Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of the Expression of the Renin-Angiotensin System in Primary and Immortalised Human Renal Proximal Tubular Cells

Background/Aims: Angiotensin II (AngII) is pivotal in the pathogenesis of progressive kidney disease. We have recently shown that AngII induced an increase in markers of oxidative stress, adaptive responses and upregulated stress-related gene expression in immortalised human proximal tubular (HK-2) cells. However, these observed effects of AngII were not mediated solely via AngII type 1 receptor (ATR1). Both HK-2 cells and primary human renal proximal tubular cells (RPTEC) are useful tools to investigate the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), but data on the local expression of the RAS in these cells remain limited. We therefore characterised RAS expression in RPTEC and HK-2 cells. Methods: The mRNA and protein expression of RAS in RPTEC and HK-2 cells was examined by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunoprecipitation. Results: In both cell lines, mRNA for angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and mRNA and protein expression for angiotensinogen, renin, ACE2, ATR1 and ATR4 were detected. Candesartan, a specific ATR1 blocker, effectively blocked the expression of 80% of the stress-related genes that were upregulated in HK-2 cells following exposure to AngII. Con clusion: These data support a role for AngII in mediating oxidative stress via other receptor types stimulated by AngII and confirm that it is possible to investigate ATR4 pathways of potential injury in RPTEC.
The hinge between input and output: understanding the multimodal input fusion results in an agent-based multimodal presentation system

A multimodal interface provides multiple modalities for input and output, such as speech, eye gaze and facial expression. With the recent progresses in multimodal interfaces, various approaches about multimodal input fusion and output generation have been proposed. However, less attention has been paid to how to integrate them together in a multimodal input and output system. This paper proposes an approach, termed as THE HINGE, in providing agent-based multimodal presentations in accordance with multimodal input fusion results. The analysis of experiment result shows the proposed approach enhances the flexibility of the system while maintains its stability.
The CAPM in an options pricing framework

The CAPM of Sharpe (1964), Lintner (1965) and Markowitz (1952) provides a parsimonious framework for understanding the risk-return relationship between securities. It has received (and largely survived) extensive criticism, but despite the theoretical elegance and pedagogic simplicity, it does not satisfy the day to day realities of fund managers. There are possibly several reasons for this, but two in particular are examined in this paper; the definition of risk and the expectations framework of the CAPM.
Clinicopathological features of patients with malignant mesothelioma in a multicenter, case-control study: no role for ABO-Rh blood groups.

BACKGROUND Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive tumor of mesothelial surfaces. Previous studies have observed an association between ABO blood groups and risk of certain malignancies, including pancreatic and gastric cancer; however, no information on any association with MM risk is available. The aim of this study was to investigate possible associations amoong MM clinicopathological features and ABO blood groups and Rh factor. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 252 patients with MM, the ABO blood group and Rh factor were examined and compared with the control group of 3,022,883 healthy volunteer blood donors of Turkish Red Crescent between 2004 and 2011. The relationship of blood groups with various clinicopathological features were also evaluated in the patient group. RESULTS The median age was 55 (range: 27-86) and 61.5% of patients were male. While 82.8% of patients had a history of exposure to asbestos, 60.7% of patients had a smoking history. Epithelioid (65.1%) was the most common histology and 18.7% of patients had mixed histology. Overall, the ABO blood group distribution of the 252 patients with MM was comparable with the general population. The median overall survival (OS) was 14 months (95% confidence interval, 11.3-16.6 months). The median OS for A, B, AB, and O were 11, 15, 16, and 15 months respectively (p=0.396). First line chemotherapy was administered to 118 patients. The median OS of patients on pemetrexed or gemcitabine was longer than patient who was not administered chemotherapy [17 months (95%CI, 11.7-22.2) vs. 9 months (95%CI, 6.9-11.0); p<0.001]. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that patients with MM can benefit from treatment with pemetrexed or gemcitabine in combination with cisplatin. We did not observe a statistically significant association between ABO blood group and risk of MM.
A radiographic study of the position and prevalence of the maxillary arterial endosseous anastomosis using cone beam computed tomography.

PURPOSE This study was designed to investigate the prevalence and course of the vascular canals in the maxillary sinus walls and to measure the distance between the sinus floor, the edentulous alveolar crest, and the vascular canal using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS The maxillary sinus CBCT scans of 250 patients scheduled for implant surgery were examined. The vertical and mediolateral positions of the vascular canals or notches were investigated on the CBCT images. The location of each tooth was confirmed using a diagnostic template for implant placement. Statistical analyses were performed to verify whether the mean artery position was significantly different according to each tooth location, gender, and age. RESULTS A maxillary arterial endosseous anastomosis was observed in 52.8% of patients. The mean perpendicular distance from the sinus floor to the vascular canal was shortest in the first molar region (7.58 ± 3.19 mm) and longest in the first premolar region (9.2 ± 3.22 mm). The mean distance from the alveolar crest to the vascular canal was shortest in the first molar region (14.79 ± 4.04 mm) and longest in the first premolar region (18.92 ± 4.86 mm). These distances were significantly different according to tooth position. The mean distances from the alveolar crest and the sinus floor to the vascular canal did not decrease with age. The mediolateral position of the canals was also significantly different depending on tooth position. CONCLUSION With this information about the branch of the posterior superior alveolar artery from CBCT, unnecessary bleeding during implant placement should be more easily preventable. The use of CBCT is recommended as a routine procedure prior to sinus floor elevation.
The Use and Value Sources of Information Used By Women During Pregnancy : Scoping Review

Pregnant women, especially in the age of technologically sophistication as today have a great opportunity to find information sources about pregnancy by using various media. They can get this information through websites, blogs, online discussion forums, applications and social media platforms. Pregnant women not only use information sources to obtain information but also can share information with other users on social media.The aim of scoping review is to know the use and value sources of information used by women during pregnancy. This study employed Sciendirect and pubmed to find relevant articles, using search terms “Digital Media”, “ Information”, “seeking” and “pregnancy”. The Publication dates of those articles ranged from 2012 to 2018. 1171 was found and sorted based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in eleven articles that had been used in this study. Thematic analysis was used to identify key consepts. We grouped these key consepts into four emergent themes : use and value of Mobile Health, use and value of the Internet, health information search and the impact of social media as information search media in pregnancy.
Gait analysis measurement for sport application based on ultrasonic system

Gait analysis is a very important procedure in assessing and improving many quality of life indicators. In sports, gait analysis can be used to improve athlete's performance and injury prevention. This paper presents the development of ultrasonic system in wearable instrumented shoes for gait analysis measurement in sport application. This paper begins with introduce to the requirement in the related literature. The explanation on the system configuration follows next that describes sensor properties and time of flight concept. Next, is a section that explains the experimental setup using the proposed instrumentation which is then followed by the result section. Finally, the planned future works shares in this paper.
Geometry optimization of dual-layer offset detectors for compact ring diameter PET systems

Compact ring diameter PET systems suffer degradation in spatial resolution with increasing radial offset due to the parallax error caused by depth of interaction (DOI) effects. In this work, we study the problem of optimizing layer thicknesses for a detector that uses a dual-layer offset (DLO) scintillator array. In this design, a half-crystal offset exists between the crystals in the front and back layer. The goal of this optimization is to minimize parallax related event mispositioning for several fixed total detector thicknesses. GATE Monte Carlo simulations were used to investigate detector geometries for a brain dedicated PET insert that fits into the Siemens Magnetom 7 T MR scanner. The bore diameter of the MR scanner is 360 mm. LYSO is the choice of scintillation material. Total crystal thickness ranges from 10 to 30 mm with front-to-back layer ratios of 10/90 to 100/0 (i.e. single layer). A crystal pitch of 2 mm was assumed in this study. Collectively, a total of 50 detector geometries were considered in this work. For each total thickness, the optimum thickness ratios were found such that the average radial displacement between the first point of interaction in the scintillator array and the assigned position of the event is minimized. Results show that the radial blurring is minimized when the front layer is 40-60% of the total scintillator thickness for 10 mm thick arrays, 40-50% for 15 and 20 mm arrays, 30-40% for 25 mm arrays, and 20-40% for 30 mm arrays. For total detector thicknesses greater than 10 mm, the optimal front layer thickness was always equal to or thinner than the back layer thickness.
When is a heterophile antibody not a heterophile antibody? When it is an antibody against a specific immunogen.

Heterophile antibodies are antibodies produced against poorly defined antigens. These are generally weak antibodies with multispecific activities. Human anti-animal antibodies that develop as a result of treatments with animal immunoglobulins are antibodies with strong avidities, produced against well-defined antigens. Although heterophile antibodies and human anti-animal antibodies interfere with immunological assays by similar mechanisms, modes for identifying the sources of the antibodies and for circumventing or retarding the interference may differ. Unfortunately, there has not been a well-organized attempt to encourage correct definition of these antibodies. This problem of inexact definition is highlighted by recent articles in this Journal. In the present discussion, we examine the history leading to this problem and discuss the origins and the reasons that the nature of the antibody is important for rectifying the problem. We propose a simple nomenclature for general usage that should appropriately characterize these antibodies in most cases.
Serum complement activation in congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND Although activation of the complement system in myocardial infarction and cardiopulmonary bypass has been shown to contribute to myocardial injury, its role in congestive heart failure (CHF) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of terminal complement activation and its relation to clinical outcomes in patients with CHF. METHODS We measured serum levels of the terminal complement complex C5b-9 in 36 patients with symptomatic heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction <40%. We compared the serum C5b-9 levels of these patients with CHF with a group of 12 age-matched control patients. Combined clinical outcomes (death, urgent heart transplantation, or hospitalization with worsening heart failure) at 6 months were determined. RESULTS The serum C5b-9 [median (25th to 75th percentiles)] levels in 36 patients with CHF [101.5 ng/mL (40 to 164)] were significantly (P =.003) higher than in the 12 control patients [36.5 ng/mL (22 to 50)]. Significantly more of the patients with CHF with the highest levels of C5b-9 (highest 50th percentile) had New York Heart Association class IV symptoms (67% vs 33%; P =.04) and adverse clinical outcomes by 6 months (56% vs 17%; P =.02) compared with the patients with CHF with lower levels (lowest 50th percentile). CONCLUSIONS We have described a significant elevation in circulating C5b-9, the terminal complement complex, in patients with symptomatic heart failure and have observed an association between high levels of C5b-9 and near-term adverse events.
Issues of Leadership in the implementation of Total Quality Management in a large organization

Many organizations in Kenya have adopted and tried to implement the total quality management (TQM) programmes. Many of these firms have failed to achieve the expected results for various reasons. This study examines how TQM implementation is influenced by leadership in a large organization. The result show that control systems, involvement of employees in decision making and the provision of a conducive psychological environment are quiet difficult to provide for by the leadership in a large organization. It is suggested that creating smaller organization and/or autonomous Divisions of firm will help to address these challenges.
Competencies as the basis for reformed premedical education. The case for an unrestricted liberal arts collegiate education.

As the HHMI-AAMC declared, their report should be taken as a "first step in a continuing conversation about the appropriate skills and knowledge," and, echoing the ACGME and GPEP, "values and attitudes that future physicians should possess. " (9pExecSum) As a new formulation evolves, the premedical curriculum must foster "scholastic vigor, analytic thinking, quantitative assessment and analysis of complex systems. " (9pExecSum) Based on the Mount Sinai experience, these qualities are not engendered solely nor confined to engagement in natural sciences. Students involved in a variety of baccalaureate liberal arts endeavors appear to acquire similar intellectual competencies. Furthermore, when performed successfully in challenging collegiate environments, a thorough liberal arts education may yield precisely the same values, attitudes, and behavioral characteristics all agree are essential to the medical profession and preparing physicians for the twenty-first century.
Landscape Function Analysis to Assess the Grazing Effect on Some Soil Features in Arid Ecosystem

Sustainable rangelands management continues to be one of the main challenges facing arid ecosystem. The function of a rangeland ecosystem depends on the conservation of resources within the ecosystem. Finding the rangeland ecosystem functions requires the knowledge of soil and vegetation characteristics to understand the ecosystem's capabilities. In this research, in order to identify the damaged areas in arid regions, the effect of grazing on the ecosystem function was investigated using the distance from the water resources. Thus, in the present study, around 3 water resources in 4 principal geographical directions and 172 plots with 4 m2 were installed. In each plot, 11-soil surface indexes were estimated by the landscape function analysis (LFA) method. Then, using 11 soil surface indexes, three soil functional properties include stability; permeability and nutrient cycle were calculated. In order to determine the sensitivity of the LFA method and separate the functional and structural characteristics SPSS software V.19 were used and the analysis of variance and comparing the mean of common features conducted by Duncan's method. Multivariate analysis of variance and correlation showed that the three functional features had no significant relationship with the four geographical directions (P <0.01) but had a significant relationship with the distance from the water resources (P <0.01). These results indicated that the ecosystem functions increases with distance from the water resources. Also, the results of Duncan's test showed that the high grazing intensity near the water resources caused a critical range of 150m from the water resources.
Intravenous immunoglobulin in children with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

BACKGROUND Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare and severe manifestation of group A streptococcal infection. The role of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for streptococcal TSS in children is controversial. This study aims to describe the epidemiology of streptococcal TSS in children and to determine whether adjunctive therapy with IVIG is associated with improved outcomes. METHODS A multicenter, retrospective cohort study of children with streptococcal TSS from 1 January 2003 through 31 December 2007 was conducted. Propensity scores were used to determine each child's likelihood of receiving IVIG. Differences in the primary outcomes of death, hospital length of stay, and total hospital costs were compared after matching IVIG recipients and nonrecipients on propensity score. RESULTS The median patient age was 8.2 years. IVIG was administered to 84 (44%) of 192 patients. The overall mortality rate was 4.2% (95% confidence interval, 1.8%-8.0%). Differences in mortality between IVIG recipients (n = 3; 4.5%) and nonrecipients (n = 3; 4.5%) were not statistically significant (p > .99). Although patients receiving IVIG had higher total hospital and drug costs than nonrecipients, differences in hospital costs were not significant once drug costs were removed (median difference between matched patients, $6139; interquartile range, -$8316 to $25,993; P = .06). No differences were found in length of hospital stay between matched IVIG recipients and nonrecipients. CONCLUSION This multicenter study is, to our knowledge, the largest to describe the epidemiology and outcomes of children with streptococcal TSS and the first to explore the association between IVIG use and clinical outcomes. IVIG use was associated with increased costs of caring for children with streptococcal TSS but was not associated with improved outcomes.
Paraspinal muscle morphology and composition: a 15-yr longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study.

PURPOSE The purposes of this study were to define the natural progression of age-related changes of the lumbar paraspinal muscles during adulthood and to investigate the influence of lifestyle and individual factors (e.g., physical activity levels at work and leisure, body mass index, and low back pain [LBP]). METHODS This population-based longitudinal study included a sample of 99 adult male twins. Data were collected through a structured interview, physical examination, and magnetic resonance imaging. Measurements of the lumbar multifidus and erector spinae muscles were obtained from T2-weighted axial images at L3-L4 and L5-S1 at baseline and 15-yr follow-up. Muscle cross-sectional area (CSA), functional CSA (FCSA) (fat-free mass), and FCSA/CSA (composition) as well as CSA and FCSA asymmetry and FCSA/CSA side-to-side differences were measured. RESULTS Subjects' mean ± SD age was 47.3 ± 7.4 yr at baseline and 62.3 ± 8.0 yr at follow-up. During the 15-yr period, both muscles exhibited a decrease in CSA and FCSA and an increase in fatty infiltration and side-to-side differences in size and composition at both spinal levels. Both muscles displayed greater changes at L5-S1 than L3-L4. Age and BMI were found to be significantly associated with the degree of paraspinal muscle changes over time. However, there was no association between the change in paraspinal muscle size, composition, or asymmetry with the level of physical demands at work or leisure or LBP history. CONCLUSIONS The present longitudinal study suggests that over adulthood, the multifidus and erector spinae undergo similar morphological changes. Moreover, our findings suggest that the long-term progression of lumbar paraspinal muscle changes evaluated through magnetic resonance imaging are not associated with the range of physical demand levels as were typical of Finnish men or LBP history.
Cryptosporidium species in imported ostriches and consideration of possible Implications for birds in Canada.

Cryptosporidium spp. are coccidian parasites that develop and reproduce in the microvilhi of epithelial cells of a wide variety of vertebrates. Once considered rare and inconsequential, Cryptosporidium. spp. are now known to be significant pathogens, with a widespread distribution in livestock, wildlife, and humans (1). The parasite has been found in gastrointestinal, respiratory, urinary, pancreatic, and biliary tracts of hosts, and has been associated with disease. Cryptosporidiosis is a significant cause of intestinal and respiratory tract disease in domestic chickens and turkeys (2,3). Other avian species raised in confinement have also experienced severe disease caused by cryptosporidial infections of kidney and nasal tissues, conjunctiva, intestine, and trachea (4-6). This paper presents evidence of cryptosporidial infection in ostriches, and considers possible implications for ostriches, native birds, and traditional livestock species.
Stock Markets Integration: Examining Dynamic Linkages between Select Asian and US Markets

In the background of globalization, economic assimilation and integration among countries and their financial markets is evident. The interdependency among major world stock markets has also increased. This paper examines the relationships between selected Asian and US stock markets. It covers the period, 19/10/1999 to 25/04/2008, using daily closing data of twelve stock markets to investigate. The research methodology employed includes testing for stationarity, implementation of the Granger Causality test and Johansen Cointegration test. Stock markets under study are found to be integrated. The degree of correlation between all the markets, but Japan, varies between moderate to high. The findings also prove that stock markets returns are not normally distributed. The time series understudy also show non-stationary patterns. Furthermore, it provided that no stock market is playing a very dominant role in influencing other markets. The US influence is not as noticeable as in the earlier researches. Comparing this study with previous ones, It can be said that stock market integration in relation with US markets is time varying. The results of the present paper are useful for investors in management of their existing international portfolios.