Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Birth outcomes in pregnant women taking fluoxetine.

BACKGROUND Although fluoxetine is the most frequently prescribed antidepressant drug in the United States, its safety in pregnant women has not been established. METHODS From 1989 through 1995, we prospectively identified 228 pregnant women taking fluoxetine. We compared the outcomes of their pregnancies with those of 254 women identified in a similar manner who were not taking fluoxetine. RESULTS The rate of spontaneous pregnancy loss did not differ significantly between the women treated with fluoxetine and the control women (10.5 percent and 9.1 percent, respectively), nor was the rate of major structural anomalies significantly different (5.5 percent vs. 4.0 percent). Among the 97 infants exposed to fluoxetine who were evaluated for minor anomalies, the incidence of three or more minor anomalies was significantly higher than among 153 similarly examined control infants (15.5 percent vs. 6.5 percent, P=0.03). As compared with the 101 infants exposed to fluoxetine only during the first and second trimesters, the 73 infants exposed during the third trimester had higher rates of premature delivery (relative risk, 4.8; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 20.8), admission to special-care nurseries (relative risk, 2.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.1 to 6.9), and poor neonatal adaptation, including respiratory difficulty, cyanosis on feeding, and jitteriness (relative risk, 8.7; 95 percent confidence interval, 2.9 to 26.6). Birth weight was also lower and birth length shorter in infants exposed fluoxetine late in gestation. CONCLUSION Women who take fluoxetine during pregnancy do not have an increased risk of spontaneous pregnancy loss or major fetal anomalies, but women who take fluoxetine in the third trimester are at increased risk for perinatal complications.
Characterization of BRCA1 and BRCA2 deleterious mutations and variants of unknown clinical significance in unilateral and bilateral breast cancer: the WECARE study

BRCA1 and BRCA2 screening in women at high‐risk of breast cancer results in the identification of both unambiguously defined deleterious mutations and sequence variants of unknown clinical significance (VUS). We examined a population‐based sample of young women with contralateral breast cancer (CBC, n=705) or unilateral breast cancer (UBC, n=1398). We identified 470 unique sequence variants, of which 113 were deleterious mutations. The remaining 357 VUS comprised 185 unique missense changes, 60% were observed only once, while 3% occurred with a frequency of >10%. Deleterious mutations occurred three times more often in women with CBC (15.3%) than in women with UBC (5.2%), whereas combined, VUS were observed in similar frequencies in women with CBC and UBC. A protein alignment algorithm defined 16 rare VUS, occurring at highly conserved residues and/or conferring a considerable biochemical difference, the majority located in the BRCA2 DNA‐binding domain. We confirm a multiplicity of BRCA1 and BRCA2 VUS that occur at a wide range of allele frequencies. Although some VUS inflict chemical differences at conserved residues, suggesting a deleterious effect, the majority are not associated with an increased risk of CBC. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Computer-aided extraction of small-signal model parameters of heterojunction bipolar transistors

An approach to parameter extraction of small-signal model of heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBT's) is proposed in the present paper. It is based on S-parameter measurements. Exact closed-form equations are used for the direct extraction of circuit elements. The method is characterized by its simplicity and ease of implementation. The Cadence PSpice simulator and the graphical analyzer Cadence Probe are used to automate the extraction procedure. The parameter extraction of intrinsic elements of the model is realized using macro-definitions in Probe. The corresponding macros in the graphical analyzer Probe are presented realizing the proposed extraction procedure.
Effects of selection on food intake in the adult mouse.

SUMMARY Replicated lines of mice were selected High and Low for adjusted food intake and contemporaneous control lines were maintained. The selection criterion was food intake between 8 and 10 weeks, adjusted by phenotypic regression on mean body weight at 8 and 10 weeks of age to reduce correlated changes in body weight. Responses are given for the first 23 generations of selection, after which adjusted food intake had diverged by a factor of 1.7-1.95. A small correlated response in body weight occurred and mice from the High line were slightly heavier: at 10 weeks of age body weight had diverged by a factor of 1.09-1.11. The realized within-family heritability varied between the replicates from 0.16-0.27 from which a mean estimated mass selection heritability (h(2) = 0.35±0.05) was derived. Mice from the Low line were fatter, however not significantly, because of a High between replicate variance (p > 0.05). Differences in growth over the selection period may account for around 5% of the divergence and increased maintenance costs associated with the larger lean mass of the high lines may explain a further 5%. Mice from the High lines spilled significantly (p < 0.05) more food which accounted for 23% of the divergence in apparent food intake. The heat increment of feeding, brown adipose tissue activity and locomotor activity all appear to be unchanged. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: Auswirkungen der Selektion auf Futteraufnahme in der adulten Maus In einem Experiment mit Wiederholungen wurden Mäuselinien auf hohe und niedrige korrigierte Futteraufnahme selektiert und korrespondierende Konttrollen gehalten. Das Selektionskriterium war die Futteraufnahme im Alter von 8 bis 10 Wochen, die mittels phänotypischer Regression korrigiert wurde, um die Körpermasse möglichst konstant zu halten. Der direkte Selektionserfolg über die ersten 23 Generationen ist beschrieben. Die Linien divergierten zu diesem Zeitpunkt bezüglich des Selektionsmerkmals um 70 bis 95%. In der Körpermasse trat ein geringfügiger korrelierter Selektionserfolg auf. Die Tiere der 'high'-Linie waren im Alter von 8 bis Wochen ca. um 6 bis 11% schwerer. Die realisierte Intra-Familien-Heritabilität variierte zwischen den Wiederholungen zwischen 0.16 und 0.27, woraus sich eine mittlerer Heritabilitätskoeffizient von h(2) = 0.35±0.05 für die Massenselektion ergab. Mäuse der 'low'-Linie hatten mit 10 Wochen 2.4% (P > 0.05) und mit 17 Wochen ca. 7% (P < 0.05%) mehr Fett. Mit Unterschieden im Wachstum lassen sich weniger als 5% der Linienunterschiede in der Futteraufnahme erklären. Der höhere Erhaltungsbedarf, der aus einer höheren fett-freien Körpermasse in der 'high'-Linie resultiert, könnte weitere 5% erklären. Tiere der 'high'-Linie verstreuten deutlich (P < 0.05) mehr Futter, worauf sich 23% der Divergenz in der scheinbaren Futteraufnahme zurückführen ließen. Die Aktivät des braunen Fettgewebes, die lokomotorische Aktivität und die fütterungsbedingte Wàrmeproduktion sind scheinbar unverändert.
Effect of suspending media on freeze-drying and preservation of vaccinia virus

Summary Unpurified and purified smallpox vaccines were prepared from calf dermal pulp, or chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of hen eggs infected with vaccinia virus, and freeze-dried. The protective effect of various suspending media was investigated both in the course of the freeze-drying and in the period of subsequent storage of the dried product at different temperatures, including 100° C. Single media consisting of either sodium glutamate or peptone were effective in the preservation of both unpurified and purified vaccines prepared from calf dermal pulp or CAM. It was shown that there was an optimal concentration of sodium glutamate for the preservation of the vaccine preparations, especially of the purified vaccine. Combined media, consisting of soluble starch, polyvinylpyrrolidone or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose with sodium glutamate, were effective with the purified vaccine when the concentration of sodium glutamate exceeded the optimum necessary for preservation.
SURVEILLANCE AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC MAPPING OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY-DEFINED RABIES VARIANTS IN FLORIDA

Brain tissues from 128 rabid animals from Florida in 1987 and 1988 were analyzed with monoclonal antibodies and cases were mapped by species and antigenic variant. The single variant found in terrestrial animals was distinguished easily from the variety of antigenic variants identified for infected bats, and there was no evidence of transmission of rabies between bats and terrestrial animals. The raccoon (Procyon lotor) appeared to be the sole maintenance source for terrestrial animal rabies in Florida.
Human Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells Interact with gp96 via CD91 and Regulate Inflammatory Responses1

Glucose-regulated stress protein gp96 is known to be involved in the host response to pathogens and to cancer. Our study explored the relationships between gp96 and human blood plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC) and proved that gp96 directly targets pDC by a receptor-dependent interaction. Competition studies identified CD91 as a gp96 receptor on pDC, and laser confocal imaging indicated that CD91 triggering was followed by gp96 endocytosis and trafficking into early endosomes and later into the endoplasmic reticulum compartment. Using two alternative Abs, we showed that human blood pDC reproducibly expressed CD91, although different levels of expression were detectable among the analyzed donors. Moreover, CpG-matured pDC displayed CD91 receptor up-regulation that correlated with an increased gp96 binding. Functionally, gp96-pDC interaction activated the NF-κB pathway, leading to the nuclear translocation of the NF-κB complex. gp96-treated pDC maintained an immature phenotype, while they down-modulated the release of IL-8, suggesting an anti-inflammatory role of this pathway, and they strongly up-regulated the cell surface expression of the gp96 receptor CD91. CpG-matured or gp96-treated pDC, expressing high levels of the gp96 receptor CD91, antagonized the gp96-induced activation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in terms of cell surface phenotype and cytokine production. Altogether, these results suggest that gp96-pDC interaction might represent an active mechanism controlling the strength of the immune response to free, extracellular available gp96; this mechanism could be particularly relevant in wounds and chronic inflammation.
Plasma concentration of procalcitonin and systemic inflammatory response syndrome after colorectal surgery

Background: To study whether plasma concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), complement 3a (C3a), C‐reactive protein and white blood cell count (WBC) correlate with the presence of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) during the early post‐operative period after major colorectal surgery.
Genetic Dissection of Verticillium Wilt Resistance Mediated by Tomato Ve11[C][W][OA]

Vascular wilt diseases caused by soil-borne pathogens are among the most devastating plant diseases worldwide. The Verticillium genus includes vascular wilt pathogens with a wide host range. Although V. longisporum infects various hosts belonging to the Cruciferaceae, V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum cause vascular wilt diseases in over 200 dicotyledonous species, including economically important crops. A locus responsible for resistance against race 1 strains of V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum has been cloned from tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) only. This locus, known as Ve, comprises two closely linked inversely oriented genes, Ve1 and Ve2, that encode cell surface receptor proteins of the extracellular leucine-rich repeat receptor-like protein class of disease resistance proteins. Here, we show that Ve1, but not Ve2, provides resistance in tomato against race 1 strains of V. dahliae and V. albo-atrum and not against race 2 strains. Using virus-induced gene silencing in tomato, the signaling cascade downstream of Ve1 is shown to require both EDS1 and NDR1. In addition, NRC1, ACIF, MEK2, and SERK3/BAK1 also act as positive regulators of Ve1 in tomato. In conclusion, Ve1-mediated resistance signaling only partially overlaps with signaling mediated by Cf proteins, type members of the receptor-like protein class of resistance proteins.
Steroid secretion and the aromatization of androgens by rabbit thecal cells.

Thecal layers of ovarian follicles removed from rabbits of different endocrine states were incubated with 3H-testosterone and 14Candrostenedione for 3 hr with air as the gas phase. The endogenous production or release of progestins and estrogens was estimated. Stimulation of progestin release occurred 2 hr post-coitus whereas that of estrogen release occurred 5 hr post-coitus. In addition, there was no change in activity of the 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase as reflected in the interconversion of the two substrates. Aromatization of testosterone and androstenedione was stimulated slightly by mating. (Endocrinology 91: 1267, 1972)
Part II 29 Part II : Modeling Different Aspects of Affective and Cognitive Processes for a Healthy Lifestyle

In this paper a computational model is presented that describes the role of emotion regulation to reduce the influences of negative events on mood. Emotion regulation is a process based on a set of regulatory strategies used by persons to down-regulate their negative emotions or to up-regulate their positive emotions. For a given situation the selection of specific regulation strategies is dependent on that particular situation. The current paper presents work focusing on a cognitive reappraisal (re-interpretation) strategy, that involves changing the way one interprets a stimulus or situation, or alter the semantic representation of an emotional stimulus in order to reduce the influence of such stimuli. The model incorporates an earlier model of mood dynamics and a model for the dynamics of emotion generation and regulation. Example model simulations are described that illustrate how adequately emotion regulation skills can avoid or delay development of a depression. The presented computational analysis shows how regulation of stressful emotions helps unstable persons to avoid a depression and to postpone it in very unstable persons. Furthermore, the analysis shows that if a stressful event persists for a longer time period, then emotion regulation can also help an unstable person to prevent the mood level from becoming too low, for a certain time.
Teaching English in a Cross-cultural Context: Challenges and Directions

English as the foremost medium of international communication at present is called upon to mediate a whole range of cultural and cross-cultural concepts, to a greater extent than in the past. Inevitably human capital has taken a slant to fit in with the globalized world, and the notion of ‘Teaching English in a Cross-cultural Context’ is crucial. Hence, this paper focuses the possibilities and opportunities of multi-cultural education because of the global status of English. Exploring the challenges in teaching English in a cross-cultural context and the way to come out of the deficiency of the learners has been both obscure and controversial since long. What is widely accepted in this regard is English, not being the native language of the learners, triggers some problems. Therefore, the paper highlights core consideration for analyzing the challenges faced by the teachers and learners, and finally, recommends some directions to embrace the challenges. DOI: http://dx.doi. org/10.3126/nelta.v16i1-2.6135 NELTA 2011; 16(1-2): 114-122
Use of Flexion and Extension Radiographs of the Cervical Spine to Rule Out Acute Instability in Patients With Negative Computed Tomography Scans

Objectives: To investigate the usefulness of flexion and extension radiographs of the cervical spine as a screening tool for the acute evaluation of ligamentous injury in cases of awake blunt trauma in patients with a negative cervical computed tomography scan. Study Design: Retrospective study of consecutive patient series. Setting: Level I trauma center. Patients: All patients admitted to an academic Level I trauma center over 12 months who sustained a blunt force injury and underwent flexion-extension radiography during hospitalization. Intervention: The flexion-extension radiographs were interpreted for adequacy and pathology by two independent reviewers who were blinded to patient outcome and the original radiologic interpretation. Adequacy of radiographs was assessed using four criteria: 1) complete visualization of the cervical spine from the occiput to the superior end plate of the first thoracic vertebra; 2) adequate range of flexion and extension was defined as motion greater than 30° from the neutral position; 3) supplementation with a swimmer's view if the cervicothoracic junction was poorly visualized; and 4) no evidence of rotational deformity on neutral, flexion, or extension views. Radiographs were thus deemed either “adequate” or “inadequate. ” Acute instability was defined as listhesis of greater than 3.5 mm or 11° of relative angulation. Radiologists' interpretation of all studies was noted and any clinical or radiographic evidence of instability on follow-up within 3 months of discharge was also recorded. Results: A total of 311 patients were included in the study. The intraobserver reliability for the four fixed criteria for adequacy of flexion and extension radiographs was excellent. Only 97 (31%) flexion and extension radiographs were deemed adequate. Two hundred fourteen (69%) patient radiographs were deemed inadequate but were interpreted as normal by the radiologists. Not a single radiograph was identified with evidence of acute instability (true-positive = 0). One hundred seventy-one (55%) of patients had follow-up within 3 months of discharge from the hospital of which one (0.5%) patient developed signs of instability necessitating surgery. The sensitivity was 0%, specificity 99%, positive predictive value 0%, and negative predictive value 31%. Conclusion: Flexion and extension radiographs do not appear to be clinically useful in assessing acute instability in patients hospitalized with blunt trauma with negative computed tomography scans.
The use of sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide in periodontal therapy: a review.

The comparative benefits from the use of sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide over the use of a commercial dentifrice in periodontal therapy is controversial. The consensus of the clinical research indicates that application by patients of sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide offers no advantage over the preestablished, properly performed home oral hygiene procedures. Any improvements in clinical and microbial parameters generally were attributed to scaling and root planing. The studies that have reported beneficial results with sodium bicarbonate and hydrogen peroxide have used additional antimicrobial agents, concomitant professional application of these substances, and scaling and root planing. In one of these reports, inorganic salts and chloramine-T were delivered subgingivally throughout root-planing procedures, in addition to home application of inorganic salts. Most of these patients also received at least one course of systemic tetracycline therapy. Because this study had no control group, it is impossible to determine whether this program is more effective than are other periodontal therapy programs. A more controlled clinical study involving professional application of sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, hydrogen peroxide, and povidone-iodine has shown greater gains in clinical attachment and bone mass than has brushing with toothpaste and water. Again, subgingival scaling and root planing were necessary to attain these results. Because multiple topical agents were applied in both of these reports and systemic antimicrobial agents were used by the Keyes group, it is impossible to determine which agent was responsible for the improvements. Further, professional application may be the crucial factor. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
A two-terminals biodevice with a neurotransmitter solution

This paper proposes another destination for a biodevice. Frequently, the polarografy and amperometry methods are used to detect the analytes concentrations in biosensors. The purpose of the present device is to characterise the electrical properties of one of the most important neurohormone from the human body: epinephrine. Some experimental curves provide information about the non-linear electrical conduction through this neurotransmitter solution.
Attenuated Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi Expressing Urease Effectively Immunizes Mice against Helicobacter pylori Challenge as Part of a Heterologous Mucosal Priming-Parenteral Boosting Vaccination Regimen

ABSTRACT Recombinant vaccine strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi capable of expressing Helicobacter pylori urease were generated by transforming strains CVD908 and CVD908-htrA with a plasmid harboring the ureAB genes under the control of an in vivo-inducible promoter. The plasmid did not interfere with the ability of either strain to replicate and persist in human monocytic cells or with their transient colonization of mouse lungs. When administered to mice intranasally, both recombinant strains elicited antiurease immune responses skewed towards a Th1 phenotype. Vaccinated mice exhibited strong immunoglobulin G2a (IgG2a)-biased antiurease antibody responses as well as splenocyte populations capable of proliferation and gamma interferon (IFNγ) secretion in response to urease stimulation. Boosting of mice with subcutaneous injection of urease plus alum enhanced immune responses and led them to a more balanced Th1/Th2 phenotype. Following parenteral boost, IgG1 and IgG2a antiurease antibody titers were raised significantly, and strong urease-specific splenocyte proliferative responses, accompanied by IFNγ as well as interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-5, and IL-10 secretion, were detected. Neither immunization with urease-expressing S. enterica serovar Typhi alone nor immunization with urease plus alum alone conferred protection against challenge with a mouse-adapted strain of H. pylori; however, a vaccination protocol combining both immunization regimens was protective. This is the first report of effective vaccination against H. pylori with a combined mucosal prime-parenteral boost regimen in which serovar Typhi vaccine strains are used as antigen carriers. The significance of these findings with regard to development of a human vaccine against H. pylori and modulation of immune responses by heterologous prime-boost immunization regimens is discussed.
Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in adults infected with HIV in low-income countries

Two recent placebo-controlled trials of cotrimoxazole in HIV-infected adults, conducted by independent groups but in the same city (Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire), have both shown important positive impacts. One study where cotrimoxazole or placebo was given to tuberculosis-HIV co-infected patients showed a significant reduction in mortality; the second study with a similar protocol, in HIV-infected patients without major co-morbidity at trial entry, showed a significant reduction in morbidity but no effect on mortality. These data have been interpreted by some as conclusive enough to recommend cotrimoxazole for all people with HIV/AIDS in Africa. Others have been more cautious, noting that Abidjan has an atypically low rate of cotrimoxazole resistance among bacterial pathogens, and consider more data are needed before such a sweeping policy decision can be made. Recent data from Senegal showed no benefit but this trial, like several others, was terminated prematurely because the investigators felt it unethical to continue after the Abidjan results were released. The situation is somewhat confused and confusing. This review attempts to put the current debate into context and to review the current position of cotrimoxazole in relation to other primary prophylaxis strategies in Africa.