Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reactive arthritis: recent advances and clinical manifestations.

Seronegative spondyloarthropathy and reactive arthritis Joint pain (arthralgia/ arthritis) is associated with various physical conditions and various rheumatic or non-rheumatic diseases. Rheumatoid factor (RF) and antinuclear antibody (ANA) are good markers of screening for rheumatic diseases. However, there are many rheumatic diseases in which either RF or ANA is not demonstrated in patients’ sera. Therefore, it is important to precisely inquire about the patients’ past history and present illness precisely and perform a careful physical examination in order to achieve the proper diagnosis. “Reactive arthritis” is classified as one type of seronegative spondyloarthropathy (SNSA), which consists of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), reactive arthritis (ReA; Reiter’s syndrome), psoriatic arthritis and arthritis associated with chronic inflammatory bowel diseases. Typical clinical presentations are RF negative in their sera, axial joint arthritis (sacroiliitis, spondylitis), enthesitis and peripheral oligoarthritis. In many patients, the subtalar, metatarsophalangeal and toe interphalangeal joints tend to be affected. The number of affected peripheral joints is typically less than 5 (oligoarthritis) and are usually asymmetrically involved in the lower limbs. The muscloskeletal symptoms are generally acute in onset associated with constititutional symptoms such as fatigue, malaise, fever and weight loss. The arthritis is usually quite painful. Dactylitis, or “sausage digit”, a diffuse swelling of a solitary finger or toe, is a distinctive feature of both ReA and psoriatic arthritis (1–3) (Figs. 1, 2).
CHROMOBLASTOMYCOSIS SIMULATING RHINOSPORIDIOSIS IN A PATIENT FROM CEYLON

A case of chromoblastomycosis confined to the mucous membrane of one side of the nasal septum is reported. The organism was not cultivated, but its characteristics in histological preparations were typical of those of the organisms in sections of cutaneous lesions known to be caused by Phialophora pedrosoi and related fungi. The diagnosis is considered to have been justified in spite of the great rarity of mucosal involvement in chromoblastomycosis and of the complete absence of lesions in the skin. The patient was a Sinhalese student working in London. He had first noticed the lesion before he left Ceylon, but the symptoms of nasal obstruction and bleeding were not sufficient to make him seek medical advice until two years later. If it is correct to assume that he contracted the infection in Ceylon his case is only the second on record in which there has been reason to suggest that Ceylon has been the geographical source of chromoblastomycosis. The lesion was excised and its site cauterized. There has been no sign of recurrence of the infection during the two years that have passed since the operation.
Depression and anxiety symptoms in women at high risk for breast cancer: pilot study of a group intervention.

OBJECTIVE The psycho-oncology literature to date contains only one outcome study based on a group model for high-risk relatives of breast cancer patients. The authors set out to study the effects of group intervention in high-risk relatives of breast cancer patients. METHOD Thirty-three high-risk relatives of breast cancer patients participated in a six-session, 12-hour group intervention model that consisted of educational and psychosocial components. RESULTS There was a significant reduction of depression symptoms as reported on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Similarly, there was a significant reduction of anxiety symptoms as reported on the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory state scale. CONCLUSIONS In this pilot study, the investigators found the group intervention model effective at reducing symptoms of depression and reactive (not chronic) anxiety.
Deformable motion model for Frame Rate Up-Conversion in video coding

In June 2015, VCEG released the HMKTA which added a lot of new coding tools to improve the coding efficiency and Frame Rate Up-Conversion (FRUC) mode is one of the merge mode of inter prediction. FRUC adopts bilateral matching and template matching to derive motion information. Because FRUC need to further refine the sub-block's motion information after deriving the motion vector for current prediction unit (PU), it will involves huge computational complexity. This paper presents the third mode for FRUC called Deformable mode. The new mode uses motion information of the adjacent block to the four corners of the current PU to derive the motion information of every minimum partition (MP) in current coding unit (CU). The experimental results show the proposed algorithm can reduce the coding time of FRUC, and it can reduce the encoding time by 13.1% in a best case scenario when compared with the regular algorithm.
Molecular Clocks and the Puzzle of RNA Virus Origins

Although the ultimate origins of RNA viruses are uncertain, it seems reasonable to assume that these infectious agents have a long evolutionary history, appearing with, or perhaps before, the first cellular life-forms (38). While the RNA viruses we see today may not date back quite this far, the evidence that some DNA viruses have evolved with their vertebrate hosts over many millions of years (24) makes an equally ancient history for RNA viruses a natural expectation. Yet a very different picture of RNA virus origins is painted if their gene sequences are compared; by using the best estimates for rates of evolutionary change (nucleotide substitution) and assuming an approximate molecular clock (21, 33), it can be inferred that the families of RNA viruses circulating today could only have appeared very recently, probably not more than about 50,000 years ago. Hence, if evolutionary rates are accurate and relatively constant, present-day RNA viruses may have originated more recently than our own species. Before discussing the solutions to this apparent paradox, it is important to determine exactly why the molecular clock estimates of RNA virus origins are so recent. The key to establishing a timescale of viral evolution lies in accurately determining the rate of nucleotide substitution. Most analyses undertaken to date suggest that the average rate of nucleotide substitution in RNA viruses is 10 3 substitutions per site per year, with an approximately fivefold range around this (21). The fact that broadly similar rates are found in RNA viruses with very different genome organizations and lifestyles implies that both the error rate associated with RNA polymerase, estimated to be about one mutation per genome replication (10), and the rate of viral replication are roughly constant. If the average substitution rate of 10 3 substitutions/site/year is accurate, then, on average, every nucleotide position will have fixed 1 substitution after 1,000 years of evolution (corresponding to an average divergence time between two lineages of only 500 years). This also corresponds to an evolutionary (corrected) distance (d) between two sequences of 1.0, the maximum that can be reliably estimated through sequence comparisons; larger distances will be inherently inaccurate because of uncounted multiple substitutions at single sites. Of course, reality is a little more complex because viral genomes are a patchwork of synonymous sites, where mutations do not change the encoded amino acid, and nonsynonymous sites, where mutations alter amino acids and which usually evolve more slowly. If we conservatively assume that the substitution
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Distribution of Disease Genes, Spectrum of Mutations, and Implications for a Molecular Diagnosis Strategy

Background—Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is an autosomal-dominant disorder in which 10 genes and numerous mutations have been reported. The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic screening of these genes in a large population, to evaluate the distribution of the disease genes, and to determine the best molecular strategy in clinical practice. Methods and Results—The entire coding sequences of 9 genes (MYH7, MYBPC3, TNNI3, TNNT2, MYL2, MYL3, TPM1, ACTC, and TNNC1) were analyzed in 197 unrelated index cases with familial or sporadic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Disease-causing mutations were identified in 124 index patients (≈63%), and 97 different mutations, including 60 novel ones, were identified. The cardiac myosin-binding protein C (MYBPC3) and &bgr;-myosin heavy chain (MYH7) genes accounted for 82% of families with identified mutations (42% and 40%, respectively). Distribution of the genes varied according to the prognosis (P =0.036). Moreover, a mutation was found in 15 of 25 index cases with “sporadic” hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (60%). Finally, 6 families had patients with more than one mutation, and phenotype analyses suggested a gene dose effect in these compound-heterozygous, double-heterozygous, or homozygous patients. Conclusion—These results might have implications for genetic diagnosis strategy and, subsequently, for genetic counseling. First, on the basis of this experience, the screening of already known mutations is not helpful. The analysis should start by testing MYBPC3 and MYH7 and then focus on TNNI3, TNNT2, and MYL2. Second, in particularly severe phenotypes, several mutations should be searched. Finally, sporadic cases can be successfully screened.
A statistic study of harmonics and interharmonics at a modern wind-turbine

The work presents measurements of harmonics and interharmonics from a modern wind turbine over a period of several days, using a conventional power quality monitor. A statistical study has been performed to present the characteristics of the emission during the measurement. A variation of emission has been observed, especially for interharmonics within certain low-frequency bands and for the switching frequency. Multiple relations between voltage and current components have been presented, as well as multiple relations between the emission and the active-power production. Generally, harmonics are independent of the active-power, whereas interharmonics are dependent on it.
Suspicious breast lesions: MR imaging with radiologic-pathologic correlation.

PURPOSE To study the architecture and enhancement characteristics of breast lesions with magnetic resonance imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Forty-one patients with mammographic and/or palpable lesions were imaged. T1-weighted, fat-saturated T2-weighted fast spin-echo, and gadolinium-enhanced and -unenhanced fat-saturated spoiled gradient-echo images were obtained. All patients underwent excisional biopsy or cyst aspiration. RESULTS Fifteen of 16 carcinomas were identified and exhibited at least partially irregular borders. T2-weighted signal intensity and contrast enhancement varied. Rim enhancement was seen in five lesions. Nine of 10 fibroadenomas were visualized and showed well-defined borders. T2-weighted signal intensity and contrast enhancement varied and correlated with histologic features. Internal septations were seen in five lesions. Time-intensity curves showed no statistically significant difference between fibroadenomas and cancers. CONCLUSION There is an overlap in the signal intensity characteristics and enhancement profiles of benign and malignant lesions. However, border characteristics, internal architecture, enhancement characteristics, and the presence of multiple tiny associated cysts may be important clues to lesion identification.
A Review on Automatic Speech Recognition Architecture and Approaches

Speech is the most natural communication mode for human beings. The task of speech recognition is to convert speech into a sequence of words by a computer program. Speech recognition applications enable people to use speech as another input mode to interact with applications with ease and effectively. Speech recognition interfaces in native language will enable the illiterate/semi-literate people to use the technology to greater extent without the knowledge of operating with computer keyboard or stylus. For more than three decades, a great amount of research was carried out on various aspects of speech recognition and its applications. Today many products have been developed that successfully utilize automatic speech recognition for communication between human and machines. Performance of speech recognition applications deteriorates in the presence of reverberation and even low levels of ambient noise. Robustness to noise, reverberation and characteristics of the transducer is still an unsolved problem that makes the research in the area of speech recognition still very active. A detailed study on automatic speech recognition is carried out and presented in this paper that covers the architecture, speech parameterization, methodologies, characteristics, issues, databases, tools and applications.
Functional interaction of cytosolic hsp70 and a DnaJ-related protein, Ydj1p, in protein translocation in vivo

In order to analyze the in vivo role of the SSA class of cytosolic 70-kDa heat shock proteins (hsps) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, we isolated a temperature-sensitive mutant of SSA1. The effect of a shift of mutant cells (ssa1ts ssa2 ssa3 ssa4) from the permissive temperature of 23 degrees C to the nonpermissive temperature of 37 degrees C on the processing of several precursor proteins translocated into the endoplasmic reticulum or mitochondria was assessed. Of three mitochondrial proteins tested, the processing of only one, the beta subunit of the F1F0 ATPase, was dramatically affected. Of six proteins destined for the endoplasmic reticulum, the translocation of only prepro-alpha-factor and proteinase A was inhibited. The processing of prepro-alpha-factor was inhibited within 2 min of the shift to 37 degrees C, suggesting a direct effect of the hsp70 defect on translocation. More than 50% of radiolabeled alpha-factor accumulated in the precursor form, with the remainder rapidly reaching the mature form. However, the translocation block was complete, as the precursor form could not be chased through the translocation pathway. Since DnaJ-related proteins are known to interact with hsp70s and strains containing conditional mutations in a dnaJ-related gene, YDJ1, are defective in translocation of prepro-alpha-factor, we looked for a genetic interaction between SSA genes and YDJ1 in vivo. We found that a deletion mutation of YDJ1 was synthetically lethal in a ssa1ts ssa2 ssa3 ssa4 background. In addition, a strain containing a single functional SSA gene, SSA1, and a deletion of YDJ1 accumulated the precursor form of alpha-factor. However, no genetic interaction was observed between a YDJ1 mutation and mutations in the SSB genes, which encode a second class of cytosolic hsp70 chaperones. These results are consistent with SSA proteins and Ydj1p acting together in the translocation process.
HMM-based Activity Recognition with a Ceiling RGB-D Camera

Automated recognition of Activities of Daily Living allows to identify possible health problems and apply corrective strategies in Ambient Assisted Living (AAL). Activities of Daily Living analysis can provide very useful information for elder care and long-term care services. This paper presents an automated RGB-D video analysis system that recognises human ADLs activities, related to classical daily actions. The main goal is to predict the probability of an analysed subject action. Thus, the abnormal behaviour can be detected. The activity detection and recognition is performed using an affordable RGB-D camera. Human activities, despite their unstructured nature, tend to have a natural hierarchical structure; for instance, generally making a coffee involves a three-step process of turning on the coffee machine, putting sugar in cup and opening the fridge for milk. Action sequence recognition is then handled using a discriminative Hidden Markov Model (HMM). RADiaL, a dataset with RGB-D images and 3D position of each person for training as well as evaluating the HMM, has been built and made publicly available.
2C or not 2C: defining an improved revascularization grading scale and the need for standardization of angiography outcomes in stroke trials

Although improvements in thrombectomy devices, stroke management and patient selection in clinical trials over the last two decades have occurred in concert with increasingly greater angiographic recanalization rates, clinical outcomes have remained largely unchanged.1 For example, recently completed prospective trials using Stentriever technology have reported successful recanalization or reperfusion in upwards of 90% of enrolled patients, yet the percentage of patients with a good outcome at 90 days remains at only 35–55%. 2–4 The association between adequate recanalization and good functional outcome has been well-documented in a number of studies.5–12 Furthermore, those making a dramatic recovery, defined as a decrease in the NIH Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score to ≤3 within 24 h, are more likely to have had early or more complete recanalization.13 However, the definition of ‘successful’ or adequate recanalization/reperfusion as an angiographic endpoint for treatment effect in such trials has become increasingly varied and confusing. The different grading scales and non-standardized definitions of successful thrombectomy reported in published stroke trials have made direct comparison of results difficult. In fact, some authors have called for increasing standardization of reporting among the stroke community using angiographic reperfusion to enhance generalizability.14 ,15 In this paper we review the current grading systems for recanalization/reperfusion, discuss the current controversies in grading systems and the need for standardization of recanalization and reperfusion in trial reporting. Finally, we offer a revised grading system that accounts for less than perfect but clearly excellent reperfusion within its scale. There are a number of proposed scales for documenting the degree of revascularization after acute stroke intervention. These include the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction scale (TIMI)16 recanalization, TIMI reperfusion, Thrombolysis In Cerebral Infarction scale (TICI),17 the modified TICI scale,18 the Mori reperfusion scale19 and the Qureshi score,20 among others. These scales …
E-science and biomedical libraries.

For a few years now, segments of the research library community have been carefully tracking the emergence of e-science and exploring its implications for the future of research libraries. During 2007–2008, I had the opportunity to work with the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) and a task force looking at issues in e-science and library support for research in the sciences. I also had the opportunity to reflect on how these phenomena are the same or different in the health sciences arena. I will explore some of those ideas here. First, what is e-science, how is it likely to affect libraries, and how are libraries positioned to respond to it? What are the major e-science initiatives in the sciences and engineering and in biomedicine? And finally, how does it translate to the health sciences library context?
Disruption of LRP6 in osteoblasts blunts the bone anabolic activity of PTH

Mutations in low‐density lipoprotein receptor‐related protein 6 (LRP6) are associated with human skeletal disorders. LRP6 is required for parathyroid hormone (PTH)‐stimulated signaling pathways in osteoblasts. We investigated whether LRP6 in osteoblasts directly regulates bone remodeling and mediates the bone anabolic effects of PTH by specifically deleting LRP6 in mature osteoblasts in mice (LRP6 KO). Three‐month‐old LRP6 KO mice had a significant reduction in bone mass in the femora secondary spongiosa relative to their wild‐type littermates, whereas marginal changes were found in femoral tissue of 1‐month‐old LRP6 KO mice. The remodeling area of the 3‐month‐old LRP6 KO mice showed a decreased bone formation rate as detected by Goldner's Trichrome staining and calcein double labeling. Bone histomorphometric and immumohistochemical analysis revealed a reduction in osteoblasts but little change in the numbers of osteoclasts and osteoprogenitors/osteoblast precursors in LRP6 KO mice compared with wild‐type littermates. In addition, the percentage of the apoptotic osteoblasts on the bone surface was higher in LRP6 KO mice compared with wild‐type littermates. Intermittent injection of PTH had no effect on bone mass or osteoblastic bone formation in either trabecular and cortical bone in LRP6 KO mice, whereas all were enhanced in wild‐type littermates. Additionally, the anti‐apoptotic effect of PTH on osteoblasts in LRP6 KO mice was less significant compared with wild‐type mice. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that LRP6 in osteoblasts is essential for osteoblastic differentiation during bone remodeling and the anabolic effects of PTH. © 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Budesonide treatment of patients with collagenous colitis restores normal eosinophil and T‐cell activity in the colon

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the activity of eosinophils, neutrophils, and CD4+ as well as CD8+ T‐cells in 11 patients with active collagenous colitis (CC) before and after 8 weeks of budesonide treatment (9 mg once daily) compared to 10 healthy individuals. Methods: Clinical symptoms were recorded and intestinal biopsy samples were taken and analyzed by flow cytometry. Eosinophils with a high surface expression of CD44 and low CD9 expression were classified as activated. Neutrophil activity was assessed by their expression of CD66b, and CD69 was used as an activation marker for T‐cells. Results: All patients responded to the treatment. The eosinophils in active CC showed increased activity compared to controls. The activity was back to control levels after treatment. Neutrophils were not activated in CC patients before or after treatment. CD8+ T‐cells from untreated CC patients had a lower activity than controls, and a tendency of lower activity was observed on CD4+ T‐cells. After treatment, the activity was increased on both types of T‐cells and was not different from controls. Conclusions: In the present study we demonstrated that the inflammation in CC is characterized by activated eosinophils but there is no neutrophil activity. CD4+ and CD8+ T‐cells are increased in numbers in active CC but, surprisingly, they had a lower grade of activity than in control subjects. The major finding of this study is that budesonide treatment restores the normal activation of eosinophils and T‐cells, accompanied by clinical remission. (Inflamm Bowel Dis 2010)
Exercise‐Based Cardiac Rehabilitation for Very Old Patients (≥75 Years): FOCUS ON PHYSICAL FUNCTION

Older patients have high rates of physical function impairment and disability following a cardiac event. Exercise training has been shown to favorably affect such limitations, as well as cardiovascular risk factors, symptoms, and mortality postcoronary event in middle-aged patients. Aerobic capacity, body strength, quality of life, and physical function are improved with exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation (CR) in patients older than 65 years. However, there have been relatively few studies of the effects of exercise-based CR on physical function recovery in the very oldpatients (≥75 years), despite the continuous growth of this segment of thepopulation. After hospitalization for a cardiac event, postacute inpatient CR serves as a bridge between acute care and independent home living for the most disabled older patients. It plays an important role in the physical recovery process, particularly after cardiac surgery. Exercise-based outpatient (phase II) CR, starting early after hospital discharge, is safe in very old patients and studies demonstrate that these patients derive similar benefits from CR, compared with younger patients, regarding physical function improvement. Older patients, however, are less likely than younger cardiac patients to participate in outpatient CR programs. There is a need to find protocols that could increase the referral and participation rates of the frailer and older cardiac patient to exercise-based CR.