Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Autoimmune pancreatitis: CT and MR characteristics.

OBJECTIVE Our goal was to elucidate the CT and MR imaging characteristics in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis, which is a reversible chronic pancreatitis with an autoimmune cause. CONCLUSION On CT and MR imaging, a capsulelike rim, which is thought to correspond to an inflammatory process involving peripancreatic tissues, appears to be a characteristic finding of autoimmune pancreatitis. Also, diffuse pancreatic enlargement along with hypointensity on T1-weighted MR images and delayed enhancement on dynamic CT and MR studies are other features of this disorder.
Genome plasticity in Acinetobacter: new degradative capabilities acquired by the spontaneous amplification of large chromosomal segments

In Acinetobacter sp. ADP1, growth on benzoate requires regulation of the cat genes by two transcriptional activators. Here, mutants were obtained from a strain lacking both activators by selecting for growth on benzoate medium. The mutants, which arose within 3 weeks at a frequency of approximately 10−8, carried amplified chromosomal regions (amplicons) encompassing the cat genes. Multiple occurrences of low‐level expression of catA and the catBCIJFD operon provided sufficient transcription for growth. The amplicons of four independently isolated mutants varied in size from approximately 30–100 kbp of the normally 3.8 Mbp chromosome. Mutants had approximately 10–20 copies of an amplicon in adjacent head‐to‐tail orientations. At the amplicon's chromosomal endpoint, an atypical junction juxtaposed normally distant DNA regions from opposite sides of the cat genes. The sequences of these junctions revealed the precise recombination sites underlying amplification. Additionally, amplicon stability was evaluated in the absence of selective pressure. The natural competence of Acinetobacter for transformation by linear DNA has allowed the development of a powerful new model system for investigating chromosomal rearrangements and for engineering DNA amplifications for wide‐ranging applications. The frequent spontaneous amplification of these large chromosomal segments demonstrated the importance of supra‐operonic gene clustering in the evolution of catabolic pathways.
Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Non-Invasive Microwave Head Imaging System for Intracranial Haemorrhage Detection

An intracranial haemorrhage is a life threatening medical emergency, yet only a fraction of the patients receive treatment in time, primarily due to the transport delay in accessing diagnostic equipment in hospitals such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging or Computed Tomography. A mono-static microwave head imaging system that can be carried in an ambulance for the detection and localization of intracranial haemorrhage is presented. The system employs a single ultra-wideband antenna as sensing element to transmit signals in low microwave frequencies towards the head and capture backscattered signals. The compact and low-profile antenna provides stable directional radiation patterns over the operating bandwidth in both near and far-fields. Numerical analysis of the head imaging system with a realistic head model in various situations is performed to realize the scattering mechanism of haemorrhage. A modified delay-and-summation back-projection algorithm, which includes effects of surface waves and a distance-dependent effective permittivity model, is proposed for signal and image post-processing. The efficacy of the automated head imaging system is evaluated using a 3D-printed human head phantom with frequency dispersive dielectric properties including emulated haemorrhages with different sizes located at different depths. Scattered signals are acquired with a compact transceiver in a mono-static circular scanning profile. The reconstructed images demonstrate that the system is capable of detecting haemorrhages as small as 1 cm3. While quantitative analyses reveal that the quality of images gradually degrades with the increase of the haemorrhage’s depth due to the reduction of signal penetration inside the head; rigorous statistical analysis suggests that substantial improvement in image quality can be obtained by increasing the data samples collected around the head. The proposed head imaging prototype along with the processing algorithm demonstrates its feasibility for potential use in ambulances as an effective and low cost diagnostic tool to assure timely triaging of intracranial hemorrhage patients.
Acinetobacter baumannii meningitis in post-neurosurgical patients: clinical outcome and impact of carbapenem resistance.

mainly among Gram-negative bacteria. This is probably due to an inappropriate antibiotic therapeutic policy in the community (all antibiotics are available as over-the-counter drugs). In conclusion, we have no explanation for high ‘at baseline’ colonization with MR-GNB (e.g. ceftazidime-resistant Enterobacter and Klebsiella spp.) in children who were antibioticand HAART-naive. We also have no explanation for the reversibility of resistance (increasing susceptibility) after 9 months of HAART therapy in Gram-negative bacteria and after 21 months in Gram-positive bacteria despite continuous prophylactic/intermittent administration of co-trimoxazole to all children with AIDS. Probably, improvement in the immune system plays a more important role in the reversibility of the antimicrobial resistance than intermittent prophylactic administration of co-trimoxazole.
Biodegradation of fuel oil hydrocarbons by a mixed bacterial consortium in sandy and loamy soils

The aerobic degradation of light fuel oil in sandy and loamy soils by an environmental bacterial consortium was investigated. Soils were spiked with 1 or 0.1% of oil per dry weight of soil. Acetone extracts of dried soils were analyzed by GC and the overall degradation was calculated by comparison with hydrocarbon recovery from uninoculated soils. In sandy soils, the sum of alkanes n‐C12 to n‐C23 was degraded to about 45% within 6 days at 20°C and to 27–31% within 28 days, provided that moisture and nutrients were replenished. Degradation in loamy soil was about 12% lower. The distribution of recovered alkanes suggested a preferential degradation of shorter chain molecules (n‐C12 to n‐C16) by the bacterial consortium. Partial 16S rDNA sequences indicated the presence of strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas citronellolis, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Toxicity tests using commercial standard procedures showed a moderate inhibition of bacterial activity. The study showed the applicability of a natural microbial community for the degradation of oil spills into soils at ambient temperatures.
Hardware software partitioning of task graph using genetic algorithm

One of the addressable problem in the hardware software co-design is partitioning of functionality on CPU and ASIC/FPGA. The partitioning phase requires the decision for mapping and scheduling of application given as task graphs on a given CPU/ASIC combination. Hardware software partitioning is one of the critical steps to decide which components can be implemented in hardware and which ones implemented in software so that overall system is optimized. Based on a task graph model, this paper presents the optimum solution of problem using genetic algorithm techniques. Experimental results demonstrate that this method can achieve optimized partitioning in terms of cost and delay. A trade off between cost and delay has also been achieved to get the best possible solution.
Metabolic physiology of aroma‐producing Kluyveromyces marxianus

Kluyveromyces marxianus has a high potential for industrial production of aroma compounds, such as 2‐phenylethanol, which is derived in a bioconversion from L‐phenylalanine. In the present work the product yield of K. marxianus in batch cultivation was estimated as 0.65 mol 2‐phenylethanol/mol L‐phenylalanine and thus significantly below the theoretical optimum of 1 mol/mol. By a comprehensive approach of stoichiometric balancing and GC–MS analysis of various substrates and products of K. marxianus a detailed insight into its metabolism was gained. For this purpose ring‐labelled (13C6) L‐phenylalanine and naturally labelled glucose were applied as substrates in tracer studies in batch culture. The produced aroma compounds 2‐phenylethanol and 2‐phenylethylacetate stem exclusively from the supplied L‐phenylalanine, whereas glucose was not converted into these products because of efficient feed‐back inhibition of prephenate dehydratase in the L‐phenylalanine biosynthetic pathway. It could be further shown that the supplied L‐phenylalanine completely covers the anabolic cellular demand for this amino acid. Quantification of 13CO2 in the exhaust gas provided clear evidence for catabolic breakdown of L‐phenylalanine during cultivation. Metabolic balancing around the pool of free intracellular L‐phenylalanine revealed a significant loss of L‐phenylalanine into catabolic and anabolic pathways. While 73.3% of L‐phenylalanine was converted into 2‐phenylethanol or 2‐phenylethylacetate, 22.4% was catabolized through the cinnamate pathway and 4.3% was directed towards protein biosynthesis. Catabolic breakdown of L‐phenylalanine via hydroxylation to L‐tyrosine could be excluded. In addition to an insight into metabolic functioning and regulation of 2‐phenylethanol‐producing K. marxianus, the approach presented here provides important information on potential targets for genetic optimization of 2‐phenylethanol‐producing yeasts. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Uterus Presenting Solely as an Endometrial Polyp

Summary:We report a primary diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of endometrial polyp in a 44-year-old woman who presented with irregular vaginal spotting and was found to have a polyp protruding from the cervical os. Histology of the polyp showed an atypical diffuse infiltration by large, mononuclear cells within the stroma and between endometrial glands in one of the polypoid fragments. Immunohistochemistry and testing for immunoglobulin heavy chain gene rearrangement showed a B-cell lineage, consistent with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Staging procedures including detailed gynecology examination, body computed tomography scan, and bone marrow examination, as well as total hysterectomy, showed no evidence of lymphoma outside of the polyp. To our knowledge, this represents the first well-documented instance of primary lymphoma of the uterus presenting as an endometrial polyp. The differential diagnosis of endometrial biopsies containing an atypical lymphoid infiltrate should include the rather rare possibility of primary uterine lymphoma arising in an endometrial polyp. Immunohistochemistry and/or molecular analysis for antigen receptor gene rearrangements are critical in arriving at the correct diagnosis.
A TEST FOR THE GENETIC BASIS OF NATURAL SELECTION: AN INDIVIDUAL‐BASED LONGITUDINAL STUDY IN A STREAM‐DWELLING FISH

In addition to the well‐studied evolutionary parameters of (1) phenotype‐fitness covariance and (2) the genetic basis of phenotypic variation, adaptive evolution by natural selection requires that (3) fitness variation is effected by heritable genetic differences among individuals and (4) phenotype‐fitness covariances must be, at least in part, underlain by genetic covariances. These latter two requirements for adaptive evolutionary change are relatively unstudied in natural populations. Absence of the latter requirements could explain stasis of apparently directionally selected heritable traits. We provide complementary analyses of selection and variation at phenotypic and genetic levels for juvenile growth rate in brook charr Salvelinus fontinalis in Freshwater River, Newfoundland, Canada. Contrary to the vast majority of reports in fish, we found very little viability selection of juvenile body size. Large body size appears nonetheless to be selectively advantageous via a relationship with early maturity. Genetic patterns in evolutionary parameters largely reflected phenotypic patterns. We have provided inference of selection based on longitudinal data, which are uncommon in high fecundity organisms. Furthermore we have provided a practicable framework for further studies of the genetic basis of natural selection.
Primary exclusive region and optimality of the link-level throughput of cognitive terminals

A cognitive network consists of primary nodes, which have priority access to the spectrum, and cognitive (also referred to as secondary) nodes, which access the spectrum provided that the interference they generate in the primary system remains limited. In practice, it means that the cognitive terminals must remain outside of a region surrounding the primary receiver: the primary exclusive region. The focus of this paper is on the definition of this region and the analysis of the achievable throughput of cognitive terminals under the constraints imposed by the primary network. More precisely, we establish the fundamental limits of the terminal probability of transmission and under what conditions this throughput can still be optimal (in a network throughput sense) for the secondary network.
The biochemistry of toxic elements

In 1968 it was discovered that mercury could be biomethylated to give methylmercury as the major product (Wood, Kennedy & Rosen, 1968; Jensen & Jernelöv, 1969). This discovery has proved to be important in two respects: (a) it provided us with the recognition that biological systems are capable of synthesizing very toxic organometallic compounds from relatively innocuous inorganic precursors, and (b) it opened the door to the study of organometallic compounds produced by biological mechanisms in the aqueous environment.
Neuronal growth cone relationships and their role in synaptogenesis in the mammalian central nervous system.

Two bi-laterally flanged plates with length portions of their respective flanges nested movably within one another the remaining portions thereof being fused together; the free ends of the movable portions of the plates form cutting edges; a band encompasses the plates adjacent the cutting edges and is mounted onto one plate surface; a lever member, mounted hingedly and turnably onto the band is provided on both sides with protuberances; the member, when functioning as a lever, causes the cutting edges to register, and when turned into a non-levering position, to remain closed. The rear end of the plates is closed by a cap.
Eating Behaviours of University Students in Southern Nigeria: An Evaluation of Sex Differences

University students besides been the future nation builders, also represent the most viable population for education in the field of healthy lifestyles and eating habits. Although, eating habits are major determinate of health status, the eating habits of university students in Southern Nigeria has not been well documented. We aim to investigate their eating habits and sex difference with the view that our findings will be useful in developing adequate nutrition education. The participants, 108 students (48.2% male and 51.9% female), aged 24.1±4.1 filled out a self-reported questionnaire. Height and weight measurement were obtained. Eating habits, frequency of food intake, eating attitudes and fat-related dietary habits were reported. Our data showed that the majority of the students (52.8%) were of normal weight (male 51.9% compared to female 53.6%). The overall prevalence of overweight (obese inclusive) was 40.4% for male and 35.7% for female. In terms of meal consumption frequency, students showed fairly good eating habits. There was no significant sex difference in the frequency of meal intake. Smoking was not common habit among students. Male students had significant lower means scores for modify meat to be low in fat and substitute high fat product with low fat. The correlation analysis of UPI subscale and eating attitude factors revealed some sex variations. For instance, eating attitude factors of F1 and F3 were positively associated with stress and dieting among male students but not for female students while UPI total, depression, anxiety and obsession was significantly related with hours of sleep per night for female but not for male students. Thus, patterns of association suggest a modulating effect of sex on eating behaviors. Efforts aimed at modifying unhealthy eating habits may benefit from a tailored approach, which takes into account individual differences in these factors.
Nested cooperativity in the ATPase activity of the oligomeric chaperonin GroEL.

Initial rates of ATP hydrolysis by wild-type GroEL were measured as a function of ATP concentration from 0 to 0.8 mM. Two allosteric transitions are observed: one at relatively low ATP concentrations (< or = 100 microM) and the second at higher concentrations of ATP with respective midpoints of about 16 and 160 microM. Two allosteric transitions were previously observed also in the case of the Arg-196-->Ala GroEL mutant [Yifrach, O. , & Horovitz, A. (1994) J. Mol. Biol. 243, 397-401]. On the basis of these observations a mathematical model for nested cooperativity in ATP hydrolysis by GroEL is developed in which there are two levels of allostery: one within each ring and the second between rings. In the first level, each hepatameric ring is in equilibrium between the T and R states, in accordance with the Monod-Wyman-Changeux (MWC) model of cooperativity [Monod et al. (1965) J. Mol. Biol. 12, 88-118]. A second level of allostery is between the rings of the GroEL particle which undergoes sequential Koshland-Némethy-Filmer (KNF)-type transitions from the TT state via the TR state to the RR state [Koshland et al. (1966) Biochemistry 5, 365-385]. Using our model, we estimate the values of the Hill coefficient for the negative cooperativity between rings in wild-type GroEL and the Arg-196-->Ala mutant to be 0.003 (+/- 0.001) and 0.07 (+/- 0.02), respectively. The inter-ring coupling free energies in wild-type GroEL and the Arg-196-->Ala mutant are -7.5 (+/- 0.4) and -3.9 (+/- 0.3) kcal mol-1, respectively.
Graph matching for reconciling SCADA and GIS of a distribution network

This article deals with the problem of automatically establishing a correspondence between two databases populated independently over the years by a distribution company, for instance a SCADA system and a geographical information system. This problem is abstracted as a graph matching problem, well known in the combinatorial optimisation community. It is then casted as an integer quadratic program. An idea of achievable results on a real system is provided, and needs for approximation or decomposition algorithms are discussed.
Inducible perivascular cells contribute to the neochondrogenesis in grafted perichondrium

Autogeneic perichondrium was implanted above the cremaster muscle of the rat, and the new formation of two types of cartilage (types I and II) was confirmed. Also, granulation tissue was observed before the type II cartilage formation. Under these conditions, the contribution to the neocartilage of graft bed derived cells, mainly of the venule pericytes, was studied. To follow the pericyte lineage, we used a marker—Monastral Blue B—the administration of which was based on the principle of vascular labeling. While the perichondrium was kept free, before its implantation, the preformed (preexisting) venules in the cremaster muscle were exclusively labeled with Monastral Blue B, which was incorporated into the cytoplasm of pericytes and endothelial cells. After perichondrium implantation, the following sequence in tracer distribution was demonstrated. During the earlier stages, labeling was restricted to the pericytes and endothelial cells of venules in the graft bed. Later the tracer was observed in some endothelial cells and pericytes of the growing vessels and in fibroblast‐like cells of the granulation tissue. Finally, some type II neochondrocytes appeared labeled. Tracer was not found in type I neochondrocytes. The presence of label in type II neochondrocytes demonstrates that they arise from progenitor cells present in the graft bed, principally from small venule pericytes. Therefore, the findings in this study provide greater evidence that surrounding soft tissues may increase the process of cartilage regeneration from cells present in the perichondrium by contributing inducible perivascular cells.
miR, miR in the Cell, Does the Virus Control Them All?

As if the pathway of regulation leading islet cells toward dysfunction and diabetes was not difficult enough to grasp, here come viruses to further complicate matters. In the past few years, we have come to recognize that a class of small noncoding RNAs termed microRNAs (miRNAs) has a powerful ability to regulate most, if not all, of the key processes in cell biology (1,2). In fact, there is evidence that these key molecules can be transported from cell to cell, thereby influencing gene expression not only within the host cell but also in neighboring cells and in distant cell subsets when the miRNAs travel in vesicles via the blood and lymph (3–5). The evidence that miRNAs play pivotal roles in β-cell biology, including regulating their differentiation, glucose responsiveness, insulin production, apoptosis, and inflammation, is rapidly accumulating and was recently discussed by Filios and Shalev (4) in an issue of Diabetes . As one might expect given their range of functions within the β-cells, these same molecules are hypothesized to have key roles in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes (4,6–13). Yet, it is still not clear whether or not they are central to the induction of disease or if they are merely a biomarker of active β-cell dysfunction. Type 1 diabetes is often described as a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing islet β-cells, and it is a widely held belief that a complex blend of genetic and environmental factors is required to drive disease. In terms of clinically relevant environmental factors, the culprits that are most often mentioned and have the strongest evidentiary support are coxsackieviruses (CVBs). Evidence for CVB infection has often been described in recent-onset patients, and CVBs have a clear propensity for infecting …
A 108Gb/s 4:1 multiplexer in 0.13/spl mu/m SiGe-bipolar technology

A 4:1 multiplexer implemented in a 210GHz f/sub t/, 0.13/spl mu/m SiGe-bipolar technology and operating beyond 100Gb/s is reported. Control of on-chip clock distribution is critical to achieve such data rate. The chip consumes 1.45W from a -3.3V supply and exhibits less than 340fs rms jitter on the output data.
The first wheezing episode: respiratory virus etiology, atopic characteristics, and illness severity

Susceptibility to early rhinovirus‐induced wheezing has been recognized as an important risk factor for childhood asthma, but data on the first wheezing episode are limited. The aim of this selected population study was to investigate virus etiology, atopic characteristics, and illness severity, as well as their interrelation, among first‐time wheezing children.