Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytological and epidemiological findings in trisomies 13, 18, and 21: England and Wales 2004–2009

This study describes the cytological and epidemiological findings in 985 trisomy 13 and 2512 trisomy 18 compared with 10,255 trisomy 21 diagnoses between 2004 and 2009 included in the National Down Syndrome Cytogenetic Register of England and Wales. The frequency of occurrence, proportions diagnosed prenatally, sex ratios, mean maternal age, and proportions of mothers with recurrences were analyzed. Ninety‐seven, 98%, and 92% were free karyotypes for trisomy 21, 18, and 13, respectively; 3% of 21, 1% of 18, and 8% of trisomy 13 were translocations; and under 1% of trisomies 21 and 18 were double or triple aneuploids. Overall 1% of each trisomy had mosaicism, but 48% of the trisomy 21 double aneuploids, and 10% of trisomy 18 multiple aneuploids had mosaicism. The proportion of livebirths was 40% of trisomy 21, 11% of 18, and 13% of 13, respectively. Free trisomies 21 and 13 had an excess of males, and 18 had an excess of females, as did mosaic free trisomies 21 and 18. Mean maternal ages were 35.9 years in trisomy 21, 36.4 years in 18, and 34.6 years in 13. During the 6 years of data collection 1% of the mothers had recurrences, most recurrent trisomy 21 or 18 were identical translocations, but hetero‐trisomic recurrences included 21 and 18, and 21 and 13. There are significant differences between the trisomic karyotypes and attributes, possibly related to their variable origins. Notable are the relative excess of trisomy 13 translocations, mosaicism in cases with multiple aneuploidy, and the types of homo‐ and hetero‐recurrences. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High power setting argon plasma coagulation for the eradication of Barrett's esophagus

OBJECTIVE:The term Barrett's esophagus refers to a premalignant condition that is characterized by the replacement of the esophageal squamous mucosa by a columnar-lined one. Preliminary studies have demonstrated reversal of Barrett's mucosa after endoscopic coagulation with different techniques associated with acid inhibition. However, most of these studies have shown that residual Barrett's glands are found underneath the new squamous epithelium in up to 40% of patients. The goal of our study is to verify whether complete restoration of Barrett's mucosa can be achieved by the combination of high power setting argon plasma coagulation and omeprazole.METHODS:A total of 33 patients (mean age: 55.2 yr, range: 21–84 yr; 21 men and 12 women) with histologically demonstrated Barrett's esophagus (mean length: 4.05 cm, range: 0.5–7 cm) were treated. Fourteen cases presented with low-grade dysplasia and one with high-grade dysplasia. All of the extent, or until a maximum of 4 cm, of the Barrett's mucosa was cauterized in each session using argon beam coagulation at a power setting of 65–70 W. All patients received 60 mg omeprazole during the treatment period.RESULTS:Complete restoration of squamous mucosa was obtained in all 33 cases after a mean of 1.96 sessions (range, 1–4). Endoscopic results were histologically confirmed. Nineteen (57.5%) patients experienced moderate to severe chest pain and odyno-dysphagia lasting for 3–10 days after the procedure. Five of these cases experienced high fever and a small volume of pleural effusion, and three patients developed esophageal strictures that needed to be dilated. Another patient developed pneumomediastinum and subcutaneous emphysema without evidences of perforation. After a mean follow-up of 10.6 months there was one endoscopic, as well as histological, recurrence of Barrett's mucosa in a patient with an ineffective laparoscopic fundoplication.CONCLUSIONS:High power setting argon plasma coagulation combined with intensive acid suppression is an effective treatment for the total endoscopic ablation of Barrett's esophagus, at least in the short term. Long-term follow-up of treated patients in whom gastroesophageal reflux is surgically or medically alleviated seems mandatory before drawing definitive conclusions about this therapy.
AN ICAM‐1 LIKE CELL ADHESION MOLECULE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CD34 POSITIVE HAEMOPOIETIC STEM CELLS ADHESION TO BONE‐MARROW STROMA

The microenvironment in the haematopoietic organs plays an important role in regulating and sustaining differentiation and self‐renewal of haematopoietic stem cells. Although crucial for stem cell maintenance and homing, the stromal cell—stem cell interactions are poorly understood. Here we show that an ICAM‐like molecule is responsible for stem cell adhesion to stromal cellsin vitro. The molecule was characterized by a monoclonal antibody 3E10. Immunoblotting results indicated that the molecule had an electrophoretic mobility equal to that of intercellular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (ICAM‐1). Binding inhibition assays, however, showed that inhibition of binding of enriched CD34 cells by 3E10was more prominent in comparison with that of ICAM‐1.
The International Evidence on Performance and Equity Ownership by Insiders, Blockholders, and Institutions

This paper examines the effects of equity ownership by insiders and equity ownership by blockholders and institutions on performance using samples of firms from four countries (United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan). While there are no consistent relationships between insider ownership or blockholder/institutional ownership on performance across the four countries, there are nevertheless significant associations between ownership of these groups and performance within the four countries. Our results may indicate that the effects of insider ownership and/or blockholders/institutions depend very much on local laws or the local business environment. In contrast, the effects of the control factors on performance are much more consistent. Leverage, for example, tends to have a negative effect while capital expenditures and sales growth both generally have a positive effect.
Biomechanical Analysis of the Effect of Varying Suture Pitch in Tendon Graft Fixation

The purpose of this study was to biomechanically assess the effect of varying suture pitch on the holding power of the Krackow suture technique for tendon graft fixation. Seven pairs of rabbit Achilles tendons were sutured with single No. 5 Ti-Cron suture using the Krackow technique. One tendon from each pair was sutured using a 0.5-cm suture pitch (half-pitch group) while the contralateral tendon from each pair was sutured with a 1.0-cm suture pitch (one-pitch group). The tendons were loaded to failure using a servohydraulic materials test system at a loading rate of 0.5 mm/sec. There were no statistically significant differences noted in suture slippage at failure (1.58 cm for half pitch versus 1.45 cm for one pitch) or maximal force to failure (158.5 N for half pitch versus 168.2 N one pitch) between the two treatment groups. However, the construct with the 1-cm suture pitch was significantly stiffer than the construct with the 0.5-cm suture pitch, with stiffness values of 106.2 N/cm and 91.4 N/cm, respectively. The most common mechanism of failure was slippage of the suture at the first suture throw and tearing of the first knot through the most distal portion of the tendon. Four constructs failed by suture rupture, two from each experimental group.
Requirements for Traffic Assignment Models for Strategic Transport Planning: A Critical Assessment

Transport planning models are used all over the world to assist in the decision making regarding investments in infrastructure and transport services. Traffic assignment is one of the key components of transport models, which relate travel demand to infrastructure supply, by simulating (future) route choices and network conditions, resulting in traffic flows, congestion, travel times, and emissions. Cost benefit analyses rely on outcomes of such models, and since very large monetary investments are at stake, these outcomes should be as accurate and reliable as possible. However, the vast majority of strategic transport models still use traditional static traffic assignment procedures with travel time functions in which traffic flow can exceed capacity, delays are predicted in the wrong locations, and intersections are not properly handled. On the other hand, microscopic dynamic traffic simulation models can simulate traffic very realistically, but are not able to deal with very large networks and may not have the capability of providing robust results for scenario analysis. In this paper we discuss and identify the important characteristics of traffic assignment models for transport planning. We propose a modelling framework in which the traffic assignment model exhibits a good balance between traffic flow realism, robustness, consistency, accountability, and ease of use. Furthermore, case studies on several large networks of Dutch and Australian cities will be presented.
Effects of dietary iron loading with carbonyl iron and of iron depletion on intestinal growth, morphology, and expression of transferrin receptor in the rat

The intestine has one of the highest cell turnovers of the body, which is characterised by cell proliferation and differentiation occurring at specified locations along the crypt to the villus axis. These processes require iron for the synthesis of iron‐dependent proteins, the supply of which is mediated through the transferrin receptor. In this study, we varied dietary iron intake to determine whether this affected the pattern of transferrin receptor expression and activity on intestinal cell turnover and cell differentiation.
Is Direct Democracy a Kinder and Gentler Democracy

The enduring legacy of Arend Lijphart's research has been to plant the seed of political institutions research that has grown and evolved over the past half century. This model of representative democracy is facing increasing challenges as citizens press for new means of political access and influence. This essay examines a dimension of democracy-direct democracy-that has expanded since Lijphart's initial studies. We use the 2004 International Social Survey Program study to examine the impact of direct democracy on political efficacy, citizen participation in politics, and satisfaction with the workings of democracy, comparing its effects to the kinder and gentler democracy that Lijphart posited for consensual democracy. We find that direct democracy apparently stimulates political interest, but has a negative effect on election turnout. In addition, we find little direct evidence of effects on efficacy, participation beyond elections, or satisfaction with democracy at the aggregate level.
Influence of number of pollinations and pollen load size on maternal fitness costs in Collinsia heterophylla: implications for existence of a sexual conflict over timing of stigma receptivity

Costs related to pollen competition have rarely been considered, but are expected in the case of sexual conflict where male and female sexual functions have opposing evolutionary interests. In Collinsia heterophylla, delayed stigma receptivity is beneficial as it enhances pollen competition. A sexual conflict over timing of stigma receptivity has been proposed in this species as early pollination, following one‐time pollinations, is advantageous to pollen donors at a cost of reduced maternal seed set (measured as seed number). In this study, we explored whether the maternal cost was still present following an additional pollination. We hypothesized that the cost is caused either by harm related to early pollen presence or by factors unrelated to harm. We performed pollinations at different stages of floral development, either one or two pollinations (24‐h time lag), and varied the size of the first pollen load in the latter category. Early pollination reduced seed biomass also after two‐time pollinations, suggesting a persistent maternal cost of early pollen presence. Further, pollen load size modified seed production, possibly indicating that dose‐dependent harm influences the maternal cost of early fertilization. Our results strongly suggest negative effects of pollen competition on maternal fitness following early pollination, which is consistent with the existence of a sexual conflict over timing of stigma receptivity. In conclusion, we propose that much could be gained if more plant studies considered the potential for fitness costs in relation to sexual conflict, particularly those investigating pollen–pistil interactions.
A clinical approach to the assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by Doppler echocardiography: update 2003

Patients with heart disease frequently have abnormalities of systolic function. However, it is now well recognised that abnormalities of diastolic function play a major role in producing the signs and symptoms of heart failure.1,2 Thirty to fifty per cent of patients with heart failure have normal systolic function, implicating diastolic dysfunction as a major pathophysiologic abnormality. It is important to understand and recognise abnormalities of diastolic filling of the heart for proper diagnosis, prognosis, and institution of treatment.3 Doppler echocardiography has become the primary tool for the assessment of diastolic function and left ventricular filling pressures. The purpose of this review is to summarise the physiology of diastole and develop a practical clinical approach for the non-invasive assessment of diastolic filling of the heart. ### Cellular definition At the cellular level diastole can be considered as beginning when ATP hydrolyses and actin–myosin crossbridges become unlinked allowing for sarcomeric relaxation. This is integrally related to decreasing intracellular concentrations of calcium owing to enhanced sarcoplasmic reuptake of calcium. These cellular processes actually occur in some cells while other cells are still demonstrating active contraction. Thus cellular diastole may actually begin while left ventricular pressure is still rising. Dysfunction at the cellular level is mediated principally via decreased ATP hydrolysis and/or impaired uptake of the intracellular calcium. When the actin–myosin interaction is prolonged, there is a delay and prolongation of sarcomeric expansion. Additionally, in the case of regional ischaemia, there may be regional cellular impairment such that the heart ceases to function as a syncytium. ### Mechanical definition Mechanically, diastole is considered to begin when the pressure within the left ventricle begins to fall—that is, during the isovolumic relaxation phase. This would occur after a significant number of myocardial cells had entered cellular diastole and is a metabolically active phase. The left ventricular pressure will continue …
Awareness of deficits in financial abilities in patients with mild cognitive impairment: going beyond self-informant discrepancy.

OBJECTIVE Self and informant reports of functional abilities are weighted heavily in diagnostic decision making regarding mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, it is unclear whether patients with MCI are fully aware and provide reliable estimates of their functional status. In this study, the authors used three different approaches to examine accuracy of self-report of financial abilities among patients with MCI. DESIGN Cross-sectional, case-comparison group study. SETTING University medical center. PARTICIPANTS Seventy-four patients with MCI and their informants, and 73 cognitively healthy older adults and their informants. MEASUREMENTS The authors compared MCI patients' report of their financial abilities with their performance on an objective measure of financial capacity. The authors also compared informant reports of patients' abilities with patients' objective test performance, and informant reports with patients' self-report. RESULTS The authors found that the discrepancy between self-report and objective performance was higher among MCI patients compared with the cognitively healthy older adults on the financial domains of Checkbook Management, Bank Statement Management, and Bill Payment, and on overall financial capacity. The authors also found that MCI patients with poorer global cognition overestimated their financial abilities whereas those with higher depressive symptoms underestimated their financial abilities. Overall, MCI patients were better at estimating their financial abilities than their informants. CONCLUSIONS Patients with MCI are not fully aware of deficits in their financial abilities. Both cognitive impairment and depression impact MCI patients' self-reported functioning. In addition, MCI informants misestimate patients' financial abilities. This raises concerns about the widespread use of informant report as the gold standard against which to evaluate patient self-report of functioning.
Subject characteristics and low back pain in young athletes and nonathletes.

Factors associated with low back pain (LBP) were sought by means of a questionnaire and physical measurements in 138 adolescents. One-hundred athletes and 38 nonathletes, 138 subjects total (58 boys and 80 girls; age range 10.3-13.3 yr), were studied. The questionnaire included questions on physical activity and LBP. Quantitative measurements on anthropometry, flexibility (joint hypermobility and muscular tightness), and strength were performed. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of LBP between athletes and nonathletes. Among the athletes, the duration of training during the past 12 months (min.wk-1) was higher in subjects with the experience of LBP during the past 12 months (N = 23) compared with nonsymptomatic subjects (N = 76) (mean 493 +/- 308 min.wk-1 vs 354 +/- 160 min.wk-1; P less than 0.0001). Similar differences were also seen between subjects with positive lifetime histories of LBP and nonsymptomatic subjects. Various differences were seen in the measurements of anthropometry, flexibility, and strength between boys and girls as well as between athletes and nonathletes. In a multivariate analysis, the cumulative incidence of lifetime history of LBP was associated with tightness of hip flexor muscles only (P = 0.014). LBP during the past 12 months was associated only with the amount of training during the past 12 months (min.wk-1) (P = 0.0066). Our study suggests that high training duration predisposes young athletes to LBP. However, e.g., the flexibility measurements cannot be used to determine athletes at high risk.
Amyloid in dementia associated with familial FTLD: not an innocent bystander

Patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) can show superimposed amyloid pathology, though the impact of amyloid on the clinical presentation of FTLD is not well characterized. This cross-sectional case–control study compared clinical features, fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography metabolism and gray matter volume loss in 30 patients with familial FTLD in whom amyloid status was confirmed with autopsy or Pittsburgh compound B-PET. Compared to the amyloid-negative patients, the amyloid-positive patients performed significantly worse on several cognitive tests and showed hypometabolism and volume loss in more temporoparietal regions. Our results suggest that in FTLD amyloid positivity is associated with a more Alzheimer’s disease-like pattern of neurodegeneration.
Pressures towards and against formalization: Regulation and informal employment in Mozambique

The informal economy accounts for the bulk of employment in many emerging economies. Regulation theory suggests that all economic activity is characterized by a complex combination of formal and informal regulation. Looking at the case of Mozambique, this article explores the pressures towards and against formalization, and the forms regulation can take, drawing on qualitative research based on in-depth elite interviews and observation. The findings highlight how the State's role in promoting formalization of the informal economy is ambivalent; its approach incorporates both “progressive” elements, which focus on the modernization of regulations and institutions, and “conservative” elements, which inhibit this process of change.
Constitutionalism and Credibility in Post-Communist Economies

There has been relatively little investigation of the relationship between constitutional transformations and the economic transition in post-communist countries. We develop a simple signaling model in which constitutionalism - a commitment to limit political power and provide judicial defense of basic rights - reinforces the credibility of pro-market candidates' electoral promises and boosts public support for economic reforms. These findings are tested using opinion poll data on public support for reform in Central and Eastern Europe, and in the former Soviet Union, in the 1990s. In a two stage procedure we show that public support for market reforms are higher in countries where incumbents have taken deliberate steps to increase political accountability and judicial independence. Public support also spurs actual economic reform.
In Vitro Binding Analysis of Hepatitis B Virus preS‐derived Putative Helper T‐cell Epitopes to MHC Class II Molecules Using Stable HLA‐DRB1*0405/‐DRA*0101 Transfected Cells

In designing epitope‐based vaccines, the inclusion of a helper T‐lymphocyte (HTL) epitope is necessary to elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses. Whereas the preS region of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen is well‐known to raise protective immunity, the epitopes for activating HTLs are poorly characterized. In an attempt to identify such epitopes, the HBV‐preS region was screened for peptide sequences with HLA‐DR4 binding motifs, and putative HTL candidate peptides were synthesized in a biotinylated form. Using L929 mouse fibroblasts stably transfected with HLA‐DRB1*0405 and HLA‐DRA*0101 cDNA, specific binding of the peptides was then detected using fluorescence‐conjugated streptavidin. The cell‐surface expression of HLA‐DR molecules on transfectants was confirmed by confocal microscopy, and quantitative analysis of candidate peptide binding was performed by fluorescence activated cell sorting. Among eight preS‐derived peptides, three candidate peptides? namely preS1(23‐33), preS1(62‐72), and preS1(76‐86)? showed good binding characteristics to HLA‐DR4 molecules, among which the preS1(23‐33) epitope was regarded as the most promising HTL epitope. Further studies with these candidate HTL stimulatory peptides will show their ability to activate the human immune system against HBV.
The European Union Ban on Conventional Cages for Laying Hens: History and Prospects

Since the publication of Animal Machines (Harrison, 1964), there has been widespread public pressure in Europe-supported by European institutions-to "ban the battery cage. " The European Union (EU) and national governments (particularly in Northern Europe) funded research on noncage systems for egg production and enriched cages. In 1986, the EU passed a Directive specifying a minimum size for cages, but public opinion-again particularly in the North-continued to require more. A market sector emerged that would pay more for noncage eggs. Denmark, Sweden, and Switzerland passed more stringent legislation than the rest of Europe. A 1999 Directive with details based on advice from the EU's Scientific Veterinary Committee will phase out conventional laying cages but allow enriched cages. Implementation depends on various factors, including negotiations in the World Trade Organization. In the next 10 years, however, major changes to the housing of most laying hens in Europe almost certainly will occur. Similar changes in other countries will follow. As in Europe, change probably will be piecemeal, affected both by public pressure and by all sectors of society: producers, retailers, consumers, legislators, and the media.