Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinically significant blunt cardiac trauma: role of serum troponin levels combined with electrocardiographic findings.

BACKGROUND The true importance of blunt cardiac trauma (BCT) is related to the cardiac complications arising from it. Diagnostic tests that can predict accurately if such complications will develop or not may allow early and aggressive monitoring or early discharge. We investigated the role of two simple and convenient tests, serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and electrocardiogram (ECG), when used to identify patients at risk of cardiac complications after BCT. METHODS Over a 10-month period, 115 patients with evidence of significant blunt thoracic trauma were prospectively followed to identify the presence of clinically significant BCT (Sig-BCT), defined as cardiogenic shock, arrhythmias requiring treatment, or structural cardiac abnormalities directly related to the cardiac trauma. An ECG was obtained at admission and at 8 hours. Cardiac troponin I was measured at admission, at 4 hours, and at 8 hours. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed when clinically indicated. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of ECG and cTnI to identify Sig-BCT were calculated. Clinical risk factors for Sig-BCT were examined by univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS Nineteen patients (16.5%) were diagnosed with Sig-BCT and, in 18 of them, symptoms presented within 24 hours of admission. Abnormal electrocardiographic findings were detected in 58 patients (50%) and elevated cTnI levels in 27 (23.5%). Electrocardiography and cTnI had positive predictive values of 28% and 48% and negative predictive values of 95% and 93%, respectively. However, when both tests were abnormal (positive) or normal (negative), the positive and negative predictive values increased to 62% and 100%, respectively. Other independent risk factors for Sig-BCT were head injury, spinal injury, history of preexisting cardiac disease, and a chest Abbreviated Injury Score greater than 2. CONCLUSION The combination of ECG and cTnI identifies reliably the presence or absence of Sig-BCT. Patients with an abnormal ECG and cTnI need close monitoring for at least 24 hours. Patients with a normal admission ECG and cTnI can be safely discharged in the absence of other injuries.
Does environmental stress affect insect‐vectored parasite transmission?

In some insects, the cost of parasitic infection can be sufficient to elicit natural selection against competent hosts (Yan et al., 1997). This tendency may be compensated for by increased parasite susceptibility being linked to environmental stress. Obvious examples of variable environmental stress include insecticide selection from disease control operations and seasonal stress through heat and dehydration in some insect species. Vectorial capacity (i.e. the ability of mosquitoes to ingest parasites and to promote their maturation until the infective stage) and the rate of insect survival until parasite maturation (Failloux et al., 1995), can differ geographically according to insect strain (Crans, 1973; McGreevy et al., 1982). The sandfly, Phlebotomus papatasi, transmits cutaneous leishmaniasis in desert and savannah regions of the Old World, where seasonal stress and dehydration reduces the quantity of sugar in plant leaves that is available for insect feeding. Selection for hunger tolerance has produced a population of P. papatasi that has sufficient longevity from feeding on the sugar depleted leaves to deposit their eggs and transmit Leishmania (Schlein & Jacobson, 2000). This inherited trait may alter the insects' physiology and disrupt the interaction between insect and parasite, altering the insects' susceptibility to infection. A similar effect of selection for hunger tolerance on susceptibility to Leishmania major infection occurs in Jordanian P. papatasi (Schlein & Jacobson, 2001).
Finite Element Approximations of Wave Maps into Spheres

Three fully discrete finite element methods are developed for approximating wave maps into the sphere based on two different approaches. The first method is an explicit scheme and the numerical solution satisfies the sphere-constraint exactly at every node. The second and third methods are implicit schemes which are based on a penalization approach, their numerical solutions satisfy the sphere-constraint approximately, and the quality of approximations is controlled by a small penalization parameter. Discrete energy conservation laws which mimic the underlying differential conservation law are established, and convergence of all proposed methods is proved. Computational experiments are also provided to validate the proposed methods and to present numerical evidence for possible finite-time blow-ups of the wave maps.
Effect of repeated intradermal injections of heat‐inactivated Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette–Guérin in adult asthma

Background There are a number of reports in the Chinese medical literature from the last 30 years regarding the efficacy of repeated doses of heat‐inactivated bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) in established asthma. There is also epidemiological and experimental evidence that exposure to mycobacteria has the potential to suppress the development of asthma/atopy.
Molecular Interactions between Albumin and Proximal Tubular Cells

In glomerular diseases the filtration of excess proteins into the proximal tubule, together with their subsequent reabsorption may represent an important pathological mechanism underlying progressive renal scarring. The most prominent protein in glomerular filtrate, albumin, is reabsorbed by receptor-mediated endocytosis by proximal tubular cells. It binds both to scavenger-type receptors and to megalin in the proximal tubule. Some of these receptors appear to be shared with other cell types, particularly endothelial cells. The endocytic uptake of albumin is subjected to complex hormonal and enzymatic regulation. In addition to being reabsorbed in the proximal tubule, albumin may act as a signalling molecule in these cells, and may induce the expression of numerous pro-inflammatory genes. Modulation of the interaction of albumin with proximal tubular cells may eventually prove to be of therapeutic importance in the treatment of renal diseases.
Gaap Versus the Street: An Empirical Assessment of Two Alternative Definitions of Earnings

Managers, security analysts, investors, and the press rely increasingly on modified definitions of GAAP net income, known by such names as “operating” and “pro forma” earnings. We document this phenomenon and discuss competing explanations for the recent rise in the use of such modified earnings numbers and implications for the interpretation of related accounting research. Our results show that over the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in the frequency and magnitude of cases where “GAAP” and “Street” earnings differ. Further, there is a very strong bias toward the reporting of a Street earnings number that exceeds the GAAP earnings number. We also show that the market response to the Street earnings number has displaced GAAP earnings as a primary determinant of stock prices. Finally, through an analysis of earnings releases, we show that management has taken a proactive role in defining and emphasizing the Street number when communicating to analysts and investors.
The primary feather lengths of early birds with respect to avian wing shape evolution

We examine the relationships between primary feather length (fprim) and total arm length (ta) (sum of humerus, ulna and manus lengths) in Mesozoic fossil birds to address one aspect of avian wing shape evolution. Analyses show that there are significant differences in the composition of the wing between the known lineages of basal birds and that mean fprim (relative to ta length) is significantly shorter in Archaeopteryx and enantiornithines than it is in Confuciusornithidae and in living birds. Based on outgroup comparisons with nonavian theropods that preserve forelimb primary feathers, we show that the possession of a relatively shorter fprim (relative to ta length) must be the primitive condition for Aves. There is also a clear phylogenetic trend in relative primary feather length throughout bird evolution: our analyses demonstrate that the fprim/ta ratio increases among successive lineages of Mesozoic birds towards the crown of the tree (‘modern birds’; Neornithes). Variance in this ratio also coincides with the enormous evolutionary radiation at the base of Neornithes. Because the fprim/ta ratio is linked to flight mode and performance in living birds, further comparisons of wing proportions among Mesozoic avians will prove informative and certainly imply that the aerial locomotion of the Early Cretaceous Confuciusornis was very different to other extinct and living birds.
Short-Term Stability of Pathogen-Specific Nucleic Acid Targets in Clinical Samples

ABSTRACT The stability of pathogen-specific DNA or RNA amplification targets in clinical samples following short-term storage at room temperature, 4°C, and −80°C was assessed by real-time PCR. In purified nucleic acid extracts, both DNA and RNA targets were stable for up to 30 days, irrespective of storage temperature. In unextracted samples, temperature-dependent loss of targets (P < 0.05) was observed in serum and cerebrospinal fluid specimens, while no changes were observed for EDTA blood samples.
Diacidic Motifs Influence the Export of Transmembrane Proteins from the Endoplasmic Reticulum in Plant Cellsw⃞

In yeast and mammals, amino acid motifs in the cytosolic tails of transmembrane domains play a role in protein trafficking by facilitating export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, little is known about ER export signals of membrane proteins in plants. Therefore, we investigated the role of diacidic motifs in the ER export of Golgi-localized membrane proteins. We show that diacidic motifs perform a significant function in the export of transmembrane proteins to the Golgi apparatus, as mutations of these signals impede the efficient anterograde transport of multispanning, type II, and type I proteins. Furthermore, we demonstrate that diacidic motifs instigate the export of proteins that reside in the ER due to the lengths of their transmembrane domains. However, not all of the diacidic motifs in the cytosolic tails of the proteins studied were equally important in ER export. Transport of Golgi proteins was disrupted only by mutagenesis of specific diacidic signals, suggesting that the protein environment of these signals affects their function. Our findings indicate that diacidic ER export motifs are present and functional in plant membrane proteins and that they are dominant over transmembrane domain length in determining the export of proteins from the ER in plant cells.
Increased Risk of Genital Ulcer Disease in Women During the First Month After Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy

Introduction:Genital ulcer disease (GUD) is common in HIV-1-infected women, and a small number of studies have suggested increased GUD risk after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. To better define this risk, we monitored 134 women at ART initiation and monthly thereafter. Methods:Women were evaluated monthly for genital ulcers. Syphilis serology was tested quarterly, and chancroid culture was performed on ulcers that were felt to be clinically consistent with a diagnosis of chancroid. A logistic model with generalized estimating equations was used to analyze predictors of GUD from baseline until 6 months after ART initiation. Results:During the study period, GUD occurred in 54 women (40.3%) at 85 visits (10.0%). GUD prevalence was 9.7% at baseline, increased to 16.7% at month 1 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.9 (1.0-3.6), P = 0.04], then decreased to 6.4% by month 6. History of GUD [aOR 3.8 (1.9-7.7), P < 0.001) and CD4 count <100 [aOR 1.8 (1.0-3.4), P = 0.06] were associated with increased risk of GUD after ART initiation. Discussion:Women experience increased risk of GUD in the first month after ART initiation, particularly if they have low CD4 counts or a history of GUD.
A Clinical Trial Comparing Tapering Doses of Buprenorphine With Steady Doses for Chronic Pain and Coexistent Opioid Addiction

Objectives:Effective strategies are needed to manage individuals with chronic noncancer pain and coexistent opioid addiction. This study compared opioid discontinuation and opioid replacement protocols. Methods:We planned to enroll 60 individuals into an open-label trial who had been treated with opioids for chronic noncancer pain, and who also had opioid addiction. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two 6-month treatment protocols of buprenorphine/naloxone sublingual tablets: (1) tapering doses for opioid weaning or “detoxification” (active comparator group) or (2) steady doses for opioid replacement (experimental group). They were followed up monthly for the study outcomes: completion of the 6-month treatment protocol and self-reported pain control, physical functioning, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use. Results:Enrollment was terminated after enrolling 12 participants because none of the 6 assigned to receive tapering doses could successfully complete the protocol (5 were given steady doses and 1 was admitted to an inpatient chemical dependency treatment program), whereas of the 6 assigned to receive steady doses, 5 completed the protocol (1 withdrew). This difference between the 2 treatment conditions was significant (P = 0.015). Of the 10 participants who completed the 6-month follow-up, 8 reported improved pain control and physical functioning and 5 used alcohol and/or illicit drugs. Conclusions:We conclude that during 6 months, these participants with chronic pain and coexistent opioid addiction were more likely to adhere to an opioid replacement protocol than an opioid weaning protocol and that opioid replacement therapy with steady doses of buprenorphine/naloxone is associated with improved pain control and physical functioning.
Bayesian analyses demonstrate tissue blood volume is not decreased during acute sickle cell pain episodes: A preliminary study.

BACKGROUND Pain is the most common complication of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD). Tissue oximetry properties in SCD during steady state and acute pain are not well described. METHODS This was a cross sectional study of tissue oximetry properties in individuals with SCD during steady state, acute pain and healthy controls without SCD. A novel tissue oximetry device was used to better account for tissue pigmentation interference. We hypothesized that during acute SCD pain, blood volume to painful areas would be at least 10% less than steady state. Bayesian analyses of the data (with flat piors) were planned a priori because of the small projected sample size. RESULTS The sample included 14 individuals (4 during crisis, 5 steady state, and 5 controls). In individuals with SCD, blood volume to the lower back was higher during crisis (0.18% of tissue volume vs. 0.14% ). Bayesian analyses yielded a 3% probability that our hypothesis (that blood volume would decrease by 10% ) was correct. CONCLUSIONS During acute SCD pain, blood volume to painful areas is not decreased. Bayesian analyses were useful for interpretation of small sample data and may have utility in early phase trials for rare diseases.
Overcoming graft rejection in heavily transfused and allo‐immunised patients with bone marrow failure syndromes using fludarabine‐based haematopoietic cell transplantation

Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) can cure a variety of non‐malignant haematological disorders. Although transplant outcomes for selected patients with severe aplastic anaemia (SAA) and paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) have improved, older age, allo‐immunisation from transfusions, prior immunosuppressive therapy and a prolonged time from diagnosis to transplantation are associated with worse outcome. Because of its potent immunosuppressive effects, we investigated a fludarabine‐based non‐myeloablative conditioning regimen in patients with transfusion‐dependent non‐malignant haematological disorders at increased risk for graft rejection with conventional transplant conditioning. Twenty‐six patients with transfusion dependent/anti‐thymocyte globulin (ATG)‐refractory SAA, PNH or pure red cell aplasia underwent HCT from a human leucocyte antigen (HLA)‐compatible relative. Transplant conditioning consisted of cyclophosphamide (120 mg/kg) and fludarabine (125 mg/m2) with or without ATG. Ciclosporine, alone or combined with mycophenolate mofetil or methotrexate, was used as graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis. All patients achieved durable engraftment and transfusion‐independence. Twenty‐four of 26 patients are alive at a median of 21 months following transplantation. Although a high cumulative incidence of acute (65% grades II–IV, 54% grades III–IV) and chronic GVHD (56%) was observed, only one patient died from transplant‐related causes (cumulative incidence 7%). These data show that HCT following fludarabine‐based non‐myeloablative conditioning results in durable engraftment and excellent survival in SAA and PNH patients at high risk for graft rejection.
Transcriptional upregulation and unmethylation of the promoter region of p16 in invasive basal cell carcinoma cells and partial co‐localization with the γ2 chain of laminin‐332

Basal cell carcinoma cells show low proliferation rates at the invasive front and a concordant upregulation of the cdk‐inhibitor p16, limiting proliferative capacity. Little is known about the mechanisms of p16 regulation in normal and malignant cells apart from that many transcription factors such as Ets1, Ets2, SP1, SP3, JunB and the polycomb protein Bmi1 have the potential to induce or repress p16 expression. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine how p16 is regulated in basal cell carcinoma with special focus on its upregulation in invasive cells. By analysing various microdissected areas of basal cell carcinoma using real‐time quantitative PCR we observed upregulation of p16 mRNA in invasive tumour cells compared to centrally localized tumour cells. The methylation status of the p16 promoter, analysed by methylation‐specific PCR, also showed diminished methylation in tumour cells at the invasive front, supporting the hypothesis that promoter methylation can affect the transcriptional activation of p16 in vivo. There was only sporadic co‐localization of Ets, or ERK1/2 phosphorylation with p16 upregulation at the invasive front, suggesting that these factors were not directly involved in the regulation of p16. Furthermore, the γ2 chain of laminin‐332 has been reported to be increased at the invasive front compared to the central areas of many tumours. Interestingly, in basal cell carcinoma we observed partial co‐localization between p16 and the γ2 chain of laminin‐332 in tumour cells towards areas of ulceration and in the majority of clearly infiltrative tumour cells but not in p16 positive tumour cells with a more pushing invasive growth pattern. These data suggest that concurrent p16 upregulation and decreased proliferation are more general phenomena in different types of invasive growth patterns in basal cell carcinomas and that these only partially overlap with the γ2 chain of laminin‐332 associated invasion patterns. Copyright © 2007 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imidazolopiperazines: Lead Optimization of the Second-Generation Antimalarial Agents

On the basis of the initial success of optimization of a novel series of imidazolopiperazines, a second generation of compounds involving changes in the core piperazine ring was synthesized to improve antimalarial properties. These changes were carried out to further improve the potency and metabolic stability of the compounds by leveraging the outcome of a set of in vitro metabolic identification studies. The optimized 8,8-dimethyl imidazolopiperazine analogues exhibited improved potency, in vitro metabolic stability profile and, as a result, enhanced oral exposure in vivo in mice. The optimized compounds were found to be more efficacious than the current antimalarials in a malaria mouse model. They exhibit moderate oral exposure in rat pharmacokinetic studies to achieve sufficient multiples of the oral exposure at the efficacious dose in toxicology studies.
α-Synuclein Induces Alterations in Adult Neurogenesis in Parkinson Disease Models via p53-mediated Repression of Notch1*

Background: α-Synuclein accumulation alters adult neurogenesis by down-regulation of Notch1. Results: p53 is a negative regulator of Notch1 transcription, and interaction with α-synuclein further represses Notch1 expression. Conclusion: p53 mediates the α synuclein-induced alterations of adult neurogenesis. Significance: This might be the first link between p53 effects and aberrant neurogenesis in synucleopathies. Parkinson disease is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons mainly in the substantia nigra. Accumulation of α-synuclein and cell loss has been also reported in many other brain regions including the hippocampus, where it might impair adult neurogenesis, contributing to nonmotor symptoms. However, the molecular mechanisms of these alterations are still unknown. In this report we show that α-synuclein-accumulating adult rat hippocampus neural progenitors present aberrant neuronal differentiation, with reduction of Notch1 expression and downstream signaling targets. We characterized a Notch1 proximal promoter that contains p53 canonical response elements. In vivo binding of p53 represses the transcription of Notch1 in neurons. Moreover, we demonstrated that α-synuclein directly binds to the DNA at Notch1 promoter vicinity and also interacts with p53 protein, facilitating or increasing Notch1 signaling repression, which interferes with maturation and survival of neural progenitors cells. This study provides a molecular basis for α-synuclein-mediated disruption of adult neurogenesis in Parkinson disease.
Coco Design, Risk Shifting and Financial Fragility

Contingent convertible capital (CoCo) is a debt instrument that converts to equity or is written off if the issuing bank fails to meet a distress threshold. The conversion increases the issuer's loss-absorption capacity, but results in wealth transfers between CoCo holders and shareholders, which may change risk-shifting incentives to shareholders. Higher risk increases the probability of CoCo conversion, while lowering the wealth transfer. We show that for Principal-Write-Down (PWD) CoCos, the net effect is to always increase risk-shifting incentives, while for equity-converting CoCos, it depends on the extent of dilution after conversion. We integrate the analysis in a game-theoretic optimal capital regulation framework and show that use of PWD or insuffciently dilutive CE CoCos requires higher capital requirements for given asset structure to offset the rising risk-shifting incentives these instruments give rise to.
Effects of September 11Th Terrorism Stress on Estimated Duration

Previous research has suggested that the duration of stressful video material is estimated to be longer than one containing less stressful material. The current study sought to examine what effects viewing news coverage of the September 11th 2001 terrorist attacks might have on estimated duration of exposure. 16 participants were recruited from Saint Joseph's College of Maine psychology courses and viewed two 3-min. video clips. One clip contained coverage of the 9–11 terrorist attacks; the other, a nonstressful control, was taken from a familiar segment of The Wizard of Oz. Participants estimated the length of the clip and rated stress experienced while viewing the clip. Analysis showed the September 11th footage was rated as more stressful and was estimated as longer than the control clip.