Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Artificial intelligence for ultrasonography: unique opportunities and challenges

Department of Radiology and Research Institute of Radiology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 88 Olympic-ro 43-gil, Songpa-gu, Seoul 05505, Korea Tel. +82-2-3010-5984, Fax. +82-2-476-4719, E-mail: seongho@amc.seoul. kr The application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to medical imaging has recently brought about tremendous excitement, and AI is making its way into clinical practice, thanks to the technical prowess of current deep learning technology compared with the machine learning methods of the past, the wide availability of digital medical images, and the increased capabilities of computing hardware [1-4]. AI has been tried for ultrasonography in various organs and systems, such as the thyroid, musculoskeletal system, breast, and abdomen, as discussed in detail in the focused review articles of this special issue [5-8], albeit not as extensively as some other radiological imaging modalities such as chest X-rays [9]. The potential role of AI is anticipated to enhance the quality of ultrasonographic images, to provide various forms of diagnostic support (e.g., automated characterization of findings on ultrasonographic images; extraction of quantitative or predictive information from ultrasonographic images, which is difficult for a human examiner to do based on visual observations; and automated detection or segmentation of various structures on ultrasonographic images), and to improve workflow efficiency [10]. The list of specific examples of AI applications to ultrasonography is expected to grow in the future. AI algorithms may augment the diagnostic accuracy and capability of ultrasonography examiners and are hoped to be particularly helpful for less-experienced examiners [11-15]. Ultrasonography is more widely used in clinical practice than computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and it is performed by a more diverse range of medical professionals with varying levels of expertise, some of whom perform better than others. Typically, a single examiner interprets the findings and makes decisions on the fly while performing the examination. As a result, the greater operator-dependency and subjectivity of ultrasonography compared with CT or MRI are well-known issues. Therefore, one of the most eagerly anticipated benefits of applying AI in ultrasonography would be reduced variability between examiners. In this regard, AI may offer a unique opportunity to improve the performance of ultrasonography by removing variability between examiners. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the very nature of ultrasonography also poses challenges in the development and clinical implementation of AI for ultrasonography. First, the operator-dependency and subjectivity of ultrasonography introduce additional variability https://doi.org/10.14366/usg.20078 pISSN: 2288-5919 • eISSN: 2288-5943 Ultrasonography 2021;40:3-6
Response by Yalkun et al to Letter Regarding Article, "Impact of Infection on the Risk of Recurrent Stroke Among Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke".

In Response: We thank Zongliang Xu et al for their comment on our recent work regarding the association of infection with the risk of recurrent stroke in patients with acute ischemic stroke.1 In the letter to the editor, they raised 2 questions: (1) impact of prestroke infection on the risk of recurrent stroke during hospitalization according to stroke subtype (especially those with large artery atherosclerosis [LAA] subtype) and (2) association between prestroke infection burden and recurrent stroke during hospitalization in our study. In our study, prestroke infection was found to independently predict recurrent stroke during hospitalization. To evaluate whether infection had a stronger impact on recurrent events among those with LAA-related stroke, we analyzed the association of infection (prestroke infection and infection during hospitalization, respectively) with recurrent stroke according to stroke subtype via the same statistical method as the original study. Regarding the question about the subtype of recurrent acute ischemic stroke, these data were unavailable in our study. However, previous data showed that 50% to 80% of the recurrent acute ischemic stroke had the same etiology subtype as the index stroke,2–4 and thus, we used subtype (categorized by Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria)5 of the index stroke as a substitute. We found that in the LAA subgroup, the absolute event rate of recurrent stroke was higher among those with prestroke infection (with prestroke infection, 4 of 61 [6.6%]; without prestroke infection, 99 of 2014 [4.9%]), though the odds ratio did not reach a significant level (adjusted odds ratio, 1.17 [95% CI, 0.41–3.36]; P=0.77). Reduced statistical power owing to very small sample size of the prestroke infection group might be an important reason. Meanwhile, patients with infection during hospitalization were found to have a higher risk of recurrent stroke in LAA subtype (with infection, 29 of 274 [10.6%]; without infection, 161 of 3216 [5.0%]; adjusted odds ratio, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.11– 2.75]; P=0.02). In fact, the main exposure in our study was infection during hospitalization, while we considered associations of prestroke infection with acute ischemic stroke outcomes as ancillary tests to support the main analysis. Furthermore, infection during hospitalization was judged and recorded by local clinicians, while prestroke infection was reported by patients, which might cause recall bias, and thus the relevant results should be interpreted with caution. For the second issue mentioned in the letter, infection burden might be a more sensitive predictor of recurrent stroke, but data on pathogen of infection were unavailable in our study. Impact of infection burden on LAArelated recurrent stroke and underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated.
ACE2, angiotensin 1-7 and skeletal muscle: review in the era of COVID-19

Abstract Angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) is a multifunctional transmembrane protein recently recognised as the entry receptor of the virus causing COVID-19. In the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), ACE2 cleaves angiotensin II (Ang II) into angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7), which is considered to exert cellular responses to counteract the activation of the RAS primarily through a receptor, Mas, in multiple organs including skeletal muscle. Previous studies have provided abundant evidence suggesting that Ang 1-7 modulates multiple signalling pathways leading to protection from pathological muscle remodelling and muscle insulin resistance. In contrast, there is relatively little evidence to support the protective role of ACE2 in skeletal muscle. The potential contribution of endogenous ACE2 to the regulation of Ang 1-7-mediated protection of these muscle pathologies is discussed in this review. Recent studies have suggested that ACE2 protects against ageing-associated muscle wasting (sarcopenia) through its function to modulate molecules outside of the RAS. Thus, the potential association of sarcopenia with ACE2 and the associated molecules outside of RAS is also presented herein. Further, we introduce the transcriptional regulation of muscle ACE2 by drugs or exercise, and briefly discuss the potential role of ACE2 in the development of COVID-19.
Temporal Design Patterns for Digital Phenotype Cohort Selection in Critical Care: Systematic Literature Assessment and Qualitative Synthesis

Background Inclusion criteria for observational studies frequently contain temporal entities and relations. The use of digital phenotypes to create cohorts in electronic health record–based observational studies requires rich functionality to capture these temporal entities and relations. However, such functionality is not usually available or requires complex database queries and specialized expertise to build them. Objective The purpose of this study is to systematically assess observational studies reported in critical care literature to capture design requirements and functionalities for a graphical temporal abstraction-based digital phenotyping tool. Methods We iteratively extracted attributes describing patients, interventions, and clinical outcomes. We qualitatively synthesized studies, identifying all temporal and nontemporal entities and relations. Results We extracted data from 28 primary studies and 367 temporal and nontemporal entities. We generated a synthesis of entities, relations, and design patterns. Conclusions We report on the observed types of clinical temporal entities and their relations as well as design requirements for a temporal abstraction-based digital phenotyping system. The results can be used to inform the development of such a system.
Structural basis for multifunctional roles of human Ints3 C-terminal domain.

Proper repair of damaged DNA is critical for the maintenance of genome stability. A complex composed of Integrator subunit 3 (Ints3), single-stranded DNA-binding protein 1 (SSB1) and SSB-interacting protein 1 (SSBIP1) is required for efficient homologous recombination-dependent repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) and ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM)-dependent signaling pathways. It is known that in this complex the Ints3 N-terminal domain scaffolds SSB1 and SSBIP1. However, the molecular basis for the function of the Ints3 C-terminal domain remains unclear. Here, we present the crystal structure of the Ints3 C-terminal domain, uncovering a HEAT-repeat superhelical fold. Using structure and mutation analysis, we show that the C-terminal domain exists as a stable dimer. A basic groove and a cluster of conserved residues on two opposite sides of the dimer bind single-stranded RNA/DNA (ssRNA/ssDNA) and Integrator complex subunit 6 (Ints6), respectively. Dimerization is required for nucleic acid binding, but not for Ints6 binding. Additionally, in vitro experiments using HEK 293T cells demonstrate that Ints6 interaction is critical for maintaining SSB1 protein level. Taken together, our findings establish the structural basis of a multifunctional Ints3 C-terminal module, allowing us to propose a novel mode of nucleic acid recognition by helical repeat protein and paving the way for future mechanistic studies.
PINA 3.0: mining cancer interactome

Abstract Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are crucial to mediate biological functions, and understanding PPIs in cancer type-specific context could help decipher the underlying molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and identify potential therapeutic options. Therefore, we update the Protein Interaction Network Analysis (PINA) platform to version 3.0, to integrate the unified human interactome with RNA-seq transcriptomes and mass spectrometry-based proteomes across tens of cancer types. A number of new analytical utilities were developed to help characterize the cancer context for a PPI network, which includes inferring proteins with expression specificity and identifying candidate prognosis biomarkers, putative cancer drivers, and therapeutic targets for a specific cancer type; as well as identifying pairs of co-expressing interacting proteins across cancer types. Furthermore, a brand-new web interface has been designed to integrate these new utilities within an interactive network visualization environment, which allows users to quickly and comprehensively investigate the roles of human interacting proteins in a cancer type-specific context. PINA is freely available at https://omics.bjcancer. org/pina/.
Effect of Vitamin B Complex Treatment on Macrophages to Schwann Cells Association during Neuroinflammation after Peripheral Nerve Injury

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) triggers a complex multi-cellular response involving the injured neurons, Schwann cells (SCs), and immune cells, often resulting in poor functional recovery. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the treatment with vitamin B (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, and B12) complex on the interaction between macrophages and SCs during the recovery period after PNI. Transection of the motor branch of the femoral nerve followed by reconstruction by termino-terminal anastomosis was used as an experimental model. Isolated nerves from the sham (S), operated (O), and operated groups treated with the B vitamins (OT group) were used for immunofluorescence analysis. The obtained data indicated that PNI modulates interactions between macrophages and SCs in a time-dependent manner. The treatment with B vitamins complex promoted the M1-to M2-macrophage polarization and accelerated the transition from the non-myelin to myelin-forming SCs, an indicative of SCs maturation. The effect of B vitamins complex on both cell types was accompanied with an increase in macrophage/SC interactions, all of which correlated with the regeneration of the injured nerve. Clearly, the capacity of B vitamins to modulate macrophages-SCs interaction may be promising for the treatment of PNI.
The Impacts of Gender Disparity in Residency Matching.

A critical turning point for the female physician is highlighted in the study by Lorello et al 1 as another one of the numerous inequities throughout the female physician’s career life cycle. Their study’s extensive assessment of residency applicants’ matching highlights disproportionate increases in numbers between Canadian female residency applicants and representation across specialties, with women having a greater likelihood of success in matching into family medicine and psychiatry and less likelihood in surgery.
Enhanced Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Potentials of Lipopolysaccharides-Injected Musca domestica Larvae

The usage of insects as a sustainable and functional natural products resource is a new promise in complementary and alternative medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of Musca domestica (housefly) larval hemolymph (insect blood) to display the enhanced in vitro antioxidant and cytotoxic effects. The oxidative stress (OS) was elicited by inducing lipopolysaccharides (LPS) treatment as an exogenous stressor. Determination of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and mRNA and protein expressions of SOD1, was investigated as confirmatory markers of oxidative stress induction. Cytotoxicity on cancerous MCF-7 and normal Vero cells were also evaluated using an MTT assay at 24 h post-injection. The injection of LPS induced a significant (p < 0.05) increase in SOD, GSH and TAC, whereas, the MDA was diminished. Hemolymph was collected from normal and treated larvae after 6, 12 and 24 h. The M. domestica superoxide dismutase (MdSOD1) transcripts were significantly (p < 0.05) upregulated 6 and 12 h post-treatment, while a significant downregulation was observed after 24 h. Western blot analysis showed that MdSOD1 was expressed in the hemolymph of the treated larvae with an increase of 1.2 folds at 6 and 12 h and 1.6 folds at 24 h relative to the control group. LPS-treated larval hemolymphs exhibited significant cytotoxicity with respect to the untreated ones against MCF-7 while Vero cells showed no cytotoxicity for both hemolymphs. The DPPH free radical scavenging activity was examined and a significant antioxidant potential potency was observed at 6 h (50% maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50): 63.3 ± 3.51 µg/mL) when compared to the control M. domestica larval hemolymph (IC50: 611.7 ± 10.41 µg/mL). Taken together, M. domestica larval hemolymph exhibited enhanced antioxidant and consequently increased cytotoxic capacities under stressed conditions.
Effect of 4 Weeks of Anti-Gravity Treadmill Training on Isokinetic Muscle Strength and Muscle Activity in Adults Patients with a Femoral Fracture: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study aimed to identify the effect of anti-gravity treadmill training on isokinetic lower-limb muscle strength and muscle activities in patients surgically treated for a hip fracture. A total of 34 participants were randomly assigned into two groups: anti-gravity treadmill training group (n = 17) and control group (n = 17). The isokinetic muscle strength and endurance of hip flexor and extensor and the activities of the vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM), gluteus maximus (GM), and gluteus medialis (Gm) muscles were measured before and after 4 weeks of the interventions. Significant improvements were observed in isokinetic muscle strength and endurance of hip flexors and extensors in both groups (p < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed between the groups (p > 0.05) except for muscle strength of the hip extensor (d = 0.78, p = 0029). Statistically significant increases in the muscle activity of VL, VM, GM, and Gm were found before and after the intervention (p < 0.05), and significant differences in muscle activities of GM (d = 2.64, p < 0.001) and Gm (d = 2.59, p < 0.001) were observed between the groups. Our results indicate that both groups showed improvement in muscle strength, endurance, and activities after the intervention. Additionally, anti-gravity treadmill training improved significantly more muscle strength at 60°/s of the hip extensor and gluteus muscle activities than conventional therapy, which may be appropriate for patients with hip fracture surgery.
The secretome of liver X receptor agonist‐treated early outgrowth cells decreases atherosclerosis in Ldlr−/− mice

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) promote the maintenance of the endothelium by secreting vasoreparative factors. A population of EPCs known as early outgrowth cells (EOCs) is being investigated as novel cell‐based therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. We previously demonstrated that the absence of liver X receptors (LXRs) is detrimental to the formation and function of EOCs under hypercholesterolemic conditions. Here, we investigate whether LXR activation in EOCs is beneficial for the treatment of atherosclerosis. EOCs were differentiated from the bone marrow of wild‐type (WT) and LXR‐knockout (Lxrαβ−/−) mice in the presence of vehicle or LXR agonist (GW3965). WT EOCs treated with GW3965 throughout differentiation showed reduced mRNA expression of endothelial lineage markers (Cd144, Vegfr2) compared with WT vehicle and Lxrαβ−/− EOCs. GW3965‐treated EOCs produced secreted factors that reduced monocyte adhesion to activated endothelial cells in culture. When injected into atherosclerosis‐prone Ldlr−/− mice, GW3965‐treated EOCs, or their corresponding conditioned media (CM) were both able to reduce aortic sinus plaque burden compared with controls. Furthermore, when human EOCs (obtained from patients with established CAD) were treated with GW3965 and the CM applied to endothelial cells, monocyte adhesion was decreased, indicating that our results in mice could be translated to patients. Ex vivo LXR agonist treatment of EOCs therefore produces a secretome that decreases early atherosclerosis in Ldlr−/− mice, and additionally, CM from human EOCs significantly inhibits monocyte to endothelial adhesion. Thus, active factor(s) within the GW3965‐treated EOC secretome may have the potential to be useful for the treatment of atherosclerosis.
Numerical Technique for Study of Noise Grating Dynamics in Holographic Photopolymers

Although the angular distribution of noise gratings in holographic photopolymer is understood to arise from Bragg matching, the details of scatter strength and dynamics are not fully understood. This confounds development of materials and recording techniques that minimize haze. Here, the kinetics are studied using a multi-physics numerical approach coupling diffraction of light from the dynamic material including scatter centers, reactions of chemical species initiated by this light, diffusion and swelling of these constituents, and the formation of the refractive index from the resulting composition. The approach is validated in the case of two-beam transmission holography by comparison to traditional harmonic series and rigorous coupled-mode approaches. Two beam holography in the presence of scatter is then used to study haze development. This reveals that haze due to weak noise gratings grows significantly above initial scatter only in reaction-limited materials, consistent with proposed Bragg-matched amplification mechanisms. Amplified haze is found to be proportional to initial scatter, quantifying the impact of clean sample fabrication. Conversely, haze is found to grow super-linearly with sample thickness, illustrating the significant challenge for applications requiring low haze in large thickness.
Robotic radical perineal prostatectomy: tradition and evolution in the robotic era

Purpose of review To provide an updated review of robotic radical perineal prostatectomy (r-RPP) with emphasis on the recent advances in terms of surgical technique, outcomes, and new robotic platforms. Recent finding The technological innovations in the urological field have been applied to radical prostatectomy with the aim of preserving important anatomical structures and reduce patients’ morbidity and mortality. In recent years, robotic surgery contributed to resurge radical perineal prostatectomy. In 2014, the Cleveland Clinic group was the first to demonstrate the utility of a robotic approach in RPP. To date, the majority of the reported studies showed that r-RPP has noninferior perioperative, short-term oncological, and functional outcomes compared with the traditional robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). Given these benefits, r-RPP is a promising approach in selected patients, such as obese ones. Moreover, robotic perineal pelvic lymph node dissection performed through the same incision of r-RPP and the new Single-Port (SP) Robotic System represent further steps towards the overcoming of some intrinsic limitation of this surgical approach making this technique suitable for a larger number of patients with prostatic cancer. Summary Overall, r-RPP represents a reliable and effective novel surgical technique. However, more studies with long-term follow-up are needed to clarify the advantages over RARP.
Phakic intraocular lenses: An overview

Phakic intraocular lenses (pIOLs) are a common solution for the surgical correction of high myopia and myopia in thin corneas. Global trends result in increasing rates of patients with high myopia which will result in increased rates of pIOL implantation. Three types of lenses can be distinguished: anterior chamber angle-supported, anterior chamber iris-fixated, and posterior chamber phakic IOLs. The efficacy of phakic intraocular lenses is generally very good, but pIOLs have undergone many changes over the years to improve the safety profile and decrease pIOL-related complications such as endothelial cell loss, corneal decompensation and cataract formation. This article describes the efficacy and safety profiles of the most recent pIOLs, as well as suggests gaps of knowledge that are deserve additional research to optimize the results of pIOLs.