Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic Factors for Hospital Mortality and ICU Admission in Patients With ANCA-Related Pulmonary Vasculitis

Background:The objective of this study was to evaluate the factors predictive of 28-day mortality and admission to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in patients with ANCA-related pulmonary vasculitis. Methods:We reviewed the medical records and imaging studies of 65 patients diagnosed with ANCA-related vasculitis hospitalized with pulmonary complications between February 1985 and November 2002. All patients underwent open or video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy, had a positive ANCA serology, and were negative for glomerular basement membrane antibodies. Results:At presentation, 72% had dyspnea, 68% fever, 47% cough, 45% elevated blood pressure, 32.3% hemoptysis, 26.1% sinus involvement, 15% renal failure, and 4.6% scleritis. Pathological findings included alveolar hemorrhage (60%), granulomatous inflammation (46%), and capillaritis (38%). A significant number required mechanical ventilation (27.7%), hemodialysis (24.6%), continuous renal replacement therapy (3.1%), and plasmapheresis (3.1%). The 28-day mortality was 16.9% (11/65). Mechanical ventilation (OR 68, P < 0.005), admission to ICU (OR 18.5, P < 0.01), and blood transfusion (OR 22.4, P < 0.004) were strong predictors of increased mortality within 28 days after admission. Respiratory failure (OR 31, P < 0.0007), hemoptysis (OR 2.9, P < 0.06), smoking (OR 5.9, P < 0.02), and acute renal failure (OR 7.8, P < 0.01) were also predictors for admission to the ICU. Conclusion:In patients with ANCA-related pulmonary vasculitis several clinical factors, but not pathologic findings or ANCA titers, are associated with ICU admission and/or 28-day mortality.
Does the Thermal Advantage of Melanism Produce Size Differences in Color-dimorphic Snakes?

Despite extensive research, the function and adaptive significance of melanism remain controversial.In snakes, melanistic individuals enjoy a thermal advantage compared with normal-colored individuals due to superior thermoregulatory capabilities. The hypothetical consequences of this thermal advantage are that melanistic individuals have longer daily and seasonal active periods, and thus collect more food, resulting in a higher growth rate and larger body size. To test the generality of this hypothesis, I made intermorph comparisons of body size using a melanistic/striped color-dimorphic snake (Elaphe quadrivirgata) on Yakushima Island, Japan. Melanistic individuals were not significantly larger in body size than striped individuals in either males or females, and the largest individual was a striped morph in both sexes. Thus, the pattern predicted based on the hypothetical consequences of the thermal advantage of melanism was not observed in E. quadrivirgata on Yakushima Island. Based on this coupled with the results of a previous survey on the thermal ecology of the snake, I conclude that melanistic individuals of E. quadrivirgata on Yakushima Island may benefit from fast body warming, which shortens the time of basking, but this benefit is not sufficient to realize larger body size compared to that of striped individuals, and/or such a benefit is not realized in the hypothesized way. The thermal advantage of melanism in nature may be more limited in scope than has been assumed.
Hot Money and Quantitative Easing: The Spillover Effects of U.S. Monetary Policy on the Chinese Economy

We study a factor-augmented vector autoregression model to estimate the effects of changes in U.S. monetary policy, as well as changes in U.S. policy uncertainty, on the Chinese economy. We find that since the Great Recession, a decline in the U.S. policy rate would result in a significant increase in Chinese regulated interest rates, and rise in Chinese housing investment. One possible reason for this is the substantial inflow of hot money into China. Responses of Chinese variables to U.S. shocks at the zero lower bound are different from that in normal times, which suggest structural changes in both the Chinese economy and the U.S. monetary policy transmission mechanism. Moreover, an increase in U.S. policy uncertainty negatively impacts Chinese stock and real estate market during normal times, but not at the zero lower bound.
Arp2/3 mediates early endosome dynamics necessary for the maintenance of PAR asymmetry in Caenorhabditis elegans

Depletion of Caenorhabditis elegans Arp2 disrupts PAR asymmetry maintenance, cortical recruitment of endocytic markers, and early endosomal dynamics. Large cytoplasmic PAR aggregates are observed in association with early endosomes, suggesting a model in which Arp2/3 regulates recycling of PARs from the early endosome to stabilize the asymmetry.
Optimal Performance of Epidermal Antennas for UHF Radio Frequency Identification and Sensing

Skin-mounted electronics is the new frontier for unobtrusive body-centric monitoring systems. In designing the wireless devices to be placed in direct contact with the human skin, the presence of the lossy body cannot be ignored because of strong electromagnetic interactions. In this paper, the performance of epidermal antennas, for application to radio frequency identification (RFID) links in the UHF band, was investigated by means of numerical simulations and laboratory tests on fabricated prototypes. The analysis demonstrates the existence of an optimal size of the antennas (from 3 to 6 cm for loops and from 6 to 15 cm for dipoles) and of upper bounds in the achievable radiation gain (less than −10 dB in the case of 0.5 mm thick application substrates) as a consequence of the balance between the two opposing mechanisms of radiation and loss. This behavior, which is controlled by the hosting medium, does not depend on the antenna shape, even if the loop layout permits considerably minimizing the device size. Even the conductivity of the antenna trace plays only a second-order role; low-cost inkjet printable paints with conductivity higher than $10^{4}$ S/m are suitable to provide radiation performance comparable with the performance of copper-made antennas. Starting from the investigation of the above cited physical phenomena, including the effect of common classes of suitable substrate membranes, guidelines are finally derived for the optimal design of real RFID epidermal antennas.
Effect of Laminating Pressure on Polymeric Multilayer Nanofibrous Membranes for Liquid Filtration

In the new century, electrospun nanofibrous webs are widely employed in various applications due to their specific surface area and porous structure with narrow pore size. The mechanical properties have a major influence on the applications of nanofiber webs. Lamination technology is an important method for improving the mechanical strength of nanofiber webs. In this study, the influence of laminating pressure on the properties of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibers/laminate was investigated. Heat-press lamination was carried out at three different pressures, and the surface morphologies of the multilayer nanofibrous membranes were observed under an optical microscope. In addition, air permeability, water filtration, and contact angle experiments were performed to examine the effect of laminating pressure on the breathability, water permeability and surface wettability of multilayer nanofibrous membranes. A bursting strength test was developed and applied to measure the maximum bursting pressure of the nanofibers from the laminated surface. A water filtration test was performed using a cross-flow unit. Based on the results of the tests, the optimum laminating pressure was determined for both PAN and PVDF multilayer nanofibrous membranes to prepare suitable microfilters for liquid filtration.
Analysis of K‐ras codon 12 mutations and p53 overexpression in colorectal nodule‐aggregating tumors

Abstract Background and Aims: Morphologically, colorectal nodule‐aggregating tumors are quite different from polypoid‐type colorectal tumors that develop via the adenoma–carcinoma sequence. Although polypoid‐type colorectal tumors are well known to have a high incidence of K‐ras gene mutation and p53 overexpression, colorectal nodule‐aggregating tumors have not been examined in terms of genetic changes and clinicopathological features. In the present study, therefore, we analysed the clinicopathological features, genetic changes in K‐ras codon 12, and p53 overexpression in colorectal nodule‐aggregating tumors.
International Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Peru, a Latin-American Emerging Market

ABSTRACT Our research studies the international competitiveness of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an emerging Latin-American country. Using a sample of 100 SMEs in Peru, we find that firms compete abroad with standardized products, which are conditioned by the host-country markets, human capital, and industry cooperation. However, the results show that the age and size of the firm are not determining factors in competing overseas. Our findings open a new agenda for policymakers when interpreting how they should promote and support Latin-American SMEs.
Reorganization in granuloprival cerebellar cultures after transplantation of granule cells and glia. I. Light microscopic and electrophysiological studies

Granuloprival cerebellar cultures were transplanted after 9 or 16 days in vitro with cerebellar explants that had been exposed to kainic acid. The latter contained granule cells and differentiated glia, elements lacking in granuloprival cultures. Changes induced by transplantation observed by light microscopy included interposition of granule cells among the large cortical neurons of host explants; a reduction of the excess neurites of the Purkinje cell axon collateral system that is characteristic of granuloprival explants; and the appearance of myelinated fibers in previously unmyeli‐nated cultures. The most notable electrophysiologic consequence of transplantation was the disappearance of inhibition of cortical spontaneous activity in response to antidromic stimulation of Purkinje cell axons, correlating with the disappearance of excess neurites, and suggesting that Purkinje cell recurrent collateral inhibition was no longer the dominant mode of cortical inhibition. Restoration of missing elements in granuloprival cultures incited development of structural and functional characteristics resembling those of normal cerebellar explants.
Intestinal Helminths Protect in a Murine Model of Asthma1

Underdeveloped nations are relatively protected from the worldwide asthma epidemic; the hygiene hypothesis suggests this is due to suppression of Th2-mediated inflammation by increased exposure to pathogens and their products. Although microbial exposures can promote Th2-suppressing Th1 responses, even Th2-skewing infections, such as helminths, appear to suppress atopy, suggesting an alternate explanation for these observations. To investigate whether induction of regulatory responses by helminths may counter allergic inflammation, we examined the effects of helminth infection in a murine model of atopic asthma. We chose Heligosomoides polygyrus, a gastrointestinal nematode, as the experimental helminth; this worm does not enter the lung in its life cycle. We found that H. polygyrus infection suppressed allergen-induced airway eosinophilia, bronchial hyperreactivity, and in vitro allergen-recall Th2 responses in an IL-10-dependent manner; total and OVA-specific IgE, however, were increased by worm infection. Finally, helminth-infected mice were protected against eosinophilic inflammation induced by adoptive transfer of OVA-stimulated CD4+ cells, and transfer of cells from helminth-infected/OVA-exposed mice suppressed OVA-induced eosinophilic inflammation, suggesting a role for regulatory cells. Increased CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ cells were found in thoracic lymph nodes of helminth-infected/OVA-exposed mice. Helminthic colonization appears to protect against asthma and atopic disorders; the regulatory cytokine, IL-10, may be a critical player.
au Enterprise Architecture Cybernetics for Collaborative Networks : Reducing the Structural Complexity and Transaction Cost via Virtual

This paper demonstrates that the efficiency of Virtual Organisation (VO) creation by Collaborative Networks (CNs) can be limited by the complexity of the network itself. The authors previously proposed the use of distributed Enterprise Engineering methods based on Extended Axiomatic Design Theory to limit the complexity of VOs, and of the CN itself. This paper formulates methods to calculate and reduce the structural complexity of CNs and the cost of VO creation transactions through virtual brokerages. The method is demonstrated through an example and also yields a heuristic rule regarding the optimal size of such brokerages.
Lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma of the esophagus: Report of a case with non‐progressive behavior

Lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (LELC) of the esophagus is extremely rare and the prognosis has been described to be favorable. Herein, the case is reported of esophageal LELC showing non‐progressive course for 1 year. The patient was a 70‐year‐old Japanese man with a submucosal tumor in the lower esophagus. The tumor was endoscopically regarded as a benign leiomyoma. One year after the first endoscopic examination, the size of the lesion remained unchanged despite no treatment. Histologically, the tumor showed undifferentiated carcinoma associated with dense lymphocytic and plasma cell infiltration. Lymphoid follicles surrounded the tumor cell nests. Immunohistochemically, Ki‐67 labeling index of the tumor cells were 76.0%, and there were few single‐strand DNA‐positive apoptotic cells. In situ hybridization using a digoxigen‐labeled Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐encoded small RNA (EBER)‐1 riboprobe failed to detect the presence of EBV infection. Physicians should be aware that esophageal LELC endoscopically mimics benign submucosal tumor. This case may demonstrate that esophageal LELC is a slow‐growing tumor and it is related to immune reaction.
Catalpol pretreatment attenuates cardiac dysfunction following myocardial infarction in rats

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanisms of catalpol on cardiac function in rats with isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control group, ISO group, catalpol (L, low dose) group, and catalpol (H, high dose) group. Isoproterenol (85 mg/kg) was injected subcutaneously for 2 consecutive days to induce experimental MI. At the end of experiment, the effects of catalpol on cardiac function; apelin levels; apoptosis index; apelin, APJ, Bcl-2, and Bax protein expression; and caspase-3/9 activities were investigated. Results: The rats in the ISO group showed lower left ventricular maximum rate of positive or negative pressure development (±LVdp/dtmax) and left ventricular end-systolic pressure (LVSP) and higher left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) than those in the control group, suggesting severe cardiac dysfunction. Interestingly, catalpol administration significantly ameliorated the ISO-induced cardiac dysfunction. The groups administered low and high dosages catalpol (5 and 10 mg/kg/day, respectively) showed higher ±LVdp/dtmax and LVSP and lower LVEDP than the group administered ISO alone. Catalpol markedly upregulated apelin levels in the plasma and myocardium. Further, catalpol increased the apelin and APJ expression levels in the myocardium of the ISO-treated rats. In addition, catalpol pretreatment inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis as indicated by a decrease in the TUNEL-positive cell percentage, alterations in the Bax and Bcl-2 expression levels, and a decline in caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities. Conclusion: Our results revealed that catalpol can improve cardiac function. Its protective effects may be linked to the enhancement of myocardium contractility, regulation of the apelin/APJ pathway, and inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis.
Effect of a dexamethasone Sinu‐FoamTM middle meatal spacer on endoscopic sinus surgery outcomes: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial

Off‐label drug eluting middle‐meatal spacers have shown promising results for improving clinical outcomes following endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). This study evaluates a dexamethasone Sinu‐FoamTM spacer following ESS for CRS without nasal polyposis (CRSsNP).
Long-term effect of diode laser irradiation compared to sodium fluoride varnish in the treatment of dentine hypersensitivity in periodontal maintenance patients: a randomized controlled clinical study.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate and compare the desensitizing effects of a gallium? aluminum? arsenide (GaAlAs) laser and sodium fluoride (NaF) varnish on dentine hypersensitivity (DH) in periodontal maintenance patients. BACKGROUND DATA The use of lasers opens a new dimension in the treatment of DH. METHODS Forty-eight patients with 244 teeth affected by DH were included in the trial. To be included in the study, the subjects had to have 4 or more hypersensitive teeth at different quadrants. Selected teeth were randomly assigned to a GaAlAs laser group, placebo laser group, NaF varnish group, or a placebo NaF varnish group. Laser therapy was performed at 8.5? J/cm(2) energy density. In the placebo laser group, the same laser without laser emission was used. In the NaF varnish group, the varnish was painted at the cervical region of the teeth. In the placebo NaF varnish group, the same treatment procedures were performed with a saline solution. DH was assessed with a visual analog scale (VAS); immediately, at 1 week, and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatments. Intra-group time-dependent data were analyzed by Friedman's test, and Wilcoxon's rank sum test was used to evaluate the differences within groups. RESULTS GaAlAs laser and NaF varnish treatments resulted in a significant reduction in the VAS scores immediately after treatments that were maintained throughout the study when compared to the baseline and placebo treatments. In the NaF group, there was a significant increase in the VAS scores at 3 and 6 months compared to at 1 week and 1 month. The placebo treatments showed no significant changes in VAS scores throughout the study period. CONCLUSIONS Within the limits of the study, GaAlAs laser irradiation was effective in the treatment of DH, and it is a more comfortable and faster procedure than traditional DH treatment.
A Five-Year Retrospective Assay of Implant Treatments and Complications in Private Practice: Restorative Treatment Profiles of Long-Span, Implant-Supported Fixed and Removable Dental Prostheses.

PURPOSE To describe the restorative treatment profiles of long-span (> three units), implant-supported dental prostheses (LIDPs) prescribed in 27 private practices in the state of Victoria, Australia, during the period from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2009. The restorative treatment profiles of these prostheses refer to the framework/veneering materials, number of prosthetic units/supporting implants, location in the oral cavity, retention methods, and cantilever designs. LIDPs refer to implant-supported prostheses of fixed or removable design; namely, fixed partial dentures (IFPDs), fixed complete dentures (IFCDs), removable partial dentures (IRPDs), and complete overdentures (IODs). MATERIALS AND METHODS Private dental practitioners providing implant treatment in Victoria, Australia, were invited to enroll in this study, which was conducted through a dental practice-based research network (the eviDent Foundation). The enrolled practitioners' clinical records of the implant treatments provided during the specified period were accessed for data collection. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, and linear mixed models were conducted for data analyses. RESULTS During the study period, 627 LIDPs were prescribed to 556 patients by 18 general dentists and 5 prosthodontists. LIDPs were more common in the maxilla than in the mandible except in the case of IODs. Of the fixed prostheses, 60% replaced missing teeth in more than one sextant, 33% in the anterior sextant, and 7% in the posterior sextant. The average number of prosthetic units per implant was higher in mandibular compared to maxillary IFPDs/IFCDs (2.5 vs 1.9, respectively, P < .001). Cantilever pontic(s) were present in 68% of IFCDs (more often in the mandible than in the maxilla) compared to 28% of IFPDs (use of cantilever pontics was about the same in the maxilla and mandible). Screw retention was the most commonly reported retention method in IFPDs/IFCDs (95%). Locator attachment was used for the majority of IRPDs/IODs (83%). CONCLUSION The clinicians enrolled in this study preferred fixed over removable LIDPs for partially dentate and maxillary edentulous cases. For mandibular edentulous patients, IODs were prescribed more often than IFCDs. A retrievable retention design was favored for IFPDs/IFCDs. IFPDs were predominantly metal-ceramic, and metal-acrylic designs were more popular for IFCDs.
Hypoxia and exercise provoke both lactate release and lactate oxidation by the human brain

Lactate is shuttled between organs, as demonstrated in the Cori cycle. Although the brain releases lactate at rest, during physical exercise there is a cerebral uptake of lactate. Here, we evaluated the cerebral lactate uptake and release in hypoxia, during exercise and when the two interventions were combined. We measured cerebral lactate turnover via a tracer dilution method ([1‐13C]lactate), using arterial to right internal jugular venous differences in 9 healthy individuals (5 males and 4 females), at rest and during 30 min of submaximal exercise in normoxia and hypoxia (Fio2 10%, arterial oxygen saturation 72±10%, mean±sd). Whole‐body lactate turnover increased 3.5‐fold and 9‐fold at two workloads in normoxia and 18‐fold during exercise in hypoxia. Although middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity increased during exercise in hypoxia, calculated cerebral mitochondrial oxygen tension decreased by 13 mmHg (P<0.001). At the same time, cerebral lactate release increased from 0.15 ± 0.1 to 0.8 ± 0.6 mmol min−1 (P<0.05), corresponding to ∼10% of cerebral energy consumption. Concurrently, cerebral lactate uptake was 1.0 ± 0.9 mmol min−1 (P<0.05), of which 57 ± 9% was oxidized, demonstrating that lactate oxidation may account for up to ∼33% of the energy substrate used by the brain. These results support the existence of a cell‐cell lactate shuttle that may involve neurons and astrocytes. — Overgaard, M. , Rasmussen, P., Bohm, A. M. , Seifert, T. , Brassard, P., Zaar, M. , Homann, P., Evans, K. A. , Nielsen, H. B. , Secher, N. H. Hypoxia and exercise provoke both lactate release and lactate oxidation by the human brain. FASEB J. 26, 3012–3020 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Improving sentiment classification through distinct word selection

While the performance of sentiment classification has steadily risen through the introduction of various feature-based methods and distributed representation-based approaches, less attention was given to the qualitative aspect of classification, for instance, the identification of useful words in individual opinion texts. We present an approach using set operations for identifying useful words for sentiment classification, and employ truncated singular value decomposition (SVD), a classic low-rank matrix decomposition technique for document retrieval, in order to tackle the issue of both synonymy and noise removal. The sentiment classification performance of our approach, which concatenates three kinds of features, outperforms the existing word-based and distributed word representation-based methods and is comparable to the existing state of the art distributed document representation-based approaches.