Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the age related changes in dog brains

Cette etude visait a comparer les resultats d'examens anatomopathologiques de cerveaux de chiens jeunes et vieux. Vingt cerveaux de chiens de plus de 10 ans et 10 cerveaux de 10 chiens de 1-2 ans ont ete analyses. Apres examen macroscopique, des echantillons de tissus ont ete preleves dans le telencephale, le mesencephale et le rombencephale en vue d'investigations histopathologiques et immunohistochimiques. L'examen macroscopique des cerveaux de chiens âges a revele une augmentation de l'epaisseur meningee et de la dilatation ventriculaire. Au microscope, une fibrose du plexus choroide, des meninges et des parois vasculaires aussi que des defauts ependymaire, gliose et des pertes neuronales ont ete observes dans le cerveau des chiens âges. Une analyse semi-quantitative des lames a revele une augmentation statistiquement significative de l'expression de la GFAP et CNPase chez les vieux chiens par rapport aux jeunes chiens (P < 0,01).
New-Onset Diabetes With a History of Dyslipidemia Predicts Pancreatic Cancer

Objective This study aimed to investigate whether the reported relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer (PC) could result from detection bias and whether dyslipidemia and/or new-onset diabetes (diagnosed within 1 year) could predict PC. Methods A random sample of 1 million subjects covered by National Health Insurance was recruited. From 2003 to 2005, 495,493 men and 503,901 women without PC were followed up. Cox regression was used to evaluate the adjusted relative risk considering potential PC detection examinations and covariates. Results Diabetic patients had a significantly higher probability of receiving examinations that might lead to PC diagnosis. In Cox proportional hazards regression models, diabetes was not a significant predictor, but dyslipidemia was significantly associated with an approximately 40% higher risk of PC. Age, living in more urbanized regions, and potential PC detection examinations were significant covariates. Patients with new-onset diabetes and previous dyslipidemia had a remarkably higher risk compared with those without either condition (relative risk [95% confidence interval], 2.512 [1.169-5.398]). Conclusions Dyslipidemia, but not diabetes, is a significant risk factor for PC. The link between diabetes and PC is likely due to confounders and detection bias. Patients with new-onset diabetes and a history of dyslipidemia are at an especially high risk of PC.
Analyst Inattention , Transitory Tax Items , and Non-GAAP Earnings

This study examines analysts’ ability to identify transitory tax items and the role of managerprovided non-GAAP earnings in this process. Analysts act as if transitory tax items persist to future earnings when managers strategically report non-GAAP earnings by including generally income-increasing transitory tax items in their non-GAAP earnings. Our evidence is consistent across two samples of transitory tax items that complement one another to identify the impact of non-GAAP earning disclosures. Interestingly, analysts appear to properly identify and adjust for transitory tax items when managers do not issue non-GAAP earnings and when managers exclude transitory tax items from non-GAAP earnings.
Effect of cytokines on the proliferation/differentiation of stroma‐initiating cells

A culture system that identifies the precursor of murine bone marrow fibroblastic stromal cells (stroma‐initiating cells, SIC) has been developed. In this system, mature fibroblasts are depleted by adherence to plastic dishes and the nonadherent cells are seeded at a low density, which results in the formation of colonies composed of fibroblastic cells. Macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (M‐CSF) has been shown to accelerate the colony formation in the system. In this study, we examined the stroma‐inducing activity of a number of cytokines. Neither granulocyte‐CSF, stem cell factor, interleukin (IL)‐1, IL‐6, transforming growth factor, epidermal growth factor, insulin‐like growth factor, platelet‐derived growth factor, nor fibroblast growth factor showed the activity. Similarly, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) did not show any stroma‐inducing activity, but the factor inhibited the stromal colony formation induced by M‐CSF. In this study, we found that granulocyte/macrophage‐CSF (GM‐CSF) and IL‐3, as well as M‐CSF had the stroma‐inducing activity. Neither an additive nor synergistic effect was observed when the three factors were assayed in various combinations. The stroma‐inducing activity of M‐CSF, GM‐CSF and IL‐3 was observed even if lineage‐negative bone marrow cells were used as target cells, suggesting that mature hematopoietic cells such as macrophages and granulocytes were not involved in the induction of stromal colony formation by these factors. Our results raise the possibility that GM‐CSF and IL‐3 as well as M‐CSF stimulate the proliferation or differentiation of the precursor of bone marrow fibroblastic stromal cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 184:351–355, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for adults with substance abuse disorders: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials since 2007

A meta-analysis was conducted assessing the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to treat persons with substance abuse disorders (SUD) to update a previous study by Magill and Ray (2009). Magnitude of treatment effects were analyzed from randomized controlled trials of cognitive behavioral therapy related to substance use disorders conducted between 2007-2011. A subgroup was created based on similar inclusion criteria and the use of the BDI-II as a dependent variable. Grand means were then calculated for the entire study and subgroup #1. The results are consistent with the prior research, suggesting that CBT has a small effect size when used to treat SUD. Findings from this study also suggest that CBT is a very viable option for treating depressive symptoms in adults with SUD.
Partial fourier partially parallel imaging

The techniques of partial Fourier (PF) and partially parallel imaging have been combined using a constrained reconstruction technique. The benefits compared with the individual techniques are reduced imaging time and/or an increase in signal‐to‐noise ratio. Low‐resolution phase maps and coil sensitivities may be obtained using autocalibration or from a prescan followed by additional processing. Minor phase artifacts that are introduced by relying on conjugate symmetry can be reduced using a novel regularization scheme to vary the degree to which PF is used in the reconstruction. A nonrectilinear reconstruction algorithm is presented and the potential for motion artifact reduction is investigated using robust reconstruction. Magn Reson Med 53:1393–1401, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Different outcome of allogeneic transplantation in myelofibrosis using conventional or reduced‐intensity conditioning regimens

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation remains the only curative treatment of myelofibrosis with myeloid metaplasia (MMM). Previous reports have indicated significant treatment‐related mortality (TRM) for patients transplanted after myeloablative conditioning but superior survival has been reported after reduced‐intensity conditioning (RIC). We report the results of a survey of all allogeneic transplantations for MMM performed in Sweden at six transplant units between 1982 and 2004. Twenty‐seven patients were transplanted; 17 with a myeloablative conditioning regimen and 10 with RIC. The median age was 50 years (5–63 years) at transplantation. After a median follow up of 55 months, 20 patients are alive. TRM was 10% in the RIC group and 30% in the myeloablative group. There was no difference in survival for high or low‐risk patients according to Cervantes score or between sibling and unrelated donor transplantations.
Silicon Micromachined Device Testing by Infrared Low-Coherence Reflectometry

With the development of silicon micromachining technologies, non-contact measurement techniques for in-depth non-destructive inspection of layered and microstructured samples are becoming increasingly relevant. In this paper, we apply optical low-coherence reflectometry (OLCR) to detect the optical path between the interfaces of several silicon devices with characteristic distance in the range 3-17 μm. The implemented configuration is based on a fiberoptic Michelson interferometer that exploits infrared broadband radiation in the wavelength range of 1.2-1.7 μm, with coherence length shorter than 2 μm, for performing spot tomographic measurements. OLCR enabled out-of-plane measurements on a MEMS linear accelerometer and in-plane measurements on vertical periodic silicon/air microstructures. The optical distance between hidden interfaces was found well in agreement with the design parameters.
How Do Career Strategies, Gender, and Work Environment Affect Faculty Productivity Levels in University‐Based Science Centers?1

Recent studies have shown that in many science and engineering fields, almost 40% of faculty are affiliated with university-based research centers ( Corley & Gaughan, 2005). As major science funding organizations continue to increase annual levels of funding for interdisciplinary science centers, it is likely that this number will increase significantly over the next decade. Moreover, some scholars have argued that the rise of university-based science centers has already led to the development of a new institutional form for the execution of university-based research ( Bozeman & Boardman, 2004). Yet, interestingly few researchers have studied the impacts of this new institutional form on the productivity of individual researchers. Copyright 2005 by The Policy Studies Organization.
Cellular changes involved in conversion of normal to malignant breast: importance of the stromal reaction.

Reciprocal interactions between epithelium and mesenchyme mediate crucial aspects of embryonic development and direct the coordinated organogenesis, correct spatial orientation, and the timely expression of functional activity consistent with physiological demands. The mesenchymal equivalent in the adult organism is the stroma, i.e., the loose connective tissue that is separated from the epithelial compartment by an intact basement membrane. In carcinomas, the cellular organization is dramatically changed, and the stroma is extensively modified. The basement membrane is penetrated in a process of degradation and/or decreased synthesis, and direct contact between tumor cells and the surrounding stroma coincides with neovascularization, inflammatory cell influx, and extensive remodeling of extracellular matrix. In this review, we highlight our current knowledge of tumor cell stromal interactions in the mammary gland with particular emphasis on cellular origins and functional phenotypes. We focus both on normal mammary gland and breast tumors and on culture systems developed to dissect individual aspects of cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions.
Microbial Weed Control and Microbial Herbicides

Microbial weed control represents an innovative means to manage troublesome weeds and utilize the naturally occurring biological herbicides produced by soil microorganisms. These compounds kill or hinder the growth of weeds so that beneficial plant species can gain a competitive advantage. The vast diversity of microorganisms in our environment is largely untapped, and the potential discovery and characterization of these microbial compounds represents an opportunity to complement chemical herbicides, or reduce the potential for erosion or soil degradation due to tillage for weed control. Invasive weeds continue to threaten the productivity of agricultural lands and natural areas; however, for many weeds adequate, cost-effective control measures presently are not available (Jones & Sforza, 2007). Discovery of biological controls for invasive plants represents an alternative way to slow the spread of these weeds using natural enemies (Jones & Sforza, 2007). Further advances in microbial genetics will continue to improve our understanding of the wealth of genetic diversity and potential in the soil and to better use plant-microbe interactions. The development of biocontrol agents would lessen the need for chemical herbicides and provide greater options for weed management. Microbes have a place in integrated, ecologically based weed management and their potential is only just being realized.
Central Venous Oxygen Saturation: A Potential New Marker for Circulatory Stress in Haemodialysis Patients?

Background/Aims: Haemodialysis causes recurrent haemodynamic stress with subsequent ischaemic end-organ dysfunction. As dialysis prescriptions/schedules can be modified to lessen this circulatory stress, an easily applicable test to allow targeted interventions in vulnerable patients is urgently required. Methods: Intra-dialytic central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and clinical markers (including ultrafiltration, blood pressure) were measured in 18 prevalent haemodialysis patients. Results: Pre-dialysis ScvO2 was 63.5 ± 13% and fell significantly to 56.4 ± 8% at end dialysis (p = 0.046). Ultrafiltration volume, a key driver of dialysis-induced myocardial ischaemia, inversely correlated to ScvO2 (r = -0.680, p = 0.015). Conclusions: This initial study demonstrates ScvO2 sampling is practical, with a potential clinical utility as an indicator of circulatory stress during dialysis.
Enhanced oral bioavailability of isradipine via proniosomal systems

The objective of the present research was to develop a proniosomal formulation of isradipine and to evaluate the influence of proniosomal systems on the oral bioavailability of the drug in albino Wistar rats. Proniosomes were prepared by film deposition on carrier’s method using various molar ratios of nonionic surfactants such as span20, span40, span60, and span80 with cholesterol as membrane stabilizing agent and dicetylphosphate as a charge inducer. The formation of niosomes and surface morphology of proniosome formulations were studied by optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. The prepared proniosomes have shown higher dissolution of isradipine compared with pure drug powder. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and powder X-ray diffractometry studies were performed to understand the solid state properties of the drug. Ex vivo permeation enhancement assessed from flux, permeability coefficient, and enhancement ratio were significantly higher for proniosomes compared with control. The pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated in male albino Wistar rats and a significant enhancement in the bioavailability (2.3-fold) was observed from optimized proniosome formulation compared with control (oral suspension). The stability study reveals that the proniosome formulations are stable when stored at 4°C.
Use of the ML-Flow test as a tool in classifying and treating leprosy.

BACKGROUND The treatment of leprosy is defined by the classification of patients as paucibacillary (PB) or multibacillary (MB). The WHO (World Health Organization) classifies patients according to the number of lesions, but Ridley-Jopling (R & J) also uses complementary exams, which are difficult to use outside reference services. In 2003, a test called ML-Flow, an alternative to Elisa serology, was developed to help classify patients as PB or MB and decide about their treatment. OBJECTIVES To assess the agreement between the ML-Flow test and slit skin smears, already largely used for MB detection, and to observe the efficacy of the ML-Flow test in the field. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective study evaluating the medical records of 55 patients who had not undergone previous treatment, diagnosed as PB or MB according to R & J and subjected to slit skin smears and the ML- Flow test. RESULTS In MB patients, slit skin smears were positive in 80% of the cases, the ML-flow was positive in 82.5%. Among PB patients, the ML-Flow was positive in 37.5% and slit skin smears were negative in 100% of the cases. The agreement between skin smear and ML-Flow results was 87.5%, with a kappa value of 0.59, p <0.001. CONCLUSION No laboratory test is 100% sensitive and specific for the correct classification of all forms of leprosy. The ML-Flow test is faster, easier to use, and less invasive than slit skin smears and therefore may be useful when making therapeutic decisions in areas of difficult access to reference services.
’ s Choice Comparative Effectiveness of Drug-Eluting Stents on Long-Term Outcomes in Elderly Patients Treated for In-Stent Restenosis : A Report from the National Cardiovascular Data Registry

Objective: We assessed the long-term outcomes of elderly patients who had in-stent restenosis (ISR) treated with drug-eluting stents (DES) compared with other treatment strategies. Background: Elderly patients with ISR represent a vulnerable group of which little is known regarding the safety and efficacy of repeat percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: We analyzed patients 65 years of age who underwent PCI for ISR in the National Cardiovascular Data Registry R from 2004 to 2008. Death, myocardial infarction (MI), revascularization, stroke, and bleeding were assessed for up to 30 months by a linkage with Medicare rehospitalization claims. Results: Of 43,679 linked patients, 30,012 were treated with DES, 8,277 with balloon angioplasty (BA), and 4,917 with bare metal stents (BMS). Compared with BMS, DES use was associated with a lower propensity score-matched (PM) risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–0.80, P < 0.001), MI (HR 0.81; 95% CI 0.70–0.93, P 5 0.003), and revascularization (HR 0.90; 95% CI 0.82–1.00, P 5 0.055). Compared with BA, DES use was associated with a lower PM risk of death (HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.76–0.89, P < 0.001) and revascularization (HR 0.86; 95% CI 0.80-0.93, P < 0.001), but no statistically significant difference across other endpoints. There were no significant differences in long-term outcomes for BA compared with BMS. Conclusions: There was lower mortality and reduced risk for MI, revascularization, and stroke, but a similar rate of bleed-
Cardiac evaluation before kidney transplantation: a practice patterns analysis in Medicare-insured dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Evaluation for ischemic heart disease (IHD) is a nonstandardized practice before kidney transplantation. We retrospectively studied pretransplant cardiac evaluation (CE) practices in a national sample of renal allograft recipients. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS The USRDS data for Medicare beneficiaries transplanted in 1991 to 2004 with Part A&B benefits from dialysis initiation through transplantation were examined. Clinical traits defining "high" expected IHD risk were defined as diabetes, prior IHD, or > or = 2 other coronary risk factors. Pretransplant CE were identified by billing claims for noninvasive stress tests and angiography. Patients were quantified with claims for coronary revascularization procedures between CE and transplant. Post-transplant acute myocardial infarction (AMI) events were abstracted from claims and death records. RESULTS Among 27,786 eligible patients, 46.3% underwent CE before transplantation. Overall, 9.5% who received CE also received pretransplant revascularization, but only 0.3% of lower-risk patients undergoing CE had revascularization. The adjusted odds of transplant without CE increased sharply with younger age and shorter dialysis duration. Increased likelihood of transplant without CE also correlated with black race, female sex, and certain geographic regions. Among patients transplanted without CE, 3-yr incidence of post-transplant AMI was 3% in lower-risk and 10% in high-risk groups, and varied by individual traits within these groups. Among lower-risk patients transplanted without CE, blacks were higher risk for AMI than whites (adjusted hazards ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.11-1.93). CONCLUSIONS Observed practices demonstrate infrequent use of pretransplant revascularization after CE but also raise concern for socio-demographic barriers to evaluation access.
A study on the influence of ketamine on systemic and regional haemodynamics in conscious rabbits.

Effects of ketamine hydrochloride (2, 6 and 18 mg X kg-1, i.v.) were investigated on systemic and regional haemodynamics using a radioactive microsphere method in conscious rabbits. Ketamine decreased respiratory frequency in a dose-dependent manner for up to 5 min. A significant fall in the mean arterial blood pressure (with the two highest doses), together with a short lasting tachycardia, was observed with ketamine. The cardiac output and blood flow to many tissues were not changed by this anaesthetic agent. However, increased blood flow was noticed in discrete regions of the brain (cerebral hemispheres) and heart (left ventricular endocardium). Vasodilation in the cerebral hemispheres with this agent producing dissociative anaesthesia is in contrast to the generally observed decrease in cerebral blood flow with other anaesthetic agents.
Energy density estimation of crack initiation in Sn-Ag-Cu(Ni) solder bump by nano-impact

To secure the reliability of lead free solder is a critical problem for microelectronics packaging. The drop test is used to characterize the reliability of the soldered assemblies. Numerical simulation techniques are popularly used for such tests to reduce the cost. A proper working combination of the damage criterion and the numerical simulation to predict fatigue life is still an unsolved problem for the researchers. IMC layer generated during the solder bumping process between solder and under solder mask is known as a key aspect determining the failure of solder joint and cracks always initiate in this layer. In this work, the most fragile part in an electronic assembly is evaluated by FEM; nano impact tests are realized on IMC layer and on solder body. Tests prove that the IMC layer is the most fragile part and the crack initiation energy density in IMC layer as a damage criterion is proposed. Then this criterion is combined with the board level drop test simulation result to predict the number of drop necessary for the crack initiation in IMC layer and this number cannot be obtained directly during the drop test.
Dynamic assessment of word learning skills: identifying language impairment in bilingual children.

PURPOSE Bilingual children are often diagnosed with language impairment, although they may simply have fewer opportunities to learn English than English-speaking monolingual children. This study examined whether dynamic assessment (DA) of word learning skills is an effective method for identifying bilingual children with primary language impairment (PLI). METHOD Fifteen 4- and 5-year-old predominantly Spanish-speaking children with typical language development (TLD) and 13 with PLI each participated in a 30- to 40-min session of DA of word learning skills following a pretest-teach-posttest design. RESULTS Results indicated that TLD children made associations between the phonological and semantic representations of the new words faster than children with PLI did, showing greater modifiability. Further, a combination of word learning in the receptive modality and the Learning Strategies Checklist (Lidz, 1991; Peña, 1993) provided the best accuracy in identifying PLI in these children. CONCLUSION Findings suggest that a brief DA is a promising method for accurately differentiating children with TLD from children with PLI.