Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of dipping in older hypertensive patients

Abstract Background and aims. Arterial hypertension doubles the risk of coronary heart disease, heart and kidney failure, and peripheral arterial disease. Less variation in diurnal ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) patterns may affect mortality outcome. Therefore, as hypertension occurs in over 95% of older subjects, the prognostic value of dipping status in older hypertensive patients will be assessed. Method. The retrospective study group consisted of 170 hypertensive patients, aged 75–84 years, enrolled in the years 2005 to 2007. Baseline measures included 24-h ABPM. Diurnal index and dipping status was calculated and stratified the group into dippers (40 patients, 23.5%), non-dippers (65 patients, 38.2%) and reverse-dippers (65 patients, 38.2%). Results. During a 5-year observation, after baseline we have observed 69 deaths (40.9%) from the whole group of 170 patients with 23 (35.4%) being non-dippers and 36 (55.4%) reverse-dippers. There were significant differences between the groups divided according to diurnal dipping status in survival time, number of recorded deaths and night mean blood pressure. We have identified and confirmed risk factors for the all-cause mortality: age, mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, diurnal index and dipping status (dipping, non-dipping or reverse-dipping). Conclusion. Reverse-dippers and non-dippers revealed worse prognosis compared with dippers.
Memory B and memory plasma cells

Summary: Vaccination provides a powerful means to control infections. It exploits and exemplifies the ability of the immune system to preserve the information that a specific pathogen has been encountered in the past. The cells and molecular mechanisms of immunological memory are still being discussed controversially. Here, we review the current concepts of memory B cells, the signals involved in their maintenance, and their role in enhanced secondary reactions. Memory plasma cells, secreting protective antibodies over lifetime, have been recognized only recently. Their characterization as cells resting in terms of proliferation and migration, and surviving in dedicated stromal niches, in the absence of antigen, has generated new concepts of how memory cells in general are organized by stroma cells, the ‘resting memory’. In autoimmunity and chronic inflammation, memory B cells and memory plasma cells can be essential players, and they require special attention, as they do not respond to most conventional therapies. Their selective targeting will depend on a molecular understanding of their lifestyle.
Three-Dimensional Caricatures of Human Heads: Distinctiveness and the Perception of Facial Age

A standard facial-caricaturing algorithm was applied to a three-dimensional representation of human heads. This algorithm sometimes produced heads that appeared ‘caricatured’. More commonly, however, exaggerating the distinctive three-dimensional information in a face seemed to produce an increase in the apparent age of the face—both at a local level, by exaggerating small facial creases into wrinkles, and at a more global level via changes that seemed to make the underlying structure of the skull more evident. Concomitantly, de-emphasis of the distinctive three-dimensional information in a face made it appear relatively younger than the veridical and caricatured faces. More formally, face-age judgments made by human observers were ordered according to the level of caricature, with anticaricatures judged younger than veridical faces, and veridical faces judged younger than caricatured faces. These results are discussed in terms of the importance of the nature of the features made more distinct by a caricaturing algorithm and the nature of human representation(s) of faces.
Natriuretic peptides and collagen biomarkers in patients with medical treatment for hypertension

Objective The Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial (ASCOT-BPLA) showed that an amlodipine-based regimen prevented more cardiovascular events than an atenolol-based regimen in patients at high risk of hypertension. The basis of this diff erence is partly unknown and may be due to their divergent eff ects on the remodelling process of hypertensive heart disease. Methods and results We measured plasma levels of aminoterminal propeptide of atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and aminoter minal propeptide of B-type natriuretic peptide and serum levels of the aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), aminoterminal propeptide of type III procollagen and type I collagen telopeptide in 93 patients randomized in the ASCOT study at baseline and after two and four years and compared them with echocardiographic parameters and blood pressure. NT-proANP decreased at two years by 22 (-484 - 153) pmol/l in the amlodipine-based regimen and increased by 109 (-297 - 1545) pmol/l in the atenolol-based regimen (P < 0.001), whereas no signifi cant diff erence in NT-proBNP between the arms was found. PINP levels increased by 1.8 (-29 - 31) μ g/l in the amlodipine-based regimen and decreased by 4.7 (-27 - 31) μ g/l in the atenolol-based regimen, whereas no diff erences were found in other collagen markers between the arms. Major echocardiographic changes were not found. Conclusions Our results show that the two treatment regimens of ASCOT-BPLA had diff erent eff ects on plasma natriuretic peptides and serological markers of collagen turnover, probably refl ecting divergent eff ects in cardiac remodelling.
Hierarchical Cross Network for Person Re-identification

Person re-identification (person re-ID) aims at matching target person(s) grabbed from different and non-overlapping camera views. It plays an important role for public safety and has application in various tasks such as, human retrieval, human tracking, and activity analysis. In this paper, we propose a new network architecture called Hierarchical Cross Network (HCN) to perform person re-ID. In addition to the backbone model of a conventional CNN, HCN is equipped with two additional maps called hierarchical cross feature maps. The maps of an HCN are formed by merging layers with different resolutions and semantic levels. With the hierarchical cross feature maps, an HCN can effectively uncover additional semantic features which could not be discovered by a conventional CNN. Although the proposed HCN can discover features with higher semantics, its representation power is still limited. To derive more general representations, we augment the data during the training process by combining multiple datasets. Experiment results show that the proposed method outperformed several state-of-the-art methods.
A packaged 2.4 GHz LNA in a 0.15&#181;m CMOS process with 2kV HBM ESD protection

This paper presents the first 2.4 GHz LNA with 2kV HBM ESD protection integrated in a 0.15 µm CMOS process. The LNA has been packaged in a standard TQFP48 package and achieves the best overall performance reported to date in a CMOS process at low power. The LNA has a NF of 2.77 dB, an S21of 12.1 dB and an IIP3 of +2.4 dBm at a current consumption of 3 mA from a 1.5V supply. A comparison of this LNA with another LNA having a similar schematic and pinout but without ESD protection demonstrates performance degradation due to the ESD structures at high frequencies. The LNA without ESD protection has a NF of 2.36 dB, an S21of 14 dB and an IIP3 of -2.2 dBm at the same bias condition.
Algorithmic GPGPU memory optimization

The performance of General-Purpose computation on Graphics Processing Units (GPGPU) is heavily dependent on the memory access behavior. In this paper, we present an algorithmic methodology to semi-automatically find the best mapping of memory accesses present in serial loop nest to underlying data-parallel architectures based on a comprehensive static memory access pattern analysis. To that end we present a simple, yet powerful, mathematical model that captures all memory access pattern information present in serial data-parallel loop nests. We then show how this model is used in practice to select the most appropriate memory space for data and to search for an appropriate thread mapping and work group size from a large design space. Our experimental results are reported using the industry standard heterogeneous programming language, OpenCL, targeting the NVIDIA GT200 architecture. The full version of the paper can be found at [1].
Correlates of Medication Adherence in the TODAY Cohort of Youth With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To identify factors that predict medication adherence and to examine relationships among adherence, glycemic control, and indices of insulin action in TODAY (Treatment Options for Type 2 Diabetes in Adolescents and Youth). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 699 youth 10–17 years old with recent-onset type 2 diabetes and ≥80% adherence to metformin therapy for ≥8 weeks during a run-in period were randomized to receive one of three treatments. Participants took two study pills twice daily. Adherence was calculated by pill count from blister packs returned at visits. High adherence was defined as taking ≥80% of medication; low adherence was defined as taking <80% of medication. Depressive symptoms, insulin sensitivity (1/fasting insulin), insulinogenic index, and oral disposition index (oDI) were measured. Survival analysis examined the relationship between medication adherence and loss of glycemic control. Generalized linear mixed models analyzed trends in adherence over time. RESULTS In this low socioeconomic cohort, high and low adherence did not differ by sex, age, family income, parental education, or treatment group. Adherence declined over time (72% high adherence at 2 months, 56% adherence at 48 months, P < 0.0001). A greater percentage of participants with low adherence had clinically significant depressive symptoms at baseline (18% vs. 12%, P = 0.0415). No adherence threshold predicted the loss of glycemic control. Longitudinally, participants with high adherence had significantly greater insulin sensitivity and oDI than those with low adherence. CONCLUSIONS In the cohort, the presence of baseline clinically significant depressive symptoms was associated with subsequent lower adherence. Medication adherence was positively associated with insulin sensitivity and oDI, but, because of disease progression, adherence did not predict long-term treatment success.
Protective role of foot-and-mouth disease virus antibody in vitro and in vivo in guinea-pigs.

Summary Plaque reduction neutralization assays, using foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) type A, strain 119 and immune serum from convalescent guinea-pigs infected with this strain of virus and performed with monolayers of a swine kidney cell line, resulted in biphasic neutralization curves because of the presence of as many as 30 to 50% of non-neutralized virus particles at peak activity. These results were found using gum tragacanth, agar, agar containing DEAE-dextran, and methylcellulose overlays and were also found using monolayers of guinea-pig embryo tongue and guinea-pig embryo heelpad cells. Non-neutralized virus in immune serum-FMDV mixtures was neutralized after the addition of anti-species antibody, demonstrating that the non-neutralized virus fraction consisted of virus in the form of infectious immune complexes. These complexes were not infectious when inoculated intraperitoneally into suckling mice or intracardially into guinea-pigs. They were infectious, however, if inoculated intradermally into the tongue or rear heelpads of guinea-pigs. Low doses of passively transferred immune serum did not protect guinea-pigs against the formation of primary vesicles after intradermal tongue or heelpad challenge with virus but did protect against systemic spread of virus to the remaining uninoculated feet. Higher doses of passively transferred immune serum protected against tongue challenge but even higher doses were required to protect against heelpad challenge. The role of antibody in protection against the systemic spread of FMDV may be due to infectious immune complexes being removed from the blood by the reticuloendothelial system. In the dermis of the tongue and heelpad, the immune complexes remain infectious, resulting in the formation of local vesicles except when these tissues contain very high concentrations of antibody.
Wound healing anomalies after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy: correlation of clinical outcomes, corneal topography, and confocal microscopy.

PURPOSE To further the understanding of wound healing anomalies affecting visual function after myopic photorefractive keratectomy (PRK). METHOD Analysis of a clinical database of PRK on 133 eyes with myopia of -1.5 to -7.0 D and 43 eyes with myopia of -6.0 to -12.0 D. Visual function was analyzed by subgroups of 1) no topographic anomalies; 2) topographic central islands; and 3) topographic keyhole patterns. The natural course of healing was documented over 6 months with visual acuity measurements, clinical observation, and corneal topography. In vivo clinical-pathologic correlations were made by scanning confocal microscopy. RESULTS Topographic anomalies were identified 1 month post-PRK in 48 eyes (40.3%) with low-moderate myopia and in 14 eyes (32.5%) with moderate-high myopia. For patients with 6 month follow-up, these rates declined to 25% and 23%, respectively. At 1 month post-PRK, topographic anomalies significantly reduced uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity and refractive predictability. By 6 months post-PRK, the small number of eyes with persistent anomalies had visual outcomes similar to patients with normal topography. A simple approach to anti-island pre-treatment reduced islands slightly and keyhole anomalies significantly (anti-island pre-treatment vs no pretreatment: islands 25% vs 31.8%; keyholes 2.3% vs 17.6%; p = 0.021) but with decreased predictability of induced refractive change at 1 month post-PRK. Confocal microscopy in vivo demonstrated prominent deposition of subepithelial extracellular material 1 to 2 months after PRK that diminished by 6 to 8 months, but persisted in the presence of central islands. Scar formation appeared to represent an elevated plaque of new collagen with active keratocytes. CONCLUSIONS Topographic anomalies of wound healing are common after PRK. Vision and predictability are reduced by anomalies 1 month post-PRK but anomalies often resolve by 6 months. Marked improvement of vision occurs even when anomalies persist. Central islands appear to consist of persistent dense subepithelial extracellular deposits. Local scars are caused by new collagen deposition.
Investigating the relationship between family of origin functioning and intrapersonal and interpersonal skills among Muslim couples in Iran

ABSTRACT The family of origin plays an essential role in Iranian society. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between family of origin functioning and intrapersonal and interpersonal skills among Iranian Muslim men and women in Iran. For this correlation study, 193 men and 277 women were recruited using available sampling from a Muslim population. To collect the data, the Family Assessment Device (FAD), Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Skills Scale (IISCS) were administered. Analyzing the data using stepwise regression indicated no significant difference between the mean scores for the FAD and the IISCS in terms of age, gender, education, duration of the marriage, and the number of children. However, the correlation between predictor variables of the family of origin functioning and predicted variables of intrapersonal and interpersonal skills among Muslim men and women showed to be significant. In addition, the construct of intrapersonal skills was highly correlated with the construct of family roles. This study adds to the literature on family of origin by examining the relationship between family of origin functioning and intrapersonal and interpersonal skills and shows the importance of family of origin functioning for Iranian couples. In addition, it has some implications for researchers and practitioners.
Combination of 5-Fluorouracil and N1,N11-Diethylnorspermine Markedly Activates Spermidine/Spermine N1-Acetyltransferase Expression, Depletes Polyamines, and Synergistically Induces Apoptosis in Colon Carcinoma Cells*

The thymidylate synthase inhibitor 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is used widely for chemotherapy of colorectal carcinoma. Recent studies showed that 5-FU affects polyamine metabolism in colon carcinoma cells. We therefore examined whether combinations of 5-FU with drugs that specifically target polyamine metabolism, i.e. N1,N11-diethylnorspermine (DENSPM) or α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), have synergistic effects in killing HCT116 colon carcinoma cells with wild-type or absent p53. Our results showed that simultaneous 5-FU and DENSPM, a spermine analogue, synergistically increased transcript levels of the polyamine catabolism enzyme spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase, depleted spermine and spermidine, increased acetylated spermidine, and produced synergistic tumor cell apoptosis in both p53 wild-type and p53-null variants. By contrast, simultaneous combination of 5-FU with DFMO, an inhibitor of the polyamine biosynthetic enzyme ornithine decarboxylase, depleted putrescine but did not produce synergistic cell killing. Some pre-treatment and post-treatment regimens of DENSPM and DFMO were antagonistic to 5-FU depending on cellular p53 status. Protein and transcriptome expression analysis showed that combined 5-FU and DENSPM treatment activated caspase 9, but not caspase 3, and significantly suppressed NADH dehydrogenases and cytochrome c oxidases, consistent with the observed increase in hydrogen peroxide, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, and release of cytochrome c. Our findings demonstrate the importance of the polyamine pathway in 5-FU effects and suggest that the combination of 5-FU with DENSPM has potential for development as therapy for colorectal carcinoma.
Neuropsychological Test Performance of Patients With Friedreich's Ataxia

Although recognized as one of the most common hereditary diseases of the nervous system, the neuropsychological deficits in Friedreich's ataxia (FA) have rarely been studied. A protocol was constructed to assess the major cognitive areas in patients with FA and pair-matched normal controls. Motor difficulties, dysarthria and fatigability were taken into account. Neuropsychological assessment showed decreased motor and mental reaction times, reduced verbal span, deficits in letter fluency, impaired acquisition and consolidation of verbal information, proactive interference effect, and alterations in complex visuoperceptual and visuoconstructive abilities, in comparison with the control group. Magnetic resonance images showing cerebellar atrophy in the majority of patients suggest that cerebellar degeneration and the interruption of afferent and efferent cerebellar connections could be related to the cognitive deficits shown by our patients.
Vitamin D Insufficiency and Fracture Risk in Urban Children

Background: Investigation into the role of vitamin D in fractures in the pediatric population has been limited despite estimates that as many as 70% of American children have inadequate vitamin D levels (measured as 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D). The purpose of this study was to evaluate vitamin D’s role in pediatric fracture risk by comparing 25(OH)D between fractured and nonfractured cohorts. Methods: A 12-month prospective case-control study was completed in children aged 2 to 14 years in an urban, academic hospital. Sixty fractured children requiring conscious sedation or general anesthesia for management were compared with 60 nonfractured controls. All participants and their guardians were surveyed for low bone density risk factors, and total serum 25(OH)D was measured. Statistical analysis was completed using Student t tests, &khgr;2 tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression models. Results: After controlling for age and daily sun exposure, lower total serum 25(OH)D was associated with higher fracture risk (odds ratio=0.94; 95% confidence interval, 0.90-0.99; P=0.023). In the fractured cohort, 6 (10%) patients were deficient (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL) and 33 (55%) were insufficient (25(OH)D, 20 to 30 ng/mL). Of the nonfractured population, 8 (13%) were deficient and 19 (32%) were insufficient. There were more insufficient patients in the fractured than in the nonfractured cohort (odds ratio=2.99; 95% confidence interval, 1.27-7.0; P=0.037). Conclusions: Higher fracture incidence is associated with serum 25(OH)D insufficiency. Hypovitaminosis D may place the pediatric population at increased risk for fracture. Consideration should be given to routine assessment of vitamin D in fractured children. Level of Evidence: Prognostic level III—prospective case-control study.
O processo de implantação do Parque Estadual do Cocó, Fortaleza (CE): conflitos e perspectivas

Há nos espaços urbanos, atualmente, uma acentuada geração de conflitos, por conta das divergências de interesses de ordem social, política, econômica e também cultural. Desde a criação do Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação (SNUC), no ano 2000, a problemática na implantação de Unidades de Conservação (UC’s) tem se intensificado, fruto de vários anseios e frustrações no confronto de ideias. O presente artigo constitui um trabalho que se insere dentro do debate acerca do tema das UC’s e busca analisar os conflitos socioambientais, gerados pela proposta de delimitação física do Parque Estadual do Cocó, em Fortaleza (CE). Diante da problemática da efetivação da UC enquanto unidade legal, o estudo concluiu dentro do contexto de Fortaleza, um favorecimento ao setor imobiliário, tendo em vista as potencialidades do ambiente, em detrimento das comunidades tradicionais, considerando que ambos se utilizam de maneira completamente diferente desses espaços.
Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients with Severely Reduced Left Ventricular Function

Aortic valve replacement (AVR) can be done safely in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and depressed ventricular function (ejection fraction ≤35%). Dobutamine echocardiography is useful to identify AS patients with contractile reserve who will benefit from AVR and can be used for risk stratification of these patients. AVR can also be undertaken in patients with severe aortic regurgitation and depressed ventricular function with an acceptable operative mortality. AVR in both groups results in a 5-year survival of approximately 70%, which is similar to that of orthotopic heart transplantation. Due to the comorbidities of immunosuppression and limited donor organ supply, AVR should be attempted prior to transplantation in both these high-risk groups.