Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Institutional variations in frequency of discharge of elderly intensive care survivors to postacute care facilities

Objective:To examine variations in the frequency of discharge of elderly patients to postacute care facilities across multiple intensive care units and identify the influence of institutional and patient factors on the frequency of postacute care discharge. Design:Observational cohort study. Setting:Consecutive admissions from 65 intensive and coronary care units in 24 US hospitals during 2002-2008. Each hospital had a clinical information system in place. Patients:A total of 13,370 admissions in patients aged ≥65 yrs who were alive at hospital discharge and met inclusion criteria. Interventions:None. Measurements and Main Results:Demographic, clinical, diagnostic, and physiological variables were obtained on all patients. In addition, information for each hospital and intensive care unit was recorded. Among hospital survivors, 46.2% were discharged to postacute care facilities with a range of 8.8-77.8%. A multivariable logistic regression model was developed that predicted discharge to a postacute care facility. The major variables affecting postacute care discharge were diagnosis, day 5 physiology, and day 5 therapy; these variables accounted for 61% of the model's explanatory power. Patient age, hospital bed size, teaching status, and intensive care unit type also affected postacute care discharge. Physiology and therapy on day 1 had little impact on postacute care discharge. The model accounted for only 31% of the variation in rates across intensive care units, indicating that unmeasured factors play a part in dictating discharge location. Conclusion:Discharge of elderly intensive care unit patients to postacute care facilities varies widely by institution. These variations are only partially explained by differences in patient and institutional characteristics and are affected more by diagnosis and physiology on day 5, respectively. Unmeasured factors such as admission from a postacute care facility, postacute care availability, patient preferences, and socioeconomic factors may account for unexplained variations in postacute care discharge.
Arsenic induces apoptosis in B‐cell leukaemic cell lines in vitro: activation of caspases and down‐regulation of Bcl‐2 protein

We showed that arsenic inhibited the cell growth of four B‐cell leukaemia cell lines of 11 various cell lines in vitro. In two of these four lines, KOCL44 and LyH7, apoptosis was identified by morphological and nucleosomal DNA fragmentation studies. Three of the four B‐cell lines that were growth inhibited were acute infantile leukaemia with t(11;19)(q23;p13) translocations involving the MLL gene that encodes the transcriptional factor Drosophila trithorax. The arsenic‐induced apoptosis in KOCL44 and LyH7 cells was found to be linked to caspases by Western blot and enzymological analyses. The amount of Bcl‐2 was reduced during apoptosis in LyH7 as judged by Western blot analysis. We concluded that combined activation of the caspases and down‐regulation of Bcl‐2 could determine the fate of B‐cell leukaemic cells in response to arsenic.
What helps and hinders women doing well in historically male-dominated careers : a critical incident study

Women working in historically male-dominated careers experience a unique work environment. To date, some research has been conducted on this population, however most studies focus on challenges and barriers to success. Few studies have examined the women who have found success in their work in male-dominated environments. This study explored the experiences of women working in fields dominated by men and aimed to elucidate how these women understand success in their work. The enhanced critical incident technique was used to explore what factors help and hinder the success of 9 women participants working in historically male-dominated careers. Results highlight three main areas: a) the importance of supports outside of work, b) the role that attitude and self-concept has in feeling successful, and c) the relevance of a relational theory of career when working with this population. These results will serve to inform counsellors working in career, policy developers and future research.
PHARMACOKINETICS OF CYCLOSPORINE G IN PATIENTS WITH RENAL FAILURE

The pharmacokinetics of the cyclosporine A (CsA, Sandimmune) analogue Nva2-cyclosporine, or cyclosporine G (CsG) was investigated in 6 patients with terminal renal failure after a 4-hr intravenous infusion (3.5 mg/kg) and after oral administration (600 mg) of the drug. Blood samples were collected up to 38 hr and CsG concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and high-performance liquid chromatography. The resulting pharmacokinetic parameters of CsG were similar to those described for CsA in the same patient population. Based on HPLC determinations, a mean terminal elimination half-life of 18.9 hr was calculated. The total body clearance was 0.55 L/hr/kg, the volume of the central compartment was 0.32 L/kg, and the steady-state volume of distribution was 5.97 L/kg. After oral administration maximum CsG concentrations in blood were reached between 2.5 and 3 hr, and the bio-availability was in the range of 24–55% (mean 36%). The ratios between the polivalent RIA and HPLC determinations were considerably larger after oral dosing than after i.v. infusion. The blood-to-plasma ratio was 1.23, which is smaller than that observed for CsA. These results suggest that in patients undergoing renal transplantation the same dosing strategies can be applied for CsG as have been established for CsA.
Esterase phenotyping in human liver in vitro: specificity of carboxylesterase inhibitors

Abstract 1. Esterases may play a major role in the clearance of drugs with functional groups amenable to hydrolysis, particularly in the case of ester prodrugs. To understand the processes involved in the elimination of such drugs, it is necessary to determine the esterases involved. However, the tools currently available for this enzyme phenotyping are relatively scarce. 2. The work was aimed at summarizing the selectivity of esterase inhibitors for carboxylesterases 1 and 2 (CES1 and CES2) in the human liver to clarify their suitability for esterase phenotyping. Eserine, at around 10 μM, was found to be a highly specific CES2 inhibitor, whereas other esterase inhibitors turned out less selective. When used together with tacrine, which inhibits cholinesterases but not CES, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (inhibitor of paraoxonases), the involvement of the hydrolyzing esterases in the hepatic clearance of a drug can be elucidated. 3. The second approach to esterase phenotyping is based on data from recombinant or isolated esterases, together with relative activity factors, which relate their activities to those of the same enzymes in subcellular fractions. 4. These two approaches will help to characterize the hydrolytic metabolism of drug candidates in a similar manner as practiced routinely for the oxidative metabolism by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Higher anterior knee laxity influences the landing biomechanics displayed by pubescent girls

ABSTRACT Despite an increase in anterior knee laxity (AKL) during the adolescent growth spurt in girls, it is unknown whether landing biomechanics are affected by this change. This study investigated whether pubescent girls with higher AKL displayed differences in their lower limb strength or landing biomechanics when performing a horizontal leap movement compared to girls with lower AKL. Forty-six pubescent girls (10–13 years) were tested at the time of their peak height velocity (PHV). Passive AKL was quantified and used to classify participants into higher (HAKL; peak displacement > 4 mm) and lower (LAKL; peak displacement < 3 mm) AKL groups (n = 15/group). Three-dimensional kinematics, ground reaction forces (GRF) and muscle activation patterns were assessed during a horizontal leap landing. HAKL participants displayed significantly (P < 0.05) reduced hip abduction, increased hip abduction moments, as well as earlier hamstring muscle and later tibialis anterior activation compared to LAKL participants. Girls with HAKL displayed compensatory landing biomechanics, which are suggested to assist the functional stability of their knees during this dynamic task. Further research is warranted, however, to confirm or refute this notion.
Latent Thresholds Analysis of Choice Data with Multiple Bids and Response Options

In many stated preference settings stakeholders will be uncertain as to their exact willingness-to-pay for a proposed environmental amenity. To accommodate this possibility analysts have designed elicitation formats with multiple bids and response options that allow for the expression of uncertainty. We argue that the information content flowing from such elicitation has not yet been fully and efficiently exploited in existing contributions. We introduce a Latent Thresholds Estimator that focuses on the simultaneous identification of the full set of thresholds that delineate an individual's value space in accordance with observed response categories. Our framework provides a more complete picture of the underlying value distribution, the marginal effects of regressors, and the impact of bid designs on estimation efficiency. We show that the common practice of re-coding responses to derive point estimate of willingness-to-pay leaves useful information untapped and can produce misleading results if thresholds are highly correlated.
Using Survey Data to Resolve the Exchange Risk Exposure Puzzle: Evidence from U.S. Multinational Firms

This paper examines the effect of unexpected exchange rate movements on U.S. shareholder wealth. Empirical results based on a sample of 634 U.S. multinational firms (1) confirm previously reported evidence that the disaggregation of the worldwide trade-weighted U.S. dollar exchange rate index into seven region-specific trade-weighted indices increases the precision and significance of exposure estimates; (2) show that models assuming that changes in spot exchange rates are unanticipated are frequently misspecified and, thus, unable to correctly detect the impact of currency movements on firm value; (3) reveal that forward and survey expectations enable us to distinguish between the effect of ‘realized’ and ‘unexpected’ currency movements; and (4) reveal that investors making pricing and hedging decisions prefer to use the information contained in short-term forward and survey expectation rates to the information included in long-term forecasts.
Infection with HIV-2

In 1985 a group of healthy Senegalese whose sera demonstrated much stronger antibody responses to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) than to the HIV type 1 (HIV-1) was first described [1]. In 1986 this new retrovirus was isolated which is now known as HIV type 2 (HIV-2) [23]. Although both HIV-1 and HIV-2 belong to the lentivirus subfamily and their genomic organization is similar [4] HIV-2 is only about 40% similar to HIV-1 in nucleotide sequence and is more closely related to SIV with approximately 75% (or greater see later) nucleotide sequence similarity [4--6]. Although both HIV-1 and HIV-2 can cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome aids the clinical and biological characteristics of infection with these two viruses show substantial differences as well as similarities [7]. In particular HIV-2 is less readily transmitted and is generally less pathogenic than is HIV-1 [89]. In this paper we review what is presently known about HIV-2. (excerpt)
Regulation of G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinases by Caveolin*

G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) have been principally characterized by their ability to phosphorylate and desensitize G protein-coupled receptors. However, recent studies suggest that GRKs may have more diverse protein/protein interactions in cells. Based on the identification of a consensus caveolin binding motif within the pleckstrin homology domain of GRK2, we tested the direct binding of purified full-length GRK2 to various glutathioneS-transferase-caveolin-1 fusion proteins, and we discovered a specific interaction of GRK2 with the caveolin scaffolding domain. Interestingly, analysis of GRK1 and GRK5, which lack a pleckstrin homology domain, revealed in vitro binding properties similar to those of GRK2. Maltose-binding protein caveolin and glutathione S-transferase-GRK fusion proteins were used to map overlapping regions in the N termini of both GRK2 and GRK5 that appear to mediate conserved GRK/caveolin interactions. In vivo association of GRK2 and caveolin was suggested by co-fractionation of GRK2 with caveolin in A431 and NIH-3T3 cells and was further supported by co-immunoprecipitation of GRK2 and caveolin in COS-1 cells. Functional significance for the GRK/caveolin interaction was demonstrated by the potent inhibition of GRK-mediated phosphorylation of both receptor and peptide substrates by caveolin-1 and -3 scaffolding domain peptides. These data reveal a novel mode for the regulation of GRKs that is likely to play an important role in their cellular function.
Low expression of COX‐2, reduced cumulus expansion, and impaired ovulation in SULT1E1‐deficient mice

The SULTlEl‐encoded estrogen sulfo‐transferase (EST) catalyzes sulfation of estrogen, resulting in its inactivation. Reduced fertility observed in SULT1E1 knockout (KO) female mice has previously been attributed to the deleterious effect of chronic exposure to high levels of circulating estrogen on placental function. We herein suggest that, in addition to placental dysfunction, this phenotype demonstrates that an excess of estrogen impairs ovulation. The role of SULT1E1 in ovulation is suggested by the substantially low ovulatory response in hCG‐treated SULT1E1 KO mice;a similar effect was observed when 17β‐estradiol was administered to wild‐type (WT) females. The normal rate of ovulation in SULT1E1 KO females may be restored by PGE2. Along this line, ovaries of human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)‐treated SULT1E1 KO mice expressed low levels of cyclooxy‐genase‐2 (COX‐2) and its downstream TSG6;moreover, their ovaries contained a reduced number of expanded cumuli. Our results demonstrate, for the first time, that estrogen inactivation may allow the expression of COX‐2 and subsequent cumulus expansion, enabling normal ovulation. Our findings may be applied to novel treatments of human ovulatory failure. —Gershon, E. , Hourvitz, A. , Reikhav, S. , Maman, E. , Dekel, N. Low expression of COX‐2, reduced cumulus expansion, and impaired ovulation in SULT1E1‐deficient mice. FASEB J. 21, 1893–1901 (2007)
One-sided dominance in the upper limbs of human fetuses as evidenced by asymmetry in muscle and bone weight.

Although the presence of one-sided dominance in the human upper limbs is a matter of common knowledge, very little is known about anatomical differences in the limbs of the two sides and the factors that determine them. Over the last 3 years studies pertaining to the problem have been carried out in this laboratory, and have cast serious doubt on the validity of some commonly held views on the subject. Contrary to popular assumption it has been shown that dominance in the lower limbs does not usually correspond with that in the upper limbs (Singh, 1970; Chhibber & Singh, 1970). It has been shown that the phenomenon of one-sided limb dominance is far from being a purely human trait and that there is distinct evidence of its presence in the limbs of rabbits and frogs (Singh, 1971). There has been considerable controversy about whether limb dominance is inherited or acquired. This paper presents evidence to show that the individual is born with distinct anatomical differences between the right and left upper limbs, suggesting that the phenomenon of one-sided dominance may be inherited.
Head lice resistant to pyrethroid insecticides in Britain

EDITOR,--Recent anecdotal reports and one clinical study have suggested that head lice found in parts of Israel and France have acquired resistance to the pyrethroid insecticides permethrin and phenothrin. *RF 1, 2, 3* In Britain most failures of treatment reported to us have been attributable to causes other than resistance, including shorter than expected residual protection after treatment with permethrin. When working in north London in January 1994 we obtained lice and hair samples from children whose families had obtained pyrethroid products from more than one country and used them …
Behavior of phase voltages due to faults in radial power systems: An educational tool

A study of the impact of the means of grounding on the voltage sag and swell characterization is presented in this paper. Only temporary overvoltages and undervoltages caused by faults are considered. The voltage divider model is employed, and the symmetrical components are used to obtain the phasor voltages at the point of common coupling as functions of the means of grounding of the system and the distance between the point of common coupling and the fault location. A computational tool that shows the phasor behavior during a fault event is developed. Also, a zone classification is proposed based on the location of voltage vectors depending on the fault type. This zone classification may be a cornerstone for new methods of fault classification and location in future works.
Disentangling the overlap between Tourette's disorder and ADHD.

OBJECTIVE To identify similarities and differences in neuropsychiatric correlates in children with Tourette's syndrome (TS) and those with ADHD. METHOD The sample consisted of children with Tourette's syndrome with ADHD (N = 79), children with Tourette's syndrome without ADHD (N = 18), children with ADHD (N = 563), psychiatrically referred children (N = 212), and healthy controls (N = 140). RESULTS Disorders specifically associated with Tourette's syndrome were obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and simple phobias. Rates of other disorders, including other disruptive behavioral, mood, and anxiety disorders, neuropsychologic correlates, and social and school functioning were indistinguishable in children with Tourette's and ADHD. However, children with Tourette's syndrome plus ADHD had more additional comorbid disorders overall and lower psychosocial function than children with ADHD. CONCLUSIONS These findings confirm previously noted associations between Tourette's syndrome and OCD but suggest that disruptive behavioral, mood, and anxiety disorders as well as cognitive dysfunctions may be accounted for by comorbidity with ADHD. However, Tourette's syndrome plus ADHD appears to be a more severe condition than ADHD alone.
A SEROEPIDEMIOLOGIC SURVEY OF THREE PRONGHORN1 (Antilocapra americana) POPULATIONS IN SOUTHEASTERN IDAHO, 1975-1977

Sera from 104 adult and 42 fawn pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) from southeastern Idaho were tested against selected livestock pathogens. The numbers positive/numbers tested (% positive) were as follows: bovine virus diarrhea - adults 2/102 (2), fawns 0/41 (0); infectious bovine rhinotracheitis -adults 27/101 (27), fawns 9/42 (22); parainfluenza 3 - adults 79/104 (76), fawns 22/42 (52); bovine adenovirus 7 - adults 42/103 (41), fawns 20/48 (48); bovine adenovirus 3 -adults 11/32 (34), fawns 4/14 (23); Anaplasma marginale - adults 1/104 (1), fawns 1/42 (2). There were no reactors to brucellosis, bluetongue, or epizootic hemorrhagic disease. The prevalence of reactors varied considerably for different locations and for different years.
Multispectral Compressive Imaging Strategies Using Fabry–Pérot Filtered Sensors

In this paper, we introduce two novel acquisition schemes for multispectral compressive imaging. Unlike most existing methods, the proposed computational imaging techniques do not include any dispersive element, as they use a dedicated sensor that integrates narrowband Fabry–Pérot spectral filters at the pixel level. The first scheme leverages joint inpainting and superresolution to fill in those voxels that are missing due to the device's limited pixel count. The second scheme introduces spatial random convolutions in link with the framework of compressive sensing, but is more complex and may be limited by diffraction. In both cases, we solve the associated inverse problems by using the same signal prior and recovery algorithm. Specifically, we propose a redundant, analysis-sparse signal prior in a convex formulation. We validate our schemes through numerical simulation in different realistic setups. Moreover, we highlight some practical guidelines and discuss complexity tradeoffs to integrate these schemes into actual computational imaging systems. Our conclusion is that the second technique performs best when targeting high compression levels if embodied in a properly designed and calibrated setup. Otherwise the first, simpler technique should be favored.
Photon emission spectroscopy of single oxide-supported Ag-Au alloy clusters

The alloying of Ag and Au has been investigated on the level of individual clusters by analyzing the light emission excited by electron injection from an STM tip. Different Ag-Au alloy and shell-core clusters have been prepared at room temperature on a thin ${\mathrm{Al}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ film on NiAl(110) by simultaneous and successive deposition of both noble metals. For simultaneous deposition, one Mie-plasmon resonance has been detected with a wavelength position shifting from the pure Au to the Ag value with increasing Ag content. The results are in agreement with calculations based on Mie theory indicating a complete mixing of both materials. For successive deposition, two Mie resonances have been observed, attributed to plasmon excitations in the shell and core of the clusters. Comparing these results to model calculations, a considerable intermixing of the core and shell materials is concluded, which is especially strong in Au shell-Ag core clusters.
[Association between vascular endothelial growth factor gene 936 T/C polymorphism and colorectal cancer together with anastomotic leakage].

OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between VEGF gene 936 T/C polymorphism and colorectal cancer together with anastomotic leakage. METHODS Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was used to detect the VEGF 936 T/C genotypes in colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls. RESULTS There was no significant difference in the frequency of VEGF 936 C/C genotype or C allele between colorectal cancer patients and healthy controls (P > 0.05). The C/C genotype or C allele in colorectal cancer patients with anastomotic leakage was less frequently found than in the group without anastomotic leakage (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS VEGF 936 C/C genotype or C allele is not related to the development of colorectal cancer, but they can reduce the risk of anastomotic leakage after surgery in colorectal cancer patients.
Efficacy and Safety of Two Analogs of L-Carnitine on Rats Made Insulin Resistant by a High-Fructose Diet

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of 2 analogs of L-carnitine on rats made insulin resistant by a high-fructose diet. Methods: Using rats made insulin resistant by a high-fructose diet, we investigated the impact of 2 analogs of L-carnitine (25 mg/kg) and L-carnitine (250 mg/kg) on glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol blood levels, and liver glycogen. We also evaluated the safety of both analogs by the assessment of some biochemical and hematological parameters, a histological analysis and a study of embryotoxicity. Results: Both analogs reduced the levels of triglycerides in the liver and plasma, but only analog 2 reduced the cholesterol levels in insulin-resistant rats. No changes were observed in glycogen content. Safety evaluations revealed alterations in blood lymphocytes and embryotoxicity data. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the 2 analogs maintain the pharmacological properties of L-carnitine but have a different efficacy, potency and toxicity.