Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Alterations due to dilution and anticoagulant effects in hematologic analysis of rodent blood samples on the Sysmex XT-2000iV.

BACKGROUND Clinical pathology of rodents is hindered by sample volume limitations. A single whole heparinized blood sample is often submitted for hematologic and clinical chemistry analysis in exploratory research settings, and sample dilution may be required. Published information on the potential impact of sample dilution and heparin use on hematology variables in rodents is sparse. OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effects of sample dilution and of anticoagulant on hematologic analysis of mouse and rat blood samples on the Sysmex XT-2000iV. METHODS Mice and rats were obtained from various ends of study research projects, and whole blood was collected via terminal cardiocentesis in lithium heparin, and additionally in EDTA when paired samples were obtained from rats. Hematology analytes were measured on the Sysmex XT-2000iV straight and diluted from ×2 to ×5. RESULTS Significant differences between heparinized samples analyzed straight vs diluted were found for MCV and MCHC, with a bias for several additional variables. Significant differences between paired heparinized and EDTA-anticoagulated samples at each dilution point were found for most variables, with the largest differences found in platelet count. Evidence of platelet clumping presumably due to heparin exposure was noted in numerous samples. CONCLUSIONS Dilution-induced changes occur in some hematologic variables and may render dilution unacceptable in the exploratory research environment. Many variables, most notably platelet count, differ based on the anticoagulant used, and values from heparinized vs EDTA-anticoagulated samples should not be directly compared.
Elicitability and backtesting: Perspectives for banking regulation

Conditional forecasts of risk measures play an important role in internal risk management of financial institutions as well as in regulatory capital calculations. In order to assess forecasting performance of a risk measurement procedure, risk measure forecasts are compared to the realized financial losses over a period of time and a statistical test of correctness of the procedure is conducted. This process is known as backtesting. Such traditional backtests are concerned with assessing some optimality property of a set of risk measure estimates. However, they are not suited to compare different risk estimation procedures. We investigate the proposal of comparative backtests, which are better suited for method comparisons on the basis of forecasting accuracy, but necessitate an elicitable risk measure. We argue that supplementing traditional backtests with comparative backtests will enhance the existing trading book regulatory framework for banks by providing the correct incentive for accuracy of risk measure forecasts. In addition, the comparative backtesting framework could be used by banks internally as well as by researchers to guide selection of forecasting methods. The discussion focuses on three risk measures, Value-at-Risk, expected shortfall and expectiles, and is supported by a simulation study and data analysis.
Physical therapy treatment effectiveness for osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized comparison of supervised clinical exercise and manual therapy procedures versus a home exercise program.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Manual therapy and exercise have not previously been compared with a home exercise program for patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between a home-based physical therapy program and a clinically based physical therapy program. SUBJECTS One hundred thirty-four subjects with OA of the knee were randomly assigned to a clinic treatment group (n=66; 61% female, 39% male; mean age [+/-SD]=64+/-10 years) or a home exercise group (n=68, 71% female, 29% male; mean age [+/-SD]=62+/-9 years). METHODS Subjects in the clinic treatment group received supervised exercise, individualized manual therapy, and a home exercise program over a 4-week period. Subjects in the home exercise group received the same home exercise program initially, reinforced at a clinic visit 2 weeks later. Measured outcomes were the distance walked in 6 minutes and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). RESULTS Both groups showed clinically and statistically significant improvements in 6-minute walk distances and WOMAC scores at 4 weeks; improvements were still evident in both groups at 8 weeks. By 4 weeks, WOMAC scores had improved by 52% in the clinic treatment group and by 26% in the home exercise group. Average 6-minute walk distances had improved about 10% in both groups. At 1 year, both groups were substantially and about equally improved over baseline measurements. Subjects in the clinic treatment group were less likely to be taking medications for their arthritis and were more satisfied with the overall outcome of their rehabilitative treatment compared with subjects in the home exercise group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Although both groups improved by 1 month, subjects in the clinic treatment group achieved about twice as much improvement in WOMAC scores than subjects who performed similar unsupervised exercises at home. Equivalent maintenance of improvements at 1 year was presumably due to both groups continuing the identical home exercise program. The results indicate that a home exercise program for patients with OA of the knee provides important benefit. Adding a small number of additional clinical visits for the application of manual therapy and supervised exercise adds greater symptomatic relief.
Neuronal responses to face‐like stimuli in the monkey pulvinar

The pulvinar nuclei appear to function as the subcortical visual pathway that bypasses the striate cortex, rapidly processing coarse facial information. We investigated responses from monkey pulvinar neurons during a delayed non‐matching‐to‐sample task, in which monkeys were required to discriminate five categories of visual stimuli [photos of faces with different gaze directions, line drawings of faces, face‐like patterns (three dark blobs on a bright oval), eye‐like patterns and simple geometric patterns]. Of 401 neurons recorded, 165 neurons responded differentially to the visual stimuli. These visual responses were suppressed by scrambling the images. Although these neurons exhibited a broad response latency distribution, face‐like patterns elicited responses with the shortest latencies (approximately 50 ms). Multidimensional scaling analysis indicated that the pulvinar neurons could specifically encode face‐like patterns during the first 50‐ms period after stimulus onset and classify the stimuli into one of the five different categories during the next 50‐ms period. The amount of stimulus information conveyed by the pulvinar neurons and the number of stimulus‐differentiating neurons were consistently higher during the second 50‐ms period than during the first 50‐ms period. These results suggest that responsiveness to face‐like patterns during the first 50‐ms period might be attributed to ascending inputs from the superior colliculus or the retina, while responsiveness to the five different stimulus categories during the second 50‐ms period might be mediated by descending inputs from cortical regions. These findings provide neurophysiological evidence for pulvinar involvement in social cognition and, specifically, rapid coarse facial information processing.
Diurnal Variation in Peak Expiratory Flow and Forced Expiratory Volume.

INTRODUCTION Diurnal variability in airways has most commonly been reported using peak expiratory flow (PEF) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). Characteristics of variability in small, mid and large airways caliber are expected to be different but have not been studied. AIM The aim of the study was to assess diurnal variation in small mid and large airways caliber using FEF25, FEF50, FEF75 and FEF25-75 along with PEF and FEV1 in healthy subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Spirometry was performed in 161 healthy subjects twice in a day. Diurnal variability in FEF25, FEF50, FEF75, FEF25-75, PEF and FEV1 were determined and compared. RESULTS It revealed that all parameters exhibit significant diurnal variability. Diurnal variability is highest in large airways and lowest in smaller airways. CONCLUSION Proximal airways show greater diurnal variation in their caliber than distal airways as reflected by greater variability in PEF as compared to FEV1.
Beyond Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy: Identification and Treatment of Child Abuse in a Medical Setting

The condition widely known as Munchausen syndrome by proxy comprises both physical abuse and medical neglect and is also a form of psychological maltreatment. Although it is a relatively rare form of child abuse, pediatricians need to have a high index of suspicion when faced with seemingly inexplicable findings or treatment failures. The fabrication of a pediatric illness is a form of child abuse and not merely a mental health disorder, and there is a possibility of an extremely poor prognosis if the child is left in the home. In this statement, factors are identified that may help the physician recognize this insidious type of child abuse that occurs in a medical setting, and recommendations are provided for physicians regarding when to report a case to their state's child protective service agency.
Performance Analysis of IEEE 802.11 Broadcast Scheme in Ad Hoc Wireless LANs

Since there have been increasing applications of IEEE 802.11-based broadcast wireless networks, the ability to characterize medium access control (MAC) behavior and performance of mobile stations plays a key role in understanding and designing such broadcast systems. In this paper, we study the saturation performance of the broadcast scheme in IEEE 802.11 by an analytical model as well as by simulation. Having investigated the literature and studied the features of the broadcast service, we point out that analytical models for saturation performance evaluation of IEEE 802.11 unicast communication cannot simply be reduced for the analysis of broadcast service. Under realistic assumptions, we construct an accurate model to characterize the operation of the backoff counter for broadcast service. Based on solutions to the model, closed-form expressions of broadcast saturation performance indices, including throughput, packet delay, and packet delivery ratio (PDR), are derived. The proposed analytical model is validated by simulation. From the analysis of the proposed model, some observations and constructive suggestions to improve the performance of the broadcast service are given. Numerical results also reveal the characteristics of the broadcast service.
Industry self regulation of television food advertising: responsible or responsive?

INTRODUCTION This study evaluated the impact of the Australian Food and Grocery Council (AFGC) self-regulatory initiative on unhealthy food marketing to children, introduced in January 2009. The study compared patterns of food advertising by AFGC and non-AFGC signatory companies in 2009, 2007 and 2006 on three Sydney commercial free-to-air television channels. METHODS Data were collected across seven days in May 2006 and 2007, and four days in May 2009. Advertised foods were coded as core, non-core and miscellaneous. Regression for counts analyses was used to examine change in rates of advertisements across the sampled periods and differential change between AFGC-signatory or non-signatory companies between 2007 and 2009. RESULTS Of 36 food companies that advertised during the 2009 sample period, 14 were AFGC signatories. The average number of food advertisements decreased significantly from 7.0 per hour in 2007 to 5.9 in 2009. There was a significant reduction in non-core food advertising from 2007 to 2009 by AFGC signatories compared with non-signatory companies overall and during peak times, when the largest numbers of children were viewing. There was no reduction in the rate of non-core food advertisements by all companies, and these advertisements continue to comprise the majority during peak viewing times. DISCUSSION While some companies have responded to pressures to reduce unhealthy food advertising on television, the impact of the self-regulatory code is limited by the extent of uptake by food companies. The continued advertising of unhealthy foods indicates that this self-regulatory code does not adequately protect children.
The risk of temporomandibular disorder in patients with depression: a population-based cohort study.

OBJECTIVES This study used a population-based retrospective cohort design to examine whether depression is a risk factor of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). METHODS From a universal insurance database, we identified 7587 patients who are newly diagnosed individuals with depression in 2000 and 2001. A total of 30,197 comparison subjects were randomly selected from a nondepression cohort. Both groups were followed until the end of 2008 to measure the incidence of TMD. RESULTS The incidence of TMD was 2.65 times higher in the depression cohort than in the nondepression cohort (6.16 versus 2.32 per 1000 person-years). The hazard ratio (HR) measured by multivariate Cox's proportional hazard regression analysis of TMD for the depression cohort was 2.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.83-2.66), after controlling for socio-demographic factors and other psychiatric comorbidities. Women had higher risk to develop TMD than men (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.36-1.92 for women without depression; HR 3.54, 95% CI 2.81-4.45 for women with depression). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that patients with depression are at an elevated risk of developing TMD.
Ligand Binding to Macrophage Scavenger Receptor-A Induces Urokinase-type Plasminogen Activator Expression by a Protein Kinase-dependent Signaling Pathway*

Macrophage scavenger receptor-type A (MSR-A) has been implicated in the transmission of cell signals and the regulation of diverse cellular functions (Falcone, D. J., and Ferenc, M. J. (1988) J. Cell. Physiol. 135, 387–396; Falcone, D. J., McCaffrey, T. A. , and Vergilio, J. A. (1991)J. Biol. Chem. 266, 22726–22732; Palkama, T. (1991)Immunology 74, 432–438; Krieger, M. , and Herz, J. (1994)Annu. Rev. Biochem. 63, 601–637); however, the signaling mechanisms are unknown. In studies reported here, we demonstrate that binding of both lipoprotein and non-lipoprotein ligands to MSR-A induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation and increased protein kinase C (PKC) activity leading to up-regulated urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) expression. Specifically, the binding of acetylated low density lipoprotein and fucoidan to MSR-A in human THP-1 macrophages triggered tyrosine phosphorylation of many proteins including phospholipase C-γ1 and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase. Inhibitors of tyrosine kinase dramatically reduced MSR-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation and PKC activity. Moreover, inhibitors of tyrosine kinase and PKC reduced uPA activity expressed by THP-1 macrophages exposed to MSR-A ligands. The intracellular signaling response for tyrosine phosphorylation following ligand binding was further demonstrated by using the stable MSR-transfected Bowes cells that express surface MSR-A. These findings establish for the first time a signaling pathway induced by ligand binding to MSR-A and suggest a molecular model for the regulation of macrophage uPA expression by specific ligands of the MSR-A.
Tissue engineering of the synovial joint: The role of cell density

Abstract The ultimate goal in the tissue engineering of the synovial joint is to fabricate biologically derived analogues that can replace severely degenerated or traumatized synovial joint components. A number of challenges must be addressed before reaching this ultimate goal. In this report, the relevance of cell seeding density in the synthesis of chondrogenic and osteogenic matrices from human mesenchymal stem cells is explored. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were differentiated into chondrogenic cells and osteogenic cells ex vivo and encapsulated in poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel at densities of 5 × 106 cells/ml, 40 × 106 cells/ml, and 80 × 106 cells/ml, in addition to a cell-free poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) control group (0 × 106 cells/ml). Cell-seeded or cell-free PEG constructs were separately incubated in vitro for 4 weeks or implanted in vivo in the dorsum of immunodeficient rats for 4 weeks. In-vitro data demonstrated that hMSC-derived chondrocytes or hMSC-derived osteoblasts maintained their lineages per Safranin O and von Kossa staining after incubation for 4 weeks. The general pattern of initial cell seeding densities of 5 × 106 cells/ml, 40 × 106 cells/ml, and 80 × 106 cells/ml were preserved following in-vitro cultivation. Similarly, in-vivo data revealed that hMSC-derived chondrocytes and hMSC-derived osteoblasts maintained their respective lineages and the pattern of cell-seeding densities. An attempt was made to fabricate a composite construct with PEGDA hydrogel and polycaprolactone (PCL) with designed internal porosity for an osteochondral graft. Various cell-seeding densities as delineated in this report can be realized in the composite PEG-PCL graft. The findings demonstrate that cell-seeding density is likely a key parameter to consider in tissue-engineering design. The source of cells can either be transplanted cells or internally recruited cells.
Dissecting the signal transduction pathways triggered by galectin–glycan interactions in physiological and pathological settings

Galectins are a family of evolutionarily conserved animal lectins with pleiotropic functions and widespread distribution. Fifteen members have been identified in a wide variety of cells and tissues. Through recognition of cell surface glycoproteins and glycolipids, these endogenous lectins can trigger a cascade of intracellular signaling pathways capable of modulating cell differentiation, proliferation, survival, and migration. These cellular events are critical in a variety of biological processes including embryogenesis, angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and immunity and are substantially altered during tumorigenesis, neurodegeneration, and inflammation. In addition, galectins can modulate intracellular functions and this effect involves direct interactions with distinct signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss current knowledge on the intracellular signaling pathways triggered by this multifunctional family of β‐galactoside‐binding proteins in selected physiological and pathological settings. Understanding the “galectin signalosome” will be essential to delineate rational therapeutic strategies based on the specific control of galectin expression and function. © 2009 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 62(1):1–13, 2010
Travelers' Need for Information in Traffic and Transit: Results from a Web Survey

This article investigates (determinants of) travelers' needs concerning travel information, based on a web survey filled out by 488 individuals. It aims at narrowing down three identified gaps in empirical literature available on this topic. Firstly, instead of focusing on the influence of manifest factors on travelers' need for information, such as trip circumstances, this article addresses the role of behavioral factors, in specific travelers' perception of their own knowledge levels. Secondly, instead of focusing only on currently available types of travel information, such as information on travel time and cost, this article also discusses travelers' need for a number of more advanced types of travel information, such as personalized early warning functions. Thirdly, instead of focusing on travel by car or transit, this study considers travelers by both modes simultaneously, and makes comparisons between these two groups. A number of new empirical findings are reported.
Outpatient gamma knife surgery for vestibular schwannoma: definition of the therapeutic profile based on a 10-year experience.

OBJECT The purpose of the study was to define the therapeutic profile of outpatient gamma knife surgery (GKS) for vestibular schwannoma (VS) by using sequential tumor volumetry to quantify changes following treatment. METHODS A total of 111 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median follow-up duration was 7 years (range 5-9.6 years). Thirty-seven patients (33%) had undergone surgery before GKS and 10 (9%) had neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2). The median VS volume was 1.6 cm3 (range 0.08-8.7 cm3). The actuarial 6-year tumor control rate after a single GKS treatment was 95%. Tumor swelling was observed in 43 patients (38.7%). Recurrence was significantly associated with NF2 (p < 0.003) and the reduced dose (p < 0.03) delivered to these tumors. The incidence of facial nerve neuropathy was mainly determined by surgery prior to GKS (p < 0.0001). Facial nerve radiation toxicity was mild and transient. No permanent facial nerve toxicity was observed. Trigeminal neuropathy occurred in 13 patients, and this was correlated with the VS volume (p < 0.02). The median hearing loss was -10 dB (range + 20 dB to -70 dB). The risk of hearing loss was correlated with age and transient tumor swelling (p < 0.05) but not with dose parameters or NF2. CONCLUSIONS Outpatient GKS is feasible, effective, and safe. Its therapeutic profile compares favorably with that of microsurgery.
[Resting energy expenditure in obese and non-obese Chilean subjects: comparison with predictive equations for the Chilean population].

BACKGROUND The commonly used predictive equations to calculate resting energy expenditure (REE) can yield inaccurate results. AIM To compare measured REE, with estimated REE in normal and obese adults. To develop specific predictive equations for our population. PATIENTS AND METHODS Eight hundred sixteen women aged 18 to 74 years old with a body mass index (BMI) between 18.5 and 69.7 kg/m2 and 441 men aged 18 to 71 years old with a BMI between 185 and 67.9 kg/m2 were studied. REE was measured by indirect calorimetry and fat free mass by tetrapolar bioimpedance. REE was also estimated using FAO/WHO (F/W) and Harris-Benedict (H/B) equations. RESULTS Measured REE in controls was 20.7 +/- 1.9 and 23.6 +/- 3.3 kcal/kg/day in women and men respectively. The figures for overweight women and men were 19.8 +/- 1.9 and 20.0 +/- 2 kcal/kg/day, for obese women and men were 18.3 +/- 1.7 and 19.0 +/- 1.8 kcal/kg/day and for morbidly obese women and men, were 16.9 +/- 1.8 and 16.1 +/- 1.7 kcal/kg/day. When REE was corrected for fat free mass, no differences between controls and different degrees of obesity, were observed. The difference between estimated and measured REE ranged from -420 to 617 kcal in women and from -400 to 900 kcal in men. The equations derived using data obtained in the present study, showed a better predictive accuracy. CONCLUSIONS An important error was detected when REE was predicted using FAO/WHO or Harris Benedict equations, in Chilean obese subjects. Therefore these equations must be used with caution, local equations must be devised or resting energy expenditure must be measured by indirect calorimetry.
Consumer evaluations of store brands: Effects of product-perceived risks

ABSTRACT The significance of retail store brands has increased. However, despite the emergence of numerous exclusive retail products, not all of them achieved success. Seemingly, retailers have a shortsighted comprehension of the different risks related to including new categories of products to the store brands. This research analysis investigates how various categories of perceived risks connected with attributes, products, and atmosphere of stores impact consumers’ evaluation of store-branded products. A developed and tested structural model gave indications of the probability of consumers’ evaluations of store brands. The research discovered various perceptions of store brands among the respondents. Also, one of the research results found different perceptions among users and non-users of store brands.