Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Catheter conversion of classic glenn to bidirectional glenn with closure of left central shunt years after surgical attempts

Bidirectional Glenn shunt is usually performed in patients with single ventricle in preparation for a total cavo‐pulmonary connection. We present a patient born with complex congenital heart disease consisting of single ventricle, pulmonary atresia, non confluent pulmonary arteries, and anomalous pulmonary venous return in whom surgical bidirectional Glenn was attempted. After multiple surgical attempts she was converted to a Classic Glenn and a central ascending aorta to left pulmonary artery shunt. Several years later by the aid of radiofrequency wire the occluded pulmonary artery segment was canalized establishing continuity between the two pulmonary artery branches with stenting of the intervening segment. The central shunt to the left pulmonary artery was subsequently embolized. Thus this patient was converted in the catheterization laboratory from the physiology of a classic Glenn to the more preferred bidirectional Glenn physiology. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
TP53 Genotype but Not p53 Immunohistochemical Result Predicts Response to Preoperative Short-Term Radiotherapy in Rectal Cancer

ObjectiveTo evaluate and compare the predictive power of p53 gene analysis versus p53 immunohistochemical staining in terms of response to preoperative short-term radiotherapy using 25 Gy in operable rectal cancer. Summary Background DataRecent studies show that p53 may be a determinant of radiosensitivity being required for induction of apoptosis in case of radiation-induced DNA damage. MethodsPreirradiation biopsy samples of 64 patients with rectal carcinoma were analyzed. Genetic alterations of the p53 gene were detected by complete direct sequencing of exons 2 to 10. Expression of the nuclear phosphoprotein p53 was assessed by immunohistochemical staining. Results were correlated with histopathology of resected specimens and follow-up data, respectively. ResultsMutations of the p53 gene were present in 45% of tumors. Patients with a normal p53 gene had a significant survival advantage. Comparing pre- and postradiotherapy T category, a reduction was seen in patients with normal p53 genotype only. A mutant p53 genotype was highly specific in indicating stable disease concerning T category after irradiation. Protein overexpression was detected in 61%. Overexpression of the p53 protein was not related to survival or response. The concordance between immunohistochemistry and sequencing was only 0.51. ConclusionsThe authors show that downstaging after short-term radiation may occur but is seen in tumors with normal p53 gene only. Moreover, p53 genotype but not p53 immunohistochemistry is predictive for response to preoperative short-term radiotherapy and patient survival.
Topical Review on Chloroplast Proteases Chloroplast Proteases : Updates on Proteolysis within and across Suborganellar Compartments 1 [ OPEN ]

Chloroplasts originated from the endosymbiosis of ancestral cyanobacteria and maintain transcription and translation machineries for around 100 proteins. Most endosymbiont genes, however, have been transferred to the host nucleus, and the majority of the chloroplast proteome is composed of nucleus-encoded proteins that are biosynthesized in the cytosol and then imported into chloroplasts. How chloroplasts and the nucleus communicate to control the plastid proteome remains an important question. Protein-degrading machineries play key roles in chloroplast proteome biogenesis, remodeling, and maintenance. Research in the past few decades has revealed more than 20 chloroplast proteases, which are localized to specific suborganellar locations. In particular, two energy-dependent processive proteases of bacterial origin, Clp and FtsH, are central to protein homeostasis. Processing endopeptidases such as stromal processing peptidase and thylakoidal processing peptidase are involved in the maturation of precursor proteins imported into chloroplasts by cleaving off the amino-terminal transit peptides. Presequence peptidases and organellar oligopeptidase subsequently degrade the cleaved targeting peptides. Recent findings have indicated that not only intraplastidic but also extraplastidic processive protein-degrading systems participate in the regulation and quality control of protein translocation across the envelopes. In this review, we summarize current knowledge of the major chloroplast proteases in terms of type, suborganellar localization, and diversification. We present details of these degradation processes as case studies according to suborganellar compartment (envelope, stroma, and thylakoids). Key questions and future directions in this field are discussed.
Functional anatomy of the cartilage of the distal phalanx and digital cushion in the equine foot and a hemodynamic flow hypothesis of energy dissipation.

OBJECTIVES To examine macro- and microscopic characteristics of cartilage of the distal phalanx (ungual cartilage [UC]) and digital cushion in the equine foot and to relate them to the foot's function of energy dissipation. ANIMALS 85 horses and 5 foals of various breeds and ages. PROCEDURE Feet, obtained at necropsy, were perfused with India ink (n = 30), latex (5), or polymer plastic (10). Select feet were examined histologically for tissue architecture and to identify elastic fibers. Immunochemistry to identify substance P peptides in nerves (feet from foals) and gold chloride impregnation of axons (n = 10) were performed. Feet were sectioned transversely (n = 27) or coronally (62 feet in a matched-paired study). Ungual cartilage was measured at the navicular bone. Digital cushions were examined for relative tissue composition between forefeet and hind feet. RESULTS Ungual cartilage formed an axial projection that extended towards the midline to overlie the bars, and dorsally along the semilunar line of the distal phalanx. Ungual cartilage of forefeet was significantly larger than that of hind feet. The digital cushion was composed of fat and elastic tissues in feet with thin UC, or fibrous and fibrocartilaginous tissue and elastic tissue in feet with thicker UC. Sensory nerves and an extensive network of venovenous anastomoses were found in the UC. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Ungual cartilage and the digital cushion provide the basis for a hemodynamic flow hypothesis of energy dissipation. Maximum energy dissipation depends on proper hoof preparation and shoeing.
Dispersion Characteristics of non-Newtonian fluid during transportation of nanoparticles in permeable capillary

The present analysis deals with the dispersion characteristics of blood described as HerschelBulkley fluid in capillary with permeable walls for fluid and impermeable for the nanoparticles. The contribution of molecular and convective diffusion is recalled from the Taylor and Aris coefficient of diffusion. The effective longitudinal diffusion depends on three parameters namely rheological parameter, pressure parameter, and the permeability parameter. We investigate the influence of the longitudinal transport of nanoparticles with permeable blood vessels on the effective dispersion. It shows that the effective diffusion of nanoparticles reduces with increase in radius of the plug region (i.e., the volume of red blood cells) and the permeability of the blood vessels.
Carrier phase multipath corrections based on GNSS signal quality measurements to improve CORS observations

Carrier phase multipath caused by reflections in the vicinity of GNSS stations is a major error source of precise differential positioning. Detection and mitigation of carrier phase multipath errors can be based on signal quality measurements, i.e. signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) or carrier-to-noise ratio (C/N), as provided by GNSS receivers. Variations of the signal quality oscillation frequency are caused by changes of the reflected signal's additional path length. Calculating carrier phase multipath corrections from signal quality time series is not simple. Most published algorithms need various interim results, e.g. phase shift or attenuation factors, to calculate the final correction value. Our algorithm, however, directly estimates carrier phase multipath corrections from signal quality measurements. In order to validate the potential of this multipath mitigation method in practice, GPS/GLONASS observation data sets of six continuously operating reference stations (CORS) of the German SAPOS network were corrected. All these stations are equipped with receivers for which the signal quality based multipath mitigation performs similarly well for both frequencies. Thus multipath mitigation may even improve coordinate results based on the ionosphere-free linear combination. We present a detailed analysis of the effects of carrier phase multipath corrections on positioning results in this CORS subnetwork.
Reeler: new tales on an old mutant mouse

Neurological mouse mutants provide an opportunity to dissect the complex mechanisms that underlie vertebrate brain development. Advances in genetic technologies have permitted the identification of genes disrupted in many mutants, allowing a molecular interpretation of the phenotypes. For several decades, the spontaneous mutant mouse reeler has been used as a model for the analysis of the development of laminated brain structures. In this ataxic mutant, the migration of many neurons is aberrant, resulting in disrupted cellular organization. Recently, reelin, the gene disrupted in the reeler mouse, has been identified. reelin encodes a novel extracellular molecule that controls neural cell positioning through mechanisms that are not yet completely understood. Analysis of the expression pattern and the properties of the reelin gene product (Reelin) suggests models for its function during brain development. Furthermore, the recent identification of genes that may function in the Reelin signaling pathway advances our knowledge of the molecular basis of neuronal migration. BioEssays 20:235–244, 1998. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
HIV/AIDS-related stigma felt by people living with HIV from Buea, Cameroon

Abstract The universal access to treatment and care for people living with HIV (PLWHIV) is a major problem especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of HIV infected people live. However, equally important is the fact that HIV/AIDS-related stigma is recognized to be a major obstacle to successfully control the spread of this disease. In this study we measured the HIV/AIDS-related stigma felt by PLWHIV in Cameroon using “The people living with HIV stigma index” questionnaire developed by UNAIDS, International Planned Parenthood Federation and Global Network of PLWHIV/AIDS among others. A total of 200 questionnaires were anonymously administered to PLWHIV in the HIV/AIDS treatment center of the Regional Hospital Annex Buea in the South West Region of Cameroon by trained academics who were themselves PLWHIV. In this setting the major problems faced by the PLWHIV with regard to stigmatization and discrimination were gossiping and verbal insults, which was felt by about half of the interviewees. Equally important was internal stigma, half of the PLWHIV felt ashamed and guilty to be HIV infected. This is the first report of this kind in Cameroon. These results will help to better understand HIV/AIDS-related stigma in this setting and in turn will improve the quality of life of PLWHIV by promoting their acceptance by the community.
Cooperation without the Leviathan: Intergovernmental policymaking in Canadian education

ABSTRACT A staple of policymaking in any federation is intergovernmental cooperation, which can take the form of vertical initiatives between the central and substate governments or as horizontal initiatives among the substate governments themselves. Most research has focused the former whereby the central government often deploys powerful levers to encourage the constituent members to cooperate. Such accounts, however, cannot be applied to cases occurring without the influence of the proverbial Leviathan. This article sets out to identify conditions that may be conducive to horizontal cooperation, developing a set of propositions focusing on economic, institutional, and ideational factors. These propositions are then considered on three cases of cooperation with varying results in Canadian education. While no single factor can be identified as necessary and sufficient for horizontal cooperation, institutional and ideational conditions interacted in dynamic ways and appeared to play the leading roles in the outcomes presented here.
High performance Z-source network with reduced switch inverter

This paper presents the performance of a 4-switch, 3-phase high performance Z-source inverter (4S3P) fed cost effective induction motor (IM) drive system. In the proposed approach, instead of a conventional 6-switch, 3-phase inverter (6S3P) a 4-switch, 3-phase Z-source inverter is utilized. This reduces the cost of the inverter, the switching losses, and the complexity of the control algorithms and interface circuits to generate 6 PWM logic signals. Furthermore, the proposed high performance Z-source inverter system employs an IGBT switch before a unique LC network in the dc link and a small capacitor on the ac side of the diode front end. By controlling the shoot-through duty cycle, the Z-source can produce any desired output ac voltage, even greater than the line voltage. As a result, the new Z-source inverter system provides ride-through capability during voltage sags, reduces line harmonics, and reliability. Analysis, simulation, and experimental results will be presented to demonstrate these new features.
Chemoprevention of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced esophageal cancer in rats by the naturally occurring thioether, diallyl sulfide.

Diallyl sulfide (DAS) is a principal thioether of garlic (Allium sativum) accounting, in part, for the flavor and fragrance of this herb. Previous studies have shown that DAS is a potent inhibitor of experimentally induced colon cancer in mice. Metabolic studies of other garlic-derived substances suggested that DAS could prevent tumorigenicity of other hepatic activated carcinogens. The present study was designed to determine whether DAS could inhibit the DNA-damaging and tumorigenic effects of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine in rat esophagus. A dose of 200 mg/kg of DAS given p.o. 3 h prior to N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine administration was found to inhibit the carcinogen-induced nuclear toxicity by 64% to 56% at the two doses (3 and 5 mg/kg) of NMBA tested. These results suggested that the compound was potentially anticarcinogenic. In the carcinogenicity experiment it was found that DAS totally inhibited tumor formation in rats treated with a carcinogenic dose of NMBA (100% inhibition of papilloma and squamous cell carcinoma incidence, P less than 0.0001). Additionally DAS was found to substantially reduce hepatic microsomal metabolism of the carcinogen. These data demonstrate that DAS is unique in its anticarcinogenic activity. It strongly suppresses the tumorigenic effects of potent, metabolically activated monoalkylating carcinogens in the gastrointestinal tract.
Loss of treatment response to infliximab maintenance therapy in Crohn's disease: a payor perspective.

OBJECTIVES To assess the incidence and economic implications of loss of treatment response among patients with Crohn's disease (CD) treated with infliximab maintenance therapy. METHODS This was a retrospective observational study of infliximab response and costs among patients with CD using a large health-care claims database. Patients with CD receiving infliximab maintenance therapy with an initial response were selected from the Integrated Healthcare Information Services claims database (1999-2005). Patients' claim histories were used to identify patterns of response to infliximab treatment. Incidence of loss of response was estimated using Kaplan-Meier method. Annual total health-care and CD-related costs were estimated and adjusted for inflation to 2005 US dollars. Generalized linear model was used to assess the impact of loss of response on treatment costs. RESULTS The study sample included 262 patients with CD with an initial response to infliximab therapy. Within 24 months of therapy initiation, 77% of patients lost treatment response. Upward dose adjustment, a new drug therapy for CD, and CD-related emergency room or inpatient visits were the three most common indicators of loss of response. Both annual total and CD-related health-care costs for patients who lost treatment response during the first year were found to be approximately one-third higher than for those who did not lose response. CONCLUSIONS The majority of patients who had initial responses to infliximab maintenance treatment subsequently lost response within 2 years. Loss of response was associated with a significant increase in total health-care and CD-related costs.
Comparison of Efficiency of BG-Sentinel Traps Baited with Mice, Mouse-Litter, and CO2 Lures for Field Sampling of Male and Female Aedes albopictus Mosquitoes

Determining the abundance and distribution of male mosquitoes in the wild and establishing species seasonality in candidate pilot sites is of particular interest with respect to the use of the sterile-male technique. With the knowledge that using mice as bait in BG-Sentinel traps effectively enhances Aedes albopictus male and female trapping success, the present study was designed to determine whether attractants derived from mouse odour blend could be a viable substitute for live mice to lure Ae. albopictus mosquitoes into traps. The effects of baiting BG-Sentinel traps with mice, carbon dioxide (CO2), and attractants derived from litter mouse odours (mouse litter (ML)) and a mouse odour blend (MOB) on the efficiency of trapping Ae. albopictus males and females were tested using a Latin square design. The BG-Sentinel trap baited with CO2 + ML caught a significantly larger number of mosquitoes compared to traps baited with mice only. The BG-Sentinel traps containing only CO2 or CO2 + MOB, however, did not catch significantly more mosquitoes compared to the other traps. The proportions of males caught in the BG-Sentinel traps did not differ significantly between the respective attractants. The results from this study confirm that CO2 bait is efficient to provide a reliable estimation method for Ae. albopictus adult male abundance in the wild, and suggest that mouse litter baits in combination with CO2 could be used to enhance Aedes trapping success in BG-Sentinel traps.
Financial reform in China

This is the third in the series of lectures I have given in the School on the progress of financial reform in China. (Slide 1) I have watched the process for over a decade, since I was Deputy Governor for the Bank of England, and for three years have been on the International Advisory Councils of both the CBRC, the banking regulator, and the CSRC, the securities regulator. But I should emphasise that what follows is a personal view, and in no way reflects the opinions of the Chinese Commissions. It has been a privilege to work with Chairman Liu Ming Kang and Chairman Shang Fu Lin, and I have enormous admiration for their achievements. They would not be surprised, however, to learn that I believe there is still more to do.
Improving Cerebral Blood Flow after Arterial Recanalization: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy in Stroke

Ischemic stroke is caused by a disruption in blood supply to a region of the brain. It induces dysfunction of brain cells and networks, resulting in sudden neurological deficits. The cause of stroke is vascular, but the consequences are neurological. Decades of research have focused on finding new strategies to reduce the neural damage after cerebral ischemia. However, despite the incredibly huge investment, all strategies targeting neuroprotection have failed to demonstrate clinical efficacy. Today, treatment for stroke consists of dealing with the cause, attempting to remove the occluding blood clot and recanalize the vessel. However, clinical evidence suggests that the beneficial effect of post-stroke recanalization may be hampered by the occurrence of microvascular reperfusion failure. In short: recanalization is not synonymous with reperfusion. Today, clinicians are confronted with several challenges in acute stroke therapy, even after successful recanalization: (1) induce reperfusion, (2) avoid hemorrhagic transformation (HT), and (3) avoid early or late vascular reocclusion. All these parameters impact the restoration of cerebral blood flow after stroke. Recent advances in understanding the molecular consequences of recanalization and reperfusion may lead to innovative therapeutic strategies for improving reperfusion after stroke. In this review, we will highlight the importance of restoring normal cerebral blood flow after stroke and outline molecular mechanisms involved in blood flow regulation.
Cultural Competence in Qualitative Interview Methods with Asian Immigrants

The growth in Asian immigration and a diversity of Asian populations living in Western English-speaking societies pose many opportunities for qualitative research. Cultural competence is essential to credible qualitative nursing research employing interview data. The purpose of this article is to describe culturally competent qualitative research with Asian immigrants, especially in the design, interview phases, and analysis. Strategies to achieve cultural competence are synthesized within the model of cultural competence, integrating the literature review and data exemplars. Strategies for successful conduct of qualitative research in Asian immigrant populations, including preparation of the research team, techniques for the conduct of research interviews with Asian immigrants, and contextual meanings and timing of translation are offered. The article concludes with a summary of implications for future research.
γδ T Lymphocyte Homeostasis Is Negatively Regulated by β2-Microglobulin1

Successful application of γδ T cells in adoptive cell therapies depends upon our ability to maintain these cells in vivo. Using an adoptive transfer model to study lymphopenia-induced homeostatic expansion, we show that CD8+ and NK1.1+ γδ T cell subsets are differentially regulated. While CD8+ γδ T cells have an early and sustained advantage following transfer into TCRβ−/−/δ−/− mice, NK1.1+ γδ T cells proliferate slowly and are maintained at low numbers. The advantage of the CD8+ subset could not be explained by increased bcl-2 or cytokine receptor expression but did correlate with Vγ4+ and Vδ5+ expression. Despite the role of CD8 in MHC class I recognition by αβ T cells, β2-microglobulin (β2m)-associated MHC class I molecules were not required for CD8+ γδ T cell homeostatic expansion. Surprisingly, all γδ T cells, including the CD8+ subset, exhibited enhanced proliferation following adoptive transfer into Rag1−/−/β2m−/− compared with Rag1−/− recipients. This effect was most notable for the NK1.1+ subset, which expresses high levels of NKG2A/CD94 and Ly49. Although expression of these inhibitory receptors correlated with poor homeostatic expansion in the presence of β2m, γδ T cell homeostatic proliferation in TCRβ−/−/δ−/− mice was not altered in the presence of Ly49C/I- and NKG2-blocking Abs. While the mechanism by which β2m negatively regulates γδ T cell homeostasis remains to be determined, this observation is unique to γδ T cells and confirms that multiple mechanisms are in place to maintain strict regulation of both the size and the composition of the γδ T cell pool.