Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlating multidimensional fetal heart rate variability analysis with acid-base balance at birth

Fetal monitoring during labour currently fails to accurately detect acidemia. We developed a method to assess the multidimensional properties of fetal heart rate variability (fHRV) from trans-abdominal fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) during labour. We aimed to assess this novel bioinformatics approach for correlation between fHRV and neonatal pH or base excess (BE) at birth. We enrolled a prospective pilot cohort of uncomplicated singleton pregnancies at 38–42 weeks’ gestation in Milan, Italy, and Liverpool, UK. Fetal monitoring was performed by standard cardiotocography. Simultaneously, with fECG (high sampling frequency) was recorded. To ensure clinician blinding, fECG information was not displayed. Data from the last 60 min preceding onset of second-stage labour were analyzed using clinically validated continuous individualized multiorgan variability analysis (CIMVA) software in 5 min overlapping windows. CIMVA allows simultaneous calculation of 101 fHRV measures across five fHRV signal analysis domains. We validated our mathematical prediction model internally with 80:20 cross-validation split, comparing results to cord pH and BE at birth. The cohort consisted of 60 women with neonatal pH values at birth ranging from 7.44 to 6.99 and BE from −0.3 to −18.7 mmol L−1. Our model predicted pH from 30 fHRV measures (R2 = 0.90, P < 0.001) and BE from 21 fHRV measures (R2 = 0.77, P < 0.001). Novel bioinformatics approach (CIMVA) applied to fHRV derived from trans-abdominal fECG during labor correlated well with acid-base balance at birth. Further refinement and validation in larger cohorts are needed. These new measurements of fHRV might offer a new opportunity to predict fetal acid-base balance at birth.
Hydrogen peroxide‐mediated nuclear factor κB activation in both liver and tumor cells during initial stages of hepatic metastasis

Various factors involved in tumor metastasis are regulated by the transcription factor nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB). Because NF‐κB activation may contribute to establishment of hepatic metastasis, its activation in liver cells and tumor cells was separately evaluated in a mouse model of hepatic metastasis. pNF‐κB‐Luc, a firefly luciferase‐expressing plasmid DNA depending on the NF‐κB activity, was injected into the tail vein of mice by the hydrodynamics‐based procedure, a well‐established method for gene transfer to BALB/c male mouse liver. The luciferase activity in the liver was significantly increased by an intraportal inoculation of murine adenocarcinoma colon26 cells, but not of peritoneal macrophages, suggesting that the NF‐κB in liver cells is activated when tumor cells enter the hepatic circulation. Then, colon26 cells stably transfected with pNF‐κB‐Luc were inoculated. The firefly luciferase activity, an indicator of NF‐κB activity in tumor cells, was significantly increased when colon26/NFκB‐Luc cells were inoculated into the portal vein of BALB/c male mice. The NF‐κB activation in both liver and tumor cells was significantly inhibited by injection of catalase derivatives, which have been reported to inhibit hepatic metastasis of tumor cells. These findings indicate for the first time that NF‐κB, a key agent regulating the expression of various molecules involved in tumor metastasis, is activated in both liver and tumor cells during the initial stages of tumor metastasis through a hydrogen peroxide mediated pathway. Thus, the removal of hydrogen peroxide will be a promising approach to treating hepatic metastasis. (Cancer Sci 2008; 99: 1546–1552)
[Risk factors for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, resistant to carbapenem].

UNLABELLED Since their introduction in clinical practice,carbapenems have been among the most powerful antibiotics for treating serious infections cased by Gram-negative nosocomial pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The emergence of betalactamases with carbapenem-hydrolyzing activity is of major clinical concern. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of nosocomial infection. RESULTS Risk factors for colonization with carbapenems-resistant Pseudomonas in hospital are: history of P. aeruginosa infection or colonization within the previous year, (length of hospital stay, being bedridden or in the ICU, mechanical ventilation, malignant disease, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have all been identified as independent risk factors for MDR P. aeruginosa infection. Long-term-care facilities are also reservoirs of resistant bacteria. Risk factors for colonization of LTCF residents with resistant bacteria included age > 86 years, antibiotic treatment in the previous 3 months, indwelling devices, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, physical disability, and the particular LTCF unit.
LTE Handover Optimisation Using Uplink ICIC

Intra-frequency handover is an important RRM procedure in LTE and the (self-) optimisation of its performance, in terms of handover reliability and handover frequency, has been studied extensively by 3GPP. In this paper, we present a simulation analysis of the handover performance in an LTE macro deployment, considering the gains from uplink ICIC. It is demonstrated that uplink ICIC can improve the reliability of measurement report and handover confirm signaling, thereby reducing handover failure rates and also the handover delay.
Depression and suicidal ideation in dermatology patients with acne, alopecia areata, atopic dermatitis and psoriasis

We examined the prevalence of depression (measured by the Carroll Rating Scale for Depression, CRSD), wishes to be dead and acute suicidal ideation among 480 patients with dermatological disorders that may be cosmetically disfiguring, i.e. non‐cystic facial acne (n = 72; 5.6% suicidal ideation), alopecia areata (n = 45; 0% suicidal ideation), atopic dermatitis (n = 146; 2.1% suicidal ideation) and psoriasis (79 outpatients, 2.5% suicidal ideation and 138 inpatients, 7.2% suicidal ideation). Analysis of variance revealed that the severely affected psoriasis inpatients (mean ± SD total body surface area affected: 52 ± 23.4%) had the highest (P < 0.05) CRSD score, followed by the patients with mild to moderate acne; both scores were in the range for clinical depression (CRSD score > 10). The 5.6–7.2% prevalence of active suicidal ideation among the psoriasis and acne patients was higher than the 2.4–3.3% prevalence reported among general medical patients. Our findings highlight the importance of recognizing psychiatric comorbidity, especially depression, among dermatology patients and indicate that in some instances even clinically mild to moderate disease such as non‐cystic facial acne can be associated with significant depression and suicidal ideation.
Ligand Binding Characteristics of CXCR4 Incorporated into Paramagnetic Proteoliposomes*

The G protein-coupled receptor CXCR4 is a coreceptor, along with CD4, for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and has been implicated in breast cancer metastasis. We studied the binding of the HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein (gp) to CXCR4 but found that the gp120s from CXCR4-using HIV-1 strains bound nonspecifically to several cell lines lacking human CXCR4 expression. Therefore, we constructed paramagnetic proteoliposomes (CXCR4-PMPLs) containing pure, native CXCR4. CXCR4-PMPLs specifically bound the natural ligand, SDF-1α, and the gp120s from CXCR4-using HIV-1 strains. Conformation-dependent anti-CXCR4 antibodies and the CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 blocked HIV-1 gp120 binding to CXCR4-PMPLs. The gp120-CXCR4 interaction was blocked by anti-gp120 antibodies directed against the third variable (V3) loop and CD4-induced epitopes, structures that have also been implicated in the binding of gp120 to the other HIV-1 coreceptor, CCR5. Compared with the binding of R5 HIV-1 gp120s to CCR5, the gp120-CXCR4 interaction exhibited a lower affinity (K d = 200 nm) and was dependent upon prior CD4 binding, even at low temperature. Thus, although similar regions of X4 and R5 HIV-1 gp120s appear to be involved in binding CXCR4 and CCR5, respectively, differences exist in nonspecific binding to cell surfaces, affinity for the chemokine receptor, and CD4 dependence at low temperature.
Treatment challenges and complications with ziconotide monotherapy in established pump patients.

BACKGROUND The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Ziconotide intrathecal infusion for the management of severe chronic pain in patients for whom intrathecal therapy is warranted, and who are intolerant of, or refractory to, other methods of treatment, including intrathecal morphine. Ziconotide is approved as a monotherapy, but there are challenges associated with the decision to wean intrathecal opioids for Ziconotide alone. Maintaining adequate analgesia and managing opioid withdrawal symptoms may be difficult. Additionally, a variety of adverse physiological, cognitive and psychiatric events may be associated with this new drug. Patients with pretreatment psychiatric disorders may be at increased risk for treatment complications. OBJECTIVE To present a report of a case series describing treatment challenges and complications associated with the decision to convert established pump patients from intrathecal opioid therapy to Ziconotide monotherapy. DESCRIPTION OF CASES Three established pump patients, refractory to intrathecal opioid therapy, were converted to Ziconotide monotherapy. All of these patients experienced significant emotional distress or psychological symptoms that threatened the success of the treatment. Achieving adequate analgesia, reducing Ziconotide to mitigate adverse physiological effects, managing opioid withdrawal symptoms, and supportive psychological consultation were combined to achieve successful outcomes in two of our three patients. CONCLUSION This report describes challenges associated with the decision to convert established pump patients from intrathecal opioid therapy to Ziconotide monotherapy. Inadequate analgesia, adverse medication effects, and opioid withdrawal symptoms can precipitate a stressful situation that may be perceived as dangerous or threatening by patients who are predisposed to anxiety. Screening patients for psychiatric disorders, anxiety-proneness and/or vulnerability to stress should be considered to reduce the risk of treatment complications. A multimodal approach is strongly advocated, including rapid responses of treating physicians and nurses along with strong psychological support.
A simple Ultra-Wideband filter with Notch band using SIR and Three parallel lines

In this paper, A simple Ultra-Wide band filter with Notch bang using SIR and Three parallel lines is presented. Input and output ports are parallel three lines for signal transmission. DGS (Defected Ground Structure) is well suited for the design SoP microwave passive components and interconnect in the new microwave integrated technology. In order to increase the coupling strength of the signal in three parallel lines at the input and output structures, DGS is used. We used this structure to achieve the design of ultra-wide band filter in the 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz range, and to achieve the inhibition of 22.18 dB at 6.25 GHz.
Simulation and implementation of a PV inverter with improved THD

The investigation of photovoltaic systems connected to the grid increased in the recent years due to low prices of the solar panels and the global concern on pollution and climate change. The single phase photovoltaic inverters produce harmonics that cause different problems to the grid. Therefore, the harmonic content of the currents injected into the grid is regulated by different standards like IEC 1574 limiting the THD of the current to less than 5%. This paper proposes a control method to reduce the THD of a photovoltaic single-phase inverter by eliminating the third harmonic component of the current injected into the grid.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CIRCADIAN TYPOLOGY AND FUNCTIONAL AND DYSFUNCTIONAL IMPULSIVITY

The present study explores the relationships between functional and dysfunctional impulsivity factors, circadian typology, and sex. A sample of 850 university students (396 men) aged between 18 and 33 yrs of age completed the Dickman's Impulsivity Inventory (DII) and reduced morningness–eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ). Factorial analysis showed a dimensional clustering with satisfactory item saturation for both dimensions of impulsivity, especially in men and evening-type. Men presented higher values than women for functional and dysfunctional impulsivity, while morning-type subjects obtained lower scores in dysfunctional impulsivity than the neither- and evening-types. An interactive effect between circadian typology and sex was obtained for dysfunctional impulsivity. Higher scores in men for dysfunctional impulsivity were found in neither- and evening-types, while no significant differences were obtained between men and women in the morning-type group. The morning-type typology can be considered a protective factor for impulse control disorders, especially in men, but further research is needed on the clinical and neurobiological implications of our results. (Author correspondence: aadan@ub.edu).
p53‐mediated regulation of cell cycle progression: Pronounced impact of cellular microenvironment

Data on the biological effects of some overexpressed oncogenes and their cooperation with cellular factors are, at least partially, contradictory. There are reports on the strong pro‐apoptotic action of temperature‐sensitive (ts) p53135val in transformed cells at permissive temperature. However, in our experience very high levels of p53135val induce in transformed rat cells at permissive temperature cell cycle arrest but not apoptosis. Comparison of the experimental protocols reveals that cells used for transfection strongly differ. Therefore, we decided to explore the impact of primary cells used for generation of cell clones on the biological effects evoked by p53 and c‐Ha‐Ras. In the present study, we used primary rat cells (RECs) isolated from rat embryos of different age: at 13.5 gd (y) and 15.5 gd (o). We immortalized rat cells using ts p53135val mutant and additionally generated transformed cells after co‐transfection with oncogenic Ras. The RECs were transfected with a constitutively activated Ha‐Ras protein, a mutation that is found in a wide variety of human tumors. The ts p53135Val mutant, switching between wild‐type (wt) and mutant conformation, offers the possibility to study the escape from p53‐mediated cell cycle control in a model of malignant transformation in cells with the same genetic background. Surprisingly, the kinetics of cell proliferation at non‐permissive temperature and that of cell cycle arrest at 32°C strongly differed between cell clones established from yRECs and oRECs, thereby indicating that overexpression of genes such as ts p53135Val mutant and oncogenic‐Ha‐Ras does not fully override the intrinsic cellular program. J. Cell. Physiol. 219: 459–469, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Combined molecular and morphological data for improving phylogenetic hypothesis in Dacrymycetes

We analyzed the DNA sequences of four gene regions, 28S and 18S rDNA, the ITS region and rpb2, to obtain a high resolution phylogenetic tree of Dacrymycetes. In addition, we comparatively studied micro- and macromorphological characteristics of representative species. The traditional generic classification based on morphological characteristics was not reflected by our molecular phylogenies. Ancestral state reconstructions indicated that the morphology of basidia and clamp connections are evolutionarily stable. In contrast, basidiocarps and basidiospore septation patterns appear variable. Dacrymyces unisporus shares the dolipores with non-perforate parenthesomes typical of other dacrymycetous taxa but is a unique species having predominantly non-bifurcate basidia and subglobose to ovoid basidiospores with transverse and longitudinal septa. In molecular phylogenies this species is a member of Dacrymycetes but always occupies a sister position in relation to the rest of the Dacrymycetes. Based on our results we propose a new genus, Unilacryma, for D. unisporus. For proper accommodation of this taxon, we introduce the family Unilacrymaceae and the order Unilacrymales.
EM-based Joint ML Estimation of Carrier Frequency Offset and Channel Coefficients in MIMO-OFDM Systems

In this paper, we propose a new scheme for joint maximum- likelihood (ML) estimation of carrier-frequency offset (CFO) and channel coefficients in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. To reduce the prohibitive computational complexity of joint ML estimation problems, the expectation- maximization (EM) algorithm is employed. Moreover, the Cramer-Rao bounds (CRB) for both CFO and channel estimators are developed to evaluate the performance of the proposed scheme. Computer simulations show that the proposed algorithm achieves almost ideal performance compared with the CRB for both channel and frequency offset estimations.
Effects of differential pulse frequencies of chicken gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-I (cGnRH-I) on laying hen gonadotrope responses in vitro

Abstract The aim of this work was to determine the effects of cGnRH I pulse frequencies on FSH and LH release and the changes in features and number of cultured laying hen FSH-cells and LH-cells in vitro. Primary adenohypophyseal cell cultures taken from laying hens were stimulated by four 5 min pulses using 1 or 10 nM cGnRH, administered with interpulses between pulses at 15, 30 or 60 min. Pulse frequencies and dose dependent effects were examined in six separate experiments including two controls. After the last interpulse time, the supernatants were collected and stored at −70° C until the performance of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using chicken LH and chicken FSH antisera at 1:1000 and 1:2000 dilutions, respectively. Supernatants were coated in duplicate on the inner surface of Immulon 2 plates and later blocked with the optimal solutions. They were incubated with each antiserum and subsequently with isotype-specific peroxidase-labeled anti-rabbit antibodies. Hydrogen peroxide/o-phenylenediamine was added as substrate/chromogen and the optical density (OD) was determined at 492 nm. The ABC immunocytochemical method was performed to characterize and re-count the gonadotropes employing anti-chicken FSH and anti-chicken LH as primary antibodies. The number of FSH-LH cells was obtained using stereological analysis and the data were statistically processed. The ODs obtained for each anti-hormone were compared with the control groups and with each other. Significant differences were found in number of aggregated-positive LH cells, which decreased with 1 nM cGnRH-I, 15 vs. 30 min pulses, increased with 30 vs. 60 min pulses, and also with 10 nM cGnRH-I, 30 vs. 60 min pulses. Aggregated positive FSH cells, however, did not show significant differences in percentage at any GnRH dose or pulse frequencies, but did show activity at low pulse frequencies of 15 and 30 min. The results suggest that LH cells varied in percentage in a dose dependent manner at higher pulse frequency (15 min) and were dose independent at low pulse frequency (60 min) and showed inactive features; while FSH cell numbers were unaffected showing features of activity at low pulse frequencies. High and moderate pulse frequencies of cGnRH-I (15-30 min) increased the FSH release in dose independent manner without changes in features or percentage of FSH cells. Low pulse frequency (60 min) of cGnRH-I increased LH release dose independently disminished LH cell percentage and showed changes in cells’ features. These results in avian cells showed differences in responses to GnRH pulse frequencies from those reported earlier in mammals.
Inhibitory control of nitric oxide on the arginine-vasopressin and oxytocin response to hypoglycaemia in normal men.

In order to establish whether nitric oxide (NO) participates in the regulation of arginine-vasopressin (AVP) and/or oxytocin (OT) secretion in humans, six normal men were treated with placebo (normal saline) or the NO synthase inhibitor N,G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), given at doses (40 micrograms kg-1 injected plus 50 micrograms kg-1 infused i.v.) previously found to be unable to change blood pressure. Experiments were carried out both in basal conditions and during stimulation of posterior pituitary secretion with insulin (0.15 IU kg-1)-induced hypoglycaemia. The administration of saline or L-NAME alone was unable to change basal AVP or OT levels. Insulin-induced hypoglycaemia, however, enhanced plasma AVP and OT levels by two-fold in the absence of L-NAME and by four-fold in the presence of the NO synthase inhibitor (NOS). Blood glucose levels decreased in a similar manner during the insulin tolerance tests, regardless of L-NAME administration. In all experiments, AVP and OT responses to hypoglycaemia followed a similar pattern, with mean peak levels at 45 min. These data suggest that in normal men NO is not involved in regulation of basal AVP and OT secretions, whereas it exerts an inhibitory role in the control of the posterior pituitary hormone responses to hypoglycaemia.
Equilibrium configurations of fluids and their stability in higher dimensions

We study equilibrium shapes, stability and possible bifurcation diagrams of fluids in higher dimensions, held together by either surface tension or self-gravity. We consider the equilibrium shape and stability problem of self-gravitating spheroids, establishing the formalism to generalize the MacLaurin sequence to higher dimensions. We show that such simple models, of interest on their own, also provide accurate descriptions of their general relativistic relatives with event horizons. The examples worked out here hint at some model-independent dynamics, and thus at some universality: smooth objects seem always to be well described by both ‘replicas’ (either self-gravity or surface tension). As an example, we exhibit an instability afflicting self-gravitating (Newtonian) fluid cylinders. This instability is the exact analogue, within Newtonian gravity, of the Gregory–Laflamme instability in general relativity. Another example considered is a self-gravitating Newtonian torus made of a homogeneous incompressible fluid. We recover the features of the black ring in general relativity.