Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diffusion‐weighted imaging of normal fibroglandular breast tissue: influence of microperfusion and fat suppression technique on the apparent diffusion coefficient

The influence of microperfusion and fat suppression technique on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values obtained with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) of normal fibroglandular breast tissue was investigated. Seven volunteers (14 breasts) were scanned using diffusion weighting factors (b values) up to 1600 s/mm2 and the four different fat suppression techniques: STIR, fat saturation, SPAIR, and Water Excitation. The relationship between the logarithmic DW attenuation curves and b was linear for b values up to 600 s/mm2 (R2 > 0.999). Small differences were noted between the ADC values obtained with the various fat suppression methods, especially at the higher b values. Water Excitation had the highest mean SNR, exceeding STIR (p = 0.03) though not significantly different from fat saturation and SPAIR. In conclusion, the ADC of fibroglandular breast tissue is not influenced by microperfusion and Water Excitation is recommended because it yielded the best SNR values. These factors may be crucial in the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The interleukin-2 receptor complex and signal transduction: role of the beta-chain.

Proliferation of lymphocytes is regulated by a variety of cytokines, among which interleukin-2 (IL-2) is well characterized for its potent ability to promote cell growth. The IL-2 signal(s) is transmitted to the cell interior via its homologous receptor (IL-2R). The functional high affinity IL-2R is a multichain complex consisting of at least three distinct components, IL-2R alpha, beta and gamma. None of these components possess an intrinsic protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) domain. cDNA expression studies, have revealed the critical role of IL-2R beta, but not IL-2R alpha, in the IL-2R-mediated intracellular signaling process. Studies utilizing mutants of IL-2R beta identified an essential cytoplasmic region, defined as the 'serine-rich' region, for IL-2-induced cell growth. With respect to the involvement of PTK(s) in IL-2R mediated signal transduction, it has been demonstrated that p56lck, a member of the src-family PTKs interacts with the IL-2R beta. In fact, IL-2 stimulation increases the PTK activity of p56lck. Another cytoplasmic region of the receptor, defined as the 'acidic' region has been found to be critical for the association of p56lck with the IL-2R beta. Interestingly the 'serine-rich' and 'acidic' regions of IL-2R beta are both required for the PTK activation of p56lck. Expression studies with mutant IL-2R beta cDNAs have revealed a bifurcation in the IL-2 signaling pathway. One pathway involves the src-family PTK activation which is linked to the activation of p21ras and the subsequent induction of c-fos/c-jun protooncogenes. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Lin28B facilitates the progression and metastasis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Lin28B, a Lin28 homologue, represses the biogenesis of let-7 microRNAs (miRNAs), has a role in tumorigenesis, and is considered a potential therapeutic target for various human malignancies. However, the associations between Lin28B and the clinical features and outcomes of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remain unclear. In this study, we explored the clinical significance of Lin28B in PDAC and its association with metastasis by examining tissues from patients with PDAC and elucidated the molecular mechanisms using PDAC cell lines. In patients, high Lin28B expression was significantly correlated with high levels of lymphatic metastasis, distant metastasis and a poor prognosis. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis identified Lin28B expression as an independent prognostic factor in patients. In cell lines, stable silencing of Lin28B inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle transition, migration and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). It also increased the expression of the c-MYC, HMGA2 and KRAS genes, which are targeted by the cancer-suppressor miRNA let-7. Lin28B overexpression in the PDAC cell lines had the opposite effect. In human PDAC samples, high Lin28B expression was associated with decreased let-7 expression and increased c-MYC, HMGA2 and KRAS expression. Thus, Lin28B is a novel marker for predicting the prognosis of patients with PDAC and might be a potential therapeutic target for PDAC.
Potential of Computer-Aided Diagnosis to Improve CT Lung Cancer Screening

The development of low-dose spiral computed tomography (CT) has rekindled hope that effective lung cancer screening might yet be found. Screening is justified when there is evidence that it will extend lives at reasonable cost and acceptable levels of risk. A screening test should detect all extant cancers while avoiding unnecessary workups. Thus optimal screening modalities have both high sensitivity and specificity. Due to the present state of technology, radiologists must opt to increase sensitivity and rely on follow-up diagnostic procedures to rule out the incurred false positives. There is evidence in published reports that computer-aided diagnosis technology may help radiologists alter the benefit-cost calculus of CT sensitivity and specificity in lung cancer screening protocols. This review will provide insight into the current discussion of the effectiveness of lung cancer screening and assesses the potential of state-of-the-art computer-aided design developments.
Spatial impairment following right hemisphere transient ischaemic attacks in patients without carotid artery stenosis

ABSTRACT— Neuropsychological testing was performed on: 10 right‐handed patients who had had 1–4 right hemisphere transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), 10 normal controls, 10 house painters with long‐term exposure to organic solvents, and 10 patients with liver cirrhosis. The subjects in each group were matched for age and education. No TIA patient had significant internal carotid artery stenosis, and CT was normal except in one patient, although magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed 3 years after the testing was abnormal in 4/8 cases. No patient reported additional distinct TIAs during the period between neuropsychological testing and MRI. The TIA patients showed lateralized signs of spatial impairment, whereas the cirrhotics and also (but to a lesser degree) the house painters showed signs of diffuse cerebral dysfunction. The study shows that hemispheric TIAs in patients without significant internal carotid artery stenosis may result in persistent focal cognitive impairment. This can be demonstrated with sensitive neuropsychological instruments even when MRI is normal.
The Development of the Newborn Rat Lung in Hyperoxia: A Dose-Response Study of Lung Growth, Maturation, and Changes in Antioxidant Enzyme Activities

Summary: To examine the dose-response relationships of oxygen-induced lung changes, newborn rats were exposed to various patterns of concentrations of hyperoxia (0.4, 0.8, and >0.95 FiO2) for up to 12 days. Prominent findings included microscopic evidence of lung injury and retarded alveolar development (secondary septal development delayed by as much as 88%), lower whole lung DNA (50% of control), lung-to-body-weight ratios (by as much as 18%), and significantly less compliance in the lungs after exposures of 6− or 12-day durations to all concentrations of hyperoxia. Significant increases in the activities of the lung protective enzymes superoxide dismutase (129 to 160% of control), catalase (112 to 274% of control), and glutathione peroxidase (118 to 256% of control) were noted when activity was expressed on a DNA basis after 12-day exposures to the various patterns of hyperoxia.Lung changes noted after a 7-day recovery period in air included interstitial thickening (117% of control), persistance of the microscopic injury, and retarded alveolar development seen immediately after initial 6-day hyperoxic exposures. At the conclusion of a second wk of recovery in air, the lungs of hyperoxic exposed animals resembled controls in most respects, but a significantly altered compliance was exhibited by the lungs of animals initially exposed to 6 days of 0.4 or >0.95 FiO2.The dose dependency of oxygen-induced lung injury is complex. Straightforward, stepwise dose-response adequately describes the evolution of microscopic injury and slowing of alveolar development in hyperoxia, but the dose dependency is not as clearly identified in the oxygen-induced retardation of lung growth including DNA content and in changes in antioxidant enzyme activities. Changes in lung compliance clearly do not follow expected dose-response relationships.Speculation: The toxic influence of oxygen on the lung and on lung develop ment varies depending upon the concentration and duration of oxygen exposure. In addition, individual vulnerability to the toxic effects of oxygen on the lung may vary depending upon the stage of maturation of the lung at the time of oxygen exposure. The variety of clinical presentations and morphologic features of chronic lung disease in premature infants (e.g., Wilson Mikity, chronic pulmonary insufficiency of the premature, and bronchopulmonary dysplasia) may represent a spectrum of oxygen effects on the lung rather than diseases with distinctly different pathogenesis.
[Criteria and diagnosis of brain death].

"Brain death" ist the irreversible loss of function of the whole brain. The syndrome is identical with individual death. The correct determination of brain death is important as further treatment makes no sense and as tissue donation now can be taken into account. The recommendations of the scientific advisory board of the German General Medical Council for determination of brain death from 1986 as well as the own experiences with the "brain death syndrome" and the preparations for tissue donation are discussed.
The Opioid-Sparing Effect of Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Combined with Oxycodone Infusion during Open Hepatectomy: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: A large right subcostal incision performed by open hepatectomy is associated with significant post-operative pain and distress. However, post-operative analgesia solutions still need to be devised. We investigated the effects of intra- and post-operative infusion of dexmedetomidine (Dex) combined with oxycodone during open hepatectomy. Methods: In this prospective, randomized and double-blind investigation, 52 patients undergoing selective open hepatectomy were divided into Dex group (DEX infusion at an initial loading dose of 0.5 μg⋅kg-1 over 10 min before intubation then adjusted to a maintenance dose of 0.3 μg⋅kg-1⋅h-1 until incision suturing) or control (Con) group (0.9% sodium chloride was administered). Patient-controlled analgesia was administered for 48 h after surgery (Dex group: 60 mg oxycodone and 360 μg DEX diluted to 120 ml and administered at a bolus dose of 2 ml, with 5 min lockout interval and a 1 h limit of 20 ml. Con group: 60 mg oxycodone alone with the same regimen). The primary outcome was post-operative oxycodone consumption. The secondary outcomes included requirement of narcotic and vasoactive drugs, hemodynamics, incidence of adverse effects, satisfaction, first exhaust time, pain intensity, and the Ramsay Sedation Scale. Results: Post-operative oxycodone consumption was significantly reduced in Dex group from 4 to 48 h after surgery (P < 0.05). Heart rate in Dex group was statistically decreased from T1 (just before intubation) to T6 (20 min after arriving at the post-anesthesia care unit), while mean arterial pressure was significantly decreased from T1 to T3 (during surgical incision; P < 0.05). The consumption of propofol and remifentanil were significantly decreased in Dex group (P < 0.05). The VAS scores at rest at 1, 4, and 8 h and with cough at 24, and 48 h after surgery were lower, the first exhaust time were shorter, satisfaction with pain control was statistically higher and the incidence of nausea and vomiting was less in Dex group than in Con group (all P < 0.05). Conclusion: The combination of DEX and oxycodone could reduce oxycodone consumption and the incidence of nausea and vomiting, enhance the analgesic effect, improves patient satisfaction and shorten the first exhaust time.
Formative Processes with Applications to the Decision Problem in Set Theory, I. Powerset and Singleton Operators

This paper introduces formative processes, composed by transitive partitions. Given a family F of sets, a formative process ending in the Venn partition e of F is shown to exist. Sufficient criteria are also singled out for a transitive partition to model (via a function from set variables to unions of sets in the partition) all set-literals modeled by e. On the basis of such criteria a procedure is designed that mimics a given formative process by another where sets have finite rank bounded by C (|e|), with C a specific computable function. As a by-product, one of the core results on decidability in computable set theory is rediscovered, namely the one that regards the satisfiability of unquantified set-theoretic formulae involving Boolean operators, the singleton-former, and the powerset operator. The method described (which is able to exhibit a set-solution when the answer is affirmative) can be extended to solve the satisfiability problem for broader fragments of set theory.
Formation of Regulatory Patterns During Signal Propagation in a Mammalian Cellular Network

We developed a model of 545 components (nodes) and 1259 interactions representing signaling pathways and cellular machines in the hippocampal CA1 neuron. Using graph theory methods, we analyzed ligand-induced signal flow through the system. Specification of input and output nodes allowed us to identify functional modules. Networking resulted in the emergence of regulatory motifs, such as positive and negative feedback and feedforward loops, that process information. Key regulators of plasticity were highly connected nodes required for the formation of regulatory motifs, indicating the potential importance of such motifs in determining cellular choices between homeostasis and plasticity.
Fast Transparent Migration for Virtual Machines

This paper describes the design and implementation of a system that uses virtual machine technology [1] to provide fast, transparent application migration. This is the first system that can migrate unmodified applications on unmodified mainstream Intel x86-based operating system, including Microsoft Windows, Linux, Novell NetWare and others. Neither the application nor any clients communicating with the application can tell that the application has been migrated. Experimental measurements show that for a variety of workloads, application downtime caused by migration is less than a second.
Adaptive Flux Calculation Scheme in Advection Term Computation Using Partial Reconfiguration

In aerospace industry, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used as a common design tool. Fast Aerodynamics Routines (FaSTAR) is one of the most recent CFD software package, convenient for users with various solvers and automatic generation of grid data. The problem of FaSTAR is hard to be executed in parallel machines because of its irregular and unpredictable data structure. Exploiting reconfigurable hardware with their advantages to make up for the inadequacy of the existing high performance computers had gradually become the solutions and trends. However, a single FPGA is not enough for the FaSTAR package because the whole module is very large. Instead of using a large number of chips, partially reconfigurable hardware available in recent FPGAs is explored for this application. Advection term computation module in FaSTAR is chosen as a target subroutine. We proposed a reconfigurable flux calculation scheme using partial reconfiguration technique to save hardware resources to fit in a single FPGA. We developed flux computational module and three flux calculation schemes are implemented as reconfigurable modules. This implementation has advantages of up to 42% resource saving and enhancing the configuration speed by 6.28 times. Performance evaluation also shows that 2.65 times acceleration is achieved compared to Intel Core 2 Duo at 2.4GHz. Â
Chromidial studies on the superior cervical ganglion of the rabbit. (A) Caudally projected postganglionic axons. (B) Intercalary “commissural” neurons

Billingsley and Ranson ( ’18) showed that the ratio of medullated preganglionic fibers of the feline superior cervical ganglion to neurons within the ganglion was one fiber to 32 cells. This figure was later modified by Wolf (’41), who, estimating both medullated and non-medullated fibers in the same animal, found the ratio to be in the region of one fiber to 11 cells. However, the observations of Foley and Dubois (’40) and Foley (’43, ’45) that postganglionic fibers from the superior cervical ganglion were present in the cervical trunk indicated that even this last figure might be too high. From the disparity in number between preganglionic fibers and ganglionic neurons the inference was made that each preganglionic fiber formed synapses directly o r indirectly with a number of effector neurons and several explanations have been forthcoming as to the method by which this was accomplished. Amongst them was the suggestion that intraganglionic intercalary (‘ ‘~ommissural’ ’) neurons, whose entire processes were confined within the ganglion make synaptic connections with individual preganglionic fibers on the one hand and with groups of effector cells on the other. Dogie1 (1896) and Huber (1899) had described such cells in the sympathetic ganglia of birds, reptiles and mammals, but Langley (’04) could find no evidence of them in the superior cer-
Polynomial Proof Systems, Effective Derivations, and their Applications in the Sum-of-Squares Hierarchy

Author(s): Weitz, Benjamin | Advisor(s): Raghavendra, Prasad | Abstract: Semidenite programming (SDP) relaxations have been a popular choice for approximationalgorithm design ever since Goemans and Williamson used one to improve the best approximationof Max-Cut in 1992. In the effort to construct stronger and stronger SDP relaxations,the Sum-of-Squares (SOS) or Lasserre hierarchy has emerged as the most promisingset of relaxations. However, since the SOS hierarchy is relatively new, we still do not knowthe answer to even very basic questions about its power. For example, we do not even knowwhen the SOS SDP is guaranteed to run correctly in polynomial time! In this dissertation, we study the SOS hierarchy and make positive progress inunderstanding the above question, among others. First, we give a sufficient, simple criteriawhich implies that an SOS SDP will run in polynomial time, as well as confirm that ourcriteria holds for a number of common applications of the SOS SDP. We also present anexample of a Boolean polynomial system which has SOS certificates that require exponential time to find, even though the certificates are degree two. This answers a conjecture of [54]. Second, we study the power of the SOS hierarchy relative to other symmetric SDP relaxationsof comparable size. We show that in some situations, the SOS hierarchy achievesthe best possible approximation among every symmetric SDP relaxation. In particular, weshow that the SOS SDP is optimal for the Matching problem. Together with an SOS lowerbound due to Grigoriev [32], this implies that the Matching problem has no subexponentialsize symmetric SDP relaxation. This can be viewed as an SDP analogy of Yannakakis'original symmetric LP lower bound [72]. As a key technical tool, our results make use of low-degree certificates of ideal membershipfor the polynomial ideal formed by polynomial constraints. Thus an important step in ourproofs is constructing certificates for arbitrary polynomials in the corresponding constraintideals. We develop a meta-strategy for exploiting symmetries of the underlying combinatorialproblem. We apply our strategy to get low-degree certificates for Matching, Balanced CSP, TSP, and others.
Bacteriology and treatment of purulent nasopharyngitis: a double blind, placebo‐controlled evaluation

One hundred forty-two children with purulent nasopharyngitis were randomized to four treatment groups with an antibiotic (cephalexin) alone or combined with a decongestant/ antihistamine (pseudoephedrine/triprolidine) or their corresponding placebo equivalents. Follow-up evaluations by parents and physicians and bacteriologic evaluations were performed after 5 to 6 days of therapy. Groups were comparable with regard to age, sex, race, number of patients withdrawn from the study, fever greater than 38.0 dec, appearance of nasal discharge, nasal crusting and number of days until follow-up. Initial cultures from patients grew: Streptococcus pneumoniae, 46%; Haemophilus influenzae type b, 21%; and Streptococcus pyogenes, 8%. Nasal crusting was significantly associated with the growth of S. pneumoniae or H. influenzae type b. There were no significant differences between active drug and placebo treatment groups for change in nasal discharge, complications or apparent drug benefit. Cephalexin therapy did not result in a decrease in cultivation of pathogenic organisms from the nasopharynx. Significantly more side effects were attributed to pseudoephedrine/triprolidine treatment than to placebo. Routine culture or treatment of purulent nasopharyngitis should not be considered unless future controlled clinical trials demonstrate some therapeutic benefit.
Email-P2P Gateway to Distributed Medical Imaging Repositories

For the healthcare professionals the importance of the medical imaging as a diagnostic tool is undeniable. For this reason, industry and research organizations increased significantly their interest in the medical imaging area, trying to deliver solutions for creating, storing, exchanging and displaying medical images. The raise of hardware and software solutions drove the community of vendors to gradually decrease the price of his solutions. As consequence, there was a rise of small imaging centres competing with bigger healthcare institutions. The market offers drives the patients to move across a wide range of healthcare institutions to undergo all the necessary exams. Producing a great amount of medical data dispersed over several institutions. This scenario of isolated islands of images repositories unable of interacting with each other is, in our opinion, propitious to a peer-to-peer (P2P) archive solution. Until now, medical exams (images and studies) have been exchanged through analogue films, media storage devices (CD, DVD, etc), virtual private networks or manual email procedures. This paper describes the Dicoogle P2P system, a distributed PAC system where its users may easily store, search and exchange DICOM files. However, potential peers of the Dicoogle system are usually inside private networks, behind NATs and firewalls, disabling the inter-institutional peer interaction. Therefore, we propose an Email-P2P gateway to Dicoogle that offers a way to exchange DICOM files through these virtual barriers.
Effective methodology for mental health training of general practitioners

Aim : To undertake a review of general practitioner (GP) mental health training focusing on three teaching formats; lecture-based, skills-based, and multifaceted strategies. Methods : The databases of Medline, Educational Resources Information Centre, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Database of Abstacts of Reviews of Effectiveness were searched from the years 1980 to 2001. Search terms included general practice, family physician, family practice, mental disorders, quality of health care, professional education and combinations of these terms. Results : Lecture-based approaches combined with case discussion demonstrated improvements in GP performance. Improvements in patient outcomes were achieved using skills-based and multifaceted teaching strategies. Conclusion : More research into GP mental health training is necessary, as well as increased focus on better sampling of GPs, and measurement of GP and patient outcomes using standardized instruments. „ 2003 Blackwell Publishing Asia and Wonca