Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Updating of covariates and choice of time origin in survival analysis: problems with vaguely defined disease states

This paper discusses survival analysis based on updated covariates with focus on proportional hazard regression in situations where some disease states may be vaguely defined. Analyses of a trial in liver cirrhosis are used to motivate the discussion. We use problems caused by inclusion of recordings from unscheduled follow‐ups to illustrate the importance of appropriate coding of covariates and describe how such problems may be approached using appropriately ‘lagged’ covariates. The choice of time origin is discussed with emphasis on situations where disease initiation is difficult to define. Simulations are used to assess the effect of an erroneously specified time origin. It is argued that age or calendar time may frequently be sensible time variables. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patulous Eustachian tube syndrome: The relationship with sensorineural hearing loss Treatment by Eustachian tube diathermy

Abstract The patulous Eustachian tube syndrome has previously been regarded as a troublesome but benign condition. Nine out of 13 patients reported here had evidence of cochlear damage similar to that caused by acoustic trauma. These patients also had vestibular symptoms which improved with treatment of the patulous tube. It is postulated that abnormal patency of the Eustachian tube may allow excessive middle ear pressure changes to occur which may be transmitted by abnormal ossicular movement to the cochlea. Eustachian tube diathermy using a ureteric diathermy probe is a safe and effective method of treating this condition.
Vascular Effects of Natriuretic Peptides in Healthy Men

Background: Most effects of atrial (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) result from stimulation of the guanylyl-cyclase type A receptor. Chronic elevation causes hyporesponsiveness to ANP, whereas BNP effects tend to be preserved, implying an additional pathway of action. We, therefore, investigated the hemodynamic effects of co-infusion of ANP, BNP, and, as a positive control acting on type B receptor, C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP). Furthermore, vascular responses to short and prolonged infusions were compared to investigate rapid hyporesponsiveness of guanylyl-cyclase type A receptor. Methods: In 11 healthy volunteers, arterial response to continuous intra-arterial infusion of ANP (60 pmol/100 mL forearm tissue volume [FAV]/min) was assessed by venous occlusion plethysmography. Then, co-infusion of a similar dose of ANP, BNP, or CNP was administered in randomized order. Each infusion phase was followed by a washout period. Then, ANP was restarted, followed by co-infusion of one of the natriuretic peptides not yet infused. After a further washout period, ANP was restarted, followed by co-infusion of the natriuretic peptide not yet co-infused. In 6 subjects, infusion time was adjusted to plasma half-lives (5 times), and in the other 5 subjects, infusion time was 5 minutes. Results: ANP alone caused the expected vasodilation from 2.7 ± 0.3 mL/min/100 mL FAV to 6.0 ± 0.9 mL/min/100 mL FAV (P < .004). This response remained unchanged in the group that received short-term infusions (6.2 ± 0.8 mL/min/100 mL FAV to 6.6 ± 1.1 mL/min/100mL FAV) but was reduced over time in the group receiving longer-term infusions (6.5 ± 1.2 mL/min/100 mL FAV to 4.5 ± 0.7 mL/min/100mL FAV, P < .05; difference between groups P < .05). Co-infusions of ANP, BNP, and CNP caused minor additional vasodilation (mean 0.8 ± 0.2 mL/min/100ml FAV, P < .01), which did not differ between the different co-infused natriuretic peptides. Conclusion: Our data provide evidence for rapid desensitization of the guanylyl-cyclase type A receptor in humans, but do not support the presence of a BNP-specific receptor.
Abordagem co-evolutiva hierárquica para geração automática de sistemas nebulosos.

Este trabalho enfoca o problema de geracao automatica de sistemas nebulosos por meio da computacao evolutiva, mais especificamente por meio da abordagem de coevolucao. A co-evolucao baseia-se na ideia de modelagem modular de subcomponentes do problema. Neste trabalho esses subcomponentes sao representados por especies diferentes, que tem uma relacao colaborativa entre si. Essa relacao forca uma evolucao co-adaptada entre as populacoes das especies. O sistema nebuloso a ser gerado tem como objetivo a classificacao de padroes. Basicamente, o esquema evolutivo e formado por quatro especies diferentes, que tem uma colaboracao hierarquica, tanto na geracao das especies, quanto na determinacao da aptidao dos individuos dessas especies. Essas especies sao organizadas em niveis, onde a colaboracao na geracao das especies se da dos niveis mais baixos para os mais altos, e a colaboracao na determinacao das aptidoes se da dos niveis mais altos para os mais baixos. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a abordagem estudada e bastante promissora e pode-se obter, por meio dela, sistemas de classificacao eficientes que apresentam desempenho semelhante ao de outras abordagens encontradas na literatura.
Metamorphism in jigsaw

A metamorphism is an unfold after a fold, consuming an input by the fold then generating an output by the unfold. It is typically useful for converting data representations, e.g., radix conversion of numbers. (Bird and Gibbons, Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol. 2638, 2003, pp. 1–26) have shown that metamorphisms can be incrementally processed in streaming style when a certain condition holds because part of the output can be determined before the whole input is given. However, whereas radix conversion of fractions is amenable to streaming, radix conversion of natural numbers cannot satisfy the condition because it is impossible to determine part of the output before the whole input is completed. In this paper, we present a jigsaw model in which metamorphisms can be partially processed for outputs even when the streaming condition does not hold. We start with how to describe the 3-to-2 radix conversion of natural numbers using our model. The jigsaw model allows us to process metamorphisms in a flexible way that includes parallel computation. We also apply our model to other examples of metamorphisms.
Does Physical Activity Modify the Association Between Body Mass Index and Colorectal Adenomas?

Abstract: Although both physical inactivity and obesity have been associated with an increased risk of colorectal adenomas, it is unclear whether physical activity modifies the relationship between obesity and colorectal adenomas or through what mechanism this might occur. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether physical activity modifies the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and colorectal adenomas and whether apoptosis is a plausible mechanism responsible for this effect modification. Study subjects were part of a large, cross-sectional study, the Diet and Health Study III. Consecutive patients underwent colonoscopy between August 1998 and March 2000. Apoptosis was measured by morphological evaluation of hematoxylin and eosin–stained sections obtained from rectal pinch biopsy samples. There were 226 patients with adenomas and 494 adenoma-free controls. When comparing overweight subjects with the referent group (high physical activity/normal BMI), the relative odds of having an adenoma decreased as physical activity increased: low (odds ratio, OR = 1.6; 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.7–3.4); moderate (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 0.6–2.0); and high (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.4–1.6). When comparing obese subjects with the referent group, relative odds of having an adenoma were increased regardless of physical activity level. Apoptosis was not associated with obesity or physical activity. Our results suggest that physical activity may modify the association between obesity and colorectal adenoma until a high level of obesity is achieved. Apoptosis does not appear to be associated with obesity or physical activity.
The design and implementation of a collaborative monitoring system based on JXTA

Integrating P2P networking technology with network management technology. A Collaborative Monitoring System Based on JXTA was designed here. The architecture and specific implementation were proposed. It emphasizes on introducing the method of monitoring the network by collaborative peers applying P2P technology. The implementation method of system is suggested by remote monitoring the CISCO3640 port utilization ratio. The system features on expansibility, usability and interoperability, high performance, decentralization, and robustness.
Do published criteria improve clinical diagnostic accuracy in multiple system atrophy?

Objective: To assess the accuracy of a clinical diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA) and compare it to the Quinn and Consensus criteria for MSA using neuropathologically examined cases from the Queen Square Brain Bank for Neurological Disorders. Methods: Fifty-nine cases with a neurologic diagnosis of MSA when last assessed prior to death were studied. Results: In 51 (86%) of these cases, the diagnosis of MSA was confirmed pathologically. False positive diagnoses included PD (n = 6), progressive supranuclear palsy (n = 1), and cerebrovascular disease (n = 1). When applying either set of diagnostic criteria, a diagnosis of probable MSA gave lower sensitivity but higher positive predictive value than one of possible MSA. Application of either set of diagnostic criteria was superior to actual clinical diagnosis made early in the disease, but there was little difference by the last clinic visit. Conclusions: This study shows a high diagnostic accuracy for the clinical diagnosis of MSA by neurologists, with PD accounting for most of the false positive diagnoses. Application of either Quinn or Consensus criteria was superior to actual clinical diagnosis made early in the disease, but there was little difference by last clinic visit.
Coherence of Subthreshold Activity in Coupled Inferior Olivary Neurons

C-E. Average frequency of STO, plotted as a function of STO maximal amplitude (C) or as a function of age of the animal (E), shows significant positive correlation, while STO maximal amplitude and the age of the animal are not correlated (D). A. -C. The traces on the left were recorded from 3 different neurons in 3 different slices corresponding. TF analysis, shown on the right, demonstrates constant frequency in A and changing frequency in B and C. Changes in frequency were associated with changes in the amplitude (compare the trace on the left and its TF representation on the right). The amplitude is coded in color so that bright yellow corresponds to higher amplitude (see the color scale on he right).
Species differences in adenosine receptor‐mediated bronchoconstrictor responses

Airways hyperresponsiveness is a de®ning feature of asthma [1]. In the context of this key aspect of asthma aetiology, a particularly remarkable phenomenon is the sensitivity of the asthmatic airways to adenosine; essentially the airways of asthmatics respond with pronounced bronchoconstriction to both inhaled or intravenously administered adenosine, whereas the airways of nonasthmatics do not [2,3]. Although the underlying mechanism of the bronchoconstrictor response to adenosine is reasonably well understood, the reason for the striking up-regulation of the response in asthmatic airways and the receptor site(s) involved remains to be clari®ed [4±9]. To study the phenomenon in further detail it would clearly be an advantage to have an animal model of the airway response to adenosine in asthma. Bronchoconstrictor responses to adenosine have been studied in guinea-pigs, rabbits and rats. In this review, the key features of the bronchoconstrictor responses to adenosine in these three species are described and compared with those of the airway response to adenosine in asthmatics.
Evaluation of UVA‐Mediated Oxidative Damage to Proteins and Lipids in Extracorporeal Photoimmunotherapy

Abstract— The combination of UVA and 8‐methoxypsoralen (8‐MOP) is known for the ability to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) that react subsequently with DNA, lipids and proteins. In most studies concerned with UVA effects mediated by free radicals, UVA doses higher than those exhibiting beneficial clinical results in extracorporeal photoimmunotherapy (ECPI) were used. The present study was undertaken to determine markers of oxidative stress in plasma and cells from the buffy coat using conditions relevant for ECPI (cumulative UVA dose at the sample level ≤ 2 J/cm2). Plasma exposed to UVA of 20 J/cm2 resulted in protein oxidation as well in crosslinking and fragmentation revealed by electrophoresis. Exposure of the buffy coat and plasma to considerably lower doses of UVA (up to 2 J/cm2) combined with various 8‐MOP concentrations resulted neither in an increase of malon‐dialdehyde as a marker of Hpid peroxidation nor in a changed electrophoretic protein pattern. In these same experiments the total antioxidative capacity decreased to 65% of the initial value, suggesting that the antioxidative defense of plasma is able to cope with oxidative stress under ECPI conditions. These results were confirmed by data from 10 patients with scleroderma or cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma during ECPI treatment. The present results suggest that, although ROS are formed during ECPI, gross oxidative damage does not occur. It is, however, possible, that specific effects mediated by oxygen radicals may co‐trigger the photoimmunomodulatory effects of ECPI.
Auricular acupuncture for insomnia: a systematic review

Objective: Auricular acupuncture (AA) is a therapeutic method by which specific points on the auricle are stimulated to treat various conditions. AA is often recommended as treatment for insomnia. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate data from randomised, placebo‐controlled clinical trials testing the effectiveness of AA for treating insomnia.
Kinematic and Kinetic Comparisons of Elite and Well-Trained Sprinters During Sprint Start

Slawinski, J, Bonnefoy, A, Levêque, JM, Ontanon, G, Riquet, A, Dumas, R, and Chèze, L. Kinematic and kinetic comparisons of elite and well-trained sprinters during sprint start. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 896-905, 2010-The purpose of this study was to compare the main kinematic, kinetic, and dynamic parameters of elite and well-trained sprinters during the starting block phase and the 2 subsequent steps. Six elite sprinters (10.06-10.43 s/100 m) and 6 well-trained sprinters (11.01-11.80 s/100 m) equipped with 63 passive reflective markers performed 4 maximal 10 m sprint starts on an indoor track. An opto-electronic motion analysis system consisting of 12 digital cameras (250 Hz) was used to record 3D marker trajectories. At the times “on your marks,” “set,” “clearing the block,” and “landing and toe-off of the first and second step,” the horizontal position of the center of mass (CM), its velocity (XCM and VCM), and the horizontal position of the rear and front hand (XHand_rear and XHand_front) were calculated. During the pushing phase on the starting block and the 2 first steps, the rate of force development and the impulse (Fimpulse) were also calculated. The main results showed that at each time XCM and VCM were significantly greater in elite sprinters. Moreover, during the pushing phase on the block, the rate of force development and Fimpulse were significantly greater in elite sprinters (respectively, 15,505 ± 5,397 N·s−1 and 8,459 ± 3,811 N·s−1 for the rate of force development; 276.2 ± 36.0 N·s and 215.4 ± 28.5 N·s for Fimpulse, p ≤ 0.05). Finally, at the block clearing, elite sprinters showed a greater XHand_rear and XHand_front than well-trained sprinters (respectively, 0.07± 0.12 m and −0.27 ± 0.36 m for XHand_rear; 1.00 ± 0.14 m and 0.52 ± 0.27 m for XHand_front; p ≤ 0.05). The muscular strength and arm coordination appear to characterize the efficiency of the sprint start. To improve speed capacities of their athletes, coaches must include in their habitual training sessions of resistance training.
The use of a weighted vest to increase on-task behavior in children with attention difficulties.

OBJECTIVE Children described as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder often demonstrate inability to sustain visual attention during classroom fine motor activities. This study investigated the effect of wearing a weighted vest (deep-pressure sensory input) on children's on-task behavior in the classroom. METHOD Four students with documented attention difficulties and hyperactivity were timed with a stopwatch to measure their on-task behavior during fine motor activities in the classroom. All 4 students were timed for six 15-min observations without wearing a weighted vest and for six 15-min observations while wearing a weighted vest. RESULTS On-task behavior increased by 18% to 25% in all 4 students while wearing the weighted vest. Additionally, 3 of the 4 students frequently asked to wear the vest other than during the observation times. CONCLUSION These preliminary findings support the hypothesis that wearing a weighted vest to apply deep pressure increases on-task behavior during fine motor activities.
Outlier mining in rule-based knowledge bases

The paper presents the problem of outlier detection in rule-based knowledge bases. Unusual (rare) rules, regarded here as deviation, should be the subject of experts’ and knowledge engineers’ analysis because they allow influencing on the efficiency of inference in decision support systems. A different approaches to find outliers and the results of the experiments are presented.
Targeting silymarin for improved hepatoprotective activity through chitosan nanoparticles

Introduction: Silymarin is one of the best known hepatoprotective drugs, which is obtained from the seeds of Silybum marianum L. , Family: Asteraceae or Compositae. The plant has traditionally been used for centuries as a natural remedy for liver and biliary tract diseases. The aim of the present investigation was to enhance the hepatoprotective activity of silymarin by incorporating it in chitosan (Ch) nanoparticles (NPs) for passive targeted delivery, thereby prolonging its retention time. Materials and Methods: Silymarin loaded NPs were prepared by ionic gelation technique, which were then optimized using a central composite design in order to minimize the particle size and maximize the drug entrapment efficiency. The optimized formulation was evaluated for in vitro drug release study and in vitro study on Swiss Albino mice using carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) induced hepatotoxicity model. Results: In vitro dissolution studies illustrated sustained, zero order drug release from optimized formulation; also its therapeutic potential was amplified during in vitro studies on Swiss Albino mice using CCL4 induced hepatotoxicity model. Conclusion: The results suggested that NPs of silymarin could successfully enhance its hepatoprotective effect by passive targeting and sustained release.
Double beta-lactam regimen compared to an aminoglycoside/beta-lactam regimen as empiric antibiotic therapy for febrile granulocytopenic cancer patients.

In a prospective, randomized trial, 205 febrile episodes in granulocytopenic cancer patients were treated with ceftazidime with or without tobramycin (C +/- T), both agents being administered only if the initial granulocyte count was below 200/microliters, or ceftazidime plus piperacillin (C + P). The overall response rate was 71% (39 of 60 for C +/- T and 45 of 58 for C + P). Logistic regression analyses documented no evidence of a significant difference between the two regimens in overall treatment effect after accounting for the linear effects of potentially important variables, such as infection type and granulocyte count. Although the response rates for the subgroup of patients with bacteremias was better with the C + P regimen (P = 0.06), there was no difference in response for patients with bacteremia and profound (< 100/microliters) sustained granulocytopenia. The double beta-lactam combination demonstrated in vitro synergism in 73%; antagonism was not seen. Both regimens produced excellent serum bactericidal levels (C +/- T geometric mean peak 1:170; C + P peak 1:137) against gram-negative but not gram-positive pathogens (1:4; 1:7 respectively) that had caused bacteremia. Emergence of resistance and significant coagulopathy and/or bleeding did not occur during therapy. Antibiotic-related nephrotoxicity was noted in 7 of 95 trials in the C + P and in 6 of 89 trials in the C +/- T group (P = 0.19). The incidence of secondary infections in patients with profound (< 100/microliters) sustained granulocytopenia was lower in the C +/- T group (P = 0.04). Alimentary canal anaerobic flora preservation with C +/- T, and suppression with C + P, was demonstrated. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Taste bud development and patterning in sighted and blind morphs of Astyanax mexicanus

In the blind cave‐dwelling morph of A. mexicanus, the eye degenerates while other sensory systems, such as gustation, are expanded compared to their sighted (surface‐dwelling) ancestor. This study compares the development of taste buds along the jaws of each morph. To determine whether cavefish have an altered onset or rate of taste bud development, we fluorescently labeled basal and receptor cells within taste buds over a developmental series. Our results show that taste bud number increases during development in both morphs. The rate of development is, however, accelerated in cavefish; a small difference in taste bud number exists at 5 dpf reaching threefold by 22 dpf. The expansion of taste buds in cavefish is, therefore, detectable after the onset of eye degeneration. This study provides important insights into the timing of taste bud expansion in cavefish as well as enhances our understanding of taste bud development in teleosts in general. Developmental Dynamics 238:3056–3064, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
An objective definition for clinical suspicion of T‐cell‐mediated rejection after liver transplantation

A uniform definition of clinical suspicion of T‐cell‐mediated rejection (TCMR) in liver transplantation (LT) is needed to homogenize clinical decisions, especially within randomized trials. This multicenter study included a total of 470 primary LT recipients. The derivation cohort consisted of 142 patients who had clinically driven liver biopsies at any time after LT. The external validation cohort included 328 patients who underwent protocol biopsies at day 7‐10 after LT. The rates of moderate‐severe histological TCMR were 33.8% in the derivation cohort and 43.6% in the validation cohort. Independent predictors (ie, risk factors) of moderate‐severe TCMR in the derivation cohort were as follows: serum bilirubin >4 mg/dL (OR=5.83; P<.001), rising bilirubin within the 4 days prior to liver biopsy (OR=4.57; P=.003), and blood eosinophils count >0.1×109/L (OR=3.81; P=.004). In the validation cohort, the number of risk factors was an independent predictor of moderate‐severe TCMR (OR=1.74; P=.001), after controlling for hepatitis C status. The number of risk factors paralleled the rates of moderate‐severe TCMR in the derivation and validation cohorts (P<.001 in both comparisons). In conclusion, increased serum bilirubin, rising bilirubin and eosinophilia are validated risk factors for moderate‐severe histological TCMR and could be used as objective criteria to select candidates for liver biopsy.