Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Giant Prolactinomas: Outcomes of Multimodal Treatments for 42 Cases with Long-Term Follow-Up

Abstract Giant prolactinomas represent a rare entity of pituitary tumors so that the management of these patients is still a prevalent challenge at present. Paying special attention to the treatment strategy and outcomes, we presented a large series of 42 cases looking forward to share our understanding and experience in management of these patients. Male patients accounted for 71.4% of this series and were relatively younger (35.70±2.42 vs. 52.00±3.55 years, p=0.0011) and harbored bigger tumors (14.57 vs. 7.74 cm3, p=0.0179) compared to females. Almost all of these tumors showed suprasellar extension (97.6%) and cavernous sinus invasion (92.9%). Dopamine agonist represented an efficient method to control PRL concentrations (98.8%) and reduce tumor burdens (81.2 %). PRL normalization was detected in 13 out of the 27 patients initially treated with bromocriptine (BRC) whereas none of the 14 patients with first-line operation gained a normalization of PRL concentration after surgery. Although there was no reliable predictor of tumor response, First PRL reduction was a predictive criterion for the nadir PRL level during the long-time period of follow-up for first-line bromocriptine treatment. In conclusion, patients with giant prolactinomas did not gain more benefits from initial surgery. Dopamine agonist (BRC) should be first-line treatment for giant prolactinomas whereas operation merely served as a remedy for acute compression symptoms and dopamine agonist resistance. Consecutive monitoring of serum PRL levels in the early stage of initial BRC treatment is useful for evaluation of therapeutic effect and further therapeutic decision.
Nitric oxide regulates lateral root formation through modulation of ACC oxidase activity in sunflower seedlings under salt stress

ABSTRACT Nitric oxide (NO) is established as a modulator of various developmental processes in plants through its interaction with multiple enzymatic and non-enzymatic biomolecules. Lateral root (LR) induction and extension in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) has been observed to be governed by a probable crosstalk between NO and ethylene biosynthesizing enzyme-ACC oxidase. NaCl (120 mM) stress not only lowers LR induction but also reduces their extension growth. Quenching of endogenous NO by raising seedlings in presence of 40 µM hemoglobin in the growth medium does not affect LR induction but lowers their extension growth. NaCl stress and NO depletion have additive effects on the enhancement of ACC oxidase activity, leading to enhanced ethylene biosynthesis. Role of NO has been further confirmed by raising sunflower seedlings in the presence of 20–60 µM of two NO donors, sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and diethylenetriamine NONOate (DETA). LR extension growth was higher with DETA than SNP as NO donor at 40 µM. Iron-deficiency also promoted LR proliferation. It also significantly lowered ACC oxidase activity in the seedling roots in response to salt stress. Based on the present findings it is proposed that salt stress-mediated LR proliferation is regulated by NO through its binding with ACC oxidase (an iron-containing enzyme). This results in the formation of a stable ternary complex (ACC-ACC oxidase-NO) which leads to the reduction in ethylene biosynthesis. Lesser availability of ethylene consequently brings about enhanced LR formation.
Mass Eruption Rates of Tephra Plumes During the 2011–2015 Lava Fountain Paroxysms at Mt. Etna From Doppler Radar Retrievals

Real-time estimation of eruptive source parameters during explosive volcanic eruptions is a major challenge in terms of hazard evaluation and risk assessment as these inputs are essential for tephra dispersal models to forecast the impact of ash plumes and tephra deposits. Between 2011 and 2015, Etna volcano has produced 49 paroxysms characterized by lava fountains generating tephra plumes that reached up to 15 km a.s. l. We analyzed these paroxysms using the 23.5 cm wavelength Doppler radar (VOLDORAD 2B) signals along with visible camera images of the monitoring network of the Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Osservatorio Etneo. Range gating of the radar beam allows the identification of the active summit craters in real-time, no matter the meteorological conditions. The radar echoes help to mark (i) the onset of the paroxysm when unstable lava fountains, progressively taking over Strombolian activity, continuously supply the developing tephra plume, then (ii) the transition to stable fountains (climax), and (iii) the end of the climax with a waning phase, therefore providing paroxysm durations. We developed a new methodology to retrieve in real-time a Mass Eruption Rate (MER) proxy from the radar echo power and maximum Doppler velocity measured near the emission source. The increase in MER proxies is found to precede by several minutes the time variations of plume heights inferred from visible and X-Band radar imagery. A calibration of the MER proxy against ascent models based on observed plume heights leads to radar-derived climax MER from 2.96 × 104 to 3.26 × 106 kg s-1. The total erupted mass (TEM) of tephra was computed by integrating over beam volumes and paroxysm duration, allowing quantitative comparisons of the relative amounts of emitted tephra among the different paroxysms. When the climactic phase can be identified, it is found to frequently release 76% of the TEM. Calibrated TEMs are found to be larger than those retrieved by satellite and X-band radar observations, deposit analyses, ground-based infrared imagery or dispersion modeling. The radar-derived mass load parameters therefore represent a very powerful all-weather tool for the quantitative monitoring and real-time hazard assessment of tephra plumes at Etna.
A Proposed Game for Promoting Physical Activities among People with Low Back Pain using Virtual Reality

Low Back Pain (LBP) is one of the most common problems among adults. The usual physiotherapy treatment is to perform physical exercises. However, most of LBP patients do not adhere to their home exercises which might increase their pain and disability. Moreover, some LBP patients have false beliefs regarding their pain and they tend to avoid physical movements. In this paper, we propose a LBP Exercise Game with an immersive experience to engage the patients in a virtual environment and distract them from the pain while performing LBP exercises. This solution will enhance the rehabilitation outcome since the patients who are suffering from LBP can use the system at their home and train more for long period of time using a smartphone and low-cost virtual reality device such as Google Cardboard.
Effect of Age, Gender and Hearing Loss on the Degree of Discomfort Due to Tinnitus

Introduction: Tinnitus is one of the complex symptoms of hearing described as a phantom auditory sensation without any external stimulation. Due to the subjective nature of tinnitus, perception and discomfort of tinnitus vary among the patients. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of gender, age and the degree of hearing loss on discomfort due to tinnitus. Methods: Eighteen patients with tinnitus, aged 21–72 years, (9 males and 9 females) were recruited. Tinnitus discomfort was investigated by Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) questionnaire. Psychoacoustic assessments of tinnitus and auditory threshold assessments were evaluated using a 2-channel clinical audiometer. Results: The results showed no significant correlation between THI scores with loudness matching (P=0.187), mean of auditory threshold (P=0.304), gender (P=0.93) and age (P=0.200). Also, no significant correlation was found between maximal level of hearing loss and pitch matching (P=0.208). Conclusion: The study findings suggests that tinnitus is not correlated with age, gender and hearing loss. Overall, tinnitus is a complicated clinical condition which its real impact and degree of discomfort are unclear. More investigation is needed to clarify the factors involving in tinnitus annoyance.
Path planning of mobile robot based on genetic algorithm with predictive operator and dynamic parameters

The standard genetic algorithm has achieved great success in solving various optimization problems, but in practical applications, owing to the lack of the use of specific knowledge, the results are not satisfactory. Aiming at the practical application of robot path planning, an improved genetic algorithm applied to robot path planning is proposed by adding a prediction mechanism method to improve the chromosome coding method and fitness function in standard genetic algorithm. In the process of introducing map feature information into the initial population, the evolutionary efficiency of the algorithm is improved. And the dynamic parameter setting strategy is adopted, which makes the algorithm have the ability to escape the local minimum and improve the convergence of the algorithm. The numerical simulation results show that the improved algorithm has a significant improvement in the convergence value and the convergence rate.
Trace Amines and Their Receptors

Trace amines are endogenous compounds classically regarded as comprising β-phenylethyalmine, p-tyramine, tryptamine, p-octopamine, and some of their metabolites. They are also abundant in common foodstuffs and can be produced and degraded by the constitutive microbiota. The ability to use trace amines has arisen at least twice during evolution, with distinct receptor families present in invertebrates and vertebrates. The term “trace amine” was coined to reflect the low tissue levels in mammals; however, invertebrates have relatively high levels where they function like mammalian adrenergic systems, involved in “fight-or-flight” responses. Vertebrates express a family of receptors termed trace amine–associated receptors (TAARs). Humans possess six functional isoforms (TAAR1, TAAR2, TAAR5, TAAR6, TAAR8, and TAAR9), whereas some fish species express over 100. With the exception of TAAR1, TAARs are expressed in olfactory epithelium neurons, where they detect diverse ethological signals including predators, spoiled food, migratory cues, and pheromones. Outside the olfactory system, TAAR1 is the most thoroughly studied and has both central and peripheral roles. In the brain, TAAR1 acts as a rheostat of dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and serotonergic neurotransmission and has been identified as a novel therapeutic target for schizophrenia, depression, and addiction. In the periphery, TAAR1 regulates nutrient-induced hormone secretion, suggesting its potential as a novel therapeutic target for diabetes and obesity. TAAR1 may also regulate immune responses by regulating leukocyte differentiation and activation. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current state of knowledge of the evolution, physiologic functions, pharmacology, molecular mechanisms, and therapeutic potential of trace amines and their receptors in vertebrates and invertebrates.
Innovative orthosis for phalanx extension neurofacilitation (iOPEN) — Development of a 3D-printed hand orthosis for chronic stroke patient

Many chronic stroke patients have problems in finger active extension due to flexor spasticity and extensor weakness. Therefore, their affected hand cannot perform functional grasp and release. The purpose of this study is to develop a wearable device using 3D printing technology to assist stroke patients in hand function rehabilitation, especially grasp and release.
Advanced models for the transfer impedance of metal braids in cable harnesses

Since the development of the model for transfer impedance of metal braids by E.F. Vance, a large number of authors have tried to improve this model in order to make it more accurate and more reliable. The improvements were based on a more accurate physical or electromagnetic description, or on empirical data of a large number of transfer impedance measurements. This paper provides an overview of the specific models for diffusion, hole inductance and braid inductance. In addition to the general overview, a preferred combination of models for the calculation of transfer impedance is presented.
Risk factors associated with post–kidney transplant malignancies: an article from the Cancer-Kidney International Network

ABSTRACT In kidney transplant recipients, cancer is one of the leading causes of death with a functioning graft beyond the first year of kidney transplantation, and malignancies account for 8–10% of all deaths in the USA (2.6 deaths/1000 patient-years) and exceed 30% of deaths in Australia (5/1000 patient-years) in kidney transplant recipients. Patient-, transplant- and medication-related factors contribute to the increased cancer risk following kidney transplantation. While it is well established that the overall immunosuppressive dose is associated with an increased risk for cancer following transplantation, the contributive effect of different immunosuppressive agents is not well established. In this review we will discuss the different risk factors for malignancies after kidney transplantation.
Single image dehazing using non-symmetry and anti-packing model based decomposition and contextual regularization

As the need of people pursuing the good quality of photos is growing faster in these days, there are lots of effects which have been done to improve the visual of the picture taken in bad weather, such as the fog. In this paper, a scheme of improved single image dehazing based on NAM (Non-symmetry and Anti-packing Model)-based decomposition and contextual regularization is proposed. Firstly, we introduced the basic idea of the Non-symmetry and Anti-packing Model. And then the foggy image is decomposed using NAM for the dehazing process. Finally, the boundary constraint and contextual regularization are used for the scene transmission. The experimental results presented in this paper showed the improvement of the dehazing effect by our proposed method.
Skill-and-Stress-Aware Assignment of Crowd-Worker Groups to Task Streams

Worker-task assignments represent one of the critical issues in crowdsourcing, as they affect the quality of task results. This study addresses the problem of forming worker groups assigned to the same task in a task stream that requires more than one worker. We introduce a worker-group queue model that covers practical and common scenarios for task-stream crowdsourcing, and compare three strategies in terms of the skill balance among worker groups, the quality of the final outputs, the number of worker re-assignments of workers, and psychological stress felt by workers. We found that one of the compared strategies that employs multiple worker queues yields good results based on these measures.
Weight change over two years in people prescribed olanzapine, quetiapine and risperidone in UK primary care: Cohort study in THIN, a UK primary care database

Background: Follow-up studies of weight gain related to antipsychotic treatment beyond a year are limited in number. We compared weight change in the three most commonly prescribed antipsychotics in a representative UK General Practice database. Method: We conducted a cohort study in United Kingdom primary care records of people newly prescribed olanzapine, quetiapine or risperidone. The primary outcome was weight in each six month period for two years after treatment initiation. Weight changes were compared using linear regression, adjusted for age, baseline weight and diagnosis. Results: N = 6338 people received olanzapine, 12,984 quetiapine and 6556 risperidone. Baseline weight was lowest for men treated with olanzapine (80.8 kg versus 83.5 kg quetiapine, 82.0 kg risperidone) and women treated with olanzapine (67.7 kg versus 71.5 kg quetiapine 68.4 kg risperidone. Weight gain occurred during treatment with all three drugs. Compared with risperidone mean weight gain was higher with olanzapine (adjusted co-efficient +1.24 kg (95% confidence interval: 0.69–1.79 kg per six months) for men and +0.77 kg (95% confidence interval: 0.29–1.24 kg) for women). Weight gain with quetiapine was lower in unadjusted models compared with risperidone, but this difference was not significant after adjustment. Conclusion: Olanzapine is more commonly prescribed to people with lower weight. However, after accounting for baseline weight, age, sex and diagnosis, olanzapine is still associated with greater weight gain over two years than risperidone or quetiapine. Baseline weight does not ameliorate the risks of weight gain associated with antipsychotic medication. Weight gain should be assertively discussed and managed for people prescribed antipsychotics, especially olanzapine.
PAPPA2 as a Therapeutic Modulator of IGF-I Bioavailability: in Vivo and in Vitro Evidence

Abstract Context Pregnancy-associated plasma protein A2 (PAPPA2) is a protease that cleaves IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3 and IGFBP-5, liberating free IGF-I. Five patients from two families with genetic mutations in PAPPA2 presented with growth retardation, elevated total IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 but decreased free IGF-I. Objective To determine whether plasma transfusion or recombinant human (rh)PAPPA2 could increase free IGF-I in patients with PAPPA2 deficiency or idiopathic short stature (ISS). Design Single patient interventional study combined with in vitro experimentation. Setting Academic medical center. Patients Three siblings with PAPPA2 deficiency and four patients with ISS. Interventions An adult female with PAPPA2 deficiency received a 20 mL/kg plasma transfusion. PAPPA2, intact IGFBP-3, and free and total IGF-I levels were monitored during 2 weeks. rhPAPPA2 was added to serum from patients with PAPPA2 deficiency and ISS in vitro for 4 hours. Intact IGFBP-3 and free IGF-I levels were assayed via ELISA. Main Outcome Measures Free IGF-I concentrations. Results Plasma transfusion resulted in a 2.5-fold increase of free IGF-I levels on day 1 posttransfusion with a return to baseline during a 2-week period. In vitro studies demonstrated a dose-dependent increase in free IGF-I and decrease in intact IGFBP-3 after the addition of rhPAPPA2. The increase in free IGF-I was more pronounced in patients with PAPPA2 deficiency compared with those with ISS. Conclusions PAPPA2 plays a key role in regulation of IGF-I bioavailability. rhPAPPA2 is a promising therapy to increase free IGF-I levels both in patients with PAPPA2 deficiency as well as in patients with ISS.
Crawling wounded: molecular genetic insights into wound healing from Drosophila larvae

For animals, injury is inevitable. Because of this, organisms possess efficient wound healing mechanisms that can repair damaged tissues. However, the molecular and genetic mechanisms by which epidermal repair is accomplished remain poorly defined. Drosophila has become a valuable model to study epidermal wound healing because of the comprehensive genetic toolkit available in this organism and the similarities of wound healing processes between Drosophila and vertebrates. Other reviews in this Special Issue cover wound healing assays and pathways in Drosophila embryos, pupae and adults, as well as regenerative processes that occur in tissues such as imaginal discs and the gut. In this review, we will focus on the molecular/genetic control of wound-induced cellular processes such as inflammation, cell migration and epithelial cell-cell fusion in Drosophila larvae. We will give a brief overview of the three wounding assays, pinch, puncture, and laser ablation, and the cellular responses that ensue following wounding. We will highlight the actin regulators, signaling pathways and transcriptional mediators found so far to be involved in larval epidermal wound closure and what is known about how they act. We will also discuss wound-induced epidermal cell-cell fusion and possible directions for future research in this exciting system.
PACS-2 functions in colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) development is a step-wise process initiated by the transformation of epithelial cells in the intestinal crypts, followed by the accumulation of multiple genetic events driving adenoma to carcinoma progression. In this way, genomic instability underlies the majority of CRCs and chromosomal alterations such as translocations, amplifications and deletions are frequently seen. In human, the gene encoding the intracellular sorting protein phosphofurin acidic cluster sorting protein-2 (PACS-2) is located near the telomere at 14q32.33, a locus prone to allelic loss in sporadic CRC. Accordingly, PACS-2 protein expression was found to be lost or greatly reduced in tumor tissue from approximately half the CRC patients analyzed [1]. Searching the Cancer Genome Atlas (http://cancergenome.nih. gov), Pacs2 is found mutated in 5% of CRC cases, with the two most frequent somatic mutations leading to inframe deletions. Also, Pacs2 was identified as one of 25 genes that can be used to distinguish different CRC stages [2]. With the described correlations, the question arising is whether Pacs2 loss is a driver or passenger mutation in the development of CRC? To answer this question, depletion of pacs2 in mice is a useful experimental model. PACS-2-deficient mice do not develop spontaneous neoplastic lesions in the intestine, and we recently reported that inactivation of one allele of the APC gene (ApcMin) – a commonly used model of human colon cancer – in PACS-2-deficient mice had no apparent consequence for adenoma development [3]. Rather, mice lacking PACS-2 expression exhibit reduced activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and lower proliferative index in the intestinal epithelium [4]. Likely explaining this observation, we previously showed that PACS-2 directs recycling of a disintegrin and metalloprotease (ADAM)17 towards the cell surface to sustain shedding of EGFR ligands and consequent EGFR activation [4]. Ligand-induced EGFR signaling stimulates cell proliferation, differentiation, and survival and it plays an important, yet complex role in the development and progression of CRC – e.g. deletion of EGFR from myeloid cells, but not intestinal epithelial cells protects mice from inflammationinduced intestinal cancer and ApcMin-dependent intestinal tumorigenesis [5]. ADAM17 is required for EGFRinduced intestinal tumors, apparently by shedding EGFR ligands to activate EGFR-dependent interleukin (IL)-6 Editorial
The safety and feasibility of minimal invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) of the posterior aspect of the humerus: A cadaveric study

The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of applying MIPO of the humerus via the posterior approach and to observe the tension of the radial nerve in different elbow positions. Two separate incisions were made on the posterior aspect of the humerus in ten fresh cadavers (20 humeri). The radial nerve was identified at the proximal incision and the distances through which the nerve could be elevated from the bone with the elbow in flexion and extension were measured. A 10‐hole extra‐articular distal humeral locking compression plate was inserted and fixed through the submuscular tunnel. The tunnel was then explored to identify any entrapment of the radial nerve and to observe the anatomical relationship of the radial nerve to the plate and bone. There was no entrapment of the radial nerve or its branches. The distances through which the radial nerve could be elevated were greater with the elbow in extension than in flexion (P < 0.01). The radial nerve crossed the medial and lateral borders of the posterior surface of the humerus at 80.1–132 mm (average 104.7 mm) and 116.6–175.5 mm (average 142.7 mm) of its total length, respectively. The axillary nerve was located at 38.7–61.7 mm (average 47.9 mm) of total humeral length. MIPO of the humerus using the posterior approach is an alternative option for treating distal humeral shaft fracture. The risk of radial nerve injury can be minimized by careful dissection in the proximal incision. Clin. Anat. 32:176–182, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.