Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary Omental Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor-What We Know and How Can We Deal With it, Based on Case Series and Review of Literature

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) are considered uncommon mesenchymal spindle-cell or epithelioid neoplasm, featuring Cajal cell-like differentiation; arise in high frequency from the stomach or small bowel. GISTs represent the majority of primary non-epithelial tumors of digestive tract, most frequently expressing the KIT protein a transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptor for stem cell factor and KIT/PDGFRA mutation. A small percentage of GISTs originate from extragastrointestinal masses like omentum, mesentery, and retroperitoneum. These tumors are commonly named “extra-gastrointestinal GISTs” (EGIST) and tend to be present in less than 5%-10% of cases. Although the incidence of EGIST, their clinicopathologic parameters and clinical implications have yet to be defined because of the rarity of these tumors. Besides that, these neoplasms with overlapping immunohistological features, have no connection to the gastric or intestinal wall. We describe few cases of omentum compromise and all the associated features. Omentum EGIST can grow slowly and remain quite silent despite the size, which is commonly a large tumor. Immunohistological features tend to be slight different from GIST and the prognosis is generally worse. In most cases, preoperative diagnosis it is difficult to make and the surgery is needed. Moreover, the role of imatinib, the drug of choice in the treatment of this disease, it´s still unclear in EGIST. Alternative therapies are on the field showing good results.
Prior Generic Arthroscopic Volume Correlates with Hip Arthroscopic Proficiency: A Simulator Study

Background: Changing trends in surgical education and patient expectation are leading to proficiency models of progression and the use of simulators. Hip arthroscopy is increasingly performed and has a steep learning curve mainly addressed during fellowship training. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of previous generic arthroscopic experience on performance at a simulated hip arthroscopy task to both estimate the minimum case numbers that correlate with expert proficiency levels and help to guide selection for hip arthroscopy fellowships. Methods: Fifty-two participants were recruited to a cross-sectional study. Four consultants (expert hip arthroscopists), 28 trainees (residents and fellows), and 20 novices (interns and medical students) performed a standardized bench-top simulated hip arthroscopy task. A validated global rating scale (GRS) score and motion analysis were used to assess surgical performance. Prior arthroscopic experience was recorded from surgical electronic logbooks. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to identify optimum cut-points for task proficiency at both expert and competent GRS levels. Results: There were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the arthroscopic ability of all experience groups based on GRS assessment and for all motion analysis metrics. There was a significant positive correlation between logbook numbers and GRS scores (p < 0.0001). ROC curve analysis demonstrated that a minimum of 610 prior arthroscopic procedures were necessary to achieve an expert GRS score, and 78 prior arthroscopic procedures were necessary for a competent score. Conclusions: Performing a basic hip arthroscopy task competently requires substantial previous generic arthroscopic experience. The numbers identified in this study provide targets for residents. Program directors appointing to hip arthroscopy fellowship training posts may find these results useful as a guide during the selection process.
Lytic Activity of Polyvalent Staphylococcal Bacteriophage PhiSA012 and Its Endolysin Lys-PhiSA012 Against Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcal Clinical Isolates From Canine Skin Infection Sites

The spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) in human and veterinary medicine is of global concern. Notably, the emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius has become a serious problem. In this context, bacteriophages and their lytic enzymes, endolysins, have received considerable attention as therapeutics for infectious diseases in place of antibiotics. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antibiotic-resistance patterns of staphylococcal species isolated from canine skin at a primary care animal hospital in Tokyo, Japan and evaluate the lytic activity of the staphylococcal bacteriophage phiSA012 and its endolysin Lys-phiSA012 against isolated antibiotic-resistant staphylococcal strains. Forty clinical staphylococcal samples were isolated from infection sites of dogs (20 from skin and 20 from the external ear canal). Susceptibility to antimicrobial agents was determined by a disk diffusion method. The host range of phiSA012 was determined by using a spot test against staphylococcal isolates. Against staphylococcal isolates that showed resistance toward five classes or more of antimicrobials, the lytic activity of phiSA012 and Lys-phiSA012 was evaluated using a turbidity reduction assay. Twenty-three S. pseudintermedius, 16 Staphylococcus schleiferi, and 1 Staphylococcus intermedius were detected from canine skin and ear infections, and results revealed 43.5% methicillin resistance in S. pseudintermedius and 31.3% in S. schleiferi. In addition, the prevalence multidrug resistance (MDR) S. pseudintermedius was 65.2%. PhiSA012 could infect all staphylococcal isolates by spot testing, but showed little lytic activity by turbidity reduction assay against MDR S. pseudintermedius isolates. On the other hand, Lys-phiSA012 showed lytic activity and reduced significantly the number of staphylococcal colony-forming units. These results demonstrated that ARB issues underlying in small animal hospital and proposed substitutes for antibiotics. Lys-phiSA012 has broader lytic activity than phiSA012 against staphylococcal isolates; therefore, Lys-phiSA012 is a more potential candidate therapeutic agent for several staphylococcal infections including that of canine skin.
Loudness discomfort level: selected methods and stimuli.

Two investigations were conducted (i) to determine a reliable procedure for obtaining loudness discomfort levels (LDL) and (ii) to observe the effects of frequency on the LDL. Three psychophysical methods were compared in the measurement of the LDL—a programmed method of constant stimuli, the method of adjustment, and a tracking method. The method of constants provided the most reliable judgments over six trials for a 1000‐Hz stimulus. The LDL was then measured utilizing the method of constants for pure tones at octave frequencies from 125 to 4000 Hz, and for a wide and narrow band of noise. The LDLs (in dB SPL) were highest at low frequencies (through 500 Hz) and relatively constant for 1000, 2000, 4000 Hz, and the wide‐band noise. The relatively high LDLs in the low frequencies are explained on the basis of difference in the intensity level for low frequencies measured in a conventional 6 cm3 coupler and that observed in the ear canal when a supra‐aural earphone is fitted on the head. When a correction is made for this difference the LDL results across frequency compared closely with results from loudness‐contour studies.
The Halo Effect: Considerations for the Evaluation of Counselor Competency

The following experimental study investigated the relationship of the halo effect and gender influence in the counseling evaluation of graduate students using the Counseling Skills Scales-Revised (CSS-R). Participants (N=74) were assigned to two groups where recipients of a digitally recorded counseling session were led to believe a novice performed the counseling session, and the second group was led to believe an expert performed the counseling session. Overall, the findings indicate the halo effect is a significant source of bias.
Comparison of thermogenic effect of fructose and glucose in normal humans.

After nutrient ingestion there is an increase in energy expenditure that has been referred to as dietary-induced thermogenesis. In the present study we have employed indirect calorimetry to compare the increment in energy expenditure after the ingestion of 75 g of glucose or fructose in 17 healthy volunteers. During the 4 h after glucose ingestion the plasma insulin concentration increased by 33 +/- 4 microU/ml and this was associated with a significant increase in carbohydrate oxidation and decrement in lipid oxidation. Energy expenditure increased by 0.08 +/- 0.01 kcal/min. When fructose was ingested, the plasma insulin concentration increased by only 8 +/- 2 microU/ml vs. glucose. Nonetheless, the increments in carbohydrate oxidation and decrement in lipid oxidation were significantly greater than with glucose. The increment in energy expenditure was also greater with fructose. When the mean increment in plasma insulin concentration after fructose was reproduced using the insulin clamp technique, the increase in carbohydrate oxidation and decrement in lipid oxidation were markedly reduced compared with the fructose-ingestion study; energy expenditure failed to increase above basal levels. To examine the role of the adrenergic nervous system in fructose-induced thermogenesis, fructose ingestion was also performed during beta-adrenergic blockade with propranolol. The increase in energy expenditure during fructose plus propranolol was lower than with fructose ingestion alone. These results indicate that the stimulation of thermogenesis after carbohydrate ingestion is related to an augmentation of cellular metabolism and is not dependent on an increase in the plasma insulin concentration per se. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Mutational screening of RET, HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, AKT1, and CTNNB1 in medullary thyroid carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Screening medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTCs) for rearranged during transfection (RET) mutations becomes increasingly important for clinical assessment of the disease. The role of mutations in other genes including RAS (i.e. HRAS, KRAS, and NRAS), v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1 (BRAF), v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT1), and CTNNB1 (β-catenin) is unknown or not fully explored yet for this disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material was the primary source for screening 13 sporadic and inherited MTCs and matched non-tumor specimens. Multiplex PCR was included in the PCR protocol. Sequence analysis encompassed mutational hotspot regions in RET exons 5, 8, 10, 11, and 13 to 16; HRAS exons 1 and 2; KRAS exons 1 and 2; NRAS exons 1 and 2; BRAF exon 15; AKT1 exon 2, and CTNNB1 exon 3. RESULTS We identified RET mutations in seven of 13 MTCs: five RET-positive cases revealed a mutation in exon 16 (M918T) and two a mutation in exon 10 (C618S and C620S). In four of the RET-positive cases, the mutation was inherited, out of which three were reportedly associated with a multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN2) syndrome, i.e. MEN2A (C618S), MEN2A/familial MTC (FMTC) (C620S), and MEN2B (M918T). These cases reflect the known MEN2 genotype-phenotype correlation. Three of the five stage IVc MTCs were inherited RET-positive cases. Mutational screening in HRAS, KRAS, NRAS, BRAF, AKT1, and CTNNB1 disclosed one sporadic RET-negative MTC (stage III) with mutation in HRAS codon 13 (G13R). CONCLUSION Our study supports the clinical relevance of screening MTC patients for RET mutations. The role of RAS mutations, in particular HRAS mutations, in sporadic RET-negative MTC has not been fully explored yet. Mutations in BRAF, AKT1, and CTNNB1 are likely not to play a role in MTC.
Obsessive‐compulsive disorder in youth with and without a chronic tic disorder

The goal of this study was to discriminate subtypes of pediatric obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD) among youth with and without a comorbid tic disorder. Seventy‐four youth (Mage=9.7±2.3 years) with a principal diagnosis of OCD, with (n=46) or without (n=28) a comorbid tic disorder, were assessed with a semi‐structured diagnostic interview and the Children's Yale Brown Obsessive‐Compulsive Scale (CY‐BOCS). The CY‐BOCS Symptom Checklist was used to categorize obsessions and compulsions. Group differences were analyzed by t tests, χ2, and discriminant function analyses. Results suggested that subjects without tics had significantly more contamination obsessions, sexual obsessions, and counting compulsions than youth with comorbid tics. Generally speaking, however, youth with and without tics had similar symptom presentations. These data suggest that pediatric OCD patients with and without comorbid tics may have some aspects of symptom presentation that differ, but generally have more OCD symptoms in common than different. Implications of these findings on clinical presentation and treatment efficacy are highlighted. Depression and Anxiety. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Configurable Error Control Scheme for NoC Signal Integrity

In this paper we propose a novel error control scheme to cope with errors affecting the communication links of a NoC. Our scheme can be configured in correction mode, detection mode, and mixed mode, depending on the particular application, thus allowing to meet different quality of service (QoS) levels in terms of error control. For each configuration mode, we propose different error control policies and we consider SEC hamming codes SEC/DED Hsiao codes, and symbol error correcting codes. We evaluate advantages and drawbacks of each approach, in terms of signal integrity, area overhead and impact on performance.
Corticosteroid therapy increases membrane‐tethered while decreases secreted mucin expression in nasal polyps

Background: Mucus hypersecretion is a hallmark of nasal polyposis (NP). Corticosteroids (CS) are first‐line treatment for NP, decreasing their size and inflammatory component. However, their effect on mucin production is not well‐understood. The aim of this (pilot) study was to investigate CS effect on mucin expression in NP.
MOSQUITOES LARVICIDAL ACTIVITY OF LEAF EXTRACT OF NEEM ( Azadirachta indica)

The larrvicidal activity of Mosquito and phytochemical screening of Methanol extract of leaves belongs to the family Meliaceae have been evaluated in the present study. Larvicidal effect on 3 and 4 instar larvae of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus to test concentrations of 50,100,150,200mg of Methanol and Ethanol extract of leaf of Azadirachta indica in 100ml of water.200mg concentration shows maximum mortality of the larvae when compared150 (70%),100(50%) and 50(40%) concentration were observed. Presence of Caproic Acid,4-butoxy butanol, Oleic acid, Decanoic acid,8 methyl, methyl ester,N-methyl-N-N-di(2-(4-Pyridyl)ethyl)-(2-pyridyl)ethylamine,6(E), 9 (Z), 13(E),Penedectriene, Phytol, Cis, Cis, Cis-7,10,13-Hexadecatrienal were found in GC/MS analysis of leaf extract.
REPRODUCTIVE EFFICACY IN FEMALE RAT EXPOSED TO BISPHENOL A DURING GESTATION PERIOD

The study was conduct to determine the effect of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) during gestation on serum reproductive hormones levels (Estradiol" E2", Luteinizing Hormone "LH" and folliclestimulating Hormone" FSH"), age and weight at vaginal opening onset as well as reproductive efficacy in F1 female offspring. Thirty six pregnant female rats (F0) were gavage three doses of BPA suspended in corn oil (50 μg, 50 mg, 250 mg/kg/BW) or corn oil only as control group from gestational day (GD) 6 till gestation day (GD) 21. After delivery, twelve female pups of each group were hold for three months; However, Female rats' offspring, after weaning, were weighed and checked for vaginal opening (VO) every day until completion, then at postnatal day (PND) 90, blood samples were collected from six F1 female of each group to perform hormonal tests and other six females were mated with untreated male rat in a separate cage for 14 days in order to evaluate fertility efficacy. The results showed significant increased (P<0.05) in serum E2 levels, and decrease in LH level, but FSH levels were unchanged in all treated groups compared with control group. The results also revealed significant decrease age at VO onset in all treated groups compared with control group , while body weight at age of VO onset was non-significantly differ between all groups. Fertility rate, number of birth and implantation sites were reduced and resorption sites were elevated in F1 female rats that gestationally exposed to deferent levels of BPA in comparison with control group. From the present study it has been revealed that the BPA exposures during pregnancy adversely affect F1 female reproduction and caused early puberty onset. Bas.j.vet.Res. Vol.12,No.2,2013
Fixed and adaptive beamforming improves speech perception in noise in cochlear implant recipients equipped with the MED-EL SONNET audio processor

Objective To determine the impact of the fixed and adaptive beamforming technology of the new MED-EL SONNET cochlear implant audio processor on speech perception in noise. Methods The study cohort comprises 18 postlingually deafened adult cochlear implant recipients with at least six months of experience. Speech reception thresholds were measured with the Oldenburg Sentence Test in continuous, speech-shaped noise. Target sentences were presented in front of the listener, with noise sources placed at -135° and 135°, respectively. Outcome measures were the differences in speech reception threshold using omnidirectional, fixed and adaptive beamformer microphone settings. Results The use of directional microphones significantly improved speech reception thresholds: fixed beamformer vs. omnidirectional: 4.3 dB (95%-CI [3.1; 5.5]), p<0.0001; adaptive beamformer vs. omnidirectional: 6.1 dB (95%-CI [4.9; 7.3]), p<0.0001; and adaptive beamformer vs. fixed beamformer: 1.8 dB (95%-CI [0.7; 3.0]), p = 0.001. Conclusion This study confirms the previously reported improvements in speech perception in noise of the fixed beamformer microphone setting and is the first to report significant improvements in speech perception in noise when applying the adaptive beamformer microphone settings of the SONNET audio processor. Cochlear implant users may be able to benefit from improved hearing performance especially in difficult listening situations.
The role of attention at retrieval on the false recognition of negative emotional DRM lists

ABSTRACT This study examined the role of attention at retrieval on the false recognition of emotional items using the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM) paradigm. Previous research has shown that divided attention at test increases false remember judgements for neutral critical lures. However, no research has yet directly assessed emotional false memories when attention is manipulated at retrieval. To examine this, participants studied negative (low in valence and high in arousal) and neutral DRM lists and completed recognition tests under conditions of full and divided attention. Results revealed that divided attention at retrieval increased false remember judgements for all critical lures compared to retrieval under full attention, but in both retrieval conditions, false memories were greater for negative compared to neutral stimuli. We believe that this is due to reliance on a more easily accessible (meaning of the word) but less diagnostic form of source monitoring, amplified under conditions of divided attention.
Low complexity greedy, genetic and hybrid user scheduling algorithms for multiuser MIMO systems with successive zero‐forcing

In this paper, we consider low complexity user scheduling algorithms for multiuser multiple‐input multiple‐output systems employing successive zero‐forcing precoding. Optimal scheduling involves an exhaustive search (ES), which is prohibitively complex. Greedy algorithms (GrAs) with heuristic scheduling metrics achieve performance close to that of the ES. Meanwhile, genetic algorithms (GAs) are a rapid suboptimal option of optimising utility (e.g. scheduling) metrics. Herein, we evaluate the performance and complexity of greedy and genetic scheduling algorithms for successive zero‐forcing. We also propose and evaluate two hybrid algorithms combining the traits of the GrA and GA. The algorithms' performance is assessed through a series of computer simulations. We demonstrate both the GrA and GA achieve a near‐optimal sum rate with low complexity, whereas the hybrid algorithms further enhance the GrA and GA performance without an increase in the order of complexity.Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Determinants of financial performance in private banks: A case in Ethiopia

The objective of this study is to empirically assess the effect of bank-specific and macroeconomic determinants of Ethiopian private commercial banks financial performance using three measures namely, return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and economic value added (EVA) for the period 2006 to 2015 by using multiple regression on a sample of seven private commercial banks. The results indicated that performance persists to some extent, indicating the existence of relatively fair competitive market in private commercial banking environment. Regarding the explanatory variables from bank-specific determinants, Capital adequacy (CAP has a significant and positive relation with ROA and significant and negative relation with ROE and EVA. In addition, ASQ has a significant and negative relation with ROA and insignificant and negative relation with ROE and EVA. Whereas ME affect bank performance (ROA, ROE and EVA) significantly and negatively. On the other hand, LIQ and BS affect bank performance (ROA, ROE and EVA) significantly and positively. Furthermore, GDP has an outsized positive and significant effect on both ROE and EVA but an insignificant effect on ROA. Therefore, Ethiopian commercial banks policy makers and managers should give high emphasis on CAP, ASQ, ME, LIQ, BS and GDP as these were found to have significant effect on private commercial banks financial performance. Key words: Financial performance, return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and economic value added (EVA).