Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prohepcidin accumulates in renal insufficiency

Abstract Background: The understanding of iron metabolism has increased substantially during the last decade. Several new transporters and iron regulating molecules have been described. Hepcidin, a small hepatic peptide has recently been proposed as a central mediator of dietary iron absorption. We have investigated the relationship between prohepcidin, the prohormone of hepcidin, and renal function and iron status. Methods: Forty six patients, referred for 51Cr-EDTA clearance were included in this study. Renal function was assessed by determination of serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, serum cystatin C and serum β-trace protein. Iron status was evaluated by determination of serum iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation and serum ferritin. All determinations were performed using commercial reagents (Roche Diagnostics, Dade Behring). Serum prohepcidin was determined using an ELISA kit. Results: Serum prohepcidin was found to correlate with 51Cr-EDTA clearance (r=−0.44; p=0.005), creatinine clearance, serum creatinine, β-trace protein and cystatin C. No significant relationship was observed between serum prohepcidin concentrations and red cell count, hemoglobin concentration or hematocrit. No significant correlation was found in this population between prohepcidin concentrations and iron status. Conclusion: Increased serum prohepcidin concentrations were observed with declining kidney function. We observed no relationship between red cell indices or iron status and serum prohepcidin concentrations.
An Enhanced Multi-path Scheme for QoS Guarantee in Wireless Sensor Network

A sensor network consists of a large number of sensor nodes that are densely deployed. The large scale sensor network is generally used for applications such as target tracking and emergency response rather than common data. The applications have real-time requirements that sensed data must be exactly delivered to a destination node within a given time. In this paper, we propose a multi-path scheme, which utilizes the virtual grid, to meet the real-time requirements. In order to select one of multi-paths depending on the service differentiation, the proposed scheme uses several information such as the size and transfer period of sensed data. In addition to an existing path, the proposed algorithm dynamically selects an alternative path according to multi-path environments. Moreover, it assigns the shortest path to the sensed data with most strict time restriction. Therefore, our scheme can guarantee the transmission reliability since sensed data is transmitted two or more routes by using the dualized multi-path on the virtual grid. In this paper, we introduce some realistic scenarios and propose an analytical model. Then performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated by numerical analysis. Our results show that the proposed scheme significantly outperforms the SPEED and MMSPEED.
Stent-over-sponge (SOS): a novel technique complementing endosponge therapy for foregut leaks and perforations

Abstract Background and study aims Endoluminal vacuum therapy (EVT) has evolved as a promising option for endoscopic treatment of foregut wall injuries in addition to the classic closure techniques using clips or stents. To improve vacuum force and maintain esophageal passage, we combined endosponge treatment with a partially covered self-expandable metal stent (stent-over-sponge; SOS). Patients and methods Twelve patients with infected upper gastrointestinal wall defects were treated with the SOS technique. Results Indications for SOS were anastomotic leakage after surgery (n = 11) and chronic foregut fistula (n = 1). SOS treatment was used as a first-line treatment in seven patients with a success rate of 71.4 % (5/7) and as a second-line treatment after failed previous EVT treatment in five patients (success rate 80 %; 4/5). Overall, SOS treatment was successful in 75 % of patients (9/12). No severe adverse events occurred. Conclusion SOS is an effective method to treat severely infected foregut wall defects in patients where EVT has failed, and also as a first-line treatment. Comparative prospective studies are needed to confirm our preliminary results.
Adverse socioeconomic conditions in childhood and cause specific adult mortality: prospective observational study

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between social circumstances in childhood and mortality from various causes of death in adulthood. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: 27 workplaces in the west of Scotland. Subjects: 5645 men aged 35–64 years at the time of examination. Main outcome measures: Death from various causes. Results: Men whose fathers had manual occupations when they were children were more likely as adults to have manual jobs and be living in deprived areas. Gradients in mortality from coronary heart disease, stroke, lung cancer, stomach cancer, and respiratory disease were seen (all P<0.05), generally increasing from men whose fathers had professional and managerial occupations (social class I and II) to those whose fathers had semiskilled and unskilled manual occupations (social class IV and V). Relative rates of mortality adjusted for age for men with fathers in manual versus non-manual occupations were 1.52 (95% confidence interval 1.24 to 1.87) for coronary heart disease, 1.83 (1.13 to 2.94) for stroke, 1.65 (1.12 to 2.43) for lung cancer, 2.06 (0.93 to 4.57) for stomach cancer, and 2.01 (1.17 to 3.48) for respiratory disease. Mortality from other cancers and accidental and violent death showed no association with fathers' social class. Adjustment for adult socioeconomic circumstances and risk factors did not alter results for mortality from stroke and stomach cancer, attenuated the increased risk of coronary heart disease and respiratory disease, and essentially eliminated the association with lung cancer. Conclusions: Adverse socioeconomic circumstances in childhood have a specific influence on mortality from stroke and stomach cancer in adulthood, which is not due to the continuity of social disadvantage throughout life. Deprivation in childhood influences risk of mortality from coronary heart disease and respiratory disease in adulthood, although an additive influence of adulthood circumstances is seen in these cases. Mortality from lung cancer, other cancer, and accidents and violence is predominantly influenced by risk factors that are related to social circumstances in adulthood. Key messages Adverse socioeconomic conditions in childhood are associated with mortality in later life Mortality from stroke and stomach cancer is particularly dependent on social circumstances in childhood Mortality from coronary heart disease and respiratory disease is dependent on social circumstances in both adulthood and childhood Mortality from accidents and violence and from lung cancer is mainly dependent on factors acting in adulthood The increases in child poverty seen in Britain and elsewhere over the past 20 years may herald unfavourable future trends in adult health
Regulation of epithelial cell growth factor receptor protein and gene expression using a rat periodontitis model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Regulation of epithelial cell behavior associated with periodontitis is not well elucidated but many responses will ultimately be regulated by growth factor receptors. Using a rat experimental periodontitis model, protein and gene expression of select growth factor receptors in junctional and pocket epithelium were examined. MATERIAL AND METHODS Periodontal disease was induced by daily topical application of lipopolysaccharide using an established protocol. Animals were killed at time 0 (control), and at 2 and 8 wk. Frozen tissue samples were collected from the right palatal gingival soft tissue, and the left periodontal tissues were decalcified and embedded in paraffin. Laser microdissection and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to quantify keratinocyte growth factor receptor (KGFR), hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) gene expression, and in situ RT-PCR localized these increases to specific epithelial cells. Receptor protein expression was examined immunohistochemically. In cell culture, induction of HGFR and KGFR protein expression by serum, lipopolysaccharide and pro-inflammatory cytokines were examined using flow cytometry. RESULTS Eight-week tissue samples exhibited histological changes consistent with periodontitis. KGFR and HGFR gene and protein expression were significantly induced at the 8 wk time point. KGFR expression was significantly up-regulated in basal and parabasal pocket epithelial cells, but HGFR was up-regulated throughout the pocket epithelium. In cell culture serum, lipopolysaccharide and pro-inflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1beta and tumour necrosis factor-alpha significantly induced KGFR protein receptor expression, but HGFR expression was only induced by serum. CONCLUSION KGFR and HGFR are highly up-regulated in this model of periodontal disease and may play a significant role in regulating the proliferation and migration of pocket epithelium.
Bradykinesia and impairment of EEG desynchronization in Parkinson's disease

It has been suggested that the basal ganglia control the release of cortical elements from low‐frequency rhythmic idling activity during voluntary movement.1 This hypothesis was tested by recording the local idling rhythms of the motor cortex, the alpha and beta rhythms, in 12 untreated and treated patients with Parkinson's disease as they moved a wrist. Recordings were made after overnight withdrawal of medication and again 1 hr after levodopa. The treatment‐related attenuation of the alpha and beta rhythms picked up over the cortical motor areas contralateral to the active arm correlated with the improvement in size and speed of movement effected by levodopa. The distribution and degree of attenuation depended on the complexity of the task. These results demonstrate for the first time a specific effect of levodopa on the organization of motor cortical activity in the frequency domain, an effect that correlates with improvements in bradykinesia.
Cross-Sport Recruiting Effects in NCAA D1 Football and Basketball

Using an extensive data set, we conduct an academic study of the determinants of recruiting success in Division 1 basketball and football. Among many findings, we show that football recruiting is correlated with on-court basketball success, although the relationship is not always positive. However, we do not find any evidence supporting the oft-held claim that on-field football success aids in basketball recruiting. Additionally, our models indicate that recruiting effects differ between “power” and “mid-major” conferences. These findings, among others provided herein, should enhance the literature on recruiting in college sports and could encourage administrators and coaches to reconsider recruiting tactics.
Stereo matching and depth map collection algorithm based on deep learning

This paper elaborates the research on stereo matching and depth map collection algorithm based on deep learning, use the Torch deep learning framework based on Linux platform to build neural network. The neural network refers to open source algorithm to achieve the use of convolution neural network instead of the traditional algorithm to calculate the matching cost function. This paper also improves the structure of the convolution neural network by using different activation function and adding the batch normalization layer and other methods, reducing the error matching rate, and then get the disparity map and depth map by the post-processing algorithm which includes the matching cost aggregation, disparity computation, disparity refinement. Then the paper verified the effect of the algorithm by experiment and analyzed the experiment results, and used the Middlebury stereo algorithm evaluation platform to evaluate the algorithm. And finally the porposed algorithm gets better stereo matching effect than before.
bcl-xL Is Critical for Dendritic Cell Survival In Vivo1

Dendritic cells (DC) are important regulators of immune function, transporting Ags from the periphery to draining lymph nodes (dLN) where they prime Ag-specific T lymphocytes. The magnitude of the immune response generated depends upon the longevity of the Ag-bearing DC in lymphoid tissues. We hypothesized that the control of DC survival is regulated by the antiapoptotic factor bcl-xL. Gene gun immunization of dual-expression DNA vaccines into a bcl-xfl/fl mouse resulted in the delivery of Ag, as well as selective deletion of the bcl-x gene in directly transfected, skin-residing DC. bcl-x-deficient DC failed to mount effective immune responses, and this corresponded to their rapid disappearance from the dLN due to apoptosis. We confirmed these results using RNA interference to specifically silence the antiapoptotic bcl-xL isoform in targeted skin-residing DC of C57BL/6 mice. In addition, delivery of bcl-xL in trans complemented the bcl-x deficiency in DC of bcl-xfl/fl mice, resulting in the maintenance of normal levels of Ag-bearing DC in the dLN. Taken together, our work demonstrates that the bcl-xL isoform is critical for survival of skin-derived, Ag-bearing DC in vivo.
Digital image chaotic encryption and transmission using UIO

In present work, secure communication scheme for digital images based on discrete time unknown input observer (UIO) design blended with discrete time chaotic encryption is presented. Chaotic signals are pseudo random signals with no periodicity over infinite length. However, the series can be generated with the precise knowledge of the few parameters like system parameters and initial conditions of the chaotic system. With the given nature of pseudo-randomness and extreme sensitivity to parameters, chaotic sequences are ideal for encryption. In literature, these chaotic sequences are generally generated using continuous time chaotic systems. Since image data to be transmitted is in digital form and encryption algorithms are also executed on digital devices, so it is proposed to use discrete time chaotic communication scheme. Further, its effectiveness for encryption of digital images is also analyzed. To further enhance the security encrypted data is embedded in the dynamics of discrete time chaotic transmitter system. To recover the message at the receiver, design of discrete time UIO along with a procedure to recover unknown message signal using estimated states is given. Existence conditions for the UIO are analytically derived in terms of LMIs. Solution of these LMIs gives the observer design matrices. Robustness of UIO based chaotic communication scheme against attacks is analyzed by studying return maps of the transmitted signal. It is reported that security of chaotic communication scheme can be compromised by studying the return maps of the transmitted signal. To validate the proposed approach results of simulation and security analysis are presented.
Community based rehabilitation after severe traumatic brain injury: a randomised controlled trial

Objective: Evaluation of multidisciplinary community based outreach rehabilitation after severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: A randomised controlled trial compared outreach treatment (mean of two sessions a week for 27.3 (SD 19.1) weeks) in community settings such as participants' homes, day centres, or workplaces, with provision of written information detailing alternative resources. Follow up for an average of 24.8 months after initial allocation was by a blinded independent assessor. Participants were aged 16–65, had sustained severe TBI between 3 months and 20 years previously, and had no other neurological conditions. Of 110 initially allocated, 48 outreach and 46 information participants were successfully followed up. Primary outcome measures (Barthel index (BI) and the brain injury community rehabilitation outcome-39 (BICRO-39)) focused on levels of activity and participation. Secondary measures were the functional independence measure and the functional assessment measure (FIM+FAM) and, in a subgroup of 46 participants, the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Analyses were non-parametric. Results: outreach participants were significantly more likely to show gains on the BI and the BICRO-39 total score and self organisation and psychological wellbeing subscales. There were likewise strong trends (p<0.10) for BICRO personal care and mobility, and on the FIM+FAM for personal care and cognitive functions. Differential improvements were not seen for indices of socialising, productive employment, anxiety, or depression. Median changes on individual subscales were small, reflecting the diversity of the clinical population; however, 40% of outreach but only 20% of information participants made a clinically significant improvement of 2+ points on at least one BICRO-39 scale. Time since injury was unrelated to the magnitude of gains. Conclusions: This is the first RCT of multidisciplinary community rehabilitation after severe TBI, and suggests that even years after injury it can yield benefits which outlive the active treatment period.
Extended esophagectomy with 3-field lymph node dissection for esophageal cancer.

OBJECTIVE To review the surgical outcomes of extended esophagectomy with 3-field lymph node dissection (3FLND) for esophageal cancer. DATA SOURCES Only articles written in English and written after 1980 were selected from MEDLINE. The following terms were identified: 3FLND, extensive or extended lymph node dissection (lymphadenectomy), radical lymph node dissection, cervical lymph node dissection, and extended or radical esophagectomy in esophageal cancer. STUDY SELECTION There were no exclusion criteria for published information relevant to the topic. The most representative articles were selected when there were several articles from the same institution. Case reports were excluded. DATA EXTRACTION Twenty-six articles were finally col-lected from MEDLINE. Eleven articles were also selected from reference lists of the pertinent literature. DATA SYNTHESIS The collected information was organized. CONCLUSIONS The conclusions drawn from those articles showed that extended esophagectomy with 3FLND would be a safe procedure in experienced hands, with low morbidity and acceptable mortality rates. When strict patient selection criteria were maintained, this procedure reduced locoregional recurrence and improved long-term survival rates. Although the therapeutic value of 3FLND is unproved in a randomized trial, extended esophagectomy with 3FLND would be the treatment of choice in selected patients.
Hydroperoxide lyase depletion in transgenic potato plants leads to an increase in aphid performance

Hydroperoxide lyases (HPLs) catalyze the cleavage of fatty acid hydroperoxides to aldehydes and oxoacids. These volatile aldehydes play a major role in forming the aroma of many plant fruits and flowers. In addition, they have antimicrobial activity in vitro and thus are thought to be involved in the plant defense response against pest and pathogen attack. An HPL activity present in potato leaves has been characterized and shown to cleave specifically 13-hydroperoxides of both linoleic and linolenic acids to yield hexanal and 3-hexenal, respectively, and 12-oxo-dodecenoic acid. A cDNA encoding this HPL has been isolated and used to monitor gene expression in healthy and mechanically damaged potato plants. HPL gene expression is subject to developmental control, being high in young leaves and attenuated in older ones, and it is induced weakly by wounding. HPL enzymatic activity, nevertheless, remains constant in leaves of different ages and also after wounding, suggesting that posttranscriptional mechanisms may regulate its activity levels. Antisense-mediated HPL depletion in transgenic potato plants has identified this enzyme as a major route of 13-fatty acid hydroperoxide degradation in the leaves. Although these transgenic plants have highly reduced levels of both hexanal and 3-hexenal, they show no phenotypic differences compared with wild-type ones, particularly in regard to the expression of wound-induced genes. However, aphids feeding on the HPL-depleted plants display approximately a two-fold increase in fecundity above those feeding on nontransformed plants, consistent with the hypothesis that HPL-derived products have a negative impact on aphid performance. Thus, HPL-catalyzed production of C6 aldehydes may be a key step of a built-in resistance mechanism of plants against some sucking insect pests.
Association Studies Suggest a Key Role for Endothelin-1 in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia and the Accompanying Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone System Suppression

Women with preeclampsia display low renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system activity and a high antiangiogenic state, the latter characterized by high levels of soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt)-1 and reduced placental growth factor levels. To investigate whether renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system suppression in preeclampsia is because of this disturbed angiogenic balance, we measured mean arterial pressure, creatinine, endothelin-1 (ET-1), and renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system components in pregnant women with a high (≥85; n=38) or low (<85; n=65) soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1/placental growth factor ratio. Plasma ET-1 levels were increased in women with a high ratio, whereas their plasma renin activity and plasma concentrations of renin, angiotensinogen, and aldosterone were decreased. Plasma renin activity–aldosterone relationships were identical in both the groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that plasma renin concentration correlated independently with mean arterial pressure and plasma ET-1. Plasma ET-1 correlated positively with soluble Fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and negatively with plasma renin concentration, and urinary protein correlated with plasma ET-1 and mean arterial pressure. Despite the lower plasma levels of renin and angiotensinogen in the high-ratio group, their urinary levels of these components were elevated. Correction for albumin revealed that this was because of increased glomerular filtration. Subcutaneous arteries obtained from patients with preeclampsia displayed an enhanced, AT2 receptor-mediated response to angiotensin II. In conclusion, a high antiangiogenic state associates with ET-1 activation, which together with the increased mean arterial pressure may underlie the parallel reductions in renin and aldosterone in preeclampsia. Because ET-1 also was a major determinant of urinary protein, our data reveal a key role for ET-1 in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Finally, the enhanced angiotensin responsiveness in preeclampsia involves constrictor AT2 receptors.