Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular typing methods for the epidemiological identification of Clostridium difficile strains

Toxigenic Clostridium difficile is the etiologic agent of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), the most common cause of nosocomial diarrhea. Cross-infection between patients and transmission through the environment and medical personnel are important factors in the acquisition of CDAD. In order to understand differences in epidemiology and pathogenesis, a number of typing schemes have been developed. We will review the typing methods used to study the epidemiology of C. difficile infections and how they have evolved from a phenotypic identification to state of the art molecular methods, detecting genetic polymorphisms among strains. These molecular methods include PCR-based methods (arbitrarily primed-PCR [AP-PCR] and PCR ribotyping), restriction endonuclease analysis (REA) and pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). The application, usefulness and feasibility of these methods are compared and discussed. Finally, the role of genomics as a tool to investigate CDAD is introduced.
Low Volatility Investing in U.S. Equity REITs

We examine the market for U.S. equity real estate investment trusts (REITs) for evidence of the volatility effect, in which low volatility stocks tend to outperform high volatility ones, as has been found in the general equity market by prior research. While there is some evidence of a volatility effect in the first ten years of the sample, this disappears in a more recent time period. Furthermore, we test the efficacy of low risk portfolio construction techniques and find that none perform any better than a market cap weighted portfolio iV although they are also no worse iV over any of the time periods examined. Thus, there is no evidence that using a risk-based portfolio design that emphasizes low volatility would improve portfolio performance for a REIT allocation.
The Asymmetric Positive Feedback Trading in Individual Stocks: China's Evidences

Based on 4 years data of individual stocks in SZ300P index, the paper investigates the positive feedback trading behavior and its asymmetry. Regressions with heterogeneous belief terms show the presence of positive feedback trading in Chinese market. The traders who react to daily, weekly or monthly returns all exist in the market. The asymmetric pattern of positive feedback trading in individual stocks is quite different from that in developed markets and the findings in index data: The volume and order imbalance both rise more after price rises than those after price declines. An updated Sentana-Wadhwani model confirms the existence of this kind of asymmetric positive feedback trading. The asymmetric positive feedback trading tends to be more intensive in small-cap and high-liquid stocks, and this partially explains the contrast asymmetry between individual stocks and indexes.
Overconfident Consumers in the Marketplace

The term overconfidence is used broadly in the psychology literature, referring to both overoptimism and overprecision. Overoptimistic individuals overestimate their own abilities or prospects. In contrast, overprecise individuals place overly narrow confidence intervals around forecasts, thereby underestimating uncertainty. These biases can lead consumers to misforecast their future product usage, or to overestimate their abilities to navigate contract terms. In consequence, consumer overconfidence causes consumers to systematically misweight different dimensions of product quality and price. Poor choices based on biased estimates of a product's expected costs or benefits are the result. For instance, overoptimism about self-control is a leading explanation for why individuals overpay for gym memberships that they underutilize. Similarly, overprecision is a leading explanation for why individuals systematically choose the wrong calling plans, racking up large overage charges for exceeding usage allowances in the process. Beyond these market effects of overconfidence, this paper addresses three additional questions: What will firms do to exploit consumer overconfidence? What are the equilibrium welfare consequences of consumer overconfidence for consumers, firms, and society? And what are the implications of consumer overconfidence for public policy?
Social Class, Job Insecurity and Job Strain in Korea

Objectives This study explored the associations between social class, job insecurity, and job strain among Korean workers. Methods Data on 6143 participants (253 health care workers, 5113 subway workers, and 777 petrochemical refinery workers) from three Korean job-stress studies were used. Job strain and job insecurity were measured with the job content questionnaire. Job strain was defined as a continuous variable according to the demand-to-control ratio and as a binary variable as the highest quartile of this ratio. Social class was defined by indicators of socioeconomic status. The combined effects of job insecurity and socioeconomic status were examined with generalized linear models and logistic regression models. Results Job insecurity was relatively higher than in other countries (scale mean 5.8). Higher job insecurity was associated with lower social class, and it appeared to partially mediate the effect of socioeconomic status on job strain. Job insecurity and low social class independently elevated job strain. Job strain was the highest among those with a low social class and job insecurity for each socioeconomic indicator. According to the logistic regression models, the odds ratio for high strain was 2.0 (P＜0.05) for low job security and low education, 2.4 (P＜0.05) for low job security and low income, and 2.4 (P＜0.05) for low job security and low occupational class, when compared with the baseline values. Conclusions Low social class is associated with higher job strain. Job insecurity is higher among persons in a lower social class, the highest job strain occurring among workers with both factors. Job insecurity appears to intensify the overall effect of social class on job strain.
Calcineurin Broadly Regulates the Initiation of Skeletal Muscle-Specific Gene Expression by Binding Target Promoters and Facilitating the Interaction of the SWI/SNF Chromatin Remodeling Enzyme

Calcineurin (Cn) is a calcium-activated serine/threonine protein phosphatase that is broadly implicated in diverse cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression. ABSTRACT Calcineurin (Cn) is a calcium-activated serine/threonine protein phosphatase that is broadly implicated in diverse cellular processes, including the regulation of gene expression. During skeletal muscle differentiation, Cn activates the nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT) transcription factor but also promotes differentiation by counteracting the negative influences of protein kinase C beta (PKCβ) via dephosphorylation and activation of Brg1, an enzymatic subunit of the mammalian SWI/SNF ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzyme. Here we identified four major temporal patterns of Cn-dependent gene expression in differentiating myoblasts and determined that Cn is broadly required for the activation of the myogenic gene expression program. Mechanistically, Cn promotes gene expression through direct binding to myogenic promoter sequences and facilitating the binding of Brg1, other SWI/SNF subunit proteins, and MyoD, a critical lineage determinant for skeletal muscle differentiation. We conclude that the Cn phosphatase directly impacts the expression of myogenic genes by promoting ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling and formation of transcription-competent promoters.
CALGB 80403 (Alliance)/E1206: A Randomized Phase II Study of Three Chemotherapy Regimens Plus Cetuximab in Metastatic Esophageal and Gastroesophageal Junction Cancers.

PURPOSE To determine the optimal chemotherapy backbone for testing in future US cooperative group studies for metastatic esophageal and gastroesophageal junction cancers. Cetuximab was added to each treatment arm based on promising preclinical data. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients with previously untreated metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer were randomly assigned at a one-to-one-to-one ratio to epirubicin, cisplatin, and continuous-infusion fluorouracil (ECF), irinotecan plus cisplatin (IC), or FOLFOX (oxaliplatin, leucovorin, and bolus and infusional fluorouracil). All treatment programs included cetuximab once per week. The primary end point was response rate. Secondary outcomes included overall survival, progression-free survival, time to treatment failure, and safety. As prespecified, primary and secondary analyses were conducted only among patients with adenocarcinoma. RESULTS This study randomly assigned 245 patients, including 222 with adenocarcinoma. Among patients with adenocarcinoma, response rate was 60.9% (95% CI, 47.9 to 72.8) for ECF plus cetuximab, 45.0% (95% CI, 33.0 to 57.0) for IC plus cetuximab, and 54.3% (95% CI, 42.0 to 66.2) for FOLFOX plus cetuximab. Median overall survival was 11.6, 8.6, and 11.8 months; median progression-free survival was 7.1, 4.9, and 6.8 months; and median time to treatment failure was 5.6, 4.3, and 6.7 months for each of these arms, respectively. FOLFOX plus cetuximab required fewer treatment modifications compared with ECF plus cetuximab and IC plus cetuximab (P = .013), and fewer patients were removed from treatment because of an adverse event or experienced treatment-related death. CONCLUSION In combination with cetuximab, ECF and FOLFOX had similar efficacy, but FOLFOX was better tolerated. Although differences were nonsignificant, IC plus cetuximab seemed to be the least effective and most toxic of the three regimens tested.
Longitudinal Predictors of Behavioural Adjustment in Pre-Adolescent Children

Objectives: Longitudinal data from infancy onwards, from the Australian Temperament Project, a prospective study of the temperament and development of a large and representative sample of Victorian children, were examined to identify predictors of psychological disorder at 11–12 years of age. Method: Those children scoring in the at-risk range for psychological disorder according to parents, teachers and self-reports using the Child Behaviour Questionnaire were selected at 11–12 years of age for in-depth assessment and comparison with a group of children with no history of adjustment problems. Analyses of group differences using longitudinal data gathered from infancy to 12 years focused on parent and teacher reports on child temperament and behaviour, and various facets of home and school adjustment. Results: The strongest predictors of adjustment at 12 years were previous behaviour problems, along with some specific temperament factors involving self-regulation capacities and mother's overall rating of child difficulty. Results based on parallel teacher data including peer adjustment, and social and academic competence measures were consistent with parent data. Conclusions: Our research confirms the persistence of early appearing behaviour problems in a community sample and the longitudinal influence of temperament factors in childhood. The study supports the need for a focus on early intervention and prevention strategies in the child mental health field.
The expression of heat shock proteins 27 and 105 in squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and relationship with clinicopathological index.

INTRODUCTION In oral cavity, the tongue is the most common site prone to development of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Considering malignant transformation as a cellular stress, the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) may be affected in this process. In this study we assessed the expression of HSP105 and HSP27 as two of the most interested stress proteins and investigated their relationship with grade and stage of the tongue SCC. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-six specimens including 31 early and 25 advanced tongue SCC were gathered. All specimens were graded histologically from I to III. Sixteen sections of normal oral mucosa were used as control group. The cellularity and intensity of HSP105 and HSP27 expression were studied immunohistochemically in both case and control groups. Results were expressed by histochemical score (HSCORE). RESULTS Significant differences were observed between expression of HSPs and stage of the disease. From early to advanced stage, the expression of HSP105 and HSP27 increased and decreased, respectively. There was no relationship between histological grade of lesion and HSCORE of HSP105 expression (P=0.5), although, HSP27 expression had reverse relationship with the SCC histological grade. CONCLUSION HSP27 and HSP105 may be indicated for prognostic purposes in evaluation of tongue SCC. HSP 27 may be used for more accurate microscopic grading of tongue SCC. Increased expression of HSP105 in advanced stage may lead to using this protein for immunotherapy of tongue SCC.
Clinical implication of thiopurine methyltransferase polymorphism in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A preliminary Egyptian study

Abstract Background: 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) is an essential component of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) maintenance therapy. Individual variability in this drug-related toxicity could be attributed in part to genetic polymorphism thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT). Aim: To investigate the frequency of common TPMT polymorphisms in a cohort of Egyptian children with ALL and the possible relation between these polymorphisms and 6-MP with short-term complications. Materials and Methods: This study included 25 children. Data related to 6-MP toxicity during the maintenance phase were collected from the patients′ files. DNA was isolated and genotyping for TPMT G460A, and A719G mutations were performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Twenty (80%) of the included 25 patients had a polymorphic TPMT allele. TPMTFNx013A was the most frequent (14/25, 56%), 8 patients were homozygous and 6 were heterozygous. TPMTFNx013C mutant allele was found in 4 patients (16%) in the heterozygous state while 2 patients (8%) were found to be heterozygous for TPMTFNx013B mutant allele. TPMT mutant patients, especially homozygous, were at greater risk of 6-MP hematological toxicity without significant difference regarding hepatic toxicity. Conclusions: TPMT polymorphism was common among the studied group and was associated with increased risk of drug toxicity. A population-based multi-center study is required to confirm our results.
Testing the temporal stability of individual differences in the acquisition and generalization of fear.

We studied the temporal stability of individual differences in the acquisition and generalization of fear. Seventy-one participants were tested in two almost identical fear-acquisition and fear-generalization sessions (separated by 8 months). Acquisition and generalization were measured by the fear-potentiated startle, the skin conductance response, and online expectancies of the unconditioned stimulus. To control for the effects of previous experience, different stimuli were used for half of the participants in Session 2. Acquisition and generalization did not differ across sessions or as a function of the stimuli used in Session 2, and a significant proportion of individual differences in these processes was stable over time (generalizability coefficients ranged from 0.17 to 0.38). When the same stimuli were used, acquisition measures showed compromised stability. The results are discussed in terms of their theoretical and applied implications.
Transcriptional regulation of connexin 43 expression by retinoids and carotenoids: Similarities and differences

Gap junctions, connexons, are formed by assembly of trans‐membrane connexin proteins and have multiple functions including the coordination of cell responses. Most human tumors are deficient in gap junctional communication (GJC) and restoration of GJC by forced expression of connexins reduces indices of neoplasia. Expression of connexin 43 (Cx43), the most widely‐expressed connexin family member, is upregulated by cancer‐preventive retinoids and carotenoids in normal and preneoplastic cells; an action considered of mechanistic significance. However, the molecular mechanism for upregulated expression is poorly understood. The retinoic acid receptor antagonist Ro 41‐5253 was capable of suppressing retinoid‐induction Cx43 luciferase reporter construct in F9 cells, but did not suppress reporter activity induced by the non‐pro‐vitamin A carotenoids astaxanthin or lycopene, indicating that retinoids have separate mechanisms of gene activation than non‐pro‐vitamin A carotenoids. Neither class of compound required protein synthesis for induction of Cx43 mRNA, nor was the 5.0 h half‐life of Cx43 mRNA altered, indicating direct transcriptional activation. The responsive region was found within −158 bp and +209 bp of the transcription start site; this contains a Sp1/Sp3 GC‐box to which Sp1 and Sp3 were bound, as revealed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA), but no retinoic acid response element (RARE). Site directed mutagenesis of this GC‐box resulted in increased basal levels of transcription and loss of responsiveness to a synthetic retinoid. In this construct astaxanthin and lycopene produced marginally, but not significantly higher, reporter activity than the control. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Increased Fluid Administration After Early Acute Kidney Injury is Associated with Less Renal Recovery

Introduction: In acute kidney injury (AKI), fluid accumulation is associated with poor outcome. We aimed to determine whether fluid intake or output had the major role. Methods: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit between July 2007 and June 2009 who had AKI stage I. We collected fluid input, output, and haemodynamic data on day of AKI I and on day of AKI III (if AKI III developed) or 72 h after AKI I (if patients did not progress to AKI III). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Among 210 patients with AKI I (median age 70 y; 138 males), 85 had a subsequent mean fluid gain >1 L/day. Their risk of AKI III or death in intensive care unit was significantly higher compared with patients who gained ⩽1 L/day (63.5% vs. 23.3%, P = 0.001, and 43.5% vs. 24.8%, P = 0.004, respectively). AKI I patients who gained >1 L/day had a significantly lower urine output (50 vs. 66 mL/h, P = 0.02), lower mean arterial pressure (71 vs. 74 mmHg, P = 0.01), higher arterial lactate level (2.7 vs. 2.0 mmol/L, P < 0.001), and higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (9.4 vs. 8.2, P = 0.002) on day of AKI I compared with those who gained ⩽1 L/day. Multivariable analysis showed that only fluid intake was independently associated with progression to AKI III (OR 1.8 per 1 L; 95% CI 1.1 – 8.8; P = 0.02), but reduced urine output was not an independent risk factor (OR 0.8; 95% CI 0.3 – 2.2; P = 0.6). Conclusion: Increased fluid intake in early AKI was an independent risk factor for AKI III.
Hospital Advertising in California, 1991–1997

This paper examines the advertising behavior of California hospitals from 1991 to 1997. Using highly detailed hospital-level information, we found that hospital advertising in California increased dramatically: annual spending on advertising grew (inflation adjusted) more than sixfold over the period. In addition, advertising expenditures varied significantly across hospitals. We found that hospital advertising increased with market concentration; with the number of nearby potential patients; with the percentage of nearby patients insured through Medicare, health maintenance organizations (HMOs), and indemnity insurance; and with chain affiliation. For-profit hospitals were not found to advertise more than their not-for-profit counterparts.
When Movies Matter: Exposure to Smoking in Movies and Changes in Smoking Behavior

The authors investigated the association between exposure to smoking in movies and the initiation and progression of adolescent smoking over time among 6,522 U.S. adolescents (between the ages of 10 and 14 years, at baseline) in a nationally representative, 4-wave random-digit-dial telephone survey. They conducted a hazard (survival) analysis testing whether exposure to movie smoking and demographic, personality, social, and structural factors predict (a) earlier smoking onset and (b) faster transition to experimental (1–99 cigarettes/lifetime) and established smoking (>100 cigarettes/lifetime). Results suggest that higher exposure to movie smoking is associated with less time to trying cigarettes for the first time (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.66; 95% CI [1.37, 2.01]) but not with faster escalation of smoking behavior following initiation (adjusted hazard ratio = 1.53; 95% CI [0.84, 2.79]). In contrast, age, peer smoking, parenting style, and availability of cigarettes in the home were predictors of earlier onset and faster transition to established smoking. Thus, the authors concluded that the effect of exposure to mass-mediated images of smoking in movies may decline once adolescents have started to smoke, whereas peers and access to tobacco remain influential.
Acute sex steroid withdrawal reduces insulin sensitivity in healthy men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

CONTEXT Evidence suggests that testosterone (T) influences insulin sensitivity in men. The mechanism of this effect is unclear but is thought to involve changes in body composition. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to determine whether acute sex steroid withdrawal decreases insulin sensitivity in young, healthy men with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH). DESIGN This was a 2-wk prospective study. SETTING The study was conducted at a General Clinical Research Center. PATIENTS Twelve men with IHH (age 40.8 +/- 2.8 yr) were studied: 1) on hormone replacement with normal T levels and 2) 2 wk after discontinuing therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Each evaluation comprised a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test with assessment of insulin sensitivity (fasting insulin levels, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, and Matsuda insulin sensitivity index) and insulin secretion (corrected insulin response). Serum cortisol, leptin, adiponectin, free fatty acids, IL-6, C-reactive protein, and TNF-alpha levels were also measured. RESULTS Body mass index was unchanged (27.1 +/- 1.1 to 27.2 +/- 1.1 kg/m(2)). Serum T levels decreased from 529 +/- 65 to 28 +/- 8 ng/dl (P < 0.00005). Fasting insulin levels increased from 4.9 +/- 0.7 to 6.2 +/- 0.6 microU/ml (P = 0.005), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance increased from 1.07 +/- 0.2 to 1.4 +/- 1.01 (P < 0.005), and insulin sensitivity index decreased from 11.0 +/- 2.3 to 7.5 +/- 0.7 (P < 0.05). There was a trend for fasting glucose levels to increase, 86.7 +/- 1.3 to 90.8 +/- 1.7 mg/dl (P = 0.09). IL-6 levels increased from 1.2 +/- 0.2 to 2.4 +/- 0.5 pg/ml (P < 0.01), whereas TNF-alpha levels decreased from 1.0 +/- 0.1 to 0.6 +/- 0.1 pg/ml (P < 0.05). No other significant changes were observed. CONCLUSIONS 1) Acute sex steroid withdrawal reduces insulin sensitivity in young healthy IHH men. 2) The acuity of the hypogonadism and absence of changes in body mass index or leptin levels suggest that sex steroids modulate insulin sensitivity in the absence of apparent or detectable changes in body composition.