Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CEOP treatment results and validity of the International Prognostic Index in Chinese patients with aggressive non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma

From 1991 to 1997, we have treated 78 newly diagnosed patients with aggressive non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma with a modified CHOP regimen in which epirubicin (60 mg/m2) was used in place of doxorubicin (50 mg/m2), i.e. CEOP (cyclophosphamide, epirubicin, vincristine and prednisolone). The median age was 41 years (range: 17 to 67). Sixty‐four (82 per cent) had diffuse large cell (Working Formulation category G) histology. The median LDH level was 453 u/l. Thirty‐three (42·3 per cent) and 45 (57·7 per cent) had stage I/II and stage III/IV disease, respectively. Fifty‐five of 78 (71 per cent) CEOP‐treated patients achieved CR, and the projected DFS and OS were both 65 per cent. In an earlier cohort of patients (from 1985–1991) treated with second or third‐generation chemotherapy regimens (m‐BACOD, MACOP‐B, ProMACE‐CytaBOM), CR was achieved in 95/123 (77 per cent) patients and the projected DFS and OS were 62 per cent and 55 per cent. There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics, CR rates (p=0·26), DFS (p=0·38) or OS (p=0·68) between patients who received CEOP or second hird‐generation chemotherapy regimens. Of the patients treated with CEOP, 37·9 per cent, 28·8 per cent, 24·2 per cent and 9·1 per cent were in the age‐adjusted International Index L, LI, HI and H risk groups, with CR rates of 82 per cent and 57 per cent in the L/LI and HI/H risk groups (p=0·03). Moreover, patients in the L, LI and HI/H risk groups had significantly different projected DFS (87 per cent, 62 per cent and 39 per cent, p=0·02) and OS (85 per cent, 80 per cent and 36 per cent, p=0·006). In conclusion, CEOP is an effective regimen and the age‐adjusted International Index is valid for Chinese patients with aggressive NHL. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integration of single‐cell and RNA‐seq data to explore the role of focal adhesion‐related genes in osteoporosis

Abstract Integrin‐based focal adhesion is one of the major mechanosensory in osteocytes. The aim of this study was to mine the hub genes associated with focal adhesion and investigate their roles in osteoporosis based on the data of single‐cell RNA sequencing and RNA‐sequencing. Two hub genes (FAM129A and RNF24) with the same expression trend and AUC values greater than 0.7 in both GSE56815 and GSE56116 cohorts were uncovered. The nomogram was created to predict the risk of OP based on two hub genes. Subsequently, the competing endogenous RNA network was established based on two hub genes, 14 microRNAs and five long noncoding RNAs. Meanwhile, transcription factors‐hub gene network was established based on two hub genes and 14 TFs. Finally, 73 drugs were predicted, of which there were 13 drugs targeting FAM129A and 66 drugs targeting RNF24. In both mouse and human blood samples, FAM129A expression was decreased in granulocytes and RNF24 expression was increased in monocytes. In the mouse experiment, FAM129A and anti‐RNF24 were found to partially alleviate the progression of osteoporosis. In conclusion, two hub genes related to focal adhesion were identified by combined scRNA‐seq and RNA‐seq analyses, which might supply a new insight for the treatment and evaluation of OP.
Electrocardiogram‐triggered, higher order, projection‐based B0 shimming allows for fast and reproducible shim convergence in spinal cord 1H MRS

1H MRS allows insight into the chemical composition of the central nervous system. However, as a result of technical challenges, it has rarely been applied to the spinal cord. In particular, the strong susceptibility changes around the spinal cord and the pulsatile flow of the cerebrospinal fluid lead to distinct B0 field distortions which often considerably degrade the spectral quality. Hence, B0 shimming is one of the main challenges in 1H MRS of the spinal cord. Electrocardiogram (ECG)‐triggered, higher order, projection‐based B0 shimming was introduced and compared with both conventional projection‐based B0 shimming and B0 shimming based on ECG‐triggered, three‐dimensional B0 field mapping. The linewidth of the unsuppressed water peak was used to evaluate the reproducibility and the potential improvement to B0 homogeneity. The use of ECG‐triggered projection‐based B0 shimming in combination with ECG triggering during preparation phases and triggering during acquisition of the spectra is the most robust method and thus helps to improve the spectral quality for MRS of the spinal cord. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Where is the love? The social aspects of mimicry

One striking characteristic of human social interactions is unconscious mimicry; people have a tendency to take over each other's posture, mannerisms and behaviours without awareness. Our goal is to make the case that unconscious mimicry plays an important role in human social interaction and to show that mimicry is closely related to and moderated by our connectedness to others. First we will position human unconscious mimicry in relation to types of imitation used in cognitive psychology and cognitive neuroscience. Then we will provide support for social moderation of mimicry. Characteristics of both the mimicker and the mimickee influence the degree of mimicry in a social interaction. Next, we turn to the positive social consequences of this unconscious mimicry and we will present data showing how being imitated makes people more assimilative in general. In the final section, we discuss what these findings imply for theorizing on the mechanisms of imitation and point out several issues that need to be resolved before a start can be made to integrate this field in the broader context of research on imitation.
Immunohistochemical study of childhood rhabdomyosarcomas and related neoplasms. Results of an intergroup rhabdomyosarcoma study project

The authors assessed a panel of immunohistochemical stains against 109 pediatric solid tumors, primarily rhabdomyosarcomas, under the auspices of the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study. Fresh tumor tissue received from participating organizations was divided into portions that were either frozen or fixed in formalin, alcohol, or B5. Immunostaining was performed by the avidin‐biotin complex method using monoclonal antibodies to desmin, neurofilaments, vimentin, cytokeratin, and leukocyte common antigen on cryostat sections. Tissue was also embedded in paraffin and stained with antimuscle‐specific actin (MSA) and polyclonal antibodies to desmin, creatine kinase M subunit (CKM), myoglobin, and neuron‐specific enolase (NSE). Antidesmin staining of cryostat sections was the most sensitive indicator of rhabdomyosarcoma (58 of 62 specimens positive). Results with this reagent in alcohol‐fixed and formalin‐fixed tissue were similar (46 of 56 positive versus 43 of 56 positive, respectively) and comparable with results with anti‐MSA in formalin‐fixed tissue (43 of 55 positive). However, the proportion of cells stained by antidesmin was higher in alcohol‐fixed tissue than in formalin‐fixed tissue. Staining with antimyoglobin and anti‐CKM was much less satisfactory, with positivity rates of 17 of 37 and 11 of 57, respectively, in formalin‐fixed rhabdomyosarcomas. Immunostaining of muscle markers revealed evidence of myogenesis in six undifferentiated sarcomas and in two sarcomas with inadequate histologic study on hematoxylin—eosin‐stained sections. However, positivity was also noticed in samples of fibromatosis, Wilms' tumor, ectomesenchyoma, peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, renal rhabdoid tumor, myositis ossificans, malignant fibrous histiocytoma, and embryonal sarcoma of the liver. The authors conclude that combined use of antidesmin and anti‐MSA enhances the diagnosis of childhood sarcomas, especially when employed with other techniques such as electron microscopic study.
A Minimal POE-Based Model for Robotic Kinematic Calibration With Only Position Measurements

This paper proposes an algorithm for robotic kinematic calibration based on a minimal product of exponentials (POE)-based model for the applications where only position measurements are required. Both joint zero-offset errors and initial frame twist error can be involved in this model. Analysis of the identifiability of these errors shows that at most six elements of these parameters can be identified. It also suggests that at least three noncollinear points on the end-effector should be measured to maximize the identifiability. Compared with the traditional POE-based model with full pose (position and orientation) measurements, the minimal model with only position measurements outperforms in terms of convenience, efficiency, and accuracy. Note to Practitioners-Kinematic calibration is pivotal to improve the position accuracy of a robot. To avoid the disadvantages of measuring the orientation of the end-effector during calibration, an algorithm using only position measurements is presented, with which one needs only position measurements of several points fixed on the end-effector without orientation information during the whole calibration process. This will greatly facilitate the scheme design as well as the practical operations. The identifiability of the parameters is then analyzed with two conclusions: 1) at most six elements of the joint zero-offsets and the initial frame twist in total can be identified simultaneously and 2) at least three points on the end-effector which are not collinear should be measured so as to make the identifiability maximum. According to these conclusions, one should carefully select parameters to formulate the error model and measure sufficient points on the end-effector during the calibration procedure.
Série Scientifique Scientific Series Using Ex Ante Payments in Self-enforcing Risk-sharing Contracts Les Organisations-partenaires / the Partner Organizations Using Ex Ante Payments in Self-enforcing Risk-sharing Contracts

Ce document est publié dans l'intention de rendre accessible les résultats préliminaires de la recherche effectuée au CIRANO, afin de susciter des échanges et des suggestions. Les idées et les opinions émises sont sous l'unique responsabilité des auteurs, et ne représentent pas nécessairement les positions du CIRANO ou de ses partenaires. This paper presents preliminary research carried out at CIRANO and aims to encourage discussion and comment. The observations and viewpoints expressed are the sole responsibility of the authors. They do not necessarily represent positions of CIRANO or its partners. CIRANO Le CIRANO est une corporation privée à but non lucratif constituée en vertu de la Loi des compagnies du Québec. Le financement de son infrastructure et de ses activités de recherche provient des cotisations de ses organisations-membres, d'une subvention d 'in fra stru cture du ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce, de la Science et de la Technologie, de même que des subventions et mandats obtenus par ses équipes de recherche. La Série Scientifique est la réalisation d'une des missions que s'est données le CIRANO, soit de développer l'analyse scientifique des organisations et des comportements stratégiques. CIRANO is a private non-profit organization incorporated under the Québec Companies Act. Its infrastructure and research activities are funded through fees paid by member organizations, an infrastructure grant from the Ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce, de la Science et de la Technologie, and grants and research mandates obtained by its research teams. The Scientific Series fulfils one of the missions of CIRANO: to develop the scientific analysis of organizations and strategic behaviour. Fédération des caisses populaires de Montréal et de l'Ouest-du-Québec. Abstract / Résumé In this paper we analyze a long-term risk-sharing contract between two risk-averse agents facing self-enforcing constraints. We enlarge the contracting space to allow for an ex ante transfer (at the beginning of the period) before the state of nature is realized. We analyze the trade-off between the self-enforcing constraints of the two agents by characterizing the optimal ex ante and ex post transfer payments. We show that optimal ex ante payments are non-stationary. They optimally depend on the surplus from the relationship each agent expects. The size of the ex ante payment an agent makes is inversely related to its expected surplus from the relationship. The introduction of ex ante payments generates interesting dynamic properties. In a two-state example with i.i. d. shocks, the dynamics of the optimal contract exhibit "experience …
Double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover trial of pregabalin for neurogenic claudication

Objectives: To test the effects of pregabalin on the induction of neurogenic claudication. Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, active placebo-controlled, 2-period, crossover trial. Twenty-nine subjects were randomized to receive pregabalin followed by active placebo (i.e., diphenhydramine) or active placebo followed by pregabalin. Each treatment period lasted 10 days, including a 2-step titration. Periods were separated by a 10-day washout period, including a 3-day taper phase after the first period. The primary outcome variable was the time to first moderate pain symptom (Numeric Rating Scale score ≥4) during a 15-minute treadmill test (Tfirst). Secondary outcome measures included pain intensity at rest, pain intensity at the end of the treadmill test, distance walked, and validated self-report measures of pain and functional limitation including the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire, modified Brief Pain Inventory–Short Form, Oswestry Disability Index, and Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire. Results: No significant difference was found between pregabalin and active placebo for the time to first moderate pain symptom (difference in median Tfirst = −1.08 [95% confidence interval −2.25 to 0.08], p = 0.61). In addition, none of the secondary outcome measures of pain or functional limitation were significantly improved by pregabalin compared with active placebo. Conclusions: Pregabalin was not more effective than active placebo in reducing painful symptoms or functional limitations in patients with neurogenic claudication associated with lumbar spinal stenosis. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with neurogenic claudication, compared with diphenhydramine, pregabalin does not increase the time to moderate pain during a treadmill test.
Hepatoprotective activity of Lactéol® forte and quercetin dihydrate against thioacetamide‐induced hepatic cirrhosis in male albino rats

Abstract Liver cirrhosis is a silent disease in humans and is experimentally induced by many drugs and toxins as thioacetamide (TAA) in particular, which is the typical model for experimental induction of hepatic fibrosis. Thus, the objective of the present study was to elucidate the possible protective effects of lactéol® forte (LF) and quercetin dihydrate (QD) against TAA‐induced hepatic damage in male albino rats. Induction of hepatotoxicity was performed by TAA injection (200 mg/kg I/P, twice/ week) in rats. LF (1 × 109 CFU/rat 5 times/week) and QD (50 mg/kg 5 times/week) treated groups were administered concurrently with TAA injection (200 mg/kg I/P, twice/ week). The experimental treatments were conducted for 12 weeks. Hepatotoxicity was evaluated biochemically by measuring alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma‐glutamyl transferase (GGT) in the serum and histopathologically with the scoring of histopathological changes besides histochemical assessment of collagen by Masson's trichrome and immunohistochemical analysis for α‐smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA), Ki67 and caspase‐3 expression in liver sections. Our results indicated that LF and QD attenuated some biochemical changes and histochemical markers in TAA‐mediated hepatotoxicity in rats by amelioration of biochemical markers and collagen, α‐SMA, Ki67 and caspase3 Immunoexpression. Additionally, LF and QD supplementation downregulated the proliferative, necrotic, fibroblastic changes, eosinophilic intranuclear inclusions, hyaline globules and Mallory‐like bodies that were detected histopathologically in the TAA group. In conclusion, LF showed better hepatic protection than QD against TAA‐induced hepatotoxicity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory reactions with the improvement of some serum hepatic transaminases, histopathological picture and immunohistochemical markers.
Modeling from Illustrations of Different Views

When artists design characters, they draw illustrations viewed from the front, side or slant views. In this paper, we create a 2.5D model using such illustrations. A 2.5D model is a model that is created by arranging deformable billboards along the depth direction, and it can express appearance of the character between two viewpoints with considering depth information. Our method uses two cartoon-like illustrations and the corresponding eye directions as inputs. These illustrations are composed of contours and closed regions painted with uniform colors. Given closed regions in illustrations, our method finds corresponding closed regions between two illustrations based on an improved similarity function, which yields better matching than a previous method. After obtaining correspondences of closed regions, our method creates a 2.5D model by transforming each pair of matched regions as a 3D billboard whose position can be estimated based on the correspondence. These processes are semi-automatic. The user then assigns feature points manually along the corresponding contours of matched regions so that the contours can be interpolated naturally. Finally, by completing regions that appear or vanish with user strokes, our method can interpolate illustrations with occluded regions. We demonstrate that our method can create 2.5D models with various illustrations.
Burn wound healing properties of asiaticoside and madecassoside

The healing of burn wounds has been widely characterized to be highly intricate, involving processes such as neo-vascularization, granulation, re-epithelialization, inflammation and wound contraction. Various therapies are available for the management of burn wounds; however, a truly effective therapeutic strategy has yet to be identified due to safety issues. The aim of the present study was to assess and confirm the burn wound healing properties of the compounds asiaticoside (AE) and madecassoside (MA), which are found in the herb Centella asiatica. The cytotoxic nature of the AE and MA were inspected and were confirmed to be non-toxic up to 500 ppm. The compounds AE and MA increased monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 production, but caused no significant effect on vascular endothelial growth factor production. In addition, an in vivo animal burn model was employed to represent the features of burn wound healing. Hence, the present results warrant the further investigation of C. asiatica extracts for use in burn healing.
The Two Murein Lipoproteins of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium Contribute to the Virulence of the Organism

ABSTRACT Septic shock due to Salmonella and other gram-negative enteric pathogens is a leading cause of death worldwide. The role of lipopolysaccharide in sepsis is well studied; however, the contribution of other bacterial outer membrane components, such as Braun (murein) lipoprotein (Lpp), is not well defined. The genome of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium harbors two copies of the lipoprotein (lpp) gene. We constructed a serovar Typhimurium strain with deletions in both copies of the lpp gene (lpp1 and lpp2) by marker exchange mutagenesis. The integrity of the cell membrane and the secretion of the effector proteins through the type III secretion system were not affected in the lpp double-knockout mutant. Subsequently, the virulence potential of this mutant was examined in a cell culture system using T84 intestinal epithelial and RAW264.7 macrophage cell lines and a mouse model of salmonellosis. The lpp double-knockout mutant was defective in invading and inducing cytotoxic effects in T84 and RAW264.7 cells, although binding of the mutant to the host cell was not affected when compared to the wild-type (WT) serovar Typhimurium. The motility of the mutant was impaired, despite the finding that the number of flagella was similar in the lpp double knockout mutant and the WT serovar Typhimurium. Deletion in the lpp genes did not affect the intracellular survival and replication of Salmonella in macrophages and T84 cells. Induction of the proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-8 (IL-8) was significantly reduced in macrophages and T84 cells infected with the lpp double-knockout mutant. The levels of IL-8 remained unaffected in T84 cells when infected with either live or heat-killed WT and lpp mutant, indicating that invasion was not required for IL-8 production and that Toll-like receptor 2 signaling might be affected in the Lpp double-knockout mutant. These effects of the Lpp protein could be restored by complementation of the isogenic mutant. The lpp double-knockout mutant was avirulent in mice, and animals infected with this mutant were protected from a lethal challenge dose of WT serovar Typhimurium. The severe combined immunodeficient mice, on the other hand, were susceptible to infection by the lpp double-knockout mutant. The serovar Typhimurium mutants from which only one of the lpp (lpp1 or lpp2) genes was deleted were also avirulent in mice. Taken together, our data indicated that Lpp specifically contributed to the virulence of the organism.
Pharmacist identification of medication-related problems in the home care setting.

OBJECTIVE To identify medication-related problems (MRPs) in home care patients. DESIGN A prospective case series involving pharmacist medication review of patient charts. SETTING A nonprofit agency serving the disabled and elderly of Rockingham County, North Carolina. PATIENTS, PARTICIPANTS Patients living in their homes, who qualify for home health care and who take eight or more medications. INTERVENTIONS Patients identified received at least one medication review performed by a pharmacist. Six types of MRPs were identified. Recommendations to resolve such MRPs were sent to the prescriber for analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Outcome measures include MRPs identified, recommendations, and prescriber acceptance. RESULTS 380 charts received medication reviews from July 2007 through June 2009, and 148 (39%) required pharmacist intervention. A total of 232 MRPs were identified during the review process. Of the problems identified, suboptimal therapy (28%) and use of unnecessary drugs (24%) were most common. Discontinuing a drug (38.6%) and consulting the prescriber (23.2%) comprised the majority of the recommendations. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacists successfully identified a large number of MRPs not previously identified by other health care providers. Unnecessary drug use in home care patients was among the highest MRP noted. Discontinuation of an unnecessary drug was the most recommended resolution to the MRP. Prescribers respond positively to suggestions made by pharmacists regarding MRPs.