Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reconsideration of clinical and histopathological prognostic factors in breast cancer patients: a single center experience.

BACKGROUND The clinical course of the neoplasm may vary due to both patient and tumor cell characteristics. AIM The aim of this study was to research the influence of certain clinical and pathological features on the prognosis of early stage breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study included 117 women that were treated and followed-up in between the years 2001-2011. The demographic, clinical and histopathological features of the cases were reviewed retrospectively. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS In categorical comparisons between groups, cross-tab statistics were provided and significance levels were estimated using chi-square test. Cox regression analysis, Pearson and Spearman correlation tests, and the Kaplan-Meier test were also used. RESULTS With an average of 35-months follow-up, the mean disease-free survival of patients was 91 months and the mean overall survival time was 132 months. In the whole study group, the disease-free survival rates were 88, 84, 83 and 52%, while the overall survival rates 95, 94, 83, and 83% within the first, third, fifth and tenth years, respectively. The disease- free and overall survival rates were decreased with increasing tumor grades, though this was not statistically significant. The presence of lymphovascular invasion, positive staining with Ki67 and postmenopausal status were associated with shorter disease-free and overall survival times. In multivariate analysis, only age and Her2/ neu receptor status influenced the prognosis significantly. CONCLUSIONS In parallel to clinical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical prognostic features in breast cancer, in this study positive Her2/neu receptor status, a previously accepted poor prognostic factor, was found to have positive influence after trastuzumab treatment.
An analysis of foreign debt by the Arab countries with special reference to Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia

This study attempts to model supply and demand behaviour in the international markets for capital in an effort to explain the accumulation of foreign debt in three Arab countries, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia. At the same time it sheds some lights on the role that foreign debt plays in the current account, and on the economic policies that these countries pursue to tackle the accumulation of foreign debt. In this study the demand for foreign debt was disaggregated into government demand and private sector demand. Hence, two demand models have been specified. Where, the government maximises an expected quadratic preference function, and the private sector maximises the expected returns from its financial portfolio. The two models are then empirically tested on data from the three Arab countries. Furthermore, the two models are then combined and empirically tested and compared to the disaggregated model. The general framework of this study is that the governments of the Arab countries under study pursue internal and external acceptance in an effort to remain in power, which is empirically supported here. Increasing government expenditure, which implies higher budget deficit, reflects the government’s efforts to gain internal acceptance. On the other hand, opening up the domestic economy to the world indicates the government’s efforts to gain international acceptance. This study concludes that the Arab countries under study have been undergoing imprudent economic policies that mainly accommodating the government’s credit requirements. It has shown that the countries had accepted irresistible foreign loans contracts possibly to finance the current account deficits. Further, the IMF stabilisation program requirement to devalue the national currency, in order to increase foreign exchange inflows and hence reduce foreign debt, founds not to be working for the three Arab countries under study.
NONOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT OF ODONTOID FRACTURES USING A HALOTHORACIC VEST

OBJECTIVEDespite various reports in the literature, the appropriate treatment of Type II odontoid fractures remains controversial. Although there is an increasing tendency toward surgical treatment of these fractures in recent years, nonoperative treatment strategies are still regarded as a practicable method, particularly in elderly patients with significant comorbidities. One purpose of this study was to determine the functional and radiographic long-term results after rigid immobilization of Type II odontoid fractures using a halothoracic vest. The second aim was to present a case-control series of patients with nonunion of Type II odontoid fractures compared with patients with successful fracture healing to determine specific risk factors for failure of halo immobilization. METHODSWe reviewed the clinical and radiographic records of 90 patients with an average age of 69 years at the time of injury who had undergone nonoperative treatment of odontoid fractures using a halothoracic vest between 1988 and 2004. To identify potential risk factors for failure of halo fixation, patients were divided into “cases” and “controls. ” Cases were defined as patients with nonfusion after halo immobilization, and controls were patients with successful fracture healing attained with this treatment option. RESULTSSeventy-five patients returned to their preinjury activity level and were satisfied with their treatment. The Smiley-Webster scale showed an overall functional outcome score of 1.64. Successful fracture healing was achieved in 76 patients (84%). In 14 patients, nonunion was diagnosed by standard x-rays and additional computed tomographic scans within 6 to 12 months after trauma. Referring to possible risk factors for failure of halo fixation, nonunion was found significantly more often in older patients and in those with displaced fractures of the odontoid. Secondary loss of reduction and delay of treatment were identified as further risk factors for nonfusion. CONCLUSIONWith regard to successful fracture healing and functional results of the patients, we had a satisfactory outcome after halo fixation of Type II odontoid fractures. Although a fusion rate of 84% should not be deemed as optimal, nonoperative management of these fractures using a halothoracic vest seems to be an appropriate treatment strategy in patients who are not suitable for surgical treatment.
Decreased Protein Expression and Intermittent Recoveries in BiP Levels Result from Cellular Stress during Heterologous Protein Expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Cells are inherently robust to environmental perturbations and have evolved to recover readily from short‐term exposure to heat, pH changes, and nutrient deprivation during times of stress. The stress of unfolded protein accumulation has been implicated previously in low protein yields during heterologous protein expression. Here we describe the dynamics of the response to this stress, termed the unfolded protein response (UPR), during the expression of the single chain antibody 4–4–20 (scFv) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of scFv decreased the growth rate of yeast cells whether the scFv was expressed from single‐copy plasmids or integrated into the chromosome. However, the growth rates recovered at longer expression times, and surprisingly, the recovery occurred more quickly in the high‐copy integration strains. The presence of a functional UPR pathway was necessary for a recovery of normal growth rates. During the growth inhibition, the UPR pathway appeared to be activated, resulting in decreased intracellular scFv levels and intermittent recovery of the chaperone BiP within the endoplasmic reticulum. Intracellular scFv was observed primarily in the endoplasmic reticulum, consistent with activation of the UPR pathway. Although the intracellular scFv levels dropped over the course of the expression, this was not a result of scFv secretion. A functional UPR pathway was necessary for the drop in intracellular scFv, suggesting that the decrease was a direct response of UPR activation. Taken together, these results suggest that control of heterologous gene expression to avoid UPR activation will result in higher production levels.
Optimal LAP Altitude for Maximum Coverage

Low-altitude aerial platforms (LAPs) have recently gained significant popularity as key enablers for rapid deployable relief networks where coverage is provided by onboard radio heads. These platforms are capable of delivering essential wireless communication for public safety agencies in remote areas or during the aftermath of natural disasters. In this letter, we present an analytical approach to optimizing the altitude of such platforms to provide maximum radio coverage on the ground. Our analysis shows that the optimal altitude is a function of the maximum allowed pathloss and of the statistical parameters of the urban environment, as defined by the International Telecommunication Union. Furthermore, we present a closed-form formula for predicting the probability of the geometrical line of sight between a LAP and a ground receiver.
Native‐like cyclic peptide models of a viral antigenic site: finding a balance between rigidity and flexibility

Antigenic site A of foot‐and‐mouth disease virus (serotype C) has been reproduced by means of cyclic versions of peptide A15, YTASARGDLAHLTTT, corresponding to residues 136–150 of envelope protein VP1. A structural basis for the design of the cyclic peptides is provided by crystallographic data from complexes between the Fab fragments of anti‐site A monoclonal antibodies and A15, in which the bound peptide is folded into a quasi‐cyclic pattern. Head‐to‐tail cyclizations of A15 do not provide peptides of superior antigenicity. Internal disulfide cyclization, however, leads to analogs which are recognized as one to two orders of magnitude better than linear A15 in both ELISA and biosensor experiments. CD and NMR studies show that the best antigen, CTASARGDLAHLTT‐Ahx‐C (disulfide), is very insensitive to environment‐induced conformational change, suggesting that cyclization helps to stabilize a bioactive‐like structure. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical incidents in paediatric anaesthesia: A prospective analysis over a 1 year period

Background and Aims: Critical incident reporting helps to identify errors and formulate preventive strategies. Many countries have existing national reporting systems. Such a system is yet to be established in India. We aimed to study the incidence of critical events in the paediatric operation theatre (OT) of our institute. Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study of all children receiving anaesthesia in paediatric OT over a period of 1 year. They were monitored intraoperatively as well as postoperatively, and critical incidents were noted in terms of date and time of incident, location (OT/post-anaesthesia care unit, clinical category, age of patient, degree of patient harm resulting from the incident, description of what happened and duration of surgery. Percentage incidence of critical events was calculated. Results: A total of 1206 children received an anaesthetic during the study. Incidence of critical events was 8.9% (108). Airway and respiratory events were the maximum recorded accounting for 60 (55%) incidents. There were 43 cases of oxygen desaturation out of which 21 were attributable to laryngospasm. Cardiovascular events were 12 (11.1%). Medication-related incidents were 4 (3.8%). Severe harm was reported in ten incidents, and 1 death was reported. A few uncommon incidents like change in voice following use of a cuffed endotracheal tube and post-operative acute renal failure requiring haemodialysis were noted. Conclusion: Incidence of critical incidents was almost one for every ten patients, and the audit helped us establish policy guidelines in our institution.
Fluid interfaces between flows of rhino horn

ABSTRACT In spite of the regulation, financial assistance and securitisation of responses to rhino poaching, rhino deaths have escalated over the past decade. This article discusses why efforts to disrupt illegal flows of rhino horn have been unsuccessful by honing in on structural and functional aspects of the broader rhino horn economy. Existing scholarly literature tends to focus on the legal–illegal binary in markets. The focus of this article is on grey flows in wildlife markets through an examination of rhino horn laundering and illegal hunting in the wildlife industry. Fluid interfaces of legal, grey and illegal flows have led to the creation of hybrid and highly adaptable flows. It is also argued that the international regulatory framework is not geared towards effective transnational enforcement and lacks social legitimacy amongst key actors. The article draws on research findings from a multi-sited ethnography, during which the researcher followed rhino horn from the source to the market.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the small bowel in Crohn's disease

Objective There may be advantages in using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in small-bowel disease. The aims of this study were to optimize the MRI examination technique and to evaluate the capabilities of MRI compared with those of conventional enteroclysis (CE). Material and methods MRI and CE were performed in 36 patients suspected of Crohn's disease. Based on 26 pilot studies optimal oral administration of plum juice and bulk fibre laxative was found. T2-weighted and gadolinium enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained using a breath-holding technique and butylscopolamine. Virtual endoscopy was performed. Conventional enteroclysis entailed duodenal intubation and administration of barium and air. Two radiologists evaluated the examinations independently. Finally, each patient scored the degree of discomfort, and preference for either MRI or CE was found. Results The MRI technique ensured sufficient distension of the small bowel and small-bowel changes were found in 12 patients. In 3 patients this was not seen on conventional enteroclysis, which did not reveal any pathology that was not already seen on MRI. Pathological abdominal changes were found in 70% more patients during MRI than during conventional enteroclysis (p<0.001). Endoscopic examination corresponded with the MRI findings. The examination quality decreased with increasing age (p = 0.002) and the interobserver agreement of the pathological changes was high (p<0.001). Virtual endoscopy resulted in excellent demonstration of the mucosal surface. The examination discomfort scores obtained during the MRI were lower than those during conventional enteroclysis (p<0.001). Conclusions MRI using the current technique is preferable to conventional enteroclysis because of superior demonstration of the entire small-bowel pathology, low level of patient discomfort and absence of radiation exposure.
Long-term, open-label evaluation of the safety and efficacy of telmisartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg fixed-dose combination alone or with other antihypertensive medication

Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of long-term treatment with telmisartan 80 mg/hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg (T80/H25) fixed-dose combination (FDC) in patients who completed a previous double-blind study, in which T80/H25 provided more blood pressure (BP) reduction and produced a BP response in more patients than did T80/H12.5 FDC. Methods: Patients received open-label T80/H25 for 24 weeks; further antihypertensive medication was permitted. Seated trough BP was measured at weeks 0, 4, 12 and 24. Results: Primary end point (seated trough diastolic BP (DBP) control (< 90 mmHg)) was achieved in 71.4% of patients versus 52.4% at baseline (n = 639). The improvement was apparent at week 4 and sustained thereafter. In patients who received more antihypertensive medication (111/639 (17.4%)), DBP control increased from 24.8% at baseline to 58.6% at week 24. Seated trough systolic BP (SBP)/DBP were reduced from 141.0/89.0 mmHg at baseline by 4.6/3.6 mmHg by week 24. SBP response (< 140 or ≥ 20 mmHg reduction from start of previous trial) and DBP response (< 90 or ≥ 10 mmHg reduction from start of previous trial) increased at week 24 versus baseline from 51.8 to 69.3% and from 55.8 to 74.3%, respectively. At week 24, 110 (17.4%) patients achieved normal SBP/DBP (< 130/< 85 mmHg) and a further 24 (3.8%) patients achieved optimal SBP/DBP (< 120/< 80 mmHg). T80/H25 FDC was well tolerated; drug-related adverse events occurred in 29 (4.5%) patients. Conclusion: T80/H25 provides sustained and well-tolerated additive BP control, given alone or as part of a multi-antihypertensive therapy.
Wilms’ tumor gene WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform induces morphological changes and promotes cell migration and invasion in vitro

The wild‐type Wilms’ tumor gene WT1 is overexpressed in human primary leukemia and in a wide variety of solid cancers. All of the four WT1 isoforms are expressed in primary cancers and each is considered to have a different function. However, the functions of each of the WT1 isoforms in cancer cells remain unclear. The present study demonstrated that constitutive expression of the WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform induces morphological changes characterized by a small‐sized cell shape in TYK‐nu.CP‐r (TYK) ovarian cancer cells. In the WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform‐transduced TYK cells, cell–substratum adhesion was suppressed, and cell migration and in vitro invasion were enhanced compared to that in mock vector‐transduced TYK cells. Constitutive expression of the WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform also induced morphological changes in five (one gastric, one esophageal, two breast and one fibrosarcoma) of eight cancer cell lines examined. No WT1 isoforms other than the WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform induced the phenotypic changes. A decrease in α‐actinin 1 and cofilin expression and an increase in gelsolin expression were observed in WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform‐transduced TYK cells. In contrast, co‐expression of α‐actinin 1 and cofilin or knockdown of gelsolin expression by small interfering RNA restored WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform‐transduced TYK cells to a phenotype that was comparable to that of the parent TYK cells. These results indicated that the WT1 17AA(–)/KTS(–) isoform exerted its oncogenic functions through modulation of cytoskeletal dynamics. The present results may provide a novel insight into the signaling pathway of the WT1 gene for its oncogenic functions. (Cancer Sci 2006; 97: 259–270)
IS RUNNING PERFORMANCE ENHANCED WITH CREATINE SERUM INGESTION?

Runners Advantage (RA) creatine (Cr) serum has been marketed to increase running performance. To test this claim, cross-country runners completed baseline testing (BASE), an outdoor 5,000-m run followed by treadmill VO2max testing on the same day. Subjects repeated testing after ingesting 5 ml of RA (n = 13) containing 2.5 g of Cr or placebo (n = 11). Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and run time were recorded. With RA (56.48 ± 8.93 ml·kg-1 min-1), VO2max was higher (p = 0.01) vs. BASE (54.07 ± 9.36 ml·kg-1min-1), yet the magnitude of the increase was within the coefficient of variation of VO2max. No effect of RA maximal HR was exhibited, Vco2 max and duration of incremental exercise were significantly higher (p < 0.025) vs. BASE. VO2max was similar in PL (58.85 ± 6.67 ml·kg-1min-1) and BASE (57.28 ± 7.22 ml·kg-1min-1). With RA, the 5,000-m time was unchanged, and RPE was lower (p < 0.025) vs. BASE. These data do not support the ergogenic claims of RA in its current form and dose.
Participation of L3T4 in T cell activation in the absence of class II major histocompatibility complex antigens. Inhibition by anti-L3T4 antibodies is a function both of epitope density and mode of presentation of anti-receptor antibody.

The recognition of many class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-associated antigens by T cells requires the participation of the L3T4 molecule. It has been proposed that this molecule acts to stabilize low affinity binding to antigen in association with MHC and thereby increases the avidity of T cell/antigen interactions. By using antibodies against the T cell antigen receptor (TCR) to activate T cells, thereby circumventing the requirement for antigen presenting cells and MHC-associated antigen, we have been able to study the function of L3T4 in the absence of class II MHC. We have used two monoclonal antibodies, KJ16-133.18 and F23.1, that recognize a determinant encoded by the T cell receptor V beta 8 gene family. These antibodies were used to select two clones of T cells with surface phenotype Thy-1.2+, L3T4+, Lyt-2-, KJ16-133.18+, F23.1+, IA-, IE-. One of these clones (E9.D4) was hapten-specific (anti-ABA + Iak), the other (4.35F2) was alloreactive (anti-Iak). Activation of these clones by antigen, concanavalin A (Con A) or by the F23.1 antibody was studied by assaying the production of interleukin 3 (IL 3). Both soluble and solid phase-coupled F23.1 induced T cell activation in the complete absence of class II MHC, immobilized antibody (either Sepharose-coupled or plastic-adsorbed) being more effective. The induction of IL 3 production by suboptimal doses of either Con A or plastic-adsorbed F23.1 was inhibited by the anti-L3T4 antibody GK1.5, as was the response to F23.1 coupled to Sepharose-4B beads. However, the responses to optimal or superoptimal doses of these stimuli were not inhibited. In contrast, weak responses to non-TCR cross-linking stimuli such as phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) or low concentrations of soluble F23.1 were not inhibited by GK1.5 (the latter response was usually slightly enhanced). These results show that anti-L3T4 antibodies are not inherently inhibitory, but require both ligation and cross-linking of the TCR for their effect. We propose a model whereby L3T4 interacts with the TCR during T cell activation. Anti-L3T4 antibodies sterically hinder the formation of TCR complexes and so prevent activation. However, by increasing the epitope density of the activating ligand, the avidity of the T cell/ligand interaction can be increased sufficiently to prevent this disruption. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A review of social and behavioral efforts at oral cancer preventions in India

Oral cancer is a major public health problem in South‐Central Asia, home to one fifth of the world's population. In most regions of India, it is the most common cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women. Prevention is an effective tool to reduce disease burden on society and may offer particular advantages in developing countries.
Development and Application of Terahertz Pulsed Imaging for Nondestructive Inspection of Pharmaceutical Tablet

Terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) was evaluated for nondestructively characterizing the 3-D internal structures of pharmaceutical tablets. The structural information of a pharmaceutical tablet, such as coating thickness and interface uniformity, was obtained directly from the analysis of the time-domain terahertz waveform. The chemical map of a sample was obtained by using frequency-domain terahertz spectra, together with spectral matching techniques such as cosine correlation mapping. The axial spatial resolution achieved was 30 mum, limited by the confinement of terahertz pulses in time (pulse width); and the lateral spatial resolution was determined to be 150 mum at 90 cm-1 (2.7 THz), limited by the confinement of terahertz pulses in space (focus size, which is diffraction limited and thus frequency dependent). In addition, the buried structure within a tablet was mapped using the TPI, and its chemical composition was successfully identified through spectral-time analysis of the recorded terahertz waveform. We also present a rigorous electromagnetic theory for simulating the terahertz propagation in a multilayered sample, to facilitate terahertz data analysis and interpretation. In conclusion, the TPI is a powerful tool for assaying the tablet coating layer thickness and interface uniformity, and for identifying polymorphs.