Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the Discriminative Methods for Diagnosis of Benign and Malignant Solitary Pulmonary Nodules Based on Serum Markers

Background: Screening indexes of tumor serum markers for benign and malignant solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) were analyzed to find the optimum method for diagnosis. Methods: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, an automatic immune analyzer and radioimmunoassay methods were used to examine the levels of 8 serum markers in 164 SPN patients, and the sensitivity for differential diagnosis of malignant or benign SPN was compared for detection using a single plasma marker or a combination of markers. The results for serological indicators that closely relate to benign and malignant SPNs were screened using the Fisher discriminant analysis and a non-conditional logistic regression analysis method, respectively. The results were then verified by the k-means clustering analysis method. Results: The sensitivity when using a combination of serum markers to detect SPN was higher than that using a single marker. By Fisher discriminant analysis, cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA21-1), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC) and breast cancer antigen (CA153), which relate to the benign and malignant SPNs, were screened. Through non-conditional logistic regression analysis, CYFRA21-1, SCC and CA153 were obtained. Using the k-means clustering analysis, the cophenetic correlation coefficient (0.940) obtained by the Fisher discriminant analysis was higher than that obtained with logistic regression analysis (0.875). Conclusion: This study indicated that the Fisher discriminant analysis functioned better in screening out serum markers to recognize the benign and malignant SPN. The combined detection of CYFRA21-1, CA125, SCC and CA153 is an effective way to distinguish benign and malignant SPN, and will find an important clinical application in the early diagnosis of SPN.
The BAL-binding Protein BBAP and Related Deltex Family Members Exhibit Ubiquitin-Protein Isopeptide Ligase Activity*

Members of the DTX (Deltex) family act as Notch signaling modifiers and may also regulate transcription through interactions with specific transcription factors. DTX proteins have a basic N terminus; a central proline-rich region; and a C-terminal RING finger domain, a motif often found in ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligases (E3). Recently, we identified and characterized a unique diffuse large B-cell lymphoma risk-related gene named BAL (B aggressive lymphoma). Using a yeast two-hybrid screen for BAL-binding partners, we have now identified a novel protein termed BBAP (B-lymphoma- and BAL-associated protein). Although BBAP has a unique N terminus, the C-terminal region is highly homologous to that of DTX family members. Herein, we report that BBAP and the human family of DTX proteins (DTX1, DTX2, and DTX3) function as E3 ligases based on their capacity for self-ubiquitination. DTX family members homodimerize and heterodimerize in vivo, suggesting that physical interactions between various DTX family members modify E3 activity and/or substrate availability. Consistent with this idea, BBAP and DTX1 associate via their unique N termini, resulting in enhanced self-ubiquitination.
Assessment of the risk of coronary heart event based on data mining

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the western world. Although significant progress has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of CHD, further investigation is still needed. The objective of this study was to develop a data mining system for the assessment of heart event related risk factors. The risk factors investigated were: i. clinical: sex, age, smoking, systolic blood pressure, family history for premature CHD, history of hypertension, and diabetes; and ii. biochemical: cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose. The events investigated were: myocardial infarction (MI), percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). A total of 620 cases were collected from the Paphos district in Cyprus, most of them with more than one event. Data mining analysis was carried out using the C4.5 decision trees algorithms. The most important risk factors, as extracted from the classification rules analysis were: sex, age, smoking, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Most of these risk factors were also extracted by other investigators. It is anticipated that data mining could help in the identification of high and low risk subgroups of patients, a decisive factor for the selection of therapy, i.e. medical or surgical. However, further investigation with larger data sets is still needed.
Progesterone and DNA Damage Encourage Uterine Cell Proliferation and Decidualization through Up-regulating Ribonucleotide Reductase 2 Expression during Early Pregnancy in Mice*

Background: Ribonucleotide reductase M2 (RRM2) is a rate-limiting step for DNA synthesis. It is still unknown how RRM2 is involved in decidualization. Results: RRM2 is highly expressed in the decidua and up-regulated by progesterone and DNA damage. Decidualization is significantly inhibited by specific RRM2 inhibitors. Conclusion: RRM2 is essential for mouse decidualization. Significance: This study will shed light on understanding the mechanism underlying decidualization. Embryo implantation into the maternal uterus is a crucial step for the successful establishment of mammalian pregnancy. Following the attachment of embryo to the uterine luminal epithelium, uterine stromal cells undergo steroid hormone-dependent decidualization, which is characterized by stromal cell proliferation and differentiation. The mechanisms underlying steroid hormone-induced stromal cell proliferation and differentiation during decidualization are still poorly understood. Ribonucleotide reductase, consisting of two subunits (RRM1 and RRM2), is a rate-limiting enzyme in deoxynucleotide production for DNA synthesis and plays an important role in cell proliferation and tumorgenicity. Based on our microarray analysis, Rrm2 expression was significantly higher at implantation sites compared with interimplantation sites in mouse uterus. However, the expression, regulation, and function of RRM2 in mouse uterus during embryo implantation and decidualization are still unknown. Here we show that although both RRM1 and RRM2 expression are markedly induced in mouse uterine stromal cells undergoing decidualization, only RRM2 is regulated by progesterone, a key regulator of decidualization. Further studies showed that the induction of progesterone on RRM2 expression in stromal cells is mediated by the AKT/c-MYC pathway. RRM2 can also be induced by replication stress and DNA damage during decidualization through the ATR/ATM-CHK1-E2F1 pathway. The weight of implantation sites and deciduoma was effectively reduced by specific inhibitors for RRM2. The expression of decidual/trophoblast prolactin-related protein (Dtprp), a reliable marker for decidualization in mice, was significantly reduced in deciduoma and steroid-induced decidual cells after HU treatment. Therefore, RRM2 may be an important effector of progesterone signaling to induce cell proliferation and decidualization in mouse uterus.
ACTIVATION OF REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES AND THE RENIN–ANGIOTENSIN SYSTEM IN IgA NEPHROPATHY MODEL MICE

1 Although IgA nephropathy is the most common form of primary glomerulopathy, the detailed mechanisms underlying its development remain uncertain. 2 In the present study, we used male high IgA strain of ddY (HIGA) mice as the IgA nephropathy model and age‐matched male BALB/c mice as the control. Recent studies have demonstrated that reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐dependent enhancement of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) plays a potential role in the development and progression of renal injury. Therefore, in the present study we periodically measured the systolic blood pressure (SBP) of mice over the period 21–25 weeks of age and estimated markers for ROS, RAS and renal damage after mice had been killed at 25 weeks of age. 3 Markers for ROS (urinary 8‐isoprostane excretion and renal 4‐hydroxy‐2‐nonenal accumulation), RAS (renal angiotensinogen protein expression, urinary angiotensinogen excretion and renal angiotensin II) and renal damage (desmin‐positive area and urinary protein excretion), as well as SBP, were significantly increased in HIGA mice compared with control BALB/c mice. 4 The data suggest that both ROS and the RAS are activated at an early phase in IgA nephropathy model mice.
High-accuracy Doppler measurements for airborne SAR applications

In the paper, we demonstrate several novel promising applications of high-accuracy Doppler measurements for airborne SAR systems. These are 1) estimation of the antenna beam orientation angles by analyzing the dependence of the Doppler centroid on the range, 2) improvement of quality of SAR images by an accurate estimation of the Doppler rate, and 3) retrieval of the topography of a scene from accurate, high-resolution Doppler centroid measurements. Experimental results are given to prove the efficiency of these methods.
Androgen deprivation with or without radiation therapy for clinically node-positive prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND Clinically lymph node-positive (cN+) prostate cancer (PCa) is an often-fatal disease. Its optimal management remains largely undefined given a lack of prospective, randomized data to inform practice. We sought to describe modern practice patterns in the management of cN+ PCa and assess the effect of adding radiation therapy (RT) to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on survival using the National Cancer Data Base. METHODS Patients with cN+ PCa and without distant metastases diagnosed between 2004 and 2011 were included. Five-year overall survival for patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2006 and treated with ADT alone or ADT+RT were compared. Propensity score (PS) matching was used to balance baseline characteristics, and Cox multivariate regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for all-cause mortality. RESULTS Of 3540 total patients, 32.2% were treated with ADT alone and 51.4% received ADT+RT. Compared with ADT alone, patients treated with ADT+RT were younger and more likely to have private insurance, lower comorbidity scores, higher Gleason scores, and lower PSA values. After PS matching, 318 patients remained in each group. Compared with ADT alone, ADT+RT was associated with a 50% decreased risk of five-year all-cause mortality (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.37 to 0.67, two-sided P < .001; crude OS rate: 71.5% vs 53.2%). CONCLUSIONS Using a large national database, we have identified a statistically significant survival benefit for patients with cN+ PCa treated with ADT+RT. These data, if appropriately validated by randomized trials, suggest that a substantial proportion of such patients at high risk for prostate cancer death may be undertreated, warranting a reevaluation of current practice guidelines.
The Emergence of Family Nursing in Brazil

A family perspective has been influencing Brazilian nursing practice and research, in particular in the past decade. Despite this development, there is evidence from research and from nurses' narratives that nurses still experience serious challenges in providing nursing care to families in Brazil. These challenges are analyzed and strategies are offered to support nurses in Brazil to “think family” and stimulate advanced practice in family nursing.
Dynamical systems modeling of low-frequency variability in low-order atmospheric models

The understanding of atmospheric and oceanic low-frequency variability is an old problem having both theoretical interest and practical importance, e.g., for the assessment of climate change. In this paper possible relations with dynamical systems theory are given, in particular through bifurcation theory. Firstly, a specific type of oceanic low frequency variability is described, the so-called Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Then recent work is reviewed, that investigates bifurcations as these occur in a few low-order models of the atmospheric circulation. It is shown that the Shil′nikov bifurcation in the Hopf-saddle-node bifurcation scenario takes place in each of the above atmospheric models. Related strange attractors and intermittency behavior are also found, both in agreement with the theoretical expectations and with qualitative aspects of the climate variability, like the AMO. It is discussed how the latter connection may be consolidated in higher dimensional and in PDE models.
Detecting False Data Injection Attacks in AC State Estimation

Estimating power system states accurately is crucial to the reliable operation of power grids. Traditional weighted least square (WLS) state estimation methods face the rising threat of cyber-attacks, such as false data injection attacks, which can pass the bad data detection process in WLS state estimation. In this paper, we propose a new detection method to detect false data injection attacks by tracking the dynamics of measurement variations. The Kullback-Leibler distance (KLD) is used to calculate the distance between two probability distributions derived from measurement variations. When false data are injected into the power systems, the probability distributions of the measurement variations will deviate from the historical data, thus leading to a larger KLD. The proposed method is tested on IEEE 14 bus system using load data from the New York independent system operator with different attack scenarios. We have also tested our method on false data injection attacks that replace current measurement data with historical measurement data. Test results show that the proposed approach can accurately detect most of the attacks.
Neuromuscular Changes and Damage after Isoload versus Isokinetic Eccentric Exercise.

PURPOSE This study compared the effects of isoload (IL) and isokinetic (IK) knee extensor eccentric exercises on changes in muscle damage and neuromuscular parameters to test the hypothesis that the changes would be different after IL and IK exercises. METHODS Twenty-two young men were paired based on their strength and placed in the IL (N = 11) or the IK (N = 11) group. The IL group performed 15 sets of 10 eccentric contractions with a 150% of predetermined one-repetition maximum load. The IK group performed 15 sets of several maximal eccentric contractions matched set by set for the total amount of work and mean angular velocity with the IL group. Muscle damage markers (voluntary isometric peak torque, muscle soreness, and creatine kinase activity) and neuromuscular variables (e.g., voluntary activation, H-reflex, M-wave, and evoked torque) were measured before, immediately after, and 24, 48, 72, and 96 h postexercise. RESULTS Voluntary isometric peak torque decreased to the same extent (P = 0.94) in both groups immediately after (IL = -40.6% ± 13.8% vs IK = -42.4% ± 10.2%) to 96 h after the exercise (IL = -21.8% ± 28.5% vs IK = -26.7% ± 23.5%). Neither peak muscle soreness (IL = 48.1 ± 28.2 mm vs IK = 54.7 ± 28.9 mm, P = 0.57) nor creatine kinase activity (IL = 12,811 ± 22,654 U·L vs IK = 15,304 ± 24,739 U·L, P = 0.59) significantly differed between groups. H-reflex (IL = -23% vs IK = -35%) and M-wave (IL = -10% vs IK = -17%) significantly decreased immediately postexercise similarly between groups. CONCLUSION The changes in muscle damage and neuromuscular function after the exercise are similar between IL and IK, suggesting that resistance modality has little effects on acute muscle responses.
Mucormycosis Rhinosinusitis at Diagnosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Diagnostics and Management Challenges in a Low–Middle-income Country

We present the case of an adolescent with mucor rhinosinusitis diagnosed concomitantly with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at a hospital in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. We also discuss the challenges faced in the dual management of hematologic malignancies and invasive fungal disease in a low–middle-income country, such as access to diagnostics, immunosuppressants, imaging, and antifungals. Despite these shortcomings, the patient was successfully treated for both the diseases. Low–middle-income country hospitals can effectively treat invasive fungal diseases by providing adequate diagnostic and support services, which can improve the outcomes of pediatric cancer patients.
Generalized shock adiabatics and relativistic nuclear collisions.

In the framework of relativistic hydrodynamics various shock-wave configurations for a medium with anomalous thermodynamical properties are considered. The generalized shock adiabatic is constructed and applied to relativistic nuclear collisions in an energy region where the deconfinement transition is expected. Different forms of the hadron-matter equation of state and their possible experimental consequences for relativistic nuclear collisions are disussed. We find for particular equations of state a broad region of constant specific entropy which may serve as a useful signal for the deconfinement transition.
RFI in SMOS measurements: Update on detection, localization, mitigation techniques and preliminary quantified impacts on soil moisture products

In this communication we present an update on the RFI detection used in the SMOS processing chain and some elements on quantified impact of RFIs on level 2 soil moisture products. The level 2 soil moisture algorithms which included since the beginning a screening mechanism to reject contaminated brightness temperatures is now stricter. New approaches at the level 1 processors are also emerging and will be operational at their next release in 2014. Despite these strengthen procedures, RFIs are still impacting strongly SMOS observations and examples of quantified deterioration are given.
Perfusion CT: Is it Clinically Useful?

Combining perfusion CT (CTP) with CT angiography (CTA) and noncontrast CT (NCCT) provides much more information about acute stroke pathophysiology than NCCT alone. This multimodal CT approach adds only a few minutes to the standard NCCT and is more accessible and rapidly available in most centres than MRI. CTP can distinguish between infarct core and penumbra, which is not possible with NCCT alone. A small infarct core and large penumbra, plus the presence of vessel occlusion on CTA may be an ideal imaging ‘target’ for thrombolysis. To date, multimodal CT has predominantly been assessed in hemispheric stroke due to its limited spatial coverage. This will become less of an issue as slice coverage continues to improve with new generation CT scanners. Apart from the concepts above, more specific CTP and CTA criteria that increase (or decrease) probability of response to thrombolytic treatment are yet to be determined. Nonetheless, CTP thus has the potential to improve patient selection for thrombolysis. Introduction Noncontrast CT (NCCT) remains the most widely used imaging modality for acute (1–3). There is now little doubt that MRI is a superior imaging modality to NCCT for diagnosis of acute stroke, being substantially more sensitive without compromising specificity (4). However, most stroke patients around the world do not have immediate access to MRI (1). In contrast, multislice CT scanners are now widely available. Multislice CT scanners allow assessment of vessel status with CT angiography (CTA), as well as cerebral perfusion CT perfusion (CTP). These sequences can be performed immediately following NCCT scanning and add only a few minutes to the examination (5). There is emerging evidence that such ‘multimodal’ CT imaging provides somewhat similar information to MRI about acute stroke pathophysiology, and is clearly more sensitive than NCCT at identifying early ischaemic change in the hyperacute stages of stroke (6–8). Furthermore, multimodal CT may, as has been suggested for MRI, be able to refine patient selection for thrombolysis (6, 9–11).
The membrane-binding domain of the Rous sarcoma virus Gag protein

The Gag protein of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) can direct particle assembly and budding at the plasma membrane independently of the other virus-encoded products. A previous deletion analysis has suggested that the first 86 amino acids of RSV Gag constitute a large membrane-binding domain that is absolutely required for these processes. To test this hypothesis, we inserted these residues in place of the N-terminal membrane-binding domain of the pp60v-src, a transforming protein whose biological activity requires plasma membrane localization. The ability of the Src chimera to induce cellular transformation suggests that the RSV sequence indeed contains an independent, functional domain.
The Rock Art of the Negev Desert

Long a pioneer in the study of rock art, Professor Anati here provides a report of his most recent work in the Negev. The region around Har Karkom has proved to be exceptionally rich in a wide variety of images that span the transitions from hunters and gatherers to early pastoralists and historically documented societies. Based on an encyclopedic knowledge of rock art, an innovative set of interpretations of the meanings and behaviors associated with the images are offered. Har Karkom, in particular, fascinates because of the abundance of cultic and ritual behaviors depicted in the art, well captured in the author's splendid photographs.
Prototype of context-based adaptive communication system on seamless networking platform

A context-based adaptive communication system is introduced for use in heterogeneous networks. The context includes the user's presence, location, available network interfaces, network availability, network priority, communication status, terminal features, and installed applications. An experimental system was developed to clarify the feasibility of using context information to flexibly control a network and applications. The system operates on a seamless networking platform we developed for heterogeneous networks. By using contexts, the system can show the caller and its callee the applications they can access that are available through the network before communication occurs. Changes of the contexts can switch the on-going application to another during communication. These features provide us with unprecedented styles of communications.
Scoping the effectiveness and evolutionary obstacles in using plasmid-dependent phages to fight antibiotic resistance.

AIM To investigate the potential evolutionary obstacles in the sustainable therapeutic use of plasmid-dependent phages to control the clinically important conjugative plasmid-mediated dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes to pathogenic bacteria. MATERIALS & METHODS The lytic plasmid-dependent phage PRD1 and the multiresistance conferring plasmid RP4 in an Escherichia coli host were utilized to assess the genetic and phenotypic changes induced by combined phage and antibiotic selection. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS Resistance to PRD1 was always coupled with either completely lost or greatly reduced conjugation ability. Reversion to full conjugation efficiency was found to be rare, and it also restored the susceptibility to plasmid-dependent phages. Consequently, plasmid-dependent phages constitute an interesting candidate for development of sustainable anticonjugation/antiresistance therapeutic applications.
Partitioning methods for unicast/multicast traffic in 3D NoC architecture

As the scale of integration grows, the interconnection problem becomes one of the major design considerations of Multi Processor System on Chip (MPSoC). In recent years, many researchers have conducted studies on 3D IC designs stacking multiple layers on top of each other. In order to decrease the transmission delay of unicast/multicast messages in a network based multicore system, the network is divided into several partitions. In this paper, we first introduce a novel idea of balanced partitioning that allows the network to be partitioned effectively. Then, we propose a set of partitioning approaches each with a different level of efficiency. In addition, we present an advantageous method based on the idea of balanced partitioning to provide a high degree of parallelism with a considerable reduction of packet delay in unicast/multicast traffic. Simulations are provided to evaluate and compare the performance of proposed methods.