Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Recurrent Schwannoma Postirradiation

Vestibular schwannomas (VS) are benign tumors that emerge from Schwann cells ensheathing the eighth cranial nerve.1 Meningiomas arise from the meninges and are usually benign.2 These tumors, occurring separately, are the 2 most common intracranial tumors.3 The occurrence of a meningioma and a schwannoma within the same tumor is very rare, with only a few cases reported.4 We present a unique case of a mixed schwannoma and meningioma in the left cerebellopontine angle (CPA). This case illustrates a postirradiation recurrent tumor in a 64-year-old woman. Immunostaining revealed that the tumor was a mixture of schwannoma and meningioma. We propose that the patient was probably mosaic for the NF2 gene mutation, due to the presence of 2 other ipsilateral meningiomas, which qualifies her for the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) by National Institutes of Health (NIH) criteria (1988). In addition, her daughter developed a unilateral vestibular schwannoma in her fourth decade. Interestingly, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) staining were highly correlated, suggesting that VEGF expression induced tumor survival after irradiation.
Muscle weakness is related to utilization of health care resources in COPD patients.

The factors determining utilization of health care resources in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are poorly understood. In order to obtain insight into these factors, we studied the utilization of health care resources in 57 stable COPD patients with a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 36 +/- 9% predicted. Patients were divided into two groups: admitted at least twice in the last year (high medical consumption; n = 23) or not admitted in the last year (low medical consumption; n = 34). Other variables related to utilization of health care resources studied were; the number of hospital days; the number of out-patient visits to a pulmonary department in the last year; and the average daily dose (ADD) of corticosteroids taken in the last 6 months. The actual cost of utilization of health care resources, however, was not studied. In addition, pulmonary function, serum electrolytes, blood gas values, 6 min walking distance, respiratory and peripheral muscle force, and appraisal of self-care agency (ASA score) were studied. Pulmonary function, serum electrolytes, blood gas values, ASA score and walking distance were not different between the two groups (e.g. FEV1 36 +/- 8 vs 36 +/- 10% pred). Respiratory muscle forces tended to be lower in the high medical consumption group, this tendency almost reaching statistical significance for maximal expiratory pressure (PE,max) (p = 0.08). Peripheral muscle force, however, was clearly reduced in the high medical consumption group (quadriceps force 63 +/- 20 vs 82 +/- 26% pred; p < 0.05). The number of admissions, the number of hospital days, the number of out-patient visits, and ADD were interrelated and also related to ventilatory and peripheral muscle force (r -0.18 to -0.38). This relationship was statistically significant for PE,max, whilst a similar tendency was present for maximal inspiratory pressure (PI,max). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, only quadriceps force was a significant determinant of utilization of health care services. We conclude that utilization of health care services in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is related to ventilatory and peripheral muscle force. Whether or not reduced muscle force is simply an expression of disease severity remains to be determined.
Food Addiction, Obesity and Neuroimaging

This chapter will be dedicated to addressing various aspects of food addiction (where food is portrayed as being an addictive substance). It will encompass our group’s and colleagues’ newest neuroimaging research results and methods with respect to the findings of other researchers in the field. The chapter will attempt to elucidate the mechanisms of food addiction (FA) leading to obesity. It will begin with a brief introduction on the major points relating to obesity and FA. The first section will address the neurobiology and neurophysiology of addiction as well as the causes of obesity and its global impacts, concluding with therapeutic measures and future research.
Applying Childhood Obesity and Cardiovascular Health Risk Reduction Guidelines: Family-Centered Nutrition Interventions

Childhood and adolescent obesity increases the risk of developing comorbidities, including much of the high cholesterol and hypertension, seen in adults. In this article, we consider the recently released Integrated Guidelines for Cardiovascular Health Risk Reduction in Children and Adolescents in our nutrition intervention for 2 cases. Patientand family-centered counseling for weight management, in addition to risk reduction through nutrition care plans, is conducted using the 5 A’s frameworkVassess, advise, agree, assist, and arrange. Practitioners will build on foundation knowledge and learn practical applications of evidence-based guidelines/strategies to best support their obese patients and families. Nutr Today. 2012;47(5):229Y242
Design of a 40Watt Ultra broadband linear power amplifier using LDMOSFETs

A 40Watt linear power amplifier based on silicon LDMOSFETs is presented. It has ultra broadband characteristics from 2 to 512MHz. The proposed amplifier has a push-pull structure using Guanella 1∶1 and 1∶4 transmission line transformers for its input and output baluns, respectively. A negative feedback network is also adopted for broadband operation with a flat gain response. To achieve high linearity, the bias condition for almost class-A operation is applied. Based on the proposed concept, a two-stage broadband amplifier is implemented. A P1dB of more than 40Watt (46dBm) is achieved over the entire frequency band. The implemented power amplifier exhibits a power gain response of 43.3±1.8dB and a PAE of greater than 28.3% at each P1dB over the band. The second- and third-harmonic distortions are below −28.5dBc and −19dBc at each P1dB, respectively. Furthermore, at an average output power level of 41dBm for the two-tone signal input, which has a tone spacing of 1MHz, the IMD3 over the entire band is below ±30.1dBc.
Migration of allosensitizing donor myeloid dendritic cells into recipients after liver transplantation

It is thought, but there is no evidence, that myeloid dendritic cells (MDCs) of donor origin migrate into the recipient after clinical organ transplantation and sensitize the recipient's immune system by the direct presentation of donor allo‐antigens. Here we show prominent MDC chimerism in the recipient's circulation early after clinical liver transplantation (LTx) but not after renal transplantation (RTx). MDCs that detach from human liver grafts produce large amounts of pro‐inflammatory [tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6 (IL‐6)] and anti‐inflammatory (IL‐10) cytokines upon activation with various stimuli, express higher levels of toll‐like receptor 4 than blood or splenic MDCs, and are sensitive to stimulation with a physiological concentration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Upon stimulation with LPS, MDCs detaching from liver grafts prime allogeneic T cell proliferation and production of interferon gamma but not of IL‐10. Soluble factors secreted by liver graft MDCs amplify allogeneic T helper 1 responses. In conclusion, after clinical LTx, but not after RTx, prominent numbers of donor‐derived MDCs migrate into the recipient's circulation. MDCs detaching from liver grafts produce pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory cytokines and are capable of stimulating allogeneic T helper 1 responses, and this suggests that MDC chimerism after clinical LTx may contribute to liver graft rejection rather than acceptance. Liver Transpl 16:12–22, 2010. © 2009 AASLD.
Optical and Structure Properties of MgxZn1-xO Thin Films by Pulsed Laser Deposition

In this study, the optical and structure properties of MgxZn1-xO thin films is reported. The MgxZn1-xO thin films were prepared on Glass substrates by Q-switch second harmonic Nd:YAG laser deposition technigue with wavelength of 532nm from a ZnO target mixed with Mg of (0-0.3) wt% , and the films deposited at temperature (250°C). The optical properties were characterized by transmittance and absorption spectroscopy measurements. For all the films the average transmission in the U.V (200-900) nm wavelength region was over 85% and the absorption edge shifted to a shorter wavelength as the magnesium concentration increased. The optical energy gap of MgxZn1-xO thin films, measured from transmittance spectra could be controlled between (3.3eV and 4.2eV) by adjusting magnesium concentration. X-ray diffraction was used to investigate the structure of the film. The refractive index of hexagonal MgxZn1-xO thin films decreases with the Mg concentration increase, such as at the wavelength of (500nm) the refractive index decreases from 1.93 to 1.85 as x increase from 0.15 to 0.3. The extinction coefficient and the complex dielectric constant were also investigate.
Response to Sumer and Colleagues

about the study. Many factors affect PVR, such as bladder hypocontractility; a large bladder diverticulum; bladder stones; and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) due to anatomic, neurological, or functional causes. However, the study did not include imaging modalities such as ultrasonography to exclude BOO, diverticulum, or stones. An obstruction may cause incomplete bladder emptying. In a study examining factors related to PVR, all possible causes of high PVR should be considered carefully. Without excluding obstruction, it is hard to conclude that the only factor affecting PVR is a history of pelvic or back surgery. Moreover, surgical procedures (nerve-sparing or not) are important in development of bladder dysfunction, but the authors did not mention surgical procedures. Nor did they provide information regarding history of pelvic radiotherapy. They stated that individuals with a history of bladder cancer were excluded but did not mention rectal cancer or cervical cancer, which might have involved pelvic radiotherapy. Radiation exposure could have affected bladder emptying.
A hash based approach for secure keyless image steganography in lossless RGB images

This paper proposes an improved steganography approach for hiding text messages in lossless RGB images. The objective of this work is to increase the security level and to improve the storage capacity with compression techniques. The security level is increased by randomly distributing the text message over the entire image instead of clustering within specific image portions. Storage capacity is increased by utilizing all the color channels for storing information and providing the source text message compression. The degradation of the images can be minimized by changing only one lease significant bit per color channel for hiding the message, incurring a very little change in the original image. Using steganography alone with simple LSB has a potential problem that the secret message is easily detectable from the histogram analysis method. To improve the security as well as the image embedding capacity indirectly, a compression based scheme is introduced. Various tests done to check the storage capacity and message distribution show the superiority of the proposed approach with respect to other existing approaches.
8 x 10-Gb/s terrestrial optical free-space transmission over 3.4 km using an optical repeater

We propose using optical repeaters in optical free-space communication systems to increase the transmission-length stably. We demonstrate an 8 /spl times/ 10-Gb/s terrestrial optical free-space transmission over 3.4 km using an optical repeater at the halfway. The optical repeater not only amplifies the signal channels but also prevents the accumulation of the detrimental scintillation noise during the propagation.
Screening and Phylogenetic Analysis of Halophilic Bacteria from the Deep Sea Water at Low Temperature

Three strains of halophilic bacteria were screened from the deep sea water at low temperature. Their phylogenetic positions on the basis of amplification, comparison and analysis of almost complete 16S rRNA gene were cloned and determined by neighboring-joining analyses. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that two strains belong to Pseudomonas.sp. The third stain was classified as genus Acinetobacter . sp. The phylogenetic tree was produced from 16S rRNA of 3 halophilic strains and other 30 strains using 16S rRNA gene as out-group. Two strains (B2 and CY11) were clustered with many Pseudomonas.sp strains. One strain (LT4) was clustered with Acinetobacter baumannii.
The costs of managing genital warts in the UK by devolved nation: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Genital warts, 90% of which are caused by human papillomavirus types 6 and 11, are a significant problem in the UK. The cost of managing genital warts was previously estimated at £52.4 million for 2010. The objective of this study was to estimate the cost of genital warts management up to 2012 in the UK and by jurisdiction. Population statistics and the number of reported genital warts cases in genito-urinary medicine clinics were obtained and extrapolated to 2012. Cases of genital warts treated in primary care were estimated from The Health Improvement Network database. The number of visits and therapy required were estimated by genito-urinary medicine experts. Costs were obtained from the appropriate national tariffs. The model estimated there were 220,875 genital warts cases in the UK in 2012, costing £58.44 million (£265/patient). It estimated 157,793 cases in England costing £41.74 million; 7468 cases in Scotland costing £1.90 million; 7095 cases in Wales costing £1.87 million; and 3621 cases in Northern Ireland costing £948,000. The full National Health Service costs for the management of genital warts have never previously been estimated separately for each jurisdiction. Findings reveal a significant economic burden, which is important to quantify when understanding the value of quadrivalent human papilloma virus vaccination.
Improved determination of the sea ice edge with SSM/I data for small-scale analyses

A method to derive the sea ice edges from the 37- and 85-GHz channels of the spaceborne Special Sensor Microwave/Imager (SSM/I) with higher resolution than operational ice concentration analyses is developed. A combined ice-atmosphere model to evaluate atmospheric influences showed that under clear sky conditions the error of the ice edge position is 3.1 km on average. The method performs well up to total liquid water content (TWC) of 125 g/m/sup 2/ and overestimates the ice extent when TWC increases up to 250 g/m/sup 2/. The algorithm is suitable to classify open water, the interior ice pack, and thin ice (nilas) or low ice concentrations caused by a mixture of open water and pancake ice. Simulations showed that interpolation and resolution-matching techniques may improve the retrieval results with emphasis on interpolation. Validation of the algorithm with high-resolution infrared data shows errors of the ice edge on average less than 5 km. Comparison with the NASA Team ice concentration algorithm in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica, shows best agreement with the contour line of 33% ice concentration. The suitability of the method for mesoscale investigations is demonstrated with a time series of a meander structure in the marginal ice zone (MIZ).
Secretor state of patients with insulin dependent or non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Hinchingbrooke Hospital opened at the end of 1983 as a new unit in a new health district. Our obstetric and gynaecological staff comprise four consultants and four general practice trainee senior house officers, and in 1987 we had 2008 deliveries. Like Mr Samra's unit, we have the lowest perinatal mortality rate in our region, 5-2 per 1000 (uncorrected) based on the 7015 deliveries in 1984-7. Neonatal intensive care is available on site, also "two tier"; we do not transfer high risk cases elsewhere. In these four years our caesarean section rate was 13-7%, 6% elective and 7-7% emergency; our vaginal instrumental delivery rate was 5 2%. Thus it appears that, neglecting possible population differences, we plan rather more elective caesarean sections than are planned in Mr Samra's unit but perform proportionately less than half the number of instrumental deliveries, probably because, without intermediate grade medical staff, our midwives enjoy greater freedom of practice. No one would suggest that all three tier units should be dismantled immediately and replaced by two tier units, but even in its authors' wildest dreams "Achieving a Balance" cannot live up to its title. Under this plan over half the service posts in the intermediate grade in obstetrics and gynaecology will need to be filled by overseas graduates, brought over usually from developing countries simply to do this work. No other profession runs itself in this way; if a similar staffing structure were suggested for lawyers, teachers, or even general practitioners we as consumers would be horrified. If half Britain's obstetric units converted to two tier working we would be "in balance," with a sound career structure to offer to our aspiring juniors. Overseas visitors could then be treated correctly on a supernumerary basis, as pupils to be taught rather than cheap labour to be exploited. Certainly, everything in the two tier garden is not fine; much bargaining is still to be done on matters such as staffing levels, free time, and easing of duties once the mid-50s are reached. But we have built a system that is liked by the doctors who work it, the nurses and midwives who support them, and the women who deliver under their care. What we need is for the BMA and the royal colleges to help us improve this system and refine it into an acceptable alternative to three tier working, rather than to pull it down and destroy it. M J HARE Hinchingbrooke Hospital, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire PE18 8NT
The Nature and Distribution of the Innervation of Human Supraspinal and Interspinal Ligaments

Study Design To use fresh, human supraspinal and interspinal ligments and document their innervation. Objectives To characterize the innervation of the human supraspinal and interspinal ligaments. Summary of Background Data The nature and distribution of the innervation of spinal ligaments remains unknown. Methods Sections of spinal ligaments were labeled with a fluorescent antibody against neurofliament proteins and observed with a confocal microscope. Results. The ligaments were found to be well innervated. Innervation was equally distributed along the ligament, symmetrically distributed between left and right sides, and more densely distributed in the periphery. Pacinian corpuscles were scattered randomly, close to blood vessels, whereas Ruffini corpuscies were in the periphery, close to the collagen bundles. Conclusions Human supraspinal and interspinal ligaments are well innervated. This innervation might from the basis of neurologic feedback mechanisms for the protection and stability of the spina. These mechanisms might also be important in the development of diseases such as scoliosis.
Gray matter abnormalities in childhood maltreatment: a voxel-wise meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE Childhood maltreatment acts as a severe stressor that produces a cascade of physiological and neurobiological changes that lead to enduring alterations in brain structure. However, structural neuroimaging findings have been inconsistent. The authors conducted a meta-analysis of published whole-brain voxel-based morphometry studies in childhood maltreatment to elucidate the most robust volumetric gray matter abnormalities relative to comparison subjects to date. METHOD Twelve data sets were included, comprising 331 individuals (56 children/adolescents and 275 adults) with a history of childhood maltreatment and 362 comparison subjects (56 children/adolescents and 306 adults). Anisotropic effect size-signed differential mapping, a voxel-based meta-analytic method, was used to examine regions of smaller and larger gray matter volumes in maltreated individuals relative to comparison subjects. RESULTS Relative to comparison subjects, individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment exhibited significantly smaller gray matter volumes in the right orbitofrontal/superior temporal gyrus extending to the amygdala, insula, and parahippocampal and middle temporal gyri and in the left inferior frontal and postcentral gyri. They had larger gray matter volumes in the right superior frontal and left middle occipital gyri. Deficits in the right orbitofrontal-temporal-limbic and left inferior frontal regions remained in a subgroup analysis of unmedicated participants. Abnormalities in the left postcentral and middle occipital gyri were found only in older maltreated individuals relative to age-matched comparison subjects. CONCLUSIONS The findings demonstrate that the most consistent gray matter abnormalities in individuals exposed to childhood maltreatment are in relatively late-developing ventrolateral prefrontal-limbic-temporal regions that are known to mediate late-developing functions of affect and cognitive control, which are typically compromised in this population.
Inhibition of platelet aggregation by nitric oxide donors improves with rest

It has been suggested that the platelets of patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) exist in a more activated state than those of patients with stable coronary heart disease (CHD) or healthy individuals. “Platelet nitrate responsiveness” (PNR) has been suggested as a measure of platelet activation, and has been shown to be reduced in both ACS and stable CHD. We examined the effect of a short period of undisturbed supine rest, an intervention aimed at reducing levels of “stress”, on PNR. In 8 healthy subjects we found that 45 minutes of rest led to a highly significant reduction in platelet aggregation and increase in PNR. Our finding supports the hypothesis that stress contributes to platelet activation as reflected in reduced PNR, which may contribute to the link between acute stress and cardiovascular events. It also emphasises that standardisation of sampling conditions in vitally important in studies utilizing PNR.
Decidability of a Syntactic Fragment of the Hybrid Computation Tree Logic with the ↓ Operator

Hybrid logics with the ↓ operator are generally undecidable. In this paper, we present a fragment of the hybrid CTL with the ↓ operator (HCTL(@,↓)), called the reducible fragment, that has the same complexity for the satisfiability problem as standard CTL (EXPTIME-Complete). In order to prove this, we show that the satisfiability problem for a formula in this fragment can be polynomially reduced to the satisfiability problem for a formula in the hybrid CTL without the ↓ operator (HCTL(@)).