Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
[The circulating fibrocytes are associated with the lung inflammation and fibrosis of mice with interstitial lung disease].

OBJECTIVE To study the pathological process and characteristics of bleomycin (BLM)-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) model and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) complicated by BLM-induced ILD (CIA-ILD) model in mice and explore the correlations with circulating fibrocytes. METHODS Ninety mice were randomly divided into normal saline group (S group), BLM group (B group), CIA-BLM group (CB group), with 30 mice in each group. On the 2, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days after BLM challenge, mice of each group were sacrificed. HE staining was used to detect the degrees of acute inflammation and sirius red staining to detect lung fibrosis. Immunohistochemicstry was adopted to detect alpha-smooth muscle actin expression. The peripheral blood was obtained to count the proportion of circulating fibrocytes (CD45⁺COL1⁺) by flow cytometry. The correlations between circulating fibrocytes and pathological changes of ILD were analyzed statistically. RESULTS Both of the ILD model groups showed the dynamic process from pulmonary alveolitis to fibrosis gradually. Inflammatory lesion in the lungs of B group was the most obvious on the 7-14th day, and then there was a slow rehabilitation process on the 21th and 28th day. CB group began to present alveoli destruction and collagen deposition on the 14th day, and the inflammation was the most severe on the 28th day. Pulmonary hydroxyproline content was obviously ascended in CB group as compared with B group (P<0.05) after 14 days. An increase in the total number of circulating fibrocytes was observed in both B and CB groups. It tended to increase at first, and subsequently declined. The level of circulating fibrocytes was higher in CB group than in B group on day 14, 21 and 28 (P<0.05). The immunohistochemical results showed that there were many myofibroblasts infiltrating in CB group from the 14th day to 28th day. The number of circulating fibrocytes in peripheral blood was positively correlated with pulmonary inflammation, fibrosis degree and hydroxyproline content (r=0.847, 0.826, 0.735, P<0.01). CONCLUSION The pathological process of CIA-ILD animal model is more close to rheumatoid arthritis-induced ILD development. Circulating fibrocytes may be involved in the inflammation and fibrosis progression of lung.
Randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial of early octreotide in patients with postoperative enterocutaneous fistula

Somatostatin and octreotide both enhance closure of gastrointestinal fistulas. The present trial was undertaken to test whether early combined treatment with parenteral nutrition and octreotide 100 micrograms every 8 h by subcutaneous injection had a beneficial effect compared with parenteral nutrition plus placebo. Thirty-one patients with post-operative gastrointestinal or pancreatic fistula were randomly assigned to receive parenteral nutrition plus octreotide (14 patients) or placebo (17) within 8 days of fistula onset. The percentage reduction in output and rate of spontaneous closure within 20 days were analysed. Mean(s.d.) reduction in output was similar after octreotide and placebo at 24 h (66(43) versus 68(47) per cent, P = 0.9), 48 h (60(46) versus 57(43) per cent, P = 0.8) and 72 h (62(50) versus 66(49) per cent, P = 0.9) after starting the combined treatment. Closure within 20 days was observed in eight of 14 fistulas in patients given octreotide and in six of 17 in those receiving placebo (P = 0.4). Administration of octreotide, within 8 days of fistula onset, associated with parenteral nutrition does not significantly increase the spontaneous fistula closure rate compared with parenteral nutrition plus placebo.
Information versus Automation and Implications for Dynamic Pricing

This paper studies whether information, communication or automation technologies can enable the consumer demand response necessary to expand dynamic pricing in resource markets such as electricity. Treatment effects from household random assignment to technologies and different price distributions reveal substantial demand reductions during critical and peak times for all technologies, with automation yielding the greatest reductions. Household random assignment, however, tests for and measures long-run elasticities, as opposed to the short-run price elasticities relevant to dynamic pricing. We illustrate how demand from a randomly assigned control group can be used to form a non-parametric control function estimate of demand that eliminates the bias that otherwise exists when estimating short-run demand curves with household random assignment. We find that information and communication technologies alone yield nearly perfectly inelastic short-run demand curves. Only consumers treated with automation technology exhibit short-run demand elasticities that can justify using short-run price variation to reduce peak or critical demand. Without automation, the longer-run conservation we observe may be more effectively initiated by messaging, rebates on durables, or permanent price changes as opposed to exposing consumers to temporary price shocks to which they are unable or unwilling to respond. Automation Technology, Demand Response; Short-run Elasticities; Utilities; Energy; Electricity; Field experiments.
Sexual disturbances during clozapine and haloperidol treatment for schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency and course of sexual disturbances associated with clozapine and haloperidol and their potential influence on compliance with medication regimens in patients with schizophrenia. METHOD The authors prospectively investigated 153 patients with schizophrenia who received clozapine (N = 100) or haloperidol (N = 53) in a drug monitoring program. RESULTS The frequency of sexual disturbances was lower in female patients than in male patients. There was no statistically significant difference between the patients taking haloperidol and those taking clozapine in the frequency of these disturbances. Clozapine plasma levels had a significant effect on diminished sexual desire and functional disturbances in male patients. Functional disturbances and diminished sexual desire did not have any influence on compliance in patients taking either haloperidol or clozapine. CONCLUSIONS There was no statistically significant difference between haloperidol and clozapine in regard to their propensity to induce sexual side effects.
PLASMA HOMOCYSTEINE LEVELS AND MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

time was calculated by the reverse Kaplan–Meier method. 25 In all regression analyses, the covariates were represented by indicator variables to allow for nonlinear dose–response relations. The dose–response relation between the total homocysteine level and mortality was also estimated with generalized additive logistic re- gression, 26 as implemented in S-PLUS. This method generates a graphic representation of the relation between the total homocys- teine level and mortality on a logit scale, after adjustment for other covariates.The analyses were performed with BMDP 27 or S-PLUS 24 software. Two-sided P values below 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.
Characterizing Cross-Domain Search Behavior

The heterogeneous nature of information needs and information sources requires techniques that efficiently combine and leverage insights from diverse data sources. Moreover, user interaction from different sources provides different perspectives on user’s interests and preferences. In this work, we consider user interaction data from different verticals (news, search) and characterize behavioral differences among users. Traditional research on crossdomain methods has focused on leveraging insights for the same user from different domains. Instead, in this work, we highlight the need to consider user groups based on the cross-domain information and show that users from these groups behave differently. We investigate a number of search characteristics including re-querying behavior, topical spread of user interests and the overall popularity of queries across the different user groups, and demonstrate how considering different user groups has implications for evaluating and designing cross-domain personalization and recommendation approaches.
Neuroblastoma‐like Neurilemoma

We report three cases of neurilemoma occurring in the superficial soft tissue of the palm, posterior neck, and flank that closely resembled neuroblastoma by virtue of a predominance of small, round hyperchromatic Schwann cells with scant cytoplasm which, in one case formed perivascular rosettes and, in the others, giant rosettes with central collagen cores. Although the diagnosis of neuroblastic tumor was seriously entertained in all cases, the diagnosis of a schwannoma was substantiated by the finding of focal areas of conventional schwannoma and by the typical immunophenotypic profile. All tumors strongly and diffusely expressed S-100 protein but lacked neurofilament protein, protein gene product (PGP), and synaptophysin. Ultrastructurally the cells contained slender cytoplasmic processes invested with basal lamina, but no dense core granules. All were excised conservatively, and none has recurred during the 2, 12, and 27 month follow-up periods.
Sequence motifs of myelin membrane proteins: Towards the molecular basis of diseases

The shortest sequence of amino acids in protein containing functional and structural information is a “motif. ” To understand myelin protein functions, we intensively searched for motifs that can be found in myelin proteins. Some myelin proteins had several different motifs or repetition of the same motif. The most abundant motif found among myelin proteins was a myristoylation motif. Bovine MAG held 11 myristoylation motifs and human myelin basic protein held as many as eight such motifs. PMP22 had the fewest myristoylation motifs, which was only one; rat PMP22 contained no such motifs. Cholesterol recognition/interaction amino‐acid consensus (CRAC) motif was not found in myelin basic protein. P2 protein of different species contained only one CRAC motif, except for P2 of horse, which had no such motifs. MAG, MOG, and P0 were very rich in CRAC, three to eight motifs per protein. The analysis of motifs in myelin proteins is expected to provide structural insight and refinement of predicted 3D models for which structures are as yet unknown. Analysis of motifs in mutant proteins associated with neurological diseases uncovered that some motifs disappeared in P0 with mutation found in neurological diseases. There are 2,500 motifs deposited in a databank, but 21 were found in myelin proteins, which is only 1% of the total known motifs. There was great variability in the number of motifs among proteins from different species. The appearance or disappearance of protein motifs after gaining point mutation in the protein related to neurological diseases was very interesting. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relative Contributions of Self-Efficacy, Self-Regulation, and Self-Handicapping in Predicting Student Procrastination

The relative contributions of self-efficacy, self-regulation, and self-handicapping student procrastination were explored. College undergraduate participants (N = 138; 40 men, 97 women, one not reporting sex) filled out the Procrastination Scale, the Self-Handicapping Scale–Short Form, and the Self-regulation and Self-handicapping scales of the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire. A hierarchical regression of the above measures indicated that self-efficacy, self-regulation, and self-handicapping all predicted scores on the Procrastination Scale, but self-regulation fully accounted for the predictive power of self-efficacy. The results suggested self-regulation and self-handicapping predict procrastination independently. These findings are discussed in relation to the literature on the concept of “self-efficacy for self-regulation” and its use in the field of procrastination research.
Spinal Anesthesia with Ropivacaine. A Double Blind Study on Efficacy and Safety of 0.5% and 0.75% Solutions in Patients Undergoing Minor Lower Limb Surgery.

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical efficacy and safety of ropivacaine as a local anesthetic for spinal anesthesia. Forty patients between the ages of 18 and 75 yr, scheduled for minor lower limb surgery, were studied. They were randomly allocated to receive either 3 mL glucose-free 0.5% (15 mg) or 0.75% (22.5 mg) ropivacaine in a double-blind fashion. The subarachnoid puncture was performed with a 26-gauge Quincke-point needle at the L3-4 interspace with the patients in the sitting position. The onset of analgesia to pinprick was similar with both concentrations. The median (range) upper level of analgesia obtained with the 0.5% solution was T11 (L4-T5) and was T10-11 (L4-T4) with the 0.75% solution. The duration of analgesia at T12 (P < 0.01) and the total duration of analgesia (P < 0.002) were longer in the 0.75% group. In addition, the area under the number of blocked segments versus time curve was larger with the 0.75% ropivacaine solution (P < 0.001). The incidence of complete motor block of the lower limbs was higher (P < 0.02) and the total duration of motor block longer (P < 0.002) in the 0.75% group. No unexpected adverse events were registered. We conclude that subarachnoid injection of glucose-free ropivacaine solutions results in a variable spread of analgesia, mostly accompanied by a good quality of motor block, in particular with the 0.75% solution.
Is a history of trauma associated with a reduced likelihood of cervical cancer screening?

OBJECTIVE We tested the hypothesis that a history of trauma (especially sexual trauma) was associated with a reduced likelihood of having had medically appropriate cervical cancer screening. STUDY DESIGN A case-control study using mailed self-report questionnaires. POPULATION The questionnaires were completed by an age-stratified random sample of adult women members of a large health maintenance organization. The sample included 364 women who had received medically appropriate cervical cancer screening and 372 who had not. OUTCOMES MEASURED We defined cases as women who, according to their medical record, had not had cervical cancer screening within 2 years before the study. Controls were defined as women who had been screened. We evaluated exposures to trauma that we hypothesized to be associated with the case/control state. RESULTS Women who had been sexually abused in childhood were less likely to have had a Pap smear within the past 2 years (36.0% vs. 50.4%, P =.050). Other traumatic events were associated with Pap testing in bivariate analyses but not when demographic characteristics and clinic location were controlled. Childhood sexual abuse remained associated with reduced odds of Pap screening in logistic regression analyses that controlled for clinic location, demographics, attitudes about Pap screening, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (adjusted OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that childhood sexual abuse may lead to decreased probability of screening for cervical cancer, potentially contributing to the poorer health seen in other studies of women who have been sexually abused.
Kidney Volume Changes in Patients With Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease After Renal Transplantation

Background. Few studies have investigated whether the volume of native kidney and liver (when combined with polycystic disease) in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) decreases after renal transplantation. Methods. Changes in the volume of native kidney (bilateral: n=28; unilateral: n=5) and liver (concomitant polycystic disease: n=18) were analyzed in 33 patients with ADPKD, who underwent renal transplantation. Volumetry was retrospectively conducted using simple computed tomography scan data 6 months before transplantation, at the time of transplantation, and 1, 3, and 5 years after transplantation. Volume change was calculated on the basis of the value at the time of transplantation. Results. Mean±standard deviation values of bilateral native kidney volume were 3100±1417 (range: 756 to 6525; median: 2499) cm3 at the time of transplantation. Kidney volumes were significantly reduced in all but one patient after renal transplantation, decreasing by 37.7% and 40.6% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. The major proportion of the decrease was observed within the first year posttransplantation. In contrast, 16 of 18 patients showed significant increase of liver volumes after renal transplantation. The mean rates of increase were 8.6% and 21.4% at 1 and 3 years, respectively. Conclusions. As the volume of native polycystic kidneys could be reduced after renal transplantation, resection would be unnecessary if the space for kidney graft is available in the absence of infection, bleeding, or malignancy. When ADPKD is combined with polycystic liver disease, the possibility of intolerable symptoms caused by growing liver cysts should also be taken into account.
Rate-compatible punctured DVB-S2 LDPC codes for DVB-SH applications

In this paper, we present and analyze three padding and puncturing schemes for DVB-S2 low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, in order to obtain coding rates equivalent to DVB-SH specification (2/3, 1/2, 2/5, 1/3, 2/7, 1/4, 2/9 and 1/5). We compare the performance of punctured DVB-S2 LDPC codes against the 3GPP2 turbo codes. Simulation results for bit error rate (BER) and frame error rate (FER) show that the proposed coding schemes exhibit 0.5 dB to 0.75 dB penalty loss compared to 3GPP2 codes. The codes with random and deliberate puncturing show nearly the same performance in AWGN channel, while the optimal puncturing shows 0.2 dB better performance.
Effect of Credit Risk on the Performance of Nepalese Commercial Banks

This study has examined the effect of credit risk on performance of Nepalese commercial banks. The descriptive and causal comparative research designs have been adopted for the study. The pooled data of 14 commercial banks for the period 2010 to 2015 have been analyzed using regression model. The regression results revealed that 'non-performing loan ratio' has negative effect on bank performance whereas 'cost per loan assets' has positive effect on bank performance. In addition to credit risk indicators, bank size has positive effect on bank performance. Capital adequacy ratio and cash reserve are not considered as the influencing variables on bank performance. This study concludes that there is significant relationship between bank performance and credit risk indicators.
Modulation of scleral DNA synthesis in development of and recovery from induced axial myopia in the tree shrew.

Visually modulated scleral extracellular matrix remodelling is associated with the development of, and recovery from, induced axial myopia in the tree shrew, a commonly used mammalian model of refractive error development. The involvement of scleral cell proliferation in this process was investigated using [3H] thymidine. Tree shrews were monocularly deprived of pattern vision, using translucent occluders, or the retinal image was optically defocused, using negative lenses, over a period of 5 days. A further group was monocularly deprived for 5 days, then allowed 3 days of binocular recovery. A control group of binocularly open animals was employed to establish normal parameters. On the final day of the experimental period, [3H] thymidine was administered by intraperitoneal injection, then optical and biometric measures were taken and tissue samples collected for assay. Incorporation of [3H] thymidine into cellular DNA was measured in proteinase K digests, following precipitation with trichloroacetic acid. After 5 days, significant amounts of myopia were present in the treated eyes of both form-deprived [-7. 0+/-0.7 Dioptres (D), group mean+/-s.e. m. ; P<0.01] and lens-defocused animals (-6.2+/-0.9 D;P<0.01). After 3 days of recovery, 50% of the refractive error had been compensated for, predominantly through shortening of the vitreous chamber in the treated eye. Reduced levels of [3H] thymidine incorporation were observed in sclera from both groups of myopic animals (form-deprived, -34.3+/-9.9%;P<0.05 and lens-defocus, -32.8+/-4.5%;P<0.005). Increased levels of [3H] thymidine incorporation were found in the sclera of recovering animals (+144.0+/-43.2%;P<0.05). The results show that changes in regulation of cell proliferation, during the development of myopia, are visually mediated and inversely related to the direction of change in ocular size. This implies that alterations in the scleral fibroblast population are involved in the modulation of scleral matrix turnover during myopia development.
Pedicle Reduction Osteotomy in the Upper Cervical Spine: Technique, Case Report and Review of the Literature

Objective To present a case report of the correction of a degenerative cervical 45-degree kyphosis centered at C4 with a single stage PSO. Summary of Background Data Correction of a fixed cervical kyphosis is a surgical challenge that is frequently managed with a combination of anterior and posterior surgical procedures. An alternative the three stage operation is a single stage pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO). A PSO releases the posterior, middle and anterior columns of the spine by resecting the facet joints, pedicles, and a portion of the vertebral body at the apex of a kyphosis through a posterior approach. Methods This was a case report of a patient who had degenerative cervical 45 degree kyphosis and was corrected with a single stage pedicle subtraction osteotomy. We did a literature review to provide information on current techniques to treat these patients. Results With careful resection of the lateral mass and decompression of the vertebral artery by removal of the posterior margin of the foramen transversarium the upper cervical pedicles can be accessed and a PSO can be performed. The vertebral arteries were not obstructed or kinked with posterior reduction of the PSO in this case. Conclusions A closing wedge PSO is a useful tool for correcting fixed kyphotic deformities in the upper cervical spine. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term outcomes in these patients.
Enhancing the Sensitivity of Assays to Detect T Cell Reactivity: The Effect of Cell Separation and Cryopreservation Media

Abstract: The identification of sensitive assay formats capable of distinguishing islet autoreactive T cells directly ex vivo in blood is a major goal in type 1 diabetes research. Whereas much effort has been made to identify suitable assay formats, relatively little attention has been paid to optimizing the quality of cell preparations used. To address this issue we investigated the role of two key variables in the preparation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs): the separation media used in density gradient centrifugation and the method of cryopreservation. PBMCs were prepared from a single individual using different protocols and tested for responses to suboptimal concentrations of tetanus toxoid, representing a low frequency recall response. Significant differences were observed in T cell responses dependent upon the selection of the separation media and cryopreservation methods used, indicating that relatively small differences in preparation of PBMCs can have measurable effects on assay sensitivity.