Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnosis of Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Using Diagnostic Imaging in Primary Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract: Advances in the therapeutic agents used for neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) have recently achieved higher response rates and induced a greater number of pathologic complete responses (pCR) than ever before. The aim of this study is the diagnosis of pCR after NAC by diagnostic imaging of clinical complete response (cCR) patients. This study included 35 breast cancer patients who demonstrated cCR after receiving NAC with a combination of anthracycline and taxane from May 1998 to August 2003. Surgical treatment included breast‐conserving therapy followed by radiotherapy or mastectomy. The identity of post‐NAC lesions as either a complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) were made by mammography, ultrasonography, and contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT). Among the 35 patients, 11 achieved pCR, including the disappearance of both invasive and intraductal components. Of the patients achieving pCR, eight were defined as CR and three were determined to be PR by CT. There was a significant relationship between the pCR and the determination of CR by CT. The determination of CR by ultrasonography was indicative of the disappearance of pathologic invasive components. While mammography appeared to reflect the observed histologic results, we did not observe any statistical differences. A subset of cases exhibited discrepancies between the imaging and pathologic results, likely due to the replacement of destroyed tumor cells by fibrosis and granulomatous tissue. The evaluation of CR by CT was significantly indicative of pCR. The positive predictive value, however, was not large enough to avoid surgical treatment. Further studies will be needed to establish a diagnosis of pCR.
Stage D1 prostate cancer. A nonrandomized comparison of conservative treatment options versus radical prostatectomy

Background. Untreated Stage D1 prostate cancer is associated with a high progression rate. Various treatment modalities involving monotherapy alone have been associated with dismal results. In this retrospective study, the impact of combination therapy, local (surgery or radiation) and systemic (hormonal), compared with that of monotherapy on disease outcome was evaluated.
Developmental potential and transgene expression of porcine nuclear transfer embryos using somatic cells

We examined whether porcine nuclear transfer (NT) embryos carrying somatic cells have a developmental potential and NT embryos carrying transformed fibroblasts express transgenes in the preimplantation stages. In Experiment 1, different activation methods were applied to NT embryos and the development rates were examined. Relative to A23187 only or A23187/6‐DMAP, electrical pulse made a significant increase in both cleavage rate (58.1 ± 13.9 or 60.7 ± 6.3 vs. 74.9 ± 7.5%) and development rate of NT embryos to the blastocyst stage (2.2 ± 2.8 or 2.2 ± 1.5 vs. 11.0 ± 4.1%). In Experiment 2, in vitro developmental competence of NT embryos was investigated. The developmental rate to the blastocyst stage of NT embryos (9.9 ± 2.4% for cumulus cells and 9.8 ± 1.6% for fibroblast cells) was significantly lower than that (22.9 ± 3.5%) of IVF‐derived embryos (P < 0.01). NT blastocysts derived from either cumulus (28.9 ± 11.4, n = 26) or fibroblast cells (30.2 ± 9.9, n = 27) showed smaller mean nuclei numbers than IVF‐derived blastocysts (38.6 ± 10.4, n = 62) (P < 0.05). In Experiment 3, nuclear transfer of porcine fibroblasts expressing the GFP (green fluorescent protein) gene resulted in green blastocysts without losing developmental potential. These results suggest that porcine embryos reconstructed by somatic cell nuclear transfer are capable of developing to preimplantation stage. We conclude that somatic cells expressing exogenous genes can be used as nuclei donors in the production of NT‐mediated transgenic pig. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 58:15–21, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Endocytic pathways in the olfactory and vomeronasal epithelia of the mouse: Ultrastructure and uptake of tracers

Mammalian olfactory neurons possess a well‐developed system of endocytic vesicles, endosomes, and lysosomes in their dendrites and perikarya. Vomeronasal neurons are similar and also contain much perikaryal agranular endoplasmic reticulum (AER). Olfactory supporting cells contain endocytic vesicles and endosomes associated closely with abundant fenestrated AER, and vesicles and numerous large dense vacuoles are present basally. Vomeronasal supporting cells have little AER, and few dense vacuoles occur in their bases. In olfactory neurons, ultrastructural tracers (0.08% horseradish peroxidase, thorium dioxide, ferritin) are endocytosed by olfactory receptor endings and transported to the cell body, where their movement is halted in lysosomes. Higher concentrations (1%) of horseradish peroxidase penetrate olfactory receptor plasma membranes and intercellular junctions. In olfactory supporting cells, endocytosed tracers pass through endosomes to accumulate in dense basal vacuoles. These observations indicate that olfactory sensory membranes are rapidly cycled and that endocytosed materials are trapped within the epithelium. It is proposed that in the olfactory epithelium, endocytosis presents redundant odorants to the enzymes of the supporting cell AER to prevent their accumulation, whereas in the vomeronasal epithelium the receptor cells carry out this activity. © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Root Morphology of the Maxillary First and Second Molars in an Iranian Population Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography

Objectives: This study sought to assess the root morphology and root canal anatomy of the maxillary first and second molars in an Iranian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: Sound fully-developed maxillary first (n=345) and second (n=423) molars were evaluated on 450 CBCT scans ordered for pre-operative assessment for implant placement. The (I) number of roots and their morphology (II) number of canals per root, (III) canal configuration and presence of a second mesiobuccal canal according to the Vertucci’s classification and (IV) unilateral or bilateral occurrence of a second mesiobuccal canal (MB2) were evaluated. Results: Single roots were found in 1.1% of the first and 11.3% of the second molars. Four separate roots were identified in 0.5% of the first molars; none of the second molars had four separate roots. First and second molars showed a higher prevalence of three separate roots of mesiobuccal, distobuccal and palatal with one canal in each root (54% and 86 %, respectively). The most common anatomical variation in the maxillary first molars was related to the configuration of the MB root; the root canal system of the maxillary second molars showed more anatomical variations. Conclusions: Mesiobuccal roots of the maxillary molars had more variations in their canal system than the distobuccal or palatal roots. The root canal configuration of the maxillary second molars was more diverse than that of first molars; CBCT enhances mapping of the mesiobuccal root canal system with the potential to improve the quality of root canal treatment.
Partners in Research: Developing a Model for Undergraduate Faculty-Student Collaboration

Abstract Maintaining scholarship while delivering an undergraduate nursing program is a challenge for nursing faculty. In this paper, we describe an approach that involves undergraduate nursing students in a program of faculty research, which evaluates new approaches to teaching and learning. Students work with faculty to develop a research proposal, identifying specific questions and exploring relevant literature. Projects may include original data collection with faculty supervision, or secondary analysis of existing datasets. Foci have included partnership learning between nursing students and older adults, models of sustainability for a traveling health clinic, and experiences of aging. Findings and recommendations feed into the broader faculty research agenda, provide a foundation for subsequent projects, and inform further development of educational programs. Students have presented at local and national conferences and developed papers for publication based on this joint work. We describe the benefits and challenges of these partnerships, drawing upon student and faculty reflections.
Using Dimensionality Reduction to Create New Materials from Tabular BRDFs

Representing reality in computer graphics requires simulating the appearance of real-world materials. Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (BRDFs) are commonly used to perform this task, as they represent the appearance of a material through the quotient between the reflected radiance and the incoming irradiance at this point. Acquiring the BRDF of a real material is an expensive task due to its high dimensionality, so strategies to take advantage of already existing measurements are a promising solution. In this paper we present an approach to create BRDFs for new materials from a basis of tabular representations of BRDFs. We apply dimensionality reduction in this basis and then we perform a triangulation in the resulting reduced space. Thus, any position in this reduced space can be used to create a new material: using the triangulation, we estimate coefficients that can be used to find the BRDF of this new material by interpolating materials in the original space. In addition, we present a technique to navigate in this reduced space that enables the creation of several different materials from two materials in the basis. This approach provides a wide range of new materials based on real measurements without the need to acquire new BRDFs. We show that our navigation is coherent and that it yields a smooth transition between materials.
Evaluation of cisplatin administered with piroxicam in dogs with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the antitumor activity and toxic effects of a conservative dose of cisplatin administered in combination with piroxicam to dogs with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. DESIGN Clinical trial (nonrandomized, noncontrolled). ANIMALS 14 client-owned dogs with histologically confirmed TCC of the urinary bladder. PROCEDURES Each dog was treated with cisplatin (50 mg/m(2), i.v. , q 21 d [reduced to 40 mg/m(2), i.v. , q 21 d because of toxic effects]) and piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h). A CBC, serum biochemical analyses, and urinalysis were performed prior to each cisplatin treatment. Tumor staging (determined from thoracic and abdominal radiographic and urinary bladder ultrasonographic findings) was performed before treatment and at 6-week intervals during treatment. RESULTS 5 dogs received only 1 dose of cisplatin because of the rapid progression of disease (n = 2) or toxic effects (3). With regard to the neoplastic disease among the other 9 dogs, 1 had partial remission, 5 had stable disease, and 3 had progressive disease after 6 weeks of treatment. Median progression-free interval was 78 days (range, 20 to 112 days). Median survival time was 307 days (range, 29 to 929 days). Moderate to severe renal toxicosis and moderate to severe gastrointestinal toxicosis developed in 5 and 8 dogs, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Because of minimal efficacy and associated renal and gastrointestinal toxicosis, administration of cisplatin (40 to 50 mg/m(2)) with piroxicam cannot be recommended for treatment of dogs with TCC of the urinary bladder.
Objectively measured sedentary time and academic achievement in schoolchildren

ABSTRACT This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between objectively measured total sedentary time and academic achievement (AA) in Portuguese children. The sample comprised of 213 children (51.6% girls) aged 9.46 ± 0.43 years, from the north of Portugal. Sedentary time was measured with accelerometry, and AA was assessed using the Portuguese Language and Mathematics National Exams results. Multilevel linear regression models were fitted to assess regression coefficients predicting AA. The results showed that objectively measured total sedentary time was not associated with AA, after adjusting for potential confounders.
Outcome of living unrelated (commercial) renal transplantation.

BACKGROUND Due to inadequate cadaveric and living related organ supply, many end-stage renal disease patients go to Third World countries for commercial transplantation, although the high risk of complications is well established and ethical arguments debate this practice. METHODS The midterm outcome of 115 patients who had been commercially transplanted in various countries and admitted to our center for post-transplant care and follow-up between 1992 and 1999 was retrospectively analyzed. Data considering the transplantation practice and post-transplant course were collected from the patient files. Outcome of these patients was compared with those with a living related transplant performed at our center. RESULTS The patients (91 male and 24 female; mean age of 42 +/- 12 years) were transplanted in India (N = 106), Iraq (N = 7), and Iran (N = 2). The mean follow-up period was 64.5 +/- 23.9 months. Post-transplant course was complicated by numerous surgical and/or medical complications, and many of the latter were unconventional infections caused by malaria, invasive fungal infections, and pneumonia due to various opportunistic pathogens. Overall, 52 patients still have functioning allografts, while 22 lost their grafts, 20 died, and 21 were lost to follow-up. Graft survival rates at two, five, and seven years were 84, 66, and 53%, respectively, for the study group, while it was 86, 78, and 73% for living related transplantations performed at our center (P = 0.036). Patient survival rates for the same periods were 90, 80, and 74% for the study group and 90, 85, and 80% for the living related transplantations (P = 0.53). CONCLUSIONS Besides the ongoing ethical debate, commercial transplantation carries a high risk of unconventional complications, and despite that the patient survival rate is comparable, graft survival is worse than conventional living related transplantations at the midterm.
Barriers to Mesalamine Adherence in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Qualitative Analysis

BACKGROUND: The causes for nonadherence to mesalamine in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have been characterized using mostly indirect methods. Patient-reported barriers are lacking in this population. OBJECTIVES: To identify patient-reported barriers to mesalamine adherence through direct interviews. METHODS: Focus groups and one-on-one interviews were undertaken in adult patients with IBD. Transcripts from the focus groups and interviews were analyzed to identify themes and links between these themes, assisted by qualitative data software MaxQDA. RESULTS: Of 27 patients participating, 21 (78%) had ulcerative colitis, and 6 (22%) had Crohn’s disease. Their self-reported adherence ranged from complete adherence (n = 3) to intermittent nonadherence (n = 24). Patients frequently indicated that they were resistant to taking medications for their condition. The barriers to adherence that emerged from interviews could be categorized under a number of themes: competing priorities, social stigma, refill inconvenience, costs, efficacy values, side effects, and pill characteristics. Efficacy values reported to influence adherence included doubts about efficacy, consequences of missed doses, and doubts about need for maintenance medication. Pill characteristics reported as barriers included pill size and pill frequency. Despite use of electronic prescribing, obtaining refills was reported as an obstacle to adherence in this cohort. Decanting of pills to multiple containers to increase accessibility was also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with both ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease report a number of common barriers to mesalamine adherence. Factors in medication-taking behavior and beliefs were reported in this study that may have implications for strategies to improve adherence by health care providers.
Microcatheter continuous spinal anaesthesia in the post-operative period: a prospective study of its effectiveness and complications.

One hundred patients (aged 22-86 years, mean 62.5), undergoing lower limb orthopaedic surgery, received continuous spinal anaesthesia using a 28 s.w. g. catheter inserted through a 22 s.w. g. Quincke needle. Post-operative pain relief was provided by bolus injections of 1-2.5 mL 4 h-1 of plain 0.25% bupivacaine. The mean dose of bupivacaine required for sufficient pain relief in 93% of patients was 1.6 +/- 0.2 (1.3-1.9) mL 4 h-1. The highest dose was needed between 4 and 8 h post-operatively. No dependence of dose on age or type of operation was found. Technical problems with the microcatheter occurred in 12%. The most frequent complaint was post-operative backache (12%). Only one patient suffered from post-dural puncture headache on the day after surgery. There was no microbiological contamination of the catheter tips after removal. In the post-operative interview, 89% of the patients were completely satisfied with CSA; 91% would prefer this technique to general anaesthesia.
The effect of microfinance on income inequality: Perspective of developing countries

Abstract Aim/purpose – Studying the impact of microfinance on income inequality from a macro- -economic perspective. Design/methodology/approach – Cross-sectional regression analysis is used to measure the effect of microfinance on the Gini index in a sample of 30 developing countries from across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe. A set of control variables are added to the model including: inflation, educational attainment, democracy, population growth, percentage of arable land to strengthen the model’s reliability. Findings – Results indicate that neither a positive nor a negative impact of microfinance on Gini index could be significantly proved for the sample countries. Research implications/limitations – Due to lack of data availability, research is conducted on a small sample of 30 countries. Therefore, to obtain more generalisable results, it is recommended for future research to use a larger sample. Originality/value/contribution – Microfinance is becoming a focal issue in alleviating poverty and inequality, and this paper’s main contribution is that it explores this matter from a macro-economic perspective by looking at the holistic impact of microcredit on a sample of developing countries. Hence, the paper provides further investigation and suggestions for a better implementation of microfinance policies.
Proteomic profiling of follicle fluids after superstimulation in one‐month‐old lambs

Follicular fluid (FF) accumulates in the antrum of the ovarian follicle. In addition, FF provides the microenvironment for oocyte development, oocyte maturation and competence, which are acquired during follicular development. Superstimulatory treatment of 1-month-old lambs can achieve synchronous development of numerous growing follicles. However, these growing follicles are unable to completely mature and ovulate. Furthermore, the oocytes exhibit lower competence compared with those of ewes. In this study, we utilized an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ)-based proteomics analysis and compare protein composition between pre-pubertal and adult superstimulated follicle FF in sheep. In total, 243 differentially expressed proteins were identified, including 155 downregulated and 88 upregulated between lamb and ewe. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the differentially expressed proteins are involved in signal transduction, anatomical structure development, stress response, metabolic pathways, and the complement and coagulation cascades. Many of the proteins known to affect follicle development were observed in lower abundance in FF of lamb (e.g. ADAMTS9, CD14, CTNNB1, FST, GCLC, HSPG2, IGFBP2, IGFBP6, INHBA, PRL, PAPPA, POSTN, PRDX1, SERPINA1, SOD3, STC1, VEGFC, etc.). However, a higher abundance was observed for proteasome proteins. Inadequate amounts of these proteins in FF may be lead to the unique characteristics of follicular development in lamb. These differentially expressed proteins illuminate the age-dependent changes in protein expression in the follicle microenvironment.
Identification of drugs and drug metabolites as substrates of multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2) using triple‐transfected MDCK‐OATP1B1‐UGT1A1‐MRP2 cells

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The coordinate activity of hepatic uptake transporters [e.g. organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1)], drug‐metabolizing enzymes [e.g. UDP‐glucuronosyltransferase 1A1 (UGT1A1)] and efflux pumps (e.g. MRP2) is a crucial determinant of drug disposition. However, limited data are available on transport of drugs (e.g. ezetimibe, etoposide) and their glucuronidated metabolites by human MRP2 in intact cell systems.
‘Srcasm: a Novel Src Activating and SignalingMolecule*

The Src family tyrosine kinase, Fyn, can facilitate regulation of cell proliferation and differentiation. Mice with mutations in the fyn gene have defects in the brain, immune system, and epidermal differentiation. To identify molecules that may interact with Fyn in the epidermis, we performed a yeast two-hybrid interaction screen of a murine keratinocyte library. A novel adaptor-like molecule was isolated and termed Srcasm for Src activating andsignaling molecule. Murine Srcasm is a 52.7-kDa protein that contains a VHS membrane association domain and a number of tyrosine motifs suggesting that it may be a substrate for Src family kinases and serve as an adaptor protein. Northern blot analysis of murine tissues demonstrates that Srcasm expression is highest in brain and kidney. In situhybridization analysis reveals that srcasm mRNA is expressed in regions of the epidermis and hair follicle where keratinocyte differentiation occurs. In the brain, srcasmmRNA distribution correlates with that of fyn, with both being highly expressed in the hippocampal and cerebellar Purkinje neurons. Fyn can phosphorylate Srcasm, and association of these molecules relies on cooperative binding between the SH2 and SH3 domains of Fyn and corresponding canonical binding sites in Srcasm. Srcasm is capable of interacting with Grb2 and the regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase, p85, in a phosphorylation-dependent manner. The evidence suggests that Srcasm may help promote Src family kinase signaling in cells.
Agrarian social movements: The absurdly difficult but not impossible agenda of defeating right‐wing populism and exploring a socialist future

textabstractParallels, resemblances, and interconnections between contemporary right‐wing populism and the populism of agrarian movements are examined in this essay. The two are partly linked through their social base in the countryside. This paper explores an agenda for political conversation and research on possible contributions to the twin efforts of splitting the ranks of right‐wing populists while expanding the united front of democratic challengers. The challenge is how to transform the identified interconnections into a left‐wing political project that can erode right‐wing populism. This requires a reclaiming of populism. In exploring this agenda, the paper revisits the ideas and practices of right‐wing populism and agrarian populism and the awkward overlaps and fundamental differences between them. It concludes with a discussion on the challenge of forging a reformulated class‐conscious left‐wing populism as a countercurrent to right‐wing populism, and as a possible political force against capitalism and towards a socialist future.