Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma and Recombinant Human Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 on Suture Distraction Osteogenesis

BackgroundGrowth factors contained in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) have been reported to induce osteoblast differentiation in certain studies, while in others, osteogenesis has not been shown clinically. The aim of the present study was to verify the effect of PRP and its combination with rhBMP-2 as a controlled delivery system during sagittal suture distraction osteogenesis. MethodsThirty-six-week male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned to sagittal suture distraction osteogenesis groups treated with (1) PRP gel alone; and (2) PRP gel mixed with 10 &mgr;g rhBMP-2 (PRP/rhBMP-2), and a control group untreated. A heavy 200-g continuous mechanical force was applied for 33 days using a nickel titanium open spring to distract the suture between 2 miniscrew implants. The suture morphology was evaluated radiographically and histologically after sacrifice. ResultsThe amount of suture separation in the control group and the PRP gel group were statistically greater (P < 0.05) than in the PRP/rhBMP-2 gel group. Compared to the control group, the micro-CT and histologic analysis showed that the local application of PRP gel not only stimulates the new bone formation between the suture gap but accelerates the suture wound healing during distraction without suture fusion. There was a percent of total suture height 15.3 ± 9.5% fusion in PRP/rhBMP-2 gel group and the average thickness of cranium bone in the PRP/rhBMP-2 gel group was statistically greater (P < 0.05) than in the control group and the PRP gel group. ConclusionsIn this animal model, both PRP gel and PRP/rhBMP-2 gel are effective in improving new bone formation in suture distraction osteogenesis. PRP gel induces suture bone formation without suture fusion and accelerates the suture wound healing, while the PRP/rhBMP-2 gel group, in which the sutures fused prematurely, showed powerful bone formation ability aided by rhBMP-2. PRP can be alternatively use as a controlled release system for rhBMP-2, but caution should be used before proceeding with the application of high-dose growth factors around the growing craniofacial sutures.
Leptin and androgens in male obesity: evidence for leptin contribution to reduced androgen levels.

Leptin circulates in plasma at concentrations that parallel the amount of fat reserves. In obese males, androgen levels decline in proportion to the degree of obesity. Recently, we have shown that in rodent Leydig cells leptin inhibits hCG-stimulated testosterone (T) production via a functional leptin receptor isoform; others have found that leptin inhibits basal and hCG-induced T secretion by testis from adult rats. In this study, we further investigated the relationship linking leptin and androgens in men. Basal and hCG-stimulated leptin and sex hormone levels were studied in a large group of men ranging from normal weight to very obese (body mass index, 21.8-55.7). Initial cross-sectional studies showed that circulating leptin and fat mass (FM) were inversely related with total and free T (r = -0.51 and r = -0.38, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Multiple regression analysis indicated that the correlation between leptin or FM and T was not lost after controlling for SHBG and/or LH and/or estradiol (E2) levels and that leptin was the best hormonal predictor of the lower androgen levels in obesity. Dynamic studies showed that in obese men the area under the curve of T and free T to LH/hCG stimulation (5000 IU i.m.) was 30-40% lower than in controls and inversely correlated with leptin levels (r = -0.45 and r = -0.40, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). Also, LH/hCG-stimulation caused higher increases in 17-OH-progesterone to T ratio in obese men than in controls, whereas no differences were observed between groups either in stimulated E2 levels or in the E2/T ratio. In all subjects, the percentage increases from baseline in the 17-OH-progesterone to T ratio were directly correlated with leptin levels or FM (r = 0.40 and r = 0.45, P < 0.01), but not with E2 or other hormonal variables. In conclusion, our studies, together with previous in vitro findings, indicate that excess of circulating leptin may be an important contributor to the development of reduced androgens in male obesity.
Electrophysiological and morphological characteristics of layer VI pyramidal cells in the cat motor cortex.

1. Intracellular recordings were made from layer VI pyramidal cells in in vitro slice preparations of the cat motor cortex (area 4 gamma). Layer VI pyramidal cells were identified morphologically by intracellular injection of biocytin. 2. Of 22 layer VI pyramidal cells examined, single action potentials were followed by depolarizing afterpotentials (DAP) in 9 cells, but were not followed by DAP in the remaining 13 cells. The amplitude of DAP was 3.4 +/- 1.4 mV (mean +/- SD, n = 9) when measured from the negative peak of fast afterhyperpolarization to the peak of DAP. 3. In response to depolarizing current pulses with a duration of 300-400 ms, pyramidal cells showing DAP displayed a train of action potentials in a phasic-tonic pattern without any appreciable adaptation in the tonic firing, whereas pyramidal cells lacking DAP exhibited a weak adaptation after phasic firing. Anomalous rectification was seen in both pyramidal cells showing DAP and those lacking DAP. 4. Repetitive doublet or triplet spiking was induced in DAP-showing pyramidal cells in response to a depolarizing current pulse after injecting strong depolarizing current pulses of 400 ms duration at 1 Hz for 30-60 s, but was never induced in DAP-lacking pyramidal cells. Doublet/triplet spiking lasted 5-10 min and returned to the original single spiking. An application of CsCl induced a burst firing in DAP-showing pyramidal cells. 5. In the nine pyramidal cells showing DAP, seven cells had shorter apical dendrites that arborized extensively at layer V and terminated in the middle part of layer III. In the 13 pyramidal cells lacking DAP, 11 cells had longer apical dendrites that arborized less frequently and extended into layer II or I. Main axons could be traced into the deep white matter in 17 of the 22 layer VI pyramidal cells examined. 6. Ascending recurrent axon collaterals were more prominent in pyramidal cells with longer apical dendrites than in pyramidal cells with shorter apical dendrites. The terminal bouton-like swelling observed along the recurrent axon collaterals arising from the pyramidal cells with longer apical dendrite were distributed most densely at the level between the bottom part of layer III and the top part of layer V. In contrast, those arising from the pyramidal cells with shorter apical dendrite were distributed mainly at the levels of layers V and VI. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Trust as mediator of corporate social responsibility, image and loyalty in the hotel sector

ABSTRACT The hotel sector, one of the main pillars of the tourism industry, recognizes its social responsibility and considers it as part of its image. For this reason, firms require new variables and tools to respond to stakeholders’ needs. Trust is an essential variable in meeting these needs. However, managers are unaware that they can achieve much more through trust than through other variables. In this paper, with a sample of 629 guests in four international hotels, we use a model to show that the corporate social responsibility (CSR) association affects not only customers’ loyalty and the image they have of the hotel, but also their trust. Furthermore, this study confirms that the presence of trust as a mediator between CSR and image and loyalty leads to increased loyalty and positive image among guests. Our study shows that hotels should invest in socially responsible initiatives and develop actions to strengthen trust in order to improve their image and increase loyalty. We anticipate that our study will be a starting point for strengthening the literature on this issue, and call on researchers to extend enquiry in this field and provide hotels with guidelines for improvement in the above-mentioned variables using trust as a mediator.
Link adaptation with combined optimal frame size and rate selection in error-prone 802.11n networks

In error-prone channel with low SNRs, the network throughput may drop significantly if the packet length becomes too large. On the other hand, too much protocol overhead will be introduced if the packet length is too small. In this paper, we study this tradeoff and propose an adaptive frame size algorithm for A-MPDU in 802.11n networks, which can maximize the throughput by selecting the optimized frame length under different channel conditions. When used together with rate selection, the network throughput can be further improved. Both analytical model and simulation results are presented, demonstrating that our algorithm outperforms the fixed length transmission scheme in 802.11n networks under poor channel conditions.
Revalidating Saving-Investment Comovement in Nigeria: Surprises, Stylized Facts and Explanations

Numerous studies have attempted to examine the relationship between savings and investment without a consensus conclusion. Interestingly, there have been profound findings, arguments and scholarly contributions on the subject by different authors, researchers and scholars from most first class institutions around the world. To further heighten the argument around the subject, Feldstein-Horioka in his hypothesis, after running many regression, suggests that saving-investment co-movement under perfect capital mobility remains a puzzle. This paper therefore proposes a reconciliation model to revalidate the co-movement between savings and investment using the dataset sourced from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Statistical Bulletin between 1981 and 2017. The approach employed followed the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) and Granger Causality that presumed economic variables reactions are not instantaneous and effects require a feedback mechanism delay for some period. The results suggest the existence of strong positive correlation between national savings and business investment, proposing that policies/initiatives to increasing the domestic resource mobilization through national saving are crucial for stimulating rate of investment in Nigeria.
Chebyshev metric based multi-objective Monte Carlo tree search for combat simulations

Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS) is frequently used for online planning and decision making in large space problems, where the move maximizing a reward score is chosen as the optimal solution. As many problems have more than one objective, this paper presents a multi-objective version of MCTS. The algorithm employs a non-linear scalarization function, the Chebyshev metric based function, as a basis for node expansion and final move selection. We first test it in a multi-objective benchmark problem, the Deep Sea Treasure, to show its performance. Then how it is applied for commander behavior modeling in an infantry combat simulation is described. Results from a series of comparative experiments suggest that the performance of the presented approach matches the state of the art multi-objective MCTS implementation, and more suitable for the infantry commander decision making than the linear MCTS.
Late cardiac remodeling after primary percutaneous coronary intervention-five-year cardiac magnetic resonance imaging follow-up.

BACKGROUND Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) preserves function and improves survival. The late effects of PPCI on left ventricular remodeling, however, have not yet been investigated on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI). METHODS AND RESULTS Twenty-five patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) treated with PPCI underwent CMRI within 10 days, at 4 months and at 5 years. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume were quantified on cine images. Infarct mass and transmural extent of infarction were quantified on contrast-enhanced imaging. In all patients EDV increased significantly in the early phase (192 ± 40 ml to 211 ± 49 ml, P ≤ 0.01) and LVEF improved significantly (42 ± 9% to 46 ± 9%, P=0.02). In the late phase (>4 months) no significant changes were observed (LVEF 44 ± 9%, P=0.07; EDV 216 ± 68 ml, P=0.38). Three different groups could be identified. One-third (32%) had no dilatation at all; one-third (32%) had limited dilatation at 4 months without progression later; and 36% had progressive dilatation both at 4 months and at late follow-up. This third group had an average increase in EDV of 20% in the acute phase followed by an additional 13%. The strongest predictor for progressive dilatation was infarct mass. CONCLUSIONS Even in the era of PPCI for AMI followed by optimal medical therapy, one-third of patients had progressive dilatation, which was best predicted by infarct mass.
Challenges in the Use of Performance Data in Management: Results of a National Survey of Human Service Nonprofit Organizations

Abstract Nonprofit organizations are increasingly pressured to measure their performance. Although several studies identify driving factors of measuring performance in public organizations, there is limited understanding of current performance management practices at nonprofit organizations. Drawing from an online survey of mid- to large-sized nonprofit human service organizations across the United States, this research examines: (1) the types of performance information human service nonprofits measure; (2) the frequency of using performance data; and (3) the challenges nonprofits commonly face integrating performance data into management. Our empirical evidence suggests that human service nonprofits must recognize that data collected to meet external accountability requirements, often mandated by government or funders, may not provide meaningful information that organizations can use to enhance performance. We also discuss the nuanced role tangible incentives play in nonprofit performance management. The article concludes by highlighting the need for nonprofit managers and grant makers to work together to develop measures that meet both accountability and performance improvement aims.
Metabolic Activity of Developing Rabbit Lung

Summary: The uptake and metabolism of [3H]leucine, [U-14C]glucose, and [3H]palmitate were studied in rabbits aged −3, 1, 7, 28, and 90 days up to 1–1.5 years. Although lung composition did not change markedly, there were great differences in lung metabolism between the perinatal period (late fetal and newborn) and later stages of development.Leucine incorporation into lung protein was highest (3.1–3.4 nmol/mg protein/hr) in late fetal and newborn rabbits and decreased rapidly thereafter. Palmitic acid incorporation decreased during the first week after birth from 150 nmol/100 mg/hr to 85 nmol/100 nig/hr at 7 days of age; it increased thereafter to 170 nmol/100 mg/hr at 4 weeks of age and remained at that level throughout the entire period studied. Glucose uptake and lactate production were higher in fetal lungs than in all other age groups. Lipid biosynthesis from glucose was 2–4 times higher in fetal lungs than at all other ages; furthermore, more than 60% of glucose carbon atoms channeled into lipid was incorporated into fatty acids, whereas at all other ages glucose was chiefly a precursor of lipid glycerol.Speculation: Our data suggest that late fetal lung has a high metabolic activity that corresponds to the high synthetic demands of a rapidly growing and differentiating organ. Our study shows a higher glucose uptake in fetal and newborn lung than at later ages. Of special significance is the finding that lipid and, especially, fatty acid synthesis from glucose, is highest in the fetal lung. Since glucose is incorporated chiefly into phospholipids, the 7–8 times higher incorporation of glucose carbons into phospholipid fatty acid could have special significance for surfactant biosynthesis.
A comprehensive study on long‐term injury to nigral dopaminergic neurons following intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide in rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by selective and progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can induce chronic inflammation and has been widely used to study the pathogenesis of PD. In this study, a single intracerebroventricular injection of LPS was used to induce neurotoxic effects on dopaminergic neurons in Sprague–Dawley rats. The long‐term neurotoxic effects of LPS were evaluated at different time points. Microglia were activated in the hippocampus and striatum at 4 weeks, and in the SN at 24 weeks. Astrocytes were activated in the hippocampus and nigrostriatal system at 2 and 24 weeks. The expression of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in the SN increased at 4 weeks and decreased after 12 weeks, and tyrosine hydroxylase‐positive neurons in the SN were shown to have an atrophic appearance, with cell loss evident after 24 weeks. Phospho‐α‐synuclein expression, a reflection of parkinsonian pathogenesis, increased at 12 weeks, and peaked at 24 weeks. Abnormal motor behavior appeared at 16 weeks and lasted up to 48 weeks. These results indicate that microglia are activated for several months after a single, low dose injection of LPS, which eventually results in progressive and selective damage to dopaminergic neurons in the SN.
In Ovo and dietary administration of oligosaccharides extracted from palm kernel cake influence general health of pre- and neonatal broiler chicks

Palm kernel cake (PKC) is the main byproduct from the palm oil industry in several tropical countries that contains considerable amounts of oligosaccharide. We earlier demonstrated beneficial prebiotic effects of oligosaccharides extract of PKC (OligoPKC) in starter and finisher broiler birds. This study was envisaged to elucidate the effects of in ovo and/or oral administration of the OligoPKC on prenatal and post-hatched broiler chicks. A total of 140 broiler (Cobb500) eggs were randomly divided into two groups (n = 70 each), and on day 12 of incubation, eggs in one group received in ovo injection of 0.1 mL (containing 20 mg) of OligoPKC, while those in the other group received 0.1 mL of saline (placebo) solution. Of these in ovo placebo or OligoPKC injected eggs, after hatching, six chicks from each group were sampled for day-one analysis, while 48 chicks from each group were randomly allocated to two dietary regimes involving either no feeding or feeding of OligoPKC through basal diet for a 14 days experiment forming the experimental groups as: (i) saline-injected (Control, C), (ii) OligoPKC-injected (PREBovo), (iii) saline-injected, but fed 1% OligoPKC (PREBd), and (iv) OligoPKC-injected and also 1% OligoPKC (PREBovo+d). In ovo injection of prebiotic OligoPKC had no effect on body weight and serum immunoglobulins concentrations of day old chicks, except for IgG, which was increased significantly (P<0.05). Body weight and feed conversion ratio of 14 days old chicks were neither affected by in ovo injection nor feeding of OligoPKC. However, populations of cecal total bacteria and major beneficial bacteria of the chicks were markedly enhanced by feeding of OligoPKC (PREBd and PREBovo+d > C and PREBovo), but lesser influenced by in ovo OligoPKC injection. Irrespective of its prior in ovo exposure, chicks fed OligoPKC diets had lower population of pathogenic bacteria. Overall serum immunoglobulin status of birds was improved by feeding of OligoPKC but in ovo OligoPKC injection had minor effect on that. In most cases, in ovo OligoPKC injection and feeding of OligoPKC reduced the expression of nutrient transporters in the intestine and improved antioxidant capacity of liver and serum. It is concluded that in ovo injection of OligoPKC increased IgG production and antioxidant capacity in serum and liver of prenatal chicks and had limited carrying-over effects on the post-hatched chicks comparing to the supplementary feeding of OligoPKC.
IPM adoption, cooperative membership and farm economic performance

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of agricultural cooperative membership on farmers’ decisions to adopt integrated pest management (IPM) technology and to estimate the impact of IPM adoption on farm economic performance. Design/methodology/approach An endogenous switching probit model that addresses the sample selection bias issue arising from both observed and unobserved factors is used to estimate the survey data from a sample of 481 apple households in China. A treatment effects model is employed to estimate the impact of IPM adoption on apple yields, net returns and agricultural income. In order to address the potential endogeneity associated with off-farm work variable in estimating both cooperative membership choice specification and IPM adoption specifications, a control function approach is used. Findings The empirical results show that cooperative membership exerts a positive and significant impact on the adoption of IPM technology. In particular, farmers’ IPM adoption decision is significantly associated with household and farm-level characteristics (e.g. education, farm size and price knowledge). IPM adoption has a positive and statistically significant impact on apple yields, net returns and agricultural income. Practical implications The findings indicate that agricultural cooperatives can be a transmission route in the efforts to proliferate the adoption and diffusion of IPM technology, and increased IPM adoption tends to improve the economic performance of farm households. Originality/value Despite the widespread evidence of health and environmental benefits associated with IPM technology, the adoption rate of this technology remains significantly low. This paper provides a first attempt by investigating to what extent and how agricultural cooperative membership affects IPM adoption and how IPM adoption influences farm economic performance.
Amending budget bills in the Russian State Duma

Abstract Do budget bills change during review in the Russian State Duma? If so, by how much and why? Portrayals of the contemporary Federal Assembly as a ‘rubber stamp’ parliament would suggest that budget initiatives undergo no amendment during the formal period of legislative review. There is, however, evidence of bill change. The article’s primary goal is to present this surprising evidence, focusing on changes to spending figures in the 2002–2016 budget bills. The article also discusses why such changes are made, assessing hypotheses concerning legislator influence, technical updating and intra-executive conflict.