Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Vaginal progesterone after tocolytic therapy in threatened preterm labor

Objective: The aim of this study was retrospective evaluation of progesterone efficacy in pregnant patients with preterm uterine contractions. Material: 190 women hospitalized at 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, in 2007–2010, with symptoms of threatened preterm labor were enrolled in the study. 94 women were treated with tocolytics and steroids (control group), while 96 women received additionally 200 mg of progesterone vaginally until delivery or 34th weeks of gestation (progesterone group). Results: The mean gestational age at admission was 27 weeks in progesterone group and 28 weeks in control group. Cervical length was similar in both groups. There were no significant differences in week of delivery between groups, but the progesterone group had significant increase in prolongation of pregnancy (7.6 versus 6.3 weeks, p = 0.039). Vaginal progesterone was associated with reduction of delivery before 34 weeks (9.8% versus 35.3%; p = 0.002) and neonatal birth weight <1500 g (3.2% versus 20.6%; p = 0.011) only in patients presenting with uterine contractions after 27 weeks. Conclusion: The administration of vaginal progesterone after tocolysis in threatened preterm labor is associated with prolongation of pregnancy. The reduction of deliveries before 34 weeks was observed in patients presenting with contractions after 27 weeks gestation.
cysQ, a gene needed for cysteine synthesis in Escherichia coli K-12 only during aerobic growth

The initial steps in assimilation of sulfate during cysteine biosynthesis entail sulfate uptake and sulfate activation by formation of adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate, conversion to 3'-phosphoadenosine 5'-phosphosulfate, and reduction to sulfite. Mutations in a previously uncharacterized Escherichia coli gene, cysQ, which resulted in a requirement for sulfite or cysteine, were obtained by in vivo insertion of transposons Tn5tac1 and Tn5supF and by in vitro insertion of resistance gene cassettes. cysQ is at chromosomal position 95.7 min (kb 4517 to 4518) and is transcribed divergently from the adjacent cpdB gene. A Tn5tac1 insertion just inside the 3' end of cysQ, with its isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-inducible tac promoter pointed toward the cysQ promoter, resulted in auxotrophy only when isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside was present; this conditional phenotype was ascribed to collision between converging RNA polymerases or interaction between complementary antisense and cysQ mRNAs. The auxotrophy caused by cysQ null mutations was leaky in some but not all E. coli strains and could be compensated by mutations in unlinked genes. cysQ mutants were prototrophic during anaerobic growth. Mutations in cysQ did not affect the rate of sulfate uptake or the activities of ATP sulfurylase and its protein activator, which together catalyze adenosine 5'-phosphosulfate synthesis. Some mutations that compensated for cysQ null alleles resulted in sulfate transport defects. cysQ is identical to a gene called amtA, which had been thought to be needed for ammonium transport. Computer analyses, detailed elsewhere, revealed significant amino acid sequence homology between cysQ and suhB of E. coli and the gene for mammalian inositol monophosphatase. Previous work had suggested that 3'-phosphoadenoside 5'-phosphosulfate is toxic if allowed to accumulate, and we propose that CysQ helps control the pool of 3'-phosphoadenoside 5'-phosphosulfate, or its use in sulfite synthesis.
Evaluation of sample extraction methods for minimizing hematocrit effect on whole blood analysis with volumetric absorptive microsampling.

AIM Volumetric absorptive microsampler (VAMS) was designed to sample a fixed volume of blood regardless of the hematocrit (HCT) levels. Model compounds with a wide range of hydrophobicity were evaluated for their extraction recoveries from VAMS dried blood samples. RESULTS For the highly hydrophobic compounds, recoveries with methanol or methanol/acetonitrile extraction were higher compared with using the aqueous mixture of methanol or acetonitrile. Extraction with methanol/acetonitrile (1:1) yielded more consistent recovery across the HCT range of 20-70% than using methanol alone, with good linearity, accuracy and precision achieved from 1 to 2000 ng/ml. CONCLUSION An organic solvent sample preparation approach was developed to optimize extraction recovery and minimize the HCT effect on the analysis of VAMS dried blood samples.
A change point method for Phase II monitoring of generalized linear profiles

ABSTRACT In this article, we adopt the change point approach to monitor the generalized linear profiles in phase II Statistical process control (SPC). Generalized linear profiles include a large class of profiles defined in one framework. In contrast to the conventional change point approach, we adopt the Rao score test rather than the likelihood ratio test. Simulated results show that our approach has a good performance over any possible single step change in process parameters for two special cases of generalized linear profiles, namely Poisson and binomial profiles. Some diagnostic aids are also given and a real example is introduced to shed light on the merits of our approach in real applications.
Persistent-Current Magnetization Effects in High-Field Superconducting Accelerator Magnets

Magnetic field changes in superconducting filaments are shielded by the so-called persistent currents. These currents produce field errors, which are particularly important at low energy level, where the effect is stronger compared to the field generated by the transport current. For the next generation of particle accelerators, magnetic fields higher than 10 T are needed, requiring the use of Nb3Sn as superconductor. Due to the larger filament size (typically ten times larger than in the Nb-Ti Large Hadron Collider dipoles) and higher current density, strand magnetization effects shall be carefully studied. This paper presents an analysis on the expected field errors due to persistent currents in a 16-T dipole magnet. We briefly discuss the method and compare with experimental results on the 11-T Nb3Sn dipole for the Hi-Luminosity upgrade. The model is then used to predict the persistent-current effects for different coil layouts and strand characteristics in a 16-T dipole.
Expression of chitin synthase genes during yeast and hyphal growth phases of Candida albicans

Chitin, the β1,4‐linked polymer of N‐acetylglucosamine, is a fibrous polysaccharide that in many yeasts helps to maintain the structure of the mother‐bud junction and in filamentous fungi is often the major supporting component of the cell wall. We have previously described a Candida albicans chitin synthase, CHS1. The DNA and derived protein sequences of a second gene, CHS2, are presented and compared with previously published gene sequences. Northern blot analysis shows that strikingly different levels of synthase 1 and 2 expression occur during yeast and hyphal phases of Candida growth.
Diet, physical activity, and bone density in soldiers before and after deployment.

PURPOSE To investigate diet, physical activity, and bone mineral density (BMD) in combat service support Soldiers before and after deployment, and to determine if any components of diet or physical activity impacted BMD. DESIGN Fifty-three Soldiers participated in the study. The BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine were measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Diet was assessed using the Block Food Frequency Questionnaire. Physical activity was assessed using the Baecke Habitual Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS The BMD of the spine (0.79%; P=.03) increased significantly during deployment. Reported physical activity at work (-10.76%; P=.01) decreased and vitamin K intake increased (37.21%; P=.01). Soldiers did not meet the dietary reference intake for vitamin D and exceeded the dietary reference intakes for all other nutrients. No significant relationships were observed between change in diet or physical activity and change in BMD. CONCLUSION Due to the small sample size, we could not determine if deployment impacted BMD, diet, or physical activity in combat service support Soldiers. Future research should focus on investigating the association between lower levels of physical activity, inadequate diet, and decreased BMD in larger military populations.
Antipyretic effect of oral sodium salicylate after an intravenous E. coli LPS injection in broiler chickens

1. A study was set up to investigate the influence of sodium salicylate on fever and acute phase reaction after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection in broiler chickens. 2. An acute phase reaction was provoked through the intravenous injection of Escherichia coli LPS. Four oral doses of sodium salicylate were tested. Apart from body temperature, other inflammation indices, such as plasma corticosterone and ceruloplasmin, serum thromboxane B2 and zinc concentrations were monitored. 3. Intravenous LPS induced a fever of about 1°C. A dose-dependent attenuation of the fever response of the chickens in the salicylate treated groups was observed. LPS-injected chickens also showed elevated plasma corticosterone and ceruloplasmin, while serum thromboxane and zinc concentrations decreased. Except for thromboxane B2, no linear relationship with increasing salicylate dose could be shown for the other blood variables. 4. These data confirm that sodium salicylate is an effective antipyretic agent after injection of LPS in chickens, if used at an appropriate dosage. No dose-related change could be found for the other inflammation indices.
Effects of home care on caregivers' psychosocial status.

PURPOSE To examine changes in the psychosocial status of caregivers of post-surgical patients with cancer, and how their status was affected by (a) whether caregivers had physical problems of their own, and (b) whether the patient received a home care intervention. Many studies in this area to date have not included sufficient measurement points to identify fluctuations in psychosocial status over time. In addition, many have used caregiver health as an outcome rather than a predictor. DESIGN Longitudinal, randomized trial using a sample of 161 caregivers of cancer patients being treated at one large university hospital in the northeastern United States, 1993-1996. Half the patients were randomly assigned to receive a standardized home-care nursing intervention. The population of interest was caregivers of patients who were (a) diagnosed with a solid-tumor cancer within the past 2 months, (b) age 60 or older, (c) hospitalized for surgical treatment of the cancer and expected to live at least 6 months, and (d) had a complex problem at hospital discharge. All caregivers were living with the patient at time of discharge. METHODS Data were collected in structured interviews administered at the time of the patients' discharge and approximately 3 and 6 months later. Psychosocial status was measured using the Caregiver Reaction Assessment and the CES-Depression scale. A repeated-measures analysis of variance was performed for each psychosocial measure, using as factors Time (i.e., interview 1, 2, or 3), Group (treatment and control), and Caregiver Physical Problem. FINDINGS Overall, psychosocial status improved from baseline to 3 months, and was about the same at 6 months. Among caregivers with physical problems, the psychosocial status of those in the treatment group declined compared to those in the control groups in the 3 months after discharge; an opposite pattern was observed in the following 3 months. CONCLUSIONS People who are caregivers for cancer patients and have physical problems of their own are at risk for psychologic morbidity, which may have a delayed onset. This delay may reflect the replacement of an initial optimism with discouragement as the reality of long-term illness sets in. Home care may create a situation in which caregivers are required to confront the realities of long-term caregiving quickly, cutting short their initial optimism, but also preparing them for what is to come.
Focal 9p instability in hematologic neoplasias revealed by comparative genomic hybridization and single‐nucleotide polymorphism microarray analyses

Copy number losses in chromosome arm 9p are well‐known aberrations in malignancies, including leukemias. The CDKN2A gene is suggested to play a key role in these aberrations. In this study overviewing 9p losses in hematologic neoplasias, we introduce the term focal 9p instability to indicate multiple areas of copy number loss or homozygous loss within a larger heterozygous one in 9p. We have used microarray comparative genomic hybridization to study patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, n = 140), acute myeloid leukemia (n = 50), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (n = 20), and myelodysplastic syndromes (n = 37). Our results show that 9p instability is restricted to ALL. In total, 58/140 (41%) patients with ALL had a loss in 9p. The 9p instability was detected in 19% of the patients with ALL and always included homozygous loss of CDKN2A along with loss of CDKN2B. Other possibly important genes included MTAP, IFN, MLLT3, JAK2, PTPLAD2, and PAX5. 13/27 (48%) patients with the instability had the BCR/ABL1 fusion gene or other oncogene‐activating translocation or structural aberrations. Two patients had homozygous loss of hsa‐mir −31, a microRNA known to regulate IKZF1. IKZF1 deletion at 7p12.1 was seen in 10 (37%) patients with the 9p instability. These findings suggest that, in ALL leukemogenesis, loss of CDKN2A and other target genes in the instability region is frequently associated with BCR/ABL1 and IKZF1 dysfunction. The multiple mechanisms leading to 9p instability including physical or epigenetic loss of the target genes, loss of the microRNA cluster, and the role of FRA9G fragile site are discussed. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
The Debate over Doing Good: Corporate Social Performance, Strategic Marketing Levers, and Firm-Idiosyncratic Risk

Marketers and investors face a heated, provocative debate over whether excelling in social responsibility initiatives hurts or benefits firms financially. This study develops a theoretical framework that predicts (1) the impact of corporate social performance (CSP) on firm-idiosyncratic risk and (2) the role of two strategic marketing levers, advertising and research and development (R&D), in explaining the variability of this impact among different firms. The results show that higher CSP lowers undesirable firm-idiosyncratic risk. Notably, although the salutary impact of CSP is greater in firms with higher (versus lower) advertising, a simultaneous pursuit for CSP, advertising, and R&D is harmful with increased firm-idiosyncratic risk. For theory, the authors advance the literature on the marketing–finance interface by drawing attention to the risk-reduction potential of CSP and by shedding new light on some critical but neglected roles of strategic marketing levers. They also extend CSP research by moving away from the long-fought battle for a universal CSP impact and toward a finer-grained understanding of when some firms derive more risk-reduction benefits from CSP. For practice, the results indicate that the “goodwill refund” of CSP is not unconditional. They also empower marketers to communicate more effectively with investors (i.e., doing good to better manage the risk surrounding firm stock prices).
Administration guidelines for radioimmunotherapy of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma with 90Y-labeled anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody.

TO THE EDITOR: With interest we read the review article concerning administration guidelines of radioimmunotherapy with 90Y-ibritumomab (1). It is a significant step for nuclear medicine to have a new therapeutic radiopharmaceutical available. As stated by the authors, it will alter the role of the nuclear medicine physician in oncologic care. Therefore we would like to stress a point that is related not to radiation safety but to direct patient care. Because the article deals with the administration of 90Y-ibritumomab, we would like to highlight the potential hazards accompanying the administration of a (radiolabeled) antibody. The article mentions that patients can have chills, fever, and even anaphylactic reactions, but we think this point needs more attention. These side effects may be observed in more than half the non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients treated with biologically active monoclonal antibodies (2,3). Therefore, it is essential that patients receive premedication, consisting of an antihistaminic drug and acetaminophen, before actual infusion of the antibodies, to reduce the incidence and seriousness of these side effects. Still, severe respiratory events may occur, especially during the first infusion of the monoclonal antibodies. Therefore, the presence of corticosteroids, antihistamines, and epinephrine is mandatory during and after administration of the antibodies. Despite the fact that these side effects may mainly be observed by the hematologist during the rituximab infusion, which precedes the infusion with 90Y-ibritumomab, it is essential for nuclear medicine physicians to be aware of, and know how to deal with, possible side effects during infusion and during the first hours after infusion of either the unlabeled or the labeled antibodies. We fully agree with the authors that radioimmunotherapy is a multidisciplinary treatment in which the nuclear medicine physician will be primarily responsible for administration of the radiolabeled antibodies and for radiation safety. Nevertheless, it is important to realize that the physical and physiologic reactions to treatment with monoclonal antibodies are as important as radiation safety in this respect.
MOTIVATION TO SEEK PSYCHOTHERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT DEPRESSIVE DISORDER

Fifty-five hospital-treated patients with the ICD-10 diagnosis of recurrent depressive episode(s) were classified according to the Newcastle Depressive Diagnostic Scale as having either psychogenic (n = 25) or endogenous (n = 30) depression and interviewed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview and the Questionnaire for Assessment of Motivation to Seek Psychotherapy. The two groups were found to differ significantly from one another in two Motivation to Seek Psychotherapy subscales (“layman’s etiology” and “general expectations from therapy”). The motivation to seek psychotherapy was greater in patients with psychogenic depression than in patients with endogenous depression. Nonetheless, psychotherapy is indispensable in treating endogenous depression, especially for patients under situational stress or at risk of suicide.
Viral therapy: Prospects for protease inhibitors

Antiviral activities of known protease inhibitors were assayed in virus‐infected cell cultures. Some members of the cystatin superfamily, in particular chicken cystatin, were able to block virus replication. In a binding assay, using purified components, chicken and human cystatin were able to bind poliovirus protease with affinities which were reflected in their relative anitviral potencies. Prospects for application of protease inhibitors in clinical viral infections are discussed.
Comparison of cephalometric norms of esthetically pleasing faces.

OBJECTIVE To establish cephalometric norms of a sample of aesthetically pleasing Pakistani faces and to analyze differences and similarities with accepted standards for Caucasians. STUDY DESIGN Analytical cross sectional study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY Carried out at Alvi Dental Hospital, Karachi, from August 2007 to February 2008. METHODOLOGY Cephalometric tracings were analyzed on a sample of 40 (20 males and 20 females) Pakistani young adults, aged 18-25 years, with full complement of permanent teeth, no previous orthodontic treatment and pleasing profile. To check the reliability of the measurements, 20 randomly selected cephalograms were retraced. None of the measurements showed a significant difference. Student's 't' test was applied for overall group comparisons. P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS When compared with some classical standards, the results suggest that the Pakistani sample had greater cranial lengths (p < 0.001), shorter faces anteriorly (p < 0.001), and tended towards bimaxillary dental protrusion with more prominent chin (p < 0.001). Males had greater antero-posterior, horizontal and vertical measurements (p < 0.001). Females showed more dental protrusion (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Comparisons revealed statistically significant differences in most variables between Pakistanis and Caucasians and between Pakistani males and females. Pakistanis have distinct cephalometric features, which should be used as a reference in treating Pakistani orthodontic and orthognathic surgery patients.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa quorum‐sensing response in the absence of functional LasR and LasI proteins: the case of strain 148, a virulent dolphin isolate

Abstract Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that presents a complex regulatory network called ‘quorum‐sensing’, which is responsible for the transcription of genes coding for several traits implicated in its pathogenicity. Strain 148 is a dolphin isolate that has been shown to produce quorum‐sensing‐regulated virulence traits and to be virulent in a mouse model, despite the fact that it contains a 20‐kbp deletion that eliminates from the chromosome the lasR gene and the lasI promoter. LasR is a key quorum‐sensing transcriptional regulator that, when coupled with the autoinducer 3‐oxo‐dodecanoyl homoserine lactone (3O‐C12‐HSL) produced by LasI, activates transcription of genes coding for some virulence‐associated traits such as elastase, lasI, rhlI and rhlR. RhlR is also a key quorum‐sensing transcriptional regulator that, when interacting with the autoinducer butanoyl homoserine lactone (C4‐HSL) that is produced by the synthase RhlI, activates the genes involved in the synthesis of some virulence‐associated traits, as rhamnolipids and pyocyanin. We describe that in P. aeruginosa 148, the LasR/3O‐C12‐HSL‐independent rhlR transcriptional activation is due to the release of the negative effect of Vfr (a CRP‐ortholog) caused by the insertion of an IS element in vfr, and that rhlI transcription is driven from the rhlR promoter, forming the rhlR‐I operon.
Crisis Response Information Networks

In the past two decades, organizational scholars have focused significant attention on how organizations manage crises. While most of these studies concentrate on crisis prevention, there is a growing emphasis on crisis response. Because information that is critical to crisis response may become outdated as crisis conditions change, crisis response research recognizes that the management of information flows and networks is critical to crisis response. Yet despite its importance, little is known about the various types of crisis information networks and the role of IT in enabling these information networks. Employing concepts from information flow and social network theories, this paper contributes to crisis management research by developing four crisis response information network prototypes. These networks are based on two main dimensions: (1) information flow intensity and (2) network density. We describe how considerations of these two dimensions with supporting case evidence yield four prototypical crisis information response networks: Information Star, Information Pyramid, Information Forest, and Information Black-out. In addition, we examine the role of IT within each information network structure. We conclude with guidelines for managers to deploy appropriate information networks during crisis response and with suggestions for future research related to IT and crisis management.