Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stroke burden and stroke care system in Asia.

BACKGROUND Stroke is a major cause of death and disability. Asia is the largest and mostly populated continent of the world. The Asian Stroke Advisory Panel (ASAP) consists of stroke neurologists from 12 different countries in 13 Asian regions. It has been established for 17 years, and holds regular meetings for reviewing the stroke activities in Asia. It also helps in conducting several multinational research projects. This study is one of the ASAP projects and aims to explore stroke care systems in member countries in Asia. METHODS The survey is categorized into five main parts including the general country information, stroke epidemiology, stroke risk factors, stroke care systems, and national stroke professional societies. RESULTS A higher proportion of ischemic stroke in comparison to hemorrhagic stroke was found in all countries. The overall incidence of stroke in Asia is between 116 and 483/100,000 per year.When compared to 1999, a 2-3-fold increase in the number of neurologists was observed in all countries. CONCLUSIONS There is a favorable trend in all Asian countries regarding the need to increase the number of neurologists and facilities to effectively administer stroke care.
Accounting Information, the Cost of Capital and Excess Stock Returns: The Role of Earnings Quality-Evidence from Panel Data

This paper investigates the impact of the firm’s accounting information and, especially the role of earnings quality, on its cost of capital and how this influences excess returns. The analysis extends prior works by investigating how components of accounting information and, especially earnings quality, affect stock returns through their effect on the cost of capital. The empirical approach uses a sample of US manufacturing firms as well as the methodology of panel data. The empirical findings display that all components of accounting information affect the firm’s cost of capital, which, in turn, exerts a negative effect on the firm’s excess returns, an empirical documentation not captured in case that the analysis links directly the cost of capital and excess returns.
Functional anatomy and feeding biomechanics of a giant Upper Jurassic pliosaur (Reptilia: Sauropterygia) from Weymouth Bay, Dorset, UK

Pliosaurs were among the largest predators in Mesozoic seas, and yet their functional anatomy and feeding biomechanics are poorly understood. A new, well‐preserved pliosaur from the Kimmeridgian of Weymouth Bay (UK) revealed cranial adaptations related to feeding. Digital modelling of computed tomography scans allowed reconstruction of missing, distorted regions of the skull and of the adductor musculature, which indicated high bite forces. Size‐corrected beam theory modelling showed that the snout was poorly optimised against bending and torsional stresses compared with other aquatic and terrestrial predators, suggesting that pliosaurs did not twist or shake their prey during feeding and that seizing was better performed with post‐symphyseal bites. Finite element analysis identified biting‐induced stress patterns in both the rostrum and lower jaws, highlighting weak areas in the rostral maxillary‐premaxillary contact and the caudal mandibular symphysis. A comparatively weak skull coupled with musculature that was able to produce high forces, is explained as a trade‐off between agility, hydrodynamics and strength. In the Kimmeridgian ecosystem, we conclude that Late Jurassic pliosaurs were generalist predators at the top of the food chain, able to prey on reptiles and fishes up to half their own length.
The Composition and the Structure of MCC/Eisosomes in Neurospora crassa

MCC/eisosomes are protein-organized domains in the plasma membrane of fungi and algae. However, the composition and function(s) of MCC/eisosomes in the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa were previously unknown. To identify proteins that localize to MCC/eisosomes in N. crassa, we isolated proteins that co-purified with the core MCC/eisosome protein LSP-1, which was tagged with GFP. Proteins that co-fractionated with LSP-1:GFP were then identified by mass spectrometry. Eighteen proteins were GFP-tagged and used to identify six proteins that highly colocalized with the MCC/eisosome marker LSP-1:RFP, while five other proteins showed partial overlap with MCC/eisosomes. Seven of these proteins showed amino acid sequence homology with proteins known to localize to MCC/eisosomes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, homologs of three proteins known to localize to MCC/eisosomes in S. cerevisiae (Can1, Pkh1/2, and Fhn1) were not found to colocalize with MCC/eisosome proteins in N. crassa by fluorescence microscopy. Interestingly, one new eisosome protein (glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate aminotransferase, gene ID: NCU07366) was detected in our studies. These findings demonstrate that there are interspecies differences of the protein composition of MCC/eisosomes. To gain further insight, molecular modeling and bioinformatics analysis of the identified proteins were used to propose the organization of MCC/eisosomes in N. crassa. A model will be discussed for how the broad range of functions predicted for the proteins localized to MCC/eisosomes, including cell wall synthesis, response and signaling, transmembrane transport, and actin organization, suggests that MCC/eisosomes act as organizing centers in the plasma membrane.
Penetrating Ballistic-Like Brain Injury Leads to MicroRNA Dysregulation, BACE1 Upregulation, and Amyloid Precursor Protein Loss in Lesioned Rat Brain Tissues

Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases. Yet, the molecular events involving dysregulated miRNAs that may be associated with protein degradation in the brain remains elusive. Quantitation of more than 800 miRNAs was conducted using rat ipsilateral coronal brain tissues collected 1, 3, or 7 days after penetrating ballistic-like brain injury (PBBI). As a control for each time-point, Sham-operated animals received craniotomy alone. Microarray and systems biology analysis indicated that the amplitude and complexity of miRNAs affected were greatest 7 day after PBBI. Arrays and Q-PCR inferred that dysregulation of miR-135a, miR-328, miR-29c, and miR-21 were associated with altered levels of beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), PSEN1, PSEN2, and amyloid precursor protein (APP) genes. These events were followed by increased levels of mature BACE1 protein and concomitant loss of full length APP within 3–7 days, then elevation of amyloid beta (Aβ)-40 7 days after PBBI. This study indicates that miRNA arrays, coupled with systems biology, may be used to guide study design prior validation of miRNA dysregulation. Associative analysis of miRNAs, mRNAs, and proteins within a proposed pathway are poised for further validation as biomarkers and therapeutic targets relevant to TBI-induced APP loss and subsequent Aβ peptide generation during neurodegeneration.
Paclitaxel and bevacizumab as first line combined treatment in patients with metastatic breast cancer: the Hellenic Cooperative Oncology Group experience with biological marker evaluation.

BACKGROUND Randomized studies have shown that bevacizumab combined with taxane-based regimens increases response rates and prolongs progression-free survival (PFS) of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). However predictive or prognostic biological markers that identify the appropriate target population, thus improving the cost-effectiveness ratio of this treatment, are still needed. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospectively, 124 patients with MBC treated either with paclitaxel 90 mg/m² weekly x12 plus bevacizumab 10 μg/kg every 2 weeks or 15 μg/kg every 3 weeks (85 patients) or paclitaxel 175 mg/m² plus bevacizumab 15 μg/kg every 3 weeks for 6 cycles (36 patients) were identified. Additionally, the prognostic significance of a panel of key biological markers was evaluated centrally by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in 88 evaluable patients. RESULTS More than two thirds of the patients completed chemotherapy, as planned. The response rate was almost identical (55.3% vs. 55.6%) in the patients treated with weekly or 3-weekly paclitaxel, respectively. After a median follow-up time of 23 months, the median PFS of the study population was 13 months, while median survival had not yet been reached. Common severe adverse events were neutropenia (33%), neuropathy (18.6%) and metabolic disturbances (17.6%). The incidence of hypertension of all grades was 28.1%. High expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 3 (VEGFR3) was associated with clinical response, while high expression of VEGFR1 was associated with poor survival. CONCLUSION The safety and activity of the combination of bevacizumab with paclitaxel given either weekly or 3-weekly in patients with MBC is confirmed.
Why Are Naturally Ventilated Office Spaces Not Popular in New Zealand

In this paper, we investigated the reason(s) why natural ventilation is not as popular as air-conditioned or mixed-mode ventilation systems in Green-rated office buildings in New Zealand. To achieve this, we had three objectives. Firstly, we reviewed the Green Star criteria for thermal comfort in office buildings to ascertain which ventilation system the NZ Green Star rating tool promotes. Secondly, we ascertained the perception of occupants in office buildings regarding thermal comfort. This was followed by an interview with building experts regarding factors that affect the use of natural ventilation in New Zealand offices. The findings showed that the NZ Green Star thermal comfort criteria encourage the use of mechanical ventilation over natural ventilation which results in designers opting for air conditioning systems in office designs. We observed that occupants of naturally ventilated spaces were least satisfied with the thermal comfort of their offices when compared with occupants of mixed-mode and air-conditioned offices. This study fulfils the need to encourage the use of natural ventilation in office environments by designers and building owners. Further study on other aspects of the indoor environment quality that is related to naturally ventilated systems such as lighting and noise is required in a bid to ascertain its viability in office environments.
Peri‐operative care for the elderly

Dr Saha is right to imply that the debate on skin preparation for neuraxial block is a fluid one. The paper by Evans et al. [1] provides evidence to support the view that the mode of application may be as important as the choice and concentration of antiseptic, a point which I emphasised in my original editorial [2]. I am aware that CareFusion (Basingstoke, UK) have changed some of their labelled warnings, which now show consistency across the range of their devices for applying 2% chlorhexidine in 70% alcohol, with or without tint (ChloraPrep ), and no longer include ‘lumbar puncture’ as a contra-indication. This means that using the device for skin preparation for spinal anaesthesia will no longer be in breach of the product licence, but this is still unlikely to provide legal protection if contamination leading to arachnoiditis occurs. While the use of such devices must go some considerable way towards minimising the risk of contamination, it does not remove it altogether, and precautions must be particularly taken to hold the swabstick with the handle uppermost, to avoid the contents’ dripping down on to the gloved hand or sterile field. The probable reduced chance of contamination must still be balanced against the potential risk of using a 2% solution rather than 0.5%, although some comfort can be taken from the fact that very little chemical appears to be carried on the point of a needle inserted in experimental conditions through skin that has been allowed to dry [3]. I note Dr Saha’s contention that some precautionary measures for preventing contamination would be difficult for the unassisted anaesthetist to implement. I am firmly of the view that, as for any aseptic procedure, the presence of an assistant during the siting of an epidural for labour analgesia is essential.
Risk Factors Associated With the Ophthalmoscopic Findings Identified in Infants With Presumed Zika Virus Congenital Infection.

IMPORTANCE The Zika virus (ZIKV) might cause microcephaly and ophthalmoscopic findings in infants of mothers infected during pregnancy. OBJECTIVE To assess and identify possible risk factors for ophthalmoscopic findings in infants born with microcephaly and a presumed clinical diagnosis of ZIKV intrauterine infection. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS We conducted a cross-sectional study at the Altino Ventura Foundation in Recife, Brazil, that included 40 infants with microcephaly born in Pernambuco state, Brazil, between May and December 2015. Toxoplasmosis, rubella, cytomegalovirus, syphilis, and human immunodeficiency virus were ruled out in all of them. Testing of cerebrospinal fluid for ZIKV using IgM antibody-capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed in 24 of 40 infants (60.0%). The infants and mothers underwent ocular examinations. The infants were divided into 2 groups, those with and without ophthalmoscopic alterations, for comparison. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES Identification of risk factors for ophthalmoscopic findings in infants born with microcephaly and ZIKV intrauterine infection. RESULTS Among the 40 infants, the mean (SD) age was 2.2 (1.2) months (range, 0.1-7.3 months). Of the 24 infants tested, 100% had positive results for ZIKV infection: 14 of 22 infants (63.6%) from the group with ophthalmoscopic findings and 10 of 18 infants (55.6%) from the group without ophthalmoscopic findings. The major symptoms reported in both groups were rash by 26 mothers (65.0%), fever by 9 mothers (22.5%), headache by 9 mothers (22.5%), and arthralgia by 8 mothers (20.0%). No mothers reported conjunctivitis or other ocular symptoms during pregnancy or presented signs of uveitis at the time of examination. Thirty-seven eyes (46.3%) of 22 infants (55.0%) had ophthalmoscopic alterations. Ten mothers (71.4%) of infants with ocular findings reported symptoms during the first trimester (frequency, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.02-0.67; P = .04). A difference was also observed between the groups of infants with and without ocular findings regarding the cephalic perimeter: mean (SD) of 28.8 (1.7) and 30.3 (1.5), respectively (frequency, -1.50; 95% CI, -2.56 to -0.51; P = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Ocular involvement in infants with presumed ZIKV congenital infection were more often seen in infants with smaller cephalic diameter at birth and in infants whose mothers reported symptoms during the first trimester.
Gastric carcinoma with lymphoid stroma. Its morphologic characteristics and prognostic correlations

A type of gastric carcinoma was specified under the designation of carcinoma with lymphoid stroma. Grossly, this carcinoma was characterized by clear circumscription, usually with a central ulceration. A histologic feature distinguishing this carcinoma was the presence of a nondesmoplastic stroma infiltrated uniformly with an abundance of lymphocytes and plasma cells throughout the entire area of the tumor. Sparse population of less pleomorphic cancer cell nests of thin trabecular, microalveolar, or primitive tubular pattern widely separated by the intervening stroma was another feature peculiar to this tumor. Carcinoma of this type was found in 4% of a total of 1041 cases of gastric carcinoma removed surgically. A high survival rate was noted among the patients undergoing surgery for this carcinoma. A proposal was made on the separate classification of this tumor from common gastric carcinomas.
Interactive force dynamics of two robotic manipulators grasping a non-rigid object

A model for the interactive forces and torques generated when two manipulators grasp an object is required for effective simulation and control. Constraint equations exist between the two manipulators which describe their positional and orientational relationships as dictated by the object. These equations also describe the dependence between the generalized coordinates. The authors detail a method of simulating the interactive forces in rigid and single joint objects by explicitly using these constraint equations. An algorithm to model the interactive forces when the object contains a single joint with one or more degrees-of-freedom is developed. It is shown that, when dealing with rigid objects, the methods currently in use are equivalent to the more general algorithm discussed. <<ETX>>
A genome‐wide sib‐pair scan for quantitative language traits reveals linkage to chromosomes 10 and 13

Although there is considerable evidence that individual differences in language development are highly heritable, there have been few genome‐wide scans to locate genes associated with the trait. Previous analyses of language impairment have yielded replicable evidence for linkage to regions on chromosomes 16q, 19q, 13q (within lab) and at 13q (between labs). Here we report the first linkage study to screen the continuum of language ability, from normal to disordered, as found in the general population. 383 children from 147 sib‐ships (214 sib‐pairs) were genotyped on the Illumina® Linkage IVb Marker Panel using three composite language‐related phenotypes and a measure of phonological memory (PM). Two regions (10q23.33; 13q33.3) yielded genome‐wide significant peaks for linkage with PM. A peak suggestive of linkage was also found at 17q12 for the overall language composite. This study presents two novel genetic loci for the study of language development and disorders, but fails to replicate findings by previous groups. Possible reasons for this are discussed.
Outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas

In this review, we describe the outer membrane proteins of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and related strains from the Pseudomonas fluorescens rRNA homology group of the Pseudomonadaceae, with emphasis on the physiological function and biochemical characteristics of these proteins. The use of opr (for outer membrane protein) is proposed as the genetic designation for the P. aeruginosa outer membrane proteins and letters are assigned, in conjunction with this designation, to known outer membrane proteins. Proteins whose primary functions involve pore formation, transport of specific substrates, cell structure determination and membrane stabilization are discussed. The conservation of selected proteins in the above Pseudomonas species is also examined.
Dopaminergic, Noradrenergic, Adrenal, and Thyroid Abnormalities in Psychotic and Affective Disorders

Background This study aimed to assess hypothalamic-pituitary dopaminergic (DA), noradrenergic (NA), thyroid (HPT), and adrenal (HPA) activity in schizophrenia, in schizoaffective disorder, and in bipolar disorder. Method We investigated a combined approach of hormone responses to (1) apomorphine (APO), a short-acting DA receptor agonist which decreases prolactin secretion (PRL), and stimulates secretion of growth hormone (GH), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), and cortisol; (2) clonidine (CLO), an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist which stimulates GH secretion; (3) 8 AM and 11 PM protirelin (TRH) which stimulates thyrotropin (TSH) secretion; and (4) dexamethasone which suppresses cortisol secretion, in 13 hospitalized healthy male controls and 39 untreated male inpatients: 13 with DSM-IV paranoid schizophrenia, 13 with DSM-IV schizoaffective disorder (bipolar subtype, depressed at the time of the study), and 13 with DSM-IV bipolar disorder (depressed). Results Compared to controls, paranoid schizophrenic patients showed (1) lower APO-induced ACTH and cortisol stimulation, and (2) higher post-dexamethasone cortisol values. Compared to controls, schizoaffective and bipolar patients showed (1) lower ΔΔTSH values (i.e., difference between 11 PM and 8 AM TRH-TSH responses), (2) lower APO-induced PRL suppression, (3) lower CLO-induced GH stimulation, and (4) higher post-dexamethasone cortisol values. Conclusions Although results must be interpreted with caution because of the small sample, this preliminary study suggests that depressed bipolar and schizoaffective patients share common biological dysregulations, distinct from that of paranoid schizophrenic patients. From a pathophysiological viewpoint, paranoid schizophrenic patients can be characterized by hyposensitivity of the hypothalamic DA receptors (possibly resulting from an increase in presynaptic DA release) associated with increased HPA axis activity, while depressed bipolar and schizoaffective patients can be characterized by hyposensitivity of the pituitary TRH and DA-D2 receptors (possibly linked to the activation of the hypothalamic TRH and tuberoinfundibular DA neurons, respectively), together with subsensitive postsynaptic α2-adrenoreceptors at the hypothalamic level (possibly secondary to an erratic release of NA) and increased HPA axis activity.
A Discussion on the Efficiency of NBI Translator Algorithm

The National Bridge Inventory (NBI) database is an extensive source of information on highway bridges in the United States. Among more than 100 NBI elements, four condition ratings are of special interest for bridge engineers and managers. These NBI elements are deck, superstructure, substructure, and culverts condition ratings (NBI items 58, 59, 60, and 62 respectively). The data for these condition ratings come from biannual bridge inspections in the field and are stored in the NBI database. As a part of their bridge management programs, many states have been collecting element-level condition data (mostly Pontis inspections) for over 15 years. Element-level data provide more detailed condition data on sub-elements of the aforementioned general NBI element categories and allow bridge engineers and managers to make cost-effective decisions regarding bridge maintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement. Due to having such detailed condition data at hand, there has been an interest in developing algorithms that have the capability of estimating the NBI condition ratings for deck, superstructure, substructure, and culverts from the Pontis element inspection data. If a sound estimation tool could be developed, the biannual NBI inspections done for these condition ratings would be deemed unnecessary. The NBI Translator (developed by FHWA) is one of the algorithms that has been developed to achieve that goal. Recently, there has been some concern on the degree of accuracy of this algorithm by users of both Pontis and the translator. The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) uses the Pontis software for its bridge management system. The NBI Translator is part of Pontis and can be utilized to calculate the NBI ratings from element condition data. This paper presents a literature review on bridge management systems and bridge inspections in the United States. In addition, background on NBI Translator algorithm and discussions on the efficiency of the tool are provided. The paper is concluded by a comparison study between the calculated values of the NBI ratings using the translator and the field inspection data on NBI condition ratings collected by the Iowa DOT.