Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterization of Vascular Lesions in Pigs Affected by Porcine Circovirus Type 2–Systemic Disease

Vascular lesions and their association with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) were evaluated in multiple organs from 10 pigs affected with PCV2–systemic disease (PCV2-SD). Animals had vascular lesions in multiple organs, consisting of lymphohistiocytic lymphangitis and/or phlebitis, mild to severe necrotizing arteritis, and thrombosis within splenic arterioles and choroid plexus capillaries. Variable amounts of PCV2 nucleic acid detected by in situ hybridization were present within endothelial cells, tunica media myocytes, and perivascular and/or intralesional inflammatory cell infiltrates. PCV2 nucleic acid was detected within endothelial cells of both lymphatic and blood vessels without lesions in the associated tissues. Necrotizing arteritis was principally present in lymph nodes and kidney and consisted of degeneration, necrosis, and pyknosis of myocytes, often with intracytoplasmic, brightly eosinophilic inclusion bodies that were strongly positive for PCV2 nucleic acid. Segmental or circumferential fibrinoid necrosis was mainly present in vessels of the lymph node, spleen, and choroid plexus and was variably associated with PCV2 nucleic acid. Severe lymphangitis associated with strong intralesional PCV2 labeling was frequently detected within the mesenteric and mediastinal lymph nodes and the lamina propria of the ileum. In most tissues, medium and large lymphatics and/or veins often had disruption of the intima and mild mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration that was variably associated with PCV2 nucleic acid. The present study indicates that vasculitis is a frequent finding in natural cases of PCV2-SD and that PCV2 may have a direct cytopathic effect on tunica media myocytes of small- and medium-sized arteries as well as endothelium.
Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Calf Compression On Postoperative Thrombin and Plasmin Activity

Summary A previous study of neurosurgical patients demonstrated an imbalance between thrombin and plasmin action following surgery. The present study was designed to determine the effect of intermittent pneumatic calf compression on postoperative enzyme activity. Fibrinopeptide A (FPA) and Bβ 1-42 levels, reflecting thrombin and plasmin action respectively, were measured daily in patients undergoing elective craniotomy. Two of 9 patients not receiving calf compression developed positive fibrinogen leg scans, while none of 5 patients receiving prophylaxis had positive scans. Calf compression was associated with a markedly altered pattern of changes in the fibrinopeptide values following surgery. Without compression, there was perturbation of the balance between thrombin and plasmin action on the day after surgery as reflected by an increase in the FPA/Bβ 1-42 ratio. In contrast, in those receiving prophylaxis there was no change in this ratio on the first postoperative day. Calf compression both blunted the mean postoperative increase in the FPA level (1.8 nM vs 4.7 nM; p <.05) and augmented the mean Bβ 1-42 value (3.0 nM vs 0.2 nM; p <.05) so that the mean increase in the FPA/ Bβ 1-42 ratio was only 0.1 with calf compression as compared to 2.2 without it (p <.05). Systemic modulation of both the coagulation and fibrinolytic pathways thus occurred in association with calf compression.
An Investigation into the Benefits of Investing in Chinese Multinational Companies

We provide a unique longitudinal analysis into firm-level multinationality of Chinese firms between 2002 and 2012 using two measures of multinationality—the Aggarwal, Berrill, Hutson and Kearney (2011, International Business Review, 20, 557–577) system and foreign sales as a percentage of total sales. We find that Chinese firms have low levels of multinationality with most foreign sales in the triad regions of Asia, Europe and North America. We use mean variance spanning tests to investigate the benefits from investing in Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs). We find that Chinese MNCs offer little diversification benefits to domestic investors and firms with greater multinationality levels do not result in greater benefits.
Consumer attitude and purchase intention toward rooftop photovoltaic installation: The roles of personal trait, psychological benefit, and government incentives

Rooftop photovoltaic system is a cheap and abundant energy source that addresses the threat of global warming, and its future success relies on government incentives and marketing strategies designed to improve consumers’ benefit perception. The present study aimed to examine the relationship among personal traits (including environmental concern, an ecological lifestyle, and consumer innovativeness), psychological benefits (including a warm glow and a “nature experience”), attitudes toward rooftop photovoltaic, government incentives, and intentions to install rooftop photovoltaic. Empirical data were collected from one nationwide company in Taiwan, and 300 valid questionnaires were collected. The collected data were analyzed using a structural equation model. The results show that an ecological lifestyle, consumer innovativeness, and warm glow affect rooftop photovoltaic installation intention through the attitude toward rooftop photovoltaic. Moreover, government incentives have the strongest influence on this intention. This study integrates personal traits, psychological benefits, attitudes toward rooftop photovoltaic, government incentives, and intentions to install rooftop photovoltaic in a model from the consumer perception theory perspective; it expands the theory regarding planned behavior in the solar photovoltaic research field. This research also provides suggestions for government policymakers and offers a strong theoretical and practical framework for photovoltaic industry marketers.
Estimation of the area under the ROC curve

The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve is frequently used as a measure for the effectiveness of diagnostic markers. In this paper we discuss and compare estimation procedures for this area. These are based on (i) the Mann–Whitney statistic; (ii) kernel smoothing; (iii) normal assumptions; (iv) empirical transformations to normality. These are compared in terms of bias and root mean square error in a large variety of situations by means of an extensive simulation study. Overall we find that transforming to normality usually is to be preferred except for bimodal cases where kernel methods can be effective. Copyright 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Complications of diagnostic cerebral angiography: evaluation of 19,826 consecutive patients.

PURPOSE To retrospectively evaluate the complications of diagnostic cerebral catheter angiography in 19,826 consecutive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This HIPAA-compliant study had institutional review board approval, with waiver of informed consent. Demographic, procedural, and complication data in 19 826 consecutive patients undergoing diagnostic cerebral angiography at one institution from 1981 through 2003 were retrospectively reviewed. Neurologic, systemic, and local complications were recorded on the basis of clinical follow-up results after each angiographic examination. Events that occurred within 24 hours of angiography were considered to be complications of the procedure. Multivariable analysis was employed to identify patient and procedural factors significantly associated with neurologic complications. RESULTS Neurologic complications occurred in 522 examinations (2.63%), and 27 of these (0.14%) were strokes with permanent disability. Twelve deaths occurred (0.06%). Access-site hematoma was the most common complication overall (4.2%). Factors independently associated with an increased risk of neurologic complication included the indication of atherosclerotic cerebrovascular disease (odds ratio [OR], 2.494), the indication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (OR, 2.523), and the comorbidity of frequent transient ischemic attack (OR, 1.674). Factors independently associated with a decreased risk of neurologic complication were increasing chronologic year in which the procedure was performed (OR, 0.659 per 5-year interval) and involvement of a trainee in the procedure (OR, 0.710). CONCLUSION In this review, diagnostic catheter cerebral angiography was found to have relatively low complication rates.
The relationship between attitudes in Poland towards the decommodified welfare state with those on the communist economy and transition to a market economy

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is threefold: to examine social opinions in Poland towards the decommodified ideal type of welfare state, as developed by Esping-Andersen; to look at the extent to which this is correlated with opinions towards aspects of the Communist economy and the transition from this system; and to show how opinions on decommodification and the Communist economy and transition are multi-faceted and reflect differing socio-economic interests. Design/methodology/approach - This paper draws on data obtained from a questionnaire asked to a random sample of 1,001 respondents in Poland. A factor analysis of questions related to the topic is carried out and then bivariate correlation and multivariate regression analyses are performed to test the relationship between attitudes towards decommodification and the (post) Communist economy. Findings - It is discovered that the opinions of Polish society are close to many aspects of the decommodified welfare model, although these are not homogenous. There is a significant correlation between opinions towards the Communist economy and transition with the decommodified welfare state, although this weakens when the respondents are asked about more specific issues of welfare that most directly relate to their everyday lives. Originality/value - The paper uses high quality data from an original data source, to both examine opinions on the welfare system and the Communist economy and transition. This allows us to better understand opinions towards the welfare state in Poland and understand how the historical legacy of Communism influences these opinions.
Two Patches of Amino Acids on the E2 DNA Binding Domain Define the Surface for Interaction with E1

ABSTRACT The E1 and E2 proteins from bovine papillomavirus bind cooperatively to the viral origin of DNA replication (ori), forming a complex which is essential for initiation of DNA replication. Cooperative binding has two components, in which (i) the DNA binding domains (DBDs) of the two proteins interact with each other and (ii) the E2 transactivation domain interacts with the helicase domain of E1. By generating specific point mutations in the DBD of E2, we have defined two patches of amino acids that are involved in the interaction with the E1 DBD. These same mutations, when introduced into the viral genome, result in severely reduced replication of the viral genome, as well as failure to transform mouse cells in tissue culture. Thus, the interaction between the E1 and E2 DBDs is important for the establishment of the viral genome as an episome and most likely contributes to the formation of a preinitiation complex on the viral ori.
Serial Plasma Concentrations of PYY and Ghrelin During Chemotherapy in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Purpose To investigate peptide YY (PYY) and ghrelin secretion, at diagnosis and during chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Patients and Methods Measurements were performed at diagnosis, after the induction-consolidation phase and at standard time points before each cycle in 9 patients with ALL aged 2 to 7 years (median 4.3 y). Body mass index (BMI) and leukemic burden were estimated at the same time points and correlated with PYY and ghrelin levels. Nine healthy children matched for age and sex were used as controls. Results At diagnosis, mean PYY levels were high (P<0.0001) and mean active ghrelin were low, compared with controls (P<0.001). Compared with baseline values, PYY increased significantly after the induction-consolidation phase (P=0.033), and returned progressively to pretreatment levels after the sixth cycle, whereas ghrelin fluctuated and stabilized at significantly higher levels (P=0.024) after the eighth cycle of chemotherapy. However, ghrelin was still low, compared with controls (P<0.001), after the eighth cycle. Delta (final-baseline) mean PYY was negatively correlated with δ mean BMI SD score (−0.612, P=0.010) and positively with leukemic burden (0.529, P=0.015), whereas δ mean ghrelin was positively correlated with δ mean BMI SD score (0.626, P=0.009) and negatively with leukemic burden (−0.567, P=0.012). Conclusions PYY and ghrelin play a major role in pathogenesis of anorexia-cachexia syndrome in pediatric ALL patients.
Osmosensitive single neurones in the hypothalamus of unanaesthetized monkeys

1. We recorded with tungsten micro‐electrodes the activity of single neurones in the supraoptic nucleus (NSO) and adjacent regions of the hypothalamus while repeatedly injecting solutions of varying tonicity into the common carotid artery of trained, unanaesthetized monkeys who accepted the experimental restraints without anxiety.
Association between abnormal brain functional connectivity in children and psychopathology: A study based on graph theory and machine learning

Abstract Objectives: One of the major challenges facing psychiatry is how to incorporate biological measures in the classification of mental health disorders. Many of these disorders affect brain development and its connectivity. In this study, we propose a novel method for assessing brain networks based on the combination of a graph theory measure (eigenvector centrality) and a one-class support vector machine (OC-SVM). Methods: We applied this approach to resting-state fMRI data from 622 children and adolescents. Eigenvector centrality (EVC) of nodes from positive- and negative-task networks were extracted from each subject and used as input to an OC-SVM to label individual brain networks as typical or atypical. We hypothesised that classification of these subjects regarding the pattern of brain connectivity would predict the level of psychopathology. Results: Subjects with atypical brain network organisation had higher levels of psychopathology (p < 0.001). There was a greater EVC in the typical group at the bilateral posterior cingulate and bilateral posterior temporal cortices; and significant decreases in EVC at left temporal pole. Conclusions: The combination of graph theory methods and an OC-SVM is a promising method to characterise neurodevelopment, and may be useful to understand the deviations leading to mental disorders.
Epstein–Barr virus‐specific CD8+ T lymphocytes from diffuse large B cell lymphoma patients are functionally impaired

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a persistent virus with oncogenic capacity that has been implicated in the development of aggressive B cell lymphomas, primarily in immunosuppressed individuals, although it can be present in immunocompetent individuals. Changes in the function and clonal diversity of T lymphocytes might be implied by viral persistence and lymphoma development. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency, phenotype, function and clonotypical distribution of EBV‐specific T cells after peripheral blood stimulation with a virus lysate in newly diagnosed patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) aged more than 50 years without prior histories of clinical immunosuppression compared with healthy controls. Our results showed impaired EBV‐specific immune responses among DLBCL patients that were associated primarily with decreased numbers of central and effector memory CD8+ T lymphocytes. In contrast to healthy controls, only a minority of the patients showed CD4+/tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α+ T cells expressing T cell receptor (TCR)‐Vβ17 and CD8+/TNF‐α+ T cells with TCR‐Vβ5·2, Vβ9 and Vβ18 in response to EBV. Notably, the production of TNF‐α was undetectable among TCR‐Vβ5·3+, Vβ11+, Vβ12+, Vβ16+ and Vβ23+ CD8+ T cells. In addition, we observed decreased numbers of CD4+/TNF‐α+ and CD8+/TNF‐α+, CD8+/interleukin (IL)‐2+ and CD8+/TNF‐α+/IL‐2+ T lymphocytes in the absence of T cells capable of producing TNF‐α, IL‐2 and IFN‐γ after EBV stimulation simultaneously. Moreover, DLBCL patients displayed higher IL‐10 levels both under baseline conditions and after EBV stimulation. These findings were also observed in patients with positive EBV viral loads. Prospective studies including a large number of patients are needed to confirm these findings.
The Innovation Theory of Harm: An Appraisal

In its recent decision on the Dow-DuPont case, the European Commission has adopted an innovation theory of harm (IToH), which holds that even horizontal mergers whose static effects are benign may be regarded as anticompetitive in a dynamic perspective, as mergers generally stifle innovation. This paper critically assesses the IToH, arguing that its theoretical foundations are too fragile to be the basis for radical policy changes. Antitrust authorities and the courts should continue to consider the impact of horizontal mergers on innovation, bearing in mind that the effect can go either way.
Long-term in vitro culture and characterisation of avian embryonic stem cells with multiple morphogenetic potentialities.

Petitte, J.N. , Clarck, M.E. , Verrinder Gibbins, A. M. and R. J. Etches (1990; Development 108, 185-189) demonstrated that chicken early blastoderm contains cells able to contribute to both somatic and germinal tissue when injected into a recipient embryo. However, these cells were neither identified nor maintained in vitro. Here, we show that chicken early blastoderm contains cells characterised as putative avian embryonic stem (ES) cells that can be maintained in vitro for long-term culture. These cells exhibit features similar to those of murine ES cells such as typical morphology, strong reactivity toward specific antibodies, cytokine-dependent extended proliferation and high telomerase activity. These cells also present high capacities to differentiate in vitro into various cell types including cells from ectodermic, mesodermic and endodermic lineages. Production of chimeras after injection of the cultivated cells reinforced the view that our culture system maintains in vitro some avian putative ES cells.
Debt Boundaries Matter: Evidence From The Subsidiary Debt

I exploit the introduction of an accounting reform in the US to investigate whether the presence of subsidiary debt affects the cost of borrowing of conglomerates. The accounting reform forces some firms to restate from standalone firms (declaring one segment unit) to conglomerates (declaring multiple segment units). I find that restating conglomerates suffer a 16% increase in the bond spread if they do not incorporate some debt on their segment units as separate legal entities, or subsidiaries. The effect is concentrated on firms with a high dispersion in the growth opportunities in the prereform period. This is consistent with the hypothesis that subsidiary prevents managers of low-growth divisions to capture part of the surplus of high-growth divisions when divisions differ in resource potential. JEL Classification: G12, G15, G30, L22.
Role of Fas/FasL genes in azoospermia or oligozoospermia induced by testosterone undecanoate in rhesus monkey.

AIM To investigate role of apoptosis related genes Fas/FasL in azoospermia or oligozoospermia induced by testosterone undecanoate. METHODS TUNEL was used to detect the apoptotic signal of testicular cells. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to quantitatively or qualitatively analyze the expression of these apoptosis-related proteins. RESULTS After injection of testosterone undecanoate, both the apoptotic signal in germ cells and the expression of Fas/FasL in testis increased correlatively in a time-dependent manner, reaching a maximum level on day 30. CONCLUSION Fas system may initiate and regulate the germ cell apoptosis induced by testosterone undecanoate.
Fibrinogen and Viscosity as Risk Factors for Subsequent Cardiovascular Events in Stroke Survivors

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether abnormalities in blood viscosity predict a poor prognosis for subsequent cardiovascular events in stroke survivors. DESIGN Nested case-control study among a cohort of survivors of a first stroke, followed for an average of 2 years. Patients with a second stroke, myocardial infarction, or cardiovascular death were matched with patients who did not have such events (control patients). SETTING Buchberg-Klinik, Bad Tölz, Germany, a specialized center for stroke rehabilitation. PATIENTS A total of 625 consecutive patients. Twenty-one patients (3.5%) were lost to follow-up. Sixty pairs were matched. MEASUREMENTS Native and hematocrit-standardized blood viscosity at three shear rates, hematocrit, plasma viscosity, fibrinogen, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, total leukocyte count, and the matching variables. RESULTS Eighty-five patients had a second stroke, myocardial infarction, or died due to a cardiovascular event. Patients with re-events had higher blood viscosity and fibrinogen levels than the control patients. In the 60 matched pairs, the mean of the paired differences between patients with re-events and control patients was 5.03 mPa.s (95% CI, 1.262 to 8.941; P = 0.01) for native blood viscosity at shear rate 0.7 s-1, for plasma viscosity, 0.044 mPa.s (CI, 0.006 to 0.083; P greater than 0.02), and for fibrinogen, 0.056 g/L (CI, 0.010 to 0.101; P greater than 0.02). Odds ratios were significantly increased only for plasma viscosity (odds ratio, 2.86; CI, 1.06 to 8.43) and fibrinogen (odds ratio, 3.67; CI, 1.31 to 11.69). CONCLUSIONS Hyperfibrinogenemia is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events in stroke survivors. Intervention trials with fibrinogen lowering measures may be warranted.
Modeling of autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa in Caenorhabditis elegans uncovers a nexus between global impaired functioning of certain splicing factors and cell type-specific apoptosis

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare genetic disease that causes gradual blindness through retinal degeneration. Intriguingly, seven of the 24 genes identified as responsible for the autosomal-dominant form (adRP) are ubiquitous spliceosome components whose impairment causes disease only in the retina. The fact that these proteins are essential in all organisms hampers genetic, genomic, and physiological studies, but we addressed these difficulties by using RNAi in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our study of worm phenotypes produced by RNAi of splicing-related adRP (s-adRP) genes functionally distinguishes between components of U4 and U5 snRNP complexes, because knockdown of U5 proteins produces a stronger phenotype. RNA-seq analyses of worms where s-adRP genes were partially inactivated by RNAi, revealed mild intron retention in developing animals but not in adults, suggesting a positive correlation between intron retention and transcriptional activity. Interestingly, RNAi of s-adRP genes produces an increase in the expression of atl-1 (homolog of human ATR), which is normally activated in response to replicative stress and certain DNA-damaging agents. The up-regulation of atl-1 correlates with the ectopic expression of the pro-apoptotic gene egl-1 and apoptosis in hypodermal cells, which produce the cuticle, but not in other cell types. Our model in C. elegans resembles s-adRP in two aspects: The phenotype caused by global knockdown of s-adRP genes is cell type-specific and associated with high transcriptional activity. Finally, along with a reduced production of mature transcripts, we propose a model in which the retina-specific cell death in s-adRP patients can be induced through genomic instability.