Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Participation of peribiliary glands in biliary tract pathophysiologies.

AIM To investigate the roles of peribiliary glands around the bile ducts in the pathophysiology of the biliary tract. METHODS The expression of fetal pancreatic markers, pancreatic duodenal homeobox factor 1 (PDX1) and hairy and enhancer of split 1 (HES1) and endodermal stem/progenitor (S/P) cell markers [CD44s, chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), SOX9 and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM)] were examined immunohistochemically in 32 normal adult livers (autopsy livers) and 22 hepatolithiatic livers (surgically resected livers). The latter was characterized by the proliferation of the peribiliary glands. Immunohistochemistry was performed using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections after deparaffinization. Although PDX1 and HES1 were expressed in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of epithelial cells, only nuclear staining was evaluated. SOX9 was expressed in the nucleus, while CD44s, CXCR4 and EpCAM were expressed in the cell membranes. The frequency and extent of the expression of these molecules in the lining epithelia and peribiliary glands were evaluated semi-quantitatively based on the percentage of positive cells: 0, 1+ (focal), 2+ (moderate) and 3+ (extensive). RESULTS In normal livers, PDX1 was infrequently expressed in the lining epithelia, but was frequently expressed in the peribiliary glands. In contrast, HES1 was frequently expressed in the lining epithelia, but its expression in the peribiliary glands was focal, suggesting that the peribiliary glands retain the potential of differentiation toward the pancreas and the lining epithelia exhibit properties to inhibit such differentiation. This unique combination was also seen in hepatolithiatic livers. The expression of endodermal S/P cell markers varied in the peribiliary glands in normal livers: SOX9 and EpCAM were frequently expressed, CD44s infrequently, and CXCR4 almost not at all. The expression of these markers, particularly CD44s and CXCR4, increased in the peribiliary glands and lining epithelia in hepatolithiatic livers. This increased expression of endodermal S/P cell markers may be related to the increased production of intestinal and gastric mucin and also to the biliary neoplasia associated with the gastric and intestinal phenotypes reported in hepatolithiasis. CONCLUSION The unique expression pattern of PDX1 and HES1 and increased expression of endodermal S/P cell markers in the peribiliary glands may be involved in biliary pathophysiologies.
Sphingomonas Paucimobilis: A Rare Infectious Agent Found in Cerebrospinal Fluid

Sphingomonas paucimobilis (S. paucimobilis) is a gram negative bacillus. It has existed in soil, drinking water and plants. It has been isolated from distilled water tanks, respirators, and hemodialysis devices at the hospital setting. Patients with chronic disorders or immune suppression may be susceptible to infections with it. This microorganism has also been reported to infect healthy persons. Both nosocomial and community-acquired infections have been reported. So far, a variety of infections have been reported, including sepsis, septic pulmonary embolism, septic arthritis, peritonitis, and endophthalmitis. Only 2 cases of meningitis have been reported so far in the literature. So far, no previous reports of culture proliferation have been reported in patients with external ventricular drains, as was the case in our patient. Therefore, our case is the first to have S. paucimobilis proliferation in cerebrospinal fluid culture during intensive care unit stay for an external ventricular drain.
Fatal ulcerative enteritis of the small intestine in a patient with ulcerative colitis treated with vedolizumab

Abstract Vedolizumab (VDZ) inhibits α4β7 integrins and is used to target intestinal immune responses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, which is considered to be relatively safe. Here we report on a fatal complication following VDZ administration. A 64-year-old female patient with ulcerative colitis (UC) refractory to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors was treated with VDZ. One week after the second VDZ infusion, she was admitted to hospital with severe diarrhea and systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Blood stream infections were ruled out, and endoscopy revealed extensive ulcerations of the small intestine covered with pseudomembranes, reminiscent of invasive candidiasis or mesenteric ischemia. Histology confirmed subtotal destruction of small intestinal epithelia and colonization with Candida. Moreover, small mesenteric vessels were occluded by hyaline thrombi, likely as a result of SIRS, while perfusion of large mesenteric vessels was not compromised. Beta-D-glucan concentrations were highly elevated, and antimycotic therapy was initiated for suspected invasive candidiasis but did not result in any clinical benefit. Given the non-responsiveness to anti-infective therapies, an autoimmune phenomenon was suspected and immunosuppressive therapy was escalated. However, the patient eventually died from multi-organ failure. This case should raise the awareness for rare but severe complications related to immunosuppressive therapy, particularly in high risk patients.
Asymmetric Campaign Advertising: Partisan Differences in 2014 Congressional Campaign Advertisements

This preliminary study identified partisan differences in television advertisements for Senate candidates in 2014 and paves the path for further study of partisan differences in campaign advertising more broadly. Analyzing data gathered on all of the television advertisements aired for U.S. Senate candidates in 2014, this research finds distinct partisan styles emanating from both of the major political parties. In particular, the data suggests that candidates for the Republican Party used more cohesive messaging during the 2014 election cycle, while candidates for the Democratic Party advertised on a wider array of issues. These findings align with previous research on partisan asymmetry in the United States, and have important implications for future campaigns. Understanding how campaigns advertise to voters is one of the first steps to addressing growing polarization in Congress.
Path following for quadrotors

This paper presents a path following controller for quadrotors to follow splines in the output space. The control pipeline includes utilization of a cascaded control architecture, generation of paths using quintic spline interpolation, transformation of coordinates using Frenet-Serret (FS) frames, and decoupling controllers for the transversal and tangential sub-systems. The result is a time-invariant controller that renders the desired path invariant and attractive from arbitrary initial conditions, even when thrown into the air (shown in experiments), while maintaining a desired tangential velocity.
An epidemiological study of sleep quality in adolescents in South China: a school-based study.

BACKGROUND This study explored the prevalence of disturbed sleep and investigated its distribution characteristics and associated factors in adolescents in South China. METHODS Junior middle school and senior high school students (n = 1221) were recruited from schools in Shanghai, China. Students completed a questionnaire using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and factors associated with disturbed sleep. RESULTS The prevalence of a tendency towards poor sleep was 34.32% [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.66-36.98] with no significant difference between genders. This tendency increased with age, yielding a significant group effect (P < 0.01). In middle school and high school, the propensity towards poor sleep was 31.34% (95% CI: 28.29-34.39) and 42.22% (95% CI: 36.92-47.52) respectively. The factors associated with poor sleep were more television viewing during weekdays [odds ratio (OR): 1.56, CI: 1.36-1.71], more frequent computer/Internet use (OR: 1.25, CI: 1.08-1.39), earlier school starting time (OR: 1.12, CI: 1.07-1.28), and more time on homework during weekdays (OR: 1.78, CI: 1.51-1.98) and weekends (OR: 1.35, CI: 1.21-1.52) CONCLUSIONS A tendency towards poor sleep is common in adolescents in South China and its incidence increases with age. The factors associated with this phenomenon indicate that poor sleep in adolescents could be improved, at least partly, by reducing the use of visual technologies and by changing school timetables.
Residue Number Systems: A New Paradigm to Datapath Optimization for Low-Power and High-Performance Digital Signal Processing Applications

Residue Number System (RNS) is a non-weighted number system which was proposed by Garner back in 1959 to achieve fast implementation of addition, subtraction and multiplication operations in special-purpose computations. Unfortunately, RNS did not turn out as a popular alternative to two? s complement number system in those days. The rigidity of instruction set architectures of the market-dominant computers and microprocessors then has been the main barrier to sustain the development of RNS-based applications. In recent years, technological advancement in semiconductor technology has revived the interests to reconsider RNS for application-specific computing. There are at least two unique motivations which make RNS computations more attractive and applicable in modern digital signal processing applications. Firstly, the modular and distributive properties of RNS are used to achieve performance improvements especially in the emerging distributed and ubiquitous computing platforms such as cloud, wireless ad hoc networks, and applications which require tolerance against soft error. Secondly, energy efficiency becomes a key driver in the continual densification of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) digital integrated circuits. The high degree of computational parallelism in RNS offers new degree of freedom to optimize energy performance, particularly for very long word length arithmetic such as those involved in the hardware implementation of cryptographic algorithms. Our aim in this paper is to show this revolution by discussing interesting development in RNS and foster the innovative use of RNS for more applications. Different applications of RNS are investigated to demonstrate how this unconventional number system can be leveraged to benefit their implementation.
Research on continuous-wave terahertz radiation detection

We report two new methods of detecting continuous-wave terahertz radiation. One is using an enhanced pyroelectric array camera (Pyrocam III, Spiricon) to capture real-time transmission or reflection imaging. It has the advantages of high speed, broad imaging range and high definition. The other is using a pyroelectric passive infrared sensor (RE200B, Nicera) to detecting the luminous intensity of the modulated continuous- wave terahertz radiation with the advantages of low price and high definition. Though the two methods have differences, both methods use pyroelectric component as a core part. At last we had some experiments on continuous-wave terahertz radiation detecting. These results demonstrate that pyroelectric component has huge foreground about terahertz detecting area.
Suppression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha production and neutrophil infiltration during ischemia-reperfusion injury of the liver after heat shock preconditioning.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Heat shock preconditioning provides the liver with ischemic tolerance. In this study we examined the effects of heat shock preconditioning on hepatic nonparenchymal cells in light of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production and neutrophil infiltration. METHODS Rats were exposed to heat shock pretreatment at 42 degrees C in the heat shock group (group HS) and at 37 degrees C in the control group (group C). After a 48-h recovery, the left hepatic lobes were given a 90-min ischemia and reperfused. Plasma concentrations of TNF-alpha, cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured. Liver tissues were checked for the presence of TNF-alpha mRNA. Histological staining for CINC and polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) was also evaluated. RESULTS In group HS, plasma TNF-alpha levels were significantly more suppressed than in group C (P<0.0001). Expressions of TNF-alpha mRNA in the liver was suppressed in group HS. Production of CINC 2 h after reperfusion was reduced in group HS (P<0.05). PMN infiltration was significantly reduced in group HS (P<0.01). In group HS, liver histology revealed less cellular damage and the plasma level of ALT was significantly reduced (P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Heat shock preconditioning suppressed the production of TNF-alpha and CINC in the liver during reperfusion and consequently reduced neutrophil infiltration.
Neonatal enterovirus infections: emphasis on risk factors of severe and fatal infections

Objectives. Neonatal enterovirus infections have diverse manifestations, from asymptomatic to fatal. An understanding of the risk factors associated with severe cases might help to reduce enterovirus-related morbidity and mortality. Methods. From July 1989 through June 1998, neonates with virus culture-confirmed nonpolio enterovirus infection at Chang Gung Children’s Hospital were enrolled in the study and divided into three groups: nonspecific febrile illness; aseptic meningitis; and hepatic necrosis with coagulopathy (HNC). Demographic factors, clinical manifestations, laboratory data and outcome were analyzed to reveal factors associated with clinical severity and fatality. Results. There were 146 cases including 43 neonates with nonspecific febrile illness, 61 with aseptic meningitis and 42 with HNC. By multiple logistic regression analysis, the most significant factors associated with HNC were prematurity, maternal history of illness, earlier age of onset (≤7 days), higher white blood cell count (WBC ≥15 000/mm3) and lower hemoglobin (≤10.7 g/dl). In 10 (24%) of 42 cases, HNC was fatal. In comparison with nonfatal cases of HNC, fatal cases had higher WBC, lower hemoglobin, higher bilirubin and higher incidence of concurrent myocarditis. Multivariate analysis showed the most significant factors associated with fatality from HNC to be total bilirubin >14.3 mg/dl (adjusted odds ratio, 29.1; 95% confidence interval, 2.5 to 355.5; P = 0.007) and concurrent myocarditis (adjusted odds ratio, 13.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.1 to 177.2; P = 0.04). Intravenous immunoglobulin did not correlate with clinical outcomes in cases with HNC. Conclusions. Prematurity, maternal history of illness, earlier age of onset, higher WBC and lower hemoglobin are significant factors associated with HNC; higher total bilirubin and concurrent myocarditis were most significantly associated with fatality from HNC.
Triacylglycerol turnover in isolated working hearts of acutely diabetic rats.

Although myocardial triacylglycerol may be a potentially important source of fatty acids for beta-oxidation in diabetes, few studies have measured triacylglycerol turnover directly in hearts from diabetic animals. In this study, myocardial triacylglycerol turnover was directly measured in isolated working hearts from streptozotocin-induced acutely diabetic rats. Hearts were initially perfused in the presence of 1.2 mM [14C]palmitate and 11 mM glucose for 1 h (pulse) to label the endogenous lipid pools, followed by a 10-min washout perfusion. Hearts were then perfused for another hour (chase) with buffer containing 11 mM glucose +/- 1.2 mM [3H]palmitate. During the chase, both 14CO2 and 3H2O production (measures of endogenous and exogenous fatty acid oxidation, respectively) were determined. A second series of hearts were perfused using the same protocol, except that unlabeled palmitate was used during the pulse and 11 mM [14C(U),5-3H]glucose +/- unlabeled palmitate was present during the chase. Both glycolysis (3H2O production) and glucose oxidation (14CO2 production) rates were measured in this series. Myocardial triacylglycerol levels were significantly higher in the diabetic rat hearts (77.5 +/- 4.6 vs. 33.7 +/- 4.1 mumol fatty acid/g dry mass in control hearts). In diabetic rat hearts chased with 1.2 mM palmitate, triacylglycerol lipolysis was increased, although endogenous [14C]palmitate oxidation rates were similar to control hearts and contributed 10.1% of overall ATP production. The majority of fatty acids derived from triacylglycerol lipolysis were released into the perfusate. In the absence of palmitate, both triacylglycerol lipolysis and endogenous [14C]palmitate oxidation rates were significantly increased in diabetic rat hearts, compared with control. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
CURRENT TAXONOMY OF RHIZOBIA

Classification of rhizobia knows constant change. Recent studies have shown the existence of a great diversity among nitrogen-fixing bacteria isolated from different legumes. Currently, More than 98 species belonging to 13 genera of αand βproteobacteria have been described as rhizobia. The genera Rhizobium, Mezorhizobium, Ensifer (formerly Sinorhizobium), Bradyrhizobium, Phyllobacterium, Microvirga, Azorhizobium, Ochtrobacterium, Methylobacterium, Devosia, Shinella (Class of α-proteobacteria), Burkholderia, Cupriavidus (formerly Ralstonia) (Class of β-proteobacteria) and some γ-proteobacteria, form the set of the bacteria known as legume’s symbionts. There certainly is much to discover, since only 0.5% of known legumes were until now identified specifically for symbiotic relationship. The discovery of new symbionts associated with legumes is expected to create deep changes in the taxonomy of the rhizobia. A literature review of the currently recognized classification of rhizobia is presented in this paper.
Increasing progesterone levels are associated with smoking abstinence among free-cycling women smokers who receive brief pharmacotherapy.

INTRODUCTION Preclinical and human laboratory research suggests that (a) progesterone may decrease drug reward, craving, and smoking behavior, and (b) estradiol may enhance drug reward and smoking behavior. A modest majority of treatment research examining the relationship between menstrual cycle phase and outcomes suggests that the luteal menstrual phase, with its uniquely higher progesterone levels, is associated with better cessation outcomes. However, no studies to date have examined the effects of naturally occurring variation in progesterone and estradiol levels on medication-assisted smoking cessation. The present study sought to fill this notable gap in the treatment literature. METHODS Weekly plasma progesterone and estradiol levels were obtained from nicotine-dependent female smokers enrolled in a 4-week cessation trial. Participants (N = 108) were randomized to receive a 4-week course of either varenicline (VAR) tablets and placebo patches or placebo tablets and nicotine patches. Plasma samples were obtained 1 week before their cessation attempt and weekly during medication administration. Abstinence was assessed weekly. RESULTS Weekly hormone data replicated commonly observed menstrual cycle patterns of progesterone and estradiol levels. Importantly, increases in progesterone level were associated with a 23% increase in the odds for being abstinent within each week of treatment. This effect was driven primarily by nicotine patch-treated versus VAR-treated females. CONCLUSIONS This study was the first to identify an association between progesterone level (increasing) and abstinence outcomes in free-cycling women smokers who participated in a medication-based treatment. Furthermore, the potential benefits of progesterone may vary across different pharmacotherapies. Implications of these findings for smoking cessation intervention are discussed.
On the Predictability of Emerging Market Sovereign Credit Spreads

This paper examines the quarter-ahead out-of-sample predictability of Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines and Turkey credit spreads before and after the Lehman Brothers’ default. A model based on the country-specific credit spread curve factors predicts no better than the random walk and slope regression benchmarks. Model extensions with the global yield curve factors and with both global and domestic uncertainty indicators notably outperform both benchmarks post-Lehman. The finding that bond prices better reflect fundamental information after the Lehman Brothers’ failure indicates that this landmark of the recent global financial crisis had wake-up call effects on emerging market bond investors.
Effect of Deep-Frying Fish on Risk from Mercury

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and many states have issued advisories to limit or avoid the consumption of certain fish or fish from certain waters, particularly by pregnant women and young children or even women of childbearing age. Typically, risk is calculated by multiplying contaminant concentrations in fish tissue, frequency of meals, and meal size, compared to some criterion, usually the U.S. EPA reference dose (RfD). Site-specific data on mercury concentrations, meal size, and consumption frequency by fishermen were used to determine how frying fish affected risk estimates. In consumption studies fishermen typically estimate the size of portions as they appear on the plate (i.e., cooked), yet assessors calculate risk based on contaminant levels in uncooked fish. Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides, n = 39) were collected from the contaminated L Lake on the Savannah River Site, South Carolina. Fillets from the opposite sides of the same fish were divided and randomly assigned to a raw or fried treatment (the commonly used local cooking method). The fried fillet was further divided in half for a breaded or nonbreaded treatment. Mercury averaged 0.44 w g/g (ppm, wet weight) in raw fish, 0.63 w g/g in fried and breaded fish, and 0.76 w g/g in fried, unbreaded fish. The maximum concentration was 1.5 w g/g in raw fish (1.9 w g/g in cooked fish). Deep-frying with and without breading resulted in weight loss of 25% and 39%, while mercury levels increased by 45% and 75%, perhaps due to the breading and absorption of oil. At the mean fish
Endometritis in cattle experimentally induced by Chlamydia psittaci.

On the day of estrus, eight virgin heifers received intrauterine inoculations of yolk sac propagated Chlamydia psittaci strain BovEnd 11/88 isolated from the uterus of a slaughter cow. All heifers developed purulent vaginal discharge which persisted for 3 to 7 weeks. Chlamydiae or chlamydial antigen were detected in vaginal and uterine discharges of infected animals by culture or Capture ELISA, while other bacterial pathogens were not found. In sera of the chlamydia-infected heifers marked increases in antibody titres against the chlamydial genus-specific LPS-antigen were found by ELISA and complement fixation test. Six heifers were artificially inseminated in 5 successive cycles beginning at the first estrus following intrauterine inoculation. In two of the infected heifers spontaneous healing of endometritis occurred after 5 estrus cycles. Only these animals conceived after the 5th breeding, whereas in the remaining four animals a chlamydia-associated chronic endometritis was recognized as the cause of infertility in the 19th and 26th week p.i. at slaughter. Two control heifers which remained clinically normal after intrauterine exposure to sterile yolk sac-suspensions conceived at the 1st and 2nd service, respectively.