Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Targeting expression of keratinocyte growth factor to keratinocytes elicits striking changes in epithelial differentiation in transgenic mice.

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Synthesized by cells of the dermal component of skin, KGF's potent mitogenic activity is on the epidermal component, which harbors the receptors for this factor. To explore the possible role of KGF in mesenchymal‐epithelial interactions in skin, we used a human keratin 14 promoter to target expression of human KGF cDNA to the stratified squamous epithelia of transgenic mice. Mice expressing KGF in their epidermis typically appeared frail and weak, and often had grossly wrinkled skin. These mice exhibited a gross increase in epidermal thickness accompanied by alterations in epidermal growth and differentiation. Most remarkably, animals displayed several striking and unexpected changes, including a marked suppression of hair follicle morphogenesis and suppression of adipogenesis. With age, some animals developed gross transformations in the tongue epithelium and in epidermis. In addition, they exhibited elevated salivation and their salivary glands showed signs of altered differentiation. Collectively, our findings provide new and important insights into the roles of KGF, implicating this potent growth factor in eliciting global effects not only on growth, but also on development and differentiation, of skin and other tissues. In particular, KGF seems to interfere with signalling of some mesenchymal‐epithelial interactions.
Managing Without Authority: Notes on the Romance and Reality of 'Boss-Less' Firms

I discuss firms that seem to have dispensed with formal hierarchies and what this implies for organizations. I first outline the traditional arguments for the value of hierarchy as well as why individuals working in hierarchies may not like them despite their apparent success as a form of organizing. Using a detailed discussion of the software firm called Valve, I consider the substitutes for authority hierarchy that they employ, and speculate on their scalability.Corporate leaders around the world today are likely to violently reject any suggestions that their organizations are “authoritarian” or “hierarchical,” even though their organizations very likely are authority hierarchies. More intriguing however is the fact that a prominent handful of firms appear to operate today without any formally designated bosses at all. These are of particular interest, as they appear to eschew the use of formal authority hierarchies in their organization - a puzzle from the perspective of those who see the defining feature of a firm as its reliance on authoritative coordination of activity (Coase, 1937; Barnard, 1938; Simon, 1947; Williamson, 1975). In this essay I examine what these instances tell us about the continued viability of authority hierarchies, the currently dominant model of organizing.
PROTECTION OF CYCLING CFUs AGAINST HYDROXYUREA BY LOW DOSES OF ACTINOMYCIN D

Low dose (80 μg/kg) Actinomycin D (AD) produced a significant but transient inhibition of proliferation of the haemopoietic stem cells (CFUs) in chimaeras or in mice regenerating after sublethal irradiation. The same dose of AD had no effect on the resting CFUs population. During the period of proliferation inhibition, CFUs proved to be insensitive to the killing effect of [3H]thymidine in vitro and hydroxyurea (HU) in vivo. In Ehrlich ascites tumour (EAT) bearing mice enhanced CFUs turnover rate was found. Eighty μg/kg AD produced a selective effect in these mice: it protected the proliferating CFUs population without diminishing the effect of hydroxyurea on the tumour cells.
The business of ozone layer protection: corporate power in regime evolution

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Design of a Cleaning Program for a PV Plant Based on Analysis of Energy Losses

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy has grown significantly over the past few years. However, despite the increase in installed capacity, this energy source still raises important concerns related to the variability of power production. The short-term effects such as cloud shadowing and supply interruptions, as well as long-term effects such as dust accumulation, seasonal variation, and ageing of PV modules, can cause variability of power production. Therefore, the analysis of all the variability sources in order to provide statistically consistent power production data is an important challenge. This study presents a methodology to analyze data from a PV plant in order to have an independent evaluation of the different effects of variability, identifying dust deposition, and proposing a cost-based optimal cleaning program for a PV plant installed in the northern region of Chile.
Intercellular Adhesion Molecule‐1 and Blood‐Spinal Cord Barrier Disruption in Central Nervous System Radiation Injury

Central nervous system (CNS) injury is a major dose-limiting toxicity that limits the effectiveness of radiation therapy. Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption and white matter necrosis are prominent features. Increased expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) accompanies and is believed to be important in BBB disruption in other CNS injuries. Our aim was to assess the expression of ICAM-1 and its relationship to regions of blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB) disruption in the irradiated rat spinal cord. ICAM-1 protein was detected by immunohistochemistry and quantified by digital image analysis. Cells expressing ICAM-1 were identified. BSCB disruption was assessed by immunohistochemical detection of serum albumin. ICAM-1 expression localized predominantly to vascular endothelium and increased in white matter but not in grey matter at 24 hours and 17 to 20 weeks after 22 Gy. A dose response was observed from 16 to 20 Gy. ICAM-1 expression colocalized with regions of BSCB disruption. ICAM-1 expression was also observed in glia, a majority of which were astrocytes. The parallel dose response, time course, and spatial distribution of ICAM-1 expression and albumin leakage suggest a role for ICAM-1 in late BSCB disruption after radiation.
Genetic diversity and identification of human infection by amplification of the chlamydial 60-kilodalton cysteine-rich outer membrane protein gene

The 60-kDa cysteine-rich outer membrane protein genes of Chlamydia psittaci, Chlamydia pneumoniae, and Chlamydia trachomatis have very different 5' ends, but two areas flanking this variable region show absolute sequence conservation. This observation permitted differentiation of the three species of Chlamydia by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), forming the basis of a diagnostic test for chlamydial infections. The PCR product containing the variable region of the respective 60-kDa CrP genes was also subjected to restriction endonuclease digestion, enabling differentiation of individual type strains of C. psittaci. Differentiation was possible between lymphogranuloma venereum and trachoma isolates of C. trachomatis. The PCR-based diagnostic test was successful with all strains of chlamydiae studied. The PCR primers showed high specificity and did not produce any product with common bacterial pathogens that may share the same sites of infection.
The Finnish approach to innovation strategy and indicators

This Handbook comprehensively examines indicators and statistical measurement related to innovation (as defined in the OECD/Eurostat Oslo Manual). It deals with the development and the use of innovation indicators to support decision-making and is written by authors who are practitioners, who know what works and what does not, in order to improve the development of indicators to satisfy future policy needs.
Puberty and prognosis of asthma and bronchial hyper‐reactivity

It is a commonly held view that pediatric asthma frequently abates during puberty. However, little data are available that associate the stage of puberty with the prognosis of asthma and bronchial hyper‐reactivity (BHR). In this study, 155 children with active asthma at 10 years of age (60 girls [38.7%], 95 boys [61.3%]) were followed‐up until they reached 14 years of age. The stage of puberty was assessed by parental questionnaire; in addition, serum 3‐α‐androstanediolglucuronide, as an endocrinological marker for peripheral androgen status, was measured in 107 subjects. Persistence of asthma was determined via questionnaire, lung function testing, and bronchial provocation (hyperventilation of cold, dry air). At 14 years of age, 73.3% of girls were reported to have had menarche and 40.8% of boys a voice change, and only 35.5% of the subjects had experienced acute asthma symptoms during the last 12 months, with an almost unchanged gender ratio (19 girls [34.5%], 36 boys [65.5%]) vs. that recorded at 10 years of age. The level of androstanediolglucuronide was higher in the children who reported puberty (mean ± SD): 3.03 ± 2.13 nmol/l vs. 1.89 ± 1.26 nmol/l, p = 0.003. No statistically significant relationship was found between the reported signs of late puberty and loss of asthma or BHR. Likewise, no significant association was found between asthma persistence and the level of androstanediolglucuronide (2.39 ± 1.75 nmol/l vs. 2.44 ± 1.82 nmol/l, p = 0.84), or BHR and the level of androstanediolglucuronide (3.02 ± 1.97 nmol/l vs. 2.28 ± 1.67 nmol/l, p = 0.13), at 14 years of age, in girls or boys. At 14 years of age, no change in the gender ratio of children with active asthma had occured. These results may indicate that the change in gender predominance of asthma through the second decade of life is not caused by increased loss of established asthma in boys between 10 and 14 years of age.
Relationship between interdialytic weight gain and blood pressure among prevalent hemodialysis patients.

BACKGROUND Hypertension is common in hemodialysis patients; however, the relationship between interdialytic weight gain (IDWG) and blood pressure (BP) is incompletely characterized. This study seeks to define the relationship between IDWG and BP in prevalent hemodialysis subjects. STUDY DESIGN, SETTING, & PARTICIPANTS This study used data from 32,295 dialysis sessions in 442 subjects followed up for 6 months in the Crit-Line Intradialytic Monitoring Benefit (CLIMB) Study. OUTCOMES & MEASUREMENTS Mixed linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between percentage of IDWG (IDWG [%] = [current predialysis weight - previous postdialysis weight]/dry weight * 100) as the independent variable and systolic BP (SBP) and predialysis - postdialysis SBP (deltaSBP) as dependent variables. RESULTS In unadjusted analyses, every 1% increase in percentage of IDWG was associated with a 1.00 mm Hg (95% confidence interval [CI], +/-0.24) increase in predialysis SBP (P < 0.0001), 0.65 mm Hg (95% CI, +/-0.24) decrease in postdialysis SBP (P < 0.0001), and 1.66 mm Hg (95% CI, +/-0.25) increase in deltaSBP (P < 0.0001). After controlling for other significant predictors of SBP, every 1% increase in percentage of IDWG was associated with a 1.00 mm Hg (95% CI, +/-0.24) increase in predialysis SBP (P < 0.0001) and a 1.08 mm Hg (95% CI, +/-0.22) increase in deltaSBP with hemodialysis (P < 0.0001). However, in subjects with diabetes as the cause of end-stage renal disease, subjects with lower creatinine levels, and older subjects, the magnitude of the association between percentage of IDWG and predialysis SBP was less pronounced. The magnitude of percentage of IDWG on deltaSBP was less pronounced in younger subjects and subjects with lower dry weights. Results were similar with diastolic BP. LIMITATIONS Hemodialysis BP measurements are imprecise estimates of BP and true hemodynamic burden in dialysis subjects. CONCLUSIONS In prevalent hemodialysis subjects, increasing percentage of IDWG is associated with increases in predialysis BP and BP changes with hemodialysis; however, the magnitude of the relationship is modest and modified by other clinical factors. Thus, although overall volume status may impact on BP to a greater extent, day-to-day variations in weight gain have a modest role in BP increases in prevalent subjects with end-stage renal disease.
Pharmacological hepatic preconditioning: involvement of 70‐kDa heat shock proteins (HSP72 and HSP73) in ischaemic tolerance after intravenous administration of doxorubicin

Pharmacological preconditioning may induce a stress response which protects liver against ischaemia–reperfusion injury (IRI). The aim of this study was to determine, in an animal model, whether intravenous administration of doxorubicin induces heat shock proteins (HSPs) in liver tissue and facilitates liver tolerance to subsequent warm IRI.
volume to value : the Role of Big Data , Machine learning , and Estimation of Treatment Effects

Health care systems around the world are struggling with the “volume to value” transition. There are many dimensions to this transition but one key dimension has to do with informing coverage decisions and reimbursing providers and manufacturers based upon the value of clinical interventions, rather than just reimbursing on the basis of providing services. The big data evolution is important because it dramatically improves our ability to measure dimensions of value that were not previously possible. For example, as health care claims data are merged with electronic medical records (EMR) data, it becomes possible to measure relative changes in clinical outcomes per dollar/ euro/pound (or other currency) spent.
Estimating the economic burden of gastric cancer in the United States.

e16589 Background: Gastric cancer is a worldwide problem; however, there is little information regarding its economic burden in the US. Our primary objective was to estimate real-world resource use and cost associated with gastric cancer in a US managed care setting. METHODS Retrospective cohort analysis of direct costs and healthcare services use in gastric cancer patients and controls was conducted using IMS LifeLink Health Plan Claims (US) Database. Cases were patients ≥ 18 years of age and newly-diagnosed with gastric cancer in 2007-2009 (date of first gastric cancer diagnosis considered index date). Cases were excluded if they had evidence of any cancer in the 360 days prior to index or evidence of cancer other than gastric in the 4 weeks after index. Controls were individuals without gastric cancer and matched 1:1 with cases (98.4%) on age, gender, region, health plan and payer type, and length of follow-up. Health resource utilization and costs were reported as monthly means. RESULTS A total of 303 cases were identified and matched to a control. In both groups, mean age was 58, 55% were male and median follow-up was 364 days. Mean monthly costs for hospitalizations, emergency room visits, physician office visits, laboratory and radiology procedures, and pharmacy services were all significantly higher for cases than controls (p<0.0001). Total mean monthly costs were $10,653 for cases and $571 for controls. 75% of cases were hospitalized during follow-up vs. 9% of controls (p<0.0001) and mean monthly cost of hospitalizations was 35 times higher for cases than controls ($6,511 vs. $182). 92% of cases incurred a radiology procedure vs. 53% of controls (p<0.0001) and mean monthly cost of radiology procedures was 24 times higher for cases than controls ($997 vs. $41). Mean monthly drug cost for cases was $1,083 vs. $115 for controls. CONCLUSIONS The mean total monthly healthcare cost for newly-diagnosed gastric cancer patients was 18 times higher than that of similar plan enrollees without gastric cancer. The largest difference was in inpatient costs, followed by drug and radiology costs. Although gastric cancer is less prevalent in the US, on a per patient basis, this disease appears to be associated with significant costs.
Uganda’s Tea Sub-Sector: A Comparative Review of Trends, Challenges and Coordination Failures

This study critically reviews Uganda’s tea sub-sector performance in relation to the institutional framework. The tea sector has performed far below its potential largely owing to poor coordination of activities in the sector. Uganda has about 200,000 hectares suitable for tea production, but only 14 percent (28,000 hectares) is utilised both by small holder and estate owners. Exports have stagnated at around 50,000 metric tonnes in the last 5 years. On the other hand, Kenya has succeeded in transforming its tea sub-sector is largely due to effective coordination of policies and institutions. We argue that the challenges faced by Uganda’s tea sector are as a result of coordination failures in policy, institutions and programmes across the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Lessons learnt from Kenya points to the need of Uganda having a comprehensive tea policy and effective institutional framework to coordinate the various interventions and programmes in the sub-sector.
Environmental and economic trade-offs of switchgrass supply chain for biofuel in Tennessee

The low efficiency of feedstock storage and transportation hinders commercialization of a switchgrass-based biofuel industry although the feedstock has various environmental benefits. This study develops a sustainable switchgrass supply chain that balances its economic and environmental performance, including soil erosion, and GHG emissions using a multi-objective optimization model based on high-resolution spatial data in Tennessee. Results suggest that the best preferred location for biorefinery, plantation area, and the type of land converted to switchgrass are crucial to trade-off relation between industrial cost and environmental performance of the feedstock supply chain.
Chronic encephalitis possibly due to herpes simplex virus

Two patients had clinical findings of encephalopathy that progressed in 4 to 5 months. One patient had headache, fatigue, lethargy, hemi-paresis, and a seizure. The second patient had only forgetfulness, confusion, and lethargy without focal signs. Herpes simplex virus was grown from brain biopsy in the first patient and from CSF in the second patient. These cases suggest that herpes simplex virus caused the encephalitis and that it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic encephalopathy.
Use of handheld computers in medical education

AbstractBACKGROUND: Over the past decade, handheld computers (or personal digital assistants [PDAs]) have become a popular tool among medical trainees and physicians. Few comprehensive reviews of PDA use in medicine have been published. OBJECTIVE: We systematically reviewed the literature to (1) describe medical trainees’ use of PDAs for education or patient care, (2) catalog popular software applications, and (3) evaluate the impact of PDA use on patient care. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE (1993 to 2004), medical education-related conference proceedings, and hand search of article bibliographies. REVIEW METHODS: We identified articles and abstracts that described the use of PDAs in medical education by trainees or educators. Reports presenting a qualitative or quantitative evaluation were included. RESULTS: Sixty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. Approximately 60% to 70% of medical students and residents use PDAs for educational purposes or patient care. Satisfaction was generally high and correlated with the level of handheld computer experience. Most of the studies included described PDA use for patient tracking and documentation. By contrast, trainees rated medical textbooks, medication references, and medical calculators as the most useful applications. Only 1 randomized trial with educational outcomes was found, demonstrating improved learning and application of evidence-based medicine with use of PDA-based decision support software. No articles reported the impact of PDA use on patient outcomes. CONCLUSION: Most medical trainees find handhelds useful in their medical education and patient care. Further studies are needed to evaluate how PDAs impact learning and clinical outcomes.
Hypothermia prevents nitric oxide system changes in retina induced by severe perinatal asphyxia

One‐third of asphyctic neonates develop long‐term neurological injuries, including several degrees of ischemic proliferative retinopathy (IPR) such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). Given that the retina is altered by perinatal asphyxia, our aim was to study the effects of nitric oxide (NO) in the retina in order to analyze its impact on the retinal injury. Application of hypothermia was evaluated as preventive treatment. Sprague‐Dawley rats were subjected to perinatal asphyxia [either at 37°C (PA group) or at 15°C (HYP group)]. Full‐term rats were used as controls (CTL). A significantly increased activity of both constitutive NO synthase (nNOS, Ca2+‐dependent) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS, Ca2+‐independent) was observed in PA retinas from 21 days old up to 60 days old with respect to age‐matched CTL, with a significant increase along the time course in the PA. nNOS was immunolocalized at amacrine, horizontal, and ganglion cells of the PA group, with a significant increase in relative optical density (R.O.D.), cellular area, and number of cells. iNOS immunoreactivity was observed in the inner nuclear layer and in the internal Müller cell processes of PA, with a significant increase in R.O. D. and colocalizing with GFAP in the 60‐day‐old PA group. Six nitrated protein species were increased in retinas from PA rats. Nitrotyrosine immunoreactivity showed a localization similar to that of iNOS, with increased R.O. D. in the PA group and colocalization with GFAP in 60‐day‐old animals. HYP prevented all the changes observed in PA rats. Although the NO system displays changes induced by hypoxia‐ischemia, hypothermia application shows a strong protective effect. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.