Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Importance of adhesins in the recurrence of pharyngeal infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes

Purpose. Pharyngo‐amygdalitis is the most common infection caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes). Reinfection with strains of different M types commonly occurs. However, a second infection with a strain of the same M type can still occur and is referred to as recurrence. We aimed to assess whether recurrence of S. pyogenes could be associated to erythromycin resistance, biofilm formation or surface adhesins like fibronectin‐binding proteins and pilus proteins, both located in the fibronectin‐binding, collagen‐binding, T‐antigen (FCT) region. Methodology. We analyed clinical isolates of S. pyogenes obtained from children with multiple positive cultures of throat swabs. We analysed potential associations between M types, clonal patterns, biofilm production and FCT types with their capacity of producing a recurrent infection. We genetically defined recurrence as an infection with the same M type (same strain) and reinfection as an infection with a different M type. Results. No differences were observed between recurrent and reinfection isolates in relation to erythromycin resistance, presence and number of domains of prtF1 gene, and biofilm formation capacity; the only significant difference was the higher frequency of FCT‐4 type among recurrent isolates. However, when all the factors that could contribute to recurrence (erythromycin resistance, biofilm production, presence of prtF1 gene and FCT‐4 type) were analysed together, we observed that recurrent isolates have a higher number of factors than reinfection isolates. Conclusions. Recurrence seems not to be associated with biofilm formation. However, pili and fibronectin‐binding proteins could be associated with recurrence because FCT‐4 isolates which harbour two fibronectin‐binding proteins are more frequent among recurrent isolates.
Antiangiogenic Antithrombin Blocks the Heparan Sulfate-dependent Binding of Proangiogenic Growth Factors to Their Endothelial Cell Receptors

The anticoagulant serpin antithrombin acquires a potent antiangiogenic activity upon undergoing conformational alterations to cleaved or latent forms. Here we show that antithrombin antiangiogenic activity is mediated at least in part through the ability of the conformationally altered serpin to block the proangiogenic growth factors fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) from forming signaling competent ternary complexes with their protein receptors and heparan sulfate co-receptors on endothelial cells. Cleaved and latent but not native forms of antithrombin blocked the formation of FGF-2-FGF receptor-1 ectodomain-heparin ternary complexes, and the dimerization of these complexes in solution and similarly inhibited the formation of FGF-2-heparin binary complexes and their dimerization. Only antiangiogenic forms of antithrombin likewise inhibited 125I-FGF-2 binding to its low affinity heparan sulfate co-receptor and blocked FGF receptor-1 autophosphorylation and p42/44 MAP kinase phosphorylation in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Moreover, treatment of HUVECs with heparinase III to specifically eliminate the FGF-2 heparan sulfate co-receptor suppressed the ability of antiangiogenic antithrombin to inhibit growth factor-stimulated proliferation. Antiangiogenic antithrombin inhibited full-length VEGF165 stimulation of HUVEC proliferation but did not affect the stimulation of cells by the heparin-binding domain-deleted VEGF121. Taken together, these results demonstrate that antiangiogenic forms of antithrombin block the proangiogenic effects of FGF-2 and VEGF on endothelial cells by competing with the growth factors for binding the heparan sulfate co-receptor, which mediates growth factor-receptor interactions. Moreover, the inability of native antithrombin to bind this co-receptor implies that native and conformationally altered forms of antithrombin differentially bind proangiogenic heparan sulfate domains.
Peripheral Movement, Induced Movement, and Aftereffects from Induced Movement

Substantial rotatory induced movement and aftereffects associated with induced movement were observed in a large static patterned disc bounded at its periphery by a rotating patterned annulus. The area of the annulus was less than one tenth that of the disc, so its peripheral location seemed to be important in eliciting these phenomena. This was confirmed in two experiments comparing a peripheral annulus and a relatively central annulus in their ability to elicit induced movement and aftereffects in the same large static field. Aspects of the vection (induced self-movement) phenomenon may have been involved in generation of induced movement. This suggested that the motion-inducing properties of the peripheral annulus might have derived from: (i) its eccentric location in the perceiver's visual field; or (ii) its location with regard to the display itself. Two further experiments showed that (ii) was important for the elicitation of both induced movement and the aftereffects, and (i) was important for the elicitation of induced movement. Neurons responsive to relative movement in conjunction with lateral inhibition may provide a partial explanation for these effects. However, they do not explain why the visual system can assign considerable movement to a large static field under the conditions of these experiments.
Nimodipine premedication and induction dose of propofol.

UNLABELLED Antagonists at the L-type voltage sensitive calcium channel (L-VSCC) potentiate anesthetic potency in experimental models, suggesting that it may be a target site for IV anesthetics. Nimodipine is a 1, 4-dihydro- pyridine antagonist of L-VSCC which crosses the blood-brain barrier. We tested the hypothesis that premedication with oral nimodipine in healthy patients would reduce the induction dose of propofol, independently of its effects on the cerebral circulation. Sixty ASA physical status I or II patients (18-60 yr), undergoing knee arthroscopy or minor urological surgery, were randomized to receive either nimodipine 60 mg or placebo, orally 1-2 h before induction. Noninvasive mean blood pressure, heart rate, and time-averaged mean velocity in the middle cerebral artery by using transcranial Doppler ultrasonography were obtained before and 5 min after the induction of anesthesia. Propofol 1% was administered by an infusion pump at a rate of 10 mL/min. Both groups of patients had a reduction in mean blood pressure after the induction (P < 0.01), but there were no significant differences between the groups. The induction dose of propofol was 2.19 mg/kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.97-2.42) in the nimodipine group, compared with 2.16 mg/kg (95% CI 1.98-2.34) in the control group, P = 0.8. Time-averaged mean velocity remained unchanged after the induction of anesthesia in both patients receiving nimodipine premedication (51% CI 43-59 cm/s to 52% CI 46-58 cm/s, P = 0.6) and those receiving placebo (50% CI 43-58 cm/s to 53% CI 45-59 cm/s, P = 0.3). Premedication with oral nimodipine 60 mg does not reduce the induction dose of propofol compared with placebo, casting doubt on the hypothesis that propofol has an anesthetic action at L-VSCC. IMPLICATIONS Premedication with oral nimodipine 60 mg does not reduce the induction dose of propofol compared with placebo, casting doubt on the hypothesis that propofol has an anesthetic action at L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels.
Chukwu BF Ezenwosu OU Ikefuna AN Emodi IJ A prospective study of childhood malignancy in Enugu , Eastern Nigeria ( 2011-2013 )

Background: The review of childhood cancers has most times been done in retrospect by most authors and this has its inherent limitations. Most reviews in Africa show that lymphomas are the commonest malignancies of childhood while acute leukemia ranks much lower. Objective: To do a prospective audit of the pattern of childhood malignancies in Enugu, southeast, Nigeria. Methods: Demographic and medical information on patients aged 1 -17 years admitted over a 36 month period for malignancies was obtained and recorded in pretested interviewed administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using spss, 15 (Chicago II, USA) software. Results: A total of 103 patients were admitted with diagnosis of cancer with a male: female ratio of 1.3: 1 and median age of 7 years. Majority (63.1%) of patients were from the rural area with low socioeconomic background. There was a decline in the incidence of childhood lymphoma from 40% about 25 years ago to 34% in the present study. Although lymphoma remains the leading childhood malignancy, sarcomas and acute leukemia rather than renal and eye tumors ranked second and third respectively among childhood cancers in the center. Conclusion: There is a reversing trend in the pattern of malignancies of childhood in Enugu as acute leukemia becomes one of the leading malignancies of children.
Preliminary Experience of Laparoscopic Nephrectomy in Saudi Arabia

Aim of Study: To demonstrate our preliminary experience on laparoscopic nephrectomy at the Urology Department of the Armed Forces Hospital-Southern Region (AFH-SR), Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: During the period from April 2011 till March 2012, a total 25 laparoscopic nephrectomies of 25 patients with renal pathology such as non-functioning kidney and renal tumor underwent laparoscopic trans-peritoneal nephrectomy. Laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed by a specialized in laparoscopy surgeon for the first time at our institution. Data regarding individual characteristics, associated co-morbidities, duration of operation, hospitalization, intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. The follow-up of the patients was one year after surgery. Results: A total 25 laparoscopic nephrectomies of 25 patients underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy, 16 (64%) male and 9 (36%) female patients. Average age of these patients was 43 years (range 7-59 years). The main indications for nephrectomy were non-functioning kidney in 15 cases (60%) and renal mass in 6 cases (24%) 4 cases of renal cell carcinoma and 2 cases of oncocytoma were indicated. End-stage renal disease was diagnosed in 18 cases (72%). Eleven patients were hypertensive (44%) while five were diabetic (20%). The duration of operation ranged from 120 to 180 minutes (average 150 minutes). Average hospital stay was 4.5 days ranging between 3 and 5 days. Blood transfusion was performed in three patients (12%). Complications were encountered in 2 patient (8%), one suffered from retroperitoneal hematoma, another developed an incisional hernia. Conversion to open surgery was never deemed necessary in any of our cases. No oncological recurrence was noted during the follow-up period. Conclusions: Laparoscopic nephrectomy is a safe and minimally invasive procedure. Our initial experience is associated with promising results. The establishment of a fully equipped special unit with highly trained laparoscopic surgeons and personnel is important for a safe and effective performance of laparoscopic nephrectomy. Correspondence to: Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Aown, The Department of Urology, Armed Forces HospitalsSouthern Region
Further Meta-Evaluation of Machine Translation

This paper analyzes the translation quality of machine translation systems for 10 language pairs translating between Czech, English, French, German, Hungarian, and Spanish. We report the translation quality of over 30 diverse translation systems based on a large-scale manual evaluation involving hundreds of hours of effort. We use the human judgments of the systems to analyze automatic evaluation metrics for translation quality, and we report the strength of the correlation with human judgments at both the system-level and at the sentence-level. We validate our manual evaluation methodology by measuring intra- and inter-annotator agreement, and collecting timing information.
Differential virulence-gene mRNA expression in coccoid forms of Helicobacter pylori.

Controversy exists whether coccoid forms of Helicobacter pylori maintain transcriptional and translational processes. The aim of the present study was to investigate mRNA levels in coccoid H. pylori and, if possible, to establish a correlation with the state of nonrandom fragmentation of rRNA in those cells. For that purpose, UreA, UreI, CagA, VacA, SodB, and Hsp60 mRNA levels in bacillary and coccoid forms of H. pylori CCUG 17874(T), H. pylori 26695, and H. pylori J99, respectively, were studied by means of a multiplex reverse-transcription PCR assay and Southern blot analysis of the RT-PCR-amplified products. Nonrandom fragmentation of 23S rRNA was assessed by a recently described assay. Virulence-gene-derived mRNA transcripts were visualized in DNase I-treated RNA preparations. All three strains revealed the presence of different mRNA patterns in bacillary and coccoid forms. Putative promoter sequences similar to the consensus Escherichia coli -10 hexamer TATAAA box were present in all six virulence genes analyzed. Moreover, the decrease seen in mRNA levels during conversion into the coccoid form appeared to correlate with the 23S rRNA nonrandom fragmentation pattern. The present data indicate that modulation of virulence-gene expression is differently regulated in bacillary and coccoid H. pylori.
Fetal cardiac measurements derived by transvaginal and transabdominal cross‐sectional echocardiography from 14 weeks of gestation to term

Most of the routine ultrasound screening in our institution consists of early transvaginal examinations at 14–17 weeks. Complete fetal echocardiography is performed in every case. However, normal values for most fetal cardiac structures at this stage of gestation are not available. Our aim was to construct normal ranges for fetal cardiac structures, derived from cross‐sectional echocardiography, at 14–40 weeks of gestation.
Effects of Climate Change on Birds

Climate change issues are attracting rapidly increasing interest from a wide range of biologists due to their unprecedented effects on global biodiversity, although there remains a lack of general knowledge as to the environmental consequences of such rapid change. Compared with any other class of animals, birds provide more long-term data and extensive time series, a more geographically and taxonomically diverse source of information, a richer source of data on a greater range of topics dealing with the effects of climate change, and a longer tradition of extensive research. The first edition of the book was widely cited and this new edition continues to provide an exhaustive and up-to-date synthesis of our rapidly expanding level of knowledge as it relates to birds, highlighting new methods and areas for future research. Effects of Climate Change on Birds is aimed at professional avian biologists and ornithologists as well as graduate students of avian ecology, evolution, and conservation. It will also be of relevance and use to a more general audience of climate change biologists, administrators, and conservationists because of the potential relevance of its theoretical and empirical content to other organisms including ourselves.
No matter how I think, it already hurts

This study used mixed-methods design to explore internalized self-stigma among family caregivers (ISFC) of people with intellectual disability (ID) in China, where face culture and collective emotions are emphasized. A total of 120 primary caregivers of people with ID were assessed for ISFC, face concern and psychological distress at the survey phase. Of these caregivers, 10 participated in sequential interviews to provide elaboration for quantitative results. The results highlighted the role of stigmatized feelings instead of cognitive thoughts in hurting caregivers in the Chinese context. Caregivers with higher face concern were more likely to internalize feelings of shame, self-blame and powerlessness and suffered poorer mental health. Low-socioeconomic status group and onset-before-birth group were particularly vulnerable to stigma that require more attention in future studies. Feelings of being marginalized within the family and shame may be more face culture-related concern. Strategies (i.e. withdrawal, compensation, self-compassion and multiple identities) and recommendations for stigma reduction were discussed.
The Women's Interagency HIV Study: an Observational Cohort Brings Clinical Sciences to the Bench

The Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) is an ongoing long-term observational study of 3,772 women who are either infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or considered to be at risk for acquiring HIV. Since 1994, the WIHS (pronounced like “wise”) has developed a large database and specimen repository that serve as resources for WIHS investigators as well as for nonaffiliated researchers working on HIV-related or HIV coinfection issues. The purpose of this report is to update researchers on the progress of the WIHS and to provide information on WIHS resources, the methods by which they were obtained, and background for any new potential researchers interested in conducting collaborative research through shared use of these resources.
Digital Content Provision and Optimal Copyright Protection

Advances in digital technologies have led to an increasing concern about piracy for providers of digital content (e.g., e-books, games, music, software, videos). Yet controversies exist over the influence of copyright protection on firm profitability. The objective of this paper is to provide an alternative rationale for the growing anti-protection trend and to investigate optimal copyright enforcement and quality provision in a monopoly setting. The proposed economic mechanism centers on the influence of copyright protection on consumer search when consumers can get to know the firm’s actions (e.g., price, quality) only after costly search. We show that more stringent copyright protection can induce the consumers to rationally expect lower ex post surplus, thus exerting a negative strategic effect on the consumers' willingness to search. This strategic effect may outweigh the positive main effect on the relative attractiveness of the authorized versus the pirated product, which can hence explain the optimality of incomplete and even zero copyright protection policies in markets where consumer prepurchase search is important (e.g., information goods, digital products). It is also because of this strategic effect that the firm may provide lower quality as copyright enforcement increases. Interestingly, quality unobservability can moderate this strategic effect and thus lead to an increasing incentive for copyright protection. This paper was accepted by Pradeep Chintagunta, marketing.
Prevalence of Trichinella spp. in Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, and Wolves in the Dehcho Region, Northwest Territories, Canada, Including the First Report of T. nativa in a Grizzly Bear from Canada

Samples of muscle from 120 black bears (Ursus americanus), 11 grizzly bears (Ursus arctos), and 27 wolves (Canis lupus) collected in the Dehcho Region of the Northwest Territories from 2001 to 2010 were examined for the presence of Trichinella spp. larvae using a pepsin-HCl digestion assay. Trichinella spp. larvae were found in eight of 11 (73%) grizzly bears, 14 of 27 (52%) wolves, and seven of 120 (5.8%) black bears. The average age of positive grizzly bears, black bears, and wolves was 13.5, 9.9, and approximately 4 yr, respectively. Larvae from 11 wolves, six black bears, and seven grizzly bears were genotyped. Six wolves were infected with T. nativa and five with Trichinella T6, four black bears were infected with T. nativa and two with Trichinella T6, and all seven grizzly bears were infected with Trichinella T6 and one of them had a coinfection with T. nativa. This is the first report of T. nativa in a grizzly bear from Canada. Bears have been linked to trichinellosis outbreaks in humans in Canada, and black bears are a subsistence food source for residents of the Dehcho region. In order to assess food safety risk it is important to monitor the prevalence of Trichinella spp. in both species of bear and their cohabiting mammalian food sources.
Joint angle dependence of intermuscle difference in postactivation potentiation

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ankle joint angle on the intermuscle difference in postactivation potentiation (PAP) between the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and soleus (SOL) muscles. At the neutral position of joint angle, dorsiflexion of 20°, and plantarflexion of 20°, twitch responses were evoked by stimulating the posterior tibial nerve with supramaximal intensity before and after a 10‐s maximal voluntary plantarflexion at each joint angle. Mechanical properties of the MG and SOL muscles were assessed simultaneously and separately by using mechanomyography (MMG), and the extent of potentiation of each muscle was evaluated by peak‐to‐peak amplitude of the MMG signal. The MG showed greater potentiation than the soleus after the conditioning MVC in the neutral and dorsiflexion position, while in the plantarflexion position no significant difference was found in PAP between MG and SOL. These results suggest that the difference in the magnitude of PAP between synergistic muscles is determined by a combination of the joint angle‐ and fiber composition‐dependence of PAP. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Effect of aggregation on the estimation of trend in mortality.

"There are three approaches to analyzing and forecasting age-specific mortality: (1) analyze age-specific data directly, (2) analyze each cause-specific mortality series separately and add the results, (3) analyze cause-specific mortality series jointly and add the results. We show that if linear models are used for cause-specific mortality, then the three approaches often give close results even when cause-specific series are correlated. This result holds for cross-correlations arising from random misclassification of deaths by cause, and also for certain patterns of systematic misclassification. The results are illustrated with U.S. age-specific mortality: (1) analyse age-specific mortality data from 1968-1985. In some cases the aggregate forecasts appear to be the more credible ones. " This is a revised version of a paper originally presented at the 1990 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America (see Population Index, Vol. 56, No. 3, Fall 1990, p. 407).
An All-Digital PLL Frequency Synthesizer With an Improved Phase Digitization Approach and an Optimized Frequency Calibration Technique

This paper presents an all-digital phase-locked loop (ADPLL) that features separate use of integer and fractional parts for the phase digitization in the feedback path. This separation simplifies the circuit implementation allowing reduced power consumption and silicon area. The proposed arrangement frees the ADPLL from potential metastability hazard during fine-tuning operation. Furthermore, it eliminates spurious tones associated with frequency reference retiming. In addition, the ADPLL employs an original frequency calibration technique that allows an extremely fine calibration resolution with minimized calibration time. Theoretical analysis is provided for both the architectural modification and frequency calibration technique. The ADPLL has been implemented in a 65-nm CMOS. Its simulation and measurement results are presented.