Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous firing patterns and axonal projections of single corticostriatal neurons in the rat medial agranular cortex.

1. Spontaneous fluctuations of membrane potential, patterns of spontaneous firing, dendritic branching patterns, and intracortical and striatal axonal arborizations were compared for two types of corticostriatal neurons in the medial agranular cortex of urethan-anesthetized rats: 1) pyramidal tract (PT) cells identified by antidromic activation from the medullary pyramid and 2) crossed corticostriatal (CST) neurons identified by antidromic activation from the contralateral neostriatum. The ipsilateral corticostriatal projections of intracellularly stained PT neurons as well as contralateral corticostriatal neurons were confirmed after labeling by intracellular injection of biocytin. 2. All well-stained PT neurons had intracortical and intrastriatal collaterals. The more common type (6 of 8) was a large, deep layer V neuron that had an extensive intracortical axon arborization but a limited axon arborization in the neostriatum. The less common type of PT neuron (2 of 8) was a medium-sized, superficial layer V neuron that had a limited intracortical axon arborization but a larger and more dense intrastriatal axonal arborization. Both subclasses of PT neurons had anatomic and physiological properties associated with slow PT cells in cats and monkeys and conduction velocities < 10 m/s. All of the PT cells but one were regular spiking cells. The exception cell fired intrinsic bursts. 3. Intracellularly stained CST neurons were located in the superficial half of layer V and the deep part of layer III. Their layer I apical dendrites were few and sparsely branched. Their axons gave rise to an extensive arbor of local axon collaterals that distributed in the region of the parent neuron, frequently extending throughout the more superficial layers, including layer I. Axon collaterals were also traced to the corpus callosum, as expected from their contralateral projections, and they contributed axon collaterals to the ipsilateral neostriatum. In the neostriatum, these axons formed extended arborizations sparsely occupying a large volume of striatal tissue. All CST neurons were regular spiking cells. 4. Both types of cells displayed spontaneous membrane fluctuations consisting of a polarized state (-60 to -90 mV) that was interrupted by 0.1- to 3.0-s periods of depolarization (-55 to -45 mV) accompanied by action potentials. The membrane potential was relatively constant in each state, and transitions between the depolarized and hyperpolarized states were sometimes periodic with a frequency of 0.3-1.5 Hz. A much faster (30-45 Hz) subthreshold oscillation of the membrane potential was observed only in the depolarized state and triggered action potentials that locked to the depolarizing peaks of this rhythm. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Prospective Long-Term Evaluation of Meniscal Allograft Transplantation Procedure: A Minimum of 7-Year Follow-Up

Abstract This study reports the long-term effectiveness of meniscal allograft transplantation performed by a single senior operating surgeon. In this study 22 meniscus transplantations in 22 patients were evaluated at a minimum of 7-year follow-up (mean 8.5 ± 1.3 years) using standardized scoring scales. Subgroup analysis was performed to stratify outcomes based on medial (59.1%) versus lateral (40.9%) meniscus transplantation, and transplantations performed in isolation (36.4%) versus those performed concomitantly (63.6%). Patients reported significant improvement in all scoring scales (p < 0.05). Average satisfaction was 8.8 out of 10. All the patients were completely or mostly satisfied with the results of their surgery. Overall subjective knee condition improved from 3.5 to 6.9 (p < 0.05). Patients undergoing medial compartment repair and combined transplantations reported greater improvement from baseline to follow-up than did their counterparts. An overall success rate of 88% was found for all patients at the final follow-up. Based on this data, meniscal allograft transplantation is a viable treatment option for meniscal-deficient patients in reducing pain, increasing range of motion, and improving patient function and satisfaction at a minimum of 7 years postsurgery.
Method for the Purification of Tissue DNA Suitable for PCR After Fixation with Bouin's Fluid: Uses and Limitations in Microsatellite Typing

Paraffin-embedded tissues are often the only available material to perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based analysis in various medical purposes. Unfortunately, the use in many countries of acid fixatives such as Bouin's fluid limits the use of such a material for molecular analysis. This article reports the methodological details of a DNA purification technique from Bouin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples based on a double washing, in an alcohol then in an aqueous medium, of the DNA, which enables PCR reactions from this material. Comparison of the results with those obtained by organic solvent purification of DNA from frozen tissue fragments showed excellent reproducibility in terms of detection of an amplification product on agarose gel. However, differences between the methods were quite frequently seen in the allelic typing profile of microsatellite sequences (CA repeats), either as neo-alleles or by the loss of normal alleles in the fixed materials that constitute a limitation in using DNA from Bouin-fixed tissue as a substrate for fine allelotyping.
In silico assessment of biomedical products: The conundrum of rare but not so rare events in two case studies

In silico clinical trials, defined as “The use of individualized computer simulation in the development or regulatory evaluation of a medicinal product, medical device, or medical intervention,” have been proposed as a possible strategy to reduce the regulatory costs of innovation and the time to market for biomedical products. We review some of the the literature on this topic, focusing in particular on those applications where the current practice is recognized as inadequate, as for example, the detection of unexpected severe adverse events too rare to be detected in a clinical trial, but still likely enough to be of concern. We then describe with more details two case studies, two successful applications of in silico clinical trial approaches, one relative to the University of Virginia/Padova simulator that the Food and Drug Administration has accepted as possible replacement for animal testing in the preclinical assessment of artificial pancreas technologies, and the second, an investigation of the probability of cardiac lead fracture, where a Bayesian network was used to combine in vivo and in silico observations, suggesting a whole new strategy of in silico-augmented clinical trials, to be used to increase the numerosity where recruitment is impossible, or to explore patients’ phenotypes that are unlikely to appear in the trial cohort, but are still frequent enough to be of concern.
Financial Literacy: Evidence and Implications for Financial Education

This paper discusses financial literacy in the United States in the context of retirement planning. Due to the long-term shift away from defined benefit to defined contribution pensions, it is important to examine whether workers are adequately equipped to manage the resultant increased responsibility for planning their retirement. New evidence finds that financial illiteracy in the population is widespread, particularly among vulnerable demographic groups such as the least educated, women, and minorities. This is serious cause for concern given that financial literacy is an important predictor of retirement planning and other important financial decisions. Implications for policymakers as they consider financial education programs include the importance of targeting specific groups, simplifying financial decision-making, and providing specific steps and guidance to the least financially knowledgeable.
Ante-mortem detection of chronic wasting disease in recto-anal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues from elk (Cervus elaphus nelsoni) using real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay: A blinded collaborative study

ABSTRACT Prion diseases are transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) characterized by fatal, progressive neurologic diseases with prolonged incubation periods and an accumulation of infectious misfolded prion proteins. Antemortem diagnosis is often difficult due to a long asymptomatic incubation period, differences in the pathogenesis of different prions, and the presence of very low levels of infectious prion in easily accessible samples. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a TSE affecting both wild and captive populations of cervids, including mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, muntjac, and most recently, wild reindeer. This study represents a well-controlled evaluation of a newly developed real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay as a potential CWD diagnostic screening test using rectal biopsy sections from a depopulated elk herd. We evaluated 69 blinded samples of recto-anal mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (RAMALT) obtained from USDA Veterinary Services. The results were later un-blinded and statistically compared to immunohistochemical (IHC) results from the USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for RAMALT, obex, and medial retropharyngeal lymph node (MRPLN). Comparison of RAMALT RT-QuIC assay results with the IHC results of RAMALT revealed 92% relative sensitivity (95% confidence limits: 61.52–99.8%) and 95% relative specificity (95% confidence limits: 85.13–99%). Collectively, our results show a potential utility of the RT-QuIC assay to advance the development of a rapid, sensitive, and specific prion diagnostic assay for CWD prions.
Transfer of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab proteins from genetically engineered Bt cotton to herbivores and predators

With the cultivation of Bt cotton, the produced insecticidal Cry proteins are ingested by herbivores and potentially transferred along the food chain to natural enemies, such as predators. In laboratory experiments with Bollgard II cotton, concentrations of Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab were measured in Lepidoptera larvae (Spodoptera littoralis, Heliothis virescens), plant bugs (Euschistus heros), aphids (Aphis gossypii), whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), thrips (Thrips tabaci, Frankliniella occidentalis), and spider mites (Tetranychus urticae). Tritrophic experiments were conducted with caterpillars of S. littoralis as prey and larvae of ladybird beetles (Harmonia axyridis, Adalia bipunctata) and lacewings (Chrysoperla carnea) as predators. Immunological measurements (ELISA) indicated that herbivores feeding on Bt cotton contained 5%–50% of the Bt protein concentrations in leaves except whiteflies and aphids, which contained no or only traces of Bt protein, and spider mites, which contained 7 times more Cry1Ac than leaves. Similarly, predators contained 1%–30% of the Cry protein concentration in prey. For the nontarget risk assessment, this indicates that Bt protein concentrations decrease considerably from one trophic level to the next in the food web, except for spider mites that contain Bt protein concentrations higher than those measured in the leaves. Exposure of phloem sucking hemipterans is negligible.
The Child Language Data Exchange System: an update

ABSTRACT In a previous issue of this Journal, MacWhinney & Snow (1985) laid out the basic sketch for an international system for exchanging and analysing child language transcript data. This system – the Child Language Data Exchange System (CHILDES) – has developed three major tools for child language research: (1) the CHILDES database of transcripts, (2) the CHAT system for transcribing and coding data, and (3) the CLAN programs for analysing CHAT files. Here we sketch out the current shape of these three major tools and the organizational form of the CHILDES system. A forthcoming book (MacWhinney, in press) documents these tools in detail.
Effects of CEES on inflammatory mediators, heat shock protein 70A, histology and ultrastructure in two skin models † **

Chemical warfare threats require the development of diverse models for the assessment of countermeasures. Human skin products, Skin2® (differentiating keratinocytes on a fibroblast‐collagen matrix) and EpiDerm® (differentiating keratinocytes) were exposed (2 h) to the sulfur mustard 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES, 1‐2 mg l−1 min−1) in humidified air or to humidified air alone. Tissues were evaluated histologically, ultrastructurally and for viability 22 h later; media and tissues were also analyzed for inflammatory mediators. Histology showed that CEES induced the separation of dermal and epidermal regions in Skin2 with severe damage to basal keratinocytes. Histology and electron microscopy of both products revealed condensation of nuclear chromatin, retraction of spinous processes, collapse of the tonofibrillar network and cytoplasmic vacuolization and blebbing in those cells with loss of pseudobasement membrane integrity. Exposure of Skin2 to CEES increased extracellular interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α), prostaglandin‐E2 (PGE2) and especially IL‐1 receptor antagonist (IL‐1Ra) release (56334 vs 84 614 pg ml−1), but decreased interleukin‐6 (IL−6, 4755 vs 351 pg ml−1). Exposure of EpiDerm to CEES led to unaffected extracellular and reduced intracellular IL−1α (371 vs 92 pg m1−1). Extracellular IL‐1Ra greatly increased (2375 vs 24875 pg ml−1), whereas cellular levels decreased (165425 vs 96625 pg ml−1). Extracellular (224 vs 68 pg ml−1) and intracellular (485 vs 233 pg ml−1) soluble interleukin‐1 receptor II (sIL‐1RII) decreased. Prostanglandin E2 increased (1835 vs 2582 pg ml−1), whereas heat shock protein 70A (Hsp70A) remained statistically unchanged (57000 vs 96000 pg ml−1). Failure to obtain a heat shock response to CEES may contribute to the susceptibility of tissue to the alkylating agent. Consistent and marked responses of cellular and extracellular IL‐1Ra to CEES suggest a potential for use as a tissue status marker and primary antiinflammatory regulator in skin. Published in 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Innovation in English as a foreign language: A case study exploring a program's response to change

This case study investigated educational entrepreneurship in an intensive English as a foreign language (EFL) program at a language center affiliated with a major Thai university. The case study used Webber and Scott’s (2008) six-point educational entrepreneurship framework to structure data collection and analysis. In order to investigate the center’s educational entrepreneurship, the study included the following research questions: 1) How does one intensive EFL program in Thailand engage in educational entrepreneurship in order to meet the changing needs of its learners? 2) What outcomes do educational leaders and teachers in the program expect as a result of their entrepreneurial activity and why do they expect those outcomes? 3) What challenges does the EFL program face in pursuing educational entrepreneurship? Using a qualitative case study approach, the study drew on data collected in interviews, a focus group, and curriculum documents to answer these questions. Following data collection, the study coded the data using In Vivo then axial coding before analyzing the themes that emerged. The major findings were as follows: the perceived changes in the students’ needs were the major driver of educational entrepreneurship; educational technology facilitates educational entrepreneurship, but it can be overemphasized; internationalization is both a means and an end to educational entrepreneurship in this context; the language center does not adequately involve the community in its efforts at educational entrepreneurship; and many barriers to educational entrepreneurship can be overcome through efforts at innovation by a few highly motivated teachers.
[Role of cyclin D1 in carcinogenesis of human cells induced by quartz].

OBJECTIVE To study the role of cyclin D1 in malignant transformation of human embryonic lung diploid fibroblasts (HELF) induced by quartz. METHODS pXJ41-cyclin D1 expressing sense and antisense cyclin D1 RNA were transinfected into malignant transformed HELF induced by quartz with DNA recombination and gene transduction. The expression of cyclin D1 was detected with hybridization in situ and immunohistochemistry methods to analyze changes in cell growth, double multiplication time, distribution of cell cycles, colony forming ability on soft agar, etc., before and after cyclin D1 transduction. RESULTS During the process of malignant transformation of HELF induced by quartz, cyclin D1 gene was overexpressed. Antisense pXJ41-cyclin D1 RNA could suppress the growth and proliferation of malignant transformed cells induced by quartz. Growth speed of antisense pXJ41-cyclin D1 transinfected cells decreased by 58.69% on the 8th day in culture, as compared to malignant transformed cells induced by quartz, and its double multiplication time prolonged from 21.0 h to 31.4 h. Antisense cyclin D1 RNA led to cell cycle arrest, resulting in lengthened G1 phase (proportion of cells in phase G1 increased to 52.7% from 45.1% and that of cells in phase S decreased to 33.1% from 40.3%). Colony forming rate reduced significantly and size of colony became smaller. CONCLUSIONS Abnormal expression of cyclin D1 in cells related to their malignant transformation induced by quartz. Highly expressed cyclin D1 could play an important role in maintaining the transformed phenotype of malignant cells.
Treatment of Advanced Acanthamoeba Keratitis With Deep Lamellar Keratectomy and Conjunctival Flap

Purpose. To describe whether deep lamellar keratectomy with a conjunctival flap is effective for the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Methods. Two patients (three eyes) had at least a 4-week history of painful keratitis misdiagnosed as herpetic keratitis and bacterial keratitis. Both patients were started on multiple topical antiamoebic drugs after Acanthamoeba infection was confirmed. No improvement was observed after 3–4 weeks. Surgery was then performed. Peribulbar anesthesia was given, and the infected tissue was removed by deep lamellar keratectomy. A bipediculate conjunctival flap was put in place and secured with interrupted 10–0 nylon sutures. Results. Both patients experienced immediate pain relief. The infection was controlled and all medications were tapered. There were neither necrosis nor retraction of the flap. Final examination revealed a Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/100 in each eye in the patient described in case number one at 30 months, and 20/100 in the patient described in case number two at 13 months. Conclusion. Deep lamellar keratectomy with a conjunctival flap is a suitable approach to help control the infection and to help relieve pain in patients with advanced Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Vietnam at a crossroads : engaging in the next generation of global value chains

Vietnam has emerged as an Asian manufacturing powerhouse, carving out a role for itself within global value chains (GVCs). By specializing in assembly functions on behalf of primarily foreign firms, Vietnam has markedly increased its domestic value added, as reflected by its gross exports, which have grown by 16.6 percent annually between 1995 and 2011. This export-oriented development strategy has created jobs, propelled economic growth, and reduced poverty. As successful as Vietnam has been, within the context of GVCs, its specialization has been in low value-added,end-production activities. Its challenge is to move up the value chain into higher value-added functions. Even more ambitious would be to grasp the opportunity to become an originator of products by nurturing a nascent set of domestic firms that have the potential to carve out an “invented in Vietnam” niche in local, regional, and global markets. In short, Vietnam is at a crossroads. It can continue to specialize in low value-added assembly functions, withindustrialization occurring in enclaves with little connection to the broader economy or society; or it can leverage the current wave of growth to diversify and move up the chain into higher value-added functions. Success will require Vietnam’s policy makers to view the processes of development differently and to take new realities of the global economy more fully into account.Vietnam at a Crossroads: Engaging in the Next Generation of Global Value Chains identifies policies and targeted interventions that will drive development by leveraging GVC participation while also taking into account major trade policy shifts and rapid technological advances. Readers will gain a strong understanding of Vietnam’s current and potential engagement with GVCs and will learn about strategic policy tools that can help developing countries achieve economic prosperity in the context of compressed development. Its findings will be of particular interest to policy makers, development practitioners, and academics.
Immunogenicity of melanoma‐associated gangliosides in cancer patients

The immunogenicity of gangliosides found on human melanoma cells was determined from sera of 26 melanoma patients who were immunized every 1–4 weeks for 4 months with tumor‐cell vaccine (TCV) prepared from cultured melanoma cells. Total lipidbound sialic acid in the gangliosides isolated from TCV was 0.38 μmol/108 cells, and was distributed as follows: 44.8% to GM3, 44.2% to GD3, 5.6% to GM2, and 4.6% to GD2. Sera were tested at monthly intervals for antibodies to each ganglioside by ELISA with purified gangliosides as the antigen source. The immunologic specificity of the antibody was confirmed by absorption tests. None of the 26 patients had detectable anti‐GM3, anti‐GD3, or anti‐GD2 antibodies before immunization, although anti‐GM2 antibody was detected in 3 patients. After immunization, 2 patients developed IgM anti‐GD2, 10 developed IgM anti‐GM2, and 2 developed IgG anti‐GM2 antibodies. No patient developed detectable anti‐GM3 or anti‐GD3 antibodies. These results indicate that both GD2 and GM2 expressed on human melanoma cells are immunogenic in humans, although GM2 appears to be more immunogenic. The other two gangliosides, GM3 and GD3, are present in human sera and in human normal tissues, and thus immunologic tolerance may have been established against these gangliosides. Alternatively, circulating GM3 and GD3 may have neutralized anti‐GM3 and anti‐GD3 antibodies, if any were induced by TCV immunization.
Growth Hormone Treatment in Growth Hormone-Sufficient and -Insufficient Children with Intrauterine Growth Retardation/Russell-Silver Syndrome

Fifty-eight short prepubertal children with IUGR received GH treatment (mean dose: 28 IU/m2/week) for a mean (SEM) period of time of 3.4 (0.13) years (range 1–4 years). They were subdivided according to their GH response to a pharmacological test. Twenty-six were GH insufficient (GHI) (group 1) and 32 were non-GHI (group 2). At the commencement of GH therapy mean chronological age was 6.1 (0.4) years in both groups, mean height SDS (SEM) was –3.5 (0.2) in group 1 and –3.6 (0.2) in group 2, mean growth velocity (GV) SDS (SEM) was –1.9 (0.3) in group 1 and –0.3 (0.2) in group 2. GH therapy induced significant growth acceleration throughout the follow-up period without any significant differences between the two groups. GV SDS (SEM) increased to +3.0 (0.5) in group 1 and to +3.7 (0.4) in group 2 (p < 0.05 compared to baseline) during the first year of therapy. Subsequently, the growth-promoting effects of GH therapy diminished with time but GV remained significantly higher than baseline. This growth enhancement produced a significant rise in height SDS (SEM) reaching –1.4 (0.2) in group 1 and –1.7 (0.2) in group 2 after 4 years. In conclusion, our data did not show any significant differences in the growth response to GH therapy between GH-sufficient and -insufficient IUGR children who were only distinguishable by their GH secretion. This indicates that the decision to treat a short IUGR child with GH therapy should not be based upon the GH response to a provocative test.