Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Antiglioma effects of cytarabine on leptomeningeal metastasis of high-grade glioma by targeting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway

Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) of high-grade glioma is a highly lethal disease requiring new effective therapeutic measures. For both de novo or relapsed glioma with LM, intrathecal cytarabine chemotherapy is not frequently used for first-line and relapse protocols. We encountered a clinical case demonstrating effective application of cytarabine in high-grade glioma with LM, prompting us to explore the effects of cytarabine on malignant glioma and molecular mechanisms of such effects through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The U87 cell line was selected to represent human glioma for studies. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay, plate colony formation assay, and trypan-blue dye exclusion test. Apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry. Protein expression levels were detected by Western blot assay and immunohistochemistry. mRNA expression was examined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Cytarabine inhibited tumor growth during the in vivo experiment. The present study confirmed that cytarabine inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of U87 cells, and molecular analysis of this effect showed that cytarabine significantly reduces expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/serine/threonine kinase also known as the protein kinase B/mechanistic target of rapamycin (PI3K/Akt/mTOR) pathway, Ki-67, BCL2, and 4-1BB, and upregulates Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Our findings indicated that intrathecal administration of cytarabine manifests potential in prophylaxis and treatment of malignant glioma with LM. Effective medications for high-grade glioma with LM should contain cytarabine.
Roles of zinc ion and reduced coenzyme in horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase catalysis. The mechanism of aldehyde activation.

1,4,5,6-Tetrahydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (H2NADH) has been investigated as a reduced coenzyme analog in the reaction between trans-4-N,N-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde (I) (lambdamax 398 nm, epsilonmax 3.15 X 10-4 M-minus 1 cm-minus 1) and the horse liver alcohol dehydrogenase-NADH complex. These equilibrium binding and temperature-jump kinetic studies establish the following. (i) Substitution of H2NADH for NADH limits reaction to the reversible formation of a new chromophoric species, lambdamax 468 nm, epsilonmax 5.8 x 10-4 M-minus 1 cm-minus 1. This chromophore is demonstrated to be structurally analogous to the transient intermediate formed during the reaction of I with the enzyme-NADH complex [Dunn, M. F. , and Hutchison, J. S. (1973), Biochemistry 12, 4882]. (ii) The process of intermediate formation with the enzyme-NADH complex is independent of pH over the range 6.13-10.54. Although studies were limited to the pH range 5.98-8.72, a similar pH independence appears to hold for the H2NADH system. (iii) Within the ternary complex, I is bound within van der Waal's contact distance of the coenzyme nicotinamide ring. (iv) Formation of the transient intermediate does not involve covalent modification of coenzyme. Based on these findings, we conclude that zinc ion has a Lewis acid function in facilitating the chemical activation of the aldehyde carbonyl for reduction, and that reduced coenzyme plays a noncovalent effector role in this substrate activating step.
Laparoscopic management of a large ovarian cyst in an adolescent. A case report.

BACKGROUND The safety of laparoscopic management of benign ovarian cysts has been demonstrated. The size of the benign ovarian cyst continues to be a limiting factor for laparoscopic surgery, with most surgeons choosing laparotomy for large cysts. CASE A 15-year-old woman had a 22-cm, benign ovarian cyst extending above the umbilicus that was managed successfully with laparoscopy. We performed prelaparoscopy cyst drainage with a suprapubic Bonanno catheter (Becton Dickinson, Rutherford, New Jersey) followed by laparoscopic cystectomy. Because of its coiled end, the Bonanno catheter is less likely to result in cyst leakage around the aspiration site. CONCLUSION With proper patient selection, laparoscopic surgery can be safely applied in a select group of patients with large, benign ovarian cysts.
Hybrid Technique for Enhancing Underwater Image in blurry conditions

A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article history: Received:03 March, 2019 Accepted:10 April, 2019 Online: 17 April, 2019 Enhancing underwater visualization using hybrid technique is generally employed into oceanic production. Through growing oceanic learning, undersea processing has drawn extra importance owing towards necessary task of picture towards attaining data. Although, suitable to reality of dust-like constituent and beam reduction, undersea descriptions continually experience small contrast and color alteration. In this paper, we estimate submerged beam transmission progression also intend an effectual means to defeat the backscatter trouble. Our scheme generally includes three steps; first, we reconstruct the picture using adaptive regularization. Second, we separate the reconstructed picture with weighted decomposition; third, we exploit color adjustment along with dehazed process via gradient guided filter towards holding dual mechanisms independently; at last, re-establish fine effect, we use hybrid technique for enhancing the picture. The tentative outcome illustrates that our proposed process extensively get better quality of unclear submerged descriptions. In common, our proposed method verified as well-performed and effectual than existing technique.
Estimating volumetric motion in human thorax with parametric matching constraints

In radiotherapy (RT), organ motion caused by breathing prevents accurate patient positioning, radiation dose, and target volume determination. Most of the motion-compensated trial techniques require collaboration of the patient and expensive equipment. Estimating the motion between two computed tomography (CT) three-dimensional scans at the extremes of the breathing cycle and including this information in the RT planning has been shyly considered, mainly because that is a tedious manual task. This paper proposes a method to compute in a fully automatic fashion the spatial correspondence between those sets of volumetric CT data. Given the large ambiguity present in this problem, the method aims to reduce gradually this uncertainty through two main phases: a similarity-parametrization data analysis and a projection-regularization phase. Results on a real study show a high accuracy in establishing the spatial correspondence between both sets. Embedding this method in RT planning tools is foreseen, after making some suggested improvements and proving the validity of the two-scan approach.
An analysis of voltage noise in rod bipolar cells of the dogfish retina.

1. The power spectral density of voltage noise in depolarizing rod bipolar cells was analysed during darkness and steady illumination. 2. The variance of the voltage fluctuations increased nearly linearly with dim light but was suppressed by bright light. 3. The spectrum in darkness and during illumination could be resolved into two components. One component was attributed to random quantal events arising from spontaneous or light‐induced isomerization of rhodopsin in the bipolar cell's rod pool. 4. The second component had a peaked spectrum and was attributed to synaptic noise. 5. A significant fraction of the noise variance in the dark arose from spontaneous thermal isomerization of rhodopsin, with a rate constant of 6 X 10(‐12) s‐1 or a half‐life for rhodopsin of 3700 years at 17 degrees C. 6. The peak amplitude of the single‐photon signal in the bipolar cell was about 200 microV, associated with a peak conductance increase of 200 pS. The spectral data suggest that there may be a random delay in the generation of these events. 7. It was concluded that the limitation to single‐photon detection in the dark‐adapted state may be the rate of spontaneous rhodopsin isomerization. Synaptic noise at the rod‐bipolar cell level would not seriously degrade the signal‐to‐noise ratio.
Rapid Detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 Virus by TaqMan Reverse Transcriptase–Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract Highly pathogenic avian influenza (AI) H5N1 viruses have been spreading from Asia since late 2003. Early detection and classification are paramount for control of the disease because these viruses are lethal to birds and have caused fatalities in humans. Here, we described TaqMan reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assays for rapid detection of all AI viruses (influenza type A) and for identification of H5N1 of the Eurasian lineage. The assays were sensitive and quantitative over a 105–106 linear range, detected all of the tested AI viruses, and enabled differentiation between H5 and H7 subtypes. These tests allow definitive confirmation of an AI virus as H5 within hours, which is crucial for rapid implementation of control measures in the event of an outbreak.
The Relationship Between Self-Compassion and Well-Being: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND Self-compassion describes a positive and caring attitude of a person toward her- or himself in the face of failures and individual shortcomings. As a result of this caring attitude, individuals high in self-compassion are assumed to experience higher individual well-being. The present meta-analysis examines the relationship between self-compassion and different forms of well-being. METHOD The authors combined k = 79 samples, with an overall sample size of N = 16,416, and analyzed the central tendencies of effect sizes (Pearson correlation coefficients) with a random-effect model. RESULTS We found an overall magnitude of the relationship between self-compassion and well-being of r = . 47. The relationship was stronger for cognitive and psychological well-being compared to affective well-being. Sample characteristics and self-esteem were tested as potential moderators. In addition, a subsample of studies indicated a causal effect of self-compassion on well-being. CONCLUSIONS The results clearly highlight the importance of self-compassion for individuals' well-being. Future research should further investigate the relationship between self-compassion and the different forms of well-being, and focus on the examination of possible additional moderators.
Infrared heater arrays for warming ecosystem field plots

There is a need for methodology to warm open‐field plots in order to study the likely effects of global warming on ecosystems in the future. Herein, we describe the development of arrays of more powerful and efficient infrared heaters with ceramic heating elements. By tilting the heaters at 45° from horizontal and combining six of them in a hexagonal array, good uniformity of warming was achieved across 3‐m‐diameter plots. Moreover, there do not appear to be obstacles (other than financial) to scaling to larger plots. The efficiency [ηh (%); thermal radiation out per electrical energy in] of these heaters was higher than that of the heaters used in most previous infrared heater experiments and can be described by: ηh= 10 + 25exp(− 0.17 u), where u is wind speed at 2 m height (m s− 1). Graphs are presented to estimate operating costs from degrees of warming, two types of plant canopy, and site windiness. Four such arrays were deployed over plots of grass at Haibei, Qinghai, China and another at Cheyenne, Wyoming, USA, along with corresponding reference plots with dummy heaters. Proportional integral derivative systems with infrared thermometers to sense canopy temperatures of the heated and reference plots were used to control the heater outputs. Over month‐long periods at both sites, about 75% of canopy temperature observations were within 0.5 °C of the set‐point temperature differences between heated and reference plots. Electrical power consumption per 3‐m‐diameter plot averaged 58 and 80 kW h day− 1 for Haibei and Cheyenne, respectively. However, the desired temperature differences were set lower at Haibei (1.2 °C daytime, 1.7 °C night) than Cheyenne (1.5 °C daytime, 3.0 °C night), and Cheyenne is a windier site. Thus, we conclude that these hexagonal arrays of ceramic infrared heaters can be a successful temperature free‐air‐controlled enhancement (T‐FACE) system for warming ecosystem field plots.
The success rate of free flaps after preoperative irradiation in head and neck reconstruction.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS The reconstructive treatment of large head and neck tumours involves serious problems. Preoperative irradiation increases the risk of postoperative complications. Microvascular free flaps offer definite advantages over conventional reconstruction techniques and permit immediate preoperative high-dose radiation therapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS In 1985-1996, at the Turku University Central Hospital, 101 patients, 61 (60%) men and 40 (40%) women (age range 15-79 years, mean 61 years), with head and neck tumours, underwent microvascular reconstructions, and 90 of them were irradiated before surgery. All irradiated patients underwent primary reconstruction immediately after resection. The total irradiation dose was about 60 Gy, usual range 50 to 65 Gy. The patients were operated on 3 to 5 weeks after discontinuation of irradiation therapy. RESULTS Of the whole material of 101 free flaps, 89 (88%) were transferred successfully. The success rate in irradiated patients was 88% and in nonirradiated patients 91%. Reoperation had to be performed within twelve hours in three cases, with good results. Only two hernias occurred as donor complications (2%). Two of the patients died postoperatively (2%). Partial flap necrosis occurred in five patients and five patients underwent another reconstruction using a new free flap or with conventional reconstruction techniques. CONCLUSIONS Free flaps are often the only acceptable choice in extensive head and neck primary reconstructions after irradiation. Microvascular free tissue transfers to the head and neck after preoperative irradiation has become the accepted method of reconstruction as a result of increased success rates with superior aesthetic and functional results.
HIV/Sexually Transmitted Infection Prevention Messaging: Targeting Root Causes of Sexual Risk Behavior

Introduction Sexual risk behaviors (SRBs) often lead to sexually transmitted infections (STI), yet little is known about what drives SRB and whether this differs by sex. Method Participants (n = 920; 75% white) were drawn from the Raising Healthy Children study, enrolled in 1993 and 1994 in grades 1 to 2, and followed up through age 24/25 years. Lifetime STI diagnosis was defined by self-report or seropositivity for Chlamydia trachomatis or herpes simplex virus 2. Multivariable models assessed individual (social skills, behavioral disinhibition) and environmental factors (family involvement, school bonding, antisocial friends) predictive of STI diagnosis as mediated by 3 proximal SRB (sex under the influence of drugs or alcohol, condom use, lifetime number of sex partners). Results Twenty-five percent of participants had ever had an STI. All SRBs differed by sex (P < 0.001), and female participants were more likely to have had an STI (P < 0.001). Behavioral disinhibition and antisocial friends in adolescence were associated with more SRB for both sexes, whereas social skills were associated with less SRB in female but more in male participants. Considering SRB and individual and environmental factors together, lifetime number of sex partners (adjusted relative risk [ARR], 1.04per partner; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.05) and inconsistent condom use (ARR, 1.10per year; 95% CI, 1.04–1.16) were associated with increased risk of STI, whereas social skills were associated with decreased risk of STI (ARR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75–0.93). Behavioral disinhibition seemed to drive SRB, but family involvement mitigated this in several cases. Conclusions Adolescent environmental influences and individual characteristics drive some SRB and may be more effective targets for STI/HIV prevention interventions than proximal risk behaviors.
Citizen Satisfaction and Administrative Performance Measurements: Multiple–Indicator Approach

A key challenge for contemporary Italian public administration is to make the Italian public sector more customer-oriented. This is strictly necessary to struggle in a dynamic marketplace. The link between administrative performance measurements and citizen satisfaction, is the starting point to develop a different management frame and deliver new services.This article intends to show two goals: establishing a theoretical and empirical grounded criticism of the current state of research on citizen satisfaction; proposing a conceptual model of the relevant factors affecting the relationship between administrative performance measurements and citizen expectations and perceptions. This cross–sectional analysis of citizen satisfaction and performance results is useful for managers in conjunction with performance–measurement programs as part of a multiple–indicator approach to evaluate municipal service quality. However, understanding citizen expectations and perceptions requires a different perspective than the one applied to administrative service performance measurement. Overall, the results suggest that efforts to increase citizen satisfaction based on public participation may have added benefits for management efforts.
Dementia with Lewy bodies: Reclassification of pathological subtypes and boundary with Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease

The present study is an attempt to reclassify the pathological subtypes of DLB based on both Lewy pathology and Alzheimer pathology, and to clarify the pathological boundary between DLB and Parkinson's disease (PD) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) in autopsied cases, using pathological and immunohistochemical methods. Dementia with Lewy bodies was classified into the limbic type and neocortical type according to the degree of Lewy pathology, including Lewy bodies (LB) and LB‐related neurites, by our staging and was classified into the pure form, common form and AD form according to the degree of Alzheimer pathology including NFT and amyloid deposits by Braak staging. These combined subtypes were lined up on a spectrum not only with Lewy pathology but also with other DLB‐related pathologies including Alzheimer pathology, neuronal loss in the substantia nigra, spongiform change in the transentorhinal cortex and LB‐related neurites in the CA2‐3 region. There were some similarities in both Lewy pathology and other DLB‐related pathologies between PD and DLB, although Lewy pathology of PD was below the lowest stage of Lewy pathology. In contrast, AD did not meet the stages of Lewy pathology, and there were also no similarities in other DLB‐related pathologies between AD and DLB. In addition, LB of AD showed the characteristics different from those of DLB on the coexistence of LB with NFT. These present findings suggest that DLB has pathological continuity with PD, but can be pathologically differentiated from AD. The present study clarified the pathological entity of DLB, compared with PD and AD.
A Model for Monetary Policy Analysis in Uruguay

Uruguay has recently reverted to a money targeting (MT) framework in the context of a disinflation strategy. We develop a quantitative model for monetary policy analysis incorporating money targets in the policy framework while also retaining a central role for interest rates in the transmission of policy. We use the model to show that tight financial conditions for a period may be necessary for inflation to converge to the middle of the target band. We also discuss various aspects of the MT framework. Two issues stand out. Excessive focus on hitting money targets can result in undesirable changes in the policy stance; while targets that incorporate elements of money demand forecasting are superior to targets that are excessively smooth or do not adjust for base effects.
Systematic review: are probiotics useful in controlling gastric colonization by Helicobacter pylori?

Helicobacter pylori is a highly prevalent pathogen considered as an aetiological factor for gastroduodenal ulcers, and a risk factor for gastric adenocarcinoma and lymphoma in humans. Most subjects colonized by this micro‐organism are asymptomatic and remain untreated. In symptomatic patients, the antibiotic treatment has a high cost and is not 100% effective because of resistance to antibiotics and to moderate patient compliance. This review discusses the role of probiotics as alternative solutions to assist in the control of H. pylori colonization in at‐risk populations.
A Resource Association Model for Insurance Management Utilizing Goal Programming

In a model of a property-liability insurer, Hofflander and Drandell (H-D )I constructed a linear programming model to determine the optimum allocation of assets in order to maximize profits. The model was based on constraints which reflected policy and legal bounds on the insurer's activities. A model company with assets of $100 million served as the hypothetical insurer. Klock and Lee2 have suggested a Goal Programming approach to the (H-D) model. This paper is an analysis of the (H-D) model using Goal Programming and current asset returns. The purpose here is to demonstrate that the Goal Programming model developed is equivalent to the original (H-D) model. Goal Programming The concept of Goal Programming is relatively new although it had been postulated some time earlier.3 A good description of the methodology is presented in a current publication.4 It is a most important extension of linear programming in the treatment of business models. Briefly, a Goal Programming model is expressed mathematically as follows:
High-Order Sliding Mode Control of a Marine Current Turbine Driven Doubly-Fed Induction Generator

This paper deals with the speed control of a variable speed doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based marine current turbine (MCT). To increase the generated power and therefore the efficiency of an MCT, a nonlinear controller has been proposed. DFIG has been already considered for similar applications, particularly wind turbine systems using mainly proportional-integral (PI) controllers. However, such kinds of controllers do not adequately handle some tidal resource characteristics such as turbulence and swell effects. These may decrease MCT performances. Moreover, DFIG parameter variations should be accounted for. Therefore, a robust nonlinear control strategy, namely high-order sliding mode (HOSM) control, is proposed. This control strategy relies on the resource and the marine turbine models that were validated by experimental data. The sensitivity of the proposed control strategy is analyzed regarding the swell effect as it is considered as the most disturbing one for the resource model. Tidal current data from the Raz de Sein (Brittany, France) are used to run simulations of a 7.5-kW prototype over various flow regimes. Simulation results are presented and fully analyzed.