Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adult Medulloblastoma: Prognostic Factors and Patterns of Relapse

OBJECTIVETo determine the patterns of relapse and the prognostic factors for adult medulloblastomas treated in the magnetic resonance imaging era. METHODSBetween 1986 and 1996, 32 adult patients (age, ≥16 yr) with medulloblastomas confined to the craniospinal axis were treated in our institutions. Twenty cases involved classic histological features and 12 involved the desmoplastic variant. The Chang staging distribution was as follows: T1, 2; T2, 17; T3, 10; T4, 3; M0, 24; M1, 1; M2, 4; M3, 3. Brainstem invasion was present in nine patients. Lesions were midline in 13 cases and lateral in 19. Resection was complete in 17 cases, subtotal in 6, and partial in 5, with biopsy only in 4 cases. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy, with median doses of 36 Gy to the entire craniospinal axis and 55 Gy to the posterior fossa. Twenty-four patients received chemotherapy (20 before radiotherapy, 3 after radiotherapy, and 1 before and after radiotherapy). RESULTSWith a median follow-up period of 5.4 years, 17 patients experienced recurrences. At 5 and 8 years, overall survival rates were 83 and 45% and disease-free survival rates were 57 and 40%, respectively. The 5- and 8-year posterior fossa control rates were 67 and 59%, respectively. Twenty-nine percent of all relapses occurred more than 5 years after treatment. The posterior fossa was the most common site of relapses. In univariate analyses, factors adversely affecting posterior fossa control were less than complete resection (P < 0.001), the presence of brainstem invasion (P = 0.02), and the use of chemotherapy (P = 0.03). The overall radiotherapy duration was marginally significant in predicting posterior fossa control, with 5-year posterior fossa control rates of 81 and 49% for durations of less than 48 days and 48 days or more, respectively (P = 0.06). In a multivariate analysis, complete resection was predictive of improved posterior fossa control (P = 0.02) and disease-free survival (P = 0.02) rates. Of the eight low-risk patients who received radiotherapy alone, three experienced recurrences in the bone as the only site of relapse. CONCLUSIONLate relapse is common among adult patients with medulloblastomas, and long-term follow-up monitoring is important. Because of the high risk of systemic failure among the low-risk patients treated with radiotherapy alone, the role of chemotherapy for this group of patients needs to be further investigated. Complete resection, the absence of brainstem invasion, and an overall radiotherapy duration of less than 48 days are important prognostic factors.
CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1 and NQO1 polymorphisms and colorectal adenomas in Japanese men.

AIM To investigate the role of functional genetic polymorphisms of metabolic enzymes of tobacco carcinogens in the development of colorectal adenomas. METHODS The study subjects were 455 patients with colorectal adenomas and 1052 controls with no polyps who underwent total colonoscopy in a preretirement health examination at two Self Defense Forces hospitals. The genetic polymorphisms studied were CYP1A1 2A (rs 4646903), CYP1A1 2C (rs 1048943), GSTM1 (null or non-null genotype), GSTT1 (null or non-null genotype) and NQO1 C609T (rs 1800566). Genotypes were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism or PCR method using genomic DNA extracted from the buffy coat. Cigarette smoking and other lifestyle factors were ascertained by a self-administered questionnaire. The associations of the polymorphisms with colorectal adenomas were examined by means of OR and 95%CI, which were derived from logistic regression analysis. Statistical adjustment was made for smoking, alcohol use, body mass index and other factors. The gene-gene interaction and effect modification of smoking were evaluated by the likelihood ratio test. RESULTS None of the five polymorphisms showed a significant association with colorectal adenomas, nor was the combination of GSTM1 and GSTT1. A borderline significant interaction was observed for the combination of CYP1A1 2C and NQO1 (P = 0.051). The OR associated with CYP1A1 2C was significantly lower than unity among individuals with the NQO1 609CC genotype. The adjusted OR for the combination of the CYP1A1 2C allele and NQO1 609CC genotype was 0.61 (95%CI: 0.42-0.91). Although the interaction was not statistically significant (P = 0.24), the OR for individuals carrying the CYP1A1 2C allele and GSTT1 null genotype decreased significantly compared with those who had neither CYP1A1 2C allele nor GSTT1 null genotype (adjusted OR: 0.69, 95%CI: 0.49-0.97). Smoking did not modify the associations of the individual polymorphisms with colorectal adenomas. There was no measurable effect modification of smoking even regarding the combination of the genetic polymorphisms of the phase I and phase II enzymes. CONCLUSION Combination of the CYP1A1 2C and NQO1 609CC genotypes was associated with a decreased risk of colorectal adenomas regardless of smoking status.
Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Single and Multiple Body Regions and Effects of Perceived Risk of Injury Among Manual Handling Workers

Study Design. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate 217 male workers from the Hong Kong with varied levels of manual lifting experience. Objectives. To determine whether musculoskeletal symptoms are prevalent in different and multiple body regions among manual handling workers, and to determine whether a simple index (i.e., perceived risk of lifting injury) evaluated by the worker is significantly associated with musculoskeletal outcomes in single and multiple body regions. Summary of Background Data. Little research has been conducted to investigate the effect of manual lifting tasks on musculoskeletal symptoms in different and multiple body regions. Methods. A structured interview that followed a set of standardized questionnaires was administered to each worker by the same investigator. The workers were asked to detail their demographic characteristics, physical fitness level, years of experience in manual lifting, current working condition, and musculoskeletal symptom survey. Results. Lower back symptoms were the most frequent among manual handling workers, followed by the shoulders, then the upper back, hips-upper legs, and neck. Finger symptoms had the lowest prevalence values. Musculoskeletal symptoms for multiple body parts (two or more) were more prevalent (64% of all workers) than those for single body regions (19%). Approximately 85% of lower back symptoms were associated with disorders in other body regions. Multivariate analyses indicated that the effects of perceived risk were significant for eight body regions, and that age was significant for three of them. Perceived risk of lifting injury also was significant for multiple body regions. Conclusions. Musculoskeletal symptoms are prevalent in single and multiple body regions among manual handling workers. The perceived risk of injury is significantly associated with musculoskeletal symptoms in eight body regions.
DiMob: Scalable and seamless mobility in SDN managed wireless networks

Wi-Fi network roaming is the act of moving a wireless device from one Wi-Fi access point (AP) to another Wi-Fi AP. In urban environments, where APs are densely deployed, users would greatly benefit from roaming between these APs. Standards for Wi-Fi-network roaming have been developed (e.g. IEEE 802.11r), but are rarely implemented. The absence of a widely used standard leads to device-dependent roaming mechanisms, which brings numerous disadvantages. 5G-EmPOWER is an example of a framework that brings the Software-Defined Networking (SDN) paradigm to wireless networks. The framework solves the problem of network roaming by allowing users to connect to their own unique virtual AP and managing their connection to the WAN behind the scenes. This allows the 5G-EmPOWER controller to seamlessly handover users from one physical AP to another. Currently, a single physical controller manages the 5G-EmPOWER control plane. The use of a single system over a distributed system has known disadvantages (e.g. greater cost, single point of failure). In this paper, we present DiMob, which distributes the SDN control plane among multiple controllers. We show that DiMob maintains a seamless handover, while offering the advantages of a distributed system. We demonstrate, for example, that adding an additional node can save approximately 30 % in CPU usage for each controller.
Deciphering the Role of B Cells in Multiple Sclerosis—Towards Specific Targeting of Pathogenic Function

B cells, plasma cells and antibodies may play a key role in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). This notion is supported by various immunological changes observed in MS patients, such as activation and pro-inflammatory differentiation of peripheral blood B cells, the persistence of clonally expanded plasma cells producing immunoglobulins in the cerebrospinal fluid, as well as the composition of inflammatory central nervous system lesions frequently containing co-localizing antibody depositions and activated complement. In recent years, the perception of a respective pathophysiological B cell involvement was vividly promoted by the empirical success of anti-CD20-mediated B cell depletion in clinical trials; based on these findings, the first monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody—ocrelizumab—is currently in the process of being approved for treatment of MS. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the role of B cells, plasma cells and antibodies in MS and elucidate how approved and future treatments, first and foremost anti-CD20 antibodies, therapeutically modify these B cell components. We will furthermore describe regulatory functions of B cells in MS and discuss how the evolving knowledge of these therapeutically desirable B cell properties can be harnessed to improve future safety and efficacy of B cell-directed therapy in MS.
Validity of the prosthetic activity monitor to assess the duration and spatio-temporal characteristics of prosthetic walking

The prosthetic activity monitor (PAM) is an instrument to assess over the long-term the duration and spatio-temporal characteristics of walking of amputees, during normal daily life. In this study, the validity of PAM-derived measurements was investigated. Twelve transtibial amputees performed an activity protocol, consisting of stationary and walking activities, and activities associated with nonlocomotor movements. The protocol also included potential sources of error and activities assumed to be prone to misdetection. Measurements consisted of the PAM and video recordings. Agreement between video analysis and PAM output was the main outcome measure. The PAM generally correctly classified stationary activities (100% inactive, 0% active, 0% locomotion), nonlocomotor activities (45% inactive, 55% active, 0% locomotion) and walking activities (0% inactive, 1.8% active, 98.2% locomotion). When walking, the number of strides taken was slightly underestimated (-1.0%). The underestimation of distance travelled (-6.2%) and walking speed (-5.8%) was greater. The agreement with video output decreased when the PAM was misaligned, when persons walked at a speed below the defined minimum speed, and when persons walked with crutches. The PAM provides valid data on activity classes and number of strides. Although the majority of the distance data was satisfactory, in some cases considerable differences were found between the PAM and the video data. The impact of alignment, walking speed, and use of assistive devices on the PAM's operation should be considered.
New paradigms for interactive 3D volume segmentation

We present a new virtual reality-based interaction metaphor for semi-automatic segmentation of medical 3D volume data. The mouse-based, manual initialization of deformable surfaces in 3D represents a major bottleneck in interactive segmentation. In our multi-modal system we enhance this process with additional sensory feedback. A 3D haptic device is used to extract the centreline of a tubular structure. Based on the obtained path a cylinder with varying diameter is generated, which in turn is used as the initial guess for a deformable surface. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of coronary artery disease risk based on multiple longitudinal biomarkers

In the last decade, few topics in the area of cardiovascular disease (CVD) research have received as much attention as risk prediction. One of the well‐documented risk factors for CVD is high blood pressure (BP). Traditional CVD risk prediction models consider BP levels measured at a single time and such models form the basis for current clinical guidelines for CVD prevention. However, in clinical practice, BP levels are often observed and recorded in a longitudinal fashion. Information on BP trajectories can be powerful predictors for CVD events. We consider joint modeling of time to coronary artery disease and individual longitudinal measures of systolic and diastolic BPs in a primary care cohort with up to 20 years of follow‐up. We applied novel prediction metrics to assess the predictive performance of joint models. Predictive performances of proposed joint models and other models were assessed via simulations and illustrated using the primary care cohort. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The anatomical and compositional basis of leaf mass per area.

Leaf dry mass per unit leaf area (LMA) is a central trait in ecology, but its anatomical and compositional basis has been unclear. An explicit mathematical and physical framework for quantifying the cell and tissue determinants of LMA will enable tests of their influence on species, communities and ecosystems. We present an approach to explaining LMA from the numbers, dimensions and mass densities of leaf cells and tissues, which provided unprecedented explanatory power for 11 broadleaved woody angiosperm species diverse in LMA (33-262 g m-2 ; R2 = 0.94; P < 0.001). Across these diverse species, and in a larger comparison of evergreen vs. deciduous angiosperms, high LMA resulted principally from larger cell sizes, greater major vein allocation, greater numbers of mesophyll cell layers and higher cell mass densities. This explicit approach enables relating leaf anatomy and composition to a wide range of processes in physiological, evolutionary, community and macroecology.
Resistance to Botrytis cinerea in sitiens, an Abscisic Acid-Deficient Tomato Mutant, Involves Timely Production of Hydrogen Peroxide and Cell Wall Modifications in the Epidermis1[C][W][OA]

Plant defense mechanisms against necrotrophic pathogens, such as Botrytis cinerea, are considered to be complex and to differ from those that are effective against biotrophs. In the abscisic acid-deficient sitiens tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) mutant, which is highly resistant to B. cinerea, accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was earlier and stronger than in the susceptible wild type at the site of infection. In sitiens, H2O2 accumulation was observed from 4 h postinoculation (hpi), specifically in the leaf epidermal cell walls, where it caused modification by protein cross-linking and incorporation of phenolic compounds. In wild-type tomato plants, H2O2 started to accumulate 24 hpi in the mesophyll layer and was associated with spreading cell death. Transcript-profiling analysis using TOM1 microarrays revealed that defense-related transcript accumulation prior to infection was higher in sitiens than in wild type. Moreover, further elevation of sitiens defense gene expression was stronger than in wild type 8 hpi both in number of genes and in their expression levels and confirmed a role for cell wall modification in the resistant reaction. Although, in general, plant defense-related reactive oxygen species formation facilitates necrotrophic colonization, these data indicate that timely hyperinduction of H2O2-dependent defenses in the epidermal cell wall can effectively block early development of B. cinerea.
A new approach in drug delivery control in anesthesia

The use of intravenous drugs in general anesthesia is increasingly popular. Because of relatively precise injection rate, the goal of consistent control is possible. Because of using different drugs in full anesthesia for adequate hypnosis, analgesia and muscle relaxation, the interaction between drugs is more considerable especially when intravenous drugs are used. In this paper we use a developed Pharmacokinetic-Pharmacodynamic model which considers the interaction between two more popular intravenous drugs, Propofol for hypnosis and Remifentanil as an analgesic drug, to design a closed-loop system. The Radial Basis Function (RBF) controller as an adaptive neural controller was designed and adaptive properties of this structure in confront of variations in model parameters values was investigated. Trying to improve the tracking performance, one of most popular methods in hybrid control, Feedback Error Learning (FEL), was utilized.
Personality traits measured by the Swedish universities Scales of Personality: Factor structure and position within the five-factor model in an Estonian sample

The study aims to test the reliability and validity of the Estonian version of the Swedish universities Scales of Personality (SSP), and to characterize the position of the SSP-measured traits within the basic personality dimensions of the five-factor model. A total of 529 participants completed the Estonian version of the SSP. A subsample of 197 persons completed the SSP together with the Revised NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-R). The internal consistency of the SSP scales was satisfactory. Principal component analysis yielded three factors representing neuroticism, aggression and disinhibition. The factor solution obtained in the Estonian sample was similar to the original SSP study in the Swedish normative sample. NEO-PI-R Neuroticism had highest correlations with SSP neuroticism factor scales. Extraversion had strongest relationship with adventure seeking and low detachment. Agreeableness correlated positively with SSP social desirability and negatively to aggression–irritability scales. Conscientiousness facet Deliberation correlated with Impulsiveness. The Estonian SSP showed acceptable reliability and validity, which confirms that SSP is applicable in different social and cultural background. The SSP measures traits that correspond to the major personality models. The SSP characterizes three broad dimensions of personality, namely neuroticism, disinhibition and aggression, which are useful in assessment of personality correlates of mental disorders.
Principals' Struggle To Level the Accountability Playing Field of Florida Graded "D" and"F" Schools in High Poverty and Minority Communities.

This study examined the perceptions of Florida principals from failing high poverty/minority schools regarding accountability measures placed upon their schools by state legislation. Data collection included field notes, observations, and interviews regarding principals' impressions of the state's accountability system, how their role was influenced by the system, and how they negotiated internal,and external accountability. Four themes emerged: effects of poverty on teaching and learning, building organizational capacity, high stakes testing, and recruitment and retention of teachers. Principals felt they faced continual pressure to improve student performance and meet state and district mandates while supporting teachers and students. They believed their everyday problems were very different from those of peers in less diverse schools. Principals were not against Florida's standards or accountability but rather the inequity of using high stakes testing to compare students with different needs when grading schools. They believed they needed more time to raise student achievement levels. They recognized that their schools concentrated on short-term change due to the urgency of improving their failing grades. Principals felt threatened by mandates from the top. They reported losing teachers to other professions and schools because of poor teaching conditions. They fought districts for more teachers to reduce class size. (Contains 26 references.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Leveling the Playing Field Principals' Struggle to Level the Accountability Playing Field of Florida Graded "D" and "F" Schools in High Poverty and Minority Communities Michele Acker-Hocevar Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL 33433 macker@fau.edu Debra Touchton Stetson University Celebration, FL 34747 dtouchto@stetson.edu PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY
Pseudopackaging of Adenovirus Type 5 Genomes into Capsids Containing the Hexon Proteins of Adenovirus Serotypes B, D, or E

ABSTRACT Adenoviruses (Ad) show promise as a vector system for gene delivery in vivo. However, a major challenge in the development of Ad vectors is the circumvention of the host immune responses to Ad infection, including both the host cytotoxic T-cell response and the humoral response resulting in neutralizing antibodies. One method to circumvent the effect of neutralizing antibodies against an Ad vector is to use different Ad serotypes to deliver the transgene of interest. This approach has been demonstrated with Ad genomes of highly related members of subgroup C. However, it is not known whether an Ad5-based vector DNA molecule can be packaged into capsids of evolutionarily more divergent adenoviruses. The aim of these studies was to determine if capsids containing hexon proteins from other Ad subgroups could package the Ad5 genome. A genetic approach utilizing an Ad5 temperature-sensitive (ts) mutant with a mutation in the hexon protein was used. When grown at the nonpermissive temperature, Ad5 ts147 replicates normally, providing a source of Ad5 DNA for virus assembly, but does not produce virus particles due to the hexon protein mutation. Coinfection of Ad5 ts147 with a wild-type virus of other Ad serotypes (Ad3, Ad4, or Ad9), which supply functional hexon proteins, resulted in the pseudopackaging of the Ad5 DNA genome. Furthermore, the pseudopackaged Ad5 DNA virions obtained in the coinfections were infectious. Therefore, switching hexons did not impair the infectivity or uncoating process of the pseudopackaged virion. Since hexon protein is a major antigenic determinant of the Ad capsid, this approach may prove useful to reduce the antigenicity of therapeutic Ad vectors and allow repeated vector administration.
Diagnosis and treatment of dyslipidemia are neglected in patients with peripheral artery disease

Objective. Our aim was to investigate how dyslipidemia was diagnosed and treated in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in a university vascular clinic. Design. Our analysis included all 1 843 PAD patients (median age 71 years, interquartile range 63–79, M/W 975/868) who attended the clinic in 2002–2003 either for diagnostic angiography or for revascularization. The charts of patients tested for dyslipidemia were reviewed closer. Results. Serum lipids were measured in only 214 PAD patients (11.6%). Of them 37.9% smoked, 59.8% had antihypertensive medication, 35.0% diabetes, and 30.8% a history of coronary heart disease. Mean serum cholesterol concentration was 4.5 mmol/l (SD 1.3), LDL-cholesterol 2.54 (0.48), HDL-cholesterol 1.25 (0.48), and triglycerides 1.62 (0.84). Only 40 patients (19.7%) were using statins, this was increased to 72 (33.6%) after clinic visit. Consequently, 50.0% and 53.2% met the current total cholesterol (<4.5 mmol/l) and LDL-cholesterol (<2.5 mmol/l) goals, respectively. Conclusions. Dyslipidemia was highly under-diagnosed among PAD patients. Serum lipids were measured only in a minority and among them serum lipid values and the use of hypolipidemic drugs were not optimal according to guidelines.