Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pathology of maternal deaths in Rivers state (a ten year autopsy review) in a referral hospital.

BACKGROUND Most of the maternal death studies in this environment based their statistics on clinical cause with no reference to autopsy records. This gap of knowledge would be filled with autopsies performed on the victims. OBJECTIVES To highlight the importance of autopsy in the study of maternal mortality. DESIGN/SETTING A ten year (1st January 1991 - 31st December 2000) retrospective autopsy study of maternal deaths in University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt. METHODOLOGY The coroner's autopsy report and hospital autopsy records on maternal deaths were retrieved and re-evaluated for this study. Variables considered were the ages of the victims, primary place of antenatal care/management and the cause of death at autopsy. RESULTS A total of 60 maternal autopsies were performed during the period under review. Forty eight (80%) cases were direct maternal deaths of which haemorrhagic shock from ruptured ectopic pregnancy was the most common 21(35%). The highest frequency of direct maternal death occurred in the age group 20 - 29 years. Indirect (fortuitous) maternal deaths accounted for 20% cases of which cardiovascular disorders was the most common cause of death 4(7.1%) and the age group 40-49 years were most affected 4(6.7%). Majority of the deaths occurred at the traditional birth attendants (TBA) centres 26(43.3%) of which 25(41.7%) were direct or obstetric maternal deaths. The indirect maternal death was highest in the general hospitals 4(6.7%). CONCLUSION Maternal mortality is a common obstetric problem in this environment. As the death toll was highest in the TBA centers, they should be trained and be integrated to the health care delivery system. There should be an established referral system and improved emergency obstetric services including blood transfusion in our local health centres. These will drastically reduce the mortality rate.
Is It the Right Answer? Exploiting Web Redundancy for Answer Validation

Answer Validation is an emerging topic in Question Answering, where open domain systems are often required to rank huge amounts of candidate answers. We present a novel approach to answer validation based on the intuition that the amount of implicit knowledge which connects an answer to a question can be quantitatively estimated by exploiting the redundancy of Web information. Experiments carried out on the TREC-2001 judged-answer collection show that the approach achieves a high level of performance (i.e. 81% success rate). The simplicity and the efficiency of this approach make it suitable to be used as a module in Question Answering systems.
Laparoscopic adrenalectomy for management of a functional adrenal tumor in a cat.

CASE DESCRIPTION A 9-year-old castrated male domestic shorthair cat was examined because of hypertension that persisted after resolution of the patient's hyperthyroidism. Bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, a systolic heart murmur, left ventricular hypertrophy, and tachycardia were present. CLINICAL FINDINGS Biochemical analysis revealed mild hypokalemia, normonatremia, high serum creatine kinase activity, high serum aldosterone concentration, and low plasma renin activity consistent with hyperaldosteronism. Hypercalcemia with an associated high serum parathyroid hormone concentration and an exaggerated low-dose dexamethasone suppression test result were consistent with concurrent hyperparathyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism, respectively. Ultrasonographic examination revealed a markedly enlarged left adrenal gland, an abnormally small right adrenal gland, and 2 nodules in the right thyroid and parathyroid glands. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed concurrently with right thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy. Histologic evaluation revealed an adrenal cortical adenoma, thyroid adenoma, and parathyroid adenoma. The cat recovered from surgery without complications. The hypercalcemia and hypertension resolved after surgery. Follow-up echocardiography revealed improvement in the left ventricular hypertrophy. Ultrasonographic examinations performed up to 26 months after adrenalectomy showed no evidence of regrowth of the adrenal mass. The patient survived for 44 months after adrenalectomy with no signs of recurrent hyperaldosteronism or hyperadrenocorticism. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Laparoscopic adrenalectomy may be a plausible method for the treatment of unilateral functional adrenal neoplasia in feline patients when diagnostic imaging has ruled out intravascular invasion and metastatic disease. In addition, in a feline patient with hyperthyroidism and hypertension, other endocrine glands should be investigated.
Epidermal growth factor receptor, cyclooxygenase-2, and BAX expression in the primary non-small cell lung cancer and brain metastases.

PURPOSE The purpose is to identify biological markers that predict brain metastasis and treatment outcome in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN Samples were obtained from the primary tumors, lymph nodes, and brain metastases of 29 patients with NSCLC who had undergone resection of both the pulmonary tumors and the brain lesions. Samples from 29 patients matched for age, sex, and histology whose pulmonary tumors were resected served as controls. Samples were stained with H&E as well as immunohistochemical stains for epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), and BAX. Comparisons were made between patients with and without brain metastasis. Independent investigators determined the percentage of positive cells. RESULTS There was positive correlation in expression of all three biomarkers between primary lung tumors and lymph node metastases. Significantly higher levels of EGFR were found in lymph node metastases in the control group (P = 0.0147). COX-2 expression in brain lesions correlated with expression in primary tumors (P = 0.023). BAX levels were lower in poorly differentiated tumors in lymph node metastases in the control group (P = 0.01) and in brain metastases (P = 0.045). Low EGFR expression and high COX-2 expression in lymph node metastasis were associated with poorer treatment outcome. CONCLUSIONS Expression of EGFR, COX-2, and BAX in primary lung tumors did not differ between patients with brain metastases from NSCLC and those without brain metastases. These three biomarkers cannot be used to predict brain metastasis. Studies of other biomarkers are under way in an effort to predict brain metastasis among patients with NSCLC.
Joint estimation of Doppler frequency and directions in channel sounding using switched Tx and Rx arrays

To save hardware and reduce the effort to calibrate the system, channel sounding with Tx and Rx antenna arrays is commonly performed in TDM mode where the array elements are successively switched. We refer to this technique as TDM-MIMO channel sounding. The ISI-SAGE algorithm (Fleury, B.H. et al., 2003; Yin, X. et al., 2003), applied in combination with TDM-MIMO channel sounding, makes it possible to extend the Doppler frequency estimation range (DFER) (Yin, X. et al., 2003). The extension is significant when arrays with large element numbers are employed. We derive the signal model for TDM-MIMO channel sounding and report analytical investigations showing that this DFER extension requires selection of switching modes (SMs) tailored to the array characteristics. The SM of a switched array is the temporal order in which the array elements are switched. In fact, the traditionally used SMs of uniform linear and planar arrays, where the elements are switched according to their natural spatial ordering, prove to be inappropriate as they lead to an ambiguity in the joint estimation of DF and directions. We also introduce the concept of normalized sidelobe level (NSL) associated to the SM of a switched array. We show that minimizing the NSL is a sensible criterion for the identification of SM, leading to DF and direction estimates with nearly optimum performance in terms of root mean square estimation error. Finally experimental investigations illustrate the impact of the SM of a uniform planar array on the behaviour of the DF and direction of arrival estimates computed with the ISI-SAGE algorithm.
Acquired Resistance to EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors in EGFR-Mutant Lung Cancer: Distinct Natural History of Patients with Tumors Harboring the T790M Mutation

Purpose: Patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutant lung adenocarcinoma develop acquired resistance to EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) after a median of 10 to 16 months. In half of these cases, a second EGFR mutation, T790M, underlies acquired resistance. We undertook this study to examine the clinical course of patients harboring the T790M mutation following progression on TKI. Experimental Design: EGFR-mutant lung cancer patients with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs were identified as part of a prospective rebiopsy protocol in which postprogression tumor specimens were collected for molecular analysis. Postprogression survival and characteristics of disease progression were compared in patients with and without T790M. Results: We identified T790M in the initial rebiopsy specimens from 58 of 93 patients (62%, 95% CI: 52–72). T790M was more common in biopsies of lung/pleura tissue and lymph nodes than in more distant sites (P = 0.014). Median postprogression survival was 16 months (interquartile range = 9–29 months); patients with T790M had a significantly longer postprogression survival (P = 0.036). Patients without T790M more often progressed in a previously uninvolved organ system (P = 0.014) and exhibited a poorer performance status at time of progression (P = 0.007). Conclusions: Among patients with acquired resistance to EGFR TKIs, the presence of T790M defines a clinical subset with a relatively favorable prognosis and more indolent progression. Knowledge of T790M status is therefore important both for the clinical care of these patients and for the optimal design and interpretation of clinical trials in this setting. Clin Cancer Res; 17(6); 1616–22. ©2010 AACR.
Axonal trajectory and terminal distribution of inspiratory neurons of the dorsal respiratory group in the cat's medulla

In Nembutal‐anesthetized and artificially ventilated cats, we studied the morphological properties of the inspiratory neurons of the dorsal respiratory group (DRG) with HRP intracellular staining. A total of 37 neurons were stained and their axonal trajectories and terminal distribution in the medulla were analyzed. The somata were located predominantly in the ventrolateral region of the nucleus of the solitary tract and were distributed between 2,300 μm rostral and 700 μm caudal to the obex. Most (26/33) of the neurons tested were antidromically activated by the stimulation of the contralateral (n = 24) or ipsilateral (n = 2) cervical cord. To examine the existence of collateral branches in the brainstem, we traced axonal trajectories in 28 neurons. In most cases, the stem axons issuing from the cells of origin coursed ventrally and then turned medially to cross the midline without giving off any axon collaterals. However, six neurons had axonal collaterals in the brain stem ipsilateral to the somata. At least four types of collateralization were observed. The stem axon of the first type bifurcated at the area ipsilateral and ventral to the cell body. One branch crossed the midline to project to the spinal cord, and the other, thinner branch descended caudally in the ipsilateral medullary reticular formation without distributing any terminals. The axon of the second type projected to the contralateral spinal cord and distributed collateral branches with terminal boutons in the ipsilateral ventral respiratory group (VRG). The third type projected to the contralateral spinal cord and distributed terminal boutons in the medial part of the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) and its vicinity. The fourth type distributed numerous branches with terminal boutons in and around the ventral part of the NTS and the VRG area. This study indicates that some inspiratory neurons of the DRG influence not only spinal respiratory neurons but also medullary respiratory neurons in the vicinity of the DRG and the VRG.
Pressure‐Diuresis in Volume‐Expanded Rats Cortical and Medullary Hemodynamics

This study evaluated whether pressure-diuretic and pressure-natriuretlc responses are associated with alterations in vasa recta hemodynamics. Autoregulation of cortical and papillary blood flow was studied using a laser-DoppIer flowmeter in volume-expanded and hydropenk rats. Superficial cortical flow and whole kidney renal blood flow were antoregulated in volume-expanded rats and decreased by less than 10% after renal perfusion pressure was lowered from 150 to 100 mm Hg. In contrast, papillary blood flow was not autoregulated and fell by 24 ± 2%. The failure of papillary blood flow to autoregulate was due to changes in the number of perfused vessels as well as to alterations In blood flow in individual ascending and descending vasa recta. Pressure hi vasa recta capillaries increased from 6.8 ± 0.8 to 13.8 ± 1.2 mm Hg after renal perfusion pressure was elevated from 100 to 150 mm Hg, and renal Interstitial pressure rose from 7.4 ± 0.8 to 12.3 ± 1.4 mm Hg. In hydropenic rats, papillary blood flow was autoregulated to a significant extent, but it still decreased by 19% after renal perfusion pressure was lowered from 150 to 100 mm Hg. The pressure-diuretic and presure-natriuretic responses in hydropenic rats were blunted in comparison to those observed in volume-expanded rats. These findings indicate that the pressure-diuretic and pressure-natriuretic responses are associated with changes in vasa recta hemodynamics and renal interstitial pressure.
ADP-Ribosylation Factor 6 Regulates a Novel Plasma Membrane Recycling Pathway

ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF) 6 localizes to the plasma membrane (PM) in its GTP state and to a tubulovesicular compartment in its GDP state in HeLa cells that express wild-type or mutant forms of this GTPase. Aluminum fluoride (AlF) treatment of ARF6-transfected cells redistributes ARF6 to the PM and stimulates the formation of actin-rich surface protrusions. Here we show that cytochalasin D (CD) treatment inhibited formation of the AlF-induced protrusions and shifted the distribution of ARF6 to a tubular membrane compartment emanating from the juxtanuclear region of cells, which resembled the compartment where the GTP-binding defective mutant of ARF6 localized. This membrane compartment was distinct from transferrin-positive endosomes, could be detected in the absence of ARF6 overexpression or CD treatment, and was accessible to loading by PM proteins lacking clathrin/AP-2 cytoplasmic targeting sequences, such as the IL-2 receptor α subunit Tac. ARF6 and surface Tac moved into this compartment and back out to the PM in the absence of pharmacologic treatment. Whereas AlF treatment blocked internalization, CD treatment blocked the recycling of wild-type ARF6 and Tac back to the PM; these blocks were mimicked by expression of ARF6 mutants Q67L and T27N, which were predicted to be in either the GTP- or GDP-bound state, respectively. Thus, the ARF6 GTP cycle regulates this membrane traffic pathway. The delivery of ARF6 and membrane to defined sites along the PM may provide components necessary for remodeling the cell surface and the underlying actin cytoskeleton.
Cultural and social processes of language brokering among Arab, Asian, and Latin immigrants

This study examines how language and culture brokering (translating and interpreting language and culture for others) influences the acculturative experiences and self-perceptions of young adults from immigrant Arab, Asian, and Latino American backgrounds. Semi-structured interviews with 10 participants suggest that mediating information for members of different cultural and linguistic groups strengthens awareness of linguistic, cultural, and social processes. This cultivated awareness, in turn, is leveraged for social and cultural processes as identity formation and transcultural competencies. Experiences both prior to immigration and in the new immigrant context also differently shape the experiences of brokers from different ethnic groups.
Mediation Analysis Without Sequential Ignorability: Using Baseline Covariates Interacted with Random Assignment as Instrumental Variables

In randomized trials, researchers are often interested in mediation analysis to understand how a treatment works, in particular how much of a treatment's effect is mediated by an intermediated variable and how much the treatment directly affects the outcome not through the mediator. The standard regression approach to mediation analysis assumes sequential ignorability of the mediator, that is that the mediator is effectively randomly assigned given baseline covariates and the randomized treatment. Since the experiment does not randomize the mediator, sequential ignorability is often not plausible. Ten Have et al. (2007, Biometrics), Dunn and Bentall (2007, Statistics in Medicine) and Albert (2008, Statistics in Medicine) presented methods that use baseline covariates interacted with random assignment as instrumental variables, and do not require sequential ignorability. We make two contributions to this approach. First, in previous work on the instrumental variable approach, it has been assumed that the direct effect of treatment and the effect of the mediator are constant across subjects; we allow for variation in effects across subjects and show what assumptions are needed to obtain consistent estimates for this setting. Second, we develop a method of sensitivity analysis for violations of the key assumption that the direct effect of the treatment and the effect of the mediator do not depend on the baseline covariates.
Growth Plate Disturbance After Transphyseal Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in Skeletally Immature Adolescent Patients: An MR Imaging Study

Background There are concerns of potential growth disturbance after transphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament in skeletally immature patients. The authors used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to evaluate growth disturbance and associated physeal abnormalities after index surgery. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the follow-up MR imaging studies of 43 patients who underwent transphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament using a soft-tissue graft at the mean age of 14.8 years (range, 12.4 to 16.5 y). Mean time from surgery to follow-up MR imaging was 16 months (range, 6 to 36 mo). Bone tunnel to growth plate cross-sectional area ratios were calculated as percentages. Focal growth disturbances were assessed in the follow-up MR images in terms of physeal tenting, the presence of a focal bone bridge, an asymmetric growth arrest line of Harris, and metaphyseal extension of physeal cartilage. Physeal angles with respect to the longitudinal axes of the corresponding bones were measured in preoperative MR images and compared with those measured in follow-up images. Premature physeal closure was assessed using the proximal fibular growth plate as an internal control. Clinically, growth disturbances were assessed with physical examinations regarding standing pelvic heights and alignments of the lower extremities. Results The bone tunnel to growth plate ratio was <3% for proximal tibia and distal femur. A focal bone bridge was observed in 5 patients—4 at the tibial physis and 1 at the femoral physis. Physeal angles did not change significantly during follow-up in either the coronal or sagittal plane. Earlier physeal closure than other physes was observed in 2 proximal tibiae. Clinically, there were no perceived growth disturbances. Conclusions MR imaging revealed that focal physeal disruption developed after index procedure in 5 of 43 adolescent patients (11.6%) without a perceived clinical growth disturbance. The results suggest that transphyseal reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament may not be a benign procedure that can be applied safely to younger children with substantial growth remaining. Level of Evidence Retrospective Case Series, Therapeutic Level IV.
Plant Fertilization Interacts with Life History: Variation in Stoichiometry and Performance in Nettle-Feeding Butterflies

Variation in food stoichiometry affects individual performance and population dynamics, but it is also likely that species with different life histories should differ in their sensitivity to food stoichiometry. To address this question, we investigated the ability of the three nettle-feeding butterflies (Aglais urticae, Polygonia c-album, and Aglais io) to respond adaptively to induced variation in plant stoichiometry in terms of larval performance. We hypothesized that variation in larval performance between plant fertilization treatments should be functionally linked to species differences in host plant specificity. We found species-specific differences in larval performance between plant fertilization treatments that could not be explained by nutrient limitation. We showed a clear evidence of a positive correlation between food stoichiometry and development time to pupal stage and pupal mass in A. urticae. The other two species showed a more complex response. Our results partly supported our prediction that host plant specificity affects larval sensitivity to food stoichiometry. However, we suggest that most of the differences observed may instead be explained by differences in voltinism (number of generations per year). We believe that the potential of some species to respond adaptively to variation in plant nutrient content needs further attention in the face of increased eutrophication due to nutrient leakage from human activities.
Synergistic anti-tumor activity of acadesine (AICAR) in combination with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab in in vivo and in vitro models of mantle cell lymphoma

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is considered one of the most challenging lymphoma, with limited responses to current therapies. Acadesine, a nucleoside analogue has shown antitumoral effects in different preclinical cancer models as well as in a recent phase I/II clinical trial conducted in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Here we observed that acadesine exerted a selective antitumoral activity in the majority of MCL cell lines and primary MCL samples, independently of adverse cytogenetic factors. Moreover, acadesine was highly synergistic, both in vitro and in vivo, with the anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody rituximab, commonly used in combination therapy for MCL. Gene expression profiling analysis in harvested tumors suggested that acadesine modulates immune response, actin cytoskeleton organization and metal binding, pointing out a substantial impact on metabolic processes by the nucleoside analog. Rituximab also induced changes on metal binding and immune responses. The combination of both drugs enhanced the gene signature corresponding to each single agent, showing an enrichment of genes involved in inflammation, metabolic stress, apoptosis and proliferation. These effects could be important as aberrant apoptotic and proinflammatory pathways play a significant role in the pathogenesis of MCL. In summary, our results suggest that acadesine exerts a cytotoxic effect in MCL in combination with rituximab, by decreasing the proliferative and survival signatures of the disease, thus supporting the clinical examination of this strategy in MCL patients.