Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Infant Emmetropization: Longitudinal Changes in Refraction Components from Nine to Twenty Months of Age

Rapid emmetropization is described in pediatrically normal infants from 9 months of age during the following year. The infants, obtained from various categories of the Cambridge population screening program, provided a broad range of refractive errors. The large group of 254 nonanisometropic infants studied allowed the mean rate of change and dependence on the initial refraction value to be determined. Refraction was measured by cycloplegic retinoscopy. Rapid emmetropization changes occurred in the following refractive components: mean spherical equivalent (MSE), astigmatism magnitude, the horizontal astigmatism component, the infant's most positive meridian, and the infant's most negative meridian. The MSE and astigmatism rates of change (diopters/year), were highly dependent on their respective initial powers (r=—0.61 and r=—0.76). The percentage weighted mean proportional rate of change for MSE was - 30% (SE 4%) and for astigmatism magnitude it was - 59% (SE 14%). There was much individual variation, with some exhibiting fast emmetropization and others not. The MSE and astigmatism changes, however, were almost independent of each other. The refractive errors of the most positive and most negative meridians emmetropize because they are both derived from the MSE and half the astigmatism. With-the-rule astigmatism was more prevalent than against-the-rule astigmatism at 9 months of age, and with-the-rule astigmatism exhibited a significantly greater proportional rate of change. The relationship of emmetropization and refractive screening is considered. A new component “MOMS” is introduced, the maximum ocular meridional separation when both eyes are considered. Thus incorporating astigmatism and anisometropia may be a good single indicator of conditions associated with later amblyopia. The almost independent emmetropization of the MSE and astigmatism components is an important result to consider in theories of emmetropization, refractive screening, clinical prescribing, and the evaluation of infants in treatment trials.
Granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor increases wound‐fluid interleukin 8 in normal subjects but does not accelerate wound healing

Granulocyte/macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) is thought to play an important part under conditions of impaired wound healing. This is not confirmed and it is also unknown whether GM‐CSF affects wound healing in healthy subjects. We conducted a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled pilot study in 10 healthy volunteers. Triplicate wounds (10 × 10 × 0.5 mm) on the right and left upper thigh were made by a razor blade and injected with GM‐CSF or a solvent control. Four of the 10 volunteers were re‐examined after 2 months by investigating the healing of a new set of triplicate wounds injected with solvent control alone (controls). Factors measured were wound healing time, wound‐fluid cytokines by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, wound‐fluid inflammatory cells and dermal thickness by ultrasonography. Intradermal injection with 20 μg GM‐CSF per wound caused significantly higher wound‐fluid GM‐CSF and interleukin 8 (IL‐8) levels than in controls, but did not affect the time needed for wound closure (mean 11 days in all groups), dermal thickness, wound‐fluid inflammatory cells or other wound‐fluid cytokines, e.g. vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF). Transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 and β2, epidermal growth factor (EGF), and β‐fibroblast growth factor (β‐FGF) were not measurable in any wound fluid. The lack of efficacy of exogenously delivered GM‐CSF on wound healing in healthy subjects is probably based on the failure of GM‐CSF to induce ‘wound‐healing cytokines’ like PDGF, FGF, TGF, EGF or VEGF. However, GM‐CSF increases IL‐8 release, which is a potent chemotactic cytokine, indicating that GM‐CSF might be of therapeutic value under conditions of impaired chemotaxis.
Stimulation of the in Vivo Production of Very Low Density Lipoproteins by Apolipoprotein E Is Independent of the Presence of the Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor*

Apolipoprotein (apo) E stimulates the secretion of very low density lipoproteins (VLDLs) by an as yet unknown mechanism. Recently, a working mechanism for apoE was proposed (Twisk, J., Gillian-Daniel, D. L., Tebon, A., Wang, L., Barrett, P. H., and Attie, A. D. (2000) J. Clin. Invest. 105, 521–532) in which apoE prevents the inhibitory action of the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr) by binding to it. We have first tested whether this newly described effect of the LDLr on VLDL secretion, obtained in vitro, is also observed in vivo. In LDLr knockout mice (LDLr−/−), the production of VLDL triglycerides and apoB was 30% higher than that in controls. Also the ratio of apoB100:apoB48 secretion was increased in the LDLr−/− mice. The composition of nascent VLDL was similar in both strains. To test whether the action of apoE depends on the presence of the LDLr, VLDL production was measured in LDLr−/− and apoE−/− LDLr−/− mice. Deletion of apoE on a LDLr−/− background still caused a 50% decrease of VLDL triglycerides and apoB production. The composition of nascent VLDL was again similar for both strains. We conclude that the effect of apoE on hepatic VLDL production is independent of the presence of the LDLr.
Trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder following myocardial infarction: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND This study examines the trajectories of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following myocardial infarction (MI). More specifically, it has 2 aims: (1) to examine whether the trajectory of PTSD is predicted by level of threat and the nature of initial reactions and (2) to examine the associations between the trajectory of PTSD and anxiety, somatization, health-related quality of life, and hospitalization 7 months following MI. METHOD 116 MI patients were examined twice. At time 1, within a week of the patient's MI, acute stress disorder (ASD) was assessed and medical measures were obtained from patients' hospital records. At time 2, 7 months later, PTSD, anxiety, physical residuals, and health-related quality of life were assessed. Data were gathered in 1999. RESULTS Six percent of the respondents had both ASD and PTSD, 10% did not have ASD but did have PTSD, and 12% had ASD but not PTSD. The trajectory of PTSD was associated with severity of anxiety, somatic complaints, and health-related quality of life. In addition, while the severity of MI did not predict the trajectory of PTSD, the perceived severity did. Patients without PTSD but with prior ASD did not differ in their initial reactions from those without ASD. CONCLUSION These findings provide support for the considerable variability in the trajectory of the development of PTSD and suggest that although ASD is associated with subsequent PTSD, the predictive role of initial reactions is limited.
Mechanism of Corynebacterium parvum anti‐tumour activity. II. Protective effect in T‐cell‐deprived mice

The natural resistance to syngeneic mammary carcinoma was reduced by thymectomy alone in adult C3H mice or in mice thymectomized, lethally irradiated and restored with bone‐marrow cells (Tx RB). The protective effect of C. parvum was not modified by adult thymectomy but it was reduced in Tx RB mice. The injection of thymic cells to Tx RB mice or the elimination of T cell precursors in bone‐marrow cells injected in Tx RB mice did not increase the protective effect of C. parvum. These results were compatible with the hypothesis that T cells do not intervene in the mechanism of C. parvum protective effect.
Predonation water ingestion attenuates negative reactions to blood donation

BACKGROUND: Novice blood donors are at increased risk for unpleasant blood donation‐related symptoms (e.g., dizziness, weakness, and lightheadedness), and the experience of such symptoms can contribute to a decreased likelihood of repeat donation. Recent laboratory studies suggest that water ingestion produces hemodynamic effects that may be sufficient to reduce risk of syncope and related reactions during blood donation.
Estimating upper soil horizon carbon stocks in a permafrost watershed of Northeast Siberia by integrating field measurements with Landsat-5 TM and WorldView-2 satellite data

Arctic soils contain three times as much carbon (C) as all aboveground biomass distributed globally, much of which is stored in permafrost soils. Here, we (1) determine the predictability of estimating soil organic carbon (SOC) using different satellite data, classifications, and methods; (2) estimate the quantity and distribution of SOC for the top 10 cm for the Ambolikha River watershed (~121 km2) in northeast Siberia, a sub-watershed of the Kolyma River; and (3) produce a hybrid SOC map through data fusion, combining the strengths of each data type. Land cover maps were produced using a pixel-based classification with Landsat-5 Thematic Mapper (TM) data and an object-based classification using WorldView-2 data. Spectral mixture analysis (SMA) was performed on both data types to calculate the fraction of four vegetation types in each pixel, and land cover maps were combined with field measurements of SOC in the top 10 cm. The overall classification accuracy was 69% for Landsat, 81% for WorldView-2, and 82% for the hybrid map. The hybrid map estimated 490.5 Gg of SOC for the top 10 cm within the Ambolikha River watershed, with less severe over- or under-estimated than the Landsat or WorldView-2 maps alone. The results suggest that (a) higher spatial resolution satellite data and object-based classification should be used for land cover classification in the Arctic; (b) integrating multiple sensors maximizes the strengths of different sensors for estimating SOC; and (c) previous studies performed at the regional or pan-Arctic scale using lower spatial resolution data likely underestimate total SOC.
Using Physical 3D Objects as Training Media for Military Vehicle Identification

This work investigates effects of using scaled 3D objects to train for military vehicle recognition, alliance detection, and identification. Past research has demonstrated that training with stereoscopic imagery and objects can lead to stronger learning outcomes when compared to non-stereoscopic training modalities. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the effects of scaled physical object training compared to two current training methodologies, namely military issued cards and military vehicle renderings from a training simulation. An experiment was designed using 1:35 physical scale models, military issued cards containing line drawings, and computer-based renderings. Testing procedures consisted of displaying photographs of the military vehicles the participants were trained on. Results show physical models led to significantly stronger performance compared to cards and images. Limitations and future work are discussed.
The young child's awareness of affect.

This study focuses on the young child's awareness of affect concepts. 102 children, ages 4-6, were rated for affect awareness by their teachers and on their responses to 6 verbal and performance tests. The results of a cluster analysis of teacher ratings and intercorrelation of tests provide modest support for several hypotheses. Teachers describe the child who can verbalize his feelings as expressive, mature, empathic, and imaginative. The data suggest that a child's affect awareness is a general orientation which he utilizes in his selective response to other people and in his awareness of self.
An Effective Deterministic Procedure for the Synthesis of Shaped Beams by Means of Uniform-Amplitude Linear Sparse Arrays

A rigorous deterministic approach is proposed for the mask-constrained power pattern synthesis of shaped beams through one-dimensional sparse arrays having uniform-amplitude excitations (and variable phases). The approach includes the well known density taper procedure as a special case. The corresponding technique, which exploits an analytical formulation of the problem and convex programming routines, results in fast computation and is able to achieve optimal solutions without recurring to any global optimization. Numerical results assessing the capabilities of the proposed design method are provided, opening the way to the development of an effective approach for the synthesis of circularly symmetric shaped beams via uniformly-excited circular ring arrays.
Hatching Characteristics of Japanese Quail Eggs in a Tropical Environment

2 Abstract: A study to evaluate hatching characteristics of incubated Japanese quail eggs in Nigeria was conducted. A total of 1,116 eggs were incubated in 3 batches in a still-air kerosene incubator. The results showed that mean early and late embryonic mortality on the basis of fertile eggs were 18.59±1.85 and 9.89±1.31%, respectively. Mean fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, hatchability of total eggs set and weight of newly hatched chicks were 85.41±1.25%, 71.52±1.94%, 61.31±1.93% and 6.47±0.10 g, respectively . Hatching chick weight was found positively and significantly (p<0.001) correlated with egg weight (r = 0.96), egg length (r = 0.79) and egg width (r = 0.74). Generally, there was negative correlation between embryo mortality (Early and Late) and external egg quality traits considered. It was concluded that the Japanese quails used in this study have high reproductive efficiency and the still-air kerosene incubator used is recommended for use in rural areas where electricity is irregular or not available to hatch quail eggs.
Gravimetric monitoring of gas production from the Troll field

Four surveys of relative gravity and depth measurements have been conducted over the Troll field since gas production began in 1996. Precision in gravity (intrasurvey repeatability measured as standard deviation) has improved from 26 μGal to 4–5 μGal in two surveys in 2002 and 2005. The scatter of 74 station depth differences (standard deviation) has improved to 1.0 cm (with modeled subsidence removed) for the same two surveys. Subsidence of up to 3 cm is observed above the thickest reservoir of Troll East between 2002 and 2005. Time-lapse gravity shows a general slight average increase in Troll East (95% confidence for the interval centered at 5.2±4.4 μGal ), which is likely caused by edgewater influx. One gravity station close to Troll A shows a 9- μGal gravity increase, indicating 2.2-m water rise. Repeated logging in a nearby well indicates 2.8-m rise. These two observations agree within uncertainty bounds. Gravity decrease in Troll West is explained by oil production and a downward-moving gas-oil con.
Herpes simplex virus particles are unable to traverse the secretory pathway in the mouse L-cell mutant gro29

The mouse L-cell mutant gro29 was selected for its ability to survive infection by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and is defective in the propagation of HSV-1 and vesicular stomatitis virus (F. Tufaro, M. D. Snider, and S. L. McKnight, J. Cell Biol. 105:647-657, 1987). In this report, we show that gro29 cells harbor a lesion that inhibits the egress of HSV-1 virions during infection. We also found that HSV-1 glycoprotein D was slow to traverse the secretory pathway en route to the plasma membrane of infected gro29 cells. The movement of glycoproteins was not blocked entirely, however, and immunofluorescence experiments revealed that infected gro29 cells contained roughly 10% of the expected amount of glycoprotein D on their cell surface at 12 h postinfection. Furthermore, nucleocapsids and virions assembled inside the cells during infection, suggesting that the lesion in gro29 cells impinged on a late step in virion maturation. Electron micrographs of infected cells revealed that many of the intracellular virions were contained in irregular cytoplasmic vacuoles, similar to those that accumulate in HSV-1-infected cells treated with the ionophore monensin. We conclude from these results that gro29 harbors a defect that blocks the egress of HSV-1 virions from the infected cell without seriously impeding the flux of individual glycoproteins to the cell surface. We infer that HSV-1 maturation and egress require a host cell component that is either reduced or absent in gro29 cells and that this lesion, although not lethal to the host cell, cannot be tolerated by HSV-1 during its life cycle.
Antecedent Ethanol Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion‐Induced Leukocyte‐Endothelial Adhesive Interactions and Delayed Neuronal Death: Role of Large Conductance, Ca2+‐activated K+ Channels

Please cite this paper as: Wang, Kalogeris, Wang, Jones and Korthuis (2010). Antecedent Ethanol Attenuates Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion‐Induced Leukocyte‐Endothelial Adhesive Interactions and Delayed Neuronal Death: Role of Large Conductance, Ca2+‐activated K+ Channels. Microcirculation17(6), 427–438.
Case report: Three patients with substantial serum levels of 3-epi-25(OH)D including one with 3-epi-25(OH)D2 while on high-dose ergocalciferol.

CONTEXT We report the presence of substantial concentrations of 3-epi-25(OH)D3 in two patients and a third patient with 3-epi-25(OH)D2. PATIENTS The first patient, a 66-year-old female receiving cholecalciferol 4000 IU daily was originally found to have 53 ng/mL of 25(OH)D3 and almost an equal amount of 3-epi-25(OH)D3. Subsequently, the patient had four additional samples, each of which has similar levels of both 25(OH)D3 and 3-epi-25(OH)D3. The second patient, a 7-year-old male receiving cholecalciferol 1000 IU daily, had a 25(OH)D3 concentration of 37 ng/mL and 3-epi-25(OH)D3 of approximately 10 ng/mL. The third and most intriguing patient, a 55-year-old female was receiving ergocalciferol 50,000 IU twice weekly for approximately 3 months, at which time her serum 25(OH)D2 was 64 ng/mL and her 3-epi-25(OH)D2 was approximately 32 ng/mL. This patient's physician changed her vitamin D therapy to cholecalciferol 1000 IU daily, discontinuing ergocalciferol, and a second specimen was collected 5 months later. Analysis of this last specimen found both 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D2 at concentrations of 12 and 24 ng/mL respectively, plus corresponding 3-epimer peaks for both 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D2 observed chromatographically. CONCLUSION The presence of a substantial concentration of 3-epi-25(OH)D in these three patients documents that one cannot assume 3-epi is a trivial metabolite of 25(OH)D for all patients. In addition, the appearance of 3-epi-25(OH)D3 when the last patient changed her vitamin D supplementation from ergocalciferol to cholecalciferol demonstrates that the 3-epimer is probably an endogenous metabolite of 25(OH)D in humans.
Ethnic Differences in Endorsement of the Protestant Work Ethic: The Role of Ethnic Identity and Perceptions of Social Class

The authors examined ethnic differences in endorsement of the Protestant work ethic (PWE; M. Weber, 1905) among Black (n = 96) and White (n = 149) college students and tested whether differences in ethnic identity and perceptions of social class mediated the relationship between ethnicity and the endorsement of PWE values. Blacks were higher in levels of ethnic identity, more likely to see themselves as working or middle class, and less likely to endorse the PWE. Only perceptions of social class partially mediated the relationship between ethnicity and PWE values. The authors concluded that perception of social class is an important construct that might influence the cultural psychology of different ethnic groups. The authors recommended further research involving PWE and other cultural variables.
Precursor Lesions of Pancreatic Cancer: Molecular Pathology and Clinical Implications

Background: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal disease, with near uniform 5-year mortality rates. The key to improving survival of pancreatic cancer rests upon early detection of this neoplasm at a resectable, and hence potentially curable, stage. Methods: We review the current state of the literature vis-à-vis the three common precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinoma: pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, and mucinous cystic neoplasm. We also discuss two clinical scenarios of emerging importance, namely asymptomatic pancreatic cysts (‘pancreatic incidentalomas’) and the significance of precursor lesions in familial pancreatic cancer kindreds. Results: Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasias are the microscopic precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinomas, while intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms are macroscopic, cystic precursor lesions. All three noninvasive entities demonstrate a multistep morphologic and genetic progression that culminates in frank invasive adenocarcinoma. Despite these commonalities, each precursor lesion harbors a unique repertoire of clinicopathologic and genetic characteristics that has an impact on natural history and prognosis of these lesions. Due to improvements in radiological techniques, asymptomatic pancreatic cysts are being increasingly discovered in the general population; intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms and mucinous cystic neoplasms are the most common underlying histology in resected incidentalomas of the pancreas. Pancreatic asymptomatic cysts present an enormous challenge in terms of accurate diagnosis and management stratification. Incorporating molecular signatures of cystic precursor lesions into the diagnostic algorithm will likely become a standard of care for asymptomatic pancreatic cysts. High-risk individuals from familial pancreatic cancer kindreds are another group of individuals where knowledge of precursor lesions has had a therapeutic impact; sensitive imaging technologies have enabled the identification and subsequent resection of pancreatic cancer precursors in these high-risk individuals, preventing the progression to invasive cancer. Conclusions: Precursor lesions of pancreatic adenocarcinomas represent a unique opportunity for diagnosis and intervention for a malignancy with near uniform lethality. Further studies on these precursors will enable the development of rational early detection and therapeutic strategies in order to ameliorate pancreatic cancer survival.