Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hyalinizing trabecular tumor of the thyroid: diagnosis of a rare tumor using ultrasonography, cytology, and intraoperative frozen sections

Purpose: The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathological and imaging features of thyroid nodules surgically diagnosed as hyaline trabecular tumor (HTT), and to assess the role of cytology and frozen sections (FS) in the diagnosis of HTT. Methods: This study included 21 thyroid nodules in 21 patients treated from August 2005 to March 2015 (mean age, 53.3 years) who were either diagnosed as HTT or had HTT suggested as a possible diagnosis based on cytology, FS, or the final pathology report. Patients’ medical records were retrospectively reviewed for cytopathologic results and outcomes during the course of follow-up. Sonograms were reviewed and categorized. Results: Twelve nodules from 12 patients were surgically confirmed as HTT. Ultrasonography (US)-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) was performed on 11 nodules, of which six (54.5%) were papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) or suspicious for PTC and three (27.3%) were HTT or suspicious for HTT. Intraoperative FS suggested the possibility of HTT in seven nodules, of which four (57.1%) were confirmed as HTT. US-FNA suggested the diagnosis of HTT in 10 nodules, of which three (30.0%) were confirmed as HTT. Common US features of the 12 pathologically confirmed cases of HTT were hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity (83.4%), absence of calcifications (91.7%), parallel shape (100.0%), presence of vascularity (75.0%), and probable benignity (58.3%). Conclusion: HTT should be included in the differential diagnosis of solid tumors with hypoechogenicity or marked hypoechogenicity and otherwise benign US features that have been diagnosed as PTC through cytology.
Using Bayesian tissue classification to improve the accuracy of vestibular schwannoma volume and growth measurement.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE True 3D measurements of tumor volume are time-consuming and subject to errors that are particularly pronounced in cases of small tumors. These problems complicate the routine clinical assessment of tumor growth rates. We examined the accuracy of currently available methods of size and growth measurement of vestibular schwannomas compared with that of a novel fast partial volume tissue classification algorithm. METHODS Sixty-three patients with unilateral sporadic vestibular schwannomas underwent imaging. Thirty-eight of these patients underwent imaging two or more times at approximately 12-month intervals. Contrast-enhanced 3D T1-weighted images were used for all measurements. An experienced radiologist performed standard size estimations, including maximal diameter, elliptical area, perimeter, manually segmented area, intensity thresholded seeding volume, and manually segmented volume. A method for calculating volume was also used, incorporating Bayesian probability statistics to estimate partial volume effects. Manually segmented volume was obtained as a baseline standard measure. A computer-generated phantom exhibiting the intensity and partial volume characteristics of brain tissue, CSF, and intracanalicular vestibular schwannoma tissue was used to measure absolute accuracy of the standard technique and Bayesian partial volume segmentation. RESULTS The Bayesian partial volume segmentation method showed the highest correlation (R(2) = 0.994) with the standard method, whereas the commonly used method of maximal diameter measurement showed poor correlation (R(2) = 0.732). Accuracy of Bayesian segmentation was shown to be more than twice that of manual segmentation, with an absolute accuracy of 5% (cf, 13%) and a remeasurement accuracy of 70 mm(3) (cf, 150 mm(3)). For the 38 patients who underwent imaging twice, definite tumor growth was shown for 12, potential growth for seven, no growth for 17, and definite shrinkage for two. CONCLUSION Commonly used methods such as maximal diameter measurements do not provide adequate statistical accuracy with which to monitor tumor growth in patients with small vestibular schwannomas. Bayesian partial volume segmentation provides a more accurate and rapid method of volume and growth estimation. These differences in measurement accuracy translated into a significant improvement in clinical assessment, allowing identification of tumor growth in 10 of 12 cases that appeared to be static in size when manual segmentation techniques are used. The technique is quick to perform and suitable for use in routine clinical practice.
Lsr‐mediated transport and processing of AI‐2 in Salmonella typhimurium

The LuxS‐dependent autoinducer AI‐2 is proposed to function in interspecies cell–cell communication in bacteria. In Salmonella typhimurium, AI‐2 is produced and released during exponential growth and is subsequently imported into the bacteria via the Lsr (luxS regulated) ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter. AI‐2 induces transcription of the lsrACDBFGE operon, the first four genes of which encode the Lsr transport apparatus. In this report, we identify and characterize LsrK, a new protein that is required for the regulation of the lsr operon and the AI‐2 uptake process. LsrK is a kinase that phosphorylates AI‐2 upon entry into the cell. Our data indicate that phosphorylation of AI‐2 results in its sequestration in the cytoplasm. We suggest that phospho‐AI‐2 is the inducer responsible for inactivation of LsrR, the repressor of the lsr operon. We also show that two previously uncharacterized members of the lsr operon, LsrF and LsrG, are necessary for the further processing of phospho‐AI‐2. Transport and processing of AI‐2 could be required for removing the quorum‐sensing signal, conveying the signal to an internal detector and/or scavenging boron.
A Cross Sectional Study on Prevalence of Diarrhoeal Disease and Nutritional Status Among Children Under 5-Years of Age In Kushtia, Bangladesh

Children under 5 years old are most vulnerable and high risk group who need special health care services. Be-cause infectious diseases, diarrhea, malnutrition etc are very common in this group. This study was carried out among the total of 400 children in Kushtia from January 2008 to December 2008 and observed the prevalence of diarrhoea among them. A cross sectional survey was carried out to determine nutritional status of under-5years children by anthropometric measurement, MUAC measurement and bio-chemical assessment. Anthropometric measurements were performed by standard methods National Centre for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the United States. Amongst all the children higher proportion of children 47% were found to be malnourished (under weight) using W/A as indicator in the age range of 0-60 months. Amongst all the subjects’ prevalence of wasting and stunting was 51% and 49% respectively. Age group 0-12 months shows the highest prevalence of wasting, under weight and stunting. The prevalence of diarrhoea was found 44.5%. The maximum prevalence (48.86%) and frequency (1.7) of diarrhoea was present in 12-24 months of age. Factors that influence malnutrition and frequency of diarrhea were limited access to sanitation facilities, unhygienic water drinking and handling, mother’s education, misconception about food, infectious diseases and weaning practices. These results suggested that improving nutritional status of urban poor requires direct, focused and integrated strategies that are preferably community based and involve the behavior modification by education in addition to providing comprehensive preventive and curative health and nutritional services.
Singularity avoidance for over-actuated, pseudo-omnidirectional, wheeled mobile robots

For mobile platforms with steerable standard wheels it is necessary to precisely coordinate rotation and steering angle of their wheels. An established approach to ensure this is to represent the current state of motion in form of the Instantaneous Centre of Motion (ICM) and to derive a trajectory within this space. However, while control in the ICM space does guarantee adherence to the system's nonholonomic constraints, it does not avoid the system's singular configurations. Within this work we address the problem of singularity avoidance within the ICM space. Singularities related to the mathematical representation of the ICM are reduced by a reformulation of this representation. Furthermore, a controller based on artificial potential fields avoiding singular configurations of the robot by representing them as obstacles in the derived ICM space is designed. The resulting controller is particularized and analyzed w.r. t. the Care-O-bot 3 demonstrator.
The Contraction of Smooth Muscle Cells of Intrapulmonary Arterioles Is Determined by the Frequency of Ca2+ Oscillations Induced by 5-HT and KCl

Increased resistance of the small blood vessels within the lungs is associated with pulmonary hypertension and results from a decrease in size induced by the contraction of their smooth muscle cells (SMCs). To study the mechanisms that regulate the contraction of intrapulmonary arteriole SMCs, the contractile and Ca2+ responses of the arteriole SMCs to 5-hydroxytrypamine (5-HT) and KCl were observed with phase-contrast and scanning confocal microscopy in thin lung slices cut from mouse lungs stiffened with agarose and gelatin. 5-HT induced a concentration-dependent contraction of the arterioles. Increasing concentrations of extracellular KCl induced transient contractions in the SMCs and a reduction in the arteriole luminal size. 5-HT induced oscillations in [Ca2+]i within the SMCs, and the frequency of these Ca2+ oscillations was dependent on the agonist concentration and correlated with the extent of sustained arteriole contraction. By contrast, KCl induced Ca2+ oscillations that occurred with low frequencies and were preceded by small, localized transient Ca2+ events. The 5-HT–induced Ca2+ oscillations and contractions occurred in the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and were resistant to Ni2+ and nifedipine but were abolished by caffeine. KCl-induced Ca2+ oscillations and contractions were abolished by the absence of extracellular Ca2+ and the presence of Ni2+, nifedipine, and caffeine. Arteriole contraction was induced or abolished by a 5-HT2–specific agonist or antagonist, respectively. These results indicate that 5-HT, acting via 5-HT2 receptors, induces arteriole contraction by initiating Ca2+ oscillations and that KCl induces contraction via Ca2+ transients resulting from the overfilling of internal Ca2+ stores. We hypothesize that the magnitude of the sustained intrapulmonary SMC contraction is determined by the frequency of Ca2+ oscillations and also by the relaxation rate of the SMC.
In vitro comparison of N-formimidoyl thienamycin (MK0787) and Azlocillin with three aminoglycosides and ticarcillin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The activities of N-formimidoyl thienamycin and azlocillin were compared with those of tobramycin, gentamicin, amikacin, and ticarcillin against 175 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, including 24 strains with known mechanisms of resistance to aminoglycosides. The 50% mean inhibitory concentration for azlocillin was lower than for ticarcillin, but the 90% mean inhibitory concentration was similar for both drugs. All susceptible and multidrug-resistant strains were susceptible to N-formimidoyl thienamycin.
Effects of stress on students' physical and mental health and academic success

Stress affects students in multiple ways. This article provides a conceptual overview of the direct (e.g., psychoneuroimmunological, endocrine) and indirect (health behavior) pathways through which stress affects physical health, the psychological effects of stress on mental health, and the cognitive effects of stress (e.g., attention, concentration) on academic success. We review relevant literature highlighting these links and suggest directions for future research and interventions.
Apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids and the digestible and metabolizable energy content of dry extruded-expelled soybean meal and its effects on growth performance of pigs.

We conducted three experiments to determine the apparent ileal digestibility of amino acids (Exp. 1), metabolizable and digestible energy (Exp. 2), and feeding value (Exp. 3) of dry extruded-expelled soybean meal with (DEH) or without (DENH) hulls compared with solvent-extracted soybean meal with hulls removed (SBMNH). Soybeans used to produce DEH were unadulterated prior to extrusion, but those used for DENH were dehulled prior to extrusion. In Exp. 1, six nonlittermate barrows (initially 39 kg) were fitted with ileal T-cannulas and used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design digestion trial. Experimental diets (0.80% total lysine) were cornstarch-based and contained soybean meal from one of the three different sources as the sole source of lysine. Apparent ileal digestibilies of nutrients were similar (P > 0.10) for DEH and DENH. Apparent ileal digestibilies of CP, Lys, Ile, Leu, Arg, Phe, and Val were greater (P < 0.05) for DEH and DENH than for SBMNH. In Exp. 2, six barrows (initially 41 kg) were fed three corn-based diets containing 25% of one of the three soybean meal sources. A fourth diet was fed at the end of the trial containing all ingredients except soybean meal, so that energy values of the soybean meal could be determined by difference. Digestible energy and ME contents were similar (P > 0.10) for DEH and DENH and both had greater (P < 0.05) DE and ME contents than SBMNH. In Exp. 3, pigs (n = 216, initially 10.6 +/- 1.3 kg and 35 +/- 3 d of age) were blocked by weight and allotted to six dietary treatments. Corn-soybean meal-based diets (0.95% digestible lysine and 3.44 kcal/g ME) containing DEH or DENH were compared with similar diets containing SBMNH or solvent-extracted soybean meal with hulls (SBMH). In addition, a diet containing a second expelled soybean meal with hulls (ESBM) was compared with a diet containing SBMH and soy oil. Growth performance of pigs fed diets containing DEH or DENH was not different (P > 0.10) than that of pigs fed corresponding diets containing SMBH or SBMNH. Pigs fed ESBM had lower (P < 0.05) ADG and G/F compared with its corresponding SBMH and soy oil diet. In conclusion, DEH and DENH are more digestible than conventional soybean meal and can be successfully used in swine diets.
GATA3 Immunohistochemical Staining in Hodgkin Lymphoma: Diagnostic Utility in Differentiating Classic Hodgkin Lymphoma From Nodular Lymphocyte Predominant Hodgkin Lymphoma and Other Mimicking Entities

Background: Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (CHL) and nodular lymphocyte predominant Hodgkin lymphoma (NLPHL) are clinically distinct entities, with different prognostic and treatment implications. In addition, several large B-cell lymphomas and some T-cell lymphomas can mimic CHL. Differentiating these entities from CHL is crucial for ensuring appropriate therapy. GATA3 is a T-cell transcription factor involved in T-cell maturation and has been previously shown to be overexpressed in CHL cells via gene expression profiling. We investigated the utility of GATA3 immunostain in differentiating CHL from NLPHL and other mimicking entities. Materials and Methods: We accrued 17 NLPHLs, 49 CHLs [23 nodular sclerosis (NS), 3 syncytial variants, 3 lymphocyte rich and 13 mixed cellularity types], 4 primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphomas (PMBLs), 2 Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) positive diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) (EBV+LBCLs), 2 T-cell/histiocyte-rich large B-cell lymphomas (TCHRBCLs), 1 gray zone lymphoma, and 2 tissue microarrays consisting of 72 DLBCLs. One slide from each was stained with GATA3 and percent positive tumor cells and intensity of nuclear expression was semiquantitatively graded independently by 2 board certified hematopathologists. Results: GATA3 was positive in 80% of CHLs. Both percent positivity and intensity of staining varied greatly. Syncytial variant of NS subtype showed the highest positivity rate (3/3; 100%), followed by NS (20/23; 87%), mixed cellularity (9/13; 70%), and lymphocyte rich (2/3; 67%). GATA3 was negative in all NLPHLs, EBV+LBCLs, TCRBCLs, and DLBCLs stained. The single gray zone lymphoma and 3/4 PMBLs were positive. Conclusions: Nuclear expression of GATA3 can be used to delineate CHL from NLPHL. GATA3 positivity effectively excludes NLPHL with 100% negative predictive value. However, as 20% of CHL can be negative for GATA3, CHL cannot be ruled out with negative GATA3. Additional findings include GATA3 positivity among PMBLs, whereas all 72 DLBCLs were negative for GATA3. This finding further highlights similarities between CHL and PMBL.
Transmission of the Parent-adolescent Attachment Bond to the Next Generation: A Case-control Study

Background and Goals: Many studies have examined how types of parent-child attachment bond are transmitted from one generation to the next, and how this may be associated with the occurrence of psychological disorders and dysfunctional relationships. In this study, we proposed to investigate the relationship, if any, between dysfunctional attachment bond and psychopathology, and to see whether dysfunctional parent-adolescent attachment bonds are handed down to the next generation. Methods: The clinical group (cases) consisted of 44 adolescents with psychological disorders (21 males and 23 females) with a mean age of 15.3 years ± SD 1.549, attending our Service for Children, Adolescents and Families, ULSS 16 (Padua); the control group consisted of 44 adolescents, matched pairwise for age and gender, recruited at secondary schools in Vicenza. We
NEPI: An integration framework for Network Experimentation

Many different experimentation environments address complementary aspects of network protocol evaluation, but because of their disparities and complexities it is often hard to use them to reproduce the same experiment scenario. NEPI, the Network Experimentation Programming Interface, was created to make evaluation of network protocols and applications easier and more reproducible using different experimentation environments, by providing a uniform object model for designing, deploying, and controlling experiments. In this paper we describe how we enhanced the design of NEPI and provided experiment validation, distributed experiment control, and failure recovery functionalities. We also validate the NEPI approach by implementing support for three complementary environments, a physical testbed, a network emulator, and a network simulator. Furthermore, we show with a concrete experiment use case, available online for reproduction, how easy it is with NEPI to integrate these environments for hybrid-experimentation.
Prelaunch and in-flight radiometric calibration of the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS)

With 2378 infrared spectral channels ranging in wavelength from 3.7-15.4 /spl mu/m, the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) represents a quantum leap in spaceborne sounding instruments. Each channel of the AIRS instrument has a well-defined spectral bandshape and must be radiometrically calibrated to standards developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. This paper defines the algorithms, methods, and test results of the prelaunch radiometric calibration of the AIRS infrared channels and the in-flight calibration approach. Derivation of the radiometric transfer equations is presented with prelaunch measurements of the radiometric accuracy achieved on measurements of independent datasets.
FRAGMENTATION, ORALITY AND MAGIC REALISM IN KEZILAHABI'S NOVEL NAGONA

This article is a response to Gromov's article entitled Nagona and Mzingile: Novel, Tale or Parable? Contrary to Gromov's thesis on the structural ambiguity of the novel, we posit that the structure of this novel is discernible if we consider the fluidity of the genre 'novel' and if we bring in elements of socio-cultural patchwork and chaos characterising contemporary African societies. This article argues that the idea of fragmentation which is revealed at the level of an individual and society in the novel, goes very well with its fictional devices. In fact the fictional devices render the discourse of the novel disruption. It is a double-edged design pregnant on the one hand, with religious, philosophical, political and social rhetoric for its literary substance and on the other, 'orality' and 'magic realism' for its fictional strategies which seem to cause 'fragmentariness' that challenge the traditional method of narration with simple temporal linearity.
Some Results on Kloosterman Sums and their Minimal Polynomials

This paper introduces two new results on Kloosterman sums and their minimal polynomials. We characterise ternary Kloosterman sums modulo 27. We also prove a congruence concerning the minimal polynomial over ℚ of a Kloosterman sum. This paper also serves as a survey of our recent results on binary Kloosterman sums modulo 16, 32, 64 and 128 with Petr Lisonek.
Preparation and Evaluation of Miconazole Nitrate-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles for Topical Delivery

The purpose of this study was to prepare miconazole nitrate (MN) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (MN-SLN) effective for topical delivery of miconazole nitrate. Compritol 888 ATO as lipid, propylene glycol (PG) to increase drug solubility in lipid, tween 80, and glyceryl monostearate were used as the surfactants to stabilize SLN dispersion in the SLN preparation using hot homogenization method. SLN dispersions exhibited average size between 244 and 766 nm. All the dispersions had high entrapment efficiency ranging from 80% to 100%. The MN-SLN dispersion which showed good stability for a period of 1 month was selected. This MN-SLN was characterized for particle size, entrapment efficiency, and X-ray diffraction. The penetration of miconazole nitrate from the gel formulated using selected MN-SLN dispersion as into cadaver skins was evaluated ex-vivo using franz diffusion cell. The results of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that MN was dispersed in SLN in an amorphous state. The MN-SLN formulations could significantly increase the accumulative uptake of MN in skin over the marketed gel and showed a significantly enhanced skin targeting effect. These results indicate that the studied MN-SLN formulation with skin targeting may be a promising carrier for topical delivery of miconazole nitrate.
Single-agent lapatinib for HER2-overexpressing advanced or metastatic breast cancer that progressed on first- or second-line trastuzumab-containing regimens.

BACKGROUND This phase II study evaluated the efficacy and safety of lapatinib in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer that progressed during prior trastuzumab therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Women with stage IIIB/IV HER2-overexpressing breast cancer were treated with single-agent lapatinib 1250 or 1500 mg once daily after protocol amendment. Tumor response according to RECIST was assessed every 8 weeks. HER2 expression was assessed in tumor tissue by immunohistochemistry and FISH. RESULTS Seventy-eight patients were enrolled in the study. Investigator and independent review response rates [complete response (CR) or partial response (PR)] were 7.7% and 5.1%, and clinical benefit rates (CR, PR, or stable disease for >or=24 weeks) were 14.1% and 9.0%, respectively. Median time to progression was 15.3 weeks by independent review, and median overall survival was 79 weeks. The most common treatment-related adverse events were rash (47%), diarrhea (46%), nausea (31%), and fatigue (18%). CONCLUSIONS Single-agent lapatinib has clinical activity with manageable toxic effects in HER2-overexpressing breast cancer that progressed on trastuzumab-containing therapy. Studies of lapatinib-based combination regimens with chemotherapy and other targeted therapies in metastatic and earlier stages of breast cancer are warranted.