Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Full-Length Sequences of Six Hepatitis E Virus Isolates of Genotypes III and IV from Patients with Sporadic Acute or Fulminant Hepatitis in Japan

Objective: Ranges of variation and conservation in sequence need to be defined for detecting and genotyping hepatitis E virus (HEV). Methods: Six HEV isolates from Japanese patients were sequenced over the entire genome and compared phylogenetically along with 16 reported HEV isolates, including two from pigs. Results: Three of the six HEV isolates were of genotype III, and the remaining three were of genotype IV. Local clusterings of Japanese HEV isolates were observed in the phylogenetic analyses, including a swine HEV isolate reported previously (swJ570). All six HEV isolates possessed three open reading frames (ORFs). The ORF3 in the three isolates of genotype III were in a different reading frame, while that in the three isolates of genotype IV were in the same reading frame as ORF1. A stretch of 46–96 nucleotides was identified, point mutations and deletions in which were specific for the four genotypes (I–IV). A polymerase chain reaction method was developed with 9 nested universal primers, deduced from conserved regions in the 5′-terminal sequences of the 22 HEV genomes. Conclusions: Conserved and genotype-specific variation in HEV sequences, identified in the comparison of 22 full-length genomes, would be useful in designing primers for sensitive detection and specific genotyping of HEV RNA.
Effects of Biochar Application on CO2 Emissions from a Cultivated Soil under Semiarid Climate Conditions in Northwest China

Biochar amendments to soil have potential as a climate change mitigation strategy. However, their effect on carbon exchange in different ecosystems has not been well evaluated. Understanding how biochar affects carbon exchange from agricultural soil is essential for clarifying the contribution of biochar management to the carbon budget. We performed a laboratory and a two-year field experiment to investigate the short- and medium-term effects of biochar application on CO2 emissions from semiarid farmland. There was no statistically significant alteration in the cumulative CO2 emissions from the mixture of soil with biochar alone, while the emissions increased significantly with additional nitrogen amendment over the 46-day experimental period. Over the two-year experimental period, the cumulative CO2 emissions from the field experiment decreased in the biochar-amended treatment, and the effects were significant at high application rates (20 and 30 t·ha−1) relative to the control in the MS. The seasonal CO2 dynamics were strongly dependent on soil temperature, with a higher correlation with the temperature at a depth of 10cm than with the temperature at a depth of 0cm. Soil temperature, rather than soil water content, was the major environmental factor controlling the soil carbon exchange in the semiarid farmland of the Loess Plateau. In general, biochar additions enhanced aboveground dry matter accumulation in both the early and late stages of maize growth. The results suggested that biochar amendment was a preferable management practice to help maintain or increase carbon sequestration for this region with lower CO2 emissions and higher dry matter production over a longer period.
Vulvar Acantholytic Squamous Carcinoma: A Case Report With Immunohistochemical and Molecular Study

Acantholytic carcinoma is a subtype of squamous carcinoma, characterized by tubular and alveolar formations as a consequence of the acantholysis. We report a case of vulvar squamous acantholytic carcinoma (VSAC) in a 69-year-old woman, who was admitted to our institution for vulvar pruritus and the presence of a large, bilateral, exophytic, and ulcerated lesion, measuring 7×8 cm. The patient had never received vulvar or pelvic radiation therapy. Pathological examination with an immunohistochemical study showed features of VSAC and high p16INK4a protein expression. Molecular study by polymerase chain reaction amplification of DNA tumor revealed a weakly positive signal for human papillomavirus. In conclusion, our case, which is the first case of VSAC with polymerase chain reaction analysis and immunohistochemical expression of p16INK4a protein, suggested that this neoplasm could be related to human papillomavirus infection.
Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors: Bioequivalence of Sertraline Capsules

Summary The study was designed to evaluate the bioavailability of two sertraline (CAS 79617-96-2) formulations. A bioequivalence study was carried out in 24 healthy male volunteers, who were administered 50 mg capsules of the test formulation (Seralin®) and the originator product (reference) as a single dose. The trial was performed according to an open, randomized, cross-over design with a washout period of 14-20 days in one study center. Blood samples were taken up to 96 h post dose, the plasma was separated and the concentrations of sertraline were determined by HPLC-MS-MS. The mean Cmax were 9.01 ± 2.26 ng/mL and 8.24 ± 2.14 ng/mL, while the mean AUC0–t were 259.09 ± 105.36 ng · h/mL and 234.36 ± 95.18 ng · h/mL for the test and reference formulations, respectively. The mean AUC0–imf were 292.66 ± 128.09 ng · h/mL (test) and 267.23 ± 116.40 ng · h/mL (reference). The mean tmax was 5.88 ± 1.03 h for the test capsules and 6.17 ± 1.66 h for the reference formula. The mean tı/2el was 26.49 ± 6.45 h for the test formulation and 26.23 ± 6.64 h for the reference formulation. Mean MRT values for the test and reference formulations were 28.14 ± 5.37 h and 27.81 ± 5.13 h, respectively. No significant differences of pharmacokinetic parameters between the two studied formulations were found. The 90 % confidence interval for the primary target parameters, intra-individual ratios of AUC0–t and Cmax of sertraline were between 1.03 and 1.19 (AUC0–t) as well as between 1.02 and 1.17 (Cmax) and thus within the acceptance ranges for bioequivalence trials. Concerning the secondary parameter tmax the 90 % confidence interval for the intra-individual differences was between –1.00 and 0.50 h. In the light of the present study it can be concluded that sertraline test capsules are bioequivalent to the reference formulation.
Heterogeneity and Persistence in Returns to Wealth

We provide a systematic analysis of the properties of individual returns to wealth using 12 years of population data from Norway's administrative tax records. We document a number of novel results. First, individuals earn markedly different average returns on their net worth (a standard deviation of 22.1%) and on its components. Second, heterogeneity in returns does not arise merely from differences in the allocation of wealth between safe and risky assets: returns are heterogeneous even within narrow asset classes. Third, returns are positively correlated with wealth: moving from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the net worth distribution increases the return by 18 percentage points (and 10 percentage points if looking at net‐of‐tax returns). Fourth, individual wealth returns exhibit substantial persistence over time. We argue that while this persistence partly arises from stable differences in risk exposure and assets scale, it also reflects heterogeneity in sophistication and financial information, as well as entrepreneurial talent. Finally, wealth returns are correlated across generations. We discuss the implications of these findings for several strands of the wealth inequality debate.
Do Investors Herd in Tunisian Financial Market during Political Crisis Period

The paper aims to examine the presence of herding behavior in the Tunisian stock market on two periods before and during the political and social crisis that took place in 2011. Examination of the presence of herding on market is based on the Cross Sectional Absolute Deviation of returns (CSAD) and consequently on the Chang, Cheng and Khorana (2000) model and its modified version introduced by Chiang and Zheng (2010) taking into consideration the effect of market conditions (when market is down or up) on herding. The study uses the relationship between the stock price and trading volume to detect herding. The empirical results indicate the presence of herd behavior during crisis period regardless to prices and trading volume movements. However, during the pre-crisis period herding is detected only when market is up. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016. v7n4p113
NIGERIAN TEACHERS" PERCEPTION OF BARRIERS TO TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION INTO THE CHEMISTRY INSTRUCTIONS

This paper documents chemistry teachers’ perceptions of barriers to technology integration into the chemistry lessons. Underlying the study was a conceptual underpinning which focused on the concept of ICT integration, competencies of integration and chemistry curriculum. 13 participants were recruited for the study. Their participation in this research is voluntary. Semi-structured, openended interviews were employed as the means for collecting decontextualized statements about barriers to technology integration. The pool of statements obtained was subjected to phenomenographic analysis. A limited number of qualitatively different perceptions of
Distinguishable sensations of breathlessness induced in normal volunteers.

Various theories about the genesis of dyspnea have often assumed that the sensation is similar from patient to patient and is generated by a single underlying mechanism. To investigate whether breathlessness induced in normal volunteers by different stimuli represents one or more than one sensation, we studied 30 subjects in whom breathlessness was induced by each of 8 different stimuli: breath-holding, CO2 inhalation, inhalation of CO2, with ventilation voluntarily targeted below the level dictated by chemical drive, breathing with a resistive load, breathing with an elastic load, voluntary elevation of functional residual capacity, voluntary limitation of tidal volume, and exercise. For each stimulus, subjects were asked to choose description of their sensation(s) of breathlessness from a questionnaire listing 19 descriptors. The responses from this questionnaire were evaluated using cluster analysis to search for relationships among descriptors and to identify natural groupings. We found that distinct groups of descriptors emerged, i.e., subjects could distinguish different sensations of breathlessness. In addition, we found an association between certain descriptor groups and stimuli. We conclude that the term breathlessness may encompass multiple sensations, and, therefore, may not be explainable by a single physiologic mechanism.
Recombinant lipoproteins reinforce cytotoxicity of doxorubicin to hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Cancer nanotherapeutics are changing the landscape of tumor treatment and used to circumvent limitations of conventional chemotherapy, such as non-specificity and low bioavailability. Reconstituted high density lipoproteins (rHDL) system is one of the most promising targeting delivery systems of chemotherapeutic drugs toward tumors. Here, we developed recombined high-density lipoprotein which can be functionalized to deliver doxorubicin intracellular with a higher efficiency. The cellular viability assay showed that the rHDL/Dox nanovectors had an enhanced efficiency in inhibiting the cell viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines HepG2 and SMMC-7721. FACS and confocal microscopy was used to observe the doxorubicin delivery into cancer cells. Intracellular drug accumulation analysis confirmed that treatment of rHDL/Dox nanovectors resulted in higher intracellular doxorubicin concentration to the levels exceeding that of free drug. On the premise of efficient drug delivery, rHDL/Dox nanovectors have been preliminarily demonstrated effective inducing of cytotoxic effect and cell apoptosis to both of the cell lines in vitro. Tissue distribution experiment showed that rHDL/Dox nanovectors could also deliver doxorubicin to liver effectively. So, we proposed that this lipoprotein-based strategy holds promise for a safer and more efficient delivery of chemotherapeutic agents in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Clinical predictors of intracranial injuries on CT in infants younger than 2 years old with mild traumatic brain injury

Purpose Mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common in children. The aim of this study was to identify clinical predictors of intracranial injuries on computed tomography (CT) in infants younger than 2 years old with mild TBI, which allow reducing number of imaging. Results Of 214 enrolled infants with complete data, 30 (5.8%) sustained intracranial injuries. Younger age in months, severe injury mechanism and scalp hematomas were associated with traumatic intracranial injuries on CT. 71 had scalp hematomas and 143 had no scalp hematoma. Within infants with scalp hematomas, 26 sustained intracranial injuries and 45 presented normal. Intracranial injuries were significantly correlated with larger scalp hematomas and different scalp hematoma locations. Logistic regression analysis showed that scalp hematoma and mechanism of injury in infants younger than 2 years old with mild TBI was related to intracranial injuries (hazard ratio=38.291, P=0.0001; hazard ratio=0.174, P=0.001). In subgroup of mild TBI infants with scalp hematomas, logistic regression analysis showed age, scalp hematoma size and mechanism of injury were independently associated with intracranial injuries (hazard ratio=0.299, P=0.032; hazard ratio=5.272, P=0.006; hazard ratio=0.312, P=0.030). Methods Between 2014 and 2016, we retrospectively enrolled infants <2 years old with mild TBI. Data recorded included age, sex, mechanism of head injury, size and location of scalp hematoma, fracture and intracranial injuries on CT. Conclusion The characteristics of scalp hematomas and mechanism of injury were associated with intracranial injuries. These factors should be considered when making decisions on radiologic examinations of infants < 2 years old with mild TBI and alternative procedures, which do not involve ionizing radiation, should be used if appropriate.
Dynamics of extended spinning masses in a gravitational field

We develop a first-order approximation method for the influence of spin on the motion of extended spinning test masses in a gravitational field. This approach is illustrated for approximately circular equatorial motion in the exterior Kerr spacetime. In this case, the analytic results for the first-order approximation are compared to the numerical integration of the exact system and the limitations of the first-order results are pointed out. Furthermore, we employ our analytic results to illustrate the gravitomagnetic clock effect for spinning particles.
Analyzing the Effect of Economic Variables on Total Tax Revenues in Iran

As the government’s source of revenue, taxes play a major role in the construction and economic development of a country. Accurate knowledge of factors affecting tax revenues provides the policymakers with a clear horizon for economic planning. This study mainly aimed to examine the effect of economic variables on total tax revenues between 1974 and 2011. Accordingly, the Auto regression Distributed Lag (ARDL) Model was used. Results indicated that exchange rate with 0.71398, import with 0.53781, and the value-added of industry sector with 1.0841 had a positive significant relationship with total tax revenues. Moreover, the value-added of agriculture sector with 1.1801 had a negative significant relationship with total tax revenues.
Immunostimulatory properties of the bacterial extract OM-89 in vitro and in vivo

Abstract The therapeutic agent OM-89 (Uro-Vaxom®) contains lyophilized immunostimulating fractions from 18 Escherichia coli strains. It has been shown to provide protection against recurrent urinary tract infections in humans and against bacterial infections in mice. Here the immuno-stimulatory properties of OM-89 were investigated by in vitro and in vivo assays. in vitro the activation of murine spleen cells by the AlamarBlueTM assay was determined. OM-89 was effective in stimulating the metabolism of spleen cells within a concentration range of 0.625 -2.5 mg/ml. The activation of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages by OM-89 was shown by the induction of NO production; OM-89 was a most effective stimulant at concentrations around 6 mg/ml. In the human system, the effect of OM-89 was tested in vitro: the metabolic activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) was stimulated starting at concentrations of approx. 250 μg/ml, and the spontaneous apoptosis of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) was reduced starting at OM-89 concentrations of approx. 100 μg/ml. Finally, in a mouse model, the in vivo protection of mice against infection with Salmonella typhimurium after the oral administration of OM-89 was tested (100 mg in a volume of 0.5 ml once a day for 10 consecutive days). The extract proved to be effective: 90 % of the OM-89-treated animals survived compared to 58 % of the untreated control group.
Effect of Short Term “ Deep Breathing ” On MVV in Young Individuals of B . G

Breathing is the most vital function for maintenance of life. Studies showed that yogic type of breathing exercises increases MVV. However, the exact effect of deep breathing on MVV is lacking. Hence this study is the, need of the hour to know the effect of deep breathing on MVV. This study was conducted to determine the effect of Deep breathing (Db) on MVV in healthy young individuals. The present study was a case-control study consisting of 30 healthy individualsin the age group of 18-24 years. This study was conducted in the Department of Physiology, Adichunchanagiri institute of medical sciences, B.G. Nagara, Nagamangala Taluk, Mandya district, after the institutional ethical clearance and written consent from each participant.MVV was recorded before & after practicing deep breathing exercise daily for three months. The parameters thus recorded was analyzed for statistical significance using Students„t‟ test and p<0.05 was considered the level of significance. MVV was significantly increased at (p < 0.001**) after practicing deep breathing. The results of this study indicate that a simple maneuver of practicing deep breathing daily as indicated in the method, is suggestive of increasing MVV.
Economic evaluation of dental sealants: A systematic literature review

OBJECTIVES To systematically review the literature on economic evaluations of dental sealants and examine the costs and effectiveness of caries prevention using sealants. METHODS Of 21 full-text articles examined, a total of 13 were included in this study. These studies are grouped by the type of intervention as follows: (i) sealants compared with no sealants; (ii) sealants compared with other forms of caries prevention; (iii) resin-based sealants compared with glass-ionomer sealants; (iv) different sealing strategies in primary teeth; (v) different sealing strategies in permanent teeth; and (vi) sealants based on school- or clinic-based setting of delivery. All currency is reported in constant 2010 US$. RESULTS Cost-effectiveness analyses differed due to varying study designs, assumptions, sealant delivery settings, outcomes, caries risk assessment and study durations. Findings varied on the cost-effectiveness of sealants compared with other caries-preventive strategies. Under the assumption of equal caries risk, always sealing primary molars appeared to be the most effective strategy, whereas risk-based sealing was the optimal strategy with differing caries risk. Studies that assessed sealing strategies in permanent teeth reported that risk-based sealing was more cost-effective than not sealing, but they differed on the cost-effectiveness of risk-based seal compared with non-risk-based seal. Sealants delivered in school settings had mixed results on costs but were as equally effective as sealants delivered in private practices. CONCLUSIONS The cost-effectiveness of sealants is dependent on the conditions of delivery. The list of cost-effectiveness ratios for each intervention can support policy makers to estimate expected returns on their investments in dental sealants.
II ON PARALLEL LOCAL SEARCH FOR PERMUTATIONS

We investigate some ways in which massively parallel computing devices can be exploited in local search algorithms. We show that the substantial speed-ups that can be gained from parallel neighbourhood evaluation enables an efficient best improvement local search, and that this in turn enables further speed-ups through selection and parallel application of a set of independent, improving moves. Our experiments demonstrate a total speed-up of up to several hundred times compared to a classical, sequential best improvement search. We also demonstrate how an exchange of good partial solutions between the incumbent and best found solutions improves the efficiency of the Iterated Local Search
Novel Therapy for Hearing Loss: Delivery of Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 to the Cochlea Using Gelatin Hydrogel

Hypothesis: Local application of recombinant human insulin-like growth factor 1 (rhIGF-1) via a biodegradable hydrogel after onset of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) can attenuate functional and histologic damage. Background: The biodegradable gelatin hydrogel makes a complex with drugs by static electric charges and releases drugs by degradation of gelatin polymers. We previously demonstrated the efficacy of local rhIGF-1 application via hydrogels before noise exposure for prevention of NIHL. Methods: First, we used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure human IGF-1 concentrations in the cochlear fluid after placing a hydrogel containing rhIGF-1 onto the round window membrane of guinea pigs. Second, the functionality and the histology of guinea pig cochleae treated with local rhIGF-1 application at different concentrations after noise exposure were examined. Control animals were treated with a hydrogel immersed in physiologic saline alone. Results: The results revealed sustained delivery of rhIGF-1 into the cochlear fluid via the hydrogel. The measurement of auditory brainstem responses demonstrated that local rhIGF-1 treatment significantly reduced the threshold elevation from noise. Histologic analysis exhibited increased survival of outer hair cells by local rhIGF-1 application through the hydrogel. Conclusion: These findings indicate that local rhIGF-1 treatment via gelatin hydrogels is effective for treatment of NIHL.
Histone ubiquitination: a tagging tail unfolds?

Despite the fact that histone H2A ubiquitination affects about 10–15% of this histone in most eukaryotic cells, histone ubiquitination is among one of the less‐well‐characterized post‐translational histone modifications. Nevertheless, some important observations have been made in recent years. Whilst several enzymes had been known to ubiquitinate histones in vitro, recent studies in yeast have led to the unequivocal identification of the enzyme responsible for this post‐translational modification in this organism. A strong functional co‐relation to meiosis and spermiogenesis has also now been well documented, although its participation in other functional aspects of chromatin metabolism, such as transcription or DNA repair, still remains rather speculative and controversial. Because of its nature, histone ubiquitination represents the most bulky structural change to histones and as such it would be expected to exert an important effect on chromatin structure. Past and recent structural studies, however, indicate a surprising lack of effect of (H2A/H2B) ubiquitination on nucleosome architecture and of uH2A on chromatin folding. These results suggest that this modification may serve as a signal for recognition by functionally relevant trans‐acting factors and/or operate synergistically in conjunction with other post‐translational modifications such as for instance acetylation. BioEssays 24:166–174, 2002. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.