Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Development and evaluation of a model-based downscatter compensation method for quantitative I-131 SPECT.

PURPOSE The radionuclide 131I has found widespread use in targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT), partly due to the fact that it emits photons that can be imaged to perform treatment planning or posttherapy dose verification as well as beta rays that are suitable for therapy. In both the treatment planning and dose verification applications, it is necessary to estimate the activity distribution in organs or tumors at several time points. In vivo estimates of the 131I activity distribution at each time point can be obtained from quantitative single-photon emission computed tomography (QSPECT) images and organ activity estimates can be obtained either from QSPECT images or quantification of planar projection data. However, in addition to the photon used for imaging, 131I decay results in emission of a number of other higher-energy photons with significant abundances. These higher-energy photons can scatter in the body, collimator, or detector and be counted in the 364 keV photopeak energy window, resulting in reduced image contrast and degraded quantitative accuracy; these photons are referred to as downscatter. The goal of this study was to develop and evaluate a model-based downscatter compensation method specifically designed for the compensation of high-energy photons emitted by 131I and detected in the imaging energy window. METHODS In the evaluation study, we used a Monte Carlo simulation (MCS) code that had previously been validated for other radionuclides. Thus, in preparation for the evaluation study, we first validated the code for 131I imaging simulation by comparison with experimental data. Next, we assessed the accuracy of the downscatter model by comparing downscatter estimates with MCS results. Finally, we combined the downscatter model with iterative reconstruction-based compensation for attenuation (A) and scatter (S) and the full (D) collimator-detector response of the 364 keV photons to form a comprehensive compensation method. We evaluated this combined method in terms of quantitative accuracy using the realistic 3D NCAT phantom and an activity distribution obtained from patient studies. We compared the accuracy of organ activity estimates in images reconstructed with and without addition of downscatter compensation from projections with and without downscatter contamination. RESULTS We observed that the proposed method provided substantial improvements in accuracy compared to no downscatter compensation and had accuracies comparable to reconstructions from projections without downscatter contamination. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that the proposed model-based downscatter compensation method is effective and may have a role in quantitative 131I imaging.
Caco‐2 monolayer as a model for transepithelial migration of the fungal pathogen Candida albicans

A model for transepithelial migration of human fungal pathogens was established, in which Candida albicans was shown to migrate across a monolayer of Caco‐2 intestinal cells in a two‐chamber system. Electron microscopy revealed typical stages of epithelial penetration by C. albicans including phagocytosis at the apical side, intra‐ and intercellular migration and exit on the basolateral side of the monolayer. Hyphal growth forms appeared particularly involved in penetration of the Caco‐2 monolayer. The model was examined using defined C. albicans mutants defective in hyphal development (efg1/efg1) or growth (ura3/ura3). Transmigration of the efg1/efg1 mutant strain was reduced, while transmigration of the ura3/ura3 strain was blocked completely in the absence of uridine. Because these results parallel virulence characteristics of the mutants the Caco‐2 monolayer system appears a useful model for the study of fungal‐human host cell interactions.
Replacement of the lysine residue in the consensus ATP‐binding sequence of the AddA subunit of AddAB drastically affects chromosomal recombination in transformation and transduction of Bacillus subtilis

The ATP‐dependent deoxyribonuclease enzyme complex (AddAB) of Bacillus subtilis possesses two consensus ATP‐binding sequences, located in the N‐terminal region of both subunits. The highly conserved lysine residues in both consensus ATP‐binding sequences were replaced by glycine, resulting in the mutant enzyme complexes AddAB‐A‐K36G (AddA*B) and AddAB‐B‐K14G (AddAB*). The mutation in subunit AddA reduced DNA repair and chromosomal transformation, and abolished bacteriophage PBS1‐mediated transduction. This mutation also resulted in a complete loss of the ATP‐dependent exonuclease and helicase activity. In contrast, the mutation in subunit AddB had only marginal effects. The recF and addAB genes are not required for transformation with plasmid DNA, but have overlapping activities in transformation with chromosomal DNA. By contrast to RecF, the AddAB enzyme is essential for PBS1‐mediated transduction. However, recF has a more important function with respect to DNA repair than addAB.
Effect of sound generator on tinnitus and hyperacusis

Abstract Objective: Sound generator (SG) plays a role as effective sound therapy of tinnitus retaining therapy (TRT) in patients with severe tinnitus (Category 1) or hyperacusis (Category 3). This study was performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of SGs. Methods: A total of 120 tinnitus patients who visited our tinnitus clinic and were treated with SG along with TRT from January 2008 to December 2016 were included. The patients were divided into two groups by tinnitus category; 78 patients of category 1 and 42 patients of category 3. Their medical records including questionnaires regarding tinnitus severity were retrospectively reviewed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of SGs on tinnitus and hyperacusis. Results: Category 3 patients included more female patients, were younger than category 1 patients (p = .001), and were prescribed SG earlier due to their severe symptom of hyperacusis. (p = .004) All patients showed significant improvements on all categories of tinnitus visual analogue scale (VAS) scores and tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) scores after six months use of SG (p < .05). Loudness discomfort levels measured by pure tone audiometry were significantly improved in category 3 group after six months use of SGs. Conclusion: SG with TRT seems to be an effective treatment modality for all tinnitus patients, especially those with comorbid hyperacusis.
Brucella Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Brucellosis is a zoonotic infection that humans contract usually by ingestion of unpasteurized milk and milk products or by direct contact with raw infected animal products. Infection is endemic in many countries, including Turkey. Being a systemic disease, brucellosis may affect almost any part of the body. The peritoneum is a site rarely involved in brucellosis. Most peritonitis episodes involving Brucella species have been spontaneous cases reported in cirrhotic patients with ascites. To our knowledge, the literature contains only 5 cases of Brucella peritonitis related to continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. Here, we report Brucella peritonitis in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patient, and we discuss the relevant literature.
MEASUREMENT OF PULMONARY FLOW RESERVE IN HIGHER PRIMATES

1 There are currently limited diagnostic methods for assessing the integrity of the pulmonary microvasculature. We hypothesized that a novel, invasively determined physiological index of ‘pulmonary flow reserve’ (PFR = maximal hyperaemic pulmonary blood flow divided by basal pulmonary flow) may facilitate microvascular assessment in the lung. Therefore, we developed a baboon model in which to: (i) validate the use of Doppler flow velocity for PFR assessment; (ii) define the optimal drug and dose regimen for attainment of maximal pulmonary hyperaemia; and (iii) demonstrate the feasibility of measuring PFR in healthy higher primates. 2 Doppler sensor guidewires were placed in segmental pulmonary arteries of 11 ketamine‐anaesthetized baboons. Vessel diameter, flow velocity and haemodynamics were recorded before and after direct intrapulmonary artery administration of saline, adenosine (50–500 µg/kg per min) and papaverine (3–60 mg), enabling calculation of PFR. 3 Saline (either bolus injection or infusion) did not alter vessel diameter or flow velocity (P > 0.1), validating local drug administration. Both adenosine and papaverine induced dose‐dependent increases in flow velocity from baseline (from 22.5 ± 2.3 to 32.7 ± 4.8 cm/s for 400–500 µg/kg per min adenosine; and from 23.9 ± 1.1 to 34.6 ± 4.0 cm/s for 24 mg papaverine; both P < 0.0001), without affecting pulmonary artery pressure or vessel diameter (P > 0.3). Healthy primate PFR values were 1.35 ± 0.10 and 1.39 ± 0.10 using 200 µg/kg per min adenosine and 24 mg papaverine, respectively (P > 0.8). 4 In conclusion, pulmonary flow reserve in higher primates can be assessed using Doppler sensor guidewire and either adenosine or papaverine as microvascular hyperaemic agents. Measurements of PFR may facilitate pulmonary microvascular assessments.
Role of testicular interstitial macrophages in regulating testosterone release in hyperprolactinemia

Hyperprolactinemia‐induced hypogonadism has been linked to a dysfunction of the hypothalamus‐pituitary‐testis axis. The direct inhibitory effects of prolactin on the testicular release of testosterone have also been demonstrated, though their mechanisms remain unclear. Incubation of rat testicular interstitial cells (TICs) with prolactin stimulated the release of testosterone. TICs from rats with anterior pituitary‐grafting‐induced hyperprolactinemia release lower amounts of testosterone than controls. However, Leydig cells isolated from anterior pituitary‐grafted rats release a greater amount of testosterone. These paradoxical observations have remained unexplained. This study examined the roles of testicular interstitial macrophages and of their product, tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), in regulating Leydig cells under condition of hyperprolactinemia. Hyperprolactinemia was induced by grafting two anterior pituitary glands of rats under the renal capsule. Control animals were grafted with rat cortex tissue. The rats were sacrificed 6 weeks later. TICs and macrophages, and Leydig cells were isolated for in vitro incubation and drugs challenge. Testosterone released by testicular interstitial or Leydig cells was measured by radioimmunoassay. TNF‐α concentration in the medium of TICs or macrophages was measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). A dose‐dependent stimulation of TNF‐α secretion in the medium of TICs or macrophages by the prolactin challenge was observed. Higher amounts of TNF‐α were released by TICs in the anterior pituitary‐grafted rats than in the control group. In contrast, the release of TNF‐α by testicular interstitial macrophages isolated from the anterior pituitary‐ and cortex‐grafted groups was quantitatively similar. Challenge with human chorionic gonadotropin did not modify the TNF‐α release by testicular interstitial macrophages in either group. Challenge of Leydig cells with TNF‐α inhibited their release of testosterone stimulated by human chorionic gonadotropin, but not their basal testosterone release. These different patterns of testosterone release in TICs versus Leydig cells cultures in anterior pituitary‐grafted rats may be due to the influence of testicular interstitial macrophages. These observations correlate with in vivo conditions, where prolactin increases the release of TNF‐α by testicular interstitial macrophages, which, in turn, decreases the human chorionic gonadotropin‐stimulated release of testosterone by Leydig cells. In summary, hyperprolactinemia‐induced hypogonadism involves a mechanism of prolactin‐originated, macrophage‐mediated inhibitory regulation of testosterone release by Leydig cells. TNF‐α, one of the cytokines secreted by macrophages, may play a key role in this mechanism. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Exploring combined tourist offerings: the case of sightrunning

This study provides preliminary empirical insight into the contemporary tourist phenomenon of sightrunning. This combined offering simultaneously concurs with and evades theoretical perspectives of hybrid tourists, sport tourism, cultural tourism and urban tourism, favouring examination of such phenomena through first-hand experiences of the participants. For the purpose of the empirical study, automated content analysis was applied in order to analyse 858 reviews of sightrunning tours extracted from Tripadvisor web pages. Results reveal that running is the dominant concept, which refers to a gratifying ‘way to see and experience the city’ (rather than the sights). Additional concepts and themes, such as knowledgeable guides and proper pace, further mediate and effect participant experiences. Findings suggest that sport tourists might be concurrently interested in involving cultural experiences, and this offers some preliminary theoretical and managerial implications. They namely identify the potentially neglected tourist segment, which is of relevance for conceptualization, research and management of tourist offerings and experiences from (and beyond) the perspective of ‘running shoes’.
The underexposed role of food matrices in probiotic products: Reviewing the relationship between carrier matrices and product parameters

ABSTRACT Probiotic microorganisms are increasingly incorporated into food matrices in order to confer proposed health benefits on the consumer. It is important that the health benefits, sensory properties, shelf-life and probiotic gastrointestinal tract (GIT) survival of these products are carefully balanced as they determine functionality and drive consumer acceptance. The strain-specific effects of probiotic species are imperative in this process but carrier matrices may play a pivotal role as well. This study therefore recapitulates the wealth of knowledge on carrier matrices and their interaction with probiotic strains. The most substantiated carrier matrices, factors that influence probiotic functionality and matrix effects on shelf-life, GIT survival and clinical efficacy are reviewed. Results indicate that carrier matrices have a significant impact on the quality of probiotic products. Matrix components, such as proteins, carbohydrates and flavoring agents are shown to alter probiotic efficacy and viability. In vivo studies furthermore revealed strain-dependent matrix effects on the GIT survival of probiotic bacteria. However, only a limited number of studies have specifically addressed the effects of carrier matrices on the aforementioned product-parameters; most studies seem to focus solely on the strain-specific effects of probiotic microorganisms. This hampers the innovation of probiotic products. More human studies, comparing not only different probiotic strains but different carrier matrices as well, are needed to drive the innovation cycle.
Inhibition of human tumour cell proliferation by analogues of adenosine

The effects of adenosine and several structural analogues of adenosine upon thymidine incorporation into human tumour cells and rat cervical lymphocytes were investigated. The analogue NECA, which has equal specificity for the A1 and A2 receptor, had the most inhibitory effect on lymphocyte proliferation while the A1 agonists had limited effects, suggesting that these cells possess principally A2 adenosine receptors. In the case of human tumour cells, however, the most inhibitory effect on proliferation was obtained with the A1‐specific analogues. The general order of inhibitory effects of adenosine analogues on thymidine incorporation in human tumour cells was: S‐ENBA>CPA=R‐PIA>S‐PIA>NECA. These findings suggest that in the cells presently studied the A1 adenosine receptor predominates. Removal of exogenous adenosine by growth in the presence of adenosine deaminase inhibited thymidine incorporation. The effect of adenosine removal lends further support to the proposal that adenosine has some, as yet unidentified, regulatory role in the control of human tumour cell proliferation. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Oral presentation in dengue hemorrhagic fever: A rare entity

One of the major health hazards which is prevalent and dangerous is the dengue fever which causes the death of many people. This may be associated with a variety of mucocutaneous manifestations which may be of help in early diagnosis. Many biochemical assays and hematological investigations may aid in the further diagnosis and treatment of the fatal disease. Oral lesions are rare to occur and if present, are often mistaken for platelet abnormality. This case report highlights the importance of oral lesions and it is the first of its kind to be reported as dengue hemorrhagic fever.
The implications of ownership concentration for shareholder protection and strategic decision-making

The purpose of corporate governance mechanisms is to prevent opportunistic behaviour by managers, in order to align the interests of owners and managers. Following from this, our research topic is the analysis of ownership concentration as an internal mechanism to protect the interests of shareholders. In the study of the interdependence between ownership concentration and shareholder protection, particular importance needs to be given to the relationship between ownership structure, the role of the board, and strategic decision-making. Starting from this interdependence, our research aim is to examine the impact of ownership concentration on the protection of shareholders’ interests and the board’s responsibility for firm strategy. This paper presents the results of an empirical, pilot study in the Republic of Serbia. The research confirms the interdependence of corporate governance mechanisms and strategic decision-making. Our findings indicate that ownership concentration protects majority shareholder interests and leads to lower board responsibility for strategic decision-making.
Financial socialization: a cornerstone for young employees’ financial well-being

The purpose of this study was to test the relationships between financial socialization, financial knowledge, financial behaviour and financial well-being of Malaysian Young Employees. A total of 391 participants aged between 20 to 40 years participated in the survey via systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through a self-reporting mode and Pearson correlation coefficients were used in inferential statistics. The findings showed that the frequency of participants observing the behaviour of the socialization agents and interact with them, namely parents at an early stage, positively related to the acquisition of financial knowledge. However, there was no correlation in the acquisition of financial knowledge through observation and interaction with peers. But the study showed that the frequency of observing and interacting with parents and peers in terms of finance had a positive relationship to the acquisition of the financial behaviour of the participants. In addition, the statistics highlighted that there was a positive correlation between financial knowledge, financial behaviour, and financial well-being. In conclusion, this study revealed how the theory of financial socialization is effective in describing the financial well-being of young employees.
In vitro and in vivo pharmacological characterization of nociceptin/orphanin FQ tetrabranched derivatives

An innovative chemical approach, named peptide welding technology (PWT), allows the synthesis of multibranched peptides with extraordinary high yield, purity and reproducibility. With this approach, three different tetrabranched derivatives of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) have been synthesized and named PWT1‐N/OFQ, PWT2‐N/OFQ and PWT3‐N/OFQ. In the present study we investigated the in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of PWT N/OFQ derivatives and compared their actions with those of the naturally occurring peptide.
Perception of patients with alcohol use disorder and comorbid depression about the usefulness of supportive text messages.

BACKGROUND Very little is known about the perception of patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and comorbid depression about the usefulness of supportive text messages. OBJECTIVE To examine the perception of patients with AUD and comorbid depression about the usefulness of supportive text messages. METHODS Participants (n=26) with a DSM IV diagnosis of AUD and depression and completing an in-patient dual diagnosis treatment programme had twice daily supportive text messages delivered to their mobile phones for three months as part of a randomised trial. Participants were contacted at the end of the third month to obtain their views regarding the usefulness of the supportive text messages using a semi-structured questionnaire. RESULTS Overall, 24 out of 26 patients were contactable for feedback (92% response rate). Eighteen (75%) patients reported that the text messages always or often reminded them to remain abstinent from alcohol. Again, 20 (83%) patients reported that the intervention had played a useful role in helping to improve their mental health, in particular, in serving as a motivation for recovery and in preventing relapse. CONCLUSIONS Patients with AUD and depression perceive that supportive text messages help them to remain abstinent from alcohol and also improve upon their mental wellbeing.
Effect of 3D product presentation on consumer preference in e-commerce

Current electronic commerce offerings to the end customer have become a globally accessible mainstream purchasing pattern through the Internet technologies. E-commerce customer interaction through the web offering is largely preferred over the traditional brick and mortar purchasing interactions. With the advancement of rich content and multi modal user interaction support through web, the online customer experience has reached to a point where physical exploration and tactile information about the product are not crucial for purchases of generic goods; However there is a vital research question to be answered: do e-commerce customers prefer to have more infusion of product related information to make better purchase choice with confidence. To answer this, we have researched 3D support for product exploration. The goal of this research is to study the effects of 3D product presentations on consumer experience, value perception, purchase decisions and other factors in e-commerce environments under different platforms. This paper describes two experiments conducted to investigate these effects using 360 degree product views with varying degree of freedom in control and quality. The results indicate interesting positive effects on consumers using computers and mixed effects on consumers using mobile phones. This paper suggests using carefully designed interaction models to minimize those challenging effects and yield the positive effects; it also highlights the major challenges that need to be addressed for more engaging and convenient mobile based e-commerce experience as further studies.