Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pheochromocytomas and Ganglioneuromas in the Aging Rats: Morphological and Immunohistochemical Characterization

We investigated, morphologically and immunohistochemically, 74 medullary adrenal tumors, including 64 pheochromocytomas (14 malignant and 50 benign), 9 ganglioneuromas, and 1 malignant schwannoma. The tumors were detected in 2-year-old Wistar and Sprague—Dawley rats from carcinogenicity studies. Morphologically, benign pheochromocytomas were characterized by monomorphic, small, basophilic cells with almost absence of mitoses. Malignant pheochromocytomas presented a low grade of pleomorphism, higher rate of mitoses, necrosis, infiltrative growth and in 1 case metastases in the lung. Ganglioneuromas were characterized by ganglion and neuron-like cells embedded in an eosinophilic matrix containing neurites, Schwann cells, and scant fibrovascular elements. All pheochromocytomas were strongly immunoreactive for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme in catecholamine synthesis. Subpopulations of chromaffin cells expressed chromogranin A (CGA) positivity. Matrix and Schwann cells were positive for S-100 and for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). In focal areas of the tumors, ganglion cells and axons were positive for neurofilament proteins (NFP) and synaptophysin. Ganglion cells exhibited peripherin and ß-tubulin. Proliferative activity of the tumors was assessed by immunostaining the endogenous cell proliferation associated-antigen Ki-67 and the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). As expected, cell proliferation indeces were much higher in malignant pheochromocytomas than in benign, yet ganglioneuromas remained immunonegative. Considering that Ki-67 antigen is more specific for cell proliferation, it should be regarded as marker of choice for supporting the differential diagnosis between benign and malignant pheochromocytomas.
Oligodendroglial Tumors: Refinement of Candidate Regions on Chromosome Arm 1p and Correlation of 1p/19q Status with Survival

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on the chromosome arms 1p and 19q is frequent in oligodendroglial tumors and has been correlated with chemosensitivity and good prognosis in anaplastic oligodendrogliomas. The oligodendroglioma‐associated tumor suppressor genes on 1p and 19q are as yet unknown. To narrow down candidate regions on 1p, we investigated oligodendroglial tumors from 89 patients for LOH at up to 30 polymorphic loci on 1p. In addition, all tumors were studied for LOH at 7 loci on 19q. Combined LOH on 1p and 19q was detected in 20 (83%) of 24 oligodendrogliomas, 15 (63%) of 24 anaplastic oligodendrogliomas, 10 (56%) of 18 oligoastrocytomas, and 12 (52%) of 23 anaplastic oligoastrocytomas. Five tumors demonstrated partial deletions on 1p, which allowed to define 3 distinct candidate regions at 1 p36.31 ‐pter distal to D1S2633, 1p36.22‐p36.31 between D1S489 and D1S2642, and 1p34.2‐p36.1 between D1S2743 and D1S482, respectively. No partial deletions were detected on 19q. Combined LOH on 1p and 19q was associated with prolonged time to progression (TTP), longer overall survival (OS), and a higher 5‐year survival rate. Depending on the presence or absence of combined LOH on 1p and 19q, patients with anaplastic oligodendroglial tumors treated with adjuvant radio‐ and/or chemotherapy showed a median TTP of 86 months versus 39 months, a median OS of 91 months versus 46 months, and a 5‐year survival rate of 80% versus 36%, respectively. Similarly, LOH on 1p and 19q was associated with longer survival in patients with low‐grade oligodendroglial tumors (TTP: 57 months versus 47 months; OS: 172 months versus 105 months; 5‐year survival rate: 92% versus 70%). Thus, our results refine the location of putative oligodendroglioma suppressor genes on 1p and support the significance of LOH on 1p and 19q as a favorable prognostic marker.
Posterior capsule opacification

Purpose of review This paper assesses the factors that contribute to the formation of an effective capsular bend as a deterrent to posterior capsule opacification. Its goal is to assist the practicing ophthalmologist in separating current understanding of this process from various working models previously proposed. Recent findings While a square-edge design appreciably improves resistance to posterior capsule opacification, significant factors remain under the control of the surgeon. These factors combine to form the physical and psychological barrier of a capsular bend. Innovative digital imaging has shown lens epithelial cell migration, allowing for a more rapid assessment of posterior capsule opacification resistance. A three-piece intraocular lens allows for full 360 degree capsular bend formation surrounding the optic edge; some single-piece designs may inhibit capsular bend formation. Decreasing, but not eliminating, the surviving lens epithelial cell population may diminish capsular bend strength, which may decrease resistance to posterior capsule opacification in the face of a regenerating cortex. All demographic features of clear/refractive lens exchange suggest higher rates of posterior capsule opacification than with standard cataract surgery. Summary The quality of capsular bend formation will determine how resistant an intraocular lens will be to posterior capsule opacification as a consequence of regenerating cortex. As refractive lens exchange and new accommodating intraocular lens designs become more popular, the problems of regenerating cortex will increase in magnitude.
Synthetic Aperture Sonar: A Review of Current Status

This is a review paper that surveys past work in, and the recent status of, active synthetic aperture sonar (SAS). It covers the early historical development of SAS with its provenance in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) and flows through into what work has been published in the open literature up to early 2007. The list of references is sufficiently complete to include most past and recent SAS publications in the open refereed literature.
Family Functioning in Young Children with Cystic Fibrosis: Observations of Interactions at Mealtime

ABSTRACT. This study examined family functioning at mealtime, a context relevant to the management of cystic fibrosis (CF). Thirty-three families of children with CF and a control sample of 33 families of children without a chronic illness were assessed. Family functioning was rated during a videotaped dinner using the McMaster Mealtime Interaction Coding System (MICS), and mealtime behavioral problems were assessed using the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS). Ratings for families of children with CF were lower than for control families on overall functioning and five of six MICS dimensions (Communication, Interpersonal Involvement, Behavior Control, Affect Management, Roles). In families of children with CF, better family functioning was related to less frequently occurring mealtime behavioral problems (BPFAS); however, family functioning was not related to the child's weight status or the child's caloric intake. Data support that nutritional intervention may be maximized if dietary adherence is promoted in the context of positive parent-child and family interactions.
Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors

Abstract Diabetes is associated with higher cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia and diabetes are independently associated with increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Subjects with type 2 diabetes are at two- to four-fold increased risk of CV disease compared to those without diabetes. Long-term hyperglycemia is much more closely associated with microvascular complications than macrovascular complications. There is a lack of adequate evidence that improvement in glycemic control decreases CV risk.
Herrnstein's hyperbolic matching equation and behavioral pharmacology: review and critique

Behavioral pharmacologists have enlisted Herrnstein's (1970) hyperbolic matching equation to understand the behavioral effects of drugs. Herrnstein's hyperbola describes the relation between absolute response rate and reinforcement rate. The equation has two fitted parameters. The parameter k represents the asymptotic response rate, and the parameter re represents the reinforcement rate necessary to obtain half the asymptotic response rate. According to one interpretation of the equation, changes in k should reflect changes in response or motoric variables, and changes in re should reflect changes in reinforcer or motivational variables, or changes in reinforcement from sources extraneous to the instrumental response. We review research that has applied Herrnstein's equation to distinguish the motoric from the motivational effects of drugs, and to identify additional independent variables responsible for drug effects, such as extraneous reinforcement. The validity of inferences about drug effects depends on the consistency of how k and re respond to environmental manipulations: k should change only with response or motoric variables, and re should change with reinforcer or motivational variables and with the rate of extraneous reinforcement. Empirical tests of these predictions, however, have produced inconsistent results. The review suggests that Herrnstein's theory has not fulfilled its promise of identifying the behavioral mechanisms of drug action. Modifications to the equation, known as bias and sensitivity, may explain some of these inconsistent results, and the modified equation may have utility in behavioral pharmacology.
Correspondence between L7‐lacZ‐expressing purkinje cells and labeled olivocerebellar fibers during late embryogenesis in the mouse

It has been suggested that Purkinje cells (PC) play a role in organizing topographic relationships of several cerebellar afferent systems, including olivocerebellar fibers. This hypothesis is based on the observation that PC in the rat express biochemical heterogeneities during the presumptive period of olivocerebellar fiber ingrowth to the cerebellum. Previous studies designed to investigate the organization of murine olivocerebellar fibers during embryogenesis have suggested that interactions with PC may play a role in segregating olivocerebellar fibers after they enter the cerebellum. To determine whether PC heterogeneities are related to olivocerebellar fiber organization, transgenic mice carrying a β‐galactosidase (β‐gal) reporter gene linked to the promoter from the PC‐specific gene L7/pcp‐2 were used in neuroanatomical tracing experiments. Expression of the transgene mirrors endogenous L7/pcp‐2 expression, which is upregulated earliest in parasagittal strips of the vermal cortex. Studies were conducted in vitro by using brainstem‐cerebellar explants from embryonic day 17/18 (E17/18) and 18/19 mice. Applications of neuroanatomical tracer (horseradish peroxidase or neurobiotin) were made in either the caudal medial accessory olive (cMAO) or the rostral olive. These studies indicate that groups of olivocerebellar fibers and clusters of L7/lacZ+ and L7/lacZ‐Purkinje cells respect common distribution boundaries during late embryogenesis. The strong correspondence between the distribution patterns generated by these two markers suggests that expression of L7/pcp‐2 and the topographic organization of olivocerebellar (OC) fibers are not interdependent, but may be regulated by a common event or interaction, of a presently unknown nature, which occurs earlier during cerebellar development. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Dimensionality and Reliability of a Modified Version of Norton's 1983 Quality Marriage Index among Expectant and New Canadian Mothers

A slightly modified version of Norton's 1983 Quality Marriage Index was administered to 61 expectant mothers prior to giving birth and within 3 mo. after giving birth. Mothers' ages ranged from 19 to 43 years (M = 30, SD = 5.01) and their partners' ages ranged from 21 to 48 years (M = 32, SD = 6.02). Mothers were presented an opportunity to participate in this study during prenatal classes held at hospital and community health centers. The only requirement for participation was that the mother be residing with her child's father for the duration of the study. The six items of the modified index showed high internal consistency (α>.90) and substantial test-retest reliability with a Pearson zero-order correlation of . 65 across the two administrations. Maximum likelihood factor analysis indicated moderate support for unidimensional factor structure for the modified index, but removing one item from the pre- and postnatal administration improved the factor structure. In the first administration, the last item (overall current satisfaction with partner) fit poorly with the factor structure, while at the second administration, the second item (our relationship is very stable) fit poorly. Possible implications of the results are discussed.
Clinical Features of Frontotemporal Dementia

What was once called Pick's disease has three major anatomic variants. With all three, frontotemporal brain is selectively injured whereas posterior cortical regions are spared. These three clinical patterns include a bifrontal, slightly asymmetric subtype with more involvement of the right frontotemporal region called frontotemporal dementia or the frontal variant of FTD (fvFTD), a temporal-predominant subtype called the temporal variant of FTD or semantic dementia (SD), and a left frontal-predominant subtype called progressive nonfluent aphasia (PNFA). The three anatomic groups help to classify distinctive clinical syndromes with unique features. Careful study of these subtypes of frontotemporal dementia, using combinations of new quantitative neuroimaging, behavioral and physiological measures are yielding important information about the functioning of the brain's frontal and temporal regions. As we come to better understand the biologic basis for the three FTD clinical syndromes, new classification schemas may emerge, but our current clinical criteria serve as a strong guide to the diagnosis and separation of FTD from Alzheimer disease and other dementias.
American College Students’ Study Abroad Destination Choices: Hedonic or Utilitarian Motivation?

This study explores which motivation factors affect college students’ decision when choosing a study abroad destination. It also investigates whether students’ experiences during their time abroad affect their future travel choices. Using an online survey method, seven hundred and sixty six responses were collected from students attending four-year educational institutions in the United States. Factor analysis, logistic regression, and multiple regressions were used to analyze motivation attributes, destination choice, and study abroad experience. The major finding of this study is that the safety needs of destination is a precondition of students’ hedonic needs when they select the study abroad destination, respondents’ study abroad experiences positively affected tourists’ intention to revisit the same destination, and students who perceived the relaxed environment of the destination would be less likely to revisit the same destination in the future but students who favourably perceived cultural attraction needs, utilitarian needs, hedonic needs, and safety needs would come back to the same destination.
Residential Demand Response: Dynamic Energy Management and Time-Varying Electricity Pricing

Demand response programs are currently being proposed as a solution to deal with issues related to peak demand and to improve the operation of the electric power system. In the demand response paradigm, electric utilities provide incentives and benefits to private consumers as a compensation for their flexibility in the timing of their electricity consumption. In this paper, a dynamic energy management framework, based on highly resolved energy consumption models, is used to simulate automated residential demand response. The models estimate the residential demand using a novel bottom-up approach that quantifies consumer energy use behavior, thus providing an accurate estimation of the actual amount of controllable resources. The optimal schedule of all of the controllable appliances, including plug-in electric vehicles, is found by minimizing consumer electricity-related expenditures. Recently, time-varying electricity rate plans have been proposed by electric utilities as an incentive to their customers with the objective of re-shaping the aggregate demand. Large-scale simulations are performed to analyze and quantitatively assess the impact of demand response programs using different electricity price structures. Results show that simple time-varying electricity price structures, coupled with large-scale adoption of automated energy management systems, might create pronounced rebound peaks in the aggregate residential demand. To cope with the rebound peaks created by the synchronization of the individual residential demands, innovative electricity price structures-called Multi-TOU and Multi-CPP-are proposed.
Effective teaching and support of students from low socioeconomic status backgrounds: Resources for Australian higher education

The project found that the sociocultural incongruity that exists between students from low socioeconomic status (LSES) backgrounds and the institutions in which they study can be bridged through the provision of an empathic institutional context. Characteristics of such a context were derived through the project’s literature analysis and supported by the evidence from interviews. Synthesis and analysis of the interview data revealed four key themes to which institutions and staff need to attend to ensure the effective teaching and support of LSES students: employing inclusive teaching characteristics and strategies; enabling student agency; facilitating life and learning support; and taking into account students’ financial challenges.
Automatic reconstruction of the arterial and venous trees on volumetric chest CT.

PURPOSE This paper introduces a novel approach to classify pulmonary arteries and veins from volumetric chest computed tomography (CT) images. Although there is known to be a relationship between the alteration of vessel distributions and the progress of various pulmonary diseases, there has been relatively little research on the quantification of pulmonary vessels in vivo due to morphological difficulties. In particular, there have been few efforts to quantify the morphology and distribution of only arteries or veins through automated algorithms despite the clinical importance of such work. In this study, the authors classify different types of vessels by constructing a tree structure from vascular points while minimizing the construction cost using the vascular geometries and features of CT images. METHODS First, a vascular point set is extracted from an input volume and the weights of the points are calculated using the intensity, distance from the boundaries, and the Laplacian of the distance field. The tree construction cost is then defined as the summation of edge connection costs depending on the vertex weights. As a solution, the authors can obtain a minimum spanning tree whose branches correspond to different vessels. By cutting the edges in the mediastinal region, branches can be separated. From the root points of each branch, the cut region is regrouped toward the entries of pulmonary vessels in the same framework of the initial tree construction. After merging branches with the same orientation as much as possible, it can be determined manually whether a given vessel is an artery or vein. Our approach can handle with noncontrast CT images as well as vascular contrast enhanced images. RESULTS For the validation, mathematical virtual phantoms and ten chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) noncontrast volumetric chest CT scans with submillimeter thickness were used. Based on experimental findings, the suggested approach shows 9.18 ± 0.33 (mean ± SD) visual scores for ten datasets, 91% and 98% quantitative accuracies for two cases, a result which is clinically acceptable in terms of classification capability. CONCLUSIONS This automatic classification approach with minimal user interactions may be useful in assessing many pulmonary disease, such as pulmonary hypertension, interstitial lung disease and COPD.
Digital storage phosphor imaging versus conventional film radiography in CT-documented chest disease.

The advantages of imaging the chest with digital storage phosphor radiography (SR) may be nullified by its spatial resolution, which is lower than that of conventional film radiography (FR). To test the reader detection performance with the two modalities under clinical conditions, the authors compared 140-kVp isoexposure SR (system resolution: 0.2 mm, 10 bits) and FR images of a variety of chest abnormalities proved by computed tomography (CT) (157 patients, 244 abnormalities, 5,652 observations, six readers). In all tests, SR was as good as or better than FR (P less than .05). In overall detection, indicated by the average area of receiver operating characteristics, SR and FR were equivalent. SR was superior for mediastinal lesions and for pulmonary opacities greater than 2 cm in diameter. For all other types of pulmonary lesions and pleural abnormalities, SR and FR were equivalent. Currently available commercial SR systems can replace film radiographic systems in the detection of a wide variety of chest lesions. SR is likely to enable better visualization than FR in the detection of mediastinal and large pulmonary abnormalities.
Evaluation of a Cocktail of Three Bacteriophages for Biocontrol of Escherichia coli O157:H7

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli O157:H7 is an endemic pathogen causing a variety of human diseases including mild diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic-uremic syndrome, and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. This study concerns the exploitation of bacteriophages as biocontrol agents to eliminate the pathogen E. coli O157:H7. Two distinct lytic phages (e11/2 and e4/1c) isolated against a human strain of E. coli O157:H7, a previously isolated lytic phage (pp01), and a cocktail of all three phages were evaluated for their ability to lyse the bacterium in vivo and in vitro. Phage e11/2, pp01, and the cocktail of all three virulent phages resulted in a 5-log-unit reduction of pathogen numbers in 1 h at 37°C. However, bacteriophage-insensitive mutants (BIMs) emerged following the challenge. All tested BIMs had a growth rate which approximated that of the parental O157 strain, although many of these BIMs had a smaller, more coccoid cellular morphology. The frequency of BIM formation (10−6 CFU) was similar for e11/2, pp01, and the phage cocktail, while BIMs insensitive to e4/1c occurred at the higher frequency (10−4 CFU). In addition, BIMs commonly reverted to phage sensitivity within 50 generations. In an initial meat trial experiment, the phage cocktail completely eliminated E. coli O157:H7 from the beef meat surface in seven of nine cases. Given that the frequency of BIM formation is low (10−6 CFU) for two of the phages, allied to the propensity of these mutants to revert to phage sensitivity, we expect that BIM formation should not hinder the use of these phages as biocontrol agents, particularly since low levels of the pathogen are typically encountered in the environment.