Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Who should be tested for thrombophilia?

No general consensus exists in the medical profession as to which patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and which family members should be tested for thrombophilias. At least five guidelines or consensus statements exist, some of them outdated.1–5 They vary markedly in their recommendations as to who should be tested and who should not, suggesting very limited testing,5 widespread testing,3 or some intermediate level.1,2 The goal of the Evaluation of Genomic Applications in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) Working Group to create a document providing evidence-based guidance whether one should test patients with unprovoked VTE and their family members for Factor V Leiden and the prothrombin 20210G A mutation is, therefore, laudable.6 However, thrombophilia testing remains a complex issue, difficult to condense in a short clear guideline. There are two valid reasons for the clinician to consider undertaking a thrombophilia workup in a patient with unprovoked (also referred to as idiopathic or spontaneous) VTE. First, if identification of a thrombophilia would lead to the recommendation to continue anticoagulation, whereas absence of a thrombophilia would lead to the recommendation to discontinue anticoagulation after the initial 3–6 months of treatment. Second, if identification of a thrombophilia in the VTE patient would lead to testing for the same thrombophilia in first-degree relatives, and different treatment decisions in these relatives would result if they also had the thrombophilia.
The importance of the serologically detectable histocompatibility antigens in the induction and effector step of cell‐mediated lysis

The induction and effector steps of T cell‐mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) have been studied using a mouse tumor cell line and its variant, which is deficient in serologically defined (SD) H‐2 antigens. In allogeneic mice the SD+ cell line induces CMC, while the SD− cell line does not. However, both cell lines can be lysed by xenogeneic rat lymphocytes. Antiserum specific for rat T cells was used to demonstrate that CMC of both targets is partially due to T cells. In allogeneic or syngeneic mouse systems the SD− cells coupled with the 2,4,6‐trinitrophenyl (TNP) residue can neither induce CMC nor serve as targets for CMC, while TNP‐coupled SD+ cells can serve both as immunogen and as targets. Thus allogeneic or syngeneic mouse T cells do not interact with the TNP group on targets lacking H‐2 SD antigens. However, mouse T killer cells sensitized to TNP‐coupled cells may lyse TNP‐coupled targets carrying different H‐2 haplotypes. These experiments show that the induction and effector steps of CMC executed by mouse T cells, using TNP‐coupled cells as immunogen or targets, need not necessarily demonstrate restriction with regard to a certain genetically defined H‐2 haplotype. The presence of cell surface H‐2 SD antigens is, however, absolutely necessary for the induction and effector steps of CMC by mouse T cells. Using cold target inhibition assays, it was not possible to demonstrate recognition of the TNP moiety on TNP‐coupled SD+ cells.
Association between Air Temperature and Acute Myocardial Infarction Hospitalizations in Tehran, Iran: A Time-Stratified CaseCrossover

Background: Although the effect of temperature on the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been extensively documented, no study has previously investigated the association between temperature and AMI in the Middle Eastern countries. Objective: To examine the association between daily mean temperature and AMI admission rates in Tehran, Iran. Methods: Data on daily number of admissions of patients with AMI to Tehran hospitals between March 21, 2013 and March 19, 2016, were retrieved from the Iranian Myocardial Infarction Registry (IMIR). Over the same period, data on daily mean temperature and relative humidity were measured at Mehrabad International Airport weather station of the Islamic Republic of Iran Meteorological Organization. Time-stratified case-crossover design was employed to investigate the short-term association between the daily mean temperature and the number of daily admissions of patients with AMI, after adjusting for public holidays, relative humidity, and air pollution. Results: An interquartile range (IQR) increase in daily mean temperature was associated with 15.1% (95% CI 1.3 to 30.8%) and 13% (95% CI 1.9% to 25.4%) increase in the risk of AMI hospitalizations during the entire year, and in the warm months of the year, respectively. There were no significant associations between IQR increase in the two-day cumulative average up to the six-day cumulative average of the daily mean temperature and AMI during the entire year, and warm or cold months of the year. Conclusion: An increase in temperature would increase the rate of AMI hospitalization.
Specification of the germ cell lineage in mice: A process orchestrated by the PR-domain proteins, Blimp1 and Prdm14

Germ cell specification in mice, which generates primordial germ cells (PGCs), the common source of the oocytes and spermatozoa, from the epiblast, integrates three key events: repression of the somatic program, re-acquisition of potential pluripotency, and genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming. A PR-domain containing protein, Blimp1 (also known as Prdm1), has been identified as a critical factor for PGC specification. Using a highly representative single-cell microarray technology, we identified a complex but highly ordered genome-wide transcription dynamics associated with PGC specification. This analysis not only demonstrated a dominant role of Blimp1 for the repression of the genes normally down-regulated in PGCs relative to their somatic neighbors, but also revealed the presence of gene expression programs initiating independently from Blimp1. Among such programs, we identified Prdm14, another PR-domain containing protein, as a key regulator for the re-acquisition of potential pluripotency and genome-wide epigenetic reprogramming. The launch of the germ cell lineage in mice, therefore, is orchestrated by two independently acquired, PR domain-containing transcriptional regulators, Blimp1 and Prdm14.
What is the best pre‐operative risk stratification tool for major adverse cardiac events following elective vascular surgery? A prospective observational cohort study evaluating pre‐operative myocardial ischaemia monitoring and biomarker analysis

Although brain natriuretic peptide has been shown to be superior to the revised cardiac risk index for risk stratification of vascular surgical patients, it remains unknown whether it is superior to alternative dynamic risk predictors, such as other pre‐operative biomarkers (C‐reactive protein and troponins) or myocardial ischaemia monitoring. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the relative clinical utility of these risk predictors for the prediction of postoperative cardiac events in elective vascular surgical patients. Only pre‐operative troponin elevation (OR 56.8, 95% CI 6.5–496.0, p < 0.001) and brain natriuretic peptide above the optimal discriminatory point (OR 6.0, 95% CI 2.7–12.9, p < 0.001) were independently associated with cardiac events. Both brain natriuretic peptide and troponin risk stratification significantly improved overall net reclassification (74.6% (95% CI 51.6%–97.5%) and 38.5% (95% CI 22.4–54.6%, respectively)); however, troponin stratification decreased the correct classification of patients with cardiac complications (−59%, p < 0.001). Pre‐operative brain natriuretic peptide evaluation was the only clinically useful predictor of postoperative cardiac complications.
Multiple Lenders, Temporary Debt Restructuring, and Firm Performance: Evidence from Contract-Level Data

This paper empirically examines the cause and consequence of private debt restructurings out of court. Using unique contract-level data accounting for Japanese bank loans, we employ probit and multinomial logit estimations to study how demand and approval of debt restructuring are determined, as well as under what conditions one specific form of debt restructuring--temporary debt restructuring--is utilized. The results of our estimations show, first, that the demand of debt restructuring is systematically associated with firm characteristics and the relation-specific characteristics. Second, debt restructurings are more likely to take a "temporary" form when the number of lender banks is larger. Using propensity score matching difference-in-difference estimation, we further find that the performance of firms experiencing temporary debt restructuring significantly deteriorates in comparison with that of firms experiencing non-temporary debt restructuring. Furthermore, such pattern is more likely to be observed when lender banks have weaker balance sheet conditions. These results imply that temporary debt restructuring during our sample period was mainly used as de facto evergreening lending, which ended up deteriorating borrower creditworthiness.
Whole exome sequencing reveals a mutation in ARMC9 as a cause of mental retardation, ptosis, and polydactyly

Intellectual disability (ID) refers to deficits in mental abilities, social behavior, and motor skills to perform activities of daily living as compared to peers. Numerous genetic and environmental factors may be responsible for ID. We report on elucidation of molecular basis for syndromic ID associated with ptosis, polydactyly, and MRI features suggestive of Joubert syndrome using homozygosity mapping followed by exome sequencing. The analysis revealed a novel synonymous variation p.T293T (c.879G>A) which leads to a splicing defect in ARMC9 gene. The variant is present in conserved region of ARM domain of ARMC9 protein, which is predicted to form a platform for protein interaction. This domain is likely to be altered in patient due to splicing defect caused by this synonymous variation. Our report of variant in ARMC9 Leading to Joubert syndrome phenotype (JS30), elucidates the genetic heterogeneity of Joubert syndrome, and expands the gene list for ciliopathies.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN KNOWLEDGE ASSETS AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT

Knowledge assets represent the fount of an organization’s competences and capabilities that are deemed essential for its growth, competitive advantage and human development. The aim of this research is to define, within the context of Turkish firms in the both the manufacturing and services industries, what constitutes a knowledge asset, and to identify any perceived links and influence between knowledge assets and strategic management. To achieve this, a survey based on the questionnaire developed by Paul James (2005) was conducted. The research revealed important insights regarding the perception and mindset of Turkish managers. The most important knowledge assets were determined as experienced people, ability to learn, know-how, information technology, human skills, social relations and networks, on-line journals and databases, intellectual property rights, registered designs, web content, copyrights, organizational procedures. However, regression analysis found that only experienced people, learning ability, know-how, information technology and human skills as knowledge assets have significant relationship and effect on organizational strategy development.
Help‐seeking behaviour for sexual problems: the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors

The Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (GSSAB) investigated various aspects of sex and relationships among 27,500 men and women aged 40–80 years. Here, we report help‐seeking behaviours for sexual problems in this population. A questionnaire was administered using the accepted survey method in each country. Although almost half of all sexually active respondents had experienced at least one sexual problem, less than 19% of them (18.0% of men and 18.8% of women) had attempted to seek medical help for their problem(s). The most frequent action taken by men and women was to talk to their partner (39%). Only 9% of men and women had been asked about their sexual health by a doctor in a routine visit during the past 3 years. Although sexual problems are highly prevalent, few men and women seek medical help for these problems. Overall, men and women show similar help‐seeking behaviours.
Regional distribution of red cells, plasma and blood volume in the intestinal wall of the cat.

The distribution of red cells, plasma and blood volume in the wall of the small intestine and in the colon was determined by means of 51Cr-labelled red cells and 125I-labelled serum albumin. It was demonstrated that the submucosal tissue layer was the most vascularized. Assuming a total blood content in the intestinal and colonic wall of 5 ml blood/100 g tissue, the regional blood content in the submucosa could be calculated to 10–20 ml/100 g tissue, while the blood content of the mucosa and muscularis amounted to approximately 3 ml/100 g.
A COMPARISON OF FOOT‐SWITCH AND EMG ANALYSIS OF VARUS DEFORMITIES OF THE FEET OF CHILDREN WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

Fifty‐one children with cerebral palsy who were candidates for surgery for equinovarus deformities of the foot had their gait evaluated by means of foot‐switches and electromiography to determine the contribution of the anterior tibialis and posterior tibialis muscles to the deformity. Seven EMG patterns and five foot‐switch patterns were identified, but there was no correlation between the EMG and foot‐switch patterns. Foot‐switch data alone could not identify the deforming muscles or their patterns, so are not adequate for planning surgical correction of varus feet of children with cerebral palsy.
Genetic polymorphisms of 15 STR loci in Chinese Hui population.

The blood samples were obtained from 100 unrelated individuals of Chinese Hui population living in Ningxia province with known ancestor until at least the third generations. Genomic DNA was extracted using the Chelex-100 protocol as described by Walsh et al. (1). 15 STRs loci were co-amplified by using the AmpFLSTR Identifiler kit following the amplification conditions recommended by the manufacturer. All loci were amplified in GeneAmp PCR System 9700 (PE Applied Biosystem). Detection and genotyping of all PCR products were accomplished using ABI3100 DNA Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystem). Allele designation was done using GeneScan3.7 and Genotyper3.7. Evaluation of Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium expectations was carried out using the exact test and further statistical parameters of forensic interest were determined by using Arlequin version1.1 (2).
Effect of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) on Survival of Random Extension of Axial Pattern Skin Flaps in the Rat

Current evidence suggests that neovascularization is mediated by a wide range of angiogenic growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) appears to be one of the most important angiogenic factors in vivo. The aim of this project was to evaluate the efficacy of VEGF in augmentation of blood supply to skin flaps. Epigastric skin flaps were raised in 16 Sprague-Dawley male rats. In group A (N = 8), 5 μg of VEGF was injected into the epigastric artery after flap elevation. In the control, group B (N = 8), the artery was injected with saline. On the seventh day, the rats were photographed and the digital images were analyzed using imaging software (Image-Pro Plus 1.2). The blood flow in the flaps was measured with a percutaneous laser Doppler probe at specific locations. Histological studies of the flaps were done. Results showed that the mean percentage surviving flap area was 71.9% in group A and 53.7% in the control group, which is statistically significant (p < 0.001). Histological examination revealed increased density of the capillaries in the flaps treated with VEGF when compared to the control group. We believe the increase in skin survival is due to angiogenesis induced by the VEGF.
Validation of a Neighborhood SES Index in a Managed Care Organization

Background/Objective:Neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), beyond individual SES, has been associated with health behaviors and outcomes. We constructed a neighborhood SES index using readily available US Census variables and studied associations of the index with self-reported education, formal education, and neighborhood residential characteristics among adult enrollees of a managed care organization (MCO). Methods:A neighborhood SES index was constructed for MCO enrollees using a principal components analysis of 7 Census measures of their residential tracts or block groups. Quartiles of resulting neighborhood SES scores were matched with self-reported education, household income, and neighborhood residential characteristics obtained on 3 surveys of MCO adults ranging in age from 18 to 99. Cross-tabulations of neighborhood SES with self-reported measures were used to assess concordance. Results:Consistent with other non-MCO populations, distributions of the neighborhood SES index and self-reported education, household income, and other neighborhood residential characteristics were concordant. The presence of high SES MCO enrollees in low SES neighborhoods and low SES MCO enrollees in high SES neighborhoods was, however, common. MCO enrollees living in low SES neighborhoods also reported neighborhood problems (crime, unattended dogs) known to affect walkability more frequently than those living in high SES neighborhoods. Conclusions:A simple, valid neighborhood SES index can be constructed for MCO populations using readily available US Census variables. Although individual and neighborhood SES are on average concordant, discrepancies between individual and neighborhood SES suggest that other factors may influence how area-based SES contributes to health behaviors and outcomes in an MCO population.
Quantitation of hepatitis G and C viruses in the liver: evidence that hepatitis G virus is not hepatotropic

Hepatitis G virus (HGV) is prevalent in patients with chronic liver disease and has been previously detected in liver specimens. However, it is unknown whether the virus is replicating in the liver or is simply a contaminant from serum. We sought to determine whether HGV was hepatotropic and to determine whether coinfection with HGV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) influenced the level of either virus. Virus was quantitated using branched DNA (bDNA) assay for both HGV and HCV in the liver explants and pre‐transplant serum samples from 30 transplant recipients: Group I, HGV/HCV coinfection (n = 10); group II, HCV infection alone, (n = 8); group III, HGV alone (n = 12). In patients with coinfection HCV (RNA) titers in liver were consistently higher than those for HGV RNA (median 1.13 × 108 and 360,000 Eq/g respectively, P < .01). The ratio of liver/serum viral RNA was significantly higher for HCV than for HGV (median 129 and 0.3 respectively, P < .01). Levels of HCV RNA were similar in patients with HCV infection alone versus those with HGV/HCV coinfection (median; liver = 1.15 × 107 vs. 1.13 × 108 Eq/g, serum = 500,000 vs. 200,000 Eq/mL) and levels of HGV RNA in liver and serum were similar in patients with HGV infection alone compared to those with HGV/HCV coinfection (median; liver = 1.2 × 106 vs. 4.0 × 105 Eq/g, serum = 4.5 × 106 vs. 2.6 × 106 Eq/mL). Levels of either virus appeared unaffected by the presence of an additional virus. The high ratio of HCV RNA levels in liver compared to serum is consistent with its known hepatotropism, but this pattern was not observed for HGV. The median liver/serum ratio of HGV RNA was less than unity, a finding consistent with serum contamination of liver tissue. Thus we conclude that the liver is not the main site of HGV replication.
A multi-biometric recognition system based on deep features of face and gesture energy image

Nowadays, with the increasing use of biometric data, it is expected that systems work robustly and they can give successful results against difficult situations and forgery. In face recognition systems, variables such as direction of light, facial expression and reflection makes identification difficult. With biometric fusion, both safe and high performance results can be achieved. In this work, Eurocom Kinect Face dataset and BodyLogin Gesture Silhouettes dataset are used to create a virtual dataset and they were fused with score level. For face database, VGG Face deep learning model was used as feature extractor and energy imaging method was used for extracting gesture features. Afterwards the features reduced by principal component analysis and similarity scores were produced with standard deviation Euclidean distance. The results show that face recognition achieved a high performance with deep learning features under different light and expression conditions, however, multi-biometric results have reached higher genuine match rate (GMR) performance and lower false acceptance rate (FAR). As a result of this process, gesture energy imaging can be used for person recognition and for multi biometric data.
PLANNING INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR RURAL TRANSPORT PLANNING AGENCIES

The regional transport policy is an essential factor for planned growth in rural areas of the developing nations. It was found that rural sub-regions were struggling with the problem of transport inaccessibility, which was one of the primary reasons of their physical and socioeconomic retardation. The absence of transport policy could be the reason behind such upset, which erupted because of the nonexistence of information system, essentially needed for the data handling and management. Therefore, the goal of this study is to develop Planning Information System (PIS), compatible for rural planning agencies. The data were taken from the document of “Hyderabad Master Plan 2001-2015,” Sindh, Pakistan. The “Teradata” and “Visual Basics” were selected to design and develop PIS for many of their advantages. The PIS was developed successfully, and research findings revealed that information technologies could assist planning authorities in saving-out their precious data. The study’s outcome could support planning agencies to mitigate the accessibility issues with timely implementation of the transport policy proposals.
Functional recovery of denervated muscle by neurotization using nerve guidance channels

Tissue‐engineered muscle has been proposed as a means of repairing volumetric muscle defects to restore anatomical and functional recovery. We have previously demonstrated that denervated muscle, which is analogous to engineered muscle construct, can be reinnervated by direct transplantation of host nerve (neurotization) in a rat model. However, the use of this approach is not possible if the length of host nerve is inadequate and cannot be mobilized to the insertion site of the engineered muscle. In this study we investigated whether neurotization coupled with nerve guidance channels would increase the regeneration of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) in completely denervated muscle and encourage neurofunctional recovery. Seventy‐two Lewis rats were evaluated in three groups, a normal control group (n = 8), a denervated group (n = 32) and a neurotization coupled with nerve guidance group (n = 32). Neurofunctional behaviour and histological evaluations were performed at 4, 8, 12 and 20 weeks postoperatively. Extensor postural thrust (EPT) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude were significantly improved in the nerve guidance group when compared with the denervated group, even though these values were different from those of the normal control group at 20 weeks postoperation. Regeneration of axons and NMJs was demonstrated histologically in the nerve guidance group. Neurotization coupled with nerve guidance channels leads to regeneration of axons and NMJs in completely denervated muscle. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show that nerve guidance can allow re‐innervation in denervated muscle containing long‐gap nerve injuries. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.