Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of failed extubation on the outcome of mechanical ventilation.

OBJECTIVE To examine medical outcomes associated with reintubation for extubation failure after discontinuation of mechanical ventilation. DESIGN Prospective cohort study of consecutive intubated medical ICU patients who underwent a trial of extubation at a tertiary-care teaching hospital. The failed extubation group consisted of all patients reintubated within 72 h or within 7 days (if continuous ICU care had been required) of extubation. All others were considered to be successfully extubated. Study end points included hospital death vs survival, the number of days spent in the ICU and in the hospital after the onset of mechanical ventilation, the likelihood of requiring > or = 7 or > or = 14 days of ICU care after extubation, and the need for transfer to either a long-term care or rehabilitation facility among the survivors. RESULTS Of 289 intubated patients, 247 (85%) were successfully extubated, and 42 (15%) required reintubation for failed extubation (time to reintubation 1.5+/-0.2 days). Reintubation for extubation failure resulted in 12 additional days of mechanical ventilation. When compared with successfully extubated patients, reintubated patients were more likely to die in the hospital (43% vs 12%; p<0.0001), spend more time in the ICU (21.2+/-2.8 days vs 4.5+/-0.6 days; p<0.001) and in the hospital (30.5+/-3.3 days vs 16.3+/-1.2 days; p<0.001) after extubation, and require transfer to a long-term care or rehabilitation facility (38% vs 21%; p<0.05). Using multiple logistic regression, extubation failure was an independent predictor for death and the need for transfer to a long-term care facility. Compared with those successfully extubated, patients who failed extubation were seven times (p<0.0001) more likely to die, 31 times (p<0.0001) more likely to spend > or = 14 days in the ICU after extubation, and six times (p<0.001) more likely to need transfer to a long-term care or rehabilitation facility if they survived. CONCLUSION After adjusting for severity of illness and comorbid conditions, extubation failure had a significant independent association with increased risk for death, prolonged ICU stay, and transfer to a long-term care or rehabilitation facility. Extubation failure may serve as an additional independent marker of severity of illness. Alternatively, poor outcomes may be etiologically related to extubation failure. If the latter proves to be the case, identifying patients at risk for poor outcomes from extubation failure and instituting alternative care practices may reduce mortality, duration of ICU stay, and need for transfer to a long-term care facility.
Efficiently Detecting Torsion Points and Subtori

Suppose X is the complex zero set of a finite collection of polynomials in Z[x_1,. ,x_n]. We show that deciding whether X contains a point all of whose coordinates are d_th roots of unity can be done within NP^NP (relative to the sparse encoding), under a plausible assumption on primes in arithmetic progression. In particular, our hypothesis can still hold even under certain failures of the Generalized Riemann Hypothesis, such as the presence of Siegel-Landau zeroes. Furthermore, we give a similar (but UNconditional) complexity upper bound for n=1. Finally, letting T be any algebraic subgroup of (C^*)^n we show that deciding whether X contains T is coNP-complete (relative to an even more efficient encoding),unconditionally. We thus obtain new non-trivial families of multivariate polynomial systems where deciding the existence of complex roots can be done unconditionally in the polynomial hierarchy -- a family of complexity classes lying between PSPACE and P, intimately connected with the P=? NP Problem. We also discuss a connection to Laurent's solution of Chabauty's Conjecture from arithmetic geometry.
MC1R, Eumelanin and Pheomelanin: Their Role in Determining the Susceptibility to Skin Cancer

Skin pigmentation is due to the accumulation of two types of melanin granules in the keratinocytes. Besides being the most potent blocker of ultraviolet radiation, the role of melanin in photoprotection is complex. This is because one type of melanin called eumelanin is UV absorbent, whereas the other, pheomelanin, is photounstable and may even promote carcinogenesis. Skin hyperpigmentation may be caused by stress or exposure to sunlight, which stimulates the release of α‐melanocyte stimulating hormone (α‐MSH) from damaged keratinocytes. Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is a key signaling molecule on melanocytes that responds to α‐MSH by inducing expression of enzymes responsible for eumelanin synthesis. Persons with red hair have mutations in the MC1R causing its inactivation; this leads to a paucity of eumelanin production and makes red‐heads more susceptible to skin cancer. Apart from its effects on melanin production, the α‐MSH/MC1R signaling is also a potent anti‐inflammatory pathway and has been shown to promote antimelanoma immunity. This review will focus on the role of MC1R in terms of its regulation of melanogenesis and influence on the immune system with respect to skin cancer susceptibility.
Remote control of industrial robot lola 50 using wireless communication and android device

Android platform based devices are powerful mobile computers with a rich variety of built-in sensors and permanent Internet connectivity. Because of its powerful capabilities, as well as open architecture, they became promising candidates for a number of industrial applications. This paper describes the process of implementation and use of application for remote control of industrial robot Lola 50, in manual mode, using the Android mobile phone and wireless communication.
A Novel Template Human Face Model with Texturing

We present a method to fit a template face model to 3D scan face. We first normalize the size and align the orientation then fit the model roughly by scattered interpolation method. Secondly we run the optimization method based on Allen’s work. We are able to generate face models which have ”poin-to-point” correspondence among them. We also suggest a way to transfer any facial texture image over this fitted model.
Human ABCA7 Supports Apolipoprotein-mediated Release of Cellular Cholesterol and Phospholipid to Generate High Density Lipoprotein*

Apolipoprotein-mediated release of cellular cholesterol and phospholipids was induced in HEK293 cells by expressing human ATP-binding cassette transporter A7 (ABCA7) and ABC transporter A1 (ABCA1) proteins, whether transient or stable, to generate cholesterol-rich high density lipoprotein (HDL). Green fluorescent protein (GFP) attached at their C termini did not influence the lipid release reactions. Transfected ABCA7-GFP induced apolipoprotein-mediated assembly of cholesterol-containing HDL also in L929 cells, which otherwise generate only cholesterol-deficient HDL with their endogenous ABCA1. Time-dependent release of cholesterol and phospholipid by apolipoprotein A (apoA)-I was parallel both with ABCA1 and with ABCA7 when highly expressed in HEK293 cells, but dose-dependent profiles of lipid release on apoA-I and apoA-II were somewhat different between ABCA1 and ABCA7. Analyses of the stable clones with ABCA1-GFP (293/2c) and ABCA7-GFP (293/6c) by using the same vector indicated some differences in regulation of their activities by protein kinase modulators. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP increased ABCA1-GFP and the release of cholesterol and phospholipid in 293/2c but increased neither ABCA7-GFP nor the lipid release in 293/6c. Expression of ABCA1-GFP- and apoA-I-mediated lipid release were enhanced in parallel by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) in 293/2c cells. In contrast, the same treatment of 293/6c increased ABCA7-GFP, but apoA-I-mediated lipid release was significantly suppressed. Despite these different responses to PMA, all of the effects of PMA were reversed by a specific protein kinase C inhibitor Gö6976, suggesting that the changes were in fact due to protein kinase C activation. A thiol protease inhibitor, N-acetyl-Leu-Leu-norleucinal, increased the protein levels of ABCA1-GFP in 293/2c and ABCA7-GFP in 293/6c, indicating their common degradation pathway. The data indicated that human ABCA7 would compensate the function of ABCA1 for release of cell cholesterol in a certain condition(s), but post-transcriptional regulation of their activity is different.
Virtual Scene for Telerobotic Operation

In this presents we concentrate our effort on building virtual modeling environments which can provide instant visualization for humanoid teleoperation system as the visual feedback is an essential part of any telerobotic system. Here virtual scene includes reconstruction of humanoid robot BHR02, and objects like table etc, where as reconstruction of BHR02 and interface for rendering the data of real robot was already developed. The main goal of this work is to enhance our visual teleoperation system for BHR02 developing virtual environment includes objects like table, etc to avoid any collision during real time operation. 3D modeling software Maya is used for modeling and simulations. Maya plug-ins in VC++ provides efficient modeling convention, real time interaction, and time saving rendering approach in a virtual environment. In this paper we describe the overview of method of creating geometrical shape of objects and rendering the data of scene in visual environment
Efficacy of zidovudine and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) hyperimmune immunoglobulin for reducing perinatal HIV transmission from HIV-infected women with advanced disease: results of Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 185.

Pediatric AIDS Clinical Trials Group protocol 185 evaluated whether zidovudine combined with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) hyperimmune immunoglobulin (HIVIG) infusions administered monthly during pregnancy and to the neonate at birth would significantly lower perinatal HIV transmission compared with treatment with zidovudine and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) without HIV antibody. Subjects had baseline CD4 cell counts </=500/microL (22% had counts <200/microL) and required zidovudine for maternal health (24% received zidovudine before pregnancy). Transmission was associated with lower maternal baseline CD4 cell count (odds ratio, 1.58 per 100-cell decrement; P=.005; 10.0% vs. 3.6% transmission for count <200 vs. >/=200/microL) but not with time of zidovudine initiation (5.6% vs. 4.8% if started before vs. during pregnancy; P=. 75). The Kaplan-Meier transmission rate for HIVIG recipients was 4. 1% (95% confidence interval, 1.5%-6.7%) and for IVIG recipients was 6.0% (2.8%-9.1%) (P=.36). The unexpectedly low transmission confirmed that zidovudine prophylaxis is highly effective, even for women with advanced HIV disease and prior zidovudine therapy, although it limited the study's ability to address whether passive immunization diminishes perinatal transmission.
Peak oxygen uptake and maturation in 12-yr olds.

The influences of gender and sexual maturation on the peak VO2 of 12-yr olds were examined. Subjects were 106 boys and 106 girls, ages 12.2 +/- 0.4 yr. The sexual maturity of 93 boys and 83 girls was classified according to Tanner's indices of pubic hair. No significant gender differences (P > 0.05) were detected in age, stature, or hemoglobin concentration. Peak VO2 was determined on a treadmill and boys' peak VO2 was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than girls' whether expressed in L x min(-1) (2.10 +/- 0.34 vs 1.92 +/- 0.28) or mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) (52 +/- 6 vs 44 +/- 5). With body mass controlled for using log-linear ANCOVA, the gender difference decreased from 18.2 to 17.1% but remained significant (P < 0.01). For peak VO2 (L x min[-1]) ANOVA revealed no significant interaction (P > 0.05) but significant (P < 0.01) main effects for both gender and maturation. For peak VO2 in ratio with body mass (mL x kg(-1) x min[-1]), ANOVA detected no significant interaction (P > 0.05) or significant main effect (P > 0.05) for maturation although the main effect for gender was significant (P < 0.01). Analysis of peak VO2 with body mass controlled for using log-linear ANCOVA revealed no significant interaction (P > 0.05) but main effects (P < 0.01) for both gender and maturation. Thus, gender differences, which are not simply explained by differences in body size or hemoglobin concentration, have been demonstrated in the peak VO2 of 12-yr olds. A log-linear scaling model has identified in both boys and girls a significant influence of maturation on peak VO2 independent of body mass. This effect may have been masked in previous studies by the inappropriate use of peak VO2 in ratio with body mass.
Enhancement of MHC class I binding and immunogenic properties of the CTL epitope peptides derived from dengue virus NS3 protein by anchor residue replacement

The immunogenecity of the defined H-2K d -restricted, murine cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes of dengue viruses were examined for CTL induction in epitope peptide / H-2K d tetramer assays. The peptides used in the study included those corresponding to amino acid (a.a.) residues 298-306 (GYISTRVEM) of NS3 of dengue virus types 2 and 4 (named DENV-2/4), and to a.a. residues 299-307 (GYISTRVGM) of NS3 of dengue virus types 1 and 3 (named DENV-1/3), and their respective modified epitope peptides, DENV-2/4-9L (GYISTRVEL) and DENV-1/3-9L (GYISTRVGL), in which the C-terminal residue M of the original epitope peptide was replaced by L, in order to provide the complete H-2K d binding motif. Immunization of BALB/c mice with the original epitope peptide, DENV-2/4 or DENV-1/ 3, did not induce specific CTLs, while that with the modified epitope peptide, DENV-2/4-9L or DENV1/3-9L, induced epitope peptide/H-2K d tetramer-binding CD8 + cells indicating specific CTLs. Competition-based binding assay with biotinylated epitope-related reference peptides (DENV-2/4-9LBiotin and DENV-1/3-9L-Biotin) demonstrated that the modified epitope peptide, DENV-2/4-9L and DENV-1/3-9L, had higher avidity to H-2K d than the respective original epitope peptides. These results indicate that modification of dengue virus-derived CTL epitope peptide by replacing a.a. residue at the position of anchor residue increases the binding avidity to MHC class I, resulting in the induction of specific CTLs. The strategy to enhance the immunogenicity of CTL epitope peptide may contribute to investigation of CTL biology in dengue virus infection.
A review of the aetiological factors and results of trans-ankle (Syme) disarticulations

Introduction. Ever since James Syme described his amputation at the ankle joint, most authors have agreed that Syme's amputation should not be considered for patients with diabetic vascular disease (DVD). The aim of the study was to record our experience with Syme's amputations and to search for any predictive criteria that may enhance successful results. Patients and methods. Seventy patients underwent a Syme amputation between the years 1980 and 2000 in our department, 51 owing to DVD. The other 19 patients had their amputations because of other pathologies. Results. The 19 patients of the non-DVD group showed a success rate of 94.7% (18/19). The overall success rate of the DVD patients was 49% (25/51). When we analysed the DVD group by age, the cut-off point was 65 years old. Patients aged 65 or less had a success rate of 68.2% (15/22), and over the age of 65 years the success rate was only 30.8% (8/26). Conclusions. Patients with DVD should be considered good candidates for a Syme amputation if they are younger than 65 years old.
Saturation and specificity of the Lon protease of Escherichia coli

Lon is an ATP-dependent protease of Escherichia coli. The lon mutation has a pleiotropic phenotype: UV sensitivity, mucoidy, deficiency for lysogenization by bacteriophage lambda and P1, and lower efficiency in the degradation of abnormal proteins. All of these phenotypes are correlated with the loss of protease activity. Here we examine the effects of overproduction of one Lon substrate, SulA, and show that it protects two other substrates from degradation. To better understand this protection, we mutagenized the sulA gene and selected for mutants that have partially or totally lost their ability to saturate the Lon protease and thus can no longer protect another substrate. Some of the SulA mutants lost their ability to protect RcsA from degradation but could still protect the O thermosensitive mutant protein (Ots). All of the mutants retained their capacity to induce cell division inhibition. It was also found that deletion of the C-terminal end of SulA affected its activity but did not affect its susceptibility to Lon. We propose that Lon may have more than one specificity for peptide cleavage.
The Evolution of Phenotypic Life-History Trade-Offs: An Experimental Study Using Drosophila melanogaster

Experimental manipulation of an organism's environment can reveal trade-offs among life-history and physiological traits such as fecundity and energy reserves. Such phenotypic trade-offs have been suggested to reflect evolutionary constraints. We test this idea by asking whether the selection responses of laboratory populations of Drosophila melanogaster can be predicted from a trade-off between fecundity and starvation resistance revealed by manipulating levels of dietary yeast. Fecundity and starvation resistance vary inversely over levels of dietary yeast: at high yeast levels, females have a high fecundity and low starvation resistance; at low yeast levels, females have a low fecundity and high starvation resistance. We examine the role of this trade-off in two independent sets of populations that have been selected for increased starvation resistance. We find that the joint selection responses of mean fecundity and starvation resistance cannot be predicted from the phenotypic trade-off in either the ancestral or control populations. This result implies that at least some of the genetic variation and covariation on which selection acted originated in physiological pathways not involved in the phenotypic trade-off. We also find that selection has altered the slope of the phenotypic trade-off such that, across yeast levels, the reproductive cost of a unit gain in starvation resistance is less in the starvation-resistant populations than in the controls.
Circulating Platelet Aggregates

It has been claimed that circulating platelet aggregates can be detected in venous blood from patients with a variety of thrombotic diseases (Wu and Hoak 1974, 1975). The method used to detect these aggregates is to record the difference between the platelet count of platelet-rich plasma from blood drawn into a formalinEDT A solution and the platelet count of platelet-rich plasma from blood drawn into EDTA solution without formalin. The formalin solution, by fixing the aggregates results in the precipitation of aggregated platelets during centrifugation and a lower platelet count in the platelet-rich plasma. The ratio between the platelet counts of the two samples of platelet-rich plasma is used as a measure of the number of platelet aggregates. All the publications using this method have included normal subjects in their investigations and their mean platelet aggregate ratio has been between 0.83 and 0. 90. This suggests that between 10-20% of the platelets of normal individuals exist in the peripheral venous blood as aggregates (Prazich eta! . 1977). These aggregates should be visible microscopically in the formalin-EDT A solution before it is centrifuged to prepare the platelet-rich plasma.
MULTIPLICATION OF LYMPHOCYSTIS VIRUS IN THE BLUEGILL (LEPOMIS MACROCHIRUS)

In t rodwt ion A t maturity the virus-infected lymphocystis cell is enormous, regularly attaining dimensions 30 to 100 times greater than uninfected cells. The mature lymphocystis cell has a thick hyaline capsule and proportionately enlarged nucleus, nucleolus, and cytoplasm. I t has cytoplasmic inclusions tha t undergo unusual enlargement and differentiation in keeping with the unique character of the entire host cell. It is, therefore, t o be expected that such a cell would generate a good deal of scientific interest. Sequential stages in the development of lymphocystis cells, or, expressed in another way, cellular changes that occur during the progress of the infection, have been described and illustrated with varying degrees of completeness. Weissenberg studied the cells of fish having natural infections and some with experimentally induced lesions (1938, 1939a, 1939b & 1945). His reports on this subject a re the most extensive and his excellent works a re illustrated with carefully prepared sketches. Nigrelli and Smith (1939) and Alexandrowicz (1951) described and photographed developmental stages of lymphocystis cells in marine species having natural infections. The sole work employing a standardized experimental animal held in water of known chemistry and constant temperature is tha t of Dunbar and Wolf. ” For their work, known age lymphocystis cells were studied by light microscopy through the entire course of the infection. Walker (to be published) used fish from the same group for a parallel study by electron microscopy. I n no study, however, has there been an attempt to determine the history of tho virus itself during the time its host cells were undergoing such profound changes. The purpose of this study was to establish the pattern of viral infectivity in experimental lymphocystis infections in bluegills under the standardized conditions used in the morphological study of Dunbar and Wolf. A multiplication curve would make i t possible to correlate morphological changes in the cell with specific events during replication of the virus.
Structure and Development of Viruses as Observed in the Electron Microscope

Two morphologically distinct types of capsids are described. The dense capsid appeared to be disrupted near the cellular membrane with release of core material. The light capsid was more stable and was frequently encountered close to the nucleus, where empty capsids were also found. Pretreatment of cells before infection with either puromycin or actinomycin D markedly decreased the percentage of empty capsids. It is suggested that the two types of capsids play different roles in the process of initiating infection. One (the dense capsid) releases deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) shortly after entry. This DNA is transcribed into a virus-specific ribonucleic acid, which codes for an enzyme capable of altering the permeability of the second type of capsid (the light capsid). In proximity to the nucleus, the infectious DNA then escapes without gross disruption of the capsid.