Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular cell therapy and endogenous repair

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) exceeds infection and cancer as the leading cause of death. In the USA alone, approximately a million individuals suffer an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) annually. As the prevalence of CVD risk factors (e.g. hypertension, obesity and type 2 diabetes) rises, CVD is increasing in younger individuals. Fortunately, existing therapies have improved post‐AMI mortality, but in turn have increased the prevalence of post‐AMI heart failure (HF). Approximately half‐a‐million new HF cases are diagnosed each year in the USA. In the next 25 years, up to 15% of the population over the age of 65 in the USA is projected to have HF. Therapeutic interventions that prevent/reverse atherosclerosis, prevent post‐AMI HF and halt the progressive functional deterioration once HF occurs are all needed. Cell therapy – either via exogenous delivery or by endogenous mobilization of cells – may be able to do so, in part, by improving the body’s capacity for repair. To date, primarily bone marrow‐ or blood‐derived cells have been utilized after AMI to prevent left ventricular dysfunction, and skeletal myoblasts have been transplanted into failing myocardium. Preclinical studies are directed at prevention/reversal of atherosclerosis with bone marrow precursors, and ultimately at replacing failing heart with a cell‐based bioartificial construct.
Predictors of early‐ and late‐phase reactions to bronchial allergen challenge

The influence of inhaled steroids and predictive factors on the response to bronchial allergen challenge (BCA) was evaluated in. 80 asthmatics allergic to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Der p). All underwent BCA with Der p and measurement of early (EAR) and late asthmatic reaction (LAR). The cumulative dose of allergen producing 20% fall in FEV1, in the EAR (PD20) was calculated. Bronchial histamine provocation, conjunctival provocation test (CPT), and skin prick test with Der p extract were performed. Specific IgE to Der p in serum (RAST), blood eosinophil (EOS) count, serum eosinophil cationic protein, and eosinophil protein X were measured. Thirty patients (38%) were treated with inhaled steroids. All patients had at least a 20% fall in FEV1 in EAR. Some 42% of nonsteroid‐ and 33% of steroid‐treated patients had LAR with fall in peak flow of at least 20%. For patients not treated with steroid, 35% of variation in PD20 was explained by RAST and histamine reactivity, and 53% of variation of observed PD20 could be predicted. The baseline FEV1, EOS, and EAR explained 28% of variation in LAR, and 28% of variation in observed LAR could be predicted. For patients treated with steroids, 38% of variation in PD20 was explained by EOS and histamine reactivity, and only 18% of variation of observed PD20 could be predicted. For patients treated with steroids, it was impossible to predict LAR. We conclude that to achieve a quantitative estimation of allergen‐specific EAR and LAR, BCA cannot be replaced by the tests used in this study. Treatment with inhaled steroids modifies the response to BCA, making quantitative prediction of EAR less accurate and prediction of the magnitude of LAR impossible.
In silico analysis of potential human T Cell antigens from Mycobacterium tuberculosis for the development of subunit vaccines against tuberculosis

In silico analysis was used to predict MHC class I and class II promiscuous epitopes and potential antigens, from 24 novel T cell antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Majority of the antigens (16/24) had high affinity peptides to both MHC class I and class II alleles and higher population coverage compared to well-proven T cell antigens ESAT-6, CFP-10 and Ag85B. Among these, highest population coverage were calculated for three novel T cell antigens Rv0733 (97.24%), Rv0462 (96.9%) and Rv2251 (96.3%). The prediction results were experimentally tested by in vitro stimulation of these novel T cell antigens with blood drawn from QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) positive healthy household contacts of tuberculosis patients and pulmonary TB patients. Significantly higher level interferon-γ (IFN-γ) was observed, with these novel T cell antigens, in healthy household contacts compared to pulmonary TB subjects (p = 0.0001). In silico analysis also resulted in prediction of 36 promiscuous epitopes from the novel 24 T cell antigens. Population coverage for 4 out of the 36 promiscuous epitopes was >90% [67 VVLLWSPRS (Rv1324), 42 VVGVTTNPS (Rv1448c), 178 MRFLLSAKS (Rv0242c) and 842 IRLMALVEY (Rv3800c)]. Our results shows that these novel antigens and promiscuous epitopes identified from our analysis can further be investigated for their usefulness for subunit vaccine development.
Nuclear Extracts Lacking DNA-dependent Protein Kinase Are Deficient in Multiple Round Transcription*

We have compared levels of in vitrotranscription in nuclear extracts from DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK)-deficient and DNA-PK-containing Chinese hamster ovary cell lines. DNA-PK-deficient cell lines are radiosensitive mutants lacking either the catalytic subunit or the 80-kDa subunit of the Ku protein regulatory component. Extracts from DNA-PK-deficient cell lines had a 2–7-fold decrease in the level of in vitro transcription when compared with matched controls. This decrease was observed with several promoters. Transcription could be restored to either of the deficient extracts by addition of small amounts of extract from the DNA-PK-containing cell lines. Transcription was not restored by addition of purified DNA-PK catalytic subunit, Ku protein, or individually purified general transcription factors. We conclude that extracts from DNA-PK-deficient cells lack a positively acting regulatory factor or a complex of factors not readily reconstituted with individual proteins. We have also investigated the mechanistic defect in the deficient extracts and have found that the observed differences in transcription levels between Ku-positive and Ku-negative cell lines can be attributed solely to a greater ability of the Ku-positive nuclear extracts to carry out secondary initiation events subsequent to the first round of transcription.
CD154/CD40-Mediated Expression of CD154 in Endothelial Cells: Consequences for Endothelial Cell–Monocyte Interaction

Objective—CD40 ligand (CD154) expressed on activated T helper cells is a key costimulatory molecule for antigen-presenting cells expressing the corresponding receptor CD40. Moreover, CD40 stimulation in nonimmune cells, such as endothelial cells, may play an important role in atherogenesis. One gene product that is induced in endothelial cells on exposure to CD154 is CD154 itself. Methods and Results—In human primary cultured endothelial cells, constitutive CD154 expression was virtually absent and insensitive to proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor &agr; and/or interferon-&ggr;. However, CD154 expression was markedly induced, both on the mRNA and protein level, after CD40 stimulation. Moreover, CD40-positive human monocytes (THP-1 cell line) transmigrating through CD154-expressing endothelial cells responded with an increased expression of interleukin-1&bgr; (IL-1&bgr;) mRNA, indicative of their activation. This increase in IL-1&bgr; expression was confirmed on the protein level and could be abrogated by prior treatment of the endothelial cells with a neutralizing anti-CD154 antibody. Conclusions—By way of CD154-induced CD154 expression, human endothelial cells thus seem capable of influencing the progression of proinflammatory reactions, including atherogenesis through activation of extravasating monocytes.
Nitric oxide is released into circulation with whole-body, periodic acceleration.

STUDY OBJECTIVE To determine if comfortably applied, whole-body, periodic acceleration releases significant amounts of nitric oxide (NO) into the circulation of healthy subjects and patients with inflammatory diseases. MATERIALS Fourteen healthy adults and 40 adult patients with inflammatory diseases underwent single 45-min trials of whole-body, periodic acceleration with a new "passive exercise" device, while an ECG and a digital pulse wave were obtained with a photoelectric-plethysmograph sensor. METHODS The position of the dicrotic notch from the pulse waveform was computed from the amplitude of the pulse divided by the height of the dicrotic notch above the end-diastolic level (a/b ratio). Increase of the a/b ratio reflects the vasodilator action of NO that causes downward movement of the dicrotic notch in the diastolic limb of the digital pulse, thereby elevating the a/b ratio. RESULTS Application of whole-body, periodic acceleration was well tolerated in all participants, and all completed the 45-min treatment. The peak value of the a/b ratio markedly rose during periodic acceleration and returned to baseline during a 5-min recovery period in all healthy subjects and patients with inflammatory diseases. CONCLUSIONS Whole-body, periodic acceleration increased pulsatile shear stress to the endothelium leading to vasodilatation and a fall in the dicrotic notch, consistent with increased NO bioactivity in every healthy adult and adult patient with inflammatory disease so treated. Therefore, passive exercise using whole-body, periodic acceleration produces an important benefit that occurs with active exercise.
Boston Type 1 Keratoprosthesis for Iridocorneal Endothelial Syndromes

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome of the Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis (KPro-1) in eyes with iridocorneal endothelial syndromes and failed keratoplasties. Methods: A retrospective review was performed of every eye with a history of iridocorneal endothelial syndrome and a failed corneal transplant that was treated with a KPro-1 at a tertiary eye care center between January 1, 2008, and July 1, 2014. The main outcome measures were visual outcome, prosthesis retention, and postoperative complications. Results: Four eyes met the inclusion criteria. Two eyes had essential iris atrophy and 2 eyes had Chandler syndrome. All 4 eyes had failed corneal transplants and successful glaucoma drainage devices. The mean patient age at the time of KPro-1 surgery was 68.3 years (range, 60–80 years). The mean postoperative follow-up duration was 47 months (range, 27–69 months). Preoperatively, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was worse than 20/200 in all 4 eyes, including 2 eyes that had hand motions vision. After KPro-1, all 4 eyes initially obtained a BCVA of ≥20/70. At the most recent examination, the BCVA was still ≥20/100 in 3 eyes. The KPro-1 device was retained in all 4 eyes. Postoperative complications included glaucoma progression (1 eye), a retroprosthetic membrane (1 eye), and sterile vitritis (1 eye). Conclusions: The Boston KPro-1 may offer a better prognosis than repeat traditional keratoplasty in reestablishing corneal clarity in eyes with iridocorneal endothelial syndromes. Despite anatomic success, visual rehabilitation may be compromised by preexisting glaucomatous optic neuropathy and its postoperative progression.
Risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms in family members of intensive care unit patients.

RATIONALE Intensive care unit (ICU) admission of a relative is a stressful event that may cause symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). OBJECTIVES Factors associated with these symptoms need to be identified. METHODS For patients admitted to 21 ICUs between March and November 2003, we studied the family member with the main potential decision-making role. MEASUREMENTS Ninety days after ICU discharge or death, family members completed the Impact of Event Scale (which evaluates the severity of post-traumatic stress reactions), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and 36-item Short-Form General Health Survey during a telephone interview. Linear regression was used to identify factors associated with the risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms. MAIN RESULTS Interviews were obtained for family members of 284 (62%) of the 459 eligible patients. Post-traumatic stress symptoms consistent with a moderate to major risk of PTSD were found in 94 (33.1%) family members. Higher rates were noted among family members who felt information was incomplete in the ICU (48.4%), who shared in decision making (47.8%), whose relative died in the ICU (50%), whose relative died after end-of-life decisions (60%), and who shared in end-of-life decisions (81.8%). Severe post-traumatic stress reaction was associated with increased rates of anxiety and depression and decreased quality of life. CONCLUSION Post-traumatic stress reaction consistent with a high risk of PTSD is common in family members of ICU patients and is the rule among those who share in end-of-life decisions. Research is needed to investigate PTSD rates and to devise preventive and early-detection strategies.
Method of Knowledge Representation on Spatial Classification

Spatial data mining is a highly demanding field because very large amounts of spatial data have been collected in various applications, ranging from remote sensing (RS), to geographical information system (GIS), computer cartography, environmental assessment and planning, etc. Classification is a data mining technique where the data stored in a database is analyzed in order to find rules that describe the partition of the database into a given set of classer. Knowledge Representation developed as a branch of artificial intelligence. As a result, the AI design techniques have converged with techniques from other fields, especially database and object-oriented system. In this paper, an efficient knowledge representation for classification of spatial data is proposed and studied. Our approach to spatial classification is based on both non-spatial properties of the classified objects and attributes, predicates and functions describing spatial relations between classified objects and other features located in the spatial proximity of the classified objects. We address issues regarding classification of spatial data and concentrate on building decision trees for the classification of such data. Furthermore, we produce rules that divide set of classified objects into a number of groups, where objects in each group belong mostly to a single class, and design a simple and convenient structure of knowledge base, which is based on relational data base. Finally, we visually represent the spatial classification result by using thematic map which showed the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Magnitude and orientation of Zernike terms in patients with keratoconus.

PURPOSE To measure the magnitude and orientation of the Zernike terms in keratoconic eyes, with and without rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses. METHODS A total of 76 eyes with keratoconus, 58 eyes with keratoconus suspect, and 105 normal eyes were studied. To determine the effect of RGP lenses, 19 eyes with keratoconus, 9 eyes with keratoconus suspect, and 17 normal eyes, with and without an RGP lenses, were compared. Ocular higher-order aberrations (HOAs) were measured with a wavefront sensor for a 4-mm-diameter pupil, and the magnitudes, axes of trefoil, and coma were calculated by vector analysis. RESULTS Zernike vector analysis showed prominent vertical coma with an inferior slow pattern, with mean axes of 82.5 degrees or 91.0 degrees in the patients with keratoconus or keratoconus suspect, respectively. The mean axes of trefoil in patients with keratoconus (93.8 degrees ) and keratoconus suspect (100.6 degrees ) differed from that in normal subjects (35.4 degrees ), indicating that keratoconus has a reverse trefoil pattern from that of normal eyes. Although the total HOAs were significantly (keratoconus and keratoconus suspect, P < 0.001 and P = 0.012, respectively) reduced with an RGP lens, the patterns of the axes of coma and trefoil were reversed with the lens. CONCLUSIONS In addition to the larger amount of trefoil, coma, tetrafoil, and secondary astigmatism, keratoconic eyes tend to have a reverse coma pattern and reverse trefoil aberrations compared with normal eyes. Although RGP lenses correct the irregular astigmatism, smaller comet-like retinal images in the opposite direction remain due to residual vertical coma.
Scalable Bandwidth Allocation Based on Domain Attributes: Towards a DDoS-Resistant Data Center

As the flourishing of cloud services, data centers are widely invested and deployed. However, facing the hazard of Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks, legitimate users' bandwidth access to a data center is not yet a guarantee. In response, capability-based DDoS defenses provide a promising countermeasure, especially when leveraging Autonomous System (AS) as a geographic constraint to throttle attacking flows. Unfortunately, previous schemes essentially involve a source-AS fair sharing strategy, which is too coarse- grained to provide fairness among heterogeneous AS entities. This paper proposes D4, a capability-based data center protection with state-defined allocating granularity. We differentiate the states of stub ASes through diverse aspects of domain attributes. D4 enables fair bandwidth allocation among source domains and scalable data center access for users. Our scheme is integrated with Border Gateway Protocol and can be practically deployed by Internet data centers. We illustrate the effectiveness of D4 via experiments under different scenarios and comparative simulations with closely related schemes.
Apparent Cooperative Assembly of the Bacterial Cell Division Protein FtsZ Demonstrated by Isothermal Titration Calorimetry*

The assembly dynamics of FtsZ, a prokaryotic homolog of tubulin, are important for their role in bacterial cytokinesis. Here we used isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) to measure the heat of FtsZ self-association under various conditions. The measurements were designed to test whether FtsZ protofilaments are assembled by an isodesmic (linear aggregates in which each bond has an identical equilibrium constant) or a cooperative (aggregates only become stable after forming a oligomeric nucleus) assembly process. The isodesmic model can fit the assembly in GDP closely but cannot fit the assembly in GTP. FtsZ-GTP without Mg2+ exhibits an apparent critical concentration, which is indicative of cooperative assembly, near 2.9 μm. With 2.5 mmMg2+ (which allows FtsZ to hydrolyze GTP) the critical concentration is reduced 10-fold to ∼0.31 μm. Both with and without Mg2+ there is no evidence for assembly below the critical concentration, but there is an abrupt transition to full assembly above. The ITC data are highly suggestive of a cooperative assembly, although this is difficult to reconcile with the 1-subunit-thick protofilaments observed by electron microscopy.
Testicular cancer in nine northern european countries

The incidence of testicular cancer was examined in the Nordic and Baltic countries, Poland and Germany by collaboration among 10 cancer registries. Population‐based registers were used to analyze a total of 34,309 cases, diagnosed from the start of registration (varying from 1943 in Denmark to 1980 in Latvia and Lithuania) through 1989. An approximately 10‐fold geographical variation was found in 1980, with the highest age‐standardized incidence rate (7.8 per 105; world standard population) in Denmark and the lowest (0.9) in Lithuania. During the entire period of registration, incidence increased rapidly in all countries, by 2.3 to 3.4 per cent annually in the Nordic countries and by about 5 per cent in Poland and Germany; there was some evidence of a slower increase in Denmark and Poland after 1975. The rising trend was more pronounced for ages below 30. The age‐specific incidence peaked in all countries at ages 25 to 34, but the geographical variation was considerable. Our data indicate that environmental influences on testicular cancer are strong. Exposure to causal factors mostly takes place early in life, shows substantial geographical variation, and increases over time, so that the age‐standardized incidence doubles every 15 to 25 years. New aetiological hypotheses are needed to accommodate these salient features of the descriptive epidemiology, since risk factors considered so far cannot explain the observed pattern.
CD34+‐selected peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma: tumour cell contamination and outcome

Thirty‐six patients with multiple myeloma (23 PR1, nine PR2, four stable disease) were entered into a pilot study evaluating the use of CD34+‐selected peripheral blood progenitor cell transplantation (PBPCT) following high‐dose melphalan alone or high‐dose melphalan and total body irradiation. Peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPCs) were mobilized with cyclophosphamide and granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF). CD34+ selection using the Cellpro Ceprate‐SC system was performed in 22 cases with an adequate yield in 20. 10 patients failed to mobilize sufficient cells to permit selection and in four cases selection was not performed for other reasons. 16 patients therefore received unselected PBPC. Tumour cell contamination was evaluated by IgH gene fingerprinting (fpPCR). Harvested PBPC were fpPCR positive in 13/20 CD34+‐selected cases and remained positive after selection in seven. Harvested PBPC were studied in 9/16 patients receiving unselected cells; fpPCR was positive in five and negative in four. There was no difference in event‐free survival (EFS) between the CD34+‐selected group and the unselected group (median 21 and 26 months, respectively, P=ns). The CD34+‐selection process therefore reduced contamination but did not eliminate it completely, and in this small non‐randomized study there was no apparent clinical benefit of CD34+selection.
Guidelines for antimicrobial treatment of uncomplicated acute bacterial cystitis and acute pyelonephritis in women

This is part of the series of practice guidelines commissioned by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) through its Practice Guidelines Committee. The purpose of this guideline is to provide assistance to clinicians in the diagnosis and treatment of two specific types of urinary tract infections (UTIs): uncomplicated, acute, symptomatic bacterial cystitis and acute pyelonephritis in women. The guideline does not contain recommendations for asymptomatic bacteriuria, complicated UTIs, Foley catheter-associated infections, UTIs in men or children, or prostatitis. The targeted providers are internists and family practitioners. The targeted groups are immunocompetent women. Criteria are specified for determining whether the inpatient or outpatient setting is appropriate for treatment. Differences from other guidelines written on this topic include use of laboratory criteria for diagnosis and approach to antimicrobial therapy. Panel members represented experts in adult infectious diseases and urology. The guidelines are evidence-based. A standard ranking system is used for the strength of the recommendation and the quality of the evidence cited in the literature reviewed. The document has been subjected to external review by peer reviewers as well as by the Practice Guidelines Committee and was approved by the IDSA Council, the sponsor and supporter of the guideline. The American Urologic Association and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases have endorsed it. An executive summary and tables highlight the major recommendations. Performance measures are described to aid in monitoring compliance with the guideline. The guideline will be listed on the IDSA home page at http://www.idsociety. org It will be evaluated for updating in 2 years.