Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Interferon-gamma-dependent Immunity in Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Vaccine Osteitis Survivors

Background: Inborn errors of interferon-gamma (IFN-&ggr;)-mediated immunity underlie disseminated disease caused by Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) live vaccines. We hypothesized that some patients with osteitis after BCG vaccination may have an impaired IFN-&ggr; immunity. Our aim was to investigate interleukin (IL)-12 and IFN-&ggr; ex vivo production stimulated with BCG and BCG + IFN-&ggr; or BCG + IL-12, respectively, in BCG osteitis survivors. Methods: Fresh blood samples were collected from 132 former BCG osteitis Finnish patients now aged 21–49 years, and IL-12 and IFN-&ggr; were measured in cell cultures with and without stimulation with BCG and with BCG + IFN-&ggr; or BCG + IL-12, respectively. As a pilot study, known disease-causing genes controlling IFN-&ggr; immunity (IFNGR1, IFNGR2, STAT1, IL12B, IL12RB1, ISG15, IRF8, NEMO and CYBB) were investigated in 20 selected patients by whole exome sequencing. Results: By the limit of <5th percentile, ex vivo IL-12 concentration and increase in concentration was low in 5 and ex vivo IFN-&ggr; concentration and increase in concentration was low in 6 patients (including 2 samples with both IL-12 and IFN-&ggr; findings). By the limit of <10th percentile, an additional 6 and 4 patients were, respectively, detected (including 2 samples with both findings). With 2 exceptions, low concentrations and low increases in concentrations picked-up the same cases. Mutations in known disease-causing IFN-&ggr;-related genes were not found in any of these patients. Conclusion: These findings call for searching of mutations in new genes governing IFN-&ggr;-dependent immunity to live BCG vaccine.
Structure and Function of the 3′ Terminal Six Nucleotides of the West Nile Virus Genome in Viral Replication

ABSTRACT Using a self-replicating reporting replicon of West Nile (WN) virus, we performed a mutagenesis analysis to define the structure and function of the 3′-terminal 6 nucleotides (nt) (5′-GGAUCUOH-3′) of the WN virus genome in viral replication. We show that mutations of nucleotide sequence or base pair structure of any of the 3′-terminal 6 nt do not significantly affect viral translation, but exert discrete effects on RNA replication. (i) The flavivirus-conserved terminal 3′ U is optimal for WN virus replication. Replacement of the wild-type 3′ U with a purine A or G resulted in a substantial reduction in RNA replication, with a complete reversion to the wild-type sequence. In contrast, replacement with a pyrimidine C resulted in a replication level similar to that of the 3′ A or G mutants, with only partial reversion. (ii) The flavivirus-conserved 3′ penultimate C and two upstream nucleotides (positions 78 and 79), which potentially base pair with the 3′-terminal CUOH, are absolutely essential for viral replication. (iii) The base pair structures, but not the nucleotide sequences at the 3rd (U) and the 4th (A) positions, are critical for RNA replication. (iv) The nucleotide sequences of the 5th (G) position and its base pair nucleotide (C) are essential for viral replication. (v) Neither the sequence nor the base pair structure of the 6th nucleotide (G) is critical for WN virus replication. These results provide strong functional evidence for the existence of the 3′ flavivirus-conserved RNA structure, which may function as contact sites for specific assembly of the replication complex or for efficient initiation of minus-sense RNA synthesis.
Differential Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitors and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Aortic Regurgitant Hearts

Objectives: Myocardial fibrosis in experimental aortic regurgitation (AR) features abnormal fibronectin with normal collagen content, but the relevant degradative processes have not been assessed. Methods: To elucidate these degradative processes, mRNA (Northern) and protein levels (Western) of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs), as well as MMP activity (zymography), were measured in cardiac fibroblasts (CF) from New Zealand white rabbits with experimental AR paired with normals (NL). Collagen and fibronectin were quantified by immunohistochemical staining. Results: In AR CF versus NL CF, MMP-2 and -14 mRNA and protein were increased (both p < 0.005), while TIMPs 1–3 were slightly decreased (p < 0.05–0.005; TIMP-4 undetectable). Gelatinase activity in AR CF was 1.7 times that in NL CF (p < 0.005); fibronectinase activity was unaffected. The Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor SP600125 suppressed MMP-2 protein (0.4-fold, p < 0.05) and mRNA (0.7-fold, p < 0.005) in AR CF; MMP-2 levels in NL CF were unaffected. AR MMP-9 mRNA, protein and activity were low and indistinguishable from NL. In left ventricular tissue, fibronectin was increased 1.9-fold (AR vs. NL, p < 0.05). Total AR collagen was indistinguishable from NL, but the collagen III to collagen I isoform ratio decreased (0.4-fold, p < 0.05). Conclusions: Collagen is relatively deficient in AR fibrosis, due at least in part to upregulated MMPs and downregulated TIMPs; fibronectinase is unaltered. JNK-dependent regulation may stimulate both MMP-2 and fibronectin expression in AR, providing a potential therapeutic target.
Measles Virus Infection of Epithelial Cells in the Macaque Upper Respiratory Tract Is Mediated by Subepithelial Immune Cells

ABSTRACT Measles virus (MV), one of the most contagious viruses infecting humans, causes a systemic infection leading to fever, immune suppression, and a characteristic maculopapular rash. However, the specific mechanism or mechanisms responsible for the spread of MV into the respiratory epithelium in the late stages of the disease are unknown. Here we show the crucial role of PVRL4 in mediating the spread of MV from immune to epithelial cells by generating a PVRL4 “blind” recombinant wild-type MV and developing a novel in vitro coculture model of B cells with primary differentiated normal human bronchial epithelial cells. We utilized the macaque model of measles to analyze virus distribution in the respiratory tract prior to and at the peak of MV replication. Expression of PVRL4 was widespread in both the lower and upper respiratory tract (URT) of macaques, indicating MV transmission can be facilitated by more than only epithelial cells of the trachea. Analysis of tissues collected at early time points after experimental MV infection demonstrated the presence of MV-infected lymphoid and myeloid cells contacting respiratory tract epithelium in the absence of infected epithelial cells, suggesting that these immune cells seed the infection in vivo. Thereafter, lateral cell-to-cell spread of MV led to the formation of large foci of infected cells in the trachea and high levels of MV infection in the URT, particularly in the nasal cavity. These novel findings have important implications for our understanding of the high transmissibility of measles.
Germinated Barley Foodstuff Exhibits Different Adsorption Properties for Hydrophilic versus Hydrophobic Bile Acids

Background/Aims: Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), a type of dietary fiber, exhibits therapeutic effects in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. However, the precise mechanisms responsible for these effects are still under investigation. On the other hand, it has been suggested that bile salts in the gut lumen play an important role in the integrity of the intestinal mucosa. The aim of the present study was to investigate the ability of GBF to adsorb bile salts in vitro. Methods: The binding capacities of GBF, enzymatically digested GBF (GBF-fiber), and α-cellulose for unconjugated and conjugated bile salts were measured using Langmuir’s method. The morphology of these fibers was observed by light and fluorescence microscopy. Results: GBF adsorbed bile salts very strongly, especially hydrophobic bile salts. Even after enzymatic digestion, the GBF fiber still exhibited strong binding capacity, whereas α-cellulose exhibited very low binding capacity. Microscopically, GBF consists mainly of aleurone, a lattice-like cell wall with cytoplasm enclosed. After enzymatic digestion, the cytoplasm was also digested. Conclusion: GBF possesses a great capacity to adsorb bile salts. This may be part of the mechanism for the therapeutic effects of GBF in UC patients.
The straight leg raising test and the severity of symptoms in lumbar disc herniation. A preoperative evaluation.

STUDY DESIGN In a prospective, consecutive study, correlation between the straight leg raising and other pain-related symptoms in lumbar disc herniation was evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. OBJECTIVES All patients were interviewed and examined preoperatively and at follow-up investigations 4 and 12 months postoperatively. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA One-hundred-and-fifty consecutive patients underwent lumbar disc surgery. Mean patient age was 42 years (range, 21-81 years). Eighty-nine patients were men and 61 were women. Two herniations occurred at L2-L3, seven at L3-L4, 61 at L4-L5, and 80 at L5-S1. METHODS Pain at rest, at night, and upon coughing was recorded. Consumption of analgesics was classified into three categories: 1) none, 2) intermittent, or 3) regular. Walking capacity was recorded as > 5 km, 1-5 km, 0.5-1 km, or < 0.5 km. The straight leg raising test was graded pos 0 degree-30 degrees, pos 30 degrees-60 degrees, pos > 60 degrees, or negative. At surgery, the herniation was classified as focal protrusion, subligamentous herniation, or perforation. The patient's assessment of outcome was graded into one of four categories. RESULTS There was an almost linear correlation between a positive straight leg raising test and pain at rest, pain at night, pain upon coughing, and reduction of walking capacity. Regular consumption of analgesics was more common in patients who had a very restricted positive straight leg raising test (30 degrees). A positive straight leg raising test early postoperatively correlated with inferior outcome of the surgical procedure. CONCLUSION The straight leg raising test as performed in clinical practice has a strong correlation with various parameters that signify the pain level of the patient. A positive straight leg raising test postoperatively correlates with inferior surgical outcome.
Learning from learning in economics

In this paper I summarize some of the recent literature on learning in games and macroeconomic models. I emphasize adaptive learning: the current efforts to attain a behavioral foundation for a broad class of adaptive learning rules; the alternative definitions of weaker —subjective— equilibrium notions needed to characterize the asymptotic outcome of learning processes; the selection of equilibria when learning rules satisfy certain properties (e.g., experimentation or perturbations); the ability of learning models to explain observed economic phenomena which are not properly accounted for by existing equilibrium the­ ories (in particular, financial and macroeconomic data), and, the possibility of using learning models as normative models to help the design of economic policies and of political and economic institutions. 'Symposia paper of the 7th World Congress of the Econometric Society. To appear in David Kreps’ ed. Advances in Economic Theory, Cambridge University Press.I would like to thank Buz Brock, Drew Fudenberg, Ed Green, Seppo Honkapohja, Larry Jones, Ehud Kalai, Ehud Lehrer, David Levine, Albert Marcet, Ellen McGrattan, John Nachbar, Hamid Sabourian, Thomas Sargent, and, specially, Giorgia Giovannetti for their comments on previ­ ous drafts, David Kreps, for his patience and encouragement, and all of those who have sent me their current work. Of course, the opinions and remaining misunderstandings can only be attributed to me. © T he A ut ho r(s ). Eu ro pe an U ni ve rs ity In st itu te . D ig iti se d ve rs io n pr od uc ed b y th e EU I L ib ra ry in 2 02 0. A va ila bl e O pe n Ac ce ss o n C ad m us , E ur op ea n U ni ve rs ity In st itu te R es ea rc h R ep os ito ry .
The Size Distribution of Income during Inflation

This paper analyzes the effects of inflation on the size distribution of income, making use of a microsimulation model. It goes beyond earlier analyses not only in the use of microdata but also in the types of inflation modeled. Two different income concepts are used, one the money income concept of the U.S. Census Bureau and the second, called Accrued Comprehensive Income, based on the concept of income as consumption plus the change in net worth. The results of the simulation inflations are presented graphically, as the ratio of real income with inflation to real income without, by income class. The analysis concludes that the income concept chosen is crucially important. While low income households suffer modest losses and middle income households are largely unaffected, whatever income concept is used, the effects on upper income households are extremely sensitive. With a simple money income concept, the well‐to‐do appear to benefit from inflation but a broader concept reverses this effect. A policy to negate the distributional effect of inflation would benefit primarily the upper income households. Similarly, macroeconomic policies designed to reduce inflation at the price of slower growth and greater unemployment would not aid lower income groups to a significant degree.
Minocycline-Induced Postsclerotherapy Pigmentation Successfully Treated With a Picosecond Alexandrite Laser.

A 32-year-old, Type III skin, white female presented to this clinic 1 year after foam sclerotherapy (0.25% sodium tetradecyl sulfate) with multiple asymptomatic blue-gray linear patches overlying areas of previously treated lower extremity reticular veins. Given the clinical appearance, the fact that she had been on long-term minocycline therapy (100 mg po BID · 2 years) for acne vulgaris during her treatment, and the absence of any personal or family history of other pigmentary disorders, a diagnosis of MIPP was made. A trial of 3 Q-switched lasers—755-nm alexandrite, 1064-nm Nd:YAG, and 694-nm ruby—was performed, each on a separate lesion. The alexandrite laser (4 mm, 2 J/cm2, 2 Hz) produced the most improvement, approximately 26% to 50%, with less than 25% improvement noted with the other 2 devices, mirroring the results found by Nisar and colleagues in 2013. However, a significant amount of pigmentation (40%–50%) remained after 2 nanosecond alexandrite laser sessions. Subsequent treatment of affected areas with 2 sessions of a picosecond Q-switched 755-nm alexandrite laser (750 ps, 6 mm, 0.71 J/cm2, 5 Hz; PicoSure, Cynosure, Inc., Westford, MA) led to complete clearance of pigmentation (Figure 1).
Women's health disparities in Honduras: indicators and determinants.

BACKGROUND Disparities in women's health indicators exist throughout the Americas. Health data about indigenous women in the remote highland communities of Honduras are lacking. Our objective was to assess women's health indicators and to suggest potential interventions. METHODS An anonymous questionnaire was administered to women ≥age 18 in the Yamaranguila municipality. We assessed rates of Pap smear, breastfeeding, family planning (FP), and prenatal care (PNC); childbirth setting; access issues; and self-health perceptions. RESULTS Of the 134 participants, 30% were aged < 25 and 10% were ≥ 45. Most attended some primary school, and 11% had no education; 56% reported fair or poor self-health, and 90% had heard of the Pap smear, but only 20% had one within 1 year. Despite knowledge of various FP methods, only 42% in a union were using FP, which is significantly lower than national rates (p<0.01). Thirty-six percent of the respondents' most recent childbirths took place outside a health center. Seventy-six percent exclusively breastfed their youngest child for 6 months, higher than the national rate of 30% (p<0.01). Distance from the municipal center, reflecting more traditional indigenous identity, predicted lower rates of FP use (p<0.05), Pap smear (p<0.01), and prenatal care (PNC) (p<0.05), but age and education level did not. CONCLUSIONS In Honduras, the rural indigenous people have some of the worst health indicators compared to urban and nonindigenous people. Women's health status might be improved by implementing mobile care teams, training indigenous women as community health workers, and employing alternate modalities of cervical screening. Fundamental socioeconomic causes of poor health, such as remote residence, indigenous identity, and gender inequality, should be considered in future interventions to alleviate disparities in health status.
Why do hotels outsource? An investigation using asset specificity

Purpose – To apply Williamson's six dimensional typology of asset specificity as a theoretical framework for appraising the nature of outsourcing activities in hotels.Design/methodology/approach – Interviews with senior managers in large hotels.Findings – Site specificity and brand capital appear to be the most pertinent dimensions of asset specificity in the sample investigated. Most observations support the transaction cost economics (TCE) prescription that high asset specificity results in insourcing.Research limitations/implications – This study suffers from the normal shortcomings associated with fieldwork based on a limited sample of observations. Rather than attempting to make generalisable assertions, the study provides an exploration of the ways that asset specificity might manifest itself in hotel outsourcing decision making.Practical implications – Asset specificity represents an important construct that should be considered when considering whether to outsource. It also provides a valuable con.
Regional competence and economic recovery: divergent growth paths in Boston's high technology economy

Since the 1960s, the growth of high technology industries in Boston's Route 128 region has attracted the attention of academics, planners and politicians. What was especially remarkable about the region was the capability of its economic base to recover from major structural crises. Owing to this ability, the region is often looked at as being an American example of an industrial district. In contrast to Silicon Valley, however, Boston does not readily fit into the definition of an industrial district because of the dominance of large, vertically-integrated producers and the proprietary nature of high technology production. In the late 1980s, Boston was hit by an additional structural crisis when the minicomputer industry lost its competitive basis and defence expenditures were drastically reduced. As a result, almost 50000 high technology manufacturing jobs were cut between 1987 and 1997. This paper aims to identify the forces behind the region's economic recovery in the mid-1990s and relate these findings to the discussion of the importance of collective learning processes in industrial production and the development of localized competencies. In the literature, it is argued that firm-specific competencies and learning processes can lead to a regional competitive advantage if they are based on localized capabilities (e.g. specialized resources, skills, conventions and institutions). The author will demonstrate in an explorative way that the economic recovery of the Boston region is related to a number of specific forces that differ greatly between the subsectors of the high technology economy. I will also provide tentative evidence of how the willingness to co-operate and engage in interactive learning processes has encouraged economic recovery.
Concepts to Calculate Equilibrium Exchange Rates: An Overview

In this paper we present a critical overview of differnt methods of constructing an equilibrium exchange rate. The recent literature on purchasing power parity (PPP) indicates that on its own PPP is not a good vehicle for defining an equilibrium exchange rate. Rather, we argue that the latter can only be recover from a model in which the real determinants of exchange rates are explicitly modelled. The advantages and disadvantages of various such models are discussed. In particular, the internal-external balance approach to defining an equilibrium real exchange rate is disccused, and this method is compared to the so-called behavioural equilibrium approach. Finally, an approach which uses purely time series methods to construct an equilibrium exchange rate is also discussed.
Experience and the returns to education and skill in OECD countries: Evidence of employer learning?

Using the Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), this paper documents how the returns to education and skill change with experience for a sample of 22 OECD countries. It does this within the framework of the Altonji and Pierret (2001) employer learning model, and therefore also tests the relevance of this theory in a wide range of countries using comparable data and a consistent methodology. Significant heterogeneity is found in the experience profiles of the returns to education and skill across countries, and convincing evidence in support of the employer learning theory is only found in a sub-set of the countries analysed. While these countries vary significantly from one another in terms of their labour market institutions and educational systems, the analysis does seem to suggest that employer learning is most common in those countries where employment protection legislation on temporary contracts is weak. This is consistent with a model in which temporary contracts allow employers to test and learn about young workers, and give them the flexibility to adjust wages in line with observed productivity.JEL codes: J24, J32, D83 Keywords: Employer learning, returns to education, returns to skill
Mixing Versus Sorting in Schooling: Evidence from the Equalization Policy in South Korea

This paper employs the difference-in-differences empirical strategy and quantile regressions to analyze the effects of sorting and mixing on the academic performance of high school students in South Korea. In Korea, about half of high schools are subject to the equalization policy (EP), and must therefore passively accept students randomly assigned to them. On the other hand, about half of high schools are in non-EP areas, so students are sorted among schools based on students' ability levels. Two main results emerge from this study. First, sorting raises test scores of students outside the EP areas by roughly 0.3 standard deviations, relative to mixing. Second, more surprisingly, quantile regression results reveal that sorting helps students above the median in the ability distribution, and does no harm to those below the median.
Do Europeans speak with one another in time of war? Results of a media analysis on the 2003 Iraq war

By comparing European and US newspaper debates on the 2003 Iraq War, this working paper empirically tests whether a European public sphere exists regarding the contested issue of war and peace. This component of foreign and security policy represents a hard case for the evolution of European communication and looking for it empirically leads into nearly uncharted territory, as most studies have not yet addressed this particular policy field. The data set includes more than 400 articles from six respected newspapers in Germany, Great Britain, and the US, which serve in this case as a non-European control group. One interesting finding of the frame analysis is the fact that one can identify a European community of communication that relates to the legal dimension of the Iraq-debate and to discourses in two European countries. Opinions related to the question whether or not the use of military force complies with international law vary widely in all three countries. However, in contrast to the discourse prevalent in the US, both the German and the British discourses show a strong preference for upholding the rule of international law.