Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Some Immunological and Hematological Parameters in Male Smokers in Erbil City

The present study was done to investigate the effect of cigarette smoking (CS) on some immunological and hematological parameters in Erbil city. The study is carried out on fifty male smokers, who smoked at least 10 cigarettes per day for at least10 years. Depending on the age of the smokers, they were divided into two groups. The first group includes smokers with age range between 25-35 years, and the second group includes smokers with age range between 36-45 years. Two control (non-smokers) groups were collected with the same range of age for statistical comparison. The results of the study revealed a significant increase of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) level in both age groups when compared with their controls. A significant decrease of the total immunoglobulin A (IgA) level was recorded in both age groups when compared with their control. Furthermore the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) which is an indicator of lipid peroxidation (LPO) and oxidative stress significantly increased in cigarette smokers in both age groups when compared with control groups. While the level of Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9 Ag) increased in the age group 25-35 years, but this increase is not significant when compared with its control group; the level of CA 19-9 Ag significantly increased in age group 36-45 years when compared with its control group. Moreover the results revealed a significant increase in the total white blood cells (WBC), Neutrophil, Eosinophil, Basophil, Monocyte, and Lymphocyte count in both age groups when compared with their control groups. However, the basophil in the first group (25-35 years), the increase was not significant. While the number of platelets count did not statistically change in both age groups.
A Combined Histological, Immunocytochemical and Biochemical Approach in the Evaluation of Estrogen Receptors in Breast Carcinomas

Correlation of structural and functional data might lead to better identification of hormone-dependent tumors. Sixty breast cancer specimens, sent to the biochemistry laboratory for estrogen receptor (ER) analysis, were studied here by a combined morpho-functional approach. Histological examination of needle biopsies on frozen tissue blocks showed that 12 cases (10%) were free of tumor cells; these cases mostly proved ER negative. On the other 48 cases, an immunocytochemical reaction was performed on the biopsy sections with a monoclonal antibody directed against p 29, an estrogen receptor related antigen. The staining values for p 29 and the biochemical ER findings were significantly correlated. A combined histological, immunocytochemical study seems to offer advantages in the selection of patients for hormonal therapy.
TISSUE DOPPLER IMAGING VALUES IN HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY ACCORDING TO LEFT VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW GRADIENT

Background: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of the left ventricular outflow gradient on tissue doppler imaging (TDI) values in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary referral heart hospital (Tabriz, Iran) from March 2004 to March 2008. Fifty two patients (28 men and 24 women) with definite diagnoses of HCM were selected for the study. 2D, M-mode echocardiography and TDI were performed for all patients. In TDI, the velocities of myocardium was measured at lateral and septal corner of the mitral valve annulus in peak early diastolic (Ea), peak late diastolic (Aa) and peak systolic (Sa). Then, the TDI velocities were compared in patients with left ventricle outflow gradient less and more than 30 mmHg. Results: The mean age of the patients was 42.13 ± 12.22 years. All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II. The mean EF was 55 ± 7%. It was found that TDI velocities are reduced in patients with HCM, compared to normal vaues and Ea in septal corners of the mitral annulus was reduced more in patients with left ventricle outflow gradient > 30 mmHg (5.3±1.6 vs 7.1±1.2, P=0.01). Conclusion: TDI findings specially peak early diastolic (Ea) mitral annular velocity are good parameters in HCM patients assessment.
Placental LPL Gene Expression Is Increased in Severe Intrauterine Growth-Restricted Pregnancies

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is associated with reduced placental supply of nutrients to the fetus. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mediates the hydrolysis of triglycerides from maternal lipoproteins to obtain fatty acids. Here, we tested the hypothesis that placental LPL gene expression level is altered in pregnancies complicated by IUGR. To this purpose, 28 IUGR fetuses were identified during pregnancy and divided in two groups: 7 M-IUGR [“mild” IUGR, with normal umbilical artery pulsatility index (PI)] and 21 S-IUGR (“severe” IUGR, with abnormal PI). Moreover, 10 out of 28 IUGR pregnancies were associated with preeclampsia. Controls were 19 normal pregnancies delivering appropriate for gestational age (AGA) fetuses. Relative real-time quantification of LPL was carried out in RNA from placental chorionic villi by the ΔΔCt method, using β-actin as normalizing gene. Placental LPL mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in IUGR than in AGA. In particular, significantly higher values were observed in S-IUGR, independent from the concomitant association with preeclampsia. No significant relationship was observed between placental LPL mRNA expression levels or gestational age. In conclusion, placental LPL mRNA gene expression is increased in severe IUGR, characterized by enhanced vascular placental resistances and alterations of placental nutrient transport.
Practice Preferences for Glaucoma Surgery: A Survey of the American Glaucoma Society

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess surgical practice patterns among the American Glaucoma Society (AGS) membership. Methods: An anonymous online survey evaluating the use of glaucoma surgeries in various clinical settings was redistributed to AGS members. Survey responses were compared with prior results from 1996, 2002, and 2008 to determine shifts in surgical practice patterns. Questions were added to assess the preferred approach to primary incisional glaucoma surgery and phacoemulsification combined with glaucoma surgery. Results: A total of 252 of 1091 (23%) subscribers to the AGS-net participated in the survey. Percentage use (mean±SD) of trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC), glaucoma drainage device (GDD), and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) as an initial surgery in patients with primary open angle glaucoma was 59%±30%, 23%±23%, and 14%±20%, respectively. Phacoemulsification cataract extraction alone was the preferred surgical approach in 44%±32% of patients with primary open angle glaucoma and visually significant cataract, and phacoemulsification cataract extraction was combined with trabeculectomy with MMC in 24%±23%, with MIGS in 22%±27%, and with GDD in 9%±14%. Although trabeculectomy was selected most frequently to surgically manage glaucoma in 8 of 8 clinical settings in 1996, GDD was preferred in 7 of 8 clinical settings in 2016. Conclusions: The use of GDD has increased and that of trabeculectomy has concurrently decreased over the past 2 decades. Trabeculectomy with MMC is the most popular primary incisional surgery when performed alone or in combination with phacoemulsification cataract extraction. Surgeons frequently manage coexistent cataract and glaucoma with cataract extraction alone, rather than as a combined cataract and glaucoma procedure.
Characteristic expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid and glutamate decarboxylase in rat jejunum and its relation to differentiation of epithelial cells.

AIM To investigate the expression between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate decarboxylase and its relation with differentiation and maturation of jejunal epithelial cells in rat jejunum. METHODS Immunohistochemical expression of GABA and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD, including two isoforms, GAD65 and GAD67) was investigated in rat jejunum. Meanwhile, double staining was performed with GAD65 immunohistochemistry, followed by lectin histochemistry of fluorescent wheat germ agglutinin. Furthermore, evaluation of cell kinetics in jejunum was conducted by (3)H-thymidine autoradiography and immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). RESULTS The cells showing positive immunoreactivity GABA and GAD65 were mainly distributed in the villi in rat jejunum, while jejunal epithelial cells were negative for GAD67. Positive GABA or GAD65 staining was mainly located in the cytoplasm and along the brush border of epithelial cells in the middle and upper portions. In addition, a few GABA and GAD65 strongly positive cells were scattered in the upper two thirds of jejunal villi. Double staining showed that GAD65 immunoreactivity was not found in goblet cells. (3)H-thymidine-labeled nuclei were found in the lower and middle portions of jejunal crypts, which was consistent with PCNA staining. Therefore, GABA and GAD65 were expressed in a maturation or functional zone. CONCLUSION The characteristic expression of GABA and GAD suggests that GABA might be involved in regulation of differentiation and maturation of epithelial cells in rat jejunum.
The Possible Role of Mast Cells and VEGF in Peritumoural Oedema of Secretory Meningioma.

Objective Secretory meningiomas constitute a relatively rare subtype of meningiomas and present often with massive peritumoural oedema. From our previous report, a high number of mast cells were demonstrable in this subtype of meningiomas. The present study aimed to obtain more information about mast cell derived progangiogenic factors and mediators as well as VEGF receptors in secretory meningioma. Additionally, the correlation of histological factors such as the presence of mast cells and the radiological evidence of surrounding tumour oedema was analysed. Material and Method Sixteen cases of secretory meningioma were examined. Relevant clinical information was obtained from the patient files. The peritumoural oedema was determined either by CT or MRI scans and graded as mild, moderate and severe. Immunohistochemical studies of histamine, substance P, serotonin, VEGF and VEGF receptors were performed. A double-blind quantitative evaluation of mast cells staining positively for VEGF in a comparison with total mast cells in secretory meningiomas was made by two histopathologists. Results There was no immunoreactivity against histamine or substance P within the tumour tissue or in mast cells. Fine granules of serotonin were demonstrated within the mast cells and a coarse granular expression of VEGF was found within the mast cells. Our preliminary data demonstrated that tumours with moderate to severe degree of peritumoural oedema usually contained more than 50% of VEGF-staining positive mast cells. Conclusion Secretory meningiomas are characterized by a significantly increased number of mast cells. VEGF and serotonin might be involved in the pathophysiological process of this vasogenic brain oedema. The preliminary data demonstrated the potential relation between the radiological evidence of increasing oedema and the high numbers of mast cell staining positively for VEGF.
Prognosis and management of acute myeloid leukemia in patients with Down syndrome

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at a substantially increased risk to develop acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This increase in incidence is tempered, however, by favorable overall survival rates of approximately 80%, whereas survival for non-DS children with similar leukemic subtypes is <35%. In this review, the clinical studies that have contributed to this overall high survival will be presented and their individual successes will be discussed. Important issues including intensity of treatment regimens, the role of bone marrow transplants and prognostic indicators will be reviewed. In particular, the roles of high- vs low- vs very low-dose cytarabine will be discussed, as well as potential therapeutic options in the future and the direction of the field over the next 5 years. In summary, children with DS and AML should be treated with a moderate-intensity cytarabine-based regimen with curative intent.
Translational pain research: Lessons from genetics and genomics

Genetic and genomic approaches are poised to identify opportune targets for the development of new, more effective pain therapeutics. Pharmacological, surgical, psychological, and alternative medicine approaches for the treatment of chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, provide only partial relief for most patients, with the efficacy of existing medications often blunted by dose-limiting side effects arising from drug actions on cells outside the pain-signaling axis. The development of more effective treatments for pain—particularly chronic pain states such as neuropathic pain—has been hampered by lack of predictive animal models and biomarkers, variation in pain characteristics between patients or on a day-to-day basis for single patients, patient stratification on the basis of symptoms rather than mechanism, and a high rate of placebo responses. We discuss genetic and genomic approaches to translational pain research. We review examples of the identification and validation of human pain targets through rodent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and global mRNA expression studies, functional screening in flies and mice, human GWAS and whole-exome sequencing studies, and the targeted candidate gene approach. These and other emerging genetic and genomic strategies are likely to facilitate the development of new, more effective pain therapeutics.
Dural Arteriovenous Shunt Development in Patients with Vein of Galen Malformation

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) associated with our series of patients with vein of Galen malformations (VOGM) are analyzed and discussed. We retrospectively analyzed 87 consecutive cases of VOGM treated between May 2002 and December 2011 and identified 26 patients with DAVF. We gathered information from the clinical case records, angiographic images, MRI on presentation and during follow-up. The findings were analyzed to aid discussion. Among 87 patients treated by multi-stage endovascular embolization, age range from newborn to 19 years, 26 (30%) had DAVF. In seven patients (8%), DAVF were found on initial angiogram and were all into the VOGM. Nineteen (21%) DAVF found on follow-up angiograms were all into the VOGM and distant locations. Sprouting and non-sprouting angiogenesis resulted in the formation of a network of vessels around partially thrombosed VOGM, recruiting blood from the surrounding dura mater resulting in a secondary network on the dura mater supplied by the blood vessels of dura mater in the region or from its natural collaterals. Embolization targeting DAVFs was done in 13 (52%) with complete cure in eight (32%) and recurrence in five (20%). Among 12 non-embolized patients (48%), eight (32%) had spontaneous regression with continued treatment of VOGM. In others, the DAVF either remained stable or progressed. DAVF associated with VOGM represent the dural response to angiogenic stimuli. They are observed to regress spontaneously or mature while continuing to treat the primary feeders of VOGM. It is important to include the external carotid system during angiograms. Persistent DAVF with residual VOGM that do not have access though the pial vessels are used as a conduit to treat the dural shunt and to achieve obliteration of residual VOGM at later stages of treatment.
Surface analysis on rolling bearings after exposure to defined electric stress

Abstract This article gives an overview about classical and frequency converter-induced spurious bearing currents in induction machines and discusses typical damage patterns caused by the current passage. To investigate on the electric damage mechanisms, test bearings are operated in a test rig and exposed to specific (classical low-frequency, and high-frequency) bearing currents. The induced damages to the surfaces are analysed visually and with the help of an atomic force microscope, and compared for the different electric regimes applied. Further, the electrically damaged bearing surfaces are characterized by standard roughness parameters. The surface structure observable on certain test bearings shows good correlation to the structure found with a bearing that had failed in the field under similar electric conditions. One of the investigated electric regimes applying high-frequency currents proved capable of generating fluting patterns - as found in real applications - on the test rig. The experiments also indicate that high-frequency bearing currents, although in total dissipating less energy, are more dangerous to a bearing than continuous current flow. The presented method gives a good starting point for further investigation on electric current damage in bearings, especially regarding high-frequency bearing currents, and on bearing/grease lifetime under specific electric regimes.
Relationship between changes in hemoglobin level and quality of life during chemotherapy in anemic cancer patients receiving epoetin alfa therapy

Hemoglobin increases have been associated with quality of life (QOL) improvements in anemic cancer patients treated with epoetin alfa, but intervention generally has been reserved for symptomatic anemia or hemoglobin < 10 g/dL. Relationships among hemoglobin, functional status, and patient reported QOL have not been well characterized.
Efficient Micro-Lasers Based on Highly Doped Monoclinic Double Tungstates

We demonstrate the suitability of monoclinic double tungstates (MDTs), KRE(WO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub>, where RE = Gd, Y or Lu, doped with Nd<sup>3+</sup>, Yb<sup>3+</sup>, Tm<sup>3+</sup>, or Ho<sup>3+</sup> ions and co-doped with Yb<sup>3+</sup>-Tm<sup>3+</sup>, or Tm<sup>3+</sup>-Ho<sup>3+</sup> ion couples, for highly efficient micro-lasers at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sim 1~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> and at <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\sim 2~\mu \text{m}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. This is facilitated by the use of high rare-earth doping levels (up to 15 at.% for Tm, 10 at.% for Nd, and 25 at.% for Yb) and a special crystal cut along the <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\text{N}_{\mathrm {g}}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-axis providing the thermal guiding. Record slope efficiencies for bulk MDT lasers are achieved for each studied ion. A 15 at. % Tm:KLu(WO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>2</sub> laser generated 785 mW at 1957<inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\ldots$ </tex-math></inline-formula>1965 nm with a slope efficiency <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\eta =77$ </tex-math></inline-formula>%. The quantum efficiency for Tm<sup>3+</sup> ions amounted to <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\eta _{\mathrm {q}} = 1.98\pm 0.02$ </tex-math></inline-formula>. With a 0.9 mm-thick 25 at. % Yb:KLuW micro-laser, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\eta =91$ </tex-math></inline-formula>% is achieved, approaching the theoretical limit set by the Stokes shift.
A deep learning architecture for brain tumor segmentation in MRI images

With the advent of new technologies in the field of medicine, there is rising awareness of biomechanisms, and we are better able to treat ailments than we could earlier. Deep learning has helped a lot in this endeavor. This paper deals with the application of deep learning in brain tumor segmentation. Brain tumors are difficult to segment automatically given the high variability in the shapes and sizes. We propose a novel yet simple fully convolutional network (FCN) which results in competitive performance and faster runtime than state-of-the-art model. Using the database provided for the Brain Tumor Segmentation (BraTS) challenge by the Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) society, we are able to achieve dice scores of 0.83 in the whole tumor region, 0.75 in the core tumor region and 0.72 in the enhancing tumor region, while our method is about 18 times faster than the state-of-the-art.
Pattern of chronic liver disease in Omani children--a clinicopathological review.

OBJECTIVE To determine the pattern of chronic liver disease in Omani children. STUDY DESIGN Seventy six children [43M : 33F] aged 4 days to 10 years, referred to the Paediatric Gastroenterology clinic of the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman, between 1995--2000 for evaluation of liver disease were studied. Liver biopsies were performed in all and tissues obtained processed and examined for histological lesions. RESULT The main histological diagnoses were neonatal hepatitis (22) biliary atresia (9) biliary hypoplasia (7), cirrhosis (7) and congenital hepatic fibrosis (5). Hepatomegaly with or without jaundice was the indication for liver biopsy in the majority of patients studied. CONCLUSION The study has provided background information on the occurrence of specific liver diseases in Omani children. Neonatal hepatitis syndrome was the most common diagnosis before the age of 2 years.
Experience with Unoperated Cleft Lip and Palate Patients in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital

A review of 31 cases of unoperated cleft lip and palate patients aged 10 years and above managed over a 6 years period at a suburban Nigeria teaching hospital is presented. There was an overall preponderance of the female gender and isolated cleft lip (58%) was the most predominant. Although clefts were very wide on presentation, there was adequate well-developed soft tissue in adults to achieve a cosmetically and functionally acceptable repair. This study also confirms the views that late primary repair of facial cleft is less likely to produce impaired growth of the maxilla as is commonly observed in early repair. However, the advantages of early repair cannot be over-emphasized.
Vehicle Stability Enhancement through Hierarchical Control for a Four-Wheel-Independently-Actuated Electric Vehicle

In this paper, an optimal control strategy for a four-wheel-independently-actuated electric vehicle (FWIA EV) is proposed to improve vehicle dynamics stability and handling performance. The proposed scheme has a hierarchical structure composed of an upper and a lower controller. The desired longitudinal and lateral forces and yaw moment are determined based on the sliding-mode control (SMC) scheme in the upper controller, which takes the longitudinal and lateral velocity and the yaw rate as control variables. In the lower controller, an optimization algorithm is adopted to allocate the driving/braking torques to each in-wheel motor. A cost function with adjustable weight coefficients is specially designed by taking the motor power capability and the tire workload into consideration. The simulation and hardware-in-loop experimental results show that the proposed control strategy exhibits superior performance in comparison to commonly-used rule-based control strategies, and has the capability of online implementation.
Evidence for the role of STAT4 as a general autoimmunity locus in the Korean population

Recently, the association of a common STAT4 haplotype with type 1 diabetes (T1D) as well as rheumatoid arthritis has been documented in Caucasians and Koreans. STAT4 is involved in the signalling of interleukin‐12 and γIFN, as well as interleukin‐23. To discover genes affecting the susceptibility of common autoimmune diseases, we studied the association of polymorphisms in STAT4 with autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) as well as T1D in the Korean population.