Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Use of Intravitreal Triamcinolone in the Treatment of Macular Edema Related to Retinal Vein Occlusion

Objective: To analyze the increasing trend of intravitreal triamcinolone (IVTA) use in the treatment of retinal vein occlusion-related macular edema. Methods: We performed MEDLINE/PUBMED searches (September 1984 - December 2007) to identify articles containing the keywords macular edema and triamcinolone. Case reports, reviews and abstracts were identified from references in the reviewed literature. This review focuses on literature published during the past 7 years with more than two-thirds of the articles that we reviewed being printed during the past 5 years. These reports analyzed the success of IVTA in the treatment of macular edema over a 12 month course of time. Results: The majority of studies suggested promising results for short time periods (4-6 months) after IVTA treatments. However, long term results were not encouraging. Conclusions: The success of IVTA therapy for short durations has been the impetus for development of sustained release devices to be used in the treatment of macular edema associated with various retinal diseases including edema related to retinal vein occlusion.
Dynamic sensory probabilistic maps for mobile robot localization

In order to localize itself a mobile robot tries to match its sensory information at any instant against a prior environment model, the map. A probabilistic map can be regarded as a model that stores at each robot configuration q the probability density function of the sensor readings at q. By combining the knowledge of its current position, the new-coming sensory information, and the probabilistic map the robot is capable of improving its prior position estimate. In this paper we propose a novel sensor model and a method for maintaining a probabilistic map in cases of dynamic environments. When the environment structure changes, the map must adapt to this change by modifying the sensor densities, at the respective configurations. We propose a combined algorithm for map update and robot localization.
Human CD4 Expression at the Late Single-Positive Stage of Thymic Development Supports T Cell Maturation and Peripheral Export in CD4-Deficient Mice1

Positive selection of developing thymocytes is initiated at the double-positive (DP) CD4+CD8+ stage of their maturation. Accordingly, expression of a human CD4 (hCD4) transgene beginning at the DP stage has been shown to restore normal T cell development and function in CD4-deficient mice. However, it is unclear whether later onset CD4 expression would still allow such a restoration. To investigate this issue, we used transgenic mice in which a hCD4 transgene is not expressed on DP, but only on single-positive cells. By crossing these animals with CD4-deficient mice, we show that late hCD4 expression supports the maturation of T cell precursors and the peripheral export of mature TCRαβ+ CD8− T cells. These results were confirmed in two different MHC class II-restricted TCR transgenic mice. T cells arising by this process were functional in the periphery because they responded to agonist peptide in vivo. Interestingly, thymocytes of these mice appeared refractory to peptide-induced negative selection. Together, these results indicate that the effect of CD4 on positive selection of class II-restricted T cells extends surprisingly late into the maturation process by a previously unrecognized pathway of differentiation, which might contribute to the generation of autoreactive T cells.
Race Prejudice as a Sense of Group Position

In this paper I am proposing an approach to the study of race prejudice different from that which dominates contemporary scholarly thought on this topic. My thesis is that race prejudice exists basically in a sense of group position rather than in a set of feelings which members of one racial group have toward the members of another racial group. This different way of viewing race prejudice shifts study and analysis from a preoccupation with feelings as lodged in individuals to a concern with the relationship of racial groups. It also shifts scholarly treatment away from individual lines of experience and focuses interest on the collective process by which a racial group comes to define and redefine another racial group. Such shifts, I believe, will yield a more realistic and penetrating understanding of race prejudice.
How the Doctor’s Words Affect the Patient’s Brain

Clinicians have long known that context is important in any medical treatment and that the words and attitudes of doctors and nurses can have great impact on the patient. There is now experimental evidence indicating that the medical context influences specific neural systems. The importance of the context is shown by the lesser effectiveness of hidden administrations of analgesics compared with open ones. Because the placebo effect is a context effect, its study has been useful in clarifying this complex issue. There are now several lines of evidence that placebo analgesia is mediated by endogenous opioids and placebo motor improvement by endogenous dopamine. Moreover, a placebo treatment is capable of affecting many brain regions in depressed patients. All these studies, taken together, lead to a neurobiological under-standing of the events occurring in the brain during the interaction between the therapist and his or her patient.
Identification of Stable Spike-Timing-Dependent Plasticity from Spiking Activity with Generalized Multilinear Modeling

Abstract Characterization of long-term activity-dependent plasticity from behaviorally driven spiking activity is important for understanding the underlying mechanisms of learning and memory. In this letter, we present a computational framework for quantifying spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP) during behavior by identifying a functional plasticity rule solely from spiking activity. First, we formulate a flexible point-process spiking neuron model structure with STDP, which includes functions that characterize the stationary and plastic properties of the neuron. The STDP model includes a novel function for prolonged plasticity induction, as well as a more typical function for synaptic weight change based on the relative timing of input-output spike pairs. Consideration for system stability is incorporated with weight-dependent synaptic modification. Next, we formalize an estimation technique using a generalized multilinear model (GMLM) structure with basis function expansion. The weight-dependent synaptic modification adds a nonlinearity to the model, which is addressed with an iterative unconstrained optimization approach. Finally, we demonstrate successful model estimation on simulated spiking data and show that all model functions can be estimated accurately with this method across a variety of simulation parameters, such as number of inputs, output firing rate, input firing type, and simulation time. Since this approach requires only naturally generated spikes, it can be readily applied to behaving animal studies to characterize the underlying mechanisms of learning and memory.
60 GHz UWB Transmitter for Use in WLAN Communication

This paper describes a 60 GHz ultra-wideband (UWB) transceiver for indoor communication using 0.13 mum SiGe BiCMOS technology. The main advantage of this technology is the full integration of the analog and digital functions required for a high data rate wireless transmission at 60 GHz. The transmitter architecture is based on single-ended circuit topology. This paper describes the different functions needed to realize the transmitter (oscillator, switch and amplifier) and its performance achieved with the BiCMOS process. Single-pole single-throw (SPST) switch measurements are also detailed. It presents a ON/OFF transmission ratio about 40 dB at 60 GHz.
Hyperfibrinogenemia and functional outcome from acute ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Epidemiological studies have found strong correlations between elevated plasma fibrinogen levels and both ischemic stroke incidence and stroke mortality. Little is known about the influence of fibrinogen levels on functional stroke outcome. METHODS Placebo data from the Stroke Treatment with Ancrod Trial (STAT) and European Stroke Treatment with Ancrod Trial (ESTAT) were analyzed. Fibrinogen levels were determined within 3 hours (STAT) or 6 hours (ESTAT) of stroke onset and at preset intervals throughout 5 days of intravenous infusions. Barthel Index scores at 90 days quantified functional outcomes. The association between initial fibrinogen levels and functional outcomes was evaluated using a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Fibrinogen levels increased gradually over the first 24 hours from a pretreatment median value of 340 mg/dL to a 24-hour median value of 376 mg/dL. In a univariate analysis, the proportion of patients with good functional outcome decreased with increasing quartiles of initial fibrinogen levels in both STAT (36.0% to 26.2%) and ESTAT (53.8% to 24.8%). In a multifactorial analysis, the same trend was observed. Patients with initial fibrinogen levels <450 mg/dL had better outcomes in both studies; the difference (42.0% versus 21.6%) was significant in ESTAT (P=0.0006), even when corrected for age and initial stroke severity. CONCLUSIONS The independent association of higher initial fibrinogen levels with poor outcome needs to be verified using a larger acute stroke dataset. Even in the present small populations, the apparent association of these 2 variables suggests that treatments designed to reduce fibrinogen levels could potentially be important in treating acute ischemic stroke.
Electrical Inhibition of Pain by Stimulation of the Dorsal Columns: Preliminary Clinical Report

Since submission of the original paper on experimental observations, Wall and Sweet2 have reported that peripheral nerve stimulation can produce specific focal analgesia and anesthesia. We have confirmed their results in 10 cases in which peripheral nerve stimulation was used. Frequencies of 20 to 100 cps, currents of 0.5 to 1 ma. , and pulse widths of 0.5 msec. have resulted uniformly in analgesia of the nerve's peripheral area of innervation. With stimulation of the peroneal nerve, however, no decrease in sensation could be elicited in the lateral part of the foot. This emphasizes the impracticality of peripheral nerve stimulation for relief of diffuse pain. REPORT OF A CASE A 70-year-old man was admitted . to Lutheran Hospital in early March because of severe diffuse pain in the right lower part of the chest and the upper part of the abdomen. He had previously been demonstrated to have inoperable bronchiogenic carcinoma and was suspected of having metastasis to the pleura and liver. He ran a lowgrade fever and had considerable nausea and vomiting but was thought to have a life expectancy of 1 or 2 months. We explained in detail to him and his family the experimental nature of dorsal column stimulation. A nurse anesthetist daughter was of great aid in gaining their acceptance of this treatment. On March 24, 1967, a thoracic laminectomy (D2-3) was performed and a Vitallium electrode measuring 3 by 4 mm. was approximated to the dorsal columns at D3 by suturing to dura. The spinal electrode was Vitallium covered with Dow Corning Medical Grade Adhesive and Silastic. Special subcutaneous jacks were placed inferior
Realization of JSE Application Method of IPTV STB

Xie Weihua Post-doctoral Programme of Communication University of China Beijing, China Wang YongBing College of computer science of Communication University of China Beijing, China Mail: Weihua.xie@gmail.com Abstract—This paper presents realization of IPTV JSE application method based on embedded browser. It analyzes the steps based on global variable and local variable. And it analyzes the special processing method of the active event based on embedded browser. These JSE realization method based on embedded browser has perfect reference value to the design of EPG system development and design of the STB
Hypertension epidemiology and economic burden: refining risk assessment to lower costs.

BACKGROUND Hypertension (HTN) continues to be a serious public health problem in the United States and is a major risk factor for stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and other serious cardiovascular and renal diseases. Because HTN can be asymptomatic, its detection and control continues to be a challenge. The total economic burden of HTN is estimated at $73.4 billion in 2009. OBJECTIVE To examine the potential prognostic utility of biomarkers to assess hypertension-related cardiovascular risk and their potential impact on treatment in the context of current epidemiology and demographics of HTN. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS Although blood pressure control rates among people treated for HTN have increased from 51.3 percent to 63.9 percent over the past five years, there remains a vast unmet need for improved efficiency and effectiveness in diagnosis and treatment. Biomarkers provide a promising approach to improve detection and management of disease progression while optimizing health care expenditures.
Role of the estrogen receptor coactivator AIB1 (SRC-3) and HER-2/neu in tamoxifen resistance in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND AIB1 (SRC-3) is an estrogen receptor (ER) coactivator that, when overexpressed in cultured cells, can reduce the antagonist activity of tamoxifen-bound ERs. Signaling through the HER-2 receptor pathway activates AIB1 by phosphorylation. To determine whether high AIB1 expression alone or together with HER-2 reduces the effectiveness of tamoxifen in breast cancer patients, we quantified expression of AIB1 and HER-2 in tumors from breast cancer patients with long-term clinical follow-up who received either no adjuvant therapy or adjuvant tamoxifen therapy after breast cancer surgery. METHODS AIB1 and HER-2 protein levels in tumors from 316 breast cancer patients were determined using western blot analysis. Molecular variables (e.g., expression of AIB1, ER, progesterone receptor, p53, Bcl-2), tumor characteristics, and patient outcome were assessed using Spearman rank correlation. Disease-free survival (DFS) curves were derived from Kaplan-Meier estimates, and the curves were compared by log-rank tests. The effect of AIB1 on DFS adjusted for other prognostic factors was assessed by multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional hazards model. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS High AIB1 expression in patients not receiving adjuvant tamoxifen therapy was associated with better prognosis and longer DFS (P =.018, log-rank test). In contrast, for patients who did receive tamoxifen therapy, high AIB1 expression was associated with worse DFS (P =.049, log-rank test), which is indicative of tamoxifen resistance. The test for interaction between AIB1 expression and tamoxifen therapy was statistically significant (P =.004). When expression of AIB1 and HER-2 were considered together, patients whose tumors expressed high levels of both AIB1 and HER-2 had worse outcomes with tamoxifen therapy than all other patients combined (P =.002, log-rank test). CONCLUSIONS The antitumor activity of tamoxifen in patients with breast cancer may be determined, in part, by tumor levels of AIB1 and HER-2. Thus, AIB1 may be an important diagnostic and therapeutic target.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Polymorphisms and Risk of Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia

Objective: To evaluate the association between 3 vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene polymorphisms and susceptibility of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Materials and Methods: This prospectively collected case-control study investigates three common VEGF gene polymorphisms (ie, VEGF −460 [rs833061], VEGF +405 [rs2010963], and VEGF +936 [rs3025039]) in 203 women with CIN and 209 healthy women by DNA pyrosequencing. Associations between polymorphisms and CIN risk are evaluated with univariate and multivariable models and haplotype analysis. Results: In a multivariable regression model, the variant VEGF +405C allele was associated (odds ratio [OR], 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-5.1], P = 0.02) with increased susceptibility of CIN independent of number of sexual partners (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.1-4.6; P = 0.03) and smoking (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 1.6-6.6; P = 0.001). The haplotype VEGF −460C - +405C - +936C was associated with an OR of 5.2 (95% CI, 1.2-52.7) for the susceptibility of CIN. Conclusions: The presence of the variant VEGF +405C allele and the haplotype VEGF −460C - +405C - +936C are independently associated with higher susceptibility of CIN.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Lumefantrine (Benflumetol) in Acute Falciparum Malaria

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to conduct a prospective population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of lumefantrine during blinded comparisons of artemether-lumefantrine treatment regimens in uncomplicated multidrug-resistant falciparum malaria. Three combination regimens containing an average adult lumefantrine dose of 1,920 mg over 3 days (four doses) (regimen A) or 2,780 mg over 3 or 5 days (six doses) (regimen B or C, respectively) were given to 266 Thai patients. Detailed observations were obtained for 51 hospitalized adults, and sparse data were collected for 215 patients of all ages in a community setting. The population absorption half-life of lumefantrine was 4.5 h. The model-based median (5th and 95th percentiles) peak plasma lumefantrine concentrations were 6.2 (0.25 and 14.8) μg/ml after regimen A, 9.0 (1.1 and 19.8) μg/ml after regimen B, and 8 (1.4 and 17.4) μg/ml after regimen C. During acute malaria, there was marked variability in the fraction of drug absorbed by patients (coefficient of variation, 150%). The fraction increased considerably and variability fell with clinical recovery, largely because food intake was resumed; taking a normal meal close to drug administration increased oral bioavailability by 108% (90% confidence interval, 64 to 164) (P, 0.0001). The higher-dose regimens (B and C) gave 60 and 100% higher areas under the concentration-time curves (AUC), respectively, and thus longer durations for which plasma lumefantrine concentrations exceeded the putative in vivo MIC of 280 μg/ml (median for regimen B, 252 h; that for regimen C, 298 h; that for regimen A, 204 h [P, 0.0001]) and higher cure rates. Lumefantrine oral bioavailability is very dependent on food and is consequently poor in acute malaria but improves markedly with recovery. The high cure rates with the two six-dose regimens resulted from increased AUC and increased time at which lumefantrine concentrations were above the in vivo MIC.
Spectroscopic characterization of the uptake of essential and xenobiotic metal cations in cells of the soil bacterium Azospirillum brasilense

The results of flame (FAAS) or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric (GFAAS) analyses are presented and discussed on the accumulation of essential metals (Mg, Ca, Mn and Fe contained in the cultivation medium) and traces of each one of the conventionally xenobiotic elements from the group V, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn or Pb, added to the medium in concentrations (0.2 mM) which do not essentially suppress growth of the bacterial culture, in cells of the plant root‐associated nitrogen‐fixing bacterium Azospirillum brasilense. Along with the essential cations assimilated by the bacterium, Zn and Cu were found to effectively accumulate in the biomass from the environment. The uptake of Co and Ni was significantly less pronounced, whereas Pb and V appeared to be present in cells in much lower concentrations than in the cultivation medium evidently showing no tendency to be assimilated by azospirilla. The effect of the above xenobiotics on the uptake level of the four essential elements provided evidence that they may compete for the formation of biologically active complexes with substances of both intracellular and extracellular localization. The analytical data obtained are compared with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of intact vacuum‐dried bacterial cells grown in a standard medium and under the conditions of an increased metal uptake.
Linear Time and Memory-Efficient Computation

A realistic model of computation called the block-move (BM) model is developed. The BM regards computation as a sequence of finite transductions in memory, and operations are timed according to a memory cost parameter $\mu$. Unlike previous memory-cost models, the BM provides a rich theory of linear time, and in contrast to what is known for Turing machines (TMs), the BM is proved to be highly robust for linear time. Under a wide range of $\mu$ parameters, many forms of the BM model, ranging from a fixed-wordsize random-access machine (RAM) down to a single finite automaton iterating itself on a single tape, are shown to simulate each other up to constant factors in running time. The BM is proved to enjoy efficient universal simulation, and to have a tight deterministic time hierarchy. Relationships among BM and TM time complexity classes are studied.
Probing cosmic chemical evolution with gamma-ray bursts: GRB 060206 at z = 4.048

Aims.We present early optical spectroscopy of the afterglow of the gamma-ray burst GRB 060206 with the aim of determining the metallicity of the GRB absorber and the physical conditions in the circumburst medium. We also discuss how GRBs may be important complementary probes of cosmic chemical evolution. Methods.Absorption line study of the GRB afterglow spectrum. Results.We determine the redshift of the GRB to be z=4.04795±0.00020. Based on the measurement of the neutral hydrogen column density from the damped Lyman-alpha line and the metal content from weak, unsaturated S II lines we derive a metallicity of [S/H]=-0.84±0.10. This is one of the highest metallicities measured from absorption lines at z~4. From the very high column densities for the forbidden Si II*, O I*, and O I** lines we infer very high densities and low temperatures in the system. There is evidence for the presence of H2 molecules with log N(H_2)~17.0, translating into a molecular fraction of log{f}â‰ˆ -3.5 with f=2N(H2)/(2N(H2) + N(H I)). Even if GRBs are only formed by single massive stars with metallicities below ~0.3 Zo, they could still be fairly unbiased tracers of the bulk of the star formation at z>2. Hence, metallicities as derived for GRB 060206 here for a complete sample of GRB afterglows will directly show the distribution of metallicities for representative star-forming galaxies at these redshifts.