Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radical hysterectomy for recurrent carcinoma of the uterine cervix after radiotherapy.

Patients with small recurrent cervical carcinomas following radiation therapy may be salvaged with radical hysterectomy rather than exenteration. Between 1953 and 1993, 50 patients underwent radical hysterectomy for persistent (n = 18) or recurrent (n = 32) cervical cancer after primary radiotherapy. The mean age of the cohort was 44 years (range, 23-70). Histologic types were squamous in 46, adenocarcinoma in 3, and adenosquamous in 1. Of 37 patients with staged disease, 24 had stage IB/IIA, 7 had stage IIB, 2 had stage IIIA, and 2 had stage IIIB. Combination radiotherapy, consisting of 40-45 Gy external-beam radiation plus brachytherapy (mean 6980 mg/hr), was performed in 32 patients (64%). In the 32 patients with recurrent lesions, the median interval from definitive radiotherapy to radical hysterectomy was 16 months (4-301), with 19 of these patients (60%) presenting within the first 24 months. Patients with persistent carcinomas underwent radical hysterectomy after a median observation interval of 2 months (1-4). A class II or III radical hysterectomy was performed in 39 (78%) cases. Pelvic and para-aortic lymph node samplings were performed in 39 patients (78%), including 33 (66%) who underwent complete pelvic lymphadenectomy. Among those sampled, 5 (13%) had metastatic nodal disease. All 5 patients died of disease at a median 13 months after surgery. Severe postoperative complications occurred in 21 patients (42%). The most common site of injury was the urinary tract, with 14 patients (28%) developing vesicovaginal or rectovaginal fistulae, 11 (22%) developing ureteral injuries, and 10 (20%) developing severe long-term bladder dysfunction. There was one postoperative death from sepsis among the entire population. Patients with abnormal preoperative intravenous pyelograms (P < 0.05), patients with recurrent presurgical lesions (P < 0.05), and patients with postoperative pelvic cellulitis (P < 0.01) were more likely to develop fistulae. The 5- and 10-year actuarial survival rates for all cases was 72 and 60%, respectively. Tumor size at radical hysterectomy was significantly associated with survival. Five-year actuarial survival in 12 of 44 patients (27%) with identifiable lesion diameters less than 2 cm was 90% compared with 64% in patients with larger lesions (P < 0.01). Prolonged disease-free survival occurred in 26 of 50 patients (52%) who had known disease status at follow-up, whereas recurrence after radical hysterectomy was seen in 24 patients (48%). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Political Goals, Institutional Context, and the Choice of an Electoral System: The Russian Parliamentary Election Law

Theory: Alternative strategic models of party preferences for electoral institutions are identified. One model provides that legislators and parties define preferences for electoral systems over policy outcomes; an alternative provides that legislators and parties define preferences for electoral systems over electoral outcomes. Hypotheses: Based on the results of the 1993 Russian parliamentary elections, members of the Russian State Duma are expected to have favored alternative proposals for the 1995 electoral system according to their anticipated implications for policy outcomes. Methods: The effects of alternative electoral laws are evaluated using the outcome of the 1993 elections. That evaluation yields predictions of party positions on the 1995 electoral law, which are tested against data on the floor behavior of the party factions in the Russian parliament in 1994 and 1995 as the new election law was debated. Results: A policy-based model of party preferences is found to be inadequate. Electoral and other considerations, as well as uncertainty and institutional context, influence parties' choices of new electoral institutions.
Differential Regulation of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) Latent Gene Expression in Burkitt Lymphoma Cells Infected with a Recombinant EBV Strain

ABSTRACT Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-negative Burkitt lymphomas (BLs) can be infected in vitro with prototype EBV strains to study how the virus may affect the phenotype of tumor cells. Studies thus far have concentrated on the use of transforming B95-8 and nontransforming P3HR1 strains. Immunological and phenotypic differences between the sublines infected with these two strains were reported. The majority of these differences, if not all, can be attributed to the lack of EBNA-2 coding sequences in the P3HR1 strain. The recent development of a selectable Akata strain has opened up new possibilities for infecting epithelial and T cells as well. We infected five EBV-negative BL lines with the recombinant Akata virus. Our results indicate that the infected cell lines BL28, Ramos, and DG75 express EBNA-1, EBNA-2, and LMP1, the viral proteins associated with type III latency, and use both YUK and QUK splices. In contrast, two EBV-negative variants of Akata and Mutu when reinfected displayed restricted type I latency and expressed only EBNA-1. All clones of infected Mutu cells used the QUK splice exclusively. The usage of Qp was observed in a majority of Akata clones. Some Akata clones, however, were found to have double promoter usage (Qp and C/Wp) but at 4 months after infection did not express EBNA-2. The results demonstrate differential regulation of EBV latency in BLs with the same recombinant viral strain and suggest that the choice of latency type may be cell dependent. The restricted latency observed for infected Akata and Mutu cells indicates that a BL may opt for type I latency in the absence of immune pressure as well.
Trading volume, return variability and short-term momentum

ABSTRACT We propose short-term averages of daily stock-level trading volume and return variability as proxies for latent corporate news flow. Conditioning momentum strategies on these two proxies give a significant boost to winner-minus-loser alphas. Regardless of the portfolio formation and holding periods, price drift is larger after elevated levels of volume and variability, supporting the view that prices underreact to news. This pattern is not driven by micro-cap stocks and it is robust to corrections for systematic risk factors and stock characteristics such as liquidity and credit quality.
Analysis of Baseball-to-Helmet Impacts in Major League Baseball

Background: In Major League Baseball (MLB), helmet hit-by-pitch (H-HBP) incidents are a leading cause of concussion. However, not all H-HBPs result in diagnosed concussion. Purpose: This study was designed to (1) quantify batter concussion risk as a function of H-HBP pitch velocity, time duration batter spent on the ground post–H-HBP, first responder assessment time duration, and number of days missed post–H-HBP and (2) estimate H-HBP impact locations on the helmet with respect to current National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE) helmet test standards and correlate impact locations with concussion diagnosis. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A retrospective case-control study of 18 MLB players with H-HBP incidents in the 2009 and 2010 seasons was undertaken. A database was compiled via quantitative and qualitative analysis using video coverage obtained from MLB. Quantitative factors included batter concussion diagnosis, pitch velocity, number of days missed post–H-HBP, time duration batter spent on the ground post–H-HBP, and first responder assessment time duration. The H-HBP impact location was among several qualitative factors developed via video analysis of each H-HBP from 4 raters. Results: In our study, 9 players (50%) were diagnosed with concussion. Concussion diagnoses were more frequent for posterior versus anterior impacts. The majority of H-HBP impact locations were different from those in the current NOCSAE standard tests. First responders took an average of approximately 65 seconds (time to reach batter plus assessment time) to decide on batter removal/return to play. The 25% logistic regression concussion risk threshold for pitch velocity and days missed was 86.2 mph and 1.3 days, respectively. The number of days missed after H-HBP showed a significant correlation (P = .02) among concussed and nonconcussed batters. Conclusion: In professional baseball H-HBP incidents, first responders should (1) be aware of pitch velocity in excess of 86 mph and (2) be provided ample time when assessing batters’ removal/return to play. Clinical Relevance: First responders should not rely solely on visual indicators such as batter reaction, holding head, or amount of time spent on the ground after H-HBP when assessing batters for concussion. Batting helmets in the MLB should maximize protection and mitigate impact dosage for H-HBP impact locations and velocity in addition to NOCSAE standard test locations and velocities.
Identification of transplanted retinal pigment epithelium with a novel chromosomal marker

Purpose. To demonstrate the ability of a novel chromosomal marker to identify retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) after xenotransplantation, and determine the short-term correlation between pigment and this nuclear marker. Methods. Primary pigmented RPE harvested from third trimester fetal pigs were transplanted as microaggregates into the subretinal space of 3 albino rabbits. We then used an in situ probe for a repetitive segment of the porcine chromosome to identify the transplanted RPE. Results. Pigmented cells were visible in the subretinal space 2 weeks after transplantation. Approximately 70% of pigment-containing cells were also labeled with the porcine chromosomal marker. Labeled cells were predominantly flatter in morphology and close to Bruch’s membrane whereas unlabeled cells were rounder and further from Bruch’s membrane. The outer nuclear layer thickness was normal above the pigmented monolayer but was decreased over areas containing multiple layers of pigmented cells. Conclusions. Fetal porcine RPE xenografts can be identified with a nuclear marker for a repetitive segment of the porcine chromosome. The presence of pigment within unlabelled cells suggests that pigment is not a robust marker for transplanted RPE.
Structural Determinants of Herpesvirus Entry Mediator Recognition by Murine B and T Lymphocyte Attenuator1

The B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) appears to act as a negative regulator of T cell activation and growth. BTLA specifically interacts with herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM), a member of the TNFR family. Herein, we have undertaken surface plasmon resonance studies to quantitatively assess BTLA and HVEM ectodomain interactions. We find that soluble BALB/cJ BTLA engages HVEM with an equilibrium affinity of 0.97 ± 0.19 μM while the C57BL/6 BTLA binds slightly better with an equilibrium affinity of 0.42 ± 0.06 μM. Despite its lower affinity for HVEM, the kinetic half-life of BALB/cJ BTLA complexes are twice as long as observed for C57BL/6 BTLA (4 vs 2 s). To further explore these interactions, we solved the crystal structure of a murine BTLA (BALB/cJ) ectodomain at 1.8-Å resolution, revealing a β sandwich fold with strong similarity to I-set members of the Ig superfamily. Using a structure-based mutagenesis strategy, we then examined the individual contributions of 26 BTLA surface-exposed residues toward HVEM binding. Four single-site substitutions were identified that decrease HVEM binding below detectable levels and two that decrease binding by more than half. All six of these cluster at the edge of the β sandwich in a membrane distal patch formed primarily from the A and G strands. This patch falls within the contacting surface recently revealed in the crystal structure of the human BTLA-HVEM cocomplex. The critical binding residues identified here are highly conserved across species, suggesting that BTLA employs a conserved binding mode for HVEM recognition.
Flowering time QTL in natural populations of Arabidopsis thaliana and implications for their adaptive value

The genetic basis of phenotypic traits is of great interest to evolutionary biologists, but their contribution to adaptation in nature is often unknown. To determine the genetic architecture of flowering time in ecologically relevant conditions, we used a recombinant inbred line population created from two locally adapted populations of Arabidopsis thaliana from Sweden and Italy. Using these RILs, we identified flowering time QTL in growth chambers that mimicked the natural temperature and photoperiod variation across the growing season in each native environment. We also compared the genomic locations of flowering time QTL to those of fitness (total fruit number) QTL from a previous three‐year field study. Ten total flowering time QTL were found, and in all cases, the Italy genotype caused early flowering regardless of the conditions. Two QTL were consistent across chamber environments, and these had the largest effects on flowering time. Five of the fitness QTL colocalized with flowering time QTL found in the Italy conditions, and in each case, the local genotype was favoured. In contrast, just two flowering time QTL found in the Sweden conditions colocalized with fitness QTL and in only one case was the local genotype favoured. This implies that flowering time may be more important for adaptation in Italy than Sweden. Two candidate genes (FLC and VIN3) underlying the major flowering time QTL found in the current study are implicated in local adaptation.
Blockade of the serotonin and norepinephrine uptake processes by duloxetine: in vitro and in vivo studies in the rat brain.

In in vitro uptake experiments, duloxetine inhibited [3H]5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and [3H]norepinephrine (NE) uptake in hippocampus slices of control rats with IC50 values of 28 and 46 nM, respectively. The uptake of both[3H]5-HT and [3H]NE was equipotently inhibited in hippocampus slices prepared from rats treated for 2 days with different doses of duloxetine (5, 10, 15 and 20 mg/kg/day s.c.). In in vivo electrophysiological experiments in the hippocampus, the effects of duloxetine on the suppression of CA3 pyramidal neuronal firing activity by microiontophoretically applied 5-HT and NE were examined with two modes of administration. Five successive i.v. injections (2 mg/kg each) significantly and dose-dependently prolonged the recovery time of the firing activity of hippocampus CA3 pyramidal neurons from the 5-HT applications. A 2-day treatment (10, 15 and 20 mg/kg/day s.c.) also increased the recovery time in a dose-dependent manner. Whereas the recovery time from NE applications was unaffected by low doses of duloxetine (2 mg/kg i.v.; 10 mg/kg/day for 2 days), it was prolonged significantly by higher doses (8 and 1 0 mg/kg iv.; 20 mg/kg/day for 2 days). Acute i.v. injections of duloxetine suppressed the spontaneous firing activity of dorsal raphe 5-HT and locus ceruleus NE neurons with ED50 values of 99 and 475 microgram/kg, respectively. Taken together, the present results confirmed that duloxetine is a dual 5-HT/NE uptake inhibitor. Furthermore, the results obtained in in vivo experiments indicate that duloxetine has a preferential inhibitory effect on the 5-HT transporter.
Hypoxia: Importance in tumor biology, noninvasive measurement by imaging, and value of its measurement in the management of cancer therapy

PURPOSE The Cancer Imaging Program of the National Cancer Institute convened a workshop to assess the current status of hypoxia imaging, to assess what is known about the biology of hypoxia as it relates to cancer and cancer therapy, and to define clinical scenarios in which in vivo hypoxia imaging could prove valuable. RESULTS Hypoxia, or low oxygenation, has emerged as an important factor in tumor biology and response to cancer treatment. It has been correlated with angiogenesis, tumor aggressiveness, local recurrence, and metastasis, and it appears to be a prognostic factor for several cancers, including those of the cervix, head and neck, prostate, pancreas, and brain. The relationship between tumor oxygenation and response to radiation therapy has been well established, but hypoxia also affects and is affected by some chemotherapeutic agents. Although hypoxia is an important aspect of tumor physiology and response to treatment, the lack of simple and efficient methods to measure and image oxygenation hampers further understanding and limits their prognostic usefulness. There is no gold standard for measuring hypoxia; Eppendorf measurement of pO(2) has been used, but this method is invasive. Recent studies have focused on molecular markers of hypoxia, such as hypoxia inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) and carbonic anhydrase isozyme IX (CA-IX), and on developing noninvasive imaging techniques. CONCLUSIONS This workshop yielded recommendations on using hypoxia measurement to identify patients who would respond best to radiation therapy, which would improve treatment planning. This represents a narrow focus, as hypoxia measurement might also prove useful in drug development and in increasing our understanding of tumor biology.
Innovations and the Irregularity of Economic Cycles

ness cycles places a serious difficulty in the way of a quantitative theory. Mathematical models cannot be checked and even their significance is open to question. All useful laws are, no doubt, only approximations to reality, but in the economic case the approximation is intolerably poor. Time series, trend and seasonal apart, not only fail to conform to simple sine curves, but their shapes, their amplitudes, and their periods vary. Some economists have quite correctly said that there is no conclusive evidence of the wave nature of economic life. The mere fact that time series sometimes go up and sometimes down is insufficient; nevertheless, the impression that economic evolution is cyclic cannot be so easily dismissed. The two points of view can be reconciled by adopting the hypothesis that we are dealing with an oscillatory mechanism which is disturbed.
Impacts of creating opportunities for parent empowerment on maternal stress: A quasi-experimental study

Background: This study aimed to determine the impact of an empowerment program on maternal stress. Materials and Methods: During May 2009–May 2010, this quasi-experimental study was performed in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Shahid Akbarabadi, Rasoul-e-Akram, and Aliasghar Hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences (Iran). The program consists of an educational CD along with written information and reinforcing activities for parents in the intervention group, and routine education was performed in the control group. We evaluated 140 mothers who were aged 18-37 years, had a gestational age of 28-37 weeks with singleton pregrancy, and with the birth weight of the newborn being less than 2500 g. The participants did not have chronic mental or physical illnesses. They were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention and control. Results: A statistically significant difference was observed between mean (SD) stress scores of mothers before and after the intervention in the intervention group [123.00 (97.24) vs. 75.00 (7.16); P < 0.01)]. Conclusion: This study showed the importance of training mothers in reducing their stress and enabling them to appropriately communicate with and care for their premature newborn.
Antimicrobial suceptibility of V. cholerae in north west, Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVES Various Vibrio cholerae serogroups cause cholera, which occurs as major epidemic disease in most developing countries. This study was aimed at determining the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of V. cholerae and its serotypes from cholera cases. METHODS The study was undertaken during cholera epidemics in North West Ethiopia from August 2006 to September 2008. Diarrheic stool samples were processed per the standard microbiology procedures at Bahir Dar Regional Health Research Laboratory. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed using disc diffusion technique per Kirby-Bauer method. RESULTS Eighty one V. cholerae 01 serotype Inaba were isolated from stools of cholera cases. Antibiograms of V. cholerae 01 Inaba showed that 71.6% of isolates were resistant against two, 18.4% to three and 5% to four antibiotics. All V. cholerae Inaba isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazol 81 (100%). High levels of resistance were also shown to chloramphenicol 76 (94%) and ampicillin 72 (89%) with least resistance to erythromycin 12 (15%), tetracycline 5 (6.2) and ciprofloxacilin 1 (1.2%). However, all isolates remain susceptible to doxycycline 81 (100%). CONCLUSION In the study area, doxycycline or ciprofloxacilin could be used for treatment of adult cholera cases whereas erythromycin is alternative for young children. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests are strongly recommended for V. cholerae strains in treatment intervention during epidemics.
On the Information and Selection Function of Economics Articles—Claims and Reality

Irrespective of the opportunities of information retrieval, provision, and exchange made available via electronic media, academic research papers published in scholarly academic reviews continue to be seen as an important means of rapidly disseminating (new) knowledge in the scientific disciplines. I In spite of this, various investigations point to a relatively poor standard of awareness among academics of their own communication system. Thus, in surveys, certain specialist publishers were found to be barely known, fictitiously created journals were classified as significant, and general ignorance was manifested with regard to the reviewing process for submitted manuscripts.2 Within the academic community, scientific articles3 are seen as having quite differingjunctions.4 In addition to monographs, contributions to anthologies, discussion papers, and other publications, the article occupies a preponderant position in any researcher's list of published work.5 As quality and quantity of publications fundamentally determine