Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytoreductive nephrectomy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: inequities in access exist despite improved survival

The use of cytoreductive nephrectomy (CRN) in the targeted therapy era is still debated. We aimed to determine factors associated with reduced use of CRN and determine the effect of CRN on overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC). All advanced RCC diagnosed between 2001 and 2009 in New South Wales, Australia, were identified from the Central Cancer Registry. Records of treatment and death were electronically linked. Follow‐up was to the end of 2011. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors associated with the receipt of CRN. Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine factors associated with survival. A total of 1062 patients were identified with metastatic RCC of whom 289 (27%) received CRN. There was no difference in the use of CRN over the time period of the study. Females (OR 0.68 (95% CI: 0.48–0.96)), unmarried individuals (OR 0.68 (95% CI: 0.48–0.96)), treatment in a nonteaching hospital (OR 0.26 (95% CI: 0.18–0.36)) and individuals without private insurance (OR 0.29 (95% CI: 0.20–0.41)) all had reduced likelihood of receiving CRN. On multivariable analysis, not receiving CRN resulted in a 90% increase in death (HR 1.90 (95% CI: 1.61–2.25)). In addition, increasing age (P < 0.001), increasing Charlson comorbidity status (P = 0.002) and female gender also had a significant independent association with death. Despite a strong association with improved survival, individuals who are elderly, female, have treatment in a nonteaching facility or have no private insurance have a reduced likelihood of receiving CRN.
Neutralizing antibodies modulate replication of simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac in primary macaque macrophages

Cultured macaque macrophages are permissive for the replication of SIVmac251, and inoculation with virus is followed by the production of viral p27. Neutralizing macaque polyclonal and murine monoclonal antibodies preincubated with the virus prevented infection but did not prevent cytopathic virus replication when added more than 3 days after inoculation with virus. However, application of the neutralizing antibodies to macrophages 24 h after inoculation with virus resulted in sustained, low-level production of viral antigen. Cell lysates and individual macrophages from treated cultures contained less viral protein by Western blot (immunoblot) and immunocytochemistry than untreated controls. In situ hybridization and polymerase chain reaction procedures for detecting and estimating relative amounts of viral RNA and DNA showed that both viral nucleic acids failed to increase beyond the levels obtained before the addition of neutralizing antibodies. The data suggest that macrophages may need to be infected with a minimum threshold of virus particles in order to reach their full potential for virus replication and that their exposure to neutralizing antibodies prior to reaching this threshold resulted in limited virus replication.
Lighting Estimation in Outdoor Image Collections

Large scale structure-from-motion (SfM) algorithms have recently enabled the reconstruction of highly detailed 3-D models of our surroundings simply by taking photographs. In this paper, we propose to leverage these reconstruction techniques to automatically estimate the outdoor illumination conditions for each image in a SfM photo collection. We introduce a novel dataset of outdoor photo collections, where the ground truth lighting conditions are known at each image. We also present an inverse rendering approach that recovers a high dynamic range estimate of the lighting conditions for each low dynamic range input image. Our novel database is used to quantitatively evaluate the performance of our algorithm. Results show that physically plausible lighting estimates can faithfully be recovered, both in terms of light direction and intensity.
A Novel Assay for Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity against HIV-1- or SIV-Infected Cells Reveals Incomplete Overlap with Antibodies Measured by Neutralization and Binding Assays

ABSTRACT The resistance of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to antibody-mediated immunity often prevents the detection of antibodies that neutralize primary isolates of HIV-1. However, conventional assays for antibody functions other than neutralization are suboptimal. Current methods for measuring the killing of virus-infected cells by antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) are limited by the number of natural killer (NK) cells obtainable from individual donors, donor-to-donor variation, and the use of nonphysiological targets. We therefore developed an ADCC assay based on NK cell lines that express human or macaque CD16 and a CD4+ T-cell line that expresses luciferase from a Tat-inducible promoter upon HIV-1 or simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection. NK cells and virus-infected targets are mixed in the presence of serial plasma dilutions, and ADCC is measured as the dose-dependent loss of luciferase activity. Using this approach, ADCC titers were measured in plasma samples from HIV-infected human donors and SIV-infected macaques. For the same plasma samples paired with the same test viruses, this assay was approximately 2 orders of magnitude more sensitive than optimized assays for neutralizing antibodies—frequently allowing the measurement of ADCC in the absence of detectable neutralization. Although ADCC correlated with other measures of Env-specific antibodies, neutralizing and gp120 binding titers did not consistently predict ADCC activity. Hence, this assay affords a sensitive method for measuring antibodies capable of directing ADCC against HIV- or SIV-infected cells expressing native conformations of the viral envelope glycoprotein and reveals incomplete overlap of the antibodies that direct ADCC and those measured in neutralization and binding assays.
Eye growth in term- and preterm-born eyes modeled from magnetic resonance images.

PURPOSE We generated a model of eye growth and tested it against an eye known to develop abnormally, one with a history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS We reviewed extant magnetic resonance images (MRIs) from term and preterm-born patients for suitable images (n = 129). We binned subjects for analysis based upon postmenstrual age at birth (in weeks) and ROP history ("Term" ≥ 37, "Premature" ≤ 32 with no ROP, "ROP" ≤ 32 with ROP). We measured the axial positions and curvatures of the cornea, anterior and posterior lens, and inner retinal surface. We fit anterior chamber depth (ACD), posterior segment depth (PSD), axial length (AL), and corneal and lenticular curvatures with logistic growth curves that we then evaluated for significant differences. We also measured the length of rays from the centroid to the surface of the eye at 5° intervals, and described the length versus age relationship of each ray, L(ray)(x), using the same logistic growth curve. We determined the rate of ray elongation, E(ray)(x), from L(ray)dy/dx. Then, we estimated the scleral growth that accounted for E(ray)(x), G(x), at every age and position. RESULTS Relative to Term, development of ACD, PSD, AL, and corneal and lenticular curvatures was delayed in ROP eyes, but not Premature eyes. In Term infants, G(x) was fast and predominantly equatorial; in age-matched ROP eyes, maximal G(x) was offset by approximately 90°. CONCLUSIONS We produced a model of normal eye growth in term-born subjects. Relative to normal, the ROP eye is characterized by delayed, abnormal growth.
Analgesic efficacy and haemodynamic effects of nefopam in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND Pain management is challenging in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The analgesic efficacy, tolerance, and haemodynamic effects of nefopam have never been described in critically ill patients. METHODS In consecutive medical-surgical ICU patients who received 20 mg of nefopam i.v. over 30 min, we measured pain, Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS), respiratory parameters, and adverse drug events at T0 (baseline), T30 (end-of-infusion), T60, and T90 min. Haemodynamic variables were assessed every 15 min from T0 to T60 and T90. Pain was evaluated by the behavioural pain scale (BPS, 3-12) or by the self-reported visual numeric rating scale (NRS, 0-10) according to communication capacity. RESULTS Data were analysed for 59 patients. As early as T30, median NRS and BPS decreased significantly from T0 to a minimum level at T60 for NRS [5 (4-7) vs 1 (1-3), P<0.001] and T90 for BPS [5 (5-6) vs 3 (3-4), P<0.001]. No significant changes were detected for RASS, ventilatory frequency, or oxygen saturation. Increased heart rate and decreased mean arterial pressure, defined as a change ≥15% from baseline, were found in 29% and 27% of patients, respectively. For the 18 patients monitored, cardiac output increased by 19 (7-29)% and systemic vascular resistance decreased by 20 (8-28)%, both maximally at T30. Heat sensation, nausea/vomiting, sweating, and mouth dryness were found, respectively, in 6%, 9%, 22%, and 38% of patients. CONCLUSIONS A single slow infusion of nefopam is effective in critically ill patients who have moderate pain. The risk of tachycardia and increased cardiac output and also hypotension and decreased systemic vascular resistance should be known to evaluate the benefit/risk ratio of its prescription.
Scientific Opinion on the safety of “ citicoline ” as a Novel Food ingredient 1 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products , Nutrition and Allergies

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on citicoline as a novel food ingredient in the context of Regulation (EC) No 258/97. The novel food ingredient (NFI), citicoline, is choline cytidine 5‟-pyrophosphate (C14H26N4O11P2) with a minimum purity of 98.0 %. The stability, specification and production process of the NFI do not raise safety concerns. Citicoline is intended to be used in food supplements aimed at a target population of middle-aged to elderly adults, at a maximum level of 500 mg/day, and in foods for particular nutritional uses, specifically foods for special medical purposes, at a maximum level of 250 mg/serving, and with a maximum daily intake from these types of foods of 1 000 mg/day. Citicoline is readily hydrolysed on ingestion, breaking down to choline and cytidine, which are normal body constituents that then undergo further metabolism and incorporation into normal pathways of metabolism. The Panel considers that consumption of the NFI is not nutritionally disadvantageous. Available human studies do not raise safety concerns under the proposed conditions of use. The additional data presented by the applicant on safety in laboratory animals, although incomplete by modern standards, provides further reassurance on the safety of the NFI. The Panel concludes that the NFI, citicoline, is safe under the proposed uses and use levels. © European Food Safety Authority, 2013
The effect of the oestrous cycle, pregnancy and reproductive hormones on the kininase activity of rat blood.

Summary. The kininase activity of female rat blood was found not to change during the oestrous cycle. In pregnant rats, the kininase levels were found to decrease significantly with advancing gestation, reaching the lowest level around Day 20 of pregnancy. There was a rise towards normal levels in lactating rats but the normal non-pregnant level had not been attained by Day 14 of the puerperium. The maternal blood volume was shown to increase with advancing gestation until Day 20, when it levelled out. Administration of oestrogens to non-pregnant rats caused a decrease in kininase activity whereas progestagens did not have a significant effect.
Integrating GIS and spatial data analysis: problems and possibilities

Abstract This article is an agreed summary of a workshop held in Sheffield between 18-20 March 1991. The focus here is on three of the themes of the workshop: the mutual benefits of closer links between geographical information systems (GIS) and the methods of spatial data analysis (SDA); the specific areas of SDA that should be linked with GIS; how the linkage should be made in practice. Directions for future research are also reviewed. The emphasis throughout is on statistical SDA and principally from the perspective of human rather than physical geography.
Transcriptional profiling of sugarcane leaves and roots under progressive osmotic stress reveals a regulated coordination of gene expression in a spatiotemporal manner

Sugarcane is one of the most important crops worldwide and is a key plant for the global production of sucrose. Sugarcane cultivation is severely affected by drought stress and it is considered as the major limiting factor for their productivity. In recent years, this plant has been subjected to intensive research focused on improving its resilience against water scarcity; particularly the molecular mechanisms in response to drought stress have become an underlying issue for its improvement. To better understand water stress and the molecular mechanisms we performed a de novo transcriptomic assembly of sugarcane (var. Mex 69–290). A total of 16 libraries were sequenced in a 2x100 bp configuration on a HiSeq-Illumina platform. A total of 536 and 750 genes were differentially up-regulated along with the stress treatments for leave and root tissues respectively, while 1093 and 531 genes were differentially down-regulated in leaves and roots respectively. Gene Ontology functional analysis showed that genes related to response of water deprivation, heat, abscisic acid, and flavonoid biosynthesis were enriched during stress treatment in our study. The reliability of the observed expression patterns was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Additionally, several physiological parameters of sugarcane were significantly affected due to stress imposition. The results of this study may help identify useful target genes and provide tissue-specific data set of genes that are differentially expressed in response to osmotic stress, as well as a complete analysis of the main groups is significantly enriched under this condition. This study provides a useful benchmark for improving drought tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grass species.
Interaction of Yersinia enterocolitica with macrophages leads to macrophage cell death through apoptosis

Suppression of the host defense is one of the hallmarks of Yersinia enterocolitica infection. This enteric pathogen resists phagocytosis and interferes with macrophage functions from an extracellular localization (oxidative-burst generation and tumor necrosis factor alpha production). In this study, we investigated the fate of the Y. enterocolitica-infected macrophage. We found that murine J774A.1 macrophages and macrophages derived from human monocytes were killed by infection with Y. enterocolitica. Analysis of cellular morphology and DNA fragmentation revealed that macrophage cell death occurs through the induction of apoptosis. A total of 92% +/- 5% (mean +/- standard deviation) of murine J774A.1 macrophages and 74% +/- 6% of human monocyte-derived macrophages underwent apoptosis upon Yersinia infection after 4 and 20 h, respectively. The broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-DL-Asp-fluoromethylketone blocked completion of the Yersinia-induced apoptotic program but not the surface exposure of phosphatidylserine as an early-stage apoptotic event. Analysis of different Yersinia mutants showed that macrophage apoptosis depends on a functional Y. enterocolitica type III protein secretion system. Apoptotic cell death of macrophages was not related to the YopE-mediated cytotoxic effect of Yersinia, since disruption of actin microfilaments by a Y. enterocolitica strain expressing a restricted repertoire of yop genes, including YopE, did not result in macrophage apoptosis. Furthermore, Yersinia-induced cytotoxic alterations in epithelial HeLa cells, which are conferred by YopE, did not lead to apoptosis. Our data demonstrate for the first time that Y. enterocolitica promotes the apoptosis of macrophages, an effect which is clearly distinct from the morphological alterations mediated by Yersinia on epithelial HeLa cells.
The Fibroblast Growth Factor 14·Voltage-gated Sodium Channel Complex Is a New Target of Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 (GSK3)*

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) binds to and regulates the voltage-gated Na+ (Nav) channel. Results: Inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) modifies FGF14/Nav channel interaction, with effects on Na+ currents and subcellular distribution of the FGF14·Nav channel complex. Conclusion: The FGF14·Nav channel complex is a new target of GSK3. Significance: We provide evidence for modulation of Nav channels by GSK3 through FGF14. The FGF14 protein controls biophysical properties and subcellular distribution of neuronal voltage-gated Na+ (Nav) channels through direct binding to the channel C terminus. To gain insights into the dynamic regulation of this protein/protein interaction complex, we employed the split luciferase complementation assay to screen a small molecule library of kinase inhibitors against the FGF14·Nav1.6 channel complex and identified inhibitors of GSK3 as hits. Through a combination of a luminescence-based counter-screening, co-immunoprecipitation, patch clamp electrophysiology, and quantitative confocal immunofluorescence, we demonstrate that inhibition of GSK3 reduces the assembly of the FGF14·Nav channel complex, modifies FGF14-dependent regulation of Na+ currents, and induces dissociation and subcellular redistribution of the native FGF14·Nav channel complex in hippocampal neurons. These results further emphasize the role of FGF14 as a critical component of the Nav channel macromolecular complex, providing evidence for a novel GSK3-dependent signaling pathway that might control excitability through specific protein/protein interactions.
Experiences with the new open-wye / open-delta transformer test cases for distribution system analysis

This panel presentation summary describes experiences with modeling a new test case added to the IEEE Radial Test Feeder suite in 2004. The case was implemented in an existing general-purpose distribution system analysis program by modifying the model previously used to study the standard "4-wire delta" test case. The published test case results were verified. Experience with the implementation and commentary on the test case is given.
Digital Cross-Organizational and Cross-Border Collaboration: A Scientometric Study

Digital cross-organizational and cross-border collaboration are emerging research issues. Significant drivers of this development are collaboration-related information systems. A structured discourse is essential here, due to the practical relevance and the interdisciplinary nature of this issue. This paper presents a scientometric study on publications focusing on digital collaboration in cross-organizational and cross-border settings. We reviewed 80 articles published in six leading journals, EJIS, ISJ, ISR, JAIS, JMIS, and MISQ, during the 2000-2007 period. Besides the topics of investigation, subjects to analysis were the distribution of the articles by journal and year, authorship characteristics, and composition and regional distribution of the involved research teams. The findings indicate that most papers are focused on cross-organizational issues while cross-border research is very rare. Moreover, the structure of the research teams significantly differs across journals, and the number of international research teams is modest. Based on the findings, key observations and implications are discussed.
A Multilevel Investigation of the Motivational Mechanisms Underlying Knowledge Sharing and Performance

This study draws on three different, yet complementary, theories of motivation, which we combine in an interactive manner, to explain the mechanisms that underlie the exchange between knowledge providers and recipients and ultimately impact performance. More specifically, we use incentive, goal-setting-social cognitive, and social motivation theories to examine knowledge sharing within dyads and its influence on individual performance. One hundred and twenty participants functioning as interdependent manager dyads completed a strategic decision-making simulation. Hierarchical regression and random coefficient modeling techniques were used to test hypothesized relationships. Results demonstrated that the effect of group-oriented incentive systems on the knowledge provider was enhanced when more positive norms for knowledge sharing existed among dyad members. The recipient's self-efficacy had a stronger relationship with performance goals when the recipient trusted the provider. Finally, self-set goals and knowledge sharing had both direct and interactive effects on individual performance. We argue that these findings constitute a useful advance in middle-range motivation (Landy and Becker 1987, Pinder 1984) theory pertaining to knowledge sharing and utilization.
Trends in Production, Trafficking, and Consumption of Methamphetamine and Cocaine in Mexico

Over the past decade, Mexico has experienced a significant increase in trafficking of cocaine and trafficking and production of methamphetamine. An estimated 70% of United States cocaine originating in South America passes through the Central America–Mexico corridor. Mexico-based groups are now believed to control 70%–90% of methamphetamine production and distribution in the United States. Increased availability of these drugs at reduced prices has led to a parallel rise in local drug consumption. Methamphetamine abuse is now the primary reason for seeking drug abuse treatment in a number of cities, primarily in northwestern Mexico. Although cocaine and methamphetamine use have been linked with the sex trade and high-risk behaviors, such as shooting gallery attendance and unprotected sex in other settings, comparatively little is known about the risk behaviors associated with use of these drugs in Mexico, especially for methamphetamines. We review historical aspects and current trends in cocaine and methamphetamine production, trafficking, and consumption in Mexico, with special emphasis on the border cities of Ciudad Juarez and Tijuana. Additionally, we discuss the potential public health consequences of cocaine use and the recent increase in methamphetamine use, especially in regards to the spread of bloodborne and other infections, in an effort to inform appropriate public health interventions.