Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Management of inferior breaks in pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with pars plana vitrectomy and air.

OBJECTIVE To determine the role of pars plana vitrectomy without scleral buckling and air as a tamponade with 24 hours of prone positioning in the management of inferior breaks in primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. METHODS Prospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Fifteen consecutive eyes (15 patients) with primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with causative breaks located between the 4-o'clock and 8-o'clock positions underwent pars plana vitrectomy with air tamponade. The prone position was maintained for 24 hours. Anatomic and functional results are presented. RESULTS The anatomic reattachment rate was 93.3% after 1 procedure and 100% at the 6-month visit. Mean preoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (range, 20/400 to 20/25) and mean postoperative best-corrected visual acuity was 20/30 (range, 20/100 to 20/20). In 1 case the retina redetached at the second week because of an undetected break. Postoperative epiretinal membrane was observed in 1 case. CONCLUSION Pars plana vitrectomy and air tamponade with only 24 hours of prone positioning postoperatively is effective in the management of primary pseudophakic rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with causative breaks between the 4-o'clock and 8-o'clock positions.
Glacial cycles as an allopatric speciation pump in north‐eastern American freshwater fishes

Allopatric speciation may be the principal mechanism generating new species. Yet, it remains difficult to judge the generality of this process because few studies have provided evidence that geographic isolation has triggered the development of reproductive isolation over multiple species of a regional fauna. Here, we first combine results from new empirical data sets (7 taxa) and published literature (9 taxa) to show that the eastern Great Lakes drainage represents a multispecies suture zone for glacial lineages of freshwater fishes with variable levels of genetic divergence. Second, we performed amplified fragment length polymorphism analyses among four pairs of lineages. Results indicate that lineages with relatively deep levels of mtDNA 5′ COI (barcode) sequence divergence (>2%) developed strong reproductive barriers, while lineages with lower levels of divergence show weaker reproductive isolation when found in sympatry. This suggests that a threshold of 2% sequence divergence at mtDNA could be used as a first step to flag cryptic species in North American freshwater fishes. By describing different levels of divergence and reproductive isolation in different co‐occurring fishes, we offer strong evidence that allopatric speciation has contributed significantly to the diversification of north‐eastern American freshwater fishes and confirm that Pleistocene glacial cycles can be viewed as a ‘speciation pump’ that played a predominant role in generating biodiversity.
Conditions for Direction-Independent Distortion in UWB Antennas

Many measures for the assessment of ultrawideband (UWB) antenna performance have previously been presented. Nevertheless, it remains to be succinctly stated exactly what constitutes an ideal UWB antenna. Here, one particular criterion, direction-independent distortion, and the conditions required to satisfy it are presented. We show that the realized gain (i.e., gain including mismatch) must be a separable function of angle and frequency, and that the phase pattern must satisfy a narrow set of restrictions. Within certain restrictions, the property of direction-independent distortion is independent of input waveform. We show that the class of antennas known as "maximum directivity" antennas is one type of antenna that satisfies these requirements. Three numerical examples are given, including an unloaded linear dipole, a resistively loaded linear dipole, and a resistively loaded tapered dipole. The examples show that the unloaded linear dipole does not at all satisfy the requirements for direction-independent distortion while both loaded dipoles do, with the loaded tapered dipole satisfying the requirements exceedingly well
In vitro effect of neuropeptides on ovary or celiac ganglion affects the release of progesterone from ovaries in the rat.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this work was to examine the in vitro effects of three neuropeptides--vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and substance P (SP)--on the release of ovarian progesterone (Po), acting directly on the ovary (O) or on the celiac ganglion (CG) of rats in diestrus 1 (D1) and 2 (D2), because in these two cycle stages neural effects have been observed on P release. MATERIAL/METHODS Hemiovaries of rats in D1 and D2 were incubated with each neuropeptide alone and in combination with norepinephrine. Also, the CG-superior ovarian nerve (SON)-O system was incubated with the addition of each neuropeptide to the CG. RESULTS In D1 ovaries, NPY, VIP or SP, both alone and with norepinephrine, generally decreased the release of Po. The effect of each neuropeptide was modified by norepinephrine. In D2, NPY, VIP or SP, both alone and with norepinephrine, increased Po release. The effect of NPY and SP was modified by norepinephrine. In the CG-SON-O system, in D1, the addition of NPY and VIP alone increased Po release, while SP decreased it. In D2, the three neuropeptides increased Po release. CONCLUSIONS Of the studied situations, only the effects of NPY and VIP on the CG during D1 mirror the changes of progesterone in blood during the rat estrous cycle. These effects are in agreement with others obtained by intracerebroventricular injection of epinephrine, suggesting that these neuropeptides might be released on CG after this injection and produce increased progesterone in blood.
The expression of six biomarkers in the four most common ovarian cancers: correlation with clinicopathological parameters

This study aimed to evaluate the relationship of fascin‐1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2, MMP‐9, cortactin, survivin, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression with clinicopathological parameters for the four most common ovarian surface epithelial carcinomas. Six biomarkers were investigated immunohistochemically using tissue microarrays of 185 specimens including 79 serous cystadenocarcinomas, 47 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, 45 endometrioid adenocarcinomas, and 14 clear cell carcinomas. The four most common ovarian carcinomas showed significant expression of fascin‐1, cortactin, survivin, and EGFR, but not of MMP‐2 and MMP‐9. In addition, higher immunostaining scores for fascin‐1 in mucinous cystadenocarcinomas correlated with T stage, N stage, American Joint Committee on Cancer AJCC clinical stage, and a poorer survival rate; for cortactin in serous cystadenocarcinomas correlated with T stage; for cortactin in clear cell carcinomas correlated with T and clinical AJCC stages; and for survivin in clear cell carcinomas correlated with T stage and AJCC clinical stage. In addition, higher immunostaining scores for fascin‐1, cortactin, and survivin correlated with poorer tumor differentiation in serous, mucinous, and endometrioid adenocarcinomas. Thus, the expression of fascin‐1, cortactin, and survivin may be helpful in evaluating the aggressiveness of ovarian mucinous, serous, and clear cell adenocarcinoma. Additionally, the expression of fascin‐1 may be an independent prognostic risk factor in mucinous cystadenocarcinoma.
Why Don't Women With Diabetes Plan Their Pregnancies?

OBJECTIVE To determine why women with diabetes generally do not plan their pregnancies, consequently entering their pregnancies with poor blood glucose control and greatly increasing the risk of birth defects in their infants. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A population-based sample of 85 women with diabetes diagnosed before the index pregnancy were recruited within 6 months postpartum from 15 hospitals in the state of Washington. Women with planned and unplanned pregnancies were compared using qualitative and quantitative analysis of personal interviews, self-administered questionnaires, and medical record review. RESULTS Although most women (79%) knew they should optimize their blood glucose levels before conception, fewer than half (41%) of their pregnancies were planned. Women with planned pregnancies had significantly higher income and more education; were more likely to have private health insurance, to see an endocrinologist before pregnancy, to be happily married, and to be Caucasian; and were less likely to use tobacco. Most unplanned pregnancies were not contraceptive failures, but may have been consciously or subconsciously intended. Women with planned pregnancies generally described an ongoing and positive relationship with their health care providers. Women who felt that their doctors discouraged pregnancy were more likely to have an unplanned pregnancy than were women who had been reassured they could have a healthy baby. CONCLUSIONS Many women with diabetes still perceive negative messages about pregnancies and become pregnant without optimal planning. We believe there are many opportunities for increasing the proportion of women with diabetes who plan their pregnancies, particularly in the areas of prepregnancy information, support that women are given, and the quality of the relationships they experience within the health care system. It is crucial that couples be reassured that with pre-conception glucose control, almost all women with diabetes can have healthy babies.
Life is Getting Worse in ESS Data: Is This Due to Micro or Macro Factors?

In order to evaluate the success of a society, measuring well-being might be a fruitful avenue. For a long time, governments have trusted economic measures, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in particular, to assess their success. However GDP is only a limited measure of economic success, which is not enough to show whether policies implemented by governments have a positive perceived impact on the people they represent. This paper belongs to the studies of the relationship between measures of well-being and economic factors. More precisely, it tries to evaluate the decrease in happiness and life satisfaction that can be observed in European countries in the 2000-2010 decade. It asks whether this deterioration is mainly due to microeconomic factors, such as income and individual characteristics, or rather to environmental (macroeconomics) factors such as unemployment, inflation or income inequality. Such aggregate factors could impact individual happiness per se because they are related to the perception of an aggregate risk of unemployment or income fall. In order to strengthen this interpretation, this paper checks whether the type of social protection regime existing in different countries mediates the impact of macroeconomic volatility on individual well-being. To go further, adopting the classification of welfare regimes proposed by Esping-Andersen (1990), it verifies whether the decreasing pattern of subjective well-being varies across these regimes. This is partly due to the aggregate social protection expenditure. Hence, this paper brings some additional evidence to the idea that macroeconomic uncertainty has a cost in terms of well-being. More protective social regimes are able to reduce this cost. It also proposes an evaluation of the welfare cost of unemployment and inflation (in terms of happiness and life satisfaction), in each of the different social protection regimes. Finally different measures of well-being, i.e. cognitive, hedonic and eudaimonic, are used to confirm the above mentioned result.
Game-Theoretic Security Analysis of Quantum Networks

Unconditional security is the key-feature of quantum cryptography, which makes it superior to any classical encryption scheme. Most research in this area focuses on analyzing the theoretical properties and performance of particular quantum key distribution protocols, but a rigorous analysis on the network level seems to be missing. We present a game-theoretic approach which gives simple and tight bounds to the risk of communication that any two peers in a quantum network have to take when communicating, even if quantum cryptography is used. This work is motivated by recent (im)possibility results regarding unconditionally secure message transmission in arbitrary networks, which puts stringent constraints on the network topology. Hence, our model naturally accounts for a given graph topology (existing fibre-optic networks which are natural candidates for a roll-out of a quantum network), as well as measuring risk in terms of probability or the designers subjective understanding. As a by-product, our model gives optimal path selection strategies, and the optimal design of network topologies under given constraints (like geographic or monetary ones).
Gene expression analysis of gallium-resistant and gallium-sensitive lymphoma cells reveals a role for metal-responsive transcription factor-1, metallothionein-2A, and zinc transporter-1 in modulating the antineoplastic activity of gallium nitrate

Several clinical trials have shown gallium nitrate to be an active agent in the treatment of lymphoma. Whereas gallium is known to target cellular iron homeostasis, the basis for lymphoma cell resistance to gallium is not known. Understanding mechanisms of resistance may suggest strategies to enhance the clinical efficacy of gallium. In the present study, we used a focused DNA microarray to compare the expression of genes related to metal metabolism in gallium-resistant and gallium-sensitive lymphoma cell lines developed by us. Gallium-resistant cells were found to display a marked increase in gene expression for metallothionein-2A and the zinc transporter ZnT-1. Cells exposed to gallium nitrate displayed an increase in the binding of metal-responsive transcription factor-1 to metal response element sequences involved in the transcriptional regulation of metallothionein and ZnT-1 genes. Gallium nitrate induced metallothionein-2A and ZnT-1 expression in cells. A role for metallothionein in modulating the antineoplastic activity of gallium was confirmed by showing that the induction of metallothionein expression by zinc provided partial protection against the cytotoxicity of gallium and by showing that the level of endogenous metallothionein in lymphoma cell lines correlated with their sensitivity to gallium nitrate. Immunohistochemical staining of lymphomatous tissues revealed metallothionein protein to be variably expressed in different lymphomas. Our studies show for the first time that gallium acts on pathways related to zinc metabolism and that metal-responsive transcription factor-1 activity and metallothionein expression contribute to the development of gallium drug resistance. Furthermore, the endogenous level of metallothionein in lymphoma may be an important determinant of clinical response to gallium nitrate. [Mol Cancer Ther 2007;6(2):633–43]
The Breast Cancer Resistance Protein (Bcrp1/Abcg2) Limits Fetal Distribution of Glyburide in the Pregnant Mouse: An Obstetric-Fetal Pharmacology Research Unit Network and University of Washington Specialized Center of Research Study

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP) is most abundantly expressed in the apical membrane of placental syncytiotrophoblasts, suggesting that it may protect the fetus by impeding drug penetration across the placental barrier. Glyburide (GLB) is an antidiabetic drug routinely used to treat gestational diabetes. In this study, we first determined whether GLB is a BCRP/Bcrp1 substrate. The intracellular [3H]GLB concentrations in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK)/BCRP cells were significantly lower than those in MDCK/vector cells. The addition of 10 μM fumitremorgin C, a specific BCRP inhibitor, significantly increased the intracellular [3H]GLB concentrations approximately 2-fold in MDCK/BCRP cells, but it had no effect in MDCK/vector cells. Similar results were obtained using MDCKII parent and MDCKII/Bcrp1 cells. GLB was also shown to be a BCRP/Bcrp1 substrate in transwell transport experiments. We then examined whether Bcrp1 limits fetal distribution of GLB in the pregnant mouse. GLB was administered by retro-orbital injection to the wild-type and Bcrp1-/- pregnant mice. The maternal plasma samples and fetuses were collected at various times (0.5-240 min) after drug administration. The GLB concentrations in the maternal plasma samples and homogenates of fetal tissues were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Although the maternal plasma area under the concentration-time curves (AUCs) of GLB in the wild-type and Bcrp1-/- pregnant mice were comparable, the fetal AUC of GLB in the Bcrp1-/- pregnant mice was approximately 2 times greater than that in the wild-type pregnant mice. These results suggest that GLB is a BCRP/Bcrp1 substrate, and Bcrp1 significantly limits fetal distribution of GLB in the pregnant mouse, but it has only a minor effect on the systemic clearance of the drug.
Adiposity, chronic inflammation, and the prepubertal decline of sex hormone binding globulin in children: evidence for associations with the timing of puberty (Earlybird 58).

BACKGROUND The regulation and role of SHBG in children are poorly defined. Here we investigated whether adiposity-related mechanisms regulate SHBG and whether SHBG levels are associated with the age of puberty. METHODS Longitudinal modelling of annual physiological and endocrine measurements from age 5 to 15 years in a cohort of 347 Plymouth schoolchildren. RESULTS SHBG levels were highest at age 5 years and then declined. Mean (SE) SHBG levels were higher in boys than girls at age 5 years [mean (SE) difference 7.68 (3.80) nmol/L; P = . 045] but lower in boys by age 15 years [difference 12.19 (3.4) nmol/L; P < . 001]. SHBG correlated inversely with adiposity [body mass index SD score (BMI SDS)], insulin, IGF-I, C-reactive protein (CRP), and leptin and positively with adiponectin but not with dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, androstenedione, or T. In linear mixed models, five adiposity-related covariates (insulin, leptin, adiponectin, IGF-I, and CRP) all exerted significant main effects on SHBG (boys P = .04 to < .001; girls P = .007 to < .001). However, the further addition of BMI SDS rendered the effects of leptin, insulin, and adiponectin nonsignificant, whereas CRP and IGF-I remained significant. In separate models, the individual effects on SHBG of insulin, leptin, IGF-I, and adiponectin, but not CRP, were displaced by BMI SDS. Finally, in linear regression, BMI SDS little affected R(2) resulting from the five adiposity-related signals. Girls with lower SHBG levels at age 5 years reached Tanner stage 2 earlier, tended to have earlier LH secretion, and earlier age at peak height velocity and menarche. In contrast, boys with lower SHBG levels at age 5 years reached Tanner stage 2 earlier, but there were no relationships between SHBG and earlier onset of LH secretion or age at peak height velocity. CONCLUSIONS Adiposity-related endocrine mechanisms and chronic inflammation were associated with the prepubertal decline of SHBG, and lower SHBG levels anticipated earlier puberty. These findings may be relevant to the occurrence of earlier puberty in recent decades.
THE CONTRIBUTION OF AGROFORESTRY TO HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY AND INCOME GENERATION IN MASWA DISTRICT, SHINYANGA REGION.

The present study was conducted in Maswa District, Shinyanga Region during September to December 2006 with objective of evaluating the contribution of agroforestry to household food security and income generation. The method involved all the three divisions in the district with two wards per each division, two villages per each ward and ten households from each village randomly selected. Three NGOs, ten farmer groups and ten businessmen were also involved. Data collection was done through reconnaissance survey, questionnaire administration and field survey. Results indicated that 34%, 28%, 15%, 14% and 6% of household food supply in the district actually come from agroforestry, agriculture, livestock, business and employment respectively, although apparently expressed dependence of 98%, 30%, 23% and 13% for agriculture, employment, livestock and agroforestry respectively. The results also indicated that only 31% and 30% of agroforestry and non-agroforestry households were food secure. Of the household income 38%, 24%, 18%, 13%, 3%, 2% and 2% actually come from employment, agroforestry, business and agriculture respectively, though expressed dependence of 46%, 22%, 18% and 86% for employment, agroforestry, business and agriculture respectively. Of the agroforestry systems, three technologies of mixed intercropping, integrated tree-pasture (ngitili) and tree-bee interaction were undertaken with the integrated tree-pasture technology being the most widely adopted. Land scarcity, component competition and lack of knowledge indicated to be the main factors that affected agroforestry adoption and contribution to household food security and income. Reinforcement of available local institutions, ii
Analisis Faktor Keuangan dan Non Keuangan yang Berpengaruh pada Prediksi Peringkat Obligasi di Indonesia (Studi pada Perusahaan Non Keuangan yang Terdaftar di BEI dan di Daftar Peringkat PT Pefindo 2009-2011)

This study aims to determine the effect of profitabily, leverage, liquidity, solvability, PER, produktifity, secure, maturity and auditor reputation of bonds in the bond rating to non financial and no banking bond companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange and is registered in the ratings of bonds issued by PT.PEFINDO period 2009 to 2011. In this study the sample were 163 bonds. The sampling technique is determined using targeted sampling (purposive sampling), whereas the method of analysis used factor analysis and logistic regression analysis. By using analysis factor variabel profitabily, leverage, liquidity, solvability, maturity and auditor reputation is a factor can be used to predict bond rating. Logistic regression is employed to see the effect of profitabily, leverage, liquidity, and auditor reputation to the prediction of bond rating. While the solvability and maturity does not affect the prediction of bond. Keywords: bond rating, profitabily, leverage, liquidity, solvability, PER,productifity, secure, maturity and auditor reputation
Political ideology and attitudes toward mining in Peru: between economic growth, respect for traditional modes of life and environmentalism

This study analyzes the relationship between political ideology and attitudes towards mining in a sample of young adults of the city of Lima (N = 144). It was used the conceptual model of conservatism as motivated social cognition. Political ideology was assessed by measures of authoritarianism (RWA), social dominance orientation (SDO), left/right political orientation, intolerance of uncertainty and intolerance of ambiguity. Attitudes toward mining were evaluated by an ad hoc instrument which was divided in three dimensions: mining as synonymous of progress and economic growth, respect for traditional modes of life and a trend toward environmentalism. Political conservatism was directly associated with favorable attitudes towards mining perceived as the cause of progress and economic growth. In addition, political conservatism was inversely associated with respect for traditional life modes and environmentalism. The final discussion suggests a possible link between political conservatism and some forms of economic conservatism.