Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hepatic lipase, genetically elevated high-density lipoprotein, and risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease.

CONTEXT Hepatic lipase influences metabolism of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a risk factor for ischemic cardiovascular disease (ICD: ischemic heart disease and ischemic cerebrovascular disease). OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that genetic variation in the hepatic lipase genetic variants V73M, N193S, S267F, L334F, T383M, and -480c>t influence levels of lipids, lipoproteins, and apolipoproteins and risk of ICD. DESIGN For the cross-sectional study, we genotyped 9003 individuals from the Copenhagen City Heart Study; hereof were 8971 individuals included in the prospective study, 1747 of whom had incident ICD during 28 yr of follow-up. For the case-control studies, 2110 ischemic heart disease patients vs. 4899 controls and 769 ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients vs. 2836 controls, respectively, were genotyped. Follow-up was 100% complete. RESULTS HDL cholesterol was higher by 0.21 mmol/liter in S267F heterozygotes, by 0.06 mmol/liter in -480c>t heterozygotes, and by 0.13 mmol/liter in -480c>t homozygotes, as compared with noncarriers. These HDL increases theoretically predicted hazard ratios for ICD of 0.87 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84-0.90], 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.97), and 0.91 (95% CI 0.89-0.94), respectively; this calculation assumes that genetically elevated HDL levels confer decreased risk similar to common HDL elevations. In contrast, when all cases and controls were combined, the observed odds ratios for ICD for these three genetic variants vs. noncarriers were 1.19 (0.76-1.88), 1.04 (0.96-1.13), and 1.08 (0.89-1.30), respectively. Hazard/odds ratios for ICD in carriers vs. noncarriers of the four remaining hepatic lipase genetic variants did not differ consistently from 1.0. CONCLUSION Hepatic lipase genetic variants with elevated levels of HDL cholesterol did not associate with risk of ICD.
Generating Scale-Invariant Perturbations from Rapidly-Evolving Equation of State

Recently, we introduced an ekpyrotic model based on a single, canonical scalar field that generates nearly scale-invariant curvature fluctuations through a purely ''adiabatic mechanism'' in which the background evolution is a dynamical attractor. Despite the starkly different physical mechanism for generating fluctuations, the two-point function is identical to inflation. In this paper, we further explore this concept, focusing in particular on issues of non-Gaussianity and quantum corrections. We find that the degeneracy with inflation is broken at three-point level: for the simplest case of an exponential potential, the three-point amplitude is strongly scale dependent, resulting in a breakdown of perturbation theory on small scales. However, we show that the perturbative breakdown can be circumvented--and all issues raised in Linde et al. (arXiv:0912.0944) can be addressed--by altering the potential such that power is suppressed on small scales. The resulting range of nearly scale-invariant, Gaussian modes can be as much as 12 e-folds, enough to span the scales probed by microwave background and large-scale structure observations. On smaller scales, the spectrum is not scale invariant but is observationally acceptable.
Increased prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) levels in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and correlation with VEGF and inflammatory cytokines.

PURPOSE We determined vitreous levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE(2)), VEGF, and 15 other cytokines in diabetic and nondiabetic patients undergoing vitrectomy. METHODS Of 26 eyes of 26 patients enrolled consecutively, 13 eyes underwent vitrectomy for complications related to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and the other 13 for epiretinal membrane, macular hole, vitreous opacities, or dislocated intraocular lens. Undiluted vitreous samples were taken at the time of surgery and frozen immediately at -80°C, and later analyzed for PGE(2), VEGF, and 15 other cytokines. RESULTS PGE(2) levels were 53% higher in diabetic eyes. Mean ± standard deviation PGE(2) levels were 25.11 ± 11 pg/mL and 16.40 ± 7 pg/mL in diabetic and nondiabetic eyes, respectively (P < 0.03). Mean ± standard deviation VEGF levels were 2225 ± 3798 pg/mL and 66 ± 185 pg/mL in diabetic and nondiabetic eyes, respectively (P < 0.001). Other cytokines, including eotaxin-1, growth related oncogene (GRO), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, interferon-γ-inducible protein of 10 kDa (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and platelet-derived growth factor-AA, also were elevated significantly in diabetic eyes. A significant correlation was seen between PGE(2) levels and IP-10 and VEGF (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS PGE(2) levels are significantly higher in the vitreous of patients with complications from proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and correlate with IP-10 and VEGF. The results of our study suggest that PGE(2) may have a pathogenic role in diabetic retinopathy and implicates a potential therapeutic role for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01609881.).
Long-Term Effects of Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation on Function and Disease Activity in Patients with Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis Kronik

Hastalar ve yöntemler: Rehabilitasyon tedavisi gereken fakat son iki yıldır fizik tedavi almamış 120 seçilmiş yetişkin hasta [60 RA (ort. yaş 51.8±11.7) ve 60 AS (ort. yaş 39.7±10.4)] çalışmaya dahil edildi. Katılımcılar YRM ve EEM olarak rastgele iki gruba ayrıldı. Primer son-durum başlangıçtan 15-aya kadar aşağıdaki ölçeklerden birisiydi: RA'lı hastalar için 28 eklemlik Hastalık Aktivite Skoru (HAS28) ve Sağlık Değerlendirme Ölçeği (SDÖ) ve AS'li hastalar için Bath Ankilozan Spondilit Hastalık Aktivite Indeksi (BASHAİ) ve Bath Ankilozan Spondilit Fonksiyon Indeksi (BASFİ). Son-durum değerlendiricileri hastaların ait oldukları gruplardan habersizdi. İstatistiksel analizde aynıhastada ve hastalar arasında uç-tahmin değerler genel tahmini çok-değişkenli karşılaştırmalar yapıldı.
EMdeCODE: a novel algorithm capable of reading words of epigenetic code to predict enhancers and retroviral integration sites and to identify H3R2me1 as a distinctive mark of coding versus non-coding genes

Existence of some extra-genetic (epigenetic) codes has been postulated since the discovery of the primary genetic code. Evident effects of histone post-translational modifications or DNA methylation over the efficiency and the regulation of DNA processes are supporting this postulation. EMdeCODE is an original algorithm that approximate the genomic distribution of given DNA features (e.g. promoter, enhancer, viral integration) by identifying relevant ChIPSeq profiles of post-translational histone marks or DNA binding proteins and combining them in a supermark. EMdeCODE kernel is essentially a two-step procedure: (i) an expectation-maximization process calculates the mixture of epigenetic factors that maximize the Sensitivity (recall) of the association with the feature under study; (ii) the approximated density is then recursively trimmed with respect to a control dataset to increase the precision by reducing the number of false positives. EMdeCODE densities improve significantly the prediction of enhancer loci and retroviral integration sites with respect to previous methods. Importantly, it can also be used to extract distinctive factors between two arbitrary conditions. Indeed EMdeCODE identifies unexpected epigenetic profiles specific for coding versus non-coding RNA, pointing towards a new role for H3R2me1 in coding regions.
Reconfigurable Unequal Power Divider With a High Dividing Ratio

This letter introduces a novel simple structure for the realization of a reconfigurable unequal power divider with a high dividing ratio. Two transmission modes, high power mode and low power mode, can be obtained by this reconfigurable unequal power divider. Only three p-i-n diodes are required without dc blocking capacitors. In addition, the parameters of p-i-n diodes under different bias conditions are involved in matching. For verification, measured results of a reconfigurable 1:5 power divider operated at 5 GHz are given in both transmission modes.
Cutoff Finder: A Comprehensive and Straightforward Web Application Enabling Rapid Biomarker Cutoff Optimization

Gene or protein expression data are usually represented by metric or at least ordinal variables. In order to translate a continuous variable into a clinical decision, it is necessary to determine a cutoff point and to stratify patients into two groups each requiring a different kind of treatment. Currently, there is no standard method or standard software for biomarker cutoff determination. Therefore, we developed Cutoff Finder, a bundle of optimization and visualization methods for cutoff determination that is accessible online. While one of the methods for cutoff optimization is based solely on the distribution of the marker under investigation, other methods optimize the correlation of the dichotomization with respect to an outcome or survival variable. We illustrate the functionality of Cutoff Finder by the analysis of the gene expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) in breast cancer tissues. This distribution of these important markers is analyzed and correlated with immunohistologically determined ER status and distant metastasis free survival. Cutoff Finder is expected to fill a relevant gap in the available biometric software repertoire and will enable faster optimization of new diagnostic biomarkers. The tool can be accessed at http://molpath.charite. de/cutoff.
Metachronous Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Acute Leukemia after Liver Transplantation for Cholangiocellular Carcinoma: Is There a Link?

The synchronous or metachronous coexistence of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) with solid and hematologic neoplasms has been addressed in a non-transplant population. However, the association with primary hepatic neoplasms and leukemias is uncommon. Scarce data exist considering association of GISTs and other neoplasms in a transplant population where long-term immunosuppression carries the additional burden of de novo malignancy. We present a case of posttransplant metachronous GIST and acute biphenotypic leukemia in a patient transplanted for intrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma, emphasizing the possible link between mechanisms of carcinogenesis and influence of other factors upon their development.
Exposure to GSM RF Fields Does Not Affect Calcium Homeostasis in Human Endothelial Cells, Rat Pheocromocytoma Cells or Rat Hippocampal Neurons

In the course of modern daily life, individuals are exposed to numerous sources of electromagnetic radiation that are not present in the natural environment. The strength of the electromagnetic fields from sources such as hairdryers, computer display units and other electrical devices is modest. However, in many home and office environments, individuals can experience perpetual exposure to an “electromagnetic smog”, with occasional peaks of relatively high electromagnetic field intensity. This has led to concerns that such radiation can affect health. In particular, emissions from mobile phones or mobile phone masts have been invoked as a potential source of pathological electromagnetic radiation. Previous reports have suggested that cellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis is affected by the types of radiofrequency fields emitted by mobile phones. In the present study, we used a high-throughput imaging platform to monitor putative changes in cellular Ca2+ during exposure of cells to 900 MHz GSM fields of differing power (specific absorption rate 0.012–2 W/Kg), thus mimicking the type of radiation emitted by current mobile phone handsets. Data from cells experiencing the 900 Mhz GSM fields were compared with data obtained from paired experiments using continuous wave fields or no field. We employed three cell types (human endothelial cells, PC-12 neuroblastoma and primary hippocampal neurons) that have previously been suggested to be sensitive to radiofrequency fields. Experiments were designed to examine putative effects of radiofrequency fields on resting Ca2+, in addition to Ca2+ signals evoked by an InsP3-generating agonist. Furthermore, we examined putative effects of radiofrequency field exposure on Ca2+ store emptying and store-operated Ca2+ entry following application of the Ca2+ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin. Multiple parameters (e.g., peak amplitude, integrated Ca2+ signal, recovery rates) were analysed to explore potential impact of radiofrequency field exposure on Ca2+ signals. Our data indicate that 900 MHz GSM fields do not affect either basal Ca2+ homeostasis or provoked Ca2+ signals. Even at the highest field strengths applied, which exceed typical phone exposure levels, we did not observe any changes in cellular Ca2+ signals. We conclude that under the conditions employed in our experiments, and using a highly-sensitive assay, we could not detect any consequence of RF exposure.
Ultrasonography of acute abdominal pain in children.

OBJECTIVE --To determine the ability of ultrasonography to detect appendicitis and to identify other conditions responsible for symptoms in children with acute abdominal pain. DESIGN --Cohort study. The accuracy of ultrasonographic results was assessed in relation to final diagnoses established by surgery or by composite clinical data and follow-up. SETTING --Metropolitan, pediatric hospital; ambulatory and hospitalized patients. PATIENTS --Consecutive sample of 178 pediatric patients who were referred for ultrasonography because of suspected acute appendicitis, but in whom the diagnosis could not be definitively established by clinical criteria. RESULTS --Appendicitis was proven at surgery in 38 patients. Ultrasonography demonstrated the findings of appendicitis (noncompressible appendix with or without concomitant periappendiceal fluid collection or appendicolith) in 31 (82%) of these patients. Among the 140 children without appendicitis, other specific diagnoses were established by clinical, laboratory, and radiologic findings in 58 patients (including gynecologic diseases in 25, gastrointestinal tract abnormalities in 17, renal diseases in six, and extra-abdominal disease in 10). Ultrasonography aided in the diagnosis of other conditions in 34 (59%) of these 58 patients. No definitive clinical diagnosis was established in the remaining 82 patients. There were no false-positive results of ultrasonography. CONCLUSION --Approximately half of children referred for suspected appendicitis will have a final diagnosis of abdominal pain of unknown origin. In the remainder, ultrasonography is useful, both to establish the diagnosis of appendicitis and to aid in diagnosing other causes of acute abdominal pain.
Ambient intelligence as paradigm of a full automation process at home in a real application

As a result of the increasing miniaturization of electronic circuitry and the corresponding increase in computational power of embedded systems, the point has been reached where it is possible to integrate electronics into the day to day elements of people's lives. The types of relationship man-machine-product currently found based on pushbuttons, keys and menus will disappear, to be replaced by intelligent systems with which interact through natural speech, movements, gestures, etc. The environments, by means of the systems, products and machines of which they are made, will respond, and will even anticipate, the orders given by the user's voice, gestures or hands, facial expressions, etc. This challenge has been reached by the project called GENIO: to get a multimodal user interface to control any kind of domestic devices, mainly the household appliances and the entertainment systems, in other to obtain a first product based on the precepts of ambient intelligence.
Analysis Based on Moment Vector Equation for Interacting Identical Elements with Nonlinear Dynamics

A method was developed for analyzing a system comprised of identical and indistinguishable elements with nonlinear dynamics. First, a moment vector equation (MVE) for the system was derived so as to avoid the curse of dimensionality by using the property that the elements are identical and indistinguishable.Next, an algorithm was developed to solve the MVE for deriving the moment vector in a steady state. It effectively uses eigen analysis on the basis of the property of the MVE. It can thus be used to clarify the structure of the solutions in the moment vector space and to derive multiple solutions by setting the initial value to the moment vector orthogonal to the solutions already obtained.Finally, the probability density function (pdf) for the state of the system was derived using the moment vectors in a steady state. Comparison of the pdfs thereby derived with those derived using numerical simulation showed that the method provided good approximations of the pdfs. Moreover, multiple solutions that are difficult to do using numerical simulation were derived.
Nocturnal oxygenation during patient-controlled analgesia.

UNLABELLED Patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) has become a standard modality for the management of postoperative pain, although anecdotal reports of excessive sedation and respiratory depression impugn its safety. To study the prevalence and severity of nocturnal hypoxemia, we measured arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) continuously overnight in 32 postoperative patients who were receiving morphine via PCA. To evaluate the potential benefit of providing concurrent supplemental oxygen, the patients breathed oxygen-enriched air the night of surgery and room air the next night. Patients experienced more pain and consumed twice as much morphine the first night. However, breathing supplemental oxygen that night, the nocturnal mean SpO2 was 99%+/-1%, 94%+/-4% (P<0.001), and only four patients had periods of hemoglobin desaturation <90%. In contrast, breathing room air the subsequent night, the mean SpO2 was lower (94%+/-4%; P<0.001), and hypoxemia occurred more frequently and was more severe: 18 patients experienced episodes of SpO2 <90%, 7 patients experienced episodes of SpO2 <80%, and 3 patients experienced episodes of SpO2 <70%. One patient required resuscitation for profound bradypnea and cyanosis, but none suffered permanent sequelae. We conclude that when postoperative patients use PCA at night, hypoxemia can be substantial and oxygenation can be improved by providing supplemental oxygen. IMPLICATIONS Oxygen saturation was measured postoperatively in patients using morphine patient-controlled analgesia. Substantial nocturnal hypoxemia occurred in half of the patients while they breathed room air. The severity of the hypoxemia was reduced when patients received supplemental oxygen.
A New Similarity Measure Between HMMS

In this paper, a new similarity measure between HMM models which extended the well-known Kullback-Leibler distance was proposed. The Kullback-Leibler distance was defined as the mean of log-likelihood ratio (LLR) in a hypotheses test and the Kullback-Leibler distance was frequently used as a similarity measure for HMM models. Here, the standard deviation of LLR between HMM models was deviated first. Besides, the ratio of mean and standard variation of LLR was used as a new similarity measure between HMM models. Experiments were done in a Mandarin speech database, TCC-300, in order to check the effectiveness of the proposed similarity measure. The accuracy of the standard deviation of LLR estimated from the syllable HMM models was checked by comparison with the standard deviation of LLR of top-10 candidates found from HMM decoder. And, the confusion sets of 411 syllables were also found by using both the KL distance and the proposed similarity measure. Comparing to the top-10 confusion models, 94.9% and 95.3% inclusion rates can be achieved by using KL distance and the proposed similarity measure of HMM models.
Disruption of pre-mRNA splicing in vivo results in reorganization of splicing factors

We have examined the functional significance of the organization of pre- mRNA splicing factors in a speckled distribution in the mammalian cell nucleus. Upon microinjection into living cells of oligonucleotides or antibodies that inhibit pre-mRNA splicing in vitro, we observed major changes in the organization of splicing factors in vivo. Interchromatin granule clusters became uniform in shape, decreased in number, and increased in both size and content of splicing factors, as measured by immunofluorescence. These changes were transient and the organization of splicing factors returned to their normal distribution by 24 h following microinjection. Microinjection of these oligonucleotides or antibodies also resulted in a reduction of transcription in vivo, but the oligonucleotides did not inhibit transcription in vitro. Control oligonucleotides did not disrupt splicing or transcription in vivo. We propose that the reorganization of splicing factors we observed is the result of the inhibition of splicing in vivo.
Development and Cross-Cultural Application of a Competency Assessment Questionnaire.

This paper addresses the cross-cultural development and use of the Behavior Description Index (BDI). The development of culturally-transportable scales; cross-cultural comparisons of results for 12 Spanish, 15 Hungarian, 15 Indonesian, and U.S. managers; and the transportability of competencies as constructs are considered. A competency is an underlying characteristic of an individual that is causally related to effective or superior performance on the job; competencies are the critical success factors that are demonstrated by superior performers. Nineteen core compet-,ncies, which pertain to self-management, cognition, achievement, influence, and management, help predict success in professional and managerial jobs. The BDI includes 218 items and 2 validity scales (frankness and behavioral consistency). Core competencies that drive successful managerial performance are relevant across cultures. Respondent instruments, as represented by the BDI, may provide self-assessment data that are reliable, culturally transportable, and congruent with construct validity. Managers in capitalist economies have similar competency profiles. Managers in socialist economies have different competency profiles from capitalistic managers. Cross-cultural, self-assessment competency/personality instruments may be applied if linguistic and cultural relativism, cross-cultural item and scale development, and item translation have been sufficiently addressed. Nine handouts are included. (RLC)
Editorial: Geography, Religion, and Emerging Paradigms: Problematizing the Dialogue

This introduction to the subsequent forum addresses social and cultural geography's recent engagement with religion and spirituality. While representing a laudable and increasing willingness to approach religion/spirituality through sophisticated concepts and theories, this engagement should include more than just an imposition of the discipline's emerging paradigms on a new object of study. Geographers need to allow religion to ‘speak back’. The articles in this forum suggest that this speaking back may range from, for example, spirituality/religion's insistence on its own centrality in social space, to its tendency to complicate categories and experience, to its reminder that it informs the lives and identities of many geographers.