Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Assessment of functional MR imaging in neurosurgical planning.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Presurgical sensorimotor mapping with functional MR imaging is gaining acceptance in clinical practice; however, to our knowledge, its therapeutic efficacy has not been assessed in a sizable group of patients. Our goal was to identify how preoperative sensorimotor functional studies were used to guide the treatment of neuro-oncologic and epilepsy surgery patients. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 46 patients who had undergone preoperative sensorimotor functional MR imaging to document how often and in what ways the imaging studies had influenced their management. Clinical management decisions were grouped into three categories: for assessing the feasibility of surgical resection, for surgical planning, and for selecting patients for invasive functional mapping procedures. RESULTS Functional MR imaging studies successfully identified the functional central sulcus ipsilateral to the abnormality in 32 of the 46 patients, and these 32 patients are the focus of this report. In epilepsy surgery candidates, the functional MR imaging results were used to determine in part the feasibility of a proposed surgical resection in 70% of patients, to aid in surgical planning in 43%, and to select patients for invasive surgical functional mapping in 52%. In tumor patients, the functional MR imaging results were used to determine in part the feasibility of surgical resection in 55%, to aid in surgical planning in 22%, and to select patients for invasive surgical functional mapping in 78%. Overall, functional MR imaging studies were used in one or more of the three clinical decision-making categories in 89% of tumor patients and 91% of epilepsy surgery patients. CONCLUSION Preoperative functional MR imaging is useful to clinicians at three key stages in the preoperative clinical management paradigm of a substantial percentage of patients who are being considered for resective tumor or epilepsy surgery.
Efficacy of aripiprazole augmentation in Japanese patients with major depressive disorder: A subgroup analysis and Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression item analyses of the Aripiprazole Depression Multicenter Efficacy study

Results from this randomized, placebo‐controlled study of aripiprazole augmentation to antidepressant therapy (ADT) in Japanese patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) (the Aripiprazole Depression Multicenter Efficacy [ADMIRE] study) revealed that aripiprazole augmentation was superior to ADT alone and was well tolerated. In subgroup analyses, we investigated the influence of demographic‐ and disease‐related factors on the observed responses. We also examined how individual symptom improvement was related to overall improvement in MDD.
Management of Close-Range, High-Energy Shotgun and Rifle Wounds to the Face

Close-range, high-energy shotgun wounds of the face are life-threatening and devastating traumas of the face. Suicidal attempts are the main reason in the great majority of the patients in civilian life. There is no consensus on the timing of reconstruction for bone and soft tissue defects resulting from high-energy shotgun wounds. The conventional method is primary repair as soon as possible and serial debridements and definitive reconstruction in the delayed stage. An alternative to this approach is the immediate definitive surgical reconstruction of the patient during the first operation for acute management of trauma. We had 15 patients with close-range, high-energy shotgun wounds in 10 years. Six of 15 patients referred to our center for definitive reconstruction after the acute management of the patients were performed in another center and the rest were all admitted in the acute period. Either conventional approach with delayed reconstruction for 10 patients or immediate definitive surgical reconstruction for 5 patients was used. Immediate reconstruction eliminated disadvantages of the conventional method such as high infection and scarring rate and deformities resulting from contraction of tissues. The emotional conditions of the patients were evaluated and major depression signs were determined. Functional evaluation showed that there was great correlation between facial appearance after reconstruction and social activity level.
Globalization and Economic Growth: The Case Study of Developing Countries

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of dimensions of globalization on economic growth in 100 developing countries using panel data. The globalization index used is KOF and period of study is 1970-2014.The results show that the impact of political globalization on economic growth in upper middle income countries is negative and significant. Also, economic and social globalization has not significant effect on economic growth. Furthermore, the effect of total and political globalization on economic growth in developing countries with lower middle income is positive and significant but economic and social globalization factors have not significant effect, statistically.
Increased mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor (flt-1) in the hydrosalpinx.

BACKGROUND The adverse effects of hydrosalpinx on the outcomes of IVF have been well documented, but the mechanisms of hydrosalpinx fluid formation remain unclear. This study compares the mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors (KDR and flt-1) in the hydrosalpinx with that in the healthy oviduct. METHODS Oviduct tissue was collected from 10 infertile women with hydrosalpinx and 10 parous women with healthy oviduct. The mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors in isolated oviduct epithelial cells were analysed using semi-quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR. RESULTS mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptor flt-1 in the hydrosalpinx was significantly higher than that in the healthy oviduct, but no significant difference was demonstrated for the KDR receptor. CONCLUSIONS This study supports the notion that VEGF may play an important role in the hydrosalpinx fluid formation, possibly by promoting vascular and epithelial permeability and therefore serum transudation.
Evidence that renal sodium excretion by normal human subjects is regulated by adrenal cortical activity.

Whena normal human being is placed on a very low sodium intake, the urinary sodium decreases to very small amounts. Contrariwise, with large sodium intakes, the urinary sodium increases proportionately. In both cases, the normal body content of sodium is quickly reestablished. How is this conservation of body sodium effected? The depletion of body sodium that occurs in adrenalectomized animals and in patients suffering from Addison's disease, and the retention of sodium with reestablishment of balance that accompanies the administration of adrenal cortical extracts, leaves no doubt about the fundamental position of a cortical hormone in the regulation of body sodium in the abnormal states just mentioned (1-5). '
The Effect of Education and Awareness on the Quality-of-Life in Postmenopausal Women

Objectives: Women are one of the most important parts of the family and society, and community health is dependent on provision of the needs of this group. Menopause is one of the most critical stages of life among women. One of the aims of health services for all of the people in the 21st century is improvement of the quality-of-life. In menopausal women, the term quality-of-life incorporates its physical symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal mucosa dryness. We set out this study in order to evaluate the effect of education on the quality-of-life and the improvement of health standards in menopausal women. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two women aged 44–55 referring to and academic outpatient clinic in Shiraz were selected by simple random sampling, and allocated in two groups. Data was collected using a modified Hildich questionnaire on quality-of-life in menopause stage. Quality-of-life of the subjects (vasomotor, psychosocial, physical and sexual aspects) were evaluated prior to and 3 months after educational intervention. Results: Mean quality-of-life score in study and control groups, prior to education, was 81.7 and 74.8; changing to 75.3 and 75.8, respectively three months after intervention. The study group showed a significant improvement in their quality-of-life (P = 0.001). A significant difference was seen between groups in terms of changing quality-of-life after intervention (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Appropriate training to menopausal women improves their quality-of-life and promotes their health.
Critical Factors Affecting Quality of Life of Adult Patients With Anorectal Malformations or Hirschsprung's Disease

OBJECTIVE:The first objective was to compare the quality of life of adult patients with anorectal malformations (ARM) or Hirschsprung's disease (HD) and to compare both groups with healthy people. And the second objective was to examine the factors that affect the quality of life of patients with ARM or HD, using a theoretical model in which patients' background characteristics explain quality of life via mediating disease-specific functioning and psychosocial functioning.METHODS:Three hundred and forty-one patients completed a questionnaire, which assessed sociodemographic characteristics, disease-specific and psychosocial functioning, and quality of life. Clinical factors were extracted from the medical records.RESULTS:Patients with ARM or Hirschsprung's disease did not differ in their quality of life. Compared to healthy people, both patient groups reported more limitations in their “overall” physical quality of life, but only patients with ARM reported impaired quality of life on several specific domains (e.g., physical role-functioning, pain). The model was largely accepted. Most striking were the strong effects of the psychosocial functioning factors in contrast to weak effects of the disease-specific “constipation” and “fecal continence” factors.CONCLUSIONS:The quality of life of patients with ARM or Hirschsprung's disease was found to be comparable. Compared to healthy people, both patient groups encountered “overall” physical health problems, but only patients with ARM reported additional pain and limitations in role functioning due to physical problems. It appeared that psychosocial functioning had the most important effect on the quality of life of patients with ARM or Hirschsprung's disease, while fecal incontinence and constipation had almost no effect on their quality of life.
Platelet Aggregation and Activation in Thalassemia Major Patients in Indonesia

Thromboembolic events and hypercoagulable state have been reported in patients with thalassemia. As platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of thrombosis, the authors aimed to find the pattern of changes in platelet count, function and activation, and evidence of coagulation activation in patients with thalassemia major in Indonesia. A total of 31 patients with splenectomized and 35 patients with nonsplenectomized thalassemia major were enrolled in this study. Platelet count, platelet aggregation, β-thromboglobulin, and D-dimer levels were measured. All measured parameters were significantly higher in splenectomized than in nonsplenectomized patients. β-thromboglobulin level was increased, but D-dimer level was within normal range. The authors concluded that there was an increase in platelet activation in patients with β-thalassemia major. Platelet activation was higher in splenectomized than in nonsplenectomized patients.
Evaporative Heat Transfer Coefficient of a HFC/HC Refrigerant Mixture Under Varied Heat Flux Condition- Low Heat Mass Flux Application

An experimental study on in-tube flow boiling heat transfer of R-134a/R-290/R-600a refrigerant mixture and mineral oil has been carried out in varied heat flux test conditions. The heat transfer coefficients were experimentally arrived at temperatures between -8 and 5C for mass flow rates of 3 to 5 g/s. Acetone is used as a hot fluid which flows in the outer tube of diameter 28.57 mm while the refrigerant mixture flows in the inner tube of diameter of 12.7 mm. By regulating the acetone flow conditions, the heat flux was maintained between 2 and 8 kW.m and the pressure of the refrigerant was maintained between 3.2 and 5 bar. Stratified and stratified-wavy flows prevail for the above conditions . The heat transfer coefficient was found to vary between 500 W.m. K to 1500 W.m. K.The comparison of experimental results with the familiar correlations showed that the familiar correlations over predict.
Cisplatin-Induced Apoptosis of DRG Neurons Involves Bax Redistribution and Cytochrome 
 c
 
 Release But Not fas Receptor Signaling


Cisplatin causes apoptosis of DRG neurons in vitro and in vivo that can be prevented by high dose NGF. Design of a neuronal rescue strategy for patients receiving cisplatin will be facilitated by knowledge of the mechanism by which cisplatin causes DRG death. Inhibition of the fas receptor/ligand interaction prevents apoptosis in certain cancer cell lines treated with DNA damaging agents, including cisplatin. We demonstrated that killing curves from mice lacking a functional fas receptor and wild-type controls were not different over a wide range of therapeutically relevant concentrations. However, cisplatin treatment of DRG caused redistribution of cytosolic bax and mitochondrial release of cytochrome c. Bax redistribution was prevented by high dose NGF. This demonstrates for the first time that cisplatin does not signal for death via the fas pathway, but it does initiate the mitochondrial stress pathway in neurons and that NGF blocks death upstream of bax redistribution.
Occurrence and Variety of β-Lactamase Genes among Aeromonas spp. Isolated from Urban Wastewater Treatment Plant

Members of the genus Aeromonas that commonly occur in various aquatic ecosystems are taken into account as vectors spreading antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the environment. In our study strains of Aeromonas spp. (n = 104) not susceptible to ampicillin were isolated from municipal sewage of different levels of purification – raw sewage, activated sludge and treated wastewater. The crucial step of the study was the identification of β-lactamase resistance genes. The identified genes encode β-lactamases from 14 families – blaTEM, blaOXA, blaSHV, blaCTX-M, blaMOX, blaACC, blaFOX, blaGES, blaPER, blaV EB, blaKPC, cphA, imiH, and cepH. There were no significant differences in number of identified ARGs between isolation points. BlaOXA, blaFOX variants and, characteristic for Aeromonas genus, metallo-β-lactamase cphA-related genes were the most commonly identified types of β-lactam resistance determinants. Moreover, we found four extended-spectrum β-lactamases (blaSHV -11, blaCTX-M-27, blaCTX-M-98, and blaPER-4) – and seven AmpC (blaACC, blaFOX-2-like, blaFOX-3, blaFOX-4-like, blaFOX-9, blaFOX-10-like, and blaFOX-13-like) types and variants of genes that had never been found among Aeromonas spp. before. Five of the β-lactamases families (blaTEM, blaOXA, blaFOX, blaV EB, and cphA) were identified in all three isolation sites, which supports the hypothesis that wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are hot spots of ARGs dissemination. The obtained ARGs sequences share high identity with previously described β-lactamases, but new variants of those genes have to be considered as well. Characterization of antibiotic susceptibility was performed using disk the diffusion method with 12 different antibiotics according to CLSI guidelines. Over 60% of the strains are unsusceptible to cefepime and chloramphenicol and the majority of the strains have a multidrug resistance phenotype (68%). Finally, analysis of plasmid profiles among the resistant strains showed that 62% of the isolates from all three points of the WWTP carry plasmids of different sizes. Among some of the isolated plasmids blaFOX-4-like and blaGES genes have been found. To sum up, the results strongly suggest that Aeromonas spp. can be considered as agents of antibiotic resistance dissemination from wastewater to the natural environment.
NEW VARIABLE JET MODELS FOR HH 34

We consider newly derived proper motions of the HH 34 jet to reconstruct the evolution of this outflow. We first extrapolate ballistic trajectories for the knots (starting from their present-day positions and velocities) and find that at ∼1000 yr in the future most of them will merge to form a larger-mass structure. This mass structure will be formed close to the present-day position of the HH 34S bow shock. We then carry out a fit to the ejection velocity versus time reconstructed from the observed proper motions (assuming that the past motion of the knots was ballistic) and use this fit to compute axisymmetric jet simulations. We find that the intensity maps predicted from these simulations do indeed match reasonably well the [S ii] structure of HH 34 observed in Hubble Space Telescope images.
Prevalence of obesity, physical inactivity and undernutrition, a triple burden of diseases during transition in a developing economy. The Five City Study Group.

Objective and design — The objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of overweight, obesity, undernutrition and physical activity status in the urban populations of India. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 6-12 urban streets in each of five cities in five different regions of India using a common study protocol and criteria of diagnosis. Subjects and methods — A total of 6940 subjects (3433 women and 3507 men) aged 25 years and above were randomly selected from the cities of Moradabad (n = 2002), Trivandrum (n = 1602), Calcutta (n = 900), Nagpur (n = 894) and Bombay (n = 1542). Evaluation and validation were performed by a physician and dietitian-administered questionnaire at Moradabad. After pooling of data, all subjects were divided into various age groups for men and women. Obesity (body mass index = 30 ≥ kg/m2) and overweight (BMI ≥ 25-29.9 kg/m2 and > 23 kg/m2) as well as waist-hip ratio (> 0.85 in women and > 0.88 in men, central obesity) were calculated and physical activity status assessed by a validated questionnaire. Results — The overall prevalence of obesity was 6.8% (7.8 vs. 6.2%, P < 0.05) and overweight 33.5% (35.0 vs. 32.0%, P < 0.05) among women and men, respectively.The highest prevalence of obesity (7.8%) and overweight (36.9%) was found among subjects aged 35 to 44 years in both sexes. The prevalence of obesity was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in Trivandrum (8.5%), Calcutta (7.1%) and Bombay (8.3%) compared to Moradabad (6.2%) among women and in Trivandrum (7.4%) and Bombay (7.2%), compared to Nagpur (5.0%) among men.There was a significant decreasing trend in obesity (P < 0.05) and overweight (P < 0.05) with increasing age above 35-44 years in both sexes.The overall prevalence of subjects > 23 kg/m2 was 50.8% and central obesity 52.6%. The overall prevalence of sedentary behaviour was 59.3% among women and 58.5% among men. Both sedentary behaviour and mild activity showed a significant increasing trend in women after the age of 35-44 years. In men, such a trend was observed above the age of 45 years. Sedentary behaviour was significantly (P < 0.05) greater in Trivandrum, Calcutta, and Bombay compared to Nagpur. Sedentary behaviour was significantly (P < 0.001) associated with obesity in both sexes, compared to non-obese men and women. The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 5.5% (n = 380) which was significantly more common in Moradabad, north and Nagpur, central India compared to other cities. Conclusions — Obesity, overweight and central obesity and sedentary behaviour coexist with undernutrition, and have become a public health problem in all the five cities of India.The prevalence of obesity and sedentary behaviour was significantly greater in Trivandrum, Calcutta and Bombay compared to Moradabad and Nagpur. Sedentary behaviour was significantly associated with obesity compared to non-obese subjects in both sexes, which may be due to greater economic development in metro cities.
Calorimetric Study on the Binding of Lysozyme Upon Interaction With β-Cyclodextrin

Effects of ? -cyclodextrin, ? CD, on refolding of lysozyme was investigated at pH 12 employing isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) at 300K in 30mM Tris buffer solution. CD was employed as an anti-aggregation agent and the heats obtained for lysozyme+? CD interactions are reported and analyzed in terms of the extended solvation model. It was indicated that there are two sets of identical and non-cooperative sites for ? CD.
THE FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE A DRIVER'S CHOICE OF SPEED - A QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY

This study sets out to identify and quantify those factors which influence a driver's choice of speed. The factors investigated included demographic variables, driving habits, accident histories, and a range of psychological variables. The speeds and registration numbers of free-flowing vehicles were recorded on video. Using the registration number information, self-completion questionnaires were sent to the relevant drivers in order to collect detailed information on the variables under investigation, and to relate this to the speeds at which the drivers were travelling when filmed. Information was collected from over 5000 drivers at 24 differerent sites. Of those observed, the faster drivers tended to be young, driving high annual mileage in large cars, and to be travelling alone to and from work. A variety of interacting factors were found to influence a driver's choice of speed, but the largest single influence was from site characteristics, which accounted for over half of the variation in speed. Because of this, the analysis concentrated on speed relative to the mean for each site, rather than the absolute speed. Multivariate techniques were use to analyse the speed data and to explore the contribution of the demographic and psychological variables. Of the former, age proved to be the strongest predictor, and some of the psychological variables turned out to be reasonably robust. The modelling of the accident data confirmed results from recent studies, and the analysis suggests that a 1% change in the speed choice of an individual driver is associated with a 7.75% change in accident liability. (A)
BRAPH: A graph theory software for the analysis of brain connectivity

The brain is a large-scale complex network whose workings rely on the interaction between its various regions. In the past few years, the organization of the human brain network has been studied extensively using concepts from graph theory, where the brain is represented as a set of nodes connected by edges. This representation of the brain as a connectome can be used to assess important measures that reflect its topological architecture. We have developed a freeware MatLab-based software (BRAPH – BRain Analysis using graPH theory) for connectivity analysis of brain networks derived from structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), functional MRI (fMRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and electroencephalogram (EEG) data. BRAPH allows building connectivity matrices, calculating global and local network measures, performing non-parametric permutations for group comparisons, assessing the modules in the network, and comparing the results to random networks. By contrast to other toolboxes, it allows performing longitudinal comparisons of the same patients across different points in time. Furthermore, even though a user-friendly interface is provided, the architecture of the program is modular (object-oriented) so that it can be easily expanded and customized. To demonstrate the abilities of BRAPH, we performed structural and functional graph theory analyses in two separate studies. In the first study, using MRI data, we assessed the differences in global and nodal network topology in healthy controls, patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment, and patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In the second study, using resting-state fMRI data, we compared healthy controls and Parkinson’s patients with mild cognitive impairment.