Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Acute acalculous cholecystitis in children: Diagnosis and treatment.

PURPOSE In this study, 12 patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) who underwent diagnosis and treatment at the authors' clinic were discussed. METHODS Nine of these patients were boys, and 3 were girls. The mean age was 7.8 years. Almost all had fever, abdominal pain, and tenderness. Other manifestations included vomiting (75%) and jaundice (41%). Results of laboratory tests showed leucocytosis (83%) and abnormal liver function (66%). Three patients (25%) had previous operations (2 perforated appendicitis and 1 osteomylitis), and 4 (33%) had a previous blunt abdominal trauma. Five patients (41%) had underlying infectious disease. Diagnosis was suspected clinically and confirmed by ultrasonography (USG). USG criteria for AAC consisted of gallbladder (GB) distension, GB wall thickness (>3.5 mm), nonshadowing echogenic materials or sludge, and pericholecystic fluid collections. All patients were treated initially nonoperatively with nasogastric suction, intravenous fluids and antibiotics. They were followed by daily USG examinations, clinical condition, physical examinations, and laboratory findings for determining the timing of operative intervention. RESULTS GB distension was found in 50% of patients, a thickened GB wall in 100%, nonshadowing echogenic materials or sludge in 50%, and pericholecystic fluid in 41% at first USG examinations of patients. The combination of the least 2 USG criteria was noticed in all patients. Daily USG examinations also were helpful in confirming the diagnosis in our series. In contrast to the other 9 patients, daily USG examinations found a progressive increasing GB wall thickness and distension, or a persistent appearance of the nonshadowing echogenic materials or sludge and pericholecystic fluid in 3 (25%). Cholecystectomy was performed in these patients. In the other 9 patients (75%), daily USG examinations found a progressive improvement in the previous USG findings. They recovered fully and complete resolution of symptoms and signs related to AAC with nonoperative treatment resulted. CONCLUSIONS USG is the most reliable method of early diagnosis of AAC. In addition, follow-up USG criteria are earlier and much more reliable in determining the most favorable time for operative intervention than those of clinical and laboratory criteria used conventionally in AAC patients who had underlying diseases. So, the authors suggest that initially nonoperative treatment of AAC is safe and effective in most cases.
pch1 +, a Second Essential C-type Cyclin Gene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe *

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe genepch1 + ( p ombe cyclinC homology) was isolated in a two-hybrid screen for proteins that interact with Cdc2. The cyclin box region of Pch1 protein shares greatest sequence identity with mammalian andDrosophila C-type cyclins (∼33% identity). Pch1 is significantly less similar to Mcs2 (19% identity), a second member of the C-type cyclin family in S. pombe. Cdc2 co-precipitates with Pch1 in S. pombe cell lysates, although Cdc2 may not be the major catalytic partner of a Pch1 kinase in vivo. Purified Pch1-associated kinase phosphorylated myelin basic protein, histone H1, and a peptide corresponding to the carboxyl-terminal domain repeat of RNA polymerase II. The amount of pch1 mRNA does not oscillate during the cell cycle, as is the case for mRNA transcripts of other C-type cyclin genes. Δpch1 cells are inviable, therefore S. pombe has two essential genes that encode members of the C-type cyclin family,pch1 + and mcs2 +. TheΔpch1 mutation causes pleiotropic morphological defects and an associated growth deficiency, but loss of Pch1 activity does not result in a cdc cell cycle-arrest phenotype.
Aberrant DNA Methylation in Thymic Epithelial Tumors

Aberrant DNA methylation plays a critical role in the development and progression of many types of cancer. To investigate whether DNA methylation is abnormal in thymic epithelial tumors (TETs), we analyzed global methylation levels and the methylation status of 9 tumor suppressor gene (TSG) promoters in 65 TET samples. We found evidence of TSG promoter hypermethylation and decreased TSG expression in severe TETs. Furthermore, relative to early-stage TETs, global DNA methylation levels were reduced and DNA methyltransferase expression was increased in advanced-stage TETs. Our results suggest that aberrant DNA methylation is associated with TET development.
Reconstruction of hidden wire objects using complex time Green's functions and particle swarm optimization

In this paper, reconstruction of hidden wire objects in a half space using a time domain technique is presented. For solving the forward problem to determine the scattered fields, the currents on the wire objects are calculated using complex time Green's functions and method of moments which results in Marching-on in Time (MOT) formulation. In order to solve the inverse scattering problem and reconstruct the wire objects, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) method is employed to minimize the cost function defined by the L2 norm of the difference between the scattered fields from unknown and reconstructed objects. Numerical results show the accuracy of the proposed method in the reconstruction of the unknown wire objects even in noisy environments.
Investigation of the Release of Particles from a Nanocoated Product

Manufactured products are being coated with nanoparticles in order to functionalize them with antibacterial or self-cleaning properties or to improve their durability etc. As the (eco-) toxicological effects of the nanoparticles are not well known yet, their use could lead to new potential risks for the workers, the consumers and the environment. This study focuses on the release of the nanoparticles during the operations related to the handling and processing of an automotive part. The part is made up of a metallic alloy and, in order to reduce friction, the part is nano-coated with inorganic fullerenes. The mechanical stresses appearing during these operations are reproduced in a nano-secured facility. The release of nanoparticles is found to be increasing with the wear energy applied on the surface.
Diuretic renography in infants with prenatal unilateral hydronephrosis: an explanation for the controversy about poor drainage.

OBJECTIVE To present an explanation for impaired drainage on diuretic renography in infants with a prenatal diagnosis of unilateral renal pelvic dilatation (RPD) who are stable both in terms of renal function and dilatation on follow-up investigations, despite undergoing no surgical intervention, and who undergo diuretic renography postnatally; this should provide some insight into whether impaired drainage is a sign of obstruction in these asymptomatic infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using a combination of published studies on the technique of diuretic renography and an analysis of such studies, a theoretical model of the infant kidney was developed to assess the possibility of prolonged drainage. RESULTS The results from the model showed prolonged drainage in many different situations, thus offering an explanation of expected impaired drainage even if there was no obstruction. CONCLUSION Understanding the pathophysiology of prenatally diagnosed RPD allows different interpretations of the diuretic renogram and may affect the treatment of these children.
Antenna Integrated THz Uni-Traveling Carrier Photodiodes

High-speed photodiodes are a key element of numerous photonic systems. With the development of potential applications in the THz range such as sensing, spectroscopy, and wireless transmission, devices with integrated antenna covering the frequency range from 0.1 to 3 THz will become essential. In this paper, we discuss the development of uni-traveling carrier photodiodes with integrated antennas to address that need. In particular we develop the key elements to present a simple design tool for the efficient integration of the device with an antenna. We also present fabricated device results that show the highest figure of merit to date for photonic THz emitters. When integrated with well-matched antennas the devices have achieved record level of power up to 1 THz compared to other published photomixers. We also show that these devices can be used as receivers at frequencies up to 560 GHz with conversion losses of the order of 30 dB.
Papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential: reliability of diagnosis and outcome

To determine the ability of pathologists to reproducibly diagnose a newly defined lesion, i.e. the papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential (PUNLMP) using the published criteria, defined by the 1998 World Health Organisation/International Society of Urological Pathology (WHO/ISUP) classification system; in addition, debate remains about the clinical behaviour of these lesions, thus the rates of recurrence and progression of PUNLMP lesions were assessed and compared with low‐grade papillary urothelial carcinomas (LG‐PUC) and high‐grade (HG‐PUC) over a 10‐year follow‐up.
Efficacy of ofloxacin and other otic preparations for acute otitis media in patients with tympanostomy tubes

Otorrhea occurs in 21 to 50% of all children with tympanostomy tubes in the United States. More than 1 million children annually undergo tubomyringotomy, constituting placement of more than 2 million tympanostomy tubes each year. The organisms typically responsible for otorrhea are the same as those that cause otitis media in very young children, including Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis. Drainage from tympanostomy tubes in older children involves organisms that colonize the external auditory canal, the most common being Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Ofloxacin (Floxin otic), a newer fluoroquinalone antibiotic, has several advantages over other agents available for the treatment of otorrhea caused by acute otitis media in patients with tympanostomy tubes. The twice daily dosing regimen encourages better patient adherence to therapy, which is likely to improve treatment efficacy. Ofloxacin has not been associated with ototoxicity in animal models or in children participating in the clinical trials. It provides coverages for a wide range of pathogens, including Pseudomonas sp. , and is indicated for use in children ≥1 year old and currently approved for patients <12 years with chronic suppurative otitis media. Ofloxacin applied topically in children with tympanostomy tubes in place and purulent otorrhea is as efficacious as oral amoxicillin/clavulanate (Augmentin) therapy. Other currently available therapeutic options are discussed.
Molecular and functional analysis of the mce4 operon in Mycobacterium smegmatis

Mycobacterium smegmatis contains 6 homologous mce (mammalian cell entry) operons which have been proposed to encode ABC-like import systems. The mce operons encode up to 10 different proteins of unknown function that are not present in conventional ABC transporters. We have analysed the consequences of individually deleting each of the genes of the mce4 operon of M. smegmatis, which mediates the transport of cholesterol. None of the mce4 mutants were able to grow in cholesterol suggesting that all these genes are required for its uptake and that none of them can be replaced by the homologous genes of the other mce operons. This result suggests that different mce operons do not provide redundant capabilities and that M. smegmatis, in contrast with Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is not able to use alternative systems to import cholesterol in the analysed culture conditions. Either deletion of the entire mce4 operon or single point mutations that eliminate the transport function cause a phenotype similar to the one observed in a mutant lacking all 6 mce operons suggesting a pleiotropic role for this system.
Effect of monocrotophos and quinalphos on soil population and nitrogen-fixing activity of Azospirillum sp.

The effects of monocrotophos and quinalphos on population and nitrogen-fixing activity of Azospirillum sp. in four agricultural soils were determined in a laboratory study. Concentrations of the two insecticides up to a 5 kg ha-1 level were either stimulatory or innocuous to the population of Azospirillum in the soils. Four successive applications of the insecticides to soils resulted in a significant increase in the population density. Cultures of Azospirillum sp. , isolated from insecticide-treated soils, exhibited greater nitrogen-fixing activity. Three consecutive subculturings of the isolates from insecticide-treated soils had no effect on their nitrogen-fixing activity.
[Effect of cigarette smoke extract on E-cadherin expression of airway epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE To explore the possible mechanism of injury by smoking, and the effect of cigarette smoke extract (CSE) on E-cadherin (ECD) expression in airway epithelial cells (AEC) was observed. METHODS Mouse trachea and pig AEC were cultured in vitro. After CSE exposure, the expression of ECD in AECs was evaluated using immunohistochemical stain and image analysis. RESULTS ECD was distributed on the plasma membrane at the cell junctions of AECs. At 12th and 24th hour after CSE exposure, the ECD expression on membrane decreased, whereas the cytoplasmic expression increased (P < 0.01) as compared with the normal controls. The expression at 24th hour was higher than that at 12th hour (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS CSE decreases the membranous expression of ECD in AECs, but increases the cytoplasmic expression. The change of ECD expression may mediate the airway epithelial injuries by smoking.
Pathogen profile Wheat leaf rust caused by Puccinia triticina MELV IN

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina , is the most common rust disease of wheat. The fungus is an obligate parasite capable of producing infectious urediniospores as long as infected leaf tissue remains alive. Urediniospores can be wind-disseminated and infect host plants hundreds of kilometres from their source plant, which can result in wheat leaf rust epidemics on a continental scale. This review summarizes current knowledge of the P. triticina /wheat interaction with emphasis on the infection process, molecular aspects of pathogenicity, rust resistance genes in wheat, genetics of the host parasite interaction, and the population biology of P. triticina . Taxonomy: Puccinia triticina Eriks. : kingdom Fungi, phylum Basidiomycota, class Urediniomycetes, order Uredinales, family Pucciniaceae, genus Puccinia . Host range: Telial/uredinial (primary) hosts: common wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.), durum wheat ( T. turgidum L. var. durum ), cultivated emmer wheat ( T. dicoccon ) and wild emmer wheat ( T. dicoccoides) , Aegilops speltoides , goatgrass ( Ae. cylindrica ), and triticale (X Triticosecale). Pycnial/aecial (alternative) hosts: Thalictrum speciosissimum (= T. flavum glaucum ) and Isopyrum fumaroides . Identification: Leaf rust is characterized by the uredinial stage. Uredinia are up to 1.5 mm in diameter, erumpent, round to ovoid, with orange to brown uredinia that are scattered on both the upper and the lower leaf surfaces of the primary host. Uredinia produce urediniospores that are sub-globoid, average 20 μ m in diameter and are orange–brown, with up to eight germ pores scattered in thick, echinulate walls. Disease symptoms: Wheat varieties that are fully susceptible have large uredinia without causing chlorosis or necrosis in the host tissues. Resistant wheat varieties are characterized by various responses from small hypersensitive flecks to small to moderate size uredinia that may be surrounded by chlorotic and/ or necrotic zones. Useful website: USDA Cereal Disease Laboratory: http:// www.ars. usda.gov/mwa/cdl
Effective Special Education in Regular Classes

An educational approach is described that accommodates, in regular classes, a much wider range of individual student differences than usual. Reported results-from a study of program implementation and related outcomes suggest that the program, known as the Adaptive Learning Environments Model (ALEM), can be implemented effectively in a variety of settings and that favorable student outcome measures coincide with high degrees of program implementation.
The Impact of Migration Movements on Innovation Activities in Croatian Counties

Innovation activities are one of the most important engines behind economic growth. Among factors that facilitate development of innovations a particularly prominent place belongs to social and cultural diversity of particular geographic areas. Contributions within a number of academic disciplines point to the positive impact of the heterogeneity of the population on the generation of new ideas, knowledge diffusion, entrepreneurship and economic growth. However, the relationship between migration movements and innovations at the regional level has been investigated to a lesser extent. This is especially true when it comes to spatial effects of migration movements on innovations that have not been addressed in the existing literature. The objective of this research is to explore spatial impact of migration movements on innovation activities of Croatian counties in the 2005–2013 period. Results obtained using the spatial panel Durbin econometric technique point to a negative intraregional and positive interregional impact of intercounty and international migration movements on regional innovation activity. Increased innovation activity within individual regions has a positive impact on the same activity of neighbouring regions.
Antifungal Susceptibility testing: New trends

Development of standardized antifungal susceptibility testing methods has been the focus of intensive research in the last 15 years. Antifungal sensitivity tests were done for selected (46) fungal isolates, (23 dermatophytes and 23 Candida ) by E-test and broth microdilution method. Etest gave better sensitivity results on Candida species than dermatophytes for all drugs expect itraconazole. We compared E-test versus broth microdilution method for testing dermatophytes. The sensitive cases obtained by broth microdilution method were (13% for amphotericin B, 21% for fluconazole, 21% for ketoconazole and 69% for itraconazole) higher than those obtained by Etest (8% for amphotericin B, 8% for fluconazole, 4% for ketoconazole and 34% for itraconazole) for all tested drugs. The difference was significantly higher in broth microdilution method than Etest for itraconazole (P=0.02). On comparing both methods of antifungal susceptibility for Candida species, there was insignificant lower sensitivity to amphotericin B, fluconazole and itraconazole by E-test than broth microdilution (p>0.05) with similar sensitivity to ketoconazole. In conclusion: - Broth microdilution method is the preferred method for antifungal susceptibility of dermatophytes. - E-test is simple method, easy to perform on both dermatophytes and Candida. However it is expensive and difficult in defining the precise borders of the inhibition zones particularly for fluconazole (fungistatic), and on dermatophytes (unequal distribution of inoculum on agar plates ).
Thymol, a monoterpene phenolic derivative of cymene, abrogates mercury‐induced oxidative stress resultant cytotoxicity and genotoxicity in hepatocarcinoma cells

Thymol (TOH) was investigated for its ability to protect against mercuric chloride (HgCl2)‐induced cytotoxicity and genotoxicity using human hepatocarcinoma (HepG2) cell line. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)−2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay confirmed the efficacy of TOH pretreatment in attenuating HgCl2‐induced cytotoxicity. Pretreatment with TOH inhibited HgCl2‐induced genotoxicity, depolarization of mitochondrial membrane, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial superoxide levels. Interestingly, TOH (100 µM) alone elevated the intracellular basal glutathione S‐transferase (GST) levels and TOH pretreatment abrogated the decrease in glutathione, GST, superoxide dismutase, and catalase levels even after HgCl2 intoxication. Furthermore, TOH was also capable of inhibiting HgCl2‐induced apoptotic as well as necrotic cell death analyzed by flowcytometric analysis of cells dual stained with Annexin‐FITC/propidium iodide. The present findings clearly indicate the cytoprotective potential of TOH against HgCl2‐induced toxicity, which may be attributed to its free radical scavenging ability which facilitated in reducing oxidative stress and mitochondrial damage thereby inhibiting cell death. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 968–980, 2015.
simple immune complex dissociation ELISA for leishmaniasis : Standardization f the assay in experimental models and preliminary results in canine and uman samples amila

Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi, is a chronic parasitic disease of humans and dogs. Confirmation of the protozoal agent in bone marrow, lymph node or spleen aspirate is diagnostic, while specific-IgG serology is used mainly for epidemiology despite the general presence of high levels of serum immunoglobulin. Anecdotal reports of false-negative serology in active disease cases are known and are ascribed to the formation of immune complexes. Because dissociation of immune complexes can be accomplished by acid treatment, we devised a simple, routine enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) for the dissociation of immune complexes in serum samples using acid treatment in wells adsorbed with Leishmania antigen (dELISA). Confirmatory acid dot-blot was also developed for antigen
Understanding the key factors for enzymatic conversion of pretreated lignocellulose by partial least square analysis

The relationship between the physicochemical properties of lignocellulosic substrates and enzyme digestion is still not well known. After different pretreatments, cellulase hydrolysis and measurements of physicochemical characteristics by column solute exclusion, particle size analysis, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance were performed in this study. Partial least squares was then applied to seek the key factors limiting the rate and extent of cellulose digestion. According to the PLS results, the most important factor for cellulose digestion was accessible interior surface area, followed by delignification and the destruction of the hydrogen bonds. The cellulose digestion at 2 and 24 hr were improved with the increased accessibility of interior surface area to the reporter molecules of 5.1‐nm diameter. Removal of lignin and breaking of hydrogen bonds were also found to significantly promote cellulose conversion. Other properties, including the breakdown of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, cellulose crystallinity, and hemicellulose content, had less effect on the efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis. © 2009 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog. , 2010