Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recovery phase of acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in rats corresponds to development of endothelial cell unresponsiveness to interferon gamma activation

Activation of the vascular endothelium is important in the development of inflammation. Activated endothelial cells (EC) express surface markers not expressed by quiescent EC. These surface markers augment adhesion reactions and leukocyte migration. We examined microvessel EC activation longitudinally in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats. CNS microvessels were isolated at 0, 3, 7, 12, 20, and 30 days post‐inoculation (PI). Normal and CFA‐injected rat microvessels do not express activation antigens (Ag). Increased expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecule and intercellular adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1) were detected on CNS microvessels from immunized rats at 7 days PI, prior to development of clinical signs, and at 12 days PI. Enhanced MHC class I molecule was seen only at 12 days. MHC class II molecule expression was focally expressed along microvessel fragments. By 20 days PI, EC did not exhibit increased levels of any of the markers tested. Perivascular cells (possibly pericytes), however, were found to express MHC class II molecule and ICAM‐1 up to 30 days PI. During the recovery phase isolated CNS microvessels from MBP‐immunized rats were unresponsive to IFNγ‐mediated endothelial activation. Unresponsiveness was independent of IFNγ concentration. These results suggest that the endothelium is restored to functional quiescence during the recovery phase of acute EAE. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Plasma 12- and 15-Hydroxyeicosanoids are Predictors of Survival in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

This study aimed to characterize alterations in select eicosanoids in experimental and human pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and to assess their potential utility as predictors of outcome. Using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry, we performed targeted lipidomic analyses of the lungs and right ventricles (RVs) of chronically hypoxic rats and plasma of consecutive PAH patients and healthy controls. In rat lungs, chronic hypoxia was associated with significantly decreased lung prostacyclin (PGI2)/thromboxane B2 (TXB2) ratio and elevated lung 8-hydroxyeicosanoid (HETE) acid concentrations. RV eicosanoids did not exhibit any changes with chronic hypoxia. PAH treatment–naïve patients had significantly increased plasma concentrations of TXB2 and 5-, 8-, 12-, and 15-HETE. The PGI2/TXB2 ratio was lower in PAH patients than in controls, especially in the treatmentnaïve cohort (median: 2.1, 0.3, and 1.3 in controls, treatmentnaïve, and treated patients, respectively, P = 0.001). Survival was significantly worse in PAH patients with 12-HETEhigh (≥57 pg/mL) and 15-HETEhigh (≥256 pg/mL) in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.8 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1–7.3], P = 0.04 and HR: 4.3 [95% CI: 1.6–11.8], P = 0.004, respectively; adjustment was performed with the REVEAL [Registry to Evaluate Early and Long-Term PAH Disease Management] risk score). We demonstrate significant alterations in eicosanoid pathways in experimental and human PAH. We found that 12- and 15-HETE were independent predictors of survival in human PAH, even after adjusting for the REVEAL score, suggesting their potential role as novel biomarkers.
Single error correction, double error detection and double adjacent error correction with no mis-correction code

Single error correction, double error detection and double adjacent error correction (SEC–DED–DAEC) code without mis-correction of double non-adjacent error is proposed to achieve high reliability protection against soft errors in on-chip memory systems. To eliminate mis-correction among information bits, the orthogonality of orthogonal Latin square codes is engrafted in the Hmatrix of the proposed code. Experimental results show that there is no mis-correction for the proposed code and the overhead of implementation is lower than that of other SEC–DED–DAEC codes. The proposed SEC–DED–DAEC code is suitable for applications to on-chip memory with high reliability.
The degree of erythema in melasma lesion is associated with the severity of disease and the response to the low-fluence Q-switched 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser treatment

The most characteristic feature of melasma is the hyperpigmentation of facial area, but recent studies revealed that the melasma lesion is more erythematous than the perilesional area (1,2). In addition, it was found that the size and number of vessels are increased in melasma lesion (1,3). However, the clinical significance of erythema in melasma has not yet been understood. For the treatment of melasma, use of a low-fluence Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, socalled laser toning, has been popular, especially in Asian population (4). However, studies regarding the exact outcome, statistical significance and prevention of adverse events are lacking. We herein present the results suggesting that “erythema” in melasma may reflect the severity of disease and predict the response to the laser toning treatment. We treated 22 Korean women (aged 26–64 years, mean ± SD 42.4 ± 8.9 years) with symmetric melasma. They were treated with a collimated 1064-nm Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (Spectra VRMIII , Lutronic Corp., Seoul, Korea) using 7 mm spot size, energy fluence of 1.2 to 1.4 J/cm at 10 Hz for 5–8 passes. For eachpatient, 5–10 sessionswere performed at intervals of 1–2 weeks. The degrees of pigmentation anderythemawere assessedbymelanin index (MI) and erythema index (EI) respectively using Mexameter (Courage-Khazaka Electronic, Köln, Germany) at baseline and before every treatment. The measurements were performed on both sides of the face of each patient. In order to investigate the changes in pigmentation and erythema, we estimated the marginal means of MI and EI at each measurement applying generalized estimating equations using a single predictor, the number of treatment. They were fitted as robust estimators, with unstructured working correlation matrix and identity link function, using SPSS version 19.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The MI significantly decreased after only one treatment compared to the baseline (p = 0.001). The trend of gradual decrease continued to the last measurement with some fluctuations, but there was no additional statistically significant decrease in MI compared to the first post-treatment MI (Figure 1). The EI also showed a significant decrease and the pattern of the change was similar with that of MI (Figure 1). There was a positive correlation between MI and EI and this relation was verified by scatter plot (Figure 2) and Spearman correlation coefficient of 0.54. In addition, we analyzed the potential factors associated with the degree of decrease in MI compared with the baseline after laser treatment. We considered five factors : age, baseline MI, baseline EI, the side of the face (left versus right), and the number of treatments. The effects of the other factors were controlled by the generalized estimating equation analysis. After controlling the others, baseline MI (p < 0.001), baseline EI (p < 0.001) and the number of treatment (p = 0.016) were associated with the degree of decrease in MI after laser treatment. When the other factors
THE GERIATRIC EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

To the Editor: We read with great interest the paper by Hwang et al. and congratulate them on the detailed analysis of the challenges facing emergency departments (EDs) caring for older patients. We agree that a geriatric ED (GED) is an important service in every hospital caring for old people. We wish to inform the authors and the readers that a GED has been operating in the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Mount Scopus, Jerusalem, for the past decade. The GED is a separate unit within the emergency medical services of the hospital that is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week and admits every patient aged 70 and older. Geriatricians, a resident, an attending physician, a geriatric nurse, and a social worker staff the department. Consultative services from all disciplines in the hospital are available, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy. Routine evaluation of all patients includes, in addition to medical history and physical examination, functional (activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental ADLs) and cognitive (Mini-Mental State Examination) evaluations, fall risk assessment, depression (Geriatric Depression Scale), and social evaluation. The GED has direct access to continued care services, including acute and subacute care departments, home hospital, geriatric rehabilitation departments, skilled nursing departments, and a palliative care center, enabling patients to receive the optimal and most appropriate care that they deserve. To assess the contribution of the GED to the institution, 100 consecutive patients presenting to the GED at the Hadassah-Mount Scopus campus were compared with 100 consecutive patients presenting to the ED at the HadassahEin Kerem campus (where no GED exists). All patients were aged 70 and older. Subjects were followed prospectively for 6 months post-ED discharge and a comparison of the two departments was performed for satisfaction with ED treatment, rate of independence in ADLs, and readmission rate. Results showed
Older Adults, Chronic Disease and Leisure-Time Physical Activity

Background: Participating in regular physical activity is an important part of healthy aging. There is an increased risk for inactivity associated with aging and the risk becomes greater for adults who have a chronic disease. However, there is limited information on current physical activity levels for older adults and even less for those with chronic diseases. Objective: Our primary objective was to determine the proportion of older adults who achieved a recommended amount of weekly physical activity (≥1,000 kcal/week). The secondary objectives were to identify variables associated with meeting guideline leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and to describe the type of physical activities that respondents reported across different chronic diseases. Methods: In this study we used the Canadian Community Health Survey Cycle 1.1 (2000/2001) to report LTPA for adults aged 65 years and older. This was a population-based self-report telephone survey. We used univariate logistic regression to provide odds ratios to determine differences in activity and the likelihood of meeting guideline recommendations. Results: For adults over 65 years of age with no chronic diseases, 30% reported meeting guideline LTPA, while only 23% met the recommendations if they had one or more chronic diseases. Factors associated with achieving the guideline amount of physical activity included a higher level of education, higherincome and moderate alcohol consumption. Likelihood for not achieving the recommended level of LTPA included low BMI, pain and the presence of mobility and dexterity problems. Walking, gardening and home exercises were the three most frequent types of reported physical activities. Conclusion: This study provides the most recent evidence to suggest that older Canadians are not active enough and this is accentuated if a chronic disease is present. It is important to develop community-based programs to facilitate LTPA, in particular for older people with a chronic disease.
Actividad productiva y empleo de personas con trastorno mental severo: algunas propuestas de actuación basadas en la información disponible.

Hay un creciente interes, en el campo de la atencion comunitaraia a personas con trastorno mental severo, por los temas relacionados con el empleo. Tanto en Estados Unidos como en Europa se estan desarrollando a la vez nuevas iniciativas y un numero creciente de investigaciones que van aportando nuevo conocimiento a este importante campo de intervencion, al que, con mas lentitud de la debida, vamos incorporandonos tambien en nuestro pais. En esa situacion el articulo parte de la revision de la informacion disponible sobre el tema, como base para elaborar y someter a debate algunas lineas de actuacion, que recogen tambien los aspectos mas generales de nuestra experiencia en Andalucia. A ese respecto se exponen las caracteristicas generales que, en nuestra opinion, deberia tener un programa destinado a facilitar actividad productiva y empleo a personas con trastorno mental severo en el contexto de nuestro pais.
A colored Petri Net for stock trading signal detection

Stock trading investment is an important method for investors in financial market. Most researches focus on the precise price prediction; however, how to determine the trading points are more practical than getting the price predicted. This paper proposes a novel approach using Colored Petri Net to discover the relationships between various technical indicators, and exposing the trading rules of trading signals hidden in historical data. Experiment results show that we can obtain a considerable return on investment by using our proposed trading signals detection methodology.
A low-speed control module for a streamlined AUV

Streamlined autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) are typically designed to operate at a nominal speed. Control surfaces are sized to meet control requirements near this operating condition. Occasionally, the need arises for a vehicle to operate at a lower speed, for example, to perform an inspection task. Because hydrodynamic forces and moments decrease quadratically with speed, there is generally some minimum speed below which a streamlined AUV can not operate. If the vehicle is slightly buoyant, for example, it may be incapable of generating sufficient down-force to maintain depth. This paper describes the use of a moving mass actuator (MMA) module to augment control of an existing streamlined AUV in order to obtain a lower minimum operating speed. In some scenarios, as described in the paper, the MMA may be combined with a fixed wing to generate additional lift. The results of analysis include sizing guidelines for control surfaces and MMA modules and a technique for estimating the minimum controllable speed
New methods for integrated models of animal disease control: applications and extensions

Accurate assessments of the epidemiological and economic impacts of an animal disease require the incorporation of feedbacks between disease spread and production incentives. This paper motivates a new modeling framework that is sensitive to the dynamics of disease, production decisions and incentives, different livestock production systems, and their interaction through the use of an integrated system dynamics framework. Preliminary simulation results are provided to demonstrate proof-of-concept of such an approach, with additional discussion given on extensions and implications of integrated methods.
Efficacy and effectiveness of depot versus oral antipsychotics in schizophrenia: synthesizing results across different research designs.

OBJECTIVE Nonadherence is a major challenge in schizophrenia treatment. While long-acting (depot) antipsychotic medications are often recommended to address adherence problems, evidence on the comparative effectiveness of depot versus oral antipsychotics is inconsistent. We hypothesize that this inconsistency could be due to systematic differences in study design. This review evaluates the effect of study design on the comparative effectiveness of antipsychotic formulations. The optimal use of different antipsychotic formulations in a general clinical setting depends on better understanding of the underlying reasons for differences in effectiveness across research designs. DATA SOURCES A PubMed literature review targeted English-language studies (2000-2011) with information on relapse, hospitalization, or all-cause discontinuation for depot and oral antipsychotic treatment arms in schizophrenia. The time frame was chosen to reflect research focused on the newer generation of antipsychotic agents. The search required at least 1 term from each of the following categories: (1) schizophrenia; (2) inject, injection, injectable, injectables, injected, depot, long-acting; and (3) iloperidone, fluphenazine, haloperidol, paliperidone, risperidone, olanzapine, asenapine, flupentixol, flupenthixol, lurasidone, clopenthixol, fluspirilene, zuclopentixol, zuclopenthixol. STUDY SELECTION Thirteen relevant studies were identified by 2 independent reviewers; these studies included information on 19 depot-oral comparisons. DATA EXTRACTION Age- and gender-adjusted risk ratios (RRs) (depot/oral) were calculated for the identified endpoints and pooled by study design (randomized controlled trial [RCT], prospective observational, and retrospective observational). Meta-analysis with random effects was used to estimate the pooled RRs, by study design. Average conversion factors between study designs were calculated as the ratios of pooled RRs. RESULTS Meta-analysis of adjusted endpoints showed no apparent benefit of depot over oral formulations in RCTs, with an RR of 0.89 (P = .416). In contrast, there was a significant advantage for depot formulations in other study designs (prospective RR = 0.62 [P < .001]; retrospective RR = 0.56 [P < .001]). These imply conversion factors of 1.43 and 1.59 between RCTs and prospective and retrospective designs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The comparative effectiveness of antipsychotic formulations is sensitive to research design. Depot formulations displayed significant advantages in nonrandomized observational studies, whereas in RCTs no difference was observed. The estimated conversion factors may facilitate comparison across studies.
Comparação de métodos para estimativa de peso, altura e composição corporal de homens adultos

O estudo teve como objetivo comparar os resultados, da avaliacao nutricional, obtidos a partir de medidas antropometricas e de composicao corporal em homens adultos. A metodologia empregada foi do tipo transversal, realizado na Divisao de Saude da Universidade Federal de Vicosa durante os meses de fevereiro a outubro de 2005 e A amostra foi constituida de 98 homens saudaveis com idade entre 20 e 58 anos. A avaliacao foi feita pela manha e recomendou-se aos voluntarios, jejum de 10h, nao consumir alcool nas 48h anteriores ao teste e nao praticar atividade fisica 12h anteriores ao teste. A avaliacao antropometrica incluiu medidas de peso, altura, circunferencias e dobras cutâneas. A composicao corporal foi avaliada por equacoes antropometricas preditivas, por meio de interactância de infravermelho proximo (Futrex-5000), bioimpedância eletrica bipolar (Tanita TBF-531) e tetrapolar (Biodynamics modelo 310). Utilizou-se a bioimpedância eletrica tetrapolar como metodo de referencia para comparacao com os outros metodos utilizados na avaliacao da composicao corporal. As estimativas de peso e altura foram obtidas por meio de equacoes preditivas com base em medidas recumbentes, tais como, altura do joelho, envergadura e semi-envergadura. As analises estatisticas incluiram testes de comparacao de medias, correlacao, teste de Bland A p<0,01) e com o percentual de gordura corporal (r=0,779; p<0,01). A sensibilidade do IMC para diagnosticar individuos com CC, relacao cintura-quadril (RCQ) e percentual de gordura corporal elevados foi 94,4%, 100% e 86,6%, respectivamente. Baixos valores preditivos positivos foram encontrados: 47,2% para CC, 11,1% para RCQ e 36,1% para percentual de gordura corporal. A idade maior ou igual a 30 anos foi fator de risco para sobrepeso [OR=4,13; IC(95%): 1,71 9,95] e obesidade abdominal [OR=3,51; IC(95%): 1,14 10,89]. O peso estimado diferiu significantemente do peso real (p<0,001) apesar da forte correlacao (r=0,849; p<0,01). Dos cinco metodos utilizados para estimar a altura, apenas a equacao de Chumlea et al. (1994) validada para homens brancos adultos, se mostrou adequada. Tanto a medida de envergadura (r=0,789; d=2,67; p<0,001) quanto a semi- envergadura (r=0,790; d=2,51; p<0,001) resultaram em superestimacao da altura. Ao utilizar o peso e a altura estimados por medidas recumbentes no calculo do IMC verificou-se que a maioria dos valores estimados superestimou o numero de individuos com baixo peso e eutroficos e subestimaram o sobrepeso, exceto quando a altura foi estimada pelas equacoes…
COMPETITIVENESS BETWEEN ROAD AND INLAND WATER TRANSPORT : THE CASE OF MYANMAR Summary

Among different transportation modes, inland water transport is recognized as a low-cost, environmentally friendly way of transporting. The use of this mode in Myanmar encounters many challenges and the chance of promoting this mode of transport comparing to other transport mode like road transport should be explored. Thus the competitiveness of the two modes are investigated from the operators’ cost perspective. The time taken in each mode is also explored. The considerations are taken into account for the recommendations to improve transport performance in terms of time, cost, and reliability especially for inland water transport. Then it attempts to identify the potential and the challenges of respective modes.
Prevalence and prognostic value of subclinical left ventricular systolic dysfunction by global longitudinal strain in a community‐based cohort

Global longitudinal strain (GLS) assessed by speckle‐tracking echocardiography has been proposed as a parameter able to reflect early changes in left ventricular systolic function at a stage when left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is still normal. This study aimed at assessing prevalence and prognostic value of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) assessed by echocardiographic speckle‐tracking GLS in a community‐based cohort.
Peptidoglycan-binding protein TsaP functions in surface assembly of type IV pili

Significance Type IV pili (T4P) are ubiquitous and versatile bacterial cell surface structures involved in different processes like adhesion to host cells, biofilm formation, motility, and DNA uptake. T4P play an important role in the pathogenesis of many bacteria. We identify a protein whose presence in bacterial genomes is strongly linked to the presence of T4P systems and that is involved in the surface assembly of T4P. TsaP, the T4P secretin-associated protein is proposed to anchor the outer membrane secretin complex to the peptidoglycan and/or to align the secretin to inner membrane components. Type IV pili (T4P) are ubiquitous and versatile bacterial cell surface structures involved in adhesion to host cells, biofilm formation, motility, and DNA uptake. In Gram-negative bacteria, T4P pass the outer membrane (OM) through the large, oligomeric, ring-shaped secretin complex. In the β-proteobacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the native PilQ secretin ring embedded in OM sheets is surrounded by an additional peripheral structure, consisting of a peripheral ring and seven extending spikes. To unravel proteins important for formation of this additional structure, we identified proteins that are present with PilQ in the OM. One such protein, which we name T4P secretin-associated protein (TsaP), was identified as a phylogenetically widely conserved component of the secretin complex that co-occurs with genes for T4P in Gram-negative bacteria. TsaP contains an N-terminal carbohydrate-binding lysin motif (LysM) domain and a C-terminal domain of unknown function. In N. gonorrhoeae, lack of TsaP results in the formation of membrane protrusions containing multiple T4P, concomitant with reduced formation of surface-exposed T4P. Lack of TsaP did not affect the oligomeric state of PilQ, but resulted in loss of the peripheral structure around the PilQ secretin. TsaP binds peptidoglycan and associates strongly with the OM in a PilQ-dependent manner. In the δ-proteobacterium Myxococcus xanthus, TsaP is also important for surface assembly of T4P, and it accumulates and localizes in a PilQ-dependent manner to the cell poles. Our results show that TsaP is a novel protein associated with T4P function and suggest that TsaP functions to anchor the secretin complex to the peptidoglycan.