Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal Hypoperfusion Associated with Splenorenal Shunts in Liver Cirrhosis

Purpose: To determine whether spontaneous a splenorenal shunt can be used as an imaging predictor of early renal hemodynamic changes in patients with cirrhosis. Materials and Methods: The study included 82 cirrhotic patients and 41 control subjects. Three-phase CT was performed and CT attenuation values (Hounsfield units) of the renal cortex in three phases were measured to evaluate renal perfusion. Likelihood ratio tests for trend were conducted for age, presence of ascites, and Child’s grade. Results: The mean CT attenuation values of the renal cortex in cirrhotic patients were significantly lower than the values of control subjects in three phases: 153.3 ± 37.9 versus 173.3 ±25.2 in the arterial phase, 172.6 ± 41.0 versus 197.6 ± 26.5 in the portal phase and136.9 ± 26.0 versus 152.7 ± 20.0 in the delayed phase, respectively. The mean CT attenuation value of cortices in patients with renal hypoperfusion was 119.9 ± 11.8 in the portal phase. Child’s class C (aOR: 58.4, 95% CI: 3.6- 956.2; p < 0.01) and the presence of a renal shunt (aOR: 7.5, 95% CI: 1.8- 30.5; p < 0.01) were associated with renal hypoperfusion. The incidence of renal hypoperfusion was associated with Child’s grade (trend: p < 0.01), and not with the grade of ascites or age. Conclusion: A dilated spontaneous splenorenal shunt may be a risk factor for renal hypoperfusion in cirrhosis.
Big endothelin-1 level is a useful marker for predicting the presence of isolated coronary artery ectasia

Abstract Context: Endothelin-1(ET-1) has been implicated in coronary artery disease (CAD) and may be associated with coronary artery ectasia (CAE). Objective: To clarify the relationship between big ET-1 and isolated CAE. Methods: We measured big ET-1 with ELISA in 216 patients (CAE, n = 72; CAD, n = 72; normal, n = 72) and evaluated the link with isolated CAE. Results: The level of plasma big ET-1 was significantly higher in patients with isolated CAE (p < 0.001). Big ET-1 was strongly and independently associated with CAE by multivariate analysis (OR 95%CI: 1.026 (1.018–1.034), p = 0.000). Conclusions: Big ET-1 may be a useful predictor for the presence of isolated CAE.
Discrimination of Alzheimer patients responding to cholinesterase inhibitor therapy

We have studied whether it is possible to discriminate responders to tacrine treatment from patients nonresponsive to tacrine in Alzheimer's disease. The results indicate that mildly demented patients will most likely gain a benefit of tacrine treatment. Neuropsychological tests on attention and working memory after a single dose of tacrine might be useful as well as a single dose pharmaco‐EEG in discriminating responders to treatment.
Molecular and Cellular Pathobiology Dmp 1 Physically Interacts with p 53 and Positively Regulates p 53 ' s Stability , Nuclear Localization , and Function

The transcription factor Dmp1 is a Ras/HER2-activated haplo-insufficient tumor suppressor that activates the Arf/p53 pathway of cell-cycle arrest. Recent evidence suggests that Dmp1may activate p53 independently of Arf in certain cell types. Here, we report findings supporting this concept with the definition of an Arf-independent function for Dmp1 in tumor suppression. We found that Dmp1 and p53 can interact directly in mammalian cells via the carboxyl-terminus of p53 and the DNA-binding domain of Dmp1. Expression of Dmp1 antagonized ubiquitination of p53 by Mdm2 and promoted nuclear localization of p53. Dmp1–p53 binding significantly increased the level of p53, independent of the DNA-binding activity of Dmp1. Mechanistically, p53 target genes were activated synergistically by the coexpression of Dmp1 and p53 in p53 / ;Arf / cells, and genotoxic responses of these genes were hampered more dramatically in Dmp1 / and p53 / cells than in Arf / cells. Together, our findings identify a robust newmechanism of p53 activationmediated by direct physical interaction between Dmp1 and p53. Cancer Res; 72(7); 1–11. 2012 AACR.
Screening of Highly Expressed Mycobacterial Genes Identifies Rv3615c as a Useful Differential Diagnostic Antigen for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Complex

ABSTRACT Tuberculous infections caused by mycobacteria, especially tuberculosis of humans and cattle, are important both clinically and economically. Human populations can be vaccinated with Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG), and control measures for cattle involving vaccination are now being actively considered. However, diagnostic tests based on tuberculin cannot distinguish between genuine infection and vaccination with BCG. Therefore, identification of differential diagnostic antigens capable of making this distinction is required, and until now sequence-based approaches have been predominant. Here we explored the link between antigenicity and mRNA expression level, as well as the possibility that we may be able to detect differential antigens by analyzing quantified global transcriptional profiles. We generated a list of 14 candidate antigens that are highly expressed in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and M. bovis under a variety of growth conditions. These candidates were screened in M. bovis-infected and naïve cattle for the ability to stimulate a gamma interferon (IFN-γ) response. We identified one antigen, Rv3615c, which stimulated IFN-γ responses in a significant proportion of M. bovis-infected cattle (11 of 30 cattle [37%] [P < 0.01]) but not in naïve or BCG-vaccinated animals. Importantly, the same antigen stimulated IFN-γ responses in a significant proportion of infected cattle that did not respond to the well-characterized mycobacterial antigens ESAT-6 and CFP-10. Therefore, use of the Rv3615c epitope in combination with previously described differential tests based on ESAT-6 and CFP-10 has the potential to significantly increase diagnostic sensitivity without reducing specificity in BCG-vaccinated populations.
The Hematopoietic Cytokines: An Overview

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) are powerful new pharmacologic agents that stimulate the growth of hematopoietic cells. The formation, maturation, and functional activity of neutrophilic granulocytes and monocyte-macrophages is controlled by four ofthese CSFs (granulocyte-macrophage CSF [GM-CSF], granulocyte CSF [G-CSF], macrophage CSF [M-CSF], and interleukin-3 [IL-3]). These CSFs have now been purified, complementary DNAs (cDNAs) for each isolated and biologically active recombinant CSF produced using a variety of expression systems. More recently, cDNAs for each of the unique CSF membrane receptors have been cloned (1-3). When injected in vivo, recombinant CSFs are able
Successful lumbar puncture with Taylor's approach for the diagnostic workup of meningitis in a patient with Ankylosing spondylitis

Meningitis and encephalitis are the neurological emergencies. As the clinical findings lack specificity, once suspected, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis should be performed and parenteral antimicrobials should be administered without delay. Lumbar puncture can be technically challenging in patients with ankylosing spondylitis due to ossification of ligaments and obliteration of interspinous spaces. Here, we present a case of ankylosing spondylitis where attempts for lumbar puncture by conventional approach failed. CSF sample was successfully obtained by Taylor's approach.
A versatile hand grip design for concise arm and hand rehabilitation robot for stroke patients

The number of stroke patients in Thailand has been increasing over 28,000 people annually. Most stroke patients have a problem on motion functional movement, resulting in serious disability and directly affecting to daily living ability. Rehabilitation for improving motion functional movements for post-stroke patients is therefore highly required. This paper subsequently presents a unique design of a hand grip which is compatible to concise arm and hand rehabilitation robot for post-stroke patients. Most rehabilitation robots have focused on mechanics of robot body and grip stick, but this work alternatively focuses on the design of a new stable gripper as a robot end, which provides full function for training of arm and hand muscles. The design covers a controllable hand stick, a hand ball, and a curvature part for complete exercise. The use of self-rehabilitation also embeds some sensors connecting to smart phones or tablets. Such complements motivate patients to increase repetition of movements with the record outcomes and feedback. The design of cost-effective 3-Dimentional to be implemented will also be introduced.
Comparative antibacterial activity of an arylglycyl oral cephalosporin, LY164846

LY164846 is a semisynthetic arylglycyl cephalosporin which can be absorbed orally. It had in vitro activity comparable to that of cefaclor against beta-hemolytic streptococcal species and was two- to fourfold more active than cephalexin. Enterococci and Listeria species were resistant, and its activity against staphylococci was similar to that of other oral cephalosporins. Although some Bacteroides species were inhibited, the MICs for 25% were greater than or equal to 16 micrograms/ml. LY164846 was hydrolyzed by Staphylococcus aureus beta-lactamase and by cephalosporinases, but it was more stable than cefaclor.
Validation and application of an instrument for measuring patient relatives' perception of quality of geriatric care.

OBJECTIVE To test and validate a questionnaire concerning patient relatives' perception of the quality of geriatric care. DESIGN Three anonymous questionnaire studies. SETTINGS A community-based geriatric care organization and a university hospital in Sweden. STUDY PARTICIPANTS Three hundred and eighteen relatives of patients within the geriatric care organization and 38 relatives of patients at the university hospital. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES A questionnaire composed of eight quality of care indices and an overall quality rating. Reliability and validity estimates were compared between the results from the three surveys. RESULTS Internal reliability estimates for all indices were >0.65 and consistent over time. Inter-index correlations were >0.60 between certain indices, indicating some overlap. Second order factor analysis resulted in three distinct index groupings: personnel, relative's role, and care content. These three dimensions summarize relatives' perceptions of the quality of geriatric care. CONCLUSIONS There is a need for a confidential patient relatives' questionnaire in geriatric care. The results revealed good questionnaire reliability and validity. The questionnaire needs to be tested in larger, independent samples in order to validate the indices further.
Chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Epidemiology, treatment and barriers of management in non type 1 genotypes infection

Chronic Hepatitis C (HCV) infection occurs in more than 130 to 150 million individuals world wide. Twenty percent of patients chronically infected with HCV progress to cirrhosis. Other than cirrhosis, Chronic HCV infection is strongly associated with liver cancer and end-stage liver disease requiring transplantation. However, as with the approval of the fisrt generation protease inhibitors telaprevir and boceprevir, we see significant progress in the treatment of chronic hepatitis c infection. however this has benefited many but not all patients with HCV infection as protease inhibitors have never been approved for genotype 2 and 3. No direct acting antiviral agents have ever been approved until recently. Very recently sofosbuvir, a direct acting antiviral agent which is a nucleotide polymerase inhibitor, has been approved for genotypes 2, 3, (and genotypes 1 and 4), where as multiple direct acting agents are approved and used for genotype 1 which includes but is not limited to Simeprevir. Now patients with genotype 3 have emerged among the hardest to treat. The reason behind this treatment failure of genotype 3 infections is that genotype 3 still remains a challenge to the efficacy of even newer regimen Also genotype 3 is associated with a more rapid progression of the disease. In addition, genotype 4 is increasing in Europe. Thus we want to emphasize the ongoing need for new, simpler therapeutics using direct –acting antivirals that target various stages of the HCV lifecycle to eradicate HCV without concomitant INF.
Good People Management Practices

The adapt ability through innovation has been one of the factors for companies to reposition themselves in the market. They are turning their eyes to people management, with the intention that the relationship between employees and company is exchange, in addition to established processes of innovation. Thus, if the employees provide the delivery of competence, the other is promoted to satisfaction by delivery. Therefore, the article aims to identify the contributions of People Management in the Innovation Process. For this, a systematic search was made in the Web of Science (WoS) database. In the end, it was pointed out that studies that deal with the relationship between innovation and people management are still recent and scarce, but the strategic people management importance is recognized to maintain the human potential balance, of organizational knowledge.
Return on the Letter of Guarantee: Issues and New Proposals in Structuring the Product

The paper aims at discussing the issues surrounding earning of return on Letters of Guarantee (LG) issued under kafālah by Islamic banks and to propose alternative ways of structuring it by sharī‘ah compliant Islamic banks. The paper proposes structuring LG as a service contract under wakālah or as a reputation-based partnership. Letter of guarantee can be issued as a service contract and the Islamic Bank can charge service fees commensurate with the direct and indirect costs of issuing the cover. The paper further proposed that an Islamic Bank and a client (prospective guaranteed) can set up a reputation-based partnership for an underlining project where the Islamic Bank contributes through the issuance of the LG with profit sharing agreed upon and losses borne proportionate to capital contribution. The paper contributes to Islamic bank practice in the financial intermediation role by providing an instrument for such banks to meet unique needs of their clients with financial solutions fulfilling the dual needs of financial intermediation and sharī‘ah compliance.
THE INFLUENCE OF LEADERSHIP, RESOURCES AND ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ON BIM ADOPTION

Building Information Modelling (BIM) affects the construction processes and at the forefront of digital innovation. BIM allegedly carries benefits for better collaboration and less cost. BIM attracts the attention of numerous large and small firms that update their strategies to embrace this digital shift. However, construction firms face challenges to BIM adoption. There is a close relationship between BIM adoption efficiency and enterprise strategy, which is a key BIM adoption driver. After studying three Dutch and one Finnish firms to understand their BIM adoption history and strategies; enablers and barriers for business model innovation due to BIM were observed. Drawing upon empirical data and organisational, and innovation theories, this paper discusses points for BIM business model innovation. First, leadership commitment was decisive for attaining BIM adoption goals. Second, small firms did better than large firms in BIM adoption, as they met their financial goals and growth with less risk. Third, flexible organisational structures were resilient to meeting BIM changes. The study outlines implications for policy-makers and enterprises who have or plan to adopt BIM and adds to the knowledge base of BIM innovation adoption.
Attention and cognition in bradykinetic‐rigid syndromes: An event‐related potential study

Bradykinetic‐rigid syndromes are often accompanied by cognitive impairment. Because prominent motor involvement in these disorders may interfere with neuropsychological testing, we used event‐related potentials (ERPs) for the assessment of cognition and attention in 41 patients with various bradykinetic‐rigid syndromes of less than 5 years duration: idiopathic Parkinson's disease corticobasal degeneration, Steele‐Richardson‐Olszewski syndrome (SRO), and multiple system atrophy. Patients were compared with matched normals. ERP abnormalities in the auditory “oddball” paradigm were found only in corticobasal degeneration and SRO. ERP abnormalities in selective attention tasks were present in all patient groups, changes in SRO being the most prevalent. Abnormalities in corticobasal degeneration were present under “less‐attention‐demanding” conditions and suggested involvement of posterior parts of the brain. Multiple system atrophy and idiopathic Parkinson's disease patient groups had minimal ERP abnormalities. However, reaction times in MSA were longer in all paradigms. The results of the study support the view that bradykinetic‐rigid syndromes involve some attentional deficits, but also have distinct reaction time and ERP characteristics, which may be helpful in differential diagnosis.
Projections from the Ventral Tegmental Area to the Olfactory Tubercle in the Rat

The projection between the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the olfactory tubercle (OT) was examined electrophysiologically in the rat. Stimulation of the olfactory bulb (OB) determined if the OT neurons were olfactory-related. Ipsilateral VTA stimulation produced a change in neuronal activity in 77% of the neurons tested, with 41% being inhibited, 24% excited, and 12% had mixed response. Contralateral VTA stimulation produced changes in only 38%. Intravenous administration of haloperidol was used in examination of the role of dopamine in this neural connection. The results suggest that the VTA-induced inhibitory response on OT neurons is mediated by dopamine, whereas excitatory responses are not. The VTA inhibitory influence projects primarily to olfactory-related neurons, since 60% of olfactory-related OT neurons were inhibited—as compared to 34% of non-olfactory-related neurons. This study documents electrophysiologically the VTA-OT connection and suggests that the dopaminergic input may modulate olfactory information projected to the OT from the OB. It also supports the concept that the OT acts as an integration center in central olfactory processing.
Retail revenue management: applying data-driven analytics to the merchandise line of business

Recent advances in data collection technology and computing power yield opportunities to apply robust analytical methods to retail. Additional profitability can be obtained by leveraging data-mining techniques and optimization models to decisions that have heretofore been based heavily on experiential understanding. Scientific methods can be applied to the revenue-driving areas of merchandise such as assortment, pricing, placement, and promotion to obtain further insight and make more precise decisions.
GTAPINGAMS, version 9: Multiregional and small open economy models with alternative demand systems

This paper describes the implementation in GAMS of an economic equilibrium model based on the GTAP version 9 dataset. We call this model and the ancillary programming tools GTAPINGAMS, version 9. Relative to previous installments of GTAPINGAMS, an innovation in this model is that it can easily switch between global multiregional (GMR) and small open economy (SOE) closures. We also include the possibility to evaluate results for alternatives representations of final demand, based on Cobb-Douglas preferences, linear expenditure system or the constant difference in elasticities function. In this paper we outline the model structure, document the associated equilibrium conditions and describe computer programs which calibrate the model to the desired regional and sectoral aggregation from the GTAP9 dataset. We perform a few calculations which illustrate how alternative structural assumptions influence the policy conclusions derived from the model.
Incorporating proximity information for relevance language modeling in speech recognition

Language modeling (LM), aiming to provide a statistical mechanism to associate quantitative scores to sequences of words, has long been an interesting yet challenging problem in the field of speech and language processing. Although the n - gram model remains the predominant one, a number of disparate LM methods have been developed to complement the n -gram model. Among them, relevance modeling (RM) that explores the relevance information inherent between the search history and an upcoming word has shown preliminary promise for dynamic language model adaptation. This paper continues this general line of research in two significant aspects. First, the so-called “ bag-of-word s” assumption of RM is relaxed by incorporating word proximity evidence into the RM formulation. Second, latent topic information is additionally explored in the hope to further enhance the proximity-based RM framework. A series of experiments conducted on a large vocabulary continuous speech recognition (LVCSR) task seem to demonstrate that the various language models deduced from our framework are very comparable to existing language models
CTMS-SIOT: A context-based trust management system for the social Internet of Things

The social internet of things (SIOT) is a thriving research field that emerged after the integration of social networking concepts in the internet of things. It resulted in the appearance of new and more powerful applications. Indeed, trust management system (TMS) has been considered as an effective security mechanism in the Internet of things. Thus, many research works have been carried to propose trust evaluation and trust prediction methods. In the traditional trust management system, historical behavior data are taken into account to predict the trust value of the network entity, while the context of the network entity is rarely considered. The novelty of our approach can be summed up in three aspects: i) designing a highly scalable trust model, ii) the ability of the system to provide the most trustworthy service provider which takes into account the dynamic aspect of the internet of things, such as context, the capacity object and the social relationship between objects, iii) and the application of decision tree to analyze first the relationship between the different components of the network and the object behavior, and to improve then the decision making.
La interpretación pianística como creación científica

El trabajo del Piano Contemporaneo es tan controvertido como variado. Por esa razon, se hace necesaria la revision de sus planteamientos y su posterior aplicacion, tanto en la interpretacion como en su ensenanza, no con el afan de suponer caduca la percepcion clasica de estos conceptos, sino con el proposito de aportar una nueva mirada evolutiva a su estetica e interpretacion, variada y cambiante. Asi, nos encontramos que es una consecuencia mas de las multiples esteticas que rigen en el s. XX y s. XXI. Por consiguiente, la mirada cientifica sobre la interpretacion pianistica circula desde los ultimos albores del s. XIX, y aun continua su camino, no exento de dificultades. Por eso en este articulo se recogen los postulados de pianistas y musicos en general que iniciaron y consolidaron cambios en la creacion interpretativa.