Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Neoadjuvant (Chemo)radiotherapy With Total Mesorectal Excision Only Is Not Sufficient to Prevent Lateral Local Recurrence in Enlarged Nodes: Results of the Multicenter Lateral Node Study of Patients With Low cT3/4 Rectal Cancer.

PURPOSE Improvements in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery, and the use of (chemo)radiotherapy ([C]RT) have improved local control of rectal cancer; however, we have been unable to eradicate local recurrence (LR). Even in the face of TME and negative resection margins (R0), a significant proportion of patients with enlarged lateral lymph nodes (LLNs) suffer from lateral LR (LLR). Japanese studies suggest that the addition of an LLN dissection (LLND) could reduce LLR. This multicenter pooled analysis aims to ascertain whether LLNs actually pose a problem and whether LLND results in fewer LLRs. PATIENTS AND METHODS Data from 1,216 consecutive patients with cT3/T4 rectal cancers up to 8 cm from the anal verge who underwent surgery in a 5-year period were collected. LLND was performed in 142 patients (12%). MRIs were re-evaluated with a standardized protocol to assess LLN features. RESULTS On pretreatment MRI, 703 patients (58%) had visible LLN, and 192 (16%) had a short axis of at least 7 mm. One hundred eight patients developed LR (5-year LR rate, 10.0%), of which 59 (54%) were LLRs (5-year LLR rate, 5.5%). After multivariable analyses, LLNs with a short axis of at least 7 mm resulted in a significantly higher risk of LLR (hazard ratio, 2.060; P = .045) compared with LLNs of less than 7 mm. In patients with LLNs at least 7 mm, (C)RT plus TME plus LLND resulted in a 5-year LLR of 5.7%, which was significantly lower than that in patients who underwent (C)RT plus TME (5-year LLR, 19.5%; P = .042). CONCLUSION LLR is still a significant problem after (C)RT plus TME in LLNs with a short axis at least 7 mm on pretreatment MRI. The addition of LLND results in a significantly lower LLR rate.
Randomized controlled clinical trials versus real-life atrial fibrillation patients treated with oral anticoagulants. Do we treat the same patients?

BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to compare clinical characteristics of real-life AF patients with populations included in randomized clinical trials (ROCKET AF and RE-LY). METHODS The analysis included 3528 patients who are participants of the ongoing, multicentre, retrospective CRAFT study. The study is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02987062. The study is based on a retrospective analysis of hospital records of AF patients treated with vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) (acenocoumarol, warfarin) and non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) (dabigatran, rivaroxaban). CHADS₂ score was used for risk of stroke stratification. RESULTS VKA was prescribed in 1973 (56.0%), while NOAC in 1549 (44.0%), including dabigatran - 504 (14.3%) and rivaroxaban - 1051 (29.8%), of the 3528 patients. VKA patients in the CRAFT study were at significantly lower risk of stroke (CHADS₂ 1.9 ± 1.3), compared with the VKA population from the RE-LY (2.1 ± 1.1) and the ROCKET-AF (3.5 ± 1.0). Patients in the CRAFT study treated with NOAC (CHADS₂ for patients on dabigatran 150 mg - 1.3 ± 1.2 and on rivaroxaban - 2.2 ± 1.4) had lower risk than pts from the RE-LY (2.2 ± 1.2) and the ROCKET AF (3.5 ± 0.9). CONCLUSIONS Real-world patients had a lower risk of stroke than patients included in the RE-LY and ROCKET AF trials.
A Portable  $K$ -Band 3-D MIMO Radar With Nonuniformly Spaced Array for Short-Range Localization

This paper presents a <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$K$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) radar for short-range localization. This radar features 3-D imaging capability, which can obtain the range, azimuth angle, and zenith angle of a target. The proposed radar system implements the concept of MIMO to synthesize a planar array that realizes 2-D digital beamforming with a small number of transmitter and receiver (T/R) channels. A nonuniformly spaced array configuration is also designed to further reduce the number of T/R channels without sacrificing the beamwidth and sidelobe level. The design principle is detailed in this paper. A prototype with eight transmitter channels and eight receiver channels has been built. A calibration procedure was developed to remove path delays of different MIMO channels. Experiments of the proposed <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${K}$ </tex-math></inline-formula>-band MIMO radar prototype reveal its capability in the 3-D localization of multiple targets. This prototype features 7.2° 2-D angular resolution, 90° field of view, −10-dB sidelobe level, and wireless data transfer.
Blind Source Separation Using Incomplete De-mixing Transform with a Precise Approach for Selecting Constrained Sets of Frequencies

This paper presents a modification of the Natural Gradient algorithm for Independent Vector Analysis estimating incomplete de-mixing transform and performing its completion. Incomplete de-mixing transform is obtained when it is estimated only on subsets of most active frequencies of the sources. The transform is then completed using methods for sparse reconstruction. In previous works, the incomplete subset of frequencies was the same for all separated signals. In this paper, we propose a new approach in which the subsets are source-dependent. Experiments conducted on the CHiME-4 dataset show that the proposed approach improves the separation performance.
God's healing leaves: The colonial quest for medicinal plants in the Torrid Zone

Abstract The colonial era witnessed a fevered quest for exotic medicinal plants by European physicians and scientists. This essay explores the geographical principles that oriented the search towards the lands and peoples of the humid tropics. Believing that God had planted botanical cures for diseases in their places of origin, medicinal plant collectors concentrated their efforts in the pestilential equatorial latitudes. Although many subscribed to the ancient Doctrine of Signatures, colonial bioprospectors discovered early that indigenous and diasporic peoples represented storehouses of plant knowledge. Assuming that native knowhow constituted more instinct than intelligence, Europeans employed coercion, bribes, torture, and promises of freedom to extract their ethnomedical secrets. In the case of especially lucrative healing plants, imperial and colonial entities conspired to pilfer and naturalize endemic species in their distant colonies. In response to this legacy of inappropriate exploitation of native peoples and tropical plants during the colonial era, most present day bioprospectors follow established codes of ethnobotanical ethics.
Vitiligo after alemtuzumab treatment

Objective To report 3 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) showing vitiligo after treatment with alemtuzumab. Methods Retrospective case series including flow cytometric analyses and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Results We describe 3 cases of alemtuzumab-treated patients with RRMS developing vitiligo 52, 18, and 14 months after alemtuzumab initiation. Histopathology shows loss of epidermal pigmentation with absence of melanocytes and interface dermatitis with CD8+ T-cell infiltration. Also compatible with pathophysiologic concepts of vitiligo, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of one patient showed high proportions of CD8+ T cells with an activated (human leukocyte antigen–DR+), memory (CD45RO+), and type 1 cytokine (interferon-γ + tumor necrosis factor–α) phenotype at vitiligo onset compared to a control cohort of alemtuzumab-treated patients with RRMS (n = 30). Of note, analysis of CD8 TCR repertoire in this patient revealed a highly increased clonality and reduced repertoire diversity compared to healthy controls and treatment-naive patients with RRMS. We observed a predominance of single clones at baseline in this patient and alemtuzumab treatment did not substantially affect the proportions of most abundant clones over time. Conclusion The 3 cases represent a detailed description of vitiligo as a T-cell-mediated secondary autoimmune disease following alemtuzumab treatment. The prevailing concept of unleashed B-cell responses might therefore not cover all facets of alemtuzumab-related secondary autoimmunity. Mechanistic studies, especially on TCR repertoire, might help clarify the underlying mechanisms.
Propranolol eye drops in patients with corneal neovascularization

Rationale: Studies performed in animal models of corneal neovascularization suggested the possible efficacy of a treatment with propranolol. Corneal neovascularization is one of the most feared complications of Stevens–Johnson syndrome that frequently involves ocular surface. We report the first 2 patients with severe ocular neo-vascularization treated with different degrees of success, with propranolol eye drops. Patient concerns: Two patients with corneal neovascularization complicating the Stevens–Johnson syndrome, not responsive to steroids and cyclosporine, were treated with propranolol eye drops. Diagnoses: Corneal neovascularization was detected by ophthalmoscopic evaluation. Interventions: Topical treatment with propranolol eye drops at different concentrations. Outcomes: Both patients reported dramatic subjective benefits (reduction of photophobia and discomfort) without adverse effects, and in the patient with a less advanced disease, an objective reduction of neovascularization and an improved visual acuity was observed. Lessons: This experience suggests that propranolol might be an inexpensive, safe and effective treatment in counteracting the progression of corneal neovascularization.
Efficacy of bendamustine and rituximab in splenic marginal zone lymphoma: results from the phase II BRISMA/IELSG36 study

Splenectomy in addition to immunotherapy with rituximab can provide quick and sometimes durable disease control in patients with splenic marginal zone lymphoma (SMZL). However, systemic chemotherapy is ultimately required in many cases. The BRISMA (Bendamustine‐rituximab as first‐line treatment of splenic marginal zone lymphoma)/IELSG (International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group)36 trial is an open‐label, single arm phase II study designed by the IELSG in cooperation with the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi and the lymphoma Study Association according to Simon's two‐stage method. The primary endpoint was complete response rate. Fifty‐six patients with SMZL diagnosis confirmed on central revision were treated with bendamustine (90 mg/m2 days 1, 2) and rituximab (375 mg/m2 day 1) every 28 days for six cycles (B‐R). The overall response and CR rates were 91% and 73%, respectively. Duration of response, progression‐free survival and overall survival at 3 years were 93% (95% confidence interval [CI] 81–98), 90% (95% CI 77–96) and 96% (95% CI 84–98), respectively. Toxicity was mostly haematological. Neutropenia grade ≥3 was recorded in 43% of patients; infections and febrile neutropenia in 5·4% and 3·6%. Overall, 14 patients (25%) experienced serious adverse events. Five patients (9%) went off‐study because of toxicity and one patient died from infection. In conclusion, B‐R resulted in a very effective first‐line regimen for SMZL. Based on the results achieved in the BRISMA trial, B‐R should be considered when a chemotherapy combination with rituximab is deemed necessary for symptomatic SMZL patients.
AC-YVAD-CMK Inhibits Pyroptosis and Improves Functional Outcome after Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) refers to bleeding in the brain and is associated with the release of large amount of inflammasomes, and the activation of different cell death pathways. These cell death pathways lead to removal of inactivated and damaged cells and also result in neuronal cell damage. Pyroptosis is a newly discovered cell death pathway that has gained attention in recent years. This pathway mainly depends on activation of caspase-1-mediated cascades to cause cell death. We tested a well-known selective inhibitor of caspase-1, AC-YVAD-CMK, which has previously been found to have neuroprotective effects in ICH mice model, to ascertain its effects on the activation of inflammasomes mediated pyroptosis. Our results showed that AC-YVAD-CMK could reduce caspase-1 activation and inhibit IL-1β production and maturation, but has no effect on NLRP3 expression, an upstream inflammatory complex. AC-YVAD-CMK administration also resulted in reduction in M1-type microglia polarization around the hematoma, while increasing the number of M2-type cells. Furthermore, AC-YVAD-CMK treated mice showed some recovery of neurological function after hemorrhage especially at the hyperacute and subacute stage resulting in some degree of limb movement. In conclusion, we are of the view that AC-YVAD-CMK could inhibit pyroptosis, decrease the secretion or activation of inflammatory factors, and affect the polarization of microglia resulting in improvement of neurological function after ICH.
Neuroadaptive Fault-Tolerant Control of Quadrotor UAVs: A More Affordable Solution

This paper investigates the position and attitude tracking control problem of a quadrotor unmanned aerial vehicle subject to modeling uncertainties and actuator failures. A comprehensive mathematical model reflecting the nonlinearity and state-space coupling of the dynamics as well as actuation faults and external disturbances is derived. By combining the radial basis function neural networks (NNs) with virtual parameter estimating algorithms, an indirect NN-based adaptive fault-tolerant control scheme is developed, which exhibits several attractive features as compared with most existing methods: 1) it is not only robust and adaptive to nonparametric uncertainties but also tolerant to unexpected actuation faults; 2) it ensures stable tracking without the need for precise information on system model; and 3) it only involves one lumped parameter adaptation, thus is structurally simpler and computationally less expensive, rendering the resultant scheme less demanding in programming and more affordable for onboard implementation. The effectiveness and benefits of the proposed method are confirmed via computer simulation.
Federated Learning for Mobile Keyboard Prediction

We train a recurrent neural network language model using a distributed, on-device learning framework called federated learning for the purpose of next-word prediction in a virtual keyboard for smartphones. Server-based training using stochastic gradient descent is compared with training on client devices using the Federated Averaging algorithm. The federated algorithm, which enables training on a higher-quality dataset for this use case, is shown to achieve better prediction recall. This work demonstrates the feasibility and benefit of training language models on client devices without exporting sensitive user data to servers. The federated learning environment gives users greater control over the use of their data and simplifies the task of incorporating privacy by default with distributed training and aggregation across a population of client devices.
Evaluating Women’s Preferences for Hepatitis C Treatment During Pregnancy

There is a rising prevalence of hepatitis C (HCV) among women of child‐bearing age nationally, which prompted a recommendation by national guidelines to screen all women for HCV during pregnancy. Women with HCV during pregnancy are at risk of perinatal transmission of HCV. Directly acting antiviral (DAA) therapy during pregnancy can potentially reduce the risk of perinatal transmission as well as cure women while they are engaged in antenatal care. However, data on the safety and efficacy of DAAs during pregnancy are limited. We aimed to evaluate the preferences of women with HCV regarding potential DAA treatment during pregnancy. We conducted a survey of women with a history of HCV followed in the University of California, San Francisco HCV clinic and in the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (most of whom are coinfected with HIV) to determine their preferences for DAA treatment during pregnancy. A total of 141 women completed the survey. Sixty percent reported that they would be willing to take antepartum DAA therapy if it lowered the risk of perinatal transmission. Only 21% reported that they would agree to take DAA therapy during pregnancy for self‐cure; 20% of women stated that they would not, yet indicated that they might change their minds if there were more human data available regarding use of DAAs during pregnancy. In multivariable analysis, having a previous history of taking DAAs and being of childbearing age at the time of the survey were associated with willingness to take DAA medication during pregnancy (odds ratios 4.29 and 4.11, respectively). Conclusion: These results point to the need for further investigation of the role of HCV therapy during pregnancy.
Abnormal sensory gating in patients with different types of focal dystonias

Movement execution in healthy individuals increases the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold. These changes are a result of mechanisms of sensory gating at the subcortical level. Although the somatosensory temporal discrimination threshold is abnormally increased in patients with focal dystonias, the effect of movement execution on somatosensory temporal discrimination in dystonic patients is unknown.
Is the association between social network types, depressive symptoms and life satisfaction mediated by the perceived availability of social support? A cross-sectional analysis using the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

Abstract Objectives: The objectives of this study were to examine: 1) whether the relationship between social network types, depressive symptoms and life satisfaction is mediated by different types of perceived social support; and, 2) whether social support plays a mediational role for married versus unmarried older adults. Methods: The study was based on national, baseline data (Tracking Cohort) from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging for participants aged 65 to 85 (N = 8782). Five social network types derived from cluster analysis were used as predictors in the mediation analyses, with the four social support subscales of the Medical Outcomes Survey (MOS) Social Support Survey (tangible, emotional, positive social interactions, and affectionate) included as mediators, and depressive symptoms and life satisfaction as outcome variables. Socio-demographic and physical health variables were included as covariates. Results: Significant indirect effects emerged, with less diverse social network structures generally associated with less social support which, in turn, was related to more depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction. However, different findings emerged for different types of social support, for participants who were married and unmarried, and for depressive symptoms versus life satisfaction. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that restricted social networks that are reflective of social isolation, as well as those that are intermediate in terms of their diversity can create gaps in perceived social support and, consequently, can negatively impact mental health and life satisfaction.
Back-Pressure Based Adaptive Traffic Signal Control and Vehicle Routing with Real-Time Control Information Update

Back-pressure algorithm has been shown to be effective in reducing traffic congestion. However, available works on back-pressure based traffic control usually ignore the fact that vehicles need time to travel across roads, resulting in inconsistency between controllers' viewpoint of traffic congestion situation and real traffic situation and thus misleading controllers. In this paper, we propose back-pressure based adaptive traffic signal control and vehicle routing with real-time control information update such that controllers always have consistent viewpoint of traffic congestion with real traffic situation and make wise signal control and vehicle routing decisions. As verified by simulations, our algorithm significantly reduces traffic congestion. For example, it reduces average vehicle travelling time by percentage ranging from 71% to 87% under high vehicle arrival rates when compared to other three algorithms.
A Geometric Approach of Gradient Descent Algorithms in Linear Neural Networks

In this paper, we propose a geometric framework to analyze the convergence properties of gradient descent trajectories in the context of linear neural networks. We translate a well-known empirical observation of linear neural nets into a conjecture that we call the \emph{overfitting conjecture} which states that, for almost all training data and initial conditions, the trajectory of the corresponding gradient descent system converges to a global minimum. This would imply that the solution achieved by vanilla gradient descent algorithms is equivalent to that of the least-squares estimation, for linear neural networks of an arbitrary number of hidden layers. Built upon a key invariance property induced by the network structure, we first establish convergence of gradient descent trajectories to critical points of the square loss function in the case of linear networks of arbitrary depth. Our second result is the proof of the \emph{overfitting conjecture} in the case of single-hidden-layer linear networks with an argument based on the notion of normal hyperbolicity and under a generic property on the training data (i.e., holding for almost all training data).
Influence of Mediterranean Diet on Blood Pressure

Hypertension is the main risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality. Some studies have reported that food typical of the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and extra virgin olive oil, have a favorable effect on the risk of hypertension, whereas food not typical of this dietary pattern such as red meat, processed meat, and poultry has an unfavorable effect. In this review, we have summarized observational and intervention studies, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews that have evaluated the effects of the MedDiet as a pattern towards blood pressure (BP). However, the number of such studies is small. In general terms, the MedDiet has a favorable effect in reducing BP in hypertensive or healthy people but we do not have enough data to declare how strong this effect is. Many more studies are required to fully understand the BP changes induced by the MedDiet.