Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Exercise training in COPD: how to distinguish responders from nonresponders.

PURPOSE Pulmonary rehabilitation programs consistently have improved exercise capacity, quality of life, and symptoms over the past decade. Although training has been shown to be an essential component of the rehabilitation program, individual patients do not always benefit to the same extent. The present study was designed to investigate which patients were achieving significant benefit of exercise training. METHODS Forty-nine stable outpatients with moderate to severe COPD (FEV1 37 (15)%pred) were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of exercise training (3 times per week). Responders in exercise capacity were defined as having 15% increase in maximal workload and/or 25% increase in walking distance, while responders in quality of life showed an improvement of at least 10 points on the chronic respiratory disease questionnaire. With multivariate discriminant analysis, responders were distinguished from nonresponders based upon their initial characteristics. RESULTS Thirty-two patients were responders in terms of improved exercise capacity. Ventilatory reserve (VE/MVV), inspiratory muscle strength (Plmax), and peripheral muscle strength (handgrip force and quadriceps force) were significant predictors of the training response (P < 0.05) (accuracy 80% P < 0.001). Although the explained variance was modest, patients that were clearly ventilatory limited and had normal skeletal muscle strength were not likely to benefit from exercise training in terms of exercise capacity. No physiologic variables predicted whether a patient would increase quality of life after exercise training. CONCLUSION Patients with reduced exercise capacity who experience less ventilatory limitation to exercise and more reduced respiratory and peripheral muscle strength are more likely to improve with exercise training. Improvements in quality of life after exercise training were significant but remained unpredictable with variables included in the present trial.
Comparison of the uptake of nitrate and ammonium by rice seedlings: influences of light, temperature, oxygen concentration, exogenous sucrose, and metabolic inhibitors.

The uptake of nitrate and ammonium by rice (Oryza sativa) seedlings was compared under various conditions. Nitrate uptake showed a 1-hour lag phase and then a rapid absorption phase, whereas ammonium uptake showed passive absorption during the first hour, then a shoulder of absorption, followed by a rapid metabolism-dependent absorption phase. Light did not affect the uptake of nitrate or ammonium. The uptake of nitrate and ammonium was markedly suppressed by removal of the endosperm. After removal of the endosperm, the uptake was restored by exogenous supply of 30 mm sucrose. No appreciable nitrate uptake was detected at temperatures below 15 C, whereas appreciable ammonium uptake occurred at 15 C, although lowered passive absorption and complete inhibition of the rapid metabolism-dependent absorption phase were observed at 5 C.Nitrate uptake was decreased by aeration and also by bubbling the mixture with O(2). It was greatly depressed by bubbling the mixture with N(2). These results suggest that there is a low optimal O(2) concentration for nitrate uptake. In contrast, ammonium uptake was increased by aeration, not influenced by bubbling with O(2), and slightly decreased by bubbling the mixture with N(2). Nitrate uptake was almost entirely inhibited by addition of cycloheximide, KCN, or arsenate. These compounds had scarcely any effect on the passive absorption of ammonium, but entirely depressed its successive metabolism-dependent absorption. Ammonium uptake occurred before nitrate uptake in solution containing both nitrate and ammonium.
Split tolerance between spleen and lymph node cells in severe combined immunodeficiency mice grafted with AKR fetal liver cells.

Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice defective in stem cells for T and B cells appear to be an ideal host for construction of chimeric mice. When bone marrow cells are used as a source of stem cells, however, host SCID mice do not always show sufficient reconstitution. In this study, fetal liver cells from AKR embryos were transplanted into SCID mice without prior irradiation. This treatment induced full reconstitution of lymphopoiesis as evaluated by flow cytometry analysis and serum Ig production 2 months after transplantation. Thus, fetal liver cells seem to be a better source for reconstitution of SCID mice than bone marrow cells. Lymph node (LN) cells of these mice (FLT mice) had no proliferative or cytotoxic activities against either host-type (C.B-17) or donor-type (AKR) spleen cells. However, spleen cells from FLT mice exhibited marked proliferative and cytotoxic activities against C.B-17 cells, with no activities against AKR cells. Split tolerance against C.B-17 cells in spleen and LN cells was not a transient phenomenon, since similar results were obtained from a cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay 4 months later. In spite of the strong host reactivity in vitro, aberration of clonal deletion or development of a graft-versus-host disease was not seen in FLT mice. As IL-2 induced the host reactivity of LN cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction, potentially host-reactive T cells were present in LN but were rendered anergic. Tolerance in FLT mice seems to be regulated by a peripheral mechanism. We supposed that the split tolerance in FLT mice was induced by the different antigenicity between the spleen and LN.
Outcomes after total versus subtotal abdominal hysterectomy.

BACKGROUND It is uncertain whether subtotal abdominal hysterectomy results in better bladder, bowel, or sexual function than total abdominal hysterectomy. METHODS We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial comparing total and subtotal abdominal hysterectomy in 279 women referred for hysterectomy because of benign disease; most of the women were premenopausal. The main outcomes were measures of bladder, bowel, and sexual function at 12 months. We also evaluated postoperative complications. RESULTS The rates of urinary frequency (urination more than seven times during the day) were 33 percent in the subtotal-hysterectomy group and 31 percent in the total-hysterectomy group before surgery, and they fell to 24 percent and 20 percent, respectively, at 12 months (P=0.03 for the change over time within each group; P=0.84 for the interaction between the treatment assignment and time). The reduction in nocturia and stress incontinence and the improvement in bladder capacity were similar in the two groups. The frequency of bowel symptoms (as indicated by reported constipation and use of laxatives) and measures of sexual function (including the frequency of intercourse and orgasm and the rating of the sexual relationship with a partner) did not change significantly in either group after surgery. The women in the subtotal-hysterectomy group had a shorter hospital stay (5.2 days, vs. 6.0 in the total-hysterectomy group; P=0.04) and a lower rate of fever (6 percent vs. 19 percent, P<0.001). After subtotal abdominal hysterectomy, 7 percent of women had cyclical bleeding and 2 percent had cervical prolapse. CONCLUSIONS Neither subtotal nor total abdominal hysterectomy adversely affects pelvic organ function at 12 months. Subtotal abdominal hysterectomy results in more rapid recovery and fewer short-term complications but infrequently causes cyclical bleeding or cervical prolapse.
A two-stage hybrid clutter range dependence compensation method for airborne radar with non-sidelooking array

In order to solve the clutter range dependence problem induced by airborne radar with non-sidelooking array, a two-stage hybrid clutter range dependence compensation method is proposed, which can compensate the clutter spectrum having range dependence problem in mainlobe as well as in sidelobe. This method first compensate the mainlobe clutter spectrum in different range bins by a processing procedure with angle-Doppler compensation (ADC) method, and subsequently using modification derivation based update (MDBU) method to compensate the clutter spectrum both in mainlobe and in sidelobe. Simulation results show that the proposed method outperforms the conventional compensation methods and can improve the space-time adaptive processing (STAP) performance dramatically.
22q13.3 deletion syndrome: A recognizable malformation syndrome associated with marked speech and language delay

The 22q13.3 deletion syndrome is a recognizable malformation syndrome associated with developmental delay, hypotonia, delayed or absent speech, autistic‐like behavior, normal to accelerated growth and dysmorphic facies. The prevalence of this disorder is unknown, but it is likely under‐diagnosed. Age at diagnosis has varied widely, from cases diagnosed prenatally to 46 years. Males and females are equally affected. The distal 22q deletion can be detected occasionally by routine or high resolution chromosome analysis; however, the majority of cases are detected by FISH analysis, associated with deletion of the ARSA (control) probe when performing a FISH analysis for the velocardiofacial syndrome (del 22q11.2). The 22q13.3 deletion syndrome can accompany a simple chromosome deletion, an unbalanced translocation, or a ring chromosome. Primary care physicians, in addition to numerous specialists, play an important role in caring for patients with this disorder. Although the dysmorphic features observed in this condition are nonspecific, it is an important consideration in the differential diagnosis of children with developmental delay, hypotonia, marked speech and language disability, autistic‐like features, multiple minor anomalies, and normal growth and head circumference. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Ovarian Insufficiency is Major Short-term Toxicity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients Treated with Cyclophosphamide.

OBJECTIVE To study the toxicities associated with pulse cyclophosphamide therapy and to compare them with patients without cyclophosphamide exposure. METHODS In this retrospective cross-sectional observational study Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients who had received immunosuppressive agents in the past were interviewed in the Out Patient Department for drug related toxicities. Patients were asked about the any history of tuberculosis, herpes zoster, hemorrhagic cystitis or ovarian toxicity in the past. RESULTS Among 90 patients 84 (93%) were females. The mean age at the start of therapy was 29.7 ± 9.95 (range 8-67) years. Thirty-eight patients (34 females) had received cyclophosphamide. The mean cumulative dose of cyclophosphamide was 9.2± 4.2 (range 1-20) grams and mean time duration from start of cyclophosphamide exposure to enrollment was 3.6 ± 3.2 (range 0.4- 11) years. Of the rest 52 (50 females) patients 30 had received only steroids, 18 had received only azathioprine, and 4 patients had received only hydroxychloroquin. There was a higher occurrence of transient amenorrhea (10/34 versus 2/50, p <0.001) and premature menopause (6/34 versus 1/50 p < 0.02) in patients treated with cyclophosphamide as compared to those who had not received it. Patients with cyclophosphamide exposure had higher prevalence of Hematuria (2 versus 0 patients), tuberculosis (4 versus 1 patient) and herpes zoster infection (3 versus 0 patients) but these differences were not significant statistically. CONCLUSIONS Transient amenorrhea was seen in one-third and premature menopause was seen in one-sixth of SLE with cyclophosphamide exposure.
Inhibitory Circuits in Human Dysplastic Tissue

Summary: Purpose: Different types of epilepsies and seizures depend on the nature and location of the primary disturbance and are presumably mediated by different physiopathological mechanisms. We immunocytochemically investigated possible changes in the inhibitory ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system in specimens taken from four patients who underwent surgery for intractable epilepsy and presented two different types of focal cortical dysplasia in the temporal lobe.
Murine cytomegalovirus m157 mutation and variation leads to immune evasion of natural killer cells

Effective natural killer (NK) cell recognition of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV)-infected cells depends on binding of the Ly49H NK cell activation receptor to the m157 viral glycoprotein. Here we addressed the immunological consequences of variation in m157 sequence and function. We found that most strains of MCMV possess forms of m157 that evade Ly49H-dependent NK cell activation. Importantly, repeated passage of MCMV through resistant Ly49H+ mice resulted in the rapid emergence of m157 mutants that elude Ly49H-dependent NK cell responses. These data provide the first molecular evidence that NK cells can exert sufficient immunological pressure on a DNA virus, such that it undergoes rapid and specific mutation in an NK cell ligand enabling it to evade efficient NK cell surveillance.
A hole filling algorithm for depth image based rendering based on gradient information

The Depth Image Based Rendering (DIBR) is a method for generating new virtual images from known viewpoints, and the hole problem is one of the most critical issues in DIBR. In this paper, a new hole-filling technique based on gradient informaton is proposed to improve the quality of the images generated by 3D image warping. Firstly, a virtual image is created by DIBR. Then, the gradient information is used as auxiliary information when searching for the best matching block. Experimental results show that the presented algorithm provides better effects than others.
Mechanomyography, electromyography, heart rate, and ratings of perceived exertion during incremental cycle ergometry.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationships of mchanomyography (MMG), electromyography (EMG), heart rate (HR), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) versus power output during incremental cycle ergometry. METHODS Nine adult males [mean (+/-SD) age 23 (+/-3) years] volunteered to perform an incremental test to exhaustion on a cycle ergometer. The MMG, EMG, HR, and RPE values were recorded at the end of each power output. RESULTS The normalized (expressed as a percentage of maximal values) relationships for MMG, HR, and RPE versus power output were linear, while the EMG versus power output relationship was quadratic. Furthermore, there were no significant (p > 0.10) differences between slope coefficients for the relationships among MMG, HR, and RPE versus power output. CONCLUSIONS The results of this investigation indicated that there were close associations among the mechanical (MMG), cardiac (HR), and perception of effort (RPE) aspects of cycle ergometry. In addition, there was a dissociation between the linear MMG pattern and quadratic EMG pattern with increasing power outputs.
Fuzzy gaze control-based navigational assistance system for visually impaired people in a dynamic indoor environment

285 million people are estimated to be visually impaired worldwide. Visually impaired people typically use a white cane or a guide dog or both of them to walk down the street. However, such as a cane and/or a dog are not enough to secure them from being collided with obstacles in a dynamic environment. This paper proposes a navigational assistance system based on fuzzy integral-based gaze control for visually impaired people in a dynamic indoor environment. It largely consists of an RGB-D camera and a vibrotactile vest interface. The RGB-D camera detects static and dynamic obstacles and obtains obstacle information on their center positions, sizes, and velocities. The fuzzy integral-based gaze control for obstacle detection is proposed to reduce a blind spot of the camera and obtain more information of the environment. The vibrotactile vest interface notifies a direction to avoid the obstacle using a fuzzy integral-based imminent-obstacle selection algorithm. To confirm the performance of the proposed assistance system for visually impaired people, experiments are carried out in an indoor dynamic environment.
Application of Feces Extracts and Synthetic Analogues of the Host Marking Pheromone of Anastrepha ludens Significantly Reduces Fruit Infestation by A. obliqua in Tropical Plum and Mango Backyard Orchards

ABSTRACT We determined the efficacy of three potential oviposition deterrents in reducing fruit infestation by Anastrepha obliqua in tropical plum and mango orchards. These were: (1) Extracts of feces of Mexican fruit fly, Anastrepha ludens, known to contain the A. ludens host marking pheromone (HMP) and (2) two fully synthetic simplified analogues of the naturally occurring compound, which we have named desmethyl A. ludens HMP (DM-HMP) and Anastrephamide. Two applications of feces extracts 2 or 3 wk before fruit color break reduced A. obliqua infestation in plums by 94.1, 75.9, and 72% when measured 8, 14, and 25 d, respectively, after application. The natural A. ludens-HMP containing extract retained its effectiveness despite considerable rainfall (112.5 mm) and high A. obliqua populations. The synthetic desmethyl HMP derivative (DM-HMP) also reduced infestation in plums by 53.3 and 58.7% when measured, 18 and 26 d, respectively, after application. Finally, applications of Anastrephamide resulted in fruit loss cut by half and an 80% reduction in numbers of fly larvae per fruit. Our results confirm previous findings indicating that there is interspecific crossrecognition of the HMP in two of the most pestiferous Anastrepha species and open the door for the development of a highly selective, biorational Anastrepha management scheme.
Changes of serum sICAM-1 and MMP-9 induced by rIFNbeta-1b treatment in relapsing-remitting MS.

OBJECTIVE To correlate changes in serum levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) with clinical and MRI evidence of disease activity in MS patients receiving treatment with interferon-beta (rIFNbeta)-1b. BACKGROUND rIFNbeta reduces the frequency of gadolinium-enhancing (Gd+) MRI in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). Its mechanism of action on improving the integrity of the blood-brain barrier remains unclear. METHODS sICAM-1 and MMP-9 and MMP-2 serum levels were longitudinally (24 months) investigated (ELISA; zymography) in correlation with the modifications of the integrated area under the curve of Expanded Disability Status Scale scores normalized to entry baseline (deltaEDSS AUC) and of GD+ MRI scans, and with neutralizing antibodies (NAB) to rIFNbeta-1b production (MxA) in 36 RRMS patients. RESULTS During the first 12 months of treatment, levels of sICAM-1 increased and MMP-9 decreased significantly. After 12 months, levels returned toward baseline. Levels of sICAM-1 and MMP-9 were significantly negatively correlated. MMP-2 levels did not change significantly during the same period. During the second semester of the study, deltaEDSS AUC was significantly reduced. The percentage of patients with Gd+ MRI decreased significantly in the first (33%), second (29%), third (20%), and fourth (28%) semesters of treatment compared to baseline (62%). The NAB+ patients (14%) tended to have lower sICAM-1 levels at the ninth month; a higher MMP-9 activity at the sixth, 12th, and 18th months; and a greater deltaEDSS AUC in the third semester of treatment in comparison with the NAB- patients. CONCLUSIONS These results show that rIFNbeta-1b therapy increases sICAM-1 serum levels and reduces serum MMP-9 activity.
Nanomagnet logic: progress toward system-level integration

Quoting the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) 2009 Emerging Research Devices section, ‘Nanomagnetic logic (NML) has potential advantages relative to CMOS of being non-volatile, dense, low-power, and radiation-hard. Such magnetic elements are compatible with MRAM technology, which can provide input–output interfaces. Compatibility with MRAM also promises a natural integration of memory and logic. Nanomagnetic logic also appears to be scalable to the ultimate limit of using individual atomic spins. ’ This article reviews progress toward complete and reliable NML systems. More specifically, we (i) review experimental progress toward fundamental characteristics a device must possess if it is to be used in a digital system, (ii) consider how the NML design space may impact the system-level energy (especially when considering the clock needed to drive a computation), (iii) explain—using both the NML design space and a discussion of clocking as context—how reliable circuit operation may be achieved, (iv) highlight experimental efforts regarding CMOS friendly clock structures for NML systems, (v) explain how electrical I/O could be achieved, and (vi) conclude with a brief discussion of suitable architectures for this technology. Throughout the article, we attempt to identify important areas for future work.
Essential roles for four cytoplasmic intermediate filament proteins in Caenorhabditis elegans development

The structural proteins of the cytoplasmic intermediate filaments (IFs) arise in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans from eight reported genes and an additional three genes now identified in the complete genome. With the use of double-stranded RNA interference (RNAi) for all 11 C. elegans genes encoding cytoplasmic IF proteins, we observe phenotypes for the five genes A1, A2, A3, B1, and C2. These range from embryonic lethality (B1) and embryonic/larval lethality (A3) to larval lethality (A1 and A2) and a mild dumpy phenotype of adults (C2). Phenotypes A2 and A3 involve displaced body muscles and paralysis. They probably arise by reduction of hypodermal IFs that participate in the transmission of force from the muscle cells to the cuticle. The B1 phenotype has multiple morphogenetic defects, and the A1 phenotype is arrested at the L1 stage. Thus, at least four IF genes are essential for C. elegans development. Their RNAi phenotypes are lethal defects due to silencing of single IF genes. In contrast to C. elegans, no IF genes have been identified in the complete Drosophila genome, posing the question of how Drosophila can compensate for the lack of these proteins, which are essential in mammals and C. elegans. We speculate that the lack of IF proteins in Drosophila can be viewed as cytoskeletal alteration in which, for instance, stable microtubules, often arranged as bundles, substitute for cytoplasmic IFs.
The Splicing Factor U1C Represses EWS/FLI-mediated Transactivation*

EWS is an RNA-binding protein involved in human tumor-specific chromosomal translocations. In approximately 85% of Ewing's sarcomas, such translocations give rise to the chimeric geneEWS/FLI. In the resulting fusion protein, the RNA binding domains from the C terminus of EWS are replaced by the DNA-binding domain of the ETS protein FLI-1. EWS/FLI can function as a transcription factor with the same DNA binding specificity as FLI-1. EWS and EWS/FLI can associate with the RNA polymerase II holoenzyme as well as with SF1, an essential splicing factor. Here we report that U1C, one of three human U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein-specific proteins, interacts in vitro and in vivo with both EWS and EWS/FLI. U1C interacts with other splicing factors and is important in the early stages of spliceosome formation. Importantly, co-expression of U1C represses EWS/FLI-mediated transactivation, demonstrating that this interaction can have functional ramifications. Our findings demonstrate that U1C, a well characterized splicing protein, can also function in transcriptional regulation. Furthermore, they suggest that EWS and EWS/FLI may function both in transcriptional and post-transcriptional processes.