Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Coinfection of hepatitis A virus genotype IA and IIIA complicated with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, prolonged cholestasis, and false-positive immunoglobulin M anti-hepatitis E virus: a case report

A 37-year-old male presented with fever and jaundice was diagnosed as hepatitis A complicated with progressive cholestasis and severe autoimmune hemolytic anemia. He was treated with high-dose prednisolone (1.5 mg/kg), and eventually recovered. His initial serum contained genotype IA hepatitis A virus (HAV), which was subsequently replaced by genotype IIIA HAV. Moreover, at the time of development of hemolytic anemia, he became positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV). We detected HAV antigens in the liver biopsy specimen, while we detected neither HEV antigen in the liver nor HEV RNA in his serum. This is the first report of hepatitis A coinfected with two different genotypes manifesting with autoimmune hemolytic anemia, prolonged cholestasis, and false-positive IgM anti-HEV.
TESD: a novel ground truth estimation method

Knowledge of the exact shape of a lesion, or ground truth (GT), is necessary for algorithm validation, measurement metric analysis, accurate size estimation. When multiple readers provide their documentations of a lesion that can ultimately be described with occupancy regions, estimating the unknown GT is achieved by aptly merging those occupancy regions into a single outcome. Several methods are already available but, even when they consider the spatial location of pixels, e.g. thresholded probability-map (TPM) or STAPLE, pixels are assumed spatially independent (even when STAPLE proposes a hidden-Markov-random-field fix). In this paper we propose Truth Estimate from Self Distances (TESD): a new voting scheme, for all the voxels inside and outside the occupancy region, in order to take in account three key characteristics: (a) critical shape conformations, like holes or spikes, that are defined by the reciprocally surrounding pixels, (b) marking co-locations, meaning the closeness without intersection of one reader's marking to other readers' ones and c) the three-dimensionality of lesions as imaged by CT scanners. In TESD each voxel is labeled into four categories according to its signed distance transform and then the labeled images are combined with a center of gravity method to provide the GT estimation. This theoretical approach was validated on a subset of the publicly available Lung Image Database Consortium archive, where a total of 35 nodules documented on 26 scans by all four radiologists were available. The results obtained are reasonable estimates, with GT obtained close to TPM and STAPLE; at the same time this method is not limited to the intersections of readers' marked regions.
Human Cardioviruses, Meningitis, and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in Children

Cardioviruses cause myocarditis and encephalomyelitis in rodents; human cardioviruses have not been ascribed to any disease. We screened 6,854 cerebrospinal fluid and 10 myocardium specimens from children and adults. A genotype 2 cardiovirus was detected from a child who died of sudden infant death syndrome, and 2 untypeable cardioviruses were detected from 2 children with meningitis.
Dizziness Handicap Inventory and Visual Vertigo Analog Scale in Vestibular Dysfunction

Abstract Introduction Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms among the population, producing numerous consequences for individual's quality of life. There are some questionnaires that can trace the patient's profile and quality of life impairment from dizziness, including the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale (VVAS). Objective This study aims to correlate the results of the DHI and VVAS in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Methods This is a retrospective study of medical records of patients treated in a medical school between 2006 and 2012. Results of the DHI and EVA were collected and subjected to statistical analysis using Pearson's correlation test with p < 0.001. The significance level adopted for the statistical tests was p ≤ 0.05. Results A total of 91 records were included in this study, 72 (79.1%) from female and 19 (20.9%) from male patients, aged 23 to 86 years, with a mean age of 52.5 years. The mean score on the DHI total was 43.9 and 5.2 points for the EVA. The result of Pearson's correlation test was 0.54. Conclusion Self-perceived dizziness measured with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory has a regular and positive correlation with the Visual Vertigo Analog Scale in patients with vestibular dysfunction. The clinical trial is registered under number UTN U1111–1170–5065.
Effects of Angiopoietin-1 on Hemorrhagic Transformation and Cerebral Edema after Tissue Plasminogen Activator Treatment for Ischemic Stroke in Rats

An angiogenesis factor, angiopoietin-1 (Ang1), is associated with the blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption after focal cerebral ischemia. However, whether hemorrhagic transformation and cerebral edema after tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) treatment are related to the decrease in Ang1 expression in the BBB remains unknown. We hypothesized that administering Ang1 might attenuate hemorrhagic transformation and cerebral edema after tPA treatment by stabilizing blood vessels and inhibiting hyperpermeability. Sprague-Dawley rats subjected to thromboembolic focal cerebral ischemia were assigned to a permanent ischemia group (permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion; PMCAO) and groups treated with tPA at 1 h or 4 h after ischemia. Endogenous Ang1 expression was observed in pericytes, astrocytes, and neuronal cells. Western blot analyses revealed that Ang1 expression levels on the ischemic side of the cerebral cortex were decreased in the tPA-1h, tPA-4h, and PMCAO groups as compared to those in the control group (P = 0.014, 0.003, and 0.014, respectively). Ang1-positive vessel densities in the tPA-4h and PMCAO groups were less than that in the control group (p = 0.002 and <0.001, respectively) as well as that in the tPA-1h group (p = 0.047 and 0.005, respectively). These results suggest that Ang1-positive vessel density was maintained when tPA was administered within the therapeutic time window (1 h), while it was decreased when tPA treatment was given after the therapeutic time window (4 h). Administering Ang1 fused with cartilage oligomeric protein (COMP) to supplement this decrease has the potential to suppress hemorrhagic transformation as measured by hemoglobin content in a whole cerebral homogenate (p = 0.007) and cerebral edema due to BBB damage (p = 0.038), as compared to administering COMP protein alone. In conclusion, Ang1 might be a promising target molecule for developing vasoprotective therapies for controlling hemorrhagic transformation and cerebral edema after tPA treatment.
CIPROFLOXACIN INDUCED CHONDROTOXICITY AND TENDINOPATHY

Ciprofloxacin is one of the fluoroquinolones with a wide clinical acceptability. Rescently there are increasing reports on Ciprofloxacin induce Chondrotoxicity and Tendinopathy in Animal experiment and clinical experience which is of great clinical concern. A comprehensive survey and review of literaure on reported ciprofloxacin induced Chondrotoxicity and Tendinopathy in Humans and Animals was performed. It was observd that ciprofloxacin is a potential inducer of Chrondrotoxicity and Tendinopathy which could be potentiated by coadministration with corticosteroids.This conditions were reported to be characterised by cartilage lesion, matrix swelling, inhibition of chondrocytes proliferation, secretion of soluble proteoglycan, modification of the metabolism and integrity of extracellular proteins, decrease in epiphyseal growth plate, humerus and femur.The mechanism behind this phenomenon is said to be multifactoral. Ciprofloxacin induced Chrondrotoxicity and Tendinopathy in growing animals is attributed to oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation, Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) oxidative stress). Ciprofloxacin induced cartilage damage may also be attributed to formation of Ciprofloxacin chelates and complexes which possesses the potential to induce a deficiency of functionally available divalent ions resulting in cytoskeletal changes. Animal studies showed that oxidative damage or metabolism of tissues was also found suggesting the involvement of a reactive oxygen species. Administration of magnesium, zinc chloride and vitamin E (α tocopherol) were found to prevent or reverse ciprofloxacin induced Chrondrotoxicity and Tendinopathy. Through excess formation of collagen, increase osteoblastic activity, increase bone growth, inhibition of free oxidation radicals’ formation thereby preventing DNA oxidation and oxidative stress. Zinc also directly stimulates DNA synthesis either by enzyme stimulation or altering, the binding of f1 and f3 histones to DNA so as to affect RNA synthesis. Patient medical history should be considered before Ciprofloxacin recommendation. Coadministration with corticosteroid should be done with caution. Further evaluation of antioxidants effect in Ciprofloxacin induce Chonrotoxicity, Tendinopathy in humans could be of clinical importance as observed in Animal studies.
Small saccades restrict visual scanning area in Parkinson's disease

The purpose of this study was to investigate abnormalities in visual scanning when Parkinson's disease patients view images of varying complexity. Eighteen nondemented Parkinson's disease patients and 18 normal subjects participated in the study. The ocular fixation position during viewing visual images was recorded using an eye‐tracking device. The number of saccades, duration of fixation, amplitude of saccades, and scanned area in Parkinson's disease patients were compared with those in normal subjects. We also investigated whether the number of saccades, duration of fixation, or amplitude of saccades influenced the scanned area. While scanning images of varying complexity, Parkinson's disease patients made fewer saccades with smaller amplitude and longer fixation compared with normal subjects. As image complexity increased, the number of saccades and duration of fixation gradually approached those of normal subjects. Nevertheless, the scanned area in Parkinson's disease patients was consistently smaller than that in normal subjects. The scanned area significantly correlated with saccade amplitude in most images. Importantly, although Parkinson's disease patients cannot make frequent saccades when viewing simple figures, they can increase the saccade number and reduce their fixation duration when viewing more complex figures, making use of the abundant visual cues in such figures, suggesting the existence of ocular kinesie paradoxale. Nevertheless, both the saccade amplitude and the scanned area were consistently smaller than those of normal subjects for all levels of visual complexity. This indicates that small saccade amplitude is the main cause of impaired visual scanning in Parkinson's disease patients. © 2011 Movement Disorder Society
Graphene-lipids interaction: Towards the fabrication of a novel sensor for biomedical uses

In this work we investigate the use of graphene as transducer in a novel biosensor for biomedical uses, in which electroactive membrane proteins would serve as biological recognition elements. Membrane proteins maintain their functionalities only if embedded in the cell membrane, so it is necessary to develop a system, which mimics their native environment. This study is focused on surface treatments of graphene to improve its biocompatibility and a first investigation of its interaction with liposomes, which rupture and spread to form a Supported Lipid Bilayer under specific surface conditions. The first step involved the characterization of the graphene membranes synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition, using several techniques to determine their morphological and structural properties. From these investigations, the CVD-synthesized graphene resulted to be mono- to few-layer. Next, the interaction of graphene with lipids (1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glicero-3-phosphocholine), in particular the formation of a supported lipid bilayer due to the liposome spreading, was investigated via electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. This indicated the presence of a stable insulating lipid layer on the graphene surface after liposome incubation.
On Geographic Collaborative Forwarding in Wireless Ad Hoc and Sensor Networks

In this paper, we study the geographic collaborative forwarding (GCF) scheme, a variant of opportunistic routing, which exploits the broadcast nature and spatial diversity of the wireless medium to improve the packet delivery efficiency. Our goal is to fully understand the principles, the gains, and the tradeoffs of the node collaboration and its associated cost, thus provide insightful analysis and guidance to the design of more efficient routing/forwarding protocols. We first identify the upper bound of the expected packet advancement (EPA) that GCF can achieve and prove the concavity of the maximum EPA. With energy efficiency as a major concern, we propose a new metric, EPA per unit energy consumption, which balances the packet advancement, reliability and energy consumption. By leveraging the proved properties, we then propose an efficient algorithm which selects a feasible candidate set that maximizes this local metric. We validate our analysis results by simulations, and justify the effectiveness of the new metric by comparing the performance of GCF with those of the existing geographic and opportunistic routing schemes.
Reduced-order modeling of light transport in tissue for real-time monitoring of brain hemodynamics using diffuse optical tomography

Abstract. This paper proposes a new reconstruction method for diffuse optical tomography using reduced-order models of light transport in tissue. The models, which directly map optical tissue parameters to optical flux measurements at the detector locations, are derived based on data generated by numerical simulation of a reference model. The reconstruction algorithm based on the reduced-order models is a few orders of magnitude faster than the one based on a finite element approximation on a fine mesh incorporating a priori anatomical information acquired by magnetic resonance imaging. We demonstrate the accuracy and speed of the approach using a phantom experiment and through numerical simulation of brain activation in a rat’s head. The applicability of the approach for real-time monitoring of brain hemodynamics is demonstrated through a hypercapnic experiment. We show that our results agree with the expected physiological changes and with results of a similar experimental study. However, by using our approach, a three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction can be performed in ∼3 s per time point instead of the 1 to 2 h it takes when using the conventional finite element modeling approach.
Clausal structure in child Greek: A reply to Varlokosta, Vainikka and Rohrbacher and a reanalysis

In this article we discuss the development of functional structure in the early grammar of Greek. We first discuss the analysis of Varlokosta, Vainikka and Rohrbacher (VVR) (1998), who argue that Greek children (and by extension, all children) begin with a prefunctional grammar - a grammar that lacks functional categories. We show that the prefunctional grammar hypothesis is not empirically supported by the acquisition data and that Greek children, like other children that have been studied in detail, converge very quickly on the morphosyntax of the adult language. Next, we focus on a particular construction of early Greek identified by VVR that resembles the root infinitives found in other child languages. We refer to this construction as the bare perfective. We reject VVR's characterization of bare perfectives as participles and propose an alternative that captures the semantic properties of this structure, in particular their modal interpretation. This analysis involves the interaction of Tense, Aspect, and Mood projections and hence entails that these categories exist in early grammar.
Obesity as a risk factor for Clostridium difficile infection.

BACKGROUND Obesity and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) are both related to an increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio in the intestinal microbiota. However, an association between obesity and CDI is unknown. We aimed to assess the association between obesity and CDI in hospitalized patients. METHODS We conducted a retrospective case-control study. From January to December 2011, all consecutive patients hospitalized with CDI, in 2 internal medical departments in 2 hospitals, were included. Patients with CDI were compared to hospitalized patients without diarrhea, during the same period and in the same departments, and matched by age, sex, Charlson score, length of hospitalization, and antibiotic use during the last 3 months. RESULTS Of the 6300 patients hospitalized, 178 were diagnosed with CDI. CDI prevalence was 2.8% (178/6300). Thirty patients were excluded from the study. The 148 cases with CDI were compared to 148 hospitalized controls. Mean body mass index (BMI) in the CDI group was 33.6 (SD, 4.3) versus 28.9 (SD, 5.4) in the control group (P = .001). The multivariable model of conditional logistic regression for matched pairs showed that a history of intra-abdominal surgery (odds ratio [OR] = 2.865; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26-6.52) and a high BMI value (OR = 1.196 per 1-unit increase in the BMI scale; 95% CI, 1.12-1.27) were the only variables found to be significantly associated with CDI. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that obesity is associated with the risk of CDI. Further studies are needed to reveal the exact mechanisms underlying this association.
Coded exposure photography: motion deblurring using fluttered shutter

In a conventional single-exposure photograph, moving objects or moving cameras cause motion blur. The exposure time defines a temporal box filter that smears the moving object across the image by convolution. This box filter destroys important high-frequency spatial details so that deblurring via deconvolution becomes an ill-posed problem.Rather than leaving the shutter open for the entire exposure duration, we "flutter" the camera's shutter open and closed during the chosen exposure time with a binary pseudo-random sequence. The flutter changes the box filter to a broad-band filter that preserves high-frequency spatial details in the blurred image and the corresponding deconvolution becomes a well-posed problem. We demonstrate that manually-specified point spread functions are sufficient for several challenging cases of motion-blur removal including extremely large motions, textured backgrounds and partial occluders.
A Transfer Learning Approach for Applying Matrix Factorization to Small ITS Datasets

Machine Learning methods for Performance Prediction in Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) have proven their efficacy; specific methods, e.g. Matrix Factorization (MF), however suffer from the lack of available information about new tasks or new students. In this paper we show how this problem could be solved by applying Transfer Learning (TL), i.e. combining similar but not equal datasets to train Machine Learning models. In our case we obtain promising results by combining data collected of German fractions’ tasks (517 interactions, 88 students, 20 tasks) with their nonexact translation of a previously American US version (140 interactions, 14 students, 16 tasks). In order to do so we also analyze the performance of MF based predictors on smaller ITS’ samples evaluating their usefulness.
Behavior of Reinforced Concrete Columns Subjected to Axial Load and Cyclic Lateral Load

Columns subjected to pure axial load rarely exist in practice. Reinforced concrete columns are usually subjected to combination of axial and lateral actions and deformations, caused by spatially‐complex loading patterns as during earthquakes causes lateral deflection that in turn affects the horizontal stiffness. In this study, a numerical model was developed in threedimensional nonlinear finite element and then validated against experimental results reported in the literatures,to investigate the behavior of conventionally RC columns subjected to axial load and . lateral reversal cyclic loading. To achieve this goal, numerical analysis was conducted by using finite element program ABAQUS/Explicit. The variables considered in this study were axial load index, concrete compressive strength, column aspect ratio, longitudinal and transverse reinforcement ratios. According to numerical case studies, the results revealed that axial load index and longitudinal reinforcement ratio have the most impact on the column response. Also, increasing concrete compressive strength and reducing column aspect ratio resulted in increasing strength capacity of the column. Moreover, increasing lateral confinement by transverse reinforcement at the column ends increases the flexural strength of a flexure-controlled RC columns.
Molecular profiling of multiple myeloma: from gene expression analysis to next-generation sequencing

Introduction: Multiple myeloma is a fatal malignant proliferation of clonal bone marrow Ig-secreting plasma cells, characterized by wide clinical, biological, and molecular heterogeneity. Areas covered: Herein, global gene and microRNA expression, genome-wide DNA profilings, and next-generation sequencing technology used to investigate the genomic alterations underlying the bio-clinical heterogeneity in multiple myeloma are discussed. Expert opinion: High-throughput technologies have undoubtedly allowed a better comprehension of the molecular basis of the disease, a fine stratification, and early identification of high-risk patients, and have provided insights toward targeted therapy studies. However, such technologies are at risk of being affected by laboratory- or cohort-specific biases, and are moreover influenced by high number of expected false positives. This aspect has a major weight in myeloma, which is characterized by large molecular heterogeneity. Therefore, meta-analysis as well as multiple approaches are desirable if not mandatory to validate the results obtained, in line with commonly accepted recommendation for tumor diagnostic/prognostic biomarker studies.
Non-Traumatic Ileal Perforation: A Retrospective Study

Objective: To determine clinical features, operative findings and post-operative complications in patients operated for non-traumatic ileal perforation and to discuss the role of typhoid vaccination. Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out from 2009-2010. Seven patients were admitted through casualty as cases of acute abdomen. Underlying conditions were typhoid ulcers (4 patients) and non-specific etiology (3 patients). Diagnosis was made on clinical grounds, laboratory investigations, radiology and operative findings. Exploratory laporotomy was done. Different variables studied post-operatively were wound infection, residual abscess, recurrence and delayed post-operative complications. Results: Tenderness, distension and rigidity were found in maximum patients. Gases under diaphragm and air fluid levels were common radiological findings. However, widal test and blood culture for S. typhi was positive in four patients. Six patients had single perforation and one patient had two perforations, all being on antimesentric border of ileum. Maximum patients had peritoneal collection of less than 1000 ml. In five patients simple closure of perforation was done and in remaining two resection with end to side ileotransverse anatomosis was required. Wound infection and residual intraabdominal abscess were found in one patient each. Conclusion: Management criteria remain same in typhoid and non-specific perforations. Commonest cause of ileal perforation is typhoid fever in our country, so immunization against typhoid beyond 18 years of age is recommended.