Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysing normal and partial glossectomee tongues using ultrasound

The present study aimed at identifying underlying parameters that govern the shape of the tongue. A functional topography of the tongue surface was developed based on three‐dimensional ultrasound scans of sustained speech sounds in ten normal subjects. A principal component analysis extracted three components that explained 89.2% of the variance at 33 measurement points on the tongue surface. The results from the principal component analysis supported a physiologically plausible three‐component model of tongue movement. This model breaks tongue movement down into a protrusion and retraction component that is represented by the measurement points on the posterior tongue, a tongue tip control component that is represented by the measurement points on the tongue blade, and a dorsal height and position control component that is represented by the measurement points on the tongue dorsum. A case series of three patients with partial glossectomies illustrates how this measurement system can be applied to surgically altered tongues to allow a detailed analysis of post‐surgical function.
Efficacy and safety of intensive insulin therapy for critically ill neurologic patients: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Whether intensive insulin therapy (IIT) may improve clinical outcomes for patients admitted to intensive care units, especially critically ill neurologic patients, is still debated. In the present study, we performed a meta-analysis of literature comparing the efficacy and safety of IIT and conventional insulin therapy (CIT) for critically ill neurologic patients in terms of mortality, infection rate, neurologic outcome, and hypoglycemia. METHODS We searched for published reports of studies of randomized control trials (up to March 10, 2011) of patients admitted to neurologic intensive care units and investigated an IIT (target of blood glucose control <120 mg/dL) with a control of CIT. Data were abstracted by a standardized protocol. RESULTS We retrieved reports of five studies involving 924 patients. The risk of mortality, infection rate, and neurologic outcome did not differ with IIT or CIT. However, the incidence of hypoglycemic episodes was significantly higher with IIT than CIT (78.8% vs. 48.9%), with a relative risk of 2.62 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-6.43; p < 0.04). CONCLUSIONS As compared with CIT, IIT may not benefit critically ill neurologic patients in terms of mortality, infection rate, or neurologic outcome and in fact may be associated with increased hypoglycemic complications. Therefore, IIT cannot be recommended over conventional control for critical neurologic disease, but further study is warranted.
Electrothermal Mapping of AlGaN/GaN HEMTs Using Microresistance Thermometer Detectors

Self-heating effects in AlGaN/GaN high-electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) can notably reduce electron mobility and produce reliability concerns. Electrothermal characterization and appropriate thermal management are required to address this situation. This letter presents the measurement of channel temperature (T<sub>ch</sub>) of GaN HEMTs in multiple bias conditions with a good accuracy. The measurements are executed using the integrated microresistance thermometer detector (μRTD) technique in AlGaN/GaN HEMTs on SiC and sapphire substrates. The integrated Ti/Pt μRTD sensor with linear resistance-temperature characteristic is used to obtain an I<sub>ds</sub>-V<sub>ds</sub>-T<sub>ch</sub> map for each device. Thermal resistances are compared for similar operation conditions, obtaining RTH = 34.7 °C · W<sup>-1</sup> for the HEMT on SiC and RTH = 157.2 °C · W<sup>-1</sup> for the HEMT on sapphire.
Clinicopathological correlation and prognostic significance of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 expression in colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer and the fourth most frequent cause of cancer death. Literature indicates that vascular endothelial growth factor is a predominant angiogenic factor and that angiogenesis plays an important role in the progression of CRC. PATIENTS AND METHODS The present series consisted of tissue samples obtained from 672 patients who had undergone large bowel resection between 2005 and 2010 at the Braga Hospital, Portugal. Archival paraffin-embedded CRC tissue and normal adjacent samples were used to build up tissue microarray blocks and VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 expression was immunohistochemically assessed. RESULTS We observed an overexpression of VEGF-C in CRC when tumour cells and normal-adjacent tissue were compared (p=0.004). In tumour samples, VEGF-C-positive cases were associated with VEGFR-3 expression (p=0.047). When assessing the correlation between VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 expressions and the clinicopathological data, it was revealed that VEGF-A positive cases were associated with male gender (p=0.016) and well-differentiated tumours (p=0.001); VEGF-C with colon cancers (p=0.037), exophytic (p=0.048), moderately-differentiated (p=0.007) and T3/T4 (p=0.010) tumours; VEGFR-2 with invasive adenocarcinoma (p=0.007) and VEGFR-3 with the presence of hepatic metastasis (p=0.032). Overall survival curves for CRC were statistically significant for rectal cancer, VEGF-C expression and stage III (p=0.019) and VEGFR-3 expression and stage IV (p=0.047). CONCLUSION Quantification of VEGF-A, VEGF-C, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 expression seems to provide valuable prognostic information in CRC and the correlation with clinicopathological data revealed an association with characteristics that contribute to progression, invasion and metastasis leading to poorer survival rates and prognosis.
INFLUENZA VACCINATION IN 65 AND OVER AGE ADULTS IN ANTALYA/TURKEY

Girifl: Grip, ciddi komplikasyonlara yol açabildi¤i için özellikle yafll›larda bir sa¤l›k tehdididir. Grip afl›s›n›n yafll›larda infeksiyonun önlenmesinde ve kontrol edilmesinde güvenli ve etkili oldu¤unu çal›flmalar da göstermifltir. Çal›flmam›zda Antalya’da 65 ve üzeri yafl grubunda grip afl›s› ile ba¤›fl›klanma durumunun saptanmas› amaçlanm›flt›r. Gereç ve Yöntem: 2005-2006 y›llar›nda grip mevsimi boyunca Türkiye’nin güneyinde bir flehir olan Antalya’da toplam 2383 kifliye ulafl›ld›. Araflt›rma formunda grip afl›s›yla ilgili 14 soru vard›. Bulgular: Araflt›rma grubundakilerin %55.7’sinin grip afl›s›n› duydu¤u ve bildi¤i belirlendi. Ancak sadece gurubun %15’inin grip afl›s› yapt›rd›¤› saptand›. Sonuç: Antalya’da 65 yafl ve üzeri bireylerde grip afl›s› yapt›rma oran›n›n düflük oldu¤u belirlenmifltir. Bu oran›n art›lmas› için doktorlar›n özellikle yafll›larda grip afl›s›n› önermesi, halk›n da bu konuda bilinçlendirilmesi ve grip afl›s›n›n sa¤l›k sigortas› kapsam›na al›nmas› gerekmektedir. Anahtar Sözcükler: Grip Afl›s›; Grip; Yafll›l›k; Ba¤›fl›klama. ABSTRACT
Endovascular treatment of complicated type-B aortic dissection with stent-grafts:: midterm results.

PURPOSE To report the midterm results of the endovascular treatment of complicated type-B aortic dissection with use of stent-grafts. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten patients with acute (n = 4) or chronic (n = 6) complicated type-B dissection were treated with custom-made stent-grafts. Indications for treatment included uncontrollable hypertension with dissection extension (n = 3), renal ischemia (n = 1), and false lumen aneurysm (n = 6). Stainless-steel Z-stents covered with polyester grafts were placed in the initial six patients. Nitinol stents covered with ultrathin polytetrafluoroethylene were used in the remaining four patients. The patients were followed-up with helical computed tomography for a maximum of 30 months (mean, 20 mo). RESULTS There was one technical failure related to the access site. Early complications included deep venous thrombosis (n = 1) and embolic stroke (n = 1). Complete thrombosis of the thoracic false lumen was achieved in six patients and partial thrombosis was achieved in three. Aneurysms developed at the ends of the stainless-steel stents in two patients, requiring additional stent-graft placement. Despite successful remodeling of the thoracic aorta, three of four patients with distal reentry into the abdominal aorta experienced progressive abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). AAA rupture developed in two patients; one rupture was fatal and the other was treated with emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular treatment of complicated type-B aortic dissection is technically feasible and effective. Closely monitoring the treated aorta is essential to detect early aneurysm formation at the ends of rigid stents. Despite adequate sealing of the tears in the thoracic aorta, dissection with distal reentry phenomenon into the abdominal aorta may evolve into AAA with late rupture.
Redefining the Political System of the USSR: Mass Support for Political Change

Using data from a national public opinion survey carried out in the Soviet Union during November and December 1989, we explore two attitudes relevant to the revolutionary changes there: (1) attitudes toward change and political democracy and (2) attitudes toward a core component of socialist ideology, the locus of responsibility for social well-being (the state or individuals? ). These variables are unrelated, with the sample relatively evenly divided among the intersecting cells of a cross tabulation. While social conflict may be mitigated by the small sizes of absolutely opposing groups, consensus may also be hard to reach. Ethnicity, education, income, age, party membership, and life satisfaction have important effects on these attitudes. We discuss how attitude patterns in our data may be related to the disintegration of the Soviet Union and to problems faced by the independent successor states as they develop new institutions and foster new values.
The Single ENTH‐Domain Protein of Trypanosomes; Endocytic Functions and Evolutionary Relationship with Epsin

Epsin N‐terminal homology (ENTH) domains occur in proteins of either the epsin or epsin‐related (epsinR) form. They principally function in clathrin‐mediated trafficking and membrane deformation. Both epsin and epsinR possess clathrin‐binding motifs, but only epsin incorporates a ubiquitin‐interaction motif (UIM). To better understand the origins of ENTH‐domain proteins and their functions, we performed detailed comparative genomics and phylogenetics on the epsin family. The epsin ENTH‐UIM configuration is an architecture restricted to yeast and animals. Further, we undertook functional analysis in Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), a divergent organism possessing a single ENTH‐domain protein (TbEpsinR). TbEpsinR has a cellular location similar to both epsin and epsinR at plasma membrane clathrin budding sites and endosomal compartments, and associates with clathrin, as demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation. Knockdown of TbEpsinR leads to a significant decrease in the intracellular pools of multiple surface antigens, without affecting bulk membrane internalization. Therefore, despite lacking the UIM, TbEpsinR maintains a similar role to metazoan epsin in endocytosis and participates as a clathrin‐associated adaptor. We suggest that recruitment of a UIM to the ENTH‐domain proteins was not essential for participation in endocytosis of ubiquitylated molecules, and is presumably a specific innovation restricted to higher eukaryotes.
The impact of low‐risk intensive care unit admissions on mortality probabilities by SAPS II, APACHE II and APACHE III

A large proportion of intensive care unit patients are low‐risk admissions. Mortality probabilities generated by predictive systems may not accurately reflect the mortality experienced by subpopulations of critically ill patients. We prospectively assessed the impact of low‐risk admissions (mortality risk < 10%) on the mortality estimates generated by three prognostic models. We studied 1497 consecutive admissions to a general intensive care unit. The performance of the three models for subgroups and the whole population was analysed. The proportions of patients designated as low risk varied with the model and differences in model performance were most pronounced for these patients. The APACHE II mortality ratios (1.32 vs. 1.19) did not differ for low‐ and higher risk patients, but mortality ratios generated by APACHE III (2.38 vs. 1.23) and SAPS II (2.19 vs. 1.16) were nearly two‐fold greater. Calibration for higher risk patients was similar for all three models but the APACHE III system calibrated worse than the other models for low‐risk patients. This may have contributed to the poorer overall calibration of the APACHE III system (Hosmer–Lemeshow C‐test: APACHE III χ2 = 329; APACHE II χ2 = 42; SAPS II χ2 = 62). Imperfect characterisation of the large proportion of low‐risk intensive care unit admissions may contribute to the deterioration of the models' predictive accuracies for the intensive care population as a whole.
Maximization of transcription of the serC (pdxF)-aroA multifunctional operon by antagonistic effects of the cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein-cAMP complex and Lrp global regulators of Escherichia coli K-12

The arrangement of the Escherichia coli serC (pdxF) and aroA genes into a cotranscribed multifunctional operon allows coregulation of two enzymes required for the biosynthesis of L-serine, pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, chorismate, and the aromatic amino acids and vitamins. RNase T2 protection assays revealed two major transcripts that were initiated from a promoter upstream from serC (pdxF). Between 80 to 90% of serC (pdxF) transcripts were present in single-gene mRNA molecules that likely arose by Rho-independent termination between serC (pdxF) and aroA. serC (pdxF)-aroA cotranscripts terminated at another Rho-independent terminator near the end of aroA. We studied operon regulation by determining differential rates of beta-galactosidase synthesis in a merodiploid strain carrying a single-copy lambda[phi(serC [pdxF]'-lacZYA)] operon fusion. serC (pdxF) transcription was greatest in bacteria growing in minimal salts-glucose medium (MMGlu) and was reduced in minimal salts-glycerol medium, enriched MMGlu, and LB medium. serC (pdxF) transcription was increased in cya or crp mutants compared to their cya+ crp+ parent in MMGlu or LB medium. In contrast, serC (pdxF) transcription decreased in an lrp mutant compared to its lrp+ parent in MMGlu. Conclusions obtained by using the operon fusion were corroborated by quantitative Western immunoblotting of SerC (PdxF), which was present at around 1,800 dimers per cell in bacteria growing in MMGlu. RNase T2 protection assays of serC (pdxF)-terminated and serC (pdxF)-aroA cotranscript amounts supported the conclusion that the operon was regulated at the transcription level under the conditions tested. Results with a series of deletions upstream of the P(serC (pdxF)) promoter revealed that activation by Lrp was likely direct, whereas repression by the cyclic AMP (cAMP) receptor protein-cAMP complex (CRP-cAMP) was likely indirect, possibly via a repressor whose amount or activity was stimulated by CRP-cAMP.
Directional Topography Influences Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Plasticity: Prospects for Tissue Engineering and Fibrosis

Introduction Progenitor cells cultured on biomaterials with optimal physical-topographical properties respond with alignment and differentiation. Stromal cells from connective tissue can adversely differentiate to profibrotic myofibroblasts or favorably to smooth muscle cells (SMC). We hypothesized that myogenic differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASC) depends on gradient directional topographic features. Methods Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) samples with nanometer and micrometer directional topography gradients (wavelength (w) = 464-10, 990 nm; amplitude (a) = 49-3, 425 nm) were fabricated. ASC were cultured on patterned PDMS and stimulated with TGF-β1 to induce myogenic differentiation. Cellular alignment and adhesion were assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy after 24 h. After seven days, myogenic differentiation was examined by immunofluorescence microscopy, gene expression, and immunoblotting. Results Cell alignment occurred on topographies larger than w = 1758 nm/a = 630 nm. The number and total area of focal adhesions per cell were reduced on topographies from w = 562 nm/a = 96 nm to w = 3919 nm/a = 1430 nm. Focal adhesion alignment was increased on topographies larger than w = 731 nm/a = 146 nm. Less myogenic differentiation of ASC occurred on topographies smaller than w = 784 nm/a = 209 nm. Conclusion ASC adherence, alignment, and differentiation are directed by topographical cues. Our evidence highlights a minimal topographic environment required to facilitate the development of aligned and differentiated cell layers from ASC. These data suggest that nanotopography may be a novel tool for inhibiting fibrosis.
Techniques for Assessment of Intravascular Volume in Critically Ill Patients

Fluid replacement is considered the cornerstone of resuscitation in the ICU. However, only about 50% of critically ill hemodynamically unstable patients are fluid responsive; furthermore, both under-resuscitation and overzealous fluid administration adversely affect outcome Consequently, the resuscitation of critically ill patients requires an accurate assessment of the patients’ intravascular volume status and their volume responsiveness. This paper reviews the evolution and accuracy of methods for assessing fluid responsiveness in critically ill patients.
Accuracy and Reliability of Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compared With True Anatomic Femoral Version

Background: Abnormal torsion of the femur is correlated to lower extremity pathologies. Although computed tomography (CT) scan is the gold standard torsional measurement, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is proposed as a viable alternative. Our aim was to determine the accuracy and consistency of MRI and CT femur rotational studies based on 4 described protocols. Methods: Twelve cadaveric femora were stripped of soft tissue before imaging and physical assessment of torsion. Four advanced imaging series were obtained for each specimen: CT with axial cuts of the femoral neck (CT-axial); CT with oblique cuts of the femoral neck (CT-oblique); MRI with axial cuts of the femoral neck (MR-axial); MRI with oblique cuts of the femoral neck (MR-oblique). Anatomic specimens were placed with the posterior femoral condyles flat on a dissection table for assessment of true torsion with digital images. Three independent reviewers performed all measurements, including true torsion, using imaging software. Bland-Altman analysis was repeated with the data from each reviewer. Results: Interobserver repeatability for all groups was high at 0.95, 0.87, 0.90, 0.97, and 0.92 for CT-axial, CT-oblique, MR-axial, MR-oblique, and true torsion, respectively. CT-axial had the lowest mean difference from clinical imaging for all three observers (all <1 degree) and held the tightest 95% limits of agreement for 2/3 observers. As torsion increases from neutral, MR-oblique linearly overestimates the rotation compared with true torsion. CT-oblique and MR-axial showed slightly greater differences from true torsion compared with CT-axial, but did not reach clinical significance. Conclusions: CT-axial was both most accurate and reproducible when compared with true torsion of the femur and should be the gold standard imaging modality; however, both MR-axial and CT-oblique were accurate to a level that is likely less than clinical significance. MR-axial images should be used in clinical situations where radiation exposure needs to be limited. MR-oblique images can overestimate true antetorsion and should not be used. Clinic Significance: CT-axial followed by MRI-axial is the most accurate and consistent in measuring true torsion of the femur.
Moderate Treadmill Exercise Training Improves Cardiovascular and Nitrergic Response and Resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Mice

There is evidence suggesting that exercise training (ET) acts as a factor toward resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi infection. However, the effects of mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and nitric oxide (NO) during the acute phase of infection has not been elucidated yet. Swiss mice were randomly assigned into four groups: sedentary control (SC, n = 30), trained control (TC, n = 30), sedentary infected (SI, n = 30), and trained infected (TI, n = 30). ET was performed on the treadmill for 9 weeks. After training, the mice were infected with 5 × 103 trypomastigotes of T. cruzi (Y strain) or PBS. We observed resting bradycardia and improved performance in trained animals compared with sedentary ones. On the 20th day post-infection (DPI), we found a decrease in HR in SI animals compared to TI animals (699.73 ± 42.37 vs. 742.11 ± 25.35 bpm, respectively, P < 0.05). We also observed increased production of NO in cardiac tissue on the 20th DPI in the SI group, normalized in TI group (20.73 ± 2.74 vs. 6.51 ± 1.19 μM, respectively). Plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-12, TNF-α, IFN-γ,) and MCP-1 were increased in SI animals, but decreased in TI animals. The increase in parasitemia on the 15th and 17th DPI in the SI group was attenuated in the TI group. Our results suggest that previous ET plays a preventive role in resistance to T. cruzi infection, modulating cardiovascular aspects, inflammatory reaction, and NO levels of infected mice.
Quantitative Resistance to Plant Pathogens in Pyramiding Strategies for Durable Crop Protection

Quantitative resistance has gained interest in plant breeding for pathogen control in low-input cropping systems. Although quantitative resistance frequently has only a partial effect and is difficult to select, it is considered more durable than major resistance (R) genes. With the exponential development of molecular markers over the past 20 years, resistance QTL have been more accurately detected and better integrated into breeding strategies for resistant varieties with increased potential for durability. This review summarizes current knowledge on the genetic inheritance, molecular basis, and durability of quantitative resistance. Based on this knowledge, we discuss how strategies that combine major R genes and QTL in crops can maintain the effectiveness of plant resistance to pathogens. Combining resistance QTL with complementary modes of action appears to be an interesting strategy for breeding effective and potentially durable resistance. Combining quantitative resistance with major R genes has proven to be a valuable approach for extending the effectiveness of major genes. In the plant genomics era, improved tools and methods are becoming available to better integrate quantitative resistance into breeding strategies. Nevertheless, optimal combinations of resistance loci will still have to be identified to preserve resistance effectiveness over time for durable crop protection.
Risk attitude elicitation using a multi-lottery choice task: Real vs. hypothetical incentives

ABSTRACT We present a bi-dimensional multi lottery choice task which can be used in order to elicit the agents' risk attitudes in financial environments. This task is implemented both with hypothetical and real monetary incentives in a between-subjects and a within-subjects experiment. We observe choices involving significantly lower risk aversion on aggregate when incentives are real. The differences grow with the stakes at play. We also obtain significant differences between hypothetical and real rewards in both utility weighting and probability weighting estimated parameters. We find that the use of hypothetical incentives in multi-lottery choice tasks for evaluating individual risk aversion can be misleading.