Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic methods and treatment options for focal cortical dysplasia

Our inability to adequately treat many patients with refractory epilepsy caused by focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), surgical inaccessibility and failures are significant clinical drawbacks. The targeting of physiologic features of epileptogenesis in FCD and colocalizing functionality has enhanced completeness of surgical resection, the main determinant of outcome. Electroencephalography (EEG)–functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and magnetoencephalography are helpful in guiding electrode implantation and surgical treatment, and high‐frequency oscillations help defining the extent of the epileptogenic dysplasia. Ultra high‐field MRI has a role in understanding the laminar organization of the cortex, and fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) is highly sensitive for detecting FCD in MRI‐negative cases. Multimodal imaging is clinically valuable, either by improving the rate of postoperative seizure freedom or by reducing postoperative deficits. However, there is no level 1 evidence that it improves outcomes. Proof for a specific effect of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in FCD is lacking. Pathogenic mutations recently described in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) genes in FCD have yielded important insights into novel treatment options with mTOR inhibitors, which might represent an example of personalized treatment of epilepsy based on the known mechanisms of disease. The ketogenic diet (KD) has been demonstrated to be particularly effective in children with epilepsy caused by structural abnormalities, especially FCD. It attenuates epigenetic chromatin modifications, a master regulator for gene expression and functional adaptation of the cell, thereby modifying disease progression. This could imply lasting benefit of dietary manipulation. Neurostimulation techniques have produced variable clinical outcomes in FCD. In widespread dysplasias, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) has achieved responder rates >50%; however, the efficacy of noninvasive cranial nerve stimulation modalities such as transcutaneous VNS (tVNS) and noninvasive (nVNS) requires further study. Although review of current strategies underscores the serious shortcomings of treatment‐resistant cases, initial evidence from novel approaches suggests that future success is possible.
Epidemiology and ecology of deep mycoses of man and animals.

Most of the deep (systemic) fungal infections of man also occur in animals. Actinomycosis (including nocardiosis), aspergillosis, North American blastomycosis, candidiasis, coccidioidomycosis, cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, phycomycosis (including mucormycosis), rhinosporidiosis and sporotrichosis are the principal systemic fungal infections that are common to man and animals. A listing is provided of the infections and the species of animals known to be affected. These infections are more appropriately studied with an overall view of the epidemiologic and ecologic factors involving the sources in nature and the various hosts, rather than with the restricted view that can result from the study of only one affected species. The etiologic agents often occur as saprophytes in soil or in decomposing fecal material from mammals and birds. There is little evidence of direct transmission of infection between animals and man.
A Coarse-to-Fine Deformable Contour Optimization Framework

This paper introduces a novel coarse-to-fine deformable contour optimization framework, which is composed of two main components. The first component uses scale-space and information theories to produce a coarser representation of the input image to be used in a coarse-to-fine optimization scheme. The employment of information theory ensures that maximal image information is propagated to the coarse images and employment of scale spaces provides a mechanism to change the image coarseness locally based on the deformable contour model definition. The second component of this framework uses a novel combination of dynamic programming and gradient descent methods to optimize the contour energy on coarser representations and then use the obtained coarse contour positions in finer optimizations. The motivation in using a combination of dynamic programming and gradient descent method is to take advantage of each method's efficiency and avoid their drawbacks. In order to verify the performance of this framework, we constructed a deformable contour model for the spatiotemporal tracking of closed contours and optimized the model energy under this framework. Experiments on this system performed using synthetic images and real world echocardiographic sequences demonstrated the effectiveness and practicality of this framework.
In vivo effects of calcitriol on phenotypic and functional properties of dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND Dendritic cells (DCs) play a central role in the initiation and expansion of T cell mediated immune responses with potential immunotherapy application. The compounds which have the ability to induce immunomodulatory effects on DCs may be employed for the treatment of immunopathologic conditions such as autoimmune diseases. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo effects of calcitriol (active form of vitamin D3) on DCs. METHODS 0.1 microgram calcitriol was injected intra-peritoneally into C57BL/6 mice every other day within 3 weeks, and spleen DCs were extracted by magnetic beads. The phenotypic and functional properties of DCs were studied by flow cytometry and mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR), respectively. RESULTS The expression of CD86 and MHC II, as maturation markers and costimulatory molecules were significantly decreased (p=0.028 and p=0.047, respectively) while CD11b expression, as a marker of mice myeloid DCs which mostly induces Th2 cytokine profile, was significantly increased (p=0.011). Allogeneic T cell stimulation in MLR was also significantly inhibited in comparison with the control groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION Our data indicate that in vivo calcitriol administration inhibits maturation and activation of DCs in the same manner as in vitro conditions.
Efficacy of hyaluronidase in reducing increases in intraocular pressure related to the use of viscoelastic substances.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of hyaluronidase in preventing increases in intraocular pressure related to injections of hyaluronan-containing viscoelastic substances. METHODS Twenty-five white rabbits were divided into 5 groups. In groups 1 through 4, 0.15 mL of aqueous humor was removed and replaced with 0.10 mL of a viscoelastic substance in both eyes. Additionally, 10 units of hyaluronidase (0.05 mL) was injected in the anterior chamber of the right eye, whereas the left eye was injected with a volumetrically equivalent dose of balanced saline solution. Viscoelastic substances tested were Healon and Healon GV (Pharmacia & Upjohn, Kalamazoo, Mich), Viscoat (Alcon Laboratories, Fort Worth, Tex), and Ocucoat (Storz Ophthalmics, Clearwater, Fla). In group 5, right eyes were injected with 10 units of hyaluronidase and the left eyes were treated with balanced saline solution. RESULTS After injections of viscoelastic substance, intraocular pressure rose rapidly, reaching a peak at approximately 46 hours after injection and returning to preinjection levels within 24 hours. Hyaluronidase significantly decreased intraocular pressure when used with Healon, Healon GV, and Viscoat, but not with Ocucoat. When injected in the absence of viscoelastic, hyaluronidase appeared to decrease intraocular pressure, but this result was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Injections of hyaluronidase into the anterior chamber of rabbits effectively prevent increases in intraocular pressure induced by hyaluronan-containing viscoelastic substances. This effect may be related to the ability of hyaluronidase to cleave hyaluronan moieties.
Longitudinal determinants of bronchial responsiveness to inhaled histamine.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY OBJECTIVE The point prevalence of bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) is imperfectly associated with current asthma, possibly due to changes over time in bronchial responsiveness (BR). To evaluate cross-sectional and longitudinal determinants of BR, a population sample comprising 408 children and adolescents, aged 7 to 17 years at enrollment, was examined twice, 6 years apart. METHODS Case history was obtained by interview and questionnaire. BR to inhaled histamine, pulmonary function, and skin prick test reactivity were measured using standard techniques. RESULTS The point prevalence of BHR (the concentration of histamine causing a 20% decline in FEV1 <8 mg/mL) declined from childhood to early adulthood (25% and 6%, respectively; p<0.001); and similarly a decline in histamine dose-response slope was observed. At both surveys, prechallenge FEV1 percent predicted, asthma, and atopy, especially atopy to house dust mite (HDM), were important determinants for the degree of BR. After adjustment for prechallenge FEV1 percent predicted, no male-female difference was observed in degree of BR. Lower FEV1 percent predicted (p=0.003), asthma (p<0.001), higher degree of BR (p=0.003), and atopy to HDM (p=0.007) at enrollment predicted a higher degree of BR at the second survey (degree of BR at second survey adjusted for prechallenge FEV1). Furthermore, new asthma (p<0.001) and/or atopy to HDM (p=0.003) were associated with higher BR at the second survey. Confining the analysis to nonasthmatics showed that subjects with new or persistent atopy to HDM had significantly increased BR compared with nonatopic subjects; and, moreover, prechallenge FEV1 percent predicted was significantly correlated with BR. CONCLUSIONS BR declines from childhood to early adulthood, possibly reflecting the increase in airway caliber. The level of FEV1 and atopy, especially to HDM, are important determinants for changes over time in level of BR, also in nonasthmatic subjects.
Preoperative T and N staging of gastric cancer: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) versus multi detector computed tomography (MDCT).

BACKGROUND AND AIM Multi Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) is widely used in the preoperative staging of gastric cancer. MRI has an emerging role in the evaluation of intestinal diseases, although its role in the staging of gastric cancers is still to be defined. The aim of our study was to compare the diagnostic accuracy of MDCT and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and preoperative staging of gastric cancer, in comparison with histopathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with an endoscopic diagnosis of gastric cancer underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced MDCT and MRI, blind to the results of endoscopy. MDCT (64 slices) was performed after oral administration of 800-1000 mL of tap water and scopolamine injection five minutes before the examination. The scan was performed in the axial plane before and after intravenous injection of iodinate contrast medium. Multiplanar reconstruction images were obtained on coronal and sagittal planes. MRI was performed with a 1.5 T Magnet, using the same patient's preparation, by acquiring T2-weighted HASTE sequences, with or without fat saturation (FS), True FISP (True fast imaging with steady state precession) and T1-weighted VIBE (Volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination) sequences, with and without FS, before and after contrast agent (gadolinium) i.v. injection. Gold standards (GS) were surgical and histopathological findings. Two groups of radiologists, blind each other, analyzed MRI images and MDCT findings, and related to GS results. RESULTS Detection rate of gastric lesions and T staging for gastric cancer were similar for MRI and MDCT (92%); MRI imaging was superior than MDCT in staging the T parameter (60% versus 48%); the accuracy of MRI imaging and 64-MDCT did not differ significantly in the evaluation of N staging (68% versus 72%). CONCLUSIONS Both MRI and MDCT were comparable in staging gastric cancer. MRI was more accurate in evaluation of T stage than MDCT, although both imaging modalities showed low accuracy in detection of early gastric cancer and in differentiation of T2 from T3 stage.
Chitin Synthase 2 Gene Sequence of Malassezia Species

Nucleotide sequences of the chitin synthase 2 (CHS2) gene of seven species, Malassezia furfur, M. globosa, M. obtusa, M. pachydermatis, M. restricta, M. slooffiae and M. sympodialis, were analyzed for their phylogenetic relationship. About 620‐bp genomic DNA fragments of the CHS2 gene were amplified from these Malassezia species by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. The CHS2 nucleotide sequences of these Malassezia species showed more than 95% similarity between the species. A phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of CHS2 gene fragments of seven Malassezia species revealed that the species were genetically distinct from each other.
Performance Evaluation of Major Asian Airline Companies Using DEA Window Model and Grey Theory

Being an essential part of the global transport system, airline transportation is capable of delivering fast service for passengers and commodities. In the past decade, the Asia aviation industry has experienced a high growth rate of transport due to higher economic development in this area, and this trend is expected to continue in the next two decades. However, competition in the Asia aviation industry will increase dramatically. To survive in the Asia aviation industry, the Asia airline companies should understand their current and future performance. A methodology for this purpose is required. This paper proposes a hybrid approach, combining Grey model GM(1,1) and Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) Window model, to satisfy this need. The hybrid approach proposed in this research has been used to evaluate the current and future performance of 16 major Asia airline companies. The DEA Window analysis showed that airline companies Emirates, Cebu Pacific, and Sri Lankan were leading companies in the time period of 2012 to 2016, while Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways followed behind. We found that Chinese airline corporations are rising in the Asia aviation industry. All 16 Asia airline companies studied in the research were found to improve their productivity in the time period of 2017 to 2021 as their Malmquist productivity indexes (MPIs) are greater than 1.
Awareness of primary spontaneous hemorrhagic angiosarcoma of the breast associated with Kasabach–Merritt syndrome in a pregnant woman by enhanced magnetic resonance imaging

Introduction:Primary breast angiosarcoma with spontaneous intratumoral bleeding associating with Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome is rarely reported. Case Findings/Patient Concerns:We herein present such a case in a 30-year-old pregnant woman who was initially diagnosed to hemangioma at her early gestation. However, the sudden rapid tumor growth was aware of the attention and intended for receiving the breast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. Diagnoses and Interventions:The dynamic MRI enhancement showed inhomogenous enhancement at the periphery of the lobulated tumor on both early and delayed scans, otherwise a large hematoma was revealed at the center. Surgical resection was performed after baby delivery by Caeserean section, and histopathologic study confirmed breast angiosarcoma. Conclusion:Despite its rarity, clinicians should recognize the association of breast angiosacroma with Kasabach-Merritt Syndrome with suggestive finding of enhanced MRI in order to decide the surgical approach.
Relationships Among Reading Skills of Adults With Low Literacy

In this study, confirmatory factor analyses were used to examine the interrelationships among latent factors of the simple view model of reading comprehension (word recognition and language comprehension) and hypothesized additional factors (vocabulary and reading fluency) in a sample of 476 adult learners with low literacy levels. The results provided evidence for reliable distinctions between word recognition, fluency, language comprehension, and vocabulary skills as components of reading. Even so, the data did not support the hypothesis that the simple view needs to be expanded to include vocabulary or fluency factors, as has been posited in a few prior studies of younger and more able readers. Rather, word recognition and language comprehension alone were found to account adequately for variation in reading comprehension in adults with low literacy.
Sustaining Livelihoods in Multi‐local Settings: Possible Theoretical Linkages Between Transnational Migration and Livelihood Studies

Worldwide, an increasing number of people are diversifying their income sources through migration. This mobility in most cases involves only parts of the family migrating, and this results in people's livelihoods taking on a multi‐local dimension. Scholars have been studying this increasing mobility and multi‐locality by applying either a livelihoods approach or one of transnational migration, but they rarely combine the two. However, one major criticism of both approaches is that they do not make the link to other existing social theories and do not therefore permit any fundamental analysis of the relationship between the subject and society, the power relations within a society and the changes human mobility effects to power relations. To address this criticism, I shall discuss existing innovative research and propose Bourdieu's Theory of Practice as a means to fill this theoretical gap.
Estimation of tubular differentiation in female libyan breast cancer

We tried to evaluate tubular differentiation in the paraffin sections of 130 Libyan breast cancers to distinguish the less aggressive variants of infiltrating breast cancer from other variants and to found the relationship with clinicopathological features. We also compared our results with corresponding results on Finnish, and Nigerian female breast cancer patients. Methods: Histological samples from 130 patients of Libyan breast cancer were retrospectively studied by estimated the fraction of fields with tubular differentiation (FTD). The samples were screened at x10 magnification and the presence or absence of malignant tubular structures in each microscopic field was registered. They were compared with different clinicopathological features, and patient's survival. Results: The mean (±SD) value of FTD in Libya 23.4±21.6%, was higher than in Nigeria. but lower than reported in European breast cancer. There was statistically significant correlation between the FTD and some clinicopathological features, with the strongest association observed for large tumor (p < 0.0001). There was also correlation between FTD and histological grade (p = 0.001) and lymph node (LN) status (p = 0.007). The correlation with tumor staging was almost significant (p = 0.07). Conclusions: The results indicated that FTD are reliable prognostic indicators in Libyan female breast carcinomas, as they were among Finnish and Nigerian females. The FTD is a good parameter for identifying the aggressive tumor phenotype and provide significant prognostic support. The cut-offs (30% and 50%) might be applied as quantitative criterium for Libyan breast cancer to separate the patients into good, moderate and bad prognosis groups. The survival analysis indicated that short survival time was associated with low FTD values.
Disparate In Vitro and In Vivo Requirements for IL-2 During Antigen-Independent CD8 T Cell Expansion1

Transient TCR stimulation induces multiple rounds of CD8 T cell division without further requirement for Ag. The mechanism driving Ag-independent proliferation, however, remains unclear. In this study, we show that the initial duration of TCR stimulation positively correlates with the number of divisions that CD8 T cells subsequently undergo. We find that increased periods of Ag stimulation result in enhanced CD25 up-regulation and greater IL-2 production by CD8 T cells. Depletion of IL-2 from T cell cultures with specific Abs dramatically impairs programmed proliferation. Consistent with this result, IL-2-deficient T cells undergo markedly attenuated Ag-independent proliferation in vitro. Although IL-2 production by stimulated CD8 T cells appears to be essential for in vitro proliferation, upon transfer into recipient mice, IL-2-deficient CD8 T cells undergo extensive proliferation in vivo after transient stimulation. Furthermore, the extent of in vivo proliferation correlates with the duration of in vitro Ag stimulation. These results indicate that the requirements for autocrine IL-2 production by CD8 T cells differs between in vitro and in vivo conditions and suggests that factors in addition to IL-2 can support Ag-independent CD8 T cell proliferation.
Adaptive profile of Saanen goats in tropical conditions

ABSTRACT The objective was to characterize the adaptive profile and thermoregulatory responses of Saanen goats raised under tropical conditions. Twenty dairy goats were used. Its rectal temperature (RT, °C), respiratory rate (RR, breaths min−1), and heart rate (HR, bpm) were collected biweekly for two consecutive years. Individual blood samples were collected for determination of thyroxine (T4; μg dL−1). All physiological responses were higher in the afternoon, except for RR which was higher in the morning. The RT and RR were higher in the rainy season, and HR and T4 levels had no effect between periods of the year. The RT, HR, RR and T4, in this order of importance, are the most important variables to characterize the adaptive profile of the animals. The thermoregulatory responses during the morning and afternoon shifts were similar, whereas between periods of the year the animals used different mechanisms to maintain homeostasis. Saanen goats mainly use the latent thermoregulation mechanisms in the rainy season as a form of endogenous heat dissipation and the sensitive mechanisms in the dry season. The RT is a physiological variable that presents discriminatory power for evaluation of adaptive aspects in Saanen goats in tropical conditions.
Estudio filo-funcional de levaduras de interés enológico para su aplicación industrial

La microbiologia asociada al proceso de fermentacion espontanea de un mosto de uva consiste en una compleja sucesion de especies de levaduras que establecen una dinamica poblacional determinada, fundamentalmente, por la presion selectiva que ejerce la creciente concentracion de etanol en el medio. En este contexto, es conocido como Saccharomyces cerevisiae logra dominar el proceso, aun estando en concentraciones relativamente bajas en la poblacion inicial del mosto, a traves de la estrategia de produccion-acumulacion-consumo de etanol. Esta estrategia ha permitido a S. cerevisiae hacer, de un ambiente fundamentalmente antropico como son las fermentaciones, uno de sus principales nichos ecologicos. No obstante, el proceso de fermentacion vinica no es un proceso axenico y, dado el papel crucial de S. cerevisiae en el proceso, la bibliografia tradicional ha denominado al resto de especies de levadura involucradas en la fermentacion vinica como levaduras “no-Saccharomyces”. Asi, las levaduras no-Saccharomyces constituyen un grupo heterogeneo de especies fundamentalmente involucradas en las primeras etapas del proceso de fermentacion. Puede establecerse una clasificacion de las mismas en funcion de su poder fermentativo y, por tanto, del mayor o menor tiempo que, a priori, podran mantenerse activas en la fermentacion. Existen levaduras eminentemente oxidativas (Pichia spp., Debaryomyces spp., Rhodotorula spp., Cryptococcus spp.), levaduras poco fermentativas (Hanseniaspora spp.) y levaduras con cierta o notable capacidad fermentativa (Metschnikowia spp., Kluyveromyces spp., Lachancea spp., Torulaspora spp. y Zygosaccharomyces spp.). Su fisiologia y su contribucion a la composicion y calidad del vino estan todavia poco estudiadas, aunque en la actualidad, tanto cientificos como enologos, son conscientes de su potencialidad en la mejora de la calidad de los vinos, tanto en aspectos sensoriales como tecnologicos y de seguridad alimentaria.