Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of TLR4 Gene Silencing on Intimal Hyperplasia of Vein Grafting

Purpose: The present study aimed to explore the regulating effect of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on intimal hyperplasia in rat vein grafts. Methods: Rat models of external jugular vein carotid artery bypass grafting were established. Afterward, TLR4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) recombinant plasmids were constructed, which were transfected into rat vein graft bypass to study the effect of TLR4 silencing on intimal hyperplasia and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of TLR4 and inflammatory factors in TLR4 siRNA-transfected vein graft bypass. The intimal thickness was evaluated using hematoxylin–eosin staining. Results: Compared with the scramble siRNA group, the intimal thickness of vein grafting was decreased significantly, while the inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL) 1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α in grafted vein were dramatically downregulated in the TLR4 siRNA group. Conclusion: These results showed that local silencing of TLR4 in the vein grafts could inhibit intimal hyperplasia by downregulating the expression of inflammatory factors in the vein grafts, suggesting that TLR4 can be used as a new target for therapy of vascular intimal hyperplasia.
On the choice of time scales in competing risks predictions

Summary In the standard analysis of competing risks data, proportional hazards models are fit to the cause‐specific hazard functions for all causes on the same time scale. These regression analyses are the foundation for predictions of cause‐specific cumulative incidence functions based on combining the estimated cause‐specific hazard functions. However, in predictions arising from disease registries, where only subjects with disease enter the database, disease‐related mortality may be more naturally modeled on the time since diagnosis time scale while death from other causes may be more naturally modeled on the age time scale. The single time scale methodology may be biased if an incorrect time scale is employed for one of the causes and an alternative methodology is not available. We propose inferences for the cumulative incidence function in which regression models for the cause‐specific hazard functions may be specified on different time scales. Using the disease registry data, the analysis of other cause mortality on the age scale requires left truncating the event time at the age of disease diagnosis, complicating the analysis. In addition, standard Martingale theory is not applicable when combining regression models on different time scales. We establish that the covariate conditional predictions are consistent and asymptotically normal using empirical process techniques and propose consistent variance estimators for constructing confidence intervals. Simulation studies show that the proposed two time scales method performs well, outperforming the single time‐scale predictions when the time scale is misspecified. The methods are illustrated with stage III colon cancer data obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program of National Cancer Institute.
Neuro Fuzzy intelligent e-Learning systems

E-learning is one way of learning, training or educating by electronic means. There are various approaches used for e-learning like Claude based approach, ontology based approach, semantic net approach, electronic course content management, also neuro-fuzzy based approach etc. This paper focuses on the Neuro-Fuzzy based approaches for e-learning. For this purpose different neuro systems, fuzzy systems as well as various intelligent tutoring systems are reviewed in his paper. It includes adaptive instruction generation in an E-learning environment for computer programming based on fuzzy logic, personalized e-learning recommender system based on fuzzy tree matching, learning knowledge objects delivery using fuzzy clustering, enhancement of e-learning activities using fuzzy ontology based user profile, Felder-Silverman learning style model for handling uncertainty using fuzzy logic. It also presents interactive educational tool for AI planning for robotics which is named as REACT! based on artificial neural network, detecting human expression using psychological signals based on neural networks. As well as it includes various intelligent tutoring system like ISCARE is used for motivating the students using psychological signals, also the system that improves social communication skills of children with multimodal sensory information, simulation based tutoring system called ViPS for physics education and finally CASE system is reviewed. The features of most of the intelligent e-learning systems are compared in this paper.
Programmation génétique, comportements et cognition en psychiatrie

On ne sait si c'est son cote rouennais, ou, plus vraisemblablement, sa double appartenance neuropsychiatrique et genetique, mais Dominique Campion, dans son dernier livre, se situe d'emblee a l'interface delicate, et si controversee, entre ces deux disciplines. Dans cet ouvrage [1], Dominique Campion propose une vaste reflexion qui s'etend de la description des molecules constitutives des systemes vivants a celle de la pensee consciente, en passant par celle des representations neuronales et des comportements. Il propose une critique de la theorie de la selection des groupes neuronaux, chere a Jean-Pierre Changeux et Gerald Edelman, au profit du concept d'auto-organisation a partir d'un programme de developpement, mais aussi d'informations epigenetiques (tout en refutant les theories fumeuses selon lesquelles il existerait une connaissance de l'homme qui serait d'un autre ordre que la connaissance biologique). Il s'attarde sur la notion de facteur de risque genetique, issue des differences entre genetique mendelienne classique et genetique polyfactorielle, en decrivant le continuum qui va du polymorphisme a la mutation deletere, en passant par les maladies monogeniques a penetrance incomplete et expressivite variable qui, en fonction de modifications genetiques ou environnementales, glissent vers les maladies polygeniques. Il aborde ensuite l'analyse fonctionnelle des reseaux neuronaux impliques dans plusieurs affections du systeme nerveux central (Parkinson, troubles obsessionnels compulsifs, syndromes schizophreniques, toxicomanies). Puis il resume les donnees, issues de la neuropsychologie et de l'imagerie cerebrale fonctionnelle qui permettent d'apprehender l'architecture cognitive modulaire et l'identite des structures cerebrales impliquees dans ces affections. Le livre se termine par une critique virulente des theses ultra-darwiniennes sur la valeur selective des genes pris individuellement (pas de gene egoiste mais une interaction evolutive entre les elements du pool genetique). D'une ecriture tres agreable, avec une iconographie sobre mais adequate, le livre est organise en huit courts chapitres, chacun suivi d'une bibliographie choisie (revues et articles originaux indispensables, beaucoup de textes en langue francaise). Cet ouvrage a veritablement sa place dans une collection dont le titre est References en psychiatrie. Il pourra etre consulte avec profit par tout lecteur de M/S interesse par ces questions d'actualites. ‡ Genetics programming, behavior and cognition in psychiatry
Magic Train: Design of Measurement Methods against Bandwidth Inflation Attacks

Bandwidth measurement is important for many network applications and services, such as peer-to-peer networks, video caching and anonymity services. To win a bandwidth-based competition for some malicious purpose, adversarial Internet hosts may falsely announce a larger network bandwidth. Some preliminary solutions have been proposed to this problem. They can either evade the bandwidth inflation by a consensus view (i.e., opportunistic bandwidth measurements) or detect bandwidth frauds via forgeable tricks (i.e., detection through bandwidth's CDF symmetry). However, smart adversaries can easily remove the forgeable tricks and report an equally larger bandwidth to avoid the consensus analyses. To defend against the smart bandwidth inflation frauds, we design magic train, a new measurement method which combines an unpredictable packet train with estimated round-trip time (RTT) for detection. The inflation behaviors can be detected through highly contradictory bandwidth results calculated using different magic trains or a train's different segments, or large deviation between the estimated RTT and the RTT reported by the train's first packet. Being an uncooperative measurement method, magic train can be easily deployed on the Internet. We have implemented the magic train using RAW socket and LibPcap, and evaluated the implementation in a controlled testbed and the Internet. The results have successfully confirmed the effectiveness of magic train in detecting and preventing smart bandwidth inflation attacks.
Two distinct mechanisms for the interaction of cells with fibronectin substrata

Fibronectin (Fn) was adsorbed onto neutral, sulfonated, imine‐conjugated or gelatin coated polystyrene latex beads. In all cases, the Fn coated beads bound effectively to Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells in suspension. However, the binding of Fn coated neutral or positively charged imine conjugated bead was inhibited by low concentrations of heparin or heparan sulfate or by treatment of the cells with Flavobacterium heparanase. By contrast, binding of Fn coated sulfonated or gelatin beads was insensitive to inhibition by heparin and to heparanase treatment of cells. Adhesion of CHO cells to Fn coated tissue culture plastic was not sensitive to heparin, whereas adhesion of CHO cells to Fn‐coated imine‐conjugated plastic was sensitive to heparin. These observations imply that the functional status of Fn can be modulated by the nature of the surface to which the Fn is adsorbed. They further imply that, under some circumstances, the heparin/heparan sulfate binding domains of Fn can play a role in the attachment of Fn to the cell membrane via membrane proteoglycans. Under other circumstances, the interaction of Fn with the cell may primarily involve other receptors for Fn, presumably cell surface glycoproteins.
Therapist competence ratings in relation to clinical outcome in cognitive therapy of depression.

This study reports on the relationship of therapist competence to the outcome of cognitive-behavioral treatment in the National Institute of Mental Health Treatment of Depression Collaborative Research Program. Outpatients suffering from major depressive disorder were treated by cognitive-behavioral therapists at each of 3 U.S. sites using a format of 20 sessions in 16 weeks. Findings provide some support for the relationship of therapist competence (as measured by the Cognitive Therapy Scale) to reduction of depressive symptomatology when controlling for therapist adherence and facilitative conditions. The results are, however, not as strong or consistent as expected. The component of competence that was most highly related to outcome is a factor that reflects the therapist's ability to structure the treatment.
Parameter Sensitivity and Dependency Analysis for the WECC Dynamic Composite Load Model

An accurate dynamic load model plays a crucial role in the analysis of power system transient stability. The WECC dynamic composite load model (CMPLDW) has been developed recently to better represent faultinduced delayed-voltage-recovery (FIDVR) events, which are of increasing concern to electric utilities. To facilitate the understanding of the CMPLDW, it is worth studying the effect of parameters that describe the model structure on its dynamic response. In this paper, we show that 1) some parameters have very minimal sensitivities under certain FIDVR events; 2) sensitivities of certain parameters are strongly dependent on the temporal profile of given fault, such as its minimum fault voltage or recovery time; and 3) some parameters share similar sensitivity patterns and thus the change of their values may complement each other. These observations are essential for further developing enhanced measurement-based dynamic load modeling approaches by tackling the parameter identifiability issues pointed out in the present work.
Physiological and neurobiological bases of age-related hearing loss: biotherapeutic implications.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to highlight growing evidence of interactions between hormones and the structure and function of the auditory system. METHOD Recent studies implicating sex hormones and other natural hormones in the modulation of hearing status in age-related hearing loss were reviewed. RESULTS Progesterone, a sex hormone, has been shown to have negative effects on the hearing of older women and aging mice, whereas, in contrast, estrogen was found in some cases to have a positive influence. Aldosterone, used in studies of animal models of autoimmune hearing loss, slowed the progression of hearing loss. Follow-up studies in humans revealed that auditory measures varied as serum aldosterone levels shifted within the normal range, in otherwise healthy older subjects. This was true for simple as well as complex auditory tasks (i.e., sound spatial processing), suggesting benefits of aldosterone to postperipheral auditory processing as well. In addition, evidence suggests that this functional hearing improvement occurred in association with anatomical improvements to the stria vascularis--an important site of anatomical change in presbycusis. CONCLUSIONS Audiology is now at the point where the search for biomedical interventions to modulate or prevent age-related hearing loss can move forward. Such interventions would require multidisciplinary collaborative initiatives by researchers in such areas as drug development, anatomy, auditory physiological and perceptual testing, and drug microdelivery systems.
Refractory Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT)–guided 125I seed implantation in the treatment of patients with refractory nasopharyngeal carcinoma after repeated traditional radiochemotherapy. Study Design Case series with chart review. Setting University medical center. Subjects and Methods A total of 26 patients (18 men, 8 women; mean age, 51.3 ± 10.8 years; totaling 53 lesions with an average diameter of 2.86 ± 1.61 cm) were treated by PET-CT–guided 125I seed implantation. All of the patients received a PET-CT scan 2 months after the treatment. Follow-up was conducted for ~2 to 43 months (median, 28.2 months) to observe the local control rate, overall survival rate, and clinical complications. Results The local control rates of refractory nasopharyngeal carcinoma after repeated traditional radiochemotherapy after 3, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 90.6% (48/53), 79.3% (42/53), 71.7% (38/53), 62.3% (33/53), and 56.6% (30/53), respectively. The overall 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 87.2%, 71.3%, and 56.5%, respectively, with a median survival time of 28.2 months. Of all patients, 19.2% (5/26) died of local recurrence and 15.4% (4/26) died of metastases. One patient died of hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage, and another patient died from cachexia and infection. The long-term complications included hyperpigmentation at operative sites (n = 5), insensible feeling on the lateral cheek (n = 2), dryness of the oral cavity (n = 1), and headache (n = 1). Conclusion PET-CT–guided 125I seed implantation is an acceptable and feasible method for treating refractory nasopharyngeal carcinoma with minimal damage and few complications.
MicroRNA-181b Improves Glucose Homeostasis and Insulin Sensitivity by Regulating Endothelial Function in White Adipose Tissue.

RATIONALE The pathogenesis of insulin resistance involves dysregulated gene expression and function in multiple cell types, including endothelial cells (ECs). Post-transcriptional mechanisms such as microRNA-mediated regulation of gene expression could affect insulin action by modulating EC function. OBJECTIVE To determine whether microRNA-181b (miR-181b) affects the pathogenesis of insulin resistance by regulating EC function in white adipose tissue during obesity. METHODS AND RESULTS MiR-181b expression was reduced in adipose tissue ECs of obese mice, and rescue of miR-181b expression improved glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity. Systemic intravenous delivery of miR-181b robustly accumulated in adipose tissue ECs, enhanced insulin-mediated Akt phosphorylation at Ser473, and reduced endothelial dysfunction, an effect that shifted macrophage polarization toward an M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype in epididymal white adipose tissue. These effects were associated with increased endothelial nitric oxide synthase and FoxO1 phosphorylation as well as nitric oxide activity in epididymal white adipose tissue. In contrast, miR-181b did not affect insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation in liver and skeletal muscle. Bioinformatics and gene profiling approaches revealed that Pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase, a phosphatase that dephosphorylates Akt at Ser473, is a novel target of miR-181b. Knockdown of Pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase increased Akt phosphorylation at Ser473 in ECs, and phenocopied miR-181b's effects on glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation of epididymal white adipose tissue in vivo. Finally, ECs from diabetic subjects exhibited increased Pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase expression. CONCLUSIONS Our data underscore the importance of adipose tissue EC function in controlling the development of insulin resistance. Delivery of miR-181b or Pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase inhibitors may represent a new therapeutic approach to ameliorate insulin resistance by improving adipose tissue endothelial Akt-endothelial nitric oxide synthase-nitric oxide signaling.
Automation of PacBio SMRTbell 10 kb Template Preparation on an Agilent NGS Workstation

Automation of the PacBio 10 kb Template Preparation using the SMRTbell Template Prep kit for the sequencing of bacterial genomes on the Agilent Automated Liquid Handling Platform is described. Four bacterial genomes of differing GC content are used to prepare libraries without bias reading for next generation sequencing. The gDNA quality assessment was done using spectrophotometric and automated electrophoresis for high molecular weight DNA with an Agilent 2200 TapeStation system with the Agilent Genomic DNA ScreenTape assay. The sheared DNA was measured with the Agilent Bioanalyzer system and the DNA 12000 Kit.
Enhancing the Performance of BitApriori Algorithm in Data Mining using an Effective Data Structure

Exploration frequent item sets within transaction databases, time-series databases, and far different form of databases has been analyzed popularly within information exploration investigation. An exploration frequent merchandise unit is one of the nearly all investigated investigated areas within information exploration. Association rules will be the principal way of information exploration. Apriori algorithm is really an established algorithm associated with connection tip exploration. A lot of algorithms regarding exploration connection guidelines as well as the mutations are usually planned in basis associated with Apriori algorithm; One of these algorithms is the BitApriori algorithm. However, this algorithm reduces the time counting amount of support, but when the Database is big, BitApriori may be faced with a shortage of memory; Recently, an algorithm provided called Enhanced BitApriori that by replacing some effective techniques on binary string, improved BitApriori algorithm has somewhat. But this method can still be improved by eliminating infrequent item sets. Therefore, in this study, a method was developed using factors Set Size and Set Size Frequency minimum number of candidates is presented with greater efficiency. The results showed that the proposed method is more efficient than the Enhanced BitApriori
Gender Differences in Determinants of Temporary Labor Migration in China: A Multilevel Analysis 1

Data from a 1988 migration survey in Hubei province are used to examine gender differences in the determinants of temporary labor migration from a multi-level perspective. We find that community level factors play a key role in temporary labor migration; models omitting community-level variables are poor in predicting temporary labor migration. Significant gender differences exist in determinants of temporary labor migration. For men, temporary labor migration is mainly a response to community level factors; individual or household characteristics have little predictive power. For women, by contrast, temporary labor migration is predominantly determined by individual characteristics; community level factors are not as important.
[Epidemiologic and clinical features of cases applying to Celal Bayar University emergency unit with head trauma].

BACKGROUND Head trauma (HT) patients constitute a major part of referrals to emergency unit (EU). We aimed to evaluate cases with HT who applied to our emergency unit retrospectively. METHODS A hundred and seventy seven HT cases who applied to EU between January 1, 2001-June 30, 2003 were analyzed. Age, gender of the patients, time of intervention, type of trauma, level of consciousness, severity of trauma, concomitant systemic trauma, neuroradiological evaluation, intervention in EU, operation requirement and outcomes were recorded. RESULTS Patients (men, 73.44% and women 26.55%) referred because of traffic accidents (32 +/- 19 yrs; 59.88%) and other etiologies (21 +/- 17 yrs; 40.11%). According to Glasgow coma scale (GCS) 79.1% had minimal or mild (GCS: 13-15), 3.95% had moderate (GCS: 9-12), and 16.95% had severe HT (GCS: 3-8). On craniography fracture was present in 25.99%, and on cranial CT lesions were present in 25.99% of the cases. Some of them (18.64%) were discharged after first examination, and 14.12% after short observation. They (24.29%) were admitted to neurosurgery, and 4.52% of them to intensive care units; 4.52% of the cases died in EU; 9.04% of the patients underwent neurosurgical operations. CONCLUSION While traffic accidents constitute the primary cause of adulthood HT, falls take the lead during childhood. HT is usually of minimal or mild severity. Collaboration in patient transport, first aid and EU are important factors affecting prognosis of HT.