Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors (hepatoma, hemangioma, and metastasis) with CT: value of two-phase incremental imaging.

Two-phase dynamic incremental CT is a technique in which CT scans are obtained 45 sec and 6 min after commencing the rapid bolus injection of contrast medium. We analyzed the contrast enhancement patterns of three types of hepatic tumors (72 hepatomas, 39 hemangiomas, and 28 metastases) in 139 patients to determine if any differences in the patterns are useful in the differential diagnosis of these lesions. Dynamic incremental CT scanning was performed after 100 ml of iodinated contrast material was administered i.v. with a power injector at a rate of 2 ml/sec. A 1-sec scanning time was used with a 1.6-sec inter-scan delay, which allowed table motion between scans. CT scans (eight to 16 sections) were obtained 45-110 sec (early phase) and 6-7 min (delayed phase) after commencing the injection of contrast medium. The enhancement patterns of hepatomas were as follows: 32% were totally hyperdense in the early phase and totally hypodense in the delayed phase, while 24% were totally hypodense in both phases. Most of the hepatomas (88%) appeared as totally hypodense lesions in the delayed phase. In the case of hemangiomas, 56% were peripherally hyperdense in the early phase; in the delayed phase, 36% were isodense and 31% were totally hyperdense. Most hemangiomas (85%) were not totally hypodense in the early phase, and no hemangioma was totally hypodense in both phases. In the early phase, 61% of metastases were hypodense. In the delayed phase, 57% were hypodense. Metastases most commonly were totally hypodense in both phases (43%). We conclude that contrast enhancement patterns of hepatomas, hemangiomas, and metastases seen on two-phase dynamic incremental CT scans are useful in the differential diagnosis of these tumors.
Evidence for specificity in the encapsidation of Sindbis virus RNAs

We investigated the interaction of the capsid protein of Sindbis virus with Sindbis viral RNAs and defined a region of the genome that is required for binding in vitro and for packaging in vivo. The binding studies were performed with purified capsid protein immobilized on nitrocellulose and 32P-labeled RNAs transcribed in vitro from viral and nonspecific cDNAs. Genomic and defective interfering (DI) RNAs bound capsid protein significantly better than either the subgenomic (26S) RNA or nonspecific RNAs. Transcripts prepared from either truncated or deleted cDNAs were used to define the segment required for binding. This segment, which is represented twice in DI RNA, lies between nucleotides 746 and 1226 of the genomic RNA and is within the coding region of the nonstructural protein nsP1. Insertion of a domain covering these sequences into a nonviral RNA was able to convert it from a background level of binding to an activity that was 80% that of the Sindbis virus DI RNA. We analyzed DI RNA transcripts in detail because they could be studied not only for the ability to bind capsid protein in vitro but also for the ability to be replicated and packaged in vivo in the presence of helper virion RNA. The results obtained with three DI RNAs are reported. One (CTS14), which has one copy of the binding domain, bound efficiently to capsid protein in vitro and was packaged in vivo as measured by amplification on passaging. In contrast, a DI RNA (CTS1) which lacked this region did not bind to capsid protein and was not detected on passaging. By using lipofectin (P. L. Felgner, T. R. Gadek, M. Holm, R. Roman, H. W. Chan, M. Wenz, J.P. Northrop, G. M. Ringold, and M. Danielson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 84:7413-7417, 1987) to enhance RNA uptake, we were able to demonstrate that CTS1 RNA was replicated in the transfected cells. It was replicated to the same level as another DI RNA (CTS253) which has only the 3' 279 nucleotides of the binding domain and these are located near the 3' terminus of the RNA. CTS253 bound capsid protein to an intermediate level but was amplified on passaging. The binding studies and the in vivo packaging data, taken together, provide strong support for the conclusion that there is a specific capsid recognition domain in Sindbis virus RNA that plays a role in nucleocapsid assembly.
Ravens, Corvus corax, differentiate between knowledgeable and ignorant competitors

Human social behaviour is influenced by attributing mental states to others. It is debated whether and to what extent such skills might occur in non-human animals. We here test for the possibility of ravens attributing knowledge about the location of food to potential competitors. In our experiments, we capitalize on the mutually antagonistic interactions that occur in these birds between those individuals that store food versus those that try to pilfer these caches. Since ravens' pilfer success depends on memory of observed caches, we manipulated the view of birds at caching, thereby designing competitors who were either knowledgeable or ignorant of cache location and then tested the responses of both storers and pilferers to those competitors at recovery. We show that ravens modify their cache protection and pilfer tactics not simply in response to the immediate behaviour of competitors, but also in relation to whether or not they previously had the opportunity of observing caching. Our results suggest that the birds not only recall whom they had seen during caching, but also know that obstacles can obstruct the view of others and that this affects pilfering.
Detection of Listeria monocytogenes in foods

Listeria monocytogenes is a gram positive, facultative intracellular pathogen with the capacity to cause food poisoning outbreaks as well as severe illness in vulnerable human population groups. It can cause a rare but serious disease called listeriosis with high fatality rates (20–30%) compared with other foodborne microbial pathogens. Although Listeria monocytogenes is infective to all human population groups, it is more likely to cause severe problems among pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals, the elderly and neonates. There are a variety of phenotyphic and genotyphic methods for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes in foods. Recent technological advances have increased the ability of scientists to detect Listeria monocytogenes. The purpose of this review is to discuss molecular characteristics of the Listeria monocytogenes pathogen, standard detection methods of this pathogen in foods based on culture methods, confirmation of species and subtyping based on phenotypic and genotyphic methods.
Effect of Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) On Haematological and Reproductive Parameters in Male Albino Rats

Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is a widely used over-the-counter analgesic and antipyretic drugs. Several studies have reported the toxic, gastrointestinal and musculoskeletal effect of this drug, but there is scanty information on its effect on blood chemistry and reproduction in albino rats. This study was designed to investigate the effect of this drug on haematological and reproductive parameters in male albino rats. Paracetamol (7.5 mg/kg BW) was administered to the rats for 42 days (six weeks) for haematological and andrological study. Distilled water (0.5 ml) served as control. Red Blood Cell (RBC) and Total White Blood Cell (TWBC) counts were determined using haemocytometer. PCV was determined by micro-haematocrit method. Semen analyses were done microscopically. Data were analysed using student’s t-test at p<0.05. Treatment of rats with paracetamol caused decrease in PCV and RBC counts relative to the controls. Treatment of rats with paracetamol also caused significant decrease in sperm motility and sperm count, but did not produce any pathological lesions on the testes. These findings indicate that paracetamol caused deleterious effect on the blood chemistry and reproductive parameters in male albino rats.
White-coat hypertension in adults

White-coat hypertension is defined by the coexistence of persistently high office blood pressure (BP) with normal self-measured or ambulatory blood pressure. The prognostic impact of white-coat hypertension is a subject of debate. Cardiovascular morbidity seems to be lower in white-coat hypertension than in ambulatory hypertension, and, according to some but not all studies, is not dissimilar between white-coat hypertension and clinical normotension. In a large collaborative study including individual data from four prospective cohort studies, the incidence of stroke tended to increase in the white-coat hypertension group in the long run, crossing the hazard curve of the ambulatory hypertension by the ninth year of follow-up. These data raise the hypothesis, to be tested in future studies, that white-coat hypertension might not be a benign condition for stroke in the long term. Further studies are needed in order to: (1) test whether white-coat hypertension is really a benign condition for stroke in the long term; (2) compare, in patients with white-coat hypertension, a regimen based on life-style measures without drugs and a standard regimen consisting of life-style measures with the possible addition of drugs. On the basis of current evidence, it is reasonable to suggest a treatment based on life-style measures in the low-risk stratum of patients with white-coat hypertension under the conditions of correct definition, absence of comorbid conditions and target-organ damage, and adequate follow-up
Frequency and severity approaches to indexing exposure to trauma: the Critical Incident History Questionnaire for police officers.

The Critical Incident History Questionnaire indexes cumulative exposure to traumatic incidents in police by examining incident frequency and rated severity. In over 700 officers, event severity was negatively correlated (r(s) = -. 61) with frequency of exposure. Cumulative exposure indices that varied emphasis on frequency and severity-using both nomothetic and idiographic methods-all showed satisfactory psychometric properties and similar correlates. All indices were only modestly related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. Ratings of incident severity were not influenced by whether officers had ever experienced the incident. Because no index summarizing cumulative exposure to trauma had superior validity, our findings suggest that precision is not increased if frequency is weighted by severity.
Regulation of voltage‐dependent calcium channels in rat sensory neurones involves a Ras‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway

1 The small G‐protein Ras, a critical component in the signalling pathways regulating cell growth, is involved in the tonic upregulation of voltage‐dependent calcium channels (VDCCs) in rat sensory neurones. To investigate which downstream effector(s) of Ras is involved in this process, a series of Ras mutant cDNAs were co‐expressed with green fluorescent protein (GFP) in primary cultured rat dorsal root ganglion neurones (DRGs). 2 Constitutively active V12Ras (glycine 12 to valine) markedly increased basal calcium current density by 41 % compared with control cells (GFP alone). In contrast, a farnesylation‐defective mutant, V12S186Ras (cysteine 186 to serine; activates no downstream effectors), significantly reduced calcium current density by 47 %. 3 Ras effector region mutants V12C40 (tyrosine 40 to cysteine; activates the p110 α‐subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase) and V12G37 (glutamic acid 37 to glycine; activates Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator) had no significant effect on VDCC current. However, V12S35Ras (threonine 35 to serine; activates Raf‐1 and the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway) markedly increased basal calcium current density by 67 %, suggesting that Raf‐1 activation is sufficient for Ras enhancement of calcium current in these cells. 4 Raf‐1 activates MEK (MAPK kinase) in the MAPK pathway, and the MEK inhibitor U0126 reduced calcium current by 45 % after 10–15 min, whereas the inactive analogue U0124 had no effect. This rapid time course for MEK inhibition suggests direct modulation of VDCCs via the Ras‐MAPK pathway rather than gene expression‐mediated effects. 5 The relative proportions of ω‐conotoxin GVIA‐ and nicardipine‐sensitive N‐ (∼40 %) and L‐ (∼40 %) type currents were unaffected by either V12S35Ras expression or U0126 pre‐treatment, suggesting that all components of calcium current in DRGs, are enhanced via this pathway.
Broker Bots: Analyzing automated activity during High Impact Events on Twitter

Twitter is now an established and a widely popular news medium. Be it normal banter or a discussion on high impact events like Boston marathon blasts, February 2014 US Icestorm, etc., people use Twitter to get updates. Twitter bots have today become very common and acceptable. People are using them to get updates about emergencies like natural disasters, terrorist strikes, etc. Twitter bots provide these users a means to perform certain tasks on Twitter that are both simple and structurally repetitive. During high impact events these Twitter bots tend to provide time critical and comprehensive information. We present how bots participate in discussions and augment them during high impact events. We identify bots in high impact events for 2013: Boston blasts, February 2014 US Icestorm, Washington Navy Yard Shooting, Oklahoma tornado, and Cyclone Phailin. We identify bots among top tweeters by getting all such accounts manually annotated. We then study their activity and present many important insights. We determine the impact bots have on information diffusion during these events and how they tend to aggregate and broker information from various sources to different users. We also analyzed their tweets, list down important differentiating features between bots and non bots (normal or human accounts) during high impact events. We also show how bots are slowly moving away from traditional API based posts towards web automation platforms like IFTTT, dlvr.it, etc. Using standard machine learning, we proposed a methodology to identify bots/non bots in real time during high impact events. This study also looks into how the bot scenario has changed by comparing data from high impact events from 2013 with data from similar type of events from 2011. Lastly, we also go through an in-depth analysis of Twitter bots who were active during 2013 Boston Marathon Blast.
Long-term follow-up of 114 patients with congenital hyperinsulinism.

BACKGROUND The term congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) comprises a group of different genetic disorders with the common finding of recurrent episodes of hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the clinical presentation, diagnostic criteria, treatment and long-term follow-up in a large cohort of CHI patients. PATIENTS The data from 114 patients from different hospitals were obtained by a detailed questionnaire. Patients presented neonatally (65%), during infancy (28%) or during childhood (7%). RESULTS In 20 of 74 (27%) patients with neonatal onset birth weight was greatly increased (group with standard deviation scores (SDS) >2.0) with a mean SDS of 3.2. Twenty-nine percent of neonatal-onset vs 69% of infancy/childhood-onset patients responded to diazoxide and diet or to a carbohydrate-enriched diet alone. Therefore, we observed a high rate of pancreatic surgery performed in the neonatal-onset group (70%) compared with the infancy/childhood-onset group (28%). Partial (3%), subtotal (37%) or near total (15%) pancreatectomy was performed. After pancreatic surgery there appeared a high risk of persistent hypoglycemia (40%). Immediately post-surgery or with a latency of several Years insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus was observed in operated patients (27%). General outcome was poor with a high degree of psychomotor or mental retardation (44%) or epilepsy (25%). An unfavorable outcome correlated with infancy-onset manifestation (chi(2)=6.1, P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS The high degree of developmental delay, in particular in infancy-onset patients emphasizes the need for a change in treatment strategies to improve the unfavorable outcome. Evaluation of treatment alternatives should take the high risk of developing diabetes mellitus into account.
Coexistence of Bartonella henselae and B. clarridgeiae in Populations of Cats and Their Fleas in Guatemala

ABSTRACT: Cats and their fleas collected in Guatemala were investigated for the presence of Bartonella infections. Bartonella bacteria were cultured from 8.2% (13/159) of cats, and all cultures were identified as B. henselae. Molecular analysis allowed detection of Bartonella DNA in 33.8% (48/142) of cats and in 22.4% (34/152) of cat fleas using gltA, nuoG, and 16S–23S internal transcribed spacer targets. Two Bartonella species, B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae, were identified in cats and cat fleas by molecular analysis, with B. henselae being more common than B. clarridgeiae in the cats (68.1%; 32/47 vs 31.9%; 15/47). The nuoG was found to be less sensitive for detecting B. clarridgeiae compared with other molecular targets and could detect only two of the 15 B. clarridgeiae-infected cats. No significant differences were observed for prevalence between male and female cats and between different age groups. No evident association was observed between the presence of Bartonella species in cats and in their fleas.
Postoperative Recurrence in Crohn's Disease: The Effect of the Initial Length of Bowel Resection and Operative Procedure

We reviewed the surgical experience of 61 patients with Crohn's disease who have received surgical treatment over a 32-year period. Sex, age at onset of symptoms, associated systemic abnormalities, presenting symptoms, indication for previous surgery, and site of disease were not significant predictors of postoperative recurrence. Certain extensive resections of the small bowel are associated with a decreased probability of rehospitalization and reoperation. Resection of more than 25 cm of the small bowel and more than 50 cm of the “total” (small plus large) bowel was associated with a decreased likelihood of recurrence. Interestingly, analysis of larger resections (50,75,100 cm) failed to document a decreased likelihood of recurrence. The amount of large bowel resected did not predict postoperative recurrence. Bypass and diversion procedures offer a significantly enhanced risk for recurrent disease, whereas procedures employing resection are associated with lower probabilities of recurrent disease. We conclude that technically adequate resections of 25 to 50 cm of the small bowel or the combined small and large bowel are associated with a decreased probability of re-operation or rehospitalization after the initial surgery for Crohn's disease.
Comparison of oestrus synchronisation programmes in dairy cattle using oestradiol benzoate, short-acting progesterone and cloprostenol, or buserelin and cloprostenol

Abstract AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of a programme using oestradiol benzoate, progesterone and the prostaglandin-F2α (PG) analogue, cloprostenol, to synchronise oestrus and ovulation in dairy cows, compared with a programme using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, buserelin, and cloprostenol. METHODS: Twenty non-lactating dairy cows, at random stages of the oestrus cycle, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatments. In Treatment 1 ( OPPG; n=10), cows were injected with 2 mg oestradiol benzoate intramuscularly (IM) plus 200 mg progesterone subcutaneously (SC) on Day 0, followed by 500 𝛍g cloprostenol IM on Day 9 and 1 mg oestradiol benzoate on Day 10. In Treatment 2 (GPG; n=10), cows were injected with 10 𝛍g buserelin IM on Day 0, 500 𝛍g cloprostenol IM on Day 7 and 10 𝛍g buserelin on Day 9. The ovaries of all cows were examined by ultrasonography, using an 8 MHz probe, from 5 days before the initial treatment until ovulation. Cows were observed for oestrus 3 times daily for 7 days after cloprostenol treatment. Blood samples were collected daily for determination of progesterone, and 6-hourly for 36 h after the second oestradiol or buserelin injection for the determination of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH) concentrations. RESULTS: The percentage of cows observed in oestrus was higher in the OPPG group than in the GPG group (100% vs 55.6%, p=0.018). Treatment with either short-acting progesterone plus oestradiol benzoate or buserelin was followed by atresia or ovulation of the dominant follicle. Emergence of a new follicular wave occurred earlier (p<0.001) in the GPG group (2.2 ± 0.2 days) than in the OPPG group (3.6 ± 0.2 days). There was no significant difference between treatment groups in the variation of time of follicular wave emergence or size of the largest follicles at either the time of initial treatment (10.8 ± 1.4 mm vs 11.1 ± 0.8 mm), cloprostenol treatment (13.8 ± 0.7 mm vs 14.0 ± 1.3 mm) or of ovulation (15.4 ± 0.7 mm vs 17.6 ± 1.1 mm; p=0.10). The LH surge occurred sooner after the second injection of buserelin (4.0 ± 1.0 h) than after the second injection of oestradiol benzoate (22.8 ±1.2 h; p<0.001). The interval between the second injection of oestradiol benzoate or buserelin and ovulation did not differ significantly between treatment groups (1.7 ± 0.3 days vs 1.6 ± 0.2 days; p=0.69). CONCLUSIONS: The use of short-term progesterone treatment, combined with oestradiol benzoate for follicular wave synchronisation, and cloprostenol to cause lysis of residual luteal tissue, is a promising alternative to established methods of oestrus synchronisation in cows.
Evaluation of an attention and memory intervention post-childhood acquired brain injury: Preliminary efficacy, immediate and 6 months post-intervention

Abstract Objective: Impairments in attention and memory are common sequelae following paediatric acquired brain injury (ABI). While it has been established that such impairments are long-term and, therefore, affect quality-of-life, there is a scarcity of evidence-based interventions to treat these difficulties. The current study aimed to pilot the efficacy of the Amsterdam Memory and Attention Training for Children (Amat-c: English version) using both neuropsychological and ecologically sensitive measures. It was expected that children with attention and memory difficulties post-ABI would show improved performance post-intervention on cognitive and ecological measures, with maintenance at 6 months post-intervention. Methods and procedures: Ten children with an ABI, between the ages of 8–13 years at the time of recruitment were identified through audits of presentations to a metropolitan paediatric hospital. Each child underwent screening, the 18 week intervention programme, pre-intervention, immediate and 6 month post-intervention assessments. Outcomes/results: Findings supported the hypothesis that children would show post-intervention (immediate and 6 month) improvement in areas of attention and memory, with generalization to everyday life. Conclusions/implications: Preliminary results provide support for the efficacy of the Amat-c post-childhood ABI. A larger study is needed to confirm these findings, as a reduction in attention and memory difficulties will enhance everyday functioning.