Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Disposition of valganciclovir during continuous renal replacement therapy in two lung transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES To determine whether valganciclovir 450 mg every 48 h for cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis provides appropriate ganciclovir exposure in solid organ transplant recipients during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS Ganciclovir pharmacokinetics was intensively studied in two lung transplant recipients under valganciclovir 450 mg every 48 h over one dosing interval. In vitro experiments using blank whole blood spiked with ganciclovir further investigated exchanges between plasma and erythrocytes. RESULTS Ganciclovir disposition was characterized by apparent total body clearance of 3.3 and 5.8 L/h, terminal half-life of 16.9 and 14.1 h, and apparent volume of distribution of 60.3 and 104.9 L in Patients 1 and 2, respectively. The observed sieving coefficient was 1.05 and 0.96, and the haemofiltration clearance was 3.3 and 3.1 L/h. In vitro experiments confirmed rapid efflux of ganciclovir from red blood cells into plasma, increasing the apparent efficacy of haemofiltration. CONCLUSIONS A valganciclovir dosage of 450 mg every 48 h appears adequate for patients under CRRT requiring prophylaxis for CMV infection, providing concentration levels in the range reported for 900 mg once daily dosing outside renal failure.
Molecular Sciences Circulating Micrornas as Biomarkers of Acute Stroke

MicroRNAs have been identified as key regulators of gene expression and thus their potential in disease diagnostics, prognosis and therapy is being actively pursued. Deregulation of microRNAs in cerebral pathogenesis has been reported to a limited extent in both animal models and human. Due to the complexity of the pathology, identifying stroke specific microRNAs has been a challenge. This study shows that microRNA profiles reflect OPEN ACCESS Int. 1419 not only the temporal progression of stroke but also the specific etiologies. A panel of 32 microRNAs, which could differentiate stroke etiologies during acute phase was identified and verified using a customized TaqMan Low Density Array (TLDA). Furthermore we also found 5 microRNAs, miR-125b-2*,-27a*,-422a,-488 and-627 to be consistently altered in acute stroke irrespective of age or severity or confounding metabolic complications. Differential expression of these 5 microRNAs was also observed in rat stroke models. Hence, their specificity to the stroke pathology emphasizes the possibility of developing these microRNAs into accurate and useful tools for diagnosis of stroke.
An Empirical Study of Business Intelligence Impact on Corporate Performance Management

Business intelligence technologies have received much attention recently from both academics and practitioners. However, the impact of business intelligence (BI) on corporate performance management (CPM) has not yet been investigated. To address this gap, we conducted a large-scale survey collecting data from 337 senior managers. Partial least square method was employed to analyse the survey data. Findings suggest that the more effective the BI implementation, the more effective the CPM-related planning and analytic practices. Interestingly, size and industry sector do not influence the relationships between BI effectiveness and the CPM. This research offers a number of implications for theory and practice.
Encyclopaedia of food science, food technology, and nutrition

The Physics, Chemistry, And Biochemistry of Food. Food Macro- And Micro-Constituents. Food Commodities. Food Microbiology and Toxicology. The Principles and Applications of Traditional and Modern Food Production and Processing Techniques. Food Storage and Distribution. Quality Control and Legislation. Biotechnological Applications in the Food Industry. Dietary Requirements and the Nutritional Value of Foods. The Role of Nutrition in Health and Disease. Physiological and Biochemical Aspects of Nutrition and Its Cultural, Sociological, And Demographic Influences and Implications. Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics.
Novel Interpretation of Molecular Diagnosis of Congenital Toxoplasmosis According to Gestational Age at the Time of Maternal Infection

ABSTRACT From a prospective cohort of 344 women who seroconverted for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, 344 amniotic fluid, 264 placenta, and 216 cord blood samples were tested for diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis using the same PCR assay. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of the PCR assay using amniotic fluid were 86.3% and 97.2%, respectively, and both specificity and positive predictive value were 100%. Using placenta and cord blood, sensitivities were 79.5% and 21.2%, and specificities were 92% and 100%, respectively. In addition, the calculation of pretest and posttest probabilities and the use of logistic regression allowed us to obtain curves that give a dynamic interpretation of the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis according to gestational age at maternal infection, as represented by the three sample types (amniotic fluid, placenta, and cord blood). Two examples are cited here: for a maternal infection at 25 weeks of amenorrhea, a negative result of prenatal diagnosis allowed estimation of the probability of congenital toxoplasmosis at 5% instead of an a priori (pretest) risk estimate of 33%. For an infection at 10 weeks of amenorrhea associated with a pretest congenital toxoplasmosis risk of 7%, a positive PCR result using placenta at birth yields a risk increase to 43%, while a negative result damps down the risk to 0.02%. Thus, with a molecular diagnosis performing at a high level, and in spite of the persistence of false negatives, posttest risk curves using both negative and positive results prove highly informative, allowing a better assessment of the actual risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and finally an improved decision guide to treatment.
Evaluation of α-fetoprotein-L3 and Golgi protein 73 detection in diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma

Aim of the study Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is common throughout the world. Most HCCs are diagnosed at an advanced stage. There is an urgent need to find new methods for screening and surveillance of individuals at risk for HCC. The aim of this study was to evaluate serum α-fetoprotein (AFP)-L3 and serum Golgi protein 73 (GP73) detection in diagnosis of HCC with different AFP concentration. Material and methods One hundred and eighty one patients were involved, including 102 with HCC and 79 with benign liver disease. The serum AFP-L3 and GP73 was measured by a liquid-phase binding assay and quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Results Of the 102 HCC patients, 53 were positive for AFP, 77 were positive for AFP-L3, and 79 were positive for GP73. The maximum area under the curve for AFP-L3% and for GP73 was significantly different from the AUC of 0.5525 for total AFP (p < 0.01). AFP-L3% was not detected for AFP < 20 ng/ml. However, elevated GP73 was detected in 87.50% of the patients. In the HCC patients with total AFP 20–400 ng/ml, elevated AFP-L3 was detected in 26 patients, whereas in 23 patients elevated GP73 could be detected. In the HCC patients with a total AFP > 400 ng/ml, AFP-L3% > 10% was present in 96.23%, and GP73 was detected in 87.50%. Conclusions The determination of AFP-L3% and GP73 in combination with AFP can increase the sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of HCC. α-fetoprotein-L3% and GP73, in combination with AFP, are useful biomarkers to confirm the diagnosis of HCC.
Characteristics of social categorization based on variations in gender and age

Using Garner’s selective attention paradigm, we investigated the characteristics of multiple social categorization based on variations in gender and age. The stimuli were presented in the following 3 conditions: In the gender-clue varying situation, gender categorization was elicited; in the age-clue varying situation, age categorization was elicited; and in the orthogonal condition, simultaneous variations in age and gender interfered with the irrelative task. The results showed that simultaneous processing weakened variations in the age and gender subcategories. The processing speed of older persons, which requires more cognitive resources, was slower than that of younger individuals. Additionally, perceivers paid more attention to the age clue of female faces than that of male faces.
The Role of the Placenta in Fetal Exposure to Xenobiotics: Importance of Membrane Transporters and Human Models for Transfer Studies

The placenta is a key organ in fetal growth and development because it controls maternal-to-fetal exchanges of nutrients and hormones. It also interferes with drug delivery to the fetus by expressing active membrane transporters and xenobiotic metabolism enzymes. Developing strategies to understand the role of the placenta in drug delivery is a challenge in toxicology. Despite common physiological functions, the placentas of different species are heterogeneous in their morphology and in their expression of membrane transporters and metabolizing proteins. These characteristics raise the difficulty of obtaining a good representative model of human placental transfer. To date, different in vitro, in vivo, and ex vivo tools have been used to elucidate transport and metabolism processes in the human placenta. This study recapitulates the typical features of human placenta and then presents the placental enzymes of xenobiotic metabolism, ATP-binding cassette transporters, solute carrier transporters, and their role in fetal exposure to xenobiotics. The study also compares the characteristics of different models of human placenta, in terms of membrane localization of transporters, and the expression of xenobiotic metabolism enzymes. The use of these models for toxicological studies, in particular xenobiotic transfer, is described, and the advantages and limits of each model are summarized.
ANTIBIOGRAM AND PLASMID PROFILE OF ISOLATED ENTEROBACTERIACEAE IN TOOTHBRUSHES

The Enterobacteriaceae family is represented by Gram negative bacillus bacteria, which can contaminate toothbrushes. Objective: The research aimed to identify enterobacteria and to analyze and check its plasmid resistance profile. Material and methods: The brushes were stored in three different ways: 1/3 in a plastic brush holder, 1/3 in an open cardboard brush holder and 1/3 in an open cardboard brush door sprayed with 1% sodium hypochlorite. Results: After microbiological characterization, it was observed that the open cardboard toothbrush holder had the highest number of colonies countless. Of 45 samples, seven showed the presence of plasmid. Conclusions: This study showed that among the three forms of packaging, the plastic and cardboard brush holders sprayed with 1% sodium hypochlorite can be used to reduce toothbrush contamination.
Specific expression and function of the Six3 optix in Drosophila serially homologous organs

ABSTRACT Organ size and pattern results from the integration of two positional information systems. One global information system, encoded by the Hox genes, links organ type with position along the main body axis. Within specific organs, local information is conveyed by signaling molecules that regulate organ growth and pattern. The mesothoracic (T2) wing and the metathoracic (T3) haltere of Drosophila represent a paradigmatic example of this coordination. The Hox gene Ultrabithorax (Ubx), expressed in the developing T3, selects haltere identity by, among other processes, modulating the production and signaling efficiency of Dpp, a BMP2-like molecule that acts as a major regulator of size and pattern. However, the mechanisms of the Hox-signal integration in this well-studied system are incomplete. Here, we have investigated this issue by studying the expression and function of the Six3 transcription factor optix during Drosophila wing and haltere development. We find that in both organs, Dpp defines the expression domain of optix through repression, and that the specific position of this domain in wing and haltere seems to reflect the differential signaling profile among these organs. We show that optix expression in wing and haltere primordia is conserved beyond Drosophila in other higher diptera. In Drosophila, optix is necessary for the growth of wing and haltere. In the wing, optix is required for the growth of the most anterior/proximal region (the ‘marginal cell’) and for the correct formation of sensory structures along the proximal anterior wing margin; the halteres of optix mutants are also significantly reduced. In addition, in the haltere, optix is necessary for the suppression of sensory bristles. Summary: The position of the Six3 optix is regulated by the Dpp pathway during wing and haltere development, and controls the size of both serially homologous organs.
Neutron star properties with relativistic equations of state

We study the properties of neutron stars adopting relativistic equations of state of neutron star matter, calculated in the framework of the relativistic Brueckner–Hartree–Fock approximation for electrically charge neutral neutron star matter in beta–equilibrium. For higher densities more baryons (hyperons etc.) are included by means of the relativistic Hartree– or Hartree–Fock approximation. The special features of the different approximations and compositions are discussed in detail. Besides standard neutron star properties special emphasis is put on the limiting periods of neutron stars, for which the Kepler criterion and gravitation–reaction instabilities are considered. Furthermore the cooling behaviour of neutron stars is investigated, too. For comparison we also give the outcome for some nonrelativistic equations of state.
Theorizing and analyzing agency in second language learning : interdisciplinary approaches

1. Gergana Vitanova, Elizabeth R. Miller, Xuesong (Andy) Gao, Ping Deters: Introduction to Theorizing and Analyzing Agency in Second Language Learning: Interdisciplinary Approaches Section I. Theoretical Approaches to Agency 2. David Block: Structure, Agency, Individualization and the Critical Realist Challenge 3. Hannele Dufva and Mari Aro: Dialogical View on Language Learners' Agency: Connecting Intrapersonal with Interpersonal 4. Patricia A. Duff and Liam Doherty: Examining Agency in (Second) Language Socialization Research 5. Chatwara Suwannamai Duran: Theorizing Young Language Learner Agency through the Lens of Multilingual Repertoires: A Socio-Cultural Perspective 6. Carola Mick: Sociological Approaches to Second Language Learning and Agency Section II. Analytical Approaches to Investigating Agency 7. Sangeeta Bagga-Gupta: Agency, Agents and Artifacts. Accounting Practices and Identity Performances 8. Hayriye Kayi-Aydar: "He's the Star! ": Positioning as a Tool of Analysis to Investigate Agency and Access to Learning Opportunities in a Classroom Environment 9. Adnan Ajsic: 'Crossing' into the L2 and Back: Agency and Ultimate Attainment by a Post-Critical Period Learner 10. Peter William Stanfield: Analyzing Learner Agency: a Place-Based Approach Section III. Pedagogical Practices for Agency 11. Christina Gkonou: Agency, Anxiety, and Activity: Understanding the Classroom Behaviour of EFL Learners 12. Prospero N. Garcia: Verbalizing in the Second Language Classroom: Exploring the Role of Agency in the Internalization of Grammatical Categories 13. Theron Muller: Critical Discourse Analysis in a Medical English Course: Examining Learner Agency through Student Written Reflections 14. Man-Chiu Amay Lin: Towards a Relationship-Oriented Framework: Revisiting Agency by Listening to the Voices of Children 15. Anna de Fina: Afterword
Identity in Emerging Adulthood

The present article presents a review of identity status-based theory and research with adolescents and emerging adults, with some coverage of related approaches such as narrative identity and identity style. In the first section, we review Erikson’s theory of identity and early identity status research examining differences in personality and cognitive variables across statuses. We then review two contemporary identity models that extend identity status theory and explicitly frame identity development as a dynamic and iterative process. We also review work that has focused on specific domains of identity. The second section of the article discusses mental and physical health correlates of identity processes and statuses. The article concludes with recommendations for future identity research with adolescent and emerging adult populations.
Is the health of young unemployed Australians worse in times of low unemployment?

Objective : To compare the health of young unemployed Australians during a period of low unemployment (April 2007: rate 4.4%) against published Australian norms for 18–24 year olds and unemployed people during a time of higher unemployment (February 1995 to January 1996: rate 8.1% to 8.9%).
Interaction between hedgehog signalling and PAX6 dosage mediates maintenance and regeneration of the corneal epithelium

Purpose To investigate the roles of intracellular signaling elicited by Hedgehog (Hh) ligands in corneal maintenance and wound healing. Methods The expression of Hedgehog pathway components in the cornea was assayed by immunohistochemistry, western blot and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), in wild-type mice and mice that were heterozygous null for the gene encoding the transcription factor, paired box gene 6 (Pax6). Corneal epithelial wound healing and cell migration assays were performed after pharmacological upregulation and downregulation of the hedgehog pathway. Reporter mice, mosaic for expression of the gene encoding β-galactosidase (LacZ), were crossed to Pax6+/- mice, mice heterozygous for the gene encoding GLI-Kruppel family member GLI3, and Pax6+/- Gli3+/- double heterozygotes, to assay patterns of cell migration and corneal epithelial organization in vivo. Results Corneal epithelial wound healing rates increased in response to application of Sonic hedgehog (Shh), but only in mice with wild-type Pax6 dosage. Downregulation of Hedgehog signalling inhibited corneal epithelial cell proliferation. Pax6+/- corneal epithelia showed increased proliferation in response to exogenous Shh, but not increased migration. Desert hedgehog (Dhh) was shown to be the major endogenous ligand, with Shh detectable only by RT-PCR and only after epithelial wounding. The activity of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase-γ (PI3Kγ) was not required for the increased migration response in response to Shh. Nuclear expression of the activator form of the transcription factor Gli3 (which mediates Hh signalling) was reduced in Pax6+/- corneal epithelia. Pax6+/- Gli3+/- double heterozygotes showed highly disrupted patterns of clonal arrangement of cells in the corneal epithelium. Conclusions The data show key roles for endogenous Dhh signalling in maintenance and regeneration of the corneal epithelium, demonstrate an interaction between Pax6 and Hh signalling in the corneal epithelium, and show that failure of Hh signalling pathways is a feature of Pax6+/- corneal disease that cannot be remedied pharmacologically by addition of the ligands.
Multiple Facets for Dynamic Information Flow with Exceptions

JavaScript is the source of many security problems, including cross-site scripting attacks and malicious advertising code. Central to these problems is the fact that code from untrusted sources runs with full privileges. Information flow controls help prevent violations of data confidentiality and integrity. This article explores faceted values, a mechanism for providing information flow security in a dynamic manner that avoids the stuck executions of some prior approaches, such as the no-sensitive-upgrade technique. Faceted values simultaneously simulate multiple executions for different security levels to guarantee termination-insensitive noninterference. We also explore the interaction of faceted values with exceptions, declassification, and clearance.
Expression of multidrug resistance P‐glycoprotein in myeloid progenitor cells of different phenotype: comparison between normal bone marrow cells and leukaemia cells

We examined the multidrug resistant P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) on normal bone marrow (BM) cells and acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells, using newly devised flow cytometric multi‐parameter analysis with CD33, CD34 and MRK16 monoclonal antibodies. In both normal BM cells and AML cells, CD34+CD33− cells expressed P‐gp strongly, CD34+CD33+ cells moderately, and CD34−CD33+ cells weakly. Acute promyelocytic leukaemia, mainly expressing CD34−CD33+ but not CD34+CD33− at diagnosis, expressed less P‐gp. P‐gp expression of AML cells at diagnosis was increased as compared with normal cells of the same phenotype. P‐gp expression was more increased in relapsed cases, especially in immature subpopulations.
Intake of fruit, berries, and vegetables and risk of type 2 diabetes in Finnish men: the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study.

BACKGROUND Although higher intakes of fruit, berries, and vegetables (FBV) have been associated with reduced risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in some observational studies, the evidence is limited and inconclusive. OBJECTIVE We assessed the relation of FBV intake and T2D incidence in Finnish men. DESIGN We studied 2332 men from the prospective, population-based Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study who were aged 42-60 y and free of T2D or impaired fasting glucose at baseline in 1984-1989. Food intake was assessed with 4-d food recording. T2D was assessed by using self-administered questionnaires, a fasting blood glucose measurement, a 2-h oral-glucose-tolerance test, and record linkage to a reimbursement register on diabetes medication expenses. In the Cox proportional hazards model, HRs for T2D were computed for the highest compared with lowest quartiles of FBV intake adjusted for age, examination year, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, smoking, education, physical activity, family history of diabetes, and energy and alcohol intakes. RESULTS During the mean follow-up time of 19.3 y, 432 new cases of T2D occurred. For the total FBV intake (with the exclusion of potatoes and fruit and berry juices), the extreme-quartile multivariable-adjusted HR for T2D was 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57, 1.02; P-trend = 0.15). In the analysis for FBV components, berries had a corresponding HR of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.88; P-trend = 0.003), whereas no significant associations were shown for fruit, fruit and berry juices, and vegetables. CONCLUSION Fruit and vegetables, particularly berries, may reduce risk of T2D in men.