Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Overview of the determinants of overweight and obesity: current evidence and research issues.

PURPOSE The prevalence of obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many countries around the world. However, the genetic and environmental factors contributing to obesity are incompletely understood. METHODS We reviewed studies relating to the regulation of energy balance and how these factors may contribute to the development of obesity. RESULTS Although it is widely believed that genetics contribute significantly to the variability in body fatness, the available data do not support a role for defects in resting metabolic rate, substrate metabolism, dietary induced thermogenesis, or the energy cost of physical activity as significant causes of obesity. Furthermore, it is safe to say that the human genotype has not changed substantially over the past two to three decades. Data from several national surveys indicate that over the past few decades, there has been either a slight increase or a very modest decline in total energy and fat intake. This suggests that decreases in physical activity are a major contributing factor. Participation in leisure time physical activity is low but has remained relatively constant. However, an increased reliance on technology has substantially reduced work-related physical activity and the energy expenditure required for daily living. CONCLUSION The most likely environmental factor contributing to the current obesity epidemic is a continued decline in daily energy expenditure that has not been matched by an equivalent reduction in energy intake. Because daily energy expenditure is decreasing, it is difficult for most people to restrict intake to meet energy requirements, and more and more people are becoming obese. Thus, increasing physical activity may be the strategy of choice for public health efforts to prevent obesity.
Effect of adrenal cortical steroids on liver regeneration

Rats were partially hepatectomized, injected sc daily for the first 7 days with oil solutions of several mineralo‐ and glucocorticoids, sacrificed on the tenth post‐operative day, and the extent of liver regeneration ascertained. Cortisone and prednisolone acetates at overall levels of 70 and 7.5 mg/kg, respectively, depressed regeneration, as was also noted with aqueous solutions of hydrocortisone and dexamethasone sodium phosphates at about 85 and 0.7 mg/kg, in the order stated; aldosterone (0.5 mg/kg) or fludrocortisone (15 mg/kg) were ineffective. The injection of deoxycorticosterone acetate (130 mg/kg) or the feeding of a diet with spironolactone supplemented at 0.060% accelerated liver regeneration and these, in addition to very massive levels of progesterone, counteracted the effect of cortisone; testosterone propionate negated the action of the latter in the adult female. An inhibitory response was also evident when cortisone acetate was fed at 50 ppm. The extent of regeneration was little affected in rats adrenalectomized at least 5 days prior to partial hepatectomy and, except for dexamethasone (0.7 mg/kg), the inhibitory influence of the above glucocorticoids was minimal; the stimulatory action of spironolactone continued. In normal or adrenalectomized rats with intact liver, the spironolactone feeding and, even more so, the sc injection of fludrocortisone (15 mg/kg) elicited increases in liver‐body weight ratios, cortisone acetate at levels even as high as 190 mg/kg being without action.
Elastosis of the lamina cribrosa in glaucomatous optic neuropathy.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether elastotic degeneration of the elastin component of the lamina cribrosa occurs in optic neuropathy associated with different types of glaucoma. Human optic nerve heads with primary open-angle, neovascular, chronic angle closure and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma, and with varying duration of disease were compared with age-matched normal eyes, using electron microscopy and immunogold labeling of elastin. The percent area occupied by immunogold-labeled elastin material was determined using a digital image analysis system. In all eyes with a history of glaucoma, elastosis was found in the lamina cribrosa and there was a significantly greater percentage of area occupied by elastin compared with age-matched control eyes (P<0.0001). Among the glaucomatous eyes, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma had the largest area of elastosis, followed by primary open-angle and secondary glaucoma (neovascular and chronic angle closure). In all glaucoma samples, large, confluent elastin aggregates of irregular and varied shapes (elastosis) were observed in the lamina cribrosa and insertion region. These results demonstrate that glaucomatous optic neuropathy is associated with elastosis of the lamina cribrosa, which may contribute to the changes in compliance of the optic nerve heads of glaucomatous eyes.
Machine learning techniques for resource prediction in nanoelectronic circuit design

This master’s thesis is about the use of machine learning techniques in the field of nanoelectronic circuit design. It has been developed in collaboration with eSilicon Corporation, which is a company specialized in designing and producing Application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). While specific integrated circuits require several resources to be designed. Most of them can be classified as expenses from non-recurring engineering. This includes all costs used only once related to the final product. For example, in our project, they mean computational resources, such as CPU usage and memory utilization, but also hours worked by specialized designers. All of them have tremendous costs, which can not be reused for future designs. The study done in this thesis inverts the current situation, gathering data from the design process to produce valuable information for upcoming designs. This information is related to time, memory and specific attributes of the design. In order to achieve this goal, some of the most successful and helpful machine learning algorithms are used. Their purpose is to predict key aspects of the design and its computation before any execution is done. For example, if a designer is aware of that the result of an execution in terms of leakage or area utilization, will not satisfy their expectations, then he would be able to decide whether it is worth or not the execution. This implies saving time and computational resources. These machine learning techniques are fed with data obtained from designs. This data, though, may present us certain drawbacks like missing values, unreliable data due to bugs, errors during the execution and a long list of possible sources of noise and incorrect data. Thus, it is important to preprocess all that information to obtain a trustworthy and stable source of data. The final outcome of this project can be seen as the combination of data preprocess and machine learning use. This applied to the field of nanoelectronic circuit design, to get predictions of: runtime, CPU time, RAM memory, leakage and area utilization. This can lead to an improvement in productivity by reducing the total cost of computational resources and time spend on them by designers.
Regulation of T‐cell immunity by leucocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptors: innate immune receptors for self on antigen‐presenting cells

Following recognition of microbial patterns, innate immune receptors provide a rapid innate response and trigger antigen‐presenting cell maturation to instruct adaptive immune responses. Here we discuss a family of innate immune receptors for self – the leucocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptors (LILRs). These LILRs exert powerful inhibitory effects on antigen‐presenting cell phenotype and subsequent T‐cell responses, and may act to constrain the effects of Toll‐like receptor signalling. Despite their broad ligand specificity, differing affinities of LILRs for individual complexes of peptide–major histocompatiblity complex can determine the nature of their effect on downstream immune responses. Expression and function of LILRs may be skewed in certain conditions such as cancer or human immunodeficiency virus infection, particularly by ectopic expression of human leucocyte antigen‐G, a high‐affinity LILR ligand. We discuss the relevance of LILR‐mediated immune regulation across a range of scenarios from autoimmunity to transplant medicine, infection and cancer.
A new algorithm of adaptive IIR notch filter for the detection of sinusoids

This paper aims to improved the convergence speed, steady-state mean square error and variance of the filter coefficient. The proposed adaptive algorithm is for a second-order adaptive IIR notch filter based on gradient algorithm. The simulation results shown that the proposed algorithm provides fast convergence speed, and has low steady-state mean square error and low variance of filter coefficient.
Posterior Cortical Atrophy: A Review of the Literature

Abstract The past three decades have seen an accumulation of reports of neurodegenerative disease with disruption to visual processing. Disorders of both visuospatial processing and visual recognition have been described, though the former predominate. But the conundrum of posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) is that while the clinical presentation is relatively homogeneous, the nosological status remains something of a puzzle. Many cases coming to pathology have had Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) but in a different distribution from that seen in typical AD (tAD). Patients with non-specific subcortical gliosis and, more occasionally, Creutzfeldt Jacob disease, neither of which have an obvious affinity with PCA, have also been described. On the other hand, no case of PCA has been reported with the pathology of either corticobasal degeneration or dementia with Lewy Bodies, both of which do commonly present with prominent parietal symptomatology.
[In vitro neurite outgrowth induced by BDNF and GDNF in combination with dexamethasone on cultured spiral ganglion cells].

BACKGROUND The efficacy of cochlear implant performance depends, among many other factors, on the number of excitable spiral ganglion cells (SGCs) and the nerve-electrode interface. In earlier animal studies it has been demonstrated that neurotrophic factors are effective to improve SGC survival after experimentally induced deafness. With regard to their anti-inflammatoric and anti-proliferative effects, glucocorticoids (e. g. dexamethasone) are potentially interesting therapeutic agents to reduce connective tissue formation around the inserted electrode. The biological effects of a combined intervention of neurotrophic factors with steroids on SGCs are unknown. Therefore the objective of the study was to investigate possible trophic or even toxic effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and dexamethasone on neurite outgrowth of cultivated SGCs. METHODS By using dissociated postnatal spiral ganglion cells (p3-5) for cultivation in the present study, the influence of the mentioned factors in various concentrations and combinations on neurite outgrowth of SGCs was analysed. RESULTS Our results indicate significant trophic effects for BDNF (50 ng/ml) and a combination of BDNF with dexamethasone (100 ng/ml) on SGC neurite outgrowth. In contrast, single application of GDNF or dexamethasone in different concentrations caused no significant changes on neurite outgrowth when compared to the control condition. CONCLUSIONS Neurite outgrowth induced by neurotrophic factors could not be observed to be reduced when dexamethasone is given at the same time. Therefore the demonstrated results provide a basis for further animal studies in this field of research.
Clinical inquiries. What screening tests should you use to evaluate a man with low testosterone?

756 VOL 57, NO 11 / NOVEMBER 2008 THE JOURNAL OF FAMILY PRACTICE FAST TRACK Experts recommend a repeat morning testosterone level, plus testing levels of FSH, LH, and prolactin to evaluate the cause of low testosterone Obtain a repeat morning testosterone level, as well as levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and prolactin to help understand the cause of low testosterone when there is a lack of adequate empiric evidence to guide evaluation, advise the experts. When low or normal FSH and LH levels accompany low testosterone, evaluation of the pituitary gland is recommended. Chromosomal studies are indicated in prepubertal males with low testosterone and elevated FSH and LH levels to assess for Klinefelter syndrome. Perform a semen analysis if fertility is an issue. Bone densitometry is indicated in men with chronic hypogonadism to identify increased risk of hip fracture (strength of all recommendations: C, consensus guidelines and disease-oriented evidence). Evidence-based answer
Achievements and the Road Ahead: The First Decade of Cognitive Radio

T REMENDOUS paradigm shifts have been taking place over the past decade. Technical advances, such as ongoing improvements to field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), and integrated circuit fabrication techniques, along with innovations in antenna, filter, analog-todigital conversion, and amplifier design, have facilitated techniques that allow the communication “waveform,” operating frequency, and bandwidth produced or received by a radio chain to be dynamically altered in mobile and wireless communications networks and devices. Perhaps the pinnacle of such dynamicity is the concept of the “software-defined radio (SDR),” through which the intermediate frequency waveform that would conventionally be achieved by application-specific integrated circuits is instead performed by software and can therefore be changed by software updates to DSPs and other processing units and/or configuration updates to FPGAs. Although software functionality in SDRs will probably not encroach closer to the antenna than digital intermediate frequency, dynamic changes that have recently been made possible to the physical characteristics of elements closer to the antenna, including the antenna itself, improve the vast repertoire of waveform, frequency, bandwidth, and other adaptations that might be achieved through a simple software and/or configuration update in an SDR. The ability for waveforms to be dynamically changed by a simple software/configuration update opens up a wealth of opportunity. For example, networks and devices might be able to “tune” their waveforms/frequencies based on the physical nature of the local environment, might be able to adapt to a locally used waveform in a spectrum band if needed, or might be able to dynamically “tailor” an appropriate waveform for a given radio link based on quality of service (QoS), data-capacity requirement, and/or other communication traffic characteristics. It is unsurprising, therefore, that out of such new-found radio communications freedom, concepts such as cognitive radio (CR) have been born. CR, as was originally envisioned by Mitola just over a decade ago, is a very wide-ranging concept. To attempt to paraphrase a wealth of invention, CR proposes communications devices that are aware of their radio environment, as well as
A LOCUS ON THE LONG ARM OF CHROMOSOME 1 AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

1. None of the genes responsible for essential hypertension has been identified. Recent work in genetically hypertensive rats has shown linkage of blood pressure with alleles of the renin gene. Since the renin gene is a member of a conserved synteny group that in humans spans chromosome 1q21.3–32.3 and includes the gene for antithrombin III (AT3), we used linkage studies to examine the relationship between alleles of AT3 and hypertension in a family having 10 affected members.
Development of a polymerase chain reaction assay for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in foods

N.S. BANSAL. 1996. Species‐specific oligonucleotide primers were selected from the coding region of the listeriolysin O gene of Listeria monocytogenes and were used in conjunction with genus‐specific primers and an internal control fragment for polymerase chain reaction amplification. The specificity of the primers was confirmed by testing 40 isolates of L. monocytogenes, other Listeria species and other micro‐organisms which are ubiquitous in the environment. The reliability of these primers was further tested in parallel with standard cultural methods. In a preliminary study, over 250 different food samples were examined and PCR results were in complete agreement with those obtained from standard cultural procedures.
A randomized trial of a multicomponent cessation strategy for emergency department smokers.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to determine the efficacy of an emergency department (ED)-based smoking cessation intervention. METHODS This study was a randomized trial conducted from January 2006 to September 2007 at an urban ED that treats 90,000 adults per year. Discharged adults who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day were randomized to 1) usual care, receiving a smoking cessation brochure; or 2) enhanced care, receiving the brochure, a motivational interview (MI), nicotine patches, and a phone call at 3 days. Interventions were performed by a peer educator trained in tobacco treatment. Blinded follow-up was performed at 3 months. RESULTS A total of 338 subjects were enrolled, mean (±SD) age was 40.2 (±12.0) years, 51.8% were female, and 56.5% were either self-pay or Medicaid. Demographic and clinical variables were comparable between groups. Enhanced and usual care arms showed similar cessation rates at 3 months (14.7% vs. 13.2%, respectively). The proportion of subjects making a quit attempt (69.2% vs. 66.5%) and decrease in daily cigarette use (five vs. one; all p > 0.05) were also similar. In logistic modeling, factors associated with quitting included any tobacco-related International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision (ICD-9), code for the ED visit (odds ratio [OR]= 3.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.61 to 7.26) or subject belief that the ED visit was tobacco-related (OR = 2.47, 95% CI = 1.17 to 5.21). Conversely, subjects who reported having a preexisting tobacco-related illness were less likely to quit (OR = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.10 to 0.50). CONCLUSIONS The primary endpoint was negative, reflecting a higher-than-expected quit rate in the control group. Subjects whose ED visit was tobacco-related, based either on physician diagnosis or subject perception, were more than twice as likely to quit. These data suggest that even low-intensity screening and referral may prompt substantial numbers of ED smokers to quit or attempt to quit.
Perceptions of the risks and benefits of medicines in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and other painful musculoskeletal conditions.

OBJECTIVES To examine beliefs about medication risks and benefits in patients attending a specialist rheumatology clinic for pain-related conditions. METHODS Eighty-one patients (37 first attendees and 44 existing clinic patients) completed a written questionnaire which asked about current treatments, perceived effectiveness, main risks and benefits, and compliance. RESULTS Existing clinic patients perceived medications to be more effective and more risky than did the new patients, although both groups rated risks to be moderately low. The main perceived risks were adverse side-effects, although patients reported only moderately low levels of experiencing such effects. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to some other studies, many of our patients were aware of medication risks and were prepared to accept them provided benefits were seen to be high. Existing clinic patients were more aware of risks and benefits, and reported higher compliance levels than new patients, possibly as a result of the hospital education programme. Future studies should evaluate the effects of the programme more systematically.
KAP1 Represses Differentiation-Inducible Genes in Embryonic Stem Cells through Cooperative Binding with PRC1 and Derepresses Pluripotency-Associated Genes

ABSTRACT Embryonic stem (ES) cells express pluripotency-associated genes and repress differentiation-inducible genes. The activities of these genes are coordinately reversed during differentiation. The changes in the transcriptome upon conditional KAP1 knockout in ES cells overlapped with the changes during embryoid body formation. KAP1 repressed differentiation-inducible genes and derepressed pluripotency-associated genes in ES cells. KAP1 formed complexes with polycomb repressive complexes 1 (PRC1) through an interaction that was mediated by the KAP1 coiled-coil region. KAP1 and PRC1 bound cooperatively at the promoters of differentiation-inducible genes and repressed their transcription. In contrast, KAP1 bound the transcribed and flanking sequences of pluripotency-associated genes, did not enhance PRC1 binding, and derepressed their transcription. KAP1 had opposite effects on differentiation-inducible and pluripotency-associated gene transcription both in ES cells and in differentiating embryoid bodies. The region of KAP1 that mediated the interaction with PRC1 was required for KAP1 enhancement of PRC1 binding and for KAP1 repression of transcription at differentiation-inducible promoters. This region of KAP1 was not required for KAP1 suppression of PRC1 binding or for KAP1 derepression of transcription at pluripotency-associated promoters. The opposite effects of KAP1 on the transcription of differentiation-inducible versus pluripotency-associated genes contributed to the reciprocal changes in their transcription during differentiation.
A re-configurable 4th order switched capacitor ΣΔADC for adjusting power and performance

A re-configurable MASH ΣΔ ADC is implemented in 0. 18μm CMOS process. The proposed technique configures the ADC architecture for optimal power for specific resolution and applications. For high performance applications, the first integrator stage of the cascaded modulator may be constructed from larger transistors and capacitors to reduce thermal and op amp noise. However, this larger first stage also consumes more power than later stages constructed from smaller transistors and capacitors. Thus the first stage tends to provide a higher resolution while consuming more power than later stages, which have lower performance and lower power consumption. The principal advantage of this architecture is that the ADC is adaptable for applications with different performance and power consumption requirements. Although the ADC was designed for audio applications, this re-configurability is also useful for multimode communication systems.
Use of a Sacral Silicone Border Foam Dressing as One Component of a Pressure Ulcer Prevention Program in an Intensive Care Unit Setting

In 2008, patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) at Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Connecticut, experienced 79 pressure ulcers. As a result, pressure ulcer-prevention interventions were standardized in critical care and medical-surgical units and education was provided to all direct patient care staff about principles of skin care and prevention. Following these efforts, 53 ICU patients developed pressure ulcers in the sacral area in fiscal year 2009, representing a 12.5% incidence for the ICU as compared to a 3.4% overall pressure ulcer incidence for the total hospital. In order to achieve additional reduction in pressure ulcer incidence, we replicated an initiative that called for application of a silicone foam dressing every 3 days to determine its effect on sacral pressure ulcer incidence in the ICU. We found that the use of the dressing further diminished the incidence of sacral pressure ulcers in our patients.