Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Why hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal carcinoma patients appear to have better survival than patients with sporadic colorectal carcinoma

Representing a busy flow cytometry laboratory with an annual workload of approximately 1400 acute leukemia and malignant lymphoma cases, we read the article by Naughton et al. with considerable interest. The authors concluded that “flow cytometry of bone marrow aspirates has a limited role in the routine staging and follow-up of patients with an established diagnosis of [non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma] NHL. ” However, this conclusion must be challenged because a number of methodologic flaws and inadequacies in the process, analysis, and interpretation are evident in this study. The authors used Ficoll-Paque (Pharmacia Biotech, Piscataway, NJ) processed specimens rather than recommended erythrocyte lysis. Ficoll-Paque centrifugation of bone marrow aspirates is known to result in the selective loss of some cell populations. This phenomenon is related to the fact that neoplastic lymphoid cells may have a different buoyant density from normal lymphocytes and may not be found where anticipated in the gradient. The authors, possibly unknowingly, thus may have reduced the number of potentially analyzable malignant lymphoid cells in their samples, which may explain a portion of their staged cases with a negative flow result. Single color flow cytometry was used on 81 specimens and two color flow cytometry on the remaining 192 specimens. It currently is widely accepted that even two color flow cytometric analysis is inadequate for an appropriate characterization of hematologic neoplasia and virtually precludes an accurate assessment of minimal residual disease. Five parameter analysis including forward and side scatters accompanied by at least three color analysis should constitute the minimal standard for immunophenotypic analysis of lymphoproliferative diseases, with a sensitivity approaching detection of one malignant cell in 100,000 reactive lymphocytes. The authors make no mention of attempted blockade of cellular Fc receptors. This step is to eliminate the common error of spuriously detecting light chain restriction while in fact observing a phenomenon of passive cytophilic immunoglobulin absorbed onto nonlymphoid B cells. In contrast, failed blockade of Fc receptors on lymphoid cells may lead to false-negative results. Apparently no specific gating strategies were utilized. For increased sensitivity, the routine use of a B-cell gate (CD19 1 lineage gate) is recommended. In addition, application of other unique markers known to be present on subsets of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) and chronic leukemia cells provides added resolution for the assessment of bone marrow involvement. Unique gating strategies should differ based on the type of NHL present at diagnosis (i.e., follicular lymphoma (CD191/CD101), small lymphocytic leukemia/ lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma (CD191/CD51), etc). This 240
Topical use and systemic action of green and roasted coffee oils and ground oils in a cutaneous incision model in rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus)

Introduction Wounds are a common health problem. Coffee is widely consumed and its oil contains essential fatty acids. We evaluated the local (skin) and systemic effects associated with the topical use of coffee oils in rats. Methods Punch skin wounds (6 mm) incisions were generated on the backs of 75 rats. Saline (SS), mineral oil (MO), green coffee oil (GCO), roasted coffee oil (RCO), green coffee ground oil (GCGO) or roasted coffee ground oil (RCGO) were topically applied to the wounds. Healing was evaluated by visual and histological/morphometric optical microscopy examination; second harmonics generation (SHG) microscopy, wound tissue q-PCR (values in fold-change) and blood serum (ELISA, values in pg/mL). Results RCO treated animals presented faster wound healing (0.986 vs. 0.422), higher mRNA expression of IGF-1 (2.78 vs. 1.00, p = 0.01), IL-6 (10.72 vs. 1.00, p = 0.001) and IL-23 (4.10 vs. 1.2, p = 0.05) in early stages of wound healing; higher IL-12 (3.32 vs. 1.00, p = 0.05) in the later stages; and lower serum levels of IFN-γ (11.97 vs. 196.45, p = 0.01). GCO treatment led to higher mRNA expression of IL-6 (day 2: 7.94 vs. 1.00, p = 0.001 and day 4: 6.90 vs. 1.00, p = 0.01) and IL-23 (7.93 vs. 1.20, p = 0.001) in the early stages. The RCO treatment also produced higher serum IFN-α levels throughout the experiment (day 2: 52.53 vs. 21.20; day 4: 46.98 vs.21.56; day 10: 83.61 vs. 25.69, p = 0.05) and lower levels of IL-4 (day 4: 0.9 vs.13.36, p = 0.01), adiponectin (day 10: 8,367.47 vs. 16,526.38, p = 0.001) and IFN-γ (day 4: 43.03 vs.196.45, p = 0.05). The SHG analysis showed a higher collagen density in the RCO and GCO treatments (p = 0.05). Conclusion Topical treatment with coffee oils led to systemic actions and faster wound healing in rats. Further studies should be performed are necessary to assess the safety of topical vegetal oil use for skin lesions.
Understanding outsourcing contexts through information asymmetry and capability fit

Outsourcing is a strategic activity that has long been central to operations management research and practice. Yet, there are still many outsourcing management challenges that remain. In this article, we explore two of the outsourcing challenges that motivated this special issue and are central to the 10 articles included. To do this, we develop a theoretical model that examines how variations in capability fit and information asymmetry combine to present firms with four different outsourcing contexts. We then explain how each of the articles included in this special issue relate to our theoretical model and explore several avenues for future research.
Dysphagia Screening and Intensified Oral Hygiene Reduce Pneumonia After Stroke

ABSTRACTObjectives: Dysphagia occurs in approximately 51%–78% of patients with acute stroke. The incidence of pneumonia caused by aspiration in dysphagic patients increases both mortality and the need for hospitalization. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the incidence of aspiration pneumonia could be reduced in such patients by an early screening for dysphagia and intensified oral hygiene. Material and Methods: In this controlled trial, 146 hospitalized acute stroke patients with moderate or severe dysphagia were included in three groups: an intervention group (n = 58), one internal control group (n = 58, retrospectively selected from same clinic), and one external control group (n = 30) from a comparable stroke unit in a neighboring hospital. The intervention consisted of early screening with a clinical method of dysphagia screening, the Gugging Swallowing Screen, and intensified oral hygiene. Results: The incidence of x-ray verified pneumonia was 4 of 58 (7%) in the intervention group compared with 16 of 58 (28%) in the internal control group (p < .01) and with 8 of 30 (27%) in the external control group (p < .05). Conclusions: Early and systematic dysphagia screening by the Gugging Swallowing Screen method and intensified oral hygiene reduced the incidence of x-ray verified pneumonia.
Burning state recognition using CW-SSIM index evaluation of color flame images

Recently the burning state recognition of the rotary kiln based on flame images has attracted much attention. Most methods involve the image segmentation technique, usually requiring various complex algorithm. In this paper, a new method is proposed to identify the burning state by comparing the structural similarity of each wavelet subband of the flame image. Instead of the grayscale image, RGB model is adopted not only to achieve better recognition performance but also provide deeper understanding about the relation of burning state with different color components. Experiments show that the proposed method is robust to the small displacement and noise, and can effectively reduce the error in recognition when the flame images are contaminated by spatial translation or blurring.
Sputter technique for deposition of AlN, ScAlN, and Bragg reflector thin films in mass production

Performance of AlN-based electroacoustic devices directly tie with piezoelectric and metal electrode film quality. In this paper, sputter techniques for the reactive sputtering of AlN and ScAlN thin films, for the deposition of highly textured metal electrodes, and for the deposition of multilayer Bragg acoustic reflectors for SMR devices using dual-target S-gun magnetrons are described and some film properties are presented. An ac powered S-gun enables deposition of highly c-axis oriented 1 μm Sc0.07Al0. 93N films exhibiting x-ray rocking curve FWHM of 1.55° +/-0.05° across 200-mm diameter wafer with well-controlled near zero stress. Sputter technology to fabricate smooth Mo/Al acoustic reflectors for SMR devices is described in detail. In a SMR structure with a 3-pair Mo/Al reflector and Mo electrodes, excellent crystallinity of the Mo and Al films ensured growth of 1.2 μm thick AlN films with rocking curve FWHM of 1.28°.
Precisely Ordered Phosphorylation Reactions in the p38 Mitogen-activated Protein (MAP) Kinase Cascade*

Background: MAPK cascades are signaling modules that function as switch generators. Results: In vitro phosphorylation in the p38 MAPK cascade tracked by LC-MS/MS revealed specific phosphorylation intermediates at each level. Conclusion: The p38 MAPK cascade reactions occur through intermediates MEK6/ST* and p38α/TY*. Significance: The precise order of reactions may contribute to the diverse kinetic outputs of the cascades, including those with large Hill coefficients. The MAP kinase cascades, composed of a MAP3K, a MAP2K, and a MAPK, control switch responses to extracellular stimuli and stress in eukaryotes. The most important feature of these modules is thought to be the two double phosphorylation reactions catalyzed by MAP3Ks and MAP2Ks. We addressed whether the reactions are sequential or random in the p38 MAP kinase module. Mass spectrometry was used to track the phosphorylation of the MAP2K MEK6 by two MAP3Ks, TAO2 and ASK1, and the subsequent phosphorylation of p38α by MEK6/S*T* (where S (Ser) and T (Thr) are the two phosphorylation sites and * denotes phosphorylation). Both double phosphorylation reactions are precisely ordered. MEK6 is phosphorylated first on Thr-211 and then on Ser-207 by both MAP3Ks. This is the first demonstration of a precise reaction order for a MAP2K. p38α is phosphorylated first on Tyr-182 and then on Thr-180, the same reaction order observed previously in ERK2. Thus, intermediates were MEK6/ST* and p38α/TY*. Similarly, the phosphorylation of the p38α transcription factor substrate ATF2 occurs in a precise sequence. Progress curves for the appearance of intermediates were fit to kinetic models. The models confirmed the reaction order, revealed processivity in the phosphorylation of MEK6 by ASK1, and suggested that the order of phosphorylation is dictated by both binding and catalysis rates.
A multi-step optimization approach for power flow with transient stability constraints

In this work, transient stability constraints are incorporated into the Optimal Power Flow (OPF) problem by converting differential equations in a set of numerical equivalent algebraic equations. Then a procedure of multi-step optimization is proposed in this paper to minimize convergence problems and speeding up computation. The proposed procedure was successfully tested on a 3-machine system, having the generated powers as control variables.
CO 2 and nutrient-driven changes across multiple levels of organization in Zostera noltii ecosystems

Increasing evidence emphasizes that the effects of human impacts on ecosystems must be investigated using designs that incorporate the responses across levels of biological organization as well as the effects of multiple stressors. Here we implemented a mesocosm experiment to investigate how the individual and interactive effects of CO 2 enrichment and eutrophication scale-up from changes in primary producers at the individual (biochemistry) or population level (production, reproduction, and/or abundance) to higher levels of community (macroalgae abundance, herbivory, and global metabolism), and ecosystem organization (detritus release and carbon sink capacity). The responses of Zostera noltii seagrass meadows growing in low- and high-nutrient field conditions were compared. In both meadows, the expected CO 2 benefits on Z. noltii leaf production were suppressed by epiphyte overgrowth, with no direct CO 2 effect on plant biochemistry or population-level traits. Multi-level meadow response to nutrients was faster and stronger than to CO 2 . Nutrient enrichment promoted the nutritional quality of Z. noltii (high N, low C : N and phenolics), the growth of epiphytic pennate diatoms and purple bacteria, and shoot mortality. In the low-nutrient meadow, individual effects of CO 2 and nutrients separately resulted in reduced carbon storage in the sediment, probably due to enhanced microbial degradation of more labile organic matter. These changes, however, had no effect on herbivory or on community metabolism. Interestingly, individual effects of CO 2 or nutrient addition on epiphytes, shoot mortality, and carbon storage were attenuated when nutrients and CO 2 acted simultaneously. This suggests CO 2 -induced benefits on eutrophic meadows. In the high-nutrient meadow, a striking shoot decline caused by amphipod overgrazing masked the response to CO 2 and nutrient additions. Our results reveal that under future scenarios of CO 2 , the responses of seagrass ecosystems will be complex and context-dependent, being mediated by epiphyte overgrowth rather than by direct effects on plant biochemistry. Overall, we found that the responses of seagrass meadows to individual and interactive effects of CO 2 and nutrient enrichment varied depending on interactions among species and connections between organization levels.
Progress in the Development of AllBack-Contacted Silicon Solar Cells

N-type all-back-contact (ABC) silicon solar cells incorporating a simple oxide-nitride passivation scheme are presently being developed at the Australian National University. Having already achieved promising efficiencies with planar ABC cells [1], this work analyses the cell performance after integrating a surface texturing step into the process flow. Although the textured cells have significantly lower front surface reflection, the measured short-circuit current density is actually lower than that of the planar cells. Photoconductance decay data indicate the presence of high carrier recombination at the textured surface of the ABC cells, which are deposited with a stack of thermal oxide and LPCVD nitride. Further examination confirmed that high carrier recombination is due to stress induced by the LPCVD nitride on the peaks and valleys of the textured surface. Use of PECVD nitride instead of LPCVD nitride as an antireflection layer avoids the degraded carrier lifetime caused by the textured surface. Therefore, PECVD nitride should be a good substitute for constructing the oxide-nitride stacks of our future ABC cells. © 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) – National University of Singapore (NUS). The PV Asia Pacific Conference 2011 was jointly organised by SERIS and the Asian Photovoltaic Industry Association (APVIA).
High expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in plexiform lesions of pulmonary hypertension

The pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) remains poorly understood. Vasoconstriction, although likely to be a major factor in the disease, varies between patients and studies of a variety of vasoactive substances have sometimes yielded conflicting results. Amongst these substances, alteration of the nitric oxide (NO) system has been cited as a possible pathogenic factor but both reduction and elevation of the expression of endothelial NO‐synthase (eNOS) have been reported in pulmonary vessels. The present study has used immunocytochemistry with well‐characterized antibodies to eNOS to investigate its expression in lung tissue taken at transplantation from 44 patients with PH (22 primary, 22 secondary) and 12 non‐hypertensive controls. Semi‐quantitative assessment showed that although the levels of eNOS expression in pulmonary vessels were variable within both hypertensives and controls, a statistically significant (P<0·01) reduction of immunoreactivity was found in small arterioles from hypertensives compared with controls. In contrast, consistently strong expression of eNOS was seen in the endothelium of plexiform lesions in both the primary and the secondary PH patients. Although a decrease in the NO system of patients with PH has been reported, these findings show a distinct regional distribution of the enzyme with particularly high levels in plexiform lesions, a previously unreported observation, and offer a new perspective on the disease and on the evaluation of possible novel therapeutic approaches. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring Marketing-Mix Effects in the Video-Game Console Market

We thank Ester Han, Karen Sperduti and Sima Vasa of the NPD group for generously making available the data used in this research. We also thank P.B. Seetharaman, Ken Singleton, Inseong Song and Naufel Vilcassim for useful comments and suggestions. The first author thanks the Kilts Center for Marketing at the University of Chicago for research support.
Parkinson ’ s disease-associated receptor GPR 37 is an ER chaperone for LRP 6

Wnt/b-catenin signaling plays a key role in embryonic development, stem cell biology, and neurogenesis. However, the mechanisms of Wnt signal transmission, notably how the receptors are regulated, remain incompletely understood. Here we describe that the Parkinson’s disease-associated receptor GPR37 functions in the maturation of the N-terminal bulky b-propellers of the Wnt coreceptor LRP6. GPR37 is required for Wnt/b-catenin signaling and protects LRP6 from ER-associated degradation via CHIP (carboxyl terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein) and the ATPase VCP. GPR37 is highly expressed in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) where it is required for Wnt-dependent neurogenesis. We conclude that GPR37 is crucial for cellular protein quality control during Wnt signaling.
Use of a new mouse model of Acinetobacter baumannii pneumonia to evaluate the postantibiotic effect of imipenem

Acinetobacter baumannii is responsible for severe nosocomial pneumonia. To evaluate new therapeutic regimens for infections due to multiresistant strains and to study the pharmacodynamic properties of various antibiotics, we developed an experimental mouse model of acute A. baumannii pneumonia. C3H/HeN mice rendered transiently neutropenic were infected intratracheally with 5 x 10(6) CFU of A. baumannii. The mean log10 CFU/g of lung homogenate (+/- the standard deviation) were 9 +/- 0.9, 9.4 +/- 0.8, 8.6 +/- 1.2, and 7.7 +/- 1.4 on days 1, 2, 3, and 4 postinoculation. The lung pathology was characterized by pneumonitis with edema and a patchy distribution of hemorrhages in the peribronchovascular spaces of both lungs. Abscesses formed on days 3 and 4. Four days after inoculation, subacute pneumonitis characterized by alveolar macrophage proliferation and areas of fibrosis was observed. The cumulative mortality on day 4 was 85%. This new model was used to study the effects of 1, 2, or 3 50-mg/kg doses of imipenem. Imipenem concentrations in lungs were above the MIC for 2 h after the last dose. The in vivo postantibiotic effect (PAE) was determined during the 9-h period following the last dose; it decreased in duration with the number of doses: 9.6, 6.4, and 4 h after 1, 2, and 3 50-mg/kg doses, respectively. In contrast, no in vitro PAE was observed. This model offers a reproducible acute course of A. baumannii pneumonia. The presence of a prolonged in vivo PAE supports the currently recommended dosing intervals of imipenem for the treatment of human infections due to A. baumannii, i.e., 15 mg/kg three times a day.
A Long‐Term Follow‐Up Study of Intravenous Autologous Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients With Ischemic Stroke

We previously evaluated the short‐term follow‐up preliminary data of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation in patients with ischemic stroke. The present study was conducted to evaluate the long‐term safety and efficacy of i.v. MSCs transplantation in a larger population. To accomplish this, we performed an open‐label, observer‐blinded clinical trial of 85 patients with severe middle cerebral artery territory infarct. Patients were randomly allocated to one of two groups, those who received i.v. autologous ex vivo cultured MSCs (MSC group) or those who did not (control group), and followed for up to 5 years. Mortality of any cause, long‐term side effects, and new‐onset comorbidities were monitored. Of the 52 patients who were finally included in this study, 16 were the MSC group and 36 were the control group. Four (25%) patients in the MSC group and 21 (58.3%) in the control group died during the follow‐up period, and the cumulative surviving portion at 260 weeks was 0.72 in the MSC group and 0.34 in the control group (log‐rank; p = .058). Significant side effects were not observed following MSC treatment. The occurrence of comorbidities including seizures and recurrent vascular episodes did not differ between groups. When compared with the control group, the follow‐up modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was decreased, whereas the number of patients with a mRS of 0–3 increased in the MSC group (p = .046). Clinical improvement in the MSC group was associated with serum levels of stromal cell‐derived factor‐1 and the degree of involvement of the subventricular region of the lateral ventricle. Intravenous autologous MSCs transplantation was safe for stroke patients during long‐term follow‐up. This therapy may improve recovery after stroke depending on the specific characteristics of the patients. Stem Cells 2010;28:1099–1106
Purification of the herpes simplex virus type 1 65-kilodalton DNA-binding protein: properties of the protein and evidence of its association with the virus-encoded DNA polymerase

Using a combination of conventional column chromatography and velocity sedimentation, we have purified the 65-kilodalton DNA-binding protein (65KDBP) encoded by herpes simplex virus (HSV) greater than 625-fold. The HSV type 1 (HSV-1)-encoded DNA polymerase (pol) cofractionated with 65KDBP through DEAE-Sephacel, Blue Sepharose, and Mono Q columns and was only separated from 65KDBP by sedimentation through a glycerol gradient. Immunoaffinity columns containing monoclonal antibody (MAb) 6898 immunoglobulin effectively bound most of the HSV-1 pol activity which coeluted with 65KDBP. The pattern of reactivities of HSV-1/HSV-2 recombinants with MAbs specific for HSV-1 65KDBP or the HSV-2-infected cell-specific protein ICSP34,35 strongly suggests that these two species are serotype equivalents of the same protein. Taken together, all these data indicate that 65KDBP is a pol-associated protein and the HSV-1 counterpart of HSV-2 ICSP34,35 previously reported to have similar properties (P. J. Vaughan, D. J. M. Purifoy, and K. L. Powell, J. Virol. 53:501-508, 1985). Purified preparations of 65KDBP were capable of binding to double-stranded DNA, as determined by filter retention and mobility shift assays. The protein-DNA complex formed with 65KDBP was distinct from that produced by pol and could be further shifted by the addition of immunoglobulin specific for 65KDBP. These results demonstrate that 65KDBP has been purified substantially free from pol and indicate that DNA binding is an inherent property of the protein.