Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Computed tomography in diagnosing vascular invasion in pancreatic and periampullary cancers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Preoperative diagnosis of local vascular invasion is very important to the selection of therapeutic protocols and prediction of the prognosis of pancreatic and periampullary cancers. This meta-analysis was designed to evaluate the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) in diagnosing vascular invasion in patients with pancreatic and periampullary cancers. DATA SOURCES English-language articles reporting diagnostic accuracy of CT for vascular invasion in pancreatic and periampullary cancers were searched from the MEDLINE and PubMed databases. A meta-analysis was conducted to estimate pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and diagnostic odds ratios. RESULTS Data were extracted from 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of CT in diagnosing vascular invasion were 77% and 81%. Since CT technology improved in different periods, in the recent five years (2004-2008) CT has shown a higher diagnostic accuracy, and the pooled sensitivity and specificity increased to 85% and 82%, respectively. Subgroup analysis of CT studies was made to determine the involvement of different vessels, and the pooled sensitivities for the invasion of the venous system, portal vein, and arterial system were 75%, 75%, and 68%, and the pooled specificities were 84%, 91%, and 92%, respectively. For CT imaging with vascular reconstruction, the pooled sensitivity and specificity were 84% and 85%, higher than the estimates in studies without reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS Developed CT technology with vascular reconstruction is used as an imaging modality for diagnosing vascular invasion at present. Further combined application of various imaging modalities may improve the accuracy of diagnosis, especially for smaller vessel involvement, such as the superior mesenteric vein or artery, which are difficult to demarcate.
Understanding Random Threshold Voltage Fluctuation by Comparing Multiple Fabs and Technologies

Random threshold voltage (VM) fluctuation data obtained from multiple fabs, generations and technologies, as well as theoretical / TCAD results are carefully compared using a special normalization method. It is revealed that P-FET fluctuation can be almost fully accounted for by dopant fluctuation regardless of device generations and designs, whereas extra fluctuation mechanism(s) significantly contributes to N-FETs.
Breaking bad: Manipulation of the host response by Porphyromonas gingivalis

Recent metagenomic and mechanistic studies are consistent with a new model of periodontal pathogenesis. This model proposes that periodontal disease is initiated by a synergistic and dysbiotic microbial community rather than by a select few bacteria traditionally known as “periopathogens. ” Low‐abundance bacteria with community‐wide effects that are critical for the development of dysbiosis are now known as keystone pathogens, the best‐documented example of which is Porphyromonas gingivalis. Here, we review established mechanisms by which P. gingivalis interferes with host immunity and enables the emergence of dysbiotic communities. We integrate the role of P. gingivalis with that of other bacteria acting upstream and downstream in pathogenesis. Accessory pathogens act upstream to facilitate P. gingivalis colonization and co‐ordinate metabolic activities, whereas commensals‐turned pathobionts act downstream and contribute to destructive inflammation. The recent concepts of keystone pathogens, along with polymicrobial synergy and dysbiosis, have profound implications for the development of therapeutic options for periodontal disease.
The Crush-Cleavage Fracture: A “New” Thoracolumbar Unstable Fracture

Among 14 patients with unstable thoracolumbar fractures examined by both conventional radiography and CT, we found seven patients with a “new” common fracture pattern. This fracture pattern consisted of (1) superior disc injury, (2) crush fracture of the upper half of the vertebral body, (3) sagittal fracture (cleavage fracture) of the lower half of the vertebral body, (4) bone fragments in the spinal canal, and (5) laminar fracture. Five of the seven patients had sustained their injuries in vertical falls; all five had primary neurological deficit symptoms. We consider this fracture to be unstable.
Stress Distribution in the Single‐Unit Osseointegrated Dental Implant: Finite Element Analyses of Axial and Off‐Axial Loading

&NA; Occlusal overload may contribute to the extensive crestal bone loss often noted around late‐failure dental implants. A particularly high risk of traumatic overload occurs with the posterior single‐unit implant restoration because the restoration itself is usually wider than the implant, creating the potential for a cantilever effect with high bending moments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the simulated effects of axial and off‐axial vertical loads on stress gradients at the implant/bone interface of a single‐unit osseointegrated root‐form endosseous dental implant. A two‐dimensional finite element model was generated. A 490‐N load was applied at 0, 2, 4, and 6 mm from the vertical axis of the implant. Off‐axis loading resulted in greatly increased compressive stresses within the crestal cortical bone on the side to which the load was applied and similarly increased tensile stresses on the side opposite the load. These stresses increased considerably with each mm increase off axis of the applied load. These data suggest that offaxis loading of single‐unit implant restorations provides a significant contribution to increased stresses at the implant/cortical bone interface. The distance off axis at which the load is applied is also significant. (Implant Dent 2000;9:207‐218)
Modeling the Electrophoresis of Short Duplex DNA: Counterions K+ and Tris+

The electrophoretic mobility of short 18 and 20 bp duplex DNAs is modeled by an iterative boundary element procedure that numerically solves the coupled Poisson, low Reynolds Number Navier−Stokes, and ion transport equations. Both capped cylinder (CC) and “detailed” models derived from the secondary structure of the fragments are examined. Translation−rotation coupling is examined with regard to the transport of the detailed models, and it is concluded that this coupling has very little effect on either diffusion or electrophoresis. When the buffer consists primarily of KCl, the calculated mobility is about 4−6% larger than the experimental mobility for either the CC or “detailed” models, but when the buffer is Tris acetate, the descrepancy is significantly larger. This indicates that there is an association between Tris+ and DNA beyond the classical electrostatic interactions accounted for in modeling. For 18 bp DNA in 0.04 M Tris acetate, a model in which the phosphate charges of DNA are reduced from −1.
Pupillographic campimetry: an objective method to measure the visual field

Abstract Pupillographic campimetry allows measuring the visual field objectively by analyzing the pupil response to perimetric stimuli. One of the drawbacks of this technique, similar to static perimetry, is the need of reliable fixation of the subject. By using stimulus sizes comparable to static perimetry and applying gaze tracking, we enable a retinotopic visual field examination regardless of fixation problems and with an increased stability and improved spatial resolution. Here, we present the results of applying the method in eight normal sighted subjects as well as in three patients suffering from diseases usually diagnosed by perimetry. The results in normal sighted subjects show a reduction in the amplitude of the pupil response with increasing eccentricity as expected. We also demonstrate that gaze-controlled campimetry is able to detect organic visual field defects objectively in a patient group and classify the visual field defects without an organic background. Moreover, we show that our method is able to evaluate the visual field sensitivity loss beyond classical perimetry in patients with late-stage retinitis pigmentosa. Thus, gaze-controlled pupil campimetry can be used in addition to classical perimetry, allowing for an objective monitoring of disease progression, rendering it as a biomarker for novel treatments.
EFICACIA ANTIMICROBIANA DE LA PLATA COLOIDAL EN COMPARACIÓN CON EL GLUCONATO DE CLORHEXIDINA PARA EL CONTROL DE BIOPELÍCULA DE UNIDADES DENTALES; 2013

Las bacterias existen en la naturaleza bajo dos formas o estados: bacteriasplanctonicas (de libre flotacion) y bacterias biofilm o de biopelicula (en colonias demicroorganismos sesiles). Desde los tiempos de Koch, bacteriologos y clinicos sehan abocado al estudio de los germenes planctonicos, libremente suspendidos, ydescritos en base a sus caracteristicas de desarrollo en medios de cultivoadecuados, esto se ha debido entre otras razones, al hecho de que lainvestigacion de las biopeliculas bacterianas es singularmente mas dificil queaquella respecto a las bacterias planctonicas. Desafortunadamente, este enfoquecentrado en el desarrollo de estas ultimas en cultivos de laboratorio, una condicionque tiene escasa relacion con los ambientes microbianos verdaderos, ha limitadola comprension respecto a las interacciones entre bacterias y huespedes
Phase I/II study to assess safety, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of the oral MEK 1/2 inhibitor GSK1120212 (GSK212) dosed in combination with the oral BRAF inhibitor GSK2118436 (GSK436).

CRA8503 Background: In preclinical models, the BRAF/MEK inhibitor (i) combination GSK436/GSK212 has demonstrated enhanced activity against BRAF-mutant cancer cells compared to either drug alone, delayed emergence of GSK436 resistance, and prevented proliferative skin lesions attributable to BRAFi exposure. METHODS Eligible patients (pts) had BRAF V600 mutation positive solid tumors. Part 1: pharmacokinetic (PK) drug-drug interaction (DDI) study. Part 2: Dose escalation of continuous daily dosing of the combination followed by expansion cohorts; Part 3: Randomized phase II trial in untreated stage IV melanoma. RESULTS 45 pts have received ≥ 1 dose of GSK212 + GSK436, including 43 melanoma (all BRAFi naïve), 1 NSCLC and 1 salivary duct carcinoma. PK results of 7 pts in Part 1 showed no effect of GSK212 on single dose of GSK436. There was no clinically meaningful DDI between GSK436 and GSK212 after repeat dosing of the combination (Part 2). GSK436 was dosed 75-150 mg BID in combination with GSK212 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 mg QD. The recommended dose was 2 mg QD GSK212 in combination with 150 mg BID GSK436. At 1.5 mg GSK212, there was one DLT, a recurrent grade (G) 2 neutrophilic panniculitis. The only G4 adverse event (AE) was a sepsis-like syndrome with fever/hypotension. G3 AEs included generalized rash (n=2, 4%) and neutropenia (n=2, 4%). Skin toxicity ≥ G2 occurred in 9 (20%) pts; of these, G2 rash (n=4, 8%) and G2 macular rash (n=1, 2%). No cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or hyperproliferative skin lesions have occurred at any dose level. Other common G2 toxicities were pyrexia (n=5, 11%), vomiting (n=2, 4%) and fatigue (n=2, 4%). Of 16 evaluable pts in Part 2, 13 pts had PR and 3 SD for an ORR of 81% (95% CI 54.4%-96.0%) and all but 2 pts remain on study. In 10 evaluable pts who received 150 mg BID GSK436 + ≥1 mg QD GSK212, 9 pts had PR and 1 SD. CONCLUSIONS GSK212 at 2 mg QD combines safely with GSK436 150 mg BID, no SCC thus far and decreased frequency of rash compared to previous trials of single agent GSK436 and GSK212, respectively. The preliminary anti-tumor activity warrants further investigation; the randomized phase II trial (Part 3) is accruing.
THE ISSUE OF DEPENDENCIES WHEN ASSESSING THE CRITICALITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE ELEMENTS

The paper describes frequently used terms in the field of dependencies between infrastructures and continues mentioning the issue of their potential assessment. It shows the decomposition of the linkages and outlines the approach to the evaluation of primary factors (dependencies) using time and economically dependent criteria. The identification of primary dependency serves to describe secondary impacts within the assessment of the infrastructure elements criticality.
An interleaved file system for a highly distributed MIMD architecture

A file system design with a large number of disks, each with its own local processing power, is proposed. This organization allows concurrent access to many records of a file, thus providing a speedup proportional to the number of disks. The focus is on the structure of a single file. Care is taken to preserve the file's integrity, as several processes are contending for it from different processing elements (PEs). A file structure, based on the B/sup link/-tree, a modification of the well-known B/sup +/ tree, is introduced. This structure is distributed among the disk-nodes, the PEs that are equipped with disks. Performance figures are derived by analytic and simulation methods. <<ETX>>
Neurotransmitter release from semi-intact synaptosomes.

We have developed a secretion assay composed of semi-intact synaptosomes from which transmitter release is optimally evoked by micromolar Ca2+ in the presence of cytosol. Transmitter release from this preparation reconstitutes known characteristics of regulated exocytosis and is accompanied by a marked decrease in synaptic vesicles. The assay is useful in characterizing the components known to be involved in transmitter release, and should also facilitate the identification of additional factors that are important for this process.
Oncogenic Ras in tumour progression and metastasis

Abstract The ras genes give rise to a family of related GTP-binding proteins that exhibit potent transforming potential. Mutational activation of Ras proteins promotes oncogenesis by disturbing a multitude of cellular processes, such as gene expression, cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, as well as cell survival, and cell migration. Ras signalling pathways are well known for their involvement in tumour initiation, but less is known about their contribution to invasion and metastasis. This review summarises the role and mechanisms of Ras signalling, especially the role of the Ras effector cascade Raf/MEK/ERK, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway in Ras-mediated transformation and tumour progression. In addition, it discusses the impact of Rho GTPases on Ras-mediated transformation and metastasis.
Machine Learning Techniques for Multimedia: Case Studies on Organization and Retrieval

to Learning Principles for Multimedia Data. - to Bayesian Methods and Decision Theory. - Supervised Learning. - Unsupervised Learning and Clustering. - Dimension Reduction. - Multimedia Applications. - Online Content-Based Image Retrieval Using Active Learning. - Conservative Learning for Object Detectors. - Machine Learning Techniques for Face Analysis. - Mental Search in Image Databases: Implicit Versus Explicit Content Query. - Combining Textual and Visual Information for Semantic Labeling of Images and Videos. - Machine Learning for Semi-structured Multimedia Documents: Application to Pornographic Filtering and Thematic Categorization. - Classification and Clustering of Music for Novel Music Access Applications.
Hydrodynamic characteristics of immobilized cell beads in a liquid–solid fluidized‐bed bioreactor

This study examined the hydrodynamic characteristics of a liquid–solid fluidized‐bed bioreactor using elastic particles (PVA gel beads) of various diameters as carriers. The drag coefficient‐Reynolds number, velocity‐voidage, and expansion index‐Reynolds number relationships observed during fluidization of PVA gel beads in a fluidized bed in our experiments were compared with the published results. Predictions made from previous correlations were examined with our new experimental findings, revealing the inadequacy of most of these correlations. Thus, new correlations describing the above‐mentioned relationships are suggested. The drag coefficient of immobilized cell beads is larger than that of free cell ones at the same Reynolds number because the surface of the immobilized cell beads is rougher. For multiparticle systems, the correction factor, f(ϵ), is a function of the falling gel bead properties (Reynolds number) as well as the fluidized gel bead properties (Archimedes number), and depend strongly on the bed voidage (ϵ). A new simple relation was developed to predict easily the ϵ value from 0.5–0.9 at 4,986 < Ar < 40,745 or 34 < Ret < 186. For all the immobilized cell beads used in this study, the prediction error of the bed voidage was less than 5% at ϵ > 0.5. The prediction equations in this study can be further applied to analyzing the hydrodynamic characteristics of a fluidized‐bed reactor using similar entrapped elastic particles as carriers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biotechnol Bioeng 83: 583–594, 2003.
[Purification of human MMP-1 fusion protein and clinical detection of MMP-1 by its polyclonal antibody].

OBJECTIVES To obtain the fusion protein of MMP-1 and the rabbit-anti-human matrix metalloproteinase-1(MMP-1) polyclonal antibody, and to detect the serum MMP-1 in patients by this polyclonal antibody. METHODS The fusion protein was purified by affinity chromatography. Two rabbits were immunized with the purified fusion protein, and the immune sera of rabbits were collected. Antibodies (IgG) obtained from the immune sera were purified by ammonium sulfate fractionation, and the indirect sandwich enzyme immunoassay was used to detect the serum MMP-1 in 24 samples of patients with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis and in 12 normal sera as controls. RESULTS The purified MMP-1 fusion protein was successfully obtained; the purified specific polyclonal antibodies of rabbit-anti-human MMP-1 were also obtained from the immune sera of the rabbits, and could respond to human MMP-1. Compared with the normal controls, the OD value of serum MMP-1 significantly increased in patients with chronic hepatitis or liver cirrhosis (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The rabbit-anti-human MMP-1 polyclonal antibody may be used in the diagnosis of initial stage of hepatic fibrosis.
Propolis: chemical composition, biological properties and therapeutic activity

Summary — The plant sources and chemical composition of propolis are reviewed. The chemical constituents that may be relevant to its biological and therapeutic activity are discussed. The cytotoxic activity and antimicrobial and pharmacological properties of propolis are presented. Propolis components, which cause allergy and are responsible for anticancer activity, eg, caffeic acid derivatives, are reported. The therapeutic efficacy of propolis in treating diseases caused by microorganisms is described. Some recent concepts about propolis and its use in medicine are presented.
CONFORMATIONS OF DEOXYDODECANUCLEOTIDES WITH PYRIMIDINE (6‐4) PYRIMIDONE PHOTOADDUCTS

Abstract— We have carried out molecular mechanical simulations of dodecanucleotide d(CGCGAAXYCGCG). d(CGCGX'Y'TTCGCG) with XY being CC, TC, TT and CT and X'Y'being their corresponding base paired dinucleotides on the complementary strand. Simulations were also carried out with the corresponding pyrimidine (6‐4)‐pyrimidone photoadducts incorporated in these dodecanucleotides. As in the case of the cyclobutane dimer incorporated dodecanucleotide structures (Rao et al., 1984), those regions of the DNA modified by6–4 pyrimidine adducts are found to undergo little conformational changes except in the dimer region. The conformational characteristics of the6–4 pyrimidine adduct incorporated structures seem to be influenced by the nature of the base at the 3' end of the dimer. Specifically, favorable hydrogen bonding interactions between the 5' end base and its preceding phosphate group are present in structures which have cytosine at the 3' end of the photodimer. The energetics of these structures relative to those without incorporated dimers have been discussed and the results have been analysed in the light of the currently prevalent ideas on the role of the6–4 photoadducts in mutagenesis in various organisms.
Immunopotentiating Ability of Neisserial Major Outer Membrane Proteins Use As an Adjuvant for Poorly Immunogenic Substances and Potential Use in Vaccines

Neisserial porins, a group of major outer membrane proteins (OMP) of pathogenic Neisseria, have been demonstrated to have potential adjuvant activity by various investigators. For example, (1) meningococcal outer membrane vesicles were used successfully to improve the immune response to the Hernophilus injluenzue type B capsule, and this vaccine, manufactured by Merck, was recently licensed by the FDA'; (2) gonococcal porins have augmented the immune response in animals to malaria-derived peptide$ (3) neisserial porins have augmented the immune response to human gangliosides in melanoma patients and their tumors decreased in size after immunization (personal communication, Dr. P. Livingston); and (4) neisserial porins, when formed into proteosomes and immunized into animals without additional adjuvants, induced significant immune response^. ^ The experiments to be described were performed to investigate this phenomenon. Purified meningococcal group C capsular polysaccharide (CPS) was used as a test antigen to measure the potential adjuvant properties of the neisserial OMP. CPS was used successfully in antimeningococcal vaccines, but the response is relatively short-lived and not adequate in infants! Murine immunizations were performed using purified CPS cross-linked with lipid and formed into non-covalent complexes (proteosomes) with each of four purified neisserial OMP class 1 (Cl) or class 3 (C3) proteins from Neisseriu meningitidis or protein IA (PIA) or protein IB (PIB) proteins from N. gonorrhoeae. The OMP were chromatographically purified5 from mutants lacking the other major outer membrane proteins (respectively, C4/C3 or C4/C1 minus meningococci and protein I11 minus gonococci6) to insure that the response measured was solely due to the specific proteins being tested. Groups of eight lipopolysaccharide-resistant mice (strain C3H/HeJ) were immunized with 25 p,g of CPS associated with 25 p,g of each OMP formed into proteosomes. The mice were immunized three times, 2 weeks apart, and pooled sera were collected prior to each immunization and 2 weeks after the third immunization. Anti-CPS IgG and IgM was measured by ELISA. Levels of anti-CPS IgG were higher in mice immunized with CPS associated with Cl , C3, PIA, or PIB proteosomes than in mice immunized with plain CPS or
Modélisation des exoplanètes et de leur étoile hôte

Tandis que notre comprehension de l'evolution et de la formation planetaire est encore incomplete, nous sommes a un tournant dans le domaine, grâce a un nombre desormais significatif (au sens statistique) d'exoplanetes caracterisees. La majeure partie de l'information disponible sur ces systemes est contenue dans les observations de l'etoile hote. Ma these a eu pour objectif de mieux caracteriser les planetes geantes en les etudiant de maniere coherente avec leur etoile hote. En combinant les modeles stellaires et planetaires, je propose une procedure fiable (implementee dans un nouveau code : SET) pour deduire les parametres du systemes : masses, rayons, âge, composition planetaire. J'ai pu notamment comparer differents modeles stellaires afin d'estimer les erreurs intrinseques et systematiques. Je presente ensuite les resultats de cette methode pour l'analyse des systemes CoRoT, parmi lesquels : CoRoT-2 dont la planete massive est trop grande par rapport a ce que les modeles planetaires predisent; CoRoT-9 dont la planete est une clef importante pour la validation des modeles planetaires theoriques; et CoRoT-18 dont les indicateurs d'âge issus de la gyrochronologie et de l'abondance en lithium sont en desaccord avec les modeles stellaires. Enfin, je detaille le travail que nous avons effectue sur le premier systeme decou- vert possedant plusieurs planetes en transit, Kepler-9, pour lequel nous avons contraint la composition relative de deux exoplanetes. A l'avenir, SET sera disponible publiquement et pourra servir a l'analyse statistique des exoplanetes et a l'amelioration des modeles theoriques.