Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interdisciplinary inpatient care for elderly people with hip fracture: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Hip fractures in elderly people are associated with impaired function and ambulation and high rates of death and admission to institutions. Interventions designed to improve the outcomes of hip fracture (e.g., mobility and discharge to own home) that have incorporated interdisciplinary care have had mixed results. We compared the effectiveness of postoperative interdisciplinary care with that of usual care for elderly patients with hip fracture. METHODS The study population consisted of 279 patients at least 70 years of age from the community and from nursing homes who underwent surgical repair of hip fracture at a university-affiliated acute care hospital. The subjects were randomly assigned to receive postoperative interdisciplinary care (n = 141) or usual care (n = 138) during their hospital stay. Interdisciplinary care included routine assessment and care by an internist-geriatrician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, social worker and clinical nurse specialist, as well as twice-weekly interdisciplinary rounds to set goals for the patients and to monitor their progress. The primary outcome measure was the proportion of patients alive with no decline in ambulation or transfers in and out of a chair or bed and no change in place of residence at 6 months after surgery. RESULTS At 6 months, 56 patients (39.7%) in the interdisciplinary care group and 47 (34.1%) in the usual care group were alive and had no decline from baseline in terms of ambulation, chair and bed transfers or place of residence (difference 5.6%, 95% confidence interval -5.6% to 17.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for baseline factors showed no significant difference between treatment groups for the primary outcome measure at 3 months (p = 0.44) or at 6 months (p = 0.67). The initial length of stay in hospital was longer for patients receiving interdisciplinary care: 29.2 (standard deviation [SD] 22.6) v. 20.9 (SD 18.8) days (p < 0.001). However, the mean number of days spent in an institution (including hospital, inpatient rehabilitation and nursing home) over the 6-month follow-up period was similar in the 2 groups (p = 0.84). A subgroup analysis suggested a trend to benefit from interdisciplinary care in patients with mild to moderate cognitive impairment. INTERPRETATION Postoperative inpatient interdisciplinary care did not result in significantly better 3- or 6-month outcomes in elderly patients with hip fracture.
Development of a customized density—modulus relationship for use in subject-specific finite element models of the ulna

Abstract Assigning an appropriate density—modulus relationship is an important factor when applying inhomogeneous material properties to finite element models of bone. The purpose of this study was to develop a customized density—modulus equation for the distal ulna, using beam theory combined with experimental results. Five custom equations of the form E = aρb were used to apply material properties to models of eight ulnae. All equations passed through a point (1.85, Ec), where ρ = 1.85 g/cm3 represents the average density of cortical bone. For custom equations (1) to (3), Ec was predicted using beam theory, and the value of b was varied within the range reported in the literature. Custom equations (4) and (5) used other values of Ec from the literature, while keeping b constant. Results obtained from the custom equations were compared with those from other equations in the literature, and with experimental results. The beam theory analysis predicted Ec = 21 ± 1.6 GPa, and the three custom equations using this value tended to have the lowest errors. The power of the equations did not affect the results as much as the value used for Ec. Overall, a customized density—modulus relationship for the ulna was generated, which provided improved results over using previously reported density—modulus equations.
Expanded Human Tissue Kallikrein Family – A Novel Panel of Cancer Biomarkers

The full characterization of the human kallikrein gene locus has allowed identification of all members of this gene family on chromosome 19q13.4 and the establishment of common structural criteria, at both the mRNA and protein level. The human kallikrein gene family now consists of 15 members; their mRNA and protein structure, tissue expression and hormonal regulation patterns have been delineated. In addition to prostate-specific antigen (PSA, hK3), which is an established tumor marker for prostate cancer diagnosis and follow-up, and human glandular kallikrein (hK2), an emerging prostate cancer biomarker, accumulating evidence indicates that many other members of the human kallikrein gene family are also implicated in endocrine-related malignancies. Many kallikreins are differentially regulated in breast, prostate, ovarian and testicular cancers. In addition, preliminary reports indicate that three newly identified kallikreins (hK6, hK10 and hK11) are serum biomarkers for diagnosis and monitoring of ovarian and prostate cancer. The mechanism by which kallikreins might be involved in the pathogenesis and/or progression of cancer is not as yet fully understood. Preliminary reports indicate a possible role of kallikreins in controlling vital processes, like apoptosis, angiogenesis and tumor metastasis by cleavage of critical substrates such as growth factors, hormones or extracellular matrix. In this review, we present data on the differential expression of kallikreins in cancer at both the mRNA and protein levels, and propose future directions of research towards our understanding of the involvement of kallikreins in cancer and their possible diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic applications.
Up‐Regulation of Blood‐Brain Barrier Short‐Form Leptin Receptor Gene Products in Rats Fed a High Fat Diet

Abstract: Leptin is a 16‐kDa protein synthesized in adipose tissue that produces a satiety effect in the CNS. Leptin may gain access to the brain via receptor‐mediated transport through the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), and the BBB leptin receptor (OBR) may regulate the availability of circulating leptin to brain cells. The aim of the present study was twofold: first, to identify the OBR isoform expressed at the BBB, i.e., short, or “a,” and long, or “b,” form; and second, to compare the abundance of the BBB OBR mRNA and protein between control and high fat‐fed rats. RT‐PCR with isoform‐specific primers showed that OBRa is the most abundant isoform at the BBB. BBB OBRa transcript content was markedly increased in high fat‐fed rats compared with controls (11‐fold), and no changes were observed in the expression of the internal standard control actin. The high fat feeding induction of OBR mRNA was correlated with an increase in the immunoreactive BBB OBR determined by immunocytochemistry using an all‐isoform reactive antibody in high fat‐fed obese rats. This investigation demonstrates (a) the OBRa is the principal leptin receptor expressed at the BBB and (b) this BBB OBR isoform is up‐regulated by a high fat diet.
An Optimization Theoretic Framework for Video Transmission with Minimal Total Distortion over Wireless Networks

Optimization theoretic-based rate allocation strategies can be used for the aim of allocating some optimal rates to the competing users in wireless ad hoc networks. By considering different objective functions (such as congestion level, total packet loss, etc.), the researchers propose some optimization framework by which the problem can be solved. Due to the rapid increase in the development of different video applications in such environments and the existence of difficulties in satisfying the prespecified QoS limits, increasing the perceived video quality can be considered as an important and challenging issue. The quality of the received video stream is inversely proportional to the amount of distortion which is being imposed on the video stream by the network packet loss and the video encoder. The main contribution of the current paper is to introduce an optimization theoretic framework in which by optimal rate allocation to some competing video sources, the aggregate distortion associated with all of the sources can be minimized. The numerical results verify the claims.
Improvement of the Electro-transformation Efficiency of Facultatively Alkaliphilic Bacillus pseudofirmus OF4 by High Osmolarity and Glycine Treatment

An electro-transformation method was established for facultatively alkaliphilic Bacillus pseudofirmus OF4. A high osmolarity electroporation medium with a high electric field strength was effective. Transformation efficiency improved 110-fold in glycine-treated cells compared to non-glycine-treated cells. Under optimum conditions, the transformation efficiency was 1.69×106 transformants per μg of pUB110.
Radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules: depicting early sign of regrowth by calculating vital volume

Abstract Objective: We evaluated long-term follow-up results of radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules to analyse the role of marginal vital tissue on nodule regrowth. Materials and methods: We reviewed the medical records of 54 patients who underwent radiofrequency ablation between June 2008 and November 2013 with pressure symptoms, and/or cosmetic problems. All patients were followed up at least 12 months on three occasions. To evaluate an early sign of regrowth, three types of nodule volumes (total volume, ablated volume and vital volume) were measured and calculated using ultrasonography. Regrowth was defined as a more than a 50% increase in the total volume and vital volume increase was defined as a more than 50% increase compared to the previously reported smallest volume on ultrasonography. Results: The mean follow-up period was 39.4 ± 21.7 (range, 13–87) months. Vital volume increases occurred in 31 nodules (57.4%) and there was regrowth in 13 nodules (24.1%). The mean timing of the vital volume increase was 27.5 ± 18.5 months, and for regrowth it was 39.9 ± 17.5 months. Vital volume increase tended to precede regrowth. Conclusion: Vital volume increase tended to occur earlier than regrowth and might be an early sign of regrowth in following-up after the radiofrequency ablation of benign thyroid nodules.
Disparity Detection in Anticorrelated Stereograms

Recent physiological observations in which stimuli with opposite contrast signs in the two eyes have been used (anticorrelated stereograms) show that these stimuli evoke responses in primary visual cortex which are the reverse of responses to correlated stimuli. Psychophysical investigations reveal no such reversals: reversed-contrast bars with crossed disparities are seen in front of those with uncrossed disparities. For anticorrelated random-dot stereograms human subjects perceive no depth at all, except at low dot densities. However, these human studies were carried out with stimuli that differed in several ways from those used in physiological studies. We therefore reexamined psychophysical responses using stimuli similar to those used for physiological recordings. Our results confirm the previous findings: there is no evidence of a reversed depth sensation for bar stereograms (crossed disparities are never seen behind uncrossed disparities), and subjects are unable to detect depth in anticorrelated random-dot stereograms at the densities used for the physiological recordings. The discrepancy between the psychophysical data and the responses of single neurons in primary visual cortex suggests that further processing outside area V1 is necessary to provide the signals that produce the sensation of stereoscopic depth.
Estimating smoothness term for BP stereo matching with sparse disparities

The belief propagation stereo matching algorithm has high computational cost and varied parameters. To address these problems and perform stereo matching in practical applications, we implement BP algorithm on cuda and propose an approach to estimate parameters of smoothness term in the energy function automatically. We use Harris corner detector and Pyramidal KLT feature tracker algorithm to extract a sparse disparity map. The rate of increase in the discontinuity cost can be compute out approximately. Experiments demonstrate that our approach is feasible and the approximate parameters of discontinuity cost can be computed out quickly.
PRAME mRNA levels in cases with acute leukemia: Clinical importance and future prospects

The PRAME (preferentially expressed antigen of melanoma) gene has been shown to be expressed in high levels in some solid tumors and hemopoietic neoplasias but not or only weakly expressed in normal tissues. It encodes an antigen recognized by autologous cytolytic T lymphocytes. PRAME is a good candidate for tumor immunotherapy and is a useful marker gene for detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). In this study, PRAME mRNA using real‐time RT‐PCR was studied in 74 adult cases with acute leukemia—68 had de‐novo acute leukemia, 3 had chronic myeloid leukemia‐blastic crisis (CML‐BC), and 3 had myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative syndrome‐blastic transformation (MDS/MPD‐BT)—and the results were compared with 30 age‐matched healthy volunteers. Nineteen of 74 cases with leukemia expressed PRAME, while only 2 controls showed weak expression. The prevalence of PRAME expression in AML and ALL cases was 30% and 17%, respectively. We did not find any important correlation between PRAME expression and clinical characteristics, such as age, sex, organomegaly/lymphadenopathy, Hb, WBC count, platelet count, LDH level, alkaline phosphatase, albumin, cell‐surface antigens, response to therapy, or progression‐free and overall survival. PRAME was monitored in 15 cases during remission and/or relapse. There was a good correlation between PRAME mRNA and hematological remission and/or relapse. Interestingly, PRAME was very high in one case with AML but was not found 3 months after allogeneic transplantation. PRAME mRNA is observed in about one‐third of AML cases; it may be a useful marker to detect MRD, and it may also be a good predictor for the timing of donor lymphocyte infusions (DLI) in the post‐transplant period in cases of molecular relapse. Am. J. Hematol. 79:257–261, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dysplasia in fundic gland polyps is associated with nuclear beta-catenin expression and relatively high cell turnover rates.

BACKGROUND Fundic gland polyps (FGPs) occur in both syndromic and sporadic form. Syndromic FGPs arise through mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, whereas sporadic FGPs are caused by beta-catenin gene mutations. Dysplasia in sporadic FGPs, found less often than in syndromic FGPs, was recently associated with APC rather than beta-catenin mutations. These data suggest different functional consequences of APC and beta-catenin mutations. To investigate this hypothesis, we examined proliferative activity, degree of apoptosis, beta-catenin expression and p53 expression in syndromic and sporadic FGPs. METHODS Syndromic FGPs (n = 9) from familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) patients and sporadic FGPs (n = 18) were studied. Proliferative activity, apoptotic cell death and expression of beta-catenin and p53 were examined by immunohistochemistry. In FGPs containing dysplasia, areas with and without dysplasia were compared. RESULTS Syndromic and sporadic FGPs without dysplasia exhibited similar proliferative activity, degree of apoptosis, beta-catenin and p53 expression. Dysplasia was observed more often in syndromic (4/9) than in sporadic FGPs (1/18). Within FGPs containing dysplasia, dysplastic areas showed abnormal nuclear beta-catenin staining in 3/5 cases and higher rates of cell proliferation and apoptosis than non-dysplastic areas. Overexpression of p53 was not observed. CONCLUSION The finding of similar rates of proliferation and apoptosis in syndromic and sporadic FGPs does not support the hypothesis that APC and beta-catenin gene mutations have different functional consequences in FGPs. The association of dysplasia with relatively high cell turnover rates and nuclear expression of beta-catenin indicates activation of the Wnt-APC-beta-catenin pathway in dysplasia. The finding of dysplasia in some but not all syndromic FGPs suggests the involvement of other genes in addition to the APC gene in the development of dysplasia in FGPs.
Universal scaling properties of type-I intermittent chaos in isolated resistance arteries are unaffected by endogenous nitric oxide synthesis.

Spontaneous fluctuations in flow in isolated rabbit ear resistance arteries may exhibit almost-periodic behavior interrupted by chaotic bursts that can be classified as type-I Pomeau-Manneville intermittency. This conclusion was supported by the construction of parabolic return maps and identification of the characteristic probability distributions for the number of oscillations per laminar segment (n) associated with the type-I scenario. Pharmacological inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by the vascular endothelium modulated the dynamics of the reinjection mechanism, and thus the generic shape of the probability distribution for n. Nevertheless, average laminar length was related to a derived bifurcation parameter epsilon according to power-law scaling of the form approximately epsilon(beta), where the estimated critical exponent beta was close to the theoretical value of -0.5 both in the presence and absence of NO synthesis.
Statistical Analysis of Joint Determination for Skeleton Driven Animation of Human Hands

Skeleton driven character animation is the most popular animation technique. It has been widely applied in the current computer animation industry. Correct determination of joint positions plays a very important role in creating realistic skin deformation of character animation. Current various approaches of skeleton driven character animation have not addressed this issue. In this paper, we propose a statistical method to determine the correct joint position using the statistical data analysis of different X-ray joint images. First, we measure different joint positions from sample X-ray images. Then, we statistically analyse the data, and obtain relative mean and maximum and minimum positions together with the relative range of joints which are used to determine correct joint positions.
Identification and characterization of TMEFF2, a novel survival factor for hippocampal and mesencephalic neurons.

We have identified a novel mammalian gene, TMEFF2, that encodes a putative transmembrane protein containing two follistatin-like domains and one epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domain. The TMEFF2 gene is predominantly expressed in the brain. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that TMEFF2 is widely expressed in the brain, including hippocampal cornu ammonis, dentate gyrus, and substantia nigra pars compacta. We evaluated the survival effect of TMEFF2 using primary cultured neurons from several regions of fetal rat brain following treatment with a recombinant TMEFF2 protein fragment consisting of the putative extracellular domain. TMEFF2 increased survival of neurons from the hippocampus and midbrain, but not from the cerebral cortex, indicating that the survival effects of TMEFF2 are specific to certain cell types. Recombinant TMEFF2 also promoted survival of mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons. Together, these findings suggest that TMEFF2 may be a novel survival factor for hippocampal and mesencephalic, but not for cortical, neurons.
Evaluation Design for Community-Based Physical Activity Programs for Socially Disadvantaged Groups: Communities on the Move

Background As interventions are not yet successful in substantially improving physical activity levels of low socioeconomic status groups in the Netherlands, it is a challenge to undertake more effective interventions. Participatory community-based physical activity interventions such as Communities on the Move (CoM) seem promising. Evaluating their effectiveness, however, calls for appropriate evaluation approaches. Objective This paper provides the conceptual model for the development of a context-sensitive monitoring and evaluation approach in order to (1) measure the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of CoM, and (2) develop an evaluation design enabling the identification of underlying mechanisms which explain what works and why in community-based physical activity programs. Methods A cohort design is proposed, based on multiple cases, measuring impact, processes, and changes at each of the distinguished levels. The methods described in this paper will evaluate both short- and long-term effects, costs, and benefits of CoM. Results Testing of the proposed model began in October 2012 and is on-going. Conclusions The design offers a valid research strategy for evaluating the effectiveness of community-based physical activity programs. Internal validity is guaranteed by the use of several verification techniques such as triangulation. The multiple case studies at the program and community levels enhance external validity.
Origin of monoterpene emissions from boreal tree species: Determination of de novo and pool emissions by 13CO2 labeling

Boreal forests are dominated by monoterpenes emitting tree species (Rinne et al., 2009). Traditionally the monoterpene emissions from coniferous tree species are assumed to originate as evaporation from large storage pools (Guenther et al., 1991). Thus their diurnal cycle would depend only on temperature. However, there is indication that a significant part of the monoterpene emission would originate directly from synthesis (e.g. Shao et al., 2001). Such de novo emission would be rapidly labelled with C were the plant fed with CO2 (Figure 1). Thus this method can be used to quantify the fraction of the emission originating directly from synthesis.
Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure:A Reappraisal

Abstract Background and Aims: Chronic renal failure (CRF) is known to increase the morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing cardiac operations. Successful outcome of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in some patients with CRF has been reported, but remains controversial. Methods: Forty‐four patients with CRF who underwent CABG were examined. Two groups were analyzed. Group I consisted of 13 patients with end‐stage renal disease on hemodialysis. Group II consisted of 31 patients with a creatinine ± 1.6 gm/dL for a minimum of 6 months, but were not on dialysis. There were 36 male and 8 female patients, with a mean age of 71 years. Results: The hospital mortality was 10 patients (23%) with 4 (31%) hospital deaths in Group I, and 6 (19%) in Group II. There was major morbidity in 35 (80%) patients. In Group II there were 8 (26%) patients who required permanent postoperative dialysis. A control group of 547 patients 70 years of age who underwent CABG had 30 hospital mortalities (5%) and 75 morbidities (13%). The average length of stay was 27 days. Fifteen patients died at a mean of 34 months after being discharged from the hospital. Nineteen of the original 44 patients remain alive at a mean of 32 months. The total mortality at 6 years and 4 months was 57%. Conclusions: Older and sicker patients with CRF who undergo CABG are at an exceptionally high risk for mortality and morbidity. For CRF patients not on dialysis with a creatinine 2.5 gm/dL, there is a strong likelihood of permanent postoperative dialysis. Long‐term follow‐up shows survival to be well below their non‐CRF counterparts.