Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of baseline positron emission tomography and importance of clinical complete response in patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy

Metabolic imaging is of interest in esophageal cancer; however, the usefulness of initial standardized uptake value (SUV) in positron emission tomography (PET) is unknown in patients with esophageal or gastroesophageal carcinoma treated with definitive chemoradiotherapy. The authors hypothesized that initial SUV would correlate with patient outcome.
Business Survey Liquidity Measure as a Leading Indicator of Croatian Industrial Production

Business survey liquidity measure is one of the modifications of the uniform EU business survey methodology applied in Croatia. Consequent liquidity problem have been, since socialist times, one of the major problem for Croatia's business. The problem rapidly increased between 1995 and 2000 and now it again represents the main difficulty for the Croatian economy. In order to improve the forecasting properties of business survey liquidity measure, some econometric models ware applied. Based on the regression analysis we concluded that the changes in the liquidity variable can predict the direction of changes in industrial production with one quarter lead. The results also show that liquidity can be a proxy of the Industrial Confidence Indicator in the observed period. The empirical analysis was performed using quarterly data covering the period from the first quarter 2005 to the fourth quarter 2011. The data sources were Privredni vjesnik (a business magazine in Croatia) and the Croatian Bureau of Statistics.
Neonatal brain structure on MRI and diffusion tensor imaging, sex, and neurodevelopment in very‐low‐birthweight preterm children

The neurological basis of an increased incidence of cerebral palsy (CP) in preterm males is unknown. This study examined neonatal brain structure on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at term‐equivalent age, sex, and neurodevelopment at 1 year 6 months on the basis of the Amiel−Tison neurological examination, Gross Motor Function Classification System, and Bayley Scales of Infant Development in 78 very‐low‐birthweight preterm children (41 males, 37 females; mean gestational age 27.6wks, SD 2.5; mean birthweight 1021g, SD 339). Brain abnormalities on MRI and DTI were not different between males and females except in the splenium of the corpus callosum, where males had lower DTI fractional anisotropy (p=0.025) and a higher apparent diffusion coefficient (p=0.013), indicating delayed splenium development. In the 26 infants who were at higher risk on the basis of DTI, males had more abnormalities on MRI (p=0.034) and had lower fractional anisotropy and a higher apparent diffusion coefficient in the splenium (p=0.049; p=0.025) and right posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC; p=0.003; p=0.033). Abnormal neurodevelopment was more common in males (n=9) than in females (n=2; p=0.036). Children with abnormal neurodevelopment had more abnormalities on MRI (p=0.014) and reduced splenium and right PLIC fractional anisotropy (p=0.001; p=0.035). In children with abnormal neurodevelopment, right PLIC fractional anisotropy was lower than left (p=0.035), whereas in those with normal neurodevelopment right PLIC fractional anisotropy was higher than left (p=0.001). Right PLIC fractional anisotropy correlated to neurodevelopment (rho=0.371, p=0.002). Logistic regression predicted neurodevelopment with 94% accuracy; only right PLIC fractional anisotropy was a significant logistic coefficient. Results indicate that the higher incidence of abnormal neurodevelopment in preterm males relates to greater incidence and severity of brain abnormalities, including reduced PLIC and splenium development.
Predictive value of nephelometric and high-performance liquid chromatography assays of urine albumin for mortality in a high-risk Aboriginal population.

BACKGROUND Urine albumin assays by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) yield greater values than immunoassays at lower albumin levels. We compared predictive values of albumin-creatinine ratios (ACRs) by these 2 techniques for mortality in Aboriginal people. STUDY DESIGN & SETTING This was a longitudinal study of 741 adults in a remote Aboriginal community who participated in a baseline health survey between 1992 and 1998 at ages ranging from 18 to 84 years (mean, 34 years). All natural deaths were documented on follow-up until 2006. Urine albumin concentrations were measured simultaneously by using both nephelometric and HPLC techniques on baseline urine samples retrieved from -70 degrees C storage, as well as creatinine concentrations, and ACRs were derived. Age- and sex-specific tertiles of ACR were compiled. Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the predictive value of ACR for natural deaths by ACR tertiles and again by z score changes in ACRs as continuous variables. RESULTS Participants were followed up for a median of 11 years, during which a total of 119 natural deaths were documented. ACRs on baseline urine samples were greater by HPLC than immunoassay at lower ACR ranges, but were fairly concordant at levels greater than 100 mg/mmol. Levels of ACR by both techniques were strong predictors of death, but correlations of death with ACR tertiles and with ACR levels on a continuum were similar for the 2 techniques. LIMITATIONS The age- and sex-specific tertiles used might introduce some risk of bias in the assessment of predictive value. In addition, assays were performed on urine after more than 10 years of cold storage. CONCLUSION Despite different absolute values, this study did not show that ACR level by either technique was superior in predicting deaths.
Deferoxamine Enhances Bone Regeneration in Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis

Background: Distraction osteogenesis is a powerful reconstructive technique for bone growth and repair. An angiogenic means of enhancing the efficacy of this metabolically demanding procedure would be beneficial in expanding its therapeutic potential. The authors posit that the angiogenic effect of deferoxamine, an iron chelator that has been shown to increase angiogenesis, will improve bone regeneration by means of augmentations in quality and quantity of bone and bone-producing cells. Methods: Two groups of rats (n = 12) underwent surgical external fixation and subsequent distraction. During the distraction stage, the experimental deferoxamine group (n = 5) was treated with injections into the distraction gap. After 28 days of consolidation, mandibles were harvested and prepared for histologic analysis. Results: The authors found a proliferation of osteocytes in the deferoxamine-treated group when compared with the regenerate of the control group. Deferoxamine effected a significant increase in osteocytes and an increase in bone volume fraction, with subsequent decreased osteoid volume fraction. The data also demonstrated no significant difference in empty lacunae. Conclusions: The authors’ study demonstrates the effectiveness of deferoxamine treatment to enhance the number of osteocytes within the regenerate in a murine mandibular distraction osteogenesis model. Maintenance of full lacunae supports the authors’ finding of a robust cellular response to deferoxamine therapy. These results suggest that the angiogenic capabilities of deferoxamine translate into an increase in the number of bone-forming cells in the regenerate. Deferoxamine may have utility in optimizing bone formation in distraction osteogenesis and lead to superior reconstructive capabilities for craniofacial surgeons in the future.
Constitutively expressed c-myb abrogates the requirement for insulinlike growth factor 1 in 3T3 fibroblasts

The proto-oncogene c-myb, whose expression is usually limited to cells of the hematopoietic lineages, can be expressed in fibroblasts if placed under the control of a constitutive promoter, such as the simian virus SV40 early promoter. 3T3 cells carrying a constitutively expressed human c-myb were found to grow in 1% serum or in a serum-free, platelet-derived growth factor-supplemented medium, whereas the parent cell line, BALB/c 3T3, needed insulinlike growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in addition to platelet-derived growth factor for growth. myb-carrying cells, however, could not grow in platelet-poor plasma. In fibroblasts, therefore, a constitutively expressed c-myb can abrogate the requirement for platelet-poor plasma or IGF-1. When 3T3 cells constitutively expressed both c-myc and c-myb, they could grow in serum-free medium without added growth factors. The ability of c-myb to abrogate in fibroblasts the IGF-1 requirement seems to be due to its ability to induce overexpression of IGF-1, as indicated by an increase in steady-state levels of IGF-1 mRNA. These results have some important implications; for instance, they suggest a commonality of pathways for entry into S phase in different cell types and the possibility of a myb-like or myb-equivalent gene product of critical importance for entry of fibroblasts into S phase.
Bacterial Colonization of Ureteral Stents

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of bacterial stent colonization and stent-associated bacteriuria, and to evaluate the significance of urinary cultures for identification of colonizing microorganisms. Methods: A total of 93 ureteral stents from 71 patients were examined: 9 patients with permanent ureteral stenting due to malignant ureteral obstruction (27 stents), and 62 patients with temporary ureteral stents (66 stents). Results: Bacteriuria and bacterial stent colonization were found in all patients with permanent stents. In patients with temporary stents, colonized stents were found in 69.3% (43/62), mainly in combination with sterile urine (45.2%, 28/62). Mean indwelling times did not differ between patients with sterile urine and sterile stents (11.8 days) and patients with sterile urine and colonized stents (11.2 days). Prophylactic antibiosis in 42/62 temporarily stented patients did not reduce colonization rates compared to patients without antibiotics (70 vs. 65%). Enterococci were the bacteria most frequently cultured from urine and stents. Conclusions: In the present study, ureteral stent colonization rates were 100% in permanently and 69.3% in temporarily stented patients. Antibiotic prophylaxis did not prevent stent colonization and should not be routinely administered. Since urinary cultures correctly identified all colonizing microorganisms in only 21%, removal/replacement and bacteriologic evaluation of ureteral stents may be necessary in case of urosepsis.
Population-Based Estimates of Decreases in Quality-Adjusted Life Expectancy Associated with Unhealthy Body Mass Index

Objective. Being classified as outside the normal range for body mass index (BMI) has been associated with increased risk for chronic health conditions, poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and premature death. To assess the impact of BMI on HRQOL and mortality, we compared quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE) by BMI levels. Methods. We obtained HRQOL data from the 1993–2010 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and life table estimates from the National Center for Health Statistics national mortality files to estimate QALE among U.S. adults by BMI categories: underweight (BMI <18.5 kg/m2), normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0–29.9 kg/m2), obese (BMI 30.0–34.9 kg/m2), and severely obese (BMI ≥35.0 kg/m2). Results. In 2010 in the United States, the highest estimated QALE for adults at 18 years of age was 54.1 years for individuals classified as normal weight. The two lowest QALE estimates were for those classified as either underweight (48.9 years) or severely obese (48.2 years). For individuals who were overweight or obese, the QALE estimates fell between those classified as either normal weight (54.1 years) or severely obese (48.2 years). The difference in QALE between adults classified as normal weight and those classified as either overweight or obese was significantly higher among women than among men, irrespective of race/ethnicity. Conclusions. Using population-based data, we found significant differences in QALE loss by BMI category. These findings are valuable for setting national and state targets to reduce health risks associated with severe obesity, and could be used for cost-effectiveness evaluations of weight-reduction interventions.
Earnings Volatility, Ambiguity, and Crisis‐Period Stock Returns

Financial crises are marked by substantial increases in ambiguity where prices appear to decouple from fundamentals. Consistent with ambiguity‐based asset pricing theories, we find that ambiguity concerns are more severe for firms with higher earnings volatility, causing investors to demand a higher ambiguity premium for such firms. While there is no relation between earnings volatility and stock returns under normal conditions, there is a significant negative relation between crisis‐period stock returns and prior earnings volatility. The effect is stronger in firms with low institutional ownership and low analyst following, consistent with ambiguity concerns being greatest amongst firms with unsophisticated investors.
Constraints About Dairy Farming in Central Zone of Punjab by Garrett's Ranking Technique

A study was conducted to identify the constraints faced by dairy farmers in the central zone of Punjab through multistage stratified random sampling with a sample size of 200 dairy farmers that were categorized into commercial (more than 50) and non-commercial (less than 50) dairy farmers as per their herd size. The data were analyzed by Garrett’s ranking technique. The findings of this study indicated that the major constraints faced by dairy farmers as per the Garrett’s average score in commercial category were unstable price of milk (74.17%), high feeding cost (68.26%), treatment cost (60.11%), salvage of male calf and unproductive animals (50.94%), high cost of high yielding breeds and their availability (45.27%), poor AI services and irregular availability of semen (45.22%), poor extension service (43.04%), inadequate knowledge of disease and their control (40.30%), credit facility from the banks (38.02%) and poor knowledge of scientific farming (32.61%). However, in case of non-commercial dairy farmer, the major constrains were almost the same as observed in commercial category but high cost of high yielding breeds and their availability (55.41%) ranks second and poor extension service (51.03%) ranks fifth in this category. It may be concluded that in order to ease the financial burden due to these constraints, planners should formulate target oriented strategies against each constraint on contingency basis.
Slc7a9-deficient mice develop cystinuria non-I and cystine urolithiasis.

Cystinuria is a common recessive disorder of renal reabsorption of cystine and dibasic amino acids that results in urolithiasis of cystine. Cystinuria is caused by defects in the amino acid transport system b0,+ (i.e. the rBAT/b0,+AT heteromeric complex). Mutations in SLC3A1, encoding rBAT, cause cystinuria type A, characterized by a silent phenotype in heterozygotes (phenotype I). Mutations in SLC7A9, encoding b0,+AT, cause cystinuria type B, in which heterozygotes in most cases hyperexcrete cystine and dibasic amino acids (phenotype non-I). To facilitate in vivo investigation of b0,+AT in cystinuria, Slc7a9 knockout mice have been generated. Expression of b0,+AT protein is completely abolished in the kidney of Slc7a9-/- mice ('Stones'). In contrast, Stones expressed significant amounts of rBAT protein, which is covalently linked to unidentified light subunit(s). Stones mice present a dramatic hyperexcretion of cystine and dibasic amino acids, while Slc7a9+/- mice show moderate but significant hyperexcretion of these amino acids (phenotype non-I). Forty-two per cent of Stones mice develop cystine calculi in the urinary system. Calculi develop during the first month of life and grow throughout the life span of the animals. Histopathology in kidney reveals typical changes for urolithiasis (tubular and pelvic dilatation, tubular necrosis, tubular hyaline droplets and chronic interstitial nephritis). The fact that some Stones mice, generated in a mixed genetic background, develop cystine calculi from an early age, while others do not develop them in their first year of life, suggests the involvement of modifier genes in the lithiasis phenotype. Thus, Stones provide a valid model of cystinuria which can be used in the study of genetic, pharmacological and environmental factors involved in cystine urolithiasis.
Feasibility of interstitial Doppler optical coherence tomography for in vivo detection of microvascular changes during photodynamic therapy

Doppler optical coherence tomography (DOCT) is an emerging imaging modality that provides subsurface microstructural and microvascular tissue images with near histological resolution and sub‐mm/second velocity sensitivity. A key drawback of OCT for some applications is its shallow (1–3 mm) penetration depth. This fundamentally limits DOCT imaging to transparent, near‐surface, intravascular, or intracavitary anatomical sites. Consequently, interstitial Doppler OCT (IS‐DOCT) was developed for minimally‐invasive in vivo imaging of microvasculature and microstructure at greater depths, providing access to deep‐seated solid organs. Using Dunning prostate cancer in a rat xenograft model, this study evaluated the feasibility of IS‐DOCT monitoring of microvascular changes deep within a tumor caused by photodynamic therapy (PDT).
Financial Reporting Quality, Investment Horizon, and Institutional Investor Trading Strategies

This paper provides evidence that financial reporting quality (FRQ) influences the holding costs of trading strategies. While prior research has focused on the benefits of investment strategies based on poor FRQ (i.e., larger returns due to a greater amount of private information), we examine whether poor FRQ imposes greater holding costs on certain trading strategies. We show that poor FRQ motivates sophisticated investors with short-term horizons to tilt their portfolios away from value stocks, whose returns are contingent on investors revising their beliefs about firm fundamental value, and toward past winner stocks, whose future returns are realized more quickly. Poor FRQ also increases the length of time that institutions maintain large positions in value stocks. Our results imply that mis-valuations can be persistent when arbitrageurs perceive high holding costs from poor financial quality, even when they can see through the opaque financial disclosures.
The Genome of a Very Virulent Marek's Disease Virus

ABSTRACT Here we present the first complete genomic sequence, with analysis, of a very virulent strain of Marek's disease virus serotype 1 (MDV1), Md5. The genome is 177,874 bp and is predicted to encode 103 proteins. MDV1 is colinear with the prototypic alphaherpesvirus herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) within the unique long (UL) region, and it is most similar at the amino acid level to MDV2, herpesvirus of turkeys (HVT), and nonavian herpesviruses equine herpesviruses 1 and 4. MDV1 encodes 55 HSV-1 UL homologues together with 6 additional UL proteins that are absent in nonavian herpesviruses. The unique short (US) region is colinear with and has greater than 99% nucleotide identity to that of MDV1 strain GA; however, an extra nucleotide sequence at the Md5 US/short terminal repeat boundary results in a shorter US region and the presence of a second gene (encoding MDV097) similar to the SORF2 gene. MD5, like HVT, encodes an ICP4 homologue that contains a 900-amino-acid amino-terminal extension not found in other herpesviruses. Putative virulence and host range gene products include the oncoprotein MEQ, oncogenicity-associated phosphoproteins pp38 and pp24, a lipase homologue, a CxC chemokine, and unique proteins of unknown function MDV087 and MDV097 (SORF2 homologues) and MDV093 (SORF4). Consistent with its virulent phenotype, Md5 contains only two copies of the 132-bp repeat which has previously been associated with viral attenuation and loss of oncogenicity.
[The effects of small dose of intratympanic gentamicin injection on intractable Meniere's disease].

OBJECTIVE To explore the efficacy of small dose of intratympanic gentamicin injection on intractable Meniere's disease. METHOD Retrospectively study the efficacy of gentamicin intratympanic injection on intractable Meniere's disease. The end-point of treatment was determined based on bedside tests (Spontaneous Nystagmus test, Head shaking test and Head Thrust test), hearing tests, or the improvement of patients symptoms. RESULT Nineteen patients with Meniere's disease were treated with intratympanic gentamicin injection. Vertigo control was achieved in 17 patients (89%). Of them, vertigo of 5 patients was successfully controlled after single injection. Eight patients need double injections and 4 patients need the third injections to control the vertigo. Endolymphatic sac shunt was performed to 1 patient because he could not tolerate the fullness of ear due to injection. The remainder 2 patients with double injections showed no improvement of vertigo and rejected further treatment. Hearing was improved in two patients after gentamicin injection. Three patients complained of hearing loss after intratympanic gentamicin injection. The hearing of the other patients did not change. CONCLUSION Three weeks after using small dose of gentamicin intratympanic injection to treat intractable Meniere's disease, it was determined whether more injections is required. The results showed that by using this approach, the vertigo could be effectively controlled and the risk of hearing loss following intratympanic gentamicin injection could be reduced.
The relationship between early emergency team calls and serious adverse events*

Objective:To examine the relationship between early emergency team calls and the incidence of serious adverse events—cardiac arrests, deaths, and unplanned admissions to an intensive care unit—in a cluster randomized controlled trial of medical emergency team implementation (the MERIT study). Design:Post hoc analysis of data from cluster randomized controlled trial. Setting and Participants:Twenty-three public hospitals in Australia and 741,744 patients admitted during the conduct of the study. Interventions:Attendance by a rapid response system team or cardiac arrest team. Main Outcome Measures:The relationship between the proportion of rapid response system team calls that were early emergency team calls (defined as calls not associated with cardiac arrest or death) and the rate (events/1000 admissions) of the adverse events. Results:We analyzed 11,242 serious adverse events and 3700 emergency team calls. For every 10% of increase in the proportion of early emergency team calls there was a 2.0 reduction per 10,000 admissions in unexpected cardiac arrests (95% confidence interval [CI] −2.6 to −1.4), a 2.2 reduction in overall cardiac arrests (95% CI −2.9 to −1.6), and a 0.94 reduction in unexpected deaths (95% CI −1.4 to −0.5). We found no such relationship for unplanned intensive care unit admissions or for the aggregate of unexpected cardiac arrests, unplanned intensive care unit admissions, and unexpected deaths. Conclusions:As the proportion of early emergency team calls increases, the rate of cardiac arrests and unexpected deaths decreases. This inverse relationship provides support for the notion that early review of acutely ill ward patients by an emergency team is desirable.