Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cytological Characteristics of Pulmonary Pleomorphic and Giant Cell Carcinomas

Objective: To establish cytological features of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma (PC) or giant cell carcinoma (GC), we evaluated the cytological characteristics of these tumors using a multidisciplinary approach. Study Design: Samples from 13 surgically resected and histologically confirmed PC or GC patients were collected from our institutes. Eight cases without prior chemotherapy before surgery were selected, and cytological features were analyzed. Results: The background contained numerous lymphocytes and neutrophils. The tumor cells were arranged in flat loose clusters, but some were in fascicles. The shape of the tumor cell was spindle or pleomorphic, and the sizes of the tumor cells varied by more than 5-fold. The tumor cells had an abundant, thick and well-demarcated cytoplasm. The location of the nucleus was centrifugal, and the nucleus was oval or irregularly shaped. Multinucleated giant cells were frequently observed. The size of the nucleus was more than 5 times that of normal lymphocytes, and its size also varied by more than 5-fold. The nuclear membrane was thin, and nuclear chromatin was coarsely granular, while the nucleolus was single and round. Conclusion: PC or GC has characteristic cytological features, however, spindle cells tended to be hardly observed in cytological specimens in some cases.
Transradial Coronary Intervention Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting for Unprotected Left Main and/or Multivessel Disease in Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome

The overall safety and efficacy of transradial coronary intervention (TRI) versus coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) for patients with unprotected left main (UPLM) disease and/or multivessel coronary disease (MVD) presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have not been established. Consecutive patients with ACS undergoing TRI with drug-eluting stent (n = 1431) or CABG (n = 651) for UPLM and/or MVD were included. A propensity-score matching was performed to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics between the 2 cohorts, yielding 524 pairs of matched patients. Median clinical follow-up was 32 months. After propensity-score adjustment, no significant difference was observed between the TRI and CABG groups in all-cause mortality (4.0% vs 5.2%; P = .375). Transradial coronary intervention was favored by a significant increase in the incidence of stroke in the CABG group (0.4% vs 1.9%; P = .020), whereas a significantly increased target vessel revascularization rate (16.8% vs 6.3%; P < .0001) observed in the TRI group favored CABG. Composite outcome (death/myocardial infarction/stroke) was comparable between the TRI and the CABG groups (8.0% vs 11.5%; P = .061). Clinical outcomes of TRI on UPLM and/or MVD for patients with ACS are comparable to CABG in composite safety outcomes with the advantage to TRI for avoiding a stroke.
Perceiving through the Lens of Native Phonetics: Italian and Danish Listeners' Perception of English Consonant Contrasts

This study examined how the phonetic details of the phonological systems for two different nativelanguage listener groups interact with their perception of the phonetic details of three nonnative consonant contrasts. Current theoretical models of cross-language and second language speech perception are evaluated by relating native Italian and native Danish listeners’ perceptual assimilation of audio tokens of English /b v w ð/ 1 to how well the two groups discriminate the corresponding English contrasts /b/-/v/, /w/-/v/, and /ð/-/v/. Results indicate some support for the models, but also performance differences between the groups that are unexpected by any existing models. Implications for existing hypotheses about non-native speech perception are discussed.
ON-State Characteristics of a High-Power Photoconductive Switch Fabricated From Compensated 6-H Silicon Carbide

The ON-state characteristics of a 6-H silicon carbide (SiC) photoconductive switch with vertical geometry, transverse illumination, and linear-mode operation are presented. The switch is triggered by an optical source with a photon energy that is less than the bandgap energy of SiC. Following low-power matching characteristics, the analysis of a design incorporating and layers next to the cathode shows higher hold-off voltage with an improved ON-state response mechanism. The p-layered photoconductive semiconductor switch (PCSS) can be operated at a maximum field of 875 kV/cm, whereas the n-layered PCSS, which is operating at a slightly lower field, shows higher current carrying capabilities. Higher current for the n-layer PCSS can be attributed to the nature of the region adjacent to the cathode. In the p-layered PCSS, this region inhibits an initial hole collection, thus decreasing the collected charge. In addition, a kink during the initial collection for the p-layered PCSS could influence the rise time when operating beyond 35-kV bias.
Diminished Ovarian Reserve and Infertility

Over the past several decades, social and demographic trends have led to an increased tendency for women to delay childbearing. Owing primarily to abnormalities in the oocyte and resulting embryonic aneuploidy, implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates decline sharply by the end of the fourth decade. As a result, the incidence of age-related infertility has increased. Improved awareness of the effects of aging on fertility combined with ovarian reserve assessment, patient education, and early infertility evaluation and intervention are important elements in appropriate family planning and prevention of age-related infertility.
Accelerated corneal graft rejection in baby rats

Background Penetrating keratoplasty in infants has a very poor outcome compared to adults. It is of intrinsic interest to gain insight into the still unknown immunological mechanisms of graft failure because any form of uncorrected corneal opacity leads to amblyopia. Methods Allogeneic keratoplasty was performed between Lewis and Fisher rats. The recipients' ages were 10 and 3 weeks, respectively. All experiments were controlled syngeneically. Survival rates were calculated and cellular infiltrates analysed histologically. Results Median graft survival times were 15 days in old recipients and 9 days in young recipients (p<0.01). There were fewer infiltrating cells in the younger rats than in the older ones on the day of rejection. Despite the fact that T cells dominated there were significantly more NK cells in young recipients at all time points after transplantation when compared to old recipients. Conclusions An animal model has been established that shows similar rejection kinetics as in children, that is corneal graft failure occurs sooner in young rats. Already little infiltration was sufficient to reject a corneal allograft. The dominance of infiltrating NK cells and the vigorous rejection process suggest an involvement of the innate immune system in this process.
Folic acid supplementation inhibits recurrence of colorectal adenomas: a randomized chemoprevention trial.

AIM To determine whether folic acid supplementation will reduce the recurrence of colorectal adenomas, the precursors of colorectal cancer, we performed a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in patients with adenomatous polyps. METHODS In the current double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at this VA Medical Center, patients with colorectal adenomas were randomly assigned to receive either a daily 5 mg dose of folic acid or a matched identical placebo for 3 years. All polyps were removed at baseline colonoscopy and each patient had a follow up colonoscopy at 3 years. The primary endpoint was a reduction in the number of recurrent adenomas at 3 years. RESULTS Of 137 subjects, who were eligible after confirmation of polyp histology and run-in period to conform compliance, 94 completed the study; 49 in folic acid group and 45 in placebo group. Recurrence of adenomas at 3-year was compared between the two groups. The mean number of recurrent polyps at 3-year was 0.36 (SD, 0.69) for folic acid treated patients compared to 0.82 (SD, 1.17) for placebo treated subjects, resulting in a 3-fold increase in polyp recurrence in the placebo group. Patients below 70 years of age and those with left-sided colonic adenomas or advanced adenomas responded better to folic acid supplementation. CONCLUSION High dose folic acid supplementation is associated with a significant reduction in the recurrence of colonic adenomas suggesting that folic acid may be an effective chemopreventive agent for colorectal neoplasia.
MYCN-regulated microRNAs repress estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) expression and neuronal differentiation in human neuroblastoma

MYCN, a proto-oncogene normally expressed in the migrating neural crest, is in its amplified state a key factor in the genesis of human neuroblastoma (NB). However, the mechanisms underlying MYCN-mediated NB progression are poorly understood. Here, we present a MYCN-induced miRNA signature in human NB involving the activation and transrepression of several miRNA genes from paralogous clusters. Several family members derived from the miR-17∼92 cluster, including miR-18a and miR-19a, were among the up-regulated miRNAs. Expression analysis of these miRNAs in NB tumors confirmed increased levels in MYCN-amplified samples. Specifically, we show that miR-18a and miR-19a target and repress the expression of estrogen receptor-α (ESR1), a ligand-inducible transcription factor implicated in neuronal differentiation. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated ESR1 expression in human fetal sympathetic ganglia, suggesting a role for ESR1 during sympathetic nervous system development. Concordantly, lentiviral restoration of ESR1 in NB cells resulted in growth arrest and neuronal differentiation. Moreover, lentiviral-mediated inhibition of miR-18a in NB cells led to severe growth retardation, outgrowth of varicosity-containing neurites, and induction of neuronal sympathetic differentiation markers. Bioinformatic analyses of microarray data from NB tumors revealed that high ESR1 expression correlates with increased event-free survival in NB patients and favorable disease outcome. Thus, MYCN amplification may disrupt estrogen signaling sensitivity in primitive sympathetic cells through deregulation of ESR1, thereby preventing the normal induction of neuroblast differentiation. Collectively, our findings demonstrate the molecular consequences of abnormal miRNA transcription in a MYCN-driven tumor and offer unique insights into the pathology underlying MYCN-amplified NB.
Impact of First Dialysis Modality on Outcome of Patients Contraindicated for Kidney Transplant

Background We compared, in patients contraindicated for kidney transplant, outcomes between those patients who were only on hemodialysis (HD) and those who were given peritoneal dialysis (PD) as first renal replacement therapy (RRT). Design Prospective, population-based cohort study of incident cases of end-stage renal disease between June 1997 and June 1999. Setting A network of dialysis care: NEPHROLOR, that is, all the renal units in Lorraine, one of the 22 French administrative regions (population over 2.3 million people). Participants 387 patients were contraindicated for kidney transplant during the first 2 years of RRT: 284 were on HD, 103 on PD. Mean age was 67.6 ± 11.3 years for HD patients and 70.8 ± 11.4 years for PD patients (p = 0.015). Main Outcome Measures Mortality until June 2003, hospitalization over the 2 first years of RRT, and Kidney Disease and Quality of Life Short Form (KDQOL-SF) 6 and 12 months after initiation of RRT. Results HD patients were more likely to die from cardiac or cerebrovascular causes, PD from cachexia or withdrawal from dialysis. Whatever mode of RRT, the unadjusted 2-year and 5-year survival rates were similar (p = 0.98). The rate of total duration of hospital stay per month of RRT was similar in HD and PD groups: 2.7 ± 4.5 and 2.9 ± 4.2 days respectively (p = 0.7). PD was associated with better quality of life than HD. The dimensions Role limitation due to emotional function, Burden of kidney disease, and Role limitation due to physical function ranked first, second, and third for PD. Conclusion In Lorraine, end-stage renal disease patients who were given PD as first-line RRT had no excess of death risk or hospitalizations, and better quality of life the first year of RRT.
An Experimental Optical Three-axis Tactile Sensor for Micro-Robots

This paper describes a micro-optical three-axis tactile sensor capable of sensing not only normal force, but also shearing force. The normal force was detected from the integrated gray-scale values of bright pixels emitted from the contact area of conical feelers. The conical feelers were formed on a rubber sheet surface that maintains contact with an optical waveguide plate. The shearing force was detected from horizontal displacement of the conical feeler. In the experiments, a precise multi-axial loading machine was developed to measure sensing characteristics of the present sensor. Results show that the normal force was specified uniquely under combined force conditions and that the shearing force was specified by modifying the relationship between the shearing force and the horizontal displacement on the basis of normal force. We formulated a set of expressions to derive the normal force and the shearing force by taking into account this modification. Furthermore, calibration coefficients were identified for transforming the integration of gray-scale values into the normal force and for transforming the horizontal displacement into the shearing force. This result suggests that the expressions can estimate the normal force and the shearing force in wide-load regions.
Cost of Capital-The Effect to Firm Value and Profitability Performance in Malaysia

Firm's cost of capital is determined in the capital markets and is closely related to the degree of risk associated with new investments, existing assets, and the firm's capital structure. It is an overall return that a corporation must earn on its accessible assets and business operations in order to augment or preserve the value of its current stock. Thus a careful approximation of a firm's specific financing and weighted-average cost of capital (WACC) is essential for a good financial management. Thus study highlights the effect of cost of capital towards firms’ value and profitability for a sample of 415 listed companies in main market Bursa Malaysia for 6 years basis from 2005 to 2010. The result of the study shows significant relationships exist between cost of capital with firm value and profitability.
Timing of first cannulation of arteriovenous fistula: are we waiting too long?

Timing of first cannulation of an arteriovenous (AV) fistula remains a controversial subject, but has been the subject of a few investigations reported in the literature recently [1–4]. The current K/DOQI practice guidelines pertaining to this topic [5] are based on opinion and need to be re-evaluated in the light of these recently published studies. These guidelines state that one should wait for 1 month, but preferably 2–3 months, before initial cannulation of an AV fistula. However, this long a wait is feasible only when there is no impending need for commencement of dialysis, which is quite often not the case. Furthermore, if it is observed that earlier cannulation practice is associated with good vascular access outcomes in some facilities, then it behoves the rest of the community to examine factors whereby earlier cannulation can be accomplished reliably and safely.
Habituation in Stentor: produced by mechanoreceptor channel modification

Habituation in Stentor was shown in the previous paper (Wood, 1988) to result from a progressive diminution in mechanoreceptor potential amplitude during the course of repetitive mechanical stimulation. The source of this diminution was analyzed in the present studies by eliciting mechanoreceptor currents from control and habituated cells under voltage clamp control. The I-V plots obtained have a voltage- dependent region between -60 and -20 mV, and a linear voltage- independent region between -20 and 20 mV, with a reversal potential near 20 mV. The slope of the linear region did not change as a result of habituation indicating that the maximum mechanoreceptor current, and hence the total number of mechanoreceptor channels, was the same in control and habituated cells. The mechanoreceptor current reversal potential was changed by only a few millivolts, from 21.6 to 17.2 mV, leaving the driving force term for the mechanoreceptor current at resting potential relatively unchanged. On the other hand, the voltage- dependent region of the I-V plot became significantly steeper after habituation (9.6 mV/e-fold change) compared to its value before habituation (12.3 mV/e-fold change). This shift in voltage dependence is sufficient to explain the diminution in receptor potential amplitude seen during normal recordings at resting potential. The importance of the voltage-dependent characteristic of the mechanoreceptor channels to the habituation process was corroborated by the observation that the amplitude of receptor potentials elicited from cells depolarized by current pulses habituated to only a very limited degree while receptor potentials elicited at resting potential underwent marked habituation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Activation of connexin-43 hemichannels can elevate [Ca(2+)]i and [Na(+)]i in rabbit ventricular myocytes during metabolic inhibition.

ATP depletion due to ischemia or metabolic inhibition (MI) causes Na(+) and Ca(2+) accumulation in myocytes, which may be in part due to opening of connexin-43 hemichannels. Halothane (H) has been shown to reduce conductance of connexin-43 hemichannels and to protect the heart against ischemic injury. We therefore investigated the effect of halothane on [Ca(2+)]i and [Na(+)]i in myocytes during MI. Isolated rabbit left ventricular myocytes were loaded with 4 microM fluo-3 AM for 30 min, or with 5 microM sodium green AM for 60 min at 37 degrees C. After washing, the myocytes were exposed to: (1) Normal HEPES solution; (2) MI solution (2 mM NaCN, 20 mM 2-deoxy-D-glucose and 0-glucose); or (3) MI+H (0.95 mM, 4.7 mM) for 60 min. Propidium iodide (PI, 25 microM) was added to all samples before data acquisition. The fluorescence intensity was measured by flow cytometry with 488 nm excitation and 530 nm emission for fluo-3 or sodium green, and 670 nm for PI. The [Ca(2+)]i and [Na(+)]i were then calculated by calibration. In some experiments, the effect of 10 microM tetrodotoxin (TTX) and 20 microM nifedipine (NIF) were studied. Metabolic inhibition for 60 min caused a significant increase in [Ca(2+)]i and [Na(+)]i in myocytes when compared to controls, which was significantly reduced by halothane in a dose-dependent fashion. In the presence of TTX and NIF, halothane also significantly reduced the rise in the [Ca(2+)]i and [Na(+)]i in myocytes subjected to MI. 1-heptanol, another gap junction blocker, had similar effects. Thus, halothane reduced [Ca(2+)]i and [Na(+)]i overload produced by MI in myocytes. This effect is not solely due to block of voltage-gated Na(+) and Ca(2+) channels, and is likely mediated by inhibiting the opening of connexin-43 hemichannels.
Anti-MRSA activity , Mode of Action and Cytotoxicity of 2 , 4-Di-tert-butylphenol Produced by Streptomyces sp . KB 1

Rapid emergence of vancomycin resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has made the search of a novel bioactive compound a necessity. This study aimed to determine the anti-MRSA activity of 2, 4-Di-tert-butylphenol which produced by Streptomyces sp. KB1, analyze the mode of action, including cytotoxicity against mature brine shrimp. Totally 10 clinical isolates of MRSA were used for the anti-MRSA activity testing by broth microdilution method. The mode of action and cytotoxicity of 2, 4-Ditert-butylphenol was performed by observing the tested MRSA cells with a scanning electron microscope and evaluated by the brine shrimp lethality bioassay respectively. The results indicated that 2, 4-Di-tert-butylphenol has the potent anti-MRSA activity, and the mode of action at the cell wall and also show the moderate cytotoxic activity. Its MIC, MBC and LC50 values were 31.25, 31.25 and 64.85 μg/ml respectively. The obtained data also demonstrated that this compound show bactericidal anti-MRSA activity at the concentration level lower than LC50 (P-value < 0.05). This study concluded that 2, 4-Di-tert-butylphenol, produced by Streptomyces sp. KB1, is the new anti-MRSA compound that can be used as a model for novel anti-MRSA drug development.
alcohol withdrawal Adjunctive therapy for schizophrenia Felbamate None None Gabapentin Postherpetic neuralgia Tremors associated with multiple sclerosis Neuropathic pain Bipolar disorder Migraine prophylaxis Lamotrigine Bipolar disorder None Levetiracetam None None Oxcarbazepine None None Primidone 

A first step in addressing a patient with a seizure disorder is to confirm the diagnosis with the patient. Some antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are best used specifically for some types of epilepsy or are indicated for other conditions besides epilepsy, and others are frequently used off-label for other types of epilepsy or other conditions. The individual/parent may be confused about which disorder they have. Drug-drug interactions can be a common concern in those with epilepsy because the disease is often comorbid with other disorders, which also require medication. Also, epilepsy is common in the elderly who, studies have documented, very often take numerous medications for other ailments. Virtually all of the currently available AEDs, but especially the older AEDs, affect the hepatic cytochrome P 450 enzyme system, as either inducers or inhibitors. Some of the AEDs are also extensively bound to plasma proteins. The ideal pharmacologic strategy for epilepsy is to “start low and go slow. ” However, achieving seizure control is an acute priority. Some AEDs can be started at their full therapeutic dose; some require strict adherence to the dosing schedule described in the prescribing information; and some require strict adherence to the titration schedule only when coadministered with another enzyme-inducing AED. For some AEDs, the adverse effects at therapeutic doses may require either slower titration (beyond that recommended) or lower doses with the addition of adjunctive medication. Women of childbearing potential have additional concerns with AED use—the risk of decreased fertility, decreased efficacy of oral contraceptives, and increased risk of major congenital malformations with pregnancy. The North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry and the International Lamotrigine Pregnancy Registry both show significantly higher rates of malformation with valproate. This article reviews the major drug-drug interactions with AEDs and suggests several techniques to improve compliance. (Adv Stud Pharm. 2005;2(2):45-52)
Modelling of an AUV with Voith-Schneider vector thruster

First principles physics models are generally used in system identification of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). These models, through different parameters, capture the effects of hydrodynamics, inertial weight and other important characteristics. Due to the large number of parameters, which can number to hundreds, it is difficult to estimate such models. Moreover, AUV capabilities like thrust vectoring increases the non-linearity of the model. We suggest solving the problem of modelling AUVs with the help of a rectifier activated multilayer perceptron, making use of their motion data and control inputs. We also provide details on the optimisation of our model and compare its performance with that of a standard system identification technique. Although the rectifier neural network's performance was tested for a typical streamlined AUV with a Voith-Schneider thruster, the model presented here is general and can be easily extended to other systems.