Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast scatter correction for cone-beam computed tomography using the statistical method

X-ray scatter signals acquired from a large flat panel detector in cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) can degrade image quality of cross-section images. In this paper, we propose a new fast scatter correction method in CBCT using the statistical method in combination with the downsampling technique in projection images to reduce the computation time. The downsampled primary signal is estimated using the MLEM algorithm and then upsampled to obtain the original size. To reduce the upsampling effect, we deconvolve one more time to obtain the final estimated primary signal. The experimental results show that the proposed method with downsampling by two can reduce the computation time by a factor of more than four. In addition, the quality of reconstructed images is improved in terms of higher CT number accuracy and smaller cupping artifacts in comparison with the results obtained from fan-beam computed tomography.
Experimental Resistance to Drug Combinations in Leishmania donovani: Metabolic and Phenotypic Adaptations

ABSTRACT Together with vector control, chemotherapy is an essential tool for the control of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), but its efficacy is jeopardized by growing resistance and treatment failure against first-line drugs. To delay the emergence of resistance, the use of drug combinations of existing antileishmanial agents has been tested systematically in clinical trials for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In vitro, Leishmania donovani promastigotes are able to develop experimental resistance to several combinations of different antileishmanial drugs after 10 weeks of drug pressure. Using an untargeted liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics approach, we identified metabolic changes in lines that were experimentally resistant to drug combinations and their respective single-resistant lines. This highlighted both collective metabolic changes (found in all combination therapy-resistant [CTR] lines) and specific ones (found in certain CTR lines). We demonstrated that single-resistant and CTR parasite cell lines show distinct metabolic adaptations, which all converge on the same defensive mechanisms that were experimentally validated: protection against drug-induced and external oxidative stress and changes in membrane fluidity. The membrane fluidity changes were accompanied by changes in drug uptake only in the lines that were resistant against drug combinations with antimonials, and surprisingly, drug accumulation was higher in these lines. Together, these results highlight the importance and the central role of protection against oxidative stress in the different resistant lines. Ultimately, these phenotypic changes might interfere with the mode of action of all drugs that are currently used for the treatment of VL and should be taken into account in drug development.
Conceptualizing the Role of Research Literacy in Advancing Societal Health

‘Research literacy’ is proposed as a key concept for advancing societal health. To examine whether improvements in research literacy would affect knowledge of and ethical participation in research, parents of young children received a brief educational intervention designed to enhance their understanding of child research. Results demonstrated that the intervention improved research-related knowledge and increased parents’ comfort with their research participation decisions. Moreover, enhanced understanding of child volition increased parents’ willingness to enrol their children in research. The proposed research literacy model identifies methods to enhance population knowledge and appreciation of research, strengthening links between scientific advancement and health.
Volumetric Evaluation of the Mammary Gland and Pectoralis Major Muscle following Subglandular and Submuscular Breast Augmentation

Background: Besides being a procedure with high level of patient satisfaction, one of the main causes for reoperation after breast augmentation is related to contour deformities and changes in breast volume. Few objective data are available on postoperative volumetric analysis following breast augmentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate volume changes in the breast parenchyma and pectoralis major muscle after breast augmentation with the placement of silicone implants in the subglandular and submuscular planes. Methods: Fifty-eight women were randomly allocated either to the subglandular group (n = 24) or submuscular group (n = 24) and underwent breast augmentation in the subglandular or submuscular plane, respectively, or to a control group (n = 10) and received no intervention. Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging was performed at inclusion in all participants and either after 6 and 12 months in the control group or at 6 and 12 months after surgery in the intervention groups. Results: Twelve months after breast augmentation, only the subglandular group had a significant reduction in glandular volume (mean, 22.8 percent), while patients in the submuscular group were the only ones showing significant reduction in muscle volume (mean, 49.80 percent). Conclusions: Atrophy of the breast parenchyma occurred after subglandular breast augmentation, but not following submuscular breast augmentation. In contrast, submuscular breast augmentation caused atrophy of the pectoralis major muscle. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.
Components of self-reported oral health and general health in racial and ethnic groups.

OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to investigate the validity of the General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), a self-reported oral health measure, when used in an all-age adult sample of Hispanics and African-Americans. METHODS The study groups were 506 disadvantaged Hispanic and African-American adults who were recruited at low-cost medical and dental clinics. To explore the validity of the GOHAI in an all-age, ethnically diverse sample, principal component and principal factor analyses were conducted on the 12 items of the GOHAI and the 14 items constituting the MOS physical/social and mental health components. RESULTS Four factors accounted for 40 percent of the total variance of health as measured by the MOS and GOHAI items: general health, physical/worry oral health, mental health, and social oral health. An association between socioeconomic variables and each subscale was found to be significant except for the physical/worry oral health subscale. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that the GOHAI is valid when used in younger and ethnically diverse samples. The findings also emphasize that oral health is distinct from general health and that the use of generic self-reported measures of health may miss important aspects of oral health that are valuable for dental health professionals.
Acute partial transverse myelitis with normal cerebral magnetic resonance imaging: transition rate to clinically definite multiple sclerosis

Objective: To determine the long-term risk of developing clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) in patients with acute partial transverse myelitis (APTM) and normal cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. Methods: We retrospectively studied 30 consecutive patients with clinical evidence of APTM. Patients with symmetric severe acute transverse myelitis were considered to have complete transverse myelitis and were excluded. All patients underwent spinal and cerebral MRIs, 13 underwent cerebrospinal fluid analysis and 11 patients underwent evoked potential studies. Various other studies were performed to assess for connective tissue disease and causes of APTM other than demyelinating disease. Results: After an average follow-up of 61 months, all laboratory and clinical evidence, including relapse history, indicated that three patients developed lesions on cerebral MRI and could be classified as CDMS by either Poser criteria (two patients) or MacDonald criteria (one patient). Relapses limited to the spinal cord seen clinically were seen in 14/30 (46.6%) patients. Oligoclonal bands were seen in 8/13 (62%) patients; one patient transitioned to CDMS. Unifocal lesions of the cord were seen in 19/30 (63%) patients, multifocal lesions were seen in 8/30 (27%) and 3/30 (10%) had negative MRIs. The three patients who converted to CDMS did so within five years of the onset of myelitis. Conclusion: APTM with normal cerebral MRI had a low rate of conversion to CDMS in this long-term study. To date, there have been only a few follow-up studies that have addressed this issue.
Ability of mathematical models to predict faecal output with a pulse dose of indigestible marker

The aim of the work was to compare the faecal output and digestibility estimated by two mathematical approaches with the actual amount of faeces excreted or feed digested by Siental cows. Experimental data (intakes and digestibility measured over 5 d) and faecal Cr concentrations (measured at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 24, 32, 48, 56, 72, 96, 120 and 144 h after a pulse dose of Cr-mordanted forage) were collected from published experiments and fitted to a multicompartmental (MC) model and a γ age-dependent (AD) model. From a statistical point of view, the MC model was very satisfactory while the AD model produced lower r2 and higher SE values and reached satisfactory statistical values only for higher DM intakes (lactating animals). The MC model produced higher correlations with the digestibility values while the AD model generated better correlations with the intake data; DM intake and digestibilities were more highly correlated with the model's parameters than neutral-detergent fibre terms. The regression between the estimated faecal outputs obtained with the two models showed an intercept closeto 0 (P>0·05) and angular coefficients near 1; there was a good correspondence of the estimates especially for the lowest values of output. The r2 values of the regressions were 0·800 and 0·829 for the MC and AD models respectively and their SE were 2·93 and 2·63. The ability of the two models to predict faecal output and digestibility was very similar, independent of the statistical accuracy of fitting the Cr- concentration data. The results indicate that variation of Cr concentration is the result of the entire digestive process, i.e. dilution and passage, which interact in a competitive or associative way.
Prognostic predictors of sudden sensorineural hearing loss in defibrinogenation therapy

Abstract Conclusions: Defibrinogenation therapy rather than corticosteroids therapy should be chosen for patients specifically with profound hearing loss and with initial high fibrinogen. Objectives: Corticosteroids therapy is the standard treatment for sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) and prognostic factors by this therapy were reported. Defibrinogenation therapy is one of the treatment options for SSNHL. Aims of this study were to identify prognostic factors and correlative markers with hearing improvement in treating SSNHL by defibrinogenation therapy. Methods: During the early phase of the study, consecutive 61 patients were treated by defibrinogenation therapy with batroxobin (50 units), whereas corticosteroids (500 mg/day of hydrocortisone tapered by 9 days) were used for consecutive 64 patients during the late phase. Blood data that could predict a complete recovery were identified. Coagulation/fibrinolysis markers correlated with hearing improvement by defibrinogenation therapy were investigated. Results: Although there were no overall differences in hearing improvement between the two therapies, recovery rate in profound hearing loss patients was better in defibrinogenation therapy. In patients who showed complete recovery, serum fibrinogen level before treatment was significantly higher in the defibrinogenation group than the corticosteroid group. Responses of several fibrinolysis markers to defibrinogenation therapy evaluated by post-/pre-values were negatively correlated with hearing improvement.
The Aspergillus nidulans sfaD gene encodes a G protein β subunit that is required for normal growth and repression of sporulation

flbA encodes an Aspergillus nidulans RGS (regulator of G protein signaling) domain protein that antagonizes FadA (Giα‐subunit of heterotrimeric G protein)‐mediated growth signaling to allow asexual development. We previously defined and characterized five suppressors of flbA (sfa) loss‐of‐function mutations and showed that one suppressor (sfaB) resulted from a novel dominant‐negative allele of fadA. In this report we show that a second suppressor gene (sfaD) is predicted to encode the β subunit of a heterotrimeric G protein. Deletion of sfaD suppressed all defects resulting from complete loss‐of‐flbA function mutations, caused a hyperactive sporulation phenotype and severely reduced vegetative growth. However, the sfaD deletion could not suppress the growth activation caused by dominant‐activating fadA alleles, indicating that constitutively active FadA can cause proliferative growth in the absence of Gβγ signaling. We propose that SfaD and FadA are both positive growth regulators with partially overlapping functions and that FlbA has an important role in controlling the activities of both proteins. Inactivation of signaling events stimulated by both components of the heterotrimeric G protein is essential for both sexual and asexual sporulation.
A comparison of the onset of protection induced by Newcastle disease virus strain B1 and a fowl poxvirus recombinant Newcastle disease vaccine to a viscerotropic velogenic Newcastle disease virus challenge.

Four-week-old specific-pathogen-free white rock chickens were immunized with either a commercial recombinant fowl poxvirus-vectored Newcastle disease vaccine (FPN) expressing the hemagglutinin-neuraminidase and fusion protein genes of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain B1 or live NDV B1. Vaccinates and controls were challenged by eyedrop and intranasal (E/I) route with a viscerotropic velogenic NDV at 14 days postvaccination to determine the time of clearance of challenge virus. In a subsequent experiment, chickens were challenged at 3, 6, or 10 days postvaccination to determine the onset of immunity. Chickens that received a recommended field dose (1x) or a 0.01x dose of FP-N subcutaneously (s.c.) and were seropositive by hemagglutination-inhibition test at 14 days postvaccination cleared the challenge virus by 14 days postchallenge. Clinical Newcastle disease and high challenge virus titers in tissues were seen only in seronegative FP-N 0.01x dose vaccinates and controls. In a comparison of vaccination with FP-N (1x, 10(4,9) median tissue culture infective dose) s.c. , B1 (10(6) median egg infective dose [EID50]) s.c. , or B1 (10(6) EID50) E/I, chickens vaccinated at 6 or 10 days before challenge with all vaccines were protected against clinical disease, but only those vaccinated with B1 E/I 10 days before challenge were protected against infection with the challenge virus. Vaccination at 3 days before challenge with B1 E/I provided early protection, but severe nervous signs developed later and reduced overall protection to 60%, whereas disease in chickens vaccinated with B1 s.c. and FP-N s.c. 3 days before challenge was similar to the challenge controls.
Distribution of antimicrobial‐resistant lactic acid bacteria in natural cheese in Japan

To determine and compare the extent of contamination caused by antimicrobial‐resistant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in imported and domestic natural cheeses on the Japanese market, LAB were isolated using deMan, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) agar and MRS agar supplemented with six antimicrobials. From 38 imported and 24 Japanese cheeses, 409 LAB isolates were obtained and their antimicrobial resistance was tested. The percentage of LAB resistant to dihydrostreptomycin, erythromycin, and/or oxytetracycline isolated from imported cheeses (42.1%) was significantly higher than that of LAB resistant to dihydrostreptomycin or oxytetracycline from cheeses produced in Japan (16.7%; P = 0.04). Antimicrobial resistance genes were detected in Enterococcus faecalis (tetL, tetM, and ermB; tetL and ermB; tetM) E. faecium (tetM), Lactococcus lactis (tetS), Lactobacillus (Lb.), casei/paracasei (tetM or tetW), and Lb. rhamnosus (ermB) isolated from seven imported cheeses. Moreover, these E. faecalis isolates were able to transfer antimicrobial resistance gene(s). Although antimicrobial resistance genes were not detected in any LAB isolates from Japanese cheeses, Lb. casei/paracasei and Lb. coryniformis isolates from a Japanese farm‐made cheese were resistant to oxytetracycline (minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC], 32 µg/mL). Leuconostoc isolates from three Japanese farm‐made cheeses were also resistant to dihydrostreptomycin (MIC, 32 to > 512 µg/mL). In conclusion, the present study demonstrated contamination with antimicrobial‐resistant LAB in imported and Japanese farm‐made cheeses on the Japanese market, but not in Japanese commercial cheeses.
Rapid genetic identification and mapping of enzymatically amplified ribosomal DNA from several Cryptococcus species

Detailed restriction analyses of many samples often require substantial amounts of time and effort for DNA extraction, restriction digests, Southern blotting, and hybridization. We describe a novel approach that uses the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid simplified restriction typing and mapping of DNA from many different isolates. DNA fragments up to 2 kilobase pairs in length were efficiently amplified from crude DNA samples of several pathogenic Cryptococcus species, including C. neoformans, C. albidus, C. laurentii, and C. uniguttulatus. Digestion and electrophoresis of the PCR products by using frequent-cutting restriction enzymes produced complex restriction phenotypes (fingerprints) that were often unique for each strain or species. We used the PCR to amplify and analyze restriction pattern variation within three major portions of the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) repeats from these fungi. Detailed mapping of many restriction sites within the rDNA locus was determined by fingerprint analysis of progressively larger PCR fragments sharing a common primer site at one end. As judged by PCR fingerprints, the rDNA of 19 C. neoformans isolates showed no variation for four restriction enzymes that we surveyed. Other Cryptococcus spp. showed varying levels of restriction pattern variation within their rDNAs and were shown to be genetically distinct from C. neoformans. The PCR primers used in this study have also been successfully applied for amplification of rDNAs from other pathogenic and nonpathogenic fungi, including Candida spp. , and ought to have wide applicability for clinical detection and other studies.
Use of Multiepitope Polyproteins in Serodiagnosis of Active Tuberculosis

ABSTRACT Screening of genomic expression libraries from Mycobacterium tuberculosis with sera from tuberculosis (TB) patients or rabbit antiserum to M. tuberculosis led to the identification of novel antigens capable of detecting specific antibodies to M. tuberculosis. Three antigens, Mtb11 (also known as CFP-10), Mtb8, and Mtb48, were tested together with the previously reported 38-kDa protein, in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect antibodies in TB patients. These four proteins were also produced as a genetically fused polyprotein, which was tested with two additional antigens, DPEP (also known as MPT32) and Mtb81. Sera from individuals with pulmonary and extrapulmonary TB, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-TB coinfections, and purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive and PPD-negative status with no evidence of disease were tested. In samples from HIV-negative individuals, the ELISA detected antibodies in >80% of smear-positive individuals and >60% smear-negative individuals, with a specificity of ∼98%. For this group, smears detected 81.6% but a combination of smear and ELISA had a sensitivity of ∼93%. The antigen combination detected a significant number of HIV-TB coinfections as well as antibodies in patients with extrapulmonary infections. Improved reactivity in the HIV-TB group was observed by including the antigen Mtb81 that was identified by proteomics. The data indicate that the use of multiple antigens, some of which are in a single polyprotein, can be used to facilitate the development of a highly sensitive test for M. tuberculosis antibody detection.
A Comparative Analysis of Multiple Sclerosis–Relevant Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Ethyl Pyruvate and Dimethyl Fumarate

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), a new drug for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment, acts against neuroinflammation via mechanisms that are triggered by adduct formation with thiol redox switches. Ethyl pyruvate (EP), an off-the-shelf agent, appears to be a redox analog of DMF, but its immunomodulatory properties have not been put into the context of MS therapy. In this article, we examined and compared the effects of EP and DMF on MS-relevant activity/functions of T cells, macrophages, microglia, and astrocytes. EP efficiently suppressed the release of MS signature cytokines, IFN-γ and IL-17, from human PBMCs. Furthermore, the production of these cytokines was notably decreased in encephalitogenic T cells after in vivo application of EP to rats. Production of two other proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6 and TNF, and NO was suppressed by EP in macrophages and microglia. Reactive oxygen species production in macrophages, microglia activation, and the development of Ag-presenting phenotype in microglia and macrophages were constrained by EP. The release of IL-6 was reduced in astrocytes. Finally, EP inhibited the activation of transcription factor NF-κB in microglia and astrocytes. Most of these effects were also found for DMF, implying that EP and DMF share common targets and mechanisms of action. Importantly, EP had in vivo impact on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model of MS. Treatment with EP resulted in delay and shortening of the first relapse, and lower clinical scores, whereas the second attack was annihilated. Further studies on the possibility to use EP as an MS therapeutic are warranted.
Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Inversely Regulates Atrophy-induced Genes via the Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/Akt/Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) Pathway*

Skeletal muscle size is regulated by anabolic (hypertrophic) and catabolic (atrophic) processes. We first characterized molecular markers of both hypertrophy and atrophy and identified a small subset of genes that are inversely regulated in these two settings (e.g. up-regulated by an inducer of hypertrophy, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and down-regulated by a mediator of atrophy, dexamethasone). The genes identified as being inversely regulated by atrophy, as opposed to hypertrophy, include the E3 ubiquitin ligase MAFbx (also known as atrogin-1). We next sought to investigate the mechanism by which IGF-1 inversely regulates these markers, and found that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway, which we had previously characterized as being critical for hypertrophy, is also required to be active in order for IGF-1-mediated transcriptional changes to occur. We had recently demonstrated that the IGF1/PI3K/Akt pathway can block dexamethasone-induced up-regulation of the atrophy-induced ubiquitin ligases MuRF1 and MAFbx by blocking nuclear translocation of a FOXO transcription factor. In the current study we demonstrate that an additional step of IGF1 transcriptional regulation occurs downstream of mTOR, which is independent of FOXO. Thus both the Akt/FOXO and the Akt/mTOR pathways are required for the transcriptional changes induced by IGF-1.