Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Aromatase and cyclooxygenase-2 expression in endometrial polyps during the menstrual cycle

Objectives. To study the changes in aromatase, Ki-67 and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression during the menstrual cycle in both endometrial polyps and normal endometria. Patients and methods. Paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 118 premenopausal patients were submitted to immunohistochemistry for measurement of aromatase, COX-2 and Ki-67 expression. Fifty cases of endometrial polyps and 68 cases of disease-free endometrium were included. Results. The presence of aromatase expression was significantly higher in endometrial polyps than in disease-free endometria. On the other hand, changes in COX-2 and Ki-67 expression followed a similar pattern during the menstrual cycle in both groups, expression peaking during the proliferative phase and falling during the late luteal phase. Conclusion. A significantly higher proportion of endometrial polyps express aromatase compared with disease-free endometrium; however, no correlation was found between aromatase expression and changes in either Ki-67 or COX-2 expression during the menstrual cycle.
How Manipulatives Affect the Mathematics Achievement of Students in Nigerian Schools

Mathematics is a very important subject in Nigeria. Yet, for more than twenty years, mathematics education in Nigeria has been in a sorry state. Mathematics achievement has been very low and frustrating. So far, every effort made to save Nigerian education from the devastating effect of persistent poor mathematics achievement has failed. An experiment to address the problem of poor achievement in mathematics in Nigerian high schools was carried out in Edo State of Nigeria. Eighteen simple improvised geometric manipulatives were made from ordinary cardboard paper. The manipulatives were used in teaching students in experimental group. There was a control group of students which did not study with manipulatives. Scores were collected from mathematics test taken by students in both experimental and control groups. Statistical analysis showed that students in the experimental group (who were taught with manipulatives) were clearly better than students in the control group who were not instructed with manipulatives.
Changes in Lipids and Lipoprotein Particle Concentrations After Interruption of Antiretroviral Therapy

Background:The effect of interruption of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on lipoprotein particle subclasses has not been studied. We examined short-term changes in lipids and lipoprotein particles among 332 HIV-infected individuals randomized to interrupt or continue ART in the “Strategies for Management of Antiretroviral Therapy” trial. Methods:Lipids and lipoprotein particles measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were compared between randomized groups at month 1; associations with inflammatory and coagulation markers (high sensitivity C-reactive protein; interleukin 6; amyloid A; amyloid P; D-dimer; prothrombin fragment 1 + 2) were assessed. Results:Compared with continuation of ART, treatment interruption resulted in substantial declines in total, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglyceride, at month 1 but had little net effect on total/HDL cholesterol ratio [baseline-adjusted mean difference [95% confidence interval (CI)] interruption versus continuation arms: −0.10 (−0.59 to 0.38); P = 0.67]. ART interruption resulted in declines in total, large, and medium very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle concentrations (VLDL-p) and total and medium HDL-p. However, there was no change in small HDL-p [baseline-adjusted percentage difference between arms: −4.6% (−13.1%, +5.1% ); P = 0.35], small LDL-p [−5.0% (−16.9%, +8.6%); P = 0.45], or other LDL-p subclasses. Changes in lipid parameters on ART interruption did not differ according to baseline ART class (protease inhibitor versus nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor) but were negatively associated both with changes in HIV viral load and with changes in inflammatory and coagulation markers, particularly D-dimer. Conclusions:These results suggest that ART interruption does not favorably influence overall lipid profile: there was little net effect on total/HDL cholesterol ratio, and no change in small LDL-p or small HDL-p, the lipoprotein particle subclasses most consistently linked to coronary risk. Short-term declines in lipid parameters after ART interruption were not associated with class of ART and may be linked to increases in viral replication, inflammation and coagulation.
Erythropoiesis-stimulating agents: dose and mortality risk.

Hypo-responsiveness to erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) has been associated with increased mortality in end-stage renal disease patients. It is not clear if this effect is related to the elevated ESAs dosage for targeting hemoglobin levels or underlying morbid conditions that lead to ESA resistance. We retrospectively evaluated from 2008 to death or December 2011, 28 consecutive incident hemodialysis patients. We identified 2 cohort of patients based on their mean annual ESAs dosage. The correlation between data was evaluated with the Spearman's rho test. Kaplan-Meier curves were generated to assess survival in subjects with high and low ESAs mean dose. Median ESAs dosage, used as a cutoff point between patients at high and low ESAs dose, was at 11.000 IU/week for epoetin alfa and beta, 55 mcg/week for darbopoietin, and 220 mcg/month for cera. Mean hemoglobin (Hb) level was 10.58 ± 0.13 g/dL. Of 28 patients, during follow-up, 6 (21,4%) died of all causes. High-dose ESA therapy was associated with increased all-cause mortality (P = .047). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between ESAs dose and Hb levels (rho = -0.825; P < .001). Higher ESAs dose for the treatment of anemia in incident hemodialysis patients was associated with higher mortality risk. ESAs and Hb serum levels were inversely correlated with mortality. Together, these findings suggest that ESAs dosage and Hb level may play a role through an independent manner or an interactive effect that adversely affects mortality.
Spin-Peierls, valence-bond solid, and Néel ground states of low-dimensional quantum antiferromagnets.

On examine les limites des fortes valeurs de N des antiferromagnetiques quantiques a proches voisins SU(N) sur les reseaux bipartites pour α=1,2. Pour α=2, le modele presente une transition d'une phase de Neel vers une phase desordonnee. Les proprietes de la phase desordonnee au voisinage de la frontiere de la phase sont dependantes de la nature des evenements d'effet tunnel des «instantons». Calcul des phases de Berry «des instantons», echelles superieures a la longueur de correlation des spins, le systeme peut etre decrit par un plasma coulombien des «instantons» avec le «spin» n c des etats sur chaque site, avec une periodicite donnee par le nombre de coordinance Z du reseau [n c =25 pour SU(2)]. Pour n c ¬=0 (mode Z) la phase desordonnee possede une symetrie de reseau brisee avec l'ordre des Peierls de spin, tandis que pour n c =0 l'etat fondamental est un etat solide a liaison de valence sans brisure de symetrie
American Indians/Alaska Natives and Substance Abuse Treatment Outcomes: Positive Signs and Continuing Challenges

ABSTRACT Limited information is known with regard to substance abuse treatment outcomes among AI/ANs. Data retrieved from the Treatment System Impact (TSI) project and Methamphetamine Treatment Project (MTP) were used to compare treatment measures between a sample of AI/ANs and a matched comparison group. Our results revealed no significant differences between AI/ANs and the matched comparison group in treatment outcomes at 12-months post-treatment based on legal, employment, medical, and psychiatric measures. AI/ANs also received more family-related services (29.9% vs. 17.1%) and abuse-related services (21.3% vs. 7.6%). Addressing barriers to receiving substance abuse treatment and enhancing screening methods for AI/ANs are suggested.
Foreign Participation and Hiring Patterns after Privatization

Critics of globalization claim that foreign ownership of privatized firms is linked to negative post-privatization labor outcomes, such as more firing and less hiring. This paper uses new firm-level data for a cross section of countries to test this idea and provides evidence that foreign purchasers of state-owned enterprises tend to acquire firms that were already better restructured before privatization. Additionally, this paper does not find evidence that foreign participation in privatized firms is linked to negative labor outcomes.
Lipodermatosclerosis: a clinicopathologic study of 17 cases and differential diagnosis from erythema nodosum

Background: The clinical manifestations of lipodermatosclerosis (LDS) may mimic cellulitis and various panniculitides. Methods: To better characterize the histopathologic changes of LDS, we reviewed the clinicopathologic findings of 26 cases with a pathologic diagnosis consistent with LDS. A final diagnosis of LDS was made in 17 cases based on the clinicopathological correlation. As some cases manifested erythema nodosum (EN)‐like lesions, 14 specimens of EN were reviewed to identify features for differential diagnosis. Results: Microscopically, the acute LDS lesions were characterized by patchy hemorrhage, ischemic fat necrosis with lipophages or hyalinization in the fat lobules. As the disease progressed to the subacute and chronic stages, lipomembranous or membranocystic fat necrosis, septal fibrosis and background venous stasis in the dermis became more pronounced. In contrast, EN typically displayed minimal venous stasis and membranocystic fat necrosis. Conclusions: LDS may manifest as EN‐like lesions. Therefore LDS should be included in the differential diagnosis of EN. Clinicopathologic correlation is essential for diagnosis. Differentiating the acute LDS from the early EN is more difficult. A constellation of the findings of septal/lobular panniculitis, hemorrhage in the subcutaneous tissue, and lipophages and/or ischemic fat necrosis in the fat lobules favors the diagnosis of acute LDS.
Differential CD4+ T-Lymphocyte Apoptosis and Bystander T-Cell Activation in Rhesus Macaques and Sooty Mangabeys during Acute Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

ABSTRACT In contrast to pathogenic lentiviral infections, chronic simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection in its natural host is characterized by a lack of increased immune activation and apoptosis. To determine whether these differences are species specific and predicted by the early host response to SIV in primary infection, we longitudinally examined T-lymphocyte apoptosis, immune activation, and the SIV-specific cellular immune response in experimentally infected rhesus macaques (RM) and sooty mangabeys (SM) with controlled or uncontrolled SIV infection. SIVsmE041, a primary SIVsm isolate, reproduced set-point viremia levels of natural SIV infection in SM but was controlled in RM, while SIVmac239 replicated to high levels in RM. Following SIV infection, increased CD8+ T-lymphocyte apoptosis, temporally coinciding with onset of SIV-specific cellular immunity, and elevated plasma Th1 cytokine and gamma interferon-induced chemokine levels were common to both SM and RM. Different from SM, SIV-infected RM showed a significantly higher frequency of peripheral blood activated CD8+ T lymphocytes despite comparable magnitude of the SIV-specific gamma interferon enzyme-linked immunospot response. Furthermore, an increase in CD4+ and CD4−CD8− T-lymphocyte apoptosis and plasma tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand were observed only in RM and occurred in both controlled SIVsmE041 and uncontrolled SIVmac239 infection. These data suggest that the “excess” activated T lymphocytes in RM soon after SIV infection are predominantly of non-virus-specific bystander origin. Thus, species-specific differences in the early innate immune response appear to be an important factor contributing to differential immune activation in natural and nonnatural hosts of SIV infection.
Political Capture : The Case of U . S . Congressional Redistricting

We measure where and to what end parties take control of Congressional redistricting, which lets them redraw districts to favor their own candidates. We exploit the discontinuous change in a party’s control of redistricting triggered when its share of seats in the state legislature exceeds 50 percent. Parties capture redistricting in states where they have suffered recent losses, which are temporarily reversed by redistricting. Opposition candidates are 11 percentage points less likely to win House elections just after redistricting. Consistent with recent Supreme Court rulings, African Americans are more likely to be segregated into overwhelmingly black districts under Republican redistricting. (JEL Codes: D72,D73,J11) Preliminary and incomplete. Comments and suggestions welcome. ∗University of California, Santa Cruz; email at dajeong@ucsc.edu †University of California, Santa Cruz; Corresponding author: email at azshenoy@ucsc.edu. Phone: (831) 359-3389. Website: http://people.ucsc.edu/∼azshenoy. Postal Address: Rm. E2455, University of California, M/S Economics Department, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz CA, 95064. We are grateful to Gianluca Casapietra, Afroviti Demolli, Benjamin Ewing, Samantha Hamilton, Nicole Kinney, Lindsey Newman, Erica Pohler-Chapman, Abir Rashid, Kevin Troxell, Auralee Walmer, and Christina Wong for excellent research assistance on this paper. We thank George Bulman, Carlos Dobkin, Justin Marion, Jon Robinson, Alan Spearot, and seminar participants at U.C. Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University for helpful suggestions.
Characteristic perforin gene mutations of haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis patients in Japan

Summary. Perforin gene (PRF1) mutations appear to occur in about 30% of patients with haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). We tested perforin expression and gene mutations in 14 HLH patients and six patients with Epstein–Barr virus‐associated HLH (EBV‐HLH) in Japan. Five of the 14 HLH patients had perforin abnormalities. The presence of PRF1 genetic abnormality correlated well with the lack of perforin expression as determined by flow cytometry. Sequencing showed that four patients had a compound heterozygous mutation while the fifth patient had a homozygous mutation. Three of the mutations we detected were novel. In contrast, none of the six EBV‐HLH patients showed perforin abnormalities. Our data, combined with the PRF1 mutations in three previously reported Japanese patients, suggest that the 1090–1091delCT and 207delC mutations of the perforin gene are frequently present in Japanese HLH patients (62·5% and 37·5% respectively). Examination of the geographical origins of the ancestors in the perforin‐mutant HLH patients revealed that they mostly came from the Western part of Japan, suggesting that the present‐day cases may largely derive from a common ancestor.
LACK OF BLOOD PRESSURE SALT‐SENSITIVITY SUPPORTS A PREGLOMERULAR SITE OF ACTION OF NITRIC OXIDE IN TYPE I DIABETIC RATS

1 The relationship between sodium intake and blood pressure is affected differently by changes in angiotensin (Ang) II and preglomerular resistance, and this study measured that relationship to evaluate the link between nitric oxide and blood pressure early in diabetes. 2 Rats were chronically instrumented, placed on high‐sodium (HS = 12 mEq/d) or low‐sodium (LS = 0.07 mEq/d) intake diets and assigned to either vehicle‐ (V) or Nw‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester‐ (l‐NAME; L) treated groups. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was measured 18 h/day for a 6‐day control and 14‐day streptozotocin diabetic period in each animal. 3 The MAP of the control period averaged 95 ± 1 and 94 ± 1 mmHg in the LSV and HSV rats and 116 ± 2 and 124 ± 1 mmHg in the LSL and HSL rats, respectively (LSL vs HSL was significant at P < 0.05). Diabetes increased MAP only in the LSL and HSL rats to 141 ± 2 mmHg and 152 ± 2, respectively, similar to our previous reports, and those respective 25 and 28 mmHg increases were a parallel shift in the pressure natriuresis relationship. However, the apparent difference between the LSL and HSL groups when compared was a parallel of the control MAP difference. Plasma renin activity (PRA) in the control period averaged 1.5 ± 0.5 and 8.1 ± 1.8 ng AI/mL per h in the HSV and LSV rats, and 0.8 ± 0.2 and 2.8 ± 0.5 ng AI/mL per h in the HSL and LSL rats, respectively, and increased similarly by 4.6‐fold in the HSL and 4.8‐fold in the LSL rats during diabetes. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) increased in the vehicle but not the l‐NAME‐treated groups, consistent with our previous reports. 4 Thus, the hypertension caused by the onset of diabetes in l‐NAME‐treated rats was not salt‐sensitive. The normal modulation of PRA by salt intake and the failure of GFR to increase are consistent with our hypothesis that nitric oxide may protect against hypertension early in diabetes by preventing preglomerular vasoconstriction by AngII.
Impaired quality of life of adults with skin disease in primary care

Background Although 75% of skin problems are managed exclusively in primary care, most information on the impact of skin disease on quality of life is hospital based. Objectives To examine the ease of use of the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) in primary care and to measure the handicap levels found, analysed by skin disease, sex and age. Methods The handicap levels identified were compared with those published for patients with the same conditions attending hospital clinics. Some conditions that rarely present in secondary care were also studied. Results The overall mean ± SD DLQI score was 7·37 ± 5·71 (women 7·8 ± 5·8, n = 196; men 6·8 ± 5·6, n = 145). The scores for separate diseases were similar in ranking and only slightly lower than those in hospital‐based studies. The possibility of bias towards surveying an unrepresentative sample of patients is discussed. There was no correlation between age and DLQI score. Conclusions The DLQI proved easy to use in general practice. The impact of skin diseases on the quality of life of patients seen in primary care is comparable with that of patients seen in secondary care. This information could be used to inform the planning of services for these patients.
Effect of genistein on cardiovascular responses to angiotensin II in conscious unrestrained rats.

Soybeans contain genistein, a phytoestrogen that may have beneficial effects in coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, and breast cancer. In vitro studies demonstrated that genistein reduced vascular smooth muscle contractions to angiotensin II. We tested the hypothesis that genistein attenuates the overall cardiovascular responses to angiotensin II via nongenomic mechanisms in conscious rats. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) was recorded from conscious unrestrained Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 26) approximately 48 hours after surgery. Cumulative dose response curves to angiotensin II (10-200 ng/kg/min) were constructed before and after i.v. treatment with genistein given as a single bolus dose of 160 microg/kg or 1500 microg/kg, or as a loading dose of 160 microg/kg followed by an infusion at a rate of 20 microg/kg. Angiotensin II infusions were associated with graded increases in arterial pressure ranging between 0+/-1 and 35+/-4 mm Hg. These pressor responses were accompanied by significant dose-dependent decreases in heart rate. None of the genistein treatment regimens significantly affected the pressor responses to angiotensin II. Accordingly, we conclude that short-term i.v. treatment with genistein does not depress pressor responsiveness to angiotensin II.
Inactivated Simian Immunodeficiency Virus-Pulsed Autologous Fresh Blood Cells as an Immunotherapy Strategy

ABSTRACT Practical immunotherapies for human immunodeficiency virus infection are needed. We evaluated inactivated simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) pulsed onto fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells in 12 pigtail macaques with chronic SIVmac251 infection for T-cell immunogenicity in a randomized cross-over design study. The immunotherapy was safe and convincingly induced high levels of SIV-specific CD4+ T-cell responses (mean, 5.9% ± 1.3% of all CD4+ T cells) and to a lesser extent SIV-specific CD8+ T-cell responses (mean, 0.7% ± 0.4%). Responses were primarily directed toward Gag and less frequently toward Env but not Pol or regulatory/accessory SIV proteins. T-cell responses against Gag were generally broad and polyfunctional, with a mean of 2.7 CD4+ T-cell epitopes mapped per animal and more than half of the SIV Gag-specific CD4+ T cells expressing three or more effector molecules. The immunogenicity was comparable to that found in previous studies of peptide-pulsed blood cells. Despite the high-level immunogenicity, no reduction in viral load was observed in the chronically viremic macaques. This contrasts with our studies of immunization with peptide-pulsed blood cells during early SIV infection in macaques. Future studies of inactivated virus-pulsed blood cell immunotherapy during early infection of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy are warranted.
Spectroscopic diagnostics of laboratory air plasmas as a benchmark for spectral rotational (gas) temperature determination in TLEs

We have studied laboratory low pressure (0.1 mbar ≤ p ≤2 mbar) glow air discharges by optical emission spectroscopy to discuss several spectroscopic techniques that could be implemented by field spectrographs, depending on the available spectral resolution, to experimentally quantify the gas temperature associated to transient luminous events (TLEs) occurring at different altitudes including blue jets, giant blue jets, and sprites. Laboratory air plasmas have been analyzed from the near UV (300 nm) to the near IR (1060 nm) with high (up to 0.01 nm) and low (2 nm) spectral resolution commercial grating spectrographs and by an in‐house intensified CCD grating spectrograph that we have recently developed for TLE spectral diagnostic surveys with ≃0.45 nm spectral resolution. We discuss the results of lab tests and comment on the convenience of using one or another technique for rotational (gas) temperature determination depending on the altitude and available spectral resolution. Moreover, we compare available low resolution (3 nm ≤Δλ≤7 nm) N2 1PG field recorded sprite spectra at 53 km (≃1 mbar), and resulting vibrational distribution function, with 1 mbar laboratory glow discharge spectrum (Δλ=2 nm) and synthetic sprite spectra from models. We found that while the relative population of N2(B3Πg,v=2−7) in sprites and laboratory produced air glow plasmas are similar, the N2(B3Πg,v=1) vibrational level in sprites is more efficiently populated (in agreement with model predictions) than in laboratory air glow plasmas at similar pressures.
Matrix analysis

Linear algebra and matrix theory are fundamental tools in mathematical and physical science, as well as fertile fields for research. This new edition of the acclaimed text presents results of both classic and recent matrix analyses using canonical forms as a unifying theme, and demonstrates their importance in a variety of applications. The authors have thoroughly revised, updated, and expanded on the first edition. The book opens with an extended summary of useful concepts and facts and includes numerous new topics and features, such as: - New sections on the singular value and CS decompositions - New applications of the Jordan canonical form - A new section on the Weyr canonical form - Expanded treatments of inverse problems and of block matrices - A central role for the Von Neumann trace theorem - A new appendix with a modern list of canonical forms for a pair of Hermitian matrices and for a symmetric-skew symmetric pair - Expanded index with more than 3,500 entries for easy reference - More than 1,100 problems and exercises, many with hints, to reinforce understanding and develop auxiliary themes such as finite-dimensional quantum systems, the compound and adjugate matrices, and the Loewner ellipsoid - A new appendix provides a collection of problem-solving hints.