Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of 99mTc-labeled PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging in prostate cancer patients who have undergone biochemical relapse

Using conventional imaging modalities, it is difficult to detect recurrent lesions in prostate cancer patients who have undergone biochemical relapse, especially in patients with low prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. We retrospectively reviewed the files of fifty patients with histopathologically confirmed prostate cancer who underwent 99mTc-labeled prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and bone scan within a 30-day period. PSMA-SPECT/CT indicated metastatic lesions in 39 patients and had a higher detection rate (78.0%) than bone scan (34.0%) or MRI (40.0%). The diagnostic efficiency of PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging for bone and lymph node metastases (50.0% and 42.0%) was better than bone scan (34.0% and 0.0%) or MRI (24.0% and 20.0%). PSMA-SPECT/CT provided a higher detection rate at serum PSA levels of ≤1 ng ml−1, 1-4 ng ml−1, 4-10 ng ml−1, and >10 ng ml−1. No correlation was found between Gleason score, PSA level, and the tracer tumor/background ratio of metastatic lesions. With the aid of PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging, the therapeutic strategy was changed for 31 patients, and this may have enhanced their clinical outcome. In conclusion, PSMA-SPECT/CT imaging could detect more metastatic lesions and achieve a higher detection rate than conventional imaging modalities at different serum PSA levels in prostate cancer patients who had undergone biochemical relapse.
Interactions

Background: Previous studies have suggested that modern obesogenic environments accentuate the genetic risk of obesity. However, these studies have proven controversial as to which, if any, measures of the environment accentuate genetic susceptibility to high body mass index (BMI). Methods: We used up to 120 000 adults from the UK Biobank study to test the hypothesis that high-risk obesogenic environments and behaviours accentuate genetic susceptibility to obesity. We used BMI as the outcome and a 69-variant genetic risk score (GRS) for obesity and 12 measures of the obesogenic environment as exposures. These measures included Townsend deprivation index (TDI) as a measure of socio-economic position, TV watching, a ‘Westernized’ diet and physical activity. We performed several negative control tests, including randomly selecting groups of different average BMIs, using a simulated environment and including sun-protection use as an environment. Results: We found gene–environment interactions with TDI (Pinteraction ¼ 3 (cid:2) 10 –10 ), self-reported TV watching (Pinteraction ¼ 7 (cid:2) 10 –5 ) and self-reported physical activity (Pinteraction ¼ 5 (cid:2) 10 –6 ). Within the group of 50% living in the most relatively deprived situations, carrying 10 additional BMI-raising alleles was associated with approximately 3.8 kg extra weight in someone 1.73m tall. In contrast, within the group of 50% living in the least deprivation, carrying 10 additional BMI-raising alleles was associated with approximately 2.9 kg extra weight. The interactions were weaker, but present, with the negative controls, including sun-protection use, indicating that residual confounding is likely. Conclusions: Our ﬁndings suggest that the obesogenic environment accentuates the risk of obesity in genetically susceptible adults. Of the factors we tested, relative social deprivation best captures the aspects of the obesogenic environment responsible. speciﬁc-ally at fried-food reduction, ﬁzzy-drink consumption and diet in those genetically predisposed to obesity.
Sphingosine-1-phosphate and its receptors in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis

Background C5a plays a crucial role in anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-mediated neutrophil recruitment and activation. Our previous studies found that the interaction between sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and C5a plays an important role in the ANCA-mediated activation of neutrophils. In the current study, the expression levels of S1P in plasma and its receptors (S1PR1-5) in kidneys were analysed in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Methods Plasma samples from 32 AAV patients in active stage and 20 AAV patients in remission were collected. The plasma levels of S1P were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of S1PR1-5 in the renal specimens from 24 AAV patients was detected by immunohistochemistry. The associations of the plasma levels of S1P and renal expression of S1PRs with clinical and pathological parameters were analysed. Results The level of plasma S1P was significantly higher in AAV patients in active stage than it was in both patients in remission and in normal controls. Correlation analysis showed that the plasma levels of S1P correlated with the initial serum creatinine levels (r = 0.502, P = 0.003) and inversely correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR; r = -0.358, P = 0.044) in AAV patients. Double-labelling immunofluorescence assay suggested that S1PR1-5 were expressed on endothelial cells in the glomeruli and that S1PR1, 4 and 5 were expressed on neutrophils. Conclusions In AAV patients, the circulating S1P levels were elevated and the renal expression of S1PR2-5 was upregulated. The levels of circulating S1P and the renal expression of S1PR were associated with the renal involvement and disease activity of AAV.
Modeling Effects of Local Extinctions on Culture Change and Diversity in the Paleolithic

The persistence of early stone tool technologies has puzzled archaeologists for decades. Cognitively based explanations, which presume either lack of ability to innovate or extreme conformism, do not account for the totality of the empirical patterns. Following recent research, this study explores the effects of demographic factors on rates of culture change and diversification. We investigate whether the appearance of stability in early Paleolithic technologies could result from frequent extinctions of local subpopulations within a persistent metapopulation. A spatially explicit agent-based model was constructed to test the influence of local extinction rate on three general cultural patterns that archaeologists might observe in the material record: total diversity, differentiation among spatially defined groups, and the rate of cumulative change. The model shows that diversity, differentiation, and the rate of cumulative cultural change would be strongly affected by local extinction rates, in some cases mimicking the results of conformist cultural transmission. The results have implications for understanding spatial and temporal patterning in ancient material culture.
Modeling and Analysis on the Propagation Dynamics of Modern Email Malware

Due to the critical security threats imposed by email-based malware in recent years, modeling the propagation dynamics of email malware becomes a fundamental technique for predicting its potential damages and developing effective countermeasures. Compared to earlier versions of email malware, modern email malware exhibits two new features, reinfection and self-start. Reinfection refers to the malware behavior that modern email malware sends out malware copies whenever any healthy or infected recipients open the malicious attachment. Self-start refers to the behavior that malware starts to spread whenever compromised computers restart or certain files are visited. In the literature, several models are proposed for email malware propagation, but they did not take into account the above two features and cannot accurately model the propagation dynamics of modern email malware. To address this problem, we derive a novel difference equation based analytical model by introducing a new concept of virtual infected user. The proposed model can precisely present the repetitious spreading process caused by reinfection and self-start and effectively overcome the associated computational challenges. We perform comprehensive empirical and theoretical study to validate the proposed analytical model. The results show our model greatly outperforms previous models in terms of estimation accuracy.
Harmonic balance‐based control of a boost DC/AC converter

The achievement of step‐up inversion with a boost DC/AC converter requires appropriate periodic references for inductor currents, which have to satisfy ordinary differential equations (ODE) of the Abel type. These are equations with highly unstable solutions for which the existence of periodic solutions remains unproved. Hence, the studies reported so far in this subject obtain periodic output voltages that approximately track the expected profile using different periodic current references that do not exactly satisfy the Abel ODE. However, neither an explanation of why are periodic output voltages still obtained, nor an assessment of the output voltage error is provided. This paper analyzes the effect of using periodic current references in a Lyapunov‐based controlled boost DC/AC converter performing step‐up inversion tasks. It is shown that, for sufficiently accurate current references, the system exhibits asymptotically stable periodic solutions with bounded error. Moreover, the paper propounds the use of Harmonic Balance (HB)‐based techniques to obtain such current references. Simulation and experimental results confirm that this choice yields periodic output voltages with an error that may be lowered using higher HB approximations. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Movement Enhances the Nonlinearity of Hippocampal Theta

The nonlinear, metastable dynamics of the brain are essential for large-scale integration of smaller components and for the rapid organization of neurons in support of behavior. Therefore, understanding the nonlinearity of the brain is paramount for understanding the relationship between brain dynamics and behavior. Explicit quantitative descriptions of the properties and consequences of nonlinear neural networks, however, are rare. Because the local field potential (LFP) reflects the total activity across a population of neurons, nonlinearites of the nervous system should be quantifiable by examining oscillatory structure. We used high-order spectral analysis of LFP recorded from the dorsal and intermediate regions of the rat hippocampus to show that the nonlinear character of the hippocampal theta rhythm is directly related to movement speed of the animal. In the time domain, nonlinearity is expressed as the development of skewness and asymmetry in the theta shape. In the spectral domain, nonlinear dynamics manifest as the development of a chain of harmonics statistically phase coupled to the theta oscillation. This evolution was modulated across hippocampal regions, being stronger in the dorsal CA1 relative to more intermediate areas. The intensity and timing of the spiking activity of pyramidal cells and interneurons was strongly correlated to theta nonlinearity. Because theta is known to propagate from dorsal to ventral regions of the hippocampus, these data suggest that the nonlinear character of theta decreases as it travels and supports a hypothesis that activity dissipates along the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We describe the first explicit quantification regarding how behavior enhances the nonlinearity of the nervous system. Our findings demonstrate uniquely how theta changes with increasing speed due to the altered underlying neuronal dynamics and open new directions of research on the relationship between single-neuron activity and propagation of theta through the hippocampus. This work is significant because it will encourage others to consider the nonlinear nature of the nervous system and higher-order spectral analyses when examining oscillatory interactions.
The photodegradation and biodegradation of rEPS/curaua fiber composites

The development of composite materials comprised of postconsumer polymers and natural fibers is important for the possibility to obtain materials that are more compatible with the environment. Depending on the application of these materials and their final disposal, the relevant degradation processes must be considered in the studies of these materials. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effect of the degradation process in simulated soil and in the aging accelerated UV chamber on the properties (tensile strength, chemical, morphology) of the composites developed with recycled expanded polystyrene matrix reinforced by curaua fiber. In the tensile strength tests, it was found that the presence of the curaua fiber and the coupling agent did not have significant effect in the degradation processes of the polymer matrix. However, the use of the coupling agent without the addition of fiber curaua promoted the accelerated degradation of the matrix. The carbonyl index was used as the main assessment parameter of the degradation of the composites, since an increasing in the carbonyl index was observed in the initial periods of degradation decreasing for longer time periods. The presence of cracks in the samples following exposure to UV was observed, but no biofilm formation was identified in the samples exposed to the simulated soil. POLYM. COMPOS. , 34:967–977, 2013. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
A Robot Teaching Young Children a Second Language: The Effect of Multiple Interactions on Engagement and Performance

This paper explores the use of a social robot for one-on-one tutoring, in a study in which 15 children participated in four second-language tutoring sessions. Specifically, changes across sessions are measured on two dimensions: engagement and performance. Results have revealed a significant positive change in performance as well as a significant pattern in engagement across the interactions.
A 3D electrokinetic flow structure of solution displacement in microchannels for on-chip sample preparation applications

Electroosmotic flow with solution displacement in microchannels is often encountered in many lab-on-a-chip devices where washing procedures are designed using one solution to displace another different solution. In order to investigate the detailed flow structures for a displacement process between two different electrolyte solutions, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed in this paper. KCl solution and LaCl3 solution are used as sample solutions. A 2 mm long straight microchannel with a rectangular cross-sectional area (height 100 µm and width 200 µm) was employed in this study. The governing equations of the applied electrical field, flow field and concentration field are numerically solved based on a finite-control-volume scheme. The fluid flow coupled equations are solved using the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equation (SIMPLE) algorithm. The observed electrokinetic flow structures include back flow in the center of the channel and distortion of the plug-like electroosmotic velocity profile, which are investigated in detail. It is found that distortion in the flow field is due to the induced pressure gradient, which results from the nonuniformity of electroosmotic mobilities and electrical conductivities of the two solutions. Finally, the displacement between a pair of different solutions, distilled ultra-filtered (DIUF) water and LaCl3 solution, is briefly studied.
Effects of Intravitreal Silicone Oil on Subfoveal Choroidal Thickness

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of intravitreal silicone oil (SO) on subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT). Methods: A total of 60 patients with unilateral pseudophakic macula-off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were treated with a three-port pars plana vitrectomy and a 5,700-cSt SO endotamponade and subsequent SO removal. SFCT was measured before and 3 months after SO removal. The main outcome measure was the difference between the SFCT of operated eyes and the fellow eyes. Results: Before SO removal, the mean SFCT differences in group 1 (3–6 months’ duration of SO), group 2 (6–9 months’ duration of SO), and group 3 (9–18 months’ duration of SO) were –14.8, –25.5, and –62.1 µm, respectively (p = 0.002, r = 0.398). Three months after SO removal, the mean SFCT differences in group 1, group 2, and group 3 were –13.4, –23.3, and –59.0 µm, respectively (p = 0.002, r = 0.393). Conclusion: SFCT decreased significantly in eyes with long-term (≥6 months) intravitreal SO tamponade. Choroidal thinning did not improve after SO removal.
Estimation of pyrazinamidase activity using a cell-free In vitro synthesis of pnca and its association with pyrazinamide susceptibility in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background: The main mechanism of resistance to PZA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis relies on mutations on its pyrazinamidase/nicotinamidase. Recently, a rapid colorimetric test relying on the PCR-based in vitro-synthesized-PZase assay has been reported for PZase activity determination from clinical M. tuberculosis isolates but the assay has not been compared with other tests to evaluate PZA susceptibility in M. tuberculosis isolates. Methods: In this study, we have used the PCR-based in vitro-synthesized-PZase assay to analyze the specific pyrazinamidase (PZase) activity of PncA mutants and have correlated the results to the PZA susceptibility phenotype determined by culture in acidic agar medium at pH 6.0. A set of 23 clinical isolates displaying mutated pncA genes (11 PZA-resistant and 12 PZA-susceptible) and 55 PZA-susceptible clinical strains displaying a wild-type pncA gene were tested. Results: Among the 23 mutants tested, 4 corresponded to mutations not reported before (I5T, Y99S, T142R and P77L+V131G). Of the 11 PncA mutants expressed from PZA-resistant clinical isolates, 9 were expressed in vitro at yields > 50% relative to the wild type enzyme. Among them, 6 enzymes (T47P, H51P, H51R, H57D, L85R and T142R) showed no detectable activity, while the relative activities for the 3 others, V9A (27%), G97D (10%) and A146V (28%) were low compared to the wild-type PZase. The remaining two mutants, I5T and V9G, presented very low relative expression (5%) and relative activities values of 12 and 1%, respectively. Twelve mutants were expressed from PZA-susceptible isolates. Their expression was similar to the wild type enzyme and behaved as active pyrazinamidase with specific relative activities ranging from 34 to 314%. Finally, discrepant results were observed for two mutants, V7A and P62T. Conclusion: Thus, this study provides the proof of concept that the PCR-based in vitro-synthesized-PZase assay represents a promising rapid approach for the evaluation of PZA susceptibility based on the estimation of the relative PZase activity from clinical isolates.
Locoregional recurrence after segmentectomy for clinical-T1aN0M0 radiologically solid non-small-cell lung carcinoma†

Objectives We aimed to identify the clinicopathological features of loco-regional recurrence after segmentectomy for clinical-T1aN0M0 radiologically invasive non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Methods Between 2008 and 2014, 353 patients underwent pulmonary lobectomy or segmentectomy with nodal dissection for clinical-T1aN0M0 radiologically invasive NSCLC showing 0.5 ≤ consolidation tumour ratio (CTR)≤1.0 on thin-section computed tomography (CT). Radiological invasive NSCLC was divided into two groups, i.e. part-solid (0.5 ≤ CTR < 1.0) and pure-solid (CTR = 1.0). Significant prognostic factors for oncological outcomes were evaluated by multivariate analysis. Results Lobectomy was performed in 270 (76.5%) patients and segmentectomy in 83 (23.5%). Locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of clinical-T1a radiologically invasive NSCLC on the whole showed no significant differences between the lobectomy and segmentectomy arms (3-year LRFS, 93.0 vs 90.1%, P = 0.2725). In contrast, the multivariate analysis revealed that radiologically pure-solid appearance and tumour size were significant predictors of loco-regional recurrence ( P = 0.0106, 0.0408). Among 212 clinical-T1a radiologically pure-solid NSCLCs, frequency of loco-regional recurrence was high in the segmentectomy arm (20.7%) compared with that of lobectomy arm (8.2%). Furthermore, segmentectomy and larger tumour size were independent significant clinical factors of loco-regional recurrence based on the multivariate analysis ( P = 0.0292, 0.0402). The 3-year LRFS of the segmentectomy arm was significantly worse than that of the lobectomy arm in the c-T1a disease (82.2 vs 90.6%, P = 0.0488) provided the tumour showed a pure-solid appearance. Conclusions Even in cases of small-sized lung carcinoma, segmentectomy should be applied with great caution especially for a radiological pure-solid NSCLC on thin-section CT due to their high incidence of loco-regional recurrence.
Availability and quality of routine morbidity data: review of studies in South Africa

Objectives: Routine health information systems (RHISs) provide data that are vital for planning and monitoring individual health. Data from RHISs could also be used for purposes for which they were not originally intended, provided that the data are of sufficient quality. For example, morbidity data could be used to inform burden of disease estimations, which serve as important evidence to prioritize interventions and promote health. The objective of this study was to identify and assess published quantitative assessments of data quality related to patient morbidity in RHISs in use in South Africa. Materials and Methods: We conducted a review of literature published between 1994 and 2014 that assessed the quality of data in RHISs in South Africa. World Health Organization (WHO) data quality components were used as the assessment criteria. Results Of 420 references identified, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies were limited to tuberculosis and HIV. No study reported more than 3 WHO data quality components or provided a quantitative assessment of quality that could be used for burden of disease estimation. Discussion: The included studies had limited geographical focus and evaluated different source data at different levels of the information system. All studies reported poor data quality. Conclusion: This review confirmed concerns about the quality of data in RHISs, and highlighted the need for a comprehensive evaluation of the quality of patient-level morbidity data in RHISs in South Africa.
A Differential Effect of E. coli Toxin-Antitoxin Systems on Cell Death in Liquid Media and Biofilm Formation

Toxin-antitoxin (TA) modules are gene pairs specifying for a toxin and its antitoxin and are found on the chromosomes of many bacteria including pathogens. Here we report how each of five such TA systems in E. coli affect bacterial cell death differently in liquid media and during biofilm formation. Of all these systems, only the TA system mazEF mediated cell death both in liquid media and during biofilm formation. At the other extreme, as our results have revealed here, the TA system dinJ-YafQ is unique in that it is involved only in the death process during biofilm formation. Cell death governed by mazEF and dinJ-YafQ seems to participate in biofilm formation through a novel mechanism.