Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Renal Tumors of Childhood—A Histopathologic Pattern-Based Diagnostic Approach

Renal tumors comprise approximately 7% of all malignant pediatric tumors. This is a highly heterogeneous group of tumors, each with its own therapeutic management, outcome, and association with germline predispositions. Histopathology is the key in establishing the correct diagnosis, and therefore pathologists with expertise in pediatric oncology are needed for dealing with these rare tumors. While each tumor shows different histologic features, they do have considerable overlap in cell type and histologic pattern, making the diagnosis difficult to establish, if based on routine histology alone. To this end, ancillary techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and molecular analysis, can be of great importance for the correct diagnosis, resulting in appropriate treatment. To use ancillary techniques cost-effectively, we propose a pattern-based approach and provide recommendations to aid in deciding which panel of antibodies, supplemented by molecular characterization of a subset of genes, are required.
Long-term results of percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty in children with aortic stenosis: a single-center experience.

BACKGROUND Percutaneous balloon aortic valvuloplasty (BAV) is an effective treatment modality for aortic stenosis (AS) in children. AIMS To assess the long-term results of BAV in the treatment of AS in various age groups of children, taking into account factors affecting the efficacy of the procedure and the need for surgical intervention. METHODS This retrospective study included 68 patients (newborns, infants, and children aged >1 year) in whom we analysed demographic data and measurements obtained during cardiac catheterisation, angiography, and echocardiography at three time points: before, directly after, and at late follow-up after BAV, including: invasive LV-Ao peak-to-peak systolic pressure gradient (PGpeak), maximum systolic pressure gradient (PGmax) by Doppler echocardiography, and the severity of aortic regurgitation (AR) (on a 4-point grading scale). Long-term follow-up data were available for 57 patients. RESULTS The procedure led to a statistically significant reduction in PGpeak in the overall study population.Late follow-up revealed a progression of AR. The strongest factor for the development of severe (grade ≥3) AR at late follow-up was the presence of grade ≥2 AR directly post BAV. Surgical treatment of the aortic valve was not required in 90%, 77%, and 59.5% of the patients after, respectively, 5, 10, and 18 years post BAV. Severe AR and a residual PG of <35 mm Hg at late follow-up were stronger risk factors for surgery on the aortic valve than moderate AR and a PG of >35 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS BAV is an effective treatment modality for AS in children of all age groups, which postpones the need for surgical treatment. Late follow-up reveals progression of AR. A greater reduction in PGmax is a risk factor for at least moderate AR directly post BAV, which results in the progression of AR at late follow-up and the need for performing heart surgery sooner.
The significance of blood pressure variation and metabolic risk factors in patients with different stages of hypertension

Objectives: Blood pressure variation (BPV) and metabolic syndrome is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Ambulatory blood Pressure (ABP) has been shown to be more closely related to cardiovascular events in hypertensive patients than conventional office BP (OBP). Using both OBP and ABP, 4 groups of patients were identified: (1) normotensive patients (NT); (2) white coat hypertensives (WCHT); (3) masked hypertensives (MHT); and (4) sustainedhypertensives (SHT). We investigated the significance of BPV and metabolic risks of these 4 groups. Methods: This study is a retrospective analysis of patients between January 2008 and May 2013. Echocardiography and 24 hour ABP monitoring were performed. Results: BMI was significantly higher in the MHT compared with the NT. There were progressive increases in fasting glucose level from NT to WCHT, MHT, and SHT.MHT and SHT had higher 24h and nighttime BPV than NT.MHT was significantly related with BMI (r = 0.139, P = 0.010), creatinine (r = 0.144, P = 0.018), fasting glucose (r = 0.128, P = 0.046), daytime systolic BPV (r = 0.130, P = 0.017), and daytime diastolic BPV (r = 0.130, P = 0.017). Dyslipidemia (r = 0.110, P = 0.043), nighttime systolic BPV (r = 0.241, P < 0.001) and nighttime diastolic BPV (r = 0.143, P = 0.009) shown correlation with SHT. In multivariate logistic regression, MHT was independently associated with Body mass index (OR 1.086, 95% CI 1.005-1.174, P = 0.038) and creatinine (OR 1.005, 95% CI 1.001-1.010, P = 0.045). Conclusions: BPV and metabolic risk factors were found to be greater in MHT and SHT compared with NT and WCHT. This suggests that BPV and metabolic risks may contribute to the elevated cardiovascular risk observed in patients with MHT and SHT.
The perceived size of the implicit representation of the dorsum and palm of the hand

The perception of the body and its parts has traditionally been studied using the conscious body image. Here, we determine the implicit representation of the hand. Participants were sequentially shown two life-size images of either the dorsal or palmar surface of their hand. In one interval either the horizontal or vertical dimension of the image was varied using an adaptive staircase, while the other interval contained the full-size, undistorted image. Participants reported which image most closely matched their hand. The staircase honed in on the distorted image that was equally likely to be judged as matching their own hand as the accurate image. The implicit representation was taken as midway between these two images. The experiment was repeated with different hand orientations. Perceived width depended on the orientation, with differences found between the upright and right orientations. Interestingly, the perceived length of the dorsum and palm were different from each other—length of the dorsum was overestimated whereas palm length was perceived accurately. This study reveals distortions of the implicit representation of the hands in healthy individuals.
Chlamydia Deficient in Plasmid-Encoded pGP3 Is Prevented from Spreading to Large Intestine

The cryptic plasmid pCM is critical for chlamydial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, orally inoculated plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. was still able to colonize the gut. Surprisingly, orally inoculated Chlamydia sp. deficient in only plasmid-encoded pGP3 was no longer able to colonize the gut. A comparison of live organism recoveries from individual gastrointestinal tissues revealed that pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. survived significantly better than plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. ABSTRACT The cryptic plasmid pCM is critical for chlamydial colonization in the gastrointestinal tract. Nevertheless, orally inoculated plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. was still able to colonize the gut. Surprisingly, orally inoculated Chlamydia sp. deficient in only plasmid-encoded pGP3 was no longer able to colonize the gut. A comparison of live organism recoveries from individual gastrointestinal tissues revealed that pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. survived significantly better than plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. in small intestinal tissues. However, the small intestinal pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. failed to reach the large intestine, explaining the lack of live pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. in rectal swabs following an oral inoculation. Interestingly, pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. was able to colonize the colon following an intracolon inoculation, suggesting that pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. might be prevented from spreading from the small intestine to the large intestine. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that following an intrajejunal inoculation that bypasses the gastric barrier, pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. still failed to reach the large intestine, although similarly inoculated plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. was able to do so. Interestingly, when both types of organisms were intrajejunally coinoculated into the same mouse small intestine, plasmid-free Chlamydia sp. was no longer able to spread to the large intestine, suggesting that pGP3-deficient Chlamydia sp. might be able to activate an intestinal resistance for regulating Chlamydia sp. spreading. Thus, the current study has not only provided evidence for reconciling a previously identified conflicting phenotype but also revealed a potential intestinal resistance to chlamydial spreading. Efforts are under way to further define the mechanism of the putative intestinal resistance.
Immunization Against Oxidized Elastin Exacerbates Structural and Functional Damage in Mouse Model of Smoke-Induced Ocular Injury

Purpose Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in Western populations. While an overactive complement system has been linked to pathogenesis, mechanisms contributing to its activation are largely unknown. In aged and AMD eyes, loss of the elastin layer (EL) of Bruch's membrane (BrM) has been reported. Elastin antibodies are elevated in patients with AMD, the pathogenic significance of which is unclear. Here we assess the role of elastin antibodies using a mouse model of smoke-induced ocular pathology (SIOP), which similarly demonstrates EL loss. Methods C57BL/6J mice were immunized with elastin or elastin peptide oxidatively modified by cigarette smoke (ox-elastin). Mice were then exposed to cigarette smoke or air for 6 months. Visual function was assessed by optokinetic response, retinal morphology by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and electron microscopy, and complement activation and antibody deposition by Western blot. Results Ox-elastin IgG and IgM antibodies were elevated in ox-elastin immunized mice following 6 months of smoke, whereas elastin immunization had a smaller effect. Ox-elastin immunization exacerbated smoke-induced vision loss, with thicker BrM and more damaged retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) mitochondria compared with mice immunized with elastin or nonimmunized controls. These changes were correlated with increased levels of IgM, IgG2, IgG3, and complement activation products in RPE/choroid. Conclusions These data demonstrate that SIOP mice generate elastin-specific antibodies and that immunization with ox-elastin exacerbates ocular pathology. Elastin antibodies represented complement fixing isotypes that, together with the increased presence of complement activation seen in immunized mice, suggest that elastin antibodies exert pathogenic effects through mediating complement activation.
Improvement of in situ Follicular Activation and Early Development in Cryopreserved Human Ovarian Cortical Tissue by Co-Culturing with Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Follicular loss and tissue degeneration are great challenges in ovarian tissue culture systems. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) secrete a cocktail of growth factors and cytokines which supports adjacent cells and tissues. The aim of the current study was to investigate the impact of human bone marrow (hBM)-MSC, as co-culture cells, on human follicular development in ovarian cortical tissue (OCT) culture. For this purpose, warmed OCT fragments were co-cultured with hBM-MSC for 8 days and compared to monocultured OCT. During the culture period, ovarian follicle survival and development in the OCT were evaluated using histological observation, follicular developmental-related genes expression, and estradiol production. Furthermore, cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed. The results showed that there were no significant differences in conserved ovarian follicles with a normal morphology between the two groups. However, the percentage of developing follicles, as well as follicular developmental gene expression, significantly increased in the co-culture group compared to the monoculture group. On the other hand, compared with the monoculture group, the co-culture group demonstrated a significant increase in cell proliferation, indicated by Ki67 gene expression, as well as a dramatic decrease in apoptotic cell percentage, revealed by TUNEL assay. These findings indicated that co-culturing of hBM-MSC with OCT could improve follicular activation and early follicular development in human ovarian tissue culture systems.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Stem Cells: An Overview of Clinical Trials, the Current Treatments and Future Therapeutic Approaches

Traumatic brain injury represents physical damage to the brain tissue that induces transitory or permanent neurological disabilities. The traumatic injury activates an important inflammatory response, followed by a cascade of events that lead to neuronal loss and further brain damage. Maintaining proper ventilation, a normal level of oxygenation, and adequate blood pressure are the main therapeutic strategies performed after injury. Surgery is often necessary for patients with more serious injuries. However, to date, there are no therapies that completely resolve the brain damage suffered following the trauma. Stem cells, due to their capacity to differentiate into neuronal cells and through releasing neurotrophic factors, seem to be a valid strategy to use in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of clinical trials, aimed to evaluate the use of stem cell-based therapy in traumatic brain injury. These studies aim to assess the safety and efficacy of stem cells in this disease. The results available so far are few; therefore, future studies need in order to evaluate the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation in traumatic brain injury.
A mechanistic model for individualised treatment of anxiety disorders based on predictive neural biomarkers

Abstract Increased amygdala responsiveness is the hallmark of fear and a characteristic across patients with anxiety disorders. The amygdala is embedded in a complex regulatory circuit. Multiple different mechanisms may elevate amygdala responsiveness and lead to the occurrence of an anxiety disorder. While top-down control by the prefrontal cortex (PFC) downregulates amygdala responses, the locus coeruleus (LC) drives up amygdala activation via noradrenergic projections. This indicates that the same fearful phenotype may result from different neural mechanisms. We propose a mechanistic model that defines three different neural biomarkers causing amygdala hyper-responsiveness in patients with anxiety disorders: (a) inherent amygdala hypersensitivity, (b) low prefrontal control and (c) high LC drive. First-line treatment for anxiety disorders is exposure-based cognitive behavioural therapy, which strengthens PFC recruitment during emotion regulation and thus targets low-prefrontal control. A treatment response rate around 50% (Loerinc et al., 2015, Clinical Psychological Reviews, 42, 72–82) might indicate heterogeneity of underlying neurobiological mechanisms among patients, presumably leading to high variation in treatment benefit. Transforming insights from cognitive neuroscience into applicable clinical heuristics to categorise patients based on their underlying biomarker may support individualised treatment selection in psychiatry. We review literature on the three anxiety-related mechanisms and present a mechanistic model that may serve as a rational for pathology-based diagnostic and biomarker-guided treatment selection in psychiatry.
Reporting quality of studies using machine learning models for medical diagnosis: a systematic review

Aims We conducted a systematic review assessing the reporting quality of studies validating models based on machine learning (ML) for clinical diagnosis, with a specific focus on the reporting of information concerning the participants on which the diagnostic task was evaluated on. Method Medline Core Clinical Journals were searched for studies published between July 2015 and July 2018. Two reviewers independently screened the retrieved articles, a third reviewer resolved any discrepancies. An extraction list was developed from the Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis guideline. Two reviewers independently extracted the data from the eligible articles. Third and fourth reviewers checked, verified the extracted data as well as resolved any discrepancies between the reviewers. Results The search results yielded 161 papers, of which 28 conformed to the eligibility criteria. Detail of data source was reported in 24 of the 28 papers. For all of the papers, the set of patients on which the ML-based diagnostic system was evaluated was partitioned from a larger dataset, and the method for deriving such set was always reported. Information on the diagnostic/non-diagnostic classification was reported well (23/28). The least reported items were the use of reporting guideline (0/28), distribution of disease severity (8/28 patient flow diagram (10/28) and distribution of alternative diagnosis (10/28). A large proportion of studies (23/28) had a delay between the conduct of the reference standard and ML tests, while one study did not and four studies were unclear. For 15 studies, it was unclear whether the evaluation group corresponded to the setting in which the ML test will be applied to. Conclusion All studies in this review failed to use reporting guidelines, and a large proportion of them lacked adequate detail on participants, making it difficult to replicate, assess and interpret study findings. PROSPERO registration number CRD42018099167.
Workload Aware Incremental Repartitioning of NoSQL for Online Transactional Processing Applications

Received May 23, 2017 Revised Dec 20, 2017 Accepted Jan 10, 2018 Numerous applications are deployed on the web with the increasing popularity of internet. The applications include, 1) Banking applications, 2) Gaming applications, 3) E-commerce web applications. Different applications reply on OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) systems. OLTP systems need to be scalable and require fast response. Today modern web applications generate huge amount of the data which one particular machine and Relational databases cannot handle. The E-Commerce applications are facing the challenge of improving the scalability of the system. Data partitioning technique is used to improve the scalability of the system. The data is distributed among the different machines which results in increasing number of transactions. The work-load aware incremental repartitioning approach is used to balance the load among the partitions and to reduce the number of transactions that are distributed in nature. Hyper Graph Representation technique is used to represent the entire transactional workload in graph form. In this technique, frequently used items are collected and Grouped by using Fuzzy C-means Clustering Algorithm. Tuple Classification and Migration Algorithm is used for mapping clusters to partitions and after that tuples are migrated efficiently. Keyword:
Impacts of medroxyprogesterone acetate on oocytes and embryos: matched case-control study in women with stage III–IV ovarian endometriosis undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization

Background This study investigated the effects of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) on the oocytes and embryos in patients with advanced endometriosis who had a normal ovarian reserve and tubal infertility and received controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and explored the characteristics and pregnancy outcomes in subsequent frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Methods In this prospective controlled study, 150 advanced endometriosis patients involving 150 in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles and 163 FET cycles and 150 age-matched tubal infertility patients requiring 150 IVF/ICSI cycles and 115 FET cycles were recruited. Patients with endometriosis were sub-grouped into surgery group (n=102) (they were diagnosed with ovarian endometriomas and underwent 102 IVF/ICSI and 115FET cycles) and aspiration group (n=48) [they had ovarian “chocolate” cysts (>3 cm) that were aspirated and underwent 48 IVF/ICSI and 74 FET cycles]. Results Lower oocyte retrieval rate was noted in the endometriosis group than in the control group. Similar oocyte yield and peak estrogen (E2) level were found in two groups. The rates of mature oocyte, fertilization, cleavage, high-quality embryo, viable embryo, cancellation, implantation, and clinical pregnancy were similar between two groups. A higher oocyte yield was observed in the EMS cyst group than in the surgery group. Conclusions The ovary response, oocytes, embryos and pregnancy outcome were not influenced by the advanced endometriosis and the use of MPA and also independent of endometrioma or cyst surgery.
THE IMPACT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, RENEWABLE ENERGY, ECONOMIC GROWTH ON CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSION IN MALAYSIA

The purpose of this article is to analyze the impact of natural resources, renewable energy, and economic growth on CO2 emission in Malaysia. Due to the increase in industrialization the state of Malaysia faces significant problems such as environmental pollution. In this study time series data has been used and the ARIMA equation has been used by the researcher in this study. The researcher collected the data from the year 1988 to 2017. The outcomes of the study suggest that natural resources and economic growth have a positive impact on CO2 emissions, while renewable energy has a negative impact on CO2 emissions. No scholar has examined the effect of natural resources, renewable resources and economic growth on CO2 emissions in Malaysia. So this study will enrich the information and literature in the context of Malaysia. Future scholars should include more variables such as non-renewable energy sources, SO2 and NOX emissions.
Standardization in Medical Informatics

Abstract This article stresses the importance of standardization in the domain of Health and Medical Informatics, and Telematics. It gives an overview of the current standing of the activities of CEN TC 251 (European Standardization Committee, Technical Committee on Health Care informatics) and describes the scope and content of a number of emerging European standards.