Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A correlated light and electron microscopic study of identified cholinergic basal forebrain neurons that project to the cortex in the rat

Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain which project to the frontal cortex were studied by combining the retrograde transport of a conjugate of horseradish peroxidase and wheat germ agglutinin with choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry. Neurons that were both retrogradely labelled and immunoreactive were found on the medial, lateral, and ventral borders of the globus pallidus, within the globus pallidus, as well as in the substantia innominata and ventral pallidum region.
The prognostic significance of amplification and overexpression of c‐met and c‐erb B‐2 in human gastric carcinomas

The article by Nakajima et al. reports very interesting findings on the putative prognostic meaning of the amplification and overexpression of c-met and c-erb B-2 in patients with gastric carcinoma. The finding of a significant correlation between gene amplification/overexpression of c-erb B-2 with the intestinal type of gastric carcinoma corresponds with our own results on the same topic. In our hands, like in the study by Nakajima et al., c-met amplification/overexpression tends to be higher in diffuse carcinoma whereas c-erb B-2 amplification/overexpression is restricted almost exclusively to intestinal type carcinoma. The data from Nakajima et al. also demonstrate the advantage of the classification of Laurén over the World Health Organization (WHO) classification because Laurén’s classification divides gastric carcinoma into two major types with epidemiologic and histogenetic meaning. The separation of gastric carcinoma into these two main types also contributes to clarification of the problem of grading because the majority of the so-called poorly differentiated carcinomas fit into the category of intestinal carcinoma (and often display c-erb B-2 amplification/overexpression) rather than into the category of diffuse carcinoma. This option is reinforced by the finding of a close correlation between E-cadherin mutation and diffuse carcinoma, both in pure histologic types as well as in mixed carcinoma. In the latter, E-cadherin mutations are found in the isolated cell component and not in the glandular counterpart. With regard to prognosis our data also fit with those of Nakajima et al. by showing the prominence of staging and the lack of relative importance of histologic classification whenever the Laurén or WHO classifications are used. The same does not hold true when the tumors are classified into four major categories: glandular, isolated cell type, mixed, and solid. This classification was found to carry independent prognostic value in multivariate analysis mainly due to the dismal outcome of patients with mixed carcinomas. It would be interesting to know whether, in the series by Nakajima et al., c-met and c-erb B-2 amplification/overexpression differs, like E-cadherin mutations, in the two components of mixed carcinomas. It also would be interesting to learn if such mixed carcinomas in the series by Nakajima et al. carry a worse prognosis than pure histologic types, as they did in our study.
How Asset Irreversibility Influences the Investment‐Uncertainty Relationship

This paper examines how industry-specific uncertainty affects firms’ investments for varying degrees of asset irreversibility (i.e. the wedge between purchase price and liquidation value of an asset). To identify more or less irreversible capital goods, we exploit unique survey data on German manufacturing firms over the sample period 2004 to 2012 in which managers provide information on investments’ purpose (capacity expansion, replacement, restructuring, rationalization, and other). We find that uncertainty only depresses capacity expansion investments, while non-capacity expansion investments such as replacement, restructuring and rationalization investments are not affected. Our results indicate that only investments into the most irreversible capital goods will decrease if uncertainty raises. We provide several tests confirming the robust impact of asset irreversibility on the investment-uncertainty relationship as we analyze several competing channels explaining the negative investment-uncertainty relation, such as the financial friction or the market power channel.
Population-Based Variation in Cardiomyopathy Genes

Background—Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy arise from mutations in genes encoding sarcomere proteins including MYH7, MYBPC3, and TTN. Genetic diagnosis of cardiomyopathy relies on complete sequencing of the gene coding regions, and most pathogenic variation is rare. The 1000 Genomes Project is an ongoing consortium designed to deliver whole genome sequence information from an ethnically diverse population and, therefore, is a rich source to determine both common and rare genetic variants. Methods and Results—We queried the 1000 Genomes Project database of 1092 individuals for exonic variants within 3 sarcomere genes MHY7, MYBPC3, and TTN. We focused our analysis on protein-altering variation, including nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms, insertion/deletion polymorphisms, or splice site altering variants. We identified known and predicted pathogenic variation in MYBPC3 and MYH7 at a higher frequency than what would be expected based on the known prevalence of cardiomyopathy. We also found substantial variation, including protein-disrupting sequences, in TTN. Conclusions—Cardiomyopathy is a genetically heterogeneous disorder caused by mutations in multiple genes. The frequency of predicted pathogenic protein-altering variation in cardiomyopathy genes suggests that many of these variants may be insufficient to cause disease on their own but may modify phenotype in a genetically susceptible host. This is suggested by the high prevalence of TTN insertion/deletions in the 1000 Genomes Project cohort. Given the possibility of additional genetic variants that modify the phenotype of a primary driver mutation, broad-based genetic testing should be employed.
Receptor activator of nuclear factor‐kappa B ligand induces osteoclast formation in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells via augmented production of macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor

RAW 264.7 macrophage cells differentiate into osteoclast‐like cells in the presence of RANKL. Participation of M‐CSF in RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation of RAW 264.7 cells was examined. TRAP‐positive osteoclast‐like cells appeared in RAW 264.7 cells cultured in the presence of RANKL. RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation was markedly inhibited by anti‐M‐CSF antibody. RANKL augmented M‐CSF mRNA expression and M‐CSF production in RAW 264.7 cells. Further, anti‐M‐CSF antibody inhibited the expression of RANK, c‐fms, c‐fos and TRAP mRNA in RANKL‐stimulated RAW 264.7 cells. However, anti‐M‐CSF antibody did not affect the expression of DC‐STAMP in the stimulated cells. Therefore, RANKL was suggested to induce osteoclast formation in RAW 264.7 cells via augmented production of M‐CSF. The putative role of M‐CSF in RANKL‐induced osteoclast formation of RAW 264.7 cells is discussed.
Temporal changes in rates and reasons for medical induction of term labor, 1980-1996.

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to assess temporal changes in rates and reasons for medical induction of term labor. STUDY DESIGN A retrospective medical record review was conducted on a population-based cohort of 1293 women with term deliveries. RESULTS The rate of medical labor induction increased from 12.9% in 1980 to 25.8% in 1995. Stated indications also changed, with a 2-fold increase in induction for postdate gestation, a 23-fold increase in induction for macrosomia, a 15-fold increase in elective induction, and a 22-fold decline in induction for premature rupture of membranes. The average gestational age at delivery of postdate pregnancies declined from 41.9 weeks in 1980 to 41.0 weeks in 1995. By 1995, the average maternal length of stay and the percentage of cesarean deliveries were higher among women with induced labor at term than among those with spontaneous labor at term. CONCLUSION Induction of term labor has almost doubled in prevalence during the past 15 years. The most common indications are elective induction and postdate pregnancy, often applied to gestations of 40 to 41 weeks' duration.
Expression of Transcription Factor Sox9 in Rat L6 Myoblastic Cells

Muscle-derived cells can differentiate into chondrogenic cells. In our present study, we investigated the pattern of expression of Sox9, a transcription factor known to play a key role in chondrogenesis, in a rat myoblastic cell line, L6. In addition, we evaluated expression of type II collagen and myogenic regulatory markers by reverse-transcript polymerase chain reaction. We also investigated the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β 3, which is known to induce chondrogenesis, on Sox9 mRNA expression. On the first day of culture, we observed a high expression of Sox9. However, on the seventh day of culture, there was a decline in the level of Sox9 and type II collagen mRNAs and an increased expression of Myf5 and myogenin mRNAs. Sox9 mRNA expression was increased after stimulation of TGF-β 3 at 2, 6, and 24 hr. Cartilage nodules were observed in L6 cells treated with TGF-β 3 and dexamethasone. These results indicated that L6 myoblasts originally possess the capacity to differentiate into chondrogenic cells, but that capacity is lost as the cells differentiate toward the myogenic lineage. In addition, TGF-β 3 may modulate Sox9 mRNA expression in L6 cells and retain the capacity to differentiate into chondrogenic lineage.
High-Speed VLSI Multiplication Algorithm with a Redundant Binary Addition Tree

A high-speed VLSI multiplication algorithm internally using redundant binary representation is proposed. In n bit binary integer multiplication, n partial products are first generated and then added up pairwise by means of a binary tree of redundant binary adders. Since parallel addition of two n-digit redundant binary numbers can be performed in a constant time independent of n without carry propagation, n bit multiplication can be performed in a time proportional to log2 n. The computation time is almost the same as that by a multiplier with a Wallace tree, in which three partial products will be converted into two, in contrast to our two-to-one conversion, and is much shorter than that by an array multiplier for longer operands. The number of computation elements of an n bit multiplier based on the algorithm is proportional to n2. It is almost the same as those of conventional ones. Furthermore, since the multiplier has a regular cellular array structure similar to an array multiplier, it is suitable for VLSI implementation. Thus, the multiplier is excellent in both computation speed and regularity in layout. It can be implemented on a VLSI chip with an area proportional to n2 log2 n. The algorithm can be directly applied to both unsigned and 2's complement binary integer multiplication.
Creating Market Failure: Business-Government Relations in the British Paper-Pulp Industry, 1950–1980

This article examines the nuances and complexities of business-government relations in the British paper-pulp industry between 1950 and 1980 through the prism of interactions between Wiggins, Teape & Co., a paper company, and various U.K. government departments in the postwar period. It highlights the complexity of business-government and interdepartmental relations and tensions, set against the global and domestic paper industry competition and the United Kingdom's international economic position. Long-standing industry underinvestment and interdepartmental tensions in government are identified as principal contributors to the failing competitiveness of the industry and of British businesses more generally in the twentieth century.
Reliability and validity of the Childhood Cancer Survivor Study Neurocognitive Questionnaire

Up to 40% of childhood cancer survivors may experience neurocognitive impairment in 1 or more specific domains. As such, regular monitoring has been recommended for patients exposed to cranial irradiation and/or antimetabolite chemotherapy. This study reports the results of a questionnaire developed to identify those survivors who may be experiencing neurocognitive problems.
Regulation of Internal Ribosomal Entry Site-mediated Translation by Phosphorylation of the Translation Initiation Factor eIF2α*

Initiation of translation from most cellular mRNAs occurs via scanning; the 40 S ribosomal subunit binds to the m7G-cap and then moves along the mRNA until an initiation codon is encountered. Some cellular mRNAs contain internal ribosome entry sequences (IRESs) within their 5′-untranslated regions, which allow initiation independently of the 5′-cap. This study investigated the ability of cellular stress to regulate the activity of IRESs in cellular mRNAs. Three stresses were studied that cause the phosphorylation of the translation initiation factor, eIF2α, by activating specific kinases: (i) amino acid starvation, which activates GCN2; (ii) endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which activates PKR-like ER kinase, PERK kinase; and (iii) double-stranded RNA, which activates double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) by mimicking viral infection. Amino acid starvation and ER stress caused transient phosphorylation of eIF2α during the first hour of treatment, whereas double-stranded RNA caused a sustained phosphorylation of eIF2α after 2 h. The effects of these treatments on IRES-mediated initiation were investigated using bicistronic mRNA expression vectors. No effect was seen for the IRESs from the mRNAs for the chaperone BiP and the protein kinase Pim-1. In contrast, translation mediated by the IRESs from the cationic amino acid transporter, cat-1, and of the cricket paralysis virus intergenic region, were stimulated 3- to 10-fold by all three treatments. eIF2α phosphorylation was required for the response because inactivation of phosphorylation prevented the stimulation. It is concluded that cellular stress can stimulate translation from some cellular IRESs via a mechanism that requires the phosphorylation of eIF2α. Moreover, there are distinct regulatory patterns for different cellular mRNAs that contain IRESs within their 5′-untranslated regions.
Distribution and Invasiveness of Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotypes in Switzerland, a Country with Low Antibiotic Selection Pressure, from 2001 to 2004

ABSTRACT To describe the serotype-specific epidemiology of colonizing and invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates, which is important for vaccination strategies, we analyzed a total of 2,388 invasive and 1,540 colonizing S. pneumoniae isolates collected between January 2001 and December 2004 within two nationwide surveillance programs. We found that the relative rank orders of the most frequent serotypes (serotypes 1, 3, 4, 6B, 7F, 14, 19F, and 23F) differed among invasive and colonizing isolates. Serotypes 1, 4, 5, 7F, 8, 9V, and 14 had increased invasive potential, and serotypes/serogroups 3, 6A, 7, 10, 11, 19F, and 23F were associated with colonization. The proportion of pediatric serotypes was higher among children <5 years old (48.5%) and persons >64 years old (34.1%) than among other age groups (29.1%); it was also higher in West Switzerland (40.2%) than in other geographic regions (34.7%). Likewise, serotype-specific proportions of penicillin-resistant isolates for types 6B, 9V, 14, and 19F were significantly higher in West Switzerland. The relative frequency of pediatric serotypes corresponded with antibiotic consumption patterns. We conclude that the epidemiology of invasive and colonizing S. pneumoniae isolates is influenced by the serotype-specific potential for invasiveness, and therefore, surveillance programs should include colonizing and invasive S. pneumoniae isolates. Antibiotic selection pressure determines the serotype distribution in different age groups and geographic regions and therefore the expected direct and indirect effects of the 7-valent conjugate vaccine.
Negative and Positive Inotropic Effects of Propofol via L-type Calcium Channels and the Sodium-Calcium Exchanger in Rat Cardiac Trabeculae

Background Conflicting opinions are present in the literature regarding the origin of the negative inotropic effect of propofol on the myocardium. This study aims to resolve these discrepancies by investigating the inotropic effects of propofol via the L-type calcium channels and the sodium-calcium exchanger (NCX). Methods The effect of 20 &mgr;g/ml propofol on force development was determined in rat cardiac trabeculae at different pacing frequencies and different extracellular calcium concentrations. Postrest potentiation, sodium withdrawal during quiescence, and the NCX inhibitor KB-R7943 were used to study changes in the activity of the reverse mode of the NCX by propofol. Results The effect of propofol on steady state peak force depended on pacing frequency and calcium concentration. A negative inotropic effect was observed at pacing frequencies greater than 0.5 Hz, but a positive inotropic effect was observed at 0.1 Hz and low calcium, which cannot be explained by an effect on the L-type calcium channel. Propofol enhanced postrest potentiation in a calcium-dependent manner. Sodium withdrawal during quiescence and the use of the specific NCX inhibitor KB-R7943 provided evidence for an enhancement of calcium influx by propofol via the reverse mode of the NCX. Conclusions The effects of propofol on the myocardium depend on pacing frequency and calcium concentration. The positive inotropic effect of propofol is associated with increased calcium influx via the reverse mode of the NCX. The authors conclude that the net inotropic effect of propofol is the result of its counteracting influence on the functioning of the L-type calcium channel and the NCX.
Serum lipase activities and pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity concentrations in dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

OBJECTIVE To determine serum lipase activities and pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity (PLI) concentrations in dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). ANIMALS 74 healthy dogs and 25 dogs with EPI. PROCEDURES A diagnosis of EPI was made on the basis of clinical signs, low serum trypsin like immunoreactivity (TLI) concentration, and response to treatment with enzyme replacement. Median values for fasting serum lipase activity and serum PLI concentrations were compared between the 2 groups with a Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Median fasting serum lipase activity was not significantly different between dogs with EPI (366.0 U/L) and healthy dogs (294.5 U/L), and only 1 dog with EPI had a serum lipase activity less than the lower limit of the reference range. Median serum PLI concentration was significantly lower in dogs with EPI (0.1 microg/L) than in healthy dogs (16.3 microg/L). All dogs with EPI had serum PLI concentrations less than the lower limit of the reference range. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Serum lipase activity is not limited to the exocrine pancreas in origin, whereas serum PLI is derived only from the exocrine pancreas. Unlike in serum TLI concentrations, there was a small degree of overlap in serum PLI concentrations between healthy dogs and dogs with EPI. Serum TLI concentration remains the test of choice for diagnosis of EPI.
Fingertip Replantation Using the Subdermal Pocket Procedure

Restoration of finger length and function are the goals of replantation after fingertip amputation. Methods include microsurgical replantation and nonmicrosurgical replantation, such as composite graft techniques. To increase the survival rates for composite grafts, the subcutaneous pocket procedure has been used as a salvage procedure. The subdermal pocket procedure, which is a modification of the subcutaneous pocket procedure, was used for replantation of 17 fingertips in 16 consecutive patients. Eight fingertips experienced guillotine injuries and the other nine fingertips experienced crush injuries. Revascularization of one digital artery without available venous outflow was performed for six fingers, and composite graft techniques were used for the other 11 fingers. The success rate was 16 of 17 cases. The difference in success rates for guillotine versus crush injuries was statistically significant. Comparison of patients with arterial anastomoses and patients without arterial anastomoses also indicated a statistically significant difference. Thirteen fingertips survived completely. One finger, demonstrating complete loss and early termination of the pocketing procedure, was amputated on the eighth postoperative day. Two fingers were partially lost because of severe crushing injuries. One finger demonstrated partial loss of more than one quarter of the fingertip, which required secondary revision, because the patient was a heavy smoker. The pocketing period was 8 ± 1 days (mean ± SD, n = 6) for the fingers revascularized with one digital arterial anastomosis and 13.3 ± 1.9 days (n = 10) for the fingers successfully replanted with composite graft techniques. The mean active range of motion of the interphalangeal joint of the three thumbs was 65 ± 5 degrees, and that of the distal interphalangeal joint of the other 11 fingers was 51 ± 11 degrees. The static two-point discrimination result was 6.4 ± 1.0 mm (n = 14) after an average of 11 ± 5 months of follow-up monitoring. Compared with other methods, the subdermal pocket procedure has the advantages of exact subdermal/subdermal contact, a shorter pocketing period, and more feasible observation. The method can offer an alternative salvage procedure for fingertip amputations with no suitable vessels available for microsurgical replantation.
Nexus Between Financial Development and Economic Growth in Assam

The paper aims to empirically examine the relationship between financial development and economic growth and their causality in the state of Assam in India over the time period 1980 to 2010. Economic growth is measured by the real GSDP of Assam, while a composite financial development index has been used as the measure of financial development. Using time series techniques, the stationarity properties of the data sets are tested, followed by Johansen and Jesulius Cointegration analysis to examine long term relationship between the two variables. The study finds a cointegrating relationship between them. Further, Granger causality tests supports ‘demand following approach’ in Assam. The paper also looks into the short run dynamics using the error correction model and the findings indicate an equilibrium process.