Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of softperm lens wear on corneal thickness and topography: a comparison between keratoconic and normal corneae.

PURPOSE Complications related to contact lens-induced anoxia in the keratoconic eye are well documented, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. This study compared topographical changes in corneal thickness and anterior corneal radius following SoftPerm (Ciba Vision, Atlanta, GA) (rigid-and-soft combination) lens wear in a group of keratoconic and normal individuals. METHODS Video keratoscopic (VKS) (EyeSys, Houston, TX) and ultrasonographic pachometry measurements were taken at nine ocular locations, at central, mid-peripheral, and peripheral corneal areas of keratoconic and normal subjects. Subjects were subsequently fitted with SoftPerm lenses and further measurements of corneal topography and thickness were noted after 1 day, 2 weeks, and 1 month of daily wear. RESULTS Corneal thickness increased significantly in normal and keratoconic eyes following SoftPerm lens wear. Radius values obtained from the VKS measurements indicated that a significant and progressive degree of corneal flattening occurred for the keratoconic subjects at the 1-day, 2-week, and 1-month intervals, in contrast to the normal group, whose corneal radii remained unchanged. CONCLUSIONS Corneal swelling occurs in both normal and keratoconic corneas following SoftPerm lens wear. Differences in the apparent central edema response within the keratoconic group may relate to the ease with which these corneas may be molded by a rigid contact lens.
Long‐term changes in the molecular composition of the glial scar and progressive increase of serotoninergic fibre sprouting after hemisection of the mouse spinal cord

The scarring process occurring after adult central nervous system injury and the subsequent increase in the expression of certain extracellular matrix molecules are known to contribute to the failure of axon regeneration. This study provides an immunohistochemical analysis of temporal changes (8 days to 1 year) in the cellular and molecular response of the Swiss mouse spinal cord to a dorsal hemisection and its correlation with the axonal growth properties of a descending pathway, the serotoninergic axons. In this lesion model, no cavity forms at the centre of the lesion. Instead, a dense fibronectin‐positive tissue matrix occupies the centre of the lesion, surrounded by a glial scar mainly constituted by reactive astrocytes. NG2 proteoglycan and tenascin‐C, potential axon growth inhibitors, are constantly associated with the central region. In the glial scar, tenascin‐C is never observed and the expression of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycans (revealed with CS‐56 and anti‐NG2 antibodies) highly increases in the week following injury to progressively return to their control level. In parallel, there is an increasing expression of the polysialilated neural cell adhesion molecule by reactive astrocytes. These molecular changes are correlated with a sprouting process of serotoninergic axons in the glial scar, except in a small area in contact with the central region. All these observations suggest that while a part of the glial scar progressively becomes permissive to axon regeneration after mouse spinal cord injury, the border of the glial scar, in contact with the fibronectin‐positive tissue matrix, is the real barrier to prevent axon regeneration.
Sickle cell patient with an acute chest syndrome and a negative chest X‐ray: Potential role of the ventilation and perfusion (V/Q) lung scan

Acute chest syndrome (ACS) in sickle cell disease is caused by thromboemboli in the pulmonary vasculature. The diagnostic criteria include the presence of pulmonary infiltrate(s) on chest x‐ray. This case report suggests that a V/Q scan may play a diagnostic role in sickle cell patients with symptoms of ACS and a negative chest x‐ray. Am. J. Hematol. 74:214–215, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Hook-associated proteins essential for flagellar filament formation in Salmonella typhimurium

The hooks of the flagella of Salmonella typhimurium were purified by a newly developed method, using a flaL mutant without a filament, and the hook components were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. As a result, we detected three protein species in addition to hook protein. We call these three proteins hook-associated proteins (HAPs). Their molecular weights were 59,000 for HAP1, 53,000 for HAP2, and 31,000 for HAP3. The HAP1/hook protein/HAP3/HAP2 molar ratio, calculated from their relative amounts and their molecular weights, was 1:10:1.1:0.53. The compositions of HAPs were analyzed in the hooks from the other filamentless mutants which were defective in H1 H2, flaV, flaU, or flaW. Hooks from the H1 H2 mutant had the same HAP composition as hooks from the flaL mutant. Hooks from the flaV mutants contained HAP1 and HAP3. Hooks from the flaU mutants contained HAP1. Hooks from the flaW mutants contained a very small amount of HAP3. From these results, the process of hook morphogenesis and the genes responsible for each step were postulated. Electron micrographs of hooks from the filamentless mutants showed that hooks which contained all three HAPs had a sharp clawlike tip, whereas hooks lacking any HAP had a flat tip. Electron micrographs of hooks treated with antibody against the hook protein showed that each claw-shaped end was not covered with antibody. These results strongly suggest that all three HAPs or at least some of them are located at the claw-shaped end and play an essential role in filament formation.
Seeking competitive advantage with service infusion: a systematic literature review

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze how the service infusion literature explains competitive advantage through services. The four strategic management theories – competitive forces, the resource-based view, dynamic capabilities, and relational view – are applied in the analysis. Design/methodology/approach – A systematic literature review analyzes the links between the service infusion and strategy literature. Findings – The review reveals that although discussion of service infusion applies strategic management concepts, the stream lacks rigor with respect to construct definition and justification. Additionally, contextual variables are often missing. The result is an over-emphasis of contextually bound measures, such as technology, and focal actors. Research limitations/implications – The growing trends toward social networks, co-specialization, actor dependency and shared resources encourage service infusion scholars to focus on network-related and relational capabilities, co-opetition, o.
Offshore Jurisdictions (Including Cyprus), Corruption Money Laundering and Russian Round-Trip Investment

In this paper we analyze the link between corruption money laundering and round-trip investment via offshore jurisdictions utilizing Russian firm-level data. In particular we empirically explore location strategies of round-trip investors (namely, from Cyprus and British Virgin Islands) across Russia and compare them with the benchmark group of genuine foreign investors in Russia. We further study the determinants of the fraction of round-trip investment in total foreign investment in Russian regions. We find that round-trip investors tend to locate in more corrupt Russian regions than their genuine foreign counterparts and the fraction of round-trip investment is also significantly higher in corrupt regions. Taking into account that a large fraction of round-trip investment in Russia is concentrated in real estate and financial sectors, our results point to the conclusion that there is a strong link between round-trip investment and corruption money laundering.Institutional subscribers to the NBER working paper series, and residents of developing countries may download this paper without additional charge at www.nber. org.
Suberin lamellae in the hypodermis of maize (Zea mays) roots; development and factors affecting the permeability of hypodermal layers.

The development of suberin lamellae in the hypodermis of Zea mays cv. LG 11 was observed by electron microscopy and the presence of suberin inferred from autoliuorescence and by Sudan black B staining in nodal (adventitious) and primary (seminal) root axes. Suberin lamellae were evident at a distance of 30-50 mm from the tip of roots growing at 20°C and became more prominent with distance from the tip. Both oxygen deficiency and growth at 13°C produced shorter roots in which the hypodermis was suberized closer to the root tip. There were no suberin lamellae in epidermal cells or cortical collenchyma adjacent to the hypodermis. Plasmodesmata were not occluded by the suberin lamellae: there were twice as many of them in the inner tangential hypodermal wall (1,14 μn-2 ) as in the junction between the epidermis and hypodermis (0.54 μm-2 ). Water uptake by seminal axes (measured by micropotometry) was greater at distances more than 100 mm from the root lip than in the apical zone where the hypodermis was unsuberized. In the more mature zones of roots grown at 13°C rates of water uptake were greater than in roots grown at 20°C even though hypodermal suberization was more marked. Sleeves of epidermal/hypodermal cells (plus some accessory collenchyma) were isolated from the basal 60 mm of nodal axes by enzymatic digestion (drisclase). The roots were either kept totally immersed in culture solution or had the basal 50 mm exposed to moist air above the solution surface. In both treatments the permeabilities to tritiated water and 86 Rb were low (circa 10-5 mms-1 ) in sleeves isolated from the extreme base. In roots grown totally immersed, however, the permeability of sleeves increased 10 to 50-fold over a distance of 40 mm. In roots exposed to moist air the permeability remained at a low level until the point where the root entered the culture solution and then increased rapidly (> 50-fold in a distance of 8 mm). Growth of roots in oxygen depleted (5% O2 ) solutions promoted the development of extensive cortical aerenchymas. These developments were not associated with any reduction in permeability of sleeves isolated from the basal 40 mm of the axis. It was concluded that the presence of suberin lamellae in hypodermal walls does not necessarily indicate low permeability of cells or tissues to water or solutes. The properties of the walls (lamellae? ) can be greatly changed by exposure to moist air, perhaps due to increased oxygen availability.
Application of DNA barcoding to the identification of Hymenoptera parasitoids from the soybean aphid (Aphis glycines) in China

Aphis glycines Matsumura is an important pest of soybean in Asia and North America. Hymenoptera parasitoids play a key role in the control of the soybean aphid. The correct identification of parasitoids is a critical step that precedes the assessment of their potential biological control agents. Accurate identification of the majority of the species attacking the soybean aphid often requires elaborate specimen preparation and expert taxonomic knowledge. In this study, we facilitated the identification of soybean aphid parasitoids by applying a DNA barcoding approach following a preliminary morphological identification. We generated DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial COI gene and the D2 region of 28S rDNA to assess the genetic variation within and between parasitoid species emerging from the soybean aphid in China. Fifteen Hymenoptera parasitoid species belonging to 10 genera of five families were identified with little intra‐specific variation (0.09% ± 0.06% for 28S and 0.36% ± 0.18% for COI) and large inter‐specific divergence (30.46% ± 3.42% for 28S and 20.4% ± 1.20% for COI).
Inferring responses to climate dynamics from historical demography in neotropical forest lizards

We apply a comparative framework to test for concerted demographic changes in response to climate shifts in the neotropical lowland forests, learning from the past to inform projections of the future. Using reduced genomic (SNP) data from three lizard species codistributed in Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest (Anolis punctatus, Anolis ortonii, and Polychrus marmoratus), we first reconstruct former population history and test for assemblage-level responses to cycles of moisture transport recently implicated in changes of forest distribution during the Late Quaternary. We find support for population shifts within the time frame of inferred precipitation fluctuations (the last 250,000 y) but detect idiosyncratic responses across species and uniformity of within-species responses across forest regions. These results are incongruent with expectations of concerted population expansion in response to increased rainfall and fail to detect out-of-phase demographic syndromes (expansions vs. contractions) across forest regions. Using reduced genomic data to infer species-specific demographical parameters, we then model the plausible spatial distribution of genetic diversity in the Atlantic Forest into future climates (2080) under a medium carbon emission trajectory. The models forecast very distinct trajectories for the lizard species, reflecting unique estimated population densities and dispersal abilities. Ecological and demographic constraints seemingly lead to distinct and asynchronous responses to climatic regimes in the tropics, even among similarly distributed taxa. Incorporating such constraints is key to improve modeling of the distribution of biodiversity in the past and future.
Efficient catheter-mediated gene transfer into the heart using replication-defective adenovirus.

The ability to express recombinant genes in the coronary vasculature and the myocardium holds promise for the treatment of a number of acquired and inherited cardiovascular diseases. Previous in vivo gene transfer approaches in the heart have been limited by relatively low efficiencies of gene transduction. In this report, we demonstrate that catheter-mediated infusion of replication-defective adenovirus into the coronary arterial circulation in vivo represents a novel and efficient method for the induction of recombinant gene expression in both the coronary arteries and the myocardium. A single intracoronary infusion of 2 x 10(9) - 1 x 10(10) p.f. u. of adenovirus resulted in high level recombinant gene expression in both the coronary arteries and surrounding myocardium of adult rabbits for at least 2 weeks. No inflammatory response or myocardial necrosis was observed following the adenovirus infusions. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess the tissue distribution of infection following intracoronary infusion of adenovirus. Adenovirus DNA was detected by PCR in the livers, kidneys, lungs, brains and testes of animals 5 days after virus infusion. Percutaneous transluminal gene transfer (PTGT) into the heart by intracoronary infusion of replication-defective adenovirus represents a relatively non-invasive and efficient method of inducing recombinant gene expression both in the coronary arterial wall and in the surrounding myocardium.
Breast Cancer

To identify genes involved in breast cancer, polymerase chain reaction-selected cDNA subtraction was utilized to construct a breast cancer-subtracted library. Differential screening of the library isolated the growth factor-inducible immediate-early geneCyr61, a secreted, cysteine-rich, heparin binding protein that promotes endothelial cell adhesion, migration, and neovascularization. Northern analysis revealed that Cyr61was expressed highly in the invasive breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, T47D, and MDA-MB-157; very low levels were found in the less tumorigenic MCF-7 and BT-20 breast cancer cells and barely detectable amounts were expressed in the normal breast cells, MCF-12A. Univariate analysis showed a significant or borderline significant association between Cyr61 expression and stage, tumor size, lymph node positivity, age, and estrogen receptor levels. Interestingly, expression of Cyr61 mRNA increased 8- to 12-fold in MCF-12A and 3- to 5-fold in MCF-7 cells after 24- and 48-h exposure to estrogen, respectively. Induction of Cyr61mRNA was blocked by tamoxifen and ICI182,780, inhibitors of the estrogen receptor. Stable expression of Cyr61 cDNA under the regulation of a constitutive promoter in MCF-7 cells enhanced anchorage-independent cell growth in soft agar and significantly increased tumorigenicity and vascularization of these tumors in nude mice. Moreover, overexpression of Cyr61 in MCF-12A normal breast cells induced their tumor formation and vascularization in nude mice. In summary, these results suggest that Cyr61 may play a role in the progression of breast cancer and may be involved in estrogen-mediated tumor development.
Managerial Incentives and Firm Valuation - Evidence from Switzerland

This paper presents an integrated analysis of the relationships between managerial share ownership (or alternatively the percentage of equity-based compensation), four additional corporate governance mechanisms, and firm value by explicitly incorporating the simultaneity of the process determining these variables into the empirical investigation. For a sample of 145 Swiss firms, we find a significantly positive valuation effect of managerial shareholdings and the percentage of equity-based compensation including shares and options. We also find significant relationships between various corporate governance proxies indicating that several mechanisms are substituted for each other. This finding clarifies the importance of using a simultaneous equations approach and treating governance mechanisms (and firm value) as endogenous variables.
POSTOPERATIVE NAUSEA AND VOMITING IN KORLE BU TEACH-ING HOSPITAL

* Author for correspondence SUMMARY Objective: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is one of the most distressing morbidities associated with surgery. Even though the incidence can be as high as 30% elsewhere no work has been done to assess the incidence in any health facility in Ghana. This study was carried out to find out the incidence, risk factors and the management of PONV in a tertiary healthcare facility. Design: This was a prospective study. Setting: The study was carried out in Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH). Subjects and Methods: All patients above the age of 18 years who had surgery including general surgery were included in the study. Information obtained using a questionnaire included demographic data, the type of anaesthesia, the incidence of PONV and its management. Results: Three hundred and six (306) completed forms out of 322 questionnaires were analyzed. One hundred and six patients (34%) had episodes of PONV of whom 82 (77.4%) had intra-operative opioids. Of the other factors only age was found to be a risk factor with patients in the 20-49 age group constituting 71.8% (p= 0.007). Eleven out of 93 patients who reported the episode to a health worker received medication for their PONV. Drugs used included promethazine and antimalaria. Conclusions: Thirty-four percent of patients in the study had PONV indicating that the problem is not uncommon among post-surgical patients in KBTH. Awareness of the problem should be highlighted and adequate management should be given to all patients. Patients at risk should be identified and appropriate management instituted.
Benign vs. Malignant Skin Adnexal Neoplasms: How Useful are Silhouettes?

Background: Skin adnexal tumors are daunting diagnostic problems. Cytologic atypia does not always imply malignancy and “typia” does not underscore a benign course. Bernard Ackerman first described criteria on silhouettes that enable distinction between the two. Aims: To evaluate the histologic features on silhouettes of benign and malignant skin adnexal tumors. To identify overlaps and confounding features. Materials and Methods: A blinded retrospective review of all skin adnexal neoplasms between 1995 and 2007 was done, with a total of 68 cases. We studied 16 histologic parameters on scanner view and categorized them as benign or malignant. They were compared with the final histologic diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed using chi-square test. Results: 15 criteria attained statistical significance. Features that proved highly sensitive and specific were: Circumscription, ulceration, uniform size of cell aggregates, discrete arrangement, preserved adnexae and necrosis. Criteria that were sensitive but not very specific include: Symmetry, V-shape, vertical orientation, smooth margins, compressed fibrous tissue, type of clefting, shelling out and geometric shapes. Presence of epithelial cells in singles was not helpful. Conclusion: Malignant skin adnexal tumors are differentiated accurately from benign ones by their contrasting silhouettes. Pathologists should heed the impression formed on scanner view, before evaluating cytologic features.
Lockup Expirations in Brazilian IPOs

In this study, we conducted an event study of 100 Brazilian IPO’s from 2004 to 2010 to detect if there was any significant abnormal returns after the expiration of the IPO lockup period, during which pre-IPO shareholders are prevented from selling their shares. We found no significant abnormal returns for all companies during all event dates examined, though we did detect significant negative abnormal returns around lockup for high- volatility firms. We also find that after the lockup expiration, there is a higher frequency of days with a higher-than-average trading volume.
The impact of performance-based reward system (PBRS) on customers' perceived service outcomes

This research examined the impact of PBRS on public sector service quality in Botswana by exploring whether different levels of customer oriented PBRS schemes impact customers’ perceptions of service quality. Six government departments were examined, three categorised as having high levels of customer focus in their PBRS plans and three as having low levels of customer focus in their PBRS plans. Marketing research generally suggests that customer orientation should improve organisational performance and bring about high levels of customer satisfaction in both private (Narver & Slater, 1990) and public sector organisations (Cheng et al., 2004). Thus, it would be anticipated that customers should potentially be more satisfied if departments’ reward schemes were more customer focused. In that regard, it was expected that government departments having high customer oriented PBRS would perform better (i.e. have more satisfied consumers) than departments with low levels of customer focused PBRS programs.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: Symptom Subtypes in a Community Based Sample

ABSTRACT Most studies of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) have been based on patients recruited from primary or tertiary care settings. Patients from such settings might not be typical of patients in the general population. The present investigation involved examining individuals with CFS from a community-based study. A random sample of 18,675 respondents in Chicago were first interviewed by telephone. A group of individuals with chronic fatigue accompanied by at least four Fukuda et al. (1994) symptoms associated with CFS were given medical and psychiatric examinations. From this sample, a physician review group diagnosed individuals with CFS. Those diagnosed with CFS were subclassified based on frequency of symptoms. Important differences emerged on measures of sociodemographics and disability. The implications of these findings and others are discussed.