Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Homogeneity in Pattern of Decline of β-Cell Function in IDDM: Prospective study of 204 consecutive cases followed for 7.4 yr

OBJECTIVE To study the natural history of β-cell function from onset of IDDM to expected deterioration of insulin (C-peptide) secretion and to identify different patterns of decline, if any. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A cohort of 204 consecutive newly diagnosed IDDM (clinical criteria) patients were followed prospectively for 7.4 yr (range 6–9 yr), measuring fasting C-peptide at onset, 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and then every 6 mo until 106 wk (range 104–135 wk). Then, postprandial C-peptide was measured. RESULTS Fasting C-peptide was 0.17 nM (range 0.11–0.25 nM) at onset followed by an annual increase rate of 0.16 nM/yr (range 0.06–0.48 nM/yr) to a peak of 0.28 nM (range 0.23–0.34 nM/yr) after 25 wk (range 12–39 wk). The subsequent annual decline rate of fasting C-peptide was 0.08 (0.05–0.12) and of postprandial C-peptide 0.03 nM/yr (range 0.02–0.06 nM/yr). None of these parameters showed bimodality in their distribution. However, some parameters were important. In men, fasting C-peptide at onset was lower, but the initial C-peptide increase rate was more pronounced compared to women. Furthermore, insulin-free remission was related to higher C-peptide levels throughout the study. C-peptide was higher during the 1st yr of diabetes in subjects > 30 yr of age at onset compared with younger diabetic patients. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that age, male sex, and fasting C-peptide at onset were of some predictive value for the C-peptide levels at 5 yr. However, simple group comparisons revealed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS No major heterogeneity exists in the pattern of decline of β-cell function in IDDM, although small differences in pattern could be identified in both sexes, in different age-groups, and in relation to achieving insulin-free remission.
Intraoperative Open-Cavity Implant for Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation Using High-Dose Rate Multicatheter Brachytherapy in Japanese Breast Cancer Patients: A Single-Institution Registry Study *#

Background: Previous research has compared the efficacies of accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) and wholebreast irradiation (WBI). APBI immediately after surgery may provide more benefit after intraoperative insertion of catheters. Although balloon catheter-based APBI is available in the US, it is difficult in Japanese women, who have relatively small breasts. With the applicators being implanted during tumor removal, APBI can be started immediately after surgery. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of APBI using the intraoperative open-cavity implant technique. Method: Patients (age≥40 years) with invasive breast cancer (diameter≤3 cm) were enrolled. Before lumpectomy, the insertion of applicators and delivery doses were simulated by computed tomography (CT). After confirmation of free margins and negative sentinel nodes (SNs) using frozen section analysis, applicators were inserted. Postoperative CT-based dose distribution analysis was performed using dose-volume histograms. APBI was started on the day of surgery, delivering 32 Gy in 8 fractions over the following 5-6 days, and it covered a distance of 2 cm from tumor margins. This observational study was approved by the institutional review board of our hospital. Results: From October 2008 to July 2012, 157 women (160 lesions) were enrolled (age 55.0 years, <40:9, SN+: 25, for patients’ request). The mean number of applicators used was 6.4 (2-15) and mean planning target volume was 35.8 cm3 (6.5-137.1 cm3). All radiotherapy-related toxicities were mild. However, 12 patients (7.5%) experienced wound breakdown because of surgical site infection. Two patients developed ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (1 marginal, 1 at a distant site). Conclusions: Despite the small number of participants and a short follow-up period, our results suggest that this technique could be helpful in establishing clinical safety and efficacy.
Intravitreal use of bone marrow mononuclear fraction containing CD34+ stem cells in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration

Purpose To evaluate the therapeutic potential and safety of intravitreal injections of bone marrow mononuclear fraction (BMMF) containing CD34+ cells in patients with atrophic age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Ten patients with atrophic AMD and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in the worse-seeing eye of ≤20/100 were enrolled in this study. The bone marrow from all patients was aspirated and processed for mononuclear cell separation. A 0.1 mL suspension of BMMF CD34+ cells was injected into the vitreous cavity of the worse-seeing eye. Patients were evaluated at Baseline and 1,3,6,9 and 12 months after injection. Ophthalmic evaluation included BCVA measurement, microperimetry, infrared imaging, fundus autofluorescence and SD-optical coherence tomography at all study visits. Fluorescein angiography was performed at Baseline and at 6 and 12 months after intravitreal therapy. Results All patients completed the 6-month follow-up, and six completed the 12-month follow-up. Prior to the injection, mean BCVA was 1.18 logMAR (20/320−1), ranging from 20/125 to 20/640−2, and improved significantly at every follow-up visit, including the 12-month one, when BCVA was 1.0 logMAR (20/200) (P<0.05). Mean sensitivity threshold also improved significantly at 6, 9 and 12 months after treatment (P<0.05). Considering the area of atrophy identified by fundus autofluorescence, significant mean BCVA and mean sensitivity threshold improvement were observed in patients with the smallest areas of atrophy. Fluorescein angiography did not identify choroidal new vessels or tumor growth. Conclusion The use of intravitreal BMMF injections in patients with AMD is safe and is associated with significant improvement in BCVA and macular sensitivity threshold. Patients with small areas of atrophy have a better response. The paracrine effect of CD34+ cells may explain the functional improvement observed; however, larger series of patients are necessary to confirm these preliminary findings.
EFFECTS OF HIP FLEXOR TRAINING ON SPRINT, SHUTTLE RUN, AND VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE

Although hip flexion is integral in sports, hip flexion exercises are seldom emphasized in strength and conditioning for sports performance. This study aimed to determine whether a hip flexor resistance-training program could improve performance on a variety of tasks. Thirteen men and 11 women completed an 8-week hip flexion resistance-training program. Eleven men and 13 women served as controls. Isometric hip flexion strength, 40-yd dash time and the time for the first 10-yds, 4 × 5.8-m shuttle run time, and vertical jump height were evaluated at the beginning and end of the training and control period. Improvements were observed in the training group but not in the control group. Individuals in the training group improved hip flexion strength by 12.2% and decreased their 40-yd and shuttle run times by 3.8% and 9.0%, respectively. An increase in hip flexion strength can help to improve sprint and agility performance for physically active, untrained individuals.
Education, age, and the cumulative advantage in health.

The positive association between educational attainment and health is well established, but the way in which the education-based gap in health varies with age is not. Do the health advantages of high educational attainment and disadvantages of low educational attainment diverge or converge with age? The cumulative advantage perspective predicts a diverging SES gap in health with age, but past evidence does not allow us to accept or reject the hypothesis. We address this issue in two samples, cross-sectionally and over time, with three health measures. The first data set consists of a 1990 telephone interview of a national probability sample of U.S. households. There are 2,031 respondents, aged 18 to 90. The second is a national probability sample of U.S. households in which 2,436 respondents aged 20 to 64 were interviewed by telephone in 1979 and reinterviewed in 1980. We find that the gap in self-reported health, in physical functioning, and in physical well-being among people with high and low educational attainment increases with age. The health advantage of the well educated is larger in older age groups than in younger. Health advantages of high income and disadvantages of low income also diverge with age, but household income does not explain education's positive effect.
Reduced cerebral blood flow in older men with higher levels of blood pressure

Objective To examine relations of blood pressure (BP) with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-derived estimates of cerebral blood flow in older men and women. Methods Seventy-four stroke and dementia-free, community-dwelling older adults (ages 54–83 years; 68% men; 91% white) free of major medical, neurological, or psychiatric disease, engaged in clinical assessment of resting SBP and DBP, MRI rated for brain atrophy, and brain single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies with computerized coding of cortical and select subcortical regions of interest. Results Given significant interactions of BP and sex with respect to multiple SPECT outcomes, sex-stratified multiple regression models were computed. Models were adjusted for age, fasting glucose levels, antihypertensive medication, BMI, and MRI ratings of brain atrophy. In men (n = 50), higher levels of SBP and/or DBP were associated significantly with lower estimates of cerebral perfusion in the right and left frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital cortex, thalamus, head of caudate, and cingulate cortex accounting for up to 28% of the variance in these measures (P < 0.05). In women (n = 24), higher DBP was related marginally to higher levels of perfusion in the right temporal cortex (P = 0.05). Conclusion Higher resting SBP or DBP was associated with lower levels of cerebral perfusion in otherwise healthy older men, but not women, in the present sample. Reduced cerebral blood flow may play a pathogenic role in increasing risk for stroke, dementia, and/or cognitive decline, particularly among older men with high BP.
Performance Analysis of Parallel Algorithms

In this paper, we provide a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the performance of parallel algorithms on modern multi-core hardware. We attempt to show a comparative study of the performances of algorithms (traditionally perceived as sequential in nature) in a parallel environment, using the Message Passing Interface (MPI) based on Amdahl’s Law. First, we study sorting algorithms. Sorting is a fundamental problem in computer science, and one where there is a limit on the efficiency of algorithms that exist. In theory it contains a large amount of parallelism and should not be difficult to accelerate sorting of very large datasets on modern architectures. Unfortunately, most serial sorting algorithms do not lend themselves to easy parallelization, especially in a distributed memory system such as we might use with MPI. While initial results show a promising speedup for sorting algorithms, owing to inter-process communication latency, we see an slower run-time, overall with increased number of processors.
Effects of Exogenous Fatty Acid Concentration on Glucagon-induced Changes in Hepatic Fatty Acid Metabolism

Studies were conducted to clarify the relationship between the external fatty acid concentration and glucagon in the regulation of hepatic fatty acid metabolism. Hepatocytes from fed rats were incubated with increasing concentrations of oleate (up to 1 mM) in the presence and absence of glucagon and the time sequence of changes in cellular malonyl-CoA levels, fatty acid synthesis, fatty acid oxidation, and ketogenesis were measured. At low concentrations of fatty acid the effect of glucagon was to abolish malonyl-CoA synthesis and lipogenesis and to produce a marked stimulation of fatty acid oxidation and keto-genesis. Similar effects were obtained with high concentrations of fatty acid in the absence of glucagon and, under these conditions, the additional presence of the hormone produced little further response. The results are consistent with the concept that the rate of fatty acid oxidation in liver is dictated largely by the relative concentrations of long-chain acyl-COA (substrate for carnitine acyltransferase I) and malonyl-CoA (inhibitor of the transferase). They also indicate that the preemptive effect of fatty acids on glucagon-induced changes in fatty acid metabolism stems from their ability to reduce the tissue malonyl-CoA content, probably through long-chain acyl-CoA suppression of acetyl-COA carboxylase.
Alteration in Facial Shape in the Anencephalic Human Foetus

Tracings were produced from frontal radiographs of 11 anencephalic foetuses. These were compared analytically with standards derived from 60 normal foetuses. The anencephalics showed a marked reduction in the relative size of the cranium with considerable flattening of the calvarium, which is characteristic of the condition. The orbits were more medially placed, being closer together and somewhat higher in position than the normal foetal outline. The right and left mandible were more elongated with an increase in the intermaxillary space. The condyles were more medially positioned and were closer to the orbits than in the normal outlines. In normal growth, expansion of the brain flattens the cranial base, displacing the nasomaxillary segment forwards In anencephally this does not happen so that the nasomaxillary segment rotates in an antero-inferior postero-superior direction along with the intermaxillary space and mandible. This produces a significant lengthening of the face accompanied by narrowing in the region of the cranial base relative to the normal outline.
Establishment in continuous culture of a new type of lymphocyte from a “burkitt‐like” malignant lymphoma (line d.g.‐75)

The isolation and establishment in vitro of a hitherto undescribed type of lymphocyte designated D.G. ‐75 is reported. The original inoculum was derived from the pleural effusion of a child with a primary abdominal lymphoma, which clinically and histologically resembled Burkitt's lymphoma. In addition to the absence of the EBV genome and EBV receptors, this line possesses a number of other properties which distinguish it from previously described lymphoblastoid cell lines. It has different growth characteristics and morphology; does not form EAC or E rosettes (representative of B and T cell surface markers, respectively); possesses IgM‐kappa immunoglobulins on the cell surface (B lymphocyte), has an unusually high cap‐forming ability and low agglutinability with fluorescent concanavalin A. One homologue of the No. 14 chromosome pair possesses extra chromatin material as revealed on chromosome banding. This abnormal chromosome marker is similar to that described in biopsies and cultured tumor cells from patients with African Burkitt's lymphoma.
Coping when pain is a potential threat: The efficacy of acceptance versus cognitive distraction

This experiment investigated the impact of brief training in acceptance versus distraction‐based pain management on experimental pain tolerance in conditions of lower and higher potential threats. One hundred fifty‐one pain‐free Chinese adults (93 women, 58 men) randomly assigned to acceptance, distraction or pain education control conditions engaged in a cold pressor test (CPT) after reading validated orienting information designed to prime either the safety of the CPT (lower threat) or symptoms and damaging effects of exposure to extreme cold (higher threat). A 2 (threat level) × 3 (training strategy) analysis of covariance, controlling for pre‐intervention pain tolerance and education, indicated the acceptance group was more pain tolerant than other training groups. This main effect was qualified by an interaction with threat level: in the lower threat condition, acceptance group participants were more pain tolerant than peers in the distraction or pain education groups while no training group differences were found in the higher threat condition. Supplementary analyses identified catastrophizing as a partial mediator of training group differences in pain tolerance. In summary, findings suggested acceptance‐based coping is superior to distraction as a means of managing experimental pain, particularly when pain sensations are viewed as comparatively low in potential threat.
Aneuploidy in germ cells: Disruption of chromosome mover components

The task of the Workgroup on “Disruption of Chromosome Mover Components” was to establish what cellular structures are involved in chromosome segregation and how disruption of these could occur. Recent research on the mechanism of action of the cellular components that segregate chromosomes accurately during mitosis or meiosis has served to highlight the number of potential targets for disruption. The process of chromosome segregation represents an orchestrated chain of events centered on the activities of cellular motors, kinesins and dyneins. These motors are involved in arranging chromosomes at the metaphase plate, providing the spindle tension necessary for progression, and the actual segregation of the chromosomes to the poles. The Workgroup determined that there is a lack of information on the effects of chemical exposure to cell motors and other chromosome mover components, and that there is a clear need for further research. This article describes the discussions of the Workgroup and highlights areas of future research into chromosome movement, particularly in human meiotic and mitotic cells. The Workgroup emphasized that obtaining mechanistic data on the induction of aneuploidy will allow for extrapolation of the dose response curves for chemical exposures below the level of observation and for using aneuploidy data for quantitative risk assessment for adverse health effects. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A qualitative and quantitative study of rete ovarii development in the fetal rat: Correlation with the onset of meiosis and follicle cell appearance

Development of the rete ovarii and its contribution to the cells of the ovary were examined in fetal rats. Histochemical and autoradiographic techniques were used for the observations between days 15 and 21 of gestation. The data presented indicate that the rete system contributes somatic cells to the ovary before birth.
Phylogeny and S1 Gene Variation of Infectious Bronchitis Virus Detected in Broilers and Layers in Turkey

SUMMARY The avian coronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (AvCoV-IBV) is recognized as an important global pathogen because new variants are a continuous threat to the poultry industry worldwide. This study investigates the genetic origin and diversity of AvCoV-IBV by analysis of the S1 sequence derived from 49 broiler flocks and 14 layer flocks in different regions of Turkey. AvCoV-IBV RNA was detected in 41 (83.6%) broiler flocks and nine (64.2%) of the layer flocks by TaqMan real-time RT-PCR. In addition, AvCoV-IBV RNA was detected in the tracheas 27/30 (90%), lungs 31/49 (62.2%), caecal tonsils 7/22 (31.8%), and kidneys 4/49 (8.1%) of broiler flocks examined. Pathologic lesions, hemorrhages, and mononuclear infiltrations were predominantly observed in tracheas and to a lesser extent in the lungs and a few in kidneys. A phylogenetic tree based on partial S1 sequences of the detected AvCoV-IBVs (including isolates) revealed that 1) viruses detected in five broiler flocks were similar to the IBV vaccines Ma5, H120, M41; 2) viruses detected in 24 broiler flocks were similar to those previously reported from Turkey and to Israel variant-2 strains; 3) viruses detected in seven layer flocks were different from those found in any of the broiler flocks but similar to viruses previously reported from Iran, India, and China (similar to Israel variant-1 and 4/91 serotypes); and 4) that the AVCoV-IBV, Israeli variant-2 strain, found to be circulating in Turkey appears to be undergoing molecular evolution. In conclusion, genetically different AvCoV-IBV strains, including vaccine-like strains, based on their partial S1 sequence, are circulating in broiler and layer chicken flocks in Turkey and the Israeli variant-2 strain is undergoing evolution.
Cdx2 as a Marker of Epithelial Intestinal Differentiation in the Esophagus

The histologic diagnosis of Barrett's esophagus requires the presence of goblet cells, but this finding may not be the earliest indicator of intestinal metaplasia. We used immunohistochemistry to detect Cdx2, a transcriptional regulator important in the early differentiation and maintenance of intestinal epithelium, in 134 esophageal biopsy or resection specimens, including 62 with junctional-type epithelium (13 of which had equivocal histologic features of Barrett's epithelium), 34 with Barrett's epithelium without dysplasia, and 38 with Barrett's epithelium and dysplasia or carcinoma (13 low-grade dysplasias, 19 high-grade dysplasias, and 6 adenocarcinomas). We also performed PAS-alcian blue staining (pH 2.5) on adjacent sections. Cdx2 was observed in all cases of Barrett's epithelium. In some dysplasias (chiefly high-grade) and adenocarcinomas, there was diminution or focal loss of detectable protein. Cdx2 was detected in 20 of 62 cases (30%) of junctional-type epithelium, including 10 of 13 (77%) with equivocal histologic features of Barrett's epithelium. Acid mucin was present in goblet cells and non-goblet columnar cells in all cases of Barrett's esophagus and in non-goblet columnar cells in 48 of 62 cases (77%) with junctional-type epithelium only, including 17 of 20 (85%) that were Cdx2 positive and 31 of 42 (74%) that were Cdx2 negative. These results provide evidence that Cdx2 protein is a sensitive marker of intestinal metaplasia in the upper gastrointestinal tract and may be useful in detecting histologically equivocal cases of Barrett's esophagus. Cdx2 is present in dysplasia and adenocarcinoma, with some loss of protein primarily in high-grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Acid mucin in non-goblet columnar cells is a common feature of Barrett's and junctional-type epithelium and may not always be indicative of intestinal metaplasia.
Possibility of an inverse cascade of magnetic helicity in magnetohydrodynamic turbulence

Some of the consequences of the conservation of magnetic helicity $\int \rm{a.b}\it{d}^{\rm{3}}\rm{r\qquad (a\; =\; vector\; potential\; of\; magnetic\; field\; b)}$ for incompressible three-dimensional turbulent MHD flows are investigated. Absolute equilibrium spectra for inviscid infinitely conducting flows truncated at lower and upper wavenumbers kmin and kmax are obtained. When the total magnetic helicity approaches an upper limit given by the total energy (kinetic plus magnetic) divided by kmin, the spectra of magnetic energy and helicity are strongly peaked near kmin; in addition, when the cross-correlations between the velocity and magnetic fields are small, the magnetic energy density near kmin greatly exceeds the kinetic energy density. Several arguments are presented in favour of the existence of inverse cascades of magnetic helicity towards small wavenumbers leading to the generation of large-scale magnetic energy.
Positive or Negative? Migrant Workers' Self Selection Revisited

Disclosed is a shoulder-mounted camera support adapted to cameras of many sizes and types and providing a convenient and comfortable carrier that frees the using person's hands for control, etc. The support includes a saddle configured to fit downwardly over the shoulder of the using person and having mounted on its upper part a camera-supporting platform. A lower rear part of the saddle has connected thereto a strap having a terminal end for receiving a belt to encircle the user's waist and add to the stability of the structure. A flexible element is arranged in such manner as to extend around the user's neck to function as a tether that retains the support against complete separation from the user in the event of an accident or the like tending to dislodge the support from the person.