Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Semiautomatic Analysis on Computed Tomography in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Reproducibility and Prognostic Significance of Unidimensional and 3-dimensional Measurements

Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare both reproducibility and prognostic value of lesion size measurements obtained manually and semiautomatically on computed tomography in advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods: Manual axial longest diameter, semiautomatic axial longest diameter, and volume of NSCLC lesions were independently analyzed by 4 readers at baseline and after at least 1 cycle of platinum-based chemotherapy. The prognostic value of the proportional change in lesion size between baseline and follow-up CT was evaluated using either RECIST or experimental thresholds derived from the quartiles of the changes as assessed manually or semiautomatically. Results: Semiautomatic axial longest diameter (concordance correlation coefficient [CCC]: 0.980 to 0.987; variation coefficient [VC%]: 6% to 7.3%) and volume (CCC: 0.974 to 0.991; VC%: 5.6% to 9.5%) were more reproducible than manual axial longest diameter (CCC: 0.950 to 0.984; VC%: 6.4% to 11.7%). RECIST categories did not stratify patients with different survival durations. For 3/4 readers, a decrease of ⩽70% in lesion volume was associated with shorter survival (median survival: 11 mo, P<0.05; hazard ratio: 5 to 22.2, P<0.05). Conclusions: In advanced NSCLC, semiautomatic measures were more reproducible than manual diameter, and volumetric measurement may better predict patient survival.
Near universal detection of alterations in CTNNB1 and Wnt pathway regulators in desmoid‐type fibromatosis by whole‐exome sequencing and genomic analysis

CTNNB1 mutations or APC abnormalities have been observed in ∼85% of desmoids examined by Sanger sequencing and are associated with Wnt/β‐catenin activation. We sought to identify molecular aberrations in “wild‐type” tumors (those without CTNNB1 or APC alteration) and to determine their prognostic relevance. CTNNB1 was examined by Sanger sequencing in 117 desmoids; a mutation was observed in 101 (86%) and 16 were wild type. Wild‐type status did not associate with tumor recurrence. Moreover, in unsupervised clustering based on U133A‐derived gene expression profiles, wild‐type and mutated tumors clustered together. Whole‐exome sequencing of eight of the wild‐type desmoids revealed that three had a CTNNB1 mutation that had been undetected by Sanger sequencing. The mutation was found in a mean 16% of reads (vs. 37% for mutations identified by Sanger). Of the other five wild‐type tumors sequenced, two had APC loss, two had chromosome 6 loss, and one had mutation of BMI1. The finding of low‐frequency CTNNB1 mutation or APC loss in wild‐type desmoids was validated in the remaining eight wild‐type desmoids; directed miSeq identified low‐frequency CTNNB1 mutation in four and comparative genomic hybridization identified APC loss in one. These results demonstrate that mutations affecting CTNNB1 or APC occur more frequently in desmoids than previously recognized (111 of 117; 95%), and designation of wild‐type genotype is largely determined by sensitivity of detection methods. Even true CTNNB1 wild‐type tumors (determined by next‐generation sequencing) may have genomic alterations associated with Wnt activation (chromosome 6 loss/BMI1 mutation), supporting Wnt/β‐catenin activation as the common pathway governing desmoid initiation. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sizes and concentrations of several type C oncornaviruses and bacteriophage T2 by the resistive-pulse technique

Viruses above about 60 nm in diameter may be rapidly sized to a few nanometers in their natural hydrated state as they pass one by one through a single pore in a newly developed nanometer-particle analyzer based on the resistive-pulse technique of the Coulter Counter and the use of submicron diameter pores made by the Nuclepore process. Size measurements for several type C oncornaviruses are: Rauscher murine leukemia, 122.3 +/- 2 nm; simian sarcoma, 109.7 +/- 3 nm; Mason-Pfizer monkey, 140.0 +/- 2.5 nm; RD-114, 115 +/- 5 nm; and feline leukemia, 127.4 +/- 2 nm, relative to standard 109-nm latex spheres. The T2 bacteriophage has a volume of (5.10 +/- 0.15) X 10(-16) cm3. Concentrations of viruses near 10(9) to 10(11)/ml that are fairly clear of debris are routinely measurable in a few minutes to an accuracy near 15%. A lower practical count limit is near 5 X 10(7) viruses per ml.
Transcriptional regulation of L-type calcium channel expression in cardiac myocytes.

The L-type calcium channel is a heteromultimeric protein complex, which is expressed in the cardiac sarcolemma. Although post-translational regulation of its subunits by protein kinase A (PKA) has been widely reported, little is known about molecular processes that regulate expression of calcium channel subunits (alpha(1C), alpha(2)- delta, and beta(2A)subunits). Previous studies from our group demonstrate that the steady-state mRNA level of the alpha(1C)unit is increased by treatment of myocytes with beta -adrenergic agonists. The current study is designed to determine whether the mRNA levels for all subunits of the L-type calcium channel are coordinately controlled by a beta -adrenergic agonist, and whether this occurs predominantly through control of rate of transcription. Nuclear run-on assays were used to determine the transcription initiation rate of these genes in cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes. In isoproterenol (10(-7)m)-treated myocytes, transcription of genes encoding the alpha(1C), alpha(2)- delta, and beta(2A)subunits was enhanced. The increases in transcription initiation rate for alpha(1C), alpha(2)- delta, and beta(2A)subunits genes were 404%, 367%, and 240% of control, respectively. Pretreatment with the beta -adrenergic antagonist propranolol (10(-5)m) or PKA inhibitor H-89 (10(-6)m) blocked the effects of isoproterenol, while either drug alone did not affect the gene transcription rate significantly. Steady state mRNA levels of the subunits increased following isoproterenol treatment. These results suggest that beta -adrenergic stimulation and the PKA signaling pathway play an important role in transcriptional regulation of the L-type calcium channel in myocyte. The expression of all the subunits of this ion channel is under coordinate transcriptional control.
Combined Treatment of Acute EAE in Lewis Rats with TNF-Binding Protein and Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is a term given to describe a collection of animal models representing the human disease multiple sclerosis (MS). Although not fully understood, the involvement of cytokines and the immune system in either EAE or human MS is well established. Past efforts have shown that inhibition of proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) or interleukin-1 (IL-1) result in amelioration of acute EAE in Lewis rats. The present study examined this model for the effect of concomitant inhibition of both TNF-alpha and IL-1, which resulted in a modest but significant therapeutic effect that was superior to inhibition of either single agent alone with respect to four of the five variables used to follow the progression of disease in this model, i.e., clinical severity, frequency of disease, loss of body weight, and day of onset. These results are in accordance with the idea that combination treatments are likely to prove superior to single agent therapy in the treatment of autoimmune inflammatory disease.
Prognosis of patients reacting with urticaria to insect sting

Insect sting challenge in 14 patients with urticarial reaction to last insect sting resulted ia two systemic reactions (95% confidence limits 0–6 patients), a reaction rate of 14%. Skin prick test, basophil histamine release, RAST, and allergen‐specific IgG, alone or in conjunction, could not indicate the patients to react systemically after sting challenge. Further, the systemic reactions were uninfluenced by type of insect and time elapsed since last insect sting. It is concluded that the reaction to future insect stings cannot be predicted by the immunological tests presently available.
Self-Determination Theory and Locus of Control as Antecedents of Voluntary Workplace Behaviors

Antecedents of organizational citizenship behaviors and counterproductive work behaviors have been studied in depth, focusing on both individual differences and environmental variables. However, motivation has been largely overlooked as a contributor to these voluntary behaviors. Self-Determination Theory, a motivational framework, posits that environmental support in the form of fulfilled basic psychological needs leads to activities geared towards growth and development, whereas a lack of environmental supports thwarts these attempts towards self-growth. It is hypothesized that environmental support will account for unique variance above and beyond previously studied antecedents of voluntary workplace behaviors. This was supported using hierarchical regression. It was also hypothesized that locus of control will moderate the effect of environmental support on voluntary behaviors, such that environmental support will play a larger role in people with an external locus of control, compared to those with an internal locus of control. This was not supported using moderated regression, but the trends suggest that future research in this area may be more successful. The implications for research and practice are discussed.
Inventory Management System and Performance of Food and Beverages Companies in Nigeria

Inventory management decisions are an integral aspect of organisations. Inventory postponement as argued by Bucklin (1965) is where a firm deliberately delays the purchase and the physical possession of inventory items until demand or usage requirements are known with certainty. This is an effective supply chain strategy adopted by most manufacturing organisations by reducing the inventory, and in turn reducing the cost of obsolete stock. This study explores the relationship between inventory management and control and performance and Food and Beverages companies in Nigeria. Secondary data were obtained from annual financial reports and accounts of Food and Beverages companies listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The data obtained were analyzed using simple and multiple regression models. The results show that there significant relationship between inventory management and control and the performance of Food and Beverages companies in Nigeria. The multiple regression correlation coefficient (R) =0.996, R2=0.990 and p- value =0;00<0.05 The results also show the relative importance of the inventory management decisions made by the organisation, and the implications these decisions have on the consumer. The findings show that the three key qualities that are essential in inventory management decisions for manufacturing organisation from the perspective of the third party logistics provider are customer satisfaction, on time delivery and order fulfillment.
Research on Short-term Traffic Forecast Algorithm based on Cloud Model

Short-term traffic flow is difficult to predict because of high uncertainty. This paper proposes a short-term traffic forecast algorithm based on cloud similarity. By taking advantage of quantitative and qualitative cloud model mutual conversion function and traffic flow predictability, the historical traffic data can be processed with cloud transformation. Set the current traffic cloud as a standard, traverse the historical traffic cloud to find the best traffic flow period which is with best similarities to the current traffic clouds. Set the future short-term traffic flow of this very period of time as the prediction result of the current period of time. Experiments show that the average prediction error was 3.25 (vehicles) and the prediction error distribution probability was 0.29. DOI : http://dx.doi. org/10.11591/telkomnika.v12i3. 4655 Full Text: PDF
Um descritor robusto e eficiente de pontos de interesse: desenvolvimento e aplicações

Diferentes metodologias para reconhecimento de objetos, reconstrucao e alinhamento tridimensional, possuem no cerne de seu desenvolvimento o problema de correspondencia. Devido a ambiguidade em nosso mundo e a presenca de ruidos nos processos de aquisicoes de dados, obter correspondencias de qualidade e umdos maiores desafios em Robotica e Visao Computacional. Dessa maneira, a criacao de descritores que identifiquem os elementos a serem correspondidos e que sejam capazes de gerar pares correspondentes corretamente e de grande importância. Nesta tese, introduzimos tres novos descritores que combinam de maneira eficiente aparencia e informacao geometrica de images RGB-D. Os descritores apresentados neste trabalho sao largamente invariantes a rotacao, mudancas de iluminacao e escala. Alem disso, para aplicacoes cujo principal requisito e o baixo consumo computacional em detrimento de alta precisao na correspondencia, a invariância a rotacao e escala podem ser facilmente desabilitadas sem grande perda na qualidadede discriminância dos descritores. Os resultados dos experimentos realizados nesta tese demonstram que nossos descritores, quando comparados a tres descritores padroes da literatura, SIFT, SURF(para images com texturas) e Spin-Images (para dados geometricos) e ao estado da arte CSHOT, foram mais robustos e precisos. Foram tambem realizados experimentos com os descritores em duas aplicacoes distintas. Nos os utilizamos para a deteccao e reconhecimento de objetos sob diferentes condicoes de iluminacao para a construcao de mapas com informacoes semânticas e para o registro de multiplos mapas com profundidade e textura. Em ambas as aplicacoes, nossos descritores demonstraram-se mais adequados do que outras abordagens, tendo sido superiores em tempo de processamento, consumo de memoria, taxa de reconhecimento e qualidade do registro.
Understanding Lyophilization Formulation Development

www.pharmtech. com yophilization or freeze-drying is often used to stabilize various pharmaceutical products, including virus vaccines, protein and peptide formulations, liposome, and small-chemical drug formulations (1–4). Often a pharmaceutical product may be susceptible to physical and chemical degradation when stored as a ready-to-use solution. The goal of the formulations scientist is to identify the right formulation conditions, the right excipients in optimal quantities, and the right dosage form to maximize stability, biological activity, safety, and marketability of a particular product.
Treatment of lentigo maligna with topical imiquimod

A published case report and anecdotal experience suggested that topical imiquimod is an effective treatment for stage 0 melanoma (lentigo maligna). To gauge the efficacy of this therapy, we undertook a trial of topical imiquimod in 30 subjects with histologically confirmed lentigo maligna. Thirty subjects with lentigo maligna were recruited for an open‐labelled efficacy trial with daily topical application of imiquimod 5% cream for 3 months. Study subjects were enrolled from the Dermatology service of the University of Oklahoma, the Oklahoma City Veteran's Administration Hospital Dermatology service and from referrals for the study from other practitioners. In order to determine an initial response rate, a four‐quadrant biopsy was carried out on all patients 1 month after cessation of treatment, targeting the most clinically and dermatoscopically suspicious areas. Of 28 evaluable subjects who have completed the 3‐month treatment phase, 26 (93%) were complete responders and two were treatment failures at the time of the 4‐quadrant biopsy. Over 80% of the 28 subjects that completed treatment have been followed for more than 1 year with no relapses. The results of this study demonstrate that topical imiquimod produces a high complete response rate in lentigo maligna when applied daily for 3 months.
Controlled islanding using VSC-HVDC links to reduce load shedding

This paper presents a controlled islanding algorithm based on k-means clustering. It considers Voltage Source Converter-based HVDC (VSC-HVDC) links within a synchronous system and places one VSC-HVDC terminal in each island so that power can be exchanged between the islands. This limits load shedding and/or generator tripping and reduces the overall restoration costs. The controlled islanding algorithm has been tested on the IEEE 16 machine 68 bus system and the dynamic behavior of the system is analyzed with a dynamic simulation. It can be seen that the proposed algorithm reduces the amount of shed loads significantly and, thus, shortens the restoration time.
Werner syndrome cells escape hydrogen peroxide‐induced cell proliferation arrest

Werner syndrome (WS) is a rare disease caused by the lack of a functional nuclear WS protein (WRN). WS is characterized by the early onset of premature aging signs and a high incidence of sarcomas. WS diploid fibroblasts have a short life span and extensive genomic instability. Mammalian cells are continuously exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which represent human mutagens and are thought to be a major contributor to the aging process. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a common ROS intermediate generated by various forms of oxidative stress. In response to H2O2‐induced DNA damage, normal human diploid fibroblasts follow a pathway leading to irreversible proliferation arrest and premature senescence. Here we show that in contrast to normal human fibroblasts, WS diploid fibroblasts continue proliferating after extensive H2O2‐induced DNA damage and accumulate oxidative DNA lesions. A direct role of WRN in this abnormal cellular response to H2O2 is demonstrated by interfering with WRN expression in normal human fibroblasts. We propose a role for WRN in the detection and/or processing of oxidative DNA lesions and in cellular responses to H2O2 as they relate to some of the phenotypical aspects of WS cells.
Pain assessment and management in medical wards: an area of unmet need

Background Acute Pain Services (APS) were introduced primarily to improve postoperative pain management. Although pain is similar in prevalence and severity in medical and surgical wards, its assessment and management in non-surgical patients often receives less attention and resources. Objective To investigate the extent of APS involvement on medical wards and obtain perceptions of deficiencies. Method A questionnaire was mailed to APS leads in 287 UK NHS hospitals; 229 questionnaires were returned (79.8% response). Results Only 36 (16%) of the 225 hospitals with medical wards reported routine APS involvement. Pain scores were not recorded in 75 (33%) hospitals, 11 (5%) denied knowledge about assessments being conducted, and 185 (82.2%) respondents felt that pain management on medical wards was inadequate. Conclusions Perceived lack of training and awareness of healthcare staff were highly ranked contributing factors, and this was attributed to inadequate funding. This study highlights the scope for improvement of pain control in medical patients, with benefits from reduced morbidity and faster recovery.
Successful collection of peripheral blood progenitor cells in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia following early consolidation therapy with granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor‐supported high‐dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone

We evaluated the feasibility of collecting peripheral blood progenitor cells (PBPC) in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) following two cycles of induction chemotherapy with idarubicin, cytarabine and etoposide (ICE), and one cycle of consolidation therapy with high‐dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone (HAM). Thirty‐six patients of the multicentre treatment trial AML HD93 were enrolled in this study, and a sufficient number of PBPC was harvested in 30 (83%). Individual peak concentrations of CD34+ cells in the blood varied (range 13.1–291.5/μl; median 20.0/μl). To reach the target quantity of 2.5 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg, between one and six (median two) leukaphereses (LP) were performed. The LP products contained between 0.2 × 106 and 18.9 × 106 CD34+cells/kg (median 1.2 × 106/kg). Multivariate analysis showed that the white blood cell count prior to HAM and the time interval from the start of HAM therapy to reach an unsupported platelet count > 20 × 109/l were predictive for the peak value of CD34+ cells in the blood during the G‐CSF stimulated haematological recovery. In 16 patients an intraindividual comparison was made between bone marrow (BM) and PBPC grafts. Compared to BM grafts, PBPC grafts contained 14‐fold more MNC, 5‐fold more CD34+ cells and 36‐fold more CFU‐GM. A CD34+ subset analysis showed that blood‐derived CD34+ cells had a more immature phenotype as indicated by a lower mean fluorescence intensity for HLA‐DR and CD38. In addition, the proportion of CD34+/Thy‐1+ cells tended to be greater in the PBPC grafts. The data indicate that sufficient PBPC can be collected in the majority of patients with AML following intensive double induction and first consolidation therapy with high‐dose cytarabine and mitoxantrone.
Relative effects of ileal resection and bypass on intestinal adaptation and carcinogenesis

Since ileal resection and ileal bypass are commonly performed in man and might stimulate colonic hyperplasia, their co‐carcinogenic potential was explored in male Sprague‐Dawley rats (n = 135). One week after 33 per cent distal small‐bowel resection, 33 per cent distal small‐bowel bypass or distal ileal transection (control), animals started a 6‐week course of azoxymethane injections (total dose 90 mg/kg ip). Findings in rats killed at 20 and 25 weeks were similar: bypass produced a higher yield of colorectal tumours (4.0 ± 0.6 per rat: mean ± s.e.) than controls (2.4 ± 0.4; P < 0.05), but resection caused maximal enhancement (5.2 ± 0.5: P < 0.01). In rats killed at 30 weeks, however, tumour yields were almost identical. Overall, resection increased colonic tumour yield by 55 per cent (P < 0.02) and bypass by 32 per cent. Stathmokinetic measurements of crypt cell production rate (CCPR) at 20 weeks showed similar increases after resection and bypass both in residual functioning small bowel (109–200 per cent: P < 0.01) and in colorectum (63–100 per cent: P < 0.05). At 30 weeks these adaptive effects persisted, despite an overall increase in CCPR with age. Loss of functioning ileum enhances experimental colorectal carcinogenesis principally by reducing the latent period for tumour development. Resection has a greater effect than bypass probably by producing earlier hyperplasia, though later adaptive effects are similar.
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation Complicating the Conservative Management of Placenta Percreta

BACKGROUND: Retention of the placenta is an option in the management of placenta percreta; however, it may be associated with significant morbidity. CASE: We present a case of conservative management of placenta percreta. Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) developed 49 days after delivery. An urgent hysterectomy was performed, followed by rapid normalization of coagulation parameters. CONCLUSION: Disseminated intravascular coagulation may complicate the conservative management of placenta percreta and can manifest weeks after delivery in the absence of antecedent hemorrhage or infection. The time course and presentation of this case are similar to the development of DIC after prolonged retention of a fetal demise with a probable shared pathophysiology. Close follow-up may facilitate prompt diagnosis of DIC, thereby minimizing associated morbidity.
Enhancement of use-dependent plasticity by d-amphetamine

In healthy individuals, motor training can elicit use-dependent plasticity. Here the authors studied six subjects in whom training alone failed to elicit this effect. Administration of a single dose of 10 mg of d-amphetamine preceding training led to use-dependent plasticity in a subgroup of these subjects. Using pharmacologic interventions to enhance the effects of motor training might help rehabilitative efforts in patients in whom training alone fails.