Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein for infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation versus nontransplant setting.

OBJECTIVE Procalcitonin (PCT) has been increasingly used as a biomarker of infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate its diagnostic value after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), where non-infectious febrile complications such as graft-versus-host disease frequently develop. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed 144 febrile episodes (infections: 82, and noninfections: 62) in adult patients with hematological disorders, including 57 and 87 episodes in HSCT and non-HSCT patients, respectively. RESULTS Of 57 febrile episodes in HSCT patients, 46 (86%) and 25 (44%) revealed positivity for C-reactive protein (CRP) and PCT, respectively. Among 87 febrile episodes in non-HSCT patients, 81 (93%) and 22 (25%) events showed positive results of CRP and PCT. Both of these biomarkers were associated with infectious episodes in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis showed that a high cut-off level (>9.5 mg/dL) of CRP was a better indicator for infections than PCT in HSCT patients, while PCT positivity was more diagnostic for infections than any cutoff CRP level in non-HSCT patients. CONCLUSION It may be necessary to interpret the results of these biomarkers with different orders of priority in transplant versus nontransplant patients.
Data Gathering Techniques for Wireless Sensor Networks: A Comparison

We study the problem of data gathering in wireless sensor networks and compare several approaches belonging to different research fields; in particular, signal processing, compressive sensing, information theory, and networking related data gathering techniques are investigated. Specifically, we derived a simple analytical model able to predict the energy efficiency and reliability of different data gathering techniques. Moreover, we carry out simulations to validate our model and to compare the effectiveness of the above schemes by systematically sampling the parameter space (i.e., number of nodes, transmission range, and sparsity). Our simulation and analytical results show that there is no best data gathering technique for all possible applications and that the trade-off between energy consumptions and reliability could drive the choice of the data gathering technique to be used. In this context, our model could be a useful tool.
European Union policies for the rights of citizens to participate in sport

Sport for All" is the sporting movement of modern life that dictates the conscious choice of movement for the benefit of health, well-being, good physical condition, mental health, entertainment, social inclusion and social cohesion. The right of citizens to participate in sport is reflected in several legislative texts, as a political and moral commitment by the member countries of Europe. The present study aims, in the light of the law and international legal approach, to investigate whether sport is a right, how this right is guaranteed legally, whether it is satisfied and to what extent. The method of analyzing the rules of law, de lege lata, the method that teaches how to grasp the meaning of the rules of positive law, the rules of the applicable law, is used to achieve the purpose of the investigation, since these rules are the result of deliberate will of the legislator. Finally, the study examines the correlation of sport with the satisfaction of the public interest in the country's economic, educational and cultural life. The conclusions of this study could help to understand the legal status and entity of sport in order to develop the appropriate strategic planning of the "Sport for All" movement and the prospect of securing these activities for the benefit of the citizens.
Hadza Hunting, Butchering, and Bone Transport and Their Archaeological Implications

A study of Hadza hunting and scavenging practices, patterns of medium/large mammal carcass dismemberment and transport from kill sites to base camps, and subsequent processing and disposal of bones reveals archaeological bone assemblage formation processes among these hunter-gatherers in northern Tanzania. Body part transport patterns are highly variable, but they probably are understandable in terms of the goal of maximizing net nutritional benefit relative to the costs of field processing and transport. The Hadza data have implications for some widely held views about patterns of bone transport among hunters, for particular reconstructions of past human or hominid behavior based on those views, for the problem of distinguishing hunting versus scavenging as contributors to assemblage composition, and for current thought about the suitability of modern hunters as a source of inference about the prehistoric past.
Mapping the origin of the avian enteric nervous system with a retroviral marker

The enteric nervous system is largely formed from the vagal neural crest which arises from the neuroaxis between somites 1—7. In order to evaluate the contribution of different regions of the vagal crest to the enteric nervous system, we marked crest cells by injecting somites 1—10 with a replication‐defective spleen necrosis virus vector which contains the marker gene lacZ. After incubation in X‐gal, lacZ‐positive blue cells were found in the wall of the gut in three locations. Most were found at the peripheral edge of the developing circular muscle and within the developing submucosa, sites characteristic of developing ganglia. LacZ‐positive cells in these ganglionic sites were always surrounded by HNK‐1 immunostained cells, confirming their neural crest origin. LacZ‐positive cells were also seen in a third location, the circular muscle layer of the esophagus and crop, and were separated from the HNK‐1 positive ganglionic elements. These cells in the circular muscle are probably muscle cells derived from labeled mesodermal cells of the somite. Injection of somites 3, 4, 5, and 6 resulted in the largest percentage of preparations with lacZ‐positive crest‐derived cells and in the largest number of positive cells in the gut. After injection of these somites, lacZ‐positive crest‐derived cells were found in all regions of the gut from the proventriculus to the rectum. Very few positive crest‐derived cells were found in the esophagus. Injection of somites 1, 2, and 7 resulted in a smaller percentage of preparations with positive crest‐derived cells and in a smaller number of positive crest‐derived cells, which were confined to the fore and midgut. The gizzard was the gut region most frequently containing labeled cells and the rectum was the region least frequently containing such cells. This suggests that the number of crest cells available for colonization of the gut decreases as the distance from the gizzard increases. We conclude that the region of the neuroaxis between somites 3—6 is the major source of crest cells to the gut and that crest cells from different segments of the neuroaxis do not appear to be segregated to different regions of the gut. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Stability Analysis of Load Balancing Systems

A load processor is a system that has a buffer that can receive load and store it while it is waiting to be processed and has a local decision-making policy for determining if portions of its load should be sent to other load processors. A load balancing system is a set of such load processors that are connected in a network so that (i) they can sense the amount of load in the buffers of neighboring processors and pass load to them, and (ii) so that via local information and decisions by the individual load processors, the overall load in the entire network can be balanced. Such balancing is important to ensure that certain processors are not overloaded while others are left idle (i.e. load balancing helps avoid under-utilization of processing resources). The topology of the network, delays in transporting and sensing load, types of load, and types of local load passing policies all affect the performance of the load balancing system. In this paper, we show how a variety of load balancing systems can be modeled in a discrete event system (DES) theoretic framework, and how balancing properties and performance can be characterized and analyzed in a general Lyapunov stability theoretic framework.
ISP friendly peer selection in bittorrent

Peer-to-peer (P2P) applications provides services such as content sharing, video-on-demand, voice-over-IP which are very popular among Internet users and it accounts for a significant amount of global internet traffic. Use of overlay networks pose significant new challenges to Internet Service Providers (ISP). In order to reduce operational costs ISP are throttling or blocking P2P traffic which is unfavourable for a majority of internet users. In this paper, we design and evaluate an approach of reducing these costs when using BitTorrent P2P applications. Our approach involves of using knowledge of network paths that can be gathered in trackers and using it to bias the peer selection without any modification to any client software. Using the results of an evaluation of nearly 300 users in PlanetLab testbed the proposed approach will reduce cross-ISP traffic by 44% while improving in download speed (40%) and upload speed (39%).
Astrocytes Are Less Efficient in the Removal of Apoptotic Lymphocytes than Microglia Cells: Implications for the Role of Glial Cells in the Inflamed Central Nervous System

Apoptosis of T lymphocytes is a common pathway to terminate autoimmune inflammation in the brain as shown in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in the autoimmune inflamed human brain. To date it is unclear to what extent different glial cells are involved in the removal of apoptotic cells. In an in vitro phagocytosis assay we compared the phagocytic capacity of rat microglia cells to remove apoptotic lymphocytes with that of astrocytes. Apoptosis was induced in autologous thymocytes and myelin basic protein (MBP)-specific T-cells by methylprednisolone (MP) or by irradiation. Apoptotic cells were then added to glial cells that were untreated or prestimulated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), or tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Supernatants were collected from cell cultures to measure their cytokine secretion. Surface antigen expression was analyzed by flow cytometry. Both cell types significantly increased their phagocytic activity in response to the addition of apoptotic lymphocytes when compared to non-apoptotic cells (p < 0.0001). Astrocytes removed only up to one third of the number of apoptotic lymphocytes ingested by microglia cells (p < 0.0001). Microglia cells significantly increased their phagocytosis rate after IFN-γ stimulation and decreased it in response to IL-4. In contrast, astrocyte phagocytosis was almost unresponsive to cytokine stimulation. After interaction with apoptotic cells, microglia secreted significantly less TNF-α. Astrocytic TNF-α production was also decreased but not to a statistically significant extent. MHC-class II expression after phagocytosis was increased on microglia cells but not on astrocytes. Both microglia cells and astrocytes are capable of ingesting apoptotic cells, but microglia cells are much more efficient phagocytes. Their phagocytic capacity is modulated by the local microenvironment and microglial immune function is downregulated after phagocytosis. We suggest that in vivo astrocytes might be activated as phagocytes once the limit of microglial phagocytic capacity has been reached.
Cooperative binding of multimeric phosphoprotein (P) of vesicular stomatitis virus to polymerase (L) and template: pathways of assembly

It was previously shown that the phosphoprotein (P) of vesicular stomatitis virus must undergo phosphorylation-dependent multimerization to become transcriptionally active. Phosphorylation at S-60 and/or T-62 by casein kinase II or substitution of these residues by D is required for multimer formation. We now find that substitution of either one of these residues by A prevents phosphorylation by casein kinase II and multimer formation. The binding of multimeric P to the other two transcriptional components of vesicular stomatitis virus (L protein and the N-RNA template) has been characterized by using P immobilized on beads through its poly(His) tag to facilitate recovery of bound complexes. Multimerization of P was absolutely required for binding to both L and template. Multimeric P combined with the polymerase enzyme (L) in a stoichiometric 1:1 complex, which bound to the N-RNA template much more strongly than multimeric P alone. Substitution of S-227 and S-233 by A residues had no effect on multimerization or binding of L to P but prevented binding of both P and L to template and abolished transcriptional activity. In contrast, substitution of these residues with D residues had no effect on template binding or activity. However, substitution at these sites by either D or A largely abolished phosphorylation by L-associated kinases, thus identifying S-227 and S-233 as the major sites targeted by these kinases and confirming that phosphorylation of P protein by L-associated kinases is without transcriptional effect.
Spine stereotactic body radiotherapy for renal cell cancer spinal metastases: analysis of outcomes and risk of vertebral compression fracture.

OBJECT The aim of this study was to evaluate local control (LC) and the risk of vertebral compression fracture (VCF) after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in patients with renal cell cancer spinal metastases. METHODS Prospectively collected data on 71 spinal segments treated with SBRT in 37 patients were reviewed. The median follow-up was 12.3 months (range 1.2-55.4 months). The LC rate was assessed based on each spinal segment treated and overall survival (OS) according to each patient treated. Sixty of 71 segments (85%) were radiation naive, 11 of 71 (15%) were previously irradiated, and 10 of 71 (14%) were treated with postoperative SBRT. The median SBRT total dose and number of fractions were 24 Gy and 2, respectively. The VCF analysis also included evaluation of the Spinal Instability Neoplastic Score criteria. RESULTS The 1-year OS and LC rates were 64% and 83%, respectively. Multivariate analysis identified oligometastatic disease (13 of 37 patients) as a positive prognostic factor (p = 0.018) for OS. Of 61 non-postoperative spinal segments treated, 10 (16%) developed VCFs; 3 of 10 were de novo VCFs and 7 of 10 occurred as progression of an existing VCF. The 1-year VCF-free probability rate was 82%. Multivariate analysis identified single-fraction SBRT and baseline VCF as significant predictors of SBRT-induced VCF (p = 0.028 and p = 0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Spine SBRT yields high rates of local tumor control in patients with renal cell cancer. Baseline VCF and 18-24 Gy delivered in a single fraction were predictive of further collapse. Patients with oligometastatic disease may benefit most from such aggressive local therapy, given the prolonged survival observed.
Effect of a Common Mutation (D442G) of the Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein Gene on Lipids and Lipoproteins in Children

Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is thought to regulate plasma HDL. Patients with CETP deficiency caused by mutation of the CETP gene [D442G; a missense mutation (Asp442→Gly)] have been reported to show high plasma HDL levels. However, there are no data available on children with D442G. To determine the effects of plasma CETP and CETP gene mutation (D442G) on lipids and lipoproteins in children, we screened children by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the CETP gene. Plasma lipids, apolipoproteins, and CETP mass levels were also determined. In the current study, 22 children with D442G were found (21 heterozygotes and a homozygote). A homozygous child showed high plasma HDL level and very low plasma CETP mass. In heterozygous children, plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol, apo A-I and apo A-II were not increased, whereas plasma CETP mass was significantly decreased. Plasma CETP mass in heterozygous children was correlated with plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and apo B. Plasma CETP mass in children without D442G was not correlated with the plasma concentration of any lipid or apolipoprotein. All of these data suggest that the D442G mutation, by itself, might not affect HDL metabolism in children. The CETP mass required for efficient HDL-cholesteryl ester clearance in children may be less than that in older subjects.
Insights into protein folding mechanisms from large scale analysis of mutational effects

Protein folding mechanisms are probed experimentally using single-point mutant perturbations. The relative effects on the folding (ϕ-values) and unfolding (1 - ϕ) rates are used to infer the detailed structure of the transition-state ensemble (TSE). Here we analyze kinetic data on > 800 mutations carried out for 24 proteins with simple kinetic behavior. We find two surprising results: (i) all mutant effects are described by the equation: . Therefore all data are consistent with a single ϕ-value (0.24) with accuracy comparable to experimental precision, suggesting that the structural information in conventional ϕ-values is low. (ii) ϕ-values change with stability, increasing in mean value and spread from native to unfolding conditions, and thus cannot be interpreted without proper normalization. We eliminate stability effects calculating the ϕ-values at the mutant denaturation midpoints; i.e., conditions of zero stability (ϕ0). We then show that the intrinsic variability is ϕ0 = 0.36 ± 0.11, being somewhat larger for β-sheet-rich proteins than for α-helical proteins. Importantly, we discover that ϕ0-values are proportional to how many of the residues surrounding the mutated site are local in sequence. High ϕ0-values correspond to protein surface sites, which have few nonlocal neighbors, whereas core residues with many tertiary interactions produce the lowest ϕ0-values. These results suggest a general mechanism in which the TSE at zero stability is a broad conformational ensemble stabilized by local interactions and without specific tertiary interactions, reconciling ϕ-values with many other empirical observations.
A new rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion associated with arteriovenous malformations.

OBJECT A new experimental model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion was developed to study the effects of systemic arterial shunting and obstruction of the primary vessel that drains intracranial venous blood on cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), as well as cerebral pathological changes during restoration of normal perfusion pressure. METHODS Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to either a sham-operated group, an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) group, or a model group (eight rats each). The animal model was readied by creating a fistula through an end-to-side anastomosis between the right distal external jugular vein (EJV) and the ipsilateral common carotid artery (CCA), followed by ligation of the left vein draining the transverse sinus and bilateral external carotid arteries. Systemic mean arterial pressure (MAP), draining vein pressure (DVP), and CPP were monitored and compared among the three groups preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and again 90 days later. Following occlusion of the fistula after a 90-day interval, blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and water content in the right cortical tissues of the middle cerebral artery territory were confirmed and also quantified with transmission electron microscopy. Formation of a fistula resulted in significant decreases in MAP and CPP, and a significant increase in DVP in the AVF and model groups. Ninety days later, there were still significant increases in DVP and decreases in CPP in the model group compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). Damage to the BBB and brain edema were noted in animals in the model group during restoration of normal perfusion pressure by occlusion of the fistula. Electron microscopy studies revealed cerebral vasogenic edema and/or hemorrhage in various amounts, which correlated with absent astrocytic foot processes surrounding some cerebral capillaries. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrated that an end-to-side anastomosis between the distal EJV and CCA can induce a decrease in CPP, whereas a further chronic state of cerebral hypoperfusion may be caused by venous outflow restriction, which is associated with perfusion pressure breakthrough. This animal model conforms to the basic hemodynamic characteristics of human cerebral arteriovenous malformations.
ECONOMIC IMPACT OF EARLY INTERVENTION IN PEOPLE AT HIGH RISK OF PSYCHOSIS

Background Despite the increasing development of early intervention services for psychosis, little is known about their cost-effectiveness. We assessed the cost-effectiveness of Outreach and Support in South London (OASIS), a service for people with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis. Method The costs of OASIS compared to care as usual (CAU) were entered in a decision model and examined for 12- and 24-month periods, using the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP) and rate of transition to psychosis as key parameters. The costs were calculated on the basis of services used following referral and the impact on employment. Sensitivity analysis was used to test the robustness of all the assumptions made in the model. Results Over the initial 12 months from presentation, the costs of the OASIS intervention were £1872 higher than CAU. However, after 24 months they were £961 less than CAU. Conclusions This model suggests that services that permit early detection of people at high risk of psychosis may be cost saving.
Processing category terms in context: instantiation and the structure of semantic categories.

The present study sought to determine if semantic categories processed in context are encoded as particular exemplars. In Experiment 1 we replicated previous results on an extended and modified set of stimuli by showing that when subjects read sentences containing a category term in a context designed to bias encoding toward an atypical exemplar, the atypical exemplar serves as a better retrieval cue than a typical exemplar. In Experiment 2 we tested whether these cued-recall results were due to processes operating at encoding or retrieval. The pattern of semantic interference obtained in a modified Stroop paradigm clearly contradicted the position that readers routinely encode general terms as examples, or "instantiations. " In particular, there was significant color-naming interference when typical exemplars served as targets even when preceded by sentences designed to bias encoding toward an atypical exemplar. No significant color-naming interference was generated to atypical exemplars. Experiment 3 ruled out the possibility that differences between the cued-recall and Stroop results in the first two experiments were due to encoding strategy differences. It was concluded that assigning a referent to a category term is not a routine activity in sentence encoding and that processing category terms entails activation of summary representations.