Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adhesion, hemagglutination, and virulence of Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections

The capacity of 453 Escherichia coli strains to agglutinate erythrocytes and yeast cells and to attach to human urinary tract epithelial cells was tested. The strains were isolated from the urine of patients with acute pyelonephritis, acute cystitis, or asymptomatic bacteriuria and from the stools of healthy school children. Three main patterns of hemagglutination were found: (i) mannose-resistant agglutination of human erythrocytes alone or simultaneously with mannose-sensitive agglutination of guinea pig erythrocytes; (ii) only mannose-sensitive agglutination of guinea pig and other erythrocytes; and (iii) no agglutination. Strains with mannose-resistant agglutination of human erythrocytes alone or in combination with mannose-sensitive hemagglutination attached in high numbers to human urinary tract epithelial cells. Bacteria inducing only mannose-sensitive hemagglutination attached in low numbers, and non-agglutinating strains did not bind to the urinary tract epithelial cells. The bacterial surface antigen(s) mediating mannose-resistant hemagglutination of human erythrocytes and attachment to human urinary tract epithelial cells may be one factor selecting for E. coli from among the fecal flora which infect the urinary tract. The highest proportion of strains with this property was found among acute pyelonephritis isolates (77%), and the lowest proportion of strains with this property was found among normal fecal E. coli (16%).
Target detection in sonar images using Empirical Mode Decomposition and morphology

In this paper to a new target detection algorithm for sonar images based on segmention using Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) and Morphological Operations is proposed. In the proposed approach morphological operations are applied after EMD to provide higher detection accuracy. Experimental results show that the EMD based approach proposed in this paper improves target detection accuracy. The target detection performance is increased compared to utilizing morphological operations only, as available in the literature.
A Stochastic Galerkin Method for the Boltzmann Equation with High Dimensional Random Inputs Using Sparse Grids

We propose a stochastic Galerkin method using sparse grids for the Boltzmann equation with high dimensional random inputs. The method uses locally supported piecewise polynomials as an orthonormal basis of the random space. By a sparse grid technique, only a moderate number of basis functions are required to achieve good accuracy in high dimensional random spaces. We discover a sparse structure of a set of basis-related coefficients, which allows us to accelerate the computation of the collision operator. Regularity of the solution of the Boltzmann equation in the random space and an accuracy result of the stochastic Galerkin method are proved in multidimensional case. The efficiency of the method is illustrated by numerical examples with uncertainties from the initial data, boundary data and collision kernel.
Thorombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention versus primary percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a multicenter randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND Although thrombolytic therapy with rescue percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a common treatment strategy for ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI), scant data are available on its efficacy relative to primary PCI, and comparison was therefore the aim of this study. METHODS This multicenter, open-label, randomized, parallel trial was conducted in 12 hospitals on patients (age < or = 70 years) with STEMI who presented within 12 hours of symptom onset (mean interval > 3 hours). Patients were randomized to three groups: primary PCI group (n = 101); recombinant staphylokinase (r-Sak) group (n = 104); and recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) group (n = 106). For all patients allocated to the thrombolytic therapy arm, coronary angiography was performed at 90 minutes after drug therapy to confirm infarct-related artery (IRA) patency; rescue PCI was performed in cases with TIMI flow grade < or = 2. Bare-metal stent implantation was planned for all patients. RESULTS After randomization it required an average of 113.4 minutes to start thrombolytic therapy (door-to-needle time) and 141.2 minutes to perform first balloon inflation in the IRA (door to balloon time). Rates of IRA patency (TIMI flow grade 2 or 3) and TIMI flow grade 3 were significantly lower in the thrombolysis group at 90 minutes after drug therapy than in the primary PCI group at the end of the procedure (70.5% vs. 98.0%, P < 0.0001, and 53.0% vs. 85.9%, P < 0.0001, respectively). Rescue PCI with stenting was performed in 117 patients (55.7%) in the thrombolytic therapy arm. Rates of patency and TIMI flow grade 3 were still significantly lower in the rescue PCI than in the primary PCI group (88.9% vs. 97.9%, P = 0.0222, and 68.4% vs. 85.0%, P = 0.0190, respectively). At 30 days post-therapy, mortality rate was significantly higher in the thrombolysis combined with rescue PCI group than in primary PCI group (7.1% vs. 0, P = 0.0034). Rates of death/MI and bleeding complications were significantly higher in the thrombolysis with rescue PCI group than in the primary PCI group (10.0% vs. 1.0%, P = 0.0380, and 28.10% vs. 8.91%, P = 0.0001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Thrombolytic therapy with rescue PCI was associated with significantly lower rates of coronary patency and TIMI flow grade 3, but with significantly higher rates of mortality, death/MI and hemorrhagic complications at 30 days, as compared with primary PCI in this group of Chinese STEMI patients with late presentation and delayed treatments.
Using Pattern Matching Algorithm and Signal Propagation Model to Localise Mobile Devices in a WLAN

IEEE 802.11b standard, also known as Wi-Fi, is one of the most used wireless communication system. Location of a mobile device using IEEE 802.11b communication infrastructure has a lot of advantages, first of all the use of the same hardware/software needed by the mobile device to communicate. Literature presents many approaches for localisation based on Wi-Fi; one of the most known features the use of the pattern-matching algorithm. Localisation based on pattern-matching algorithm is mainly realised in indoor environment; outdoor localisations based on Wi-Fi and pattern matching algorithm is currently missing in literature. For this reason, one of the aims of the paper is to present and evaluate outdoor use of this algorithm based on IEEE 802.11b communication system. Further, the paper present a novel approach for localisation, aimed to reduce the complexity of the pattern-matching algorithm. Performance evaluations were presented in the paper in order to clearly assess the outdoor localisation errors achievable when using the proposed approach
Current and emerging robotic assisted intervention for Notes

ABSTRACT Introduction: Natural orifices transluminal endoscopic surgery (notes) procedures are limited by a number of factors including closure of the internal entry point, loss of triangulation, and unstable operative platform. Areas covered: In this paper, new technical developments in different aspects of robotic assisted NOTES interventions are reviewed. We further address new research opportunities for more widespread clinical acceptance of robotic assisted NOTES procedures. Expert commentary: The application of robotics in NOTES intervention is still in its infancy. The development of more compact, smart and intuitive robotic NOTES systems holds much promise for the future of NOTES application.
ATCUN‐like metal‐binding motifs in proteins: Identification and characterization by crystal structure and sequence analysis

The amino terminal Cu(II)‐ and Ni(II)‐binding (ATCUN) motif is a small metal‐binding site found in the N‐terminus of many naturally occurring proteins. The ATCUN motif has been implicated in DNA cleavage and has been shown to have antitumor activity. In proteins, the ATCUN motif is formed from a histidine in the third position, its preceding residue and the free N‐terminus. Four nitrogen atoms from these three residues act as metal ligands. Knowledge of metal‐binding geometry helps in the design of metal‐binding peptides and in understanding of the mechanisms of metal‐mediated functions. Since the N‐terminus region of ATCUN‐containing proteins is highly disordered, no geometrical features can be derived from the protein structures. However, the crystal structure of a small metal‐bound ATCUN peptide shows that the nitrogen ligands form a distorted square planar geometry. Distance constraints derived from this designed peptide were used to search 1949 polypeptide chains to find ATCUN‐like motifs in any position along the polypeptide chain. Only ≈1.9% and ≈0.3% of histidines are involved in partial and full ATCUN‐like geometric features, respectively. These two datasets were compared with the dataset of all histidines. None of the ATCUN‐like motifs occur in the middle of an α‐helix or a β‐strand. Further sequence analysis revealed total conservation of ATCUN histidines in four proteins including the transcription factor TBX3, implicated in Ulnar‐Mammary Syndrome. Our analysis suggests that the ATCUN‐like motif in TBX3 is a potential metal‐binding site, although a structural role was not completely ruled out. Metal‐binding activity in TBX3, if confirmed, will help us to understand the role of metals in transcriptional regulation and is likely to cast light on the causes of some serious genetic disorders. A conformational role is suggested for ATCUN‐like motifs in other proteins. Proteins 2005. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Late‐onset type I endoleak characterized by contrast enhanced ultrasound after endovascular repair of aortic aneurysm

We report in the case of a patient with an intra‐abdominal aortic aneurysm treated with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) who developed renal impairment during the period of follow up. The repair was complicated with an early‐onset type II endoleak which later evolved into a late‐onset type I endoleak. It was treated with proximal extension of stent graft, with treatment success and follow‐up documented on contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). This case illustrates the usefulness of CEUS in post‐EVAR surveillance and emphasizes the need for life‐long monitoring as late‐onset complications are not uncommon.
Transmission study of Salmonella in pigs with 3 intervention strategies

In this study, the effect of 3 different intervention strategies on the transmission of Salmonella in pigs was evaluated: feed supplementation with coated calcium-butyrate salt, vaccination and acidified drinking water. Strategies were evaluated serologically and bacteriologically using an experimental in vivo seeder setup. Significantly higher antibody titers were detected in the groups with acidified drinking water and vaccination. In the group with calcium-butyrate supplemented feed and in the group with oral vaccination, significantly less infected animals were observed during the transmission experiment. The overall level of Salmonella-specific antibodies in meat juice was significantly lower compared to serum. Our results indicate that vaccination with Salmoporc ® and feed supplemented with coated calcium-butyrate limit Salmonella Typhimurium transmission in swine. The detection of Salmonella-specific antibodies in vaccinated pigs however, does not allow differentiation of vaccinated and infected animals and can therefore interfere with the Belgian monitoring and surveillance programme. Salmonella-specific antibody levels in meat juice are lower than those in serum, which might have consequences in surveillance programmes based on meat juice analysis.
Predicting Fever Response of Children with Pneumonia Treated with Antibiotics

In order to study predictors of fever response in children with radiologic pulmonary infiltrates treated with antibiotics, 156 children with pneumonia were evaluated with slide test C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), blood cultures, acute and con valescent viral and mycoplasma titers, and then followed clinically. Both CRP (+) at a serum dilution of 1:50 and WBC ≥ 15,000 were better predictors of rapid resolution of fever while the patient was receiving antibiotics than were ESR ≥ 30 or temperature ≥ 40 C. WBC ≥ 15,000 was nearly as specific but more sensitive than CRP (+) 1:50 for resolution of fever in either 8, 12 or 24 hours. Positive blood or lung bacterial cultures, but not four-fold or greater viral or mycoplasma titer increases, were also associated with rapid resolution of fever. WBC ≥ 15,000 is useful in predicting rapid fever response in children with pneumonia treated with antibiotics.
Measurement of the mutation rates of animal viruses: influenza A virus and poliovirus type 1

Epidemiologic and genetic evidence suggests that influenza A viruses evolve more rapidly than other viruses in humans. Although the high mutation rate of the virus is often cited as the cause of the extensive variation, direct measurement of this parameter has not been obtained in vivo. In this study, the rate of mutation in tissue culture for the nonstructural (NS) gene of influenza A virus and for the VP1 gene in poliovirus type 1 was assayed by direct sequence analysis. Each gene was repeatedly sequenced in over 100 viral clones which were descended from a single virion in one plaque generation. A total of 108 NS genes of influenza virus were sequenced, and in the 91,708 nucleotides analyzed, seven point changes were observed. A total of 105 VP1 genes of poliovirus were sequenced, and in the 95,688 nucleotides analyzed, no mutations were observed. We then calculated mutation rates of 1.5 X 10(-5) and less than 2.1 X 10(-6) mutations per nucleotide per infectious cycle for influenza virus and poliovirus, respectively. We suggest that the higher mutation rate of influenza A virus may promote the rapid evolution of this virus in nature.
Endoscopic Evaluation of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract is Worthwhile in Premenopausal Women with Iron-Deficiency Anaemia Irrespective of Menstrual Flow

Background: In premenopausal women, iron-deficiency anaemia is common and menstrual flow is often held responsible, but it is not clear whether these women should be submitted to gastrointestinal (GI) evaluation. We aim to prospectively investigate whether premenopausal women with iron-deficiency anaemia benefit from GI evaluation regardless of menstrual flow. Methods: The study population comprised 59 consecutive premenopausal women with iron-deficiency anaemia. Excluded were women with obvious or suspected causes of anaemia and those ≤21 years. Heavy menstrual loss was not considered an exclusion criterion. All subjects had: complete blood count, ferritin, non-invasive testing by faecal occult blood (FOB), 13C-urea breath test (13C-UBT), anti-tissue transglutaminase antibodies (tTG) and gastrin levels. Gastroscopy with antral (n = 3), corporal (n = 3) and duodenal (n = 2) biopsies was performed in women with positive 13C-UBT or tTG titre or hypergastrinaemia. Results: Heavy menstrual loss was present in 50.8%. Non-invasive tests were positive in 40/59 (67.8%): 30 had positive 13C-UBT, 12 had hypergastrinaemia, 7 had positive tTG and 3 had positive FOB. Women tested positive were similar to those tested negative as far as concerned age, haemoglobin and ferritin levels and heavy menstrual flow (55% versus 42.1%). All 40 women tested positive underwent gastroscopy with biopsies. Four (10%) had bleeding-associated lesions and 34 (85%) had non-bleeding-associated lesions. As regards upper GI findings, no differences were observed between women with normal and those with heavy menstrual flow. No lower GI tract lesions were detected in the three women with positive FOB. Conclusions: Our data suggest that premenopausal women with iron-deficiency anaemia benefit from endoscopic evaluation of the upper GI tract irrespective of menstrual flow.
On-chip wavelength-division (de)multiplexers for multi-guide vertical integration in InP

Wavelength-division (de)multiplexers, compatible with a multi-guide vertical integration platform in InP, are reported. Designs, based on arrayed waveguide gratings and diffractive echelle gratings, are demonstrated to work well within this platform and to be suitable for 100Gb/s receive applications.
AVAGAST: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase III study of first-line capecitabine and cisplatin plus bevacizumab or placebo in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC).

LBA4007 Background: The median survival for patients (pts) with AGC in most phase III studies is less than 1 year. The addition of bevacizumab (bev) to chemotherapy (chemo) is supported by a strong preclinical rationale and by phase II evaluation. AVAGAST is the first randomized study to compare the efficacy and safety of bev + chemo vs placebo + chemo. METHODS Pts with inoperable, locally advanced or metastatic stomach/gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma with no prior therapy were randomized 1:1 to capecitabine (cape, or 5-FU) + cisplatin (cis) and either bev (7.5 mg/kg iv) or placebo q3w. Stratification variables: geographical region, fluoropyrimidine treatment, disease status. Cis was given for 6 cycles; bev/placebo + cape/5-FU were given until disease progression or unmanageable toxicity. PRIMARY OBJECTIVE compare overall survival (OS); secondary objectives: compare progression-free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR), and safety (as overseen by an independent DSMB). RESULTS From Sep 2007 to Dec 2008, 774 pts were enrolled. Treatment arms were balanced. Approx 95% of pts were metastatic. Two-thirds of pts were male, 49% of pts were from Asia/Pacific, 32% from Europe and 19% from the Americas. Median OS was 10.1 months with chemo + placebo and 12.1 months with chemo + bev in the intent-to-treat population (HR 0.87; p=0.1002). Median OS according to geographical region was 6.8 vs. 11.5 months (HR 0.63) in the Americas, 8.6 vs. 11.1 months (HR 0.85) in Europe and 12.1 vs. 13.9 months in Asia-Pacific (HR 0.97). Secondary endpoints and AEs of special interest for Bev are summarized below ( Table ). CONCLUSIONS While the primary endpoint was not met (median OS HR 0.87; p=0.1002), there was a significant improvement in PFS and ORR and an acceptable safety profile for bev + chemo in patients with AGC. [Table: see text] [Table: see text].
Removal of Lead and Mercury from Aqueous Solutions by Pretreated Rhizopus Stolonifer Biomass

The effect of different pretreatment processes on biosorption capacity of Rhizopus stolonifer biomass to remove lead and mercury was investigated. For this purpose, the biomass was subjected to physical treatments such as autoclaving and gamma irradiation, and chemical treatments such as NaOH, HCl and CTAB. The highest metal uptake values (12.10mgg -1 and 9.75mgg -1 for Pb and Hg respectively) were obtained by NaOH treated biomass. Kinetics of biosorption, isotherms of adsorption and influence of pH on the biosorption capacity of alkali treated biomass were studied. Analysis by FTIR, SEM and EDX were performed to show interactions between cells and ions. The optimum conditions were pH 8 for Pb and pH 4 for Hg. Maximum biosorption capacities for Pb and Hg were respectively 151, 19 mg g -1 and 336, 86 mg g -1 . The kinetic is modeled pseudo-order 2 and the isotherm of Langmuir adequately describes the mechanism of biosorption.
L2DTL/CDT2 and PCNA Interact with p53 and Regulate p53 Polyubiquitination and Protein Stability through MDM2 and CUL4A/DDB1 Complexes

The CUL4-ROC1 E3 ligase complex regulates genome stability, replication, and cell cycle progression. A novel WD40 domain-containing protein, L2DTL, and PCNA were identified as proteins associated with CUL4/DDB1 complexes. Inactivation of CUL4A, L2DTL, PCNA, DDB1, or ROC1 induced p53 stabilization and growth arrest. L2DTL, PCNA, and DDB1/CUL4A complexes were found to physically interact with p53 tumor suppressor and its regulator MDM2/HDM2. The isolated CUL4A complexes display potent and robust polyubiquitination activity towards p53 and this activity is dependent on L2DTL, PCNA, DDB1, ROC1, and MDM2/HDM2. We also found that the interaction between p53 and CUL4 complex is regulated by DNA damage. Our data further showed that MDM2/HDM2 is rapidly proteolyzed in response to UV irradiation and this process is regulated by CUL4/DDB1 and PCNA. Our studies demonstrate that PCNA, L2DTL, and the DDB1-CUL4A complex play critical and differential roles in regulating the protein stability of p53 and MDM2/HDM2 in unstressed and stressed cells.
Quantitative study of the tectally projecting retinal ganglion cells in the adult frog: I. The size of the contralateral and ipsilateral projections

The proportion of ganglion cells connected to the several central targets of the retinal projection varies in different species. In the frog, the retinotectal projection is clearly the largest branch of the optic pathway and the relative size of the tectally projecting population can be expected to be correspondingly great. However, there have been no studies aimed at quantifying the size of this population and at partitioning its contralateral and ipsilateral components. We injected the tectum with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) dried onto fine needles to count the numbers of retinal ganglion cells labeled by retrograde transport. The retinas were prepared as flat‐mounts to facilitate the cell counting. The tecta were injected either unilaterally or bilaterally in mirror‐symmetric loci. Specimens included completely normal frogs and frogs which had undergone unilateral optic nerve regeneration, although only normal retinas are presented in the current study. The retrograde transport interval was varied progressively (from 3 to 5 days), and single or multiple injection's of HRP were placed singly or as clusters, in order to increment the cell counts toward a level of saturation. Approximately 70.9% of the neurons in the ganglion cell layer could be labeled by this method. Correcting for the presence of displaced amacrine cells, estimated to comprise approximately 16% of the neurons in the ganglion cell layer (Scalia et al., '85, Brain Res. 344:267–280), we calculate that approximately 84.4% of the retinal ganglion cells project contralaterally to the optic tectum.
A Distributed Direction of Arrival Estimation Algorithm for Self-Organizing Ultra Wide-Band Wireless Sensor Networks

In this paper we investigate the problem of Direction of Arrival (DoA) estimation in distributed and self-organizing Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), which use Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) technology at the physical layer. The proposed DoA estimation technique is based on the Spectral Correlation Multiple Signal Classification (SC-MUSIC) algorithm, which is well suited for wide-band signals and relies on the cyclostationarity properties of UWB signaling. Each sensor node is assumed to be equipped with a single omnidirectional antenna and DoA information is extracted by post-processing the signals received by a cluster of nodes and sent to a sink node. The performance of this algorithm is analyzed by assuming an Additive White Gaussian Noise (AWGN) channel and by including in the analysis errors due to location discovery and timing synchronization procedures. The results show a significant robustness of the algorithm with respect to this kind of errors.