Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging of the pancreas and pancreatic tumors in a mouse orthotopic model of human cancer

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma has a rising incidence and a very poor survival rate. To develop new treatment strategies, extensive research is performed on animal models of pancreatic cancer. Orthotopic pancreatic tumors models, where the tumor is implanted into the pancreas, resemble the human disease more closely than subcutaneous tumor models, yet are difficult to monitor. In our study we report a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approach to visualize the pancreas in mice and to monitor orthotopically implanted pancreatic tumors. An MRI scanner was used to image normal murine pancreas and the pancreas of mice implanted with a human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell line. Gadolinium (Gd)‐DTPA‐enhanced T1‐ and T2‐weighted standard sequences were used with the objective to identify the pancreas and to monitor the growth of orthotopic tumors during 30 days. The pancreas as well as the implanted tumors could be easily identified using MRI. On T2‐weighted images, the implanted tumors were easily visualized at the implantation side with high signal intensity. After application of a contrast agent, the tumors showed an enhancement. Heterogeneities within the tumor could be delineated, corresponding to histology, and the size of the tumor could be measured precisely. MR serves as a noninvasive high‐resolution image modality to monitor murine pancreas as well as size, growth and even areas of heterogeneity in orthotopic pancreatic tumors. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
On the Design and Testing of Authorization Systems

Authorization deals with the specification and management of accesses principals have to resources. In the design of an authorization system, sometimes we just implement the accessenforcement without having a precise semantics for it. In this dissertation we show that, there exists a precise semantics that improves the efficiency of access-enforcement over the accessenforcement without precise semantics. We present an algorithm to produce an Access Control List (ACL), in a particular authorization system for version control syatems called gitolite, and we compare the implementation of our algorithm against the implementation that is already being used. As another design problem, we consider least-restrictive enforcement of the Chinese Wall security policy. We show that there exists a least-restrictive enforcement of the Chinese Wall Security Policy. Our approach to proving the thesis is by construction; we present an enforcement that is least-restrictive. We also prove that such an enforcement mechanism cannot be subjectindependent. We also propose a methodology that tests the implementation of an authorization system to check whether it has properties of interest. The properties may be considered to be held in the design of an authorization system, but they are not held in the implementation. We show that there exist authorization systems that do not have the properties of interest.
The meningococcus and mechanisms of pathogenicity.

HISTORY AND INTRODUCTION. 162 EPIDEMIOLOGY AND SEROLOGY. 163 IMMUNITY TO MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE . 165 OROPHARYNGEAL CARRIAGE. 166 MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE . 167 PATHOGENESIS OF HEMORRHAGIC PURPURIC SKIN LESIONS IN MENINGOCOCCEMIA. 168 PATHOGENESIS OF SYSTEMIC HEMORRHAGIC LESIONS. 170 PATHOGENESIS OF MENINGOCOCCAL MENINGITIS . 171 ANIMAL MODELS FOR MENINGOCOCCAL INFECTION . 172 MENINGOCOCCAL PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS OF DISEASE . 174 IRON AND VIRULENCE . 175 RESPIRATORY CHAIN . 177 SULFUR METABOLISM . 178 CARBON DIOXIDE REQUIREMENT . 179 CARBOHYDRATE METABOLISM . 179 MENINGOCOCCAL SURFACE CAPSULES . 179 LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE (ENDOTOXIN) . 180 PILI. 181 SUMMARY . 182 LITERATURE CITED . 183
Connective Tissue Growth Factor is Involved in Pancreatic Repair and Tissue Remodeling in Human and Rat Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

ObjectiveTo analyze the involvement of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the transforming growth factor-&bgr; (TGF-&bgr;) pathway during acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP) in humans and rats. Summary Background DataConnective tissue growth factor is involved in several fibrotic diseases and has a critical role in fibrogenesis and tissue remodeling after injury. MethodsNormal human pancreas tissue samples were obtained through an organ donor program from five individuals without a history of pancreatic disease. Human ANP tissues were obtained from eight persons undergoing surgery for this disease. In rats, ANP was induced by intraductal infusion of taurocholate. The expression of CTGF was studied by Northern blot analysis, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry in both human and rat pancreatic tissue samples. ResultsNorthern blot analysis revealed enhanced CTGF mRNA expression in human ANP tissue samples compared with normal controls. In addition, a concomitant increase in TGF-&bgr;1 was present. By in situ hybridization, CTGF mRNA was localized in the remaining acinar and ductal cells and in fibroblasts. In regions of intense damage adjacent to areas of necrosis, CTGF mRNA signals were most intense. Inflammatory cells were devoid of any CTGF mRNA signals. By immunohistochemistry, CTGF protein was localized at high levels in the same cell types as CTGF mRNA. In ANP in rats, concomitantly enhanced mRNA levels of CTGF, TGF-&bgr;1, and collagen type 1 were present, with a biphasic peak pattern on days 2 to 3 and day 7 after induction of ANP. ConclusionsThese data indicate that CTGF participates in tissue remodeling in ANP. The expression of CTGF predominantly in the remaining acinar and ductal cells indicates that extracellular matrix synthesis after necrosis is at least partly regulated by the remaining pancreatic parenchyma and only to a minor extent by inflammatory cells. Blockage of CTGF, a downstream mediator of TGF-&bgr; in fibrogenesis, might be useful as a target to influence and reduce fibrogenesis in this disorder.
The impact of familial loading on gender differences in age at onset of schizophrenia

To evaluate the impact of familial loading and gender on age at onset, 197 schizophrenic patients were investigated. Patients with familial loading had an earlier age at onset without gender differences. In contrast, an earlier age at onset for men was found in sporadic cases. These data support that both gender and familial loading contribute to the heterogeneity of schizophrenia.
Determining true HER2 gene status in breast cancers with polysomy by using alternative chromosome 17 reference genes: implications for anti-HER2 targeted therapy.

PURPOSE The ratio of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) to CEP17 by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with the centromeric probe CEP17 is used to determine HER2 gene status in breast cancer. Increases in CEP17 copy number have been interpreted as representing polysomy 17. However, pangenomic studies have demonstrated that polysomy 17 is rare. This study tests the hypothesis that the use of alternative chromosome 17 reference genes might more accurately assess true HER2 gene status. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 171 patients with breast cancer who had HER2 FISH that had increased mean CEP17 copy numbers (> 2.6) were selected for additional chromosome 17 studies that used probes for Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA), and tumor protein p53 (TP53) genes. A eusomic copy number exhibited in one or more of these loci was used to calculate a revised HER2-to-chromosome-17 ratio by using the eusomic gene locus as the reference. RESULTS Of 132 cases classified as nonamplified on the basis of their HER2:CEP17 ratios, 58 (43.9%) were scored as amplified by using alternative chromosome 17 reference gene probes, and 13 (92.9%) of 14 cases scored as equivocal were reclassified as amplified. Among the cases with mean HER2 copy number of 4 to 6, 41 (47.7%) of 86 had their HER2 gene status upgraded from nonamplified to amplified, and four (4.7%) of 86 were upgraded from equivocal to amplified. CONCLUSION Our results support the findings of recent pangenomic studies that true polysomy 17 is uncommon. Additional FISH studies that use probes to the SMS, RARA, and TP53 genes are an effective way to determine the true HER2 amplification status in patients with polysomy 17 and they have important potential implications for guiding HER2-targeted therapy in breast cancer.
Anomalous muscle causing ulnar nerve compression at Guyon's canal

Abstract We report a rare anatomical variation of an anomalous supernumerary muscle in a male cadaver. It was crossing Guyon's canal, superficial to the ulnar nerve and ulnar artery, and inserted into the aponeurosis of the little finger. This muscle could potentially cause entrapment of the ulnar nerve in Guyon's canal.
Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2 and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) status in ovarian adult granulosa cell tumours

Adult granulosa cell tumours (AGCTs) are uncommon ovarian sex cord–stromal tumours which recur following surgical removal in up to 50% of patients. Treatment options for recurrent and advanced stage AGCTs are limited, with poor response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We aimed to assess epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), HER2 and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) status in AGCTs with a view to investigating whether or not these receptors might be potential therapeutic targets in these neoplasms.
Case-control study on infant mortality in Southern Brazil Estudo de caso-controle sobre mortalidade infantil

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors associated with infant mortality and, more specifically, with neonatal mortality. METHODS: A case-control study was carried out in the municipality of Caxias do Sul, Southern Brazil. Characteristics of prenatal care and causes of mortality were assessed for all live births in the 2001-2002 period with a completed live-birth certificate and whose mothers lived in the municipality. Cases were defined as all deaths within the first year of life. As controls, there were selected the two children born immediately after each case in the same hospital, who were of the same sex, and did not die within their first year of life. Multivariate analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: There was a reduction in infant mortality, the greatest reduction was observed in the post-neonatal period. The variables gestational age (<36 weeks), birth weight (<2,500 g), and 5-minute Apgar (<6) remained in the final model of the multivariate analysis, after adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Perinatal conditions comprise almost the totality of neonatal deaths, and the majority of deaths occur at delivery. The challenge for reducing infant mortality rate in the city is to reduce the mortality by perinatal conditions in the neonatal period.
Is Reduction Mammaplasty a Stimulus for Weight Loss and Improved Quality of Life?

Reducing breast size for women with macromastia does more than provide symptomatic relief. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether reduction mammaplasty was felt to be a stimulus for postoperative weight loss, subjective glucose control, and improved self-confidence.All patients who underwent reduction mammaplasty at Emory University Hospital by the senior author were reviewed. Patient demographics were queried, and a standardized questionnaire was devised to obtain information regarding postoperative weight, dress size, glucose control, and exercise.Forty-one women participated in the questionnaire. Mean follow-up was 2 years (range, 1–6). Patients were stratified according to whether they felt reduction mammaplasty was a stimulus for future weight loss; 63% stated yes (group A), 37% responded no (group B). Group A had significant postoperative weight loss (P < 0.001) and decreased dress size (P < 0.001). Group B had no change in weight (P = 0.239) or dress size (P = 0.735). There was 100% improvement of patient reported postoperative glucose control in group A and 50% improvement in group B. Sexual activity was improved in 85% of women in group A, and only 40% in group B. Group A patients had significantly increased postoperative exercise (P < 0.001); group B had no change.Reduction mammaplasty in motivated patients may be a stimulus for postoperative weight loss, and those patients were more physically active, had better glucose control and had an improved self-confidence.
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of canine urinary tract pathogens

This study aims to describe the incidence and risk factors for positive urinary tract culture, the prevalence of urinary tract pathogens in single organism and mixed cultures and changes in their antimicrobial resistance over 10 years. A retrospective review of computer records detailing canine urine samples submitted between August 1999 and September 2009 for culture and sensitivity in a UK tertiary referral hospital is described. 17.5 per cent of 5923 samples (670 of 4530 dogs) were positive cultures. 85.3 per cent of cultures yielded a single isolate. The prevalence of bacterial species differed between mixed and single isolate cultures. Entire and neutered female dogs were more likely to return positive cultures than male dogs (OR=2.5 and 1.5, respectively). Escherichia coli was most commonly isolated (53.9 per cent) and affected female dogs, older dogs and neutered dogs more. There was an increase in the antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, and a decrease in the effectiveness of enrofloxacin, cephalexin and oxytetracycline. The prevalence of urinary bacterial isolates is described for a large group of dogs. Monitoring changes in antimicrobial efficacy and microbial resistance guides the empirical use of antimicrobials for the treatment of urinary tract infection and helps formulate strategic plans to limit drug resistance.
Epistasis Based ACO for Regression Test Case Prioritization

Metaheuristics that are inspired by natural systems have been widely applied into search-based software engineering. It has been shown that combining knowledge of the application domain with a biological theory for metaheuristics can narrow down the search space and speed up the convergence for metaheuristics based algorithms. This paper introduces Epistatic Test case Segment (ETS) for multiobjective search-based regression Test Case Prioritization (MoTCP), based on epistasis theory that reflects the correlation between genes in evolution process. An ETS-based pheromone update strategy for ant colony optimization (ACO) algorithm is proposed. The experiments with three benchmarks and a real industrial program V8 illustrate that proposed pheromone update strategy guided by the epistasis theory can significant improve the performance of ACO in terms of effectiveness and efficiency for search-based MoTCP.
Changing the strategy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty resulted in a reduced complication rate in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. A single-centre European experience.

BACKGROUND AND AIM To assess the safety and efficacy of a refined balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) strategy in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). METHODS There were 157 BPA sessions performed in 56 CTEPH patients (47 non-operable, nine after pulmonary endarterectomy; aged 58.6 ± 17.9 years; 28 females) with severely impaired pulmonary haemodynamics (mean pulmonary artery pressure [mPAP]: 51.3 ± 12.2 mm Hg, pulmonary vascular resistance [PVR]: 10.1 ± 3.9 Wood Units). The first 50 sessions aimed to recanalise chronic occlusions and prevent reocclusion with aggressive anticoagulation. The next 107 sessions aimed to relieve "web" and "ring" lesions using reduced tip load guidewires and less intensive anticoagulation. RESULTS There was significant reduction in haemoptysis (22% vs. 7%, p = 0.01), vessel injury (30% vs. 13%, p = 0.01), and reperfusion pulmonary injuries (22% vs. 4%, p = 0.01) after changing the BPA strategy. Mortality at 14 days was also reduced (6% vs. 0%; p = 0.05). The cumulative survival rate was 94.6% at 24 months after the first BPA, which was more favourable than medically treated historic controls. In the 31 patients with > 3 BPA sessions, there was significant reduction of PVR (10.3 ± 3.7 vs. 5.9 ± 2.8 Wood Units; p = 0.01), mPAP (50.7 ± 10.8 vs. 35.6 ± 9.3 mm Hg; p = 0.01) and improvement in World Health Organisation functional class (3.19 ± 0.48 vs. 1.97 ± 0.80; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Balloon pulmonary angioplasty improves haemodynamics and outcome but requires refined strategy to limit early complication rate.
Elevated serum visfatin levels in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Visfatin, a novel adiopocytokine, has been proven to be a proinflammatory mediator involved in the process of atherosclerosis. Visfatin has been shown to play a role in plaque destabilization as it is found abundantly in foam cell macrophages within unstable atherosclerotic plaques. The present study is designed to investigate the potential association between serum vistafin levels and the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS There were 72 patients (mean age: 61.57 ± 11.40 years) as cases who presented with first-time AMI that were assessed 8 hours after the incident. The control group consisted of 83 healthy volunteers (mean age: 60.30 ± 8.32 years). Plasma visfatin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassay in both groups. Biochemical parameters were analyzed. Blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, diabetes, and hypertension were recorded. RESULTS Serum visfatin levels were significantly higher in patients with AMI (12.77 ± 8.06 ng/ml) compared to controls (6.57 ± 2.96 ng/ml, P ≤ 0.001). We found that a visfatin level > 7.244 ng/ml (log visfatin > 0.86) had a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 75% for predicting AMI. CONCLUSION We have detected high levels of visfatin in patients with AMI. It can be concluded that proinflammatory cytokines such as visfatin may play a role in the development of atherosclerosis as well as destabilization of the atherosclerotic plaque.
T‐cell–rich large B‐cell lymphoma in children and adolescents

T‐cell–rich large B‐cell lymphoma (TCRLBCL) is a morphologic subset of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma that has been confused with Hodgkin disease and reactive lymphadenopathies. To the authors' knowledge the majority of reports of TCRLBCL are from adults, and it is not widely recognized as occurring in the pediatric population. The current study reports a cohort of six cases of TCRLBCL from the Children's Cancer Group CCG‐5961 study.
Proliferation of Tartrate-Resistant Acid Phosphatase Positive Multinucleate Cells in Ovariectomized Animals

Abstract In order to explore why ovarian hormone deficiency causes excessive osteoclastic bone resorption that results in osteoporosis in a large number of postmenopausal women, bone marrow cells from ovariectomized and sham-operated female mice were cultured for 8 days. The cells gave rise in culture to tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleate cells. The formation of these osteoclast-like cells was enhanced by parathyroid hormone and 1,25(OH)2vitamin D3, with the latter being more effective. Cultures of cells from ovariectomized animals formed significantly more tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleate cells than those from sham-operated controls. These findings support the hypothesis that ovarian hormone deficiency promotes the expansion of a pool of marrow-derived progenitor cells that differentiate into bone-resorbing osteoclasts under the influence of osteotropic hormones.
A new design approach for dual‐band patch antenna serving Ku/K band satellite communications

A printed planar antenna with simple and intelligent geometrical structure has been proposed for Ku/K band satellite communication systems. The radiating patch of the antenna is formed by cutting rectangular slots and extending the radiating element to some extent. The final design of the antenna with optimized parameters is fabricated on ceramic–polytetrafluoroethylene substrate materials of dielectric constant εr = 10.2. The antenna is excited through a microstrip feed line and has reduced ground plane that covers only the non‐radiating portion of the antenna. The reduced complexity of the antenna is easy to fabricate and has overall dimension of 40 × 35 × 1.905 mm3. The results from experimental analysis show that the proposed antenna can guarantee a wide bandwidth of 12.0 to 16.4 GHz at lower band, and the upper band covers the frequency in the range of 17.53 to 19.5 GHz. The antenna has achieved appreciable gain in the range of 3.14 to 4.68 dBi for lower band and 2.03 to 3.65 dBi for upper band. The proposed antenna has offered almost symmetrical and directional radiation pattern that is essentially suitable for serving Ku/K band satellite applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Spanning trees and orientations of graphs

A conjecture of Merino and Welsh says that the number of spanning trees τ (G) of a loopless and bridgeless multigraph G is always less than or equal to either the number a(G) of acyclic orientations, or the number c(G) of totally cyclic orientations, that is, orientations in which every edge is in a directed cycle. We prove that τ (G) ≤ c(G )i fG has at least 4n edges, and that τ (G) ≤ a(G) if G has at most 16n/15 edges. We also prove that τ (G) ≤ a(G) for all multigraphs of maximum degree at most 3 and consequently τ (G) ≤ c(G) for any planar triangulation.
Astrocytes in cerebral ischemic injury: Morphological and general considerations

Asrocytic responses constitute one of the earliest and most prominent changes in the CNS following ischemic injury. Astrocytes are known to carry out critical functions such as maintenance of ionic homeostasis, prevention of excitotoxicity, scavenging free radicals, provision of nutrients and growth factors, promotion of neovascularization, and support of synaptogenesis and neurogenesis that potentially may influence the outcome of ischemic injury. This article reviews ischemia‐associated alterations in astrocytes and their potential significance. Interactions with neurons, microglia, and endothelial cells are also considered. This article highlights the critical role of astrocytes in the CNS response to ischemic injury. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Estimates and Determinants of Valid Self-Reports of Musculoskeletal Disease in the Elderly

This study examined the extent and nature of bias associated with self-reported versus standardized physician-examination/assessment-based accounts of musculoskeletal disease in a sample of 406 persons chosen to represent an aging and dependency continuum. Prevalence of musculoskeletal disease based on standardized physician examination/assessments was 97%. Using the standardized findings as the criterion, the self-report underestimated prevalence by 16%. Overall, the results indicated that self-reports of musculoskeletal conditions by the elderly capture the vast majority of persons with painful or functionally significant disease and are most valid for persons from ages 65 to 74 but do not reflect the presence of asymptomatic joint pathology. Standardized physician examinations/assessments would more accurately determine the presence of risk factors in epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disability.