Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cancer Therapy : Preclinical TGF-b Blockade Controls Ascites by Preventing Abnormalization of Lymphatic Vessels in Orthotopic Human Ovarian Carcinoma Models

Purpose: Ovarian cancer patients with malignant ascites have poor prognosis. The accumulation of ascites is caused by an imbalance between fluid extravasation from the blood vessels and reabsorption by lymphatic vessels. Whereas, the role of TGF-b in tumor progression has been well studied, the role of TGF-b in lymphatic vessel function is far from understood. Here, we sought to dissect the role of TGF-b blockade in the formation of ascites. Experimental Design: We used soluble TGF-b Receptor II (sTbRII) to block TGF-b signaling in two orthotopic human ovarian carcinoma models: SKOV3ip1 and Hey-A8. We measured tumor proliferation, apoptosis, lymphangiogenesis, and angiogenesis by immunohistochemical staining, and examined diaphragm lymphatic vessel network by intraperitoneal injection of a fluorescent dye. Diaphragm lymphatic vessel function was assessed by tracking fluorescent beads in the diaphragm and measuring their drainage rate. Results: TGF-b blockade impaired tumor growth in both models, accompanied by a decreased tumor cell proliferation and angiogenesis. More strikingly, TGF-b blockade almost completely abolished ascites formation. TGF-b blockade significantly inhibited the expression of VEGF, which is the major contributor to ascites formation. At the same time, TGF-b blockade prevent ‘abnormalization’ of diaphragm lymphatic vessels and improved ascites drainage. Conclusions: TGF-b blockade decreased ascites by both inhibiting ascites formation and improving ascites drainage. Based on our finding, it is reasonable to consider the use of TGF-b blockade as a palliative treatment for symptomatic ascites. Clin Cancer Res; 17(6); 1415–24. 2011 AACR.
Aging aware constitutive models for SnAgCu solder alloys

Recent studies on SnAgCu alloys have identified aging-time and aging-temperature as factors that significantly alter solder material behavior and microstructure [1–3]. Microstructural changes are driven by dislocation motion and diffusion processes. Together they affect the flow behavior in solder alloys. In this paper, we build on the results from our earlier analysis of creep data on aged Sn3.0Ag0. 5Cu [4] solder alloy. We address three aspects of solder microstructure and behavior as affected by aging. We develop an analytical model for intermetallic particle growth and an aging aware creep law that captures Secondary creep-plasticity in solders. The basis for the constitutive models is exhaustive aging and creep test experiments conducted on the alloy. Solder samples were aged for different aging times (15, 30, 60, 90 days) and at different aging temperatures (25°C, 75°C, 125°C) prior to running creep tests. Another set of solder samples were similarly aged to characterize the microstructure. The creep data for the experiments are from a series of sixty four experiments performed using a micromechanical tester that is specially fitted with a sensitive capacitance gauge (with a resolution of 0.1 microns) to accurately measure viscoplastic responses of solder to applied loads.
Hantavirus disease (nephropathia epidemica) in Belgium: effects of tree seed production and climate

SUMMARY Recently, human cases of nephropathia epidemica (NE) due to Puumala virus infection in Europe have increased. Following the hypothesis that high reservoir host abundance induces higher transmission rates to humans, explanations for this altered epidemiology must be sought in factors that cause bank vole (Myodes glareolus) abundance peaks. In Western Europe, these abundance peaks are often related to high tree seed production, which is supposedly triggered by specific weather conditions. We evaluated the relationship between tree seed production, climate and NE incidence in Belgium and show that NE epidemics are indeed preceded by abundant tree seed production. Moreover, a direct link between climate and NE incidence is found. High summer and autumn temperatures, 2 years and 1 year respectively before NE occurrence, relate to high NE incidence. This enables early forecasting of NE outbreaks. Since future climate change scenarios predict higher temperatures in Europe, we should regard Puumala virus as an increasing health threat.
A neural network model for the developmental process of hypercomplex cells

A self-organizing neural network model is proposed which gives a possible implementation of the developmental process of hypercomplex cells in the mammalian visual cortex. It is composed of connections from complex cells to hypercomplex cells via an excitatory fixed synapse or an inhibitory modifiable synapse. Two types of receptive fields termed `single-stopped' and `double-stopped' are formed from the same network. The relation between values of parameters in the model and the type of receptive fields is made clear.
Cutaneous mucinosis associated with dermatomyositis and nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy: fibroblast hyaluronan synthesis and the effect of patient serum

Background Dermal mucin is an amorphous gelatinous substance composed primarily of hyaluronan (HA) and sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). In primary cutaneous mucinosis, accumulation of mucin is a characteristic feature of lichen myxoedematosus, scleromyxoedema and reticular erythematous mucinosis. Secondary mucinoses are disorders where mucin deposition is an additional finding, and deposition is associated with lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, scleroderma and granuloma annulare. The underlying cause of the abnormal mucin deposition is unknown. An increasing number of cases of a fibromucinous scleromyxoedema‐like disorder associated with renal dysfunction, recently termed nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD), is being reported.
Prevalence and Outcome of Diastolic Dysfunction in Children With Fluid Refractory Septic Shock—A Prospective Observational Study*

Objectives: Our primary objective was to determine the prevalence and outcome of diastolic dysfunction in children with fluid refractory septic shock. The secondary objective was to determine possible early predictors of diastolic dysfunction. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: PICU of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients: Consecutive children 17 years old or younger with fluid refractory septic shock and not on mechanical ventilation admitted to our ICU from June 2011 to August 2012 were included. Survivors were followed up till 1 year of discharge (July 2013). Interventions: Children were subjected to 2D echocardiography and qualitative cardiac troponin-T test within the first 6 hours of admission. Measurements and Main Results: A total of 56 children were included. Median age was 7 years (interquartile range, 1.5, 14) and majority (52%) were males. Most common underlying diagnoses were meningitis and pneumonia. The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction was 41.1% (95% CI, 27.8–54.4), and mortality rate was 43% in those with diastolic dysfunction. At 1-year follow-up, residual dysfunction was present in only one of 11 of the survivors (11%). On univariable analysis of possible early predictors of diastolic dysfunction, we observed that these children tended to have higher mean central venous pressure (13 vs 6; p < 0.0001) and greater positivity for cardiac troponin-T (70% vs 36%; p = 0.01) compared with others. Although factors such as duration of illness and diastolic blood pressure were also lower in children with diastolic dysfunction compared with others, the difference was not statistically significant. On multivariable analysis, only the variable central venous pressure remained significant (adjusted odds ratio, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.12–2.14; p = 0.008). Conclusions: Diastolic dysfunction is common in children with fluid refractory septic shock, and immediate outcomes may be poorer in such patients. Increased central venous pressure after initial fluid resuscitation may be an early indicator of diastolic dysfunction and warrant urgent bedside echocardiography to guide further management.
Comparative study between battery and supercapacitor hybridization with fuel cells for automotive applications

This paper deals with a comparison study between two hybrid systems composed by batteries with fuel cell and super capacitors with fuel cell. A sizing algorithm is used to define the optimal sizes of the hybrid source. The comparison between the two systems is based on the weight, volume and cost. The batteries prove best performances in case of sizing according to the energy. However, the super capacitors provide the optimal sizes of the hybrid source in case of sizing according to the total recovered power. It is noted that the hybridization of the HP batteries with the fuel cell is an interesting solution to make up the Energy Storage System for automotive applications with high drive range.
A discrete 3' region of U6 small nuclear RNA modulates the phosphorylation cycle of the C1 heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle protein

The C heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein particle (hnRNP) protein bind to nascent pre-mRNA and may participate in assembly of the early prespliceosome. Ser/Thr phosphorylation of the C1 hnRNP protein in HeLa nuclear extracts regulates its binding to pre-mRNA (S. H. Mayrand, P. Dwen, and T. Pederson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:7764-7768, 1993). We have now further investigated the phosphorylation cycle of the C1 hnRNP protein, with emphasis on its regulation. Pretreatment of nuclear extracts with micrococcal nuclease eliminated the phosphorylation of C1 hnRNP protein, but pretreatment with DNase did not, suggesting a dependence on RNA. Oligodeoxynucleotide-targeted RNase H cleavage of U1, U2, and U4 small nuclear RNAs did not affect the phosphorylation of C1 hnRNP protein. However, cleavage of nucleotides 78 to 95, but not other regions, of U6 small nuclear RNA resulted in an inhibition of the dephosphorylation step of the C1 hnRNP protein phosphorylation cycle. This inhibition was as pronounced as that seen with the serine/threonine protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid. C1 hnRNP protein dephosphorylation could be completely restored by the addition of intact U6 RNA. Add-back experiments with mutant RNAs further delineated the minimal region essential for C1 protein dephosphorylation as residing in nucleotides 85 to 92 of U6 RNA. These results illuminate a hitherto unanticipated function of U6 RNA: the modulation of a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation cycle of C1 hnRNP protein that influences the binding affinity of this protein for pre-mRNA. This newly revealed function of U6 RNA is likely to play a very early role in the prespliceosome assembly pathway, prior to U6 RNA's entry into the mature spliceosome's active center.
Congenital pulmonary airway malformation and sequestration: Two standpoints for a single condition

In adults, congenital pulmonary malformations are candidates for surgery due to symptoms. A pre-natal diagnosis is simple and effective, and allows an early thoracoscopic surgical treatment. A retrospective study was performed to assess management in two different populations of adults and children to define the best strategy. Subjects and Methods: Pulmonary malformations followed at the University Hospital from 2000 to 2012 were reviewed. Clinical history, malformation site, duration of hospitalisation, complications and pathology examinations were collected. Results: A total of 52 cases (33 children, 19 adults) were identified. In children, 28 asymptomatic cases were diagnosed pre-natally and 5 during the neonatal period due to infections. Surgery was performed on the children between the ages of 2 and 6 months. Nineteen adults underwent surgery, 16 because of symptoms and 3 adults for anomalies mimicking tumours. The mean age within the adult group was 42.5 years. In children, there was one thoracotomy and 32 thoracoscopies, with 7 conversions for difficult exposure, dissection of vascular pedicles, bleeding or bronchial injury. In the adults, there were 15 thoracotomies and 4 thoracoscopies, with one conversion. Post-operative complications in the adults were twice as frequent than in children. The mean time of the children′s hospitalisation was 7.75 days versus 7.16 days for the adults. Pathological examinations showed in the children: 7 sequestrations, 18 congenital cystic pulmonary malformations (CPAM), 8 CPAM associated sequestrations; in adults: 16 sequestrations, 3 intra-pulmonary cysts. Conclusion: Early thoracoscopic surgery allows pulmonary parenchyma conservation with pulmonary development, reduces respiratory and infectious complications, eliminates a false positive cancer diagnosis later in life and decreases risks of thoracic parietal deformation.
Ultrasound in Emergency Medicine EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT FOCUSED BEDSIDE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN MASSIVE PULMONARY EMBOLISM

, Abstract—Background: Massive pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common consideration in unstable patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with chest pain, dyspnea, or cardiac arrest. It is a potentially lethal condition necessitating prompt recognition and aggressive management. Conventional diagnostic modalities in the ED, including chest computed tomography angiography and ventilation-perfusion scanning, require the unstable patient to leave the department, and raise concerns over renal injury. Several case reports document findings of massive PE on echocardiography performed in the ED; however, none was performed, interpreted, and acted upon in the form of thrombolytic therapy by an emergency physician without the additional benefit of a cardiologist’s interpretation or a confirmatory imaging study. Objective:We present a case that illustrates the utility of ED focused bedside echocardiography in suspected massive PE and briefly review direct and indirect ultrasound findings of acute PE. Case Report: A case of massive PE in a 61-year-old woman is reported. In this patient with marked dyspnea, progressive hemodynamic instability, and contraindications to definitive imaging, ED focused bedside echocardiography provided valuable information that strongly suggested the diagnosis and led to alteplase administration. To our knowledge, this case represents the first report of thrombolytic therapy administration for acute massive PE based solely on clinical
A Linearly Polarized Magnetoelectric Dipole With Wide H-Plane Beamwidth

A linearly polarized magnetoelectric (ME) dipole with wide beamwidth in the H-plane is proposed and studied. A fabricated prototype shows that stable wide beamwidth of 120 ° in the H-plane is achieved across the 41% impedance bandwidth for SWR ≤ 2 with good radiation performances including a stable gain around 6.3 dBi, symmetrically unidirectional radiation patterns, low cross polarization, and low back radiation. Design guidelines and three design samples are given, which demonstrate that the beamwidth in the H-plane can be varied over a range larger than 30 ° from 90 ° to 120 ° and the fluctuation of the beamwidth is less than 10 ° throughout the whole operating band. Besides, it shows that the variation in the H-plane does not degrade the other performances of the antenna. With all of these advantages, the proposed antenna is a desirable candidate for base stations of mobile communications which require antennas of different beamwidths for different environments.
Structured Phospholipids from Commercial Soybean Lecithin Containing Omega-3 Fatty Acids Reduces Atherosclerosis Risk in Male Sprague dawley Rats which Fed with an Atherogenic Diet

Structured phospholipids from commercial soybean lecithin with oil enriched omega-3 fatty acid form by product of tuna canning is alternative procedure to provides the stability of omega-3 fatty acid structure and increase these bioactive function in metabolism. Best treatment condition was obtain in 18 hours acidolysis reaction with 30% enzyme concentration, which EPADHA incorporation level was 127,47 mg/g and incorporation percentage of EPA-DHA was 51,04% at phospholipids structure. This structured phospolipids could reduce atherosclerosis risk in male Sprague dawley rat. Provision of structured phospholipids has significant effect (α = 0.05) on changes in lipid profile, intima-media thickness of aorta rats (male Sprague dawley) fed atherogenic diet. Structured phospholipids intake can lower total cholesterol 78.36 mg/dL, total triglycerides 94,57 mg/dL, LDL levels 87.08 mg/dL and increased HDL level as much as 12,64 mg/dL in 10 weeks cares. Structured phospholipids intake also can prevent the thickening of the intima-media layer of the aorta. Keywords—Structured phospholipids, commercial soybean lecithin, omega-3 fatty acid, atherosclerosis risk.
Analysis of wide slot antenna electromagnetically coupled to a circular microstrip patch for radar applications by using TLM method

A wide rectangular slot antenna electromagnetically fed by a microstrip circular patch for achieving wide bandwidth to operate at 3 GHz is proposed. Transmission line matrix method, TLM-SCN, is used to obtain numerical results on the return loss, input impedance and radiation pattern of such antenna structure. Effects of various diameters of the circular feeding patch and patch position relative to the center of the slot are considered. For VSWR of 1:2 some 52% bandwidth at 3 GHz is easily achievable.
Charged colloids, polyelectrolytes and biomolecules viewed as strongly coupled Coulomb systems

Ab rief review is given on recent studies of charged soft matter solutions, as modelled by the ‘primitive’ approach of strongly coupled Coulomb systems, where the solvent just enters as a dielectric background. These include charged colloids, biological macromolecules such as proteins and DNA, polyelectrolytes and polyelectrolyte stars. Also some original results are presented on colloid–polyelectrolyte complex formation near walls and on the anomalous fluid structure of polyelectrolyte stars as a function of increasing concentration.
Comptabilité agricole et développement durable : étude comparative de la Russie et de la France

This thesis aims to respond to Gray’s proposition (2010, p.48) that it is rare, if not impossible to find accounting for sustainability, notably in the “strong” perspective of the term, that is to say the mode of development that respects physical thresholds characterizing the minimum level of natural capital to be preserved. The findings demonstrate that, contrary to the Gray’s pessimistic view, in agriculture, there are examples of accounting for sustainability that truly meet the challenges of strong sustainability. This thesis also shows that the agriculture sector is more advanced compared to other sectors in the economy regarding green accounting and social responsibility. The thesis is based on a comparative concrete case study of the Bergerie Nationale de Rambouillet (France) and a Russian farm, the closed type joint-stock company “Selskie zori”. It illustrates what could be a real practice of accounting for strong sustainability. This thesis is in line with researches that consider accounting as a subjective technique in that it depends on a subject that has the power (Richard, 1980, 2012 ; Tinker et al., 1982 ; Cooper et Sherer, 1984 ; Tinker, 1984, 1985 ; Hopper et al., 1987 ; Cooper et al., 1989 ; Colasse, 1997, 2005, 2007 ; Christophe, 2000 ; Catchpowle et al., 2004 ; Antheaume et Christophe, 2005 ; Chiapello, 2012).
Los regímenes excepcionales de contratación previstos en la ley 80 de 1993

Con este trabajo se pretende analizar el listado de regimenes especiales consagrados en la ley 80 de 1993, los cuales seran definidos, para asi determinar si se trata de una excepcion a la misma ley al hablarse de estos, o de un regimen especial de contratacion.
Transformation of foetal human leukocytes in vitro by filtrates of a human leukaemic cell line containing herpes‐like virus

Transformation of foetal human leukocytes followed inoculation with a filtrate of cells of the QIMR‐WIL human leukocyte cell line, previously shown to carry a herpes‐like virus. Proliferation of leukocytes was generally noted 24–35 days after inoculation, and resulted in the establishment of cell lines resembling those derived from peripheral leukocytes of patients with leukaemia or infectious mononucleosis. The sex of representative transformed lines confirmed that they were of foetal origin. Transformation occurred with two separate filtrates of QIMR‐WIL cells, with leukocytes from five individual foetuses, and with leukocytes from bone marrow, thymus and spleen. Various control inocula gave negative results, including culture medium and filtrates of Raji and QIMR‐GOR cell lines. Representative transformed lines were found to fix complement with human serum known to react with QIMR‐WIL and QIMR‐GOR cells; but similar serum showed little evidence of reaction by immunofluorescence. The transformed cell lines studied appeared to be essentially diploid, and subterminal constrictions involving Group C chromosomes were noted in a small proportion of cells in 8/9 lines. In preliminary studies, the transforming factor was found to be sensitive to heat and ether, was sedimented at 70,000 × g and retained by a filter of APD 50 mμ; these results are compatible with the herpes‐like virus of the QIMR‐WIL cells being the transforming factor.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors for Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization: A Meta-Analysis

Purpose: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of bevacizumab (Avastin) on corneal neovascularization (NV). Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature was performed. Seven eligible clinical human studies and 18 eligible experimental animal studies examining the effectiveness of bevacizumab treatment on corneal NV were included in the meta-analysis. Pertinent publications were identified through a systematic search of PubMed. All references of relevant reviews and eligible articles were also screened, and data were extracted from each eligible study. The random-effects model (of DerSimonian and Laird) was used to combine the results from the selected studies. Heterogeneity was explored using available data. Publication bias was also assessed. Results: A significant reduction of corneal neovascularized area was seen in clinical human studies, with a pooled reduction of 36% [95% confidence interval (CI), 18%–54%] overall, of 32% (95% CI, 10%–54%) for subconjunctival anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injections, and 48% (95% CI, 32%–65%) for topical treatment. Pooled mean change in best-corrected visual acuity showed an improvement in best-corrected visual acuity by 0.04. The summary standardized mean difference in animal studies indicated a statistically significant reduction in the area of corneal NV when treated with bevacizumab compared with the control group by −1.71 (95% CI, −2.12 to −1.30). The subtotal pooled standardized mean differences were −1.83 (95% CI, −2.38 to −1.28) for subconjunctival anti–vascular endothelial growth factor injections and −1.50 (95% CI, −1.88 to −1.12) for topical treatment. Conclusion: Our results suggest that both topical and subconjunctival bevacizumab achieve significant reduction in the area of corneal NV. This meta-analysis provides an evidential basis for the new therapeutic concept of treating corneal NV with antiangiogenic therapy.