Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Current progress on augmented reality visualization in endoscopic surgery

Purpose of review Advancements in surgery are progressing at a rapid rate; however, there are still limitations, including the ability to accurately visualize the target organ, in particular during laparoscopic surgery. Augmented reality visualization is a novel technique that has been developed to allow the fusion of three-dimensional medical images, such as those from transrectal ultrasound or computed tomography/MRI, with live camera images in real-time. In this review, we describe the current advancements and future directions of augmented reality and its application to laparoscopic surgery. Recent findings Geometrically-correct superimposed images can be generated by tracking of the laparoscope and registration of the target organ. The fused image between the live laparoscopic images and the reconstructed three-dimensional organ model aides the surgeon in his or her understanding of anatomical structures. Laparoscopic and robot-assisted surgeries in both general surgery and urology have been performed with technical success to date. The primary limitation of the current augmented reality systems is its infancy in dynamic tracking of organ motion or deformation. Recently, augmented reality systems with organ tracking based on real-time image analysis were developed. Further improvement and/or development of such new technologies would resolve these issues. Summary Augmented reality visualization is a significant advancement, improving the precision of laparoscopic/endoscopic surgery. New technologies to improve the dynamic tracking of organ motion or deformation are currently under investigation.
Psychological aspects of fertility preservation in men and women affected by cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

BACKGROUND With advances in treatment, the number of young cancer survivors who may benefit from fertility preservation is growing. The aim of this study was to review the literature investigating psychological aspects of fertility issues and fertility preservation in patients undergoing fertility-compromising therapy for cancer or other life-threatening diseases, previous to or during their reproductive lifespan. METHODS Articles were identified in PubMed, Embase and PsycLIT as well as manually retrieved from literature citations for the time period from 1999 to 2008. Inclusion criteria were (i) qualitative or quantitative design, (ii) focus on patients previous to or during their reproductive lifespan and (iii) dealing with aspects such as (1) impact of fertility issues in cancer patients or (2) health professionals' and/or patients' attitudes towards fertility preservation or (3) counselling. RESULTS Twenty-four studies were identified. According to the studies on aspect (1), fertility is an important issue for cancer patients. Health professionals as well as patients and parents consider fertility preservation as an important option for young cancer patients; all parties involved, however, were noted to have knowledge and information deficits. Patients recalling counselling about the impact of cancer treatment on fertility ranged from 34% to 72%. Counselling is far from being offered globally to all patients at risk, and providing information seems to be selective. CONCLUSIONS The existing literature demonstrates the need for and the limits of current counselling. Future research should target the means to facilitate the decision-making process for patients and health professionals.
Low-dose insulin therapy in patients with cystic fibrosis and early-stage insulinopenia prevents deterioration of lung function: a 3-year prospective study

Abstract Cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) is an insulinopenic condition. We aimed to detect insulinopenia early and to evaluate the impact of low dose insulin on nutritional status and forced expiratory volume in first second (FEV1). Out of 142 cystic fibrosis patients (CFpts) older than 10 years, 28 with abnormal oral glucose tolerance test in spite of normal fasting glycemia were found to have decreased first phase insulin release and started low dose insulin therapy (median age 15.4 years). Sex and age matched CFpts with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) were observed for comparison. Whereas nutritional status improved following 3 years of insulin administration, FEV1 stabilized in insulin-treated insulinopenic subjects (73.8±4.3% vs. 73.5±4.4%), but decreased in the parallel group with NGT who remained without insulin treatment (71.1±3.8% vs. 61.0±4.0%; p=0.001). We conclude that low dose insulin improves nutritional status and stabilizes pulmonary functions. Regular estimation of stimulated insulin secretion in CFpts may allow optimizing treatment.
Bio-inspired framework for the fusion of chromatic, infrared and textural information

The simultaneous progress in sensor and signal processing technologies stimulate the implementation of more refined pattern recognition systems in order to solve problems of increasing complexity. This progress induced the development of the here presented framework for the fusion of chromatic, infrared and textural information. The framework is based on different aspects of the processing of visual information in the human brain. Some organizational principles of the multisensorial information fusion in higher associative areas are also reflected on it. Preliminary results, realized on a simplified version of the framework, show the validity of the bio-inspired approach on the resolution of multisensorial image fusion.
Effects of Podocyte Injury on Glomerular Development

To study the effects of podocyte injury on glomerular maturation and underlying mechanisms of such effects, puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) was given to neonatal mice at 1 d post partum (1 dpp). Mice with PAN injection had smaller kidney weight (KW) and body weight (BW) at all times and smaller KW/BW at 4, 8, and 12 dpp versus normal saline (NS) controls. Electron microscopy (EM) revealed nearly complete podocyte foot process effacement and segmental microvillous transformation as early as 2 dpp, preceding proteinuria. PAN-injected kidneys showed significantly fewer glomerular capillary loops and decreased glomerular maturation index, as well as less CD31+ endothelium in cortical glomeruli at 12 dpp versus NS controls. Glomerular mesangial injury and glomerulosclerosis along with proteinuria were noted in PAN-injected kidneys starting from 30 dpp. Systolic blood pressure was increased significantly by 60 dpp in PAN mice. PAN mice also had significantly decreased Flk-1 and Tie2 mRNA expression and increased angiopoitein-1 (Ang-1) expression, without change in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) at 2 dpp versus NS. Our study shows that podocyte injury in neonatal mice kidneys alters the expression of key capillary growth modulators in glomeruli, leading to abnormal development of glomerular capillaries, with subsequent development of proteinuria, hypertension, and glomerulosclerosis.
Forssman Synthetase Expression Results in Diminished Shiga Toxin Susceptibility

ABSTRACT Forssman glycolipid (FG), the product of Forssman synthetase (FS), is widely expressed among nonprimate mammalian species. Here, we describe a molecular and genetic relationship between FG expression and Shiga toxin (Stx) susceptibility. We have isolated the FS cDNA from human, canine, and murine cells. Whereas the murine and canine FS genes express a functional enzyme, the human FS cDNA was found to express a protein that lacks FS activity, despite a high degree of sequence identity with the enzymatically active murine and canine FS genes. In order to examine the relationship between FG expression and Stx susceptibility, Vero cells were transfected with the three FS orthologues or a vector control. Complementation with the human FS cDNA had no effect on Stx susceptibility, whereas stable expression of the canine and murine FS resulted in markedly decreased susceptibility to toxin. Among individual cells, an inverse correlation between FG expression and Stx binding was demonstrated. Moreover, only strongly FG-reactive cells were capable of growing in the presence of Stx. These cells were found to have high levels of FG expression and a correspondingly diminished GbO3 content. We conclude that expression of a functionally active FS modifies Stx receptor glycolipids to FG and results in markedly decreased susceptibility to toxin. We speculate that inactivation of the FS gene during primate evolution may account, at least in part, for the marked susceptibility of human cells to Stx.
Association between ERCC1 Polymorphism and the Risk and Clinicopathological Features of Breast Cancer in Thai Women in the Lower Northeastern Region

Background: Breast cancer is a major public health problem around the world, including Thailand and it has the highest ranking among female cancer. Currently, the diversity or polymorphism of ERCC1 gene (excision repair cross-complementary group 1 gene or ERCC1) was reported to associate with an increased risk of breast cancer. This study aims to investigate the relationship between ERCC1 polymorphism and the breast cancer risk in the lower northeastern region women of Thailand. Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty one samples from breast cancer patients and 120 samples from healthy control group were analysed. Genomic DNA was extracted from white blood cell of all samples. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to demonstrate genetic polymorphism of ERCC1. Results: The results showed that the ERCC1 rs11615 polymorphism variant AG was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. This study demonstrated that the frequency of ERCC1 rs11615 in patients with breast cancer was higher than healthy control group. The ERCC1 polymorphism variant AG carrier presented 3.53-folds high risk of breast cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 3.53, 95% CI = 1.61-7.74, P = 0.001]. In addition, when age, menopause period, number of child, smoking and alcohol drinking were adjusted, the ERCC1 rs11615 variant AG carrier was associated with increased breast cancer risk to 3.97 folds, with OR = 3.79, 95% CI = 1.62-8.84, P = 0.002. Conclusions: This study showed that ERCC1 rs11615 genotype AG was associated with breast cancer risk in the lower northeastern region women of Thailand.
Morbidity and mortality in patients with cancer who become nonambulatory after spinal cord compression: a case series on end-of-life care.

BACKGROUND Few studies have focused on the outcomes of nonambulatory patients diagnosed with spinal cord compression from metastatic cancer. The purpose of this study was to review the morbidity and mortality suffered by these patients. METHODS Over a 10-year period (1996-2006), a retrospective review was undertaken to assess the outcomes of 39 nonambulatory patients diagnosed with spinal cord compression from metastatic cancer. RESULTS Treatment for cord compression included corticosteroids (n = 33), radiation (n = 25), and surgical decompression (n = 13). Nonetheless, 23 patients (59%) required bowel and/or bladder catheterization, and 33 (85%) required pain medications. Twenty-five (64%) did not regain ambulation. Only 13 patients (33%) went home without assistance. In contrast, 10 (26%) were transferred to a nursing home, 6 (15%) were sent home with hospice, 5 (13%) went home with home health care, and 1 (3%) was moved to a hospice inpatient facility. At the time of this report, all patients had died with a median survival of 76 days (range, 4-1975 days). Long-term survivors who lived beyond a year were primarily patients who had regained ambulation. CONCLUSION Metastatic cord compression causes severe morbidity and compromised survival in patients who become nonambulatory. Future palliative care efforts should focus on further characterizing and addressing these needs.
Breastfeeding Peer Counseling: Rationale for the National WIC Survey

Peer counseling has been recognized as an effective intervention in the promotion of breastfeeding among low-incomewomen. This paper provides a literature reviewdemonstrating the effectiveness of peer counseling in health care settings, especially those concerned with breastfeeding. In addition, barriers identified in the literature that limit the integration of peer counseling in medical settings are examined. The need for The National WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Surveyand background information on this survey are also discussed.
End-users' resource consumption of spam and a 3D anti-spam evaluation framework

Our work is motivated by the challenge of coupling excessive network consumption and control of the consumption; the importance of cost models to quantify and characterize the consumption; and the crucial requirements of controlling techniques to limit the theft of network resources. In this paper, we particularly examine the network consumption of spam. We quantify the end-user's network resource consumption caused by spam as a function of different email retrieving mechanisms, and estimate the financial costs of spam for both residential and business users. The paper also describes our anti- spam rate-limiting tool, MT Proxy, and introduces a general three-dimensional framework to evaluate anti-spam techniques. We examine and compare both traditional and novel anti-spam solutions and show a simple comparison using our model.
Towards a Basic Endoscopic Assessment of Swallowing in Acute Stroke – Development and Evaluation of a Simple Dysphagia Score

Background and Purpose: Dysphagia is an important complication of acute stroke with a reported incidence of up to 76%. The purpose of this investigation was to develop and to evaluate an endoscopic scoring system which has the potential to guide dysphagia management in acute stroke patients. Methods: A fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) was carried out in 100 patients within 72 h of stroke onset. During endoscopic examination, the secretion status was evaluated, and the patient was successively given standard volumes of puree consistency, liquids and soft solid food. Penetration and aspiration was assessed using a 5-point scale. Results: Nearly 80% of patients showed penetration or aspiration during FEES. These events occurred more frequently with liquids and soft solid food than with puree. Penetration or aspiration at any stage of examination predicted failure at the subsequent food consistency. Furthermore, key findings of endoscopic evaluation were predictive of the need for later orotracheal intubation. Based on these observations a score was developed that grades stroke-related dysphagia according to the risk of penetration or aspiration of the different food consistencies tested. Assessment of interrater reliability by means of 25 additional endoscopic examinations resulted in excellent agreement between three investigators, reflected by a ĸ coefficient of 0.89. Conclusion: Stroke-related dysphagia may effectively be graded using a simple endoscopic scoring system. The usefulness of this screening protocol with respect to patient outcome and intercurrent complications has to be studied in prospective clinical trials.
The A 20 Deubiquitinase Activity Negatively Regulates LMP 1 Activation of IRF 7

A20 possesses both deubiquitinase (DUB) and ubiquitin E3 ligase activities that are required for termination of Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling leading to NFB activation and for blockage of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis. A20 is induced by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) oncoprotein LMP1. However, its dual ubiquitin-editing activities have not been investigated in the context of either EBV infection or IRF7 responses. Both A20 and IRF7 have oncogenic properties. We have recently shown that LMP1 activates IRF7 through K63-linked ubiquitination which requires RIP1 and TRAF6, but how this ubiquitination event is regulated has not been studied. Here, we show that A20 negatively regulates IRF7 transcriptional activity induced by LMP1. Deletion or mutation of A20 C-terminal zinc finger motifs had no effect on the inhibition of IRF7 activity, whereas DUB-deficient truncation or point mutation ablated the ability of A20 to inhibit IRF7. Correspondingly, the A20 N-terminal DUB domain, but not the C-terminal E3 ligase domain, interacts physically with IRF7. Transient expression of A20 reduced K63-linked ubiquitination of IRF7 in vivo, but an in vitro deubiquitination assay with purified constituents shows that IRF7 did not act as a substrate for A20 DUB activity. Moreover, A20 interacts with IRF7 endogenously in latently EBV-infected type 3 Raji cells, in which expression of both A20 and IRF7 is constitutively induced by the considerable level of endogenous LMP1. Knockdown of endogenous A20 in Raji cells by expression of A20 short hairpin RNA (shRNA) vectors increases endogenous IRF7 activity and ubiquitination, as well as the protein level of LMP1, a target of IRF7. Thus, A20 negatively regulates LMP1-stimulated IRF7 ubiquitination and activity in EBV latency, and its DUB activity is indispensable for this function. Finally, we discussed the regulation and function of IRFs in EBV latency.
Bivariate Separable-Dimension Glyphs can Improve Visual Analysis of Holistic Features

We introduce the cause of the inefficiency of bivariate glyphs by defining the corresponding error. To recommend efficient and perceptually accurate bivariate-glyph design, we present an empirical study of five bivariate glyphs based on three psychophysics principles: integral-separable dimensions, visual hierarchy, and pre-attentive pop out, to choose one integral pair ($length_y-length_x$), three separable pairs ($length-color$, $length-texture$, $length_y-length_y$), and one redundant pair ($length_y-color/length_x$). Twenty participants performed four tasks requiring: reading numerical values, estimating ratio, comparing two points, and looking for extreme values among a subset of points belonging to the same sub-group. The most surprising result was that $length-texture$ was among the most effective methods, suggesting that local spatial frequency features can lead to global pattern detection that facilitate visual search in complex 3D structure. Our results also reveal the following: $length-color$ bivariate glyphs led to the most accurate answers and the least task execution time, while $length_y-length_x$ (integral) dimensions were among the worst and is not recommended; it achieved high performance only when pop-up color was added.
A Comparison of Glaucoma Drainage Implant Tube Coverage

PurposeSurgeons may use various materials, including donor sclera, dura, or pericardium grafts to cover glaucoma drainage implant tubes, prior to repositioning conjunctiva. We reviewed our experience with these materials. Patients and MethodsSixty-four eyes with at least 24 months follow-up status post glaucoma drainage implant surgery were evaluated for signs of tube erosion, as well as patch graft thinning, after initial placement of donor sclera (23), dura (18), or pericardium (23) patch grafts. ResultsSixty-two eyes required no intervention for conjunctival and patch graft melting with subsequent tube erosion. Three cases (two eyes) of erosion requiring reoperation (1-dura at 6 months, 1-sclera at 15 months, and in the same eye 21 months later, 1-pericardium) were noted. Significant thinning of the donor patch graft such that the tube was visible beneath intact conjunctiva ocurred in 6 out of 23 donor sclera eyes, 4 out of 18 donor dura eyes, and 6 out of 23 donor pericardium eyes. ConclusionNo material was more prone to melting than another. Donor sclera may be slightly more cost-efficient, but gamma-irradiated pericardium has sterility advantages.
Performance Analysis of CLEFIA , PICCOLO , TWINE Lightweight Block Ciphers in IoT Environment

With the rapid evolution of Internet of Things, there increased a necessity for strong data security crypto ciphers which would operate successfully in constrained device environments. So, the design of lightweight block crypto ciphers has been a very dynamic research topic in the recent years. This paper outlines the performance analysis of three generalized Feistel lightweight block crypto ciphers CLEFIA, PICCOLO and TWINE on a STM32F401RE Microcontroller (MCU). Analysis of these crypto ciphers is evaluated by considering various benchmark parameters like energy and memory consumption, throughput, and execution time. All these metrics are tested with different key sizes provided by each crypto algorithm and on different plain text sizes of 512, 1024, 2048, 3072 Bytes. A comparative analysis of these results is performed and suitable crypto ciphers are identified for each of those parameters.
Superconducting Integrated Receiver Based on Nb-AlN-NbN-Nb Circuits

The superconducting integrated receiver (SIR) comprising in one chip a superconductor-insulator-superconductor (SIS) mixer and a phase-locked superconducting flux flow oscillator (FFO) is under development for the international project TELIS. To overcome temperature constraints and extend operation frequency of the SIR we have developed and studied Nb-AlN-NbN-Nb circuits with a gap voltage Vg up to 3.7 mV and extremely low leakage currents . Based on these junctions integrated microcircuits comprising FFO and harmonic mixer have been designed, fabricated and tested; the radiation from such circuits has been measured at frequencies up to 700 GHz. Employment of NbN electrode does not result in the appearance of additional noise. For example, FFO linewidth as low as 1 MHz was measured at 600 GHz, that allows us to phase lock up to 92% of the emitted by FFO power and realize very low phase noise about 90 dBc. Preliminary results demonstrated uncorrected DSB noise temperature of the Nb-AlN-NbN SIR below 250 K at frequencies around 600 GHz.
Heparan sulfate: lessons from knockout mice.

Kidney agenesis, “broken heart,” abnormal mast cells, somatic overgrowth, lung dysfunction, and chondrodysplasia are some phenotypes of mice where different genes important for heparan sulfate (HS) expression have been knocked out. What can we learn about HS function by studying these mice? In this Perspective we focus on data obtained so far from mouse models where the targets for the genetic modifications are the various enzymes taking part in HS biosynthesis. In addition, we will briefly discuss some mouse models in which genes for HS proteoglycan core proteins have been knocked out.
Breakthrough Technologies Modeling of Dolichol Mass Spectra Isotopic Envelopes as a Tool to Monitor Isoprenoid Biosynthesis 1 [ OPEN ]

Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland (A.J., A.L., L.S., A.W., J.W., K.Z., T.C., J.P., E.S.); Institute of Organic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, 01-224 Warsaw, Poland (M.K., W.D.); Institute of Chemistry, University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland (K.Z.); and Department of Plant Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw, 02-096 Warsaw, Poland (C.P.)
The nucleotide sequence of a linear plasmid of Borrelia burgdorferi reveals similarities to those of circular plasmids of other prokaryotes

A linear plasmid of Borrelia burgdorferi had 16,927 bp, a G+C content of 23.1%, a relative deficiency of CpG dinucleotides, and open reading frames A to O. The OrfC and OrfE proteins were similar to hypothetical proteins encoded by circular plasmids of B. burgdorferi. The OrfM and OrfN proteins were similar to replication proteins of circular plasmids of other bacteria.
A 100dB DR ground-referenced single-ended Class-D amplifier in 65nm CMOS

A ground-referenced Class-D headset amplifier combines digital PWM and analog PWRM schemes. The closed-loop analog driver includes a feed-forward path and a T-bridge power stage. The single-ended amplifier in 65nm CMOS achieves 100dB DR, 82dB PSRR and 80% efficiency with an integrated charge pump.