Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semantic object reconstruction via casual handheld scanning

We introduce a learning-based method to reconstruct objects acquired in a casual handheld scanning setting with a depth camera. Our method is based on two core components. First, a deep network that provides a semantic segmentation and labeling of the frames of an input RGBD sequence. Second, an alignment and reconstruction method that employs the semantic labeling to reconstruct the acquired object from the frames. We demonstrate that the use of a semantic labeling improves the reconstructions of the objects, when compared to methods that use only the depth information of the frames. Moreover, since training a deep network requires a large amount of labeled data, a key contribution of our work is an active self-learning framework to simplify the creation of the training data. Specifically, we iteratively predict the labeling of frames with the neural network, reconstruct the object from the labeled frames, and evaluate the confidence of the labeling, to incrementally train the neural network while requiring only a small amount of user-provided annotations. We show that this method enables the creation of data for training a neural network with high accuracy, while requiring only little manual effort.
Carvacrol suppresses inflammatory responses in rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‐like synoviocytes

Fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) play an essential role in the chronic inflammatory process of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Carvacrol is a natural monoterpenic phenol that retains significant anti‐inflammatory activity. However, the effect of carvacrol on inflammatory response in RA‐FLSs has not yet been reported. The present study aimed to investigate the role of carvacrol in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)‐induced inflammatory response in human RA‐FLSs.
Gait speed and prognosis in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective cohort study

The 4-m gait speed (4MGS), a simple physical performance measure and surrogate marker of frailty, consistently predicts adverse prognosis in older adults. We hypothesised that 4MGS could predict all-cause mortality and nonelective hospitalisation in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). 4MGS and lung function were measured at baseline in 130 outpatients newly diagnosed with IPF. Survival status and nonelective hospital admissions were recorded over 1 year. We assessed the predictive value of 4MGS (as a continuous variable and as a binary variable: slow versus preserved 4MGS) by calculating hazard ratios using Cox proportional regression, adjusting for potential confounding variables. Receiver operating characteristic curves assessed discrimination between the multivariable regression models and established prognostic indices. Continuous 4MGS and slow 4MGS were independent predictors of all-cause mortality (4MGS: HR 0.03, 95% CI 0.01–0.31; p=0.004; slow 4MGS: 2.63, 95% CI 1.01–6.87; p=0.049) and hospitalisation (4MGS: HR 0.02, 95% CI 0.01–0.14; p<0.001; slow 4MGS: 2.76, 95% CI 1.16–6.58; p=0.02). Multivariable models incorporating 4MGS or slow 4MGS had better discrimination for predicting mortality than either the gender, age and lung physiology index or Composite Physiologic Index. In patients with IPF, 4MGS is an independent predictor of all-cause mortality and nonelective hospitalisation. 4MGS independently predicts all-cause mortality and nonelective hospitalisation in patients with newly diagnosed IPF http://ow.ly/cT9H30mCkUr
A modified multiple point stimulation method for motor unit number estimation of the hypothenar muscles

Introduction: The goal of this study is to test the hypothesis that single motor unit action potentials (SMUPs) originating from other ulnar nerve–innervated intrinsic hand muscles can inflate the motor unit number estimation (MUNE) of the hypothenar muscles. Methods: Using the multiple point stimulation method, SMUPs recorded over the hypothenar muscles from distant origins were characterized through multichannel recordings. The MUNE calculated using only the hypothenar SMUPs was compared with estimations based on the whole ensemble. Results: Of the 41 studies performed, distant SMUPs represented 17 ± 9.5% (mean ± SD) of the overall sample. MUNE calculated using only hypothenar SMUPs was 423 ± 204, compared with 537 ± 290 if all SMUPs were included (P < 0.05). The extent of increase in MUNE was highly correlated with the proportion of distant SMUPs found (r = 0.89, P < 0.05). Discussion: Erroneous inclusion of SMUPs from distant muscles can significantly distort the MUNE results. Muscle Nerve 59:337–341, 2019
Genital Ulcers and Sexual Transmitted Disease in Rural Nigeria

To determine the Epidemiological characteristic of genital ulcers and sexually transmitted diseases, incident cases with genital tract symptoms presenting at the primary care and secondary care centers; 4 private pharmacies, 3 private medical laboratories were seen at the Our Land of Lourdes Hospital through a system of supervised case referral. Patients with STDs were clinically assessed and investigated microbiologically, histopathologically and serologically and thereafter reclassified aetiologically. The incidence rate of STDs was 271.3 per 100,000 (.03%) populations per year. Male/female ratio was 1.7:1. The frequency of genital ulcers was 18.9% while that of non-identified genital infections was 11.3%. The frequencies of vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, genital herpes and HIV infections were 34.8%, 12.3%, 5.8%, 0.5%, 12.2%, 0.3%, respectively. Co-infections with multiple organisms were common Lymphogranuloma venereum, parasitic infections were infrequently encountered. S. aureus and coliform organism had frequencies of 37.1%, 31.4% respectively mostly as co-infections. Students and unemployed graduates constituted 36.9% of patients. Peak-age for the female patients was a decade earlier than the males. Seasonal variation in incidences occurred. Casual sex was a dominant behavioural pattern. The phenomenon of denial was encountered in females. STDs are not uncommon in rural Nigeria. Integration of Sexual health in rural health, family health, and school health is urgently needed. Key Words: Genital ulcers, STDs, Rural Nigeria Jnl of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol.2 2001: 28-33
The Design and Impact of Interactive E-Book on Academic Language Achievement to Language Minority Students

Digital media technology has become an increasing part of daily life. The paper suggested on the efficient e-book design and application. The purpose of the study was to design and test interactive e-book for academic language learning on language minority (LM) students. The researcher conducted an experiment with a total of 54 third-grade LM students (age 8-9). The experimental classroom had 28 LM students who learned by using the interactive e-book. The control classroom had 26 LM students who learned by using the printed book. Testing took place over a period of 4 weeks. The interactive e-book had two primary modes including the automatic and manual mode. Each mode consisted of options and interactive features according to natural approach principles. Results of testing showed that the LM students’ improvement after learning with interactive e-book. The experimental group performed significantly better in story comprehension skill than the control group. Based on the results, further study of interactive e-book enhanced language learning is also suggested and discussed.
Thioredoxin reductase gene expression and activity among human T‐cell lymphotropic virus type 1–infected patients

The thioredoxin (Trx) system is a reducing complex, consisting of Trx, Trx reductase (TrxR), and NADPH, that scavenges reactive oxygen species. The system is a natural protective mechanism to prevent apoptosis and progression of oxidative stress‐related diseases. The present study was conducted to explore possible changes in TrxR activity and gene expression as a response to the oxidative stress during HTLV‐1 infection.
Accumulation of JAK activation loop phosphorylation is linked to type I JAK inhibitor withdrawal syndrome in myelofibrosis

Pathological drug withdrawal syndrome is linked to accumulation of JAK2 phosphorylation in V617F myelofibrosis. Treatment of patients with myelofibrosis with the type I JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitor ruxolitinib paradoxically induces JAK2 activation loop phosphorylation and is associated with a life-threatening cytokine-rebound syndrome if rapidly withdrawn. We developed a time-dependent assay to mimic ruxolitinib withdrawal in primary JAK2V617F and CALR mutant myelofibrosis patient samples and observed notable activation of spontaneous STAT signaling in JAK2V617F samples after drug washout. Accumulation of ruxolitinib-induced JAK2 phosphorylation was dose dependent and correlated with rebound signaling and the presence of a JAK2V617F mutation. Ruxolitinib prevented dephosphorylation of a cryptic site involving Tyr1007/1008 in JAK2 blocking ubiquitination and degradation. In contrast, a type II JAK inhibitor, CHZ868, did not induce JAK2 phosphorylation, was not associated with withdrawal signaling, and was superior in the eradication of flow-purified JAK2V617F mutant CD34+ progenitors after drug washout. Type I inhibitor–induced loop phosphorylation may act as a pathogenic signaling node released upon drug withdrawal, especially in JAK2V617F patients.
EXPLORING THE INTERSECTION BETWEEN LITERARY AND DIGITAL LITERACY IN SCHOOL

Two related questions are explored in this paper: What is the motivation for a literary blog activity in a “book-flooding” program? Under what conditions can such a blog activity be successfully implemented in the classroom? In order to answer these questions, we address the relation between literary and digital literacy. We see literary and digital literacy as parts of the overall literacy of the students. These parts of literacy are important in themselves, but we present research to show that they also can interact with each other and with other aspects of literacy in ways that have an accelerating effect on the students‟ literacy as a whole. The research reported from serves as motivation for our own blog activity, which we present here in detail to demonstrate how such a digital literacy can be implemented. The presentation is accompanied by a discussion of some important conditions that are important for using digital tools as part of a potentially literacy enhancing “book-flooding” program in class.
The resource allocation consequences of the new NHS needs formula

The NHS Executive has recently implemented modifications to the weighted capitation formula for distributing Hospital and Community Health Service funds to health authorities in England. A major contribution to the changes was an analysis of the relative needs of geographical areas undertaken by a team of researchers from the University of York. That work investigated the link between social and economic circumstances and the use of NHS inpatient facilities, and resulted in the development of separate needs indices for acute and psychiatric inpatient services. This report first documents the resource allocation consequences of each of these indices, and finds that the acute index is slightly more redistributive than the previous formula, and that the psychiatric index is very much more redistributive, in particular redirecting resources into the inner cities. In implementing the work, the Department of Health had to make a judgement about which needs index to use for distributing funds not relating to inpatient use, In the event, they have chosen to allocate 64% of the total budget according to the acute index, 12% according to the psychiatric index, and 24% according to no needs index. The report notes that the use of no needs weighting for such a large block of services, which includes community and mental handicap services, can be challenged. It illustrates the importance of the issue by comparing the Department’s preferred formula with an alternative, in which the 24% is allocated using the York acute index. It is found that this option would redirect amounts of up to 5% away from the home counties towards the inner cities. While not necessarily advocating this change, the report argues that the large sums involved highlight the urgent necessity for research on the relative need for health care in non-inpatient services.
A novel role and mechanism of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator in bisphenol A‐induced prostate cancer

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well known environmental endocrine disruptor that may cause human prostate cancer through disturbing cell mitosis, proliferation, and apoptosis. As one of the most important anion channels in organisms, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is proposed as a tumor suppressor in carcinogenesis and development of prostate cancer in recent studies. Whether CFTR plays a role in BPA‐induced prostate cancer needs to be further identified. In this study, two prostate cancer cell lines PC‐3 and LNCaP were exposed to BPA for detecting the cytotoxic reactions by 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. After the treatment with BPA for 24 hours, the cell viability was decreased significantly with increased cell apoptosis in the two cell lines. Moreover, both PC‐3 and LNCaP cells had a reduced expression level of cAMP, CFTR, and adenosine triphosphate upon BPA treatment. In addition, AMPKα kinase was found upregulated to promote cell apoptosis through increasing Bax expression and decreasing Bcl‐2 expression. Our study suggests a role and mechanism of CFTR in BPA‐induced prostate cancer via cell apoptosis for the first time.
Nomogram-based prediction of cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence.

The widespread introduction of screening methods allow to identify cervical dysplasia before having invasive cancer. The risk of developing cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence following conization represent a major health issue. Although several studies tried to identify predictors for cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence, no previous study has been conducted to develop a risk calculator. The current study aimed to identify predictors of cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence among women undergoing primary conization. We aimed to build nomograms estimating the risk of developing cervical dysplasia recurrence. Data of consecutive women with diagnosis of high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) undergoing conization were retrospectively evaluated (1503 patients). The risk of developing cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence was assessed with Kaplan-Meier and Cox's hazard models. Additionally, two nomograms were built to estimate likelihood of cervical dysplasia recurrence: the first based on baseline and operative parameters and the second focusing on type-specific HPV detected. The performance of the above nomograms was assessed using concordance index. A total of 1503 patients were analyzed. After a mean (SD) follow-up of 48.6 (±17.5) months, 84 (5.6%) patients required secondary conization. By multivariate analysis, HIV infection [hazard ratio (HR): 7.78; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.77-21.81; P<0.001], positive margins (HR: 26.2; 95% CI: 14.1-48.71; P<0.001) and persistence of HPV (HR: 6.82; 95% CI: 4.15-11.21; P<0.001) correlated with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia 2+ persistence/recurrence. The importance of those variables was corroborated by our first nomogram. The second nomogram suggested the impact of type-specific HPV infection in predicting cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence. HPV16, HPV18, HPV33, HPV35 and HPV45 were the HPV types most commonly associated with cervical dysplasia persistence/recurrence. The concordance index was greater than 0.70 for both nomograms, thus suggesting the reproducibility of our models. We developed the first two nomograms predicting this risk. The findings of this study require external validation. Once validated our data might be useful to plan a tailored postoperative surveillance of women receiving primary conization.
Comparison the Effects of Oral Tizanidine and Tramadol on Intra- and Post-operative Shivering in Patients Underwent Spinal Anesthesia

Background: Heat loss and core-to-peripheral redistribution of body heat occur in patients undergoing neuraxial anesthesia resulted to decrease of core temperature and early reach of shivering threshold. Because shivering has deleterious metabolic and cardiovascular effects, it should ideally be prevented by pharmacologic or other means. Tizanidine is an alpha-2 agonist. We evaluated the usefulness of oral tizanidine (TI) and tramadol in preventing of shivering in patients undergoing spinal anesthesia for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Materials and Methods: Ninety patients, scheduled for TURP with spinal anesthesia, were prospectively enrolled. Patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. 90 min before spinal anesthesia, 30 patients received 4 mg oral TI, 30 patients received 50 mg tramadol, and 30 patients received placebo as control group. Spinal anesthesia was induced at the L3–L4 or L4–L5 interspaces with 12.5 mg bupivacaine. An investigator blinded to the drugs recorded the frequency and degree of shivering. Results: The overall frequency and severity of shivering were significantly lower in patients treated with TI and tramadol compared to placebo (P = 0.04) (P = 0.001). There was not much difference in the nausea and vomiting of both the drugs (P = 026) (P = 011). There was no difference in hemodynamic parameters between three groups (P = 0.08) (P = 013). Conclusions: Oral TI and tramadol were comparable in respect to their effect in decreasing the incidence, intensity shivering when used prophylactically in patients who underwent TURP with spinal anesthesia.
Microglial distribution, branching, and clearance activity in aged rat hippocampus are affected by astrocyte meshwork integrity: evidence of a novel cell‐cell interglial interaction

Aging and neurodegenerative diseases share a condition of neuroinflammation entailing the production of endogenous cell debris in the CNS that must be removed by microglia (i.e., resident macrophages), to restore tissue homeostasis. In this context, extension of microglial cell branches toward cell debris underlies the mechanisms of microglial migration and phagocytosis. Amoeboid morphology and the consequent loss of microglial branch functionality characterizes dysregulated microglia. Microglial migration is assisted by another glial population, the astroglia, which forms a dense meshwork of cytoplasmic projections. Amoeboid microglia and disrupted astrocyte meshwork are consistent traits in aged CNS. In this study, we assessed a possible correlation between microglia and astroglia morphology in rat models of chronic neuroinflammation and aging, by 3‐dimensional confocal analysis implemented with particle analysis. Our findings suggest that a microglia‐astroglia interaction occurs in rat hippocampus via cell‐cell contacts, mediating microglial cell branching in the presence of inflammation. In aged rats, the impairment of such an interaction correlates with altered distribution, morphology, and inefficient clearance by microglia. These data support the idea that generally accepted functional boundaries between microglia and astrocytes should be re‐evaluated to better understand how their functions overlap and interact. —Lana, D. , Ugolini, F. , Wenk, G. L. , Giovannini, M. G. , Zecchi‐Orlandini, S. , Nosi, D. Microglial distribution, branching, and clearance activity in aged rat hippocampus are affected by astrocyte meshwork integrity: evidence of a novel cell‐cell interglial interaction. FASEB J. 33, 4007–4020 (2019). www.fasebj. org
Adaptation of Proteins to the Cold in Antarctic Fish: A Role for Methionine?

The evolution of antifreeze glycoproteins has enabled notothenioid fish to flourish in the freezing waters of the Southern Ocean. Whilst successful at the biodiversity level to life in the cold, paradoxically at the cellular level these stenothermal animals have problems producing, folding and degrading proteins at their ambient temperatures of down to −1.86°C. In this first multi-species transcriptome comparison of the amino acid composition of notothenioid proteins with temperate teleost proteins, we show that, unlike psychrophilic bacteria, Antarctic fish provide little evidence for the mass alteration of protein amino acid composition to enhance protein folding and reduce protein denaturation in the cold. The exception was the significant over-representation of positions where leucine in temperate fish proteins was replaced by methionine in the notothenioid orthologues. Although methionine may increase stability in critical proteins, we hypothesise that a more likely explanation for the extra methionines is that they have been preferentially assimilated into the genome because they act as redox sensors. This redox hypothesis is supported by the enrichment of duplicated genes within the notothenioid transcriptomes which centre around Mapk signalling, a major pathway in the cellular cascades associated with responses to environmental stress. Whilst notothenioid fish show cold-associated problems with protein homeostasis, they may have modified only a selected number of biochemical pathways to work efficiently below 0°C. Even a slight warming of the Southern Ocean might disrupt the critical functions of this handful of key pathways with considerable impacts for the functioning of this ecosystem in the future.
Prognostic factors for local recurrence in extremity‐located giant cell tumours of bone with pathological fracture

Aims The aim of this paper was to investigate the prognostic factors for local recurrence in patients with pathological fracture through giant cell tumours of bone (GCTB). Patients and Methods A total of 107 patients presenting with fractures through GCTB treated at our institution (Royal Orthopaedic Hospital, Birmingham, United Kingdom) between 1995 and 2016 were retrospectively studied. Of these patients, 57 were female (53%) and 50 were male (47%). The mean age at diagnosis was 33 years (14 to 86). A univariate analysis was performed, followed by multivariate analysis to identify risk factors based on the treatment and clinical characteristics. Results The initial surgical treatment was curettage with or without adjuvants in 55 patients (51%), en bloc resection with or without reconstruction in 45 patients (42%), and neoadjuvant denosumab, followed by resection (n = 3, 3%) or curettage (n = 4, 4%). The choice of treatment depended on tumour location, Campanacci tumour staging, intra‐articular involvement, and fracture displacement. Neoadjuvant denosumab was used only in fractures through Campanacci stage 3 tumours. Local recurrence occurred in 28 patients (25%). Surgery more than six weeks after the fracture did not affect the risk of recurrence in any of the groups. In Campanacci stage 3 tumours not treated with denosumab, en bloc resection had lower local recurrences (13%), compared with curettage (39%). In tumours classified as Campanacci 2, intralesional curettage and en bloc resections had similar recurrence rates (21% and 24%, respectively). After univariate analysis, the type of surgical intervention, location, and the use of denosumab were independent factors predicting local recurrence. Further surgery was required 33% more often after intralesional curettage in comparison with resections (mean 1.59, 0 to 5 vs 1.06, 0 to 3 operations). All patients treated with denosumab followed by intralesional curettage developed local recurrence. Conclusion In patients with pathological fractures through GCTB not treated with denosumab, en bloc resection offers lower risks of local recurrence in tumours classified as Campanacci stage 3. Curettage or resections are both similar options in terms of the risk of local recurrence for tumours classified as Campanacci stage 2. The benefits of denosumab followed by intralesional curettage in these patients still remains unclear.