Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Update on Mechanisms of Ultrafiltration Failure

Ultrafiltration failure (UFF) continues to be a major complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD), particularly long-term PD. Continuous exposure to bioincompatible PD solutions causes inflammation of the peritoneal membrane, which progressively undergoes fibrosis and angiogenesis and, ultimately, UFF. There is emerging evidence that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of peritoneal mesothelial cells (MCs) may play an important role in the failure of peritoneal membrane function. Submesothelial myofibroblasts originating from MCs through EMT and from activated resident fibroblasts participate in inflammatory responses, extracellular matrix accumulation, and angiogenesis. High glucose and glucose degradation products from PD solutions are responsible for production of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by MCs, which induce EMT. Leptin and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) augment myofibroblastic conversion through the TGFβ signaling system. A reduction in osmotic conductance in addition to increased solute transport causes UFF. This situation may be caused by loss of aquaporin (AQP) function and formation of the submesothelial fibrotic layer. During PD, AQP1 plays an essential role in water permeability and ultrafiltration (UF), modulating processes such as endothelial permeability and angiogenesis. During a hypertonic dwell, AQP1 mediates 50% of UF. Insufficient AQP1 function may be causative for inadequate UFF. A significant amount of evidence from animal studies now exists to show that mast cells communicate with fibroblasts and are implicated in fibrogenesis, angiogenesis, and UFF. However, it is not confirmed in human studies that mast cells contribute to the fibrosis seen in the peritoneum of PD patients. The patterns of UFF in PD patients depend on duration of treatment. Inherently high small-solute transport status is associated with hypoalbuminemia and a greater comorbidity index. However, most of the variability in peritoneal transport remains unexplained, pointing to the potential role of genetic factors. Gene polymorphisms associated with peritoneal membrane transport have been identified. Recent studies have shown that VEGF, interleukin-6, endothelial NO synthase, AGE receptor, and RAS gene polymorphisms are associated with transport properties in PD patients. Current insights into the mechanisms of UFF will provide rationales for new therapeutic strategies.
Gene expression profiles of hepatoma cell line HLE.

AIM To investigate the global gene expression of cancer related genes in hepatoma cell line HLE using Atlas Human Cancer Array membranes with 588 well-characterized human genes related with cancer and tumor biology. METHODS Hybridization of cDNA blotting membrane was performed with (32)P-labeled cDNA probes synthesized from RNA isolated from Human hepatoma cell line HLE and non-cirrhotic normal liver which was liver transplantation donor. AtlasImage, a software specific to array, was used to analyze the result. The expression pattern of some genes identified by Atlas arrays hybridization was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 24 pairs of specimens and Northern blot of 4 pairs of specimens. RESULTS The differential expression of cell cycle/growth regulator in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showed a stronger tendency toward cell proliferation with more than 1.5-fold up-regulation of Cyclin C, ERK5, ERK6, E2F-3, TFDP-2 and CK4. The anti-apoptotic factors such as Akt-1 were up-regulated, whereas the promotive genes of apoptosis such as ABL2 were down-regulated. Among oncogene/tumors suppressors, SKY was down-regulated. Some genes such as Integrin beta 8, Integrin beta 7, DNA-PK, CSPCP, byglycan, Tenacin and DNA Topo were up-regulated. A number of genes, including LAR, MEK1, eps15, TDGF1, ARHGDIA were down-regulated. In general, expression of the cancer progression genes was up-regulated, while expression of anti-cancer progression genes was down-regulated. These differentially expressed genes tested with RT-PCR were in consistent with cDNA array findings. CONCLUSION Investigation of these genes in HCC is helpful in disclosing molecular mechanism of pathogenesis and progression of HCC. For the first time few genes were discovered in HCC. Further study is required for the precise relationship between the altered genes and their correlation with the pathogenesis of HCC.
Managing IT as a Business: A Survival Guide for CEOs

Foreword. Acknowledgments. Introduction. 1. Get the CIO on the Executive Team. 2. Link IT Strategy to Corporate Strategy. 3. IT Management Is about Relationship Management. 4. Align the IT Organization Structure with Profitability Drivers. 5. Understand the Real IT Spend. 6. Focus on Outcomes, Not Process. 7. Leveraging Investment Cycles and the Power of Standardization. 8. Talk about Information Technology and Use IT Appropriately so Others Know It Is Important. 9. Information Technology Improvement Never Ends. Index.
Identification of neurons producing long‐term potentiation in the cat motor cortex: Intracellular recordings and labeling

Intracellular, in vivo recordings were used to identify and subsequently to label neurons in the cat motor cortex in which long‐term potentiation (LTP) was induced. Thirty‐nine motor cortical neurons that produced excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in response to microstimulation in areas 1‐‐2 (SI) or in area 5a (SIII) were studied. Amplitudes of EPSPs produced in response to test stimulation (1 Hz) were recorded before and after tetanic stimulation (200 Hz, 20 seconds). In 25/39 cells (64%), EPSP amplitudes were significantly increased following the tetanic stimulation (65 ± 51% average increase), and remained at the potentiated level as long as stable recordings could be maintained (20 ± 18 minutes, maximum = 90 minutes). LTP was induced exclusively in cells that produced monosynpatic EPSPs in response to area 1‐‐2 or area 5a stimulation. Of the 39 analyzed cells, 13 were labeled by intracellular injections of 5% biocytin. Neurons in which LTP was induced included both pyramidal and nonpyramidal cells and were located exclusively in layers II or III of the motor cortex; cells in deeper cortical layers were not potentiated. These findings indicate that various corticocortical inputs can increase the efficacy of synaptic transmission in a subset of motor cortical neurons. We propose that this plasticity in synaptic transmission constitutes one of the bases of motor learning and memory.
The Measurement of Operating Performance Following Corporate Acquisitions: A Comparison of Event-Time to Calendar-Time Measures

We examine a sample of 1,175 firms following their acquisition of another firm. Consistent with previous work, we measure the operating performance of these firms in event-time, and find that they experience significantly positive abnormal operating performance subsequent to their acquisition. When we measure their abnormal operating performance in calendar-time, however, we find that our sample firms' abnormal operating performance is insignificant. In short, we find that the standard event-time measures of abnormal operating performance overstate the benefits of corporate acquisitions.
Grocery product pricing and Australian supermarket consumers: gender differences in perceived importance levels

Grocery shopping is an essential and routine activity. Although long regarded the responsibility of the female spouse, modern social and demographic shifts are causing men to become more engaged in this task. This is the first study to analyse gender differences with respect to the criterion of grocery product price within an Australian supermarket retail environment. A stratified sample of 140 male and 140 female grocery shoppers was surveyed. Results showed that men considered price attributes of products as being significantly lower in importance than did women. Additionally, men displayed lower levels of price involvement, reported referencing shelf price to a lesser extent, and gave lesser consideration to promotional tactics focusing on low price. Although men on average buy fewer items than do women, they spend more money for each item they purchase. This higher expenditure per item appears to be driven, at least in part, by a lack of price referencing. This research has implications for gender studies and consumer behaviour disciplines in relation to grocery shopping.
Pengaruh Pergantian Manajemen, Opini Audit, Financial Distress, Ukuran Kap, dan Ukuran Perusahaan Klien terhadap Auditor Switching pada Perusahaan Real Estate dan Properti di Bursa Efek Indonesia

Auditor’s Independence issue is the main cause why companies must do auditor switching mandatorily. Many questions rise when actually there were some companies did voluntary auditor switching outside the rule of auditor switching KMK No. 359/KMK.06/2003 which has been revised to be PMK No. 17/PMK.01/2008. This research is purposed to find empirical evidences about the factors that influence manufacturing companies which are listed in BEI to do voluntary auditor switching. Variables that are used in this research are going change management (CEO), audit opinion (OPINI), financialdistress (DER), KAP size (KAP), client size (LnTA). The data being used is from real estate and Property Company which is listed in BEI in 2007-2012 period. Data collecting method which used in this research is method purposive sampling that based on criteria which has been determined before. Based on the method purposive sampling, research sample total is 14 companies. Hypothesis in this research are tested by logistic regression analytical method. The result of this study it is concluded that client size has significantly effect on auditor switching with negative direction.Otherwise, change in management, audit opinion, financial distress and KAP size do not have significantly effect on the auditor switching. Keywords: Change management, opinion audit, financial distress, KAP size, client size.
Corporate brand image, satisfaction and store loyalty

Purpose – To study the impact of the corporate store image on customer satisfaction and store loyalty in grocery retailing. Corporate (store) image is defined as the combined effect of how the retailer as a brand, manufacturer brands, and store brands are perceived. The reason for including store brands and manufacturer brands in this definition is that the image and equity of retailer brands depends on the product brands they carry and the equity of those product brands.Design/methodology/approach – A mail survey to consumers, 1,000 usable answers. The test of the proposed model was based on a simple path model that related the latent variables to the dependent manifest variable store loyalty.Findings – Most important for customer satisfaction is the store as a brand. Retailers must be good at retailing. Customers are satisfied when the store is neat and pleasant and when they feel that the store understands their needs. Only certain customer segments are interested in store brands. Satisfied customers a.
New insights for the diagnosis and management of right ventricular failure, from molecular imaging to targeted right ventricular therapy

Purpose of review Despite the recognition of a critical role of the right ventricle (RV) in many aspects of cardiovascular medicine, there has been surprisingly little interest in right ventricular-targeted imaging and therapeutic approaches. Compared with the left ventricle, the RV has a different embryologic origin, undergoes a dramatic change during the transition from the fetal to the adult circulation and normally operates in a low resistance or impedance arterial system. Here, we review new insights on the pathophysiology, assessment and management of right ventricular failure. Recent findings Our understanding of the mechanisms underlying right ventricular failure has improved. As in the left ventricle, decrease in α-myosin heavy chain and a switch towards glycolysis from fatty acid oxidation is observed in the stressed RV, but the key question remains unanswered: why is the RV so much more vulnerable to failure upon afterload increase compared with the left ventricle? In assessing the RV, it is becoming increasingly important to consider the RV and pulmonary artery as a unit. New therapies that could specifically target the RV, such as metabolic modulators and phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, are now being considered. Summary A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of right ventricular failure will lead to the development of new strategies for the diagnosis and management of right ventricular failure. Right ventricular-targeted therapies are needed in a number of diseases in which only the RV fails.
Reproductive Behavior during the Pre-Transitional Period: Evidence from Rural Bologna

A longitudinal, micro-level study of the effect of socioeconomic transformations on fertility mechanisms in the rural hinterland of Bologna between 1818 and 1900 (the beginning of the demographic transition) demonstrates that the premature death of a last-born child reduces the interval between two consecutive childbirths. Thus does it confirm the importance of breast-feeding in determining birth spacing. Women living in complex sharecropping households experienced a significantly higher risk of childbirth than did women in families headed by daily wage earners. In addition, the reproductive behavior of sharecroppers seemed to be substantially invariant to short-term fluctuations in prices, whereas the laborers' group experienced a negative price effect. Both descriptive and multivariate analyses indicate a slight and gradual decrease in fertility levels during the period in question.
A Sequential Study of Experimental Porcine Paramyxovirus (LPMV) Infection of Pigs: Immunostaining of Cryostat Sections and Virus Isolation

La Piedad Michoacan Paramyxovirus (LPMV) is a recently recognized paramyxovirus infecting pigs throughout Mexico. Disease syndromes observed in field cases associated with LPMV infection include neurologic, respiratory, and reproductive disorders. Clinical signs and the distribution of LPMV virus and antigen in tissue samples from pigs experimentally infected with LPMV by natural routes were studied. Severe neurologic disease and death occurred following experimental inoculation of 3- and 17-day-old pigs. All of the pigs inoculated at 3 days of age were either dead or moribund by 8 days after inoculation, whereas 30% of the pigs inoculated at 17 days of age were affected. Virus was consistently recovered from or demonstrated in tissues from the respiratory tract of both groups of pigs. LPMV and antigen were also demonstrated in central nervous system (CNS) tissues from these pigs; however, differences in virus distribution within the CNS were demonstrated in the 2 groups. In the pigs inoculated at 17 days of age, isolation of LPMV was restricted to the olfactory bulb and midbrain. In contrast, in the pigs inoculated at 3 days of age, isolation of LPMV was more widespread throughout the CNS tissue examined. Virus excretion studies indicated that nasal spread of LPMV was more important than fecal spread. Comparatively large quantities of infectious LPMV were consistently recovered from urine samples of experimentally infected pigs.
AN ASSESSMENT OF LEXICAL SENSE RELATIONS BASED ON WORD ASSOCIATION TEST

The present study intends to investigate lexical sense relations through the application of linguistic knowledge, cognitive processes in colloquial speech and word association test. In a word association test, a list of words is presented to subjects, who is asked to respond with the first word that comes into their mind, and this gives information on the way knowledge structures in the human mind. To achieve this purpose, first, it has been needed to prepare appropriate words; therefore, 300 students of the faculty of letters and humanities have been asked to write the first word which comes to their mind. Totally, 3000 words have been assembled. 22 words, which have had the highest frequency, have been chosen among those words to be applied in the questionnaire. To achieve the aim of the research, 17 lexical relations have been proposed by the researchers. This study has convenience sampling with 110 subjects. It has been concluded that the lexical storage system is strongly dependent upon sense relations. Language speakers can radically alter the relation between words on the basis of their mental conceptions, although Attributive relation, Functional relation and Social-cultural relation had the most frequency in this research. Attributive relation, 25.9%; Functional relation, 17%; Social-cultural relation, 11.9%; Synonymy, 9%; Collocational relation, 8%; Place relation, 3.3%; Meronymy, 3%; Need relation, 1.4%; Instrumental relation, 1.3%; Semantic opposition, 1.1%; Material relation, 0.6%; Negative relation, 0.5%; Time relation, 0.4%; Causal relation, 0.3%; Hyponymy, 0.13%; Specific relation, 0.1% and Member-collection, 0.1% are frequencies of each relation.
Profit Without Honor: White Collar Crime and the Looting of America

1. Introduction. 2. Crimes Against Consumers. 3. Unsafe Products. 4. Environmental Crime. 5. Institutional Corruption: Mass Media and Religion. 6. Securities Fraud. 7. Fiduciary Fraud: Crime in the Banking, Insurance, and Pension Fund Industries. 8. Crimes by the Government. 9. Corruption of Public Officials. 10. Medical Crime. 11. Computer Crime. 12. Conclusions.
Polyethylene glycol-fusion retards Wallerian degeneration and rapidly restores behaviors lost after nerve severance

Some biological uses of polyethylene glycol (PEG): The use of PEG as a membrane fusogen was first reported in 1976 with the creation of cell hybrids, formed by suspending two cell lines in a 50% w/w solution of PEG in water. More recently, direct application of PEG has been found to seal off small holes in axons after complete transections of cultured neurites in a procedure referred to as “PEG-sealing” (Spaeth et al., 2012). The term PEG-sealing is also used to describe intravenous injection of PEG or micelles/nano-particles associated with PEG (reviewed by Jin, 2014). The latter “PEG-sealing” in vivo procedures typically produce low concentrations of PEG in body fluids associated with modest increases in behavioral recovery many weeks post injury, presumably by neuroprotective effects that rescue damaged neurons from cell death, rather than by preventing or retarding Wallerian degeneration (Jin, 2014).
Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Osteogenic Genes in Atrophic Delayed Fracture-Healing: A Preliminary Investigation.

UpdateThis article was updated on September 10, 2014, because of a previous error. On page 1242, in the byline, and on page 1247, in the author addresses, the academic degree for Henry J. Donahue had previously read "MD. " The degree now reads "PhD. " BACKGROUND We propose that fracture-healing potential is affected by the patient's genome. This genotype is then phenotypically expressed by the patient at the time of injury. We examined the hypothesis that patients who exhibit delayed or impaired fracture-healing may have one or more single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within a series of genes related to bone formation. METHODS We performed a population-based, case-controlled study of delayed fracture-healing. Sixty-two adults with a long-bone fracture were identified from a surgical database. Thirty-three patients had an atrophic nonunion (delayed healing), and twenty-nine displayed normal fracture-healing. These patients underwent buccal mucosal cell harvesting. SNP genotyping was performed with use of bead array technology. One hundred and forty-four SNPs (selected from HapMap) within thirty genes associated with fracture-healing were investigated. Three SNPs did not segregate in the population and were excluded from the analysis. Eight of the remaining SNPs failed the test for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (p value smaller than the Bonferroni-corrected level of 0.05/141 = 0.000355) and were excluded. RESULTS Five SNPs on four genes were found to have a p value of <0.05 in the additive genetic model. Of these five significant SNPs, three had an odds ratio (OR) of >1, indicating that the presence of the allele increased the risk of nonunion. The rs2853550 SNP, which had the largest effect (OR = 5.9, p = 0.034), was on the IL1B gene, which codes for interleukin 1 beta. The rs2297514 SNP (OR = 3.98, p = 0.015) and the rs2248814 SNP (OR = 2.27, p = 0.038) were on the NOS2 gene coding for nitric oxide synthase. The remaining two SNPs had an OR of <1, indicating that the presence of the allele may be protective against nonunion. The rs3819089 SNP (OR = 0.26, p = 0.026) was on the MMP13 gene for matrix metallopeptidase 13, and the rs270393 SNP (OR = 0.30, p = 0.015) was on the BMP6 gene for bone morphogenetic protein 6. CONCLUSIONS Variations in the IL1B and NOS2 genes may contribute to delayed fracture-healing and warrant further investigation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Impaired fracture union may have genetic contributions.
Invasion of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides in Europe: History of colonization, features behind its success, and threats to native fauna

Abstract We aimed to review the history of the introduction and colonization of the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides in Europe, the features behind its successful expansion and its impact on native fauna. The raccoon dog quickly colonized new areas after being introduced to the European part of the former Soviet Union. Today it is widespread in Northern and Eastern Europe and is still spreading in Central Europe. Features behind its success include its adaptability, high reproductive potential, omnivory, hibernation in northern areas, multiple introductions with > 9000 individuals from different localities, and tendency to wander enabling gene flow between populations. Firm evidence of the raccoon dog’s negative impact on native fauna, such as a reduction in bird populations, is still scarce. Raccoon dogs may destroy waterfowl nests, although a nest predation study in Latvia did not confirm this. Predator removal studies in Finland suggested that the raccoon dog’s impact on game birds is smaller than expected. However, raccoon dogs may have caused local extinction of frog populations, especially on islands. Raccoon dogs may compete with other carnivores for food, for example for carrion in winter, or for the best habitat patches. In northern Europe potential competitors include the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the badger Meles meles, but studies of their diets or habitat preferences do not indicate severe competition. The raccoon dog is an important vector of diseases and parasites, such as rabies, Echinococcus multilocularis and Trichinella spp. and this is no doubt the most severe consequence arising from the spread of this alien species in Europe.
Moral Costs and Rational Choice: Theory and Experimental Evidence

The literature exploring other regarding behavior sheds important light on interesting social phenomena, yet less attention has been given to how the received results speak to foundational assumptions within economics. Our study synthesizes the empirical evidence, showing that recent work challenges convex preference theory but is largely consistent with rational choice theory. Guided by this understanding, we design a new, more demanding test of a central tenet of economics—the contraction axiom—within a sharing framework. Making use of more than 325 dictators participating in a series of allocation games, we show that sharing choices violate the contraction axiom. We advance a new theory that augments standard models with moral reference points to explain our experimental data. Our theory also organizes the broader sharing patterns in the received literature.