pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Declining incidence trends for hip fractures have not been accompanied by improvements in lifetime risk or post-fracture survival – A nationwide study of the Swedish population 60years and older

AbstractBackgroundHip fracture is a common cause of disability and mortality among the elderly. Declining incidence trends have been observed in Sweden. Still, this condition remains a significant public health problem since Sweden has one of the highest incidences worldwide. Yet, no Swedish lifetime risk or survival trends have been presented. By examining how hip fracture incidence, post-fracture survival, as well as lifetime risk have developed between 1995 and 2010 in Sweden, this study aims to establish how the burden hip fractures pose on the elderly changed over time, in order to inform initiatives for improvements of their health.Material and MethodsThe entire Swedish population 60years-old and above was followed between 1987 and 2010 in the National Patient Register and the Cause of Death Register. Annual age-specific hip fracture cumulative incidence was estimated using hospital admissions for hip fractures. Three-month and one-year survival after the first hip fracture were also estimated. Period life table was used to assess lifetime risk of hip fractures occurring from age 60 and above, and the expected mean age of the first hip fracture.ResultsThe age-specific hip fracture incidence decreased between 1995 and 2010 in all ages up to 94years, on average by 1% per year. The lifetime risk remained almost stable, between 9% and 11% for men, and between 18% and 20% for women. The expected mean age of a first hip fracture increased by 2.5years for men and by 2.2years for women. No improvements over time were observed for the 3-month survival for men, while for women a 1% decrease per year was observed. The 1-year survival slightly increased over time for men (0.4% per year) while no improvement was observed for women.ConclusionsThe age-specific hip fracture incidence has decreased over time. Yet the lifetime risk of a hip fracture has not decreased because life expectancy in the population has increased in parallel. Overall, survival after hip fracture has not improved
The escape of heavy atoms from the ionosphere of HD209458b. I. A photochemical–dynamical model of the thermosphere

AbstractThe detections of atomic hydrogen, heavy atoms and ions surrounding the extrasolar giant planet (EGP) HD209458b constrain the composition, temperature and density profiles in its upper atmosphere. Thus the observations provide guidance for models that have so far predicted a range of possible conditions. We present the first hydrodynamic escape model for the upper atmosphere that includes all of the detected species in order to explain their presence at high altitudes, and to further constrain the temperature and velocity profiles. This model calculates the stellar heating rates based on recent estimates of photoelectron heating efficiencies, and includes the photochemistry of heavy atoms and ions in addition to hydrogen and helium. The composition at the lower boundary of the escape model is constrained by a full photochemical model of the lower atmosphere. We confirm that molecules dissociate near the 1μbar level, and find that complex molecular chemistry does not need to be included above this level. We also confirm that diffusive separation of the detected species does not occur because the heavy atoms and ions collide frequently with the rapidly escaping H and H+. This means that the abundance of the heavy atoms and ions in the thermosphere simply depends on the elemental abundances and ionization rates. We show that, as expected, H and O remain mostly neutral up to at least 3Rp, whereas both C and Si are mostly ionized at significantly lower altitudes. We also explore the temperature and velocity profiles, and find that the outflow speed and the temperature gradients depend strongly on the assumed heating efficiencies. Our models predict an upper limit of 8000K for the mean (pressure averaged) temperature below 3Rp, with a typical value of 7000K based on the average solar XUV flux at 0.047AU. We use these temperature limits and the observations to evaluate the role of stellar energy in heating the upper atmosphere
Undressing of Waddlia chondrophila to enrich its outer membrane proteins to develop a new species-specific ELISA

AbstractWaddlia chondrophila, an obligate intracellular bacterium of the Chlamydiales order, is considered as an agent of bovine abortion and a likely cause of miscarriage in humans. Its role in respiratory diseases was questioned after the detection of its DNA in clinical samples taken from patients suffering from pneumonia or bronchiolitis. To better define the role of Waddlia in both miscarriage and pneumonia, a tool allowing large-scale serological investigations of Waddlia seropositivity is needed. Therefore, enriched outer membrane proteins of W. chondrophila were used as antigens to develop a specific ELISA. After thorough analytical optimization, the ELISA was validated by comparison with micro-immunofluorescence and it showed a sensitivity above 85% with 100% specificity. The ELISA was subsequently applied to human sera to specify the role of W. chondrophila in pneumonia. Overall, 3.6% of children showed antibody reactivity against W. chondrophila but no significant difference was observed between children with and without pneumonia. Proteomic analyses were then performed using mass spectrometry, highlighting members of the outer membrane protein family as the dominant proteins. The major Waddlia putative immunogenic proteins were identified by immunoblot using positive and negative human sera. The new ELISA represents an efficient tool with high throughput applications. Although no association with pneumonia and Waddlia seropositivity was observed, this ELISA could be used to specify the role of W. chondrophila in miscarriage and in other diseases
The circumference of a graph with no K3,t-minor

AbstractIt was shown by Chen and Yu that every 3-connected planar graph G contains a cycle of length at least |G|log32, where |G| denotes the number of vertices of G. Thomas made a conjecture in a more general setting: there exists a function β(t)>0 for t⩾3, such that every 3-connected graph G with no K3,t-minor, t⩾3, contains a cycle of length at least |G|β(t). We prove that this conjecture is true with β(t)=log8tt+12. We also show that every 2-connected graph with no K2,t-minor, t⩾3, contains a cycle of length at least |G|/tt−1
A Previously Unreported Function of β1B Integrin Isoform in Caspase-8-Dependent Integrin-Mediated Keratinocyte Death

Integrins regulate adhesive cell–matrix interactions and mediate survival signals. On the other hand, unligated or free cytoplasmic fragments of integrins induce apoptosis in many cell types (integrin-mediated death). We have previously shown that β1 integrin expression protects keratinocyte stem cells from anoikis, whereas the role of the β1B integrin isoform has not been clarified. In this study we report that suspended keratinocytes undergo apoptosis through the activation of caspase-8, independently of the Fas/Fas ligand system. Indeed, anti-β1 integrin-neutralizing antibodies induced apoptosis in short hairpin RNA Fas-associated death domain-treated cells. Moreover, before and during suspension, caspase-8 directly associated with β1 integrin, which in turn internalized and progressively degraded, shedding the cytoplasmic domain. β1B was expressed only in the cytoplasm in a perinuclear manner and remained unaltered during suspension. At 24hours, as β1A was located close to the nucleus, β1B colocalized with β1A and coimmunoprecipitated with caspase-8. Caspase-8 was activated earlier in β1B integrin-transfected keratinocytes, and these cells underwent a higher rate of apoptosis than mock cells. In contrast, caspase-8 was not activated in small interfering RNA (siRNA) β1B-transfected cells. These results indicate that when β1A is unligated, β1B is responsible for “integrin-mediated death” in human keratinocytes
18-Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography: an additional tool in the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis

SummaryObjectivesTo evaluate the role of 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (18F-FDG-PET–CT) in the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis (IE).MethodsWe retrospectively examined 27 consecutive patients who were admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department of Tor Vergata University Hospital between 2009 and 2013 with a suspicion of IE. The final IE diagnosis was defined according to the modified Duke criteria, and the microbiological and diagnostic results were collected for each patient.ResultsTwenty out of 27 patients had a suspected prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and seven had a suspected native valve endocarditis (NVE). Twenty-five out of 27 patients (92%) had a confirmed diagnosis of IE (18/25 PVE and 7/25 NVE); 16 had a positive echocardiography evaluation and 16 had positive 18F-FDG-PET–CT findings. Echocardiography showed a higher sensitivity as a diagnostic tool for the detection of IE compared to 18F-FDG-PET–CT (80% vs. 55%). However, a greater number of PVE had positive 18F-FDG-PET–CT results compared to those with positive echocardiography findings (11/13 vs. 9/13), and overall 89% (16/18) of confirmed PVE resulted 18F-FDG-PET–CT positive. Analyzing only the cases who underwent transoesophageal echocardiography, 18F-FDG-PET–CT showed a sensitivity of 85% in PVE (vs. 69% for echocardiography and 77% for the Duke criteria). All seven patients with NVE had a positive echocardiography and negative 18F-FDG-PET–CT findings (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe results of this study further highlight the limitations of echocardiography in the diagnosis of PVE and the potential advantages of 18F-FDG-PET–CT in these cases
A new twist to coiled coil

AbstractSpectrin repeats have been largely considered as passive linkers or spacers with little functional role other than to convey flexibility to a protein. Whilst this is undoubtedly part of their function, it is by no means all. Whilst the overt structure of all spectrin repeats is a simple triple-helical coiled coil, the linkages between repeats and the surface properties of repeats vary widely. Spectrin repeats in different proteins can act as dimerisation interfaces, platforms for the recruitment of signalling molecules, and as a site for the interaction with cytoskeletal elements and even direct association with membrane lipids. In the case of dystrophin several of these functions overlap in the space of a few repeats
Characterization of the expression of the hypoxia-induced genes neuritin, TXNIP and IGFBP3 in cancer

AbstractBy triggering an adaptive response to hypoxia which is a common feature of tumor microenvironments, endothelial cells contribute to the onset of angiogenic responses involved in tumor growth. Therefore, identifying hypoxic markers represent a challenge for a better understanding of tumor angiogenesis and for the optimization of anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategy. Using representational difference analysis combined with microarray, we here report the identification of 133 hypoxia-induced transcripts in human microendothelial cells (HMEC-1). By Northern blot, we confirm hypoxia-induced expression of insulin-like growth factor binding protein 3 (igfbp3), thioredoxin-interacting protein (txnip), neuritin (nrn1). Finally, by performing in situ hybridization on several types of human tumors, we provide evidence for nrn1 and txnip as hypoxic perinecrotic markers and for igfbp3 as a tumor endothelial marker. We propose these hypoxia-induced genes could represent relevant prognostic tools and targets for therapeutic intervention in cancers
Wavelet Transform-Based De-Noising for Two-Photon Imaging of Synaptic Ca2+ Transients

AbstractPostsynaptic Ca2+ transients triggered by neurotransmission at excitatory synapses are a key signaling step for the induction of synaptic plasticity and are typically recorded in tissue slices using two-photon fluorescence imaging with Ca2+-sensitive dyes. The signals generated are small with very low peak signal/noise ratios (pSNRs) that make detailed analysis problematic. Here, we implement a wavelet-based de-noising algorithm (PURE-LET) to enhance signal/noise ratio for Ca2+ fluorescence transients evoked by single synaptic events under physiological conditions. Using simulated Ca2+ transients with defined noise levels, we analyzed the ability of the PURE-LET algorithm to retrieve the underlying signal. Fitting single Ca2+ transients with an exponential rise and decay model revealed a distortion of τrise but improved accuracy and reliability of τdecay and peak amplitude after PURE-LET de-noising compared to raw signals. The PURE-LET de-noising algorithm also provided a ∼30-dB gain in pSNR compared to ∼16-dB pSNR gain after an optimized binomial filter. The higher pSNR provided by PURE-LET de-noising increased discrimination accuracy between successes and failures of synaptic transmission as measured by the occurrence of synaptic Ca2+ transients by ∼20% relative to an optimized binomial filter. Furthermore, in comparison to binomial filter, no optimization of PURE-LET de-noising was required for reducing arbitrary bias. In conclusion, the de-noising of fluorescent Ca2+ transients using PURE-LET enhances detection and characterization of Ca2+ responses at central excitatory synapses
Exotic Higgs decays in the E6 inspired SUSY models

AbstractWe study the decays of the SM-like Higgs state within the E6 inspired supersymmetric (SUSY) models with exact custodial symmetry that forbids tree-level flavor-changing transitions and the most dangerous baryon and lepton number violating operators. In these models there are two states which are absolutely stable and can contribute to the dark matter density. One of them is the lightest SUSY particle (LSP) which is expected to be lighter than 1 eV forming hot dark matter in the Universe. The presence of another stable neutral state allows to account for the observed cold dark matter density. In the considered SUSY models next-to-lightest SUSY particle (NLSP) also tend to be light. We argue that the NLSP with GeV scale mass can result in the substantial branching ratio of the nonstandard decays of the lightest Higgs boson
Measurement of the t-channel single top-quark production cross section in pp collisions at s=7 TeV with the ATLAS detector

AbstractWe report a measurement of the cross section of single top-quark production in the t-channel using 1.04 fb−1 of pp collision data at s=7 TeV recorded with the ATLAS detector at the LHC. Selected events feature one electron or muon, missing transverse momentum, and two or three jets, exactly one of them identified as originating from a b quark. The cross section is measured by fitting the distribution of a multivariate discriminant constructed with a neural network, yielding σt=83±4(stat.)−19+20(syst.) pb, which is in good agreement with the prediction of the Standard Model. Using the ratio of the measured to the theoretically predicted cross section and assuming that the top-quark-related CKM matrix elements obey the relation |Vtb|≫|Vts|,|Vtd|, the coupling strength at the W-t-b vertex is determined to be |Vtb|=1.13−0.13+0.14. If it is assumed that |Vtb|⩽1 a lower limit of |Vtb|>0.75 is obtained at the 95% confidence level
Jet momentum dependence of jet quenching in PbPb collisions at sNN=2.76 TeV

AbstractDijet production in PbPb collisions at a nucleon–nucleon center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV is studied with the CMS detector at the LHC. A data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 150 μb−1 is analyzed. Jets are reconstructed using combined information from tracking and calorimetry, using the anti-kT algorithm with R=0.3. The dijet momentum balance and angular correlations are studied as a function of collision centrality and leading jet transverse momentum. For the most peripheral PbPb collisions, good agreement of the dijet momentum balance distributions with pp data and reference calculations at the same collision energy is found, while more central collisions show a strong imbalance of leading and subleading jet transverse momenta attributed to the jet-quenching effect. The dijets in central collisions are found to be more unbalanced than the reference, for leading jet transverse momenta up to the highest values studied
Thinking outside of the box: Transfer of shape-based reorientation across the boundary of an arena

AbstractThe way in which human and non-human animals represent the shape of their environments remains a contentious issue. According to local theories of shape learning, organisms encode the local geometric features of the environment that signal a goal location. In contrast, global theories of shape learning suggest that organisms encode the overall shape of the environment. There is, however, a surprising lack of evidence to support this latter claim, despite the fact that common behaviours seem to require encoding of the global-shape of an environment. We tested one such behaviour in 5 experiments, in which human participants were trained to navigate to a hidden goal on one side of a virtual arena (e.g. the inside) before being required to find the same point on the alternative side (e.g. the outside). Participants navigated to the appropriate goal location, both when inside and outside the virtual arena, but only when the shape of the arena remained the same between training and test (Experiments 1a and 1b). When the arena shape was transformed between these stages, participants were lost (Experiments 2a and 2b). When training and testing was conducted on the outside of two different-shaped arenas that shared local geometric cues participants once again explored the appropriate goal location (Experiment 3). These results provide core evidence that humans encode a global representation of the overall shape of the environments in, or around, which they navigate
Influence of silica fume on the microstructure of cement pastes: New insights from 1H NMR relaxometry

Abstract1H NMR has been used to characterise white Portland cement paste incorporating 10wt.% of silica fume. Samples were measured sealed throughout the hydration without sample drying. Paste compositions and C–S–H characteristics are calculated based on 1H NMR signal intensities and relaxation analysis. The results are compared with a similar study of plain white cement paste. While the presence of silica fume has little influence on C–S–H densities, the chemical composition is impacted. After 28days of sealed hydration, the Ca/(Si+Al) ratio of the C–S–H is 1.33 and the H2O/(Si+Al) ratio is 1.10 when 10% of silica fume is added to the white cement. A densification of the C–S–H with time is observed. There are no major changes in capillary, C–S–H gel and interlayer pore sizes for the paste containing silica fume compared to the plain white cement paste. However, the gel/interlayer water ratio increases in the silica fume blend
Synthesis and characterization of vincristine loaded folic acid–chitosan conjugated nanoparticles

AbstractVincristine is an anticancer drug used to treat different types of cancer. However, vincristine has been reported to become resistant against some cancer such as small cell lung cancer cell lines due to decreased uptake, increased drug efflux etc. To increase the uptake, vincristine loaded folic acid–chitosan conjugated nanoparticles were synthesized using ionic gelation method at pH 2.5. 1H-NMR confirmed conjugation of folic acid with chitosan. Blank folic acid–chitosan conjugated nanoparticles had an average size of 897.5 ± 0.90 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.738 ± 0.30 and zeta potential of +11.2 ± 0.43 mV and found to increase in vincristine loaded folic acid−chitosan nanoparticles at different formulations due to loading of vincristine in folic acid–chitosan conjugated nanoparticles. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed different functional groups and loading of vincristine in chitosan nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was performed to confirm the crystalline nature of the drug after loading and face centered cubic (FCC) structure of nanoparticles. In vitro drug release study showed slow and sustained release of vincristine in phosphate buffered saline at pH 6.7. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) revealed spherical and rough surface of nanoparticles. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed loading of vincristine and size range of nanoparticles from 4.24 to 300 nm. Spectrophotometric analysis depicted maximum encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of 81.25% and 10.31%, respectively. Since cancer cells express folate receptors on their surface, these vincristine loaded folic acid–chitosan conjugated nanoparticles could be used for targeted delivery against resistant cancer with some modifications
T2-relaxometry predicts outcome of DBS in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

AbstractIntroductionDeep brain stimulation (DBS) nowadays is a well-established treatment of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. The subthalamic nucleus (STN) is a common target for DBS, because motor improvements have been shown to be superior to best medical therapy, if DBS electrodes have been appropriately positioned. DBS target identification can be assisted by MRI beyond structural imaging by spatially resolved measurement of T2-relaxation times (T2r).AimWe pose the question, whether T2r of the STN is linked to the severity of the disease and whether outcome of DBS may be correlated to an asymmetric manifestation of the disease. Further, we investigated if abnormal T2r in the STN may be predictive for outcome of DBS.MethodsTwelve patients underwent preoperative MR imaging including a multi echo relaxometry sequence (3Tesla, Siemens Medical Systems, Erlangen, Germany) ahead of DBS. T2r were determined for STN, substantia nigra (SN), red nucleus (RN) and centrum semiovale (CSO). Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores were tested before and after DBS. Patients' T2r and deduced values representing left-right asymmetry of measurements were correlated with UPDRS scores and measures for outcome of DBS. Furthermore, patients' T2r were compared with T2r measurements in 12 healthy controls (HC).ResultsPatients' T2r for SN (mean 45.4ms±4.4ms) and STN (mean 56.4ms±3.8ms) were significantly shorter than T2r in HCs for SN (mean 60.7±4.6) and STN (mean 66.1ms±4.0ms). While no mean T2r asymmetry was found in the SN, patients' mean T2r for STN showed a weakened left-right correlation (Pearson correlation coefficient 0.19 versus 0.72 in HC) indicating asymmetric degeneration. T2r asymmetry was not linked to the more severely affected hemisphere.The respective lower T2r within the left or right target region was significantly correlated to the outcome in terms of UPDRS III improvement in “off” state (Pearson correlation 0.82 corresponding to p≪0.01). Patients with T2r of STN lower than 50ms showed no response to DBS in the UPDRS.The maximum T2r for SN correlated to the improvement between UPDRS “off” minus and “on” (Dopamine response) but failed to predict DBS outcome.ConclusionsThe lower boundaries of T2r in the STN predict motor outcome in DBS. T2r asymmetry in the STN is not associated with increased clinical symptoms, but with response to therapy. Thus, patients with very low T2r may be inappropriate candidates for DBS