Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Liver transplantation for the treatment of small hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND The role of orthotopic liver transplantation in the treatment of patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma is controversial, and determining which patients are likely to have a good outcome after liver transplantation is difficult. METHODS We studied 48 patients with cirrhosis who had small, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas and who underwent liver transplantation. In 94 percent of the patients, the cirrhosis was related to infection with hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, or both. The presence of tumor was confirmed by biopsy or serum alpha-fetoprotein assay. The criteria for eligibility for transplantation were the presence of a tumor 5 cm or less in diameter in patients with single hepatocellular carcinomas and no more than three tumor nodules, each 3 cm or less in diameter, in patients with multiple tumors. Thirty-three patients with sufficient hepatic function underwent treatment for the tumor, mainly chemoembolization, before transplantation. After liver transplantation, the patients were followed prospectively for a median of 26 months (range, 9 to 54). No anticancer treatment was given after transplantation. RESULTS The overall mortality rate was 17 percent. After four years, the actuarial survival rate was 75 percent and the rate of recurrence-free survival was 83 percent. Hepatocellular carcinoma recurred in four patients (8 percent). The overall and recurrence-free survival rates at four years among the 35 patients (73 percent of the total) who met the predetermined criteria for the selection of small hepatocellular carcinomas at pathological review of small hepatocellular carcinomas at pathological review of the explanted liver wer 85 percent and 92 percent, respectively, whereas the rates in the 13 patients (27 percent) whose tumors exceeded these limits were 50 percent and 59 percent, respectively (P=0.01 for overall survival; P=0.002 for recurrence-free survival). In this group of 48 patients with early-stage tumors, tumor-node-metastasis status, the number of tumors, the serum alphafetoprotein concentration, treatment received before transplantation, and 10 other variables were not significantly correlated with survival. CONCLUSIONS Liver transplantation is an effective treatment for small, unresectable hepatocellular carcinomas in patients with cirrhosis.
A NOMA scheme for visible light communications using a single carrier transmission

We propose a non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) scheme for visible light communications (VLC) based on single carrier (SC) transmission and frequency-domain successive interference cancellation. The scheme can achieve a low peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), a good balance between the throughput and fairness, and a higher system capacity for a larger number of users. We show that the proosed scheme offers improved bit error rate performance compared to the orthogonal frequency domain multiplexing based VLC system.
Frequency of ESBL in Surgical Site Infection at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Infection caused by ESBL in the surgical site infection is very alarming. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to see the status of ESBL bacteria isolated from surgical site infection with their antimicrobial sensitivity pattern. Methodology: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from January, 2005 to December, 2005 for a period of one (1) year. All the patients presented with surgical site infections at any age with both sexes were included a study population. Detection of extended spectrum beta lactamase producing Gram negative bacteria was done by using disc diffusion method and was confirmed by E- test ESBL method. Sensitivity pattern of ESBL producers were observed against quinolone and fluoroquinolones. ESBLs are the enzymes capable of hydrolyzing all penicillin, monobactam and cephalosporins except cephamycin, but inactive against imipenem. Result: A total number of 92 surgical wound samples were collected of which 68(73.9%) samples were culture positive. Interestingly, most of the E. coli was ESBL positive (55.0%). Klebsiella species was 33.1% ESBL positive. ESBL positivity of Proteus and Pseudomonas species were low (11.1%). Among the isolated Pseudomonas species, 1(6.67%) of the 15 strains isolated from wound swab was ESBL producers. ESBL positivity was significantly found in surgically wound samples (p=0.0001). Among the ESBL producers, all the E. coli, Klebsiella species , Proteus species and Pseudomonas species were resistant to amoxicillin, cephradine, ceftriaxone, aztreonam, ceftazidime and cefotaxime. All the Gram negative bacteria were sensitive to imipenam. Conclusion: A considerable numbers of ESBL producing bacteria were detected from surgical wound. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3329/jcamr.v1i2. 20514 Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research Vol.1(2) 2014: 25-29
Testicular morphometry and sperm reserves of local turkey toms fed varying levels of protein in the diet

The morphometry and sperm reserves of the testis, epididymis and vas deferens of three groups (n=5/ group) of sexually active adult local turkey toms fed isocaloric diet with varying levels (12 %, 16 %, 20 %) of protein were studied for sixteen weeks. The weights of the toms before treatment were between 3.5 – 4.5 kg, while at the end of the experiment the mean ± SD live weight were 5.29 ± 0.65, 5.39 ± 0.45 and 5.63 ± 0.49 kg for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mean ± SD weights of the paired tunics, testis, epididymis and vas deferens, respectively, were 0.41 ± 0.11 g, 8.27 ± 2.37 g, 0.28 ± 0. 07 g and 0.36 ± 0.11 g (group 1): 0.43 ± 0.02 g, 8.50 ± 0.65 g, 0.33 ± 0.11 g and 0.40 ± 0.11 g (group 2) and: 0.49 ± 0.16 g, 9.83 ± 3.08 g, 0.40 ± 0.13 g and 0.50 ± 0.18 g, (group 3). The mean ± SD lengths of the testes were: 3.72 ± 0.34 cm, 4.40 ± 0.47 cm and 4.48 ± 1.14 cm; the epididymis: 3.12 ± 0.56 cm, 3.17 ± 0.67cm and 3.48 ± 0.49 cm, and the vas deferens: 17.27 ± 1.10 cm, 17.33 ± 0.93 cm and 17.49 ± 1.10 cm, for groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Mostly, the parameters of the left organs were greater than those of the right. The mean ± SD weight of the testes positively correlated with that of the epididymis in all the groups (r = 0.72, 0.65 and 0.87 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively) and the vas deferens (r = 0.54, 0.72 and 0.75 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively). The gonadal sperm reserves were 0.19 ± 0.00 x 10 9 cells/ml, 0.21 ± 0.00 x 10 9 cells/ml and 0.21 ± 0.00 x 10 9 cells/ml for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The mean ± SD extragonadal sperm reserves were, epididymis: 0.08 ± 0.00 x 10 9 cells/ml, 0.12 ± 0.01 x 10 9 cells/ml, 0.18 ± 0.00 x 10 9 cells/ml, and vas deferens: 2.00 ± 0.13 x 10 9 cells/ml, 2.82 ± 0.50 x 10 9 cells/ml and 3.75 ± 0.60 x 10 9 cells/ml for the three groups respectively. The vas deferens had about 88 %, of the extragonadal sperm reserve in group 1 and 90 % in groups 2 and 3. Sperm reserve was positively correlated to body weight and to the length of the testis. The results suggest, therefore, that morphometry and sperm reserves were better in turkey toms fed 16 % and 20 % than 12 % protein diets. Keywords : Crude protein, Fertility, Morphometry, Reproduction, Sperm reserves, Turkey tom
Dynamic Biological Modelling: a language-based approach

Systems biology investigates the interactions and relationships among the components of biological systems to understand how they globally work. The metaphor “cells as computations”, introduced by Regev and Shapiro, opened the realm of biological modelling to concurrent languages. Their peculiar characteristics led to the development of many different bio-inspired languages that allow to abstract and study specific aspects of biological systems. In this thesis we present a language based on the process calculi paradigm and specifically designed to account for the complexity of signalling networks. We explore a new design space for bio-inspired languages, with the aim to capture in an intuitive and simple way the fundamental mechanisms governing protein-protein interactions. We develop a formal framework for modelling, simulating and analysing biological systems. An implementation of the framework is provided to enable in-silico experimentation.
Sintering properties of hydroxyapatite powders prepared using different methods

In the present work, the sintering behaviour of HA particles prepared via the wet precipitation method (HAp) and wet mechanochemical technique (HAwm) was investigated. The sintering behaviour of a commercial HA powder (HAc) was also studied for comparison purpose. All the three powders were characterised in terms of particle size, Ca/P ratio and crystal size. Green samples were prepared and sintered in air at temperatures ranging from 1000 1C to 1400 1C. The sintered bodies were studied in terms of the phase stability, relative density, Young’s modulus, Vickers hardness, fracture toughness and grain size. The results indicated that HAwm samples suffered phase decomposition while the HAp and HAc sintered samples showed no phase disruption throughout the temperature range employed. The HAp samples exhibited the overall best densification and properties when compared to the HAc and HAwm samples. Furthermore, the results showed that mechanical properties of sintered samples were governed by both the bulk density and the grain size. & 2012 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r. l. All rights reserved.
Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension among Adults in Beijing, China

Hypertension is an important modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to determine the up-to-date prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension, and their related influencing factors in adults in Beijing, China. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2008. A total of 5760 adults aged 18–79 years were selected from the general population. Data from a standardized questionnaire, physical examination, and blood sample were obtained. The prevalence of hypertension was 35.5% (41.8% in men, 30.9% in women) and increased with age in both sexes. The prevalence was similarly high in urban (35.6%) and in rural (34.9%) areas. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were independently associated with hypertension. Participants with diabetes and/or dyslipidemia had higher prevalence of hypertension than their counterparts. Among hypertensive patients, 42.5% were aware of the diagnosis, 35.9% received treatment, and 11.8% had hypertension control. Awareness and treatment of hypertension were low in men, young people, and rural residents. Control of hypertension was lower in older people and those with lower educational attainment. High waist circumference (central obesity) resulted in low control of hypertension (odds ratio = 0.45). Our findings underscore the urgent need to develop a comprehensive health strategy for the prevention, detection, and control of hypertension to avert the cardiovascular disease epidemic in Beijing.
Reducing p75 nerve growth factor receptor levels using antisense oligonucleotides prevents the loss of axotomized sensory neurons in the dorsal root ganglia of newborn rats

The low‐affinity p75 receptor for nerve growth factor (p75NGFR) has been implicated in mediating neuronal cell death in vitro. A recent in vitro study from our laboratory showed that the death of sensory neurons can be prevented by reducing the levels of p75NGFR with antisense oligonucleotides. To determine if p75NGFR also functions as a death signal in vivo, we have attempted to reduce its expression in peripheral sensory neurons by applying antisense oligonucleotides to the proximal end of the transected sciatic or median and ulnar nerves. We report here that antisense oligonucleotides, when applied to the proximal stump of a transected peripheral nerve, are retrogradely transported and effectively reduce p75NGFR protein levels in sensory neurons located in the dorsal root ganglia. Furthermore, treatment of the proximal nerve stump with antisense p75NGFR oligonucleotides significantly reduced the loss of these axotomized sensory neurons. These findings further support the view that p75NGFR is a death signaling molecule and that it signals death in axotomized neurons in the neonatal sensory nervous system. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Orgasmic Dysfunction Among Women at a Primary Care Setting in Malaysia

Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction and the potential risk factors that may be associated with orgasmic dysfunction among women at a primary care setting in Malaysia. Methods. A validated questionnaire for sexual function was used to assess orgasmic function. A total of 230 married women aged 18 to 70 years participated in this study. Their sociodemographic and marital profiles were compared between those who had orgasmic dysfunction and those who did not, and the risk factors were examined. Results. The prevalence of orgasmic dysfunction in the primary care population was 51.9%. Women with orgasmic dysfunction were found to be significantly higher in the following groups: age >45 years, being non-Malay, having lower academic status, married longer, having more children, married to an older husband, and being at menopausal state. Conclusion. Women with infrequent sexual intercourse are less likely to be orgasmic (odds ratio = 0.29, 95% confidence interval = 0.11-0.74).
Marital Status as a Risk Factor for Fetal and Infant Mortality

In order to study pregnancy outcome for married versus unmarried mothers when controlling statistically for maternal age, educational level, socioeconomic status and income, a total of 93,800 firstborn singleton births in 1978-1982 were examined. The unmarried mothers were younger, less well educated and had a lower socioeconomic status than the married mothers. The stillbirth, neonatal, and postneo-natal mortality rates were higher among offspring of unmarried mothers. After taking sociodemographic factors into account, marital status was found to be associated with postneonatal mortality. The adjusted odds ratio for postneo-natal mortality was 1.5. Our results indicate the importance of marital status as a demographic risk factor even in a welfare society. There is a need to identify specific risk behaviours associated with the life styles of unmarried mothers. Hopefully our findings will provide information that can be used for future programmes of prevention, especially for the mother and her child during the first year of life.
Ultrasound-guided Lumbar Facet Nerve Block: A Sonoanatomic Study of a New Methodologic Approach

Background: Lumbar facet nerve (medial branch) block for pain relief in facet syndrome is currently performed under fluoroscopic or computed tomography scan guidance. In this three-part study, the authors developed a new ultrasound-guided methodology, described the necessary landmarks and views, assessed ultrasound-derived distances, and tested the clinical feasibility. Methods: (1) A paravertebral cross-axis view and long-axis view were defined under high-resolution ultrasound (15 MHz). Three needles were guided to the target point at L3–L5 in a fresh, nonembalmed cadaver under ultrasound (2–6 MHz) and were subsequently traced by means of dissection. (2) The lumbar regions of 20 volunteers (9 women, 11 men; median age, 36 yr [23–67 yr]; median body mass index, 23 kg/m2 [19–36 kg/m2]) were studied with ultrasound (3.5 MHz) to assess visibility of landmarks and relevant distances at L3–L5 in a total of 240 views. (3) Twenty-eight ultrasound-guided blocks were performed in five patients (two women, three men; median age, 51 yr [31–68 yr]) and controlled under fluoroscopy. Results: In the cadaver, needle positions were correct as revealed by dissection at all three levels. In the volunteers, ultrasound landmarks were delineated as good in 19 and of sufficient quality in one (body mass index, 36 kg/m2). Skin-target distances increased from L3 to L5, reaching statistical significance (*, **P < 0.05) between these levels on both sides: L3r, 45 ± 6 mm*; L4r, 48 ± 7 mm; L5r, 50 ± 6 mm*; L3l, 44 ± 5 mm**; L4l, 47 ± 6 mm; L5l, 50 ± 6 mm**. In patients, 25 of 28 ultrasound-guided needles were placed accurately, with the remaining three closer than 5 mm to the radiologically defined target point. Conclusion: Ultrasound guidance seems to be a promising new technique with clinical relevance and the potential to increase practicability while avoiding radiation in lumbar facet nerve block.
Phospholipase D1 Regulates Lymphocyte Adhesion via Upregulation of Rap1 at the Plasma Membrane

ABSTRACT Rap1 is a small GTPase that modulates adhesion of T cells by regulating inside-out signaling through LFA-1. The bulk of Rap1 is expressed in a GDP-bound state on intracellular vesicles. Exocytosis of these vesicles delivers Rap1 to the plasma membrane, where it becomes activated. We report here that phospholipase D1 (PLD1) is expressed on the same vesicular compartment in T cells as Rap1 and is translocated to the plasma membrane along with Rap1. Moreover, PLD activity is required for both translocation and activation of Rap1. Increased T-cell adhesion in response to stimulation of the antigen receptor depended on PLD1. C3G, a Rap1 guanine nucleotide exchange factor located in the cytosol of resting cells, translocated to the plasma membranes of stimulated T cells. Our data support a model whereby PLD1 regulates Rap1 activity by controlling exocytosis of a stored, vesicular pool of Rap1 that can be activated by C3G upon delivery to the plasma membrane.
USE OF LARVAL CULTURES TO INVESTIGATE THE STRUCTURE OF STRONGYLE POPULATIONS IN WORKING HORSES , ROMANIA : PRELIMINARY DATA

Strongyle parasites infecting grazing horses have different pathogenity potentials. For this reason, strongyle eggs with horse feces need to be differentiated into small and large strongyle species, usually by means of larval cultivation and subsequent microscopicidentification of thirdstage larvae. The present study aims to provide an analysis of the strongyle populations composition based on different morphotypes of third stage strongyle larvae in naturally infected horses. In this regard, a coprological study was carried out to investigate the diversity of strongyle species in naturally infected working horses, in Northeastern Romania. For this, individual faecal samples were collected and examined qualitatively for parasitic infection, using a sodium chloride flotation method, and quantitatively for faecal strongyle egg count (eggs per gram EPG), by a modified McMaster technique. Further larval cultures were performed from pooled positive samples for the identification of third-stage larvae (L3) of strongyle nematodes. All samples were positive for strongyle eggs,with an intensity rate varying from 50 to 2450 EPG. Larval identification showed mixed strongyle populations, with the following structure: small strongyles (92.9%), represented by the cyathostomin larvae type A (62%), type C (18.6%), type F (8.5%, and Gyalocephalus capitatus (3.8%), and large strongyles (4.5%) species, such as Oesophagodontus robustus (2.6%) and Craterostomum acuticaudatum (1.9%). Out of the total number of counted larvae, 2.6% could not be identified. The present study emphasizes that use of larval cultures allows a proper assessment of mixed strongyle populations in horses and it might represent an useful tool for further investigations into the epidemiology of equine strongyle infections in Romania.
Neural mechanisms of incentive salience in naturalistic human vision.

What role does reward play in real-world human vision? Reward coding in the midbrain is thought to cause the rapid prioritization of reward-associated visual stimuli. However, existing evidence for this incentive salience hypothesis in vision is equivocal, particularly in naturalistic circumstances, and little is known about underlying neural systems. We used human fMRI to test the idea that reward will prime perceptual encoding of naturalistic visual stimuli and to identify the neural mechanisms underlying this function. Twenty participants detected examples of cued object categories - trees, cars, or people - in briefly presented images of cityscapes and landscapes. For each participant, one category of stimuli was special: when this object was the cued target, correct detection of a category example resulted in a cash payout. Using multivoxel pattern analysis we found that visual cortex carried more information about such reward-associated targets than reward-neutral targets. In contrast, when participants were cued to search for one of the reward-neutral categories, but the scene contained an example of the reward-associated category as distractor, encoding of information about the reward-associated stimulus was strongly suppressed. The strength of this suppression could be predicted by the magnitude of distractor-evoked activity in the dopaminergic midbrain and a connected cortical network, as well as by participant scores on a personality inventory indexing trait reward sensitivity. Examples of a reward-associated object category thus become visually salient, creating the need for attentional suppression when they are task irrelevant. The dopaminergic midbrain appears to mediate this effect, suggesting an interaction between the neural systems responsible for reward processing and visual perception in the human brain. Meeting abstract presented at VSS 2015.
Structure and projections of white matter neurons in the postnatal rat visual cortex

Transient contributions of subplate neurons to the initial development of the cortex are well‐characterized, yet little data are available on a subpopulation of subplate neurons that persist in the white matter (WM) of the cerebral cortex across development. To characterize the WM neurons, differential interference contrast and Nomarski optics were used to visualize individual cells in the WM in slices of rat visual cortex at postnatal ages 9–23. Soma‐dendritic morphology and local axonal projection patterns, including probable synaptic innervation sites of their axons, were identified by intracellular filling with biocytin during electrophysiologic recordings. Dendritic branches of all WM neurons, tripartitioned here into upper, middle, and deep divisions, extend throughout the WM and frequently into the overlying cortex. Axonal arborizations from most WM neurons, including apparent boutons, project into adjacent WM with many also innervating overlying cortical layers, whereas some project into the stratum oriens/alveus of the hippocampal formation. Processes of a subset of WM neurons appear to be confined to the WM itself. By using antimicrotubule associated protein (MAP2) immunostaining to quantify the density of WM neurons in rat visual cortex, we find that their overall numbers decrease to approximately 30% of initial levels during postnatal development. During this same developmental period, an increasing percentage of WM neurons contain the synthetic enzyme for nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase (NOS), as evaluated by immunostaining. Thus, WM neurons that survive the initial perinatal period of cell death are positioned under the laminae of the maturing cortex to potentially modulate the integration of visual signals through either conventional synaptic or nonconventional (diffusible NO signaling) mechanisms. J. Comp. Neurol. 434:233–252, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.