Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity and Productivity

This research explores the effects of within-group heterogeneity on group-level productivity. It establishes that observed genetic diversity of 230 worldwide ethnic groups, as well as predicted genetic diversity of 1,331 ethnic groups across the globe, has a hump-shaped effect on economic prosperity, reflecting the trade-off between the beneficial and the detrimental effects of diversity on productivity. Moreover, the study demonstrates that variations in within-ethnic-group genetic diversity across ethnic groups contribute to ethnic and thus regional variation in economic development within a country.
Quantitative d-dimer levels and the extent of venous thromboembolism in CT angiography and lower limb ultrasonography.

BACKGROUND We evaluated the diagnostic yield of multidetector-row CT angiography and determined the clot burden within pulmonary vasculature as a measure of pulmonary embolism (PE) severity at different d-dimer levels and pretest clinical probabilities. PATIENTS AND METHODS 254 consecutive patients referred to CT pulmonary angiography for suspected PE after d-dimer testing were grouped into clinical probability classes using Wells' score, and the frequency of PE was determined. A score representing clot burden within pulmonary vasculature was calculated from the number of obstructed segmental arteries in CT scans in a partly differing group of 96 PE positive patients. RESULTS The prevalence of PE increases with the d-dimer level (7% at d-dimer levels of 0.5-1 microg/ml, reaching 90% at d-dimer levels > 9 microg/ml; p < 0.001). D-dimer levels above 4 microg/ml are associated with a significantly higher clot burden in pulmonary arteries (median score 11 versus 5, and 53% versus 16% of patients in the subgroup with a score > 10 points; p < 0.001), and thrombus in a main pulmonary artery was detected more frequently (37% versus 9%, p = 0.003). Similar results were obtained for distal versus proximal deep venous thromboses, detected by ultrasonography of the lower limb in a separate group of 44 patients. CONCLUSIONS High d-dimer levels are associated with an increased prevalence of CT radiographic findings indicating extended clinically severe PE or lower limb venous thrombosis.
Salivary Citrate and Dental Erosion

CITRIC acid has been studied in a number of tissues and body fluids, but only to a limited extent in saliva. Pucher, Sherman, and Vickery' found 0.04 to 1.30 mg. per cent in seven saliva specimens, but Kuyper and Mattill2 and Leake3 were unable to detect citric acid in saliva using methods, however, which were not sensitive to less than 2.0 mg. /100 ml. Zipkin4 reported saliva (some 180 analyses on 15 adult men) to contain 0.50 to 2.00 mg. per cent citric acid, expressed as the monohydrate. Recently, Shulman and Robinson5 used the gravimetric method of Duysher and Holm6 and found 0.0 to 1.55 mg. per cent citric acid in the saliva of 25 normal individuals. In general, the gravimetric procedure is not as sensitive or as specific as the colorimetric technic.7 Following a survey of methods for citric acid in biological fluids, the colorimetric procedure of Perlman, Lardy, and Johnson,8 with several modifications, was found satisfactory for the analysis of 10 ml. specimens of saliva. Our experience with this method is somewhat contrary to Shulman and Robinson,9 however, who reported negative results for a number of saliva specimens. Recently, Natelson, Lugovoy, and Pincusl' used essentially the technic employed by us. Speck, Moulder, and Evans" did not modify the original Perlman, Lardy, Johnson procedure8 and discarded it as unsatisfactory. A critical analysis of this citrate method8 and its application to saliva analysis will be reported prior to presenting clinical data on the relation of citric acid in saliva to dental erosion. Current interest in salivary citrate relates to the observation that rats' dental tissues are attacked in vivo by nearly neutral citrate drinking fluids12 thus suggesting a role of salivary citrate in human dental erosion. Procedure for Citric Acid in Saliva. -About 15 ml. of paraffin-stimulated saliva were collected in a 35 ml. glass-stoppered brown bottle using a shortstemmed funnel. Each bottle contained 0.5 ml. of concentrated HSO4. After thorough shaking, a 10.0 ml. aliquot was transferred to a test tube containing 2.0 ml. of 18N H2,04 and placed in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes. The
Current treatment strategy for vestibular schwannoma: image-guided robotic microradiosurgery.

OBJECT Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) is becoming a standard treatment for vestibular schwannoma (VS); it is ranked with microsurgery from the perspective of tumor control and audiofacial nerve function preservation. A new treatment technique that will improve the tumor shrinkage ratio, shorten the patient's recovery time, and even recover some cranial nerve function is described. METHODS Along with advances in the GKS system, the authors have developed magnetic resonance imaging sequences specific to particular treatments. These newly developed sequences provide much clearer visualization of the distribution of the cranial nerves, especially in the area from the cisterns to the internal acoustic meatus. Magnetic resonance images have been fused with computed tomography scans to facilitate better delineation of the anatomical relationships. These dose-planning images allow for a higher isodose line (80%) inside the tumor. The aim is to shrink the tumor and not just to control it. To date 130 patients have been treated with GKS in conjunction with this new technique. Of the 130, 91 patients were observed for more than 12 months. The tumor shrinkage rate was 65.9% (76% for patients with > 24 months of follow up), the facial nerve preservation rate was 98.9%, the hearing preservation rate was 92.3%, and four (4%) of 91 patients recovered hearing function. Transient tumor enlargement was observed in most cases, but no severe complications were found. CONCLUSIONS Although these results are preliminary, they would appear to represent a potential breakthrough in the treatment of VS. Longer follow-up periods and additional cases will firmly establish this method as an absolute treatment option for patients with a VS.
The Emergence of Collaborative Brain Function: fMRI Studies of the Development of Response Inhibition

Abstract: Adolescence marks the beginning of adult‐level cognitive control of behavior supported by the brain maturation processes of synaptic pruning and myelination. Cognitive development studies on adolescence indicate that this period is characterized by improvements in the performance of existing abilities including speed and capacity of information processing and the ability to have consistent cognitive control of behavior. Although adolescents can behave at adult levels in some ways, brain imaging studies indicate that the functional organization of brain systems that support higher‐cognitive processes are not fully mature. Synaptic pruning allows for more efficient local computations, enhancing the ability of discrete brain regions to support high‐level cognitive control of behavior including working memory. Myelination increases the speed of neuronal transmission supporting the collaboration of a widely distributed circuitry, integrating regions that support top‐down cognitive control of behavior. Functional brain imaging methods allow for the characterization of the relationship between cognitive development and brain maturation as we can map progressions in the establishment of distributed brain circuitry and its relation to enhanced cognitive control of behavior. We present a review on the maturation (as distinct from “development” in emphasizing the transition to maturity and stabilization) of response inhibition, brain structure, and brain function through adolescence. We also propose a model for brain‐behavior maturation that allows for the qualitative changes in cognitive processes that occur during adolescence.
Serogroup W135 Meningococcal Disease, The Gambia, 2012

In 2012, an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 occurred in The Gambia. The attack rate was highest among young children. The associated risk factors were male sex, contact with meningitis patients, and difficult breathing. Enhanced surveillance facilitates early epidemic detection, and multiserogroup conjugate vaccine could reduce meningococcal epidemics in The Gambia.
Comparison of in vivo probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy with histopathology in lung cancer: A move toward optical biopsy

The development of novel technologies has increased the yield from transbronchial biopsies while preserving patient safety by guiding biopsies to the area of interest. Other technologies have helped identify pre‐cancerous or sessile lesions in the endobronchial space by utilizing interactions between tissue and light at varying wavelengths. Probe‐based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) is a new technology that encompasses the benefits of both guided biopsies and novel optical imaging in one device. This project compares pCLE images to the findings of light microscopy in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Yeast cell wall supplementation alters the metabolic responses of crossbred heifers to an endotoxin challenge

This study examined the effect of feeding yeast cell wall (YCW) products on the metabolic responses of newly-received feedlot cattle to an endotoxin challenge. Heifers were separated into treatment groups receiving either a Control diet, YCW-A or YCW-C, and were fed for 52 d. Heifers were weighed on d 0, 14, 36, 38 and 52. On d 37 heifers were challenged i.v. with LPS [0.5 µg/kg body weight (BW)] and blood samples were collected relative to LPS challenge. Heifer BW increased from d 0 to 36 and from d 38 to 52, but was not affected by treatment. Post-LPS, glucose concentrations increased and were less in YCW-A than Control and YCW-C heifers. Pre-LPS, insulin concentrations were greater in YCW-A and YCW-C than Control heifers. Post-LPS, insulin concentrations increased with YCW-C having greater insulin than Control heifers. Pre-LPS, NEFA concentrations tended to be less in YCW-C than Control heifers. Post-LPS non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) concentrations were less in YCW-C than Control and YCW-A heifers. Post-LPS, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations were greater in YCW-A than Control and YCW-C. These data indicate, based on NEFA and BUN data, that certain YCW products can enhance energy metabolism during an immune challenge without causing lipolysis or muscle catabolism.
Innovation in Doctoral Degrees Designed for Adult Learners: A Hybrid Model in Personal Financial Planning.

Innovation in doctoral degree program development and delivery provides an effective counterpoint to the expert-apprentice model established in the Middle Ages. The author outlines the importance of innovation in reaching adult learners and describes an innovative hybrid PhD program designed to allow aspiring doctoral adult-age students to pursue a degree by providing access to education at a distance.
Acute and chronic effects of vitamin C on endothelial fibrinolytic function in overweight and obese adult humans

We determined the effects of acute intra‐arterial vitamin C administration and chronic oral vitamin C supplementation on the capacity of the endothelium to release t‐PA in overweight and obese adults. Net endothelial t‐PA release was determined in vivo in response to intrabrachial infusions of bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside in 33 sedentary adults: 10 normal‐weight (BMI: 23.4 ± 0.5 kg m−2; 7M/3F); and 23 overweight/obese (BMI: 31.2 ± 0.8 kg m−2; 15M/8F). In 10 normal weight and eight overweight/obese adults the dose–response curves to bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside were repeated with a coinfusion of the antioxidant vitamin C (24 mg min−1). Seventeen of the 23 overweight/obese adults completed a 3 month chronic oral vitamin C (500 mg day−1) supplementation intervention. Intra‐arterial administration of vitamin C significantly potentiated t‐PA release in overweight/obese adults. Net release of t‐PA was ∼95% higher (P < 0.01) after (from −0.9 ± 1.1 to 94.6 ± 16.2 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) compared with before (from −0.8 ± 0.8 to 49.9 ± 7.7 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) vitamin C administration. Daily vitamin C supplementation significantly increased t‐PA release in overweight/obese adults (from 0.2 ± 0.9 to 48.2 ± 6.5 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) before supplementation versus (0.3 ± 0.5 to 66.3 ± 8.7 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) after supplementation. These results indicate that the antioxidant vitamin C favourably affects the capacity of the endothelium to release t‐PA in overweight/obese adults. Daily vitamin C supplementation represents an effective lifestyle intervention strategy for improving endothelial fibrinolytic regulation in this at‐risk population.
Fatigue in cholestatic liver disease—a perplexing symptom

Fatigue is an important symptom and a quality of life determinant in patients with cholestatic liver disease. The pathogenesis of fatigue is obscure, although alterations in central neurotransmission and peripheral muscle dysfunction have been incriminated. No effective treatment is available at present. The available literature on fatigue in cholestatic liver disease is reviewed.
Dabigatran etexilate – a novel, reversible, oral direct thrombin inhibitor: Interpretation of coagulation assays and reversal of anticoagulant activity

Summary Dabigatran etexilate is an oral, reversible direct thrombin inhibitor that is approved in the EU and several other countries for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after elective hip and knee replacement, and is in advanced clinical development for other thromboembolic disorders. Dabigatran has a predictable pharmacokinetic profile, allowing for a fixed-dose regimen without the need for routine coagulation monitoring. In certain clinical situations such as serious bleeding into critical organs (e.g. intracerebral bleeding), potential overdose and emergency surgery, clinicians will need to make an assessment of the anticoagulant status of a patient receiving dabigatran before deciding on future management strategies. If available, thrombin clotting time (TT), ecarin clotting time (ECT) and TT determined by Hemoclot→ thrombin inhibitor assay are sensitive tests to evaluate the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran. Prothrombin time (INR) is less sensitive than other assays and cannot be recommended. The activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) can provide a useful qualitative assessment of anticoagulant activity but is less sensitive at supratherapeutic dabigatran levels. There are limited data for activated clotting time (ACT). Overall, the aPTT and TT are the most accessible qualitative methods for determining the presence or absence of anticoagulant effect. Although there is no specific antidote to antagonise the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran, due to its short duration of effect drug discontinuation is usually sufficient to reverse any excessive anticoagulant activity. In case of potential overdose, the feasibility of early administration of activated charcoal and subsequent charcoal filtration are undergoing preclinical evaluation. Dabigatran can also be dialysed in patients with renal impairment. In instances of life-threatening bleeding, where conventional measures have failed or are unavailable, other non-specific prohaemo -static agents such as recombinant activated factor VII and prothrombin complex concentrates can be considered. Disclosure statement: All authors are employees of Boehringer Ingelheim. Figure 1 has been corrected in this version of the article.
Insulin Receptor Substrate 1, the Hub Linking Follicle-stimulating Hormone to Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase Activation*

The ubiquitous phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway regulates many cellular functions. However, the mechanism by which G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) signal to activate PI3K is poorly understood. We have used ovarian granulosa cells as a model to investigate this pathway, based on evidence that the GPCR agonist follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) promotes the protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1) on tyrosine residues that activate PI3K. We report that in the absence of FSH, granulosa cells secrete a subthreshold concentration of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) that primes the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) but fails to promote tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS1. FSH via PKA acts to sensitize IRS1 to the tyrosine kinase activity of the IGF-1R by activating protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) to promote dephosphorylation of inhibitory Ser/Thr residues on IRS1, including Ser789. Knockdown of PP1β blocks the ability of FSH to activate PI3K in the presence of endogenous IGF-1. Activation of PI3K thus requires both PKA-mediated relief of IRS1 inhibition and IGF-1R-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS1. Treatment with FSH and increasing concentrations of exogenous IGF-1 triggers synergistic IRS1 tyrosine phosphorylation at PI3K-activating residues that persists downstream through protein kinase B (AKT) and FOXO1 (forkhead box protein O1) to drive synergistic expression of genes that underlies follicle maturation. Based on the ability of GPCR agonists to synergize with IGFs to enhance gene expression in other cell types, PP1 activation to relieve IRS1 inhibition may be a more general mechanism by which GPCRs act with the IGF-1R to activate PI3K/AKT.
Air compression as a mechanism for the underdamped slug test response in fractured glacier ice

[1] Artificial perturbations of borehole water levels, known as slug tests, are a useful means of characterizing the glacier hydrologic system. Slug tests were performed on Bench Glacier, Alaska, in 21 boreholes over three field seasons during the transition from a winter to a summer drainage mode. Fifty-four slug tests were conducted, with water level monitoring in up to five boreholes adjacent to the slugged borehole. Seven of the slug tests were performed in conjunction with dye dispersion tests to identify water pathways within the slugged borehole following perturbation. Nearly 60% of monitored adjacent boreholes showed a hydraulic connection to the slugged borehole via the glacier bed. The nature and degree of connectivity was temporally variable, suggesting that the drainage network at the bed was highly dynamic on a daily timescale and spatial scale of tens of meters. The variability of slug test responses over time and space limit the feasibility of six alternative explanations for the oscillatory water level behavior characteristic of the underdamped response. We propose a seventh, that is, that coherent air packages are a reasonable means of producing the compliance needed to generate the underdamped slug test responses on Bench Glacier, and that these air packages may exist within the glacier at the tips of subglacially propagated fractures.
Immortalization of human dental papilla, dental pulp, periodontal ligament cells and gingival fibroblasts by telomerase reverse transcriptase.

BACKGROUND Human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is catalytic subunit of human telomerase. METHODS We studied the immortalization of a series of human dental and periodontal cells by ectopic expression of hTERT and co-expression of hTERT with human papilloma virus 16 (HPV16) or simian virus 40 (SV40). Differentiation abilities of the established cell lines were studied in terms of the mineralized matrix formation and gene expression. RESULTS We established immortalized gingival fibroblasts by hTERT, dental papilla and periodontal ligament cells by hTERT and HPV16, and pulp cells by hTERT and SV40. The papilla and pulp cells showed mineralization and dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) expression when cultured in the presence of beta-glycerophosphate. The immortalized periodontal ligament cells did not show mineralization or DSPP expression, although expressions of alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin and osteocalcin were detected. CONCLUSIONS These cell lines will be useful tools for studying the repair and regeneration of dental and periodontal tissues and various diseases including odontogenic tumors.
Response of a summertime Antarctic marine bacterial community to glucose and ammonium enrichment

Along the western Antarctic Peninsula, marine bacterioplankton respond to the spring phytoplankton bloom with increases in abundance, production and growth rates, and a seasonal suc- cession in bacterial community composition (BCC). We investigated the response of the bacterial community to experimental additions of glucose and ammonium, alone or in combination, incubated in replicate carboys (each: 50 l) over 10 d in November 2006. Changes in bulk properties (abundance, production rates) in the incubations resembled observations in the nearshore environment over 8 sea- sons (2001 to 2002 through 2008 to 2009) at Palmer Stn (64.8°S, 64.1°W). Changes in bulk properties and BCC in ammonium-amended carboys were small relative to controls, compared to the glucose- amended treatments. The BCC in Day 0 and Day 10 controls and ammonium treatments were >72% similar when assessed by denaturing-gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), length heterogeneity polymerase chain reaction (LH-PCR) and capillary electrophoresis single-strand conformation poly- morphism (CE-SSCP) fingerprinting techniques. Bacterial abundance increased 2- to 10-fold and leucine incorporation rates increased 2- to 30-fold in the glucose treatments over 6 d. The BCC in car- boys receiving glucose (with or without ammonium) remained >60% similar to that in Day 0 controls at 6 d and evolved to <20% similar to that in Day 0 controls after 10 d incubation. The increases in bacterial production rates, and the changes in BCC, suggest that selection for glucose-utilizing bac- teria was slow under the ambient environmental conditions. The results suggest that organic carbon enrichment is a major factor influencing the observed winter-to-summer increase in bacterial abun- dance and activity. In contrast, the BCC was relatively robust, changing little until after repeated additions of glucose and prolonged (~10 d) incubation.
39 3 D mesh compression : survey , comparisons and emerging trends

3D meshes are commonly used to represent virtual surface and volumes. However, their raw data representations take a large amount of space. Hence, 3D mesh compression has been an active research topic since the mid 90’s. In 2005, two very good review articles describing the pioneering works were published. Yet, new technologies have emerged since then. In this article, we summarize the early works and put the focus on these novel approaches. We classify and describe the algorithms, evaluate their performance and provide synthetic comparisons. We also outline the emerging trends for future researches.
Non–Small Cell Bronchial Carcinoma Metastasizing into a Prolactin-Producing Pituitary Adenoma

This study presents the case of a 66-year-old man with a non–small cell bronchial carcinoma that metastasized into a prolactin (PRL)-producing pituitary adenoma. The pituitary adenoma cells were immunoreactive for PRL and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). It is hypothesized that VEGF and PRL played a role in the development of metastasis within the adenoma.