Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Chromatin-Independent Binding of Serum Amyloid P Component to Apoptotic Cells

Human serum amyloid P component (SAP) is a glycoprotein structurally belonging to the pentraxin family of proteins, which has a characteristic pentameric organization. Mice with a targeted deletion of the SAP gene develop antinuclear Abs, which was interpreted as evidence for a role of SAP in controlling the degradation of chromatin. However, in vitro SAP also can bind to phosphatidylethanolamine, a phospholipid which in normal cells is located mainly in the inner leaflet of the cell membrane, to be translocated to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane during a membrane flip-flop. We hypothesized that SAP, because of its specificity for phosphatidylethanolamine, may bind to apoptotic cells independent of its nuclear binding. Calcium-dependent binding of SAP to early, nonpermeable apoptotic Jurkat, SKW, and Raji cells was indeed observed. Experiments with flip-flopped erythrocytes confirmed that SAP bound to early apoptotic cells via exposed phosphatidylethanolamine. Binding of SAP was stronger to late, permeable apoptotic cells. Experiments with enucleated neutrophils, with DNase/RNase treatment of late apoptotic Jurkat cells, and competition experiments with histones suggested that binding of SAP to late apoptotic cells was largely independent of chromatin. Confocal laser microscopic studies indeed suggested that SAP bound to these apoptotic cells mainly via the blebs. Thus, this study shows that SAP binds to apoptotic cells already at an early stage, which raises the possibility that SAP is involved in dealing with apoptotic cells in vivo.
Occupation and COPD: A Brief Review

Background and aims. This review summarizes the scientific literature relevant to occupational risk factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Material and methods. This review emphasizes recent work in the field, while placing this in the context of two previous systematic reviews of the subject. Results. Both the earlier summaries of the literature estimated that the population attributable risk percent (PAR%) of COPD linked to occupational exposures is approximately 15%. More recent studies also strongly support the association between workplace exposures and COPD. Among never smokers, the PAR% for work-related factors may approach 40%. Emerging data also indicate that occupational exposures, at a minimum, are additive to smoking-associated risk of COPD. Conclusions. The PAR% for work-related COPD is at least 15%. Scientific significance. The consistency, strength, and plausibility of these data support a causal relationship between occupational exposures and COPD.
Epidemiological dental indices and self-perceived oral health in adolescents: ecological aspects

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlations between epidemiological indices (objective) and self-perceived oral health (subjective) in adolescents at school level, and to study gender differences in epidemiological indices and in self-perceived oral health. The study comprised two sets of data from Skaraborg County, Sweden: 1. Self-reported questionnaires answered by adolescents at all senior level schools (n = 9,559, 13-15 years). 2. Epidemiological indices based on clinical registrations of oral health in 13-15-year-old adolescents were collected in all 17 municipalities (n = 7,899). Simple and partial Pearson correlation coefficients were used to study correlations between subjective and objective oral health in the adolescents at school level. Gender differences in adolescents' subjective and objective oral health were estimated using a logistic regression model. The correlations between epidemiological index registrations and self-perceived oral health were weak. The strongest correlations were found between epidemiological indices and self-perceived gingival bleeding: 0.416 between the DS (decayed surfaces) index and self-perceived bleeding. Girls were less likely to be satisfied with the appearance of their teeth than boys were in municipalities with clinical good oral health OR 0.76 (95% CI 0.59-0.98) and with poor clinical oral health OR 0.74 (CI 0.57-0.94). No gender differences were found in the epidemiological index registrations. The currently used epidemiological indices did not reflect adolescents' own perceptions of their oral health at school level and they could not recognize or identify gender differences. Surveillance of oral health in young people should include information on self-perceived oral health.
An Investigation of Individual Flow State Experience and Satisfaction: The Case of Scenario Paintball

AN INVESTIGATION OF INDIVIDUAL FLOW STATE EXPERIENCE AND SATISFACTION: THE CASE OF SCENARIO PAINTBALL Christopher F. S. Goldbecker, MS George Mason University, 2013 Thesis Director: Dr. R. Pierre Rodgers This research was undertaken to examine flow as a motivational concept in scenario paintball. Flow theory, as presented by Csikszentmihalyi (1990), is a psychological state of mind and focus found in optimally performing individuals in sports and other activities. Flow comprises nine different dimensions resulting in an optimal experience; these include: challenge-skill balance, action-awareness merging, clear goals, unambiguous feedback, concentration on the task at hand, sense of control, loss of selfconsciousness, transformation of time, and autotelic experience. Using the Flow State Scale the dimensions of flow were measured in participating scenario paintball players, as were behavior and demographic characteristics (e.g., players’ years of experience, team affiliation, satisfaction, and social interactions). The difference among respondents on the basis of demographic characteristics was found to be minimal in terms of flow with the exception of the dimension of having clear goals. The researcher found that respondents who played on scenario teams scored significantly higher in the clear goals dimension of flow. The researcher was able to identify significant correlations between flow and satisfaction. The satisfaction of individual play, and with paintball venues, field set-up, level of performance by one’s team, and the game’s level of challenge were significantly correlated to flow scores. All participants scored high levels of flow and satisfaction with no differences on the basis of experience or team affiliation. Given the high and consistent rates of flow reported by respondents, it is understood that scenario paintball is a gripping and visceral activity that offers flow aspects to all ages and skill sets and ultimately impacts the satisfaction level of players.
Social capital and behavior change in rural Nicaragua

Background: Maternal and child malnutrition continue to affect the health and wellbeing of the poor in Nicaragua. CARE’s Window of Opportunity Program is a global initiative to promote, protect and support optimal infant and young child feeding (IYCF) and related maternal nutrition (rMN) practices. This study sought to identify how social capital can be used to inform a behavior change communication (BCC) strategy related to maternal and child health (MCH). Methods: Seventeen in-depth interviews (IDIs) and two focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted in the rural northern departments of Matagalpa and Jinotega with pregnant and lactating women and community health workers (CHWs). Interview data were coded by the primary investigator and a team member for inter-coder reliability. First coding was conducted to determine the initial themes in the data and second coding confirmed patterns. Results: Findings revealed interplay between machismo and women’s participation in and attitudes toward community activities related to health. Although women perceive community participation as beneficial for knowledge about health, they are largely inhibited by machismo, thus creating lessened autonomy over health decisions. CHWs provide a source of structural social capital for women, but they are inhibited by the voluntary nature of their work and interpersonal issues related to the majority percentage of male CHWs. Since there are high levels of cognitive social capital within the target communities, women feel they are able to trust their neighbors and talk about health topics. Conclusions: This study provides implications of social capital for more sustainable MCH programs in Nicaragua. Collaboration with existing structural social capital institutions may provide MCH behavior change by strengthening the health communication network. CHWs can act as change agents to build social capital in these hard-to-reach communities. Public health professionals should work toward increasing social capital in the communities in which they work as a means to a low-resource tool for behavior change. Running head: Social capital and behavior change in rural Nicaragua Table of
Inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in HepG2 cells by artichoke extracts is reinforced by glucosidase pretreatment

High‐dose aqueous extracts from artichoke leaves were found to inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis from 14C‐acetate rather moderately in HepG2 cells in contrast to primary cultured rat hepatocytes in which the inhibition was stronger. Preincubation of the extracts with several glycohydrolases revealed that pretreatment with β‐glucosidase considerably reinforced the inhibition. A significant reduction of acetate incorporation was found above extract concentrations of 0.01 mg/mL and at 0.2 mg/mL almost 60% inhibition was observed. Cytotoxic effects detected by the MTT‐assay were restricted to higher concentrations of the extracts with and without β‐glucosidase pretreatment. Since cynaroside represents a major glucoside in artichoke extracts, both cynaroside and its aglycone luteolin were tested. It could be demonstrated that cynaroside is indeed one of the targets of β‐glucosidase and that the liberated luteolin is responsible for the inhibitory effect. Direct measurements of β‐glucosidase activity in rat hepatocytes and HepG2 cells revealed that endogenous enzyme activity in hepatocytes may be sufficient to convert cynaroside to its aglycone, while in HepG2 cells this may not be the case. These findings emphasize the importance of β‐glucosidase‐dependent liberation of luteolin for the ability of artichoke extracts to inhibit hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Serum or bile affects the in vitro azole susceptibilities of Candida spp.

Drug susceptibility tests were performed with a series of Candida spp. in media supplemented with serum or bile. The azole susceptibilities of several medically important Candida spp. , including C. albicans but not C. parapsilosis, were significantly reduced in supplemented media. These findings have important implications for the mechanisms of acquired azole resistance in pathogenic fungi.
Antiperoxidative, antithyroidal, antihyperglycemic and cardioprotective role of Citrus sinensis peel extract in male mice

An extract of Citrus sinensis (CS) peel was evaluated for its efficacy in ameliorating L‐thyroxine (L‐T4) induced tissue lipid peroxidation (LPO), hyperthyroidism and hyperglycemia in mice. In a preliminary investigation, of the three different doses of CS (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50.0 mg/kg) peel extract, 25 mg/kg was found to be the most effective and antiperoxidative, while 50 mg/kg was proved to be hepatotoxic. Therefore in the pilot experiment the effects of 25 mg/kg/day of CS for 10 days were studied in L‐T4 induced hyperthyroid animals. L‐T4 (500 µg/kg/day for 10 days) increased the levels of thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) with a concomitant increase in serum glucose concentration, alpha‐amylase activity, heart/body weight ratio (HW/BW), kidney/body weight ratio (KW/BW) and cardiac as well as hepatic LPO. However, it decreased the concentration of different serum lipids such as total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C), low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) and very low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL‐C). Administration of CS extract (25 mg/kg/day) in hyperthyroid animals reversed most of these observations revealing the ameliorating potential of CS extract against various adverse effects of hyperthyroidism. It appears that the test extract primarily acts through its antioxidative/free radical‐scavenging, antithyroidal and HDL‐C stimulating properties. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining. The Sovereign Crisis and Italian Potential Output

This paper evaluates the direct and indirect effects of the sovereign debt crisis on Italy’s potential output. The direct effects are captured by the increase in the interest rate paid by Italian borrowers in the second half of 2011, the indirect effects by the policy responses to the crisis (fiscal consolidation and structural reforms). Using a New Keynesian dynamic general equilibrium model, we compute potential output as the “natural” level of output in the absence of nominal price and wage rigidities. The evaluation posits a no-crisis scenario in line with the pre-2011 potential output projections and government budget rules. We find first that the fiscal and financial shocks that caused the 2011-2013 recession subtracted 1.6 percentage points from potential output growth, while the structural reforms in 2013 have limited the reduction in output capacity to about 1.4 points; second, that the structural reforms have a long-run growth-enhancing impact on potential output of around 3 points from now to 2030; and third, that once budget balance is achieved in the medium term (2019), reductions in either labor or capital income taxes would boost potential output growth by about 0.2 points per year.
Optimization of Growth Methods and Recombinant Protein Production in BTI‐Tn‐5B1‐4 Insect Cells Using the Baculovirus Expression System

A novel insect cell line from Trichoplusia ni, BTI‐Tn 5B1‐4 (Tn 5), was compared to Spodoptera frugiperda, Sf 9, cells for production of two recombinant secreted proteins: truncated Epstein‐Barr viral attachment protein (EBV gp105) and truncated, soluble tissue factor (sTF). Under optimum conditions for both cell lines, Tn 5 cells produced 28‐fold more secreted sTF than Sf 9 cells, respectively, on a per cell basis. The total production of gp105 was similar for the two cell lines. However, Tn5 cells secreted gp105 much more efficiently, resulting in 5‐fold higher levels in the extracellular medium. Despite these increases, Tn 5 cells are attachment‐dependent, and protein production is sensitive to the cell density (cells/cm2), unlike the Sf9 cell line which can be easily grown and scaled up in cell suspension cultures without significantly affecting its per cell production. Thus, protein production from Tn 5 cells above 0.1L scales was optimized with respect to cell density using standard techniques for the growth of attachment‐dependent cells. Roller bottles precoated with DEAE‐based microcarriers and suspension cultures employing collagen‐coated microcarriers were found to be effective ways of culturing Tn 5 cells. Predetermined optimal cell densities were used to produce EBV gp105 in microcarrier‐coated roller bottles or in suspension cultures using collagen‐coated microcarriers at concentrations close to those observed in tissue culture flasks.
Pharmacogenetics of MicroRNAs and MicroRNAs Biogenesis Machinery in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Despite the clinical success of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy, toxicity is frequent. Therefore, it would be useful to identify predictors of adverse effects. In the last years, several studies have investigated the relationship between genetic variation and treatment-related toxicity. However, most of these studies are focused in coding regions. Nowadays, it is known that regions that do not codify proteins, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), may have an important regulatory function. MiRNAs can regulate the expression of genes affecting drug response. In fact, the expression of some of those miRNAs has been associated with drug response. Genetic variations affecting miRNAs can modify their function, which may lead to drug sensitivity. The aim of this study was to detect new toxicity markers in pediatric B-ALL, studying miRNA-related polymorphisms, which can affect miRNA levels and function. We analyzed 118 SNPs in pre-miRNAs and miRNA processing genes in association with toxicity in 152 pediatric B-ALL patients all treated with the same protocol (LAL/SHOP). Among the results found, we detected for the first time an association between rs639174 in DROSHA and vomits that remained statistically significant after FDR correction. DROSHA had been associated with alterations in miRNAs expression, which could affect genes involved in drug transport. This suggests that miRNA-related SNPs could be a useful tool for toxicity prediction in pediatric B-ALL.
Predictors of Response to Lithium and Triiodothyronine Augmentation of Antidepressants in Tricyclic Non-responders

Although both lithium and triiodothyronine (T3) augmentation strategies may be rapid, safe, and effective ways of treating patients who fail to respond to tricyclics, little is known about the clinical or biochemical correlates of response. We examined clinical and endocrine variables which distinguished T3 and lithium responders from each other and from non-responders in a post-hoc analysis of two studies involving 51 subjects who had received these augmentation strategies under double-blind conditions. Lithium non-responders were more severely depressed and had more insomnia and weight loss than responders. T3 responders could be distinguished from lithium responders by greater weight loss. There were no reliable clinical differences between T3 responders and non-responders. Thyroid function tests did not differ between any of the treatment or response groups. Our findings suggest that clinical but not endocrine variables may distinguish responders to these two augmentation strategies.
Antibiotic use among children in British Columbia, Canada.

BACKGROUND In North America use of second-generation macrolides such as clarithromycin and azithromycin is popular due to favourable dosing and adverse event profiles. However, studies have also shown that use of second-generation macrolides promotes carriage of macrolide-resistant nasopharyngeal and oral streptococci. The present study was undertaken to characterize overall antibiotic use including macrolide antibiotics among children in British Columbia. METHODS Population-based data from British Columbia were analysed to determine antibiotic prescribing patterns for outpatient prescriptions from 1996 to 2003. Antibiotic prescription rates per 1000 children per year were evaluated by age (0-4, 5-9, 10-14, <15 years old), sex and physician diagnosis. RESULTS From 1996 to 2003, the overall BC prescription rate in children <15 years old decreased by one-third from 720 to 488 per 1000 children. The decrease in the rate of antibiotic consumption over time was seen across all age strata; however, the largest decrease (33%) was seen in children between the ages of 0-4 years. From 1996 to 2003, use of penicillins and cephalosporins decreased by 40% and 30%, respectively. This trend of decreasing antibiotic use with beta-lactams was seen in all age groups but the greatest decline was in the age group of 0-4 years (P value <0.05). During this time, macrolide use increased significantly (24%) from 102 to 126 per 1000 children (P value <0.001). This increase was seen in all age groups but again the greatest increase was seen in children of age between 0 and 4 years. Within the macrolides, use of erythromycin decreased by 72% (from 83 to 23 per 1000 children) while clarithromycin use increased by almost 3-fold (18-67 per 1000 children) and azithromycin use increased 81-fold (0.4-35 per 1000 children). In 2003, antibiotics were primarily being used for the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections, acute otitis media and bronchitis. CONCLUSIONS Overall antibiotic use has declined in children; however, there is increased use of macrolides which may have ramifications on macrolide-resistant streptococci, including Streptococcus pneumoniae and group A streptococci. A large proportion of antibiotic use in children is for upper respiratory tract infections and bronchitis, indications where there is a high likelihood that the aetiology is viral rather than bacterial.
The transfer of uninsured patients from academic to community primary care settings.

OBJECTIVES To use the administrative capacity of a health maintenance organization to enroll uninsured patients at an academic health center into a coordinated care program in which patients were assigned to community primary care physicians over 3 years. STUDY DESIGN Observational case study of a cohort of 2389 patients enrolled for at least 1 year and cross-sectional observations for all enrollees. METHODS Among 18,336 eligible patients enrolled in the program between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2003, a total of 2389 patients were continuously enrolled before and after the inauguration of the program. RESULTS Over the 3-year study, most of the eligible uninsured patients were successfully enrolled in community-based practices. For the cohort studied, reductions were observed in the proportions of enrollees with inpatient hospitalizations (17.6% vs 13.8%) and with emergency department visits (73.9% vs 42.9%) (P <.001 for both). Although the rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations were not reduced for the before-and-after cohort, utilization rates per 1000 enrollees declined for the overall program. CONCLUSIONS Contractual arrangements with community physicians were used to augment primary care capacity for uninsured patients. Although per-member hospitalizations and use of the emergency department did not improve for the cohort studied, declines were observed for the program overall when examined by study year. Using community primary care physicians to coordinate care for the uninsured seems to reduce emergency department use and hospitalizations.
Movement cueing and motor execution in patients with dystonia: A kinematic study

To investigate whether the type of movement cueing influences motor performance in patients with dystonia, we studied externally triggered (ET) and self‐initiated (SI) sequential rapid arm movements in patients with generalized or focal dystonia and healthy control subjects. The ET task required subjects to initiate movements in response to consecutive visual cues; the SI task allowed them to start at will. To determine whether patients found sequential motor tasks more difficult than single tasks, we also analyzed single ET movements. Control subjects performed the SI task significantly faster than the ET task. Their single ET movements and first ET sequential submovements had similar speeds. Patients with generalized dystonia were slow in performing the single movement, the ET and the SI sequential tasks, and they executed the SI sequence more slowly than the ET. They made long pauses between SI sequential submovements, had longer reaction times during the ET sequences, and performed the first ET submovement more slowly than the single ET movement. Patients with focal dystonia had normal reaction times but they performed single and sequential tasks slowly, made long pauses during SI tasks, and also executed the first ET submovement more slowly than the single ET movement. Our findings indicate that patients with dystonia have a general impairment of sequential movements. The more marked slowness in executing SI than ET movements observed in patients with generalized dystonia shows that dystonia impairs internal cueing more than external cueing mechanisms. Overall, these findings imply abnormal activation of primary and nonprimary motor areas during movement in dystonia. The greater impairment of SI tasks as well as the delayed motor responses during ET task suggest predominant underactivity of the supplementary motor area.