Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cervical cancer screening program integrating Pap smear and HPV DNA testing: A population‐based study

We conducted a population‐based cohort study to evaluate the complementary value of HPV testing to Papanicolaou (Pap) smear and the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPV in Taiwan. In this report, we described the design of the whole study and analyzed the cross‐sectional results. Female residents (age ≥ 30 years) of Taoyuan, Taiwan were invited. After signing informed consent, every participant had a Pap smear and a HPV testing. Patients with Pap ≥ atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (Group I) or those with HPV‐positive but normal cytology (Group II) were referred for a colposcopic examination. A total of 10,014 women were eligible. The overall HPV prevalence was 10.8% (95% confidence interval 10.5%–11.4%) in the study population. A total of 37 types of HPV were identified and the leading three were HPV‐52, ‐18 and ‐58. There was a significant positive correlation of HPV prevalence with older age, postmenopausal status, current‐user of oral contraceptives and never‐user of hormone replacement therapy. Past users of oral contraceptives and never users of Pap were associated with higher risk of abnormal Pap, while age 40–49 strata had lower risk. Fifty‐nine cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) 2 from Group I and additional 11 from Group II were identified. The improvement of sensitivity with additional HPV testing was 15.3%. Besides, no specific subgroup was found to most benefit from the combined strategy. The value of adding HPV test to conventional Pap smear has to be evaluated after longer‐term follow‐up of this population‐based cohort. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Antihypercholesterolemic effect of Cleome arabica L. on high cholesterol diet induced damage in rats

Dietary cholesterol is known to be one of the main risk factors that accelerate oxidation process leading to hypercholesterolemia and attendant cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study, carried out on adult male Wistar rats, was to evaluate the inhibitory effects of supplementation with aqueous of Cleome arabica leaf extract on hypercholesterolemia. After 3 months of treatment, animals were sacrificed by decapitation. Blood serum was obtained by centrifugation. Under our experimental conditions, administration of Cleome arabica leaf extract decreased the total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-chol) and triglycerides (TG) levels by 27 %, 52 %, 37 %, respectively, and reduced SGOT SGPT, LDH and PAL levels in blood serum compared to untreated hypercholesterolemic rats. TBARS concentrations decreased by 21 % in liver, 22 % in heart and 30 % in kidney in a group of rats treated with cholesterol and Cleome arabica (Chol C.ar) compared to a Chol-treated group. The same treatment with Cleome arabica leaf extract increased superoxide dismutase and enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity. Catalase activity was found to increase in liver, heart and kidney by 17 %, 16 % and 23 %, respectively, in the C.ar Chol-treated group. The protective effect of Cleome arabica on hypercholesterolemia inducing oxidative stress in several organs was mainly attributed to antioxidant properties. The latter were due to the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids shown by the obtained HPLC profiles.
Preoperative serum albumin level as a predictor of operative mortality and morbidity: results from the National VA Surgical Risk Study.

OBJECTIVE To improve the precision and reliability of estimates of the association between preoperative serum albumin concentration and surgical outcomes. DESIGN Prospective observational study. Patients were followed up for 30 days postoperatively. Multiple logistic regression models were developed to evaluate serum albumin level as a predictor of operative mortality and morbidity in relation to 61 other preoperative patient risk variables. SETTING Forty-four tertiary care Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers. PATIENTS A total of 54215 major noncardiac surgery cases from the National VA Surgical Risk Study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Thirty-day operative mortality and morbidity. RESULTS A decrease in serum albumin from concentrations greater than 46 g/L to less than 21 g/L was associated with an exponential increase in mortality rates from less than 1% to 29% and in morbidity rates from 10% to 65%. In the regression models, albumin level was the strongest predictor of mortality and morbidity for surgery as a whole and within several subspecialties selected for further analysis. Albumin level was a better predictor of some types of morbidity, particularly sepsis and major infections, than other types. CONCLUSIONS Serum albumin concentration is a better predictor of surgical outcomes than many other preoperative patient characteristics. It is a relatively low-cost test that should be used more frequently as a prognostic tool to detect malnutrition and risk of adverse surgical outcomes, particularly in populations in whom comorbid conditions are relatively frequent.
Influence of loop electrosurgical excision procedure on subsequent acquisition of new human papillomavirus infections.

BACKGROUND The impact of loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) treatment for cervical precancerous lesions on subsequent acquisition of new human papillomavirus (HPV) infections is not well described. METHODS The acquisition of new HPV infections was compared in HPV-positive women who underwent colposcopy and were treated by LEEP (n = 195) and those who were untreated (n = 1625) at entry into a 2-year study. Cumulative incidence rate ratios (IRRs) for treated versus untreated women at 6- and 24-months of follow-up, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated for infection by individual HPV genotypes, any HPV genotypes, any carcinogenic HPV genotypes, any noncarcinogenic HPV genotypes, and phylogenetic groups of HPV genotypes. RESULTS Treated women were 29% less likely than untreated women to have carcinogenic HPV genotypes detected at 6-month follow-up visits (IRR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.50-1.00) and were 18% less likely to have these genotypes detected at 24-month follow-up visits (IRR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.68-1.01). Treated women were 56% less likely to have HPV genotypes of the alpha9 phylogenetic species (which includes HPV-16) detected at 6-month follow-up visits (IRR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.23-0.85) and were 40% less likely to have these genotype detected at 24-month follow-up visits (IRR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.42-0.85). CONCLUSION LEEP may reduce the acquisition of certain carcinogenic HPV genotypes related to HPV-16.
Genetic control of specific immune suppression. III. Mapping of H-2 complex complementing genes controlling immune suppression by the random copolymer L-glutamic acid(50)-L-Tyrosine(50) (GT)

Earlier studies from our laboratory demonstrated that the terpolymer of L-glutamic acid, L-alanine, and L-tyrpsine (GAT) stimulated the development of T cells capable of specifically suppressing the antibody responses in vivo and in vitro of nonresponder strains (bearing the H-2(s), H-2(q), and H-2(p) haplotypes) to GAT complexed with an immunogenic carrier, methylated bovine serum albumin, MBSA (1,2). We then extended these findings to another antigen, the copolymer of L-glutamic acid and L-tyrosine (GT). None of 19 inbred or congenic resistant mouse strains developed antibody responses to GT after immunization with this synthetic polypeptide in adjuvants. All the strains investigated, however, developed IgG plaque-forming cells (PFC) primary responses to GT complexed with MBSA (3). This permitted us to determine that: (a) preimmunization with GT suppressed the response to GT-MBSA in certain but not in all strains; (b) the suppression could be transferred by thymocytes and spleen cells from GT-primed animals; (c) the development of GT-specific suppressor cells is under dominant control of H-2- linked gene(s) which have been designated specific immune suppressor genes (Is genes); (d) the Is genes are antigen specific since GAT-MBSA responses are suppressed by GAT in strains carrying the H-2(q) haplotype, while GT-MBSA responses are not suppressed by the related polymer GT in these same strains (3,4). The experiments reported in this study map the Is genes responsible for GT-specific suppression within the H-2 complex. The data indicate that the K and D loci are not concerned with GT-specific suppression, and that this phenomenon is controlled by complementing or interacting genes which map on either side of cross-over events between the IB and IC subregions.
Supergravity and The Large N Limit of Theories With Sixteen Supercharges

We consider field theories with sixteen supersymmetries, which include U(N) Yang-Mills theories in various dimensions, and argue that their large N limit is related to certain supergravity solutions. We study this by considering a system of D-branes in string theory and then taking a limit where the brane world volume theory decouples from gravity. At the same time we study the corresponding D-brane supergravity solution and argue that we can trust it in certain regions where the curvature (and the effective string coupling, where appropriate) are small. The supergravity solutions typically have several weakly coupled regions and interpolate between different limits of string M theory. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Geometrically Induced Force Interaction for Three-Dimensional Deformable Models

In this paper, we propose a novel 3-D deformable model that is based upon a geometrically induced external force field which can be conveniently generalized to arbitrary dimensions. This external force field is based upon hypothesized interactions between the relative geometries of the deformable model and the object boundary characterized by image gradient. The evolution of the deformable model is solved using the level set method so that topological changes are handled automatically. The relative geometrical configurations between the deformable model and the object boundaries contribute to a dynamic vector force field that changes accordingly as the deformable model evolves. The geometrically induced dynamic interaction force has been shown to greatly improve the deformable model performance in acquiring complex geometries and highly concave boundaries, and it gives the deformable model a high invariancy in initialization configurations. The voxel interactions across the whole image domain provide a global view of the object boundary representation, giving the external force a long attraction range. The bidirectionality of the external force field allows the new deformable model to deal with arbitrary cross-boundary initializations, and facilitates the handling of weak edges and broken boundaries. In addition, we show that by enhancing the geometrical interaction field with a nonlocal edge-preserving algorithm, the new deformable model can effectively overcome image noise. We provide a comparative study on the segmentation of various geometries with different topologies from both synthetic and real images, and show that the proposed method achieves significant improvements against existing image gradient techniques.
The Role of a Shared Mental Model of Collaboration Technology in Facilitating Knowledge Work in Virtual Teams

We studied 52 field examples interaction breakdown in information technology project virtual teams and actions leaders took to fix it using information and communication technologies (ICTs). We found that leader success related to aspects of shared mental model (SMM) theory, particularly the equipment/technology (e/t) model. Our literature review shows that prior research has missed the critical impact of this SMM due to controls often placed on technology and context to make studies manageable. We found a solution to this dilemma by applying critical incident technique (CIT). We were able to study successful IT project managers in the field, sampling occasions when they engaged in technology facilitation. We found that these VT leaders need knowledge of ICTs in three areas: functional understanding of features, future prediction knowledge, and application/usefulness knowledge. We present the analysis of our interview data, the CIT methodology we employed, five propositions, and implications for practitioners and researchers
Salvage of Ischemic Myocardium by Dipyridamole in the Conscious Dog

We investigated the effect of i.v. dipyridamole, a potent small-vessel coronary vasodilator, on myocardial infarct size in conscious dogs. Dipyridamole, 7-9.7, ug/kg; 15 dogs) or saline (15 dogs) was infused for 6 hours beginning 10 minutes after acute permanent occlusion of the mid-circumflex coronary artery. After sacrifice, 48 hours after occlusion, stereoscopic postmortem angiography was used to define the mass of the occluded coronary bed. Infarct size was determined by planimetry of weighed, unstained left ventricular slices. Dipyridamole produced a striking reduction in mean infarct mass compared with control (3.1 g vs 13.2 g, p < 0.001), while mean occluded bed mass was similar (30.3 g vs 32.7 g, NS). As a percentage of the occluded bed, mean infarct size was reduced from 36.8% to 8.6% (p < 0.001). Mean arterial blood pressure declined approximately 10% after dipyridamole. Heart rate and left atrial pressure did not change significantly. Collateral blood flow, measured with 8-M radioactive microspheres, increased in all regions during dipyridamole infusion. The infarct center and border regions had sustained increases over 6 hours of 23-80%, while nonischemic regions demonstrated a diminishing response over time, with a large (98-125%) increase 10 minutes after infusion and a smaller (22-25%) increase 6 hours later. Although antiplatelet or local metabolic effects cannot be excluded, the myocardial salvage produced by dipyridamole was most likely due to the increase in collateral blood flow.
Comparison of growth and endocrine changes in Thoroughbred colts and fillies reared under different climate conditions

ABSTRACT Development and endocrine changes in Thoroughbreds colts and fillies were compared between those reared at two facilities of the Japan Racing Association, the Hidaka Training and Research Center (Hidaka) and Miyazaki Yearling Training Farm (Miyazaki). Thoroughbred colts and fillies born in Japan between 2003 and 2010 were used. Each colt group and filly group was divided into 2 groups, respectively, and raised in Hidaka or Miyazaki for 7 months from September at 1 year old to April at 2 years old. For the growth parameters, the body weight, height at withers, and girth and cannon circumferences were measured once a month. For parameters of endocrine function, circulating prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol-17β levels were measured. Regarding growth, the rate of increase over the 7-month period was significantly higher in both colts and fillies raised in Miyazaki than in Hidaka in all 4 parameters: body weight, height at withers, and girth and cannon circumferences. The endocrine changes of the colts and fillies born in 2007 were as follows. In colts, although circulating prolactin tended to be higher in colts reared in Hidaka from October to April, circulating LH, FSH, testosterone, estradiol-17β and IGF-1 tended to be higher in colts reared in Miyazaki than in Hidaka, suggesting that the gonadotropin-releasing hormone-LH/FSH system and the growth hormone-IGF-1 system were more active in colts reared in Miyazaki as compared with those reared in Hidaka. In fillies, circulating prolactin tended to be higher in fillies reared in Hidaka in February and March, but no significant difference was noted in the serum LH, FSH, IGF-1, or progesterone level between the 2 groups. Circulating estradiol-17β tended to be higher in fillies reared in Miyazaki than in Hidaka in October and November. Regarding ovarian function, the initial ovulation occurred by the end of March in 2 (16.7%) of 12 fillies reared in Hidaka and 7 (38.9%) of 18 fillies reared in Miyazaki, suggesting that the ovarian function was more active in fillies reared in Miyazaki as compared with those reared in Hidaka. Based on these findings, it was clarified that development of the body and gonads was faster in Miyazaki compared with Hidaka in both colts and fillies.
The Relationship Between Mental Disorders and Types of Crime in Inmates in a Brazilian Prison

This cross‐sectional study conducted in prisons in the city of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, investigated the association between the presence of psychiatric disorders in 462 prisoners and the types of crimes committed by them. Psychiatric diagnosis was obtained by means of the Brazilian Portuguese version of the Mini‐International Neuropsychiatric Interview. A statistically significant association was found between some psychiatric disorders and specific groups of crime: lifelong substance addiction with sex crimes and homicide; antisocial personality disorder with robbery and with kidnapping and extortion; borderline personality disorder with sex crimes; and lifelong alcohol addiction with fraud and conspiracy and with armed robbery and murder. It was concluded that the mental disorders considered more severe (psychosis and bipolar disorder) were not associated with violent crimes, suggesting that the severity of the psychotic disorder may be the factor that has caused psychosis to be associated with violent crimes in previous studies.
Robotic and Virtual Reality BCIs Using Spatial Tactile and Auditory Oddball Paradigms

The paper reviews nine robotic and virtual reality (VR) brain–computer interface (BCI) projects developed by the author, in collaboration with his graduate students, within the BCI–lab research group during its association with University of Tsukuba, Japan. The nine novel approaches are discussed in applications to direct brain-robot and brain-virtual-reality-agent control interfaces using tactile and auditory BCI technologies. The BCI user intentions are decoded from the brainwaves in realtime using a non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) and they are translated to a symbiotic robot or virtual reality agent thought-based only control. A communication protocol between the BCI output and the robot or the virtual environment is realized in a symbiotic communication scenario using an user datagram protocol (UDP), which constitutes an internet of things (IoT) control scenario. Results obtained from healthy users reproducing simple brain-robot and brain-virtual-agent control tasks in online experiments support the research goal of a possibility to interact with robotic devices and virtual reality agents using symbiotic thought-based BCI technologies. An offline BCI classification accuracy boosting method, using a previously proposed information geometry derived approach, is also discussed in order to further support the reviewed robotic and virtual reality thought-based control paradigms.
Accuracy of dermoscopic criteria for the diagnosis of psoriasis, dermatitis, lichen planus and pityriasis rosea

Background Dermoscopy is useful in evaluating skin tumours, but its applicability extends also to the field of inflammatory skin disorders. Plaque psoriasis (PP), dermatitis, lichen planus (LP) and pityriasis rosea (PR) are common inflammatory skin diseases, but little is currently known about their dermoscopic features.
MET amplification as a potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer

Our aim was to investigate both the prevalence of MET amplification in gastric cancer as well as the potential of this genetic alteration to serve as a therapeutic target in gastric cancer. MET amplification was assessed by initial screening with a PCR-based copy number assay followed by confirmatory FISH analysis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens of gastric cancer obtained at surgery. The effects of MET tyrosine kinase inhibitors (MET-TKIs) in gastric cancer cells with or without MET amplification were also examined. The median MET copy number in 266 cases of gastric cancer was 1.7, with a range of 0.41 to 21.3. We performed FISH analysis for the 15 cases with the highest MET copy numbers. MET amplification was confirmed in the four assessable cases with a MET copy number of at least 4, whereas MET amplification was not detected in those with a gene copy number of <4. The prevalence of MET amplification was thus 1.5% (4 out of 266 cases). Inhibition of MET by MET-TKIs resulted in the induction of apoptosis accompanied by attenuation of downstream MET signaling in gastric cancer cell lines with MET amplification but not in those without this genetic change. MET amplification identifies a small but clinically important subgroup of gastric cancer patients who are likely to respond to MET-TKIs. Furthermore, screening with a PCR-based copy number assay is an efficient way to reduce the number of patients requiring confirmation of MET amplification by FISH analysis.
Functional α1‐ and β2‐adrenergic receptors in human osteoblasts

Central (hypothalamic) control of bone mass is proposed to be mediated through β2‐adrenergic receptors (β2‐ARs). While investigations in mouse bone cells suggest that epinephrine enhances both RANKL and OPG mRNA via both β‐ARs and α‐ARs, whether α‐ARs are expressed in human bone cells is controversial. The current study investigated the expression of α1‐AR and β2‐AR mRNA and protein and the functional role of adrenergic stimulation in human osteoblasts (HOBs). Expression of α1B‐ and β2‐ARs was examined by RT‐PCR, immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blot (for α1B‐ARs). Proliferation in HOBs was assessed by 3H‐thymidine incorporation and expression of RANKL and OPG was determined by quantitative RT‐PCR. RNA message for α1B‐ and β2‐ARs was expressed in HOBs and MG63 human osteosarcoma cells. α1B‐ and β2‐AR immunofluorescent localization in HOBs was shown for the first time by deconvolution microscopy. α1B‐AR protein was identified in HOBs by Western blot. Both α1‐agonists and propranolol (β‐blocker) increased HOB replication but fenoterol, a β2‐agonist, inhibited it. Fenoterol nearly doubled RANKL mRNA and this was inhibited by propranolol. The α1‐agonist cirazoline increased OPG mRNA and this increase was abolished by siRNA knockdown of α1B‐ARs in HOBs. These data indicate that both α1‐ARs and β2‐ARs are present and functional in HOBs. In addition to β2‐ARs, α1‐ARs in human bone cells may play a role in modulation of bone turnover by the sympathetic nervous system. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 267–275, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.