Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Postnatal development of interstitial (subplate) cells in the white matter of the temporal cortex of kittens: A correlated Golgi and electron microscopic study

The early postnatal development of interstitial cells (IC) in the white matter of the temporal cortex in kittens was studied. Counts in Nissl‐stained preparations show that the number of 1C diminishes by about 60% during the second postnatal week. In Golgi preparations, IC are bipolar or bitufted with long, beaded dendrites coursing in the white matter toward the ventricular surface. Ascending, shorter dendrites are thinner, often branch in a short bush, and possess long spines resembling filopodia. The majority of their axons descend in the white matter, emitting numerous recurrent collaterals that become ascending fibers reaching various cortical layers. Most 1C resemble inverted pyramidal cells. They appear well developed at the time of birth and continue to develop elaborate axonal complexes in the white matter of older animals. Electron microscopic observations of degenerating 1C were detected in all cases studied and their presence was related to the existence of cell death responsible for elimination of a fraction of 1C. They were recognized by their dark aspect and by dilations of the endoplasmic reticulum. Synapses contacting degenerating profiles were also observed. It is concluded that 1C belong to the population of early generated subplate cells which may have a transient function involved in certain morphogenetic events during the development of the cortical plate. Some persist in the adult where they can be recognized as IC of the white matter.
Integrative proteomic and gene expression analysis identify potential biomarkers for adjuvant trastuzumab resistance: analysis from the Fin-her phase III randomized trial

Trastuzumab is a remarkably effective therapy for patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) - positive breast cancer (BC). However, not all women with high levels of HER2 benefit from trastuzumab. By integrating mRNA and protein expression data from Reverse-Phase Protein Array Analysis (RPPA) in HER2-positive BC, we developed gene expression metagenes that reflect pathway activation levels. Next we assessed the ability of these metagenes to predict resistance to adjuvant trastuzumab using gene expression data from two independent datasets. 10 metagenes passed external validation (false discovery rate [fdr] < 0.05) and showed biological relevance with their pathway of origin. These metagenes were further screened for their association with trastuzumab resistance. An association with trastuzumab resistance was observed and validated only for the AnnexinA1 metagene (ANXA1). In the randomised phase III Fin-her study, tumours with low levels of the ANXA1 metagene showed a benefit from trastuzumab (multivariate: hazard ratio [HR] for distant recurrence = 0.16[95%CI 0.05–0.5]; p = 0.002; fdr = 0.03), while high expression levels of the ANXA1 metagene were associated with a lack of benefit to trastuzmab (HR = 1.29[95%CI 0.55–3.02]; p = 0.56). The association of ANXA1 with trastuzumab resistance was successfully validated in an independent series of subjects who had received trastuzumab with chemotherapy (Log Rank; p = 0.01). In conclusion, in HER2-positive BC, some proteins are associated with distinct gene expression profiles. Our findings identify the ANXA1metagene as a novel biomarker for trastuzumab resistance.
Age at first marriage in Viet Nam: patterns and determinants.

"Using data from the 1991 Viet Nam Life History Survey, this article examines the patterns and determinants of age at first marriage. It shows that socio-economic and political changes during the last few decades are associated with a shift to older ages of first marriage. It identifies regional variations and discusses the significant impact of warfare on the country's age patterns of marriage. It concludes by bringing out the implications of the study for policy purposes. " The full text is of this article is available electronically through www.undp. org/popin.
Country of birth, acculturation status and abdominal obesity in a national sample of Mexican-American women and men.

BACKGROUND Few studies have examined the influence of country of birth and acculturation status on indicators of obesity using national samples of Mexican-American women and men. METHODS We analysed data for 1387 Mexican-American women and 1404 Mexican- American men, ages 25-64, from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994). We examined whether waist circumference and abdominal obesity varied by country of birth and acculturation status (primary language spoken), and whether among those with abdominal obesity, number of associated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors varied by country of birth and acculturation status. RESULTS Both country of birth and, to a lesser degree, acculturation status were significantly associated with waist circumference and abdominal obesity. Mexican-born women and men had the smallest waist circumference (90.4 cm, 94.0 cm respectively), US-born English-speaking women and men had intermediate waist circumference (93.6 cm, 97.3 cm), and US-born Spanish-speaking women and men had the largest waist circumference (96.9 cm, 97.7 cm), after accounting for age, education, per cent of energy from dietary fat, leisure-time physical activity, and smoking. All women had high prevalences of abdominal obesity, particularly US-born Spanish-speaking women (68.7%). In addition, US-born Spanish-speaking women with abdominal obesity were significantly more likely than their counterparts to have one or more of the following CVD risk factors: high serum insulin, non-insulin dependent diabetes, high blood lipids, and/or hypertension. CONCLUSIONS These findings illustrate the heterogeneity of the Mexican-American population and suggest that country of birth and lack of acculturation to the majority culture, as well as secondary lifestyle changes, may explain the significant clinical differences observed in abdominal obesity within Mexican-American population subgroups.
No Freedom without Regulation: The Hidden Lesson of the Subprime Crisis

Almost everyone who follows politics or economics agrees on one thing: more regulation means less freedom. Joseph William Singer, one of the world's most respected experts on property law, explains why this understanding of regulation is simply wrong. While analysts as ideologically divided as Alan Greenspan and Joseph Stiglitz have framed regulatory questions as a matter of governments versus markets, Singer reminds us of what we've willfully forgotten: government is not inherently opposed to free markets or private property, but is, in fact, necessary to their very existence. Singer uses the recent subprime crisis to demonstrate: * Regulation's essential importance for freedom and democracy* Why consumer protection laws are a basic pillar of economic freedom* How private property rests on a regulatory infrastructure* Why liberals and conservatives actually agree on these relationships far more than they disagree This concise volume is essential reading for policy makers, philosophers, political theorists, economists, and financial professionals on both sides of the aisle.
Portfolio Performance Maximization with Generalized Kappa Ratio

We examine the maximization problem of performance measure of financial structured products. For this purpose, we introduce the Kappa ratios, based on downside risk measures which take account of the asymmetry of the return probability distribution. First, we deal with the optimization of some standard structured portfolios. We examine in particular the optimal combination of risk free, stock and call/put instruments with respect to Kappa performance measures and in particular to the SharpeOmega ratio. Then, we provide the general solution of the optimal positioning problem with respect to Kappa ratios. We analyze its properties and compare it to the portfolio profile that is optimal with respect to the standard expected utility criterion.
Asymmetric Information, Corporate Finance, and Investment.

In this volume, specialists from traditionally separate areas in economics and finance investigate issues at the conjunction of their fields. They argue that financial decisions of the firm can affect real economic activity—and this is true for enough firms and consumers to have significant aggregate economic effects. They demonstrate that important differences—asymmetries—in access to information between "borrowers" and "lenders" ("insiders" and "outsiders") in financial transactions affect investment decisions of firms and the organization of financial markets. The original research emphasizes the role of information problems in explaining empirically important links between internal finance and investment, as well as their role in accounting for observed variations in mechanisms for corporate control.
Role of Ventral Hippocampal GABAA and NMDA Receptors in the Anxiolytic Effect of Carbamazepine in Rats Using the Elevated Plus Maze Test

Background: The successful use of antiepileptic drugs to treat a wide range of nonepileptic disorders led us to evaluate the potential efficacy of carbamazepine (CBZ) in anxiety disorders. Anxiety may be related to the imbalance between γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate neurotransmitters, systems that are also involved in the CBZ effects. We investigated the role of these systems in the ventral hippocampus (VH) and their interactions with the CBZ effect on anxiety-like behavior in rats using the elevated plus maze. Methods: Animals received GABAergic and NMDA agents in a volume of 1 μl/rat, which was injected into the VH (0.5 μl for each side) 60 min after receiving systemic administration of CBZ. The test sessions took place 10 min later. Results: The systemic administration of CBZ increased the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) at the dose of 40 mg/kg, which is representative of an anxiolytic response. Intra-VH injection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (0.25–1 μg/rat) in the absence or presence of an ineffective dose of CBZ (30 mg/kg) did not show any significant changes in the parameters of anxiety-like behavior. The administration of GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline by itself decreased %OAT at a dose of 1 μg/rat, indicating possible anxiogenic effect. The antagonist (0.75 and 1 μg/rat) also decreased CBZ response. A microinjection of NMDA (0.125 and 0.25 μg/rat) decreased %OAT, which was reversed by the administration of CBZ (40 mg/kg). This indicates interaction between the two drugs. However, the NMDA receptor antagonist DAP-5 (1 μg/rat) significantly increased %OAT, but combined with the lower dose of CBZ (30 mg/kg), it did not trigger any response on anxiety-like parameters. Conclusion: Both GABAergic and NMDA systems in the VH play a role in modulation of anxiety-like behavior of rats. The anxiolytic-like effects of CBZ seem to be mediated, at least in part, through an interaction with GABAA and NMDA systems in the VH.
Assessment of Vascular Change Using Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography: A New Theory Explains Central Visual Loss in Behcet's Disease

Objective To evaluate retinal vascular structural change in ocular Behcet's using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and fluorescein angiography (FA). Methods An analytic cross-sectional study of 37 eyes of 21 Behcet's uveitic patients was performed. Foveal retinal thickness (FRT), perifoveal hypoperfusion areas in superficial capillary plexus (SCP), and deep capillary plexus (DCP) were measured with swept-source optical coherence tomography and OCTA. FA images were used for assessing the vascular features and correlation. Results Twenty-one patients were enrolled (52.4% males). The average age at onset was 36.7 ± 12.93 years. The median of disease duration was 5 years (1–25). FRT was 118.1 ± 52.35 μm, which correlated with visual acuity (95% CI −60.47, −13.92). Using OCTA, the area of hypoperfusion in SCP (0.47 ± 0.17 mm2) was smaller than that in DCP (1.94 ± 3.87 mm2) (p < 0.001). Superficial to deep capillary plexus nonperfusion (SCP : DCP) ratio was 0.57 ± 0.27 which had the positive coefficient correlation with visual acuity (95% CI −0.644, −0.015). Conclusions OCTA is an alternative noninvasive method to monitor macular ischemia in Behcet. Behcet's uveitis affects DCP more than SCP. Decreasing SCP : DCP ratio and decrease FRT correlates with poor visual acuity. Macular ischemia and DCP loss can be found early and can explain vision loss in Behcet.
Heparan Sulfate 6-O-Sulfotransferase Isoform-dependent Regulatory Effects of Heparin on the Activities of Various Proteases in Mast Cells and the Biosynthesis of 6-O-Sulfated Heparin*

Background: Heparin regulates mast cell proteases. Results: Both HS6ST-1 and HS6ST-2 are involved in 6-O-sulfation of heparin. The contents of tryptase and CPA in mast cells depend on 6-O-sulfation of heparin but chymase does not. Conclusion: The 6-O-sulfation pattern regulates differently the storage of MC-specific proteases. Significance: The fine structure of heparin may be essential for MC homeostasis. Heparan sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase (HS6ST) is an enzyme involved in heparan sulfate (HS) biosynthesis that transfers a sulfate residue to position 6 of the GlcNAc/GlcNSO3 residues of HS, and it consists of three isoforms. Heparin, the highly sulfated form of HS, resides in connective tissue mast cells and is involved in the storage of mast cell proteases (MCPs). However, it is not well understood which isoform(s) of HS6ST participates in 6-O-sulfation of heparin and how the 6-O-sulfate residues in heparin affect MCPs. To investigate these issues, we prepared fetal skin-derived mast cells (FSMCs) from wild type (WT) and HS6ST-deficient mice (HS6ST-1−/−, HS6ST-2−/−, and HS6ST-1−/−/HS6ST-2−/−) and determined the structure of heparin, the protease activity, and the mRNA expression of each MCP in cultured FSMCs. The activities of tryptase and carboxypeptidase-A were decreased in HS6ST-2−/−-FSMCs in which 6-O-sulfation of heparin was decreased at 50% of WT-FSMCs and almost lost in HS6ST-1−/−/HS6ST-2−/−-FSMCs, which lacked the 6-O-sulfation in heparin nearly completely. In contrast, chymase activity was retained even in HS6ST-1−/−/HS6ST-2−/−-FSMCs. Each MCP mRNA was not decreased in any of the mutant FSMCs. Western blot analysis showed that tryptase (mMCP-6) was almost absent from HS6ST-1−/−/HS6ST-2−/−-FSMCs indicating degradation/secretion of the enzyme protein. These observations suggest that both HS6ST-1 and HS6ST-2 are involved in 6-O-sulfation of heparin and that the proper packaging and storage of tryptase, carboxypeptidase-A, and chymase may be regulated differently by the 6-O-sulfate residues in heparin. It is thus likely that 6-O-sulfation of heparin plays important roles in regulating MCP functions.
Pharmacogenetics-based Warfarin Dosing Algorithm Decreases Time to Stable Anticoagulation and the Risk of Major Hemorrhage: An Updated Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Abstract: Warfarin is yet the most widely used oral anticoagulant for thromboembolic diseases, despite the recently emerged novel anticoagulants. However, difficulty in maintaining stable dose within the therapeutic range and subsequent serious adverse effects markedly limited its use in clinical practice. Pharmacogenetics-based warfarin dosing algorithm is a recently emerged strategy to predict the initial and maintaining dose of warfarin. However, whether this algorithm is superior over conventional clinically guided dosing algorithm remains controversial. We made a comparison of pharmacogenetics-based versus clinically guided dosing algorithm by an updated meta-analysis. We searched OVID MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for relevant citations. The primary outcome was the percentage of time in therapeutic range. The secondary outcomes were time to stable therapeutic dose and the risks of adverse events including all-cause mortality, thromboembolic events, total bleedings, and major bleedings. Eleven randomized controlled trials with 2639 participants were included. Our pooled estimates indicated that pharmacogenetics-based dosing algorithm did not improve percentage of time in therapeutic range [weighted mean difference, 4.26; 95% confidence interval (CI), −0.50 to 9.01; P = 0.08], but it significantly shortened the time to stable therapeutic dose (weighted mean difference, −8.67; 95% CI, −11.86 to −5.49; P < 0.00001). Additionally, pharmacogenetics-based algorithm significantly reduced the risk of major bleedings (odds ratio, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.98; P = 0.04), but it did not reduce the risks of all-cause mortality, total bleedings, or thromboembolic events. Our results suggest that pharmacogenetics-based warfarin dosing algorithm significantly improves the efficiency of International Normalized Ratio correction and reduces the risk of major hemorrhage.
Investigating Returns to Investments in Education: An Empirical Study Estimating Returns to Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education for Countries at Different Levels of Economic Development

Investigating Returns to Investments in Education: An Empirical Study Determining Returns to Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Education for Countries at Different Levels of Economic Development. (May 2011) Ricardo Viviano Lozano, B.A., Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey; M.Ed., Concordia University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Anthony Rolle Studies on returns to education disagree as to where these returns are highest. It is suggested that these disagreements are the result of inconsistencies in the data and methodologies used for their estimation. These disagreements specifically refer to where in education governments should invest in order to obtain the highest returns, based on the specific characteristics of their countries (i.e. level of economic development). The purpose of this dissertation is to estimate and determine whether returns to investments in education vary for groups of countries with different levels of economic development. Rates of return to investments in education were estimated through improvements in methodology and data comparability. Subsequently, the differences among these returns and their significance were observed. This study provides evidence to suggest where in education countries should invest based on their specific level of economic development in order to obtain the highest returns to these investments.
Ovarian cancer in the world: epidemiology and risk factors

Aim: Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic cancers that has the highest mortality rate. Considering the fact that knowledge on the incidence, mortality of ovarian cancer, as well as its risk factors is necessary for planning and preventing complications, this study was conducted with the aim of examining the epidemiology and risk factors of ovarian cancer in the world. Materials and methods: In order to access the articles, Medline, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus databases were searched from their start to the year 2018. Full-text, English observational studies that referred to various aspects of ovarian cancer were included in the study. Results: In total, 125 articles that had been published during the years 1925–2018 were entered into the study. Ovarian cancer is the seventh most common cancer among women. Increased risk factors of cancer have led to an upward trend in the incidence of cancer around the world. In 2018, 4.4% of entire cancer-related mortality among women was attributed to ovarian cancer. Although the incidence of cancer is higher among high Human Development Index (HDI) countries, the trend of mortality rate tends to be reversing. Various factors affect the occurrence of ovarian cancer, from which genetic factor are among the most important ones. Pregnancy, lactation, and oral contraceptive pills play a role in reducing the risk of this disease. Conclusion: This study provides significant evidence about ovarian cancer. Considering the heavy burden of ovarian cancer on women's health, preventive measures as well as health education and early detection in high risk groups of women are highly recommended. Although some risk factors cannot be changed, a focus on preventable risk factors may reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. More studies are needed to explore the role of unclear risk factors in ovarian cancer occurrence.
A comprehensive analysis of normal variation and disease‐causing mutations in the human DSPP gene

Within nine dentin dysplasia (DD) (type II) and dentinogenesis imperfecta (type II and III) patient/families, seven have 1 of 4 net –1 deletions within the ∼2‐kb coding repeat domain of the DSPP gene while the remaining two patients have splice‐site mutations. All frameshift mutations are predicted to change the highly soluble DSPP protein into proteins with long hydrophobic amino acid repeats that could interfere with processing of normal DSPP and/or other secreted matrix proteins. We propose that all previously reported missense, nonsense, and splice‐site DSPP mutations (all associated with exons 2 and 3) result in dominant phenotypes due to disruption of signal peptide‐processing and/or related biochemical events that also result in interference with protein processing. This would bring the currently known dominant forms of the human disease phenotype in agreement with the normal phenotype of the heterozygous null Dspp (–/+) mice. A study of 188 normal human chromosomes revealed a hypervariable DSPP repeat domain with extraordinary rates of change including 20 slip‐replication indel events and 37 predominantly C‐to‐T transition SNPs. The most frequent transition in the primordial 9‐basepair (bp) DNA repeat was a sense‐strand CpG site while a CpNpG (CAG) transition was the second most frequent SNP. Bisulfite‐sequencing of genomic DNA showed that the DSPP repeat can be methylated at both motifs. This suggests that, like plants and some animals, humans methylate some CpNpG sequences. Analysis of 37 haplotypes of the highly variable DSPP gene from geographically diverse people suggests it may be a useful autosomal marker in human migration studies. Hum Mutat 0, 1–13, 2008. Published 2008, Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Creating Strong Partnerships to Support Single Parent Families : A Collaboration Between Schools, Community and Single Parent Families

School reform and poverty alleviation initiatives must include parents and communities as active partners. Current efforts made are insufficient and do not actively engage all families particularly single parent families who face unique challenges. Through a predominantly qualitative study, this research investigated how to better support single parent families of city A. It emphasized the importance of collaboration between school A, the community and single parent families jointly to improve student achievement and begin to close the achievement gap. Research findings and recommendations are presented through the framework of research conducted by Pedro Noguera (2004) that emphasized the importance of parent empowerment. Running Head: Creating Strong Partnerships to Support Single Parent Families 1