Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Serum PARC/CCL-18 concentrations and health outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

RATIONALE There are no accepted blood-based biomarkers in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pulmonary and activation-regulated chemokine (PARC/CCL-18) is a lung-predominant inflammatory protein that is found in serum. OBJECTIVES To determine whether PARC/CCL-18 levels are elevated and modifiable in COPD and to determine their relationship to clinical end points of hospitalization and mortality. METHODS PARC/CCL-18 was measured in serum samples from individuals who participated in the ECLIPSE (Evaluation of COPD Longitudinally to Identify Predictive Surrogate Endpoints) and LHS (Lung Health Study) studies and a prednisolone intervention study. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Serum PARC/CCL-18 levels were higher in subjects with COPD than in smokers or lifetime nonsmokers without COPD (105 vs. 81 vs. 80 ng/ml, respectively; P < 0.0001). Elevated PARC/CCL-18 levels were associated with increased risk of cardiovascular hospitalization or mortality in the LHS cohort and with total mortality in the ECLIPSE cohort. CONCLUSIONS Serum PARC/CCL-18 levels are elevated in COPD and track clinical outcomes. PARC/CCL-18, a lung-predominant chemokine, could be a useful blood biomarker in COPD.
Proteasome Immunosubunits Protect against the Development of CD8 T Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Diseases

Exposure of cells to inflammatory cytokines induces the expression of three proteasome immunosubunits, two of which are encoded in the MHC class II region. The induced subunits replace their constitutive homologs in newly formed “so-called” immunoproteasomes. Immunosubunit incorporation enhances the proteasome’s proteolytic activity and modifies the proteasome’s cleavage-site preferences, which improves the generation of many MHC class I-presented peptides and shapes the fine specificity of pathogen-specific CD8 T cell responses. In this article, we report on a second effect of immunoproteasome formation on CD8 T cell responses. We show that mice deficient for the immunosubunits β5i/low molecular mass polypeptide (LMP7) and β2i/multicatalytic endopeptidase complex-like–1 develop early-stage multiorgan autoimmunity following irradiation and bone marrow transplantation. Disease symptoms are caused by CD8 T cells and are transferable into immunosubunit-deficient, RAG1-deficient mice. Moreover, using the human Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium MHC dataset, we identified two single nucleotide polymorphisms within the β5i/LMP7-encoding gene sequences, which were in strong linkage disequilibrium, as independent genetic risk factors for type 1 diabetes development in humans. Strikingly, these single nucleotide polymorphisms significantly enhanced the risk conferred by HLA haplotypes that were previously shown to predispose for type 1 diabetes. These data suggested that inflammation-induced immunosubunit expression in peripheral tissues constitutes a mechanism that prevents the development of CD8 T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases.
Local Delivery of Ibuprofen via Controlled-release Polymers Prevents Angiographic Vasospasm in a Monkey Model of Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE: Adhesion and migration of leukocytes into the periadventitial space play a role in the pathophysiology of vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 is a determinant cell adhesion molecule involved in this process. Ibuprofen has been shown to inhibit intercellular adhesion molecule-1 upregulation and prevent vasospasm in animal models of SAH. In this study, we report the toxicity and efficacy of locally delivered ibuprofen incorporated into controlled-release polymers to prevent vasospasm in a monkey model of SAH. METHODS: Ibuprofen was incorporated into ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVAc) polymers at 45% loading (wt:wt). For the toxicity study, cynomolgus monkeys (n = 5) underwent surgical implantation of either blank/EVAc polymers (n = 3) or 45% ibuprofen/EVAc polymers (n = 2) in the subarachnoid space, were followed up for 13 weeks, and were killed for histopathological analysis. For the efficacy study, cynomolgus monkeys (n = 14) underwent cerebral angiography 7 days before and 7 days after surgery and SAH and were randomized to receive either a 45% ibuprofen/EVAc polymer (n = 7; mean dose of ibuprofen, 6 mg/kg) or blank EVAc polymers (n = 7) in the subarachnoid space. Angiographic vasospasm was determined by digital image analysis. Student’s t test was used for analysis. RESULTS: Animals implanted with ibuprofen polymers showed no signs of local or systemic toxicity. Animals treated with ibuprofen polymers had 91 ± 9% lumen patency of the middle cerebral artery, compared with 53 ± 11% of animals treated with blank/EVAc polymers (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Ibuprofen polymers are safe and prevent angiographic vasospasm after SAH in the monkey model. These findings support the role of cell adhesion molecules and inflammation in the pathophysiology of vasospasm.
Problematic Internet use, reward sensitivity and decision making

Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 49(10) their wellbeing, but more skills-based training may be needed to assist them to apply what they have learned in more challenging circumstances. Peer support and mentoring, when available, can make a difference to carers who are prepared to access it. Although specialised family therapy may be very helpful, especially when relationships are highly dysfunctional, this is a very scarce resource in routine care and is associated with high levels of attrition. More pragmatic and scalable ways to address these difficulties are needed (Pirkis et al., 2010) that could ultimately contribute to a cost-effective stepped care approach aimed at enhancing the health and quality of life of all family members.
The segmentation algorithm of dental CT images based on fuzzy maximum entropy and region growing

Because the dental structure is irregular and particular, an automatic segmentation algorithm is proposed, which is based on fuzzy maximum entropy theory and region growing method. It achieves automatic acquisition of thresholds and seeds, and gets an accurate segmentation results. With the help of ICM algorithm, it resolves the problem of excessive calculation in the process of automatic threshold acquisition. The applications prove that the new algorithm is intuitive, simple, robust and easy to implement.
Methotrexate is an effective treatment for chronic uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness of methotrexate (MTX) in the treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) associated uveitis, which is still one of the most common causes of visual impairment. METHODS A retrospective chart review of patients with the diagnosis of uveitis associated with JIA between July 1, 2002, and December 31, 2002. RESULTS Four hundred sixty-seven patients with JIA were followed. Thirty-eight had uveitis: 31 associated with oligoarticular JIA and 7 with psoriatic JIA. Twenty-five of the 38 patients received MTX; in 23 patients uveitis was the indication for MTX therapy. In the MTX treated group 46/50 eyes had uveitis, the mean (range) age at onset of uveitis was 7.82 years (1.8-15.8), and the mean age at onset of arthritis was 7.25 years (1.25-15.7). MTX treatment was started an average of 11.4 months (0-72) after the onset of uveitis. The mean MTX dose was 15.6 mg/m2. Remission occurred after 4.25 months (1-12). Mean duration of remission was 10.3 months (3-27). The total duration of MTX therapy was 661 months and patients were in remission for 417/661 months. In 6 patients MTX was discontinued after 12 months of remission. Four patients were still in remission after 7.5 months (1-14). CONCLUSION MTX seems to be an effective therapy for JIA associated uveitis.
Linezolid: A New Antibiotic for Newborns and Children?

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus remains one of the most common and troublesome microorganisms causing disease in humans, despite the development of effective antibiotics. Linezolid is a member of a new class of synthetic antibiotics called oxazolidinones, introduced into therapy due to the increasing resistance of Gram-positive pathogens to traditional antibiotics. Information about the pharmacokinetics and tolerability profile of linezolid in the pediatric population mostly derive from adult studies and especially in the neonatal field relatively few data are available. Here we summarize linezolid's characteristics and report data available in the literature regarding linezolid use in newborns and children. For this purpose, a Medline search was performed between 1990 and 2006 involving the term “linezolid” combined with the terms “newborn”, “infant”, “child”, “pediatrics”. Additional information was obtained from Reactions Weekly™.
Teaching problem solving to mathematics student teachers in a Malaysian context

Problem solving is viewed as an important component in mathematics teaching and learning in Malaysia. As part of my research project on student teachers’ recontextualisation of problem solving, I would like to share how one mathematics teacher training program in Malaysia teaches problem solving to student teachers. The courses within the program which focus on problem solving are Methods for teaching mathematics, Laboratory in mathematics education, Microteaching and Operational Research. I am using a critical discourse analysis approach on the data, focusing on what counts as a problem, what problem solving processes are demonstrated and the values portrayed about the problems and problem solving processes. The similarities and differences in the ways the courses portray problem solving and its values are emphasised.
Long-term stability of anterior open bite correction in mixed dentition with a new treatment protocol.

BACKGROUND The treatment of choice for skeletal open bite is orthognathic surgery combined with pre and post- surgicalorthodontics; however relapse can be observed and alternative solutions are sought to avoid surgery whenever possible. A case is reported showing an original treatment protocol in order to obtain aesthetic, functional and stable results. CASE REPORT A 10.2 year old boy with anterior open bite was treated with a Hyrax type rapid maxillary expander on the maxilla (one month) and a lingual arch in the lower jaw; then, grinding of deciduous molars was performed, a lingual grid was positioned and a myofunctional treatment (exercises) was started. The subsequent treatment phase was achieved with a lip bumper and fixed straight wire appliances on both arches. After 24 months of active treatment, retainers were used to maintain the good results achieved, which were unchanged at the long term controls, 3 and 7 years after treatment.
Global Visual Features based on Random Process - Application to Visual Servoing

This paper presents new global visual features: random distribution of limited set of pixels luminance. Our approach aims to improve the real-time performance of visual servoing applications. In fact, using these new features, we reduce the computation time of the visual servoing scheme. Our method is based on a random process which ensures efficient and fast convergence of the robot. The use of our new features removes the matching and tracking process. Experimental results are presented to validate our approach.
Meta-analysis of the implantable cardioverter defibrillator secondary prevention trials. AVID, CASH and CIDS studies. Antiarrhythmics vs Implantable Defibrillator study. Cardiac Arrest Study Hamburg . Canadian Implantable Defibrillator Study.

AIMS Three randomized trials of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy vs medical treatment for the prevention of death in survivors of ventricular fibrillation or sustained ventricular tachycardia have been reported with what might appear to be different results. The present analysis was performed to obtain the most precise estimate of the efficacy of the ICD, compared to amiodarone, for prolonging survival in patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmia. METHODS AND RESULTS Individual patient data from the Antiarrhythmics vs Implantable Defibrillator (AVID) study, the Cardiac Arrest Study Hamburg (CASH) and the Canadian Implantable Defibrillator Study (CIDS) were merged into a master database according to a pre-specified protocol. Proportional hazard modelling of individual patient data was used to estimate hazard ratios and to investigate subgroup interactions. Fixed effect meta-analysis techniques were also used to evaluate treatment effects and to assess heterogeneity across studies. The classic fixed effects meta-analysis showed that the estimates of ICD benefit from the three studies were consistent with each other (P heterogeneity=0.306). It also showed a significant reduction in death from any cause with the ICD; with a summary hazard ratio (ICD:amiodarone) of 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.60, 0.87;P=0.0006). For the outcome of arrhythmic death, the hazard ratio was 0.50 (95% confidence interval 0.37, 0.67;P<0.0001). Survival was extended by a mean of 4.4 months by the ICD over a follow-up period of 6 years. Patients with left ventricular ejection fraction < or = 35% derived significantly more benefit from ICD therapy than those with better preserved left ventricular function. Patients treated before the availability of non-thoracotomy ICD implants derived significantly less benefit from ICD therapy than those treated in the non-thoracotomy era. CONCLUSION Results from the three trials of the ICD vs amiodarone are consistent with each other. There is a 28% reduction in the relative risk of death with the ICD that is due almost entirely to a 50% reduction in arrhythmic death.
Robust control of an experimental helicopter using genetic algorithms

This paper presents a novel design of optimal robust control for a two-degree-of-freedom helicopter. The design strategy is composed of the linear quadratic regulator (LQR), the sliding mode control (SMC), and the genetic algorithms (GAs). The LQR is applied to control the flight attitudes of the helicopter first. The SMC is involved in guaranteeing the robustness of system. Furthermore, the GAs is employed to search the optimal parameters of the robust controller. Computer simulations demonstrate the proposed strategy is systematic and possesses the optimal performance and robustness against external disturbance.
When presence and emotion are related, and when they are not

This paper proposes a theory generating predictions for when presence and emotion are related, and when they are not. The theory explains apparently conflicting reports on the relation between presence and emotion that have appeared in the literature – some reporting a relationship, others reporting no relationship. The key assertion of the theory is that presence and emotion are related for arousing content only. For content to be arousing to a media consumer it must be perceived as personally relevant and significant – either viscerally or carrying more complex meaning. Of course, this is not to say that all content that is personally relevant and significant need be arousing – it could be personally relevant, significant and arousal reducing. In addition to explaining contradictory results previously reported in the literature on the relation between presence and emotion, the theory explains new data presented in this paper. Consistent with our own and other authors’ previous reports, we present new data showing that media form manipulations (specifically screen size and participants’ ability to navigate within a VE) influence presence. We did not find related influences of the same manipulations on participants’ emotional responses to the media experiences. Finally, whilst we do not present our theory as evidence in favour of the evolutionary rationale for presence recently presented in the literature it is encouraging to note that the two theories are compatible.
Bounds of Fuzzy Controller output scaling gains for stabilization of a dissipative chaotic system

Chaotic systems are extremely sensitive to perturbations in their system dynamics leading to unpredictability of their evolution in time scale. This extreme sensitivity can be exploited for fast tuning of Fuzzy Controller output signals to attain asymptotic stability in the sense of Lyapunov, while preserving the uniqueness of the control law. This paper investigates the bounds of feasible regions for heuristic tuning of a Fuzzy Controller output scaling factor to achieve local asymptotically stable trajectories of a Lorenz chaotic system based on the Lyapunov stability criteria. Numerical simulations of the closed-loop system using MATLAB® software shows that the heuristic tuning approach is less time consuming and equally establishes the regions of controllability and stabilizability of the Controller based on the observed system responses.
Emergency Department Pain Management in Children With Appendicitis in a Biethnic Population

Objectives: Our goal was to examine factors associated with the administration of emergency department analgesia (any analgesia, opioid analgesia) in patients with acute appendicitis in a tertiary children’s hospital in Israel, and to examine ethnic differences. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of children evaluated in the emergency department, who had International Classification Of Disease—Ninth Revision (ICD-9) diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Regression analysis was used to test the effect of multiple variables on the provision of analgesia. Medications were administered according to a nurse-driven pain protocol. Multivariate regression was performed to estimate the strength of association between ethnicity and provision of analgesia. The effect of patient-nurse ethnicity concordance was assessed. Results: During the 6-year study period, there were 715 children with acute appendicitis, 457 Jews and 258 Arabs. Overall, 289 (40.4%) received some form of analgesia, and 139 (19.4%) received opioid analgesia. Univariate analysis revealed that higher pain score (P<0.001) and higher triage acuity (P<0.001) were associated with administration of any type of analgesia and of opioid analgesia. When adjusted for age, weight, sex, triage category, pain score, and 24-hour time of arrival, Jewish and Arab patients had similar likelihood of receiving analgesia of any type 41.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 40.3%-43.3%) versus 40.7% (95% CI, 38.7%-42.8%), and receiving opioid analgesia 26.1% (95% CI, 24.4%-27.8%) versus 25.3% (95% CI, 22.9%-27.7%). Similar proportions of Jewish and Arab patients received analgesia from Jewish and Arab nurses. Conclusions: Low rates of analgesia and opioid administration were found with no ethnic differences.
Users' Link Sharing Behaviour in an Online Health Community

Introduction: An online health community is not a closed information environment; rather, it connects with other online sources through links. Nevertheless, little is known about users’ link sharing behaviour, and thereafter the overall information environment of the community. The current study is to fill this gap. Methods: One hundred eighty five posts that contain links (100 were posted by frequent contributors and 85 by occasional contributors), and associated comments, were selected from a data set of messages from a large online diabetes community. Analysis: The content analysis method was used to identify types of sites that the links led to, the format and content of the linked information, roles that the links served in posts, as well as peers’ reactions to the links. Results: The majority of the links were posted by frequent contributors. Frequent contributors were more likely to post general webpages providing diabetes-related knowledge and evidence-based articles, whereas occasional contributors were more likely to post events, programmes, and diabetes-related products. The latter were also more likely to leave email addresses for private communications. Peer users appreciated the links. They read, evaluated, reflected on, or discussed about the linked content. Conclusion: Some users of online health communities were information brokers, linking other online sources to the communities. Links served as objects that enable users’ reflections on information and foster social interactions among them. A link hub could be constructed to facilitate access to disease-related information and to promote user interaction and learning.
A 4.5-mW 900-MHz CMOS receiver for wireless paging

An ultralow-power 900-MHz receiver implemented on a single CMOS chip is intended for use in FLEX wireless paging. The receiver uses an indirect conversion to zero intermediate frequency (IF) to suppress the flicker noise corner in the second mixer to less than 1 kHz. Various techniques for low-power design, most of them unique to CMOS, are presented, with theoretical support and experimental verifications. The receiver, fabricated in a 0.25-/spl mu/m standard CMOS process, achieves 7.4-dS noise figure at 1.6 kHz with -25-dBm IIP3 on a 1.5 V supply. The voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) has a phase noise of -98 dBc/Hz at 25 kHz offset. The nominal receiver bias current of 3 mA is higher than the expected 2 mA because of unanticipated losses in coupling capacitors.
Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin for the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in the Elderly

Venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism) is a common problem in the elderly population. Indeed, increasing age is a significant risk factor for venous thromboembolism. The treatment of venous thromboembolism in the elderly population presents certain unique problems related to aging, such as decreasing body weight, increasing renal insufficiency and numerous comorbid conditions, which complicate therapy. Treatment of venous thromboembolism in the elderly has been complicated by an increased incidence of bleeding, particularly with the use of warfarin. The risk of bleeding may be substantially reduced by carefully adjusting the warfarin dose to maintain a therapeutic INR and for this purpose anticoagulant management clinics have been shown to be useful. The low-molecular-weight heparins have been shown to be efficacious and safe for the treatment of venous thromboembolism in several clinical trials, including many patients in the older age brackets. Furthermore, these agents can safely be used in the out-of-hospital setting. Long-term use of low-molecular-weight heparin is an alternative to the use of oral anticoagulant therapy, particularly in patients with cancer or recurrent venous thromboembolism.
Morphometric study of atypical lumbar vertebrae and its physiological correlation

Background: The fixation of lumbar spine is needed for various spinal problems such as fracture in lumbar spine, resection of tumors in vertebral bodies, gross spondylolisthesis, and lumbar instabilities. Majority of pedicle morphometric studies are based on white population in different parts of the world, whereas only a few studies are available on Indian population. Objective: To report the results of a morphometric study of adult atypical lumbar vertebraeâ€™s pedicles and correlate them physiologically to provide morphometric inputs for the use of this vertebral component in implants fixation in the population of Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 20 dry human atypical lumbar vertebrae obtained from Department of Anatomy, Shyam Shah Medical College, Rewa (Madhya Pradesh, India). Pedicle vertical height (h) and pedicle width (w) were measured with the help of a sliding vernier caliper. Results: Positive correlations have been found between height and width of dry human lumbar vertebrae. Conclusion: Results indicated that in Rewa region of central India, 15-mm Steffee pedicle screw can be used safely for atypical lumbar vertebrae.