Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Mini-sling efficacy in obese versus non-obese patients for treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

BACKGROUND The impact of obesity on single-incision has been object of concerns. The aim of the study was to compare the outcomes of MiniArc single-incision sling in normal weight, overweight and obese patients. METHODS This retrospective study analyzed women with proven stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Patients were divided into three groups according to BMI: normal weight (group A), overweight (group B) and obese (group C). Objective cure rate was assessed with stress test and subjective cure rate was determined by ICIQ-SF and PGI-I scores. Postoperative overactive bladder syndrome and voiding symptoms were recorded. RESULTS One hundred ninety-two patients were analyzed (A=97; B=68; C=27). Mean follow-up was 23.2 months without differences among groups. Estimated blood loss and operative time were not influenced by BMI. No bladder perforation were observed. Objective cure rate (A=87.6%; B=86.8%; C=81.5%) and subjective outcomes resulted similar irrespective of BMI class. De novo onset of overactive bladder syndrome and voiding symptoms were reported without significant differences among groups. CONCLUSIONS The current study showed that single-incision sling Miniarc seems to be an effective treatment irrespective of BMI. Operative data, complications, objective and subjective outcomes were similar for normal weight, overweight and obese women.
Throughput Modeling and Measurement in an Isotropic-Scattering Reverberation Chamber

This paper presents simple throughput models for multiple-input multiple-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) systems with hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ). In particular, we consider the long term evolution (LTE) systems. Antenna correlations and power imbalances are implicitly included in the models. In order to explicitly characterize the antenna effects on throughput, we resort to the spatial multiplexing (SM) efficiency. The SM efficiencies of a MIMO antenna with zero forcing (ZF), minimum mean square error (MMSE), and maximum likelihood (ML) receivers are studied via numerical simulations using the throughput models. To verify the throughput models, the throughputs of two LTE terminals (including antenna correlations and power imbalances) are measured in a reverberation chamber (RC). Good agreements between the measured and modeled throughputs are observed.
Frequency-Dependent Phenotype Modulation of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells under Cyclic Mechanical Strain

Phenotype transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is known to be modulated by mechanical strain. The present study was designed to investigate how different frequencies of mechanical strain affected VSMC phenotype. VSMCs were subjected to the strains of 10% elongation at 0, 0.5, 1 and 2 Hz for 24 h using a Flexercell strain unit. VSMC phenotype was assessed by cell morphology, measurement of two-dimensional cell area, Western blotting for protein and RT-PCR for mRNA expression of differentiation markers. Possible protein kinases involved were evaluated by Western blotting with their specific antibodies. The strains at certain frequencies could induce a contractile morphology in VSMC with almost perpendicular alignment to the strain direction. The strains also regulated protein and mRNA expression of several differentiation markers, as well as the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs), p38 MAP kinase and protein kinase B (Akt) in a frequency-dependent manner. Furthermore, the inhibition of the p38 pathway could block the frequency-induced phenotype modulation of VSMCs, but not inhibition of ERK or Akt pathways. These results indicate that the frequency of cyclic strain can result in the differentiated phenotype of VSMCs, and it is mediated at least partly by the activation of the p38 pathway.
A Cell Extraction Method for Oily Sediments

Hydrocarbons can be found in many different habitats and represent an important carbon source for microbes. As fossil fuels, they are also an important economical resource and through natural seepage or accidental release they can be major pollutants. DNA-specific stains and molecular probes bind to hydrocarbons, causing massive background fluorescence, thereby hampering cell enumeration. The cell extraction procedure of Kallmeyer et al. (2008) separates the cells from the sediment matrix. In principle, this technique can also be used to separate cells from oily sediments, but it was not originally optimized for this application. Here we present a modified extraction method in which the hydrocarbons are removed prior to cell extraction. Due to the reduced background fluorescence the microscopic image becomes clearer, making cell identification, and enumeration much easier. Consequently, the resulting cell counts from oily samples treated according to our new protocol are significantly higher than those treated according to Kallmeyer et al. (2008). We tested different amounts of a variety of solvents for their ability to remove hydrocarbons and found that n-hexane and – in samples containing more mature oils – methanol, delivered the best results. However, as solvents also tend to lyse cells, it was important to find the optimum solvent to sample ratio, at which hydrocarbon extraction is maximized and cell lysis minimized. A volumetric ratio of 1:2–1:5 between a formalin-fixed sediment slurry and solvent delivered highest cell counts. Extraction efficiency was around 30–50% and was checked on both oily samples spiked with known amounts of E. coli cells and oil-free samples amended with fresh and biodegraded oil. The method provided reproducible results on samples containing very different kinds of oils with regard to their degree of biodegradation. For strongly biodegraded oil MeOH turned out to be the most appropriate solvent, whereas for less biodegraded samples n-hexane delivered best results.
Overexpression of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor in mouse pancreas results in fibrosis and epithelial metaplasia.

BACKGROUND & AIMS Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is expressed in both normal pancreatic islets and in pancreatic cancers, but its role in pancreatic physiology and disease is not known. This report examines the effects of HB-EGF overexpression in mouse pancreas. METHODS Transgenic mice were established using a tissue-specific promoter to express an HB-EGF complementary DNA in pancreatic beta cells, effectively elevating HB-EGF protein 3-fold over endogenous levels. RESULTS Mice overexpressing HB-EGF in pancreatic islets showed both endocrine and exocrine pancreatic defects. Initially, islets from transgenic mice failed to segregate alpha, beta, delta, and PP cells appropriately within islets, and had impaired separation from ducts and acini. Increased stroma was detected within transgenic islets, expanding with age to cause fibrosis of both endocrine and exocrine compartments. In addition to these structural abnormalities, subsets of transgenic mice developed profound hyperglycemia and/or proliferation of metaplastic ductal epithelium. Both conditions were associated with severe stromal expansion, suggesting a role for islet/stromal interaction in the onset of the pancreatic disease initiated by HB-EGF. Supporting this conclusion, primary mouse fibroblasts adhered to transgenic islets when the 2 tissues were cocultured in vitro, but did not interact with nontransgenic islets. CONCLUSIONS An elevation in HB-EGF protein in pancreatic islets led to altered interactions among islet cells and among islets, stromal tissues, and ductal epithelium. Many of the observed phenotypes appeared to involve altered cell adhesion. These data support a role for islet factors in the development of both endocrine and exocrine disease.
The Key to Classroom Management

A comprehensive literature review by Wang, Haertel, and Walberg (1993) amply demonstrates the importance of effective classroom management. These researchers analyzed 86 chapters from annual research reviews, 44 handbook chapters, 20 government and commissioned reports, and 11 journal articles to produce a list of 228 variables affecting student achievement. They combined the results of these analyses with the findings from 134 separate meta-analyses. Of all the variables, classroom management had the largest effect on student achievement. This makes intuitive sense— students cannot learn in a chaotic, poorly managed classroom.
Comparison between potential risk factors for cardiovascular disease in people living with HIV/AIDS in areas of Brazil.

INTRODUCTION Coronary heart disease and its risk factors depend on genetic characteristics, behaviors, and habits, all of which vary in different regions. The use of antiretroviral therapy (ARV) has increased the survival of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), who begin to present mortality indicators similar to the general population. This study aimed to compare the prevalence of factors potentially associated with coronary heart disease in three cohorts of PLWHA from three different regions of Brazil. METHODOLOGY The study population was composed of participants of the cohorts of Pernambuco, Goiás, and Rio Grande do Sul states. In these sites, adult patients attending reference centers for treatment of HIV/AIDS were consecutively enrolled. RESULTS Pernambuco and Goiás had a higher proportion of males and of individuals with high-risk high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Pernambuco also had a greater proportion of individuals with hypertension, elevated triglycerides, and CD4 counts below 200 cells/mm(3). Lower education was more frequent in Rio Grande do Sul, and the use of cocaine was higher in this state. CONCLUSIONS The results confirm the importance of risk factors for coronary heart disease in PLHIV and highlight differences in the three cohorts. Specific measures against smoking and sedentary lifestyle, avoidance of advanced stages of immunosuppression, and appropriate treatment of dyslipidemia and dysglicemia are urgently needed to cope with the disease in Brazil.
Near field focused microstrip arrays for gate access control systems

Preliminary results on the performance of near field focused planar microstrip arrays working at 1.8 GHz have been shown, with reference to an 8×8 array with linear and circular polarization. Contour plots for the field at 1.5 m from the antenna aperture have been provided. Experimental results will be shown at the conference. To reduce cost production, future prototypes will be made of four 40×40cm2 identical printed panels, connected by a suitable coaxial-cable feeding network. Finally, work is in progress to extend the research activity to systems operating at 2.4 GHz and down to 900 MHz.
Medial septal modulation of the ascending brainstem hippocampal synchronizing pathways in the anesthetized rat

Independent and combined electrical stimulation pairings of the medial septum (MS), posterior hypothalamus (PH), and reticular pontine oralis (RPO) of the brainstem were performed in the acute urethane anesthetized rat, while recording field activity from electrodes in either the stratum oriens or stratum moleculare of the hippocampal formation. Theta frequency and power were measured during independent stimulation of each nuclei and during combined stimulation using three pairings: (1) MS–PH (2) MS–RPO and (3) PH–RPO. Each pairing consisted of parameters known to elicit theta of a high frequency for one nucleus, and parameters known to elicit a low frequency for the second nucleus. This methodology allowed us to observe whether one nucleus preferentially modulated theta activity in the hippocampus in terms of frequency and power. The MS was observed to reset theta frequency in both the upward and downward direction when stimulated in combination with either the PH (Experiment 1) or the RPO (Experiment 2). In Experiment 3 (PH–RPO), the structure receiving the higher intensity stimulation had the predominate effect on theta frequency. With MS stimulation combinations, the power of the elicited theta activity was found to increase over the independent stimulation in some cases during Experiment 1. Likewise, in Experiment 2, the combined stimulation produced a power that in most cases was significantly greater than that measured during the independent stimulations. This effect was not observed with PH and RPO stimulation combinations. The combined stimulation of the PH and RPO yielded a power similar to the independent PH stimulations. The findings support the following conclusions: (1) the major theta generating activity of the ascending brainstem synchronizing pathways involves projections from the RPO to the PH, relayed through the MS, to the hippocampal formation; and (2) that the MS directly controls theta amplitude and secondarily translates the level of ascending brainstem activity into the appropriate frequency of hippocampal theta. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A Modeling of a Dynamically Reconfigurable Processor Using SystemC

Recently, dynamically reconfigurable processors (DRPs) have been proposed. In this paper, we describe a model of a DRP using a dynamic module library (DML), which we have developed for the modeling of general-purpose dynamically reconfigurable systems. The DML is an extended SystemC library and enables the modeling of the dynamic generation and elimination of modules, ports and channels and the dynamic connection and dispatch between port and channel. Using the DML, we can model the DRP naturally. The architecture of the proposed DRP is based on an MlPS-type architecture and supports the instructions, which are for the dynamically reconfigurable operational units and for their generation and elimination. We describe the proposed DRP model and its evaluation results.
Identification of a forebrain motor programming network for the learned song of zebra finches

The stereotyped delivery of sequences of vocalizations by singing zebra finches is thought to be mediated by a “central motor program. ” We hypothesized that electrically stimulating, and thus perturbing, the neural components of this motor program during singing should alter the subsequent singing pattern. In contrast, perturbing the activity of other neurons in the song motor pathway that do not participate directly in generating the song temporal pattern should not affect the singing pattern. We found that unilaterally stimulating the forebrain area RA of singing birds with chronically implanted electrodes distorted ongoing syllables without changing the order or timing of ensuing syllables. However, stimulating forebrain area HVc, which projects directly to RA, altered both ongoing syllables and the ensuing song pattern. These findings indicate that syllable sequencing during singing is organized in forebrain areas above RA (including HVc) and that the resulting pattern is imposed on lower structures of the motor pathway. Furthermore, the observation that unilateral forebrain perturbation was sufficient to alter the pattern of this bilaterally organized behavior suggests that (non-auditory) feedback pathways to the forebrain exist to coordinate the two hemispheres during singing. We suggest that the study of the motor control system for birdsong has provided the most direct evidence to date for localizing the programming of a skilled motor sequence to the telencephalon.
Wide area Persistent Scatterer Interferometry: Current developments, algorithms and examples

In recent years, Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) [1], [2] has been widely used for scientific applications and has developed into an operational and commercially rewarding remote sensing technology. Now, ESA's upcoming Sentinel-1 mission allows a continuous, repeated without gap and global mapping of the Earth's surface based on Terrain Observation by Progressive Scans (TOPS). The idea at ESA is to also extend PSI processing to such large coverages, mapping countries and continents. This will support users in subsidence monitoring of volcanic and seismogenic areas, of costal lowland, of landslides in mountainous areas and of mining and ground water regulation on a small scale. For this reason, a wide area product (WAP) for PSI monitoring has been developed at DLR. The paper has three specific objectives. The first objective is to list and describe the updated algorithms. In this context, we illustrate the improvement with respective processing examples. Our second objective is to explain the characteristics of the WAP. The last objective is to provide WAP processing results for seismogenic areas. The test cases of Greece and of Turkey demonstrate WAPs potential, its applicability and use.
Depression and 18-month prognosis after myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND We previously reported that major depression in patients in the hospital after a myocardial infarction (MI) substantially increases the risk of mortality during the first 6 months. We examined the impact of depression over 18 months and present additional evidence concerning potential mechanisms linking depression and mortality. METHODS AND RESULTS Two-hundred twenty-two patients responded to a modified version of the National Institute of Mental Health Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS) for a major depressive episode at approximately 7 days after MI. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), which measures depressive symptomatology, was also completed by 218 of the patients. All patients and/or families were contacted at 18 months to determine survival status. Thirty-five patients met the modified DIS criteria for major in-hospital depression after the MI. Sixty-eight had BDI scores > or = 10, indicative of mild to moderate symptoms of depression. There were 21 deaths during the follow-up period, including 19 from cardiac causes. Seven of these deaths occurred among patients who met DIS criteria for depression, and 12 occurred among patients with elevated BDI scores. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that both the DIS (odds ratio, 3.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32 to 10.05; P = .012) and elevated BDI scores (odds ratio, 7.82; 95% CI, 2.42 to 25.26; P = .0002) were significantly related to 18-month cardiac mortality. After we controlled for the other significant multivariate predictors of mortality in the data set (previous MI, Killip class, premature ventricular contractions [PVCs] of > or = 10 per hour), the impact of the BDI score remained significant (adjusted odds ratio, 6.64; 95% CI, 1.76 to 25.09; P = .0026). In addition, the interaction of PVCs and BDI score marginally improved the model (P = .094). The interaction showed that deaths were concentrated among depressed patients with PVCs of > or = 10 per hour (odds ratio, 29.1; 95% CI, 6.97 to 122.07; P < .00001). CONCLUSIONS Depression while in the hospital after an MI is a significant predictor of 18-month post-MI cardiac mortality. Depression also significantly improves a risk-stratification model based on traditional post-MI risks, including previous MI, Killip class, and PVCs. Furthermore, the risk associated with depression is greatest among patients with > or = 10 PVCs per hour. This result is compatible with the literature suggesting an arrhythmic mechanism as the link between psychological factors and sudden cardiac death and underscores the importance of developing screening and treatment programs for post-MI depression.
Identification of the Coxiella Sp. Detected from Haemaphysalis longicornis Ticks in Korea

Two Haemaphysalis longicornis ticks were found positive in PCR assay of com‐1 gene to detect Coxiella burnetii DNA from 100 ticks. The nucleotide sequences of com‐1 and 16S rRNA gene were determined from 2 ticks and compared with those of other C. burnetii strains. The results suggest that H. longicornis harbor Coxiella sp. bacteria in Korea. Furthermore, icd, cbhE′, and cbbE′ genes are C. burnetii specific genes whereas com‐1 gene is Coxiella genus specific gene. This study gives the first documentation to prove the existence of Coxiella sp. in tick collected in Korea.
Risk Factors for Colonization With Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in a Melbourne Hospital

Abstract Objective: To determine risk factors for colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a hospital outbreak. Design: Outbreak investigation and case-control study. Setting: A referral teaching hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Participants: Cases were inpatients colonized (with or without clinical disease) with VRE between July 26 and November 28, 1998; controls were hospitalized patients without VRE. Methods: Five cases of VRE were identified between July 26 and November 8, 1998, by growth of VRE from various sites. Active case finding by cultures of rectal swabs from patients surveyed in wards was commenced on July 26, after the first isolate of VRE. Results: There were 19 cases and 66 controls. All the VRE identified were vanB, and all were Enterococcus faecium. One molecular type predominated (18/19 cases). In a logistic-regression model, being on the same ward as a VRE case was the highest risk factor (odds ratio [OR], 82; 95% confidence interval [CI95], 5.7-1,176; P=.001). Having more than five antibiotics (OR 11.9; CI95, 1.1-129.6; P<.05), use of metronidazole (OR 10.9; CI95, 1.7-69.8; P=.01), and being a medical patient (OR 8.1; CI95,1.4-47.6; P<.05) also were significant. Intensive care unit admission was associated with decreased risk (OR, 0.1; CI95, 0.01-0.8; P<.05). Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with an acute hospital outbreak. Monitoring and control of antibiotic use, particularly metronidazole, may reduce VRE in our hospital. Ongoing surveillance and staff education also are necessary.
Negativization rates of IgE radioimmunoassay and basophil activation test in immediate reactions to penicillins

Background: Skin test sensitivity in patients with immediate allergy to penicillins tends to decrease over time, but no information is available concerning in vitro tests. We analysed the negativization rates of two in vitro methods that determine specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, the basophil activation test using flow cytometry (BAT) and the radioallergosorbent test (RAST), in immediate allergic reactions to penicillins.
Structural and functional characterization of the poliovirus replication complex

Two populations of membrane-bound replication complexes were isolated from poliovirus-infected HEp-2 cells by sucrose gradient centrifugation. The two fractions show similar ultrastructural features: the replication complex is enclosed in a rosettelike shell of virus-induced vesicles and contains a very tightly packed second membrane system (compact membranes). The vesicular fraction, which bands in 30% sucrose, contains replicative intermediate (RI) and 36S RNA. The fraction banding in 45% sucrose contains only minute amounts of RI and contains mainly 36S RNA, two-thirds of which is encapsidated. In vitro, the two fractions show similar RNA synthesizing capacities and produce 36S plus-strand RNA. Dissolving the membranes within and around synthetically active replication complexes with sodium deoxycholate abolishes the completion of 36S RNA but still allows elongation in the RI. Our findings suggest an architecture of the replication complex that has the nascent plus strands on the RI enclosed in the compact membranes and the replication forks wrapped additionally in protein. Plus-strand RNA can be localized by in situ hybridization with a biotinylated riboprobe between the replication complex and the rosette of the virus-induced vesicles. It was found that the progeny RNA strands are set free soon after completion from the replication complex at the sites where the compact membranes within the replication complex are in close contact with the surrounding virus-induced vesicles.