Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Lactose-derived oligosaccharides in the milk of elephants: comparison with human milk

Human milk is commonly considered to be unique when compared with the milk of other species with regard to its high content of complex fucosylated and sialylated lactose-derived oligosaccharides. We describe the application of high-pH anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection and TLC to characterize and quantitate neutral and sialylated lactose-derived oligosaccharides in milk from three Asian elephants and human milk. The lactose contents of elephant and human milks were 25–30 g/l and about 66 g/l respectively, whereas total oligosaccharide concentration was about three times higher in elephant milk and comprised up to 40% (10% in human milk) of the carbohydrate content. The ratio neutral: acidic components was different in the milk of the two species; in elephant milk, the N-acetylneuraminic acid-containing oligosaccharides made up almost half of the total amount v. 30% in human milk. Most oligosaccharides in elephant milk were more fucosylated and/or sialylated compared with human milk components. By mild acid hydrolysis, fucose and N-acetylneuraminic acid were cleaved off from complex components, and this resulted in increased amounts of fucose, galactose, N-acetylneuraminic acid, lactose and lacto-N-neo-tetraose. Unique to elephant milk are the high levels of 3′-galactosyllactose (up to 4 g/l) and lacto-N-neo-tetraose which are present in human milk only in trace amounts. Elephant and human milks have high levels and unique patterns of oligosaccharides which may reflect the relative importance of these components in neonatal host defence, in endothelial leucocyte interactions or in brain development.
Distributed Rumor Blocking in Social Networks: A Game Theoretical Analysis

Social networks have become important platforms for communication and information exchange. Unfortunately, misinformation and rumor also spread rapidly and widely through online social networks. Therefore, rumor controlling is one of the critical problems in social networks. It is often assumed that there is a single authority whose goal is to minimize the spread of rumor. However, what if there is no such an authority, and instead, there are some distributed agents who generate positive cascades but try to maximize their own private utilities? Can the negative information be blocked effectively by these agents who do not cooperate with each other? To answer these problems, we in this paper formulate the rumor blocking game and provide a game-theoretical analysis. According to whether or not the agents are aware of the rumor, we herein develop the rumor-aware game and the rumor-oblivious game, respectively. We show that the stable state (i.e. Nash Equilibrium) of the game guarantees the $2$-approximation and $\frac{2\cdot e-1}{e-1}$-approximation under the scenarios of best-response and approximate-response, respectively. As verified by the experiments performed on real-world networks, the rumor blocking game is effective in limiting the spread of rumor.
Genomic Sequence of Rhesus Cytomegalovirus 180.92: Insights into the Coding Potential of Rhesus Cytomegalovirus

ABSTRACT A pathogenic isolate of rhesus cytomegalovirus (rhCMV 180.92) was cloned, sequenced, and annotated. Comparisons with the published rhCMV 68.1 genome revealed 8 open reading frames (ORFs) in isolate 180.92 that are absent in 68.1, 10 ORFs in 68.1 that are absent in 180.92, and 34 additional ORFs that were not previously annotated. Most of the differences appear to be due to genetic rearrangements in both isolates from a region that is frequently altered in human CMV (hCMV) during in vitro passage. These results indicate that the rhCMV ORF repertoire is larger than previously recognized. Like hCMV, understanding of the complete coding capacity of rhCMV is complicated by genomic instability and may require comparisons with additional isolates in vitro and in vivo.
Sexual Partnership Characteristics of African American Women Who Have Sex With Women; Impact on Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk

Background African American women who have sex with women (WSW) are emerging as a population at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The objectives of this study were to explore partnership characteristics for a cohort of African American WSW and evaluate those characteristics as potential risk factors for STIs. In addition, we aimed to determine STI diagnoses and identify predictors of STI infection. Methods Women who have sex with women presenting to a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Birmingham, AL, completed a questionnaire and were tested for bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, Mycoplasma genitalium, syphilis, HIV, and herpes simplex virus type 2. Results A total of 163 women were enrolled: 78 WSW and 85 women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) (based on report of past year sexual behavior). Both WSW and WSWM reported similar numbers of female partners over the lifetime, past year, and past month; however, WSWM reported significantly more lifetime male partners, thus having a higher overall number of sexual partners. Women who have sex with women and men were more likely to report new or casual partner(s), group sex, history of STIs, and sex with partner(s) known to have STIs. Overall, WSWM were more likely to have a current diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis, a current diagnosis of a curable STI, or a diagnosis of a noncurable STI (85% vs. 56%, P < 0.01). Conclusions African American WSW are not a homogeneous group, and their sexual health may be directly or indirectly influenced by male partners. A better understanding of the distinctions and differences between African American WSW and WSWM will enable health care providers to improve the quality of care provided.
Predictive value of stroke discharge diagnoses in the Danish National Patient Register

Aims: To determine the positive predictive values for stroke discharge diagnoses, including subarachnoidal haemorrhage, intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral infarction in the Danish National Patient Register. Methods: Participants in the Danish cohort study Diet, Cancer and Health with a stroke discharge diagnosis in the National Patient Register between 1993 and 2009 were identified and their medical records were retrieved for validation of the diagnoses. Results: A total of 3326 records of possible cases of stroke were reviewed. The overall positive predictive value for stroke was 69.3% (95% confidence interval (CI) 67.8–70.9%). The predictive values differed according to hospital characteristics, with the highest predictive value of 87.8% (95% CI 85.5–90.1%) found in departments of neurology and the lowest predictive value of 43.0% (95% CI 37.6–48.5%) found in outpatient clinics. Conclusions: The overall stroke diagnosis in the Danish National Patient Register had a limited predictive value. We therefore recommend the critical use of non-validated register data for research on stroke. The possibility of optimising the predictive values based on more advanced algorithms should be considered.
Reproductive management of lactating dairy cows using synchronization of ovulation.

Lactating dairy cows have poor reproductive efficiency because of low fertility and low rates of estrus detection. To eliminate the dependence on detection of estrus, we have recently developed a timed artificial insemination (AI) protocol that synchronized the time of ovulation using GnRH and PGF2 alpha. The effectiveness of this protocol as a management tool was compared with standard reproductive management. Lactating dairy cows (n = 333) from three herds were randomly assigned at parturition to two groups. Control cows were managed according to the typical reproductive strategy of the farm that relied on detection of estrus, the a.m.-p.m. breeding rule, and periodic use of PGF2 alpha. Treated cows had timed AI after synchronization of ovulation with GnRH and PGF2 alpha. For both groups, the voluntary waiting period was 50 d postpartum. Pregnancy diagnosis was performed by ultrasound between 32 and 38 d post-AI. Nonpregnant cows were inseminated again using the original treatment until diagnosed as pregnant or until culled from the herd. Median days to first AI (54 vs. 83) and days open (99 vs. 118) were lower for treated cows than for control cows, respectively. Pregnancy rates for the first AI were similar (37% vs. 39%) for the two groups even though treated cows were bred at an earlier time postpartum. More treated cows than control cows were pregnant at 60 d (37% vs. 5%) and at 100 d (53% vs. 35%) after calving. Thus, this protocol allowed effective management of AI in lactating dairy cows without the need for estrus detection.
Changing trends in keratoplasty in the West of Scotland: a 10-year review

Background/aims To review the indications and types of keratoplasty performed in the West of Scotland between 2001 and 2010. Methods A retrospective analysis of the histopathological diagnoses of all corneal buttons submitted to the regional Ocular Pathology Laboratory (Glasgow, UK) between January 2001 and December 2010 was performed. Results Between 2001 and 2010, a total of 921 keratoplasties were performed in the West of Scotland. These included 646 (70.1%) penetrating keratoplasties and 275 (29.9%) lamellar keratoplasties (LK). Keratoconus (n=264, 28.7%) was the leading indication for keratoplasty, followed by graft failure (n=177, 19.2%), Fuch's endothelial dystrophy (n=124, 13.5%), keratitis (n=106, 11.5%), pseudophakic/aphakic bullous keratopathy (n=88, 9.6%), endothelial failure (n=67, 7.3%), non-Fuch's corneal dystrophies (n=21, 2.3%), trauma (n=19, 2.0%), autoimmune/inflammatory diseases (n=16, 1.7%) and others (n=39, 4.2%). A significant increase in the proportion of LK over penetrating keratoplasty was observed during this 10-year period: from 14.1% LK (2001–2005) to 40.4% LK (χ2=71.78, p value<0.001). Conclusion Keratoconus was the leading indication for keratoplasty in the West of Scotland. Both anterior LK and endothelial keratoplasty seemed to show an emerging trend as the procedures of choice for dealing with anterior and posterior corneal pathologies, respectively.
The HDV large-delta antigen fused with GFP remains functional and provides for studying its dynamic distribution.

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) requires the isoprenylated large delta antigen (LDAg) for interaction with hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) to allow packaging and secretion out of the host cell. Phosphorylated LDAg has been found but, as yet, neither localization of LDAg within the nucleus nor any other function has been correlated with modification. In this study, we transfected HuH-7 or HeLa cells with plasmids encoding various lengths of LDAg [designated GFP-LD and GFP-LD(31-214) for full length and a deletion, respectively] or non-isoprenylated mutants of these [designated GFP-LDM and GFP-LD(31-214)M] fused to the green fluorescent protein (GFP). These fusion proteins were then characterized and it was found that: (i) the addition of the GFP did not interfere with the functioning of the full-length or N-terminally deleted LDAgs when interacting with HBsAg for secretion; (ii) the HDV small antigen (SDAg) together with the GFP-LD, but not the GFP-LD(31-214), could be cosecreted by HBsAg; and (iii) the GFP-LD, but not the GFP-LD(31-214), exerted a dominant-negative role on HDV genome replication. Analyses of transiently transfected cells and postmitotic permanent cells revealed the sequential appearance of GFP-LD in the nucleoplasm, then in the nucleolus, and finally in nuclear speckles (NS). Isoprenylation of LDAg seems to be important for targeting to and accumulating in the NS, which was evident from the dynamic and static localization of the non-isoprenylation mutant (GFP-LDM) and the distribution of wild-type (GFP-LD) when treated with an isoprenylation inhibitor, lovastatin, for more than 48 h. Permanently expressing GFP-LD cells allowed us to show the dynamic redistribution of dephosphorylated GFP-LD from the nucleolus to the SC-35 containing NS in the presence of dichlororibofuranosyl benzimidazole (DRB) and then the translocation back of the GFP-LD to the nucleolus within 2 h after removal of DRB. Our studies thus suggest that the various versions of the GFP-LD fusion protein, having the same function as their nonfusion counterparts, can be a powerful tool for the study of the dynamic localization of LDAg when correlated with the functional modification of this protein.
Glue sniffer's neuropathy

Progressive sensorimotor neuropathy developed in two patients exposed to prolonged (chronic) inhalation of n-hexane (glue sniffing). Sural nerve biopsies showed loss of axons; remaining axons were either normal or showed accumulation of filaments of 90 to 100 A thick, widened nodes of Ranvier, and focal enlargements. The muscle biopsy revealed neurogenic atrophy. Intramuscular nerve twigs and end-plates, studied in one patient, showed loss of axons and nerve terminals. Unmyelinated axons also showed accumulation of 90 to 100 A thick filaments. The similarities between the pathologic findings in the peripheral nerve of these patients and those with acrylamide neuropathy suggest that the n-hexane inhalation produces a dying back neuropathy.
2 LITIGATION RISK AND ABNORMAL ACCRUALS

In this paper, we examine the relation between auditor litigation risk and abnormal accruals over the 1989-2007 time period. We address potential endogeneity in prior studies by jointly modeling abnormal accruals and litigation risk in a simultaneous equation system. Our findings suggest that client-specific litigation risk affects auditor incentives to acquiesce to client demands for earnings management, i.e., the higher the risk of auditor litigation, the greater the auditor’s restraining influence on the abnormal accruals reported by the client. We also find evidence that abnormal accruals increase the likelihood of auditor litigation. We also document that the 1995 Public Securities Litigation Reform Act (PSLRA) lowered the client-specific risk of auditor litigation. Litigation reform remains a topic of ongoing interest. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the effects of litigation reform (and related changes in legal exposure) on auditor incentives and earnings management.
In Vivo Biocompatibility and In Vitro Efficacy of Antimicrobial Gendine-Coated Central Catheters

ABSTRACT Antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) might reduce the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). We tested the biocompatibility of a novel gendine-coated (combination of chlorhexidine [CHX] and gentian violet [GV]) PICC in a rabbit intravascular model and tested antimicrobial efficacy in comparison with commercially available minocycline/rifampin (M/R)- and CHX-treated PICCs in an in vitro biofilm colonization model. Gendine-coated and uncoated control PICCs were inserted in the jugular veins of rabbits for 4 days. Histopathological analysis was performed at the end of the 4-day period, and circulating levels of CHX and GV in the blood were measured at different time points using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial efficacy of the PICCs was tested following simulated intravascular indwells of 24 h and 1 week against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata. Rabbits implanted with gendine-coated PICCs exhibited reduced levels of thrombosis and inflammation compared to those of the rabbits with uncoated controls. No GV was detected in blood samples over the entire study period, and trace concentrations of CHX were detected. The gendine-coated PICCs completely prevented the adherence of all pathogens from 24 h to 1 week (P ≤ 0.001), while M/R-treated, CHX-treated, and control PICCs did not. Gendine-coated PICCs were highly effective in preventing biofilm formation of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Gendine-coated PICCs were biocompatible in an intravascular setting. Further, the pharmacokinetic testing established that acute systemic exposures of CHX and GV from the gendine-coated catheters were well within safe levels.
Steady states and oscillatory instability of swirling flow in a cylinder with rotating top and bottom

In this study we present a numerical investigation of steady states, onset of oscillatory instability, and slightly supercritical oscillatory states of an axisymmetric swirling flow of a Newtonian incompressible fluid in a cylinder, with independently rotating top and bottom. The first part of the study is devoted to the influence of co‐ and counter‐rotation of the bottom on the steady vortex breakdown, which takes place in the well‐known problem of flow in a cylinder with a rotating top. It is shown that weak counter‐rotation of the bottom may suppress the vortex breakdown. Stronger counter‐rotation may induce a stable steady vortex breakdown at relatively large Reynolds numbers for which a vortex breakdown does not appear in the case of the stationary bottom. Weak corotation may promote the vortex breakdown at lower Reynolds numbers than in the cylinder with the stationary bottom. Stronger corotation leads to the detachment of the recirculation zone from the axis and the formation of an additional vorte.
Feasibility Trial of Carotid Stenting with and without an Embolus Protection Device

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of stenting and cerebral protection in patients with carotid bifurcation disease. Methods: Carotid stenting with self-expanding nitinol stents was evaluated in 261 patients (157 men; mean age 70.9±9.7 years, range 41–90) treated at 33 clinical sites. Among these patients, 141 (54.3%) were symptomatic, and 71 (27.2%) had postendarterectomy restenotic lesions. An embolus protection device became available in the latter third of the study. The primary endpoint of the study was the 30-day composite occurrence of major adverse clinical events (all deaths, strokes, or myocardial infarctions [MI]). At 1 year, the endpoint included all deaths, strokes, or MIs at 30 days, plus all deaths or ipsilateral strokes between 31 days and 1 year. Results: SMART stents were placed in 147 (56%) patients and Precise stents in 107 (41%); 7 (3%) patients were treated with non-study stents. Lesion success, defined as < 30% postprocedural residual stenosis, was achieved in 249 (95%). An AngioGuard filter was used in 85 patients; of 90 filters employed, 78 (87%) were successfully deployed and retrieved. Visible material was noted in 42 (54%) retrieved filters. One (0.4%) stent thrombosis occurred at < 30 days, and no restenotic lesions >80% were noted in up to 1 year of follow-up. At 30 days, stroke occurred in 16 (6.1%) patients, MI in 1 (0.4%), and 2 (0.8%) patients died. The 30-day rate of stroke, MI, or death was 6.9%. Major ipsilateral stroke occurred in 4 (1.5%) patients between 0 and 30 days; no new major ipsilateral strokes were noted up to 1 year. By Kaplan-Meier analysis, the 1-year risk of stroke. Conclusions: The use of nitinol self-expanding stents in the carotid position appears to be a safe and efficacious alternative for the treatment of carotid bifurcation disease. The addition of embolus protection devices may diminish the risk of postprocedural major ipsilateral strokes. MI, or death was 10.9%±2.0%. The 1-year risk of major ipsilateral stroke was significantly lower in patients treated with embolus protection devices (0.0% versus 2.3%, p=0.05).
Self‐Regulation of Stimulation by Premature Infants

Premature babies are capable of seeking contact with a source of rhythmic stimulation that reflects their own breathing rhythm. Optional stimulation, in the form of a "breathing" stuffed bear, was made available to premature infants, 32 to 35 weeks' gestational age. The bear's breathing rate was matched to that of each individual infant during quiet sleep. Other infants were exposed to a bear that did not breathe, and some infants were not exposed to a bear. All infants were monitored continuously using time-lapse video. After 2 to 3 weeks' exposure, those infants with a breathing bear showed significantly more contact with their head, body, or limbs than either of the control groups (for the no-bear group, contact with the area that would have been occupied by the bear was determined to describe the contact that might have been expected by chance). In addition, the infants given the opportunity to self-regulate their stimulation showed greater amounts of quiet sleep than the other two groups.
Induced pluripotent stem cells from goat fibroblasts

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a powerful model for genetic engineering, studying developmental biology, and modeling disease. To date, ESCs have been established from the mouse (Evans and Kaufman, 1981, Nature 292:154–156), non‐human primates (Thomson et al., , Proc Nat Acad Sci USA 92:7844–7848), humans (Thomson et al., 1998, Science 282:1145–1147), and rats (Buehr et al., , Cell 135:1287–1298); however, the derivation of ESCs from domesticated ungulates such as goats, sheep, cattle, and pigs have not been successful. Alternatively, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be generated by reprogramming somatic cells with several combinations of genes encoding transcription factors (OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, cMYC, LIN28, and NANOG). To date, iPSCs have been isolated from various species, but only limited information is available regarding goat iPSCs (Ren et al., 2011, Cell Res 21:849–853). The objectives of this study were to generate goat iPSCs from fetal goat primary ear fibroblasts using lentiviral transduction of four human transcription factors: OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and cMYC. The goat iPSCs were successfully generated by co‐culture with mitomycin C‐treated mouse embryonic fibroblasts using medium supplemented with knockout serum replacement and human basic fibroblast growth factor. The goat iPSCs colonies are flat, compact, and closely resemble human iPSCs. They have a normal karyotype; stain positive for alkaline phosphatase, OCT4, and NANOG; express endogenous pluripotency genes (OCT4, SOX2, cMYC, and NANOG); and can spontaneously differentiate into three germ layers in vitro and in vivo. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 80: 1009–1017, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Applying Joint Mobilization at Different Cervical Vertebral Levels does not Influence Immediate Pain Reduction in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of applying joint mobilization at symptomatic and asymptomatic cervical levels in patients with chronic non-specific neck pain. Forty-eight patients aged between 18 and 65 years and presenting non-specific neck pain with a minimum duration of 3 months were recruited for the study. Included patients were randomized to one of two treatment groups: (i) control group: the most symptomatic vertebral level was mobilized; (ii) experimental group: a randomly selected vertebral level was chosen and mobilized. All patients received one treatment session. Pain intensity in resting position during the most painful active cervical movement as well as during vertebral palpation was quantified using an 11-point pain scale. Follow-up measures were taken immediately after intervention by a blinded assessor. The results showed no significant difference in pain intensity immediately after treatment between groups (symptomatic level treated vs. randomly chosen cervical vertebral level treated) during resting position, painful active movement, or vertebral palpation. Within-group comparisons showed significant pain relief after treatment during the most painful active movement as well as during vertebral palpation for both groups, but not during resting position. Significant change in immediate pain intensity during painful active movement and vertebral palpation was achieved after vertebral mobilization. However, both groups presented similar pain reductions suggesting that pain reduction due to joint mobilization is not specific to the vertebral level being mobilized.