Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Atorvastatin correlates with decreased risk of esophageal cancer: a population-based case–control study from Taiwan

Objectives : The aim of this study was to explore the association between the use of statins and esophageal cancer in Taiwan. Methods : We designed a case–control study using database from the Taiwan National Health Insurance program. In all, 549 patients (cases) aged 20 years or older diagnosed recently with esophageal cancer, from 2000 to 2009, and 2,196 subjects (controls) without esophageal cancer participated in this study. The association between esophageal cancer and the use of statins and other co-morbidities was measured. Results : After adjustment for covariates, multivariate logistic regression showed that patients with a cumulative duration of ≥ 12 months of using atorvastatin might have a reduced risk of esophageal cancer, compared with those who did not use statins (odds ratio [OR] 0.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.04–0.56). The other statins could not show a significant association with esophageal cancer. Age (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00–1.01), alcoholism (OR 3.83, 95% CI 3.01–4.89), and esophageal diseases (OR 4.60, 95% CI 3.46–6.12) were independent factors significantly associated with esophageal cancer. Conclusions : Use of atorvastatin ≥ 12 months may correlate with an 86% reduction of esophageal cancer risk.
Glaucoma and increased central corneal thickness in aphakic and pseudophakic patients after congenital cataract surgery

Aim: To compare the mean central corneal thickness (CCT) among aphakic and pseudophakic patients following congenital cataract surgery with age matched controls. Methods: This study included 43 eyes of 43 aphakic and pseudophakic patients following congenital cataract surgery. 44 healthy, age and sex matched volunteers were recruited for comparison with the patients. After a complete eye examination, corneal thickness and intraocular pressure were measured. Results: In the study group, 33 eyes were aphakic, and the remaining 10 eyes were pseudophakic. The median CCT was 556.0 μm (range 490–640 μm) in the control group and 626 μm (range 523–870 μm) in the study group (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in CCT between aphakic and pseudophakic eyes in which an intraocular lens (IOL) had been implanted at the time of congenital cataract surgery (p = 0.011). The same difference was not observed between aphakic and pseudophakic eyes in which an IOL had been implanted secondarily (p = 0.835). The median age of the patients at the time of lensectomy was 24 months (range 1 week to 120 months). There was a negative correlation between the age at lensectomy and CCT (r = −0.485, p = 0.001). Conclusion: Aphakic and pseudophakic patients have significantly thicker corneas than age matched controls. This difference can have an important effect on interpreting intraocular pressures in these patients. It is also important to assess the effects of early surgery for congenital cataracts, as well as those of primary and secondary IOL implantation, on CCT.
Radiation response modification following molecular inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has emerged as a central molecular target for modulation in cancer therapeutics. The correlation between overexpression of EGFR and clinically aggressive malignant disease renders EGFR a promising therapy target for many epithelial tumors, which represent approximately two thirds of all human cancers. Although the initial impetus for examining EGFR signal interruption as an anticancer strategy involved proliferative growth inhibition, more recent studies now confirm the capacity of EGFR down-regulation to modify apoptosis, invasion capacity, angiogenesis, DNA damage repair, and cellular response to radiation and selected chemotherapy agents. The favorable interaction profile for EGFR blocking agents combined with radiation and/or chemotherapy has stimulated clinical trials in diverse anatomic sites including head and neck, colorectal, pancreas, and lung. Among the most well studied and promising current agents for EGFR signal modulation are C225 and ZD1839. C225 is a chimeric monoclonal antibody to the EGFR (extracellular domain), whereas ZD1839 is a selective inhibitor of the EGFR-tyrosine kinase (cytoplasmic domain). The spectrum of cellular and biological effects that follow molecular blockade of the EGFR is enlarging and reflect the central role of this receptor in regulating epithelial cell behavior. Molecular inhibition of EGFR signaling in combination with radiation represents a highly promising investigational arena. A preview of current translational research efforts and early clinical trials focused primarily on radiation interaction is provided herein.
The Effects of Tangible Rewards versus Cash Rewards in Consecutive Sales Tournaments: A Field Experiment

ABSTRACT: We investigate the effects of tangible versus cash rewards in a repeated tournament setting. Firms frequently use tangible rewards to motivate employees, but minimal research has examined their effects relative to cash rewards. We conducted a field experiment at a rug wholesaler that held two consecutive sales tournaments for its retailers. The top three retailers in each tournament received either cash rewards or tangible rewards (gift cards) to be distributed to sales staff. We do not find significant effects of reward type in the first tournament. However, in the second tournament, retailers eligible for tangible rewards significantly outperformed those eligible for cash rewards, and this effect is driven by Tournament One losers. Our results are consistent with the theory that Tournament One losers competing for tangible rewards increased sales effort in the second tournament significantly more than their counterparts competing for cash rewards. Our results have practical and theoretical imp.
Long-term changes in handgrip strength in men and women--accounting the effect of right censoring due to death.

BACKGROUND Age-related decline in muscle strength is among of the most important factors in the aging process leading to disability. This study examines age-related changes in handgrip strength through a 22-year follow-up in men and women. Because handgrip strength is associated with mortality, this study also accounts for the selection effect of right censoring by comparing the estimates of handgrip strength decline based either on only the handgrip strength data or on the data of both the handgrip strength and survival times. METHODS Data are from 1,890 men and women aged 30 years or more at baseline participating in the population-based Mini-Finland Health Examination Survey (1978-1980) with repeated handgrip strength measurement in 2000-2001. RESULTS In men aged 31-41 years, the annual decrease in handgrip strength was approximately 3.5 Newtons (N). After that, the decrease accelerated and stabilized around the age of 75 years, being approximately 7.3 N per year. In women, respectively, prior to 45 years, the annual decrease was approximately 2 N and after age 80 years approximately 4 N per year. The estimates for the handgrip strength decline were more pronounced when the right censoring due to death was accounted for, especially for persons aged 65 years and older. CONCLUSIONS Our work confirms that the right censoring, which depends on the outcome of interest, should be accounted for in analyses.
Comparison of Open and Endovascular Repair of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms from the ACS-NSQIP 2005–07

Purpose: To compare endovascular (EVAR) and open surgical repair (OSR) for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms (RAAA) in terms of preoperative hemodynamic status and comorbidities. Methods: The 2005 to 2007 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database was interrogated to find all patients undergoing repair for RAAA. Of the 567 RAAA repairs identified, 121 (21%) were endovascular and 446 (79%) were open. Demographics, comorbidities, and preoperative hemodynamic status were compared by repair method. Results: Age, sex, and race were similar between repair cohorts. EVAR patients had greater incidences of recent myocardial infarction (7% versus 2%, p<0.05), revascularization or amputation for peripheral vascular disease (8% versus 3%, p<0.05), and cerebrovascular disease (22% versus 11%, p<0.01). Preoperative hemodynamic status was similar based on need for >4 units of blood (3% versus 6%, p=0.31), intubation (12% versus 17%, p=0.18), impaired sensorium (7% versus 11%, p=0.25), coma (4% versus 5%, p=0.65), acute renal failure (2% versus 2%, p=0.60), and ASA class 5 (29% versus 34%, p=0.29). Open repair was associated with greater operative time (3.3 versus 2.6 hours, p<0.01) and intraoperative blood transfusions (8 versus 2 units, p<0.001). Overall mortality was 33.5% (EVAR 24% versus OSR 36%; OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.8, p<0.05). After adjusting for preoperative comorbidities and all preoperative hemodynamic variables, mortality after open repair was greater than after EVAR (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.2, p<0.05). Overall postoperative complications were greater after open repair (62% versus 47%, p<0.01). Graft failure requiring reintervention was higher after EVAR (4% versus 1%, p<0.05), while rates of return to the operating room for a major operation were similar (21% versus 24%, p=0.43). Conclusion: For RAAA within NSQIP hospitals in recent years, preoperative hemodynamic status was similar between EVAR and OSR, but EVAR patients had greater comorbidities. Despite this and after accounting for minor differences in hemodynamic status, EVAR mortality was lower than OSR mortality. Institutions with adequate experience and resources should attempt endovascular repair for RAAA when anatomy allows.
Mechanisms of obesity in Prader–Willi syndrome

Obesity is the most common cause of metabolic complications and poor quality of life in Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS). Hyperphagia and obesity develop after an initial phase of poor feeding and failure to thrive. Several mechanisms for the aetiology of obesity in PWS are proposed, which include disruption in hypothalamic pathways of satiety control resulting in hyperphagia, aberration in hormones regulating food intake, reduced energy expenditure because of hypotonia and altered behaviour with features of autism spectrum disorder. Profound muscular hypotonia prevents PWS patients from becoming physically active, causing reduced muscle movements and hence reduced energy expenditure. In a quest for the aetiology of obesity, recent evidence has focused on several appetite‐regulating hormones, growth hormone, thyroid hormones and plasma adipocytokines. However, despite advancement in understanding of the genetic basis of PWS, there are contradictory data on the role of satiety hormones in hyperphagia and data regarding dietary intake are limited. Mechanistic studies on the aetiology of obesity and its relationship with disease pathogenesis in PWS are required. In this review, we focused on the available evidence regarding mechanisms of obesity and potential new areas that could be explored to help unravel obesity pathogenesis in PWS.
Podocyte Injury Induced by Albumin Overload in vivo and in vitro: Involvement of TGF-Beta and p38 MAPK

Background: Proteinuria is a well-established exacerbating factor in chronic kidney disease. Although the mechanisms of albumin-induced tubulointerstitial damage have been extensively studied, the influence of proteinuria on podocytes has not been sufficiently elucidated. The present study examined the effect of albumin overload on podocytes in vivo and in vitro and explored the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Rat podocytes were exposed to albumin overload in vivo by the intraperitoneal injection of albumin over 2 days whilst cultured podocytes were subjected to albumin in vitro. We analyzed albumin uptake, podocyte apoptosis, staining for F-actin and nephrin and involvement of TGF-β1 and p38 MAPK cascades. Results: Rats administered albumin exhibited massive proteinuria and podocyte injury manifested by decreased nephrin immunostaining and foot process effacement. These abnormalities were accompanied by albumin deposition, TGF-β1 upregulation, p38 MAPK phosphorylation and an increased number of glomerular TUNEL-positive cells. Exposure of cultured podocytes to albumin caused actin disarrangement and apoptosis. Podocyte injury was preceded by albumin uptake, induction of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated p38 MAPK. Treatment of podocytes with anti-TGF-β1 neutralizing antibody or SB203580 significantly reduced the albumin-induced injury. Conclusions: These results indicate that albumin overload in vivo and in vitro promotes podocyte injury mainly via TGF-β1/p38 MAPK pathways.
Some Problems on the Sectoral Structure, GDP Growth and Sustainability of Vietnam

The Vietnam development has been enjoying a great deal of rapid economic growth in the last decades, which thank to the opening of market-oriented economy system. However, the economic growth is slowly recent years and the increase of environmental issues. The reason for this situation is that misallocation of resource, the sectoral development policies as well as the development orientation of the government. In order to find the solution, this research applies the input output model to analysis the sectoral structure and economic growth as well as the sustainability of economic growth and the effect of economics on the environment. Then, this research recommends the better sectoral structure for Vietnam in order to allocate resources efficiently and forward to the sustainable development. The purpose of this study was to point out the instability of Vietnam, not only for the environment but also for the whole economy. Research shows that VN is not only the face of environmental pollution, but also uncertainty about macroeconomic. It also pointed out the need to change the economic structure for economic development that the environment in a sustainable way. This research based on Leontief and Ghosh systems
Sensitivity to Inflectional Morphology in a Non-native Language: Evidence From ERPs

The extent to which non-native speakers are sensitive to morphological structure during language processing remains a matter of debate. The present study used a masked-priming lexical decision task with simultaneous electroencephalographic (EEG) recording to investigate whether native and non-native speakers of French yield behavioral and brain-level responses to inflected verbs. The results from reaction time and EEG analyses indicate that both native and non-native French speakers were indeed sensitive to morphological structure, and this sensitivity cannot be explained simply by the presence of orthographic or semantic overlap between prime and target. Moreover, sensitivity to morphological structure in non-native speakers was not influenced by proficiency (as reflected by the N400); lower-level learners show similar sensitivity at the word level as very advanced learners. These results demonstrate that native-like processing of inflectional morphology is possible in adult learners, even at lower levels of proficiency, which runs counter to proposals suggesting that native-like processing of inflection is beyond the capacity of non-native speakers.
Investigation of clinicopathological parameters alongside with p53 expression in primary and recurrent keratocysticodontogenic tumours.

BACKGROUND Keratocysticodontogenic tumor (KCOT) is one of the most common odontogenic cysts and has a high recurrence rate after various treatment methods. Some studies have been conducted to identify the predictive factors of recurrence. In this study, the clinicopathological and immunohistochemical features of primary and recurrent KCOTs are analyzed, including immunohistochemically expression of p53 protein in cyst-lining epithelial cells in order to find more markers to predict the specific behaviour and greater tendency for recurrence. METHODS In this descriptive analytic study, a total of 78 archived specimens of KCOTs, including 52 primary KCOT with no registered recurrences to date and 26 recurrent KCOT were selected. The clinical data and histopathological features of the epithelial lining and connective tissue wall were analyzed. Immuonohistochemical staining intensity distribution (SID) score for p53-positive cells were calculated for both groups. Results were analyzed by T-test, Chi-square, and Fisher's exact test. RESULTS There were no statistically significant differences between primary and recurrent cases in terms of age (P = 0.181), gender (P = 0.744), and anatomical location (P = 0.294). In the histopathological assessment, epithelial budding (P = 0.001), daughter cysts (P = 0.013), and odontogenic rests (P = 0.036) were significantly more common in recurrent KCOTs. Immunohistochemical staining for p53 show statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.041). CONCLUSION In this study, some predictive factors of recurrence of KCOTs such as epithelial budding, daughter cyst and odontogenic rests were found. Furthermore, the evaluation of p53 expression in KCOT at the time of diagnosis was helpful for the prediction of recurrence.
Majorization bounds for Ritz values of Rayleigh quotients of self-adjoint matrices

In this work we obtain a priori, a posteriori and mixed type upper bounds for the absolute change in Ritz values of Rayleigh quotients of self-adjoint matrices in terms of submajorization relations. Some of our results solve recent conjectures by Knyazev, Argentati and Zhu, that extend several known results for one dimensional subspaces to arbitrary subspaces. In particular, we revisit Nakatsukasa's version of the $\tan \Theta$ theorem of Davies and Kahan and obtain an improved version of this result. As a consequence, we obtain improved quadratic a posteriori bounds for the absolute change in Ritz values of Rayleigh quotients.
Hepatitis C Virus NS2 Protein Contributes to Virus Particle Assembly via Opposing Epistatic Interactions with the E1-E2 Glycoprotein and NS3-NS4A Enzyme Complexes

ABSTRACT The hepatitis C virus NS2 protein has been recently implicated in virus particle assembly. To further understand the role of NS2 in this process, we conducted a reverse genetic analysis of NS2 in the context of a chimeric genotype 2a infectious cell culture system. Of 32 mutants tested, all were capable of RNA replication and 25 had moderate-to-severe defects in virus assembly. Through forward genetic selection for variants capable of virus spread, we identified second-site mutations in E1, E2, NS2, NS3, and NS4A that suppressed NS2 defects in assembly. Two suppressor mutations, E1 A78T and NS3 Q221L, were further characterized by additional genetic and biochemical experiments. Both mutations were shown to suppress other NS2 defects, often with mutual exclusivity. Thus, several NS2 mutants were enhanced by NS3 Q221L and inhibited by E1 A78T, while others were enhanced by E1 A78T and inhibited by NS3 Q221L. Furthermore, we show that the NS3 Q221L mutation lowers the affinity of native, full-length NS3-NS4A for functional RNA binding. These data reveal a complex network of interactions involving NS2 and other viral structural and nonstructural proteins during virus assembly.
Mechanical Receptor–Related Mechanisms in Scar Management: A Review and Hypothesis

Background: The physiopathogenesis of proliferative scarring in human skin is not well understood. Furthermore, knowledge of the precise mechanisms of action for physical treatment modalities is limited. Compression garments, occlusive/adhesive skin taping, and silicone gel sheets are applied to form an occlusion on the scar surface, reduce tension, and/or increase pressure on the scar itself. The mechanisms by which the external or superficial actions of these treatments cause remission of a protruding scar may be related to mechanoreceptor (nociceptor and cellular mechanoreceptor) responses. Methods: Basic research studies about mechanoreceptor-related (nociceptors and cellular mechanoreceptors, separately) events are reviewed and discussed based on proliferative scarring background. Scar management–related studies were corrected from the standpoint of mechanotransduction mechanisms. The methodologic quality of the clinical trials and basic studies was evaluated and reviewed. Results: It was suggested that many of the physical scar management methods, including compression therapy, silicone therapy, adhesive tape, and occlusive dressing therapy, are related to mechanotransduction mechanisms. Conclusions: A unifying perspective of basic research findings and clinical observations may be obtained by considering the mechanoreceptor-related events in scar management. Moreover, a precise understanding of the roles that cellular mechanoreceptors and mechanosensitive nociceptors play in proliferative scarring may lead to the development of innovative treatment strategies and new pharmacologic therapies targeting cellular mechanoreceptors and mechanosensitive nociceptors in fibroproliferative diseases.
Non-Parametric Priors For Generative Adversarial Networks

The advent of generative adversarial networks (GAN) has enabled new capabilities in synthesis, interpolation, and data augmentation heretofore considered very challenging. However, one of the common assumptions in most GAN architectures is the assumption of simple parametric latent-space distributions. While easy to implement, a simple latent-space distribution can be problematic for uses such as interpolation. This is due to distributional mismatches when samples are interpolated in the latent space. We present a straightforward formalization of this problem; using basic results from probability theory and off-the-shelf-optimization tools, we develop ways to arrive at appropriate non-parametric priors. The obtained prior exhibits unusual qualitative properties in terms of its shape, and quantitative benefits in terms of lower divergence with its mid-point distribution. We demonstrate that our designed prior helps improve image generation along any Euclidean straight line during interpolation, both qualitatively and quantitatively, without any additional training or architectural modifications. The proposed formulation is quite flexible, paving the way to impose newer constraints on the latent-space statistics.
Non-Abelian vector boson as FIMP dark matter

In this analysis we demonstrate the freeze-in realization of a non-abelian vector boson dark matter (DM). We choose to elaborate an existing SU(2)N extension (N stands for neutral) of the Standard Model (SM) with an additional U(1)=S′ global symmetry, which stabilizes the vector boson (X,X̄) as DM through unbroken S=T3N+S′ as the lightest odd S particle. Apart from showing the right order of the SU(2)N coupling (∼ 10−12–10−13) required for the correct relic of DM via freeze in, the analysis reveals that the contribution to the freeze-in production of DM from the decay of a heavier scalar bi-doublet ζ10,± → ζ20,±X is equally important even after the decoupling of ζ10,± from the thermal bath. This treatment of computing the relic abundance in context with freeze-in is practically model-independent and can be applied to all the scenarios where the DM is produced from the decay of a massive particle which was once in equilibrium with the thermal bath. This bi-doublet earlier was in equilibrium with the visible sector due to SM SU(2)L coupling. Moreover, the neutral component of SU(2)N scalar triplet (Δ), responsible for neutrino mass generation in this framework, turns out to serve as additional DMs in the model and offers a multipartite freeze-in DM set up to explore. The allowed parameter space is obtained after estimating constraints from CMB, BBN and AMS-02 bound. This exercise nicely complements the freeze-out realization of (X,X̄) as weakly interacting massive particle (WIMP) and distinguishes it through stable charge track signature at collider compared to leptonic signal excess as in WIMP scenario.