Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Intravenous contrast echocardiography after myocardial infarction: relationship among residual myocardial perfusion, contractile reserve and long-term remodelling

Objective Previous studies have shown the potential role played by intracoronary myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) in predicting long-term remodelling and function after myocardial infarction (MI). Scanty data, however, are available on the role of intravenous MCE in this regard. The aim of this study was to assess the role of residual myocardial blood volume in the asynergic region in modulating ventricular volume changes over time post-MI. Methods Thirty-two consecutive patients with anterior MI were studied predischarge using low-dose dobutamine echocardiography (Dob) and intravenous triggered MCE. Videointensity plots were generated from the apical approach and fitted exponentially. Volumes were assessed at baseline, during Dob and at 8 months. Results Baseline volumes, which appeared related to the extent of the asynergic region (P < 0.01) but showed no relation with videointensity in that area, did not change at follow-up, although Dob had elicited significant contractile reserve. However, videointensity in the asynergic region showed a significant interaction (P = 0.044) with the change in diastolic volume over time, with patients with the highest videointensity reverting remodelling (n = 11, from 69 ± 16 to 65 ± 16 ml/m2) as compared with the remaining population (n = 21, from 68 ± 16 to 73 ± 21 ml/m2). This was not seen when Dob-derived parameters were used. Multivariate analysis ranked videointensity second (P = 0.066), after baseline stroke volume (P = 0.005), in predicting changes in volumes over time. Conclusions Unlike inotropic reserve, residual myocardial blood volume in the dysfunctioning muscle, as assessed by predischarge quantitative intravenous MCE, has the potential to modulate remodelling in patients who suffered an anterior MI.
Immunological aspects of inhibitor development

Summary. The development of inhibitor antibodies is perhaps the most serious complication of coagulation factor replacement therapy. A complex interaction of several variables leads to inhibitor formation in congenital haemophilia, while acquired haemophilia represents a failure of the immune tolerance mechanisms that regulate a normal immune response to factor VIII (FVIII). The immune response to FVIII is dependent upon the interaction of different CD4+ T‐cell subsets (Th1, Th2 and Th3) specific for FVIII. Failure to activate regulatory CD4+ cells likely plays a crucial role in the development of FVIII inhibitors. Although the basic mechanisms of the immune response to FVIII in the setting of factor replacement therapy are being elucidated, a clear understanding of the relevance of these mechanisms in the context of successful immune tolerance therapy and ultimately gene therapy, awaits further study.
Pore-forming properties of the major 53-kilodalton surface antigen from the outer sheath of Treponema denticola

A 53-kDa protein from the outer sheath of the oral spirochete Treponema denticola was purified to homogeneity and shown to reconstitute channels in black lipid bilayer model membranes. The channel had a single-channel conductance of 1.8 nS in 0.1 M KCl, making this the largest porin channel observed to date (estimated diameter, 3.4 nm). Electron micrographs of 53-kDa-protein-containing outer sheaths of T. denticola showed a regular hexagonal array of darker staining pits.
AML lacking evidence for neurofibromatosis inactivation in patients with pediatric TALL NF 1 Leukemia-associated

Kaspers, Rob Pieters, C. Michel Zwaan, Marry M. Van den Heuvel-Eibrink and Jules P. P. Meijerink N. R. Terlouw-Kromosoeto, Elisabeth R. van Wering, Dirk Reinhardt, Martin Horstmann, Gertjan J. L. Brian V. Balgobind, Pieter Van Vlierberghe, Ans M. W. van den Ouweland, H. Berna Beverloo, Joan and AML lacking evidence for neurofibromatosis inactivation in patients with pediatric T-ALL NF1 Leukemia-associated
4H-SiC PIN Diode as High Temperature Multifunction Sensor

An in-house fabricated 4H-SiC PIN diode that has both optical sensing and temperature sensing functions from room temperature (RT) to 550 °C is presented. The two sensing functions can be simply converted from one to the other by switching the bias voltage on the diode. The optical responsivity of the diode at 365 nm is 31.8 mA/W at 550 °C. The temperature sensitivity of the diode is 2.7 mV/°C at the forward current of 1 μA.
Getting a charge out of dark matter.

We consider the possibility that dark matter is in the form of charged massive particles. Several constraints are discussed: (a) the absence of heavy-hydrogen-like atoms in water; (b) the agreement between the observed cosmic abundance of the elements and standard big-bang nucleosynthesis predictions; (c) the observed properties of galaxies, stars, and planets; (d) their nonobservation in {gamma}-ray and cosmic-ray detectors, and the lack of radiation damage to space-borne electronic components. We find that integer-charged particles less massive than 10{sup 3} TeV are probably ruled out as dark matter; but note briefly that there is a slim chance they could be blown out of the halo by supernovae. Above this mass the freeze-out abundance of these particles would overclose the Universe; thus their discovery would be evidence for inflation (or other late-time entropy dumping) below {ital m}{sub ch}. We indicate where one should consider looking for charged massive dark matter.
Xist Yeast Artificial Chromosome Transgenes Function as X-Inactivation Centers Only in Multicopy Arrays and Not as Single Copies

ABSTRACT X-chromosome inactivation in female mammals is controlled by the X-inactivation center (Xic). This locus is required for inactivation incis and is thought to be involved in the counting process which ensures that only a single X chromosome remains active per diploid cell. The Xist gene maps to the Xic region and has been shown to be essential for inactivation in cis. Transgenesis represents a stringent test for defining the minimal region that can carry out the functions attributed to the Xic. Although YAC and cosmid Xist-containing transgenes have previously been reported to be capable of cis inactivation and counting, the transgenes were all present as multicopy arrays and it was unclear to what extent individual copies are functional. Using two different yeast artificial chromosomes (YACs), we have found that single-copy transgenes, unlike multicopy arrays, can induce neither inactivation in cis nor counting. These results demonstrate that despite their large size and the presence of Xist, the YACs that we have tested lack sequences critical for autonomous function with respect to X inactivation.
The translation of preschoolers’ physical activity guidelines into a daily step count target

Abstract This study aimed at translating the physical activity (PA) guideline (180 min of total PA per day) into a step count target in preschoolers. 535 Flemish preschoolers (mean age: 4.41 ± 0.58) wore an ActiGraph accelerometer (GT1M, GT3X and GT3X+) – with activated step count function – for four consecutive days. The step count target was calculated from the accelerometer output using a regression equation, applying four different cut-points for light-to-vigorous PA: Pate, Evenson, Reilly, and Van Cauwenberghe. The present analysis showed that 180 min of total PA per day is equivalent to the following step count targets: 5,274 steps/day using the Pate cut-point, 4,653 steps/day using the Evenson cut-point, 11,379 steps/day using the Reilly cut-point and 13,326 steps/day using the Van Cauwenberghe cut-point. Future studies should focus on achieving consensus on which cut-points to use in preschoolers before a definite step count target in preschoolers can be proposed. Until then, we propose to use a provisional step count target of 11,500 steps/day as this step count target is attainable, realistic and helpful in promoting preschoolers’ PA.
An Experimental Benchmark for Point Set Coarse Matching

Coarse Matching of point clouds is a fundamental problem in a variety of computer vision applications. While many algorithms have been developed in recent years to address its different aspects, the lack of unified measures and commonly agreed upon data hampers algorithm performances comparison. Additionally, a large number of contributions are tested only with synthetic or processed data. This is a problem as the resulting scenario is somewhat less challenging and does not always conform to practical application conditions. In this paper, we present a new, publicly available database that aims at overcoming the existing problems, provide researchers with a useful tool to compare new contributions to existing ones and represent a step towards standardization. The database contains both processed and unprocessed data with attention to specially challenging datasets. It also includes information on correct solution, presence of noise, overlap percentages and additional information that will allow researchers to focus only on specific parts of the matching pipeline.
INFLUENCE OF IMMUNOSUPRESSION ON NERVE REGENERATION USING ALLOGRAFTS : AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON RATS

INTRODUCTION Surgical therapy in patients with peripheral nerve injuries has not presented changes over the last decades, especially due to the use of autologous grafts, to the development of intraoperative magnification, and to the proven deleterious effects of tension at neural repair site. Despite all the advancements achieved, functional repair results are still imperfect. In addition, the collection of donor nerves produces a new neurological sequel. In extensive defects or in several nerves’ defects on a same patient, there may not be enough autologous donor nerve to fill that neural failure. With the increasing understanding capacity and with the manipulation of the immune system, autologous grafts have been proposed as an alternative method in peripheral nerve reconstructions. Cyclosporin has been widely employed in organ transplantations in association with other drugs, allowing a significant morbidity reduction when compared to early immunosuppression methods(1). The use of cyclosporin in the transplantation of non-vital organs such as skin, nerve, muscles and ends has been reported in literature(2-5). Cyclosporin’s mechanism of action in nerve regeneration remains controversial(6-9). And, thus, cyclosporin has been replaced by the drug FK-506 in several nerve allografting protocols(10). A study series showed a more favorable regeneration in small peripheral neural allografts with the FK-506 when compared to cyclosporin in experimental models with rats(11,12). Recently, new strategies in peripheral nerves bioengineering have emerged, combined with cyclosporin, to induce tolerance and to enhance transplanted cells’ viability(13,14). In experimental models, nerve regeneration is being evaluated, especially by means of computer-based methods, although conventional morphometric assessments continue to be used in liver evaluations as well as in other pathologies(2,5,6,15). The use of conventional morphometric models seems to be logical for the assessment of nervous regeneration, particularly in countries where more sophisticated technologies are not easily available. The purpose of the present article – an experimental study using nerve allografts on rats – is to assess neural regeneration as a morphometric planimetry technique by scoring in nerve allografts with and without immunosuppression. INFLUENCE OF IMMUNOSUPRESSION ON NERVE REGENERATION USING ALLOGRAFTS: AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON RATS
Efficacy of oral brush biopsy in potentially malignant disorder management

BACKGROUND Oral potentially malignant disorders (PMD) harbour unpredictable risk for squamous cell carcinoma development. Current management requires tissue biopsy for histopathology characterisation, dysplasia grading and targeted intervention to "high-risk" lesions, although evidence-based guidelines are limited and diagnoses subjective. This study investigated the use of adjunctive oral brush biopsy techniques during the management of PMD in a UK hospital population. METHODS Retrospective review of a 310 PMD patient cohort presenting to Maxillofacial Surgery in Newcastle upon Tyne with new, single-site lesions between December 2009 and May 2014. Patients underwent Orcellex® brush biopsy and liquid-based cytology examination in addition to conventional biopsy techniques, with management proceeding along established care pathways. Patient demographics, cytology data, most significant histopathology diagnoses and clinical outcome were all documented at the study census date (31.12.15). RESULTS A total of 170 male & 140 female patients (age range 18-91 years), exhibiting primarily leukoplakia (86.5%) at floor of mouth and ventrolateral tongue sites (44.9%), were identified. Management comprised: observation (49.7%), laser surgery (44.9%), antifungal treatment (3.5%) and Head & Neck clinic referral following cancer diagnosis (1.9%). Clinical outcomes were as follows: disease free (51.3%), persistent PMD (42.3%) and malignant transformation (6.4%). Histology and cytology diagnoses strongly correlated (r = .305). Treatment modality, lesion site, histology and cytology diagnoses were the best predictors of clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS Orcellex® brush cytology provides reliable diagnoses consistent with conventional histopathology and offers less invasive, adjunctive assessment appropriate for long-term monitoring of patients in specialist clinics.
Influence of competition on performance and pacing during cycling exercise.

PURPOSE The study's purpose was to examine the influence of head-to-head (HH) competition on performance, pacing strategy, and bioenergetics during a 2000-m cycling task. METHODS Fourteen participants completed three 2000-m familiarization time trials (TTs) on a Velotron cycle ergometer, before completing an additional TT and a 2000-m simulated HH competition in a counterbalanced order. During the trials, a computer-generated image of the participants completing the 2000-m course was projected onto a screen positioned in front of the participants. Although participants believed they were competing against another individual during the HH competition, they were in fact competing against their best familiarization performance (FAM), replayed on the screen by the Velotron software. RESULTS Performance was significantly faster in HH than in FAM or TT (184.6 ± 6.2, 187.7 ± 8.2, and 188.3 ± 9.5 s, respectively). Pacing profile in HH initially matched the FAM performance but was better maintained from 1000 m until the end of exercise. The higher power output during the latter part of the test was achieved by a greater anaerobic energy contribution, whereas the aerobic energy yield remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS HH competition encourages participants to increase their performance. This occurs primarily via an increased anaerobic energy yield, which seems to be centrally mediated, and is consistent with the concept of a physiologic reserve.
Individual Correlates of Health Service Utilization and the Cost of Poor Adjustment to Chronic Illness

It was conjectured that a small group of chronically ill in tertiary ambulatory clinics consume a large amount of health resources and that, from the perspective of the patient, psychosocial rather than disease variables would most explain their health service utilization and subsequent cost. New referrals with a chronic illness (N = 215) to one of three clinics (oncology, rheumatology, and gastroenterology) consented to participate in a subsequent trial of a psychosocial intervention designed to promote their adjustment to illness and, conceivably, to reduce their health service utilization. At baseline an inventory to describe the disease, treatment, functional capacity, prognosis, and socioeconomic situation of consenting subjects was completed. In addition, subjects completed the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Inventory (PAIS-SR), the Family Assessment Device (FAD), the Meaning of Illness Questionnaire (MIQ), and a Health Service Utilization Inventory designed to assess direct and indirect costs of health resources. These data were entered into a concurrent analytic survey design. Participating subjects represented a more socioeconomically advantaged and better-adjusted group of chronically ill patients compared with others referred to the tertiary clinics. They were representative of all new referrals in their use of the majority of health services. However, once hospitalized, participating subjects stayed longer and used specialists less. There was no important relationship between disease severity or prognosis and any type of service utilization, including hospitalization. Because the strongest correlate of all types of health services consumed was psychosocial adjustment to illness (r = 0.28 to 0.33), patients were partitioned into one of three categories of adjustment to illness: good, fair, and poor. The total annual cost per patient was $23,883, if poorly adjusted, compared with $9,791 if well adjusted. If cash transfers (benefits paid by different types of insurance) are added, the average 1987 annual cost per poorly adjusted subject was $31,291 per patient, compared with $13,771 for a patient well adjusted to the illness. There was a statistically significant and economically important linear gradient in 1987 treatment costs per category of adjustment. The possible economic implications for psychosocial intervention are highlighted.
NOrmalized MAgnetization Ratio (NOMAR) filtering for creation of tissue selective contrast maps

An MRI segmentation technique based on collecting two additional saturation transfer images is proposed as an aid for improved detection of chemical exchange saturation transfer agents. In this approach, the additional images are acquired at saturation frequencies of −12.5 and −50 ppm. Use of the ratio of these images allows differentiation of voxels with low magnetization transfer contrast (such as fat, cerebrospinal fluid, edema, or blood) from target tissue voxels using a global threshold determined by histogram analysis. We demonstrate that this technique can reduce artifacts, in vitro, in a phantom containing tubes with chemical exchange saturation transfer contrast agent embedded in either crosslinked bovine serum albumin or buffer, and in vivo for detecting diamagnetic CEST (DIACEST) liposomes injected into mice. Magn Reson Med, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Meta-synthesis on the Effects of Combining Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback and Positive Emotion on Workplace Performance

Heart Rate Variability (HRV) can be used to measure vagal tone which provides insight into the flexibility of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). A flexible ANS is optimal for both physical and psychological well-being. This study is a meta-synthesis of research to-date, using a systematic review methodology, on self-regulation interventions in the workplace that are based on a combination of HRV bio-feedback and the self-generation of positive emotion. The effects of these workplace self-regulation interventions are physiological, psychological and organisational. At the physiological level they can have a beneficial impact on the following factors: blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, DHEA, cortisol and HRV. At a psychological level they decrease negative affect and increase positive affect. They impacted organisational performance through improvement in: organizational quality, cognitive performance, ability to manage stressful transitions and reduced costs.
Spatial Modeling of Wetland Condition in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region

Summary. We propose a spatial modeling framework for wetland data produced from a remote‐sensing‐based waterfowl habitat survey conducted in the U.S. Prairie Pothole Region (PPR). The data produced from this survey consist of the area containing water on many thousands of wetland basins (i.e., prairie potholes). We propose a two‐state model containing wet and dry states. This model provides a concise description of wet probability, i.e., the probability that a basin contains water, and the amount of water contained in wet basins. The two model components are spatially linked through a common latent effect, which is assumed to be spatially correlated. Model fitting and prediction is carried out using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The model primarily facilitates mapping of habitat conditions, which is useful in varied monitoring and assessment capacities. More importantly, the predictive capability of the model provides a rigorous statistical framework for directing management and conservation activities by enabling characterization of habitat structure at any point on the landscape.
Increased postprandial GIP and glucagon responses, but unaltered GLP-1 response after intervention with steroid hormone, relative physical inactivity, and high-calorie diet in healthy subjects.

OBJECTIVE Increased postprandial glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon responses and reduced postprandial glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) responses have been observed in some patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The causality of these pathophysiological traits is unknown. We aimed to determine the impact of insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance on postprandial GIP, GLP-1, and glucagon responses in healthy subjects. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A 4-h 2200 KJ-liquid meal test was performed in 10 healthy Caucasian males without family history of diabetes [age, 24 ± 3 yr (mean ± sd); body mass index, 24 ± 2 kg/m(2); fasting plasma glucose, 4.9 ± 0.3 mm; hemoglobin A(1)c, 5.4 ± 0.1%] before and after intervention using high-calorie diet, relative physical inactivity, and administration of prednisolone (37.5 mg/d) for 12 d. RESULTS The intervention resulted in insulin resistance according to the homeostatic model assessment [1.1 ± 0.3 vs. 2.3 (mean ± SEM) ± 1.3; P = 0.02] and increased postprandial glucose excursions [area under curve (AUC), 51 ± 28 vs. 161 ± 32 mm · 4 h; P = 0.045], fasting plasma insulin (36 ± 3 vs. 61 ± 6 pm; P = 0.02), and postprandial insulin responses (AUC, 22 ± 6 vs. 43 ± 13 nm · 4 h; P = 0.03). This disruption of glucose homeostasis had no impact on postprandial GLP-1 responses (AUC, 1.5 ± 0.7 vs. 2.0 ± 0.5 nm · 4 h; P = 0.56), but resulted in exaggerated postprandial GIP (6.2 ± 1.0 vs. 10.0 ± 1.3 nm · 4 h; P = 0.003) and glucagon responses (1.6 ± 1.5 vs. 2.4 ± 3.2; P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that increased postprandial GIP and glucagon responses may occur as a consequence of insulin resistance and/or reduced glucose tolerance. Our data suggest that acute disruption of glucose homeostasis does not result in reduced postprandial GLP-1 responses as observed in some individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Influence of APOE genotype and the presence of Alzheimer's pathology on synaptic membrane lipids of human brains

The APOE genotype is the major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, it remains unclarified how the ε4 allele accelerates whereas the ε2 allele suppresses AD development, compared with the more common ε3 allele. On the basis of the previous finding that the assembly of the amyloid‐β protein (Aβ) into fibrils in the brain, an early and invariable pathological feature of AD, depends on the lipid environment, we determined the levels of synaptic membrane lipids in aged individuals of different APOE genotypes. In the comparison between amyloid‐free ε2/ε3 and ε3/ε3 brains, the presence of the ε2 allele significantly decreased the level of cholesterol. Alternatively, in the comparison among ε3/ε3 brains, the presence of AD pathology substantially decreased the levels of cholesterol. This study suggests that the ε2 allele suppresses the initiation of AD development by lowering the cholesterol levels in synaptic membranes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.