Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collaborative Learning of Communication Routes in Edge-Enabled Multi-Access Vehicular Environment

Some Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications have a strict requirement on the end-to-end delay where edge computing can be used to provide a short delay for end-users by conducing efficient caching and computing at the edge nodes. However, a fast and efficient communication route creation in multi-access vehicular environment is an underexplored research problem. In this paper, we propose a collaborative learning-based routing scheme for multi-access vehicular edge computing environment. The proposed scheme employs a reinforcement learning algorithm based on end-edge-cloud collaboration to find routes in a proactive manner with a low communication overhead. The routes are also preemptively changed based on the learned information. By integrating the “proactive” and “preemptive” approach, the proposed scheme can achieve a better forwarding of packets as compared with existing alternatives. We conduct extensive and realistic computer simulations to show the performance advantage of the proposed scheme over existing baselines.
Dramatic effect in passive ROM exercise under sedation in a patient with intractable complex regional pain syndrome (type I)

Rationale: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) usually occurs after trauma and surgery but can also occur spontaneously. There are various known pathophysiology and treatment protocols for CRPS. However, there is no established treatment guideline. Although physical therapy is known as the first line treatment for CRPS, performing physical therapy is difficult due to severe pain. This case reports the first case with positive effect of physical therapy under sedation that allowed early physical therapy. Patient concerns: A 19-year old female had her right elbow area slightly hit by someone else, after which it began to swell and become more painful. Active and passive range of motion (ROM) of the right upper extremity gradually decreased through 3 months, and pain and edema worsened. Diagnoses: She had allodynia, nonpitting edema, temperature asymmetry, and trophic change in fingernails in the right upper extremity, which met the diagnostic criteria for CRPS. In the 3-phase bone scan, which is a specific tool to diagnose CRPS, there was trace uptake increase in the right elbow and wrist, indicating possibility of CRPS. Interventions: Despite conventional treatments such as pharmacologic and interventional therapies, neither pain nor edema subsided. Pain was so severe that it was impossible to apply physical therapy. Therefore, the patient underwent passive ROM exercise in the right upper extremity under sedation for 30 minutes, which was relatively easier due to decreased pain. After 2 days of passive ROM exercise under sedation, the patient was able to receive passive ROM exercise twice daily without sedation for 18 days. Outcomes: After 20 days of passive ROM exercise, including 2 days of passive ROM exercise under sedation, the circumference of her right hand decreased by 5 cm, wrist 2 cm, and elbow 6 cm compared to the initial measurement. Numeric pain rating scale improved from 9 to 3, and her manual muscle test marked fair plus from trace, Jebsen–Taylor hand function test score 43 from 0. Lessons: This case suggests that passive ROM exercise under sedation may be a successful alternative as a treatment when exercise, currently known as a treatment to CRPS, is impossible.
Sleep Quality Among Teenagers and Young Adults With Cancer.

BACKGROUND Teenagers and young adults (TYAs) with cancer are known to suffer poor sleep quality and sleep disturbances; understanding the level of burden is essential to improving patient outcomes via supportive care interventions. OBJECTIVES To compare sleep quality and the prevalence of sleep disturbances among TYA cancer patients, TYA survivors, and general population TYAs with no history of cancer. METHODS Teenager and young adult patients receiving active cancer treatment (n = 70), TYA cancer survivors (n = 151), and general population TYAs (n = 324) aged between 13 and 24 years completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Analyses of covariance were used to investigate potential group differences. Age at survey diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, and health status were included as covariates. RESULTS 84.29% of TYA patients, 62.91% of TYA cancer survivors, and 65.12% of general population TYAs reported Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores greater than 5, suggesting clinically significant sleep disorders. Teenager and young adult patients reported significantly poorer global sleep quality compared with TYA survivors (mean difference, 0.99; 95% confidence interval, 0.03-1.96; P = .044) and general population TYAs (mean difference, 1.34; 95% confidence interval, 0.26-2.41; P = .009). Teenager and young adult patients and survivors reported significantly poorer sleep latency (P = .003 for TYA patients, P = .035 for TYA survivors off treatment) and habitual sleep efficiency (P < .001 for TYA patients, P = .014 for TYA survivors) than general population controls. CONCLUSIONS The significant differences observed suggest young people with cancer, particularly those on treatment, may benefit from specialized sleep interventions. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Efforts to ensure health professionals have the knowledge and skills to provide advice about sleep to young people with cancer are needed.
FILAMENTOUS FUNGI INFECTING FRUITS AND LEAVES OF CAPSICUM ANNUM L

In Pakistan, the production of chilli (Capsicum annum L.) crop usually grows under stressed conditions due to a number of pathogens and mostly fruit and foliar fungal diseases are regarded as responsible for reduced production. For this purpose, eight different localities of lower Sindh including Hyderabad, Tando Allahyar, Mirpurkhas, Umerkot, Kunri, Samaro, Kot Ghulam Muhammad and Digri areas were selected for survey of fungal infection as they are the major chilli producing areas of Pakistan. One hundred sixty samples of infected fruits and foliar parts with fruit as well as without fruit were collected. The stored fruits were also collected from the markets and godowns of the major storing units of chilli fruit. Eleven fungi including Alternaria alternata, A. solani, Aspergillus flavus, A. niger, Botrytis cinerea, Cercospora capsici, Colletotirchum capsici, Leveillula taurica and Verticillium spp. were isolated and identified from the fruits and foliar parts of chilli. The diversity of the fungal assemblages was estimated using diversity indices. Key-words: Chilli, fruits, leaves, fungi, Sindh,
Expanded Algorithm and Updated Experience with Breast Reconstruction Using a Staged Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy following Mastopexy or Reduction Mammaplasty in the Large or Ptotic Breast

Background: Staged nipple-sparing mastectomy following mastopexy or reduction mammaplasty was first described in 2011 by Spear et al. to expand the indications for nipple-sparing mastectomy to women with large or ptotic breasts. Since that time, the authors have revised their treatment algorithm and technique to enhance oncologic safety and improve wound healing complications. Methods: An institutional review board–approved retrospective review was undertaken of all patients undergoing staged nipple-sparing mastectomy following mastopexy or reduction mammaplasty at a single institution from July of 2011 through July of 2016. Management followed an updated treatment protocol to improve surgical and oncologic outcomes. Results: Twenty-six patients (50 breasts) were identified who underwent staged nipple-sparing mastectomy. Five breasts (10 percent) required reoperation for a complication such as infection or tissue necrosis. Two devices (4 percent), both in the therapeutic cohort, required explantation because of infection. Skin flap necrosis and nipple-areola complex necrosis were each seen in two breasts (4 percent). Infection was seen in four breasts (8 percent), and wound healing complications were seen in only two breasts (4 percent). Conclusions: The authors offer their updated treatment algorithm for a staged approach to nipple-sparing mastectomy for patients with macromastia or grade II or III ptosis. Their results build on previously published reports demonstrating the safety and efficacy of this approach for nipple preservation and oncologic management in this patient population. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
The clinical significance of microRNA-122 in predicting the prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: Although the prognostic value of microRNA-122 (miR-122) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients have been evaluated by numerous studies, the results of them were not completely consistent. The present study aims to comprehensively evaluate the predicting value of miR-122 on the prognosis of patients with HCC based on all eligible literatures. Methods: Numerous electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Pubmed, Google Scholar, and China Biology Medicine disc) were applied to retrieve relevant studies. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were used as primary endpoints. All statistical analyses were performed by RevMan software version 5.3. 5 and STATA software version 14.1. In addition, the results of this meta-analysis were validated by an independent dataset from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Results: A total of 11 studies containing 1124 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results showed that low miR-122 expression in HCC tissues significantly associated with unfavorable OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–1.80, P < .001) and PFS (HR = 1.54, 95% CI 1.28–1.85, P < .001) in patients with HCC. However, the expression level of miR-122 in blood did not have the ability in predicting OS (HR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.44–1.28, P = .29) and PFS (HR = 0.84, 95% CI 0.58–1.20, P = .33) of HCC. Subgroup analysis further indicated that low expression of miR-122 in tumor tissues predicted poor OS in HCC patients who received curative liver resection (HR = 2.00, 95% CI 1.08–3.70, P = .03). Analysis using TCGA dataset suggested that low miR-122 expression in HCC tissues was significantly associated with OS (HR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.13–2.27, P = .008) other than PFS (HR = 1.30, 95% CI 0.96–1.75, P = .09). Conclusion: Low miR-122 expression in HCC tissues was a reliable indicator for predicting the OS of HCC patients who underwent curative resection. Owing to the disagreement between this meta-analysis and the TCGA dataset, the predictive value of miR-122 in tissues for PFS needs to be verified by future well-designed studies with large sample size.
Comprehensive evaluation of sustainable development for different scale cities in China

: Cities are complex socio － economic-natural ecosystems that have the highest concentration of people and their activities． Implementation of sustainable development is the necessary approach to urbanization． Sustainable urban development can be monitored using an indicator system that accounts for both the socio － economic development and environmental protection． We used 277 cities at prefecture level or above and a municipality directly under conservation and environmental protection as they did for economic development and social progress． This was a common problem that different scale cities faced during the urbanization in the past 10 years． Furthermore ， the comparison within different scale cities from 2000 to 2010 revealed that the indicator values for economic development ， social progress ， and eco-environmental protection of different scale cities increased significantly in the same period． Similarly ， the comprehensive capacity for sustainable development of different scale cities also increased． Additionally ， during the 10-year period ， the megalopolises had the greatest increase in eco-environmental protection ， whereas the large cities had the greatest increase in social progress． The small or medium-sized cities experienced the greatest increase in economic development and comprehensive sustainability capacity． These results indicated that the increase in city scale decreases the potential to improve comprehensive capacity for sustainable development． Therefore ， China should focus more on promoting the development of small and medium-sized cities． However ， by 2010 ， the indicator values for comprehensive capacity for sustainable development of megalopolises ， large cities ， and small and medium-sized cities were 0． 40 ， 0． 29 ， and 0． 25 ， respectively ( where a value of 1 represents complete sustainable development ) ． The sustainability level was only moderate． This illustrated that different scale cities in China are facing many problems in the process of sustainable development and implementation of certain measures is required to guide future urbanization in China． In terms of economic development ， it is necessary for cities to adjust the economic and industrial structure ， raise the proportion of tertiary industry ， promote the development of green and low-carbon industries ， and build a more sustainable economy． In terms of social progress ， government should improve the social management system and guarantee the rationality and fairness of education and healthcare resource allocation． As for environmental protection ， we should promote the upgrade of environmental technology ， reduce the energy consumption ， and increase the investment in environmental pollution control． Attaining sustainable development requires simultaneous balanced development in economic ， social ， and environmental areas． Under such scenario ， we can establish a new urbanization model that will lead us toward sustainable development．
A Randomized and Controlled Crossover Study Investigating the Improvement of Walking and Posture Functions in Chronic Stroke Patients Using HAL Exoskeleton – The HALESTRO Study (HAL-Exoskeleton STROke Study)

Background: The exoskeleton HAL (hybrid assistive limb) has proven to improve walking functions in spinal cord injury and chronic stroke patients when using it for body-weight supported treadmill training (BWSTT). Compared with other robotic devices, it offers the possibility to initiate movements actively. Previous studies on stroke patients did not compare HAL-BWSTT with conventional physiotherapy (CPT). Therefore, we performed a crossover clinical trial comparing CPT and HAL-BWSTT in chronic stroke patients with hemiparesis, the HALESTRO study. Our hypothesis was that HAL-training would have greater effects on walking and posture functions compared to a mixed-approach CPT. Methods: A total of 18 chronic stroke patients participated in this study. Treatment consisted of 30 CPT sessions and of 30 sessions of BWSTT with a double leg type HAL exoskeleton successively in a randomized, crossover study design. Primary outcome parameters were walking time and speed in 10-meter walk test (10MWT), time in timed-up-and-go test (TUG) and distance in 6-min walk test (6MWT). Secondary outcome parameters were the functional ambulatory categories (FAC) and the Berg-Balance Scale (BBS). Data were assessed at baseline, at crossover and at the end of the study, all without using and wearing HAL. Results: Our study demonstrate neither a significant difference in walking parameters nor in functional and balance parameters. When HAL-BWSTT was applied to naïve patients, it led to an improvement in walking parameters and in balance abilities. Pooling all data, we could show a significant effect in 10MWT, 6MWT, FAC and BBS, both therapies sequentially applied over 12 weeks. Thereby, FAC improve from dependent to independent category (3 to 4). One patient dropped out of the study due to intensive fatigue after each training session. Conclusion: HAL-BWSTT and mixed-approach CPT were effective therapies in chronic stroke patients. However, compared with CPT, HAL training with 30 sessions over 6 weeks was not more effective. The combination of both therapies led to an improvement of walking and balance functions. Robotic rehabilitation of walking disorders alone still lacks the proof of superiority in chronic stroke. Robotic treatment therapies and classical CPT rehabilitation concepts should be applied in an individualized therapy program.
Different roles of frontal versus striatal atrophy in HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders

Gray matter (GM) atrophy is frequently detected in persons living with HIV, even in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), but the specificity of regions affected remains elusive. For instance, which regions are consistently affected in HIV? In addition, atrophy at which regions is frequently associated with neurocognitive impairment in HIV? Resolving these questions can potentially help to establish the possible neural profiles of HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) severity, which currently is solely defined by neurobehavioral assessments. Here, we addressed these questions using a novel meta‐analysis technique, the colocalization‐likelihood estimation (CLE) technique, to quantitatively synthesize the findings of GM atrophy in HIV+ adults. Twenty‐one of 386 studies published between 1988 and November 2017 and identified in PubMed were selected, plus four identified in other resources. In the end, 25 studies (1,370 HIV+ adults, 889 HIV− controls) were included in the meta‐analysis. This technique revealed that GM atrophy in HIV+ adults was dominated by two distinct but nonexclusive profiles: frontal (including anterior cingulate cortex, [ACC]) atrophy, which was associated withHIV‐disease and consistently differentiated HIV+ adults from HIV− controls; and caudate/striatum atrophy, which was associated with neurocognitive impairment. The critical role of caudate/striatum atrophy in neurocognitive impairment was further supported by a separate data analysis, which examined the findings of correlation analyses between GM and neurocognitive performance. These results suggest that the frontal lobe and the striatum play critical but differential roles in HAND. A neural model of HAND severity was proposed with several testable predictions.
Anthropometry at birth and at age of routine vaccination to predict mortality in the first year of life: A birth cohort study in BukinaFaso

Background The World Health Organization currently defines severe acute malnutrition (SAM) in infants aged under 6 months of age using weight-for-length Z score (WLZ). Given widespread use of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) for identifying SAM in older children and weight-for-age (WAZ) for growth monitoring, there is increasing debate about the optimal anthropometric criteria to best identify infants u6m at-risk of mortality. Objective To determine the discriminatory value for mortality during the first 12 months of life of anthropometry taken at birth and at age two months (approximate age of routine vaccination). Design Data were analyzed from a birth cohort recruited between April and December of 2004 at four health facilities within Bansalogho District in Burkina Faso. Infants were followed up for 12 months. Mortality risks were estimated using hazards ratios (HR). Discriminatory value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Results Of 1,103 infants, 227 (21%) were low birthweight (LBW). During 12 months, 86 (7.8%) infants died; 38 (44%) among the LBW group. At birth, MUAC<9.0cm, weight<2.5kg, length<44.2cm and incalculable WLZ were associated with mortality. Sixty (70%) deaths occurred after the age of two months; 26 (43%) among LBW infants. At age two months, any MUAC <11.5cm, weight <3.8kg (WAZ<-3) and length <52.4cm (LAZ<-3) were associated with risk of mortality. WLZ was not associated with mortality at any threshold. Birth weight did not modify the effect of the association between month two MUAC and one-year mortality (P = 0.33). Conclusion Infants at heightened risk of mortality and are better identified during early infancy by MUAC or WFA than by WLZ. LBW infants with low anthropometry at the age of routine immunizations remain at elevated risk than normal birth weight (NBW)infants and require intervention. Effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and coverage of applying proposed thresholds should be investigated as a priority to inform policy and practice.
Cortical Cataract and Refractive Error

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between the presence of cortical cataract and accommodation effort, using refractive error as a proxy. Methods: Patients between 50 and 90 years, scheduled for cataract surgery, were selected with the help of a photographic database. Nuclear and cortical cataract were graded and patients grouped having no cataract, pure cortical, mixed or pure nuclear cataract. Refraction data at the time of the photograph was converted to estimated spherical equivalent refractive error each patient would have had at the age of 45 years. Results: From the initial 239 eyes from 239 patients, cases with myopia below –6.5 dpt and hyperopia above 6.5 dpt were excluded, resulting in 199 cases for final analysis. Eyes with no cataract showed the lowest median refractive error (–3.65 dpt), followed by the pure nuclear group (–2.69 dpt). The median refractive error for pure cortical (–0.23 dpt) and mixed cataracts (–0.87 dpt) were close to emmetropia. Cortical cataracts were found in 37% of myopes, 82% of emmetropes, and 85% of hyperopes. Conclusion: Emmetropes and hyperopes tend to develop more cortical cataract than myopes. These cortical cataracts might be caused by shear stress inside the crystalline lens due to accommodation efforts at the time of onset of presbyopia.
Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Ameliorate the Pancreatic Changes of Chemically Induced Hypothyroidism by Carbimazole in Male Rats

We induced hypothyroidism (HT) in male rats through chronic oral administration of carbimazole and then tested whether an i.v. injection of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) could ameliorate the HT-induced changes in pancreatic structure and function. The thyroid and pancreatic function tests, as well as total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated. The pancreatic structure was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stain. Insulin protein and cleaved caspase-3 were detected immunohistochemically. The degree of apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL assay. The morphometric measurements were done by an image analyzer system and the obtained data were statistically analyzed. HT rats showed hyperglycemia associated with insulin deficiency, decreased TAC and increased MDA levels. H&E-stained sections showed that the pancreatic septa were infiltrated with acidophilic material. Some acini were vacuolated while others showed depleted acidophilia and dilated lumina. Spindle-shaped cells were accumulated within deformed islets in HT rats. The positive reaction with anti-cleaved caspase-3 was exclusively noted in the cytoplasm of islet cells with no immunostaining reaction in the acinar and ductal cells, whereas the positively stained nuclei with TUNEL were demonstrated in the islet and acinar cells. A significant increase in the apoptotic index % of both markers was detected. Injection of BM-MSCs in HT rats restored all biochemical indicators of disturbed pancreatic function to normal level and improved pancreatic structure, resulting in a clear septa and normal appearance of acini and islets. In conclusion, many of the significant structural and func tional pancreatic alterations detected in HT rats were ameliorated after the injection of BM-MSCs. These data demonstrate the ability of BM-MSCs to repair pancreatic disturbances. Further studies on humans are necessary to determine the potential clinical applications of BM-MSCs.