Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Correlation between Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness Measured by GDx and Visual Field in Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy: A Comparison with the Contralateral Normal Eye

Purpose: To evaluate the correlations between visual field (VF) defects with retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) eyes, compare different GDx parameters with the other healthy contralateral eyes, and calculate receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the GDx parameters Methods: Eighteen patients with unilateral NAION from at least 3 months before were enrolled. Patients' healthy eyes were considered as control. Peripapillary RNFL thickness was measured by GDx using variable corneal compensator (GDx VCC) and VF was tested using a central 24-2 program. The GDx measurements and VF test points were divided into 4 sectors and correlations of measured parameters for each nearly corresponding sector were evaluated. The two groups were compared in terms of RNFL thickness and VF sensitivity. Correlation of RNFL thickness and VF was calculated for each sector and ROC curve and sensitivities at specificity of >90% were calculated for each GDx parameter. Results: All global and most sectoral GDx parameters were significantly different in affected and normal eyes. Temporal-nasal-superior-inferior-temporal (TSNIT) average, TSNIT standard deviation (SD) and nerve fiber indicator (NFI) were significantly correlated to mean deviation (MD) in NAION group (r=0.463, 0.597, -0.713; P=0.05, <0.01, 0.001 respectively). Most of the superior GDx parameters correlated well with the inferior field MD. Superior maximum had the highest sensitivity at ≥90% specificity at best cut-off point of 0.001 (100%). Conclusion: Most of GDx parameters were correlated with corresponding VF MD in eyes with NAION. Superior maximum was the most powerful discriminator between NAION and normal eyes.
Estimator Averaging for Two Stage Least Squares

This paper considers model averaging as a way to select instruments for the two stage least squares estimator in the presence of many instruments. We propose averaging across least squares predictions of the endogenous variables obtained from many di¤erent choices of instruments and then use the average predicted value of the endogenous variables in the second stage. Many existing two stage least squares estimators can be understood as model averaging methods with some restrictions on the form of the weights for averaging. Furthermore, we allow weights to be possibly negative, which yields a bias correction and instrument selection that is more robust to the ordering of instruments. The weights for averaging are chosen to minimize the asymptotic mean square error. This can be done by solving a standard quadratic programming problem and, in some cases, closed form solutions for the optimal weights are available. We demonstrate both theoretically and in Monte Carlo experiments that our method dominates existing number of instrument selection procedures for the two stage least squares estimator. Keywords: model averaging, instrumental variable, many instruments, two stage least squares, higher order theory. JEL classi cation: C21, C31. We thank Whitney Newey for valuable comments and suggestions. Okui acknowledges nancial support from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology under Project No. DAG05/06.BM16. We are solely responsible for all errors. yDepartment of Economics, University of California, Davis. Address: One Shields Ave, Davis, CA 95616. Email: gkuerste@ucdavis.edu zDepartment of Economics, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Address: Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Email: okui@ust.hk
Cefuroxime axetil solid dispersions prepared using solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids

Cefuroxime axetil (CA) solid dispersions with HPMC 2910/PVP K‐30 were prepared using solution enhanced dispersion by supercritical fluids (SEDS) in an effort to increase the dissolution rate of poorly water‐soluble drugs. Their physicochemical properties in solid state were characterized by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT‐IR) and scanning electron microscopy. No endothermic and characteristic diffraction peaks corresponding to CA were observed for the solid dispersions in DSC and PXRD. FTIR analysis demonstrated the presence of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between CA and HPMC 2910/PVP K‐30 in solid dispersions, resulting in the formation of amorphous or non‐crystalline CA. Dissolution studies indicated that the dissolution rates were remarkably increased in solid dispersions compared with those in the physical mixture and drug alone. In conclusion, an amorphous or non‐crystalline CA solid dispersion prepared using SEDS could be very useful for the formulation of solid dosage forms.
Creation of a Metabolic Monitoring Program for Second-Generation (Atypical) Antipsychotics

Second-generation or ‘‘atypical’’ antipsychotics can cause metabolic derangements that lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. To potentially minimize these adverse effects, the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey — University Correctional HealthCare (UCHC) and the New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJ DOC) created a metabolic monitoring program that was incorporated into the electronic medical record. This program is used statewide by UCHC psychiatrists working within the NJ DOC.
Towards a typology of specific language impairment.

BACKGROUND The population of children with specific language impairments (SLI) is heterogeneous. The present study was conducted to examine this heterogeneity more closely, by identifying and describing subgroups within the population of children with SLI in the Netherlands. METHOD A broad battery of language tests and language-related cognitive tests were administered to 147 six-year-old and 136 eight-year-old children with SLI. RESULTS Factor analyses revealed 4 factors indicating 4 distinctive linguistic domains for both age samples: 1) lexical-semantic abilities, 2) auditory conceptualization, 3) verbal sequential memory and 4) speech production. These empirical findings were further validated by the positive correlations found between the language factors and the judgments of teachers and speech therapists. Finally, a cluster analysis revealed 4 distinct clusters of SLI children for each sample with specific language profiles based on the 4 factors. Results were nearly the same for both age samples. CONCLUSIONS The language problems that emerged from the two samples of children with SLI could be described as falling into four types. Based on these language types, four subgroups of children with SLI could be distinguished, each with a specific profile. Some subgroups had severe problems on one specific type of language problem; others had severe problems in more than one type of language problem when compared to the other subgroups of the same age sample. The different profiles may indicate that a more dynamic approach is needed in intervention, considering the presence of both compensating and restricting factors within each child with SLI.
Spatial Alterations between CD4+ T Follicular Helper, B, and CD8+ T Cells during Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection: T/B Cell Homeostasis, Activation, and Potential Mechanism for Viral Escape

HIV/SIV infections induce chronic immune activation with remodeling of lymphoid architecture and hypergammaglobulinemia, although the mechanisms leading to such symptoms remain to be fully elucidated. Moreover, lymph nodes have been highlighted as a predilection site for SIV escape in vivo. Following 20 rhesus macaques infected with SIVmac239 as they progress from pre-infection to acute and chronic infection, we document for the first time, to our knowledge, the local dynamics of T follicular helper (TFH) cells and B cells in situ. Progression of SIV infection was accompanied by increased numbers of well-delineated follicles containing germinal centers (GCs) and TFH cells with a progressive increase in the density of programmed death-1 (PD-1) expression in lymph nodes. The rise in PD-1+ TFH cells was followed by a substantial accumulation of Ki67+ B cells within GCs. However, unlike in blood, major increases in the frequency of CD27+ memory B cells were observed in lymph nodes, indicating increased turnover of these cells, correlated with increases in total and SIV specific Ab levels. Of importance, compared with T cell zones, GCs seemed to exclude CD8+ T cells while harboring increasing numbers of CD4+ T cells, many of which are positive for SIVgag, providing an environment particularly beneficial for virus replication and reservoirs. Our data highlight for the first time, to our knowledge, important spatial interactions of GC cell subsets during SIV infection, the capacity of lymphoid tissues to maintain stable relative levels of circulating B cell subsets, and a potential mechanism for viral reservoirs within GCs during SIV infection.
Direct and Potent Regulation of γ-Secretase by Its Lipid Microenvironment*

γ-Secretase is an unusual and ubiquitous aspartyl protease with an intramembrane catalytic site that cleaves many type-I integral membrane proteins, most notably APP and Notch. Several reports suggest that cleavage of APP to produce the Aβ peptide is regulated in part by lipids. As γ-secretase is a multipass protein complex with 19 transmembrane domains, it is likely that the local lipid composition of the membrane can regulate γ-activity. To determine the direct contribution of the lipid microenvironment to γ-secretase activity, we purified the human protease from overexpressing mammalian cells, reconstituted it in vesicles of varying lipid composition, and examined the effects of individual phospholipids, sphingolipids, cholesterol, and complex lipid mixtures on substrate cleavage. A conventional γ-activity assay was modified to include a detergent-removal step to facilitate proteoliposome formation, and this increased baseline activity over 2-fold. Proteoliposomes containing sphingolipids significantly increased γ-secretase activity over a phosphatidylcholine-only baseline, whereas the addition of phosphatidylinositol significantly decreased activity. Addition of soluble cholesterol in the presence of phospholipids and sphingolipids robustly increased the cleavage of APP- and Notch-like substrates in a dose-dependent manner. Reconstitution of γ-secretase in complex lipid mixtures revealed that a lipid raft-like composition supported the highest level of activity compared with other membrane compositions. Taken together, these results demonstrate that membrane lipid composition is a direct and potent modulator of γ-secretase and that cholesterol, in particular, plays a major regulatory role.
Bladder Cancer in Crack Testers Applying Azo Dye-Based Sprays to Metal Bodies

Bladder cancer may be produced by azo dyes due to the presence of carcinogenic aromatic amines. Nine cases of suspected occupational bladder cancer that were exposed to different crack test sprays in metal-related jobs were examined. A detailed occupational history was taken and, if possible, the N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) status was determined. The first exposure to crack test sprays ranged from 1957 to 1986. Age at first exposure was between 14 and 33 yr. Age at first diagnosis of bladder cancer varied from 35 to 64 yr. Latency periods were between 17 and 45 yr. The maximal reported exposure period was 29 yr. Four of six genotyped cases were slow NAT2 acetylators. The handling of the crack test spray included spraying the red dye-containing matter on the metal body and washing off the spray with a rag. Thus, workers were exposed by dermal contact as well as by inhalation. The crack test spray, which makes the cracks visible after washing off the red testing spray compounds and applying an additional white spray, contained dyes such as solvent red 19 (Sudan red 7B, N-ethyl-1[[4-(phenylazo)phenyl]azo]-2-naphthylamine) or a mixture of p-phenylazoaniline-N-ethyl-2-naphthylamine and p-phenylazoaniline-N-ethyl-1-naphthylamine. The aromatic amine 2-naphthylamine is classified as human carcinogen by IARC and the national authorities and has been banned in many countries since the mid 1950s. Bladder cancer patients with metal-related jobs need to be explicitly asked about the use of crack test sprays.
Influence of freeze rate, thaw rate and glycerol level on acrosomal retention and survival of bovine spermatozoa frozen in French straws.

A three-dimensional central composite design was used to study the effect of glycerol level, freeze rate, and thaw rate on acrosomal retention and percent motility. Glycerol levels examined were: 1, 4, 7, 10 and 13%. Average freeze rates between 1 0 and 8 0 C examined were: 6.5, 13.1, 26.3, 52.5 and 105.0 C/minute. Thaw rates studied were achieved by plunging straws into water at 5 C for 2 rain, 20 C for 1 min, 35 C for 30 sec, 50 C for 15 sec and 65 C for 7.5 seconds. Percent motility and percent intact acrosomes for one ejaculate from each of 12 bulls were recorded post-thaw at 0, 3, 6 and 9 hr of a 37 C-incubation. The multiple regression model (mean of 0-, 3-, 6and 9-hr incubation periods) described the experimental data adequately (r 2 = .83, acrosomes; r 2 = .74, motility). Glycerol level was significant (P<.01) as a quadratic component for both intact acrosomes and motility. Thaw rate was significant as a quadratic component for intact acrosomes (P<.01)and motility (P<.05). The interaction of glycerol and thaw rate was of greatest importance (P<.01). As the thaw bath temperature was increased, optimum glycerol level also increased in achieving maximum motility and acrosomal integrity. Freeze rate was relatively unimportant. Using the average freeze rate of 26.3 C/rain from 1 0 to 8 0 C, minimal cell injury was calculated to be achieved with 8.5% glycerol and a thaw water temperature of 65 C.
Electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) stimulus-artefact (SA) blanking low-power low-noise CMOS amplifier

A low-power and low-noise CMOS OTA-based amplifier which minimises stimulus artefacts (SAs) in electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) measurements is presented. The amplifier is to be incorporated into an electrical stimulation epi-retinal vision prothesis ECAP measurement system. The amplifier has four gain settings (50, 60, 70, 80 dB) over a 7.4-9.9 kHz bandwidth, an input-referred noise of 5.6 muVrms (0.1-10 kHz) and consumes only 12.6 muA quiescent current. The amplifier is simulated using a high voltage 0.35 mum CMOS process and demonstrates an excellent tradeoff of key performance measures.
Modelling the root system architecture of Poaceae. Can we simulate integrated traits from morphological parameters of growth and branching?

Our objective was to calibrate a model of the root system architecture on several Poaceae species and to assess its value to simulate several 'integrated' traits measured at the root system level: specific root length (SRL), maximum root depth and root mass. We used the model ArchiSimple, made up of sub-models that represent and combine the basic developmental processes, and an experiment on 13 perennial grassland Poaceae species grown in 1.5-m-deep containers and sampled at two different dates after planting (80 and 120 d). Model parameters were estimated almost independently using small samples of the root systems taken at both dates. The relationships obtained for calibration validated the sub-models, and showed species effects on the parameter values. The simulations of integrated traits were relatively correct for SRL and were good for root depth and root mass at the two dates. We obtained some systematic discrepancies that were related to the slight decline of root growth in the last period of the experiment. Because the model allowed correct predictions on a large set of Poaceae species without global fitting, we consider that it is a suitable tool for linking root traits at different organisation levels.
Anomalous quasi-stationary planetary waves over the Antarctic region in 1988 and 2002

Anomalies in the Antarctic total ozone and am- plitudes of the quasi-stationary planetary waves in the lower stratosphere temperature during the winter and spring of 1988 and 2002 have been compared. Westward displace- ment of the quasi-stationary wave (QSW) extremes by 50 - 70 relative to the preceding years of the strong stratospheric polar vortex in 1987 and 2001, respectively, was observed. A dependence of the quasi-stationary wave ridge and trough positions on the strength of the westerly zonal wind in the lower stratosphere is shown. Comparison of the QSW am- plitude in the lower stratosphere temperature in July and Au- gust shows that the amplitude distribution with latitude in August could be considered as a possible indication of the future anomalous warming in Antarctic spring. In August 2002, the QSW amplitude of 10 K at the edge region of the polar vortex (60 S-65 S) preceded the major warming in September, whereas in August 1988, the highest 7 K ampli- tude at 55 S preceded the large warming in the next months. These results suggest that the peak value of the lower strato- sphere temperature QSW amplitude and the peak latitudinal position in late winter can influence the southern polar vortex strength in spring.
The novel cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil increases the calcium sensitivity of force production in isolated cardiomyocytes and skeletal muscle fibres of the rat

Omecamtiv mecarbil (OM) is a novel cardiac myosin activator drug for inotropic support in systolic heart failure. Here we have assessed the concentration‐dependent mechanical effects of OM in permeabilized cardiomyocyte‐sized preparations and single skeletal muscle fibres of Wistar‐Kyoto rats under isometric conditions.
Analysis of current antifungal agents and their targets within the Pneumocystis carinii genome.

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) remains a leading opportunistic infection in patients with weakened immune systems. The fungus causing the infection belongs to the genus, Pneumocystis, and its members are found in a large variety of mammals. Adaptation to the lung environment of a host with an intact immune system has been a key to its successful survival. Unfortunately, the metabolic strategies used by these fungi to grow and survive in this context are largely unknown. There were considerable impediments to standard approaches for investigation of this unique pathogen, the most problematic being the lack of a long term in vitro culture system. The absence of an ex vivo cultivation method remains today, and many fundamental scientific questions about the basic biology, metabolism, and life cycle of Pneumocystis are unanswered. Recent progress in sequencing of the Pneumocystis carinii genome, a species infecting rats, permitted a more informative search for genes and biological pathways within this pathogen that are known to be targets for existing antifungal agents. In this work, we review the classes of antifungal drugs with respect to their potential applicability to the treatment of PCP. Classes covered in the review are the azoles, polyenes, allylamines, and echinocandins. Factors limiting the use of standard antifungal treatments and the currently available alternatives (trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, atovaquone, and pentamidine) are discussed. A summary of genomic sequences within Pneumocystis carinii associated with the corresponding targeted biological pathways is provided. All sequences are available via the Pneumocystis Genome Project at http://pgp.cchmc. org/.
La hospitalización psiquiátrica en Andalucía: Evolución diagnóstica de los trastornos de personalidad

Partiendo de la vision global de la hospitalizacion psiquiatrica en la Comunidad Autonoma Andaluza, el presente estudio pretende profundizar sobre la evolucion diagnostica de los Trastornos de Personalidad y su impacto sobre el uso de dispositivos sanitarios. Se planteo un estudio observacional retrospectivo y analitico de los pacientes ingresados en las Unidades de Hospitalizacion Psiquiatrica, recogidos mediante el registro CMBD a lo largo de diez anos (1995-2004). El numero de pacientes, asi como de ingresos, con al menos un diagnostico de Trastorno de Personalidad esta aumentando, pero no igual en todos los subtipos. El Trastorno Limite de Personalidad es el que experimenta el mayor aumento, igualmente asociado a altas tasas de rehospitalizacion
Capillary and arteriolar responses to local vasodilators are impaired in a rat model of sepsis.

Although sepsis is known to affect vascular function, little is known about changes at the capillary level. We hypothesized that sepsis attenuates the "upstream" arteriolar response to vasoactive agents applied locally to capillaries. Sepsis in rats was induced by cecal ligation and perforation. After 24 h, extensor digitorum longus muscle was prepared for intravital microscopy. Phenylephrine (PE, 10 mM) and acetylcholine (ACh, 10 mM) were applied iontophoretically on terminal arterioles and on their downstream daughter capillaries (300 micron from arteriole). There was no significant difference between control and septic rats in baseline arteriolar diameters [8.0 +/- 0.6 vs. 9.8 +/- 0.8 (SE) micron- or baseline red blood cell velocity (VRBC) in perfused daughter capillaries (255 +/- 10 vs. 264 +/- 13 micron/s). Application of PE onto arterioles resulted in comparable constrictions (i.e., -22% diameter change) and VRBC reductions (-100%) in control and septic rats. In contrast, arteriolar diameter and VRBC increases after application of ACh were attenuated in sepsis (diameter: from 41 to 14%; VRBC: from 67 to 24%). Application of PE onto the capillary reduced VRBC to the same level (-100%) in both groups, whereas application of ACh increased VRBC less in septic than in control rats (20 vs. 73%). On the basis of arteriolar-capillary pair stimulations, sepsis affected VRBC responses to ACh more in the capillary than in the arteriole. When the adenosine analog 5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine (0.1 mM) was used instead of ACh, similar effects of sepsis were seen. To test for a possible involvement of inducible NO synthase (iNOS) in sepsis-induced attenuated ACh responses, arterioles and capillaries in septic animals were locally pretreated with the iNOS blocker aminoguanidine (10 mM). In both microvessels, aminoguanidine restored the ACh response to the control level. We conclude that impaired capillary VRBC and arteriolar diameter responses to vasodilators applied to capillaries in septic rat skeletal muscle were due to dysfunction at arteriolar and capillary levels. The study underscores the significant role iNOS/NO may play in sepsis-induced alteration of vascular reactivity in vivo.
Multiwalled carbon nanotube: Luttinger versus fermi liquid

We have measured $\mathrm{IV}$ curves of multiwalled carbon nanotubes using end contacts. At low voltages, the tunneling conductance obeys non-Ohmic power law, which is predicted both by the Luttinger liquid and the environment-quantum-fluctuation theories. However, at higher voltages we observe a crossover to Ohm's law with a Coulomb-blockade offset, which agrees with the environment-quantum-fluctuation theory, but cannot be explained by the Luttinger-liquid theory. From the high-voltage tunneling conductance we determine the transmission line parameters of the nanotubes.