Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Primary bone lymphoma – the University of Miami experience

Primary bone lymphoma (PBL) is a rare disease. There has been paucity of studies addressing its therapy and prognosis. We retrospectively examined PBL cases seen at the University of Miami from June 2000 to August 2007 to describe our single institution experience and review the literature. Fifty-three patients were identified with a median age of 52 (18–87) and a median follow-up of 40 months (0–106). The most common histologic type was diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (83%). Forty-one patients (77%) presented with localized disease and 48 were treated at our institution. Forty-six patients underwent chemotherapy (40 patients) and/or radiation (36 patients). Forty-four patients achieved a complete response and all patients were alive at last follow-up. The progression-free survival (PFS) was 83% at 4 years. No difference in PFS was observed between patients treated with chemotherapy or combined chemotherapy plus radiation. There was a trend toward improvement in PFS (p = 0.062) of patients with DLBCL treated with rituximab plus chemotherapy. Our single institutional experience demonstrates that the outcome of patients with PBL is excellent. Although the current data support the use of combined modality treatment for localized PBL, randomized controlled trials are needed especially now, when rituximab is routinely added to chemotherapy regimens.
Interaction of gadolinium‐based MR contrast agents with choline: Implications for MR spectroscopy (MRS) of the breast

It has been shown that magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) can improve the specificity of the MR examination by the spectroscopic detection of choline (Cho). Commonly, the lesion is first visualized on postcontrast studies, and the MRS voxel is prescribed accordingly. The implicit assumption made in this approach is that the presence of gadolinium‐based contrast agents will have a negligible effect on the MR spectra obtained from the lesion. In this work, we examined this assumption by determining the effects of six gadolinium‐based contrast agents: Magnevist, Multihance, Omniscan, Optimark, ProHance, and Dotarem, on the Cho peak in phantoms and in a rat model for breast cancer. We found that only the three negatively‐charged chelates: Magnevist, MultiHance, and Dotarem, broadened the Cho peak in phantoms and reduced the area of the Cho peak in vivo by an average of about 40%. The use of negatively‐charged chelates may lead to an underestimation of the levels of Cho present in human breast cancers, since most studies use MRS postcontrast administration. Therefore, we recommend the use of the neutral chelates in MRI/MRS studies of the breast. Magn Reson Med 2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
New nonlipid effects of statins and their clinical relevance in cardiovascular disease

Summary Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase, statins, have been demonstrated to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with a wide range of cholesterol levels. Numerous cholesterol-independent effects of statins that may limit atherosclerosis are probably related to inhibition of the geranylgeranylation of GTP-binding intracellular signaling proteins and involve: improved vasoreactivity, mostly through increased NO bioavailability; decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, tumor necrosis factor α), C-reactive protein, chemokines, matrix metalloproteinases, and tissue factor with the subsequent inhibition of thrombin generation; reduced platelet activity; increased thrombomodulin expression; enhanced fibrinolysis, regulation of angiogenesis and immunomodulation. However, the clinical relevance of multiple protective effects induced by statins has not been clarified yet.
Public policy, employment and growth in open economies

We build and parameterize a general equilibrium OLG model that explains hours worked by three active generations, education by the young, the retirement decision of older workers, and aggregate per capita growth as functions of the level and structure of taxes and government expenditures. We find that our model’s predictions match the facts remarkably well for all key variables in many OECD countries. We then use the model to investigate the effects of various fiscal policy shocks. To promote employment, especially among older workers, and economic growth, our results strongly prefer labor tax cuts targeted at older workers and higher productive government expenditures financed by a reduction of non-employment benefits and/or higher consumption taxes. We also evaluate the welfare effects for current and future generations of alternative policy changes.
Climate Variability and Rural Livelihoods: How Households Perceive and Adapt to Climatic Shocks in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Climate variability and change have adverse effects on agricultural production and other livelihood strategies of the rural households. The paper hypothesizes that rural households naturally devise means of overcoming the challenges currently posed by climate variability. The research article addresses the question of how rural households apply local knowledge of weather forecasting in adapting to climate variability in the Okavango Delta. It specifically probes, among others, the extent to which climate variability has affected agricultural production over the last 10 years in the area. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select a total of 592 households from eight rural communities. Key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a stakeholder workshop were used to obtain demographic, socioeconomic, psychosocial, and climatic information. Households used both natural animate and inanimate indicators to predict the weather. To enhance household adaptation to climatic events, indigenous knowledge weather forecasters (ethnometeorologists) engaged in discussions with community members on their observation and interpretation of local weather conditions. Households devised adaptation strategies including the selection and preservation of drought-resistant, early maturing seeds, and shift in farming calendars to overcome the vagaries of weather patterns. Local and farming communities had a favorable perception about the accuracy of indigenous knowledge in weather forecasting (ethnometeorology) and therefore continue to utilize this knowledge system in weather forecasting. Most households perceived that change in weather patterns had a direct relationship with the decline in agricultural outputs over the last 10 years. Households’ experiential knowledge and ability to quantify their losses in farm yields as a result of climate-related problems provide an important insight for policy makers on how to address the impact of climate variability in the Okavango Delta, Botswana, and in similar social ecological contexts.
Anaesthetic properties of pregnanolone emulsion

The anaesthetic properties of pregnanolone emulsion, a new steroid preparation for intravenous administration, were evaluated in rats and compared to those of Althesin, propofol, thiopentone and midazolam. The therapeutic index was found to be 50% higher than that of Althesin and 6–8 times higher than those of propofol, thiopentone and midazolam. Induction with pregnanolone emulsion was reliable and fast, with only minor excitatory side effects, although induction time was longer compared to Althesin, propofol and thiopentone. Movement of unstimulated rats during sleep was similar to that seen with Althesin but movement on painful stimulation was less than with propofol and thiopentone. Recovery was rapid and smooth, and the proportion of sleeping time to recovery time was higher than found for the other four anaesthetics. No cumulative effects were seen on repeated administration and there were no venous sequelae. The results indicate that pregnanolone emulsion may provide a shortacting, less cumulative and less toxic alternative to existing intravenous anaesthetic agents.
Context‐dependent modulation of hippocampal and cortical recruitment during remote spatial memory retrieval

According to systems consolidation, as hippocampal‐dependent memories mature over time, they become additionally (or exclusively) dependent on extra‐hippocampal structures. We assessed the recruitment of hippocampal and cortical structures on remote memory retrieval in a performance‐degradation resistant (PDR; no performance degradation with time) versus performance‐degradation prone (PDP; performance degraded with time) context. Using a water‐maze task in two contexts with a hidden platform and three control conditions (home cage, visible platform with or without access to distal cues), we compared neuronal activation (c‐Fos imaging) patterns in the dorsal hippocampus and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) after the retrieval of recent (5 days) versus remote (25 days) spatial memory. In the PDR context, the hippocampus exhibited greater c‐Fos protein expression on remote than recent memory retrieval, be it in the visible or hidden platform group. In the PDP context, hippocampal activation increased at the remote time point and only in the hidden platform group. In the anterior cingulate cortex, c‐Fos expression was greater for remote than for recent memory retrieval and only in the PDR context. The necessity of the mPFC for remote memory retrieval in the PDR context was confirmed using region‐specific lidocaine inactivation, which had no impact on recent memory. Conversely, inactivation of the dorsal hippocampus impaired both recent and remote memory in the PDR context, and only recent memory in the PDP context, in which remote memory performance was degraded. While confirming that neuronal circuits supporting spatial memory consolidation are reorganized in a time‐dependent manner, our findings further indicate that mPFC and hippocampus recruitment (i) depends on the content and perhaps the strength of the memory and (ii) may be influenced by the environmental conditions (e.g., cue saliency, complexity) in which memories are initially formed and subsequently recalled. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical and laboratory spectrum of culture-proven human granulocytic ehrlichiosis: comparison with culture-negative cases.

We describe the clinical and laboratory manifestations of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) in eight patients for whom cultures were positive for the HGE agent and compare them with 15 patients for whom cultures were negative but who fulfilled a modified New York State Surveillance definition for HGE. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was positive in 8 (100%) of 8 culture-positive cases vs. 3 (20%) of 15 culture-negative cases (P < .001), morulae were detected in 7 (100%) of 7 culture-positive cases in which tests were performed vs. 0 of 15 culture-negative cases (P < .001), and a fourfold change in antibody titer was demonstrated in 6 (75%) of 8 culture-positive cases vs. 9 (69%) of 13 culture-negative cases (P = not significant). Patients for whom cultures were positive had higher mean oral temperatures +/- SD at presentation than did patients for whom cultures were negative (38.6 degrees C +/- 0.7 degree C vs. 37.2 degrees C +/- 0.8 degree C, respectively; P = .002). Other symptoms and signs were not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the lymphocyte count at presentation was significantly lower in culture-positive cases than in culture-negative cases. Clinical response to treatment was similar in the two groups. Culture confirmation of HGE is the gold standard for defining the sensitivity and specificity of other diagnostic tests presently being developed.
Hypoxanthine: A Marker for Asphyxia

It has been hypothesized that hypoxanthine concentrations in the blood of newborn infants are a marker of asphyxia. To test this hypothesis, we measured serum hypoxanthine levels in relationship to perinatal and neonatal asphyxia, and compared arterial hypoxanthine levels with arterial pH and base deficit. We also compared hypoxanthine levels of survivors with those of asphyxiated non-survivors. Fortytwo newborns were classified as asphyxiated by either of two methods: 1) Infants from whom umbilical cord hypoxanthine levels were taken were classified as asphyxiated if they had an Apgar score of 6 or less at 1 or 5 minutes, fetal heart rate below 100 beats per minute, or meconiumstained amniotic fluid; and 2) infants from whom peripheral arterial hypoxanthine samples were taken were classified by clinical assessment, whereby one author, blinded to the infants' hypoxanthine levels, prospectively assessed each patient's condition for evidence of asphyxia. Hypoxanthine levels correlated with increased base deficit (P < .001; r = 0.8) and with decreased pH (P < .001; r = -0.5). By both of our asphyxia classification methods, hypoxanthine levels were significantly higher (P < .002) in the asphyxiated groups. We also noted a higher hypoxanthine level in asphyxiated non-survivors as compared with all survivors (P < .02). We propose that serum hypoxanthine levels may help define asphyxia. Because hypoxanthine, when metabolized by xanthine oxidase, generates oxygen radicals that are highly destructive to tissue, hypoxanthine levels may have important therapeutic implications for asphyxiated patients.
Network Organization Pitfalls and Success Factors for Team and Organizational Processes. Analyses of Key Organizational Variables and Cultural Differences in International Military Contexts

This study focuses on organizational flexibility and explores organizational structure and processes as its antecedents as proposed by network organization theories. The study also explores possible moderator effects of power distance (Pd) and cultural diversity. Using self-report data from three different multinational military exercises and one laboratory experiment, the relationships between perceptions of flat organizational structure, decentralized processes and flexibility were explored. The data from each of these studies were analysed both separately and conjunctively. The analyses revealed that decentralization was the most consistent predictor of organizational flexibility across each of the four studies. Moreover, when the data were analysed conjunctively, significant relationships between decentralization and flexibility and between flat structures and flexibility were observed. No moderating effects of Pd or cultural diversity were found. The research contributes to providing empirical support to central theoretical propositions made in network organizational literature, including also moderating factors essential in multinational organizational contexts.
In vivo assessment of the Combat Ready Clamp to control junctional hemorrhage in swine

BACKGROUND: Junctional wounds and associated hemorrhage have become more common and more lethal in the current war. The Combat Ready Clamp (CRoC) has been developed and deployed for treating junctional hemorrhage on the battlefield. This study examined the efficacy of CRoC and its acute effects in an animal model. METHODS: Anesthetized pigs (n = 6) were subjected to laparotomy, splenectomy, and abdominal closure. Next, coagulopathy was induced in animals by hemodilution and hypothermia. The left femoral artery was isolated, punctured (6‐mm hole), and allowed to bleed for 15 seconds. The groin wound was packed with gauze, and a CRoC applied and tightened until hemorrhage stopped. It was kept in place for 1 hour (treatment period) and then released for another hour or less (control‐period) if animal exsanguinated. Fluid resuscitation was administered, and vascular blood flow was examined by Doppler and CT scans. After death, local tissues were collected for histology. RESULTS: CRoC generated 800 to 900 mm Hg pressure on the wounds, which stopped the hemorrhage and prevented rebleeding during the first hour in all animals. Blood loss was minimal (<=137 mL), and mean arterial pressure remained at or higher than the target level (65 mm Hg) during this period. Removal of the clamp promptly led to rebleeding and exsanguination of five of six pigs during the second hour despite fluid resuscitation. Blood loss, survival, shock indices, and other measures were significantly (p < 0.01) different between the two periods. Doppler tests and CT scans showed no blood flow in the proximal, distal, and collateral arteries of the clamped leg. Minor inflammation was seen on blood vessels (endothelium) and nerves. CONCLUSION: CRoC functioned as an effective hemostatic adjunct for compression and control of groin hemorrhage. Although no acute histological damages were seen in compressed tissues, the short‐ and long‐term effects of CRoC application (e.g., total ischemia) on limb function remain unknown and warrant investigation.
Lack of difference between nebivolol/hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide on aortic wave augmentation and central blood pressure

Background: The vasodilating beta-blocker nebivolol is thought to be superior in lowering wave reflection and central blood pressure (BP) compared to nonvasodilating beta-blockers. The results from studies comparing nebivolol with either metoprolol or atenolol, with or without hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), are not unequivocal. Methods: We examined the effects of nebivolol 5 mg and metoprolol 100 mg with HCTZ 12.5 mg on aortic wave augmentation, central BP and hemodynamics using a randomized, double-blind, crossover design. We included 22 patients (17 men, age 59.9 ± 6.4 years) with office SBP of 155 ± 16 mmHg and DBP of 93 ± 10 mmHg. Radial applanation tonometry and noninvasive, continuous finger arterial BP measurement was performed at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment with either drug regimen, separated by a 4-week washout period. Results: Neither treatment affected aortic wave augmentation significantly. Augmentation index increased 1.0 ± 7.8% (P = 0.5) for nebivolol/HCTZ and 2.4 ± 6.6% (P = 0.07) for metoprolol/HCTZ. Nebivolol/HCTZ lowered central SBP by 15.8 ± 14.9 mmHg and DBP 10.5 ± 8.4 mmHg, and with metoprolol/HCTZ by 13.5 ± 12.3 mmHg for SBP and 9.5 ± 6.8 mmHg for DBP (all P < 0.001). Heart rate was lowered 8.1 ± 5.4 beats/min by nebivolol/HCTZ and 8.6 ± 4.9 beats/min by metoprolol/HCTZ. Peripheral BP was reduced to a similar extent as central BP. Peripheral BP decreased by 16.3 ± 14.9 mmHg systolic and 10.1 ± 8.2 mmHg diastolic with nebivolol/HCTZ, and by 15.2 ± 13.0 mmHg systolic and 9.1 ± 6.9 mmHg diastolic with metoprolol/HCTZ. Both treatment modalities had a similar effect on stroke volume, cardiac output, left-ventricular contractility and peripheral resistance. Conclusion: Nebivolol was not superior to metoprolol in reducing aortic wave augmentation or central BP when combined with HCTZ.
Mobile Solution for Metropolitan Crime Detection and Reporting

The proliferation of computational capabilities of mobile handheld devices has made them a viable medium for carrying out a wide range of activities, involving information exchange. One new area where mobile technology is gaining great usefulness in society is crime detection and reporting. One major problem hindering crime detection and reporting is lack of efficient communication platform between the police and the general public: the general public and the police lack a common platform for exchanging real time information about criminal activities, crime suspects and those under investigation for various crimes in the society. Lack of readily accessible information of crime trends in major towns and cities is also a key setback to public security needs. In this paper, a mobile infrastructure for detecting, reporting and tracking down criminal perpetrators using a mobile device is proposed. This is based on the client-server architecture; allowing users (the general public) to exchange various categories of crime/criminal related information with law enforcement agencies in real time.
Predicting Right-Wing Authoritarianism via Personality and Dangerous World Beliefs: Direct, Indirect, and Interactive Effects

ABSTRACT In an Italian sample (N = 483, 78.23% women, mean age = 27.61 years old), we used structural equation modeling with latent variables and interactions to analyze the direct, indirect, and interactive effects exerted on right-wing authoritarianism by the Big Five factors of personality and by dangerous world beliefs. Openness, Neuroticism, and Conscientiousness exerted direct effects on right-wing authoritarianism; the first two relationships were partially mediated by dangerous world beliefs. Most importantly, the relationship between dangerous world beliefs and right-wing authoritarianism was moderated by Openness: dangerous world beliefs significantly influenced right-wing authoritarianism solely for participants high in Openness. Limitations and possible developments of this research are discussed.
Lead toxicity in Brassica pekinensis Rupr.: Effect on nitrate assimilation and growth

Lead is a major heavy‐metal contaminant in the environment that has various anthropogenic and natural sources. To study the phytotoxic effects of Pb on the popular vegetable Chinese cabbage (Brassica pekinensis Rupr.) via depression of nitrogen assimilation, pot culture experiments with three concentrations of treatment with Pb (0, 4, and 8 mmol/kg dry soil) were carried out. Our results demonstrated adverse effects of Pb on nitrogen assimilation and plant growth. The addition of Pb in the soil resulted in elevated accumulation of Pb in the shoots of the plants: Pb concentrations of 14.3, 202.3, and 418.2 mg/kg (DW) in the shoots were detected with the 0, 4, and 8 mmol/kg treatments, respectively. Compared to the control, Pb exposure (4 and 8 mmol/kg) significantly decreased shoot nitrate content (71% and 80% of the control), nitrate reductase activity (104% and 49% of the control), and free amino acid content (81% and 82% of the control), indicating decreased nitrogen assimilation in the plants. The effect of Pb also was shown by the progressive decline in shoot biomass with increasing Pb concentration in plant shoots and in the soil. However, at the treatment levels used in this study, lead did not induce visible toxic symptoms. The lowest‐concentration Pb treatment (4 mmol/kg) stimulated chlorophyllb content but did not influence chlorophyll a content. The results suggested that the toxicity of Pb to the plants occurred at least partly via depression of nitrogen assimilation. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 21: 147–153, 2006.
What does viewing a pro-anorexia website do? An experimental examination of website exposure and moderating effects.

OBJECTIVE This study experimentally examined the effects of viewing a pro-anorexia website. METHOD Following construction of a prototypic pro-anorexia website, 235 female undergraduates were randomly assigned to view either the pro-anorexia website or one of two comparison websites related to female fashion (using average-sized models) or home décor. Post-website affect, cognitions, and behavioral expectations were examined along with moderator effects. RESULTS Study participants exposed to the pro-anorexia website had greater negative affect, lower social self-esteem, and lower appearance self-efficacy post-website than those who viewed a comparison website. Additionally, they perceived themselves as heavier, reported a greater likelihood of exercising and thinking about their weight in the near future, and engaged in more image comparison. Minimal support was found for moderator effects. CONCLUSION Results provide an empirical basis for concern (expressed by clinicians, researchers, the media) that pro-anorexia websites are a troubling new form of thin-ideal exposure that warrants further examination.