Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Segmentation of 4D Cardiac Images: Investigation on Statistical Shape Models

The purpose of this research was two-fold: (1) to investigate the properties of statistical shape models constructed from manually segmented cardiac ventricular chambers to confirm the validity of an automatic 4-dimensional (4D) segmentation model that uses gradient vector flow (GVF) images of the original data and (2) to develop software to further automate the steps necessary in active shape model (ASM) training. These goals were achieved by first constructing ASMs from manually segmented ventricular models by allowing the user to cite entire datasets for processing using a GVF-based landmarking procedure and principal component analysis (PCA) to construct the statistical shape model. The statistical shape model of one dataset was used to regulate the segmentation of another dataset according to its GVF, and these results were then analyzed and found to accurately represent the original cardiac data when compared to the manual segmentation results as the golden standard
A brief survey of density forecasting in macroeconomics

A density forecast of an economic variable is an estimate of the conditional probability density function (p.d.f.) of the possible future values of that variable. For example, a density forecaster might say something like “based on current information, GDP growth over the next year is expected to be normally distributed with mean 3% and standard deviation 0.5%”. A density forecast therefore provides a complete probabilistic description of the possible future realisations of a variable, given some information set. It is a generalisation of the more common point forecast (“GDP growth over the next year is expected to be 3%”) and interval forecast (“GDP growth over the next year is expected to be between 4% and 5%”). This Special Feature presents a brief survey of density forecasting in macroeconomics. It describes density forecasts, and how they can be constructed, presented, evaluated and used. We will begin with a discussion of some of the disadvantages of point and interval forecasts, and some of the benefits of density forecasts. We look at some examples of density forecasts that are already in regular use, and discuss how such forecasts can be evaluated. Finally, we highlight some of the difficulties and challenges of density forecasting. 2
Safety profile of the oral iron chelator deferiprone: a multicentre study

In previous trials, the orally active iron chelator deferiprone (L1) has been associated with sporadic agranulocytosis, milder forms of neutropenia and other side‐effects. To determine the incidence of these events, we performed a multicentre prospective study of the chelator. Blood counts were performed weekly, and confirmed neutropenia mandated discontinuation of therapy. Among 187 patients with thalassaemia major, the incidence of agranulocytosis (neutrophils < 0.5 × 109/l) was 0.6/100 patient–years, and the incidence of milder forms of neutropenia (neutrophils 0.5–1.5 × 109/l) was 5.4/100 patient–years. All cases of neutropenia resolved after interruption of therapy. Neutropenia occurred predominantly in non‐splenectomized patients. Nausea and/or vomiting occurred early in therapy, was usually transient and caused discontinuation of deferiprone in three patients. Mild to moderate joint pain and/or swelling did not require permanent cessation of deferiprone and occurred more commonly in patients with higher ferritin levels. Mean alanine transaminase (ALT) levels rose during therapy. Increased ALT levels were generally transient and occurred more commonly in patients with hepatitis C. Persistent changes in immunological studies were infrequent, although sporadic abnormalities occurred commonly. Mean zinc levels decreased during therapy. Ferritin levels did not change in the overall group but decreased in those patients with baseline levels > 2500 μg/l. This study characterized the safety profile of deferiprone, and, under the specific conditions of monitoring, demonstrated that agranulocytosis is less common than previously predicted.
Vital Exhaustion and Coronary Heart Disease Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective The construct of vital exhaustion has been identified as a potential independent psychological risk factor for incident and recurrent coronary heart disease (CHD). Despite several decades of research, no systematic review or meta-analysis has previously attempted to collate the empirical evidence in this field. The purpose of this study was to review and quantify the impact of vital exhaustion on the development and progression of CHD. Methods Prospective and case-control studies reporting vital exhaustion at baseline and CHD outcomes at follow-up were derived from PubMed, PsycINFO (1980 to July 2015; articles in English and published articles only), and bibliographies. Information on aim, study design, sample size, inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessment methods of psychological risk factors, and results of crude and adjusted regression analyses were abstracted independently by two authors. Results Thirteen prospective (n = 52,636) and three case-control (cases, n = 244; controls, n = 457) studies assessed vital exhaustion and could be summarized in meta-analyses. The pooled adjusted risk of CHD in healthy populations was 1.50 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22–1.85) for prospective studies, and 2.61 (95% CI = 1.66–4.10) for case-control studies using hospital controls. Risk of recurrent events in patients with CHD was 2.03 (95% CI = 1.54–2.68). The pooled adjusted risk of chronic heart failure in healthy populations was 1.37 (95% CI = 1.21–1.56), but this was based on results from only two studies. Conclusions Vital exhaustion is associated with increased risk of incident and recurrent CHD.
Multinomial Approximating Models for Options

Many problems in valuing complex derivatives are solved by using discrete multinomial approximations. In this article, we suggest two modifications for Kamrad and Ritchken (1991) multinomial approximating model. First, we propose the inclusion of an omitted second order term to reduce errors. Second, we ensure non-negative probabilities by bounding the stretch parameter, which parameterizes the size of the up-and down-jumps in the lattice. From a standpoint of assessing the computational effort, we derive mathematical expressions to determine the number of nodes generated by the approximation process for a k asset model. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate gain in accuracy of the proposed model on pricing options and computational efficiency.
Hypolipidemic agent Z-guggulsterone: metabolism interplays with induction of carboxylesterase and bile salt export pump

Z-Guggulsterone is a major ingredient in the Indian traditional hypolipidemic remedy guggul. A study in mice has established that its hypolipidemic effect involves the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), presumably by acting as an antagonist of this receptor. It is generally assumed that the antagonism leads to induction of cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1), the rate-limiting enzyme converting free cholesterol to bile acids. In this study, we tested whether Z-guggulsterone indeed induces human CYP7A1. In addition, the expression of cholesteryl ester hydrolase CES1 and bile salt export pump (BSEP) was monitored. Contrary to the general assumption, Z-guggulsterone did not induce CYP7A1. Instead, this phytosterol significantly induced CES1 and BSEP through transactivation. Z-Guggulsterone underwent metabolism by CYP3A4, and the metabolites greatly increased the induction potency on BSEP but not on CES1. BSEP induction favors cholesterol elimination, whereas CES1 involves both elimination and retention (probably when excessively induced). Interestingly, clinical trials reported the hypolipidemic response rates from 18% to 80% and showed that higher dosages actually increased VLDL cholesterol. Our findings predict that better hypolipidemic outcomes likely occur in individuals who have a relatively higher capacity of metabolizing Z-guggulsterone with moderate CES1 induction, a scenario possibly achieved by lowering the dosing regimens.
Human cone receptor activity: The leading edge of the a–wave and models of receptor activity

Abstract The leading edge of the a–wave of the electroretinogram (ERG) was evaluated as a measure of human cone photoreceptor activity. The amplitude of the cone a–wave elicited by flashes of different energy was compared to the predictions of a class of models from in vitro studies of cone photoreceptors. These models successfully describe the leading edge of the a–wave. Thus, the human cone a–wave can be used to test hypotheses about normal and abnormal cone receptors. The ability of the human cone to adjust its sensitivity in the presence of steady adapting lights was assessed by recording cone a–waves to flashes on adapting fields up to 3.9 log td in intensity and by comparing these responses to quantitative models of adaptation. The first 10 ms of the cone's response is little affected by field intensities up to 2.9 log td. The 3.9 log td field reduced the response to weak flashes by about a factor of 2.5 (0.4 log unit). This relatively small reduction in sensitivity can be attributed to a combination of response compression, pigment bleaching, and an adaptation mechanism that changes the gain without changing the time course. We conclude that either the human cones show relatively little adaptation or that they have an adaptation mechanism that involves a time-course change. That is, as we are limited with the a–wave to the first 10 ms or so of the cone's response, we cannot rule out a gain mechanism linked to a time-course change.
Blockade of interleukin‐6 signaling aggravates ischemic cerebral damage in mice: possible involvement of Stat3 activation in the protection of neurons

Interleukin (IL)‐6 expression transiently increases in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia. To investigate the physiological significance of endogenous IL‐6 expression and to identify the main signal pathway for the action of IL‐6, we administered anti‐mouse IL‐6 receptor monoclonal antibody (IL‐6RA), which blocks IL‐6 signaling, to mice immediately after a 45‐min period of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). At 6 h after MCAO, IL‐6RA administration had resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (Stat3) protein in the peri‐infarct area of the cortex. At 24 h after MCAO, blockade of IL‐6 signaling had led to an increase in number of apoptotic cells in the peri‐infarct area and enlargement of the size of the infarct, and it had adversely affected neurological function. These results suggest that endogenous IL‐6 plays a critical role in preventing damaged neurons from undergoing apoptosis in the acute phase of cerebral ischemia and that its role may be mediated by Stat3 activation.
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Latino Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

ABSTRACT Migrant and seasonal (MS) farmworkers are an important component of the US economy. Their unique occupational health concerns have garnered research, but chronic disease research in this population is lacking. It is unclear whether health differences exist between migrant (those who migrate to and travel a distance from the home environment and thus live in temporary housing for the purpose of employment) and seasonal workers (those who work in the agricultural industry on a seasonal basis, whose long-term home environments are often near work locations and thus may be considered more “settled”), since most research presents MS farmworkers as a homogenous group. This study explored potential differences in cardiovascular disease risk factors, (i.e., diabetes, current smoking, obesity, hypertension, and hypercholesterolemia) by sex and MS status among a sample of 282 English- and Spanish- speaking Latino MS farmworkers in the Midwest using cross-sectional survey and clinical laboratory data. Results showed that in multivariate logistic regression analyses, migrant workers (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15) had a higher likelihood of being obese compared with seasonal workers (P < .05). MS farmworkers did not differ in likelihood of smoking, diabetes, hypertension, or hypercholesterolemia. In adjusted analyses, females were more likely to be obese (OR = 3.29) and have diabetes (OR = 4.74) compared with males (P < .05); and males were more likely to be current smokers (OR = 7.50) as compared with females (P < .05). This study provides insight into chronic health concerns among this predominantly Latino farmworker population and suggests that future prevention and intervention research may need to focus on sex differences rather than MS farmworker status.
A comparative study of lateral condensation, heat-softened gutta-percha, and a modified master cone heat-softened backfilling technique.

AIM The aim of the study was to compare the quality of root fillings completed by lateral condensation (L), Thermafil (TF), and a new technique using Thermafil for backfilling (BF), with special emphasis on control of overfilling. METHODOLOGY Sixty curved canals in plastic blocks were prepared with the ProFile system to size 40/04 taper in the apical half and to 06 taper in the coronal half. The canals were divided into three groups of 20. Apical patency was verified with a size 15 K-file. The canals were then filled using three different techniques: LC (20 canals), TF (20 canals), and BF, where a size 40 master point with sealer was seated prior to the introduction of a size 30 Thermafil point (20 canals). The same resin-based sealer was used on each occasion. The root fillings were assessed using stereo-microscopy for material extrusion, digital radiography for occurrence of voids, and microscopy of sections for voids and thickness of sealer layer. RESULTS Extrusion of both gutta-percha and sealer occurred in all 20 canals filled with the TF technique, but only three and five cases of sealer extrusion were detected with LC and BF techniques, respectively. No voids were detected in the TF group, whereas small voids were present in most fillings in the LC and BF groups. The average total length of the voids was less than 1 mm per canal. The thickness of the sealer layer in the middle and apical parts was greater in the LC and BF groups than in the TF group. CONCLUSIONS LC and BF techniques resulted in fewer overfills than TF. Voids were absent in TF fillings, whilst small voids were found in the LC and BF groups.
Nucleolar protein allocation and ultrastructure in bovine embryos produced by nuclear transfer from granulosa cells

In the present study immunofluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy, autoradiography following 3H‐uridine incubation and transmission electron microscopy were used to evaluate the nucleolar protein localization, transcriptional activity, and nucleolar ultrastructure during genomic re‐programming in bovine embryos reconstructed by nuclear transfer from granulosa cells into non‐activated cytoplasts followed by activation. During the 1st cell cycle (1‐cell embryos), no autoradiographic labelling was detected. Ultrastructurally, nucleoli devoid of a granular component were observed. During the 2nd cell cycle (2‐cell embryos) autoradiographic labelling was also lacking and the embryos displayed varying degrees of nucleolar inactivation. During both the 3rd (4‐cell embryos) and 4th (tentative 8‐cell embryos), cell cycles autoradiographic labelling was lacking in some embryos, while others displayed labelling and associated formation of fibrillo–granular nucleoli. During the 5th cell cycle (tentative 16‐cell embryos), all embryos displayed autoradiographic labelling and fibrillo–granular nucleoli. In some blastomeres, however, deviant nucleolar ultrastructure was observed. During the first cell cycle labelling of RNA polymerase I, fibrillarin, upstream binding factor (UBF) and nucleolin (C23) was localized to nuclear entities. During the 2nd cell cycle, only labelling of RNA polymerase I and fibrillarin persisted. During the 3rd and 4th cell cycle labelling of fibrillarin persisted, labelling of nucleophosmin (B23) appeared and that of nucleolin re‐appeared. During the 5th cell cycle almost all embryos showed complete labelling of all proteins except for UBF, which lacked in more than half of the embryos. In conclusion, bovine granulosa cell nuclear transfer embryos showed re‐modelling of the nucleoli to an inactive form followed by re‐formation of fibrillo–granular nucleoli. The re‐formation of fibrillo–granular nucleoli was initiated already during the 3rd cell cycle, which is one cell cycle earlier than in in vivo‐ and in vitro‐derived bovine embryos. Moreover, in more than half of the embryos, UBF could not be immunocytochemically localized to the nucleolar compartment during the 5th cell cycle indicating lack of developmental potentials. Mol. Repord. Dev. 61:477–487, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Differential susceptibility of cortical and subcortical inhibitory neurons and astrocytes in the long term following diffuse traumatic brain injury

Long‐term diffuse traumatic brain injury (dTBI) causes neuronal hyperexcitation in supragranular layers in sensory cortex, likely through reduced inhibition. Other forms of TBI affect inhibitory interneurons in subcortical areas but it is unknown if this occurs in cortex, or in any brain area in dTBI. We investigated dTBI effects on inhibitory neurons and astrocytes in somatosensory and motor cortex, and hippocampus, 8 weeks post‐TBI. Brains were labeled with antibodies against calbindin (CB), parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR) and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and somatostatin (SOM) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), a marker for astrogliosis during neurodegeneration. Despite persistent behavioral deficits in rotarod performance up to the time of brain extraction (TBI = 73.13 ± 5.23% mean ± SEM, Sham = 92.29 ± 5.56%, P < 0.01), motor cortex showed only a significant increase, in NPY neurons in supragranular layers (mean cells/mm2 ± SEM, Sham = 16 ± 0.971, TBI = 25 ± 1.51, P = 0.001). In somatosensory cortex, only CR+ neurons showed changes, being decreased in supragranular (TBI = 19 ± 1.18, Sham = 25 ± 1.10, P < 0.01) and increased in infragranular (TBI = 28 ± 1.35, Sham = 24 ± 1.07, P < 0.05) layers. Heterogeneous changes were seen in hippocampal staining: CB+ decreased in dentate gyrus (TBI = 2 ± 0.382, Sham = 4 ± 0.383, P < 0.01), PV+ increased in CA1 (TBI = 39 ± 1.26, Sham = 33 ± 1.69, P < 0.05) and CA2/3 (TBI = 26 ± 2.10, Sham = 20 ± 1.49, P < 0.05), and CR+ decreased in CA1 (TBI = 10 ± 1.02, Sham = 14 ± 1.14, P < 0.05). Astrogliosis significantly increased in corpus callosum (TBI = 6.7 ± 0.69, Sham = 2.5 ± 0.38; P = 0.007). While dTBI effects on inhibitory neurons appear region‐ and type‐specific, a common feature in all cases of decrease was that changes occurred in dendrite targeting interneurons involved in neuronal integration. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:3530–3560, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Outcomes of Steroid‐Avoidance Protocols in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients

Advances in immunosuppression have facilitated increased use of steroid‐avoidance protocols in pediatric kidney transplantation. To evaluate such steroid avoidance, a retrospective cohort analysis of pediatric kidney transplant recipients between 2002 and 2009 in the United Network for Organ Sharing database was performed. Outcomes (acute rejection and graft loss) in steroid‐based and steroid‐avoidance protocols were assessed in 4627 children who received tacrolimus and mycophenolate immunosuppression and did not have multiorgan transplants. Compared to steroid‐based protocols, steroid avoidance was associated with decreased risk of acute rejection at 6 months posttransplant (8.3% vs. 10.9%, p = 0.02) and improved 5‐year graft survival (84% vs. 78%, p < 0.001). However, patients not receiving steroids experienced less delayed graft function (p = 0.01) and pretransplant dialysis, were less likely to be African‐American and more frequently received a first transplant from a living donor (all p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, steroid avoidance trended toward decreased acute rejection at 6 months, but this no longer reached statistical significance, and there was no association of steroid avoidance with graft loss. We conclude that, in clinical practice, steroid avoidance appears safe with regard to graft rejection and loss in pediatric kidney transplant recipients at lower immunologic risk.
Does EuroSCORE II perform better than its original versions? A multicentre validation study.

AIMS The European system for cardiac operation risk evaluation (EuroSCORE) is widely used for predicting in-hospital mortality after cardiac surgery. A new score (EuroSCORE II) has been recently developed to update the previously released versions. This study was undertaken to validate EuroSCORE II, to compare its performance with the original EuroSCOREs and to evaluate the effects of the removal of those factors that were included in the score even if they were statistically non-significant. METHODS AND RESULTS Data on 12,325 consecutive patients who underwent major cardiac surgery in a 6-year period were retrieved from three prospective institutional databases. Discriminatory power was assessed using the c-index and comparison among the scores' performances was performed with Delong, bootstrap, and Venkatraman methods. Calibration was evaluated with calibration curves and associated statistics. The in-hospital mortality rate was 2.2%. The discriminatory power was high and similar in all algorithms (area under the curve 0.82, 95% CI: 0.79-0.84 for additive EuroSCORE; 0.82, 95% CI: 0.79-0.84 for logistic EuroSCORE; 0.82, 95% CI: 0.80-0.85 for EuroSCORE II). The EuroSCORE II had a fair calibration till 30%-predicted values and over-predicted beyond. The removal of non-significant factors from EuroSCORE II did not affect performance, being both the calibration and discrimination comparable. CONCLUSION This validation study demonstrated that EuroSCORE II is a good predictor of perioperative mortality. It showed an optimal calibration until 30%-predicted mortality. Nonetheless, it does not seem to significantly improve the performance of older versions in the higher tertiles of risk. Moreover, it could be simplified, as the removal from the algorithm of non-significant factors does not alter its performance.
Design and fabrication of Interdigitated Electrode (IDE) for detection of Ganoderma boninense

As a present work, a capacitive electrochemical biosensor i.e. Interdigitated Elecrode (IDE) was successfully designed and fabricated with aluminium as its contact pad deposited on a semi-conductor (silicon) surface using a thermal evaporator. For the fabrication method, lift-off photolithography process is applied followed by morphological and electrical characterizations. Meanwhile, the design of the IDE mask was done by the aid of AutoCAD software with miniaturization for future work of Ganoderma boninense detection. The electrical performance of the microelectrode sensor proved to be remarkable and for further studies, surface modification need to be done for sensing of biomolecules especially the target DNA Ganoderma. This study has proven that with the simple process of photolithography, IDEs can be fabricated within few hours and with low cost.