Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE Original Studies Prevalence of Aspirin Resistance in Asian-Indian Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of pharmacological resistance to aspirin therapy by measuring platelet functions using the technique of light transmission aggregometry. Background: Aspirin is the cornerstone of antiplatelet therapy in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). However, a substantial proportion of patients manifest breakthrough thrombotic events despite regular intake of aspirin suggesting therapeutic resistance to aspirin. Methods: We prospectively studied 126 patients with stable coronary artery disease at a tertiary center, who were recruited after ensuring compliance with a single formulation of aspirin (enteric coated aspirin 150 mg). Platelet aggregation was measured using light transmission aggregometry with ADP (10 mM) and Arachidonic acid (0.5 mg/mL). Pharmacological aspirin resistance was defined as the combined demonstration of mean platelet aggregation of 70% with 10 mM ADP and a mean aggregation of 20% with 0.5 mg/mL A.A. Patients satisfying either one of the above criteria were defined as semi-responders. Patients satisfying neither criterion were defined as “aspirin responders”. Results: Out of 126 patients with stable CAD, 64 % were responders, 36% were non responders (semi-responders 5 34% and resistant 5 2%). Of the laboratory parameters, only the total leukocyte count was significantly associated with the presence of aspirin resistance (P < 0.03). Conclusion: Pharmacological resistance to aspirin is noted in 36% (semi-responders 5 34% and resistant 5 2%) of Asian Indian patients with stable CAD. Long-term follow up of these patients will assist in determining the clinical importance of this phenomenon. VC 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of heavy metal pollution on pigmented macrophages in kidney of Vardar chub (Squalius vardarensis Karaman)

Pollution with heavy metals may influence the immune system of fish, leading to impairment of their health or even increase their mortality. The fish kidney is one of the first fish organs to be affected by water contamination. Amounts of kidney macrophages (MACs), which are involved in fish immune response, as well as the qualitative and quantitative changes in the pigmented MACs in fish kidney, are used as biomarkers of pollution. Therefore, in this study, we have evaluated relative and total volumes of trunk kidney pigmented MACs, and analyzed the pigments accumulated within them. Fish were sampled from two mining impacted rivers, Kriva and Zletovska, highly contaminated with heavy metals, and from one reference river, Bregalnica, in spring and autumn of 2012. We have observed that main pigments found in kidney MACs of Vardar chub were melanin and lipofuscin/ceroid, as well as that relative volumes of MACs ranged from 0.56 to 1.68%. Moreover, the results showed that relative volumes of pigmented MACs were higher in metal contaminated rivers, especially in autumn season in the Zletovska River, concurrently with extremely high metal exposure. In addition, condition factors and kidney somatic indices were found significantly lower in the Zletovska River in both seasons, autumn and spring, possibly also as a consequence of high water pollution. Our data confirm that increase in relative volumes of pigmented MACs may serve as warning sign of potential heavy metal pollution in aquatic environment.
Selective pharmacological inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase p110delta opposes the progression of autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice

During the progression of autoimmune (type 1) diabetes, T cells and macrophages infiltrate the pancreas, disrupt islet function, and destroy insulin-producing beta cells. B-lymphocytes, particularly innate like B-cell populations such as marginal zone B cells and B-1 cells, have been implicated in many autoimmune diseases, and non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice that lack B cells do not develop spontaneous autoimmune diabetes. Hence, inhibitors of B cell signaling pathways could be useful for limiting the autoimmune processes that contribute to type 1 diabetes. Signaling via phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) regulates many cellular processes. The p110δ isoform of PI3K is expressed primarily in cells of hematopoietic origin and the catalytic activity of p110δ is important for B cell migration, activation, proliferation, and antigen presentation. Because innate-like B cells are particularly sensitive to inhibition of p110δ activity, and p110δ inhibitors also suppress pro-inflammatory functions of other cell types that contribute to autoimmunity, we tested whether a p110δ inhibitor could delay the onset or reduce the incidence of autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice. We found that long-term preventative treatment of pre-diabetic NOD mice with IC87114, a highly selective small molecule inhibitor of p110δ, reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the pancreatic islets and, accordingly, delayed and reduced the loss of glucose homeostasis. Moreover in a therapeutic treatment mode, IC87114 treatment conferred prolonged protection from progression to overt diabetes in a number of animals. These findings suggest that PI3Kδ inhibitors could be useful for managing type 1 diabetes.
Developing a Roadmap for Improving Neglected and Underutilized Crops: A Case Study of South Africa

Reports of neglected and underutilized crops' (NUS) potential remain mostly anecdotal with limited and often incoherent research available to support them. This has been attributed to lack of clear research goals, limited funding directed at NUS and journal apathy toward publishing work on NUS. The latter points also explain the lack of interest from emerging and established researchers. Additionally, the NUS community's inability to articulate a roadmap for NUS' promotion may have unintentionally contributed to this. The current study is a sequel to an initial study that assessed the status of NUS in South Africa. The objective of this follow-up study was then to (i) identify priority NUS, and (ii) articulate a strategy and actionable recommendations for promoting NUS in South Africa. The study identified 13 priority NUS, categorized into cereals, legumes, root, and tuber crops and leafy vegetables based on drought and heat stress tolerance and nutritional value. It is recommended that the available limited resources should be targeted on improving these priority NUS as they offer the best prospects for success. Focus should be on developing value chains for the priority NUS. This should be underpinned by science to provide evidence-based outcomes. This would assist to attract more funding for NUS research, development and innovation in South Africa. It is envisaged that through this roadmap, NUS could be transformed from the peripheries into mainstream agriculture. This study provides a template for developing a roadmap for promoting NUS that could be transposed and replicated among the 14 other southern African states.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: A Review of the Genetic Basis

Background: Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a complex disease with a largely unknown pathophysiological background and a strong genetic component. Various studies have tried to link specific genetic variants with AAA. Methods: Systematic review of the literature (1947-2009). Results: A total of 249 studies were identified, 89 of which were eventually deemed relevant to this review. Genetic variants (polymorphisms) in a wide variety of genes, most of which encode proteolytic enzymes and inflammatory molecules, have been associated with AAA development and progression. Conclusion: The genetic basis of AAA remains unknown, and most results from ‘‘candidate-gene’’ association studies are contradictory. Further analyses in appropriately powered studies in large, phenotypically well-characterized populations, including genome-wide association studies, are necessary to elucidate the exact genetic contribution to the pathophysiology of AAA.
Functional connectivity for an “Island of sparing” in autism spectrum disorder: An fMRI study of visual search

Although autism is usually characterized with respect to sociocommunicative impairments, visual search is known as a domain of relative performance strength in this disorder. This study used functional MRI during visual search in children with autism spectrum disorder (n = 19; mean age = 13;10) and matched typically developing children (n = 19; mean age = 14;0). We selected regions of interest within two attentional networks known to play a crucial role in visual search processes, such as goal‐directed selective attention, filtering of irrelevant distractors, and detection of behaviorally‐relevant information, and examined activation and connectivity within and between these attentional networks. Additionally, based on prior research suggesting links between visual search abilities and autism symptomatology, we tested for correlations between sociocommunicative impairments and behavioral and neural indices of search. Contrary to many previous functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging studies of autism that reported functional underconnectivity for task domains of weakness, we found atypically increased connectivity within and between attentional networks in autism. Additionally, we found increased functional connectivity for occipital regions, both locally and for long‐distance connections with frontal regions. Both behavioral and neural indices of search were correlated with sociocommunicative impairment in children with autism. This association suggests that strengths in nonsocial visuospatial processing may be related to the development of core autistic sociocommunicative impairments. Hum Brain Mapp 34:2524–2537, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
From Ethnic Recognition to National Recognition

China is a unified country with multi-ethnics.In the long developmental history,each ethnic group developed their ethnic recognition but compared with the ethnic inner recognition,the national recognition of China by each ethnic group is not that smooth.Under the impact of the third tide of nationalism and the embed development of globalization,analyzing the theory and practice of ethnic and national recognition in Multi-ethnic country,learning the lessons and experiences,searching the way of political and cultural recognition throughout the country that based on the national recognition in our country,pushing forward realizing development from the ethnic recognition to national recognition is of special importance.
Transforming economics?: On heterodox economics and the ontological turn in economic methodology

One of the most significant recent developments in the methodology of economics has been the increasing attention devoted to the ontological commitments of economic theories, that is to what those theories presuppose about the nature of socio-economic reality. Whereas methodological debate in economics in the 1970s and 1980s focused on the epistemological issues associated with the construction and evaluation of theoretical claims, the 1990s witnessed an upsurge in interest in examining the (often implicit) assumptions that economists make about the constituents of the socio-economic world. 2
Indexing and Stock Market Serial Dependence Around the World

We show a striking change in index return serial dependence across 20 major market indexes covering 15 countries in North America, Europe, and Asia. While many studies find serial dependence to be positive until the 1990s, it switches to negative since the 2000s. This change happens in most stock markets around the world and is both statistically significant and economically meaningful. Further tests reveal that the decline in serial dependence links to the increasing popularity of index products (e.g., futures, exchange-traded funds, and index mutual funds). The link between serial dependence and indexing is not driven by a time trend, holds up in the cross section of stock indexes, is confirmed by tests exploiting Nikkei 225 index weights and Standard & Poor’s 500 membership, and in part reflects the arbitrage mechanism between index products and the underlying stocks.
Shoulder injuries in ice hockey.

Financial support for this study was provided by: the Hubbard Foundation, St. Paul, MN; Institute for Athletic Medicine, Fairview Community Hospitals, Minneapolis, MN; Institute for Athletic Medicine of John C. Lincoln Hospital. Phoenix, AZ; The Mendon Schutt Foundation, Minneapolis; Minnesota State High School League, Anoka, MN; University of Minnesota Computer Center; multiple private donations. A study of shoulder injuries incurred by high school ice hockey players was conducted for the 1982-1983 and 1983-1984 competitive seasons. Data from 480 players (73%), who competed on 12 teams within a 30 mile radius, were included in the analysis. Among these players, shoulder injuries accounted for a rate of 9.4 injuries per 100 players; separation of the acromioclavicular joint was the most common injury. Although 39% of the reported injuries were of mild severity, 44% were moderate in severity, and 18% were major in severity; moreover, 59% of the injured players reported residual persistent symptoms. Of the total injuries, 88% occurred in games or under game-type conditions. The greatest proportion of injuries occurred to players engaged in play in the forward position while in the offensive zone. Over 54% of the injuries were caused by contact with the boards surrounding the ice surface and, reportedly, 43% of the injuries were associated with illegal activities. Based on the study findings, strategies for injury prevention include the following: consideration of techniques of coaching and of play; enforcement of the current rules to decrease the number of injuries related to illegal activities; research relevant to board design and materials to determine if a more yielding barrier can be placed around the playing surface; and utilization of the latest equipment, incorporating unique design and materials, that facilitates dissipation of forces. In addition, there is a need for further comprehensive research efforts relevant to ice hockey injuries that can enable the identification of other risk factors so that prevention and control of injuries can be managed more readily.J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1988;10(2):54-58.
The effect of spatial heterogeneity and parasites on the evolution of host diversity

Both spatial heterogeneity and exploiters (parasites and predators) have been implicated as key ecological factors driving population diversification. However, it is unclear how these factors interact. We addressed this question using the common plant‐colonizing bacterium Pseudomonas fluorescens, which has been shown to diversify rapidly into spatial niche‐specialist genotypes when propagated in laboratory microcosms. Replicate populations were evolved in spatially homogeneous and heterogeneous environments (shaken and static microcosms, respectively) with and without viral parasites (bacteriophage) for approximately 60 bacterial generations. Consistent with previous findings, exploiters reduced diversity in heterogeneous environments by relaxing the intensity of resource competition. By contrast, exploiters increased diversity in homogeneous environments where there was little diversification through resource competition. Competition experiments revealed this increase in diversity to be the result of fitness trade‐offs between exploiter resistance and competitive ability. In both environments, exploiters increased allopatric diversity, presumably as a result of divergent selection for resistance between populations. Phage increased total diversity in homogeneous environments, but had no net effect in heterogeneous environments. Such interactions between key ecological variables need to be considered when addressing diversification and coexistence in future studies.
An object-based change detection approach by integrating intensity and texture differences

With the development of remote sensing technology, using remote sensing images to do change detection is becoming a hotspot. This paper introduces the research status of pixel-based and object-based change detection technology as well as comments on several change detection methods. A technique for pixel-based change detection by integrating the intensity and texture differences between two frames is studied. An object-based change detection method based on this technique is proposed. Experimental results show that the integrated measure is robust with respect to the illumination changes and noise, the performance of which is outstanding especially when applied to object-based change detection because of pixels' consistency in an object and sharp contrast between objects.
Independent Shifts of Abundant and Rare Bacterial Populations across East Antarctica Glacial Foreland

Glacial forelands are extremely sensitive to temperature changes and are therefore appropriate places to explore the development of microbial communities in response to climate-driven deglaciation. In this study, we investigated the bacterial communities that developed at the initial stage of deglaciation using space-for-time substitution in the foreland of an ice sheet in Larsemann Hills. A series of soil samples across the glacial foreland were deeply sequenced with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to determine the bacterial community, including both abundant bacteria, which contribute more to geobiochemistry, and rare bacteria, which serve as a seed bank for diversity. Our results show that abundant bacterial communities were more sensitive to changing conditions in the early stages of deglaciation than rare community members. Moreover, among the environmental parameters tested, which included total organic carbon, pH, and moisture of the soils, ice thickness was the most influential factor affecting the community structure of abundant bacteria. These results show the different effects of abundant and rare bacteria on community shifts and highlight ice thickness as the primary factor affecting the bacterial community in the early stages of deglaciation. The response of microbial community to climate change can be predicted with more certainty in this polar region.
Secular change in craniofacial morphology

Five craniofacial variables (glabella–occipital length, basion–bregma height, maximum cranial breadth, nasion–prosthion height, and bizygomatic breadth) were used to examine secular change in morphology from the mid‐19th century to the 1970s. The 19th century data were obtained from the Terry and Hamann‐Todd anatomical collections, and the 20th century data were obtained from the forensic anthropology databank. Data were available for Blacks and Whites of both sexes. Secular change was evaluated by regressing cranial variables on year of birth. Two analyses were conducted, one using the original variables and one using size and shape. Size is defined as the geometric mean of the cranial variables, and shape is the ratio of each variable to size. The results show remarkable changes in the size and shape of the cranial vault. Vault height increases in all groups in both absolute and relative terms. The vault also becomes longer and narrower, but these changes are less pronounced. Face changes are less than the vault changes, but to the extent that they occur, the face becomes narrower and higher. Overall cranial vault size has increased, but shape changes are greater than size changes. The magnitude of secular change in vault height exceeds that for long bones over a comparable time period, but follows a similar course, which suggests that vault height and bone length respond to the same forces. Changes in vault dimensions must occur by early childhood because of the early development of the vault. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 12:327–338, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Self-care Curriculum in College Social Work Programs

Current studies provide evidence supporting the effectiveness of self-care activities on reducing the symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue. The education social workers receive on self-care during their graduate and undergraduate programs was analyzed in this mixed-method study. Researcher analyzed data from a quantitative survey of professional social workers that have completed their graduate or undergraduate degree in Social Work. The results of this study determine that no correlation exists between collegiate self-care education and the frequency of engagement in self-care activity; however, the qualitative data found that respondents place a high importance on self-care education and the social work profession taking a role in the self-care education of its social workers. Findings also include respondents’ definition of self-care as holistic wellbeing and self-care activities as being purposeful with the intent of taking care of ones’ self. Further research is necessary to determine what factors contribute to a culture of self-care and how this affects the frequency of engagement in self-care activity.
Selective modulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase isozyme in myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is activated in cardiac disorders. We investigated the contribution of increased iNOS activity to the development of left ventricular dysfunction after myocardial infarction by selective inhibition of the isozyme. METHODS AND RESULTS Male New Zealand rabbits were subjected to myocardial infarction. Animals were treated with either saline, S-methylisothiourea sulfate (SMT) (a selective iNOS inhibitor), or N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA) (a nonselective NOS inhibitor). Inducible and constitutive NOS (cNOS) activity, plasma NO(x), cGMP, hemodynamics, and myocardial blood flow were measured before and 5, 24, and 72 hours after coronary occlusion. Infarction 72 hours after occlusion resulted in increased myocardial iNOS activity, increased cardiac NO(x) production, and elevated cGMP levels. cNOS remained unchanged. Infarction increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and decreased maximum +dP/dt and -dP/dt. L-NNA inhibited iNOS and cNOS activities and plasma NO(x) levels. L-NNA further increased LVEDP and reduced myocardial blood flow. Administration of SMT 72 hours after infarction significantly inhibited iNOS and cardiac NO(x) production but had no effects on cNOS. SMT improved left ventricular maximum +dP/dt and -dP/dt and decreased LVEDP. Myocardial blood flow in the remote myocardium increased. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that induction of iNOS activity 72 hours after infarction exerts negative inotropic effects and contributes to the development of myocardial dysfunction; selective modulation of increased iNOS activity by SMT improves cardiac performance, enhances myocardial blood flow, and may be beneficial in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction.
Improvements of an up-conversion NaYF/sub 4/:Er/sup 3+/ phosphor/silicon solar cell system for an enhanced response in the near-infrared

This study investigates the performance of up-converting rare-earth phosphors doped with different trivalent erbium (Er/sup 3+/) concentrations: 2%, 20%, 50%, 100%, and with the addition of 20% ytterbium (Yb). The dominant up-conversion (UC) mechanisms within these phosphors are discussed and examined using photoluminescence and the spectral response from a bifacial silicon solar cell. The most efficient phosphor examined had 20% Er doping and gave a maximum external quantum efficiency close to 3.4% with 6 mW 1523 nm laser excitation. The subsequent system internal quantum efficiency (accounting for reflection losses within the cell) is calculated to be over 5.7%.