Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Bargaining with Optimism: Identification and Estimation of a Model of Medical Malpractice Litigation

We study a model of bargaining with optimism where players have heterogeneous beliefs about the final resolution. Beliefs and bargaining surplus are identified from the settlement probability and the distribution of accepted transfers. Using data from medical malpractice lawsuits in Florida, we estimate doctor and patient beliefs and the distribution of potential compensation. We find that patients are more optimistic and doctors more pessimistic when the severity of injury is higher, and the joint optimism diminishes as severity increases. We quantify the increase in settlement probability and the reduction in accepted settlement offers under counterfactual caps on the total compensation.
Teaching Practice of News English Listening Based on Digital Resources

The uniqueness of News English listening makes it become the most difficult part in English listening teaching. In view of the problems of teaching in our country, such as short teaching hours, plentiful teaching contents, single teaching mode and poor teaching effects, the author develops digital resources for News English to construct an online class, leading to an effective mode of blended teaching combining the advantages of network class and of traditional class. Practice proves that the students in the experimental class have surpassed those in the control class after a semester of learning in terms of vocabulary, news lead, grasp of the six elements as well as news retelling. This teaching mode has promoted the teaching reform of the News English listening, effectively improving the teaching efficiency and greatly increasing the student’s learning autonomy.
Ketogenic Diet Disrupts the Circadian Clock and Increases Hypofibrinolytic Risk by Inducing Expression of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1

Objectives—Metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity are considered risk factors for cardiovascular diseases by increasing levels of blood plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Ketogenic diets (KDs) have been used as an approach to weight loss in both obese and nonobese individuals. We examined circadian changes in plasma PAI-1 and its mRNA expression levels in tissues from mice fed with a KD (KD mice), to evaluate its effects on fibrinolytic functions. Methods and Results—Two weeks on the kDa increased plasma levels of free fatty acids and ketones accompanied by hypoglycemia in mice. Plasma PAI-1 concentrations were extremely elevated in accordance with mRNA expression levels in the heart and liver, but not in the kidneys of KD mice. Circadian expression of PAI-1 mRNA was phase-advanced for 4.7, 7.9, and 7.8 hours in the heart, kidney, and adipose tissues, respectively, as well as that of circadian genes mPer2 and DBP in KD mice, suggesting that peripheral clocks were phase-advanced by ketosis despite feeding ad libitum under a periodic light-dark cycle. The circadian clock that regulates behavioral activity rhythms was also phase-advanced, and its free-running period was significantly shortened in KD mice. Conclusions—Our findings suggest that ketogenic status increases hypofibrinolytic risk by inducing abnormal circadian expression of PAI-1.
Tablets Penetrate the Customer Advisory Process: A Case from a Swiss Private Bank

Ranging from customer service to board presentations, tablets increasingly penetrate the customer advisory process. Past research on mobile banking solutions focused on their potentials in an educational setting, on the advisory process, or on the design of a tablet solution in the retail banking sector. However, little research exists on the impact of tablets on the advisory process in private banking. We qualitatively examined the changes in the advisory process caused by the introduction of tablets in private banking. To that end, we describe the case of a Swiss Private Bank, which introduced tablets into its advisory process and underwent the transformation from a paper‐based to a tablet‐supported customer counselling.
Orbital decompression for disfiguring exophthalmos in thyroid orbitopathy.

BACKGROUND Progressive exophthalmos from dysthyroid orbitopathy may result in marked disfigurement. Commonly affecting middle-aged women, it can be a significant social and psychologic handicap. Cosmesis is increasingly recognized as an indication for orbital decompression. Many argue, however, that decompression carries risks of operative complications which are only warranted where vision is threatened. METHODS Between 1984 and 1990, the authors performed orbital decompression for cosmetic indications on 34 patients (65 orbits) with thyroid orbitopathy. The charts of these patients were reviewed to assess the results of surgery and the nature and incidence of complications. RESULTS The mean retroplacement achieved was 4 mm (range, -1.0 to 10 mm). In 29 (85%) of the 34 patients, there was a difference of 1 mm or less in the proptosis of the two eyes postoperatively. Diplopia arose de novo in five (18%) previously asymptomatic patients. Postdecompression strabismus was managed successfully with adjustable surgery (mean, 1.3 operations per patient). With the exception of transient infra-orbital nerve hypoesthesia, there were no surgical complications. CONCLUSION Decompression surgery is effective in reducing exophthalmos in dysthyroid orbitopathy. In this series of operations, complications were rare and treatable. Decompression is often the first of a series of operations that may be necessary to correct the cosmetic sequelae of this condition. It should be considered by experienced surgeons in carefully selected and counseled patients who have disfiguring thyroid orbitopathy.
Fuzzy Control System Design via Fuzzy Lyapunov Functions

This correspondence deals with the problems of analysis and design for a class of continuous-time Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy control systems. Sufficient conditions for the stability of fuzzy control systems are derived based on a fuzzy Lyapunov function. Both parallel and nonparallel distributed compensation controllers are considered. Sufficient conditions for the solvability of the controller design problem are given in the form of linear matrix inequalities. Unlike the fuzzy Lyapunov function approaches reported in the literature, the bound of the time derivatives of the fuzzy basis functions is not required in the proposed approaches. The effectiveness of the proposed approaches is shown through a numerical example.
Colonoscopic features and malignant potential of sessile serrated adenomas: comparison with other serrated lesions and conventional adenomas

Sessile serrated adenomas/polyps (SSA/Ps) have been proposed as precursors of colorectal cancer. The aims of this investigation were to compare the endoscopic findings of SSA/Ps with those of other serrated lesions and to compare the histological findings of SSA/Ps with those of conventional adenomas.
Tissue engineering of cultured skin substitutes

Skin replacement has been a challenging task for surgeons ever since the introduction of skin grafts by Reverdin in 1871. Recently, skin grafting has evolved from the initial autograft and allograft preparations to biosynthetic and tissue‐engineered living skin replacements. This has been fostered by the dramatically improved survival rates of major burns where the availability of autologous normal skin for grafting has become one of the limiting factors. The ideal properties of a temporary and a permanent skin substitute have been well defined. Tissue‐engineered skin replacements: cultured autologous keratinocyte grafts, cultured allogeneic keratinocyte grafts, autologous/allogeneic composites, acellular biological matrices, and cellular matrices including such biological substances as fibrin sealant and various types of collagen, hyaluronic acid etc. have opened new horizons to deal with such massive skin loss. In extensive burns it has been shown that skin substitution with cultured grafts can be a life‐saving measure where few alternatives exist. Future research will aim to create skin substitutes with cultured epidermis that under appropriate circumstances may provide a wound cover that could be just as durable and esthetically acceptable as conventional split‐thickness skin grafts. Genetic manipulation may in addition enhance the performance of such cultured skin substitutes. If cell science, molecular biology, genetic engineering, material science and clinical expertise join their efforts to develop optimized cell culture techniques and synthetic or biological matrices then further technical advances might well lead to the production of almost skin like new tissue‐engineered human skin products resembling natural human skin.
Invariant Chain and the MHC Class II Cytoplasmic Domains Regulate Localization of MHC Class II Molecules to Lipid Rafts in Tumor Cell-Based Vaccines1

Cell-based tumor vaccines, consisting of MHC class I+ tumor cells engineered to express MHC class II molecules, stimulate tumor-specific CD4+ T cells to mediate rejection of established, poorly immunogenic tumors. Previous experiments have demonstrated that these vaccines induce immunity by functioning as APCs for endogenously synthesized, tumor-encoded Ags. However, coexpression of the MHC class II accessory molecule invariant chain (Ii), or deletion of the MHC class II cytoplasmic domain abrogates vaccine immunogenicity. Recent reports have highlighted the role of lipid microdomains in Ag presentation. To determine whether Ii expression and/or truncation of MHC class II molecules impact vaccine efficacy by altering MHC class II localization to lipid microdomains, we examined the lipid raft affinity of MHC class II molecules in mouse M12.C3 B cell lymphomas and SaI/Ak sarcoma vaccine cells. Functional MHC class II heterodimers were detected in lipid rafts of both cell types. Interestingly, expression of Ii in M12.C3 cells or SaI/Ak cells blocked the MHC class II interactions with cell surface lipid rafts. In both cell types, truncation of either the α- or β-chain decreased the affinity of class II molecules for lipid rafts. Simultaneous deletion of both cytoplasmic domains further reduced localization of class II molecules to lipid rafts. Collectively, these data suggest that coexpression of Ii or deletion of the cytoplasmic domains of MHC class II molecules may reduce vaccine efficacy by blocking the constitutive association of MHC class II molecules with plasma membrane lipid rafts.
Perioperative monitoring of fluid responsiveness after esophageal surgery using stroke volume variation

Presented at:The 107th Annual Congress of Japan Surgical Society, Osaka International Convention Center, Japan, 11–13 April 2007. Objective: To assess the utility of a new arterial pressure-based cardiac output (FloTrac™) and central venous oximetry (PreSep™) monitoring system in the perioperative management of patients undergoing radical esophagectomy. Case series: From May 2006, a new analyzing device (Vigileo™ monitor; Edwards Lifesciences LLC, Tokyo, Japan), which can be used in combination with the FloTrac™ and PreSep™ sensors, has been used in nine patients who have undergone radical operations for thoracic esophageal cancer at our hospital. Stroke volume variation (SVV), calculated for each respiratory cycle and displayed on the Vigileo monitor, precisely predicted intravascular hypovolemia. The maximum SVV of patients who needed fluid resuscitation was significantly higher than that of patients who had a stable circulation. The mean value of the maximum SVV in the patient with or without fluid resuscitation was 25 ± 6.9 and 13 ± 1.4%, respectively (p < 0.04). In addition, continuous monitoring of central venous oxygen saturation enabled evaluation of oxygen supply to tissues to aid in determining the need for red blood cell transfusion. The Vigileo monitor (with Flo Trac and PreSep sensors) provided reliable information for the perioperative management of high-risk patients after highly invasive general surgery without the need for an invasive central or pulmonary catheter.
Smac/DIABLO Selectively Reduces the Levels of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 but Not That of XIAP and Livin in HeLa Cells*

The inhibitor of apoptosis (IAP) proteins bind and inhibit caspases via their baculovirus IAP repeat domains. Some of these IAPs are capable of ubiquitinating themselves and their interacting proteins through the ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase activity of their RING domain. The Drosophila IAP antagonists Reaper, Hid, and Grim can accelerate the degradation of Drosophila IAP1 and some mammalian IAPs by promoting their ubiquitin-protein isopeptide ligase activity. Here we show that Smac/DIABLO, a mammalian functional homolog of Reaper/Hid/Grim, selectively causes the rapid degradation of c-IAP1 and c-IAP2 but not XIAP and Livin in HeLa cells, although it efficiently promotes the auto-ubiquitination of them all. Smac binding to c-IAP via its N-terminal IAP-binding motif is the prerequisite for this effect, which is further supported by the findings that Smac N-terminal peptide is sufficient to enhance c-IAP1 ubiquitination, and Smac no longer promotes the ubiquitination of mutant c-IAP1 lacking all three baculovirus IAP repeat domains. In addition, different IAPs require the same ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes UbcH5a and UbcH6 for their ubiquitination. Taken together, Smac may serve as a key molecule in vivo to selectively reduce the protein level of c-IAPs through the ubiquitin/proteasome pathway.
Stage‐ and region‐dependent responses of chick wing‐bud mesenchymal cells to retinoic acid in serum‐free microcultures

Retinoic acid (RA) has been shown to affect skeletal patterning in vivo in both developing and regenerating limbs. Regional differences in RA concentrations alone cannot account for the region‐specific cell behaviors involved in limb‐skeletal morphogenesis. The present study explores a role for regional differences in signal interpretation in RA's effects along the anteroposterior and proximodistal axes of stage 21–22 and 23–24 chick wing‐buds. Mesenchymal cells isolated from specific limb regions were grown in chemically defined medium and exposed to 5 or 50 ng/ml of RA for 4 days in high‐density microtiter cultures. Previous studies showed that RA's effects on chondrogenesis and growth in such cultures differed depending on the position along the limb's proximodistal axis from which the cells were isolated. The present study is the first to show that such differences in RA‐responsiveness also exist along the limb's anteroposterior axis, especially in the distal subridge mesenchyme. The region‐dependent relationships between RA's effects on growth and chondrogenesis suggest that RA affects these two behaviors through different mechanisms. The regional differences in the responsiveness of these cells to exogenous RA are discussed with respect to their correspondence to the in vivo patterns of expression of RA‐binding proteins, RA‐receptors, and other patterning‐related genes. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH DECOMMISSIONING THE CHERNOBYL NUCLEAR POWER PLANT COOLING POND

Decommissioning of nuclear power plants and other nuclear fuel cycle facilities associated with residual radioactive contamination of their territories is an imperative issue. Significant problems may result from decommissioning of cooling ponds with residual radioactive contamination. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant (ChNPP) Cooling Pond is one of the largest self-contained water reservoirs in the Chernobyl region and Ukrainian and Belorussian Polesye region. The 1986 ChNPP Reactor Unit Number Four significantly contaminated the ChNPP Cooling Pond. The total radionuclide inventory in the ChNPP Cooling Pond bottom deposits are as follows: 137Cs: 16.28 ± 2.59 TBq; 90Sr: 2.4 ± 0.48 TBq; and 239+240Pu: 0.00518 ± 0.00148 TBq. The ChNPP Cooling Pond is inhabited by over 500 algae species and subspecies, over 200 invertebrate species, and 36 fish species. The total mass of the living organisms in the ChNPP Cooling Pond is estimated to range from about 60,000 to 100,000 tons. The territory adjacent to the ChNPP Cooling Pond attracts many birds and mammals (178 bird species and 47 mammal species were recorded in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone). This article describes several options for the ChNPP Cooling Pond decommissioning and environmental problems associated with its decommissioning. The article also provides assessments of the existing and potential exposure doses for the shoreline biota. For the 2008 conditions, the estimated total dose rate values were 11.4 40 &mgr;Gy h−1 for amphibians, 6.3 &mgr;Gy h−1 for birds, 15.1 &mgr;Gy h−1 for mammals, and 10.3 &mgr;Gy h−1 for reptiles, with the recommended maximum dose rate being equal to 40 &mgr;Gy h−1. However, drying the ChNPP Cooling Pond may increase the exposure doses to 94.5 &mgr;Gy h−1 for amphibians, 95.2 &mgr;Gy h−1 for birds, 284.0 &mgr;Gy h−1 for mammals, and 847.0 &mgr;Gy h−1 for reptiles. All of these anticipated dose rates exceed the recommended values.
Valsartan for prevention of restenosis after stenting of type B2/C lesions: the VAL-PREST trial.

The following study was performed to evaluate the effects of chronic 6-month administration of the angiotensin I receptor antagonist valsartan on restenosis rate after stenting of type B2/C lesions in comparison to placebo. Despite encouraging results of the BENESTENT and STRESS trials, stenting of complex coronary lesions leads to an in-stent restenosis rate of up to 40%. Several attempts at systematic medical therapy (e.g., ACE inhibitors) have not improved these results. Because of the important role of angiotensin in endothelial function, the hypothesis that angiotensin I receptor antagonists after stent implantation lead to a reduction of the in-stent restenosis rate should be tested in a single-center trial. Two hundred and fifty patients with type B2/C coronary lesions were randomized in an open-label study with respect to age, gender, lesion type and indication of percutaneous coronary intervention to a chronic administration of 80 mg valsartan or placebo (beta-blocking agents and/or ACE inhibitors). In-stent restenosis rate according to quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) and need for reintervention as primary and secondary endpoints were analyzed after a repeat angiogram at 6 months in 99 patients with 80 mg valsartan and 101 patients with placebo. Chronic administration of 80 mg valsartan reduced the in-stent restenosis rate to 19.2% (n = 19/99) in comparison to placebo with an in-stent restenosis rate of 38.6% (n = 39/101) (p < 0.005). Reintervention rate was 28.7% (n = 29/101) in the placebo group and only 12.1% (n = 12) in the valsartan group (p < 0.005). QCA analysis of stented coronary segments disclosed no differences in reference vessel diameter (2.68 +/- 0.26 mm in the valsartan group versus 2.71 +/- 0.24 mm in the placebo group) but significant differences in stented vessel diameter (2.17 +/- 0.27 mm in the valsartan group and 1.60 +/- 0.20 mm in the placebo group) (p < 0.000001).
Prophylaxis and treatment of influenza encephalitis in an experimental mouse model

A mouse model study using mouse brain‐adapted influenza A virus was performed to establish the prophylaxis and treatment of influenza encephalitis and encephalopathy. All mice died after intranasal inoculation of the brain‐adapted influenza A virus (H7N3), and the pathological findings indicated the presence of significant encephalitis. Viral antigen was also detected in the brain, both pathologically and virologically. By contrast, infected mice immunized with inactivated vaccine of the same strain did not lose weight, which is an indicator of the overall condition of the mice, and all of them survived. Similarly, antiserum treatment in the early period (0–1 day post‐infection) resulted in 100% survival, and no pathological findings were observed in the brain. However, mice treated with antiserum 3 days post‐infection showed encephalitis with viral antigens in both glial cells and neurocytes. Although amantadine treatment for 4 days delayed weight loss, it did not prevent death from encephalitis. These results show vaccination and early antiserum treatment to be highly effective, whereas 4‐day treatment of amantadine was not very effective in treating or preventing influenza encephalitis. The life‐prolonging effect of amantadine, however, suggests that use of amantadine together with other treatments may inhibit the progression of encephalitis. J. Med. Virol. 67:406–417, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Left atrial volume index as a marker of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic Tanzanian diabetic patients

Abstract Aim: To determine the prevalence of left atrial (LA) enlargement and its relation to left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction among asymptomatic diabetic outpatients attending Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Methods: Echocardiography was performed in 122 type 2 and 58 type 1 diabetic patients. Diastolic dysfunction was defined as peak transmitral blood velocity to medial mitral annulus velocity (E/E’) ratio ≥ 15. LA volume indexed to body surface area (LAVI) was considered enlarged if ≥ 29 ml/m2. Results: Enlarged LAVI and LV diastolic dysfunction were more common in type 2 than in type 1 diabetic patients (44.3 vs 25.9% and 20.5 vs 3.5%, respectively, both p < 0.05). In multivariate linear regression analysis, larger LAVI was associated with LV diastolic dysfunction independent of significant associations with LV mass index and presence of mitral regurgitation in type 2 diabetic patients, while LV mass index, lower ejection fraction and longer duration of diabetes were the main covariates of larger LAVI in type 1 diabetic patients (all p < 0.05). Conclusion: Enlarged LA is common among asymptomatic Tanzanian diabetic patients, and particularly associated with LV diastolic dysfunction in type 2, and with cardiomyopathy and lower systolic function in type 1 diabetic patients.
Reactivation of Epigenetically Silenced Genes by DNA Methyltransferase Inhibitors: Basic Concepts and Clinical Applications

Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is one of the most consistent hallmarks of human cancers. This epigenetic alteration has been associated with gene silencing and thus represents an important pathway for generating loss-of-function mutations. In this review, we survey the available literature on systematic, genome-wide approaches aimed at the identification of epigenetically silenced loci. These studies uncovered a variety of diverse genes, but a common signature for epigenetic reactivation has not been identified. Nevertheless, DNA methyltransferase inhibitors have shown significant clinical benefits, mostly in the therapy of leukemias. Recent analyses revealed substantial drug-induced methylation changes that can now be used as endpoints for the further refinement of clinical treatment schedules. Further optimization of epigenetic cancer therapies should be feasible through the use of novel DNA methyltransferase inhibitors with improved specificity. Rational design of epigenetic inhibitors might provide the foundation for a broader use of these drugs in the treatment of cancer.