Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fasting insulin and outcome in early-stage breast cancer: results of a prospective cohort study.

PURPOSE Insulin, a member of a family of growth factors that includes insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I and IGF-II, exerts mitogenic effects on normal and malignant breast epithelial cells, acting via insulin and IGF-I receptors. Because of this and because of its recognized association with obesity, an adverse prognostic factor in breast cancer, we examined the prognostic associations of insulin in early-stage breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS A cohort of 512 women without known diabetes, who had early-stage (T1 to T3, N0 to N1, and M0) breast cancer, was assembled and observed prospectively. Information on traditional prognostic factors and body size was collected, and fasting blood was obtained. RESULTS Fasting insulin was associated with distant recurrence and death; the hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for those in the highest (> 51.9 pmol/L) versus the lowest (< 27.0 pmol/L) insulin quartile were 2.0 (95% CI, 1.2 to 3.3) and 3.1 (95% CI, 1.7 to 5.7), respectively. There was some evidence to suggest that the association of insulin with breast cancer outcomes may be nonlinear. Insulin was correlated with body mass index (Spearman r = 0.59, P <.001), which, in turn, was associated with distant recurrence and death (P <.001). In multivariate analyses that included fasting insulin and available tumor- and treatment-related variables, adjusted hazard ratios for the upper versus lower insulin quartile were 2.1 (95% CI, 1.2 to 3.6) and 3.3 (95% CI, 1.5 to 7.0) for distant recurrence and death, respectively. CONCLUSION Fasting insulin level is associated with outcome in women with early breast cancer. High levels of fasting insulin identify women with poor outcomes in whom more effective treatment strategies should be explored.
Highly Branched Phenotype of the Petunia dad1-1 Mutant Is Reversed by Grafting

The recessive dad1–1 allele conditions a highly branched growth habit resulting from a proliferation of first- and second-order branches. Unlike the wild-type parent, which has lateral branching delayed until the third or fourth leaf node distal to the cotyledons, dad1–1 initiates lateral branching from each cotyledon axil. In addition to initiating lateral branching sooner than the wild type, dad1–1 sustains branching through more nodes on the main shoot axis than the wild type. In keeping with a propensity for branching at basal nodes, dad1–1 produces second-order branches at the proximal-most nodes on first-order branches and small shoots from accessory buds at basal nodes on the main shoot axis. Additional traits associated with the mutation are late flowering, adventitious root formation, shortened internodes, and mild leaf chlorosis. Graft studies show that a dad1–1 scion, when grafted onto wild-type stock, is converted to a phenotype resembling the wild type. Furthermore, a small wild-type interstock fragment inserted between a mutant root stock and a mutant scion is sufficient to convert the dad1–1 scion from mutant to a near wild-type appearance. The recessive dad1–1 phenotype combines traits associated with cytokinin overexpression, auxin overexpression, and gibberellin limitation, which suggests a complex interaction of hormones in establishing the mutant phenotype.
Enterprise Architecture: Charting the Territory for Academic Research

The concept of Enterprise Architecture (EA) has long been considered as a means to improve system integration and achieve better IT-business alignment by IT professionals. Recently, the subject gained significant visibility by IS academics. In this paper we provide an overview of existing EA research and practice and present key functions and benefits of EA as seen by IT professionals based on the results of the SIM Information Management Practices Survey. We then identify and discuss directions for future research, including the development of EA definition and nomological net, as well as development of theoretical propositions regarding EA business value.
Plasmodium falciparum glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase 6‐phosphogluconolactonase is a potential drug target

The malarial parasite Plasmodium falciparum is exposed to substantial redox challenges during its complex life cycle. In intraerythrocytic parasites, haemoglobin breakdown is a major source of reactive oxygen species. Deficiencies in human glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase, the initial enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), lead to a disturbed redox equilibrium in infected erythrocytes and partial protection against severe malaria. In P. falciparum, the first two reactions of the PPP are catalysed by the bifunctional enzyme glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase 6‐phosphogluconolactonase (PfGluPho). This enzyme differs structurally from its human counterparts and represents a potential target for drugs. In the present study we used epitope tagging of endogenous PfGluPho to verify that the enzyme localises to the parasite cytosol. Furthermore, attempted double crossover disruption of the PfGluPho gene indicates that the enzyme is essential for the growth of blood stage parasites. As a further step towards targeting PfGluPho pharmacologically, ellagic acid was characterised as a potent PfGluPho inhibitor with an IC50 of 76 nm. Interestingly, pro‐oxidative drugs or treatment of the parasites with H2O2 only slightly altered PfGluPho expression or activity under the conditions tested. Furthermore, metabolic profiling suggested that pro‐oxidative drugs do not significantly perturb the abundance of PPP intermediates. These data indicate that PfGluPho is essential in asexual parasites, but that the oxidative arm of the PPP is not strongly regulated in response to oxidative challenge.
Isolated and Combined Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction in Revision Surgery for Patellofemoral Instability

Background: Persistent pain and redislocations after surgical treatment of patellofemoral instability are described in up to 40% of patients. However, prospective outcome data about revision surgery are missing. Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome after revision medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using isolated and combined procedures, with a follow-up of 24 months. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Study participants were 42 patients (median age, 22 years; range, 13-46 years) who underwent revision surgery between January 2007 and December 2009 because of persistent patellofemoral instability after a mean of 1.8 previous failed surgical interventions (lateral release, medial imbrication/vastus medialis obliquus distalization, medialization of the tuberosity). An isolated MPFL reconstruction was performed in 15 cases, while a combination procedure was performed in 27 cases. The clinical results were evaluated preoperatively and 24 months postoperatively using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Kujala, and Tegner scores as well as a subjective questionnaire. Patellar shift, tilt, and height, as well as level of degeneration, were defined preoperatively and at the latest follow-up on plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging. Results: At 24-month follow-up, 87% of the patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the treatment. No apprehension or redislocation was reported at follow-up, and there was a significant decrease in pain during daily activities. There were significant improvements (P < .001) in IKDC (from 50 to 80), Kujala (from 51 to 85), and Tegner scores (from 2.4 to 4.9). Patellar shift, tilt, and height decreased significantly (P < .05) to anatomic values, and there was no aggravation to the level of pre-existing degeneration. No significant difference was noticed between the isolated and combined procedures. Conclusion: As patellofemoral instability is a multifactorial problem, revision surgery should be indicated only after a comprehensive examination. The results of this study show that MPFL reconstruction, alone or in combination, seems to be an effective treatment for recurrent patellar dislocations after a failed previous surgery, leading to significant increases in stability and functionality as well as a reduction in pain.
Storage temperature of boar semen and its relationship to changes in sperm plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential, and oxidoreductive capability

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in sperm plasma membrane integrity, mitochondrial activity, and extracellular environment during storage of boar semen at 5 °C, 16 °C, and 25 °C for 10 days. Progressive sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity (SYBR-14/PI-test and HOS test), aspartate aminotransferase (AAT), and mitochondrial activity (JC-1-test and NADH-dependent NBT assay), as well as pH and osmolality were assessed in nine ejaculates of Polish Landrace boars. The plasma membrane integrity of the semen stored at 5 °C was similar to that of the semen stored at 16 °C and 25 °C; however, an increase in AAT activity of the semen stored at 5 °C revealed sperm membrane disorders as early as day 2. Significant differences in the progressive motility of the semen stored at 5 °C and 16 °C were observed at each of the evaluation times. This reduced motility was consistent with decreased sperm mitochondrial transmembrane potential and oxidoreductive capability. We inferred that the cooling of boar semen to 5 °C increases the permeability of the sperm plasma membrane, which may not be revealed by SYBR-14/PI staining or HOS testing. The loss of boar sperm motility that occurs during hypothermic liquid preservation may be connected with alterations in the plasma membrane stability and disorders of mitochondrial transmembrane potential and oxidoreductive capability.
Unilateral lesion of the nigrostriatal pathway decreases the firing rate and alters the firing pattern of globus pallidus neurons in the rat

Activities of spontaneously firing neurons in the globus pallidus of intact rats and rats that survived unilateral lesions of the nigrostriatal pathway for 3 days, 1 week, or 6–11 weeks were compared. No significant differences in neuronal firing rate, firing pattern, and number of cells per pass were observed between chloral hydrate‐anesthetized control and lesioned animals. However, in locally anesthetized animals, pallidal cells fired significantly faster than in chloral hydrate‐anesthetized animals, and the lesion caused a decrease in the firing rates of pallidal cells 1 week and 6–9 weeks postlesion. In addition, significant differences in the firing pattern of pallidal cells, as determined by the ratio of the mean to median interspike intervals, were seen between locally anesthetized controls and animals surviving 3 days, 1 week, and 6–9 weeks post lesion. This altered firing pattern tended to return to normal with time. The number of cells per pass was not significantly altered by the lesion. Data from this study suggest that, in locally anesthetized animals, the removal of the tonic dopaminergic input to the basal ganglia causes pallidal cells to decrease their firing rates in a time‐dependent fashion and causes reversable firing pattern changes. This suggests that tonically active dopamine neurons, probably acting through the striatopallidal pathway, regulate the firing rate and mechanisms controlling the temporal ordering of spontaneous discharges of globus pallidus neurons.
H.264 Video Encoder Implementation Based on TMS320DM642 DSP

Real-time requirement is the key problem in video applications. Due to its complicated computation, the video compression standard H.264 cannot meet the real-time encoding constraints. In the paper, the hardware platform of video encoding and decoding based on the TMS320DM642 is designed and constructed, the DSP implementation of H.264 video compression standard is discussed in the paper. We transplant the reference model of H.264 into the hardware platform based on the DM642 and describe in detail how to modify the JM Code and how to optimize the modified reference code in order that the H.264 code can be executed well on the DM642 platform. The experiment on the hardware platform verifies that the proposed video encoder can distinctly reduce the computational complexity and increase encoding speed with little quality loss of the rebuild image, hence it enable to meet the real-time encoding constraints. KeywordsTMS320DM642;H.264;video encoder
Mechanical Stability of the Pedicle Screw Fixation Systems for the Lumbar Spine

Five different pedicle screw systems: AO Fixator Interne, VSP Steffee plate, Luque ISF, modified Zielke, and Chibatype plate screw system (experimental device), were evaluated for biomechanical strength. A fatigue test for the screw, compressive, and torsional tests for the pedicle screw systems and a pull-out test of the pedicle screw were done. Even the Schanz screw, which showed the highest endurance limit, may be broken under the continuous loading condition in the body. The AO Fixator Interne and Steffee plate system themselves are rigid and are indicated for injuries that need reduction. The Luque ISF, modified Zielke, and Chiba-type plate screw systems, however, are indicated for degenerative lumbar disease requiring in situ fusion. There was a linear positive correlation between the bone mineral density of the vertebral body and the pull-out strength of the pedicle screw (correlation coefficient, 0.68). The fixation strength of the pedicle screw to the bone decreased remarkably in osteoporosis.
Loop Heat Pipes and mini-Vapour Cycle System for Helicopter Avionics Electronic Thermal Management

With the increase of heat flux densities generated by electronics, manufacturers are facing tremendous new challenges in which component heat flux might reach 100 W/cm2. This scenario is pushing the research efforts towards the development of alternative solutions, which will be able to ensure the needed cooling demands of highintegrated electronics. Furthermore, when considering the aeronautical applications, the reliability, compactness, and lightness of the cooling systems represent essential and mandatory characteristics. With the continuous miniaturization of the components, passive and active two-phase cooling devices can now be applied to electronics systems while maintaining the fundamental compactness and lightness of the whole system. This paper presents the experimental assessment of an electronic cooling prototype especially designed for helicopter avionics thermal management in the framework of 7 th FP EU project TOICA (Thermal Overall Integrated Conception of Aircraft, www.toica-fp7.eu). The prototype consists of a set of compact Loop Heat Pipes (LHPs) especially designed for the hot spot treatment at blade level and an air cooled mini-Vapor Cycle System (mini-VCS), which is devoted to the overall heat rejection. One innovative concept of this system design lies in the presence of a thermal connector, named thermal plug, which acts as the evaporator of the mini-VCS, that cools down the LHP condenser. The experimental results are carried out at different hot spot heat loads, from 10 W to 50 W. The effect of different heat sink temperatures on the LHP thermal resistance is investigated. Furthermore, for a fixed evaporating temperature of the mini-VCS, the effects of vapor superheating at the outlet of the plug evaporator on the LHP thermal resistance is investigated. The proposed preliminary results allow to exploit the potentiality to use the proposed cooling technology in a typical airborne scenario.
Dopamine D3 Receptor Availability Is Associated with Inflexible Decision Making

Dopamine D2/3 receptor signaling is critical for flexible adaptive behavior; however, it is unclear whether D2, D3, or both receptor subtypes modulate precise signals of feedback and reward history that underlie optimal decision making. Here, PET with the radioligand [11C]-(+)-PHNO was used to quantify individual differences in putative D3 receptor availability in rodents trained on a novel three-choice spatial acquisition and reversal-learning task with probabilistic reinforcement. Binding of [11C]-(+)-PHNO in the midbrain was negatively related to the ability of rats to adapt to changes in rewarded locations, but not to the initial learning. Computational modeling of choice behavior in the reversal phase indicated that [11C]-(+)-PHNO binding in the midbrain was related to the learning rate and sensitivity to positive, but not negative, feedback. Administration of a D3-preferring agonist likewise impaired reversal performance by reducing the learning rate and sensitivity to positive feedback. These results demonstrate a previously unrecognized role for D3 receptors in select aspects of reinforcement learning and suggest that individual variation in midbrain D3 receptors influences flexible behavior. Our combined neuroimaging, behavioral, pharmacological, and computational approach implicates the dopamine D3 receptor in decision-making processes that are altered in psychiatric disorders. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Flexible decision-making behavior is dependent upon dopamine D2/3 signaling in corticostriatal brain regions. However, the role of D3 receptors in adaptive, goal-directed behavior has not been thoroughly investigated. By combining PET imaging with the D3-preferring radioligand [11C]-(+)-PHNO, pharmacology, a novel three-choice probabilistic discrimination and reversal task and computational modeling of behavior in rats, we report that naturally occurring variation in [11C]-(+)-PHNO receptor availability relates to specific aspects of flexible decision making. We confirm these relationships using a D3-preferring agonist, thus identifying a unique role of midbrain D3 receptors in decision-making processes.
Eye disease in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

We report the case of a 40-year-old women with diffuse uveitis, sensorineural hearing loss and cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis as features of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome who developed symmetric polyarthritis and stiffness of small and large joints, in addition to rheumatoid arthritis. Although their target tissues are distinct, both diseases have a possible autoimmune origin strongly associated with HLA-DRB4.
Assessing bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation with the HAS-BLED and ORBIT scores: clinical application requires focus on the reversible bleeding risk factors.

This editorial refers to ‘The ORBIT bleeding score: a simple bedside score to assess bleeding risk in atrial fibrillation’, by E.C. O'Brien et al . , on page doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehv476. Stroke prevention is central to the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), and effective stroke prevention requires oral anticoagulation (OAC), delivered with either a vitamin K antagonist (VKA; e.g. warfarin) or a non-VKA oral anticoagulant (NOAC). If a VKA is used, good quality anticoagulation control, defined as a time in therapeutic range (TTR) >70%, is crucial, given that the efficacy and (particularly) safety of VKA is intimately related to TTR.1,2 Various clinical features are associated with a higher bleeding risk, and some have been used to derive various bleeding risk scores that have been proposed in the last decade.3 Until recently, these scores have not had much clinical use, given that many were derived or validated in non-AF patients. Of the various proposed bleeding risk scores, only the HEMORRH2AGES, HAS-BLED, and ATRIA scores have been derived and/or validated in AF populations. The HAS-BLED score4 has gained popularity, having been shown to be simple but yet as good as—and sometimes better than—other bleeding risk scores, in predicting bleeding risk.5–7 Various validation studies have examined HAS-BLED in predicting bleeding risk in AF whilst on OAC (both VKA and non-VKA anticoagulants), aspirin, or without any antithrombotic therapy. HAS-BLED is also the only score shown to be predictive of intracranial haemorrhage (ICH). The HAS-BLED score has also been validated in non-AF populations, including those with venous thrombo-embolism,8 acute coronary syndrome, or percutaneous coronary interventions,9 or those undergoing bridging …
Mutations in the gene for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, homocysteine levels, and vitamin status in women with a history of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to assess frequencies of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene mutations cytosine-to-thymine substitution at base 677 (C677T) and adenine-to-cytosine substitution at base 1298 (A1298C) and their interactions with homocysteine and vitamin levels among Dutch women with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN Mutations were studied in the following 5 groups: 47 consecutive women with preeclampsia, 49 women with preeclampsia and with hyperhomocysteinemia, 36 women with preeclampsia but without hyperhomocysteinemia, 127 women with familial preeclampsia (typed for C677T mutations only), and 120 control subjects. Plasma levels of homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B12 were measured. RESULTS Although 10.6% of the consecutive women with preeclampsia had strictly defined hyperhomocysteinemia (values >97.5th percentile), neither mutation was found in excess relative to the control group. Women with preeclampsia who had mild hyperhomocysteinemia (values >75th percentile) had a significant excess of the TT genotype (homozygosity for C677T mutation) relative to the women with preeclampsia who did not have hyperhomocysteinemia (odds ratio, 8.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.8-39). They also had significantly lower vitamin levels. CONCLUSION Hyperhomocysteinemia in women with preeclampsia was associated with mutations in the gene for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, but the high frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia itself cannot be explained by these mutations alone.
Analytical modelling of Kirschner wires in Ilizarov circular external fixators using a tensile model

Abstract Mechanical characteristics of orthopaedic fixators, such as the stiffness and stability, directly influence the mechanobiological environment in which the bone is healed. In circular external fixators, the transfixing Kirschner wires are the major contributors to the biomechanics involved. A comprehensive understanding of the mechanical behaviour of the wires is therefore the key to biomechanical analysis of the Ilizarov fixator. In this study, to model the behaviour of the wires, a purely theoretical approach has been adopted to obtain explicit equations for a solely tension-based model formulation. Mathematical modelling leads to new algebraic polynomials whose solutions are the exact maximum deflection, angle of deflection, and total (final) tension in the wire. The predictions are compared with published experimental and computational findings on the deflection and stiffness of the wires, and analytical explanations are provided for the previously observed behaviours. Parametric (practical) implications of this type of abstraction include the fact that the angle of deflection as well as the tension in the wire are independent of its length. The inverse proportionality of wire stiffness to its length is also deduced. The findings are applicable to tensile elements (ropes, chains, etc.), provided that the tensile deformation (elongation) can be deemed to be the dominant mode of deformation.
The Face of the Future

The technological union of ubiquitous personal computers, cheap high-performance graphics and audio, the Web and its expectations, international standards for showing multi-media, and research into Artificial Intelligence and Text to Speech Synthesis systems has recently resulted in Talking Head interfaces to applications and information. This paper details how our initial observations about how people relate to computer generated Talking Heads helped us to create a more believable and realistic Talking Head – a more humane Talking Head. The paper also presents results from the subsequent evaluation of the realism, believability and acceptability of the new Talking Head. Finally we look at where we go to from here and future applications of the Talking Head Technology.