Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A one year experience with the multislice helical CT.

New detector morphology and increased computer power have led to a second leap in CT technology. With multislice helical CT, four slices per rotation are reconstructed resulting in a 3 to 6 times reduction of the examination time. During our one-year experience with the multislice CT, we have learnt that the major advantage of the technique is the possibility to cover a large volume with thin slices. Combination of both makes it possible to scan an entire anatomic region during the optimal enhancement phase (after i.v. contrast injection) with a high spatial resolution. New diagnostic possibilities can be explored by CT together with improved and more detailed post-processing tools.
Predictive Value of Nutritional Markers for Wound Healing Complications in Bariatric Patients Undergoing Panniculectomy

BackgroundHypoproteinemia and nutritional deficiencies are common after bariatric surgery, and although massive weight loss (MWL) patients experience increased wound complication rates, the association has not been causatively determined. ObjectivesThis study investigated preoperative nutritional parameters and wound complications in MWL patients (postbariatric and diet-controlled) undergoing panniculectomy at 2 academic institutions. MethodsOne hundred sixty-one consecutive patients undergoing elective panniculectomy after bariatric surgery or diet-controlled weight loss were identified. Patient demographics and nutritional indices (serum protein, albumin, and micronutrient levels) were analyzed. Complications including wound separation, infection, and operative debridements were compared. Post hoc comparisons tested for correlation between complications and nutritional markers. ResultsPostbariatric patients lost an average of 151 lb and presented at an average of 32 months after gastric bypass. Diet-controlled weight loss patients lost an average of 124 lb. Despite MWL, albumin levels were higher in the bariatric group (3.8 vs 3.4 g/dL, P < 0.05). Conversely, bariatric patients experienced increased wound complications (27% vs 14%; P < 0.05). Factors which were found to correlate to increased risk of wound dehiscence and infection were elevated body mass index at time of panniculectomy and amount of tissue removed. Multivariate analysis did not show serum albumin or percent weight loss to independently predict complications. ConclusionsBariatric patients presenting for elective operations are at risk for protein and micronutrient deficiency. Despite aggressive replacement and normalization of nutritional markers, bariatric patients experience increased wound complications when compared to nonbariatric patients and traditional measures of nutritional evaluation for surgery may be insufficient in bariatric patients.
156Pro-->Gln substitution in the light chain of cytochrome b558 of the human NADPH oxidase (p22-phox) leads to defective translocation of the cytosolic proteins p47-phox and p67-phox

Src homology 3 (SH3) domains have been suggested to play an important role in the assembly of the superoxide-forming nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase upon activation of phagocytes, which involves the association of membrane-bound and cytosolic components. We studied the translocation of the cytosolic proteins to the plasma membrane in neutrophils of a patient with a point mutation in the gene encoding the light chain of cytochrome b558. This mutation leads to a substitution at residue 156 of a proline into a glutamine in a putative SH3 binding domain of p22-phox (Dinauer, M., E. A. Pierce, R. W. Erickson, T. Muhlebach, H. Messner, R. A. Seger, S. H. Orkin, and J. T. Curnutte. 1991. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 88:11231). In PMA- stimulated neutrophils and in a cell-free translocation assay with neutrophil membranes and cytosol, association of the cytosolic proteins p47-phox and p67-phox with the membrane fraction of the patient's neutrophils was virtually absent. In contrast, when solubilized membranes of the patient's neutrophils were activated with phospholipids in the absence of cytosol (Koshkin, V., and E. Pick. 1993. FEBS [Fed. Eur. Biochem. Soc.] Lett. 327:57), the rate of NADPH- dependent oxygen uptake was observed at a rate similar to that of control membranes. We suggest that the binding of an SH3 domain of p47- phox to p22-phox, and thus activation of the oxidase, does not occur in the neutrophils of this patient, although under artificial conditions, electron flow from NADPH to oxygen in cytochrome b558 is possible.
Determinants of the Local Unemployment Rate

unemployment rate. This paper extends previous works by going behind the simple wageunemployment rate regressions. In particular, we attempt to decompose the unemployment rate into its demand and supply components, using the method developed by Rosen [7]. The first section explains how the hedonic price framework can be applied to unemployment rate variations, while the second section presents the econometric model. The 1973 four percent Census of Colombia was chosen for the empirical work for a variety of reasons. First, the Colombia Census identifies a large number (899) of localities called municipios. This is much larger than any comparable U.S. data set. Secondly, using Colombian data allows us to gain insight into Todaro's thesis regarding the wageunemployment rate tradeoff in a low income country. Finally, the four percent sample is large enough (777,350 individual records) that local unemployment rates can be computed directly from individual records, rather than relying on officially published statistics. This last point carries with it an important qualifier. The unemployment rate measured in the conventional way yields a remarkably low figure for Colombia (see Table I). Very few people describe themselves as both being without work and looking for work. The reason for this is that people in a poor country with no unemployment insurance and little social welfare' simply cannot afford to be without an income for very long. People will take low paying jobs in the "informal" sector or in family businesses, rather than be completely jobless. Under these circumstances, people are not likely to describe themselves as being without work, unless they are literally between jobs. Thus, the measured unemployment rate captures primarily frictional unemployment in the Colombian context. Few development economists would quarrel with this interpretation. Indeed, many scholars have argued that the conventional unemployment statistics
Relationship between Dietary Fiber and Cancer: Metabolic, Physiologic, and Cellular Mechanisms 1

Abstract The relationships between fiber consumption and human cancer rates have been examined, together with an analysis of the effects of individual dietary fibers on the experimental induction of large bowel cancer. The human epidemiology indicates an inverse correlation between high fiber consumption and lower colon cancer rates. Cereal fiber sources show the most consistent negative correlation. However, human case-control studies in general fail to confirm any protective effect due to dietary fiber. Case-control studies indicate that if any source of dietary fiber is possibly antineoplastic then it is probably vegetables. These results may mean that purified fibers alone do not inhibit tumor development, whereas it is likely that some other factors present in vegetables are antineoplastic. Experiments in laboratory animals, using chemical induction of large bowel cancer, have in general shown a protective effect with supplements of poorly fermentable fibers such as wheat bran or cellulose. In contrast, a number of fermentable fiber supplements including pectin, corn bran, oat bran, undegraded carageenan, agar, psyllium, guar gum, and alfalfa have been shown to enhance tumor development. Possible mechanisms by which fibers may inhibit colon tumorigenesis include dilution and adsorption of any carcinogens and/or promoters contained within the intestinal lumen, the modulation of colonic microbial metabolic activity, and biological modification of intestinal epithelial cells. Dietary fibers not only bind carcinogens, bile acids, and other potential toxins but also essential nutrients, such as minerals, which can inhibit the carcinogenic process. Fermentation of fibers within the large bowel results in the production of short chain fatty acids, which in vivo stimulate cell proliferation, while butyrate appears to be antineoplastic in vitro. Evidence suggests that if dietary fibers stimulate cell proliferation during the stage of initiation, then this may lead to tumor enhancement.
Modeling the Influence of Genetic and Environmental Variation on the Expression of Plant Life Cycles across Landscapes

Organisms develop through multiple life stages that differ in environmental tolerances. The seasonal timing, or phenology, of life-stage transitions determines the environmental conditions to which each life stage is exposed and the length of time required to complete a generation. Both environmental and genetic factors contribute to phenological variation, yet predicting their combined effect on life cycles across a geographic range remains a challenge. We linked submodels of the plasticity of individual life stages to create an integrated model that predicts life-cycle phenology in complex environments. We parameterized the model for Arabidopsis thaliana and simulated life cycles in four locations. We compared multiple “genotypes” by varying two parameters associated with natural genetic variation in phenology: seed dormancy and floral repression. The model predicted variation in life cycles across locations that qualitatively matches observed natural phenology. Seed dormancy had larger effects on life-cycle length than floral repression, and results suggest that a genetic cline in dormancy maintains a life-cycle length of 1 year across the geographic range of this species. By integrating across life stages, this approach demonstrates how genetic variation in one transition can influence subsequent transitions and the geographic distribution of life cycles more generally.
Surface expression and cytolytic function of natural killer cell receptors is altered in chronic hepatitis C

Introduction: Impaired activity of natural killer (NK) cells has been proposed as a mechanism contributing to viral persistence in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. As the function of NK cells is primarily regulated by NK cell receptors (NKR), we analysed whether decreased NK cell function in hepatitis C may be related to dysregulated NKR expression. Patients and methods: Expression of NK cell was analysed by flow cytometry on lymphocytes from HCV(+) subjects (n = 30), patients who became HCV(−) after antiviral therapy (n = 10), healthy individuals (n = 10), and hepatitis B virus (HBV) infected patients (n = 9). Cytolytic function of lymphocytes was studied in a redirected lysis assay and in a standard 51chromium release cytotoxicity assay, respectively. Results: In patients with chronic hepatitis C, we found a significantly reduced proportion of NKp46 and NKp30 expressing NK cells compared with healthy and HBV infected subjects. Low expression of natural cytotoxicity receptor (NCR) was also confirmed in in vitro activated NK cell populations derived from HCV patients compared with uninfected donors. In contrast, patients who cleared HCV under antiviral therapy showed normal expression of NKp44, NKp30, and NKp46. Reduced NCR expression in chronic hepatitis C was associated with a parallel decrease in NCR mediated target cell killing. Furthermore, we found a significantly increased proportion of NKG2A expressing NK cells and CD8+ T cells in HCV positive patients, resulting in a reduced cytolytic activity against cells incubated with the HLA-E stabilising peptide HCV core35–44. Conclusion: The present study indicates that defective expression of NKR represents a novel mechanism contributing to impaired function of NK cells and CD8+ T cells in chronic hepatitis C.
Menstrual cycle: no effect on exercise cardiorespiratory variables or blood lactate concentration.

PURPOSE Numerous investigations have reported changes in metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses associated with the menstrual cycle. We examined whether variables commonly used in exercise testing are influenced by menstrual cycle phases. METHODS Nineteen eumenorrheic women performed two incremental tests to voluntary exhaustion on a cycle ergometer during two different phases of the menstrual cycle: the follicular phase (FP) and the luteal phase (LP). Our study variables were power output, VO2, HR, VE, RER, ventilatory equivalents of oxygen (VE/VO2) and carbon dioxide (VE/VCO2), and blood lactate concentration (LA) and were measured at rest, at exhaustion, and at different thresholds of aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. The threshold determination consisted of a three-phase model with two lactate turnpoints (LTP1, LTP2) and a three-phase model with two respiratory thresholds: the anaerobic threshold (AT) and the respiratory compensation point (RCP). RESULTS When comparing power output, VO2, LA, HR, and RER, we found no significant differences between FP and LP at rest, at maximal load, at any selected threshold, or any stage of the incremental tests. We observed higher values for VE/VO2, VE/VCO2, and VE at rest, at exhaustion, and at our AT in LP. CONCLUSION We did not find performance changes associated with menstrual cycle. Our data do not support findings that the menstrual cycle influences lactate "thresholds" and ventilatory "thresholds. " In agreement with other studies, we observed a higher ventilatory drive in the LP compared with the FP of the menstrual cycle.
Central Nervous System Regulation of Energy Metabolism

In this brief review, we introduce some major themes in the regulation of energy, lipid, and glucose metabolism by the central nervous system (CNS). Rather than comprehensively discussing the field, we instead will discuss some of the key findings made regarding the interaction of the hormones ghrelin and leptin with the CNS.
P Automata with Controlled Use of Minimal Communication Rules

In this paper, we introduce new variants of transition modes for P systems by adding rule control to the conventional transition modes used so far. This formalism of rule control allows us to specify which rules have to be applied together or not. We show that computational completeness can be obtained by using either minimal symport rules or minimal antiport rules together with uniport rules being applied in the maximally parallel transition mode with rule control.
A 0.1 Megapixel THz camera with 17 degree field of view for large area single shot imaging

Large area THz video-rate imaging is demonstrated using a 0.1 Megapixel THz camera having a 17 degree Field of View and 50 Hz frame rate. Active THz see-through imaging has been performed where the THz laser beam has been expanded using a series of custom lenses. Owing to the quality of the beam expansion set-up and good sensitivity of the IRXCAM-THz-384 camera, high quality, large area THz images are possible, opening the door to fast screening applications in fields such a Defense & Security and Manufacturing.
Functional characterization of KIN‐32, the Caenorhabditis elegans homolog of focal adhesion kinase

We have identified the single Caenorhabditis elegans focal adhesion kinase (FAK) homolog KIN‐32, which has the signature FAK structure including an N‐terminal Four.1‐Ezrin‐Radixin‐Moesin (FERM) domain followed by a tyrosine kinase domain and a C‐terminal domain with weak homology to the focal adhesion targeting domain. The functional requirements for KIN‐32 were examined using RNA interference depletion experiments and analysis of a deletion allele, kin‐32(ok166), in which a large segment of the FERM domain is missing. Our results show that reduced levels of expression or absence of the FERM domain do not affect viability, fertility, or anatomy in C. elegans. Expression of an analogous FERM deletion in mouse FAK showed kinase activity in vitro and supported normal focal adhesion localization in cell culture. Thus, the FERM domain of KIN‐32, and possibly KIN‐32 activity in general, appears to be dispensable for normal C. elegans physiology. Developmental Dynamics 237:837–846, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Private Sector Failure, a Public Sector Crisis – Reflections on the Great Recession

The Great Recession from 2007/08 to date (2016) has challenged policymakers in significant ways. The initial challenge became a mission to rescue the banking sector, which had major implications for public services. The severe constraints on public finances after the rescue resulted in cutbacks in public services; an example of financial conservatism in action. Neoliberalism is the dominant mode of thinking by central governments, but its application has been questioned both on its rigour and on the evidence which is available to inform this policy. This paper examines the UK experiences of financial conservatism by mobilising ideas of failure, hope and bricolage.
Two inhibitors of pro‐inflammatory cytokine release, interleukin‐10 and interleukin‐4, have contrasting effects on release of soluble p75 tumor necrosis factor receptor by cultured monocytes

The biological activity of the pro‐inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α depends on the level of TNF‐α itself, the expression of the p55 and p75 cell surface receptors for TNF on target cells and the concentrations of the natural inhibitors of TNF‐α, the soluble p55 and p75 TNF receptors (TNF‐R). Interleukin (IL)‐10 and IL‐4 are known to inhibit TNF‐α production by monocytes. We, therefore, investigated the effects of IL‐10 and IL‐4 on the cell surface expression and release of TNF‐R by human monocytes to determine whether these cytokines also indirectly modulated the biological activity of TNF‐α. Exposure to IL‐10 (1‐10 U/ml) for 24 or 48 h increased soluble p75 TNF‐R expression and concomitantly reduced surface expression of p75 TNF‐R. Further, IL‐l α‐stimulated production of TNF‐α was diminished by IL‐10 and only a small proportion of this TNF‐α was bioactive, consistent with increased production of inhibitory soluble TNF‐R. IL‐10 also induced down‐regulation of surface p55 TNF‐R on monocytes, and increased release of soluble p55 TNF‐R. However, the expression of soluble p55 TNF‐R was much lower than soluble p75 TNF‐R, indicating that it contributed less importantly to neutralization of TNF‐α under these conditions. Like IL‐10, IL‐4 supressed the release of TNF‐α by monocytes. In contrast to IL‐10, however, IL‐4 (0.1‐10 ng/ml) supressed the release of soluble p75 TNF‐R from monocytes in a dose‐dependent manner. Release of soluble p55 TNF‐R was also supressed by IL‐4. IL‐10, therefore, reduces the pro‐inflammatory potential of TNF in three ways: by down‐regulating surface TNF‐R expression whilst increasing production of soluble TNF‐R and inhibiting the release of TNF‐α itself. This suggests that IL‐10 may be useful in the treatment of diseases where overexpression of TNF‐α occurs.
Response of Turkey Muscle Satellite Cells to Thermal Challenge. II. Transcriptome Effects in Differentiating Cells

Background: Exposure of poultry to extreme temperatures during the critical period of post-hatch growth can seriously affect muscle development and thus compromise subsequent meat quality. This study was designed to characterize transcriptional changes induced in turkey muscle satellite cells by thermal challenge during differentiation. Our goal is to better define how thermal stress alters breast muscle ultrastructure and subsequent development. Results: Skeletal muscle satellite cells previously isolated from the Pectoralis major muscle of 7-wk-old male turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from two breeding lines: the F-line (16 wk body weight-selected) and RBC2 (randombred control line) were used in this study. Cultured cells were induced to differentiate at 38°C (control) or thermal challenge temperatures of 33 or 43°C. After 48 h of differentiation, cells were harvested and total RNA was isolated for RNAseq analysis. Analysis of 39.9 Gb of sequence found 89% mapped to the turkey genome (UMD5.0, annotation 101) with average expression of 18,917 genes per library. In the cultured satellite cells, slow/cardiac muscle isoforms are generally present in greater abundance than fast skeletal isoforms. Statistically significant differences in gene expression were observed among treatments and between turkey lines, with a greater number of genes affected in the F-line cells following cold treatment whereas more differentially expressed (DE) genes were observed in the RBC2 cells following heat treatment. Many of the most significant pathways involved signaling, consistent with ongoing cellular differentiation. Regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis appears to be significantly affected by temperature treatment, particularly cold treatment. Conclusions: Satellite cell differentiation is directly influenced by temperature at the level of gene transcription with greater effects attributed to selection for fast growth. At lower temperature, muscle-associated genes in the satellite cells were among the genes with the greatest down regulation consistent with slower differentiation and smaller myotubes. Fewer expression differences were observed in the differentiating cells than previously observed for proliferating cells. This suggests the impact of temperature on satellite cells occurs primarily at early points in satellite cell activation.
[Improvement of clinical parameters in a patient with metabolic syndrome through intervention in nutrition education and improvement of lifestyle].

OBJECTIVE The main objective is the reduction of early morbidity and mortality associated with metabolic syndrome (MS). METHODS 24h intakes count for 3 days and clinical-nutritional history. Follow-up of 19 visits to monitor the evolution. RESULTS Following weight loss, the measurement of capillary blood glucose was 59 mg/dl, discontinuing then treatment with metformin; after 7 days without metformin treatment the value was 64 mg/dl. CONCLUSIONS Intervention in nutritional education and lifestyle contributed to almost a 10% reduction of body weight; the patient moved from the obesity BMI range to overweight. Peripheral insulin resistance was also enhanced and the GP in charge decided to discontinue the dosing of metformin as a result.
Coordination analysis on application service supply chain based on the ASP model

The coordination problem between a network service provider(NSP) and an application service provider(ASP) is studied from the perspective of application service supply chain based on the ASP model. Since the demand in the application service market is often uncertain,the risks of ASP's over and under-capacity were considered in this article.We first analyze the decisions and performances of the centralized and decentralized application service supply chains that consist of a NSP and an ASP under uncertain application service demand,and then propose a method that introduces the risk sharing of ASP's over and under-capacity into the revenue sharing contract to coordinate such an application service supply chain. The results show that this method can coordinate the application service supply chain,make the supply chain achieve the optimal performance and improve the profits of the NSP and the ASP.Moreover,the method also has certain ability of dealing with market demand uncertainty.