Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Steroid Avoidance Regimens: A Comparison of Outcomes with Maintenance Steroids versus Continued Steroid Avoidance in Recipients Having an Acute Rejection Episode

Roughly 15% of kidney transplant recipients on a rapid discontinuation of prednisone (RDP) protocol have ≥1 episode of acute rejection (AR). One clinically important question is whether long‐term maintenance steroids should be introduced in those recipients having AR. Of 842 adult kidney transplant recipients on an RDP protocol, 149 (17.7%) have had at least 1 AR episode. Of these, 51 (34%) started on maintenance prednisone (5 mg/day) after treatment of the AR, while 98 (66%) remained steroid free. Demographics for the two groups were similar. With mean follow‐up of 26 months, 48 (32%) of the recipients have had a 2nd AR episode: 15 (29.4%) in those on maintenance steroids vs. 33 (33.7%) in those remaining steroid free (p = 0.12). Graft survival was not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis of risk factors for a 2nd episode found the histologic appearance of the initial AR episode to be the most significant risk factor. But, whether steroids were added to the maintenance regimen or not, also seemed to have an impact (RR = 2.1, p = 0.07). At present there is evidence to suggest that some SA patients should start on maintenance steroids after AR. However, longer follow‐up with more patients is necessary.
Síntese de Sistemas Estritamente Reais Positivos através do Critério de Routh-Hurwitz

Given a linear time-invariant plant Gol(s) with one input and q outputs, where q > 1, a method based on the Routh-Hurwitz Stability Criterion is proposed to obtain a constant tandem matrix F ? Rq, such that FGol(s) is a minimum-phase system. From this solution, the system FGol(s) is represented in state space by {A,B,FC} and a constant output feedback matrix Ko ? R1 is obtained such that the feedback system {A-BKoC,B,FC} is Strictly Positive Real (SPR). The proposed procedure offers necessary and sufficient conditions for both problems. Initially, the general case, with a generic q, is analyzed. Following, the particular cases q = 2 and q = 3 are studied.
Evolution transparency for distributed service types

Name: Twittie Senivongse Degree: PhD in Computer Science Evolution Transparency for Distributed Service Types Abstract Large software systems are never static as they exist in an environment that is subject to constant changes in both functionality and technology. Managing this evolution is one of the major challenges in the engineering of large-scale software systems. When a distributed service evolves its interface, other parties in its environment who need to continue using the service will themselves have to evolve correspondingly if the evolved service, although functionally compatible, is not type-compatible with the original one. The autonomous and decentralised nature of distributed components makes such an assumption impractical since the service provider and client systems may not agree on the evolution. It may not even be possible to track down and alter all client programs which are distributed over the network. The best way to tackle this problem is to provide 'evolution transparency' to give the affected components the illusion that the service does not change. This thesis presents an RM-ODP-based model that hides from clients details of changes occuring to distributed service types over time. By allowing type versioning , the model supports program compatibility by enabling a client program of one type version to access a service instance of another functionally compatible type version, even though the versions are not considered compatible by the supporting type system. The model manages a cross-version binding and maintains semantic information which is used to transform the client's invocation to the format recognised by the accessed service object. With a prototype implementation on ANSAware together with an analysis of its mechanism, the evolution transparency support proves useful; clients are given the flexibility to defer their own evolution, and type substitutability is also extended from syntactic to functional compatibility.
Thermosensitive TRP channel pore turret is part of the temperature activation pathway

Temperature sensing is crucial for homeotherms, including human beings, to maintain a stable body core temperature and respond to the ambient environment. A group of exquisitely temperature-sensitive transient receptor potential channels, termed thermoTRPs, serve as cellular temperature sensors. How thermoTRPs convert thermal energy (heat) into protein conformational changes leading to channel opening remains unknown. Here we demonstrate that the pathway for temperature-dependent activation is distinct from those for ligand- and voltage-dependent activation and involves the pore turret. We found that mutant channels with an artificial pore turret sequence lose temperature sensitivity but maintain normal ligand responses. Using site-directed fluorescence recordings we observed that temperature change induces a significant rearrangement of TRPV1 pore turret that is coupled to channel opening. This movement is specifically associated to temperature-dependent activation and is not observed during ligand- and voltage-dependent channel activation. These observations suggest that the turret is part of the temperature-sensing apparatus in thermoTRP channels, and its conformational change may give rise to the large entropy that defines high temperature sensitivity.
Inactivation probability of heavy ion-irradiated Bacillus subtilis spores as a function of the radial distance to the particle's [correction of paricle's] trajectory.

The understanding of the radiobiological action of heavy ions requires the knowledge of the dependence of the inactivation probability on the distance between the particle's trajectory and the biological test organism (the impact parameter). Spores of Bacillus subtilis with a cytoplasmic core of about 0.22 micrometer cross section are suitable test objects for the study of this radial inactivation probability in its microscopic details. The spores are irradiated at low fluences of some 10(6) ions/cm2 with very heavy ions at different specific energies up to 10 MeV per atomic mass unit u while in fixed contact with visual nuclear track detectors. The methods are described by which the biological response of individual cells can be evaluated and the impact parameter be determined with an accuracy typically better than 0.2 micrometer. The results demonstrate that the common characteristics of inactivation, e.g., an effective range of inactivation extending to at least 3 micrometers, a nonmonotonic dependence of the inactivation probabilities on the radial distance, and the fact that the inactivation probability even for direct central hits on the cytoplasmic core is substantially below one, are nearly independent of the particle energy and type. The results are incompatible with the assumption that the radiobiological effectiveness can be attributed to the dose of secondary electrons as currently understood. They also demonstrate that the widely held notion of an "overkill" at low impact parameters does not apply for the spores even with the most densely ionizing ions.
Genetic suppression demonstrates interaction of TonB protein with outer membrane transport proteins in Escherichia coli

Energy-coupled reactions of the Escherichia coli outer membrane transport proteins BtuB and Cir require the tonB product. Some point mutations in a region of btuB and cir that is highly conserved in TonB-dependent transport proteins led to loss of TonB-coupled uptake of vitamin B12 and colicin Ia, whereas binding was unaffected. Most other point mutations in this region had no detectable effect on transport activity. Mutations in tonB that suppressed the transport defect phenotype of these btuB mutations were isolated. All carried changes of glutamine 165 to leucine, lysine, or proline. The various tonB mutations differed markedly in their suppression activities on different btuB or cir mutations. This allele specificity of suppression indicates that TonB interacts directly with the outer membrane transport proteins in a manner that recognizes the local conformation but not specific side chains within this conserved region. An effect of the context of the remainder of the protein was seen, since the same substitution (valine 10----glycine) in btuB and cir responded differently to the suppressors. This finding supports the proposal that TonB interacts with more of the transport proteins than the first conserved domain alone.
[Aberrant promoter methylation of tumor suppressor genes in serum from lung cancer patients: frequency and correlation with clinicopathological characteristics].

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine aberrant promoter methylation of tumor suppressor genes in genomic serum DNA from lung cancer patients and to evaluate the association between methylation of genes and clinicopathological characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS Genomic serum DNA from 46 lung cancer patients and 14 healthy control persons was examined. Nested methylation-specific PCR approach was used for detection of methylated genes in serum. RESULTS Aberrant promoter methylation in serum from lung cancer patients was detected in 2.3% (1/43) for O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase, in 11.1% (5/45) for p16INK4a, in 41.3% (19/46) for retinoic acid receptor beta, in 4.5% (2/44) for RAS association domain family 1A, in 40.9% (18/44) for fragile histidine triad, in 34.9% (15/45) for p14(ARF), in 6.5% (3/46) for adenomatous polyposis coli 1A, in 78.1% (25/32) for Ecad, in 5.7% (2/35) for adenomatous polyposis coli 1B, in 0% (0/36) for death associated protein kinase. None of the death associated protein kinase, O6-methylguanine-DNA-methyltransferase, p16INK4a, fragile histidine triad or adenomatous polyposis coli 1A promoter regions were positive for methylation in serum DNA from healthy persons. A total of 78.3% of the samples from lung cancer patients had methylation in at least one of the genes tested. The methylation status of fragile histidine triad was associated with that of p14ARF(p=0.021), as was retinoic acid receptor beta--with that of adenomatous polyposis coli 1A (p=0.04). Methylation of adenomatous polyposis coli 1A was detected more frequently in tumor with pleura involvement (p=0.079), retinoic acid receptor beta was observed more frequently in undifferentiated tumor than in better-differentiated tumor (p=0.029). The methylation status of RAS association domain family 1A and fragile histidine triad showed a tendency to be associated with an advanced tumor size. In addition, tumors with an advanced pathological stage showed epigenetic alteration of the RAS association domain family 1A promoter with a higher frequency. The methylation index was also associated with an advanced tumor size (p=0.033). CONCLUSION Approximately 80% of the samples from lung cancer patients had methylation of the tumor suppressor gene and it might be associated with more aggressive tumor. Detection of epigenetic alterations in serum may provide basis for the early and noninvasive lung cancer diagnosis and customized therapy.
Structural analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 5. II. Sequence features of the regions of 1,044,062 bp covered by thirteen physically assigned P1 clones.

A total of 13 P1 clones, each containing a marker(s) specifically mapped on chromosome 5, were isolated from a P1 library of the Arabidopsis thaliana Columbia genome, and their nucleotide sequences were determined according to the shot gun based strategy and precisely located on the physical map of chromosome 5. The total length of the sequenced regions was 1,044,062 bp. Since we have previously reported the sequence of 1,621,245 bp by analysis of 20 non-redundant P1 clones, the total length of the sequences of chromosome 5 determined so far reached 2,665,307 bp. The regions sequenced in this study were analysed by comparison with the sequences in protein and EST databases and analysis with computer programs for gene modeling; a total of 225 potential protein-coding genes and/or gene segments with known or predicted functions were identified. The positions of exons which do not exhibit similarity to known genes were also predicted by computer-aided analysis. An average density of the genes and/or gene was 1 gene/4,640 bp. Introns were identified in approximately 84% of the potential genes, and the average number and length of the introns per gene were 5.3 and 184 bp, respectively. These sequence features are essentially identical to those for the previously sequenced regions. The transcription level of the predicted genes has been roughly monitored by counting the numbers of matched Arabidopsis ESTs. The sequence data and gene information are available through the World Wide Web at http:@www.kazusa. or.jp/arabi/.
Continuous monitoring of mechanical properties of plantar soft tissue for diabetic patients using wearable ultrasonic and force sensors

Characterizing plantar soft tissue mechanical properties is essential to fully understand the potential for ulcer formation in diabetic patients. Ulcers initiate in the under layers of foot where soft tissues become stiffer. If changes in soft tissue stiffness can be detected early, foot ulcer formation may be prevented. Also, monitoring soft tissue mechanical properties could be beneficial for prosthetic and orthotic fitting, sport performance monitoring, and injury prevention and detection. This paper presents a method, using wearsport performance monitoring, and injury prevention and detection. This paper presents a method, using wearableable ultrasonic and force sensors, for continuous monitoring of plantar soft tissue stiffness at the heel. With this method, simultaneous measurement of pressure and tissue displacement at the heel was performed and pressure-displacement curves were obtained while the person was stepping. This achievement establishes a basis for future research to assess mechanical properties of plantar soft tissues in real-time for foot ulcer screening.
Management of lumbar spinal stenosis.

The term stenosis means a narrowing of the calibre of an orifice or a tube. It causes a decreased flow of fluids or gasses within the tube or compression of its solid contents (Verbiest 1976). In the case of the spinal canal, the term indicates a pathological condition causing compression of the contents of the canal, particularly the neural structures. If compression does not occur, the canal should be described as narrow but not stenotic. I have defined lumbar spinal stenosis as a “narrowing of the osteoligamentous vertebral canal and/or the intervertebral foramina causing compression of the thecal sac and/or the caudal nerve roots; at a single vertebral level, narrowing may affect the whole canal or part of it” (Postacchini 1983). This definition distinguishes between disc herniation and stenosis. A disc prolapse does cause stenosis, in the strictest sense, but the two conditions are so different in their pathogenesis and anatomical and clinical characteristics that they cannot be considered as a single pathological entity. The lumbar spinal canal consists of a central part, two lateral parts and a posterior part corresponding to the interlaminar angle. The central portion is the so-called central spinal canal, and each lateral part constitutes the nerve-root or radicular canal. The central spinal canal is rounded and occupied by the thecal sac. Stenosis of this portion is sometimes called central spinal stenosis to distinguish it from lateral spinal stenosis (nerve-root canal stenosis). This terminology implies that in central spinal stenosis the nerve-root canals may not be stenotic, but this is not the case. Stenosis of the central portion is almost always associated with stenosis of the lateral corners of the spinal canal. The term ‘spinal canal stenosis’ is therefore preferable to central spinal stenosis. The nerve-root canal is the semitubular structure through which the nerve root runs from the thecal sac to the intervertebral foramen. The proximal part of the canal, also called the subarticular or intervertebral portion, is limited anteriorly by the intervertebral disc and posterolaterally by the superior articular process and the facet joint. The distal part of the canal corresponds to the lateral recess, i.e., the lateral corner of the vertebral foramen at the level of the pedicle. Pathological narrowing of the nerve-root canal not associated with stenosis of the central spinal canal is called isolated nerve-root (or radicular) canal stenosis. The entrance and exit of the intervertebral foramen lie at the medial and lateral borders of the pedicle. Some authors (Wiltse 1984; Burton 1987) include the intervertebral foramen in the nerve-root canal, of which it is then the most distal portion. In my opinion there are valid anatomical reasons for distinguishing between the two and identifying stenosis of the intervertebral foramen as a separate condition.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infection and Antibodies against Stx2 and Stx1 in Household Contacts of Children with Enteropathic Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome

ABSTRACT Ninety-five household contacts (aged 2 months to 73 years) of patients with enteropathic hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) were investigated for the presence of immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies to Shiga toxins Stx2 and Stx1 by Western blot assay. Thirty-one percent of the household contacts and 19% of 327 controls had anti-Stx2 IgG (heavy and light chain [H + L]), 5 and 8%, respectively, had anti-Stx1 IgG (H + L), and 3 and 2%, respectively, had both anti-Stx2 and anti-Stx1 IgG (H + L). The incidence of infections with Stx-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) was determined based on the following diagnostic criteria: STEC isolation, detection of stx gene sequences, free fecal Stx in stool filtrates, and serum IgM antibodies against E. coli O157 lipopolysaccharide. Evidence of STEC infection was observed in 25 household contacts, of whom 18 (72%) were asymptomatic and represented a potential source of infection. Six of 13 (46%) household contacts with Stx2-producing E. coli O157:H7 in stool culture developed anti-Stx2 IgG (H + L), compared to 71% of Stx2-associated HUS cases. In individuals showing anti-Stx2 IgG (H + L), the antibody response was directed against the B subunit in 69% of household contacts and 71% of controls, in contrast to 28% of HUS patients. In this investigation controls had a significant increase of the median of IgM antibodies to O157 lipopolysaccharide (LPS) with age, up to the fifth decade. The lack of disease in household contacts with B subunit-specific antibodies, as well as the significantly higher median of anti-O157 LPS IgM antibodies in controls beyond 4.9 years of age, suggests a protective role for anti-Stx and anti-O157 LPS antibodies.
The Natural History of Functional Morbidity in Hospitalized Older Patients

This study provides data on changes in the functional status of older patients that are associated with acute hospitalization. Seventy‐one patients over the age of 74 admitted to the medical service of Stanford University Hospital between February and May 1987 received functional assessments covering seven domains: mobility, transfer, toileting, incontinence, feeding, grooming, and mental status. Assessments were obtained by report from the patient's caregiver (or the patient when he or she lived alone) for 2 weeks before admission; from the patient's nurse on day 2 of hospitalization and on the day before discharge; and again from the caregiver (or patient) 1 week after discharge. The sample had a mean age of 84, covered 37 Diagnostic Related Groups, and had a median length of stay of 8 days. Between baseline and day 2, statistically significant deteriorations occurred for the overall functional score and for the individual scores for mobility, transfer, toileting, feeding, and grooming. None of these scores improved significantly by discharge. In the case of mobility, 65% of the patients experienced a decline in score between baseline and day 2. Between day 2 and discharge, 67°/o showed no improvement, and another 10% deteriorated further. These data suggest that older patients may experience a burden of new and worsened functional impairment during hospitalization that improves at a much slower rate than the acute illness. An awareness of delayed functional recovery should influence discharge planning for older patients. Greater efforts to prevent functional decline in the hospitalized older patient may be warranted.
Specificity of OKT4+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones.

OKT4+, HLA-DR-specific CTL were cloned by limiting dilution, and two clones were evaluated. One clone, B8, specifically recognized DR6 antigens, whereas another cloned, C6, recognized an Ia-like determinant on some DR 3, 5, and 6 target cells. Both clones were OKT3+, OKT4+, and OKT8-, and their cytolysis could be blocked by OKT3 and OKT4, but not OKT8, antibodies. A panel of monoclonal antibodies that recognize DR molecules blocked target cell recognition by these OKT+ CTL. Although cloned B8 recognized a DR6-specific determinant, clone C6 appeared to recognize a supratypic determinant that may be common to some DR molecules (e.g., MT2) or possibly another human Ia-like antigen (e.g., SB). The availability of OKT+ CTL clones should help to dissect the Ia-like antigens recognized by human T cells.
Design of dynamic control of two cooperating robot arms: Closed chain formulation

In this paper the dynamic equation describing two cooperating robot arms which simultaneously are working on the same object is established by considering the whole system as a closed kinematic chain. This formulation has the advantage of automatically handling the coordination and load distribution between the robot arms through the dynamic equation. It can also be generalized to a multi-robot arm system. The control problem is solved as a design problem for a linear system by first applying a nonlinear feedback and nonlinear coordinate transformation to linearize the nonlinear dynamic equation, and then employing the linear optimal control theory to design a robust controller in the task space. This new dynamic control method establishes a direct control response to task space commands facilitating dynamics based task encoding in robotics.
Intelligent vertical handoff decision strategy based on network performance prediction and consumer surplus value for next generation wireless networks

Vertical handoff (VHO) decision services play an essential role in the current wireless networks. Many algorithms designed aim at quality of service while granting seamless roaming amongst a number of heterogeneous access networks. In this study, the authors proposed an intelligent VHO decision strategy targeting to maximise user satisfaction without compromising on quality of service for non-real time mobile based services. The proposed strategy applies consumer surplus value (CSV)-based pricing scheme and also a prediction system to approximate network performances at various intervals. Finally, a fuzzy rule-based behavioral system is proposed to find optimal network by considering both CSV as well as network performance as stimulus parameters. Simulation is carried out using OM Net++ and MATLAB, and the results are acknowledged with discussion and analysis.