Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hemodynamic response in one session of strength exercise with and without electrostimulation in heart failure patients: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Studies have investigated the influence of neuromuscular electrostimulation on the exercise/muscle capacity of patients with heart failure (HF), but the hemodynamic overload has never been investigated. The aim of our study was to evaluate the heart rate (HR), systolic and diastolic blood pressures in one session of strength exercises with and without neuromuscular electrostimulation (quadriceps) in HF patients and in healthy subjects. METHODS Ten (50% male) HF patients and healthy subjects performed three sets of eight repetitions with and without neuromuscular electrostimulation randomly, with one week between sessions. Throughout, electromyography was performed to guarantee the electrostimulation was effective. The hemodynamic variables were measured at rest, again immediately after the end of each set of exercises, and during the recovery period. RESULTS Systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not change during each set of exercises among either the HF patients or the controls. Without electrostimulation: among the controls, the HR corresponding to the first (85 ± 13 bpm, p = 0.002), second (84 ± 10 bpm, p < 0.001), third (89 ± 17, p < 0.001) sets and recuperation (83 ± 16 bpm, p = 0.012) were different compared to the resting HR (77 bpm). Moreover, the recuperation was different to the third set (0.018). Among HF patients, the HR corresponding to the first (84 ± 9 bpm, p = 0.041) and third (84 ± 10 bpm, p = 0.036) sets were different compared to the resting HR (80 ± 7 bpm), but this increase of 4 bpm is clinically irrelevant to HF. With electrostimulation: among the controls, the HR corresponding to the third set (84 ± 9 bpm) was different compared to the resting HR (80 ± 7 bmp, p = 0.016). Among HF patients, there were no statistical differences between the sets. The procedure was well tolerated and no subjects reported muscle pain after 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS One session of strength exercises with and without neuromuscular electrostimulation does not promote a hemodynamic overload in HF patients.
ompetency assessment in simulation-based rocedural education ames

The field of simulation-based procedural education in medicine is undergoing rapid development, with significant improvements in both graphic and tactile fidelity. As a consequence, the use of simulation for competency assessment and credentialing is evolving rapidly. Establishing the conceptual framework for developing such assessments using simulation is becoming critical to the expansion of simulation-based education and assessment in medicine. Although medical literature explores the educational theories in other aspects of medical education, the applicability of those concepts to the simulation of time-critical and clinically dangerous procedures has not been addressed explicitly. In particular, the issue of how one establishes standards for simulation-based procedures is central to how simulation would be used for competency assessment. This article briefly reviews the current medical education theories and discusses their applicability to simulation-based education. An alternative methodology of standards setting involving the use of benchmarking may be more appropriate to assessing critical procedural skills. Although much of the existing simulation literature (and practice) implicitly uses benchmarking methods, the conceptual framework that justifies its use has not been discussed explicitly. Finally, the development of clinical benchmarks as the standards-setting mechanism for procedural simulation-based learning, feedback, and assessment will be critical to establishing the clinical relevance of simulation. © 2008 Excerpta Medica Inc. All rights reserved.
Investigating the impact of on-chip interconnection noise on Dynamic Thermal Management efficiency

Dynamic Thermal Management (DTM) emerged as a solution to address the reliability challenges with thermal hotspots and unbalanced temperatures. DTM efficiency is highly affected by the accuracy of the temperature information presented to the DTM manager. This work aims to investigate the effect of inaccuracy caused by the deep sub-micron (DSM) noise during the transmission of temperature information to the manager on DTM efficiency. A simulation framework has been developed and results show up to 38% DTM performance degradation and 18% unattended cycles in emergency temperature under DSM noise. The finding highlights the importance of further research in providing reliable on-chip data transmission in DTM application.
Cyclic phosphate-linked oligosaccharides (CyPLOS): Novel carbohydrate-based synthetic ion transporters

Artificial ion transporters are synthetic molecules mimicking at a functional level the activity of naturally occurring ion channels or carriers. In the frame of cyclodextrin mimicry, we recently described the synthesis and conformational properties of new carbohydrate-based macrocycles having the glucoside units connected through 4,6-linked phosphodiester linkages, named CyPLOS (cyclic phosphate-linked oligosaccharides). The cyclic dimer was then adopted as a versatile synthetic platform to obtain a variety of analogs, carrying long linear alkyl or polyether chains. Diverse, jellyfish-shaped amphiphilic CyPLOS were thus obtained, with the compound carrying four tetraethylene glycol (TEG) tentacles acting as good ion transporter through lipid bilayers. A fine tuning of the properties and complexation abilities of these amphiphilic analogs was realized by introducing special reporter groups at the extremities of the TEG tentacles. Through the design of an azido-TEG functionalized key intermediate, a fluorescently labeled CyPLOS derivative was synthesized, showing a markedly increased ionophore activity, with the fluorescent tag also allowing the investigation of its mechanism of action and localization within the phospholipid bilayers. Incorporation of a spin label at the CyPLOS tentacles—to provide further insight into the study of their interactions with phospholipid membranes by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy—was also profitably achieved through a postsynthetic functionalization approach.
Influenza Viruses Expressing Chimeric Hemagglutinins: Globular Head and Stalk Domains Derived from Different Subtypes

ABSTRACT The influenza virus hemagglutinin molecule possesses a globular head domain that mediates receptor binding and a stalk domain at the membrane-proximal region. We generated functional influenza viruses expressing chimeric hemagglutinins encompassing a variety of globular head and stalk combinations, not only from different hemagglutinin subtypes but also from different hemagglutinin phylogenetic groups. These chimeric recombinant viruses possess growth properties similar to those of wild-type influenza viruses and can be used as reagents to measure domain-specific antibodies in virological and immunological assays.
Suppression of pulmonary metastasis in murine B16 melanoma cells by transfection of a sialidase cDNA

A cytosolic sialidase cDNA was transfected into a highly metastatic and invasive cell line, B16‐BL6, derived from the murine B16 melanoma. Stable transfection of a cytosolic sialidase expression vector yielded 4 transfectants with high content of the exogenous sialidase protein as well as enzyme activity. These transfectants exhibited markedly decreased experimental pulmonary metastasis, invasiveness in collagen gels and cell motility on colloidal gold‐coated glass plates but no change in cell attachment to fibronectin, collagen type VI or laminin. To cast light on the underlying mechanisms, cellular constituents of the transfectants were analyzed. Sialidase over‐expression did not lead to any significant changes in cell surface carbohydrates or intracellular glycoproteins, as revealed by lectin flow cytometry and lectin blotting, respectively. Thin layer chromatography of intracellular glycolipids, however, revealed decreased ganglioside GM3 and increased lactosylceramide as major changes. Int. J. Cancer 73:410–415, 1997. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Oscillopsia in “Inverse Latent” Infantile Nystagmus Syndrome

Purpose. A possibly unique individual with infantile nystagmus syndrome presented with incessant oscillopsia but good stereopsis when viewing binocularly; her nystagmus was greatly reduced with left eye occlusion. We have attempted to explain this and to identify an intervention that preserves binocular vision while maximizing perceptual stability. Case Report and Methods. Eye movements were recorded and analyzed for duration of foveation (% time when the target was on or near the fovea and the eye was moving at ≤4°/sec) under different viewing conditions. Changes in foveation were compared with the patient's reports of her perceptual stability. Results. In her right gaze null with her right eye fixating, foveation was 52.9%. This fell to 32.3% for the same eye in primary position and to 0.8% when viewing binocularly in primary position. When viewing binocularly oscillopsia was incessant; when viewing with her right eye vision was stable except in left gaze. Prism correction of her phoria greatly reduced her oscillopsia when viewing binocularly while preserving stereopsis; foveation went up to 33.7%. Conclusion. The patient's ability to maintain good foveation only when viewing with her right eye forces her to choose between stereopsis and stable vision. This may result from the rare combination of (1) requiring good foveation for oscillopsia suppression and (2) nystagmus deteriorating under the stress of maintaining binocularity. There may be many other infantile nystagmus syndrome patients who do not develop oscillopsia but may suffer sufficient asthenopia from a phoria to exacerbate their nystagmus.
Regional E-Government Development: Evolution of EGDI in Andean countries

Andean countries are experiencing stages of transformation product of series of strategies for improving public service through e-government concept. This work analyze how e-government is developed in these countries from 2008 to 2013 taking into account the factor of measurement used by the E-Government Development Index (EGDI). The findings show that the strategies adopted by Colombia have significantly contributed to its location within the references in progress of e-government in the region. Venezuela has managed its governmental structure with regulatory mechanisms to imposing enforce implementation strategies, however, the positioning obtained within EGDI assessment is directly linked to the subscript of Human Capital. Peru has a consolidated organizational structure that allows articulate directly on issues of government policy to implement e-government projects, however, the limitations of this country are generated by citizens access to technology tools. Ecuador has begun the implementation phase of technology projects focused on citizens, many of the efforts involving simplifying procedures. Finally, Bolivia has worked in the development of the National Governance Program where the state is a facilitator and manager of the sectors of society work in partnership and integration in decision-making; it has not been managed by government agencies, which has led to limited progress in this regard.
Feasibility of MDCT Angiography for Determination of Tumor-Feeding Vessels in Chemoembolization of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objective To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) angiography for assessment of subsegmental tumor-feeding vessels in transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Materials and Methods A total of 23 patients with 36 HCCs who underwent TACE during a 14-month period were enrolled. All patients underwent 3-phase dynamic MDCT within a month before TACE. Arterial phase MDCT images were retrospectively reformatted and analyzed for determination of single subsegmental tumor-feeding vessel using maximum intensity projection (MIP) and volume-rendering technique (VRT). Two radiologists independently assessed and scored the MIP and VRT images using 4-grade visual scores (grade 1, no depiction of tumor-feeding vessel; grade 2, indeterminate tumor-feeding vessel; grade 3, probable tumor-feeding vessel; and grade 4, good depiction of tumor-feeding vessel). The weighted kappa test was used to determine interobserver variability, and Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to differentiate visual scores of each technique. Results of digital subtraction angiography were defined as the criterion standard; therefore, assessment of subsegmental tumor-feeding vessel using MIP or VRT was compared with digital subtraction angiography, and the accuracy of each technique was calculated. Results Interobserver agreement (weighted kappa, 0.746 on VRT and 0.806 on MIP) was substantial to almost perfect. The visual scores for MIP (mean, 3.64 for reviewer 1 and 3.5 for reviewer 2) were higher than those for VRT (mean, 2.11 for reviewer 1 and 2.22 for reviewer 2; P = 0.000). The accuracy for assessing subsegmental tumor-feeding vessel was 22.2% for VRT and 77.8% for MIP. Conclusion Multidetector CT angiography using MIP showed good imaging quality and high accuracy for determination of subsegmental tumor-feeding vessels.
Diagnosing hypovitaminosis D: serum measurements of calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase are unreliable, even in the presence of secondary hyperparathyroidism.

OBJECTIVE To ascertain the ability of routine biochemical markers of bone turnover to predict vitamin D insufficiency. METHODS Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to assess the value of serum alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphate concentrations in the detection of hypovitaminosis D (< 20 nmol/l) in 467 patients between 1998 and 2000 (Cohort 1). The same analysis was repeated in a subsequent group of 719 patients between 2001 and 2003 (Cohort 2), in whom values of parathyroid hormone (PTH) were also available. Samples with elevated parathyroid levels from Cohort 2 were also analyzed to determine whether, in this subset, serum levels of calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase could reliably predict hypovitaminosis D. A subset of 50 patients from Cohort 1, with serum Vitamin D < 12 nmol/l, were reviewed by case note and telephone interview to determine demographic characteristics and the prevalence of risk factors for severe hypovitaminosis D. RESULTS The areas under the ROC curves for alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphate were all less than 0.7 (the criterion for a useful test) in both Cohorts 1 and 2. In the subset of Cohort 2 with elevated serum PTH levels (n = 337), the area under the ROC curve for calcium was 0.701 (95% confidence interval 0.643-0.758), and less than 0.7 for alkaline phosphatase and phosphate. In the 50 patients from Cohort 1 with severe hypovitaminosis D, risk factors were prevalent: 66% were vegetarian or vegan, clothing was partially or completely occlusive of sunlight (veiling) in 72%, and 60% of this cohort went outdoors less than 5 times per week. Symptoms were non-specific in the majority. CONCLUSION Routine measurements of calcium, phosphate, and alkaline phosphatase are not reliable predictors of hypovitaminosis D, even when vitamin D insufficiency has been sufficient to produce a PTH response. Clinical suspicion based upon history and an awareness of risk factors should remain the gold standard for requesting serum vitamin D measurements. Inadequate sunlight exposure (through veiling and poor outdoor exposure) and poor dietary intake are highly prevalent features of hypovitaminosis D in severely affected patients.
Telemedicine in neurology: where are we going?

Dear Editor We read with great interest the work by M€ uller et al. [1] dealing with the investigation of non-acute headache patients’ long-term satisfaction with a telemedicine consultation and consultation preferences in northern Norway. The authors established that, at 1 year after a specialist evaluation for headache, telemedicine patients did not express less satisfaction than those with traditional consultation. Telemedicine can be considered nowadays as an integrated, biomedical and psychosocial, secondary prevention intervention, where a specialized team guides the patient and his/her family in the course of the disease by reducing the stress of caregivers and allowing patients to stay longer at home [2]. Teleneurology is a part of telemedicine, which uses modern communication technologies to allow neurology to be practised when the doctor and patient are not present in the same place, and possibly not at the same time. Thus, this is of greatest benefit to populations with restricted access to general and subspecialty neurological care, including neurorehabilitation, in rural areas, to those with limited mobility, and those deployed by the military. Using real-time audiovisual interaction, imaging, and store-and-forward systems, a greater proportion of neurologists are able to meet the demand for specialty care in underserved communities, decrease the response time for acute neurological disease assessment, and expand the collaboration between primary care physicians, neurologists and other disciplines [2]. To this end, M€ uller et al. show how the use of telemedicine in the management of headache may help combat misdiagnoses, delay and suboptimal treatment of headaches, avoiding unnecessary travel by consulting remotely via telemedicine. This is particularly important for those neurological patients with high disability and limited autonomy living far from the centre. Indeed, a study by Bramanti et al. [3] analysed the optimal location of territorial telemedicine spots in correspondence with a general practitioner clinic linked to the Telemedicine Service or Specialist Clinic. This may help to reduce direct and indirect costs for the telemedicine service and for patients, with a better involvement of general practitioners in the management of the patients. A recent study by De Luca et al. [4] has demonstrated that telemedicine can be considered as an important tool in improving health and quality of life in the elderly living in nursing homes, potentially reducing healthcare service access, hospitalization and costs. It also appears that a telehealth system integrated in a local healthcare service may significantly improve elderly persons’ behaviour and reduce the caregivers’ burden [5]. In conclusion, it is reliable that the use of telemedicine in neurology, providing counselling, diagnosis and motor and cognitive rehabilitation directly at home, may potentiate functional recovery and lead to an early socio-economic reintegration with a betterment of patient’s and caregiver’s quality of life, possibly reducing the national healthcare system burden.
Multipage document retrieval by textual and visual representations

In this paper we present a multipage administrative document image retrieval system based on textual and visual representations of document pages. Individual pages are represented by textual or visual information using a bag-of-words framework. Different fusion strategies are evaluated which allow the system to perform multipage document retrieval on the basis of a single page retrieval system. Results are reported on a large dataset of document images sampled from a banking workflow.
Ca2+-Activated IK K+ Channel Blockade Radiosensitizes Glioblastoma Cells

Ca2+-activated K+ channels, such as BK and IK channels, have been proposed to fulfill pivotal functions in neoplastic transformation, malignant progression, and brain infiltration of glioblastoma cells. Here, the ionizing radiation (IR) effect of IK K+ channel targeting was tested in human glioblastoma cells. IK channels were inhibited pharmacologically by TRAM-34 or genetically by knockdown, cells were irradiated with 6 MV photons and IK channel activity, Ca2+ signaling, cell cycling, residual double-strand breaks, and clonogenic survival were determined. In addition, the radiosensitizing effect of TRAM-34 was analyzed in vivo in ectopic tumors. Moreover, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was queried to expose the dependence of IK mRNA abundance on overall survival (OS) of patients with glioma. Results indicate that radiation increased the activity of IK channels, modified Ca2+ signaling, and induced a G2–M cell-cycle arrest. TRAM-34 decreased the IR-induced accumulation in G2–M arrest and increased the number of γH2AX foci post-IR, suggesting that TRAM-34 mediated an increase of residual DNA double-strand breaks. Mechanistically, IK knockdown abolished the TRAM-34 effects indicating the IK specificity of TRAM-34. Finally, TRAM-34 radiosensitized ectopic glioblastoma in vivo and high IK mRNA abundance associated with shorter patient OS in low-grade glioma and glioblastoma. Implications: Together, these data support a cell-cycle regulatory function for IK K+ channels, and combined therapy using IK channel targeting and radiation is a new strategy for anti-glioblastoma therapy. Mol Cancer Res; 13(9); 1283–95. ©2015 AACR.
Détection et suivi longitudinal des anomalies de la substance blanche et de la substance grise dans la sclérose en plaques par des approches régionales et statistiques d’IRM de tenseur de diffusion

Si l’imagerie par resonance magnetique (IRM) montre la charge lesionnelle qui reflete le caractere inflammatoire de la sclerose en plaques (SEP), il n’existe pas de marqueur permettant de predire son evolution ou de caracteriser les phenomenes de neurodegenerescence. Par consequent, cette etude a pour objectif premierement d’identifier des marqueurs de l’integrite tissulaire par IRM de tenseur de diffusion (DTI), permettant de detecter les dommages tissulaires de type inflammatoire et/ou degeneratif, et deuxiemement de caracteriser leur evolution par une analyse longitudinale, chez des patients de differentes formes cliniques. A cette fin, nous avons propose une premiere approche regionale des substances blanche (SB) et grise (SG) sous-corticale et une deuxieme approche statistique globale analysant par TBSS les variations d’anisotropie de la SB et par VBM la densite de la SG. Les resultats obtenus dans la SB montrent des variations de la fraction d’anisotropie (FA), et des diffusivites radiales et axiales refletant respectivement une atteinte myelinique et une atteinte axonale alors que la SG presente une augmentation de la FA suggerant une atteinte dendritique neuronale. L’analyse par TBSS et VBM montre des anomalies touchant plutot les regions sous-corticales chez les patients remittents qui s’etendent aux regions corticales chez les patients de forme progressive. Longitudinalement, on retrouve essentiellement des changements de FA dans la SB et d’atrophie de la SG chez les patients remittents. Ces travaux montrent que la DTI constitue une methode sensible pour une meilleure detection et comprehension des alterations cerebrales et de leur evolution dans la SEP.
The kinetics of Lagenidium giganteum growth in liquid and solid cultures

Aims: Production of the mosquito biolarvacide Lagenidium giganteum in solid culture has been proposed as an economic alternative to production in liquid culture because of observations of improved shelf life and efficacy upon storage. Understanding the differences between these production systems and estimating growth rate in solid culture are important for commercialization. In order to address these needs a logistic model was developed to describe the growth kinetics of L. giganteum produced in solid and liquid cultures.