Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic changes of central thyroid functions in the management of Cushing's syndrome

ABSTRACT Objective The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of central thyroid dysfunctions in Cushing's syndrome (CS). We also aimed to evaluate the frequency of hyperthyroidism due to the syndrome of the inappropriate secretion of TSH (SITSH), which was recently defined in patients with insufficient hydrocortisone replacement after surgery. Materials and methods We evaluated thyroid functions (TSH and free thyroxine [fT4]) at the time of diagnosis, during the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis recovery, and after surgery in 35 patients with CS. The patients were separated into two groups: ACTH-dependent CS (group 1, n = 20) and ACTH-independent CS (group 2, n = 15). Patients’ clinical and laboratory findings were evaluated in five visits in the outpatient clinic of the endocrinology department. Results The frequency of baseline suppressed TSH levels and central hypothyroidism were determined to be 37% (n = 13) and 26% (n = 9), respectively. A negative correlation was found between baseline cortisol and TSH levels (r = -0.45, p = 0.006). All patients with central hypothyroidism and suppressed TSH levels showed recovery at the first visit without levothyroxine treatment. SITSH was not detected in any of the patients during the postoperative period. No correlation was found between prednisolone replacement after surgery and TSH or fT4 levels on each visit. Conclusion Suppressed TSH levels and central hypothyroidism may be detected in CS, independent of etiology. SITSH was not detected in the early postoperative period due to our adequate prednisolone replacement doses.
An environmental suitability index based on the ecological constraints of Aedes aegypti, vector of dengue

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of dengue and Zika virus. Along with vaccine research, vector control is a major lever for fighting these diseases. Studying dynamical and non-linear relationships between the environment and vectors provides guidance for monitoring and control strategies. MODE's objective is to identify environmental dynamics that contribute to the spatiotemporal distribution of Aedes aegypti in urban areas. This paper presents (1) the resource-based habitat concept and its application to Aedes aegypti , (2) the generic methods for estimating the environmental factor of this habitat and (3) the factors dynamics. These concepts and methods are illustrated in (4) with an application on Bangkok, Thailand and (5) with the mapping of an environmental suitability index.
Electronic Structure, Dielectric Properties and Infrared Vibrational Spectrum of Fayalite: An Ab Initio Simulation With an All-Electron Gaussian Basis Set and the B3LYP Functional

The electronic structure, the static and high frequency dielectric tensors, and the infrared (IR) spectrum of fayalite Fe2SiO4, the Fe-rich end-member of olivine solid solutions, are explored at an ab initio quantum mechanical level, by using an all-electron Gaussian type basis set, the B3LYP hybrid DFT functional, and the CRYSTAL09 code. Mulliken population analysis and spin density maps illustrate the electronic structure, characterized by a nearly pure d 6 , high-spin configuration of the transition metal atom. The full set of IR wavenumbers and intensities is computed. The availability of highly accurate synchrotron radiation data (Suto et al., Astron Astrophys 2002, 389, 568) permits a very accurate comparison between simulated and measured quantities, in primis wavenumbers (ν) and oscillator strengths (f ). The mean absolute difference |�ν | is as small as 4 cm −1 , and the maximum absolute difference |�ν max| never exceeds 12 cm −1 , whereas the summed absolute differenceF between f exp and f calc is around 10%.
THE ROLE OF BONE INDUCTION OF A BIODEGRADABLE MAGNESIUM ALLOY

AZ31B magnesium alloy supports and Ti-6Al-4V supports as controls with two dimen- sions(stabilization splint and dictyo-plate)were implanted on submaxilla surfaces of the New-Zealand rabbits.The bone induction role by AZ31B in healing of two different kinds of bone coloboma on the submaxilla surface was studied.It was found from the experiments after 90 and 180 d implantations that formation of the new bone around the AZ31B stabilization splint was much more obvious than the control group.After 180 d implantation,both newly formed bone and osteolysis were found on the surface of the dictyo-plate implants.It can be concluded that magnesium alloy implantation is beneficial to the new bone formation,but overdosed magnesium ions from biodegradation can also lead to the increase of osteoclast activity.
Kir Channel Blockages by Proflavine Derivatives via Multiple Modes of Interaction

Many compounds inhibit tetrameric and pseudo-tetrameric cation channels by associating with the central cavity located in the middle of the membrane plane. They traverse the ion conduction pathway from the intracellular side and through access to the cavity. Previously, we reported that the bacteriostatic agent, proflavine, preferentially blocked a subset of inward rectifier K+ (Kir) channels. However, the development of the inhibition of Kir1.1 by the compound was obviously different from that operating in Kir3.2 as a pore blocker. To gain mechanistic insights into the compound-channel interaction, we analyzed its chemical specificity, subunit selectivity, and voltage dependency using 13 different combinations of Kir-channel family members and 11 proflavine derivatives. The Kir-channel family members were classified into three groups: 1) Kir2.2, Kir3.x, Kir4.2, and Kir6. 2Δ36, which exhibited Kir3.2-type inhibition (slow onset and recovery, irreversible, and voltage-dependent blockage); 2) Kir1.1 and Kir4.1/Kir5.1 (prompt onset and recovery, reversible, and voltage-independent blockage); and 3) Kir2.1, Kir2.3, Kir4.1, and Kir7.1 (no response). The degree of current inhibition depended on the combination of compounds and channels. Chimera between proflavine-sensitive Kir1.1 and -insensitive Kir4.1 revealed that the extracellular portion of Kir1.1 is crucial for the recognition of the proflavine derivative acrinol. In conclusion, preferential blockage of Kir-channel family members by proflavine derivatives is based on multiple modes of action. This raises the possibility of designing subunit-specific inhibitors.
Learning Multilingual Embeddings for Cross-Lingual Information Retrieval in the Presence of Topically Aligned Corpora

Cross-lingual information retrieval is a challenging task in the absence of aligned parallel corpora. In this paper, we address this problem by considering topically aligned corpora designed for evaluating an IR setup. To emphasize, we neither use any sentence-aligned corpora or document-aligned corpora, nor do we use any language specific resources such as dictionary, thesaurus, or grammar rules. Instead, we use an embedding into a common space and learn word correspondences directly from there. We test our proposed approach for bilingual IR on standard FIRE datasets for Bangla, Hindi and English. The proposed method is superior to the state-of-the-art method not only for IR evaluation measures but also in terms of time requirements. We extend our method successfully to the trilingual setting.
Countrywide implementation of whole genome sequencing: an opportunity to improve tuberculosis management, surveillance and contact tracing in low incidence countries

In 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) and European Respiratory Society published a framework for the elimination of tuberculosis (TB) in low incidence countries, describing the priority actions to achieve this goal. These include: investment on new tools for early diagnosis, access to universal drug susceptibility testing (DST), contact investigation and continuous surveillance [1]. A roadmap was recently proposed for Italy as model for low incidence countries [2], suggesting that TB elimination requires a concerted action fully coordinated at national and regional level. One of the major obstacles is the undetected transmission linked to international travels and migration [3]. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) with the cost of a conventional Mycobacterium tuberculosis DST assay supplies “all-in-one” information required to track transmissions with high resolution and to provide personalised management of TB cases in a timeframe shorter than the standard diagnostic pathway [4]. Here, we describe the results of a centralised WGS-based model for TB diagnosis and surveillance applied at regional level and how this model extended to a national scale in Italy or other low TB incidence countries could bring benefits to public health and patient management, saving costs for the health system. Whole genome sequencing can be adopted at national level as routine assay for diagnosis, universal drug susceptibility testing and epidemiological investigation of TB cases in low incidence countries http://ow.ly/KA7I30jr0Wo
Models of alternative life‐history strategies, population structure and potential speciation in salmonid fish stocks

Summary 1. High Arctic landlocked Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus L. , are used as a reference system to examine the theory of alternative life history strategies in Salmonids and their implication for population structure and potential speciation. In these closed, autonomous systems, Arctic charr are the only fish species present and alternative life history strategies are represented by two distinct size modes, commonly known as ‘dwarf’ and ‘normal’ charr. 2. Simple mathematical models are used to caricature the density-dependent interactions within and between the dwarf and normal components of these bimodal populations. Two different assumptions concerning the genetic relationship between the two alternative life history strategies are investigated: complete reproductive isolation, or a single stock which chooses between the alternative strategies facultatively. 3. In constant environmental conditions, the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) is not affected by the assumed genetic relationship, and the ESS proportions of dwarfs and normals are shown to depend on environmental parameters. The ESS proportions vary with these parameters along an evolutionarily stable continuum (ESC) and, in particular, a high proportion of normals is associated with high growth rate as a juvenile, and a ‘stunted’ or unimodal population with low growth rate. The predicted ESC for selection of the normal strategy is similar to that observed experimentally in the analogous case of smolting in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L. 4. A difference in the ratio of fecundity to mortality rate between dwarf and normal sub-populations is shown to be essential to maintaining bimodal populations, and it is argued that cannibalism is one mechanism which could achieve this difference. 5. The model is extended to ask what ecological conditions would favour evolution toward the speciated or reproductively isolated state. It is concluded that short-term environmental fluctuations select against speciation and it is speculated that most natural bimodal Arctic charr stocks will achieve maximum individual fitness within a ‘semispeciated’ configuration which is maintained by incomplete assortative mating.
Mutation Testing for Microservices

The microservice architectural style is currently of great interest both to research and industry. Since applications built by this style consist of many loosely coupled services, it is necessary to test their interactions by test suites. A crucial question is to decide which test cases are necessary and able to detect errors. A method to assure the quality of test cases is mutation testing. However, there are no mutation operators available yet which would enable the application of mutation testing specifically for microservices. This paper presents preliminary ideas for the creation of possible mutation operator whose application could help assure the quality of test cases by using mutation testing and therefore improve the quality of microservice systems.
Role of the MPTP in conditioning the heart – translatability and mechanism

Mitochondria have long been known to be the gatekeepers of cell fate. This is particularly so in the response to acute ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI). Following an acute episode of sustained myocardial ischaemia, the opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) in the first few minutes of reperfusion, mediates cell death. Preventing MPTP opening at the onset of reperfusion using either pharmacological inhibitors [such as cyclosporin A (CsA) ] or genetic ablation has been reported to reduce myocardial infarct (MI) size in animal models of acute IRI. Interestingly, the endogenous cardioprotective intervention of ischaemic conditioning, in which the heart is protected against MI by applying cycles of brief ischaemia and reperfusion to either the heart itself or a remote organ or tissue, appears to be mediated through the inhibition of MPTP opening at reperfusion. Small proof‐of‐concept clinical studies have demonstrated the translatability of this therapeutic approach to target MPTP opening using CsA in clinical settings of acute myocardial IRI. However, given that CsA is a not a specific MPTP inhibitor, more novel and specific inhibitors of the MPTP need to be discovered – the molecular identification of the MPTP should facilitate this. In this paper, we review the role of the MPTP as a target for cardioprotection, the potential mechanisms underlying MPTP inhibition in the setting of ischaemic conditioning, and the translatability of MPTP inhibition as a therapeutic approach in the clinical setting.
[Clinical value of genome-wide chromosome microarray technique in diagnosis of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical value of gnome-wide chromosome microarray (CMA) technique in genetic etiological diagnosis of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly. METHODS A retrospective analysis was conducted in 109 women with singleton pregnancy, who were admitted in Nanfang Hospital with the diagnosis of cerebral ventriculomegaly in the fetuses by ultrasound between January, 2014 and December, 2016. Routine karyotype analysis and chromosome microarray analysis were performed to identify the chromosomal abnormalities in the fetuses. RESULTS Karyotype analysis detected chromosomal abnormalities at a rate of 12.84% in these fetuses, significantly lower than the rate of 26.60% with CMA technique (P=0.004); the combined detection rate of the two techniques was 28.44%. In 17 cases, karyotype analysis yielded normal results while CMA microarray showed abnormalities with an extra abnormal detection rate of 15.60%. Among the 17 fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities, 6 had micro-deletion, 9 had micro-duplication, 1 had both micro-deletion and micro-duplication, and 1 had heterozygous loss of single parent diploid. CONCLUSION CMA technique can be used to detect abnormal chromosomal copy numbers in fetuses with cerebral ventriculomegaly to increase the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities and facilitate prenatal consultation and prognostic evaluation.
PROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE AGAINST CARBON TETRACHLORIDE INDUCED LIVER FIBROSIS Original Article

Objective: Liver plays a pivotal role in regulating various physiological processes in the body such as metabolism, secretion, and storage. It has a great capacity to detoxify toxic substances and synthesize useful principles. The current study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 Methods: The animals were divided into four groups with eight rats in each. To induce liver fibrosis, Wistar albino rats received CCl ) in rats. 4
Regulatory Competition in Network Interconnection Pricing

This paper covers network investment problems under decentralized control of regulation, infrastructure ownership and management. The model features two countries managing domestic infrastructures, used simultaneously for downstream international service provision. Initially, the welfare losses from non-cooperative investment financing policy and access pricing are derived. The impact of strategic interaction between the countries' access prices on the choice of financing policy is investigated. Under strict budget balancing, there are no incentives for efficiency improving investments. Further, investment coordination is shown useless in the absence of regulatory coordination. Illustrations from European network regulation policy for energy and rail are presented.
Characteristics of androgen deficiency in late-onset hypogonadism: results from the European Male Aging Study (EMAS).

CONTEXT Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) has been defined as a syndrome in middle-aged and elderly men reporting symptoms in the presence of low testosterone (T). OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to seek objective biochemical and end-organ evidence of androgen deficiency in men classified as having LOH according to our previously published criteria. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS The design of the study included cross-sectional data from the European Male Aging Study on 2966 community-dwelling men aged 40-79 years in eight European countries. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Waist circumference, body mass index, muscle mass, estimated heel bone mineral density (eBMD), hemoglobin, insulin sensitivity, physical activity, metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance index, and cardiovascular disease were measured. RESULTS Sixty-three men (2.1%) were classified as having LOH: 36 moderate and 27 severe. They were older and more obese than eugonadal men and had, in proportion to the graded T deficiency, lower muscle mass, eBMD, and hemoglobin, with poorer general health. Both moderate and severe LOH was associated with lower hemoglobin, mid-upper arm circumference, eBMD, physical function (measured by the Short Form-36 questionnaire), slower gait speed and poorer general health. Only men with severe LOH showed significant associations with larger waist circumference (β=1.93 cm; 0.04-3.81), insulin resistance (β=2.81; 1.39-4.23), and the metabolic syndrome (odds ratio 9.94; 2.73-36.22) after adjustments for confounders. Men with low testosterone only (irrespective of symptoms) showed lesser magnitudes of association with the same end points. CONCLUSIONS LOH is associated with multiple end-organ deficits compatible with androgen deficiency. These data support the existence of a syndrome of LOH in only a minority of aging men, especially those with T below 8 nmol/liter.
Notice of RetractionThe clustering method study based on graph

This paper proposes an clustering method of genes. In this method, the clustering problem is transferred the partition problem of non-directional graph. Firstly, we preprocess the gene expression data and select sensitive genes according to the variance value, the selected genes are mapped to a high-dimensional space with kernel method, and then, a non-directional graph is constructed according to similarity measure, we use evolutionary method to cluster the genes in the feature space. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the method is tested on yeast cell cycle expression data set; the results suggest that this method is capable of clustering genes.
PU.1 and pRB Interact and Cooperate To Repress GATA-1 and Block Erythroid Differentiation

ABSTRACT PU.1 and GATA-1 are two hematopoietic specific transcription factors that play key roles in development of the myeloid and erythroid lineages, respectively. The two proteins bind to one another and inhibit each other's function in transcriptional activation and promotion of their respective differentiation programs. This mutual antagonism may be an important aspect of lineage commitment decisions. PU.1 can also act as an oncoprotein since deregulated expression of PU.1 in erythroid precursors causes erythroleukemias in mice. Studies of cultured mouse erythroleukemia cell lines indicate that one aspect of PU.1 function in erythroleukemogenesis is its ability to block erythroid differentiation by repressing GATA-1 (N. Rekhtman, F. Radparvar, T. Evans, and A. I. Skoultchi, Genes Dev. 13:1398-1411, 1999). We have investigated the mechanism of PU.1-mediated repression of GATA-1. We report here that PU.1 binds to GATA-1 on DNA. We localized the repression activity of PU.1 to a small acidic N-terminal domain that interacts with the C pocket of pRB, a well-known transcriptional corepressor. Repression of GATA-1 by PU.1 requires pRB, and pRB colocalizes with PU.1 and GATA-1 at repressed GATA-1 target genes. PU.1 and pRB also cooperate to block erythroid differentiation. Our results suggest that one of the mechanisms by which PU.1 antagonizes GATA-1 is by binding to it at GATA-1 target genes and tethering to these sites a corepressor that blocks transcriptional activity and thereby erythroid differentiation.
Do not throw the baby out with the bathwater; screening can identify meaningful risk factors for sports injuries

Norway’s Professor Roald Bahr recently highlighted that screening does not predict which athlete will sustain an injury.1 Some interpreted this to mean screening is useless for injury prevention. However, screening remains essential in our efforts to protect athletes’ health. To extend what has been a robust discussion, we argue how screening can be important for an individual athlete , and offer potential reasons why and how individual screening tests still lack clinical utility. Previous injury is a well-established injury risk factor. Figure 1 shows data on ACL (re)injuries from Krosshaug et al . 2 Applying a traditional (predictive) diagnostic test on these data yields unimpressive results; a positive predictive value of only 29%, with most injuries occurring in previously uninjured athletes. If effective interventions target only previously injured athletes, it would be withheld from the majority of athletes who could benefit. Consequently, we agree with Bahr,1 that all athletes receive effective interventions. Figure 1 The relationship between unilateral ACL injuries and ACL reinjuries in a multiseason prospective cohort study in female football and handball players. (Based on original data from Krosshaug et al . 2 But consider another perspective on the same risk factor ‘previous injury’. Regardless of the low predictive value, previous injury is …
Damage evaluations of oven-dried mortar subjected to one-directional fire

Concrete structures can be damaged by various factors in extreme service conditions. Analytical methods that can predict the strength of structural concrete after exposure to fire are needed to facilitate decisions regarding whether to repair, strengthen, or demolish fire-damaged buildings. However, appropriate and widely applicable material models have not yet been proposed. This paper presents an experimental study in which we assess damage, including changes in flexural strength, porosity and residual cement hydrates, to oven-dried mortar that has been fired and immediately cooled in the air. Mortars were made from calcareous and siliceous aggregates, and one face of each specimen (100×100×400 mm) was exposed to fire curves of ISO 834 and ASTM E119. Specimens for quantitative assessment were hewed to ten layers from the original specimens. Experimental results indicate that the in-depth flexural strength of a thin specimen is substantially diminished by fire exposure, especially for specimens with existing fire cracks. In addition to the loss in strength, changes in porosity and chemical properties occur. Based on the experimental evidence obtained from this study, the relationships between each property are discussed.