Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Augmented TNF‐α and IL‐10 production by primed human monocytes following interaction with oxidatively modified autologous erythrocytes

The presence of dysfunctional/damaged red blood cells (RBCs) has been associated with adverse clinical effects during the inflammatory response. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether oxidatively modified, autologous RBCs modulate monocyte cytokine responses in humans. Monocyte tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) and IL‐10 production was measured in whole blood from healthy volunteers using ELISA and flow cytometry. Oxidatively modified RBCs (15 mM phenylhydrazine, 1 h, OX‐RBC) or vehicle‐treated RBCs (VT‐RBC) opsonized by autologous serum were administered alone or in combination with one of three priming agents: E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.2 ng/ml), zymosan A (1 mg/ml), or phorbol 12‐myristate 13‐acetate (PMA, 50 ng/ml). OX‐RBC or VT‐RBC alone did not result in the release of TNF‐α or IL‐10. LPS, zymosan, and PMA caused marked and dose‐dependent increases in TNF‐α and IL‐10 production. Addition of OX‐RBC augmented the LPS‐, zymosan‐, and PMA‐induced TNF‐α release by approximately 100%. OX‐RBC augmented LPS‐ and zymosan‐induced IL‐10 release by 400–600%. Flow cytometry analyses showed that monocytes were responsible for TNF‐α and IL‐10 production in whole blood. The presence of OX‐RBC alone increased the complexity of CD14+ monocytes but caused no cytokine production. LPS alone induced cytokine production without altering cell complexity. After the combined (OX‐RBC+LPS) treatment, monocytes of high complexity were responsible for TNF‐α production. The presence of mannose or galactose (at 10–50 mM) did not alter the observed augmentation of cytokine production by OX‐RBC, suggesting that lectin receptors are not involved in the response. These studies indicate that the interaction between damaged autologous erythrocytes and monocytes has a major impact on the cytokine responses in humans. An augmented cytokine production by the mononuclear phagocyte system may adversely affect the clinical course of injury and infections especially in genetic or acquired RBC diseases or after transfusions.
[Thermachoice thermal balloon therapy--a 10-year-experience].

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectivness of a global method of endometrium ablation--Thermachoice (Gynecare; Johnson & Johnson) baloon therapy in treatment of excessive uterine bleeding. Our 10-year-long-experience is presented. DESIGN Retrospective study. SETTINGS Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, First faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General Teaching Hospital, Prague. METHODOLOGY AND RESULTS 109 patients were treated in our depatment from November 1997 till the end of the year 2007. The pacients were contacted personally, over the phone and by sending questinnaires. 92 women (84.4%) were included into the evaluation group after twelve month and after 5 years there were 54 women. The group was mostly formed by seriously polymorbid patients. The average age was 41.6 years. In the twelve-month-follow-up there were 38 percent amenorrheic, five years later there were 63 percent of them. 13 women (14%) ended with hysterectomy--two pacients without any connection with the operation. In 3 cases there was a therapeutic cycle failure, because the acquired intrauterine pressure was not reached. In one case of the monstrous obese woman, after a longer period form the operation there was a carcinoma of the endometrium found out. Two women after the termoablation became pregnant: the first one non-voluntarily, she decided for the arteficial abortion and then the hysterectomy, the second one, despite the fact, that she had been fully informed, underwent the IVF therapy and at the age of 37 she delivered by the Cesarian section in the 36-week-old pregnancy the healthy girl weighing 2900 gramms. With one patient--a young woman the operation was combined with uterine artery embolisation (UAE)--and that is why she was excluded. 51.5% of all operations were perfomed without general anestesia. There was no serious complication in the observed group. CONCLUSION The big advantage of the second generation ablation methods is the possibility to realise the operation without the general anestesia and with the minimum discomfort for the patient. Another favourable circumstance was the shorter determined operating time and lower percentage of complications in comparison with the first generation methods. The big benefit is mainly for the seriously polymobid pacients.
The Relationship between Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and Bone Density, Osteocalcin Level and Growth in Adolescents

ABSTRACT Background/Objective: The relationship between vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms and bone density, osteocalcin and growth was investigated. Subjects: Eighty eight adolescents aged between 8-15, with no history of illness influencing the level of bone parameters, were examined in our study. Methods: Areal BMD for lumbar spine (L1-4) was assessed by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Height and weight were measured on the day of the DEXA scans. Serum osteocalcin level was determined by using ELISA method. DNA was extracted from white blood cells, amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the polymorphic sites were analyzed by using ApaI, TaqI and FokI restriction enzymes. Results: The most frequent genotypes were FF (% 54.6), Aa (% 53.4) and Tt (% 48.8). No significant relationship was found between VDR genotypes and areal BMD, osteocalcin level or growth in either sex. But there was a strong tendency for a higher BMD at the lumbar spine of TT and AA genotypes compared to tt and Aa genotypes. The children with TT genotype were taller and heavier than the children with tt genotype. Conclusion: Our results suggest that VDR gene TaqI polymorphism may be associated with body weight and bone mass, but more studies with larger groups should be conducted.
Advances in the treatment of anorexia nervosa: a review of established and emerging interventions

Abstract Background Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a disabling, deadly and costly mental disorder. Until recently, treatment recommendations were based on expert opinion and limited evidence. The aim of this systematic review is to synthesise recent evidence on established and emerging AN treatments and to forecast trends for future developments. Methods We systematically review trials of established treatments and associated process outcome studies from the last 5 years, published since a previous review in this journal. ‘Established’ treatments were those that are widely used in AN, recommended by guidelines and/or have been tested in at least one large randomised controlled trial. Secondly, we summarise emerging treatments for AN, i.e. those that have only been (or are currently being) tested in proof-of concept, feasibility or pilot trials. Results We identified 19 published trials of established treatments (15 of high or moderate quality), mostly assessing psychological therapies (n = 17). We also found 11 published trials of emerging treatments, and a total of 34 registered, as yet unpublished trials. Promising emerging treatments include cognitive remediation therapy, exposure therapy and non-invasive neuromodulation. Conclusions Evidence generation on the treatment of AN has dramatically accelerated, with our understanding of the role of family-based approaches for adolescents more nuanced and a range of psychological approaches available for the treatment of adults. Evidence on emerging treatments and from forthcoming trials suggests that there is a shift towards more targeted brain-based interventions. Future studies need to focus on elucidating mechanisms of action of treatments and what works best for whom.
STUDI FIKIH DI PERGURUAN TINGGI: Kajian Model Pembelajaran Andragogi

Constraint s often encountered by lecturers in educating students is still attached pedagogical mentality like students of secondary education; has not moved on andragogical mentality like a college student. These constraints can be found in the context of basic principles of andragogy. As a library research, this paper examines the data sources in the form of literature relevant to Islamic law (fiqh) studies and andragogy (adult education). The study results in six models of andragogical learning for the development of Islamic law (fiqh) courses in higher education. First, the learning model of “learn how to know” that emphasizes aspects of epistemology to increase students’ curiosity (need to know). Second, independent learning model that emphasizes student activeness in learning. Third, experiential based learning model , especially literature and field research practice, to foster inclusive thinking. Fourth, actual life -based learning model , either related to worship or muamalat. Fifth, contextual learning model to find alternative solutions to real life problems from the perspective of Islamic law (fiqh). Sixth, the learning model to develop students’ intrinsic motivation.
Modelling pathways of alpha-chymotrypsin activation and deactivation.

The conformational change of alpha-chymotrypsin from an inactive, chymotrypsinogen like structure at high pH to an active conformation around pH 8.5 is used here as a model system to generate possible pathways for the transition by use of two different theoretical methods. One method, the 'targeted molecular dynamics' algorithm (TMD) adds a constraint in the direction of the target to a molecular dynamics force field and gives two different paths, one for every direction of the reaction (Schlitter,J., Engels,M., Krüger,P.J., Mol. Graphics (1994) 12, 84-89). The second method, the 'self penalty walk' algorithm (SPW), refines an initially guessed path by minimizing the sum of the energies of its structures (Elber,R. and Karplus,M., Chem. Phys. Lett. (1987) 139, 375-380). Thus, starting from a linear path as a first approximation, it produces a reaction coordinate of the transition. The structures of the TMD and SPW paths are similar only in the beginning while the middle part of the SPW path links the two TMD branches. The activation of alpha-chymotrypsin in the TMD path starts with a movement of loop VII (residues 215-225), pulling on loop VI (residues 186-194). Then the side chain of Met192 turns to the surface and Ile16 approaches Asp194 to form a salt bridge. In the TMD deactivation path, loop VII also moves and pushes loop VI to the protein core. The Met192 side chain adopts three intermediate conformations, till the salt bridge Ile16-Asp194 is broken and loop VI rearranges to its final conformation. In the SPW pathway both the formation of the salt bridge and the movement of Met192 happen simultaneously between two consecutive steps.
Industry specialization of private equity firms: a source of buy-out performance heterogeneity

Abstract This study sheds new light on the industry specialization of private equity (PE) firms as a source of buy-outs’ performance and on the conditions under which these firms can add value to the buy-outs in which they invest. Advantages to specialization are based on specific resources and capabilities that confer the PE funds advantages both in the pre- and post-transaction phases. We argue that the magnitude of the advantages to industry specialization will depend on the criticality of these specific resources for buy-outs’ performance improvements. Industry specialization will confer advantages when the target company is weakly or strongly performing before the buy-out because, in that context, performance improvements are more difficult to reach. The analysis is based on a sample of 217 PE-backed buy-outs completed in France between 2001 and 2007. The results show that relative specialization in the industry of the buy-out company results in profit increases of 7.5% greater than buy-outs backed by non-industry-specialized PE firms. Industry specialization also contributes to target company growth, especially when performance improvements are difficult to reach. Besides, the magnitude of the positive industry specialization effect varies between PE firms. This result emphasizes industry specialization as a strategic variable by illustrating heterogeneity in the ability to construct a competitive advantage.
Thermal stability of liquid antioxidative extracts from pomegranate peel.

BACKGROUND Liquid extracts from pomegranate peel have the potential for use as natural antioxidant products. This study investigates the quality changes of liquid extracts before and after thermal treatment during sterilization and storage. Liquid pomegranate peel extracts were prepared, sterilized under ultra-high temperature (UHT) at 121 °C for 10 s and then stored at three temperatures (4, 25 and 37 °C) for up to 180 days. The industrial, color, UV-visible spectrum profile and antioxidant (phenolics) characteristics were measured. RESULTS Thermal sterilization treatment had no negative effects on the industrial, color, spectral and antioxidant characteristics of the extracts. After 180 days, the extracts stored at 4 °C retained 67% of the initial total soluble phenolic content and 58% of the original scavenging activity. The major antioxidant components in the extracts (stored at 4 °C for 180 days) were gallic acid, punicalagin A, punicalagin B and ellagic acid having concentrations of 19.3, 197.2, 221.1 and 92.4 mg L⁻¹, respectively. CONCLUSION The results show that liquid pomegranate peel extracts had acceptable thermal stability after sterilization and storage. The recommended storage condition of this product was low temperature.
The Economic Impact of Natural Disasters in Pacific Island Countries: Adaptation and Preparedness

Pacific island countries are highly vulnerable to various natural disasters which are destructive, unpredictable and occur frequently. The frequency and scale of these shocks heightens the importance of medium-term economic and fiscal planning to minimize the adverse impact of disasters on economic development. This paper identifies the intensity of natural disasters for each country in the Pacific based on the distribution of damage and population affected by disasters, and estimates the impact of disasters on economic growth and international trade using a panel regression. The results show that 'severe' disasters have a significant and negative impact on economic growth and lead to a deterioration of the fiscal and trade balance. We also find that the negative impact on growth is stronger for more intense disasters. Going further this paper proposes a simple and consistent method to adjust IMF staff's economic projections and debt sustainability analysis for disaster shocks for the Pacific islands. Better incorporating the economic impact of natural disasters in the medium- and long-term economic planning would help policy makers improve fiscal policy decisions and to be better adapted and prepared for natural disasters.
Prevalence of airway obstruction assessed by lung function questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the prevalence of unidentified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and determine the screening accuracy of the Lung Function Questionnaire (LFQ). PATIENTS AND METHODS Cigarette smokers who had a smoking history of 10 or more pack-years and were aged 30 years or older were recruited from 36 centers from February 18, 2009, to May 29, 2009. A total of 1575 patients completed a Web-based survey including the 5-item LFQ. Spirometry was performed on patients with an LFQ total score of 18 or less and on a subset scoring more than 18. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients at risk of airflow obstruction as measured by the LFQ (score, ≤ 18) in whom an airflow obstruction was confirmed by spirometry. RESULTS Of the patients who completed the LFQ, 849 (54%) had standardized spirometry data available. On the basis of LFQ and spirometry results, the estimated prevalence of possible COPD was 17.9% (95% confidence interval, 15.3%-20.6%). At a cut point of 18 or less, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the LFQ were 88%, 25%, 21%, and 90%, respectively. Approximately 1 in 5 patients (21%) aged 30 years or older and 1 in 4 (26%) aged 50 years or older scored 18 or less on the LFQ and had a ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second of expiration to forced vital capacity less than 0.70. CONCLUSION On the basis of postbronchodilator spirometry results using weighted estimates, approximately 1 in 5 patients (21%) aged 30 years or older with a smoking history of 10 or more pack-years seen in a primary care setting is likely to have COPD. The LFQ could be a helpful COPD case-finding tool for clinicians to identify patients who need further evaluation. TRIAL REGISTRATION clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01013948.
Investigation on Mycobacterium tuberculosis Diversity in China and the Origin of the Beijing Clade

Background Investigation of the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in China has shown that Beijing genotype strains play a dominant role in the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic. In order to examine the strain diversity in the whole country, and to study the evolutionary development of Beijing strains, we sought to genotype a large collection of isolates using different methods. Methodology/Principal Findings We applied a 15-loci VNTR typing analysis on 1,586 isolates from the Beijing municipality and 12 Chinese provinces or autonomous regions. The data was compared to that of 900 isolates from various other worldwide geographic regions outside of China. A total of 1,162/1,586 (73.2%) of the isolates, distributed into 472 VNTR types, were found to belong to the Beijing genotype family and this represented 56 to 94% of the isolates in each of the localizations. VNTR typing revealed that the majority of the non-Beijing isolates fall into two genotype families, which represented 17% of the total number of isolates, and seem largely restricted to China. A small number of East African Indian genotype strains was also observed in this collection. Ancient Beijing strains with an intact region of difference (RD) 181, as well as strains presumably resembling ancestors of the whole Beijing genotype family, were mainly found in the Guangxi autonomous region. Conclusions/Significance This is the largest M. tuberculosis VNTR-based genotyping study performed in China to date. The high percentage of Beijing isolates in the whole country and the presence in the South of strains representing early branching points may be an indication that the Beijing lineage originated from China, probably in the Guangxi region. Two modern lineages are shown here to represent the majority of non-Beijing Chinese isolates. The observed geographic distribution of the different lineages within China suggests that natural frontiers are major factors in their diffusion.
Crystal Structure of UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanyl-d-glutamate:meso-Diaminopimelate Ligase from Escherichia Coli *

UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanyl-d-glutamate:meso-diaminopimelate ligase is a cytoplasmic enzyme that catalyzes the addition of meso-diaminopimelic acid to nucleotide precursor UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanyl-d-glutamate in the biosynthesis of bacterial cell-wall peptidoglycan. The crystal structure of the Escherichia coli enzyme in the presence of the final product of the enzymatic reaction, UDP-MurNAc-l-Ala-γ-d-Glu-meso-A2pm, has been solved to 2.0 Å resolution. Phase information was obtained by multiwavelength anomalous dispersion using the K shell edge of selenium. The protein consists of three domains, two of which have a topology reminiscent of the equivalent domain found in the already established three-dimensional structure of the UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-l-alanine: D-glutamate-ligase (MurD) ligase, which catalyzes the immediate previous step of incorporation of d-glutamic acid in the biosynthesis of the peptidoglycan precursor. The refined model reveals the binding site for UDP-MurNAc-l-Ala-γ-d-Glu-meso-A2pm, and comparison with the six known MurD structures allowed the identification of residues involved in the enzymatic mechanism. Interestingly, during refinement, an excess of electron density was observed, leading to the conclusion that, as in MurD, a carbamylated lysine residue is present in the active site. In addition, the structural determinant responsible for the selection of the amino acid to be added to the nucleotide precursor was identified.
International practices, beliefs and values in not-for-profit financial reporting

ABSTRACT Financial reporting is an important aspect of not-for-profit organisations’ (NPOs’) discharge of accountability, particularly for donations and funding. Nevertheless, NPO financial reporting lacks a global approach. Drawing on a multi-national study this paper utilises a pattern-matching methodology to capturing institutional logics. We uncover tension between NPO financial reporting practice (underpinned by symbolic and material carriers of a local financial reporting logic), and a majority believe that NPO international financial reporting standards should be developed and followed. Conflict between local practice and stakeholder beliefs is evident. Significant belief differences across key stakeholder groups will likely impact the NPO financial reporting development. HIGHLIGHTS The call for international standards for financial reporting for not-for-profit entities is strongly supported. Yet this project is beset by contested logics in respect of notions of the purpose of financial reporting, comparability and how reports should be prepared. Beliefs that powerful regulators and legislators are likely influential agents for internationalising NPO financial reporting change, conflict with notions that individual nations can effect change.
Body Fat Percentile Curves for Korean Children and Adolescents: A Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2010

A valid assessment of obesity in children and adolescents is important due to significant change in body composition during growth. This study aimed to develop percentile curves of body fat and fat free mass using the Lambda, Mu, and Sigma method, and to examine the relationship among body mass index (BMI), fat mass and fat free mass in Korean children and adolescents, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2009-2010. The study subjects were 834 for boys and 745 for girls aged between 10 and 18 yr. Fat mass and fat free mass were measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The patterns of development in body fat percentage, fat mass and fat free mass differed for boys and girls, showing a decreased fat mass with an increased fat free mass in boys but gradual increases with age in girls. The considerable proportion of boys and girls with relatively normal fat mass appeared to be misclassified to be at risk of overweight based on the BMI criteria. Therefore, the information on the percentiles of body fat and fat free mass with their patterns would be helpful to complement assessment of overweight and obesity based on BMI for Korean children and adolescents.
There and Back Again: A Simple Theory of Planned Return Migration

We present supportive empirical evidence and a new theoretical explanation for the negative selection into planned return migration between similar regions in Germany. In our model costly temporary and permanent migration are used as imperfect signals to indicate workers' high but otherwise unobservable skills. Production thereby takes place in teams with individual skills as strategic complements. Wages therefore are determined by team performance and not by individual skill, which is why migration inflicts a wage loss on all workers, who expect the quality of their co-workers to decline. In order to internalise this negative migration externality, which leads to sub-optimally high levels of temporary and permanent migration in a laissez-faire equilibrium, we propose a mix of two policy instruments, which reduce initial outmigration while at the same time inducing later return migration.