Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Novel Prognostic Modalities in Multiple Myeloma

The therapy for multiple myeloma has made major strides over the last 15 years, by and large due to the advances in molecular biology and the focus on patient-oriented translational investigations. Although the survival outcomes have improved significantly, clinical features such as older age, renal insufficiency at diagnosis, primary plasma cell leukemia and extramedullary disease remain major therapeutic challenge. The explosion of data from all the clinical, genomic and proteomic investigations has also made it difficult to assimilate all the information and translate it effectively for clinical practice. Although multiple myeloma is still considered by most though leaders as an incurable but treatable disease, the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are bringing optimism of potential curability dream of being curable. Over the last decade, new biologic markers and novel imaging modalities have been explored in the context of clinical trials. The present chapter will attempt to summarize these data and propose how to incorporate this knowledge in current clinical practice.
Detection of Salmonella enterica in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) of Chilean Patagonia: evidences of inter-species transmission

SUMMARY Patagonia in southern South America is among the few world regions where direct human impact is still limited but progressively increasing, mainly represented by tourism, farming, fishing and mining activities. The sanitary condition of Patagonian wildlife is unknown, in spite of being critical for the assessment of anthropogenic effects there. The aim of this study was the characterization of Salmonella enterica strains isolated from wild colonies of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) located in Magdalena Island and Otway Sound, in Chilean Patagonia. Eight isolates of Salmonella were found, belonging to Agona and Enteritidis serotypes, with an infection rate of 0·38%. Resistance to ampicillin, cefotaxime, ceftiofur and tetracycline antimicrobials were detected, and some of these strains showed genotypic similarity with Salmonella strains isolated from humans and gulls, suggesting inter-species transmission cycles and strengthening the role of penguins as sanitary sentinels in the Patagonian ecosystem.
Modification of Prenatal Auditory Experience Alters Postnatal Auditory Preferences of Bobwhite Quail Chicks

This study assessed the effects of altered prenatal auditory experience on bobwhite quail chicks' (Colinus virginianus) species-specific preference for the bobwhite maternal call. Results revealed that when the repetition rate of the embryonic vocalizations normally present in the prenatal environment was altered, the species-typical auditory preference of hatchlings for the maternal call was also altered. Specifically, embryos exposed to embryonic vocalizations with a faster repetition rate than normal subsequently preferred a bobwhite maternal call with a faster repetition rate over one with its normal repetition rate. Bobwhite embryos thus appear able to abstract features of their prenatal auditory environment to other auditory events in the postnatal period. This demonstration of prenatal perceptual learning is in keeping with other recent studies from behavioural embryology, which have also demonstrated that prenatal perceptual experience can influence later responses to species-typical stimulation.
Risk indicators for signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction in children.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the risk indicators for signs and symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD) in children between 4 and 12 years of age. STUDY DESIGN One hundred six patients were assessed for the following variables: (1) signs and symptoms of TMD (deviation when opening mouth, joint noises, limitation of movement, pain in the mandible or during movement), (2) dentition and occlusal abnormalities, and 3) habits (pacifier sucking, nonnutritive sucking, finger sucking, nail biting, and teeth grinding (bruxing). Multivariate logistic regression was performed with the level of significance set at P < 0.05. RESULTS The prevalence of at least one sign or symptom of TMD in the present sample was 12.26% (n = 13). Only bruxing (P = 0.01, odds ratio 6.08, CI 1.51-24.51) and posterior crossbite (P = 0.03, odds ratio 5.74, CI, 1.18-27.85) achieved statistical significance in the multivariate regression model and were considered risk indicators for signs and symptoms of TMD. CONCLUSIONS Children with bruxing or clenching habits and those with posterior crossbite have a greater likelihood of developing signs and symptoms of TMD.
Effects of mevinolin and mevalonate on cell growth in several transformed cell lines

Studies were conducted to explore the effects of mevinolin, a competitive inhibitor of HMG CoA reductase, on the growth and morphology of normal and transformed murine fibroblasts. Mevinolin is known to block DNA synthesis and cell growth in a number of kinds of non‐transformed cells. Eight cell lines were studied, including two normal fibroblast cell lines (C3H 10T 1/2 and NIH 3T3) and derivatives of these cell lines transformed by chemical carcinogens, X‐irradiation or the H‐ras oncogene. All of the eight cell lines displayed appreciable growth inhibition by 5 μM mevinolin and marked inhibition by 30 μM mevinolin. Mevinolin also induced a marked rounding in the morphology of all of the cell lines. These effects of mevinolin on cell growth and morphology were blocked or reversed by the addition of mevalonic acid. Thus, both normal and transformed cells require mevalonate, or an as yet unidentified metabolite of mevalonate for their growth, even though some transformed cells have become relatively autonomous of other growth factors. Whereas mevinolin acted primarily as a cytostatic agent for most of the cell lines studied, with the transformed cell line MCA/10T 1/2, which ordinarily grows to a very high cell density, prolonged exposure to mevinolin caused marked cytotoxicity. Thus mevinolin might be useful as an anti‐tumor agent for specific tumors.
A Proactive Approach to Distributed DoS Prevention Using Route-Based Packet Filtering

Denial-of-service (DoS) attack on the Internet has become a pressing problem. I11 this paper, we describe. analyze and evaluate route-based distributed packet filtering (DPF) . a n o ~ e l approach to distributed DoS (DDoS) attack prevention. \Ve show tha t there is an intimate relationsliip between the effectiveness of D P F a t mitigating DDoS attacks and power-law network tol~ology. We evaluate performance using Internet autonoinous system and artificially generated topologies. The sa.lient features of this work are t~vo-fold. First. we show tha t D P F is able t o proactively filter out a significant fraction of spoofed pacltet flows and prevent attack packets froill reaching their targets in the first place. The IP flo~vs that cannot be proactively curtailed are extremely sparse such tha t their origin ca.n be localized-i.e. I P tra.ceback-to a:it,l~in a small. constant number of candidate sites. \Ve show tha t the two proactive and reactive performance effects can be achieved by implementing route-based filtering on less than 20% of lnt,ernet autonomous system (AS) sites. Second, we show tha t the two complelnentary performance measures are dependent on the properties of the underlying AS graph topology. In particular. we sho~v that the power-law structure of Internet AS topology leads t o connectivity properties which are crucial in facilitating the observed performance effects. -4s a DDoS prevention architecture. D P F is able to emulate the I P traceback pronjess of probabilistic packet marking, while a.lleviating the la.tt,er's three principal lveaknesses: (i) need to inscribe link information in the I P pacltet header. (ii) rea~t~ireness-tracebaclt occurs after the impact of DoS attack has been felt-and (iii) scalability where t,he effort needed to achieve I P ti-aceback grows proportionally \vit,h the number of attack hosts engaged in a DDoS attack. 'This work w;is supported i r ~ part by NSF g ~ a r ~ t EIA-9972883. '-4dditiorlallv supported by NSF grarlts . AM-9714707, XNI-9875789 (C.4REER): ESS-9SOGi4l. 4NI-0082SGl (ITR). arld grants frorrl t l ~ e Purduc R.esearc11 Fourldatiorl, Sailta Fe Iilstitute. Sprirlt. and Xerox. ';\dditiorlally supported by the Ceilter for Education aild Researc:]~ ill Iilforlr~atiorl ;\ssu~. arlce arid Security (CERIAS). t t t ::. Jetwor en P rdue wrsity \Vest fayette, L\ 4 ark,hlee}©:cs.purdue.
Firm Growth: Empirical Analysis

Recent research has led to the empirical regularity that firm growth rate distributions are heavy tailed. This finding implies that a few firms experience spectacular growth rates and decline, but that most firms have marginal growth rates. The literature on high-growth firms shows that high-growth firms are the central drivers of job creation in the economy but are neither clustered in high technology sectors nor are necessarily young and small. The evidence on the determinants of firm growth confirms that firm growth is difficult to predict. The finding that firm growth is well approximated by a random process does not only reflect the heterogeneity at the firm level but is also associated with the low persistence of growth rates over time.
A Review of the Distribution of Diploid , Triploid andTetraploid Green Toads { Bufo viridis Complex ) in Asia Including New Data from Iran and Pakistan 1

A summary of the distribution of green toads containing most of the data published after the discovery of polyploid forms (1976) including a map, an index and a bibliography are presented and discussed. 21 Asian type localities of hitherto described nominal green toad taxa are shown. The tetraploids are distributed in high mountains and extremely continental regions with strong climatic shifts. Records of triploid specimens are situated in supposed contact zones between the parapatric diploid and tetraploid toads at foothills of Middle Asian high mountains, and triploid bisexual populations occur in the Karakoram and West-Himalayas. Habitats of diploids appear to be restricted to lowlands and valley grounds. Polyploids seem to be more resistant. The methods hitherto used for the determination of the ploidy level and their applicability are evaluated. We show new data on this species complex from Iran including cytometric, karyological, bioacoustic and morphological data and we draw taxonomic conclusions for tetraploid Bufo oblongus, diploid Bufo viridis kermanensis, and probably diploid Bufo kavirensis. New information on the distribution of triploids in northwestern Pakistan based on flow cytometric measurements is presented. The ploidy level of Bufo latastii is revealed to be diploid.
miR-146a and NF-κB1 Regulate Mast Cell Survival and T Lymphocyte Differentiation

ABSTRACT The transcription factor NF-κB regulates the expression of a broad number of genes central to immune and inflammatory responses. We identified a new molecular network that comprises specifically the NF-κB family member NF-κB1 (p50) and miR-146a, and we show that in mast cells it contributes to the regulation of cell homeostasis and survival, while in T lymphocytes it modulates T cell memory formation. Increased mast cell survival was due to unbalanced expression of pro- and antiapoptotic factors and particularly to the complete inability of p50-deleted mast cells to induce expression of miR-146a, which in the context of mast cell survival acted as a proapoptotic factor. Interestingly, in a different cellular context, namely, human and mouse primary T lymphocytes, miR-146a and NF-κB p50 did not influence cell survival or cytokine production but rather T cell expansion and activation in response to T cell receptor (TCR) engagement. Our data identify a new molecular network important in modulating adaptive and innate immune responses and show how the same activation-induced microRNA (miRNA) can be similarly regulated in different cell types even in response to different stimuli but can still determine very different outcomes, likely depending on the specific transcriptome.
Surface-Engineered Dendrimeric Nanoconjugates for Macrophage-Targeted Delivery of Amphotericin B: Formulation Development and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation

ABSTRACT The present study aimed to develop an optimized dendrimeric delivery system for amphotericin B (AmB). Fifth-generation (5.0G) poly(propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers were synthesized, conjugated with mannose, and characterized by use of various analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic analysis, and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Mannose-conjugated 5.0G PPI (MPPI) dendrimers were loaded with AmB and evaluated for drug loading efficiency, in vitro drug release profile, stability, hemolytic toxicity to human erythrocytes, cytotoxicity to and cell uptake by J774A.1 macrophage cells, antiparasitic activity against intracellular Leishmania donovani amastigotes, in vivo pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles, drug localization index, toxicity, and antileishmanial activity. AFM showed the nanometric size of the MPPI dendrimers, with a nearly globular architecture. The conjugate showed a good entrapment efficiency for AmB, along with pH-sensitive drug release. Highly significant reductions in toxicity toward human erythrocytes and macrophage cells, without compromising the antiparasitic activity of AmB, were observed. The dendrimeric formulation of AmB showed a significant enhancement of the parasiticidal activity of AmB toward intramacrophagic L. donovani amastigotes. In the in vitro cell uptake studies, the formulation showed selectivity toward macrophages, with significant intracellular uptake. Further pharmacokinetic and organ distribution studies elucidated the controlled delivery behavior of the formulation. The drug localization index was found to increase significantly in macrophage-rich organs. In vivo studies showed a biocompatible behavior of MPPIA, with negligible toxicity even at higher doses, and promising antileishmanial activity. From the results, we concluded that surface-engineered dendrimers may serve as optimized delivery vehicles for AmB with enhanced activity and low or negligible toxicity.
Linear Precoding With Low-Resolution DACs for Massive MU-MIMO-OFDM Downlink

We consider the downlink of a massive multiuser (MU) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) system in which the base station (BS) is equipped with low-resolution digital-to-analog converters (DACs). In contrast to most existing results, we assume that the system operates over a frequency-selective wideband channel and uses orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) to simplify equalization at the user equipments (UEs). Furthermore, we consider the practically relevant case of oversampling DACs. We theoretically analyze the uncoded bit error rate (BER) performance with linear precoders (e.g., zero forcing) and quadrature phase-shift keying using Bussgang’s theorem. We also develop a lower bound on the information-theoretic sum-rate throughput achievable with Gaussian inputs, which can be evaluated in closed form for the case of 1-bit DACs. For the case of multi-bit DACs, we derive approximate, yet accurate, expressions for the distortion caused by low-precision DACs, which can be used to establish the lower bounds on the corresponding sum-rate throughput. Our results demonstrate that, for a massive MU-MIMO-OFDM system with a 128-antenna BS serving 16 UEs, only 3–4 DAC bits are required to achieve an uncoded BER of ${10}^{-{4}}$ with a negligible performance loss compared to the infinite-resolution case at the cost of additional out-of-band emissions. Furthermore, our results highlight the importance of considering the inherent spatial and temporal correlations caused by low-precision DACs.
Efficient detection of brain tumor from MRIs using K-means segmentation and normalized histogram

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a technique which is used for the evaluation of the brain tumor in medical science. In this paper, a methodology to study and classify the image de-noising filters such as Median filter, Adaptive filter, Averaging filter, Un-sharp masking filter and Gaussian filter is used to remove the additive noises present in the MRI images i.e. Gaussian, Salt & pepper noise and speckle noise. The de-noising performance of all the considered strategies is compared using PSNR and MSE. A novel idea is proposed for successful identification of the brain tumor using normalized histogram and segmentation using K-means clustering algorithm. Efficient classification of the MRIs is done using Naïve Bayes Classifier and Support Vector Machine (SVM) so as to provide accurate prediction and classification.
Effect of polyethylene bag to prevent heat loss in preterm infants at birth: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND Hypothermia at birth has been associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of wrap with polyethylene bag at birth on admission temperatures and the incidences of hypothermia on admission in preterm infants gestational age < or = 32 weeks. MATERIAL AND METHOD A randomized controlled trial was conducted in thirty-eight preterm infants with gestational age < or = 32 weeks. The infants were assigned and placed in polyethylene bag immediately after birth without drying under a radiant warmer or received standard thermal care including being dried and placed under a radiant warmer. Rectal temperatures were recorded on admission to neonatal unit and incidences o hypothermia were compared between the two groups. RESULTS The body temperatures of preterm infants with polyethylene bag were significantly higher than those of the control group {median 36.5 degrees C (range 35.5 degrees C-37.2 degrees C) vs. 35.9 degrees C (range 34.9 degrees C-36.5 degrees C), p < 0.001}. On admission, the incidence of hypothermia in preterm infants wrap with polyethylene bag was significantly lower than in the control group (26% vs. 89%, p < 0.001) with a risk reduction of 0.63 (95% CI 0.39-0.87) and a number needed to treat of 1.58. CONCLUSION Polyethylene bag prevents heat loss at delivery in preterm infant less than 32 weeks gestation. Incidence of hypothermia was significantly reduced by use of polyethylene bag, a simple and inexpensive intervention.
Sexual isolation of genetically differentiated sympatric populations of Drosophila melanogaster in Brazzaville, Congo: the first step towards speciation?

Two sympatric populations of Drosophila melanogaster were collected in the Brazzaville area in Congo, one from the suburban countryside and the other from a brewery located in the city. They were compared for several genetically determined traits including morphology, allozymes, microsatellites, cuticular hydrocarbons, and sexual behaviour. The two populations were similar to other African populations for morphological traits, but differed significantly from each other for all other characters. The countryside population resembled other African populations, whereas the urban population was consistently similar to European populations. Mating choice experiments showed incipient reproductive separation between the populations. In agreement with the hypothesis that D. melanogaster originated in Africa and spread to the rest of the world by invading human-modified habitats, we suggest that man-adapted fruit fly populations have returned ‘back to Africa’, and remained partially isolated from older native stocks.
Automated Grading of Age-Related Macular Degeneration From Color Fundus Images Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks

Importance Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) affects millions of people throughout the world. The intermediate stage may go undetected, as it typically is asymptomatic. However, the preferred practice patterns for AMD recommend identifying individuals with this stage of the disease to educate how to monitor for the early detection of the choroidal neovascular stage before substantial vision loss has occurred and to consider dietary supplements that might reduce the risk of the disease progressing from the intermediate to the advanced stage. Identification, though, can be time-intensive and requires expertly trained individuals. Objective To develop methods for automatically detecting AMD from fundus images using a novel application of deep learning methods to the automated assessment of these images and to leverage artificial intelligence advances. Design, Setting, and Participants Deep convolutional neural networks that are explicitly trained for performing automated AMD grading were compared with an alternate deep learning method that used transfer learning and universal features and with a trained clinical grader. Age-related macular degeneration automated detection was applied to a 2-class classification problem in which the task was to distinguish the disease-free/early stages from the referable intermediate/advanced stages. Using several experiments that entailed different data partitioning, the performance of the machine algorithms and human graders in evaluating over 130 000 images that were deidentified with respect to age, sex, and race/ethnicity from 4613 patients against a gold standard included in the National Institutes of Health Age-related Eye Disease Study data set was evaluated. Main Outcomes and Measures Accuracy, receiver operating characteristics and area under the curve, and kappa score. Results The deep convolutional neural network method yielded accuracy (SD) that ranged between 88.4% (0.5%) and 91.6% (0.1%), the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was between 0.94 and 0.96, and kappa coefficient (SD) between 0.764 (0.010) and 0.829 (0.003), which indicated a substantial agreement with the gold standard Age-related Eye Disease Study data set. Conclusions and Relevance Applying a deep learning–based automated assessment of AMD from fundus images can produce results that are similar to human performance levels. This study demonstrates that automated algorithms could play a role that is independent of expert human graders in the current management of AMD and could address the costs of screening or monitoring, access to health care, and the assessment of novel treatments that address the development or progression of AMD.
Treatment of Luminal Obstructions of the Large and Small Colon in Horses

Simple luminal obstructions of the large and small colon are relatively common causes of colic in horses, and are caused by feed impaction, sand accumulation, fibrous foreign body ingestion, nonstrangulating displacements, and or enterolith formation. Many horses with large colon and small colon feed impactions respond to medical treatment, including withholding feed, administering fluid therapy, laxatives, analgesics, and providing controlled exercise; however, some horses with feed impactions and most horses with sand impactions and enteroliths require surgical intervention. In general, the prognosis for horses with simple luminal obstructions of the large and small colon provided with appropriate and timely medical or surgical treatment is good to excellent.
The Gritti–Stokes amputation in ischaemia: A review of 134 cases

The results of 134 Gritti–Stokes amputations for ischaemia are presented. The mortality rate was 11 per cent and healing occurred in 88 per cent, reaffirming the good results already reported for this operation. The long term results are reviewed in an attempt to decide whether the most frequently cited criticisms of this procedure are justified. Stump pain and mobility of the patella were not major problems. The difficulties in fitting a suitable prosthesis are discussed and attention is drawn to the advantages of a new prosthesis that has been developed for this amputation.