Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Subclinical Infectious Bursal Disease in an Integrated Broiler Production Operation

A field study was designed to determine the prevalence of subclinical infectious bursal disease (IBD) in broiler chickens from a commercial poultry company. Bursae of Fabricius (BF) from two vaccinated and three nonvaccinated broiler flocks were evaluated histologically, and antibody profiles of these broiler and matched parent breeder flocks were established. Lesions of IBD, including lymphoid necrosis, stromal edema, and infiltrates of heterophils and macrophages, were first detected in BF at 24 days of age in both vaccinated and nonvaccinated chickens. At 41 days, all BF had lesions characteristic of IBD, including severe lymphoid depletion, proliferation of epithelial cells, and mild fibroplasia. Although mean maternal antibody levels (measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in broilers were apparently protective through day 12, IBD antibodies decreased to nonprotective levels (below 1,000) by day 16 or 20. Titers began to increase by day 28 or 32 because of field exposure. Sentinel birds, placed with broiler flocks, also developed IBD antibody titers. Broiler breeders had low and nonuniform antibody titers. Prevalence of field IBD exposure was high, and existing vaccination programs were not effective.
Risk for attempted suicide in children and youths after contact with somatic hospitals: a Danish register based nested case–control study

Background A range of studies have found an association between some somatic diseases and increased risk of suicide and attempted suicide. These studies are mostly analyses of adult populations and illnesses related to adulthood. Objectives To study the risk of attempted suicide in children and youths with a somatic diagnosis, and to assess a possible association from a somatic perspective. Methods From a cohort of 403 431 individuals (born 1983–89), 3465 children and youths who had attempted suicide were identified. Each case was matched with 20 population controls. 72 765 children and youths constituted the case–control population. All data were obtained from national population registers and analysed in a nested case–control design. Results Contact of children and youths with a somatic hospital is correlated with increased risk of attempted suicide; the risk peaks in the time immediately after contact. Risk factors were treatment for injury caused by violence, epilepsy, asthma and malformation for males; and spontaneous and medical abortions, treatment for injury caused by violence, epilepsy, asthma, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and malformation for females. Not all the mentioned diagnoses were significant in the adjusted model. Conclusions Based on the results of the study a strategy to minimise the risk of attempted suicide among children and youths must be implemented. The strategy should mainly focus on children at high risk—that is, children from families with low socioeconomic status, and children with a psychiatric history, a history of previous suicide attempts and with an unstable somatic disease subsequently causing many admissions.
Alignment of Ankle and Hindfoot in Early Stage Ankle Osteoarthritis

Background: Supramalleolar osteotomy has been recommended to correct varus deformity of the tibial plafond; however, we have seen only a few ankles with significant deviation of alignment in early stage osteoarthritis, in which realignment treatments might be necessary to modify the course of the disease. Our hypothesis was that there are diverse radiographic features of the tibial plafond and hindfoot in varus ankle osteoarthritis. Materials and Methods: The study included 154 ankles of 98 patients with medial osteoarthritis, and 80 ankles of 80 normal subjects. On weightbearing AP radiographs, the tibial anterior surface angle (TAS), tibial axis-medial malleolus angle (TMM) and talar tilt angle was measured. On weightbearing lateral radiographs, tibial lateral surface angle (TLS) was measured. On the hindfoot alignment view, the heel alignment angle and heel alignment ratio were obtained. Inter- and intraobserver reliabilities were obtained for all radiographic parameters. The radiographic parameters were compared among the normal ankles and the ankles in different stages of ankle arthritis by the Takakura classification. Results: Inter- and intraobserver reliability were very high for all radiographic parameters except TLS. There was no statistically significant difference in TAS among Stages 2, 3a, and 3b. TAS was 86.9 ± 2.4 degrees, 86.2 ± 3.3 degrees, and 85.4 ± 3.1 degrees in Stages 2, 3a, and 3b, respectively. There was no significant difference in hindfoot alignment among normal, Stage 2, Stage 3a. The hindfoot alignment angle was 0.5 ± 8.1 degrees, 0.5 ± 6.8 degrees, and 9.6 ± 9.1 degrees in Stages 2, 3a, and 3b, respectively. Conclusion: Alignment of the tibial plafond and hindfoot was variable in early stage ankle osteoarthritis. Level of Evidence: III, Retrospective Case Control Study
Schistosomiasis co‐infection in humans influences inflammatory markers in uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria

Malaria and schistosomiasis are the two major parasite diseases present in developing countries. The epidemiological co‐infection with schistosomiasis could influence the development of the physiological reaction associated with Plasmodium falciparum infection in human. Most studies have demonstrated the association of circulating levels of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), tumour necrosis factor‐a (TNF‐α), interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), transforming growth factor (TGF‐β) and soluble Tumour Necrosis Factor Receptors (sTNF‐RI and sTNF‐RII) with the morbidity of malaria. In the present study, we showed that Schistosoma haematobium co‐infection influences, in an age‐dependent manner, the unbalance between pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory circulating cytokines that play a key role during malaria infection. Indeed, children co‐infected by S. haematobium have higher levels of IFN‐γ and sTNF‐RII than children infected only by P. falciparum. In contrast, co‐infected adults presented a significant increase of IFN‐γ, IL‐10, TGF‐β, sTNF‐RI and sTNF‐RII rates and IL‐10/TNF‐α ratio. Taken together, this study indicates that schistosomiasis co‐infection can unbalance the regulation of inflammatory factors in uncomplicated P. falciparum malaria. The possible consequences of the schistosomiasis co‐infection for age‐dependent malaria morbidity are discussed.
Identification of the nonclassical HLA molecules, mica, as targets for humoral immunity associated with irreversible rejection of kidney allografts1

Background. A substantial portion of kidney allografted patients experience early acute rejection episodes and even irreversible rejections in the early posttransplantation period. The presence of HLA alloantibodies before grafting is associated with early immunological complications, but in many patients rejections and graft loss occur even in the absence of such antibodies. Methods. In this study, 748 serum samples taken before and at various time points after kidney transplantation from 139 patients were investigated for the presence, frequency, and specificity of kidney microvascular endothelial cell (KMEC)-reactive antibodies using major histocompatability class (MHC) I-related chain A (MICA) transfected cells and flow cytometry, antibody blocking experiments, and Western blotting. The ability of MICA-specific antibodies to fix complement and to induce a prothrombotic phenotype in KMECs was investigated. Results. A polymorphic, 62 kDa nonclassical HLA class I molecule is identified as a new target molecule for reactivity in sera from patients with irreversible rejections. Specific blocking and transfection experiments verified the target molecule as MICA. A significant correlation was established for pre- or posttransplantation MICA humoral immunity and graft loss (P <0.001). MICA-specific antibody titers increased in the posttransplantation period and were present before any signs of clinical rejection. MICA antibody-containing patient sera induced a prothrombotic phenotype in KMECs. Conclusion. The increasing polymorphism detected at the MIC loci combined with the results of this study suggest that typing for the MIC loci and crossmatching for the detection of anti-MIC antibodies before transplantation should be used routinely. A better recipient-donor selection based on a negative crossmatch for both anti-donor HLA and MICA antibodies will decrease early graft rejections and losses.
Adverse Effects of the Automotive Industry on Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Abstract This study aims to determine the effects of the automotive industry on carbon dioxide emissions for the period from 1997 to 2010 for diverse economies, as well as the relationships between carbon dioxide discharges and output. The study applies cointegration and causality tests to validate these associations. The results of the Johansen cointegration test depict long-run associations between the quantity of passenger cars and carbon dioxide emissions in France, Sweden, Spain, Hungary and Japan. In addition, significant relations were observed between output and carbon dioxide discharges in Spain, Canada, India and Japan. Changes in output had substantial impact on emissions in Germany, Canada and India. The results also show that the number of passenger cars influences the magnitude of emissions in multiple economies. In conclusion, the automotive industry has to be considered in policies that aim to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Suppression of Toll‐like receptor 2–mediated proinflammatory responses by Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv3529c

Microorganisms are known to devise various strategies to thwart protective responses by the host. One such strategy is to incorporate sequences and domains in their genes/proteins that have similarity to various domains of the host proteins. In this study, we report that Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein Rv3529c exhibits significant similarity to the death domain of the TLR pathway adaptor protein MyD88. Incubation of macrophages with Rv3529c specifically inhibited TLR2‐mediated proinflammatory responses. This included attenuated oxidative burst, reduced phosphorylation of MAPK‐ERK, reduced activation of transcription factor NF‐κB and reduced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines IFN‐γ, IL‐6, and IL‐17A with a concomitant increased secretion of suppressor cytokines IL‐10 and TGF‐β. Importantly, Rv3529c significantly inhibited TLR2‐induced association of MyD88 with IRAK1 by competitively binding with IRAK1. Further, Rv3529c mediated inhibition of apoptosis and phagosome–lysosome fusion. Lastly, incubation of macrophages with Rv3529c increased bacterial burden inside macrophages. The data presented show another strategy evolved by M. tuberculosis toward immune evasion that centers on incorporating sequences in proteins that are similar to crucial proteins in the innate immune system of the host.
Strategic Decision Implementation in an Emerging Market: "The Nature of the Beast?"

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent to which the institutional context impacts on strategic decision implementation in an emerging market. Previous studies of strategic decision making in emerging markets have not examined decision implementation. Given the changes in the world economy during the past decade, and in particular the growing importance of emerging market multinationals, this is an increasingly salient issue. Design/methodology/approach – Questionnaires were delivered to general managers in all Jordanian publicly quoted industrial firms. A 53.7 per cent response rate was achieved. The structure of the questionnaire built on earlier studies in developed markets and, in particular, Alexander’s (1985) seminal study. Findings – The strategic decision implementation problems which are found in Jordan are similar to those found in developed economies. However, external shocks are a more important influence on strategic decision implementation that has been found to be t.
Protein-protein interactions in concentrated electrolyte solutions.

Protein-protein interactions were measured for ovalbumin and for lysozyme in aqueous salt solutions. Protein-protein interactions are correlated with a proposed potential of mean force equal to the free energy to desolvate the protein surface that is made inaccessible to the solvent due to the protein-protein interaction. This energy is calculated from the surface free energy of the protein that is determined from protein-salt preferential-interaction parameter measurements. In classical salting-out behavior, the protein-salt preferential interaction is unfavorable. Because addition of salt raises the surface free energy of the protein according to the surface-tension increment of the salt, protein-protein attraction increases, leading to a reduction in solubility. When the surface chemistry of proteins is altered by binding of a specific ion, salting-in is observed when the interactions between (kosmotrope) ion-protein complexes are more repulsive than those between the uncomplexed proteins. However, salting-out is observed when interactions between (chaotrope) ion-protein complexes are more attractive than those of the uncomplexed proteins.
Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in duodenal breakdown fistulas: negative pressure fistula therapy (NPFT)?

OBJECTIVE To describe for the first time in literature the specific methodology of use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) for duodenal fistula through clinical cases. The constant increase of use of NPWT for complex surgical situations imposes tailored previously undescribed solutions for the technique. PATIENTS AND METHODS Herein, three cases of high output duodenal fistula successfully treated with Negative Pressure Wound Therapy (NPWT) are reported. The technical details for the application of NPWT to these fistulas are discussed and described. RESULTS All three patients recovered without the necessity of further surgical operations. CONCLUSIONS When using NPWT, management of high-output duodenal fistulas must rely on some degree of customization of the aspiration systems. The aim of the procedure is to put under depression the duodenal hole and surrounding tissues "all in one" and not to separate the complex wound in sectors as usually indicated. We suggest calling this technique Negative Pressure Fistula Therapy.
IN VITRO PROTEOGLYCAN SULFATION DERIVED FROM SULFHYDRYL COMPOUNDS IN SULFATE TRANSPORTER CHONDRODYSPLASIAS

Mutations in a sulfate-chloride antiporter gene, the diastrophic dysplasia sulfate transporter (DTDST), have been associated with a family of skeletal dysplasias including recessive multiple epiphyseal dysplasia, diastrophic dysplasia (DTD), atelosteogenesis type 2, and achondrogenesis type 1B (ACG1B). DTDST function is crucial for uptake of extracellular sulfate required for proteoglycan (PG) sulfation; the tissue-specific expression of the clinical phenotype may be the consequence of the high rate of PG synthesis in chondrocytes and the ensuing high sulfate requirement. We have studied the contribution of cysteine and its derivatives to PG sulfation in fibroblast and chondrocyte cultures from sulfate transporter dysplasia patients. Incubation of ACG1B fibroblasts in medium containing different concentrations of cystine indicated partial recovery of PG sulfation as measured by HPLC disaccharide analysis of chondroitin sulfate PGs; similar results were observed after incubation with N-acetylcysteine. When both compounds were tested in primary chondrocytes from a DTD patient, partial rescue of PG sulfation was observed, suggesting that the metabolic pathways producing cytoplasmic sulfate from thiols are also active in this cell type.
PharmGKB summary: very important pharmacogene information for cytochrome P450, family 2, subfamily C, polypeptide 19

Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Cardiovascular Research Center, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, Departments of Genetics, Bioengineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USA and Department of Pharmacology, Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris 6, INSERM UMR S 956, Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Paris, France
Polarimetric Mm-wave channel measurement and characterization in a small office

This paper presents a wideband full polari-metric directional channel measurement results at 58.5 GHz in a small office room environment assuming an indoor access-point (AP) scenario in the next generation mobile systems. The delay resolution was 2.5 ns from the signal bandwidth of 400 MHz, and the double directional angular characteristics were achieved by rotating high gain horn antennas at both sides of transmitter and receiver. By identifying scattering objects from the measurement data analysis, some important observation about the channel properties were reported. The results reveal that there were a few number of dominant specular multipath components of which the relative power to that of the direct path ranged between -8 and -13 dB. It was also observed that the depolarization is not significant in most of the detected paths with cross-polarization ratio of larger than 14 dB.
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL Efeito da Idade, Fotoperíodo e Disponibilidade de Hospedeiro no Comportamento de Parasitismo de Oomyzus sokolowskii Kurdjumov (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)

The high reproduction rate, potential to cause damage, wide geographic distribution and resistance to insecticides of Plutella xylostella (L.) makes difficult its efficient control. However, larvae and pupae of this pest are naturally parasitized by Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov), providing opportunities to improve the natural parasitism. This study investigated the effects of the age of adult parasitoids, host availability and time of exposure on O. sokolowskii parasitism behavior. The number of larvae encounters by parasitoid females and the parasitism rate increased with parasitoid age up to 96h. The parasitization was higher when wasps received a constant number of hosts daily in comparison with a random number (13.3 versus 8.9 larvae parasitized). Female parasitization activity was maintained up to the age of 20 days in both treatments and exhibited similar longevity (constant host = 33.5 d; and random host = 34.7 d). The progeny produced per female and the number of parasitoids emerged per host significan tly decreased as wasps aged. There was no significant effect of the light regime (12h darkness or 12h light exposure) on the parasitization, although parasitoid was more active after 3h of light exposure. Therefore, further studies on field application of O. sokolowskii should consider the release of 48h- to 72h-old parasitoids at dawn as a way to increase the success of host parasitization.
Induction of apoptosis in BCL‐2‐expressing rat prostate cancer cells using the Semliki Forest virus vector

The Semliki Forest virus (SFV) vector is a transient RNA expression vector that has an inherent p53‐independent apoptosis‐inducing property. It is administered as recombinant SFV particles (rSFV) that undergo 1 round of replication only and express a gene cloned into the multicloning site. In our study we have investigated the ability of the SFV vector to induce apoptosis and inhibit tumour growth in rat prostate cancer (AT3‐Neo) cells expressing the Bcl‐2 oncogene (AT3‐Bcl‐2 cells), which normally inhibits apoptosis. rSFV expressing the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) gene (rSFV‐EGFP), or recombinant RNA transfected into cells by electroporation, induced delayed apoptosis in AT3‐Bcl‐2 cells. SFV‐mediated expression of a cloned pro‐apoptotic Bax gene by the vector, however, enhanced apoptosis induction both in AT3‐Bcl‐2 cells and standard BHK‐21 cells. Such Bax‐expressing particles could be produced only at low titers compared to EGFP‐expressing particles under standard conditions for particle production, but lowering the incubation temperature for particle production to 33°C partially alleviated this effect. Bax‐expressing particles were shown to inhibit the growth of AT3‐Neo and AT3‐Bcl‐2 tumours in nude mice, as did high titre EGFP‐expressing particles. It is concluded that SFV recombinant particles have potential as anti‐tumour agents to treat apoptosis‐resistant tumours. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Intracranial abscesses over the last four decades; changes in aetiology, diagnostics, treatment and outcome

Abstract Background The development of modern medicine has resulted in changes in the predisposing conditions, clinical picture, treatment and results of treatment of intracranial abscesses. This study sought to evaluate these changes in a hospital district. Methods A retrospective analysis of the clinical data of all patients treated due to intracranial abscesses at a tertiary referral centre, between 1970–2012. Results The total number of intracranial abscesses was 166. The incidence of intracranial abscesses was 0.33/100 000/year (2000–2012). The most common predisposing conditions were infection of the ear-, nose- and throat region (22%), odontogenic infection (15%) and cardiac anomaly (13%). Lately (2000–2012), infections of the ear-, nose- and throat region (15%) and cardiac anomalies (5%) have become less common, whereas odontogenic infections (32%) have become more common. The most common pathogens belong to Streptococcus spp (42%), Fusobacteriae (14%), Actinomycetales (8%) and Staphylococcus spp (8%). Most patients (66%) experienced a favourable recovery; the proportion of patients with favourable outcome enabling return to prior occupation rose over time, from 12% in 1970–1989 to 24% in 1990–2012. Conclusions The predisposing conditions for intracranial abscesses have changed markedly within the study period. Odontogenic infections have become a common predisposing condition, whereas infections of the ear-, nose- and throat region and cardiac malformations are nowadays less common as predisposing conditions compared to at the beginning of the study period. The proportion of patients with favourable outcome enabling return to prior occupation seems to have increased with time.
Functional organization of the hepatitis B virus enhancer

We have studied the functional constituents of the hepatitis B virus enhancer in a number of cell lines. The sequence of this enhancer, being embedded within an open reading frame of the virus, is in part evolutionarily frozen and therefore serves as a good model to investigate the fundamental enhancer elements. The hepatitis B virus enhancer contains three functionally important DNA sequence elements, EP, E, and NF-1a, each of which is bound by a distinct protein(s). The synergistic action of these elements accounts for all of the enhancer activity in a nonliver cell line and for most, but not all, of the activity in liver-derived cell lines. Multimers of the E but not of the EP element act as an autonomous enhancer. Conversely, a single element of either the E or the NF-1a element can act only when linked to the EP element. These results suggest that EP is a crucial enhancer element that acts only in interaction with a second enhancer element with intrinsic enhancer activity. Interestingly, a highly similar enhancer structure is found in a number of distinct viruses.