Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Patient Specific Prostate Segmentation in 3-D Magnetic Resonance Images

Accurate localization of the prostate and its surrounding tissue is essential in the treatment of prostate cancer. This paper presents a novel approach to fully automatically segment the prostate, including its seminal vesicles, within a few minutes of a magnetic resonance (MR) scan acquired without an endorectal coil. Such MR images are important in external beam radiation therapy, where using an endorectal coil is highly undesirable. The segmentation is obtained using a deformable model that is trained on-the-fly so that it is specific to the patient's scan. This case specific deformable model consists of a patient specific initialized triangulated surface and image feature model that are trained during its initialization. The image feature model is used to deform the initialized surface by template matching image features (via normalized cross-correlation) to the features of the scan. The resulting deformations are regularized over the surface via well established simple surface smoothing algorithms, which is then made anatomically valid via an optimized shape model. Mean and median Dice's similarity coefficients (DSCs) of 0.85 and 0.87 were achieved when segmenting 3T MR clinical scans of 50 patients. The median DSC result was equal to the inter-rater DSC and had a mean absolute surface error of 1.85 mm. The approach is showed to perform well near the apex and seminal vesicles of the prostate.
Association Between Postoperative Fever and Atelectasis in Pediatric Patients

Background: Postoperative fever is common after cardiac surgery. In the absence of documented infection, atelectasis is often suggested as a cause of postoperative fever. However, this link is not well supported by pathophysiologic mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether an association exists between atelectasis and postoperative fever in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on consecutive pediatric patients who underwent cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass at a single cardiac surgery center from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2009. Postoperative chest radiographs were evaluated and each lung was scored independently for atelectasis. Clinical parameters including the highest daily recorded temperature were noted and compared to atelectasis data. Results: A total of 203 patients were enrolled; 139 patients (68.5%) had fever at least once during the first 3 postoperative days. The incidence of atelectasis on each day was 41%, 57%, and 71%, respectively. There was no association between fever and atelectasis on any postoperative day (P = .21). Microbiological cultures were performed on 81 patients, and infection was found in 7 patients (3.5%). The frequency of either fever or atelectasis was similar between cyanotic and acyanotic patients. Conclusions: Postoperative fever and atelectasis are both common after pediatric cardiac surgery. In our study, there was no significant association between postoperative fever and atelectasis. In children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass, fever in the postoperative period should not be attributed to atelectasis.
Serological evidence for the reservoir hosts of cowpox virus in British wildlife

Summary The reservoir host of cowpox virus in Western Europe is not known, but epidemiological evidence from human and feline infections indicates that the virus is probably endemic in small wild rodents. Therefore, serum and tissue samples were collected from a variety of wild British mammals and some birds, and tested for evidence of Orthopoxvirus infection. Antibody reacting with cowpox virus was detected in 9/44 (20%) bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), 8/24 (33%) field voles (Microtus agrestis), 17/86 (20%) wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and 1/44 house mice (Mus musculus), but in no other animal species tested. Although virus was not isolated from any animal, this serological survey, together with other evidence, suggests that bank and field voles and wood mice are the main reservoir hosts of cowpox virus in Great Britain.
Limitations in intense exercise performance of athletes – effect of speed endurance training on ion handling and fatigue development

Mechanisms underlying fatigue development and limitations for performance during intense exercise have been intensively studied during the past couple of decades. Fatigue development may involve several interacting factors and depends on type of exercise undertaken and training level of the individual. Intense exercise (½–6 min) causes major ionic perturbations (Ca2+, Cl−, H+, K+, lactate− and Na+) that may reduce sarcolemmal excitability, Ca2+ release and force production of skeletal muscle. Maintenance of ion homeostasis is thus essential to sustain force production and power output during intense exercise. Regular speed endurance training (SET), i.e. exercise performed at intensities above that corresponding to maximum oxygen consumption ( V̇O2, max ), enhances intense exercise performance. However, most of the studies that have provided mechanistic insight into the beneficial effects of SET have been conducted in untrained and recreationally active individuals, making extrapolation towards athletes’ performance difficult. Nevertheless, recent studies indicate that only a few weeks of SET enhances intense exercise performance in highly trained individuals. In these studies, the enhanced performance was not associated with changes in V̇O2, max and muscle oxidative capacity, but rather with adaptations in muscle ion handling, including lowered interstitial concentrations of K+ during and in recovery from intense exercise, improved lactate−–H+ transport and H+ regulation, and enhanced Ca2+ release function. The purpose of this Topical Review is to provide an overview of the effect of SET and to discuss potential mechanisms underlying enhancements in performance induced by SET in already well‐trained individuals with special emphasis on ion handling in skeletal muscle.
Lipid-Rich Variant of Pancreatic Endocrine Neoplasms

Most pancreatic endocrine neoplasms (PENs) show characteristic and well-recognized endocrine morphology; however, a lipid-rich pattern, which can present a diagnostic problem in biopsies, has been reported, mostly as individual cases. Some have been included in descriptions of the rare clear-cell variant associated with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) syndrome. The histogenesis, clinicopathologic characteristics, and significance of this lipid-rich pattern have not been unraveled. In this study, 11 PENs exhibiting foamy, microvesicular cytoplasm were analyzed. In some cases, the nuclei were distorted by the vesicles, and the usual endocrine chromatin pattern was not evident. The growth pattern was relatively diffuse, with vague compartmentalization of the cells by a delicate vasculature; prominent nesting was noted in only 4 cases. Pathology reports indicated substantial diagnostic challenge in these cases; on biopsies, 1 case was originally diagnosed as adrenal cortical carcinoma, another as renal cell carcinoma, a third as solid-pseudopapillary tumor, and a fourth had a fine needle aspiration cytologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma. All cases were chromogranin and synaptophysin positive. Electron microscopy in 3 cases confirmed the cytoplasmic vesicles to be lipid vacuoles. Neurosecretory granules were also evident. Clinically, as in conventional PENs, there appeared to be two distinct subsets: Two cases were familial or functional/syndromic (1 with VHL and the other with MEN-1 and glucagonoma syndrome) and occurred in younger adults (ages 41 and 47 years); the majority (n = 9) were nonfunctional/nonsyndromic and nonfamilial. The latter group was mostly represented by elderly males (mean age: 65 vs. 58 years in conventional sporadic PENs). Immunohistochemically, markers implicated in VHL-associated neoplasia, including HIF-1α, inhibin, and Melan-A (in clear-cell PENs) and MUC6 (in serous cystadenomas) were mostly negative in lipid-rich PENs (1 of 10, 1 of 10, 0 of 10 and 0 of 10, respectively). In conclusion, the lipid-rich pattern, reminiscent of adrenal cortical cells, represents a distinct subset of PENs. It presents a diagnostic challenge for surgical pathologists, especially in biopsies. EM supports the name lipid-rich for this variant. The findings suggest that the pathogenesis of lipid-rich tumors may be different from the VHL-associated clear-cell variants of PENs.
Designing smart inverter with unified controller and smooth transition between grid-connected and islanding modes for microgrid application

A three-phase smart grid-connected inverter (SGCI) for grid integration of PV system is designed where an appropriate controller for grid-connected (GC) operation is developed to avoid transients and distortion usually caused by switching internal current/voltage controllers. The presented control technique uses d-q decoupled electrical axis and after the controller detects any impeding fault in the grid voltage, a unified control allows a very smooth transition between the grid-connected and islanded modes of operation. In addition, a floating interleaved boost converter (FIBC) is implemented in this system for photovoltaic array energy conversion and energy storage has an optimized lifetime algorithm, used to increase the power handling capability of the PV-modules. Analysis and results verify the effectiveness of the proposed control framework under different operating conditions.
The Mechanisms of Psychedelic Visionary Experiences: Hypotheses from Evolutionary Psychology

Neuropharmacological effects of psychedelics have profound cognitive, emotional, and social effects that inspired the development of cultures and religions worldwide. Findings that psychedelics objectively and reliably produce mystical experiences press the question of the neuropharmacological mechanisms by which these highly significant experiences are produced by exogenous neurotransmitter analogs. Humans have a long evolutionary relationship with psychedelics, a consequence of psychedelics' selective effects for human cognitive abilities, exemplified in the information rich visionary experiences. Objective evidence that psychedelics produce classic mystical experiences, coupled with the finding that hallucinatory experiences can be induced by many non-drug mechanisms, illustrates the need for a common model of visionary effects. Several models implicate disturbances of normal regulatory processes in the brain as the underlying mechanisms responsible for the similarities of visionary experiences produced by psychedelic and other methods for altering consciousness. Similarities in psychedelic-induced visionary experiences and those produced by practices such as meditation and hypnosis and pathological conditions such as epilepsy indicate the need for a general model explaining visionary experiences. Common mechanisms underlying diverse alterations of consciousness involve the disruption of normal functions of the prefrontal cortex and default mode network (DMN). This interruption of ordinary control mechanisms allows for the release of thalamic and other lower brain discharges that stimulate a visual information representation system and release the effects of innate cognitive functions and operators. Converging forms of evidence support the hypothesis that the source of psychedelic experiences involves the emergence of these innate cognitive processes of lower brain systems, with visionary experiences resulting from the activation of innate processes based in the mirror neuron system (MNS).
Ulipristal acetate – safety and pharmacokinetics following multiple doses of 10–50 mg per day

Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is a novel selective progesterone receptor modulator for benign gynaecological conditions such as uterine myoma. The safety and pharmacokinetics of multiple‐dose UPA and its N‐mono‐demethylated metabolite, PGL4002, were investigated in women.
A global × global test for testing associations between two large sets of variables

In high‐dimensional omics studies where multiple molecular profiles are obtained for each set of patients, there is often interest in identifying complex multivariate associations, for example, copy number regulated expression levels in a certain pathway or in a genomic region. To detect such associations, we present a novel approach to test for association between two sets of variables. Our approach generalizes the global test, which tests for association between a group of covariates and a single univariate response, to allow high‐dimensional multivariate response. We apply the method to several simulated datasets as well as two publicly available datasets, where we compare the performance of multivariate global test (G2) with univariate global test. The method is implemented in R and will be available as a part of the globaltest package in R.
Adjustment of trendy, gaming and less assimilated tweens in the United States

Youth transitioning from childhood to adolescence (tweens) are exposed to increasing amounts of media and advertisement. Tweens have also emerged as a major marketing segment for corporate America with increasing buying power. We examine how tweens relate to popular culture messages and the association of different orientations to popular culture on adjustment. A secondary data analysis was conducted on a marketing survey of 3527 tweens, aged 10–14 years, obtained from 49 schools using stratified sampling methods. A sample of children nationwide described their preferences on popular culture and measures of psychosocial adjustment. Using cluster analysis, we identified three main clusters or adaptation styles of tweens: (1) those who enjoyed gaming, (2) trendy youth and (3) youth less assimilated into popular culture. There were differences in clusters based on adjustment indices. Gaming and trendy tweens reported higher self-perceptions of being smart, caring and confident compared to less assimilated tweens. However, gaming and trendy tweens worried more about fitting in than less assimilated tweens. Gaming and trendy tweens also endorsed future goals and traditional values more strongly than less assimilated tweens. Trendy tweens reported the strongest positive feelings about substance use. Results suggest that for each method of adaptation (gamer, trendy and less assimilated), there are unique differences in adjustment that can impact the child's future. Parents and service providers must recognize the complexity of these decisions and be sensitive to the unique needs of youth as they move from childhood to adolescence.
Response to antiviral therapy in patients with genotype 3 chronic hepatitis C: fibrosis but not race encourages relapse

Background and aims We completed a retrospective analysis of patients with genotype 3 hepatitis C virus (HCV) undergoing therapy in four UK centres with large populations of patients from the Indian subcontinent. Materials and methods Notes on all patients treated with pegylated interferon and ribavirin were reviewed and factors that influenced the response were examined. Results Six hundred and four patients with genotype 3 HCV were studied, of whom 299 were Asians. Median age was 43 years, 65% were men and 24% had cirrhosis. Overall, 457 (76%) patients achieved sustained virological response (SVR). By multivariable analysis it was found that ethnicity was not associated with an impaired response but age, cirrhosis and diabetes were significantly associated with a reduced SVR, the likelihood of a response was reduced by 25% per 10-year increment in age, by 59% among individuals with cirrhosis and by 62% among individuals with diabetes mellitus. Most patients who did not achieve an SVR relapsed (15%) rather than failing to achieve an end of treatment response. Conclusion The response to antiviral therapy in genotype 3 HCV is not affected by South Asian (vs. Caucasian) ethnicity, but age, cirrhosis and diabetes reduce the response. Treatment failure most often is due to relapse.
&bgr;-Amyloid in CSF: Biomarker for preclinical cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Objective: To investigate CSF biomarkers in presymptomatic and symptomatic mutation carriers with hereditary cerebral hemorrhage with amyloidosis–Dutch type (HCHWA-D), a model for sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and to determine the earliest deposited form of &bgr;-amyloid (A&bgr;). Methods: HCHWA-D mutation carriers and controls were enrolled in the cross-sectional EDAN (Early Diagnosis of Amyloid Angiopathy Network) study. The HCHWA-D group was divided into symptomatic carriers with a previous intracerebral hemorrhage and presymptomatic carriers. CSF concentrations of A&bgr;40, A&bgr;42, total tau, and phosphorylated tau181 proteins were compared to those of controls of a similar age. Correlations between CSF biomarkers, MRI markers, and age were investigated with multivariate linear regression analyses. Results: We included 10 symptomatic patients with HCHWA-D (mean age 55 ± 6 years), 5 presymptomatic HCHWA-D carriers (mean age 36 ± 13 years), 31 controls <50 years old (mean age 31 ± 7 years), and 50 controls ≥50 years old (mean age 61 ± 8 years). After correction for age, CSF A&bgr;40 and A&bgr;42 were significantly decreased in symptomatic carriers vs controls (median A&bgr;40 1,386 vs 3,867 ng/L, p < 0.001; median A&bgr;42 289 vs 839 ng/L, p < 0.001) and in presymptomatic carriers vs controls (median A&bgr;40 3,501 vs 4,684 ng/L, p = 0.011; median A&bgr;42 581 vs 1,058 ng/L, p < 0.001). Among mutation carriers, decreasing CSF A&bgr;40 was associated with higher lobar microbleed count (p = 0.010), increasing white matter hyperintensity volume (p = 0.008), and presence of cortical superficial siderosis (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Decreased levels of CSF A&bgr;40 and A&bgr;42 occur before HCHWA-D mutation carriers develop clinical symptoms, implicating vascular deposition of both A&bgr; species as early steps in cerebral amyloid angiopathy pathogenesis. CSF A&bgr;40 and A&bgr;42 may serve as preclinical biomarkers of cerebral amyloid angiopathy pathology.
Unwanted pregnancy and it's impact on maternal health and utilization of health services in Tigray Region (Adigrat Hospital).

BACKGROUND Unwanted pregnancy is associated with increased risk of maternal mortality and morbidity. Knowledge of the causes and its impact on maternal health and utilization of health services is crucial to develop preventive strategies. OBJECTIVE To assess possible factors of unwanted pregnancy and its impact on maternal health and utilization of health services. METHODS This is a prospective study (February 1, 2002-January 31, 2004) conducted on patients with diagnosis of abortion and admitted to gynecological ward of a zonal hospital. RESULTS Totally 907 patients were admitted with a diagnosis of abortion which accounted for 12.6% of all hospital and 60.6% of gynecological admissions. Majority (69.8%) had unwanted pregnancy. Interference was reported in 81.4% of unwanted pregnancy. More than 95% of patients with wanted and 74.9% of unwanted pregnancies reported to the hospital within 3 days of vaginal bleeding (P < 0.0001). High incidence of complication was reported on patients with unwanted pregnancy. There were three maternal deaths and all were related to unwanted pregnancy. The mean hospital stay was 1.42 days in wanted and 2.06 days in unwanted pregnancies. Forced sex and failure of contraception were among the reasons for unwanted pregnancy. CONCLUSION Unwanted pregnancy is associated with increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality. Besides, it poses a burden to the utilization of health services. The development and prompt implementation of a strategy, that enables to safely manage unwanted pregnancy in recommended.
Young Adults Victimized as Children or Adolescents: Relationships Between Perpetrator Patterns, Poly-Victimization, and Mental Health Problems

Child and adolescent victims of violence are often exposed to more than one kind of physical, sexual, or emotional maltreatment. Both individually and cumulatively, such victimizations have significant ramifications on mental health. Yet little is known about the relationships in which these different kinds of victimizations occur and how the relationship between the victim and perpetrators may influence later mental health. This retrospective, self-report study of a nationally representative sample of 2,500 young adults in Sweden examines associations between different types of victimization (including poly-victimization), the victim’s relationship to the perpetrator, and how these factors are related to current mental health. Results indicate differential patterns of abuse based on the perpetrator; parents were most likely to use physical aggression, whereas siblings typically perpetrated property crimes and partners committed sexual assault. Peers were the most likely perpetrator of both physical and verbal victimizations and also most often committed poly-victimization by subjecting youth to multiple forms of violence. While males were more likely to be victimized by peers, females were more likely to be victimized by parents, siblings, and partners. Significant positive relations were found for the amount of victimization by peers and mental health problems among both males and females. In addition, for females, higher amounts of youth victimization by parents and partners related to higher levels of mental health problems during young adulthood. Taken together, these results suggest that peer victimization presents the greatest risk for males, whereas dysfunctional family relationships are most detrimental to victimized females.
Quand la gestion s'empare de la Justice : de la fabrique européenne aux tribunaux.

Dans de nombreux pays europeens, l’institution judiciaire a connu de profondes transformations ces vingt dernieres annees - notamment, sous l’impulsion d’une logique gestionnaire, qui se caracterise par l’attention aux enjeux d’efficacite, d’efficience et de couts, au-dela des preoccupations en termes de qualite. La recherche vise a analyser les diverses institutions europeennes impliquees dans ce processus de circulation d’une approche manageriale dans les systemes judiciaires nationaux, ainsi qu’a etudier les dynamiques de circulation d’acteurs, d’instruments d’action publique et d’injonctions au changement entre les differents echelons. Pour ce faire, une analyse prosopographique relative aux ressources, carrieres, moyens d’action, strategies et reseaux des divers entrepreneurs de changement au niveau europeen sera developpee, a partir d’entretiens semi-directifs et de questionnaires. L’analyse des contributions de la Commission Europeenne, de plusieurs comites du Conseil de l’Europe et d’autres reseaux d’acteurs judiciaires travaillant sur thematiques d’organisation, qualite et efficacite de la justice, ainsi que de leur construction et developpement, integreront l’analyse de cette espace europeen d’elaboration de politiques publiques en matiere judiciaire et de ces effets sur les processus de reforme nationaux et locaux en cours ou recemment aboutis en plusieurs pays de l’Europe occidentale.