Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
NRC Publications Archive Archives des publications du CNRC

— Techniques developed for recognition of objects in photographs often fail when applied to recognition of the same objects in video. A critical example of such a situation is seen in face recognition, where many technologies are already intensively used for passport veriﬁcation and where there is no technology that can reliably identify a person from a surveillance video. The reason for this is that video provides images of much lower quality and resolution than that of photographs. Besides, objects in video are normally captured in unconstrained environments, often under poor lighting, in motion and at a distance. This makes memorization of an object from a single video frame unreliable and recognition based on a single video frame very difﬁcult if even possible. This paper introduces a neuro-associative approach to recognition which can both learn and identify an object from low-resolution low-quality video sequences. This approach is derived from a mathematical model of biological visual memory, in which correlation-based projection learning is used to memorize a face from a video sequence and attractor-based association is performed to recognize a face over several video frames. The approach is demonstrated using a video-based facial database and real-time video annotation of TV shows.
NAD+ acts on mitochondrial SirT3 to prevent axonal caspase activation and axonal degeneration

In chronic degenerative syndromes, neuronal death occurs over long periods, during which cells progressively lose their axons and, ultimately, their cell bodies. Although apoptosis is recognized as a key event in neuronal death, the molecular mechanisms involved in CNS axons degeneration are poorly understood. Due to the highly polarized phenotypes of CNS neurons, the different neuronal subcompartments are likely to be targeted by light repetitive and localized aggression. Such locally initiated deleterious signal transduction pathways could theoretically spread through the cytoplasm. However, where axon‐degenerative signals initiate, what these early signals are, and how they lead to axon degeneration are unanswered questions that limit our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and our ability to identify novel therapeutic targets. Using a microfluidic culture device adapted to CNS primary neurons, allowing specific access to the axonal and somatodendritic compartments, we analyzed the molecular pathways involved in axonal degeneration of differentiated neurons. We show here that local application of proapoptotic stimuli on the somatodentritic compartment triggers a dying‐back pattern involving caspase‐dependent axonal degeneration. Using complementary pharmacological and genetic approaches, we further demonstrate that NAD+ and grape wine polyphenols prevent axonal apoptosis and act via mitochondrial SirT3 activation in axons. —Magnifico, S. , Saias, L. , Deleglise, B. , Duplus, E. , Kilinc, D. , Miquel, M. ‐C. , Viovy, J.‐L. , Brugg, B. , Peyrin, J.‐M. NAD+ acts on mitochondrial SirT3 to prevent axonal caspase activation and axonal degeneration. FASEB J. 27, 4712–4722 (2013). www.fasebj. org
The term ‘non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis’ is much more important to classify than to diagnose patients with axial spondyloarthritis

The term axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) now is used frequently to describe patients with predominantly axial symptoms who fit into the spectrum of a well-recognised rheumatic disease that continues to be known as ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The 2009 Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society (ASAS) classification criteria, developed to identify patients with early or atypical disease which could not be classified by the 1984 modified New York (mNY) criteria for AS, have led to a differentiation between non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA) and radiographic axSpA, which is largely synonymous with AS. The main reason to distinguish between these ends of the spectrum of axSpA was that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors (TNFi) approved for AS could obtain additional labelling for nr-axSpA and be used to treat all patients manifesting clinical features of axSpA. These two terms are distinguished by the degree of ‘radiographic sacroiliitis’ assessed by conventional radiography, according to the 1984 mNY criteria for AS. Since this differentiation has been shown to be not very reliable, we argue that the terms nr-axSpA and AS should only be used for classification of patients with axSpA and not as separate diagnoses. Therefore, we propose that only the term axSpA be used to diagnose patients, unless there is a meaningful medical reason to differentiate nr-axSpA from AS. The available data justify performing randomised controlled trials designed to obtain regulatory approval for therapeutic agents in patients across the entire spectrum of axSpA.
The impact of differing anxiety disorders on outcome following an acute coronary syndrome: time to start worrying?

Background: Both depression and anxiety have been implicated as influencing survival following an acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Studies evaluating the contribution of anxiety have produced varying results, perhaps reflecting the use of dimensional self‐report measures of state anxiety and failure to control for co‐morbid depression. We sought to assess the impact of anxiety on outcome in ACS patients using DSM‐IV diagnoses, in addition to self‐report measures, controlling for effects of concurrent depressive diagnosis as well as medical and socio‐demographic variables. Methods: Some 489 patients hospitalized with an ACS were assessed for lifetime and current DSM‐IV anxiety disorders using both Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) decisions and such decisions complemented by clinical judgments of impairment. Patients were re‐interviewed over the next 12 months to assess cardiac outcome (ACS readmission and cardiac mortality). Results: Univariate analyses revealed a trend for those with a lifetime history of agoraphobia to experience poorer cardiac outcome and for those with a lifetime diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) to experience a superior cardiac outcome. After controlling for post‐ACS depression and key medical and demographic covariates, agoraphobia was a significant predictor of poorer cardiac outcome while the trend for those with a history of GAD to experience a superior cardiac outcome remained. Conclusions: Any impact of “anxiety” on post‐ACS outcome appears to be influenced by the clinical sub‐type. The seemingly paradoxical finding that GAD might improve outcome may reflect “apprehensive worrying” being constructive, by improving self‐management of the individual's cardiac problems. Depression and Anxiety, 2010. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Prevalence and Characterization of Non-O157 Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli on Carcasses in Commercial Beef Cattle Processing Plants

ABSTRACT Beef carcass sponge samples collected from July to August 1999 at four large processing plants in the United States were surveyed for the presence of non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC). Twenty-eight (93%) of 30 single-source lots surveyed included at least one sample containing non-O157 STEC. Of 334 carcasses sampled prior to evisceration, 180 (54%) were found to harbor non-O157 STEC. Non-O157 STEC isolates were also recovered from 27 (8%) of 326 carcasses sampled after the application of antimicrobial interventions. Altogether, 361 non-O157 STEC isolates, comprising 41 different O serogroups, were recovered. O serogroups that previously have been associated with human disease accounted for 178 (49%) of 361 isolates. Although 40 isolates (11%) carried a combination of virulence factor genes (enterohemorrhagic E. coli hlyA, eae, and at least one stx gene) frequently associated with STEC strains causing severe human disease, only 12 of these isolates also belonged to an O serogroup previously associated with human disease. Combining previously reported data on O157-positive samples (R. O. Elder, J. E. Keen, G. R. Siragusa, G. A. Barkocy-Gallagher, M. Koohmaraie, and W. W. Laegreid, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97:2999-3003, 2000) with these data regarding non-O157-positive samples indicated total STEC prevalences of 72 and 10% in preevisceration and postprocessing beef carcass samples, respectively, showing that the interventions used by the beef-processing industry effected a sevenfold reduction in carcass contamination by STEC.
Analysis of the Vascularity of an Atelocollagen Sponge Substitute Dermis in the Human

Atelocollagen sponge had been developed as a new beneficial dermal substitute. However, histologic studies of the vascularity of an atelocollagen sponge substitute dermis in humans are very rare. The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution of blood vessels in an artificial dermis made of atelocollagen affixed to human tissue. The artificial dermis was used in 21 cases and at 23 sites, and biopsies were performed. The samples were stained with anti‐human blood type A, B, and H monoclonal antibodies. Angiogenesis in the upper layer of the artificial dermis was recognizable within 14 days after affixing the artificial dermis. We concluded that a skin graft taken 14 days after affixing the artificial dermis would be successful, even though the granulation tissue formation might not be completed and the color would most likely remain white. The lower layer of the angiogenesis spread in a horizontal direction like an expanded network of blood vessels, while the middle and upper layers of angiogenesis spread perpendicularly to form upward growth when two cases were examined in various spots. The data suggested that the sponge construction of artificial dermis not only became a scaffold for the invasion of collagen, but it also facilitated construction of near normal dermis with regard to the construction of blood vessels.
Interobserver agreement on histopathological lesions in class III or IV lupus nephritis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To treat lupus nephritis effectively, proper identification of the histologic class is essential. Although the classification system for lupus nephritis is nearly 40 years old, remarkably few studies have investigated interobserver agreement. Interobserver agreement among nephropathologists was studied, particularly with respect to the recognition of class III/IV lupus nephritis lesions, and possible causes of disagreement were determined. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS A link to a survey containing pictures of 30 glomeruli was provided to all 360 members of the Renal Pathology Society; 34 responses were received from 12 countries (a response rate of 9.4%). The nephropathologist was asked whether glomerular lesions were present that would categorize the biopsy as class III/IV. If so, additional parameters were scored. To determine the interobserver agreement among the participants, κ or intraclass correlation values were calculated. The intraclass correlation or κ-value was also calculated for two separate levels of experience (specifically, nephropathologists who were new to the field or moderately experienced [less experienced] and nephropathologists who were highly experienced). RESULTS Intraclass correlation for the presence of a class III/IV lesion was 0.39 (poor). The κ/intraclass correlation values for the additional parameters were as follows: active, chronic, or both: 0.36; segmental versus global: 0.39; endocapillary proliferation: 0.46; influx of inflammatory cells: 0.32; swelling of endothelial cells: 0.46; extracapillary proliferation: 0.57; type of crescent: 0.46; and wire loops: 0.35. The highly experienced nephropathologists had significantly less interobserver variability compared with the less experienced nephropathologists (P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS There is generally poor agreement in terms of recognizing class III/IV lesions. Because experience clearly increases interobserver agreement, this agreement may be improved by training nephropathologists. These results also underscore the importance of a central review by experienced nephropathologists in clinical trials.
HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) use and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in HIV-positive persons

Objective:Experimental studies suggested that HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors ('statins’) may have antilymphoma properties. We investigated whether statin use is associated with reduced risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in HIV-positive persons. Design:A nested case–control study was conducted among HIV-positive members of Kaiser Permanente California, a large managed care organization. Methods:Cases were incident HIV+ NHL diagnosed from 1996 to 2008. Controls were HIV-positive members without NHL matched 5 : 1 to cases by age, sex, race, index year and known duration of HIV infection. Data were collected from Kaiser Permanente's electronic medical records. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the effect of statin use on HIV + NHL risk, adjusting for potential confounders (matching factors, prior clinical AIDS diagnosis, antiretroviral use, baseline CD4 cell count, and history of selected co-morbidity) and use of nonstatin lipid-lowering therapy (LLT). Results:A total of 259 cases and 1295 controls were included. Eight percent of the cases and 14% of the controls had a history of statin use. Statin use was associated with lower risk of HIV + NHL; hazard ratio and 95% confidence intervals for ever use, less than 12, and at least 12 months cumulative use was 0.55 (0.31–0.95), 0.64 (0.31–1.28), and 0.50 (0.23–1.10), respectively. P value for trend for duration of statin use was 0.08. No association between nonstatin LLT use and risk of NHL was observed. Conclusion:Our results suggested an inverse association between statin use and risk of NHL in HIV-positive persons. Potential limitations include the likelihood of residual confounding by indication and limited study power for some statin use subgroups.
Campylobacter jejuni Cytolethal Distending Toxin Mediates Release of Interleukin-8 from Intestinal Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Live cells of Campylobacter jejuni andCampylobacter coli can induce release of interleukin-8 (IL-8) from INT407 cells. Additionally, membrane fractions of C. jejuni 81-176, but not membrane fractions of C. colistrains, can also induce release of IL-8. Membrane preparations from 81-176 mutants defective in any of the three membrane-associated protein subunits of cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) were unable to induce IL-8. The presence of the three cdt genes on a shuttle plasmid in trans restored both CDT activity and the ability to release IL-8 to membrane fractions. However, CDT mutations did not affect the ability of 81-176 to induce IL-8 during adherence to or invasion of INT407 cells. When C. jejuni cdt genes were transferred on a shuttle plasmid into a C. coli strain lacking CDT, membrane preparations became positive in both CDT and IL-8 assays. Growth of C. jejuni in physiological levels of sodium deoxycholate released all three CDT proteins, as well as CDT activity and IL-8 activity, from membranes into supernatants. Antibodies against recombinant forms of each of the three CDT subunit proteins neutralized both CDT activity and the activity responsible for IL-8 release. The data suggest that C. jejuni can induce IL-8 release from INT407 cells by two independent mechanisms, one of which requires adherence and/or invasion and the second of which requires CDT.
Magen-Darm Parasiten – Unterscheiden sich Schweizer Schafrassen bezüglich ihrer Anfälligkeit?

Magen-Darm Wurmer sind eines der grossten Probleme in der Haltung von kleinen Wiederkauern. Infektionen mit diesen Parasiten fuhren je nach Befallsgrad zu erheblichen Einbussen in der Leistung der Tiere und konnen deren Gesundheit stark beeintrachtigen. Die Kontrolle von Magen-Darm Wurmern stutzt sich seit uber 30 Jahren auf den Einsatz von Entwurmungsmitteln. Der lang jahrige Einsatz dieser Mittel ist aber nicht unproblematisch. Bereits vor 15 Jahren gab es erste Berichte uber reduzierte Wirksamkeiten von gewissen Entwurmungsmitteln. Weiterfuhrende Studien brachten den Beweis, dass gewisse Wurmpopulationen Resistenzen gegen die Mittel entwickelt hatten. Gegenwartig sind resistente Magen-Darm Wurmpopulationen weltweit eher die Regel als die Ausnahme und bei Milchschafen und Milchziegen bereits ein grosses Problem.
Heterogeneity and reproducibility of microvessel counts in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND Microvessel counting has proven to be of prognostic value in breast cancer, as shown in different retrospective studies. However, methodology has not been studied widely, and this must be done before the method can become clinically applicable. The aim of this study was to determine the degree of heterogeneity and reproducibility of microvessel counts (MC) in breast cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In 10 cases of breast cancer, the available blocks (2-4 blocks) containing invasive tumor parts were selected, and four sections (4 microns) were cut with interdistances of 100 microns. In each section, two or three invasive areas (0.5 x 0.5 cm) were demarcated. Microvessels, visualized by immunohistochemistry (CD31 Ab), were counted by one observer in 10 systematically selected fields of vision (400 x magnification). Furthermore, microvessels were counted in four fields with the highest microvessel density ("hot spots"). Coefficients of variation (CV) were calculated for the different sampling levels. RESULTS Repeated MC yielded high intra- and interobserver reproducibility (correlation coefficients > 0.92). For the systematic counting method, CV between MC from different areas within one section was on average (17.1% (0.7-52.1). When comparing MC from corresponding areas in different sections from the same black, CV was on average 14.7% (0.5-41.9), and for MC from different blocks of the same tumor, CV was on average 25.8% (9.9-44.6). Nested ANOVA showed an approximately equal contribution to the total variance of the different sampling levels, except for the variation between sections (not significant). For the hot spot MC, CV for different sections from the same block was on average 11.1% (0.7-29.5) and for different blocks from the same tumor, 24.2% (5.7-54.9). Nested ANOVA showed that variation between different blocks from the same tumor contributed most to the total variance. CONCLUSIONS There is a noteworthy heterogeneity in MC between different areas from the same section, between corresponding areas in different sections from the same block, and between different blocks from the same tumor. Consequently, one must carefully scan all the available tumor material in each case for the best hot spot. The hot spot approach is efficient and reproducible, but only a comparative prognostic evaluation can show whether it is clinically more useful than systematic counts.
Effects of Positively Selected Sequence Variations in Human and Macaca fascicularis β-Defensins 2 on Antimicrobial Activity

ABSTRACT The evolution of orthologous genes coding for β-defensin 2 (BD2) in primates has been subject to positive selection during the divergence of the platyrrhines from the catarrhines and of the Cercopithecidae from the Hylobatidae, great apes, and humans. Three peptides have been selected for a functional analysis of the effects of sequence variations on the direct antimicrobial activity: human BD2 (hBD2), Macaca fascicularis BD2 (mfaBD2), and a variant of the human peptide lacking Asp4, (−D)hBD2, which is characteristic only of the human/great ape peptides. hBD2 and mfaBD2 showed a significant difference in specificity, the former being more active towards Escherichia coli and the later towards Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Asp4 in the human peptide appears to be important, as (−D)hBD2 was less structured and had a markedly lower antimicrobial activity. The evolution of β-defensin 2 in primates may thus have been driven, at least in part, by different environmental pressures so as to modulate antimicrobial activity.
A survey of oral vitamin K use by anticoagulation clinics.

BACKGROUND Despite published reports of its safety and efficacy, oral vitamin K (phytonadione) may not be widely used for patients with warfarin-associated coagulopathy. We tested the hypothesis that recommendations for phytonadione use from the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Fifth Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy are not routinely incorporated into the clinical practice of many anticoagulation clinics. METHODS Surveys were mailed to 100 separate clinics in the southwestern region of the United States that are members of the Anticoagulation Forum, an association of anticoagulation clinic personnel and medical directors in the United States and Canada. Respondents were presented with 4 scenarios involving asymptomatic patients taking warfarin whose international normalized ratio is supratherapeutic. In each scenario, the respondents were told the patient's international normalized ratio and whether the patient was at "high" risk for bleeding. RESULTS Of 53 respondents, 13 (25%) indicated that their clinics never use oral phytonadione. Eighteen (34%) indicated that their clinics use subcutaneous phytonadione, despite the absence of a recommendation for this in the ACCP guidelines published in 1998. For each scenario, we made a judgment as to whether the respondent's management was consistent with guidelines found in the ACCP Fifth Consensus Conference on Antithrombotic Therapy. Overall, only 17 respondents (32%) provided all 4 answers consistent with the ACCP recommendations. CONCLUSION For patients with supratherapeutic international normalized ratio values, our survey suggests that a substantial number of anticoagulation clinics underutilize oral phytonadione.
Presynaptic Glutamate/Quisqualate Receptors: Effects on Synaptosomal Free Calcium Concentrations

Abstract: Intracellular free [Ca2+]j was measured using fura‐2 in synaptosomes prepared from cerebral cortices of adult male rats (12 weeks). L‐(+)‐Glutamate, d‐(‐)‐glutamate, and quisqualate produced similar dose‐dependent increases in [Ca2+]i, with EC50 values of 0.38 μM, 0.74 μM, and 0.1 μM, respectively, and maximum increases of approximately 40%. Ibotenate showed less affinity (EC50 4.4 μM) but had a greater maximum effect (57%). N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) and α‐ amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazolepropionate (AMPA) did not increase [Ca2+]i‐ The increases in [Ca2+]i induced by quisqualate and ibotenate were not diminished in the absence of extrasynaptosomal Ca2+. l‐2‐Amino‐4‐phosphonobutyrate (L‐AP4) (1 μM) completely blocked the changes in [Ca2+]i induced by l‐(+)‐glutamate, d‐(‐)‐glutamate, quisqualate, or ibotenate. The effects of quisqualate and ibotenate on [Ca2+]i were also blocked by coincubation of synaptosomes with l‐(+)‐serine‐O‐phosphate (L‐SP) (1 mM) (which, like L‐AP4, blocks the effects of quisqualate and ibotenate on inositol phospholipid metabolism). 6‐Cyano‐7‐nitroquinoxaline‐2,3‐dione (CNQX) had no effect on agonist‐mediated increases in [Ca2+]i when coincubated with either quisqualate or ibotenate. These data are consistent with the existence of presynaptic glutamate receptors (of the excitatory amino acid metabotropic type) which activate phospholipase C leading to the elevation of inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate and release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores.
Low-complexity Grouping Spectrum Management in Multi-user DSL Networks

Dynamic spectrum management is an important technique for mitigating crosstalk in DSL system. A novel dynamic spectrum management algorithm with low computational complexity is proposed in this paper. In the algorithm, we group the users from the length of the user lines, and use a virtual reference line to replace the lines in each group. After grouping, spectrum allocation and bit-loading are implemented among reference lines. Then all the other users in the same group use the same spectrum allocation scheme as on the relative reference line. In this way, the computational complexity is reduced dramatically. Computer simulation results based on measured DSL channels show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.