCLUSIONS Participants who drank higher amounts of coffee had lower risk for incident CKD after adjusting for covariates. Coffee consumers may not be at adverse risk for kidney disease.
Current Status of Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis

Instrumented lumbar fusion can provide immediate stability and assist in satisfactory arthrodesis in patients who have pain or instability of the lumbar spine. Lumbar adjunctive fusion with decompression is often a good procedure for surgical management of degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). Among various lumbar fusion techniques, lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) has an advantage in that it maintains favorable lumbar alignment and provides successful fusion with the added effect of indirect decompression. This technique has been widely used and represents an advancement in spinal instrumentation, although the rationale and optimal type of LIF for DS remains controversial. We evaluated the current status and role of LIF in DS treatment, mainly as a means to augment instrumentation. We addressed the basic concept of LIF, its indications, and various types including minimally invasive techniques. It also has acceptable biomechanical features, and offers reconstruction with ideal lumbar alignment. Postsurgical adverse events related to each LIF technique are also addressed.
Effect of calcitonin on the activity of ANG II-responsive neurons in the rat subfornical organ.

In addition to the well-documented ability of calcitonin to lower blood calcium levels, blood-borne calcitonin may also affect neurons located outside the blood-brain barrier, e.g., in the subfornical organ (SFO), where numerous receptors for this peptide have been described. In an in vitro preparation of the rat SFO, calcitonin activated 61% of 36 neurons, only 1 neuron was inhibited, and the remainder were unresponsive. All but two of the neurons excited by 10-7 M calcitonin were also stimulated by 10-7 M ANG II. The threshold concentration for the excitatory effects of calcitonin was 10-9 M and was thus similar to ANG II. Like ANG II, subcutaneous injection of calcitonin stimulated water intake, although to a lower extent. These results suggest that blood-borne calcitonin could stimulate drinking by its excitatory effect on neurons in the SFO. Calcitonin, which is released during food intake, might be involved in prandial drinking, which is presently considered an acquired behavior.
Lymphotoxin-sensitive microenvironments in homeostasis and inflammation

Stromal cell microenvironments within lymphoid tissues are designed to support immune cell homeostasis and to regulate ongoing immune responses to pathogens. Such stromal cell networks have been best characterized within lymphoid tissues including the spleen and peripheral lymph nodes, and systems for classifying stromal cell phenotypes and functions are emerging. In response to inflammation, stromal cell networks within lymphoid tissues change in order to accommodate and regulate lymphocyte activation. Local inflammation in non-lymphoid tissues can also induce de novo formation of lymphoid aggregates, which we term here “follicle-like structures. ” Of note, the stromal cell networks that underpin such follicles are not as well characterized and may be different depending on the anatomical site. However, one common element that is integral to the maintenance of stromal cell environments, either in lymphoid tissue or in extra-lymphoid sites, is the constitutive regulation of stromal cell phenotype and/or function by the lymphotoxin (LT) pathway. Here we discuss how the LT pathway influences stromal cell environments both in homeostasis and in the context of inflammation in lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues.