Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Perioperative Endocrine Status and Prognosis in Early Breast Cancer

Abstract: Although the relationship between breast cancer and hormones has been known for almost two centuries, it is only during the last 16 years that evidence suggesting the hormonal profile of the patient at the time of surgery can affect the outcome, came to light. A series of studies investigated the hypothesis that unopposed estrogen (observed during the follicular phase of the cycle) may adversely affect the overall and/or disease‐free survival of women operated on at that time. The findings have been, at times, contradictory. The retrospective nature of the studies, poor recording of last menstrual period, small study size, and the possible effect of the timing of the diagnostic procedures (cytology or core biopsy) on the outcome may be responsible for the conflicting results. Despite this, more sophisticated studies based on pathological or hormonal observations/measurements, confirmed the relation of luteal phase surgery to better outcome. Estrogen‐induced increased protease activity activates a cascade of proteolysis and allows the more discohesive tumor cells to gain access to the circulation. Moreover, disseminated cells might be able to proliferate easier because of several estrogen‐dependent growth factors. Diminished immune function during the follicular phase, because of natural killer cell activity and mononuclear cell phagocytic activity down‐regulation may also be implicated in the dissemination of viable tumor cells. Taken together these findings provide a framework for explaining the observation that luteal phase surgery can lead to an improved outcome. By altering the perioperative hormonal milieu it may be possible to reduce deaths from breast cancer in a simple and nontoxic manner.
4-1BB Ligand Induces Cell Division, Sustains Survival, and Enhances Effector Function of CD4 and CD8 T Cells with Similar Efficacy1

A costimulatory member of the TNFR family, 4-1BB, is expressed on activated T cells. Although some reports have suggested that 4-1BB is primarily involved in CD8 T cell activation, in this report we demonstrate that both CD4 and CD8 T cells respond to 4-1BB ligand (4-1BBL) with similar efficacy. CD4 and CD8 TCR transgenic T cells up-regulate 4-1BB, OX40, and CD27 and respond to 4-1BBL-mediated costimulation during a primary response to peptide Ag. 4-1BBL enhanced proliferation, cytokine production, and CTL effector function of TCR transgenic T cells. To compare CD4 vs CD8 responses to 4-1BBL under similar conditions of antigenic stimulation, we performed MLRs with purified CD4 or CD8 responders from CD28+/+ and CD28−/− mice. We found that CD8 T cells produced IL-2 and IFN-γ in a 4-1BBL-dependent manner, whereas under the same conditions the CD4 T cells produced IL-2 and IL-4. 4-1BBL promoted survival of CD4 and CD8 T cells, particularly at late stages of the MLR. CD4 and CD8 T cells both responded to anti-CD3 plus s4-1BBL with a similar cytokine profile as observed in the MLR. CD4 and CD8 T cells exhibited enhanced proliferation and earlier cell division when stimulated with anti-CD3 plus anti-CD28 compared with anti-CD3 plus 4-1BBL, and both subsets responded comparably to anti-CD3 plus 4-1BBL. These data support the idea that CD28 plays a primary role in initial T cell expansion, whereas 4-1BB/4-1BBL sustains both CD4 and CD8 T cell responses, as well as enhances cell division and T cell effector function.
Microstructure of the Default Mode Network in Preterm Infants

A cohort of 44 preterm infants underwent T1WI, resting-state fMRI, and DTI at 3T, including 21 infants with brain injuries and 23 infants with normal-appearing structural imaging as controls. Neurodevelopment was evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 months' adjusted age. Results showed decreased fractional anisotropy and elevated radial diffusivity values of the cingula in the preterm infants with brain injuries compared with controls. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development cognitive scores were significantly associated with cingulate fractional anisotropy. The authors suggest that the microstructural properties of interconnecting axonal pathways within the default mode network are of critical importance in the early neurocognitive development of infants. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Diffusion and fMRI has been providing insights to brain development in addition to anatomic imaging. This study aimed to evaluate the microstructure of white matter tracts underlying the default mode network in premature infants by using resting-state functional MR imaging in conjunction with diffusion tensor imaging–based tractography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cohort of 44 preterm infants underwent structural T1-weighted imaging, resting-state fMRI, and DTI at 3T, including 21 infants with brain injuries and 23 infants with normal-appearing structural imaging as controls. Neurodevelopment was evaluated with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development at 12 months' adjusted age. Probabilistic independent component analysis was applied to resting-state fMRI data to explore resting-state networks. The localized clusters of the default mode network were used as seeding for probabilistic tractography. The DTI metrics (fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity) of the reconstructed primary tracts within the default mode network–cingula were measured. RESULTS: Results revealed decreased fractional anisotropy (0.20 ± 0.03) and elevated radial diffusivity values (1.24 ± 0.16) of the cingula in the preterm infants with brain injuries compared with controls (fractional anisotropy, 0.25 ± 0.03; P < .001; radial diffusivity, 1.06 ± 0.16; P = .001). The Bayley Scales of Infant Development cognitive scores were significantly associated with cingulate fractional anisotropy (P = .004) and radial diffusivity (P = .021); this association suggests that the microstructural properties of interconnecting axonal pathways within the default mode network are of critical importance in the early neurocognitive development of infants. CONCLUSIONS: This study of combined resting-state fMRI and DTI at rest suggests that such studies may allow the investigation of key functional brain circuits in premature infants, which could function not only as diagnostic tools but also as biomarkers for long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies: An Opportunity to Identify Women at Risk for Future Cardiovascular Disease

Evaluation of: Bellamy L, Casas JP, Hingorani AD, Williams DJ: Pre-eclampsia and risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer in later life: systematic review and meta-analysis. Br. Med. J. 335(7627), 974 (2007). Evidence has emerged over the years suggesting that women who develop hypertensive pregnancy disorders, most notably pre-eclampsia, are at an increased risk for cardiovascular disease later in life. In this study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were performed, assessing the future risks of cardiovascular disease, cancer and all-cause mortality in women with a history of pre-eclampsia and eclampsia. Women with a history of pre-eclampsia or eclampsia, compared with women without such a history, had an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, including a fourfold increased risk for hypertension, a twofold increased risk for ischemic heart disease, stroke and deep venous thrombosis, and a 1.5-times higher all-cause mortality. The study suggests that affected women may be eligible for preventive therapies at an earlier age, especially if future studies establish the role of pre-eclampsia as an independent cardiovascular risk factor.
Ergot alkaloids block neurogenic extravasation in dura mater: Proposed action in vascular headaches

Although the ergot alkaloids (ergots) are useful drugs for the acute treatment of migraine headaches, their mechanism of action remains obscure. When administered to rats in clinically relevant doses, ergots blocked the development of neurogenic plasma extravasation in dura mater. Plasma extravasation was induced by depolarization of perivascular axons following capsaicin injection or unilateral electrical stimulation of the trigeminal nerve. The ergot action could not be accounted for by vasoconstriction alone because neurogenic plasma leakage was not blocked by angiotensin or phenylephrine. Furthermore, ergots did not block plasma extravasation induced by administering sensory neuropeptides that mediate enhanced permeability. We propose that the therapeutic effects of ergots in vascular headaches may result from peripheral blockade of small fiber (C or A‐delta)‐dependent neurogenic inflammation within the dura mater.
Time Trends in Survival of Children with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Piedmont, Italy: A Report from the Population-Based Cancer Registry

Aims and Background The Childhood Cancer Registry of Piedmont (RTI) periodically updates the life status of each registered child. Given its size, the RTI is the major (albeit geographically limited) Italian source of population-based survival rates of cancer in children. The present report describes time trends in survival of children with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). Methods During 1970-87, 429 residents in Piedmont aged 0-14 were diagnosed as having ALL: they have been followed up until 1991. Results Five-year survival rates increased from 21% to 72% for children diagnosed ALL respectively in 1970-72 and 1985-87. Major improvements occurred up to the mid-seventies and again between cases diagnosed in the early and late eighties. Improvement in survival was statistically significant for children belonging to classes comprised between 2 and 10 years of age at diagnosis. Period of diagnosis was unrelated to probability of survival among the 13 cases diagnosed ALL at age 0. Survival was unrelated to sex, even in the early seventies and even after consideration of children dying more than 5 years after diagnosis. Between 1976-81 and 1982-87, an improvement in survival was found in all categories of WBC count at diagnosis: the ratio between the two estimates was somewhat higher for children with more than 50,000 WBC/mm3 at diagnosis than for other children. Conclusions Present data are compared with those resulting from other population-based series: this exercise can be useful for an overall evaluation of delivery of cancer therapy at the population basis.
When Ethnic Roots Blend: The Family and Market Outcomes of Second Generation from Intermarried Immigrant Households

This paper investigates the life outcomes of immigrant descendants of intermarriage. Conceptually there are two major opposing mechanisms by which intermarriages might affect their offspring: the marital surplus mechanism suggests that children of intermarriage would receive less effective parental inputs, which could negatively affect their development and perception of marriage. The human capital and identity mechanism suggests that individuals of mixed heritage could be more disconnected from their ethnic roots. Such detachment could enhance general human capital acquisition over ethnic specific human capital, and is beneficial to the market success and assimilation of immigrants. The historical evidence from the United States reveals that second generation immigrants of inter-ethnic marriages have less stable marriage for females but better market prospects for males.
Transducin-like Enhancer of Split-1 (TLE1) Combines with Forkhead Box Protein G1 (FoxG1) to Promote Neuronal Survival*

Background: Although highly expressed in the adult brain, the role of TLE1 in mature neurons is poorly understood. Results: TLE1 promotes the survival of postmitotic neuron in cooperation with FoxG1. Phosphorylation of TLE1 by casein kinase-II and of FoxG1 by Akt plays a key role. Conclusion: TLE1 and FoxG1 cooperate to promote neuronal survival. Significance: Our results provide new information on the molecular mechanisms regulating neuronal survival. Transducin-like enhancer of split-1 (TLE1) plays a critical role in the regulation of neurogenesis by inhibiting the differentiation of neural progenitor cells into neurons. Although TLE1 is also expressed highly in the postnatal brain and through adulthood, its role in postmitotic neurons is not clear. Using cultures of cerebellar granule neurons, we show that expression of TLE1 is reduced in neurons primed to die. Reestablishment of elevated TLE1 levels by ectopic expression protects neurons from death, whereas suppression of TLE1 expression in otherwise healthy neurons induces cell death. These results show that TLE1 is necessary for the maintenance of neuronal survival. Experiments using pharmacological inhibitors as well as expression of point mutants indicate that phosphorylation of TLE1 by casein kinase-2 (CK2) at Ser-239 and Ser-253 is necessary for its survival-promoting activity. TLE1-mediated survival is also inhibited by pharmacological inhibition of PI3K-Akt signaling but not by inhibitors of Raf-MEK-ERK signaling or other molecules, including histone deacetylases, calcium calmodulin kinase, or CK1. The survival-promoting activity of TLE1 depends critically on interaction with FoxG1, another protein involved in the regulation of neurogenesis and shown previously to promote survival of postmitotic neurons. Likewise, the ability of FoxG1 to promote neuronal survival depends on TLE1. Taken together, our study demonstrates that TLE1 cooperates with FoxG1 to promote neuronal survival in a CK2- and PI3K-Akt-dependent manner.
ANALISIS EKONOMI ALIH FUNGSI LAHAN PERTANIAN DI KOTA BEKASI (KASUS KECAMATAN BEKASI UTARA DAN BANTAR GEBANG)

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that affect land use, assessing the economic value of land before and after conversion and analyze the impact of conversion on the income of farmers. The method used in this research is a case study (case study), to answer the research objectives include analysis used multiple regression analysis, land rent, the income of farmers and test T-test. The results showed that there are five factors that significantly affect land use, namely, age of farmers, the land held prior to conversion, net income before the conversion, the productivity of the land and farming experience, whereas no significant effect is the level of education and the number of dependents. Land rent value generated shows that the use of agricultural land has a land rent value is much smaller than the residential and industrial land. There is a significant decline in revenue between before and after conversion to the t value of 3857 and a decrease of 46 percent. Keyword: Transfer of land use, land rent and income of farmers
Subthalamic stimulation evokes complex EPSCs in the rat substantia nigra pars reticulata in vitro

The subthalamic nucleus (STN) plays an important role in movement control by exerting its excitatory influence on the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR), a major output structure of the basal ganglia. Moreover, excessive burst firing of SNR neurons seen in Parkinson's disease has been attributed to excessive transmission in the subthalamonigral pathway. Using the ‘blind’ whole‐cell patch clamp recording technique in rat brain slices, we found that focal electrical stimulation of the STN evoked complex, long‐duration excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in SNR neurons. Complex EPSCs lasted 200–500 ms and consisted of an initial monosynaptic EPSC followed by a series of late EPSCs superimposed on a slow inward shift in holding current. Focal stimulation of regions outside the STN failed to evoke complex EPSCs. The late component of complex EPSCs was markedly reduced by ionotropic glutamate receptor antagonists (2‐amino‐5‐phosphonopentanoic acid and 6‐cyano‐7‐nitro‐quinoxalone) and by a GABAA receptor agonist (isoguvacine) when these agents were applied directly to the STN using a fast‐flow microapplicator. Moreover, the complex EPSC was greatly enhanced by bath application of the GABAA receptor antagonists picrotoxin or bicuculline. These data suggest that recurrent glutamate synapses in the STN generate polysynaptic, complex EPSCs that are under tonic inhibition by GABA. Because complex EPSCs are expected to generate bursts of action potentials in SNR neurons, we suggest that complex EPSCs may contribute to the pathological burst firing that is associated with the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
[Screws versus screw-plate fixation of type 2 Schatzker fractures of the lateral tibial plateau. Cadaver biomechanical study. Arthroscopy French Society].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY We compared in vitro the efficacy of screw-plate fixation versus double screw fixation on a model of type 2 Schatzker fracture of the lateral tibial plateau. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ten screw-plate fixations using a lateral prebent plate and 10 double-screw fixations (6.5 mm screws) were made on 10 pairs of non-embalmed cadaver knees after simulation of type 2 Schatzker fractures. The strength of each fixation was tested with a compression device. Criteria indicating failure were displacements greater than 2 mm of one or more fracture lines. The force applied at rupture and the stiffness of each type of fixation were compared. Wilcoxon's test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Force at rupture and stiffness of the fixation were similar for the two types of fixation. There was no statistical difference (p > 0.05) between the screw-plate and the double-screw fixations. DISCUSSION Our findings on a model of type 2 Schatzker fractures are in agreement with previous data obtained by other authors working on models of type 1 Schatsker fractures. The biomechanical stability of the double-screw fixation is as good as that obtained with screw-plate fixation for the treatment of fractures of the lateral tibial plateau.
Methoxyflurane is a better painkiller than placebo: but do we want to know more?

Recently the journal published a multicentre, randomised, controlled trial on the use of methoxyflurane for acute pain.1 Methoxyflurane is a volatile anaesthetic agent which, at low doses, has analgesic properties. It has been in widespread use as an analgesic in Australasia since as early as 1968 and there have been trials of its use in a variety of settings.2 In the UK and USA it does not currently have a license following safety concerns that it might precipitate renal failure.3 The trial concludes that methoxyflurane is an efficacious, safe and rapidly acting analgesic. The data presented do seem to support those assertions, although a trial of this size will not reliably detect rare events related to safety. Readers must now ask some interesting and important questions about …
Entrepreneurial orientation, market orientation and performance of SMEs in the manufacturing industry: Evidence from Ethiopian enterprises

Purpose The Purpose of this paper is to examine the difference in the performance of Small Business using Entrepreneurial and market orientation. There is solid empirical evidence confirming the importance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in economic development. Using entrepreneurial and market orientations, this paper investigates the extent to which this strategic orientation contributes to the superior performance of manufacturing SMEs. Design/methodology/approach A total of 171 SME managers participated in the survey research. Multiple and linear multiple regression were applied to test the hypotheses. Findings The empirical result reveals that integrating entrepreneurial and market orientations into the operation of SMEs contributes to superior performance, which in turn enables them to thrive in institutionally complex and economically turbulent environments. Except for innovativeness, each dimension of entrepreneurial orientation along with market orientation has a positive influence on business performance of small businesses. Practical implications Developing economies see SMEs as a path out of poverty, thereby realizing industrialization and sustainable growth. There is a keen interest to adopt proactive policies so as to create competitive domestic industries. Conversely, this can only be realized if states develop policy measures that prioritize or at least emphasize on highly growing SMEs rather than creating jobs that are neither productive nor decent. Originality/value The present paper confirms previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests working on entrepreneurial and market orientations of SMEs will improve performance and compensate the multi-dimensional constraints imposed by the existing market in developing economies. The finding of this study offers important insights for managers and policymakers.
Countering conventional wisdom: New evidence on religion and contraceptive use.

There are approximately 62 million women of reproductive age in the United States and virtually all of them will use a contraceptive method other than natural family planning at some point in their lives. Even among married Catholic women only 3% practice natural family planning while a majority uses contraceptives that the Church hierarchy routinely denounces. This research suggests that the perception that strongly held religious beliefs and contraceptive use are antithetical is wrong -- in fact the two may be highly compatible. Contraceptive use by Catholics and Evangelicals including those who frequently attend religious services is the widespread norm not the exception. Add to this Mainline Protestant denominations’ historic support for contraception and the implications for policymakers are clear: Policies that make contraceptives more affordable and easier to use are not just sound public health policy -- they also reflect the needs and desires of the vast majority of American women and their partners regardless of their religious affiliation. (Excerpt)
Giardiasis in Colorado: an epidemiologic study.

A one-year retrospective laboratory survey in Colorado revealed that 691 (3%) of 22,743 stool examinations for ova and parasites were positive for Giardia lamblia, a higher percentage than that reported from surveys outside of Colorado. The majority of infected residents who were surveyed had experienced an episode of chronic watery diarrhea (median duration 3.8 weeks) with bloating, flatulence, and weight loss (averaging 5.1 kg), and had responded to a course of metronidazole or quinacrine. A statewide telephone survey of 256 cases and matched controls identified: 1) and increased incidence of giardiasis in persons between the ages of 16 and 45, p less than . 001, with males and females equally affected; and 2) a higher proportion of cases than controls who visited Colorado mountains (69% vs. 47%), camped out overnight (38% vs. 18%), and drank untreated mountain water (50% vs. 17%), p less than . 001. Also identified was a correlation between the seasonal distribution of cases and degree of fecal contamination of mountain streams. These results indicated that G. lamblia is endemic in Colorado and that drinking untreated mountain water is an important cause of endemic ifection.