Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Outcome of Graves' orbitopathy after total thyroid ablation and glucocorticoid treatment: follow-up of a randomized clinical trial.

CONTEXT In a previous study, we found that total thyroid ablation (thyroidectomy plus (131)I) is associated with a better outcome of Graves' orbitopathy (GO) compared with thyroidectomy alone, as observed shortly (9 months) after glucocorticoid (GC) treatment. OBJECTIVE The objective of the study was to evaluate the outcome of GO in the same patients of the previous study over a longer period of time. DESIGN This was a follow-up of a randomized study. SETTING The study was conducted at a referral center. PATIENTS Fifty-two of 60 original patients with mild to moderate GO participated in the study. INTERVENTIONS Patients randomized into thyroidectomy (TX) or total thyroid ablation and treated with GC were reevaluated in 2010, namely 88.0 ± 17.7 months after GC, having undergone an ophthalmological follow-up in the intermediate period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The main outcome measures included the following: 1) GO outcome; 2) time to GO best possible outcome and to GO improvement; and 3) additional treatments. RESULTS GO outcome at the end of the follow-up was similar in the two groups. However, the time required for the best possible outcome to be achieved was longer in the TX group (24 vs. 3 months, P = 0.0436), as was the time required for GO to improve (60 vs. 3 months, P = 0.0344). Additional treatments were given to a similar proportion of patients in each group (TX, 28%, total thyroid ablation, 25.9%), but they affected GO beneficially more often in the TX group (28 vs. 3.7%, P: 0.0412). CONCLUSIONS Compared with thyroidectomy alone, total thyroid ablation allows the achievement of the best possible outcome and an improvement of GO within a shorter period of time.
SAR Data Filtering for Classification

This study compares several filtering techniqueprove to improve the classification of a synthetic aperture raar (SAR) image. With this aim in view, we separate thematic information and noise by speckle analysis, and we propose filters adapted to speckle models. The evaluation includes a brief theoretical analysis, a visual interpretation, a signal-to-noise ratio analysis, a comparison of required computer times, as well as classification results. The study also shows the effect of active microwaves on crop identification in the case where there is a one-date one-look SAR image, the utilization of X-and C-bands, and HH polarization.
Lactitol vs. lactulose in the treatment of acute hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients: A double‐blind, randomized trial

Lactitol (β‐galactosido‐sorbitol) is a nonabsorbable disaccharide available as a powder which, in open comparison, is as effective as lactulose in the treatment of chronic hepatic encephalopathy, but is better tolerated. Twenty‐five cirrhotic patients experiencing 28 episodes of acute hepatic encephalopathy were randomized blindly to treatment with either lactitol (n = 15) or lactulose (n = 13). The sugars were dispensed in solutions identical in appearance, taste and pH and of similar osmolarity, which contained either 66.7 gm per 100 ml lactitol or 66.7 ml (44.5 gm) per 100 ml lactulose syrup. The initial dose of 0.75 ml per kg was adjusted to produce two semisoft stools per day. Patients were assessed every 12 hr for 5 days. There were no significant differences in sex ratio, age, body weight, clinical status, duration and extent of coma, etiology of liver disease or of heptic encephalopathy between the two groups of patients on entry to the trial. An adequate catharsis was obtained with an equivalent mean (± 1 S.D.) daily dose of 26 ± 5 gm lactitol or 31 ± 7 ml (21 ± 5 gm) lactulose syrup. During the trial, significant improvements occurred in clinical status and psychometric performance and in the electroencephalogram mean cycle frequencies in the majority of patients in both groups. At the end of the trial, 67% of the patients in the lactitol group and 69% of the lactulose group were clinically normal. However, patients treated with lactitol responded significantly more quickly than patients treated with lactulose. Thus, at 24, 36, 48 and 72 hr, significantly greater mean percentage improvements were seen in PSE Indices in patients receiving lactitol than in patients receiving lactulose. Both sugars are effective in the treatment of acute hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhotic patients, but patients treated with lactitol respond significantly more quickly. Lactitol may be the treatment of choice for this condition.
Testes de diagnóstico para o vírus da leucemia bovina

A reacao em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), uma nested-PCR (nPCR) um teste imunoenzimatico (ELISA) e a imunodifusao emgel de agar (IDGA) foram utilizados para identificar bovinos Pantaneiros naturalmente infectados pelo virus da leucemia bovina(BLV), e os resultados dos quatro testes comparados. A concordância entre os testes foi de 86,2%, 70,0% e 62,5%, respectivamentepara ELISA/IDGA, IDGA/PCR e ELISA/PCR. A nPCR amplificou DNA proviral de 12 amostras negativas a PCR e de quatrobovinos com resultados negativos em testes sorologicos; entretanto, nao amplificou o DNA proviral de quatro amostras debovinos soropositivos.
Cervical zygapophysial (facet) joint pain: effectiveness of interventional management strategies

Abstract Diagnostic facet joint nerve blocks have been utilized in the diagnosis of cervical facet joint pain in patients without disk herniation or radicular pain due to a lack of reliable noninvasive diagnostic measures. Therapeutic interventions include intra-articular injections, facet joint nerve blocks and radiofrequency neurotomy. The diagnostic accuracy and effectiveness of facet joint interventions have been assessed in multiple diagnostic accuracy studies, randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and systematic reviews in managing chronic neck pain. This assessment shows there is Level II evidence based on a total of 11 controlled diagnostic accuracy studies for diagnosing cervical facet joint pain in patients without disk herniation or radicular pain utilizing controlled diagnostic blocks. Due to significant variability and internal inconsistency regarding prevalence in a heterogenous population; despite 11 studies, evidence is determined as Level II. Prevalence ranged from 36% to 67% with at least 80% pain relief as the criterion standard with a false-positive rate ranging from 27% to 63%. The evidence is Level II for the long-term effectiveness of radiofrequency neurotomy and facet joint nerve blocks in managing cervical facet joint pain. There is Level III evidence for cervical intra-articular injections.
Measurement, simulation and optimization of wideband log-periodic antennas

Log-periodic antenna is a special antenna type utilized with great success in many broadband applications due to its ability to achieve nearly constant gain over a wide frequency range. Such antennas are extensively used in electromagnetic compatibility measurements, spectrum monitoring and TV reception. In this study, a log-periodic dipole array is measured, simulated, and then optimized in the 470–860 MHz frequency band. Two simulations of the antenna are initially performed in time and frequency domain respectively. The comparison between these simulations is presented to ensure accurate modelling of the antenna. The practically measured net gain is in good agreement with the simulated net gain. The antenna is then optimized to concurrently improve voltage standing wave ration, net gain and front-to-back ratio. The optimization process has been implemented by using various algorithms included in CST Microwave Studio, such as Trusted Region Framework, Nelder Mead Simplex algorithm, Classic Powell and Covariance Matrix Adaptation Evolutionary Strategy (CMA-ES). The Trusted Region Framework seems to have the best performance in sufficiently optimizing all predefined goals specified for the antenna.
Repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6‐4 photoproducts in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We have measured repair of both of the major lesions induced by ultraviolet irradiation (cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and 6‐4 photoproducts) in wild‐type Schizosaccharomyces pombe and in selected rad mutants, including mutants with deletions in genes from the main phenotypic groups. We find that rad13Δ, rad15 and rad16Δ, which are the S. pombe homologues of the excision‐defective Saccharomyces cerevisiae rad2, rad3 and rad1, respectively, repair lesions somewhat more slowly than the wild type, but still have considerable repair capacity. rad2Δ, also a presumed excision‐defective mutant, behaves similarly. radS and rad9δ, which belong to different phenotypic groups, repair lesions at the same rate as wild‐type cells. These findings provide new evidence that S. pombe has a second repair system for removing ultraviolet damage, which is absent in S. cerevisiae. Surprisingly, this second mechanism repairs lesions very efficiently; its possible nature is discussed.
Indocyanine green-based fluorescent angiography in breast reconstruction.

BACKGROUND Fluorescent angiography (FA) has been useful for assessing blood flow and assessing tissue perfusion in ophthalmology and other surgical disciplines for decades. In plastic surgery, indocyanine green (ICG) dye-based FA is a relatively novel imaging technology with high potential in various applications. We review the various FA detector systems currently available and critically appraise its utility in breast reconstruction. METHODS A review of the published English literature dating from 1950 to 2015 using databases, such as PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, and EMBASE was undertaken. RESULTS In comparison to the old fluorescein dye, ICG has a superior side effect profile and can be accurately detected by various commercial devices, such as SPY Elite (Novadaq, Canada), FLARE (Curadel LLC, USA), PDE-Neo (Hamamatsu Photonics, Japan), Fluobeam 800 (Fluoptics, France), and IC-View (Pulsion Medical Systems AG, Germany). In breast reconstruction, ICG has established as a safer, more accurate tracer agent, in lieu of the traditional blue dyes, for detection of sentinel lymph nodes with radioactive isotopes ((99m)-Technetium). In prosthesis-based breast reconstruction, intraoperative assessment of the mastectomy skin flap to guide excision of hypoperfused areas translates to improved clinical outcomes. Similarly, in autologous breast reconstructions, FA can be utilized to detect poorly perfused areas of the free flap, evaluate microvascular anastomosis for patency, and assess SIEA vascular territory for use as an alternative free flap with minimal donor site morbidity. CONCLUSIONS ICG-based FA is a novel, useful tool for various applications in breast reconstruction. More studies with higher level of evidence are currently lacking to validate this technology.
MitoNEET-dependent formation of intermitochondrial junctions

Significance Mitochondria form dynamic networks in eukaryotic cells by constantly fusing with and separating from each other. Alterations in the mitochondrial network are observed in many pathological situations, such as diabetes, neurodegeneration, and cancer. In this study, we observe at the ultrastructural level the formation of direct contacts between mitochondria, called intermitochondrial junctions, by a mechanism distinct from that allowing fusion and fission of mitochondria. MitoNEET, a protein exposed at the cytosolic surface of mitochondria, controls the formation of intermitochondrial junctions. Its overexpression increases intermitochondrial junctions, whereas its absence reduces their frequency. Together, these observations reveal the existence of a new mechanism controlling the morphology of the cellular mitochondrial network and its adaptation to various physiological or pathological situations. MitoNEET (mNEET) is a dimeric mitochondrial outer membrane protein implicated in many facets of human pathophysiology, notably diabetes and cancer, but its molecular function remains poorly characterized. In this study, we generated and analyzed mNEET KO cells and found that in these cells the mitochondrial network was disturbed. Analysis of 3D-EM reconstructions and of thin sections revealed that genetic inactivation of mNEET did not affect the size of mitochondria but that the frequency of intermitochondrial junctions was reduced. Loss of mNEET decreased cellular respiration, because of a reduction in the total cellular mitochondrial volume, suggesting that intermitochondrial contacts stabilize individual mitochondria. Reexpression of mNEET in mNEET KO cells restored the WT morphology of the mitochondrial network, and reexpression of a mutant mNEET resistant to oxidative stress increased in addition the resistance of the mitochondrial network to H2O2-induced fragmentation. Finally, overexpression of mNEET increased strongly intermitochondrial contacts and resulted in the clustering of mitochondria. Our results suggest that mNEET plays a specific role in the formation of intermitochondrial junctions and thus participates in the adaptation of cells to physiological changes and to the control of mitochondrial homeostasis.
Effects of normative antismoking messages in China—a brief report

Abstract The negative health effects of smoking are especially problematic in China, where 30% of the world’s smokers reside and where male smoking continues to be the accepted norm. Smoking resistance is an important issue for both smokers and nonsmokers in China, where there is widespread acceptance of smoking. While smoking norms have been studied extensively in China, the effects of smoking prevention messages based on descriptive and injunctive norms have not yet been tested with Chinese respondents. Based on a 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design, data were obtained from 143 working adults in China. The message describing high prevalence and disapproval of smoking resulted in stronger smoking resistance. Smoking status, group identity, and outcome expectancy influenced the impact of normative messages on smoking resistance. The results suggest the usefulness of adopting normative messages in smoking prevention and cessation campaigns.
Differential expression of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors in human and mouse lung development

Summary Lung development is a highly orchestrated process characterized by timed expression and activation of growth factor and protease/antiprotease systems. This interplay is essential in regulating vasculogenesis, alveolarization, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition during lung development. Alterations in the proteolytic/antiproteolytic balance of the lung have been associated with several respiratory diseases characterized by changes in the lung extracellular matrix (ECM). Here, we characterized the expression pattern of matrix metalloproteases (MMP) and their inhibitors, the tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMP), in human and mouse lung development. Using MMP/TIMP expression arrays, RT-PCR, Western Blotting, and ELISA analyses, we demonstrate that fetal human lung is characterized by a dominant proteolytic profile with high MMP-2 and little TIMP-3 expression. Adult human lung, in contrast, exhibits a more anti-proteolytic profile with decreased MMP-2 and increasedTIMP-3 expression. MMP-14, MMP-20,TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 were constitutively expressed, irrespective of the developmental stage. Similar results were obtained using mouse lungs of different developmental stages, with the addition that in mouse lung, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 were upregulated as lung development progressed. Exposure of neonatal mice to chronic hypoxia (10% O2), a stimulus that leads to an arrest of lung development, resulted in upregulation of MMP-2 with a concomitant downregulation of TIMP-2.These results provide a comprehensive analysis of MMP and TIMP expression during human and mouse lung development. MMP-2, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 may be key regulatory enzymes during lung development, possibly through their complex action on ECM components, membrane receptor ectodomain shedding, and growth factor bioactivity.
Code design for IMTSC/CEO problem using multilevel Slepian-Wolf coded quantization framework

The aim of this paper is introducing coding scheme that can potentially achieve the sum rate-distortion bound of Gaussian IMTSC/CEO problem with arbitrary number of encoders. No previous work has been reported on code design for the IMTSC/CEO problem with the number of encoders greater than two. In this paper the framework of Slepian-Wolf coded quantization is extended to the case with the number of encoders greater than two. On the other hand, we apply the approach to the case of unequal levels of the observation noise at the encoders. Encoding process consists of trellis coded quantization (TCQ) and LDPC codes. The proposed framework can be easily used for any number of active encoders greater than two, which, in this work, we used for three, four and five active encoders. The obtained results are promising and show the capability of the proposed method for achieving the sum-rate bound of IMTSC/CEO problem for Gaussian setup with a gap of at most 0.163, 0.291 and 0.346 bit per symbol for three, four and five active encoders, respectively.
A detailed phenotypic study of “cone dystrophy with supernormal rod ERG”

Aims: To characterise the detailed phenotype of “cone dystrophy with supernormal rod ERG” in a case series of 10 patients. Methods: 10 affected patients were examined clinically and underwent colour fundus photography, with nine undergoing detailed electrophysiological testing. Five patients were assessed further with fundus autofluorescence (AF) imaging, automated photopic and dark adapted perimetry, and dark adaptometry. Detailed colour vision assessment was performed in six subjects. Blood samples were taken from four patients for DNA extraction and mutation screening of NR2E3 was undertaken. Results: The onset of symptoms was in the first and second decades of life. Subjects presented with reduced central vision and marked photophobia. All individuals were myopic and colour vision testing revealed severely reduced colour discrimination predominantly along the red-green axes; tritan colour vision was relatively well preserved. Nyctalopia is a later feature of the disorder. Funduscopy and AF imaging revealed a range of macular appearances. There was electrophysiological evidence of marked macular dysfunction, reduced and delayed cone responses, and supernormal and delayed rod responses. Photopic and dark adapted perimetry revealed central scotomata with widespread peripheral sensitivity loss. No disease causing sequence variants in NR2E3 were identified. Conclusions: The largest case series to date has been described of the clinical, psychophysical and electrophysiological characteristics of this unusual cone dystrophy with supernormal rod responses. Electrophysiological data were consistent with a post-phototransduction, but pre-inner nuclear layer, site of dysfunction. While the definitive diagnosis can only be made with electrophysiological testing, several characteristics that may increase suspicion of this diagnosis are presented.
Speech Emotion Recognition Using Affective Saliency

We investigate an affective saliency approach for speech emotion recognition of spoken dialogue utterances that estimates the amount of emotional information over time. The proposed saliency approach uses a regression model that combines features extracted from the acoustic signal and the posteriors of a segment-level classifier to obtain frame or segment-level ratings. The affective saliency model is trained using a minimum classification error (MCE) criterion that learns the weights by optimizing an objective loss function related to the classification error rate of the emotion recognition system. Affective saliency scores are then used to weight the contribution of frame-level posteriors and/or features to the speech emotion classification decision. The algorithm is evaluated for the task of anger detection on four call-center datasets for two languages, Greek and English, with good results.
Supervised Denoising Pre-Training for Robust ASR with DNN-HMM

In this letter, we propose a novel supervised pre-training technique for deep neural network (DNN)-hidden Markov model systems to achieve robust speech recognition in adverse environments. In the proposed approach, our aim is to initialize the DNN parameters such that they yield abstract features robust to acoustic environment variations. In order to achieve this, we first derive the abstract features from an early fine-tuned DNN model which is trained based on a clean speech database. By using the derived abstract features as the target values, the standard error backpropagation algorithm with the stochastic gradient descent method is performed to estimate the initial parameters of the DNN. The performance of the proposed algorithm was evaluated on Aurora-4 DB, and better results were observed compared to a number of conventional pre-training methods. key words: deep neural networks (DNNs), pre-training, denoising, backpropagation, robust speech recognition
An evaluation method for real-time soft-tissue model used for multi-vertex palpation

Soft tissue palpation plays an important role in diagnosing various diseases. Palpating skills are tedious to learn due to the difficulty of describing the sense of touch. Because of its interactive nature, a virtual reality (VR) training system embedding with real-time soft-tissue models may be helpful to teach such skills to medical residents. Studies show that such a VR system impacts human perception during palpating at various levels, largely due to the real-time models. Therefore, we propose a formal method for evaluating real-time models considering the human perception. Based upon surface (multi-vertex) contact with 4 force distributions, the evaluation compared a real-time model with a Finite Element Method (FEM) model featuring physical parameters. The comparison consisted of two statistical approaches - ANOVA and Bland and Altman agreement- to assess both visual displacement and force feedback. A case study demonstrated the advantages provided by this evaluation method.
Comparison of classifier performance for information fusion in automated Diabetic Retinopathy screening

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a vascular disorder affecting the retina due to prolonged Diabetes. It can lead to sudden vision loss in advanced stages. Screening and routine monitoring is the most effective way of avoiding vision loss due to DR. Abramoff et al.[1] developed and evaluated an automated DR screening system. One of the most important parts of this system, the information fusion module, combines information obtained from different images and various image properties. Niemeijer et al. [2] compared several methods for DR information fusion and concluded that k-Nearest Neighbour (kNN) provided the best performance for their system. The aim of this work was to compare performance of the Random Forest (RF) classifier with that of the kNN classifier for DR information fusion. We performed experiments on a dataset containing images from 10303 eye examinations. Additionally we also compared performance of the two classifiers in an important sub-problem of DR screening - red lesion detection. In both the experiments, the RF classifier showed significantly better performance.