Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Palliative treatment of rectal carcinoma using a urologic resectoscope

Objectif- Le but de ce travail etait de rapporter les resultats de la resection trans-anale endoscopique (RTAE) a l'aide d'un resecteur urologique dans le traitement pal iatif du cancer du rectum. Methodes - Les resultats des 60 RTAE palliatives faites d'octobre 1992 a mars 1999 ont ete analysees. Resultats - Les 60 RTAE ont ete faites chez 37 malades (19 hommes et 18 femmes) ayant un âge median de 82 ans. Le taux de complications post-operatoires etait de 10 % (n = 6) et le taux de mortalite de 2,7 % (n = 1). La duree mediane d'hospitalisation pour l'intervention etait de 5 jours. Les symptomes etaient ameliores dans 40 % des cas et avaient totalement regresse dans 46 % des cas. Une colostomie a ete faite chez 8 malades dans un delai median de 7 mois apres la RTAE. Trente-trois malades sont decedes. La survie mediane toutes causes confondues de deces etait de 14 mois (extreme : 0-62). La survie etait de 54 % a 1 an, de 32 % a 2 ans et de 5 % a 5 ans. Conclusion - La RTAE est une technique simple, economique, facilement accessible aux chirurgiens habitues a l'endoscopie urologique et bien supportee, meme par des malades en mauvais etat general. Elle permet le controle local des tumeurs rectales inextirpables et fait partie de notre arsenal therapeutique dans le traitement palliatif des tumeurs rectales.
Synaptic Estrogen Receptor-α Levels in Prefrontal Cortex in Female Rhesus Monkeys and Their Correlation with Cognitive Performance

In rat hippocampus, estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) can initiate nongenomic signaling mechanisms that modulate synaptic plasticity in response to either circulating or locally synthesized estradiol (E). Here we report quantitative electron microscopic data demonstrating that ER-α is present within excitatory synapses in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) of young and aged ovariectomized female rhesus monkeys with and without E treatment. There were no treatment or age effects on the percentage of excitatory synapses containing ER-α, nor were there any group differences in distribution of ER-α within the synapse. However, the mean size of synapses containing ER-α was larger than that of unlabeled excitatory synapses. All monkeys were tested on delayed response (DR), a cognitive test of working memory that requires dlPFC. In young ovariectomized monkeys without E treatment, presynaptic ER-α correlated with DR accuracy across memory delays. In aged monkeys that received E treatment, ER-α within the postsynaptic density (30–60 nm from the synaptic membrane) positively correlated with DR performance. Thus, although the lack of group effects suggests that ER-α is primarily in synapses that are stable across age and treatment, synaptic abundance of ER-α is correlated with individual performance in two key age/treatment groups. These data have important implications for individual differences in the cognitive outcome among menopausal women and promote a focus on cortical estrogen receptors for therapeutic efficacy with respect to cognition.
Multilevel functional preconditioning for shape optimisation

We study the application of a multi-level preconditioner to a practical optimal shape design problem. The preconditioner is based on the Bramble-Pasciak-Xu (BPX) series. We extend it to the unstructured parametrization of 3D shapes by using the volume–agglomeration heuristics. The choice of the smoothing parameter is analysed from functional arguments. Application to the shape design for optimising aerodynamic and sonic boom performances of a wing is demonstrated.
Functional genomic analysis and neuroanatomical localization of miR-2954, a song-responsive sex-linked microRNA in the zebra finch

Natural experience can cause complex changes in gene expression in brain centers for cognition and perception, but the mechanisms that link perceptual experience and neurogenomic regulation are not understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) have the potential to regulate large gene expression networks, and a previous study showed that a natural perceptual stimulus (hearing the sound of birdsong in zebra finches) triggers rapid changes in expression of several miRs in the auditory forebrain. Here we evaluate the functional potential of one of these, miR-2954, which has been found so far only in birds and is encoded on the Z sex chromosome. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, we show that miR-2954 is present in subsets of cells in the sexually dimorphic brain regions involved in song production and perception, with notable enrichment in cell nuclei. We then probe its regulatory function by inhibiting its expression in a zebra finch cell line (G266) and measuring effects on endogenous gene expression using Illumina RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Approximately 1000 different mRNAs change in expression by 1.5-fold or more (adjusted p < 0.01), with increases in some but not all of the targets that had been predicted by Targetscan. The population of RNAs that increase after miR-2954 inhibition is notably enriched for ones involved in the MAP Kinase (MAPK) pathway, whereas the decreasing population is dominated by genes involved in ribosomes and mitochondrial function. Since song stimulation itself triggers a decrease in miR-2954 expression followed by a delayed decrease in genes encoding ribosomal and mitochondrial functions, we suggest that miR-2954 may mediate some of the neurogenomic effects of song habituation.
Elective stenting of symptomatic basilar artery stenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Percutaneous angioplasty of the intracranial arteries still carries the risk of dissection, with acute closure and embolization. Stenting has been shown to improve the safety and durability of angioplasty in every circulatory bed in which it has been applied. However, stenting of the intracranial arteries has been limited by the availability of stents that can be reliably deployed intracranially. METHODS Twelve patients underwent elective stenting of the basilar artery after episodes of vertebrobasilar ischemia. In all patients, either medical therapy had failed or the patient had a contraindication for long-term anticoagulation. Information from independent neurological examinations, quantitative angiography, and clinical follow-up was collected. Differences between pretreatment and posttreatment degree of stenoses were subjected to 1-way ANOVA for repeated measures. RESULTS There were 10 men and 2 women, all white, aged 40 to 82 years (mean age, 62.6 years). Stent placement was successful in all patients, leading to statistically significant changes in the degree of stenosis, from 71. 4% (range, 53% to 90%) to 10.3% (range, 0% to 36%) (P<0.0001). There were no deaths, stent thromboses, perforations, ruptures, or myocardial infarctions. Clinical follow-up was available for 0.5 to 16 months (mean, 5.9 months). One patient had nonspecific symptoms, and another had a transient ischemic attack. All other patients remained asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS Elective stenting of the basilar artery is feasible, with minimal risk to the patient. Its impact on long-term stroke prevention and its durability are unknown and will require further study.
A Review of Software Cost Estimation in Agile Software Development Using Soft Computing Techniques

For a successful software project, accurate prediction of its overall effort and cost estimation is a very much essential task. Software projects have evolved through a number of development models over the last few decades. Hence, to cover an accurate measurement of the effort and cost for different software projects based on different development models having new and innovative phases of software development, is a crucial task to be done. An accurate prediction always leads to a successful software project within the budget with no delay, but any percentage of misconduct in the overall effort and cost estimate may lead to a project failure in terms of delivery time, budget or features. Software industries have adopted various development models based on the project requirements and organization's capabilities. Due to adaptability to changes in a software project, agile software development model has become a much successful and popular framework for development over the last decade. The customer is involved as an active participant in the development using an agile framework. Hence, changes can occur at any phase of development and they can be dynamic in nature. That is why an accurate prediction of effort and cost of such projects is a crucial task to be done as the complexity of overall development structure is increased with the time. Soft computing techniques have proven that they are one of the best problem solving techniques in such scenarios. Such techniques are more flexible and presence of bio-intelligence increases their accuracy. Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Fuzzy Inference Systems (FIS), etc. are applied successfully for estimation of cost and effort of agile based software projects. This paper deals with such soft computing techniques and provides a detailed and analytical overview of such methods. It also provides the future scope and possibilities to explore such techniques on the basis of survey provided by this paper.
A Double-blind Comparison Between Bupropion XL and Venlafaxine XR: Sexual Functioning, Antidepressant Efficacy, and Tolerability

Abstract: In this double-blind, multicenter study, bupropion XL, a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor, and venlafaxine XR, a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, were compared with regard to sexual functioning, efficacy, and tolerability. A total of 348 sexually active adult outpatients with depression were randomized to receive bupropion XL (titrated to a target dose of 300-450 mg/d) or venlafaxine XR (titrated to a target dose of 150-225 mg/d) for 12 weeks. Total scores on the primary dependent variable, the Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (self-report), increased for subjects receiving bupropion XL and decreased for those treated with venlafaxine XR; the mean change scores differed significantly between groups from week 2 onward. Among subjects with normal pretreatment sexual functioning, Changes in Sexual Functioning Questionnaire total scores remained essentially unchanged for the bupropion XL group but were decreased significantly for the venlafaxine XR group; mean change scores also differed between groups from week 2 onward. Although the therapies resulted in similar change on the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, remission rates were significantly higher among those treated with bupropion XL (46%) versus venlafaxine XR (33%) (odds ratio, 1.93; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-3.46). Aside from adverse effects of venlafaxine XR on sexual function, both treatments were reasonably well tolerated. In conclusion, in this patient population (ie, relatively young, sexually active outpatients), bupropion XL was at least as effective as venlafaxine XR and had a significantly more favorable sexual side effect profile.
Clinical Significance of Intracytoplasmic nm23-H1 Expression in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Purpose: Recently, we established an ELISA technique for measuring nm23-H1 protein in serum and found that the serum nm23-H1 level is a potential prognostic factor for patients with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Experimental Design: We used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of nm23-H1 by the lymphoma cells in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Results: By analyzing a consecutive series of 172 untreated DLBCL patients, we found that 100 (58.1%) were strongly positive. The cytoplasmic nm23 expression in lymphoma cells correlated significantly with the serum nm23-H1 level. There was a significant correlation between patients with cytoplasmic nm23-positive lymphoma and those with performance status 2–4, stage III/IV, bulky mass, B symptoms, elevated serum level of soluble interleukin 2 receptor, and elevated serum level of C-reactive protein. Overall and progression-free survival rates were significantly lower in patients with nm23-H1-positive lymphomas than in those with nm23-H1-negative lymphomas. Similar difference was seen between patients with high and low serum levels of nm23-H1. Thus, the correlation between presence or absence of cytoplasmic nm23-H1 expression and serum nm23-H1 levels suggests that serum nm23-H1 is produced directly by lymphoma cells. Conclusion: We suggest that nm23-H1 expression is a prognostic factor for DLBCL, and that it is as important as serum nm23-H1, both of which are useful for planning a treatment strategy.
Empirical evaluation of the electronic procurement systemacceptance in Malaysia

The advent of technology as inputs in the realization of organizational productivity enhancement has prompted researchers to study the determinants that make certain the successful acceptance of new technologies especially information technology among users. Many studies have looked into framing variables from the existing established theories of technology user acceptance but fall short in integrating variables derived from literatures such as the marketing, trust and web-design. Taking into consideration the gap in the literature, a study has been carried out to examine the determinants of user acceptance of the electronic procurement system (ePerolehan) being employed in various government departments in Malaysia. In brief, the findings from this study revealed : (1) perceived usefulness, assurance, facilitating conditions, perceived ease of use, perceived risk and web design quality (information and service quality) significantly influence the acceptance of the ePerolehan system and (2) responsiveness, web design quality (system quality) and trust did not significantly influence the acceptance of the ePerolehan system.
Role of the l‐arginine‐NO pathway and of cyclic GMP in electrical field‐induced noradrenaline release and vasoconstriction in the rat tail artery

1 The possible roles of the l‐arginine‐NO pathway and of guanosine 3′:5′‐cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) in regulating the prejunctional release of noradrenaline and neurogenic vasoconstriction were investigated in the perfused rat tail artery. 2 In the presence of Nω‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester (l‐NAME; 30 μm), an inhibitor of NO formation, the vasoconstrictor responses to perivascular nerve stimulation (24 pulses at 0.4 Hz, 0.3 ms, 200 mA) and to exogenous noradrenaline (1 μm) were significantly enhanced, whereas the stimulation‐evoked tritium overflow from [3H]‐noradrenaline preloaded arteries was not modified. The vasoconstriction enhancing effect of l‐NAME was prevented by l‐arginine (1 mm) but not d‐arginine (1 mm) and was abolished by removal of the endothelium. 3 The NO donor, 3‐morpholinosydnonimine‐N‐ethylcarbamide (SIN‐1; 0.1–30 μm), and the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase inhibitor, zaprinast (0.1–30 μm) both induced a concentration‐dependent inhibition of the electrical field stimulation‐induced vasoconstriction, while atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP; 100 nm) produced only a slight decrease of the vasoconstrictor response. Methylene blue (3μm), a known inhibitor of soluble guanylate cyclase increased the electrical field stimulation‐induced vasoconstriction. SIN‐1 and methylene blue when administered simultaneously, antagonized each others effect. None of the compounds tested (SIN‐1, zaprinast, ANP or methylene blue) had any significant effect on the stimulation‐evoked [3H]‐noradrenaline overflow. 4 8‐Bromo‐cyclic GMP, a potent activator of cyclic GMP‐dependent protein kinase, markedly and concentration‐dependently (3–300 μm) increased [3H]‐noradrenaline overflow but decreased field stimulation‐induced vasoconstriction. Dibutyryl‐cyclic GMP (100 μm), a weak activator of cyclic GMP‐dependent protein kinase, affected neither the pre‐ nor the postjunctional response to electrical field stimulation. 5 These data show that an NO‐like substance of endothelial origin, derived from l‐arginine, attenuates vasoconstriction in the rat tail artery, whether neurally‐induced or evoked by exogenous noradrenaline. Since noradrenaline release was unaltered by compounds modifying NO production, this NO‐like compound acted through a postjunctional mechanism. The lack of prejunctional effects of both soluble and membrane‐associated guanylate cyclase activators, despite a large effect of 8‐bromo‐cyclic GMP, suggests that endogenous cyclic GMP production, if present in sympathetic nerves, may not be involved in the regulation of noradrenaline release in the rat tail artery.
Compact Dual-Polarized Printed Slot Antenna

A dual-polarized printed slot antenna is constructed by inserting the open-end slot into the coplanar waveguide center conductor of T-shaped slot. In order to verify the antenna performance, an antenna prototype was fabricated. The experimental results show that its working bandwidth is about 10.5%. In the operating frequency band, the isolation between two ports is higher than 27 dB. The proposed two-port antenna has bidirectional radiation characteristics, but the gain of the T-shaped slot element is higher than that of the open-end slot element. In the maximum radiation direction, the copolarization level of the T-shaped slot is 39 dB higher than the cross polarization and 30 dB for the open-end slot. The proposed dual-polarized antenna has a compact structure.
Exclusive Dealing: The Interaction between Foreclosure and Investment Promotion

This paper studies a model where exclusive dealing (ED) can both promote investment and foreclose a more efficient supplier. While investment promotion is usually regarded as a pro-competitive effect of ED, our paper shows that it may be the very reason why a contract that forecloses a more efficient supplier is signed. Absent the effect on investment, the contract would not be signed and foreclosure would not be a concern. For this reason, considering potential foreclosure and investment promotion in isolation and then summing them up may not be a suitable approach to assess the net effect of ED. The paper therefore invites a more cautious attitude towards accepting possible investment promotion arguments as a defence for ED.
Generalized Chebyshev Bounds via Semidefinite Programming

A sharp lower bound on the probability of a set defined by quadratic inequalities, given the first two moments of the distribution, can be efficiently computed using convex optimization. This result generalizes Chebyshev’s inequality for scalar random variables. Two semidefinite programming formulations are presented, with a constructive proof based on convex optimization duality and elementary linear algebra.
Effect of Aptensio XR (Methylphenidate HCl Extended-Release) Capsules on Sleep in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Objective: To evaluate measures of sleep (exploratory endpoints) in two pivotal studies of a multilayer bead extended-release methylphenidate (MPH-MLR) treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in children. Methods: Study 1 evaluated the time course of response to MPH-MLR (n = 26) patients in an analog classroom setting through four phases: screening (≤28 days), open label (OL) dose optimization (4 weeks), double-blind (DB) crossover (2 weeks; placebo vs. optimized dose), and follow-up call. Study 2 was a forced-dose parallel evaluation of MPH-MLR (n = 230) in four phases: screening (≤28 days), DB (1 week; placebo or MPH-MLR 10, 15, 20, or 40 mg/day), OL dose optimization (11 weeks), and follow-up call. Sleep was evaluated by parents using the Children's or Adolescent Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ or ASHQ) during the DB and OL phases. DB analysis: Study 1 (crossover), analysis of variance; Study 2, analysis of covariance. OL analysis: paired t-test. Results: DB: treatments were significantly different in Study 1 only for CSHQ Sleep Onset Delay (MPH-MLR, 1.90 vs. placebo, 1.34; p = 0.0046, placebo was better), and Study 2 for CSHQ Parasomnias (treatment, p = 0.0295), but no MPH-MLR treatment was different from placebo (pairwise MPH-MLR treatment to placebo, all p ≥ 0.170). OL: CSHQ total and Bedtime Resistance, Sleep Duration, Sleep Anxiety, Night Wakings, Parasomnias, and Sleep-disordered Breathing subscales decreased (improved, Study 1) significant only for CSHQ Night Wakings (p < 0.05); in Study 2 CSHQ total and Bedtime Resistance, Sleep Duration, Night Wakings, Parasomnias, and Daytime Sleepiness, and ASHQ total, Bedtime, Sleep Behavior, and Morning Waking all significantly improved (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In both studies, there was minimal negative impact of MPH-MLR on sleep during the brief DB phase and none during the longer duration OL phase. Some measures of sleep improved with optimized MPH-MLR dose.
The evolution of polyandry: intrinsic sire effects contribute to embryo viability

Females typically mate with more than one male despite the costs incurred, thus questioning Bateman's principle. A series of genetic benefits have been proposed to account for the evolution of polyandry, including the acquisition of viability genes for offspring. The ‘intrinsic male quality’ hypothesis suggests that polyandry increases the probability that females produce offspring sired by males that bestow high viability on their offspring. Heritable variation in viability is the basic requirement for the occurrence of this genetic benefit. By using a half‐sib breeding design with a species of cricket in which polyandry is known to increase hatching success, we present clear experimental evidence that intrinsic male quality contributes to embryo viability. Despite recent support for the evolution of polyandry based on compatibility of genotypes between males and females, we show that hatching success is not determined by an interaction between paternal and maternal genotypes but rather that sons inherit paternal genes that influence the viability of eggs laid by their mates. Moreover, our data implicate a potential role for indirect genetic effects of male accessory gland products on embryo viability. Additive genetic contributions to embryo viability may be an important factor underlying the frequently observed benefits of polyandrous behaviour.
Architectural pattern of the normal and cancerous breast under the influence of parity.

Epidemiological and clinical observations indicate that breast cancer incidence is greater in nulliparous women, whereas early parity confers protection. Since the initiation of breast cancer is related to the degree of development of the organ, this study was designed with the purpose of determining what basic differences exist between the parous and the nulliparous women's breast, and whether these differences correlated with the presence or absence of malignancies. For this purpose, the architecture of the mammary gland of parous and nulliparous women with breast cancer was compared with that of women free of mammary pathology. The women ranged in an age from 20 to 63 years. Normal whole breasts obtained at autopsy or cancer-bearing breasts surgically removed by modified radical mastectomy were studied in whole mount preparations in which the number and relative proportion of normal structures, i.e., lobules type 1, 2, and 3 (Lob 1, 2, and 3), were determined. In the breast of nulliparous women, the predominant structure present was the Lob 1; the presence of cancer did not modify the basic architectural pattern of the breast, which contained a higher proportion of Lob 1, as well. In parous women free of cancer, the breast contained a greater percentage of Lob 3 and a moderately increased number of Lob 2, with a concomitant reduction in Lob 1. Parous women with breast cancer, on the other hand, exhibited a different architecture in the mammary gland, which had a greater percentage of Lob 1 and a lower of Lob 3 than the noncancerous group, approaching the percentages found in nulliparous women. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)