Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrast sensitivity and higher-order aberrations in patients with astigmatism.

BACKGROUND Astigmatism is one of the most significant obstacles for achieving satisfactory visual function. This study was to evaluate the influence of astigmatism on contrast sensitivity (CS) and higher-order aberrations. METHODS CS, accommodation response and wavefront aberration were measured in 113 patients with astigmatism, aged 18 - 36 years. Both single and binocular visual performance were examined under four lighting conditions: photopia, photopia with glare, scotopia and scotopia with glare respectively. Accommodation response was classified as normal, abnormal and low. The contribution of the power and axis of astigmatism to CS, accommodation response and wavefront aberration was analyzed. RESULTS As the dioptric power of astigmatism increased, the loss of CS spatial frequency changed from high to intermediate, and then to low frequency. CS scores varied at different illuminance levels, descending in the following sequence: photopia, photopia with glare, scotopia, and scotopia with glare. However, the normal accommodation group showed better CS values under photopia with glare than without glare. The range of influenced direction of sine-wave gratings remained mostly at the meridian line of high dioptric power, which would be expanded when optical accommadation attenuated. The patients with symmetrical astigmatism got higher CS scores with binoculus vision than with dominant eye vision, while the patients with asymmetrical astigmatism did this only at scotopia with glare. Among higher-order aberrations, coma aberration, secondary coma aberration and the total higher order aberration were influenced by astigmatism, all of which rising with the power of astigmatism increased. CONCLUSIONS Reducing astigmatism might improve the performance of visual function. Not only the power of astigmatism should be cut down, but also the binocular axes should be made symmetrically.
Siesta and Risk for Ischemic Stroke: Results from a Case-Control Study

Background and objectives: Siesta, which is a short afternoon nap, is a habit that is commonly practiced in the Mediterranean and tropical areas. Data on the association between siesta and coronary artery disease has been conflicting. A protective effect has been demonstrated in the countries that commonly practice siesta, but a harmful effect has been observed in the countries that infrequently practice the siesta habit. Information on the association between siesta and ischemic stroke has been, however, lacking. Hence, the purpose of our study was to determine the effect of siesta on ischemic stroke. Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study, conducted on the patients with acute ischemic stroke who came for their first follow-up visit to the neurology clinic. Controls were randomly selected from the patients visiting the neurology clinic on the same day as the patients with ischemic stroke. In addition to basic demographics and the occurrence of established stroke risk factors, information about siesta practice was also collected from both groups. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the relationship between siesta practice and ischemic stroke. Results: A total of 206 patients were recruited from the neurology clinic of King Khalid university hospital; of which only 194 subjects were included in the analysis (98 ischemic stroke cases and 96 controls). The mean age of the participants was 59.68 ± 13.75 years and 98 (50.52%) were male. Interestingly, 43% of the whole study cohort practiced regular siesta. However, when compared to the stroke population, the control group practiced siesta more frequently (30% vs. 56%). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, excess body weight (body mass index > 25 kg/m2) and dyslipidemia were found to increase the risk of ischemic stroke (OR 2.12, 95% CI: 1.02–4.66, p = 0.005; OR 2.72, 95% CI: 1.94–4.88, p = 0.014; OR 2.94, 95% CI: 1.5164–5.7121 p = 0.0014; OR 3.27, 95% CI: 2.42–5.199, p ≤ 0.001, respectively). On the contrary, the practice of regular siesta lowered the risk of ischemic stroke (OR 0.58, 95% CI: 0.3551–0.9526, p = 0.031). Conclusions: Siesta was associated with a reduced risk for the occurrence of ischemic stroke. Large prospective longitudinal studies should be conducted to verify the protective effect of siesta on stroke.
La politica forestal española: evolucion reciente y perspectivas

La preocupacion por los bosques es de tradicion muy antigua en nuestro pais. Existen abundantes referencias desde los codigos medievales a Felipe II o la Ilustracion. Sera hacia mitad del XIX, como consecuencia de las desamortizaciones y la creacion de la Direccion General de Montes y el Cuerpo nacional de Ingenieros de Montes, cuando se sientan las bases cientificas de la Politica Forestal. Entre los anos cuarenta y setenta se lleva a cabo una enorme tarea repobladora que se vera muy influida por factores debidos a la situacion politica ajenos al sector forestal. Tras la incorporacion a la CEE en circunstancias de produccion agricola excedentaria y una creciente sensibilizacion social por la conservacion de la naturaleza, la Politica Forestal debe recuperar el viejo aforismo forestal de "aprovechar conservando". Para ello se han propuesto dos grandes Programas forestales: el Plan Nacional de restauracion hidrologico-forestal y el Plan de fomento forestal que implican una inversion anual de mas de 80.000 millones de pesetas anuales, en el horizonte de los proximos cuarenta anos.
Hypoxia-Associated Factor, a Novel E3-Ubiquitin Ligase, Binds and Ubiquitinates Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α, Leading to Its Oxygen-Independent Degradation

ABSTRACT The hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is the master regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia. A key regulator of HIF-1α is von Hippel-Lindau protein (pVHL), which mediates the oxygen-dependent, proteasomal degradation of HIF-1α in normoxia. Here, we describe a new regulator of HIF-1α, the hypoxia-associated factor (HAF), a novel E3-ubiquitin ligase that binds HIF-1α leading to its proteasome-dependent degradation irrespective of cellular oxygen tension. HAF, a protein expressed in proliferating cells, binds and ubiquitinates HIF-1α in vitro, and both binding and E3 ligase activity are mediated by HAF amino acids 654 to 800. Furthermore, HAF overexpression decreases HIF-1α levels in normoxia and hypoxia in both pVHL-competent and -deficient cells, whereas HAF knockdown increases HIF-1α levels in normoxia, hypoxia, and under epidermal growth factor stimulation. In contrast, HIF-2α is not regulated by HAF. In vivo, tumor xenografts from cells overexpressing HAF show decreased levels of HIF-1α accompanied by decreased tumor growth and angiogenesis. Therefore, HAF is the key mediator of a new HIF-1α-specific degradation pathway that degrades HIF-1α through a new, oxygen-independent mechanism.
Tolerogenic probiotics: potential immunoregulators in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Probiotics are commensal or nonpathogenic microbes that colonize the gastrointestinal tract and confer beneficial effects on the host through several mechanisms such as competitive exclusion, anti‐bacterial effects, and modulation of immune responses. There is growing evidence supporting the immunomodulatory ability of some probiotics. Several experimental and clinical studies have been shown beneficial effect of some probiotic bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains, on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease that is mainly characterized by immune intolerance towards self‐antigens. Some immunomodulatory probiotics have been found to regulate immune responses via tolerogenic mechanisms. Dendritic and T regulatory (Treg) cells, IL‐6, IFN‐γ, IL‐17, and IL‐23 can be considered as the most determinant dysregulated mediators in tolerogenic status. As demonstrated by documented experimental and clinical trials on inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, a number of probiotic bacterial strains can restore tolerance in host through modification of such dysregulated mediators. Since there are limited reports regarding to impact of probiotic supplementation in SLE patients, the preset review was aimed to suggest a number of probiotics bacteria, mainly from Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus strains that are able to ameliorate immune responses. The aim was followed through literature survey on immunoregulatory probiotics that can restore tolerance and also modulate the important dysregulated pro/anti‐inflammatory cytokines contributing to the pathogenesis of SLE.
Incidence, Degree, and Clinical Effect of Subchondral Bone Overgrowth After Microfracture in the Knee

Background: Subchondral bone overgrowth has been described with variable frequency after microfracture, but little systematic information is available about the clinical incidence, risk factors, or clinical relevance of this phenomenon. Hypothesis: Subchondral overgrowth (1) occurs with high incidence and various degrees after microfracture, (2) is associated with risk factors, and (3) affects clinical outcome score and failure rate. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 84 patients undergoing microfracture in the knee were prospectively followed up to 6 years postoperatively through use of cartilage-sensitive magnetic resonance imaging to detect the incidence of subchondral bone overgrowth. The quantity of the overgrowth was graded systematically and was then correlated to patient and lesion characteristics, surgical technique, validated functional outcome scores, and failure rate. Results: Subchondral bone overgrowth was observed in 62% of patients at a mean of 22 months after surgery. Most bone overgrowth (64%) was low grade and developed during the first 12 months after microfracture. Risk factors for bone overgrowth included high body mass index, defects on the lateral femoral condyle, and aggressive debridement of the calcified cartilage layer. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score results were not significantly different between patients with or without subchondral bone overgrowth. However, 93% of patients who failed microfracture demonstrated osseous overgrowth, and patients with osseous overgrowth showed a significantly higher failure rate (25%) than patients without overgrowth (3.1%; P < .01). Conclusion: Subchondral bone overgrowth is frequently observed after microfracture surgery but is mostly of low grade. Several risk factors were identified that can affect the incidence of this phenomenon. Importantly, subchondral overgrowth is associated with an increased rate of postoperative failure after microfracture.
Rapid and complete reconstitution of autologous haemopoiesis after cord blood infusion in treatment‐naive patients with severe aplastic anemia receiving high‐dose cyclophosphamide/ATG therapy

Although high‐dose cyclophosphamide seems to achieve durable complete remission, there are still concerns about its too much early toxicity. So, we designed a clinical study to investigate the effects of high‐dose cyclophosphamide/ATG combined with cord blood infusion as first‐line therapy for patients with severe aplastic anemia. Patients and Method: Between January 2003 and September 2007, we treated 16 treatment‐naive patients with severe aplastic anemia with cord blood infusion after high‐dose cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg/d × 2) and rabbit antithymocyte globulin (3 mg/kg/d × 5) therapy. Results: Although only one patient had durable full donor engraftment, 14 of the enrolled 16 patients had rapid autologous hematopoietic recovery. The median recovery time for neutrophils and platelets was only 23 and 37 d after infusion of cord blood. Of the 15 responding patients, all patients achieved treatment‐free remission: nine patients met the criteria for a complete remission; six patients achieved a partial remission. Conclusion: Infusion of cord blood after high‐dose cyclophosphamide/ATG resulted in a rapid autologous hematologic recovery and a high response rate in patients with treatment‐naive patients with severe aplastic anemia. These promising results merit further investigation and confirmation on a larger number of patients.
Viral delivery of superoxide dismutase gene reduces cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity.

BACKGROUND Cyclosporine A (CsA) increases free radical formation in the kidney. Accordingly, this study investigated whether gene delivery of superoxide dismutase (SOD) reduced radical production and nephrotoxicity caused by CsA. METHODS Rats were given adenovirus (Ad) carrying lacZ or Cu/Zn-SOD genes three days prior to CsA treatment. Histology, glomerular filtration rates (GFRs) and free radical adducts in urine were assessed. RESULTS SOD activity was increased 2.5-fold three days after viral infection and remained at 2- and 1.6-fold higher 10 and 17 days later. Treatment with CsA for seven days decreased GFR by 70% in rats infected with Ad-lacZ as expected; however, the decrease was diminished significantly in rats receiving Ad-SOD. CsA treatment for two weeks caused a loss of brush border and dilation of proximal tubules, necrosis, and increased leukocyte infiltration into the kidney; these effects were minimized by SOD. Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was attacked by the hydroxyl radical to produce a methyl radical. Indeed, administration of CsA with 12C-DMSO in rats infected with Ad-lacZ produced a radical adduct with hyperfine coupling constants similar to 4-POBN/methyl radical adduct and another unknown radical adduct. CsA given with 13C-DMSO produced a 12-line spectrum, confirming the involvement of hydroxyl radicals. Free radical adducts detected in urine were increased approximately fivefold by CsA, an effect blocked completely by SOD. CONCLUSIONS CsA increases free radical formation. Gene delivery of SOD blocks formation of free radicals, thereby minimizing nephrotoxicity caused by CsA.
Disease Risk and Mortality Prediction in Intensive Care Patients with Pneumonia. Australian and New Zealand Practice in Intensive Care (ANZPIC II)

This study of ventilated patients investigated pneumonia risk factors and outcome predictors in 476 episodes of pneumonia (48% community-acquired pneumonia, 24% hospital-acquired pneumonia, 28% ventilator-associated pneumonia) using a prospective survey in 14 intensive care units within Australia and New Zealand. For community acquired pneumonia, mortality increased with immunosuppression (OR 5.32, CI 95% 1.58–17.99, P<0.01), clinical signs of consolidation (OR 2.43, CI 95% 1.09–5.44, P=0.03) and Sepsis-Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores (OR 1.19, CI 95% 1.08–1.30, P<0.001) but improved if appropriate antibiotic changes were made within three days of intensive care unit admission (OR 0.42, CI 95% 0.20–0.86, P=0.02). For hospital-acquired pneumonia, immunosuppression (OR 6.98, CI 95% 1.16–42.2, P=0.03) and non-metastatic cancer (OR 3.78, CI 95% 1.20–11.93, P=0.02) were the principal mortality predictors. Alcoholism (OR 7.80, CI 95% 1.20–17.50, P<0.001), high SOFA scores (OR 1.44, CI 95% 1.20–1.75, P=0.001) and the isolation of “high risk” organisms including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp, Stenotrophomonas spp and methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (OR 4.79, CI 95% 1.43–16.03, P=0.01), were associated with increased mortality in ventilator-associated pneumonia. The use of non-invasive ventilation was independently protective against mortality for patients with community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia (OR 0.35, CI 95% 0.18–0.68, P=0.002). Mortality was similar for patients requiring both invasive and non-invasive ventilation and non-invasive ventilation alone (21% compared with 20% respectively, P=0.56). Pneumonia risks and mortality predictors in Australian and New Zealand ICUs vary with pneumonia type. A history of alcoholism is a major risk factor for mortality in ventilator-associated pneumonia, greater in magnitude than the mortality effect of immunosuppression in hospital-acquired pneumonia or community-acquired pneumonia. Non-invasive ventilation is associated with reduced ICU mortality. Clinical signs of consolidation worsen, while rationalising antibiotic therapy within three days of ICU admission improves mortality for community-acquired pneumonia patients.
RCS reduction and gain enhancement for slot antenna array

In this paper, RCS reduction as well as gain enhancement for a slot antenna array is presented. The proposed antenna is a 2×2 slot array with a checkerboard surface located on the top of the antenna aperture. The checkerboard surface, combining an EBG structure and a metallic grounded slab, is adopted to realize a wideband RCS reduction. The experimental result reveals that the proposed antenna array possesses in-band and out-of-band RCS reduction from 5 GHz to more than 12 GHz for both co- and cross polarizations. Besides, the gain enhancement is about 2.1 dB compared with the original slot antenna array.
Airborne lidar bathymetry : The SHOALS system

SHOALS (Scanning Hydrographic Operational Airborne Lidar Survey) est un systeme mis au point par les ingenieurs du corps de l'armee americaine (US Army Corps of Engineers). Il s'agit d'un outil de leve bathymetrique d'application classique pour les projets cotiers. Dans ce sens, le systeme a ete utilise pour des chenaux d'acces de mer a maree : il donne une bonne information sur les hauts fonds, sur l'evolution des fonds selon les courants de flot ou de jusant sur le schema general de mouvements de sediments. Le systeme est aussi applique pour apprecier l'efficacite des rechargements de sable dans la partie de l'estran recouverte par l'eau. Au fur et a mesure du developpement des applications du programme SHOALS et de l'acquisition d'experience, le systeme a ete employe aux leves topographique et bathymetrique cotiers. Ceci sous-entend l'evaluation technique d'ouvrages maritimes, leve du trait de cote, des plages, des dunes, des zones de depot des produits de dragage. La rapidite et la densite du recueil de mesures fait du SHOALS un systeme ideal pour les cartes marines et pour les releves urgents. Actuellement 5 leves par SHOALS ont ete effectues specifiquement pour les cartes marines. La haute densite des points de mesure permet aux hydrographes de placer tres precisement les obstacles a la navigation. Dans les cas d'urgence, SHOALS a ete utilise pour la determination precise des degâts causes par des tempetes ou pour l'evaluation de situations d'echouages de navires. Le traitement en temps reel des donnees de mesure SHOALS permet une sortie rapide des resultats finaux, offrant ainsi a des equipages de secours le moyen de reagir rapidement. Outre les commentaires sur les applications ci-dessus evoquees, le rapport decrit de facon detaillee les composants du systeme, les modes d'exploitation, les performances.
Nonlinearities in thin-silicon die strength tests

While the semiconductor packages are evolving toward smaller package size and higher performance, the 3D IC or stacked-die packages are gaining popular. For these applications, IC wafers have to be ground to be relatively thin and the dies cut from these wafers have to possess sufficient strength against high stresses resulting from process handling, reliability testing, and operation. Hence, the strength of the dies, especially for the thin dies, has to be determined to ensure good reliability of the packages. Three-point bending test is widely used for measuring die strength; however the feasibility of the test is still questionable for determining strength of relatively thin dies. Meanwhile, the pin-on-elastic-foundation (PoEF) test [1] with special feature of bi-axial stress mode and elimination of the die edge effect has been proved more simple and reliable, but not for thin dies. In this study, the three-point bending test (under un-axial stress state) and the PoEF test (under bi-axial stress state) are evaluated for aiming at the thin-die strength determination which may features geometrical and contact nonlinearities. The feasibility of both test methods with their linear theories is evaluated by a nonlinear finite element method (NFEM) with taking into account geometrical and contact nonlinearities. The results show that these nonlinearities would cause an error of strength prediction by the linear beam theory for thin dies. For three-point bending test, the concept of moment equilibrium associated with the fitting equation for Fx extracted from the NFEM simulation is proposed and proved workable with good accuracy. The similar problem is faced in the PoEF test. The fitting equations based on the NFEM results are also proposed for calculating the strength of thin dies with better accuracy than theoretical formulation. Therefore, the nonlinearities has to be taken into account for both tests when the thin silicon dies are tested for strength.
Age-Related Olfactory Dysfunction: Cellular and Molecular Characterization in the Rat

Background Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) undergo apoptosis at a baseline rate even in the absence of obvious disease. Although the precise triggers of the apoptotic cascade are unclear, ORNs are exposed directly to the external environment, making them susceptible to injury. As an adaptive mechanism, mammals have the ability to replace lost ORNs throughout adult life from neuronal precursors within the olfactory epithelium (OE). In humans, this process fails with age as the surface area of the OE and the number of ORNs decline, coupled with a loss of clinical olfactory function. The question addressed in this study is whether this age-related failure of olfactory sensation is a result of a decrease in neuronal proliferation or an increase in ORN cell death. Methods To begin to address this question the ribonuclease protection assay was used to assess expression of apoptosisrelated genes in rat OE as a function of age. Second, the terminal deoxynucleotide transferase end labeling assay was used to assess the percentage of ORNs undergoing apoptosis (apoptotic index) in three groups of animals: young (12 weeks), old (32 months), and bulbectomized rats. Bulbectomy is a standard model for ORN injury associated with a massive increase in ORN apoptosis and serves as a positive control. Results Ribonuclease protection assay data indicate an age-related increase in Bax, Bcl-xL, and procaspase-3 messenger RNA expression in aged compared with young rats. A similar but more pronounced increase in expression of these apoptotic-related genes is seen after bulbectomy. The terminal deoxynucleotide transferase end labeling assay also showed a statistically significant increase in the apoptotic index with both age and bulbectomy. Conclusion Taken together, the current results indicate that aging and injury induce parallel changes in OE. Furthermore, these findings support the hypothesis that age-related olfactory dysfunction is, at least in part, related to an increase in ORN cell death.