Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fresh Approaches to Anti-Infective Therapies

Characterization of resistant pathogens, new government policies, and creative discovery efforts are needed to maintain an effective antibacterial arsenal. This Review discusses the linked challenges of antibiotic resistance and discovery and recommends new policies and efforts to rebuild and maintain a supply of effective treatments for bacterial infection. If discovery of new antibiotics continues to falter while resistance to drugs in clinical use continues to spread, society’s medicine chest will soon lack effective treatments for many infections. Heritable antibiotic resistance emerges in bacteria from nonheritable resistance, also called phenotypic tolerance. This widespread phenomenon is closely linked to nonproliferative states in ways that scientists are just beginning to understand. A deeper understanding of the mechanisms of phenotypic tolerance may reveal new drug targets in the infecting organisms. At the same time, researchers must investigate ways to target the host in order to influence host-pathogen relationships. Government must reform the regulatory process for approval of new antibiotics. The private sector, government, and academia must undertake multiple, organized, multidisciplinary, parallel efforts to improve the ways in which antibiotics are discovered, tested, approved, and conserved, or it will be difficult to sustain the modern practice of medicine.
Consumption Trends of Edible Mushrooms in Developing Countries

Abstract Mushrooms are an important commodity worldwide. However, a thorough understanding of consumption trends is not yet available. In developing countries, the importance of edible mushrooms within consumer preferences and perceptions has not been studied. We carried out a study (2000-2003) to understand the patterns of mushroom consumption in central Mexico, where most wild/cultivated mushrooms are produced and/or marketed. About one-half (49.4%) of urban consumers bought mushrooms, independently of their social level [fresh or canned: white button mushroom (Agaricus), oyster mushroom (Pleurotus), shiitake (Lentinula). Preferences and perceptions from Mexican consumers depended on the social level. Mushroom prices were considered very or moderately expensive. Mushrooms were markedly more expensive than foods widely consumed. The variation of mushroom prices was a major factor influencing consumption. Basic data to carry out further marketing research are discussed, as well as an integral strategy considering social levels and regions to increase mushroom consumption.
Applicability of theory of planned behavior in predicting intention to trade online

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify factors that influence the intention to use internet stock trading among investors in Malaysia.Design/methodology/approach – A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from investors who are aware of internet stock trading in Malayisa. Out of 300 questionnaire only 144 were usable.Findings – Findings show that attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control has a direct positive relationship towards behavioral intention to use internet stock trading. The theory of planned behavior can be used to explain variation in behavioral intention and actual usage.Research limitations/implications – More variations of results could be gained through a wider coverage of respondents. Other factors such as descriptive norm and perceived usefulness should be used to increase the explanatory power of the dependent variable. A comparison of the same study of explanatory power between other intention‐based model could give another valuable contribution.
The Effect of Time in a Multi-Dimensional Marriage Market Model

In the paper, I develop a theoretical model of a marriage market that accounts for the effect of aging on agents’ wealth and physical attractiveness. Furthermore, I use the model to analyze how the structure and more importantly the stability of the marriage market is affected by the increased female income prospects. First, I find that the changes in agents’ characteristics can result in an incentive to re-match and thus provide yet another explanation of the phenomenon of divorce. Second, comparative statics show that an increase in female income prospects increases the divorce rate, which suggests that the stabilization effect of being more attractive for a current partner is dominated by the effect of increased female marriage market opportunities.
Combined general–epidural anesthesia with continuous postoperative epidural analgesia preserves sigmoid colon perfusion in elective infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair

Background: In elective open infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair the use of epidural anesthesia and analgesia may preserve splanchnic perfusion. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of epidural anesthesia on gut perfusion with gastrointestinal tonometry in patients undergoing aortic reconstructive surgery. Methods: Thirty patients, scheduled to undergo an elective infrarenal abdominal aortic reconstructive procedure were randomized in two groups: the epidural anesthesia group (Group A, n=16) and the control group (Group B, n=14). After induction of anesthesia, a transanally inserted sigmoid tonometer was placed for the measurement of sigmoid and gastric intramucosal CO2 levels and the calculation of regional–arterial CO2 difference (ΔPCO2). Additional measurements included mean arterial pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), and arterial lactate levels. Results: There were no significant intra- and inter-group differences for MAP, CO, SVR, and arterial lactate levels. Sigmoid pH and PCO2 increased in both the groups, but this increase was significantly higher in Group B, 20 min after aortic clamping and 10 min after aortic declamping. Conclusions: Patients receiving epidural anesthesia during abdominal aortic reconstruction appear to have less severe disturbances of sigmoid perfusion compared with patients not receiving epidural anesthesia. Further studies are needed to verify these results.
Relative Valuation Roles of Equity Book Value, Net Income, and Cash Flows during a Macroeconomic Shock: The Case of Mexico and the 1994 Currency Crisis

Using a sample of Mexican firms traded on the Mexican Stock Exchange during the period 1992–1997, we investigate whether the relation between the firms' stock prices and their book values, earnings, and cash flows changes during the 1994 Mexican currency crisis. In pooled cross‐sectional tests we find the valuation coefficient on book value does not significantly change during the crisis period, while its incremental explanatory power increases. We also find the valuation coefficient on and incremental explanatory power of earnings decline during the crisis period. However, the decline in the valuation and explanatory power of earnings is attributable to the presence of negative earnings. These results are inconsistent with those from Barth et al. (1998) who find that the valuation and incremental explanatory power of book values (earnings) increase (decrease) as individual firms' financial health decreases in the U.S. Our results also differ from those of studies that examine the valuation of accounting .
[Cerebral palsy in Dakar].

The objective of the study was to describe risks factors of cerebral palsy and to determine clinical forms. From November 1998 to July 2000,we conducted a prospective study to select outpatients showing cerebral palsy symptoms: so 93 children with age between 5 months and 11 years old entered on this study. For 44.08% cerebral palsy was related on pregnancy abnormalities, 32.26% have central nervous system infection and 8.6% have convulsions unknown cause . The cause of cerebral palsy was untraceable in 13.98% of the cases. 82.8% of the children have cerebral palsy associated with other handicaps. The commonest type of cerebral palsy was spastic forms (74.2%) followed by hypotonic cerebral palsy (16.13%), dystoniaathetosis and ataxic forms in 5.37% and 4.3% of the cases respectively. The overall prevalence of epilepsy was 46.23%. The other handicaps were neurosensoriel abnormalities (visual impairment, deafness), speech disorders and behavioural problems. Computerised tomography (CT), performed in 45 cases showed cortical/subcortical atrophy as the commonest brain lesions. The electroencephalographic abnormalities were identified frequently.
The Bleak Prospect for Public Child Welfare

In this commentary I provide a rapid review of the twentieth‐century development of public child welfare, identifying blows that degraded the system from the 1960s on. I assess the steps that were taken to reform the system moderately (administrative restructuring, permanency planning, family preservation, case management) as well as the more radical reform proposals. All this leads to my prediction of a bleak prospect for public child welfare, although I note some possible hopeful developments and strategies.
The role of relational social capital in examining exporter-intermediary relationships

Purpose – This paper aims to rely on a conceptual model that builds on, and synthesizes, the theoretical foundations of social capital (relational and cognitive) and cooperation. It assumes that the network of relationships and the set of resources embedded within it strongly influence the extent to which exporter-intermediary cooperation occurs. Design/methodology/approach – Following a quantitative methodological approach, a survey was applied to a sample of exporters to empirically test the proposed model. Findings – The findings reveal that among the six relationships, five are positively supported. Specifically, this study finds a positive and a significant impact of the two dimensions of social capital: cognitive (shared values) and relational (trust) on both commitment and cooperation. However, it did not support the impact of cognitive social capital on relational social capital. Research limitations/implications – One possible shortfall of this research relates to the characteristics of different.
Monocyte‐chemo‐attractant‐protein‐1 (mcp‐1)‐gene expression in cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasias and cervical carcinomas

Chemokines play a central role in the chemotactic activation of immunological effector cells. One of the currently best characterized chemokines is the monocyte‐chemo‐attractant protein‐1 (MCP‐1), which is involved in the cross‐talk with cells of the monocyte‐macrophage lineage. Since macrophages and macrophage‐derived cytokines appear to be important in the transcriptional regulation of “high‐risk” types of human papillomaviruses (HPV), we monitored MCP‐1 expression by in situ hybridization (ISH) in histologically distinct stages of cervical intra‐epithelial neoplasms (CIN), cervical cancer and non‐HPV‐associated cases of erosive endocervicitis. Here, we demonstrate that high‐grade dysplasia (CIN III, n = 9) completely lacks both MCP‐1 expression and CD68+‐macrophage infiltration, while MCP‐1‐specific signals were occasionally detectable in one out of 5 CIN‐II and in one out of 3 CIN‐I lesions. Inspection of hyperplastic squamous epithelium adjacent to cervical carcinomas reveals high MCP‐1 expression and accumulation of infiltrating macrophages. In contrast, no macrophages could be detected in corresponding hyperplastic tissue areas surrounding CIN‐II and CIN‐III lesions, although MCP‐1 was found to be highly expressed. Finally, in agreement with our earlier in vitro data, invasive carcinomas of the cervix uteri showed MCP‐1‐specific hybridization signals and macrophage infiltration only in the stroma surrounding the carcinoma cells and in endothelial cells of capillaries, especially at the invasion front of the tumor, while the inner mass of the carcinomas was completely negative. On the other hand, ISH and histochemical evaluation of inflammatory, non‐HPV‐associated cases of erosive endocervicitis indicate strong MCP‐1 expression, which is regularly accompanied by chemotactic appearance of macrophages. These observations indicate that dysregulation of MCP‐1‐gene expression may represent an important step during HPV‐linked carcinogenesis, allowing the escape of virus‐positive cells from local immune response. Int. J. Cancer 82:6–11, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Bargaining Efficiency in Intergovernmental Negotiations in the EU: Treaty of Nice vs. Constitutional Treaty

Abstract Two conditions have to be met for bargaining in Intergovernmental Conferences (IGCs) in the EU to be efficient. On the one hand, an effective preparation of the negotiations is essential to provide governments with the necessary information to engage in issue linkages. On the other hand, mediation provided by the EU’s Presidency is indispensable for the finding of compromises and for the elaboration of a final package deal. Systematic evidence from the IGCs of 2000 and of 2003–04 confirms the explanatory power of the article’s argument. As a result of largely ineffective preparation and mediation during the IGC of 2000, the Treaty of Nice (2001) could not (or only provisionally) resolve many of the issues that had led to the convocation of the negotiations. In contrast, largely effective preparation and mediation enabled the far–reaching compromises included in the Constitutional Treaty (2004).
Decision-making in people who relapsed to driving under the influence of alcohol.

BACKGROUND Alcohol use has been previously associated with neurocognitive impairments, especially in decision-making cognition. However, some studies have shown little to no decision-making deficits in relation to different characteristics of people with drinking problems. Relapsing to driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol is an important issue with legal and psychosocial aspects. We evaluated decision-making performance in second-time DUI offenders by using the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT). METHOD Thirty-four male second-time DUI offenders who had been selected for an official psychoeducational rehabilitation program and 31 healthy controls that were matched for age, education, and alcohol use were included. Along with psychiatric assessment, we applied conventional neuropsychological testing comprising cognitive set-shifting, response inhibition, attention, and visuospatial abilities. Also, we used the Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) to assess personality patterns. A computerized version of IGT was used. RESULTS No significant differences were found between the groups in regard to sociodemographics and conventional neuropsychological testing. DUI participants had significantly higher scores only in "self-transcendence" subdomain of TCI. On the fifth block of the IGT, DUI participants had significantly lower net scores than controls (U = 380.0, p < 0.05). Also, DUI participants chose significantly more risky decks compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that there may be subtle decision-making deficits in DUI participants, which goes undetected on conventional neuropsychological testing and which is not correlated with TCI subdomains related with impulsivity patterns.
Effet frontière, intégration économique et « Forteresse Europe »

Nous utilisons la methodologie des effets frontieres pour etudier les fondements empiriques des inquietudes liees a la construction d'une "Forteresse Europe". Nous etudions dans quelle mesure les importations en provenance des Etats-Unis et du Japon d'un pays europeen representatif ont ete reellement soumises a des contraintes plus importantes que les importations en provenance d'autres pays europeens en prenant le commerce intra-national comme niveau de reference. Nos resultats font etat d'une augmentation relativement importante de la difficulte d'acces au marche europeen pour les producteurs japonais et americains au cours des annees 80. Cette evolution contraste assez nettement avec la baisse graduelle des effets frontieres a l'interieur de l'Union Europeenne.
Chronic pain in families: a cross-sectional study of shared social, behavioural, and environmental influences

Abstract Chronic pain is common and creates a significant burden to the individual and society. Emerging research has shown the influence of the family environment on pain outcomes. However, it is not clear what shared factors between family members associate with chronic pain. This study aimed to investigate the family-level contribution to an individual's chronic pain status. This was a cross-sectional study using the Generation Scotland: Scottish Family Health Study data set. This study focused on a nested cohort of dyads (only 2 relatives per family, n = 2714). Multi-level modelling was first performed to estimate the extent of variance in chronic pain at the family level. Then each member of the dyad was randomly assigned as either the exposure or outcome family member, and logistic regression was used to identify shared factors associated with the outcome of chronic pain status. Multi-level modelling showed just under 10% of variation in chronic pain status was at a family level. There was an increase in odds of chronic pain if exposure family member had chronic pain (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-1.65), if both were women (OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 0.99-1.94), if both were older in age (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.31-2.48), and if both had low household income (OR: 3.27, 95% CI: 1.72-6.21). These findings show that most explanation for chronic pain is still at the individual level. However, some significant shared effects between family members associate with chronic pain, and this highlights the influence of the family context.
Ectomycorrhizal fungal diversity and saprotrophic fungal diversity are linked to different tree community attributes in a field‐based tree experiment

Exploring the link between above‐ and belowground biodiversity has been a major theme of recent ecological research, due in large part to the increasingly well‐recognized role that soil microorganisms play in driving plant community processes. In this study, we utilized a field‐based tree experiment in Minnesota, USA, to assess the effect of changes in plant species richness and phylogenetic diversity on the richness and composition of both ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungal communities. We found that ectomycorrhizal fungal species richness was significantly positively influenced by increasing plant phylogenetic diversity, while saprotrophic fungal species richness was significantly affected by plant leaf nitrogen content, specific root length and standing biomass. The increasing ectomycorrhizal fungal richness associated with increasing plant phylogenetic diversity was driven by the combined presence of ectomycorrhizal fungal specialists in plots with both gymnosperm and angiosperm hosts. Although the species composition of both the ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungal communities changed significantly in response to changes in plant species composition, the effect was much greater for ectomycorrhizal fungi. In addition, ectomycorrhizal but not saprotrophic fungal species composition was significantly influenced by both plant phylum (angiosperm, gymnosperm, both) and origin (Europe, America, both). The phylum effect was caused by differences in ectomycorrhizal fungal community composition, while the origin effect was attributable to differences in community heterogeneity. Taken together, this study emphasizes that plant‐associated effects on soil fungal communities are largely guild‐specific and provides a mechanistic basis for the positive link between plant phylogenetic diversity and ectomycorrhizal fungal richness.
Cytotoxicity of fresh NK1.1+ T cell receptor alpha/beta+ thymocytes against a CD4+8+ thymocyte population associated with intact Fas antigen expression on the target

Recent studies have revealed that 10-20% of CD4+8- or CD4-8- thymocyte populations contain NK1.1+ T cell receptor (TCR)-alpha/beta+ cells. This subpopulation shows characteristics that are different from NK1.1- CD4+ or NK1.1- CD8+ T cells and seems to have developed in a manner different from NK1.1- T cells. Although extensive studies have been performed on the NK1.1+ TCR-alpha/beta+ thymocytes, the physiological role of the NK1.1+ TCR-alpha/beta+ thymocytes has been totally unclear. In the present study, we found that freshly isolated NK1.1+ TCR- alpha/beta+ thymocytes, but neither whole thymocytes nor lymph node T cells, directly killed CD4+8+ thymocytes from normal syngeneic or allogeneic mice by using a long-term cytotoxic assay in which flow cytometry was used to detect the cytotoxicity. However, only weak cytotoxicity was detected against thymocytes from lpr mice on which the Fas antigen that transduces signals for apoptosis into the cells is not expressed. Furthermore, the NK1.1+ TCR-alpha/beta+ thymocytes exhibited high cytotoxicity against T lymphoma targets transfected with fas genes as compared with the parental T lymphoma targets or target cells transfected with mutated fas genes, which lack the function of transducing signals. On the other hand, NK1.1+ effector thymocytes from gld mice that carry a point mutation in Fas ligand did not kill thymocyte targets from normal mice. The present findings, thus, consistently suggest that the NK1.1+ TCR-alpha/beta+ thymocytes kill a subpopulation among CD4+8+ thymocytes via Fas antigen and in this way regulate generation of T lineage cells in the thymus.
The neostriatal mosaic: II. Patch- and matrix-directed mesostriatal dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic systems

Mesostriatal projections, which arise from dopaminergic and non- dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra, and retrorubral area, are compartmentally organized in the striatum. Anterograde axonal tract tracing with Phaseolus vulgaris- leucoagglutinin (PHA-L), combined with immunohistochemical localization of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and autoradiographic localization of mu- opiate receptor binding sites, shows that midbrain projections to the striatum are distributed to either the mu-opiate receptor-rich “patch” or the receptor-poor “matrix” striatal compartments. Three morphologically distinct mesostriatal afferent fiber types are labeled. The first type, type A, forms a plexus of relatively thin (0.1–0.4 micron), smooth fibers with small varicosities (0.3–0.6 micron). A second type, type B, is similar to the first in forming a plexus of fibers, but is slightly thicker (0.2–0.6 micron), with more frequent varicosities (0.4–1.0 micron) that give this fiber type a crinkled appearance. The third type, type C, constitutes a minority of striatal afferents and is characterized by its large caliber (0.4–0.7 micron) with large bulbous varicosities (1.2–2.0 micron). Projections of the ventral tegmental area (A10 cell group) are primarily dopaminergic type A fibers directed to the matrix of the ventromedial striatum, including the nucleus accumbens. The retrorubral area (A8 cell group) also provides predominantly dopaminergic type A fibers to the striatal matrix, but these are distributed dorsally. The substantia nigra contains a mixed population of neurons that project to the striatum. Some, located in the dorsal tier of the pars compacta (dorsal A9 cell group), provide dopaminergic type A fibers to the striatal matrix. Others, in the ventral tier of the pars compacta (ventral A9 cell group) and in the ventral tier of the pars reticulata (displaced A9 cells), provide dopaminergic type B fibers to the striatal patches. An additional set of substantia nigra neurons that are non-dopaminergic is the source of type C fibers to the striatal matrix. Thus, distinct dorsal and ventral sets of midbrain dopaminergic neurons project, respectively, to striatal matrix and patches, and there is a non- dopaminergic mesostriatal projection to the matrix.