Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An unsupervised network for fast microscopic image registration

At present, deep learning is widely used and has achieved excellent results in many fields except in the field of image registration, the reasons are two-fold: Firstly all the steps of deep learning should be derivable; nevertheless, the nonlinear deformation which is usually used in registration algorithms is hard to be depicted by explicit function. Secondly, success of deep learning is based on a large amount of labeled data, this is problematic for the application in real scenes. To address these concerns, we propose an unsupervised network for image registration. In order to integrate registration process into deep learning, image deformation is achieved by resampling, which can make deformation step derivable. The network optimizes its parameters directly by minimizing the loss between registered image and reference image without ground truth. To further improve algorithm's accuracy and speed, we incorporate coarse-to-fine multi-scale iterative scheme. We apply our method to register microscopic section images of neuron tissue. Compared with highly fine-tuning method sift flow, our method achieves similar accuracy with much less time.
Clinical and molecular characterization of patients with cancer of unknown primary in the modern era

Background On the basis of historical data, patients with cancer of unknown primary (CUP) are generally assumed to have a dismal prognosis with overall survival of less than 1 year. Treatment is typically cytotoxic chemotherapy guided by histologic features and the pattern of metastatic spread. The purpose of this study was to provide a clinical and pathologic description of patients with CUP in the modern era, to define the frequency of clinically actionable molecular alterations in this population, to determine how molecular testing can alter therapeutic decisions, and to investigate novel uses of next-generation sequencing in the evaluation and treatment of patients with CUP. Patients and methods Under Institutional Review Board approval, we identified all CUP patients evaluated at our institution over a recent 2-year period. We documented demographic information, clinical outcomes, pathologic evaluations, next-generation sequencing of available tumor tissue, use of targeted therapies, and clinical trial enrollment. Results We identified 333 patients with a diagnosis of CUP evaluated at our institution from 1 January 2014 through 30 June 2016. Of these patients, 150 had targeted next-generation sequencing carried out on available tissue. Median overall survival in this cohort was 13 months. Forty-five of 150 (30%) patients had potentially targetable genomic alterations identified by tumor molecular profiling, and 15 of 150 (10%) received targeted therapies. Dominant mutation signatures were identified in 21 of 150 (14%), largely implicating exogenous mutagen exposures such as ultraviolet radiation and tobacco. Conclusions Patients with CUP represent a heterogeneous population, harboring a variety of potentially targetable alterations. Next-generation sequencing may provide an opportunity for CUP patients to benefit from novel personalized therapies.
Beyond Basic Feedback in Mobile Brief Interventions: Designing SMS Message Content for Delivery to Young Adults During Risky Drinking Events

Background Brief interventions can reduce alcohol consumption in young people through screening and delivery of personally relevant feedback. Recently, Web and mobile platforms have been harnessed to increase the reach of brief interventions. Existing literature on mobile-based alcohol brief interventions indicates mixed use of theory in developing interventions. There is no research available to guide the development of SMS text messaging (short message service, SMS) interventions delivered during risky drinking events. Objective The aim of this study was to develop and pilot an alcohol-related risk-reduction brief intervention delivered by SMS to Australian young adults during drinking events. This paper describes the development of intervention message content, with specific focus on the context of delivery during drinking events. Methods A sample of 42 young adults attended 4 workshops; these comprised focus-group style discussion on drinking habits and motivations, discussion of intervention design, analysis of existing alcohol media campaigns, and participant development of message content. Data were analyzed thematically. Results Participants described a focus on having fun and blocking out any incongruent negative influences during drinking episodes. For content to be acceptable, nonjudgmental and non-authoritative language was deemed essential. A preference for short, actionable messages was observed, including suggestions for reminders around drinking water, organizing transport home, checking on friends, and plans the next day. Participants were excited about the potential for messages to be tailored to individuals, as previous alcohol-related campaigns were deemed too generic and often irrelevant. Normative-based messages were also perceived as largely irrelevant as participants felt that they understood the drinking-related norms of their immediate peers already. Conclusions Findings from this study offer insights into young adults’ drinking events and practical advice for designing alcohol-related brief interventions. During our formative development process, we demonstrated a neat correspondence between young people’s preferences for alcohol harm reduction interventions and the theoretical principles of brief interventions, including acceptable topics and message style.
8 – Fibers in medical healthcare

This chapter presents that fibers have always occupied a fundamental position in medical healthcare, by providing textiles, in the form of fibers, mono- and multi-filament yarns, woven, knitted, non-woven, and composite materials. The uses are many and varied, from the non-implantable materials, such as bandages, dressings, etc., implantable materials, such as sutures, vascular prostheses, hygiene products, such as bedding, clothing, operating room garments, wipes, etc., to the more specialized items, such as the artificial kidney. Most are disposable, but an increasing proportion of the products are reusable. The use of non-woven fiber is characterized by their ability to meet the huge variety of needs. Non-woven technology allows for continuous production with minimal intermediate stages, whereas traditional textiles may require several distinct discontinuation batch processes, for example, spinning, winding, beaming, sizing, before knitting or weaving. The process for non-woven is simple, productive, versatile, economic, and innovative. It requires only the formation of the fibrous web and then binding together of the fibers. Their versatility will surely keep the non-woven medical materials at the forefront well into the new millennium. The chapter discusses some of the developing and possible future uses fibers in medical healthcare.
Estimating the Total Number of Susceptibility Variants Underlying Complex Diseases from Genome-Wide Association Studies

Recently genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous susceptibility variants for complex diseases. In this study we proposed several approaches to estimate the total number of variants underlying these diseases. We assume that the variance explained by genetic markers (Vg) follow an exponential distribution, which is justified by previous studies on theories of adaptation. Our aim is to fit the observed distribution of Vg from GWAS to its theoretical distribution. The number of variants is obtained by the heritability divided by the estimated mean of the exponential distribution. In practice, due to limited sample sizes, there is insufficient power to detect variants with small effects. Therefore the power was taken into account in fitting. Besides considering the most significant variants, we also tried to relax the significance threshold, allowing more markers to be fitted. The effects of false positive variants were removed by considering the local false discovery rates. In addition, we developed an alternative approach by directly fitting the z-statistics from GWAS to its theoretical distribution. In all cases, the “winner's curse” effect was corrected analytically. Confidence intervals were also derived. Simulations were performed to compare and verify the performance of different estimators (which incorporates various means of winner's curse correction) and the coverage of the proposed analytic confidence intervals. Our methodology only requires summary statistics and is able to handle both binary and continuous traits. Finally we applied the methods to a few real disease examples (lipid traits, type 2 diabetes and Crohn's disease) and estimated that hundreds to nearly a thousand variants underlie these traits.
FESTAL: Fault-Tolerant Elastic Scheduling Algorithm for Real-Time Tasks in Virtualized Clouds

As clouds have been deployed widely in various fields, the reliability and availability of clouds become the major concern of cloud service providers and users. Thereby, fault tolerance in clouds receives a great deal of attention in both industry and academia, especially for real-time applications due to their safety critical nature. Large amounts of researches have been conducted to realize fault tolerance in distributed systems, among which fault-tolerant scheduling plays a significant role. However, few researches on the fault-tolerant scheduling study the virtualization and the elasticity, two key features of clouds, sufficiently. To address this issue, this paper presents a fault-tolerant mechanism which extends the primary-backup model to incorporate the features of clouds. Meanwhile, for the first time, we propose an elastic resource provisioning mechanism in the fault-tolerant context to improve the resource utilization. On the basis of the fault-tolerant mechanism and the elastic resource provisioning mechanism, we design novel fault-tolerant elastic scheduling algorithms for real-time tasks in clouds named FESTAL, aiming at achieving both fault tolerance and high resource utilization in clouds. Extensive experiments injecting with random synthetic workloads as well as the workload from the latest version of the Google cloud tracelogs are conducted by CloudSim to compare FESTAL with three baseline algorithms, i.e., Non-M igration-FESTAL (NMFESTAL), Non-Overlapping-FESTAL (NOFESTAL), and Elastic First Fit (EFF). The experimental results demonstrate that FESTAL is able to effectively enhance the performance of virtualized clouds.
Inhibition of glioblastoma cell invasion by hsa-miR-145-5p and hsa-miR-31-5p co-overexpression in human mesenchymal stem cells.

In BriefThe authors demonstrated that hsa-miR-145-5p and -31-5p overexpression in human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) inhibited the invasion of glioma cells via contact-dependent transfer. It is already known that some miRNAs suppress the invasiveness of malignant gliomas. The authors' results suggest that hMSCs may be applied as a delivery vehicle for miRNAs.
Technical evaluation : Methods for sealing paper/foil aseptic food packages

The process of sealing paper/foil aseptic food packages is similar to fusion bonding of two thermoplastic polymer layers, and it can be divided into four steps : heating of the surface, application of pressure, intermolecular diffusion, and cooling. The sealing techniques differ primarily in the heating method that is used. A variety of sealing methods were evaluated. Among the methods, two existing techniques (ultrasonic and induction sealing) and one new technique (infrared sealing) were regarded as the most promising. The effects of the sealing parameters on the process time and seal quality were studied. Ultrasonic sealing provides a short process time and consistent seal quality, with peel strength being limited by failure in the cardboard. However, breakage of the aluminum foil along the joint interface always occurs during ultrasonic sealing. Induction sealing also provides a short process time with consistent quality and no breakage in the foil. Infrared sealing was able to produce the same-quality seal as the induction and ultrasonic sealing. However, because that a longer process time is needed for stepwise operation, infrared sealing is more suitable for continuous sealing, such as the side seam of the packages. Application : ultrasonic, induction, and infrared sealing were found to be the most promising techniques for sealing paper/foil aseptic food packages.
Evaluation of Physicians’ Cognitive Styles

Background. Patient outcomes critically depend on accuracy of physicians’ judgment, yet little is known about individual differences in cognitive styles that underlie physicians’ judgments. The objective of this study was to assess physicians’ individual differences in cognitive styles relative to age, experience, and degree and type of training. Methods. Physicians at different levels of training and career completed a web-based survey of 6 scales measuring individual differences in cognitive styles (maximizing v. satisficing, analytical v. intuitive reasoning, need for cognition, intolerance toward ambiguity, objectivism, and cognitive reflection). We measured psychometric properties (Cronbach’s α) of scales; relationship of age, experience, degree, and type of training; responses to scales; and accuracy on conditional inference task. Results. The study included 165 trainees and 56 attending physicians (median age 31 years; range 25–69 years). All 6 constructs showed acceptable psychometric properties. Surprisingly, we found significant negative correlation between age and satisficing (r = −0.239; P = 0.017). Maximizing (willingness to engage in alternative search strategy) also decreased with age (r = −0.220; P = 0.047). Number of incorrect inferences negatively correlated with satisficing (r = −0.246; P = 0.014). Disposition to suppress intuitive responses was associated with correct responses on 3 of 4 inferential tasks. Trainees showed a tendency to engage in analytical thinking (r = 0.265; P = 0.025), while attendings displayed inclination toward intuitive-experiential thinking (r = 0.427; P = 0.046). However, trainees performed worse on conditional inference task. Conclusion. Physicians capable of suppressing an immediate intuitive response to questions and those scoring higher on rational thinking made fewer inferential mistakes. We found a negative correlation between age and maximizing: Physicians who were more advanced in their careers were less willing to spend time and effort in an exhaustive search for solutions. However, they appeared to have maintained their “mindware” for effective problem solving.
Inhibition of the Striatal Specific Phosphodiesterase PDE10A Ameliorates Striatal and Cortical Pathology in R6/2 Mouse Model of Huntington's Disease

Background Huntington's disease is a devastating neurodegenerative condition for which there is no therapy to slow disease progression. The particular vulnerability of striatal medium spiny neurons to Huntington's pathology is hypothesized to result from transcriptional dysregulation within the cAMP and CREB signaling cascades in these neurons. To test this hypothesis, and a potential therapeutic approach, we investigated whether inhibition of the striatal-specific cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE10A would alleviate neurological deficits and brain pathology in a highly utilized model system, the R6/2 mouse. Methodology/Principal Findings R6/2 mice were treated with the highly selective PDE10A inhibitor TP-10 from 4 weeks of age until euthanasia. TP-10 treatment significantly reduced and delayed the development of the hind paw clasping response during tail suspension, deficits in rotarod performance, and decrease in locomotor activity in an open field. Treatment prolonged time to loss of righting reflex. These effects of PDE10A inhibition on neurological function were reflected in a significant amelioration in brain pathology, including reduction in striatal and cortical cell loss, the formation of striatal neuronal intranuclear inclusions, and the degree of microglial activation that occurs in response to the mutant huntingtin-induced brain damage. Striatal and cortical levels of phosphorylated CREB and BDNF were significantly elevated. Conclusions/Significance Our findings provide experimental support for targeting the cAMP and CREB signaling pathways and more broadly transcriptional dysregulation as a therapeutic approach to Huntington's disease. It is noteworthy that PDE10A inhibition in the R6/2 mice reduces striatal pathology, consistent with the localization of the enzyme in medium spiny neurons, and also cortical pathology and the formation of neuronal nuclear inclusions. These latter findings suggest that striatal pathology may be a primary driver of these secondary pathological events. More significantly, our studies point directly to an accessible new therapeutic approach to slow Huntington's disease progression, namely, PDE10A inhibition. There is considerable activity throughout the pharmaceutical industry to develop PDE10A inhibitors for the treatment of basal ganglia disorders. The present results strongly support the investigation of PDE10A inhibitors as a much needed new treatment approach to Huntington's disease.
A novel 3D human glioblastoma cell culture system for modeling drug and radiation responses

Abstract Background. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor, with dismal prognosis. The failure of drug–radiation combinations with promising preclinical data to translate into effective clinical treatments may relate to the use of simplified 2-dimensional in vitro GBM cultures. Methods. We developed a customized 3D GBM culture system based on a polystyrene scaffold (Alvetex) that recapitulates key histological features of GBM and compared it with conventional 2D cultures with respect to their response to radiation and to molecular targeted agents for which clinical data are available. Results. In 3 patient-derived GBM lines, no difference in radiation sensitivity was observed between 2D and 3D cultures, as measured by clonogenic survival. Three different molecular targeted agents, for which robust clinical data are available were evaluated in 2D and 3D conditions: (i) temozolomide, which improves overall survival and is standard of care for GBM, exhibited statistically significant effects on clonogenic survival in both patient-derived cell lines when evaluated in the 3D model compared with only one cell line in 2D cells; (ii) bevacizumab, which has been shown to increase progression-free survival when added to standard chemoradiation in phase III clinical trials, exhibited marked radiosensitizing activity in our 3D model but had no effect on 2D cells; and (iii) erlotinib, which had no efficacy in clinical trials, displayed no activity in our 3D GBM model, but radiosensitized 2D cells. Conclusions. Our 3D model reliably predicted clinical efficacy, strongly supporting its clinical relevance and potential value in preclinical evaluation of drug–radiation combinations for GBM.
Preferential Usage of Specific Immunoglobulin Heavy Chain Variable Region Genes With Unmutated Profile and Advanced Stage at Presentation Are Common Features in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia From Senegal

Objectives Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia in Western populations, being rarer in Asian and African people. It has been suggested that patients with CLL from Africa might have a more aggressive disease compared with white patients. In this study, we aimed to identify genetic factors that may account for this difference. Methods We analyzed immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) genes' mutational status by performing next-generation sequencing in 25 Senegalese and 50 Italian patients with CLL. Results We found that Senegalese patients more frequently had adverse prognostic factors and an unmutated profile. Furthermore, we documented that IGHV1 (IGHV1-69), IGHD3, and IGHJ6 were significantly more frequent in Senegalese patients, whereas IGHV3-30 was common and limited to the Italian cohort. Stereotyped receptors commonly detected in the white population were not recorded in our Senegalese series. Conclusions The different IGH repertoire we observed in the Senegalese cohort may reflect the diverse genetic and microenvironmental (ie, polymicrobial stimulation) background.
INTRA-OSSEOUS ANCHORAGE OF DENTAL PROSTHESES

A review is given of the literature on methods available for improving retention of dental prostheses by implantation of anchoring devices in the jaws. Different aspects of the problem concerning material characteristics, surgical procedures, loading and technicality of prostheses are considered. Various parameters for evaluation of clinical results are reviewed including a variety of anam- nestic interpretations and complications. On the basis of this review a summarizing discussion of dental implants is presented.
INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECTS OF ANTIBACTERIAL FINISHES ON DYED COTTON KNITTED FABRICS ANTİBAKTERİYEL BİTİM İŞLEMLERİNİN BOYALI PAMUKLU ÖRME KUMAŞLARA ETKİSİNİN ARAŞTIRILMASI

The main objective of the research was to obtain antibacterial and antifungal effects in case of dyed cotton knitted fabrics. In addition to antibacterial properties, other effects of the antibacterial treatment on the dyed fabrics were investigated: the amount of metal bonded on fibre, the chromatic parameters, and the dye fastness. During the finishing process, the samples were subjected to several treatments, as: preparation for dyeing, pre-treatment with chitosan, dyeing with Direct Green 26 dye. In order to provide dyed materials with antibacterial properties, the samples have been treated, in different conditions, with different concentrations of silver nitrate (AgNO3) and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) solutions. After the finishing process, the samples were tested against several microbial organisms: bacteria (gram positive and gram negative) and fungi. Due to their antimicrobial activity, both chitosan and metal salts have been taken into consideration in the research. Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) technique was used to study the fiber changes as a result of treatment with chitosan, dyeing stuff and metallic salts.
Self-perceived risk of STIs in a population-based study of Scandinavian women

Objective This study examined the associations between current behaviours/characteristics and self-perceived risk for STIs, among randomly selected women aged 18–45 years from Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Method A population-based, cross-sectional, questionnaire study (paper based, web based and telephone based) was conducted during 2011–2012. We compared medium–high STI risk perception with no/low risk perception. The associations were explored for women who had ever had sexual intercourse and for women with a new partner in the last 6 months using multivariable logistic regression. Result The overall prevalence of medium–high STI risk perception was 7.4%. It was highest among women aged 18–24 years (16.2%) and among the Danish women (8.8%). Number of new sexual partners in the last 6 months (≥3vs 0 partners, OR 14.94, 95% CI 13.20 to 16.94) was strongly associated with medium–high STI risk perception. Among women with a new partner in the last 6 months, lack of condom use increased medium–high STI risk perception (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.52 to 1.96). Genital warts in the last year, binge drinking and being single were associated with increased risk perception and remained statistically significant after additional adjustments were made for number of new partners and condom use with new partners in the last 6 months. Conclusion Subjective perception of risk for STI was associated with women’s current risk-taking behaviours, indicating women generally are able to assess their risks for STIs. However, a considerable proportion of women with multiple new partners in the last 6 months and no condom use still considered themselves at no/low risk for STI.