Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Presence of intratumoral neutrophils is an independent prognostic factor in localized renal cell carcinoma.

PURPOSE We have previously demonstrated a significant negative impact of intratumoral neutrophils in metastatic renal cell carcinoma. This study assessed intratumoral neutrophils in localized clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS The study comprised 121 consecutive patients who had a nephrectomy for localized RCC. Biomarkers (intratumoral CD8+, CD57+ immune cells, CD66b+ neutrophils, and carbonic anhydrase IX [CA IX]) were assessed by immunohistochemistry, and the relationship with clinical and histopathologic features and patient outcome was evaluated. RESULTS The intratumoral neutrophils ranged from zero to 289 cells/mm(2) tumor tissue. The presence of intratumoral neutrophils was statistically significantly associated with increasing tumor size, low hemoglobin, high creatinine, and CA IX < or = 85%. In multivariate analysis, the presence of intratumoral neutrophils (hazard ratio [HR], 3.0; 95% CI, 1.7 to 5.4; P < .0001), pT stage T3b/T4 (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.6; P = .007), and low hemoglobin (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.0 to 3.1; P = .03) were independent prognostic factors significantly associated with short recurrence-free survival. The presence of intratumoral neutrophils was also an independent prognostic factor for cancer-specific survival (HR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.9 to 6.4; P < .0001) and overall survival (HR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.9 to 5.0; P < .0001). Applying the prognostic value of intratumoral neutrophils to the Leibovich low-/intermediate-risk group (n = 78) showed a 5-year recurrence-free survival of 53% (95% CI, 34.6% to 71.8%; presence of intratumoral neutrophils) versus 87% (95% CI, 77.8% to 96.8%; absence of intratumoral neutrophils). The estimated concordance index was 0.74 using the Leibovich risk score and 0.80 when intratumoral neutrophils were added. CONCLUSION The presence of intratumoral neutrophils is a new, strong, independent prognostic factor for short recurrence-free, cancer-specific, and overall survival in localized clear cell RCC.
Using firefly algorithm for total ICI cancellation of OFDM communication system

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing is an efficient transmission strategy to combat frequency selective fading and is part of many of the emerging wireless standards. Orthogonality of subcarriers is an important attribute in the performance of OFDM system. Carrier frequency offset effects orthogonality of subcarriers and the resulting interference causes severe performance degradation in OFDM. Thus, frequency synchronization is a challenging problem especially in mobile scenario. Estimation based cancellation and self cancellation schemes are the common techniques employed in combating the effect of CFO. Both these strategies achieves performance improvement at the cost of reduced data rate and the performance achieved after compensation is far from ideal scenario. In this paper OFDM system is analyzed in the presence of CFO and using the results of analysis, a blind interference cancellation technique is proposed which transforms the ICI cancellation problem into a conventional optimization problem. Firefly algorithm which is a class of high performance metaheuristic algorithm, is used to find a solution for the optimization problem. The proposed scheme is simulated using matlab and tested under various channel conditions. The simulation result shows that proposed scheme ensures interference free performance without compromising on data rate. Also, the conventional firefly algorithm is modified based on the characteristics of the optimization problem for reduced computational load and early convergence.
Team structure to accelerate knowledge diffusion: A case study in computer software developer

Learning faster is important competence in personal competitive advantage. However, to accelerate a group of people learning efficiency is more complicated than individual practice. Learning efficiency is highlight research in knowledge management. In practice, knowledge is difficult to manage directly. On the other hand, managing knowledge behaviors can achieve knowledge management. A teamwork structure is a micro social system and internal collaboration network. Therefore, different teamwork structure conducts different knowledge behaviors and their performance. Social influence theories provide an interpretation that different social proximity evoke distinguish contagion effects. This study applies the social network perspective to explore the knowledge behaviors of computer software developer. Therefore, the finding of this study shows that controlling network redundancy can enhance knowledge diffusion efficiency. Furthermore, if team fails to manage knowledge diffusion, they will offset the timing of competitive advantage in technological upgrade. Base on this finding, this study suggests a new thinking for implement of knowledge management and R&D strategic planning.
Antistaphylococcal activity of rifampin-bonded gelatin-impregnated Dacron grafts.

The affinity of rifampin to bond to Dacron permits implantation of a vascular prosthesis with anti-staphylococcal bioactivity. The performance of rifampin-bonded Dacron grafts was evaluated in vitro and in vivo to develop a bonding technique with optimal graft bioactivity which was then used for in situ reconstruction of a biofilm graft infection. In vitro bioactivity was measured at 24-hr intervals for three types of Dacron prostheses (plain, gelatin, and collagen-impregnated) exposed to rifampin at varied concentrations and immersion times. Gelatin-impregnated grafts demonstrated superior bioactivity (P < 0.05). Rifampin concentration and graft type had a greater effect on bioactivity than immersion time (P < 0.01). Gelatin-impregnated grafts immersed in a 60 mg/ml rifampin solution for 15 min produced optimum bioactivity. Six grafts prepared in this fashion were used to replace the canine aorta. The level and duration of in vivo antistaphylococcal activity to Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were less (P < 0.05) than those measured in vitro, but rifampin levels exceeded the study strain maximum inhibitory concentration for up to 48 hr. In a canine model, the rifampin-bonded gelatin-impregnated (N = 14) or nonbonded control (N = 10) grafts were used as in situ replacement for an established aortic graft infection caused by S. epidermidis. Replacement with a rifampin-bonded graft resulted in successful anatomic healing of perigraft and anastomotic tissue. Persistent biofilm colonization was confirmed in 8 of 10 controls versus 4 of 14 rifampin-bonded grafts (P < 0.02). (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Wide band power divider based on Ridge gap waveguide

The Ridge gap waveguide is a promising guiding structure, where there is no need to ensure the electrical contact and it has a possible operating bandwidth of 2:1 or even more. However, most of the presented passive devices based on this technology support a small portion of the possible bandwidth. This limitation is due to either the objective device or the excitation technique. In this work, a wide band power divider is introduced. The bandwidth of the presented power divider is from 10.3 GHz to 20.3 GHz, which is, almost, the possible bandwidth of the Ridge Gap Waveguide (RGW) unit cell. The matching level of the complete structure is better than 17 dB for the operating bandwidth.
Do Dynamic Object Process Graphs Support Program Understanding? - A Controlled Experiment.

Using automatic program analysis techniques for extracting architectural information and its visualization is widely considered useful for program understanding. However, it has to be empirically validated if a given technique is beneficial in practice. This is usually done by performing a set of case studies. To find out for sure whether a technique really has any effect, controlled experiments have to be conducted. Dynamic object process graphs are one such technique. These graphs describe the control flow of an application from the perspective of a single object. In previous research, we conducted case studies which indicated that they may be useful for program understanding, but this assumption has not been validated so far. We report on a controlled experiment which investigated this question: Does the availability of such graphs support program understanding or not? We describe the research questions that were investigated, the hypotheses, experimental setup, conduction, and discuss the results and lessons learned.
Brivaracetam: a novel antiepileptic drug for focal-onset seizures

Brivaracetam (BRV), the n-propyl analogue of levetiracetam (LEV), is the latest antiepileptic drug (AED) to be licensed in Europe and the USA for the adjunctive treatment of focal-onset seizures with or without secondary generalization in patients aged 16 years or older. Like LEV, BRV binds to synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A), but BRV has more selective binding and a 15- to 30-fold higher binding affinity than LEV. BRV is more effective than LEV in slowing synaptic vesicle mobilization and the two AEDs may act at different binding sites or interact with different conformational states of the SV2A protein. In animal models, BRV provides protection against focal and secondary generalized seizures and has significant anticonvulsant effects in genetic models of epilepsy. The drug undergoes first-order pharmacokinetics with an elimination half-life of 7–8 h. Although BRV is metabolized extensively, the main circulating compound is unchanged BRV. Around 95% of metabolites undergo renal elimination. No dose reduction is required in renal impairment, but it is recommended that the daily dose is reduced by one-third in hepatic dysfunction that may prolong half-life. BRV has a low potential for drug interactions. The efficacy and tolerability of adjunctive BRV in adults with focal-onset seizures have been explored in six randomized, placebo-controlled studies. These showed significant efficacy outcomes for doses of 50–200 mg/day. The most common adverse events reported were headache, somnolence, dizziness, fatigue and nausea. Patients who develop psychiatric symptoms with LEV appear to be at risk of similar side effects with BRV, although preliminary data suggest that these issues are likely to be less frequent and perhaps less severe. As with all AEDs, a low starting dose and slow titration schedule help to minimize side effects and optimize seizure control and thereby quality of life.
Effect of exercise training on endothelium‐derived nitric oxide function in humans

Vascular endothelial function is essential for maintenance of health of the vessel wall and for vasomotor control in both conduit and resistance vessels. These functions are due to the production of numerous autacoids, of which nitric oxide (NO) has been the most widely studied. Exercise training has been shown, in many animal and human studies, to augment endothelial, NO‐dependent vasodilatation in both large and small vessels. The extent of the improvement in humans depends upon the muscle mass subjected to training; with forearm exercise, changes are restricted to the forearm vessels while lower body training can induce generalized benefit. Increased NO bioactivity with exercise training has been readily and consistently demonstrated in subjects with cardiovascular disease and risk factors, in whom antecedent endothelial dysfunction exists. These conditions may all be associated with increased oxygen free radicals which impact on NO synthase activity and with which NO reacts; repeated exercise and shear stress stimulation of NO bioactivity redresses this radical imbalance, hence leading to greater potential for autacoid bioavailability. Recent human studies also indicate that exercise training may improve endothelial function by up‐regulating eNOS protein expression and phosphorylation. While improvement in NO vasodilator function has been less frequently found in healthy subjects, a higher level of training may lead to improvement. Regarding time course, studies indicate that short‐term training increases NO bioactivity, which acts to homeostatically regulate the shear stress associated with exercise. Whilst the increase in NO bioactivity dissipates within weeks of training cessation, studies also indicate that if exercise is maintained, the short‐term functional adaptation is succeeded by NO‐dependent structural changes, leading to arterial remodelling and structural normalization of shear. Given the strong prognostic links between vascular structure, function and cardiovascular events, the implications of these findings are obvious, yet many unanswered questions remain, not only concerning the mechanisms responsible for NO bioactivity, the nature of the cellular effect and relevance of other autacoids, but also such practical questions as the optimal intensity, modality and volume of exercise training required in different populations.
Enhanced thoracic gene delivery by magnetic nanobead‐mediated vector

Systemic gene delivery is limited by the adverse hydrodynamic conditions on the collection of gene carrier particles to the specific area. In the present study, a magnetic field was employed to guide magnetic nanobead (MNB)/polymer/DNA complexes after systemic administration to the left side of the mouse thorax in order to induce localized gene expression.
PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATED CHARACTERISTICS OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS (CMV) IMMUNOGLOBULIN ANTIBODIES AMONG BLOOD DONORS AT A UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND The screening for cytomegalovirus (CMV) specific antibodies is not routine in our setting, thus the transfusion of blood portends high risk for susceptible individuals. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of IgG and IgM specific antibodies and associated characteristics in blood donors seen at a referral teaching hospital in Nigeria. DESIGN Prospective, cross-sectional and descriptive study. SETTING Blood Bank and Serology Unit of the Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals' Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. SUBJECTS One hundred and eighty four blood donors negative for human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and C viruses and syphilis were assessed for their levels of CMV specific IgG and IgM antibodies (AccuDiagTM ELISA, DIAGNOSTIC AUTOMATION INC, USA) using the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay technique (ELISA). RESULTS Ninety six percent of the donors were males while those with secondary education and below (61.3%), unmarried (70%), artisans and unemployed including students (82.5%) were in the majority. The prevalence of CMV IgG and IgM antibodies were 97.4% and 52.6%, while CMV IgG antibody range from 94.7% to 100% in all types of donation. All female donors (3.8%) were positive for IgG and IgM antibodies. The level of education of the donors predicts IgM antibody positivity, those with secondary education or less are more likely than others to be positive (p < 0.05; X2 = 15.98). Linear logistic regression showed that male donors and those in the artisan group are more likely to be positive for IgM antibody (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The prevalence of CMV antibodies is very high (IgG = 97.4%; IgM = 52.6%) in our setting. Donors with low educational status and artisans are more likely to be IgM positive. Therefore, a more stringent donor selection, adoption of leukodepleted blood and blood products for uninfected patients especially the immuno-compromised and adoption of a national policy on CMV infected blood is advocated.
Speed control of double-sided linear induction motors for automated manufacturing systems

The double-sided linear induction motor (DLIM) is acquiring a significant relevance in the application of automated manufacturing systems. For this purpose, the modeling, simulation and determination of the parameters of a double-sided linear induction motor is presented in this paper. Furthermore, the DLIM constant voltage/frequency speed control system for this application is here described. In order to verify the performance of the proposed system, a suitable test bench for the DLIM motor is set-up. From the good agreement shown by the comparison between measured and simulated results, it can be stated that the DLIM model and the speed control system is successfully validated.
Label-free adhesion-based cell sorter using optimized oblique grooves for early cancer detection

We report development of a label-free adhesion-based cell sorter for early cancer detection. The sorting method is based on specific adhesion between target cells and antibody immobilized on oblique grooves of the channel wall. By optimizing the groove dimensions, lateral cell displacement twice as large as our earlier report has been obtained. Continuous lateral separation of HeLa cancer cells from mouse whole blood has been demonstrated.
Analysis of tyrosine kinase mRNAs including four FGF receptor mRNAs expressed in MCF‐7 breast‐cancer cells

The MCF‐7 cell line is a hormone‐responsive human breast‐cancer cell line, which has been extensively used in studies of estrogen regulation of cell growth. These studies have indicated that the growth stimulation of the MCF‐7 cells by estrogens may be effected by an autocrine mechanism involving several growth factors, such as EGF, TGFα and IGF‐I and their receptors. We have amplified and cloned tyrosine‐kinase‐related sequences from the MCF‐7 cell mRNA using the polymerase chain reaction and characterized the partial cDNAs obtained by nucleic acid sequencing. Nine tyrosine kinase cDNAs and one serine/threonine kinase cDNA were identified among the amplified sequences. Four different tyrosine kinase genes encoding receptors for fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) were found to be expressed by the MCF‐7 cells. In addition, differences were observed in the expression of these members of FGF receptor family in different breast‐cancer cells. A putative tyrosine‐kinase receptor and a novel serine/threonine kinase were preferentially expressed in estrogen‐responsive tumor cell lines. However, no estrogen‐dependent regulation of any of the novel tyrosine‐kinase receptor mRNAs was found in any of the cell lines including the MCF‐7 or ZR‐75‐1 cells, where the expression of the neu proto‐oncogene mRNA was decreased during estrogen treatment. The expression of several FGF receptors by breast‐cancer cells suggests that FGFs may be involved in their growth regulation and tumorigenesis.
The Interaction of Market Failure and Structural Adjustment in Producer Credit and Land Markets: The Case of Nicaragua

The literature on agrarian institutions and market failure has focused on the dissimilar asset endowments, informational asymmetries, variable risks, and externalities that differentially affect agents. In a scenario where the assumptions of perfect markets are violated, imperfect factor markets, resulting from differential prices of labor, credit, and land faced by enterprises of different scale, are common among rural producers in developing countries [Sen 1981, 201-228, 327-350; Bardhan 1989; de Janvry 1981]. Systematic and simultaneous failures in such markets have been theorized to lead to efficiency and welfare losses and the persistence of secondbest forms, or institutions, for organizing work: sharecropping, tied-labor arrangements, or functional dualist relations between large-scale, agro-export estates and marginal, below-subsistence peasant farms. In Latin America, the involuntary unemployment, bimodal land ownership patterns, and skewed distribution of producer credit that characterize labor, land, and capital markets in export and peasant agriculture offer tacit evidence of simultaneous market failures. Under the "conditionality" of structural adjustment and economic stabilization policies required by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, the problems that issue from inherent credit market imperfections, in particular, can be exacerbated. Facing mandates to balance budgets, control inflation, raise domestic savings rates, and shrink public sector activity, indebted developing countries face restrictive fiscal and monetary policies. The impact on farm credit is often severe as the state and private banking sectors maintain historically high nominal, if not real, interest rates; impose sharp restrictions on the supply of producer credit; tighten
Ischemic Thresholds for Gray and White Matter: A Diffusion and Perfusion Magnetic Resonance Study

Background and Purpose— Although gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) have differing neurochemical responses to ischemia in animal models, it is unclear whether this translates into differing thresholds for infarction. We studied this issue in ischemic stroke patients using magnetic resonance (MR) techniques. Methods— MR studies were performed in patients with acute hemispheric ischemic stroke occurring within 24 hours and at 3 months. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were calculated. After segmentation based on a probabilistic map of GM and WM, tissue-specific diffusion and perfusion thresholds for infarction were established. Results— Twenty-one patients were studied. Infarction thresholds for CBF were significantly higher in GM (median 34.6 mL/100 g per minute, interquartile range 26.0 to 38.8) than in WM (20.8 mL/100 g per minute; interquartile range 18.0 to 25.9; P<0.0001). Thresholds were also significantly higher in GM than WM for CBV (GM: 1.67 mL/100 g; interquartile range 1.39 to 2.17; WM: 1.19 mL/100 g; interquartile range 0.94 to 1.53; P<0.0001), ADC (GM: 918×10−6 mm2/s; 868 to 975×10−6; WM: 805×10−6; 747 to 870×10−6; P<0.001), and there was a trend toward a shorter MTT in GM (GM 4.94 s, 4.44 to 5.38; WM 5.15, 4.11 to 5.68; P=0.11). Conclusions— GM has a higher infarction threshold for CBF, CBV, and ADC than WM in patients within 24 hours of ischemic stroke onset. Hence, when assessing patients for potential therapies, tissue-specific rather than whole-brain thresholds may be a more precise measure of predicting the likelihood of infarction.
Epidemiology of Peripartum Cardiomyopathy: Incidence, Predictors, and Outcomes

OBJECTIVES: To estimate the incidence, describe the mortality, and identify independent predictors of peripartum cardiomyopathy, a very serious cardiovascular complication of pregnancy associated with maternal morbidity and mortality among otherwise healthy women without prior heart disease. METHODS: We identified all cases of diagnosed heart failure that occurred among women within 1 month before to 5 months after delivery of a liveborn neonate in Kaiser Permanente Northern California delivery hospitals between 1995 and 2004. Incident peripartum cardiomyopathy was confirmed from medical records documenting dilated cardiomyopathy with reduced left ventricular systolic function after excluding women with prior heart failure or valvular disease. Data sources included medical records, electronic clinical databases, and state birth and death files. RESULTS: Among 227,224 eligible women, we confirmed 110 recognized peripartum cardiomyopathy cases (incidence: 4.84 per 10,000 live births, 95% confidence interval 3.98–5.83). Independent predictors included maternal age of 25 years or older, non-Hispanic African American and Filipino groups, parity of 4 or greater, multiple gestation, severe anemia, pre-existing and pregnancy-related hypertensive disorders, and hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets syndrome. Maternal death rate (per 1,000 person-years) was higher among cases (6.12) than noncases (0.23; P<.001). Neonates whose mothers developed peripartum cardiomyopathy experienced poorer clinical outcomes. CONCLUSION: Within a large, diverse northern California population, 1 of every 2,066 women delivering a liveborn neonate had recognized, confirmed peripartum cardiomyopathy, which was associated with higher maternal and neonatal death rates and worse neonatal outcomes. Several readily available patient characteristics can be used to identify women at risk for this severe pregnancy complication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II