Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic value of electromyography and muscle biopsy in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), a clinical syndrome characterized by multiple congenital joint contractures, frequently is caused by lesions in the peripheral nervous system. Two standard tests for the evaluation of the motor unit are nerve conduction studies/electromyography (NCS/EMG) and muscle biopsy. We reviewed the diagnostic value of these two studies in the evaluation of AMC over a 23‐year period, analyzing 38 patients with AMC who had NCS/EMG, muscle biopsy, or both. Final diagnoses were classified as neurogenic (8 patients), myopathic (10 patients), “other” (12 patients), or unknown (8 patients). Neither test alone had consistently high sensitivities, positive predictive values, or specificities. However, when NCS/EMG and muscle biopsy were concordant for neurogenic or myopathic findings, they were more accurate than either test alone, especially for neurogenic diseases. Test results were most commonly discordant in patients with “other” or unknown diagnoses. These findings suggest that when the clinical evaluation indicates a specific syndromic, developmental, or exogenous cause, NCS/EMG and muscle biopsy are not helpful and may not need to be performed. When the history, examination, and genetic evaluation are unrevealing, NCS/EMG and muscle biopsy together provide valuable diagnostic information.
The road we travel: Māori experience of cancer.

AIM This research explores Maori experiences of cancer. It does so to shed light on the causes of cancer inequalities for Maori. METHODS The views of 44 Maori affected by cancer--including patients, survivors, and their whanau (extended families)--were gathered in five hui (focus groups) and eight interviews in the Horowhenua, Manawatu, and Tairawhiti districts of New Zealand. After initial analysis, a feedback hui was held to validate the findings. RESULTS Maori identified effective providers of cancer services such as Maori health providers. They also identified positive and negative experiences with health professionals. The involvement of whanau in the cancer journey was viewed as highly significant as was a holistic approach to care. Participants had many suggestions for improvements to cancer services such as better resourcing of Maori providers, cultural competence training for all health workers, the use of systems 'navigators', and the inclusion of whanau in the cancer control continuum. CONCLUSION The research identifies a range of health system, healthcare process, and patient level factors that contribute to inequalities in cancer for Maori. It also explores the role of racism as a root cause of these inequalities and calls for urgent action.
Postural vital capacity difference with aging in duchenne muscular dystrophy

Introduction: A change in vital capacity (VC) from standing to supine can be an index of diaphragm paralysis if it exceeds 25%. We aimed to verify whether the postural VC difference increases with age and reflects diaphragm weakness in DMD. Methods: VCs were measured in DMD. Postural VC difference and percentage were calculated from the VC data. Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and MIP percentage were measured as an indirect index of diaphragm weakness. Results: A total of 220 patients and 544 measurements were collected. MIP and MIP percentage decreased significantly with age (P < 0.001 for both). Estimated postural VC difference and percentage also decreased (P < 0.001, P = 0.006, respectively). Age group comparisons showed a significant decrease in younger, but not older subjects. Conclusions: This study shows that the postural VC difference tended to decrease with age and might not reflect diaphragmatic weakness in DMD; however, this should be interpreted cautiously. Muscle Nerve 52: 722–727, 2015
Hybrid Organising in Social Entrepreneurship: How Do Founders of Social Ventures Experience the Tensions in the Areas of Acquiring and Allocating Resources?

Purpose – This study attempts to advance our understanding of social ventures as organisational hybrids by seeking the founder’s experience of selected areas of tensions. We take extant literature on social entrepreneurship and hybrid organising as a point of departure to examine the experiences of practitioners. We aim to answer the question: ‘How do founders of social ventures experience the tensions in the areas of acquiring and allocating resources? ’ Methodology – This study employs a qualitative research approach. Findings stem from ten semi-structured interviews with founders of social ventures in Sweden. The data was analysed by employing a combined approach, namely a direct content analysis followed by procedures of the Gioia methodology. Findings – Results indicate that balancing activities of social value creation with activities of value capture together with challenges in measuring social impact comprise the main themes in the area of allocating resources. With regards to acquiring resources, founders experienced tensions with acquiring financial and human resources. Results indicate the influence of legitimacy, networks, the social venture’s social mission and its legal form on the ability to acquire resources. Research limitations / implications – This study demonstrates the influence of the national context on the experiences of hybridity and its associated tensions. Further, it indicates the relevance of the customer-beneficiary relationship for the scholarly debate on a key challenge of social entrepreneurship, namely balancing value creation and value capture activities. This study is based on data gathered in ten semi-structured interviews at one point in time. The results may not be indicative of the entire population social ventures and are anchored in the national context of Sweden. The findings of this study should, therefore, be viewed within its limitation, namely its focus on the founder’s experiences, its snapshot character and its rather descriptive than explicatory perspective. Practical implications – This study offers (prospective) founders of social ventures guidance in mastering tensions associated with acquiring and allocating resources. It, therefore, presents insights on topics such as understanding the risk of mission drift, considering the legal incorporation, measuring social impact and building legitimacy and networks.
Sodium lactate reversal of electrophysiological effects of imipramine in guinea‐pig ventricular myocardium

Summary— Overdose cardiac effects of imipramine are due to fast Na channel blockade and are clinically reversed by administration of sodium lactate which induces alkalosis (about pH 7.50) and hypernatremia (about 8 mM). The mechanisms of this beneficial effect of Na lactate were explored in vitro on guinea‐pig ventricular myocardium using the microelectrode technique. The time‐course effects of the clinically relevant concentration of 10 μM imipramine on action potential characteristics were examined at pH 7.20 and pH 7.50. To test whether alkalinisation per se is important or whether an increase in Na concentration plays a major role in the reversal effect, preparations were exposed to increasing concentrations (1, 3, 10, 30, 100 mM) of either Na lactate, bicarbonate or chloride in the absence or in the presence of 10 μM imipramine at pH 7.50. The influence of elevating osmolality was evaluated with equivalent concentrations of sucrose. Imipramine alone significantly depressed Vmax and shortened action potential duration at all phases of repolarisation. All three high sodium solutions reversed imipramine effects. However the reversal effect was already obvious with 10 mM Na lactate and 10 mM NaHCO3 but not 10 mM NaCl. Osmolality did not reverse the imipramine‐induced Vmax depression. The results suggest that at the clinically relevant 10 mM concentration, sodium lactate and bicarbonate may displace imipramine from its receptor site on the Na channel by causing alkalosis at the membrane level without profoundly affecting the driving force of the Na current, whereas at the upper concentrations, the increase in Na ion concentrations is predominantly involved in the reversal of imipramine effects.
Yoked complexes of human choriogonadotropin and the lutropin receptor: evidence that monomeric individual subunits are inactive.

Human choriogonadotropin (hCG) contains an alpha-subunit, common to other members of the glycoprotein hormone family, and a unique beta-subunit that determines hormone specificity. It is generally thought that heterodimer formation is obligatory for full hormonal activity, although other studies have indicated that individual subunits and homodimeric hCGbeta were capable of low affinity binding to the LH receptor (LHR) and subsequent activation. Previously, we constructed two yoked hormone (hCG)-LHR complexes, where the two hormone subunits and the heptahelical receptor were engineered to form single polypeptide chains, i.e. N-beta-alpha-LHR-C and N-alpha-beta-LHR-C. Expression of both complexes led to constitutive stimulation of cAMP production. In the present study, we investigated whether the human alpha-subunit and hCGbeta can act as functional agonists when covalently attached to or coexpressed with the LH receptor. Our initial results showed that hCGbeta, but not alpha, was able to activate LHR with an increase in intracellular cAMP in human embryonic kidney 293 cells but not in Chinese hamster ovary or COS-7 cells. Further examination of this apparent cell-specific agonist activity of hCGbeta revealed that low levels of endogenous alpha-subunit were expressed in human embryonic kidney 293 cells, thus enabling sufficient amounts of active heterodimer to form with the transfected hCGbeta to activate LHR. The studies in Chinese hamster ovary and COS-7 cells clearly demonstrate that, even under experimental conditions where hormone-receptor interactions are maximized, individual subunits of hCG can not act as functional agonists, at least in their monomeric form.
The role of vitamin E (tocopherol) supplementation in the prevention of stroke

Summary It was the objective of this work to systematically evaluate the role of vitamin E supplementation in the prevention of stroke. Eligible studies were identified from Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library. The efficacy data is the relative risk (RR) for the events of stroke. Thirteen randomised controlled trials (RCTs), with 166,282 participants in total, were analysed. The pooled results showed no significant benefit in the vitamin E group with respect to stroke of any type (RR 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.96, 1.07); ischaemic stroke (RR 1.01; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.09), haemorrhagic stroke (RR 1.12; 95% CI: 0.94, 1.33), fatal stroke (RR 0.94; 95% CI: 0.77, 1.14), and non-fatal stroke (RR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.08). Administration of vitamin E 300 IU/day or more also gain no benefit (RR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.92, 1.06), as well as vitamin E less than 300 IU (RR 1.05; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.15). Vitamin E supplementation gained benefit of preventing stroke for neither healthy people (0.92; 0.83, 1.03) nor others at high risks in baseline (RR 1.05; 95% CI: 0.98, 1.12). Administration of synthetic vitamin E gain no benefit (RR 1.02; 95% CI: 0.96, 1.09), as well as the natural source vitamin E (RR 0.99; 95% CI: 0.89, 1.09). In conclusion, there is a lack of statistically significant or clinically important benefit of vitamin E supplementation in the prevention of stroke.
MYCORRHIZA AND SOIL ECOLOGY

1. Micro‐organisms are not evenly distributed throughout the soil, and different local soil variations and horizons are inhabited by populations differing in activity and number. The root regions of green plants constitute an important group of these microhabitats, and the population of the root regions of some plants have been examined experimentally. In the root region a population differing from the general soil microflora is found, and here increased rates of activity of certain soil processes, changing the availability of essential plant foods, have been described. Micro‐organisms of many types are subject to this rhizosphere effect, and roots differing in age and in genetic origin exert different effects on various types of micro‐organisms.
A genetic model for determining MSH2 and MLH1 carrier probabilities based on family history and tumor microsatellite instability

Mutation‐predicting models can be useful when deciding on the genetic testing of individuals at risk and in determining the cost effectiveness of screening strategies at the population level. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a newly developed genetic model that incorporates tumor microsatellite instability (MSI) information, called the AIFEG model, and in predicting the presence of mutations in MSH2 and MLH1 in probands with suspected hereditary non‐polyposis colorectal cancer. The AIFEG model is based on published estimates of mutation frequencies and cancer penetrances in carriers and non‐carriers and employs the program MLINK of the FASTLINK package to calculate the proband's carrier probability. Model performance is evaluated in a series of 219 families screened for mutations in both MSH2 and MLH1, in which 68 disease‐causing mutations were identified. Predictions are first obtained using family history only and then converted into posterior probabilities using information on MSI. This improves predictions substantially. Using a probability threshold of 10% for mutation analysis, the AIFEG model applied to our series has 100% sensitivity and 71% specificity.
Random Genetic Drift and Gamete Frequency

An analytic expression of conditional expectation of transient gamete frequency, given that one of the two loci remains polymorphic, is obtained in terms of the diffusion process by calculating the moments of the distribution. Using this expression, a model where linkage disequilibrium is introduced by a single mutation is considered. The conditional expectation of the gamete frequency given that the locus with the mutant allele remains polymorphic is presented. The behavior is significantly different from the monotonic decrease observed in the deterministic model without random genetic drift.
Genetic dissection of intermale aggressive behavior in BALB/cJ and A/J mice

Aggressive behaviors are disabling, treatment refractory, and sometimes lethal symptoms of several neuropsychiatric disorders. However, currently available treatments for patients are inadequate, and the underlying genetics and neurobiology of aggression is only beginning to be elucidated. Inbred mouse strains are useful for identifying genomic regions, and ultimately the relevant gene variants (alleles) in these regions, that affect mammalian aggressive behaviors, which, in turn, may help to identify neurobiological pathways that mediate aggression. The BALB/cJ inbred mouse strain exhibits relatively high levels of intermale aggressive behaviors and shows multiple brain and behavioral phenotypes relevant to neuropsychiatric syndromes associated with aggression. The A/J strain shows very low levels of aggression. We hypothesized that a cross between BALB/cJ and A/J inbred strains would reveal genomic loci that influence the tendency to initiate intermale aggressive behavior. To identify such loci, we conducted a genomewide scan in an F2 population of 660 male mice bred from BALB/cJ and A/J inbred mouse strains. Three significant loci on chromosomes 5, 10 and 15 that influence aggression were identified. The chromosome 5 and 15 loci are completely novel, and the chromosome 10 locus overlaps an aggression locus mapped in our previous study that used NZB/B1NJ and A/J as progenitor strains. Haplotype analysis of BALB/cJ, NZB/B1NJ and A/J strains showed three positional candidate genes in the chromosome 10 locus. Future studies involving fine genetic mapping of these loci as well as additional candidate gene analysis may lead to an improved biological understanding of mammalian aggressive behaviors.
Learning and Interaction at a Conference

The facilitation of learning by interaction between learners is one of the main research topics in educational sciences (e.g., Johnson et al., 2007; Lou et al., 2001). This article applies the ideas on interactive learning to academics’ learning at conferences. By doing this, it tries to answer the question why we should hold conferences at all. Considering conferences cause significant environmental and time costs (e.g., Høyer & Næss, 2001), as well as the novel option of computer conferencing (e.g., Clarke, 2002), one needs to reflect upon the concrete return on investment of traditional, analog (or: in person) conferences. More specifically, this article is a result of a Scholarship of Academic Development (Macdonald, 2003) project that we undertook as conference organizers. We wanted to research the importance of social interactions at a conference for the learning taking place at this conference. The project specifically comprised the planning and evaluation of the German national Academic Development (AD) conference that our university hosted in 2015. When planning the conference, we decided to take measures to increase the interaction between conference attendees in order to increase their learning.
Improving Vaccine Potency Through Intercellular Spreading and Enhanced MHC Class I Presentation of Antigen1

The potency of naked DNA vaccines is limited by their inability to amplify and spread in vivo. VP22, a HSV-1 protein, has demonstrated the remarkable property of intercellular transport and may thus provide a unique approach for enhancing vaccine potency. Therefore, we created a novel fusion of VP22 with a model Ag, human papillomavirus type 16 E7, in a DNA vaccine that generated enhanced spreading and MHC class I presentation of Ag. These properties led to a dramatic increase in the number of E7-specific CD8+ T cell precursors in vaccinated mice (around 50-fold) and converted a less effective DNA vaccine into one with significant potency against E7-expressing tumors. In comparison, nonspreading VP221–267 mutants failed to enhance vaccine potency. Our data indicated that the potency of DNA vaccines may be dramatically improved through intercellular spreading and enhanced MHC class I presentation of Ag.
TAK-779, A Nonpeptide CC Chemokine Receptor Antagonist, Protects the Brain against Focal Cerebral Ischemia in Mice

The effect of a nonpeptide CC chemokine receptor antagonist, TAK-779, on ischemic brain injury resulting from 1-hour middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 48-hour reperfusion was examined in ddY mice. On intracerebroventricular injection of vehicle or TAK-779, infarct volume in the vehicle-treated group was 44.2 ± 13.2% of the contralateral hemispheric volume, and TAK-779 (25 and 250 ng/mouse) dose-dependently reduced the infarct volume to 35.0 ± 12.2% and 31.1 ± 12.9%, respectively. On intravenous injection, infarct volume in the vehicle-treated group was 32.0 ± 16.1%, and TAK-779 (5 μg per 20 g body weight) significantly reduced this to 22.0 ± 10.5%. The results showed for the first time that a nonpeptide chemokine receptor antagonist is protective against ischemic brain injury.
Lead, cadmium and mercury contents and bioaccumulation potential of wild edible saprophytic and ectomycorrhizal mushrooms, Croatia

ABSTRACT Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) contents in ten species of edible mushrooms in Trakošćan, Croatia were determined. In addition, the similarity between the studied species was determined by cluster analysis. The caps and stipes of the fruiting bodies were analysed separately. The analyses were carried out by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The greatest mean lead concentrations of 1.91 and 1.60 mg kg −1 were determined in caps and stipes of Macrolepiota procera. The greatest mean concentrations of cadmium (3.23 and 2.24 mg kg−1) were determined in caps and stipes of Agaricus campestris and of mercury (2.56 and 2.35 mg kg−1) in Boletus edulis. In terms of the anatomical parts of the fruiting body (cap-stipe), a considerably greater concentration of the analysed elements was found in the cap for all mushroom species. According to calculated bio-concentration factors, all the examined species were found to be bio-accumulators of Cd and Hg. On the basis of the accumulation of the studied metals, great similarity of mushroom species belonging to the same genus and partial similarity of species of the same ecological affiliation was obtained by cluster analysis.
Stability and L2 performance analysis of LPV-IO systems using parameter-dependent lyapunov functions

Stability and performance analysis for linear parameter-varying systems with rational parameter dependence in input-output form is considered. Extending previous results, novel linear matrix inequality conditions are presented that permit to reduce conservatism while completely avoiding dynamic parameter dependence. The results are derived by using implicit linear fractional representations to describe the input-output behavior given by a rational parameter-dependent kernel representation. Two examples demonstrate the merits of the proposed analysis conditions.
Synergistic Activity of Colistin plus Rifampin against Colistin-Resistant KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

ABSTRACT Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae are responsible for high rates of mortality and represent a major therapeutic challenge, especially when the isolates are also resistant to colistin. We used the checkerboard method to evaluate the synergistic activity of 10 antibiotic combinations against 13 colistin-resistant KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates (colistin MIC range of 8 to 128 mg/liter). Colistin plus rifampin was the only combination that demonstrated consistent synergistic bacteriostatic activity against 13/13 strains tested, reducing the colistin MIC below the susceptibility breakpoint (MIC ≤ 2 mg/liter) in 7/13 strains at rifampin concentrations ranging from 4 to 16 mg/liter. Bactericidal synergistic activity was also documented for 8/13 tested strains. Other antimicrobial combinations with carbapenems, gentamicin, and tigecycline showed variously synergistic results. Colistin plus rifampin also exhibited bacteriostatic synergistic activity against 4/4 colistin-susceptible KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates (colistin MIC range of 0.5 to 2 mg/liter) and 4/4 ertapenem-resistant extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae isolates (ertapenem MIC range of 16 to 32 mg/liter). Collectively, our data suggest that colistin plus rifampin is the most consistently synergistic combination against KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates, including colistin-resistant strains. Colistin-rifampin combinations may have a role in the treatment of multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae and may possibly slow the selection of heteroresistant subpopulations during colistin therapy.