Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Trauma whole-body MDCT: an assessment of image quality in conventional dual-phase and modified biphasic injection.

OBJECTIVE To compare the image quality of conventional arterial and portal venous (PV) phase multidetector CT (MDCT) with two biphasic injection protocols in polytrauma patients. METHODS 60 consecutive patients with polytrauma underwent body 256-slice MDCT with a conventional protocol or 1 of 2 single-pass biphasic protocols: Group A, arterial (30 s) and PV (60 s) phase acquisitions; Group B, "biphasic" contrast injection with a single acquisition at 60 s; and Group C, "modified biphasic" injection with a single acquisition at a 70-s delay. Images were analyzed for arterial, venous and parenchymal attenuation profiles with regions of interest in the major arteries, veins and solid abdominal organs. A 5-point scoring system was used to assess the image quality, with 5 representing excellent arterial, venous and parenchymal opacification and <3 representing non-diagnostic opacification. In addition, the effective dose (millisieverts) was compared between the groups. RESULTS In 93% of patients, image quality was scored as good or excellent (≥4). All studies were of satisfactory diagnostic quality. Overall, venous and arterial attenuation profiles were comparable. Attenuation profiles in the solid abdominal viscera were significantly higher (p < 0.01) using both biphasic protocols than with arterial or PV phase of conventional protocols. Effective doses were higher in Group A. CONCLUSION Comparable image quality can be achieved using a biphasic i.v. contrast injection protocol with single MDCT acquisition with less radiation and reduction in acquisition time. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE For these particular biphasic injection protocols, we have shown that image quality is comparable with a conventional protocol. This has been achieved by comparing enhanced densities of specific structures, as well as gestalt scoring by assessors, on a 256-slice MDCT.
Factors affecting the quality of transnational higher education in China: a qualitative content analysis on Chinese host universities’ self-appraisal reports

ABSTRACT In response to the increasing literature on transnational higher education in host countries, this paper aims to identify prominent factors affecting the quality of transnational higher education in China, as perceived and reported by Chinese host universities. A qualitative data analysis was conducted on 122 self-appraisal reports on transnational higher education programmes submitted to China’s Ministry of Education in 2017 by 112 Chinese host universities. The analysis identified and examined relationships between four interrelated factors: low foreign language proficiency among students, shortage of a sustainable supply of highly qualified teachers, low quality of curriculum design and implementation and deficiencies in institutional regulations. The findings are discussed in the context of the literature, revealing two issues in transnational higher education in China: using local Chinese teachers to teach the imported foreign courses and outsourcing foreign language teaching. The paper concludes with some limitations of the study and implications for future research.
A Collaborative Study to Establish the 5th International Standard for Unfractionated Heparin

Summary Twenty-four laboratories participated in a collaborative study to calibrate a replacement for the 4th International Standard for Unfractionated Heparin (82/502). Both candidate materials A and B, gave excellent intra- and inter-laboratory variations (majority of mean %gcv <10%) when assayed against the 4th International Standard. No major differences of potency estimates were found between methods, although the USP method generally gave lower potencies than the other methods and candidate B gave a greater variation between methods than A. Overall, this study showed that the differences between the candidates are marginal. Based on its narrower molecular weight profile, higher specific activity and slightly lower inter-method variation, candidate A, 97/578, was proposed and accepted in October, 1998, by the Expert Committee on Biological Standardisation of the World Health Organisation to be the 5th International Standard for Unfractionated Heparin with an assigned potency of 2031 IU/ampoule.
The Electrophysiological Effects of Cardiac Glycosides in Human iPSC-derived Cardiomyocytes and in Guinea Pig Isolated Hearts

Background/aims: Monitoring changes in the field potential (FP) of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) following compound administration has been proposed as a novel screening tool to evaluate cardiac ion channel interactions and QT liability. Here we extended the use of FP to evaluate the pharmacological and toxicological properties of cardiac glycosides. Methods: FPs were recorded using microelectrode arrays (MEAs) in spontaneously beating hiPSC-CMs. The in vitro effects of ouabain and digoxin on FPs were compared with data generated on hemodynamic and ECG parameters in guinea pig Langendorff hearts. Results: In hiPSC-CMs, ouabain and digoxin reduced Na+-spike amplitude, shortened FP duration (FPD), increased Ca2+-wave amplitude, and dose-dependently induced arrhythmic beats. The ouabain-induced changes observed in hiPSC-CMs correlated well with the effects seen in isolated hearts which revealed QT shortening, enhancement of contractility, and arrhythmogenesis. Nifedipine, an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, reduced Ca2+-wave amplitude and FPD in hiPSC-CMs, and led to parallel effects of decreased ventricular contractility and shortened QT interval in isolated hearts. Further, nifedipine attenuated the Ca2+-peak amplitude and proarrhythmic effect of both glycosides. These results suggested that FPD and Ca2+-wave amplitude are comparable surrogates of QT interval and contractility of intact hearts, respectively. Conclusion: hiPSC-CMs reflect similar cardiac pharmacology as seen in isolated cardiac preparations and thus are a suitable model in study of the pharmacology and toxicology of cardioactive ion channel and transporter modulators.
Correlated variation in microtubule distribution, callose deposition during male post-meiotic cytokinesis, and pollen aperture number across Nicotiana species (Solanaceae).

In most flowering plants, a single cytokinesis follows the two meiotic divisions during pollen-grain ontogeny. Aperture pattern (i.e., aperture number and distribution on pollen surface) ontogeny could be linked to the processes ensuring the apportionment of the cytoplasm to the four microspores.This apportionment is achieved by radial arrays of microtubules organized around the nuclei. The cleavage planes are defined in the overlapping regions of opposing arrays extending from different nuclei. We followed the establishment of these arrays in two different lines of plants belonging to the genus Nicotiana that produce pollen grains with different aperture numbers. Different distributions of the microtubules have been observed, which can be interpreted as resulting from variation in the interactions between nuclei; these distributions appear to be correlated with aperture number.As a consequence, we propose that simultaneous cytokinesis allows the formation of multiple pollen morphologies. This mechanism is consistent with aperture number distribution within angiosperms and provides clues to help our understanding of the evolution of aperture number.
Adrenal Gland: Structure, Function, and Mechanisms of Toxicity

The adrenal gland is one of the most common endocrine organs affected by chemically induced lesions. In the adrenal cortex, lesions are more frequent in the zona fasciculata and reticularis than in the zona glomerulosa. The adrenal cortex produces steroid hormones with a 17-carbon nucleus following a series of hydroxylation reactions that occur in the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. Toxic agents for the adrenal cortex include short-chain aliphatic compounds, lipidosis inducers, amphiphilic compounds, natural and synthetic steroids, and chemicals that affect hydroxylation. Morphologic evaluation of cortical lesions provides insight into the sites of inhibition of steroidogenesis. The adrenal cortex response to injury is varied. Degeneration (vacuolar and granular), necrosis, and hemorrhage are common findings of acute injury. In contrast, chronic reparative processes are typically atrophy, fibrosis, and nodular hyperplasia. Chemically induced proliferative lesions are uncommon in the adrenal cortex. The adrenal medulla contains chromaffin cells (that produce epinephrine, norepinephrine, chromogranin, and neuropeptides) and ganglion cells. Proliferative lesions of the medulla are common in the rat and include diffuse or nodular hyperplasia and benign and malignant pheochromocytoma. Mechanisms of chromaffin cell proliferation in rats include excess growth hormone or prolactin, stimulation of cholinergic nerves, and diet-induced hypercalcemia. There often are species specifi city and age dependence in the development of chemically induced adrenal lesions that should be considered when interpreting toxicity data.
Interpreters: Telephonic, In-Person Interpretation and Bilingual Providers

CONTEXT: Language barriers affect health care interactions. Large, randomized studies of the relative efficacy of interpreter modalities have not been conducted. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of telephonic and in-person medical interpretation to visits with verified bilingual physicians. METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized trial. The setting was an urban pediatric emergency department at which ∼20% of visits are by families with limited English proficiency. The participants were families who responded affirmatively when asked at triage if they would prefer to communicate in Spanish. Randomization of each visit was to (1) remote telephonic interpretation via a double handset in the examination room, (2) an in-person emergency department–dedicated medical interpreter, or (3) a verified bilingual physician. Interviews were conducted after each visit. The primary outcome was a blinded determination of concordance between the caregivers' description of their child's diagnosis with the physician's stated discharge diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were qualitative measures of effectiveness of communication and satisfaction. Verified bilingual providers were the gold standard for noninferiority comparisons. RESULTS: A total of 1201 families were enrolled: 407 were randomly assigned to telephonic interpretation and 377 to in-person interpretation, and 417 were interviewed by a bilingual physician. Concordance between the diagnosis in the medical record and diagnosis reported by the family was not different between the 3 groups (telephonic: 95.1%; in-person: 95.5%; bilingual: 95.4%). The in-person–interpreter cohort scored the quality and satisfaction with their visit worse than both the bilingual and telephonic cohorts (P < .001). Those in the bilingual-provider cohort were less satisfied with their language service than those in the in-person and telephonic cohorts (P < .001). Using the bilingual provider as a gold standard, noninferiority was demonstrated for both interpreter modalities (telephonic and in-person) for quality and satisfaction of the visit. CONCLUSIONS: Both telephonic and in-person interpretation resulted in similar concordance in understanding of discharge diagnosis compared with bilingual providers. In general, noninferiority was also seen on qualitative measures, although there was a trend favoring telephonic over in-person interpretation.
Do Investors Pay Sufficient Attention to Banks’ Unrealized Gains and Losses on Available-for-sale Securities?

Abstract Unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities (AFSGL) are included in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) and directly affect shareholders’ equity but are not included in earnings. We investigate whether unrealized AFSGL help predict future earnings and whether analysts and investors incorporate the information conveyed by unrealized AFSGL in a timely manner. We conduct our investigation on a sample of banks because unrealized AFSGL are material in the banking industry. First, we show that unrealized AFSGL are material and help in predicting next period realized AFSGL and future earnings change. Second, we document that financial analysts are slow to react to unrealized AFSGL and update their forecasts after AFSGL are realized in earnings. Third, we find that investors are also slow to react to unrealized AFSGL and do so only after AFSGL are included (realized) in earnings and after financial analysts update their forecasts. We document an annual difference of 5% in future abnormal returns between banks in the top and bottom quintiles of past unrealized AFSGL. A zero-cost trading strategy that relies on public information about unrealized AFSGL generates a sizeable monthly alpha that ranges between 1.8% and 1.9%.
The Consumer Acceptance of Smart Product-Service Systems in Sharing Economy: The Effects of Perceived Interactivity and Particularity

With the rapid growth of the sharing economy, access-based services have emerged as an alternative and/or complementary to traditional ownership-based services. The access-based services are enabled by means of Smart Product-Service Systems (SPSSs) that integrate smart products and e-services into a single solution. However, there is a lack of studies that cover the acceptance factors for both smart products and e-services of SPSSs. Therefore, it is important to have a study to explore the factors that influence the acceptance of SPSSs. This study develops a conceptual framework which consists of the perceived interactivity of mobile apps and the particularity of the smart shared products as antecedents apart from perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, as suggested by the Technology Acceptance Model. To test the research framework empirically, a self-reported online survey was conducted among bike sharing program users in China. A total of 520 valid responses were collected, and the partial least-square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) technique was used to examine the research model. The empirical results suggest that the perceived interactivity of mobile apps and the particularity of smart shared products are two significant sets of antecedents that influence consumers’ perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness, and the perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness are preconditions for the acceptance of SPSSs. The findings generate practical suggestions for SPSSs providers to increase the network size of users, improve the interactivity of mobile apps, and manage the distributions of service points.
PATERNAL INVESTMENT AND STATUS-RELATED CHILD OUTCOMES: TIMING OF FATHER'S DEATH AFFECTS OFFSPRING SUCCESS

Summary Recent work in human behavioural ecology has suggested that analyses focusing on early childhood may underestimate the importance of paternal investment to child outcomes since such investment may not become crucial until adolescence or beyond. This may be especially important in societies with a heritable component to status, as later investment by fathers may be more strongly related to a child's adult status than early forms of parental investment that affect child survival and child health. In such circumstances, the death or absence of a father may have profoundly negative effects on the adult outcomes of his children that cannot be easily compensated for by the investment of mothers or other relatives. This proposition is tested using a multigenerational dataset from Bangalore, India, containing information on paternal mortality as well as several child outcomes dependent on parental investment during adolescence and young adulthood. The paper examines the effects of paternal death, and the timing of paternal death, on a child's education, adult income, age at marriage and the amount spent on his or her marriage, along with similar characteristics of spouses. Results indicate that a father's death has a negative impact on child outcomes, and that, in contrast to some findings in the literature on father absence, the effects of paternal death are strongest for children who lose their father in late childhood or adolescence.
The dental age in the child with coeliac disease.

AIM The coeliac disease deprives affected individual of the main nutritive factors, which are essential to promote body development: coeliac children are often subject to weight loss and have a lower somatic growth rate compared to healthy children. In addition, it is proven that prolonged malnutrition can have irreversible effects on dental eruption: teeth development also suffers a delay or it is slowed down in coeliac children. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and quantify the persistence of a delay in the dental age in children with coeliac disease and the presence of a possible constant relationship between the estimated delay in skeletal development and that referred to the dental age. MATERIALS AND METHODS Seventy children (24 males and 46 females) were selected, all affected by coeliac disease, aged between 5.3 and 13.8 years, with a mean age of 9 years +/- 22 months SD. Through teleradiography of the skull in latero-lateral projection and orthopantomography of the dental arches, the estimate of the skeletal development and dental age was carried out for each patient, applying two specific methods extensively described in the literature. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION The results obtained, in agreement with the literature, show how the dental age, which is delayed in children affected by coeliac disease, may be considered as a reliable indicator of somatic growth and also of biological age. Furthermore, a gluten-free diet has considerable beneficial effects on skeletal development in relation to the dental age, in agreement with the hypothesis that dental development is controlled by different regulatory mechanisms, totally independent from those that influence skeletal development and the somatic and sexual development of the individual, even if the delay of dental development decreases progressively from the time of diagnosis of coeliac disease to introduction of a gluten-free diet.
[Characterization of metabolic resting rate and proposal of a new equation for a female Brazilian population].

OBJECTIVES The goals of this study were to standardize resting metabolic rate (RMR) in the Brazilian female population and evaluate the suitability of the HB equation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS In order to do so, 760 indirect calorimetry (CI) measurements performed in Brazilian female patients between 18 and 65 years old, were used. The results were tabulated, the population distributed according to the quintiles of weight, and the statistical analyses applied. RESULTS The average RMR varied from 1,226 to 1,775 calories/day. The HB equation overestimated the RMR by about 7%. From the correlation between the variables, we conclude that weight has a positive correlation with RMR and age a negative correlation. CONCLUSION The RMR and respiratory quotient (QR) can be used as obesity predictors. Two new equations were proposed in our study, one for the population with body mass index (BMI) > 35 kg/m(2) and another for the population with BMI < 35 kg/m(2).
Identification of the urease operon in Helicobacter pylori and its control by mRNA decay in response to pH

We investigated the transcription of the urease gene cluster ureABIEFGH in Helicobacter pylori to determine the regulation of gene expression of the highly produced enzyme urease. Northern blot hybridization analysis demonstrated that cells of the wild‐type strain grown in an ordinary broth had transcripts of ureAB, ureABI, ureI, ureIE′ and ure′FGH, but cells of a ureI‐disrupted mutant had only the ureAB transcript. When the wild‐type cells were exposed to pH 8 for 30 min, very little mRNA was detected. However, when exposed to pH 6, a large amount of the ureIE′′ transcript, which was longer than the ureIE′ transcript, together with the additional transcripts ureABIEFGH and ure′EFGH were detected. Rifampicin addition experiments demonstrated that urease mRNAs, and the ureIE′ transcripts in particular, are more stable at pH 5.5 than at pH 7. In accord with these results, urease activity in the crude cell extract of the pH 5.5 culture was twice as much as that of the pH 7 culture, although the amounts of UreA and UreB detected by immunoblot analysis were similar. The transcription start point of ureI was identified by primer extension using a ureA promoter‐deleted mutant, and a consensus sequence of RpoD‐RNA polymerase was found in the ureI promoter. The 3′ end of the ureIE′′ mRNA, determined using S1 nuclease mapping, revealed that the transcript is able to cover the majority of the ureE open reading frame (ORF) that might be sufficient for UreE activity. Based on the above results, we conclude that the urease gene cluster of H. pylori consists of two operons, ureAB and ureIEFGH, and that primary transcripts of the latter as well as the read‐through transcript, ureABIEFGH, are cleaved to produce several species of mRNA. It has been suggested that the ureIEFGH operon is regulated post‐transcriptionally by mRNA decay in response to environmental pH. We are tempted to speculate that the ureE′′ transcript present in acidic pH may contribute to produce an active product that can proceed the nickel incorporation to the active centre, the final step of urease biosynthesis.
Gender-related penetrance and de novo GTP-cyclohydrolase I gene mutations in dopa-responsive dystonia

We evaluated the influence of gender on penetrance of GTP-cyclohydrolase I(GCH) gene mutations in hereditary progressive dystonia/dopa-responsive dystonia (HPD/DRD) and determined whether some apparently sporadic HPD/DRD patients owe their disorder to a de novo mutation of the GCH gene. Previous clinical investigations of HPD/DRD have shown a predominance of affected women, with approximately half of HPD/DRD patients being sporadic. We conducted genomic DNA sequencing of the GCH gene in five HPD/DRD families having at least two generations of affected members and in four apparently sporadic cases and all of their parents. In the nine HPD/DRD pedigrees, we found independent mutations of the GCH gene (five deletions, one insertion, one nonsense mutation, and two point mutations at splice acceptor sites). The female-to-male ratio of the HPD/DRD patients was 4.3 with the penetrance of GCH gene mutations in women being 2.3 times higher than that in men (87% versus 38%, p = 0.026). There was no significant difference in the penetrance between maternally and paternally transmitted offspring. All of the four sporadic cases had de novo mutations because none of their parents were carriers. The results demonstrate gender-related incomplete penetrance of GCH gene mutations in HPD/DRD and suggest that this may not be due to genomic imprinting. Our data also suggest a relatively high spontaneous mutation rate of the GCH gene in this autosomal dominant disorder.