Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prenatal Diagnosis of Agenesis of Ductus Venosus: A Retrospective Study of Anatomic Variants, Associated Anomalies and Impact on Postnatal Outcome

Abstract Purpose To assess the anatomic variants, associated anomalies and postnatal outcome of fetuses with a prenatally diagnosed agenesis of ductus venosus (ADV). Materials and Methods Retrospective study of 119 cases with agenesis of ductus venosus diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound in two tertiary referral centers from 2006 to 2014. The type and location of the umbilical venous drainage site was noted. Charts were reviewed for associated structural or chromosomal anomalies, pregnancy outcome and postnatal course. Results In 24 cases (20.2 %) ADV was an isolated finding, while 95 cases (79.8 %) had associated anomalies. We identified 84 cases (70.6 %) with intrahepatic and 35 cases (29.4 %) with extrahepatic drainage of the umbilical vein. 58.8 % of neonates were alive at follow-up. There was no statistical association between drainage site and associated anomalies or outcome. Postnatal outcome was determined by the presence and severity of associated anomalies. There was no adverse outcome in the isolated group related to ADV. Overall, there were 6 persistent portosystemic shunts, 3 of them with a spontaneous closure, and one total agenesis of the portal venous system with lethal outcome. Conclusion Postnatal outcome in cases with ADV mainly depends on the presence of associated anomalies. In isolated cases the prognosis is generally good, but neonates with a prenatally diagnosed portosystemic shunt should be followed until its occlusion. Portal venous system agenesis is rare but should be ruled out on prenatal ultrasound.
Genetics of Bladder Malignant Tumors in Childhood

Bladder masses are represented by either benign or malignant entities. Malignant bladder tumors are frequent causes of disease and death in western countries. However, in children they are less common. Additionally, different features are found in childhood, in which non epithelial tumors are more common than epithelial ones. Rhabdomyosarcoma is the most common pediatric bladder tumor, but many other types of lesions may be found, such as malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT), inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor and neuroblastoma. Other rarer tumors described in literature include urothelial carcinoma and other epithelial neoplasms. Rhabdomyosarcoma is associated to a variety of genetic syndromes and many genes are involved in tumor development. PAX3-FKHR and PAX7-FKHR (P-F) fusion state has important implications in the pathogenesis and biology of RMS, and different genes alterations are involved in the pathogenesis of P-F negative and embryonal RMS, which are the subsets of tumors most frequently affecting the bladder. These genes include p53, MEF2, MYOG, Ptch1, Gli1, Gli3, Myf5, MyoD1, NF1, NRAS, KRAS, HRAS, FGFR4, PIK3CA, CTNNB1, FBXW7, IGF1R, PDGFRA, ERBB2/4, MET, BCOR. Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) usually shows SMARCB1/INI1 alterations. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene translocations are the most frequently associated alterations in inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). Few genes alterations in urothelial neoplasms have been reported in the paediatric population, which are mainly related to deletion of p16/lnk4, overexpression of CK20 and overexpression of p53. Here, we reviewed available literature to identify genes associated to bladder malignancies in children and discussed their possible relationships with these tumors.
Adaptive manipulator control a case study

Earlier work (Slotine and Li, 1986) exploits the particular structure of manipulator dynamics to develop a simple, globally convergent adaptive algorithm for trajectory control problems. The algorithm does not require measurements or estimates of the manipulator's joint accelerations, nor inversion of the estimated inertia matrix. This paper demonstrates the approach on a high-speed 2 d.o. f. semi-direct-drive robot. It shows that the manipulator mass properties, assumed to be initially unknown, can be precisely estimated within the first half second of a typical run. Similarly, the algorithm allows large loads of unknown mass properties to be precisely manipulated. Further, these experimental results demonstrate that the adaptive controller enjoys essentially the same level of robustness to unmodelled dynamics as a PD controller, yet achieves much better tracking accuracy than either PD or computed-torque schemes. Its superior performance for high speed operations, in the presence of parameter uncertainties, and its relative computational simplicity, make it a attractive option both to address complex industrial tasks, and to simplify high-level programming of more standard operations.
Transcriptional Profiling in Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic SIV Infections Reveals Significant Distinctions in Kinetics and Tissue Compartmentalization

Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection leads to AIDS in experimentally infected macaques, whereas natural reservoir hosts exhibit limited disease and pathology. It is, however, unclear how natural hosts can sustain high viral loads, comparable to those observed in the pathogenic model, without developing severe disease. We performed transcriptional profiling on lymph node, blood, and colon samples from African green monkeys (natural host model) and Asian pigtailed macaques (pathogenic model) to directly compare gene expression patterns during acute pathogenic versus non-pathogenic SIV infection. The majority of gene expression changes that were unique to either model were detected in the lymph nodes at the time of peak viral load. Results suggest a shift toward cellular stress pathways and Th1 profiles during pathogenic infection, with strong and sustained type I and II interferon responses. In contrast, a strong type I interferon response was initially induced during non-pathogenic infection but resolved after peak viral load. The natural host also exhibited controlled Th1 profiles and better preservation of overall cell homeostasis. This study identified gene expression patterns that are specific to disease susceptibility, tissue compartmentalization, and infection duration. These patterns provide a unique view of how host responses differ depending upon lentiviral infection outcome.
Infrared photodiode based on colloidal PbSe nanocrystal quantum dots

We report in this paper our studies on the photoconductivity and photovoltaic effects of colloidal PbSe nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) which were embedded in conductive polymer matrices to form hybrid polymer/NQD infrared photodiodes. The generation of photocarriers in PbSe NQDs and their transport in NQD-polymer composites were described by a simplified band diagram picture of the device. Both photocurrent and photovoltage outputs were measured from the NQD-incorporated photodiode upon the illumination of near-infrared (NIR) light, whereas the net polymer-based devices do not exhibit any photoresponsivity. The intensity dependence of the photocurrent indicates the pseudomonomolecular recombination kinetics in the NQD-polymer composite. The measured photocurrent spectrum is consistent with the absorption characteristic of PbSe NQDs. Further enhancement of the photodiode efficiency can be achieved by engineering the nanocrystal surface to reduce the potential barriers due to the ligant capping molecules
Brain tumor cell line authentication, an efficient alternative to capillary electrophoresis by using a microfluidics-based system.

BACKGROUND The current method for cell line authentication is genotyping based on short tandem repeat (STR)-PCR involving coamplification of a panel of STR loci by multiplex PCR and downstream fragment length analysis (FLA), usually performed by capillary electrophoresis. FLA by capillary electrophoresis is time-consuming and can be expensive, as the facilities are generally not accessible for many research laboratories. METHODS In the present study, a microfluidic electrophoresis system, the Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer, was used to analyze the STR-PCR fragments from 10 human genomic loci of a number of human cell lines, including 6 gliomas, 1 astrocyte, 1 primary lung cancer, 1 lung brain metastatic cancer, and 1 rhabdomyosarcoma; and this was compared with the standard method, that is, capillary electrophoresis, using the Applied Biosystems 3130xl Genetic Analyzer. RESULTS The microfluidic electrophoresis method produced highly reproducible results with good sensitivity in sizing of multiple PCR fragments, and each cell line demonstrated a unique DNA profile. Furthermore, DNA fingerprinting of samples from 5 different passage numbers of the same cell line showed excellent reproducibility when FLA was performed with the Bioanalyzer, indicating that no cross-contamination had occurred during the culture period. CONCLUSION This novel application provides a straightforward and cost-effective alternative to STR-based cell line authentication. In addition, this application would be of great value for cell bank repositories to maintain and distribute precious cell lines.
Effects of the Japanese herbal medicine Keishi-bukuryo-gan and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide-induced elevation of skin temperature in ovariectomized rats.

The effects of a Japanese herbal medicine, Keishi-bukuryo-gan, and 17beta-estradiol on calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-induced elevation of skin temperature were investigated in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Ovariectomy not only potentiated CGRP-induced elevation of skin temperature and arterial vasorelaxation but also induced a lower concentration of endogenous CGRP in plasma and up-regulation of arterial CGRP receptors, suggesting that lowered CGRP in plasma due to ovarian hormone deficiency increases the number of CGRP receptors and consequently amplifies the stimulatory effects of CGRP to elevate skin temperature. Oral Keishi-bukuryo-gan (100-1000 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days) restored a series of CGRP-related responses observed in OVX rats by normalizing plasma CGRP levels in a dose-dependent manner as effectively as s.c. injection. 17Beta-estradiol (0.010 mg/kg, once a day for 7 days). However, Keishi-bukuryo-gan did not affect the lower concentration of plasma estradiol and the decreased uterine weight due to ovariectomy, although the hormone replacement of 17beta-estradiol restored them. These results suggest that Keishi-bukuryo-gan, which does not confer estrogen activity on plasma, may be useful for the treatment of hot flashes in patients for whom estrogen replacement therapy is contraindicated, as well as menopausal women.
Use of the Internet and e-mail for health care information: results from a national survey.

CONTEXT The Internet has attracted considerable attention as a means to improve health and health care delivery, but it is not clear how prevalent Internet use for health care really is or what impact it has on health care utilization. Available estimates of use and impact vary widely. Without accurate estimates of use and effects, it is difficult to focus policy discussions or design appropriate policy activities. OBJECTIVES To measure the extent of Internet use for health care among a representative sample of the US population, to examine the prevalence of e-mail use for health care, and to examine the effects that Internet and e-mail use has on users' knowledge about health care matters and their use of the health care system. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Survey conducted in December 2001 and January 2002 among a sample drawn from a research panel of more than 60 000 US households developed and maintained by Knowledge Networks. Responses were analyzed from 4764 individuals aged 21 years or older who were self-reported Internet users. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Self-reported rates in the past year of Internet and e-mail use to obtain information related to health, contact health care professionals, and obtain prescriptions; perceived effects of Internet and e-mail use on health care use. RESULTS Approximately 40% of respondents with Internet access reported using the Internet to look for advice or information about health or health care in 2001. Six percent reported using e-mail to contact a physician or other health care professional. About one third of those using the Internet for health reported that using the Internet affected a decision about health or their health care, but very few reported impacts on measurable health care utilization; 94% said that Internet use had no effect on the number of physician visits they had and 93% said it had no effect on the number of telephone contacts. Five percent or less reported use of the Internet to obtain prescriptions or purchase pharmaceutical products. CONCLUSIONS Although many people use the Internet for health information, use is not as common as is sometimes reported. Effects on actual health care utilization are also less substantial than some have claimed. Discussions of the role of the Internet in health care and the development of policies that might influence this role should not presume that use of the Internet for health information is universal or that the Internet strongly influences health care utilization.
New EEG Measure of the Alertness Analyzed by Emotiv EPOC in a Real Working Environment

Alertness level evaluation has obvious implications for safety–critical occupations such as operators in control rooms or drivers. It has already been stated that alertness can be assessed objectively by EEG. However, the high costs of standard medical equipment for EEG measurement, their complex and timeconsuming operation, and the need to use conductive gel on the scalp make this method impossible for general use or at workstations. The aim of the study was to analyze the possibility of alertness level assessment based on EEG measurements using the Emotiv EPOC headset, which is relatively cheap, wireless, comfortable for wearing and does not need the use the of conductive gel, but allows the capture of only 14 channels of EEG. The experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions using three different light spectra for 40 minutes exposure on office workstation during the afternoon drop in alertness. 50 participants took part in each light scene (white, red, blue). The EEG measurements were performed before exposure and just after exposure to a particular light scene. A new measure of alertness, based on analysis of EEG signals, has been introduced. The results showed that this new measure based on low-cost Emotiv EPOC EEG measurements is reliable and confirms the results of previous studies.
Exploration of closing-in behaviour in dementia, development and healthy adulthood

14 SINOPSI . 15 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS . 17 CHAPTER 1 CONSTRUCTIONAL APRAXIA . 18 Constructional tasks and scoring procedures . 19 Constructional Apraxia: a symptom of focal brain lesions . 25 Constructional Apraxia: a symptom of dementia . 30 Cognitive models of graphic copying . 33 Conclusions . 39 CHAPTER 2 CLOSING-IN BEHAVIOUR . 41 Early reports . 41 Closing-in Behaviour in constructional tasks and imitation . 44 Methodological approaches to the study of Closing-in Behaviour . 50 Closing-in Behaviour in neuropathology . 55 Frequency and severity of CIB . 58 Closing-in Behaviour across the life span: normal development and normal aging . 61 Closing-in Behaviour interpretations . 63 Conclusion . 69 SECTION 1 EXPLORING CLOSING-IN BEHAVIOUR IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA 71 CHAPTER 3 . 72 A LARGE SCALE RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CLOSING-IN BEHAVIOUR IN DEMENTIA. 72 Introduction . 72 Material and Methods . 73 Patient cohort . 73 Neuropsychological assessment . 74 Scoring Methods . 76 Results . 78 Cross-sectional analysis of patients with AD . 78 Longitudinal analysis . 84 Cross-sectional analysis of patients with FTD . 85 Frequencies of CA and CIB in AD and FTD . 88 Discussion . 88 Cross sectional and longitudinal study with AD patients . 89 Cross sectional analyses with FTD patients in relation to AD cohort . 91
Histological types of gastric cancer in Mexico.

BACKGROUND Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of malignant tumours in Mexico. The distribution of the histological types of this tumour has not been estimated from a population-based representative sample. METHODS The histological types of gastric cancer according to the Lauren classification and selected socio-demographic characteristics for 220 patients from different socioeconomic levels are reported. The study population represents 66% of all new gastric cancer cases during 1989-1990 reported to the Mexico City Cancer Registry. The patients attended four public hospitals, seven social security hospitals and four private hospitals in Mexico City. A second histological diagnosis was performed by one pathologist. RESULTS No specific histological type of gastric cancer predominated since the estimated distribution for intestinal gastric cancer was 44.5%, for diffuse gastric cancer 43.2% (and the remaining 12.3% corresponded to indeterminate tumours). The distribution of intestinal and diffuse gastric cancer did not vary significantly according to socioeconomic level or medical care unit and it showed a clear relationship with gender, the intestinal type of gastric cancer being more common among males. CONCLUSIONS Mexico may not have been affected by the gastric cancer epidemic at the beginning of the twentieth century but the available information and the results of this study are only useful to demonstrate that, currently, no histological type of gastric cancer (according to Lauren's classification) predominates significantly in this country.
Validación de Procedimientos de Selección de Policías Locales

In this work, we aimed at discussing the selection procedures criterion-related validity of local policemen. For this purpose, two different types of study were carried out in the local Police of Zaragoza. In the first study, only admitted participants took part (N = 240) and the predictory variables were: general mental ability, personality measured by the model of the five factors and a measure of the work knowledge. The criteria were two, training proficiency and job performance. The second study was carried out by policemen who applied for working in an operative unit (N = 226). A behavioral structured interview, physical aptitudes and merits appraisal were used as predictors, as well as general mental ability and personality. In this case, the criteria was job performance. Correlations and multiple regression results for both studies are reported.
Chelocardin-Inducible Resistance in Escherichia coli Bearing R Plasmids

Two plasmid-linked tetracycline resistance characters, tet A and tet B, were distinguishable in part, according to the level of resistance they conferred to minocycline (<3 μg/ml for tet A; >6 μg/ml for tet B). Escherichia coli K-12 strains that harbored the tet B character were also resistant to tetracycline but susceptible to chelocardin. In such tet B strains, subinhibitory concentrations of tetracycline could induce resistance to chelocardin as well as to otherwise inhibitory concentrations of tetracyclines. Chelocardin itself was ineffective as an inducer and therefore could be used to select constitutively resistant mutants. E. coli K-12 strains harboring the tet A character were also resistant to tetracycline and susceptible to chelocardin; tetracycline did not induce resistance to chelocardin in these strains.
Restorative perceptions and outcomes associated with listening to birds.

This thesis examined whether bird sounds are perceived and experienced as restorative following stress and cognitive fatigue, and reasons for such perceptions. Study 1 (N = 20) qualitatively explored restorative perceptions of bird sounds. These arose based on cognitive and affective appraisals of the sounds, and on relationships with nature. Restorative perceptions of bird sounds varied between species as a result of their acoustic, aesthetic, and associative properties. Study 2A (N = 174) quantitatively demonstrated that smoothness, intensity, complexity, pattern, and familiarity were significant predictors of restorative perceptions of bird sounds. Study 2B (N = 116) complemented these results by qualitatively examining associations with the sounds, which were summarised by four master themes: environment, animals, time and season, and environmental activities. Birds perceived as differently restorative in Study 2A were dissociable on the basis of different associations within these master themes. Study 3 (N = 102) experimentally examined the effects of associations on restorative perceptions of bird sounds. Bird sounds associated with positive scenarios were perceived as more restorative than those associated with negative scenarios. Scenarios describing the presence versus absence of threat, and associations with natural versus urban environments, were found to be particularly influential. Study 4 (N = 36) experimentally examined restorative outcomes in response to bird sounds. Listening to birdsong significantly reduced self-reported negative affect in comparison to traffic sounds, but no significant differences were found between sounds in terms of change in positive affect, arousal, or cognition. Qualitative data indicated that listening to the two types of sound generated different imagery of wider natural and urban environments. These four studies reveal the importance of bird sounds in perceptions and experiences of restoration, and the contributions of their acoustic, aesthetic and semantic properties to such perceptions – including associations with wider, multi-sensory environments.
Features of geosynchrotron radio emission from CORSIKA-simulated air showers

Simulations of radio emission from extensive air showers we have published so far were performed with a Monte Carlo code using analytical parametrisations to describe the spatial, temporal, energy and angular particle distributions in the air shower. A new version of our simulation code, which replaces these parametrisations with precise, multi-dimensional histograms derived from per-shower CORSIKA simulations, is now available. The new code allows an independent selection between parametrisation and histogram for each of the relevant distributions, enabling us to study the changes arising from using a more realistic air shower model in detail. We describe the new simulation strategy, present some initial results and discuss the new possibilities.
Development and validation of the Sport Character Scale

A variety of qualitative and quantitative measures exist to measure character in sport. These measures, however, are characterized by numerous limitations. In order to address these shortcomings the purpose of this study was to: (a) develop measure of sport character based on the model of moral action and (b) validate the measure through examination of the relationships between character in sport and other psychological variables. Two preliminary phases and four studies were undertaken to address the study purposes. Item development and refinement occurred in the preliminary phases and was grounded in the model of moral action. Items targeting compassion, integrity, sportspersonship, and fairness were developed for the Sport Character Scale (SCS). In total 62 items were created. In study 1, the pilot study, the items were further clarified and refined by a representative sample of 50 Korean athletes. This resulted in two items being deleted. In study 2, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was conducted on responses from 332 Korean athletes (mean age = 19.86 years) participating in a variety (n = 31) of sports. Results of the EFA suggested that a five-factor, 27-item model best fit the data. The factors included Compassion, Fairness, Sportspersonship, Antisocial Attitude, and Integrity. In Study 3, a Confirmatory Factor Analysis was conducted on a unique sample of 322 Korean athletes. The validity of the five-factor solution was confirmed. Fit indices suggested a good fit. Lastly, in Study 4, the concurrent and