Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Urinary TIMP2⋅IGFBP7 for the prediction of platinum-induced acute renal injury

Introduction Platinum-based chemotherapy (PBC) is a potent antineoplastic treatment, but cisplatin nephrotoxicity is often the limiting factor. Identifying the patients who are at risk for developing platinum-induced renal injury is an important issue. We tested urinary TIMP2·IGFBP7, a new US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared test to assess the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI), in a cohort of patients with malignant neoplastic disease receiving PBC. Patients and methods A total of 58 patients with malignant neoplastic disease were enrolled in this study, of whom 32 patients had both urine samples and subsequent serum creatinine values available for detecting AKI within 72 hours. Urine samples were collected within 6 hours prior to PBC application and within 12 hours after the end of chemotherapy administration. We examined the predictive ability of TIMP2·IGFBP7 for the development of AKI as defined by KDIGO (Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes) criteria within 72 hours after the administration of chemotherapy. Operating characteristics were determined for the previously validated TIMP2·IGFBP7 cutoff of 0.3 (ng/mL)2/1000. Results Four (12.5%) patients developed AKI within 72 hours. Primary disease was lymphoma in 13 patients (40.6%) and solid tumors in 19 patients (59.4%). Eight patients (25.0%) received carboplatin and 24 (75.0%) cisplatin. TIMP2·IGFBP7 after PBC administration discriminated for the risk of AKI with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC; 95% confidence interval) of 0.92 (0.80–1.00). At the cutoff of 0.3 for TIMP2·IGFBP7, sensitivity was 50%, specificity was 87%, negative predictive value was 95% and positive predictive value was 25% for the prediction of AKI within 72 hours. Conclusion Urinary TIMP2·IGFBP7 measured in specimens gathered after PBC may be a useful tool to early identify patients who are at risk for developing platinum-induced AKI.
Quantitative analysis of retinal ganglion cell classifications.

The classification of cat retinal ganglion cells as X or Y on the basis of linearity or nonlinearity of spatial summation has been confirmed and extended. Recordings were taken from optic tract fibres of anaesthetized, paralysed cats. 2. When an alternating phase sine wave grating was used as a stimulus, X cells had null positions and Y cells responded at all positions of the grating. 3. These results did not depend on the temporal wave form or the temporal frequency of pattern alternation over a wide range. 4. At high spatial frequencies for the particular cell, a Y cell gave abig 'on‐off' response, or frequency doubling, at all positions of the grating, while an X cell did not. 5. The use of contrast sensitivity versus spatial phase also served to differentiate the two cell types. With an alternating sine grating stimulus X cells had a sinusoidal dependence on spatial phase, while each Y cell's sensitivity depended in a complicated manner on spatial phase. 6. Sensitivity versus spatial phase for different Fourier components of the neural response also separated the two classes of cells. Significant second harmonic distortion was present in Y cells. The second harmonic component was spatial phase insensitive, and became dominant at high spatial frequencies. 7. The maximum of the 2nd/1st harmonic ratio was taken as an index of nonlinearity. X cells always had a nonlinearity index less than 1 while in Y cells this index always exceeded 1. 8. Response to spots, diffuse light and drifting gratings were compared to the nonlinearity index as a basis for classifying cells. The nonlinearity index was most reliable because it was least dependent on retinal eccentricity.
Antidepressant treatment-emergent affective switch in bipolar disorder: a prospective case-control study of outcome.

OBJECTIVE Treatment-emergent affective switch has been associated to cycle acceleration and poorer outcome, but there are few studies addressing this issue. The aim of this study was to prospectively compare the outcome of patients presenting treatment-emergent affective switch with patients with spontaneous mania, regarding presence and polarity of a new episode and time to relapse. METHOD Twenty-four patients with bipolar disorder according to the DSM-IV were followed for 12 months. Twelve patients had treatment-emergent affective switch and twelve had spontaneous mania. Patients were evaluated weekly with the Young Mania Rating Scale and the Hamilton Depression Scale until remission of the index episode, and monthly until completion of the 12-month follow-up. RESULTS Eleven patients with treatment-emergent affective switch had a recurrence on follow-up, all of them with major depressive episodes. In the group with spontaneous mania, six patients had a recurrence: two had a depressive episode, and four had a manic episode (p = 0.069 for new episode, p = 0.006 for polarity of the episode). Patients with treatment-emergent affective switch relapsed in a shorter period than patients with spontaneous mania (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS In this first prospective study, treatment-emergent affective switch patients were at greater risk of relapses, especially depressive episodes, and presented a shorter duration of remission when compared with patients with spontaneous mania.
Pharmacological Inhibition of AMP-activated Protein Kinase Provides Neuroprotection in Stroke*

The restoration of energy balance during ischemia is critical to cellular survival; however, relatively little is known concerning the regulation of neuronal metabolic pathways in response to central nervous system ischemia. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a master sensor of energy balance in peripheral tissues, is phosphorylated and activated when energy balance is low. We investigated whether AMPK might also modulate neuronal energy homeostasis during ischemia. We utilized two model systems of ischemia, middle cerebral artery occlusion in vivo and oxygen-glucose deprivation in vitro, to delineate changes in AMPK activity incurred from a metabolic stress. AMPK is highly expressed in cortical and hippocampal neurons under both normal and ischemic conditions. AMPK activity, as assessed by phosphorylation status, is increased following both middle cerebral artery occlusion and oxygen-glucose deprivation. Pharmacological inhibition of AMPK by either C75, a known modulator of neuronal ATP levels, or compound C reduced stroke damage. In contrast, activation of AMPK by 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside exacerbated damage. Mice deficient in neuronal nitric-oxide synthase demonstrated a decrease in both stroke damage and AMPK activation compared with wild type, suggesting a possible interaction between NO and AMPK activation in stroke. These data demonstrate a role for AMPK in the response of neurons during metabolic stress and suggest that in ischemia the activation of AMPK is deleterious. The ability to manipulate pharmacologically neuronal energy balance during ischemia represents an innovative approach to neuroprotection.
Importance of testing stapled rectal anastomoses with air.

OBJECTIVE To compare the air test (insufflation of air through the anus after the peritoneal cavity has been filled with saline) and the completeness of doughnuts as indicators of the integrity of stapled rectal anastomoses. DESIGN Prospective open study. SETTING Marmara University Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. SUBJECTS 23 patients with sigmoid and rectal carcinoma. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Correlation between positive air test, completeness of doughnuts, and clinical anastomotic breakdown. RESULTS Two patients were withdrawn (one had a handsewn anastomosis and in one the air test was omitted). Five patients had positive air tests, and in four of these the doughnuts were complete. The leaks were repaired with additional sutures in three patients, and two were given covering colostomies. There was only one clinical anastomotic breakdown. CONCLUSION The air test enabled the surgeon to repair or protect five anastomoses (24%). The completeness of the doughnuts was an reliable test of anastomotic integrity.
Construction of an Artificial Receptor Protein (“Anticalin”) Based on the Human Apolipoprotein D

Human apolipoprotein D (ApoD) is a prominent member of the lipocalin family of proteins and transports arachidonic acid and progesterone in various body fluids. Lipocalins share a structurally conserved β barrel as their central folding unit, which supports a set of four hypervariable loops that form the entrance to the ligand pocket. Based on this structural pattern ApoD was employed as a scaffold for the combinatorial design of artificial receptor proteins termed anticalins. After randomization of 24 amino acids located within the loop region, several ApoD variants were selected against hemoglobin, a biochemically well‐characterized model target, by using bacterial phagemid display and colony screening. One variant, dubbed HbgA, was further investigated by surface plasmon resonance interaction analysis and found to complex hemoglobin specifically and with a dissociation constant of about 2 μM. While our previous work on the structurally related insect bilin‐binding protein was focused on the generation of binding activity towards low‐molecular‐weight ligands, this study demonstrates for the first time that a lipocalin can also be tailored to recognize a protein target. The fact that even a human member of this protein family has now been successfully recruited for anticalin construction opens the possibility for future application of such engineered lipocalins as target‐recognition vehicles in medical therapy.
The Relationship between Religious Attendance and Blood Pressure: The Hunt Study, Norway

Objective: Research from the United States shows a possible relationship between religious attendance (RA) and blood pressure (BP). The religious context in the United States differs widely from Scandinavia. The aim was, therefore, to test whether the relationship between RA and BP is specific to the religious culture in the United States or whether a similar relationship exists between RA and BP in a Norwegian context. Design and Method: Data from the Nord-Trøndelag Health Study's third wave, HUNT 3 (2006–08), was used. The associations between RA and diastolic (DBP) and systolic (SBP) blood pressure in women (n = 20,066) and men (n = 15,898) were investigated in a cross-sectional study using multiple regression analyses. Results: Mean DBP for women/men was 71.0 mmHg/76.7 mmHg. Mean SBP was 128.5 mmHg/134.0 mmHg; 39.1%/42.8% of women/men never attended religious services, 3.8%/3.4% attended more than 3x/month. The bivariate associations were statistically significant between RA and SBP in both genders and women's DBP but not men's DBP. After adjustment, inverse associations between RA and DBP/SBP for both genders were found. The RA-DBP relationship (p < 0.001) demonstrated a gradient in effect for both genders, with increasing RA associated with decreasing DBP, with 1.50/1.67 mmHg lower in women/men respectively in those attending more than 3x/month, 0.87/1.16 mmHg lower in those attending 1–3x/month, and 0.49/0.10 mmHg less in those attending 1–6x/6 months. Differences in RA-SBP (p < 0.05) were 2.12/1.71 mmHg, 0.30/0.11 mmHg, and 0.58/0.63 mmHg, respectively. Conclusion: In a large population-based survey in Norway, RA was associated with lower DBP and SBP after adjusting for relevant variables.
Determinants of Short-term Fiscal Imbalance: the Role of Tax Evasion as Fiscal Determinant Within European Countries

The paper refers to important tax evasion consequences in the form of destabilization and countries’ fiscal development deteoriation. The main objective of the research is to analyse the selected determinants impact on short‑term fiscal imbalance expressed as primary balance with the emphasis on tax evasion. The object of the research is analysed using a panel regression model within four pre‑identified clusters during the period of 21 years. The results of the conducted analysis point out that the tax evasion has a significant effect primary balance. They also point out the differences of tax evasion impact, extent and timeing effect on primary balance between clusters. A future analysis with adjusted and modified investigated period, segmentation criteria in the cluster analysis or exogenous variables in the panel regression analysis could provide a different insight into this problem.
β‐Catenin and BMP‐2 synergize to promote osteoblast differentiation and new bone formation

Mutations of critical components of the Wnt pathway profoundly affect skeletal development and maintenance, probably via modulation of β‐catenin signaling. We tested the hypothesis that β‐catenin is involved in mesenchymal lineage allocation to osteogenic cells using a β‐catenin mutant with constitutive transcriptional activity (ΔN151). Although this stable β‐catenin had no effects by itself on osteogenic differentiation of multipotent embryonic cell lines, it synergized with bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2) resulting in dramatic stimulation of alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin gene expression, and matrix mineralization. Likewise, ΔN151 and BMP‐2 synergistically stimulated new bone formation after subperiosteal injection in mouse calvaria in vivo. Conversely, ΔN151 prevented adipogenic differentiation from pre‐adipocytic or uncommitted mesenchymal cells in vitro. Intriguingly, the synergism with BMP‐2 on gene transcription occurred without altering expression of Cbfa1/Runx2, suggesting actions independent or downstream of this osteoblast‐specific transcription factor. Thus, β‐catenin directs osteogenic lineage allocation by enhancing mesenchymal cell responsiveness to osteogenic factors, such as BMP‐2, in part via Tcf/Lef dependent mechanisms. In vivo, this synergism leads to increased new bone formation. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental transcription factor slug is required for effective re‐epithelialization by adult keratinocytes

During re‐epithelialization of cutaneous wounds, keratinocytes recapitulate several aspects of the embryonic process of epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), including migratory activity and reduced intercellular adhesion. The transcription factor Slug modulates EMT in the embryo and controls desmosome number in adult epithelial cells, therefore, we investigated Slug expression and function during cutaneous wound re‐epithelialization. Slug expression was elevated in keratinocytes bordering cutaneous wounds in mice in vivo, in keratinocytes migrating from mouse skin explants ex vivo, and in human keratinocytes at wound margins in vitro. Expression of the related transcription factor Snail was not significantly modulated in keratinocytes during re‐epithelialization in vitro. Epithelial cell outgrowth from skin explants of Slug knockout mice was severely compromised, indicating a critical role for Slug in epithelial keratinocyte migration. Overexpression of Slug in cultured human keratinocytes caused increased cell spreading and desmosomal disruption, both of which were most pronounced at wound margins. Furthermore, in vitro wound healing was markedly accelerated in keratinocytes that ectopically expressed Slug. Taken together, these findings suggest that Slug plays an important role during wound re‐epithelialization in adult skin and indicate that Slug controls some aspects of epithleial cell behavior in adult tissues as well as during embryonic development. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Extracellular ATP and cAMP as Paracrine and Interorgan Regulators of Renal Function ATP Release Mechanisms, ATP Receptors and Purinergic Signalling along the Nephron

1. Autocrine and paracrine signalling along the nephron of the kidney has been a widely held hypothesis for several decades. The lumen of the nephron is an ideal autocrine and paracrine signalling microenvironment. Any agonist, filtered at the glomerulus or released in the proximal tubule or other proximal segments, is subsequently trapped in the lumen of the nephron and present to interact with luminal receptors. Similar signalling in the renal interstitium is also possible and likely. Indeed, receptors for many autocrine and paracrine agonists have been characterized on the luminal membrane and serosal membrane of multiple nephron segments.
Determining the orientation of a body in space using the Kalman filter

Using measurements from inertial sensors such as gyroscopes and accelerometers and other, orientation of solids can be defined in space. To solve this task, one type of sensor is not enough, because there are certain dependencies between the individual measurements. Estimation of orientation must be used in navigation and autopilot systems in aircraft. It uses a unique combination of well known filters, transformation and advanced Kalman filter in order to determine the three Euler angles that define the orientation of the body in space.
Determinants of households’ willingness to pay for the conservation of church forests in northwestern Ethiopia: A contingent valuation study

Abstract Church forests provide secured habitat for plants and animals, seed banks for native plants, source of food and medicines, income source and reduce soil erosion. They are threatened by livestock grazing, harvesting of timber and non-timber forest products, conversion to farmlands and the replacement of indigenous trees by economically important tree species. So, this study aimed to estimate households’ willingness to pay for the conservation of church forests using double-bounded contingent valuation method followed by open-ended questions. The study specifically aimed to assess the households’ willingness to pay decision, to elicit households’ willingness to pay in terms of cash and labor and to analyze factors affecting households’ maximum willingness to pay. A total of 300 households was selected using a multistage sampling technique followed by a probability proportional to sample size. The result indicated that the mean willingness to pay of the respondents in cash and labor is 178 ETB and 71.51 man-days per year, respectively. On the other hand, the model result indicated that annual income, social position, membership to mahiber/senbete and size of the land near to church forest had a significant and positive effect on the households’ willingness to pay, whereas dependency ratio had a significant and negative effect. The findings imply that policymakers as well as policies designed at national level should consider annual income, dependency ratio, social position, membership to mahiber/senbete and land size near to church forest variables to design conservation practices for church forests.
A Method to Visualize 3‐Dimensional Anatomic Changes in the Cervix During Pregnancy

Objective. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to visualize 3‐dimensional (3D) anatomic changes in the cervix and lower uterine segment during the antepartum period. Methods. An observational study of patients with both uncomplicated and complicated pregnancies was performed. To visualize 3D anatomic changes, solid models were constructed from 3D sonographic data. Model construction followed a 3‐step protocol. First, 3D transvaginal sonographic data of the cervix and lower uterine segment were obtained. Second, sonographic data were exported to a medical image‐processing program, which was used to align 3D sonographic data obtained from a single patient at different time points. Last, sonographic data were used to guide construction of solid models using mechanical design software. Anatomic changes were visualized by comparing solid models constructed from sonographic data obtained at different time points. Results. From 16 patients who consented, 5 patients were selected for this study. Two to 4 models were derived from each of the 5 patients at 15 to 38 weeks' gestation. To show anatomic changes in the cervix and lower uterine segment, solid models from different time points in the same patient were superimposed. A total of 16 solid models were constructed. In addition, 3D changes associated with second‐trimester cervical failure and successful therapeutic cerclage were shown. Conclusions. A method to visualize 3D cervical changes is presented, revealing complex anatomic changes in the lower uterine segment, cervical stroma, and cervical mucosa as pregnancy progresses.
Restrictive versus Liberal Transfusion Strategy in the Perioperative and Acute Care Settings: A Context-specific Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background:Blood transfusions are associated with morbidity and mortality. However, restrictive thresholds could harm patients less able to tolerate anemia. Using a context-specific approach (according to patient characteristics and clinical settings), the authors conducted a systematic review to quantify the effects of transfusion strategies. Methods:The authors searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and grey literature sources to November 2015 for randomized controlled trials comparing restrictive versus liberal transfusion strategies applied more than 24 h in adult surgical or critically ill patients. Data were independently extracted. Risk ratios were calculated for 30-day complications, defined as inadequate oxygen supply (myocardial, cerebral, renal, mesenteric, and peripheral ischemic injury; arrhythmia; and unstable angina), mortality, composite of both, and infections. Statistical combination followed a context-specific approach. Additional analyses explored transfusion protocol heterogeneity and cointerventions effects. Results:Thirty-one trials were regrouped into five context-specific risk strata. In patients undergoing cardiac/vascular procedures, restrictive strategies seemed to increase the risk of events reflecting inadequate oxygen supply (risk ratio [RR], 1.09; 95% CI, 0.97 to 1.22), mortality (RR, 1.39; 95% CI, 0.95 to 2.04), and composite events (RR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.24—3322, 3245, and 3322 patients, respectively). Similar results were found in elderly orthopedic patients (inadequate oxygen supply: RR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.92; mortality: RR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.80 to 1.49; composite outcome: RR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.54—3465, 3546, and 3749 patients, respectively), but not in critically ill patients. No difference was found for infections, although a protective effect may exist. Risk estimates varied with successful/unsuccessful transfusion protocol implementation. Conclusions:Restrictive transfusion strategies should be applied with caution in high-risk patients undergoing major surgery.
Examining Capabilities of Social Entrepreneurship for Shared Value Creation

Abstract Social entrepreneurship can be represented as a transitional vehicle that serves for creating shared value among an entrepreneur, society and the environment. Social entrepreneurship is a sub-discipline within entrepreneurship that remains a poorly-understood complex phenomenon. Fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was used to empirically analyze the complex relationships among a set of capabilities (namely mission-driven, stakeholder, cross-sector collaboration and environmental management) and social entrepreneurship. Their relationships and effects on the shared value in social, environmental and economic dimensions were analyzed based on data from 22 social enterprises in Thailand. Findings show that there was no single condition that necessarily and solely contributed to high or low social entrepreneurship and shared value. However, a sufficiency analysis revealed several combinations of conditions that sufficiently produced high and low expected outcomes. Because of the special characteristics of social entrepreneurship, the findings highlight the importance of fsQCA for finding different combinations of conditions leading to the same outcomes. In addition, the social and environmental values were found to be a source of competitive advantage and superior economic value that enable the identification and creation of new market opportunities.