Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiofrequency and microwave ablation in a porcine liver model: non-contrast CT and ultrasound radiologic-pathologic correlation

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study was to compare intra-procedural radiofrequency (RF) and microwave ablation appearance on non-contrast CT (NCCT) and ultrasound to the zone of pathologic necrosis. Materials and methods Twenty-one 5-min ablations were performed in vivo in swine liver with (1) microwave at 140 W, (2) microwave at 70 W, or (3) RF at 200 W (n = 7 each). CT and US images were obtained simultaneously at 1, 3, and 5 min during ablation and 2, 5, and 10 min post-ablation. Each ablation was sectioned in the plane of the ultrasound image and underwent vital staining to delineate cellular necrosis. CT was reformatted to the same plane as the ultrasound transducer and transverse diameters of gas and hypoechoic/hypoattenuating zones at each time point were measured. CT, ultrasound and gross pathologic diameter measurements were compared using Student’s t-tests and linear regression. Results Visible gas and the hypoechoic zone on US images were more predictive of the pathologic ablation zone than on NCCT images (p < 0.05). The zone of necrosis was larger than the zone of visible gas on US (mean 3.2 mm for microwave, 6.4 mm for RF) and NCCT (7.6 mm microwave, 13.9 mm RF) images (p < 0.05). The zone of visible gas and hypoechoic zone on US are more predictive of pathology with microwave ablations when compared with RF ablations (p < 0.05). Conclusion When evaluating images during energy delivery, US is more accurate than CT and microwave- more predictable than RF-ablation based on correlation with in-plane pathology.
THE ROLE OF FOOD, NEST PREDATION, AND CLIMATE IN TIMING OF WRENTIT REPRODUCTIVE ACTIVITIES

Abstract ABSTRACT Timing of breeding activities by birds hasimportant fitness consequences, as deciding when tonest can affect nest success. For three breedingseasons, we provided supplemental food to Wrentits(Chamaeafasciata) inhabitingsemiarid shrublands. We tested the effects of foodsupplementation on timing of initial egg laying,number of nests attempted, timing of fledging, andlength of the breeding season. We also evaluatedwhether Wrentits timed nest initiation to avoidperiods of greatest predation risk. Our study wasconducted during a period of high interannualvariation in precipitation. Supplemental food didnot advance laying date in Wrentits. During adrought, even Wrentits given supplemental fooddelayed nesting, initiated fewer nesting attempts,fledged young earlier, and reduced the length ofthe breeding season. In a year of average rainfall,supplemental food allowed pairs to continuerenesting late into the summer, after repeated nestlosses from predation. Wrentits did not timenesting to avoid periods of greatest predationrisk. In timing initial breeding, Wrentits appearedto be responding to climatic conditions and toindirect cues that predicted environmentalconditions later in the breeding season rather thanto food availability at the time of egg laying.
Emerging role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging in the management of pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a clinical condition characterised by elevation of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP) above normal range due to various aetiologies. While cardiac right-heart catheterisation (RHC) remains the gold standard and mandatory for establishing the diagnosis of PH, noninvasive imaging of the heart plays a central role in the diagnosis and management of all forms of PH. Although Doppler echocardiography (ECHO) can measure a range of haemodynamic and anatomical variables, it has limited utility for visualisation of the pulmonary artery and, oftentimes, the right ventricle. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) provides comprehensive information about the anatomical and functional aspects of the pulmonary artery and right ventricle that are of prognostic significance for assessment of long-term outcomes in disease progression. CMR is suited for serial follow-up of patients with PH due to its noninvasive nature, high sensitivity to changes in anatomical and functional parameters, and high reproducibility. In recent years, there has been growing interest in the use of CMR derived parameters as surrogate endpoints for early-phase PH clinical trials. This review will discuss the role of CMR in the diagnosis and management of PH, including current applications and future developments, in comparison to other existing major imaging modalities. This review discusses the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension, including current applications and future developments, in comparison to other existing major imaging modalities. http://bit.ly/39RXPb0
[Diagnosis of a fetus with atelosteogenesis type 2 through combined prenatal ultrasonography and whole exome sequencing].

OBJECTIVE To explore the genetic basis for fetus with short limbs detected by prenatal ultrasonography. METHODS Results of clinical imaging of the fetus was collected. Amniotic fluid sample was collected through amniocentesis for the extraction of fetal DNA. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to detect variants related to the clinical phenotypes. Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS Prenatal ultrasound showed that the fetus had short limbs but no other abnormality. Whole exome sequencing has identified that the fetus carried two heterozygous pathogenic variants c.484G>T and c.1436dupA of the SLC26A2 gene, for which its mother and father were heterozygous carriers, respectively. CONCLUSION The fetus was diagnosed with atelosteogenesis type 2 by combined prenatal ultrasonography and whole exome sequencing, which may be attributed to the compound heterozygous variants of the SLC26A2 gene. Above findings provided evidence for the diagnosis of the fetus and genetic counseling.
Cognitive effects of split and continuous sleep schedules in adolescents differ according to total sleep opportunity

Abstract Study Objectives We compared the basic cognitive functions of adolescents undergoing split (nocturnal sleep + daytime nap) and continuous nocturnal sleep schedules when total sleep opportunity was either below or within the recommended range (i.e. 6.5 or 8 h). Methods Adolescent participants (age: 15–19 year) in the 8-h split (n = 24) and continuous (n = 29) sleep groups were compared with 6.5-h split and continuous sleep groups from a previous study (n = 58). These protocols involved two baseline nights (9-h time-in-bed [TIB]), 5 nights of sleep manipulation, 2 recovery nights (9-h TIB), followed by a second cycle of sleep manipulation (3 nights) and recovery (2 nights). Cognitive performance, subjective sleepiness, and mood were evaluated daily; sleep was assessed using polysomnography. Results Splitting 6.5 h of sleep with a mid-afternoon nap offered a boost to cognitive function compared to continuous nocturnal sleep. However, when total TIB across 24 h increased to 8 h, the split and continuous sleep groups performed comparably in tests evaluating vigilance, working memory, executive function, processing speed, subjective sleepiness, and mood. Conclusions In adolescents, the effects of split sleep on basic cognitive functions vary by the amount of total sleep obtained. As long as the total sleep opportunity across 24 h is within the recommended range, students may fulfill sleep requirements by adopting a split sleep schedule consisting of a shorter period of nocturnal sleep combined with a mid-afternoon nap, without significant impact on basic cognitive functions. Clinical trial registration NCT04044885.
Early Events in Flowering: A Black Box with a Bright Future

The international program sections of the National Science Foundation (United States) and the Department of Industry, Technology, and Commerce (Australia) sponsored a joint workshop on flowering. Fourteen scientists from each country gathered in Honolulu, Hawaii, from February 10 to 15, 1991, to consider the status and future prospects of flower initiation. The focus was on the events at the apex that lead to the initiation of flower organ primordia, al? though leaf processes and the subsequent development of flower primordia were also considered. The diverse group included morphologists, molecular biologists, geneticists, physiologists, and developmental biologists with experience ranging from professor emeritus to graduate student. Workshop goals included enhancement and initi? ation of United States-Australian interactions, introduction of established researchers to newcomers, and blending of the various disciplinary points of view. A main purpose of the workshop was also to assess our current understandings and to evaluate current approaches to this most challenging area of plant biology. As a result, the format encouraged reflection and discussion rather than the standard pattern of each participant presenting his or her latest results. Given the structure of the workshop, my interpretations focus on trends and perceptions rather than on people and data.
Regulation of Neuronal Dendrite Development and Migration by the Atypical Cadherin Fat3

Neuronal shape and position are critical to the formation and function of neuronal circuits. Although neurons develop axons and dendrites cell-autonomously in vitro, how extracellular cues in vivo direct neurite specification and placement remains poorly understood. The role of atypical cadherin Fat3 in amacrine cell (AC) development illustrates how the same extracellular cue can guide both dendrite formation and migration. In the mouse retina, ACs have a bipolar morphology during their migration. Upon reaching the nascent inner plexiform layer (IPL), they elaborate one neurite into the IPL and retract the other. Loss of Fat3 leads ACs to develop an extra dendrite outside the IPL as well as errors in migration. We found Fat3 protein is concentrated at the IPL throughout AC development, suggesting Fat3 detects a directional signal. Here we investigated the signaling pathways upstream and downstream of Fat3 that mediate its role in AC development. In Drosophila, Fat’s ligand is Dachsous. Fat and Dachsous binding is modulated by the kinase Four-jointed. Our analysis of mutant retinas determined that Fat3 and vertebrate Four-jointed genetically interacted. However knockout studies of vertebrate Dachsous homologues suggested they are not relevant Fat3 ligands in the retina. Instead, analysis of retinas missing retinal ganglion cells suggested Fat3-mediated homophilic adhesion between ACs may be important.
Biology and abundance of Cancer bellianus (Decapoda, Brachyura) around the Azores

During 1997, exploratory cruises were conducted to study deep-water crabs south of Pico and Sao Jorge islands in the Azores archipelago. Baited traps were set at depths of 200-1000 m. The target species were the crabs Chaceon affinis and Cancer bellianus. The latter was the prevalent species shallower than 700 m, a total of 462 (247 males and 215 females) being caught at depths ranging from 200-700 m on rocky substrata. The catch rate of females was higher in shallow water (200-400 m) and that of males higher in deeper water (400-600 m). Sizes ranged from 45-218 mm carapace width (CW). Ovigerous females were not found, and possible reasons for this are advanced. An annual reproductive cycle is outlined. Size at first maturity was not estimated directly, but the observed minimum carapace width of females with spermatophores on their pleopods (132 mm) is suggested as the size of first maturity. Epizoitic barnacles were observed on the exoskeleton of some animals.
Certain Inhibitors of Synthetic Amyloid β-Peptide (Aβ) Fibrillogenesis Block Oligomerization of Natural Aβ and Thereby Rescue Long-Term Potentiation

Recent studies support the hypothesis that soluble oligomers of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) rather than mature amyloid fibrils are the earliest effectors of synaptic compromise in Alzheimer's disease. We took advantage of an amyloid precursor protein-overexpressing cell line that secretes SDS-stable Aβ oligomers to search for inhibitors of the pathobiological effects of natural human Aβ oligomers. Here, we identify small molecules that inhibit formation of soluble Aβ oligomers and thus abrogate their block of long-term potentiation (LTP). Furthermore, we show that cell-derived Aβ oligomers can be separated from monomers by size exclusion chromatography under nondenaturing conditions and that the isolated, soluble oligomers, but not monomers, block LTP. The identification of small molecules that inhibit early Aβ oligomer formation and rescue LTP inhibition offers a rational approach for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer's disease and highlights the utility of our cell-culture paradigm as a useful secondary screen for compounds designed to inhibit early steps in Aβ oligomerization under biologically relevant conditions.
Biology and grading of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma—what have we learned about it?

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA) is a rare astrocytoma predominantly affecting children and young adults. We performed comprehensive genomic characterization on a cohort of 67 patients with histologically defined PXA (n = 53, 79%) or anaplastic PXA (A‐PXA, n = 14, 21%), including copy number analysis (ThermoFisher Oncoscan, n = 67), methylation profiling (Illumina EPIC array, n = 43) and targeted next generation sequencing (n = 32). The most frequent alterations were CDKN2A/B deletion (n = 63; 94%) and BRAF p.V600E (n = 51, 76.1%). In 7 BRAF p.V600 wild‐type cases, alternative driver alterations were identified involving BRAF, RAF1 and NF1. Downstream phosphorylation of ERK kinase was uniformly present. Additional pathogenic alterations were rare, with TERT, ATRX and TP53 mutations identified in a small number of tumors, predominantly A‐PXA. Methylation‐based classification of 46 cases utilizing a comprehensive reference tumor allowed assignment to the PXA methylation class in 40 cases. A minority grouped with the methylation classes of ganglioglioma or pilocytic astrocytoma (n = 2), anaplastic pilocytic astrocytoma (n = 2) or control tissues (n = 2). In 9 cases, tissue was available from matched primary and recurrent tumors, including 8 with anaplastic transformation. At recurrence, two tumors acquired TERT promoter mutations and the majority demonstrated additional non‐recurrent copy number alterations. Methylation class was preserved at recurrence. For 62 patients (92.5%), clinical follow‐up data were available (median follow‐up, 5.4 years). Overall survival was significantly different between PXA and A‐PXA (5‐year OS 80.8% vs. 47.6%; P = 0.0009) but not progression‐free survival (5‐year PFS 59.9% vs. 39.8%; P = 0.05). WHO grade remained a strong predictor of overall survival when limited to 38 cases defined as PXA by methylation‐based classification. Our data confirm the importance of WHO grading in histologically and epigenetically defined PXA. Methylation‐based classification may be helpful in cases with ambiguous morphology, but is largely confirmatory in PXA with well‐defined morphology.
Lopinavir/ritonavir is associated with pneumonia resolution in COVID‐19 patients with influenza coinfection: A retrospective matched‐pair cohort study

During the early stages of the pandemic, some coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) patients were misdiagnosed as having influenza, which aroused the concern that some deaths attributed to influenza were actually COVID‐19‐related. However, little is known about whether coinfection with influenza contributes to severity of COVID‐19 pneumonia, and the optimal therapeutic strategy for these patients. We retrospectively studied 128 hospitalized patients with COVID‐19 pneumonia. All patients were positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 positive by nucleic acid detection. Sixty‐four cases were coinfected with influenza A/B and the other 64 were influenza negative, matched by age, sex, and days from onset of symptoms. Among the 64 coinfected patients, 54 (84.4%) were coinfected with influenza A, and 10 (15.6%) with influenza B. The median duration of viral shedding time from admission was longer for patients with influenza coinfection (17.0 days) than for those without influenza coinfection (12.0 days) (P < .001). The multivariable Cox proportional hazards model showed that the hazards ratio of resolution in lung involvement was 1.878 (P = .020) for patients administered lopinavir/ritonavir, compared with those not administered lopinavir/ritonavir (95% confidence interval: 1.103‐3.196). Among influenza coinfected patients, those treated with lopinavir/ritonavir exhibited faster pneumonia resolution within 2 weeks after symptom onset (37% vs 1%; P = .001). There was no difference in lung involvement between influenza coinfected and noninfected groups. Lopinavir/ritonavir eliminated the difference of lung involvement between influenza coinfected and noninfected groups, indicating that lopinavir/ritonavir is associated with pneumonia resolution in COVID‐19.
A heterologous system for exploring the localization of Arabidopsis tRNA nucleotidyltransferase

The tRNA nucleotidyltransferase enzyme is crucial for normal tRNA maturation in eukaryotic cells. Sequence analysis revealed a possible nuclear localization signal (KDTKGKSIPVVNHIFKFSMKRK) in the Arabidopsis thaliana tRNA nucleotidyltransferase. We set out to examine the role of this sequence by expressing wild-type and variant Arabidopsis tRNA nucleotidyltransferase proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Viability assays implementing plasmid shuffling and complementation of a temperature-sensitive strain revealed that while the wild-type enzyme could replace the nucleocytosolic role of the yeast tRNA nucleotidyltransferase the variant enzymes could not. Subsequent enzyme activity assays revealed that enzyme activity was significantly reduced for the variant enzymes. Localization studies utilizing tRNA nucleotidyltransferase-green fluorescent protein fusion proteins showed a pattern of distribution inconsistent with the role of the modified region as a nuclear localization signal. In fact, the patterns observed seem to point to a possible stability-modulating function for our candidate region with a marked augmentation in fluorescence in the cytosol and nucleus in the variant proteins. Future experiments will be required to accurately define the role of this sequence in tRNA nucleotidyltransferase structure and function. Furthermore, additional studies are needed to define any nuclear localization signals that may be present in the Arabidopsis tRNA nucleotidyltransferase.
Breathing fresh air into respiratory research with single-cell RNA sequencing

The complex cellular heterogeneity of the lung poses a unique challenge to researchers in the field. While the use of bulk RNA sequencing has become a ubiquitous technology in systems biology, the technique necessarily averages out individual contributions to the overall transcriptional landscape of a tissue. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides a robust, unbiased survey of the transcriptome comparable to bulk RNA sequencing while preserving information on cellular heterogeneity. In just a few years since this technology was developed, scRNA-seq has already been adopted widely in respiratory research and has contributed to impressive advancements such as the discoveries of the pulmonary ionocyte and of a profibrotic macrophage population in pulmonary fibrosis. In this review, we discuss general technical considerations when considering the use of scRNA-seq and examine how leading investigators have applied the technology to gain novel insights into respiratory biology, from development to disease. In addition, we discuss the evolution of single-cell technologies with a focus on spatial and multi-omics approaches that promise to drive continued innovation in respiratory research. Single-cell RNA sequencing is being used more and more in respiratory research. This technology can be leveraged in different ways in studies of lung development, structure and function, and lung diseases from pulmonary fibrosis to asthma to lung cancer. https://bit.ly/36TdvJT
The Emerging Field of Polygenic Risk Scores and Perspective for Use in Clinical Care.

Genetic testing is used widely for diagnostic, carrier and predictive testing in monogenic diseases. Until recently, there were no genetic testing options available for multifactorial complex diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Genome wide association studies (GWAS) have been invaluable in identifying single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), associated with increased or decreased risk for hundreds of complex disorders. For a given disease, SNPs can be combined to generate a cumulative estimation of risk known as a polygenic risk score (PRS). After years of research, PRSs are increasingly used in clinical settings. In this article we will review the literature on how both genome-wide and restricted PRSs are developed and the relative merit of each. The validation and evaluation of PRSs will also be discussed, including the recognition that PRS validity is intrinsically linked to the methodological and analytical approach of the foundation GWAS together with the ethnic characteristics of that cohort. Specifically, population differences may affect imputation accuracy, risk magnitude and direction. Even as PRSs are being introduced into clinical practice, there is a push to combine them with clinical and demographic risk factors to develop a holistic disease risk. The existing evidence regarding the clinical utility of PRSs is considered across four different domains: informing population screening programs; guiding therapeutic interventions; refining risk for families at high-risk; and facilitating diagnosis and predicting prognostic outcomes. The evidence for clinical utility in relation to five well-studied disorders is summarized. The potential ethical, legal and social implications are also discussed.
Study on the Correlation between the Structure and Toxicity of Amines, Mercaptans and Halohydrocarbons

The aim of the present work was to understand the structure of amines, mercaptans and halohydrocarbons and their cell toxicity effect on rat liver BRL-3A cells. BRL-3A cells were seeded into each well of 96-well plates and treated with amines, mercaptans and halohydrocarbons (total 18 kinds) in DMEM culture medium containing 10% fetal calf serum. 24h later, the growth viability in vitro of BRL3A cells was measured using the MTT assay. The results show that the cytotoxic of propane diamine> ethidene diamine> n-butylamine> n-propylamine> ethylamine, butyl mercaptan> propanethiol> disulfide propane> dithioglycol, n-Butyl iodide> n-Propyl iodide> iodoethane, propylene bromide> 1, 2-dibromoethane> ethyl bromide, ethylene dichloride> butyl chloride> chloropropane. We can conclude that among amines, when the length of carbon chain is fixed, the more amidogen, the stronger the toxicity; when the number of hydroxyl group is fixed, the longer carbon chain, the stronger the toxicity. Among mercaptans, when the length of carbon chain is the same, the more hydrosulphonyl, the weaker the toxicity; when the number of hydrosulphonyl is the same, the longer carbon chain, the weaker the toxicity. Among halohydrocarbons, when the length of carbon chain is fixed, the more halogen, the stronger the toxicity; when the number of halogen is fixed, the longer carbon chain, the stronger the toxicity. Under the same conditions, the toxicity of mercaptans is greater than amines and halohydrocarbons.