Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Thyroid gland tumor diagnosis at US elastography.

PURPOSE To prospectively evaluate the elastographic appearance of thyroid gland tumors and explore the potential sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonographic (US) elastography for differentiating benign and malignant tumors, with histopathologic analysis as the reference standard. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study was institutional review board approved, and each patient gave written informed consent. Fifty-two thyroid gland lesions (22 malignant, 30 benign) in 31 consecutive patients (six men, 25 women; mean age, 49.7 years +/- 14.7 [standard deviation]) were examined with real-time elastography in the elasticity imaging mode implemented on a clinical US scanner modified for research. In addition, the radiofrequency echo data stored during US were exported from the scanner and used for off-line strain image reconstruction. All elastograms were evaluated for the lesion visibility, relative brightness, and margin regularity and definition by using a four-point scale. In addition, normal thyroid gland tissue and thyroid gland tumor strains were measured on off-line processed elastograms, and the thyroid gland-to-tumor strain ratio (ie, strain index) was calculated. The potential of elastographic criteria for the diagnosis of thyroid gland cancer was evaluated with univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression. Qualitative variables were compared by using the chi2 test, and quantitative variables were compared by using the Mann-Whitney U test. P < . 05 was considered to indicate significance. RESULTS A strain index value greater than 4 on off-line processed elastograms was the strongest independent predictor of thyroid gland malignancy (P < .001); this criterion had 96% specificity and 82% sensitivity. Two other elastographic criteria, which were evaluated on real-time elastograms--a margin regularity score higher than 3 (88% specificity, 36% sensitivity) and a tumor area ratio higher than 1 (92% specificity, 46% sensitivity)--also were associated with malignancy (P < .05). However, the usefulness of these criteria was not considered to be high because of their low sensitivity. CONCLUSION Elastography is a promising imaging technique that can assist in the differential diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
Generative Model for Maneuvering Target Tracking

We consider the challenging problem of tracking highly maneuverable targets with unknown dynamics and introduce a new generative maneuvering target model (GMTM) that, for a rigid body target, explicitly estimates not only the kinematics, here considered as effect variables, but also the underlying causative dynamic variables including forces and torques acting on the rigid body target in a Newtonian mechanics framework. We formulate relationships between the dynamic and kinematic state variables in a novel graphical model that naturally facilitates the feedback of physical constraints from the target kinematics to the maneuvering dynamics model in a probabilistic form, thereby achieving improved tracking accuracy and efficiency compared to competing techniques. We develop a sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) inference algorithm that is embedded with Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) steps to generate probabilistic samples amenable to the feedback constraints. The proposed algorithm can estimate both maneuvering dynamics and target kinematics simultaneously. The robustness and efficacy of this approach are illustrated by experimental results obtained from noisy video sequences of both simulated and real maneuvering ground vehicles.
Polymorphisms in antioxidant defence genes and susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma in a Moroccan population

Abstract Reactive oxygen species have been related to the aetiology of cancer as they are known to be mitogenic and therefore capable of tumour promotion. The aim of this study was to assess the role of common variation in three polymorphic genes (MnSOD Ala-9Val, GPX1 Pro198Leu and CAT −262 C > T) coding for antioxidant defence enzymes in modulating individual susceptibility to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using a case-control study (cases = 96 and controls = 222). PCR-RFLP and sequencing methods were used to determine the genotype. Overall, there were no associations between genotypes GPX1 and HCC risk (OR, 1.16; 95% CI, 0.56–2.42; p = 0.685). The MnSOD Ala/Ala and CAT TT genotypes were more frequent in HCC than in control (p = 0.001 and p = 0.072, respectively). Further analyses stratified by gender or HCV infection revealed that men and HCV-infected patients carrying CAT TT genotype had a higher risk to develop HCC when compared with controls (OR = 15.94; 95% CI, 3.48–72.92; p < 0.000001 and 12.01; 95% CI, 0.64–223.63, p = 0.056, respectively). Combined MnSOD Ala/Ala and GPx1 Leu/Leu had a synergistic effect on HCC risk, with an OR of 3.84 (p = 0.029). Furthermore an even more pronounced risk was observed when we combined MnSOD Ala/Ala and CAT TT (OR = 13.60, p = 0.023). It appears that variants in MnSOD, CAT or GPX1 have an influence on HCC risk in this cohort. Furthermore, it is possible that cumulative defects in protection from oxidative stress may result in increased risk of liver cancer in the Moroccan population.
Multiple RIBEYE–RIBEYE Interactions Create a Dynamic Scaffold for the Formation of Synaptic Ribbons

Synaptic ribbons are large, dynamic structures in the active zone complex of ribbon synapses and important for the physiological properties of these tonically active synapses. RIBEYE is a unique and major protein component of synaptic ribbons. The aim of the present study was to understand how the synaptic ribbon is built and how the construction of the ribbon could contribute to its ultrastructural plasticity. In the present study, we demonstrate that RIBEYE self-associates using different independent approaches (yeast two-hybrid analyses, protein pull downs, synaptic ribbon–RIBEYE interaction assays, coaggregation experiments, transmission electron microscopy and immunogold electron microscopy). The A-domain [RIBEYE(A)] and B-domain [RIBEYE(B)] of RIBEYE contain five distinct sites for RIBEYE–RIBEYE interactions. Three interaction sites are present in the A-domain of RIBEYE and mediate RIBEYE(A)–RIBEYE(A) homodimerization and heterodimerization with the B-domain. The docking site for RIBEYE(A) on RIBEYE(B) is topographically and functionally different from the RIBEYE(B) homodimerization interface and is negatively regulated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. The identified multiple RIBEYE–RIBEYE interactions have the potential to build the synaptic ribbon: heterologously expressed RIBEYE forms large electron-dense aggregates that are in part physically associated with surrounding vesicles and membrane compartments. These structures resemble spherical synaptic ribbons. These ribbon-like structures coassemble with the active zone protein bassoon, an interaction partner of RIBEYE at the active zone of ribbon synapses, emphasizing the physiological relevance of these RIBEYE-containing aggregates. Based on the identified multiple RIBEYE–RIBEYE interactions, we provide a molecular mechanism for the dynamic assembly of synaptic ribbons from individual RIBEYE subunits.
Cross-resistance of the diamondback moth indicates altered interactions with domain II of Bacillus thuringiensis toxins

We compared responses to six insecticidal crystal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis by a Cry1A-resistant strain (NO-QA) and a susceptible strain (LAB-P) of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. The resistant strain showed > 100-fold cross-resistance to Cry1J and to H04, a hybrid with domains I and II of Cry1Ab and domain III or Cry1C. Cross-resistance was sixfold to Cry1Bb and threefold to Cry1D. The potency of Cry1I did not differ significantly between the resistant and susceptible strains. Cry2B did not kill resistant or susceptible larvae. By combining these new data with previously published results, we classified responses to 14 insecticidal crystal proteins by strains NO-QA and LAB-P. NO-QA showed high levels of resistance to Cry1Aa, Cry1Ab, and Cry1Ac and high levels of cross-resistance to Cry1F, Cry1J, and H04. Cross-resistance was low or nil to Cry1Ba, Cry1Bb, Cry1C, Cry1D, Cry1I, and Cry2A. Cry1E and Cry2B showed little or no toxicity to susceptible or resistant larvae. In dendrograms based on levels of amino acid sequence similarity among proteins, Cry1F and Cry1J clustered together with Cry1A proteins for domain II, but not for domain I or III. High levels of cross-resistance to Cry1Ab-Cry1C hybrid H04 show that although Cry1C is toxic to NO-QA, domain III or Cry1C is not sufficient to restore toxicity when it is combined with domains I and II of Cry1Ab. Thus, diamondback moth strain NO-QA cross-resistance extends beyond the Cry1A family of proteins to at least two other families that exhibit high levels of amino sequence similarity with Cry1A in domain II (Cry1F and Cry1J) and to a protein that is identical to Cry1Ab in domain II (H04). The results of this study imply that resistance to Cry1A alters interactions between the insect and domain II.
Comparison of the SPF10-LiPA System to the Hybrid Capture 2 Assay for Detection of Carcinogenic Human Papillomavirus Genotypes among 5,683 Young Women in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

ABSTRACT The objective of this analysis was to compare the performance characteristics of two human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA detections assays, the Hybrid Capture 2 assay (HC2) and the SPF10 assay, for the detection of carcinogenic HPV. Data are from the enrollment visits of women who participated in the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase III HPV16/18 Vaccine Trial in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. We compared the results of HC2 and SPF10 testing of cervical specimens. Since the line probe assay (LiPA) detection system does not distinguish between HPV type 68 (HPV68; which is targeted by HC2) and HPV73 (which is not targeted by HC2), for SPF10-LiPA, we defined the carcinogenic HPV types as the 12 HC2-targeted types (types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, and 59), HPV68/73, and the HC2-cross-reactive, carcinogenic type HPV66. The kappa values and the performance characteristics for the detection of cervical abnormalities were ascertained. Paired observations were available for 5,683 sexually active, young women (median age, 21 years). The prevalence of carcinogenic HPV types was 35% (n = 1,962) by HC2 and 35% (n = 2,003) by SPF10-LiPA. There were no differences in the prevalence of carcinogenic HPV types by HC2 and SPF10-LiPA among women with normal, atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytology. Among women with low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion cytology, HC2 was more likely to test positive than SPF10-LiPA for the carcinogenic HPV types (87% and 79%, respectively; P = 0.001) as a result of HC2 cross-reactivity with HPV types 40, 43, 44, 53, 54, 60, 70, and 74. The crude agreement between the two assays was 88%, with a kappa value of 0.75 (95% confidence limits, 0.73 to 0.76). We observed very good agreement between HC2 and SPF10-LiPA for carcinogenic HPV type detection.
Apoptosis of endometrial cells in the bitch.

The relationship between apoptosis of endometrial cells in the bitch, and the occurrence of degeneration of the endometrial luminal epithelium and regression of the endometrial glandular epithelium was determined. Mature bitches (n = 12) were ovariectomized and treated with hormones to simulate uterine changes that occur during the oestrous cycle. All bitches were treated with oestradiol benzoate (0.6-4.8 microg x kg(-1), i. m. , twice per day) for 11-12 days then with progestagen (megestrol acetate, 2 mg x kg(-1), p. o. , once per day) for 35-37 days. Bitches were treated daily for a further 3 weeks with megestrol acetate at dose rates of 0.5 mg x kg(-1) (decreased-dose group (n = 3)), 2 mg x kg(-1) (standard-dose group (n = 3)), or 3 (1 wk), 4 (1 wk) and 5 (1 wk) mg x kg(-1) (increased-dose group (n = 3)), or received no treatment (withdrawal-dose group (n = 3)). These bitches were necropsied at the end of the treatment period. A further 10, ovary-intact, bitches were necropsied when in oestrus (n = 1), dioestrus (n = 5), and at 3 weeks (n = 1) and 9 weeks (n = 3) of anoestrus. Degeneration of the luminal epithelium was observed in all bitches except those in oestrus, at 9 weeks of anoestrus and one in dioestrus. Apoptosis was observed in the glandular epithelial cells, stromal cells and endothelial cells of blood capillaries in all bitches except those at oestrous and at 9 weeks of anoestrous. High average apoptotic indices were detected in the basal glandular epithelium of the dioestrous, decreased-dose, standard-dose and increased-dose groups, whereas low apoptotic indices were detected at 3 weeks of anoestrous and in the withdrawal-dose groups. These results indicate that degeneration of cells of the glandular epithelium, but not of the luminal epithelium, was due to apoptosis of these cells.
Generation of high-power picosecond pulses from a gain-switched two-section quantum-well laser with a laterally tapered energy-storing section

We investigated experimentally the potential of generating high power gain-switched pulses from a two-section laser diode containing a laterally tapered energy-storing section and a ridge-waveguide modulation section. In particular, picosecond pulses with energies above 20 pJ and peak powers about 1 W were obtained by electrical pulse modulation at a repetition rate of 250 MHz. Large-signal operation up to the GHz range was also demonstrated. The lateral far-field pattern exhibited a single lobe subtending an angle near the diffraction limit, which showed that the lateral mode was well-controlled by the ridge-waveguide section.
Regional left ventricular nonuniformity. Effects on left ventricular diastolic function in ischemic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and the normal heart.

D iastolic function of the left ventricle is disturbed in many patients with disease processes characterized by myocardial ischemia or hypertrophy. The pathophysiological basis and clinical significance of altered diastolic performance in these conditions have been the subject of intense interest and investigation for the past two decades. Abnormal diastolic properties, including reduced rate and extent of left ventricular pressure decline during isovolumic relaxation, reduced rate and extent of left ventricular rapid filling, and altered diastolic pressure-volume relations, are manifestations of impaired ventricular relaxation, decreased ventricular distensibility, or altered loading. These disturbances of global left ventricular diastolic relaxation, filling, and pressure-volume relations are also influenced by regional heterogeneity or nonuniformity in the timing and extent of contraction and relaxation. For example, prolonged tension development in one or more regions of the left ventricle that persists beyond aortic valve closure and into diastole will impact on the rate and completeness of left ventricular pressure decline and will alter the intracavitary pressure at any level of diastolic volume, thereby affecting the distensibility characteristics of the left ventricular chamber. This review will focus on the effects of temporal and spatial ventricular nonuniformity on global indexes of left ventricular diastolic function.
Practical considerations for Dimensionality Reduction : user guidance, costly distances, and document data

In this thesis, we explore ways to make practical extensions to Dimensionality Reduction, or DR algorithms with the goal of addressing challenging, real-world cases. The first case we consider is that of how to provide guidance to those users employing DR methods in their data analysis. We specifically target users who are not experts in the mathematical concepts behind DR algorithms. We first identify two levels of guidance: global and local. Global user guidance helps non-experts select and arrange a sequence of analysis algorithms. Local user guidance helps users select appropriate algorithm parameter choices and interpret algorithm output. We then present a software system, DimStiller, that incorporates both types of guidance, validating it on several use-cases. The second case we consider is that of using DR to analyze datasets consisting of documents. In order to modify DR algorithms to handle document datasets effectively, we first analyze the geometric structure of document datasets. Our analysis describes the ways document datasets differ from other kinds of datasets. We then leverage these geometric properties for speed and quality by incorporating ideas from text querying into DR and other algorithms for data analysis. We then present the Overview prototype, a proof-of-concept document analysis system. Overview synthesizes both the goals of designing systems for data analysts who are DR novices, and performing DR on document data. The third case we consider is that of costly distance functions, or when the method used to derive the true proximity between two data points is computationally expensive. Using standard approaches to DR in this important use-case can result in either unnecessarily protracted runtimes or long periods of user monitor-
Study on the Absorptive and Creative Capability Based on Overlapping Knowledge

The essence of organizational learning consists of knowledge absorption as well as the cultivation of the absorptive and creative capability. Overlapping knowledge has an important effect on knowledge absorption and creation. The paper establishes and analyses the relationship between overlapping knowledge and the absorptive and creative capability. The main conclusion includes that the capability of knowledge absorption and creation can be optimized through adjusting the degree of overlapping knowledge. Lastly, management implications are concluded.
A preliminary, annotated list of ticks (Ixodoidea) of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.

The following briefly annotated list of tick species of the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan is presented for its timeliness in view of the lively interest that has developed in African ticks during the last few years. These data are extracted from a monographic work now in progress with special reference to the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan, concerning African tick-borne diseases and the ticks which are incriminated with them.
Exact analysis of competition ligand binding by displacement isothermal titration calorimetry.

A rigorous method for the least-squares nonlinear regression analysis of displacement isothermal titration calorimetric data is presented. The method can fit the binding isotherm of a ligand which is competitively inhibited in its binding by another bound ligand to a molecule with n identical and independent binding sites. There are no other assumptions for the method and no approximations. Analysis of previously published data of the strong binding of acarbose to glucoamylase is presented as an example. The regression equations have been programmed for the Origin software supplied with the widely used titration calorimeters from Microcal, Inc., and an Origin Function Definition File with instructions is freely available from the author upon e-mail request.
Blockage of chloride channels by HEPES buffer

Chloride channels of neurons of Drosophila are blocked when the cytoplasmic side of the membrane is exposed to the commonly used buffering agents 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazine ethanesulphonic acid (HEPES) and 4-morpholinepropanesulphonic acid (MOPS). In the presence of these compounds, chloride channels appear to function as a complex of multiple protochannels.
Exercise training decreases plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand and P-selectin in patients with chronic heart failure

Background Inflammation may contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic heart failure. Some reports suggesting that exercise training may have net anti-inflammatory effects in heart failure patients exists, although the results are somewhat conflicting. Methods Fifteen patients with mild to moderate chronic heart failure underwent an exercise training program of 20 weeks. They were examined at baseline, at the end of the training period, and 1 year after end of training. Results Our main findings were as follows: (i) during the training period there was a significant increase in exercise capacity as estimated by the 6-min walk test as well as an improvement in several quality of life parameters, (ii) these changes were accompanied by a marked decrease in plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand and P-selectin, probably reflecting an attenuated platelet-mediated inflammation, (iii) in contrast, there were no changes in plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, or vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 during the training period, (iv) except for an increase in systolic annular velocity there were no changes in echocardiographic variables during the training period, (v) one year after the training, in a period without systematic training, plasma levels of soluble CD40 ligand, and P-selectin had returned to baseline levels along with a nonsignificant reduction in 6-min walk test. Conclusion Our findings suggest a potent downregulatory effect of exercise training on platelet-mediated inflammation in patients with chronic heart failure. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical significance of these findings.
Extending Successful eBusiness Models to the Mobile Internet: The Case of Sedo's Domain Parking

The trend of the Internet 'going mobile' is irreversible and proceeding. Many established Internet players are experimenting with extending their business models to the mobile Internet. In this paper, we explore such business development process for the domain parking business of Sedo – a global leader in domain trading and domain parking. With the case study, we show how Sedo on the one hand benefits from its position as market leader in the stationary domain parking business and, on the other hand, faces severe challenges such as the trend to search-based Internet access, performance-based pricing, the proliferation of smart-phones and mobile applications (apps) – all of which are typically appreciated in the mobile Internet. We thereby contribute to our understanding of the multifaceted issues that companies face when they transfer their business models from the stationary to the mobile Internet.