Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
MR imaging of the superior profile of the midbrain: differential diagnosis between progressive supranuclear palsy and Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Quantitative evaluation of midbrain atrophy may be useful in differentiating progressive supranulear palsy (PSP) from Parkinson disease (PD); however, this finding is not specific of PSP, and quantitative measurements are not always practical. We determined whether an abnormal superior midbrain profile (flat or concave aspect) is a more practical diagnostic parameter for PSP. METHODS MR imaging studies of 25 patients with PSP and 27 with PD were reviewed by means of five parameters: midbrain superior profile on midsagittal T1-weighted images, midbrain atrophy, tegmental abnormal T2 hyperintensity, abnormal T2 putaminal hypointensity or hyperintensity on axial proton density-weighted images. We also measured the anteroposterior diameter of the midbrain on axial T2-weighted sections at the level of the superior colliculus. RESULTS The finding of an abnormal superior profile of the midbrain had 68% sensitivity and 88.8% specificity. Midbrain atrophy had 68% sensitivity and 77.7% specificity. Tegmental T2 hyperintensity had 100% specificity but poor sensitivity (28%). Only 14.8% of patients with PD and 24% of those with PSP had abnormal putaminal T2 hypointensity; none had proton-density hyperintensity. With PSP, the average midbrain diameter was smaller than that with PD, but an important overlap was observed. Reader discordance was lower for the midbrain superior profile sign (eight of 52 cases); this was similar for tegmental hyperintensity (nine of 52 cases) and higher for midbrain atrophy (16 of 52 cases). CONCLUSION An abnormal superior profile of the midbrain facilitates the distinction of PSP from PD and may support the clinical differential diagnosis of parkinsonism.
Design and Synthesis of Thiadiazole Derivatives as Antidiabetic Agents

Thiadiazole compounds have versatile activities such as anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, etc. Present study involves design of thiadiazole compounds as antidiabetic agent using docking studies. The designed molecules were synthesized and subjected to antidiabetic activity by in vitro and in vivo method. Compound TD7 was found to show potent antidiabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetes rat model. Molecular docking revealed that synthesized derivatives and target proteins were actively involved in binding and had significant correlation with biological activity.
A CMOS imager with focal-plane computation for feature detection

Feature detection and tracking is a fundamental problem in computer vision research. By detecting and tracking features in an image sequence it is possible to recover information about both the motion of the viewer and the structure of the environment. We designed, fabricated and tested a CMOS imager with analog VLSI focal-plane computation for feature detection. The chip implements a feature detection algorithm that is suitable for integration in a compact analog VLSI chip. We review the algorithm, its analog VLSI implementation and experimental results from the chip.
Two New Triterpenes from Fern Adiantum incisum

Two new triterpenes, adininaneone (1) and adininaonol (2) were isolated from Adiantum incisum. Three known triterpenes, adiantone (3), isoadiantone (4) and 23-hydroxyfernene (5) were also isolated for the first time from the methanolic extracts of A. insicum. The structures were elucidated with the help of modern spectroscopic techniques.
Impact of concomitant treatment with proton pump inhibitors and clopidogrel on clinical outcome in patients after coronary stent implantation

Summary The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the concomitant treatment with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) and clopidogrel on the incidence of stent thrombosis, acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and death in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and stent implantation. In total, 1,210 patients under dual anti-platelet therapy, who underwent PCI and stent implantation, were included in a prospective registry from January 2003 until December 2006. The patients were divided retrospectively into those with or without long-term PPI treatment (for the duration of dual antiplatelet therapy). All-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, re-hospitalisation for reACS, stent thrombosis, as well as the combined endpoint all-cause death, re-ACS or stent thrombosis were evaluated over a mean follow-up period of 7.8 (± 3.63) months (range 1–12 months). Propensity score analysis was performed to reduce potential selection bias and exhibited no significant difference between the two study groups with respect to all-cause mortality, cardiovascular death, re-ACS, stent thrombosis and the combined endpoint. In pre-specified subgroup analyses performed in patients presenting with ACS and referred for acute PCI or for stable patients referred for elective PCI, receiving drug-eluting stents or bare metal stents, in diabetics or non-diabetics, in males or females, and in patients older than 75 years or ≤75 years of age use of PPIs had no significant impact on clinical outcome. Our data suggest that a combined use of clopidogrel as part of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after coronary stenting and PPIs does not significantly influence the clinical outcome.
A longitudinal study of awareness of deficit after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury

Lack of awareness of deficits is a common problem after traumatic brain injury (TBI), and is associated with worse functional outcome and poor compliance with rehabilitation. Little is known, however, about the course of awareness of deficits after TBI. Using a longitudinal design, we examined changes in self-awareness between the subacute stage (about 45 days after injury) and one-year follow-up in a sample of 123 individuals with moderate to severe TBI. Awareness of deficits was operationalised as the discrepancy between patient and family ratings on the Awareness Questionnaire (AQ) and Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS). Compared to baseline, awareness was improved at one year, as evidenced by smaller discrepancy scores and stronger correlations between participant and family ratings. Changes in awareness were most pronounced for the behavioural/affective domain and least pronounced for the motor/sensory domain, which showed best agreement at baseline. Even at one year, participants rated themselves as higher functioning than did their relatives. Awareness at baseline and, for the AQ, time to follow commands, significantly predicted awareness at one year. These results suggest that awareness of deficits improves between the subacute and post-acute stages after TBI, and highlight the need for effective interventions for persons with impaired awareness and for flexible timing of rehabilitation efforts.
Dynamic Beat‐to‐Beat QT‐RR Relationship During Physiotherapy Effort in Elderly Patients Without Primary Heart Disease

The ECGs from 18 patients hospitalized in a rehabilitation setting, following surgery for hip fracture, were examined to characterize the dynamic behavior of uncorrected QT interval in relation to changing RR interval during physiotherapy effort. ECG waveforms were analyzed to extract beat‐to‐beat QT and RR intervals using a computerized ECG Analyzer (CEA‐1100). The method of defining the QT and RR intervals is based on performing multiple cross‐correlations that enable rejection of artifacts from the analysis. The relationship between the RR and QT intervals was found using the following general formula QTi= cRRbi ‐ 1. Linear regression was performed on the logarithms of QT and RR measurements obtained to estimate the constant (a = log c) and the slope (b) values, reflecting the dynamic change of QT during physiotherapy effort. Having these two values, the dynamic QT extrapolated to a heart period of 1 second (QTcd) was calculated. The results were compared to the conventional corrected static QT according to the Bazzet formula (QTcs). The mean values of constants (a = log c) and slopes (b) over all patients were found to be 1.61 ± 0.23 and 0.33 ± 0.08, respectively, giving a QT (ms) heart‐period (ms) dynamic relation of QTi= 41 × RRi‐10.33. The correlation between the dynamic QT and the static QT intervals was not significant. The mean values of the QTcd and QTcs intervals were significantly different (392 ± 25 ms vs 434 ± 28 ms; P < 0.0001). This dynamic measurement method of QT intervals may provide additional information on normal and abnormal cardiac repolarization in health and disease, helping in the diagnosis of cardiac disorders and arrhythmia risk.
Going Digital

This pilot study examines the associations between structural characteristics and the adoption and subsequent use of electronic health records (EHR; resident demographics, clinical notes, medication lists, problem lists, discharge summaries, and advance directives) as a process characteristic in assisted living facilities (ALFs). The study is guided conceptually by Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) model. Primary survey data were collected from a randomly selected sample (N = 76) in Florida during 2009-2010. Analysis included descriptive and bivariate statistics. Descriptive results indicated that ALFs most frequently used an EHR to record medication lists. Characteristics, including size, profit status, resident case mix, and staffing, were associated at the bivariate level with the use of one or more functional domains of an EHR. Thus, the use of EHRs in ALFs is correlated with facility characteristics.
Clinicopathological Evaluation and Prognostic Analysis in Breast Cancer Patients with Brain Metastasis

Background: Brain metastases are diagnosed in 5% - 15% of patients with breast cancer. Clinical management of brain metastases appears to be crucial in improving the prognosis of patients with breast cancer that has metastasized to the brain. However, few studies have investigated whether treatment of metastatic brain tumors would lead to improved prognosis. Methods: A total of 41 breast cancer patients whose tumors metastasized to the brain and who were diagnosed and treated at our hospital were enrolled. This study was conducted to determine the characteristics of brain metastases and to identify the factors that may affect the treatment and prognosis of patients with brain metastases. Results: There were more patients with HER2 and triple negative subtypes than of the luminal subtype. The median time from the initiation of breast cancer treatment to the onset of brain metastasis was 31 months (range, 7 - 134 months). Significantly greater disease-specific survival (DSS) was observed in patients who had a performance status of 0 - 2 at the time of diagnosis of metastatic brain tumors than those with a performance status of 3 - 4 (p = 0.04). DSS was also significantly greater in patients who underwent surgery to remove brain metastases and in patients treated with systemic therapy (p = 0.0007 and 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: It may be possible to improve the prognosis of patients with brain metastases if lesions are detected early enough when the patients’ performance status is still good. In order for these findings to be definitive, however, results of future prospective studies are eagerly awaited.
Le sexe et le Droit: de la logique binaire des genres et la matrice hétérosexuelle de la loi

La logique binaire des sexes, bien qu’absente de maniere explicite, apparait comme un soubassement du systeme juridique en matiere des droits des personnes et de droit de la famille. Des la naissance, l’individu est inscrit dans la «classe» feminine ou masculine, condition qui determinera le reste de sa vie juridique. Les cas des intersexuels et des transsexuels mettent de manifeste la violence des assignations obligatoires et montrent les difficultes auxquelles sont confrontes ces personnes pour mettre en accord le sexe subjectif avec le sexe juridique. A partir, d’une etude du droit civil francais, le present article analyse de maniere critique l’assignation de genre et la matrice heterosexuelle de la loi pour proposer la disparition de la categorie «sexe» des actes de l’etat civil. Comme la race, la classe ou la profession, le genre ne semble plus pertinent, selon l’auteur, comme element definitoire du sujet de droit.
Device-free human presence detection using frequency domain

Device-free human presence (DFHP) detection is a novel technique, mainly applicable to wireless sensor networks in which a human does not need to carry a wireless transceiver to be detected. Irregularities in the radio signal propagation pattern, expressed in a form of received signal strength indicator's (RSSI) variations can indicate possible presence of a human within the existing radio network. In this paper we propose DFHP detection method based on frequency analysis of RSSI variations. The main advantage of the proposed method compared to human detection method based on information entropy is the possibility to determine human presence from furniture layout change. The main drawback is a disability to recognize the absence from the presence of a motionless person in an environment. However, the combination of these two approaches defines a robust and cost-effective DFHP detection method that can be used in various smart home systems without the need for specific hardware installation and exploitation procedures.
Selective localization of G protein γ5 subunit in the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and rostral migratory stream of the adult rat brain

G proteins play important roles in transmembrane signal transduction, and various isoforms of each subunit, α, β and γ, are highly expressed in the brain. The Gγ5 subunit is a minor isoform in the adult brain, but we have previously shown it to be highly expressed in the proliferative region of the ventricular zone in the rat embryonic brain. We show here that Gγ5 is also selectively localized in a proliferative region in the adult rat brain, including the subventricular zone of the lateral ventricle and rostral migratory stream. The Gαi2 subunit colocalized with Gγ5 in these regions, the two subunits being present in neuronal precursors and ependymal cells but not in proliferating astrocytes. In addition, intense staining of Gγ5 was seen in axons of the olfactory neurons, which are known to regenerate. These results suggest specific roles for Gγ5 in precursor cells during neurogenesis so that this isoform might be a useful biological marker.
Observations on the Pathology of Ménière's Syndrome

IT is the purpose of this paper to describe—it is believed, for the first time—the pathological changes in the temporal bones of two cases of Meniere's syndrome. In both death occurred shortly after operation for section of the VHIth nerve. For the purposes of the present paper, the surgical factors concerned in the operative failure of these cases will be dealt with only in so far as they are related to the interpretation of the histological changes which are now to be described. Their detailed consideration will be reserved for a further publication. Introduction
Kaposi's Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus/Human Herpesvirus 8 Envelope Glycoprotein gB Induces the Integrin-Dependent Focal Adhesion Kinase-Src-Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase-Rho GTPase Signal Pathways and Cytoskeletal Rearrangements

ABSTRACT Human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8; Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus) envelope glycoprotein gB possesses an RGD motif, interacts with α3β1 integrin, and uses it as one of the entry receptors. HHV-8 induces the integrin-dependent focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a critical step in the outside-in signaling pathways necessary for the subsequent phosphorylation of other cellular kinases, cytoskeletal rearrangements, and other functions. As an initial step toward deciphering the role of HHV-8 gB-integrin interaction in infection, signal pathways induced by gB were examined. A truncated form of gB without the transmembrane and carboxyl domains (gBΔTM), a gBΔTM mutant form (gBΔTM-RGA) with an RGD-to-RGA mutation, and inhibitors of cellular kinases were used. HHV-8 gBΔTM, but not gBΔTM-RGA, induced FAK phosphorylation in target cells, which was in part dependent on the presence of α3β1 integrin. FAK was critical for the subsequent phosphorylation of Src by gBΔTM, and Src induction was essential for the phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K). HHV-8 gBΔTM-induced PI-3K was essential for the induction of RhoA and Cdc42 Rho GTPases that was accompanied by the cytoskeletal rearrangements. These gB-induced morphological changes were inhibited by the PI-3K inhibitors. Ezrin, one of the essential elements required to cross-link the actin cytoskeleton with the plasma membrane and to induce the morphological changes, was induced by the Rho GTPases. Inhibition of cellular tyrosine kinases by the brief treatment of cells with 4′,5,7-trihydroxyisoflavone (genistein) blocked the entry of HHV-8 into target cells. These findings suggest that, independently of other viral glycoproteins and via its RGD motif, HHV-8 gB induces integrin-dependent pre-existing FAK-Src-PI-3K-Rho GTPase kinases. Since these signal pathways play vital roles in host cell endocytosis and movement of particulate materials in the cytoplasm, the early stages of HHV-8 gB interaction with host cells may provide a very conducive environment for the successful infection of target cells.
Spatial modulation with dual-polarized antennas

In this work, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication employing spatial modulation (SM) is considered with dual-polarized antennas over correlated Rayleigh and Rician channels. A general average bit-error probability (ABEP) upper bounding framework is presented for the dual-polarized SM-MIMO systems. This framework is used to derive a closed form condition for the asymptotic feasibility regions for employing dual-polarization versus using uni-polarized antennas. Theoretical derivations are validated with extensive simulation results. Both analysis and simulation results indicate that especially in the case of correlated channels, the use of dual-polarized antennas for SM is more feasible in terms of both allocated space and error performance than equivalent systems implemented with uni-polarized antennas.
Midbrain sonography in patients with essential tremor

Several studies have reported an increased risk to develop Parkinson's disease (PD) in essential tremor (ET) populations. Hyperechogenicity of the substantia nigra (SN) is a common transcranial sonography (TCS) finding in PD and has been suggested as a PD risk‐marker in nonparkinsonian subjects. This study compared SN areas of 44 ET patients with 100 controls and 100 PD patients. Sixteen percent of ET patients had SN hyperechogenicity as compared with 3% of controls and 75% of PD patients. These findings might correspond to an increased risk of ET patients to develop PD. Long‐term follow‐up will show if those with hyperechogenic SN develop PD, while these without will not. © 2006 Movement Disorder Society
Exposing the need for a training programme in paediatric and adolescent gynaecology for paediatric and GP trainees

Objective: As paediatric and adolescent gynaecology (PAG) falls within the remit of paediatrics and gynaecology, training in both specialties is underdeveloped. There is a paucity of research investigating trainee knowledge of PAG, while postgraduate paediatric training demonstrates little focus in the field. Compounding this, a finite number of PAG specialists means clinical training is limited. We hypothesize that knowledge deficits exist among paediatric and GP trainees and that this has future implications for increased morbidity in girls. Design, Setting and Participants: A structured questionnaire assessing PAG was distributed to forty paediatric and GP trainees in October 2019 in a tertiary paediatric hospital. Results: 60% (24) incorrectly identified vulvovaginitis as candidal infection. 80% (32) were unable to identify labial adhesions. 62% (25) were unable to define menorrhagia. 100% (9) of GP trainees said they would prescribe the OCP compared with 51% (16) of paediatric trainees. 52% (21) did not consider STI screening when appropriate. 75% (30) believed genital warts invariably warrant referral to child sexual assault clinic. 70% (28) could not identify female genital mutilation. 60% (24) did not consider imperforate hymen as a cause of primary amenorrhoea. 67% (27) misdiagnosed lichen sclerosis. Conclusions: A knowledge deficit among trainees was evident in relation to PAG conditions. Misdiagnosis and delayed treatment could lead to considerable increased morbidity for girls and we postulate that a key intervention which may prove effective in improving trainee competency in PAG lies in the introduction of a structured training curriculum for all clinicians involved in PAG practice.
Assessing Educational Outcomes in the 21 Century in Uganda: A Focus on Soft Skills

Human experience and empirical evidence suggest that assessing educational outcomes cannot be limited to testing or examining learners in the traditional subjects or hard skills alone as school graduates are often faced with life situations and employment challenges that require competences beyond hard skills. Assessing soft skills, or known as transferable skills or generic skills is increasingly recognised as critical for ensuring a holistic view of educational outcomes. This paper explores the kinds of educational outcomes required by employers on the labour market in Uganda, and how these educational outcomes can be measured and assessed.It is a description of part of educational interventions of Luigi Giussani Institute of Higher Education in Uganda (LGIHE). The first part of this paper draws on documentary and empirical evidence from key employers, supervisors and business owners to validateassertions from the available literature whereas there is increasing demand for soft skills from the employment sector, little effort has been invested in nurturingand assessing learners‟ soft skills.The second part draws from literature and empirical step by step procedure in designing Soft Skills Assessment Tools (SSATs). The paper reveals that education outcomes required of potential employees are wider in scope than traditionalexamination grades,academic qualifications or hard skills. This paper outlines the key soft skills demanded by the labour market and the suggested steps taken in designing SSATs. Hence, the paper recommends deliberate steps to be taken by schools in nurturing and assessing soft skills. ________________________________________________________________________________________
A diffusion approximation for voice-data integration in a wireless network

A diffusion approximation is proposed for the data section of the source encoding assisted multiple access (SEAMA) protocol, a voice and data communication wireless network. In SEAMA, a reservation mechanism handles the slot assignment for the voice traffic which operates as an M/M/N/sub max//N/sub max/ loss system. The data traffic is a Markovian queueing system with a random number of channels assigned. It is shown that for high loads of voice traffic and high loads of data traffic, the data queueing system is similar to a dam with an input which can be decomposed into three independent components: a Markov AR process, a non-zero mean white Gaussian noise process and a zero mean Gaussian random variable. The data process is shown to be approximated by a Wiener process with a reflecting barrier at the origin. Using this approximation, the system behavior is described and the desired parameters for the data traffic, i.e. average data packet delay and average data queue length are obtained.