Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Biological and immunological properties of Coxiella burnetii vaccines in C57BL/10ScN endotoxin-nonresponder mice

Vaccines prepared from Formalin-killed whole cells of Coxiella burnetii (Ohio strain) or from chloroform-methanol residue (CMR) and extract (CME) of such cells were examined for biological and immunological properties in male C57BL/10ScN endotoxin nonresponder mice. Vaccines containing killed whole cells induced a high incidence of gross pathology, as evidenced by liver necrosis, significant splenomegaly, and significant hepatomegaly in mice. The degree and onset of these pathological changes were directly and inversely proportional, respectively, to the dosage of killed organisms administered. Conversely, no splenomegaly, hepatomegaly, or liver necrosis were observed in mice inoculated with CMR or CME. Moreover, killed whole cells were lethal for mice at dosages of 150 to 1,200 micrograms, whereas no deaths were seen in animals given 1,200 micrograms of CMR. In addition, antibodies against phase I and phase II antigens of C. burnetii were detected in the sera of mice inoculated with either whole cells or CMR. Enhanced blastogenic response of splenic lymphocytes was observed when animals were vaccinated with killed whole cells and CMR but not with CME. Moreover, 80 to 90% of mice inoculated with 300 micrograms of the CMR were protected against a lethal challenge of viable rickettsiae, whereas only 50% of the animals given 300 micrograms of killed whole cells were protected. Treatments with CME were essentially without value, since no antibodies were detectable and no significant protection was elicited. Collectively, these results show that, although killed whole cells induced immunity in C57BL/10ScN mice, they induced deleterious tissue reactions, whereas CMR, which also induced immunity, was essentially nondeleterious, based on the parameters employed. These observations suggest that the chloroform-methanol-extractable component(s) is implicated in the deleterious tissue reactions and that the phase I and II antigens may not be involved in the induction of the pathology observed in C57BL/10ScN mice.
Inhibition of 11 b -Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase by Bile Acids in Rats With Cirrhosis

Renal sodium retention and potassium loss occur early, in many instances in the preascitic state of cirrhosis, an observation that cannot be fully explained by increased aldosterone concentrations. We therefore hypothesize that 11 b -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11 b -HSD2), which protects mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) from glucocorticosteroids, is down-regulated in cirrhosis. Cirrhosis was induced by bile duct ligation in rats. The urinary ratio of (tetrahydrocorticosterone 1 5 a -tetrahydrocorticosterone)/ 11-dehydro-tetrahydrocorticosterone [(THB 1 5 a -THB)/ THA] was measured by gas chromatography. Cortical collecting tubules (CCT) were isolated by microdissection and used for measurements of the activity of 11 b -HSD2 by assessing the conversion of corticosterone to dehydrocorticosterone. The mRNA content of 11 b -HSD2 was determined by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in CCTs. The urinary ratio of (THB 1 5 a -THB)/ THA increased concomitantly with the urinary excretion of bile acids following bile duct ligation. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) dose-dependently inhibited 11 b -HSD2 in CCT with a K i of 19.9 m mol/L. Four weeks after bile duct ligation, 11 b -HSD2 activity was decreased in CCT, an observation preceded by a reduced mRNA content at weeks 2 and 3. In cirrhosis, the MR-protecting effect by 11 b -HSD2
Justice Climates and Management Team Effectiveness: The Central Role of Group Harmony

ABSTRACT Although social harmony is one of the most important cultural values in many of Asian societies it has rarely been studied in the mainstream management literatures. Based on the group-value theory of justice we examined how group justice climates influence group effectiveness through group harmony. Analyses of data on 106 upper-level management teams from Chinese organizations showed that justice climates were positively associated with group harmony, which in turn was positively associated with team task performance and team helping behavior. Group harmony was found to significantly mediate the positive effect of both distributive and interactional justice climates on team helping behavior but only marginally on team task performance. Finally, in support of past research both at the group and individual level, procedural justice climate had the weakest effect on group processes and outcomes. By applying the group value theory on group harmony this paper aims to integrate Eastern and Western perspectives on one hand and the justice climates and group harmony research on the other. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Genetic polymorphisms of ADH1B, ADH1C and ALDH2 in Turkish alcoholics: lack of association with alcoholism and alcoholic cirrhosis.

No data exists regarding the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) gene polymorphisms in Turkish alcoholic cirrhotics. We studied the polymorphisms of ADH1B, ADH1C and ALDH2 genes in alcoholic cirrhotics and compared the results with non-cirrhotic alcoholics and healthy volunteers. Overall, 237 subjects were included for the study: 156 alcoholic patients (78 cirrhotics, 78 non-cirrhotic alcoholics) and 81 healthy volunteers. Three different single-nucleotide-polymorphism genotyping methods were used. ADH1C genotyping was performed using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. The identified ADH1C genotypes were named according to the presence or absence of the enzyme restriction sites. ADH1B (Arg47Hys) genotyping was performed using the allele specific primer extension method, and ALDH2 (Glu487Lys) genotyping was performed by a multiplex polymerase chain reaction using two allele-specific primer pairs. For ADH1B, the frequency of allele *1 in the cirrhotics, non-cirrhotic alcoholics and healthy volunteers was 97.4%, 94.9% and 99.4%, respectively. For ADH1C, the frequency of allele *1 in the cirrhotics, non-cirrhotic alcoholics and healthy volunteers was 47%, 36.3% and 45%, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the groups for ADH1B and ADH1C (p>0.05). All alcoholic and non-alcoholic subjects (100%) had the allele *1 for ALDH2. The obtained results for ADH1B, ADH1C, and ALDH gene polymorphisms in the present study are similar to the results of Caucasian studies. ADH1B and ADH1C genetic variations are not related to the development of alcoholism or susceptibility to alcoholic cirrhosis. ALDH2 gene has no genetic variation in the Turkish population.
Circulating high mobility group AT‐hook 2 and pleomorphic adenoma gene 1 in blood of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND High mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) and pleomorphic adenoma gene 1(PLAG1) have been demonstrated to be elevated in many malignant tumors. However, the aim of this study was to evaluate HMGA2 and PLAG1 levels in blood as a non-invasive biomarker for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) diagnosis. METHODS qRT-PCR was performed to measure circulating HMGA2 and PLAG1 levels in OSCC patients (n=43) and matched cancer-free blood control group (n=21). Clinical data of all patients were recorded. RESULTS Circulating HMGA2 and PLAG1 in the 43 OSCC patients was significantly higher than in control group (P<.001, P=.038, respectively). Furthermore, HMGA2 expression in OSCC patients with poor-moderate differentiation was increased compared with well-differentiated group. However, no significant differences in PLAG1 expression were detected when differentiation was considered. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for circulating HMGA2 revealed an area under the ROC curve of 0.876 (95% confidence interval, 0.793-0.959; P<.001) with 65.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity in discriminating OSCC from controls at a cutoff value of 14.380, demonstrating significant diagnostic value for OSCC. CONCLUSION Circulating HMGA2 levels are increased in OSCC patients and may potentially serve as a significant index to evaluate OSCC diagnosis.
Focus Theory of Choice: Modeling Procedural Rationality and Resolving the St. Petersburg, Allais, and Ellsberg Paradoxes, Preference Reversals, the Event-Splitting Effect, and the Violations of Tail-Separability, Stochastic Dominance and Transitivity

We present a decision theory which models and axiomatizes a decision-making procedure. This procedure involves two steps: in the first step, for each action, some specific event which can bring about a relatively high outcome with a relatively high probability or a relatively low outcome with a relatively high probability is selected as the positive or negative focus, respectively; in the second step, based on the foci of all actions, a decision maker chooses a most-preferred action. Our model can account for many anomalies, including preference reversals, violations of stochastic dominance, violations of transitivity, the St. Petersburg, Allais, and Ellsberg paradoxes, the event-splitting effect, and the violation of tail-separability, and handles decision making with risk or under ambiguity or under ignorance within a unified framework.
The 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic: The Role of Threat, Coping, and Media Trust on Vaccination Intentions in Canada

Swine flu (H1N1) reached pandemic proportions in 2009, yet ambivalence was met concerning intentions to be vaccinated. The present investigation determined predictors of perceived H1N1 contraction risk and vaccination intentions among Canadian adults (N = 1,027) responding to an online questionnaire. The relatively low rate of vaccination intent (30.12%, and 34.99% being unsure of their intent) was related to a sense of invulnerability regarding illness contraction and symptom severity. Most individuals were skeptical that H1N1 would be widespread, believing that less than 10% of the population would contract H1N1. Yet, they also indicated that their attitudes would change once a single person they knew contracted the illness. Also, worry regarding H1N1 was related to self-contraction risk and odds of individuals seeking vaccination. Moreover, vaccination intent was related to the perception that the threat was not particularly great, mistrust of the media to provide accurate information regarding H1N1, and whether individuals endorsed problem-focused versus avoidant coping strategies. Given the role media plays in public perceptions related to a health crisis, trust in this outlet and credibility regarding the threat are necessary for adherence to recommended measures to minimize health risk.
Private demand for cholera vaccines in Hue, Vietnam.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to measure the private demand for oral cholera vaccines in Hue, Vietnam, an area of relatively low endemicity of cholera, using the contingent valuation method. METHODS Interviews were conducted with either the head of household or spouse in 800 randomly selected households with children less than 18 years old. Respondents were asked whether they would purchase an oral cholera vaccine with different levels of effectiveness and durations of effectiveness (both for themselves and for other household members) at a specified price. RESULTS The median respondent willingness to pay for 50% effective/3-year vaccine was estimated to be approximately $5, although 17% of the study sample would not pay for a cholera vaccine. The median economic benefit to a household of vaccinating all household members against cholera, as measured by its stated willingness to pay, was estimated to be $40 for a vaccine with these attributes. CONCLUSIONS The perceived private economic benefits of a cholera vaccine were high, but not evenly distributed across the population. A minority of the people in Hue place no value on receiving a cholera vaccine.
Laboratory sample turnaround times: do they cause delays in the ED?

OBJECTIVES Blood tests are requested for approximately 50% of patients attending the emergency department (ED). The time taken to obtain the results is perceived as a common reason for delay. The objective of this study was therefore to investigate the turnaround time (TAT) for blood results and whether this affects patient length of stay (LOS) and to identify potential areas for improvement. METHODS A time-in-motion study was performed at the ED of the John Radcliffe Hospital (JRH), Oxford, UK. The duration of each of the stages leading up to receipt of 101 biochemistry and haematology results was recorded, along with the corresponding patient's LOS. RESULTS The findings reveal that the mean time for haematology results to become available was 1 hour 6 minutes (95% CI: 29 minutes to 2 hours 13 minutes), while biochemistry samples took 1 hour 42 minutes (95% CI: 1 hour 1 minute to 4 hours 21 minutes), with some positive correlation noted with the patient LOS, but no significant variation between different days or shifts. CONCLUSIONS With the fastest 10% of samples being reported within 35 minutes (haematology) and 1 hour 5 minutes (biochemistry) of request, our study showed that delays can be attributable to laboratory TAT. Given the limited ability to further improve laboratory processes, the solutions to improving TAT need to come from a collaborative and integrated approach that includes strategies before samples reach the laboratory and downstream review of results.
OPTIMAL COPULA DURATION IN YELLOW DUNG FLIES: EJACULATORY DUCT DIMENSIONS AND SIZE-DEPENDENT SPERM DISPLACEMENT

Abstract We aim to interpret sperm displacement in relation to male size in the yellow dung fly, Scatophaga stercoraria, and to compare the general properties of indirect and direct size-dependent sperm displacement in insects. We examine the hypothesis that male size-dependent sperm displacement in dung flies can be explained by size-dependent increases in the ejaculatory apparatus, allowing greater sperm flow rates in larger males. We expect sperm flow rates to be proportional to the diameter of the aedeagus duct to the power x, where x lies between 2 and 3. We test this hypothesis using a simulation model of indirect sperm displacement that has been developed to accommodate recent observations on sperm transfer, in which sperm flow from the male into the female bursa and are then transferred to the spermathecae by movements of the female tract. The indirect model approximates to the pattern of size-related sperm displacement, with scaling power 3 giving a better fit than power 2. Copula duration shows a male size-dependent decrease in this species. We apply the indirect model of sperm displacement, in conjunction with parameters obtained from field and laboratory data, to predict size-dependent changes in optimal copula duration from the male perspective. This model concurs with the observations by predicting a size-dependent decline in optimal copula duration, as did an earlier model in which displacement was direct (new sperm displace previously stored sperm directly from the sperm stores). Our new approach gives a better fit than the earlier direct model. Thus, both results (displacement rates and copula duration) can be explained by size-dependent changes in the ejaculatory apparatus of the male with the female's exchange rate of sperm (from bursa to spermathecae) remaining constant with respect to male size, although we discuss the possibility that this female process may accelerate with increased male size. In general, where the sperm input rate is around the same magnitude as the exchange rate, indirect displacement will be dependent on the size of the male, as in dung flies, but this dependency is lost if the input rate is very high relative to the exchange rate across the entire range of male size. Size-dependent displacement should always apply for males with direct displacement. Corresponding Editor: D. Wheeler
A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial to Compare Pre-coated and Non-pre-coated Brackets

Objective To compare the clinical failure rate of pre-coated brackets and brackets bonded using Transbond XT light cure system Outcome measures (i) The clinical time required for bond up of upper and lower arches of both systems, (ii) bond failure rate for the first 6 months. Design Single centre randomized controlled clinical study. Thirty-three patients were bonded using a split mouth technique: randomly allocating the pre-coated brackets to upper left and lower right quadrants, and non-pre-coated brackets to the other quadrants. Setting Hospital Orthodontic Department, Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK. Subjects Orthodontic patients requiring fixed appliances. Main outcome measures The site and time to bond failure was recorded for each bracket that failed over the first 6 months. The time required to bond upper and lower arches was measured using a stopwatch for each patient. Results t-Test for the difference of mean time needed to apply both groups of brackets, no significant difference (P > 0.2) was found. A chi-squared test for the difference in bracket failure between pre-coated (8.06%) and non-pre-coated (7.37%) showed no significant difference in bracket failure (P > 0.2). Conclusions The clinical failure rate of pre-coated brackets is not significantly lower than conventional non-pre-coated brackets.
Back to School After Cancer Treatment: Making Sense of the Adolescent Experience

Background: Little is known about the influence of cancer on the adolescent’s developing self-identity and social relationships as he/she transitions back to school following cancer treatment. Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of returning to school for adolescents who have completed cancer treatment. Methods: In this qualitative study, in-depth interviews using an interpretive descriptive approach were conducted with 11 adolescents (aged 13–17 years) who had completed treatment for cancer. The transcripts of the audiotaped interviews were analyzed thematically and reviewed by the study team. Results: Three main themes suggested that the return to school hallmarked the end of an illness episode and a welcome return to a sense of well-being: (a) being on the right track, (b) bridging two worlds, and (c) establishing a new life at school. Nearly all adolescents described being negatively impacted by the cancer experience. However, the ability to maintain friendships during the transition emerged as particularly salient to allow the adolescents to rise above the challenges and residual effects of cancer treatment. Conclusions: Returning to school following cancer treatment affects adolescents’ beliefs about themselves, their self-identity, and their social relationships. Understanding the meaning that adolescents ascribed to returning to school facilitated the development of practice recommendations to improve adjustment to school. Implications for Practice: Our study findings illuminate an important gap in the existing resources for adolescents in the posttreatment phase of cancer. Recommendations to promote healthy psychosocial development are proposed to better support adolescents during the reintegration to school.
Cough‐Induced Hemiplegic Migraine with Impaired Consciousness in Cystic Fibrosis

The coughing paroxysms of patients with cystic fibrosis may occasion neurological symptoms. Although cough syncope is well‐known, and is associated with headache and paralysis, a migrainous mechanism has not been reported. We reviewed the medical records, autonomic testing results, and responses to treatment in two cystic fibrosis patients with similar presentations of cough‐induced impairment of consciousness followed by headache and paralysis. A 24‐year‐old woman and an unrelated 38‐year‐old man, both with cystic fibrosis, developed post‐tussive neurologic deficits. Both patients reported infrequent dramatic spells, always preceded by major hemoptysis, and associated with left‐sided paralysis, transient blindness, nausea, and severe pulsating headaches. Autonomic testing demonstrated only postural tachycardia and a near‐vasodepressor episode in the woman, and mild, generalized sympathetic dysfunction in the man. Treatment for presumptive migraine with aura with verapamil nearly eradicated symptoms in both patients. Discontinuation of verapamil in the woman was associated with symptom recurrence and a stroke, with significant persistent residual left hemiparesis. In conclusion, cough‐induced neurologic deficits were previously reported with cystic fibrosis, without clear understanding of the mechanism of impairment of consciousness. Based on the hemiparesis, nausea, and throbbing headache, which repeatedly followed the events in both patients, and based on the response to verapamil, we hypothesize a migrainous mechanism in both of our patients. The pathophysiology that links the hemoptysis to the spells deserves further investigation. Pediatr Pulmonol. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Integrated thinking as a cultural control

The paper’s purpose is to investigate the concept of integrated thinking as part of the International Integrated Reporting Council’s (IIRC’s) Integrated Reporting ( ) framework. It explores integrated thinking as a cultural control and analyses how it operates. ,The paper presents a case study of ResBank (a pseudonym), a small Australian bank, which is participating in the IIRC’s Pilot Programme Business Network. ResBank issued its first integrated report in 2012. Using semi-structured interviews, we examine whether integrated thinking develops as espoused by the IIRC. ,In ResBank’s case, we find that the responsible banking culture that was in place prior to joining the Pilot Programme is a stronger cultural control, alongside personnel, results and action controls. The implication for the IIRC is that integrated thinking clashes with the existing organisational culture rather than driving a new organisational culture. ,If integrated thinking is to prevail, it may become a source of inertia rather than change because it advocates that an entire workforce should think the same way. We also question whether breaking down silos, as advocated by integrated thinking, is necessary across all organisational functions, especially concerning material organisational risks and reputation, because these silos foster independent thinking. ,The problem with the arguments proposed by the IIRC is that they aim at a one-size-fits-all approach. Not every organisation has a disconnection between strategy, governance, past performance and future prospects nor do they all have disconnected departments that need reconnecting. Therefore, a fundamental problem with is that the IIRC argues ‘why’ companies need , not ‘how’ to implement , and especially not ‘how’ to operationalise integrated thinking. ,The paper is a must-read because it contributes to the growing debate on the benefits of by examining and critiquing an early adopter’s practice.