Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This review is taken from Issue 1 of Clinical Evidence , a new information resource for clinicians published by BMJ Publishing Group. The compendium will be updated and expanded every six months. Future issues of Clinical Evidence will cover respiratory stimulants, DNAse, α1 antitrypsin augmentation, and vaccination against influenza and streptococcus. #### Key messages Definition: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by airflow obstruction caused by chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both Emphysema is defined as abnormal permanent enlargement of the air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles, accompanied by destruction of their walls and without obvious fibrosis. Chronic bronchitis is defined as chronic cough, mucus production, or both, for at least three months for at least two successive years where other …
Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma Presenting as a Nasopharyngeal Mass and Cervical Lymphadenopathy

Cervical lymphadenopathy in adults has a broad differential diagnosis, including bacterial and viral infections, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, and various neoplasms. Many of its etiologies share similar symptomatology and presentations, which complicates the diagnosis. A thorough history and a comprehensive physical examination, to include nasopharyngoscopy and imaging as indicated by the specific case, are key to determining the origin of the lymphadenopathy and to avoid a missed or delayed diagnosis. Based on our review of the literature, we present the second reported case of anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive anaplastic large-cell lymphoma presenting in an adult with an obstructing adenoid/nasopharyngeal mass and lymphadenopathy. The mass, which occurred in a 19-year-old woman of Asian descent, caused nasal airway obstruction in the setting of cervical lymphadenopathy that was initially ascribed to mononucleosis.
The 'Sicilian Gambit' - A new approach to the classification of antiarrhythmic drugs based on their actions on arrhythmogenic mechanisms

The Queen's Gambit is an opening move in chess that provides a variety of aggressive options to the player electing it. This report represents a similar gambit (the Sicilian Gambit) on the part of a group of basic and clinical investigators who met in Taormina, Sicily to consider the classification of antiarrhythmic drugs. Paramount to their considerations were 1) dissatisfaction with the options offered by existing classification systems for inspiring and directing research, development, and therapy, 2) the disarray in the field of antiarrhythmic drug development and testing in this post-Cardiac Arrhythmia Suppression Trial (CAST) era, and 3) the desire to provide an operational framework for consideration of antiarrhythmic drugs that will both encourage advancement and have the plasticity to grow as a result of the adv-ances that occur. The multifaceted approach suggested is, like the title of the article, a gambit. It is an opening rather than a compendium and is intended to challenge thought and investigation rather than to resolve issues. The article incorporates first, a discussion of the shortcomings of the present system for drug classification; second, a review of the molecular targets on which drugs act (including channels and receptors); third, a consideration of the mechanisms responsible for arrhythmias, including the identification of "vulnerable parameters" that might be most accessible to dr-ug effect; and finally, clinical considerations with respect to antiarrhythmic drugs. Information relating to the various levels of information is correlated across categories (i.e., clinical arrhythmias, cellular mechanisms, and molecular targets), and a "spread sheet" approach to antiarrhythmic action is presented that considers each drug as a unit, with similarities to and dissimilarities from other drugs being highlighted. A complete reference list for this work would require as many pages as the text itself. For this reason, referencing is selective and incomplete. It is designed, in fact, to provide sufficient background information to give the interested reader a starting frame of reference rather than to recognize the complete body of literature that is the basis for this article. (Circulation 1991;84:1831-1851)
Age-Related Changes in Corneal Curvature and Shape: The Shahroud Eye Cohort Study

Purpose: To determine 5-year changes in corneal curvature and asphericity in a population-based cohort study of 40 to 64 year olds in Iran. Methods: This report is based on data from the first and second phases of the Shahroud Eye Cohort Study conducted in 2009 and 2014, respectively. In this report, Pentacam data from 3749 people were used. Extracted variables included the maximum and minimum simulated keratometry readings (Kmax and Kmin), the mean radius of sagittal curvature (MRSC) in the central 3- and 2-mm rings between 3 to 11 mm from the center, and the anterior and posterior asphericity in both study phases. In the analysis, repeated-measures analysis of variance was used with a significance level of 0.5. Results: During the 5-year period of this survey, Kmax and Kmin increased by 0.38 ± 1.95 diopters and 0.46 ± 1.97 diopters, respectively. According to the mean radius of sagittal curvature indices, the cornea steepened in the center up to the 5- to 7-mm ring and flattened in the periphery. The increase in anterior and posterior asphericity was 0.15 ± 0.14 and 0.09 ± 0.14, respectively (all P < 0.001). Women, compared to men, showed more change in Kmax, Kmin, and posterior asphericity (all P < 0.001), but not in anterior asphericity (P = 0.937). Conclusions: In 40 to 64 year olds, changes are in line with maintaining a prolate ellipsoid shape of the cornea. The corneal surface undergoes greater changes in women than in men. The anterior surface changes more than the posterior.
The Dynamics of Electoral Integrity: A Three-Election Panel Study

When political leaders are chosen by democratic means, the electoral process supposedly legitimates their authority, whatever the outcome. Nonetheless, disliked democratic outcomes may result instead in denigration of the electoral process. If positive reactions to winning and negative reactions to losing ultimately balance one another out, then perceived electoral integrity should remain roughly constant in a highly competitive political environment such as the United States. However, little is known about the symmetry or duration of these effects. Using panel data spanning more than nine years, we examine individual perceptions of electoral integrity across three American presidential election cycles. Our conclusions suggest that the effects of winning versus losing are not symmetric. Moreover, effects on people’s perceptions of electoral integrity are surprisingly persistent over time. We find that repeated losing has especially important long-term consequences for how citizens view elections. Americans face a potential crisis of faith in the electoral process. From allegations of voter fraud and voter suppression to Russian hacking, Americans are doubtful about the fundamental fairness and security of their elections. These developments are troubling because long-term democratic stability requires that citizens believe their elections are conducted fairly (Tyler 2013). Moreover, the perception that elections are just strengthens other forms of democratic legitimacy, producing confidence in institutions and leaders (Norris 2014). A lack of faith in elections is a lack of faith in the most fundamental of democratic principles. Andrew Daniller is a George Gerbner Postdoctoral Fellow at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Diana C. Mutz is the Samuel A. Stouffer Professor of Political Science and Communication and director of the Institute for the Study of Citizens and Politics at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. *Address correspondence to Andrew Daniller, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, 3620 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; email: adaniller@
System architecture for synchronizing, signal level fusing, simulating and implementing sensors

We present a modular system architecture for simplifying the signal level fusion and sensor configuration of multiple sensors with different sample rates. The fusion process is subdivided into three modules: synchronization, adaptation and fusion. Methods for all three stages are proposed and compared with classical approaches. All sensor sample times, even if they are not periodic, are propagated to the next sample time of the control unit. In the adaptation module we focus on the double integration of biased signals and the determination of the unknown initial conditions. We distinguish four different types of sensors and propose sensor models suitable for off-line simulation that can be automatically changed to interface blocks in case of an online simulation with real sensors. All methods needed for handling our system architecture are embedded in a Matlab toolbox.
Podoplanin, a novel 43-kDa membrane protein, controls the shape of podocytes.

including rat lung, fetal kidney cortex and brain (desig- Introduction nated T1 a -antigen [2]), rat and mouse osteoblasts (designated E11 and OTS-8) [3,4], and mouse thymus The correct shape of visceral glomerular epithelial cells epithelium (designated gp38) [5]. In canine MDCK (podocytes) is of paramount importance for the func-cells a podoplanin-related mucin-like protein (desig- tion of the glomerular ﬁltration barrier, because trans-nated gp40) was identiﬁed as a receptor for inﬂuenza formation of their interdigitating foot processes into C virus [6]. ﬂat, cuboidal epithelial cells is associated with pro-Podoplanin was downregulated by ~ 70% in PAN teinuria. Recent information indicates that the shape This ﬁnding was ﬁrmly supported at the levels of of podocytes could be controlled, or at least inﬂuenced, protein expression, by quantitative immunogold elec- by membrane receptor proteins and their ligands. This tron microscopy and Western blotting, and at RNA study is part of an approach to identify membrane levels by quantitative Northern blotting. Apparently, proteins that are expressed di V erently in normal and this transcriptional downregulation was speciﬁc for ﬂattened podocytes. podoplanin, as expression of other podocyte membrane proteins was not a V ected in PAN, such as the major podocyte that was and its in to be undersialylated in PAN, in puromycine
Gene transfer into adult rat spinal cord using naked plasmid DNA and ultrasound microbubbles

Although gene therapy might become a promising approach to treat spinal cord injury, the safety issue is a serious consideration in human gene therapy. Plasmid DNA transfer is safer than viral vectors, but the transfection efficiency is quite low. To overcome the problem, we applied the ultrasound microbubbles‐mediated transfection method to the spinal cord in adult rats, since ultrasound microbubbles have been reported to be efficient to increase transfection efficiency in various tissues.
Antibiotic Resistance: A Survival Strategy

Antibiotics are natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic molecules that target the cell wall of bacteria, DNA replication, RNA transcription, or mRNA translation, the cellular machinery responsible for the synthesis of precursor molecules. Bacteria have evolved and adopted numerous strategies to counteract the action of antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is intrinsic and an inherent characteristic of the microorganism. Intrinsic resistance is due to cell wall impermeability, efflux, biofilm formation, and the expression of genes mediating inactivating enzymes. Antibiotic resistance can also arise by the acquisition of extracellular DNA and is expressed phenotypically as efflux, modification or acquisition of target sites, and enzymatic inactivation of the antibiotic. Not only have bacteria acquired the mechanisms necessary to withstand the effects of antibiotics, they have also acquired elaborate mechanisms to mobilize and disseminate these successful strategies: plasmids, transposons, insertion sequences, and cassettes. Antibiotic resistance is a major worldwide clinical problem of public health concern because of the reduced efficacy caused by the various mechanisms of resistance. Global strategies are emerging to help address this critical problem. Antibiotic resistance emerged soon after the discovery of antibiotics and is associated with the overuse of antimicrobial agents.1 Although antibiotics allow the medical community to make great strides in human health and welfare, their use also causes selective pressure allowing only the fittest and less susceptible bacterial populations to survive.2 Antibiotic resistance and its associated clinical failure are of such concern as to unite scientists from across the world to develop strategies to address this issue of public health concern.3,4 ABBREVIATIONS: ABC = ATP-binding cassette; AG = aminoglycoside; CM = cytoplasmic membrane; DNA = deoxyribonucleic acid; ERM = erythromycin ribosome methylase; ESBL = extended-spectrum beta-lactamases; LPS = lipopolysaccharide; MATE = multidrug and toxic effects; MFS = major facilitator subfamily; mRNA = messenger ribonucleic acid; MRSA = methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; OM = outer membrane; PBP = penicillin-binding protein; QRDR = quinolone resistance-determining region; RNA = ribonucleic acid; RND = resistance, nodulation cell division subfamily; SMR = the small multidrug regulator; THF = tetrahydrofolate.
Isokinetic Muscle Strength of the Trunk and Bilateral Knees in Young Subjects With Lumbar Disc Herniation

Study Design. Cross-sectional study comparing normal subjects and patients with lumbar disc herniation. Objective. To evaluate trunk and knee muscle strength in patients with L4–L5 and/or L5–S1 disc herniation. Summary of Background Data. Numerous studies have shown that patients with low back pain have weaker trunk muscles. The strength of trunk and knee muscles has not been investigated simultaneously in patients with lumbar disc herniation. Methods. Forty-one controls and 2 patients were included. Isokinetic strength of the trunk and bilateral knees was tested on a calibrated isokinetic testing machine (Biodex System 3 Pro) regardless of the laterality of the radiculopathy. The testing was carrying out at two different velocities: 60° and 120° per second. Results. Total trunk strength and knee strength were significantly lower in these patients (4.34 ± 1.06 and 4.06 ± 1.16 vs. 6.21 ± 1.05 and 5.83 ± 1.09 Nm/kg at 60° and 120° per second, respectively, P < 0.001). In patients with unilateral sciatica, there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) in unilateral knee strength between sciatica-involved and -uninvolved limbs (1.89 ± 0.5, 1.08 ± 0.45, 1.48 ± 0.58, 0.93 ± 0.41 vs. 1.68 ± 0.45, 0.91 ± 0.38, 1.41 ± 0.48, 0.79 ± 0.39 Nm/kg in sciatica-uninvolved vs. sciatica-involved limbs during extension and flexion at 60° and 120° per second, respectively). Total trunk strength was significantly correlated with total knee strength in both groups. Conclusions. In the patients with lumbar disc herniation, muscle strength of the trunk and knees was decreased to a similar extent. Weaker knee strength was found on either side of the lower extremity in the patients with unilateral sciatica, regardless of its location.
Structural and Functional Characterization of the Bacterial Type III Secretion Export Apparatus

Bacterial type III protein secretion systems inject effector proteins into eukaryotic host cells in order to promote survival and colonization of Gram-negative pathogens and symbionts. Secretion across the bacterial cell envelope and injection into host cells is facilitated by a so-called injectisome. Its small hydrophobic export apparatus components SpaP and SpaR were shown to nucleate assembly of the needle complex and to form the central “cup” substructure of a Salmonella Typhimurium secretion system. However, the in vivo placement of these components in the needle complex and their function during the secretion process remained poorly defined. Here we present evidence that a SpaP pentamer forms a 15 Å wide pore and provide a detailed map of SpaP interactions with the export apparatus components SpaQ, SpaR, and SpaS. We further refine the current view of export apparatus assembly, consolidate transmembrane topology models for SpaP and SpaR, and present intimate interactions of the periplasmic domains of SpaP and SpaR with the inner rod protein PrgJ, indicating how export apparatus and needle filament are connected to create a continuous conduit for substrate translocation.
National prevalence of receipt of antidepressant prescriptions by persons without a psychiatric diagnosis.

OBJECTIVE The study addressed recent concerns regarding increasing prescription of antidepressant drugs to patients with no recorded psychiatric diagnosis. METHODS Records from ten large integrated health systems in the Mental Health Research Network were used to examine diagnoses received by 1,011,946 health plan members who filled at least one antidepressant prescription in 2010. RESULTS Among individuals filling antidepressant prescriptions, psychiatric diagnoses recorded during the year were depressive disorders (48%), anxiety disorders (27%), bipolar disorders (3%), and attention deficit disorders (3%). The proportion of those filling prescriptions who had no psychiatric diagnosis was 39%, which fell to 27% after the analysis excluded prescriptions for antidepressants often prescribed for nonpsychiatric indications (tricyclic antidepressants, trazodone, and bupropion). CONCLUSIONS Prescription of antidepressants to patients without an appropriate diagnosis appears to be less common than previously reported.
Isolation of Asticcacaulis sp. SA7, a Novel Agar-Degrading Alphaproteobacterium

An agar-degrading bacterium, strain SA7, was isolated from plant roots cultivated in soil. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequence showed that strain SA7 is affiliated with the genus Asticcacaulis. Strain SA7 produced extracellular agarase, and grew utilizing agar in the culture medium as sole carbon source. Zymogram analysis showed that strain SA7 extracellularly secreted single agarase protein (about 70 kDa).
The interaction of a recombinant cecropin/melittin hybrid peptide with the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A cecropin/melittin hybrid peptide (CEME) produced by recombinant DNA procedures was tested for its ability to interact with the outer membrane of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and found to have identical biological properties to that of chemically synthesized CEME. CEME was shown to kill P. aeruglnosa and permeabilize its outer membrane to lysozyme and 1‐N‐phenylnaphthlyamine, in some cases better than other antimicrobial agents and permeabilizers. CEME demonstrated a high‐binding affinity to purified P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS in whole‐cell environments. These data provide information on the molecular mechanism of CEME antimicrobial activity and strongly suggest that it is taken up across the outer membrane by the self‐promoted uptake pathway.
Inhibition of CCR 5 and CXCR 4 prevents HIV infection

INTRODUCTION The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a lentivirus that attacks and weakens the human immune system, primarily targeting lymphocytes and macrophages, which leads to the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV-1 is the most common type of HIV virus and it is the main cause of AIDS, and the responsible of a pandemic that affects around 35 million people world-wide (UNAIDS, 2014). 1 AIDS is characterized by a persistent virus replication and a progressive loss of T helper cells (CD4+T cells), and is in close association with progressive increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
Resource allocation in a mobile telephone network: A constructive repair algorithm

Afin de couvrir les besoins lies au developpement de son reseau, un operateur francais de telephonie mobile doit periodiquement planifier l'achat et l'installation de nouveaux materiels, tout en respectant un ensemble de contraintes (contraintes obligatoires ou preferences hierarchisees). Cet article presente la methode, baptisee constructive repair, utilisee pour resoudre ce probleme dans les delais impartis (1 min de temps de calcul). Cette methode repare le planning durant sa construction. Une suite de procedures de reparation est definie: si une reparation donnee ne peut aboutir sur une solution partielle, une reparation plus forte (relâchant eventuellement des contraintes plus importantes) est appelee. Nous avons teste notre methode sur dix problemes (aussi bien reels que specifiquement concus a la main pour ces tests). Nos solutions sont toutes au moins aussi bonnes que celles imaginees par l'ingenieur responsable de la planification.
Effects of Mellow and Frenetic Music and Stimulating and Relaxing Scents on Walking by Seniors

Previous research has yielded an inconclusive picture of the effects of music and scent on walking. Few laboratory studies have detected a beneficial effect of music; olfactory research has shown performance is positively affected for repetitive tasks but not yet on walking. The influence of these two types of stimuli in efficiency of exercise among seniors was assessed by measuring distance walked on an indoor course. Using a 3 × 3 factorial design [mellow music in 4:4 time, frenetic music in 2:8 time, and white noise by stimulating, relaxing, and control scent conditions], each of 20 volunteers from a senior center received nine randomized, 90-sec. exercise trials. Walking distance was reduced by mellow music but unaffected by stimulating music; there was no effect of scent.
Mechanical stress reduces podocyte proliferation in vitro.

BACKGROUND Mechanical stretch, a consequence of capillary glomerular hypertension, is thought to be the common final pathway for glomerulosclerosis in systemic hypertension, diabetes, reduced nephron number and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. However, the effects of stretch on podocyte growth and the mechanisms that underlie this have not been elucidated. METHODS Mouse podocyte growth (3H-thymidine, MTT-assay, FACS) was measured following the application of mechanical stretch created by vacuum. The expression of specific cell cycle regulatory proteins was examined by RNAse protection assay and Western blot analysis. Control cells were grown under similar conditions, but were not exposed to stretch. RESULTS Mechanical stretch decreased DNA-synthesis (3H-thymidine incorporation) and cell number (MTT-assay) in podocytes at 24, 48 and 72 hours (P < 0.001 vs. control non-stretched cells), which was not due to apoptosis (Hoechst staining) nor cell detachment. Stretch decreased the mRNA and protein levels of cyclins D1, A and B1 within 24 hours. Stretching cells decreased the activity of Cdk2 (measured by histone H1 kinase assay) at 48 and 72 hours and Cdc2 at 72 hours. In contrast, stretch increased the protein levels of the cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors (CKI) p21Cip/Kip/Waf (p21) and p27Kip1 (p27) within the first 24 hours, and increased the mRNA levels of p57Kip2 (p57) at 72 hours. To examine the role of p21 in inhibiting proliferation induced by stretch, we studied p21-/- podocytes in culture. Stretch did not reduce proliferation in p21-/- podocytes (P> 0.05 vs. non-stretched podocytes; P < 0.001 vs. stretched p21+/+ podocytes). CONCLUSIONS In contrast to mesangial cells, mechanical stretch decreases the growth of podocytes. This effect is mediated through the regulation of specific cell cycle regulatory proteins. These events may explain the apparent lack of podocyte proliferation in diseases correlated with capillary glomerular hypertension.