Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Endothelium-dependent dilatory effects of 3α-OH-tibolone in gracilis muscle arterioles of the female Wistar rat

Objective:Tibolone is a synthetic steroid used for the treatment of the symptoms of menopause that, once metabolized, has estrogenic, progestogenic, and androgenic properties. We investigated the direct vasodilatory effects of the major active tibolone metabolite 3α-OH-tibolone and its sulfated form on female rat skeletal muscle arterioles, which play an important role in the control of blood pressure. Design:In isolated, pressurized spontaneously constricted arterioles (mean passive diameter 83 ± 3 μm), we investigated the vasodilatory effect of 3α-OH-tibolone and its sulfated form. To study the role of the endothelium and in particular that of nitric oxide, we repeated the experiments with 3α-OH-tibolone after removal of the endothelium and on vessels pretreated with the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, Nω-nitro-L-arginine (L-Na). Finally we compared the vasodilatory effect of 3α-OH-tibolone with 17β-estradiol. Results:A dose-dependent dilatation to 3α-OH-tibolone was observed starting at a concentration of 10−10 M. With the sulfated form of 3α-OH-tibolone, dilatation was only present at the highest concentration (10−4 M). In the denuded vessels, the vasodilatory effect was absent at concentrations from 10−10 to 10−7 M. The dilatation induced by 3α-OH-tibolone was not significantly reduced by L-Na. The vasodilatory effect of 3α-OH-tibolone did not differ from that of 17β-estradiol. Conclusions:3α-OH-tibolone has a dose-dependent vasodilatory effect on isolated skeletal muscle arterioles from the rat. The sulfated form has no vasodilatory effect in this setup. This finding suggests that during this short incubation time there was no conversion of the sulfated metabolite into its active form by the vascular endothelium. The vasodilatory effect of 3α-OH-tibolone is endothelium dependent at physiologic concentrations and comparable to that of 17β-estradiol.
The Digital Divide

The year 1989 dawned like any other but, in retrospect, it witnessed two major developments of immense historical significance. One was highly visible and widely celebrated: the symbolic dismantling of the Berlin Wall sparking the brushfire of electoral democracy spreading throughout the post-Communist world and beyond. The other was less generally recognized at the time, beyond a few scientific and technical cognoscenti: the invention of the World Wide Web. Dispersed computers communicating via packet-switching networks, and hence a rudimentary version of the Internet, had linked scientific elites for two decades. It took the invention of the Web by Tim Berners-Lee in CERN and the launch of a graphical browser, Mosaic, four years later to popularize this technology. Like a stone dropping into a pellucid pond, the ripples from this invention are surging throughout industrialized societies at the core, as well as flowing more slowly among developing societies at the periphery. With the size of the online community doubling every year, few doubt the potential importance of the Internet for transforming the way people live, work, and play. But, beyond these spheres, what are the causes of stratification in the networked world? In particular – the core focus of this book – will the Internet serve to reinforce or erode the gap between information-rich and poor nations? Will it exacerbate or reduce social divisions within countries? And will it strengthen representative democracy, as many hope, or will it buttress the power of established interests, as others fear?
Correlation of Serum Amylase Levels with Pancreatic Pathology and Pancreatitis Etiology

Fifty-one patients, 35 men and 16 women, with acute pancreatitis were studied prospectively with early computed tomography (CT). Etiological factors for acute pancreatitis were alcohol abuse (n = 28), gallstones (n = 14), pancreas cancer (n = 3) and miscellaneous (n = 6). Admission serum amylase levels ranged between 68–5,856 U/L with a mean of 1,090 5 1,369 U/L. The mean serum amylase level was significantly different between patients with alcoholic pancreatitis (439 ± 302 U/L) and gallstone pancreatitis (2,480 ± 1,575) (p <0.001). The initial pancreatic CT findings and corresponding mean serum amylase levels were in CT grade A (pancreas normal) 1,499 ± 1,569 U/L (n = 11), in CT grade B (pancreatic enlargement with inflammation confined to pancreas) 1,144 ± 1,542 U/L (n = 18), in CT grade C (inflammatory extension into one peripancreatic space) 722 ± %2 U/L (n = 13) and in CT grade D (inflammatory extension into two or more peripancreatic spaces) 590 ± 369 U/L (n = 9). However, on separating the etiology subgroups, there was no increase or decrease in the serum amylase level with increasing pancreatic inflammatory involvement. Pancreatic complications (pseudocyst, abscess, necrosis) requiring surgical intervention developed only in patients with CT grades C and D. We conclude that within the etiologic subgroups there is no correlation between the initial serum amylase level and the extent of pancreatic involvement visualized by CT. These findings provide a pathological basis for the clinical observation that the initial serum amylase level cannot predict the outcome in acute pancreatitis.
Acromioclavicular Joint Injuries in National Collegiate Athletic Association Football

Background: Injuries to the shoulder are common in collegiate football, and injuries to the acromioclavicular (AC) joint have previously accounted for up to 41% of all shoulder injuries. Purpose: To determine the incidence and epidemiology of injury to the AC joint in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football athletes. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: The NCAA Injury Surveillance System (ISS) men’s football database was reviewed from the 2004-2009 playing seasons. The exposure data set from the same years was reviewed for the purposes of computing rates of injury per athlete exposure (AE). The injury rate (number of injuries divided by number of AEs) was computed per 10,000 AEs for competition and practice exposures. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the incidence rates were calculated using assumptions of a Poisson distribution. Results: According to the estimates made by the NCAA ISS, a total of 748 injuries to the AC joint occurred in NCAA football players during 2,222,155 AEs, accounting for 4.49% of all injuries sustained during this 5-year surveillance period. The overall rate of injury was 3.34 per 10,000 AEs (95% CI, 3.10-3.59). Players were 11.68 (95% CI, 10.11-13.49) times more likely to sustain an injury in games than practices. Partial sprains (types I or II) accounted for 96.4% of injuries, while complete sprains (≥type III) accounted for the remaining 3.6%. The average amount of time lost per injury was 11.61 days. Complete sprains resulted in a mean time loss of 31.9 days (95% CI, 24.4-39.6) while partial injuries resulted in 11.0 days lost (95% CI, 9.6-12.3). Overall, 2.41% of injuries underwent surgical intervention, with 22.2% of complete sprains and 1.7% of partial injuries resulting in surgery. Complete sprains of the AC joint were 13.5 (95% CI, 4.63-35.26) times more likely to result in surgical intervention than partial sprains. The majority of injuries (71.93%) resulted from contact with another player and 47.09% occurred while tackling or being tackled. Of all injuries, 47.63% occurred during offensive plays, while defense accounted for 20.77%. Conclusion: AC joint injuries in NCAA football players are predominantly low-grade sprains, leading to approximately 12 days of lost competition. The few severe sprains that occurred often resulted in surgery or required approximately 5 weeks of rehabilitation.
Point of Interest Detection and Visual Distance Estimation for Sensor-Rich Video

Due to technological advances and the popularity of camera sensors, it is now straightforward for users to capture and share videos. A large number of geo-tagged photos and videos have been accumulating continuously on the web, posing a challenging problem for mining this type of media data. In one application scenario, users might desire to know what the Points of Interest (POI) are which contain important objects or places in a video. Existing solutions attempt to examine the content of the videos and recognize objects and events. This is typically time-consuming and computationally expensive and the results can be uneven. Therefore these methods face challenges when applied to large video repositories. We propose a novel technique that leverages sensor-generated meta-data (camera locations and viewing directions) which are automatically acquired as continuous streams together with the video frames. Existing smartphones can easily accommodate such integrated recording tasks. By considering a collective set of videos and leveraging the acquired auxiliary meta-data, our approach is able to detect interesting regions and objects (POIs) and their distances from the camera positions in a fully automated way. Because of its computational efficiency, the proposed method scales well and our experiments show very promising results.
T and B cell immune response to a 55‐kDa endothelial cell‐derived antigen in severe asthma

Current concepts on the pathogenesis of chronic asthma emphasize the role of several inflammatory cell populations and their respective mediators that interact in a complex network. However, beside inflammatory cells, lymphocytes are also present in asthmatic airways. Although little is known about their involvement in asthma, it has been suggested that lymphocytes may participate in the development of chronic inflammation either through lymphokine secretion or through antibody production. In this study, we describe circulating IgG autoantibodies, directed against a common 55‐kDa antigen shared by platelets and cultured endothelial cells, and found in 34 out of 97 asthmatic patients. Among epidemiological, clinical and biological characteristics of these asthmatic patients, the anti‐55‐kDa antigen antibodies are mainly restricted to patients with negative cutaneous prick tests (p = 0.0014), and corticosteroid‐dependent asthma (p = 0.0036). These antibodies were also detected in a few patients with autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus (3/30) or rheumatoid arthritis (2/36). Both platelet and endothelial cell antigens were cross‐reactive, had an isoelectric point between 8.0 and 9.0, were unsensitive to reducing agents such as 2‐mercaptoethanol. and were not present on either platelet or endothelial cell surface, as determined by immunostaining assay. [3H] Thymidine incorporation assay with peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients in the presence or in the absence of 55‐kDa antigen, purified from nitrocellulose sheets demonstrated a specific incorporation in 6 out of 13 patients with circulating anti‐55‐kDa antigen antibodies, with index values ranging from 12 to 3. Such a T cell reactivity has also been observed in 3 out to 17 patients without detectable serum anti‐55‐kDa antigen antibodies. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between index values of antigen‐specific T cell reactivity and the forced expiratory volume in one second (r = 0.544, p = 0.003). Our data indicate that the detection of such antibodies allows to distinguish a subgroup of asthmatics in terms of severity and to suggest a relationship between clinical severity and T and B cell autoreactivity to the 55‐kDa platelet/endothelial cell antigen.
Distinguishing Perceived Competence and Self-Efficacy: An Example From Exercise

This article examined the conceptual and statistical distinction between perceived competence and self-efficacy. Although they are frequently used interchangeably, it is possible that distinguishing them might assist researchers in better understanding their roles in developing enduring adaptive behavior patterns. Perceived competence is conceived in the theoretical framework of self-determination theory and self-efficacy is conceived in the theoretical framework of social-cognitive theory. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to empirically distinguish perceived competence from self-efficacy for exercise. Method: Two studies evaluated the independence of perceived competence and self-efficacy in the context of exercise. Using 2 extant instruments with validity and reliability evidence in exercise contexts, the distinctiveness of the 2 constructs was assessed in 2 separate samples (n = 357 middle-aged sedentary adults; n = 247 undergraduate students). Results: Confirmatory factor analysis supported the conceptual and empirical distinction of the 2 constructs. Conclusions: This study supports the conceptual and statistical distinction of perceived competence from perceived self-efficacy. Applications of these results provide a rationale for more precise future theorizing regarding their respective roles in supporting initiation and maintenance of health behaviors.
Determination of Grade and Receptor Status from the Primary Breast Lesion by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Magnetic resonance spectra (MRS) from fine needle aspiration biopsies (FNAB) from primary breast lesions were analysed using a pattern recognition method, Statistical Classification Strategy, to assess tumor grade and oestrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PgR) status. Grade 1 and 2 breast cancers were separated from grade 3 cancers with a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 95%, respectively. The ER status was predicted with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 90%, and the PgR status with a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 86%. These classifiers provide rapid and reliable, computerized information and may offer an objective method for determining these prognostic indicators simultaneously with the diagnosis of primary pathology and lymph node involvement.
Variation in Organ Quality between Liver Transplant Centers

A wide spectrum of quality exists among deceased donor organs available for liver transplantation. It is unknown whether some transplant centers systematically use more low quality organs, and what factors might influence these decisions. We used hierarchical regression to measure variation in donor risk index (DRI) in the United States by region, organ procurement organization (OPO) and transplant center. The sample included all adults who underwent deceased donor liver transplantation between January 12, 2005 and February 1, 2009 (n = 23 810). Despite adjusting for the geographic region and OPO, transplant centers’ mean DRI ranged from 1.27 to 1.74, and could not be explained by differences in patient populations such as disease severity. Larger volume centers and those having competing centers within their OPO were more likely to use higher risk organs, particularly among recipients with lower model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD) scores. Centers using higher risk organs had equivalent waiting list mortality rates, but tended to have higher post‐transplant mortality (hazard ratio 1.10 per 0.1 increase in mean DRI). In conclusion, the quality of deceased donor organ patients receive is variable and depends in part on the characteristics of the transplant center they visit.
Jointly Learning Deep Features, Deformable Parts, Occlusion and Classification for Pedestrian Detection

Feature extraction, deformation handling, occlusion handling, and classification are four important components in pedestrian detection. Existing methods learn or design these components either individually or sequentially. The interaction among these components is not yet well explored. This paper proposes that they should be jointly learned in order to maximize their strengths through cooperation. We formulate these four components into a joint deep learning framework and propose a new deep network architecture (Code available on www.ee.cuhk.edu.hk/wlouyang/projects/ouyangWiccv13Joint/index.html). By establishing automatic, mutual interaction among components, the deep model has average miss rate 8.57 percent/11.71 percent on the Caltech benchmark dataset with new/original annotations.
Molecular epidemiology of GISTs: Incidence of PDGFRA and KIT exon 9 mutations in the large French population-based study molecGIST.

10535 Background: KIT exon 11, KIT exon 9, and PDGFRA exon 18 mutations are present in 67%, 10% and 5% of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST). However most of these data are based on analyses of patients with overtly metastatic tumors. The MolecGIST study was design to evaluated prospectively the histological, molecular and clinical characteristics of all GISTs diagnosed at all stages. METHODS All patients leaving in France, whose diagnosis of GIST was achieved between June 1, 2006 and May 31, 2008 were includable in the study. MolecGIST was approved by French ethical comities. Samples were collected in 11 reference centers for histology review, immunohistochemistry and detection of mutations within exon 9, 11, 13, and 17 of KIT and 12, 14, and 18 of PDGFRA. RESULTS In December 2008, 738 patients were referred to MolecGIST, corresponding to 5.95/million/year incidence of GIST en France (62 millions inhabitants). The median age at diagnosis 63.1 years (range [15-96]), and female/male ratio 0.98. GIST originated in the stomach in 56.3% and small bowel in 29.3% of the cases. Tumors were KIT+ in 90,4% of cases. CD34 was expressed by more than 20% of tumor cells in 83.8% of gastric GIST and 39.7% of small bowel GIST respectively (P<0.0001). The risk of metastatic relapse was moderate or high in 62.7% of the patients, according to Fletcher classification, while only in 44% according to Miettinen's. Mutation analyses were achieved in 438 cases (to be updated), and mutations of either KIT or PDGFRA were detected in 66.2% and 12.6% of the patients, and absent in 21.2%. The most frequent mutations were KIT exon 11 (59.1%), PDGFRA exon 18 (9.8%) and KIT exon 9 (4.3%). The incidence of PDGFRA exon 18 and KIT exon 9 were significantly different than the published data (P=0.0008 and P<0.0001 respectively). Among GIST of the small bowel, the mutations were KIT exon 11 (69.1%) and KIT exon 9 (13.1%). CONCLUSIONS The PDGFRAexon18/KITexon9 mutation ratio is 4.5 times higher in our population based study than in patients included in phase III trials. The incidence of GIST with PDGFRA mutations and intestinal GIST exon KIT exon 11 mutations is underestimated in published series as compared to ours, probably because of the better prognosis. [Table: see text].
Three Viewpoints on the Therapeutic Alliance: Similarities, Differences, and Associations with Psychotherapy Outcome

This study tested three systems for measuring patient and therapist contributions to the therapeutic relationship. Scales with parallel dimensions were used by patients, therapists, and clinician judges to rate the same therapy hours. The sample consisted of 42 patients selected on specific criteria for their suitability for brief psychotherapy (20 sessions). They were treated by experienced psychodynamic therapists and therapeutic change was assessed by six outcome measures. Similarities and differences between the three perspectives of the alliance and their association with outcome were examined. There were significant correlations between patients', therapists', and nonparticipant judges' ratings of the patients' positive and negative contributions and the therapists' positive contributions, but no agreement between the three perspectives in their estimates of therapists' negative contributions. Within each measurement system, patients' and therapists' positive contributions to the relationship were the best predictors of outcome. In conclusion, the results suggest that the patients' and therapists' ratings of the treatment relationship, although influenced by subjective bias, agree to some extent with the nonparticipant judges' ratings and are more powerful in predicting the outcome of psychotherapy.
Improving Quality of Care and Patient Safety Through Morbidity and Mortality Conferences

&NA; The objective was to evaluate the analysis of adverse events and the decisions for quality improvement decided during morbidity and mortality conferences (MMCs). We conducted a prospective observational study of MMCs conducted in a teaching hospital between November 2007 and May 2008. Two observers attended the conferences and collected data on the structure of MMCs, the discussion between attendees, and the decisions or actions for quality improvement. Twenty‐four MMCs were studied including 146 cases. A majority of the senior physicians present (87.7%) took part in debating the cases; the participation of residents was lower (32.6%) and varied between departments (p < .001). Few paramedical professionals and other attendees participated in the debate. Shortcomings were sought in 91% of cases, but a structured method was used in less than 10% of cases. An analysis of underlying factors contributing to these shortcomings was observed in 75% of cases, with 4% considered structured and thorough. Eighty‐five decisions or actions to improve quality of care or patient safety were listed, with 28 of them (33%) planned for implementation. Discussion of adverse events appears to lack a structured method and although a large number of decisions for quality improvement were declared, fewer actions were planned with a timeline.
Is "A-Plus" Really a Passing Grade? Insurer Risk Capacity and Financial Ratings: The Use of Financial Ratings of Insurance Reporting Services to Avoid Potentially Insolvent or Otherwise Delinquent Insurers

This article reviews several methods of insurer selection, but places major emphasis on the use of insurer reporting services. It reviews the rating history of all delinquent insurers in one of the most widely used services. And it concludes that on the basis of historical performance, reporting service can be an effective tool for avoiding delinquent insurance companies. A recent shock wave of insolvencies among automobile insurers has generated new interest in the perennial problem of selecting solvent and sound insurers. The wags often comment that it is difficult enough to collect a claim from a solvent insurer. They might surely add that collecting from an insolvent or otherwise Herbert S. Denenberg, Ph.D., LL.M., C.P.C.U. , C.L. U. , is associate professor of insurance at the Wharton School of Finance and Commerce and associate director of the Staff of the Insurance Laws Revision Committee of the State of Wisconsin. He is author or co-author of Risk and Insurance (Prentice-Hall), Life Insurance And! Or Mutual Funds (Pageant), major government reports on Delinquency Proceedings in Insurance and The Automobile Problem of Puerto Rico, and articles on insurance, regulation, and law. The author wishes to thank the following persons who offered many suggestions on an earlier draft of this article: Dr. J. Robert Ferrari, Dr. Linda Bird Fletcher, Dr. Gerald Hartman, Dr. Dan M. McGill, and Dr. George Reida, all professors of insurance; and three soon-to-be professors of insurance, Richard Morith, Douglas Olson, and Robert Zelten. He also wishes to thank LeRoy Simms and Carole M. Goldman, research assistants. And for any mistakes that remain in the article, he assumes (contrary to the magnanimous tendencies of all previous authors) joint responsibility with those credited above. This article was submitted in February, 1967. delinquent insurer is indeed the ultimate in challenging assignments, and one that