Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Stem cells from human fat as cellular delivery vehicles in an athymic rat posterolateral spine fusion model.

BACKGROUND Mesenchymal stem cells derived from human liposuction aspirates, termed processed lipoaspirate cells, have been utilized as cellular delivery vehicles for the induction of bone formation in tissue engineering and gene therapy strategies. In this study, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2-producing adipose-derived stem cells in inducing a posterolateral spine fusion in an athymic rat model. METHODS Single-level (L4-L5) intertransverse spinal arthrodesis was attempted with use of a type-I collagen matrix in five groups of athymic rats, with eight animals in each group. Group I was treated with 5 x 10(6) adipose-derived stem cells transduced with an adenoviral vector containing the BMP-2 gene; group II, with 5 x 10(6) adipose-derived stem cells treated with osteogenic media and 1 microg/mL of recombinant BMP-2 (rhBMP-2); group III, with 10 microg of rhBMP-2; group IV, with 1 microg of rhBMP-2; and group V, with 5 x 10(6) adipose-derived stem cells alone. The animals that showed radiographic evidence of healing were killed four weeks after cell implantation and were examined with plain radiographs, manual palpation, microcomputed tomography scanning, and histological analysis. RESULTS All eight animals in group I demonstrated successful spinal fusion, with a large fusion mass, four weeks postoperatively. Furthermore, group-I specimens consistently revealed spinal fusion at the cephalad level (L3 and L4), where no fusion bed had been prepared surgically. In contrast, despite substantial BMP-2 production measured in vitro, group-II animals demonstrated minimal bone formation even eight weeks after implantation. Of the groups treated with the application of rhBMP-2 alone, the one that received a relatively high dose (group III) had a higher rate of fusion (seen in all eight specimens) than the one that received the low dose (group IV, in which fusion was seen in four of the eight specimens). None of the group-V animals (treated with adipose-derived stem cells alone) demonstrated successful spine fusion eight weeks after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS Adipose-derived stem cells show promise as gene transduction targets for inducing bone formation to enhance spinal fusion in biologically stringent environments.
MDM2 AND p21WAF1/CIP1, WILD‐TYPE p53‐INDUCED PROTEINS, ARE REGULARLY EXPRESSED BY STERNBERG–REED CELLS IN HODGKIN'S DISEASE

Mutations in the p53 tumour suppressor gene are the most common genetic alteration found in human cancers. Most of them are accompanied by stabilization of the protein, which renders it detectable through immunohistochemical techniques. Although p53 expression is a very common finding in Hodgkin's disease (HD), the status of the p53 gene is scarcely known, due to the difficulty in sequencing this gene in a lesion in which tumour cells are thought to constitute a very minor subpopulation, diluted in a background of supposedly benign cells. The pattern of expression of two downstream p53 proteins (MDM2 and p21was studied as an indirect way of assessing p53 gene status. MDM2 is a wild‐p53 inducible protein which may form a complex with p53, abrogating its function, as has been found in human sarcomas and other malignancies. p21WAF1/CIP1 is another protein inducible by wild‐type p53, involved in inhibiting cell‐cycle progression, through binding to cyclin/cyclin‐dependent‐kinase complexes. MDM2 and p21WAF1/CIP1 immunostaining was detected in all the cases analysed, independently of histological type, and were mainly present in Sternberg–Reed and Hodgkin (H SR) cells. These immunohistochemical results were confirmed by Western blotting. To study the cause of MDM2 protein accumulation, MDM2 mRNA expression was also investigated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR). The results show the presence of MDM2 transcripts in all cases of HD, albeit at lower levels than those found in reactive lymphoid tissue. These results seem to support the hypothesis that p53 is transcriptionally active in at least some of the H SR cells in HD, and is able to induce MDM2 and p21WAF1/CIP1 protein expression.
Negative dispersion in γ-Mo2N/Si(100) films

Molybdenum nitride films γ-Mo<inf>2</inf>N/Si have been fabricated with reactive magnetron sputtering of metal target in (N<inf>2</inf> + Ar) gas mixture. Phase composition of the films has been defined with RHEED. Refractive index and extinction coefficient of γ-Mo<inf>2</inf>N thin films have been evaluated with laser ellipsometry at λ = 632.8 and 488.0 nm. Negative dispersion has been found for refractive index of γ-Mo<inf>2</inf>N in visible spectral range. Upper limit of γ-Mo<inf>2</inf>N film thickness measurable with laser ellipsometry has been estimated to be ∼80 nm.
Ectopic prolactin secretion from a perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa).

BACKGROUND The diagnosis of ectopic pituitary hormone secretion requires abnormally high circulating hormone levels, absence of a pituitary tumor, and localization of the hormone in question to the extrapituitary malignant neoplasm. No case of a malignant solid tumor producing prolactin has been documented thus far. CASE REPORT A 47-year-old woman presented with amenorrhea and galactorrhea of 3-year duration. Serum prolactin ranged from 300 to > 900 ng/mL, and other pituitary and thyroid indices were normal, including testing for macroprolactinemia. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging revealed a partially empty sella but no tumor. Cabergoline 0.5 mg twice weekly did not affect her prolactinemia (1700 to 1900 ng/mL), and the medication was stopped. In the meantime, she developed abdominal pain, and a computed tomography scan showed a 17 × 13 × 8-cm mass abutting the distal stomach, proximal duodenum, and right colon. After the tumor was excised, her galactorrhea resolved, menstrual periodicity resumed within the first month, and serum prolactin fell to 5 ng/mL. Pathological examination of the excised tumor was consistent with perivascular epithelioid cell tumor. Between 5 and 10% of the tumor cells were strongly positive for prolactin on immunohistochemistry. RT-PCR detected prolactin mRNA in the tumor cell extract, confirming the diagnosis of ectopic prolactin synthesis and secretion. CONCLUSION We present the first example of massive and symptomatic hyperprolactinemia due to ectopic prolactin production by a solid extrapituitary mesenchymal tumor confirmed with both mRNA analysis and immunohistochemistry. Ectopic prolactin secretion should be suspected in patients with a prolactin >200 ng/mL and negative sellar MRI.
Directing the wisdom of the crowd: the importance of social interaction among founders and the crowd during crowdfunding campaigns

ABSTRACT Crowdfunding plays an important role as an alternative funding source for technology ventures. No earlier studies particularly investigated the importance of social interactions during such crowdfunding campaigns. Hence, we particularly take the interaction between the project owner and the community as well as among community members into account. We empirically investigated potential success factors for crowdfunding projects of entrepreneurs on the base of 430 projects from the German crowdfunding platform Visionbakery. Our results show that social interaction during a crowdfunding campaign indeed increases the likelihood of its success. As comments from crowd members on particular projects might be positive or negative and can also provide additional argumentation or raise questions, comments can cause a dialog among crowd members. This shows that herding might not only be related to the number of contributors but also to their shared attributes and perceptions. Our discussion of theoretical and managerial implications closes with recommendations for future research on this evolving topic.
Firm ownership and financial structure in less developed economies: empirical evidence from three sub-Saharan economies

This thesis comprehensively examines financial structure choices of firms in three emerging economies of the East African region. It highlights the lack of research in this area and empirically examines three panel data models of financial structure (ownership, firm-specific factorsâ and firm performance models, whilst incorporating the influence of macroeconomic factors) using panel data estimation techniques, including the method of moments framework. It estimates these models using panel data from 47 listed firms; and then data from 20 private firms. The original and significant contributions to knowledge of my thesis are as follows: it provides novel insights into the relation between ownership structure and firm financial structure; it provides new understanding of the relation between firm-specific factors and financial structure of quoted and private firms in emerging economies (an area where research has been lacking); it provides new understanding and additional evidence with respect to the effect of ownership structure on the performance of firms in the East African region; it incorporates the influence of macroeconomic and institutional factors on financial structure choices; and it proposes frameworks for reviewing knowledge of financial structure choices, which can be used for further scholarly work on financial structure of firms in emerging economies. The findings of this research have implications for a possibility of a new theoretical framework for researching financial structure choice of firms in emerging economies; for policy makers to design deliberate policies that enhance access to finance for firms operating in an emerging economy; and for policy makers to regulate institutions (banking sector and capital market) as they develop to ensure equitable access (particularly for the private firms) to finance by all firms operating within the economy. Taken together, the results have implication for future scholarship in that they provide clearer and useful insights on ownership structure, financial structure choices and performance of both quoted and private firms in emerging economies; and the methods used are highly replicable and can be replicated in future studies of financial structure choices of firms in emerging economies. It has also invoked further questions that require answers.
Influence of Place Identity on Residents’ Attitudes to Dark Tourism

ABSTRACT Underpinning the importance of place identity, this study investigates its role on residents’ attitude to dark tourism. Deploying a survey of post-disaster residents in a town in Southwest China, the current study indicates that place-based self-esteem and self-efficacy are salient in influencing residents’ perceptions of tourism impacts and support for dark tourism. Further, place identity’s other two principles—distinctiveness and continuity—are found to be important antecedent variables with indirect effects mediated by self-esteem. While the literature on dark tourism suggested that economic benefit is a common reason for residents’ support for tourism, this study recommends a new perspective to better understand and predict residents’ attitudes toward dark tourism.
High-Performing Charter Schools and Leadership Continuum: Reconceptualizing Dual Realities

This qualitative research study examines the experiences and identities of school leaders who currently lead or have lead in high performing charter schools. Using educational criticism and connoisseurship, the author focuses on the impact of leaders’ experiences and identities, which shape leader intention, school culture, and school development and growth to inform current practice. The author also explores how coconnoisseurship may enhance one’s understanding of the nuances of the subject, adding to the literature on the methodology employed.
Students' Perceptions of School Connectedness at a Freshman Academy

The purpose of this qualitative case study was to understand how school leadership, teacher– student relationships, and school climate impact students’ perceptions of school connectedness at a freshman academy located on a middle school campus in southeast Alabama. The research questions focused on school leadership, teacher–student relationships, and school climate. Hirschi’s social bonding theory provided a framework to understand the association between socialization and social learning by focusing on an individual’s bond to social institutions. Social bond has an impact on perception, emotional well-being, and academic achievement. Data collection included student interviews, a school connectedness survey, and focus group interviews of ninth grade students. Data were collected from 12 participants using individual interviews, a school connectedness survey, and focus group interviews. Data were analyzed to identify the following themes that contributed to the understanding of the research topic: (a) students’ perceptions of attachment, (b) students’ perceptions of commitment, (c) students’ perceptions of involvement, and (d) students’ perceptions of belief. The theoretical and empirical findings confirmed the significant impact that school leadership, teacher–student relationships, and school climate had on students’ perceptions of school connectedness.
Treatment of the Neonatal Rat with Epidermal Growth Factor: Differences in Time and Organ Response

ABSTRACT. The ability of exogenous mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) (500 ng/g body weight/day) to retard somatic growth and to alter the timing of integumental maturation was investigated in the newborn rat. The immediate postnatal period (days 0–3) was identified as the critical time for elicitation of EGF effects. Somatic growth retardation produced by EGF persisted through weaning (day 20) and was asymmetric with maximal organ growth retardation present in liver and kidney and with relative sparing of heart and brain. Treatment of newborn rats with EGF on postnatal days 0–3 advanced the mean time of eyelid opening by 146 versus 31 h for tooth eruption. In contrast, EGF delayed opening of the external ear canal by approximately 48 h. EGF-treated pups thus exhibited a rearrangement in the normal sequence of craniofacial development. In summary, these data provide new information on 1) the critical time of EGF response in the rat, 2) the existence of an asymmetric pattern of organ growth retardation following perinatal EGF exposure, and 3) the ability of EGF to retard morphogenesis of the external ear.
NADPH oxidase 1 supports proliferation of colon cancer cells by modulating reactive oxygen species-dependent signal transduction

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a critical role in cell signaling and proliferation. NADPH oxidase 1 (NOX1), a membrane-bound flavin dehydrogenase that generates O2̇̄, is highly expressed in colon cancer. To investigate the role that NOX1 plays in colon cancer growth, we used shRNA to decrease NOX1 expression stably in HT-29 human colon cancer cells. The 80–90% decrease in NOX1 expression achieved by RNAi produced a significant decline in ROS production and a G1/S block that translated into a 2–3-fold increase in tumor cell doubling time without increased apoptosis. The block at the G1/S checkpoint was associated with a significant decrease in cyclin D1 expression and profound inhibition of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling. Decreased steady-state MAPK phosphorylation occurred concomitant with a significant increase in protein phosphatase activity for two colon cancer cell lines in which NOX1 expression was knocked down by RNAi. Diminished NOX1 expression also contributed to decreased growth, blood vessel density, and VEGF and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) expression in HT-29 xenografts initiated from NOX1 knockdown cells. Microarray analysis, supplemented by real-time PCR and Western blotting, revealed that the expression of critical regulators of cell proliferation and angiogenesis, including c-MYC, c-MYB, and VEGF, were down-regulated in association with a decline in hypoxic HIF-1α protein expression downstream of silenced NOX1 in both colon cancer cell lines and xenografts. These studies suggest a role for NOX1 in maintaining the proliferative phenotype of some colon cancers and the potential of NOX1 as a therapeutic target in this disease.
Characterization of Gambierdiscus lapillus sp. nov. (Gonyaulacales, Dinophyceae): a new toxic dinoflagellate from the Great Barrier Reef (Australia)

Gambierdiscus is a genus of benthic dinoflagellates found worldwide. Some species produce neurotoxins (maitotoxins and ciguatoxins) that bioaccumulate and cause ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), a potentially fatal food‐borne illness that is common worldwide in tropical regions. The investigation of toxigenic species of Gambierdiscus in CFP endemic regions in Australia is necessary as a first step to determine which species of Gambierdiscus are related to CFP cases occurring in this region. In this study, we characterized five strains of Gambierdiscus collected from Heron Island, Australia, a region in which ciguatera is endemic. Clonal cultures were assessed using (i) light microscopy; (ii) scanning electron microscopy; (iii) DNA sequencing based on the nuclear encoded ribosomal 18S and D8‐D10 28S regions; (iv) toxicity via mouse bioassay; and (v) toxin profile as determined by Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry. Both the morphological and phylogenetic data indicated that these strains represent a new species of Gambierdiscus, G. lapillus sp. nov. (plate formula Po, 3′, 0a, 7″, 6c, 7‐8s, 5‴, 0p, 2″″ and distinctive by size and hatchet‐shaped 2′ plate). Culture extracts were found to be toxic using the mouse bioassay. Using chemical analysis, it was determined that they did not contain maitotoxin (MTX1) or known algal‐derived ciguatoxin analogs (CTX3B, 3C, CTX4A, 4B), but that they contained putative MTX3, and likely other unknown compounds.
Laparoscopic vs open complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation for colon cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM To compare the effectiveness of laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision (CME) with central vascular ligation (L-CME) with its open (O-CME) counterpart. METHODS We conducted an electronic search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Excerpta Medica Database, Web of Science Core Collection, Cochrane Center Register of Controlled Trails, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, SciELO, and Korean Journal databases from their inception until May 2017. We considered randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) that included patients with colonic cancer comparing L-CME and O-CME. Primary outcomes included the quality of the resected specimen (lymph nodes retrieved, complete mesocolic plane excision, tumor to arterial high tie, resected mesocolon surface). Secondary outcomes included the three-year and five-year overall and disease-free survival rates, recurrence of the disease, surgical data, and postoperative morbidity and mortality. Two authors of the review screened the methodological quality of the eligible trials and independently extracted data from individual studies. RESULTS A total of one RCT and eleven CCTs (four from Europe and seven from Asia) met the inclusion criteria for the current meta-analysis. These studies involved 1619 patients in L-CME and 1477 patients in O-CME. The L-CME was associated with the same quality of the resected specimen, with no differences regarding the retrieved lymphnodes (MD = -1.06, 95%CI: -3.65 to 1.53, P = 0.42), and tumor to high tie distance (MD = 14.26 cm, 95%CI: -4.30 to 32.82, P = 0.13); the surface of the resected mesocolon was higher in the L-CME group (MD = 11.75 cm2, 95%CI: 9.50 to 13.99, P < 0.001). The L-CME was associated with a lower rate of blood transfusions (OR = 0.45, 95%CI: 0.27 to 0.75, P = 0.002), faster recovery of gastrointestinal function, and less postoperative overall complication rate. The L-CME approach was associated with a statistical significant better three-year overall (OR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.31 to 3.12, P = 0.001, I2 = 28%) and disease-free (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.00 to 2.10, P = 0.05, I2 = 0%) survival. CONCLUSION The laparoscopic approach offers the same quality of the resected specimen as the open approach in complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation for colon cancer. The laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision with central vascular ligation is superior in all perioperative results and at least non-inferior in long-term oncological outcomes.
Histomorphological Study of Ciliary body , Iris and Irido Marwari Goat

The present study was carried out on eye ball of the adult Marwari goat ( the sex. The ciliary body was the anterior continuation of the choroid and it joined anteriorly with the iris. It was made up of the two ring shaped components: the pars the ciliary body consisted of the epithelium, stroma and smooth muscles. Iris was extended from the ciliary body and cover the anterior surface. It was mai epithelial lining. The stroma was comprised of the loose connective tissue with smooth muscles, blood vessels, melanocytes and fibroblasts. The irido chamber. The irido-corneal angle of the eye of the goat was large and triangular and it was comprised of the pectinate ligament, the ciliary cleft, the trabecular meshwork (uveal and corneoscleral) and the angular aqueous plexus.
Oncogenesis: An "Off-Target" Effect of Radiofrequency Ablation.

PURPOSE To compare hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development after radiofrequency (RF) ablation, partial surgical hepatectomy, and a sham operation and to inhibit HCC recurrence after RF ablation in a mouse model of spontaneously forming HCC in the setting of chronic inflammation (ie, the MDR2 knockout model). MATERIALS AND METHODS Animal experiments were performed according to an approved animal care committee protocol. The authors compared the survival of MDR2 knockout mice (an inflammation-induced HCC model) that underwent RF ablation, 35% partial hepatectomy (ie, left lobectomy), or a sham operation (controls) by using Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis. Tumor load and tumor frequency in mice that underwent sham operation were further compared with those of mice treated with RF ablation at 1 month after therapy by using a two-tailed Student t test. Liver slices from mice treated with RF ablation were stained for α-smooth muscle actin and Ki-67 to establish the role of liver regeneration in the tumorigenic effect of RF ablation. Finally, tumor load and tumor incidence were evaluated in mice treated with a c-met inhibitor after RF ablation by using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Ablation of 3.5% ± 0.02 of the MDR2 knockout mice liver induced increased tumor load (P = .007) and reduced survival (P = .03) in comparison to that of controls, with no significant difference to the 10-fold volume removal of partial hepatectomy. Seven days after RF treatment, the border zone of the coagulation zone was surrounded by α-smooth muscle actin-positive activated myofibroblasts. A significant elevation of hepatocyte proliferation was also seen 7 days after RF ablation in the distant liver (ablated lobe: P = .003; untreated lobe: P = .02). A c-met inhibitor significantly attenuated HCC development in MDR2 knockout mice treated with RF ablation (P = .001). CONCLUSION Liver regeneration induced by RF ablation facilitates c-met/hepatocyte growth factor axis-dependent HCC tumor formation after treatment in the MDR2 knockout model. Blockage of the c-met/hepatocyte growth factor axis attenuates HCC recurrence, raising the potential for therapeutic intervention to reverse this potentially deleterious tumorigenic effect.