Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Histopathological Correlations of Qualitative and Quantitative Temporopolar MRI Analyses in Patients With Hippocampal Sclerosis

Hippocampal sclerosis (HS) is a common cause of pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy. Here, we (1) performed a histological approach to the anterior temporal pole of patients with HS to evaluate cortical and white matter (WM) cell populations, alteration of myelin integrity and markers of neuronal activity, and (2) correlated microscopic data with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Our aim was to contribute with the understanding of neuroimaging and pathophysiological mechanisms of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) associated with HS. We examined MRIs and surgical specimens from the anterior temporal pole from TLE-HS patients (n = 9) and compared them with 10 autopsy controls. MRIs from healthy volunteers (n = 13) were used as neuroimaging controls. Histological techniques were performed to assess oligodendrocytes, heterotopic neurons, cellular proliferative index, and myeloarchitecture integrity of the WM, as well as markers of acute (c-fos) and chronic (ΔFosB) activities of neocortical neurons. Microscopic data were compared with neuroimaging findings, including T2-weighted/FLAIR MRI temporopolar blurring and values of fractional anisotropy (FA) from diffusion-weighed imaging (DWI). We found a significant increase in WM oligodendrocyte number, both in hematoxylin and eosin, and in Olig2-stained sections. The frequencies of oligodendrocytes in perivascular spaces and around heterotopic neurons were significantly higher in patients with TLE–HS compared with controls. The percentage of 2',3'-cyclic-nucleotide 3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase; a marker of myeloarchitecture integrity) immunopositive area in the WM was significantly higher in TLE-HS, as well as the numbers of c-fos- and ΔFosB-immunostained neocortical neurons. Additionally, we demonstrated a decrease in axonal bundle integrity on neuroimaging, with a significant reduction in the FA in the anterior temporal pole. No differences were detected between individuals with and without temporopolar blurring on visual MRI analysis, considering the number of oligodendroglial cells and percentage of WM CNPase-positive areas. Also, there was no relationship between T2 relaxometry and oligodendrocyte count. In conclusion, our histopathological data support the following: (1) the hypothesis that repetitive neocortical neuronal activity could induce changes in the WM cellular constitution and myelin remodeling in the anterior temporal pole from patients with TLE-HS, (2) that oligodendroglial hyperplasia is not related to temporal blurring or T2 signal intensity on MRI, and (3) that reduced FA is a marker of increase in Olig2-immunopositive cells in superficial temporopolar WM from patients with TLE-HS.
Early coital debut and associated HIV risk factors among young women and men in South Africa.

CONTEXT Young people in South Africa are at high risk of HIV infection. Because first sexual experiences may influence a young person's HIV risk, a better understanding of coital debut is needed. METHODS Data from a nationally representative survey that included 7,692 sexually active South African youth aged 15-24 were used to assess characteristics related to sexual debut and to respondents' first sexual partner. Poisson regression analyses were conducted to identify relationships among these characteristics and partner age differences, early coital debut (i.e., before age 15), forced sex with one's first partner and nonuse of condoms at first sex. RESULTS Eighteen percent of young men and 8% of young women reported early coital debut. The likelihood of early debut was elevated among females and males who had had an older first partner (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.1 per year) and among females who had had forced sex (2.5). Lack of condom use at first sex was associated with early coital debut (1.5) and forced sex (1.6) for males. Among females, the likelihood of nonuse was elevated for respondents who had had an early debut but had not had forced sex (1.3), and among those who had had both a later debut and forced sex (1.4). CONCLUSIONS Early coital debut is associated with factors that may increase a young person's risk for HIV infection, such as forced sex and having older partners. Intervention efforts should encourage youth to delay coital debut and promote strategies to make young people's first sexual experience safer.
Stress and coping in accident and emergency senior house officers

Objectives: To identify levels of psychological distress in accident and emergency (A&E) senior house officers (SHOs). Methods: Questionnaire survey given to SHOs at training sessions. Measures: General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Brief COPE. Results: Over half of the 37 respondents (51%; 95% CI: 36% to 67%) scored over the threshold for psychological distress on the GHQ. This is considerably higher than for other groups of doctors and for other professional groups. Correlational analysis revealed that the coping style Venting was significantly related to greater anxiety (r=0.34; p<0.05) and depression (r=0.33; p<0.05), while the coping style Active was significantly related to lower anxiety (r=−0.38; p<0.05), somatic complaints (r=−0.46; p<0.001) and years since qualification (r=0.40; p<0.05). Conclusions: Replicating findings from a study of stress in A&E consultants, this study shows higher levels of overt psychological distress among A&E SHOs than among other groups of doctors. An intervention to improve coping strategies may be useful for this group of doctors.
Semiclassical Modeling of Quasi-Ballistic Hole Transport in Nanoscale pMOSFETs  Based on a Multi-Subband Monte Carlo Approach

This paper presents a new self-consistent multi-subband Monte Carlo (MSMC) simulator designed to investigate quasi-ballistic transport in nanoscale pMOSFETs. The simulator is 2-D in real space and k-space, and an accurate analytical model of the warped hole energy dispersion is adopted. The effects of the hole gas degeneracy are naturally included by accounting for the Pauli's exclusion principle. The simulator is implemented by resorting to original solutions for handling the hole-free flights consistently with the complicated energy dispersion. A detail description of the formulation of the scattering rates used in the simulator and a comparison to calculations based on a k middot p quantization model are given. Upon an appropriate calibration, the new MSMC tool can accurately reproduce the experimental data for low field mobility, and it can be used for the analysis of the semiballistic transport regime in nanoscale pMOSFETs. Preliminary results for the ballistic ratios BR in double-gate silicon-on-insulator pMOSFETs show that the BR in pMOS are not much worse than in nMOS transistors.
Efficacy of the prophylactic use of octreotide for the prevention of complications after pancreatic resection

Background: The use of octreotide prophylaxis in the prevention of complications after pancreatic resection remains controversial. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy of octreotide prophylactic treatment to prevent complications after pancreatic resection. Methods: Five databases (PubMed, Medline, SinoMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library) were searched for eligible studies from 1980 to November 2016 with the limitation of human subjects and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Data were extracted independently and were analyzed using RevMan statistical software version 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, http://tech.cochrane.org/revman/download). Weighted mean differences (WMDs), risk ratios (RRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Results: Twelve RCTs comprising 1902 patients were identified as eligible. The methodological quality of the trials ranged from low to moderate. A pooled analysis of effectiveness based on the data from each study revealed that octreotide could significantly reduce the rate of pancreatic fistula (PF) after pancreatic resection (RR = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.57–0.98, P = .04). The same findings were discovered in multicenter and European subgroups with a subgroup analysis; no obvious differences were noted in American, Asian, and single-center subgroup analyses. An equal effect was observed between the use or non-use of octreotide groups regarding mortality (RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 0.77–2.02, P = .38). Octreotide had no advantages in regards to mortality improvement. The total numbers of complications associated with the use or non-use of octreotide were similar (RR = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.58–1.03, P = .08). Among the high-risk group, octreotide was more effective in reducing complications (RR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.46–0.82, P = .0009). Compared with the patients who did not receive prophylactic treatment, the patients who underwent pancreatic resection benefited from octreotide because it had better efficacy in preventing fluid collection and postoperative pancreatitis. Conclusion: The prophylactic use of octreotide is suitable for preventing postoperative complications, especially PF and fluid collection as well as postoperative pancreatitis. However, no obvious differences were noted regarding mortality. In view of the clinical heterogeneity and varying definitions of PF, whether these conclusions are broadly applicable should be further determined in future studies.
Rare coding variants in MAPK7 predispose to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex genetic disorder characterized by three‐dimensional spinal curvatures, affecting 2%–3% of school age children, yet the causes underlying AIS are not well understood. Here, we first conducted a whole‐exome sequencing and linkage analysis on a three‐generation Chinese family with autosomal‐dominant (AD) AIS, and then performed targeted sequencing in a discovery cohort comprising 20 AD AIS families and 86 simplex patients, and finally identified three disease‐associated missense variants (c.886G> A, c.1943C> T, and c.1760C> T) in the MAPK7 gene (encoding mitogen‐activated protein kinase 7). Genotyping of the three rare variants in a Chinese replication cohort comprising 1,038 simplex patients and 1,841 controls showed that their combined allele frequency was significantly over‐represented in patients as compared with controls (2.0% [41/2,076] vs. 0.7% [27/3,682]; odds ratio = 2.7; P = 2.8 × 10−5). In vitro, we demonstrated that the three MAPK7 mutants disrupted nuclear translocation in cellular models, which is necessary for the normal function of MAPK7. In vivo, we also conducted CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated deletion of mapk7 in zebrafish recapitulating the characteristic phenotype of idiopathic scoliosis. Taken together, our findings suggest that rare coding variants in MAPK7 predispose to AIS, providing clues to understanding the mechanisms of AIS.
Relationship Between Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Variation and Systemic Vascular Resistance: A Prospective Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Study

Introduction: This cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) study aims to determine whether changes in systemic vascular resistance (SVR), obtained from CMR flow sequences, might explain the significant long-term changes in left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) observed in subjects with no cardiac disease history. Methods: Cohort subjects without any known cardiac disease but with high rates of hypertension and obesity, underwent CMR with phase-contrast sequences both at baseline and at a median follow-up of 5.2 years. Longitudinal changes in EF were analyzed for any concomitant changes in blood pressure and vascular function, notably the indexed SVR given by the formula: mean brachial blood pressure / cardiac output x body surface area. Results: A total of 118 subjects (53 ± 12 years, 52% women) were included, 26% had hypertension, and 52% were obese. Eighteen (15%) had significant EF variations between baseline and follow-up (7 increased EF and 11 decreased EF). Longitudinal changes in EF were inversely related to concomitant changes in mean and diastolic blood pressures (p = 0.030 and p = 0.027, respectively) and much more significantly to SVR (p < 0.001). On average, these SVR changes were −8.08 ± 9.21 and +8.14 ± 8.28 mmHg.min.m2.L−1, respectively, in subjects with significant increases and decreases in EF, and 3.32 ± 7.53 mmHg.min.m2.L−1 in subjects with a stable EF (overall p < 0.001). Conclusions: Significant EF variations are not uncommon during the long-term CMR follow-up of populations with no evident health issues except for uncomplicated hypertension and obesity. However, most of these variations are linked to SVR changes and may therefore be unrelated to any intrinsic change in LV contractility. This underscores the benefits of specifically assessing LV afterload when EF is monitored in populations at risk of vascular dysfunction. Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT01716819 and NCT02430805.
DR-IIXRN : Detection Algorithm of Diabetic Retinopathy Based on Deep Ensemble Learning and Attention Mechanism

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the common chronic complications of diabetes and the most common blinding eye disease. If not treated in time, it might lead to visual impairment and even blindness in severe cases. Therefore, this article proposes an algorithm for detecting diabetic retinopathy based on deep ensemble learning and attention mechanism. First, image samples were preprocessed and enhanced to obtain high quality image data. Second, in order to improve the adaptability and accuracy of the detection algorithm, we constructed a holistic detection model DR-IIXRN, which consists of Inception V3, InceptionResNet V2, Xception, ResNeXt101, and NASNetLarge. For each base classifier, we modified the network model using transfer learning, fine-tuning, and attention mechanisms to improve its ability to detect DR. Finally, a weighted voting algorithm was used to determine which category (normal, mild, moderate, severe, or proliferative DR) the images belonged to. We also tuned the trained network model on the hospital data, and the real test samples in the hospital also confirmed the advantages of the algorithm in the detection of the diabetic retina. Experiments show that compared with the traditional single network model detection algorithm, the auc, accuracy, and recall rate of the proposed method are improved to 95, 92, and 92%, respectively, which proves the adaptability and correctness of the proposed method.
A Novel WD Repeat Protein Component of the Methylosome Binds Sm Proteins*

We have recently described a large (20 S) protein arginine methyltransferase complex, termed the methylosome, that contains the methyltransferase JBP1 (PRMT5) and the pICln protein. The methylosome functions to modify specific arginines to dimethylarginines in the arginine- and glycine-rich domains of several spliceosomal Sm proteins, and this modification targets these proteins to the survival of motor neurons (SMN) complex for assembly into small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) core particles. Here, we describe a novel component of the methylosome, a 50-kilodalton WD repeat protein termedmethylosome protein 50 (MEP50). We show that MEP50 is important for methylosome activity and binds to JBP1 and to a subset of Sm proteins. Because WD repeat proteins provide a platform for multiple protein interactions, MEP50 may function to mediate the interaction of multiple substrates with the methylosome. Interestingly, all of the known components of the methylosome bind Sm proteins, suggesting that in addition to producing properly methylated substrates for the SMN complex, the methylosome may be involved in Sm protein rearrangements or pre-assembly required for snRNP biogenesis.
Major depression is associated with cardiac autonomic dysregulation

Chang H-A, Chang C-C, Chen C-L, Kuo TBJ, Lu R-B, Huang S-Y. Major depression is associated with cardiac autonomic dysregulation. Objective: Altered cardiac autonomic function has been proposed in patients with major depression (MD), but the results are mixed. Therefore, analyses with larger sample sizes and better methodology are needed. Methods: To examine whether cardiac autonomic dysfunction is associated with MD, 498 unmedicated patients with MD and 462 healthy volunteers, aged 18–65 years, were recruited for a case-control analysis. We used the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) to assess depression severity. Cardiac autonomic function was evaluated by measuring heart rate variability (HRV) parameters. Frequency-domain indices of HRV were obtained. Results: Patients with MD exhibited reduced cardiac vagal control compared to healthy volunteers, and depression severity was negatively correlated with cardiac vagal control. Stratified analyses by suicide ideation revealed more pronounced cardiac vagal withdrawal among MD patients with suicide ideation. Conclusion: This study shows that MD is associated with cardiac autonomic dysregulation, highlighting the importance of assessing HRV in currently depressed patients, given the higher risk for cardiac complications in these individuals. Taking into account that suicidal depressed patients had more adverse patterns of HRV, one might consider the treatment to restore the autonomic function for the patient population having increased susceptibility to autonomic dysregulation.
The Wonderful Colors of the Hematoxylin–Eosin Stain in Diagnostic Surgical Pathology

The hematoxylin–eosin (H&E) stain has stood the test of time as the standard stain for histologic examination of human tissues. This simple dye combination is capable of highlighting the fine structures of cells and tissues. Most cellular organelles and extracellular matrix are eosinophilic, while the nucleus, rough endoplasmic reticulum, and ribosomes are basophilic. This review discusses the spectrum, intensity, and texture of colors observed in H&E-stained slides to illustrate their value in surgical pathology diagnosis. Changes in color of the nuclei occur in the presence of nuclear pseudoinclusions (such as papillary thyroid carcinoma) or inclusions (such as viral infection, surfactant, immunoglobulin, and biotin). The color of the cytoplasm of spindly cells can provide clues to their nature, such as basophilic (fibroblast), eosinophilic (smooth muscle and others), and amphophilic (myofibroblast). Eosinophilic globules have diagnostic value for sclerosing polycystic adenosis of salivary gland, low-grade B-cell lymphoma, solid pseudopapillary tumor of pancreas, and inclusion body fibromatosis. Eosinophilic granules are characteristic of granular cells (lysosome-rich), oncocytic cells (mitochondria-rich), and cells with secretory products (including neuroendocrine cells). Eosinophilic crystals can be diagnostic of lymphoma/plasmacytoma and crystal-storing histiocytosis. Basophilic granules or inclusions are diagnostic of acinic cell carcinoma and malakoplakia (Michaelis–Gutmann bodies). Yellow or brown inclusions are characteristic of hyalinizing trabecular adenoma of thyroid (yellow bodies), brown bowel syndrome, and malignant melanoma. Extracellular eosinophilic deposits can be produced by many conditions, but amyloid and monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition disease are important considerations. Extracellular basophilic deposits may be seen in small cell carcinoma and systemic lupus erythematosus, but they differ in that the former is blue (nuclear material) while the latter is purple (nuclear material plus immunoglobulin).
How Does East Asia Achieve Its High Educational Performance

East Asian students regularly take top positions in international league tables of educational performance. Using internationally comparable student-level data, I estimate how family background and schooling policies affect student performance in five high-performing East Asian economies. Family background is a strong predictor of student performance in South Korea and Singapore, while Hong Kong and Thailand achieve more equalized outcomes. There is no evidence that smaller classes improve student performance in East Asia. By contrast, school autonomy over salaries and regular homework assignments are related to higher student performance in several of the considered countries. ; education production function, East Asia, family background, class size, school autonomy
Hippocampal vulnerability following traumatic brain injury: a potential role for neurotrophin‐4/5 in pyramidal cell neuroprotection

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes selective hippocampal cell death, which is believed to be associated with cognitive impairment observed both in clinical and experimental settings. Although neurotrophin administration has been tested as a strategy to prevent cell death following TBI, the potential neuroprotective role of neurotrophin‐4/5 (NT‐4/5) in TBI remains unknown. We hypothesized that NT‐4/5 would offer neuroprotection for selectively vulnerable hippocampal neurons following TBI. Measurements of NT‐4/5 in rats subjected to lateral fluid percussion (LFP) TBI revealed two–threefold increases in the injured cortex and hippocampus in the acute period (1–3 days) following brain injury. Subsequently, the response of NT‐4/5 knockout (NT‐4/5–/–) mice to controlled‐cortical impact TBI was investigated. NT‐4/5–/– mice were more susceptible to selective pyramidal cell loss in Ahmon's corn (CA) subfields of the hippocampus following TBI, and showed impaired motor recovery when compared with their brain‐injured wild‐type controls (NT‐4/5wt). Additionally, we show that acute, prolonged administration of recombinant NT‐4/5 (5 µg/kg/day) prevented up to 50% of the hippocampal CA pyramidal cell death following LFP TBI in rats. These results suggest that post‐traumatic increases in endogenous NT‐4/5 may be part of an adaptive neuroprotective response in the injured brain, and that administration of this neurotrophic factor may be useful as a therapeutic strategy following TBI.
Differentiation of rat adipose tissue-derived stem cells into neuron-like cells by valproic acid, a histone deacetylase inhibitor

Valproic acid (VPA) is a widely used antiepileptic drug, which has recently been reported to modulate the neuronal differentiation of adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ASCs) in humans and dogs. However, controversy exists as to whether VPA really acts as an inducer of neuronal differentiation of ASCs. The present study aimed to elucidate the effect of VPA in neuronal differentiation of rat ASCs. One or three days of pretreatment with VPA (2 mM) followed by neuronal induction enhanced the ratio of immature neuron marker βIII-tubulin-positive cells in a time-dependent manner, where the majority of cells also had a positive signal for neurofilament medium polypeptide (NEFM), a mature neuron marker. RT-PCR analysis revealed increases in the mRNA expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and NEFM mature neuron markers, even without neuronal induction. Three-days pretreatment of VPA increased acetylation of histone H3 of ASCs as revealed by immunofluorescence staining. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay also showed that the status of histone acetylation at H3K9 correlated with the gene expression of TUBB3 in ASCs by VPA. These results indicate that VPA significantly promotes the differentiation of rat ASCs into neuron-like cells through acetylation of histone H3, which suggests that VPA may serve as a useful tool for producing transplantable cells for future applications in clinical treatments.
Immunohistochemical staining of CD10 in atypical fibroxanthomas

Background: The histologic diagnosis of atypical fibroxanthoma (AFX) may be difficult at times with a differential diagnosis including spindle cell/desmoplastic melanoma and a poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). While there are immunohistochemical stains that may be used to support a diagnosis of either melanoma or carcinoma, the diagnosis of AFX tends to be one of exclusion.