Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors of Poor Functional Results at 1-Year After Pseudocontinent Perineal Colostomy for Ultralow Rectal Adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND: Pseudocontinent perineal colostomy is one of the techniques that helps recover the body image of patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection. This technique is rarely used internationally given its unknown functional results. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate 1-year functional outcomes of perineal pseudocontinent colostomy and to determine the risk factors for “poor” functional results. DESIGN: This study is a retrospective interventional case series. SETTINGS: This study was conducted at a tertiary care university hospital and oncological center in Morocco. PATIENTS: From January 1993 to December 2007, 149 patients underwent pseudocontinent perineal colostomy after abdominoperineal resection for low rectal adenocarcinoma. INTERVENTION: Pseudocontinent perineal colostomy was performed with the use of the Schmidt technique after abdominoperineal resection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: One-year functional results were assessed according to the Kirwan classification system. Functional results were considered “poor” when the Kirwan score was C, D, or E. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to evaluate the impact of age, sex, type of surgery, irrigation frequency, palpable muscular ring, concomitant chemoradiotherapy, stage, and perineal complications on functional results. RESULTS: One hundred forty-six patients were analyzed. According to the Kirwan system, the scores showed that 100 (68.5%) patients had “good” continence results (stage A-B) and 46 (31.5%) patients had altered functional results (stage C-D-E). With the exception of pelvic recurrences, no conversions from a perineal colostomy to an abdominal colostomy were performed for dissatisfactory functional results. In multivariate analysis, the only independent predictive factors of poor functional results were the occurrence of perineal complications (OR, 3.923; 95% CI, 1.461–10.35; p = 0.007) and extended resection (OR, 3.03; 95% CI, 1.183–7.750; p = 0.021) LIMITATION OF THE STUDY: This study is an observational retrospective study on selected patients (mainly a young population). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that perineal complications and extended resection are associated with poor functional results after pseudocontinent perineal colostomy. These data can help clinicians to better inform patients about the outcomes of this technique and to assist them in choosing the right reconstruction technique after abdominoperineal resection.
Performance modelling and analysis of the delay aware routing metric in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc networks

Cognitive Radio Networks have been proposed to solve the problem of overcrowded unlicensed spectrum by using the cognitive ability built in software radios to utilise the underutilised licensed channel when the licensed users are not using it. Successful results from the research community have led to its application to wireless technologies like Ad Hoc networks due to their extensive advantages. Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc networks are a novel technology that will provide a solution to many communication challenges. This paper investigates the end-to-end performance modelling of a link using quality of service parameters; delay vs. link capacity while considering the factors of spectrum management and node mobility of two nodes in tandem representing a hop in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc networks. We modelled spectrum management and node mobility using the pre-emptive resume priority M/G/1 queuing model and the gated node model respectively. We considered delay aware routing schemes; shortest queue and random probability routing and compared them with the analytical link-capacity for analysis. The study shows that already existing mathematical models can be used as close approximations to analyse the queuing models proposed for Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks.
Sensitivity of Zinc Kinetics and Nutritional Assessment of Children Submitted to Venous Zinc Tolerance Test

Objective: The purposes of this study were to investigate the kinetics of zinc in schoolchildren between the ages of 6 and 9 years, of both sexes, and to verify its sensitivity in detecting alterations in body zinc status. Methods: Nutritional assessment was performed by body mass index. Food intake, venous zinc tolerance test, and zinc kinetics were carried out before and after 3-month oral zinc supplementation. Results: Of the 42 children studied, 76.2% had healthy weight. Only energy, calcium, and fiber intake were suboptimal before and after oral zinc supplementation. Serum zinc and total-body zinc clearance, although at normal levels, increased significantly after zinc supplementation. Conclusion: We concluded, therefore, that kinetics is a sensitive tool for detecting changes in body zinc status, even in children without a deficiency of this mineral. Furthermore, kinetics showed a positive response to supplementation and may be a sensitive parameter for evaluating the efficacy of this therapy.
Accelerate randomized coordinate descent iterative hard thresholding methods for ℓ0 regularized convex problems

In this paper, we develop an accelerated random block coordinate descent iterative hard thresholding method (ARCD-IHT) for the minimization of ℓ0 regularized optimization problems, i.e. the objective function is the sum of a smooth convex function and the ℓ0 regularization. We first analyze random block coordinate descent iterative hard thresholding methods (RCD-IHT) which cover random proximal coordinate descent methods and random block-coordinate gradient descent methods. The random block coordinate descent iterative hard thresholding methods transform the minimization of ℓ0 regularized optimization problem to a smooth convex minimization problem. Then we apply the accelerated technique proposed in [2] to accelerate the RCD-IHT (ARCD-IHT). Numerical examples demonstrate that our algorithm performs favorably compared to the algorithm in [1].
Preclinical study and phase I clinical safety evaluation of recombinant Mycobacterium tuberculosis ESAT6 protein

Background To investigate the ability of rESAT6 to identify different mycobacteria-sensitized guinea pigs and its safety in preclinical and phase I clinical study. Material/Methods Guinea pigs were sensitized with different Mycobacteria. After sensitization, all animals were intradermally injected with rESAT6 and either PPD or PPD-B. At 24 h after the injection, the erythema of the injection sites were measured using a double-blind method. For the preclinical safety study, different doses of rESAT6 and BSA were given 3 times intramuscularly to guinea pigs. On day 14 after the final immunization, the guinea pigs were intravenously injected with the same reagents in the hind legs and the allergic reactions were observed. A single-center, randomized, open phase I clinical trial was employed. The skin test was conducted in 32 healthy volunteers aged 19–65 years with 0.1 μg, 0.5 μg, and 1 μg rESAT6. Physical examination and laboratory tests were performed before and after the skin test and adverse reactions were monitored. The volunteers’ local and systemic adverse reactions and adverse events were recorded for 7 days. Results Positive PPD or PPD-B skin tests were observed in all Mycobacteria-sensitized guinea pigs; the diameters of erythema were all >10 mm. The rESAT6 protein induced a positive skin test result in the guinea pigs sensitized with MTB, M. bovis, M. africanum and M. kansasii; the diameters of erythema were 14.7±2.0, 9.3±3.8, 18.7±2.4, and 14.8±4.2 mm, respectively. A negative skin test result was detected in BCG-vaccinated and other NTM-sensitized guinea pigs. The rESAT6 caused no allergic symptoms, but many allergic reactions, such as cough, dyspnea, and even death, were observed in the guinea pigs who were administered BSA. During the phase I clinical trial, no adverse reactions were found in the 0.1 μg rESAT6 group, but in the 0.5 μg rESAT6 group 2 volunteers reported pain and 1 reported itching, and in the 1 μg rESAT6 group there was 1 case of pain, 1 case of itching, and 1 case of blister. No other local or systemic adverse reactions or events were reported. Conclusions The rESAT6 can differentiate effectively among MTB infection, BCG vaccination, and NTM infection and is safe in healthy volunteers.
Asthma and allergy patterns over 18 years after severe RSV bronchiolitis in the first year of life

Background An increased prevalence of asthma/recurrent wheeze (RW), clinical allergy and allergic sensitisation up to age 13 years has previously been reported in subjects hospitalised with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis in their first year of life compared with matched controls. A study was undertaken to examine whether these features persist into early adulthood, to report longitudinal wheeze and allergy patterns, and to see how large and small airway function relates to RSV infection and asthma. Methods Follow-up at age 18 years was performed in 46 of 47 subjects with RSV and 92 of 93 controls. Assessments included questionnaire, clinical examination, skin prick tests, serum IgE antibodies to inhaled allergens, blood eosinophils, fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), spirometry, multiple breath washout (lung clearance index, LCI) and dry air hyperventilation challenge. Results Increased prevalence of asthma/RW (39% vs 9%), clinical allergy (43% vs 17%) and sensitisation to perennial allergens (41% vs 14%) were present at age 18 in the RSV cohort compared with controls. Persistent/relapsing wheeze associated with early allergic sensitisation predominated in the RSV cohort compared with controls (30% vs 1%). Spirometric function was reduced in subjects with RSV with or without current asthma, but not in asthmatic controls. LCI was linked only to current asthma, airway hyperresponsiveness and FeNO. Conclusions Severe early RSV bronchiolitis is associated with an increased prevalence of allergic asthma persisting into early adulthood. Small airway dysfunction (LCI) is related to current asthma and airway inflammation but not to RSV bronchiolitis. Reduced spirometry after RSV may reflect airway remodelling.
Ghrelin and Functional Dyspepsia

The majority of patients with dyspepsia have no identifiable cause of their disease, leading to a diagnosis of functional dyspepsia (FD). While a number of different factors affect gut activity, components of the nervous and endocrine systems are essential for normal gut function. Communication between the brain and gut occurs via direct neural connections or endocrine signaling events. Ghrelin, a peptide produced by the stomach, affects gastric motility/emptying and secretion, suggesting it may play a pathophysiological role in FD. It is also possible that the functional abnormalities in FD may affect ghrelin production in the stomach. Plasma ghrelin levels are reported to be altered in FD, correlating with FD symptom score. Furthermore, some patients with FD suffer from anorexia with body-weight loss. As ghrelin increases gastric emptying and promotes feeding, ghrelin therapy may be a new approach to the treatment of FD.
HDL re-examined

Purpose of review To summarize the current evidence concerning the role of HDL-C and HDL-associated parameters in the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recent findings Numerous population studies have shown that plasma levels of HDL-C are inversely associated with CVD risk; in patient care HDL-C levels are therefore widely implemented in risk estimation models. A number of antiatherogenic properties have been ascribed to the HDL particle, but the hypothesis that HDL is causally related to CVD has been seriously challenged by recent data obtained from both human genetic studies and clinical trials. The final word on HDL-C as a therapeutic target is pending, as a number of clinical endpoint trials specifically focusing on the effect(s) of HDL-C increasing agents are underway. Moreover, recent data show that HDL efflux capacity could hold independent predictive value for CVD events, which clearly highlights the potential need to focus on HDL functionality, rather than on HDL-C levels. Summary The dogmatic concept that HDL-C levels predict future CVD events is undisputed, but the role of HDL-C as a causal factor in atherosclerosis has been challenged by a number of different types of studies. In recent years, a paradigm shift toward ‘HDL functionality’ is apparent. Whether or not optimizing these markers of HDL functionality actually does reduce CVD risk requires formal testing in prospective controlled studies.
CpG-DNA derived from sera in systemic lupus erythematosus enhances ICAM-1 expression on endothelial cells

OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of transfection of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) containing a CpG motif (CpG-ODN), of which the sequence was derived from circulating DNA in the sera of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and synthesis of mRNA for proinflammatory cytokines and ICAM-1 in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (EC). METHODS A CpG-ODN or a control analogue, GpC-ODN, was transfected into EC. ICAM-1 expression was examined by flow cytometry, and expression of mRNA in EC encoding interleukin 1 (IL1), IL6, IL8, tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα), interferon γ (IFNγ), and ICAM-1 was examined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS The CpG-ODN augmented the expression of ICAM-1 on EC determined by flow cytometry and increased mRNA levels of IL6, IL8, TNFα, IFNγ, and ICAM-1, but the GpC-ODN did not. CONCLUSION Synthesised DNA, with a sequence corresponding to that of the fragment containing the CpG motif, in sera of patients with SLE was found to enhance ICAM-1 expression on EC, suggesting the participation of circulating DNA fragments in the pathogenesis of vasculitis in SLE.
Responses during eye movements of brain stem neurons that receive monosynaptic inhibition from the flocculus and ventral paraflocculus in monkeys.

1. We have identified a group of brain stem cells called "flocculus target neurons" (or FTNs) because they are inhibited at monosynaptic latencies by stimulation of the flocculus and the ventral paraflocculus with single electrical pulses. We report the responses of FTNs, as well as those of other brain stem cells, during horizontal eye movements with the head stationary and during natural vestibular stimulation in monkeys. 2. FTNs discharged primarily in relation to eye movements. The majority (71%) showed increased firing for eye movement away from the side of the recording ("contraversive"), which is consistent with their inhibition by Purkinje cells that show increased firing for eye movement toward the side of recording. However, a significant and surprisingly large percentage (29%) of FTNs showed increased firing for eye movement toward the side of recording ("ipsiversive"). 3. The firing rate of FTNs showed strong modulation during pursuit of sinusoidal target motion with the head stationary and during the compensatory eye movements evoked by fixation of an earth-stationary target with sinusoidal head rotation. In addition, firing rate was related to eye position during steady fixation at different positions. Of the FTNs that showed increased firing for contraversive eye motion during pursuit with the head stationary, most had an infection in the relationship between firing rate and eye position so that the sensitivity to eye position was low for eye positions ipsilateral to straight-ahead gaze and high for eye positions contralateral to straight-ahead gaze. 4. When the monkey canceled the vestibuloocular reflex (VOR) by tracking a target that moved exactly with him during sinusoidal head rotation, the firing rate of FTNs was modulated much less strongly than during pursuit with the head stationary. In the FTNs that showed increased firing for contraversive eye motion during pursuit, firing rate during cancellation of the VOR increased for contraversive head motion during sinusoidal vestibular rotation at 0.4 Hz but was only weakly modulated during rotation at 0.2 Hz. 5. The position-vestibular-pause cells (PVP-cells), previously identified as interneurons in the disynaptic VOR pathways, were not inhibited by stimulation of the flocculus and ventral paraflocculus and had response properties that were different from FTNs. The majority (69%) showed increased firing for contraversive eye motion during pursuit and for ipsiversive head motion during cancellation of the VOR, whereas some (31%) showed the opposite direction preferences under both conditions. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Unilateral progressive brain lesions confirmed as multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) often demonstrates highly variable clinical course and some heterogeneity in histopathology [1]. The diagnosis of MS is based on a classic history and symptoms and/or typical findings on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Newer MRI techniques, such as MR spectroscopy (MRS) promise to yield important information regarding MS recognition, prognosis, and treatment effects [2]. We report a case of MS confirmed by brain biopsy, that did not fulfill McDonald’s criteria [3]. Our patient at the age of 19 had her first episode of seizures (initially adverse, later on grand-mal epilepsy). Physical examination was normal, whilst neurologic examination demonstrated four-limb hyperreflexia, bilaterally presented Babinski’s sign and clonus. MRI revealed the presence of few T2 hyperintensities in the periventricular region, two lesions within the corpus callosum, as well as few cortical–subcortical lesions limited to the right hemisphere (Fig. 1a). Vasogenic brain lesion and symptomatic epilepsy was diagnosed. MRI scans, performed 6 months and 3 years later, revealed minimal or even no changes when compared with the previous one. At the age of 24, emotional disturbances were present (panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder) and the patient was hospitalized in Psychiatric Department. One year later, the occurrence of seizures had increased and she started complaining of left limb weakness. At this time she was admitted to our Department. Neurologically, a slight upper left limb paresis with pyram-
Prediction of Combinatorial Protein-Protein Interaction from Expression Data Based on Conditional Probability

After the entire human DNA sequence was made public, many post-genome researchers began to investigate the systems of living creatures. Creatures consist of vast collections of proteins and their bodies are maintained by complex interactions among genes, proteins, and organic molecules. One major area of interest is how the characteristics of each creature are manifest and what kind of proteins, genes, and their interactions are related to them.
A Pixel-level Statistical Structural Descriptor for Shape Measure and Recognition

A novel shape descriptor based on the histogram matrix of pixel-level structural features is presented. First, length ratios and angles between the centroid and contour points of a shape are calculated as two structural attributes. Then, the attributes are combined to construct a new histogram matrix in the feature space statistically. The proposed shape descriptor can measure circularity, smoothness, and symmetry of shapes, and be used to recognize shapes. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method.
Modeling pre-earthquake cloud shape from remote-sensing images

Earthquake prediction is very difficult. Surface anomaly before earthquake is a prelude of the underground energy eruption, and it can present its critical state indirectly.Pre-earthquake cloud is one of the most intuitive representations or characterization before the seismic energy completely release. The main contents of this paper include: (1) Based on previous research, this paper focused on comprehensively analyzing and summarizing the shape and the time-series characteristics which can be used to identify pre-earthquake cloud from space-borne cloud image. (2) Based on the comparison of several classic edge detection operators with mathematical morphology at edge detecting, this paper selected a more suitable method (morphological image processing methods) of pre-earthquake cloud contour extraction. Besides, this paper made some explorations about building preliminary computer-aided pre-earthquake cloud identification models. (3) Finally, this paper selected a series of ideal images and carried out some corresponding experiments. To a certain extent, this study may provide some bases for validation about theories and methods of earthquake prediction with pre-earthquake cloud. And this will be significant and valuable for the promotion of the application development of earthquake prediction with remote sensing technology.
Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Gene Delivery System to Create Cardiac Pacemakers

Abstract— We tested the ability of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to deliver a biological pacemaker to the heart. hMSCs transfected with a cardiac pacemaker gene, mHCN2, by electroporation expressed high levels of Cs+-sensitive current (31.1±3.8 pA/pF at −150 mV) activating in the diastolic potential range with reversal potential of −37.5±1.0 mV, confirming the expressed current as If-like. The expressed current responded to isoproterenol with an 11-mV positive shift in activation. Acetylcholine had no direct effect, but in the presence of isoproterenol, shifted activation 15 mV negative. Transfected hMSCs influenced beating rate in vitro when plated onto a localized region of a coverslip and overlaid with neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. The coculture beating rate was 93±16 bpm when hMSCs were transfected with control plasmid (expressing only EGFP) and 161±4 bpm when hMSCs were expressing both EGFP+mHCN2 (P <0.05). We next injected 10 6 hMSCs transfected with either control plasmid or mHCN2 gene construct subepicardially in the canine left ventricular wall in situ. During sinus arrest, all control (EGFP) hearts had spontaneous rhythms (45±1 bpm, 2 of right-sided origin and 2 of left). In the EGFP+mHCN2 group, 5 of 6 animals developed spontaneous rhythms of left-sided origin (rate=61±5 bpm; P <0.05). Moreover, immunostaining of the injected regions demonstrated the presence of hMSCs forming gap junctions with adjacent myocytes. These findings demonstrate that genetically modified hMSCs can express functional HCN2 channels in vitro and in vivo, mimicking overexpression of HCN2 genes in cardiac myocytes, and represent a novel delivery system for pacemaker genes into the heart or other electrical syncytia.