Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comparison study of 11C-methionine and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography scans in evaluation of patients with recurrent brain tumors

Introduction: 11 C-methonine ([11 C]-MET) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is a well-established technique for evaluation of tumor for diagnosis and treatment planning in neurooncology. [ 11 C]-MET reflects amino acid transport and has been shown to be more sensitive than magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in stereotactic biopsy planning. This study compared fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT and MET PET-CT in the detection of various brain tumors. Materials and Methods: Sixty-four subjects of brain tumor treated by surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiotherapy were subjected to [ 18 F]-FDG, [ 11 C]-MET, and MRI scan. The lesion was analyzed semiquantitatively using tumor to normal contralateral ratio. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgery, stereotactic biopsy, clinical follow-up, MRI, or CT scans. Results: Tumor recurrence was found in 5 out of 22 patients on [F-18] FDG scan while [ 11 C]-MET was able to detect recurrence in 18 out of 22 patients in low-grade gliomas. Two of these patients were false positive for the presence of recurrence of tumor and later found to be harboring necrosis. Among oligodendroglioma, medulloblastoma and high-grade glioma out of 42 patients 39 were found to be concordant MET and FDG scans. On semiquantitative analysis, mean T/NT ratio was found to be 2.96 ± 0.94 for lesions positive for recurrence of tumors and 1.18 ± 0.74 for lesions negative for recurrence of tumor on [ 11 C]-MET scan. While the ratio for FDG scan on semiquantitative analysis was found to be 2.05 ± 1.04 for lesions positive for recurrence of tumors and 0.52 ± 0.15 for lesions negative for recurrence of tumors. Conclusion: The study highlight that [ 11 C]-MET is superior to [ 18 F]-FDG PET scans to detect recurrence in low-grade glioma. A cut-off value of target to nontarget value of 1.47 is a useful parameter to distinguish benign from malignant lesion on an [ 11 C]-MET Scan. Both [ 18 F]-FDG and [ 11 C]-MET scans were found to be useful in high-grade astrocytoma, oligodendroglioma, and medulloblastoma.
Association between Adiponectin Concentrations and Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background This systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies evaluates the association between adiponectin concentrations and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods PubMed and Embase were searched for prospective studies on the association of adiponectin concentrations and risk of CVD up to June 2013. Random-effect model was selected to pool the relative risk (RR) and 95% CI. Results Five prospective cohort studies and one nested case-control studies met the included criterion. The estimated summary RR and 95% CI of five prospective cohort studies for type 2 diabetes comparing top vs low tertile of adiponectin concentrations was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.67–1.45), with significant heterogeneity between studies (p = 0.037, I 2 = 60.9%). This heterogeneity was explained by one study conducted in Korean. Conclusions This study represents the first meta-analysis between adiponectin levels and CVD in diabetic patients and indicated no association was found. This result should be verified further by large sample size, long duration of follow-up, and well-designed prospective clinical trials.
Association of Impulsivity and Polymorphic MicroRNA-641 Target Sites in the SNAP-25 Gene

Impulsivity is a personality trait of high impact and is connected with several types of maladaptive behavior and psychiatric diseases, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, alcohol and drug abuse, as well as pathological gambling and mood disorders. Polymorphic variants of the SNAP-25 gene emerged as putative genetic components of impulsivity, as SNAP-25 protein plays an important role in the central nervous system, and its SNPs are associated with several psychiatric disorders. In this study we aimed to investigate if polymorphisms in the regulatory regions of the SNAP-25 gene are in association with normal variability of impulsivity. Genotypes and haplotypes of two polymorphisms in the promoter (rs6077690 and rs6039769) and two SNPs in the 3′ UTR (rs3746544 and rs1051312) of the SNAP-25 gene were determined in a healthy Hungarian population (N = 901) using PCR–RFLP or real-time PCR in combination with sequence specific probes. Significant association was found between the T–T 3′ UTR haplotype and impulsivity, whereas no association could be detected with genotypes or haplotypes of the promoter loci. According to sequence alignment, the polymorphisms in the 3′ UTR of the gene alter the binding site of microRNA-641, which was analyzed by luciferase reporter system. It was observed that haplotypes altering one or two nucleotides in the binding site of the seed region of microRNA-641 significantly increased the amount of generated protein in vitro. These findings support the role of polymorphic SNAP-25 variants both at psychogenetic and molecular biological levels.
Forwarding Design With Prescribed Local Behavior

Among the non-linear control techniques, some Lyapunov design methods (Forwarding/Backstepping) take advantage of the structure of the system (Feedforward-form/Feedback-form) to formulate a continuous control law which stabilizes globally and asymptotically the equilibrium. In addition to stabilization, we focus on the local behaviour of the closed loop system, providing conditions under which we can predetermine the behaviour around the origin for Feedforward systems.
Low Noise Junction Field Effect Transistors in a Silicon Radiation Detector Technology

We report on n-channel Junction Field Effect Transistors fabricated on high resistivity silicon by means of a specially tailored radiation detector technology. This research activity is being carried out in the framework of a project aiming at the integration of read-out circuits in the same detector substrate. Possible applications are in the field of medical/industrial imaging, space and high energy physics experiments. The pre-existent fabrication process has been modified in several respects to enhance the device noise behavior. In particular, the new process features a high-energy (1 MeV) Boron implantation to obtain a deep p-well which ensures an effective isolation of the transistor from the substrate and a strong modulating effect on the current. Selected results from the experimental characterization of transistors and charge sensitive amplifiers are presented, showing a sizable enhancement in the noise performance with respect to previously available devices
An Expanded Self-Antigen Peptidome Is Carried by the Human Lymph As Compared to the Plasma

Background The pre-nodal afferent lymph is the fluid which directly derives from the extracellular milieu from every parenchymal organ and, as it continues to circulate between the cells, it collects products deriving from the organ metabolism/catabolism. A comprehensive qualitative and quantitative investigation of the self-antigenic repertoire transported by the human lymph is still missing. Methodology/Principal Findings A major difference between lymph and plasma could be visualized by FPLC and 2D gel in the amount of low molecular weight products corresponding to peptide fragments. Naturally processed peptides in normal pre-nodal human lymph were then fractionated by HPLC and characterized by multidimensional mass spectrometry. Analysis of more then 300 sequences identified self-peptides derived from both intracellular and extracellular proteins revealing the variety of catabolic products transported by human lymph. Quantitative analysis established that at least some of these peptides are present in the circulating lymph in nanomolar concentration. Conclusions/Significance The peptidome, generated by physiological tissue catabolism and transported by the pre-nodal lymph, is in addition to the self-peptidome generated in endosomal compartment. Unlike self antigen processed by local or nodal APC, which mostly produce epitopes constrained by the endosomal processing activity, self antigens present in the lymph could derived from a wider variety of processing pathways; including caspases, involved in cellular apoptosis, and ADAM and other metalloproteinases involved in surface receptor editing, cytokines processing and matrix remodeling. Altogether, expanding the tissue-specific self-repertoire available for the maintenance of immunological tolerance.
Management and Prognostic Features of Intracerebral Hemorrhage During Anticoagulant Therapy: A Swedish Multicenter Study

Background and Purpose— Patients treated with oral anticoagulants (ACs) have an increased risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), which is more often fatal than spontaneous ICH. Options to reverse the AC effect include intravenous administration of vitamin K, plasma, and coagulation factor concentrate. However, the optimal management of AC-related ICH has not been determined in any randomized trial. In this study, the present management of AC-related ICH was surveyed, and determinants of survival were assessed. Methods— We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all AC-related ICHs at 10 Swedish hospitals during a 4-year period, 1993 to 1996. Survival status after the ICH was determined from the Swedish National population register. Results— We identified 151 patients with AC-related ICH. Death rates were 53.6% at 30 days, 63.6% at 6 months, and 77.5% at follow-up (mean 3.5 years). The case fatality ratio at 30 days was 96% among patients unconscious on admission (n=27), 80% among patients who became unconscious before active treatment was started (n=15), 55% among patients in whom no special action was taken except withdrawal of AC treatment (n=42), and 28% among patients given active anti-coumarin treatment while they were still conscious (n=64). The case fatality ratio at 30 days was 11% in the group treated with plasma (n=18), 30% in the group treated with vitamin K (n=23), and 39% in the group treated with coagulation factor concentrate (n=23). Within the first 24 to 48 hours after admission, 47% of the patients deteriorated. Choice of therapy to reverse the AC effect differed substantially between the hospitals (P <0.0001), as did the time interval from symptom onset to start of treatment. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed only 2 factors (intraventricular extension of bleeding and ICH volume) that were independently related to case fatality at both 30 days and 6 months. The results were similar when the analysis was restricted to patients who were conscious on admission. Conclusions— In AC-related ICH, a progressive neurological deterioration during the first 24 to 48 hours after admission is frequent, and the mortality is high. Choice of therapy to reverse the AC effect differed considerably between the hospitals. There was no evidence that any treatment strategy was superior to the others. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine the best choice of treatment.
The Institutional Determinants of Bilateral Trade Patterns

This paper studies the effect of institutions on trade flows, using a gravity model approach. Standard gravity equations incorporate factors such as geographical proximity, language, trade policy and common history as explanatory factors for variation in bilateral trade that reflect the costs of trade across geographical and cultural distance. We extend this type of analysis by focusing on the relevance of the quality of governance and the extent of familiarity with the resulting framework of rules and norms in explaining variation in bilateral trade patterns. More specifically, we test whether institutional homogeneity and institutional quality have an independent impact on the trade volume between pairs of countries. We find that having a similar institutional framework promotes bilateral trade by 13%, on average. Furthermore, a better quality of formal institutions tends to coincide with more trade. Depending on being either importer or exporter, an increase in overall institutional quality of one standard deviation from the mean leads to an estimated increase of 30-44% in bilateral trade.
A centralized framework for smart access point selection based on the Fittingness Factor

This paper focuses on addressing the Access Point (AP) selection problem by relying on a centralized controller that provides a global view of the network. This approach follows the Software-Defined Networking (SDN) concept, which has long been considered in the literature as an innovative method to control management functionalities for wired networks and that is also now becoming a hot topic in the context of Wi-Fi networks. The proposed AP selection approach is based on a novel algorithm which relies on the Fittingness Factor (FF) concept, to maximize a function that reflects the suitability of the available spectrum resources to the application requirements. Specifically, this paper describes the development of a framework that implements the FF-based algorithm for smart AP selection in a centralized controller. The simulated performance comparison of this algorithm against a strategy that maximizes the achievable data rate considered in many papers in the literature, illustrates the important achievements that have been obtained in terms of saved bandwidth and users' satisfaction.
Effects of Salt Stress on Three Ecologically Distinct Plantago Species

Comparative studies on the responses to salt stress of taxonomically related taxa should help to elucidate relevant mechanisms of stress tolerance in plants. We have applied this strategy to three Plantago species adapted to different natural habitats, P. crassifolia and P. coronopus–both halophytes–and P. major, considered as salt-sensitive since it is never found in natural saline habitats. Growth inhibition measurements in controlled salt treatments indicated, however, that P. major is quite resistant to salt stress, although less than its halophytic congeners. The contents of monovalent ions and specific osmolytes were determined in plant leaves after four-week salt treatments. Salt-treated plants of the three taxa accumulated Na+ and Cl- in response to increasing external NaCl concentrations, to a lesser extent in P. major than in the halophytes; the latter species also showed higher ion contents in the non-stressed plants. In the halophytes, K+ concentration decreased at moderate salinity levels, to increase again under high salt conditions, whereas in P. major K+ contents were reduced only above 400 mM NaCl. Sorbitol contents augmented in all plants, roughly in parallel with increasing salinity, but the relative increments and the absolute values reached did not differ much in the three taxa. On the contrary, a strong (relative) accumulation of proline in response to high salt concentrations (600–800 mM NaCl) was observed in the halophytes, but not in P. major. These results indicate that the responses to salt stress triggered specifically in the halophytes, and therefore the most relevant for tolerance in the genus Plantago are: a higher efficiency in the transport of toxic ions to the leaves, the capacity to use inorganic ions as osmotica, even under low salinity conditions, and the activation, in response to very high salt concentrations, of proline accumulation and K+ transport to the leaves of the plants.
A Nation-Wide Study of Prevalence and Risk Factors for Fecal Impaction in Nursing Homes

Background There are no existing studies that provide data regarding the epidemiology of, and risk factors for, fecal impaction, either in the general population or in any sub-group of people. Objective Estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with fecal impaction on a representative sample of the institutionalized elderly population. Design Two-phase study. Phase 1: pilot study validating the methodology in which all residents of a single nursing home participated. Phase 2: national multi-center cross-sectional study. Setting 34 randomly selected nursing homes. Measurements The presence of fecal impaction and associated factors were evaluated using three different tools: data collected from medical records; a self-completion questionnaire filled out by the subjects or a proxy; and a rectal examination. Subjects Older subjects living in nursing homes. Results The prevalence of chronic constipation was 70.7% (95%CI: 67.3–74.1%), of which 95.9% of patients were properly diagnosed and 43.1% were properly controlled. The prevalence of FI according to patient history was 47.3% (43.6–51.0%) and 6.6% (4.7–8.5%) according to rectal examination. Controlled constipation (OR: 9.8 [5.2–18.4]) and uncontrolled constipation (OR: 37.21 [19.7–70.1]), the number of medications (OR: 1.2 [1.1–1.3]), reduced functional capacity (OR: 0.98 [0.97–0.99]) and the occasional use of NSAIDs were independent risk factors for fecal impaction. Conclusions Constipation affects more than 70% of people living in nursing homes. Although it is properly diagnosed in more than 95% of cases, the disease is only controlled in less than 50%. Constipation, especially when not controlled, is the most significant risk factor leading to fecal impaction, which is prevalent in almost 50% of this population.
Overexpression of BIRC6 Is a Predictor of Prognosis for Colorectal Cancer

Background and Objective Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) have been well investigated in human cancers, where they are frequently overexpressed and associated with poor prognosis. Here we explored the role of baculoviral IAP repeat containing 6 (BIRC6), a member of IAPs, in human colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods We used Western blotting and immunohistochemistry to examine BIRC6 expression in 7 CRC cell lines and 126 CRC clinical samples. We determined the biological significance of BIRC6 in CRC cell lines by a lentivirus-mediated silencing method. Results We reported that BIRC6 was overexpressed in CRC cell lines and clinical CRC tissues. BIRC6 overexpression was correlated with tumor size and invasion depth of CRC. BIRC6 overexpression is associated with worse overall survival (OS) (P = 0.001) and shorter disease-free survival (DFS) (P = 0.010). BIRC6 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle at S phase, downregulated cyclin A2, B1, D1 and E1 levels, and sensitized CRC cells to chemotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Conclusions Taken together, these data suggests that BIRC6 overexpression is a predictor of poor prognosis in colorectal cancer and BIRC6 could be a potential target of CRC therapy.
β-Globin Gene Haplotype Characteristics of Colombian Amerinds in South America

Haplotypes and subhaplotypes in the β-globin gene cluster were identified in 146 and 156 chromosomes, respectively, of three tribes of Colombian Amerinds. Subhaplotype [+––––] was a major one in Colombian Amerinds as in most human ethnic groups except Africans. A major subhaplotype [––––+] in Africans was observed in only one chromosome. The framework 2 frequencies were very low (0.018–0.067). Haplotype [+––––++], which is a major one in Europeans, but not in Asians, and [+–––––+], which is a major one in Asians, but not in Europeans, were two major haplotypes. Subhaplotype data showed the closest genetic affinities between Colombian Amerinds and Polynesians, Micronesians, and Asians, but the haplotype data did not necessarily support this.
Regional Nodal Irradiation in Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

METHODS We randomly assigned women with node-positive or high-risk node-negative breast cancer who were treated with breast-conserving surgery and adjuvant systemic therapy to undergo either whole-breast irradiation plus regional nodal irradiation (including internal mammary, supraclavicular, and axillary lymph nodes) (nodalirradiation group) or whole-breast irradiation alone (control group). The primary outcome was overall survival. Secondary outcomes were disease-free survival, isolated locoregional disease-free survival, and distant disease-free survival.
Simultaneous Liver–Kidney Transplantation: Evaluation to Decision Making

Questions about appropriate allocation of simultaneous liver and kidney transplants (SLK) are being asked because kidney dysfunction in the context of liver failure enhances access to deceased donor organs. There is specific concern that some patients who undergo combined liver and kidney transplantation may have reversible renal failure. There is also concern that liver transplants are placed prematurely in those with end‐stage renal disease. Thus to assure allocation of transplants only to those truly in need, the transplant community met in March 2006 to review post‐MELD (model for end‐stage liver disease) data on the impact of renal function on liver waitlist and transplant outcomes and the results of SLK.
Remission in schizophrenia: one‐year Italian prospective study of risperidone long‐acting injectable (RLAI) in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

To evaluate the maintenance of efficacy of risperidone long‐acting injectable (RLAI) in stable patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders. The prevalence of patients who met standardized remission criteria will be also evaluated as well as the predictors factors of remission according to psychopathological, psychosocial and subjective correlates.
A Framework for Real-Time Terrain Visualization with Adaptive Semi-Regular Meshes

This work introduces a framework for large terrain data visualization using a highly expressive semi-regular mesh. The main advantage of this structure is that it can represent most objects in real world uniquely and transparently. Stellar operations provide a simple interface for local adaptation such as simplification and refinement. This interface allows common procedures for terrain visualization such as culling, geomorphing and error function evaluation to be easily included into the adaptation algorithm. Results of the first stage of our developments show that the goal of achieving a complete framework for visualizing the whole Earth terrain is promising.
Is the Inattentive Subtype of ADHD Different From the Combined/Hyperactive Subtype?

Objective: To compare the ADHD combined/hyperactive subtype (ADHD/CH) to the ADHD inattentive subtype (ADHD/I) on the level of comorbidity, treatment response, and possible etiological factors. Method: A total of 371 clinically referred children diagnosed with ADHD aged between 6 and 12 years are recruited for a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of methylphenidate. Comorbidity, treatment response, and stress during pregnancy are assessed for each participant. Genotyping is done for the DAT, DRD4, and 5-HTT genes. Mothers report smoking or alcohol consumption during their pregnancy and their child’s birth weight. Results: The ADHD/CH children show both a higher frequency of conduct disorder and good response to treatment, are exposed to more moderate stress during their mothers’ pregnancy, and show a higher frequency of L/L genotype for the 5-HTT-linked polymorphic region. Conclusion: The significant differences found between the ADHD/CH and the ADHD/I subtypes raise the possibility that the two may be separate disorders.
Rapid Detection of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) Gene from Staphylococcus aureus Clinical Isolates

Staphylococcus aureus is a highly successful pathogen responsible for a variety of clinical problems ranging from folliculitis to endocarditis, osteomyelitis to pneumonia, and food intoxication to septic shock. A number of structural secreted virulence factors play a role in the pathogenesis of these various conditions and the evasion of International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 6 Number 1 (2017) pp. 299-307 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com