Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cecum Schwannoma: Uncommon Colonic Mass and New Surgical Approach Using Single Site Laparoscopy

Introduction: Schwannomas (SNs) are rare tumors derived from Schwann cells. They can occur almost anywhere, but the most common location is cranial nerve VIII where they present as acoustic neuromas. SNs rarely may be located in the GI tract. Case reports of stomach, small intestine, descending colon, and rectal SN exist. An extremely rare site is the ascending colon. Here, we present a case of a 45-year-old man with a diagnosed SN of the ascending colon that was treated successfully via single site laparoscopic right hemicolectomy. Discussion: SNs have been reported to have a wide range of clinical manifestations including intermittent gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal obstruction, constipation, intussusception, and abdominal pain. The diagnosis is made by histopathological examination demonstrating KIT (CD117) and CD34 stained negative samples and S-100 protein is stained positive. Surgical resection is the mainstay of therapy.
Acyclic Hypergraph Projections

Hypergraphs can be partitioned into two classes: tree (acyclic) hypergraphs and cyclic hypergraphs. This paper analyzes a new class of cyclic hypergraphs called Xrings. HypergraphHis an Xring if the hyperedges ofHcan be circularly ordered so that for every vertex, all hyperedges containing the vertex are consecutive; in addition, the vertices of no hyperedge may be a subset of the vertices of another hyperedge, and no vertex may appear in exactly one hyperedge. LetH1andH2be two hypergraphs. A tree projection ofH1with respect toH2is an acyclic hypergraphH3such that the vertices of each hyperedge inH1appear among the vertices of some hyperedge ofH3and the vertices of each hyperedge inH3appear among the vertices of some hyperedge ofH2. A polynomial time algorithm is presented for deciding, given XringH1and arbitrary hypergraphH2, whether there exists a tree projection ofH2with respect toH1. It is shown that hypergraphHis an Xring iff a modified adjacency graph ofHis a circular-arc graph. A linear time Xring recognition algorithm, for GYO reduced hypergraphs as inputs, is presented.
Macula densa cell signaling involves ATP release through a maxi anion channel

Macula densa cells are unique renal biosensor cells that detect changes in luminal NaCl concentration ([NaCl]L) and transmit signals to the mesangial cell/afferent arteriolar complex. They are the critical link between renal salt and water excretion and glomerular hemodynamics, thus playing a key role in regulation of body fluid volume. Since identification of these cells in the early 1900s, the nature of the signaling process from macula densa cells to the glomerular contractile elements has remained unknown. In patch–clamp studies of macula densa cells, we identified an [NaCl]L-sensitive ATP-permeable large-conductance (380 pS) anion channel. Also, we directly demonstrated the release of ATP (up to 10 μM) at the basolateral membrane of macula densa cells, in a manner dependent on [NaCl]L, by using an ATP bioassay technique. Furthermore, we found that glomerular mesangial cells respond with elevations in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration to extracellular application of ATP (EC50 0.8 μM). Importantly, we also found increases in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration with elevations in [NaCl]L, when fura-2-loaded mesangial cells were placed close to the basolateral membrane of macula densa cells. Thus, cell-to-cell communication between macula densa cells and mesangial cells, which express P2Y2 receptors, involves the release of ATP from macula densa cells via maxi anion channels at the basolateral membrane. This mechanism may represent a new paradigm in cell-to-cell signal transduction mediated by ATP.
Cómo hacer TIVA manual

Dos hechos han permitido que hoy en dia se haya incrementado la practica de la anestesia total intravenosa (ATIV). El primero, ha sido el desarrollo de nuevos agentes intravenosos con perfiles farmacocineticos y farmacodinamicos tipicos, de duracion breve, rapido inicio y rapida desaparicion de sus efectos; el otro hecho significativo ha sido la introduccion de nuevos sistemas de perfusion para la realizacion de la ATIV. Sin embargo, en muchos hospitales en Mexico los anestesiologos aun no cuentan con sistemas de infusion volumetricos inteligentes, y menos con los automatizados con control de concentraciones por objetivo (TCI); esto se debe a la actitud indiferente ante todo tipo de dispositivos electronicos que permiten un control facil y preciso para ofrecer un estado anestesico adecuado y una mayor estabilidad hemodinamica. Hasta el momento actual se han descrito una variedad de equipos con modelos farmacocineticos con sistemas apropiados para el control de TCI con propofol y uno especifico para el remifentanilo(1) (Diprifusor y Remifusor(2)). Hay estudios que reportan acerca del beneficio de la TCI sobre la MCI con propofol(3) y remifentanilo(4) incluyendo la estabilidad hemodinamica, perdida y recuperacion del estado de la conciencia, tiempos de apertura ocular, orientacion, mejor control sobre la profundidad anestesica y el ahorro en el consumo de los farmacos. Russell y cols. (5) utilizaron el sistema TCI con propofol, y Sneyd(6) con remifentanilo, y compararon MCI versus TCI, en ambos estudios los resultados fueron similares en cuanto a condiciones anestesicas y a tiempos de recuperacion. Sin embargo, el consumo de propofol y remifentanilo fue significativamente mas alto en el grupo de TCI que en el grupo de infusion manualmente controlada (MCI). Sneyd, concluye que el remifentanilo es un farmaco facil de utilizar y que la TCI puede aumentar significativamente los costos por el uso de equipo especializado sin que haya un beneficio demostrable para el paciente. Como hacer TIVA manual?
Ca2+-dependent Transcriptional Control of Ca2+ Homeostasis*

Intracellular free Ca2+ ions regulate many cellular functions, and in turn, the cell devotes many genes/proteins to keep tight control of the level of intracellular free Ca2+. Here, we review recent work on Ca2+-dependent mechanisms and effectors that regulate the transcription of genes encoding proteins involved in the maintenance of the homeostasis of Ca2+ in the cell.
Susceptibility of European beta-lactamase-positive and -negative Haemophilus influenzae isolates from the periods 1997/1998 and 2002/2003.

AIMS To test prospectively the activity of cefixime and comparators against Haemophilus influenzae from Europe and to compare the susceptibilities of isolates from 1997/1998 with isolates from 2002/2003 paying special attention to the epidemiology of amoxicillin resistance. METHODS MICs of antibiotics were determined using broth microdilution. For beta-lactamase-negative isolates with reduced susceptibility to amoxicillin, the nucleotide sequence of the penicillin-binding domain of PBP3 was determined. RESULTS The prevalence of beta-lactamase-positive isolates in certain countries has reached 38%. During the period 1997/1998, 8.8% of the isolates were beta-lactamase-negative and non-susceptible to amoxicillin (BLNAR). During the period 2002/2003, 9.6% of the isolates were BLNAR. The emergence of the BLNAR phenotype of H. influenzae was demonstrated in all countries with a prevalence ranging from 2% to 20%. The penicillin-binding domain of PBP3 from 30 sequenced isolates showed known amino acid substitutions, although no amino acid changes were observed in two BLNAR isolates. Clonal spread of BLNAR strains was limited or absent in our study. Both beta-lactamase-producing and BLNAR strains of H. influenzae were fully susceptible to cefixime. However, neither beta-lactamase-producing nor BLNAR isolates were fully susceptible to the other cephalosporins tested. All isolates were also fully susceptible to levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, azithromycin and telithromycin. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of the BLNAR phenotype in Europe is increasing, but no new amino acid substitutions were detected in the penicillin-binding domain of PBP3. Cefixime remains a useful treatment option for respiratory tract infections, including in areas with increasing resistance problems.
Respiratory variation of extrahepatic bile duct diameter during ultrasonography.

The attachments and adjacent structures of the extrahepatic bile duct may not move uniformly throughout the respiratory cycle, potentially affecting the diameter of the common bile duct. This study was performed to evaluate possible respiratory variation in extrahepatic bile duct diameter. Thirty consecutive subjects with maximal anteroposterior common bile duct diameter of 5 mm or greater were studied. Inspiratory increase in ductal diameter exceeding 1 mm was noted in 11 subjects (37%), eight without biliary obstruction. Awareness of this normal phenomenon may avert sonographic misdiagnosis of common bile duct obstruction, particularly during fatty‐meal sonography.
Noise reduction and enhancement by means of adaptive residue-image processing

A class of simple noise-reduction and contrast-enhancement algorithms is presented. In these algorithms, the image is decomposed locally into its mean value and residue image, and the relative weight of each component is altered under the control of a contrast measure that is obtained through quadratic filtering of the input image. This adaptive residue-image processing technique can be implemented with few operations per pixel and is hence suitable for real-time applications. Moreover, it performs well, is flexible and generalizes several existing algorithms. <<ETX>>
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor enhances host defenses against bacterial pneumonia following peritonitis in nonneutropenic rats*

Objective Polymorphonuclear cell functions frequently are impaired in critically ill patients, and restoration of normal functions could help to prevent nosocomial infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pretreatment with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on bacterial pneumonia induced 48 hrs after peritonitis (cecal ligation and puncture [CLP]) in rats. Design Controlled animal study. Setting Research laboratory of an academic institution. Subjects Male Sprague-Dawley rats. Interventions First, the CLP model was characterized. Second, alveolar endotoxin instillation allowed us to evaluate the ability of neutrophils to migrate to airspaces after CLP was assessed. In the last set of experiments, CLP was followed by G-CSF treatment as a preventive therapy for subsequent bacterial superinfection induced by alveolar Pseudomonas aeruginosa instillation. Measurements and Main Results CLP induced a brief increase in proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-&agr;, interleukin-1&bgr;) at the 6th hr followed by a longer-lived anti-inflammatory response (interleukin-10 increase from days 1 to 3) in plasma, compared with healthy rats. Impaired neutrophil migration to alveolar spaces denoting immunoparalysis was evidenced after endotracheal endotoxin instillation following CLP, compared with non-CLP rats challenged with endotoxin. No such impairment was found when G-CSF (100 &mgr;g/kg: glycosylated recombinant human G-CSF, Lenograstim) was given before endotoxin. G-CSF (100 &mgr;g/kg 24 and 48 hrs after CLP) given before endotracheal P. aeruginosa instillation increased bacterial clearance, as shown by P. aeruginosa counts in both bronchoalveolar lavage (8.9 × 103 ± 2.8 × 103 colony-forming units/mL vs. 3.3 × 104 ± 1.5 × 104 colony-forming units/mL with saline) and lung tissue (4.2 × 105 ± 1.0 × 105 colony-forming units/g vs. 1.5 × 106 ± 0.6 × 106 colony-forming units/g with saline). Furthermore, G-CSF pretreatment kept P. aeruginosa clearance in CLP rats similar to that in non-CLP rats challenged with P. aeruginosa. Conclusion These results suggest that G-CSF (Lenograstim) may enhance host defenses in rats with peritonitis and immunoparalysis.
Impact of Subclinical Atherosclerosis on Cardiovascular Disease Events in IndividualsWithMetabolic Syndrome and Diabetes The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

RESULTSdMetS comprised 1,686 (25%) subjects without diabetes and 881 (13%) subjects with diabetes. Annual CHD event rates were 1.0% among MetS and 1.5% for diabetes. Ethnicity and RF-adjusted hazard ratios for CHD for CAC 1–99 to $ 400 vs. 0 in subjects with neither MetS nor diabetes ranged from 2.6 to 9.5, in those with MetS, they ranged from 3.9 to 11.9, and in those with diabetes, they ranged from 2.9 to 6.2 (all P , 0.05 to P , 0.001); findings were similar for CVD. CAC increased the C-statistic for events (P, 0.001) over RFs and CIMT in each group while CIMT added negligibly to prediction over RFs.
Influenza Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase Membrane Glycoproteins*

Considerable progress has been made toward understanding the structural basis of the interaction of the two major surface glycoproteins of influenza A virus with their common ligand/substrate: carbohydrate chains terminating in sialic acid. The specificity of virus attachment to target cells is mediated by hemagglutinin, which acquires characteristic changes in its receptor-binding site to switch its host from avian species to humans. Anti-influenza drugs mimic the natural sialic acid substrate of the virus neuraminidase enzyme but utilize the much tighter binding of the drugs for efficacy. Resistance to one of the two main antiviral drugs is differentially acquired by the two distinct subsets of neuraminidase as a consequence of structural differences in the enzyme active site between the two phylogenetic groups.
Contrast material and radiation dose reduction strategy for triple-rule-out cardiac CT angiography: feasibility study of non-ECG-gated low kVp scan of the whole chest following coronary CT angiography

Background Dedicated coronary computed tomography (CT) scan has been proven to be an accurate diagnostic modality in evaluating coronary artery disease. A second phase scan starting immediately after the coronary CT scan might enable visualization of the different vascular territories of the entire chest. Purpose To investigate the feasibility of a contrast material and radiation dose reduction triple-rule-out (TRO) CT angiography (CTA) protocol with serial non-ECG-gated low kVp scan of the whole chest, which utilizes a recirculated contrast agent. Material and Methods Thirty patients were scanned with the new TRO-CTA protocol; after the coronary scan with retrospective ECG-gating, non-ECG-gated whole-chest CTA was performed at 80 kVp to evaluate aortic arch (AAr) and pulmonary trunk (PT). Another 30 patients were scanned by our conventional TRO-CTA protocol at 120 kVp with retrospective ECG-gating. We compared the estimated effective dose (ED), contrast material (CM) dose, contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the ascending aorta (AAo), and the rate of patients who could achieve adequate attenuation of the AAr and PT between the two protocols. Results The total ED of the new TRO-CTA protocol was 29.6% lower than that of the conventional protocol (P < 0.01). The amount of CM used for the new TRO-CTA protocol was significantly lower than in the conventional protocol (60.1 ± 9.6 mL vs. 91.8 ± 22.6 mL, P < 0.01). The CNR of the AAo was 30.2% higher with the new TRO-CTA protocol than with the conventional protocol (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the success rate of adequate attenuation of the AAr and PT between the two protocols (P > 0.05). Conclusion The new TRO-CTA protocol can reduce the total dose of radiation and the contrast dose and yield adequate vascular enhancement compared with the conventional protocol.
A practical noise mitigation scheme for DVB-T/H system using delay spread estimation

In order to improve receiver performance in multipath channels, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) should be maximized. In this paper, we propose and analyze several noise mitigation techniques for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) receivers, namely, the adaptive guard interval recycling algorithm and the adaptive interpolationbased channel estimation scheme. In realistic multipath environment, these techniques require accurate estimation of channel delay profile. Therefore, we also propose a robust and low-complexity channel impulse response analyzer for OFDM systems with lattice-type pilot arrangement. Extensive simulation results verify that the proposed techniques can improve bit error rate (BER) performance by maximizing SNR for a typical OFDM system such as digital video broadcasting -terrestrial and handheld (DVB-T/H) system1.
De Novo Liver Tissue Formation in Rats Using a Novel Collagen-Polypropylene Scaffold

In experimental and clinical settings hepatocyte transplantation has provided limited benefit to patients with chronic liver disease because the transplanted hepatocytes were short-lived and were merely maintained for a brief period within the body. Except for whole-liver transplantation, creation of de novo liver tissue is necessary to treat this condition on a long-term basis. The aim of this study was to facilitate the formation of new tissue by actual self-regeneration, rather than by compensatory hypertrophy, or scar formation, with our collagen-polypropylene composite scaffold. Collagen-polypropylene composite scaffolds, not containing hepatocytes, were implanted into the median liver lobe and the dynamics of new liver tissue formation was analyzed immunohistochemically over a 6-month period. Control scaffolds consisted of polypropylene scaffolds without collagen matrix. The control scaffold implants remained hollow throughout the study period and became encapsulated with a hard connective tissue capsule 1 week after implantation. In contrast, the collagen-polypropylene composite scaffold was filled with regenerating tissue structures 3 weeks after implantation. At this time, the predominant cell type within the scaffold was sesmin-positive stellate cells. A week earlier, oval cells were identified using monoclonal antibody staining (OV-6). Subsequently, these cells differentiated into α-fetoprotein-positive immature hepatocytes. After 6 months, mature liver tissue, juxtaposed with bile ducts and blood vessels, was seen within the polypropylene scaffolds. We report the first evidence of de novo formation of liver tissue within a polypropylene scaffold, following implantation in the liver. This scaffold may play a role in treating chronic liver diseases requiring organ replacement therapy.
3D character centred online editing modalities for VRML-based virtual environments

The subject of this thesis belongs to the area of computer graphics, particularly, to the domain of graphics modelling. This thesis presents experiments in graphics modelling, namely in the application of graphics modelling principles to virtual reality (VR), with an interaction approach that is typical to VR systems. Our approach takes advantage of novel graphics primitives that take the form of sets of vertices, of non-standard approaches to interface construction with the use of controls integrated into the 3D environment and also of the advantages that the widget technologies are offering. A number of information visualisation, interaction and manipulation options have been adapted to our case, to provide a 3D character editing virtual environment that is easy to use, aimed at novice users and beyond. The resulting system is an implementation based on the Virtual Reality Modelling Language (VRML), which means we are using a visualisation tool that is at the same time the target environment for the resulting 3D characters. This leaves room for experimentations in 3D visualisation and interaction techniques, a field that currently lacks in widely accepted standards, specifications or recommendations.
Household Livelihood Strategies and Implication for Poverty Reduction in Rural Areas of Central Nepal

Understanding household livelihood strategies is pivotal to minimize rural poverty in the least developed countries like Nepal. This study is an attempt to assess livelihood strategies pursued by rural households, investigate the most remunerative strategy, and identify the factors that influence a household’s choice of better strategies in rural Nepal. Primary data collected in 453 households from three villages of central Nepal are analyzed quantitatively within a sustainable livelihood framework. This study categorized households into five main livelihood strategy groups. The results showed that the majority (61%) of the households diversified their income to non-farm sources. Livelihood diversification to business/enterprise strategies adopted by 16% of the households is the most remunerative strategy followed by commercial farming that includes 13% of the sample and are more relevant to poverty reduction. Land holding, education, agriculture and skill training, access to credit, and proximity to the road and market center are the major influencing factors on the adoption of higher returning livelihood strategies. Stimulating poor households to follow market-oriented farm and non-farm activities by improving access to education, vocational training, rural credit, and rural infrastructures is momentous for reducing poverty in the rural areas of central Nepal.
A Pointwise Ergodic Theorem for Imprecise Markov Chains

We prove a game-theoretic version of the strong law of large numbers for submartingale differences, and use this to derive a pointwise ergodic theorem for discrete-time Markov chains with finite state sets, when the transition probabilities are imprecise, in the sense that they are only known to belong to some convex closed set of probability measures.
Modelos ARIMA y estructural de la serie de precios promedio de los contratos en el Mercado Mayorista de Energía Eléctrica en Colombia

Este articulo considera tecnicas de modelamiento para la serie de precios de los contratos del mercado electrico colombiano. Las tecnicas consideradas incluyen los modelos ARIMA y los modelos estructurales de series de tiempo. Los resultados del modelo estructural son mejores en el proceso de calibracion mientras los resultados del modelo ARIMA son mejores en el periodo de validacion.
In vivo role of three fused corrinoid/methyl transfer proteins in Methanosarcina acetivorans

Methanosarcina acetivorans is able to use carbon monoxide (CO) as the sole source of energy for growth. Its carboxidotrophic growth is peculiar as it involves formation of acetate, formate and methylated thiols, besides methane. Under this condition three proteins homologous to both corrinoid proteins and methyltransferases (MA0859, MA4384 and MA4558) are highly abundant. To address their role in M. acetivorans, a set of single and double mutants, and the triple mutant, was constructed by deletion/disruption of the encoding genes. Phenotypic analysis of the mutants rules out an important role of the methyltransferase homologues in the CO2 reduction pathway of methanogenesis. Instead, the single and double mutants were affected to various degrees in their capacity to generate dimethylsulphide (DMS) from CO and to form methane from DMS. The triple mutant was unable to produce or metabolize DMS, and could not grow with DMS as the sole energy source, which demonstrates that MA0859, MA4384 and MA4558 are involved in, and required for, methylsulphide metabolism of M. acetivorans. Based on these findings we propose to designate MA0859, MA4384 and MA4558 as methyltransferases specific for methylsulphides, MtsD, MtsF and MtsH respectively.