Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Microcirculation and microvasculature in breast tumors: Pharmacokinetic analysis of dynamic MR image series

The purpose of this study was to quantify microcirculation and microvasculature in breast lesions by pharmacokinetic analysis of Gd‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI series. Strongly T1‐weighted MR images were acquired in 18 patients with breast lesions using a saturation‐recovery‐TurboFLASH sequence. Concentration‐time courses were determined for blood, pectoral muscle, and breast masses and subsequently analyzed by a two‐compartment model to estimate plasma flow and the capillary transfer coefficient per unit of plasma volume (F/VP, KPS/VP) as well as fractional volumes of the plasma and interstitial space (fP, fI). Tissue parameters determined for pectoral muscle (fP = 0.04 ± 0.01, fI = 0.09 ± 0.01, F/VP = 2.4 ± 1.3 min‐1, and KPS/VP = 1.2 ± 0.5 min‐1) and 10 histologically proven carcinomas (fP = 0.20 ± 0.07, fI = 0.34 ± 0.16, F/VP = 2.4 ± 0.7 min‐1, and KPS/VP = 0.86 ± 0.62 min‐1) agreed reasonable well with literature data. Best separation between malignant and benign lesions was obtained by the ratio KPS/F (0.35 ± 0.17 vs. 1.23 ± 0.65). The functional imaging technique presented appears promising to quantitatively characterize tumor pathophysiology. Its impact on diagnosis and therapy management of breast tumors, however, has to be evaluated in larger patient studies. Magn Reson Med 52:420–429, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Clinically Unsuspected Neuritic Leprosy with Caseation Necrosis

Leprosy is a devastating disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. It includes a spectrum of clinicopathological lesions. Neuritic leprosy with caseation necrosis (abscess) manifesting as a soft tissue mass is a relatively rare presentation of leprosy. Here, the authors report their experience with three patients with neuritic leprosy. The patients presented with swellings in the right ulnar nerve, the right great auricular nerve, and the temporal branch of the right sixth cranial nerve. The clinical impression was that of tumorous masses. Gross examination of the biopsy specimens revealed caseous necrotic materials. Further histological evaluation disclosed tuberculoid granulomas with extensive caseation necrosis. Stains for acid-fast bacilli were positive in the third case. A comparison between the caseation encountered in the tuberculoid neurotic leprosy and the neurolysis of lepromatous neurotic leprosy has been also discussed. The findings here emphasize “mass lesion with necrosis” as a possible clinical presentation of the neuritic leprosies. The clinicopathologic features were addressed and the relevant literature was reviewed.
A local constraint method for needle insertion modeling and simulation

This paper presents a novel constraint method for dynamic modeling and simulation of needle insertion based on FE framework. Modeling of the interactive events during a needle insertion procedure such as contact, puncture and friction using the finite element method is cumbersome due to the need to continually update the mesh to match the geometry of the discontinuity. Here, we describe a Local Constraint Method that uses outputs generated by the interaction between a needle node and a ‘contact’ point inside one finite element of the tissue as constraints that affect deformation and the force distribution of the tissue and needle. The constraints are applied at the nodal points of the initial mesh in order to avoid remeshing; and the variations mapped from the needle to points within the tissue region are considered as properties representative of the whole body to ensure accuracy of the simulation. This method can be employed to simulate a dynamic model for different interactions with different material properties. A simulation based on this method to realize the dynamic model of needle insertion is described for validation.
Perceptions of nonsurgical permanent contraception among potential users, providers, and influencers in Wardha district and New Delhi, India: Exploratory research

Background: New permanent contraceptive methods are in development, including nonsurgical permanent contraception (NSPC). Objective: In the present study, perceptions of NSPC in India among married women, married men, mothers-in-law, providers, and health advocates in Eastern Maharashtra (Wardha district) and New Delhi were examined. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 40 married women and 20 mothers-in-law; surveys with 150 married men; and focus group discussions with obstetrics/gynecology providers and advocates. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using a grounded theory approach, where emerging themes are analyzed during the data collection period. Results: The majority of female respondents expressed support of permanent contraception and interest in NSPC, stating the importance of avoiding surgery and minimizing recovery time. They expressed concerns about safety and efficacy; many felt that a confirmation test would be necessary regardless of the failure rate. Most male respondents were supportive of female permanent contraception (PC) and preferred NSPC to a surgical method, as long as it was safe and effective. Providers were interested in NSPC yet had specific concerns about safety, efficacy, cost, uptake, and government pressure. They also had concerns that a nonsurgical approach could undermine the inherent seriousness of choosing PC. Advocates were interested in NSPC but had concerns about safety and potential misuse in the Indian context. Conclusion: Although perceptions of NSPC were varied, all study populations indicated interest in NSPC. Concerns about safety, efficacy, appropriate patient counseling, and ethics emerged from the present study and should be considered as NSPC methods continue to be developed.
RAAODV: a reputation-aware AODV for mobile ad hoc networks

Mobile Ad hoc Networks (MANETs) are self-configuring autonomous networks consisting of a set of mobile nodes connected by wireless links. The lack of fixed infrastructure and centralized administration makes it necessary for nodes to cooperate with each other to communicate. However, some nodes may choose to stop forwarding packets intended for others to conserve power, bandwidth, and computational resources. These selfish nodes can have a detrimental impact on the performance of the entire network due to packet loss, denial of service, a decrease in network throughput, and network partitioning. The legacy Ad hoc On-demand Distance Vector (AODV) routing protocol suffers from the inability to mitigate this selfish behavior. In this paper, a new variant of AODV called Reputation-Aware AODV (RAAODV) is proposed and evaluated. RAAODV monitors neighboring nodes, manages reputations, and reacts against detected selfish behavior. Experiments show that RAAODV improves network performance by 54% above legacy AODV when as many as 50% of nodes behave selfishly all the time.
Convergence of Accounting Standards and Financial Reporting Externality: Evidence from Mandatory IFRS Adoption

Using mandatory adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as a natural experiment, we examine whether reporting externalities can be magnified when financial disclosures are based on a common set of accounting standards. Specifically, we investigate and find that the changes in publicly available information of mandatory IFRS adopters (due to the convergence of accounting standards) can impact the investment efficiency of prior voluntary adopters. While we document positive externalities of mandatory IFRS, we also observe heterogeneity in these spillover effects at the firm and the country level, suggesting that externalities increase with improvements in the comparability of accounting information.
Propagation of surface acoustic wave in one-dimensional piezoelectric phononic crystals

We analyze the propagation of Rayleigh surface acoustic waves in one dimensional piezoelectric phononic crystals covered with an elastic film. A complete surface acoustic wave band gap is calculated by means of the plane wave expansion method (PWE) and finite element method (FEM). We focus on the effects of the geometric dimensions including the thickness of the film and the filling fraction of the phononic crystal to the band gap. We can find the width of the band gap becomes small with the increase of the thickness of covered film, and the maximum band-gap width appears when the filling fraction is 0.45.
Shaping ability of progressive versus constant taper instruments in curved root canals of extracted teeth.

AIM To compare the shaping ability of progressive versus constant taper shaft instruments in curved root canals of extracted human teeth. METHODOLOGY A total of 40 root canals of mandibular molars with curvatures ranging between 20 degrees and 40 degrees were divided into two groups of 20 canals each and embedded in a muffle system. The root canals sectioned horizontally at three levels before preparation and then remounted into the mould. All root canals were prepared with ProTaper (progressive taper) or Hero Shaper (constant taper) instruments. Pre- and post-instrumentation radiographs and cross-sectional images were obtained. The parameters evaluated were: working safety (instrument failure, apical blockage and loss of working length) and shaping ability (straightening, cross-sectional area, transportation and centring ability). The data were analysed statistically using Student's t-test. RESULTS No instrument fractured during preparation. One Hero Shaper instrument permanently deformed. Both instrument systems maintained working length well. The canals prepared with Hero Shaper instruments were straightened to a lesser degree (P < 0.05). ProTaper instruments removed more dentine in the coronal and the middle sections of the canals. Canals prepared with Hero Shaper instruments had less transportation (P < 0.01) and better centring ability (P < 0.05) in the apical section. CONCLUSIONS Both instrument systems were safe to use and maintained working length well. The canals prepared with Hero Shaper had less transportation and were better centred in the apical region, possibly because their smaller taper reduced instrument stiffness.
Partial Fourier techniques in single‐shot cross‐term spatiotemporal encoded MRI

Cross‐term spatiotemporal encoding (xSPEN) is a single‐shot approach with exceptional immunity to field heterogeneities, the images of which faithfully deliver 2D spatial distributions without requiring a priori information or using postacquisition corrections. xSPEN, however, suffers from signal‐to‐noise ratio penalties due to its non‐Fourier nature and due to diffusion losses—especially when seeking high resolution. This study explores partial Fourier transform approaches that, acting along either the readout or the spatiotemporally encoded dimensions, reduce these penalties.
Metabolic Long-Term Follow-Up of Functioning Simultaneous Pancreas-Kidney Transplantation Versus Pancreas Transplantation Alone: Insights and Limitations

Background. Pancreas transplantation involves a set of procedures that, in some cases, lead to different complications and outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term effects of pancreas transplantation regarding carbohydrate and lipid metabolism parameters to determine differences between simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation and pancreas transplantation alone (PTA). Methods. Sixty-four patients (46 SPK and 18 PTA), with an immunosuppression protocol based on tacrolimus plus mycophenolate mofetil and prednisone, were evaluated for at least 1 year after transplantation. No patient made use of any hypoglycemic or hypolipidemic drugs. Comparisons were performed between SPK and PTA patients using the chi-square test, Fischer's exact test, and unpaired Student's t test, as appropriate. Results. Patients were 39.8±9.3 years old, predominantly male (60.9%), with a mean follow-up of 25.4±10.4 months after transplantation. The PTA group exhibited worse renal function and higher tacrolimus levels than the SPK group. Fasting glucose, 2 hr plasma glucose after overload, C-peptide, and HbA1C were within the normal range, with no statistically significant differences between the PTA and SPK groups. Insulin (INS) and the homeostasis model assessment of INS resistance index were above the normal range in both the groups. Lipids were also similar between groups. Conclusions. The majority of patients with long-term functioning pancreas transplant achieved good glucose control without use of exogenous INS or oral antidiabetic drugs, although they were hyperinsulinemic. There were no significant differences concerning glucose and lipid parameters between the SPK and PTA groups, even though the PTA patients exhibited higher tacrolimus levels and worse renal function.
Transmural flow bioreactor for vascular tissue engineering

Nutrient transport limitation remains a fundamental issue for in vitro culture of engineered tissues. In this study, perfusion bioreactor configurations were investigated to provide uniform delivery of oxygen to media equivalents (MEs) being developed as the basis for tissue‐engineered arteries. Bioreactor configurations were developed to evaluate oxygen delivery associated with complete transmural flow (through the wall of the ME), complete axial flow (through the lumen), and a combination of these flows. In addition, transport models of the different flow configurations were analyzed to determine the most uniform oxygen profile throughout the tissue, incorporating direct measurements of tissue hydraulic conductivity, cellular O2 consumption kinetics, and cell density along with ME physical dimensions. Model results indicate that dissolved oxygen (DO) uniformity is improved when a combination of transmural and axial flow is implemented; however, detrimental effects could occur due to lumenal pressure exceeding the burst pressure or damaging interstitial shear stress imparted by excessive transmural flow rates or decreasing hydraulic conductivity due to ME compaction. The model was verified by comparing predicted with measured outlet DO concentrations. Based on these results, the combination of a controlled transmural flow coupled with axial flow presents an attractive means to increase the transport of nutrients to cells within the cultured tissue to improve growth (increased cell and extracellular matrix concentrations) as well as uniformity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009; 104: 1197–1206. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Inhibitor Enhances Antitumor Immunity through an Immune-Based Mechanism

Purpose: Given the complex tumor microenvironment, targeting multiple cellular components may be the most effective cancer treatment strategy. Therefore, we tested whether antiangiogenic and immune-based therapy might synergize by characterizing the activity of DC101, an antiangiogenic monoclonal antibody specific for vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGF-R2), alone and with HER-2/neu (neu)–targeted vaccination. Experimental Design: Neu-expressing breast tumors were measured in treated nontolerant FVB mice and immune-tolerant neu transgenic (neu-N) mice. Neu-specific and tumor cell–specific immune responses were assessed by intracellular cytokine staining, ELISPOT, and CTL assays. Results: DC101 decreased angiogenesis and increased tumor cell apoptosis. Although DC101 increased serum levels of the immunosuppressive cytokine VEGF, no evidence of systemic immune inhibition was detected. Moreover, DC101 did not impede the influx of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. In FVB mice, DC101 inhibited tumor growth in part through a T cell–dependent mechanism, resulting in both increased tumor-specific CD8+ T cells and tumor regression. Combining DC101 with neu-specific vaccination accelerated tumor regression, augmenting the lytic activity of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells. In tolerant neu-N mice, DC101 only delayed tumor growth without inducing frank tumor regression or antigen-specific T-cell activation. Notably, mitigating immune tolerance by inhibiting regulatory T cell activity with cyclophosphamide revealed DC101-mediated augmentation of antitumor responses in vaccinated neu-N mice. Conclusions: This is the first report of DC101-induced antitumor immune responses. It establishes the induction of tumor-specific T-cell responses as one consequence of VEGF-R2 targeting with DC101. These data support the development of multitargeted cancer therapy combining immune-based and antiangiogenic agents for clinical translation.
Role of Endothelin in Mediating Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1–Induced Hypertension in Pregnant Rats

Although soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), an antagonist of vascular endothelial growth factor and placental growth factor, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertension during preeclampsia, the mechanisms whereby enhanced sFlt-1 production leads to hypertension remain unclear. Both sFlt-1 and endothelin 1 productions are elevated in women with preeclampsia and in placental ischemic animal models of preeclampsia; however, the importance of endothelin 1 and sFlt-1 interactions in the control of blood pressure during pregnancy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of endothelin 1 in mediating sFlt-1–induced hypertension in pregnant rats. To achieve this goal, sFlt-1 (3.7 &mgr;g/kg per day for 6 days) was infused into normal pregnant rats and pregnant rats treated with a selective endothelin type A receptor antagonist, ABT 627 (5 mg/kg per day for 6 days). Plasma concentration of sFlt-1 increased from 735±34 pg/mL in normal pregnant rats to 2498±645 pg/mL (P<0.05) with infusion of sFlt-1. Arterial pressure increased from 100±1 mm Hg in normal pregnant rats to 122±3 mm Hg (P<0.05) in sFlt-1–infused rats. Chronic increases in plasma sFlt-1 in normal pregnant rats increased preproendothelin mRNA expression in the renal cortices by ≈3-fold. In addition, chronic endothelin type A receptor blockade completely abolished the blood pressure response to sFlt-1 in pregnant rats (104±3 versus 100±1 mm Hg; P<0.05), whereas the endothelin A receptor antagonist had no effect on arterial pressure in NP rats (105±2 versus 100±1 mm Hg). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that endothelin 1, via endothelin type A receptor activation, plays an important role in mediating the hypertension in response to excess sFlt-1 during pregnancy.
Sodium Chloride Raises Blood Pressure in Normotensive Subjects The Study of Sodium and Blood Pressure

The effects of dietary sodium on blood pressure in normotensive adults is not well characterized. The Study of Sodium and Blood Pressure (SNaP) is a randomized, double-blind crossover trial using a placebo or 96 meq sodium in 4-week treatment periods separated by a 2-week washout period. Before capsule treatment periods, participants were instructed in a low sodium diet for 10 weeks to reduce urinary sodium excretion to less than 35 meq/8 hr. The low sodium diet was continued throughout the capsule treatment periods. Participants (n=48; 47 white, 1 black) were 79% male and had an average age of 52 years, a body mass index of 27.6, and a baseline blood pressure of 131/84 mm Hg. Baseline overnight urinary sodium excretion was 51 meq/8 hr and 19 meq/8 hr after the low sodium diet run-in period, before the capsule treatment periods began. Resting, seated blood pressure was measured twice at each visit in a standard fashion. Differences between sodium and placebo treatment periods were as follows: systolic blood pressure, 123.9 versus 1203 mm Hg, respectively p<0.001); diastolic blood pressure, 78.7 versus 76.4 mm Hg, respectively (p=0.005); and sodium excretion, 513 versus 30.9 meq/8 hr, respectively (p<0.001). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures increased significant amounts in normotensive adults on a low sodium diet supplemented with 96 meq/day sodium. Long-term effects and doseresponse relations need further study.
A Phenomenological Study of Family Needs Following the Suicide of a Teenager

The objective of this phenomenological study was to develop an understanding of family needs following the suicide of a teenager. Six parent units living in the Midwest who lost a teenager to suicide were interviewed. Participants indicated several key themes that describe a parent's needs following the suicide of a teenager. These needs were organized into 6 main categories: (a) support by listening and responding, (b) support from another suicide survivor, (c) support in finding direction, (d) support when viewing the deceased teen, (e) support in remembering the teen, and (f) support in parents giving back to the community.
Assessing the impacts of SADC Free Trade Agreements (SADC FTA) on South African agricultural trade

In today’s economically integrated world, trade matters more than ever before. Nations are signing various bilateral trade agreements and are engaged in various form of economic integration. Developing countries are also involved in economic integration for vital developments. Free trade areas (FTA), which is a form of economic integration, is formed by removing tariffs on trade among member nations leaving the autonomy in setting their tariffs on trade with non-members. The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) became a Free Trade Area in 2008 for the economic integration of members. Literature reviews revealed that econometric models (gravity model in particular) have not been extensively used to estimate the impact of free trade agreements on South African agricultural trade at commodity level using disaggregated data. This study, therefore, evaluates the impact of Southern Africa Development Community Free Trade Agreements (SADCFTA) on South African agricultural trade using gravity model. The study focuses on South African data for agricultural exports and imports with SADC member countries and EU-15 countries for meat of bovine, maize and wheat commodities from 2000 to 2011. These products were selected based on their sensitivity, relative importance in terms of their contributions to the gross value of
Specific and Sensitive Detection of Ralstonia solanacearum in Soil on the Basis of PCR Amplification of fliC Fragments

ABSTRACT Ralstonia solanacearum is the causative agent of bacterial wilt in many important crops. A specific and sensitive PCR detection method that uses primers targeting the gene coding for the flagella subunit, fliC, was established. Based on the first fliC gene sequence of R. solanacearum strain K60 available at GenBank, the Ral_fliC PCR primer system was designed; this system yielded a single 724-bp product with the DNAs of all of the R. solanacearum strains tested. However, R. pickettii and four environmental Ralstonia isolates also yielded amplicons. The Ral_fliC PCR products obtained with 12 strains (R. solanacearum, R. pickettii, and environmental isolates) were sequenced. By sequence alignment, Rsol_fliC primers specific for R. solanacearum were designed. With this primer system, a specific 400-bp PCR product was obtained from all 82 strains of R. solanacearum tested. Six strains of R. pickettii and several closely related environmental isolates yielded no PCR product; however, a product was obtained with one Pseudomonas syzygii strain. A GC-clamped 400-bp fliC product could be separated in denaturing gradient gels and allowed us to distinguish P. syzygii from R. solanacearum. The Rsol_fliC PCR system was applied to detect R. solanacearum in soil. PCR amplification, followed by Southern blot hybridization, allowed us to detect about one target DNA molecule per PCR, which is equivalent to 103 CFU g of bulk soil−1. The system was applied to survey soils from different geographic origins for the presence of R. solanacearum.