Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effect of weight loss in obese dogs on indicators of renal function or disease.

BACKGROUND Obesity is a common medical disorder in dogs, and can predispose to a number of diseases. Human obesity is a risk factor for the development and progression of chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVES To investigate the possible association of weight loss on plasma and renal biomarkers of kidney health. ANIMALS Thirty-seven obese dogs that lost weight were included in the study. METHODS Prospective observational study. Three novel biomarkers of renal functional impairment, disease, or both (homocysteine, cystatin C, and clusterin), in addition to traditional markers of chronic renal failure (serum urea and creatinine, urine specific gravity [USG], urine protein-creatinine ratio [UPCR], and urine albumin corrected by creatinine [UAC]) before and after weight loss in dogs with naturally occurring obesity were investigated. RESULTS Urea (P = .043) and USG (P = .012) were both greater after weight loss than before loss, whilst UPCR, UAC, and creatinine were less after weight loss (P = .032, P = .006, and P = .026, respectively). Homocysteine (P < .001), cystatin C (P < .001) and clusterin (P < .001) all decreased upon weight loss. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed associations between percentage weight loss (greater weight loss, more lean tissue loss; r = -0.67, r(2) = 0.45, P < . 001) and before-loss plasma clusterin concentration (greater clusterin, more lean tissue loss; r = 0.48, r(2) = 0.23, P = . 003). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE These results suggest possible subclinical alterations in renal function in canine obesity, which improve with weight loss. Further work is required to determine the nature of these alterations and, most notably, the reason for the association between before loss plasma clusterin and subsequent lean tissue loss during weight management.
Urban Inclusiveness and Income Inequality in China

The issue of income inequality is exacerbating when China experiences rapid economic growth during the past few decades. This paper argues that urban inclusiveness is one of the determinants of income inequality in Chinese cities, because the Hukou system restricts public service to Hukou-registered workers only. The impact of urban inclusiveness on income inequality and the underlying mechanism are discovered by examining how Hukou restriction affects income gap between skilled and unskilled workers and how the preferences on public services and urban inclusiveness vary across skilled and unskilled workers. With the 2005 Inter-Census Population Survey, we find skilled workers care more about public services and urban inclusiveness, so skilled workers are relatively scarce in exclusive cities, who hence can enjoy a higher skill premium, leading to higher income inequality in exclusive cities.
Microglia and mast cells: two tracks on the road to neuroinflammation

One of the more important recent advances in neuroscience research is the understanding that there is extensive communication between the immune system and the central nervous system (CNS). Proinflammatory cytokines play a key role in this communication. The emerging realization is that glia and microglia, in particular, (which are the brain's resident macrophages), constitute an important source of inflammatory mediators and may have fundamental roles in CNS disorders from neuropathic pain and epilepsy to neurodegenerative diseases. Microglia respond also to proinflammatory signals released from other non‐neuronal cells, principally those of immune origin. Mast cells are of particular relevance in this context. These immunity‐related cells, while resident in the CNS, are capable of migrating across the blood‐spinal cord and bloodbrain barriers in situations where the barrier is compromised as a result of CNS pathology. Emerging evidence suggests the possibility of mast cell‐glia communications and opens exciting new perspectives for designing therapies to target neuroinflammation by differentially modulating the activation of non‐neuronal cells normally controlling neuronal sensitization, both peripherally and centrally. This review aims to provide an overview of recent progress relating to the pathobiology of neuroinflammation, the role of microglia, neuroimmune interactions involving mast cells, in particular, and the possibility that mast cell‐microglia crosstalk may contribute to the exacerbation of acute symptoms of chronic neurodegenerative disease and accelerate disease progression, as well as promote pain transmission pathways. We conclude by considering the therapeutic potential of treating systemic inflammation or blockade of signaling pathways from the periphery to the brain in such settings. —Skaper, S. D. , Giusti, P., Facci, L. Microglia and mast cells: two tracks on the road to neuroinflammation. FASEB J. 26, 3103–3117 (2012). www.fasebj. org
Axial Elongation Associated with Biomechanical Factors during Near Work

Purpose To investigate the changes occurring in the axial length, choroidal thickness, and anterior biometrics of the eye during a 10-minute near task performed in downward gaze. Methods Twenty young adult subjects (10 emmetropes and 10 myopes) participated in this study. To measure ocular biometrics in downward gaze, an optical biometer was inclined on a custom-built height- and tilt-adjustable table. Baseline measures were collected after each subject performed a distance primary gaze control task for 10 minutes to provide washout period for previous visual tasks before each of three different accommodation/gaze conditions. These other three conditions included a near task (2.5 diopters [D]) in primary gaze and a near (2.5 D) and a far (0 D) accommodative task in downward gaze (25 degrees), all for 10 minutes’ duration. Immediately after and then 5 and 10 minutes from the commencement of each trial, measurements of ocular biometrics (e.g., anterior biometrics, axial length, choroidal thickness, and retinal thickness) were obtained. Results Axial length increased with accommodation and was significantly greater for downward gaze with accommodation (mean ± SD change, 23 ± 13 &mgr;m at 10 minutes) compared with primary gaze with accommodation (8 ± 15 &mgr;m at 10 minutes) (p < 0.05). A small amount of choroidal thinning was also found during accommodation that was statistically significant in downward gaze (13 ± 14 &mgr;m at 10 minutes; p < 0.05). Accommodation in downward gaze also caused greater changes in anterior chamber depth and lens thickness compared with accommodation in primary gaze. Conclusions Axial length, choroidal thickness, and anterior eye biometrics change significantly during accommodation in downward gaze as a function of time. These changes seem to be caused by the combined influence of biomechanical factors (i.e., extraocular muscle forces, ciliary muscle contraction) associated with near tasks in downward gaze.
Effects of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and Selenium on Gastric Fundus in Cadmium Toxicity in Male Rats

Cadmium (Cd) is a highly toxic metal. It has an indirect role in the generation of various free radicals. Antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium are important for preventing the damage caused by reactive oxygen species. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of acute cadmium and/or antioxidants on serum lipid metabolism, tissue glutathione, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels, and ghrelin and metallothionein production in the gastric fundus mucosa of rats. Cd (2 mg/kg/day CdCl2) was administered to rats for 8 days, intraperitoneally. Vitamin E (250 mg/kg/day) + vitamin C (250 mg/kg/day) + sodium selenate (0.25 mg/kg/day) were administered to rats orally at the same time. The animals were treated by antioxidants 1 h prior to treatment with Cd every day. Gastric tissue homogenates were used for protein and glutathione and LPO levels. Phospholipid and total lipid levels were determined in serum. Gastric fundus sections examined for histopathological changes and by immunohistochemistry for expression of ghrelin and metallothionein. In the group treated with Cd, degenerative changes such as discontinuity in the surface epithelium were observed. The degenerative changes induced by Cd were decreased in the group given vitamin E + vitamin C + selenium. There was no significant change in ghrelin- and metallothionein-immunoreactive cells in fundus mucosa. Stomach glutathione levels insignificantly decreased in the Cd groups, but in the Cd group given antioxidant, stomach glutathione levels were significantly increased. Serum phospholipid and total lipid levels were significantly increased in the Cd groups. On the other hand, treatment with antioxidants reversed these effects. These results indicate that antioxidants partly prevent the toxicity of Cd in rat gastric fundus.
Boosting and Other Ensemble Methods

We compare the performance of three types of neural network-based ensemble techniques to that of a single neural network. The ensemble algorithms are two versions of boosting and committees of neural networks trained independently. For each of the four algorithms, we experimentally determine the test and training error curves in an optical character recognition (OCR) problem as both a function of training set size and computational cost using three architectures. We show that a single machine is best for small training set size while for large training set size some version of boosting is best. However, for a given computational cost, boosting is always best. Furthermore, we show a surprising result for the original boosting algorithm: namely, that as the training set size increases, the training error decreases until it asymptotes to the test error rate. This has potential implications in the search for better training algorithms.
Prefrontal Lobe Growth in a Patient with Continuous Spike-Waves during Slow Sleep

Epilepsy with continuous spike-waves during slow sleep (CSWS) is characterized by impairment of neuropsychological abilities, frequently associated with behavioral d isorders. These manifestations strongly correlate with frontal lobe dysfunctions. In the present case, an 11-year-old girl presented with progressive behavioral deteriorations after the appearance of electrical status epilepticus in sleep. The duration of CSWS period was 5 months. Serial measurements (at the appearance of the EEG pattern, and 6 months and 1, 2, 3 and 4 years thereafter) of frontal and prefrontal lobe volumes by 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging-based volumetry showed growth disturbance of prefrontal lobe volume, particularly prefrontal-to-frontal lobe volume ratio, after the appearance of the EEG pattern when compared with two frontal lobe epilepsy subjects without neuropsychological disorders and 13 control subjects. However, the ratio was restored to the growth ratio and seen to reach control levels, after improvement of the clinical manifestations of CSWS. These results suggest that children with CSWS may be prone to frontal lobe dysfunctions, and that the duration of CSWS period seems to be a significant prognostic factor. The urgent suppression of this EEG abnormality may be necessary to prevent the progression of neuropsychological impairments.
Promoting International Competitiveness for Small and Mediumsized Enterprises: A Case Study of Chinese Small and Mediumsized Enterprises in Thailand

The purpose of this study is to explore the problems faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Thailand, particularly among Chinese SMEs. The study also seeks to identify how these difficulties impact on factors, both external and internal, which influence the business competitiveness of these SMEs. This paper further suggests guidelines for promoting international competitiveness of Chinese SMEs and other ethnic subsidiaries in Thailand. Qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews was conducted. Content analysis was employed to analyze the data and describe the contingency phenomenons that occur in business environments associated with SMEs in Thailand. The findings suggest that some of the key macro environment factors that have a bearing on Chinese SME firms’ competitiveness include market competition, the legal and political environment, and the social and cultural environment including language used to communicate with consumers. The study also indicates that internal factors like the SME firms’ capabilities of enterprise management, brand management, marketing, their effective deployment of human resources, and innovation are likely aspects that can contribute to the firms’ successful performance rather than financial performance in the global marketplace.
Single-working-instrument, double-trocar, clipless cholecystectomy using harmonic scalpel: a feasible, safe, and less invasive technique.

AIM The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Harmonic scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH) in the closure/division of the cystic duct and artery, and bladder dissection in laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a single working instrument, with the use of a two-working-trocar technique, compared with the regular laparoscopic clip/cautery, three-trocar technique. METHODS This prospective study included 160 patients with symptomatic gallstone disease who were randomly assigned for laparoscopic cholecystectomy by either Harmonic shear as a single working instrument, with the two-trocar technique (group 1 = 80 patients) or group 2 (regular clip/cautery, three-trocar technique) comprising 80 patients. RESULTS No significant complications were encountered in either group; however, 1 case in the regular laparoscopy group suffered mild leakage that was treated conservatively. Intraoperative bile spillage was insignificantly comparable in both groups (10 versus 13%; P = 0.46). The median operative time was statistically significantly shorter in the Harmonic group (20 versus 45 minutes; P = 0.0001). Also, hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Harmonic group (1 versus 1.5 days, respectively; P = 0.001), but no statistically significant difference was found in the incidence of postoperative complications. The overall cosmetic results and patient satisfaction was better in the Harmonic group. CONCLUSIONS The Harmonic shear is as safe and effective as the clip/cautery technique in laparoscopic cholecystectomy in achieving hemobiliary stasis, with shorter operative time, especially if used solely as a working instrument. The two-trocar technique is safe, feasible, and provides better cosmetic results and patient satisfaction.
Frequent BRAF Gain in Low‐Grade Diffuse Gliomas with 1p/19q Loss

Chromosomal 7q34 duplication and BRAF‐KIAA1549 fusion is a characteristic genetic alteration in pilocytic astrocytomas. 7q34 gain appears to be common in diffuse astrocytomas, but its significance is unclear. We assessed BRAF gain and BRAF mutations in 123 low‐grade diffuse gliomas, including 55 diffuse astrocytomas, 18 oligoastrocytomas and 50 oligodendrogliomas. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed BRAF gain in 17/50 (34%) oligodendrogliomas, a significantly higher frequency than in diffuse astrocytomas (7/55; 13%; P = 0.0112). BRAF gain was common in low‐grade diffuse gliomas with 1p/19q loss (39%) and those lacking any of the genetic alterations analyzed (31%), but was rare in those with TP53 mutations (2%). Logistic regression analysis showed a significant positive association between 1p/19q loss and BRAF gain (P = 0.0032) and a significant negative association between TP53 mutations and BRAF gain (P = 0.0042). Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of 26 low‐grade diffuse gliomas with BRAF gain additionally revealed BRAF‐KIAA1549 fusion in one oligodendroglioma. Sequencing of cDNA in 17 low‐grade diffuse gliomas showed BRAF‐KIAA1549 fusion in another oligodendroglioma. A BRAFV600E mutation was also detected in one oligodendroglioma, and a BRAFA598V in one diffuse astrocytoma. These results suggest that low‐grade diffuse gliomas with 1p/19q loss have frequent BRAF gains, and a small fraction of oligodendrogliomas may show BRAF‐KIAA1549 fusion.
Personal Strategy as Driver of Leader Behaviour: An Exploratory Conceptual Framework

This paper develops a novel concept, viz., ‘personal strategy’, to explain the leadership behaviour and its impact on organizations more effectively. Personal strategy is defined in the paper as a leader’s personal action framework to achieve his personal goals in the leadership role through organizational actions. Using exploratory observations of certain organizations and by reviewing relevant literature, the paper builds the case for this concept. Further, it develops a conceptual model of personal strategic process. The paper also states certain propositions based on the discussions. The paper explains how a leader’s personal setting contributes to his personal goals and how personal strategy is evolving with reference to the personal goals. The paper also examines the impact of organizational contextual factors, hierarchical structure and leader-follower interactions in determining the success of personal strategy. Besides, it considers how leadership style may have a role in the success. Moreover, the paper refers to certain elements of an effective execution plan of personal strategy and the personal strategy outcomes occurring at organizational, leader and other stakeholder levels. Further work on this last aspect has been suggested for future research.
Headline Environmental Indicators Revisited with the Global Multi‐Regional Input‐Output Database EXIOBASE

Environmentally extended multiregion input‐output (EEMRIO) databases are used to quantify numerous environmental pressures and impacts from a consumption perspective. However, for targeted communication with decision makers, large sets of impact indicators are unfavorable. Small sets of headline indicators have been proposed to guide environmental policy, but these may not cover all relevant aspects of environmental impact. The aim of our study was to evaluate the extent to which a set of four headline indicators (material, land, water, and carbon) is representative of the total environmental impact embedded in an EEMRIO database. We also used principal component analysis combined with linear regression to investigate which environmental indicators are good candidates to supplement this headline indicator set, using 119 environmental indicators linked to the EEMRIO database, EXIOBASE. We found that the four headline indicators covered 59.9% of the variance in product‐region rankings among environmental indicators, with carbon and land already explaining 57.4%. Five additional environmental indicators (marine eco‐toxicity, terrestrial eco‐toxicity, photochemical oxidation, terrestrial acidification, and eutrophication) were needed to cover 95% of the variance. In comparison, a statistically optimal set of seven indicators explained 95% of the variance as well. Our findings imply that there is (1) a significant statistical redundancy in the four headline indicators, and (2) a considerable share of the variance is caused by other environmental impacts not covered by the headline indicators. The results of our study can be used to further optimize the set of headline indicators for environmental policy.
Loss of melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells in a rat glaucoma model.

BACKGROUND Glaucoma can cause progressive damage to retinal ganglion cells. These cells can be classified as cells projecting to the superior colliculus and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells, which project to the suprachiasmatic nucleus. This study was to investigate the effects of chronic intraocular pressure elevation on melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells in rats. METHODS Chronic intraocular pressure elevation was induced in one eye of adult Wistar rats by cauterization of three episcleral veins. Intraocular pressure was measured at different intervals with a rebound tonometer. Superior collicular retinal ganglion cells were retrogradely labeled from the superior colliculus with Fluorogold. Melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were visualized by free-floating immunohistochemistry on whole-mount retinas. The number of labeled superior collicular and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were counted in the sample areas on flat-mounted retinas. RESULTS Compared with contralateral control eyes, the numbers of both superior collicular and melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells were significantly reduced after 12 weeks of experimental intraocular pressure elevation ((2317.41 +/- 29.96)/mm(2) vs (1815.82 +/- 24.25)/mm(2); (26.20 +/- 2.10)/mm(2) vs (20.62 +/- 1.52)/mm(2), respectively). The extent of cell loss of the two types of retinal ganglion cells was similar. However, no morphologic changes were found in melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells. CONCLUSION Both melanopsin-containing and superior collicular retinal ganglion cells were damaged by chronic ocular hypertension, indicating that glaucomatous neural degeneration involves the non-image-forming visual pathway.
Does Public Service Motivation Matter? A Study of Participation in Various Volunteering Domains

ABSTRACT: This article examines the extent to which public service motivation (PSM), more specifically the PSM dimension commitment to the public interest (CPI), is related to volunteering. The claims for the relationship between PSM and volunteering have rarely been supported by evidence based on direct measurements of PSM. Using data from a large representative sample of public and semi-public sector employees in the Netherlands, we show that CPI is positively related to volunteering. This relationship is stronger for participation in some volunteering domains than in others. We suggest that public-interest-committed employees seek out volunteering opportunities that match their motivation and that the extent to which voluntary organizations espouse public service ideals may explain the differential strength of the relationship between employees’ CPI and their participation in different volunteering domains. This finding is relevant for voluntary and nonprofit organizations which need to attract volunteers to keep up welfare services.
Chronic Disease in Health Emergencies: In the Eye of the Hurricane

Introduction Inadequately controlled chronic diseases may present a threat to life and well-being during the emergency response to natural disasters. An estimate of the possible numbers of people who may require treatment for chronic diseases should help in planning a response, but such information for local areas is not easily accessible. We explored how a current surveillance system could be used to provide estimates of the potential needs for emergency treatment of chronic diseases in the wake of a natural disaster. Methods We used data from adults aged 18 years or older who participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) in 2004 to estimate the prevalence and numbers of people with diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension, and current asthma who lived in the New Orleans–Metairie–Kenner, La, metropolitan statistical area. Results About 9.0% of participants had diabetes, 4.6% had angina or coronary heart disease, 3.0% had had a myocardial infarction, 2.0% had had a stroke, and 6.3% had current asthma. About 25.4% adults had at least one of the above conditions. Conclusion A surveillance system such as the BRFSS can provide potentially useful baseline information about the numbers of people with chronic diseases and the treatment that they receive; this information can assist the medical and public health community in assessing the needs of people with chronic diseases after disasters and in planning relief efforts.