Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MRI of pneumonia in immunocompromised patients: comparison with CT.

PURPOSE Pneumonia is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in immunocompromised patients. Computed tomography (CT) is the most sensitive imaging modality for the diagnosis and surveillance of these patients. Since CT exposes the patient to ionizing radiation, we investigated the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the diagnosis and surveillance of immunocompromised patients with pneumonia. METHODS The study included 40 immunocompromised patients with pneumonia documented on CT. The patients were examined by MRI within 48 hours of CT examination. All images were obtained with three different sequences: balanced fast field echo, T1-weighted turbo spin-echo (TSE), and T2-weighted TSE. Lung abnormalities were evaluated using CT and MRI. RESULTS Infection was determined in 36 patients (90%), while the causative organism remained unknown in four patients (10%). In all the patients, the CT findings were consistent with infection, although three patients showed no abnormal findings on MRI. CT was superior to MRI in the detection of the tree-in-bud nodules, centrilobular nodules, and halo sign (P < 0.001, for all). A significant difference was observed between the MRI sequences and CT in terms of the number of detected nodules (P < 0.001). The nodule detection rate of MRI significantly increased in proportion to the size of the nodule (P < 0.001). All MRI sequences had almost perfect agreement with CT for the detection of consolidation (к=0.950, P < 0.001), patchy increased density (к=1, P < 0.001), pleural effusion (к=0.870, P < 0.001), pericardial effusion (к=1, P < 0.001), reverse halo sign, (к=1 P < 0.001), 10-20 mm, nodules (к=0.896, P < 0.001 for CT and B-FFE; к=0.948, P < 0.001 for CT and T1- or T2-weighted imaging) 10-20 mm, >20 mm nodules (к=0.844, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION Although CT is superior to MRI in the diagnosis of pneumonia in immunocompromised patients, MRI is an important imaging modality that can be used, particularly in the follow-up of these patients, thus decreasing to avoid ionizing radiation exposure.
Toward a Social Semantic Web

The semantic Web embodies a vision for a new era in the management and exploitation of Web content by people and machines. Although it poses great research challenges, the Web industry and user community have not yet embraced this vision. At the same time, Web 2.0 is increasingly gaining ground despite its unsophisticated nature or, more likely, because of it. Despite the apparent tension between the semantic Web and the social Web, they are essentially compatible and call coexist.
p140mDia, a mammalian homolog of Drosophila diaphanous,is a target protein for Rho small GTPase and is a ligand for profilin

Rho small GTPase regulates cell morphology, adhesion and cytokinesis through the actin cytoskeleton. We have identified a protein, p140mDia, as a downstream effector of Rho. It is a mammalian homolog of Drosophila diaphanous, a protein required for cytokinesis, and belongs to a family of formin‐related proteins containing repetitive polyproline stretches. p140mDia binds selectively to the GTP‐bound form of Rho and also binds to profilin. p140mDia, profilin and RhoA are co‐localized in the spreading lamellae of cultured fibroblasts. They are also co‐localized in membrane ruffles of phorbol ester‐stimulated sMDCK2 cells, which extend these structures in a Rho‐dependent manner. The three proteins are recruited around phagocytic cups induced by fibronectin‐coated beads. Their recruitment is not induced after Rho is inactivated by microinjection of botulinum C3 exoenzyme. Overexpression of p140mDia in COS‐7 cells induced homogeneous actin filament formation. These results suggest that Rho regulates actin polymerization by targeting profilin via p140mDia beneath the specific plasma membranes.
Stress, Resilience and Life Satisfaction in College Students

The current study aims to assess the construct validity of the Adolescent Resilience Scale and its psychometric properties in order to determine its relevance when used within the Romanian context. The second aim of the study is to investigate the associations between resilience, perceived stress and life satisfaction. A number of 341 Romanian students from several faculties were recruited. The results suggest that the Adolescent Resilience Scale has good psychometric properties after its translation into Romanian, which is an argument for its future use in Romanian settings. The confirmatory factor analysis supports the construct of adolescent resilience even after the Romanian translation. Consistent with previous studies, the path analyses shows that stressors function as a mediator between resilience, reactions to stress and life satisfaction.
New therapies in nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer treatment

Introduction: Nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) remains a very challenging disease to treat with high rates of recurrence and progression associated with current therapies. Recent technological and biological advances have led to the development of novel agents in NMIBC therapy. Methods: We reviewed existing literature as well as currently active and recently completed clinical trials in NMIBC by querying PubMed.gov and clinicaltrials.gov. Results: A wide variety of new therapies in NMIBC treatment are currently being developed, utilizing recent developments in the understanding of immune therapies and cancer biology. Conclusion: The ongoing efforts to develop new therapeutic approaches for NMIBC look very promising and are continuing to evolve.
Balancing Illness and Parental Demands: Coping With Cancer While Raising Minor Children.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To explore the cancer experience of parents and their perceptions of supportive strategies to assist them with illness- and family-related challenges. DESIGN Qualitative, descriptive design. SETTING A large McGill University-affiliated hospital cancer care center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. PARTICIPANTS Five mothers and seven fathers aged 33-67 years with a first cancer diagnosis who received treatment at the cancer clinic within the previous year. Participants had to have at least one minor child living with them. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH Semistructured, audio-recorded interviews. FINDINGS Three main categories emerged. CONCLUSIONS Coping with cancer while raising children requires delicate balancing of illness and parenting demands. Tangible support systems must include access to childcare services, home healthcare services, and transportation solutions. INTERPRETATION Support for parenting needs is a key component of comprehensive cancer care. Oncology nurses should stay informed of all hospital, clinic, and community resources to facilitate access for parents. Unmet support needs indicate that improvements need to be made in access to medical appointments around family schedules, expanded resources for children, and reduction of wait times.
Reduction of DNA damage by curcumin and celecoxib in epithelial cell cultures of the oropharynx after incubation with tobacco smoke condensate.

BACKGROUND Tobacco smoke, as the major risk factor for the development of squamous cell cancer of the head and neck (HNSCC), contains various xenobiotics, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrosamines, aromatic amines and phenols. Chemoprevention either by artificial agents such as celecoxib, or natural compounds such as curcumin, might offer a chance to reduce the risk of developing malignant transformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS In order to evaluate the DNA-damaging effects of smoke condensate towards human mucosa cells of the oropharynx, mini organ cultures (MOC) of macroscopically healthy pharyngeal tissue of 40 patients with oropharyngeal SCC were used. After incubation with smoke condensate DNA damage was evaluated with the alkaline single-cell microgel electrophoresis (comet assay). The chemoprotective potential of curcumin and celecoxib was analyzed after their incubation with the condensate-treated MOCs. As DNA-damaging and chemopreventive effects might not be equally distributed over the whole DNA, fragmentation of the epithelial growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene was additionally examined by Comet fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). RESULTS As expected, tobacco smoke condensate caused significant DNA fragmentation compared to the negative control. No enhanced damage was observed on the EGFR gene. DNA fragmentation was significantly reduced when MOCs were incubated with celecoxib (p ≤ 0.001) and with curcumin (p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION Both celecoxib and curcumin showed considerable chemoprotective effects towards the impact of smoke condensate. No evidence was found for higher susceptibility to damage in the EGFR gene.
Syntaxin and 25‐kDa synaptosomal‐associated protein: Differential effects of botulinum neurotoxins C1 and A on neuronal survival

The Clostridium botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) A and C1 cleave specific proteins required for neuroexocytosis. We demonstrated that, in intact neurons, BoNT A cleaves 25‐kDa synaptosomal‐associated protein (SNAP‐25), and BoNT C1 cleaves both syntaxin and SNAP‐25 (Williamson et al.: Mol Biol Cell 6:61a, 1995; J Biol Chem 271:7694–7699, 1996). Here, we compare the actions of BoNT A and BoNT C1 on mature and developing mouse spinal cord neurons in cell culture and demonstrate that BoNT C1 is severely neurotoxic. In mature cultures, synaptic terminals become enlarged shortly after BoNT C1 exposure, and, subsequently, axons, dendrites, and cell bodies degenerate. Electron microscopy confirms that early degenerative changes occur in synaptic terminals when the somatic cytoplasm appears normal. In newly plated cultures, few neurons survive exposure to BoNT C1. Whereas both BoNT A and BoNT C1 cleave SNAP‐25, BoNT A has no adverse effect on neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis, or neuron survival. This cytotoxicity is unique to BoNT C1, is specific to neurons, and is initiated at the synaptic terminal, suggesting either a novel role for syntaxin or additional actions of BoNT C1. The neurodegeneration induced by BoNT C1 may be significant in terms of its efficacy for the clinical treatment of dystonia and spasticity. J. Neurosci. Res. 52:569–583, 1998. Published 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors in Auditory Processing Disorders in Elderly Patients: Preliminary Results

Objective/Hypothesis: One mechanism associated with degeneration in the elderly is the decrease of neurotransmitters. In the central auditory pathway serotonin, can be found from cochlear nucleus to the auditory cortex, and it constitutes one of the most important neuromodulatory circuits in hearing processing. The present study analyzed the action of citalopram, a selective inhibitor of serotonin reuptake, in aged patients with normal to moderate sensorineural hearing loss (HL) and low performance on auditory processing.
Modulation of tryptase secretion from human colon mast cells by histamine.

AIM To investigate the ability of histamine to modulate tryptase release from human colon mast cells and the potential mechanisms. METHODS Enzymatically dispersed cells from human colons were challenged with histamine, anti-IgE or calcium ionophore A23187 (CI), and the cell supernatants after challenge were collected. Tryptase release was determined with a sandwich ELISA procedure. RESULTS Histamine at concentrations from 1 ng/mL was able to induce a "bell" shape dose related release of tryptase from colon mast cells. The maximum release of tryptase was approximately 3.5 fold more than spontaneous release. As little as 10 ng/mL histamine showed a similar potency to 10 microg/mL anti-IgE in induction of tryptase release. Histamine induced release of tryptase initiated at 10 s when histamine (100 ng/mL) was added to cells, gradually increased thereafter, and completed at 5 min. Both pertussis toxin or metabolic inhibitors were able to inhibit histamine induced tryptase release. When histamine and anti-IgE were added to colon mast cells at the same time, the quantity of tryptase released was similar to that induced by anti-IgE alone. The similar results were observed with CI. However, when various concentrations of histamine were incubated with cells for 20 min before adding anti-IgE or CI, the quantity of tryptase released was similar to that was induced by histamine alone. CONCLUSION Histamine is a potent activator of human colon mast cells, which represents a novel and pivotal self-amplification mechanism of mast cell degranulation.
Structure/Function Relationships in OxlT, the Oxalate-Formate Transporter of Oxalobacter formigenes

OxlT, the oxalate:formate antiporter ofOxalobacter formigenes, has a lone charged residue, lysine 355 (Lys-355), at the center of transmembrane helix 11 (TM11). Because Lys-355 is the only charged residue in the hydrophobic sector, we tested the hypothesis that lysine 355 contributes to the binding site for the anionic substrate, oxalate. This idea was supported by mutational analysis, which showed that of five variants studied (Lys-355 → Cys, Gly, Gln, Arg, or Thr), residual function was found for only the K355R derivative, in which catalytic efficiency had fallen 2,600-fold. Further insight came from a study of TM11 single-cysteine mutants, using the impermeant, thiol-specific reagents, carboxyethyl methanethiosulfonate and ethyltrimethylammonium methanethiosulfonate. Of the five reactive positions identified in TM11, four were at the cytoplasmic or periplasmic ends of TM11 (S344C and A345C, and G366C and A370C, respectively), whereas the fifth was at the center of the helix (S359C). Added study with carboxyethyl methanethiosulfonate and ethylsulfonate methylthiosulfonate showed that the attack on S359C could be blocked by the presence of the substrate, oxalate, and that protection could be predicted quantitatively by a kinetic model in which S359C is accessible only in the unliganded form of OxlT. Parallel study showed that the proteoliposomes used in such work contained OxlT of right side-out and inside-out orientations in about equal amounts. Accordingly, full inhibition of S359C by the impermeable methanethiosulfonate-linked probes must reflect an approach from both the cytosolic and periplasmic surfaces of the protein. This, coupled with the finding of substrate protection, leads us to conclude that S359C lies on the translocation pathway through OxlT. Since position 359 and 355 lie on the same helical face, we suggest that Lys-355 also lies on the translocation pathway, consistent with the idea that the essential nature of Lys-355 reflects its role in binding the anionic substrate, oxalate.
Seismic imaging on massively parallel computers

A key to reducing the risks and costs associated with oil and gas exploration is the fast, accurate imaging of complex geologies, such as salt domes in the Gulf of Mexico and overthrust regions in US onshore regions. Pre-stack depth migration generally yields the most accurate images, and one approach to this is to solve the scalar-wave equation using finite differences. Current industry computational capabilities are insufficient for the application of finite-difference, 3-D, prestack, depth-migration algorithms. High performance computers and state-of-the-art algorithms and software are required to meet this need. As part of an ongoing ACTI project funded by the US Department of Energy, the authors have developed a finite-difference, 3-D prestack, depth-migration code for massively parallel computer systems. The goal of this work is to demonstrate that massively parallel computers (thousands of processors) can be used efficiently for seismic imaging, and that sufficient computing power exists (or soon will exist) to make finite-difference, prestack, depth migration practical for oil and gas exploration.
Marine envenomations in returning French travellers seen in a tropical diseases unit, 2008-13.

BACKGROUND Travel and aquatic activities are increasing in tropical regions. The risk and the spectrum of marine envenomation are unknown in travellers. This work aims to evaluate the prevalence and the characteristics of marine envenomations in returning travellers. METHODS We retrospectively studied the medical charts of all returning travellers presenting with a health problem in a French tropical disease unit between 2008 and 2013, with focus on travellers complaining of marine envenomation. Characteristics of each type of envenomation are described. RESULTS Of the 3315 travellers seen during the study period, 43 consulted for a presumed marine envenomation. Six patients were excluded, leaving 37 cases of confirmed marine envenomation. It corresponds to a prevalence of 1.1%. Sex ratio was balanced with 18 men and 19 women. Median age was 42 years (range 25-68 years). Median travel duration was 14 days (range: 6-62 days). The main travel destination was Southeast Asia in 10 cases, followed by islands of East Africa in seven cases. Median elapsed time between envenomation and consultation was 14 days (range: 2-130 days). The purpose of travel was tourism in all cases. The main clinical aspects were oedema, sting marks, cellulitis and flagellations. Eleven cases were presumably caused by corals, 10 by stonefish, 8 by jellyfish, 2 by weever fish, 2 by starfish, 2 by stingray, 1 by lionfish and 1 by sea anemone. CONCLUSION Prevalence of marine envenomation is low in returning travellers. They are mostly caused by corals, stonefish and jellyfish.
Enhanced dissolution, stability and physicochemical characterization of ATRA/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex pellets prepared by fluid-bed coating technique

The aim of this work was to prepare stable all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA)/2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPCD) inclusion complex pellets with industrial feasible technology, the fluid-bed coating technique, using PVP K30 simultaneously as binder and reprecipitation retarder. The coating process was fluent with high coating efficiency. In vitro dissolution of the inclusion complex pellets in 5% w/v Cremopher EL solution was dramatically enhanced with no reprecipitation observed, and significantly improved stability against humidity (92.5% and 75% RH) and illumination (4500 lx ± 500 lx) was achieved by HPCD inclusion. Differential scanning calorimetry and powder X-ray diffractometry confirmed the absence of crystallinity of ATRA. Fourier transform-infrared spectrometry revealed interaction between ATRA and HPCD adding evidence on inclusion of ATRA moieties into HPCD cavities. Solid-state 13C NMR spectrometry indicated possible inclusion of ATRA through the polyene chain, which was the main reason for the enhanced photostability. It is concluded that the fluid-bed coating technique has the potential use in the industrial preparation of ATRA/HPCD inclusion complex pellets.
Strategic Foresight - a Case Study on the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories

Strategic Foresight activities enable companies to use weak signals to identify opportunities and threats. Research on Strategic Foresight proposes different methods, discusses their implementation and gives recommendations on how to link Strategic Foresight with other functions in an organization. Based on a literature review, we define a generic framework for the management of Strategic Foresight activities on the strategic, tactical and operational level and identify and discuss actors, methods and systems of Strategic Foresight.Building on an in-depth case study of the Deutsche Telekom Laboratories we shed light on the implementation of Strategic Foresight activities. In the discussion we focus on the interaction of methods from Consumer Foresight and Technology Intelligence. Taking an example project, we explore how Strategic Foresight is used on the operational level of innovation management. We conclude that Strategic Foresight can successfully contribute to coping with uncertainty and complexity and can feed the front-end of innovation from the market (customer needs) and technology (realization opportunities) perspective.
Charitable Giving, Emotions, and the Default Effect

We report an experiment to study the effect of defaults on charitable giving. In three different treatments, participants face varying default levels of donation. In three other treatments that are paired with the first three, they receive the same defaults, but are informed that defaults are thought to have an effect on their donation decisions. The emotional state of all individuals is monitored throughout the sessions using Facereading software, and some participants are required to report their emotional state after the donation decision. We find that the default level has no effect on donations, and informing individuals of the possible impact of defaults also has no effect. The decision to donate is independent of prior emotional state, unless specific subgroups of participants are considered. Donors experience a negative change in the valence of their emotional state subsequent to donating, when valence is measured with Facereading software. This contrasts with the selfreport data, in which donating correlates with a more positive reported subsequent emotional state.
State and Local Debt Burdens in the 1980s: A Study in Contrast

State and local governments have coped with major changes in their fiscal environment during the 1980s. The impact of tax and expenditure limitations (Joyce and Mullins, 1991), declining federal aid (Nathan and Lago, 1988), and changes in federal tax policy (Courant and Rubinfeld, 1987) all changed the calculus facing state and local fiscal decision makers. While the effects on their tax and expenditure structures have been studied, the impact on state and local government debt policy and management has received scant attention.
Do Parents’ Adverse Childhood Experiences Influence Treatment Responses to Parent-Child Interaction Therapy? An exploratory Study with a Child Welfare Sample

Abstract This exploratory study of 23 parent–child dyads receiving child welfare services examined the association between the number of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) parents reported and their children’s externalizing behaviors. We also assessed whether the effects of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) on externalizing behaviors varied by parents’ ACE histories. Results indicated that parents’ ACE scores were associated with child externalizing symptoms at baseline, but not at a second postbaseline assessment. Although all parents reported reductions in child externalizing behavior from baseline to postbaseline, only reductions reported by parents with four or more ACEs were statistically significant. Implications for implementing PCIT with trauma-exposed families are discussed.
Implications of the Learning Disabilities Definition for the Regular Education Initiative

This paper reviews the implications of definitions of learning disabilities for the Regular Education Initiative. The review finds that each definition includes reference to minimal brain dysfunction and assumes that children so labeled would show heterogeneous problems. While it is clear that professionals in the field intend for this category to describe children whose learning and behavioral problems are the result of central nervous system involvement, it is also clear that we lack the technology to verify the nature of such involvement. At the same time, however, an empirical data base is being established showing that learning disabled persons differ from normally achieving individuals on brain-related information processes delineated in the definition (e.g., working memory, learning complex rule systems, metacognition). We propose that this heterogeneity (i.e., “developmental imbalances, intraindividual gaps”) makes it unlikely that classroom modifications alone, regardless of a teacher's pedagogical skill, will suffice to meet the complex needs of this population of children. Reflections upon the interface between the complexities of learning disabilities and the dynamics of the classroom environment suggest that there is a great deal more to be learned before we can replace special services by the Regular Education Initiative.