Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Changes in Outcome during Implementation of a Fast-Track Colonic Surgery Project in a University-Affiliated General Teaching Hospital

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate whether changes can be accomplished rapidly after implementing a fast-track colonic surgery project at a university-affiliated general teaching hospital. Methods: In 2004 and 2005 all colonic surgery patients were recorded for a number of pre-, per- and postoperative care elements. In 2006, during the implementation of a fast-track program, changes were recorded. Results: Before the implementation of the fast-track regime at our hospital, 97% of the patients (n = 89/92) received mechanical bowel preparation, in contrast to 3% (n = 1/36) afterwards (p < 0.0001). The application of thoracic epidural analgesia rose from 46% (n = 42/92) in 2004 and 2005 to 94% (n = 34/36) in 2006 (p < 0.0001). The use of nasogastric tubes postoperatively almost disappeared. 77% (n = 28/36) enjoyed a small meal on the 1st day after operation, compared to 0% (n = 0/92) in 2004 and 2005 (p < 0.0001). Median hospital stay was 6 (range 3–27) nights in 2006 compared to 9 (range 3–25) nights in 2005 and 9.5 (range 7–64) nights in 2004 (p < 0.005). Conclusion: These preliminary results show that also at a district general teaching hospital advantages can be reached rapidly and safely by implementing fast-track surgery; especially a faster recovery.
Enhanced Neural Processing of Goal-directed Actions After Active Training in 4-Month-Old Infants

The current study explores the neural correlates of action perception and its relation to infants' active experience performing goal-directed actions. Study 1 provided active training with sticky mittens that enables grasping and object manipulation in prereaching 4-month-olds. After training, EEG was recorded while infants observed images of hands grasping toward (congruent) or away from (incongruent) objects. We demonstrate that brief active training facilitates social perception as indexed by larger amplitude of the P400 ERP component to congruent compared with incongruent trials. Study 2 presented 4-month-old infants with passive training in which they observed an experimenter perform goal-directed reaching actions, followed by an identical ERP session to that used in Study 1. The second study did not demonstrate any differentiation between congruent and incongruent trials. These results suggest that (1) active experience alters the brains' response to goal-directed actions performed by others and (2) visual exposure alone is not sufficient in developing the neural networks subserving goal processing during action observation in infancy.
Baseline estimation for Arabic handwritten words

Baseline information has been used for diverse purposes in handwriting research. The baseline represents a first orientation in a word and it is often a precondition for subsequent algorithms, including preprocessing tasks, segmentation and feature extraction for recognition systems. Approaches based on the horizontal projection histogram are used for Arabic printed text but they are ill-suited for Arabic handwritten words. In this paper we present a method that is completely based on polygonally approximated skeleton processing. The central algorithm is concerned with finding features in the skeleton and processing linear regression analysis. Our method performs very well as long as the model assumption of one straight line applies. We tested the method on 26459 isolated Tunisian town names written by 411 writers (IFNIENIT-database).
Sustained CD4+ T cell-driven lymphopenia without a compensatory IL-7/IL-15 response among high-grade glioma patients treated with radiation and temozolomide

Prolonged lymphopenia correlating with decreased survival commonly occurs among glioma patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) and temozolomide (TMZ) treatment. To better understand the pathophysiology of this phenomenon, we prospectively monitored serum cytokine levels and lymphocyte subsets in 15 high-grade glioma patients undergoing combined radiation and TMZ (referred to as RT/TMZ) treatment. Sufficient data for analysis were acquired from 11 of the patients initially enrolled. Lymphocyte phenotyping data were obtained using cytofluorometric analysis and serum cytokine levels were measured using the a multiplex bead-based assays. Total lymphocyte counts (TLCs) were > 1000 cells per μL peripheral blood in 10/11 patients at baseline, but dropped significantly after treatment. Specifically, after RT/TMZ therapy, the TLCs were found to be < 500 cells/μL in 2/11 patients, 500–1000 cells/μL in 7/11 patients, and > 1000 cells/μL in the remaining 2 patients. Among residual mononuclear blood cells, we observed a proportional drop in B and CD4+ T cells but not in CD8+ T lymphocytes. Natural killer cells remained to near-to-baseline levels and there was a transient and slight (insignificant) increase in regulatory T cells (Tregs). The circulating levels of IL-7 and IL-15 remained low despite marked drops in both the total and CD4+ T lymphocyte counts. Thus, patients with malignant glioma undergoing RT/TMZ treatment exhibit a marked decline in TLCs, affecting both CD4+ T cells and B lymphocytes, in the absence of a compensatory increase in interleukin-7 levels. The failure to mount an appropriate homeostatic cytokine response may be responsible for the prolonged lymphopenia frequently observed in these patients.
Strategies for meloxicam delivery to and across the skin: a review

Abstract Although meloxicam (MX) is relatively safer than other NSAIDs, adverse effects relating to the gastro-intestinal tract are still a problem when administrated MX at high doses and on the long-term treatment. Drug delivery via skin provides an attractive alternative to oral administration, but is limited by the first layer of the skin-stratum corneum. Studies have been focused on developing effective methods to break the barrier of stratum corneum for enhancing delivery of MX to and across the skin. Strategies including formulation optimizing, chemical modification and physical enhancements to transiently reduce stratum corneum barrier function have been introduced. This article reviews the current state of the techniques in the delivery of MX to and across the skin, and it also includes the profiles of pharmacokinetic and safety related with skin delivery of MX.
Modélisation, Analyse, Représentation des Images Numériques Approche combinatoire de l'imagerie. (Modeling, Analysis, Digital image representation Combinatorial approach of imagery)

Mes travaux de recherche sont bases sur une approche combinatoire et discrete de l’imagerie. Ma demarche est de proposer des definitions de modeles mathematiques fournissant une abstraction de la realite physique, cette abstraction permettant de definir des nouvelles techniques amenant des solutions originales a des problemes poses. Dans ce cadre, je me suis plus particulierement interesse a la definition d’un modele formel d’image, a la segmentation en regions par des techniques algorithmiques et statistiques, et a la structuration du resultat a l’aide d’une representation combinatoire.
Descriptive urological record of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the wild and limitations associated with using multi‐reagent dipstick test strips

Abstract: Ten urine chemistry parameters were measured on 74 voided urine samples from 34 wild chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes). Multi‐reagent urine dipstick tests were performed and results determined using colorimetric scales. Urine pH measured between 8 and 9 units in 91% of the chimpanzees. Test pads detected protein, erythrocytes, leukocyte esterase activity, and nitrites, ketones and bilirubin in 47, 32, 29, and <10% of the chimpanzees, respectively. No apparent association between positive test results for blood in adult females and reproductive status was found. Overall, 17 of the 34 chimpanzees had positive urine test results for protein, hemoglobin, erythrocytes, leukocytes, nitrites, ketones, and/or bilirubin. Dipstick urinalysis alone is an unreliable method for assessing health and physiological status of wild chimpanzees. However, if combined with other diagnostics it could prove to be a valuable health‐monitoring tool. Limitations associated with this methodology need to be considered when interpreting urinary dipstick test results.
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase 3, 4, and 5 induces endolymphatic hydrops in mouse inner ear, as evaluated with repeated 9.4T MRI

Abstract Conclusion: The data indicate important roles for phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3, 4, 5, and related cAMP and cGMP pools in the regulation of inner ear fluid homeostasis. Thus, dysfunction of these enzymes might contribute to pathologies of the inner ear. Objective: The mechanisms underlying endolymphatic hydrops, a hallmark of inner ear dysfunction, are not known in detail; however, altered balance in cAMP and cGMP signaling systems appears to be involved. Key components of these systems are PDEs, enzymes that modulate the amplitude, duration, termination, and specificity of cAMP and cGMP signaling. Method: To evaluate the role of PDE3, 4, and 5 and associated cAMP and cGMP pools in inner ear function, the effect of cilostamide (PDE3 inhibitor), rolipram (PDE4 inhibitor), and sildenafil (PDE5 inhibitor), administrated via mini-osmotic pumps, on mouse inner ear fluid homeostasis was evaluated using 9.4T in vivo MRI in combination with intraperitoneally administered Gadolinium contrast. Also, using human saccule as a model, the expression of PDEs and related signaling molecules and targets was studied using immunohistochemistry. Results: PDE3, PDE4, as well as PDE5 inhibitors resulted in the development of endolymphatic hydrops. Furthermore, PDE3B, PDE4D, and some related signaling components were shown to be expressed in the human saccule.
Collusion and hierarchy in banking

'1'hix patx;r studies an agcncy problem be[ween a bank and its loan officer in the prcxess of loan origination. The loan officer privately observes a prospective borrower's yuality. A high-risk bcxrower may offer a side transfer to the loan ofticer (collusion) to induce him)her to understatc the borrower's risk when reporting to the bank owner. Thc bank, by involving a crcdít committcc in thc loan appruval prcx;css, may prevcnt this prohlcm. Banks optimally sct a loan limit abovc which all loans must be approved by the committee. Collusion may cxacur in eyuilibrium only if the bank cannot precommit to thc probability that the credit committee actually checks the loan ofticer's creclit proposal. may prevent negative wages. The practical observation that the incen[ive system for loan ufficers often focuses more on new lending activities than on project performance, seems to indicate that the costs of paying loan otticers contingent an loan perti~rmance may t,e higher than the henelits. Given this incentive structure, this paper ti,cuses on the effect of thc loan officer's pcrsunal relationship with the borrower on the luan ofticer's actions.
Impact of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 on School Performance

School functioning of 86 Dutch neurofibromatosis type 1 children (7-17 years) using teacher questionnaires was analyzed to determine the impact of neurofibromatosis type 1 on school performance. In all, 75% of the neurofibromatosis type 1 children performed more than 1 standard deviation below grade peers in at least one of the domains of spelling, mathematics, technical reading or comprehensive reading. Furthermore, neurofibromatosis type 1 children had a 4-fold increased risk for attending special education and a 6-fold increased risk for receiving remedial teaching for learning, behavior, speech, or motor problems. Children without apparent learning disabilities still frequently displayed neuropsychological deficits. Only 10% of the children did not show any school-functioning problems. Finally, it was found that the clinical severity of neurofibromatosis type 1 correlated with the cognitive deficits. Taken together, it was shown that neurofibromatosis type 1 has profound impact on school performance. Awareness of these problems may facilitate timely recognition and appropriate support.
La différence épidémiologique des hémorragies digestives hautes entre les hommes et les femmes

Introduction Des différences épidémiologiques, étiologique voire pronostique des hémorragies digestives hautes (HDH) entre les deux sexes opposés ont été cité par différentes études. Méthodes Nous avons essayé de déceler ces différences à travers une analyse rétrospective nichée sur une étude prospective sur les hémorragies digestives hautes ayant inclus 945 patients. Résultats Six cents trente-sept patients étaient des hommes (67,4% Vs 32,6%). Un antécédent d'HDH était trouvé chez 24,2% des cas sans différence significative entre les deux sexes. L'âge de survenue de l'hémorragie était plus élevé chez les femmes que chez les hommes : 51,5 ans ± 18,8 Vs 47,8 ans ± 18,3 (p : 0,003). Les étiologies de l'HDH étaient différentes entre les deux sexes. Alors que l'hémorragie liée à l'HTP était la première cause chez la femme (38 % Vs 23,5 % chez l'homme, p<0,0001), c'est la pathologie ulcéreuse qui venait en premier chez l'homme (62 % Vs 36,7 % chez la femme, p<0,0001). Un besoin transfusionnel était noté chez 42,4 % des patients de sexe masculin contre 35,4 % des patientes avec un p = 0,03. Le taux de récidive et de décès global étaient de 7,5 % et de 5,7 % des cas respectivement, sans différence significative entre les deux sexes. Conclusion L'étude trouve un profil épidémiologique, clinique et étiologique différent selon le sexe des patients.
Odontogenesis - a masterful orchestration of functional redundancy or what makes tooth bioengineering an intrinsically difficult concept

Rapid increase of knowledge in stem cell research, bioengineering technology and molecular basis of odontogenesis has finally lead us to the point where it is possible to develop approaches for treatment of tooth loss with bioengineered teeth, which one day might completely replace conventional prosthodontics and dental implants. By holding onto the premise that in order to bioengineer teeth, full understanding of how teeth develop is required, it must be acknowledged that there are certain features of odontogenesis which create obstacles in gaining that understanding. One such feature is the functional redundancy in genetic networks responsible for molecular control of odontogenesis. Abundant data imply that having functional redundancy of various elements in regulatory genetic networks is more than just a failsafe built into the odontogenic sequence in order to secure unhindered development of teeth. This phenomenon plays important roles in determination of tooth numbers and positioning, and is increasingly recognized as important for enabling sufficient plasticity of regulatory genetic networks through which the appearance of tooth-type specific and species-specific diversity of mammalian tooth morphology can be explained. Unfortunately, most of what we know about molecular basis of odontogenesis, comes from studies of mouse molars. This represents a serious gap which has to be bridged by the novel insights from developmental biology, stem cell research, and bioengineering technology, if we ever want to make de novo tooth bioengineering a clinically viable method for treatment of tooth loss.
mRNA Extraction and Reverse Transcription-PCR Protocol for Detection of nifH Gene Expression by Azotobacter vinelandii in Soil

ABSTRACT The study of free-living nitrogen-fixing organisms in bulk soil is hampered by the great diversity of soil microbial communities and the difficulty of relating nitrogen fixation activities to individual members of the diazotroph populations. We developed a molecular method that allows analysis of nifH mRNA expression in soil in parallel with determinations of nitrogen-fixing activity and bacterial growth. In this study, Azotobacter vinelandii growing in sterile soil and liquid culture served as a model system for nifH expression, in which sucrose served as the carbon source and provided nitrogen-limited conditions, while amendments of NH4NO3 were used to suppress nitrogen fixation. Soil RNA extraction was performed with a new optimized direct extraction protocol that yielded nondegraded total RNA. The RNA extracts were of high purity, free of DNA contamination, and allowed highly sensitive and specific detection of nifH mRNA by a reverse transcription-PCR. The level of nifH gene expression was estimated by PCR amplification of reverse-transcribed nifH mRNA fragments with A. vinelandii-specific nifH primers. This new approach revealed that nifH gene expression was positively correlated with bulk nitrogen fixation activity in soil (r2 = 0.72) and in liquid culture (r2 = 0.84) and therefore is a powerful tool for studying specific regulation of gene expression directly in the soil environment.
Logical Formalizations of Commonsense Reasoning: A Survey

Commonsense reasoning is in principle a central problem in artificial intelligence, but it is a very difficult one. One approach that has been pursued since the earliest days of the field has been to encode commonsense knowledge as statements in a logic-based representation language and to implement commonsense reasoning as some form of logical inference. This paper surveys the use of logic-based representations of commonsense knowledge in artificial intelligence research.
Properties of sapphire crystals elaborated with different grow technics for microwave ultra-stable oscillator applications

State-of-the-art microwave ultra-stable oscillators are currently based on sapphire resonator operated in whispering gallery modes in the range 5 – 12 GHz. Indeed the best near carrier phase noise is achieved with commercial systems incorporating a room temperature sapphire reference associated with a sophisticated electronics degenerating the noise of the sustaining oscillator stage [1]. On the other part, relative frequency instabilities better than few 1 × 10−15 are achieved with laboratory Cryogenic Sapphire Oscillator (CSO) in which the sapphire crystal is cooled into a large liquid Helium dewar and maintained at its turnover temperature (between 5–8 K) [2]. More reccenlty, we demonstrated an original and reliable technology incorporating a pulse-tube cooler instead of a bath cryostat thus eliminating the need for regular supplies and manual transferring of liquid helium [3]. The advent of reliable and cryocooled (CSO) open the possibility to implement such an ultra-stable reference not only in metrological laboratories with liquid helium facilities but also in remote sites like base stations for space navigation, VBLI antenna sites, … This technology is today available through a newly created business unit: ULISS{su®) [4].
Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms in the early development of the vascular system

The cardiovascular system plays a critical role in vertebrate development and homeostasis. Vascular development is a highly organized sequence of events that requires the correct spatial and temporal expression of specific sets of genes leading to the development of a primary vascular network. There have been intensive efforts to determine the molecular mechanisms regulating vascular growth and development, and much of the rationale for this has stemmed from the increasing clinical importance and therapeutic potential of modulating vascular formation during various disease states.
Tea flavonoids may protect against atherosclerosis: the Rotterdam Study.

BACKGROUND Epidemiological studies have indicated a protective role of dietary flavonoids in cardiovascular disease, but evidence is still conflicting. Tea is the major dietary source for flavonoids in Western populations. We studied the association of tea intake with aortic atherosclerosis in a general population. METHODS The present analysis formed part of the Rotterdam Study, a prospective study of men and women 55 years and older. Dietary intakes were assessed at baseline by a trained dietician who used a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Calcified plaques in the abdominal aorta were radiographically detected after 2 to 3 years of follow-up. Aortic atherosclerosis was classified as "mild," "moderate," or "severe," according to the length of the calcified area (<1 cm, 1-5 cm, and >5 cm, respectively). The association of tea intake with severity of aortic atherosclerosis was studied in 3454 subjects who were free of cardiovascular disease at baseline. Data were analyzed by logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, body mass index (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters), smoking, education, and intake of alcohol, coffee, vitamin antioxidants, total fat, and total energy. RESULTS Multivariable analyses showed a significant, inverse association of tea intake with severe aortic atherosclerosis. Odds ratios decreased from 0.54 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.92) for drinking 125 to 250 mL (1-2 cups) of tea to 0.31 (CI, 0.16-0.59) for drinking more than 500 mL/d (4 cups per day). The associations were stronger in women than in men. The association of tea intake with mild and moderate atherosclerosis was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION This study indicates a protective effect of tea drinking against ischemic heart disease.
L‐type amino acid transporter‐1 and CD98 expression in bone and soft tissue tumors

L‐type amino acid transporter‐1 (LAT1) is expressed in many cancers. We examined LAT1 and CD98 expression immunohistochemically in surgically resected specimens of various bone and soft tissue tumors. Out of 226 cases, 79 (35%) were LAT1+ and 95 (42%) were CD98+. In bone tumors, LAT1 was highly expressed in osteoblastoma (89%), chondrosarcoma (50%), and osteosarcoma (60%); in soft tissue tumors, LAT1 was highly expressed in rhabdomyosarcoma (80%), synovial sarcoma (63%), Ewing's sarcoma (60%), epithelioid sarcoma (100%) and angiosarcoma (100%). In malignant soft tissue tumors, LAT1 expression was associated with higher histological grade. High CD98 expression was seen in many bone tumors of intermediate and high malignancy. Among soft tissue tumors, CD98 was expressed in tendon sheath giant cell tumor and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (57%), Ewing's sarcoma (50%) and undifferentiated sarcoma (64%). Some of the malignant soft tissue tumors expressed both LAT1 and CD98. This study showed that LAT1 and CD98 was expressed in many malignant and intermediate bone tumors, and some malignant soft tissue tumors.
A performance evaluation framework for IEEE 802.11 ad-hoc networks

Interferences in an ad-hoc network can be defined as a set of constraints that specify which groups of nodes cannot transmit simultaneously, and they have significant implications for the network capacity and other performance measures. This paper expounds the difference between two types of interferences: 1) physical interferences due to the receiver's inability to decode a signal when the powers received from other signals are large; and 2) protocol interferences imposed by the specific multi-access protocol being used to coordinate transmissions of nodes. We model interference types 1 and 2 in terms of graphs. Based on the insights obtained, we devise a scheme that modifies 802.11 slightly to make its capacity scale with the number of nodes.