Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Calcified plaque is common in the carotid and femoral arteries of dialysis patients without clinical vascular disease.

BACKGROUND Cardiac and vascular mortality are common in end-stage renal disease (ERSD) and are often attributed to accelerated atherosclerosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS We studied 24 non-diabetic ESRD patients without cardiac or vascular disease (M = 12, F = 12) and 24 age-, sex- and race-matched healthy controls. All underwent B-mode ultrasound for carotid and femoral intima media thickness (IMT) and plaque (% stenosis) together with blood pressure (BP), and echocardiograms to determine left ventricular mass. RESULTS Both BP and mean IMT were similar in patients and controls. However, discrete plaque was present in 71% (17/24) of patients compared with 21% (5/24) of controls (P = 0.001), and % stenosis was greater in patients (carotid 12.2 +/- 11% vs 2.3 +/- 5.9%, P < 0.0004; femoral 16.4 +/- 19.1% vs 3.1 +/- 6.4%, P < 0.003). Plaque was soft/atheromatous in 3 of the 5 controls, but not in any of the 17 patients (P = 0.007), all of whom had calcified lesions. BP and cholesterol were not correlated with IMT or plaque in patients, but in control subjects carotid IMT was correlated with systolic BP (r = 0.66, P < 0.0005) and diastolic BP (r = 0.45, P < 0.03). In patients, the only independent variables related to vascular morphology were serum albumin which was inversely related to IMT (P < 0.03) and to plaque (carotid P < 0.05, femoral P < 0.02) and age, which was related to femoral plaque only (P < 0.04). Left ventricular end-diastolic internal dimension, not LVMI, correlated positively with carotid IMT (P < 0.04). CONCLUSION Our results show that calcified plaque is common in ESRD patients and hypoalbuminaemia may be an associated factor.
A normalized configuration of floorplans and ABLR-relations

The single-sequence (SS) debuted very recently as the literally simplest code to represent the consistent ABLR-relations (above, below, left-of, right-of) between every pair of objects. It is evolutional in several senses in that it does not convey the labels of objects and that objects could be either physical modules or topological rooms of a T-junction floorplan. Rather it is considered an extremal abstraction of those BSG, SP, O-Tree, etc. algorithms (for packing) and Q-seq, CBL, HPG, etc. (for floorplanning). The paper reports a discovery of a particular relation between SS and the normalized configuration of the floorplan called the unit-diagonal diagram.
Current Management of the Wolff‐Parkinson‐White Syndrome

Abstract In this review, we discuss the pathophysiology of the Wolff‐Parkinson‐White (WPW) syndrome and describe medical, surgical, and catheter based principles. WPW syndrome results from the congenital presence of impulse‐conducting fascicles, known as accessory pathways (APs) or bypass tracts, which connect atria and ventricles across the annulus fibrosis and are capable of preexciting portions of the ventricular myocardium. Once triggered, atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardias (AVRTs) generally result from depolarization wavefronts moving anterograde through the AV node to the ventricles and returning retrograde to the atria along the AP. Rapid AVRT decreases ventricular filling time and cardiac output, resulting in symptoms. Medications that prolong AP refractory periods (flecainide, propafenone, and amiodarone) prevent rapid AP anterograde conduction (from atria to ventricles) in atrial tachycardias such as atrial fibrillation or flutter. In emergencies, adenosine can be used to terminate the AVRT of WPW syndrome. Otherwise, Class IA or IC antiarrhythmic agents are used to slow AP conduction either with or without AV nodal blocking agents. Open chest surgical ablation of a bypass tract in a symptomatic patient was first reported in 1968. The original endocardial surgical techniques for localizing and dividing APs were refined and an alternative epicardial approach has been developed. Reported mortality rates in experienced hands were 0% to 1.5% in large series for patients without additional cardiac abnormalities. Catheter delivered radiofrequency (RF) energy is now applied intravascularly to ablate APs. Since the first large series of patients undergoing RF ablation was reported in 1989, the procedure had proved safe, cost effective, and well tolerated. RF ablation has become the initial nonpharmacological treatment of choice for WPW syndrome; surgical ablation has become relegated to those cases where symptoms are intolerable and RF ablation is not feasible. (J Card Surg 1993; 8:503–515)
Monoclonal antibody analyses of cytopathic and noncytopathic viruses from fatal bovine viral diarrhea virus infections

A panel of monoclonal antibodies that recognize the two major glycoproteins of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BDV) was used to evaluate the antigenic relationship between cytopathic (CP) and noncytopathic (NCP) viruses isolated from cattle dead or dying from fatal BDV infections. Various unrelated BDV isolates were initially screened by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal antibodies directed against the 56- to 58- and 48-kilodalton glycoproteins of the virus. A wide spectrum of reactivity that was independent of biotype was found. Biological clones of the same isolate showed only minor variations from the parental isolate, as did isolates taken from different animals located on the same farm. A similar analysis was repeated with pairs of CP and NCP viruses isolated from 16 unrelated clinical cases of BDV infection resulting in fatal disease. The reactivity patterns within individual pairs of isolates taken from the same animals were in most instances very similar and in some cases indistinguishable from one another. The results demonstrate that antigenic similarity between biotypes is a consistent finding in animals dying from fatal BDV infections. In view of the wide degree between biotypes is a consistent finding in animals dying from fatal BDV infections. In view of the wide degree of variation in reactivity patterns between unrelated BDV isolates, the close antigenic similarity of CP BDV to the homologous NCP BDV of a given pair strongly suggests that CP BDV arises by mutation from NCP BDV.
Effects of multipath fading on delay-locked loops for spread spectrum systems

A renewal process approach is used to analyze noncoherent delay-locked loops (DLLs) for spread spectrum systems operating over frequency selective and frequency nonselective slow fading channels. The effects of multipath fading are evaluated in terms of the mean-time-to-lose-lock (MTLL) and the root-mean-square (RMS) tracking error. For channels that have a specular component, the following results are observed: (i) the effect of multipath fading is more significant for tracking loops that have large loop signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs); (ii) a smaller early-late discriminator offset /spl Delta/, which is bounded by 0 0.5) may result in a higher MTLL, especially if there is a strong multipath effect. From (ii) and (iii), instead of using the popular choice of /spl Delta/=0.5, a larger /spl Delta/ may be chosen for a DLL that works at low SNRs and/or strong multipath fading environments, where MTLL is an important consideration. >
Cost-Effectiveness of Alternative Strategies for Initiating and Monitoring Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in the Developing World

Objective:Determine the cost-effectiveness of initiating and monitoring highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in developing countries according to developing world versus developed world guidelines. Design:Lifetime Markov model incorporating costs, quality of life, survival, and transmission to sexual contacts. Methods:We evaluated treating patients with HIV in South Africa according to World Health Organization (WHO) “3 by 5” guidelines (treat CD4 counts ≤200 cells/mm3 or patients with AIDS, and monitor CD4 cell counts every 6 months) versus modified WHO guidelines that incorporate the following key differences from developed world guidelines: treat CD4 counts ≤350 cells/mm3 or viral loads >100,000 copies/mL, and monitor CD4 cell counts and viral load every 3 months. Results:Incorporating transmission to partners (excluding indirect costs), treating patients according to developed versus developing world guidelines increased costs by US $11,867 and increased life expectancy by 3.00 quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), for an incremental cost-effectiveness of $3956 per QALY. Including indirect costs, over the duration of the model, there are net cost savings to the economy of $39.4 billion, with increased direct medical costs of $60.5 billion offset by indirect cost savings of $99.9 billion. Conclusions:Treating patients with HIV according to developed versus developing world guidelines is highly cost-effective and may result in substantial long-term savings.
1985 Kreshover lecture. Molecular Factors Influencing Neutrophil Defects in Periodontal Disease

Major advances in our understanding of the role of the neutrophil in host defense against periodontal organisms have been made through studies of localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP). Several.lines of evidence suggest that LJP is an infectious process closely associated with Actinobacillus (Haemophilus) actinomycetemcomitans as a causative agent, although other organisms may also participate. The immunologic profile of LJP patients suggests that a cell-associated neutrophil locomotory dysfunction is a key underlying immunodeficiency resulting in increased susceptibility to periodontal infection. In addition, LJP patients often exhibit cervical lymphadenopathy and IgG-hypergammaglobulinemia, and a markedly elevated antibody response to the infecting organism, A. actinomycetemcomitans, is found in the serum and crevicular fluid of most patients. Evaluation of the locomotory properties of LJP neutrophils shows that random migration and chemokinesis are normal; however, about 70% of the LJP patients suffer from a defect in chemotaxis, with their neutrophils responding poorly to bacterial chemotaetic factors, synthetic chemotactic peptides, and complement fragments (C5a). Depressed chemotaxis of LJP neutrophils is paralleled by their reduced capacity to bind the synthetic chemotactic peptide N-formylmethionylleucylphenylalanine (FMLP), as well as C5a. Furthermore, there is a reduction in the amount of glycoprotein 110, a neutrophil membrane matrix component and differentiation antigen which is associated with FMLP- and possibly also C5a-mediated chemotaxis. Reduction ofC5a and of FMLP ligand binding, decreased expression of GP-110, and reduced neutrophil chemotaxis are consistent with a stem cell maturation error in LJP patients. This is further supported by studies demonstrating increased expression of CR2, the C3d/EBV receptor, on peripheral blood neutrophils of LJP patients. CR2 receptors are normally present on immature human neutrophils but are lost during the maturation process. These alterations in neutrophil surface components and their reduced chemotaxis may result from a genetically determined abnormality. Studies demonstrating the familial nature of both the neutrophil chemotactic disorder and the clinical entity represented by localized juvenile periodontitis point to a strong role for genetic determinants in the disease which affect neutrophil surface receptors.
Optimization of electrofusion in vitro for rhabdomyosarcoma cells

Cell-cell fusion is an important natural and engineered process for in-depth studies into hybridomas, developmental biology, immunology and various cellular therapies. It is also a powerful tool for analysis of gene expression, chromosomal mapping, antibody production, cloning mammals, and cancer immunotherapy. However, research so far has primarily focused on cell models such as C.elegans, drosophila, myoblasts, spleen-myeloma cell hybrids and various plant protoplasts. Rhabdomyosarcoma cells are a rare form of musculoskeletal cancer cells found in the head, neck, and other less skeletal areas of the human cancer patient's body. As these cells do not normally undergo fusion naturally, they are an interesting model for studying cell fusion. Among all the techniques for fusion, electrofusion (electroporation) can be applied to a wide range of cell types with high efficiency and high post-fusion viability. By coupling these cells with this technique, the effects on cell proliferation, growth pattern, and hybridoma count were investigated. Overall, the experimental results showed that an adequate electrical stimulation helped to facilitate the fusion and proliferation of the RD cells. Furthermore, a DC current produced the highest number of hybridomas, while maintaining the highest proliferation rate. After subtracting for the control samples, an average fusion yield of 24% was obtained under this DC setting, which is comparable to the fusion yield of 20% obtained using the same technique by other researchers. This is a promising result for its application in the production of monoclonal antibodies for cancer research and treatment. This proof-of-concept is predicted to be useful to both the medical scientists in the field of immunology and cell-based therapy, as well as defense scientists working on chemical and biological warfare.
INHIBITION OF THE RENIN–ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM ATTENUATES THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIVER FIBROSIS AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN RATS

1 The present study was designed to investigate the potential antifibrotic and anti‐oxidant effects of lisinopril, fosinopril and losartan in an experimental rat model of liver injury using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). 2 First, the potential hepatoprotective dose of each drug was screened against CCl4‐induced acute hepatotoxicity. Then, we chose the minimum hepatoprotective dose of each drug to further investigate the mechanisms involved in the hepatoprotection using a chronic model of hepatotoxicity induced by CCl4. 3 Liver function was assessed in addition to histopathological examination. Furthermore, oxidative stress markers (reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxides levels) and markers of fibrosis (hydroxyproline content and liver fibrosis area) were assessed. 4 It was found that treatment of animals with different drugs concomitantly with CCl4 significantly counteracted the changes in liver function induced by CCl4 (except fosinopril). In addition, the drugs ameliorated the histopathological changes induced by CCl4. All drugs significantly counteracted lipid peroxidation and GSH depletion (except fosinopril) compared with the CCl4‐intoxicated group. Moreover, the drugs studied significantly reduced liver hydroxyproline levels and the area of fibrosis compared with the CCl4‐intoxicated group. 5 In conclusion, the present study provides evidence for the hepatoprotective effect of lisinopril, fosinopril and losartan. Both lisinopril and losartan was found to have better hepatoprotective potential than fosinopril against CCl4‐induced hepatotoxicity. These hepatoprotective effects can be explained on the basis of anti‐oxidant and antifibrotic mechanisms, mainly enhancement of GSH and reduction of lipid peroxidation and fibrosis.
Perceptions and opinions towards skin cancer prevention in Malaysia: a qualitative approach.

INTRODUCTION Malignant melanoma in particular is one of the few remaining cancers with an increasing incidence. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions and opinions of young Malaysians towards skin cancer prevention. METHODOLOGY Focus group discussions were conducted among 33 medical science students from Management and Science University (MSU), Shah Alam, Malaysia, using convenience sampling. Students were divided into 4 focus groups consisting of 8, 8, 9 and 8 students respectively. The facilitator wrote down the conversations and data obtained were classified into various categories and analyzed manually. RESULTS The majority of the participants mentioned that overexposure to ultraviolet light is the commonest cause of skin cancer but also that the most benefit we get from sun ight is vitamin D synthesis. The majority mentioned that the best prevention measure for skin cancer is using a sunscreen, followed by limit exposure to the sun. CONCLUSION The present study demonstrated there is a lack of knowledge regarding screening methods and prevention measures of skin cancer. Therefore, there is a need to establish health education unit in all universities to educate all university students regarding various health problems including skin cancer prevention.
Projections from the nucleus reticularis magnocellularis to the rat cervical cord using electrical stimulation and iontophoretic injection methods

The aim of this study is to clarify the fiber distribution of the nucleus reticularis magnocellularis (NRMC) and adjacent areas in the rat spinal cord. Biotinylated dextran amine was injected iontophoretically through a glass capillary into the areas, in which a single cell responded to noxious electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve and to a pinch of the thigh skin with multiple spikes. Labeled fibers descended bilaterally through the ventral funiculi of the medulla oblongata and then through the ventral and lateral funiculi of the cervical cord with an ipsilateral predominance, and terminated in the spinal gray (laminae I–2X). A single fiber sometimes ran through several laminae while bifurcating many short branches with axon varicosities and terminal buttons in one transverse section, that is, through laminae V, VII and X, through laminae V, III–IV and I-II, and through laminae VII to I–II. The present study showed that the wide distribution of a single fiber and a mass of fibers descending from the NRMC and adjacent areas might modulate not only somatic sensory and motor functions but also autonomic functions in the spinal cord.
Academic performance of young competitive swimmers is associated with physical activity intensity and its predominant metabolic pathway: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND The relationship between physical activity (PA) and academic performance has been previously studied. However, there is a need to determine if the intensity of the PA performed and its predominant metabolic pathway show any degree of association with the academic achievement. METHODS Cross-sectional data were gathered from Spanish young competitive swimmers. Academic achievement was based on individual grades for each student; the PA level was measured by means of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Swimmers were classified according to the preferential energetic cost of the event in which they competed. RESULTS A total of 254 swimmers finished the study; 62.8% of them were considered moderate active. The statistical analysis showed that the higher the level of PA performed, the better the average grades achieved. This relationship was significant among the girls (P = .04). No significant differences were found regarding the influence of the kind of swimming event. However, taking part in aerobic events proved to have a significant influence on the academic achievement for girls (P = .01). CONCLUSION The link between academic achievement and PA depends on the intensity in which the PA is performed, as well as on its predominant metabolic pathway. However, such associations seem to be gender-dependent.
Scheme mapping for relational database transformation to ontology: A survey

Ontology has an important role in creating semantic data on web semantics. Developing a new ontology model for a knowledge domain is not an easy process. Several existing studies, trying to obtain knowledge from existing assets, that is relational data model. The fundamental problem in the process of transforming relational database to ontology is how to construct an ontology model and extracting hidden semantics from relational model. Relational model are recognized as less expressive and incapable of supporting some conceptualizations. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the mapping scheme approach for transforming relational databases to ontologies based on literature studies from several studies that have been conducted. The results of the study concluded that the mapping scheme process for relational database transformation to ontology should consider all possible combinations of primary and foreign keys in relational model to produce a rich ontology.
Fully homomorphic encryption: Searching over encrypted cloud data

Searching over encrypted data is a very important property that can offer some encryption schemes. It means performing queries on encrypted data in the absence of purpose to decryption, which permits to preserve confidentiality of sensitive data. Private Information Retrieval (PIR) is an essential protocol when selected information from remote databases is wanted to be done in secrecy. Fully homomorphic encryption is a revolutionary domain of cryptography that allows processing encrypted data without the need of any prior decryption, thus generating an encrypted result that corresponds the result of operations performed on the plaintext. In this paper we will exploit the important property that can offer the powerful fully homomorphic encryption to show how to realize a PIR protocol and how to search over encrypted data in a cloud context.
Dendritic cell longevity and T cell persistence is controlled by CD154‐CD40 interactions

Inflammatory mediators facilitate the maturation of dendritic cells (DC), enabling them to induce the activation, proliferation and differentiation of cognate T cells. The role of CD40 on DC and CD154 on T cells has been studied by the co‐adoptive transfer of antigen‐pulsed DC and TCR‐transgenic (Tg) T cells in vivo. It is shown that in the absence of CD40‐CD154 interactions, initial Tg T cell expansion occurs in vivo, but over time, T cell expansion cannot be sustained. The basis for the demise of the T cell population is likely due to the disappearance of the antigen‐pulsed DC in the draining lymph nodes when CD154‐CD40 interactions are interrupted. These findings show that both T cell and DC persistence in vivo is dependent on CD40‐CD154 interactions. In addition to the physical persistence of the DC, CD40 triggering of DC also greatly increases the period for which they can productively present antigen to Tg T cells. Hence DC persistence and antigen‐presenting cell capacity are both dependent on CD40 signaling. While TNF‐α can mature DC as measured by a variety of criteria, the unique capacity of CD40 signaling to sustain T cell responses and induce DC maturation is underscored by the inability of TNF‐α to rescue the immune deficiency of CD40–/– DC. Hence, the profound impact of CD154 deficiency on cell‐mediated immunity may be due to its ability to limit the duration of antigen presentation in vivo and cause the premature demise of antigen‐specific T cells.