Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The relationship between diurnal blood pressure abnormalities and target organ damage in normotensive subjects. Which is more important? Increased blood pressure levels or circadian blood pressure abnormalities

ABSTRACT Objective: Circadian blood pressure (CBP) abnormalities are well-known risk factors for many diseases such as cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and chronic kidney disease. The object of this study was to evaluate the relationship between abnormalities in CBP rhythm and target organ damage (TOD) in normotensive non-dipper (non-DP) subjects. Methods: The 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring (ABPM) and echocardiography were performed and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) was measured in 127 normotensive dipper (DP) (42 males, 85 females) and 337 (89 males, 248 females) normotensive non-DP subjects. Results: When we compared DP and non-DP subjects; Pulse wave velocity (PWV) (7.12 ± 1.72 vs 7.57 ± 1.87 m/s, p = 0.02), the percentile of corrected PWV (cPWV) (7.1 vs. 20.2, p= 0.001) and the percentile of corrected augmentation index (cAIx) (23.5 vs. 33.9, p = 0.03), left ventricle mass index (LVMI) (78.00 ± 23.27 vs. 95.59 ± 18.29 g/m2, p = 0.01), relative wall thickness (RWT)(0.36 ± 0.13 vs 0.46 ± 0.09, p = 0.01), percentile of proteinuria (8.6 vs 29.2%, p = 0.00) were higher in non-DP group. In the correlation analyses, the PWV, LVMI, RWT were negatively correlated with the rate of systolic fall in nighttime (%)(−0.15, p = 0.01 vs. −0.23, p = 0.02 vs. −0.27, p = 0.00). It was observed that cPWV, cAIx, and UAE were independently associated with age and non-DP status (NDS), in logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Our results suggested that normotensive persons with CBP abnormalities had TOD. In light of the data of this article, non-dipper status is detected in the early period and if the provision of diurnal blood pressure rhythm may reduce the incidence of future adverse events in nondipper normotensive subjects.
Detection of Frames With Single Complete Signs of Finger Alphabet in Video Sequence Using Visual Attention Approach

Abstract Visual information is very important in human communication. It is used in any type of sign language communication, and in non-verbal communication of the entire population, as well. Therefore, visual information is crucial for communication of hearing impaired people. Video is the most common way to capture this type of information and it is very important to correctly process it. In this paper we propose a method for finding video frames representing single sign in the finger alphabet. The single sign is identified using standard video quality metrics. The calculations of the metrics are performed only within a region, which is determined by combination of object tracking and salient regions detection method based on human visual attention. For key frame selection, combination of sliding system for finding local extreme and adaptive threshold based on local averaging and variation is used. Proposed method is effective and achieves significantly better results in comparison with other commonly used methods.
Molecular pathology of tumors of the central nervous system

Abstract Since the update of the 4th edition of the WHO Classification of Central Nervous System (CNS) Tumors published in 2016, particular molecular characteristics are part of the definition of a subset of these neoplasms. This combined ‘histo-molecular’ approach allows for a much more precise diagnosis of especially diffuse gliomas and embryonal CNS tumors. This review provides an update of the most important diagnostic and prognostic markers for state-of-the-art diagnosis of primary CNS tumors. Defining molecular markers for diffuse gliomas are IDH1/IDH2 mutations, 1p/19q codeletion and mutations in histone H3 genes. Medulloblastomas, the most frequent embryonal CNS tumors, are divided into four molecularly defined groups according to the WHO 2016 Classification: wingless/integrated (WNT) signaling pathway activated, sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway activated and tumor protein p53 gene (TP53)-mutant, SHH-activated and TP53-wildtype, and non-WNT/non-SHH-activated. Molecular characteristics are also important for the diagnosis of several other CNS tumors, such as RELA fusion-positive subtype of ependymoma, atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT), embryonal tumor with multilayered rosettes, and solitary fibrous tumor/hemangiopericytoma. Immunohistochemistry is a helpful alternative for further molecular characterization of several of these tumors. Additionally, genome-wide methylation profiling is a very promising new tool in CNS tumor diagnostics. Much progress has thus been made by translating the most relevant molecular knowledge into a more precise clinical diagnosis of CNS tumors. Hopefully, this will enable more specific and more effective therapeutic approaches for the patients suffering from these tumors.
Exceptional genetic variability of hepatitis B virus indicates that Rwanda is east of an emerging African genotype E/A1 divide

In Western Africa, hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype E predominates throughout a vast crescent spanning from Senegal to Namibia and at least to the Central African Republic to the East. Although from most of the eastern parts of sub‐Saharan Africa only limited sets of strains have been characterized, these belong predominantly to genotype A. To study how far the genotype E crescent extends to the East, a larger number of HBV strains from Rwanda were analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis of 45 S fragment sequences revealed strains of genotypes A (n = 30), D (n = 10), C (n = 4), and B (n = 1). Twelve genotype A sequences formed a new cluster clearly separated from the reference strains of the known sub‐genotypes. Thus, with four genotypes and at least six sub‐genotypes and a new cluster of genotype A strains, HBV shows an exceptional genetic variability in this small country, unprecedented in sub‐Saharan Africa. Despite this exceptional genetic variability, not a single genotype E virus was found indicating that this country does not belong to the genotype E crescent, but is east of an emerging African genotype E/A1 divide. J. Med. Virol. 81:435–440, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Quantum Perturbation Theory in Fluid Mixtures

Experimental assessment of macroscopic thermo-dynamical parameters under extreme conditions is almost impossible and very expensive. Therefore, theoretical EOS for further experiments or evaluation is inevitable. In spite of other efficient methods of calculation such as integral equations and computer simulations, we have used perturbation theory because of its extensive qualities. Moreover, other methods are more time consuming than perturbation theories. When one wants to deal with realistic intermolecular interactions, the problem of deriving the thermodynamic and structural properties of the system becomes rather formida‐ ble. Thus, perturbation theories of liquid have been devised since the mid-20th century. Thermodynamic perturbation theory offers a molecular, as opposed to continuum approach to the prediction of fluid thermodynamic properties. Although, perturbation predictions are not expected to rival those of advanced integral-equations or large scale computer simulations methods, they are far more numerically efficient than the latter approaches and often produced comparably accurate results.
Effect of omega-3 plus methylphenidate as an alternative therapy to reduce attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder in children

Background Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common chronic behavioral disorders in school-aged children. Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the effect of omega-3 supplementation as an alternative therapy for ADHD, which can be caused by vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Methods This was a double-blinded clinical trial study. Sixty-six children with ADHD (aged 6–12 years) referred to our child and adolescent psychiatric educational and therapeutic clinic were selected based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Text Revision criteria. Instruments including the Parent ADHD Rating Scale were used to assess ADHD at 0, 2, 4, and 8 weeks during thestudy. Results The results showed no statistically significant difference between the methylphenidate with omega-3 group and methylphenidate with placebo group based on the Parents ADHD Rating Scale between week 0 (P≥0.96) and week 8 (P≥0.75). There were no significant intergroup differences between the Inattention (P≥0.48) and hyperactivity/impulsivity (P≥0.80) subscale scores on the Parents ADHD Rating Scale. The most common drug complications in the methylphenidate with placebo and methylphenidate with omega-3 groups were anorexia (27 [54%] vs. 41 [60.29%], respectively) and diarrhea (10 [20%] vs. 8 [11.76%], respectively), but the differences were not statistically significant (P> 0.05). Conclusion Our results demonstrate that a specific dose of omega-3 for 8 weeks had no effect on ADHD.
Surgical outcomes of immediate sequential bilateral vitreoretinal surgery for advancing retinopathy of prematurity

Purpose: Bilateral eye surgery in the same session may be required for advancing stage 4 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of immediate sequential bilateral vitreoretinal surgery (ISBVS) in stage 4 ROP. Methods: In a retrospective interventional study at a tertiary care center, 60 eyes of 30 infants who underwent ISBVS for stage 4 ROP between December 2015 and May 2017 were studied. In cases with clear retrolental access, 25G or 27G lens sparing vitrectomy (LSV) was performed and in the rest 25G lensectomy with vitrectomy (LV) was performed through clear corneal entries. The final anatomical outcome measures were the status of tractional retinal detachment (TRD) and macular status. Results: The mean gestational age was 28.4 ± 2.0 weeks and birth weight was 1214.5 ± 329.7gms. The mean postconceptional age at surgery was 40.8 ± 2.2 weeks. Stages 4a and 4b were present in 86.7% and 13.3% eyes respectively. LSV was performed in 95% eyes whereas LV was performed in the rest. None of the eyes developed lens touch, choroidal hemorrhage, postoperative hypotony, corneal decompensation, or endophthalmitis. At last follow-up (mean 45 weeks, range 20–68 weeks), macula was attached in 90% eyes with the TRD resolved completely in 61.7% eyes and significantly decreased in another 25% eyes. Sequalae included macular drag, epiretinal membrane, and progression to fibrotic stage 5 disease. Conclusion: ISBVS is safe and effective for bilateral stage 4 ROP and should be recommended in rapidly progressive cases.
Dietary Intake of Pleurotus eryngii Ameliorated Dextran-Sodium-Sulfate-Induced Colitis in Mice.

SCOPE Pleurotus eryngii, an edible mushroom, is widely consumed as a functional food for various health benefits due to its multiple bioactive components. There are growing interests in using whole-food-based strategies to prevent colonic inflammation via potential synergistic interactions among different components within the whole foods. However, limited research is focused on the inhibitory effects of the whole P. eryngii mushroom against inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS AND RESULTS The protective effects of P. eryngii mushroom against IBD are determined in the dextran-sodium-sulfate-induced colitis model in mice. Dietary administration of P. eryngii (1 and 3% w/w) alleviates colonic inflammation, which is evidenced by decreased disease index, increased colon length, and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colonic mucosa. Sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of fecal microbiota demonstrates that P. eryngii mushroom significantly alters the structure of microbiota and partially reverses the shifts of fecal microbiota induced by DSS treatment. The levels of SCFAs in the cecum are increased by P. eryngii mushroom. CONCLUSION Overall, the results demonstrate the anti-inflammatory and microbiota-modulating effects of P. eryngii mushroom as a whole-food-based ingredient against IBD, and its potential as a prebiotic agent to prevent inflammation-related disorders in humans.
Psychotropic Medications are Associated with Increased Liver Disease Severity in Pediatric NAFLD.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether pediatric patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) exposed to psychotropic medications have more severe liver disease compared to their counterparts who are not on these medications. We hypothesize that use of psychotropic agents is associated with liver disease severity. METHODS Children and adolescents with biopsy confirmed NAFLD were included in this study. Histology data, detailed clinical information and results of serum biochemistries performed within three months of the liver biopsy were collected retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate modeling was used to determine differences between the groups and to control for confounders. RESULTS 228 patients were included, 17 (8%) of whom where on psychotropic medications at the time of the liver biopsy. Patients on psychotropic medications were more likely to also be on metformin (53% vs. 18%, p < 0.01) and anti-hypertensive medications (29% vs. 8%, p < 0.01) compared to children with NAFLD who were not on psychotropic agents. There were no differences in regards to biochemical evidence of liver injury, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia between the groups. On histology however, the use of psychotropic medications was associated with increased steatosis severity (score 2.4 vs. 1.9, p = 0.04) and increased likelihood of having a NAFLD Activity Score ≥5 (seen in 59% vs. 35% or patients; p = 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS In this large cohort of children with biopsy confirmed NAFLD, the use of psychotropic medications was associated with increased liver disease severity. Exposure to psychotropic agents should be considered when risk stratifying children with NAFLD.
Resource Optimization in Multi-cell NOMA

Optimizing non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) in multi-cell scenarios is much more challenging than the single- cell case because inter-cell interference must be considered. Most papers addressing NOMA consider a single cell. We take a significant step of analyzing NOMA in multi-cell scenarios. We explore the potential of NOMA networks in achieving optimal resource utilization with arbitrary topologies. Towards this goal, we investigate a broad class of problems. Namely, any problem consisting in optimizing power allocation and user pairing in NOMA with a cost function that is monotonically increasing in time-frequency resource consumption, falls into our problem class. We propose an algorithm that solves the problems optimally with fast convergence. Numerically, we evaluate and demonstrate the performance of NOMA for multi-cell scenarios in terms of resource efficiency and load balancing.
Hidden Markov models vs. syntactic modeling in object recognition

This paper addresses the problem of object recognition based on contour descriptions. Two approaches, namely hidden Markov models (HMM) and syntactic modeling based on stochastic finite-state grammars (SFSG), are analyzed and applied to the classification of hardware tools. It is shown that both approaches are able to capture the data variability, leading to high classification performance. While the syntactic paradigm is flexible, the structure of the grammars being automatically inferred from the data, the HMMs are more robust in terms of training data sets requirements.
Impaired Fear Extinction Recall in Serotonin Transporter Knockout Rats Is Transiently Alleviated during Adolescence

Adolescence is a developmental phase characterized by emotional turmoil and coincides with the emergence of affective disorders. Inherited serotonin transporter (5-HTT) downregulation in humans increases sensitivity to these disorders. To reveal whether and how 5-HTT gene variance affects fear-driven behavior in adolescence, we tested wildtype and serotonin transporter knockout (5-HTT−/−) rats of preadolescent, adolescent, and adult age for cued fear extinction and extinction recall. To analyze neural circuit function, we quantified inhibitory synaptic contacts and, through RT-PCR, the expression of c-Fos, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and NDMA receptor subunits, in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and amygdala. Remarkably, the impaired recall of conditioned fear that characterizes preadolescent and adult 5-HTT−/− rats was transiently normalized during adolescence. This did not relate to altered inhibitory neurotransmission, since mPFC inhibitory immunoreactivity was reduced in 5-HTT−/− rats across all ages and unaffected in the amygdala. Rather, since mPFC (but not amygdala) c-Fos expression and NMDA receptor subunit 1 expression were reduced in 5-HTT−/− rats during adolescence, and since PFC c-Fos correlated negatively with fear extinction recall, the temporary normalization of fear extinction during adolescence could relate to altered plasticity in the developing mPFC.
Is risk-stratified breast cancer screening economically efficient in Germany?

Objectives Risk stratification has so far been evaluated under the assumption that women fully adhere to screening recommendations. However, the participation in German cancer screening programs remains low at 54%. The question arises whether risk-stratified screening is economically efficient under the assumption that adherence is not perfect. Method We have adapted a micro-simulation Markov model to the German context. Annual, biennial, and triennial routine screening are compared with five risk-adapted strategies using thresholds of relative risk to stratify screening frequencies. We used three outcome variables (mortality reduction, quality-adjusted life years, and false-positive results) under the assumption of full adherence vs. an adherence rate of 54%. Strategies are evaluated using efficiency frontiers and probabilistic sensitivity analysis (PSA). Results The reduced adherence rate affects both performance and cost; incremental cost-effectiveness ratios remain constant. The results of PSA show that risk-stratified screening strategies are more efficient than biennial routine screening under certain conditions. At any willingness-to-pay (WTP), there is a risk-stratified alternative with a higher likelihood of being the best choice. However, without explicit decision criteria and WTP, risk-stratified screening is not more efficient than biennial routine screening. Potential improvements in the adherence rates have significant health gains and budgetary implications. Conclusion If the participation rate for mammographic screening is as low as in Germany, stratified screening is not clearly more efficient than routine screening but dependent on the WTP. A more promising design for future stratified strategies is the combination of risk stratification mechanisms with interventions to improve the low adherence in selected high-risk groups.
Surveillance of Unruptured Intracranial Saccular Aneurysms Using Noncontrast 3D-Black-Blood MRI: Comparison of 3D-TOF and Contrast-Enhanced MRA with 3D-DSA

Sixty-four patients with 68 saccular unruptured intracranial aneurysms were recruited. Patients underwent 3T MR imaging with 3D-TOF-MRA, 3D black-blood MR imaging, and contrast-enhanced MRA, and they underwent 3D rotational angiography within 2 weeks. The neck, width, and height of the unruptured intracranial aneurysms were measured by 2 radiologists independently on 3D rotational angiography and 3 MR imaging sequences. 3D black-blood MR imaging demonstrates the best agreement with DSA, with the smallest limits of agreement and measurement error. 3D-TOF-MRA had the largest limits of agreement and measurement error. The authors conclude that 3D black-blood MR imaging achieves better accuracy for aneurysm size measurements compared with 3D-TOF, using 3D rotational angiography as a criterion standard. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms routinely undergo surveillance imaging to monitor growth. Angiography is the criterion standard for aneurysm diagnosis, but it is invasive. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of a 3D noncontrast black-blood MR imaging technique for unruptured intracranial aneurysm measurement in comparison with 3D-TOF and contrast-enhanced MRA, using 3D rotational angiography as a reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients (57.3 ± 10.9 years of age, 41 women) with 68 saccular unruptured intracranial aneurysms were recruited. Patients underwent 3T MR imaging with 3D-TOF-MRA, 3D black-blood MR imaging, and contrast-enhanced MRA, and they underwent 3D rotational angiography within 2 weeks. The neck, width, and height of the unruptured intracranial aneurysms were measured by 2 radiologists independently on 3D rotational angiography and 3 MR imaging sequences. The accuracy and reproducibility were evaluated by Bland-Altman plots, the coefficient of variance, and the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS: 3D black-blood MR imaging demonstrates the best agreement with DSA, with the smallest limits of agreement and measurement error (coefficients of variance range, 5.87%–7.04%). 3D-TOF-MRA had the largest limits of agreement and measurement error (coefficients of variance range, 12.73%–15.78%). The average coefficient of variance was 6.26% for 3D black-blood MR imaging, 7.03% for contrast-enhanced MRA, and 15.54% for TOF-MRA. No bias was found among 3 MR imaging sequences compared with 3D rotational angiography. All 3 MR imaging sequences had excellent interreader agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient, >0.95). 3D black-blood MR imaging performed the best for patients with intraluminal thrombus (n = 10). CONCLUSIONS: 3D black-blood MR imaging achieves better accuracy for aneurysm size measurements compared with 3D-TOF, using 3D rotational angiography as a criterion standard. This noncontrast technique is promising for surveillance of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.
A comprehensive insight into the electrolytes for rechargeable lithium-air batteries.

Lithium (Li)-air batteries are promising devices for electrochemical energy storage because of their ultra-high energy density. However, it is still challenging to achieve practical Li-air batteries because of their severe capacity fading and poor rate capability. Electrolytes are the prime suspect for cell failure. In this review, we focus on the opportunities and challenges of electrolytes for rechargeable Li-air batteries. A detailed summary including the reaction mechanisms, internal compositions, instability factors, selection criteria, and design ideas of the explored electrolytes is provided to obtain appropriate strategies to meet the requirement of battery. In particular, ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes and solid-state electrolytes show exciting opportunities to control over both high energy density and safety. It is hoped that this review will provide guidelines to aid selection of suitable electrolytes for Li-air batteries and encourage further research of electrolyte optimization.