Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Ectrodactyly‐Ectodermal Dysplasia‐Clefting Syndrome (EEC): Report of Five Cases

Abstract: We report five patients from two different pedigrees with the ectrodactyly‐ectodermal dysplasia‐clefting syndrome (EEC). All had features of ectodermal dysplasia, but only three had limb ectrodactyly and orofacial clefting. The present patients illustrate the great phenotypic variability in the EEC syndrome. As no single feature, including any of the three cardinal signs, is mandatory for syndrome diagnosis, a meticulous examination of all family members is needed.
Role of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) in the Treatment Role of Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) in the Treatment of High-Grade Gliomas of High-Grade Gliomas

Background: High-grade gliomas (HGG) represent the commonest primary adult brain tumors. Radiotherapy plays an important role in the management of this disease. Aim of the study: To assess the patterns of failure, treatment-related toxicities, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS), following limited-margins. Patients and Methods: In this prospective phase II study, patients with HGG have been treated with IMRT using the ESTRO-ACROP contouring guidelines that not include the peritumoral edema in the gross target volume (GTV) with adding 2cm margin around the GTV to create the clinical target volume (CTV), in one phase, after maximum safe resection of the tumor or stereotactic biopsy. Results: The trial included 40 patients with a median age of 49 years, 16 patients (40%) were in complete remission, 13 patients (12.5%) had partial regression, and stable disease occurred in 11 patients (27.5%). The progression/failure occurred in 28 patients (70%). Failures were located infield in 24 patients (86%), out-field in two patients (7%), and were marginal in two cases (7%). No notable serious toxicities during the treatment course; the commonest toxicities were G1-2 headache and vomiting (±72.5%). After a median follows up of 12.5 months; the median PFS and OS were 11.7 and 14.3 months respectively. Conclusion: In this study, the majority of relapses following limited volume IMRT occurred within the field of radiotherapy with acceptable treatment-related toxicities and oncological outcomes, which suggest the use of IMRT with limited CTV as an acceptable treatment technique in HGG patients
Dietary inflammatory index (DII) and risk of prostate cancer in a Dietary inflammatory index (DII) and risk of prostate cancer in a case–control study among Black and White US Veteran men case–control study among Black and White US Veteran men

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized a pro-inflammatory diet would be associated with higher prostate cancer (PC) risk. METHODS: We prospectively recruited incident PC cases (n=254) and controls (n=328) at the Durham Veteran Affairs, from 2007–2018. From a self-completed 61-item Food Frequency Questionnaire, we calculated dietary inflammatory index (DII®) scores with and without supplements. We examined the association between DII scores with and without supplements and Users may view, print, copy
Serum Hepcidin and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 In Patients Serum Hepcidin and Growth Differentiation Factor 15 In Patients with β -thalassemia and Its Relation to Blood Transfusion with -thalassemia and Its Relation to Blood Transfusion

Background: Serum Hepcidin level drop is a main feature of chronic hemolytic anemia like β-thalassemia as an example. It is assumed that Hepcidin is influenced by anemia, iron overload due to repeated blood infusions and inflammation due to iron disposition in tissues. Aim of the study: To measure plasma levels of the iron regulatory hormones; hepcidin and GDF-15 in β-thalassemic patients during intravenous blood infusion in order to assist clinical monitoring. Patients and Methods: 30 cases previously diagnosed as a β-thalassemia major (group I) and 20 normal individuals of the same age and gender group (group II). The samples were collected immediately before and 8 days after transfusion. Hepcidin and GDF-15 levels were estimated using ELISA kit that is commercially available. Results: As regard to serum Hepcidin level in both control and patient group was similar before the transfusion. The hepcidin level increased significantly after transfusion in both groups but in was significantly higher in patient group. Hb and hepcidin increased significantly post-transfusion. The pre-and post-transfusion hepcidin showed significant correlation with Hb, Iron, and Ferritin in thalassemia patients. The pre-transfusion Growth Differentiation Factor-15 was shooting in cases with β-thalassemia than presumably healthy control. The GDF-15 level decreased significantly after transfusion and it was significantly correlated with Hb and hepcidin levels. Conclusion : Hepcidin serum level assessment can be used to monitor patients with iron-loading anemia and identify the patients prone to iron overload complications and iron toxicity.
Vitamin D Serum Levels in Oral Lichen Planus and Oral Cancer Patients

Background: This study aimed to evaluate serum vitamin D levels in patients with oral lichen planus (OLP) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in comparison to healthy controls in an Iranian population. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted, which included 69 patients with OLP, 40 patients with OSCC, and 60 healthy controls. Serum vitamin D levels were measured using the ELISA method. The data were analyzed using Mann-Whitney and T-tests, and statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: The study found that 17.9% of OLP patients, 27.25% of OSCC patients, and 25% of the control group had normal vitamin D levels. The mean vitamin D level in OLP patients (17.00 ± 14.16 ng/mL) was significantly lower than that in the control group (22.99 ± 14.46 ng/mL) ( P = 0.003). However, in OSCC patients, the mean vitamin D level (24.63 ± 16.19 ng/mL) was not significantly different from that of the control group. Conclusion: The study revealed a high rate of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in OLP, OSCC, and control group patients. Vitamin D deficiency was more common in patients with OLP. Vitamin D deficiency may potentially increase the risk of OLP and OSCC development and progression.
Classification accuracy of the event-related potentials-based Brain Fingerprinting and its robustness to direct-suppression and thought-substitution countermeasures

Research on the accuracy of Brain Fingerprinting (BFP) has produced mixed outcomes: some report 99.9% and others report lower. Furthermore, no studies have measured the susceptibility of BFP to countermeasures. In Experiment-1, we report the accurate classification of 15 of the 16 subjects, tested on their own real-life auto-biographical incidents; and 14 of the 15 other subjects, tested on another subject's real-life autobiographical incidents. In Experiment-2, 16 subjects of Experiment-1, who were tested on their own real-life incidents, participated in the BFP test again, but this time employing either direct-suppression or thought-substitution ( n = 8 each) countermeasures. We report that neither direct-suppression nor thought-substitution was effective at concealing information that BFP was designed to reveal. We assert that BFP is a highly accurate, albeit not perfect, concealed-knowledge detection technology and that it is resistant to memory suppression and thought sub-stitution countermeasures in the context of autobiographical incidents.
“ We Will be Right with You : ” Managing Customers with Vague Promises and Cheap Talk

Delay announcements informing customers about anticipated service delays are prevalent in service-oriented systems. How to use delay announcements to manage the service system in an efficient manner is a complex problem which depends on both the dynamics of the underlying queueing system and on the customer behavior. We examine this problem of information communication by considering a model in which both the firm and the customers act strategically: the firm in choosing its delay announcement while anticipating customer response, and the customers in interpreting these announcements and in making the decision about when to join the system and when to balk. We characterize the equilibrium language that emerges between the service provider and her customers. The analysis of the emerging equilibria provides new and interesting insights into customer-firm information sharing. We show that even though the information provided to customers is non-verifiable and non-credible, it improves the profits of the firm and the expected utility of the customers. Further, the information could be as simple as “High Congestion”/“Low Congestion” announcements, or could be as detailed as the true state of the system. We also show that firms may choose to shade some of the truth by using intentional vagueness to lure customers. *
Evaluation of The Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in The Evaluation of The Role of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in The Management of Ulcerative Colitis in Egyptian Patients Management of Ulcerative Colitis in Egyptian Patients

Background: Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) is a novel form of therapeutic microbial manipulation aims to restore the intestinal microbiota in diseased individuals by transferring intestinal microbiota of healthy donors. We aimed to establish the efficacy of multi donor fecal microbiota transplantation in active ulcerative colitis (UC) in Egyptian patients. Subject and Methods: known UC patients (n-50) were divided in two groups, Group one included 25 patients who treated with medical treatment alone and then follow up was done for 24 weeks. Group two included 25 patients who treated with medical treatment and underwent FMT via complete colonoscopy every three weeks until the 9th week and then follow up was done for the 24 th week by clinical picture, laboratory investigation ,complete colonoscopy at 0, 3, 6, 9, 18 and 24 weeks of study. Results: Clinical remission was achieved in 18 patients (72%) of group II compared to only 5 patients (20%) of group I achieved clinical remission (p value=0.001). Reduction in leucocytic count was in group II(5.8) rather than group I(6.2) (p value=0.008). Improvement in anemia was better in group II(12.4) than group I(11.9) (p value=0.027). Conclusion: FMT appears to be effective for induction of remission in UC, Further studies are needed to explore its feasibility, efficacy and safety as a maintenance agent.
Our Healthier Nation: are general practitioners willing and able to deliver? A survey of attitudes to and involvement in health promotion and lifestyle counselling.

BACKGROUND The recent Green Paper, Our Healthier Nation, identifies professional advice on healthier living as a key component of its national contract for health. General practitioners (GPs) are ideally placed for this work. However, previous research has reported a discrepancy between patients' expectations of lifestyle advice from GPs and their receipt of such advice. AIMS To describe GPs' current attitudes to and involvement in health promotion and lifestyle counselling, and to track changes in these areas over recent years. METHOD A postal questionnaire survey of a random sample of 430 GPs, one per practice, from all general practices in Leicestershire, Derbyshire, and Nottinghamshire. GPs who had not responded after two weeks received a reminder telephone call plus two follow-up questionnaires. RESULTS Four hundred and eleven GPs were eligible for the survey, which yielded a response rate of 68% (n = 279). GPs reported spending an average 16% of practice time on prevention and 79% reported educating patients about lifestyle risk 'most' or 'all of the time'. Solo GPs spent more time on prevention than GPs from group practices. Most enquiries and interventions related to smoking behaviour. GPs felt most effective in changing patients' use of prescription drugs, and the largest reported difference between current and potential effectiveness in helping patient change lifestyle behaviour, after information and training, related to reducing alcohol consumption. CONCLUSIONS Despite an increasing workload, GPs remain positive about health promotion and lifestyle counselling. Over the past 10 years, there has been an increase in routine enquiries about lifestyle behaviour, but confidence about effectiveness in helping patients changes lifestyle behaviour remains low. More training and support concerning lifestyle intervention is required by GPs in order for them to contribute effectively to the Government's health promotion programme.
Factors for Success in Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems

The importance of effective customer relationships as a key to customer value and hence shareholder value is widely emphasised. In order to enhance these relationships, the application of IT to marketing through customer relationship management (CRM) software, e-commerce and other initiatives is growing rapidly. This study examines the factors that influence the successful deployment of CRM applications, with particular emphasis on those factors which are distinct from other areas of application. Using the analytic induction method, success factors were derived from five in-depth case studies. Resulting factors underemphasised in previous literature include: the need for project approval procedures which allow for uncertainty; the need to leverage models of best practice; the importance of prototyping new processes, not just IT; and the need to manage for the delivery of the intended benefits, rather than just implementing the original specification.
A Self-Organizing State-Space-Model Approach for Parameter Estimation in Hodgkin-Huxley-Type Models of Single Neurons

Traditional approaches to the problem of parameter estimation in biophysical models of neurons and neural networks usually adopt a global search algorithm (for example, an evolutionary algorithm), often in combination with a local search method (such as gradient descent) in order to minimize the value of a cost function, which measures the discrepancy between various features of the available experimental data and model output. In this study, we approach the problem of parameter estimation in conductance-based models of single neurons from a different perspective. By adopting a hidden-dynamical-systems formalism, we expressed parameter estimation as an inference problem in these systems, which can then be tackled using a range of well-established statistical inference methods. The particular method we used was Kitagawa's self-organizing state-space model, which was applied on a number of Hodgkin-Huxley-type models using simulated or actual electrophysiological data. We showed that the algorithm can be used to estimate a large number of parameters, including maximal conductances, reversal potentials, kinetics of ionic currents, measurement and intrinsic noise, based on low-dimensional experimental data and sufficiently informative priors in the form of pre-defined constraints imposed on model parameters. The algorithm remained operational even when very noisy experimental data were used. Importantly, by combining the self-organizing state-space model with an adaptive sampling algorithm akin to the Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolution Strategy, we achieved a significant reduction in the variance of parameter estimates. The algorithm did not require the explicit formulation of a cost function and it was straightforward to apply on compartmental models and multiple data sets. Overall, the proposed methodology is particularly suitable for resolving high-dimensional inference problems based on noisy electrophysiological data and, therefore, a potentially useful tool in the construction of biophysical neuron models.
Composition and size class structure of tree species in Ihang’ana forest reserve, Mufindi district, Tanzania

Ihang’ana Forest Reserve is part of the Udzungwa Mountains ecosystem that falls under the Eastern Arc Mountains (EAM). Previous plant biodiversity studies in this ecosystem concentrated on large-sized Forest Reserves of greater than 20,000 ha (FR) such as the Uzungwa Scarp ignoring small-sized forests of less than 300 hectares. This study was therefore undertaken to assess tree species composition, structure and diversity in Ihang’ana FR (2982 ha), one of the forest reserves in the Udzungwa Mountains Ecosystem. A total of 7 transects with 12 plots of sizes 20m x 50m each were established for vegetation sampling. Seventytree species representing 32 families and a total of 6478 individuals were identified from Ihang’ana FR. Alpha diversity ranged between 1.334 and 2.865 (mean 2.246 ± 0.309) with most plots recording species diversity of greater than 2.014. The most frequent occurring species were Aphloia theiformis (96.4%), Diospyros whyteana (91.6%), Nuxia floribunda (91.6%) Olea europaea (86.9%) and Macaranga capensis var. capensis (77.4%). Majority of these species similarly scored the highest Importance Value Index (IVI) as follows: Aphloia theiformis (112.6), Nuxia floribunda (111.36), Olea europaea (101.75), Bridelia micrantha (101.25), Diospyros whyteana (98.06), Macaranga capensis var. capensis (87.62), Morella salicifolia (71.3). M. capensis var. capensis, an indicator species for disturbance, was poorly represented in the lower DBH size classes, possibly an indication of forest recovery from past disturbance. Despite reports that licensed timber extraction used to take place in the forest in the early 1980’s the situation on the ground as observed during this study shows that the forest has recovered from such disturbance. It is therefore recommended that the central government continue supporting the local communities around the forest reserve for example in maintaining fire lanes as part of conservation and management of Ihang’ana forest Reserve. Keywords: Eastern Arc Mountains, Ihang’ana Forest Reserve, IVI, tree species composition, tree species diversity, Udzungwa Mountains
Challenges ​ ​ in ​ ​ Using ​ ​ ctDNA ​ ​ to ​ ​ Achieve ​ ​ Early ​ ​ Detection ​ ​ of ​ ​ Cancer

Early ​ ​ detection ​ ​ of ​ ​ cancer ​ ​ is ​ ​ a ​ ​ significant ​ ​ unmet ​ ​ clinical ​ ​ need. ​ ​ Improved ​ ​ technical ​ ​ ability ​ ​ to ​ ​ detect circulating ​ ​ tumor-derived ​ ​ DNA ​ ​ (ctDNA) ​ ​ in ​ ​ the ​ ​ cell-free ​ ​ DNA ​ ​ (cfDNA) ​ ​ component ​ ​ of ​ ​ blood ​ ​ plasma via ​ ​ next-generation ​ ​ sequencing ​ ​ and ​ ​ established ​ ​ correlations ​ ​ between ​ ​ ctDNA ​ ​ load ​ ​ and ​ ​ tumor burden ​ ​ in ​ ​ cancer ​ ​ patients ​ ​ have ​ ​ spurred ​ ​ excitement ​ ​ about ​ ​ the ​ ​ possibilities ​ ​ of ​ ​ detecting ​ ​ cancer early ​ ​ by ​ ​ performing ​ ​ ctDNA ​ ​ mutation ​ ​ detection. We ​ ​ reanalyze ​ ​ published ​ ​ data ​ ​ on ​ ​ the ​ ​ expected ​ ​ ctDNA ​ ​ allele ​ ​ fraction ​ ​ in ​ ​ early-stage ​ ​ cancer ​ ​ and the ​ ​ population ​ ​ statistics ​ ​ of ​ ​ cfDNA ​ ​ concentration ​ ​ to ​ ​ show ​ ​ that ​ ​ under ​ ​ conservative ​ ​ technical assumptions, ​ ​ high-sensitivity ​ ​ cancer ​ ​ detection ​ ​ by ​ ​ ctDNA ​ ​ mutation ​ ​ detection ​ ​ will ​ ​ require ​ ​ either more ​ ​ blood ​ ​ volume ​ ​ (150-300mL) ​ ​ than ​ ​ practical ​ ​ for ​ ​ a ​ ​ routine ​ ​ screen ​ ​ or ​ ​ variant ​ ​ filtering ​ ​ that ​ ​ may be ​ ​ impossible ​ ​ given ​ ​ our ​ ​ knowledge ​ ​ of ​ ​ cancer ​ ​ evolution, ​ ​ and ​ ​ will ​ ​ likely ​ ​ remain ​ ​ out ​ ​ of ​ ​ economic reach ​ ​ for ​ ​ routine ​ ​ population ​ ​ screening ​ ​ without ​ ​ multiple-order-of-magnitude ​ ​ decreases ​ ​ in sequencing ​ ​ cost. ​ ​ Instead, ​ ​ new ​ ​ approaches ​ ​ that ​ ​ integrate ​ ​ ctDNA ​ ​ mutations ​ ​ with ​ ​ multiple ​ ​ other blood-based ​ ​ analytes ​ ​ (such ​ ​ as ​ ​ exosomes, ​ ​ circulating ​ ​ tumor ​ ​ cells, ​ ​ ctDNA ​ ​ epigenetics, metabolites) ​ ​ as ​ ​ well ​ ​ as ​ ​ integration ​ ​ of ​ ​ these ​ ​ signals ​ ​ over ​ ​ time ​ ​ for ​ ​ each ​ ​ individual ​ ​ may ​ ​ be ​ ​ needed.
Heat shock cognate 70 protein secretion as a new growth arrest signal for cancer cells

Previous studies indicated that density-arrested cancer cells released an unidentified growth inhibitor whose secretion was prevented by overexpression of the lysosomal protease cathepsin D. Here, this growth inhibitor was purified by affinity chromatography and identified as the heat shock cognate 70 protein (Hsc70) based on its peptide microsequencing and specific antibody recognition. Among intracellular proteins, including other heat shock proteins, only constitutive Hsc70 was secreted in response to the high cell density. Moreover, Hsc70 secretion from cancer cells was generated by serum deprivation, whereas its cellular concentration did not change. Prevention of Hsc70 secretion by cathepsin D overexpression was associated with the formation of multilayer cell cultures, thus indicating a loss of contact inhibition. In addition, we demonstrated that supplementing the culture medium with purified Hsc70 inhibited cell proliferation in the nanomolar range. Conversely, removal of this extracellular Hsc70 from the medium by either retention on ADP-agarose or competition at the Hsc70 binding site restored cell proliferation. Hsc70 appears active in human breast cancer cells and hypersecreted by direct cathepsin D inhibition. These results suggest a new role of this secreted Hsc70 chaperone in cell proliferation that might account for the higher tumor growth of cancer cells overexpressing cathepsin D.
A Physics-Based Parameterization of Air–Sea Momentum Flux at A Physics-Based Parameterization of Air–Sea Momentum Flux at High Wind Speeds and Its Impact on Hurricane Intensity High Wind Speeds and Its Impact on Hurricane Intensity Predictions Predictions

A new bulk parameterization of the air–sea momentum flux at high wind speeds is proposed based on coupled wave–wind model simulations for 10 tropical cyclones that occurred in the Atlantic Ocean during 1998–2003. The new parameterization describes how the roughness length increases linearly with wind speed and the neutral drag coefficient tends to level off at high wind speeds. The proposed parameterization is then tested on real hurricanes using the operational Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) coupled hurricane–ocean prediction model. The impact of the new parameterization on the hurricane prediction is mainly found in increased maximum surface wind speeds, while it does not appreciably affect the hurricane central pressure prediction. This helps to improve the GFDL model–predicted wind–pressure relationship in strong hurricanes. Attempts are made to provide physical explanations as to why the reduced drag coefficient affects surface wind speeds but not the central pressure in hurricanes.
Surgical Complications of Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-Surgical Complications of Endoscopic Endonasal Trans-Sphenoidal Approach for Pituitary Tumors Sphenoidal Approach for Pituitary Tumors

Background: Pituitary macro-adenomas form about 10% of intracranial tumors. Most of them are non-functioning and manifestations are due to space-occupying effects or clinical hypo-pituitarism. Functioning adenomas result in the conditions of Cushing’s disease, galactorrhoea/oligo/amenorrhoea and acromegaly. Non-functioning pituitary tumors may also produce hyper-prolactinaemia due to dis-inhibition of the effects of hypothalamic dopamine on lactotroph cells. Aim of the work: Detection of surgical complications of endoscopic endo-nasal trans-sphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumors and how to avoid and manage them. Material and Methods: This study is conducted upon 40 cases diagnosed to have pituitary tumors, operated upon in the department of Neurosurgery at Al-Azhar University Hospitals, and Shibin Al.Kawm teaching hospital from March 2017 to March 2019. Prospectively collected and retrospectively analyzed. Results: Eleven patients suffered complications, as CSF leak, intra-operative bleeding, and herniation of diaphragm sellae. Conclusions : Endoscopic Trans-sphenoidal approach usually is the method of choice for treating pituitary tumors due to lower risk of complications.