Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic performance of central vein sign for multiple sclerosis with a simplified three-lesion algorithm

Background: Detection of a “central vein sign” (CVS) on FLAIR* magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is highly specific and sensitive for multiple sclerosis (MS). We evaluated the specificity and sensitivity of simplified CVS algorithms for MS diagnosis. Methods: MRIs from 10 participants with MS without additional comorbidities for MRI white matter abnormalities; 10 with MS and additional comorbidities for white matter abnormalities; 10 with migraine, white matter abnormalities, and no additional comorbidities; and 10 who had previously been erroneously diagnosed with MS were evaluated. 3T MRI T2-FLAIR and T2*-weighted sequences were acquired to create FLAIR* images. Three MS physician reviewers, blinded to diagnosis, evaluated two different algorithms: (1) three lesions pre-selected on FLAIR were subsequently evaluated for CVS on FLAIR*(select3). (2) FLAIR* was evaluated for up to three lesions with CVS (select3*). Results: For select3, average specificity across reviewers for MS was 0.98 and sensitivity 0.52 and a correct prediction of diagnosis demonstrated kappa = 0.29. For select3*, specificity was 0.81, sensitivity was 0.83, and kappa was 0.31. Conclusion: A simplified determination of CVS in three white matter lesions on 3T FLAIR* MRI demonstrated good specificity and sensitivity and fair inter-rater reliability for a diagnosis of MS and with further study, may be a candidate for clinical application.
Structural Requirements for Inverse Agonism and Neutral Antagonism of Indole-, Benzimidazole-, and Thienopyrrole-Derived Histamine H4 Receptor Ligands

The human histamine H4 receptor (hH4R), coexpressed with Gαi2 and Gβ1γ2 in Sf9 insect cells, is highly constitutively active, and thioperamide [THIO; N-cyclohexyl-4-(imidazol-4-yl)-1-piperidinecarbothioamide] is one of the most efficacious hH4R inverse agonists. High constitutive hH4R activity may have pathophysiological implications in which case inverse agonists may behave differently than neutral antagonists. To learn more about the structural requirements for hH4R inverse agonism, we investigated 25 compounds (indole, benzimidazole, and thienopyrrole derivatives) structurally related to the standard antagonist JNJ-7777120 [1-[(5-chloro-1H-indol-2-yl)carbonyl]-4-methyl-piperazine]. We characterized the compounds in radioligand binding assays by using [3H]histamine ([3H]HA) and in steady-state GTPase assays in the presence (antagonist mode) and absence (inverse agonist mode) of the agonist HA, yielding the following results: 1) Twenty-two compounds were inverse agonists (efficacy: 15–62% of the THIO effect), and only three compounds (12%) showed neutral antagonism. Thus, inverse agonism is far more common than neutral antagonism. 2) The inverse agonistic efficacy of the R5-monosubstituted indole-derived compounds increased with the volume of R5. R5 may interact with Trp6.48 of the rotamer toggle switch and stabilize the inactive receptor conformation. 3) A subset of compounds showed large differences between the Ki value from [3H]HA competition binding and the EC50 value from steady-state GTPase assays, whereas the Kb values were closer to the Ki values. Thus, the two-state model should be extended to a model comprising a constitutively active hH4R state, which can be discriminated by inverse agonists from a structurally distinct HA-stabilized active state.
Exploring the evolution of spiral galaxies

We have constructed a family of simple models for spiral galaxy evolution to allow us to investigate observational trends in star formation history with galaxy parameters. The models are used to generate broad-band colours from which ages and metallicities are derived in the same way as the data. We generate a grid of model galaxies and select only those that lie in regions of parameter space covered by the sample. The data are consistent with the proposition that the star formation history of a region within a galaxy depends primarily on the local surface density of the gas but that one or two additional ingredients are required to explain the observational data fully. The observed age gradients appear steeper than those produced by the density dependent star formation law, indicating that the star formation law or infall history must vary with galactocentric radius. Furthermore, the metallicity–magnitude and age–magnitude correlations are not reproduced by a local density dependence alone. These correlations require one or both of the following: (i) a combination of mass dependent infall and metal enriched outflow, or (ii) a mass dependent galaxy formation epoch. Distinguishing these possibilities on the basis of current data is extremely difficult.
Information search with situation-specific reward functions

The goal of obtaining information to improve classification accuracy can strongly conflict with the goal of obtaining information for improving payoffs. Two environments with such a conflict were identified through computer optimization. Three subsequent experiments investigated people’s search behavior in these environments. Experiments 1 and 2 used a multiple-cue probabilistic category-learning task to convey environmental probabilities. In a subsequent search task subjects could query only a single feature before making a classification decision. The crucial manipulation concerned the search-task reward structure. The payoffs corresponded either to accuracy, with equal rewards associated with the two categories, or to an asymmetric payoff function, with different rewards associated with each category. In Experiment 1, in which learning-task feedback corresponded to the true category, people later preferentially searched the accuracy-maximizing feature, whether or not this would improve monetary rewards. In Experiment 2, an asymmetric reward structure was used during learning. Subjects searched the reward-maximizing feature when asymmetric payoffs were preserved in the search task. However, if search-task payoffs corresponded to accuracy, subjects preferentially searched a feature that was suboptimal for reward and accuracy alike. Importantly, this feature would have been most useful, under the learning-task payoff structure. Experiment 3 found that, if words and numbers are used to convey environmental probabilities, neither reward nor accuracy consistently predicts search. These findings emphasize the necessity of taking into account people’s goals and search-and-decision processes during learning, thereby challenging current models of information search.
Dietary intake of fibre and risk of knee osteoarthritis in two US prospective cohorts

Objectives Dietary fibre reduces body weight and inflammation both of which are linked with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We examined the association between fibre intake and risk of knee OA. Methods We used data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) of 4796 participants and Framingham Offspring Osteoarthritis Study (Framingham) of 1268 persons. Dietary intake of fibre was estimated at baseline, and incident radiographic OA (ROA) and symptomatic OA (SxOA) were followed annually until 48 months in OAI and assessed 9 years later in Framingham. Knee pain worsening was also examined in OAI. Generalised estimating equations were applied in multivariable regression models. Results In OAI, we identified 869 knees with SxOA, 152 knees with ROA and 1964 knees with pain worsening among 4051 subjects with valid dietary intake (baseline mean age: 61.2 years; mean body mass index (BMI): 28.6). In Framingham, 143 knees with SxOA and 176 knees with ROA among 971 such subjects (baseline mean age: 53.9 years; mean BMI: 27.0) were identified. In both cohorts, dietary total fibre was inversely associated with risk of SxOA (p trend <0.03) with significantly lower risk at the highest versus lowest quartile (OR (95% CI): 0.70 (0.52, 0.94) for OAI and 0.39 (0.17, 0.88) for Framingham). Furthermore, dietary total and cereal fibre were significantly inversely associated with knee pain worsening in OAI (p trend <0.02). No apparent association was found with ROA. Conclusions Findings from two longitudinal studies consistently showed that higher total fibre intake was related to a lower risk of SxOA, while the relation to ROA was unclear.
Complex Coil Assisted Single Coil Embolization for Small Intracranial Aneurysm

The purpose of the technical note is to introduce the complex coil assisted coil embolization method in the treatment of intracranial small aneurysm, in order to enhance the safety of the procedure. The first microcatheter was navigated into the aneurysm sac and the ultrasoft coil was used as the embolization coil. If the embolizations coil could not stay within the aneurysm sac smoothly, such as coil herniation into parent artery during the delivery process. The second microcatheter would be navigated to the aneurysm level in the parent artery. Another complex coil was delivered within the parent artery via the second microcatheter to provide the neck bridge effect in order to enhance the stability of embolization coil. Besides, the protection coil will not disturb the parent artery flow. While the embolization coil was put into the aneurysm sac smoothly under the help of complex protective coil, the protective coil was then withdrawn gently. We use the most magnified view, dual-plane approach simultaneously to observe the stability of embolization coil. The embolization coil would be detached without any evidence of coil motion or vibration. The new method could provide the physiological protective method, without leaving any protective device such as stent within the parent artery.
Spatial variation in cartilage T2 of the knee

Technical limitations imposed by resolution and B1 homogeneity have thus far limited quantitative in vivo T2 mapping of cartilage to the patella. The purpose of this study is to develop T2 mapping of the femoral/tibial joint and assess regional variability of cartilage T2 in the knee. Quantitative in vivo T2 mapping of the knee was performed on 15 asymptomatic adults (age, 22–44) using a 3T MR scanner. There is a consistent pattern of spatial variation in cartilage T2 with longer values near the articular surface. The greatest variation occurs in the patella, where T2 increases from 45.3 ± 2.5 msec at a normalized distance of 0.33–67 ± 5.5 msec at a distance of 1.0. These results demonstrate feasibility of performing in vivo T2 mapping of femoral tibial cartilage. Except for the superficial 15% where T2 values are lower, the spatial variation in T2 of femoral and tibial cartilage is similar to patellar cartilage. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2001;14:50–55. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genetic programming for improving image descriptors generated using the scale-invariant feature transform

Object recognition is an important task in the computer vision field as it has many applications, including optical character recognition and facial recognition. However, many existing methods have demonstrated relatively poor performance in all but the most simple cases. Scale-invariant feature transform (SIFT) features attempt to alleviate issues surrounding complex examples involving variances in scale, rotation and illumination, but suffer, potentially, from the way the algorithm describes the keypoints it detects in images. Genetic programming (GP) is used for the first time in an attempt to find the optimal way of describing the image keypoints extracted by the SIFT algorithm. Training and testing results show that the fittest program from a GP search can improve on the standard SIFT descriptors after only a few generations of a small population. While early results may not yet show major improvements over standard SIFT features, they do open the door for further research and experimentation.
An Automated Segmentation Method For Iris Recognition

Segmentation is of vital importance in iris based identification. This paper presents a straightforward approach for segmenting the iris. The method determines an automated threshold for binarising and determining the pupil center, based on a histogram of gray scale image and after which the iris is segmented. To access the methods efficacy, this method is applied to a database of 756 images. After segmentation, 160-byte code is extracted from normalized image, which is used for identification
Microbial profile of neonatal sepsis and antibiotic resistance from a tertiary care hospital in South India

Introduction: Neonatal sepsis is a major cause of neonatal mortality, the clinical outcome of which depends on early diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antibiotics. The emergence of multi-drug resistant strains has limited the choice of available antibiotics. Thus, antibiotic resistance pattern of pathogens iscritical for both therapy and infection control. Objective: To determine the etiological agents of neonatal sepsis and their antibiotic resistance pattern. Materials and Methods: In this study, all neonates with suspected sepsis, admitted to neonatal intensive care unit during January to December, 2014 were included. Aerobic blood culture was done using BACTEC FX system. Identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolates from positive cultures was carried out. Results: Out of 522 neonates who developed clinical sepsis, 64 grew pathogens on blood culture. The most common organisms were coagulase negative Staphylococcus species (CONS)(32.8%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (18.7%), Escherichia coli (9.4%), Enterococcus faecalis (7.8%) and Candida species (7.8%). The gram negative isolates showed high resistance to ampicillin (90%), gentamicin (70%), ceftriaxone (66.7%), cotrimoxazole (56.7%), amikacin (53.3%) and ciprofloxacin (43.3%). In contrast, imipenem (16.7%), piperacillin-tazobactam (26.7%) and cefepime-tazobactam (0%) were effective with lower resistance rates. A large majority of the Enterobactericeae isolates (66.7%) were extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers. Among the gram positive isolates, resistance to penicillin, erythromycin and ciprofloxacin were 93.1%, 62.1%and 51.7% respectively. These strains showed uniform sensitivity to vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid. Conclusion: While CONS were the predominant isolate, gram negative bacilli and Enterococcus sp have shown high resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Low resistance was observed with Cefepime-tazobactam, imipenem (for gram-negative isolates) and vancomycin, teicopla
Encephalomyelitisof Experimental Autoimmune Dependent Signaling and the Pathogenesis and IL-17F - IL-17RC Is Required for IL-17A

It has been suggested that IL-17RC forms a complex with IL-17RA to mediate the functions of IL-17A and IL-17F homodimers as well as IL-17A/F heterodimers. It is still unclear whether IL-17RC is absolutely required for the signaling of IL-17 cytokines in vivo. By using Il-17rc –deﬁcient mice, we show that IL-17RC is essential for the signaling of IL-17A, IL-17F, and IL-17A/F both in vitro and in vivo. IL-17RC does not preassociate with IL-17RA on the cell surface; rather IL-17A can induce the formation of an IL-17RC and IL-17RA complex. This process is not dependent on the intracellular similar expression to ﬁbroblast growth factor genes and IL-17Rs (SEFIR) domain of IL-17RC, but the SEFIR is essential in IL-17A signal transduction. Finally, Il-17rc 2 / 2 mice develop much milder disease in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis model, supporting an essential role for IL-17RC in mediating immune-mediated CNS inﬂammation. The Journal of Immunology , 2010, 184: 4307–4316.
Role of the Physician in Childhood Obesity

Objective:To suggest the role of the practicing physician in examining and treating childhood obesity. How should obesity be determined at clinical examination? Is there an obesity epidemic? What is the likely influence of obesity upon current and future health? What are the causes of obesity, and what does this imply for prevention and treatment? Data Sources:Relevant articles in Medline and personal files. Data Synthesis:The 80th and 95th percentiles of body mass index and skinfold readings provide the most commonly accepted indices of overweight and obesity in the child. Over the last 20 years, the proportions of overweight and obese children have increased in both indigenous populations and most developed societies. Current methods of assessing physical activity and diet during childhood lack the precision to establish the primary cause of the obesity epidemic, but correlational analysis shows a close relationship between body fat content and a decline in daily energy expenditures. Immediate consequences of childhood obesity include an increased prevalence of atherosclerotic plaques, hypertension, and an adverse lipid profile, with a poor self-image that limits participation in physical activity. Tracking is such that many obese children become obese adults, and in consequence, the long-term risks of cardiovascular and all-cause deaths are increased. The prevention of obesity is easier than its cure. A combination of increased lifestyle activities, less sedentary behavior, and dietary modification seems the most effective approach. This should be supported by the use of behavioral modification techniques and changes in the urban environment that encourage an active lifestyle. Conclusions:The pediatric physician can contribute to the control of obesity by monitoring body mass index and skinfold thicknesses in all patients. Children above the 50th percentile of body fat need dietary modification and a greater amount of moderate physical activity. Physicians should also advocate quality daily physical education and an environment that encourages adoption of an active lifestyle.
Role of RAF/MEK/ERK pathway, p‐STAT‐3 and Mcl‐1 in sorafenib activity in human pancreatic cancer cell lines

Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor that has shown promising therapeutic results in different tumor histotypes, both as a single agent or in combination with other treatments. We analyzed the in vitro activity of sorafenib in pancreatic cancer, one of the most lethal and chemo‐radio‐resistant tumors, using four human pancreatic cancer cell lines (t3m4, Capan 1, Capan 2, and MiaPaca 2), characterized by different K‐ras gene status and RAF/MEK/ERK profile. Sorafenib exerted a strong anti‐proliferative effect independently of RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK and induced various degrees of apoptosis in the cell lines. The mechanisms involved were explored in detail in t3m4 and Capan 1, in which sorafenib induced the highest and lowest levels of apoptosis, respectively. In t3m4, the RAF/AKT/STAT‐3 rather than the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway was involved, whereas in Capan 1 cells there was a strong decrease in pMEK and pERK which was not accompanied by an important reduction in RAF, AKT, and STAT‐3 proteins or in their phosphorylation. Moreover, U0126‐induced MEK inhibition did not induce apoptosis in any cell line, reinforcing the hypothesis of a MEK/ERK‐independent mechanism of sorafenib activity. Mcl‐1 appears to play a crucial role in sorafenib‐induced apoptosis. In fact, both protein and mRNA were downregulated in t3m4 and upregulated in Capan 1, in which siRNA‐induced silencing resulted in the same level of apoptosis as observed in t3m4. Our results show that sorafenib exerts anti‐proliferative and pro‐apoptotic activity in pancreatic cancer cells. Used singly or in combination with other drugs, it could therefore represent valid treatment for pancreatic cancer. J. Cell. Physiol. 220: 214–221, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Happiness as a Driver of Risk‐Avoiding Behaviour: Theory and an Empirical Study of Seatbelt Wearing and Automobile Accidents

Governments try to discourage risky health behaviours, yet such behaviours are bewilderingly persistent. We suggest a new conceptual approach to this puzzle. We show that expected utility theory predicts that unhappy people will be attracted to risk-taking. Using US seatbelt data, we document evidence strongly consistent with that prediction. We exploit various methodological approaches, including Bayesian model selection and instrumental variable estimation. Using road accident data, we find strongly corroborative longitudinal evidence. Government policy may thus have to change. It may need to improve the underlying happiness of individuals instead of, or in addition to, its traditional concern with society's risk-taking symptoms.
Image Enhancement Using Multilevel Contrast Stretching and Noise Smoothening Technique for CT Images

Image enhancement is the process of improving the visual quality of an image. This paper proposes a new algorithm called Multilevel Contrast Stretching and a Noise smoothening technique for enhancement of medical images. The scanned images or X-ray images are possibly affected by illumination, sharpness, contrast and noises, due to this degradation, and as result the diagnosis of disease becomes difficult. The proposed algorithm works effectively for medical applications. The initial step is transforming the medical image using Discrete Wavelet Transformation, the second step consists of enhancing the image by using multilevel contrast stretching algorithm. The Multilevel Contrast Stretching algorithm identifies the regions featuring homogeneous intensity and bearing contrast to their adjacent neighbors. The image split into two sub images, namely object-approximation image selected by using inter object level and object-error image chosen by intra object level. Then the final step involves eliminate the noise by using the median filter. The Proposed enhancement method is implemented in MATLAB and more medical images of different parts of the body are used for evaluating the performance. The resultant image is enhanced, sharpened and edges preserved, increasing the quality without distorting the images. Index Terms— Medical images, Image Enhancement, Contrast Stretching, Smoothening, Transformation, Wavelet, Median filter. ——————————  ——————————
Persistent monocytosis after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy correlated with the development of coronary artery lesions in patients with Kawasaki disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study was conducted to investigate whether changes in the complete blood count (CBC)/differential count (DC) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were correlated to Kawasaki disease (KD) with coronary artery lesions (CALs). METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed of all children with KD at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital at Kaohsiung from 2001 to 2006. KD patients were divided into those with and without CALs for testing of correlations with changes in CBC/DC and CRP levels. RESULTS A total of 147 patients were enrolled for this analysis. Serial CBC/DC and CRP measurements and echocardiographic data for determination of CAL formation were obtained before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. There were 44 (29%) KD patients having CAL formation (>3 mm in diameter of internal lumen). There was no significant difference in terms of age distribution and major diagnostic criteria between KD patients with and without CALs. Male KD patients, however, had a significantly higher rate of CAL formation (p=0.009). In multivariate logistical regression analysis, persistent monocytosis after IVIG treatment was the only factor significantly correlated to CAL formation (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS Of the febrile routine measurements of CBC/DC and CRP in KD, persistent monocytosis after IVIG treatment was correlated to CAL formation. Further studies to clarify the mechanism of monocytosis may help prevent the CALs of KD.