Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calculation of plasma chloride levels using blood gas measurements

Objective: Chloride is the major plasma anion. There are several methods available for the determination of serum chloride levels. Unfortunately these methods are sometimes not available in the urgent setting where values are needed. Here we describe a formula for estimating plasma chloride levels. Methods: Fifty-two consecutive patients were enrolled for which serum chloride levels were estimated using the formula CL- = (Na+ + 10 –TBB), and also measured directly through the colorimetric method. Correlation between the two values was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and agreement was shown in the Bland-Altman plot. Results: Comparing the values achieved through estimation and laboratory determination of plasma chloride revealed a significant correlation (r = 0.97). Consistent agreement was described within -4.8 and +6.6 on the Bland-Altman plot throughout the measurements. Conclusion: The formula presented here may be a reliable alternative to direct measurement of serum chloride when direct results are not available.
THE IMPACT OF DONOR AND RECIPIENT HEPATITIS B SURFACE ANTIGEN STATUS ON LIVER DISEASE AND SURVIVAL IN RENAL TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

Ninety-eight renal transplant recipients who had been followed for 1–6.5 years (median 3.2 years) were reviewed to determine the effect of donor and recipient hepatitis B surface antigen status on the incidence of hepatitis and on patient survival. The cumulative risk of developing hepatitis posttrans-plant was significantly higher in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive versus hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients (P=0.001). Nine (60%) of 15 patients who were hepatitis B surface antigen-positive prior to transplantation, 3 (75%) of 4 patients who became hepatitis B surface antigen-positive after transplantation, and 17 (22%) of 79 patients who were persistently hepatitis B surface antigen-negative developed hepatitis posttransplant. Five hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients received allografts from hepatitis B surface antigen-positive donors. None of the five, including one who was initially seronegative, became hepatitis B surface antigen-positive posttransplant. Of the four patients who became HBsAg-positive posttransplant, three received kidneys from donors of unknown HBsAg status in China, while one was transplanted with a kidney from a HBsAg-negative donor. In summary, we found that the risk of developing hepatitis after renal transplantation was significantly higher in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive patients. However, both patient and graft survival were similar in hepatitis B surface antigen-positive and hepatitis B surface antigen-negative patients. The transplantation of kidneys from HBsAg-positive donors to HBsAg-negative patients did not result in clinically significant hepatitis or chronic HBsAg carriage. De novo hepatitis B infection may arise from sources other than the kidney itself.
Prevention of gestational diabetes in pregnant women with risk factors for gestational diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials

Background Gestational diabetes mellitus can be defined as ‘glucose intolerance or hyperglycaemia with onset or first recognition during pregnancy. ’ Objective The objective of our systematic review was to see if there was any intervention that could be used for primary prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus in women with risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus. Search strategy Major databases were searched from 1966 to Aug 2012 without language restriction. Selection criteria Randomised trials comparing intervention with standard care in women with risk factors for gestational diabetes were included. Meta-analysis was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. The primary outcome assessed was the incidence of gestational diabetes. Data collection and analysis Data from included trials were extracted independently by two authors and analysed using Rev-Man 5. Main results A total of 2422 women from 14 randomised trials were included; which compared diet (four randomised trials), exercise (three randomised trials), lifestyle changes (five randomised trials) and metformin (two randomised trials) with standard care in women with risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus. Dietary intervention was associated with a statistically significantly lower incidence of gestational diabetes (Odds ratio 0.33, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.76) and gestational hypertension (Odds ratio 0.28, 95% CI 0.09, 0.86) compared to standard care. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus or in the secondary outcomes with exercise, lifestyle changes or metformin use compared to standard care. Conclusions The use of dietary intervention has shown a statistically significantly lower incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus and gestational hypertension compared to standard care in women with risk factors for gestational diabetes mellitus.
A Dynamic Mode Decomposition Based Edge Detection Method for Art Images

Edge detection is a widely used feature extraction method in various fields, such as image processing, computer vision, machine vision, and so forth. However, it is still a challenging task to extract edges from art images, due to the false edge, shadow, and double lines of art images. In this paper, we propose a dynamic mode decomposition algorithm (DMD) based method for edge detection of art images. This is achieved by proposing a new color space based denoise method to deal with the shadow issue. Then, the false edge and double lines can be resolved by employing DMD method, which can be used to extract sparse features from the denoised images. Here, the sparse features have been enhanced by a new designed eight direction gradient operator. Finally, the effectiveness of our method will be demonstrated through detecting the edges of three classical types of art images (Comic, Oil Painting, and Printmaking).
Effects of St John's wort and hypericin on cytotoxicity of anticancer drugs.

St John's wort (SJW) is Hypericum perforatum L. , Hypericaceae, a herbaceous perennial plant native to Europe and Asia, and its various preparations are widely used for the treatment of mild-to-moderately severe depressive disorders. With increasingly prevalent use, the interactions with SJW preparations with co-administered drugs have been reported, presumably via MDR1-mediated processes. In this paper, the effects of SJW extract on antiproliferative effects of anticancer drugs and the expression of MDR1 mRNA were examined using HeLa and its MDR1-overexpressing subline. The effects on MDR1-mediated transport were also evaluated using [(3)H]digoxin and LLC-GA5-COL150 cells, which were established by transfection of human MDR1 cDNA into porcine kidney epithelial LLC-PK(1) cells. The content of hypericin, a presumed active moiety within SJW extract, was determined by HPLC with a photo diode array to be 0.085 (w/w)%, and the effects of hypericin were also evaluated and compared with those of SJW extract. It was concluded that SJW extract reversed the cytotoxicity of paclitaxel and slightly of daunorubicin, down-regulated MDR1 mRNA, and inhibited MDR1-mediated transport, presumably due to other components than hypericin.
Effects of the aqueous extract of dry seeds of Aframomum melegueta on some parameters of the reproductive function of mature male rats

Mature male albino Wistar rats (180–210 g) were given aqueous extract of dry seeds of Aframomum melegueta K. Schum (Zingiberaceae) by gastric intubation during periods of 8 and 55 days. This was performed in two doses: 115 and 230 mg kg−1 during 8 days and 115 mg kg−1 during 55 days. Control rats received distilled water during the same periods. The animals were sacrificed and their blood, as well as testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle and prostate were collected and analysed. Results showed a significant increase in testosterone in serum and testis, cholesterol in testis, α‐glucosidase in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle after 8 days of treatment of A. melegueta‐treated rats (115 and 230 mg kg−1). Results also showed that levels of cholesterol in testis, α‐glucosidase in epididymis and fructose in seminal vesicle increased by 93.34%, 83.44% and 62.78%, respectively, after 55 days of A. melegueta treatment. From these findings, it was concluded that the aqueous extract of A. melegueta increased the secretions of epididymis and seminal vesicle, which are accessory sex organs.
Use of an anti‐apoptotic CHO cell line for transient gene expression

Transient gene expression in mammalian cells allows for rapid production of recombinant proteins for research and preclinical studies. Here, we describe the development of a polyethylenimine (PEI) transient transfection system using an anti‐apoptotic host cell line. The host cell line, referred to as the Double Knockout (DKO), was generated by deleting two pro‐apoptotic factors, Bax and Bak, in a CHO‐K1 cell line using zinc finger nuclease mediated gene disruption. Optimized DNA and PEI volumes for DKO transfections were 50% and 30% lower than CHO‐K1, respectively. During transfection DKO cells produced relatively high levels of lactate, but this was mitigated by a temperature shift to 31°C which further enhanced productivity. DKO cells expressed ∼3‐ to 4‐fold higher antibody titers than CHO‐K1 cells. As evidence of their anti‐apoptotic properties post‐transfection, DKO cells maintained higher viability and had reduced levels of active caspase‐3 compared to CHO‐K1 cells. Nuclear plasmid DNA copy numbers and message levels were significantly elevated in DKO cells. Although DNA uptake levels, as early as 40 min post‐transfection, were higher in DKO cells this was not due to differences in cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) or initial endocytosis mechanism as both cell types utilized caveolae‐ and clathrin‐mediated endocytosis to internalize DNA:PEI complexes. These results suggest that the increased transfection efficiency and titers from DKO cells are attributed to their resistance to transfection‐induced apoptosis and not differences in endocytosis mechanism. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 29:1050–1058, 2013
Ischemic preconditioning at a distance: reduction of myocardial infarct size by partial reduction of blood supply combined with rapid stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle in the rabbit.

BACKGROUND Limitation of myocardial infarct size by an earlier brief complete occlusion of a coronary artery is defined as ischemic preconditioning. However, myocardial protection also can be achieved by partial reduction of coronary flow, rapid cardiac pacing, or brief ischemia-reperfusion of a remote region of the heart. Our study assesses the effect on myocardial infarct size of preconditioning at a distance induced by partial reduction of blood flow to a hind limb with or without increase of demand by electrical stimulation of a skeletal muscle. METHODS AND RESULTS Anesthetized rabbits were randomized to 30 minutes of waiting period (controls), 55% to 65% reduction of femoral artery blood flow (stenosis), electrical stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle at a rate of one per second (stimulation), or stenosis+stimulation. Thereafter, rabbits underwent 30 minutes of coronary artery occlusion and 4 hours of reperfusion. Each group included 8 rabbits. Risk zones were comparable among groups. However, the ratio of infarct size to risk zone was smaller in the stenosis+stimulation group (0.09+/-0.02) compared with the control (0.26+/-0.03), stenosis (0.36+/-0.05), and stimulation (0.30+/-0.05) groups (P=.0006). ANCOVA performed on the fraction of infarction (infarct size/left ventricular weight) and the fraction of risk zone revealed a significant group effect (P=.0004). CONCLUSIONS Remote ischemia of a skeletal muscle induced by muscle stimulation combined with restriction of blood flow preconditioned the myocardium. The combination of muscle stimulation with reduction of femoral arterial blood flow but not muscle stimulation without blood flow restriction or of flow restriction without muscle stimulation reduced myocardial infarct size considerably.
England Co-ordinated Food Liaison Group Studies : An Assessment of the Microbiological Safety of Pre-Cut Fruit From Retail and Catering Premises in the United Kingdom

Caroline Willis*, Jim McLauchlin, Corinne Amar, Lorraine Sadler-Reeves, Nicola Elviss, Heather Aird, Andrew Fox and Moira Kaye 1 Public Health England Food Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Porton, Porton Down, Salisbury. Public Health England Food Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory London, Colindale, London. Gastrointestinal Bacteria Reference Unit, Public Health England, Colindale, London. Public Health England Food Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory York, FERA, York. Public Health England Food Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Preston, Royal Preston Hospital, Preston. Public Health England Food Water and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory Birmingham, Good Hope Hospital, Sutton Coldfield.
EDIC RESEARCH PROPOSAL 2 Fully Automatic and Scalable Array Content Analysis

Our work is in the area of automated verification of software properties in modern programing languages. We present three papers related to various aspects of our research field: a modular pointer and effect analysis for object oriented programs, a precise and efficient typestate analysis, and a precise, parametric array content analysis. We discuss their contributions as well as their shortcomings. Finally, we present our recent work on analyzing software with complex, dynamic properties, and discuss ideas for future research.
The small GTPase Rho4 is involved in controlling cell morphology and septation in fission yeast

Background: Rho family small GTPases have been shown to be involved in various cellular activities, including the organization of actin cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells. There are six rho genes in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Cdc42 is known to control the polarity of the cell. Rho1, Rho2 and Rho3 play important roles in controlling cell shape and septation. On the other hand, Rho4 and Rho5 have not yet been characterized. Here we report the function of rho4+ in fission yeast.
Silent Cerebrovascular Damage and Its Early Correlates in Essential Hypertensive Patients

This study tested the association between cognitive functions, cerebrovascular damage, and cerebrovascular reactivity in 71 essential young hypertensives (age matched) and 22 normotensives (age matched). They underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, neurocognitive tests, cerebral magnetic resonance, and transcranial Doppler. Twenty-three percent of patients showed more than 10 white matter lesions and 8% showed none. No control subjects showed more than 10 white matter lesions and 90% of normal controls showed no lesions. Patients with more than 10 white matter alterations had longer hypertensive story and showed significant lower nocturnal blood pressure fall. Pulsatility index was correlated with the number of white matter lesions.
A Survey of Spectrum Prediction Techniques for Cognitive Radio Networks

Cognitive radio networks provide an opportunity for unlicensed users (secondary users) to use the allocated spectrum band when not in use by legitimate users (primary users). To use a channel or spectrum, it is required to sense the channel for the presence of primary user which is called Spectrum Sensing. In order to reduce the sensing time of spectrum and to determine the state of the channel whether it is free or not in advance, spectrum prediction techniques can be used. In this paper, different techniques and learning models that can be applied to predict the state of spectrum band for the presence of primary user are discussed.
Group office visits change dietary habits of patients with coronary artery disease-the dietary intervention and evaluation trial (D.I.E.T.).

BACKGROUND We evaluated the effectiveness of a low-cost group visit intervention for changing the dietary intake and lipid levels of patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS We performed a controlled random group assignment trial in 4 community outpatient clinics. The Dietary Intervention and Evaluation Trial randomized 97 patients with CAD to either a control group that followed the National Cholesterol Education Program's Step II-III diet plan (n=48) or an experimental group that received meal plans, recipes, and nutritional information during monthly group office sessions (n=49). Both groups received lipid-lowering medications and were followed-up over 12 months. We assessed dietary intake, fasting lipid profiles, hemoglobin A1C levels, and per member per month (PMPM) expense data. RESULTS Food frequency data showed that eating fruits and vegetables and cooking with monounsaturated fat increased significantly in the experimental group compared with the control group at 1 year (P=.0072; P=.0001; P=.0004). The total PMPM expenses decreased for both groups (38% for the experimental group and 10% for the control group), but the cost difference was statistically nonsignificant (P=.2975). Both groups noted low-density lipoprotein reductions, significant only in the experimental group (P=.0035). CONCLUSIONS Our study suggests that using group office visits for patients with CAD was an effective method for helping subjects make dietary changes and for improving lipid levels. Patients with known CAD and elevated lipid levels were willing to make significant lifestyle changes when offered a program that emphasizes healthy foods in a group visit format.
Managing Countertransference: What the Experts Think

The present study attempted to assess the importance of five factors theorized to play a central role in managing countertransference: Self-integration, Anxiety Management, Conceptualizing Skills, Empathy, and Self-insight. 33 experts provided ratings of 50 characteristics of therapists as to the importance of each in managing countertransference. Analysis indicated that each factor is at least somewhat important to management of countertransference, with two of the factors, Self-integration and Self-insight, rated as playing a particularly important role. Clinical implications are discussed.
Adsorption and carbonylation of plasma proteins by dialyser membrane material: in vitro and in vivo proteomics investigations.

BACKGROUND Protein carbonylation is an irreversible and not reparable reaction which is caused by the introduction into proteins of carbonyl derivatives such as ketones and aldehydes, generated from direct oxidation processes or from secondary protein reaction with reactive carbonyl compounds. Several studies have demonstrated significantly increased levels of reactive carbonyl compounds, a general increase in plasma protein carbonyls and carbonyl formation on major plasma proteins in blood from uremic patients, particularly those undergoing chronic haemodialysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS In the present preliminary study, we first assessed by an in vitro filtration apparatus the possible effects of different materials used for haemodialysis membranes on protein retention and carbonylation. We employed hollow fiber minidialyzers of identical structural characteristics composed of either polymethylmethacrylate, ethylenevinyl alcohol, or cellulose diacetate materials. Protein Western Blot and SDS-PAGE coupled to mass spectrometry analysis were applied to highlight the carbonylated protein-binding characteristics of the different materials. We also investigated in vivo protein carbonylation and carboxy methyl lisine-modification in plasma obtained before and after a haemodialysis session. RESULTS Our data underline a different capability on protein adsorption associated with the different properties of the filter materials, highlighting the central buffering and protective role of serum albumin. In particular, polymethylmethacrylate and cellulose diacetate showed, in vitro, the highest capacity of binding plasma proteins on the surface of the hollow fiber minidialyzers. CONCLUSIONS The present study suggests that biomaterials used for fabrication of haemodialysis membrane may affect the carbonyl balance in chronic uremic patients.
The cytokine/neurotrophin axis in peripheral axon outgrowth

Inflammation is part of the physiological wound healing response following mechanical lesioning of the peripheral nervous system. However, cytokine effects on axonal regeneration are still poorly understood. Because cytokines influence the expression of neurotrophins and their receptors, which play a major role in axonal outgrowth after lesioning, we investigated the hypothesis that cytokines influence specifically neurotrophin‐dependent axon elongation. Therefore, we have characterized neurotrophin‐dependent neurite outgrowth of murine dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in vitro and investigated the influence of pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines on these outgrowth patterns. Embryonic day 13 (E13) DRG were cultured in Matrigel for 2 days and axonal morphology, density and elongation were determined using an image analysis system. Nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3) and ‐4 (NT‐4) were applied alone (50 ng/mL), in double or in triple combinations. NT‐3, NT‐4 and NT‐3 + NT‐4 combined induced a moderate increase in axonal outgrowth (P < 0.001) compared with controls, while NGF and all combinations including NGF induced an even more pronounced increase in axonal outgrowth (P < 0.001). After characterizing these outgrowth patterns, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐4, IL‐6, interferon‐γ (IFNγ) and tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNFα) (50 or 500 ng/mL) were added to the different neurotrophin combinations. Low doses of TNFα and IL‐6 influenced neurite extension induced by endogenous neurotrophins. IL‐4 increased NT‐4‐induced outgrowth. IL‐6 stimulated NT‐3 + NT‐4‐induced outgrowth. IFNγ stimulated neurite extension in the presence of NT‐3 + NT‐4 and NT‐3 + NGF. TNFα inhibited NT‐3‐, NT‐3 + NGF‐, NT‐4 + NGF‐ and NT‐3 + NT‐4 + NGF‐induced outgrowth. These data suggest that inflammation following nerve injury modulates re‐innervation via a cytokine/neurotrophin axis.