Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lung injury and recovery after exposure to blast overpressure.

BACKGROUND A critical immediate determinant of survival after exposure to blast overpressure (BOP) is pulmonary damage, but mechanisms of injury and the course of recovery are not well understood. The objective of this study was to characterize the progression of oxidative and inflammatory responses in lungs as well as the activation of consequent protective mechanisms after exposure to medium intensity BOP. METHODS Rats were exposed to a moderate (approximately 120 kPa) level of BOP in a pneumatically driven shock tube. At different times (2-192 hours) after exposure, lungs were examined for pathologic signs of injury, markers of inflammatory responses, and indicators of oxidative and nitrative damage. RESULTS The results showed a postblast activation of inflammatory response (increase of myeloperoxidase activity, CINC-1, ICAM-1, and iNOS), increase in protein oxidation and nitration, and development of gross diffused hemorrhage in lungs. The initial phase of lung damage that peaked at 24 to 48 hours after exposure to BOP was followed by gradual dissolution of inflammation and oxidation that were complete by 192 hours. Resolution of morphologic damage and inflammation in lungs concurred with activation of expression of antioxidant enzymes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD). Plasma level of gelsolin, a marker of acute lung damage was decreased at 24 hours postblast and later returned to the control level. CONCLUSIONS The study shows the role of adaptive anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory mechanisms in lung recovery after injury caused by exposure to BOP.
Evaluating the predictive strength of the LACE index in identifying patients at high risk of hospital readmission following an inpatient episode: a retrospective cohort study

Objective To assess how well the LACE index and its constituent elements predict 30-day hospital readmission, and to determine whether other combinations of clinical or sociodemographic variables may enhance prognostic capability. Design Retrospective cohort study with split sample design for model validation. Setting One large hospital Trust in the West Midlands. Participants All alive-discharge adult inpatient episodes between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014. Data sources Anonymised data for each inpatient episode were obtained from the hospital information system. These included age at index admission, gender, ethnicity, admission/discharge date, length of stay, treatment specialty, admission type and source, discharge destination, comorbidities, number of accident and emergency (A&E) visits in the 6 months before the index admission and whether a patient was readmitted within 30 days of index discharge. Outcome measures Clinical and patient characteristics of readmission versus non-readmission episodes, proportion of readmission episodes at each LACE score, regression modelling of variables associated with readmission to assess the effectiveness of LACE and other variable combinations to predict 30-day readmission. Results The training cohort included data on 91 922 patient episodes. Increasing LACE score and each of its individual components were independent predictors of readmission (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) 0.773; 95% CI 0.768 to 0.779 for LACE; AUC 0.806; 95% CI 0.801 to 0.812 for the four LACE components). A LACE score of 11 was most effective at distinguishing between higher and lower risk patients. However, only 25% of readmission episodes occurred in the higher scoring group. A model combining A&E visits and hospital episodes per patient in the previous year was more effective at predicting readmission (AUC 0.815; 95% CI 0.810 to 0.819). Conclusions Although LACE shows good discriminatory power in statistical terms, it may have little added value over and above clinical judgement in predicting a patient’s risk of hospital readmission.
Bcl-2 Is a Key Factor for Cardiac Fibroblast Resistance to Programmed Cell Death*

Cardiac fibroblasts play an essential role in the physiology of the heart. These produce extracellular matrix proteins and synthesize angiogenic and cardioprotective factors. Although fibroblasts of cardiac origin are known to be resistant to apoptosis and to remain metabolically active in situations compromising cell survival, the underlying mechanisms are unknown. Here, we report that cardiac fibroblasts were more resistant than dermal or pulmonary fibroblasts to mitochondria-dependent cell death. Cytochrome c release was blocked in cardiac fibroblasts but not in dermal fibroblasts treated with staurosporine, etoposide, serum deprivation, or simulated ischemia, precluding caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation. Resistance to apoptosis of cardiac fibroblasts correlated with the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, whereas skin and lung fibroblasts did not express detectable levels of this protein. Bcl-xL, Bax, and Bak were expressed at similar levels in cardiac, dermal, and lung fibroblasts. In addition, the death of cardiac fibroblasts during hypoxia was not associated with the cleavage of Bid but rather with Bcl-2 disappearance, suggesting the requirement of the mitochondrial apoptotic machinery to execute death receptor-induced programmed cell death. Knockdown of bcl-2 expression by siRNA in cardiac fibroblasts increased their apoptotic response to staurosporine, serum, and glucose deprivation and to simulated ischemia. Moreover, dermal fibroblasts overexpressing Bcl-2 achieved a similar level of resistance to these stimuli as cardiac fibroblasts. Thus, our data demonstrate that Bcl-2 is an important effector of heart fibroblast resistance to apoptosis and highlight a probable mechanism for promoting survival advantage in fibroblasts of cardiac origin.
Volatility Dynamics of Precious Metals: Evidence from Russia

This paper examines the volatility dynamics of four precious metals (gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) that are traded in Russia from 2000 to 2014. More specifically, it focuses on the following issues: (i) Presence of long memory property and structural breaks in returns and volatility series of precious metals by deploying semi-parametric methods and modified ICSS algorithm; and (ii) Correlation levels among precious metals by using DCC-MGARCH approach. The findings show that there is strong evidence of long memory property in the conditional volatility of all precious metals. Concerning the dynamic constant correlation, precious metals are highly correlated with each other. Although gold is the least volatile metal, the correlation increases significantly when it is paired with other precious metals. The findings further suggest that silver can be a good diversifier investment due to its low correlation with other precious metals.
How are learning strategies reflected in the eyes? Combining results from self‐reports and eye‐tracking

BACKGROUND Up until now, empirical studies in the Student Approaches to Learning field have mainly been focused on the use of self-report instruments, such as interviews and questionnaires, to uncover differences in students' general preferences towards learning strategies, but have focused less on the use of task-specific and online measures. AIMS This study aimed at extending current research on students' learning strategies by combining general and task-specific measurements of students' learning strategies using both offline and online measures. We want to clarify how students process learning contents and to what extent this is related to their self-report of learning strategies. SAMPLE Twenty students with different generic learning profiles (according to self-report questionnaires) read an expository text, while their eye movements were registered to answer questions on the content afterwards. METHODS Eye-tracking data were analysed with generalized linear mixed-effects models. RESULTS The results indicate that students with an all-high profile, combining both deep and surface learning strategies, spend more time on rereading the text than students with an all-low profile, scoring low on both learning strategies. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that we can use eye-tracking to distinguish very strategic students, characterized using cognitive processing and regulation strategies, from low strategic students, characterized by a lack of cognitive and regulation strategies. These students processed the expository text according to how they self-reported.
Effect of Beta-Blocker Eyedrops on Corneal Epithelial Barrier Function

To investigate the long-term effect of a topically applied β-blocker on human corneal epithelium, the corneal epithelial barrier function and the superficial cell area of the corneal epithelium were evaluated. Seventeen normal healthy volunteers (without medication), 7 cataract patients (treated with pyrenoxine eyedrops) and 7 glaucoma or ocular hypertension patients (treated with 0.5% timolol maleate) were assigned to this study. The eyedrops had been used on a daily basis for at least 3 months. In the evaluation of corneal epithelial barrier function, fluorescein uptake was measured using a slitlamp fluorophotometer after application of 3 μl of 0.5% fluorescein for 10 min. In the evaluation of the superficial cell area, the central corneal epithelium was measured by tandem scanning confocal microscopy (TSCM). The healthy control and timolol groups were compared. Corneal fluorescein uptake in the healthy control, pyrenoxine and timolol groups was 20.3 ± 3.2, 21.5 ± 4.0 and 76.2 ± 30.0 ng/ml (mean ± standard error), respectively. There was a significantly higher fluorescein uptake in the timolol group compared to the pyrenoxine group (p = 0.0088) and the healthy control group (p = 0.0055). TSCM showed no significant difference in the superficial cell areas of the corneal epithelium between the healthy control and timolol groups. β-Blocker eyedrops decreased the corneal epithelial barrier function. Their application was not accompanied by any biomicroscopic change in the superficial cell area.
Effects of epoprostenol on right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation in pulmonary hypertension.

OBJECTIVES To gain more knowledge of changes in main pulmonary artery flow and right ventricular mass and volumes in patients with pulmonary hypertension during epoprostenol therapy. METHODS Eleven patients (9 women) were evaluated before the start of therapy and every 4 months thereafter. Right and left ventricular volumes and masses were measured by cine MRI. Flow was measured with MRI velocity quantification. At the same times, 6-min walking tests were performed. Right-heart catheterizations were performed at baseline and after 1 year. RESULTS Right ventricular mass in the patient group was significantly higher from that in a control group of healthy volunteers (95 +/- 26 g vs 42 +/- 10 g, p < 0.05 [mean +/- SD]), whereas the stroke volume was lower (34 +/- 11 mL vs 81 +/- 11 mL, p < 0.05). The greatest improvement in right ventricular stroke volume (to 41 +/- 11 mL, p < 0.05) took place in the first 4 months. During the 1-year follow-up, right ventricular end-diastolic volume and mass did not change, and mean pulmonary artery pressure remained nearly stable at 55 mm Hg at baseline and 53 mm Hg after 1 year. Pulmonary vascular resistance decreased by 12.5% (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS From these data we conclude that epoprostenol lowers pulmonary vascular resistance, leading to an increase in pulmonary artery flow. This increase in pulmonary artery flow corresponds well with the increase in 6-min walking distance and can be noninvasively monitored by MRI (flow quantification). Right ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy are not reversed by epoprostenol therapy, but do not progress either.
Exploring the Impact of Grit and Sponsorship on Female Leadership and Aspirations

This mixed methods case study explored the impact of grit and sponsorship experiences of millennial females on their leadership aspirations and attainment of leadership positions. Six females in the same field of occupation in New England served as the participants. The case study focused on the experiences of two participants (one with the highest grit score and one with the lowest grit score). The participant with the highest grit score demonstrated both the attainment of a leadership position and aspirations for greater leadership positions in the future, as compared to the less gritty individual who had attained a leadership position but did not aspire to any future leadership positions beyond the current one. Both participants cited that their confidence increased when they had a sponsor and decreased when they did not have a supportive superior in the workplace. The combination of high grit and sponsorship led to the attainment of a leadership position and future leadership aspirations. The participant with low grit and a sponsorship experience attained a leadership position, but had no aspirations for future leadership positions beyond the present one. This study provides empirical data about grit and sponsorship for millennial females and identifies that sponsorship is a driver of success for leadership attainment and grit is a driver of success for increased leadership aspirations.
Fluoride Dose Response in pH-Cycling Models Using Bovine Enamel

The aim of this study was to establish methodologies for verification of the fluoride solution dose-response relationship using bovine enamel and pH-cycling models. Six models of the cariogenic challenge were performed, varying the time of demineralization and pH, time of remineralization, composition of de- and remineralization solutions, frequency and time of application of treatment solutions and pH-cycling duration. For the evaluation of the fluoride effect on caries dynamics, two proposed models provided for improvement in standardization of methods leading to a higher level of precision, demonstrating a dose response between treatments with regard to surface microhardness and ΔZ. For the evaluation of the fluoride effect on enamel remineralization, the addition of fluoride to the de- and remineralization solutions and the reduction of frequency and time of application of fluoride solutions led to a more suitable pH-cycling model.
SOCS3 Exerts Its Inhibitory Function on Interleukin-6 Signal Transduction through the SHP2 Recruitment Site of gp130*

Interleukin-6 is involved in the regulation of many biological activities such as gene expression, cell proliferation, and differentiation. The control of the termination of cytokine signaling is as important as the regulation of initiation of signal transduction pathways. Three families of proteins involved in the down-regulation of cytokine signaling have been described recently: (i) SH2 domain-containing protein-tyrosine phosphatases (SHP), (ii) suppressors of cytokine signaling (SOCS), and (iii) protein inhibitors of activated STATs (PIAS). We have analyzed the interplay of two inhibitors in the signal transduction pathway of interleukin-6 and demonstrate that the tyrosine phosphatase SHP2 and SOCS3 do not act independently but are functionally linked. The activation of one inhibitor modulates the activity of the other; Inhibition of SHP2 activation leads to increased SOCS3-mRNA levels, whereas increased expression of SOCS3 results in a reduction of SHP2 phosphorylation after activation of the interleukin-6 signal transduction pathway. Furthermore, we show that tyrosine 759 in gp130 is essential for both SHP2 and SOCS3 but not for SOCS1 to exert their inhibitory activities on interleukin-6 signal transduction. Besides SHP2, SOCS3 also interacts with the Tyr(P)-759 peptide of gp130. Taken together, our results suggest differences in the function of SOCS1 and SOCS3 and a link between SHP2 and SOCS3.
An improved near-field imaging algorithm based on Stolt migration for single borehole radar with widely separated transceiver

In this paper, the Stolt migration algorithm is modified for impulse borehole radar in near-field imaging where the transceiver is widely separated with respect to the detection range. The original sample set is converted to a multidimensional virtual sample set. The relation between angular frequency and wavenumbers of transmitter and receiver is derived in the frame of virtual sample set, which provides the basis for the interpolation in angular frequency. By applying multidimensional inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to the interpolated frequency-wavenumber spectrum of the virtual sample set, the energy of target responses will focus in some profile of the IFFT result, which can be extracted according to the separation between the transmitter and receiver. The proposed method is compared with the conventional Stolt migration algorithm, back projection method, and Kirchhoff migration algorithm on synthetic data. The results show that the developed Stolt migration is superior to the conventional methods in cross-range resolution, computational cost, and the ability to reconstruct locations and shapes of targets.
Optimal Dispatch Algorithm with Dynamic Constraints Based on Interior Point Method

This paper presents a methodology of dynamic optimal dispatch applied with non-linear interior point method. In order to solve the dynamic optimal dispatch, the constraints in time field are treated as two kinds of restrictive terms and two optimal strategies are used in this paper. Compared with static optimal dispatch, the case study shows the efficiency and effective.
Dynamic Connectedness of Uncertainty Across Developed Economies: A Time-Varying Approach

Economic uncertainty has attracted a significant part of the modern research in economics, proving to be a significant factor for every economy. In this study, we focus on the transmission channel of uncertainty between economies, examining potential spillover effect between the U.S., the E.U., the U.K, Japan and Canada. Within a time-varying framework our empirical results indicate of a significant spillover of uncertainty from the E.U. to the U.S.
Allele-specific PCR method for identification of EGFR mutations in non-small cell lung cancer: formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue versus fresh tissue.

UNLABELLED The study of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene mutations in lung adenocarcinoma patients has a special clinical significance in the selection of patients for tyrosine-kinase inhibitor therapy. The aim of this study was to identify patients with EGFR mutations using allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue and fresh tissue (FT). MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study using 13 cases of FFPE lung adenocarcinoma, and a prospective study using seven fresh samples of lung carcinomas (FT), collected by intraoperative dissection of the tumors. Using the DNA extracted from the FFPE tissue and FT, we attempted to identify deletions of exon 19 and point mutations of exon 21, according to the allele-specific PCR method described by Dahse et al. (2008). RESULTS In all seven cases of FT (three adenocarcinomas, three squamous carcinomas, one large-cell carcinoma), we identified the wild type allele and the internal control in case of exon 19, and the wild type allele for exon 21, but not the mutated alleles. Considering that no standard method for formalin fixation and paraffin embedding has been implemented at the Laboratory of Pathology, the DNA extracted from these samples became fragmented and damaged, which compromised the results of PCR testing aimed at the detection of EGFR mutations. CONCLUSIONS The presented method can be implemented at our laboratory to identify these mutations from fresh tissue collected during surgical resection. Additionally, standardization of formalin fixation and paraffin embedding of surgical samples is required, in order the enable subsequent processing using molecular biology methods.
River islands, refugia and genetic structuring in the endemic brown frog Rana kukunoris (Anura, Ranidae) of the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau

Frequently, Pleistocene climatic cycling has been found to be the diver of genetic structuring in populations, even in areas that did not have continental ice sheets, such as on the Qinghai‐Tibetan Plateau (QTP). Typically, species distributed on the plateau have been hypothesized to re‐treat to south‐eastern refugia, especially during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). We evaluated sequence variation in the mitochondrial DNA gene Cytb and the nuclear DNA gene RAG‐1 in Rana kukunoris, a species endemic to the QTP. Two major lineages, N and S, were identified, and lineage N was further subdivided into N1 and N2. The geographical distribution and genealogical divergences supported the hypothesis of multiple refugia. However, major lineages and sublineages diverged prior to the LGM. Demographical expansion was detected only in lineage S and sublineage N2. Sublineage N1 might have survived several glacial cycles in situ and did not expand after the LGM because of the absence of suitable habitat; it survived in river islands. Genetic analysis and environment modelling suggested that the north‐eastern edge of QTP contained a major refugium for R. kukunoris. From here, lineage S dispersed southwards after the LGM. Two microrefugia in northern Qilian Mountains greatly contributed to current level of intraspecific genetic diversity. These results were found to have important implications for the habitat conservation in Northwest China.
Intake and serum concentrations of α-tocopherol in relation to fractures in elderly women and men: 2 cohort studies123

Background: A reduction in the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress might reduce the rate of bone loss and muscle wasting. Objective: The objective was to determine whether α-tocopherol intake or serum concentrations are associated with fracture risk in older women and men. Design: Two cohort studies, the Swedish Mammography Cohort (SMC; n = 61,433 women) and the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM; n = 1138 men), were used. Results: During 19 y of follow-up, 14,738 women in the SMC experienced a first fracture at any site (3871 hip fractures). A higher hip fracture rate was observed with lower intakes of α-tocopherol. Compared with the highest quintile of intake, the lowest quintile had a multivariable-adjusted HR of 1.86 (95% CI: 1.67, 2.06). The HR of any fracture was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.28). α-Tocopherol–containing supplement use was associated with a reduced rate of hip fracture (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.65, 0.93) and any fracture (HR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.78, 0.94). Compared with the highest quintile of α-tocopherol intake in ULSAM (follow-up: 12 y), lower intakes (quintiles 1–4) were associated with a higher rate of hip fracture (HR: 3.33; 95% CI: 1.43, 7.76) and any fracture (HR: 1.84; 95% CI: 1.18, 2.88). The HR for hip fracture in men for each 1-SD decrease in serum α-tocopherol was 1.58 (95% CI: 1.13, 2.22) and for any fracture was 1.23 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.48). Conclusion: Low intakes and low serum concentrations of α-tocopherol are associated with an increased rate of fracture in elderly women and men.